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A painted kite, a tree trunk with arrows of wheat poking out and a miniature scene of a Butte bar were among the 200 works of art on view this week during the opening of the Art Auction 49 exhibit at the Yellowstone Art Museum.

Several hundred artists and potential buyers walked through the galleries Thursday taking it all in.

YAM executive director Robyn Peterson said the auction, set for March 4, is the museums biggest fundraiser of the year. Works by 140 regional artists will be sold that night in the silent and live auction, raising up to $200,000 in just one night.

With the transition of presidential power nationally, and the Montana Legislature in session, Peterson said there is much uncertainty, which can affect the art world because it makes some buyers nervous.

This years auction exhibit highlights the diversity among regional artists, Peterson said, and thats good for everyone.

There will always be artists doing fine work and people who want to buy art. Were one of those places where people come to connect, Peterson said.

Ossie Abrams, of Billings, said she plans to attend the auction and buy art, not to see her investment grow or to pick a big-name artist to show off on her walls, but to feed her soul.

I want something odd, unusual, strange, that says it was made yesterday and that feels like it was made about life today, Abrams said.

She and her husband, David Orser, have been big supporters of the YAM and Orser once served on its board. In 2008, when the economy was faltering and the museum suffered, Orser and Abrams challenged their friends to donate to the YAM, and matched those donations.

Abrams said shes proud of the fact that Billings has such a fine contemporary art museum.

Contemporary art is not something that is available in all places in Montana, Abrams said. The museum here is friendly to artists in Montana and we know how little encouragement they get.

Three of the youngest patrons Thursday were the grandchildren of Priscilla Moorhouse, aged 5 to 8. Moorhouse has brought all 12 of her grandchildren to the YAM over the years because she feels its important for them to experience and understand contemporary art.

We want them to see that there are all kinds of different ways to make art, Moorhouse said.

Billings artist Neil Jussilas striking abstract oil, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter priced at $10,000, had a small crowd around it Thursday night. It is one of the highest valued works in the exhibit. Missoula artist Larry Pirnies acrylic painting Cowboy Gathering, showing a half dozen cowboys standing around a vintage truck, is priced the highest at $10,500.

Billings artist Carol Hagans series of horse paintings on glass continues this year with her submission in Auction 49, Heyday. In 2016, her glass painting Equus was the top seller at the live auction, going for $7,250.

John Pollock, four-time national champion kite maker, has another of his colorful kites for sale in the live auction, Blue Majestic Daylily, valued at $1,250.

He has been part of the auction most years since 1972.

Those early years, there were a lot more local artists. Now, they're national artists, Pollock said.
BEIRUT  Islamic State militants have destroyed parts of the second-century Roman amphitheater and an iconic monument known as the Tetrapylon in Syrias historic town of Palmyra, the government and experts said Friday.

It was the extremist groups latest attack on world heritage, an act that the U.N. cultural agency called a war crime. A Syrian government official said he feared for the remaining antiquities in Palmyra, which IS recaptured last month.

Also on Friday, Turkeys military said IS killed five Turkish soldiers and wounded nine in a bomb attack in northern Syria.

Turkey is leading Syrian opposition fighters in an offensive against the IS-held town of al-Bab in the Aleppo province, a push that has been bogged down since mid-November. Since its military intervention, Turkey has lost 54 soldiers in Syria, most of them in the al-Bab offensive.

After suffering several setbacks in Syria, IS has gone on the offensive reclaiming ancient Palmyra in December and launching an attack on a government-held city and military air base in Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria.

On Friday, the state news agency SANA said seven civilians were killed when IS shelled a residential area in the city of Deir el-Zour.

However, IS remains under pressure in northern Syria from Turkey and U.S-backed Kurdish forces, as well as in neighboring Iraq where Iraqi troops backed by the U.S.-led coalition are fighting to retake the city of Mosul from the militants.

Palmyra, a UNESCO world heritage site that once linked Persia, India, China with the Roman empire and the Mediterranean area, has already seen destruction at the hands of the Islamic State group. The ancient town first fell to IS militants in May 2015, when they held it for 10 months. During that time, IS damaged a number of its relics and eventually emptied it of most of its residents, causing an international outcry.

Palmyra fell again to the group last month, only nine months after a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive was hailed as a significant victory for Damascus.

On Friday, Maamoun Abdulkarim, the head of Syrias antiquities department, said reports of the recent destruction first trickled out of the IS-held town late in December. But satellite images of the damage only became available late Thursday, confirming the destruction.

Abdulkarim said militants have destroyed the facade of the second-century theater, along with the Roman-era Tetrapylon  a set of four monuments with four columns each standing at the center of the colonnaded road leading to the theater.
William Michael (Mick) Winter died peacefully of leukemia on Saturday January 14 at the Kaiser hospital in Vallejo, with his beloved family at his bedside. He was 75.

An innovator, idealist, writer, satirist, futurist and community activist, Mick lived in the Napa Valley for almost 40 years and was an integral part of the local community. His wife, Kathryn Jacobs Winter, is a former vice mayor of Yountville and a former Napa County supervisor.

Micks interests and intellectual passions were widespread. He addressed sweeping global topics like climate change and the United States foreign policy in his books on Peak Oil and Cuba. But he also focused on the importance of grassroots organizing for improved public services, local neighborhood associations and building community on an intensely personal level.

Always ahead of the times, Mick was one of the first in the Valley to grasp the value of the Internet. One of the original contributors to the WELL (Whole Earth Lectronic Link), a pioneering virtual community founded in 1985, he later collaborated with local educators and school districts to establish NapaNet, then a nonprofit dedicated to connecting local schools to the World Wide Web.

In the 1990s, Mick wrote what at one time was the only guidebook on the region, The Napa Valley Book, and developed its companion website, Napa Valley Online. The site was a comprehensive compendium of services that linked locals to everything from the best wineries and restaurants to real-time breaking news reports from public agencies. The site was a virtual information hub for all things Napa. For five years he worked in the computer department at The Doctors Company helping to establish their Internet presence.

A former staff writer for Wine Business Monthly, Mick also wrote regularly for Napa Valley Life magazine. In 2008 the magazine named him one of the valleys most intriguing residents, citing his community work and groundbreaking websites: NapaNow.com (which succeeded NapaValley Online), SustainableNapaValley.org, and his online newspaper, the NapaValleyHerald.com.

Mick established his own publishing company, Westsong Publishing, and authored a number of books, including The Napa Valley Book, Cuba for the Misinformed, Peak Oil Prep, Sustainable Living, and Scan me: Everybodys Guide to the Magical World of QR Codes. Visit mickwinter.com to learn more.

Mick was gifted with a quick wit, passionate intellectual curiosity and a lifelong and seemingly boundless thirst for knowledge. In his later yearsdecades after he had graduated from collegeMick earned a Masters degree in Creative Media, with distinction, from the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom.

At the urging of his thesis adviser at Brighton, Tara Brabazon, Mick applied to the PhD program in the School of Humanities and Creative Arts at Flinders University in Australia. Professor Brabazon had moved to Flinders and managed to bring her star student along with her. Flinders admitted Mick to its doctoral program, giving him a full scholarship.

Just days before his death, Mick submitted a complete draft of his PhD thesis, Memes, Morphic Fields and Movie Lines, which investigatesamong other thingsthe way certain movie lines become memorable and integral parts of the culture.

In a Facebook post, Brabazon called both the thesis and its author remarkable. She continued: It remains a testament to a great man, a great writer, a great human being.

Mick was born in Palo Alto on Dec. 17, 1941. His father, Samuel William F. Winter, a native of Ireland, was a plant geneticist with Del Monte Foods who developed the stringless green bean. He died when Mick was 10.

After her husbands death, Micks mother, Mary Armstrong Patten, a former music teacher, earned a degree in Library Science so she could support Mick and his younger sister Patty.

Mick attended the University of California, Santa Barbara, but dropped out after two years to join the Army. He served in Vietnam and Germany as a language specialist and intelligence officer.

He returned to UCSB after his military service and graduated with a degree in German.

He lived in Vancouver, British Columbia for 10 years, working as a screenwriter and advertising copywriter. While working on the film Jeremiah Smith, Mick was proud to have shared a trailer on the set with a grizzly named Willie, who (along with Robert Redford) was featured in the movie. Mick used to joke that although the animal didnt snore, Willie did pace back and forth all night, making it difficult to sleep.

During his decade in Vancouver, Mick also became involved in the human potential movement, working as a trainer and teacher with the Arica spiritual school.

He left Vancouver to run the Arica office in San Francisco in 1979. He and his future wife fell in love during an initially routine telephone conversation and remained involved with the Arica community for decades. He and Kathryn Jacobs were married two years later, after moving to Yountville in 1981, where their daughter Joanna was born. Just before his death Mick said that of all his accomplishments, his greatest was his family.

Mick is survived by his wife Kathryn Jacobs Winter, daughter Joanna Kathleen Winter and her husband David Huffman, his sister Patricia F. Winter, cousin James Hall, his niece Marguerite Brydolf Jacobs and nephew Maxwell Robert Jacobs, his sister-in-law Carol Brydolf and her wife Anne Brydolf Langill.

A celebration of Micks life will take place Feb. 18. Contact kathryn@westsong.com for details.
A judge will have the final word in Napa Countys multi-year Walt Ranch hillside vineyard development battle.

Opponents filed two lawsuits in Napa County Superior Court challenging county approval of the project. One is by the Living Rivers Council, the other by the Napa Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity.

If this luxury vineyard goes in, thousands of trees will be cut down, acres of wildlife habitat will be destroyed, new roads will be built, and limited water supplies will be depleted, said Aruna Prabhala of the Center for Biological Diversity in a press release.

Mike Reynolds of Walt Ranch took another view after the Napa County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 20 approved Walt Ranch following more than 11 hours of hearing stretching over four days.

We came forward with the belief it is a very environmentally sensitive project, he said.

With the world-famous Napa Valley floor largely planted out in vineyards, grape growers have been turning to the surrounding mountains to find more room. Walt Ranch has become emblematic of disagreements over creating large vineyards in the areas watersheds.

Craig and Kathryn Hall of HALL Wines in St. Helena are owners of the 2,300-acre Walt Ranch along Highway 121 in the hills between the city of Napa and Lake Berryessa. They have planned for a decade to create vineyards there.

A county environmental impact report found the project could be built with no significant impact. Planning, Building and Environmental Services Director David Morrison in August approved allowing 316 acres of disturbed land which would include 209 acres of vineyard blocks.

Opponents appealed the decision to the Board of Supervisors and the Board upheld it.

Now come the lawsuits challenging the environmental impact report. A press release from the Living Rivers Council said the county failed to disclose public harm caused by deforestation, deep ripping of soils, piping runoff and sediment off the vineyard site and harm to such rare species as the California red-legged frog.
Palestine had never existed as an autonomous entity. In the first century, it was ruled by the Romans who named the land Palestine. The Romans expelled the Jews from Jerusalem in 135 A.D., but many Jews remained in the land.

Christians dominated the land from the time Emperor Constantine became a Christian, in the fourth century, until the followers of Muhammad took over in the seventh century. Palestine was ruled by Muslims and Christians in the time of the Crusades (99 to 1399). The Ottoman Turks took over in the 14th century and remained until 1918.

The Ottoman Empire got its start in the late 13th century when a few states in Turkey banded together under a man called Osman. The empire expanded, and within a short time, had conquered much of the Middle East (which included the Holy Land) and parts of Europe.

In 1453, the Christian Byzantine Empire, centered at Constantinople, fell before the Ottoman Empire. Constantinople became its headquarters. The name of the city was changed to Istanbul and the official religion became Islam. The Sultan assumed the Caliphate and so became the political and religious leader of the Empire.

Under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, the empire reached its golden age. A man of great culture and learning, Suleiman went to Jerusalem in 1517 and renovated the old city walls and renovated mosques, churches and synagogues.

The Turks continued to conquer new territories, and by the mid-16th century, had spread into Egypt, Syria, Algiers, the Arabian Peninsula, Hungary, Romania and parts of Greece. The empire was the largest and longest lasting in the history of the world. It stretched from the Persian Gulf to Hungary and from Egypt to the Caucasus.

It began to deteriorate in the 18th and 19th centuries as nationalism, the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution spread their wings. The Ottomans did not keep up with new developments and the Industrial Revolution bypassed them. In World War I they sided with Germany. The empire came to an end after its defeat by the Allies and was dismantled in 1918.

The war caused great disruption of territory and people. When it ended, the League of Nations ordered protectorates (mandates) to care for countries that the Ottoman Empire had encompassed. France was given the mandate over Syria and Lebanon. The British were given the mandate for Palestine.

Three-quarters of the territory over which the British held the mandate became the kingdom of Jordan. The British were expected to restore part of the land to the Jewish people. (The Jews that had been exiled by the Romans lived as aliens in other peoples' countries).

Under Arab pressure, however, the British forbade immigration and land acquisition by Jews. When the Nazis took over in Germany, Jews fleeing from Hitler were not permitted to land in Israel. Six million Jews were murdered under the Nazi regime.

Maps were redrawn after World War II. The worlds heightened awareness of the atrocities to which the Jews had been subjected throughout their history led to the organization of a homeland for them, when the British Mandate came to an end.

The state of Israel was established in May 1948. Arabic speaking people (among the Muslims, Christians and Druze) living in Israel were invited to become Israeli citizens. Many chose to do this. Others chose to move to Jordan and became Jordanian citizens. Still others remained, hoping that the surrounding Arabic countries would drive the Jews into the sea.

It did not take long for the new state to be attacked by Syria, Egypt, and Jordan who intended to obliterate it. Jews fiercely fought to retain the homeland from which they had been exiled, and they won.

Arab guerrillas, however, infiltrated the country to carry out attacks against Israeli citizens. This led to the Six Day War in June 1967, which Israel won. Israel acquired the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan; the Golan Heights from Syria; the Gaza Strip and the Sinai desert from Egypt. Those people who chose not to become Israeli or Jordanian citizens now occupy The Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

About 20 percent of the citizens of Israel are Arabic speaking and have the same rights as Jews. The main languages used among Israeli citizens are Hebrew, Arabic and English. There have been Israeli Arab members of the Knesset ever since the first Knesset elections in 1949.

Arabic-speaking citizens hold important posts in Israels courts, diplomatic corps and armed forces. The population of Israel is 6.5 million people. It is about the same size as the state of New Jersey.
As bipartisan crowd-pleasers go, few get Montanans nodding more approvingly than calls for a balanced federal budget, which is why U.S. Sen. Steve Daines recently offered a bill forcing his peers to go unpaid unless they rein in spending.

As I travel around Montana, as I did in December wrapping up a 56-county tour, when I talk about this bill, its a bill that will literally bring applause from across the state, Daines told The Gazette.

The state of Montana balances its budget. The federal government should do the same, or so goes the narrative that literally every member of Montanas delegation has adopted for 35 years.

Elected officials need to be accountable to the folks they serve and that starts with getting our fiscal house in order. Montana families balance their budgets, its unreasonable that Congress cant do the same, Daines said in making a balanced budget bill his first of the year for the consecutive year.

One year ago it was Montanas senior Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, proposing the U.S. Constitution be amended to require a balanced budget. Daines' bill, the Balanced Budget Accountability Act, doesnt go as far as changing the Constitution.

Families across Montana balance their budget every day, and they deserve a government that does the same, Tester said in an email. Whether its balancing the checkbook at the kitchen table or in Congress, fiscal responsibility is a Montana value. We cannot keep voting for budget resolutions  like last weeks  that add $9 trillion to the debt and swipe the credit card of our kids and grandkids.

The resolution to which Tester refers doesnt actually bind the Senate to increasing the debt $9 trillion over the next 10 years. That bill was about clearing the way for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and recognizing that if the Senate doesnt act in the future, the debt will in fact increase $9 trillion in 2026.

That just like families do it that politicians use when calling for balanced budgets is dishonest, dangerous pablum, said Richard Kogan, economist for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Families balance checkbooks, but they spend much more than they earn in year. Average household debt in the United States in 2016 was $90,000, according to the Federal Reserve. Included in that debt were home mortgages, student loans, auto loans and credit cards.

If a family has an emergency, out comes the credit card, or the second mortgage. Life would be a lot different for American families if they truly didnt spend more than they made in a single year.

Balancing the checkbook doesnt mean you balance the budget that way, Kogan said. If thats what it meant, no family would ever take out a mortgage or a car loan, or a student loan. They would never have any credit card debt and of course thats nonsense.

There was a time when Congress did balance the federal budget, never spending more than it took in except to fund wars, Kogen said. Those times were particularly rough economically, because when the United States went into recession, which was about every two years, the federal government didnt respond with things like unemployment, or food stamps. There was also no Social Security.

Consequently, when the U.S. economy emerged from recession it wasnt strong enough to really get growing again before the next financial crisis.

After balancing the budget through the first two years of the Great Depression and witnessing no improvement in the economy, Congress and President Franklin Roosevelt starting spending more money to counter the Depression than the government was taking in.

Part of the reasoning for going with an unbalanced budget was that the U.S. economy was expected to grow, which it has with few exceptions for more than 60 years. Some of that growth is made possible because federal spending has made coming out of tough financial times easier, Kogan said. The amount of time between recessions went from two years, to five to eight.

Thats not to dismiss the concerns the American public has about federal debt and the likelihood, as Tester puts it, of passing that debt to the nations children and grandchildren.

Sure enough, we have debt and the debt people worry about going to their children and grandchildren, thats a genuine instinct. Thats a thoughtful concern, Kogan said. Theyre not nuts, and families and countries have gone bankrupt.

But the United States isnt going bankrupt even as its debt rises. Thats because the assets of the United States are also increasing. The U.S. is worth more than it owes.
Posted by Mark Williams | January 21, 2017





By Tim Esterdahl

Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft have exploded in popularity, benefiting from how easy they are to use. These services can be great transportation alternatives, but what if you need to move a couch or haul a load of topsoil? And what if you need help? You could pay for movers, rent a pickup truck, schedule a delivery or even call a buddy.

It all adds up to one big hassle.

That might be about to change. Burro, a growing business based in Austin, Texas, aims to address this problem by being the truck version of Uber, and it's growing in popularity.

On a particularly hot and humid day in the summer of 2014, Burro co-founder Jason Ervin and his son were hauling some new furniture from a store. As usual, they had rented a U-Haul and were moving the furniture themselves. During this process, Ervin said his son had had enough and thought they could come up with something better. "This sucks!" Ervin recalled his son saying. "There should be something where you just push a button and get somebody else to come do this."

While furniture delivery isn't a new idea  most stores have been offering it for years  the idea of an on-demand truck delivery service was. In just a few years, Burro has grown from a simple idea into a booming business, with revenues growing as much as a thousand percent each year and more than a hundred drivers requesting to work for the company. These drivers can earn upward of $35 per hour. Plus, according to Ervin, local furniture stores have seen a boom in their business.

A Booming Convenience Industry

The sweaty job of moving furniture has inspired more than just Ervin. A quick internet search reveals a host of startups based around the same idea of a truck-hailing economy, including Burro, Buddytruk, GoShare, HashMove and Pickup. They have similar stories of not wanting to wait on the furniture store's delivery schedule, overpay for movers or deal with the hassle of renting a truck. And their process is as simple as using an app.

On-demand delivery works by matching up truck owners who want to earn extra cash with customers who need help moving bulky items. Once a customer places an order, the job is broadcast out to the network of drivers who respond to the job. Payment is handled with the app and the job is typically done in hours.

While pricing varies depending on mileage, Burro says a typical hourlong delivery will cost a customer anywhere from $19 to $50 depending on distance traveled, and all the labor is included.

Legal Troubles Threaten Hailing Services

The booming growth of mobile phone, application-based businesses like Burro hasn't gone unnoticed by government officials. On May 6, 2015, Burro received a letter from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles requesting it stop operating until its drivers acquired commercial licenses.

"Anyone moving household goods in a pickup truck or other type or size of vehicle for hire is required to register with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and show proof of insurance in the amounts required by law," wrote Bill Harbeson, the department's director of enforcement, according to the Austin American-Statesman. The letter went on to state that this included anyone who, for example, moves a piece of furniture bought at a garage sale in exchange for pay. Buddytruk, HashMove and Pickup received similar letters in 2015, according to The Texas Tribune.

Since the majority of these businesses' services involves moving furniture and getting a commercial driver's license for each driver would be both costly and time-consuming, Harbeson's letter could have been the end of them. Ervin said Burro hired a lawyer and worked out a deal with the Texas DMV to improve transparency, use GPS tracking and include background checks on its drivers.

With the Texas legal matter resolved for now, Burro is looking to expand beyond Austin as other truck-hailing companies have done  Buddytruk, for example, operates in other densely populated areas including Austin, Los Angeles and Orange County in California, and Chicago. In these places it is increasingly difficult to own, park and drive a good-sized pickup truck. Services like Burro could save the city-dweller pickup from extinction and create a whole new reason for consumers to purchase them.

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The three, alongside another Indian LeT operative, were caught at the Indo-Bangladesh border in Petrapole of North 24 Parganas district while trying to sneak into India in 2007.

However, one of the Indian ultras fled while being taken to Mumbai for investigation.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge of Bangaon sub-divisional fast track court 1 Binoy Kumar Pathak gave the death sentence to Mohammed Younis and Mohammed Abdullah - both residents of Karachi - and Indian citizen Mohammed Muzaffar Ahmed for waging war against India.

The court last Monday pronounced them as guilty under sections 121 (Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against India), 121 A (Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 121).

Ahmed is from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir.

Another LeT operative Sheikh Naeem alias Samir, hailing from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, fled from police custody in 2013 and has been since absconding.

The four terrorists had gone to Dhaka and hatched a conspiracy at the Moon hotel to cause destructions in India.

They were arrested in April 2007, by Border Security Force personnel and handed over to The Criminal Investigation Department of West Bengal police.

--IANS ssp/ahm/rn

( 235 Words)

2017-01-21-19:04:06 (IANS)
Pakistan on Saturday released Indian Army soldier Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who had "inadvertently" crossed the LoC in September last year. Chavan was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah-Attari joint check post, a Border Security Force (BSF) official confirmed in Amritsar. Chavan was handed over to Army authorities after his return to India, he said. Sepoy Chavan's kin and residents of his native village Bohivir in northern Maharashtra were overjoyed on his release. His family thanked authorities for securing his safe return. Chavan, 22, of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was taken into custody by Pakistan Army after he "inadvertently" crossed the Line of Control (LoC) from Krishna Ghati sector in Jammu and Kashmir on September 29 last year. Pakistan Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor said in a statement that Chavan "deserted his post at the LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders". "He wilfully crossed LOC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," he said. He added that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LoC and IB (International Border), Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds." The incident took place just hours after the Indian forces carried out surgical strikes on September 29 across the Line of Control to destroy terrorist launch pads. The Indian Army said that they had got confirmation by Pakistan military authorities that Chavan would be handed over at 3 p.m. and the soldier was finally handed over. "Sep Chandu Babulal Chavan crossed over to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from own Krishna Ghati sector on September 29. In order to ensure his release the matter was taken up with Pakistani Military authorities through the existing hotline and scheduled DGMO level talks," the army statement said. In Chavan's native village, scores of villagers came out into the streets to greet his family, who were overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, laughing and crying at the same time. Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said: "We are extremely grateful to the government for securing his safe release. We shall remain indebted to (Minister of State for Defence) Subhash Bhamre for all his help in ensuring his return home." "It is unbelievable and the news is still sinking in. We are so happy... for us, its like all festivals -- Diwali, Holi -- coming together simultaneously and we shall celebrate when he comes home after such a long time," his married sister Rupali Patil said wiping away tears of joy. After hearing the news of Chavan's capture, his aged grandmother suffered a heart attack and died a few days later. Indian Army sources said that Chavan will go through a medical check up and will be subsequently debriefed. They said that since the soldier was coming from a "hostile nation", the army will have to check for any radicalisation that might have happened. Debriefing will help know what the soldier might have been subjected to, sources added. The surgical strikes in September last year came in the wake of an attack on an Indian army base near the town of Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18. Nineteen Indian soldiers died in the attack, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-backed militants, a claim flatly denied by Islamabad. --IANS rs/ps/ahm/bg ( 577 Words) 2017-01-21-21:52:08 (IANS)
In a series of tweets Modi said: "Statehood Day greetings to the people of Meghalaya. My best wishes for the development journey of the state."

"On their Statehood Day, I convey my best wishes to the people of Tripura and pray for the state's all-round growth.

"Greetings to the people of Manipur on their Statehood Day. I hope Manipur will remain blessed with joy and prosperity," Modi said.

Under the North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya attained statehood on January 21, 1972.

--IANS and/in

( 120 Words)

2017-01-21-08:56:06 (IANS)
The pressure built up by the income tax department post-demonetisation prompted those under scrutiny to opt for the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). This was found out after the Pune Investigation Directorate conducted surveys and searches. A number of co-operative banks were also suspected of converting black money into white, during the demonetisation drive from November 8 to December 30. Over the past two days, the Pune investigation directorate conducted surveys on 37 jewellers in 16 cities across Maharashtra and detected serious irregularities. "Many people covered in these intrusive actions reportedly opted for PMGKY," a senior income tax official told ANI. Similarly, during the investigation by Hyderabad Directorate, an I-T official found subtantial evidence against film producers, doctors and jewellers who made huge deposits of unaccounted money. A prominent jeweller deposited cash exceeding Rs. 100 crore in old notes of 1000 and 500. During investigation, he claimed the source of cash as advances from more than 5,200 customers to who sales were made at the night of November 8. His claim was eventually found wrong. An FIR was filed with the local police and the matter was also reported to Enforcement Directorate. In another case, a doctor's bank account showed huge cash deposit of Rs. 11.50 crore. The doctor admitted that the cash was out of unexplained sources. The available balance of Rs. 7.5 cr was seized. Another investigation showed cash deposit of Rs. 40 crore by a person, stated to be a film producer. Investigation revealed that he was not filing his returns of income regularly. The I-T department is now stepping up to mount pressure to ensure that black money holders do not go scot free. The government is also said to have barred co-operative banks from accepting deposits under the amnesty scheme. (ANI)
Barry Beach on Friday denied he failed to comply with the conditions of his probation by violating a protection order in November.

District Court Judge Katherine Bidegaray presided over a revocation hearing in Wolf Point. Beach, represented by Billings lawyer Jack Sands, denied that he had violated a condition of his probation.

Beach, who is free on bond, will appear again near the end of February when Bidegaray will determine whether his suspended sentence will be revoked.

The revocation petition was filed in the 15th District Court, which includes Roosevelt County, where Beach was sentenced for deliberate homicide for the 1979 beating death of 17-year-old Kim Nees.

Gov. Steve Bullock granted Beach clemency in November 2015 after he had served more than 30 years in prison for the murder. Since then, Beach has been serving a 10-year suspended sentence related to the clemency. A revocation could send him back to prison.

A woman filed for a protection order against Beach on Oct. 28. She is the mother of a child she had with Beach during his brief release from prison in 2011, according to the order.

The woman later told police that on Nov. 5, Beach parked outside her home. A GPS monitoring unit attached to Beach as part of his probation backed up those claims, according to court documents.

The protection order was dismissed in December. The violation was the basis of the state's revocation.

If the suspended sentence is revoked, the state is "recommending that he be sent back to prison," said Justice Department spokesman Eric Sell. That recommendation is in line with a probation officer's referral that Beach be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Beach has long maintained his innocence in Nees' death. In his clemency order, Bullock cited Beach's good behavior while in prison and the fact that he was 17 at the time of the murder.
With Donald Trump taking over the reins of the US, industry stakeholders in India and the government feel that the fears of protectionism and curbs on H1B visas will remain, but that the US will continue its financial and technological collaboration with India. "We believe that US will continue to support global growth with financial and technological collaborations and investments," Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa told IANS. "We hope to build strong relationship between two dynamic democracies for the mutual benefit of the two biggest economies for the well being and prosperity of its people," Lavasa added. "The focus of the new regime in the US is clear and they will be looking inwards. Not much of globalisation is expected. They will have the preference and support to their own people which is natural. Indian Industries have to reinvent itself. Indian industries have to take the opportunity in terms of goods and services, investing in the US," Sunil Kanoria, President, Assocham and Vice Chairman Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited told IANS. "Apprehensions over possible negative impact on India's IT industry is nothing but exaggeration. Indian IT professionals are known world over for their expertise in providing affordable IT products and solutions and the same has been acknowledged globally," D.S. Rawat, Secretary General of industry chamber Assocham, told IANS. However, industry chamber Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said Indian industry is very optimistic about the incoming administration under President Trump and future of India-US relations under the incoming new US administration. "The optimism about President Trump stems from the fact that he promises major tax cuts and reforms, which may instil the US back on a 3-4 per cent growth path, reviving not only the US economy but boosting the global economy," the chamber added. State Bank of India chief economist Soumya Kanti Ghosh felt that the US will go for some sort of fiscal expansion - through increased infrastructure spending or tax cuts - which will lead to some capital outflow from India. "If the US goes for fiscal expansion then countries like India will be at a disadvantage because there will be capital outflow from India," Ghosh told IANS. "Protectionist trend is another thing that India is fearful about. It could harm the developing economies more than the developed economies. It could be a drag on the developing economies. Lower growth in India-US trade could be problematic for India," he added. Ghosh, however, said the true impact of Trump becoming the 45th President of the US needs to be assessed after the initial 100 days as his policies unfold because the impact on India could be both positive and negative. The worst fear is the effect on Indian IT industry in terms of curbs on H1B visas as promised by Trump. The stakeholders, however, felt that the issue has always been there and the apprehension could turn out to be an exaggeration. "H1B visa is a bowl of contention. The issue is there for a long time. It is just getting more attention now because the US President has specifically mentioned it. But we should not give too much attention to it," Ghosh said. R. Chandrashekhar, President, Nasscom, said the Indian IT industry looks forward to working with the Trump Administration and the new Congress on issues of great importance. "Our members provide critical services to thousands of companies, government agencies, non-profits and others across America. Indian IT companies work with 75 per cent of the Fortune 500 firms and help meet the needs of US businesses for skilled IT solutions to innovate, open new markets and expand operations, and thereby create thousands of jobs for Americans," Chandrashekhar told IANS. Indian IT firms have also significantly invested across the US. A survey found 84 of 100 Indian companies plan to invest in the US over the next five years, building on a presence in all the 50 states already. "Contrary to some mis-perceptions and political rhetoric, the Indian IT sector has long contributed to the US economy in more ways than one. Besides making the US firms more efficient and competitive, the Indian IT industry has helped them develop new technologies and new products over the years, benefiting their customers and the American job growth," B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, former Chairman, Nasscom told IANS. With the rhetoric of Trump fading into the past, Reddy said that the US administration would take a balanced approach to high-skilled visas and the contribution of India's IT sector to its economy. Nidhi Goyal, Managing Director-Tax and Regulatory Affairs, Protiviti, told IANS: "Indians working abroad on H1B visa may not get extension to continue working in the US as its own citizens will be given preference over non-US citizens." Experts feel the equity markets will react strongly. "President Trump's remark 'Buy American, Hire American' is extremely disturbing. Protectionist nationalism is bad for global economy, global trade and markets. Stock markets will view this negatively," V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas, told IANS. --IANS mm-fb-bdc-ppg-ag/rn ( 846 Words) 2017-01-21-18:54:06 (IANS)
As Trump took the oath of office to become the 45th President of the United States, LaBeouf, collaborators Nastja Sde Rnkk and Luke Turner, and Jaden Smith called on the public to take another oath: "He will not divide us".

The "He Will Not Divide Us" title of a participatory livestream was unveiled by the performance artistes on Inauguration Day on Friday, reports usatoday.com.

Staged outside New York's Museum of the Moving Image, the public art project invites passersby "to deliver the words 'He will not divide us' into a camera.

According to the livestream site, "the mantra 'He will not divide us' acts as a show of resistance or insistence, opposition or optimism, guided by the spirit of each individual participant and the community."

Smith became the first guide for the project, reciting the mantra for three-plus hours in front of a growing crowd. "He Will Not Divide Us" will stream "continuously for four years, or the duration of the presidency".

--IANS sug/rb/vm

( 190 Words)

2017-01-21-13:36:07 (IANS)
Amid the ongoing chaos in Tamil Nadu over ban on Jallikattu, the Centre on Saturday assured of bringing constructive legal solution to the problem. "The central government and the state government have worked in consort and the legal solution we propose to come very fast is to protect the cultural heritage of the Tamil Nadu and also the safety and security of livestock and people. Keeping all this ideas in mind a constructive legal solution has been found," Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told ANI. Prasad further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself is very particular about the issue and took a lot of initiatives and asked the minister to be proactive. "We are very proud of the culture of the Tamil people. We sat with the Attorney General, Mukul Rohatgi and the Environment minister, Anil Dave and also talked to our party president Amit Shah and thereafter Attorney General mentioned the matter before the Supreme Court," he added. In a respite to the people of Tamil Nadu, the Centre yesterday gave approval to an ordinance revoking the ban on Jallikattu. The ordinance was proposed by the Tamil Nadu Government which was placed before the Law, Environment and Culture Ministries. In consultation with Attorney General, the ministries forwarded the ordinance to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent. This latest development came in the wake of sea of protesters that continued to swell on the Marina beach in Chennai for the fourth day as supporters of Jallikattu staged their protest. The Supreme Court, which had banned the sport in 2014, has agreed not to pass any interim order for a week. Attorney General mentioned the matter before the apex court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar. Urging the protestors to end their protest, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has said that Jallikattu will return to the state in a couple of days through an ordinance or executive order that will be reviewed by President Mukherjee.(ANI)
The Supreme Court on Saturday will hear the plea filed by December 16 gangrape convicts Mukesh, Akshay, Pawan and Vinay, challenging the Delhi High court order which had sentenced the four convicts to the gallows after keeping in view the fact that it was a rarest of the rare case. The appeal, which is being heard by the Apex Court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra, is at the fag end in the case. Earlier, the apex court had declined the request by two amici curiae - senior counsel Raju Ramachandran and Sanjay R Hegde to withdraw from assisting the court in hearing of appeals by the convicts in the gang rape case. Asking both to continue assisting the court in hearing of the appeals by the four accused convicted and sentenced to death, the three judge bench comprising of justices Dipak Misra, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan said: "We can appreciate the anguish expressed by the learned amici curiae". Six people gang-raped a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in a moving bus and thrashed her and her male friend. They then violently raped and attacked her, and threw both of them from the moving bus on Dec 16. The woman succumbed to her injuries in a Singapore hospital on December 29, 2012. The incident led to large scale protests across the country, forcing the government of the day to make strict and punitive laws related to harassment of women. One of the accused, Ram Singh hanged himself in prison, while another man, who was a juvenile at the time of the crime, was convicted in August and will serve the maximum sentence of three years in a reform home. Meanwhile, on December 3, amicus curiae Sanjay Hegde questioned the evidence produced by the prosecution in the gang-rape case, and came out with certain points putting a question on the merit of evidence. According to Hegde, one of the convicts, Mukesh, was not with the prime culprit Ram Singh when the offence was committed, since their mobile locations were found to be different on that night.(ANI)
"Owaisi always has an absurd analogy and I think the best way to reply to all his question is by being silent," BJP leader Shaina NC told ANI.

Shaina further said that the BJP doesn't want to fall in trap of vote bank politics by commenting over Owaisi's statement.

Owaisi yesterday said that Jallikattu protest was a lesson for Hindutva forces.

"#Jallikattuprotest Lesson for Hindutva forces, Uniform Civil Code cannot be "imposed" this nation cannot have one CULTURE we celebrate all," Owaisi had tweeted.

Meanwhile, in a respite to the people of Tamil Nadu, the Centre yesterday gave approval to an ordinance revoking the ban on Jallikattu.

In consultation with Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, the ministries forwarded the ordinance to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.

This latest development came in the wake of sea of protesters that continued to swell on the Marina beach in Chennai for the fourth day as supporters of Jallikattu staged their protest.

The Supreme Court, which had banned the sport in 2014, has agreed not to pass any interim order for a week.(ANI)
Maintaining stand against holding bull-taming sport Jallikattu, an animal rights activist on Saturday said that the Supreme Court would definitely strike down the ordinance passed by the Centre. "Whatever ordinance or legislation that happens, will come within the purview of the Supreme Court. We have no doubt it will be struck down by the Supreme Court because it will be within their judicial purview," Gauri Maulekhi told ANI. Condemning the ongoing protests going in Tamil Nadu, Maulekhi said such incidents bring shame to the Supreme Court and country. "Right now, if any attempt is made only to shame the Supreme Court by one state, then who is to stop so many others states from doing the same...It is setting up a very bad precedent. It's shaming our country. Our country has to stand together and uphold the constitution and the Supreme Court," she said. The Centre, yesterday passed the ordinance on Jallikattu, proposed it by the Tamil Nadu Government. The ordinance was placed before the Law, Environment and Culture Ministries before it was passed. In consultation with Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi, the Ministries forwarded the ordinance to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent. Meanwhile, the protests at Chennai's Marina Beach continue for fifth day, with the agitators refusing to leave the spot till the sport event is organised. (ANI)
The accused, Twaab Ahmed, alias Saleem, 27, and Sulaiman Ahmadi, 31, have been arrested and sent to judicial custody by a court, said the police.

The victim had gone to a pub at Hauz Khas village with a female friend where she came across Saleem, who later invited the duo to his house for an after-party where the incident took place.

In her complaint, the victim said there was a bonfire party on the terrace after which her friend returned to JNU while she stayed back. She soon passed out. When she woke up, she realised that Sulaiman was trying to force himself on her.

The survivor said she later got to know that Saleem and Sulaiman had sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious. (ANI)
Southern Railway (SR) has cancelled two trains and partially three others in view of the ongoing agitations demanding the lifting of ban on Jallikattu. A SR release here today said, Train No.16860 Mangalore Central Chennai Egmore Express scheduled for tomorrow and Train No.06010 Puducherry Santragachi Special Fare Special to leave today are cancelled. Train No.11044 Madurai Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express today is partially cancelled between Madurai and Tiruchchirappalli and the train will leave from Tiruchchirappalli to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus as per scheduled timings, while train No.16724 Thiruvananthapuram Central Chennai Egmore Ananthapuri Express today is partially cancelled between Thiruvananthapuram and Dindigul. This train will leave from Dindigul to Chennai Egmore as per scheduled timings and Train No.16780 Rameswaram Tirupati Express today is partially cancelled between Rameswaram and Tirucharapalli. This train will leave from Tirucharapalli to Tirupati as per scheduled timings, the release said.UNI PAB CS 1342 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1116712.Xml
Making a fervent appeal to Muslims and others that they should not waste their vote on SP or Congress and support BSP, so that BJP can be defeated, party supremo Mayawati today said wondered how could the voters support a 'tainted' Chief Minister of the SP, which has failed to secure the lives and property of the people of Uttar Pradesh. She warned that if BJP comes to power in UP, then the reservation given to the Dalits and Backwards would also be under threat. "BJP is day-dreaming of getting power in UP and the RSS leaders have started making statements on reservation. But, BSP has vowed that it would not allow BJP to come to power at any cost," she said, adding that BJP government at the Centre has already taken several steps to hit the reservation policy by promoting the private sector. Suggesting the Congress that they should not ally with the SP, so that they could not be charged for the failures of the Akhilesh Yadav government, Ms Mayawati claimed that Congress' condition is so bad in UP that they are not able to find candidates, despite doing rath yatras and khaat sabhas. "While SP has fielded a tainted CM face and BJP has failed to give any CM face due to rumbling in the party, there is only BSP left, which can give an honest and able leadership in the state," she claimed. Ms Mayawati made a fervent appeal to Muslims to support her party and prevent BJP from coming to power, thus going against the Supreme Court's ruling that leaders should not appeal on religion or caste line. Addressing a press conference here, the BSP chief claimed that people of the state have not forgotten over 500 communal riots in the state during this government, besides the failures of both the UP and the Central governments. SP is now a divided house, following the clear cut division among the base vote of the party, hence their defeat in the elections is written in the book, she asserted. Similarly, BJP, which has even failed to give any CM face, was on the backfoot, following the demonetisation row and the failure to fulfill the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Besides, the ticket distribution in BJP has also created a revolt like situation in the party and thus, they are now trying to save their own house, she pointed out, alleging that SP was playing to the tune of BJP by forging alliance with the Congress. SP and BJP have a clear nexus and they are trying to help each other politically, she added.UNI MB RJ 1336 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1116687.Xml
The Tamil residents of Odisha today organised a peaceful protest in support of Jallikattu to show their solidarity with the Tamil youth rallying throughout the world for the cause of Jallikattu (Daring the Bull) and also in support of our farmers who largely depend on these desi Bulls for farming and milk production. Mr V Sridhar, the convenor of the Tamil residents of Odisha said the peaceful protest was organised before the Raj Bhawan here for creating awareness of Jallikattu, also known as Eru thaluvuthal and Manju Virattu, a traditional sport in which a bull is released into a crowd of youth. In jallikattu, the young men attempt to grab and tightly "hug" the large hump of the bull and hang on to it while the bull attempts to escape. This sport, he said, helps the farmers to select the toughest and sturdiest bulls, for further breeding and does not injure the bull at all. On the contrary, these bulls are so valuable that no farmer will ever risk these bulls' lives in a careless way, he added. The 2,000 year old Jallikattu sport is celebrated in Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh, as a part of Pongal celebrations on Mattu (Cow) Pongal day. Jallikattu was practiced during the Tamil classical period (400-100 BC). Ancient Tamil Sangams described the practice as Yeru thazhuvuthal, literally "bull embracing". Mr Sridhar said, Jallikattu was common among the ancient people Aayars cowherds and shepherds - who lived in the 'Mullai' (pastures) geographical division of the ancient Tamil country. It gives a huge encouragement for bull rearing for farmers in Tamil Nadu, and in turn these bulls are used for breeding. He said, the ban on Jallikattu means the slow death of such bull rearing process which will pave the way for importing High breed cows yielding A1 milk compared to A2 milk breed produced by"our own native cows". Mr Sridhan said, all the Tamil residents of Odisha gathered before the Raj Bhawan to express their solidarity and appealed to the people of Odisha and the Government to support the Save Jallikattu movement and protect native breeds, cultures and traditions from vanishing under the incessant attack of global corporations.UNI DP AKM 1733 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0213-1117140.Xml
HELENA  Montana lawmakers have opened debate on proposals that aim to help the state's child foster care system and make the agency responsible for protecting neglected and abused kids more accountable.

Legislative committees held hearings Thursday and Friday on bills that would, in turn, strengthen the rights of the more than 3,400 foster children and their parents, and provide an alternative to foster care.

A third bill would allow lawmakers to view confidential case files held by the state Child and Family Services agency, under certain circumstances.

That bill's sponsor, Sen. Eric Moore, R-Miles City, said his measure and other legislation recommended by the Protect Montana Kids Commission would address a problem that has reached crisis level. Other issues may be subject to partisan wrangling this legislative session, but not this one, he said.

"One thing we're not going to do is we're not going to make political points on a 6-year-old kid in a meth house who hasn't had a meal in three days," he said.

The Protect Montana Kids Commission was created by Gov. Steve Bullock last year after the state's child protection agency came under heavy criticism for both wrongly removing children from their homes and failing to do so in dangerous situations. The 3,450 children in foster care is a record number for the state.

Since then, Child and Family Services has hired a new administrator, and the Department of Public Health and Human Services it operates under has a new director. The new CFS head, Maurita Johnson, said the agency supports Moore's bill.

The measure would allow state lawmakers and Montana's congressional delegation to view confidential files held by the agency if they receive a written inquiry about whether a child is being properly protected.

The measure would allow lawmakers to determine whether the agency is following the rules and better inform future policy decisions, Moore told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

On Thursday, the House State Administration Committee took up a Protect Montana Kids Commission bill that amounts to a declaration of rights for children and parents in the foster care system, the Great Falls Tribune reported.

The measure says kids should receive good care and treatment, be free from abuse and exploitation, and receive a good education and health care. It also says foster parents should be treated with dignity, respect and trust, and be considered a member of a professional team caring for youth.

A bill heard Friday would change the law to allow a group called Safe Families for Children to operate in Montana as an alternative to the state's foster care system. The Chicago-based organization arranges for parents in crisis to temporarily place their children with volunteer families, and it already operates in eight states, said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Roger Webb, R-Billings.

"It gives parents the right to exercise their parental rights without government interference," Webb said.

Officials from the state health department said they were concerned about the bill's lack of protections for children. Parents can already give friends and family members power of attorney for up to six months for short-term care of their children under state law, but the bill would allow that power of attorney to be renewed indefinitely without knowing how children are doing, department attorney Shannon McDonald said.

The measure includes no provisions for background checks or court oversight, she added.

"Unregulated transfers like this can put children in dangerous situations when they're placed with unfit adults," McDonald said.

No immediate action was taken on any of the bills.
Stressing an urgent need for immediate intervention at the landfill site at Bhalaswa and other sites, Lt. Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal today directed the Municipal Corporation to use modern technologies to resolve the problem at the earliest. The Lt. Governor, who visited Capital's largest Landfill site at Bhalaswa this morning, stressed that efficient solid waste management strategies need to be implemented. He also directed the concerned agencies to work in coordination with DPCC. The Lt. Governor, who was accompanied by all the three Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, Secretary (Power), Secretary to Lt. Governor, officers of the Lt. Governor's Secretariat and the agencies concerned, shall be taking a review meeting early next week regarding measures to be taken for proper solid waste management in the city including the issue of Bhalswa landfill site with concerned officers and agencies.Later, Mr Baijal also reviewed the progress of Signature Bridge Project at Wazirabad where he directed the officials to send regular monthly reports to monitor its timely completion.UNI AR SHK 1705 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1117009.Xml
Bhaiyyalal Bhotmange, lone survivor of the 2006 massacre in which four members of his family were brutally killed by a mob in the Khairlanji village of Maharashtra, died of a heart attack. The case is in the Supreme Court and he was waiting for the justice. Poor man Bhotmange, who fought in Sessions Court, Bombay High Court and Supreme Court for justice for ten-long-year, finally passed away while waiting for the justice in Khairlanji massacre case. Bhotmange's wife Surekha, daughter Priyanka and two sons -- Sudhir and Roshan -- were brutally killed by a mob in the Khairlanji village of Maharashtra. The mob was angered over a testimony given by Surekha and Priyanka against some villagers, which led to their arrest in a case connected to an assault on a Dalit family from the neighbouring village and Bhotmange was an eyewitness to the massacre. Thirty-eight people were arrested for killing of the Bhotmange family members. A fast-track court convicted eight of them for the crime in 2008. Six were awarded death penalty. Nagpur bench of the High Court in 2010 commuted the death penalty.UNI PK SS AE SNU 1711 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1116978.Xml
Hamstrung by differences within the partyin Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party began a two day stateexecutive committee meeting here today with Union Minister andnational General Secretary H N Ananthkumar calling the cadre toprepare for next year's assembly electricians with a vow to make theState ''Congress Free''. Setting the tone for the meeting, the second one to be held afterMr Yeddyurappa, returned to head the state unit, Mr Ananth Kumarurged the cadre to dedicate the next one and half years for partywork so that poll preparations could be made effectively and ensureparty won maximum number of seats. Accusing the Congress government in the State of failing on allfronts, he claimed that people were fed up with the Congress.Claiming that the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modihad demonstrated good governance and transparency in administration,he urged the party workers to create public awareness about theachievements of the Modi government. Endorsing his views, the party National General-Secretary PMuralidhar Rao urged the party cadre to enter the "battle field"with determination and full force. However, in an obvious referenceto the previous episode of intra-party dissidence that resulted inthe BJP's defeat in the 2013 Assembly polls, he urged the partyleaders to understand the importance of unity and also introspect onthe previous episodes. "People have supported the BJP whenever ithas gone to them with unity," he remarked. Stressing the need for launching aggressive campaigns to 'expose'the Congress government, he called for avoiding "tokenism" in partycampaigns. Mr Murlidhar Rao made it clear that the party central leadershipwas now looking at Karnataka to regain the political hold on amission mode. "We want Karnataka to be a light post for the BJP inthe entire South India," he remarked. Taking a jibe at the Congress, he said the Congress leaders hadbecome "vacation leaders" as they were only making "guest appearances.MORE UNI SD CNR ADB1607 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0285-1116934.Xml
Karnataka will be free from Child Marriagewithin the next five years, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said today. Speaking at a function organised by Karnataka State ChildrenRights Protection Commission to create awareness against ChildMarriage he called upon for eradicating Child Marriage and educatinggirl child. "Mere law cannot prevent such marriages. A revolutionis needed to create awareness among the public against it andproviding education to girl child is very important," he added. The Chief Minister said that the amended Child Marriage Ban Acthas been sent to the Union Government for approval. Punishment uptotwo years imprisonment for those who indulge and provoke has beenintroduced in the amendment. The State has implemented almost allrecommendations of Justice Shivrajpatil committee on Prevention ofChild Marriage system. Mr Siddaramaiah said that the Child Marriage which was 41.2 percent in 2005 has come down to 23.2 per cent in the State, but itshould be totally stopped with in next five years. Strongly opposing foeticide and Child Marriage,Mr Siddaramaiahsaid that children are future citizens of the country. It is theduty of the Society and Government to protect rights of childrenwhether male or female. Stating that circumstances, including poverty, lack of educationand awareness have led to continuation of Child Marriage, he said that the "it is the duty of one and all to see that Marriage of boy orgirl was held at appropriate age and not when they are not awareabout future." Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Rural Development andPanchayat Raj H K Patil said that Child Marriage should beconsidered as sexual assault on girl child and should be punished asper law. He said that about 10 per cent of child marriage was held duringmass marriages held especially in rural areas. There is need to putan end to it. The Chief Minister also launched a Website 'Kare' to enablepublic to report about child marriage occurrences.UNI MSP CNR AK1625 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0285-1116954.Xml
Karnataka State Open University(KSOU) ViceChancellor Prof D Shivalingiah today expressed confidence over theUniversity getting back its recognition by University GrantsCommission (UGC) before the commencement of the next academic yearin June 2017. The UGC had derecognised KSOU courses in June 2015 for allegedlyflouting norms, directives and guidelines on distance learningprogrammes. Ever since the derecognition, the KSOU has not been ableto admit any student in its distance education programmes, causing asevere loss of revenue. Addressing press persons here he said that the KSOU officialsalong with Department of Higher Education Secretary had met UGCauthorities eight times seeking the revoking of derecognition, butthe Commission had till now not come out with a positive response.Stating that the KSOU had submitted documentary evidence with allstatistics to the UGC, Prof. Shivalingaiah said that KSOU hadfurnished a detailed report running up to 15,000 pages comprisingdetails from 1996 (when it began) till 2012-13. He said the University has initiated action to withdraw the writpetition filed against DEC. pending before the high court of delhifrom 2011 on request of the UGC, Karnataka state open universityact 1992 has been amended restricting the areas of operation only tothe state of Karnataka and the University has submitted nine fullfledged compliance reports along with supporting documents forconsideration of UGC regarding renewal of recognition from april22,2016, to December 19,2016, but the recognition is yet to begranted, he said. The KSOU courses were derecognised by the UGC in June 2015 citingthe violation of territorial jurisdiction besides signing MOUs withinstitutions outside the state and the move has affected the careerprospects of lakhs of students pursing education through thedistance or open learning mode in a nutshell. He said information comprising students' names, registrationnumbers, details about 4,400 study centres, 208 academiccollaborations had been provided to UGC as per its instructions butthere was no positive response. However, he mentioned that effortsare being made to get the renewal before June 2017. He said that KSOU had provided admission to 1,47,755 students in2013 out of which examinations have to be conducted for 14,209students. He said that the UGC had objected to admitting 1,07,854students citing violations of territorial jurisdiction and addedthat the University had provided admission to 39,903 students withinKarnataka.UNI BSP CNR AK1702 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0285-1117017.Xml
The Election Commission observed that Kejriwal had made remarks to the effect of promoting bribery to the electors in a public meeting in Goa.

However, Kejriwal did not deny making the statements in his reply and stated that he neither offered any bribe nor promoted the electors to accept any monetary benefit.

The Election Commission also warned Kejriwal and said that stern action will be taken against him if he violates Model Code of Conduct again.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal took to his social Twitter handle and said, that he would challenge Election Commission 's order in court.

"EC order against me completely wrong. Lower court gave order in my favor. EC ignored court's order. Will challenge EC's latest order in court," he tweeted.

Earlier this month, while addressing an election rally in Goa's Benaulim, Kejriwal said that voters in Goa should accept money from the BJP and the Congress but cast their votes for the AAP.

"If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as your own money. But when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of the AAP candidate," he said.

Kejriwal had also been warned earlier for making similar remarks during Delhi Assembly elections. (ANI)
Special Investigation team (SIT) led by Kannur District Police Chief KP Philip today arrested six CPI(M) workers of Dharmadom, in connection with the brutal murder of BJP local leader Santhosh (52) of Andaloor near Dharmadom. Interestingly, CPI (M) District Secretary P Jayarajan, said that the party had no role in Santhosh murder and if any party worker was found involved, the party would not protect them. CPI(M) leaders also alleged that family dispute in the family of Santhosh was the reason behind the murder. The arrest of CPI (M) workers in this case had created trouble to the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.. The arrested CPI (M) workers were M P Rohin (31), Shamil (26), Rijesh (27)-hailing from Andaloor and K Midhun (26), Prajul (26), Ajesh (27) -- hailing from Palayad. Some of the arrested youths were directly involved in the murder including Rohin-DYFI village secretary. Two more CPI(M) activists were involved in this case absconding. Police said investigation was going on to nab them. All the arrested persons would be produced before the court in the evening. Police taken into custody of eight persons within two hours after this murder during a raids on January 18 night. Police said some of the arrested persons were also suspected to involved in the attempt to murder case of RSS worker Ranjith (39) of Chirakuni on January 18. Political rivalry was behind the murder of Santhosh and suspected it was occurred due to the consecutive political clash between the SFI and ABVP activists at Dharamadam Brennen College, the home constituency of Chief Minister Pinarayi VIjayan. UNI AK PS SNU 1831 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1117091.Xml
The RPI leader and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale today sought to downplay the controversial remarks made on caste-based reservation by RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya and asserted that Dalits and other oppressed communities were "safe" till Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India."I strongly say Prime Minister Modi is the perfect man to protect the rights of Dalits, tribals and OBCs. Till Modi is there, reservation will be ensured as it is guaranteed by clear constitutional provisions," Mr Athawale told reporters here."Prime Minister has said about continuing with reservation policy in the past and I think, he will again make a statement if necessary," he said.Reacting to the political furor as sparked off following the reported statement from Mr Vaidya that caste-based reservation has actually "alienated" people and thus the quota policy deserved a relook, Athawale said the "opposition parties in UP have no issue to counter BJP and hence were raking up non existing controversies".Attacking BSP supremo Mayawati, RPI leader said, "Only time will say, who will have the last laugh or who will see stars in the UP elections".He was reacting to Ms Mayawati's criticism that Vaidya's remarks against caste-based reservation will lead the BJP to "see stars" after humiliating defeat.Mr Athawale also said, "We have already announced RPI candidates for 98 seats and will field candidates in 50 seats more. I am sure my party will be able to cut into the vote share of Mayawati".This move is "politically strategic", he said, adding, "we will contribute in helping BJP's victory".Answering questions, Mr Athawale, also Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, said, "The country's constitution makes it clear in no unambiguous terms that reservation should continue till the time we have caste divisions in the society"."As long as caste continues, there will be reservation; none should have any doubt about it," the Minister said adding, "Even in 2015 after controversy erupted following Mohan Bhagwat's remarks, Prime Minister Modi had told a rally in Mumbai that his government is committed to protect the rights of the Dalits, tribals and OBCs". "This reservation is given to us by BR Ambedkar and as a true Ambedkarite and as a union minister, I am only clarifying that this reservation will continue as these are our rights," Mr Athawale added.Earlier in the day, RSS joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale today sought to put the controversy to rest and asserted that the Sangh fountainhead is always in favour of Quota that is granted through constitutional provisions."The Sangh has always tried to ensure that reservation granted through constitutional provisions be ensured," Hosabale said in a statement here.UNI DEVN SHK 1824 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0445-1117226.Xml
The Election Commission has served a notice to Uttar Pradesh Transport Minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati in a case related to violation of the model code of conduct after police had seized over 4,400 sarees from a mini truck in Fatehpur districts, which was taken to Amethi to be distributed among voters by the Minister. The EC served the notice to the Minister today and gave him time till Monday evening to file his reply.In the notice, poll watchdog secretary Anuj Jaipuriar said, "The Election Commission gives notice to you, to show cause, as to why action should not be taken against you for the violation of the Model code of conduct. Your written reply, if any, in the matter should be sent to the Commission so as to reach the same in the Commission by January 23, before 1700 hrs, failing which it would be assumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and action as deemed fit would be initiated against you without any further notice to you." The EC report said they had received a report of District Election Officer, Fatehpur and Superintendent of Police, Fatehpur sending therewith a copy of FIR, dated January 11 filed against Gayatri and two others under section 171 B, 171 H and 188 of IPC. The police report said during the checking of vehicles by Fatehpur Police, they seized 4452 numbers of sarees from a mini-truck and the name of the Minister has appeared as receiver of goods in documents and goods receipt available with the driver. Beside the driver has made confession that the sarees meant to be distributed during elections in Amethi were to be delivered to the minister. The Commission said the act was a violation of, para 1(4) of the Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and candidates which says that all parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are 'corrupt practices' and offences under the election law such as -- bribing of voters."UNI MB SW SNU 1816 -- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0196-1117128.Xml
A history-sheeter and possible Shiv Sena candidate forensuing Nashik Municipal Corporation election, Surendra SiddharthShewal alias Gharya (36), was murdered allegedly over previous enmity near Triveni Park of Jail Road area of Nashikcity last night, police said today.

Shejwal had become a Sainik after leaving MNS a week backand had received word from Sena office-bearers that he would begiven a ticket. So he threw himself into campaigning in MunicipalWard number 18. His mother too had contested on an MNS ticketduring a recent by-election.

According to police, at around 2200 hrs last night,Shejwal and his friend Vikram Porje were returning to their homeafter a campaign meeting. When they reached near Triveni Park, anunidentified car rammed their motorcycle from behind, throwingboth to the ground.

Then, unknown persons stopped car and got out withchoppers and swords. The assailants left Porje alone and dashedtowards Shejwal, who got up and began to run.

However, he got caught in a tree and fell down. The killersthen slashed him on his head and body. As Shejwal collapsed, thekillers fled the scene.

Later, local residents came out of their houses and rushedShejwal to a nearby hospital in Nashik Road railway station area,where the doctors declared him dead and sent the body to Nashikcivil hospital for post-mortem.

Following the murder, hundreds of youths and people fromthe Jail Road area gathered at civil hospital, where Shejwal'sbody is kept. Police had deployed heavy bandobast near civilhospital to thwart any untoward incident.

Police has registered a criminal case under relevantsections of Indian Penal Code against unidentified persons withregards to the crime.

Further investigation is on, sources added.UNI RDS SS RSA SHK 1950

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1117404.Xml
If confirmed as secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke will inherit a National Park System in need of improvements in Montana and across the country. The parks system as a whole, which includes Yellowstone, Glacier and historic sites, battlefields, monuments and natural areas, is suffering from a $12 billion infrastructure repair backlog. During the Senate hearing Tuesday, Zinke pledged to prioritize the Park Service backlog.

This promise was welcome by my colleagues at National Parks Conservation Association, who have spent years working with members of Congress to make funding our national parks a national priority. Notably, Montanas Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines have spoken publicly about the opportunity to address the maintenance needs of the national parks and desire to work with Zinke, if he is confirmed to the Interior position.

President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to develop an ambitious infrastructure spending plan that could address some of the needs of Americas national parks. If implemented, this plan could benefit our parks and communities here in Montana.

On the heels of the 2016 Centennial celebration of our National Park Service, visitation at Yellowstone, Glacier and national parks across the country is on the rise. Just this week, Yellowstone reported a record-setting 4.25 million visitors in 2016.

Tourism is an economic boon for communities surrounding the park, supporting local jobs. In 2015, Yellowstone visitors spent over $493 million in surrounding communities; and visitors to Glacier infused the local economy with over $195 million in spending.

Contrasting such impressive returns is the continued inadequate investment in our national parks by Congress. In 2015, the Park Service received less than 60 cents of every dollar it needs, just to keep the $12 billion dollar backlog from growing. This inadequate funding forces park managers to make critical decisions about what repairs to make, and which to put off until money arrives. And just like with owning your home or car, the longer a repair is delayed, the worse and more expensive it is to fix.

Yellowstones infrastructure repair backlog includes the staggering $402 million price tag to upgrade portions of Yellowstones Grand Loop, along with $88 million for building repairs, more than $20 million for needed trail work and other items, toppling $630 million. Glacier National Park, suffers from similar woes with park housing and roads in dire need of repair at a cost of over $180 million.

Rangers and other park staff do their best to duct tape park infrastructure together but ultimately, its up to Congress and the incoming administration to fix the problem by making funding our parks a priority.

National Parks Conservation Association urges Tester and Daines to work with Zinke and Trump to prioritize better funding the yearly operations of our parks and to address the backlog of repair needs. Our members of Congress clearly have a deep understanding of the significance of our national parks here in Montana. Now is the time to double down on that commitment and help protect and restore Americas favorite places, today and for the next 100 years.
Prakash Daji Gude (34), a Class-III employee in Kalyan divison, had made a demand of Rs 8,000 for issuing a cheque which was due to the complainant's daughter, an official ACB statement said here.

The complainant's daughter, who was a victim of a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act of 2012 case, was granted compensation by the government.

The accused has been charged under sections 7, 12, 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act of 1988 and an offence has been registered with the local police station against him, the statement added.UNI XR SS SW SHK 1953

-- (UNI) -- C-1-DL0169-1117419.Xml
Former Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay, who spearheaded a campaign to support Jallikattu in New Delhi and North India, said the victory achieved is due to the result of Tamil youth's invincible spirit and love for their culture- unique which is very extraordinary. He said in a statement that he will participate in Jallikattu on at Madurai on January 23. Due to the influence of Thiruvalluvar's teachings on the minds of Tamil which made the students demonstrate peacefully and government addressing their demand. Tamil Tarun Vijay thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking the right step and also Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and all the parties for their united stand. The Chief Minister took the right stand, met students and after meeting with Prime Minister, he pushed the matter to a happy conclusion. Beyond divisions, we must thank all for this victory led by the Tamil Youth, who created a world wide buzz and united India on Jallikattu. He said that he is proceeding to Madurai to thank the youth and participate in Jallikattu as the representative of Uttarakhand which supported for it. PETA stands completely exposed as an agent of foreign money and mindset, alien to the Indian ethos and realities. It must be banned , said Mr Vijay, for its anti-people, anti- culture attitude. Those who tried to become 'culture police' have miserably failed before the youth power, Mr Vijay, also the President of the Students and Youth for Thiruvalluvar ( members 2.25 lakh) said.UNI CS AK2015 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-1117503.Xml
Congress leader and senior advocate Salman Khurshid on Saturday asserted that the current ordinance on the bull-taming festival of Jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu will not resolve the problem, and emphasized on the need for a permanent solution on the same. "At present, given the nature of the emotional upheaval that had happened in Tamil Nadu, this matter could still go to the Supreme Court and we could get an adverse decision from the Supreme Court for those who're agitation against decision," Khurshid told ANI. Khurshid further said that some sort of statesmanship is required from both the state and the central level and people with diverse opinion can be brought together to find permanent and lasting solution on the same. With Tamil Nadu Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao approving the ordinance by the state government allowing Jallikattu to be held today, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will be inaugurating the sport at Alanganallur in Madurai tomorrow. Other ministers of the state will also inaugurate the traditional bull-taming sport in their respective districts. The Bill to replace today's ordinance passed by the Governor on Jallikattu, will be tabled in the State Assembly when the first assembly session begins on January 23. Panneerselvam informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the ordinance promulgated by the state government and said that Jallikattu is to be conducted with customary fervor with all necessary safeguards. From the past five days, Chennai's Marina Beach has been thronged by massive crowd demanding to lift the ban of the traditional sport. The Tamil Nadu Government had earlier sent an ordinance on Jallikattu to the Home Ministry, which was passed by the Centre yesterday. The ordinance was later sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent. (ANI)
Director Department of Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Information Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, is headed for New York on one-year assignment with the United Nations.Dr Shahid would be moving to the UN headquarters in New York in April 2017 to work as a Consultant with the world body on the "Electoral Systems in Emerging Democracies". He will be extensively travelling across the globe during his tenure with the UN and his field assignments include East Timor and African nations. Presently posted as Additional Secretary in the Chief Minister's office, Dr Shahid is holding the additional charge of Director Information and Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation. Pertinently, Dr Shahid has been earlier also deputed on various assignments outside the country especially pertaining to promotion of good electoral practices. He was deputed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to the Kingdom of Lesotho for election assignment. He has also visited South Africa for exchange of electoral practices and was again deputed by ECI to Georgia recently for training the staff of election commission and precinct commissions in Georgia on electoral awareness.Dr Shahid has been also conferred with the national award for record conduct of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State.He is known for promoting innovative practices and having a people-friendly and employee-friendly approach.UNI VBH SDR RSA 2303 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1117635.Xml
Eastern California Federal Prosecutor Phillip A. Talbert said on Friday that a federal jury found Kulwant "Ken" Singh Sandhu, 56, guilty on two charges of making harassing calls.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Federal Prosecutors Nirav Desai and James Conolly before Federal Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr.

The prosecution said that from about 2012 Sandhu started making harassing phone calls to the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington and to private individuals and in 2015 alone he made more than 3,000 calls and left 350 voicemails.

The SEC regulates the stock markets and the securities industry.

"His voicemails were profanity-filled tirades that repeatedly called for SEC personnel and others to be, among other things, rounded up, publicly hanged, water-boarded, burned alive, shot, and blown up with rockets and tanks," the prosecutor's office said.

"His comments were often sexually graphic and targeted individuals."

He is to be sentenced in April and faces a maximum of two years in prison for each of the two charges he was convicted of.

--IANS lok/

( 217 Words)

2017-01-21-03:10:08 (IANS)
"Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership," Tsai tweeted.

Trump had angered China last year when he accepted a phone call from President Tsai Ing-wen.

The call was thought to be the first between the leader of the island and the US President since ties between the United State and Taiwan were severed in 1979, at Beijing's behest.

The US closed its embassy in Taiwan - a democratically-ruled island which China considers a breakaway province - in the late 1970s following the historic rapprochement between Beijing and Washington that stemmed from Richard Nixon's 1972 trip to China.

Since then the US has adhered to the 'one China' principle which officially considers the independently governed island part of the Chinese mainland. (ANI)
"Tear gas is being used at an anti-Trump protest in Washington DC," @Trashvis tweeted.

Police moved the protestors to disperse them from demonstrating as tear gas lingered in the air and the pavement was speckled with broken glass.

Anti-Trump protesters damaged windows of several cars and of a downtown Bank of America with hammers, reports the New York Times.

However, police have already arrested several protestors in riot gear and taken into police custody.

"Protesters are launching flares in the air, it smells like smoke near 13th and I NW," @ZoeTillman tweeted.

Several inauguration checkpoints were stormed by the protestors in the area.

The glass doors of a Starbucks next-door to Hamilton Hotel as well as the windows of several commercial buildings near Franklin Square were busted by some protestors.

Some alleged that the people responsible for the shattered windows were the members of the violent, anarchist group "Black Bloc" who are known to wear all black and masks. (ANI)
Marine General John Kelly was confirmed to be President Donald Trump's Secretary of Homeland Security and retired Marine General James Mattis will run the Department of Defence, CNN reported.

The vote for Kelly was 88 to 11.

Kelly, a four-star general who had been head of the US Southern Command, retired from the Marines in 2016, Politico reported.

The final vote to confirm Mattis was 98-1. New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was the only senator to vote against him, with Alabama Republican Senator Jeff Sessions -- Trump's pick for attorney general -- abstaining.

"I am pleased by the confirmation votes of Generals Mattis and Kelly. These uniquely qualified leaders will immediately begin the important work of rebuilding our military, defending our nation and securing our borders. I am proud to have these two American heroes join my administration," Trump said in a White House statement, his first since becoming President.

"I call on members of the Senate to fulfil their constitutional obligation and swiftly confirm the remainder of my highly qualified cabinet nominees, so that we can get to work on behalf of the American people without further delay."

Trump signed a bill clearing the way for Mattis to be confirmed as his first action as President earlier Friday, CNN reported.

Congress passed the waiver -- making an exception to a law requiring defense secretaries be out of the military at least seven years before serving -- earlier this month.

The Senate will not consider Kansas Representative Mike Pompeo for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director until Monday, after at least three Democrats objected to his quick confirmation over concerns including surveillance.

Instead, they voted on opening debate on his nomination, a procedural step.

--IANS ksk

( 316 Words)

2017-01-21-06:20:06 (IANS)
Drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman appeared in a US court after his surprise extradition from Mexico and pleaded not guilty to charges that he ran the world's largest drug-trafficking organization during a decades-long criminal career.Guzman, 59, once one of the world's most wanted drug lords, was accompanied by two court-appointed lawyers during the appearance yesterday in federal court in Brooklyn.Best known by the nickname El Chapo, or "Shorty" in Spanish, the diminutive Guzman was extradited on the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration, raising speculation about the timing.Some officials said it was an olive branch to the incoming US president, who had said he would kick Guzman's "ass" after taking office. But some Mexican officials pointed out that Guzman's extradition came hours before Barack Obama's term ended in a nod to the outgoing president.Either way current and former law enforcement officials on both sides of the border said the move would likely boost security cooperation and smooth the path for improved relations between the neighbors.The Mexican attorney general's office rejected claims the move was related to Trump's swearing-in, noting that Guzman faces 10 pending cases in Mexico following his U.S. sentence.Guzman, who was once known to carry a gold-plated AK-47 rifle, wore a blue jail uniform. Standing just 5 foot 6 inches (167.6 cm), El Chapo was clean-shaven, without his signature mustache, and his hair was close-cropped.He did not appear to be wearing handcuffs and had no visible expression on his face as he listened to questions from a judge.After U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein asked Guzman if he understood the accusations against him, he responded through a Spanish interpreter, "Well, I didn't know until now." Later, when asked again, Guzman said he understood.An additional hearing was scheduled for Feb. 3.Guzman's lawyers promised a zealous defense to ensure he receives a fair trial, and they said they would examine whether Guzman was extradited appropriately."I haven't seen any evidence that indicates to me that Mr. Guzman's done anything wrong. Most of you probably haven't seen any evidence like that either," federal public defender Michael Schneider told reporters outside the courthouse.The indictment in Brooklyn against Guzman, with 17 criminal counts, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison, Robert Capers, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said at a news conference earlier in the day.U.S. prosecutors have more than 40 witnesses ready to testify against Guzman, Capers told reporters, adding that the eventual trial will likely last "many" weeks."Who is Chapo Guzman? In short, he's a man known for no other life but a life of crime, violence, death and destruction, and now he'll have to answer to that," Capers said.As leader of the notorious Sinaloa cartel, Guzman oversaw perhaps the world's largest transnational cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine smuggling operation, playing a key role in Mexico's decade-long drug war that has killed over 100,000 people.El Chapo was captured a year ago after he had fled a high-security penitentiary in central Mexico through a mile-long tunnel, his second dramatic prison escape.After court on Friday, he was being sent to a federal jail in New York City that holds prisoners who have pending cases. US authorities, citing security concerns, declined to say where he would be held for the months before trial, but they vowed to prevent any further escapes."I assure you, no tunnel will be built leading to his bathroom," Special Agent In Charge Angel Melendez of US Homeland Security Investigations said at the news conference.Guzman arrived in a small jet at Long Island's MacArthur Airport after nightfall on Thursday from a prison in Juarez in the northern state of Chihuahua, where his cartel rules.A few hours earlier, Guzman was bundled out of the Mexican cell block with his hands cuffed above his bowed head, Mexican television footage showed.US prosecutors gave assurances to Mexican officials that they would not seek the death penalty in order to secure his extradition, Capers said. Mexico opposes capital punishment. REUTERS JW0420 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1116456.Xml
Fred Whiteside is one of Montanas authentic unsung heroes.

Thus wrote Great Falls Tribune reporter and columnist Frank Adams in 1980, a year after a plaque was installed in an obscure Capitol hallway in Helena, the only monument in recognition of Whiteside who was perhaps Montanas most courageous statesman.

Barely 20, Fred Whiteside left home in Illinois in 1878 to make the dangerous trek to Montana Territory. Using profits from buffalo hunting, Whiteside became a building contractor, constructing several early structures in Miles City.

Whiteside soon became one of Montanas most notable builders, constructing a major silver smelting facility in Great Falls, the Hennessy Block in Butte, and the magnificent Broadwater Natatorium in Helena.

In 1891, at 34, Whiteside settled down in semi-retirement in Kalispell, to raise apples. A scientific orchard man, Whiteside prided himself in his early use of pesticides and promised to pay $500 for any worm found in his apples. He never had to pay, but watching fruit grow, wasnt a fit challenge for the likes of young Whiteside. He was soon back into building, and the fine old original Montana Veterans Home he constructed in Columbia Falls still stands. He also acquired the Kalispell Bee newspaper to express his political opinions. In 1896, he was elected to the legislature.

Then began the memorable, yet forgotten, saga of Fred Whiteside. A commission had been authorized to plan and construct our state Capitol. Freshman Rep. Whiteside examined the plan and cost estimate and was astounded. From his contracting experience, Whiteside quickly saw that a better plan could be completed for a fraction of the proposed cost.

When Whiteside voiced his objection about the fraudulent building scheme, legislative friends of the crooked commissioners maneuvered to discredit and stop him. In the end, an informant to Whiteside who had direct knowledge of the fraudulent plan, died under mysterious circumstances, but the scheme was thwarted. Because of Whiteside what is now the magnificent central part on the Capitol building was constructed for about 10 percent of the original proposed cost.

In 1898 Whiteside was elected to the state Senate. Then, state legislators elected U.S. senators. Copper King William Andrews Clark was determined to become a U.S. senator if he had to bribe every member of the legislature to do it. Whiteside dramatically exposed the bribery in front of many of the legislators who had sold their votes to Clark. Incredibly, the corrupt lawmakers brazenly expelled Whiteside as a state senator and went on to elect Clark U.S. senator.

Fundamentally a fighter, Whiteside followed Clark to Washington where he presented compelling and incriminating testimony. The result was that this time Clark was the one who was expelled. Clark attempted a ruse to get back into the Senate which failed. Incredibly, however, with Whiteside gone, the Montana Legislature again sent Clark to the U.S. Senate two years later.

The outrageous Clark example was prominently used nationwide to bring about the constitutional amendment for the people to directly elect U.S. senators. If not for Whiteside, Clark would never have been exposed.

Courage and integrity matter. Therefore, so does history. No other Montanan has had as great an impact on the function of U.S. government as Fred Whiteside. The next time youre in the state Capitol building, see if you can find his plaque. Then cross the street to the Montana Historical Society. There you will find an extensive file on Whiteside and a trove of other printed history, wonderful Russell paintings, countless priceless artifacts, and kind and helpful staffers to guide you in your explorations of Montanas colorful and fascinating past.
A US air strike on Thursday targeting an al Qaeda training camp in Syria's Idlib province killed more than 100 militants, the Pentagon said in a statement.The strike took place just a day before the end of Barack Obama's presidency and the beginning of Donald Trump's, and a day after more than 80 Islamic State militants were killed in US air strikes in Libya."The removal of this training camp disrupts training operations and discourages hardline Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with al-Qaida on the battlefield," Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said in the statement.Davis said the Shaykh Sulayman training camp had been operational since 2013, adding that since the start of this year more than 150 al Qaeda militants have been killed in US air strikes.An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the air strike was carried out by a B-52 bomber and unmanned aircraft and dropped 14 munitions. The official added that there was a high level of confidence that there were no civilian casualties.A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes and supporting local forces in Syria to oust Islamic State militants. However, there is concern that the defeat of Islamic State could open the door for al Qaeda to take territory in ungoverned parts of the country.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday that an air strike killed more than 40 members of the jihadist group Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in northwestern Syria. It was not immediately clear if this strike was the same one the Pentagon was referring to.REUTERS JW0448 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1116460.Xml
The US has urged South Korea to arrest the brother of former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, sources inSeoul's justice ministry revealed on Saturday. Washington asked Seoul to arrest Ban Ki-Sang, younger sibling of Ban Ki-moon, after the US Attorney General's Office indicted him last week for the attempted bribery of an official from the Middle East in connection with a real estate deal. The justice ministry has begun to process the request and examine applicable laws, a senior Seoul official told Yonhap News Agency. Ban's brother, an executive in the South Korean firm Keangnam, was reportedly entrusted by the company with selling a high-rise building in Vietnam, Landmark 72, for $800 million. He reportedly hired his son (and Ban's nephew) Joo Hyun Bahn, a broker in New York, to secure the deal. The US attorney general's office claims that, through an intermediary, the father-son duo agreed to a $2.5 million bribe (of which they advanced around $500,000), for the official responsible for acquiring the property through a sovereign wealth fund, Efe news reported. While Bahn was arrested last week in New Jersey, Ban Ki-sang is considered a fugitive by authorities. He faces a variety of charges that could carry lengthy prison sentences. Through a statement by his spokesperson, Ban Ki-moon declared he had no knowledge of the case and hoped the procedures would be "carried out strictly and transparently" to address any concerns. The case could pose a serious threat to the older Ban's political aspirations, particularly after he has stepped up public activities in recent weeks as part of what is perceived as a preliminary election campaign before he announces his candidature for the country's top post. However, Ban is yet to confirm if he will contest the election, at a time the country is in the throes of a major corruption scandal that led the Parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye last year. --IANS ksk/vm ( 328 Words) 2017-01-21-14:14:08 (IANS)
Several Indian-Americans gathered for a gala here to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th US President, an event skipped by many from the community, with Shalabh Kumar, a key member of the President's panel on Asia-Pacific affairs, also conspicuous by his absence. At least a hundred Indian-Americans attended the gala that took place at the Grand Ballroom of the central Mayflower hotel in Washington on Friday, American Bazaar online reported. Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna and his counterparts from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore were also present. "This is a great celebration of Asian success," Sarna said at the event, largely attended by Republican crowd. "I am very happy that Indian-Americans are part of the successful large Asian community." Virginia Republican Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the organisers of the event, told the American Bazaar that it was "a grand success". "We were able to create a platform for the AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islanders) community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration." Ahluwalia added that by showing up in good numbers, the Indian-American community has showed their desire for "the US-India relationship to be on the front and centre for the next administration". Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Barbara Comstack, Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph DLG Torres as well as a number of Republican leaders from various Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities. "The (Trump) administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries," said Royce, the California Republican known to be one of the most staunchly pro-India voices in the US Congress. "We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship," said the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee. Indian-American Republicans who were present included Californian K.V. Kumar, Floridian Harry Walia and Ahluwalia who along with Shalabh Kumar form Trump-Pence campaign's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee. Shalabh Kumar was, however, not present. The formal part of the ball began with a rendition of the US national anthem. Indian food and Bollywood dance were other highlights of the event. --IANS soni/sar/vm ( 410 Words) 2017-01-21-14:26:07 (IANS)
A day after Donald Trump became US President and vowed to put "America First", Asian media decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global economy and sow widespread international discord.In a defiant inaugural address, Trump said US workers have been devastated by an outflow of jobs overseas, one of the main themes of a divisive campaign that emphasized making America strong again.In Japan, one of Washington's oldest and staunchest Asian allies, newspapers across the political spectrum criticised the new administration, with more than one saying the world was now in "unpredictable territory.""Has there ever been a new US administration that began by spreading unease, not expectations, throughout the world?" said the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun, adding that Trump appeared ready to take both alliances and global norms lightly if they didn't benefit the United States.The liberal Asahi Shimbun went further and said Trump, who called on allies like Japan and South Korea to shoulder a greater share of defense costs or face the possible withdrawal of US troops, posed a risk to the freer global order born after World War Two and the Cold War."Will the unpredictable Trump whirlwind cross the US borders to spread division and conflict? The new master of the White House must realise the heavy responsibility that accompanies his words and actions", it said.State media in China, accused of stealing US jobs during Trump's campaign, said they hoped his government understood the importance of relations with China but that Beijing should also brace for the worst."What's crucial is to control and manage disputes and find a way to resolve them," said the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily.Worry about friction between the two superpowers loomed over many in the region.As an exporting nation reliant on both China and the US, we would suffer from greater US protectionism and any trade war," said the Sydney Morning Herald."We may have to negotiate our way through a new world order not just regarding trade and China but also climate, Russia and regional security given Trump's lack of interest in the US playing the role of sheriff."A less-engaged Washington could also lead to shifting alliances and more reliance on regional networks."India must not only prepare for a more protectionist America, but also prepare of a United States that does not plan to mess around with other people's affairs or squander blood and treasure in the name of promoting democratic values," wrote policy analyst C. Raja Mohan, head of Carnegie India, in the Indian Express.A few said they expected US political institutions to prevail and that Trump should be given the benefit of the doubt as the duly-elected US leader. "It is wisest to hope he succeeds," added The Australian in an editorial titled "President Trump Seals the Deal."But uncertainty prevailed for the most part.''Under Trump, the United States is apt to be as edgy and unpredictable as his former television reality show," said Thailand's The Nation on Friday.The reality show has become reality. We are about to discover whether America can become great again - and whether the word 'great' takes on unexpected meanings."REUTERS VS RAI1338 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0440-1116668.Xml
Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah today expressed hope that the United States would continue its support for the Afghan government after American President Donald Trump publicly spoke with US troops stationed in Afghanistan after his inauguration today."I want to congratulate the US president on behalf of myself, the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan," Abdullah said at an event to launch a bid for 550 million dollars in international humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, which remains locked in a bloody war between the Western-backed government and insurgent groups like the Taliban.Trump, attending a post-inauguration ball in Washington, spoke by video link with American troops stationed at a base north of Kabul."I'm with you all the way... we're going to do it together," he told the troops. "The courage that you show is incredible."As president-elect, Trump spoke by phone with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in early December, but has provided few details on whether he will continue the billions of dollars per year in military and development aid to Afghanistan, nor has he confirmed the future of the nearly 9,000 American troops still deployed there.Abdullah, who shares power with Ghani after a 2014 US-brokered political deal, said he interpreted Trump's comments to the troops as a positive sign."I watched the US president's message to their soldiers... and he announced his support for them, which is a good and graceful step and I am sure that cooperation will continue in all aspects." REUTERS PS NS1532 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1116858.Xml
Johnson met Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi on Friday night, as part of his two-day visit to Myanmar, Efe News reported.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, the British Foreign Secretary said that the pair had held "very positive talks on British support for economic reforms, trade and human rights", including the situation in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state.

Britain's Foreign Office had previously expressed concern over the persecution of the Rohingya minority group in the western state.

The UN estimates that some 66,000 members of the predominantly Muslim community have fled to Bangladesh since October amid a military crackdown, which included accounts of rape, arson and killings.

As part of the trip, Johnson was also scheduled to meet the Rakhine State Advisory Commission and other NGOs in Yangon, as well as visiting the country's famous Shwedagon Pagoda.

On Saturday, Johnson visited Myanmar's largest healthcare institution, Yangon General Hospital, where he had a tour of the facility and met staff, according to reports.

--IANS soni/bg

( 219 Words)

2017-01-21-16:28:06 (IANS)
Eight people were killed today after a shell landed on a house in southern Rafah, in the north of Sinai, eye witnesses and medical sources said.There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack and witnesses and medical sources said the source of the shell was unknown. Rafah is on the border with Gaza.Egyptian forces have been fighting an Islamist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula which has gained pace since the military toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's oldest Islamist movement, in 2013. REUTERS PS VP1630 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1116962.Xml
Donald Trump began his presidency with a series of seismic policy interventions, starting with the repeal of Barack Obama's healthcare policies, initiating a new US missile defence system and ushering in a new period of American protectionism. The 45th President of the United States, who was sworn into office on Friday, began his four-year term of office with a series of executive orders that will set the tone for his government. It was, he said, a government that would "put only America first". The new President, before attending a series of inaugural balls around Washington DC, signed an executive order aimed at trying to fulfil one of his most impassioned campaign promises; repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the Obamacare. The order allows the Health and Human Services Department and other federal agencies to delay implementing any piece of the law that might impose any economic cost. Using similar orders, Trump also signed into law a new national day of patriotism and signalled plans to build a new missile defence system to protect against perceived threats from Iran and North Korea. The Trump White House stripped the official website of all mention of Obama's key policy agendas, including climate change and LGBT rights along with the civil rights history section. The various subsections of the White House website were replaced with just six; energy, foreign policy, jobs and growth, military, law enforcement and trade deals. On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people, mostly women, in the US and around the world were set to join marches on Saturday to raise awareness of women's rights and other civil rights they fear could be under threat under Trump's presidency. Millions of others will follow suit in cities across the US and across the world. Marches in Australia and New Zealand have already taken place. There are also more than 600 "sister marches" planned around the country, with some of the biggest expected in Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. And women and men in cities around the world -- including Sydney, Hong Kong, London and Paris -- are also marching in solidarity and in opposition to the values they think President Trump represents. The Women's March on Washington, which will be held near Capitol Hill on Saturday, comes on the heels of a slew of protests there on Inauguration Day. Six police officers were injured and 217 protesters were arrested on Friday, after a morning of peaceful protests and coordinated disruptions of Trump's inauguration ceremony gave way to ugly street clashes in downtown Washington. There will continue to be a major security presence on the city's streets on Saturday, as the marchers gather en masse in the nation's capital. Leaders from around the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offered well wishes and congratulations to America's new Commander in Chief. "Best wishes in leading USA to greater achievements in the coming years," Modi wrote on Twitter. Russian President Vladimir Putin also was expected to speak to Trump by phone in the coming days, the Kremlin said. A meeting between the two leaders will possibly be held in the coming months, rather than coming weeks, said the spokesman, adding that the specific date is expected to be discussed during the phone conversation. Pope Francis also sent Trump a message of "cordial good wishes" on his inauguration. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued a statement extending his "heartfelt congratulations" to Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his congratulations to Trump in a statement. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson offered his congratulations in the form of a tweet. "Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK - US bond," Johnson tweeted. The Mexico's current President Enrique Pea Nieto took to Twitter to congratulate Trump. "I congratulate President @realDonaldTrump on taking office. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility," Pea Nieto tweeted in Spanish. Meanwhile, as Trump took over as POTUS, Michelle and Barack Obama left the White House with the highest ratings ever, they unveiled The Obama Foundation, that aims to facilitate projects "all over the city, the country and the world". In a video, the Obamas asked viewers to help shape the Foundation by contributing suggestions via the site's "Your Voice" section. The new website, Obama.org. was created by the Obama Foundation, which is overseeing the creation of the Barack Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago, and its stated mission is to provide a forum for those looking to work with the Centre to improve the lives of American citizens. The Obamas are in Palm Springs, California, for a vacation, they plan to continue living in Washington while their younger daughter Sasha completes secondary school. --IANS soni/rn ( 797 Words) 2017-01-21-19:24:06 (IANS)
Universal Hindu and Sikh prayers were offered at the interfaith service in the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday to invoke divine blessings for new President Donald Trump and the nation. Hindu priest Narayanachar Digalakote prayed in Sanskrit for the government leaders in the first part of the service when prayers were said for those who govern. Jesse Singh, the founder of American Sikhs for Trump, recited in Punjabi a prayer said by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh master, in the segment of prayers for the people. Singh who was dressed in a suit and wore a dark turban, translated the invocation that was for unity, binding the common bonds of all and equality. Expanding on it, he added prayers for the most vulnerable in society and for those who perform the dangerous and dirty jobs for the well being of all. "Bless all whose lives closely linked with ours," he prayed. Wearing a saffron shawl and religious markings on his forehead, Digalakote recited a 'shloka' or hymn to invoke divine blessings for those who govern, in the first part of the ceremony of prayers for leaders. Unlike Singh, the Jewish rabbis and the Muslim imam, who provided translations of their prayers and religious texts, the priest of the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, a Washington suburb, walked away after his rote recitation, leaving the congregants without an idea of what the prayer was about. Nicknamed the "White House Priest", Digalakote has participated in Deepavali celebrations at the White House under Barack Obama. While most of the Christian prayers at the service were focused on Christianity, the Hindu and Sikh prayers were ecumenical, addressed to a common deity. For the first time for either the Democratic or Republican parties, a Sikh prayer was said at the opening of the second day's session at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last year. Harmeet Dhillon, the Vice Chairperson of the California State Republican Party, opened the second night of the Republican National Convention by reciting the 'ardaas' or prayer. Trump has reached out to the American Hindu community, addressing a rally held by them last October, where he said he would be their friend in the White House. After his election, Trump called out to the Hindus in the audience at a "Thank-You" rally in Florida. Trump's son Eric visited a Hindu temple in Orlando, Florida, in the final days before the November election and his wife, Lara, visited a temple in Chantilly, Virginia, to celebrate Deepavali. --IANS al/tsb/bg ( 431 Words) 2017-01-21-23:00:07 (IANS)
VALLETTA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 682,222 tourists visited Malta on cruiseliner vessels in 2016, up two percent year on year from a year ago, official data revealed on Friday.

Of the total, around 626,000 were foreign tourists, an increase of 4.3 percent year on year.

Maltese Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis saiod the cruiseliner industry contributed around 90 million euros (96.3 million U.S. dollars) through direct expenditure into the Maltese economy.

For 2017, Malta's cruiseliner industry expects over 700,000 passenger movements through 330 port calls.
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  The House Education Committee has endorsed a bill that would give Wyoming school districts the option of providing foreign language instruction in kindergarten through second grade.

The unanimous endorsement Friday of House Bill 126 sends the bill to the House floor for debate.

Currently, districts are required to provide the foreign language instruction to young students.

Republican Rep. Garry Piiparinen, of Evanston, is a teacher who is sponsoring the proposal.

He said it should be up to districts to decide whether to offer foreign language in the early grades. He said current law is an unfunded mandate on the districts.

Others testified that providing foreign language instruction in the first three grades doesn't do much good if it isn't continued as the student progresses through higher grade levels.
VILNIUS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- A Lithuanian arts exhibition will be held in China this spring, Lithuanian Cultural Minister Liana Ruokyte-Jonsson said Friday.

Ruokyte-Jonsson made the statement at the opening ceremony of the "Silk Road Treasures Exhibition" held at the Museum of Applied Arts and Design in Vilnius.

The exhibition is to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Republic of Lithuania, she said.

"For the first time in Lithuania, there is an exhibition of creations from one of the world's oldest civilizations," she told Xinhua.

The exhibition displays artifacts dated back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC) until Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) from a region from which the ancient Silk Road began.

The artifact collection demonstrates the interaction between Eastern and Western cultures during that period.

"We have dispatched cultural attache to our embassy in your country in charge of the cultural exchange between our countries," she said.

"Before we seldom had performances coming from China. Now every year we have Chinese artists performing here and Lithuanian artists going to China," said the minister.
by Alessandra Cardone

ROME, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 survivors were located, among them five rescued on Friday, from under the rubble of a hotel crushed on Wednesday by an avalanche in central Italy, the authorities said.

Firefighters were able to pull out first a woman and her child, and then three children in late afternoon.

"It has been a very complicated day, yet also very positive," Fabrizio Curcio, chief of the Civil Protection Department coordinating rescue efforts, told a press conference.

"Five people are still to be pulled out, and this is a technically hard work," he added.

Overall, some 29 people including 22 guests and 7 employees were believed to have been inside the Rigopiano hotel, when the incident occurred in late afternoon on Wednesday.

The civil protection chief confirmed two bodies were so far recovered from the debris of the luxury resort, which lies near the 2,912-meter-tall Gran Sasso peak in central Abruzzo region.

Cries of joy and applauses erupted among rescuers when the first woman and child were pulled out from a tunnel dug through the snow covering the hotel, a video provided by firefighters showed.

The rescue work became even more emotional since no signs of life had reached the aid workers up to Friday morning.

Helicopters were called in to bring some of the survivors to hospital in the city of Pescara.

Their health conditions were reportedly quite good, considering they had spent at least 42 hours trapped inside the hotel, which was almost uprooted by the snow-slide.

Those found alive so far seemed to have taken refuge under a roof at the ground floor of the hotel, Ansa news agency reported, citing firefighters sources.

Experts said they were able to survive despite two nights at freezing temperatures because the snow most likely protected them like an igloo.

Beside the 10 people located on Friday, there were two more survivors on the previous day -- two men, who were outside the hotel when the avalanche hit, and were able to launch the first SOS call.

One of the two, a 41-year-old police officer, had his wife and two children under the rubble of the hotel, and all three were among those rescued.

The rescue operation would continue through the night of Saturday, the authorities said.

Heavy snow and below-zero temperatures have hampered rescue efforts since the very beginning, and have forced teams into a race against time to find those buried in the avalanche.

The disaster was believed to be triggered by four powerful earthquakes that hit the Abruzzo region on Wednesday morning.

The four seismic events were all above 5 of magnitude on the Richter scale, and with epicenters between the provinces of Rieti and L'Aquila, Italy's National Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (INGV) said.

They followed one another in less than four hours, causing havoc amid battered population in central Italy, who have been haunted by deadly quakes since August last year.
BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have forecast a peak travel rush in the second week of China's 40-day "Chunyun," starting Friday, as many Chinese people are rushing back home for the Spring Festival.

More trips will be made in the second week from Jan. 20 to 26, with the daily average likely to exceed 80 million trips, the Ministry of Transport said Friday.

Chinese people made 520 million trips in the week ending Thursday, the first week of the 40-day "Chunyun," referring to travel around the Spring Festival, up 3.1 percent year on year, according to ministry.

Trips made on trains surged 21.9 percent to 61.7 million in the first week, faster than the growth of trips made by other means of transportation.

About 2.98 billion trips are expected to be made during the Spring Festival travel rush between Jan. 13 and Feb. 21, slightly up from a year ago, the National Development and Reform Commission said last week.

Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important occasion for family reunions and falls on Jan. 28 this year. Chinese people will enjoy a week-long holiday starting Jan. 27.

Chunyun, literally meaning "spring transport," was first coined as a phrase by the media in 1954 to describe heavy traffic around Spring Festival, according to China Railway Corp. archives.
WELLINGTON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Uncertainty marked reactions in New Zealand to U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Protest marches, under the "Love Trumps Hate" banner, against the divisions sparked by Trump were set for the capital Wellington and the largest city of Auckland on Saturday.

One of the protest leaders is U.S.-born Green Party Member of Parliament Julie Anne Genter.

In a Facebook posting earlier in the week, Genter said Donald Trump epitomized "some of the worst extremes of human nature: greed, cruelty, sexual violence, anger, misuse of power."

"His election to president of the United States by a small fraction of the overall population demonstrates how broken democracy is in America," wrote Genter.

"We need to find new ways of doing politics if we are going to solve the problems facing humanity in the 21st century."

The government has been circumspect in greeting Trump's presidency, with Prime Minister Bill English reportedly saying earlier in the week that he was positive the two countries would maintain good relations.

New Zealand was still hopeful of seeing the controversial 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal which Trump has vowed to withdraw from enacted.

"So we will work with whatever the Trump administration produces. That's what you have to do when you're a small country," English told the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

New Zealand's main newspapers published editorials Saturday that were strikingly different in tone, but both focused on the possible upheavals to the U.S. domestic and international order.

The Auckland-based New Zealand Herald urged Trump's opponents and critics "to adopt an open mind to his proposals, looking for the good in them or at least making the best of them if they can."

It acknowledged that Trump's "geopolitical plans are deeply disturbing but not entirely wrong," citing better U.S.-Russian relations among the possible benefits.

"But it is in the fields of trade and climate change that the world will first notice the loss of U.S. leadership. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will be an early casualty, as well the Paris agreement on climate change. For progress on both fronts the world might look to China," it said.

An editorial in the Wellington-based Dominion-Post newspaper described the start of Trump's presidency as "a frightening fact," but the fair result of "a strangely-weighted electoral system" in need of urgent reform.

The real dilemma would come if Trump attacked the machinery of U.S. democracy or rejected the next election's results, "as he threatened he might in 2016."

"For now, it's highly unclear that things will get that bad. Until they do, New Zealand and the world can concentrate on worrying about the powers that Trump has rightly been given -- like control over the U.S. nuclear arsenal, the power to effectively start wars and tear up alliances, or the power to crash U.S. efforts on climate change," said the editorial.

"They are enough to worry about, even though he earned them."
by Xinhua writer Zhu Dongyang

BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Donald Trump became the new U.S. president on Friday. He deserves to be congratulated for assuming such a critical office at such a critical moment.

The world expects him to deal with the U.S. and global challenges with discretion and wisdom, and give full play to China-U.S. cooperation to conquer the hardships.

As a renowned and savvy businessman, the new leader in Washington knows more than anyone else the merits of a sound China-U.S. partnership.

Therefore, he surely knows that investment from Chinese businesses benefits the U.S. economy and could help create more jobs for the country.

Jack Ma, China's billionaire founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, promised in his latest meeting with Trump that his company will create one million U.S. jobs by enabling small businesses and farmers to sell U.S. goods to China and Asian consumers on Alibaba's e-commerce platform.

On the diplomatic front, Beijing and Washington enjoy more room for cooperation than ever before.

In his upcoming challenge to help achieve Korean denuclearization, Trump cannot find a more committed and ready partner with enough influence and resources than China.

The two countries have also unprecedented opportunities to work together in dealing with non-conventional global security challenges, such as terrorism, global warming and cyber security.

Trump has raised eyebrows around the world recently with his tweets regarding the Chinese currency, Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula.

His intention to wheel and deal for better gains with these "bargaining chips" cannot be more pronounced, but he will soon realize that leaders of the two countries must use more mature and effective ways to communicate than trading barbs via Twitter.

Trump's team also needs time, like all of its predecessors, to figure out the complexity of China-U.S. relations. Zero-sum attempts between the world's largest two economies, if unchecked, will harm them and any global prospects for peace and prosperity.

Cooperation invites good faith, and provocation incites bad blood. For the two countries with more complex relations than any others due to their differences in social system and levels of development, rational leaders who prioritize common interests over conflicts of views, and trust building over nitpicking are a must.

But cooperation requires respect for each other's bottom line and prudence not to violate it.

China's resolve to safeguard its defining core interests in Taiwan and the South China Sea islands has always been strong.

Cooperation also demands reciprocal flexibility instead of a beggar-thy-neighbor mentality. Among all his alternatives, the least desirable for Trump is to act on his previous threats to slap punitive tariffs on his country's largest trading partner and label China a "currency manipulator" as protectionism only stirs up retaliation.

It is highly hoped that the Trump administration could take the interests of its country and the world as a whole into account, and start aiming for win-win cooperation with China as soon as possible.
BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Dow Chemical Co. says it will continue to make investment in China, eyeing business opportunities emerging from the country's ongoing economic transformation.

"When I look at the market here, I see incredible growth opportunities across virtually every sector," said Neil Hawkins, Dow's chief sustainability officer and corporate vice president.

Despite facing downward pressure, China's ambition in urbanization, new energy technology, infrastructure construction and green growth provide ample room for innovation companies, Hawkins said.

A staunch investor for the world's second largest economy, Dow is expanding its business in China in an unprecedented pace, opening one new business center each year since 2012 and stretching to inland areas that many overseas companies barely notice.

It currently boasts a 5,000-strong staff, and operates 10 business centers and 17 manufacturing sites across the country. The Shanghai Dow Center, Dow's largest R&D center outside the U.S., gathers more than 700 scientists working in over 80 world-class laboratories.

Instead of targeting "easy money" like many foreign firms, Dow is digging for gold through innovation and technological cooperation.

With its leading water filtration technology, Dow collaborated with Haier Group, China's leading home appliance producer, to make washing machines that reduce 30 percent of water use. Dow's formaldehyde abatement technology, developed by its China research team, has been applied in eco-paint in China and many other countries in the world.

"Our sharp focus on supporting economies through more sustainable products brings us onto a trajectory in the same direction of the country's development," Hawkins said, "We are highly-linked with China and want to grow along with its growth."

Yoke Loon Lim, head of Dow Greater China, said the company will further expand manufacturing, innovation and operational networks to meet consumers' growing demand. He expects the company to maintain double-digit growth in terms of sales volume in the Chinese market.

"China has become our second largest market globally. It does not matter what other multinationals might be thinking of. For us, we will continue to make investment and increase our presence here," Lim said.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least one man was killed and 20 others injured when a blast hit a market area in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency on Saturday morning, local Urdu TV channel Samaa reported.
LONDON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- A group of protesters gathered in west London Friday to denounce a theater casting white actors in a play set in ancient China as "yellowface" practice.

Around 100 people attended the protest held outside the Print Room Theater, where the play "In The Depths Of Dead Love" was launched this week with an all-white cast for a story set in ancient China.

"Any kind of 'yellowface' in this day and age is not OK," 34-year-old British Chinese actress Gemma Chan told the London Evening Standard.

"I'm shocked this happened," said Chan, who was among the protesters.

Hollywood Actor Benedict Wong also joined the demonstration outside the theater in London's trendy Notting Hill area.

Both Chan and Wong said that "yellowface", a term for the exclusion of east Asian actors, was an unacceptable practice.

The Print Room said they were "sorry for clearly misjudging the offence some would take" but denied any ethnic disparagement or discrimination.

The Theater said that the characters were allusions, not intended to be taken literally.

Protesters outside the theater brandished placards with slogans like "Narnia is imaginary, China is real" and "this production was made by racists."

The theater pledged to meet actors' union Equity to discuss the controversy.
MEXICO CITY, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Demonstrators gathered at Ford car dealerships in several Mexican cities on Friday in protest of newly sworn-in U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed industry policy to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.

Some 50 protesters gathered outside a Ford dealership in downtown Mexico City, and called on transnational companies not to withdraw from Mexico, despite Trump's threat to slap steep tariffs on goods assembled in Mexico and sold in the United States.

They also held up signs slamming other Trump policies, including a proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border to keep out illegal migrants.

Protest organizer Armando Gonzalez, of the centrist Social Encounter Party (PES), told Xinhua the goal was not to boycott Ford vehicles.

"That would be irresponsible because it would negatively impact workers," said Gonzalez.

Instead, he said the objective was to send the message that Trump should not try to protect U.S. jobs at the expense of Mexico's labor force.

"We are also protecting jobs in Mexico," he said.

According to the organizers, protests took place in at least one city in each of the country's 31 states.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after he was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States during the presidential inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hours after inauguration, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed his first executive order, directing federal agencies to "ease the burden" of his predecessor Barack Obama's health care law, or Obamacare.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus also sent out a memo to order all government agencies to immediately freeze regulations until further notified, according to White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

Spicer said that the move was part of the transition to repeal and replace Obamacare, honoring one of Trump's major campaign promises.

Obamacare, officially the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, has drawn criticism due to a rise in premiums.

But the spokesman refused to provide details on the order, which was signed by Trump on his first day at the Oval Office. Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence and top advisers as he signed the executive order.

Meanwhile, Trump signed confirmation papers for his picks for Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. The Senate confirmed their nominations earlier Friday.

Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. President at an inauguration ceremony held Friday morning at Capitol Hill, overshadowed by occasional rain and violent protests.
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  A Senate committee has endorsed a bill that would require Wyoming students to receive basic instruction in CPR before they graduate high school.

The Senate Education Committee on Friday unanimously supported an amended version of Senate File 82.

The proposal requires all high school graduates to receive basic instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in the use of automated external defibrillators. No student could graduate without the instruction.

The bill doesn't require CPR certification, which involves much more detailed training.

Bill sponsor Republican Sen. Bill Landen, of Casper, said he thinks it will save lives and money.

Kristen Waters of the American Heart Association in Wyoming said she sees generations of life-savers resulting from the proposal.

The bill now goes to the Senate floor for debate.
CANBERRA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A 4 a.m. live broadcast by national television network and pages of reports and analysis by big-name newspapers, Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony attracted the eyes in one of U.S.closest allies but failed to grapple the hearts.

Australian Broadcast Company (ABC) ran a live coverage of the inauguration ceremony of the 45th president of the United States since 2 a.m. Australian Eastern Daylight Time (1500 GMT Jan 20) on Saturday, January 21.

The top story on ABC website carries the title of "President Trump's inauguration begins with prayer, ends in protest", in which the article dedicated a separate section to the anti-Trump protests staged in Washington.

News.com.au mocked about the reduced turnout of spectators at Trump's inauguration ceremony from those at Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009.

"The ceremony went off without a hitch, but Mr Trump's ego might have to endure some unflattering comparisons to Mr Obama's first inauguration eight years ago," the news website said in its headline story.

"The New York Times compiled these two contrasting images. On the left is the crowd about 45 minutes before the 2009 inauguration. On the right is the crowd 45 minutes before today's ceremony. It's been estimated that Mr Trump only managed to draw about a third of Mr Obama's 1.8 million-strong crowd," the story said.

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) did not hold back in labelling Trump's inaugural speech as "deeply nationalist and populist".

"Donald Trump's deeply nationalist and populist inaugural address as the 45th U.S. President has affirmed that he will govern just as he campaigned: as an anti-establishment crusader championing to put 'America first' for ordinary citizens who feel 'forgotten' by the elites," AFR writer John Kehoe said in his article.

"The punchy 16-minute performance that lacked policy details was laced with nati. dollar to edge lower during his speech."

Kehoe also pointed out the contradiction in Trump's speech in dealing with the Mideast countries and the U.S. counter terrorism efforts.

"The new president said he will 'reinforce old alliances and form new ones' to 'unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism' ... But in a shot at failed military interventions trying to bring peaceful democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan, Trump said 'we do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather to let it shine as an example'."

Kehoe was not convinced by Trump's "big promises" to build new roads, bridges, airports, tunnels and railways "with American hands and American labour".

"For investors, Trump gave few clues about economic policies such as tax reform ... " he said.

He then concluded to warn that "A nativist, he (Trump) will pursue success via a mix of strength, nationalism and populism".

Greg Sheridan, foreign editor at the The Australian newspaper, has also cast doubt on Trump's speech.

"As with most populists, it is impossible to reconcile all the different parts of the Donald's pitch," Sheridan wrote in his article.

"From the day forward it's going to be America first, hire America, buy America, only act internationally to advantage America," Sheridan commented on Trump's inaugural speech.

"Ok, fair enough, but then: 'We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones', which means there's got to be something in this for foreigners as well."

Sheridan also held many of Trump's promises as "a bit unbelievable".

When commenting Trump's promise to bring back the jobs to the United States, Sheridan said "That's OK if it means create new jobs, but if he means he's going to bring back masses of manufacturing jobs which have been lost to technology much more than to trade, it's hard to know how it can possibly happen."

He also hinted the naivety and immaturity of Trump by saying that the confirmation of James Mattis as Defense Secretary by the Congress and the picks of a heavyweight cabinet like Mattis shows that "it's as if Trump has recognized that he needs adult supervision".
NEW YORK, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- With 45.6 billion U.S. dollars worth of completed acquisitions and greenfield investments, the United States has become the largest recipient of booming Chinese outbound Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2016.

The number is triple the amount for 2015 and a tenfold increase of annual investment from five years ago, according to Rhodium Group.

At a time when the view of international trade ranges from skepticism to outright hostility in the U.S., the surging Chinese investments show that the two nations plenty to gain from their bilateral relationship.

FUYAO CASE

Fuyao Glass Industry Group's investment is an epitome of rapidly increasing Chinese investments in the U.S.

In October, Fuyao Glass America celebrated the grand opening of its newest U.S. facility in Moraine, Ohio, marking the largest glass fabrication plant in the world, which also means over 2,000 local workers now have new jobs in the Chinese company. Fuyao expects this number to grow to 2,300-2,500 by the end of 2017 to meet growing customer demand.

"We are proud of our work in Ohio, in the heart of the U.S auto corridor, and are highly committed to supporting the growth of the North American automotive market," said Chairman Cho Tak Wong of Fuyao Glass Industry Group, Fuyao Glass America's parent company, at the opening ceremony.

"Now we have 2,000 families that are seeing their lives dramatically improved because of the commitment of the company and vision of my friend chairman Cho," said John Kasich, Governor of Ohio.

The new Moraine facility represents 600 million U.S. dollars in total investment by Fuyao, the largest Chinese investment in Ohio history.

Bringing auto glass production back to the U.S., Fuyao aims to regenerate both the local Ohio community, with 25 million dollars to 30 million dollars funneled into the economy each month, and the broader automotive industry.

MORE BENEFITS, LESS CONFLICTS

FDI was key to China's economic success, and was central to the global model that so many U.S. businesses embraced, generating benefits for Chinese and U.S. consumers as well as competitiveness.

The increasing Chinese investments in the U.S. in the past years proved that the two nations could develop a relationship that is win-win.

Chinese companies traditionally were not physically present in the U.S., but have expanded their footprint rapidly over the past decade.

Now the U.S. has become the most favorite destination of the massive Chinese outbound FDI.

For years U.S. companies invested in China, they made profits and built communities in China of people who knew America and became strong supporters of constructive U.S.-China relation, said Stephen Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

"Today Chinese companies are investing billions of dollars in America. What they are doing here is building communities of Americans that will better understand China and work toward a constructive U.S.-China relation in the 21st century," he added.

According to a newly released report, both the U.S. and China have invested much more money in the other country than the official data shows, making the two nations' economies even more intertwined.

"The local benefits have been enormous, with U.S. companies today employing more than 1.6 million workers in China," said the report named "Two-Way Street: 25 Years of U.S.-China Direct Investment".

"At an earlier stage, the benefits of Chinese presence in the U.S. are showing up too, attracting much needed capital to the U.S. while permitting Chinese companies to tap into U.S. advantages and already provide more than 100,000 jobs today," said the report.

"Policymakers are well advised to consider how much further along the relationship is than official data suggests. Doing so argues for upgrading the policy framework presently used to manage related opportunities and concerns," said Daniel Rosen, a founding partner of Rhodium Group, which published the report with the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

"Upgrading U.S.-China FDI policy is not just a noble long-term goal but a present necessity," added Rosen.

"The two great nations, which account for 40 percent of the world GDP and 23 percent of the world's population, need each other," said Farok Contractor, a professor at Rutgers Business School.
YANGON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of five people were killed and one injured in a fire that broke out in a restaurant in Yangon's South Dagon township early Saturday, an official from the Myanmar Fire Services Department told Xinhua Saturday.
HAVANA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Companies from Cuba and China on Friday signed 10 agreements to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy and industry after a three-day forum.

With the participation of 18 Chinese companies and 20 Cuban firms, the forum analyzed cooperation strategies to expand the development of renewable energy in the island nation.

The event also saw Chinese companies present solutions for the development, manufacturing of equipment, construction, operation and administration of solar, wind and hydro-powered projects.

Both countries are interested in developing the renewable energy industry as it is a highly efficient way to boost the development of the economy, said Gu Chengkui, an expert from China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID).

Gu, who led the Chinese delegation to the event, said this business forum was an efficient way for the CCID and the Cuban Ministry of Industries to explore cooperation potentials.

Agreements signed between the two sides included a memorandum of understanding between Cuban Electronics Group and Chinese company Haier for the establishment of a joint venture and a R&D center for renewable energies.

"Cuba has very positive ideas for the development of its renewable industry. With the knowledge and experience of China, we can jointly promote and develop Cuba's renewable sector," said Gu after the deals were signed.

Cuba is keen to increase the use of renewable energy, especially wind and solar. Currently 4.65 percent of its energy use is generated by renewable or clean resources but the country plans to increase the ratio to 24 percent by 2030.
QUITO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said Friday that his government would offer asylum to Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange for as long as the whistleblower wants.

"If he wishes to give up asylum and hand himself over, that is his decision. But if he wants to remain under protection, the Ecuadorian state will continue (offering it)," Correa told the press during a trip to the coastal province of Esmeraldas.

Correa spoke out after Assange said Thursday that he would accept to be extradited to the United States if his rights are protected.

The former hacker and journalist has been living at the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden, where he is wanted in connection with the sexual assault of two women.

Assange denies the accusation and says that Sweden would hand him over to the United States where he could be judged for leaking thousands of confidential State Department documents through Wikileaks in 2010.

Last week, Assange said that he would accept to be extradited to the United States if former military intelligence analyst and whistleblower, Chelsea Manning, who is in jail for passing secret documents to Wikileaks, was pardoned.

On Jan. 17, President Barack Obama did just that, commuting Manning's 35-year sentence and allowing her to be released in May.

On Thursday, Assange said that he maintained his position and would accept extradition "if his rights are protected."

He added that since Manning's sentence "would not be commuted until May, we can have many discussions until that point."
JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa is currently pondering over a Foreign Service Bill to ensure that citizens act in accordance with "the national interest," especially politicians from the opposition parties.

The bill, brought up by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, "will re-conceptualize, harmonize and bring synergy to various actors outside the country. It will ensure that the people who work in the Foreign Service understand what the national interest means," Siphosezwe Masango, chairperson of the Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, said in an interview with Xinhua on Friday.

According to Masango, "Such legislation is now urgent because of shenanigans shown by the opposition politicians."

Solly Msimanga, Mayor of Tshwane, traveled to Taiwan recently, ignoring the one-China policy and defying the advice from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, in order to "create tension between us and China," the chairperson said.

Moreover, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane visited Israel recently, despite the South African president discouraging people from doing so, Masango added.

Masango added they want to avoid a situation where politicians misrepresent South Africa's foreign policies when traveling abroad. If not, they may hurt the country's economic interests.

By introducing the bill, he said, they want to ensure that those in various government understands the country's diplomatic relations, adding that senior government officials and the ruling African National Congress understand what the national interest means.

Masango said the bill also intends to cover civil servants working abroad with various government departments, namely the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation, Home Affairs, Trade and Industry and Economic Cooperation, in addition to the soldiers in peace-keeping missions.

The committee will meet Tuesday with various parties to discuss the bill.
DAKAR, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announced on Saturday that he would step down from power after a last-chance talks with leaders from west African countries.

"I have decided today, in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation, with infinite gratitude to all Gambians," said the longtime leader on state TV early Saturday morning.

Jammeh said he had promised that all the issues "will be resolved peacefully" and "it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed."

Jammed's announcement came after hours of a last-chance mediation with Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and Guinean President Alpha Conde in Banjul.

"My decision today was not dictated by anything else, but by the supreme interest of the Gambian people and our dear country," said the veteran leader who came into power in 1994.

Accepting to cede power, Jammeh reiterated that he would always be together with the Gambians to "defend the independence" of this country.

Friday evening, Gambian President Adama Barrow wrote on his Twitter that "Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down. He is scheduled to depart Gambia today."

Jammeh lost the election to Barrow in December and initially

conceded defeat, only to change his mind saying the vote had been

unfair.

Earlier on Friday, Aziz and Conde arrived in Banjul for one "last mediation" to persuade Jammeh to give up presidential power to Barrow before eventual military intervention.

Soldiers from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Senegalese and Nigerian troops, stopped advancing in Gambia on Thursday night to give Jammeh a last chance to step down peacefully.

"Orders were given to the troops to stop their advance and they have stopped because the ECOWAS privileges the initiatives of dialogue and diplomacy," President of the ECOWAS Commission Marcel Alain Da Souza said.

The Senegalese army, backed by other west-african soldiers, entered Gambia Thursday afternoon in a military operation aimed at forcing Jammeh to cede power to Barrow who was sworn in Thursday in Dakar as the new president of Gambia.

So far, no information has been given about where Jammeh is heading. Morocco, Nigeria, Mauritania and Guinea all offered to welcome him.
NINGBO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's People's Liberation Army Navy has sent two frigates and a drone to search for a fishing boat that sank in the East China Sea on Friday evening, leaving at least one person dead, navy sources said Saturday.

The Chinese fishing boat, Liaoda Zhongyu 15126, had 13 crew on board before sinking at around 6 a.m. Friday.

Frigates Suzhou and Ji'an arrived in the area and began their search on Saturday morning after the Donghai Fleet received requests for assistance late on Friday from the maritime rescue center in Jiangsu Province. A military drone was also dispatched.

So far, only one body has been recovered and the rest of the crew remain unaccounted for.
DAVOS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- As the 47th World Economic Forum annual meeting concluded in Davos, Switzerland, world leaders and the private sector showed cautious optimism about the global economic outlook for 2017.

The week started with a fanfare as President Xi Jinping, the first Chinese head of state to address the forum, gave a speech that promoted open and free trade and warned against protectionism, while setting out China's plan to make its 6.7 percent growth rate sustainable.

The message was well-received, with business leaders here praising Xi's display of openness and commenting throughout the week that China has showed its willingness to lead global free trade, even as it continues to institute industrial reforms and develop more international partnerships.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, another marquee speaker at the Davos forum, made a special address on Thursday, just two days after revealing her government's vision for a more global Britain after the conclusion of Brexit negotiations.

While pledging to remain a "friend, neighbor and partner" to the European Union (EU), May presented Britain as a fresh advocate for free markets, free trade and globalization.

Whether or not the British PM's attempts to take the edge off a "hard Brexit" plan will succeed, her position was cautiously welcomed by her European partners.

European Council President Donald Tusk reacted positively to May's speech and said the EU was ready to work with Britain. On Friday, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, known for his tough stance on Brexit, said that he and his colleagues would work relentlessly to reach an agreement that would limit damage to both Britain and the EU.

Perhaps the best indication of optimism at Davos, however, came from bank chiefs and analysts. The general consensus was that growth was positive everywhere in the world, and that even sluggish regions, like Europe, were in recovery.

Brian T. Moynihan, chairman of the board and chief executive officer at Bank of America Corporation, said that "business confidence is reviving and the U.S. economy will grow 2 percent this year."

Ana Patricia Botin, executive chairman of Spanish banking giant Santander Group, saw positive developments, while urging for more and better integration in Europe to help boost growth in the region.

For her part, Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said that "we are seeing for the first time numbers that are not being revised down by the IMF."

Meanwhile, observers and commentators have been looking eagerly to the United States and the Trump administration, to try to anticipate what policy shifts in America could do for the world's economic outlook. Many hope that the turn to fiscal policy over monetary policy will see a bump in growth, as well as a reduction in regulatory activity.

"The focus on regulations has perhaps been at the expense of growth," said Mary Callahan Erdoes, chief executive officer of asset management at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

With significantly more members of Donald Trump's cabinet having strong business experience than ever before, the prudent optimism at this year's Davos forum may have reason to grow.
Rescuers work at the blast site in Parachinar, Pakistan, Jan. 21, 2017. At least 13 people were killed and 47 others injured in a bomb blast that hit a vegetable and fruit market in Pakistan's northwest tribal region of Kurram Agency on Saturday morning, officials said. (Xinhua/Stringer)

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 people were killed and 47 others injured in a bomb blast that hit a vegetable and fruit market in Pakistan's northwest tribal region of Kurram Agency on Saturday morning, officials said.

According to the local administration of the area, the blast took place at 08:50 a.m. (local time) when dozens of people were busy with shopping in the market located in Parachinar area of Kurram Agency, Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

The blast killed six people on spot while seven others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the Agency Hospital in the area.

Rescue teams, local police and security forces rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to the hospital.

Hospital officials feared that the death toll might further rise as several of the injured were reportedly in critical condition.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), a mouthpiece of Pakistan army, said that they were shifting seriously injured people in military helicopters to the hospitals in the nearby province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the local administration, the bomb was planted in one of the cartons carrying apples and it was detonated with a remote-controlled device.

Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in the nearby areas.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
CHEYENNE  A legislative committee defeated a bill that would have decreased the amount of severance tax the coal industry pays to the state.

House Bill 104 would have decreased the severance tax from 7 to 6 percent. Sponsors argued the lower rate would have put coal on equal footing with other fossil fuels, such as natural gas, which is taxed at 6 percent. The lower rate would also stimulate the coal industry, which is in a slump, lawmakers argued.

But if HB104 would have passed, the state would have lost $28 million in revenue for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Because of an overall decline in minerals, the revenue shortfall to the state is currently $400 million in a $3 billion, two-year budget.

Opponents argued before the House Revenue Committee that now is not the time to slash revenue to Wyoming, said Phoebe Stoner of the Equality State Policy Center.

Because both transportation and mining costs go into the price consumers see, there have been a lot of studies that show the transportation costs would increase, so the consumer wouldnt see any kind of benefit, and it wouldnt actually stimulate coal, she said.

Travis Deti of the Wyoming Mining Association said the bill was a long shot.

Well, we certainly appreciate the bill sponsor and co-sponsors for bringing it forward, he said. We feel they recognize the coal industry is under pretty good stress right now, both regulatory and tax-wise. Tax relief would be welcome. But we also understand its a really tough time for the state right now.

The minerals industry pays most of the states taxes. The state needs to look at diversifying revenues, Deti said.

As a state we need to have that conversation, he said. And of course the industry would like to be at the table on that.
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (R) addresses a joint press conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto (L) after their meeting in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on Aug. 31, 2016. (Xinhua/Str)

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday ushered in a new era in bilateral ties with Mexico, one that Mexico should turn to its advantage, say observers.

The real estate tycoon's presidential campaign and election win only raised hackles in Mexico, given his pledge to build a border wall and make Mexico pay for it, to press assembly plants there to relocate to the U.S. or face steep export tariffs, and to deport more than 2 million undocumented migrants.

But Mexico has "many advantages that it should make the most of" in redefining its relationship to its neighbor, political observer Jesus Gallegos told Xinhua in an interview.

Mexico "should establish different negotiations openly, seriously and completely in political, migratory, trade and economic matters," said Gallegos, who teaches at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

Trump's insistence on renegotiating the two-decade-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), signed in 1994 between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, is a case in point.

It will take at least a year and a half to change or dismantle the treaty, which hands Mexico ample time to play its cards right and "be more pragmatic, as there is a lack of comprehensive political, economic and social pragmatism, and not just on one side or the other," said Gallegos.

According to a study by the Washington, D.C.-based Wilson Center, undoing NAFTA will be a step backward, since trade and export between the three will continue, but at a higher cost, which will harm their competitivity.

Arnulfo R. Gomez, a professor at Mexico City's Anahuac University, believes the dark cloud Trump represents for Mexico has a silver lining.

"Initially, it (the Trump era) seems negative, but there is a very positive side to point out, as now Mexico must devise a strategy with realistic programs and public policies as part of a true national development project," said Gomez.

Sam Lobo, head of International Affairs at Mexico's Confederation of Employer's (Coparmex), agrees, saying "problems are synonymous with opportunities."

"It is impossible" to break the ties between the two interrelated neighbors, said Lobo, calling for "dialogue and to find synergies to benefit both," said Lobo.

A Mexican newspaper with its front page referring to the eventual triumph of US presidential candidate Donald Trump on November 9, 2016 in Mexico City. (AFP PHOTO / ALFREDO ESTRELLA)

Reflecting that message, Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto on Friday congratulated Trump via Twitter, and said, "we will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility."

As insurance against potentially stormy weather ahead, Mexico should take this opportunity to cultivate new trade partners in the Pacific Rim region, including China, Lobo recommended.

"Mexican business owners are open and willing to speak with Trump, but we are also willing to explore new businesses, to open up to new opportunities to make new friends," said Lobo.

Mexico "could establish better synergy" with China, for example, through trade in a range of products, from agrifoods to apparel and "even technology," he added.

An announcement earlier this month by U.S. automaker Ford, that it was cancelling plans for a new 1.6 billion U.S.-dollar plant in Mexico, has been widely cited as a sign of what's in store for Mexico under Trump.

"Adjustments and changes cause instability and impact many people, but they also represent opportunities. Many automobile manufacturers are staying in Mexico despite these threats, and if one leaves, three others arrive," said Lobo.

In the meantime, the International Monetary Fund downgraded Mexico's economic growth forecast for 2017 and 2018 by 0.6 percent, citing stronger headwinds facing the country due to the uncertainties raised by the arrival of the new administration.
MONTEVIDEO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Uruguay's Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa highlighted Friday the levels of scientific cooperation his country enjoys with China during his visit to China's Great Wall Antarctic research station.

The closeness and good relations that the staff and scientists of the two countries enjoy has allowed the bilateral relation to deepen, said Nin Novoa in a statement.

The Uruguayan foreign minister, who is also in Antarctica to visit Uruguay's Artigas science research station, held a meeting with the staff of the Chinese base where he was introduced to the projects being developed there.

Nin Novoa recalled that Uruguay and China signed a memorandum of understanding during the visit of Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez to Beijing in October 2016, which includes scientific exchanges linked to research in Antarctica.

Uruguay's relationship with China is steadily advancing, said Nin Novoa.
Photo taken on May 15, 2016 shows a green energy base which provides both wind and solar power in Yiyang County, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Tian Yiwei)

HAVANA, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Companies from Cuba and China on Friday signed 10 agreements to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy and industry after a three-day forum.

With the participation of 18 Chinese companies and 20 Cuban firms, the forum analyzed cooperation strategies to expand the development of renewable energy in the island nation.

The event also saw Chinese companies present solutions for the development, manufacturing of equipment, construction, operation and administration of solar, wind and hydro-powered projects.

Both countries are interested in developing the renewable energy industry as it is a highly efficient way to boost the development of the economy, said Gu Chengkui, an expert from China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID).

File photo taken on July 24, 2012 shows flood water discharging from the Three Gorges Dam, a gigantic hydropower project on the Yangtze River, in Yichang City, central China's Hubei Province. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Gu, who led the Chinese delegation to the event, said this business forum was an efficient way for the CCID and the Cuban Ministry of Industries to explore cooperation potentials.

Agreements signed between the two sides included a memorandum of understanding between Cuban Electronics Group and Chinese company Haier for the establishment of a joint venture and a R&D center for renewable energies.

"Cuba has very positive ideas for the development of its renewable industry. With the knowledge and experience of China, we can jointly promote and develop Cuba's renewable sector," said Gu after the deals were signed.

Cuba is keen to increase the use of renewable energy, especially wind and solar. Currently 4.65 percent of its energy use is generated by renewable or clean resources but the country plans to increase the ratio to 24 percent by 2030.
MEXICO CITY, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Newly-inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump and his hard-to-pin-down policies have generated disquiet and uncertainty among officials and political observers throughout Latin America.

In Mexico, a neighboring country where 80 percent of exports are destined for the U.S. market, many are perplexed by Trump's isolationist and protectionist proposals, including building a wall along the border and threatening to impose heavy tariffs on American manufacturers that produce in Mexico and sell homeward.

Underscoring just how unpopular Trump is south of the border, at a panel discussion hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas last September, Mexican Economic Minister Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal referred to the then presidential candidate as "the devil."

"If we have to talk to the devil to guarantee the safety and the future of the Mexican people in Mexico and the U.S., we will talk to the devil," Villarreal said.

But most observers here held the belief that Trump's bark is worse than his bite.

Economist Angelina Gutierrez of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), feels it is unlikely that U.S.-owned assembly plants in Mexico will be swayed by Trump's threats to dismantle their operations here and relocate across the border.

"I don't think the transnational companies are willing to cancel their investments and destroy the chain of production, distribution and commercialization, which are essential for globalization and the integration of countries into regional industrial and trade blocs," said Gutierrez.

U.S. automaker Ford announced earlier this month it was cancelling plans to build a new 1.6 billion U.S.-dollar plant in Mexico, though it claimed the decision was unrelated to Trump's new policies.

That decision is bound to cost Ford, said Violeta Rodriguez, an academic at UNAM, since it is 40 percent more expensively to manufacture a vehicle in the United States.

In Brazil, analysts feel the 70-year-old Trump is out of touch with the times.

"What surprises me is Trump's view of global economic relations, which belongs more to the 18th or 19th centuries," Mauricio Santoro, a professor of international relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, told Xinhua.

"Believing that you can only get rich at the expense of your neighbor is a foolish idea that ignores centuries of empirical evidence and the very rise of the United States itself," added Santoro.

Gunther Rudizit, a professor of international relations in Rio Branco, described Trump as "unpredictable" as "nobody really knows what he will do."

"If only he were a cold businessman, then he would be more predictable," added Rudizit.

In Argentina, Carolina Sampo, a visiting professor from Madrid's Complutense University, said Trump's policies threaten to undo recent advances in bilateral ties with Argentina.

Ties between Buenos Aires and Washington were cold and often hostile during the left-leaning administration of Argentine former President Cristina Fernandez (2007-2015), who pursued greater integration with regional allies, including Venezuela, much to the consternation of the White House.

Her successor, Mauricio Macri, made patching up relations with Washington a central theme of his campaign and as a result played host to former U.S. President Barack Obama in March in Buenos Aires.

Sampo expects Trump to pursue "a much more protectionist economic policy and much more restrictive foreign policy," in stark contrast to Obama, during whose presidency Washington restored diplomatic ties with Cuba.

Argentinian Paola de Simone, a specialist on international law, agrees. "It remains to be seen whether under (the) Trump (administration), ties between the two countries continue to thaw or, on the contrary, begin to cool off again."

Should they cool, "it would not be Argentina's fault, but the fault of U.S. isolationism," added Simone.

In Cuba, which along with Mexico has potentially the most to lose from a Trump presidency, there's plenty of skepticism regarding the future of bilateral ties.

"What seems obvious is that Cuba is not an immediate priority for Trump. Given the unknown decisions he will take concerning our country, the process of normalization of ties will either advance or regress, which is concerning," said Tania Orozco, a state worker.

She also noted Trump's famed intransigence and sympathized with Mexico.

"What ... caught my attention was his inflexibility and authoritarianism in building a wall along the Mexican border. He said that country has taken advantage of the United States, when we all know it is the exact opposite," said Orozco.

Peruvian congressman Alberto Quintanilla noted Trump's message conflicts with the trend towards global integration.

Following Trump's inauguration speech on Friday, Quintanilla told Xinhua that "there is a kind of position (in his words) that runs counter to global integration, but we hope it's just temporary, and in the end the world will move towards greater integration."
KABUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- About 20 militants have been killed amid operations launched by Afghan security forces elsewhere in the country, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"In past 24 hours, Afghan National Defense and Security Forces launched nine Counter-Terrorism joint operations to clear some of the areas from terrorists and enemies of peace and stability of Afghanistan. As a result 20 armed militants were killed, 16 wounded and two others were arrested," the ministry said in a statement.

The security forces also discovered and confiscated light and heavy rounds of ammunition during the raid carried out in Kapisa, Uruzgan, Zabul, Helmand, Farah, Faryab and Sari Pul provinces, the statement said, without adding if there were any casualties on the side of security forces.
by Deng Qian

DAVOS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Global elites at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting this week have expressed confidence in free trade, saying it is a global consensus that is conducive to the prosperity of all parties.

With a slowdown in world economic growth and ensuing growing political and social problems, ideologies of anti-globalization and protectionism are gaining ground in some areas of the world, which have affected free trade.

Leaders of governments, international organizations as well as enterprises who attended the forum here have voiced their support for free trade.

British Prime Minister Theresa May gave an impressive speech to illustrate that the Brexit will still make a global Britain.

"The United Kingdom -- a country that has so often been at the forefront of economic and social change -- will step up to a new leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for business, free markets and free trade anywhere in the world," she said.

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expressed optimism about the world economic outlook.

The latest IMF report said global growth is estimated at 3.1 percent in 2016, 3.4 percent in 2017 and 3.6 percent in 2018, which is in line with the body's October forecast.

"For the first time in years, economic growth is not being revised down," Lagarde said. However, she said that risks abound and leaders must ensure that trade and tax policies will not lead to a global race to the bottom.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, told Xinhua that as energy itself needs global trade, including trade in oil, natural gas, coal and electricity, the trends of energy trade will become more global.

Zhu Min, former IMF deputy managing director, told the forum that China has benefited from globalization and China will continue to support globalization.

It is the duty of every country in the world to support globalization and China will shoulder its responsibility enhancing cooperation with other countries, Zhu said.

David Abney, CEO of global logistics giant UPS, said he was not "over-concerned" about protectionism as he believed in the power of globalization.

Free trade is still the main trend and global e-commerce is a good example, Abney added.

Experts also highlighted the contributions free trade and globalization have made to the global economy.

Huining Henry Cao, director of the Business Research Center of China's Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, told Xinhua that free trade helps break trade barriers, providing many jobs for developing countries and cheap products for developed countries.

"It's a win-win result in the sense of economics while having formed an international division of labor," Cao said.

However, in developed countries, jobs in labor-intensive sectors have been squeezed, which caused social problems including anti-globalization, Cao said.

"But it should be clarified that this is not the result of globalization and free trade," Cao said. "The slowdown in growth and inequality between the rich and the poor in developed countries are the main causes."

"Governments have better ways to solve these problems, such as providing retraining opportunities for the workforce so that they can adapt to the new generation of production technology," Cao said.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jan. 21(Xinhua) -- Brunei's trade balance in November 2016 amounted to 296.1 million Brunei dollars(207.8 million U.S. dollars), an increase of 20.3 percent on a month-to-month basis, according to the latest statistics released Saturday by the country's Department of Economic Planning and Development(JPKE), Prime Minister's Office.

Total exports amounted to 585.7 million Brunei dollars, while imports were valued at 289.6 million Brunei dollars. Mineral fuels recorded the highest contribution of 93.6 percent of total exports, comprising crude oil (272.4 million Brunei dollars) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) (276.0 million Brunei dollars).

The highest exports market was Japan with 38.4 percent of total exports, followed by India (13.7 percent), Thailand (13.2 percent) and South Korea (12.5 percent).

Imports of goods decreased by 3.2 percent from 299.3 million Brunei dollars (October 2016) to 289.6 million Brunei dollars in November 2016.

The highest imports came from Malaysia with 21.2 percent of total imports, followed by the U.S. (20.2 percent), Singapore (15.6 percent) and China (13.5 percent).

JPKE said that on a year-to-date basis (January-November), both total trade and trade balance decreased by 21.1 percent and 27.5 percent respectively.
CARACAS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump could inadvertently serve as a "unifying factor" for Latin America, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Secretary-General Ernesto Samper said Friday.

In general, Trump's protectionist and isolationist policies are not viewed as being a good thing for the region, but Samper said adversity can bring Latin America's disparate countries together.

In an interview with Venezuelan news network Globovision, on the same day Trump was sworn in as the president of the United States, Samper said he wasn't "so pessimistic" about the new leader, since "he is going to be a great factor in unifying Latin America."

Trump's proposed measures are bound to affect Latin America, said Samper, especially those on clamping down on illegal migration and raising tariffs on goods imported into the United States.

"All of them (the proposals) have to do with us, whether it's kicking out Latinos, meaning us, or whether it's blocking Latin American exports," said Samper.

Both progressive and neo-liberal governments in Latin America stand to suffer from the changes in U.S. policies, including "free-trade agreements that this man is going to set back," said Samper, adding "I think now we are all going to be in the same boat."
By Yoo Seungki

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Expectation and uncertainty are being mixed in South Korea toward its alliance with the United States as President Donald Trump advocating the "America First" policy was sworn in as the 45th American leader on Friday.

Politicians and media outlets here anticipated the status quo in its alliance with the new U.S. administration to be maintained as South Korea provides strategic interests to the U.S., the country's traditional ally on which it heavily depends to defend from nuclear and missile threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Uncertainty South Korea worries about is being centered on the "America First" policy that could lead to stronger demand for Seoul paying higher cost for over 28,000 U.S. forces stationed here, the legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.

In an inaugural address, the U.S. president vowed to "reinforce old alliances" with traditional allies, but he stressed that his country subsidized "the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military."

Washington, which is struggling with twin deficits, has asked, or forced, its allies to bear higher costs for its troops all around the world, which are stationed at least partly to maintain the American military sway over regions.

During his presidential campaign, Trump claimed a security "free ride" of the allies, saying South Korea can cover 100 percent costs for U.S. forces in its soil. Seoul now pays about 900 billion won (770 million U.S. dollars) a year, around half of the total costs for U.S. soldiers.

Yonhap news agency estimated that the Trump administration may include costs to operate the U.S. missile shield, which the two allies agreed to deploy in southeastern South Korea by the end of this year, in the bill South Korea must pay for the United States.

For South Korea's part, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployment means its contribution to the U.S. strategy to expand military influence in Northeast Asia, but the new U.S. government would regard it as a tool only to protect South Korean people, not U.S. citizens, from the DPRK's nuclear threats.

The government-sponsored broadcaster KBS reported on rising worries about increased payment for U.S. forces in South Korea, and conservative newspaper Chosun Ilbo predicted heavier burden for U.S. allies in accordance with the U.S. attempt to strengthen its military.

On the other hand, expectations remain for the U.S.-South Korea alliance to keep the status quo given that Seoul contributes much to U.S. strategic interests in the region, local newspaper Joongang Ilbo reported citing experts.

South Korea provides a huge land for U.S. military bases free of charge, while purchasing a massive amount of U.S. weapons every year. In the past 10 years, Seoul spent around 36 trillion won (31 billion U.S. dollars) to buy weapons from Washington alone.

Showing a subtle change, close aides to President Trump recently stressed the importance of the bilateral alliance, with one of them describing it as "sticky rice cake."

South Korean lawmakers also put emphasis on the alliance amid the power vacuum, caused by the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who serves as acting president, sent a congratulatory letter to Trump ahead of his inauguration.

Conservative parties, including the ruling Saenuri Party and its splinter Righteous Party, emphasized the need for stronger alliance with the new U.S. administration to secure national interests and firm security.

Progressive parties, including the main opposition Minjoo Party and its offshoot People's Party, demanded flexible response to new U.S. policies, stressing the bigger role of lawmakers in diplomacy amid the power vacuum.

The launch of the new U.S. government came at a time when concerns arose here about Pyongyang's test-launch of a long-range rocket that will escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and may stoke the new U.S. president's hard-line policy.

Top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said in his New Year's Day address that his country had entered the final stage of preparations to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic rocket. The following day, Trump warned in his Twitter account that the DPRK's development of a missile capable of striking the U.S. mainland won't happen.

Pyongyang carried out its fourth and fifth nuclear tests in January and September last year respectively, boosting expectations that it may be coming close to the development of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

"It is natural for President Trump to express a hard-line stance on North Korea (DPRK) as the North Korean leader heralded an ICBM test-fire" Cheong Seong-chang, a senior researcher at the private Sejong Institute, told Xinhua. The ICBM stands for intercontinental ballistic missile.

Cheong said that if Pyongyang test-launches an ICBM, the Trump administration can consider a so-called "surgical strike" at the DPRK, but he noted that the strike cannot happen due to shortage of U.S. intelligence on where and how many the DPRK has nuclear weapons.

The researcher said it would be desirable to resume talks to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, proposing a four-way dialogue to be held before restarting the long-stalled six-party talks in a bid to speed up negotiations.

The six-party talks, which involve South Korea, the DPRK, China, the U.S., Russia and Japan, have been suspended since late 2008. The researcher-proposed four-way dialogue excludes Japan and Russia.

Cheong said all issues must be put on the dialogue table to stop the DPRK's nuclear tests and long-range missile launches and to freeze all of its nuclear facility in return for lifting all of international sanctions on Pyongyang and halting the annual U.S.-South Korea military exercises. Enditem
BANJUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announced Saturday that he would step down from power after last-chance talks with leaders from West African countries.

"I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation, with infinite gratitude to all Gambians," said the longtime leader on state TV early Saturday morning.

Jammeh said he had promised that all the issues "will be resolved peacefully" and "it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed."

Jammeh's announcement came after hours of a last-chance mediation with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and Guinean President Alpha Conde in Banjul.

"My decision today was not dictated by anything else, but by the supreme interest of the Gambian people and our dear country," said the veteran leader who came to power in 1994.

Accepting to cede power, Jammeh reiterated that he would always stand together with all Gambians to "defend the independence" of the country.

"This is a victory for Gambia against violence," Mauritanian President Aziz told journalists after the meeting.

Aziz made the remarks as forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had already rolled into Gambia on Thursday, ready to move against Jammeh if he refused to step down.

On Friday evening, Gambian President Adama Barrow tweeted that "Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down. He is scheduled to depart Gambia today."

Jammeh lost the election to Barrow in December and initially conceded defeat, only to change his mind saying the vote had been unfair.

Earlier on Friday, Aziz and Conde arrived in Banjul for one "last mediation" to persuade Jammeh to cede presidential power to Barrow before an eventual military intervention.

ECOWAS soldiers, led by Senegalese and Nigerian troops, stopped advancing in Gambia on Thursday night to give Jammeh a last chance to step down peacefully.

"Orders were given to the troops to stop their advance and they have stopped because the ECOWAS privileges the initiatives of dialogue and diplomacy," President of the ECOWAS Commission Marcel Alain de Souza said.

The Senegalese army, backed by other West African soldiers, entered Gambia Thursday afternoon in a military operation aimed at forcing Jammeh to cede power to Barrow, who was sworn in Thursday as Gambia's new president at Gambia's Embassy in Senegal.

"The outgoing president is going to leave as soon as the conditions are met, very soon, certainly," said Aziz. But he did not mention what these conditions were.

So far, no information has been given about where Jammeh is heading. Morocco, Nigeria, Mauritania and Guinea have all offered to welcome him.
  

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CHEYENNE  Wyoming Senate President Eli Bebout said Friday that he is killing a public lands transfer constitutional amendment bill that rattled sportsmen who warned the resolution would have led to eventual privatization and blocked access to terrain.

Ive given a lot of thought to the public lands initiative, said Bebout, a Riverton Republican. And what Im going to do is, Im going to not assign that bill (to a committee.) Im going to kill it. But theres a lot of moving parts in that. I think the message that a lot of people believe out there... really isnt what its about. I think weve lost that message.

The senator made the announcement hours after President Donald Trump was inaugurated. The state will work with the administration to more collaboratively manage the land, Bebout said.

"Starting today, from day one, leadership of the Wyoming Legislature is committed to working with the Trump administration and our congressional delegation to develop a solution that will ensure public lands are managed for multiple use and available to benefit all Wyoming residents, Bebout said.

Before a constitutional amendment lands on the ballot, it needs to pass the Wyoming Legislature with votes from two-thirds of the House and Senate. Bebout said he was unsure whether he had enough votes.

The public lands issue is contentious throughout the West.

On the one side are sportsmen, who fear states would sell the land when they were unable to afford management  especially if there were a large wildfire. Wyoming would obtain an estimated 25 million additional acres of public land if Congress agreed to a transfer. The state currently has just 3 million acres.

On the other side are critics of the federal governments bureaucracy. They note that it can take over a decade to permit grazing, mining, drilling and wind projects. Wyomings cut of that development is about $1 billion a year, money that funds schools and state agencies.

This session, lawmakers must figure out how to close a $400 million shortfall in the states two-year budget. Lawmakers are also facing a deficit of over a $1 billion in school funding in coming years that they will also attempt to tackle during the 2017 session, which continues through early March.

Adding the constitutional amendment to their responsibilities would amount to an additional burden, Bebout said.

Weve lost that, he said. So why go through the aggravation? Lets look at in the interim. Its not over.

The interim is the months between legislative sessions  spring, summer and fall.

An individual lawmaker could sponsor a bill urging the state to look at the topic. But Bebout called the issue done.

If I made the decision to not advance those types of bills this session, thats my decision, he said. I could be overridden. Thats the process.

The constitutional amendment bill specified how the state would have managed the lands. For instance, the lands would have to be operated with multiple use in mind  accommodating hunters, anglers, energy companies, agricultural interests and others.

Lands could be exchanged, according to Senate Joint Resolution 3, but only in the same county. There could have been no net loss or gain in the lands value.

A coalition called Keep it Public, composed of more than a dozen nonprofits, sportsmen and conservation groups, mobilized the public to voice opposition to the amendment. It launched in Casper at a November rally and organized a social media campaign to notify people how to participate and inform lawmakers of their position, said Chamois Andersen of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation.

Outdoor recreationists attended meetings in droves, submitted local letters to the editor and met with lawmakers to express their opposition.

Everybodys been notifying their representatives and senators to vote no if this amendment materialized, she said. I think Sen. Bebout read the tea leaves. He saw the vote was not going to be there.

The Wildlife Federation wants to work with Bebout and other lawmakers during the interim to find solutions to land management that everyone is comfortable with, rather than the draconian effort to transfer lands, Andersen said.

Stephanie Kessler of the Wyoming Outdoor Council said that shes not too concerned with the state working with the federal government to improve management.

We have always said that there are opportunities for more collaboration, so that doesnt bother me necessarily, she said. We think there are mechanisms now that could be utilized.

Bebout said the state never planned to sell the land. He said sportsmen were misinformed.

Clearly, what we were trying to do is protect our access, protect the sale and privatization of those lands, he said.
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Friday condemned the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, "including targeted destruction of religious sites and objects."

"The members of the Security Council were alarmed by reports, including from UNESCO, of the destruction of cultural heritage in Palmyra, Syria, including the tetrapylon and parts of the theater, with satellite imagery by UNITAR-UNOSAT confirming the destruction," the UN Security Council said in a statement.

They also expressed deep concern for the safety of thousands of Palmyra residents in the city, and strongly condemned ongoing terrorist acts by the IS in Syria, said the statement.

The IS and other individuals and groups associated with al-Qaida have generated income from the looting and smuggling of cultural heritage items in Syria to support their recruitment efforts and strengthen their operational capability of organizing and carrying out terrorist attacks, it added.

"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators of these acts to justice," the statement said, noting that the IS must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence and hatred it espouses must be "stamped out."

Earlier in the day, Syria's state TV reported that the IS had destroyed the facade of the ancient Roman theater as well as the tetrapylon in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra.

It was the latest in a series of destruction that has befallen Palmyra by the group, which re-entered the city in December 2016, just nine months after losing it to the Syrian army.
KABUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghan newspapers in their editorials on Saturday attached great importance to assuming office by new U.S. President Donald Trump and urged him to end the unfinished mission of the war on terror in Afghanistan.

"Since the security situation in Afghanistan has been persistently deteriorating over the past few years and the prevailing instability would facilitate more proxy wars of regional powers in the country," write the leading newspaper Daily Afghanistan Ma in its editorial.

The paper in its editorial described the United States of America as "Initiator of the war on terror" in Afghanistan and noted that "the U.S. as the main power in the war on terror" has to review its strategy with regard to the ongoing war against terrorism in Afghanistan and to finish it at its earliest.

"The continued support of U.S. is essential for beating terrorism, stabilizing security and economic recovery of the war-ravaged Afghanistan," the paper asserted.

Another newspaper the Daily Mandegar also attached importance to the United States new administration and said that President Donald Trump after taking oath on Friday officially inherited the responsibility of the longest war in the history of America the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

"Both President Gorge Bush and President Barack Obama had failed to end the war on terror in Afghanistan and the mission to conclude it by President Trump seems difficult," Mandegar said in its editorial.

The daily Mandegar also urged the new U.S. administration to deeply review its policy on the war against terrorism.

"The absence of ranking officials from Afghanistan at the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump speaks of little interests of new U.S. administration to Afghanistan," Etillaat-e-Roze writes in its editorial on Saturday.

According to Afghan government officials, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani had a 20-minute telephone conversation with president Trump before his inaugural ceremony where Afghan ambassador to Washington attended it.

"In spite of 15 years U.S. war against terror in Afghanistan and the presence of more than 10,000 American troops here in the country and having security pact of Bilateral Security Agreement between the two nations, the absence of Afghan government officials at the oath taking ceremony is bad news and can undermine the bilateral relations," cautioned the paper.

"If the new U.S. administration overlooks the war on terror in Afghanistan and leaves the country in the lurch, it would eventually pave the way for terrorist groups to regroup and destabilize the region and the world at large," Etilaat-e-Rose warned.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 20 people were killed and 30 others injured when a bomb went off in a vegetable and fruit market in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency on Saturday morning, officials said.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the mouthpiece of Pakistani army confirmed that the blast took place by the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) inside the market.

The ISPR earlier released a statement saying that said the explosion happened at 8:50 a.m. (local time) in Parachinar area, the administrative headquarters of Kurram Agency.

Sajid Turi, a lawmaker from the agency, said that the IED was hidden inside a carton carrying apples.

He said that a large number of people from Parachinar and adjoining villages were busy shopping in the market when the blast happened.

Outlawed organization Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) took credit for the attack in an e-mail to media.

Contradicting the officials' statement, the TTP spokesman, Muhammad Khorasani claimed that their member Saifullah alias Bilal carried out the suicide bombing in the Parachinar's marketplace.

He added the attack was revenge of the killing of Asif Chuto, chief of the banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who was killed along with three activists, in an encounter with police in the country's east Punjab province earlier this week.

All the injured people were initially shifted to Agency Headquarters Hospital Parachinar from where the seriously wounded victims were airlifted to hospitals in capital city Peshawar of neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, via army helicopters.

Noorullah Khan, a medical officials in the Parachinar hospital, said that the death toll is feared to rise and several among the injured people are in critical condition.

Two vehicles and several shops were also destroyed in the blast.

Commercial activities halted in the area following the explosion as local people closed all the markets in Parachinar.

Located along Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Kurram Agency is infested with sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims who attack each other time and again.

Local Urdu TV channel Geo reported that 12 of the killed were Shia Muslims whose bodies were shifted to a Shia mosque for final rituals.

The country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the incident and directed hospital administration to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

The quick reaction force from Pakistani army and paramilitary troops reached at the blast site and cordoned it off for investigations.
By Peter Mertz

DENVER, the United States, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of angry protesters marched defiantly through Colorado's capital Friday chanting "Not My President," as 2,900 kilometers away, Donald Trump was being sworn into the Oval Office.

Trump's brief, 16-minute inauguration speech in Washington, D.C. triggered protests across the country, as the billionaire continued his angry rant against liberals, and especially outgoing President Barack Obama.

"Trump stole the election," said marcher James Dunmore, 68, a retired insurance salesman from Boston who relocated to Denver in 1988. "Trump is a disgrace to America."

Dunmore led a large group of Denver citizens chanting, "Refugees are welcome here."

At the same time in the U.S. Capitol, the new president was putting his left hand on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln over 150 years ago, swearing to uphold American values.

"Trump didn't win the popular vote," Dunmore said.

Colorado was a swing state in the West that went to Hillary Clinton in elections, along with New Mexico and Nevada, due to Latino and "New Millennial" votes.

Denver police told Xinhua they diffused the only reported conflict during the march, when a small group of overweight, white-bearded, tattooed bikers confronted the determined, but largely peaceful demonstrators.

The major eight-lane superhighway running through downtown Denver was shut down for an hour on the election day in November, shortly after Trump beat Clinton in the hotly contested 2016 presidential election.

Meanwhile, not far away on Denver's famous Colfax Avenue, a group of 50, older conservative Trump supporters were gathered in Pete's Kitchen.

"When will they stop?" asked Joe Grimaldi, 65, who said he had been a Pete's Kitchen customer for eight years.

Grimaldi, like many patrons Friday, were frustrated at the Democrats' inability to accept the results of the election.

"(Trump) won, get over it," Grimaldi said.

Pete's Kitchen is one of 10 restaurants and bars that have been owned by local business legend Pete Contos.

Contos, 83, a conservative businessman, came to Denver from Greece in 1955 with no money, speaking no English, and started working as a dishwasher.

"Give Trump a chance," Steven Moore, 65, told Xinhua. "Trump is a lot more bark than bite, and the liberals have not figured that out yet," he said.
RIYADH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Saudi police have raided the hiding place of terrorists in Jeddah and two of them died when they below themselves up with explosive belts, Sabq online local news reported on Saturday.

Before the explosive, both the police and wanted suspects exchange gun shooting after security personnel asked the terrorists to hand themselves.

The report said that the fugitives below themselves up after failing to escape. No official confirmation was made by the interior ministry.

Such raids are common in many parts of Saudi Arabia in recent years, after the country declared a war against terrorism and extremism that caused many deadly blasts.

Most of the extremists are running sleeping cells that work under the command of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
COLOMBO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday sent his greetings and good wishes to everyone celebrating the Chinese New Year in the People's Republic of China and around the world.

In a letter, Sirisena said that 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations and the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Rice and Rubber pact between China and Sri Lanka.

A number of events organised by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka to celebrate the Chinese New Year will be a very important part of the anniversary celebrations, the president said.

"As an outcome of these festivities I am sure the friendly relations between the people of Sri Lanka and the people of the People's Republic of China will blossom to historical heights," President Sirisena said.

"It is my sincere hope that the Year of the Rooster brings, joy, prosperity, good fortune and long life to everyone celebrating the important festival," he added.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Army said Saturday it would hand over an Indian soldier, who had crossed the Pakistani side of the Line of Control in Kashmir region in September due to his "grievances."

The Pakistani and Indian media had reported earlier that one Indian soldier had been missing when forces of the two countries involved in exchange of firing along the LoC, the de facto border between the nuclear neighbours.

"Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan, an Indian Army soldier, stationed in Indian occupied Kashmir, deserted his post at LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders. He willfully crossed LOC on Sept. 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," the Pakistan army said.

"As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LOC and WB, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wahga Border on humanitarian grounds," a statement from the army's Inter-Services Public Relations said.

There has been escalation along the LoC since the militants attacked an army center in the Indian-controlled Kashmir in September which had killed 19 soldiers.

Exchange of firing caused casualties on both sides. The two countries accuse each other of violation of the 2003 ceasefire.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars, two over Kashmir, since their independence from the British colonial rule in 1947.
YAOUNDE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and four others wounded in an explosion that occurred Friday night in Kousseri in the extreme north of Cameroon, security sources said on Saturday.

The explosion occurred on Friday at about 9 p.m. local time (22:00 GMT) on the street in Madana, a district of the city known for its cosmopolitan population, in addition to the Cameroonians, a large Chadian community and for its warm atmosphere, a member of the security services told Xinhua.

It was due to a device suspected of being a bomb and the Cameroon security services were still examining and determining its origin Saturday morning.

"The victims are children. According to the testimonies collected, they were killed by manipulating the device which is said to have been abandoned," said the source.

Initially Friday night, other security sources reported an attack.

Kousseri is a locality in the extreme north region known as an important commercial crossroads linking Cameroon to N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, and a crossing point for trade with Nigeria with which Cameroon shares more than 2,000 km of porous border, hence the infiltrations of the Islamist sect Boko Haram.
BANGKOK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Channel 3 said on Saturday that they are going to broadcast a 2010 Chinese TV Three Kingdoms for the first time in the kingdom late this month, which is expected to attract many audience.

The series is dubbed into Thai and will be broadcast on weekdays from Jan. 30. A special program, inviting scholars, fans, Chinese Thais to elaborate the Three Kingdoms period in Chinese history, is also set to be broadcast from next Monday to Friday.

"It is the first time for our channel to develop a special program for a TV series as there are so many characters in it, we want our audience to know who they are and what their stories first," said Pravit Thangthaweesook, presenter of the program.

The plot of the Chinese series is adapted from the 14th century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and other stories about the Three Kingdoms period.

The channel believes that the introduction of the Chinese series will be a success as Thailand is familiar with the novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which was first translated and introduced into the kingdom in 1802 during King Rama I's reign and has been very popular among Thais.

"The novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, has come into lives of Thais for hundreds of years, some parts of the novel became contents of Thai textbooks for students to read, and many series and films about the Three Kingdoms have been introduced into Thailand." Said Surin Krittayaphongphun, Executive Vice President for Acting President of the channel.

He added that the 2010 series of Three Kingdoms, one of high quality with advanced production techniques and innovative narration, is sure to attract fans of the Three Kingdoms and the young generation who have never read or watched any work about it.

Pravit said the series and the special program is set to be broadcast at about 18:20 local time, when local people usually have their dinner, so they expect many audience will follow the series.
MOGADISHU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least six Al-Shabaab fighters and two government soldiers were killed and several others injured in heavy fighting between the militants and Somali National Army backed by the African Union forces in Afgoye district in southern Somalia on Friday night, officials said on Saturday.

Afgoye District Commissioner Abdinasir Alim Ibrahim said the militants ambushed their troops from three directions but the soldiers overpowered them and inflicted heavy casualties on the militants.

"Al-Shabaab militants attacked us from three directions including the police station and from the river side, then heavy fighting broke out here mid night. We killed six Al-Shabaab militants including their commander," Ibrahim said.

The government official added that two government soldiers were killed during the fighting which left his deputy also injured.

"We lost two government soldiers and the deputy district commissioner, Abdulahi Hassan Abdi sustained minor injuries, and the situation in the town is very calm now," he added.

Al-Shabaab militants did not comment on the latest military victory by the Somali government administration in Afgoye town.

But this is the third major attack this year by the militant group against government and AU bases in Afgoye town about 30km south of the capital Mogadishu.
COLOMBO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Over 1 million people have been affected by severe drought in Sri Lanka with authorities warning the numbers could rise in the coming weeks due to less rainfall.

Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center said that 18 districts have been affected by the drought and rescue teams were distributing drinking and clean water for the victims.

According to statistics, 1,041,690 people and 251,310 families have been affected by the drought.

President Maithripala Sirisena, on Friday requested all private institutions to limit the use of power by switching off lights that are used for the advertising and decoration purposes of their respective institutions.

The president pointed out that the country has to face a power crisis in the future due to the drought situation in the country and therefore it is the responsibility of all to use the power in an economical manner from now.

A huge amount of power will be utilized for the advertising boards and other decorative electrical systems used by the private institutions at nights, for their advertising purposes and through limitation of this usage, a significant amount of power consumption of the country could be saved, the president pointed out.

He requested everyone to support the initiative of frugal use of power until the effects of the drought are over.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board also recently warned the general public to refrain from using the water from the Kalu Ganga, one of the largest rivers in Sri Lanka, for drinking water purposes citing that sea water had mixed with the river water due to the prevalent drought.

Sri Lanka's former war torn north has also been severely affected by the drought, Disaster Management officials said.
KUNMING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,700 firefighters are fighting a forest fire that has lasted for more than 24 hours in southwest China's Yunnan Province, government authorities said Saturday.

Fire was spotted around 2:40 p.m. Friday near Lizu Village, Shitou Township of Yulong County, said a spokesman with the county government.

One house in the village burned down, and no casualties had been reported as of 2 p.m. Saturday, said the spokesman.

The firefighters include soldiers and civilians, and helicopters are being dispatched.

Cause of the fire is being investigated.
Photo taken by phone on Jan. 21, 2017 shows firefighters working at the site of a car crash near Verona, northern Italy. At least 16 people were killed when a school bus carrying students crashed and caught fire overnight in Northern Italy, local media reported, quoting fire service on Saturday. (Xinhua/Italian Firefighters)

ROME, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- A school bus carrying Hungarian students crashed and caught fire in northeast Italy late Friday, killing 16 people, Italian authorities have said.

The bus crashed into a pylon at around 11:00 p.m. local time (2200 GMT), while it was exiting the highway near the city of Verona in the direction of Venice, and caught fire after the collision.

It was carrying 55 people in total, 39 of which were injured and the others killed, according to the fire department and health authorities.

Of the injured, at least 10 were in serious condition and taken to various hospitals in Verona, local media cited rescuers as saying.

The school bus was reportedly returning to Hungary from France via Italy, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.

Some of the students, aged between 14 and 18, were propelled out of the vehicle by the strength of the impact, while other passengers were trapped inside the bus when it burst into flames.

Traffic police, forensic police and firefighters spent all night on the scene of the disaster to gather all available details and investigate the cause of the crash, ANSA said.

The agency said that identifying some of the victims might be difficult as some of the bodies were badly burned.
BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The State Council, China's cabinet, will abolish another 39 items of administrative approval to streamline the economy.

Another 14 items will be abolished after amendments to the law by the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Facing a complicated global landscape, 230 items of administrative approval have been canceled since March 2013 as part of a wider drive by the government to streamline administrative procedures and delegate power to lower levels.

The 53 items mainly involve business production, private employment and entrepreneurship.
KABUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The humanitarian community in Afghanistan on Saturday appealed for 550 million U.S. dollars to support the most vulnerable people in militancy-hit country, according to the UN humanitarian agency.

"Strategic, lifesaving interventions, related to food, health care, nutrition, safe water and sanitation, will reach an estimated 5.7 million people under the 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Afghanistan," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement issued here.

The persistent poverty and widespread violence also continue to disrupt access of Afghans to basic health care, with 40 percent of the population out of reach of the national health service.

"Around 6 percent, or 1.57 million people, are also severely food insecure, with 1 million children suffering from acute malnourishment," the statement said.

"In 2017, the humanitarian community projects that 9.3 million people ... will be in need of humanitarian assistance, a 13 percent increase on last year. The elevated needs are a reflection of unprecedented numbers in 2016 of people in Afghanistan who fled their homes due to conflict, at the same time as the unanticipated influx of Afghans returning suddenly from Pakistan. In 2017, the humanitarian community is planning for up to as many as one million more Afghans to return from neighboring countries, many of whom will require assistance," it noted.

The funding is also expected to cover Afghans who will be affected by emergencies caused by conflict and natural disasters, including returnees and those internally displaced, the statement said.

"High levels of poverty, lack of livelihood and income generating opportunities, chronic health problems and the poor state of infrastructure add to the burden of natural disasters," according to the statement.

Last year, the international community provided the aid agencies with some 441 million dollars funding for vulnerable Afghans.
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Saturday that Phnom Penh would host the World Economic Forum on ASEAN on May 10 to 12 this year.

This is a national pride that Cambodia will organize such an important event in our territory, he wrote on his official Facebook page.

The prime minister said that foreign speakers and economists at the upcoming forum would be granted free visas, free air-tickets from Phnom Penh to northwestern Siem Reap province, and free tickets for visiting the famed Angkor archeological park in Siem Reap province.

He said the forum is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and to envisage the ASEAN's future.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
KATHMANDU, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's opposition and ruling party leaders have said that the One Belt One Road Initiative will be highly important for the socio-economic and infrastructure development of entire South Asia including Nepal.

The leaders made such remarks during their separate meetings with a 14-member visiting Chinese Think Tank delegation in the Nepalese Capital Kathmandu, recently.

The One Belt One Road Initiative is a grand vision for achieving socio-economic and infrastructure development of entire South Asia by enhancing road and railway connectivity, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal, K.P Sharma Oli, told the visiting delegation.

Oli, who is the former prime minister of Nepal, expressed hope that the initiative will help achieving economic prosperity and elevate poverty from the world. "We want to enhance connectivity with China reap benefits from such visionary initiatives," Oli said.

Oli stressed on the full implementation of the landmark bilateral agreements including the Transit Transport Agreement reached between the two governments in March last year when he paid an official visit to Beijing as the prime minister.

"My visit to China was memorable contributing to take our bilateral ties to a new level. We signed a number of landmark deals with China including the Transit Transport Agreement," he said adding that no external forces can stop from implementing those historical bilateral cooperation deals to promote connectivity, trade and commerce.

The think tank delegation, which took part in the "China-Nepal Think Tank Conference" jointly organized by Xinhua News Agency and Nepal Study Centre at Hebei University of China on Jan 17-18, held meeting separate meeting with Former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal.

During the meeting, the former prime minister, said that Nepal and least developed countries of the world are happy with the rise of China as a world power.

The grand initiatives such as the One Belt One Road Initiated are crucial for socio-economic development of Nepal and other countries of the world. Nepal wants to reap benefits from such initiatives, he said.

"The China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and revival of the Silk Roads are very important for Nepal as a neighboring country," he added.

The former prime minister, who is currently the Head of the CPN (UML) International Relations Department, said that Nepalese people have huge feeling towards China even though there are frequent government changes in Nepal.

Meanwhile, the delegation of the Chinese think tank also visited ruling CPN's headquarters in Kathmandu held a discussion with Vice Chairman of the party, Narayan Kaji Shrestha.

The meeting between the two sides was focused on Nepal-China relations, Nepal's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, world politics and experience of socialism in practice among others.

On the occasion, ruling party leader Shrestha said that the three-tier relationship between Nepal and China, government to government, party to party and people to people, has always been excellent and that its dimensions are set to new heights in future.

While meeting with the Nepali opposition and ruling party leaders, Huang Youyi, the leader of Chinese Think Tank Delegation and the Secretary General of International Advisory Board of The Chahar Institute of China, said that Nepal is a special friend of China among neighboring countries.

Huang stressed on establishing mechanisms to implement the bilateral deals signed between the two governments in March last year.
The remains of the crashed bus are seen in Verona, Italy, Jan. 21, 2017. Sixteen people, primarily teenagers, died and 26 were hurt when the bus leased by a Budapest secondary school crashed into a motorway pylon and burst into flame just before midnight on Friday. The Hungarian government has declared Jan. 23 as an official day of mourning. (Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen people were killed after a bus carrying Hungarian students home from a ski camp in France crashed into a bridge pylon and caught fire in northern Italy just before midnight, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Saturday.

The teenagers all came from a secondary school in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Szijjarto told reporters.

Italian authorities had reported 16 badly burned bodies and 26 injured, three of them in serious condition, he said, adding that 12 passengers were luckily uninjured.

The foreign minister said he feared that the death toll could rise as the number of people on the bus at the time of the accident was uncertain.

The bus was officially carrying 54 passengers and two drivers but apparently more than that number were on board, he said.

Authorities did not find any skid mark and were at a loss to explain the cause of the crash, he added.

Earlier, Italian authorities said that the bus was carrying 55 people in total, 39 of which were injured and the others killed.

They said the accident occurred at around 11:00 p.m. local time Friday (2200 GMT), when the bus was exiting a highway near the northern Italian city of Verona in the direction of Venice, and caught fire after the collision.
Turkey's Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, (C) is applauded by some of his lawmakers after Turkey's parliament approved a contentious constitutional reform package, paving the way for a referendum on a presidential system that would greatly expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office on January 21, 2017 in Ankara. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

ANKARA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is on the threshold for shift to an executive presidential system as the parliament approved early Saturday an 18-item constitutional amendment package.

"A new door in Turkish history in the lives of the Turkish people has been cracked open today. With our people's 'yes' vote, this door will be completely opened," Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag posted on his official Twitter account.

Debate on the draft amendments, which would give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office new executive powers, has been tense, resulting in brawls last week between ruling and opposition party MPs.

The amendment needed 330 votes from the 550-seat assembly to go for a popular vote and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli has lend support to the ruling party since the Justice and Development Party (AKP) holds 317 seats, falling below the number needed to go to a referendum. The MHP, which has 40 lawmakers in the assembly, has made up the AKP's shortfall.

Erdogan can decide to put the constitutional changes to a referendum 60 days later, which is expected in April. If the proposed constitution is passed in the referendum, it would go into effect in 2019.

Under the current constitution, which was drawn up in 1982 after Turkey's military coup, Erdogan's power are symbolic, but the president has been exercising de facto executive role with the ruling party AKP which he founded in 2002.

If the amendment is passed at the referendum, the president will have a chance to be elected a five year term for twice. The charter change will allow the president appoint ministers and senior public officials as well as issue presidential decrees on issues related to executive power.

The main opposition Republican People's Party and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, whose leaders are behind bars on terror-related charges, are vehemently opposing a shift to the presidential system, arguing that it would lead to an authoritarian one-man rule.

Critics said that the presidential system will weaken separation of powers, erode checks and balances. The president will be able to bypass parliament and introduce legislation by issuing decrees laws.

Half of the members of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, which oversees all appointments and promotions in the judicial system, will be chosen by the president and the other half by parliament. The amendment makes more difficult impeachment of the president at the parliament.

The constitutional amendment will lead to the creation of the posts of vice presidents and the abolition of the office of prime minister.

The system, by its nature, will bring a de facto two-party environment on the Turkish political horizon in the medium term.

The right wing parties of ruling Justice and Development and Nationalist Movement Party have already allied for a presidential system on one side, while on the other side there are the left wing main opposition Republican People's Party and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party rejecting the constitutional amendment.

Related:

Turkish parliament approves constitutional changes
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Death toll of bomb blast that hit a fruit and vegetable market in northwest Pakistan on Saturday morning has risen to 25, local media reported.

Local Urdu TV channel Dawn News, quoting official sources, said that the death toll rose to 25 after five of the critically injured succumbed to their injuries during treatment at the hospitals.

The report said over 50 others were also injured and several of them are still in critical condition.

The blast hit the fruit and vegetable market at 08:50 a.m. (local time) in Parachinar area of Kurram Agency, the country's northwest tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

According to Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the mouthpiece of Pakistani army, the blast took place by an improvised explosive device (IED) that was planted inside one of the fruit boxes carrying apples brought to the market, and it was detonated with a remote-controlled device.

Ghafoor said at the time of the blast a large number of people from Parachinar and adjoining villages were shopping in the market.

Outlawed terrorist organization Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack through an e-mail to local media.

Contradicting the officials' statement, the TTP spokesman, Muhammad Khorasani claimed that one of their members carried out the suicide attack in the marketplace.

The TTP spokesman said that the attack was revenge of the killing of chief of their ally banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who was killed along with three aids in an encounter with police in the country's east Punjab province earlier this week.

All the injured people were initially shifted to Agency Headquarters Hospital Parachinar from where the seriously wounded victims were airlifted to hospitals in neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, via army helicopters.

Two vehicles and several shops were also destroyed in the blast.

Commercial activities halted in the area following the explosion as local people closed all the markets in Parachinar and announced to observe a mourning day on Sunday.

The country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the incident and directed hospital administration to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

Chief of Pakistan Army, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, condemned the terrorist attack and said terrorists will fail in their attempt to regain lost relevance.
Bienvenidos  the Spanish word for welcome  is not a greeting often heard in the Bismarck-Mandan area.

The salutation is posted on a sign outside a new church for Spanish speakers: Iglesia el Faro Asambleas de Dios, or Lighthouse Assembly of God. The name speaks to one of the key missions of this Bismarck church: the ability to bring people home, showing the light of Gods love in perhaps a rough season of life.

In 2010, Jessica Cruz met her now-husband Michael Cruz during a mission trip in Nicaragua, his homeland. He was in his second year of a program called Masters Commission, which trains and equips people of the area to do mission and pastoral work. After they fostered a long-distance relationship for six years, Michael was granted a K1 (fiance) visa to come to the United States in February.

I came here, and all I know to do is ministry. Thats my passion; that is just my call, he said.

So the couple started planning a Spanish-speaking church.

I just always grew up in church, and I have a big heart for missions, to minister to people who arent necessarily from my background, Jessica said. What a great opportunity to be able to bring them together and make them feel like they have a place they can belong, a place where there are friends and a place where they can worship the Lord in their own language.

Church-goer Clara Lugo Martinez says being able to attend a place of worship that embraces the Latino culture and her native language has helped boost her faith.

We moved from Puerto Rico.  We needed a change in our family, Lugo Martinez said. And all of a sudden, (my husband) got a job here in North Dakota. And the first week we arrived in North Dakota, they talked to us about this church. ... We love this church, our faith has grown a lot  our children love it. And its been a blessing all around.

There were obstacles: It took months to secure a spot to hold services, the first one taking place in August 2016. But through those months, the Cruzes made house calls to the Hispanic community and conducted home Bible studies. They continued to pray for a space to minister to that community, and one day a pastor said they could use his facility for their church.

And right after we found somewhere  which is where we are now  things started happening, Michael said. The word has been spreading around the Hispanic community.

Michael serves as lead pastor, while Jessica is the associate/childrens pastor. The size of the congregation has grown from three to nearly 40.

In addition to worship services, free English classes are conducted by Jairo Ramos, a member of the congregation, starting an hour before the church service. These are open to any Spanish-speaker wanting to learn English, even those not interested in attending church.

Ramos came to Bismarck a year and a half ago, attending the same church Jessica Cruz was involved in previously. But he wasnt ready to become a member of that other church.

Something in my inside was telling me to wait. I dont know; I just decided to wait, he said. Because if I go to another church, I feel like I dont want to just sit and listen. I want to sit, I want to listen -- but I want to give."

Along with Ramos' language lessons, a prayer service is held on Saturdays.

In the future, the Cruzes aim to offer more programs, and they want to get more of the congregation involved.

I know that this is something that is going to be around awhile, as people come and they settle and they find a new life here, Jessica said. Im just hanging on for the ride. I know that God is going to do great things, and, as long as we are faithful to him, I know that great things are in store for the Hispanic community in this part of the world.
Turkey's Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, (C) is applauded by some of his lawmakers after Turkey's parliament approved a contentious constitutional reform package, paving the way for a referendum on a presidential system that would greatly expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office on January 21, 2017 in Ankara. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

ANKARA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkey is on the threshold for shift to an executive presidential system as the parliament approved early Saturday an 18-item constitutional amendment package.

"A new door in Turkish history in the lives of the Turkish people has been cracked open today. With our people's 'yes' vote, this door will be completely opened," Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag posted on his official Twitter account.

Debate on the draft amendments, which would give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office new executive powers, has been tense, resulting in brawls last week between ruling and opposition party MPs.

The amendment needed 330 votes from the 550-seat assembly to go for a popular vote and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahceli has lend support to the ruling party since the Justice and Development Party (AKP) holds 317 seats, falling below the number needed to go to a referendum. The MHP, which has 40 lawmakers in the assembly, has made up the AKP's shortfall.

Erdogan can decide to put the constitutional changes to a referendum 60 days later, which is expected in April. If the proposed constitution is passed in the referendum, it would go into effect in 2019.

Under the current constitution, which was drawn up in 1982 after Turkey's military coup, Erdogan's power are symbolic, but the president has been exercising de facto executive role with the ruling party AKP which he founded in 2002.

If the amendment is passed at the referendum, the president will have a chance to be elected a five year term for twice. The charter change will allow the president appoint ministers and senior public officials as well as issue presidential decrees on issues related to executive power.

The main opposition Republican People's Party and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party, whose leaders are behind bars on terror-related charges, are vehemently opposing a shift to the presidential system, arguing that it would lead to an authoritarian one-man rule.

Critics said that the presidential system will weaken separation of powers, erode checks and balances. The president will be able to bypass parliament and introduce legislation by issuing decrees laws.

Half of the members of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors, which oversees all appointments and promotions in the judicial system, will be chosen by the president and the other half by parliament. The amendment makes more difficult impeachment of the president at the parliament.

The constitutional amendment will lead to the creation of the posts of vice presidents and the abolition of the office of prime minister.

The system, by its nature, will bring a de facto two-party environment on the Turkish political horizon in the medium term.

The right wing parties of ruling Justice and Development and Nationalist Movement Party have already allied for a presidential system on one side, while on the other side there are the left wing main opposition Republican People's Party and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party rejecting the constitutional amendment.
by Liu Tian, Jamil Bhatti

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan is expected to face more pressure from U.S.-Indian ties what some experts here said will be strengthened in the near future as Donald Trump was sworn in as the new U.S. president on Friday.

Ali Sarwar Naqvi, executive director at the Center for International Strategy Studies, told Xinhua that Indian lobby around the new U.S. president is somewhat influential on his thoughts and approaches since some Indian origin Americans are very close to Trump.

"I believe his policies will be tilted towards India that will raise serious concerns for Pakistan and the whole region," Naqvi said, adding that India is also expected to play the U.S. card to point to Pakistan on its anti-terrorism policies in the context that in his inaugural speech, Trump said that the United States will unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism and eradicate it from the face of the Earth.

For decades, Pakistan and India have many outstanding issues needed to be resolved and the two bitter nuclear neighbors accuse each other of supporting militants in their territories. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even branded Pakistan as a "mothership of terrorism" and the remark prompted strong criticism within Pakistan.

For his viewpoint, Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, professor at Department of Politics and International Relations at the Quaid-i-Azam University, said that the United States will continue to support India as it views India as a great power.

The Indo-U.S. relations will be further strengthened in the coming days and it will be the main irritant between Pakistan and the United States, he said.

The same pressure from a would-be-strengthened relationship between the United States and India for Pakistan will also be expressed in the Afghan peace process.

Jaspal said that Trump will try to introduce India's role more in Afghanistan and ask Pakistan to bring more Taliban on the table.

Echoing Jaspal, Naqvi also said that the new U.S. administration, although will mainly focus on Middle East, will not ignore Afghanistan and Trump will pressurize Pakistan more to take action against militants, especially on the wishes of Afghanistan and India.

On Pakistan-U.S. relationship, the Pakistani government is willing to maintain a cordial work relationship with the United States, according to Jaspal. He said that besides the terrorism issue, the two countries could have work together in some other areas like economy.

"One can be more realistic while with Trump. There will be more pressure on Pakistan to comply with the American policy, but at the same time we cannot see any positive development between the countries. However, there will be some working relations, and the Pakistani government will try to maintain some kind of working or positive activities with the United States," he said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a phone call with Trump after he elected as U.S. president last year and invited Trump to visit Islamabad, while Trump offered his role to resolve outstanding issues in the region.

Naqvi said that the Pakistani government wants better relations and cooperation with Trump and his team, but there is still nothing clear about his foreign policy since Trump is the first U.S. president without prior government or military experience.

"On Friday, Pakistan has appointed a senior diplomat Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry as its new ambassador to Washington, the move shows Pakistan wants to start fresh and positive relations with Trump administration," said Naqvi, adding that "other than this move, we have seen nothing from the government here, I think they are following the policy of wait and see."
WINDHOEK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sweat drips and runs down on livestock farmer Nghipandulwa Ndjuulume's face. In the scorching sun, with a cane in his hand, Ndjuulume leads his herd of cattle past the drying Oponona Lake, one of the largest lakes in northern Namibia to a water pond a distance away.

"It's a long walk to other earth water ponds from Oponona Lake, and as you can see, it is one of sweat and lost hope because of the drying out of Oponona Lake," he said.

For many years, farmers in Oshana and Omusati regions in northern Namibia have depended on water from the Oponona Lake for their animals.

This is no longer the case, as over the years the natural Oponona Lake has been unable to hold an adequate amount of water. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of adequate rainfall and the increasing number of animals that have come to graze in the semi-desert Oponona area.

Ndjuulume has been farming in the Oponona area for 18 years. He fears that he will lose more cattle to the dry spell if the country does not receive adequate rainfall.

"The lake has been a place of refuge for us farmers and our animals. Its drying up is a heavy blow to our livelihoods," said Ndjuulume.

A great number of animals have already succumbed to the drought, judging from the number of carcasses scattered around the area, he said.

As the lake is drying up, farmers are now seeking alternative earth water ponds, otherwise animals would perish from dehydration, said Amutenya Hilifa, another farmer.

"We have to walk long distances to water points, and still bring back cattle for grazing at Oponona since grazing is good there. But in the meantime if it does not rain life in a few days will get difficult, we will be in a big crisis. This is our only source of water for our animals," said another farmer Erastus Shililima.

Ndjuulume, like many farmers thwarted by water scarcity for their animals said that he has already lost many cattle and he cannot lose more.

"I have to try by all means to make sure that the remaining cattle survive, regardless of the distance I will have to cover," Ndjuulume said.

As Ndjuulume and farmers try to make ends meet, they are calling on government to mobilize resources to assist farmers and deepen the lake.

"If the lake can be deepened, it may help and save our animals. Because there is grazing here, but no water," Ndjuulume said as he continued with his journey, searching for water.

Namibia has experienced a drought since 2013. In June 2016, water utility NAMWATER tried to pump water from Olushandja dam in the Omusati region via Uuvudhiya-Olushandja canal, however the water could not reach the intended destination Oponona Lake.
ABUJA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops have killed 15 Boko Haram fighters in an anti-terror operation in the northeastern state of Borno where terrorists have been making efforts to regroup and plan more attacks.

Nigerian army chief Tukur Buratai, in a statement reaching Xinhua on Saturday, said one terrorist, suspected to be a foreigner, was captured during the anti-terror raid carried out by the military in Rann, a town in Kala Balge district of Borno State.

Buratai said the terrorists killed and the one captured were responsible for the wrongful airstrike by the Nigerian military last Tuesday on a civilian settlement in the same town.

Nigerian troops repelled an attack launched by the terrorists in Rann late Thursday, he said, adding that two gun trucks and other arm and ammunitions used by the terrorists were also recovered.

Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge district in Borno, is 175 kilometers from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and 8 kilometers to the neighboring Republic of Cameroon.

About 43,000 internally displaced persons struggling with serious food shortages and severe malnutrition were taking refuge at the Rann camp which was mistakenly bombed by the Nigerian fighter jet in Tuesday's anti-terror raid.

At least 52 people lost their lives and 120 others were injured in the bombing which the Nigerian military had since admitted as an "operational error."

The incident occurred after an intelligence report was received that Boko Haram terrorists were regrouping in the town where the internally displaced persons' camp is situated, the Nigerian Army said.

Buratai said the Nigerian military had learned lessons from the incident, adding that the issue of coordination and dissemination of the right information has been noted and will help to prevent such incident in the future.

Terror group Boko Haram, which has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 2.3 million since its insurgency started in 2009, had made five failed attempts to attack Rann town after it was retaken from them by Nigeria's military on March 22, 2016.

Nigeria has made a considerable gain on the Boko Haram front, with its security forces having dislodged the Boko Haram fighters from the Sambisa Forest, their last enclave in the country.
TIKRIT, Iraq, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi authorities found Saturday the remains of some 89 bodies believed to be for soldiers of Speicher Camp who were executed by the Islamic State (IS) militants when the group seized Tikrit in June 2014, a provincial security source said.

A joint committee from the security authority, forensic team and the Iraqi High Commission of Human Rights (IHCHR) arrived to the site of the mass grave at one of the former presidential palaces in central Tikrit, and began to exhume the decomposed bodies, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The latest discovery of the bodies was based on information extracted during interrogation of IS detainees who were captured earlier by the security forces, the source said.

The victims were believed to be among 1,700 soldiers who walked out of an airbase, known as Camp Speicher, north of Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, but were abducted and then killed by IS militants and some Sunni tribesmen.

In June 2014, armed Sunni insurgents, spearheaded by the IS group, an al-Qaida offshoot, launched a surprise offensive on Iraqi security forces and captured a large part of the country's northern and western territories after government troops abandoned their posts and military equipment.

The IS group later posted video footage and images showing the execution of Iraqi government soldiers.

After Iraqi security forces recaptured Tikrit from IS militants in April 2015, authorities, including forensic teams, worked at several mass graves sites and unearthed hundreds of bodies, many in military uniforms or with military identity cards.
BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's northeastern region is showing signs of economic recovery since the traditional heavy industries lost shine, figures released at the annual provincial sessions show.

By seeking new growth engines in services, high-tech manufacturing and other sectors, the economy of Jilin Province expanded 6.9 percent last year, exceeding the national average for the first time since 2014.

Technology was a major engine driving the economy, contributing 53.6 percent of the growth, according to the provincial government report.

A three-year plan that began last year to establish and develop emerging industries helped achieve 7.7 percent growth in those industries, such as high-speed train manufacturing and satellite operations, acting governor Liu Guozhong said in the report.

More revenue was also seen in service sector in 2016. An international ice and snow tourism expo was inaugurated in Jilin Province last year, bringing a 25 percent increase in revenue and 17 percent in raw tourist numbers, he said.

The province set its growth target at 7 percent in 2017.

Neighboring Heilongjiang Province reported 6.1 percent growth in 2016, 0.4 percentage points higher than the year before.

At the provincial legislative session that ended on Friday, Governor Lu Hao said the agricultural and service sectors were expected to secure growth rates higher than national averages.

The "Internet+" concept has stimulated agricultural revenue, with a total of 27,000 rural e-sellers contributing a transaction value of 13.5 billion yuan (2 billion U.S. dollars), double previous years. Online sales of rice, beans and side crops exceeded 3 billion yuan, said Lu.

More than 3,000 hi-tech companies were registered in the province last year, and the total number of hi-tech companies with annual revenue of more than 5 million yuan exceeded 1,000.

Figures of Liaoning have not been released yet, but the province is expected to see an economic rebound in 2017, compared with negative growth in 2016.

In the first three quarters, the Liaoning economy contracted by 2.2 percent, the only provincial area with negative growth in the period. But the annual fiscal revenue in 2016 turned from contraction to growth, up 3.4 percent year on year to nearly 220 billion yuan.

For decades, northeast China relied on heavy and chemical industries, energy resources, raw materials and a large number of state-owned enterprises before its economic growth model hit the buffers. This double-digit GDP growth plummeted as capacity was slashed in high-polluting industries, the region's lifeblood.

According to the National Development and Reform Commission, the region's economy grew 2.2 percent in the first half of 2016, much lower than the 7.6 percent, 7.8 percent and 8 percent for the east, central and western regions of the country.

Qiao Jun, an official with the provincial government, believes major new projects in the real economy will drive up growth in 2017.

The environmental protection law enacted last year toughened scrutiny on polluters and 11,000 companies in Liaoning were forced to suspend operations in 2016. "By the year end, over 8,000 projects had resumed operations after environmental evaluation and approval," said Qiao.

These projects represent a total annual output of over 260 billion yuan.

Major projects at a total cost of 670 billion yuan are planned for this year, including a BMW Brilliance assembly line and a high-speed rail link between Beijing and provincial capital Shenyang.

"A total of 830 industrial projects costing of over 50 million yuan have been settled in the province," Qiao said.

Zhou Jianping, from the National Development and Reform Commission, said central government policy put in place last year will help Liaoning bottom out.

Revitalizing the region has been among the top agendas for the central government, which rolled out a series of measures last year.

In November, the government issued a plan to rejuvenate the northeast featuring industrial investment funds, a three-year plan to cultivate emerging sectors and fiscal support.

In December the banking regulator approved five new private banks, two of which will be headquartered in the northeastern region. The Liaoning free trade zone, approved last year, is under construction.

"With beneficial policies plus its own fundamentals, I believe the area will have a better economic prospect this year," said Zhou.
VIENNA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The suspect who has been arrested by the Austrian authorities in connection with a planned terror attack could have been very close to carry it out, an official from the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Austrian national of Albanian origin had alleged links to an extremist group and was taken into custody on Friday evening in Vienna.

An attack had been planned to be carried out soon, head of the Directorate General for Public Security Konrad Kogler said in an interview with the O1 Morgenjournal radio program.

Investigations have been going on at full speed, with many houses searched and items like cell phones seized. The items will be examined now, Kogler said.

Depending on the outcome of the investigations as well as questioning of the arrested suspect, further arrests and house searches could be possible, he added.

Kogler said a detonation of a bomb in a subway station is "one of the possible scenarios" the authorities have considered.

Following mounting suspicion as well as information from foreign intelligence services in recent weeks, the suspect had been under constant surveillance.

A Ministry of the Interior spokesperson confirmed the individual was known to have been part of Albanian radical circles.

Initial reports on Friday that the suspect had already made a bomb in Germany and brought to Austria have not yet been confirmed.
ISTANBUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- An unidentified gunman on Saturday opened fire at police in Istanbul, marking the third armed attack in the city within 24 hours, local media reported.

No causalities were reported at the attack in which the attacker managed to escape after opening fire on a police vehicle in Istanbul's district of Esenyurt, according to CNNTurk.

The attacker remained at large leaving his gun and a bag containing hand grenades behind after police returned fire, CNNTurk added.

In the meantime, a truck, which supposedly has a brake failure, caused panic at the city's main police headquarters where the police opened fire into the air after the truck has not stopped at the security check point, press reports said.

Police detained two suspects in front of the headquarters in relation with the incident, according to private Dogan news agency.

On Friday evening, unidentified gunmen attacked Istanbul police headquarters and a building of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) with flame throwers, causing no causalities.

According to press reports, police detained another five suspects in operations conducted in 15 addresses in the city over their links to the attacks.

Turkish police on Wednesday detained 27 Islamic State (IS) suspects in northwestern city of Bursa over their links to the shooting attack on an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Day, local media reported.

A gunman, identified as Abdulgadir Masharipov, a Uzbek national, shot dead 39 people and injured 69 others in Istanbul's Reina nightclub early on New Year's Day.

He was captured on Monday night after 17 days on the loose. The IS has claimed responsibility for the mass shooting.

According to Masharipov, the IS gave him 197,000 U.S. dollars after the attack for him to flee to Raqqa, an IS stronghold in Syria, CNNTurk said.

Istanbul has been hit by a series of deadly attacks over the past year.
JINAN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Shandong Province in east China set a new record of exporting farm products worth 107.5 billion yuan (about 15.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, according to the provincial government.

Shandong has been the country's top agricultural product exporter for the past 18 years. Shandong's farm exports, accounting for nearly a quarter of the nation's total, grew by 13.1 percent year on year in 2016.

Top export products from the province are vegetables, freshwater and seafood products, while fresh and dried fruits and potato products are gaining popularity.

The major export destinations are Southeast Asian countries, Japan, and the Republic of Korea.

Provincial officials say measures are in place to ensure food safety, which helps Shandong farm exports gain bigger global market shares.
A police officer secures the area near the police headquaters after an attack in Istanbul, Turkey, January 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

ISTANBUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- An unidentified gunman on Saturday opened fire at police in Istanbul, marking the third armed attack in the city within 24 hours, local media reported.

No causalities were reported at the attack in which the attacker managed to escape after opening fire on a police vehicle in Istanbul's district of Esenyurt, according to CNNTurk.

The attacker remained at large leaving his gun and a bag containing hand grenades behind after police returned fire, CNNTurk added.

In the meantime, a truck, which supposedly has a brake failure, caused panic at the city's main police headquarters where the police opened fire into the air after the truck has not stopped at the security check point, press reports said.

Police detained two suspects in front of the headquarters in relation with the incident, according to private Dogan news agency.

On Friday evening, unidentified gunmen attacked Istanbul police headquarters and a building of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) with flame throwers, causing no causalities.

According to press reports, police detained another five suspects in operations conducted in 15 addresses in the city over their links to the attacks.

Turkish police on Wednesday detained 27 Islamic State (IS) suspects in northwestern city of Bursa over their links to the shooting attack on an Istanbul nightclub on New Year's Day, local media reported.

A gunman, identified as Abdulgadir Masharipov, a Uzbek national, shot dead 39 people and injured 69 others in Istanbul's Reina nightclub early on New Year's Day.

He was captured on Monday night after 17 days on the loose. The IS has claimed responsibility for the mass shooting.

According to Masharipov, the IS gave him 197,000 U.S. dollars after the attack for him to flee to Raqqa, an IS stronghold in Syria, CNNTurk said.

Istanbul has been hit by a series of deadly attacks over the past year.
The North Dakota Department of Health is reporting widespread flu activity across the state, and the number of influenza cases has doubled since the start of January.

"Right now, we're seeing really high activity," said Jill Baber, influenza surveillance coordinator for the Health Department. "My guess it will peak in the next couple of weeks."

As of last week, 455 influenza cases have been reported, including 24 hospitalizations and one death, though Baber said she knows of at least a couple other deaths and more hospital visits that haven't officially been reported. The first death  reported this week  was an elderly sick resident with H3N2 influenza virus.

"The vast majority of influenza-related deaths are elderly," Baber said.

The H3N2 strain is "predominating" this year, she said.

Baber recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get vaccinated for the flu.

"The flu is still circulating, so definitely get it as soon as possible," she said. "So far, the vaccine strains are well-matched to the circulating strains."

Also, wash your hands and stay home if you're sick, she said.

For more information on influenza cases in the state, visit www.ndflu.com.
SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korean people condemn a right-wing Japanese hotel chain, which caused uproar by placing books distorting the Imperial Japan's wartime history in guestrooms of its 400-plus hotels.

APA Group touched off anger online both in South Korea and China for books, one of the hotel chain's amenities, which deny the 1937 Nanjing massacre and the comfort women, or Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese military brothels before and during World War II.

A video was recently posted on a social networking site showing passages from a book, titled "The Real History of Japan: Theoretical Modern History Two," authored by Toshio Motoya, president of the Japanese land developer and operator of hotels for budget-conscious tourists.

His book, written under the penname of Seiji Fuji, supports history revisionist views, claiming that Japan's wartime atrocities were concocted by South Korea and China. It describes comfort women victims as common prostitutes, while claiming the Nanjing massacre was fabricated despite a plethora of evidences.

"Such absurd acts by civilian Japanese rightists were triggered partly at the instigations of the right-wing Japanese government and right-leaning media outlets," Cheong Wooksik, director of local advocacy group Peace Network, told Xinhua on Saturday.

Choeng said promoting and selling books, which deny the comfort women issue and the Nanjing massacre, is an "unrighteous act" though Motoya is just a civilian hotelier, urging the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to take the lead in looking squarely at history.

Though there are conscientious activists working in Japan, the director said, ultra-right moves spread on shortage of government and media efforts in Japan to allay "clannish nationalistic acts," which he said are very regrettable amid frayed ties between Northeast Asian neighbors.

South Korean news organizations, the majority of them focusing on the scandal that resulted in the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, put their spotlight on right-leaning responses from Japanese netizens.

Yonhap news agency reported that a majority of comments, posted by Japanese netizens on the Internet, support the distorted books put in APA's hotel rooms, with some encouraging the hotel executives and others describing it as freedom of speech.

The report caused furor here over Japan, leading South Korean netizens to post negative online comments on the Japanese hotel chain and the right-leaning Japanese society.

One netizen denounced the denials of the massacre in Nanjing and the forcible recruitment of comfort women as "bullshit," with another regarding the book as part of the hotelier's strategy to court right-wing Japanese tourists in the right-leaning country. Another netizen demanded the cancellations of travel to Japan.

Motoya and his wife Fumio Motoya, founders of the privately-owned APA Group, are famous backers of Abe for a long time, according to local newspaper Chosun Ilbo posting an undated photo showing the Motoyas and Abe.

The newspaper denounced the hotel chain likening its complete history distortion to free speech. APA has refused to remove the contentious books from rooms, saying in a statement that Japan guarantees freedom of speech.

Controversy over the right-wing literature followed a diplomatic friction between South Korea and Japan over the statue symbolizing teenager South Korean victims to Japan's wartime sex enslavement.

The bronze, life-size statue of a seated girl which is dressed in traditional Korean costume was put up outside the Japanese consulate in South Korea's southern port city of Busan in December. The first statue was placed in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul in December 2011.

In retaliation, Japan recalled its ambassador to South Korea and its consul general in Busan, stopping negotiations on the bilateral currency swap deal.

The Busan statue was installed by South Korean civilians to protest against the Park Geun-hye government's "final and irreversible" agreement with Japan on the comfort women issue that was reached on Dec. 28, 2015.

It caused a barrage of criticism for the absence of Japan's acknowledgement of legal responsibility and its sincere apology for the wartime crime against humanity.

"The Dec. 28 agreement should not have been reached," said Cheong, the Peace Network director.

He noted that Japan will disgrace itself if it continues to attempt the removal of the Busan statue, which he said was set up to prevent the brutalities from happening again through promulgations.
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan said Saturday an Indian soldier, who had "deserted" a post and entered its part of Kashmir in September, had been handed over to the India authorities.

The Pakistani and Indian media had reported earlier that one Indian soldier had been missing when forces of the two countries involved in exchange of firing along the Line of Control( LoC), the de facto border between the nuclear neighbours.

"Pakistan has handed over an Indian soldier, Chandu Babulal Chohan, to Indian authorities this afternoon (21 January) at 1430 hrs through Wagah border. The Indian soldier deserted his check post in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and crossed the Line of Control over severe grievances with his superiors and leadership," the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.

Indian defense officials had claimed that its forces carried out surgical strikes in Pakistan- administered Kashmir, but the claim had been rejected as false by the Pakistani military.

There has been escalation along the LoC since militants attacked an army center in Indian-controlled Kashmir in September which had killed 19 soldiers.

"Pakistan convinced the soldier to return to India and address his grievances through local grievance mechanisms," the Foreign Ministry statement said.

"The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary. Despite Indian belligerence, Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security," the statement further said.

Exchange of firing caused casualties on both sides. The two countries accuse each other of violation of the 2003 ceasefire.
HO CHI MINH CITY, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese government has asked Ho Chi Minh City authorities to increase Tan Son Nhat international airports serving capacity to 40-50 million passengers a year from the current 25 million.

The government has chosen the citys plan which will build taxiways, a dual-use terminal with capacity of 10 million passengers a year, and a passenger terminal also with capacity of 10 million passengers a year, and renovate the current north runway, the airports authorities said Saturday.

The airport is now overloaded, serving 28 million passengers annually.

According to the plan, the airport will be upgraded in three years at investment of 19,700 billion Vietnamese dong (879 million U.S. dollars).
The cartoons drawn on Feb. 17, 2009 shows analysts warned that provisions of protectionism will lead to a trade war. (Xinhua/Meng Lijing)



Hi, here's what you need to know about China.

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Friday questioned the U.S. ruling to levy heavy duties on several Chinese products and vowed to take necessary measures to protect the rights of Chinese companies.

The U.S. Department of Commerce decided Wednesday to impose anti-dumping duties of 162.47 percent for imports of amorphous silica fabric, 68.27 percent for carbon and alloy steel and 493.46 percent for ammonium sulfate from China. http://xhne.ws/kOVxI

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YINCHUAN -- The fiber optic network in China now covers more than 82 percent of the country's rural villages, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which aims to raise coverage to 90 percent in the second half of 2017.

As of November 2016, more than 61 million rural households had access to the fiber optic network, an impressive 90 percent increase from the previous year, said MIIT general engineer Zhang Feng at a ministerial workshop held in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Friday. http://xhne.ws/YUtHB

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BEIJING -- China's Foreign Ministry on Friday dismissed Taiwan's sending of a self-styled delegation to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, saying that the move was aimed to disrupt China-U.S. relations.

The comments came after media reports said that former Taiwan official Yu Shyi-Kun was leading a delegation to attend the inauguration in Washington Friday noon. http://xhne.ws/HbUUk

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PHILADELPHIA -- Three million mainland Chinese visited the United States in 2016, and over 20 percent of them chose Philadelphia as their destination.

"Last year, the United States received 3 million mainland Chinese visitors, and 700,000 visited Philadelphia," said Zhang Qiyue, Consul General of China in New York, told a large cheering crowd including Jim Kenney, Mayor of the Pennsylvania's largest city, at a reception celebrating the upcoming Year of Rooster. http://xhne.ws/vm2qZ

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BEIJING -- Chinese authorities have forecast a peak travel rush in the second week of China's 40-day "Chunyun," starting Friday, as many Chinese people are rushing back home for the Spring Festival.

More trips will be made in the second week from Jan. 20 to 26, with the daily average likely to exceed 80 million trips, the Ministry of Transport said Friday. http://xhne.ws/gzTPf
BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Internet users have selected 10 individuals as the 2016 grassroots heroes, or China's "Good Samaritans."

The winners were announced and honored Saturday at an event sponsored by Xinhua News Agency.

He Xinglong, a village doctor who has been working in impoverished villages for 16 years, was among the awarded heroes.

Liu Tianming, a migrant worker from the countryside, has raised over 3.5 million yuan (over 509,246 U.S. dollars) in the past 16 years, helping over 300 left-behind children and raising the public awareness on charity.

Other heroes include Liu Mei, who has helped over 1,000 children and their parents combat autism over the past 11 years; Jiang Chuanchun, who is devoted to educating drug-addicts in drug rehabilitation centers; Wei Deyou, who has spent over five decades safeguarding the border in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; and Li Jinlong, who saved 17 people in a flood in Bijie City in southwest China's Guizhou Province.

The event, held annually since 2010, is aimed to promote the good deeds of ordinary people and to improve moral awareness in society.
View of banners placed outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, during a protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. President, in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Consuelo Pagaza)

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Newly-inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump and his hard-to-pin-down policies have generated disquiet and uncertainty among officials and political observers throughout Latin America.

In Mexico, a neighboring country where 80 percent of exports are destined for the U.S. market, many are perplexed by Trump's isolationist and protectionist proposals, including building a wall along the border and threatening to impose heavy tariffs on American manufacturers that produce in Mexico and sell homeward.

Underscoring just how unpopular Trump is south of the border, at a panel discussion hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas last September, Mexican Economic Minister Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal referred to the then presidential candidate as "the devil."

"If we have to talk to the devil to guarantee the safety and the future of the Mexican people in Mexico and the U.S., we will talk to the devil," Villarreal said.

But most observers here held the belief that Trump's bark is worse than his bite.

Economist Angelina Gutierrez of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), feels it is unlikely that U.S.-owned assembly plants in Mexico will be swayed by Trump's threats to dismantle their operations here and relocate across the border.

"I don't think the transnational companies are willing to cancel their investments and destroy the chain of production, distribution and commercialization, which are essential for globalization and the integration of countries into regional industrial and trade blocs," said Gutierrez.

U.S. automaker Ford announced earlier this month it was cancelling plans to build a new 1.6 billion U.S.-dollar plant in Mexico, though it claimed the decision was unrelated to Trump's new policies.

That decision is bound to cost Ford, said Violeta Rodriguez, an academic at UNAM, since it is 40 percent more expensively to manufacture a vehicle in the United States.

Demonstrators hold banners during a protest called "Women against Trump" prior to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in front of the U.S. Consulate in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Jan. 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Rahel Patrasso)

In Brazil, analysts feel the 70-year-old Trump is out of touch with the times.

"What surprises me is Trump's view of global economic relations, which belongs more to the 18th or 19th centuries," Mauricio Santoro, a professor of international relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, told Xinhua.

"Believing that you can only get rich at the expense of your neighbor is a foolish idea that ignores centuries of empirical evidence and the very rise of the United States itself," added Santoro.

Gunther Rudizit, a professor of international relations in Rio Branco, described Trump as "unpredictable" as "nobody really knows what he will do."

"If only he were a cold businessman, then he would be more predictable," added Rudizit.

In Argentina, Carolina Sampo, a visiting professor from Madrid's Complutense University, said Trump's policies threaten to undo recent advances in bilateral ties with Argentina.

Ties between Buenos Aires and Washington were cold and often hostile during the left-leaning administration of Argentine former President Cristina Fernandez (2007-2015), who pursued greater integration with regional allies, including Venezuela, much to the consternation of the White House.

Her successor, Mauricio Macri, made patching up relations with Washington a central theme of his campaign and as a result played host to former U.S. President Barack Obama in March in Buenos Aires.

Sampo expects Trump to pursue "a much more protectionist economic policy and much more restrictive foreign policy," in stark contrast to Obama, during whose presidency Washington restored diplomatic ties with Cuba.

Argentinian Paola de Simone, a specialist on international law, agrees. "It remains to be seen whether under (the) Trump (administration), ties between the two countries continue to thaw or, on the contrary, begin to cool off again."

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after delivering his inaugural address during the presidential inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Should they cool, "it would not be Argentina's fault, but the fault of U.S. isolationism," added Simone.

In Cuba, which along with Mexico has potentially the most to lose from a Trump presidency, there's plenty of skepticism regarding the future of bilateral ties.

"What seems obvious is that Cuba is not an immediate priority for Trump. Given the unknown decisions he will take concerning our country, the process of normalization of ties will either advance or regress, which is concerning," said Tania Orozco, a state worker.

She also noted Trump's famed intransigence and sympathized with Mexico.

"What ... caught my attention was his inflexibility and authoritarianism in building a wall along the Mexican border. He said that country has taken advantage of the United States, when we all know it is the exact opposite," said Orozco.

Peruvian congressman Alberto Quintanilla noted Trump's message conflicts with the trend towards global integration.

Following Trump's inauguration speech on Friday, Quintanilla told Xinhua that "there is a kind of position (in his words) that runs counter to global integration, but we hope it's just temporary, and in the end the world will move towards greater integration."
BUJUMBURA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Burundian Army Saturday sent the first batch of 188 soldiers to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) to rotate its contingent, the Burundian army said.

"188 soldiers including 186 men and two women have left for the MINUSCA as part of the beginning of the rotation of the Burundian contingent or battalion of the MINUSCA," Burundian Army Spokesman Colonel Gaspard Baratuza said.

According to him, the second Burundian battalion has ended its mission at the MINUSCA and is being replaced by the third battalion.

"The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Burundian government and the MINUSCA stipulates that the rotation is operated by the contributor of troops after one year. The rotation should have happened in July last year (2016), but due to technical and operational reasons, the rotation could not take place," Colonel Baratuza said.

According to him, the insecurity that prevailed in the Central African Republic in July 2016 could not allow the rotation of the Burundian contingent.

He condemned the behavior of "detractors" who are tarnishing the image of Burundian peacekeepers of the MINUSCA.

"The conduct of Burundian troops serving in peacekeeping missions is exemplary. You cannot shorten the duration of a mission of someone who does well his assignments," Colonel Baratuza said.

He emphasized that Burundian troops hold strategic posts in the Central African Republic and ensures security of authorities and guests in that central African state.

Burundi has sent 850 troops to the MINUSCA.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (R) and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino attend a press conference at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, Britain, Aug. 18, 2014. (Xinhua/Press Association/John Stillwell)

QUITO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's President Rafael Correa said Friday that his government would offer asylum to Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange for as long as the whistleblower wants.

"If he wishes to give up asylum and hand himself over, that is his decision. But if he wants to remain under protection, the Ecuadorian state will continue (offering it)," Correa told the press during a trip to the coastal province of Esmeraldas.

Correa spoke out after Assange said Thursday that he would accept to be extradited to the United States if his rights are protected.

The former hacker and journalist has been living at the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012 to avoid being extradited to Sweden, where he is wanted in connection with the sexual assault of two women.

Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 3rd United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, or Habitat III, in Quito, capital of Ecuador, Oct. 17, 2016. (Xinhua/Santiago Armas)

Assange denies the accusation and says that Sweden would hand him over to the United States where he could be judged for leaking thousands of confidential State Department documents through Wikileaks in 2010.

Last week, Assange said that he would accept to be extradited to the United States if former military intelligence analyst and whistleblower, Chelsea Manning, who is in jail for passing secret documents to Wikileaks, was pardoned.

On Jan. 17, President Barack Obama did just that, commuting Manning's 35-year sentence and allowing her to be released in May.

On Thursday, Assange said that he maintained his position and would accept extradition "if his rights are protected."

He added that since Manning's sentence "would not be commuted until May, we can have many discussions until that point."
AMMAN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- An explosion occurred Saturday at Al Rukban refugee camp on border between Jordan and Syria, the state-run Petra news agency reported, citing a source at the Jordan Armed Forces.

A total of 14 Syrians who were injured in a blast were allowed to enter into Jordan, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

An officer at Jordan Armed Forces said a booby trapped car was exploded at the Rukban camp, which is located at the no man's land at borders between Jordan and Syria.

The source ruled out the possibility that Jordanians were hurt in the blast as Jordanian relief workers who distribute aid to the refugees are not present regularly at the camp.
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- California set forth the "most ambitious" climate target in North America on the day of Donald Trump's inauguration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent bellow 1990 levels by 2030.

"Climate change is impacting California now, and we need to continue to take bold and effective action to address it head-on to protect and improve the quality of life in California," Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), said in a press release Friday.

Shortly after Trump was sworn into office, the newly updated White House website said the new administration will eliminate the Climate Action Plan, which seeks to cut emissions in part by preserving forests and encouraging increased use of cleaner renewable fuels.

California Governor Jerry Brown has already promised his state was "ready to fight" any attempts by the new administration to roll back the state's policies that combat global warming.

According to the CARB, achieving the 2030 target under the proposed plan will continue to build on investments in clean energy and set the California economy on a trajectory to achieving an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The plan includes an extension of the state's controversial carbon cap-and-trade program. Among other, it calls for adding 4.2 million zero-emissions vehicles in the state, increasing the stringency of its low-carbon fuel standard (reducing carbon intensity by 18 percent by 2030), and a 20 percent reduction of greenhouse gases from the state's refinery sector.

"The plan will help us meet both our climate and our clean air goals in the coming decades and provide billions of dollars in investments to cut greenhouse gases, smog and toxic pollution in disadvantaged communities throughout the state. It is also designed to continue to drive creative innovation, generating good new jobs in the growing clean technology sector," Nichols said.
Organizers began collecting signatures to recall Bismarck Mayor Mike Seminary as soon as the Secretary of State's Office approved the petition format on Thursday morning.

The petition seeks a recall election against Seminary, who ran unchallenged in 2014 for mayor. He also won his second term as a city commissioner in 2012 uncontested.

To place the recall measure on a ballot, petitioners must obtain 1,898 signatures from Bismarck residents of voting age and submit them to the city administration office for verification.

"We are going to collect signatures," said Cody Schuh, owner of Shooter's gun shop, who is offering his business as a location for people to sign the petition.

Schuh said there is no ulterior motive, no politician, no controlling personality or large business interest behind the petition. Shooter's is listed on the Better Leadership 4A Better Bismarck Facebook page, a group identified as the organizer of the recall petition. The recall sponsoring committee includes Ron Shaw as chairman, Philip Summa, Mike and Samantha Carlson, and Mike and Wendy Connelly, all residents of Bismarck.

"I don't feel confident that he represents Bismarck in the way as a taxpayer that I want to be represented," said Mike Connelly, 45.

He also questions the fairness of Renaissance zones and TIF districts.

"It's fine to upkeep roads, but you don't give millions of dollars in taxpayer money to people who have money ... and then say 'we don't have enough money in the bank and we're going to tax you more to pay for roads,'" Connelly said.

A recall vote is a way people can make their voices heard, he reasoned.

Connelly indicated as many as three candidates want to run against the mayor in a recall election, and challengers will be announced if the petition warrants it.

Schuh said the number of signatures received this week would be released after organizers of the petition discussed it.

"A recall is more personal. With an election, you have to wait. This is more grassroots. This is an opportunity, if we can, to have change of leadership rather than wait for more issues to come up," he said. "We'll use a tool of democracy."

Seminary indicated on Friday the group is entitled to go through the recall process.

"I reject the premise ... that I and I alone have misplaced the priorities for the city of Bismarck," the mayor said. "My love for and my commitment to the city of Bismarck and all of its residents is not debatable."

The recall petition came together on social media this past fall as different people aired varying complaints, according to Schuh.

"A lot of people started wondering about city leadership. I think people started to realize there was something we could do. Do we wait for the next election or go another route?" he said.

Schuh indicated he would like to see funds go to law enforcement and snow removal rather than changing lane markings on a few blocks of Main Avenue.

"The Main Avenue reduction from Washington Street to Seventh Street was supposed to be for a trial period, but it's still there and most citizens don't like it," said Schuh.

He also cited an issue with Seminary's role in selling the Bismarck-Burleigh Health building on Front Avenue for less than market value.

Other concerns included questions surrounding Seminary's political inclinations toward opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the expansion of the Bismarck Event Center, a project that was rejected by voters.

Seminary countered that "all of the decisions for the city of Bismarck are made by the entire commission. ... Decisions made about public infrastructure are made based on studies, input from many groups, information gathered at public hearings, volunteer members from our community that participate in task force work groups and then they are publicly discussed.

"Unfortunately, to my knowledge, this group has not taken advantage of these opportunities to be involved in this process," he said.
Nigerian troops dismantle Boko Haram flag in Sambisa at the end of December, 2016.(Photo courtesy of Nigerian Army)

ABUJA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops have killed 15 Boko Haram fighters in an anti-terror operation in the northeastern state of Borno where terrorists have been making efforts to regroup and plan more attacks.

Nigerian army chief Tukur Buratai, in a statement reaching Xinhua on Saturday, said one terrorist, suspected to be a foreigner, was captured during the anti-terror raid carried out by the military in Rann, a town in Kala Balge district of Borno State.

Buratai said the terrorists killed and the one captured were responsible for the wrongful airstrike by the Nigerian military last Tuesday on a civilian settlement in the same town.

Nigerian troops repelled an attack launched by the terrorists in Rann late Thursday, he said, adding that two gun trucks and other arm and ammunitions used by the terrorists were also recovered.

Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge district in Borno, is 175 kilometers from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital and 8 kilometers to the neighboring Republic of Cameroon.

About 43,000 internally displaced persons struggling with serious food shortages and severe malnutrition were taking refuge at the Rann camp which was mistakenly bombed by the Nigerian fighter jet in Tuesday's anti-terror raid.

At least 52 people lost their lives and 120 others were injured in the bombing which the Nigerian military had since admitted as an "operational error."

The incident occurred after an intelligence report was received that Boko Haram terrorists were regrouping in the town where the internally displaced persons' camp is situated, the Nigerian Army said.

Buratai said the Nigerian military had learned lessons from the incident, adding that the issue of coordination and dissemination of the right information has been noted and will help to prevent such incident in the future.

Terror group Boko Haram, which has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 2.3 million since its insurgency started in 2009, had made five failed attempts to attack Rann town after it was retaken from them by Nigeria's military on March 22, 2016.

Nigeria has made a considerable gain on the Boko Haram front, with its security forces having dislodged the Boko Haram fighters from the Sambisa Forest, their last enclave in the country.
RIYADH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Saudi police raided two hideouts of terrorists in Jeddah, killing two extremists, while a bomb factory exploded, Saudi Interior Ministry tweeted on Saturday.

The ministry confirmed that the two dead were used a renting accommodation in the city to manufacture bombs and explosive belts. The two exploded themselves up after failing to escape.

A Saudi man and a Pakistani woman were arrested in the second hideout. The police confiscated uncompleted bomb from the flat.

The raids were part of ongoing counterterrorism operations. Since the surfacing of the Islamic State (IS) militant group in 2014, Saudi Arabia has arrested 566 terrorists who formed eight sleeping cells, including six women.

The country also arrested five explosive experts, according to a report published on Saturday on Okaz local newspaper.
HANOI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Under a new decree recently issued by the Vietnamese government, Vietnamese people aged 21 onward with a monthly income of at least 10 million Vietnamese dong (446 U.S. dollars) will be allowed to gamble in casinos in Vietnam.

Eligible people will be allowed to gamble in two casinos, including one under construction on Phu Quoc Island in southern Kien Giang province, and the other to be built in Van Don Special Economic Zone in northern Quang Ninh province, online newspaper VnExpress reported on Saturday.

Eligible people will be permitted to gamble in the two casinos in three years. After the three-year trial program, the Vietnamese government will reconsider the permission.

To gamble in the casinos, Vietnamese people will have to pay an entrance fee of 1 million Vietnamese dong (44.6 U.S. dollars) a day or 25 million Vietnamese dong (nearly 1,100 U.S. dollars) a month.

However, Vietnamese people who meet all the above-mentioned criteria will not be allowed to enter casinos if their family members, biological or adopted parents and children, formally request the casinos to deny their entry.

Before the new decree was introduced, access to licensed casinos in Vietnam was restricted to holders of foreign passports.

Gambling, except in government licensed casinos, is illegal in Vietnam. Anyone found to be in violation of this law is subject to steep fines and/or a severe prison sentence.
BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Donald Trump was sworn in Friday as the 45th president of the United States, and his inauguration has drawn a mixed reaction worldwide.

While many countries expressed hope for cooperative relations with the new U.S. administration, worries about Trump's "America first" policy dominate responses from officials, experts and the public.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet Trump to congratulate him on taking office, but preparations for the possible meeting may take months, Russian media quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying.

HOPE FOR COOPERATIVE TIES

In the Middle East, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi said Friday "Egypt hopes that Trump's presidency would usher in a new beginning for the Egyptian-U.S. relations, leading to more cooperation and coordination that will benefit both the Egyptian and American peoples, and promote peace, stability and development in the Middle East region."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he looks forward to working with Trump "for peace, security and stability in an unsettled world and a region going through a tragic period, and contribute towards creating a secure future for everyone."

Palestinians are willing to cooperate with the Trump administration to "realize the two state solution on the borders of 1967," Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Saeb Erekat told Xinhua, while calling on the Trump administration to press for a halt in the construction of Israeli settlements.

In Mexico, America's southern neighbor, President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted after Trump's inaugural speech Friday, "Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States."

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos called on Trump to value U.S. relations with Latin America, where its strategic interests lie, while saying his country is willing to promote bilateral cooperation.

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel expressed the hope in a statement for continued close cooperation with Washington in fighting terrorism and extremism.

While noting the U.S. is Belgium's largest trade partner outside the European Union, Michel said economic policies in favor of a sustainable development would benefit all.

France wants to develop "rapidly close relations" with the new U.S. administration, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said Thursday, saying "France and the United States are allies, it will not change" due to shared interests and values, and that the European Union "will remain a strong and useful partner for the United States."

In a congratulatory message to Trump, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid voiced the hope for closer ties with Washington, saying "We also need close transatlantic cooperation at a time when Europe and the United States face many common challenges, including terrorism and migration."

During the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday, Croatian Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic said he hoped for further ties with Washington as well as a continued key U.S. role in global and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization affairs.

In Asia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoped to further deepen India-U.S. ties and realize the full potential of their cooperation, while tweeting that the strength of the India-U.S. "strategic partnership lies in our shared values and common interests."

A Philippine government statement, issued by the Philippine Embassy in the U.S. hours after Trump's inauguration, said, "The U.S. and the Philippines are treaty allies and we are ready to work on bolstering this alliance on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect."

In congratulatory messages to Trump, Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam said Singapore expects to "broaden and deepen our bilateral relationship," and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted the bilateral "excellent security ties" has helped the U.S. maintain its longstanding presence in the Asia-Pacific.

WORRIES OVER "AMERICA FIRST"

Hours before Trump's inaugural ceremony on Friday, French President Francois Hollande denounced the protectionism Trump repeatedly promised America during a visit to a Vosges-based company, saying "it is not possible or desirable to want to isolate oneself from the world economy."

At home, U.S. political analyst John Avlon said that the gist of each U.S. president inaugural speech in the past was to unite the country by depicting a common vision, but the key point of Trump's address was instead aimed at inspiring his supporters.

In Australia, Rory Madcalf, professor with the National Security College, Australian National University, wrote on the Australian Financial Review newspaper that it is already becoming obvious that a Trump presidency will increase global uncertainty and the potential for instability. Trump has no track record in international or security policy.

Japan's influential newspaper Asahi Shimbun on Saturday carried an article, saying that, if Trump practices protectionism and isolationism under the name of "America first," the existing world order will be broken, even collapse, and Trump's readiness to bring "business transactions" into diplomacy was worrying.

Japan's largest newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun said on Saturday that Trump's inauguration worried the world, stressing that only a stable world will meet the U.S. interests.

Trump, who chanted "America first," despised the U.S. relations with its allies and the existing international rules, and raised some claims with American power hue, it said.

In Brazil, Mauricio Santoro, a professor of international relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, told Xinhua that Trump's view of global economic relations "belongs more to the 18th or 19th centuries."

"Believing that you can only get rich at the expense of your neighbor is a foolish idea that ignores centuries of empirical evidence and the very rise of the United States itself," Santoro said.

The professor believed that Trump's lack of thinking about how to handle the U.S. ties with the whole Latin American region would alienate the United States from Latin America.

In Egypt, Saeed al-Lawindi, a researcher of international relations at Cairo-based Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said that Egypt and the United States have a common interest of maintaining the stability of the Middle East region, but their relations also face many challenges.

The Trump administration maybe will use the transfer of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem as a chip for deal, and that is what Egypt is unwilling to see, the researcher said.

In Kenya, Gerishon Ikiara, a lecturer of international economies at the University of Nirobi, said that the anti-globalization stance adopted by Trump and his supporters was likely to hurt the U.S. economy and other political and diplomatic interests.

American enterprises covering a wide range of sectors and products worldwide are likely to be the major victims of Trump's anti-globalization stance, Ikiara said.
RAMALLAH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of several Palestinian factions and political powers warned Saturday moving U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem will ignite the region.

"Donald Trump doesn't have the right to move the embassy to an occupied city," said a joint statement of the factions and powers issued in the aftermath of a meeting held in the city of Ramallah.

The factions' statement stressed that the intentions to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem "clearly shows the U.S. biased position."

The statement called on the Palestinians for taking practical measures against the decision once it is implemented. It added that moving the embassy "legalized the operations of annexations and the unilateral actions of the Israeli occupation."

Israel Public Radio has earlier reported that a U.S. technical crew had lately checked the site where the U.S. embassy will be in Jerusalem.

Israel insists that the whole city of Jerusalem is the eternal capital of its state, while the Palestinians insist that they want the eastern part of the holly city, which was occupied in 1967, as the capital of their independent Palestinian state.
BANGKOK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Most Thai experts think that Thailand is likely to be only indirectly affected by US policy changes under the new administration, after Donald Trump was sworn in as the new U.S. president Friday.

Trump's pledges to boost U.S. economy and make America first in his unusual speech has been well noted by Thai experts.

"Trump's America First' policies will only matter to the U.S. domestic affairs," said Viboonpong Poonprasit, a political science lecturer from Thammasat University.

"Barack Obama's Pivot to Asia' will likely be reduced significantly. Only economic talks will persist, which will actually fit ASEAN's main activities and its diverse nature."

Meanwhile, Washington's impending abandonment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade compact would allow Thailand to engage in more direct, bilateral talks with the western power.

"The US's exit will be a fair reason for Thailand not to jump into it," Viboonpong said.

Trump has outlined a bold plan to create 25 million new American jobs in the next decade. He would also start his trade policy by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers, according to the White House website updated as he took the oath of office on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Somkid Jatusripitak believed the U.S. potential refusal to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement could be beneficial for Thailand.

According to Somkid, the TPP requirements were rather hard to meet, especially in the spheres of the pharmaceutical industry and agriculture, while it would create risks for Thai small businesses in those spheres.

Somkid said that without TPP, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will become vital to world trade.

Though "risks from president Trump on trade and rates" is one of the most important factors for Asia this year, Thailand is among a few Asian countries that are less exposed, according to Credit Suisse's analytic research.

"In short, we are constructive on growth in Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand," the research said.

Many research houses expect the Thai economy to grow by 3-3.5 percent this year with export expansion of 1-3 percent.

With Trump's "America First" policy, and the lack of interest he has shown in Southeast Asia, political scientists and analysts expect less pressure from the U.S. on Thai politics.

"For Thailand, we should be Trump-neutral",said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor and director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Thailand's Chulalongkorn University.

He said that as Thai-US relations under Mr Obama's tenure were practically at their nadir, Trump will recalibrate and reprioritize values and interests that affect the bilateral alliance. Human rights and democracy as the Obama values agenda will not be abandoned altogether but interests will become more front and centre.

According to Thitinan, Trump is a transactional deal-maker, after all, not necessarily wedded to core principles and ideals.

He also believes that a Trump administration may be more understanding of Thailand's profound transitional and adjustment requirements under a new reign and a new constitution. Thailand's electoral roadmap still matters but it may be more determined from within than outside.
BUDAPEST, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and President Janos Ader both issued statements on Saturday, voicing their sympathy with the families of Hungarian students and teachers killed or injured in a bus crash in Italy.

The government has declared Jan. 23 as an official day of mourning.

"Loss of a young life, of a child, is the worst thing that can happen to any family, community, or nation," Orban said.

He added that he had ordered Hungarian authorities to do their utmost to completely clarify the situation.

Ader said that all of them share in the mourning of the parents, siblings, families and classmates of the victims.

He wished the injured a speedy and complete recovery and expressed his thanks to everyone who had helped in the rescue operation.

Sixteen people, primarily teenagers, died and 26 were hurt when the bus leased by a Budapest secondary school crashed into a motorway pylon and burst into flame just before midnight on Friday.

They were on the way home from a ski vacation in France.

An employee of the company providing the bus, repudiated the reports that it had been driven by a French chauffer.

Two Hungarians drivers were responsible for the bus and both were with the group for the entire time abroad, the employee told local wire service MTI.

They were both experienced drivers. The bus, he said was a German-made Setra with a capacity of 57 passengers and two drivers.

The principal of the Budapest secondary school that leased the bus said that it had been carrying 36 students.

The rest of the 54 passengers known to have been on board were former students, three teachers, and family members of one of the teachers, Principal Gabor Toth said.
Austrian police officers stand guard outside the golden hall of the Musikverein for the annual traditional New Year's concert with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Vienna, Austria, Jan. 1, 2016. (Xinhua/Qian Yi)

VIENNA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The suspect who has been arrested by the Austrian authorities in connection with a planned terror attack could have been very close to carry it out, an official from the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Austrian national of Albanian origin had alleged links to an extremist group and was taken into custody on Friday evening in Vienna.

An attack had been planned to be carried out soon, head of the Directorate General for Public Security Konrad Kogler said in an interview with the O1 Morgenjournal radio program.

Investigations have been going on at full speed, with many houses searched and items like cell phones seized. The items will be examined now, Kogler said.

Depending on the outcome of the investigations as well as questioning of the arrested suspect, further arrests and house searches could be possible, he added.

Kogler said a detonation of a bomb in a subway station is "one of the possible scenarios" the authorities have considered.

Following mounting suspicion as well as information from foreign intelligence services in recent weeks, the suspect had been under constant surveillance.

A Ministry of the Interior spokesperson confirmed the individual was known to have been part of Albanian radical circles.

Initial reports on Friday that the suspect had already made a bomb in Germany and brought to Austria have not yet been confirmed.
Protesters hold placards during the Women's March in London, England on Jan. 21, 2017. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Protesters who are against Donald Trump's presidency took to the street in London on Saturday, as similar protests were seen in other major cities in Britain.

The Women's March in London started at the American Embassy in London and, after a long walk, the protesters ended up rallying in Trafalgar Square.

Slogans such as "reject hate, reclaim politics" and "no to racism, no to Trump" could be seen on placards.

The organizers of the London march claimed that as many as 100,000 people participated in the campaign, which has not been confirmed by local police.

Meanwhile, cities like Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool and Cardiff also saw protests against the U.S. president.
HELSINKI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Some schools in Sweden are recruiting teachers from Finland, and the trend has worried the Finnish education authority, a Finnish newspaper reported on Saturday.

The Helsinki-based Swedish language newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet (HBL) said that Sweden needs 60,000 new teachers by 2019, and Swedish municipalities have already started interviewing Finnish teachers willing to move to Sweden.

Finland is bilingual and operates a school system in Swedish as well. There are no restrictions in emigration between Sweden and Finland.

The only Swedish language college for educating teachers in Finland is located in Vaasa, northwestern Finland. The area has traditionally good connections with neighboring Sweden.

Anna Nylund, a student majoring in education, told HBL that many of her friends have decided to take up teacher positions in Sweden, and Anna herself is considering.

In the Swedish town of Eskilstuna, the first teacher from Finland begins work in late January and 15 others are in the process of interviews, HBL reported.

Several other Swedish towns have sent head hunters to Finland. The Eskilstuna education director Lisa Edholm said she needs 100 teachers, but cannot get all from Finland.

Anita Lehikoinen, the highest civil servant at the Finnish Education Ministry, told newspaper HBL that Finland "cannot educate teachers for export."

Lehikoinen saw as positive that teachers educated in Finland have a good reputation, but this "should not lead to competition in recruiting".

Christer Holmlund, chairman of the union of Swedish speaking teachers in Finland, blamed the working climate for the trend. "It is both the working climate in schools and the salary levels that motivate to leave Finland," he told HBL.

Holmlund said he knew that Sweden has been prepared to pay more than the local average to teachers coming from Finland. "An advantage for Finland is that schools are good on average, while in Sweden the quality of schools varies a lot," he said.
On the bright side, at least Jenna Bush Hager didnt say Hidden Fences in the Moonlight, mashing together all three of the critically acclaimed movies about African-Americans that are in theaters right now.

Im referring to that cringe-worthy moment at the Golden Globes when Hager, a correspondent for NBCs Today show, mistakenly referred to Hidden Figures as Hidden Fences, something that the actor Michael Keaton also did later that same night. Fences is its own production, and it, Hidden Figures and Moonlight are all in the hunt for Oscar nominations, to be announced Tuesday.

They tell unrelated stories in unrelated styles. And theyre not equally accomplished, not to my eye. Moonlight has a daring, a poetry and a jolting intimacy that lift it well above the other two.

But they are indeed linked, because together they represent a real chance, after the #OscarsSoWhite outcry, for a bit of an #OscarsSoBlack correction, or at least an #OscarsMoreDiverse one. The number of nominations that these three movies do or dont receive will be one of the main lenses through which the 2017 Academy Awards are analyzed, especially in light of this tense juncture for race relations.

The new president feuds in an unnecessary, undignified fashion with a hero of the civil rights movement. (Then again, the president feuds in that fashion with a sprawling cast.) He built a political base partly on the lie that our first black president was born outside the country.

Race has already been a significant part of Oscar talk, with disputes about why Casey Affleck, the white star of Manchester by the Sea, is teed up for a best actor nomination (and, possibly, a win) when Nate Parker, the star and director of The Birth of a Nation, is almost certain to be passed over. Parker has been dogged by a long-ago rape accusation; Affleck has confronted more recent sexual harassment suits. Is it the difference in the allegations, in the quality of their movies or in the color of their skin that explains their divergent fates?

After there were no black nominees in the acting and directing categories for the last two years, the Academy instituted plans to diversify its membership. No matter how this years voting goes, I expect complaints: that the pendulum swung too far or not far enough; that merit is being inflated or denied.

And so Id like to dwell, beforehand, on the happy, hopeful fact of these three movies themselves. Along with other examinations of race on screens big and small, they have a grace and an insight missing in so much of our public debate. Better still, theyre finding appreciative audiences.

That was one takeaway from the Globes, where Moonlight and the television comedies Atlanta and black-ish won big. Its also evident in the triumph of Hidden Figures as the top-grossing movie in America the past two weekends.

Hidden Figures tells the fact-based story of three black women who were unheralded heroes at NASA in the 1960s. It has a vital message, affectingly rendered: Prejudice not only strangles individual dreams but stupidly bleeds a society of the talents it needs to reach its fullest potential.

Fences, adapted from August Wilsons play, concentrates on one black family in the 1950s, in particular one black man, played by Denzel Washington, who also directed the movie. It shows how insidiously an awareness of unjustly imposed limits eats away at a person.

Although Moonlight comes at the wages of racism less bluntly, its depiction of a tormented boys journey to manhood asks big, haunting questions about the social and cultural forces that doom too many young, disadvantaged African-Americans today. Its director, Barry Jenkins, sees a hurt that you cant turn away from and a hope that you cant ignore where so many news stories and politicians see only statistics. Maybe thats because hes black. Or maybe its because hes brilliant.

I dont mean to hold up the movies as some uniquely enlightened antidote to the ugliness elsewhere. Meryl Streeps Hollywood-flattering speech at the Globes conveniently overlooked the industrys habit of pairing male stars with female ones half their age, thwarting female directors, stereotyping minorities, glamorizing reprobates and putting money above morality time and again.

Movies give us some of our worst ideas about ourselves. But then, like great fiction, theyre our bridges to insufficiently understood lives, our compasses to inadequately learned truths. Thats true of the three films I just described.

They may yield a best supporting actress nominee apiece and thus an apparent Oscar first: three black contenders in one acting category. That would hardly make up for all the oversights past. But it would be cause for celebration nonetheless.
NAIROBI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Peter Mulei is not very enthusiastic about world affairs, but on Friday evening, the 33-year-old Kenyan barber and father of two huddled with friends at a nearby restaurant to watch the swearing in of U.S. President, Donald Trump.

Like millions of Kenyans, Mulei abandoned demanding chores to watch the installation of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

During an interview with Xinhua on Saturday, Mulei confessed that election of Trump as the U.S. president shocked him, given the divisive rhetoric the New York property billionaire espoused during the campaigns.

"When the campaigns for the U.S. presidency reached a peak last fall, most of us dismissed Trump as an underdog compared to her rival Hillary Clinton who had experience and financial muscle. It was utter shock to watch Trump win the coveted seat," said Mulei

As a small business owner, Mulei hardly immerses himself in global politics but the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States to succeed Barack Obama whose father was Kenyan had a chilling effect on the affable barber.

"To be honest, I was appalled by the prospect of an individual renowned for hurling epithets at almost everyone becoming the leader of the free world," Mulei told Xinhua.

He was worried that Donald Trump could implement policies that are harmful to the interests of African people.

"The most scaring prospect is to witness Kenyans living in the United States being deported back home because of harsh immigration laws. Likewise, Trump has shown no interest of engaging with African countries unlike his predecessor," said Mulei.

He is not alone in welcoming Trump's presidency with trepidation and unease given the property mogul's vow to upend the international liberal order that has sustained world peace and prosperity since the end of the World War Two.

Kenyans from all walks of life who witnessed the swearing in of Trump as the next U.S. president spoke of uncertain future in world affairs.

Compared to eight years ago when the election of Obama as the 44th president of the United States triggered pomp and celebration in the land of his ancestors, there was little excitement when his successor took over the instruments of power.

Regina Wakaba, a nurse and mother of two, admitted she was not bothered by installation of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, saying he was a deeply flawed choice who could jeopardize global peace.

"I listened to Trump speaking at campaign rallies and his divisive and egoistic character came out very strongly. This is not an individual who can be trusted to cultivate friendship at home and abroad," Wakaba said.

The career nurse was worried that Trump will shrink American global influence through disengagement with vital tasks like peace-keeping and aid to developing countries.

"Kenya has always received American support in critical areas like war against infectious diseases. I am worried this assistance may not be forthcoming during Trump's presidency," said Wakaba.

The affection that Kenyans had toward Obama whose father was born in the western parts of the country may not be transferred to his successor.

Interviews with a cross section of the Kenyan populace revealed less admiration but profound anxiety on Trump's presidency.

John Okoth, a 22-year-old carpenter, was worried that Trump might erase Obama's legacy with the stroke of a pen, given the two individuals holds starkly different visions for America and the world.

"The election of Obama as the American president was refreshing and inspirational more so to the black race. I'm not sure his successor has ushered any new beginning," said Okoth.

President Trump's isolationist policies that he vowed to pursue during his inauguration address sent alarm bells across world capitals.

Kenyan international relations experts are worried that Trump's aversion to globalization could trigger a trade war that is anathema to global economic growth and prosperity.

Dr Martin Nguru, a diplomacy scholar at the University of Nairobi noted that America's influence on global stage could shrink if Trump pursues his avowed "America First" policy.

"It is like America will abandon its global leadership under Trump's presidency and I would urge rising powers like China to fill that gap," Nguru told Xinhua.

He added that a Trump's presidency could herald decreased American trade with African countries alongside less enthusiasm toward the continent's anti-terrorism agenda.
NICOSIA, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- French energy company Total is preparing to make an exploratory marine drilling off Cyprus, a Ministry of Commerce and Energy source said on Saturday.

Total, along with Italy's ENI and Exxon Mobil, was awarded licenses for hydrocarbons exploration by Cyprus last month.

The ministry source said Total plans to drill in block 11 of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone, which shares a boundary to the south with the giant Egyptian Zohr natural gas well, the largest ever field discovered in the eastern Mediterranean.

"We do not know yet when the drill will start, but we were notified that it will be soon," the source said.

The Zohr discovery by ENI reinvigorated interest in the eastern Mediterranean natural gas as the drilling was done in carbonate layers, whereas previous successful natural gas drilling was carried out in lime layers.

A Total official said recently that the company's interest in Cypriot block 11 was prompted by its proximity to the Zohr discovery, estimated to contain 30 trillion cubic feet of gas.

Cypriot experts have said that block 11 sits on an undersea mountain range known as Eratosthenis, which was considered to be the source of all hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean.

The news about the impending drilling comes as efforts to solve the Cyprus problem are nearing a peak, with guarantor countries Greece, Turkey and Britain joining in discussions about security arrangements.

Turkey, which objects to drilling by Cyprus without the active participation of Turkish Cypriots, who pulled out of the government and the state 53 years ago, had sent warships to harass exploration by ENI in 2014.

The discovery of natural gas in Cyprus' continental shelf by United States-based Noble Energy and nearby discoveries by Israel is considered by analysts to be a factor strongly influencing Turkey's interest in solving the Cyprus dispute.

Analysts say that Turkey counts on joining in on the proceeds from the gas by offering facilities for a gas pipe through its territory to Europe.

An alternative route for the pipe is from the gas fields to Cyprus and Greece and from there to Prindisi in southern Italy.

This route had originally been excluded because of the high cost involved in the project which calls for a pipe 2,000 km long, most of it on the sea bed, capable of a yearly capacity of 12 billion cubic meters of gas.

But recent revised estimates by the European Union lowered the cost to around 5 billion euros, which is considered by specialists to be a viable proposition.

The director general of the energy ministries of Israel, Cyprus, Greece and Italy are to meet in Brussels on Monday to consider plans for the project.

Their talks will prepare a meeting of the Energy Ministers of the four countries scheduled for next month in Jerusalem.
U.S. President Donald Trump(L, front) is greeted by former U.S. President Barack Obama after delivering his inaugural address during the presidential inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., the United States, on Jan. 20, 2017. Donald Trump was sworn in on Friday as the 45th president of the United States. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

NAIROBI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Peter Mulei is not very enthusiastic about world affairs, but on Friday evening, the 33-year-old Kenyan barber and father of two huddled with friends at a nearby restaurant to watch the swearing in of U.S. President, Donald Trump.

Like millions of Kenyans, Mulei abandoned demanding chores to watch the installation of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

During an interview with Xinhua on Saturday, Mulei confessed that election of Trump as the U.S. president shocked him, given the divisive rhetoric the New York property billionaire espoused during the campaigns.

"When the campaigns for the U.S. presidency reached a peak last fall, most of us dismissed Trump as an underdog compared to her rival Hillary Clinton who had experience and financial muscle. It was utter shock to watch Trump win the coveted seat," said Mulei

As a small business owner, Mulei hardly immerses himself in global politics but the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States to succeed Barack Obama whose father was Kenyan had a chilling effect on the affable barber.

"To be honest, I was appalled by the prospect of an individual renowned for hurling epithets at almost everyone becoming the leader of the free world," Mulei told Xinhua.

He was worried that Donald Trump could implement policies that are harmful to the interests of African people.

"The most scaring prospect is to witness Kenyans living in the United States being deported back home because of harsh immigration laws. Likewise, Trump has shown no interest of engaging with African countries unlike his predecessor," said Mulei.

He is not alone in welcoming Trump's presidency with trepidation and unease given the property mogul's vow to upend the international liberal order that has sustained world peace and prosperity since the end of the World War Two.

Photo taken on Nov. 10, 2016 shows displayed Kenyan newspapers with the front page showing U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, in Nakuru, northwest of Kenyan capital Nairobi. U.S. Republican Donald Trump defeated his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's presidential election. (Xinhua/Sheikh Maina)

Kenyans from all walks of life who witnessed the swearing in of Trump as the next U.S. president spoke of uncertain future in world affairs.

Compared to eight years ago when the election of Obama as the 44th president of the United States triggered pomp and celebration in the land of his ancestors, there was little excitement when his successor took over the instruments of power.

Regina Wakaba, a nurse and mother of two, admitted she was not bothered by installation of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, saying he was a deeply flawed choice who could jeopardize global peace.

"I listened to Trump speaking at campaign rallies and his divisive and egoistic character came out very strongly. This is not an individual who can be trusted to cultivate friendship at home and abroad," Wakaba said.

The career nurse was worried that Trump will shrink American global influence through disengagement with vital tasks like peace-keeping and aid to developing countries.

"Kenya has always received American support in critical areas like war against infectious diseases. I am worried this assistance may not be forthcoming during Trump's presidency," said Wakaba.

The affection that Kenyans had toward Obama whose father was born in the western parts of the country may not be transferred to his successor.

Interviews with a cross section of the Kenyan populace revealed less admiration but profound anxiety on Trump's presidency.

John Okoth, a 22-year-old carpenter, was worried that Trump might erase Obama's legacy with the stroke of a pen, given the two individuals holds starkly different visions for America and the world.

"The election of Obama as the American president was refreshing and inspirational more so to the black race. I'm not sure his successor has ushered any new beginning," said Okoth.

President Trump's isolationist policies that he vowed to pursue during his inauguration address sent alarm bells across world capitals.

Kenyan international relations experts are worried that Trump's aversion to globalization could trigger a trade war that is anathema to global economic growth and prosperity.

Dr Martin Nguru, a diplomacy scholar at the University of Nairobi noted that America's influence on global stage could shrink if Trump pursues his avowed "America First" policy.

"It is like America will abandon its global leadership under Trump's presidency and I would urge rising powers like China to fill that gap," Nguru told Xinhua.

He added that a Trump's presidency could herald decreased American trade with African countries alongside less enthusiasm toward the continent's anti-terrorism agenda.
DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan said Saturday Tanzania will continue cherishing and strengthening relations with China for the benefit of the peoples of the two friendly countries.

Hassan made the pledge during celebrations marking the Chinese New Year held at Mnazi Mmoja grounds in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. The celebrations were attended by Chinese and Tanzanians resident in the capital.

The Vice-President said China has been Tanzania's major development partner since time immemorial, adding that relations between the two countries were ever thriving.

Suluhu assured Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing, that President John Magufuli's administration will work closely with the Chinese government in enhancing trade, education, health and culture.

"Tanzania has a lot to learn from China, especially in economic development undertakings which the Far East country has done wonderfully well," said Hassan.

For his part, Ambassador Lu hailed Tanzania for measures it was taking to fight corruption.

On January 14, former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa commended China for banning ivory trade and urged other countries across the world to follow suit.

"The banning of ivory trade in other countries like what China has done will lead to ending poaching in Tanzania," said Mkapa, who ruled Tanzania between 1995 and 2005.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to speak to U.S. President Donald Trump by phone in the coming days, the Kremlin said Saturday.

Putin will congratulate Trump on his inauguration during the conversation as a "protocol necessity," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

A meeting between the two leaders will possibly be held in the coming months, rather than coming weeks, said the spokesman, adding that the specific date is expected to be discussed during the phone conversation.

As for violent anti-Trump protests, Peskov said Russia opposes meddling in other countries' internal affairs and thus the United States should handle the issue by itself.

Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president at an inauguration ceremony held Friday morning at Capitol Hill, overshadowed by occasional rain and violent protests.
People walk past the debris in eastern Mosul, Iraq, on Jan. 22, 2017. Iraqi security forces on Saturday continued fierce clashes to drive out the militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group from their last strongholds in the northern outskirts of the city of Mosul, the Iraqi military said. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

MOSUL, Iraq, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces on Saturday continued fierce clashes to drive out the militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group from their last strongholds in the northern outskirts of the city of Mosul, the Iraqi military said.

The army soldiers, backed by Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition aircraft, took full control of al-Arabi neighborhood after heavy clashes with IS militants and raised the Iraqi flags on some of its buildings, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a statement.

The clashes resulted in the killing of 27 IS militants and the destruction of a tank at the adjacent IS-held neighborhood of al-Rashidiyah, which became the last neighborhood under control of the extremist group, the statement said.

Also in the day, the soldiers recaptured al-Qowsiyat village in north of Rashidiyah after heavy clashes with IS militants and airstrikes on their positions, leaving some 40 militants killed and four car bombs destroyed, the statement added.

In central Mosul, the commandos of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) continued their operations to clear the neighborhoods and areas freed recently from IS militants after the elite troops fulfilled their mission by recapturing the whole central part of the eastern side of the city, locally known as the left bank the Tigris River which bisects Mosul, according to the statement.

The commander of the elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces said on Wednesday that CTS troops are now in full control of the main part of the eastern side of Mosul.

"CTS forces have completely retaken control of the eastern side of Mosul," Lt. Gen. Talib Shghati told reporters.

"The only neighborhoods left in Mosul are in the northern part of the city which the army units are fighting to liberate soon," Shghati said, adding that Mosul's five bridges over the Tigris river are all under security forces' control.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of a major offensive to retake Mosul, the country's second largest city, on Oct. 17.

The second phase of the offensive, to free the eastern bank of Mosul, began on Dec. 29.

Battles in Mosul decreased in December when extremist militants started using civilians as human shields, resorted to suicide car bombings and mortar and sniper attacks.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their posts and fled, enabling IS militants to gain control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
by Osama Radi, Omar Othmani

RAMALLAH, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- As Donald Trump took office as the 45th President of the United States, Palestinian analysts worried his biased position in favor of Israel would hinder the Palestinian cause, making the dream of an independent state even dimmer.

Mohammad Daraghma, a Palestinian political analyst from the West Bank told Xinhua that the Palestinians feel so much concerned since Trump was elected as the new president of the United States due to his positions that serve the interest of Israel.

"Trump, who hasn't yet made himself clear of a U.S. foreign policy, seems for the Palestinians a mysterious man," said Daraghma, adding that his biased position would harm the Palestinian cause.

Last bilateral direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians came to an end in 2014. The U.S. sponsored talks made no progress in all the outstanding issues, such as Jewish settlements and borders for future Palestinian state.

"The Palestinian cause has been thwarted due to the latest U.S. policies towards the peace talks, the blowing up situation in the Arab world and the internal Palestinian split and conflict," said Daraghma, adding "having a more radical U.S. President would make it more difficult for the Palestinian cause."

Political analyst Hani el-Masri told Xinhua that Trump's position towards the Palestinians only serves Israel's interests, especially his intention to move U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and rejecting a Palestinian state.

Israel Radio reported earlier that a U.S. crew had lately checked the site where the U.S. embassy will be in Jerusalem. Israel insists that all Jerusalem is its eternal capital, while the Palestinians say they want the eastern part of the city, occupied in 1967, as the capital of their independent state.

Earlier, Palestinian officials had threatened that moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem would oblige the Palestinians to reconsider the recognition of the state of Israel.

According to el-Masri, the more dangerous thing is Trump's aides are more radical than himself, mainly those who led his campaign during the elections and the others he appointed in his government.

He warned that this would give Israel a free hand to act freely without fear from any American or international reactions. "This would keep the door open for annexing more Palestinian lands and Israel will keep relying on the American veto in the United Nations against any bid or drafts of resolutions."

However, el-Masri thinks that so far, no one knows what would be Trump's position towards the peace process, adding "it is possible that Trump would change a lot in the U.S. policy."
KHARTOUM, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Sudan government on Saturday welcomed the inauguration of the new United States President Donald Trump, reiterating commitment to dialogue with the new U.S. administration, Sudan's Ashorooq Net reported.

Donald Trump was inaugurated on Friday as the 45th president of the U.S..

"Sudan will continue what it has started of dialogue with the U.S. on bases of the trust built between the two sides," Ibrahim Ghandour, Sudan's foreign minister, was quoted as saying.

"We do not expect change in the U.S. external policy as it is a state of institutions," he added.

The Sudanese minister reiterated that his country would continue dialogue with President Trump's administration until reaching full lifting of sanctions, including the removal of Sudan from the U.S. list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

On current January 13, former U.S. President Barack Obama issued a decision cancelling two executive orders imposing economic sanctions on Sudan.

The U.S. has been imposing sanctions on Sudan since 1997 and putting it on its list of countries sponsoring terrorism since 1993.

Since then, Washington has been renewing its sanctions on Sudan due to the continuing war in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions besides a number of outstanding issues with South Sudan, including the disputed oil-rich area of Abyei.
BEIRUT, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari thanked Saturday Lebanon's support for Iraq in regional and international arenas, pointing that his country "has no desire to interfere in the local affairs of any Arab country."

"We reached an understanding on the need to maintain the Arab League as a form of unity between Arabs. We don't dismiss the existence of division, as there are various regimes and backgrounds, but what unites us is more than what divides us," Jaafari told reporters at the Baabda Palace following meeting with President Michel Aoun.

For his part, Aoun stressed that "combating terrorism is not the responsibility of one state but requires collaboration and coordination between all countries".

The president expressed hope that the upcoming Arab summit, which will be held in Jordan in March, would be able to "represent the much-needed Arab solidarity to fend off the circumstances that all Arab countries are passing through."

Jaafari handed Aoun a letter from his Iraqi counterpart President Fouad Masoum, congratulating Aoun on his election and the desire to promote bilateral ties between the two countries and invited him to visit Baghdad.

A statement issued by Prime Minister Saad Hariri's office said the meeting with Jaafari discussed ways to boost bilateral ties between the two countries in all sectors.

He also invited Hariri to visit Baghdad.

Jaafari's talks with Speaker Nabih Berri discussed the possibility of appointing a Lebanese ambassador to Iraq, the speaker said in a statement by his media office.

Jaafari's visit follows a trip by Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who departed Lebanon Saturday after a one-day visit where he met with Aoun, Hariri and Berri.
ALGIERS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Algerian anti-terrorism troops on Friday discovered a load of war weapons in the province of Tamanrasset, near the Malian border, while a group of six terror-supporting individuals were arrested in the province of Boumerdes, defense ministry said on Saturday.

Army troops deployed near the border with Mali discovered a terror bunker containing 22 war weapons and ammunition, said the ministry. Rocket launchers, machine guns of different calibers, and ammunition were retrieved.

This operation shows the commitment and determination of the People's National Army to secure the border and foil any attempt harming the integrity and security of national territory, the ministry said.

Elsewhere, in the northern province of Boumerdes, 55 km east of Algiers, six individuals were arrested over charges of providing support to terrorist groups.

This operation was conducted by joint security forces, as part of counter-terrorism efforts of army troops, the ministry said.

Located in a region plagued by unprecedented security and political instability, Algeria faces ongoing terrorist threats.

A few militants affiliated to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and recently established Islamic State affiliate group of Caliphate Soldiers are still taking refuge in the woods of central provinces, including Bouira, Boumerdes and Tizi Ouzou east of Algiers in addition to desert areas near the troubled Libya and Mali.
"There's too many agendas in camp, and the flooding part doesn't sit with those agendas. There's a lot of peer pressure and a lot of pride to fight this. That pride is a good thing but it can also defeat us. We have to accept humility and realize Mother Nature will take care of all that for us."

 Oceti Sakowin camp headsman Manape LaMere, on efforts to move protest camps to higher ground.

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"They've been chipping away (at Mountain time) for a generation or two. They keep saying it would bring more business or commerce, but I don't know that that matters with all the technology and people using emails and computers now. With daylight saving time, I don't know why they need to manipulate that. I wouldn't mind if that went away."

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 Medora businessman Doug Ellison, on his desire to keep Mountain time and his dislike of daylight saving time. A bill in the Legislature would end daylight saving time and put the entire state on Central time.

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"We want people to leave the flood plain, either go home or come to the new camp. There will be the force of law."

 Cody Two Bears, a Standing Rock tribal councilman, on efforts to get people to leave the protest camps. One reason to relocate is to get the camps under reservation jurisdiction.

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"It's about local control. We're just fortunate that in our state that we haven't had a major incident. We don't want to wait until an incident. We ought to be proactive."

 Rep. Dwight Kiefert, R-Valley City, on House Bill 1310 that would allow educators or staff to carry concealed firearms at schools.

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"I very much appreciate his interest in school safety. His heart is in the right place. (But) it's not what they're trained to do. It's not what they're hired to do. What happens if some of the good guys get shot?"

 Jon Martinson, executive director of the North Dakota School Boards Association, explaining his opposition to HB1310.

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"Gov. (Jack) Dalrymple's budget was a good starting point. Unfortunately, revenues continue to fall short of projections. My budget proposal reflects this reality while prioritizing K-12 education and support for our state's most vulnerable citizens."

 Gov. Doug Burgum, on his budget proposals, which call for about $160 million less in general fund ongoing spending than Dalrymples proposal.

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"It was very high-level stuff. We did find out where he was at. I call it a good start."

 House Majority Leader Al Carlson, of Fargo, reacting to Burgums proposal.

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"Some we look at we're not sure if we're getting, over time, any return on investment. Our biggest frustration is lack of information."

 Rep. Jason Dockter, R-Bismarck, discussing the legislative review of state economic development tax incentives in an attempt to identify those that have worked and eliminate those that haven't.

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"We could be entering the golden age of tourism in our state."

 Gov. Doug Burgum, pointing to opportunities presented by more young people and more attractions in the state than ever before.

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"The thing that's going to be exciting about all this is you have the medical expertise of Sanford and the long-term rehab expertise from Good Sam, and combine those two together, the patient outcome should be top-notch."

 Wade Peterson, executive director of Miller Pointe, a collaboration of Sanford Health in Bismarck and the Good Samaritan Society in Mandan.

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"They have issues with misplaced public leadership priorities, ignoring public infrastructure needs to the point of creating a public finance crisis and allowing city property to be sold at a loss and below market value."

 Paul Maloney, explaining why a group is seeking the recall of Bismarck Mayor Mike Seminary.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry (L) and Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Taher Siala attend a ministerial meeting of countries neighboring Libya, which aims at finding solutions for the political and economical turmoil in Libya in Cairo, Egypt on Jan. 21, 2017. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of Libya's neighboring countries met in Cairo on Saturday and urged dialogue as the only solution to put an end to the North African country's crisis.

The meeting was led by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and attended by Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, UN Envoy to Libya Martin Kobler, as well as representatives from Libya, Sudan, Algeria, Chad, Niger and Tunisia.

The final communique of the meeting reiterated rejection of any military action or foreign military interference in the war-torn state, underlined the importance of cooperation among Libya's neighbors in border security and agreed to hold their 11th meeting in Algeria, but the date has not yet been decided.

Shoukry stressed in his speech at the 10th ministerial meeting of Libya's neighboring countries that Egypt is committed to Libya's sovereignty and will always support its legitimate institutions and reject any interference in the country's affairs.

He explained that a political solution is the only way to resolve the Libyan crisis and that Libya's neighbors are exerting efforts to bring Libyan leaders together for a direct dialogue to build mutual confidence and understanding.

"The Skhirat Agreement is the perfect solution to the Libyan crisis. The agreement guarantees effective participation of all Libyan parties with the aim to put an end to the current crisis," Shoukry said.

After the ouster and killing of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libyan factions engaged in a state of civil war that escalated in 2014 and resulted in splitting power between two rival governments in Tripoli and Tubruk.

Tubruk government was recognized by the international community then, before the Libyan Presidential Council (PC) established in late 2015, which was formed as a unity government following an UN-brokered peace deal between warring Libyan factions reached in Skhirat, Morocco.

Supported by self-proclaimed Libyan national army led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the parliament-backed government in Tubruk refuses to recognize the UN-backed, Tripoli-based unity government run by the PC.

The Egyptian foreign minister said that Libya's neighboring countries were affected by the Libyan crisis and its implications, including terrorism, organized crime, illegal migration and drug smuggling.

"Terrorism in Libya will be eliminated only through the political settlement which allows the re-establishment of Libyan state institutions and the support of the Libyan army and police forces," Shoukry added.

For his part, Libyan Foreign Minister Taher Siala commended Cairo's efforts to host the meeting and find a mechanism for a direct dialogue between Libyan conflicting parties.

He elaborated on the PC's ongoing efforts for comprehensive reconciliation including all parties "so that they all contribute to the reconstruction of their nation."

Siala invited all states, particularly neighboring ones, to reopen their embassies in Tripoli as part of the unity government's efforts to restore diplomatic representation in the capital city.

"The Government of National Accord (GNA) is still suffering challenges as some states deal with parallel entities while the GNA is the legitimate entity according to international resolutions," said the Libyan minister.

Algeria's Minister for Maghreb, Arab and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel stressed that the Libyans are the only people who can reach a solution for their country's crisis.

He also hailed the efforts exerted by the UN envoy to Libya and called on the international community to continue support for the UN efforts to bring the Libyan factions together to the negotiation table.

The AL, which has recently hired an envoy to Libya, reaffirmed commitment to its responsibility towards the Libyan people and to maintain security and stability of the Arab country.

"The AL encourages rivals in Libya to reach an inclusive policy under Skhirat Agreement and would continue backing legitimate institutions in Libya to overcome challenges at the levels of security, politics and economy," said AL chief Aboul-Gheit during the meeting.

He added that his organization will intensify contacts with the PC, the unity government and the parliament in Libya, alongside key political actors, to resolve the main causes of disagreements between rival parties.

The state of civil war in Libya was sparked after Gaddafi's fall by the western intervention via a no-fly zone and bombings and their military support to the anti-Gaddafi rebel forces.

Egypt has been hosting high-profile talks between Libyan parties including head of Libya's unity government Fayez Serraj and head of the Libyan parliament Aqila Saleh in an attempt to resolve the political deadlock in the conflict-stricken country.
Photo taken on Jan. 21, 2017 shows a house in Farindola, a town close to the avalanche hit Rigopiano hotel in central Italy. (Xinhua/Sun Wei)

ROME, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least four more survivors were pulled out on Friday night from a hotel in central Italy, which was buried by a huge avalanche, bringing to nine the number of people rescued so far, the authorities said on Saturday.

The huge avalanche hit the Rigopiano hotel, a luxury resort lying on the lower slopes of 2,912-meter-tall Gran Sasso peak in central Abruzzo region, late on Wednesday.

Overall, ten people were located alive under the ruins of the hotel since Friday midday, according to the Civil Protection Department coordinating all rescue efforts.

The four pulled out in the night were two women and two men.

The first five people -- one woman and four children -- were rescued on Friday. One more person was yet to be recovered.

Rescue teams said they could hear other sounds, signalling that more people might still be alive in the touristic facility.

Yet, the sounds were not yet located exactly, and might also result from movements of the hotel's infrastructure overburdened by metres of snow and mud, Il Corriere della Sera newspaper cited a firefighters official at the site as reporting.

All nine survivors rescued so far were brought to hospital in Pescara. One adult had a surgery on his injured arm, yet all nine were in good health, director Rossano Di Luzio told a press conference on Saturday morning.

"The fact that they were wearing warm ski clothing, and the protection provided by the hotel's partially-collapsed structures, helped them survive," intensive care head physician Tullio Spina told reporters.

The body of a woman was also pulled out from the hotel on Friday night, bringing to four the death toll so far, the civil protection said.

Overall, about 30 people were believed to be inside the Rigopiano hotel, when the incident occurred. There were at least 22 guests and seven employees registered, but local authorities said that few other non-registered guests might also be inside the facility.

People had gathered at the ground floor of the resort when the avalanche hit, and were waiting for transport in order to leave the hotel, because of four strong quakes that struck the Abruzzo region earlier that day.

Four children were among those missing, and all of them were rescued, the authorities confirmed.

Beside the 10 people located on Friday, there had been two more survivors on the previous day -- two men, who were outside the hotel when the avalanche hit and were able to launch the first SOS call.

One of them had his wife, daughter, and son trapped inside the ruins of the hotel. Yet, the whole family was saved and in good condition.

The avalanche at the Rigopiano hotel was believed to be triggered by Wednesday's four earthquakes. All of them were above 5 magnitude on the Richter scale, and their epicentres were between the provinces of Rieti and L'Aquila, the Italian National Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (INGV) stated.

The quake-hit central areas were also engulfed by heavy snowfall and severe weather since last week.

Tremblors and bad weather combined claimed five victims so far, according to authorities.

Freezing temperature and snow have also made rescue efforts at the Rigopiano hotel extremely difficult, and affected power and water lines all across Abruzzo and Marche regions.

Overall, 8,000 forces were currently deployed in the affected areas to manage these simultaneous emergencies.

Till Friday evening, the number of houses without electricity was reduced from 77,000 to 56,000 in Abruzzo, and from 8,500 to 3,000 in Marche, the civil protection agency said.
by Alexia Vlachou

ATHENS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- In the largest state-run refugee camp in Greece at Skaramangas, 11 km west of Athens, more than 3,500 people try to function as a community and overcome daily challenges as they wait to be relocated in other European countries.

Run by the Greek navy and operated by NGOs, the camp is located in a vast industrial zone next to Piraeus port. As a former shipyard, it is one of the most developed areas in infrastructure. With electricity, water heaters and air conditioning, the camp has 410 container homes which are equipped with small kitchenettes, washrooms, and beds.

According to NGOs, security is their main worry, while rubbish and waste issues need to be taken care of more thoroughly.

Most of the residents are Syrians, followed by Afghans and Iraqis; there are also Iraqi Yazidis in Greece and Palestinians.

"This is an accommodation for asylum seekers with all the challenges it poses on a daily basis. But it is better than many other camps around Greece. What would be very important for the asylum seekers in the camp is if the authorities would come to a decision about the asylum claims. So, they know how their future looks like," Roland Schonbauer, a spokesperson with the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, told Xinhua.

Until then, refugees try to develop their skills within the developing community of Skaramangas camp. They try to improve their living conditions using their knowledge or expertise.

During a tour inside the camp, Xinhua reporters saw small shops run by refugees in an attempt to put their life back on track. There are hairdressers, washing machines, an internet cafe, canteens and a mini market.

According to the camps' coordinators, these activities help refugees socialize and prevent tensions inside the camp.

Alaa Saleem, a 29-year-old architect from Syria, runs with his brother Fayez, 30, a popular falafel canteen.

"In Syria, we were not used to staying without a job for a long time, so we had to do something. Since my brother is a chef; we decided to open the canteen," Alaa told Xinhua.

They came to Greece last March and have been living in Skaramagas since May 2016. They opened the canteen in August. While they wait to be relocated to France, they do not forget about their journey.

During their first attempt, the authorities caught them and put them in prison, Alaa recalled. The second time, the most difficult part was crossing the Turkish borders because there were snipers. It took them 12 days to reach Greece.

For Abdul Kader, 48, a lawyer from Aleppo, the internet cafe he has set up was a way out for him to cover his needs and not ask his relatives to send him money.

Mohammed Kaasim, 60 years old, his wife Leila, 54, and their two children arrived in Greece in March 2016. They are refugees for a second time. They belong to a group of 60 Palestinians who came from Al Yarmouk, a district of Damascus which became home to Syria's largest community of Palestinian refugees. Their camp was once home to 150,000 people, before being ravaged by extremists during the Syrian conflict.

In December 2016, Mohammed opened a mini market to help people with everyday necessities since the camp is far from the city. He hopes to reach Germany where his other two children live.

"We have no other option but to wait. We are forced to wait, and every minute that goes by, is like a burden in our soul," he said.

As the camp started its operation last April, there are refugees that live there more than ten months waiting for their asylum claims to be processed.

Malek Shaikh Ibrahim, 46, from Kobani, northern Syria, came to Greece with her 14-member family from Aleppo 11 months ago. She had an interview in December, and she waits for the critical answer from the Greek Asylum Service.

"At Skaramagas everything is better than any other camp. But, we want to relocate, to go to any country," Malek told Xinhua.

"Because she does not have any work, she gets up late, she walks along the sea, and she makes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She goes out to Omonoia and Syntagma square, or Monastiraki. There is no work here," her friend Iman Kalo, 26, told Xinhua as she helped in the translation.

People escaping from war and violence have left not only their homes behind, but also for the time being, their professions.

For Iman, who used to be a teacher in Kobani and came to Greece with her husband and three-year-old son, the lack of activities is a huge problem.

"There is no activity, there should be schools for older people, not only for children. I want to work. I want to learn," she said.

With 63,000 refugees and migrants stranded in Greece since March 2017 when the EU-Turkey deal aimed to stem the refugee flows was launched, the assessment process takes several months.

According to Schonbauer, Greece and the European Union need to focus on three main issues to address the challenge of the high number of asylum seekers.

"First of all, to speed up the registration procedures particularly on the islands, this goes to Greek and European authorities that want to support them. Second, more people need to be transferred from the overcrowded Greek islands to Greek mainland. Third, European countries show the solidarity promised and relocate thousands of asylum seekers from Greece," Schonbauer said.
LONDON, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May called Saturday for an early meeting with the new president of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani to discuss Britain's exit from the European Union.

An official Downing Street spokesperson for May said the prime minister spoke by telephone to Tajani to congratulate him on his election to the presidency of the European Parliament.

During the conversation May said she was keen to arrange a meeting in London as soon as practicable to discuss various issues, including Britain's exit from the European Union.

"She referenced her speech this week in which she set out the UK's priorities in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations, and reiterated that we would continue to play a full part in and meet our obligations to the EU while we remain a member," May's spokeswoman said. "They agreed to work together to ensure continued good relations between the UK and EU, while the Brexit process is ongoing and thereafter."
DAMASCUS, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed Saturday when an explosion rocked a camp for displaced Syrians near the Syrian-Jordanian borders, a monitor group reported.

The blast rocked the Rukban camp near the Jordanian borders when a car bomb went off at the outskirts of the camp, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The UK-based watchdog group said a father, mother and their two kids were among those killed, adding that the death toll could likely rise due to the high number of critically wounded people.

Meanwhile, Jordan's state-run Petra news agency said a total of 14 Syrians who were injured in a blast were allowed to enter into Jordan.

Around 85,000 Syrians, who are stuck on the borders between Syria and Jordan, live in that camp.

It wasn't clear who carried out the explosion, but it bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State (IS) group.

Last June, IS carried out a suicide bombing near the camp, killing seven people and injuring 13 others.
A protestor writes down "respect" on a black board during a demonstration in Helsinki, Finland on Jan. 21, 2017. Some 500 people gathered in central Helsinki to call for respect for women and continued attention to the environment on Saturday, one day after Donald Trump took the presidency of the United States. (Xinhua/Li Jizhi)

HELSINKI, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Some 500 people gathered in central Helsinki to call for respect for women and continued attention to the environment on Saturday, one day after Donald Trump took the presidency of the United States.

The rally was held as a sister event of the Washington Women's March, a massive demonstration that gathered hundreds of thousands people mainly in Washington D.C. in reaction to Trump's campaign rhetoric.

Organizers in Washington said earlier that they saw the demonstration as not being solely anti-Trump but in support of a range of issues affecting women, including abortion rights, health, equal pay and gun violence.

The protest in Finland took place in the Civic Square opposite the Parliament building, the most prestigious site for demonstrations in Helsinki. The focus was the alleged impact of the Trump presidency on equality, minorities and also on environmental issues.

Protesters wrote their "reasons to march" on a number of black boards, and their slogans varied from "kindness" and "compassion" to "gender equality" and "no more silence."

A little girl held a placard reading "Make America kind again." The girl's mother Tracy Dolan, one of the organizers, told Xinhua that in her view the United States is "not only about being powerful, but it is about being kind too."

"There is much hatred now, and that is not the way of interacting with people," she said. Dolan said she did not want to see populism spread as more elections were coming in France and elsewhere.

The initiator of the Helsinki event was journalist Lissu Moulton, an American who has been living in Finland since 1991 and become known in Finland as a broadcaster and columnist. She had written in social media during the week: "When there's nothing you can do, you can't just do nothing."

Major political parties had been asked to attend, but the speakers mainly represented the greens, the left and liberal right. "We sent invitations late, and they may not have reached all, one of the organizers, artist Heli Kuchka told Xinhua.
FORT YATES  The Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council unanimously voted to support the district of Cannon Ball in asking all Dakota Access Pipeline protesters to leave the area and canceling plans for a nearby winter camp.

"All the individuals at all the camps in and around Cannon Ball need to leave the district," residents wrote in a 10-point resolution passed during an executive session of a district meeting Wednesday night. "The building of an alternative site for the camp(s) within the Cannon Ball District is not needed or wanted. If there is to be any kind of a 'site' for the commemoration of this historic event that took place with all the tribes, the people of Standing Rock need to vote on where, what and cost before any 'shanty town is built.'"

The resolution, approved by the full council Friday, applies to all of the protest camps in the area: Oceti Sakowin, Rosebud and Sacred Stone.

The majority of those from the camps who spoke said they respected the councils decision and shook hands with them.

Theres a lot of people who get everything mixed up. We need to get back to where were at what we started with, said JoBeth Brownotter, who is from the Rock Creek District and has lived in camp for the last six months. I am here to support you guys because you guys have our best interest at heart.

Lewis Grassrope told the tribal council he felt it was an honor to stand with the tribe and he understands now it is time for him to go back to his own tribe.

We need to take the fire that was lit here and burns within us and go back to our own respectful reservations, he said.

"I fully back you guys in this," Isaac Weston said, echoing the others. "I truly believe we have to have faith in the EIS (Envioronmental Impact Statement to be conducted on the Dakota Access Pipeline) ... Everything we did here is going to keep going."

Cody Two Bears, the Cannon Ball district representative to the tribal council, said the district is requesting federal law enforcement aid in removing protesters from the district and setting up posts blocking those who do not live or work in the district from entering. The district requests these actions be taken in the next 30 days.

If theres concern from our districts, from our members, we have to listen to them and thats what were going to do, Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said.

The resolution stemmed from residents frustrations over the continued closure of Backwater Bridge on N.D. Highway 1806, which is the primary route to work and hospital services. Repairs and cleaning are needed at the Cannon Ball gym, due to serving as an emergency shelter for protesters. Also, theres concern over alcohol and drug use in the area believed to be tied to the camps.

I understand theres some good people out there and sometimes theres a little bit of ones that are kinda out of control, said Two Bears. I think its come to that point now there are a few campers out there that have not been respectful to community, to the wishes of elders and wishes of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe  Its doing more harm than good.

Residents believe protest actions that continue to take place on the bridge are jeopardizing the chances of having it reopened.

Ed Blackcloud was the lone dissenter to stand up at the meeting to criticize the council's actions

Very few people (at the camp) are the ones who agitate, he said. I do not think all these people should be asked to go home when they fought for you guys, they fought for me, fought for my children, fought for your guys children  I feel sending these people home is wrong.

Why are you guys attacking the bridge? Whats the bridge got to do with DAPL?, Frank White Bull, the district representative from Kenel, asked in response. Our people need that bridge  Who are you guys hurting? Youre hurting us because of your few bad eggs. So now it comes to us.

Since the resolution, the move to a new winter camp from the Oceti Sakowin camp has been put on hold, according to Tom Goldtooth, director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, a organization that supports the camps and is helping to coordinate the move.

Sacred Stone camp founder LaDonna Allard does not plan to close down her camp. She was not present at the council meeting.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has told all protesters camping in flood zones that they need to pack up and move by Jan. 30, when they plan to bring in equipment to pack up waste and materials.
GRAND FORKS -- Higher education leaders in northeastern North Dakota are searching their budgets for any fiscal slack as they look at likely reductions in state funding.

Alice Brekke, vice president for finance and operations at the University of North Dakota, said UND is in the midst of an internal planning process to determine the best means to handle the prospect of budget cuts.

Exactly what itll look like at the end of the day, I dont think any of us can answer that, said Brekke of the final amount to be cut from UND and the North Dakota University System as a whole. Well work through a variety of scenarios, and therell be a lot of conversation over the next three months or so.

Leaders from across the NDUS gathered in Bismarck last week to testify on behalf of their institutions before the Senate Appropriations Committee. UND led off the group to make a case for the university to protect its funding in a climate of shrinking state revenues prompted by weak economic performance of the states main commodities.

On Jan. 16, Gov. Doug Burgum announced his budget recommendations to update those made by outgoing Gov. Jack Dalrymple, who had suggested a 15 percent cut to higher education funding. Burgums proposed budget called for an additional reduction of 5 percent, or $31 million, to higher education spending.

The cuts havent come from nowhere. Last spring, Dalrymple advised state agencies to build out their budgets for the 2017-19 biennium at a level to anticipate receiving only 90 percent of their 2015-17 appropriations.

UND had previously submitted a biennial budget for 2017-19 reflecting that 10 percent reduction in general fund levels, for a cut of about $16.6 million over the two-year period. A budget planning overview stated additional cuts could be possible, though it pointed out lagging enrollment numbers for the current fiscal year would hurt tuition revenue.

Brekke said ongoing discussions within departments and among divisions have sought ways to consolidate operations for better efficiency. Throughout the winter, areas of the university have been building out budgets to accommodate potential reductions of 4, 8 and 12 percent from the 2017 base appropriated budgets.

Last week, UND announced employee buyout programs to encourage voluntary separations from the university to reduce staffing costs and decrease the number of any future involuntary workforce cuts.

Mayville State University

At Mayville State University, early separation programs have already led to the resignation of five faculty members. Steve Bensen, MSU vice president of business affairs, said those five came from a faculty pool of only about 50 employees.

Though dwindling budgets have left a mark so far, Bensen said university leadership doesnt feel reductions will affect program offerings to the point of turning away prospective students.

Were really not that broad as it stands, when you think about our size, he said, noting that MSU lists current enrollment of about 1,110 students. We dont want to jeopardize the viability of our programs, as that will definitely hurt enrollment; so well do what we have to do without doing that.

Beyond voluntary separations, Bensen said the university eliminated two faculty and one staff member in a reduction in force.

Additionally, Bensen said one MSU employee has been moved from full-time to part-time status, while the work of another staff position is now being done at UND through a sharing agreement between the two universities.

Reductions in personnel should yield about $1.4 million in estimated savings for the 2017-19 biennium, a sum Bensen said would make a substantial dent in the necessary cuts. Though academic offerings have been largely untouched, Bensen said MSU has already cut one program in computer information systems, as it wasnt attracting sufficient student interest.

Despite the changes on campus, Bensen emphasized the university wasnt looking at the current budgeting reality as a doom and gloom situation.

This is a setback, but were going to make it work, he said.

Moving forward, Bensen said its not entirely clear how the budget reduction suggested by Burgum could be applied to MSU.

Lake Region State College

Doug Darling, president of Lake Region State College, shares the same logistical questions about the latest proposed budget cut.

Darling said his presentation in Bismarck last week went fine overall, despite a somber mood in the hearing chamber in terms of the outlook for the revenue forecast. The information Darling shared with the Senate members was based on Dalrymples outgoing budget, as Burgums numbers hadnt been released at that point. By Friday, Darling still wasnt yet sure what to make of the most recent recommendations.

Weve seen absolutely no detail on that other than what (Burgum) proposed in terms of dollars for the system as a whole, he said. Were trying not to panic here. Were just waiting to see the exact dollars.

Darling said Lake Region had already submitted a budget accommodating the earlier suggested 10 percent reduction. Though Dalrymples outgoing budget introduced the prospect of further reductions, Darling said the universitys adjustments had been made with enough contingency to limit the impact of deeper budget cuts on the student body.

However, if the reductions continue, Darling said he didnt know if it would be possible to avoid hurting enrollment numbers.

In order to reduce costs, Darling said turnovers among employees have not been refilled.

Lake Region spokeswoman Erin Wood said all of the academic departments have been very frugal in their own budgets. Darling said budgeting needs have slashed out-of-state travel, greatly eliminated equipment and supply costs, and discontinued low-enrollment courses including some humanities electives.

Though Darling said he understood the challenges of the Legislature to balance the budget in light of sluggish state revenues, he described the situation for higher education as a Catch-22.

Part of our mission is to meet the employers needs in the region, he said. If we have an employer that needs us to train employees in X, Y or Z and we dont have the budget for it, we lack the flexibility to deliver.
Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville is a 19th century book that serves as a guide to explain how the American political system has evolved into its current state. In this book, Tocqueville describes what he noticed about American democracy when he traveled through the country in 1831. Acton Institute Director of Research, Samuel Gregg gives insight in a new article at Public Discourse of what Tocqueville noticed about American democracy and how it might be susceptible to despotism. Gregg starts out by explaining the connections between democracy and equality, something that Tocqueville took extra note of:

When Democracy in Americas second volume appeared in 1840, many reviewers noted that it was more critical of democracy than the first volume. In more recent times, Tocquevilles warnings about democracys capacity to generate its own forms of despotism have been portrayed as prefiguring a political dynamic associated with the welfare state: i.e., people voting for politicians who promise to give them more things in return for which voters voluntarily surrender more and more of their freedom. This very real problem, however, has distracted attention from Tocquevilles interest in the deeper dynamic at work. This concerns how democracy encourages a focus on an equality of conditions. For Tocqueville, democratic societies dominant feature is the craving for equalitynot liberty. Throughout Democracy in America, equality of conditions is described as generative. By this, Tocqueville meant that a concern for equalization becomes the driving force shaping everything: politics, economics, family life . . . even religion.

Gregg goes on to explain how Tocqueville believed religion played a unique role in promoting virtue:

Some of Tocquevilles recommendations focus on constitutional restraints on government power. He understood that the political regimes nature matters. But Tocqueville also believed that the main forces that promoted virtue, and that limited the leveling egalitarianism that relativizes moral choices, lay beyond politics. In Americas case, he observed, religion played an important role in moderating fixations with equality-as-sameness. Tocqueville didnt have just any religion in mind. He was specifically concerned with Christianity. For all the important doctrinal differences marking the Christian confessions scattered across America in Tocquevilles time, few held to relativistic accounts of morality. Words like virtue, vice, good, and evil were used consistently and had concrete meaning.

In the last paragraphs of Greggs article, he discusses how the combination of religion with the pursuit of equality could be fatal:

These religions are incapable of performing the role that Tocqueville thought was played by many religious communities in the America he surveyed in the early 1830s. Of course, the object of religion isnt to provide social lubrication. Religion is concerned with the truth about the divine, and living our lives in accordance with the truth about such matters. However, if religion ceases to be about truth, its capacity to resist (let alone correct) errors and half-truths such as values-talk, or justices reduction to equality-as-sameness, is diminished. Politics is clearly shaped by culture. Yet at any cultures heart is the dominant cultus. Americas ability to resist democratic equalizations deadening effects on freedom requires religions that are not consumed by the obsession with equality that Tocqueville thought might be democracys fatal flaw. For Tocqueville, part of Americas genius was that religion and liberty went hand in hand. In the next few years, America is going to discover whether thats still true.

You can read Greggs full article at Public Discourse.
Develop four-tier electricity pricing

This was among other considerations offered by Christopher Narine- Thomas, chairman of the Energy Chambers Energy Efficiency and Alternate Energy Committee. He was speaking at a forum entitled Connecting Citizens with their Ene rgy Resources, held by the TT Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (TTEITI) at the TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce head-office in Westmoorings.

Narine-Thomas delivered the feature address, noting that many households are using electricity as if it were a commercial entity. He noted that 43 percent of households fell in the highest band of electricity use in TT. People in residential spaces are approaching commercial rates of consumption, he said. TT was using electricity on a developed nation status, he said. Narine-Thomas noted that subsidies on gas which led to the subsidy on electricity often led to inefficiencies in the system.

People could easily turn off things such as water heaters and use less air conditioning units which would result in great savings to the country. As a means of energy conservation as well as utilising energy saved to channel into other money-earning avenues, Narine-Thomas suggested that there over a cap and those who went over should pay an unsubsidised fee.

A fourth tier pricing should be created for the more affluent in society, he suggested.

A representative of the Ministry of Public Utilities referred to the Trinidad and Tobago as the most lit country in the world, noting that many in the country often left their electricity on. He also spoke to the countrys potential move toward the use of renewable energy such as solar energy. Solar energy, he said, each year the costs for setting up solar energy declined each year and that by 2024 solar would become competitive with coal, one of the cheapest sources of energy in the world. Better technology has led to cheaper solar installation in the world. Noting the other Caribbean countries such as Barbados and St Lucia have utilised residential solar energy, there problem was an issue of scale as opposed to TT which had an issue of economics.

Solar energy would become economic in TT by 2027. Every few months it gets closer and closer to where we are, the Government has set a target of ten percent renewable energy by 2021 and so a lot of people ask if that is achievable. From the scale perspective we have the scale to get it done it depends on what part of the electricity sector and the pricing that youre looking at He said despite claims that there was variability of generation-sun does not shine at night and the wind does not blow all the time, solar and other sources of renewable energy could easily be implemented in TT if backed up by the use of natural gas.
104 days jail for stealing

Ronald Mohammed, 59, pleaded guilty to his 20th charge before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the San Fernando First Court. He pleaded guilty to stealing Sunita Jugmohans purse at Southern Specialist Centre, Quenca Street on Tuesday. He also pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of rum, a can of preserved fruit and two cartons of juice. He entered a guilty plea as well for possession of a ball-pein hammer, a wrench and a screw driver.

Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said that at about 12.25 pm on Tuesday, police officers from San Fernando CID, acting on a report, spotted Mohammed on Quenca Street with a bag in his hand.

Mohammed ran, the court heard, but was later apprehended and when officers searched the bag, they found the items.

Mohammed told Magistrate Forde-John that he stole the money and other items but pleaded for leniency saying his house was burnt last December and he had been on the streets since.

For three days I was like going mad...I only now catch back myself, Mohammed said.

Magistrate Forde-John was not moved by his excuses saying that before this latest case, Mohammed had chalked up a career tally of 19 criminal offences over a 25-year period. You have been in the system for the past 25 years. Your last conviction was in 2014, Forde-John said.

She sentenced him to 60 days in prison for breaking and entering and stealing the rum, juice and preserved fruit, 30 days for stealing the $800 and 14 days for possession of house breaking implements. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently rather than consecutively, which means, all together, Mohammed will serve 60 days in prison.
Judge rules for vehicle company

Nicholas Koomalsingh, a director of FGCL, purchased the vehicle on the companys behalf from M Rampersad for $345,000 in December 2013. Justice Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell in a judgement, stated that the warranty provided that Hilux vehicle be taken in for service for three years or up to 50,000 km.

Further, that the vehicle be serviced according to a fix schedule, failing which the warranty would be rendered void.

The vehicle was taken in, the judge stated, initially for service, but Koomalsingh had admitted that he had racked up a high mileage over a short period of time. The vehicle sustained worn-out brakes and wear and tear. Justice Donaldson-Honeywell in a 16-page judgement, stated that even when Koomalsingh missed two service appointments, M Rampersad waived the provision in the warranty, by word of mouth, for the purpose of facilitating the service to the vehicle.

In June 2104, Koomalsingh reported that there was a rough changing of the gears. Again, Justice Donaldson-Honeywell stated, he did not take the vehicle to be checked at that time, but did at the mandatory 30,000 km and 35,000 km service appointments.

The problem was not solved. The judge noted that by Koomalsinghs own evidence, he had signed off on five arrival/delivery receipts notes confirming he received the vehicle in good condition after each service.

On none of the said receipts was it endorsed that the claimant had a concern about the transmission, the judge stated. Attorneys Prakash Ramadhar, Michael Rooplal and Andy Bhajan represented M Rampersad. Attorneys Keston McQuilkin and Krystal Ann-Harper argued the case for Koomalnsingh. Justice Donaldson-Honeywell in referring to FGCLs expert witness, found that he had not done a full examination of the vehicle and that the claimant (FGCL) failed to bring credible evidence to establish on a balance of probabilities, that the vehicle malfunctioned due to a manufacturers defect.

The judge stated that she agreed with Ramadhars submission, that by the claimants expert witness own evidence, further examination of the vehicle had to be conducted. In fact, she stated that the insistence of the claimant to have the transmission replaced, notwithstanding his expert witness testimony that the valve body could have been repaired or replaced, reeked of haughtiness, thus depriving his own self of trying to determine the root cause of the problem.

Justice Donaldson-Honeywell stated that apart from failure to prove that M Rampersad was more likely to be blamed, the claimant had not also proven at a prima facie level as well, that the latter company was responsible for the malfunctioned transmission. She dismissed the claimants case and ordered that he pay M Rampersad $42,879.84 as legal costs.
They rode together and died together

The two will be buried side by side relatives confirmed yesterday. For better or worse, good or bad, they were like Bonnie and Clyde, said a relative of Alexander yesterday at the Forensic Sciences Centre in St James.

They did everything together. They even went to jail together. They were not saints, but they were very good friends and loyal to the end, said the relative who asked not to be identified. Alexanders relative said the two were friends for years and Daniel even spent several years living at Alexanders home.

According to relatives, the two were arrested last year and charged for kidnapping and robbery.

However they were released six months later as the complainant failed to attend court and the case was thrown out for lack of prosecution. A man claiming to be Alexanders brother told Newsday that both Clint and Damien were called to a meeting in Carapo and were on their way to the Carapo Mosque, when they were gunned down.

The last conversation I had with my brother (Alexander) was hours before he was killed, said the man.

I was lying down in my room and he came in and asked if I had a light and I said boy you know I dont smoke.

Then he he pulled me on my toe and said he was going to mosque.

The next thing I hear is that he was killed. Police officers received a report of multiple gunshots being heard along Simon Road in Carapo.

When they arrived on the scene, they discovered the bodies in a car.

The scene was cordoned off and processed and several spent shells were found. Newsday understands that inside the car, on the bodies, a note was found. Police officers yesterday refused to disclose the content of the note.

While Daniel was described by relatives as a hard working, self employed man. Relatives of Alexander openly admitted that he was involved in criminal activity. I am not hiding for my brother (Alexander).

He was in that life, said the man.

And no matter if you were in that life, and you come out, people would still look at you bad. He was my younger brother, and I love him but I knew what he was capable of.

I dont know what he did when he left home on Thursday and I do not know how many people he left crying, so I cannot say that he was a good boy. Relatives of Daniel were yesterday beside themselves with grief, saying that they did not know how to cope with his death.

Newsday understands that he was a father of three and made his living laying tiles.

I dont know how we will get through this but he is already dead.

We have to focus on putting him to rest and we will leave everything else in the hands of the Lord, said a relative who asked not to be named.

Daniel and Alexander will be laid to rest next Wednesday at the Dabadie Cemetery after a service at the Faith Assembly in Brazil.
Set targets were not met

The top cop made reference to Section 123A of the Constitution, whereby the Commissioner of Police shall have complete power to manage the TT Police Service and is required to ensure that the human, financial and material resources available to the Service, are used in an efficient and effective manner. Williams stated that the performance target of the TTPS for 2016, was set at a five percent reduction in serious crimes and ten percent for reduction in murders.

These targets, Williams noted in his letter to Ramdeen, were not met by his (Ramdeen) clients Snr Supt Simbonath Rajkumar and Snr Supt John Trimm and it was because of this, he (Williams) is seeking to have both officers proceed on forced early retirement. Williams said his view is that both senior officers did not make a significant contribution towards the Police Service improving its performance and achieve set crime reduction targets for murders, woundings and shootings in 2016.

He also stated that the executive of the TTPS held weekly Compstat meetings throughout 2016 with Divisional Heads and he would have taken into consideration the weekly account of each officer at these meetings.

The Acting CoP also provided data on the monthly serious crimes reported for the years 2015-2016 for both Divisions of the two senior officers identified as Senior Superintendents Simbonath Rajkumar and John Trimm, and repeated that the time for the officers to make their representations would be on or before January 20, 2017.

In his letter, with regard to woundings and shootings in Northern Division during the tenure of Rajkumar, the Acting Commissioner revealed: Data for woundings and shootings reported for the six months of May to October 2016, when compared with the same period for 2015, shows an increase from 19 in 2015 to 48 in 2016. This represents a 153 percent increase in woundings and shootings. He added that woundings and shootings for those six months contributed to Northern Division recording a total of 78 in 2016, as compared to 45 in 2015 - an 81 percent increase.

The Acting CoP also noted that kidnappings, burglaries and break-ins increased under Rajkumar in Northern Division. With respect to Trimm, the Acting CoP noted that serious crimes increased from 641 in 2015 to 833 in 2016. He also noted that the increase in woundings and shootings, in Eastern Division, moved from 47 to 63 - an increase of 32 percent. He also noted an increase in burglaries and break-ins. Robberies, Williams said, increased from 80 in 2015 to 135 in 2016, an increase of 69 percent.

Contacted yesterday on the Acting CoPs response and reasons given to compel him to seek the early retirement of both Rajkumar and Trimm, Rajkumar said: Yes there were increases and while the Acting CoP was on leave, I communicated with him and requested additional resources to deal with the situation.

I never received any additional resources.

But when the leadership was changed in November of last year, additional resources were given to the Northern Division by him (Williams) and he himself took command of that Division and posted an additional Senior Supt to assist in that Division together with help from soldiers, IATF and other agencies. Contacted for a comment, Trimm said the matter is now in the hands of his attorney and he did not wish to comment
Do a crash course

Quoting the figures outlined in the Review of the Economy 2016 document, Imbert said on Wednesday he was amazed that Opposition MPs consistently get the revenue and expenditure figures for 2016 wrong, every time that they talk about them. He explained the document clearly showed that total revenue for 2016 was $44.9 billion. It is not $56 billion, Imbert added. He indicated the same document also shows expenditure and the deficit for 2016 were $52.2 billion and $7.2 billion respectively.

Reminding the Opposition that they were in government for the last five years and some of them served in administrations before that, Imbert declared, This has been the way which the government fiscal accounts has been reported since I have been a Member of Parliament, which is for 25 years. Government MPs thumped their desks as he stressed, Whether it is a UNC (United National Congress) government, a PNM (Peoples National Movement) government or a PP (Peoples Partnership) government....This is the way the fiscal accounts are reported.

He told MPs, When you are doing a budget...if you pay close attention...you will see that the appropriation bill and the figures given in the estimates and the review of the expenditure are slightly different. Imbert said the reason for this is because,  you dont include in the appropriation, capital repayments and sinking fund payments. He stated, That is just not done. It is not part of the appropriation because they are charges on the Consolidated Fund and therefore, you dont appropriate them.

Imbert further explained that the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF), is counted within the estimates of recurrent expenditure as part of the appropriation for the Ministry of Finance. He said when one is looking at expenditure on the development programme, you have to simply add the appropriation for the Consolidated Fund. Against this background, Imbert said Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh was wrong to claim there was $700 million in the IDF which was available for use. You could only spend what you earn, he reminded MPs.

After explaining that the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund (HSF), contains surpluses that have already been appropriated, Imbert said any money utilised from the HSF, goes to an area which in government accounting is called below the line.The minister said the financing element of the budget, is your deficit and that is below the accounting line. He continued, When you use money from the HSF to deal with your expenditure, that goes into your financing component. It is not added to your revenue. Imbert added,  So when you take money out of the HSF, you cant count it as revenue because it is already revenue that was earned in a previous year and has been appropriated.

As he reminded Opposition MPs that the PP government, used the exact same rules, Imbert appealed to them, Please go and do a simple course in government accounting. Please. Im begging you because it is embarrassing to come into this Parliament and hear the same errors being made over and over and over. The minister said the only thing the debate was about was to deal with the use of savings from the fuel subsidy to pay for increases in pensions and grants to senior citizens.
Kamla: TT needs a leader

Claiming that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley continues to show he is incapable of dealing with the crime menace, Persad- Bissessar said, While Rowley tries to deflect and shift blame to others, our citizens no longer feel safe in their own homes. Alleging that Government is using public relations and misdirection to mask its incompetence in curbing crime, Persad-Bissessar said, The Prime Minister must stop trying to shift blame, and take tough action to protect the people of TT and ensure their safety and security. She said her former administration,  had a plan that was working, and the country saw a reduction in serious crime. However Persad-Bissessar claimed the Peoples National Movement (PNM) stopped many anti-crime measures implemented by her administration and failed to put forward proposals or initiatives to deal crime. She said the latest announcements made at Wednesdays conference, show that the Government is bereft of ideas to tackle crime head-on. Accusing Rowley of having a dismissive attitude towards the upsurge in criminal activity, Persad-Bissessar said this is unacceptable, especially since he is Prime Minister and chairman of the National Security Council. She declared, What is needed now is a leader with the courage to make the tough decisions needed to address the issues facing the country, and Rowley has shown that he is incapable of leading this country. Persad-Bissessar said multiple attempts have been made to engage the Government on this important issue. She added that the United National Congress (UNC) continues to be willing to work with all stakeholders, including the Government, in the national interest, to deal with crime. For his part, Tabaquite MP Suruj Rambachan said a new thinking is needed against criminals.

In my view, the person we need heading the Police Service is an operational leader. It needs a more aggressive leadership, he said.

Putting more and more police wont stop crime. It needs a new strategic thinking, identifying the patterns taking place - less talk, more action. Rambachan said criminals have no respect for law and order. They have declared war on the police and the citizens. They are not afraid. He viewed the Government as inept against crime and the stalled economy. They are just waiting for the oil price to go back up, he surmised.

The Governments approach is to blame and to excuse themselves.

They are failing to inspire the population, to make sacrifices in the short-term. The country remains very dividied, which is a PNM strategy but which is very detrimental to the country itself.
UNASHAMED ANTI-ZIONISM AND DEMAGOGUERY OF PASTOR CHUCK BALDWIN

By Alexander Gofen

January 21, 2017

NewsWithViews.com

It is rare in these days to see such unashamed anti-Zionism displayed loud and proud by a seemingly conservative author, whose language and arguments are, however, more appropriate to the vile socialist left. Mr. Baldwin resorts to demagoguery by mixing together both valid and very invalid issues, i.e., anti-Zionism rants. [Link]

It is surely a valid observation that the spread of homosexuality in America is not confronted enough by our spiritual leaders, and worse, some priests and rabbis pander to and fear the homosexual Mafia more than God.

Yet, it is wrong and ugly to speak about Zionism as though something reprehensible.(*) It is wrong to blame renowned pastors such as John Hagee for their friendliness to the State of Israel and for being a Christian Zionist. In fact, every consistent Christian must be a Christian Zionist as I will explain. And, it is particularly ugly to blame the President-elect Donald J. Trump, for his promises to honor the rights of Israel for her land and capital, while the entire world, pandering to the left and Islam, have turned hatred against the Jewish Homeland.

It is both base and ugly to sarcastically characterize the year 2017 and Trumps presidency as though it represents The Year of the Zionists. Your language, Pastor Baldwin, is no different than that of the Soviet Politburo. What a badge of honor you wear!

Let me clarify some of the basics of Zionism for you, Pastor Baldwin.

1) In a secular sense, Zionism is merely a case of the general formula that Nation X belongs to people X just as France belongs to the French, Britain belongs to the Brits, Germany to Germans, Spain to Spaniards, Greece to the Greeks, and yes, Israel to the Jews! Zionism is no different than Frenchism, Germanism, etc., except that the Jews ownership of their land began 3,000 years ago, before France, Britain, and Germany even existed.

2) The restoration of Israel on her ancient land is an act of immense significance in terms of both social and spiritual justice. Since ancient times, Israel has been a victim of colonialism and oppression. Therefore, as a social issue, Zionism is the most justified case of a national liberation movement, one which delivered the Jewish people, victims of extreme oppression and genocide for centuries, to their national liberation and the restoration of their nationhood.

3) As a spiritual issue, Zionism is a realization of Gods plan, an act of the highest spiritual value for Jews and consistent Christians. Yet, Israel is the only nation refused basic justice by the rest of the world, the world which was ready to sacrifice Israel for whatever minute reason, or for no reason at all. Any expectations of justice for Israel from this world are futile (Eric Hoffer).

To be a Zionist is a badge of honor. That is Zionism. To be an anti-Zionist is a mark of baseness.

4) Pastor Baldwin, you are saying that contemporary Israel is not exactly like the model promised by Godfair enough. However, who else is such a model? Whose existence, security, and national interests are questioned and conditioned by other foreign nations? Here is a quote for you. Remember Europe in the 1930s?

Ask yourself this:

 Is it possible for the whole world to be against Jews? Yes.

 Is it possible that the whole world can be wrong? Yes.  What was the motivating factor then? Antisemitism.

 What is the motivating factor today? Antisemitism.  Then the world opposed the existence of one Jew.

 Today the world opposes the existence of one Jewish state.

Back then, the world opposed the existence of one Jew. Today, the world opposes the existence of one Jewish State. And yet you are concerned with 2017 being The Year of the Zionists for America.

5) America was founded as a Judeo-Christian nation, not anything else. It is a spiritual obligation of America to take the side of Christians and Jews in world affairs. And, it is in Americas national interests to support Israel, the only free nation in the Middle East, and Americas strongest ally in the region.

As Eric Hoffer wrote in 1968 Israel is our only reliable and unconditional alley. We can rely more on Israel than Israel can rely on us. [Link] These bitter words are even more true now. And you, Pastor Baldwin, are displeased already about future actions of President Donald J. Trump towards making America a more reliable and honest ally of Israel! Shame on you and your ministry!

(*) It is very puzzling and illogical of the hatred to Israel by Western nations and some of their so-called conservatives. Their actions and reasoning exactly replicate the Soviet Politburo.

Soviets hated Israel for too many reasons. First of all, because she allied with America and the West rather than with the Soviets, and because the Soviets hated the very possibility that some small fraction of their population may even contemplate the idea of leaving the USSR for good, or even to be somehow associated with Jewry in the external world. This is the exact reason that Soviets made Zionism a curse word, and a reason for persecution in the USSR! Even learning Hebrew could trigger criminal prosecution back then.

Indeed, the KGB created the PLO, Arafat and the so-called Palestinian people, (trained in various Soviet military camps, including one near Odessa, the city where I lived.) And, indeed, it was Soviets who promoted the UN resolution equating Zionism and Fascism (a gross cynicism in itself). But that was the USSR.

To imagine that anyone in the West would follow the same propaganda line is unthinkable! It is as if the West borrowed the Soviet talking points for bashing the allies of the West such as South Vietnam, South Korea, or West Germany! And yet, the West, and some of western conservatives, did borrow the Soviet talk points to bash Israel. That is a grotesque reality these days.

Please, click on "Mass E-mailing" below and send this article to all your friends .

 2017 Alexander Gofen - All Rights Reserved

Alexander Gofen (born in 1947) immigrated into the US from the former USSR in 1993. Mr. Gofen worked as a mathematician and Delphi programmer at a scientific institution in San Francisco until retirement. As a retired, Mr. Gofen dedicates his time for science and free journalism on conservative issues (mostly as a commentator).

His political web site is: JudeoChristianAmerica.org

E-Mail: galex@ski.org
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Cellular networks, and the transition from the old to the new, were center stage this week in Next Generation Communications news.

Out With the Old

As I noted in NGC coverage earlier this week, AT&T has decommissioned its 2G network.

That is after building 3G and 4G networks, and starting work around 5G. And its after AT&T (News - Alert) announced plans for the 2G shutdown about four years ago.





Nonetheless, some organizations have not updated their devices that have relied on the 2G AT&T network to allow them to transition to the carriers newer networks. So there was a bit of a hiccup on some fronts. But AT&T, in announcing the 2G network shutdown, reiterated that it gave customers ample time to prepare for the move.

In With the New

While 3G and various iterations of 4G networks are still alive and kicking, theres a lot of talk about 5G these days. Part of that discussion lately has involved how 5G builds could contribute to the U.S. gross domestic product and jobs picture.

This discussion is being fueled in part by the fact that we have a new president, who was in fact inaugurated yesterday.

As I reported earlier this week, a new CTIA-commissioned Accenture (News - Alert) story indicates that 5G could contribute about $500 billion to the GDP and create up to 3 million jobs.

However, considering 5G is still being defined, it will be a few years before 5G has any significant impact on either front. Thats because 5G networks arent expected to be deployed commercially until 2017 and 2018. And even when they are installed, it will at least initially be as a complement to  rather than a replacement of  4G networks.

New President, Updated Network

Speaking of the inauguration, T-Mobile used the event as an opportunity to promote its recent network upgrades in the nations capital. T-Mobile (News - Alert) has added to its LTE network with 256 QAM, 4x4 MIMO, and carrier aggregation technologies.

Operating in Harsh Environments

Also this week, NGC reported on the new embedded Extrovert modem from Logic Supply. It works in harsh environments, making it ideal for Internet of Things deployments.

Expanding on LTE

As Ive already repeated a few times in my recent cellular coverage, Mike Murphy, CTO for North America at Nokia (News - Alert), recently told me that LTE still has quite a bit of gas left in the tank. The two NGC articles immediately below, and the T-Mobile one above, all illustrate that point.

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. is upgrading its network to LTE Advanced, which enables it to deliver 450Mbps data speeds. That allows for 50 percent faster download speeds than its LTE (News - Alert) network previously supported.

Meanwhile, the MulteFire Alliance has issued Release 1.0 of its specification. This group is interested in LTE-based small cells operating in unlicensed spectrum.

By eliminating the requirement for licensed spectrum, MulteFire will enable innovation around the world with a number of exciting new use cases  from deploying a standalone network in an underground mine for industrial IoT applications to ensuring robust connectivity for mobile broadband. With Release 1.0, the Alliance is delivering on its promise of a new way to wireless, said Stephan Litjens, MulteFire Alliance Board Chair and vice president of innovation steering at Nokia.

Hitting the Big Time

Speaking of Nokia, it looks like the companys Nokia 6 Android phone is a hit in China. There were more than 1 million registrations for the device on Chinas JD.com site. And an even more powerful device, called the Nokia 8, is rumored to be on its way.
I used to be one of those parents who took a second look at their kids bags of candy theyd gotten Halloween night and think, Wait a minute. Is that a full-size Butterfingers bar? Why would a kid need that much candy in one serving? Id either then ask if they really wanted that item or I
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The Daily News publishes death notices and obituaries on a daily basis for Norfolkans, area residents and former residents.

Death notices, which include information about when and where a person died, funeral services, burial and visitation for the deceased and memorial information, are published free of charge.

If families of the deceased desire to have an obituary printed, there is a fee charged for doing so. Because of that, families of the deceased can decide what information they want included in the obituary, as well as if they desire to have a photograph of the deceased published along with it. The Daily News reserves the right to edit.

Norfolk and area funeral homes have detailed information about placing an obituary in the Daily News. If individuals want to submit obituary information themselves, it can be emailed to funerals@norfolkdailynews.com or faxed to (402) 644-2080.

People needing additional information about death notices and obituaries can call the Daily News at 371-1020 or (877) 371-1020 and ask for the newsroom.
Sound Energy has stricken a deal to acquire all of Oil & Gas Investment Funds (OGIF) assets in Eastern Morocco  that includes 20% Tendrara, 75% of the Meridja project and a 75% stake in acreage close to Tendrara.

Sound Energy will thus acquire the OGIFs hydrocarbon assets in eastern Morocco in exchange for 272m shares in the company, the company said. This means that the OGIF, which is owned by seven large Moroccan financial institutions, will be a second cornerstone investor with future non-executive board representation.

The companys Chief executive James Parsons says the proposed deal gives the company a hugely attractive, material and consolidated portfolio across Eastern Morocco.

We are pleased to have entered into heads of agreement with OGIF following the successful extended well test and I look forward to welcoming them to our shareholder register, he said. I have worked closely with the OGIF team for over 18 months now and their access to Moroccan debt capital and their relationship and influence in the country are second to none, he added.

For his part, Mohammed Benslimane, chief executive of OGIFs management company, said Morocco is a fast growing and low risk emerging country with significant hydrocarbon potential [] This new partnership aligns the interests of OGIF and Moroccos largest financial institutions with those of Sound Energy.

Last December, Sound Energy PLC won regulatory approval from Moroccan authorities to take control of 75% interest in the Sidi Mokhtar onshore licenses.

Sound Energy confirmed the success of a second TE-7 gas well lying only 1.6 km away from its TE-6 first well.
Morocco is poised to regain its seat within Africas institutional family as 40 African Union member countries have so far expressed support for the Kingdoms membership, said Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar.

Speaking to MPs following the adoption of the constitutive act of the African Union, Mezouar underscored the pertinence of the reinvigorated foreign policy towards the continent, which enabled Morocco to gather the support of 40 countries in favor of its membership, i.e. more than the threshold of 28 states needed to secure the vote for re-joining the African Union.

He added that the approval by the parliament of the constitutive act of the African Union clears the institutional way for Moroccos membership of the pan-African organization and bars the way for the opponents of Moroccos territorial integrity who desperately attempt to delay the Kingdoms legitimate rights to regain its place within Africas institutional family.

The adoption of the constitutive act by the Moroccan parliament paves the institutional way for Moroccos return to the pan-African organization in line with the Kings vision in favor of African joint action and the continents economic and human development, Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar had told the press after the texts were adopted Wednesday morning by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

The texts were later on unanimously adopted by the Parliaments two chambers.

Despite the deadlock in forming a government coalition, the texts relating to Moroccos AU membership were adopted after the election Monday of leftist MP Habib El Malki of the USFP Speaker of the House of representatives and the election of his deputies as well as the heads of the Parliamentary committees on Tuesday.

Morocco withdrew from the predecessor of the AU, the Organization of African Unity, in 1984, to protest the biased decision of the OAU, which had actually violated neutrality in the Sahara conflict by admitting the Algeria-based separatist entity, SADR, as a full-fledged member.

Moroccos return to the African institutional family hinges on a simple majority vote by the member countries. So far, 40 countries, making more than the majority of the 54 African Union member states, have expressed support for Moroccos return.
Daniel Roberts.jpg

Daniel Roberts is pictured at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building located on the White House Complex.

(Asma Mirza)

MOSS POINT, Miss. -- It's 10 o'clock at night about one week before the Presidential Inauguration, and White House staffer Daniel Roberts is still in the office tying up loose ends as he prepares for the end of his four-year journey of working in Washington, DC.

Roberts is a 2010 graduate of Moss Point High School and a 2014 honors college graduate and Hall of Fame inductee at the University of Mississippi.

"I'm just a little boy from Moss Point, Mississippi," he said with a laugh. "It's been a journey."

Roberts first began to work in DC as an intern for the Office of First Lady Michelle Obama during the spring semester of his junior year at Ole Miss. That summer, he participated in another internship with U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

When the internship was up, he knew he wasn't ready to leave the DC area. With a lot of faith, support, and hard work, he was able to secure a full-time job on Capitol Hill and finish his senior year at Ole Miss through online courses and distance learning. This unconventional way of continuing his education and graduating cum laude is one example of what he says his faith in God helps him achieve.

"I believe all things are possible," he said. "What keeps me believing the unbelievable, thinking outside of the box, and not being restricted in my thinking process is just dreaming big and realizing that this whole world.... anything in this world... is obtainable."

Besides working for the First Lady and with the U.S. House of Representatives, another position Roberts held during his time in DC included working for the National Governor's Association in advocacy, homeland security, public safety, and health and human services.

When he heard about President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper Initiative, he knew he wanted to be back at the White House working in some capacity. Roberts describes the program as a way to bring mentors and resources around the country to under served youth, especially young males of color.

"It was May 2015. I remember seeing the President on TV announcing the My Brother's Keeper Initiative," said Roberts. "He was saying that this would be his project to continue after his administration is up, like this was going to be his legacy. I wanted to be a part of that."

Roberts did make it back to the White House to work in a communications and legislative affairs role. He's proud of what he was able to accomplish in that position.

"In my most recent role and in my time at the White House, I was able to do a lot of amazing things in the social impact space," he said. "I've been able to tell the stories of minority males throughout the United States and how this program has impacted them."

The My Brother's Keeper Initiative has had an impact on Roberts as well. He serves as a mentor and looks forward to continuing to serve in that capacity.

Roberts had the opportunity to travel to Chicago for President Obama's farewell address. He says the experience is one he will never forget, and the speech inspired him to continue on his path to make a difference in the world around him.

"I think my entire journey is about inspiration. The reason I stayed in DC was because I was inspired by all the people who look like me who were doing incredible things. The reason I wanted to come back to the White House was so that I could help the President inspire people all across the nation. Inspiration brings change, and it's powerful. That's how that speech impacted me."

As Roberts prepares to leave Washington, DC, he and his parents, Ruben and Debra Roberts, reflect on how things have come full circle for him. His father served in the military during his early childhood, so the family did some traveling.

Daniel was born in New York. Then, the family moved to the DC area just before his second birthday. His father was transferred there to serve in the White House Transportation Agency. They stayed in the area until Mr. Roberts retired in 1999, during Daniel's first grade year of elementary school. That's when the family moved to Debra's hometown of Moss Point.

When Ruben Roberts retired, he took a departure photo with President Bill Clinton after getting his family settled in Moss Point. Daniel had that same opportunity recently and invited his parents to DC to take a departure photo with President Barack Obama.

"That was a powerful moment to know that nearly 20 years ago, my dad was in the exact same office, the Oval Office. Nearly 20 years later, I was able to bring him and my mom back to experience that together."

"It seems like history just repeated itself," Ruben Roberts said with a laugh. "He did all of this on his own. He made the decision to do what he wanted to do, and he went for it. Any decision he makes, we try to provide all we can to support him."

"We are now seeing the fruits of our labor," said his mother, Debra. "We would speak positive things into his life everyday as he was growing up. I would tell him how smart and intelligent he was, how much I loved him, and how he could do anything."

That includes moving to New York City, the state where he was born. Roberts has been presented with an opportunity to work in the area as he pursues his dream of working in communications.

"The little boy from Mississippi is going to the big city to pursue a passion in working for social impact," said Roberts. "If people want to follow what I'm doing, so I can stay in touch and see how I can be of assistance, they can do that through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I just want to make sure I'm a resource. I have to. That's how I got here. People did it for me."

Roberts can be followed on social media through Facebook at Daniel C. Roberts, on Twitter with DanC_Roberts, and on Instagram with DanCRoberts.
Photo: Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump has been commander-in-chief for just a few hours. Since taking the oath of office, he delivered a dark speech, did a little work, and dined in the Capitol. The parade is next.

The spectators had, earlier, trickled in along the route. Their numbers are steadily building, but the unbelievable crowds dont appear to have shown up.

Parade route from Capital to WH. Entire stands empty. Crowd thin. pic.twitter.com/7AcpJkBO8O  Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) January 20, 2017

Sparse crowds along inaugural parade route #inauguration pic.twitter.com/APf1hgn1La  chris shlemon (@shlemon) January 20, 2017

Here's the view on the parade route from the @IowaGOP's inaugural party this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/guLmSMgYxy  Jason Noble (@jasonnobleIA) January 20, 2017

The tight security may have delayed some of the arrivals, as many faced long lines to get through the checkpoints. A source told CBS News that some of the VIPs didnt make it because the Congressional luncheon ran late and the Secret Service and D.C. Metro police barricaded five times as many streets as in the past, which prevented some people on Capitol Hill from making it to the route and getting to their seats.

Security line trying to get back to the parade route #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/JaiNkcLpa1  Steve Loiaconi (@sloiaconi) January 20, 2017

Line to get through inaugural parade route security checkpoint on F st pic.twitter.com/vSE5gVuWrN  Benjamin Soloway (@bsoloway) January 20, 2017

The atmosphere became more lively as the motorcade neared Pennsylvania Avenue. Crowds cheered Trump! Trump! Trump! as a black car drove very slowly toward the White House.

Here's a look at President Trump's motorcade and the route of today's #Inauguration Parade #DayOne pic.twitter.com/oNK1SiBl6x  PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) January 20, 2017

President Donald Trump rides in "The Beast" toward the White House during the inaugural parade. #Inauguration #voainaug pic.twitter.com/ZqchbH0UH8  The Voice of America (@VOANews) January 20, 2017

a presidential thumbs up from President Donald Trump #inauguration pic.twitter.com/hoLBeZxWNW  Tamara Gitt (@tamaragitt) January 20, 2017

Employees at Trump International Hotel, which is down the block from Trumps new home, got in on the action.

Good balance to protest coverage - employees from Trump Hotel just came out pic.twitter.com/Uvvx6uSLPG  Jenna Lee (@JennaLeeUSA) January 20, 2017

But boos from the protesters sometimes punctured the celebratory shouts.

Few protestors walking down Pennsylvania Avenue parade route chanting "climate change is real". Later booed, countered with "USA! USA!" pic.twitter.com/olNq3OBxYX  Fenit Nirappil (@FenitN) January 20, 2017

Protesters on parade route blasting Beyonce. pic.twitter.com/sgZh7y0tr1  Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) January 20, 2017

President Trump and First Lady Melania exited the motorcade right near the Department of Justice building. They took a very short walk, pausing right before Trumps hotel. The Trumps waved at the crowd, and got right back into the car.

Pres. Trump, First Lady, Barron Trump exit car and walk along parade route for a short while. #Inauguration #fox5POTUS #fox5dc pic.twitter.com/oMYXvlYwIa  FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) January 20, 2017

Some boos also came from Trump supporters, who jeered the media as the reporting crews passed behind the president.

Television media trucks go by, some boos from crowd. Group of young men talking about how "hot" Melania & Megyn Kelly are  Abigail Hauslohner (@ahauslohner) January 20, 2017

A few blocks from the parade route, anti-Trump protesters gathered en masse. Protesters set a parked limo on fire, and police moved in with pepper spray and tried to disperse the crowds.

Cops moving toward the fire. pic.twitter.com/CIIidI0fCp  Matt Pearce  (@mattdpearce) January 20, 2017

Fire is getting bigger. Burnt pieces of newspaper are flying up to our window. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/yy9akpkjyh  Shelly Tan (@Tan_Shelly) January 20, 2017

The Trumps exited The Beast  the nickname of the presidential state car  once again before reaching the White House and exiting out on to the reviewing stand.

President Trump arrives at the White House #Inauguration2017 https://t.co/Ockwh0Sa0c  TODAY (@TODAYshow) January 20, 2017

Pres. Trump, First Lady and family exit White House to go to reviewing stand: https://t.co/AsjUerEVmy pic.twitter.com/X1VmxBeqBM  CBS News (@CBSNews) January 20, 2017

From there, the president and his family got to watch the rest of the parade roll in, which included plenty of hometown bands and some tractors. Trump wanted tanks and missiles too, but the military denied that request.

The Talladega College marching band is incredibly good. pic.twitter.com/vqypKerO7m  Rich Edson (@RichEdsonDC) January 20, 2017

Inaugural parade-while not a fan(to say the least) awesome friggin' tractors! pic.twitter.com/34AdeAxpiu  Michael Keaton (@MichaelKeaton) January 20, 2017

The VIP reviewing stand was pretty packed, though there were a few empty seats  because the parade ran overtime, some people reportedly cut out early to get ready for the Inaugural balls.

The reviews of the people were mixed. President Trump called Inauguration Day unbelievable. His supporters remain as enthusiastic as ever. But at least one Trump supporter, in a Make America Great Again hat, told the Washington Post, Worst parade ever. I waited three hours for that?
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania at the Freedom Ball. Photo: Pool/Getty Images

After stopping by the Oval Office to issue an executive order to dismantle Obamacare, President Trump continued his inaugural celebration with appearances at three balls.

At the Freedom Ball and the Liberty Ball, which were both held in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, guests got to see the acts Trump claims he prefers to the A-list talent who snubbed him. There were performances from the Rockettes, the kid band Pelican 212, and Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance troupe. Twitter was not impressed, particularly when the Piano Guys did an instrumental cover of Rachel Plattens Fight Song, the unofficial anthem of Hillary Clintons campaign.

Platten objected on Twitter:

While I respect the office of the President and the peaceful transfer of power, I want to make clear that at at no point did the Piano Guys  Rachel Platten (@RachelPlatten) January 21, 2017

ask for permission, nor did I or anyone on my team know of, approve or endorse their decision to play Fight Song tonight.  Rachel Platten (@RachelPlatten) January 21, 2017

The first couple showed up to the Liberty Ball shortly after 9:30 p.m. Trump started with a brief speech describing his win. Today we had a great day, he continued. People that werent so nice to me were saying that we did a really good job today. They hated to do it, but they did it.

Though it started raining just as Trump began delivering his inaugural speech, he claimed that drops only began to fall after he finished his address. It was like God was looking down on us, I will tell you, he said.

Then they danced to a cover of Frank Sinatras My Way, with the president mouthing the words at parts. They were joined by Vice-President Mike Pence, his wife Karen Pence, and the two couples adult children.

Trump delivered similar remarks upon arriving at the Freedom Ball, but this time, he asked the crowd if he should keep the Twitter going or not? The crowd cheered that he should. The enemies keep saying, Oh, thats terrible, Trump said, but its a way of bypassing dishonest media, right?

The last stop was the Armed Services Ball at the National Building Museum, where about half of the guests were members of the military. I like you for a lot of reasons. Also I like the fact that you all voted for me, Trump said. He also spoke to troops in Afghanistan via satellite link, and took the opportunity to criticize the press again. I like them much better than I like the media, he said, referring to the troops. These are much nicer people, finer people.

Melania Trump delivered her first remarks since becoming First Lady, then the couple danced to a cover of I Will Always Love You. Thank you all for your service, she said. Im honored to be your First Lady. We will fight, we will win, we will make America great again.

Then the Trumps and Pences ended their night by cutting a huge red, white, and blue cake with a saber.

But there was still time for one more controversy. Pastry chef Duff Goldman of Charm City Cakes suggested on Twitter that someone copied the cake he made for the Commander-in-Chief Ball in 2013 without his permission.

The cake on the left is the one I made for President Obama's inauguration 4 years ago. The one on the right is Trumps. I didn't make it.  pic.twitter.com/qJXpCfPhii  Duff Goldman (@duffgoldman) January 21, 2017

Questions of cake plagiarism aside, it could have been worse.
Donald and Melania Trump. Photo: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump was sworn in today as the 45th president of the United States. And, since our newly minted leader is so fond of the platform, it seems only right that we document the day in tweets. Without further ado, heres 2017s Inauguration Day in 140 characters or fewer.

last day you can RT this pic.twitter.com/AvCSTJGyaK  Kevin Nguyen (@knguyen) January 20, 2017

Before taking the oath of office, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, were welcomed into the White House by Barack and Michelle Obama. The Trumps brought a gift. Photos were taken. Pained smiles all around.

*record scratch * Yep, that's me. I bet you're wondering how I got here. pic.twitter.com/HjlOSR9Am9  Sarah Karlan (@SkarSkarSkar) January 20, 2017

Fashion, of course, played a role in the day. There was Melanias Jackie Kennedyesque ensemble.

That's Katie Holmes you fucking idiot. https://t.co/fdxWjUBoYz  palindrome (@afroinstilettos) January 20, 2017

Bernie Sanders and George W. Bush both went the utilitarian-chic route.

I like to think that if Bernie won (which he would've) he would've worn this to his own inauguration pic.twitter.com/YniY1B0J1q  Gabriella Paiella (@GMPaiella) January 20, 2017

While Kellyanne Conway opted for a patriotic salute to London  sorry, the United States.

Why does Kellyanne Conway look like the old New England Patriots logo? pic.twitter.com/swgdHH53v6  Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) January 20, 2017

Kellyanne Conway's $3600 @gucci coat was designed to celebrate the city of ... London. #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/OKC9Nr4Wdf  Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) January 20, 2017

Meanwhile, back at the National Mall, a small crowd gathered to watch the event. Emphasis on small. While 1,800,000 people turned out for Obamas inauguration in 2009, only an estimated 250,000 were at Trumps ceremony today.

10:34 a.m. exactly, 4 years ago and today. pic.twitter.com/HhoTQqIqsS  Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 20, 2017

The National Mall is not even half filled in. "That's significant," says @edatpost https://t.co/FPKVJuiLT0 pic.twitter.com/O8aBieYAEX  Gene Park (@GenePark) January 20, 2017

Hillary and Bill Clinton were in attendance.

"Girl"

"Girl I know girl" pic.twitter.com/f2YkzyDUWh  shonda rhimes wrote crossroads (@jersing) January 20, 2017

As was Rick Perry, chewing gum.

Rick Perry just blew a fucking bubble pic.twitter.com/dp3Cm2MjGh  Jason Berlin (@JasonBerlin) January 20, 2017

And the weather forecast was grim, though the rain would hold off for most of the event.

A storm is moving in on Washington pic.twitter.com/IwiPIj6kv7  Daniel Victor (@bydanielvictor) January 20, 2017

The event began. Prayers were said. And more prayers. And after that, even more prayers.

In case you missed the first 15 minutes of the Inauguration pic.twitter.com/fc2CFzJAkj  TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) January 20, 2017

All of us rn pic.twitter.com/RrwMTqLecG  Lucas Wisenthal (@lucaswisenthal) January 20, 2017

As Trump was being sworn in, he officially took ownership of the @POTUS Twitter account. A transition which wasnt without its drama.

Savor this moment pic.twitter.com/RErYLnZCzX  Eliot Nelson (@eliotnelson) January 20, 2017

Please let's not forget my favorite moment, too too brief. pic.twitter.com/Z4bu6eANVg  Elizabeth Picciuto (@epicciuto) January 20, 2017

The official @FLOTUS cover photo is incredibly popular among 6th grade class websites pic.twitter.com/zmV1fnasXQ  Jen Lewis (@thisjenlewis) January 20, 2017

Trump gave his inaugural address. High points included a charmingly gory line about the color of American blood and a line snatched straight from Banes monologue in 2012s The Dark Knight Rises.

And then the ceremony was complete. Donald Trump and his family headed off to watch the new presidents first officials act: A signing ceremony involving 900 different pens.

Let the @POTUS tweets begin.
When I asked to attend the DeploraBall  the vigorously protested 1,000-person pro-Trump black-tie event causing a rift in the alt-right  organizer Jeff Giesea offered an angle: Theres definitely a Trump baby boom in the works. His DeploraBall co-organizer, anti-feminist activist Mike Cernovich, will soon have a daughter with his wife. And Gieseas surrogate mother is 12 weeks pregnant with a son. Surrogate? Im a gay man, said the 41-year-old* businessman, whose mother is Mexican-American. (She supports building the wall.) Will his son have two dads? Its complicated, he said, describing his relationship as well as the conflicting impulses within his movement  particularly when it comes to gender and sexual politics.

The DeploraBall was a surprisingly queer event. Although perhaps I shouldnt be so surprised: Giesea and Cernovich met, after all, at a Gays for Trump party at the RNC. The two would seem to have nothing in common: Giesea is a gay Stanford graduate investor and entrepreneur, while Cernovich is a gender-essentialist self-help guru whose hit book Gorilla Mindset sought to unleash the beast in men. (As an elegantly ironic twist, The New Yorker recently insinuated that Cernovichs new empire may have been made possible by the seven-figure divorce settlement he received from his more-successful ex-wife.) But like Donald Trump, whose inner circle includes his gay best friend Peter Thiel  who was Gieseas first boss and also made an appearance at the DeploraBall  Cernovich seems comfortable letting gay men into his macho tribe. While protesters with signs preaching feminism and resistance to fascism were being pepper-sprayed outside the DeploraBall, Cernovich invited Gateway Pundit blogger Jim Hoft (who came out as gay after the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando) onto the stage to announce his websites first White House correspondent: Twinks for Trump photographer Lucian Wintrich, whom Hoft described as a (gay) victim of the New York City art worlds gay mafia. Leaning into the microphone, a tuxedo-clad Wintrich announced, Im going to be the youngest, gayest correspondent in the White House in history! Someone in the crowd shouted, Our gays are better than their gays! DeploraBalls guests, who had paid between $99 and $2,500 to be there, cheered. Soon thereafter, a man with a Flock of Seagulls haircut took the stage to sing.

The most famous woman at the party, Canadian libertarian Lauren Southern, legally became a man several months ago: It was part of an on-camera stunt intended to critique her nations approach to documenting gender. She now delights in informing male suitors that marrying her would, by law, be a gay marriage. This is whats hard: I know Im legally a man, but Im also male-minded, despite having the female appearance, Southern said. Though she is an avowed anti-feminist and doesnt believe in gender fluidity, the more Southern discussed gender, the more she sounded like Simone de Beauvoir. Its kind of hard to retain the feminine. I have so much respect for the feminine, but its actually something I have to work for, she continued. Its something that should be worked toward. When people put effort in life, its more beautiful. But it doesnt come naturally to me. She believes feminists are trying to be masculine, whereas she is trying to be feminine. Perhaps, I suggested, everyone could just stop pretending and just be? If its natural to you I think you should have the right to do anything. But for the majority of women I dont think its natural to them, and theyre being told to portray a more masculine image, she said, tossing her long, flaxen blonde hair for emphasis.

So what does Lauren Southern look for in a man? Im sapiosexual, she said, using a buzzy online-dating neologism for those aroused by intelligence.

No matter what I asked Giesea about his love life, he had the same stubbornly serene reply: Its complicated. He described his new political zeal as being tied to the surrogacy process: Im thinking about the future. What future is this kid going to grow up in? He hopes that world includes gay marriage: For me its like, once we have gay marriage, great. I can be right-wing again. I value gay marriage, so I like that, and theres still some laws [that affect] doing surrogacy and raising a family. But like, I dont need 53 genders. He characterized the Republican Establishment as fussy on the issue of gay rights. We can agree to disagree about these issues. Hes fine with making its complicated work.

For all the gay men present (and gender-bending Lauren Southern), I didnt manage to find any lesbians. I did, however, find several sets of straight women on girls-only inaugural-weekend getaways. Each gender, I soon realized, was interacting only with members of his or her own gender, and crossed the divide solely for heterosexual romance or connubial partnership. And I must admit, hanging out with the women of DeploraBall was a lot more fun than talking to the men  was I becoming a gender segregationist, too? Or did their world necessitate it? The DeploraBall only featured two women in the 14-person list of featured guests on its invitation  one of whom was legally male Lauren Southern  so there were fewer high-profile women to chase down for interviews. (Several featured guests didnt make it. The flamboyantly gay, and steadfastly alt-right, Milo Yiannopoulos didnt attend, nor did Nixon-henchman-cum-Trump-supporter Roger Stone. An assistant advised me to check the internet; Stone believes he was recently poisoned.)

The world of DeploraBall women was, however, cheerful. A pair of high-school besties, now in their 40s, told me how tracking Trumps progress online had reinvigorated their long-distance friendship. Now they had ditched their husbands for a girls-only inaugural-weekend getaway. Painting the town red? I asked. Republican red! they cheered. Several women cited motherhood as influencing their politics. A Floridian florist named Ingrid Setzer, who spoke softly and wore a romantic sea-foam green dress, showed me the inauguration scrapbook she was compiling for her son, an active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force. Shed come to the DeploraBall to collect signatures from the movements political heroes. This is why Im here. For my son, she said, offering me a handful of homemade Trump victory buttons, adorned with tinsel and glitter.

In the world of the DeploraBall, same-sex interactions of all kinds  social, political, sexual  seem somehow easier than those between men and women. Right-wing hipster icon Gavin McInnes got in a fistfight on his way into DeploraBall, and later told me that he was amassing a group of brawny men to protect our women on the way out.

A question about Trumps golden-shower rumor led McInnes to an indictment of sex in New York City: Thats not really his culture, he said of Trump. I think the fact that rumor got wings shows how naive the left is, and how they dont get Trump or really anyone thats not in their inner circle. Thats normal for us to hear about, golden showers. By us, he meant New York creatives, the liberal-leaning tribe to which McInnes, who has worked in magazines, blogs, radio, and TV, still sort of belongs.

I mean, I may have been into that stuff as a young man, but when you get older, you get more traditional. And you realize that these things that go back a quarter-million years maybe have some merit to them, he said. McInnes recommends getting out of that stuff by the age of 25. If you stay in it much longer, you become a colostomy bag for other peoples cum. New York City is an elephants graveyard for ovaries.

This might be a good moment to bring in my interaction with Martin Shkreli, because whats a DeploraBall without an awkward and vaguely humiliating encounter with the most hated man in America? Shkreli didnt want to be interviewed. Later in the evening, I circled back with a New York Magazine photographer to see if he might want a party picture, anyway. (Not a crazy question  plenty of people who dont want to talk are still down for a professional portrait. Just ask Tiffany Trump.) I know you dont want to be interviewed, but would you like a picture? I asked, gesturing to introduce my co-worker. This is my lovely photographer, Marisha Camp

Shes not lovely.

What?

Shes not lovely. I dont want my picture taken, and shes not lovely. He proceeded to explain that hed probably go through 200 adjectives before hed even consider lovely as an adjective for Marisha. Artsy, he said, would be the first, which Im pretty sure he meant as an insult.

Later, waiting to exit the party, my un-lovely colleague talked to and photographed yet another set of blondes who had turned inaugural weekend into a girls-only getaway. (For the record, they found Marisha so lovely, they asked me to take pictures of them hugging her.) When the elevator doors opened, we piled in tight. Its okay, were not SJWs. We dont smell like B.O. and patchouli, announced one of Marishas new friends. Then the other turned around and lowered her voice: Honestly, though, when we first walked into that room? B.O. Did you smell it? The whole room. Smelled like boys. Her friend nodded sagely. Then the doors opened, and we women walked out.

*This article has been updated to show that Jeff Giesea is 41.


Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

As an estimated 200,000 people traveled to Washington, D.C., this week for the Womens March on Saturday, U.S. border agents reportedly denied members of at least three groups of would-be protesters coming from Canada and sent them home. Each group was refused U.S. entry on Thursday, after sharing their plans to attend the Womens March.

In one group, six Canadians and two French people were asked to pull over after saying they were headed to the Womens March. Border agents spent two hours investigating, according to The Guardian, searching their cars, examining their phones, and taking fingerprints and photos before sending everyone home.

In another group, a British man and a Canadian were refused after three hours of questioning, fingerprinting, and photographs. The border agent reportedly called the Womens March a potentially violent rally.

In a third group, a Canadian traveling with two Americans told a border agent he was traveling to the inauguration and the Womens March. The first thing [the border agent] asked us point blank is, Are you anti- or pro-Trump? he said. It felt like, if we had been pro-Trump, we would have absolutely been allowed entry. His American friends were allowed entry, while he was not.

In a statement to The Guardian, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection refused to discuss the incidents because of privacy reasons. We recognize that there is an important balance to strike between securing our borders while facilitating the high volume of legitimate trade and travel that crosses our borders every day, it read, and we strive to achieve that balance and show the world that the United States is a welcoming nation.

On Thursday, the same day of the three reported refusals, the U.S. Consulate in Montreal posted a warning on its website cautioning American citizens to avoid protests. After several planned protests in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa on Friday, 34 Canadian cities will host sister marches with the Womens March on Saturday, according to the marchs website. About 600 Canadian protesters, most of them women, traveled in charter buses from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Windsor Friday night, crossed the U.S. border, and arrived in Washington, D.C., on Saturday morning.
(IPEC) announced that the three unit nuclear power station on the Hudson River will close fully by 2021. The power station has been a source of controversy through most of its 40 plus year life, beginning when its construction almost bankrupted Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, its builder. It was subsequently owned by the state's power authority and then eventually purchased by a subsidiary of New Orleans based Entergy Corp. The original Indian Point site contained a waterfront amusement park. We doubt at this stage that anyone is still amused.

Controversy surrounding this facility has always centered on two questions. What harm is this facility causing to Hudson river ecology? And, with a large nuclear power station 36 miles north of midtown Manhattan, can authorities safely evacuate the surrounding areas in case of accident?

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has identified two emergency pathway zones around nuclear power plants. We can think of them as two concentric circles. The first circle with a 10 mile radius poses risk of exposure and inhalation of airborne radioactive particles. The second, wider circle, with a 50 mile radius is the ingestion pathway zone. Foods and liquids within this zone are at risk of contamination in the event of nuclear accident. So much for eating locally.

Let 's step back for a moment. These zones are intended presumably to provide civil authorities with some guidelines in case of need for evacuation. The first zone incorporates about 500,000 people and the second, wider zone about 21 million people. Realistically, when asked about evacuating these numbers there have typically been only two answers: "Of course we can." Or, our preferred response, "Are you insane?" (The plant, in addition to its proximity to New York City, virtually sits alongside the major north-south arterial roadways as well as the main rail lines. The scenic lower Hudson River would prevent westward evacuation.) Related: Trumps Advisers Draft First-Day Energy Policy Changes

Opposing nuclear power plants has been something of a family business for the Cuomo's. Our present Governor Cuomo (Andrew) has been on record as opposing Indian Point since 2007 primarly on environmental grounds. His father, Governor Mario Cuomo, was instrumental in shuttering the Long Island Lighting Co.'s Shoreham nuclear power station after it was fully completed and irradiated for final testing. Cuomo pere used the other available rationale for denying a nuclear plant an operating license--that safely evacuating large numbers of people from a long, narrow island (120 miles long and only 20 miles wide) was simply not feasible.

However, our current Governor Cuomo recently sponsored a settlement to keep open uneconomic upstate nuclear power stations (Ginna, Fitzpatrick and 9 Mile Point). Ironically perhaps, his administration cited nuclear's considerable contribution to the state's evironmental goals in terms of producing low carbon electricity. A typical nuclear plant probably pays about $50 million per year in taxes and employs 1,000 people. We're sure neither of these considerations were a factor in economically challenged areas upstate.

The Indian Point Energy Center is big. Units 2 and 3 are Westinghouse designed pressurized water reactors capable of producing 2083 MWs. On a really hot day, Con Ed might need upwards of 13,000 mws. 2083 mws is a big chunk of that demand.

As an aside we should point out that Indian Point unit 1 first entered commercial service in 1962. This 275 mw PWR was shuttered in 1974 and defueled. Thorium fans will be pleased to learn that early fuel cores at Indian Point unit 1 were thorium based.

Whenever there is a public discussion about power plant closures two issues typially arise: grid reliability and "keeping the lights on." Pardon our lack of sympathy here, but the Governor first began publicly advocating for Indian Point's closure ten years ago. Was there no thought given in the ensuing decade to replacing this large, base load resource?

The governors staff says they've identified 2800 MWs of renewable energy sources to replace the electricity from Indian Point. The Champlain Power Express, a DC transmission line from Canada, makes up 1000 MW of that total and is scheduled for 2021 service. It awaits approval. But the county executive of Rockland County talks about it only bring disruption and he favors upgrades at existing, underutilized power stations to pick up some of the slack. So the line may face delays in receiving approval. Keep in mind, as well, that environmentalists have objected to importation of Canadian power. Also uncertain is the Trump administration's positon on NAFTA and trade arrangements with Canada.

Professor Karl Rabago, utility and energy expert at nearby Pace Universitys Energy and Climate Center, commented publicly he was sure that the state could make up for the loss of Indian Points output with a combination of renewables and energy efficiency. And he is probably right. Although his reassurance does not address issues of execution and timing. We will all know the answer in about three years.

The IPEC closure announcement brings up a number of other issues apart from reliability of electricity service in the NY metro region.

First, after a long struggle Entergy Corp. decided to retire these two units. Presumably if they remained profitable Entergy would have persevered. Clearly the power market in New York State is not paying for nuclear powers supposed benefit: no carbon emissions, or at least not enough to keep an old, fully depreciated plant running. Does that imply something is wrong with the market for electricity? Answer: yes. Related: Solar Could Be A Cheaper Power Source Than Coal Within A Decade

Second, although the Federal government has primacy in most energy matters, including nuclear power, states can influence outcomes, especially for environmental reasons. A recent NY Court of Appeals ruling upheld the Cuomo administration's challenge to IPEC's operating license. The appeals court found that the NRC's grant of an operating license had to be viewed in light of the state's coastal management programs. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation had found the plant in violation of coastal manage-ment requirements. Whether this also may also have triggered a plant closure is now moot.

Third, energy planning becomes more difficult when politicians use their influence and public subsidies to open or shut power generating facilities. In the current deregulated environment, no single organization has an obligation to build facilities to ensure reliable service for present as well as future energy users. And New York remains heavily dependent on its aging nuclear infrastructure. Unit 1 at 9 Mile Point is in fact the oldest operating nuclear facility in the US.

The decision to eventually shutter Indian Point seems to us like a long overdue realization that the facility is in the wrong place despite its proximity to one of the biggest electrical load centers in the world. Con Ed executives thought this was a suitable site for a nuclear power station in 1954--two years into Eisenhower's first term as President. And they were probably right given what they knew at the time. Heck, the next year Ford even prototyped a nuclear powered version of its Ranchero, the Nucleon, with optional tail fins.

As for the two full spent fuel pools at the site, they are served by multiple, redundant back up cooling systems. After five years "in the pool" so to speak, irradiated fuel can be relocated to onsite, dry cask storage. A process that began in 2008. Longer term, this is where public focus should shift.

Sooner or later this was going to happen. Either the environmental or the evacuation issues had to be seriously addressed. Politicians of varied stripe can pass the buck. But it stops with us the ratepayers paying some of the highest electricity rates in the country.

By Leonard Hyman and Bill Tilles

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
While development of off-shore wind energy in the United States is still relatively small, interest has been growing as technology becomes more available and demand for renewable energy expands. Prospects for an expansion of wind power in the United States may already be hitting a wall, however, as political resistance to new wind farms on the East Coast threatens to derail the growth of renewable energy.

A wind farm constructed off the coast of North Carolina costing around $400 million is meeting resistance from state lawmakers, who have written to the incoming Trump Administration to block the farm from going online. Funded by Amazon, the 104-turbine farm is expected to produce 208-MW and is meant to power Amazons data centers in Virginia. The farm is located near the town of Elizabeth City.

Lawmakers are arguing that the farm would interfere with a Navy radar installation in the nearby Chesapeake Bay. One congressman has written to the new secretary of Homeland Security, arguing that the wind farm could pose a threat to national security. It is known that Trump himself opposes wind farms, claiming at one point that they pose a threat to birds.

Others have argued that the opposition is chiefly political, that the North Carolina legislature is opposed to an expansion of renewable energy. The Pentagon has refuted claims that the wind farm would pose a threat to national security. The Department of Defense had delayed the project until November 2014, determining at that point that it would pose no threat to military activities in the area, though it did instruct the developer to reduce the number of turbines from 150 to 104.

Economic development boards in Elizabeth City have also come out in opposition to the legislature, with locals arguing that killing the wind farm would cost locals hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue. Related: Why Big Oil Is Unprepared For The Coming Energy War

On January 18, the out-going Obama Administration set aside over 120,000 acres off the coast of Kitty Hawk NC for potential wind farms, according to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). Offshore wind power, despite providing 11,000 MW of power to Europe, is in its infancy in the United States, where cost, competition and political resistance has restrained development. The Obama Administrations enthusiasm for renewable energy provided a spur of sorts for the industry, but the new administration could prove entirely less amenable, particularly when local legislatures offer resistance.

So far, one major wind farm has entered operation off the coast of Rhode Island. The farm generates enough power for seventeen-thousand homes, mostly for areas that were originally cut off from major energy supplies. Leases are being sold for a 79,000 acre spot off of New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a development that would see 2400 MW of offshore wind power by 2030, enough to power 1.25 million homes. The move is partially in anticipation of the shut-down of the Indian Point nuclear power plant in Westchester Country by 2021.

There has been a slow growth in interest in off-shore wind power, much of it in the last year. Sales administered by the BOEM has generated $58 million. Related: Can Saudi Arabia Survive With Oil Below $60?

Leases for the land offered up off the coast have already attracted attention from major developers. Shell is reportedly becoming more interested in green energy, as it transitions away from conventional oil towards natural gas and other fuel sources. In December it won a bid to construct a 700 MW offshore wind farm in the Netherlands, working in partnership with other, more specialized firms.

Now, Shell has been shortlisted for the new North Carolina leases, which will be awarded on 16 March. Statoil is among the other eight companies to be shortlisted, and the Norwegian firm has been expanding its own presence in off-shore wind, securing a lease in New York in December.

The opposition to the Rhode Island wind farm stemmed primarily to locals dissatisfaction at the farms location. Opposition from the North Carolina state legislature may be driven by similar concerns, or it may simply be a sign of the legislators support for the incoming Trump Administration, which seems likely to favor conventional oil and gas over renewables. Its uncertain whether the current slow momentum in off-shore wind in places like North Carolina, New York and Rhode Island will prove lasting.

By Gregory Brew for Oilprice.com

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Faced with international investors concern over Chinas potentially heavy interventions on money and commodity markets, Beijing has quietly postponed, probably by years, the launch of a new crude oil futures contract, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting five sources in the know.

China has had ambitions for years to create a new oil futures contract that would be traded on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange INE, but foreign investors have been recently spooked by Beijings policies for the yuan currency and capital outflows and last years intervention on the volatile commodity markets, according to Reuters sources.

China has been planning the launch of the new contract to add to the global benchmarks, the WTI and Brent, but faced with investor worries, INE has quietly put those plans on the back burner.

INE had been in contact with traders for most of last year, but then went silent at the end of 2016. The launch of the new futures contract is now being considered off the table for a few years, a manager at an international bank told Reuters.

In the middle of 2015, China was hoping that it could launch the new contract by the end of that year.

As this did not happen, the timeline was further pushed, and in March 2016 another delay, this time by government review of INE, postponed the launch of the contract to late 2016.



Related: Has OPEC Seriously Underestimated U.S. Shale Dynamics?

A few months later, officials told S&P Global Platts that the launch was unlikely to happen in 2016 because China wanted stricter regulations to prevent high volatility on the equity and steel markets.

Back then, an official told Platts:

It is unlikely that the contract will be online this year. The contract is priced in yuan and it will be traded internationally. Any wild movements would damage the reputation of the currency, which is being promoted to be an international currency.

Now it seems like international investors concerns have prevailed over the ambitions to launch oil futures contract in China.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Keswick Vineyards

Keswick Vineyards in Virginia won the 2016 Governor's Cup in that state and is one of a dozen and a half wineries now shipping into Pennsylvania.

(Facebook)

RICHMOND, Va. -- Pour yourself a drink and raise a toast to the record 6.6 million bottles of Virginia wine sold last year - an increase of more than 6 percent from 2015.

Officials said Thursday that a new economic impact study shows the state's flourishing wine industry contributes more than $1.37 billion annually to Virginia's economy. This is an increase of 82 percent from the last economic impact study in 2010.

"This new study shows that this growth is being driven by small wineries, which demonstrates that the increased rural economic development is truly beneficial to local communities," Gov. Terry McAuliffe said in a press release.

The Virginia Wine Board commissioned Frank, Rimmerman + Co., an accounting and consulting firm that specializes in wine industry studies, to conduct the 2015 Economic Impact Study of Wine and Wine Grapes on the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The study showed that the number of Virginia wineries jumped 35 percent - from 193 to 261 - between 2010 and 2015. (The number of wineries has since risen to more than 285.)

During the five-year period studied, full-time jobs at wineries and vineyards increased 73 percent, from 4,753 to 8,218, and wages from jobs at wineries and vineyards soared by 87 percent, from $156 million to $291 million.

Tourism to Virginia wineries also grew, from 1.6 million visitors in 2010 to 2.25 million visitors in 2015, the report said.

The number of acres devoted to growing grapes in Virginia increased from 2,700 in 2010 to 3,300 in 2015. The taxes on grape-bearing lands paid to state and local governments jumped from $43 million to $94 million.

"Unlike many industries, once vineyards and wineries are established, they are effectively rooted and tied to their communities," said Basil Gooden, Virginia's secretary of agriculture and forestry. "A Virginia vineyard cannot simply be relocated to another region or outsourced to another country."

Nationwide, the state ranks fifth in the number of wineries and as a wine grape producer, Virginia officials said.

It's also one of a number of states now shipping wine to customers in Pennsylvania. There are approximately 18 Virginia wineries that have been approved for a license to ship, including Trump, Breaux, 2016 Governor's Cup winning Keswick and RdV.

Paul Vigna contributed to this story.
By Doug Whitsett

Note from the author: Oregons state government budgets have been in disarray for nearly two decades. Many of the causes seemed evident to me following my first legislative session. The following opinion was part of my 2005 end of session newsletter.

Anybody that has had the chance to discuss Oregon politics with me for longer than five minutes has probably heard me discuss the crisis that Oregon is facing in terms of the unsustainable rate of public employee compensation. It is NOT a myth dreamt up by some conservative right-wing Republican. The crisis is very real. If we do not act to reverse it, we are in serious trouble.

I wanted to take a few minutes, at the end of a legislative session where this impending crisis was intentionally ignored, to share some thoughts on the issue. It is my hope to create some momentum to deal with the problem in the future.

The simple fact is that Oregon has a structural budget problem. It is very much like a family who has over extended their credit. Many families have experienced the financial and social distress caused by over extending their credit to the point that their earnings may not be able to pay the principle and interest on their debt. It is always much easier to purchase services or products on credit than it is to pay as you go. However, unexpected expenses, or the loss of a job, results in immediate catastrophic financial consequences.

The state of Oregon is currently in that situation. Over time our State has made promises in contracts that incurred huge future debt. The greatest of these promises include public employee retirement benefits and long term commitments to provide medical insurance premium benefits to public employees. No means have been established to adequately fund these debts. Most knowledgeable legislators understand the predicament, but find it politically inexpedient to address the problem.

Public employees generally receive much better employee compensation than their peers in the private sector. In fact, a recent white paper funded by the Oregon Employment Department promotes expansion of state employment as an economic development plan. The paper oxymoronically reasons that creating more state jobs would create economic development because state employees are so much better paid than private sector employees. This paper explains that expansion of public employment would infuse more cash and more buying power into recipient communities. The paper did not address a sustainable means to fund these additional highly paid state jobs.

Nevertheless, public employees are receiving new contracts with biennial pay increases from 8 to 18%, maintaining fully funded health care premium benefits, retaining unfunded retirement benefits, and retaining paid workplace, sick leave, and vacation benefits. This Legislature has not even attempted to address any of these issues that could be described by the following equation:

Unsustainable salary/productivity costs + Unsustainable retirement benefit costs + Unsustainable health care benefit costs +Unsustainable paid leave benefits = Unsustainable administrative costs

This Legislative Assembly has further failed to enact any legislation that would improve employee accountability and productivity or create any sanctions for poor choices or sloth. Sadly, it hasnt even been content to maintain the unsustainable status quo.

Instead, our Democrat controlled Senate passed measures on virtual party line votes that would authorize public employee unions to organize unrepresented employees without a secret ballot vote, and incredibly, that would eliminate the requirement that public employee contracts be in the best interest of the people of Oregon.

Thankfully, these public employee union promoted measures were stopped in the Republican controlled House.

Note from the editor: What follows is additional thoughts from the author, which were written addressing the PERS deficits being faced in 2017.

During the ensuing dozen years, the legislative majority has steadfastly refused to address, or even acknowledge most of these problems. Worse, at the request of public employee unions it has taken actions and enacted legislation that have virtually ensured the current fiscal crisis.

It has enacted the card check law allowing union formation without a secret ballot vote and passed legislation authorizing state compensation contracts that are not in the best interest of the public. It even authorized only for the benefit of collective bargaining state employees to avoid the constitutional cap on the number of public employees the state may hire.

The Legislative Assembly has continued to budget for double digit biennial salary increases and expanded employee paid vacation, paid sick leave and paid personal leave. The unfunded public employee retirement debt has been allowed to continue to spiral out of control. No effective means has been identified to control the escalating costs of public employee health insurance.

According to data from the Department of Administrative Services and our Legislative Fiscal Office, the mean compensation for Oregon state employees now exceeds $80,000 per year. Even that bloated figure does not include the cost of paid leave. Incredibly, the state neither calculates those costs nor includes them in their employee cost ledgers.

Meanwhile, our Democrat Governors and legislative majorities appear to remain in abject denial. Those Governors have continually asked for more state employees and the legislative majorities have complied by authorizing the positions and the funding to pay them.

All these factors have strongly influenced our alleged nearly $2 billion budget shortfall. An astute citizen might ask how it is possible to have a budget deficit when the state is predicted to have as much as $1.7 billion more to spend than ever before in its history.

The obvious answer is we cant.

The evident cause of the problem is sustained out of control spending. Nevertheless, Governor Kate Browns suggested budgets propose to continue the spending binge. She asks the Legislative Assembly to authorize more than $3 billion more spending than ever before in the history of our state.

Just her proposed increase equates to about $3,000 for each Oregon family of four. How many Oregon families have the option to increase their spending $3,000 for the coming biennium?
Donald Trump became 45th president of US

Donald Trump became the 45th president of United States on Friday, and placed the battle against "radical Islamic terrorism" at the heart of his foreign policy, vowing to work with allies to destroy the militant threat.



We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth, he declared.



The 70-year-old Republican billionaire placed his left hand on a bible used by Abraham Lincoln and recited the 35-word oath spoken since George Washington, and then launched into a much-anticipated inaugural address.



We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and restore its promise for all of our people,



Trump told a crowd of hundreds of thousands massed on the National Mall.



Together we will determine the course of America, and the world, for many, many years to come, he said. From this day forward, it's going to be only America first.



Trump's inauguration caps the improbable rise to power of the Manhattan real estate mogul, who had never before held elected office, served in the government or the armed forces.



A crowd of hundreds of thousands looked on, including outgoing president Barack Obama and Trump's defeated election opponent Hillary Clinton - who narrowly missed out on becoming America's first female president.



When Trump descended the escalators of his glitzy New York tower in June 2015, his run for office was dismissed and even mocked.



His staff, many shunned by friends for supporting a man who has been labeled a racist and bigot by his critics, will become power players in the White House.



In the primaries, Trump dominated a crowded Republican presidential field with smash-mouth rhetoric and star power. He rode that same wave of anti-elite sentiment to victory over Clinton in the November election.



For Trump's critics, there was disbelief that a man who 19 months ago hosted The Apprentice is now leader of the free world.



At 70 years of age, Trump is the oldest man ever to begin work in the Oval Office.



He has vowed to tear up Obama's policies and re-examine decades-old alliances with Europe and in Asia. Beginning Friday, his team plans a rolling series of daily executive orders to roll back Obama's agenda.



His inauguration was notably more sparsely attended than that of Obama in 2009 and 2013.



Many will look to Trump's inaugural speech for efforts to unify a country divided by politics - and increasingly, by culture.



The most noted inaugural addresses had sought to lift Americans' gaze up from the rancor and troubles of the day toward the horizon and a better tomorrow.



Inaugural addresses - from Lincoln to John F. Kennedy - echo across American history. Phrases like malice towards none and ask not what your country can do for you have been carved into the vernacular.



Trump aides promised an address that is at once short - at around 20 minutes - and philosophical.



Earlier in the day, Trump had traced the steps of many presidents past, attending a prayer service at St. John's Church before heading to the White House, where he was greeted warmly by Obama.



Mr President-elect, how are you? Obama asked his successor, after having deposited a letter in the Resolute desk and left the Oval Office for the last time.



After his speech, Trump will attend a luncheon inside the Capitol, before heading back to the White House to begin the business of governing.



Vandalism erupts at anti-Trump protest

Police fired gas to disperse protesters after stones were thrown and windows broken in Washington on Friday ahead of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.



As Trump, his supporters, former presidents and other dignitaries gathered on the National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony, opponents marched in nearby streets and were confronted by a heavy police presence.



Most of the noisy protests - including those by an array of anti-racist, feminist, pro-immigration, anti-war and marijuana legalisation groups - were peaceful.



But in at least one incident, black clad youths emerged from the crowds to smash windows in a bank and fast food outlet and throw stones, as riot police deployed pepper spray.



Marchers chanted: No deportation, no KKK, no fascist USA! A 27-year-old financial worker from Tampa Bay in Florida, who did not want to give his name for fear of retaliation by his employer, said Trump's election victory had left him fearful. There is nothing to hope for except for grassroots efforts to oppose him, he told AFP.



Public interest lawyer Renee Steinhagen, 61, came down from New York to protest against Trump's inauguration. I'm doing this to express resistance to the change that await us, she said.
Govt established Pakistan Development Fund: Ishaq Dar

KARACHI: Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Friday that the government had established a Pakistan Development Fund aimed at financing multibillion dollar infrastructure development projects in the country.



We would soon be coming to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to mobilise funds, he said, adding that the International Finance Corporation and others had indicated their interest in participating in the Fund. We will continue to forge ahead with or without other partners for PDF which is a great indicator of Pakistans progressive direction.



Mr Dar was speaking at a ceremony held to mark the signing of the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) of 40pc strategic equity stake of PSX, with a Chinese consortium and local financial institutions. The consortium had won by placing the highest bid of Rs28 per share for 320 million shares at the total price consideration of Rs8.96 billion ($85m) when the stake was put on the table in December. The consortium comprises the Chinese Financial Futures Exchange Company Ltd (lead bidders), Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and two local partners Pak-China Investment Company and Habib Bank Ltd.



The PSX also plans to launch infrastructure bonds which would be predominantly used for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.



The minister talked at length about the improvement in economic indicators during the term of the present government.



The economy should be delinked from politics, he urged with oblique reference to political opponents.



Mr Dar also referred to the Companies Ordinance, 2016, which was rejected by the Senate. Although conceding it was the prerogative of the parliaments upper house, he said the ordinance would have forced citizens to declare their assets abroad.



It might take another 3-4 months for it to become law or we can get the ordinance approved during a joint session of parliament, he asserted.



Mr Dar said the strategic agreement with the Chinese consortium was a dream come true for him. Besides being the best market in Asia and fifth best among global bourses in 2016 on the basis of returns, the PSX had after the divestment graduated to regional market, he said.



He expressed the hope that the decision by the Chinese consortium to venture into Pakistans capital market would bring benefits to both sides.



Divestment will result in institutional shareholding, experienced ownership and good governance for PSX which will translate into organised and robust development of the exchange, he affirmed. Divestment, he said, would also result in reduced conflict of interest, strengthening of governance and new product development and opportunities for technological partnership. Appreciating the role of regulators in the successful conclusion of divestment, he said that the regulators must carry on the reform agenda.



Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said the occasion marked a new step in all-round cooperation between the two countries.



It is a win-win situation for both sides, the ambassador said and added that the partnership would assist in financial integration, investment financing and generate credit for CPEC. It comes at a significant moment when we are pushing forward CPEC to deepen cooperation and sustainable development in China-Pakistan all-weather friendship.



Hu Zhang, chief executive officer of the Chinese Financial Futures Exchange, said the strategic deal was completed after over eight months of negotiations and it was now off to a good start.



The deal has the blessings of China Regulatory Commission (CRC) as it lays foundation for tomorrow, he said. He read out a message of the CRC chairman who called the deal a manifestation of deeper relationship and a step for strengthening China-Pak economic relationship.



Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan chairman Zafarul Haq Hijazi observed that the partnership with the Chinese consortium would be crucial in bringing the governance and regulatory structure of the exchange on a par with global standards.



The investors will bring improved governance, state-of-the-art technology, managerial experience, investor base and listing and product development opportunities, thereby increasing visibility and improving marketability of PSX, he hoped.



Others who spoke included State Bank Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra, PSX chairman Muneer Kamal, PSX divestment committee chairman Shehzad Chamdia and former PSX chairman Arif Habib.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
Activities within the Kumasi metropolis are expected to bounce back today, following the burial of the late queen mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem ( the second).



The late queen mother was finally laid to rest yesterday, in line with the customs and traditions of the Ashanti Kingdom.



The final funeral rites which begun last Monday, disrupted both commercial and academic work, but the situation is expected to turnaround beginning today. Yesterday, the Kumasi Metropolis was virtually a ghost town as commercial activity was barred from 8pm until 4 am today.



Transport operators who ply the Accra Kumasi route recorded low patronage at the various stations in Accra due to the the ban on trading activities by the Asantehene. With the funeral rites now over, it is anticipated that things will return to normalcy.



The four day funeral rites, saw President Akufo- Addo and other dignitaries pay their last respect to Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem ( the second) who died in November last year.

Source: Citifmonline









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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The Komla Dumor Foundation in partnership with the World Bank Ghana Office, has organised the third anniversary memorial lecture for the former BBC Broadcaster Komla Dumor focusing on the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting.



Mr Edmund Fianko, Manager, Engineering at the National Communications Authority (NCA) leading the discussion emphasised that the digital transmission had a lot of benefit to the consumer.



He explained that: In digital, the programme production is encoded or compressed, in this process redundant information is taken out so at the receiving end, the images are decoded.



But in analogue programme, one television station is transmitted on one frequency but because of compression a number of Television stations can be transmitted on one frequency.



In terms of quality, analogue still shows poor quality images. Digital transmission includes a modulation technique, which addresses quality issues and makes an accommodation for errors. If the errors are too much to be addressed, you will get the feedback: no signal he said.



Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister Designate for Communications, said: The digital dispensation is expected to provide a higher number of radio and television programme channels.



It will also lead to clearer sound and quality pictures reduce operational cost for broadcaster and also provide more efficient use of the spectrum. The efficiency of spectrum use will also contribute to digital dividend.



She said a portion of digital terrestrial would be allocated for mobile broadband services.



Mr Akwasi Agyemang, President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association urged policy makers to deal with challenges that associated with the digital transition to ensure that consumers in the country benefit to the country.



He said: Besides ownership of television stations being a problem, digital migration policy has not been finalised, and the distribution mechanism of signals is also not known. Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Migration Board has had only one meeting.



He therefore called for fast tracking of the mechanism to deal with these challenges to ensure that Ghanaians benefit for the migration.



Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere, former Chairman of the National Media Commission also identified financing as another major challenge facing the digital migration in addition the infrastructure we have today cannot support the drive we want to achieve in Ghana with technology importation being a problem.



Paul Crystal-Djirackor, Chief Executive Officer of Crystal RadioVision Network however noted that in order for Ghana to maximise benefits, planning was key.



We need to plan, create a frequency bank, and protect the spectrum. We harmonised the standards in region and the world and agreed we will migrate by (DTT), he said.



Professor Kwame Karikari, former Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, who chaired the forum, said Ghana had been practicing broadcasting without legislation for more than 20 years.



Inability to clearly formulate policy and enforce policies and legislation is a problem in Ghana. And in this kind of technological stage, such attitude will be detrimental to the country.



He added that there were bits and pieces of policies and pronouncements captured and decision makers should set up a body to bring all together, policy and legislation must converge.



The memorial lecture was also used as platform to discuss the processes required for Ghana to meet the deadline, June 17, 2020 for migrating onto the Very High Frequency (VHF) Band.



Other panelists include; Dr Kwame A. Boakye, a Computer Scientist; Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Member of Parliament for Ofoase-Ayirebi in the Eastern Region and Broadcast Journalist.



Komla Dumor, a BBC broadcast journalist, passed away on January 18, 2014, in London.



The Komla Dumor Memorial Foundation was set up by the Dumor Family to sustain the legacy of Komla Dumor with aim of promoting excellence in journalism with particular emphasis on broadcast journalism, and initiate programmes for the development of the African youth.







Source: GNA









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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Sunnyside resident featured in 'Aviation for Women' magazine

Amanda Lauria and her dad John, after a flight.

(Third-Party-Submitted)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Aviation is in Sunnyside resident Amanda Lauria's blood. The 19-year-old has been flying with her dad, John, since she was an infant.

Amanda Lauria in front of an A-10 Warthog at the Joint Base McGuire Airshow last May

"I introduced Amanda to flying when she was very young and she always enjoyed helping out. She took a pinch hitters course when she turned 16. This course teaches non-pilots the basics in the event of an emergency. That's when she really fell in love with flying. We then gave her flying lessons as a high school graduation gift and she has taken it from there," gushes Amanda's proud dad.

With a passion for both travel and fashion, the St. Joseph Hill Academy grad has already been published in "Aviation for Women Magazine," where she penned a story titled "Both Types of Runways."

The daughter of Susan and John Lauria says she enjoys traveling with her family, friends, and even on her own around Europe, Asia and Australia.

"A few years back, I traveled to Tokyo for three short days. I immediately fell in love with the culture as a whole. I then went on a search for different Asian cities that gave me the same spark and inspiration that I felt back in Tokyo," Amanda says.

Amanda Lauria and her dad, John, after a flight.

She goes on to explain she encountered many amazing places and cultures, but it was not until Seoul, Korea, that her fashion career changed forever.

In her blog she points out: "Here in Seoul, I have done the best shopping of my entire life. With much excitement I share with you my shopping day in Garosu-gil, the 'Soho of Seoul.'"

She continues: "Similar to the Japanese, Koreans never leave the house underdressed. Especially around shopping areas, everyone is ready for photos to be taken of them. In the spirit of the culture, I jumped right on in."

FYI: Amanda's a sophomore at the Fashion Institute of Technology and is delighted to shout news of her working towards her private pilot's license.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As life expectancy increases worldwide, and the number of centenarians rise rapidly in the future, this distinguished group of super-seniors are among the fastest-growing segment of the entire population -- with numbers doubling every decade.

Those who've reached the magnificent milestone oftentimes share the same characteristics: They are happy, optimistic and forgiving -- personality traits that seem to be significant factors in achieving longevity.

The above certainly holds true for an illustrious centenarian by the name of Winifred Flannigan -- and we'd like to tell you a little about this incredibly sharp and stylish senior.

Winifred made her debut into the world on Jan. 27 1915.

According to Winifred's daughter, Gail Flannigan, the former president of the Staten Island Hospital Nurses Association celebrated her 102nd birthday with wit and wisdom at Eger Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, the Egbertville health care facility she calls home.

She adds: "For the past two years, my classmates from St. Joseph Hill Academy '64 and Georgian Court University '68, have sent over 100 cards each year to reach the goal of 100 cards for each year of her life. Winifred has become their collective 'mother,' and has embraced this titular role because she says she has enough love to go around and then some. I can attest to that."

Gail goes on to explain it's been some time since the last annual luncheon was held at LiGreci's Staaten, in 2009, to commemorate the first graduating class from Wagner College of the Staten Island Hospital Nurses.

"The dwindling numbers of the original nurses dating back to 1936 'probies' eventually came down to a one-hand count for the yearly reunion, and then finally disbanded due to members moving to Florida, health challenges, and the absence of the registered nurses who are no longer 'on call' here in the earthly realm," she says.



She further explains when Winifred was in third grade at PS 14, her teacher, Miss Cusick, asked everyone in the class what they wanted to be when they grew up. When her turn came, Winifred spoke without hesitation.

"I want to be a nurse," said she.

Never wavering from that calling, she inspired and cared for hundreds of Staten Islanders as a private duty registered nurse affiliated with the former Staten Island Hospital in Tompkinsville.



Winifred was the last president of the alumnae group.

"She was never voted out when she went into Eger after a fall and broken femur in 2009, and then was confined to the nursing home thereafter, having to give up her independent lifestyle and driving her blue Mazda at the age of 94 with an unblemished driving record," says Gail. "The position of President that she held was respectfully frozen in time. No one wished to replace her, and rightfully so."

Winifred was the eldest member of the nurses group, when the youngest in attendance was 83. "There are a few remaining alumnae, thankfully," says she.



Winifred is part of a past whose stories and memories are a shining example of what Staten Islanders were back in the day.

Nurses wore pristine white uniforms, caps, shoes, and even white stockings, along with a navy blue cape and gold pendant pin with the embossed image of the hospital. They deferred to the doctor in charge, but moved silently behind the scenes to bring comfort and care without ego. That was what nurses were, and that is what they did without much recognition.



Winifred is beloved by all and is travels throughout the halls at Eger, and outside on the patio in better weather, stopping with her walker to greet all residents.

In further discussing her mom, Gail points out that despite needing her hearing aids, which vanity prevents her from using, she fills her day with reading novels and, always daily, the Staten Island Advance! She says the articles are always a lively way to engage Winifred in discussion, whether it's concerning the Wheel, outlets, traffic, crime on Staten Island that was unheard of in her day, or current political events -- as long as that does not get nasty.



Winifred immigrated to the United States from Britain at the age of nine, and married her childhood sweetheart, Charles, who lived across the street in the Stapleton neighborhood where she grew up.

The family then moved to Pickersgill Avenue in Arrochar where she lived independently for 60 years and later with a series of canine companions, following her beloved husband's death.

"She loves her life and accepts change, never complaining because she is so well cared for and has 'nothing to worry about.' She is about being positive, and says that is why she has lived this long. Her mother died at 102, good British stock," Gail exclaims.



Happy 102nd birthday, Winifred!

CELEBRATIONS - JAN. 22 AND 23

Happy birthday Sunday to Mike Falco, Lisa Ferragano, Amanda Heyward, Theresa Furnari Scott, Vincent Lucchese, Vincent Mazza and twins, Jared and Lindsay Baskin.

Happy wedding anniversary Sunday to to Jessie and Frank Dillon who celebrate their 24th and to Edithann and Stephen Bradway.

Monday is birthday time for Ken Paulsen, Salvatore Sutera, of Great Kills, Mary Scano, Thomas Scarcella, Karen Mandel, triplets Peter, Kristen and Nicole SanFilippo and twins Christina and Gina Petruzzi.
This blog will focus on political images I have found all around the Internet, though I will intersperse some commentary and quotes that I find interesting.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed "Adventure NY" program apparently would include "creation of a hut-to-hut trail system" linking communities in the Adirondack Park with state Forest Preserve land, said William Janeway, executive director the Adirondack Council, an environmental lobbying group.

The Adventure NY program would "improve access to state lands, rehabilitate campgrounds, and upgrade state Department of Environmental Conservation recreational facilities," according to budget documents.

According to Janeway, state DEC Commissioner Basil Segos has said the Laura DiBetta, formerly of Parks & Trails New York, a statewide advocacy organization, would direct the program, if the state Legislature approves the program and funding.

"We've worked with Laura DiBetta at Parks & Trails New York for years. She does great work and has the skills to improve the state's recreational facilities for everyone," Janeway said. "We are confident that Laura understands how special the Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve are."
WASHINGTON D.C.  During a media interview this afternoon alt-right founder Richard Spencer, in the nation's capital for inaugural events, was punched in the face by a masked assailant who swooped in front of the camera and clocked Spencer in the cheek.

Just before he was attacked, the self-avowed white nationalist was heckled by bystanders.

"Are you a neo-Nazi?"

"Do you hate blacks?"

Spencer smiled and said, no to both questions. And then someone in the crowd asked him what was on his lapel. She was referring to a Pepe the Frog pin, the alt-right symbol often used to disparage Jews and African Americans.

When Spencer looked down at his lapel, the attacker moved in.

A few weeks ago, I interviewed Spencer by phone regarding his controversial platform and his goal to restore what he calls post-America to its white roots. We talked about the University of Virginia, his goals in life and how he believes what he is doing is a way to honor his European heritage. He denies accusations that he is a racist, a fascist, a white supremacist.

He told me he was tired of young white men getting passed up for jobs and opportunities and he was out to change the world. It all starts with consciousness. Consciousness is everything. All I want to do is change the way people think, Spencer said.

Earning a reputation for wearing expensive suits and Hitler youth haircut, Spencer is smooth in his academic approach to his white nationalist beliefs. He often wraps his rhetoric in historical and poetic contexts.

Unlike some white supremacy groups, those following Spencer, follow his fashin sense, also wearing suits and donning the familiar haircut. And he told me he was happy the alt-right had a haircut and a look.

When Spencer saluted then president-elect Trump at a National Policy Institute conference in Washington, D.C. shortly after the election, he was catapulted into the international spotlight.

With his right arm extended forward Mussolini and Hitler style, he cried out, Hail Trump. Hail our people, hail victory.

And the crowd cheered, returning Seig Heil cries and salutes to their white nationalist leader.

As part of reporting my story, I talked to Marilyn Mayo, an Anti-Defamation League investigator who said that Spencers style of white supremacy was dangerous because he was repackaging hate to make it seem acceptable.

So I asked him about Mayos comment.

She said you are dangerous, is this true?

Spencer quickly agreed.

Changing the way people think is dangerous, he said. Its dangerous for me too.

And perhaps it is after all.
GLENS FALLS  American Legion Post 233 and Sons of American Legion Squadron 233 of Glens Falls announced a new series of What You Need to Know community forums designed to increase awareness of noteworthy people and public services.

The series begins Wednesday at the Greater Glens Falls Salvation Army community center, 37 Broad St., Glens Falls, with Warren County Director of Emergency Services Brian LaFlure discussing emergency preparedness.

Desserts, soft drinks and coffee will be served at 6 p.m., and the program begins at 6:45 p.m.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer session.

The forum is open to the public for an optional donation of $5 or more to benefit American Legion school and community programs.

A donation is not required to attend.

On March 1, the program will feature students that have been interviewing Holocaust survivors.

On April 5, the program will feature Warren County Undersheriff Shawn Lamouree.
THURMAN  The new three-member majority now constitutes the entire Thurman Town Board, as both Supervisor Evelyn Wood and board member Jey Youngblood resigned on Friday.

In a blistering four-page letter, Wood accused the three-member majority of violating the states Open Meetings Law by meeting in secret without knowledge of the public or even the other two board members. She said resolutions are being passed without people being able to read them ahead of time.

New members Cynthia Hyde and Kathy Templeton and veteran member Michael Eddy met with the towns attorney, Mark Schachner, ahead of the 6:30 p.m. scheduled time for the Jan. 10 meeting to discuss resolutions they planned to bring forward.

Wood said previously that neither she nor Youngblood were aware of this meeting.

That is an issue, according to Kristin ONeill, assistant director of the state Committee on Open Government.

Its not OK that they dont let all the board members know, she said.

Also in the letter, Wood called the new board the worst and most destructive board she had ever seen, with questionable behavior and difficulty resolving problems such as potential fines from the state Department of Environmental Conservation for the salt contamination issue.

Wood accused Hyde of stealing more than $7,000 worth of garbage bags that went missing while she was the town clerk. The matter has been turned over to the authorities, she said. She also criticized Eddy for his involvement in being the caretaker of the Moeller family, which is suing the town to close down Bear Pond Road. Eddy put up a gate at the property and Wood said he sent the police to arrest her when the town took it down. The Moellers are suing the town over access to the site.

She also criticized Templeton for not turning over donations from the Jack Wax Party to the American Cancer Society in a timely fashion. Templeton had told the board she sent the check to the organization, and two days later she turned in $2,034 in cash to the organization. Wood said the town has no way of knowing if the money would have been turned in had the town not inquired.

Wood said she wanted to step out of the way and let people who supported the three-member majority have their way.

So for those of who worked so hard to achieve this letter I sincerely hope it is the culmination of your dreams because now your work begins. Congratulations. The fate of our town rests solely in your hands and you dont even know how to log in to the computer or read a financial report and none of the current board members is available to run the town every day, Wood wrote.

Wood was halfway through her latest two-year term, which is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2017. The board could appoint somebody to the vacant seat or wait until the November election.

It puts the town in a predicament, but as far as Im concerned, its good for the town, Eddy said.

Wood was not present Friday evening for a previously scheduled meeting to audit the towns books.

Susan Shepler ran the first part of the meeting in her role as deputy supervisor. After the board did a half-hour review of the court clerk and town clerks books and authorized the cutting of a $6,284.68 check for repairs a wood chipper, Hyde made a motion to eliminate the deputy supervisor position, which prompted an outcry from the audience.

Youngblood questioned why this was happening now.

Eddy said the board can designate one of its members to serve in an emergency.

The board voted 3-1 to eliminate the position, with Youngblood voting no.

Since this position has been abolished, I see no need for me to sit up any longer, Shepler said.

Eddy then made a motion that Hyde be the temporary chairperson of the meeting.

Hyde was also given the authority to sign checks and payroll for the next week. She called a special meeting for Thursday at 7 p.m. to discuss any issues facing the town.

Youngblood then read a statement, saying he had run for the board because he wanted to make a difference. However, he does not believe that is possible because the members cannot find common ground.

Personally, I do not feel that I can best help the town in this endeavor as a board member. I thank those of you who have supported me. Your support has been heartfelt and appreciated, he said and was given a standing ovation.

When asked how the board would fill the vacancies, Hyde said the board is going to get through this week and then meet on Thursday.

As for Woods allegations, Hyde responded: I assure you, I am not a thief. She alleges a lot of things.

She said she had not even read Woods letter in its entirety.

Templeton said she mailed the check to the American Cancer Society, but for some reason it was not received. She did not know that until it was brought up at the December board meeting. She brought cash over to the organization within a few days of being informed of the situation.

Templeton said she was shocked by the dual resignations.

We need to seek guidance form our town counsel as to where to go from here, she said. I just got sworn into office three weeks ago.

Hyde said she would rebut Woods allegations in due time, but they were untrue.

Wood was the towns cemetery superintendent before being elected supervisor in 2010 over Thomas Birdsall. Wood ran unopposed in 2011 and was re-elected again in 2013 and 2015, defeating former Supervisor John Haskell and Hyde, respectively.

During her tenure, Wood has made controversial decisions on the board, including contracting with Warrensburg for the towns emergency medical services. Thurman EMS eventually shut down, citing a lack of financial support and staffing. The town also eliminated garbage pickup in an effort to stay under the tax cap.

Wood helped implement white space internet. Eddy and others criticized her for pushing the issue. Eddy also criticized the slow cleanup of the contamination from the towns old salt shed, which has affected residents water supplies.

Its just starting to get done. That should have been taken care of four or five years ago and why wasnt it? Because of white space, he said.

Eddy said the town had terminated the former operator of the white space system and hired Viking Electric, which is not equipped to run the system. Viking Electric has submitted a letter of resignation.

Bolton Supervisor Ron Conover, chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said he was disappointed that Wood was stepping down and she will be missed.

She has been a strong advocate for staying below the tax cap and controlling spending, and she has been involved in challenges such as the privatization of the Westmount Health Facility and the aquatic invasive species initiative.

Theres very little thats happened at the (county) board level over the last six or seven years that she hasnt participated in, he said.

Wood served as chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee and Conover said he would be tapping Queensbury at-large Supervisor Ron Montesi to take over.

Conover is still trying to determine how he would fill Woods spot on the other committees.

Wood is the second consecutive Thurman supervisor to resign abruptly in the middle of the term.

Lawrence Red Pitkin resigned at the end of July 2010 because of personal health issues. Deputy Supervisor James Ligon also resigned at the time following a contentious issue over the dismissal of the part-time Youth Commission director and the near-hiring of Pitkins wife in the position.
A vote in the Senate education committee on Betsy DeVos nomination for education secretary tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday has been delayed by one week. On Friday, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the committee chairman, announced that the vote will now take place on Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.

DeVos confirmation hearing, held on Tuesday, got rocky at several points. She appeared confused that there was a federal law covering students with disabilities, and baffled Democratic senatorsand many teachers on social mediawhen she said that a remote rural school might need guns to keep out grizzly bears.

The votes delay comes one day after DeVos completed and filed a lengthy financial disclosure of her assets with the Office of Government Ethics. DeVos also sent a letter to a designated ethics official at the U.S. Department of Education outlining how she will move to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest due to her investments. Democrats on the committee have kept up a steady drumbeat of concerns about DeVos potential conflicts because of her and he families various holdings.

The committee has received Betsy DeVoss paperwork from the Office of Government Ethics. She has completed the committees paperwork, answered questions for 3.5 hours at her confirmation hearing, met privately with the members of the committee, and she will now spend the coming days answering senators written questions for the record, said a spokesperson for Alexander.

An Alexander spokesperson said the delay was made In order to give each Senator time to review the agreement letter from DeVos regarding her conflicts of interest.

Alexander had previously said that the committee vote on DeVos to send her nomination to the full Senate would take place Jan. 24, assuming her ethics paperwork cleared by Friday.

Before news of the delayed vote, Eli Zupnick, a spokesman for Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the committees top Democrat, said the nominees Jan. 19 ethics letter and disclosure werent enough to fully clear the air around DeVos.

Senator Murray has also not yet received answers to her questions about missing information in Ms. DeVos Committee financial disclosure. And Committee Democrats have sent Ms. DeVos a number of reasonable questions for the record that she committed to answer and that they expect clear and complete responses to, Zupnick said in a statement.

So is the DeVos nomination in trouble? No, a GOP aide said. This is all theater for the Dems to prove they are mad, the aide said. They can beat their chests and gnash their teeth but Betsy DeVos will easily get confirmed before Valentines Day.

DeVos only needs a simple majority of senators to support her, so if all 52 Republicans vote for her, she will be confirmed.

On Friday, after being inaugurated, President Donald Trump seemed uncertain of which cabinet position he appointed Betsy toyou can see a short video clip of this below (hat-tip Lauren Camera of U.S. News and World Report, our former Education Week colleague.)

President Trump seems unsure as to which cabinet position he nominated a Betsy for. pic.twitter.com/2T3KPbNKYd  Lauren S. Camera (@laurenonthehill) January 20, 2017

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
Just what is the best approach to getting more 3rd graders reading on grade level has become the subject of a dispute between local and state officials and between political parties in New Mexico.

New Mexico has a law that allows, but doesnt require, students to be retained if they are behind in 3rd grade reading. Earlier this month, the Land of Enchantments education department released information showing that most of the states 3rd graders werent proficient on a state reading testand that more than 96 percent of those students were promoted to the 4th grade anyway.

The states education secretary, Hanna Skandera, said that most students parents hadnt received a letter from school officials notifying them that their childs reading levels werent where they should be, the Associated Press reported.

But school districts pushed back against Skanderas assertion that the states parents dont know whats going on, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports. Officials from several school districts said the state law doesnt require them to send official letters notifying parents, and that districts communicated the information to parents in other ways.

New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, a Republican, has supported bills that would make retention for those 3rd graders who dont score proficient on a reading test mandatory. This year, she mentioned 3rd grade reading in her State of the State address . A Republican representative told the Santa Fe New Mexican that another bill that would prohibit social promotion and require 3rd graders to pass the test will likely be introduced this session. But Democratswho make up the majority of the states House and Senatehave vowed to oppose it again.

Theres a reason New Mexicans are concerned about reading. The state has among the lowest adult literacy rates in the country, and its K-12 education system was recently ranked 49th in the country on Education Weeks Quality Counts report . The states legislature is considering bills that would address a budget crunch by cutting spending on K-12 schools, among other things.

As of last October, 16 states and the District of Columbia require students who arent reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade to be retained, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures . Fourteen of those allow some exceptions, and eight additional states (including New Mexico) allow students to be retained for not being proficient at the end of 3rd grade but dont require it.

As in New Mexico, such laws have often proved controversial. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed a new 3rd grade reading law in October , but the law attracted criticism along the way. A group of Florida parents led an online campaign against using reading test scores to determine retention.

In Mississippi, a law that created a 3rd grade reading gate was recently strengthenedstudents must not score in either of the bottom two categories on the states standardized test in order to pass the grade, unless they fall into a few excepted categories such as having an IEP or being an English-language learner. The state just joined the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading , a national set of efforts to improve early literacy. But many parents have raised concerns about the law , saying there had to be a better way to get more students reading earlier.

And theres often variation in how schools and districts implement such policies. My colleague Liana Heitin reported on North Carolinas literacy law in 2015 and found that most students who hadnt passed the test werent actually repeating 3rd grade.

My colleague Sarah Sparks reported that research suggests that holding students back may not have positive academic effects, and that some students are still developing reading skills later in elementary school.

Related stories:
Wisconsin and Wyoming have been notified by the U.S. Department of Education that they cannot win approval to use the ACT to measure high school achievement until they submit substantial amounts of evidence supporting its use.

The two states learned of the education departments decision in letters in December and January.

Those letters came as part of the departments peer review process, which requires states to undergo periodic, detailed evaluation of their assessment systems. Peer review has been in place under the previous two versions of the federal education law, the No Child Left Behind Act and the Improving Americas Schools Act of 1994, and continues under the newest version, the Every Student Succeeds Act.

ESSA allows states to substitute nationally recognized high school tests such as the ACT or SAT instead of their own state tests to measure secondary school achievement. But states must win the approval of the federal departments peer reviewers, just as they must do for the assessments they use in elementary and middle school.

In the most recent round of the peer-review process, Wisconsin and Wyoming both ran into problems getting full approval for their use of the ACT. Thirty-eight states submitted some or all of their assessment systems for review last year, but the decision letters for Wyoming and Wisconsin are the only ones to emerge so far with feedback on the ACT.

Sixteen states require all juniors to take the ACT. A few of thoseincluding Wyoming and Wisconsinuse the ACT as a federal accountability test at the high school level.

Both states received letters from the U.S. Department of Education saying it could not approve their use of the ACT until the states supplied substantial additional information and specific kinds of evidence backing up its use. In the meantime, the letters said, the federal department would place conditions on part of the states federal Title I funding allocations, and would hold quarterly progress calls with them to track their progress.

ACT spokesman Ed Colby said the company is eager to assist Wyoming and Wisconsin in supplying the needed information to the U.S. Department of Education. He noted that many other states testing systems also were rated less than substantially meets requirementsthe standard of approval in the peer-review process. Typically, states work with the department over a period of months to provide the evidence requested until the department is satisfied that their assessment systems are valid for their intended use.

The current peer review letters dont state that the ACT is not compliant, Colby wrote in an email. They simply state that there are some aspects and additional data that US ED wants to see. We intend to support those states in responding to requests for more information.

The Education Departments letter to Wyoming requested documentation that independent alignment studies were conducted showing that the ACT fully reflects the states academic content standards. It also wanted documentation on the accommodations provided to students with special needs who take the ACT (which has been a sore subject for both the ACT and College Board) . Additionally, U.S. education officials asked Wyoming to provide evidence that the ACTas well as its own state tests, the Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students, or PAWSwas administered with fidelity to test administration procedures.

The U.S. Department of Educations letter to Wisconsin asked the state for evidence that the ACT measures the full range of the states academic content standards. Like the letter to Wyoming, this letter also asked for independent evidence of alignment between the ACT and the states standards. The letter also asks Wisconsin to provide evidence to support its use of ACT results to report writing and reading scores for accountability purposes.

Wisconsins letter also raised the question of whether some students might have been disadvantaged on the ACT. Federal officials asked it to provide differential item functioning analyses that show whether certain kinds of questions, such as essays or performance tasks, function differently for relevant student groups.

The state must also supply evidence showing that aspects of the exam do not provide inappropriate barriers for measuring the achievement of all students. It must clarify what specific accessibility tools are available to all students, including students with disabilities, and demonstrate that it has a process to determine that the accommodations it provides allow fair access for English-learners and students with special needs.

The letter to Wisconsin raised another issue: whether there is too much variation in the way different scorers score the writing tests, a phenomenon the assessment world calls inter-rater reliability. Wisconsin must submit evidence about the way scorers were trained, and how range-finding"establishing what performance should look like in specific score bandswas performed.




















Anti-Christian attacks in France rose by 38 per cent in 2016, a pressure group has said.





The Observatoire de la Christianophobie said instances of Christianophobic attacks in France rose from 273 in 2015 to 376 in 2016, with a significant number happening in December. These include attacks on churches, other places of worship, and threats on social media. Examples include blasphemous graffiti on the interior of one church and an attack on the figure of Christ at a memorial to Catholics killed in the First World War in the town of Fournes-en-Weppes.





The most notorious anti-Christian attack, however, was the martyrdom of Fr Jacques Hamel at the hands of two Islamists while celebrating Mass at his church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray. Fr Hamel reportedly shouted Be gone, Satan! as the men slit his throat, something Archbishop Dominique Lebrun mentioned in his tribute to him. In a memorial service with members of the Muslim community present, the archbishop explicitly addressed others who may be tempted by extremism. You who are tormented by diabolical violence, you who are drawn to kill by a demonic, murderous madness, pray to God to free you from the devils grip, he said. We pray for you, we pray to Jesus who healed all those who were under the power of evil.

There is increasing evidence the rise of Islamist violence in France is leading to a cultural reawakening of the countrys Catholic community, long silenced by the Republics strict secularism laws.

Frances Jewish community has also suffered increasing anti-Semitic attacks in recent years, leading to record numbers of Jews leaving the country for Israel.

Nearly 8,000 Jews left the country in 2015, a number far higher than any other country in Europe, creating one of the largest migrations of Jews since the formation of the state of Israel.

































Israel welcomed the inauguration of President Donald Trump after eight, often tense, years with the Obama administration, vowing to make the alliance between Israel and the US greater than ever and heralding the start of a new era. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu preempted the inauguration to offer his congratulations to President Trump, apparently because the inauguration took place after the Sabbath had started in Israel.

He tweeted Congrats to my friend President Trump. Look fwd to working closely with you to make the alliance between Israel&USA stronger than ever. That was echoed almost immediately after the inauguration by Israels ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer, who tweeted: Congratulations President Trump! Israel looks forward to working with you to make the US-Israel alliance greater than ever.

Israels Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said this would herald a sea-change, particularly at the United Nations, where Israel recently suffered one of its worst reverses in recent years, when President Obama refused to use the US veto in a resolution that condemned Israeli settlements.









A true friend of Israel will enter the White House today, said Danon in a statement. Thank you President Trump for your unequivocal support, we look forward to welcoming you to our capital of Jerusalem. After the shameful resolution that was adopted by the Security Council, Israel looks forward to strengthening our most important alliance and leading together towards a new era at the UN, he said.





























The administration also stated it would make defeating "radical Islamic terror groups" its top foreign policy goal.









The Trump administration intends to develop a "state of the art" missile defense system to protect against attacks from Iran and North Korea, the White House said in a policy position posted on its website on Friday.



The statement, posted on the White House website within minutes of Donald Trump's inauguration, did not provide details on whether the system would differ from those already under development, its cost or how it would be paid for.









The administration also stated it would make defeating "radical Islamic terror groups" its top foreign policy goal.





Trump, a Republican, used his inaugural address on Friday to promise to "unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth."





In the statement, titled "America First Foreign Policy," the Trump administration said, "Defeating ISIS and other radical Islamic terror groups will be our highest priority." ISIS is an acronym for Islamic State.









In order to "defeat and destroy" Islamic State and similar groups, the new administration said it "will pursue aggressive joint and coalition military operations when necessary," work to cut off funding for terrorist groups, expand intelligence sharing, and use "cyberwarfare" to disrupt propaganda and recruitment efforts.



Trump's speech and the statement echoed his campaign criticism of former president Barack Obama and his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, for not using the phrase "radical Islamic terror" to describe Islamic State and other hardline jihadist groups.

































America is getting what it ordered on Election Day.





If anyone was expecting an evolution from Donald Trump the candidate to Donald Trump the president, never mind.





The new president delivered an inaugural address Friday that was straight from his campaign script  to the delight or dismay of different subsets of Americans.





Trump gave nods to unity and began with kind words for Barack and Michelle Obama, but pivoted immediately to a searing indictment of the status quo and the Obama years.









Presidents past have promised an American Covenant, a New Frontier, a Great Society. Trump sketched a vision of American carnage. Then he promised to end it with a nationalist America First approach to governing. It was a speech for Trumps supporters, but maybe not those who voted for somebody else. When Trump told the crowd on the National Mall and watching from afar that everyone is listening to you now and spoke of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before, he seemed to harking back to his voters.





His pledge to make things better came wrapped as a nostalgic paean to better days long gone. America will start winning again, winning like never before, the new president said. We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.





















































A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the South Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands at a depth of 33 kms (20 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said on Friday. There were no immediate reports of damage. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said there was no Pacific-wide tsunami threat. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said in a separate statement that there was no tsunami threat to Australia's mainland, islands or offshore territories. Solomon Islands's National Disaster Management Office was not immediately available for comment. The undersea quake struck 71km (44 miles) west of the city of Kirakira




















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More than 1,000 education leaders, including superintendents of some of the nations largest school districts, have signed on to a petition requesting continued protection for DREAMers, young immigrants brought to this country as children.

The youths are currently covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a policy created by President Barack Obama that paved the way for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants to receive a two-year work authorization and protection from deportation.

Educators and immigration advocates across the nation fear the policy, commonly known as DACA, could be a target of the Trump administrations plan to crack down on illegal immigration. The signatories to the letter worry that students, teachers, and others who work in education, would face immediate deportation without DACA.

Out of concern for children and the strength of our nation, we respectfully call on officials at the highest levels of power to address this issue in an urgent way, the letter reads in part. Students must be able to attend school and graduate with a clear path toward a productive future, and teachers who were brought here as children must be able to continue to strengthen our schools and our nation.

Trump has said his administration will develop a plan for the young immigrants, but has yet to offer specifics on a potential plan.

Were going to work something out thats going to make people happy and proud, Trump said during an interview with Time magazine, as part of its Person of the Year coverage.

The education leaders calling for an urgent solution include the heads of school systems in Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Nashville, Newark, Memphis, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Jose and Tulsa. The list of supporters also includes Teach For America, the American Federation of Teachers and a host of charter school organizations.

Stand for Children, an education-policy advocacy group, spearheaded the campaign.
"

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom  August 28, 1963

An anti-Vietnam War protest in Washington DC  November 15, 1969

Between 500,000 and 600,000 people

The Solidarity Day march in Washington, DC  September 19, 1981

Solidarity Day marchrally It was in response to President Ronald Reagan's decision to fire 12,000 air traffic controllers who went on strike and demanded

The Anti-Nuclear March in New York Citys Central Park  June 12, 1982

In 1982, around a million protestors filled Central Park to protest nuclear weapons during Ronald Reagan's presidency.

The Million Man March in Washington, DC  October 16, 1995

In 1995, Washington, DC's Million Man March took place with a stated aim to unite the Black community. Estimates for the number of attendees vary from 400,000 to 1.1 million people.

The March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation  April 25, 1993

Between 800,000 and a million people marched on the National Mall in 1993 for LGBT rights. The organizers' primary demands were civil rights bills against discrimination, an increase in AIDS research funding, and reproductive rights.

The Million Woman March in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania  October 25, 1997

In 1997, two years after the Million Man March, anywhere from 500,000 to 2 million people convened for the Million Woman March.

Protests against the Iraq war in America's largest cities February 15-16, 2003

As a protest to George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq, between 10 to 15 million people marched in 600 cities across the world in 2003. At least 500,000 people protested in American cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

It's known as the biggest protest in world history.

The March for Womens Lives in Washington DC  April 25, 2004
Mr Kioko wears protective gloves for his regular daredevil display, but if the cobra bites him anywhere else he could be dead within 15 minutes.

The venom causes respiratory failure, which can lead to paralysis and death. It is so toxic that it can even kill elephants.

Thankfully for Mr Kioko, the owner of the snake farm and visitor attraction Kioko Snake Ventures, in Kitui, eastern Kenya, he says he "always makes sure he wins" his cobra grapples.

However, one of his workers wasn't so lucky a few years ago, and did get bitten by one of the cobras.

While the farm keeps stocks of anti-venom, it wasn't administered quickly enough to prevent the man's legs being paralysed, and they subsequently had to be amputated.

Another member of staff died of his injuries after being crushed by a huge African rock python, the continent's largest snake.

"The snake felt threatened as the man attempted to get close to it to feed it a live adult goat," Mr Kioko says.

"It quickly wrapped its body around him and squeezed him. It didn't eat him, pythons rarely eat humans, but he died."

Tourist attractions

Although being a snake farmer has its obvious risks, it is a growing industry in Kenya.

There are now 42 such farms in the country, and a further 21 are awaiting licensing approval, according to the government body responsible for regulating the sector, the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The farms primarily make their money as tourist attractions that charge visitors.

They also export snakes, mainly to zoos and pet shops in Europe and North America, where the best and biggest examples are sold for more than 10,000 Kenyan shillings ($100; 80). Snakes are also sold for venom harvesting and scientific research, both domestically and overseas.

Despite occasional fatalities and other injuries, staff at the farms are required to have relevant qualifications, such as diplomas in animal management.

Mr Kioko and his 16 employees look after more than 1,800 snakes, half of which are pythons. The other 50% include more than 32 different African species, plus 13 that are native to other continents.

On a good day Mr Kioko says his five-acre (two-hectare) farm, which opened in 2009, now attracts more than 350 visitors. Kenyans are charged 300 shillings, while overseas tourists have to pay an entrance fee of 1,000 shillings.

In addition to watching Mr Kioko's daredevil cobra act people can learn all about the snakes, and see them up close.

To keep the snakes happy and healthy at the facility he says they have to be given as much living space as they need. This means outdoor enclosures for the largest specimens.

Some of the snakes Mr Kioko breeds, others he rescues.

"Snakes invade people's homes and bite them," he says. "I'm then called out to capture the animals from their homesteads. In return I keep them, and raise them on my farm."

Theft risk

Another Kenyan snake farmer is David Musyoka, who has more than 220 snakes at his facility in Meru County, eastern Kenya.

His collection includes the venomous Mount Kenya Bush Viper, and milk snakes, which are native to North and South America. Visitors are charged 300 shillings, with an average of 50 people visiting per day.

The 54-year-old says: "I also export to zoos in the Czech Republic, UK, Germany, US, Mexico and Brazil. Also, China is an emerging market."

While he says he is happy with the business, he does have to endure the occasional break-in.

"I have had incidents when people have invaded my farm, stolen a few snakes, and illegally sold them to witch doctors," says Mr Musyoka. "Others sell the meat on the black market, so these are some of the challenges."

Albert Otieno, a senior reptile curator at the National Museum of Kenya, says that while snake farms can bring in a steady income, they require significant start-up capital which can be hard to come by. He adds that Kenyan banks like to give money to established businesses rather than unproven start-ups.

"For a start-up [snake farm] you need to raise not less than three million shillings or $30,000."

Prof Germano Mwabu, a World Bank consultant economist at the University of Nairobi, adds that money is not enough, and that instead you need to be very knowledgeable about the reptiles.

"To be successful you have to know a lot about the ecology of snakes," he says. "[For example], you have to have knowledge about their breeding."

Back at Kioko Snake Ventures, Makau Kioko has a diploma in reptile management, so he more than knows the risks when he is catching cobras or wrestling pythons.
His comments were in response to a petition sent by a member of the general public to Parliament's Appointment Committee.

The memorandum also quoted a Wikileaks report in which an agent, John King, had accused Kan Dapaah of being "dismissive and irritated" when the cocaine issue was mentioned to him.

But appearing before the appointment committee on Friday, Kan Dapaah said he was not at post when the ship carrying cocaine docked in Ghana.

He explained that he was appointed as Interior Minister on May 5, 2006, but the said ship docked on May 3, 2006.

He said it took him more than a week to take office and cannot, therefore, be accused of being aware and doing nothing about it.

He also explained that as Interior Minister, his role in NACOB was only administrative and hence their operational activities did not fall under his role.

When responding to the Wikileaks report, Mr Dapaah said he indeed spoke with the said agent John King but was never irritated or dismissive.

He explained that he only defended his actions and decisions when the King raised strong and passionate points on the subject matter.

"The agent was aware that my role as minister of the interior was such that I wouldnt be involved in the operational mattersand he made his point strongly. In an equal manner, I also made my point strongly. I said to him that I did not share his view as far as it related to him.

I really dont understand how he thought I was irritated and dismissive. If making my views known to him is what he calls dismissive then I disagree, he said.
The angry youth of Basari tribe are said to have threatened to harm the paramount chief, Obore Gariba Yankosor, if he tries to influence the nomination of the DCE in favour of the Kokombas.

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Scores of Konkomba people are said to be fleeing Tatale to neighbouring Togo over fears that their lives will be in danger if the Basaris are able to carry out their threat.

The Divisional Police Commander ASP Eric Akobor has told Accra-based Joy FM that the police had to beef up security in the area following the withdrawal of members of the Konkomba community in the area.

He said he suspects that the tension may have risen due to political differences between the two ethnic groups.
She said: It is true that by the constitution the Attorney General has the power to prosecute criminal matters, but it also has the power to delegate that authority and it is under that that the office will be set up with a specific remit to deal with public sector corruption.And the way to do it is by an Act of parliament. The person will be nominated by the president and then it will be crafted in such a manner that it will not fall foul of the constitution and it is intended to give confidence to the public that this is not a caricature that is intended, because there is always a perception that when a government comes in it starts hounding its opponents. To take away that perception and to give confidence to the public, it will have to have parliament to back that appointment.
The president, Nana Akufo-Addo had earlier indicated that the newly-created ministry will work to improve Ghanas security and freedom.

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He said as we go along, we should find a way of stopping such behavior [as the post-election distrubances] and I think the creation of a Ministry for National Security will then enable the ministry and the secretariat to be more accountable to the people of Ghana because we have to report to Parliament this time.

On the issue of illegal mining, Mr Dapaah described it as one of the major security challenges, adding that I think we should find a way to deal with it in a manner that can stop it.

Meanwhile, the National Security Minister-designate at the vetting denied claims he did nothing to avert a cocaine haul in Ghana during his tenure as minister in the Kufuor administration.

He said he was not at post when the ship carrying cocaine docked in Ghana.

He explained that he was appointed as Interior Minister on May 5, 2006, but the said ship docked on May 3, 2006.
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Daily Post reports that the Commandant, NSCDC, Lagos Command, Tajudeen Balogun, told newsmen that the suspect identified as Ediale Ayodele who resides at No. 6, Ayodola Close, Akonwonjo, allegedly stabbed the official while he was on a routine forecast drive in the area.

ALSO READ: Woman stabs husband to death after he caught her with another man

According to the reports, the official whose identity has been withheld, arrived at the property to check on a disconnection which was carried out some weeks ago, when an altercation occurred between the suspect and the deceased.

The suspect reportedly grabbed a knife and stabbed the deceased during the course of the altercation.

Daily Post reports that the deceased was rushed to the General Hospital at Alimoso, where he was confirmed dead.

ALSO READ: Female lawyer who allegedly stabbed husband to death lands in prison
The victim was reportedly stabbed to death at his villa in Castel San Pietro, on January 3, 2017, Daily Post reports.

ALSO READ: Nigerian lady claims her life is in danger

According to the reports, the brutal murder occurred following a clandestine, sex related meet between the pair.

The deceased was discovered with bruises and 25 stab wounds on his body.

The motive behind the murder which is being described as impulsive and not premeditated, is yet to be ascertained but investigators say there was sexual intercourse between the two before the murder took place.

The pair have known each other for a couple of months although Newthing arrived in Italy in 2015.

Further investigations into the case also revealed that the deceased had promised Desmond a job, but failed to do so.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president today, and has an ambitious plan for his first 100 days in office. But an educational organization has a different plan in mind for the first 100 days: Have teachers combat hatred and intolerance in class.

Every day from today through April 20, the education department at the University of Southern California Shoah Foundation, a nonprofit that maintains eyewitness records of the Holocaust, will release a new activity, resource, or professional development opportunity for middle school and high school teachers and their students. The initiative is called 100 Days to Inspire Respect .

The assignment for day one is called My Story Matters: Power of Story  and has students listen to stories that both strengthen a human connection or create a deep divide that leads to hate. The students will then construct a six-word story.

Hatred comes from stories, and so we are countering hatred with stories, said Kori Street, the director of education at the foundation, in a statement. If I know your story, if I know who you are, it makes it really hard for me to otherize you, be divisive, or hate you.

Each of the projects 14 weeks will center on a themein order: hate; racism; civil and human rights; community; respect; intolerance; womens rights; immigrants and refugees; cross-cultural understanding; courage; violence and violent extremism; indifference through media; resilience; and civic responsibility.

The activities range in intensity, with some taking 15 minutes and others lasting a week. Students will produce videos, poems, and images, as well as conduct analysis and close reading of text. The activities will be grounded in testimonies from survivors of the Holocaust and the genocides that occurred in Rwanda, China, Armenia, and Guatemala.

The 2016 presidential election was one of the most divisive in recent memories, and some of Trumps inflammatory campaign rhetoric stoked fears among students of color, particularly Latino students . Teachers are working to heal the divisions in their classrooms.

Image courtesy of the USC Shoah Foundation

More on the Trump Presidency and the Classroom:
Abubakar made the call at the Abdullahi Fodio award presentation and book launch in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday.

The event titled Gwandu Emirate: the domain of Abdullahi Fodio since 1805, was organised by the Gwandu Emirate Development Association.

He said inflammatory comments would further divide and polarised the nation, and pointed out that every religion was preaching peace,unity and solidarity among its faithful.

The sultan condemned the insurgent activities ravaging the North-Eastern part of the country, and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts in curtailing the menace.

Abubakar also commended the Federal Government for reintroducing history as a subject in schools, stressing that without history, humanity would not discover itself.

The sultan said the book, which chronicled the religious and cultural heritage of the Gwandu Emirate was timely, adding: we will continue to support historical findings.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar, said the event was an attempt to reward those who contributed to the development of the emirate, especially preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the emirate.

Bashar commended the efforts of Buhari to diversify the economy and the fight against corruption.

He said the nation under the present administration was heading to progress devoid of religious, tribal or sectional consideratioms.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar praised the virtues of Abdullahi Fodio, and called on leaders to emulate the legacies of the late Islamic scholar, especially on federalism, revenue allocation and the rule of law.

He said as an elder statesman he would continue to support historical investigations with a view to promote research and intellectual development.

Gov. Atiku Bagudu commended the efforts of Gwandu Emirate for launching the book and recognising those who contributed immensely to the development of the emirate.

Bagudu said the book would serve as very important tool in tracing the historical happenings in the emirate, stressing that Abdullahi Fodio was a hero.

He said the state government would continue to preserve historical facts and artefacts for ptesent generation and posyerity.

The governor also reiterated the state government resolve to continue to support agriculture.

Fourteen people were honoured during the ceremony.

They are; a former Chief Justice of Nigeria Legbo Kutigi, Aliyu wammako, retired Col. Sani Bello and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Lamido Birnin Bayero and Justice Abdulkadir Ore.

ALSO READ:BBOG says Buhari should visit Southern Kaduna

The others were Gov. Atiku Bagudu, Jaiz Bank, Isah Mafara, Usman Magawata, Prof. Aisha Aliyu and Chairman of Daily Trust Newspapers, Kabiru Yusuf.
This is coming on the heels of a protest against Governor Ayo Fayose, which was held in Abuja.

Olayinka also described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the seat of corruption in Nigeria.

He said If there is anyone that should be urgently prosecuted, it is Ibrahim Magu who was indicted by the DSS and still operating illegally as the EFCC Acting Chairman despite his rejection by the Senate."

Adding that It is obvious that Fayoses emergence as Chairman of PDP Governors Forum has unsettled the APC cabal because they fear that he is capable of using the platform against President Muhammadu Buharis second term ambition.

Ridiculously, in their desperation and fear of the unknown, EFCC shamelessly turned itself to the mouthpiece of the protesters by issuing press statement on their behalf.

Less than 50 paid protesters came to the EFCC and the next thing to be seen was a press statement signed by EFCC Head of Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, isnt this ridiculous? Is EFCC spokesperson also the mouthpiece of the so-called protesters? May be EFCC operatives including Magu should have joined the protest so that Nigerians will know that it was EFCC that protested and the media will be able to use appropriate headline like.

Olayinka said If they are having headache because of Governor Fayoses rising profile, especially his emergence as Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, their headache will soon turn to migraine that will be difficult to cure.

He also called on the EFCC to cure itself , adding that Magu that was indicted of corruption by the DSS and other functionaries of the Buharis APC government must be prosecuted first.
The incident which residents said began at about 4p.m., affected towns such as Odo Oro, Temidire,Oke Ijebu and Aiyedun, all in Ikole LGA.

The News Agency of Nigeria,(NAN) reports that the first rain of the year, which lasted for only 40 minutes, also ravaged farmlands, destroying crops and other economic trees.

Aside the houses, other property destroyed by the rainstorm included schools and church buildings.

A branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Odo-Oro Ekiti and a car packed under the tree in the town were particularly badly damaged by the incident.

ALSO READ: Reuben Abati mocks Fayose over 2017 prophecies
According to Daily Post, the Kaduna NUJ Secretary, Dauda Idris-Doka, said this in a statement released to newsmen in Zaria on Friday, January 20, 2017.

Idris-Doka said The decision was taken after the Executive Council Meeting held on Dec. 29, 2016 where it was discovered that Al-Mizan was registered in error.

It will be recalled that the union has over the years distanced itself from registering any religious organisation as its member.

Adding that In the past, we have refused to register similar religious organisations and their media, such as, The Cross Newspapers, The Awake and The Redeem News, among many others.

In view of this development, Al-Mizan ceases to be recognised as a chapel in the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council.
Obasanjo made this known when the immediate ex-President Jonathan paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Ibogun village, Ogun State.

Obasanjo said:  I have said to you before and I will say again that there are plenty of opportunities out there, within the country, within West Africa, within African and indeed in the larger world where people will want you to make contributions."

Speaking further, Obasanjo said: The first point I want to make is to thank you very sincerely and most sincerely for taking it upon yourself to pay us a visit at this point in time and at this location.

"Secondly, since you left office, you hardly have time to sit down and relax like you have been able to do today and I hope, I sincerely hope and pray for more such relaxed situation where we can reminiscence situations of the past that we have been through in this country and we can also look at what the future portends.

When leaders come, they have little or no experience. When they have to go is when they have really amassed a lot of experience, where they have wisdom, their experience will be in high demand. Those like you and me who have the grace of God to bow out gracefully if there is now what I call constitutional office we have residual responsibilities for Nigeria.

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"I believe that not only Nigeria, West Africa and Africa and indeed the world will continue to tap into our experiences, our wisdom and I hope and pray that when the call is made to you will be more than ready to put your experience, the lessons you have learnt into the service of this country, for African and indeed for humanity in general.

 I believe that you are resting now and when you have fully rested and you will be hearing from me because I have this opportunity to be around the world and if I mention your name in dispatch. I thank you sincerely that you have received us as we are in this village to prove to you that we are in a typical village, I was telling you that your village is better than mine.

I want to say that we have it, Nigeria is a good country and we must never be tired of lifting the country up to the height that God has created it to be and God did not make a mistake when he put all of us together and if He doesnt want us to be together no power in the world will have made us come together.
Mr Dayo Adeyeye, the PDP National Publicity Secretary serving on the Caretaker Committee said in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

Adeyeye said the party believed that the Ekiti state governor would perform on his new assignment with responsibility and candour.

He has come on board at a crucial time in the life of our party.

We have confidence in his uncommon courage to pull together his colleagues to work more in the interest of the party, its membership and democracy in general.

We are optimistic that he will bring to bear his wealth of experience as he takes up this onerous task.

The party appreciates Fayoses doggedness and perspectives on national issues as he amplifies the voice of opposition by holding the government in power to be more accountable to the people, Adeyeye said.

According to him, the public are looking forward to a more vibrant and constructive opposition by PDP, he said.
Hollande made the comment on the first day of a Latin American tour that is taking him to Chile and Colombia -- one of his last foreign trips before stepping down after April-May elections choose his successor.

"We are utterly opposed to protectionism. We favor regulated globalization so that there are health standards, social standards... in the exchanges between countries, between regions," the French leader said in a joint news conference with Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet.

Protectionism, he said, "prevents trade, damages growth and affects employment, including in countries that forge protectionism and especially erect it."

Although he did not mention any countries specifically, the message appeared to be directed at the United States, where Trump has vowed to establish a "buy American, hire American" national policy.

That stance has unnerved Latin American economies which fear trade with the US will be hurt and other countries will follow suit with similar responses.

Hollande's trip aimed to highlight French and European Union ties to Latin America.

He and Bachelet -- who is also to step down late this year -- were launching a Franco-Chilean Year of Innovation, signing a series of cooperation accords and talking up investment opportunities.

Bachelet told AFP ahead of Hollande's arrival that she was looking to France "to back us" in renegotiating an association agreement in place with the European Union.

Hollande, who was to leave late Sunday for Colombia, is deeply unpopular with voters in France.
Around 500 activists gathered at the US embassy in London where placards urged Americans to "Dump Trump", whom they accused of being a "climate disaster".

Artist James Marriott, a supporter of opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn, held a poster calling Trump "a disgrace to humanity".

"Trump is part of a substantial shift moving into something much more turbulent and frightening," Marriott told AFP.

"He represents the possibility that it is acceptable to be racist, sexist and homophobic."

Janie Trowell, a 53-year-old teacher, compared Trump to the wider populist movement sweeping across Europe in the form of Britain's Brexit vote and the rise of the far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen in France.

"He is advocating hate, he is a scary and hideous macho white male."

In Germany, 200-300 protesters combined their opposition to Trump with their disdain for the country's right-wing AfD party, warning that such populists reminded them of the Nazis.

"White nationalism is so 1933", read one banner, while another said: "No to global Trumpism, no to the AfD".

In glacial conditions, the protesters marched from the AfD headquarters in Berlin to the Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of European unity.

They chanted a song about keeping Trump locked up in his namesake tower, adding: "this is called people power".

A "Stop the Hate" demonstration through the streets of Amsterdam drew around a thousand people who marched on the US Consulate.

They carried placards bearing messages including "you can't unify with hate" and also took aim at the far right in the Netherlands.

In Brussels, several hundred people gathered outside a theatre in the city centre, mainly from leftwing and environmental groups, leftwing parties, feminist groups, Amnesty International and expatriate supporters of the Democratic Party.

Outside the US Consulate General in Edinburgh around 300 protesters were amongst the most imaginative and colourful around Europe.

One banner mocked Trump's hairstyle, saying: "Donald Dinnae Comb-Over Here", while some people performed an "excommunication ceremony".

One elaborately dressed and bearded marcher with white facepaint, who gave his name as Sister Ann Ticipation, said: "We were excommunicating him from the great divine for promulgating negativity, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia and everything he has done which does not serve the interests of the community."

University lecturer Don Glickstein, 62, said Trump's "attitude to women is absolutely shocking, and hes proud of it.

"He's also expressed a readiness to use nuclear weapons, which really frightens me."

Only around 30 people -- Americans and Portuguese -- turned up to a protest in Lisbon but they made clear that Trump's appointment was a step in the wrong direction.

"Obama thank you, we will miss you," read one banner.

However, Europe was not united in its condemnation of Trump.

jpegMpeg4-1280x720In Prague, photographers turned up to cover a protest that never took place for lack of activists.

Meanwhile, in Warsaw, the foreign affairs ministers of Poland and Lithuania demonstrated that Russian aggression was paramount in their concerns, expressing the hope that Trump would back up commitments the Barrack Obama administration made to supporting defence in Eastern Europe.

Poland's Witold Waszczykowski welcomed the Trump administration "with the hope to see it deal with security questions in our region".
Hosted in the Kazakh capital Astana, the talks will see an opposition delegation composed exclusively of rebel groups negotiating with the regime of Bashar al-Assad in an initiative sponsored by rebel backer Turkey and regime allies Russia and Iran.

Though the talks have been welcomed by all parties in the conflict, delegates from both sides are heading to Kazakhstan with apparently opposing ideas about the goals, with Assad insisting Thursday that rebels lay down their arms in exchange for an amnesty deal.

Although Assad said the talks would prioritise reaching a ceasefire, Damascus has insisted it will seek a "comprehensive" political solution to the conflict that has killed more than 300,000 and displaced over half of the country's population.

The rebels meanwhile say they will focus solely on reinforcing a frail nationwide truce brokered by Moscow and Ankara last month.

Who is attending?

Moscow said this week that the objective was to "consolidate" the ceasefire and to involve rebel field commanders in the "political process" to end the bloodshed, creating a basis for a new round of UN-hosted negotiations in Geneva next month.

Syria's UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari, an experienced negotiator involved in past failed talks in Geneva, will head the regime delegation in Astana.

The United Nations' peace envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, will also attend, alongside representatives of Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Mohammad Alloush of the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group -- whose rebel commander cousin Zahran Alloush was killed in an air strike claimed by the regime in December 2015 -- will lead a "military delegation" of around eight people.

They will be backed by nine legal and political advisors from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) umbrella group.

But key rebel group Ahrar al-Sham said it would snub the Astana talks over ceasefire violations and ongoing Russian air strikes on the country.

Ahrar al-Sham nonetheless said it would support decisions taken by other rebel groups represented at the talks if they were "in the interest of the nation".

The talks, which could last days, come a month after the Syrian regime, bolstered by its allies, took full control of second city Aleppo from rebels in its biggest victory in more than four years of fighting.

With stakes high and outcomes unclear, the Syrian opposition is wary that the regime could use the rebel groups' inexperience in political talks to its advantage in Astana, a European diplomatic source told AFP.

"There is genuine worry in the opposition that the representatives of rebel groups, which are not at all used to these types of international negotiations, will be dragged into a political solution that will play into the hand of the regime," the source said.

US invited

A negotiator in previous ceasefire agreements, Washington was last month sidelined from sponsoring the nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey after months of disengagement from the conflict.

US President Donald Trump's team has been invited to Astana but has not yet officially responded.

Washington's absence has seen Moscow and Ankara join efforts on the Syrian crisis despite lingering disagreements over Assad's future and other aspects of the conflict.

After overcoming a rift in relations following Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane in Syria in November 2015, the two countries this week conducted their first joint strikes against Islamic State group targets in an operation Moscow hailed as "highly effective".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview aired Saturday on Russian state television that deals that could help end the conflict in Syria were "unlikely" to be struck in Astana because "too many parties are involved in the process."

Iran, the talks' third sponsor, will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaber Ansari, the country's Isna news agency reported.

Analysts say Iran, a longtime ally of Assad, views the Astana talks as an opportunity to increase its influence in the region after playing a crucial role in the symbolic recapture of Aleppo.

A stepping stone?

France and Britain will be represented at the ambassador level, the European diplomatic source said.

A representative of EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said Friday that "we will be there" without giving details about the delegation.

Divergent agendas and the absence of some key players and high-level officials cast uncertainty on how the Astana talks could serve as a building block for next month's Geneva negotiations.

"The success or failure of Astana is not predetermined," Russian Middle East expert Boris Dolgov told AFP.
His invitation to the event had enraged Beijing -- which sees the self-ruling island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification -- and sparked a diplomatic spat.

China formally asked Washington not to welcome a Taiwanese party to the inauguration, leading Yu to denounce its leader Xi Jinping as "narrow-minded."

But, even if anger preceded the visit, Yu was all smiles on Friday after attending the event, along with parliamentarians from four Taiwanese parties.

Yu himself is a member and former chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which is skeptical of cross-strait ties and defends Taipei's autonomy.

Best relations

He was enthused by the welcome he had received in Washington: "Taiwan-US relations are probably at their best right now," he told AFP.

Almost immediately after he won the November election, Trump provoked Beijing's ire by accepting a congratulatory call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, recognizing the Communist mainland rulers in Beijing as the sole government of "One China."

But, under the terms of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Washington maintains an ambiguous approach to the island, maintains trade ties and sells Taipei weapons.

It does not recognize Tsai as a head of state, however, and China was infuriated at what it saw as a breach of protocol in Trump's acceptance of her call.

The then president-elect was unconcerned, and some US conservatives praised him for standing up for a democratic ally.

Earlier this month, Tsai transited through the United States on her way to meetings in Latin America, and at the airport she met Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz.

Yu, in an interview with AFP, said that Trump's decision to take Tsai's call and to allow the transit visit were good signs that relations are warming.

"She received a very high-level and good treatment in the US, and also there was the call between President Trump and President Tsai, which raised Taiwan's visibility," he said.

One China

Asked whether he had met with officials from former president Barack Obama's outgoing administration or Trump's new one, Yu was cautious.

"According to the norms and understanding that we have between Taiwan and the US, if we have any meetings with members of the administration we cannot disclose that," he said.

Yu noted that Trump had, in one of his notoriously intemperate Tweets, called the United States' "One China" policy into question.

But, while he welcomed this, he said that some in Taiwan had been concerned that in follow-up interviews Trump had appeared to suggest he would use Taiwan ties as a bargaining chip.

Last month, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that "everything is on the table, including One China" but suggested China could save the policy by negotiating a trade deal with him.

Yu said he had raised the idea that Trump may "sell out Taiwan" at conservative think tanks in Washington, but had been reassured that the Taiwan Relations Act would forbid this.

Taiwan's other concern is the apparent collapse of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a planned free trade deal championed by Obama but denounced by Trump.

"Under the Obama administration they were very keen on getting TPP signed," Yu said "Taiwan and the US had an understanding for Taiwan to be part of the TPP."

Constant unfair threat

If TPP cannot be salvaged, however, he hopes a separate Taiwan-US trade pact might be signed and that Taiwanese investors might help Trump fulfil his pledge to create US jobs.

In the meantime, he can only lament that Taiwan's population of 23 million remains "under constant unfair threat" from its neighbors because it is not a recognized United Nations member.

"Taiwan and the US are both members of a democratic alliance," he said.

"We share the same values of freedom and democracy and human rights and peace. Our values are the same," he insisted.
The Western-backed leader's business empire ranges from car to media holdings, but his most valuable asset is the Roshen confectionery empire, which includes five plants in Ukraine as well as in Lithuania and Hungary.

Ranked by the Forbes Ukraine website as the country's sixth-richest man, worth $858 million (806 million euros), Poroshenko, 51, has garnered the nickname "the chocolate king".

His most controversial asset is based in the Russian city of Lipetsk, where Poroshenko bought a local confectionary plant in 2002.

Since 2013, the volume of production at the Lipetsk factory has plunged threefold, coinciding with the rupture of ties between Ukraine and its former Soviet master.

After an uprising in Kiev ousted a pro-Russian leader, Moscow annexed Ukraine's strategic Crimean peninsula on the Black Sea in March 2014, and supported a separatist movement in eastern Ukraine that has since claimed about 10,000 lives.

Poroshenko promised to sell his Roshen empire but failed to follow through, citing a lack of foreign interest. He passed his company's shares to a trust firm for management.

The confectionary giant, whose name is based on Poroshenko's name, said in a statement on Friday that it would halt the Lipetsk plant's operations for political and economic reasons, which include Moscow's ban on Roshen imports since 2013.

"Roshen corporation halts manufacturing activity of the Lipetsk confectionery plant," said the company, which is rated among the top 20 companies in the industry and supplies its products to more than 30 countries.

It also accused Moscow of discrediting the Roshen plant's activity in the Russian media as well as encouraging the local authorities to put pressure on its shops across the country.

Poroshenko was repeatedly criticised at home for maintaining businesses in Russia despite his claims that Moscow was an "aggressor".

But Roshen said it was impossible to sell its Lipetsk branch after Russian investigators impounded the factory's property in April 2015.
The two West African leaders travelled to Banjul to persuade the long ruling Jammeh to leave peacefully before West African forces pounced on him.

In a statement issued on state TV on Friday night, Jammeh announced that he was stepping down, a superfluous announcement as he was already no more the leader, having been denied recognition by the world.

All indications are that Jammeh will be going into exile in Guinea.

A senior adviser to new President Adama Barrow said talks to finalise the exile deal were holding up his exit.

I can assure you that he has agreed to leave, Mai Ahmad Fatty, Barrows special advisor, said in Senegals capital Dakar. He could not say where Jammeh would go into exile.

President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow had earlier confirmed Yahya Jammehs stepping down.

Barrow, on his twitter handle on Friday, @adama_barrow said: I would like to inform you that Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down.

He is scheduled to depart Gambia today. #NewGambia.

Barrow on Thursday took the oath of office as Gambias new president.

He was sworn-in about 5p.m. Senegalese time at the Gambian High Commission in Dakar, Senegal.

Barrow succeeded Yahya Jammeh, who lost in the Dec. 1 presidential election and refused to vacate office when his term expired midnight on Thursday.

Gambias Chief of Defence, Ousman Badjie, on Friday pledged loyalty to President Barrow.

West African troops that crossed from neighbouring Senegal into Gambia to help unseat Jammeh would be welcomed with a cup of tea, said Badjie.

ECOWAS armies halted Operation Restore Democracy aimed at installing the countrys new president, Adama Barrow, on Thursday so regional leaders could make one last attempt to convince long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh to step aside.

In Dakar, the Nigerian force Commander, Operation Restore Democracy, Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, said the ECOWAS forces would not let down their guard, inspite of negotiations for the former Gambian president, Alhaji Yahaya Jammeh to leave office.

He said the troops were awaiting briefing by the political leaders.

Yusuf made the statement while briefing newsmen in Dakar, on Friday.

Even if he quits we are not letting down our guard, our mandate is to restore peace in Gambia.

We have been on standby, and the troops are still on a very high alert, depending on the outcome of political negotiations.

We are not letting down our guard; our mandate is to restore democracy in Gambia, Yusuf said.

Yusuf added that the mandate given to them was to restore peace and nothing else.

He promised to carry out his responsibilities professionally while waiting for further directive from the political masters.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority on Friday approved $1 million in direct financial assistance as well as tax benefits for a Massachusetts-based plastics housewares company that plans to build a $73 million new manufacturing plant in Davenport.

Davenport officials announced at the start of the year that Sterilite Corp. of Townsend, Massachusetts, would build the 2.5 million square-foot plant in the Eastern Iowa Industrial Center, creating 500 jobs over five years.

Officials say that 400 of the jobs will pay in the $12 to $16 per hour range, but 100 of the positions will pay in excess of $18.75 per hour. Those 100 jobs qualified the company for state assistance from Iowa's High Quality Jobs program, which provides assistance to companies to offset some of the cost of locating or expanding in the state.

In addition to the cash assistance, the state is providing $2.1 million in sales, service and use tax refunds to the company.

The board also Friday approved Latham Pool Products for tax benefits from the program for a project in DeWitt.

Latham, the largest manufacturer of pool components and accessories in North America, is making a $2 million capital investment in the town and will create 23 jobs, the state said. Of those, three of the jobs meet the program's qualifying wage of $18.36 per hour.

The value of the tax benefits will be $53,040, according to state documents. Most of that is an investment tax credit.

The company plans to lease and renovate an existing building and surrounding ground to create a 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility and outdoor warehouse in DeWitt, the state said.

The state incentives for the Sterilite project come as Davenport officials move toward giving approval to $17.7 million in local incentives for the project. The City Council this week agreed to put the incentives on a fast track for approval next week.

The new plant will be the largest industrial facility in the city, according to city officials. They have said they expect construction to begin this spring, with the plant to open in 2018.
With the opening of the 2017 income tax filing season Monday, Quad-City tax preparers are warning that one of this year's key changes will affect those who depend most on their tax refunds.

As part of the IRS' ongoing battle against fraud and identity theft, a new law will delay tax refunds for taxpayers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, the EITC, or the Additional Child Tax Credit. To give the IRS more time to verify these returns, Congress is requiring the agency hold back these refunds until at least Feb. 15.

But taxpayers already are being cautioned it could be as late as the week of Feb. 27 before these refunds begin arriving.

The delay  a result of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes, or PATH, Act  is designed to give the IRS more time to help detect and prevent tax fraud.

"It's a shock to those people who typically get their refunds the first of February. They'll now be waiting two to three weeks later," said Jim Fromi, the owner of AmeriFile, Moline, with offices in Davenport and Clinton.

The taxpayers who claim these credits traditionally are the first in the door, he said. "The typical EITC filer may have two to three kids and a couple W-2s and they can get in here early. They get all excited."

For those who prefer more time to file and pay, this year has an three additional days. The deadline is Tuesday, April 18, due to April 15 being a Saturday and Emancipation Day, a D.C. holiday, being observed April 17.

Fran Christiansen, a tax analyst and office manager with H&R Block, Bettendorf, said the IRS also has gotten stricter with the EITC, a credit for families with earned income and up to three children. "Now they have to have a little more documentation to prove the children live with them  a school record or a medical record  and it all has to match up."

Despite the inconvenience of the delay, she said at the heart of the law is reducing fraud and identity theft. "There's been so many claims of someone getting someone else's return," she said.

Christiansen, a 13-year tax preparer, said the delay's impact will be widespread. "The people who usually receive the EITC or Additional Child Tax Credit really depend on their refund."

To assist customers, she said H&R has a Refund Advance that helps a customer get part of their refund back early. The loan product, which is approved by a bank, is available at no cost and no interest for customers who pay for tax preparation.

The loan is re-paid with the taxpayer's tax return, Christiansen said.

Fromi said health care reporting rules also still are causing confusion. "Last year was the first year we had to 100 percent report people's health insurance situation because of the Affordable Care Act."

This year, he said, taxpayers who receive health insurance from their employer or purchase their own do not have to wait for Forms 95-B or 95-C to arrive in order to file a return. "But if someone got insurance through healthcare.gov, the marketplace, or Obamacare  they call it a lot of names  they must wait until they get Form 95-A to file."

In addition, the penalty for not having health insurance is rising. "Last year, it was $325. This year, a single taxpayer will pay $695 for not having health insurance," he said. A family with children who do not have insurance face a maximum penalty of $2,085.

"Next year it gets more serious,'' Fromi said, adding "Some know paying the penalty still is cheaper than getting insurance."

But some uniformed taxpayers have been surprised to see a $695 deduction from their refund, he added.

Taxpayers also could face delays in processing and receiving refunds if their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) has expired. The PATH Act required certain numbers expire as of Jan. 1.

According to the IRS, any ITIN number not used on a tax return at least once in the past three years as well as any number with middle digits of either 78 or 79 (i.e. 9NN-78-NNNN) must be renewed. The process can take as long as 11 weeks during tax filing season.

Christiansen said the area district's 20 H&R offices have about seven preparers specially certified to assist taxpayers with obtaining ITINs.

These numbers are used by people who have tax-filing or payment obligations, but are not eligible for a Social Security number.

Even with the known delays, Fromi suggests taxpayers file as early as they can. The first day to electronically file a federal return is Monday.

Iowa and Illinois taxpayers also should expect delays in their state returns this year. "It's likely the Iowa returns that include the EITC also could be delayed until the first of March," Fromi said, adding that the Iowa Department of Revenue is reaching out to many taxpayers by letter.

"If you receive that correspondence there will be a callback number to the examiner listed," he said, warning taxpayers that neither the IRS or Department of Revenue will ever call a taxpayer.

As a fraud prevention measure, the Illinois Department of Revenue anticipates direct deposit refunds to be issued four weeks from the time of filing.

"Once you have your stuff ready there's no reason to delay having it prepared or filing it," Fromi said. "If (the IRS) opens it earlier, you're going to want to be in."
Do you have a new, or very interesting event going on at your place of worship? If so, please contact Deirdre Baker, who each week prepares news items for Saturday's Beliefs page. Send a message to: dbaker@qctimes.com, or call, 563-383-2492.

Killinger to speak at Metro Church

The community is invited to join the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad-Cities on Sunday as members welcome Dr. Lisa Killinger who will speak on "Practicing Patience."

The talk is during the 11 a.m. service at the church, 2930 W. Locust St., Davenport, across from the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

Killinger is past-president of the Islamic Center in Bettendorf and is a professor of diagnosis and radiology at Palmer College of Chiropractic.

She has directed or co-directed eight governmental grants on the topic of geriatric education and interdisciplinary health care, and served as a site coordinator for Iowa Geriatric Education Center for more than 10 years.

Killinger teaches geriatrics, male and female Health, case study writing, and chiropractic technique courses for students, educators and health professionals. She has received dozens of awards for her teaching and research over the past two decades.

The doors open at 9:30 a.m. for fellowship, including coffee, hot chocolate and cookies prior to and following the service.

Register now for Feb. 10 'Night to Shine' event

The Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine is coming to the Quad-Cities next month: It's a Prom event for those with special needs. Two churches in the Quad Cities are among the 375 in the world that will sponsor it on Feb. 10.

Risen Christ Lutheran Church will host its Night to Shine event at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, 1122 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport. Our Lady of the River Catholic Church in LeClaire host its event at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.

The churches are working together, along with Tebow foundation officials, to bring Gods love to people with special needs. The event is for those who are 14 years old, and older. All attendees will be treated to limousine rides, red-carpet entry and dancing.

Pre-registration is requested. For the event at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, go to rclcqc.org/serving-others.php. Or, contact the church office at Risen Christ at 563-386-2342 or by email at becky@rclcqc.org.

For the event at the Waterfront Convention Center: ourladyoftheriver.com/tim-tebow-foundation.php to register or call 563-370-4412.

Nursing ministry course announced

"Foundations of Faith" Community Nursing Course will held in March in the lower-level conference room of Medical Office Building 2 at the Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street, Davenport.

The course is 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 2-4, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 16-18.

Registration is required for this continuing education class: genesishealth.com/HealthMinistry

Sacred Stream director visits in May

The founding director of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream, a school for consciousness studies in Berkeley, California,, will visit the Quad Cities on May 8-13. Dr. Isa Gucciardi will appear at the following locations to discuss her book, "Coming to Peace."

 Monday, May 8, 7-8:30 p.m., Humility of Mary Center, 820 W. Central Park Ave., Davenport; a book reading and discussion.

 Thursday, May 11, 1-3:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, 2664 145th Ave., Wheatland, Iowa, "Embracing the Sacred Feminine."

 Thursday, May 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Institute of Noetic Sciences, Bettendorf. "Consciousness and Integrated Energy Medicine."

 Friday-Saturday, May 12-13, Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, 2664 145th Ave., Wheatland, Iowa, "The Path of Service and the Nature of Suffering."
Loud cracking noises woke Moline's North Shore Drive resident Gerri Atkins early Friday.

An ice jam forced the Rock River to jump from 13.7 feet to 15.07 feet in about an hour around 2 a.m. It fell just as rapidly to 13.93 feet.

"It was like the apocalypse, and it sounded like it, too," Atkins said.

A resident of the area for four years, she's used to flooding and ice jams. But Friday's flash flood was the worst.

A neighbor's dock washed ashore, and Atkins' basement took on 4 feet of water. Thick slabs of ice covered the neighborhood for hours.

"It looks like a giant glacier pooped around here," Atkins said.

The jam broke up a few hours later, with the river dropping to 13.78 feet by 9 a.m., according to the National Weather Service, Davenport.

The Rock at Moline stood at 12.68 feet at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

With the temperatures well be having over the next several days, things will slowly get better, National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Nichols said.

That doesnt mean there wont be more ice jams, he said. Ice is very hard to predict.

Dozens of North Shore Drive residents spent Friday afternoon bleaching and scrubbing surfaces and hauling away debris, long after the river had receded to its banks.

A few trees had saved Steve Vyncke's house from getting slammed with ice early Friday, he said.

Vyncke lives within 30 feet of the river. He said that after hearing what sounded like a freight train rolling by, he looked out the window and watched ice floes approaching his house.

"Trees are the only thing that saved my house from getting it," he said.

Gretchen Deluca rode out the early morning flood with her husband and son. Before it was over, she had adopted a new pet.

Deluca spotted neighbors' docks floating by with animals stuck on top. When she spotted a bunny, she ran out to save it.

"That was a smart bunny to go to a high point," she said. "I put a blanket on it and brought it in. I gave it to my son."

Deluca is new to the area, having moved to Moline from Florida in October. She never expected "Antarctica," which is how she described her ice-covered neighborhood on Friday.

Several residents gathered at Len Brown's North Shore Inn later in the day. The TV behind the bar showed President Donald Trump's inauguration, but the conversation was about the flooding.

"It's a lot of ice," Debbie Ferry said. "I've seen it flood, but never like this."

(Thomas Geyer contributed to this story.)
The driver of an SUV that crashed into three motorcyclists, killing two, on LeClaires South Cody Road in September was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol and a prescription medication, according to a news release issued Friday by LeClaire police and Scott County authorities.

According to the investigation, at about 10:20 p.m. on Sept. 11, Darryl Wilson, 52, was driving his Ford Explorer north in the 3100 block of South Cody Road. The SUV crossed two lanes of traffic into the southbound lanes and into the path of four motorcycles that were in the right hand lane.

The Ford struck three of the motorcyclists, killing Ronald Fox, 59, of Blue Grass, and William Griffith, 57, of Davenport. A third motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. The first motorcycle had become lodged on the front of the SUV. At some point, the first motorcycle and the SUV became engulfed in flames.

The investigation showed there were no skid, swerve or pre-accident markings leading up to the impact with the motorcycles, according to the news release.

Wilson was taken to the hospital where he was treated and then released. He consented to a blood draw. The crime lab at the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, or DCI, determined that Wilsons blood alcohol content was .075, which is under the legal limit of .08. The blood then was sent to a second laboratory for other substance testing.

The second lab results were received Jan. 9 and showed the presence of a prescription medication in Wilsons blood. Wilson would have been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of serious injury by a vehicle.

However, Wilson died Jan. 1, which officially closes the investigation.

The news release was issued jointly by LeClaire Police Chief Shane Themas, Scott County Attorney Mike Walton and Scott County Sheriffs Department crash investigator Sean Thompson.
The odds were against Freddy Nsunzo ever leaving his war-torn African country.

There was a three in 3,000 chance that refugees fleeing from the Democratic Republic of Congo would be granted a visa to get to the United States. Nsunzo, recalling a time when he was 27 years old, said he was "shocked" to discover he was one of the three.

"This is my dream, and it's come true," Nsunzo, now 40, said Friday at his naturalization ceremony to become an American citizen.

The ceremony was held at U.S. District Court, Rock Island. Judge Sara Darrow pronounced 53 men and women from 24 different countries citizens.

"I've got the best vantage point in this courtroom to see what's on your faces," Darrow said.

The judge shared a personal story about her mother, Lili Darrow, who became a citizen 50 years ago after coming to the U.S. from Latvia.

"It was the most important day of her life," she said.

She then referred to the country as a "nation of immigrants" and said it did not matter how a person came here. "You're all Americans," she said. "You exemplify what's best about this country."

Many of the new citizens came from countries that have been plagued with violence and political unrest.

As Darrow called out the names of countries, people stood. The largest number of people at the ceremony came from Myanmar, also known as Burma, which has been caught up in ethnic strife for a half century.

Ephraim Khim, 46, of Monmouth, Illinois, fled Myanmar as a refugee in 2009. The process to become a U.S. citizen took him at least five years.

"I'm very happy," Khim said. "It's a wonderful day."

Kuot Manyang, 29, escaped civil war in Sudan and spent six years in a refugee camp in neighboring Kenya, leaving his parents and siblings behind.

He was the only one in his family to make it to the United States in 2007. Language was his biggest barrier.

"It wasn't easy," Manyang said. "I learned British English. My only way to communicate was to spell the word I meant to say. With time, though, I cannot speak fluently, but I can communicate."

There was another barrier  food.

"I tried a hamburger," he said. "I didn't like it. The taste was different."
SPRINGFIELD  A Republican state senator from southern Illinois has introduced a bill that would make it easier for independent and third-party candidates to get on the ballot.

The proposal from Sen. Kyle McCarter, a conservative from Lebanon, comes after progressive Bloomington physician David Gill was removed from the November ballot for failing to collect enough signatures on his nominating petitions to earn a spot as an independent candidate in the 13th Congressional District.

Gill, who had run unsuccessfully four previous times as a Democrat, gathered fewer than 8,500 of the 10,754 valid petition signatures he needed. But his would-be opponents, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, and Democratic challenger Mark Wicklund of Decatur, each had to gather fewer than 740 signatures.

McCarter, who unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. John Shimkus of Collinsville in the March Republican primary in the 18th District, said he wasnt inspired by Gills case, instead calling it common sense to have the same requirements for all candidates.

McCarter said he thinks its unfair for independent candidates to have to collect more signatures than candidates from the established parties.

He added that some voters have a hard time identifying with the traditional political parties and should have other options.

The number of signatures required to be on the ballot varies by office and district and is based on the number of people who cast ballots in the previous election.

For example, in races for U.S. Congress, independent or third-party candidates in Illinois have to gather signatures from at least 5 percent but not more than 8 percent of the number of people who voted in the previous general election for that seat.

Congressional candidates from the two major parties, meanwhile, have to gather signatures from only half of 1 percent of the number of people in their party who voted in the preceding primary in the district.

As a result, Gill was required to collect nearly 15 times as many signatures as Davis and Wicklund.

Spokesmen for the state Democratic and Republican parties did not respond Friday to requests for comment on McCarters bill.

During a hearing on Gills lawsuit in federal court in August, lawyers representing the Illinois State Board of Elections argued that the state sets signature requirements because it has an interest in preventing voter confusion and ballot overcrowding.

Gills legal challenge didnt succeed in getting him on the November ballot, but his lawsuit challenging the current state law is pending before the U.S. District Court in Springfield.

This isnt the first time lawmakers have proposed lowering the signature requirement for independent and third-party candidates.

For example, Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, and Rep. Mike Fortner, R-West Chicago, introduced bills in 2013, but neither made it to the Senate or House floor for a vote.
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Jeff Martz, who has watched his son, Devin, battle cancer since June, said he doesnt see 2017 as just a new chapter in the life of his family.

I want to start a whole new book, he said.

And, really, he has begun to do that.

Putting words to paper in a blue composition book, Jeff is working on the first piece in what he hopes is a series that tells the stories of children fighting cancer through the persona of animals.

He said he has enjoyed writing poetry since high school and participated in spoken word competitions.

A talented artist, he also is sketching pictures of the animals to illustrate his work.

His first story is about a bear and is based on Devins story.

Heres an excerpt from his first draft:

My run was fast and, my stance is tall

just the sight of me you see Im strong.

To understand what I face

you will give an arm or a leg,

and only then your eyes will see.

Its a bear to bare what is wrong with me.

Its a bear to bare what is wrong with me.
Thousands of mostly young women in masks gathered for rallies across the U.S., exhorting voters to oppose President Trump in the Nov. 3 election.
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WASHINGTON | Wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president, hundreds of thousands of women massed in the nation's capital and cities around the globe Saturday to send Donald Trump an emphatic message that they won't let his agenda go unchallenged over the next four years.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay."

The women brandished signs with messages such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" and decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change. The message reverberated at demonstrations around the globe, from Paris and Berlin to Sydney and beyond.

There were early signs that the crowds in Washington could top those that gathered for Trump's inauguration on Friday. City officials said organizers of the Women's March on Washington more than doubled their turnout estimate to 500,000 as crowds began swelling and subways into the city became clogged with participants.

It wasn't just a Washington phenomenon and it wasn't just women: More than 600 "sister marches" were planned across the country, including Rapid City, and around the world, and plenty of men were part of the tableau, too. Organizers estimated 3 million would march worldwide.

As the rally alongside the National Mall took shape, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration.

Outside on the streets of Washington, feminist leader Gloria Steinem described the worldwide mobilization as "the upside of the downside: This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life."

"Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are," she told the Washington crowd, labeling Trump an "impossible president."

In Paris, thousands marched in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading: "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump" and "With our sisters in Washington."

At a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, author Jodi Picoult said: "We in New Hampshire are not in the habit of going in reverse. We have the backs of those who are less fortunate  who may be struggling for health care, for environmental rights, for racial equality, for a fair wage, for justice."

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values."

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when "many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes."

"It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were," she said.

Rose Wurm, 64, a retired medical secretary from Bedford, Pennsylvania, boarded a Washington-bound bus in Hagerstown, Maryland, at 7 a.m. carrying two signs: one asking Trump to stop tweeting, and one asking him to fix, not trash, the Obamacare health law.

"There are parts of it that do need change. It's something new, something unique that's not going to be perfect right out of the gate," she said.

Many wore hand-knit "pussyhats"  a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals.

The march attracted significant support from celebrities. Ferrera led the artists' contingent, and those scheduled to speak in Washington included Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore. The promised performance lineup included Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Samantha Ronson, the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Cher, Katy Perry and Julianne Moore all were expected to attend.

In Prague, hundreds gathered in Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin and holding banners that read "This is just the beginning," ''Kindness" and "Love."

"We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections," said organizer Johanna Nejedlova.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, march organizer Lesley-Ann Brown said: "Nationalist, racist and misogynistic trends are growing worldwide and threaten the most marginalized groups in our societies including women, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community and people with disabilities."

In Sydney, thousands of Australians marched in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.

The idea for the women's march took off after a number of women posted on social media in the hours after Trump's election about the need to mobilize. Hundreds of groups quickly joined the cause, pushing a wide range of causes, including abortion rights, gun control, climate change and immigrant rights.

While the march organizers' "mission and vision" statement never mentions Trump and stresses broad themes, including the message that "women's rights are human rights," the unifying factor among those turning out appeared to be a loathing for the new president and dismay that so much of the country voted for him.

Friday's unrest during the inauguration led police to use pepper spray and stun grenades to prevent the chaos from spilling into Trump's formal procession and the evening balls. About a mile from the National Mall, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed the windows of downtown businesses, including a Starbucks, a Bank of America and a McDonald's, as they denounced capitalism and Trump.

Check back later for a story on the Rapid City march.
SIOUX FALLS | A planned 29,000-square-foot archive storage facility in Sioux Falls will need funding from City Hall before construction can begin.

Siouxland Heritage Museums director Bill Hoskins tells the Argus Leader that he hopes construction on the facility can begin in March.

The facility is planned to include two micro climate rooms, a space for textile storage, a lobby and public work space area.

Construction would also leave room for a future addition.

Currently, items such as newspaper archives and historic photographs are being stored at the Old Courthouse Museum or the Pettigrew Museum.

"The collection is literally stuck in every nook and cranny," Hoskins said. "If we can move those things into one place, I think the management will be much more efficient than it is today. It will be much easier for the general public to come in and get to see what they would like at that time."

Plans for the facility were developed and approved by the Minnehaha County Commission and the Sioux Falls City Council in 2013. At that time, the two groups agreed to cover $1.3 million of the estimated $3.9 million construction costs. The rest would be paid for with funds generated from the sale of 20 acres of land donated to the county for the sole purpose of raising money for the facility.

Hoskins said there was a four-year delay in construction has likely driven up the costs to as much as $4.5 million.
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard ordered flags at the State Capitol be flown at half-staff on Saturday, Jan. 21, to honor the life of former legislator Kenneth George Kenny McNenny of Sturgis, who died on Jan. 17.

McNenny, 81, represented the Meade County area in the state House from 1987 to 2000 and state Senate from 2005 to 2008. McNenny served as majority whip from 1997 to 2000.

Funeral services were scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Sturgis Community Center with Pastor Harold Delbridge officiating.

A memorial has been established for the Meade and Butte County (District 29) Legislative Pages and Children's Care Hospital and School of Sioux Falls.
PIERRE | Vote centers might work well for South Dakota residents, but they present some challenges for candidates and county and state election officials.

Thats what Secretary of State Shantel Krebs told members of the House State Affairs Committee on Friday morning while discussing two bills that would clean up election-related laws.

The primary issue, she said, is that counties that use vote centers cant track election returns by precinct. And that creates problems when it comes to determining the number of signatures some candidates need to collect to get their names on the ballot.

Under current state law, the number of signatures needed to be a candidate for the Legislature, county public office and county party office is determined by the number of people who voted for their partys nominee in the last gubernatorial election. But without precinct numbers, those thresholds sometimes cant be determined.

A legislative district, for instance, might include only some precincts in a particular county.

Now, for partisan candidates, the requirement is 50 signatures or not fewer than 1 percent of the number of voters who cast ballots for a partys candidate in the last election for governor, whichever is less.

For independent candidates, the number of signatures required is at least 1 percent of the total number of registered voters in the legislative district, county or county commission district during the last general election.

Krebs proposal sets flat numbers for both partisan and independent candidates in counties that have vote centers:

 50 signatures for a legislative candidate whose district either in whole or in part includes a county with a vote center;

 30 signatures for a county candidate;

 15 signatures for a county commissioner candidate in which there are commission districts, and

 Five signatures for new party legislative candidates whose district either in whole or in part includes a county with a vote center.

The existing signature requirements would remain in place for counties that dont have vote centers.

Brown, Brookings, Hughes, Hyde, Potter, Sully and Yankton counties use vote centers. That means registered voters may cast ballots at any established polling place in the county as opposed to their designated precincts.

To track precinct results, each vote center in Brown County would have needed to have more than 30 ballots on hand in November, Krebs said.

She said candidates, including Democrat Susan Wismer, of Britton, called her before last years election with questions about the number of signatures needed.

Krebs said another reason she prefers precincts to vote centers is that candidates and others like to look at precinct numbers, as they reveal a lot about voters.

In some areas, the new numbers would require candidates to collect more signatures, which Rep. Spencer Howley, D-Brookings, noted he doesnt like. But, he conceded, the new guidelines make sense given there are not precinct numbers available in vote center counties. Besides, he said, any candidate who cant gather 50 signatures probably shouldnt be running for office.

The signature number changes are just one part of multifaceted House Bill 1037, which was moved to the full House on an 11-0 vote. Among other things, the measure:

 Requires that nominating petitions be self-contained sheets of paper.

That, Krebs said, means they have to be printed with a front and a back so voters know what theyre signing.

In other words, a candidate cant circulate a sheet with just signature lines on it.

 Clarifies that a candidate must sign a declaration of candidacy before circulating petitions.

 Clarifies that a secondary election is a runoff election.

 Clarifies that candidates for applicable offices may start collecting signatures at the first second of a new year as opposed to 8 a.m. Jan. 1.

 Requires that independent gubernatorial candidates name their lieutenant governor candidates and that independent presidential candidates name their running mates before circulating nominating petitions.

 Requires political parties that do not have primary elections to set a process by which they select their delegates and alternates to the national convention and notify the secretary of states office of that process.

The other measure Krebs discussed was Senate Bill 1035. It stipulates scenarios in which challenges to statewide ballot petitions be made in court as opposed to her office.

For instance, she said, her staff can check names and addresses and whether a petition has a notary seal. But theres no way workers can know whether a petition was signed in the presence of a circulator, as the law required. In that case, a judge would have to make a ruling after hearing evidence, she said.

The same guidelines would also apply to cities, counties and school districts when they oversee elections.

We could be challenged to infinity, Krebs said.

And, in fact, the two bills she pitched were the result of ballot challenges last year that resulted in five lawsuits.

SB1035 also:

 Requires that paper copies of nominating petitions be delivered to Krebs office by 5 p.m. deadline day. Last year, she said, one batch arrived electronically at 4:57 p.m. That scenario isnt now covered by state law, she said.

 Requires that her office notify sponsors of ballot measures by certified mail whether they are approved or not.

 Prohibits political parties from paying petition circulators per signature. A violation would be a misdemeanor.

The measure was moved to the full House on an 11-0 committee vote.

Krebs said the states nonpartisan election board has discussed both bills. She said Judge Mark Barnett suggested the changes to election laws while handling petition-related lawsuits.
Rapid City's trash collection schedule will be adjusted Tuesday to allow sanitation employees to attend the funeral for co-worker David Legros.

Collections supervisor Tracy Gannon said trash collection will end at noon Tuesday, with the remainder of that days collection moving to Wednesday.

Wednesday's normal collection routes will be completed late Wednesday and Thursday. Residents are asked to keep containers out until the trash is collected.

Legros worked for the city as a sanitation worker for 19 years. He suffered a medical problem while working Jan. 5 and died Jan. 17.

Legros' funeral is at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kirk Funeral Home, 1051 E. Minnesota St. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.
RAPID CITY | Women from the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard recently traveled to the South American country of Suriname, as part of National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program, to take part in a Women in the Military workshop with women from the Suriname armed forces.

Ms. Danielle Veirra, deputy director of Surinames Ministry of Defense, kicked off the workshop by welcoming approximately 70 women serving in Surinames armed forces and four from the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard, saying it was a day that we have been waiting for; a day that women can come forward and talk about the issues that concern them.

Vierra, who was the first woman to serve as advisor to the commander of Surinames armed forces told the women, There is a season to sow, there is a season to water and there is a season to harvest. It took time to plant some seedlings in the ground, it took time to water them but we cannot harvest yet. But we are here today and we see the blossoms on the tree. We need to work now so that we can harvest.

Lets take the opportunity for the next two days to discuss with our friends from South Dakota the issues that we have in common and what we have not, Vierra said. They have started earlier in their process, so we can learn from them and when its time, we can harvest good fruits; women in the military in Suriname.

South Dakota Air National Guard Lt. Col. Mary Rysavy, inspector general, began the first day with presentations from the South Dakota delegation with a brief history of women in the U.S. military, the barriers and restrictions that they have overcome and some that they still face.

I think it really brought to light that a lot of the issues that women face in the military are universal, Rysavy said. We are all just at different points in how close we are to getting to the optimal balance.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sandi Trohkimoinen, legal administrator in the South Dakota Army National Guard, next shared recent progress within the U.S. military for women.

Within the last two years, the Pentagon has announced that it is opening 14,000 positions to women that were previously exclusive to males, Trohkimoinen said. In May, the Army opened six combat support military occupational specialties to women and in July, the Army announced the first female was recruited to serve in a combat support role.

South Dakota Army National Guard 1st Lt. Billi Bierle, specialty branch officer for the 109th Regional Support Group, shared personal experiences as a woman serving in the National Guard. She spoke of being a woman deployed with an engineer company, being the wife of deployed Soldier and being a mother in the military.

Lt. Col. Deb Bartunek, deputy director for the SDNG Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, also shared her experiences including being married to Soldier and her mobilization experience, which included her oldest son who was four-years-old at the time being diagnosed with leukemia.

It was a very challenging time and took a lot of strength to continue to serve, Bartunek told the audience. I felt the pressure in taking care of my son, which I did. Your family has to come first. But I had good leaders that understood that and allowed me to personally take care of his medical issues.

There were a lot of times that Id say I just want to go be a mother but then I look at my military career and there is myself and one other lieutenant colonel that are the highest ranking women in our South Dakota Army National Guard, so I felt the need to stay where I am, continue to be a professional and continue to be a leader so that those coming behind me can achieve even greater ranks than I am.

Following presentations from each of the four South Dakota National Guard representatives, they each worked with a small group of women from Suriname, allowing them time to ask questions and discuss their concerns of womens equality in the Suriname armed forces.

We had a chance to talk about some of our struggles and some of our strengths regarding women in the military in the United States, said Bierle. Perhaps more importantly though, we were able to simply listen to their concerns and let them know that theyre not alone.

A wide variety of topics were discussed but the primary focus was equal opportunity when it comes to positions and education opportunities.

Women in Surinames military are restricted from holding any job where certain strength is needed, such as infantry, maintenance, heavy equipment operators and truck drivers, said 1st Lt. Gwendoline Babel, human resource officer for Surinames deputy director. Women are also not deployed.

The fact that Surinames women are not allowed to work in the infantry field was discussed at length.

The infantry is the place where you can make a career, said Babel. In the administration and logistics professions positions and rank are limited, but in the infantry you can become a colonel, the commander of the armed forces. We find our careers cut short because we cannot become a lieutenant colonel or a colonel. That is why we are so passionate about having opportunities in the infantry.

Sexual assault and harassment were also common topics brought up throughout the two days of discussion.

They want to write and start to implement a sexual harassment and assault policy, said Bartunek. I told them we can give them the foundation that we have used, but they would need to make it unique to their culture.

Weve been through the growing pains; we still go through some of them, so to be able to provide support and give them some of the tools they need to move forward and make their organization a better one is exciting.

On the second day of the workshop, a woman from each small group briefed Surinames Minister of Defense Lamure Latour and Chief of Defense Col. Hedwig Gilaard in front of their peers about their concerns.

Lt. Col. John Weber, State Partnership Program director, said the two days will serve as a springboard to formulate policy.

Surinames Ministry of Defense asked specifically for this workshop, Weber said. Their leadership was also very open to adding a follow up event. They would like to use these exchanges to develop and formulate policies on womens issues going forward.

It was a great opportunity to get together and talk freely about these things, said Babel. We dont expect big changes right away, but small ones. We need to take one step at a time.

We hope that we gave them a foundation to start with, encouragement to keep pushing forward and encouragement to be patient, Bierle said. They may not reap the benefits but the soldiers coming in after them will. And they will pave the way for future generations because thats what our women did for us.

Participants concluded the two days by speaking of the valuable partnership between Suriname and South Dakota.

I want to thank the U.S. government and South Dakotas leadership for having a State Partnership Program, said Babel. If it wasnt for this program we wouldnt be having this conference or these discussions.
Reactions to Friday's presidential inauguration were mixed in the Bitterroot Valley.

At the Hamilton home of Joyce and Tom Brader, the couple felt touched by the details as they watched the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States.

I really think Donald Trump has empathy and feelings for my country, Joyce Brader said. I saw it when he laid the wreath at the Unknown Soldiers Tomb in Arlington.

The Braders visited Arlington National Cemetery several years ago and said they felt a stronger connection to the events because of that.

It is fun to see the places weve seen before, Tom Brader said. This is some of the best coverage that Ive ever seen. It feels intimate, like Im right there standing next to people.

Ravalli County Republican Central Committee Chair Terry Nelson said hes excited to see what the next president will do.

He was probably nowhere close to my top pick, but seeing what he says makes me believe he really cares about the country, Nelson said. I think he will make some great changes.

Hopefully, we will come out of the eight year slump in jobs and everything else weve suffered, Nelson said.

Both Nelson and the Braders took note of the protests that occurred in Washington D.C. Friday.

Tom Brader said this inauguration is tremendously different from previous inaugurations that hes witnessed.

This is the first one Ive seen with overt protests, he said. We started watching presidential elections in 1960 with Kennedy and Nixon. Each one is divisive -- thats how our politics work -- but this is the first one where Ive really seen the numbers of outright angry people that are unhappy the way the election went and are demonstrating.

Joyce Brader said she was sad that some Democratic U.S. representatives wouldnt participate in an event that recognizes the presidency and the country.

If Hillary Clinton could go there and bite her lip, whats wrong with these people? Im really disappointed in their behavior, she said. I was really disappointed in the Democrats behavior during the confirmation hearings. It was ugly. Why? Why do you have to be ugly? Whatever happened to statesmanship?

After the swearing in, the couple stayed glued to the TV for Trump's speech and the wave good-bye to Obama as he left in a helicopter.

The transition's been made and I hope the country is better for everything, Tom Brader said. I think Hillary had the toughest time today. There was nobody that worked harder and tried harder and has not succeeded. She was a tough cookie today. Thats the way to do things, suck it up.

Its called sportsmanship or statesmanship, Joyce Brader said. We try to teach our kids be a good loser.

In Victor, Merle Ann Loman was preparing to get up early Saturday for a bus for a trip to Helena, where she will join the Womens March on Montana. The event is designed to shine light on people she believes are in danger of being marginalized under the new administration, including women.

Loman said the march in Helena isnt meant to be a protest against Pres. Trump, although she would be happy if it were.

When the vote happened that made Trump president, I broke down, she said. Im a rape survivor. I have known about Trump for a very, very long timehis election brought back the fear.

As soon as Loman heard that Montana women were forming a march in Helena in solidarity with the much larger Womens March in Washington, D.C., she volunteered to help organize in the Bitterroot Valley.

It took off like wildfire, she said. Our Bitterroot group has 270 members. There are over 4,000 people pledging to go to the event in Helena.

Loman believes the march will be just the beginning of actions designed to keep in the forefront human rights issues important to her and others.

Never in my life, other than voting, have I stood up and taken action like this, she said. Im 64 years old. Im going to take action now. Im not going to stop until Im certain that this country is safe and on the right track.

Right now, Im very afraid, Loman said. Ive never felt like this before. Ive been very active non-profits and conservation, but now it seems like this country is shifting gears. Its very frightening to me to consider where we might be headed.

Russ Lawrence of Hamilton also believes this election has been a call to action for him.

Agree or disagree with his policies, our outgoing president was never less than gracious, thoughtful, and articulate, Lawrence said. I'll miss that. I'm concerned about the potential triumph of capital over compassion, and the erosion of equal justice for all, at all levels of government. My motivation to make my voice heard on such issues is renewed, and I encourage others to do so as well.

Lawrence has made a list of contact phone numbers and emails of legislators at all levels and has already been using it.

I plan to make my voice heard in public forums, he said. I have challenged my friends not to post or share political items online until they have first taken personal action on the subject and I hold myself to that same standard.

State Rep. Theresa Manzella, R-Darby, said there was a lot of celebration Friday at the state capital.

Some of the committees actually called off their committee hearings so they could watch the inauguration, Manzella said. Unfortunately, that wasnt mine.

Manzella said the presidents message of putting America first gives her renewed hope for the future.

Manzella served as the chair of the states Republican delegation to the Republican National Convention last July. She was the spokesperson as Montana nominated Trump.

I pray that I look back in four years and recognize that as a memorable moment in my life and pivotal moment in American history, Manzella said.

Former Republican State Chairman Will Deschamps of Missoula attended the inauguration after receiving an invitation from the Trump camp.

He said in a phone interview that it "was an experience of a lifetimeits something that you have to experience to really understand what it feels like.

Deschamps said he appreciated the fact Trump does not use the language of politicians.

Everything gets nuanced in Washington, Deschamps said. He doesnt shift his language. He says were going to build a wall so were going to build a wall. I think that is something people have been dying to hear for a long time.
America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance!
In geopolitics, a deep understanding of geography and power allows you to do two things. First, it helps you comprehend the forces that will shape international politics and how they will do so. Second, it helps you distinguish what is important from what isnt.

This makes maps a vital part of our work, here at This Week in Geopolitics . So we have decided to showcase some of the best maps our graphics team (TJ Lensing and Jay Dowd) made in 2016.

These four maps help explain the foundations of what will be the most important geopolitical developments of 2017.

Map 1: Russias economic weakness

First is the oft-overlooked fact that Russia is a federation. Russia has a strong national culture, but it is also an incredibly diverse political entity that requires a strong central government. Unlike most maps of Russia, this one divides the country by its 85 constitutive regions. (87 if you count Crimea and Sevastopol.) Not all have the same statussome are regions, while others are autonomous regions, cities, and republics.

The map also highlights the great extent of economic diversity in this vast Russian Federation. The map shows this by identifying regional budget surpluses and deficits throughout the country. Two regions have such large surpluses that they break the scale: the City of Moscow and Sakhalin. Fifty-two regions (or 60% of Russias regional budgets) are in the red. The Central District, which includes Moscow, makes up more than 20% of Russias GDP, while Sakhalin and a few other regions that are blessed with surpluses produce Russias oil.

The third point follows from the first two. Russia is vast, and much of the country is in a difficult economic situation. Even if oil stays around $55 a barrel for all of 2017, that wont be high enough to solve the problems of the many struggling parts of the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin rules as an authoritarian. This is, in part, because he governs an unwieldy country. He needs all the power he can get to redistribute wealth so that the countryside isnt driven to revolt.

Russia is making headlines right now because of Ukraine, Syria, and alleged hacking. But the geopolitical position of Russia is better described by studying the map above.

Map 2: Chinas cage limits access to the Pacific

Maps that shift perspective can be disorienting, but they are meant to be. Our minds get so used to seeing the world in one way that a different view can feel alien. But that is even more reason to push through the discomfort. The map above shows us the Pacific from Beijings perspective.

Chinas moves in the South China Sea have received a great deal of attention. In a Jan. 12 confirmation hearing with Congress, nominee for US Secretary of Defense James Mattish pointed to Chinese aggressiveness as one of the major reasons he thinks the world order is under its biggest assault since World War II.

But we believe the Chinese threat is overstated. This map helps explain why.

Chinas access to the Pacific is limited by two obstacles. ( I wrote about this extensively in This Week in Geopolitics ). The first is the small island chains in the South and East China Seas. When we look at this map, Chinas motive in asserting control over these large rocks becomes clear. If China cannot control these islands and shoals, they can be used against China in a military conflict.

The second obstacle is that China is surrounded by American allies. Some such as Japan (and to a lesser extent South Korea and Taiwan) have significant military forces to defend themselves from Chinese encroachment. Taiwan sticks out as a major spur aimed squarely at Chinas southeast coast. Those that dont have sufficient military defenses, like the Philippines, have firm US security guarantees. China is currently at a serious geographic disadvantage in the waters off its coast.

This map does not reveal one important fact. That is the US Navy outclasses the Chinese navy in almost every regard despite impressive and continuing Chinese efforts to increase capabilities.

But looking at this map, you can see why China wants to make noise in its coastal waters and howChina is limited by an arc of American allies. You can also see why one of Chinas major goals will be to attempt to entice any American allies to switch sides.

Chinas moves regarding the Philippines will require close observation in 2017.





Map 3: Geographical power in the Middle East

It has become cliche to point out that the Middle Easts current political borders were drawn after World War I by colonial powers (like the UK and France), and that the regions recent wars and insurrections are making these artificial boundaries obsolete. What isnt cliche is doubling down on that analysis.

Weve drawn a new map one that reveals what the Middle East really looks like right now. Some will object to some of the boundaries for political purposes, but this map is not trying to make a political statement. Rather, it is an attempt to show who holds power over what geography in the Middle East.

From this point of view, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya no longer exist. In their places are smaller warring statelets based on ethnic, national, and sectarian identities. Other borders (like those of Lebanon and Israel) are also redrawn to reflect actual power dynamics.

Here, a politically incorrect but accurate map is more useful than an inaccurate but politically correct one.

It is also important to note which countries borders do not require redrawing . These include three of the regions four major powers: Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. The borders of the other major power, Israel, are only slightly modified. (Egypt is an economic basket case. It doesnt qualify as a major power, even though it has one of the most cohesive national cultures in the Arab world.)

The Middle East is defined by two key dynamics: the wars raging in the heart of the Arab world and the balance of power between the countries that surround this conflict.

Map 4: Nationalism and the future of the EU

Analyzing this map must begin with a disclaimer: This is a tool and a means of thinking about Europes future not a prediction of what Europes borders will look like in the future.

The map identifies areas in Europe with strong nationalist tendencies. The names of regions with active separatist movements are not italicized. Those that are italicized are demanding increased autonomy but not independence. The point here is not their size, but rather in all these regions, there is some degree of national consciousness that is not consistent with the current boundaries of Europes nation-states.

The European Union is a flawed institution because its members could never decide what they wanted it to be. European nation-states gave up some of their sovereignty to Brussels but not all of it. So when serious issues arose (such as the 2008 financial crisis or the influx of Syrian and other refugees), EU member states went back to solving problems the way they did before the EU.

In 2016, Brexit shook the foundations of the EU. And in 2017, elections in France and Germany as well as domestic instability in Italy will shake those foundations once again.

But Brexit also brings up a deeper question: How will national self-determination be defined in the 21st century? Not all of Europes nation-states are on stable ground. The most important consequence of Brexit may be be its impact on the political future of the UK itself. And in Spain, Catalonia already claims it will hold an independence referendum this year.

Conclusion

The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. Maps are worth many more. Our perspective on the world is rooted in an objective approach to examining geography and power. These four maps are essential tools for thinking about the geopolitical forces that will shape the world in 2017.

Prepare Yourself for Tomorrow with This Week in Geopolitics
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"Sully" was Tom Hanks' Oscar film. Inferno was his popcorn one.

Both face an uphill battle to get that Best Actor nod next week, but "Inferno" will probably be the one with big DVD sales. That's because Hanks continues his run as Robert Langdon, the cryptologist who can find clues in just about everything.

In the latest, less-satisfying tour (of the museums in Italy, no less), he learns a virus is about to be unleashed and, yup, hes the only guy who can stop it.

Unfortunately, he was hit on the head, brought to an Italian hospital and targeted for extinction. Realizing as much, a physician (Felicity Jones) pulls him out of harms way, into her home and on the trail of those hidden messages.

Unlike The Da Vinci Code, which started all this this running and jumping, Inferno doesnt quite make sense. If youre an amateur puzzle sleuth, you could connect the dots in the first film. This isnt even worth attempting.

Director Ron Howard doesnt let Hanks and Jones linger anywhere too long, either, and throws in such convoluted explanations youll believe just about anything youre told.

The bad guys arent difficult to spot but the reasons for their participation are all over the map. At times, Inferno hints at some of Alfred Hitchcocks epic adventures but it never comes close to grazing North By Northwest or The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Hanks, as usual, is a trusty tour guide, able to divert with the best of them. But there are scenes with Jones that smack of a heightened sensibility. He yells, she yells louder. The cool pilot he played in Sully has taken flight elsewhere.

Irrfan Khan does a fine job as one of those is he bad or isnt he? guys and Ben Foster is probably as scary as they get as the billionaire who dies before the opening credits. Hes shown in plenty of videos and flashbacks, but the depth of his influence is never fully realized. Just know hes determined to kill a bunch of people by letting a virus out somewhere in Europe.

Howard still knows how to cut a film for maximum effect. Scenes pop even when it doesnt look like Hanks is doing anything. When he and Jones  the it actress of the fall movie season  walk in the attic of a museum (hovering over priceless paintings, no less), you feel the tension and worry that one of them is going to trip. An ambitious guard is on their trail, too, which adds to the moment and lets Hanks play out a scene that could have been cut from The Sound of Music.

Inferno moves, not like a house on fire, but like a film series that probably needs a cryptologists hand in plotting.
HINTON, Iowa | Sam Clovis, a former Sioux City college professor and radio talk show host who signed onto Donald Trump's presidential campaign in 2015, has accepted a key White House job with the new Trump administration.

In a text to the Journal Friday, Clovis said he was "humbled" to be appointed senior White House advisor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Clovis said he was one of 30 individuals sworn in at the USDA on Friday, after Trump's inauguration.

Clovis said he was "humbled and proud to be part of history," but did not elaborate on his new job.

A tenured economics professor at Morningside College, Clovis had been on unpaid leave from the private Sioux City school since August 2015, when he joined the Trump campaign as national co-chairman and chief policy adviser.

Clovis, who ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in the Republican primary in June 2014 and then as the GOP nominee for state treasurer that fall, originally signed on as an advisor to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry's campaign when the 2016 presidential campaign kicked off. After a summer in which the tough-talking Trump surged to the top of polls and Perry faded, Clovis switched to the Trump team.

Clovis often served as a surrogate for Trump during the campaign. His duties included speaking to farm groups, and represented the campaign in ag forums.

Trump this week nominated former Gov. Sonny Perdue as agriculture secretary. Perdue will succeed former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack.

Clovis, of rural Hinton, Iowa, is also a former talk show host on Sioux City AM radio station KSCJ.

Journal reporter Bret Hayworth contributed to this story.
WASHINGTON, D.C. | Dillion Naslund, a U.S. Army soldier from Galva, Iowa, called his mother eight years ago this weekend during a break while working security in Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Dillion Naslund had already served a tour of duty in Iraq. Two-and-a-half years later, he completed a tour in Afghanistan.

Back home, upon completion of his military service, Dillion Naslund struggled to put the puzzle of his life back together. Suffering the devastating effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the former U.S. Army sergeant committed suicide on Dec. 10, 2012.

It's his death that brought his mother, Lisa Naslund, of Galva, to Washington, D.C., this week for the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Naslund joined family members of more than 200 soldiers who have died in recent years; some killed in action, others who committed suicide, and yet others whose deaths were accidental. These family members formed the organization Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S.) and marched as one unit in the inaugural parade on Friday.

"The patriotism here is so strong," Lisa Naslund said while waiting to take her place in the parade line-up, just a few feet behind a military caisson. "This hasn't been political, it's been patriotic."

Naslund met up with other late soldiers' family members from throughout Iowa in driving to Washington for the event. They came from Le Mars, Decorah, Sumner, Keokuk and other cities. The group attended an inaugural "Heroes Ball" on Thursday night, then met an angry, confrontational visitor on their walk back to the motel.

"One lady tried to argue with us and we just pulled out our Northwest Iowa values and asked her if she wanted a hug," Lisa said.

Along the way, there were all sorts of hugs, from those who know the pain of losing a soldier, to those who just want to thank mothers like Naslund for sending a child in harm's way to protect this nation.

"This is my first trip to Washington and I almost can't describe how powerful it has been," Lisa Naslund said. "The monuments, the historic architecture, the incredible sound of military bands. It's all overwhelming."

The quiet moments are just as moving. Naslund, who has worked tirelessly for veterans and their families the past four years through Operation Engage America, had what she called "several mother moments" during the inauguration festivities.

"I see the security all around us, the helicopters overhead and the soldiers on top of buildings and I can't help but feel safe," she said. "And I can't help but think of Dillion and how he was doing this work here eight years ago when he called me. We visited The Pentagon today and got scanned for security and I wondered, 'Maybe this is what Dillion was doing.'"

Naslund said the experience has helped her form a greater tie with family members of other soldiers who have died in recent years, fallen heroes whose legacies she lifts. The inauguration and all that surrounds this country's peaceful transfer of power helped one military mother from Galva fashion a stronger bond with her country.

That bond grows in the confidence of a new president, in the arms of a stranger's hug, in the shadow of the Washington Monument, and, well, in something as small as a smile.

"It's been an unbelievable experience being here," she said. "I'll return with a different mindset, an even greater respect for our country."
Todays top picks from our online calendar. Find more events at siouxcityjournal.com/calendar.

Urinetown: The Musical

In the not-so-distant future, a terrible water shortage and 20-year drought has led to a government ban on private toilets and a proliferation of paid public toilets, owned and operated by a single megalomaniac company: the Urine Good Company. Tonight's show begins at 8 p.m. at Evelyn Larson Theatre, 413 Nebraska St. Tickets $15-$18.

Popcorn Day Celebration

We are celebrating National Popcorn Day big time HALF OFF our popular homemade Classic Caramel flavor! Arts and crafts for the kiddos, special treats and sample. Today from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Koated Kernals, 1717 Terminal Dr.

Billy Gilman

Gilman burst onto the national stage in 2000 releasing the hit single One Voice. Now 25, Gilman is eager to come back and share his new music and his new sound with his fans. Must be 21 or older to attend. Tonight at 8 p.m. at Anthem. Tickets $25-$60.
WASHINGTON -- Dr. Tom Price, the orthopedic surgeon tapped by President Donald Trump to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services, has found a miracle cure for ailing investment portfolios.

Price, a Georgia Republican, did some creative investing while leading the House Budget Committee last year. He bought stock in a maker of joint replacements a week before he introduced legislation that would help the company -- which then made a campaign contribution to Price.

Nothing to see here, says the Trump team: A broker bought the shares without Price's knowledge.

Also last year, Price himself bought shares in an Australian immunotherapy company after hearing about it from fellow congressman Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), who is on the company's board and is a member of Trump's transition team. Price was included in a private placement of stock not available to the public, and Price's price was right: His investment is reportedly up 400 percent.

Nothing to see here, either, Price told a Senate panel Wednesday: He paid the same price as all the others who were let in on the private deal (including Collins, his staff chief and a lobbyist).

It all feels a bit, well, swampy.

"These sound like sweetheart deals," observed Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.). "I think our job in this body and in Congress and in government is to avoid the appearance of a conflict, and, boy, you have not done this."

Each day of the Trump transition seems to deliver a new blow to the embattled notion of honest government. The House Republican majority, in its first major action of the new session, attempted to defang and gag the Office of Congressional Ethics. That effort was postponed after Trump raised doubts about the timing, but House Republicans quietly slipped through two other changes rolling back ethics rules -- shielding lawmakers' spending records from investigators and giving the majority party power to name the chief of the ethics office without the minority's sign-off.

At the same time, the director of the Office of Government Ethics condemned the rush to confirm Trump's nominees without complete vetting and Trump's refusal to eliminate his own conflicts of interest by divesting.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, responded -- by attacking the ethics agency and threatening to defund it. Chaffetz told my colleague Jennifer Rubin that his committee wasn't concerned about the potential for Trump's self-dealing.

This, collectively, is a sudden and sharp departure from a long-term trend toward cleaner government. Ethics in government have generally improved since the Watergate-era reforms, with pieces of legislation further tightening restrictions after intermittent scandals. But now there's a concerted push to discredit ethics standards and their enforcers.

To see how much of a change this is, consider that the Office of Government Ethics now under attack by congressional Republicans and the Trump transition was created under President George H.W. Bush as part of ethics reforms the Republican president championed in 1989.

"The millions of Americans who meet their obligations honestly and teach their kids to do it the same way see nothing extraordinary about asking the same of their government," he said when unveiling his ethics proposals. "Should there not be an underlying standard of integrity for all?"

Bush quoted Thomas Jefferson, from 1774: "The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest."

Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics, has been brutally honest in his assessment of the transition, criticizing Trump for his failure to divest and warning he would "not succumb to pressure to cut corners and ignore conflicts of interest" by rushing the vetting of Trump's Cabinet nominees.

In response, incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus warned Shaub to "be careful," and Chaffetz, while threatening the agency's funding, told Shaub he should "not engage in public relations." Chaffetz demanded a private interview with Shaub but has refused Shaub's request for a public hearing on the matter.

The reaction is revealing: The government's ethics watchdog howls about breaches of ethical standards -- and the response is to silence the watchdog.

That's what ties together the recently attempted actions by the Trump transition team and congressional Republicans -- dismantling and silencing the Office of Congressional Ethics, defunding and muzzling the Office of Government Ethics, rushing appointees through without conflict-of-interest exams and ignoring Trump's own conflicts. They protect government officials' self-dealing from the public's prying eyes.

Without ethics enforcers and requirements, we wouldn't have known about Price's questionable stock trades. And that, apparently, is how the new administration wants it -- without Jefferson's "art of being honest" interfering with Trump's art of the deal.
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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.
The following companies are subsidiares of InterContinental Hotels Group: 2250 Blake Street Hotel LLC, 24th Street Operator Sub LLC, 36th Street IHG Sub LLC, 426 Main Ave LLC, 46 Nevins Street Associates LLC, Allegro Management LLC, Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC, American Commonwealth Assurance Co. Ltd., Asia Pacific Holdings Limited, BHMC Canada Inc., BHR Holdings B.V., BHR Luxembourg SARL, BHR Pacific Holdings Inc., BHTC Canada Inc., BOC Barclay Sub LLC, Barclay Operating Corp., Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company, Cafe Biarritz, Cambridge Lodging LLC, Capital Lodging LLC, Compania Inter-Continental De Hoteles El Salvador SA, Crowne Plaza Amsterdam (Management) B.V., Crowne Plaza LLC, Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC, Dunwoody Operations Inc., EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC, Edinburgh IC Limited, General Innkeeping Acceptance Corporation, Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd., H.I. (Ireland) Limited, H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd, HC International Holdings Inc., HH France Holdings SAS, HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V., HH Hotels (Romania) SRL, HI Sugarloaf LLC, HIM (Aruba) NV, Hale International Ltd., Hoft Properties LLC, Holiday Hospitality Franchising LLC, Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Holiday Inns (China) Ltd, Holiday Inns (Chongqing) Inc., Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SAS, Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS, Holiday Inns (England) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Germany) LLC, Holiday Inns (Guangzhou) Inc., Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc., Holiday Inns (Malaysia) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Middle East) Ltd., Holiday Inns (Philippines) Inc., Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia) Inc., Holiday Inns (South East Asia) Inc., Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd., Holiday Inns (UK) Inc., Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong) Inc., Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd, Holiday Inns Inc., Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd., Holiday Inns of America (UK) Ltd., Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V., Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation, Holiday Pacific LLC, Holiday Pacific Partners LP, Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited, Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL, IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH, IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal Lda, IC International Hotels Limited Liability Company, IHC (Thailand) Limited, IHC Buckhead LLC, IHC Edinburgh (Holdings), IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp., IHC Hotel Limited, IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp., IHC London (Holdings), IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp., IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited, IHC May Fair Hotel Limited, IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited, IHC UK (Holdings) Limited, IHC United States (Holdings) Corp., IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp., IHG (Australasia) Limited, IHG (Marseille) SAS, IHG (Thailand) Limited, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC, IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co. Ltd., IHG Bangkok Ltd, IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos Ltda, IHG Commission Services SRL, IHG Community Development LLC, IHG Cyprus Limited, IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL, IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda, IHG Franchising DR Corporation, IHG Franchising LLC, IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited, IHG Hotels Limited, IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty Limited, IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited, IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) Ltd, IHG International Partnership, IHG Istanbul Otel Yonetim Limited Sirketi, IHG Japan (Management) LLC, IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC, IHG Management (Maryland) LLC, IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V., IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC, IHG Management SL d.o.o, IHG Management d.o.o. Beograd, IHG Orchard Street Member LLC, IHG PS Nominees Limited, IHG Systems Pty Ltd, IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft., IHG de Argentina SA, IND East Village SD Holdings LLC, Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp., Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp., Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation, Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada, Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning Corp., Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela C.A., Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco Inc., Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited, Inter-Continental Management (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited, InterContinental (PB) 1, InterContinental (PB) 2, InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited, InterContinental Berlin Service Company GmbH, InterContinental Brasil Administracao de Hoteis Ltda, InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L., InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH, InterContinental Hotel Dusseldorf GmbH (Germany), InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (Espana) SA, InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (India) Pvt. Ltd, InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand) Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai) Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services Ltd., InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee Limited, InterContinental Hotels Group Operating Corp., InterContinental Hotels Group Resources Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company, InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil Limitada, InterContinental Hotels Italia S.r.L., InterContinental Hotels Limited, InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH, InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation, InterContinental Management AM LLC, InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD, InterContinental Management France SAS, InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o, InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Corporation Limited, KG Benefits LLC, KG Gift Card Inc., KG Liability LLC, KG Technology LLC, KHP Washington Operator LLC, KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC, KHRG 851 LLC, KHRG Aertson LLC, KHRG Alexandria LLC, KHRG Alexis LLC, KHRG Allegro LLC, KHRG Argyle LLC, KHRG Austin Beverage Company LLC, KHRG Baltimore LLC, KHRG Born LLC, KHRG Boston Hotel LLC, KHRG Canary LLC, KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd., KHRG Cayman LLC, KHRG DC 1731 LLC, KHRG DC 2505 LLC, KHRG Donovan LLC, KHRG Employer LLC, KHRG Goleta LLC, KHRG Gray LLC, KHRG Gray U2 LLC, KHRG Hillcrest LLC, KHRG Huntington Beach LLC, KHRG King Street LLC, KHRG La Peer LLC, KHRG Miami Beach LLC, KHRG Muse LLC, KHRG NPC LLC, KHRG Onyx LLC, KHRG Palladian LLC, KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC, KHRG Philly Monaco LLC, KHRG Pittsburgh LLC, KHRG Reynolds LLC, KHRG Riverplace LLC, KHRG SFD LLC, KHRG Sacramento LLC, KHRG Savannah LLC, KHRG Schofield LLC, KHRG Sedona LLC, KHRG State Street LLC, KHRG Sutter LLC, KHRG Sutter Union LLC, KHRG Taconic LLC, KHRG Tariff LLC, KHRG Texas Hospitality LLC, KHRG Texas Operations LLC, KHRG Tryon LLC, KHRG VZ Austin LLC, KHRG Vero Beach LLC, KHRG Vintage Park LLC, KHRG WPB LLC, KHRG Wabash LLC, KHRG Westwood LLC, KHRG Wilshire LLC, KHRG Zamora LLC, Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group LLC, Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC, Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC, Louisiana Acquisitions Corp., MH Lodging LLC, Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC, PML Services LLC, PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia, Pollstrong Limited, Powell Pine Inc., Priscilla Holiday of Texas Inc., RM Lodging LLC, Regent Hotels and Resorts, Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P., SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC, SC Cellars Limited, SC Hotels International Services Inc., SC Leisure Group Limited, SC NAS 2 Limited, SC Quest Limited, SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc., SCH Insurance Company, SCIH Branston 3, SF MH Acquisition LLC, SPHC Group Pty Ltd., SPHC Management Ltd., Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel and Hotel Management SAE, Six Continents Corporate Services, Six Continents Holdings Limited, Six Continents Hotels Inc., Six Continents Hotels International Limited, Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA, Six Continents International Holdings B.V., Six Continents Investments Limited, Six Continents Limited, Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited, Six Continents Restaurants Limited, SixCo North America Inc., Solamar Lodging LLC, Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd., Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited, Universal de Hoteles SA, White Shield Insurance Company Limited, and World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation.

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Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web
ITV plc, an integrated producer broadcaster, creates, owns, and distributes content on various platforms worldwide. It operates through Media & Entertainment, and ITV Studios segments. The Media & Entertainment segment broadcasts various contents on its family of free-to-air channels, including ITV, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, ITVBe, ITV Encore, CITV, ITV Breakfast, CITV Breakfast, and various related +1 and HD equivalents; and offers television advertising services. It also delivers content through linear television broadcasting, as well as on the ITV Hub, catch up services on pay platforms, and through direct content deals. In addition, this segment offers online advertising, HD digital channel on pay platform, and ITV Choice subscription services, as well as licenses DTT Multiplex A. The ITV Studios segment creates and produces programs and formats that include drama, entertainment, and factual entertainment for its own channels and other broadcasters. It also operates as an unscripted independent producer of content in the United States; and produces content for local broadcasters and international OTT platforms in Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark. In addition, this segment engages in formats and distribution ITV's finished programmes, and formats and third-party content internationally, as well as finances productions. The company also engages in the development of platform, broadband, transactional, and mobile services; operation of digital television channels; operation of Freeview Multiplex A; rights ownership and distribution of television programs and films; and scheduling and commissioning of television programs. ITV plc was founded in 1955 is based in London, the United Kingdom.
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut.
Feminism  January 21, 2017  Tatiana Cozzarelli

January 21 is set to be the day of one of the largest protests in recent U.S. history, the Womens March on Washington. The widely-publicized protest is expected to dwarf the numbers at Trumps inauguration, as three times more busses are registered for the Womens March than for the inauguration. These busses will bring people of all stripes to Washington DC to protest the inauguration of a President who brags about sexually assaulting women and who has bullied and demeaned women throughout his career. His anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim statements and his cabinet full of climate change deniers and billionaires will translate into increased attacks on the majority of women.

The Womens March on Washington takes place after a relative lull in the womens movement during the Obama presidency. Despite attacks on womens reproductive freedom, immigrant families, trans women and continued structural inequities between men and women, the womens movement was largely absent from the national stage. The Trump administration will, no doubt, mean increased offensives against women, and the Womens March demonstrates the potential for the creation of a new, responsive womens movement. Here, I will outline six elements needed for a womens movement that is up to the task of not only responding to Trumps attacks, but of wresting our rights from the government. The Womens March on Washington is a step in that direction.

1. Independence from the Democrats

The Democratic Party has had an important hold on the womens movement, maintaining the limited argument that womens rights can only be protected and defended by voting. However, hitching the womens movement to the Democratic Party has shown itself to be a failed strategy, even on the most basic and politicized issue  the right to an abortion. Facing strongly anti-choice Republicans, many believe that voting for Democrats will maintain our right to choose. However, after eight years of a Democrat in the White House, abortion access is more restricted today than ever. In fact, according to the Washington Post , the past five years account for a quarter of all abortion restrictions enacted since the Supreme Court legalized abortion in 1973.

Yes, these restrictions were passed by Republican legislatures. However, where is the outrage? Where are the mass mobilizations? Why has the energy and money that was spent attempting to get Clinton into office placed at the service of fighting these anti-choice measures? The Democratic Party, despite paying lip service to equal rights for women, cannot and does not even effectively defend the right to choose, much less advance measures vital to working women, such as universal paid family leave and maternity leave.

While the Democrats brand themselves as the supporters of womens rights, the fact that they have not advanced important womens rights initiatives, nor have they organized a mass movement for these rights, demonstrates that women cannot trust them to defend or protect our rights. In order to fight Trump, we cannot rely on the compromised Democrats, who vow to work with Trump so that he can have a successful presidency. We must rely on our own strength in the streets and in our workplaces.

Rather than aligning with the Democratic Party, we must fight for unity between social movements, unions, and womens organizations to defend our rights from Trumps attacks. We must call for a broad alliance of organizations, despite differences between us, in order to march to protect and advance womens rights.

2. Take the Streets

This womens movement must take their struggle to the streets, organizing people to participate at every school, university and workplace. This movement should recognize that the years of negotiating compromises behind closed doors in Washington is a failed strategy. The movement should find inspiration in the Black Lives Matter movement that organized mass protests around the country. It should be inspired by the widespread public demonstrations for womens rights in Iceland, Poland, and Argentina that overtook streets and shut them down. The solutions to the problems that women face will not be solved by elite politicians, but by millions of people in the streets. The Womens March is a step in this direction, but it must be seen as such  a step to building a massive womens movement that sees solutions not in elected officials, but in the strength of organized workers, youth and women.

3. Organize Against All Forms of Oppression

The emergent womens movement must fight against all forms of oppression. It must have nothing to do with the kind of feminism that struggles solely for issues narrowly defined as womens issues while deeming struggles against police violence and mass incarceration as someone elses fight. Rather, this new womens movement can contribute to a fight for our collective liberation by exploring and understanding the ways in which racism, homo- and transphobia and ableism affect women in particular.

This is one of the strengths of the unity principles of the National Womens March, with clear statements not only against the isms, but open denouncements against mass incarceration and police violence. However, the National Womens March shares the same problem as the Movement for Black Lives Platform in that it does not call for the end of the police, but rather seeks to reform the police. A critique of that position can be found here.

Trump will attack all oppressed people  women, undocumented immigrants, Muslims, people of color and others. Our organization must be prepared to fight against the upcoming assault and take it on as a collective resistance.

4. Organize for Socialism

Capitalism thrives on womens labour, both paid and unpaid. It profits off of sexism by paying women lower salaries for equal work, and providing low wages for jobs that are considered female occupations, like caregiving work. It relegates women to some of the lowest paying jobs and punishes women economically for having children.

Capitalism profits off of womens labour in the home, by seeing domestic labour as natural and therefore, outside of the market. Women do the labour that the state and the bosses refuse to do. The state refuses to provide childcare, so a woman must do it for free. The state does not provide free public cafeterias to eat, so women must each cook and clean in their houses individually for free.

Womens oppression is therefore central to capitalist production and reproduction. There can be no freedom for all women within the system that profits so greatly from womens oppression. The fight for the end of sexism is inextricably linked to the fight against capitalism.

The unity principles of the Womens March has some clear language in favor of working class rights  the right to unionize, for paid maternity leave, and for a living minimum wage. However, the principles argue in favor of economic justice rather than for an end to capitalism. This amounts to supporting an economy that includes exploitation but curbs its most brutal elements  exploitation with childcare, if you will. A system in which production is not democratic and is not organized for the good of society, but rather for the profit of a few, can never be just. There is no such thing as economic justice within capitalism, a system in which a tiny minority exploits the labour of many.

5. Organize with the Strength of the Working Class

In a system based on profit, the best way to get attention and to get our demands met is through the organized power of the working class. This method forces the hand of the capitalist state by withholding labour until demands are met. Left Voice has proposed organizing strikes against police brutality, which could also be used by the womens movement to maintain the right to choose and to force the government to mandate equal pay for women.

In Iceland, women not only took to the streets for the right to an abortion, but also took the next step and organized a womens strike, refusing to go to work. In the United States, thousands of women have also pledged to go on strike on January 20 as a form of protest against Trump.

Yet, a successful strike for these measures should be called for by labour unions. The AFL-CIO, for example, has sponsored the womens march. We call on them to not only sponsor the march, but to call for the womens strike, organizing workers assemblies across the country to vote for a strike against Trump on January 20.

6. Internationalism

The U.S. is the largest imperialist power in the world. Under the Obama administration, three bombs were dropped per hour, totaling over 26,000 bombs just in 2016. U.S. support for Israel, U.S. bombs and U.S. borders shapes the world. We must build a movement that is clearly anti-imperialist, anti-zionist and supports the liberation of women around the world. This means understanding that the liberation of all women, from Palestine to China to Mexico is interconnected. It means organizing against U.S. imperialism with the same strength and conviction that we organize for the right to chose within the USA. It means organizing protests and demonstrations of solidarity to womens movements around the world.

A central aspect of this internationalism is fighting with everything we have against Trumps promise of deportations and the construction of wall between the U.S. and Mexico. These deportations would spell the economic ruin of many families, who depend on the measly wages provided by precarious U.S. jobs. It is to fight against the border that divides families and the detention centers that cage undocumented immigrants for months and even years. Just as we will move thousands, and even millions, if Trump touches our right to chose, we should move just as many if a wall is built or if Trumps promise of 3 million deportations moves forward.

Building a womens movement for our collective liberation

Trumps attacks on women and oppressed people will be relentless. We must take this moment to organize a womens movement that has the power to not only defeat Trump, but to wrest our rights from the government. To do this, we cannot trust the Democrats and must organize an independent womens movement against all forms of oppression, against imperialism and against capitalism. It must be a movement that takes the streets and organizes in the workplaces. It must be a movement that does not compromise with our rights. The march on January 21, perhaps one of the largest marches in recent U.S. history, is a step in this direction. But we cannot stop with one massive march, we cannot stop with one show of strength, we must build a movement that will only stop when we are all truly free. 

This article first appeared on Left Voice .

Thousands of Canadians Expected to March in Solidarity with the Womens March on Washington

On Saturday, January 21st 2017, Canadians will rally in support of the Womens March on Washington. Participants will march and rally in solidarity with millions around the world, one day after the U.S. presidential inauguration.

The Canadian Womens March is traveling with nearly 400 people from Eastern Canada on buses to Washington, DC, to participate in the Womens March on Washington. Thousands of other women and men will also be travelling from Canada to Washington, DC to be part of this historic march on the U.S. capital.

For those unable to attend that event, over 500 sister marches are being held in more than 32 countries worldwide, including 25 Canadian cities  and counting.

Canadians are coming together to say loud and clear that discrimination will not be tolerated, and that we stand in support of all those who have been the targets of hatred within Canada and abroad, said Marissa McTasney, from the National Committee of the Canadian Womens March. This is a show of equality, solidarity, diversity and inclusivity. We are marching in support of indigenous peoples, people of colour, Muslims, immigrants, LGBTQI+, people with disabilities, women and others.

The outpouring of support from across Canada reflects its wide diversity, bringing together business owners, social justice groups, religious communities, labour groups, politicians, artists, students, girls, boys, women, men, and non-binary individuals  just to name a few  everyone who believes that womens rights are human rights will be marching on January 21st 2017.

The marches, organized by a grassroots coalition  including many first time organizers  will collectively be one of the largest international demonstrations ever assembled. 

canadianwomenmarch.ca | #WMWCanada #whyimarch #womensmarch #sistersofthenorth #manifdesfemmes

CUPE: Womens March Canada

Across Turtle Island (North America), we have seen a rise in acts of hate coinciding with the U.S. election. A group of women in Canada have come together in a grassroots effort to support initiatives happening on January 21, 2017 for human rights. A delegation from Canada will be participating in the Womens March on Washington, DC. Local marches are also happening across Canada and globally. CUPE Ontario is a proud supporter of these initiatives to speak out and unite our communities. Join CUPE Ontario at the Toronto March or join one of the local marches taking place across the province. 

cupe.on.ca.

Guiding Vision and Definition of Principles

Overview & Purpose

The Womens March on Washington is a women-led movement bringing together people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations, disabilities and backgrounds in our nations capital on January 21, 2017, to affirm our shared humanity and pronounce our bold message of resistance and self-determination.

Recognizing that women have intersecting identities and are therefore impacted by a multitude of social justice and human rights issues, we have outlined a representative vision for a government that is based on the principles of liberty and justice for all. As Dr. King said, We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.

Our liberation is bound in each others. The Womens March on Washington includes leaders of organizations and communities that have been building the foundation for social progress for generations. We welcome vibrant collaboration and honor the legacy of the movements before us  the suffragists and abolitionists, the Civil Rights Movement, the feminist movement, the American Indian Movement, Occupy Wall Street, Marriage Equality, Black Lives Matter, and more  by employing a decentralized, leader-full structure and focusing on an ambitious, fundamental and comprehensive agenda.

#WHYWEMARCH

We are empowered by the legions of revolutionary leaders who paved the way for us to march, and acknowledge those around the globe who fight for our freedoms. We honor these women and so many more. They are #WHYWEMARCH.

Bella Abzug  Corazon Aquino  Ella Baker  Grace Lee Boggs  Berta Caceres  Rachel Carson  Shirley Chisholm 

Angela Davis  Miss Major Griffin Gracy  LaDonna Harris  Dorothy I. Heightbell hooks  Judith Heumann 

Dolores Huerta  Marsha P. Johnson  Barbara Jordan  Yuri Kochiyama  Winona LaDuke  Audre Lorde 

Wilma Mankiller  Diane Nash  Sylvia Rivera  Barbara Smith  Gloria Steinem  Hannah G. Solomon  Harriet Tubman  Edith Windsor  Malala Yousafzai

Values & Principles

We believe that Womens Rights are Human Rights and Human Rights are Womens Rights. This is the basic and original tenet for which we unite to March on Washington.

We believe Gender Justice is Racial Justice is Economic Justice. We must create a society in which all women  including Black women, Indigenous women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian, queer and trans women  are free and able to care for and nurture themselves and their families, however they are formed, in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments.

Women have the right to live full and healthy lives, free of all forms of violence against our bodies. One in three women have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime; and one in five women have been raped. Further, each year, thousands of women and girls, particularly Black, Indigenous and transgender women and girls, are kidnapped, trafficked, or murdered. We honor the lives of those women who were taken before their time

and we affirm that we work for a day when all forms of violence against women are eliminated.

and we affirm that we work for a day when all forms of violence against women are eliminated. We believe in accountability and justice for police brutality and ending racial profiling and targeting of communities of color and Indigenous peoples. Women of color and Indigenous women are killed in police custody at greater rates, and are more likely to be sexually assaulted by police, and women with disabilities are disproportionately likely to experience use of force at the hands of police, and sexual assault in general. We also call for an immediate end to arming police with the military grade weapons and military tactics that are wreaking havoc on communities of color and sovereign tribal lands. No woman or mother should have to fear that her loved ones will be harmed at the hands of those sworn to protect.

We believe it is our moral imperative to dismantle the gender and racial inequities within the criminal justice system. The rate of imprisonment has grown faster for women than men, increasing by 700% since 1980, and the majority of women in prison have a child under the age of 18. Incarcerated women also face a high rate of violence and sexual assault. We are committed to ensuring access to gender  responsive programming and dedicated healthcare including substance abuse treatment, mental and maternal health services for women in prison. We believe in the promise of restorative justice and alternatives to incarceration. We are also committed to disrupting the schooltoprison pipeline that prioritizes incarceration over education by systematically funneling our children  particularly children of color, queer and trans youth, foster care children, and girls  into the justice system.

We believe in Reproductive Freedom. We do not accept any federal, state or local rollbacks, cuts or restrictions on our ability to access quality reproductive healthcare services, birth control, HIV/AIDS care and prevention, or medically accurate sexuality education. This means open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education.

We understand that we can only have reproductive justice when reproductive health care is accessible to all people regardless of income, location or education.

We understand that we can only have reproductive justice when reproductive health care is accessible to all people regardless of income, location or education. We believe in Gender Justice. We must have the power to control our bodies and be free from gender norms, expectations and stereotypes. We must free ourselves and our society from the institution of awarding power, agency and resources disproportionately to masculinity to the exclusion of others.

We firmly declare that LGBTQIA Rights are Human Rights and that it is our obligation to uplift, expand and protect the rights of our gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans, two-spirit or gender non-conforming brothers, sisters and siblings. This includes access to non-judgmental, comprehensive healthcare with no exceptions or limitations; access to name and gender changes on identity documents; full anti-discrimination protections; access to education, employment, housing and benefits; and an end to police and state violence.

We believe in an economy powered by transparency, accountability, security and equity. We believe that creating workforce opportunities that reduce discrimination against women and mothers allow economies to thrive. Nations and industries that support and invest in caregiving and basic workplace protections  including benefits like paid family leave, access to affordable childcare, sick days, healthcare, fair pay, vacation time, and healthy work environments  have shown growth and increased capacity.

We believe in equal pay for equal work and the right of all women to be paid equitably. We must end the pay and hiring discrimination that women, particularly mothers, women of color, Indigenous women, lesbian, queer and trans women still face each day in our nation, as well as discrimination again workers with disabilities, who can currently legally be paid less than federal minimum wage. Many mothers have always worked and in our modern labour force; and women are now 50% of all family breadwinners. We stand for the 82% of women who become moms, particularly moms of color, being paid, judged, and treated fairly. Equal pay for equal work will lift families out of poverty and boost our nations economy.

We recognize that women of color and Indigenous women carry the heaviest burden in the global and domestic economic landscape, particularly in the care economy. We

further affirm that all care work  caring for the elderly, caring for the chronically ill, caring for children and supporting independence for people with disabilities  is work, and that the burden of care falls disproportionately on the shoulders of women, particularly women of color. We stand for the rights, dignity, and fair treatment of all unpaid and paid caregivers. We must repair and replace the systemic disparities that permeate caregiving at every level of society.

further affirm that all care work  caring for the elderly, caring for the chronically ill, caring for children and supporting independence for people with disabilities  is work, and that the burden of care falls disproportionately on the shoulders of women, particularly women of color. We stand for the rights, dignity, and fair treatment of all unpaid and paid caregivers. We must repair and replace the systemic disparities that permeate caregiving at every level of society. We believe that all workers  including domestic and farm workers  must have the right to organize and fight for a living minimum wage, and that unions and other labour associations are critical to a healthy and thriving economy for all. Undocumented and migrant workers must be included in our labour protections, and we stand in full solidarity with the sex workers rights movement. We recognize that exploitation for sex and labour in all forms is a violation of human rights.

We believe Civil Rights are our birthright. Our Constitutional government establishes a framework to provide and expand rights and freedoms  not restrict them. To this end, we must protect and restore all the Constitutionally  mandated rights to all our citizens, including voting rights, freedom to worship without fear of intimidation or harassment, freedom of speech, and protections for all citizens regardless of race, gender, age or disability. We honor and respect tribal laws and jurisdictions.

We support Indigenous womens right to access, own, develop and control land and its resources. We affirm that now is the time for the U.S. implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to honor existing treaty rights and fulfill promises made.

We believe that all womens issues are issues faced by women with disabilities and Deaf women. As mothers, sisters, daughters, and contributing members of this great nation, we seek to break barriers to access, inclusion, independence, and the full enjoyment of citizenship at home and around the world. We strive to be fully included in and contribute to all aspects of American life, economy, and culture.

We believe it is time for an all-inclusive Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Most Americans believe the Constitution guarantees equal rights, but it does not. The 14th Amendment has been undermined by courts and cannot produce real equity on the basis of race and/or sex. And in a true democracy, each citizens vote should count equally. All Americans deserve equality guarantees in the Constitution that cannot be taken away or disregarded, recognizing the reality that inequalities intersect, interconnect and overlap.

Rooted in the promise of Americas call for huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we believe in immigrant and refugee rights regardless of status or country of origin. It is our moral duty to keep families together and empower all aspiring Americans to fully participate in, and contribute to, our economy and society. We reject mass deportation, family detention, violations of due process and violence against queer and trans migrants. Immigration reform must establish a roadmap to citizenship, and provide equal opportunities and workplace protections for all. We recognize that the call to action to love our neighbor is not limited to the United States, because there is a global migration crisis. We believe migration is a human right and that no human being is illegal.

We believe that every person, every community and Indigenous peoples in our nation have the right to clean water, clean air, and access to and enjoyment of public lands. We believe that our environment and our climate must be protected, and that our land and natural resources cannot be exploited for corporate gain or greed  especially at the risk of public safety and health.

We recognize that to achieve any of the goals outlined within this statement, we must work together to end war and live in peace with our sisters and brothers around the world. Ending war means a cessation to the direct and indirect aggression caused by the war economy and the concentration of power in the hands of a wealthy elite who use political, social, and economic systems to safeguard and expand their power. 

www.womensmarch.com/principles.
Former Democratic state representative Barry Silver yelled into the megaphone, Donald Trump promised to unite the country. We will now be united under common opposition and revulsion against everything he stands for.

The Boca Raton rabbi and 20 plus protestors held a mock funeral for American democracy on Friday to oppose President Donald Trump, who was sworn into office hours before that. From noon to 2 p.m., the mock-funeral's mock-mourners gathered in front of the West Palm Beach Trump Plaza condominium building on Flagler Drive, north of Okeechobee Boulevard. Trump does not own the property.

Silver gave the nearly 15-minute mock eulogy with an American flag-draped coffin behind him. We are concerned with the deaths of civil rights for people who might be a little bit different, maybe come from somewhere else, maybe practice a different religion, he said.

Related: Hours After Trumps Inauguration The White House LGBT Rights Page Was Taken Down

The mock funeral was organized by United Against Trump Pence, a group lead by Wellington resident Mark Offerman, who supported Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders during the Democratic Primary, but voted for Hillary Clinton in November.

UATP dubbed its protest Death of Democracy. We have elected a dictator, a tyrannical person whose cabinet does not represent the people, Offerman said. They represent corporate interests.

While demonstrators gathered under palm trees to protect themselves from what felt like 90-degree weather, drivers honked in support or yelled Go Trump! Many pro-Trump shouters drove pick-up trucks.

The heat and noise did not appear to bother 90-year-old Evy Shareff, who Offerman drove to the protest. Like other protesters, she supported Sanders in the primary and Clinton in November.

Shareff said she marched for civil rights in the 1960s. When given a megaphone, she told everyone, I'm happy to see young people here. I'm sad I have to do this again. She urged other attendees, whose ages ranged from early 20s to mid 60s, to get involved in local politics. Join city council and run for local office. You have your youth. Use it. Don't let it go to waste, she urged.

Volunteers for United Against Trump Pence, a Palm Beach County political group, hoist an American flag-draped casket meant to represent American democracy. More than 20 people showed up Friday afternoon at the West Palm Beach Trump Plaza to protest President Donald Trump's inauguration.

United volunteer Ian Wellinghurst, a Palm Beach State College student, would like the group to become more involved in the political process. Personally, I wanna see it more like the Tea Party, he said. Others want to be more like Occupy Wall Street, make noise and cause a ruckus for Trump.

Wellinghurst was talking about the strategy, not ideology, of the right-wing Tea Party movement that fueled right-wing conservatives' takeover of the Republican Party and Congress from 2010 onward. An online document called Indivisible Guide outlines successful Tea Party tactics, like going to legislators' public meetings to demand they oppose what Tea Partiers opposed. Its anonymous authors state they are former congressional staff members on their website, IndivisibleGuide.com.

For anyone who wants to get involved, Offerman said he plans to hold a UATP meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at the West Palm Beach waterfront pier on Flagler Drive east of Flagler Park, which splits Clematis Street.

Another group of 20 plus protesters stood and waved signs at the intersection of Flagler Drive and Southern Boulevard from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Palm Beach Post reported. That protest was organized by Election Distress, led by Jody Gorran of Boynton Beach. Gorran met Offerman at UATPs protest after 1 p.m.

UATP and South Florida Activism, another political group, plan to hold a women's march from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in solidarity with other Anti-Trump womens marches around the world. The march is to begin at the Meyer Amphitheater in West Palm Beach.
Promising to put Americans first and hold politicians accountable, Donald J. Trump was sworn in Friday morning as the 45th President of the United States of America.

The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer, Trump declared on a cold and overcast day in Washington, D.C.

In his speech, Trump blasted the establishment continuing a narrative that he is the ultimate outsider to politics as usual.

For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost, Trump said. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.

Related: Gay Republicans Celebrate Trump Victory

The New York businessman defeated 17 other Republicans to win the partys nomination, gathering momentum with entertaining rallies around the country and a strategy of pulling no punches. He defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the general election with 305 electoral college votes to become the second President of the century to claim the oval office without winning the popular vote.

What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people, Trump said. January 20, 2017 will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

Related: Miami Log Cabin Republicans Rip Obama's Cuban Policy

Vincent Foster, President of the Miami Log Cabin Republicans, said Trumps inauguration speech was inspiring.

From putting America first with our foreign policy, to buying and hiring American, these principles should be the new Presidents focus, Foster said. Its a refreshing change from former President Obamas policies of dismantling American interests abroad and creating economic strife and societal division domestically.

Obama attended the inauguration, as is tradition, but did not speak. Clinton too attended with her husband, Bill Clinton, the nations 42nd President, and was greeted with boos from the crowd along with a small chant of lock her up. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer was also booed from the ticketed section of the crowd during his speech.

Whatever our race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity. Whether we are immigrant or native-born. Whether we live with disabilities or do not. In wealth or in poverty, we are all exceptional in our commonly held, yet fierce devotion to our country, Schumer said.

Before Trump took the oath, the American Civil Liberties Union released a seven-point plan on how it intended to challenge the incoming administration. Advancing LGBT rights is one of the ACLUs seven points.

Anthony D. Romero, executive director, said the ACLU stands ready to confront any unconstitutional elements of the administrations agenda  today on day one and for the next four years.

Foster, however, said he did not foresee any rollback in LGBT rights under the new administration.

Under a Trump Presidency, the LGBT community will not only continue to exercise the freedoms that we have won, but we will make great strides with the biggest issue of workplace non-discrimination, Foster said. I applaud President Trump and his transition team for already reaching out to Log Cabin Republicans and asking how he can create the most positive change for LGBT Americans."

Related: Wasserman Schultz, Deutch Take Oath; Vow To Fight For ACA
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.




It is with profound regret and sadness that Tara Hills Stud in Port Perry, Ont. reports that pacing stallion Mach Three was euthanized Friday morning (January 20) at Alabar Farms in Waiau Pa, New Zealand following a paddock accident.

The 18-year-old, who is the sire of the legendary Hall of Fame racehorse and stallion Somebeachsomewhere ($3.3 million, 1:46.4 world record), suffered a broken leg in his paddock and had to be put down.

The stallion handler went out to Mach Threes paddock at Alabar Farms in New Zealand and found him lying there not able to get up. After an examination from the vet, they found Mach Three had a fractured tibia. There was nothing they could do and had to put the horse down, said Tara Hills owner David Heffering, who was devastated by the news. My staff is torn apart and wrecked by this. He was part of the family... This is family thats died.

The news came the same day Tara Hills announced Mach Threes North American book was full and closed for 2017 at 140 bookings.

Mach Three has produced 1,297 offspring to date, with total progeny earnings of nearly $103 million by Standardbred Canada accounting and $97.5 million by USTA records. Standardbred Canada has Mach Threes progenys average earnings per starter at $112,034 ($103,126 by USTA records). The stallion produced 298 horses that earned $100,000 or more and 105 that earned more than $250,000. He produced 437 horses than had a 1:55 mile, 274 that had a 1:53 mark and 30 that had a sub-1:50 mile.

He is one of the biggest building blocks in making Tara Hills, Heffering said.

A son of Matts Scooter out of All Included, Mach Three was owned by the Muscara Racing Trust of Ivyland, Pennsylvania. The late Joe Muscara Sr. of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania purchased the pacer in May of Mach Threes sophomore season from Linda Magid of Cambridge, Ont., the widow of the pacers breeder, Karl Magid.

Under the tutelage of Brett, Shawn and Bill Robinson, along with Monte Gelrod, Mach Three posted a record of 7-2-0 in nine starts at two in 2001 and won the $1.1 million Metro Pace at Woodbine Racetrack in 1:51.4. The following year, Mach Three won the $1 million Meadowlands Pace in a career-best 1:49. At three, Mach Three had a record of 11-2-2 in 18 starts to give him a career record of 18-4-2 in 27 starts and earnings of $2,376,700. Mach Three was predominantly driven by Randy Waples at two and John Campbell at three.

2002 Meadowlands Pace

Mach Three stood his entire career at Tara Hills Stud in the northern hemisphere and Alabar in the southern hemisphere. His first foals hitting the ground in 2004.

The Muscaras have been friends forever, Heffering said. Theyre taking it very hard. All of us know this can happen in the livestock business, but their father passed away a few years ago and this is part of their dads legacy to carry on. Young Joe had [gone] down to New Zealand to visit the horse down there. They are very close to their horses.

Heffering said in 2016 that Mach Three contracted pneumonia and nearly died.

Still, clients stayed with us and we still bred 111 to him last year with good fertility, he said, adding that the Muscara family offered discounts to clients for the inconvenience. Now that Mach Three has died, Heffering said those impacted by his death will be offered discounts to breed to another of the Muscara-owned stallions. Other stallion owners with studs at Tara Hills have stepped up to also offer discounts, Heffering said. Call Tara Hills for more information at (905) 985-7770.

Meanwhile, Heffering said Mach Three will be buried in New Zealand.

We knew that someday he probably wouldnt be coming back here. We talked about him retiring one day and staying in New Zealand... where most of the time the weather is pretty nice and theres nice green, lush pastures, Heffering said.

(Tara Hills Stud)
One of the countys most infamous drug kingpins wants his stuff back.

Sidney Potts, who was convicted in 2013 of running a drug ring using his car dealership, was brought to Cowlitz County for a court appearance by video Thursday.

Potts, 66, is serving a 34-year sentence in a Shelton, Wash., prison.

Potts is claiming police illegally seized his property because they conducted unauthorized searches on two of his Longview properties (2839 Louisiana Street and 1275 Alabama Street). Another search at the family dealership at 411 Oregon Way Potts agrees was legal.

The items Potts wants returned include a cellphone, SD memory card, documents, cars, a photo album, keys, bank cards and checks, tools, $28,450 in cash and more.

His wife, Diana Potts, claims some of the items are hers and should be returned (she received a 10-day sentence for a drug-related charge). She also was in court Thursday and was represented by her lawyer, Kurt Anagnostou.

Superior Court Judge Michael Evans on Thursday rejected Potts request. However, Evans ruling was more a matter of procedure. Potts also is appealing the seizure in a separate civil case, which has bounced back and forth between Cowlitz County Superior Court and the state Court of Appeals. The appelate court has yet to release a ruling on the matter.

Potts request has dragged on since March 2014, when he first appealed the decision to give his possessions to the Longview Police Department. Since then, Potts has been acting as his own lawyer from prison, typing and hand writing legal documents.

In a July 2016 unpublished opinion, the Court of Appeals wrote that the two searches on Potts residences were in fact unlawful and said the contents should be returned to their rightful owner.

However, it doesnt say who that owner is, Evans pointed out.

The appeals court wrote that the searches were unlawful because the court-approved warrant police used for all three properties only listed his car dealership.

The opinion was written in response to Potts appeal of his conviction, not of the property seizure in the civil case, a point emphasized by Longview city attorney Jim McNamara and Deputy Prosecutor David Phelan at Thursdays hearing.

The evidence from those two searches should have been suppressed at trial (none of it was admitted as evidence at trial), the Court of Appeals wrote. But that doesnt mean that the property needs to be returned, McNamara argued, because the civil case is separate from the criminal matter.

McNamara also argued that Potts should have brought up the illegal search warrants back in 2014, when he first appealed the forfeiture.

Even if Potts wins his civil case, he wont get his possessions back. Theyve already been auctioned off. The money, McNamara said, was distributed into different accounts, with some going to the City of Longview.

It would be up to the courts to help decide how much money his possessions were worth and give Potts that value in cash.
*M*ake what you will of this. In the modern era of partisan polarization, which can be dated back to the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, only the presid...
It was said long ago that robots will replace human workforce in future and now a journalist robot has published its first ever article in a Chinese news daily. A robot named Xiao Nan has written a 300 character long article in just a second that has been published in the Southern Metropolis Daily, based out of the port city of Guangzhou, China, on January 19, 2017.

According to the developers, the robot is capable of writing short as well as long articles with ease and it wrote about the travel rush during Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival) in its first ever article.

According to researchers, the robot is better in many aspects when compared to humans and can write news faster and more accurate than staff writers.When compared with the staff reporters, Xiao Nan has a stronger data analysis capacity and is quicker at writing stories, said Wan Xiaojun, a professor at Peking University. But it does not mean intelligent robots will soon be able to completely replace reporters.

Xiaojun explains that at present robots are not capable enough to carry out face-to-face interviews as they lack in spontaneous counter capability of humans and they are not intelligent enough to come up with follow-up questions. However, they will be able to do so in future where they will decide a particular news angle based on the conversation and will replace the human staff.

But robots will be able to act as a supplement, helping newspapers and related media, as well as editors and reporters, he told the China Daily.

Although, the experiment might please many but the staff of the state run media got furious with the experiment as they believe that the robots can replace them in future at the risk of their job. Similar things have happened in large manufacturing units where thousands of human workforce were replaced by gigantic robotic machines.
Want to drop your name on Moon? TeamIndus will do it at just Rs 500

The Bengaluru-based startup TeamIndus is presenting an opportunity to citizens of India to get their name engraved on Moon. Whats striking is that the space startup is demanding just Rs 500 for putting the name on the lunar surface.

TeamIndus has taken the initiative in order to generate extra revenue to support their mission. As per the reports, the names of the donors will get micro-engraved on a small-sized aluminium object and this name plate will then be placed on the surface of the Moon when the lander descends on the Moon.

The aim of the mission is to successfully land the rover on the moon which will travel at least 500m on the lunar surface and beam back high-definition video and images back to the earth. The mission will lay the path for the bigger Chandrayaan-2 mission.

The startup will use ISROs PSLV to lift up the rover on December 28, 2017, which will land on the lunar surface and explore the site. If the mission is successful then ISRO scientists will the use the technology and develop the Chandrayaan-2 lander for exploration of Moon. It will be ISROs second mission to the moon after the success of Chandrayaan-1 mission in 2008. However, the Chandrayaan-2 mission is still in early stages and no mission update and launch dates have been announced by the officials yet.

While taking the private moon mission, every part of the mission is being completed by the TeamIndus except the launching which is being assisted by ISRO. As per the estimates, the mission will cost around $60 million. So far, the team has raised $15 million and they aim to raise remaining funds by September-October next year.

The total expense of the project is about USD 60 million and we have raised USD 15 million so far. We will have to raise the remaining amount by September-October next year, TeamIndus co-founder and Director Julius Amrit said.

Renowned personalities like Ratan Tata of the Tata Group; Sachin and Binny Bansal, co-founders of Flipkart and Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys Ltd, have invested in the project.

In addition, the TeamIndus which is backed by a team of hundred engineers is aiming to win $25 million Google Lunar XPRIZE competition.

The Moon is not only our nearest planetary neighbour, but it is also the gateway to the rest of the universe, Googles website describing the Lunar XPRIZE states. The Moon provides exciting opportunities for discovery in the fields of science, technology, resource detection and utilisation, and human habitation.

Googles Lunar XPRIZE was started back in 2007 with a goal to involve private organisations in space missions and revisit landing site of Apollo 17. Google believes that space agencies like NASA and SpaceX are planning for Journey to Mars but studying Moon can help us in developing a better understanding of our universe.

The US space agency NASA started sending astronauts to the moon with Apollo missions starting in 1969. While Apollo 17 was the last manned mission to the moon and Google wants to examine the site. In addition, Google has also announced an additional $5 million prize for the mission that makes further scientific discoveries after exploring the site.

Moreover, ISROs PSLV rocket will be used to lift the spacecraft. If successful, it will mark another milestone in Indian space history which will also motivate other private firms towards space mission. The satellite is scheduled to launch on December 28, 2017. The PSLV will inject the spacecraft into an orbit 880 km x 70,000 km around the Earth. From there, the spacecraft will take another 21 days to land on Moon.

India as a country is underestimated when it comes down to having a technology led firm  it is time, India is seen from a different perspective on the global platform, said Dhruv Batra who manages product delivery for the startup.

We can be profitable in this mission. We are making a fair amount of money but investing more than what we are making right now, said Julius Amrit, director, Team Indus.
Mexico seeks stronger US ties despite Trump campaign barbs

Reuters, Mexico City :

Mexico's president said on Friday he wanted to strengthen relations with his new U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, whose threats and barbs against the country raised fears of a major economic crisis, and battered its currency.

President Enrique Pena Nieto, pilloried at home for meeting Trump in August after the New York businessman called Mexican migrants rapists and murderers, said on Twitter he would defend the interests of Mexico and its people in a "respectful" dialogue.

"We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility," said Pena Nieto, who likened Trump's rise to the ascent of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini after the American's broadsides early in the election campaign.

Trump vowed to build a wall along the U.S. southern border to keep Mexicans out and threatened to tear up a joint trade deal if he cannot recast it in favor of the United States.

The White House website said on Friday that Trump was committed to renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which underpins Mexico's economy, and would move to withdraw if no "fair deal" is forthcoming.
British foreign secretary `positive and optimistic` on Trump

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visits Yangon General Hospital in Yangon, Myanmar on Saturday.

AP, Yangon :

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says he's "positive and optimistic" that the policies of newly inaugurated President Donald Trump would work in Britain's favor.

Johnson, who is visiting Myanmar, said Saturday he was "very optimistic" a trade deal could be done quickly with the new president, once Britain had left the European Union.

In his inaugural speech, Trump declared he would put "America first" in all his decisions. But Johnson said that whatever deal was done with the U.S. "it's got to work for the UK as well."

He says: "I think that the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line for a new trade deal and obviously that's extremely exciting and important."

Meanwhile, a day after Donald Trump became U.S. President and vowed to put "America First", Asian media decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global economy and sow widespread international discord.

In a defiant inaugural address, Trump said U.S. workers have been devastated by an outflow of jobs overseas, one of the main themes of a divisive campaign that emphasized making America strong again.

His invitation to the event had enraged Beijing-which sees the self-ruling island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification-and sparked a diplomatic spat.

China formally asked Washington not to welcome a Taiwanese party to the inauguration, leading Yu to denounce its leader Xi Jinping as "narrow-minded."

But, even if anger preceded the visit, Yu was all smiles on Friday after attending the event, along with parliamentarians from four Taiwanese parties.

Yu himself is a member and former chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which is skeptical of cross-strait ties and defends Taipei's autonomy.

He was enthused by the welcome he had received in Washington: "Taiwan-US relations are probably at their best right now," he told AFP.

Almost immediately after he won the November election, Trump provoked Beijing's ire by accepting a congratulatory call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, recognizing the Communist mainland rulers in Beijing as the sole government of "One China."
SHAKHIPUR (Tangail ): Anupom Shahjahan Joy MP distributing blankets among the cold- hit people in Sakhipur Upazila donated by Mercantile Bank Ltd, Sakhipur Branch on Thuirsday.
Are learning styles a myth?

Anna Weinstein :

If you ask most adults, they'll tell you-"I'm a visual learner," "Definitely an auditory learner," "A kinesthetic learner for sure." In fact, this general understanding of how people learn is so ingrained in public perception that many parents even apply their understanding to their children. For example, "Tommy isn't an auditory learner because when I tell him to do something, he doesn't listen, but when I display a sticker chart on the wall, he responds. He must be a visual learner."

Though this example might make intuitive sense, it doesn't tell the whole story. According to Dr. James Witte, Auburn University Associate Professor of Adult Education, there are several types of learning styles, including: cognitive (how we think about learning), affective (how we feel about learning), and perceptual (how we perceive our environment and how it relates to learning). When we talk about someone being a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, we're talking about the perceptual learning style.

In fact, according to Witte, there are four other perceptual modalities: print (seeing written words); interactive (verbalization); haptic (sense of touch or grasp); and olfactory (sense of smell and taste). Witte, who established the Institute for Learning Styles Research Journal in 2006, explains that perceptual learning has to do with the five senses and the way in which people extract information from their surroundings.

"There's nothing restrictive about a learning style," Witte says. "Just because you prefer to read for informative purposes doesn't mean you can't learn through lecture." This is where many people get it wrong, Witte explains. It's not that someone is specifically one type of learner over another; it's that individuals have preferred learning styles.

Witte does not advocate testing perceptual modalities with children, however. "You have to read over and over again before you decide you like reading," Witte says. "I'm not sure that the child has sufficient neural network based on repetition to legitimately establish a modality preference. If a kid is just learning to read, why would you expect him to have a preference for reading?"

So is there such a thing as a kinesthetic learner (a person who learns best when involving the whole body)? Many parents have been told or have deduced that their energetic child who is constantly in motion, who must be "doing" at all times, is a kinesthetic learner. Witte would tend to agree that these children might be kinesthetic learners, though he admits that there's still a lack of evidence to demonstrate this with certainty. "I'm a very, very conservative researcher," Witte says. "I believe the learning styles investigation involving perceptual modalities are primary designed for adults. But even if we look at our high school students, if you are wiggling in your seat and showing a lack of attention, the odds are that you will not be identified as a ready-for-college student. And yet all the student wants to do is to learn by doing! It's amazing what students can produce if we can meet that kinesthetic need."

Witte's conservative approach to research is likely regarded as appropriate in the fields of education and educational psychology, particularly given the ongoing debate about whether there's any evidence that perceptual modalities and learning styles exist.

Dr. Daniel Willingham, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at the University of Virginia, says "kinesthetic learners don't exist, and learning styles don't exist." Willingham explains that the notion of children learning differently (that some learn better if you read a story aloud, act out a story, etc.) is just a prediction. "It's been tested over and over again, and no one can find evidence that it's true," Willingham says. "The idea moved into public consciousness, and in a way it's perplexing. There are some ideas that are just sort of self-sustaining."

It's understandable, though, why this particular idea is self-sustaining. The Dunn-Dunn Learning Styles model is one of the more popular learning styles models, developed in 1967, and widely used U.S. schools. The model incorporates the following premises:

Everyone has strengths, but different people have different strengths.

Most individuals can learn.

Instructional environments, resources, and approaches respond to diversified strengths.

Individual instructional preferences exist and can be measured reliably.

Given responsive environments, students attain statistically higher achievement and aptitude test scores in matched, rather than mismatched treatments.

Most teachers can learn to use learning styles as a cornerstone of their instruction.

Many students can learn to capitalize on their learning style strengths.

This model, though researched in more than 90 higher education institutions across the United Stated, has its share of criticism. Dr. Frank Coffield, Professor of Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, assessed the Dunn-Dunn model along with other learning style models and came to the following conclusion, detailed in his report "Should We Be Using Learning Styles? What Research Has to Say to Practice." "Despite a large and evolving research program, forceful claims made for impact are questionable because of limitations in many of the supporting studies and the lack of independent research on the model."

Willingham explains the criticism this way: "One problem is that nearly all of the empirical work that is supposed to support the Dunn and Dunn model are masters and PhD dissertations of students who worked with her [Rita Dunn], and were not published in peer-reviewed journals. This makes people suspicious that these studies are not methodologically rigorous enough to stand up to scrutiny."

Witte agrees that most methods for testing learning styles have not demonstrated validity. "The vast majority of learning styles instruments do not seem to report validity and reliability," Witte says. "That's not to say that learning styles don't exist, but I would say that they're very difficult to measure."

Willingham suggests that we think about differences in material and what is to be communicated rather than thinking the differences lie in children. "Let the material be the guide," Willingham says. "There's no doubt that seeing something in different ways is going to be a good thing."

In response to the suggestion that learning styles do not exist, Witte says, "Well, we still have people who are convinced that IQ tests are nothing more than vocabulary tests. This should not be a debate over whether learning styles exist, but how we measure them."
Tofail urges India to lift anti-dumping tax on Bangladeshi jute goods

Economic Reporter :

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed on Saturday called upon India to lift anti-dumping duty on Bangladeshi jute goods.

"India should consider the issue with sympathy," he said speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting on 'Unity in Diversity in India' in the city.

Bangladesh-India Friendship Association (BIFA) organized the discussion meeting at Institution of Diploma Engineers auditorium.

Presided over by BIFA President Prof. Dr. AK Azad Chowdhury, the meeting was addressed by Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) President ASM Maksud Kamal, Ekattor Television Chief Editor and Managing Director Mozammel Huq Babu and BIFA Secretary General Subir Kushari, among others, said an official release.

Tofail Ahmed said Bangladesh exports goods worth only US$ 600 million to India against Indian export of US$ 6 billion goods to Bangladesh. Among the goods, jute is not very significant and there will be not harm to a big country like India, if it withdraws anti-dumping tax on Bangladeshi jute goods, he added.

Bangladesh is giving duty-free and quota-free facilities to all Indian goods, except tobacco and wine, but India is taking 12 percent countervailing taxes from goods exported from Bangladesh, the commerce minister said, adding that in a move, India imposed US$ 329 anti-dumping tax on the export of jute goods.

Bangladesh will hold discussions on the issue in the open forum, he said and requested the India envoy to convey the matter to his government.
AR Rahman on hunger strike protesting bullfighting

Noted musician AR Rahman on Friday set on hunger strike a day after calling for it amid the chaos created by protests over the ban on traditional bull-taming contest, known as Jallikattu.

India's Financia Express reports, after south cinema star Ajith Kumar, Suriya and Rajinikanth, he is the most recent public figure to join the protest.

Rehman, on Thursday, took to Twitter to call for a hunger strike. "I'm fasting tomorrow to support the spirit of Tamilnadu!," he tweeted.

Jallikattu has become a matter of prestige for the people of Tamil Nadu as well as the politicians ever since the apex court imposed a ban on it - it is being opposed by the animal protection outfits.

Rehman also received the backing of Congress party over his decision, which said that everyone has a right to his own opinion.

"Rehman feels that the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu should be respected. Jallikattu was banned on the instruction of the Supreme Court.

The apex court in a judgment said very clearly to ban the Jallikattu. The demand is that it should be allowed that is on the basis of public sentiments which is prevailing in Tamil Nadu," Congress leader P.C. Chacko told ANI.

The 50-year-old musician also urged for a support from people. "Join me on periscope today at 6.14 pm IST as I have the first glass of water to break my fast," he tweeted.

Many other celebs like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Surya, Vijay, Chiyaan Vikram came up in support of the ongoing protest in the state.

The Tamil Nadu government has been repeatedly urging the Centre to issue an ordinance for the Jallikattu sport, which is held during the Tamil harvest festival Pongal.

The Supreme Court had banned the sport in 2014, following which the political parties in the state protested.
America for America is not greatness

AS the world watches on, Mr Donald J. Trump as the new US President started rolling his make America great again policy in the very first day in office making the rest of the world feel all their anticipated fears coming into reality. His first executive order slashed parts of the Obamacare spreading massive protest all over in American cities. Anti-Trump protests also flared up in major global capitals.



People believe that Trump basically used ultra-right populist rhetoric to win election dividing the nation and destroying its values. Now he should become President of all Americans and the leaders of the free world to nurture American values that made America great instead of withdrawing America at a global corner.



His new trade policy with the theme of 'patriotic protectionist policies,' will only isolate America from global free trade regime by scrapping major existing agreements. It is no doubt poising the biggest threat to destabilize the decade old global trading system based von multilateralism and complicated supply chain. His vow to take on Islamist terrorists in the Middle East and scrap Iran nuclear deal is also sending signals for bigger troubles.



Trump assertion that more European countries may split from the European Union (EU) following Britain only makes Russian President Vladimir Putin happy. We must say Trump must keep in mind the warning of the outgoing CIA chief who demanded more matured handling of situation by Trump in matters related to Russia.



His pledge to end what he called an "American carnage" of rusted factories is going to add unrest to labour market. His policy that outsourcing of jobs abroad has devastated American workers made no secret that his protectionist policy to place interest of America First aims at creating high tariff wall to force exporting countries to make investment in the USA and create jobs for American workers.



Such policy has already become a key theme among political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Meanwhile, black-clad activists smashed store windows, blocked traffic and fought with police in riot gear in Washington, New York and most other American cities on Friday and Saturday as Trump started signing his new policies. Women march was the biggest protest on Saturday in Washington against Trump's insults and disparaging policies towards women.



We must say the new President must pay heed to what millions of people voiced in protest in Australia, New Zealand, Tokyo, London, Madrid, Berlin and Brussels to a name a few. They demanded that Trump should not withdraw America from its global leadership role and harm global free trading system. They asked him to build bridges not walls with neighbours like Mexico and shun trade war with China and others. He must keep the multiracial character of the US society shunning the policy of hatred against immigrants.



Trump's policy of America first is no greatness for America. America's greatness lies in world leadership for human rights. America for America is not greatness for America.






Agri Ministry should have done more to check wheat blast

MEDIA report on Saturday said that like previous years, wheat blast has again surfaced early in this season particularly in Meherpur district. It has been a matter of deep concern to economists that the country may incur huge production losses, as wheat is the second most important cereal after rice.



The government asked the farmers in last season's fungal-affected eight south and southwestern districts not to cultivate wheat for sometime to prevent the recurrence of 'wheat blast' caused by fungal contagion. Government advised farmers of these districts as the blast affected over one lakh hectares of wheat fields that caused up to 40 percent of crop damage in the last season.



Now, question rises why cultivators of these districts planted the wheat plants this season despite governmental advice otherwise. If they had paid heed to the advice they could avoid the situation. It has appeared in an explosive form in these areas now and it is advisable that the department concerned should check out what caused the cultivators to plant wheat in these areas.



As per reports, the first ever attack of wheat blast in Bangladesh cost the country a financial loss of at least Tk 1,800 crore in terms of lost yields last year. The blast affected over one lakh hectares of wheat fields in the eight south and southwestern districts such as Jessore, Kushtia, Chuadanga should have worked as a warning. But it was ignored.



Caused by a fungus -- Magnaporthe oryzae -- wheat blast is one of the most fearsome and intractable wheat diseases that directly strikes the ears of wheat and can shrivel and deform the grain in less than a week from the first symptoms appear, leaving farmers no time to act, which is very worrying. What is more frightening is that the blast fungus normally infects rice, wheat and over 50 types of grasses.



In this context, cautious scientific research is a must to save our crops from fungus infectivity. Bangladesh has to import as high as 40 lakh MT of wheat from the international market to meet growing domestic demand. The blast attack reemerged at a time when wheat production in Bangladesh had just started picking up to 13 lakh MT in two previous years after a long stagnation of harvest to 8 to 9 lakh MT for the past one decade.



The Agricultural Department cannot skip responsibility for failing to control wheat blast in country. Many fear that the wheat we import may contain fungal diseases when the seeds authorities of the country don't use 'disease detective instrument' to check the seeds. In our view, seed screening is very important and why it is not being done by the authorities concerned is the biggest question.
Shakib magic cleans out New Zealand middle order

Taskin Ahmed of Bangladesh celebrates after dismissing Tom Latham of New Zealand (R) during day two of the second Test match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand on Saturday.

AFP, Christchurch :

Bangladesh unleashed Shakib Al Hasan with dramatic effect late on day two of the second Test against New Zealand claiming three quick wickets to leave the contest evenly poised on Saturday.

New Zealand who had been comfortable at 252-4 were 260-7 in reply to Bangladesh's 289 when rain ended play about 40 minutes early at Hagley Oval.

Shakib, with his mesmerising left-arm spin, had taken three wickets for three runs in nine deliveries.

Henry Nicholls was not out 56 with Tim Southee on four.

Until Shakib's one-man fightback, New Zealand were advancing towards a first innings lead after a century stand by Ross Taylor (77) and Tom Latham (68) laid the groundwork following an early collapse.

Taylor, needing one more century to equal the New Zealand record of 17 held by his mentor the late Martin Crowe, entered the fray following the cheap dismissal of Kane Williamson when New Zealand were trouble at 47-2.

He batted for 160 minutes, piercing the field with a series of cuts and pull shots and survived a dropped catch on 75 before being dismissed two runs later and 23 short of matching Crowe's record.

He did achieve one milestone, though, becoming the third New Zealander and fastest to 6,000 Test runs when he drove Mehedi Hasan for three to reach 62 in his 145th innings.

Brendon McCullum took 163 innings to each the mark and Stephen Fleming 165.

Latham, backing up from a career-best 177 in the first Test was untroubled in his partnership with Taylor until he uncharacteristically edged a wide Taskin Ahmed delivery to give wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan his first Test dismissal.

Taylor soldiered on for another nine overs until he scooped Mehedi to substitute fielder Taijul Islam.

The umpires debated whether the ball hit the pitch first before ballooning out to Taijul but video replays confirmed it was a legitimate dismissal.

Kamrul made the early breakthrough for Bangladesh in his opening over when he removed opener Jeet Raval for 16 and Williamson for two in the space of three deliveries.

The Bangladesh bowlers had reason to feel aggrieved with at least four catches put to ground and a caught behind to remove Nicholls on 45 was rejected.

Television replays suggested the catch appeal had merit but Bangladesh had used up their two review opportunities.

When Mitchell Santner was given out lbw to Shakib Al Hasan for 29 and appealed the decision, the umpire's decision was upheld but New Zealand did not lose a review because of the ball-tracking technology.

Santner and Nicholls put on 75 for the fifth wicket.

Shakib bowled BJ Watling for one and Colin de Grandhomme without scoring to finish the day with three for 32.




Scandalous move for a new varsity

M M Jasim :

A highly controversial person known for his cheating and certificate business has moved to obtain permission for a new university under the cover of an influential Jatiya Party leader.

The person named Abul Hossain previously ran several campuses of private universities to carry out the certificate business, which were later closed.

He reportedly earned huge amount of money from the applicants giving fake BBA, MBA and even PhD certificates.

When his certificate business came to the notice of various quarters, the University Grants Commission (UGC) banned the activities of all branch campuses. Earlier, the UGC rejected Abul Hossain's application to establish Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty University in Gazipur due to his previous track record and bad reputation.

"Every official from top to bottom of the UGC knows about the certificate business of Abul Hossain. That is why UGC rejected his application," a UGC official told The New Nation on Friday.

As his certificate business was stopped, he became desperate for opening a new private university using influence in the country's political circle, sources said.

They said Abul Hossain reportedly influenced a top leader of Jatiya Party (JP) to open a new varsity in Mymensingh.

The UGC officials said that usually the founders submit their proposal to the Commission for getting approval for a private university. Later, the UGC sends it to the Education Ministry for completing formalities. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) gives the final approval.

"But Abul Hossain went directly to the PMO first violating the process. He dared do this as he managed blessings of the JP leader," said the UGC official, requesting not to be named. "The issue came to their knowledge as soon as the file of Rawshan Ershad International University reached the UGC. The Commission is yet to take any decision about the file. It will be placed before a UGC meeting to be held on Sunday," UGC Chairman Prof Abdul Mannan told The New Nation on Friday evening.

He said, "We know about the file. The file was placed showing Abul Hossain as the Member-Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the proposed university. Every- one knows him and his certificate business".

Prof Abdul Mannan said that the UGC earlier received many allegations regarding his illegal activities.

Abul Hossain has been doing certificate business for long. He was the sponsor of two illegal branches of Darul Ehsan University and a branch of Prime University. He was also one of the owners of Royal University.

Abul Hossain is the founder of America Bangladesh, a so-called foreign study center.

When this correspondent gave a phone call for his comment on Friday, Abul Hossain just disconnected the call after hearing that it was from a journalist.


Washington leads global rallies

Up to 200,000 protesters are gathering for a "Women's March on Washington", part of a global day of protests against US President Donald Trump.

The rally is one of more than 600 expected worldwide on Mr Trump's first full day in office.

The aim is to highlight women's rights, which protesters believe to be under threat from the new administration. Mr Trump has taken his first steps, signing an executive order targeting his predecessor's health care scheme.

The show of dissent in the US capital will see protesters gathering from 10:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on the National Mall, followed by an afternoon march.

Celebrities such as Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Schumer, Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, Patricia Arquette and Michael Moore are expected to attend.

But there will be other protests in some 300 cities across the US, from New York to Seattle.

Media captionWomen's March against Trump: What do they want?

California participant Jessica Vroman posted an image of a flight to Washington packed with women. "This is what hope looks like people!" she wrote.

Many women have knitted pink "pussy hats" - a reference to a recording that emerged during the election campaign on which Mr Trump talks about groping women.

Organisers of the Washington march said in a statement: "The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonised, and threatened many of us.

"The women's march on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights."

They said the protest would not simply be about women's rights and would attract "people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds", with support from the likes of Amnesty International.

Authorities will be on standby to prevent any repeat of violence that occurred after the inauguration ceremony on Friday, when protesters took to the streets in Washington, smashing windows of businesses and denouncing capitalism and the new president.

Police in riot gear dispersed them using pepper spray, with more than 200 arrests and six officers hurt.

Anti-Trump marches have already taken place in Australia, New Zealand and in Asian cities such as Bangkok.

Media captionA limo was set on fire amid protests on the inauguration day

Several thousand women and men joined a rally in central Sydney, with a similar number in Melbourne.

Women's March Sydney co-founder Mindy Freiband told the crowd there: "Hatred, hate speech, bigotry, discrimination, prejudicial policies - these are not American problems, these are global problems."

American expatriate art teacher Bill Scholer, protesting in Tokyo, told Reuters: "Everything we value could be gone. It's time to speak your mind and concerns and to do our best to salvage the values we cherish in America."

Thousands of people are taking part in protests across the UK.

Demonstrators are marching from the US embassy, in London's Grosvenor Square, to Trafalgar Square for a rally. Other protests are taking place in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol.

Eleanor Hallam, 26, said she was at the London march "out of solidarity for all the women and other groups marginalised by Trump's politics".

Website overhaul

Mr Trump's sole official engagement on Saturday is a multi-faith service at Washington National Cathedral in the morning.

Image copyright Reuters

Image caption Donald Trump intends to roll back many of his predecessor's policies

But he has already ordered agencies to ease the "economic burden" of the health laws known as Obamacare.

His team also quickly overhauled the White House website.

The website revamp replaces Barack Obama's policies with Mr Trump's new agenda.

Media captionA 20-minute speech in two minutes

Media captionSupporters of President Trump give their views on his inauguration speech

The new administration lists only six issues on the website - energy, foreign policy, jobs and growth, military, law enforcement and trade deals.

Critics point out that it makes no mention of civil rights, LGBT rights, healthcare or climate change.

In Friday's inaugural address, Mr Trump pledged: "From this moment on, it's going to be America First. We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American.

"Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families."

BBC Washington correspondent Barbara Plett Usher says Mr Trump has vowed to do what he can immediately using executive action, chalking up early victories before he has to turn to the grinding work of getting bills through Congress.
The Apple Inc store is seen on the day of the new iPhone 7 smartphone launch in Los Angeles, California, September 16, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Apple Inc filed a $1 billion lawsuit against supplier Qualcomm Inc on Friday, days after the US government filed a lawsuit that accused the chip maker of resorting to anticompetitive tactics to maintain a monopoly over key semiconductors in mobile phones.

Qualcomm is a major supplier to both Apple and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd for "modem" chips that connect phones to wireless networks. The two companies together accounted for 40 percent of Qualcomm's $23.5 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year.

In the lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Southern District of California, Apple accused Qualcomm of overcharging for chips and refusing to pay some $1 billion in promised rebates. Apple said in its complaint that Qualcomm withheld the rebates because of Apple's discussions with South Korea's antitrust regulator, the Korea Fair Trade Commission.

"If that were not enough, Qualcomm then attempted to extort Apple into changing its responses and providing false information to the KFTC in exchange for Qualcomm's release of those payments to Apple. Apple refused," Apple said in its lawsuit.

Qualcomm did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Qualcomm has patents for chips which include standard essential patents, a term used to describe technology that is required to be licensed broadly and on "reasonable" terms.

In its lawsuit, Apple accused Qualcomm of refusing to license the technology to other manufacturers to prevent them from making the chips.

It also accused Qualcomm of selling chips while requiring Apple to pay a separate licensing fee for the same chips, in a "no license, no chip" policy.

In addition, Qualcomm pressured network carriers to not sell or support Apple devices made with Intel chipsets Apple said.

The KFTC fined Qualcomm $854 million in December for what it called unfair patent licensing practices.

In February 2015, Qualcomm paid a $975 million fine in China, while the European Union in December 2015 accused it of abusing its market power to thwart rivals.

On Tuesday, the US Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm, saying the San Diego-based company used its dominant position as a supplier of certain phone chips to impose "onerous" supply and licensing terms on cellphone manufacturers. Qualcomm said it would contest the FTC complaint.

Qualcomm was the sole supplier of modem chips for Apple's phones until the release of the iPhone 7 in September. Intel Corp supplied about half of the modem chips for the newest models, said Stacy Rasgon, a senior analyst at Bernstein Research.

Apple made the move around the same time that Samsung, which had switched to using its own internal chips for its Galaxy S6 phones, returned to Qualcomm for the Galaxy S7.

Qualcomm "has been able to manage through (the Apple contract loss) pretty well because they got back Samsung at the same time," Rasgon said.

Apple is known for seeking multiple suppliers to keep prices down, said Jim Morrison, vice-president of technical intelligence for TechInsights, which tears down devices to analyze their parts.
Defeated Gambian president backs down when neighbouring army moved

The Guardian :

The Gambia's new president has declared that the "rule of fear" is over in the country, as it appeared that a deal had been reached for his predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, to relinquish power and go into exile.

After 12 hours of talks, Mauritania's president, Mohamed Abdel Aziz, confirmed

Defeated Gambian president to the Guardian that an agreement had been reached. "There is a deal," he said. Asked if Jammeh would be leaving the country, he said: "The outgoing president will travel very soon."

Abdel Aziz was joined in the last-ditch diplomatic effort in the Gambian capital, Banjul, to persuade the incumbent to step down, supported by Guinea's Alpha Conde and the UN's regional chief, Mohammed Ibn Chambas. But midday and 4pm deadlines for Jammeh's departure passed.

In the early hours of Saturdya morning, Abdul Aziz told the Guardian: "We are very happy. It's a victory for the country against violence. We're delighted to have reached this deal, which saves the Gambia, the Gambian people.

"President Jammeh cedes power; he has given his speech. We have reached an agreement which saves the country and guarantees peace for The Gambia, which assures security, dignity and honour for the outgoing president.

"The outgoing president is going to leave as soon as the conditions are met - very soon, certainly." Abdel Aziz did not say what these conditions were.

Later, Jammeh appeared on Gambian state TV. "I believe in the importance of dialogue  I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of this great nation," he said.

"All the issues we currently face can be resolved peacefully. I believe in the capacity of Africans to decide for themselves all the issues on the way to democracy, social and economic development.

"My prayer and desire [is] that peace and security continue to reign in The Gambia." The country "must jealously guard and defend" peace, he said.

Addressing members of the Gambian diaspora in the capital of Senegal on Friday night, Barrow said: "The rule of fear has been vanished from the Gambia for good."

After a 22-year rule Jammeh lost last month's election but ignored multiple deadlines to quit. Earlier this week Jammeh imposed a state of emergency in a final attempt to hang on to power. A regional military force that crossed the border in support of Barrow was awaiting orders on Friday. Marcel Alain de Souza, chair of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), said troops would force Jammeh out if he refused to leave the country. The troops entered the Gambia on Thursday night, hours after Barrow was inaugurated as president in Dakar, the capital of neighbouring Senegal.

Earlier on Friday, Gen Ousman Badjie, the Gambia's chief of defence staff, said there would be no war, as a political crisis should be resolved politically. "When our brothers [from the regional Ecowas force] come, we'll welcome them with a cup of tea and they'll put down their weapons and we'll enjoy the smiling coast of Africa," he said. "Why should we fight for everything? I love my soldiers and I love the Gambian people."

However, he later told the Guardian he was "very angry" with Ecowas for sending troops to force Jammeh out, adding: "We are a peaceful nation."

He denied that troops had crossed into the Gambia at all, saying that they were "not one metre" over the border, despite the head of the incoming force telling the Guardian they had crossed and were being well received by Gambians. However, he pledged his allegiance to Barrow. "I have a new commander in chief now," he said.

Speaking on the airport tarmac as he waited for the Mauritanian president to finish mediating and leave the country, Badjie said he thought Jammeh would not be arrested but would be allowed to go back to his home village and given the status of a former head of state.

He said the former president probably wanted to go to Kanilai. "He has farms there. Can't he go there and tend his animals and wait for the the next election? Three years is not a long time."

Jammeh's security forces had also begun to desert him. "Nobody wants to die for this," a source close to the presidency said, adding that many Jungulars, Jammeh's loyalists who are known to carry out his orders to torture and kill, had left the president's side.

Gambian soldiers guarding the capital said they were disgruntled with Jammeh. "How can I be fine when I have been here since 4am and I'm hungry?" asked a soldier on the airport road. In his inauguration speech, Barrow gave the military assurances that he would pay them well.

The Ecowas force had been ready to take action. Its leader, Colonel Abdou Ndiaye of Senegal, said his troops had been well received by the Gambian population and had met no resistance from the country's military.

"When we have orders we'll either go forward or withdraw," he said. "We may have a new mandate, we don't know. The first one was to make sure that the newly elected president takes over in a peaceful environment. I'm not God, I cannot say what is going to happen."

The foreign minister of Nigeria, one of the nations contributing forces, as well as fighter jets and a warship, said that while 7,000 west African troops were poised outside Banjul, "they're not going to have to attack".

Overnight Jammeh sacked what was left of his cabinet and said he would oversee all ministries himself.

The UN refugee agency warned that the political instability, which it said had driven 45,000 people, mainly children, into Senegal, could send more Gambians abroad. "The next few days will be critical and more people may leave the country if the current situation is not resolved peacefully soon," the UNHCR said in a statement.

A UK resident, Monica Njie, was arrested after taking a photograph and held by the intelligence services for two days before being released. "I'd like to see him behind bars. If he's killed, he won't have to suffer what everyone else has suffered," she said. "The system is so biased, there is injustice everywhere, human rights in the Gambia is one of the worst."
Obama in thank-you letter to America: `You made me a better man`

NBC News :

On his last full day as president, Barack Obama on Thursday released a love letter to his country in which he fondly tells Americans: "You made me a better President, and you made me a better man."

Obama leaves office Friday after eight years in the White House, handing over the most powerful job in the world to New York business mogul Donald Trump. In his last days, Obama has hosted a farewell rally in Chicago and held his final press conference in the West Wing, where he said, "At my core, I think we're going to be OK."

Obama wrote in an open letter published on Medium that it's been a long-standing tradition for the president to write a parting private missive to be left for his successor.

"But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th," Obama wrote. "Because all that I've learned in my time in office, I've learned from you."

The president touched on some of the more amazing events he's witnessed as leader of the free world, including finding "grace" in a Charleston, South Carolina, church after a mass shooting and seeing families blossom because of the legalization of gay marriage.

The letter came out on the same day that Obama wrote to the speaker of the House and the next Senate president about Guantanamo, in which he says 41 detainees remain imprisoned there despite his hopes of closing it before the end of his administration.

"Guantanamo is contrary to our values and undermines our standing in the world," he wrote, "and it is long past time to end this chapter in our history."

Related: Obama's Last Full Day On Job Filled With Nostalgia, Thank You Calls

Obama didn't delve into his setbacks as president in his open letter to Americans. Instead, he asked people to continue to take part in their country - not just during an election year but during their lifetimes.

"And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We the People.' 'We shall overcome,'" Obama concluded. "Yes, we can."
BCL factional clash at Dhaka College

10 injured, several hostel rooms vandalized, cops conducted raids

Staff Reporter :

Activists of two factions of the ruling party's student front Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) locked into clashes over establishing supremacy on the campus on Saturday evening.

At least 10 students, injured from both the factions, were rushed to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) instantly. Of them, some are bullet injured. The college unit Joint-Convener Sheikh Russel and activists Md Sujon and Mahmud are in a critical condition.

The unruly activists of the BCL vandalized several rooms of North Hostel and International Hostel of the college, and torched more than 12 motorcycles, and fired gun shots during the clash.

A team of police late in the evening yesterday raided residential hostels with the permission of the college authorities to recover the illegal arms and nab the non-residential students, police said.

The raid is going on still writing this filing of this report at 10:30 in the night.

Maruf Hosain Sarder, Deputy Commissioner (Ramna Zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told The New Nation

on Saturday night, "Some supporters of Nur-e-Alam Bhuiyan alias Razu, Convener of the college BCL unit, attacked the activists of the Joint-Convener Heron Bhuiyan in front of the Sheikh Kamal Hostel on the campus around 6:45pm.

At least two students received bullet injuries during the clash. At one stage, the excited supporters of Heron torched 12 motorcycles and vandalized eight rooms of North Hostel of the college.

"We are conducting raids in the hostels of the college to recover the illegal arms, and nab the non-residential students," the police official said.

Additional police personnel were deployed in the college premises to avert any untoward situation, he said.


BSMMU paralysed

Row over nurse appointment: Patients immense sufferings

Staff Reporter :

Healthcare services at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) came to a halt on Saturday following confrontation between two rival groups of physicians causing tremendous sufferings to the patients.



Hundreds of patients, who had arrived at the hospital since morning for treatment, were denied of medical services as Out Patients Department (OPD) was dysfunctional.



Shamsul Islam, who has been suffering from different diseases, arrived at BSMMU at 11:30am from Feni along with his son. But they failed to meet any doctor. Even they could not collect hospital tickets.



"My father is a sick person. We came from Feni for my father's treatment. But our luck is not good. The doctors' movement made our attempt fruitless," Mobarak Hossain, the son of Shamsul Islam, told The New Nation on Saturday.



"We have also not enough money to admit my father in a private hospital. We must return home as there is no relative to stay in the city. We do not also know how many days we have to wait. It is unexpected," he said.



Kalam Mia, a private service holder who comes from Kamrangirchar, said the doctor asked him to come on Saturday to give him date of the operation. He managed money and granted leave from his owner. But he failed to meet the doctor. He does not know what he should do now.



"We are patients. We have been carrying acute pain with various diseases. But the doctors are locked into clashes for their power. We never expect it from the doctors," he said.



On Saturday, the supporters of BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor ASM Zakaria Swapan started agitation around 11:00am.



They brought out separate processions at Battala Chattar inside the campus and paraded different points of the university. At one stage some doctors of VC group hurled abusive words at Pro-VC groups. They also locked into chase and counter chase.



The members of Pro-VC group demanded punishment to those culprits who assaulted Professor ASM Zakaria Swapan. They also demanded to form a neutral probe committee to investigate the forgery in nurse appointment.



The BSMMU authorities in an emergency meeting on Saturday banned all the rallies and processions on the campus just after the chase and counter chase.



Meanwhile, BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan called a press conference yesterday in the university's conference hall and said that the Health Minister would resolve the ongoing problem.



"We held a Deans' Committee Meeting. We talked to the Health Minister about the BSMMU's problem. He assured us that he would take initiative to resolve the crisis after reaching Dhaka from Bogra," the VC said.



It was alleged that the VC of BSMMU assaulted a pro-VC of the institution over publishing of a report on nurses' recruitment in a Bangla daily on January 19.



"The VC pushed me in the chest and pressed against a wall at a meeting in his conference room where the proctor of the university also verbally abused me," Pro-VC [Academic] Prof ASM Zakaria Swapan alleged.



Both the VC and the Proctor Professor Habibur Rahman Dulal denied the allegations.



"It is a blatant lie. Why will I assault him? I only wanted to pacify the pro-VC who had an altercation with the proctor during a meeting," said the VC.



The proctor alleged that the pro-VC along with several others went to his office to beat him up.



Pro-VC Swapan, however, refuted the allegation.



At the meeting chaired by the VC, the pro-VC asked the proctor to leave as he was not entitled, prompting the proctor to refuse and engage in a conflict, meeting sources said.



Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed, another pro-VC (administration), who was at the meeting, said they became embarrassed over the incident.



The factions engaged in chase and counter-chase on the campus following the incident, the police official said.
Poor man appeals euthanasia for sons, grandchild

Staff Reporter :

A poor man in Meherpur has appealed to the district administration for voluntary 'euthanasia' for his two sons and a grandchild suffering from a rare disease named "Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)".

Tofazzal Hossain, a resident of Berpara area of the district town, submitted the petition to the deputy commissioner Parimal Singh on Thursday in this regard.

Such an unusual appeal has become talk of the town, as euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering.

In the petition, he urged the government to take the responsibility of treatment for his sons Abdus Sabur, 24, and Raihan, 18, and grandchild Saurav, 9, who have been suffering from DMD or give them permission for voluntary 'euthanasia', reports our Meherpur correspondent.

DMD is a genetic disease caused by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It has no treatment or medicine.

Admitting the matter, acting deputy commissioner of Meherpur Khairul Hasan told The New Nation yesterday that the man has appealed to the district administration to permit euthanasia as three of his family members unable to bear their pains.

"I have already visited the house of the man to look into the matter. The district administration conveyed deep sorrow and sympathy to the family and assured them of best possible help," he added.

When asked, the deputy commissioner said, the law of the land does not permit voluntary euthanasia to any citizen of the country although it is legal in some countries.

The DMD is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Symptom onset is in early childhood, usually between ages 3 and 5. The disease primarily affects boys, but in rare cases it can affect girls, according to physicians.

Muscle weakness can begin as early as age 3, first affecting the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders, and later the skeletal (voluntary) muscles in the arms, legs and trunk. The calves often are enlarged. By the early teens, the heart and respiratory muscles also are affected.

Sabur was affected by DMD while reading in Class-IV and Raihan and Saurav got the disease at the age of 8.

Tofazzal's wife Shirina Begum is also mentally impaired.

Tofazzal had a betel and seasonal fruit shop. He had already sold all his properties to bear the treatment of his sons and the grandchild. As there is no improvement of their health condition, Tofazzal is now unable to bear their treatment cost further.

"Such a situation forced him to approach the district administration for voluntary 'euthanasia' for his two sons and a grandchild," Tofazzal Hossain told The New Nation yesterday.
Palestinian President likely to arrive next month

UNB, Dhaka :

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is likely to arrive here on a three-day state visit next month to advance the 'special relations' with Bangladesh.

The Palestinian side has proposed February 1-3 for the visit but the date is yet to be finalised, a diplomat told UNB on Saturday.

A delegation, including Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Reyad Al Malki, will accompany the Palestinian President during the visit if it takes place.

The Palestinian President had made a stopover here in February last year.

Charge d' Affaires of Palestine Embassy in Dhaka Yousef SY Ramadan told UNB that they are in discussion on the proposed visit but nothing is finalised yet.

Bangladesh supports the Palestinian people for their struggle for an independent homeland, especially the capital - the holy city of Jerusalem and Bangladesh remains always vocal in the UN, OIC, NAM over Palestinian issues.
Digital Centre directors plight risks 'Digital BD'

UNB, Dhaka :

Directors (Entrepreneur) of Bangladesh Digital Centres, a key driver in the effort to establish 'Digital Bangladesh', formerly known as Union Parishad Information Centre, are demonstrating for nationalization of their positions.

Under the banner of Bangladesh Digital Centre Entrepreneurs Forum (BDCF), they are organizing a 'demonstration until death' programme at the Central Shahid Minar starting Saturday, with participation of directors from around the country.

They are also demanding the cancellation of the post of Assistant Accountant-cum-computer operator in the Union Parishad. President of BDCF Hashim Uddin told UNB that the introduction of this post will have an adverse impact on their own jobs. Almost ten thousand will be left unemployed with the decision.

We have passed the age limit to enter into new government jobs working as UDC directors. Sometimes we are harassed by the Chairman of the Union Parishad. So we demand permanent appointments to our position, said Hashim Uddin.

In no mood to compromise, the BDCF president also pledged We will not go back home without the decision (to nationalize their posts). We will starve to death if needed. Attacking us will affect Digital Bangladesh, as we are the ones working out in the field to implement the dream of building Digital Bangladesh.

Rakib, director of the digital centre of Kaneshwar Union of Damudya Upazila in Shariatpur, told UNB that the circular for the post of the assistant accountant-cum-computer operator was unnecessary, as was the post it set up.

We are able to provide the service that the new post is meant to provide. We have six years

of experience running the centres, now we demand permanent appointment to our posts unconditionally, he said.

A total of 4,501 Union Information and Services Centres (UISCs) were established at all Union Parishads and inaugurated simultaneously in November, 2010 by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and then-UNDP head and former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark, in order to translate the dream of 'Digital Bangladesh' into reality and disseminate the digital services to the grassroots level.

UISC evolved from the earlier CeC (Community e- Centre) as a Public Service Delivery Channel at union level. Two CeCs were established under a pilot utilizing the Democratic Government Thematic Trust Fund (DGTTF) of UNDP in 2007.

CeCs were recognized as a driver project of the UNDP-supported Access to Information (A2I) Programme based out of the Prime Minister's Office in early 2008. The A2I programme is often considered the formal blueprint of 'Digital Bangladesh'.

Local Government Division (LGD) started CeCs in 30 Union Parishads to start with, and eventually established UISCs in all Union Parishads of Bangladesh.

In 2014, all the centres at union, municipality and ward levels were rebranded by A2I as 'digital centres'.

Each centre is operated by two local entrepreneurs - ideally one female and one male - who invest in the centre, and is supervised by the associated Union Parishad.

Currently, a total of 10,433 entrepreneurs including 3986 females, are working at 5275 digital centres, also known as service points, providing 106 types of services otherwise almost inaccessible to people in remote parts of the country.
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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! ! !

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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Vibrators

A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator.

Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy.

It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy.

Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women.

For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators.

Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex.

Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself.

This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual.

Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men.

When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons.

Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most...

Dildo

A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis.

It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass.

A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it.

They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well.

It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device.

A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo.

Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands.

For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis.

This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one.

To learn more about dildo, please click here.

What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th...

Electric Masserger

A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores.

It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low.

Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels.

Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation.

It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure.

For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm.

It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out.

If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager?

To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here.

What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th...

How to choose a sextoy for Indian

Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one.

Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points:  Does the size fit you (the partner)?

Does the size fit you (your partner)?

Is the environment able to produce sound without problems?

Price range

First of all, the choice of size is quite important.

Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women.

For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage.

Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems.

Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise.

If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level.

Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it.

Finally, there is the price range.

The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest.

Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy.

Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy?

I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance.

For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics.

If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out.

How to buy sextoys in India

The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping.

For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below.

Sextoy is one of them.

Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping.

SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India.

They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry.

Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card.

To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy.

ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal.

Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on.

Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture.

Cautions for Indians using sextoy

When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind

Keep sex toys clean

Watch out for electrical leakage

Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy

As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone.

Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there.

It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case.

In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness.

Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful.

If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it.

You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly.

Summary

What did you think?

In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India.

The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future.

As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values.

However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health.

If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try?

Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women.

I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it.
CARBONDALE  On Sunday, leaders and members from at least 15 area churches and 13 denominations will meet to celebrate what it means when one talks about "Christian unity."

The celebration is the annual observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, organized by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican. Locally, the program begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua St., in Carbondale. It features Father Bob Flannery, who is pastor of Carbondale's Church of St. Francis Xavier, as guest speaker.

This year's observance also comes during the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, Father Flannery noted.

Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk who challenged, with others, the authority of the Catholic church to define Christian practice in the 1500s. He protested the church's teaching that salvation could be achieved through one's "good works"  today Catholics, other Protestants and Orthodox believe salvation is achieved through grace and faith, Flannery said.

Martin Luther is credited with helping make theological works more accessible to the public and for translating the Bible and Mass into German for his followers.

Flannery said, to him, the notion of a united Christianity does not mean that all Christians are to become "one church"  that while denominations may remain, the theologically divisive issues have been resolved and united with one another over the basic principles and methods of governance of the local, national and international level.

"I define the goal of Christian Unity as the efforts of Christians around the world to work diligently and tirelessly to achieve the Lords teaching from John 17, 'that they all may be one'," he said. "This is accomplished by faithfully and charitably striving through prayer, respectful dialogue, openness and mutual understanding to restore visible church unity and by collaborating together in order to meet the challenges facing humanity in the world today."

"This does not mean becoming one church, but living and working together, settling and putting aside any church-dividing issues that might exist: being in union with one another as members of the Body of Christ," he said.

He said both his life and ministry have been enriched because of his work and that of others to move toward Christian unity.

During Sundays program, leaders from participating churches and faith groups will participate.

Here, some of them share their views and respond to prepared questions about "Christian unity."

Maurine Pyle

Society of Friends (Quakers)

Share an unfortunate/negative (lesser-than-spectacular) experience youve had with Christian unity.

After 500 years since the Reformation was begun, there remains a barrier to sharing one table for Holy Communion. I look forward to the day when all Christians can be called to one table as it was in the beginning when Jesus met with his apostles to break bread and share the cup of wine in his name.

How do you define Christian unity?

The gathering into one family of Coptic, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventists and all other Christians under one Lord Jesus Christ would be my definition of Christian Unity. Our dogmatic divisions would disappear and our common goal would be teaching the Gospel and caring for the poor.

The Rev. Ronald R. Chambers

Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Carbondale, and Shaffer Chapel AME Church, Colp

How well do you think Christians live together in Christian unity?

"My response would be that were not there yet. I believe as Christians if we continue moving forward focusing on the plan that God has for His people.

"In the words of Paul to the Church of Ephesians 4:1316:"

"Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting."

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which part does it share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

"The word of God, loving God and one another bridges the gap to unifying the body of believers. Christians must grow in spiritual maturity for the understanding of unity to happen in our communities, and it begins with the church."

The Very Rev. Kathryn "Mother Kate" Jeffrey

Pastor, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Carbondale

How well do you think Christians live together in Christian unity?

"One way that Christians seem to be coming together in unity around the world is in advocacy for the victims of persecution against Christians. Over 90,000 Christians were martyred for their faith in 2016, and we are learning to work together to meet the needs of those suffering other forms of persecution."

"One very positive experience here in Carbondale of Christian unity occurred last year on Good Friday. Sometimes our ecumenical activities tend to divide along conservative/liberal lines. On Good Friday, we planned a 3-hour liturgy (symbolic of the three hours Christ is believed to have hung on the cross). Representative from six different congregations participated, spanning our most conservative and most liberal churches in town. It was very well-received. Some people came, intending to stop in for just a few minutes, but deciding to stay for the whole service. The collection on Good Friday was sent to Open Doors, an interdenominational group promoting awareness of the persecution of Christians world-wide."

Father Bob Flannery

Pastor, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Carbondale

"A sign of hope, too, is that there are numerous bilateral and multilateral dialogues going on between and among various mainline Christian denominations  with Episcopalian and Anglican, United Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran Church of American as well as the Lutheran World Federation; Disciples of Christ; Reformed Churches; Orthodox Churches; some Baptists, etc. Some have even joined together or accept each others ordained ministers."

"I also wanted to mention a sign of hope is the national Christian Churches Together-USA for which I was part of the Catholic delegation for three years from 2005 to 2008. It is composed of Protestants, Orthodox, Catholics, Evangelicals and groups doing common ecumenical work and service. The focus area has always been related to poverty and racial issues. Also, the Illinois Conference of Churches for which I was elected President and Co-Chair of the organization."

"I served as president of the Catholic Association of Catholic Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers from 2004 to 2010 as well as chair and on the planning committee of the National Workshop on Christian Unity when it was in Oklahoma City about five years ago."

"Many are also working together on interreligious matters."
CARBONDALE  During the clamor of a very rough, loud election cycle, Karen Linduska, of Carbondale, found solace at Mount Rushmore.

She said looking at those faces carved for all time into the side of a mountain and learning about why they were chosen to be there inspired her. She said the theme between the four men was integrity and patriotism, something she wanted to be reminded of Saturday  which is why she wore her hot pink souvenir hat to the Southern Illinois Womens March in Carbondale.

I know not all of them were perfect, Linduska said, but added that she still found parts of their shared story to be inspiring.

Nearly 1,000 people attended the 1.1-mile march through downtown Carbondale, which started at the Carbondale Civic Center, in support of a variety of issues. The weather was warm and the sky was clear as activists marched for more than an hour. Held in solidarity with similar marches around the country, most notably the Womens March on Washington, participants gathered peacefully together to support not just womens rights, but those of all minority groups.

For Carmalita Cahill, of Carbondale, said it was about humanizing people.

We tend to dehumanize in our country. If there is a group we arent particularly happy with  we will dehumanize them, said Cahill, tabling coordinator and chant leader for the march. I believe if we see each other as human beings all the rest of these issues slide away.

Cahill, who considers herself a compassionate conservative, was discouraged by the campaign and by the results of the election. However, she did now allow that to corrupt her mind, or vilify friends she had that voted for Donald Trump.

These are still my brothers and sisters whether they believe in this person or they believe in these things or not and that is what I have to look at, Cahill said.

Briggs Newell, a 20-year-old SIU student from Hartford County, Maryland, is new to protesting, but after the November election, felt compelled to add a voice to the cause.

Im here today to not only support the women in my life but to support my queer family, Newell said.

The reason was simple.

He scares me, Newell said of Trump. As someone who identifies as transgendered, Newell is familiar with the fear many experience in the LGBTQ community, but said standing up is important.

America, for all its flaws in founding itself as a nation, was made to be a place where people could be free to express their opinions or their religion, Newell said.

LGBTQ rights were also not far from Murphysboro resident Rick Wills heart. However, when he went to bed Friday night, he wasn't sure he was going to go march the next day. That morning, though, he woke up at 4 a.m. and saw on social media all of the changes made to the the official White House website. The removal of pages about climate change, LGBTQ rights and military family support angered him.

Ive been ticked off since four oclock, Wills said.

He then said to himself, Im not going to stand still for it. Im going to come over here and protest.

The discussion was at times incredibly hard for him. When trying to explain that he was there in part to support LGBTQ friends he has across the country he was overcome with emotion and had end the conversation.

Ages ranged among attendees, some as young at 12 years old. Some were seasoned protestors, others were green. Most expressed fear of Donald Trumps policies and platform, but keeping things local was important to Cahill.

Instead of concerning myself with whats going on in Washington, I want to concern myself with Southern Illinois, she said of her decision to stay in Carbondale.

While the campaign and election were discouraging, Cahill has taken a page from the lessons she taught her children.

Dont complain about something unless you are willing to do something to change it, Cahill said.

One-time events are great, but demonstrators said it is less about today and more about tomorrow.

The goal of this is how do we harness that energy and put it towards what we need to do here, Cahill said.

Linduska knows what she wont be doing in the near future.

Im not going to keep my mouth shut, thats for sure, she said.
HERRIN  After a long, bitter election cycle fraught with mudslinging, fake news and some of the most negative campaigns ads ever to created, some schools and teachers chose not to watch the inauguration in their classrooms. Kolbie Stuck, reading and math teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Herrin, decided to watch the inauguration with her sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.

I believe this is important to watch, whether you are a supporter or not. This is history in the making, Stuck said.

Most of Stucks student were happy that they were not having their regular classes. Students who did not want to watch the inauguration were asked to read or catch up on homework. She reminded students to be respectful and quiet during the ceremonies.

As Associated Justice Clarence Roberst administered the oath of office to Vice President Mike Pence, a few eighth graders chuckled as he repeated the line with no mental reservations.

Students stood as Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office to President Donald Trump and again as Jackie Evancho performed the National Anthem.

After the inauguration, Stuck asked the students to answer questions about the new president, like his age, religion, youngest sons age, name and age of his wife, the last young boy who lived in the White House, oldest living president, oldest elected president, whose Bible was used at the inauguration, who holds that Bible.

It was obvious that the students know a lot about their new presidents.

Although the students were attentive and respectful of each other, they were split on their support of President Trump. All of the students said they will give in the proper respect and support as President of the United States.

Lucas Mosqueda of West Frankfort and Luke Hileman of Carterville did not support President Trump before the election.

Lucas said President Trump scares him a little bit when he talks about Islamic terrorists and Syria.

There are Syrians who are not terrorists. He will kill people who are not terrorists, Lucas said.

Immigration is an important issue for the students. Herrin, as well as Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, was founded by immigrants. Some students are in favor of deporting illegal immigrants, and some are against it.

Luke Hileman of Carterville thinks kicking illegal immigrants from Mexico out of the county is wrong.

Like many of his classmates, Nico Muniz of Carterville supports President Trump, but does not agree with everything he says or does.

Immigrants should have fair trials [before being deported], Nico said.

Connor Wade, an outspoken Trump supporter, said that everyone should be nice to immigrants, but they should have to follow the rules to stay in our country.

I think his ideas and opinions are suitable for what our country needs at this time, Conner said. Do we know what Trump will do? We hope he does what he says he will do.

Connor hopes the new president can improve the economy and bring jobs to the area.

We blame people for not getting out there and working, but there are not that many jobs, he said.

Another supporter said they think Pence should take point in some public statements.

I support him (Trump), but I sometimes think he should let Pence do the talking, Madison Varner said.

The students also talked about respecting people with differing opinions. Connor Wade reminded everyone that politics are based on opinions and religion is based on beliefs.

Stuck said they talk a lot of respect in Deanna Smillies religion classes.

Anna Wade, no relation to Connor, said respect is important.

Some people need to respect others peoples opinions, Anna said.
Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced late Friday the combined fast action and pursuit of both law enforcement and Orangeburg County citizens resulted in the apprehension of two burglary suspects.

"These individuals are charged at this point with breaking into a citizen's home and we're looking into any possible connection with other burglaries in the Creekmoor area," the sheriff said.

Raekwon Maple, 20, of Justine Court, Cordova, and Antonio Summers, 20, of Fairfield Street, Orangeburg, were charged with one count each of second-degree burglary and possession of stolen goods.

Ravenell said that around 1 p.m., a concerned citizen called saying two males had just broken into a Slaughter Drive residence.

The caller said he initially noticed the males after following a suspicious vehicle driving through the Creekmoor subdivision off Columbia Road. He called law enforcement after observing the males go into the residence.

As OCSO deputies were on their way to the residential area, the motorist saw the men flee the home when the home alarm system went off.

OCSO K9 units were put on the ground and began tracking the subjects, who had fled on foot.

Summers was taken into custody first by tracking K9s.

As the Orangeburg man was being secured, a concerned citizen called law enforcement saying he had a second person held at gunpoint after spotting him hiding in a field.

The Department of Natural Resources assisted in the hour-long search for the subjects.

One of the males was discovered to have an expensive watch reported stolen in another burglary that happened earlier this week, according to the sheriffs office.

In that instance, a Forest Drive homeowner called after discovering a door had been broken. As her boyfriend arrived, the couple heard a noise inside the residence before a suspect fled out of the front door.

The boyfriend, who has a concealed weapons permit, told law enforcement he fired two rounds at the fleeing suspects before they escaped.

The couple reported watches, jewelry, cash and a substantial amount of change stolen.

Maple was out on bond for multiple charges prior to Friday's break in, according to the sheriffs office.

The two men could be facing more charges as the ongoing investigation continues, Ravenell said.

"This was perfect cooperation between law enforcement and the concerned community," he said. "When the entire community is against you, you don't stand a chance at criminal activity."
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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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By Trend





Hunger and poverty prevail today in Armenia, famous French writer Gerard Cardonne, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, said.

Cardonne made the remarks at a meeting with Ali Hasanov, chairman of the Azerbaijani State Committee for Refugees and IDPs, in Baku.

People are leaving Armenia, he added. The Armenians oppose the current regime in the country.

The French writer also spoke about his desire to write a book about Azerbaijani women.

He added that he has already implemented similar projects in a number of countries.

The novel about Azerbaijani women will consist of two parts, he said. The life of women, their role in the family, society, protection of their rights and other issues will be described in the book.

Cardonne said that along with the novel he will write a book about Khojaly tragedy following the visit.
By Trend





President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev offered condolences to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani on Jan. 21.

I was deeply saddened by the news of the loss of lives as a result of the collapse of a multi-storey building in Iran, said President Aliyev in his letter.

On the occasion of this tragedy, on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the families and loved ones of those who died and the whole people of Iran, and wish the injured the swiftest possible recovery, added the president. May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace!








By Trend





Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with The Washington Post that he expects an early favorable response from the Trump administration to Turkeys request for the extradition of Fethullah Gulen.

The Istanbul Court earlier released an order to arrest Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of organizing the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey.

Ankara sent four documents to the US proving Gulens complicity in the military coup attempt and demanded his extradition.

We need to rebuild mutual trust, Cavusoglu said, noting that anti-Americanism is on the rise in Turkey.

The Turkish presidential administration earlier told Trend that Ankara will do everything possible to extradite Gulen from the US.
By Trend





German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a working visit to Turkey in early February, the Turkish media reported Jan. 20.

During the visit, Merkel will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

The immigrant crisis, regional issues, the fight against terrorism, as well as the ways of strengthening economic cooperation are planned to be discussed in the negotiations.
By Trend





Six people were found alive inside the hotel in Italy that was hit by an avalanche earlier, Sputnik International reported citing Italys Repubblica online newspaper Jan. 20.

Five people were said to be found alive at the Rigopiano di Farindola hotel before the Italian online newspaper updated their figures. The newspaper said five helicopters have been dispatched to the scene.

So far, bodies of four victims of the avalanche near a hotel at the Alpine resort of Farindola in the central Italian Pescara province have been recovered by security services.

The avalanche occurred at the base of the Gran Sasso mountain range Jan. 18, wreaking havoc at the Rigopiano di Farindola hotel.

Earlier that day, a series of four earthquakes shook central Italy. The magnitude of the earthquakes ranged between 5.1 and 5.7. Italian authorities issued an avalanche warning following the three quakes.
By Trend





The Iranian police will stop licensing trucks with Euro 3 and lower emission standards on March 21, according to Deputy Chief of Police Musa Amiri.

Only Euro 4 and higher trucks will receive a license number, he told the IRIB January 20.

Most cars and trucks used in Iran are of Euro 2 and lower emission standards.

Iran has planned to stop producing non-euro standard gasoline and gas oil by March 2021.

In June 2016, Deputy Oil Minister and CEO of the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) Abbas Kazemi told Trend that of the 62 million liters per day (mlpd) of domestically produced gasoline, 29 mlpd meets the Euro-4 standard.

Our largest developing project is the Persian Gulf Star which is operated privately. It is meant to produce 36 mlpd of Euro-4 gasoline as well as 13 mlpd of Euro-4 gas oil, the deputy minister told Trend.
By Trend





An Italian firefighter says rescue crews have indications of other survivors under the rubble of an avalanche-struck hotel in central Italy, CBC reported.

Earlier Friday, between six and eight survivors were already located by rescuers, who had found an air pocket in the kitchen of the crushed Hotel Rigopiano in Italy's snow-covered Abruzzo region following Wednesday's avalanche.

There is some discrepancy in the number of people who have been rescued.

The ANSA news agency quotes the vice-brigadier of Italy's financial police, Marco Bini, as saying eight people were located alive in two separate operations, but other reports say five or six survivors have been located.

Speaking to Sky TG24, firefighter Giuseppe Romano declined to confirm another five possible survivors. But he said, "Other people have responded to our signals."

Titti Postiglione told reporters that two survivors had already been pulled clear of the snow and debris that destroyed the isolated hotel on Wednesday. Rescuers were digging to free any other survivors.

"Finding these people gives us further hope there are other survivors," Postiglione said.

One of the survivors found on Friday was a young girl, said Deputy Interior Minister Filippo Bubbico, who is helping co-ordinate rescue efforts at the scene.

The survivors were found in the hotel kitchen area, which was not crushed by the tonnes of snow that obliterated much of the four-storey building, media said

About 30 people were inside the hotel when the avalanche hit. Two people who survived the devastation initially reported the emergency.

The ANSA news agency said the number of possible new survivors was six and that firefighting crews were in touch with them, but that the survivors were still under the rubble. Helicopters reportedly were on the way to the site to aid the evacuation.

Search and rescue teams have maintained the hope of finding more people alive after the avalanche buried the hotel under up to five metres of snow.

"We are hoping that the ceiling collapsed partially in some places and that someone remained underneath," rescuer Lorenzo Gagliardi told SKY TG24.

Rescuers were using shovels to dig into the tonnes of snow and debris. Two bodies were recovered and RAI state TV reported two more had been located but not yet removed.

The operations have been hampered by difficulty in accessing the remote hotel. Workers have been clearing a seven-kilometre road to bring in heavier equipment, but it can handle only one-way traffic.
Intercoil International, a leading manufacturer, retailer and distributor of premium beds and bedroom furniture in Mena region, has again been among the UAE companies selected to welcome students from Elon University in North Carolina, US, to its manufacturing facilities.



The visit comes as part of the Love School of Business Winter Term 2016/2017 study abroad course, designed for a delegation of 30 undergraduate students.



The course, titled Business and Culture of Indo-Gulf, encompassed fact-finding missions to various industrial units in both countries, meetings with successful businessmen and comparison of business models in Asia and the US. This is the second time the business school has visited the region following an earlier trip in 2013, and the second time Intercoil International was selected, demonstrating its successful economic model and ongoing manufacturing excellence, said a company statement.



Hassan Al-Hazeem, managing director of Intercoil International, said: It was a great pleasure to welcome the Elon University students to Intercoils facilities once more. Elon business students are an exceptionally bright group of young individuals who showed a keen interest in gaining business insights and a genuine understanding of Middle Eastern manufacturing processes. We are proud to have showcased Intercoils achievements and history, as well as the UAEs rich culture and traditions, and we look forward to hosting future Elon University students for as long as they continue to tour.



Dr Nawar Chaker, assistant professor of marketing at Elon Universitys Love Business School, said: We are extremely grateful for the ongoing relationship between Elon University and Intercoil International. Elon Universitys Study Abroad programs are designed to further the students understanding of business, culture and societies across the world. They provide an invaluable and insightful approach to learning and the opportunity to observe the similarities and differences in transacting business in the Middle East and US. The visit to Intercoil International is an integral part of this trip for student learning and we are grateful that Intercoil International has graciously welcomed us to their facility once again, introduced the students to their world-class technology and manufacturing processes, and strengthened the students understanding of the UAE as a region. The visit highlights Intercoils expertise in manufacturing and innovation and we are excited to see what is to come for this dynamic company.



Students were given a tour of Intercoils head office and manufacturing facility in the UAE, where they learned about the companys background and history, workplace health and safety standards, corporate culture, the UAEs business and economic environments as well as governmental operations. - TradeArabia News Service


Standard Chartered Bank, a leading multinational banking and financial services company, has completed three shipping finance deals worth over $1.6 billion, for clients in Asia and the Middle East.



These transactions highlight Standard Chartereds strengths in advising and structuring optimal solutions for clients, its continued commitment to the shipping industry and in particular, continued commitment to clients and the shipping community in the Middle East, said a statement from the company.



In November last year, the bank leveraged its strong expertise in shipping finance and Islamic financing to structure the $350 million senior secured Murabaha facility for National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), it said.



This facility will be used by Bahri to finance the construction and delivery of five Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), which will be delivered in early 2018. As the exclusive carrier of Saudi Aramcos crude oil sold on a delivered basis, Bahri will use these VLCCs to transport crude oil to the Americas, South Asia and Far East, it added.



This was a landmark shipping transaction in the Middle East for 2016, where Standard Chartered led as bookrunner, mandated lead arranger, investment agent and account bank with participation from three other banks.



Standard Chartered also closed a $572 million senior secured term loan facilities to subsidiaries of Reliance Group (Reliance) closed in October last year, will finance six units of Very Large Ethane Gas Carriers, said a statement.



These gas carriers transport ethane gas from the US to India and support Reliance Groups $1.7 billion Ethan Import Project to secure feed for its gas crackers, improve production cost position by diversifying feedstock and replacing oil linked feeds  propane and naphtha in existing crackers  and provide downstream capacity enhancement.



Standard Chartered, given its strong shipping expertise, played a significant role of a trusted advisor to Reliance Group as commercial facility coordinator on the structure of its first shipping finance deal. This award-winning transaction showcases an innovative ship financing structure which was finally oversubscribed by 12 international banks.



Most recently in December, Standard Chartered concluded a $684.5 million, up to 12-year non-recourse shipping finance facility for BW Gas JuJu LNG Limited (a joint venture partnership between BW Group and Marubeni), it stated.



Standard Chartered, as facility coordinator, led a syndicate of nine international banks in this transaction, which will refinance existing credit facilities for eight LNG (liquefied natural gas) tankers on long-term charters to Nigeria LNG. The Bank also acted as the mandated lead arranger, agent and security trustee, account bank and hedging bank in this transaction which was the largest deal for BW Group in 2016 and a key milestone for them.



Jamal Tartir, chief executive officer, Saudi Arabia, Standard Chartered, said: We are truly privileged to lend our expertise and resources in support of our clients. These deals, which are by no means easy structures, gave us the opportunities to work across teams in order to propose the most optimal and innovative financing solutions for each of the clients.



We are very committed to continue supporting our clients in this region as they expand and grow their businesses globally, Tartir concluded.  TradeArabia News Service


NDigitec, a leading UAE-based creative production company, is set to open a new, dedicated facility within Dubai Production City, aimed at further enhancing its overall fabrication competency amidst a surge in demand for its fabrication solutions and services in the UAE and region.



With the new facility, NDigitec will be able to offer the complete spectrum of fabrication competency solutions  ranging from digital signage, fit-out, turnkey, event podium, display and exhibition stands  to complement its Premedia and Digital Printing competencies.



The company, the preferred supplier for over 500 business partners in providing a complete value chain of over 75 services for brand owners, media and the graphic arts industry, has thus become the one-stop creative partner for all media production requirements.



The new facility will offer a range of services, including Electroluminescent panel (EL Panel) signage, LED signage, Fit-out and turnkey project services, event fabrication, podium and display stands, POS (point of sale) retail stands, exhibition stands and online ready-made stands, among others. With the new unit, NDigitec Fabrication will deliver solutions with wood, MDF, steel, acrylic, aluminum, LED signage, among others.



Mohammed Shawer, NDigitec DigiPrint & Fabrication General Manager, said: "The new production facility is a major step forward for NDigitec and will strengthen the companys position as the market leader for creative production services."



"The company has an in-house team of over 20 years of proven competence in fabrication and we have the right solutions and services to cater to various needs of the market and the confidence to deliver on our promises," he noted.



Vatche Kavlakian, CEO of NDigitec, said: NDigitec is witnessing a sharp growth across all its competencies, making it a one-stop destination for all creative production needs. The concept of selling readymade exhibition stands on our web-to-print platform, Dubaiprint.com will be implemented in 2017 and we believe this will be game changer in the industry.



The company has also successfully researched over 100 different exhibition stand concepts to suit the needs of various brand owners across segments with a dedicated Content Creation Department (CCD) located at the NDigitec headquarters at Dubai Production City.



NDigitec offers a wide array of brand experiences and digital production solutions; web development and interactive solutions; augmented reality / virtual reality and film production solutions; photography and talent services, prepress solutions, large and small format digital and 3D printing solutions; exhibition, digital signage and fabrication solutions, among others.-TradeArabia News Service
SALT LAKE CITY  A planned network of electric-car charging stations that could carry drivers from Disneyland to Yellowstone has received a $4 million boost from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The grant will go toward building fast-charge stations spanning 1,500 miles of highway in three wide-open Western states, officials with Utahs Rocky Mountain Power said Wednesday.

The plan is to have a station every 100 miles in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho, authorities said. That will make long-distance trips along Interstates 15, 90, 70 and 84 much more viable for drivers of electric cars.

The state of Utah will also kick in $10 million to the project, said Laura Nelson, executive director of the Utah Governors Office of Energy Development.

The goal of the grant is to double the number of electric vehicles in the region to more than 50,000 over the next decade.

Clean air is a perennial concern in Salt Lake City, which can become one of the most polluted areas in the country during winter periods where weather and geography cause emissions to settle in the bowl-shaped mountain basins.

Vehicles contribute about half of the emissions that can leave the air brown and hazy, according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

Rocky Mountain Power is also working on a program to have gas stations and other business take over operation and ownership of the charging stations after theyre built, James Campbell, a legislative policy adviser for the utility said.

Construction on the stations is expected to begin this summer in Salt Lake City and Park City and be completed over the next three years.
The last of the coal bankruptcies is headed toward a close, but Wyoming is none the wiser on what will happen to over $700 million in unsecured cleanup costs from Peabody Energy.

On Friday the Western Organization of Resource Councils objected to the St. Louis-based companys failure to provide bonding assurances in Peabodys reorganization plan, money secured by collateral or insurance for reclamation of land, vegetation and water surrounding mining activities.

The move is reminiscent of the debate over Alpha Natural Resources last year. Alpha was the first of three debt-saddled companies operating in Wyoming to file for Chapter 11. After numerous complaints from environmental advocates, the Department of Justice refused to transfer Alphas federal mine permits if Alpha did not provide a plan dealing with its self-bonds, shouldering the company into compliance before it exited bankruptcy.

However, after two such Chapter 11 cases in which self-bonds were replaced, Wyoming is left to wonder whether Peabody, owner of North Antelope Rochelle, the largest coal mine in the U.S., will follow suit.

Environmentalists say it could go either way. State regulators say they will follow the law, while Peabodys promises have been vague, assuring compliance with federal and state regulations and a potential mix of collateral and self-bonds.

In Wyoming, some argue that would be illegal.

All I know is, I know the law, and I know what the law requires. It requires them to replace their bonds, said Shannon Anderson, counsel for the Powder River Basin Resource Council. Whether [the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality] forces them to do that is yet to be seen.

Self-bonds are guarantees of cleanup costs based on a companys financial health. The self-bonding debate was off and running in Wyoming by the time Alpha entered federal hot water, with environmental advocates long having argued that the practice should end, more so last year given the financial instability of the coal sector.

If there is ever a time to require bond replacement, its when these companies have wiped billions in debt from their balance sheets, Anderson said.

In its court complaint, the group of western resource councils argues Peabodys failure to disclose details on its extensive self-bonds breaks two requirements for exiting bankruptcy, feasibility and compliance with the law, as the company may have increasing reclamation obligations not covered in the plan and because Wyoming requires financial solvency to be eligible for self-bonds.

Peabody was the third coal company with Wyoming mines to file for bankruptcy, in April of last year, with some $5 billion in debt.

In a reorganization plan filed in late December, the company showed it would be shedding that debt, offering company share options to employees and exiting bankruptcy within the one-year goal it had going in.

But the companys court documents shed little light on what the coal behemoth will do about $728 million in self-bonds in Wyoming and $1.1 billion in self-bonds in a total of four states.

The company promised it would follow the law post-bankruptcy but failed to provide details as to how or if it would re-secure its hefty self-bonding debt.

The Debtors shall have obtained a Bonding Solution to address all of their self-bonding reclamation obligations in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, the company wrote in its disclosure statement.

However, spokeswoman Beth Sutton said in a recent statement that self-bonding could remain a part of the companys portfolio after bankruptcy.

Peabody accelerated its restoration activities this past year and reduced our bond obligation by 18 percent, she said in an email. The company restored 4,200 acres of mined land in the U.S., and for every new acre of land that was used, 1.7 acres was reclaimed. We look forward to continuing to restore the land and provide assurances for future obligations, through a potential blend of both third-party surety bonds and self-bonding.

State regulators argue that they have a right to use the practice of self-bonding at their discretion, by state and federal law.

Reclamation is an ongoing affair, done piecemeal over the years of operations, a point often missed in the self-bonding debate, said Keith Guille, spokesman for the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. People think of reclamation as an expensive cost left until the end of mining activities, but that is not the case, he added.

Indeed, Peabody filed a request to the WDEQ to be released from the second phase of cleanup at one of its Wyoming mines, entering phase three  a decade-long process where land, water and vegetation are monitored for health.

Nineteen states allow self-bonding of surface mines, though only 10 have such permits at operating mines currently. Colorado is phasing out the practice. Montana does not allow it at all.

Wyoming regulators argue that self-bonding is one of many options toward securing cleanup and was first introduced when the insurance market was unstable. The practice of promising cleanup based on a companys balance sheet, or financial strength, commenced.

When the three coal icons fell into debt and filed for reorganization, however, environmentalists argued that they should not be allowed to operate with self-bonds, given that their reclamation bonds were no longer valid. That raised the ire of state regulators, who say the law was followed despite the unprecedented nature of coals decline.

Weve followed our rules and regulations, and by doing that weve been able to work through the process and ensure that no tax dollars were spent on reclamation, Guille said. Reclamation continued even through the bankruptcy proceedings.

When Alpha filed for bankruptcy, it had just been issued a letter from the DEQ saying it no longer qualified for self-bonds. The other two companies filed before DEQ had established their financial insolvency, said Guille, spokesman for the agency.

Self-bonding eligibility is based on financial history. A new company does not qualify, which is why the company that emerged from the Alpha bankruptcy, Contura Energy, did not qualify, Guille said.

However, in the interest of saving Wyoming jobs and revenues, the state entered into compromise agreements with these companies on the bonding issue during bankruptcy, he said.

What becomes lost in the debate of financial solvency is that the guarantor is the bottom line for financial soundness, Guille said.

It is not just the companys financials that come into play, he said. For Arch and Peabody, the guarantors are private, meaning their financials are not publicly disclosed.

Peabody reached a deal with Wyomings Department of Environmental Quality for a super-priority agreement, putting part of the states cleanup costs ahead of other obligations for the duration of the bankruptcy, which satisfied state regulators.

The DEQ has yet to say what will happen when the bankruptcy period ends.

Peabody hasnt emerged yet, so until they emerge its hard for us to tell you whether or not they qualify for self-bonding, Guille said. Obviously we will be looking at it and talking with them to make sure that all those regulations are going to be met, including self-bonding.

The self-bonding bickering is likely to continue for some time.

Federal regulators had been discouraging the practice since weighing in on Alphas agreement last year. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement initiated a rulemaking process to consider self-bonding soon after. Recently a U.S. Government Accountability Office report found that open surface coal mines were the only ones allowed to self-bond for reclamation, presumable a negative finding.

In Wyoming, officials were recently part of the Interstate Mining Compact Commissions look at self-bonding, Guille said.

Obviously its been on our minds, too, he said.

However, as environmental advocates weighed in on self-bonding Friday, a more industry-friendly administration took over the White House, potentially changing Washingtons position on reclamation insurance.

What exactly that means for Peabodys cleanup assurances in Wyoming is unclear.
Clubs

Mended Hearts Jan. 23

The regular monthly meeting of Mended Hearts will resume for the new year at 7 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 23 in the board room of Wyoming Medical Center Support Services Building. Enter from the second floor off the new parking garage and go towards the second floor lobby. Turn right down the first hallway and through the double doors. Meetings last about an hour, and we welcome all those with heart issues to come take part. We are there to learn, as well as support one another. Our featured speaker this month is Dr. James Anderson. Please remember our meeting time and place is always the same fourth Monday at 7 p.m. at WMC.

NARFE meets Jan. 24

Casper Chapter #358 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) will have a business meeting at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the meeting room at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 East 4th Street. The guest speaker will be Matt Ballou, Financial Service Manager, WyHy Federal Credit Union. He will be making a presentation on the banking services available at WyHy.

Gold prospectors meet

The Casper Chapter of the Gold Prospectors Association of America will have its monthly meeting at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Building, 2211 King Blvd. Members and guests are welcome. Members are strongly encouraged to attend as membership cards will be issued and records will be updated. The speaker is Derek Dodge, who appeared on the hit television show, Gold Rush. He will talk about his past mining season. Enter through the east door. The club is holding a raffle for a Thompson Drywasher. Raffle tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the meeting or by calling Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902. Drawing to be held, pending reserve. For more information about the GPAA, the Casper chapter, or about prospecting in general, call Eric Weaner at 513-259-7902 or email at caspergpaa@gmail.com

Historical society meets

The next meeting of the Natrona County Historical Society will be held at 7 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Oil and Gas Commission Building. The speaker will be R.C. Johnson, who will present "Conflict and Accord," an episodic recounting of the Lockhart/Davis family and its history of activist engagement.

For more than 100 years, members of the Lockhart/Davis family have been activists in the Casper Community. That activism was driven by the forces of conflict and accord operating in this community and in the larger world.

Johnson is by training a speech/language pathologist. Johnson's professional calling did not diminish her longstanding interest in history. Johnson's presentation will reflect the impact of her training, her ongoing interest in history and the effect of conflict and accord found in her family's history.

Girl Scouts celebrate Elena of Avalor

Join Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming from 5 to 7 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 27, at the Girl Scout office, 428 S. Durbin, Ste. 102 for an Elena of Avalor celebration. All girls are welcome to learn more about becoming a leader, create some Elena of Avalor crafts and enjoy some treats inspired by Disney's newest princess. For more information, call Brandis at (800) 736-5243 or email brandiss@gsmw.org

Tai chi for arthritis

Tai Chi for Arthritis Part 1 is not just for those with arthritis. Tai Chi is an ancient practice proven to reduce pain and improve your mental and physical well-being. This series of Tai Chi for Arthritis was developed by Dr. Paul Lam. The form uses gentle Sun style Tai Chi postures that are safe, easy to learn, and suitable for every fitness level. This form can be done standing or seated. The practice of Tai Chi will help you to reduce stress, increase balance and flexibility, and improve your overall feeling of wellness. Preregistration for the workshop is required. The cost is $122 for 16 consecutive sessions, meeting Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., starting Feb. 6 and ending March 29. This workshop class will be located at the Healthy Life Studio in the Sunrise Shopping Center on South Poplar Street. You can register for this workshop either online at www.healthylifestudio.com or by calling 472-1962.

Freedom Fund lunch set

During the civil rights era of the 1950s and 60s, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted Freedom Fund banquets to raise money for legal aid for folks who had been arrested while attempting to register to vote and fighting for their civil rights. Following that tradition, the Casper Branch of the NAACP is hosting its annual Freedom Fund luncheon from 11 a.. to 2 p.m., on Sat., Feb. 11, at the Parkway Plaza, 123 East E St. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.

Henry Allen, past president of Colorado Springs Branch NAACP, and current president, Pikes Peak Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will address the topic, America 2017 through the Eyes of Martin Luther King, Jr. Allen served 24 years in the U.S. Army and worked as a sheriff until his retirement.

NAACP members and the general public are invited to attend the luncheon. Tickets cost $30 (checks made to Casper NAACP) with lunch choices: salmon, strip steak au jus, or vegetarian pasta. To make reservations, call Joanne Tanner at 234-6266 by Feb. 6.

NARFE has social

Casper Chapter #358 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) will have a no-host Social Meeting at noon on Feb. 28, in the meeting room at the Casper Senior Center at 1831 East 4th Street.

Mardi Gras Bingo

Mardi Gras Bingo, sponsored by Reveille Rotary of Casper, is 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 E. 4th Street. Enjoy Bingo fun for the whole family. Tickets are $20 for two Bingo cards. There will be eight $25 games, nine $50 games, one $250 game and one $500 game. Concessions will be available (including homemade slices of pie). Proceeds benefit Wyoming Dementia Care. Tickets can be purchased from any Reveille Rotary member or at First Interstate Bank Downtown.

Scholarship notice

The Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration -- Central Wyoming Section offers up to four $2,500 scholarships, the Coates, Wolff, Russell, and Swank Memorial scholarships. Applicant must have graduated from a Wyoming high school, must be enrolled full-time for the 2016-2017 academic year, upperclassmen -- current college sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student, enrolled in mining/mineral extraction-related discipline, and have a 3.0 GPA minimum. Application forms are available by email request to smecasper@gmail.com

Civil Air Patrol meets

Civil Air Patrol meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Casper National Guard Armory, 5905 CY Ave. For more information, call 259-0855.

Stammtisch at Applebee's

The Casper German Stammtisch is meeting weekly on Thursdays at Applebee's from 6:30 to 8 p.m. New this year -- on the second Thursday of each month we will focus on speaking German! All ability levels are welcome, as long as they are eager to hear German.
SALT LAKE CITY  Four Texans have pleaded guilty in the theft of dinosaur bones from a desert site near a quarry in southern Utah's Wayne County during a 2015 educational trip.

Authorities have said the defendants slipped away from a geology trip sanctioned by McLennan Community College in Waco and pried loose bones at a site about 230 miles south of Salt Lake City.

The Utah Attorney General's Office said Philip Bukowski of Crawford pleaded guilty to third-degree felony theft, Paige Bukowski of College Station pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and Travis York of Waco pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal mischief

They entered their pleas in state court Friday. A fourth defendant, Crystal Webster of Georgetown previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft.

The Attorney General's Office said the college cooperated in the investigation.
LARAMIE  University of Wyoming President Laurie Nichols said a strategic planning initiative that began about four months ago is moving along as scheduled.

One of Nichols' first orders of business when she arrived on campus in 2016 was developing a strategic plan to guide the university through the next five years.

Nichols addressed the UW Board of Trustees this past week about the plan's progress.

She said the fall semester was a time for holding listening sessions across the campus and state, drawing hundreds of people looking to tell UW's leaders where they think the strategic plan should go.

Nichols said UW's disappointing enrollment numbers in recent years was of high concern to many who attended listening sessions.
The Wyoming Legislature should not be considering House Joint Resolution 4 to have Wyoming agencies note companies participating to Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) Israel. Sponsors of this resolution are misinformed in their attempt to label supposedly anti-Semitic companies. If the Legislature wished to support people of all backgrounds as stated in a previous Casper Star-Tribune article, the resolution should be modified to encourage the BDS effort.

We recently completed three months living in Israel, including spending a week in the West Bank. Our time was spent with Palestinian Christians and Muslims. During that time, our perception of Israel and the peace process was profoundly changed. Whereas we had previously supported Israel (without understanding much about the conflict), we now see Israel as a discriminatory and occupying country, compromised by extraordinary human rights violations.

While most Americans, including ourselves, share a strong empathy for the Jewish people due to their Holocaust experience, what we did not know was that Israel has been conducting a long-term program of illegally confiscating West Bank territory, building Israeli settlements and forcing Christian and Muslim Palestinians from their long-held West Bank lands.

Here are some things we learned or saw first-hand:

Some people may think the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a Muslim versus Jewish issue. It is not. Hundreds of Palestinian Christian villages were destroyed and taken over by the Israeli Defense Force after Israels 1948 independence. Many Palestinians are Christians. For a poignant example, read Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour.

We spoke with ranchers who have been litigating in military courts to retain their 100-plus-year-old orchards.

We spoke with West Bank Palestinians who have been denied passage through militarized checkpoints into Israel for medical treatment. Waiting for a medical permit can take up to three months, often the equivalent of a death warrant.

As we entered the West Bank through different militarized check-points, we observed large signs in three languages reading: The Entrance For Israeli Citizens Is Forbidden, Dangerous To Your Lives And Is Against The Israeli Law.Consequently, it is understandable that most Israeli citizens have no idea what the Israeli government is doing inside the West Bank.

We spoke with attorneys working to release Palestinian children from three-plus weeks of solitary confinement in Israeli prisons while their parents had no idea where their child was incarcerated.

The Israeli government is discriminating against Palestinians who have lived on that soil for millennia.

In 1947, the Jews were given a land without a people... however, that land already had a people. Hence the conflict!

Simply put, Israel is pursuing a Zionist claim to territory that is not its own. And, it is doing so by making it unbearable, oftentimes impossible, for Palestinians to live in their long-held homes.

The BDS movement is designed to raise awareness of Israeli illegal and confiscatory practices, thereby bringing an end to Israels occupation of Palestinian lands, full equality for the Palestinian citizens of Israel and acknowledgement of the right of return of Palestinian refugees.

To be clear, we support the existence of Israel and its right to defend itself. However, we also support the BDS actions until Israels illegal seizure of West Bank lands and discriminatory activities against Palestinians stop.

By supporting House Joint Resolution 4, the Wyoming Legislature would unwittingly imply its support for Israels ongoing agenda of discriminating against rightful Palestinian land ownership as well as their own Israeli-Palestinian citizens.

We hope the Wyoming Legislature will take this into consideration as it examines the facts and rejects Joint Resolution 4.
True Concord Voices & Orchestra landed a $500,000 gift from Dorothy Dyer Vanek that will allow them to pursue one of the groups principal goals: commissioning and recording new works.

The gift will be spread over the next five years in $100,000 increments, said True Concord founder and music director Eric Holtan. The goal is to commission one new work and release one new CD a year.

The gift brings to a total nearly a million dollars in support since 2006 from Vanek, an ardent donor and cheerleader of True Concord, Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the volunteer Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra.

Vanek was the driving financial force behind True Concords 2016 critically acclaimed, Grammy-winning CD Far In the Heavens  Choral Music Of Stephen Paulus. The recording won the Grammy for Contemporary Classical Composition last year for Paulus Prayers and Remembrances, a piece the group commissioned from the late composer. Vanek paid Pauluss $50,000 commissioning fee, sponsored $95,000 of the recording costs and gave $100,000 to send True Concord to New York City to perform at Lincoln Center on Sept. 11, 2015. She also has contributed annually to the group.

I thought it would be a wonderful project that they could do, Vanek said last week of the commissioning and recording project. They discovered that they can do it. When we did the Paulus event we brought things together, but they also found out that they were capable of doing that. They won the Grammy. It was quite a thrill to win.

This has been in our strategic plan to do more recordings, but this is beyond our wildest dreams, obviously, said True Concord Board of Directors Chairman Andrew Watson. We look to do recordings and find a way to do them when we could, but our strategic plan has not been that specific. It is now. We plan to do one a year now.

Holtan said the 90-year-old Vaneks gift goes far beyond just allowing True Concord to realize an organizational goal.

It fulfills the groups mission of creating experiences and music that enriches peoples lives, he said, something immediately out of reach without Vaneks generosity. Thats what were about. We feel that we are an organization that has something special to share as far as the quality of our artistic product. We learned through the Paulus CD that our music has impact. Our CD has been played on radio nationally. Its affirmation that people respond to it in Tucson and well beyond.

Music has the power to feed hungry souls, Holtan added. Music has the power to impact peoples lives; thats why Im in this business and that is why people like Dorothy support what we do. That is the ultimate.

True Concord already has commissioned Green Valley composer Gerald Near, a widely commissioned composer of church music, for its first project. Near is writing a 30-minute cantata based on poems by 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. Hanson said the work will premier in the 2017-18 season and will be recorded next year.

Vanek has supported Tucson classical music since she and her late husband Robert moved to Tucson in the 1990s. When her husband, a retired Pan American World Airways executive, died in 2001, Vanek increased her giving, expanding from the TSO, which is the only group she and her husband supported at the time, to include annual donations to SASO and True Concord  which at the time was called Tucson Chamber Artists. She also is a big contributor to the Tucson Desert Song Festival, which kicked off its fifth year this weekend.

Vaneks goal: To unite Tucsons classical music community.

All of these groups were in competition with each other. But now they are all working together with the festival, said the 90-year-old Oro Valley resident, who regularly attends concerts presented by the groups she supports. Ive been trying to pull all of the music together. By sponsoring them all, theyve gotten to the point that theyre working together.
News / Local

by Stephen Jakes

Voting has ended in Bikita West after the people in the constituency cast their ballots for the whole day amid indications the environment was peaceful during voting though the pre- election period was violent.Heal Zimbabwe reported that in collaboration with the Election Resource Centre (ERC) and Zimrights it monitored the Bikita West by-election."All the 58 polling stations closed at 7pm and the counting of votes has commenced. Heal Zimbabwe had a mobile team that monitored all the 58 polling stations. Apart from the mobile team, Heal Zimbabwe also had 58 trained human rights monitors at every polling station," HZT said."Generally, the electoral environment was peaceful with no recorded incidences of overt political violence in the areas visited by Heal Zimbabwe. There was high voter turnout at most polling stations with the majority of voters being women. The by election was however marred by increasing reports of assisted voters, intimidation of voters and compilation of names. There was also a markedly high number of assisted voters."Heal Zimbabwe noted that such electoral malpractices witnessed in the by election compromise the conditions for a free and fair election. Heal Zimbabwe will produce a more detailed report of the by election.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Jan. 21 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages.

More information Historical Jan. 25 Arizona Daily Star front pages
Texas

Ailing Bush, wife showing improvement

HOUSTON  Doctors removed former President George H.W. Bushs breathing tube on Friday and he was breathing well on his own at a Houston hospital, his spokesman said.

The tube was inserted Wednesday while the 92-year-old former president was being treated for pneumonia. Bush remains in intensive care at Houston Methodist Hospital but is comfortable, family spokesman Jim McGrath said.

He was extubated this morning, and is breathing well on his own with minimal supplemental oxygen, McGrath said. President Bush is comfortable and watching inauguration coverage together with Mrs. Bush, their son Neil and daughter-in-law Maria.

Former first lady Barbara Bush also remained hospitalized Friday for treatment of bronchitis, but shes feeling better and focusing on spending time with her husband, McGrath said. The 91-year-old is expected to remain in the hospital over the weekend as a precaution.

California

Storm runoff sweeps away cabins and cars

LOS ANGELES  More than 20 people escaped injury Friday when a flood swept cabins and vehicles down a coastal canyon.

The troubles along the Central Coast were among many around the soaked state, including stranded cars, toppled trees, homeless people needing rescue and even an avalanche warning in one area.

A swollen creek lifted five cabins off their foundations at midmorning and swept 22 vehicles down El Capitan Canyon in Santa Barbara County, fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni said.

Louisiana

Suspect shoots himself

after killing of officer

NEW ORLEANS  The suspect in the slayings of a police officer and a woman shot himself Friday after an hours-long standoff on a New Orleans bridge but is alive, a Louisiana state police spokesman said.

Trooper Dustin Dwight said the man identified as Sylvester Holt shot himself once in the chest Friday evening.

Dwight said negotiators had been talking with Holt but he does not know what was said.
Federal Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson told Marco Valle Hernandez he was lucky: New guidelines meant his sentence for crossing the border illegally after being deported would be cut by two-thirds.

Valle Hernandez, 23, who first came to the United States from Honduras when he was 14, was deported in 2014 after selling cocaine to an undercover officer in Salt Lake City. Under the old sentencing guidelines, he would have faced about three years in prison for crossing the border illegally near San Simon in February after being deported.

But changes from the U.S. Sentencing Commission took effect late last year and shortened Valle Hernandezs sentencing range. As a result, Jorgenson sentenced him to one year in federal prison and three years probation  which he will serve after his prison term and deportation  at a Jan. 12 hearing in U.S. District Court in Tucson.

In most cases, the new guidelines mean shorter sentences for crossing the border illegally after being deported, experts and defense lawyers say. But sentences could lengthen for defendants with previous deportations and long criminal records.

The most important change is the elimination of the categorical approach to sentencing, said Jay Sagar, an assistant federal public defender and professor of practice at the University of Arizonas James E. Rogers College of Law.

Under the old guidelines, judges looked at the category of crime previously committed, such as robbery or assault, to determine whether they were crimes of violence or aggravated felonies, which would then lengthen the sentence for crossing the border illegally after being deported. Under the new guidelines, judges now consider the sentences handed down for those crimes.

It impacts pretty much all of the clients that we have for illegal re-entry offenses. Its a whole different type of analysis, Sagar said.

In another significant break from the old guidelines, when judges determine the sentence for illegal re-entry  the legal term for crossing the border illegally after being deported  they now will consider previous illegal entry and re-entry convictions and convictions for crimes that occurred after the defendants first deportation.

The sentencing commissioners chose to eliminate the categorical approach in April 2016, saying it was a source of widespread complaints by judges and was cumbersome to litigate.

In its place, the length of sentence imposed for previous crimes serves as a good indicator of how serious the court viewed the offense at the time, then-commission chair Judge Patti B. Saris said in the announcement of the new guidelines.

So far, defendants who were arrested before Nov. 1 are sentenced according to the guidelines that most benefit them.

Xavier Lopez Saucedo, a 40-year-old Mexican citizen with children in Tucson, was deported seven times and has theft and burglary convictions, federal court records show. His arrest for crossing the border illegally near Nogales in April 2016 would have meant 70 to 87 months in prison under the new guidelines.

But a federal prosecutor wrote in a sentencing memorandum that Lopez Saucedo was extremely fortunate to be sentenced under the old guidelines. As a result, he was sentenced Dec. 13 to 14 months in prison and three years probation.

The new guidelines also stiffen punishments for other immigration-related crime, such as smuggling children. But the changes to illegal border crossing sentences likely will have the furthest-reaching effects, given the volume of those cases in federal court.

Federal courts nationwide handled 18,500 illegal re-entry cases in fiscal year 2013, according to a report compiled by the sentencing commissioners to guide their decision. That amounts to 26 percent of all federal cases and 83 percent of all immigration-related cases that year.

In Arizona, about one-half of the 5,214 federal cases in fiscal year 2016 involved immigration offenses, according to the District of Arizonas annual report. The federal court in Tucson handled 1,389 immigration-related cases, while the federal court in Phoenix handled 1,200.

It is unclear how the new guidelines will affect thousands of more cases prosecuted each year through Operation Streamline, a fast-track program in which people face both a misdemeanor charge of illegal entry and a felony charge of illegal re-entry. In those cases, defendants plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge and are sentenced to six months or less.

What changed?

The case of Jesus Cervantes Ochoa, who was arrested near Nogales in April 2016 for crossing the border illegally after being deported two years earlier, illustrates the complexity of the categorical approach.

His criminal record also included convictions in Oregon for burglary and possession of a firearm by a felon, spurring a federal prosecutor to spend six pages in a court document discussing whether Cervantes Ochoas convictions in Oregon state court counted in federal court as crimes of violence, aggravated felonies, or neither.

The discussion included detailed descriptions of Oregons burglary laws, references to opinions made by that states supreme court, and counter-arguments to decisions made in federal court in Oregon.

At a public hearing before the commission in March, Judge Raner C. Collins, chief judge for the District of Arizona, said, I certainly want to see the categorical approach done away with, but he worried that focusing on previous sentences would create other problems.

Collins gave the example of state judges who impose short sentences because they believe the defendants will be deported and want to avoid spending state resources on their incarceration.

In the April announcement of the guideline changes, Saris said judges are allowed to depart from the guidelines if they think the previous sentence overstated or understated the seriousness of the offense.

Initially, the commissioners proposed raising the starting point for determining sentences in illegal re-entry cases. If they had raised it, then every person arrested for illegal re-entry would have faced longer sentences.

Collins cautioned against the proposal, saying many of the low-level border crossers are the least dangerous that we see.

The commissioners were persuaded by the majority of public comment and its own sentencing data not to raise the base offense level, Saris wrote, noting the commissions report on fiscal year 2013 cases showed 49 percent of defendants in illegal re-entry cases had children in the United States.

The report also showed 48 percent of defendants in illegal re-entry cases were convicted of a new crime  other than illegal re-entry  or violated their conditions of release after their first deportation.

Big picture

In general, the new guidelines are a move in the right direction, Sagar said.

Most of our re-entry clients are hardworking people seeking to reunite with family members and to find work in desperate financial circumstances, he said.

The new guidelines will result in a softening of penalties for crossing the border illegally in most cases, which likely will be less of a deterrent to criminals coming back here, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the nonpartisan Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates for less immigration.

However, she said, we are never going to be able to prosecute or incarcerate away this problem.

Other deterrents, such as better border security, a crackdown on illegal employment and sanctuary cities, and the removal of family members who are in the country illegally, are needed to deter illegal re-entry, she said.

The old guidelines were too harsh, too much one-size-fits-all, said Muzaffar Chishti, director of the New York University office for the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute, which researches immigration policies from a rights-based perspective.

Basing a prison sentence on the type of crime previously committed often resulted in sentences that were not commensurate with the offenses, Chishti said.

Judges, over time, as theyve seen more and more of these cases, theyve gotten quite concerned about whether this is the right approach, Chishti said.

Dan Cadman, a retired federal immigration agent who works for the Center for Immigration Studies, cast doubt on the claim made by the commissioners that the new guidelines will help some defendants and hurt others.

That claim appears to be eyewash offered up to mask the fact that the guidelines in almost every case will result in substantially shorter sentences of incarceration, he said, even when considering defendants who illegally crossed the border multiple times and have significant criminal histories.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office declined to comment on how the new guidelines will affect prosecutions in Southern Arizona, saying it was too early to tell.

Congress could have overturned the changes made by the seven commissioners, who are appointed by the president to six-year terms and confirmed by the Senate, but no action was taken prior to the new guidelines taking effect Nov. 1.
The hot local debate over Monsantos proposed project in Pima County has focused on the big issues and entities, but it is overlooking some crucial players who could make or break the deal.

Its not all about GMOs.

Its not all about glyphosate.

Its not even all about Pima County and the supervisors upcoming decision on possible tax breaks, scheduled for Feb. 21.

Those have been among the hottest topics of debate at the five community meetings held over the proposed Monsanto project, a giant greenhouse that would be built on a 155-acre property in Avra Valley. No Tax Breaks for Poison Profiteers read a sign carried by attendees at the Wednesday night community meeting I attended on Tucsons west side. That was the tenor of many of the criticisms.

But what most people are ignoring are the little taxing districts that could be affected by the designation of Monsantos property as a foreign trade zone. Those entities  Marana Unified School District, Pima Community College, and the Pima County JTED  each have leverage that may almost amount to a veto of whether Monsanto gets the designation and saves millions in property taxes. And theyre not really using it.

Lets step back and review what Monsanto is asking for. Its not permission to build and operate its 7-acre greenhouse  the company can do that if it wants without asking anyones permission. What its asking for is designation as a foreign trade zone, which, under Arizona law, would drop the companys property tax rate assessment ratio from 15 percent to 5 percent and reduce its annual tax burden by about two-thirds.

This doesnt mean the county would actually lose money if the foreign trade zone is designated. The county would still be collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars more in taxes from that property than it had previously, when it was abandoned farmland.

But, in what amounts to an economic-development trade-off, the county would collect less than its legally entitled to if Monsanto builds on the property and meets certain economic development measures. In other words, theres a solid economic-development argument from the countys perspective, leaving aside environmental contentions.

Whats often overlooked is that these small districts also are encouraged to sign off on the deals and could potentially block them with strenuous oppositions. That means theyre in a position to make good deals for themselves and taxpayers  or, in the alternative, block the tax breaks altogether, potentially blocking the entire project. Its not that they should want to block the project, but that Monsanto is asking for a lot, and the districts should get something in return, at least being held harmless.

In these foreign trade zone designations, Pima County advises the business to make separate agreements with the other taxing districts. These agreements usually come in the form of a PILOT, the abbreviation for Payment in Lieu of Taxes, which would make up the difference in what the company would have paid with a 15 percent rate.

Patrick Cavanaugh, the countys deputy director of economic development, put it this way in an email to me: We encourage Monsanto or any of the other companies weve previously executed FTZ PILOTs on to reach agreement with the education districts. Obviously the agreements have to be concluded between the company and education districts before it goes in the multiparty agreement that Pima County assembles and which goes before the Board of Supervisors for a vote.

Marana schools have already cut their deal  badly, in my view. As my colleague Murphy Woodhouse reported in November, that district accepted a $500,000 payment to its foundation instead of being made whole through a PILOT agreement. That saved Monsanto $3.4 million in taxes, though it did make additional money available for helping poor students.

The districts deal made some sense, because Monsantos tax payments wouldnt have actually increased the districts general-fund revenue  they just would have diluted the tax burden among all the districts taxpayers. But in the context of the savings that the Marana district gave Monsanto, and the leverage the district perhaps unknowingly held over the deal, the $500,000 payment was a pittance.

Of course a company Monsantos size would prefer to give a $500,000 donation rather than pay $3.4 million more in taxes through a PILOT agreement. But couldnt the district have gotten more?

The Pima County JTED is almost too small a player to make a difference. Its tax revenues from the property will be around $5,000 if the project is built, and the JTED district has already approved a deal with Monsanto. If Monsanto gets the FTZ designation, it will pay any difference in taxes to the district through a PILOT.

Pima Community College, on the other hand, had a chance to strike a deal in November, but its Governing Board rejected it. This is the worst of the options available. The deal offered would have been similar to the one the JTED board accepted, but at a much bigger, six-figure scale. In essence, Monsanto offered the board to make a PILOT payment that would make up the difference between the higher tax rate and the foreign trade zone rate.

The PCC board voted no, citing the objections of a faculty member who spoke vaguely of Monsantos corporate misbehavior in the call-to-the-audience before the meeting. So, as of right now, the college will only get paid taxes from Monsanto at the lower, FTZ rate of 5 percent, if the project is built. That wouldnt hurt the college  its still able to collect the same amount of revenue from all taxpayers  but it means the rest of us pay a little bit more than we would have.

PCC has been told a new offer will be coming from Monsanto, spokeswoman Libby Howell told me Friday. If its made, it would mean Monsanto makes a PILOT payment that makes the taxpayers whole despite the earlier no vote. But thats just informal word of a deal that hasnt actually been offered to board members who put the taxpayers at risk for no particular reason.

In other words, vague objections kept the college from making the smart move and cutting a deal that ensures we the taxpayers dont pay more than we need to  something all these districts should be doing.
The state Department of Education is warning that schools may not get their $5 billion in federal and state aid next school year unless the governor and Legislature come up with more cash.

Stefan Swiat, press aide to Diane Douglas, said the agency got a one-time $7.3 million this fiscal year for information technology. He said this years request made to the governor through his Department of Administration was for $17.6 million.

And what did Gov. Doug Ducey put in his budget request to the Legislature?

Nothing, Swiat said. Zero dollars. Big fat bagel.

He said this isnt a question of asking for new equipment. The IT budget includes not only routine maintenance costs but, potentially more significant, the salaries of the people who operate the computers that figure out how much each school is due.

If we dont have a system, schools dont get paid, he said.

Dawn Wallace, the governors chief education adviser, said this was not a purposeful slight.

She acknowledged that Duceys proposal zeroed out the IT line in the agencys budget request. But Wallace said its not because the governor believes the Department of Education does not need at least some money.

Theres just a lot in their request, she said.

By their very nature, IT projects are very jargony and technical and they always require further discussion and review through the budget development process, Wallace continued. We needed to understand what was priority, what was critical.

And Wallace said she has been talking with Department of Education officials as recently as Friday and is sure that something will be worked out to ensure there will be no interruption of payments to schools.

Douglas, in a separate letter to school administrators around the state, said answers are needed  and soon.

Our IT staff will not be reassured about their employment, so we may begin to lose them permanently to other employers, which will cause the performance of the applications they maintain to decline, she wrote.

Wallace said that the decision to leave the funding out of the governors budget request was not political  and not related to the fact that Ducey and Douglas, while both advocating for more education dollars, have not seen eye-to-eye on how much is needed.

She pointed out that Douglas, in her prepared statement about the lack of IT funding, said she appreciates that the governor has made education a top priority in his budget. Douglas also said in that statement that many of Duceys ideas are similar to the proposals she made last November.

But in the same statement, Douglas also said none of that means anything if there is no computer system.

Unfortunately, without any funding in next years budget proposal to support the data system that allow us to collect enrollment information from schools and calculate their allocations, we will soon be unable to process the payments that support Arizona schools, teachers and students, the superintendent said.

While both are Republicans, Douglas has taken a far more aggressive approach than Ducey to the issue of what she said is a severe lack of funding for public schools.

That has primarily shown up in her request for an additional immediate $140 million for teacher salaries to provide a 5 percent pay hike. Douglas said thats necessary to deal with the fact that 20 percent of teachers quit in the first year and another 20 percent are gone by the end of the second.

By contrast, while Ducey has acknowledged a teacher shortage, his budget has just $13.6 million for what would be a 0.4 percent pay hike this year, though he proposes to have teacher salaries increase by 2 percent by 2020.

Douglas also has been outspoken in her call for the state to once again provide full funding for school construction and maintenance, a figure she puts at $280 million. Duceys budget has just $17 million.

The numbers are different, Wallace said. But that doesnt mean that eventually we dont want to get to funding more in education.

Anyway, she said, if Ducey were seeking to undermine Douglas or her agency he would not have put $1 million into his budget request to fund 10 employees who otherwise would have had to be let go.

That issue was much more clear-cut because it wasnt bogged down with technical jargon and technical complexities, Wallace said. So we have been a partner to her in this.

Swiat said he is not saying the zeroed-out funding request was done on purpose.

Were not going to point the finger, he said. If nothing else, he said, this was a massive oversight.

Swiat acknowledged that the IT request was in some ways more complex than in the past.

He said it included not just $10.1 million to keep everything running, including the system of sending out state and federal aid to schools but also another $7.5 million to finish a new student data system. But Swiat said all of it is justified.
The Pima County Attorneys Office is looking for people interested in serving as victim advocates, to join the pool of roughly 100 volunteers doing crisis work for the Victim Services Division.

Victim Services has people available 24/7 to respond to crime scenes and help people get through whats often the worst day of their lives, said director Laura Penny. We use a very specific crisis intervention model thats proven to be effective in helping people process the experience and start to make decisions about the next step.

Being a victim advocate is about empowering people and providing them with the information they need to begin to move past their experience, Penny said.

We provide referrals to community organizations, counseling and medical services, but we also can provide information to people about very basic things, like a list of funeral homes, Penny said. Its usually very practical information in response to what the victim has identified as his or her needs.

With volunteers ranging from their 20s to their 70s, the group includes students, retirees and people employed in all types of job fields.

We have people from all walks of life and because of the training we provide, every single one of them is prepared to walk into a crisis scene, Penny said. Thats the one criteria we look for. Just people who are interested in serving victims in this capacity.

Penny said the large number of Victim Services volunteers gives the division the ability to provide services to victims in Pima County in a very cost-effective way.

She estimates that the program saves the county about $100,000 a year.

We tell people that this training will change their lives, and so far I havent had one person at the end of classes that has disagreed, Penny said.

Anyone interested in becoming a victim advocate needs to attend one of the two upcoming information sessions, where theyll learn about what Victim Services is doing to help residents and how to become a volunteer. The sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, and Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Tucson Police Department Substation, 1310 W. Miracle Mile. For information or to sign up for one of the sessions, call 724-5525.

After attending an information session, prospective volunteers will need to fill out an application and undergo an interview process.

Training will start Feb. 21 and will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings for six weeks.
Hundreds of thousands of women massed in the nation's capital and cities around the globe Saturday to decry President Donald Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, gay rights, diversity and climate change.
News / National

by Wilbert Mukori

"What is it about Southern Africa that creates so many moral heavyweights? It seems that adversity and repression in that part of the world stimulate rather than inhibit, and bring out the best in its citizens in response to the worst in its rulers," reported the Financial Times."Hence, the region's Nobel Prize winners and feisty clerics, outspoken parliamentarians and courageous activists."Whatever the reason for the disproportionate number of these men and women, all prepared to confront power with truth, David Coltart, a 59-year-old Zimbabwe-born civil rights lawyer, deserves to join their ranks."The full article, An insider's account of Mugabe's regime is also a brave act of defiance, is in Bulawayo 24 opinion column.Yes, this is true we, in Zimbabwe, have had our lion's share of sung and unsung liberators from tyrants and oppressors but nothing ever changes for the ordinary man and woman because all our liberators, without exception, have all been distracted by the trapping of power and failed to deliver the final blow to end the tyranny or worse, became the tyrant themselves. Senator Coltart is just one such example of hero turned sell-out.MDC, the party of which Senator Coltart was a senior member, was supposed to implement democratic reforms designed to end vote rigging and deliver free, fair and credible elections, the coup de grace to the Zanu PF dictatorship. They had five years to do this but failed to implement even one reform because they were too busy "enjoying being in government and forgot why they were there," as SADC leaders remarked in sheer exasperation.Senator Coltart himself admit in the book of how the MDC leaders failed to do the obvious thing - boycott the elections because of their greedy."The electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility," he said.For all the good work Senator David Coltart has done we cannot deny that he sold-out during the GNU and has never even apologized to the people of Zimbabwe. Since when have sell-outs become worthy precipitants of accolades and Noble Prices. If he gets one then so too should Robert Mugabe and many of his Zanu PF thugs, after all they suffered a great deal at the hands of Ian Smith  they fact that they too sold-out after independence to create a corrupt and murderous regime far worse than the Smith's regime is irrelevant by these new standards!Senator Coltart the people of Zimbabwe risked life and limp, God knows how many millions of ordinary Zimbabweans have been beaten and raped since 1999 when MDC was formed and over 500 were murdered in 2008 alone, electing you and your fellow MDC friends because you promised to bring democratic change. You had the golden opportunity to bring about the democratic change and you sold-out, that is not "a brave act of defiance"!It is much easier to forgive Tsvangirai for selling-out during the GNU than to forgive David Coltart; the former is a simpleton who should be herding goats in his Buhera rural home. Coltart, by virtue of being white, was born with ten silver spoons in his mouth compared to the wooden spoon in a baby born to black parentage in white ruled Rhodesia. He had a five-star education  the white regime spent $54 on the education of a white child for every dollar spent on the lucky few black student in schools and a five-star everything. David owed the ordinary black Zimbabweans a great debt of gratitude and instead of thanking them, he kicked them in the teeth and now he wants a Noble prize for it. What chutzpah!
Help India!

By Ram Puniyani for Twocircles.net

The word secularism has been brought to disrepute during last few decades. Secularism stands in India for equal respect for all religions and the principle that the state policies will not be dictated by religions. This is the central theme of Indian constitution. Its flawed practice by ruling parties has been used as a pretext by communal elements to downgrade it and the very principles of secularism itself have been questioned. The Supreme Courts seven-bench judgment that electoral process is a secular activity comes as a big relief for all those who uphold the underlying currents of justice inherent in the values of pluralism. The judgment says that India is a Secular State; elections in a secular state must not violate Principles of Secularism. It states that the Misuse of Religion for Political endsviolation of Section 123 of the Representation of Peoples Act amounts to a corrupt practice under Indian election law, and further that the onus of preserving the sanctity and purity of the election process lies not just with the candidate contesting the election, but his/her agent, the manifesto on which he/she contests.

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The judgment states that the function of an elected representative must be secular in both outlook and practice as these values also emphasize that there should be affirmative action for the religious minorities; this is as well the part ingrained in the values of justice, which forms the foundation of secular democracies. This judgment gives a new rejuvenating strength to the inherent principles of secularism which the founding fathers of Indian Constitution envisaged.

The judgment has been welcomed by many political streams, including the ones which have been questioning the secular values and which have built their electoral strength on the identity issues of religion. While it has shown the path for plural India, the India where the dignity and rights of all are respected at the same time, at the same time many challenges also need to be envisaged in the practice of this verdict.

The whole exercise which brought in this judgment began with the interventions which wanted the court to revisit the notorious Hindutva Judgment of 1995, associated with the name of Justice Varma. That judgment held that Hinduism-Hindutva is multifarious, diverse, difficult to define so it is a way of life. The confusions on which that judgment was based are due to the very nature of Hinduism, where there is no single prophet and diverse and conflicting religious traditions prevailing in this area have been brought under the umbrella of Hinduism. Still all said and done Hinduism is a religion by all theological and sociological considerations, as it has holy books, rituals, clergy, Gods-Goddesses and most other parameters for calling it a religion. This time the Court has not opined on this crucial aspect of the 1995 judgment, which needs to be revisited and revised keeping in mind its perception as a religion among the millions of Hindus.

Not addressing this issue has left the ground open for the section of communalists to continue to appeal in the name of Hinduism-Hindutva and to escape being punished under provisions of peoples representation act. This discrepancy is not welcome as the major communal streams can merrily indulge in the use of religion for electoral ground and at the same time to escape the penal provisions of law. Secondly, use of religions identify has been the ground on which violence and polarization has been taking place. Take for example the issue of Ram Temple or beef; it gives a clear communal message. The use of this for political mobilization has been the major phenomenon over last over three decades. The Court verdict has nothing to say on these types of issues, which are an appeal to mobilize the community in the name of religion. This political abuse of religions identity for electoral power is antithetical to secular values. How does the country get over these emotive issues which create a political malpractice in a deeper sense? Unless these are addressed the political tendencies will keep finding more and more ground to appeal in the name of religion, though this appeal will be more subtle but will be having the same outcome.

One recalls that before the general elections of 2014, Narendra Modi In one of his speeches in Mumbai said that I am born in a Hindu family: I am a nationalist, so I am a Hindu nationalist. Massive hoardings were put up all over Mumbai to give this message. Will it come under corrupt practice or not? The hate speeches like the ones of AkbarUddin Owaisi and the large section of RSS combine like Yogi Adityanath, Pravin Togadia, Sadhvi Nirnajan Jyoti and their ilk is a deeper appeal to the religion of the electorate. Should it amount to corrupt electoral practice or not? There is a lot of symbolism which gives the message of religion, like using Islamic symbols by some, and using Hindu symbols, Hindu gods and goddesses in the posters of the candidates. Some candidates have been comparing themselves this or that god or goddesses, where will we put such a practice? Some time ago, UP BJP Chief, K.P. Maurya was shown posing as Lord Krishna facing the Kauravas of Yadav family were put up, how does one let it pass if elections and politics are secular enterprise?

On the other side will come the issues related to the marginalized sections of society. Demands for the neglected poor deprived sections may be related to caste or religion. Since the beginning of republic some communities have remained disadvantaged or victimized due to multiple factors. Adivasis, Dalits and religious minorities do fall in this category. There are enough reports showing the plight of these sections, Sachar Committee report being one example. These sectional demands fall under the category of affirmative action, which is integral part of the secular democratic nature of our Constitution. They cannot be labeled as an appeal to religion or caste in any way.

While Supreme Court has shown the way, overcoming the existing lacuna in the practice of secular values need to be restored in the society, and that will pave the way for justice and peace in the real sense.
Help India!

Text and Video by Shiva Thorat

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The Bahujan Kranti Morcha, an umbrella organisation of various representatives of marginalised groups, organised a rally in Mumbai to press for a number of demands, including separate court for Dalit atrocity cases.

The rally was organised in Azad Maidan and was attended by over 3,000 people. It followed meetings in 36 district o Maharashtra in which people were mobilised under the banner of Mulnivasi. Nilesh Chavan, one of the organisers of Bahujan Kranti Morcha, spoke with Twocircles.net. We are holding this rally to give a life of dignity to the Nomadic tribes, Dalits, Muslims and Women. The present government is more exploitative than what we thought. This is an attempt to respond to the actions of the government.

Kalabai Dattu Ghadge who came from Motha Khanda village near Panvel, New Bombay along with five families, said their house had been recently destroyed by the municipality authorities. She said, The Kranti morcha should listen to our demands too if they are fighting for the marginalised.

The Morcha also demanded that the Lingayat community should get the separate title of religion.

The most number of people at the rally were Muslims. Ansari, a madrasa teacher from Mankhurd, Mumbai, said, Dalits and Muslims are coming together and this is a promising sign. Together, then can beat an exploitative system like Brahmanism.

Periyar Annan Sangam, an organisation from Dharavi, Mumbai who fight against religious superstition and caste also joined to show support. Ravichandran, the chairperson of the organisation said, Wherever we see signs of unity, we join. We are here to show solidarity with our fellow Maharashtrians.
Getting Older

Fast forward 15 years. Forgivingly the parties subsided somewhat. The networking been and done, and my weeks mainly spent with people who I had dealt with for the last 15 years. I now treated these people as equals, they were no longer on a pedestal I once had them perched on and the need was less great to be out every night 'showing my face' at the opening of the proverbial envelope. My 'little' black book was now a 'hadoop cluster' (adtech people notice I was taking notes, mere mortals google it) of media professionals (ha!) who I plied my trade with on a daily basis.

I had more time on my hands than I knew what to do with. My evenings had become a concoction of Netflix and lasagna, Apple TV and M&S sweets. I was depressingly hitting middle age, or indeed had hit it and had little to show.

So what do you do when the 'come down' lands upon you like a UFO and all that is in front of you is soap operas and unhealthy TV meals? You revert to being a teenager again! You remember your passions. Out came the guitars. Music production hard/software was on every birthday/Christmas list and a brand new iMac was purchased. I was now a budding musician again and more importantly, after a string of unpleasant relationships and my 20 years of partying, I had enough material to fill a Jackie Collins book.

I set to work straight away with thoughts of grandeur filling my head, no contemplation of the severe lack of practice and to be completely honest discernible talent.

Over the course of a few months I had written a few bits and pieces. A few ditties you might say. My basic knowledge of pro-logic 8 had allowed me to record them in a primitive fashion, with lots of what was effectively messing about, mixed in.

I enjoyed the process and was able to have them on my phone so I could wheel them out in the pub with my equally middle aged and bored media friends at every opportunity. For 2 minutes every now and then at least, I felt what it must be like to be a rock star.

Professional Musicians

Who would have thought at this point professional's getting involved with my efforts?

But this is exactly what happened. A trip to Berlin with my brother to watch his favourite band Spandau Ballet was to change my 'down time' for a long time and introduce me to the world Steven Stelfox so eloquently describes above. To cut a long story short after a day on the sauce in Berlin with 'our kid' we were refreshed and in high spirits. After the Spandau gig we chanced our arm at getting back stage with the band and, to my brothers absolute delight, we were ushered in. Here I met Toby Chapman for the first time, the keyboard player for Spandau Ballet. Full of confidence and full of beer I leapt at the chance to let him listen to my recordings. Maybe being polite or scared of two six foot plus Geordies in front of him, Toby agreed to produce my stuff, all I had to do was give him a ring in a couple of weeks when the tour was over.

Entertainmentsocial
Next week, George Osborne, the former chancellor of the exchequer who was sacked by prime minister Theresa May, will take a position at Blackrock, an asset management firm. George Osborne will join the company as a senior adviser. The role is said to be remarkably similar to the role former prime minister Tony Blair took after he resigned in 2007.'

'A fantastic addition to the team'

Rupert Harrison, George Osborne's economic adviser, joined the asset management firm last year. Sky News' report states that Osborne will work with Blackrock's Investment Institute.

The Investment Institute branch of Blackrock produces global economic research for existing and potential investors.

Blackrock's CEO, Larry Fink, told Sky News: "George Osborne is a fantastic addition to our team. His economic insight will help our clients achieve their goals. Mr. Osborne provides an invaluable European perspective on politics, policy and economic changes".

Highest earning MP in 2016

In 2016, George Osborne was declared the highest earning MP. The Tatton MP charges around 75,000 for after dinner speeches, which is more than an MPs annual salary. Last year, Osborne earned upwards of 600,000 from speeches. Although Osborne's salary has not yet been made public, it will likely be in the hundreds of thousands given his experience.

At the end of the year, Osborne will have to declare his salary in the register of members' interests.

In a statement released on Friday, the former chancellor said: "Blackrock wants better outcomes for savers-and I want to help them achieve their goals. It is an opportunity for me to work in one of the most prestigious companies in the world, but the majority of my time will be dedicated to being an MP and representing my constituents."

Labour politicians accused Osborne of "stuffing his pockets rather than concentrating on his job". John McDonnell lambasted the former chancellor: "The timing is a huge disappointment. Evidently, he has announced this during Trump's inauguration when the media's attention is turned elsewhere".
Almost 100 anti-Donald Trump protesters were arrested after they smashed windows, cars and threw rocks at police during Trump's inauguration ceremony, despite the president's pledge for unity. Two Washington DC police officers were injured during the destructive Protests. Washington DC Fire Spokesman Vito Maggiolo said that the injuries sustained by the members of the police department were not life-threatening.

Vandalism only in 'isolated incidents'

After Trump was sworn in to become the 45th president of the United States, protesters threw rocks and bottles at nearby police.The police had prepared for such an eventuality, wearing riot gear and using smoke and flash-bang devices to disperse the crowd of protesters.

Peter Newsham, Acting Washington DC Police Chief, said: "There were several hundred protesters around the area. Many demonstrated peacefully but some turned to gratuitous acts of destruction. These people were not representative of the larger crowd of demonstrators. These were isolated incidents".

In a statement released at 14:00 EST, Washington DC police said: "A group of demonstrators damaged a group of vehicles, property and multiple businesses. Further, small groups ignited fires whilst armed with hammers. These people clearly had the intention of causing mayhem. Pepper spray, smoke and flash-bang devices were deployed in order to both control and deter the criminals".

'Trump should not be normalised'

Lysander Powell, a twenty year old from Mexico and one of the demonstrators said: "Donald Trump is a fascist. It is very easy for people in pain to slip into fascism. Donald Trump should not be normalised." Jed Holtz, leader of a group of pro-immigration protesters, stated, "We're here to protest against all the hateful words that Trump spouted during his campaign".

While Trump was being sworn in, around ten demonstrators stood up from behind the VIP area and recited the beginning of the U.S. constitution. Washington DC wasn't the only place to witness anti-Trump protests. London, Hong Kong, New York and Berlin saw demonstrators march against the new president of the United States.
The West African nation of Gambia is on the verge of military intervention as its leader Yahya Jammeh "refuses to relinquish power", the Telegraph newspaper reports. But what this situation illustrates is that democracy does not always ensure that dictatorial rule is prevented and if abused, greater problems will arise. The questions to ask are, not only how has this situation been allowed to develop but what now?

What has happened?

Yahya Jammeh has been the leader of Gambia for 22 years having seized power in a coup. Despite the fact that, according to the BBC, the country has, unlike many of its neighbours, enjoyed "long spells of stability" since its independence, there are many problems that remain.

For the most part, Jammeh ruled Gambia with "increasing ruthlessness" as stated on the Chatham House website. It seemed that fatigue after more than two decades of Jammeh's rule and a stagnant economy acted as a catalyst for what was to come. In the presidential elections that took place, Adama Barrow defeated Jammeh, winning 43.3% of the vote. However, although initially conceding defeat, Jammeh then claimed that he would not be accepting the results, claiming "fraud and irregularities" according to The Japan Times website. The problem is that having once claimed that he would rule for "billions of years", he is currently trying to "cling to power".

The positive and the negative

In many ways, one can look at the situation in a positive light.

Whereas dictatorial rule has become a feature for a number of African countries, here in Gambia they abide by democratic rule. Although there have only been two presidents (excluding Barrow) since its independence in 1965, democracy has existed for over twenty years since the military coup in 1994. However, on the other hand, what the recent events illustrate is just how frail the political system is in Gambia.

Everyone has to be subject to the democratic process and must respect the results, whatever they may be. This is imperative. And this is something that Yahya Jammeh has just not done. It is no surprise therefore that those nations around Gambia have tried to convince Jammeh to "step aside" and threatened the use of military force if he does not, the Telegraph reports.

What now?

What this will do, not only to the people of Gambia but to the region itself I do not know. But in ensuring that stability is preserved, the situation needs to be resolved now and quickly. Whether if that is through military intervention from those around Gambia or by internal pressure applied to Jammeh, a solution is required. If not, greater problems will persist in the near future.
Researchers have found extra evidence concerning the disappearance of the giant creatures - Phorusrhacids, colloquially known as "terror birds". Thus, the vanishing of these birds and other Australian megafauna members is associated with the settlement of the mainland by Aborigines that occurred about 45 thousand years ago.

Thousands of years ago the territory of Australia was inhabited by pretty unusual animals. There, for example, lived a giant bird - Genyornis newtoni, the growth of which exceeded two meters and 200 kg in weight. You could also explore very exotic mammals in that part of the world, such as Zygomaturus.

These massive animals were comparable in size to the pygmy hippopotamus.

For a long time, scientists believed that the primary reason for the birds' extinction was the impact of severe climate change

Scientists were trying to figure out what provoked the Extinction of Australian megafauna for decades. In recent years, there is growing evidence to suggest that the "killer" of giant birds and other mammal species were Australian Aborigines. The scientific studies showed that the natives used to eat eggs of Genyornis, thereby reducing the bird population. To do this, the researchers examined the eggs shells found in two thousand locations, in different areas of Australia. The analysed shell was partially blackened and cooking eggs at different temperatures is supposed to be the main reason for that.

And recently, representatives of the University of Colorado at Boulder (USA) - Gifford Miller and his colleagues have found other evidence with regard to that issue. The scientists analysed sediments at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, which is adjacent to Australia's south-west coast. The focus of the researchers was Sporormiella - a genus of fungi, spores that lived in the faeces of ancient animals.

As it turned out, spores disappeared from the sediments at about 40 thousand years ago - about the same time when the natives initially settled the continent. At the same time, as the researchers have detected, the Australian flora during this period had not experienced significant changes.

All this is indicative of the fact that humans are responsible for the death of "terror birds" and many other large animals. Scientists suggest that natives hunted juveniles. Calculations also show that in this case, the complete destruction of species was possible over several hundred years.
Above: Pan Zhenhui has managed to pass his Shiwan sculpture skills to Lesotho students despite language barriers. Below: Ceramics pieces created by Pan's 30 students in Lesotho. Provided to China Daily

When Pan Zhenhui went to lesotho last year to teach the art of Chinese Shiwan Sculpture, he had a captive audience - some of whom were captives in more ways than one

Back in his hometown of Foshan, in southern China, ceramics master Pan Zhenhui often recalls his inspirational teaching trip to the Kingdom of Lesotho last year. Pan makes Shiwan ceramic sculptures, an art-form depicting people, animals, architecture and objects, which originated in Foshan. In January last year he was invited to Lesotho College of Education by the culture ministries of both China and Lesotho to teach ceramic sculpture techniques for two months.

"I prepared a full set of introduction materials on Shiwan ceramic art, and brought all the raw materials and equipment to teach them to make pottery our way," says Pan, 50, who has been making ceramic sculptures for more than 20 years.

His class was made up of about 30 students, including costume designers, professors, and six prisoners, who attended class under police custody.

The course included both theory and practical work. Following a theory class each student would make a ceramic piece under Pan's instruction and he would tell them how to improve.

According to Pan, his African students were inquisitive about everything.

"They saw my work and kept asking me how I make the Guan Yu figure, how I make the dragon head," he says. "They were also curious about the equipment, such as the withdrawal machine, the furnace and the different hand tools I use. They were very frank; some asked me, 'I like it, can you give it to me?' At first I was reluctant to refuse, but then I realized they would really take them away, including the hand tools. Later I said 'no' and made a gesture, telling them otherwise we don't have enough tools for the class."

Lesotho has its own pottery techniques, says Pan, but they are less sophisticated than those of Shiwan. The clay used is also hand-made and rougher than Chinese clay, which is mixed and ground by machine.

Shiwan is an extremely fine form of ceramic sculpture that requires a delicate touch and several complicated techniques, which Pan calls "mug, glaze and fire". Each of the three processes requires talent and years of practice.

He points to a ceramic figure of a girl in his studio. "Every small fold of her dress is not random. An apprentice must learn for at least three years until he knows exactly how to refine the folds," he says.

The firing is still more difficult, he says. Following shaping and glazing, the ceramic sculpture is placed into a furnace and baked at more than 1,200 degrees.

"The fire cannot be controlled and unpredictable; even the slightest disorder, like the humidity of the mug, can turn the sculpture into waste, and all your effort before will be in vain. That's why ceramics are fragile and very expensive."

Pan found his African students passionate about their work, even though communication was through an interpreter and gestures.

"They are full of imagination. The works they create are very colorful and correspond with their culture, although many times I did not understand what they had made," says Pan, showing a photograph of an orange ring made by one African student, engraved with creatures.

"I don't understand at all what it is but it has its own flavor."

Motsamai Moloko was Pan's favorite student. The 36-year-old costume designer had previously studied ceramic art at college and was keen to learn.

"At first we had language barriers, but we solved them quickly," Moloko says. "Pan made lots of animals and utensils to make it easy for us to follow. The most important thing I learned from him is that it's very important to be extremely patient while working with ceramic art.

Moloko made 45 pieces of work during the course, his favorite being a gift box with a traditional African hat on the top.

"I really like Chinese people and Chinese ceramic art. If I have the chance I will go to China immediately."

Moloko has applied for a scholarship to study ceramic sculpture in Britain and has ambitions to some day open a ceramics shop in Lesotho, where he will also teach the craft.

Pan was inspired by Lesotho's sweeping landscapes and interesting people and made two figures based on his time there, both of African girls wearing traditional dress. One wears a dress patterned with triangles, which symbolize the mountains of Lesotho, and both carry cotton tree flower, a popular flower from Foshan, in their left hand and are giving a thumbs-up sign, a common greeting in Lesotho, with their right.

Pan says the two pieces represent his wish that friendship between Lesotho and China will last forever and that his beloved Shiwan ceramic sculpture art will spread across Lesotho like a blooming cotton tree flower.

Wen Yangyang contributed to this story.

huangyuli@chinadaily.com.cn
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

The voting statistics as presented by Heal Zimbabwe Trust as at afternoon show that quite substantial number of voters cast their ballots at that time though some polling stations had very low turn out.The trust said the election came following the incarceration of Munyaradzi Kereke who was convicted of raping his then 11 year old niece. Six candidates are vying for the Parliamentary seat and these are Beauty Chabaya (ZANU PF), Kudakwashe Gopo (ZimPF), Madock Tatirai Chivasa (NCA), Tanyaradzwa Terrence Makumbo (PDZ) and two independent candidates Heya Shoko and Innocent Muzvimbiri.Heal Zimbabwe Trust has deployed 58 human rights monitors on the ground to assess whether the election process is being held in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner. Below is an afternoon update of the voting process:Pamushana Secondary school ward 32126 people had cast their vote by 10 am (72 males and 54 females).10 people were assisted to vote (9 females and I male) due to illiteracy).Bikita Fashu Secondary School ward 11119 people had voted as at 10:40am (44 males and 75 females). 5 people were assisted to vote, (1 male and 4 females) because of partial blindness and illiteracyBikita Minerals Primary school ward 30167 people had voted as at 11 am (102 males and 65 females). As at 11:10am 30 people in the queue waiting to cast their vote.Bikita Minerals Recreational hall ward 3092 people had voted as at 10 am (40 males and 52 females). 11 people were assisted to vote( 3 males and 8 females ).Beardmore Primary school 11171 people voted as at 11:30am (96 males and 75 females)Guru Village polling stations ward 11Two ZANU PF members Lydia Tavengwa and Tarisai Garai were force marching people to the polling station urging them to vote for ZANU PF. This took place around 11:20am.Mangondo Secondary School ward 11300 people had voted as at 12:20pm, (99 males and 201 females). 18 people were assisted to vote (2 male and 16 females).Domboshava Primary school ward 11215 people had voted as at 12:40pm (129 females and 86 males). 17 people were assisted to vote (13 females and 4 males). 4 males were redirected because they did not have their identity cardsChitsanga primary school ward 22360 people had voted as at 13:40pm (191 females and 169 males) 14 people have been assisted to vote. Voting process going on well. No cases of violence have been reported.Bikita West Ward 5Gift Mazhaka, a ZANU PF youth leader was moving door to door with some other ZANU PF youths threatening and intimidating villagers.Mazhaka announced that on 22 January 2016, ZANU PF plans to move around the villages beating up everyone it loses the election.Shereni Business Centre polling station Ward 10A former soldier only identified as Saira told voters that if ZANU PF loses the by-election, they were going to be beaten.Mandiki Primary School ward 9Enemy Berejena, district chairperson for ZANU PF in Bikita was ordering people to vote for ZANU PF at the polling station and highlighted that if they do not vote for ZANU PF they will face violence in the upcoming days.Nyemba Primary School wards 9150 people had voted by 12pm (70 women and 80 men).4 people were turned away because they were not registered.Mukanganwi Secondary School ward 10125 people had voted by 10am (53 males and 72 females).20 were assisted to vote (17 females and 3 males).Charamba Primary school Polling Station ward 19Two unregistered Toyota Hilux trucks were spotted roaming around the polling station. Voters who spoke to the Heal Zimbabwe team on the ground indicated that they felt intimidated.Masarira Primary School Ward 22212 people had voted as at 12:30pm (133 females, 79 males).21 people were assisted to vote due to illiteracy and visual impairedness.4were turned away for not having identity cards.Mandara Primary school ward 5A ZANU PF villager from Mandiki village only identified as Chipengo was stationed about 100m away from the polling station ordering people to vote for ZANU PFMupakwa Primary School ward 13333 people had voted by 14:00hrs (216 females and 117 males).5 people were turned away because they were not registered.25 were assisted due to illiteracy while 8 were redirected.
News / Press Release

by Obert Chaurura Gutu

Recent press reports to the effect that the crumbling and faction - ridden Zanu PF political party has acquired 365 brand new Ford Ranger SUV motor vehicles vindicate what we in the MDC have always been saying i.e. that the Zanu PF regime is illegally and fraudulently raiding financial and material resources from various State corporations such as ZESA Holdings, ZINARA, ZUPCO and NSSA in order to fund the operations of the ruling party. At a time when the government is struggling to timeously pay civil servants their salaries and bonuses, we are witnessing a situation whereby the insipidly corrupt and incompetent Zanu PF political party has embarked on a massive motor vehicle buying spree. We have got it on very good and credible authority that Zanu PF has used no less than US$20 million to acquire a brand new fleet of SUV motor vehicles.Indeed,Ignatius Chombo,the Zanu PF secretary for administration,confirmed on Friday, January 20, 2017, that his party has acquired 365 brand new Ford Ranger SUV motor vehicles although, of course, he didn't publicly disclose the source of the money that was used to buy such a huge fleet of very expensive all - terrain motor vehicles.As the make or break 2018 harmonised elections are fast approaching,we can expect the crumbling and deeply divided Zanu PF regime to continue to ransack and defraud financial and material resources from the 77 or so State - owned corporations all of which are now technically insolvent.That Zanu PF politicians are thieves and looters is no longer subject to debate. Jonathan Moyo, the Zanu PF secretary for science and technology, also recently publicly admitted that he looted thousands of dollars from Zimdef in order to buy bicycles and other goodies for traditional leaders in Tsholotsho North constituency! Such is the brazen stealing and ransacking of State resources by senior Zanu PF politicians that it is actually fashionable and trendy to loot and pilfer State - owned funds and other material resources. Right now, top Zanu PF politicians and Cabinet Ministers are competing to steal and loot the little that is left of State assets in Zimbabwe.As the most popular political party and indeed; as the government - in - waiting in Zimbabwe,the MDC,when we take over State power in 2018,shall immediately institute a thorough and holistic audit of all State resources to ensure that all those persons who have ransacked and stolen from the State and its various institutions shall be held to account.In fact,the new government will effectively trace and recover all looted assets; including the billions of dollars in public funds that have fraudulently externalised to foreign countries such as Dubai, Hong Kong, China and Singapore.Hundreds of people have fallen victim to water - borne diseases such as typhoid and dysentry whilst President Robert Mugabe and his huge entourage of hangers - on are still on an extended annual holiday in the Middle and the Far East; busy squandering millions of United States dollars that have been taken away from the bankrupt national treasury. The road and railway infrastructure has literally fallen apart but our absentee nonagenarian President is not bothered one iota. This is most saddening and tragic.Against all this doom and gloom, however, the suffering and toiling masses of Zimbabwe should never, ever lose hope. The MDC is very glad to announce that we have taken adequate and appropriate measures to ensure that the 2018 elections cannot be rigged. Thus, we call upon all eligible Zimbabweans,particularly the youth,to register to vote when the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) rolls out the biometric voter registration (BVR) exercise commencing from March 2017.The evil, corrupt, decadent, incompetent, inefficient and brutal Zanu PF regime should be send packing at the forthcoming elections in 2018.MDC : EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALLObert Chaurura GutuMdc National Spokesperson
About Me

I am an urban/commercial district revitalization and transportation/mobility advocate and consultant and a principal in BicyclePASS, a bicycle facilities systems integration firm, based in Washington, DC. Urban economic competitiveness is dependent on efficient transit and mixed use, compact places. Therefore, I end up writing mostly about mobility and urban design. While I am based in and write about Washington, DC issues, I try to write so that "universal lessons" are evident in the entries.

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Hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the new commander in chief on Inauguration Day, the new president took part in a dance with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. While the two appeared to have a good time during the Trump inauguration dance, Twitter users weren't so kind.

Trump dance mocked

Not many thought it could be done, but Donald Trump is now the 45th President of the United States. As part of the ceremony and tradition, Trump and Melania Trump made their way to the Freedom Inaugural Ball in the nation's capital on Friday night. The two joined together and danced to Trump's song of choice, the famous Frank Sinatra "My Way." Due to Trump refusal to rehearse any part of the dance before hand, the billionaire real estate mogul and his wife appeared a bit awkward at times.

As seen across Twitter on January 20, the former host of "The Apprentice" was hit with some backlash on social media.

(The dance starts at 5:00 in the above video.)

"I could dance holding my chihuahua and we would look more loving than Trump and Melania!" Twitter user @xtinariechelle wrote. "Her body language could freeze off a wart. I think she might hate him as much as we do," @jennypixels tweeted. "Donald Trump dances the way I walked around the hospital after my hernia surgery," Huffington Post writer Eliot Nelson pointed out.

Trump dances like a dog circling around looking for a place to poop.  Tom Russell (@TomRussell8) January 21, 2017

Donald Trump dances the way I walked around the hospital after my hernia surgery  Eliot Nelson (@eliotnelson) January 21, 2017

"Trump dances like a dog circling around looking for a place to poop," Twitter user Tom Russell added.

"Can you say awkward? Melania always looks miserable with him," @tbajen tweeted. Joan Walsh of the "The Nation" magazine also sent out a tweet, stating, "Dear God, Trump leaves his "dance" with Melania to wave at the crowd, leaving her standing there alone. That poor woman."

Dear God, Trump leaves his "dance" with Melania to wave at the crowd, leaving her standing there alone. That poor woman.  Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) January 21, 2017

@CNN I could dance holding my chihuahua and we would look more loving than Trump and Melania!  Christina (@xtinariechelle) January 21, 2017

Next stop

As the celebration came to a close on Friday night, Donald Trump came to the realization that he is now the new president.

In response, thousands of protesters made their views heard in Washington, D.C., with over 200 arrests being made after rioters vandalized public property, broke into businesses and looted stores, while setting objects on fire, including cars. As the United States continues to remain as divided as ever, it's unknown how, or if, the new president will be able to bring both sides together.
Ever since Donald Trump defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to become the new president-elect, critics of the billionaire real estate mogul have questioned his victory. After a writer for the Huffington Post wrote an article claiming Clinton was the real president-elect, he appeared on Fox News during a heated segment.

Fox News clash

Heading into the 2016 presidential election, all signs pointed to Hillary Clinton becoming the first female President of the United States. Even in the days leading up to Election Day, Clinton seemed like a lock to pull out the win.

When Donald Trump was announced the winner, the results took many by surprise. In the months since the election, various reports have confirmed that Russia was behind the hack of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), with the goal of helping to elect Trump. With controversy hanging over his election win, Trump has received heavy backlash from critics, which was on display during the January 18 edition of "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Fox News.

Joining host Tucker Carlson was Alex Mohajer of The Huffington Post who recently wrote an article titled "Hillary Clinton is the rightful President-elect of the United States." During the interview, as well as in the article, Mohajer argued that Clinton's popular vote win, mixed with Russia's apparent interference, is enough to dismiss Trump's victory.

Once source used in the aforementioned article was from a 1987 piece in the "Executive Intelligence Review," which linked Trump to the Kremlin over 30 years ago.

Tucker Carlson was quick to note that the magazine in question was run by Lyndon LaRouche, a noted conspiracy theorist with little to no credibility in the mainstream media.

While Mohajer did admit to LaRouche's involvement in the original article, he also pointed out Carlson's controversial past as the former editor of the right-wing website "The Daily Caller."

.@AlexMohajer on @realDonaldTrump: "He has lied to the American people and been very dishonest about his relationship with Russia." #Tucker pic.twitter.com/f0ccoOv5u9  Fox News (@FoxNews) January 19, 2017

Clash continues

"You were the editor-in-chief of The Daily Caller, which for a decade, called into question Barack Obama's legitimacy because of his race," Alex Mohajer said.

After Carlson denied the allegations, Mohajer continued to pile on. "Are you a illegitimate journalist?" he asked of Tucker Carlson, before stating, "Your own website ran some pretty racist terrible junk." The two continued to go back and forth in their shouting match until the Fox News host said "Your point is stupid," before cutting the segment off shortly after.

Next up

While there is a growing backlash to Donald Trump, the former host of "The Apprentice" is now just two days away from becoming the new commander in chief. Though Trump is getting to celebrate, over 100,000 protesters are planning to take to the streets on Inauguration Day and voice their opposition.
It's hard to believe that Donald Trump is now the president of the USA. The real estate mogul effectively used the media and his own resources to run a campaign that appealed to enough of the American people for him to win the election against Hillary Clinton. Clinton had a tough inauguration thanks to her husband and an audience that was definitely pro-Trump. But that's not what this article is about. It's time to recognize that Donald Trump and the White House aren't interested in battling against climate change.

Proof of a Lack of Commitment.

If you search for climate change on the website of the White House, you would find the following results.

All references to climate change have been deleted from the White House website https://t.co/PBC6ttsYqz pic.twitter.com/orJ8z8dPMZ  Motherboard (@motherboard) January 20, 2017

That's an unfortunate sign from our new political leaders. I know Trump probably doesn't have much time left, but he should still be striving to protect the planet on which we live. A desire to avoid even mentioning climate change means that Trump and his administration don't care too much about it. Corporate greed and Trump's willingness to do business could now easily prove disastrous for both humanity and the environment. And the man in change of Trump's environmental policy?

Myron Ebell: In Charge of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Myron Ebell is a noted climate change denier and has repeatedly fought against the science of global warming. If there were a debate about this topic, Ebell would likely be a fine choice. But a majority of scientists believe that climate change is harming our planet and that should be good enough for Ebell to recognize that this is important.

But in a Trump White House, corporations will lobby and push for decreased environmental regulation. And guess who's going to give it to them? The man and the administration who has built his empire by making deals and playing the people around him. Ebell doesn't care about climate change and is more interested in the unrestricted growth of the economy.

A Look Toward the Future.

If the American people want to make a difference, they still can. Demonstrations, letters to Congress members, and other measures can still be taken to make sure that the government remains committed to reducing the impact of climate change. But this development with the White House website is a huge step backwards and is a bad sign for an administration that already has a negative reputation in the eyes of almost half of the American people.
Men and women are arriving in Washington, D.C. by the busload, planes, trains, automobiles, and any other imaginable mode of transportation to join in what might be the most historical march of protest on record this Saturday. Organizers, who began with a modest call on Facebook, say the event is likely to attract at least a quarter of million participants in the nations capital alone. Some say possibly as many as 500,000, more than the attendance at Donald Trumps swearing-in ceremony on yesterday. The Womens March on Washington is expected to surpass another inauguration-related demonstration - Womens Suffrage Parade of 1913.

That movement had approximately 5,000 to 8,000 suffragists marching down Pennsylvania Avenue the day before Woodrow Wilsons inauguration. The Womens Suffrage efforts are considered to be a major factor in winning womens right to vote.

Saturdays march is headlined to raise awareness of all civil rights feared to be threatened under Donald Trumps presidency. The other astounding news is not that there are about 600 sister marches planned throughout America, but the united front represented globally.

A world front

Reportedly, somewhere between 3,000 to 5,000 demonstrators showed up at Sydney, Australias Martin Place carrying banners with messages like Dump the Trump. Protesters in Brussels, Belgium gathered to denounce Trump and sexism.

While all do not necessarily single out the new President, they all come against anyone striking against humanity. One citizen in Greece who organized the march in Athens stated that she did not want her 4-year-old son growing up in a world where everything that has been fought for gets snatched away. A tour manager from Amsterdam says she wants to be part of a world where more people choose love rather than hate and will not stand idly by while a lying bully has been given one of the most responsible jobs in the world.

She added that the march was anti-hateful rhetoric, misogyny, bigotry, hate speech and xenophobia. Even in Erbil, Iraq and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia are braving the challenges they face due to corruption and tribalism are preparing to march.

Countries united in making their voices heard

The following is a very short list of countries where marches are taking place.

There are 84 known countries, including every major country on the continent, where demonstrators are ready to put their stamp on history. Some of them may be surprising or never even heard of before. Certainly, no leader would want something like this as a part of their legacy.
Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh.blog spot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work.

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..Commentary Magazine..20 January '17..President Donald Trump has promised to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move which many in the U.S. Congress say they would endorse. While promises to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem have become a staple of presidential campaign rhetoric, no president has taken serious action to fulfill his pledge once he enters the Oval Office. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerrys decision to erase near a quarter century of Oslo Accord-era peace process by resetting their parameters with UN Security Council Resolution 2234, however, appears to have galvanized Trump and Congress to force the State Department to push through with the relocation.The recognition that Trump is serious has led diplomats and Middle East analysts to argue that moving the embassy to Jerusalem could spark serious unrest. That violence would not be limited to Palestinians, either. It may also engulf Egypt and Jordan, the only two Arab countries to have full diplomatic relations with Israel, and also two of Americas closest partners in the Arab world. Back in December, Eli Lake wrote in Bloomberg that Arab diplomats in recent days have told me that they worry an embassy move would stoke violent protests in their own countries. Several former peace processorsAaron David Miller and Edward Djerejian, for exampletoldthat moving the embassy might kill the peace process.Kerry told CBS News, that should Trump move the embassy, Youd have an explosion  an absolute explosion in the region, not just in the West Bank and perhaps even in Israel itself, but throughout the region. The Arab world has enormous interest in the Haram al-Sharif, as it is called; the Temple Mount, the Dome [of the Rock], and it is a holy site for the Arab world.Lets put aside that no one is suggesting moving the embassy to disputed portions of Jerusalem, but rather to West Jerusalem which is an undisputed part of Israel proper. And also forget for the moment that the peace process has hardly advanced since Palestinian chairman Mahmoud Abbas turned down Israels 2008 peace offer. Could Kerry be correct? And should the Arab diplomats warning behind-the-scenes of dire consequences be believed?Here, history should inform. Prior to both 1991 Operation Desert Storm, and then again ahead of the 2003 Operation Iraqi Freedom, many diplomats and analystsincluding some quoted in the most recent articlessuggested that U.S. forces entering the Arab world would spark protests and riots. But, in both cases, demonstrations largely fizzled. Those that did occur were often state-sponsored. What brought Arabs into the streets was not questions of war and peace in Israel but largely local issuesa vendors self-immolation in Tunisia and a bloggers death under torture in Egypt.Simply put, the threat that moving the embassy to Jerusalem will spark chaos in Jordan and Egypt is overblown, an excuse more manufactured than real.
Then Gambian President Yahya Jammeh President Al Hadji Yahya Jammeh attends the plenary session of the Africa-South America Summit on Margarita Island Sept 27, 2009.[Photo/Agencies]

BANJUL -- Former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announced Saturday that he would step down from power after last-chance talks with leaders from West African countries.

"I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation, with infinite gratitude to all Gambians," said the longtime leader on state TV early Saturday morning.

Jammeh said he had promised that all the issues "will be resolved peacefully" and "it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed."

Jammeh's announcement came after hours of a last-chance mediation with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and Guinean President Alpha Conde in Banjul.

"My decision today was not dictated by anything else, but by the supreme interest of the Gambian people and our dear country," said the veteran leader who came to power in 1994.

Accepting to cede power, Jammeh reiterated that he would always stand together with all Gambians to "defend the independence" of the country.

"This is a victory for Gambia against violence," Mauritanian President Aziz told journalists after the meeting.

Aziz made the remarks as forces of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had already rolled into Gambia on Thursday, ready to move against Jammeh if he refused to step down.

Gambia's President Adama Barrow is seen in Dakar, Senegal Jan 20, 2017 after a senior aide confirmed that Gambia's longtime leader Yahya Jammeh has agreed to leave power.[Photo/Agencies]

On Friday evening, Gambian President Adama Barrow tweeted that "Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down. He is scheduled to depart Gambia today."

Jammeh lost the election to Barrow in December and initially conceded defeat, only to change his mind saying the vote had been unfair.

Earlier on Friday, Aziz and Conde arrived in Banjul for one "last mediation" to persuade Jammeh to cede presidential power to Barrow before an eventual military intervention.

ECOWAS soldiers, led by Senegalese and Nigerian troops, stopped advancing in Gambia on Thursday night to give Jammeh a last chance to step down peacefully.

"Orders were given to the troops to stop their advance and they have stopped because the ECOWAS privileges the initiatives of dialogue and diplomacy," President of the ECOWAS Commission Marcel Alain de Souza said.

The Senegalese army, backed by other West African soldiers, entered Gambia Thursday afternoon in a military operation aimed at forcing Jammeh to cede power to Barrow, who was sworn in Thursday as Gambia's new president at Gambia's Embassy in Senegal.

"The outgoing president is going to leave as soon as the conditions are met, very soon, certainly," said Aziz. But he did not mention what these conditions were.

So far, no information has been given about where Jammeh is heading. Morocco, Nigeria, Mauritania and Guinea have all offered to welcome him.
US President Donald Trump speaks at the Armed Services Ball in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to speak to US President Donald Trump by phone in the coming days, the Kremlin said Saturday.

Putin will congratulate Trump on his inauguration during the conversation as a "protocol necessity," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

A meeting between the two leaders will possibly be held in the coming months, rather than coming weeks, said the spokesman, adding that the specific date is expected to be discussed during the phone conversation.

As for violent anti-Trump protests, Peskov said Russia opposes meddling in other countries' internal affairs and thus the United States should handle the issue by itself.

Trump was sworn in as the 45th US president at an inauguration ceremony held Friday morning at Capitol Hill, overshadowed by occasional rain and violent protests.
At least 20 people were killed and over 50 others injured on Saturday in a powerful blast at a crowded vegetable market in northwest Pakistans restive Kurram Agency, officials said.

The blast took place at the crowded Sabzi Mandi inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.

Initial report suggests that explosives kept in a vegetable crate exploded during auction of the vegetables, killing 20 people and wounding 50 others, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital where there is a shortage of doctors and medical facilities.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations said the improvised explosive device blast took place at 08:50 AM in vegetable market.

Army and FC Quick Response officials have reached the blast site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters have been flown in for medical evacuation of the injured, it said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the attack and ordered a detailed report regarding the incident.

According to officials, the death toll is expected to rise as the market was crowded due to early morning rush.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.

The attack came days after police killed banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief Asif Chotu, who was on Pakistans most wanted terrorist list and carried a bounty of Rs 3,000,000 on his head, near Lahore in Punjab province.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Umer Khurasani has claimed responsibility for the Parachinar blast.

He said the blast was in retaliation for killing LeJ chief Chotu, along with three others in an encounter.

LeJ was founded in 1996 as a terrorist offshoot of Sipah-i-Sahaba, a Sunni sectarian group that emerged in the mid-1980s. LeJ has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, mostly minority Shia Muslims.

Parachinar has a sizeable Shia population and in the past the minority community was targeted through bombings.

In December 2015, a bomb hidden in a bag ripped through a crowded bazaar in a mainly Shia area of the northwestern tribal region, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 30.

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HCM CITY  Seafood exports are expected to increase by 5 per cent this year to around US$7.5 billion despite many possible hurdles, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Producers and Exporters (Vasep).

Speaking at a review meeting held in HCM City on Thursday, Ngo Van Ich, Vasep chairman, said early last year many difficulties plagued exports before increased global demand enabled a recovery.

Exports for the full year grew by 7.4 per cent to $7.05 billion, or 24 per cent of the countrys total agricultural, forestry and fisheries exports, he said.

Shrimp and tra fish exports both rose by 7 per cent to $3.13 billion and $1.67 billion.

The exports went to 161 countries and territories last year, with the US, EU, Japan, South Korea and China being the largest buyers.

Truong inh Hoe, Vaseps general secretary, said this year the seafood sector would continue to face difficulties, including a fall in fisheries output due to the impacts of climate change.

Import markets like the US, EU, Australia, and Japan are tightening hygiene and food safety norms for shrimp and applying regulations related to product origin, corporate social responsibility and others, he said.

Vietnamese exporters are also expected to face fiercer competition from seafood exporters in India, Indonesia, and Thailand, and the increase in minimum wage and a labour shortage are causing difficulties to seafood processors and exporters, he said.

Despite difficulties, we believe seafood exports would increase by 5 per cent this year to $7.4 billion.

Exports to the US is expected to top $1.5 billion, an increase of 5 per cent, much less than last years 11 per cent growth.

Due to political changes, the devaluation of the euro and slow market recovery in the EU, exports to the market would remain at last years level of $1.2 billion, he said.

Exports to Japan would increase by around 4 per cent to more than $1 billion since the yen is appreciating, he said.

With an increase in income, demand for seafood products, especially sugpo prawn, has increased in China, but its domestic shrimp production has not increased, he said.

Chinas demand for imported seafood, especially shrimp, increased strongly last year and the trend would continue, he said.

Viet Nams exports to the market are expected to cross $1 billion this year compared to $829 million last year, he said.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam said some countries tend to erect technical barriers to limit imports to protect their domestic production.

Vietnamese businesses need to carefully study their target export markets to avoid risks, he added.

Nguyen Ngo Vi Tam, general director of Vinh Hoan Co., Ltd, said to enhance competitiveness, seafood firms need comprehensive policy support with markets, funding, and developing reliable raw material sources.

Businesses at the meeting agreed that enhancing linkages from breeding to processing and export for both shrimps and tra fish is imperative to cut costs.  VNS
Hastening institutional reform and improving competitiveness has become more pressing than ever for Viet Nam to help firms grab opportunities from several new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs).  Photo cafef.vn

HA NOI  Hastening institutional reform and improving competitiveness has become more pressing than ever for Viet Nam to help firms grab opportunities from several new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs).

Since entering the World Trade Organisation, reforms have been a focus but results remain disappointing, reported the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) at a conference in Ha Noi yesterday.

With new-generation FTAs like the European Union  Viet Nam FTA (EVFTA) which went beyond tax liberalisation and facilitation, the pressure for institutional reform intensified in the Southeast Asian nation.

According to Tran Toan Thang from CIEM, the EVFTA did not directly require Viet Nam to revise its legal documents and policies but doing this would be vital to limit negative impacts and take advantage of opportunities.

Hoang Van Phuong, director of the ASEAN Department under the Department for Multilateral Trade, said at the conference that the EVFTA would come into force in 2018 and its commitments were under legal review.

Phuong said that the Ministry of Industry and Trade estimated 44 Vietnamese legal documents must be amended and five new ones issued.

Director of CIEM Nguyen inh Cung stressed the importance of the trade deal to the Vietnamese economy despite Brexit.

Viet Nam must implement the EVFTA with seriousness, Cung said. Opportunities are there. But the Government must speed up reforms to enable firms to grab opportunities.

Improve awareness

Improving businesses understanding of the EVFTA is also vital.

A survey carried out by CIEM on 120 firms that import and export to and from European markets showed that 69 per cent of respondents had heard about the EVFTA but did not know anything about it.

Only 5 per cent of them said they had deep knowledge while the rest had basic knowledge about the trade deal.

Another survey by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that 63 per cent of businesses had not taken any steps to get ready for the EVFTA or other trade deals.

The EVFTA would open opportunities for Vietnamese products such as garments, seafood, fruits and footwear with the removal of most of tariff lines, experts said.

Nguyen Minh Thao, head of CIEMs Business Environment Department, said that Vietnamese businesses must improve product quality and competitiveness to expand in the European market where there were strict quality requirements.

The EVFTA is expected to boost Viet Nams export revenue to the EU by 4.6 per cent. - VNS
by Phuoc Buu

THUA THIEN- HUE  Hue Monuments Conservation Centre yesterday erected a neu pole in the former Imperial Citadel following a re-enactment of a ceremony conducted by high-ranking mandarins under the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945).

To mark the upcoming Lunar New Year, the dynastys emperors erected a bamboo pole with a long stretch of red garment inside the citadel. This was part of a Vietnamese tradition, which said the neu pole helped scare evil away from residential areas and allowed for a peaceful holiday.

People also believed that the red carpet would help the souls of their ancestors find the way home to celebrate Tet with them. Traditionally, Vietnamese people believe that their ancestors return home during the years most important holiday, so they also have a ceremony with food and offerings to invite the souls home.

Many communities around the country maintained the tradition of erecting a neu pole in front of communal houses or pagodas. Some families erected smaller poles for their own homes.

The pole erecting ceremony inside the citadel was special and more holy compared to those held at community level. The bamboo poles were bigger while food and offerings were more expensive.

The royal ceremony was also accompanied by a band of royal musicians.  VNS
HCM CITY  President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has expressed his desire that overseas Vietnamese popularise traditional culture to Vietnamese generations abroad and international friends.

He made the statement during a meeting in HCM City yesterday with 100 overseas Vietnamese who would attend the annual Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) programme scheduled for later this month.

Nhan informed them that the committee and several agencies are devising a plan to assist Vietnamese nationals abroad in preserving the Vietnamese identity and language.

He wished that overseas Vietnamese would join hands for the homelands development, especially in start-ups, and contribute to tightening ties between Viet Nam and international friends.

Several delegates suggested opening Vietnamese cultural centres abroad, making it easier for Vietnamese nationals to meet and introduce their culture to foreign friends.

They also urged relevant agencies to ease traffic congestion, deal with environmental pollution and unsafe food while accelerating administrative reform to attract foreign investment.

They also called for increased external information services, diversified information channels and a database on seas and islands sovereignty, adding that start-up projects should consult intellectuals and businesspeople overseas to achieve the best results.

Additionally, they urged authorised agencies to liaison with overseas Vietnamese communities to bring more students to foreign countries to improve foreign language skills.  VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong yesterday paid a pre-Tet visit to the Border Guard High Command in Ha Noi, during which he praised border guards for their work protecting national sovereignty and border security.

The border guard force has increased synergy in border protection, while performing well in external relations activities through the border and fostering co-operation with border guard forces of neighbouring countries, he noted.

The efforts have helped ensure security, stability and peace, he stated.

The Party chief also hailed the force in supporting communities along the border and popularising the Party and States policies and law, helping foil all schemes of hostile forces and maintaining stability in border areas.

The border guard force has also implemented various programmes assisting disadvantaged people in border, sea and island areas, including those providing cows, houses and scholarships to the poor.

Noting difficulties and challenges in domestically and globally, he stressed the need to strengthen efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, the Party, the regime and a secure environment for development.

General Secretary Trong asked the border guard force to continue protecting national sovereignty and security in border, sea and island areas, while combating crime, ensuring political security as well as social order and safety in border areas.

During the visit, the Party leader also had online talks with officials and soldiers in Lung Cu border post in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, Con ao border post in the southern coastal Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, and at Mui border post in the southernmost province of Ca Mau to send them New Year greetings.  VNS
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hailed the presss significant contributions to the countrys external affairs in 2016 at a New Years meeting hosted by the foreign ministry yesterday.  Photo da ngcongsan.vn

HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hailed the presss significant contributions to the countrys external affairs in 2016 at a New Years meeting hosted by the foreign ministry yesterday.

He voiced his appreciation for the professional and excellent services of domestic media agencies in recent years, saying that they continue to conduct fast and full coverage of the States and Partys activities and policies and promote Viet Nam s image to international friends.

The press has also worked closely with the Foreign Ministry in maintaining the peace and stability of national development and fighting for national sovereignty at sea, he added.

The Foreign Minister urged journalists nationwide to maintain their strong performance this year, as there will be a range of major events--including a series of APEC activities.

Representatives from participating news agencies took note of strengthened connection and effective collaboration between the press and the diplomatic sector.

They vowed to continue boosting that partnership in 2017 in order to contribute to the nations overall development.  VNS
HCM CITY  President Tran ai Quang praised the contributions of overseas Vietnamese towards the countrys achievements at a meeting yesterday with 50 overseas Vietnamese delegates.

The delegates represent 4.5 million Vietnamese living across the world at the 2017 Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) event in HCM City.

The President appreciated the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the HCM City Peoples Committee for organising the Xuan Que Huong programme and the many activities to welcome the overseas Vietnamese back home for the traditional Lunar New Year.

He affirmed that the Party and State consider overseas Vietnamese an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation and will always welcome them back to their home country to engage in national development.

The delegates said Vietnamese living abroad always think of the homeland and strive to preserve national culture via, for instance, opening classes to teach the Vietnamese language. They have also actively worked to mobilise resources to contribute to the homelands construction.

The same day, Quang and the delegates offered incense to the Hung Kings, the nations founders, at the Hung Kings memorial site in the National Historic-Cultural Park, and to President Ho Chi Minh, the national liberation hero, at the Ho Chi Minh Museum in HCM City.

The President and the delegates also released carps at the Ben Nha Rong wharf in observing the traditional Kitchen God Day ahead of the Lunar New Year.  VNS




HA NOI  Difficulties in borrowing money from banks have made it difficult for farmers to develop agricultural production in Ha Noi.

Tran inh Thanh, head of the Farmers Association of Ba Vi Districts Cam Linh Commune said the association includes 61 households raising a total of 270,000 chickens, reported by Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper.

It needs VN17 billion (US$748,000) to maintain their breeding activities, he said.

This meant each household was required to contribute about VN300 million ($13,200).

However, most of them could only borrow VN100 million ($4,400) from banks because to borrow more, banks required farmers to use their land-use right certificate as collateral, he said.

Most co-operatives households rent land for breeding farms, so they have no land-use right certificates.

Ngo Thanh Tung, head of a group of animal breeders in ong Anh Districts Viet Hung Commune in Ha Noi said the group was raising more than 50 sows and hundreds of pigs.

The group provided jobs for more than 20 local labourers with regular income of VN3-5 million ($132-220) each month, he said.

Yet he and other breeders could only access 12 month loans from the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV). The short-term loans affected the breeders mindsets as they had to pay their loans back quickly, he said.

Thanh said he hoped the Government would help farmers could borrow middle and long-term loans in the future.

In June 2015, the Government issued Decree 55/N-CP, aiming to create favourable conditions for farmers to borrow money with preferential treatment. Under the decree, farmers can get a loan from VN50 million  3 billion ($2,200 - $1.3 million) but were required to give banks their land-use right certificates before receiving money.

A representative from the SBV admitted to shortcomings in providing loans for farmers.

Nguyen Tien ong, head of the SVBs Credit Department said he knew many famers failed to borrow money due to the need to provide land-use right certificates as collateral.

ong said the SVB would ask the Government to amend regulations on mortgages to fix the shortcomings.

Economist Can Van Luc said lending money without collateral should be carefully considered because banks would risks borrowers failing to pay back their loans.

It was easy to see why banks had to carefully calculate the feasibility of a project before lending money, he said.

Luc said authorised agencies were advised to provide training for farmers so that they used the money they borrowed from banks effectively. When they presented a feasible plan, they could borrow money from banks easier.  VNS
HA NOI  A ceremony was held to mark the launch of the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Centre electronic portal at vnpkc.gov.vn in Ha Noi yesterday.

The website will provide official information on the activities of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State and Ministry of Defence that are relevant to the United Nations (UN)s peacekeeping missions. Training activities, foreign affairs events and international co-operation activities will be featured.

The website will be a helpful tool in serving the centres missions, especially with respect to the promotion of its activities, sharing experiences, and attracting human resources, said Colonel General Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of Staff of Viet Nam Peoples Army, at the launch ceremony.

In the digital age where the majority of communications and information sharing is performed online, a website for the Viet Nam Peacekeeping Centre is of inevitable importance, he added.

The Ministry of National Defence will govern the website, which will target an audience of Vietnamese people, army officers, and foreign partners.

Established in 2014, Viet Nam Peacekeeping Centre has dispatched its officers to work as liaison officers, military officers, advisors, and observers at the United Nations Peacekeeping missions 12 times in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Republic of South Sudan.

The Vietnamese officers performance was praised as remarkable, considering they are working under such difficult conditions by the UN former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the one-year anniversary of the centre.  VNS
WATERLOO  University of Northern Iowa freshman Regan Stevens stands a mere 5 feet tall, so she didnt have the best view of President Donald Trumps inauguration ceremony.

But she wouldnt have been anywhere else.

The avid Trump supporter and campaign worker was among the throng on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Friday.

It was definitely crazy to feel, just to be a part of something so big, said Stevens, a Dubuque native, Friday. You literally go there, and the whole entire D.C. is basically for him. Its totally insane. Its overwhelming, but it was a lot of fun.

Stevens, 19, made electing Trump her top priority the three months before the election. Her hard work paid off. Iowa gave Trump a nearly 10-point margin, and the states six electoral votes helped him win the presidency.

But she was still surprised to find an invitation to the Inauguration in her mailbox.

I really wanted to experience it, but totally unexpected, Stevens said. It was just kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing, and I was like. I cant pass this up.

Her parents, who named her for the 40th president, Ronald Reagan, helped her with a plane ticket. She and a friend made the trek  her first to Washington, D.C.  traveling solo for the first time.

The trip was not without incident.

Fog delays caused them to miss the concerts Thursday night. A lost coat caused them to miss a good part of the parade.

But Stevens didnt miss the most important part of Inauguration Day ceremonies, seeing Trump sworn in as the nations 45th president. And even if she couldnt see well, Stevens heard every word of Trumps speech.

It was so cool. It was a really good speech, very moving. I liked it, Stevens said, adding her favorite moments were when Trump talked about returning power to the people.

She ran into few protesters while making her way to the parade. She didnt fear for her safety, but was frustrated by those trying to block people from entering the parade area.

That bothered me because you know what? Just let everybody believe what they believe and let people celebrate and have a good time, and try not to force your beliefs on other people, Stevens said. That was just a little ridiculous.

Stevens had one more official Inauguration event Friday  the Freedom Ball  before she headed back to Iowa Saturday. Then, she has work to make up for her UNI professors.

It was definitely crazy to feel, just to be a part of something so big. Regan Stevens UNI freshman
Powerball up to $1.6 billion, now largest jackpot on record
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By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 20, 2017 | 10:58 AM | CALVERT CITY, KY

A crash Wednesday night in Marshall County sent two people to the hospital.

According to the Marshall County Sheriff's Office, the wreck happened around 7:45 pm on KY 95. Deputies said 21-year-old William J. Foust of Benton was traveling south on KY 95 when he over-corrected, causing his car to start rolling over.

Foust and his front seat passenger, 21-year-old Austina Stufflebeam of Benton, were both ejected from the car. Three passengers in the back seat of the car were not injured.

Foust was taken to Lourdes Hospital and later flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for treatment of his injuries. Stufflebeam was taken to Marshall County Hospital for her injuries.
Russia and Iran forge closer ties

20 January 2017

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Russia and Iran yesterday signed documents furthering their cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. They were signed in Moscow by Nikolay Spassky, deputy director general for international affairs at Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, and Behrouz Kamalvandi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) for International, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

Spassky (right) and Kamalvandi signing the road map on closer cooperation (Image: Rosatom)



In addition, Petr Lavrenyuk, senior vice-president of TVEL, Rosatom's nuclear fuel subsidiary, and Seyed Safdari, general director of AEOI's Department of Advanced Technologies, signed a contract for pre-design work on the modification of two cascades of gas centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant in Iran.

The AEOI officials were on a two-day visit to Moscow to discuss progress with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Signed in July 2015 by Iran and the E3/EU+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the USA - also referred to as the P5+1 - plus the European Union), the JCPOA officially began on 16 January last year. Under its terms, Iran agreed to limit its uranium enrichment activities, eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium and limit its stockpile of low enriched uranium over the next 15 years.

Rosatom announced separately that two of its other subsidiaries - the Russian Research Institute for Nuclear Power Plant Operation (VNIIAES) and Rusatom Service - had started work on an "expert evaluation" of plans to establish a company engaged in providing Russian technical support to Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant.

The new entity will provide methodological and technical assistance to Bushehr personnel in such areas as the handling of nuclear fuel, neutron-physics calculations, commissioning of mobile equipment, and creation of a plant maintenance strategy.

"Establishment of this specialized institute for engineering and technical support of the plants operation is intended to enhance the reliability, safety and efficiency of [its] operation," according to the statement. Work on the project is expected to take three years, it added.

Before the end of the summer of this year, Russian nuclear specialists will conduct a peer review of the plant and provide "organisational and methodological support to their Iranian colleagues", it said.

Russian-built Bushehr 1 was connected to the national grid on 3 September, 2011, becoming the first nuclear power plant in the Middle East.

The first foundation stone for Bushehr units 2 and 3 was laid in a ceremony held at the construction site in southern Iran in September last year. Rosatom subsidiary ASE, which is the general contractor for the Bushehr project, and Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran signed an EPC turnkey contract for construction of the units at Bushehr in November 2014. The two VVER-1000 units will be built with Generation III+ technology, including the latest safety features, and have a combined capacity of 2100 MWe, ASE has said.

Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

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Just as time only moves forwards, so do new bird lists. Once the December 31st clock strikes midnight, I cant help but archive the old one and start another for a new year. Whether one happens to be obsessive or not, its a great excuse to make and meet birding goals, and bird on the sly no matter where you are or what you may be up to. Heck, when you think about it, if you are a serious birder, you are always sly birding at all times anyways so you might as well keep a year list. At least, thats how I see it. The notion of sly birding reminds me of being a lone birding kid and noting my lifer Prairie Warbler during a grade school walk-a-thon at Goat Island. There were so many birds in every bush, it must have been a fall-out. I mean, even without binos, I could see numerous small birds shaking the vegetation in what seemed to be every bush and every tree. I didnt have my binos but still noticed the diagnostic facial pattern of that Prairie. But, I was with non-birding friends so I didnt say a thing. The tick was a silent one, there was no new bird dance, but it was a lifer all the same. To this day, I cant help but wonder what else was using the woods of Goat Island on that wet September, 1984 morning?

Although I didnt do a dance for the Red-headed Barbet either, it kind of deserves one every time you see it.

More than 25 years later, Im still sly birding because its automatic but I also bring out the binos for much more focused efforts. This year, Im hoping that combination will push the year list past 700. Its going to take a while but if I can expend time and energy (aka birding kung-fu) in the right places, I can certainly make that happen for Costa Rica. So far, apart from a few outings and guiding days, my efforts have been mostly sly. Nevertheless, I still have over 232 species including the latest addition- a Striped Owl heard from my bedroom window as it called into a moonlit night. The real kung-fu birding deal, though, kicks off tomorrow when I start 4 days of guiding down around San Vito. There will be new birds on the way there, down around San Vito, and on the way back, including a bunch of key targets. I cant wait to see what this list will look like on Sunday, and its just going to keep on growing after that. With luck, this bird list will also see species from other countries, I hope wherever else ends up referring to Colombia and Brazil!

It was nice to already add the local White-bellied Mountain-Gem.

As with my other year lists, birds in bold are special and the ones in CAPS are lifers:
J.M. Coetzee in the New York Review of Books:

The year is 1790, the place an unnamed outpost on the Paraguay River ruled from faraway Buenos Aires. Don Diego de Zama has been here for fourteen months, serving in the Spanish administration, separated from his wife and sons. Nostalgically Zama looks back to the days when he was a corregidor (chief administrator) with a district of his own to run:

Doctor Don Diego de Zama! The forceful executive, the pacifier of Indians, the warrior who rendered justice without recourse to the sword, who put down the native rebellion without wasting a drop of Spanish blood.

Now, under a new, centralized system of government meant to tighten Spains control over its colonies, chief administrators have to be Spanish-born. Zama serves as second-in-command to a Spanish gobernador: as a Creole, an americano born in the New World, he can aspire no higher. He is in his mid-thirties; his career is stagnating. He has applied for a transfer; he dreams of the letter from the viceroy that will whisk him away to Buenos Aires, but it does not come.

Strolling around the docks, he notices a corpse floating in the water, the corpse of a monkey that had dared to quit the jungle and dive into the flux. Yet even in death the monkey is trapped amid the piles of the wharf, unable to escape downriver. Is it an omen?

More here.
Northern football players, cheerleaders from beyond the U.S.

Two Northern football players and two cheerleaders have common ground with hometowns outside the U.S.
Brewer Carpet One Floor & Home makes it easy for home and business owners to update their properties with great deals on flooring in Yukon, OK. The store is now offering $100 off on any flooring purchase.

Brewer Carpet One Floor & Home makes it easy for home and business owners to update their properties with great deals on flooring in Yukon, OK. The store is now offering $100 off on any flooring purchase.

Between the great selection, customer service, and already-low prices, customers are assured the best value at Brewer Carpet One Floor & Home. As a well-known flooring store in Yukon, OK, they are known for assisting customers through every phase of the flooring processfrom free estimates to flooring installation.

One of the simplest ways to reinvigorate the value of a property is by replacing the floors. If a property owner ever intends to sell their property, they need to be mindful of the condition of their floors, as this will be one of the first things potential buyers notice. Old, worn-out carpet and other beat-up floors dont muster up much enthusiasm for potential buyers, so its important to find quality materials that add appeal and value.

Brewer Carpet One Floor & Home maintains an impressive selection of quality floors at low prices. They carry all the top brands from leading manufacturers at the lowest prices, offering superior installation work as well as customer-friendly guarantees. Whether shoppers are looking online or in their Yukon showroom, they find great deals on the following types of flooring:

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As far as home renovations go, installing a new floor is one of the best places to start. From how it feels under the foot to the way it reflects light, new floors completely transforms a space. The type of flooring a homeowner installs in a room goes a long way toward determining the overall design of that room works as well.

A soft, plush carpet can make a house feel like an inviting and welcoming home. A rich hardwood offers a timeless elegance in any space. Rely on the specialists at Brewer Carpet One Floor & Home to help determine what type of floor is best for any particular project.

Call Brewer Carpet One Floor & Home at (405) 563-7105 or visit http://brewercarpetoneyukon.com/ to learn more about their selection of floors. Let them know details about budget and what kind of performance is expected from the new floors. Expect a solution that saves time, money, and stress while enhancing the value of any property.

Visit the expansive showroom at 126 West Main in Yukon, Oklahoma.

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As per IMF, the GCC population is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.80% from 2015 to 2020 to reach 53.41 million. An expanding population is expected to urge higher demand in residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors across the GCC region.

The report Investment Analysis of Construction Industry in GCC Countries (Contracts, Investments, Underway and Planned Projects (Major Construction Projects, Oil & Gas, Residential) , Raw Material Trade Information, Opportunity Analysis), The robust GCC economy benefits from strong macroeconomic fundamentals such as solid financial reserves that protect countries against bankruptcy, more diversification, and stronger integration with world trade.

Browse 4 market data Tables and 82 Figures spread through 119 Pages and in-depth TOC on Investment Analysis of Construction Industry in GCC Countries

Request for Report Sample Pages: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsample.asp?id=239406153

Infrastructure segment is the largest segment in the GCC construction industry

The developed service and manufacturing service industries allow less dependence on oil revenues. The infrastructure segment, comprising of road, railways, ports, and airports, is a key focus area of the GCC countries. Besides the residential and office segments, the region is also witnessing significant projects in the segments of leisure, retail, education, hospitality, and healthcare. The GCC nations have made significant budgetary allocations toward the development of transportation such as airways, railways, roadways, and ports. Consequently, the infrastructure industry has shown a strong upward trend. Saudi Arabia dominates in terms of infrastructure projects in 2014, followed by Qatar. A number of projects are being planned in Qatars infrastructure sector to support the growing inflow of expatriate workers and tourists in this region. Tourism is an opportunity in GCC countries as it is an asset to attract global travelers to its cultural and archeological sites, airports, and beaches.

Government vision will push the GCC construction industry

The economy of GCC countries heavily depends on the oil & gas sector. As the prices of oil & gas are volatile, GCC countries are focusing on economic diversification to reduce their dependence on the energy sector. GCC countries are planning long-term strategies for sustainable growth. These countries are focusing on the growth of various sectors such as tourism and events. Under its strategic vision 2021, UAE plans to allocate huge budgets toward the development of its infrastructure sector. Similarly, Qatars strategic vision 2030 plans to make heavy investments in its infrastructure, healthcare, and hospitality sectors. Developing its infrastructure and reducing housing shortage were the key concerns of the Bahraini government in 2015. Such infrastructure projects in Bahrain will be supported by the government in this region through enormous investment. Oman government also supports the development of its tourism sector for economic diversification through investment in various sectors. Such factors are expected to propel construction activities across the GCC, particularly between 2015 and 2021. However, uncertainty over oil prices, storage of skilled labor, and issues related to safety & quality of construction sites continue to pose as major challenges in these countries. Shortages in labor and labor policy issues continue to constitute a major challenge. Also, the majority of the workforce is from overseas; there is a challenge to recruit high quality, experienced workers, as the competition to attract them is very high.

Make an Enquiry: http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=239406153

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AMC enables first international F-35B deployment

Air Mobility Command Airmen helped mark a major milestone by enabling the delivery of Marine F-35B Lightning II aircraft to Japan Jan. 18, 2017.



The transfer of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, marks the first permanent international deployment of the joint strike fighter. Four KC-10 Extenders from Travis Air Force Base, California, and Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, New Jersey, participated in the operation. The teamwork ensured the effective international deployment of the F-35Bs, providing the right effects at the right place and time.



"The arrival of the F-35B embodies our commitment to the defense of Japan and the regional security of the Pacific, said Maj. Gen. Russell Sanborn, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general. We are bringing the most advanced technology to the Pacific to respond to the wide range of missions we take part in and provide greater support to our regional allies.



Aerial refueling aircraft enable worldwide missions through force extension, making combat operations and partner nation support possible.



"One of the Indo-Asia-Pacific theater challenges is the tyranny of distance," said Maj. Gen. Mark Dillon, the Pacific Air Forces vice commander. "U.S. Pacific Command spans 51 percent of the globe and over 80 percent is ocean. This makes rapid global mobility absolutely vital to our daily operations. Whether it's refueling U.S. Marine Corps fifth-generation fighter aircraft, resupplying National Science Foundation teams in Antarctica, or moving patients via aeromedical airlift, PACAF and the entire joint team in the USPACOM theater regularly rely on our partners in Air Mobility Command - and they deliver every time."



The 618th Air Operations Center planned the critical aerial refueling support carried out by KC-10 crews from Travis AFB and JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.



While the mission was being executed, Maj. Ken Morris, the 618th AOC global operations director for air refueling operations, provided command and control for the KC-10s, ensuring the safe delivery of the Marine F35Bs.



We oversee the execution of aerial refueling missions happening throughout the world Morris said. Theres no room for error in our line of work, we have to make sure the mission is successful by putting the tanker at the right place, at the right time to connect with the receiver.



In 2016 AMC Airmen flew more than 42,000 aerial refueling sorties, transferring 1.2 billion pounds of fuel to over 128,000 receivers.



Air refueling aircraft are the backbone of global reach, increasing coalition and U.S. aircrafts range while mid-flight. AMC Airmen utilize these aircraft while working around-the-clock to execute rapid global mobility and enable global reach.
Lesotho plans to build a R400m cement plant producing 200000 tons a year to supply the cement needs for construction of the dams and houses for the second phase of the LHWP.

Lesotho plans to build a R400m cement plant producing 200000 tons a year to supply the cement needs for construction of the dams and houses for the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP).

We are keen on getting phase 2 going as that would stimulate demand and provide much-needed infrastructure Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) CEO Joshua Setipa says.

The 2008 global financial crisis hurt Lesotho with many job losses as demand in our export destinations dropped off. We are now close to the pre-2008 levels in clothing and textile exports in volume terms and have exceeded the 2008 level in value terms he says.

What we are looking for is to leverage the demand arising from phase 2 construction activity to build a cement factory in Lesotho so that we no longer remain dependent on South African cement. That holds true for a range of products that will initially benefit from phase 2 activity and then continue for decades to come.

Lesotho has begun talks with major cement producers about the possibility of building a R400m cement plant that would satisfy Lesothos normal annual cement consumption of 200000 tons.

The Chilanga cement factory in Zambia was built in the late 1950s to supply the cement needs of the major Kariba dam and more than 50 years later it still supplies Zambias cement needs.

The LNDC functions like SAs Industrial Development Corporation providing finance such as loan guarantees and expert advice for both foreign direct investment (of which about 80% originates in SA) and domestic investment. Where necessary it will take an equity stake to mitigate risk.

The LNDC seeks to use Lesothos competitive advantages such as its high altitude and cool climate but Setipa is well aware that the landlocked country would be uncompetitive in bulk commodities where having a port is a prerequisite.

He says it costs twice as much to ship a container from Port Elizabeth to Maseru as it costs to ship it from Port Elizabeth to New York. That is why we focus on high value goods and where we can use our natural advantages.

If you take trout for instance we can produce 12 months of the year whereas in SA it is only two or three months before it becomes too warm for the fish. That is why we produce around triple the volume SA does he says.

Water-stressed SA has for decades sought ways to supplement the natural water of Gauteng the industrial heartland. Feasibility studies undertaken in the 1950s showed the water supplied by gravity feed from Lesotho was more economically viable than trying to pump water from the lower-lying Orange River to high-altitude Gauteng.

Droughts in 1983 and 1985 brought home how dire the need was with water having to be pumped from the Vaal River to Mpumalangas coal-fired power stations and a treaty between Lesotho and SA was signed in 1986.

The original treaty envisaged several phases but so far only phase 1A (the Katse Dam and water transfer tunnel to SA) and phase 1B (the Mohale Dam and water transfer tunnel to Katse) have been completed.

The infrastructure to build the Katse Dam such as roads made a huge impact in opening the less accessible Highlands area and a similar impact is expected from phase 2. That should help to stimulate smallholder farming activity in such high-value goods such as asparagus and organic vegetables.

The LNDC would help by providing access to credit for farming inputs such as seed and fertilisers and would also provide support services such as crop insurance and marketing.

Helmo Preuss was hosted in Lesotho by the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority.
The following provides the white paper From Safety Last to Children First: A White Paper On Vaccine Safety (Prepared For The Blue Ribbon Panel On Vaccine Safety)" written by Mark F. Blaxill, Director, SafeMinds and Barbara Loe Fisher, President, National Vaccine Information Center.



To read Barbara Loe Fisher's introductory post to this paper on Age of Autism click HERE. To read Mark Blaxill's introductory post to this paper on Age of Autism click HERE.



From Safety Last to Children First: A White Paper On Vaccine Safety (Prepared For The Blue Ribbon Panel On Vaccine Safety)



Safe Minds and the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) are pleased to have an opportunity to present a case for change in our nation's public health strategy. We are grateful to Dr. Julie Gerberding and her staff for reaching out for a range of views on this subject. As parents and citizens, we have joined this discussion feeling the weight of great responsibility on our shoulders, because we see an urgent need for change in public health policy and practice. The health of the children of our country is deteriorating. Yet rather than facing this reality, our public health leadership has turned away from the challenge in order to defend entrenched practices and controversial policies, some of which may have contributed to these adverse trends. Accordingly, we want to make a strong and clear statement: the public health agenda in our country requires comprehensive reform.

The authors represented our respective organizations -- National Vaccine Information Center and Safe Minds -- as invited participants to the Blue Ribbon Panel on Vaccine Safety on June 3-4, 2004, in Atlanta. We appreciated receiving our invitations to attend. We also respect and acknowledge the efforts of the chair, Dr. Louis Cooper, to summarize the discussion in his Summary Report. Given the mix of the participants, many of whom have close ties to the past CDC leadership and/or personal involvement in setting the recent course of U.S. public health policy and practice, we did not expect that the Summary Report would convey our sense of urgency and concern. Although the Summary Report represented a good faith effort to report on the Blue Ribbon Panel's proceedings, it did not provide a coherent reporting of the case for comprehensive change. Accordingly, our two organizations have joined together to author this White Paper on Vaccine Safety, entitled, "From Safety Last to Children First."

We should note at the outset that our most fundamental dissent from the larger group is the framing of the agenda itself. We are far less concerned with focusing on vaccination than we are concerned with focusing on better health outcomes for America's children. Although our organizations have frequently (and unfairly) been described as "anti-vaccine," we share the view that vaccine programs to manage infectious diseases can be a valuable part of strategies to advance the mission of childhood health. These diseases, however, reflect only a fraction of the adverse health outcomes facing children today and a decreasing fraction of these. So although the focus of the agenda for the Blue Ribbon Panel reflects the misplaced emphasis on infectious diseases, we choose not to restrict our Response to the Summary Report to the agenda as defined. Instead we will address the case for change based on some core principles and a hopeful vision of the future.

We share a sense of hope that America's public health focus can be reformed to serve the health needs of children and families in the 21st century. A forward-looking focus for public health practice would embrace:



 A mission of securing positive health outcomes for children and families;

 A commitment to a total health perspective, including chronic as well as infectious disease, developmental disability as well as episodic illness, and quality of life as well as the absence of disease;

 A recognition of the crisis of the chronic disease epidemics among children, including autism, learning disabilities, attention deficits and other neuro-developmental disorders as well as asthma, allergy, juvenile-onset diabetes and other autoimmune disorders;

 A vaccine policy that treats all citizens, including parents, as intelligent participants in the health choices they make for themselves, their children and their communities and requires true informed consent for participation in vaccine programs;

 An operating philosophy that sets a goal of zero vaccine adverse reactions and treats each reaction respectfully, indeed as a resource for diagnosis and prevention of future vaccine adverse reactions, especially those that lead to chronic adverse health outcomes;

 A governance model for vaccine policy-making based on true public accountability, characterized by public inclusion, openness to scientific criticism and a willingness to accept past shortfalls as an opportunity for learning, growth and change.



We believe that this positive focus is notably absent in public health policy and practice today. Consequently, we share a grave concern that the past approach of public health authorities requires comprehensive and fundamental reform. In contrast to our vision of hope, we see a current approach that is fixated on:



 A mission of fighting a war on disease that disregards the secondary and tertiary consequences of war and views innocent children as inevitable casualties;

 A commitment to an unprecedented expansion in the childhood vaccine program , with inadequate, if any, consideration given to the cumulative and interactive effects of this strategy;

 A consistent posture of hyping the risk of infectious disease, a communication model that relies on fear, hyperbole and incomplete information;

 A vaccine program concerned largely with herding "the public" into a state of compliance, reflecting a view of citizens as a monolithic entity in need of instruction rather than engagement;

 An operating ethos in vaccine safety management of utilitarianism, one that allows for "acceptable losses", based on an approach that places "safety last" in funding priorities;



 A pattern of governance in which many decision-makers have direct financial and/or career conflicts of interest that produce biases to program expansion and the defense of past policy decisions.

The continued pursuit of the current approach has created an adversarial environment that jeopardizes the health of America's children and the long-term well-being of our nation. Within the CDC, a defensive bureaucracy finds it increasingly difficult to reconcile past ideological and policy commitments with the emerging realities. Parent organizations, faced by institutional complacency (with respect to epidemic childhood illnesses like autism) and defensiveness (with respect to the examination of plausible environmental and biological hypotheses), are forced into confrontations they do not enjoy, consuming time they do not have. Pediatric organizations, long resigned to becoming instruments of state policy by allowing their members to become a toll gate for vaccine administration in well child visits, have come adrift from the service mission that motivates most pediatricians, securing positive health outcomes for children, not maximizing their office visits. Vaccine manufacturers, prisoners of their extraordinary corporate profit rates, pursue short term profit enhancement with too little regard for the adverse effects to which inappropriate usage of their products may contribute. In the meantime, as a nation we have too many sick children and no shared view about how they got that way.

This all must change.



From waging a war on disease to securing childhood health



For those who join high level discussions of vaccine policy for the first time, it is quite surprising to see many CDC officials wearing uniforms. By embracing a military identity, these officials emphasize their unique prerogatives. That they possess the authority: to deploy the coercive powers of the state as they see fit; to deprive citizens of their liberty in the name of the greater good; and to enforce what they consider to be necessary human sacrifices as they do battle with dangerous microbes and viruses. The language of conflict  the "war on disease," "combating the causes of epidemic," "fighting emerging infections"  is closely connected to the language of military power and, of course, "Disease Control." History teaches us that when government officials are determined to fight a war, any war, truth can be the first casualty.



Although the CDC hosts multiple centers for disease prevention, a clear organizational focus on chronic childhood disease and disability and on overall childhood health is absent. The Center for Chronic Disease Prevention focuses almost exclusively on adult conditions, while the Center for Birth Defect and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) focuses its attention on a selective set of childhood conditions, a set that excludes autoimmune conditions. The NCBDDD has meanwhile demonstrated puzzling complacency in its approach to developmental disorders such as autism. Effectively, the CDC's largest institutional commitment to childhood health lies within the National Immunization Program, a group with an exclusive focus on preventing infectious diseases through mandated mass vaccinations. For most American families, the childhood immunization program represents the public face of the CDC and its most concrete intervention in our everyday lives. We exaggerate only a bit when we say the war on infectious disease as implemented by the NIP is America 's primary childhood health initiative.



In the war on infectious disease, the CDC measures progress by its surveillance of "notifiable diseases." There are now more than 60 such notifiable infectious diseases and the CDC reports these diseases on a weekly basis for each state and territory, with annual breakdowns that itemize case counts by age group, including children. By contrast, no such chronic disease and disability surveillance exists for children, with the sole exception of some rudimentary asthma data. As to clear childhood health crises such as the epidemic of autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs), the CDC only says, "We do not know if ASDs are becoming more common in the United States ."



Clearly, our public health officials possess asymmetric information with respect to the total health of children and how it is changing. This asymmetry results in part from institutional inertia, in part from limited funding and in part from different perceived relevance of such timely reporting for intervention purposes. Whether or not this asymmetry was ever deliberate, it has resulted in clear ignorance regarding chronic disease. And although one might attempt to excuse such ignorance as an historical legacy, at some point such ignorance becomes willful: a conscious choice to forego the acquisition of unwelcome knowledge; an attempt to preserve plausible deniability in the face of disturbing news. In a parent, such denials would amount to negligence. Indeed, diligent, concerned parents have become the most vocal critics of our public health officials' performance in the area of childhood health.



Yet while parents may know a great deal about their own children, they inevitably possess a limited view of populations, enhanced perhaps, but quite possibly distorted, by shared group experiences in advocacy groups. Scientists typically rely on more rigorous surveillance and research to provide reliable trend and incidence data. Yet scientists and other "experts" will only know what basic surveillance tells them or what they seek to know through sponsored research. When basic surveillance and critical research is lacking, scientists become less reliable sources than parents, absent primary information sources of any kind.



As parents, we therefore often look to front line health professionals such as therapists and nurses for their perspective. These professionals have a broader perspective on childhood health than either parents or scientists. Among such health care professionals, the message is clear: something new and terrible is happening to America 's children. Consider, for example, a quote from a representative of school nurses in Missouri, testifying before Congress in 2000.



The elementary grades are overwhelmed with children who have symptoms of neurological and/or immune system damage: epilepsy, seizure disorders, various kinds of palsies, autism, mental retardation, learning disabilities, juvenile-onset diabetes, asthma, vision /hearing loss, and a multitude of new conduct/behavior disorders 



We (nurses, principals and teachers) have talked many times about the possible cause(s) of the continuing increase in pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), such as autism. From the literature we have found, we should expect a rate for PDD of about 2-5 in 10,000. In our community the rate in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade is more like 1 in 150. The teaching staff is overwhelmed .



We are all now faced with a moral dilemma: will we protect the "sacred cow of conventional vaccine philosophy" or will we stand up and speak out for the "health and well being of innocent children"? We choose children. We wonder, which will our government choose?



-Patti White, RN Missouri Central District School Nurse Association. Statement to the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human. Resources of the Committee on Government Reform U.S. House of Representatives



In the year 2000, there were 122 cases of AIDS reported in children under five years of age, 37 cases of measles, 57 cases of mumps, 10 cases of rubella, 43 cases of hepatitis B, less than 3,000 cases of pertussis, and zero cases of tetanus, diphtheria and 9 other notifiable diseases. By contrast, California  with over 10% of the U.S. population -- reported over 6,700 new cases of PDD/autistic disorder, by extrapolation a national reporting rate of 70,000 children annually. Over 800,000 children under five reported an episode of asthma. New juvenile-onset diabetes cases probably numbered in the thousands (unfortunately, no reliable surveillance exists).



We do not presume to judge the relative significance of these diseases to childhood health, however we do submit that chronic diseases are in no way less harmful to children. We would also note that the vast majority of children recover from a case of childhood infectious disease (as parents looking back on our childhood, most of us remember uneventful recoveries from these diseases as children).



We represent a growing constituency of parents of children who developed normally and then acquired a chronic developmental disorder early in childhood. Our children will never fully recover. Although we recognize the risk of childhood disease, we would gladly trade a few episodes of vaccine-preventable, infectious disease in our children for the disabilities they will live with for the rest of their lives. Tragically, our ranks have swelled dramatically. Indeed, the numbers suggest that the weight of the modern public health agenda should revolve around families like ours. The problem we represent therefore is new. It has, moreover, emerged and grown in parallel with the growth in the number of required childhood vaccines. So although we recognize the risk of jumping to premature conclusions regarding causality, we also deplore complacency and defensiveness in any form. It is time, indeed long past time, for our public health officials to reset their priorities and turn their attention to the health issues of greatest consequence for children in the 21st century.



From expansion of vaccine interventions to a commitment to a total health perspective.



The Blue Ribbon Panel was convened to consider a proposal to separate vaccine risk management from risk assessment [at the CDC]. We concur with the spirit of this proposal and believe that independence in vaccine safety assessment is overdue. The National Immunization Program has long confused vaccine safety with vaccine promotion. But we also see a deeper force driving the problems with vaccine safety, a force that goes beyond simple questions of organization and governance. The longstanding commitment of our public health leadership to expansion of the mandatory vaccination programs places pressure on the watchdogs of safety to make vaccine risk assessment friendly not just for current programs, but also for new vaccines. Dr. Robert Chen, the official most responsible for vaccine safety over the last decade has openly confessed to this bias in print.



"Given the current increasingly "anti-vaccine" milieu, it is hard to imagine that the full potential of new vaccines will be harnessed. To avoid this impending tragedy, we need to critically examine the factors influencing this change in public sentiments."



- Dr. Robert Chen, Vaccine Safety and Development Branch, National Immunization Program, CDC, "Vaccine Risks: real, perceived and unknown", Vaccine, 1999.



Dr. Chen sets forth here the central fallacy of modern vaccine policy: if some vaccine interventions have done some good, then more interventions will do more good. His conclusion that the failure to expand the vaccine program would be a "tragedy" reflects this a priori assumption, shared by so many, that we have only just begun to harness the potential for strategies of increased intervention. Numerous careers, major research programs and large-scale commercial investments have been bet on the promise of public acceptance of unlimited vaccine interventions. Much is at stake.



In just a few short years, we have seen the effects of this strategy. Through the 1970s, the childhood immunization schedule consisted of interventions against a short list of diseases: smallpox, polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. Today, the CDC's "universal use" list for children has expanded to include vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza B, varicella, pneumococcal and influenza. Before they reach their second birthday, a child born today will receive 32 separate vaccine doses when following the CDC's recommended schedule. With these additions, we have embarked on a public health strategy that constitutes a radical shift in the way our species experiences its environment and a radical shift in the way the human immune and neurological systems develop during the first critical months of life. In a quite literal sense, we have entered unexplored territory.



As the childhood vaccine program has expanded, it has also changed character. The earliest vaccinespolio, diphtheria, smallpoxprotected against highly infectious and frequently fatal diseases, diseases to which infants were also highly vulnerable. The new additions to the vaccine program have not targeted similar attributes or shared the same benefits. These new targets are often less dangerous to children (chickenpox or rubella), less infectious (haemophilus influenza B or pneumococcal) or otherwise less prevalent among children (hepatitis B).



Although the original vaccines had demonstrable preventive benefits, their risks were also meaningful. Dramatic, sometimes fatal, adverse events associated with neurological damage have been documented, most notably with whole cell pertussis vaccine, but also with oral polio vaccines. The re-introduction of smallpox vaccine after September 11, 2001 was curtailed due to unacceptable rates of adverse events, including cardiac events that led to death. One distinguishing feature of these events, however, was their clear cause-and-effect relationship with single vaccine exposures.



As the vaccine program has expanded, we face new safety concerns. In addition to the ongoing risk of single vaccine adverse events, we need to recognize new exposure risks, either from the cumulative effect of vaccine ingredients or from the unintended consequence of interactions between vaccine and other environmental antigens and the potential for accidents in a complex, closely-coupled system like the developing immune system.



Vaccine mercury exposure provides a dramatic example of the cumulative effect risk. Exposing the developing brain to mercury was never a good idea, but the introduction of two new vaccines in the early 1990s (not to mention the increasing practice of antenatal Rho D immunization) tripled the earliest exposure rates. These additions effectively compounded acknowledged mercury risks to pregnant mothers from seafood consumption and dental amalgams. In the case of mercury, we see the dark side of the "more is better", expansionist bias: if some mercury exposure is bad, then more is unquestionably worse. Yet now the CDC has recommended new childhood mercury exposures via influenza vaccines, when evidence continues to accumulate underscoring the danger of these exposures.



More complex, but no less concerning, is the issue of interactive effects. We simply do not know what the risks of these 39 doses of 12 vaccines might be for human health when combined together in developing infants. In the face of this recent escalation in intervention, common sense would suggest a testing discipline involving more than assessments of each new vaccine, or even combination vaccine, on its own, but rather involving comprehensive assessments of the old strategy vs. the new strategy in their entirety. Such comprehensive testing has been dismissed as too expensive, or even absurd. But it has never been attempted.



So as parents, we are faced with a puzzling paradox. We want our children to be healthy, but they are not, even though we have done what we have been told to do by public health officials and pediatricians. We see families around us in similar distress, with asthma inhalers and epi pens as common in schools today as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were in our day. We are concerned about a radical strategy of intervention that has never been tested for safety and yet we watch as responsible government officials behave defensively and with more regard for their beliefs and careers than for the future of our children. We want to believe in the integrity of our public health system, yet we cannot, because we fear that excessive specialization and bureaucratic inertia has led us away from the only focus that matters: the overall health and well-being of our children. We believe it is time to call a halt to the expansionist momentum and revisit basic strategic premises. We strongly encourage the CDC to move away from strategies focused on the parts to a strategy focused on a total health perspective. This may be difficult, but it is necessary if we are going to answer the question: why are so many children chronically ill today?



From hyping the risk of infectious disease to facing the reality of chronic disease epidemics

As the vaccine program expands and the complex assessment of marginal cost and benefits becomes more critical, the integrity of the analyses surrounding these assessments matters even more. A prior commitment to a strategy of program expansion casts suspicion on the CDC's internal analysis when the institutional proponents of the expansion strategy control the interpretation and dissemination of information and analysis. The obvious concern is that benefits may be overstated and that risks will be suppressed.

We see pervasive evidence of bias among CDC's analysts that lends credence to such concerns. Hepatitis B vaccine policy serves as useful first case in point.

CDC officials display a bias toward vaccine interventions. When the mandatory hepatitis B vaccination was added to the childhood immunization schedule in 1991, this new initiative was the outcome of years of policy discussions. CDC infectious disease specialists took a public advocacy stance in favor of "worldwide elimination of hepatitis B transmission," claiming "we have the way, we need the will." Oddly, for a disease transmitted primarily through promiscuous sexual activity and intravenous drug use, the strategy they chose was universal infant immunization, including a first dose immediately at birth. Yet claims supporting the wisdom of this "way" have been called into question by recent research showing that infant hepatitis B immunization provides protection for five years at most.

CDC models exaggerate the incidence of infectious disease. Promoting a short-lived intervention in populations far removed from the main source of the infection is odd enough, but the CDC felt obliged to defend the urgency of such an unusual choice by overstating the overall risks of this (largely adult) disease. Until the late 1990s, annual infections by hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the U.S. were routinely quoted at more than 300,000 despite the fact that CDC's own surveillance numbers showed far fewer cases, less than 10% of the quoted cases, and these case counts fell rapidly through the 1990s

CDC models overstate childhood disease risk to justify vaccine interventions. Defenders of the universal hepatitis B vaccine birth dose policy estimated that 25,000 HBV infections occurred annually in children prior to the introduction of the vaccine. These calculations have not been challenged but are full of holes: surveillance reports of childhood infections have never reached even 1% of these modeled levels; the models that produce high infection estimates require large rates of horizontal transmission, transmissions that have never been reliably described; and distinctions between peri-natal transmission (where mothers could reasonably be offered a choice between vaccine exposure and maternal HBV testing) and childhood transmission (where vaccines provide unique benefits) have never been established. In evaluating a policy that requires annual immunizations of millions of newborns, rigor and accuracy in making such distinctions are critical, but such scrutiny has been forsaken in favor of salesmanship and hype.

We have by now become familiar with the fear-mongering that makes infectious disease a reliable news item. From the infamous swine flu to the West Nile virus, we have grown accustomed to seeing the threat of deadly infection on the front page and the evening news. Even with more legitimate threats like SARS, the reality of these threats consistently fails to meet the hype, yet spreading the fear of infection remains a reliable tactic. By contrast, chronic diseases--perhaps because they are judged to be less preventable, a matter for families to accept rather than a prevention opportunity  receive nowhere near the same attention or priority. Autism rates have increase tenfold but the CDC has not yet declared a public health crisis. Similar to the case of hepatitis B, autism provides a second case example of CDC policy bias.

CDC surveillance designs fail to specify chronic disease variants. The featured activity in CDC's autism surveillance activities is the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP). Although only a single publication has been produced so far as an output of this effort, this publication revealed the manifold weaknesses of the program. The MADDSP approach fails to distinguish between the sub-categories of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs)  autistic disorder, PDD not otherwise specified and Asperger's syndrome  an approach that makes it impossible to compare results of MADDSP with other studies around the world. MADDSP researchers place children in diagnostic categories based only on a records review and do not require standardized diagnostic interviews. Diagnostic precision is essential to effective surveillance (can you imagine hepatitis reports that fail to distinguish between viruses A, B and C?) yet the MADDSP program has abandoned any effort to institute such precision. Even so, the CDC now offers their approach as the model for other states to follow. Lack of diagnostic precision may provide a deliberate refuge for analysts who are not interested in obtaining good facts, but makes for poor health policy in the long run.

CDC studies avoid the assessment of chronic disease trends. When CDC studies have embraced a more rigorous approach to PDD classifications, they have still failed to report accurately on time trends. The autism prevalence researchers in Brick Township, NJ provided accurate estimates of autism rates in a well-defined study population. Yet they suppressed important evidence on changes in autism rates over time, reporting rates by only two large age groups. More disturbing, these authors failed to publish autism rates by birth year, rates that would have demonstrated clear and compelling evidence of an increasing time trend in autism rates. Safe Minds has obtained these rates, and they contradict the CDC authors' claims that "prevalence rates for the two [time periods] were not different." We cannot help but wonder how the surveillance disciplines, so well developed in infectious diseases, break down so completely in chronic diseases like autism. Yet they do.

When increasing trends are acknowledged they are dismissed with speculation. When discussing the undeniable increases in reported autism rates, CDC officials profess little concern and offer unsupported hypotheses that attempt to play down the likelihood of any real increase. The NCBDD web site on autism offers the following account.

"The studies that have looked at how common ASDs are often used different ways to identify children with ASDs, and it is possible that researchers have just gotten better at identifying these children. It is also possible that professionals know more about ASDs now and are therefore more likely to diagnose them correctly. Also, a wider range of people are now being classified as having ASDs, including people with very good language and thinking skills in some areas who have unusual ways of interacting or behaving."

In the face of the spectacular rise in reported autism rates, speculations like these cry out for scientific support. Yet there is no scientific evidence of any kind that supports a single one of these speculations. How is such carelessness allowed?

Taken together, these tendencies form a pernicious pattern of misinformation and deception. The favored diseases and interventions are supported, while the inconvenient trends and anomalies are suppressed. Responsible public health management demands a clear-eyed view of the current health reality, one based on high-quality data, sound analysis and rigorous logic. It is time to start facing this reality without further delay.

From herding the public to informed consent



The rising complexity of vaccine risks and benefits makes the assessment of risk far more sensitive to the assessment of such complex trade-offs. But when the guardians of vaccine safety [at the CDC] play a dual role as advocates of program expansion, the potential for bias, conflict of interest and bureaucratic error in these assessments rises when there are no mechanisms in place for self-correction. When advocates of vaccine programs can also exercise the coercive power of the state to enforce their decisions through vaccine mandates, the risks of catastrophic failure multiply.



In an open society, we typically rely on the free choices of informed citizens as the corrective mechanism for dealing with complex trade-offs. We express our freedom in two ways, through the free market (for economic trade-offs) or free elections (for policy making). In either domain, we know from long experience that assigning decision rights to centralized state authorities can produce lasting inefficiencies and/or inappropriate concentrations of power. Checks and balances on such power are essential to prevent the abuse of power by the state and secure improved outcomes for society.



Vaccine programs introduce special problems in an open society. Mass vaccination programs for infectious disease prevention are based on the premise that herd immunity is the only way to manage infectious diseases. Achieving herd immunity requires widespread compliance, indeed significantly greater compliance than either free markets or free elections require for success. Vaccination coverage rates sufficient to provide herd immunity have been estimated to be in the 80-95% range depending on the disease.



Achieving such high compliance rates in large populations demands extraordinary efforts. Compounding this difficulty, public health officials have increasingly defined success as compliance rates approaching 100%, a shift from a goal of herd immunity to a goal of local elimination, even global eradication, of most diseases for which vaccines have been developed. With such aggressive targets the exercise of economic choice ("I don't want to receive that service") or the declaration of dissent ("I don't support that policy") runs in direct opposition to the interests of the bureaucracy in meeting its performance goals.



In order to reach these rising compliance targets, vaccine program sponsors ask for and typically receive exemptions from normal checks and balances on state power. These exemptions are justified because the prevention of disease is seen as an area in which the interests of the collective override the rights of the individual. Consequently, manufacturers receive exemptions from product liability laws. Citizens face powerful sanctions if they fail to comply with state recommendations -- children can be denied entry to school, parents can be declared negligent, and pediatricians can deny service to families when they choose not to vaccinate. Program managers are protected from accountability to external parties in numerous ways.



These exemptions can end up producing an unhealthy relationship between citizens and central authorities. In the eyes of the officials, a diverse and autonomous citizenry becomes a monolithic and (ideally) submissive "public." The public must be convinced of the virtues of compliance so that the herd can maintain its immunity and remain safe from disease. The more submissive the herd, the greater the opportunity for heroic achievements in disease elimination and the less the need to apply coercive measures to dissenting citizens.



Yet the childhood immunization program is the only medical intervention capable of producing injury or death that the state imposes on healthy children. Vaccines are also the only privately manufactured product whose universal consumption is made a prerequisite for participation in public services. These extraordinary exemptions from our normal democratic system of checks and balances and free markets demand extraordinary, and constant, scrutiny. Vaccine program management must not only work when safety is secured, they must also be robust in the face of safety failures.



But how robust can our system of vaccine safety management ever be? If one assumes that program managers are always diligent, competent and correct in their assessments and that the programs themselves are unambiguously and universally safe, then these exemptions from our standards of openness are a small price to pay for results. But when there is a possibility of negligence, incompetence, or even well-intentioned error, these protections run the risk of perpetuating and exacerbating truly catastrophic failures. In their book, The Virus and the Vaccine, Deborah Bookchin and Jim Schumacher elaborated the dangers:



"The decisions of our health policy makers, even when well intentioned are not always well informed. And sometimes those decisions are not even well intentioned. Sometimes they are based on bias or inadequate scientific evidence. Sometimes they are biased by the close relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and the government health officials who are charged with regulating that industry. Moreover, sometimes even the best scientists can make mistakes. The safest medical products can have unforeseen side effects. Things do occasionally go wrong, sometimes dreadfully wrong, during even the most noble of scientific endeavors ."



And when things do go wrong, the inevitably defensive reactions can creep down a slippery slope from the prevention of unnecessary panic to the dissemination of propaganda and the suppression of dissent. The resources available to health officials to mount defenses in the face of failure are extensive. Prestigious journals can relax their standards in support of questionable research; at-risk constituencies can mobilize resources to attack discomforting facts; funding agencies can deny resources for investigations into possible failures; and conscientious scientists can face disincentives (even sanctions) when they pursue unpopular investigations.



One powerful bulwark against such breakdowns is the right of informed consent. Informed consent requires and empowers each citizen to make choices for themselves and their families based on their independent assessment of risks and benefits. Informed consent thereby provides a counterbalancing force against overreaching activities of the state and provides incentives for manufacturers with incentives to improve the safety and effectiveness of their products:



 In the absence of an ability to choose between vaccine formulations, combinations and producers, citizens can at least exercise choice with respect to timing and receipt of specific vaccinations;



 In the absence of meaningful product guarantees or warranties, citizens can request and expect the provision of scientific information regarding attributed risks and benefits of vaccines;



 In the absence of clear scientific knowledge regarding the immunological mechanisms, failure modes and adverse exposure consequences, citizens can seek, consider and act on information from multiple sources, reserving the right to critically review official interpretations of vaccine benefits and risks and freely act upon the information they have obtained.



Today, parents who wish to make a different choice with respect to their children's vaccinations face numerous obstacles. They can claim a medical exemption if their child has suffered a "severe vaccine reaction" that must meet restrictive CDC standards as a contraindication to further vaccination and are able to find a doctor willing to write a medical exemption to vaccination. They can, in most states, claim exemption based on sincerely held religious beliefs. In eighteen states, they can exercise their right to a philosophical or conscientious belief exemption to vaccination. But everywhere these rights might be exercised, they are, practically speaking, nearly impossible to obtain (in the case of medical exemptions), under challenge (religious exemptions) or available only to a small number of parents who are aware of their rights.



In real life, when parents resist their pediatrician's advice, they risk sanctions of varying severity, up to and including loss of medical care, health insurance and even custody. Pediatricians or nurses can and do notify Child Welfare authorities when parents resist vaccination and the parents can be charged with child medical neglect. Parents can postpone the age at vaccination, but in doing so they forego access to most child-care and educational services. Indeed, with respect to the universal hepatitis B birth dose, they often find that vaccination takes place in hospital nurseries without their knowledge, preceding consent. The provision of true informed consent, which has defined the ethical practice of modern medicine and is so essential as a counterweight to state power, remains a distant promise for most American parents.



From safety last to a quest for zero vaccine adverse events



Members of our organizations (SafeMinds and the National Vaccine Information Center) recall private conversations during which National Immunization Program officials revealed their underlying utilitarian philosophy: parents of vaccine injured children, calling for reform of the vaccination system, were described as "selfish"; adverse events were described as "acceptable losses"; while adverse events resulting in injuries and death were dismissed as either coincidences or the inevitable by-products of the pursuit of the "greater good." Dr. Robert Chen, the man most responsible for setting the tone and direction of NIP safety practices for over a decade, described the end result of a utilitarianism mindset on safety management at NIP in 1999:

"[W]e have been relatively slow in appreciating the importance the public now places on vaccines' safety. In fact, much of our resource allocations still unfortunately reflect safety last rather than safety firstFurthermorewe have not been as interested in preventing vaccine-induced illnesses as we are with vaccine-preventable diseases."

The fact that Chen would make this concession in print suggests strongly that not only does this "safety last" mindset exist, but that it is more severe and pervasive than he and others acknowledge. Indeed, it affects all aspects of safety management in the childhood immunization program. A partial list of "safety last" examples would include the following.

 The CDC has long acknowledged the central problem with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Systems (VAERS): that the reporting of vaccine adverse events will necessarily be reduced under a passive reporting system. Estimates of the underreporting vary (a common estimate is that only 5-10% of adverse events are reported), yet there are only limited efforts in place to promote and encourage the reporting of these events as mandated by Congress (under PL 99-5500).

 When observed, adverse events are routinely dismissed by pediatricians as unrelated to vaccination, with the tacit support and encouragement of NIP officials. Adverse event reports are frequently met with the assertion that the timing of onset of seizure disorders, sudden infant death syndrome, hospitalizations and other vaccine injuries are only coincidentally related to vaccination.



 When faced with adverse event claims, families of vaccine injured children in the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) often find themselves the target of active suppression of those claims, as even straightforward events are routinely opposed in an adversarial process. Expert witnesses for the CDC called to testify in VICP award proceedings routinely deny the very existence of vaccine adverse events.

 More broadly, the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, originally conceived as a means for rapid compensation for families suffering from vaccine injury, has approached the management of compensation with a stubborn reluctance to grant awards. The result of this reluctance is that only a fraction of the hundreds of millions of dollars set aside in the vaccine injury trust fund has ever been paid out.

 In the meantime, vaccine manufacturers have received widespread protection from product liability claims, an exemption that substantially reduces the normal marketplace incentives on manufacturers to ensure the safety of their products.

 This unusual liability exemption stands in stark contrast to disturbing examples of longstanding product contamination, including the recent discoveries of connections between contaminated polio vaccines and highly carcinogenic simian virus (SV40) detected in many human cancers.

 More complex safety concerns have faced even greater neglect, as safety testing of the new expanded-program strategies, e.g., comparing exposed populations to zero exposure populations, has never been attempted.

 When high profile safety investigations have taken place, these investigations have been carried out by interested parties. In the case of three thimerosal studies in Denmark, for example, the primary authors for all of them were directly employed by a vaccine manufacturer (or its affiliates) that held direct profit interests in the products involved

These problems have all been compounded as the safety management agenda has shifted from evaluating narrowly defined events, such as a seizure response to a dose of whole cell pertussis in DPT vaccines, to assessing adverse effects rooted in cumulative exposures to vaccine elements ( e.g., thimerosal exposure from three separate childhood vaccines in combination with prenatal mercury exposures from maternal dental amalgams or seafood ingestion) or the interactive effects of multiple antigen vaccines and/or multiple vaccines given in close succession. Co-factors, which could also play a role in vaccine adverse events suffered by an individual, such as coinciding viral or bacterial infection at the time of vaccination; simultaneous exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides or toxic mold; or predisposing genetic factors due to biodiversity in an ethnically diverse population, are never factored in. Vaccine safety administrators are ill prepared even to acknowledge the possibility of such effects, let alone evaluate them.

One consequence of combining mandatory vaccination policies with exempting manufacturers from product liability has been the absence of free market competitive pressures to raise quality performance. As the quality revolution in management swept through the business world in the latter part of the 20th century, most competitive industries have embraced quality disciplines that have not yet penetrated the NIP. One of the leading quality management experts, Philip Crosby, in his influential book, Quality is Free (1980), succinctly described one of the core lessons of quality management.

"The first step is to examine and adopt the attitude of defect prevention. This attitude is called symbolically, Zero Defects. Zero Defects isa standard that management can convey to employees to help them decide to do the job right the first timeMost people talk about an AQL, an acceptable quality level. An AQL really means a commitment before the job to produce imperfect materialConsider the AQL you would accept on the products you buy. Would you accept in advance an automobile that you knew in advance was 15% defective?How about the nurses that care for newborn babies? Would an AQL of 3% on mishandling be too rigid?The only proper performance standard is Zero Defects. Why settle for less? People accept the performance standards you give them."

The pursuit of zero defects in vaccine safety would demand a performance standard of zero adverse reactions. Such a goal need not be immediately attainable, but the relentless focus on continuous improvement toward that goal would mean that no disabling injuries or deaths would be viewed as acceptable. Instead, every adverse reaction would be managed as an opportunity for analysis of the root causes of vaccine failures. Instead of encouraging reclassification of adverse events as coincidental events, severe reactions would be treated with respect, compassion and curiosity. And instead of fighting injured families as greedy opportunists, compensation programs would be restored to their original role, as an occasion to provide justice and deserved financial support. But as Philip Crosby describes it, embracing Zero Defects (Zero Adverse Reactions in this context) requires adopting a new attitude, one that several panel participants noted would require sweeping cultural changes in all aspects of vaccine safety management. Culture change can only come from the top. This brings us to the conditions and context for leadership on vaccine programs and safety, in other words, vaccine governance.



From conflicts of interest to true public accountability

Public institutions have the responsibility to carry out public affairs with governance mechanisms that keep decisions free of conflicts of interest and resultant self-dealing by interested parties. As our society has evolved, the influence of well-organized and well-funded interest groups has made avoiding such conflicts of interest progressively more difficult. In the area of vaccine safety, we see serious conflicts between the promotion and management of the childhood immunization program and the exercise of diligence and care in the safety monitoring of the program.

These conflicts play out in numerous ways. Indeed, despite many years of effort by dedicated consumer advocates, we fear that vaccine program governance has deteriorated to a point where the most economically interested parties have effectively collaborated to dominate decision-making in ways that maximize their direct benefits, while marginalizing the legitimate concerns and life-altering experiences of dissatisfied customers of the vaccine programs. These partiesvaccine manufacturers, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), pediatrician groups and government public health officials--have demonstrable interests in favor of expanding vaccine administration and mandates while constraining vaccine safety initiatives and in some cases suppressing unwelcome vaccine risk findings. To illustrate this governance dilemma, we review the interlocking interests of these four parties briefly.

Vaccine manufacturers. Maintaining a successful vaccine program requires the participation of a viable base of vaccine suppliers. These suppliers deserve the opportunity to make competitive, market returns, consistent with their risks and investments. Increasingly, however, the "market" for vaccine suppliers has become a regulated state oligopoly, not really a market at all, but rather a highly managed public-private partnership with guaranteed returns and minimal financial risks. Large, stable and growing markets are guaranteed by official decree. Product liability is more limited than for any other manufactured product. New firm entry is highly constrained and only a small set of competitors share the market, with only a small set of competitive formulations granted market access at any point in time. Public health officials, in their quest to serve their suppliers, have effectively become supplier advocates, consistently acquiescing in decisions that benefit vaccine manufacturers and disadvantage consumers.

The extraordinary profitability of pharmaceutical manufacturing (the 2001 profits of the top 10 pharmaceutical manufacturers exceeded the profits of the rest of the Fortune 500 combined) can make vaccines appear unattractive as a business: indeed drug manufacturers have long complained about the poor relative profitability of their vaccine divisions. But as the vaccine program has expanded and most childhood vaccines produced by manufacturers have been added to the CDC's "universal use" and state mandatory vaccination requirements, this performance profile has shifted. New, patent protected products with high prices and healthy margins have replaced older vaccine formulations in the product mix. While decisions to endorse and promote the strategic expansion of childhood vaccines (vaccines with increasingly small incremental consumer benefits) has provided large financial benefits to these companies, the management of safety concerns has consistently placed manufacturers' interests ahead of those of consumers.



Despite demonstrable health threats, recalls of dangerous vaccine products are a rare event. Remarkably, polio vaccines contaminated with highly carcinogenic viruses were never recalled and have now been associated with widespread cancer incidence. Similarly, longstanding calls to recall vaccines containing the highly neurotoxic element, mercury, have gone unheeded, with unknown developmental consequences in the millions of children exposed after the risks of mercury exposure were first identified. Even now, new flu vaccine formulations containing mercury have received CDC endorsement. Meanwhile, sensitive safety investigations into vaccine failures have been entrusted, in some cases, to vaccine manufacturers themselves and, in others, to researchers with close financial ties to manufacturing companies. Not surprisingly, the research results of such investigations routinely find no adverse consequences of vaccine exposure.

Health maintenance organizations. HMOs face the unique challenge of maintaining profitability in the face of skyrocketing health care costs and pressure from their own customers, primarily private companies seeking to minimize the cost of providing health care benefits. In pursuit of their profit goals, these insurers have clear interests in minimizing the cost of their service obligations and reducing the variability of their patient risk profiles, while also projecting an image of responsive service and high quality care to their patients. Because of the known turnover in their patient bases, HMO investments in health and prevention require relatively short payback periods; by extension, long-term risk reduction and chronic disease prevention is unlikely to receive HMO financial support.



By contrast, childhood vaccinations provide a strong economic benefit to HMOs: they provide visible services to young families; the unit of service delivery (the well child visit) is highly predictable, routinized and therefore low cost at the delivery level; and they prevent less structured (and potentially higher cost) care delivery in the case of children infected with a childhood disease. Another economic goal of HMOs lies in restricting the cumulative number of well child visits, one reason why combination vaccines have proven popular. The potential adverse consequences of an expanded childhood vaccine program (and expanded vaccine combinations) are either out of their services scope (e.g., autism and other developmental disabilities) or beyond their preventive planning horizon (e.g., asthma, diabetes, cancer).

With respect to vaccine safety, HMOs can, and in some cases do, provide important information resources for safety management. Given the value of their patient data, HMOs have an interest in maintaining control over their private databases. Pooled databases like the Vaccine Safety Datalink provide information resources of extraordinary potential societal value; yet by increasing the transparency around health outcomes across different participating HMOs, information sharing also threatens the autonomy of these organizations.

The public interest lies clearly in full and prompt reporting of health outcomes, especially as they relate to vaccine safety, but HMOs have resisted the expansion of public health claims on their data resources. They typically fall back on claims of patient confidentiality to restrict outside access, but these claims are rarely in the interests of their patients, instead they are largely a mechanism to retain autonomy and control. As a consequence, resources for vaccine safety reporting have remained highly restricted, non-standardized, inaccessible and unreliable for assessing health outcomes.

Pediatricians. One consequence of the cost squeeze in health insurance has been that pediatricians, like most primary care physicians, have become captives of a new economic model of primary care delivery: high volume, low touch, and increasingly structured around compensation rules for specific diagnosis codes rather than time spent with children. Most pediatricians enter the field of pediatric medicine out of a desire to serve children. Increasingly, they are becoming captives of the compensation rules regarding allowable services. One of these allowable routines is the well child visit, a repeatable and tightly defined procedure that is little more than a tollgate for vaccine administration. The economics of pediatric practice have become increasingly dependent on these tolls, and the well child toll has become a critical component of a pediatrician's annual income.

By contrast, as the front line of vaccine adverse effect reporting, pediatricians have incentives to avoid adverse event reporting. When faced with a possible vaccine adverse event, each pediatrician has discretion in associating the event with the vaccine, although the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act obligated the pediatrician simply to report the event and not make a causation determination at the provider level. Pediatricians have a personal stake in the success of the vaccine program and, more important, an emotional stake in the absence of causal relationship between vaccination and injured children. No pediatrician wants to believe that their personal interventions have caused harm to their young patients.



At the same time, the report of an adverse event takes time and effort while also causing the pediatrician to fear litigious behavior on the part of parents, even though the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act protected pediatricians from most vaccine injury lawsuits. For all these reasons, pediatricians view reporting vaccine reactions as a risk rather than a benefit. Not surprisingly, the groups that represent pediatricians seek to minimize the concerns over adverse events and preserve the confidence of parents in the childhood immunization program and its associated well child visit.

Public health officials. Public health officials in positions of vaccine policy leadership typically have sustained long careers in the field and have participated in the long trail of policy choices that has produced the current expansive strategy. These career officials draw meaning from this legacy of work and often reveal their search for meaning by seeking other ways to expand their mission, either through heroic efforts at disease eradication ("Worldwide elimination of hepatitis B transmission: we have the way we need the will") or global collaborations to spread vaccine successes to new countries. They certainly have little appetite for seeking evidence that might constrain this mission or, what would be far worse, to demonstrate that it might have inflicted more harm than good.

As the regulatory hub for the field vaccine development, these officials interact regularly with interested parties in the vaccine program: the vaccine manufacturers, the HMO industry representatives and pediatrician groups. After many years of collaboration in this community (what Eisenhower might have called the vaccine development complex), public health officials can easily lose their objectivity as they are caught in the web of their connections with industry professionals: they may become friends with their industry colleagues--certainly they often develop mutual respect as colleagues--as they also maintain a range of professional and social contacts across the community. Those who may question or criticize their mission are threatening and unwelcome. Frequently, these outsiders are dismissed with epithets: they (indeed we) are derided as "anti-vaccine", "not scholarly" or "junk scientists and charlatans."



Effective dismissal, however, requires a larger scale denial of resources for which these officials serve as gate-keeper: they deny funding for legitimate vaccine injury hypotheses; they deny independent access to vaccine safety data resources; they forego deep investigations into adverse consequences; they work to deny exemptions and informed consent provisions in vaccine laws; and they effectively deny meaningful access and participation in vaccine research-setting priorities and policy-making to the interested and injured parties

Missing from this governance system are the only parties without a real conflict of interest, the real customers of the childhood immunization program: parents and children. As parent organizations, we represent a part of that most vital constituency, not the whole constituency, but a vital part nevertheless. And we are calling for a clear break from the practice of business as usual. It is time that public health officials became more accountable to the parents, whose children's lives are on the line, than to industry, which profits from government mandates and protections.



* * *

We conclude this white paper with a distress call, not because we are alarmist by nature, but because we share a concern that the default path of vaccine development and safety management will not lead us closer to the hopeful future we described at the beginning of this report. Instead, we fear that the more likely direction will turn sharply toward an even more extreme approach to childhood public health strategy.



 The mission will continue to creep, away from mere overemphasis on infectious disease prevention and management to a pursuit of disease eradication, a far more radical and quixotic goal;



 The strategy will continue to overreach, from a step-wise expansion of the U.S. vaccine program expansion to a global escalation of vaccine interventions across diseases and geographies;



 The communication approach will grow increasingly strident, shifting from the mere hyping of infectious disease risk to promoting an ambience of fear, hijacking the threat of terrorism to lend legitimacy to the creeping mission;



 The style of engagement with families will become more coercive, moving from an emphasis on herding the public with public relations to imposing forced vaccination with all the necessary suppression of dissent and infringement on civil liberties that would be required to institute such coercive measures;



 The operational oversight of vaccine safety will degenerate, from the current utilitarian stance, which merely devalues adverse reactions, to a more Orwellian posture in which adverse event denial becomes the prevailing mode of management;



 The program governance standards will decline further, from a half-hearted attempt to manage conflict of interest to a full embrace of governance by and for the vaccine development complex, as continued engagement with increasingly restive (and non-compliant) parent groups becomes less and less appealing.

We believe you have an historic opportunity to signal a new day in childhood public health management. To do this, we suggest you take the following ten simple steps.

1. Declare autism a national emergency. It is the proverbial "canary in a coal mine" for a host of chronic neurological and immune system disorders.



2. Launch a full-scale investigation into all potential environmental causes of autism and related disorders, including mercury and vaccines.



3. Extend the investigation to address the broader increases in immune and neurological dysfunction in children, including learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, asthma and diabetes.



4. Design and launch a comprehensive surveillance system aimed at quantifying the incidence rates, trends and costs to society for chronic diseases and disabilities in American children.



5. Re-structure CDC vaccine program funding priorities to commit funds for independent research into the biological mechanisms of vaccine injury and death, including research into genetic and other biological factors which put some individuals at greater risk than others for suffering vaccine adverse events.



6. Launch a comprehensive audit of the safety of the newly expanded vaccine program, comparing the incidence of chronic disease and disability in high, low and zero vaccine exposure populations.



7. Maintain and expand independent researcher access to government vaccine risk assessment data resources such as the Vaccine Safety Datalink and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.



8. Remove vaccine risk assessment and vaccine safety oversight responsibilities from CDC and FDA and place them in a separate federal agency, with accountability to the general public, including parent groups.



9. Charge the new federal agency with responsibility to investigate vaccine adverse reactions and provide necessary resources for a comprehensive re-assessment of long-term health outcomes of alternative childhood vaccination strategies.



10. Reconstitute the current leadership of the NIP to include outside scientists with no previous involvement in vaccine development, regulation, policy-making or promotion.

We appreciate the opportunity to submit this report and hope that we will have an occasion to review it with you in person in the near future.



###



(Editor's note: To date -- more than three years later -- there has been no response from Gerberding or anyone else at the CDC.)




WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2017  J. Christopher Giancarlo today was designated acting chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the federal agency that oversees the commodity futures, options and swaps industry.

The Republican succeeds Democrat Timothy Massad who has served as chairman since June 2014. Massad had announced earlier this month that he planned to step down today, at the end of the Obama administration.

Giancarlo was one of three commissioners nominated to the CFTC by Barack Obama in 2013 and then confirmed by the Senate in June 2014 for a term expiring in April 2019.

The commission is supposed to have five members, all presidential appointees, with no more than three from the same political party. Massads departure now leaves the CFTC with just two members, Giancarlo and Democrat Sharon Bowen. President Donald Trump will now be able to choose his own chairman and two other CFTC members.

Learn about the benefits of subscribing to Agri-Pulse. Sign up for your four-week free trial Agri-Pulse subscription.

Giancarlo joined the CFTC from the GFI Group Inc., a New York-based interdealer broker where he was executive vice president.

#30

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Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Mainly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 62F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
Recaptured drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is escorted by soldiers at the hangar belonging to the office of the Attorney General in Mexico City, Mexico January 8, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

MEXICO CITY  Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Mexico's most notorious cartel kingpin who twice made brazen prison escapes and spent years on the run as the country's most wanted man, was extradited to the US Thursday to face drug trafficking and other charges.

Mexico's Foreign Relations Department announced Guzman was handed over to US authorities for transportation to the US on Thursday, the last full day of President Barack Obama's administration and a day before Donald Trump is to be inaugurated.

The US Justice Department issued a statement confirming that Guzman was en route to the United States and expressed gratitude to Mexico for its cooperation.

A senior US official said the US Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of Guzman in Ciudad Juarez, which is across the border from El Paso, Texas, and a plane carrying him departed for New York at 5:31 p.m. EST. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and agreed to give the information only if not quoted by name.

The convicted boss of the Sinaloa cartel, one of the world's largest drug trafficking organizations, had been held most recently at a prison near Ciudad Juarez. He was recaptured a year ago after escaping from a second maximum-security prison through a tunnel dug to his cell.

The 2015 escape was highly embarrassing for the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto, and Mexican officials were seen as eager to hand the headache off to the United States afterward. Guzman's lawyers have fought extradition since his recapture.

"It was illegal. They didn't even notify us," said lawyer Andres Granados, who accused the government of extraditing his client to distract from nationwide gasoline protests. "They handled it politically to obscure the situation of the gas price hike. It's totally political."Guzman, who is in his late 50s, faces the possibility of life in a US prison under multiple indictments in six jurisdictions around the United States, including New York, San Diego, Chicago and Miami.

A federal indictment in the Eastern District of New York, where Guzman is expected to be prosecuted, accuses him of overseeing a trafficking cartel with thousands of members and billions of dollars in profits laundered back to Mexico. It says Guzman and other members of the Sinaloa cartel employed hit men who carried out murders, kidnappings and acts of torture.

He was indicted by a US federal grand jury in July 2009. A superseding indictment was issued in May charging him and Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada with a variety of drug, gun and money laundering charges as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise.

The Mexican Foreign Relations Department's statement said a court had ruled against Guzman's appeal and found that his extradition would be constitutional.
January 20, 2017

For the past 10 days, Turkey's parliament has been going through the painstaking, and literally painful, process of amending the constitution. If approved, the amendments will clip parliaments power extensively while providing unchecked freedoms to the executive branch.

This process is taking place as the country is still under emergency law and 11 members of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) are in jail. Only the left-wing parties  the HDP and the Republican People's Party (CHP)  oppose the reform proposal, and their numbers are not sufficient.

Since the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) shut down the media outlets it could not control, almost none of the naysaying lawmakers speeches are aired on TV. Opposition parties struggle to generate transparency and get their voices out to the public by using their cell phones and capturing and sharing images and videos on social media. In addition, they strive to show the public the reckless behavior of some AKP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) members, such as their breaking the internal voting rules by openly displaying their votes in each round of what is supposed to be a secret ballot.

It's mind-boggling that the majority of Turkish parliamentarians are voting willingly to surrender power to an imperial executive and are becoming increasingly violent and lawless against their colleagues.

On Jan. 19, Aylin Nazliaka, a seasoned lawmaker who is known for her courage and tenacious efforts in support of underrepresented groups, handcuffed herself to the podium in an effort to reach the senior members of the ultra-nationalist MHP and convince them not to surrender parliament's rights. Nazliaka aimed to generate a peaceful protest, similar to a filibuster, to raise public awareness and symbolize how helpless the opposition is in its efforts to block these amendments. Nazliaka explained that she wanted to protest wearing handcuffs because passing the amendments would end with locking parliament's doors altogether.

After seeing Nazliakas determination, several female AKP members  under the guidance of a male lawmaker  encircled Nazliaka. At this point a few left-wing lawmakers were also around the podium, and they all became victims of violent attacks by a female AKP lawmaker. Several photos show Gokcen Enc attacking her colleagues. The situation became so ugly that Pervin Buldan, a prominent HDP member, got kicked in the chest and was hospitalized with chest pains. Another HDP member was dragged on the floor by her hair. Safak Pavey, an outspoken CHP member, was kicked to the floor and her prosthetic arm was removed. Pavey was also hospitalized due to nerve damage. Nazliaka did not complain about her injuries, but from her screams heard on recordings, she also suffered.

To make matters worse, Ankaras flamboyant mayor, Melih Gokcek, tweeted his congratulations, complete with hand-clapping emojis, to Enc, saying the country is proud of her. Others used sexual references to ridicule Nazliakas peaceful protest. Omer Turan, a conservative journalist, wrote, Parliament is not the place to realize your personal fantasies. Handcuffs or whips, use them at your home. Dont dirty the parliament. Mainstream voices of the AKP criticized Nazliaka for disrupting parliament.

Members from both left-wing parties chanted justice, asking the parliament speaker to announce punitive action for the attacker. The speaker, a female member of the AKP, told them she was deeply distraught about the fight and the injuries, including Encs. (AKP members and pro-AKP accounts on social media claimed Enc was hurt.) At the end, there were no legal consequences for any of these violent acts.

And this was not the first attack on left-wing female lawmakers. On Jan. 11, a female CHP member, Fatma Kaplan Hurriyet, was attacked by male AKP members because she was part of a team that was recording and publishing AKP members as they showed their votes to each other or entered the booths in threes during secret voting. Although the physical and verbal attack was caught on cameras, no one was reprimanded for this attack, either.

However, one male parliamentarian was suspended: Garo Paylan, an Armenian HDP member. On Jan. 13, Paylan was suspended from three parliamentary sessions, not for physically or verbally attacking a colleague, but for uttering the words Armenian genocide during his speech. Paylan said, Back in the day, we [Christians] were 40% of the population. Christians were represented proportionally at the parliament. A Christian was the one who initiated the writing of a pluralistic constitution. Now we are less than one in a thousand. Something devastating must have happened to us: I call it genocide.

As other members started screaming at Paylan, the speaker told him, Please correct your words, there was no genocide on these lands.

Paylan continued despite endless slurs from his colleagues: Lets name it together. Armenian people know what happened to them. I know what happened to my grandparents. But the audience would not quiet down. Paylan was accused of hurting the Turkish nation, speaking with the language of the Armenian diaspora and was reminded that he is not a lawmaker of Armenia. Finally, all parties, except for the HDP, voted to suspend Paylan and erase his words from the parliamentary records. Paylan told the press that the MHP had threatened to pull its support for the AKPs constitutional amendments unless Paylan was punished.

From all these worrisome and crude events, we can deduce the following:

First, as parliament approves changes to surrender its right to audit ministers and the Cabinet, relinquishing its legislative powers, it has become a place of war. Recklessness and disrespect for existing laws have reached a climax. For instance, one of the sentences heard most often from the parliament speaker or anyone speaking is, Who do you think you are? On Jan. 10, during the first round of voting, for instance, Health Minister Recep Akdag was caught displaying his ballot openly. When confronted, he scolded his colleagues, saying, What's it to you?" and added that he was not asking for their permission.

When lawmakers do not respect the law, what does that say for the rest of the country? That is a question frequently asked on social media now.

Next, one cannot help but question why AKP members are so eager to give up their legislative powers. The less deliberation there is, the less the public knows about what these reforms entail. The debates on pro-AKP media outlets have been focusing on the fights at parliament rather than the proposed changes. Considering there will be a referendum in early April after parliamentary approval, we see that AKP members are working on molding a favorable public opinion. The idea of an all-powerful presidency has not been popular in Turkey. However, more than 50% of the public favors rebuffing the pro-Kurdish HDP and secular CHP. So if the referendum can be represented as standing up for stability, security and the moral Islamic values of Erdogan, the AKP could easily get the majority yes vote in April.

That also helps explain why many feel compelled to punish those using the words Armenian genocide. It was less than six years ago that AKP spokesperson Yasin Aktay tweeted that the AKP would neither forget nor forgive the perpetrators of the Armenian genocide. Times have changed, yet Turkey has not yet outgrown its deadly sins.
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Joe's World Famous Pizzeria made "The Donald" last year ahead of Donald Trump's campaign visit to Madison. (Courtesy photo)

A North Alabama restaurant owner is in the news again for his pizzas inspired by President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Joe's World Famous Pizzeria is selling custom inauguration pizzas. (Courtesy photo)

Joe Carlucci, owner of Joe's World Famous Pizzeria in Athens, worked late into the night with two employees to develop sheet pan pizzas celebrating Trump's entry into office.

"This is a very big day in our country," he said. "Love him or hate him, vote or not vote for him, we're going to stand behind him."

Carlucci made headlines last year when he and Athens High School student Morgan Griess made a Donald Trump pie ahead of the businessman's campaign visit to Madison. Joe's World Famous Pizzeria has previously made pies resembling Nick Saban, Tim Tebow and Bear Bryant.

The customized inauguration pizzas are available for pre-order for $100 to $125 and are big enough to feed a large group, Carlucci said.
APTOPIX Mexico Drug Lord

In this photo provided U.S. law enforcement, authorities escort Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, center, from a plane to a waiting caravan of SUVs at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. The infamous drug kingpin who twice escaped from maximum-security prisons in Mexico was extradited at the request of the U.S. to face drug trafficking and other charges, and landed in New York late Thursday, a federal law enforcement official said. (U.S. law enforcement via AP)

(AP)

In a scene U.S. authorities had dreamed of for decades, Mexican drug lord and escape artist Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was hauled into an American courtroom Friday and then taken away to an ultra-secure jail that has held some of the world's most dangerous terrorists and mobsters.



Holding his unshackled hands behind his back, a dazed-looking Guzman quietly entered a not-guilty plea to drug trafficking and other charges at a Brooklyn courthouse ringed by squad cars, officers with assault rifles, and bomb-sniffing dogs.



"He's a man known for a life of crime, violence, death and destruction, and now he'll have to answer for that," Robert Capers, the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, said at a news conference.

The court appearance came hours after Guzman's Thursday night extradition from Mexico, where he had become something of a folk hero for two brazen prison escapes.



Guzman, who is in his 50s, was ordered held without bail in a special Manhattan jail unit where other high-risk inmates -- including Mafia boss John Gotti and several close associates of Osama bin Laden -- spent their time awaiting trial.



"It is difficult to imagine another person with a greater risk of fleeing prosecution," prosecutors wrote in court papers.

Prosecutors described Guzman as the murderous overseer of a three-decade campaign of smuggling, brutality and corruption that made his Sinaloa cartel a fortune while fueling an epidemic of cocaine abuse and related violence in the U.S. in the 1980s and '90s.



Guzman faces the possibility of life in prison. To get Mexico to hand him over, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. They are also demanding he forfeit $14 billion in assets.



Outside court, Guzman defense attorney Michael Schneider said: "I haven't seen any evidence that indicates to me that Mr. Guzman's done anything wrong." He also said he would look into whether his client was extradited properly to New York.



The U.S. has been trying to get custody of Guzman since he was first indicted in California in the early 1990s.



American authorities finally got their wish on the eve of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, though it was not clear if the timing of the extradition was intended as a sign of respect to the Republican or some kind of slap, perhaps an effort to let outgoing President Barack Obama take the credit.



When Guzman got off a plane in New York, "as you looked into his eyes, you could see the surprise, you could see the shock, and to a certain extent, you could see the fear, as the realization kicked in that he's about to face American justice," said Angel Melendez, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.



While Guzman faces federal charges in several U.S. states, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn won the jockeying to get the case. The U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn has substantial experience prosecuting international drug cartel cases and was once led by outgoing U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.



New York City also boasts one of the most secure lockups in the United States, the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan. The drab-looking building is protected by steel barricades that can stop up to 7 1/2 tons of speeding truck, and the area is watched by cameras capable of reading a newspaper a block away.



The jail's inmates have included Ramzi Yousef, who was the architect of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and Ponzi king Bernard Madoff.



In the special high-security wing for the riskiest inmates, around a dozen prisoners spend 23 hours a day in roughly 20-by-12-foot cells, prohibited from communicating with one another. Meals are eaten in cells, and exercise is in a recreation area specifically for these inmates.



Only a limited number of carefully vetted jailers would be allowed access to an inmate with Guzman's wealth and potential to corrupt people, said Catherine Linaweaver, a former Metropolitan Correction Center warden who retired in 2014.



The special unit's strict confinement drew criticism from the human rights group Amnesty International in 2011.



The jail saw an audacious escape attempt in 1982, when two armed people in a hijacked sightseeing helicopter tried to pluck an inmate off a roof. Four years earlier, three prisoners broke out by cutting through window bars.



Guzman, whose nickname means "Shorty," presided over a syndicate that funneled tons of cocaine from South America into the U.S. via tunnels, tanker trucks, planes, container ships, speedboats and even submarines, prosecutors said.



Initially arrested in 1993, he broke out of a maximum-security Mexican prison in 2001, apparently in a laundry cart, and became a folk legend among some Mexicans, immortalized in song.



He was caught in 2014 but escaped again, this time through a hole in his prison cell shower. A specially rigged motorcycle on rails whisked him to freedom through a mile-long tunnel. He was recaptured in a January 2016 shootout that killed five associates.




Jeff Sessions,Mary Sessions

Attorney General-designate, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. and his wife Mary Sessions leave a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

(Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Donald Trump heard a sermon Friday morning from a Southern Baptist pastor who has history of inflammatory remarks about Muslims, Mormons, Catholics and gays.

The sermon was delivered by Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, who compared Trump to the story of the biblical leader Nehemiah who helped rebuild the city of Jerusalem and its walls after the people of Judah had been exiled from the land of Israel.

Israel had been in bondage for decades, Jeffress explained, and the infrastructure of the country was in shambles, and God did not choose a politician or a priest but chose a builder instead. The first step of rebuilding the nation, Jeffress said, was the building of a wall around Jerusalem to protect its citizens from enemy attack.

"You see, God is not against building walls," Jeffress said in his sermon at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington.

Nehemiah, according to the biblical account, completed the project in 52 days. Why was Nehemiah so successful in building the wall and rebuilding the nation? Jeffress said that Nehemiah refused to allow his critics to distract him, noting how some people still don't believe Trump will succeed in his agenda.

Nehemiah, Jeffress said, had two antagonists named Sanballat and Tobiah. "They were the mainstream media of their day," he said. "They continued to hound and heckle Nehemiah and spread false rumors while he and the Israelites were building the wall."

He noted that Nehemiah answered his critics by saying: "I'm doing a great work. . . . Why should I stop the work and come down to you?" (Nehemiah 6:3). Trump's work, he said, "is a work far too important to stop and answer your critics."

Nehemiah faced setbacks, Jeffress noted, including an economic recession, terrorist attacks from enemies and discouragement among the citizens. "The true measure of a leader is what it takes to stop him," he said. "And knowing you, I believe it's going to take a lot to stop you."

Jeffress was an early supporter of Trump, a Presbyterian who courted evangelicals during the election. Jeffress said in his sermon that it was one year ago this weekend that he was with Trump on his jet flying around Iowa. After sharing Wendy's cheeseburgers, Jeffress said, he believed Trump would be the next president and that it would be because God placed him there.

Jeffress said Trump has assembled an "unbelievably talented group of advisers" and has Vice President-elect Mike Pence by his side, "a great and godly man." "Mr. President-elect, I don't believe we have ever had a president with as many natural gifts as you," he said. But, Jeffress said, "we need God's supernatural power."

He said Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" resonated with Americans and that "Psalm 33:12 gives us the starting point for making that happen: 'Blessed - great - is the nation whose God is the Lord.'"

Jeffress sermon seems, on the one hand, to be encouraging Trump's hubris, said Daniel Silliman, a historian of 20th century American religion and culture who teaches in the history department at the University of Notre Dame. On the other hand, Jeffress was trying to direct him towards spiritual humility.

Evangelist Billy Graham's consistent advice to presidents was that they should pray and take comfort in the knowledge so many people are praying for them, something President Ronald Reagan took seriously. Edward L.R. Elson, the minister of the National Presbyterian Church in Washington who baptized President Eisenhower after he was elected, made a similar point that he needed to turn to a higher power.

But Jeffress' sermon was pretty political compared to those who have preceded him, Silliman said. "With the Daniel citation, Jeffress suggests God (like the people who supported Trump) is waiting to see if he delivers on his campaign promises," Silliman said. "There's less emphasis on loving mercy and walking humbly before God and more on building the wall."

Following the example of President Barack Obama and George W. Bush before him, Trump attended the private service at St. John's Episcopal Church, which is near the White House. The morning worship service on Inauguration Day tradition began with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933.

Jeffress has said in the past that Obama paved the way for the antichrist. He drew wide attention when he condemned Mormonism as a "cult," telling Christians not to vote for Mitt Romney during the 2012 Republican primary (though he later support Romney over Obama in the general election). Jeffress has also said Islam is an "evil religion," that the Catholic Church was led astray by Satan and that gays live a "miserable" and "filthy" lifestyle.

His remarks have led even some in his own denomination to decry him. Trump's inauguration organizers chose Jeffress to preach, according to CNN.

Author Information: Sarah Pulliam Bailey is a religion reporter, covering how faith intersects with politics, culture and...everything.
Mike Pence,James Mattis

Vice President Mike Pence administers the oath of office the Defense Secretary James Mattis, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in the Vice Presidential Ceremonial Office in the Eisenhower Executive Office building on the White House grounds in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

(Evan Vucci)

Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis was confirmed and sworn in as President Donald Trump's defense secretary Friday, breaking with decades of precedent by making a recently retired general the Pentagon's top civilian leader.

Mattis, 66, was approved with a 98-1 vote after the presidential inauguration and then sworn in by Vice President Pence. The new Pentagon chief released a statement to U.S. troops afterward that credited not only them, but intelligence personnel as "sentinels and guardians of our nation" -- rhetoric that is in line with Mattis's past statements, but stands in contrast to the way Trump has criticized the value of U.S. intelligence in recent weeks.

Mattis also pledged to work with the State Department to strengthen U.S. alliances abroad, some of which have been rattled by Trump questioning their worth.

"We need only look to you, the uniformed and civilian members of the Department and your families, to see the fundamental unity of our country," Mattis's statement said. "You represent an America committed to the common good; an America that is never complacent about defending its freedoms; and an America that remains a steady beacon of hope for all mankind."

Many lawmakers and long-time foreign policy observers hope Mattis can be a moderating voice of experience in an administration that has notably few senior officials with national security experience in Washington. He will lead the Defense Department's 1.9 million active-duty service members and reservists and oversee a budget of more than $580 billion as Trump prepares to expand the military.

Mattis becomes the first senior military officer to serve as defense secretary since President Truman nominated Army Gen. George Marshall for the job in 1950, as the U.S. military struggled in the Korean War. Mattis retired in spring 2013 as the chief of U.S. Central Command after a career in which he became one of the most influential officers of his generation and commanded troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In his Jan. 12 confirmation hearing, Mattis said he never anticipated he would be nominated for the job and was "enjoying a full life west of the Rockies" when Trump asked to meet with him.

"I was not involved in the presidential campaign, and I was certainly not seeking or envisioning a position in any new administration," Mattis said. "That said, it would be the highest honor if I am confirmed to lead those who volunteer to support and defend the constitution and to defend our people."

The sole vote against Mattis was cast by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D.-N.Y., who said repeatedly that she was against a recently serving general become defense secretary. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R.-Ala., Trump's attorney general nominee, did not vote.

To allow Mattis to become defense secretary, Congress passed legislation to overcome a law first passed in 1947 that banned recent veterans from the positon. For decades, there was a 10-year moratorium; it was reduced to seven years in 2008. The waiver for Mattis passed 81-17 in the Senate, and then 268 to 151 in the House.

Mattis broke with Trump's past rhetoric in several instances during his confirmation hearing, arguing that there are few places where Washington is likely to find common ground with Russia and that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance is vital. Trump has sought closer ties with Russia, and called NATO obsolete.

"History is not a straitjacket, but I've never found a better guide for the way ahead than studying the histories," Mattis said. "We have a long list of times we've tried to engage positively with Russia. We have a relatively short list of successes in that regard."

But Mattis expressed common ground on other issues, including a belief that the U.S. military needs to be fortified.

"Bottom line, you get to a point where you have the fewest big regrets when the crisis strikes," Mattis said. "You will never have no regrets because we're dealing with something that is fundamentally unpredictable."

Mattis will be joined in the Pentagon by two other Marines in senior positions: Gen. Joseph Dunford, who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work. Work served in President Barack Obama's administration, but has agreed to stay on for several months to provide continuity.

Officials working for Trump still haven't announced nominees for several other senior positions, including Air Force secretary, Navy secretary and undersecretary for policy. Outgoing Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said Thursday that the many service members in the Pentagon will help make the transition to the Trump administration a success.

"The continuity that is here and the experience within the Department of Defense is significant," Cook said. "And all you have to do is look at Chairman Dunford and the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and our combatant commanders to see that there is certainly in uniform a depth of experience that will serve this country, will serve the next president and the next administration."

Author Information: Dan Lamothe covers national security for The Washington Post and anchors its military blog, Checkpoint.
Sylvester Holt, the man wanted in connection with the shooting of his wife and a Westwego police officer Friday, shot himself on the chest after an hours-long standoff with authorities on the Crescent City Connection, State Police said.

A gunshot was heard at the bridge shortly after 5:30 p.m. Holt, who had been standing and at times sitting in a support girder of the bridge, was seen stumbling immediately after and falling onto the girder.

Many law enforcement officers quickly gathered at the edge of the bridge. Officers moved a small crane out over the spot where Holt was last seen. The crane was pulled back a few minutes later, as more emergency vehicles came onto the bridge.

Holt was still alive shortly before 6 p.m., according to State Trooper Melissa Matey, spokeswoman for State Police Troop B.

She said emergency personnel were rendering aid at the scene, aiming to get Holt off the bridge and to the hospital. A first responder had rappelled down using the crane and was checking on Holt about 6:10 p.m. Holt was finally lifted as he was tethered to a law enforcement officer and placed on the bridge span.

The shooting came after about 7 hours of talks with State Police crisis negotiators. The Algiers-bound span of the bridge, which was shut down before noon, remained closed.

Holt's shooting capped a frantic and tragic day that began before sunrise, with the shooting of Officer Michael Louviere and Simone Veal on a busy Marrero intersection. Authorities said Veal was shot first, and Louiviere targeted as he stopped to render aid to what he thought was a vehicle accident.

Authorities quickly identified Holt as a "person of interest" in the shooting, and a massive manhunt ensued, with more than 20 law enforcement agencies involved. That hunt led officers to the CCC bridge about 11 a.m., when State Police said a suicidal man had walked over the concrete barrier and onto a girder, threatening to jump.

That began a long negotiation with Holt, as officers took turns talking with him and seeking to coax it to climb back onto the bridge. The scene could be seen by people on the Mississippi River banks, and the bridge closure snarled Pontchartrain Expressway traffic all the way into Metairie.

With people seeking alternate routes, the Algiers-bound HOV lanes and the Huey P. Long Bridge remain heavily congested as of 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Verna Ruffin, the fourth candidate for Huntsville superintendent, is the only candidate so far that has had experience with school systems under a desegregation order, as Huntsville is.

She's currently the superintendent at Jackson-Madison County Schools in Tennessee, a district that recently achieved unitary status. The Huntsville school board interviewed Ruffin Friday night at a special called board meeting, after a day of meetings and tours.

"The consent order requires a lot of intentional work, and paying attention to how students are treated in the district," she said, "to ensure not only access, but success."

Ruffin, who generally spoke in a calm and measured tone, became particularly animated when talking about boosting academic achievement for struggling students, listing several specific examples of how she believes students' academic success can be improved.

"When students are in middle school - and that is the first time that we are really looking at that achievement gap because that's when a lot of data is available - I believe it's too late," she said. "We stay in intervention mode by that time. We need to have a very strong and effective kindergarten through third grade, with a strong focus on literacy."

Ruffin said she believes improving early literacy can eliminate or significantly reduce achievement gaps later. She also does not necessarily think more standardized tests are necessary to measure student success, or that online interventions best help students.

She isn't opposed to online academic intervention, "But the most effective and lifechanging for students are when interventions are administered by highly effective teachers."

Ruffin also praised Huntsville's Digital 1:1 curriculum, which replaced most textbooks with student laptops and iPads.

"I believe the digital curriculum is going to replace paper, pencil and books the way we traditionally know them, but I don't believe that we will ever get to the point where books do not have a place in the educational curriculum, teaching and learning," she said.

She addressed the importance of clear communication, particularly during a time of dramatic changes in the district such as those in Huntsville in recent years.

"I think people will look at the relationship between the superintendent and the board to be sure they are getting effective communication that will permeate through the organization," she said. She also believes that meeting in person with stakeholders can prevent or heal misunderstandings.

"When districts are going through a lot of change, it's good to have social media, but I've found the more aggressive the change is, often times people want to see the real person," she said of a superintendent's role in improving community relations. "They don't want to see a person behind a desk, they want someone they can touch, look in the eye."

She spoke with admiration about the advanced courses and magnet school offerings in Huntsville, the new school buildings, and the district's emphasis on technology.

"This is an amazing place, with potential beyond imagination, and I can assure you not all districts have that."

But she said the large changes that the district has undergone, particularly with regard to the consent order between the district and the Department of Justice to get the district out from under a 50-year-old desegregation order, have led to damages in trust and relationships with stakeholders.

"I think there is some healing that needs to occur," she said. "Any time you have the kind of changes you've gone through, you can't just skim over that."

Ruffin began her education career as a band director in Lafayette, La., at an affluent high school. She said it wasn't until she became a principal at one of the area's most disadvantaged schools that she changed her outlook on education.

"The disparities were offensive," she said. "I really saw the injustice that had been done to this group of children. While we opened the doors of opportunities for them to be successful, they couldn't walk in and be successful. They would walk in, and they would fail.

"And that was probably when I truly became an educator."

The board's final superintendent candidate interview will be with Dr. Matthew Akin on Jan. 23. The board is scheduled to vote on a finalist on Jan. 30.
On the eve of protests in the capital, police accuse independent publication of crimes of outrage against the state.

Rights groups and activists are warning of a rapidly deteriorating political climate in Angola following a police raid on a private newspaper and a violent crackdown on anti-government protests.

On the morning of March 12, 20 computers were seized from the offices of the outspoken Folha 8, one of Angolas few remaining private publications that is critical of the government, under a warrant investigating crimes of outrage against the state and violations of press freedom.

The effective shut-down of the paper and the questioning of its editor, William Tonet, whose mobile phone battery was also confiscated, comes just 48 hours after attempts by Angolan youths to stage demonstrations in the capital Luanda and southern coastal city of Benguela.

The marches had been convened to protest about irregularities in the electoral process including the appointment of a member of the ruling party to run the National Electoral Commission.

Although only a few dozen people gathered in each city, neither protest was allowed to go ahead.

In Benguela heavily armed police broke up the crowds making several arrests, while in Luanda, where in the days running up to the events there had been reports of house raids, threats against the organisers, an unidentified armed gang launched a violent street attack on the organisers leaving several people seriously injured.

Free speech?

Lisa Rimli, from New York-based lobby group Human Rights Watch, said: We are especially concerned about what is happening in Angola because this is an election year when people should be allowed to express themselves freely.

That people are not being allowed to stage public demonstrations, which is their right under the constitution, and that private newspapers are being targeted like this, it is very worrying, she added.

Rimli said she was most concerned about the type of violence being pursued against the protestors.

The youth is fed up with what is happening here. People can pretend everything is alright but it is not, our country is not being run properly many people are suffering  Luaty Beirao, Angolan rapper and activist



What we saw at the weekend was a step up from previous marches, the attackers were armed and they were aiming for peoples heads, she said. Adding: It is very lucky no-one was killed.

Angolas Policia Nacional, or national police, has denounced the violence, blaming the clashes on rival gangs and hooligans, and a spokesman pledged a full investigation into what happened.

A leaflet has started circulating in Luanda, claiming to be from a separate youth vigilante group, which says it carried out the attack to stop the protests out of respect for the elections and to preserve the peace.

But Luaty Beirao, a popular Angolan rapper who helped organise the march in Luanda, and who was himself struck on the head, said he and his friends had been deliberately targeted by a well-trained undercover security operation.

He said: As soon as we arrived at the arranged meeting place, we could see a group beating up random people and then they came towards us and tried to encourage us to fight back.

When we refused to be provoked, they changed their tune and said if we went away and cancelled the demonstration, they would leave us alone.

We refused again and then they just went for us. I just remember being hit on the head and falling to the ground and then hearing shot after shot being fired into the air.

Beirao, 30, who needed stitches for his head wound, added: The police were nowhere to be seen and you could tell just by the way those guys surrounded us, they knew what they were doing, they werent just ordinary thugs.

Threats to democracy

A few kilometres away, 57-year-old Filomeno Vieira Lopes, the Secretary General of the small opposition party Bloco Democratico who was on his way to join the protest, was also attacked and had to be taken to hospital with a wounds to his head and arm.

Sizaltina Cutaia, from the Angolan office of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, said: Considering that 2012 is an election year these events are indeed very concerning.

It indicates to us the low status of political participation in Angola, where freedom of assembly and manifestation are systematically denied to citizens. It is a real threat to democracy.

Until recently, political protests were rare in Angola where few have dared to criticise the authorities for fear of losing their job or the little stability they had found since the end of the countrys three-decade civil war in 2002.

But in response to what is seen as the governments failure to share out a peace dividend to the majority, despite the countrys enormous oil wealth, and the weakness of the parliamentary opposition, since March last year youth movements have been taking to the streets.

As well as complaining about inequality and poor public services, the youth have been calling for Angolas president of 32 years, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, to step down.

Beirao, whose stage names are Brigadeiro Mata Frakus and Ikonoklasta, said: For us the big issue is Dos Santos, he must go. We want him to step down, 32 years is too long for one man to rule a country.

The youth is fed up with what is happening here. People can pretend everything is alright but it is not, our country is not being run properly, there is no investment in health or education and many people are suffering.

Growth and poverty

Angola is one of Africas fastest-growing economies whose GDP is forecast to swell by 12 percent this year.

 Dos Santos is looking weaker by the day. The fact that he is resorting to violence to suppress his own people shows he is losing his control  Rafael Marques, anti-corruption campaigner



Half the population, however, remains in poverty with no access to drinking water and the country has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world with one in five youngsters dying before their fifth birthday.

Hitting out at middle class silence and peoples general reluctance to confront government which controls the media and most private enterprise, Beirao, whose late father was a dedicated member of the ruling party, said: People know things arent right, but they are too scared for their own jobs and families to stand up to what is happening.

But for me, those who remain silent are merely being complicit and contributing to the injustices taking place here.

Clearly sensitive to the growing tide of anti-government sentiment so close to the elections Dos Santos and his party, the Movement for Popular Liberation of Angola have been trying to turn on the charm offensive.

Dos Santos, for many years a recluse, has been making more regular public appearances, even switching his stiff suit for more casual shirts and caps.

In a string of recent speeches he had denied he is a dictator and has urged Angolans to be patient and recognise what his government has done for the country since the end of the war.

Last week the 69-year-old, whose own family is accused of mass acts of corruption, lashed out at what he called dishonest propaganda said people with foreign influences were trying to destabilise the country for their own ends.

Angolan journalist and anti-graft campaigner Rafael Marques, who has a website dedicated to outing corrupt government officials, said Dos Santos was clearly struggling to deal with the new generation who unlike their parents were not shaped by the fear of war or fooled by Soviet-style propaganda.

Dos Santos is looking weaker by the day, Marques said. The fact that he is resorting to violence to suppress his own people shows he is losing his control.

Beirao said he and fellow members of the protest movement Central 7311 (named after their first demonstration last year) had extensive film and photographic footage of the recent violence and planned to use social media to spread it to as many people as possible in order to raise awareness of their struggle.

A version of this story was first published by Inter Press Service news agency.
Alexander Sodiqov, a student arrested for treason in Tajikistan, has been released  but charges have not been dropped.

Toronto, Canada  Staring down the prospect of a decade or more in a Tajik prison, Alexander Sodiqov began to lose hope.

Sodiqov, a PhD student at the University of Toronto, was arrested on charges of high treason in mid-June while conducting research in Khorog, the capital of Tajikistans restive Gorno-Badakhshan province. He was detained for a month in Dushanbe, the Tajik capital, before authorities released him on July 22  only to bar him from leaving the country.

Earlier this month, Sodiqov was finally allowed to return to Canada, but he remains under investigation in Tajikistan  a tenuous legal situation that has thrown into question his ability to ever go back.

When I was told I was being released from prison, I could not believe it, Sodiqov, a Tajik native, told Al Jazeera from his Toronto home recently. Even when my wife came to pick me up from the prison, I still could not believe it. It took me some time to realise that the authorities did actually let me out of prison. I was shocked when they allowed me to leave.

Sodiqovs case gained significant international scrutiny over the past few months, with supporters launching a Free Alex Sodiqov website and a petition that garnered thousands of signatures. The University of Toronto issued a statement saying it was deeply concerned about his detention, urging Tajik authorities to respect his rights.

Limited freedoms

The case has also fuelled debate over academic freedom in Central Asia, a region where Amnesty International has said human rights activists have become increasingly vulnerable. Groups working in the region are not adequately guaranteed freedom of association, Amnesty reported, with human rights activists frequently labelled as traitors.

What I was doing in Khorog at the time of my arrest was normal academic research. This is how research is done: You get down to the field and talk to people. by - Alexander Sodiqov

Alexander Sodiqovs case illustrates the limitations on the rights of freedom of expression of academics, journalists and human rights defenders in Tajikistan, Rachel Bugler, Amnestys expert on Central Asia, told Al Jazeera. Bugler has called on Tajik authorities to formally drop the case against Sodiqov, noting that while his release is a positive development, the fact [remains] that he was persecuted for his academic research and for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Sodiqovs case began to unfold on June 16, when he met in a park in Khorog with civil society activist Alim Sherzamonov. Amid recent clashes in Khorog, Sodiqov wanted to interview Sherzamonov about the role of civil society in resolving disputes between communities and their governments. His research was to form part of a larger University of Exeter project on conflict management in Central Asia, including Tajikistan, which fell into a five-year civil war after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Unrest has continued in the years since, particularly in the semi-autonomous province of Gorno-Badakhshan, located on the countrys border with Afghanistan.

Within an hour of the pairs meeting, Tajik authorities swooped in to arrest Sodiqov, charging him with high treason  a crime punishable by 12 to 20 years in maximum-security prison, Sodiqov noted.

I am innocent, he said. What I was doing in Khorog at the time of my arrest was normal academic research. This is how research is done: You get down to the field and talk to people.

Tajikistans president and foreign ministry did not respond to Al Jazeeras multiple inquiries on the status of Sodiqovs case and on whether further charges could be laid. Supporters with FreeAlexSodiqov.org said that given the seriousness of the initial allegations, and the fact that Sodiqov has now been allowed to leave Tajikistan, the treason charges have effectively been dropped  but their campaign will continue until the investigation is formally closed.

Amid this ambiguity, Sodiqov remains unwilling to discuss a number of aspects of his case. He declined to comment on whether police ever disclosed any evidence against him, or on whether the experience altered his impressions of the Tajik government. He spoke only cursorily about the conditions he faced in detention  they were not as bad as one would expect  but would not go into detail. Sodiqov also declined to comment on suggestions that his arrest underscored the Tajik governments anxiety about public scrutiny of past events in Gorno-Badakhshan.

He did, however, confirm: I want to be able to go [back] to Tajikistan one day.

Uncertain future

The Canadian government, meanwhile, has lauded the news of Sodiqovs release. Canada welcomes this positive outcome, and the adherence by the Tajik authorities to their international human rights obligations, Francois Lasalle, a spokesperson for Canadas foreign affairs department, told Al Jazeera.

I fear for his family members who remain in Tajikistan, for his ability to clear his name, for his ability to contribute to scholarship about Tajikistan. by - Edward Schatz, Sodiqov's dissertation supervisor

Edward Schatz, Sodiqovs dissertation supervisor at the University of Toronto, said he was delighted about Sodiqovs release but apprehensive about what the future may hold.

Since Alex technically remains under investigation on allegations of treason and espionage, I remain fearful, Schatz told Al Jazeera. I fear for his family members who remain in Tajikistan, for his ability to clear his name, for his ability to contribute to scholarship about Tajikistan, and for other scholars who might find themselves in similar situations. More generally, I fear for academic freedom, and not just in Tajikistan. I see a trend globally in which knowledge itself is increasingly considered to be a dangerous thing.

A senior lecturer at the University of Exeter confirmed that the planned research in Tajikistan had been suspended as a result of the Sodiqov incident, although work on the broader project was also conducted in a number of other countries, including Russia, China and Kyrgyzstan.

In the meantime, as Sodiqov slowly reintegrates into academic life in Canada, he says he will always be thankful for the awareness campaign that he believes ultimately secured his release.

It was very difficult to be separated from my family for such a long time. It was even more difficult to think that I would not be able to return to my family during the next 10 years or even more I am really grateful to my wife who, despite all the pressure, managed to organise a massive information campaign about my case, Sodiqov said.

After I was released from custody, I regained hope.

Follow Megan on Twitter: @megan_otoole
Islamabad, Pakistan  On the afternoon of January 7, Ahmed Raza Naseer was sitting with his brother at their shop in a small village just outside the central Pakistani town of Nankana Sahib, when a nondescript man holding a mobile phone to his ear walked in.

He spent some time looking at their wares  mobile phones, mostly  before asking the brothers their names. After they answered, he asked which of them used a particular mobile phone number.

When Ahmed replied that he did, he was told to stand up. The 27-year-old struggled to his feet  he has been afflicted with polio in his right leg since he was a boy.

The man tells him to take his phone and come and sit in the car outside, where a sahab [important man] is sitting who wants to ask you some questions, his younger brother Tahir, who was ordered to stay inside, told Al Jazeera.

That was the last time his family saw Ahmed.

Naseer was the fourth person to disappear within a matter of days across Pakistans Punjab province. On January 4, Waqas Goraya, a Netherlands-based student, and Asim Saeed, a Singapore-based IT manager, were abducted in the eastern city of Lahore. On January 6, Salman Haider, a poet, activist and lecturer was abducted near his home in the capital, Islamabad. On January 7, activist Samar Abbas went missing while on a visit to the capital, too, bringing the total to five.





Abbas and Haider were known for their activism, espousing progressive and leftist positions in critiquing the Pakistani state and its powerful military, which has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 69-year history and continues to dominate governance.

Haider, in particular, was known for his activism for missing persons, the moniker given to victims of a campaign of enforced disappearances often used by Pakistans intelligence agencies in its war against ethnic Baloch nationalists and others, including the Pakistani Taliban .

OPINION: Forced disappearances will not silence us

The issue of enforced disappearances is not new for Pakistan. Rights activists allege that there are thousands of people who have been disappeared by the state, with some allegedly killed while in custody. In December, the governments Commission on Enforced Disappearances reported that the dead bodies of 936 missing persons had been found in Balochistan province alone since 2011.

The government denies any wrongdoing, and, in the case of the five activists currently missing, the interior ministry says it is making every possible effort for [their] safe recovery, according to a statement.

Now, however, these activists and citizens, as well as those calling for their release, face an even greater danger: They are being accused of blasphemy  a crime that carries a judicial death sentence and, increasingly commonly, the threat of extrajudicial murder by right-wing vigilantes.

Weaponising blasphemy

These [Facebook] pages  are extremely insulting to the Prophet, the Quran, Allah and Islam. They have made a joke out of this, said Abdullah Cheema, a guest on a popular television news show on January 12. Cheema accused Goraya of running the Facebook pages in question, a charge denied by the activists family.

Speaking in support of such criminals is a crime in itself, said Cheema, while being encouraged by Orya Maqbool Jan, the shows host and a well-known newspaper columnist.

These blasphemers who they have captured, whoever has captured them, may Allah bless those people, said Khadim Hussain Rizvi, a well-known Muslim leader in a sermon uploaded to YouTube on Jan 13.

The bloggers disappearance is its own issue. They should definitely be produced, but no one should try and hide their crimes, and their crimes are so heinous that no one should  say that they suffered injustice, said Aamir Liaquat, one of Pakistans most well-known talk show hosts on January 16.

Meanwhile, Facebook pages known for posting material in favour of the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies have also taken up the cry.

The group of atheists committing blasphemy on Facebook  have been defeated, said a recent post by Pakistan Defence, a pro-military Facebook page that has 7.5 million likes and is run by anonymous administrators.

READ MORE: Pakistans violent cyberspace  No place for dissent

Insulting Islams prophet carries the death sentence in Pakistan, while defiling the Quran carries a life sentence. Blasphemy accusations have often been used to target minorities and to settle personal scores, rights groups say. Currently, there are 40 people on death row or serving life sentences for the crime in Pakistan, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

More worryingly, at least 68 people linked to blasphemy accusations have been killed by vigilantes or mobs since 1990, according a tally maintained by Al Jazeera. They have included those accused of blasphemy, their lawyers, their relatives, judges hearing their cases and members of their communities (PDF).

Anyone even accused of blasphemy practically carries a death sentence even if they are [released], says Zohra Yusuf, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), expressing her organisations alarm at the accusations being levelled at both the disappeared and those campaigning for their release.

Gul Bukhari, a Lahore-based rights activist, sees the campaign of accusations as aimed at silencing the campaign for the five men to be recovered.

People are beginning to see a pattern. That when you cant bring formal charges and you disappear people, and when there is outcry over this, they attempt to silence that by activating the blasphemy brigade, she told Al Jazeera.

[It is] dangerous because it appears that the state has weaponised blasphemy [allegations]. It appears that the state is using this to silence dissent.

Shahzad Ahmed, whose internet rights group Bytes for All works on censorship and freedom of expression in Pakistan and has examined such campaigns before, characterises the current slew of online blasphemy allegations as both coordinated and structured.

There are some [Facebook] pages who are spearheading it, creating memes, sharing photos, and those are then spread. And some make their way to mainstream media. So this is very coordinated, or you can say that it is structured.

For the families of those disappeared, all of whom categorically deny the allegations, the message is clear.

This is being done to dissuade people from supporting him and to agitate people against him, says Talat Saeed, the wife of Asim Saeed, one of those abducted from Lahore.

Such elements are trying to paint our missing family members as anti-state and anti-religion and inciting people to commit violence against them and our families, reads a statement from the relatives of Goraya and Haider, issued on Wednesday.

And the attacks have already begun. At a rally in the southern city of Karachi on Thursday, right-wing religious leaders hurled rocks at a peaceful protest calling for the release of the activists.

I swear to Allah, as long as there is a Sunni Muslim who holds Mumtaz Qadris ideology in Pakistan, we will not let those who disrespect the Prophet live! yelled one religious leader at that rally, referring to a man venerated by many for killing Pakistani politician Salman Taseer in 2011 over blasphemy allegations.

Government inaction

The implications at play  of both the disappearances and the subsequent campaign to accuse them of blasphemy  are chilling, say Pakistani activists.

This is extremely disturbing because they have now entered the digital world, and obviously social media, in particular, has more open space for people to express themselves, says Yusuf of HRCP.

The message is being sent that any criticism of either the military or those linked with the military will not be tolerated.

With the stakes so high, few activists will dare stick their necks out, out of fear for their lives, says Mahvish Ahmad, a journalist and founder of the magazine Tanqeed.

Disappearances of people mean the disappearance of voices  and of an alternate, dissenting political dream for what Pakistan can be. They only have to pick up a handful of people, as theyve done now, to scare and silence us all.

For others, the government inaction on locating the disappeared has given those responsible the ability to act with impunity.

MAPPED: Journalists killed in Pakistan over 24 years

The government appears either unable or unwilling to find them, and its gross incompetence is likely to result in a chilling effect on the freedom to express dissenting views in Pakistan. That space was never very large; it is now definitely endangered, says Madiha Tahir, a New York-based academic and journalist.

For the families of the disappeared, meanwhile, questions of shrinking space in the public sphere are academic. The ordeal of simply not knowing where their relatives are, what condition they are in, or indeed whether they are still alive, is all that matters.

I have many questions right now, and no answers, says Tahir Naseer. I hope that [my brother] is returned soon, so that I can ask him myself. So that I can at least know what the whole issue here was.

Asad Hashim is Al Jazeera Englishs Web Correspondent in Pakistan. He tweets @AsadHashim
Recent Karak siege was just the latest setback to an industry in flux.

Amman, Jordan  For weeks after last months deadly castle siege in the Jordanian city of Karak, police maintained a daily presence in an armoured Jeep in the heart of the capital Amman.

A helmeted police officer constantly manned the heavy machinegun affixed to the Jeeps roof, scanning cars and pedestrians as they navigated through the central neighbourhood of Jabal al-Weibdeh. Other officers stopped and searched vehicles and pedestrians, a patrol that continued up until last week.

A vibrant neighbourhood comprising Jordanian Muslims, Christians and foreigners, Jabal al-Weibdeh is in many ways an example of the tolerant image that Jordan wants to project to the world  while the heavy, yet temporary police presence illustrates the fine line that Jordan must tread between visible security and not deterring tourists.

READ MORE: Jordans ISIL campaign scares away tourists

In 2015, tourism contributed 6 percent directly to Jordans GDP, and more than 20 percent indirectly, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

After the Karak siege, the United States warned its citizens of threats from terrorist groups throughout Jordan, adding to fears about the impacts of the attack on Jordans tourism sector.

The modern Jordanian tourism industry was born out of conflict  in particular, Israels capture and occupation of East Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967, said Suleiman Farajat, an assistant professor of tourism at the University of Jordan.

When Jordan lost the West Bank in 1967, it became very important to focus on Jordanian sites in the east, starting from Petra, where the first management plan was done in 1968, Farajat told Al Jazeera.

With the rise of oil in the region in the 1970s, the inscription of Petra as a World Heritage Site in 1985, and the filming of 1989s Indiana Jones in Petra, Jordans international profile rose. The countrys peace treaty with Israel in 1994, Farajat said, was a real turning point when numbers of tourists doubled, and when the infrastructure of tourism became more visible.

But subsequent regional conflicts, including the 2003 Iraq war and the ongoing violence in Syria and Iraq, have heavily impacted Jordans tourism industry, causing tourist numbers to fall. The Jordan Times reported that visitor numbers to Petra were halved between 2014 and 2015, dropping from 800,000 to 400,000.

Tourism industry workers are concerned about what lies ahead. Ahmad, a tour guide who works at the Greco-Roman ruins at Jerash  which were also under tightened security after the Karak siege  has witnessed the steady decline in numbers first-hand. Since the outbreak of Syrias civil war in 2011, he estimates there has been an 80 percent drop in tourists to Jerash.





In the high season, we used to do up to five tours a day, each tour guide. Now in the high season we do one every day, sometimes one every two days, said Ahmad, who did not provide a last name. He noted that his profession faces a secondary threat from the increased automation of tour-guide services, including cheaper, headphone audio-guided tours.

When they do come to Jordan, tourists demographics have also changed, Ahmad told Al Jazeera, including the replacement of retirees, Americans, Europeans, on a regular, or traditional tour, with younger, often poorer, tourists.

This is reflected in the budget of the tourist. Mostly, the majority come here on a tight budget, he explained, noting that entrance fees to some of Jordans tourist sites may be prohibitively high. A one-month entry visa to Jordan costs 40 Jordanian dinars ($56), while the entrance fee for a one-day visit to Petra is 50 dinars ($70).

When Ahmad began working as a tour guide in 2010, it was a coveted career, he said.

In the past it used to be a full-time job, and they used to make very good money. It was the best job to do in Jordan. Some professors left teaching in universities and became tour guides, he explained. But now its the opposite. Tour guides are looking for other jobs.

READ MORE: Syrias war haunts Jordanian border town

As many tour guides struggle to maintain a steady income and morale plummets, Farajat said, this indirectly influences the quality of service and the culture of service, harming Jordans competitive advantage in the international market.

Still, with attacks being staged everywhere from Paris to Berlin, tourists are realising that it could happen anywhere, Ahmad noted.

We had the attack in Karak, and the attack in Germany. How many people were killed here, and there? In Jordan, 10. In Germany, 12, Ahmad recalled telling a group of young, western tourists in Karak on the day of last months siege.

If you talk about terrorism, now its everywhere in the world. So theres no point in avoiding this country or that, because it can happen in every country.

Farajat cited the importance of tourism as a way to counter Islamophobic narratives in the West.

Its very important in this time of Islamophobia, that tourists come here and see that we are normal people. We dont bite, he said with a laugh. Thats important, right?

Certain areas of Jordan  especially the tourist draws of Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum and Aqaba  may be hit hardest by any fallout from the Karak siege.

But Tourism Minister Lina Annab, who kept her post in this months cabinet shuffle, played down reports of declining tourist numbers during a recent news conference.

Its business as usual and the cancellations have been minimal. Unfortunately, as for danger, there is no place that is 100 percent safe, Annab said. The tourism ministry did not respond to Al Jazeeras requests for further comment.

When spring finally arrives, bringing warmer weather and wild-flower-covered hills, Ahmad and his colleagues hope more tourists will flock back to the country. Until then, they must persevere, returning to Petra yet again without knowing whether the next day will bring work.
Gaza Strip  Anger is growing among Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip as the narrow coastal enclaves electricity crisis deepens.

An estimated 10,000 Palestinians flooded the streets in Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza last week, after more than a week of lengthy power cuts. In many parts of Gaza, residents received only three hours of electricity at a time, punctuated by 12-hour blackouts.

Protesters expressed anger at Israels blockade, and at the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and Hamas authorities in Gaza. Demanding a solution to the power cuts, some demonstrators clashed with security forces.

Speaking to local media on Monday, Gazas Interior Ministry spokesman Iyad al-Buzm said that protesters arrested for creating chaos had been released after an agreement between various political factions.

READ MORE: Palestinian factions trade blame for electricity crisis after Gaza children burn to death

Nearly two million Palestinians in Gaza have endured electricity shortages since Israel, with the help of Egypt, imposed a suffocating blockade on the territory a decade ago.

The electricity crisis has been exacerbated since Israels 51-day war on Gaza in 2014, during which the main power plant was targeted and damaged by Israeli forces.

On Monday, Thafer Melhem, the deputy chief of the Gaza Power Authority, announced that the first part of a $12m donation from Qatar had reached the territory and would allow a return to eight-hour cuts after eight-hour intervals of electricity.

The Palestinian Authoritys prime minister, Rami Hamdallah, has also said that Turkey would donate 15 tonnes of fuel to the Gaza Strip, adding that an official agreement would be signed in the coming days.
In the more than 40 years that I have lived in the United States, I have never seen it (even the day after 9/11 in New York) so deeply forlorn, frightened, out of joint, as I have seen it since Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election early in the wee hours of November 9, 2016.

On Friday, January 20, 2017, that dreadful air of fear and loathing was finally staged, signed, and sealed as Donald Trump was officially sworn in (with all due pomp and ceremony) as the 45th president of the United States. Presidents Carter, Bush, Clinton, and Obama were there welcoming him into their august midst.

Something in the very plot of American story went off kilter on this day. From George Washington to Abraham Lincoln to Theodore Roosevelt to John F Kennedy down to Barack Obama, the historic lineage and the heroic rhapsody read and revered in the long annals of the US history finally came down to this: a morally compromised, blatantly racist, white supremacist, xenophobic, sexist, tax-avoiding real estate crook, swinging loudly the arrested vocabulary of a third-grader, ceremoniously entering the highest and most revered office of this proud and hitherto confident nation.

Beyond partisanship and hype

Much of the public animus hyped against Trump, to be sure, is partisan. The liberal elite are livid, caught off guard with their hands in the cookie jar of favouring Trumps rival; sorely bitter in their defeat.

But there is something more deeply troubling in this nation. It has lost all its habitual decorum and accustomed delusions. It can no longer fathom and dream itself Great! Trumps slogan Make America Great again! was a Freudian slip, the death knell declaring the American dream a nightmare come true.





Like millions of other Americans, I spent my Friday, January 20, 2017, aghast at the very sight, at the very prospect, of Donald Trump putting his dangerous little hand and big empty ego on the Bible to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Something is crumbling inside this nation.

But unlike millions of other Americans, I am not saddened that it is not Hillary Clinton who is being sworn in as the next president of the United States. One of two calamities were about to happen to the US and the world at large. One of them was averted. Thats the good news. The other one has happened. We need to figure out how to resist his dangerous term uninterrupted by the smokescreen of the other lesser evil.

If you do not live in the US and are not bombarded daily by the jeremiad of regret for Clinton, nostalgia for Obama, and liberal fury against Trump, you may find these staccato sentences strange. But they are not if you live here. Our active defiance of Trump must not be predicated on a false nostalgia for Obama, or even worse, on an even more false regret for Clinton. Trump was their parting gift of a Pandoras Box to the US and the world around it.

OPINION: America was a stan long before Trump

I glanced at the video clips of Donald Trump being sworn in as the next US president as much aghast, if not more, than any other person. But my perspective of relief at Clintons loss informing my focus on Trumps hazardous course ahead is decidedly foreign in this land. The liberal chorus of Dont Cry for me, America of Clintonites has cornered the market of opposition to Trump.

The Democratic Party partisans from Barack Obama down to The New York Times show not a single sign they have learned anything from this calamitous election for the US and the world at large. Their ignorant loss is integral to the Republican neanderthals victorious ignorance, confounding the dawn of this Dark Age on American politics.

A sad American day

It is a sad day for the world. The US as an idea has always transcended the US as a reality. Today, that transcendent idea has finally collapsed upon this hideous reality and become indistinguishable from it. Trump is the democratically elected president of the United States, duly voted for and now ceremoniously sworn in.

Over the past 24 hours I have been whispering to myself, like a talisman, the names of every American poet, novelist, dramatist and filmmaker I have always loved and admired: I must remember what brought us all here: Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Walt Whitman, Ernest Hemingway, T S Eliot, William Faulkner, Alice Walker, Jamaica Kincaid, John Ford, Herman Melville, Mark Twain, F Scott Fitzgerald, Tennessee Williams, Terrence Malick, James Baldwin 





The US is losing its redeeming factor. The tempestuous ugliness at the very core of a militarist empire can no longer hide and camouflage itself under the thin veneer of any claim to civility. They love Obama, for he was the last shining smile concealing the frightening gnarls of American militarism. Trump has grabbed the sacrosanct symbols of this nation, as he put it now infamously, by the pussy. Trump is the vulgarity American arts and letters had scarcely kept at bay.

The US now sees itself as ugly as Israel, with a crook as its president, as rude and ill-mannered as Benjamin Netanyahu. The US now looks into a mirror and sees a racist state it had thought exorcised into Israel. Americans have, overnight, turned into Palestinians, the dreams of their democratic institutions occupied by the nightmare of a militant minority of zealot racist triumphalists.

Millions of decent, defiant, angry, and determined Americans are now trapped inside a vulgar buffoonery, as Palestinians are in Israel, and as Arabs and Muslims are in their own countries from one end of the globe to the other  caught in the web of a graceless, crass, kitsch state, with the picture of President Trump all over it.

America has become the banana republic, the third-world tyranny, the stan it has habitually been termed, racialised, and ridiculed, to think itself superior to them all. The US now believes Russia has done to it what the US has done to countless other countries: aborted the democratic course of their national destiny and imposed a gang of ignoramus billionaire public enemies in charge of their future.

A short subway ride from where I live in Manhattan stands tall and triumphant the Statue of Liberty, or Lady Liberty, as we affectionately call her. The Lady is now looking askance at the uncertain future of the homeland she represents.

The Lady and the Trump are at odd with each other. She is a formal abstraction incarnate, a hopeful promise in metal and might. He is concrete crudity, crass in diction and frightful in everything he represents and invokes.

Americans are now caught in the stormy sea change between the Lady and the Trump. She is every promise yet to be delivered. He is the delivery of a punishment for forgotten sins. As our ship sails down a stormy dark future, the lighthouse of Lady Liberty watches over us helplessly, in both hope and despair.

Hamid Dabashi is Hagop Kevorkian Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University in New York.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
Adama Barrow says he wants to get the facts together regarding possible crimes of outgoing president Yahya Jammeh.

The Gambias incoming president said he favours launching a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate possible crimes committed by the outgoing leader of 22 years.

Speaking to the Associated Press on Saturday, Adama Barrow urged caution after an online petition called for Yahya Jammeh to be arrested, and not be granted asylum.

We arent talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission, Barrow told the AP. Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together.

Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, has been holed up this week in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several cabinet members.

Since losing the election to Barrow in January, Jammeh had for weeks refused to hand over power.

Barrow has been in Senegal for his safety during a political standoff that came to the brink of a regional military intervention.

Under heavy security, Barrow took the presidential oath of office Thursday at The Gambias embassy in Dakar, with the backing of the international community.

Jammeh finally prepared to leave the country after declaring on Friday he would do so.

I have decided in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation, Jammeh said.

Human rights activists demanded that Jammeh be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led Jammeh to challenge the December election results.

Humanitarian crisis

At least 46,000 people have fled The Gambia for Senegal since the start of the crisis fearing unrest, the UNs refugee agency UNHCR said, citing Senegalese government figures.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into The Gambia on Thursday.

The force moved in after Barrows inauguration and a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

Barrow said he will return to his homeland after the outgoing president leaves.

Writing on Twitter on Saturday from Senegal, Barrow said: As Yahya Jammeh officially stepped down from office  I will be returning to my homeland, the Republic of The Gambia. #NewGambia.

https://twitter.com/adama_barrow/status/822809742707949569

Jammeh is expected to leave soon for Guinea, reports said.

Barrow said he will enter The Gambia once a security sweep has been completed.

It is not yet confirmed information, but reliable sources say hell be leaving today, Barrow told AP. We believe hell go to Guinea, but we are yet to confirm 100 percent, but thats what we believe.

Guinea prepares

In the Guinea capital, Conakry, the security minister was at the airport with Jeeps full of well-armed military personnel, witnesses said.

However, a special plane also landed from Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, with only a crew and no passengers, suggesting that could be Jammehs final destination. Equatorial Guinea, unlike Guinea, is not a state party to the International Criminal Court.

The new Gambian president said he had not yet been given the communique that should spell out the terms of Jammehs departure.

What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now, he said.
The Federation of Arab Journalists calls for the release of Mahmoud Hussein, who was detained by Egypt on December 20.

Arab journalists have urged Egypt to release detained Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussain.

The Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ), a Cairo-based organisation, demanded, in a statement on Saturday, the prompt release of our colleague, for the sake of a free press and free expression.





Saying that it was concerned by the detention, the FAJ called for all parties to act responsibly and within the framework of international laws that deal with human rights and civil liberties.

Mahmoud Hussein, an Egyptian national and journalist with more than two decades of experience, was arrested on December 20 after arriving at Cairos international airport for a holiday.

Five days after his arrest, Egypts interior ministry accused him of incitement against state institutions and broadcasting false news with the aim of spreading chaos.

Last week, for the second time, Egypt extended the detention of the Al Jazeera journalist by 15 days, pending further investigation.

READ MORE: Mahmoud Hussein  Freedom of expression is valuable

Al Jazeera rejects the charges against Hussein and calls on Egypt to release him immediately.

Al Jazeera deems all accusations against Hussein, including those which might be added later to the current allegations, to be a result of practices which violate international norms and conventions, and which, unfortunately, prevail in Egypt as exposed by human rights organisations, the network has said in a statement.

Hussein, who lives in the Qatars capital, Doha, joined Al Jazeera in Egypt in 2011. He had moved to the networks headquarters in Qatar in 2013.

The journalists defence team said on Monday that Egyptian authorities denied him the right to contact his lawyers and see his family members.

READ MORE: Groups call for release of Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Hussein

Hussein has complained of suffering constant mistreatment, being denied his legal rights, and being kept in an individual cell that does not permit the entry of food or clothing.

Commenting on Husseins arrest, the United Nations has previously called on the Egyptian authorities to comply with their commitments to protect freedom of expression.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said the world body has been following the latest developments in Husseins case.

We appeal for this case to be resolved in accordance with Egypts own international obligations to protect freedom of expression and freedom of opinion, he said in a press briefing statement on January 6.








Coach carrying Hungarian students crashed and caught fire near the city of Verona in Italy.

A bus carrying Hungarian teenagers crashed and caught fire on a motorway in northern Italy, killing 16 people.

The bus was returning to Budapest from France, where the students had been on a mountain holiday.

Some 36 injured people were taken to a hospital following the accident near Verona on Friday night.

Many children among the victims of the accident in Verona, a bus catches fire on impact with a pillar, national police said on Twitter.

Police commander Geralomo Lacquaniti said the bus crashed and burst into flames just before midnight. No other vehicles were involved and it was not clear why the bus went off the road, crashing into the barriers.

Lacquaniti said the cause of the crash would be investigated. We are not aware of other vehicles being involved, it seems to have gone off the road of its own accord.

He said some people had minor injuries, but others were more serious.

The French bus driver, together with his family, could be among the victims, Italian news agency Agi said.

It was carrying about 50 passengers, most of whom were Hungarians aged between 16 and 18. Police say 16 badly burned bodies have been pulled from the wreckage.

The report said some students were thrown from the vehicle and others were trapped inside the bus when it caught fire.

Police were awaiting the go-ahead from the prosecutor to analyse the charred remains of the vehicle.
At least 22 killed, dozens wounded in a bomb explosion at a vegetable market in Kurram Agencys Parachinar city.

A bomb blast ripped through a vegetable market in Pakistans northwestern region in a predominantly Shia area, killing at least 22 people and wounding about 90 others.

The explosion occurred on Saturday morning at the Eidgah Market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram Agency, where a large number of people had gathered to buy fresh produce.

Ashiq Hussain, who was lightly wounded, was being treated in Parachinar hospital. He said he was among the people buying fruit and vegetables loaded on a van when the explosion took place.

There was a big bang and I saw a dark cloud of smoke and dust before passing out, he said.





Hussain said he saw bleeding bodies and severed limbs and heard cries when he came back to his senses. I was just bleeding from my leg, he said. Thank God I am alive.

Local official Kurram Ikramullah told Al Jazeera that as many as 87 people had been wounded, some in critical condition.

The bomb seems to have been planted in vegetable crate, Ikramullah said. There is a high possibility that the vegetables were brought from outside the agency.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a banned armed group that has attacked minority Shia Muslims in the past, claimed responsibility for the attack.

That was our combined work with Shahryar group of Mahsud Taliban, Ali Sufyan, a spokesman for the group, wrote in a text message to an Associated Press news agency reporter.

Al Jazeeras Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said Parachinar has witnessed tension between Sunni and Shia Muslims, who make up roughly 20 percent of Pakistans population of 200 million.

It must be remembered that Parachinar has been, over the past few years, the scene of heavy sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslim, he said. The explosion has caused heavy civilian casualties and the death toll is expected to rise.

The Pakistani military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said in a statement that some of the wounded would be airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

COAS directs for quick evacuation, best medical care to victims of Parachinar blast. Ts will fail in their attempt to regain lost relevance. pic.twitter.com/WCGhyk19Wr  DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) January 21, 2017

Kurram has been the scene of increased attacks in recent years and the army has carried out a major operation against fighters in the region.

Pakistan has battled armed groups since 2004, a campaign that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians and security forces.

Last year, the country recorded its lowest number of killings since 2007 when the Pakistani Taliban was formed.

But remnants of armed groups are still able to carry out periodic bloody attacks.

Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces and the remaining will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television.








Deaths reported as camp near Jordan border is attacked days before peace talks in Kazakhstan.

A bomb blast struck the Rakban camp for displaced people in Syria near the border with Jordan on Saturday, causing injuries and deaths, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor.

The camp is home to displaced civilians and to rebel groups that fight both President Bashar al-Assad and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group, and was targeted by bombings last year.





Jordans official Petra news agency, citing a military source, confirmed that an explosion went off inside the camp.

Syrian local media said the blast was caused by a car bomb and caused deaths and injuries.

There was no claim of responsibility for the bombing.

Home to more than 85,000 displaced people, the Rakban camp was also targeted by a bomb blast last month.

On Saturday, the Russian defence ministry said six Russian warplanes carried out air strikes on ISIL targets in the Deir Ezzor province, according to Russian media outlet RIA.

The ministry added that the planes flew from Russian territory and returned after the strikes, RIA said.

Peace talks

The attacks come as the Syrian government and rebel groups prepare for upcoming peace talks in Kazakhstan.

A ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey last month excluded the main hardline group in northwestern Syria, former al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat Fateh al-Sham. Meanwhile a spate of air strikes targeting its leaders have increased mistrust among rebels.

READ MORE: Syrian Civil War Map

All this plays further to Assads advantage, as his Russian and Iranian allies want to lead diplomacy over Syria, with new US President Donald Trump indicating that he will cut backing for the moderate Syrian opposition.

The rebels going to Kazakhstans Astana say the meeting must focus on shoring up the ceasefire and that they will resist political discussions. Assad has said he is open to such talks.

Syrias conflict started as a largely unarmed uprising against Assads rule in March 2011, but it quickly morphed into a full-scale civil war.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed throughout the five years of fighting, while more than half of the countrys prewar population have been internally displaced or fled the country.
The Gambias ex-leader Yahya Jammeh has flown out of the country he ruled for 22 years and into exile, bringing an end to a protracted political crisis following presidential elections last month.

The longtime ruler refused to step down after a December 1 vote in which opposition leader Adama Barrow was declared the winner, triggering weeks of tension as West African leaders threatened to use military force to oust him if he failed to step down.





Jammeh boarded a small, unmarked plane at an airport in the capital, Banjul, late on Saturday, alongside Guineas President Alpha Conde after two days of negotiations over a departure deal.

He landed in Conakry, Guineas capital, but set off again for Equatorial Guinea, where he will remain in exile, the president of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), Marcel Alain de Souza, told journalists

No legislative measures would be taken that would infringe the dignity, security, safety and rights of Jammeh or his family, ECOWAS said in a joint declaration with the African Union and United Nations.

Jammeh could return to The Gambia when he pleased, the statement added, and property lawfully belonging to him would not be seized.

READ MORE: Thousands flee Gambia as crisis deepens

The agreement essentially says there can be no prosecution against Jammeh, his family or his entourage; there will be no seizure of his assets, no witch-hunts, and he can be back to the country at any time,  Al Jazeeras Nicolas Haque, reporting from Dakar in neighbouring Senegal, said.

It might sound like a good deal for Jammeh, but we have to bear in mind that this is a political document, not a legally binding one, so it still brings hopes for those wanting to prosecute Jammeh or those in the security services over alleged human rights violations.





Human rights activists have repeatedly demanded that Jammeh be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

We are free

Scenes of jubilation broke out almost immediately on streets near Banjul, after the news filtered out that Jammeh had gone.

We are free now. We are no longer in prison, Fatou Cham, 28, told AFP news agency.

READ MORE: Exiled Gambians ponder return home

We do not have to watch our back before we express our opinions.

Al Jazeeras Haque said Jammehs departure marked a historic moment for people in The Gambia and West Africa who believe that there can be democracy in the region.

This was done by the votes of young Gambians who took to the street, who cast their ballot box and really got Jammeh out of power despite him not wanting to let go, our correspondent said.

It was a peaceful protest that was done in Gambia and also on social media, and it was just too much for Jammeh to ignore.

Truth commission

Barrow, who was sworn in as The Gambias new president at the countrys embassy in Senegal on Thursday, is expected to return home imminently.

Speaking to the Associated Press on Saturday, Barrow urged caution after an online petition called for Jammeh to be arrested, and not be granted asylum.

The new president, who had sought shelter in the neighbouring country, said he favours launching a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate possible crimes by Jammeh.

READ MORE: Adama Barrow pledges truth commission over Yahya Jammeh

ECOWAS had pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force, including tanks, that rolled into The Gambia on Thursday.

The troops moved in after Barrows inauguration and a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council backing the new president and calling Jammeh to cede power.

Jammeh announced his intention to leave the country on Friday. I have decided in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation, he said.

At least 46,000 people had fled The Gambia for Senegal since the start of the crisis fearing unrest, according to the UNs refugee agency.
Far-right leaders from Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere gather in German city of Koblenz amid demonstrations.

Left-wing protesters staged a demonstration outside a conference held by Europes far-right parties in the German city of Koblenz on Saturday.

More than 3,000 demonstrators gathered, while some staged a sit-in outside the hall. They shouted slogans such as no border, no nation, stop deportation.





More than 1,000 police officers were deployed in the city before the demonstrations.

Not far away, demonstrators from the global Avaaz activist group placed statues of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin, among others, in front of a landmark statue of German Kaiser Wilhelm.

Speaking to Associated Press, Avaaz organiser Pascal Vollenweider said the statues were meant to send a strong message to the nationalist politicians meeting that global citizens are rejecting their old dangerous ideas.

German Social Democratic Party leader Sigmar Gabriel was among those protesting, reported German daily Deutsche Welle.

German Green Party co-chairwoman Simone Peter and Luxembourgs Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn were also scheduled to participate, the newspaper added.

Inside the conference, far-right leaders were bullish about their parties prospects.

Anti-immigration rhetoric

We are seeing the end of one world and the birth of a new, the leader of Frances National Front, Marine Le Pen, told supporters of right-wing and anti-immigrant parties.

Le Pen was critical of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who received broad praise for her decision to allow hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants into the country in 2015.

But no one asked the Germans what they think of this immigration policy, Le Pen said at her first public appearance in Germany.

Merkel is now under pressure as frustration grows among voters who have criticised her management of the refugee crisis.

READ MORE: The rise of Germanys anti-refugee right

The French presidential hopeful described 2017 as the year of awakening for the people of Central Europe.

European nationalists were no longer on the fringe and would now set out to win majorities in elections this year in the Netherlands, France and Germany, she added.

Le Pen has been quick to claim recent anti-establishment victories by President Donald Trump and the Brexit campaign as those of a rising populist right in Europe.

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Berlin, European policy analyst Nina Schick said far-right leaders were attempting to portray themselves as a unified front in 2017.

The first thing to point out is that its certainly no coincidence that theyre meeting here today in Germany one day after the inauguration of Donald Trump, she explained, referring to the new right-wing US president.

They want to show themselves as being part of this global anti-establishment backlash and that they are somehow the true democratic voices and representatives of the people, Schick said. This is the same kind of rhetoric we saw not only in Trumps election campaign but also in the Brexit campaign.

Terrifying

Dutch firebrand Geert Wilders used the platform to repeat his Islamophobic rhetoric, the central theme of policies that have pushed his Party for Freedom to the front in the polls in the run-up to elections in March.

The leaders of Europes established parties were promoting our Islamisation, Wilders said in a speech.

European women are now frightened of showing their blonde hair, the Dutch politician said, addressing the enthusiastic audience in German.

READ MORE: Far-right MP storms Athens school over refugee classes

Alterantive for Deutschland leader Frauke Petry, whose party is set to enter Germanys Bundestag for the first time this year, accused the German and European Union governments of threatening individual and cultural freedom through brainwashing, which she claimed was much worse than erstwhile socialist propaganda.

In February 2016, Petry was criticised for her violent rhetoric after she called on German police to shoot refugees and migrants in order to prevent illegal border crossings.

Meanwhile, Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right Northern League in Italy, called for withdrawal from the euro, which he called a failed, criminal experiment.

Hammering on an anti-immigrant theme that has seen the party rise in recent months to around 15 percent electoral support in Italy, Salvini said: There are thousands of Italians without homes, electricity or heating, while thousands of immigrants are living in hotels.

OPINION: Welcome to the world of Europes far-right

He also slammed Merkels migration policies and claimed that Europes leaders were furthering terrorism by taking in refugees.

The conference was organised by the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF), a cross-party group in the European Parliament made up of Eurosceptics and anti-migrant movements from across the bloc.

The ENF had already attracted criticism before Saturdays gathering because organisers blocked press access for several media outlets, citing alleged bias.

Before Saturdays conference, left-wing politician Katarina Barley, general secretary of Germanys Social Democratic Party, called for progressives to unite against growing right-wing populism in Europe.

Speaking to the Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung newspaper, Barley described the rise of far-right movements as terrifying.

These people think that each country should have only its own interests in view, even at someone elses expense, she said. Such an ideology leads in the long run to wars.
US President Donald Trump denies feuding with CIA over claims Russia hacked the election as he vows full support.

US President Donald Trump has denied feuding with the CIA, in an attempt to mend fences with the intelligence community.

As part of his first presidential duties, Trump visited the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Virginia on Saturday  a day after his inauguration  and told officers that reports of a feud were false.





I am with you 1,000 percent, Trump told more than 300 CIA employees after his visit.

He also said that he had confidence in the intelligence community and great respect for the agency.

Very, very few people could do the job you people do and I want you to know I am so behind you, he said.

He added: I love you, I respect you, theres nobody I respect more than CIA staff.

OPINION: Lady and the Trump

The meeting followed Trumps repeated and sharp public criticism of US intelligence agencies before and after the election.

He challenged and, at times, criticised their conclusions that Russia influenced the November 8 election in his favour.

Michael Morell, a former CIA deputy director, had said that a visit by Trump to the CIA would be an important and positive gesture.

The real test of the relationship between the president and his most important intelligence agency, though, will depend on how open he is to what the CIA has to say about what is happening in the world, he said.

Trump denied claims that the inaugural turnout was lower than expected.

He took issue with television shots and photos of crowds that had gathered for his swearing-in ceremony, suggesting that they were misleading and showed fewer people present than actually attended.








Changes, subject to a referendum, are to expand presidents powers as head of executive while abolishing prime ministry.

Turkeys parliament has approved a draft bill that would dramatically expand the presidents powers  paving the way for a referendum later this year.

The government insists the proposal to create an executive presidency will ensure more simple, more stable and more effective administration, but critics say it will give the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, more power that is unchecked.

Erdogan became Turkeys first president elected by popular vote in 2014, after serving three terms as prime minister. If passed, he could stay in office until 2029.





A new door in Turkish history and in the lives of the Turkish people has been cracked open today. With our peoples yes vote, this door will be completely opened, Bekir Bozdag, justice minister, wrote on Twitter.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP), said after the voting that his party would fight the changes in their referendum campaign.

This is a betrayal by the parliament of its own history. Our people will certainly thwart the game that was played in parliament  We will go from door to door and explain this to our people, Kilicdaroglu said.

Parliament approved the 18-article constitutional change, which was submitted in December, with 339 yes votes. The number of MPs who voted against the bill was 142.

Since last month, each article of the bill was put to vote in the 550-seat parliament, where the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) enjoys a comfortable majority with 317 seats.

At least 330 votes, a three-fifths majority, were needed to adopt the constitutional change.

The AK Party passed the bill with the support of most MPs from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

The changes were also opposed by the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democracy Party (HDP).

RELATED: Turkeys constitutional reform  All you need to know

Immediately after the bill was approved, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the last word would be had by the people in a referendum, expected to be held in April.

No one should have any doubt of this: On the issue of constitutional change, the most correct decision will certainly be given by the people, he said.





The bill would create an executive presidency for the first time in modern Turkey and give the president the power to appoint and fire ministers.

In addition, the post of prime minister will be abolished for the first time in the countrys history and replaced by a vice president, or perhaps several.

The president will be allowed to issue decrees and retain ties to a political party. Also, he or she will have broad authority over the high council of judges and prosecutors.

If the changes are passed in the referendum, Turkey would head to general and presidential elections together in November 2019, and proposed powers would be granted to the president elected.

The bill indicates a person can be elected president for two, five-year terms. Erdogans existing time as president will not be counted.
Australia and New Zealand first to hold rallies as part of a global movement reacting to Donald Trumps inauguration.

Thousands of locals and expat Americans have taken to the streets in several cities in New Zealand and in Australia, kicking off the global Womens March on Washington movement following the inauguration of Donald Trump, the US president.

In Sydney, Australia, thousands of people gathered on Saturday to march through the city.

Organisers said the demonstration was more than just about Trump.

Were doing this because we dont want to stand by and let the bigotry rhetoric of Donald Trump prevail, Ayebatonye Abrakasa told Al Jazeera.

Today, were standing up for our country, for the rights of the indigenous people, for the rights of the refugees who have been held unfairly at Manus and Nauru islands, for the rights of women who deserve to be able to own their own bodies. Were fighting for everyone, this is an all-inclusive event.

So there's a misogynist in the White House, but there are millions of feminists in the streets#WhyIMarch#WomensMarch #WomensMarchLondon  Candace (@CandaceKuss) January 21, 2017

Local media in New Zealand reported that more than 1,000 women, men and children marched in the countrys biggest cities, Auckland and Wellington.

What began as a single march planned for Washington, DC, has expanded to sister marches in US cities and around the world.

Organisers say that thousands of rallies were planned in US and international cities.

READ MORE: What a Donald Trump victory means for women

Ive always had a passion for womens issues, in particular, and this really is a time that we need to put down our lattes, pick up a sign and start marching, Californian-born march organiser Cindy Buell, who has lived in New Zealand since 2005, said in a press release in advance of the march.

In Washington, celebrities including Janelle Monae, Scarlett Johansson and Ashley Judd will appear at the demonstration that is expected to draw some 200,000 people.

The platform presented by the Washington march organisers calls for ending violence against women, strengthening of workers rights, reproductive rights, environmental justice, immigrant rights and more.

The idea of a rally led by women went viral on social media after Trump won the US election on November 8.

It then coalesced into an organised march, with a committee made up of activists such as Tamika Mallory, Carmen Perez, Linda Sarsour and Bob Bland.

"My mother was at the March on Washington with Dr. King. This is my chance to follow in my mom's footsteps." #WhyIMarch #WomensMarch  MuslimWomensAlliance (@MWAChicago) January 21, 2017

Bland is credited with creating t-shirts emblazoned with nasty women, a phrase Trump once used to describe his main Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

There were early concerns that the march was spearheaded by only white feminists.

Womens March on Washington later released a statement saying the march was a women-led movement bringing together people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds.

At least 45,000 people with disabilities were expected to march, organisers told Vox Media.
Hundreds of thousands march in US capital as solidarity protests take place in cities across Europe, Asia and Africa.

Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the US capital on Saturday to march in opposition to President Donald Trump, a day after the Republican took office, as sister demonstrations took place in cities across Africa, Asia and Europe.

Women and men of all ages took to the streets of Washington, DC, rallying around issues like womens rights, reproductive rights and immigration.

The march was supposed to be along the National Mall, the stretch of parkland that runs from Congress to the White House. But it spilled onto Pennsylvania Avenue, the street where the new president and property tycoon now lives, and where his Washington-based hotel is.

Protesters held signs like Womens rights are human rights, Break down walls, dont build them, and Hell hath no fury as a nasty woman scorned, referencing the time Trump called his opponent, Hillary Clinton, a nasty woman during a debate.

Sophie Walker, the leader of the Womens Equality party, told Al Jazeera that protesters had gathered in a show of unity.

We are here to protest the hate and the division that Donald Trump puts forward as politics, she said.

We are here to march against the rising xenophobia in this country. Were here to march against the normalisation of racism and misogyny and sexism.

Many participants wore knitted pink cat-eared pussy hats, a reference to Trumps admission to having committed sexual assault in a video that was made public weeks before the election.

In that video, Trump said he grabbed women by the genitals without their consent, sparking outrage.

Monica Moran, who travelled to the protest with her daughter from Massachusetts, said she was worried Trump would cut funding for the Violence Against Women Act, a law that provides wide-ranging services to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, among others.

We know one in three or one in four women will face domestic violence in their lifetime and we know these programmes are working. A lot more women are going to get killed if [Trump] doesnt fund this, she told Al Jazeera.

OPINION: Why women marched on Washington

The protest illustrated the depth of the anger in a deeply divided country that is still recovering from the scarring 2016 election campaign season.

Although authorities in Washington, DC, do not release crowd counts, organisers told AFP news agency they estimated turnout at one million  quadrupling initial expectations  with huge crowds joining sister marches around the country.

More than half a million people also took to the streets of Los Angeles, according to police there, and a similar number gathered in New York. Other marches took place in Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Denver, St Louis and elsewhere.

The #WomensMarch in downtown St. Louis! This is what democracy looks like. pic.twitter.com/mzb5xMZUKC  Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) January 21, 2017

Trump has drawn the ire of liberals, leftists and other progressives for sexist comments and xenophobic language, while many abroad are worried over his inaugural vow on Friday to put America First in his decision-making.

Global protests

Demonstrations against Trumps discriminatory rhetoric were also held in Australia, the UK, Germany, Japan and France, and others.

In Kenya, hundreds of protesters in Nairobis Karura Forest waved placards and sang American protest songs.

In Sydney, Australias biggest city, about 3,000 men and women gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the US consulate downtown, while organisers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne.

In Japan, hundreds of people joined protests in Tokyo, including many American expatriates.

Protest organisers in the UK said more than 100,000 packed Londons Trafalgar Square, chanting dump Trump and waving banners demanding equal rights.

Make bigotry wrong again and We shall overcomb were among the banners held aloft.

Around 2,000 people marched in Vienna, according to estimates by the police and organisers, but sub-zero temperatures quickly thinned the crowd to a couple of hundred.

In Stockholm, the Swedish capital, several thousand people gathered to express support for womens rights and human rights, and in solidarity with the demonstrations in the US.

They marched to the US embassy, some carrying placards that read Tiny hands off the nukes, When they go low, we go high, and Love not hate makes America great.

A recent poll by ABC News/Washington Post found that just 40 percent of Americans approved of Trump, the lowest popularity rating of any incoming president since the 1970s.
This week, international charity Oxfam released a statement alleging that the worlds eight richest men  including Microsofts Bill Gates and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg  control as much wealth as half the global population combined.

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer... it's been going on now for 20 years. Everyone talks about it and say 'what are we gonna do about it' and the answer is: they do very little. by David Buik, analyst, Panmure Gordon & Co.

Widespread anger over the growing gap between rich and poor led to the rise of populism in the worlds largest economy  the United States. With new President Donald Trump sworn into office for the next four years, expectations look to him to restore the American dream as he promised throughout his campaign.

But will the new US president actually make a difference to the livelihoods of the working class he has promised so much to or do private citizens have more power than we think to change things?

The World Economic Forums annual summit in Davos, Switzerland puts inequality high up on its discussion agenda for this year. However, some argue that the event itself is actually part of the problem.

David Buik from the London-based investment bank and corporate broker Panmure Gordon is of that same view. He says: Absolute waste of space  this year might be a little different. The reason is, President Xi of China has been there and gave a very [thinly] veiled threat and warning about the problems with trade with the United States as and when Donald Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States.

With the gap between the rich and poor growing ever larger, Buik believes the responsibility must be shared.

Corporations  the major shareholders  are in abrogation of their responsibilities. They have the responsibility of stopping these gargantuan bonuses and salaries. When you have the difference between a manager and an entrepreneur, the relationship of pay should be nothing like the same. A manager of a great corporation is that, a manager, and should get paid a managers salary. An entrepreneur builds his business from scratch over a period of 20 years

Also on this episode of Counting the Cost:

Natural gas shake up: With an abundance of natural gas on the market and prices at an almost two-decade low, the future of the resource is in question. Gas-producing countries like Qatar, Russia and Iran have therefore laid out a plan for what they forecast the next few years to look like for the industry  and it seems to still be bright.

The gas industry is a promising one in comparison with other sources of energy, says Dr Hossein Adeli, Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) secretary-general. According to the GECF outlook we are releasing, demand for gas will increase by 50 percent over the next 25 years.

With so much attention constantly placed on the state of the oil industry and OPECs decision-making processes, the natural gas industry is often swept aside. To what extent  especially as the industry grows  are the two linked? They are very much linked because they are substitutes of each other, says Adeli. And the gas price follows the oil price.

Regional expansions into the industry, with gas fields in Australia, among other countries, more strategically placed for the larger markets in Asia, are also set to change the landscape. But Adeli argues that this will be for the better: The more we are able to produce gas and supply gas, the better for the whole world because the share and penetration of gas would increase, he says. Because gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, with high efficiency and less pollution, and less CO 2 emission, this will be good for the gas exporter, and the whole world, from an environmental point of view.

Brexit clarity: Many people welcomed more clarity on Brexit this week as Prime Minister Theresa May outlined her plans for a full exit from the European Union. When May confirmed the United Kingdom would be leaving the single market, British bank HSBC confirmed plans to move 1,000 bankers to Paris.

This move comes on the back of multinational banks based in London now risking losing the right to do business in EU countries. Jurg Zeltner, president of Swiss global financial services company UBSs Wealth Management  another bank affected by Brexit  says, it is too soon to make any decisions. We want to understand the relative positioning of the financial market in the UK and then we can reconsider it and we have all options to play, says Zeltner.

Year of the Rooster: The countdown to the Chinese New Year on January 28th means rooster merchandise is flying off shelves. However, young consumers in China are increasingly turning their backs on big brands.

Millennials are looking for local designers with an international flair to reconnect with their roots and be able to buy clothing that captures the essence of China. Second-hand markets have also become more popular, with consumers encouraged to boycott new items and look for better value elsewhere.
JFK was so concerned about immigration that he wrote A Nation of Immigrants in 1958. His book was expanded and republished posthumously in 1964. In his Presidential Message to Congress of July 23, 1963, JFK recommended replacement of the national origins quota system, which replacement was later accomplished by law in 1965. However, he conditioned his immigration recommendations upon adoption of a formula which would take into account three factors in the following order of priority:

(1) the skills of the immigrant and their relationship to our need; (2) the family relationship between immigrants and persons already here, so that reuniting families is encouraged and (3) the priority of registration.

Trumps immigration proposals are set out on his campaign website. JFKs first priority is consistent with Trumps proposal that immigrants must not displace American workers and must be skilled so as to avoid being a welfare burden. In regard to his second priority, JFK refers to such persons already here as United States citizens and lawfully resident aliens. This priority is consistent with Trumps lack of support for families of those who have chosen to enter the United States unlawfully. His third priority is consistent with Trumps expressed policy requirement that proposed immigrants get in line.

Admission of refugees into the United States has been the subject of special refugee legislation. A part of the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 (67 Stat. 400) provided for admission of a limited number of persons who were fleeing from communism in Communist or Communist controlled countries. (Note that most Muslims seeking to immigrate to the United States are not fleeing the ideology of Islam, but subscribe to Islamic ideology and intend to carry out its directives and to live by its tenets.) Immigration by Communists was outlawed by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (66 Stat. 163). However, the Refugee Relief Act of 1953 allowed immigration of a small number of refugees from non-Communist and non-Communist dominated countries and escapees from Communist and Communist-dominated or occupied areas of Europe. The conditions established in 1953 for admission of such aliens are equivalent to or exceed the conditions/restrictions proposed by Trump for immigration by refugees. The Refugee Relief Act of 1953 required in Section 7 that no visa would be issued to any alien under the Act unless an assurance had first been given by a citizen or citizens of the United States that such alien, if admitted to the United States , would be suitably employed without displacing some other person from employment and that such alien and the members of such aliens family who were to accompany such alien and who proposed to live with such alien would not become public charges and would have housing without displacing some other person from such housing and required that each such assurance was required to be the personal obligation of the citizen or citizens giving or submitting such assurance. Applicants were also required to undergo a thorough security screening. Applicants were also required to provide documentation that guaranteed readmission to the country in which the applicant obtained a visa. Proper vetting of applicants as proposed by Trump was also part of JFKs immigration proposal: Immigrants would still be given tests for health, intelligence, morality, and security. The conditions established by law at that time and proposed by JFK for admission of such aliens are consistent with the requirements and restrictions proposed by Trump for admission of refugees.

JFK (and others, including Hubert Humphrey) co-sponsored a bill which led to the Communist Control Act of 1954 (68 Stat. 775) which outlawed the Communist Party. Many, including liberals, have asserted that the provisions and legal findings as to Communism in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 and the Communist Control Act of 1954 should be applied to Islamic ideology and Islamic immigration. They generally rely on the provisions in those acts which find that organizations with the objective of control, takeover, or overthrow of the U.S. government by force or violence and organizations which acknowledge no constitutional statutory limitations upon its conduct or upon that of its members should be considered a clear and present danger. In a 2009 article, Carl Auerbach, a liberal and a former constitutional law professor and dean at the University of Minnesota Law School , wrote that Senator Humphrey believed that liberals should take the lead in fighting Communism as well as all other totalitarian creeds and movements. Auerbach stated further in that article: Many nations have laws outlawing totalitarian organizations. The United States may have to take a position on whether democratic principles give legitimacy to Muslim fundamentalist movements, such as those in Algeria and Pakistan, that seek political power by legal means only to crush democracy. The Communist Control Act is a precedent for not tolerating intolerant political movements.

The decision to be made by Trump, and perhaps Congress, is the extent to which proposed immigrants will be allowed entry based on the priorities recommended by JFK and denied entry based upon their adherence to an ideology which is inconsistent with the principles of the Constitution and/or which poses an unacceptable security risk. Democrats who voted for President Trump will surely feel vindicated as he follows key provisions of the immigration pathway recommended by President Kennedy.
CNN shows signs of going full opposition to the Trump presidency, probably in hopes of capturing the loyal viewership of Trump haters. After being denounced as a fake news outlet, perhaps this is the only reasonable option left. When MSNBC claimed the title of left-wing G.W. Bush-hating news channel, it prospered enough to edge out CNN as the number two cable news provider.

In the wee hours of the morning the day after the Trump presidency began, while Fox News was broadcasting a rerun of the inauguration in the 5 AM Eastern Saturday bloc, there was CNN with a live news cast featuring remote reports from a reporter named Brynn Gingras on board a bus full of female protesters circling Union Square in New York City, picking up protesters to carry down to Washington, D.C. At one point, she actually seemed to be leading a cheer from the bus riders.

Who is paying for this bus and the others reportedly haunting the streets of Manhattan to vacuum up and transport these protesters? If Ms. Gingras answered this question, I did not see it, nor did the anchors raise it.

Oddly enough, as the reports continued for the next two hours, the breathlessness seemed to diminish. Early on, there was even speculation that the crowd of protesters would surpass the size of the crowds for the Trump inaugural. That comparison disappeared in later reports and the size was estimated as maybe 250,000, which would be much smaller than the inaugural crowd.

Like most consumers, I was not watching CNN a lot in the days leading up to Inaugural Day, but I am skeptical that the network had reporters on any buses carrying Youngstown unemployed workers to celebrate Trumps victory. Perhaps I am wrong.

Ms. Gingras was brand new to my eyes with this report. But CNNs compilation of her previous work shows that the assignment prior to today was a report on how the inauguration could be traumatic for the Rockettes.

I expect that Gingras will be getting plenty of airtime from now on.
Populist parties gathered in the German city of Koblenz to plan a joint strategy for upcoming elections this year across the continent.

Pivotal national elections in Germany France, and the Netherlands as well as local elections in Great Britain will test the new found strength of the European right as they seek to duplicate Donald Trump's surprise victory in America.

AFP:

"2016 was the year the Anglo-Saxon world woke up. 2017, I am sure, the people of continental Europe will wake up," she told a cheering crowd at a conference hall in the western river city of Koblenz, on the river Rhine. The conference comes just a day after the US inauguration of Trump, who assumed power with a staunchly nationalist address in which he vowed to put "America first". - 'Ode to Joy' - The Koblenz participants have repeatedly voiced their admiration for the maverick billionaire, and like him are hoping to shake up the political landscape by capitalising on a tide of anger against the establishment and anxiety over migration. "Yesterday a new America, today Koblenz and tomorrow a new Europe," Wilders told the 800-strong crowd in German, to loud applause. "We are the start of a patriotic spring in Europe," he added. The charismatic Dutch MP currently tops polls ahead of March parliamentary elections but observers say he is likely to struggle to find the coalition partners needed to govern. The Koblenz congress has been organised by the European Parliament's Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) grouping, which was set up by Le Pen in 2015 and is now home to 40 MEPs from nine member states. It has been touted as a chance for the parties to highlight their common ground but political analyst Timo Lochocki of the German Marshall Fund said the event was mainly "just good PR" as the parties had little to gain from strengthening ties. "This is largely to increase media attention," he told AFP. "The reasons why people vote for these parties are purely national and are independent from any alleged cross-national cooperation between the far-right." The meeting of some of Europe's most divisive politicians has stirred controversy in Germany.

The fact is, there is a psychological advantage for these right wing parties to coalesce. On a continent that equates nationalism with fascism, the gathering of like minded populists, cheered by the election of Donald Trump, can boost the self confidence of parties like Germany's AfD and the French National Front. The significant gains made by these parties in off year elections promises real electoral strength going into this year's national electoral contests.

However, the surprisingly strong showings at the local and regional level by these parties during the last year will not necessarily translate into votes during a national contest. They are still bucking the tide in Europe and there is a strong antipathy among voters who see the nationalist sentiments expressed by the populists as something akin to fascism. Of course, the European media does everything in their power to promote that falsehood, preventing many voters who might otherwise agree with the populists to shy away from voting for them.

How far will the populist tide in Europe go? The National Front's Marine Le Pen has been polling very strongly, as has Dutch anti-Islamist Geert Wilders. Mr. Wilders party - the PVV - is polling at about 30%, making it the strongest party in the Netherlands. But in order to govern, the PVV would have to find enough coalition partnes to achieve a majority. So far, they have fallen far short of that goal.

Len Pen actually leads the polling for the French presidential election at about 25%. But there are two rounds of balloting for president in France and even if Le Pen is one of the finalists, she is not expected to prevail.

No one expects UKIP to enjoy much success during local elections in Great Britain. But the Brexit vote proved that their issues have real power with the electorate and few are ruling out some surprises on election day.

What good, then, can the populists do? They are already pulling the major parties and coalitions in Europe to the right, especially on immigration. Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany has almost completely reversed her open door policy for refugees - a consequence of spectacular losses to the AfD in local and regional elections last year. The French socialists have also trimmed their sails on immigration and economic policy.

Even if the populists fall short of total victory this year, their surprising strength at the ballot box is altering the balance of power in Europe.
The day has finally arrived to celebrate the end of eight nightmare years of anti-Constitution social justice Progressive central government.

The old guard is being replaced by Trump's law and order conservatives, epitomized by James Mattis and Jeff Sessions.

My National Guard son's commander in chief is no longer a pusillanimous man-child who boldly proclaimed a Syrian red line with no consequence and withdrew our troops from Iraq. Assads mass murder and expanded geographic control by ISIS ensued.

As Trump declared in his non-pandering inauguration address (I wont miss Obamas lofty and soaring speeches), the political establishment has protected only itself, not the people, despite its pretense.

Now theres hope to halt the assault on our health care enterprise, fiscal insanity, public school system takeover, dwindling military, economic stagnation, Benghazi betrayal, increased government dependency, forced income redistribution, unmitigated illegal immigration, multiplying sanctuary cities, exacerbated race wars, perilous international enfeeblement and Iran appeasement, the release of dozens of master terrorists from Guantanamo, granting clemency to dozens of incarcerated felons (including a seditionist who publicized information that empowered the Taliban), and Saul Alinsky-style corruption.

Elevating sovereignty of the people, returning state power, and restoring constitutionalism will be a massive fight, because the political and regulatory establishment, media, popular culture, academia, courts, government dependents, globalists, liberals, and environmentalists will viciously attack every effort to dismantle prevailing socialism. The history of Progressivism confirms their ideological warfare mindset and obsession with power for power's sake alone.

I say, stop with the political correctness and take it to the entrenched ruling class. Defeat Progressive ideology and its unconscionable Harry Reid-style resistance to government reform and liberty. Revive and teach America's first principles and its heritage.

Watch for constant, massive, hysterical protests and resistance by those who foolishly equate statism with liberty. Social justice and leviathan government are their security blanket and religion.

Send comments to Jeff Hogan at deltanorthfork@gmail.com.
In the final hours of President Barack Hussein Obama (D)'s term, the Obamas' hometown acknowledged the event in its tragically unique way. The Chicago Tribune:

Boy, 15, among 11 shot in Chicago A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed two blocks from his home in Englewood, not far from a church, one of 11 people shot in Chicago between Thursday afternoon and early Friday, according to police.

The vast majority of the victims could have been the Obamas' sons. And so were the shooters. Many of these incidents occurred within a few miles of the Obamas Chicago home; others were close to Michelle Obama's childhood home.

Incidentally, Chicago has strict, commonsense gun control laws.

As President Donald J. Trump (R) promised in his inaugural address about the daily slaughter in Chicago and other cities and towns across the country, "this American carnage stops right here and stops right now."

At the center of this movement is a crucial conviction: that a nation exists to serve its citizens. Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves. These are the just and reasonable demands of a righteous public. But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists: Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

From Trump's inaugural address to the ravaged cities of this nation.
Its nice  a bit of a relief, actually  that Pope Francis has sent his good wishes to President Trump, despite the pope seemingly being less than enthusiastic about Trumps candidacy during the campaign.

The popes message reads:

Upon your inauguration as the forty-fifth President of the United States of America, I offer you my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office. At a time when our human family is beset by grave humanitarian crises demanding far-sighted and united political responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nations commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide. Under your leadership, may Americas stature continue to be measured above all by its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need who, like Lazarus, stand before our door. With these sentiments, I ask the Lord to grant you and your family, and all the beloved American people, his blessings of peace, concord and every material and spiritual prosperity.

The Catholic Church is in the midst of a crisis of its own, brought about by various factors, most notably the clergy abuse scandal. Pope Francis apparently has high approval numbers among the American public, but his leadership of the Church still causes me deep concern. (I touched on the reasons for this in a previous post .)

That said, at least the popes words were far more gracious than those of the de facto mayor and archbishop (ahem) of Chicago, Father Michael Pfleger, who continues to bash the president in his speeches and on Facebook, saying about everything short of calling for an assassination.

His latest insults : accusing President Trump of bullying, prejudice, mocking, degrading and negativity, emboldening white nationalists and hate crimes, and raising his white fist in the air during the inaugural address.

I, for one, am so glad to be able to say and write President Trump instead of President Clinton. One of my favorite posts of the day was written by veteran pro-life leader Mark Crutcher.

Crutcher wrote :
Despite what the media say about how supposedly thoroughly disunifying and grim Donald Trump's speech was, it was actually hopeful, but realistically hopeful, not the empty hope of eight years ago. Nonetheless, the speech also bulldozed the old ways.

Bulldozer:

For too long, a small group in our nations Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished -- but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered -- but the jobs left, and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nations Capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

More bulldozing the old ways:

January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now. You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before. At the center of this movement is a crucial conviction: that a nation exists to serve its citizens. Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves.

But the speech was also a call to rebuild this great nation:

We are one nation  and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny. The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans... He continues the rebuilding or new direction theme: But that is the past. And now we are looking only to the future. We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital, and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, its going to be America First.

And then a quote from the famous Psalm 133 with additional unity:

The Bible tells us, how good and pleasant it is when Gods people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.

And then the president appealed to God for his divine protection:

[M]ost importantly, we are protected by God. ... Thank you, God bless you, And God bless America.

Privately, I believe that God takes the invocation of His name seriously, especially when those who invoke His name take Him seriously. Early in the campaign, Mr. Trump said he didn't need to ask for forgiveness from God. However, over the past year and a half, Mr. Trump has surrounded himself with Christian advisers who have told him about the Gospel and forgiveness and redemption. He has calmed down a lot since then. For all we know, Mr. Trump may have prayed with many of those leaders and gotten his heart right with God.

Whatever has happened behind the scenes, the speech was not merely and exclusively sour and destructive, though it is a warning that his administration will not engage in business as usual. But it will be a time to rebuild, as well.

Ecclesiastes 3:3: "a time to tear down and a time to build."

James Arlandson's website is Live as Free People, where he has posted The Manuscripts Tell the Story: The New Testament Is Reliable and Church Fathers and John's Gospel and The Virginia Colony Surrenders to Cromwell's Commonwealth.
Now that Inauguration Day is over, it is amusing to reflect upon all those entertainers who refused to perform, whether on not they were invited to contribute to the day's celebration. News flash! No one missed you  not one of you. The one thing the Trump victory is not about is celebrity endorsements. Once and for all, our Hollywood elite should realize that no one cares what they think off-screen, small or large. No one. It is actually quite likely that their uninformed and blind allegiance to Hillary Clinton hurt her electoral viability. For a country concerned about the debasement of our culture, the rich but clueless "stars" who supported HRC  Jay-Z, Chance the Rapper, Pusha T, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, etc.  most likely drove millions of people to Trump.

Performers like Jennifer Holliday, Paul Anka, Garth Brooks, Kiss, and Andrea Bocelli should be kicking themselves with regret. To perform at any one of the day's events would have been the highlight of every one of their careers. To be so afraid of one's fans and fellow performers is a sad commentary on the false life of celebrities without core beliefs of their own. Those who did perform, like Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, Lee Greenwood, Tony Orlando, Jackie Evancho, Toby Keith, the Silhouettes (amazing), The Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Talladega College Marching Band are heroes all; they braved the Twitter storms, death threats, and fear of career stultification. They realized that to celebrate freedom from an increasingly dictatorial government was more important than angering some ignorant fans. These people should be celebrities, for each of them is a role model. Stand up for your knowledge and belief in what is right and true.

This 2016 election revealed many unexpected things about our nation. First and foremost is that most of us never wanted the country to be fundamentally transformed into Obama's vision of a Marxist socialist state, the kind that has devastated Venezuela most recently and every other nation where it has been tried. The left's dream of imposing equality of outcome can never be realized. The right's belief in equality of opportunity with safety nets can and will be realized. The left's innate obsession with punishing achievers and rewarding those who feel entitled to the fruits of others' labors must be terminated. Americans must again learn to be self-reliant. College students must learn to read and hear things that may offend them, ideas to which they may not previously have been exposed. Most of all, the radical left's compulsion to control how we live, where we live, what we drive, the temperature to which we heat or cool our homes, who will educate our children, must be impeded. Older Americans actually do want their country back; they want it back for their children and grandchildren.

As for those members of the House who refused to attend the inauguration, no one missed them, either. Their little paroxysm of fury at their loss has reflected very poorly on each and every one of them. As for their constituents who urged them to act so childishly, they deserve exactly what they get when they vote imprudently: poor representatives. What did their snit accomplish? Exactly nothing but the sullying of their own reputations.

No one should have to applaud our elected officials for doing what they are elected to do, but in these waning days of everything Obama, perhaps the Democrats who did honor our Constitution's peaceful transition of power are to be commended for bucking the radicals in their party who are advocating all manner of hostility to all things Trump. Sen. Schumer might think again about his movement to "resist" Trump in every way possible. Let us all hope he puts the country before his anger and pride. He should think long and hard about trying to sabotage the new president at every step of the way. Older Americans who revere the Constitution and the country they knew will likely see his obstructionism as a reason to do everything in their power to elect Trump for a second term.
President Trump gave a powerful and honest inauguration speech. He spoke plainly and directly. He did not say any phony, useless John McCain lets reach across the aisle blather. Nor the usual drivel that we will make the world safe for democracy, which makes for stirring sound bites but results in American military casualties as in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

He reinforced the points of his agenda. Defend our borders, strengthen our military, make our allies pay their fair share of their defense costs, bring jobs back, keep jobs in America, reduce taxes, education reform, defeat radical Muslim terrorism, and make our cities safe. The premise underlying the agenda is to do what is best for America, not what is best for foreign countries.

This is not isolationism, but a welcome departure from the Wilsonian belief that it is our job to intervene in the affairs of other nations to impose democratic government.

President Trump said:

For many decades, weve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry. Subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military. Weve defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own, and spent trillions of dollars overseas while Americas infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

The best part of the speech is:

For too long, a small group in our nations Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished -- but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered -- but the jobs left, and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nations Capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. That all changes -- starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you. It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America.

This is a direct shot at the career politicians who have enriched themselves at the publics expense. Many of those politicians were on the dais behind Trump. For example, the Clintons who were so broke in 2000 they had to sell pardons and steal White House silverware, but today have a net worth of over 125 million.

Barack Obama now has a net worth of over 12 million.

Michelle Obama also has a net worth of about 12 million.

They represent the elites who passed NAFTA and put the interests of climate change/global warming ahead of the economic welfare of American workers. They put the interests of illegal immigrants ahead of the interests of the safety and jobs of Americans.

President Trump was not afraid to name our enemy and our friends:

We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones  and unite the civilized world against Radical Islamic Terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth.

The old alliances means Israel, which was betrayed by Obama at the U.N. vote that condemned Israeli settlements. New alliances may include Russia and Turkey, which have also been attacked by radical Muslim terrorists. This does not mean they are our friends; it means they may be useful to defeat the terrorists.

Trump said the focus is on America First.

Trump will do what is best for America.
In one of his first official acts as president, Donald Trump signed an executive order directing all relevant departments and agencies to "ease the burden" of Obamacare regulations on individuals and businesses.

The order effectively guts the Affordable Care Act, making it easier for Congress to repeal it.

The Hill:

It pushes agencies to target provisions that impose a "fiscal burden" on a state or a "cost" or "regulatory burden" on individuals or businesses.

It is not clear what practical effects will come from the order.

But the move could eat away at the law's individual mandate by granting more exemptions to people so they do not have to purchase insurance.

Republicans have also said they want to loosen the rules around ObamaCare's requirements on what healthcare services an insurance plan must cover.

Congressional action will be needed to make most major changes to the law.

Trump has made ObamaCare repeal a top priority during his campaign and transition period. He repeatedly pledged to begin rolling back the law on his first day in the White House.

The move came just hours after Trump took the oath of office at the Capitol. The president was flanked by Vice President Pence, chief of staff Reince Priebus and senior advisers Stephen Bannon and Jared Kushner.

Congress has already taken its first steps toward repealing the law through the complex budget reconciliation process.

Using that process allows lawmakers to repeal central provisions of the law without the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster.

Trump's order announces that it is the policy of my administration to seek the prompt repeal of ObamaCare, but says that in the interim, "it is imperative for the executive branch to ensure that the law is being efficiently implemented."

In a separate move, Priebus signed a memo ordering a government-wide regulatory freeze until new Cabinet secretaries and agency heads are in place.

The move is standard practice for incoming administrations; former President Barack Obama issued a similar order in 2009.
Apple is suing Qualcomm. It seems there are two distinct reasons behind this legal challenge, the first being that Apple alleges Qualcomm has retaliated against Apple by withholding up to $1 billion of owed money. While the second reason is that Apple states Qualcomm continues to demand royalties for patents that Qualcomm has nothing to do with.

The first issue, the $1 billion, refers to Apples dealings with South Korean authorities. More specifically, that due to Apple cooperating with South Korean authorities over antitrust claims made against Qualcomm, the chip-maker has purposefully withheld was $1 billion in payments to Apple. In fact, Apple notes that this is only the most recent of the radical steps that Qualcomm has resorted to. Although the timing is interesting here as it is hard to see how this is not related to the recent charges leveled at Qualcomm from the FTC  over anti-competitive tactics. Charges which once again suggest that Qualcomm is using its position to dominate the market and weaken competition within the semiconductor industry, while also forcing manufacturers into unfair licensing deals. With the charges by the FTC and apple being so close in time-proximity, it would seem as though the former has paved the way for the latter.

However, the other charge by Apple is one which might have much farther-reaching complications for Qualcomm, as Apple explains that Qualcomm unfairly insists on royalties that Qualcomm has no direct claim to. Instead, Apple notes that Qualcomms business is built on older, legacy, standards and uses exclusionary tactics and excessive royalties to assert its dominance. Noting that Qualcomm charges Apple more than five times what other cellular-relevant patent licensors do, combined. Apple states that they have tried over the years to pay a fair and reasonable amount for patents but now feel they have no choice other than to take the issue to the courts.

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Of course, the implications here is that if Apple is successful in mounting a challenge against Qualcomm on either the claim to patent royalties, or the amount owed based on those patents, then it would seem likely that other companies would be expected to mount similar claims. Or at the very least, Qualcomm could be forced to reevaluate its dealings with other companies that it also has patent licensing arrangements with.
Googles former Senior Vice President of Search, Amit Singhal, has joined Uber as the Senior Vice President of Engineering. Singhal carried employee number 176 when in early 2016 he announced he was leaving Google by letter, which explained how he was going to spend more time with his family and see what kind of impact [he could] make philanthropically. In the last year, Singhal and his wife Shipa worked on the Singhal Foundation, which the couple set up a number of years ago and is designed to bring education to children otherwise unable to attend good quality schools. The foundation has started work in the Indian city of Jodhpur, India, where during the last year, it is sending children to expensive private schools. Singhal likened the work with the Singhal Foundation as similar to running a startup from another country. The project has sent fifty children to school but the number is growing to about four hundred this year and is set to reach thousands next year. He has also been spending time with his family.

However, during the year, Singhal was also introduced to Travis Kalanick, Ubers founder. It would appear that the seeds were sown for Singhal to return to work for a technology company. His new job at Uber will see him running Ubers Maps and Marketplace departments, whilst also providing Ubers Chief Executive, Travis Kalanick, and other engineering executives with technical advice on their plans to build out the companys self-driving technology. He is attracted to Uber because he is an engineer at heart and appreciates the extent of Ubers technical challenges. He explains: This company is not only doing things that are amazing, this company also has some of the toughest computer science challenges that I have seen in my career of 25 years. Now that the Singhal Foundation is up and running, he was unable to resist this Uber challenge. When asked to describe the work that he will be doing at Uber, Singhal explains that Ubers challenge is in keeping the deep science hidden behind an easy to use interface: customers push a button and a vehicle turns up. He goes on to explain that Ubers technical challenge is more complicated as that of the Google search engine, where he was an important part of the team that makes the search engine be context aware and churns out high quality search results. However, Singhals work is easily forgotten because the Google search engine just works. Singhal expects his work for Uber to also be behind the scenes.

Uber is not afraid of these technical challenges. The company continue to improve the technology under the user interface, for example the UberPOOL software works to predict regular pick ups from users in order to optimize routing, as well as changes drivers or riders if one comes on line that could improve efficiency. Singhal is familiar with the logistics of transportation as most of the Singhal Foundations children live in areas with poor transportation systems and the company had to start its own private bus system. Ubers technologies have the ability to ease traffic congestion and to improve lives, by increasing mobility to people who might not otherwise be able to travel so easily, and avoid the need for a private bus system.

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Going forwards, it would seem that Singhal is driven to achieve results and Ubers technical problems will be his biggest challenge yet. This is a project that could change the world, just as the Google search engine has changed the world. On his new Uber post, he explains: We will have to do engineering work that has never been done before, combined with science that has not been built yet The hard problem is what we are here to solve. Uber face many challenges, from the legal to the technical, but with this quality of engineer on the team, they have the greatest chance of succeeding.
Sony Mobile has temporarily suspended the roll out for the update to Android 7.0 Nougat for the Xperia Z5 family of devices, together with the Xperia Z3+ and Xperia Z4 Tablet. The update, which has only just been made available earlier this week, arrived with build number 32.3.A.0.372. However, Sony have removed the download from its servers today and made the following statement to the source website: We were made aware of reports from some users experiencing inconsistencies related to audio playback via third-party apps and SD card encrypted data read performance, after upgrading to Android 7.0, Nougat. Weve identified the root cause and are aiming to provide corrective firmware and re-commence the rollout as soon as possible.

Sony, in common with many other manufacturers, releases a new software update for devices in stages for precisely this reason. The update is made available for a relatively small number of customers during the early days. These early adopters will download and install the software release and the company wait and see if there are issues uncovered by the software update, which its extensive beta testing had not identified. The waiting process can be anywhere from a day to several. If the initial batch of customer devices do not experience an issue, the company allows more devices to receive the update but will again monitor the situation. Depending on the scale of the software update, a given manufacturer may release software updates in a number of comparatively small stages before opening up the new software to all customers. It means that should an issue be detected, the company will have fewer upset customers on its hands. This is what has happened with Sony: it would appear that not all customers have experienced the inconsistencies the company writes about during music playback through third party applications. Its encouraging that Sony have discovered the cause of the issue and are working to fix the problem, so as to push out a fix for those customers who have already followed the update and of course resume the widespread software update process.

There appear to be five models impacted by Sonys decision to pause the software update. There are three devices in the Sony Xperia Z5 family, the Xperia Z5 Compact, Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium, joined by the Xperia Z3+ and the Xperia Z4 Tablet. Customers eager for the update to Android 7.0 Nougat will be hoping Sony will quickly resolve the issue and resume the software update.
A T-Mobile US spokesperson has reiterated that the carrier currently has no plans to roll out its own fixed 5G service, although it is researching into 5G technologies. Americas third largest national carrier has, for some time now, expressed dissatisfaction with the vision that Americas two larger US cellular carriers, AT&T and Verizon Wireless, have when it comes to next generation mobile communications, starting with a fixed 5G network. T-Mobile US has belittled AT&T and Verizons plans. Late last year, T-Mobile US Chief Technical Officer, Neville Ray , criticized AT&Ts vision to connect customers worlds by explaining that he believed this also included their bank accounts to the carrier. Earlier in 2016 he explained that Verizons current ambition for 5G technology appears limited to allowing customers to cancel their fixed broadband service and and watch Netflix at home with wireless Verizon broadband Ray slated this approach from the two larger US cellular operators as lacking imagination. T-Mobile US is considering the bigger picture an envisages so many more options for 5G beyond simply replacing existing fixed line broadband services.

Its easy to see why AT&T and Verizon Wireless are pushing into deploying 5G fixed services: both carriers already have the necessary fiber infrastructure, which is needed for the backhaul from the 5G masts to the Internet at large. T-Mobile US does not own any of this backhaul infrastructure and would need to pay for fiber connections from other carriers, which would increase its cost and complexity of such an arrangement. As the service to the customer property would be handled wirelessly, this means that operators do not need to dig holes and run cabling to houses and businesses. This simplifies matters, especially where an operator already has the existing infrastructure. As such, fixed 5G networking technology allows the carrier to replace traditional fixed lines into homes and businesses with a wireless technology.

Both AT&T and Verizon Wireless have already started trial installations to experiment with the technology. AT&T are running a number of 5G trials including one later in the year at Austin, Texas, whereby residential customers will be streaming its DirecTV service over a fixed wireless 5G signal. Verizon is deploying 5G networking before the 3GPP sets the standard for the technology and as we reported earlier in the month it accepts that it may need to adjust its equipment to conform to the agreed industry standard. Furthermore, other businesses could be interested in deploying fixed 5G networks such as Google Fiber, plus startup companies such as Starry. Given the tremendous push towards 5G networking technology, it seems likely that both AT&T and Verizon Wireless have other plans that extend beyond offering fixed line replacement 5G services, but the experience gathered by operating these trial networks should be useful for both carriers going forwards.
Donald Trump just swore in as the 45th President of the United States of America, and if theres one company in the Silicon Valley thats celebrating his appointment, its Oracle. While most tech giants in the country werent thrilled to learn the results of the U.S. presidential election back in early November, the Redwood Shores-based corporation was likely already thinking about numerous ways in which it could benefit under the Trump administration. Ten weeks later, Oracle is bound to have come up with some kind of a plan.

The companys ties with Trump lead directly to the top of the Californian tech giant whose Chief Executive Officer Safra Catz served on the Presidents transition team since mid-December. After Trump won the election, Catz publicly supported the then-President-elect by saying how his proposed tax reforms and reduced industry regulation would spell good news for the tech industry. Oracles CEO was also one of the few Silicon Valley executives who didnt openly support Hillary Clinton in the past and has seemingly played her cards just right as shes now in a perfect position to lobby for her company directly with the President himself.

With Trump and the rest of the U.S. administration seemingly on its side, Oracle has a number of powerful allies that can help it make life difficult for Google after years of legal battles and public conflicts with the Alphabet-owned company. The firms Chairman Larry Ellison rarely hesitated to voice his dislike for Google, especially after Oracle spent over four years and countless sums unsuccessfully trying to prove how earlier versions of Android infringed its Java-related patents. This animosity culminated when it came to light that Oracle is financing The Google Transparency Project, a nonprofit committed to publicizing Googles supposed transgressions and related shady dealings. The revelation came last summer and was allegedly described as a vendetta by one of Oracles senior executives. If a multi-billion dollar corporation is truly willing to indulge in vendettas by using its own money, it isnt a huge leap to presume it will also consider taking advantage of its newfound friendship with the U.S. President to hurt Googles prospects.

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The Podesta Group, a top Washington lobbying firm seemingly agrees with this assessment, as the company reportedly ditched all of its Silicon Valley clients except for Oracle. Frankly, its pretty telling when a lobbying giant founded by John Podesta  a close confidante of the Clintons  lets go of its Democrat-friendly clients in favor of Oracle. Its as if the Podesta Group is admitting that no amount of traditional lobbying will be any good under the new administration or is simply trying to make amends for the fact that its founders were close to Trumps political opponents. In any case, most companies in the tech industry not called Oracle have little reason to be pleased with this turn of events, especially after enjoying eight comfortable years under the Obama administration that was traditionally receptive to their requests and lobbying efforts.

Even if President Trump implements his promised tax reforms and loosens industry regulation, the majority of Silicon Valley probably wont be thrilled with the new administration if Oracle has a lot of sway with the FTC, FCC, DOJ, and every other government agency that can put its rivals on the back foot. The likes of Google and Amazon have often been criticized by President Trump in the past, so Oracle likely wouldnt have to work too hard to put them under some additional pressure from the government. While President Trump frequently demonstrated hes a bit of a political wildcard whose course of action is almost impossible to predict and he hasnt shied away from criticizing the tech industry as a whole, if theres a single Silicon Valley giant that stands to benefit under his administration, its most likely Oracle.
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May attends the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 19, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

DAVOS -- Two days after announcing a "hard Brexit" objective, British Prime Minister Theresa May was trying to assuage global concerns about Brexit in a special address on Thursday at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"We are going to be a confident country that is in control of its own destiny," May told assembled leaders in business and politics.

"A country in control of its destiny is more, not less, able to play a full role in underpinning and strengthening the multilateral, rules-based system" of global trade, she said.

She said that a new, more global Britain would fight for free markets, free trade and globalization.

"The United Kingdom -- a country that has so often been at the forefront of economic and social change -- will step up to a new leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for business, free markets and free trade anywhere in the world," she asserted.

In a decisive speech on Tuesday that sets a course for a clean break with the EU, May promised to quit the European single market and seek a free trade agreement with the EU.

She also pledged to restrict access to Britain by EU citizens and end the jurisdiction in Britain of the European Court of Justice. The 12-point blueprint was dubbed a "hard Brexit".

May repeated the message that Britain was not turning its back on Europe.

"We are a European country and proud of our European heritage, but we are also a country that has always looked beyond Europe," she said.

Referring to an ambitious free trade deal with the EU at the heart of the plan being set out, she also held up the need to strike new trade deals elsewhere around the world.

Uncertainty has hung over Brexit ever since British citizens voted in a referendum last June to leave the EU.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey has adopted the draft constitutional changes proposed by the ruling party. 339 MPs have voted in favor of the bill.

The changes are about transforming the parliamentary system of governance into presidential one. The changes proposed by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) are comprised of 18 points, Armenpress reports, citing Turkish demokrathaber.org.

Following the approval of the draft, the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan must sign the document, after which it will be put to a referendum.

According to the standard procedure, the President has 15 days to sign the document, while the referendum has to be scheduled on the first Saturday after 60 days of the signing.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus has informed that the referendum will be held during the period of April 2-9 of the current year.

The ruling Justice and Development party of Turkey has 317 seats in the parliament, but has 316 votes since the speaker of the parliament Ismail Kahraman representing the ruling party is deprived of the right to vote. 330 votes were necessary for adopting the draft constitution at the parliament. Prior to the parliament voting, the Justice and Development party negotiated with the leadership of the Nationalist Movement Party. The draft was approved thank to Nationalist Movement Party joining the ruling party.

It would be able to avoid the referendum if 367 MP had voted in favor of the draft.

142 MPs voted against the bill and 9 abstained.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan received Honorary Consul of Italy in Gyumri Antonio Montalto on January 21.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Government, the Honorary Consul introduced to the Head of the Executive the projects of Friends of Gyumri" Foundation in the direction of rehabilitating Gyumris historical and cultural values and creating new jobs in its framework, as well as developing tourism by better introduction of arts. Antonio Montalto highlighted cooperation with the Cabinet for bringing into life the projects.

PM Karapetyan hailed the initiatives of Friends of Gyumri" Foundation and noted that the Cabinet, in collaboration with the private sector, also elaborates Gyumris development plan, particularly the reconstruction project of Kumayri Museum Reserve and Gyumri's Shirakatsi and Rustaveli streets. The Head of the Executive stated that by rehabilitation of these historical-cultural values and the implementation of the other projects will foster tourism development in Gyumri.

Karen Karapetyan and Antonio Montalto agreed to observe future cooperation opportunities during the PMs visit to Gyumri scheduled in the near future.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Six long-range Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers, having taken off the Russian territory, delivered strikes on facilities of the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia) terrorist organization in Syria's Deir ez-Zor Province, Armenpress reports, citing TASS, the Russian Defense Ministry said on January 21.

"The targets for strikes were camps of the bandit units, ammunition depots, groups of armored vehicles, and of manpower," the ministry said.

"The remote control data prove successful strikes on all the assigned facilities," the defense ministry said. "As the task was carried out, all Russian bombers have returned to their base airfields."
Despite its own doubts, central bank approved plan to ban Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes under govt pressure.

New Delhi/Mumbai: India pushed ahead with its decision to scrap banknotes even as the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) own board expressed concern whether the cash could be replaced quickly enough, the central bank has said in written testimony to parliament.

The revelation comes amid growing criticism about whether the central bank and the government had sufficiently assessed the potential fallout from the Nov. 8 ban of about 86 percent of the cash then in circulation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock move caused a severe cash shortage that brought large parts of the economy to a virtual standstill, as the central bank struggled to print new 500-rupee and 2,000-rupee notes to replace the old currency.

A copy of the private testimony to a parliament panel, seen by Reuters, showed the central bank had also warned the government of "possible inconvenience to the public for some time," among the potential consequences of the massive exercise.

Despite its own doubts, the testimony showed, the RBI board approved the plan to ban 500-rupee and 1,000-rupee notes, as it believed the move would rein in counterfeiting and reliance on cash, and pull unaccounted cash into the financial system.

"It might not immediately be possible to replace these notes fully in terms of both value and volume," the board felt at a meeting ahead of Modi's Nov. 8 announcement, according to the central bank submission.

But the RBI's board ultimately believed that "corrective" action could be taken and decided to recommend the move, the document showed. The RBI also believed the impact of such an exercise would be "transitory", given its efforts to quickly replace the old notes, it said in the testimony.

The RBI's endorsement of the government action has drawn strong criticism from several former policymakers, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's 1991 financial reforms and a former central bank governor.

The document also notes the proposal to ban the cash had come from the government, in a letter a day before the announcement that advised the RBI to "immediately" put the plan before its board for approval.

Under India's RBI Act, such a move was necessary.

The central bank did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comments on its submission to parliament.

'Painful' for RBI

Since Modi declared the ban, the central bank has been forced to announce a barrage of measures to soften the impact, including several high-profile reversals, undermining confidence in it.

In a letter to RBI Governor Urjit Patel, unions of central bank employees called such criticism "painful", and accused the government of steering decisions behind the replacement of the banned notes, saying that "blatantly encroaches" on the central bank's jurisdiction.

The government, however, has denied it was taking the decisions during the implementation, saying that it was merely cooperating with the RBI and reiterating that it fully respected the autonomy of the central bank.

Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said such cooperation was necessary, since it involved an unprecedented "exercise" and that the flurry of action showed India's flexibility in taking the necessary measures.

"They never had got an experience of this kind of a war-type situation," Goyal said, referring to the RBI. "So, every organization which is doing this is doing it for the first time. You will learn as you go along."

Previous banknote bans have not had such a dramatic impact as they removed only a small fraction of cash from circulation.
Fairfax may redeploy some of the proceeds to fund its $4.9 billion takeover of Swiss insurer Allied World.

ICICI may also look to sell a 10 per cent stake in the unit at the same time.

Mumbai: Fairfax Financial Holdings is in early talks to sell 25 percent of Indias largest private general insurer ICICI Lombard in a deal that could fetch up to $1 billion, as the Canadian firm looks to cash out and start a new insurance joint venture, sources familiar with the matter said.

ICICI Lombard is a joint venture formed in 2001 between ICICI Bank, India's second largest bank, and Fairfax, which is led by Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa.

Fairfax, which owns a 35 percent stake in the venture, has seen the value of its investment surge over the past five years, as Indias general insurance market and ICICI Lombard have grown at a compounded annual rate of over 16 per cent. Vehicle ownership in the country has surged and the market remains under-penetrated.

Reducing its stake to 10 percent will allow the Canadian firm to start a new general insurance joint venture in India, which it aims to do, one of the sources said, adding foreign investors cannot own more than 10 percent of two insurance companies, as per Indian regulations.

Private equity firms, including Blackstone Group and KKR & Co, as well as some Canadian pension funds have expressed interest in Fairfaxs stake, the sources said.

ICICI may also look to sell a 10 per cent stake in the unit at the same time, one source said. Buyers are likely to pay a larger premium for a stake in ICICI Lombard if they are able to get as much as a third of the company, the sources said. Two sources said a deal is likely to be finalised in the next two months.

Fairfax may redeploy some of the proceeds to fund its $4.9 billion takeover of Swiss insurer Allied World, a source said. ICICI, Fairfax, Blackstone and KKR did not respond to requests for comment.

The sources, who declined to be named as they are not authorized to publicly discuss the matter, said discussions are in the early stages and it was not yet clear what any final deal would look like.
UPI saw 3,574 per cent growth; USSD 10,603 per cent.

New Delhi: The number of digital financial transactions made through UPI and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) mode has grown exponentially by 3,574 per cent and 10,603 per cent respectively till January 18, according to MoS (electronics and IT), P.P. Chaudhary on Friday.

Even as to promote Aadhaar-based payment system, especially in rural pockets, UIDAI has sought incentives for shopkeepers using the biometric mode for digital transactions, in line with commission given by banks to business correspondents.

If a merchant is using Aadhaar-enabled payment systems then he should be put on par with business correspondent and whatever facility and commission are available to the business correspondent, he should be paid on the same lines, said UIDAI CEO, Ajay Bhushan Pandey.

Noting the current incentive for business correspondent is up to one per cent of the transaction value subject to a cap of Rs 15, Mr Pandey said where incentivising merchants is concerned banks could fix the modalities depending on transaction volumes.

Mr Pandey said that incentivising shopkeepers who adopt the biometric payment system would also remove an extra layer as consumers today approach banks, ATMs or business correspondents for withdrawal of money to purchase items such as ration.

Meanwhile, Mr Chaudhary said that the digital payment will generate a transparent economy and enhance direct and indirect tax collection. We can assume there can be a rise of 25 per cent of the direct taxes and this money could be used in shoring up infrastructure to bridge the divide between rural and urban, he said at an Assocham conference.

Mr Chaudhary said that currently about 74 crore debit and credit cards are being used, while about half a billion population is using the internet, there are 102 crore mobile phones, 110 crore Aadhaar and more than 20 crore Jan-Dhan accounts, so the complete ecosystem has already been put in place for using digital payment mode. He said that the Bhim app has witnessed several million downloads in the country in just a few days.

With further updates of applications to be released in the coming few days, we expect it to become the mainstay for undertaking financial transactions throughout the economy sooner than envisaged earlier.
The superstars had even shot for a teaser video announcing their collaboration on the show.

Salman and Shah Rukh have shared screen space in several films before. (Photo: Viral Bhayani)

Mumbai: The bonding between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan has been on display since they patched up after their much popular rift few years back.

The news of the two coming together on the latters reality show Bigg Boss was definitely music to the ears of their fans. The superstars had even shot for a teaser video announcing the collaboration where Salman goofs up while trying a dialogue from the film Raees and Shah Rukh pulls his leg about it.

Like we had reported earlier, Shah Rukh and Salman shot for the reality show on Friday and the episodes will be aired over the weekend.

The two looked dazzling as they came all suited up for the shoot.

Salman even took to Twitter to share a picture with Shah Rukh from the sets.

Shah Rukh is promoting his upcoming film Raees and we also believe that Salmans show will be one of the best platforms to reach a wider audience.

Salman had also conveyed his best wishes to Raees and the film clashing with it, Hrithik Roshans Kaabil, by sharing a throwback picture of the three of them on the sets of Karan Arjun.
The 36-year-old star shared a series of photos on social media, featuring Obama's meeting with her.

Los Angeles: Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian West has paid a farewell tribute to the former US President Barack Obama and said he will be missed.

The 36-year-old star shared a series of photos on social media, featuring Obama's meeting with her and her husband Kanye West and their daughter, North.

"Thank you Mr President. You will be missed," the mother of two captioned her one-on-one moment with Obama, 55. While the couple was all smiles during their presidential exchange, their girl North appeared gloomy.

"Northie! She fell and was crying. Potus gave her White House M&Ms and I wanted to save them for memories so wouldn't let her eat them and she cried again," Kardashian explained the photo of her daughter fussing.
PM said the thoughts and experiences could be shared on the specially-created forum on the App.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modis monthly broadcast Mann Ki Baat, which is to be aired on January 29, will focus on various board and competitive exams. Mr Modi on Friday invited students, parents and teachers to share their thoughts and experiences for the forthcoming episode.

The #MannKiBaat episode on 29th January will primarily be on the various board exams coming up. It will be a programme for my young friends, Mr Modi tweeted. Urging students, parents & teachers to share their thoughts & exam season experiences. Their views will surely inspire so many others, he added in another tweet.

The Prime Minister said the thoughts and experiences could be shared on the specially-created forum on the App. The Prime Minister invites all of you, particularly students, parents and teachers to share their experiences about examinations be it preparing for examinations, the role of parents and teachers in the run up to the examinations, a PMO statement said. Please also share memorable exam anecdotes that have left a lasting impression in your minds, it added.

Asking people to even record their messages for the Prime Minister, either in Hindi or English, the PMO said some of the recorded messages may become part of the broadcast.
The CBEC is a part of the department of revenue under the finance ministry.

New Delhi: The Centres claim that the demonetisation exercise was not merely to target black money, but also to put an end to the use of fake currency by terrorists and smugglers, seems to have lost some of its sheen. In a significant admission, the Reserve Bank of India has revealed to a high-level parliamentary panel that between November 8 and December 30, 2016, no counterfeit currency had been seized by agencies under the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

The CBEC is a part of the department of revenue under the finance ministry. It deals with prevention of smuggling and administration of matters related to Customs, central excise, service tax and narcotics.

The central banks response was to a list of questions put up before it by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament. A pointed question to the RBI was: How many counterfeit notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denomination and their total value, since cancelled, have been seized from terrorist groups, smugglers of arms, drugs and spies till December 30, 2016? To this, the RBI wrote back stating that no counterfeit currency notes have been seized by agencies in that time-frame.

The fact that CBEC has a wide ambit nationally and prevention of smuggling is one of its primary functions is what makes the apex banks admission an important one. It may be recalled that the government had gone on record claiming that demonetisation had broken the backs of terrorism, drug and fake currency smuggling and human trafficking.

The said query was part of a larger list of 10 questions, which the panel had sent to the RBI earlier this month. The apex bank submitted its written responses to the PAC on Friday when RBI governor Urjit Patel was summoned by it. The panel subjected him to some pointed queries related to the issue of demonetisation in a meeting that lasted more than three hours.

Mr Patel admitted to the panel that the RBI still does not know the exact number of junked currency notes that were in circulation and it is still reconciling the number of notes that were deposited back. He further told the PAC that the RBI was working on a mechanism to bring down transaction costs on online payments.

Mr Patel, along with deputy governor R. Gandhi and other senior functionaries of the central bank gave their oral evidence before the panel, which is headed by former Union minister and senior Congress leader K.V. Thomas.

The PAC meeting, however, witnessed some political drama owing to differences among members on whether demonetisation should be discussed, as the RBI officials had been summoned to discuss the governments monetary policy.

As soon as the meeting began, Mr Thomas, a Congress MP, made a statement on demonetisation, prompting protests from BJP members, including Bhupender Yadav, Kirit Somaiya and Nishikant Dubey.

Citing the amendment in the RBI Act in 2016, they said any question asked of Mr Patel must be in the context of the central banks monetary policy and not outside it.

The conduct of monetary policy function by the RBI under the RBI Act is different from the action taken by the government for withdrawal of legal tender character of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 bank notes under a different provision of the Act, Mr Dubey said.

After a long debate, the panel agreed that questions on demonetisation could be asked but only in the context of monetary policy.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will inaugurate Jallikattu at Alanganallur at 10 am on Sunday.

Youngsters and students participate in a protest to lift the ban on Jallikattu and impose ban on PETA, at Kamarajar Salai, Marina Beach in Chennai. (Photo: PTI/File)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has approved the Jallikattu ordinance and the bull-taming sport will be held at Alaganallur in Madurai and other parts of the state tomorrow, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam announced on Saturday.

The Chief Minister will inaugurate jallikattu at Alanganallur, famous for conducting the rural sport, at 10 am.

In other areas, ministers from the respective regions will inaugurate the sport at 11 am, Panneerselvam said.

"I urge the youths, students and the general public to make the jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," he said.

As the state-wide protests including at the Marina beach here by tens of thousands of protesters entered the fifth day, Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by Tamil Nadu was received last night.

"The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act) has been obtained from Govenor also," he said, adding, "our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true."

He said a draft Bill to replace the ordinance and amend the PCA Act paving the way for holding jallikattu without any hindrance will be introduced and adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly's session which begins on January 23.
Shivpal Yadav has been given a ticket from his traditional Jaswantnagar seat.

Lucknow/ New Delhi: The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance ran into rough weather on Friday when the Samajwadi Party released two lists of 210 candidates, including for nine Assembly seats that are presently held by the Congress.

The Samajwadi Party, while saying that there had been no positive response from the Congress regarding the alliance, said that the Assembly seats in Amethi and Rae Bareli would remain with SP.

Rae Bareilly and Amethi are Sonia and Rahul Gandhis Lok Sabha constituencies. Seven of the 10 seats in Rae Bareilly and Amethi have sitting SP MLAs.

Samajwadi Party vice-president Kiranmoy Nanda said that the Congress had not claimed the nine sitting seats, adding that his party would not give more than 84-85 seats to the Congress, which should actually get only 54 seats on the basis of its performance in 2012.

In the last Assembly elections, the Congress had won 29 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh though they had put up candidates in all 403 constituencies.

The unilateral announcement of seats by SP came as a major loss of face for the Congress, once known for its negotiation skills.

Senior Congress leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ahmed Patel, were in a huddle at the residence of Mrs Gandhi, and UPCC president Raj Babbar was rushed to Lucknow in the afternoon. He returned to Delhi in the evening without holding talks with Mr Yadav.

Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken said, SPs announcement of candidates for nine seats currently held by the Congress in UP is unfortunate, and added that the Congress will wait for further talks between Mr Azad and Mr Yadav.

SPs UP minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh told reporters in Lucknow that the Samajwadi Party did not need any alliance and was capable of contesting and winning elections on its own.

Talking to reporters, Mr Babbar said, The respect of the party workers is the respect of the party, and clarified that the alliance had not yet been called off.

The nine Congress seats on which the Samajwadi Party has announced its candidates are Rampur, Mathura, Shamli, Saharanpur, Bulandshahr, Kanpur, Bulandshahr (two seats) and Hapur.
Sepoy Chandu Chavan spent 113 days in Pakistans captivity.

New Delhi/Islamabad: An Indian soldier who had inadvertently strayed into Pakistan on September 29, hours after the surgical strike on terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, was handed over to Indian authorities on Saturday afternoon at Wagah. Sepoy Chandu Chavan spent 113 days in Pakistans captivity.

Medical tests will be conducted on Mr Chavan to determine his physical condition after which he will be debriefed about his experience in Pakistan on the circumstances of his straying as well as the treatment he was given in the neighbouring country, an Army source told this newspaper.

Asked about whether Chavan, from 37 Rashtriya Rifles, will be allowed to join back, the source said: It all depends on the details which will emerge after his debriefing.

In order to ensure his release, the matter was taken up with Pakistani military authorities through the existing Hotline and scheduled DGMO-level talks. The issue was also taken up diplomatically through our high commission in Pakistan and ministry of external affairs, said Colonel Rohan Anand, Army spokesperson.

However, a Pakistan foreign ministry statement said that Chavan had deserted his check post and crossed over due to grievances with his superiors.

Pakistan convinced the soldier to return to India being an Indian national and address his grievances through local grievance mechanisms, said the Pakistan statement.

It added: The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary.

The Pakistani assertion occupies significance in the backdrop of a recent row in India over the treatment of soldiers who, it is alleged, are often employed in menial and domestic tasks in the family of the officer he is attached to.

The defence ministry is reported to have already written to the Army to review the sahayak or personal orderly system and to find out whether jawans working as sahayaks are being used for domestic work.

On Thursday, minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre had lauded Pakistans decision to release the jailed soldier. Incidentally, Chavan hails from Bhamres Lok Sabha constituency of Dhule in Maharashtra.

Earlier, hearing news of his capture in Pakistan, Chavans grandmother had died of shock. My grandmother died of heart attack after hearing the news of Chandus capture. We had decided that until he returned her ashes will not be immersed in river. That day has now come, said Chavans brother Bhushan.
Modi said the Central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi: A day after the Centre cleared an ordinance on Jallikattu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that all efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu. We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the Tamil people, he tweeted.

Mr Modi said the Central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress.

His statement came a day after the Centre, moving swiftly, cleared a draft ordinance to allow Jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests that have paralysed the state for last five days.

The Union ministries of home, law and environment cleared the ordinance late on Friday night. Tamil Nadu chief minister O. Paneerselvam had met the PM on January 19, requesting him to urgently help in addressing the issue.
Protesters say ordinance not enough, ask govt to enact law.

Chennai: Five days of peaceful and persistent protesting across Tamil Nadu paid off finally with Governor Vidyasagar Rao promulgating an ordinance to pave the way for Jallikattu to be held once again in the state after a ban of nearly three years imposed by the Supreme Court, following petitions from animal rights outfits alleging that the bulls were being tortured in the rural sport.

But the protesters numbering several thousands remained unrelenting, saying ordinance is not a permanent solution.

Chief minister O. Panneerselvam said he would himself flag off Jallikattu at Alanganallur near Madurai on Sunday morning and other ministers would also inaugurate the bull sport in their respective districts simultaneously.

This would be followed by a full-fledged legislation to be enacted in the Assembly session beginning on Monday, which would replace the ordinance and amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act so that the sport could be held without hindrance in future. And that would be the ultimate solution (niranthara theervu). There is no need for any apprehension, he said.

The CM had met PM Narendra Modi on Thursday to plead for help to overcome the SC ban and end the critical situation arising out of the unprecedented upsurge among the Tamil people across the state demanding Jallikattu. The PM explained it would not be possible for the Centre to promulgate any ordinance but it could help the state in all possible ways in finding a solution. The CM stayed back in Delhi till Friday afternoon to ensure that all Central clearances were through for the states ordinance and Maharashtra Governor Vidyasagar Rao, who holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu, advanced his trip to Chennai by a day to arrive in the city on Saturday early evening for giving his approval to the ordinance.

The protesters at Marina Beach, the epicenre of the statewide stir with close to three lakh people gathered on this fifth day, however, appeared to be in no mood to relent, insisting that the PCA should be amended so as to ensure permanent solution. The CMs assertion that he had delivered a permanent solution did not cut ice with them. It was the same restive situation at Alanganallur with the crowds refusing to listen to Madurai collector Veeraraghava Rao and district SP Vijayendra Bidari that the CMs package was indeed a permanent answer to their jallikattu demand.

Collector Rao told the Alanganallur congregation that he had arranged for 340 bulls for the jallikattu to start at 10.30 am. There would be 17 veterinarians to examine the bulls, 20 medical teams to check the men participating in the contest and ambulances for medical help. All arrangements for an orderly conduct of jallikattu had been made and the local jallikattu committee had agreed to cooperate with the administration, the collector told the protesters. But they remained adamant and talks to end the stalemate continued late into night.
Sudip Bandyopadhyay's wife Nayna Bandyopadhyay had pleaded the court to allow her husband to stay in jail hospital due to his poor health.

Trinamool Congress MPs shouting slogans after Bandyopadhyay were taken into police custody. (Photo: AP)

Bhubaneswar: TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who was arrested in connection with Rose Valley chitfund scam, was on Saturday admitted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack as he complained of chest pain during his stay at the Special Jail at Jharpada in Bhubaneswar.

Sudip, lodged at the jail hospital, was first taken to the state-run Capital Hospital at Bhubaneswar in the morning.

However, the attending doctors advised to shift him to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, a jail staff said.

Bandyopadhyay, who has been lodged at the Special jail, continued to stay at the jail hospital since January 12 along with another TMC MP Tapas Pal.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days from January 12 as his bail petition was rejected by the CBI designated court in Bhubaneswar.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the chit fund scam, had arrested the four-time Lok Sabha member from Kolkata on January 3.

Sudip's TMC MLA wife Nayna Bandyopadhyay, had pleaded the court to allow her husband to stay in jail hospital due to his health condition.
Modi told the delegation that it was "our collective responsibility" to take this heritage forward.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the Conference of Central and State/ UT Ministers and Secretaries of Tourism, Culture & Sports. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: Meeting a delegation of Muslim Ulemas and intellectuals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed the Indian youth for resisting radicalization and asserted that the country's culture, traditions and social fabric will never allow the nefarious designs of the terrorists or their sponsors to succeed.

Modi told the delegation that it was "our collective responsibility" to take this heritage forward, a PMO statement said in New Delhi.

"The delegation congratulated the Prime Minister on the steps taken by the Union government for inclusive growth, socio-economic and educational empowerment of all sections of the society including Minorities," the statement said.

"The Prime Minister said that youth in India has successfully resisted radicalization, which has affected several parts of the world today," it said.

The credit for this must go to the "long, shared heritage of our people" and that "it is now our collective responsibility to take this heritage forward", Modi told the delegation, which included Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of All India Organisation of Imams of Mosques, AMU Vice Chancelleor Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah and Jamia Millia Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmed.

He said "the culture, traditions and social fabric of India will never allow the nefarious designs of the terrorists, or their sponsors, to succeed", the statement said.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the importance of education and skill development, which is the key to gainful employment, and upliftment from poverty.

The delegation also included MY Eqbal, former judge of the Supreme Court and Shahid Siddiqui, Urdu journalist.
Akhilesh Yadav-led SP offered 99 seats to the Congress, but the latter is demanding at least 115 seats to contest the UP elections.

New Delhi: The alliance between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party hit a roadblock on Saturday over the matter of seat distribution, as the former was demanding more seats than the latter for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections

Speaking to media, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal said while Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was offering 100 seats, the Congress demanded 120 seats.

"The Chief Minister offered 100 seats to Congress, but they were not ready for less than 120 seats. We told the Congress that we have 234 sitting MLAs and we need to give them tickets as well. Since there are a few others as well, there is no chance of us fighting on less than 300 seats," said Uttam.

Taking a dig at Congress, Uttam further said the party was demanding more seats as if it was "influential" in Uttar Pradesh. "But the Congress was rigid with their demand as if they have great influence in the region and Uttar Pradesh cannot function without them," he added.

Later, Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) on Saturday held a meeting to finalise candidates for 140 seats in the first two phases.

Leaving scope for an alliance, the party, however, did not declare the seats for the first two phases of elections in the state with leaders saying that talks with SP are continuing.

Congress general secretary and in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad said the CEC finalised its candidates for 140 seats for the first and second phase of polls.

"We have cleared seats for first and second phase. We had a meeting of CEC for first and second phase," he told reporters after the meeting.

Asked if the alliance with SP was on or over, he said, "Let us see, You will know by tomorrow morning when the announcement is made."

The Samajwadi Party leader further blamed the Congress for breaking the alliance and said this development will give a big boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

"We gave it our all to ensure that this alliance is forged, but could not do anything because of Congress' rigidity," he added.

According to sources, the main bone of contention between the two parties were the Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies, Gandhi family strongholds, where the Congress wanted more seats but the Samajwadi Party was unwilling to field their 'failed' candidates on the same.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will release the party's manifesto at 11 am on Sunday in Lucknow.
The incident, captured by a local TV channel, took place in front of other BJP supporters at the block development office.

Screenshot from the video that shows the JE stooping down to touch the MLAs feet. (Photo: YouTube Screenshot)

Guwahati: In a serious embarrassment for the state government, a BJP MLA was caught on camera forcing a junior engineer in central Assams Nagaon district to apologise by touching his feet for daring to remove a wrongly parked car of the legislator.

Though senior party leaders were tight-lipped about the high-handed behaviour of the legislator and his supporters, the incident has invited angry reaction from locals.

The incident, captured by a local TV channel, took place in front of other BJP supporters at the block development office. In the footage, Jayanta Das, a junior engineer (JE) of Kothiatoli Development Block in Nagaon district is seen touching Raha constituency MLA Dimbeswar Dass feet.

Among those who were eyewitness to the incident said the BJP MLA had gone on a sudden inspection of the office on Thursday and the JE, who was on duty, finding Mr Dass car blocking the office road, got it removed from there.

The incident provoked some BJP supporters, who angrily reacted to the act, and dared him to remove the car, which was blocking the approach road to the BDO office.

In the video, the JE is seen apologising from the legislator with folded hand and touching his feet for removing his car. Several attempt to contact the BJP MLA failed to elicit any response.

In December, a BDO of the Dhekiajuli subdivision area complained of similar behaviour by a BJP MLA, who was allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
Top Congress and SP leaders are expected to hold further parleys late Saturday night.

Priyanka Gandhi personally spoke with SP chief and UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav earlier in the day to salvage the situation.

New Delhi: As the SP-Congress alliance tottered and seemed to be on the brink of collapse, the grand old party continued to explore a middle path while its leaders were engaged in last-minute negotiations with the Samajwadi Party brass.

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has also been approached by the Congress high command to speak with both SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, to save the secular alliance.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC general secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge, while leaving the partys central election committee (CEC) meet on Saturday, which lasted for over an hour, said, A final decision on the Congress alliance with the SP will be announced on Sunday.

Top Congress and SP leaders are expected to hold further parleys late Saturday night.

Priyanka Gandhi personally spoke with SP chief and UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav earlier in the day to salvage the situation, sources said. But at this juncture chances of the two parties coming together look grim. Getting ready to go alone in UP polls, the Congress in its CEC meet, chaired by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, cleared 140 names for the first two phases. The names will be announced after a final decision on the alliance is taken on Sunday.

The CEC meeting discussed many permutations and combinations to make the alliance click. The Congress, so far, is not willing to compromise on the number of seats.

Of the 403 Assembly berths, the Congress has asked for over 100 seats, while the SP is not willing to offer more than 99 seats.

SP MP Naresh Agarwal, when asked about the alliance, said that it was almost over. Virtually ridiculing the Congress, Mr Agarwal said, Congress is behaving as if it is an influential outfit in UP, and added, We need to contest over 300 seats.

The Congress was decimated in UP in 2012. It has only 22 MLAs in the state Assembly.

The SP has also refused to give the Congress maximum representation in the 10 Assembly segments in Amethi and Rae Bareilly and it has put up its own candidates in the nine constituencies the Congress had won in western UP.

Sources revealed that while the SP family feud was on, Mr Yadav had promised the Congress 141 seats in writing. Later the offer was reduced to 121 seats. After the chief minister won the bicycle symbol battle against his father, he slashed the numbers and brought it down to 99 Assembly seats. This was not acceptable to the Congress.

SP sources said that Mr Yadav would have given the Congress over 100 seats if he had not won the symbol fight and had to float his own outfit. Problems began when leaders who had deserted him started returning after his victory in the Election Commission.

It has now become a political compulsion for Akhilesh to accommodate them or else they will contest as rebel candidates, which is bound to have an adverse impact during the polls. Some others see Mr Yadavs father and SP veteran Mulayam Singh Yadavs invisible hand behind the entire alliance drama.

For the Congress, an alliance with the SP could be its ticket for revival in UP. The Congress wants to pull a Bihar where, latching on to the Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav-led mahagathbandhan, had helped the party increase its tally from five to 27 seats.

Not willing to let the opportunity pass and, a day after Mr Yadav won the bicycle symbol, the Congress held a press meet claiming that the alliance is on. The Congress enthusiasm was met by apathy from Mr Yadav, who said that the decision on the alliance will be taken shortly.

The SPs rebuff is a rude awakening for the Congress and could result in a major loss of face for both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi if the alliance fails to take off. Both the leaders were personally holding parleys with Mr Yadav.
The first lady's mock turtle neck triggered comparisons to the late US first lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy

New US first lady Melania Trump stepped out in a Ralph Lauren baby-blue jacket and matching dress on Friday, choosing one of Americas most iconic designers for Inauguration Day ceremonies.

Democrat Hillary Clinton, who lost to Republican Donald Trump in the November elections, also chose Ralph Lauren, and her cream coat and white pantsuit was echoed by the choices of the Trump daughters.Ivanka Trump, who has her own fashion line, donned a white pantsuit with an asymmetrical cut that was designed by Oscar de la Renta. Tiffany Trump wore a white doubled breasted coast over a white dress.

But the outfit getting most attention on Friday was the red hat with white and blue military style coat worn by Trumps former campaign spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway.The short, double-breasted Gucci coat had a revolutionary-era look that took social media by storm, evoking comparisons ranging from Paddington Bear to Napoleon and a nutcracker.Conways outfit sparked some 28,000 Tweets in three hours.

By contrast, Melania Trumps custom-designed Ralph Lauren outfit, worn with long matching gloves, stiletto shoes, and her long hair swept up in a loose bun, had a 1960s vibe and wowed fashionistas.Womens Wear Daily said the outfit, with its mock turtle neck, triggered comparisons to the late US first lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy.

Style-watchers agreed, posting archive photos of Kennedy in a similar blue outfit for her husbands inauguration in 1961, and giving Trumps outfit a large thumbs-up.It was very Jackie, said Joe Zee, editor in chief of Yahoo Style.Melania looks every inch a first lady. So beautiful and classy! Im proud of her!, admirer Theodora West wrote on Twitter.

Melania Trumps Inauguration Day outfit had been the cause of much speculation after Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and other leading designers said publicly they would not dress the former model for her big day because they opposed her husband.Lauren and his eponymous corporation became synonymous with American style through his preppy line of Polo shirts, casual slacks and shorts in the 1970s and is regarded as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century.

Ironically, Lauren was also the designer of the pantsuits in many colours that became Clintons signature look. He was also the designer Clinton chose for her own Inauguration Day outfit.Melania Trump, 46, is the first US first lady to come from the fashion world. She began as a teen model in her native Slovenia and has been featured on the cover of magazines like Vogue and GQ.

Standing 5 feet, 11 inches (1.8 meters) tall, she tends to favour unfussy dresses in solid colours, tailored coats and killer high heels.
The doctors at AIIMS have told her that she can only be treated in February three years later

The native of Bihar's Chhapra district needs immediate surgery but the hospital does not have vacant beds for her. (Photo: Pixabay)

New Delhi: In an irony of fate, 65-year-old Ramarati Devi, who is battling a brain tumour and needs immediate surgery, has been given a date as early as February 20, 2020 by doctors at AIIMS citing "unavailability" of beds.

A native of Bihar's Chhapra district, Devi was referred to the neurosurgery department of the institute by doctors at a government hospital in Patna. Her farmer son Gulab Thakur says: "Doctors at AIIMS have said a surgery is needed but given a date of February 20, 2020 citing unavailability of beds.

"It will be too late... my mother will die. I am a poor man. I do not have money for a surgery at a private hospital."A despondent Thakur has been making rounds of the hospital in a hope get an early date. He says her mother is suffering from "severe headache, frequent memory loss and weakness and with each passing day, her pain is becoming more unbearable". The hospital authorities claim the "huge patient load" comes in the way of speedy treatment.

"The rush of patients is more than what our doctors can handle. We usually give dates on the basis of severity and seriousness of condition."Sometimes, the waiting list is long. A surgery is accorded priority if something is very urgent," says Dr B S Sharma, HOD of the neurosurgery department, AIIMS.
The official was arrested following a complaint from the student.

New Delhi: State-owned Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has suspended its staff who allegedly manhandled a college student in North Campus.

Following police complaint from the student, the person was arrested.

"Our bank's internal policies do not permit such behaviour from the staff. Bank has taken disciplinary action immediately and suspended him from the services" IOB said in a statement.

The due process of enquiry will be initiated and decision as deemed fit, on conclusion of enquiry will be taken, it said.
In the last one year, 189 private school vans were prosecuted for the violation of permit conditions.

According to the official figures, there are 32,153 maxi cabs out of which around 20,000 are not registered as school vans, clearly flouting the school cab guidelines.

New Delhi: The deadly crash of a school bus on Thursday morning in Etah, UP, is a grim reminder of the pathetic conditions in which the school going children are ferried in the national capital. According to the data by the Delhi traffic police, the private school vans have been involved in around 3,000 cases of traffic violations, while the school buses have been prosecuted in 1,700 cases last year.

Officials said that most of these vehicles indulge in the violation of permit conditions including overcrowding, overspeeding and dangerous driving, not having necessary equipment (first aid box or fire extinguisher), and driving in drunken state. In the last one year, 189 private school vans were prosecuted for the violation of permit conditions, while 370 school buses were booked for the offence. In case of permit violation, the minimum challan issued by the court is Rs 2,000, a traffic police official said.

Such is the state of recklessness that a major crash of a school bus carrying 50 children was averted in the nick of time in the Burari area. Parents alleged that the bus was being driven by the conductor, who did not possess a valid licence to drive the heavy vehicle, as the driver was in an inebriated state. The parents said that the police only challaned the vehicle and the school was not held accountable.

According to the official figures, there are 32,153 maxi cabs out of which around 20,000 are not registered as school vans, clearly flouting the school cab guidelines. Apart from these, there are 17,821 buses (including 4,000 DTC buses) for ferrying school children in the national capital. Approximately 10 lakh children commute to schools in these cabs and buses.

Senior advocate and All-India Parents Association national president Ashok Aggarwal blamed the insensitivity of the police, administration, and also of the parents for the pitiable state in which the school going children are transported daily. The city lacks a thorough mechanism to crackdown on the offenders and act strictly against them. As a result, thousands of school going children are at the mercy of the reckless drivers who indulge in rampant violations including rash driving, overspeeding, jumping traffic signals, driving in inebriated condition and driving in wrong lanes, he said.

He asserted that the parents will have to be much more careful in choosing their wards mode of transport and that they should also immediately complain to the authorities if any violation by bus drivers come to their notice. They should not act like mere spectators. The guilty should be immediately brought to book to prevent any untoward incident, he added.
This is the first time any Pakistan national, convicted of terror, has been handed capital punishment in West Bengal.

Kolkata: Bongaon Court in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, on Saturday sentenced three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, to death for carrying ammunition and trying to cross over illegally into India.

This was the first time when any Pakistan national, convicted of terror, was handed capital punishment in West Bengal.The convicts are Mohammed Yunus, Mohammed Abdullah and Mohammed Muzaffar Ahmed.

While Yunus and Abdullah are originally from Karachi, Muzaffar is from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir. They were held guilty by the court on January 19 after the trial.

On April 4, 2007 the Border Security Force held the trio along with another LeT member Sheikh Sameer from Maharashtra when they were trying to cross the Indo-Bangla border illegally though Petrapole in North 24 Parganas.

Huge quantities of explosives, apart from fake documents, were recovered from them. The quartet was later handed over to the criminal investigation department that probed the case after booking them under section 121 (waging war against the state) and several other charges of the Indian Penal Code.

However, Sameer managed to escape in Chhattisgarh when he was being taken to Maharashtra to be produced in a Mumbai Court.

During investigation, Yunus was found to be the suicide squad member of LeT who had travelled to Dhaka along with Abdullah. Muzaffar had gone to Bangladesh to help Yunus and Abdullah to sneak into India to carry out subversive activities.
The CM welcomed Mr Richter for holding the meeting in a post on her Facebook page.

Kolkata: Much to the delight of the Mamata Banerjee government, foreign investment proposals have flooded the two-day Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS). China, Poland, Japan, Germany are some of the countries that have proposed investment, signed MoUs and have also evinced interest to work in partnership with the state government in various projects.

Talking to reporters after the BGBS, finance and industries minister Amit Mitra said that China-based TEB technology committed investments of Rs 27,200 crore in the next 5 years for an elevated mass rapid transit system in Kolkata.

Auto Haus, China will invest Rs 1,334 crore for an e- rickshaw manufacturing unit. Koreas Handong University signed an MoU with the state-run West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) for setting up an intelligent and green city, he said.

According to him, Norway showed interest in maritime and fisheries sector, Italy expressed their keenness for setting up a manufacturing plant of leather machinery, China was keen to invest in infrastructure and manufacturing while delegates from Japan were keen on participating in drinking water and mono rail project.

Japan will speed up the process of Howrah-Yokohama partnership. Germanys textile major Orlinkon Barmag said they are looking for funds. Once they get it, they will set up a textile machinery plant in the state, Mr Mitra added.

As per estimates, of the total investment proposal of Rs 2,35,290 crore, the manufacturing and infrastructure sector recorded the maximum Rs 61,765.70 crore. Urban development had proposals of Rs 46,600 crore, MSME Rs 50,710 crore, transport Rs 38,801 crore, IT, ITES & Telecom Rs 18,540.70 crore, Power Rs 3,600 crore and Mining Rs 1,580 crore.

Dr Frank-Jurgen Richter, chairman, Horasis Global Vision Committee, and former Director, World Economic Forum, announced that the first Horasis Asia meeting in India will be held in Kolkata during November 26-27, 2017. The CM welcomed Mr Richter for holding the meeting in a post on her Facebook page. The meeting will witness participation of over 400 top global business leaders from 75 countries. My sincere thanks to him and his team, she wrote.

The next Bengal Global Business Summit will be held on January 16-17, 2018.
Leitner, Williams, Dooley and Napolitan, PLLC announces that attorneys Jeffrey E. Nicoson and Charles R. Patrick have been named members of the firm.



Mr. Nicoson is located in the firm's Memphis office, and his practice focuses primarily on insurance coverage litigation, commercial litigation, personal injury defense, defense of governmental entities and governmental immunity claims, medical negligence, and products liability. Mr. Nicoson graduated cum laude from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law with his juris doctor. He is a member of the American, Tennessee, and Memphis Bar Associations.



Mr. Patrick is also in the firm's Memphis office and his practice focuses primarily on general civil litigation, personal injury defense, and workers' compensation. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law with his juris doctor in 2006. He is licensed to practice law in Tennessee and Mississippi, and was named a Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2013-16. He is also a member of the Tennessee, Memphis, and Mississippi Bar Associations.
The states environment minister met the Shiv Sena chief at the Sena Bhavan on Saturday.

Mumbai: Senior Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam said he has requested party chief Uddhav Thackeray not to align with the BJP for the upcoming Mumbai civic polls on Saturday.

"On one hand Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis speaks positively of an alliance and invites Sena for talks and on the other hand, allows his party leaders to target Shiv Sena," Kadam said after meeting Uddhav at the Sena Bhavan.

The state environment minister said Sena has no time to respond to the BJP leaders, who are continuously targeting the party.

"People know who the mafia are and who is corrupt," he said.

"I have requested Uddhavji not to align with BJP. We are capable of winning the civic polls on our own at any cost," Kadam asserted.

According to sources in Shiv Sena, Kadam's statement comes in the wake of speculations that party ministers are keen to have an alliance, while the cadre is unwilling.

Another round of talks regarding a pre-poll alliance is expected to take place later today between the two allies.

Sources said BJP had contested 63 seats in the last municipal corporation elections, and this time Sena is willing to concede about more 5 to 10 seats, while BJP has demanded 114.

"Last time, Sena had given 20 seats from its quota to RPI," added sources.
BJP wanted 114 seats out of total 227 while Sena was ready to concede only 60 seats to its partner.

Mumbai: The deadlock over seat-sharing for Mumbai civic elections between the ruling alliance partners in Maharashtra, BJP and Shiv Sena, continued on Saturday even after three rounds of talks.

Anil Desai of Shiv Sena and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said after Saturday's round of talks that two parties rejected each other's seat-sharing proposals.

BJP wanted 114 seats out of total 227 while Sena was ready to concede only 60 seats to its partner. Now the decision on alliance will be taken at the highest level, by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray, the two leaders said.

Uddhav Thackeray had set January 21 as the deadline to wrap up alliance talks for the February 21 polls. Thackeray has already announced that he will make clear his stand on alliance in his address to Shiv Sainiks at Shanmukhanand Hall on January 23, the birth anniversary of the late Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

The BJP team comprising Shelar and state Ministers Prakash Mehta and Vinod Tawde, and Sena team represented by Rajya Sabha MP Anil Desai and legislators Anil Parab and Ravindra Mirlekar are holding the talks.

BJP's Mumbai unit is ready with a list of 512 probable candidates for 227 seats. The list was prepared by an election committee headed by Shelar and comprising 29 members and the committee authorised Shelar to take a decision on the final list, a party source said.

BJP received applications from 2,500 applicants. As many as 1,769 were picked after a scrutiny and the list of 512 was finalised after elaborate discussions, the source said.
Rabiya is claiming that her daughter was killed and the police should find out the person behind her murder.

Mumbai: The CBI on Friday informed a trial court that it does not have call data records (CDR) of late Bollywood actress Jiah Khan and actor Sooraj Pancholi because the Mumbai police had not collected the same when it stared its probe into Jiahs death. When the matter was transferred to the CBI, it was already 18 months into the case and service providers do not preserve data for that long, the CBI said.

Acting on the special courts order, the CBI and Juhu police on Friday submitted some documents and articles collected by both the agencies as demanded by Jiahs mother Rabiya a week ago. Rabiya has filed an intervention application in the trial court to assist the prosecution in conducting the trial. But dissatisfied with the theory of suicide in the CBI chargesheet, she has approached the Bombay high court seeking a special investigation teams probe into Jiahs death. Pending her application in the HC, there is a stay on the trial against Pancholi.

According to the Juhu Police as well as the CBI, Jiah had committed suicide by hanging herself at her residential flat on June 3, 2013. Both the agencies have claimed that Pancholi was responsible for driving Jiah to commit suicide, but relying on findings of private experts, Rabiya is claiming that her daughter was killed and the police should find out the person behind her murder.

On the last date of hearing, Rabiyas lawyer Swapnil Ambure had requested the special womens court judge SKS Razvi to direct the CBI to provide a copy of call logs of Jiahs mobile phone, status of ligature (the dupatta from which her body was found hanging) and CCTV footage of Hotel Novotel in Juhu, where Pancholi was present when Jiah allegedly committed suicide. CBI officer informed the court that CDR of Pancholis friends and associates who are witnesses in the case could not be found.
Railway minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted asking commuters to stop hampering rail services.

Mumbai: The Central Railway (CR) has launched a hunt to arrest those who had agitated during the rail-roko at Titwala late on Thursday afternoon. The Railway Police Force (RPF) is currently going through the footage shot by its personnel at the station when the mainline services were suspended for more than an hour, leading to a massive hit in terms of delays that were seen later during the evening peak hours.

The RPF has already arrested and handed over around 11 accused in the Badlapur rail roko staged in August of last year, which also caused the transfer of the then divisional railway manager Amitabh Ojha. The RPF is also co-ordinating with the Government Railway Police (GRP) for the identification of these miscreants, as the First Investigation Report (FIR) will finally be lodged by them.

CR senior divisional security commissioner Sachin Bhalode said, We are already looking into the footage and have been able to identify a few people, but we will work closely with the GRP to make sure that the people who did disrupt services are punished for doing so. The rail-roko on Thursday at Titwala took place after the residents of shanties located in an area close to Indira Nagar stopped the demolition of their homes by holding the railway services at ransom.

Around 20 services were cancelled and more than 40 were delayed during the crucial evening peak hours. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted asking commuters to stop hampering rail services.
Police suspect that political rivalry could be the motive behind the murder.

Nashik: A 36-year-old Shiv Sena worker, aspiring to contest the upcoming Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) polls, was allegedly hacked to death by unidentified persons at Triveni Park area on Nashik Road here, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place on Friday night, where the victim, Surendra alias Gharya Shejval, died on the spot, police said. He was a resident of Canal Road, located near Nashik Road Central Jail.

Police suspect that political rivalry could be the motive behind the murder.

Shejval had recently quit the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and joined the Shiv Sena. He was aspiring to fight the NMC polls, scheduled to be held on February 21, on a Shiv Sena ticket.

"Shejval was returning home along with his friend on their two-wheeler after visiting a Shiv Sena member's office around 9.30 pm. The accused followed them in a car and attacked Shejval with swords and sharp weapons in Triveni Park area. He died on the spot," an officer of Nashik Road Police Station said.

His body was sent to Nashik Civil Hospital for post-mortem, police said.

After the incident, tense situation prevailed in the area and police were deployed at the spot.

A case has been registered at the Nashik Road Police Station and the unidentified accused have been booked under IPC sections 302 (murder), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object).The investigation in still in process.
The RPF is trying to trace the group of stuntmen who came up with such a dangerous idea.

Mumbai: That Bollywood dreams can push people to such lengths is shocking to say the least. It has come to light that aspiring B-town stuntmen, while travelling atop trains, have gone as far as daring each other to touch the 20,000-volt overhead wire to win bets to the tune of Rs 20,000 or so.

Railway Police Force (RPF) sources told this newspaper that a few stuntmen, who were recently caught while performing stunts atop trains, confessed that they had been attempting this unimaginable dare to impress colleagues and friends. Apparently, these boys, who are as young as 14 years of age, confessed that they were trying to touch the overhead wire as a dare as well as for the Rs 20,000 cash prize if the stunt was attempted successfully. The stuntmen have pooled in the money and have kept the cash out for anyone who dares to attempt the stunt and lives to tell the tale, said an officer.

The RPF is trying to trace the group of stuntmen who came up with such a dangerous idea but it is proving very difficult to break into their inner circle. The gang that has come up with the cash prize for the dare is suspected to operate from the Thane-Kalwa-Mumbra area. Currently, we have to get a hold on them without frightening them so it is a very precarious situation, said the officer.

CR senior divisional security commissioner Sachin Bhalode was tight-lipped about the matter. We have no confirmation of this news, and are currently only looking into it, he said. In a bid to discourage such stunts, the City Juvenile Justice Board a few months ago had asked 16-year-old Alamzen Tarif Ajim Khan to serve two months of community service by lending his voice to announcements against these very stunts.
According to the SEC, a large quantity of liquor and money is illegally transported into the city during the elections.

Mumbai: To probe suspicious transactions during the model code of conduct period, the State Election Commission (SEC) will be keeping a watch on the bank accounts of candidates, who will be contesting the BMC polls.

The Election Monitoring Committee, comprising senior officers like district collectors, municipal commissioners and Income Tax officers would keep a close watch on the expenditure of the candidates. If some suspicious withdrawals or transactions are found during civic polls, then action would be initiated against candidates, said state election commissioner, J.S. Saharia. The commission has already appointed 15 expenditure observers, mainly Income Tax officers, to keep a tab on the expenses of the candidates, he added.

Mr Saharia reviewed BMC poll preparation works on Saturday. He promised to take strict measures to stop the illegal flow of money and liquor in the city to influence the voters during civic polls. According to the SEC, a large quantity of liquor and money is illegally transported into the city during the elections. Hence it has decided to keep a close watch on water, air, railway and road traffic.

In the last Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha polls, there were reports of large quantity of money and liquor coming from air route in the city. Hence, the uncontrolled air traffic will be under scanner during elections. All the helipads, chartered flights, helicopters, coastal areas, jungles falling under the city limits would be patrolled, he added.

The crackdown on cash and alcohol would be done with the help of city police, railway police and Income Tax department. A few days ago, a huge consignment of illegal liquor, which had come via railway route, was seized at Nagpur. Accordingly, the commission has asked the Railways to keep an eye on long distance trains, said Mr Saharia.
BJP demands 114 seats, but Shiv Sena offers only 60; CM and Uddhav hold aces.

Mumbai: With BJP demanding 114 seats and Shiv Sena offering only 60 for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the future of the alliance has come to a head. Sources from both the sides said the alliance might not take place between the two.

Leaders from both the sides have left the decision with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. The Senas offer is way lower than BJPs expectations. The last time the two faced the BMC polls in alliance, BJP had contested in 63 seats and won 32.

No discussion could take place in the third meeting between the two parties held on Saturday at Rang Sharada auditorium in Bandra, which was attended by BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar, education minister Vinod Tawde, housing minister Prakash Mehta, Sena MP Anil Desai, MLC Anil Parab and Ravindra Mirlekar. We have demanded 114 seats while Sena has offered 60. There was no discussion on the numbers. Now the senior officials will take the decision by tomorrow. There wont be more discussions on the issue, Mr Shelar said.

Sena leader Anil Desai supported Mr Shelar. The proposals were disagreed by both the parties leaders. So, we will speak with our party seniors respectively, he said. When asked why Sena has offered fewer seats to BJP than earlier, Mr Desai said the situation in 2012 was different. In the 2012 BMC polls, Sena had contested in 135 seats, BJP in 63 and RPI in 29 seats.

When the same question was put to Mr Shelar, he refused to discuss the issue. There is no animosity between the two parties. We just proposed our demand and now we will speak with our leaders, he said. The sources in Sena said BJP has demanded seats where Sena has sitting corporators, which Shiv Sena does not want to part with.

Meanwhile, Sena leader and environment minister Ramdas Kadam called BJP a barking dog on Saturday. On one hand chief minister Devendra Fadnavis speaks positively for an alliance and invites Sena for talks and on the other hand, allows his party leaders to target Shiv Sena. Its like a barking dog. But we do not pay attention to dogs, Mr Kadam said at the Sena Bhavan here after meeting Mr Thackeray.
Obama said the change didn't happen from the top down but from the bottom up.

Washington: Observing that amazing things have happened over the last 10 years, the former US President Barack Obama on Saturday said that all this could be accomplished because of the hope and believes that his country had in him.

"As I said in 2004, it wasn't blind optimism that drove you to do all this work, it wasn't naivete, it wasn't wilful ignorance to all the challenges that America faces. It was hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty," Obama said minutes before boarding the Air Force One for last time, as is customary for former presidents after demitting office.

Roughly 1,800 people, many of whom had served in the Obama administration, were waiting for him as Obama landed at the Andrews Air Force Base on a military helicopter from the US Capitol after he handed over the baton to Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States.

The attendees included many senior members of Obama's White House staff, such as Denis McDonough, Valerie Jarrett, Susan Rice, Neil Eggleston, Jeff Zients, Megan Smith, Jen Psaki, Shailagh Murray and Josh Earnest, who had his son perched on his shoulders.

Recalling the time when he began his journey, Obama said he "did so with an abiding faith in the American people and their ability, our ability to join together and change the country in ways that would make life better for our kids and our grandkids".

Obama said the change didn't happen from the top down but from the bottom up.

"All of you came together and you decided to believe. You knocked on doors, made phone calls, talked to your parents who didnt know how to pronounce Barack Obama," he said.

Meanwhile, Obama's were headed to California for a vacation. They would soon return to Washington DC, where the former first family plan to stay in a rented house for their youngest daughter to complete her schooling.

"You proved the power of hope, and throughout this process, Michelle and we've just been your front men and women. We have been the face, sometimes the voice, out front on the TV screen or in front of the microphone," Obama said.

"But this has never been about us; it has always been about you. And all the amazing things that happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you in the same way that when we talk about our amazing military and our men and women in uniform, the military's not a thing, it's a group of committed patriots willing to sacrifice everything on our behalf," he said.

"We have got cool hardware, as cool as the machines as weapons and satellites are, ultimately it comes down to remarkable people, some of them a lot closer to Malia's age than mine or Michelle's. Well, the same thing's true for our democracy," he said.

The former president and First Lady then walked through a line of their supporters, formers aides, colleagues and friends, hugging and greeting them as they bid an emotional farewell to their former leader.

Several of Obama's aides brought their young children, who were playfully greeted by Obama.

The former First Couple were then escorted by military personnel to a red carpet that lead up to the US air plane. Obama held Michelle hands as he walked along the red carpet, surrounded by military guards saluting their former Commander-in-Chief.

AS the Obamas reached the plane's door, they stopped and turned around, smiling and waving goodbye, to the people gathered at the air force base and symbolically to Washington.
With two more days to go lets keep fingers crossed. The last session of the fest is reserved for a political debate.

Jaipur: The third day of the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival 2017 was a power-packed affair with politics dominating literature. Whether it was newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, ban on Jallikattu or Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader M.M. Vaidyas statement on reservation  all were discussed in one compound.

With the gathering of some great names from the literary world  The Biographers Ballwhich session  had authors A.N. Wilson, Andrew Roberts, David Cannadine, Lucinda Hawksley, Roy Foster and Suzannah Lipscomb in conversation with Anita Anand, the co-author of Kohinoor. Each biographer talked about their reason to pen someones life.

Had it not been for Aishwarya Rajinikanth Dhanushs lively interaction fuelled by Sudha Sadanands perceptive questioning, the morning session would have been just another speculative academic round. After spiritual leader Jaggi Vasudev and actor Rana Daggubati, Aishwarya, who penned Standing on an Apple Box: Memoirs and Memories, also voiced her support for Jallikattu. I believe that Jallikattu should not be banned. It is part of our (Tamil) tradition. I support youth who have been campaigning for Jallikatu, she said. Her statement won a thunderous applause from the audience at this, usually politically correct jamboree.

Ms Sadanand, a publisher, made sure she extracted enough from Rajinikanths daughter. She talked about everything, from her childhood days when she stayed with her grandmother in Bangalore, to celebrating her birthdays at local kiosks. The book has it all, a no-nonsense independent producer with two successful films in her kitty said.

The disappointment of the day was the debate on Building a Country: Science or the Liberal Arts? despite a distinguished group of panelists  Aditya Mukherjee, Matt Reed, Devesh Kapur, Michael S. Roth, Sukrita Paul Kumar and Tarun Khanna moderated by Shail Mayaram, an author.

The moderator took nearly 10 minutes to establish her point before being forced by an enraged audience to hand over the mike to the panelists. As a result, the panel had little time to come to the point and elaborate, much to the disappointment of hundreds of young boys and girls who looked eager to learn and offer their inputs on such an interesting topic. They would have loved to talk on the decolonisation of the mind as Michael Roth refuted claims of all those who professed the study of social sciences as a must for all-inclusive education.

Lit Fest Director Namita Gokhle spoke about her book, Things to Leave Behind', with another Kumaon-born writer Mrinal Pande and Sunil Sethi. A sparkling session was lifted further by their banter and camaraderie, the two women regaled the listeners with their collective familiarity and understanding of the Kumaon region.

Meanwhile, no session, particularly those involving foreign authors, passed without a mention of President Trump. Of course, most of them were critical of him. With two more days to go lets keep fingers crossed. The last session of the fest is reserved for a political debate.
Barack Obama has stepped down from Presidency and will now operate his life as a normal person.

Obama has now planned to start Obama.org, a website which he and his wife Michelle will be coordinating their work together.

Former US President Barack Obama has finally taken a big break. However, before he takes charge of his personal life, he has taken charge of his old Twitter Handle (@BarackObama) and has promised to launch a new website, Obama.org.

TechCrunch reported that his old handle was been run by a non-profit organisation Organizing for Action, since 2013. However, it appears that Obama finally took charge of his personal account. He tweeted on January 21 stating, Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off in a quick vacation, then well get back to work.

Obama has now planned to start Obama.org, a website which he and his wife Michelle will be coordinating their work together. The website posted a video in which Obama introduced the website stating More than a library or museum, it will be a living, working centre for citizenship. Thats why we want to hear from you. Its going to take all of you and your ideas to make it a reality.

Obama plans to have world-wide projects and organise it through the Chicago centre. The website has a form that allows users to suggest local organisations they like or to discuss the ideas of citizenship. The website also showcases photos featuring the Obama family, their trips, hobbies and dogs. More information will be uploaded on the website post the power couple starts operation after their vacation.
The new AI assistant, dubbed as Bixby will be based on technology picked up by Samsung when it acquired Viv last year.

Bixby will be able to answer layered questions that other competing AIs are unable to do. (Representational image)

Samsung is planning to differentiate itself among the much crowded Android smartphone market by reducing its reliance with Google. The upcoming smartphone will feature a new intelligent personal assistant similar to Apples Siri.

Samsungs AI assistant, dubbed as Bixby will be based on technology picked up by Samsung when it acquired Viv last year. Whats new is that the Bixby will be able to answer layered questions that other competing AIs are unable to do. Viv CEO Dag Kittlaus explained that Viv can answer complex queries like, Find me a flight to Dallas with a seat that Shaq could fit in.

According to few online reports, the new Ai will be integrated in S8s camera and will be able to process text via OCR and even search for identify objects. A newly surfaced Galaxy S8 render suggests that the device may come with a fourth physical button for quickly accessing Bixby AI.

As for the specifications, the Galaxy S8 is expected to feature an edgeless AMOLED display with a new camera technology, 32GB / 256GB of internal storage. It is likely to be powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 SoC paired with 6GB of RAM.
The billionaire businessman - the first president who had never held political office before - promised to stir a

Washington: President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy, but offered no specifics about America's place in the world.

The billionaire businessman and reality television star - the first president who had never held political office or high military rank - promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs.

"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

A look at some reactions from around the world:

Indians Fret About Immigration Prospects

Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.

"It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.

Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?"

Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper.

"Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.

Pakistan Worries About Muslim Comments

A group of retired government officials gathered after morning prayers for a walk in a sprawling park in the heart of the federal capital of Islamabad and the topic of their conversation was President Trump's inaugural speech.

They expressed concern that Trump would target the Islamic world, particularly Pakistan, because of his campaign rhetoric about Muslims as well as his inaugural speech in which he promised to eradicate Islamic terrorism worldwide. Pakistan has often been accused of harboring militant insurgents and declared terrorist groups that have targeted neighboring India, against whom Pakistan has fought three wars, as well as Afghanistan. Pakistan denies the charges.

"Likely there is more trouble in store for the Islamic world and our country will take the most brunt of the harsh treatment from President Trump administration," said Mohammad Afzal.

His sentiments were echoed by Shafiq Khan, who said "the one main thing that the new president mentioned about the world outside America is to tackle Islamic radicalism and that should be the matter of concern for all of us."

Umair Khan, an engineer, said of Trump: "Let him taste the burden of government and get settled, I am sure he will calm."

Speech Resonates In Mexico

Perhaps no country was watching the speech more closely than Mexico. Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States.

So Trump's talk of "protect(ing) our borders," ''America first" and "buy American and hire American" had particular resonance in America's southern neighbor.

Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for "the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and protectionist speech we just heard. Unity against that useless wall, against deportations, against the blockade of investment."

"The challenge is enormous. ... We demand the federal government leave aside tepidity, that it tackle with absolute firmness and dignity the new relationship with the United States," Anaya said.

The United States is by far Mexico's largest commercial partner, buying some 80 percent of its $532 billion in exports in 2015. Mexico is the second-largest market for U.S. exports.

"At least the word 'Mexico' was not heard in the speech. Nevertheless one can expect the United States to launch a hyper-protectionist project," said Ilan Semo Groman, a researcher at Iberoamericana University.

If Trump truly moves to block or drive away U.S. investment in Mexico, Semo said Mexico should focus its commercial efforts on other countries.

"There are very clear possibilities," Semo said.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent three tweets after Trump's inaugural speech Friday:

- "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility."

- "We will establish a respectful dialogue with the government of President @realDonaldTrump, to Mexico's benefit."

- "Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States."

Afghans Disappointed But Hopeful

Like many in the Afghan capital of Kabul, restaurant owner Mohammad Nahim watched the presidential inauguration ceremonies but was disappointed to not hear any mention of Afghanistan.

"Trump did not mention a word about Afghanistan in his speech and the salaries of the Afghan army and police are paid by the US," he said. He added that if the US stops helping Afghanistan, "our country will again become a sanctuary to terrorists. I hope Trump will not forget Afghanistan."

Mohammed Kasim Zazi, a shopkeeper whose home is in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, where the feared Haqqani network is prominent, said he expected Trump to stay focused on Afghanistan.

"Trump said he will finish the terrorists in the world and that has to mean that Afghanistan will remain in the sights of the US" said Zazi.

Concern In Tokyo

Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.

Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.

"Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing."

Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.

"Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said.

Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions.

"In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said.

China Braces For Trouble Ahead

A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.

The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order.

"Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said.

The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead."

The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."

Taiwan Tweets

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership."

Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election.

He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.

South Koreans Put Security First, Worry About Alliance, Trade

Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.

"I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S."

In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons.

There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries.

"There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out."

In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.

Vietnamese Say Speech Too America-Focused

A Vietnamese analyst said Trump's speech was disappointing because it mainly served the domestic audience.

"I think this speech would be right for an election campaign, but not an inauguration speech," said Nguyen Ngoc Truong, president of Hanoi-based private policy think-tank Center for Strategic Studies and International Development.

"It should not be that simple because in an inauguration speech, you must introduce an objective and multi-faceted vision, not just one-sided vision to the American public," he said. "I don't think Trump could have a magic stick to be able to manage America to realize the goals that he outlined."

Australians Find Speech Divisive

An Australian father of two, Marek Rucinski, found Trump's speech "very divisive" and lacking substance.

"Normally these speeches are used to rally and unite people," he said. "It was, again, more bluster."

Rucinski was among some 8,000-10,000 people who attended a Women's March anti-Trump rally in Sydney's Hyde Park.

Self-described feminist, Niall Anderson, watched the president's inauguration in disbelief.

"Just disbelief that this can happen in 2017," the 35-year-old said.

The Australian newspaper's Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan wrote that "Trump answered one big question with his inauguration address: There is to be no transition from campaign Trump to presidential Trump."

"Donald Trump is always Donald Trump. This consistency is perhaps his chief virtue," Sheridan wrote.

"And his inauguration address made it clear that he intends to govern just as he campaigned, taking swings at his opponents, extolling his populist mantras, speaking in the slightly weird argot of contemporary down market celebrity," he added.
Trump is yet to formulate a China policy despite his constant references to the country during the presidential election campaign.

Beijing: People in Beijing expressed doubts Saturday about President Donald Trump's ability to steer the US economy and manage China-American relations, underscoring concerns over trade, Taiwan and other issues.

While Trump didn't mention China in his inaugural address Friday, he referred often to the country during the campaign and upended diplomatic protocol after the election by speaking on the phone with the president of self-governing Taiwan, the island China considers its own territory.

Aaron Wang, who works for a logistics company, said he hoped for the best but was wary of Trump's threat to disrupt commerce between the countries, including imposing a 45 percent tariff on Chinese imports.

"I will wait and see what Trump actually does in the future, but I do hope that the China-US relations can develop in a good direction under Trump's presidency," said Wang.

A retired teacher, who would only give her surname, Wei, said Trump hadn't yet shown that he could handle the US presidency.

"It's really uncertain whether he can properly run the US," Wei said. "A business person can run a country very well, but he can also do a very bad job."

On a visit to Beijing, Dunkin' Brands CEO Nigel Davis said he wanted to reinforce the importance of global free trade to Trump, who opposes the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership and has suggested he might renegotiate the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement.

"I will give him concrete examples and talk to him about how you can overcome obstacles," Davis said.

China is the world's second-largest economy behind the US, and Trump railed during his campaign against alleged Chinese cheating at trade and manipulation of its currency. Those assertions came despite evidence that for the past couple of years, China has been intervening in markets to prop up its currency, not push it lower in a manner that would benefit exporters to the detriment of US businesses.

China's economy slowed over the past year and exports fell back into contraction last month, signaling renewed weakness as it faces possible trade tensions under Trump. However, China still sells considerably more to the United States than it buys, resulting in a trade deficit in goods amounted to $289 billion through the first 10 months of 2016.

In a commentary on Trump's inaugural address, the official Global Times newspaper said he had made a number of "lofty promises" but offered few details on how he intended to carry them out.

"It remains to be seen if he can keep his ambitious promise throughout his term - correcting the domestic and foreign policies and the world order he believes to have strayed off track," the paper said.

The commentary also stated that Trump has yet to formulate a China policy despite his constant references to the country during the presidential election campaign.

"His China policy will hinge on how well he understands the overlapping interests of the world's two largest economies, how their national interests intertwine, and whether he is motivated to change the existing structure with force," the paper said.

Along with stating that relations with Beijing were open for re-negotiation, Trump has criticized China's creation of man-made islands in the South China Sea furnished with airstrips and military infrastructure.
Till now Hong Kong has permitted Indians to enter with valid passport for a period up to 14 days without a visa.

A notice on the Indian Consulate in Hong Kong said Indian passport holders without the Pre-Arrival Registration Slip, except those belonging to any of the exempted categories, would not be allowed to board a conveyance bound for Hong Kong. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Beijing: In a setback to Indian travellers, Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, has withdrawn the visa-free facility for Indians who will have to complete a pre-arrival registration from Monday.

"The Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals will be implemented on January 23. The online service for Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals is now open," the Hong Kong immigration department said in an announcement on its official website.

"Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free (if seeking to enter the HKSAR during transit). Pre-arrival registration is not required for Indian nationals in direct transit

A notice on the Indian Consulate in Hong Kong said Indian passport holders without the Pre-Arrival Registration Slip, except those belonging to any of the exempted categories, would not be allowed to board a conveyance bound for Hong Kong.

A Pre-Arrival Registration is normally valid for a six month period or until the expiry date of the Indian passport linked to it, whichever is earlier, it said.

This is a major set back for over half a million Indians who visit the former British colony for business, trade and holidays.

Till now Hong Kong has permitted Indians to enter with valid passport for a period up to 14 days without a visa. But the facility has been withdrawn despite representations from India ostensibly on the ground that the number of Indian asylum seekers was on the rise, official sources told PTI here.

Indian officials refute that saying a minute number of asylum seekers from over half million visitors can not be an excuse to scrap the longstanding facility which also benefitted Hong Kong as most of them were high spending tourists contributing to the economy of the former British colony.

There is also concern whether the move is being brought about by Hong Kong due to pressure from China.
The bill will require US Citizenship and Immigration Services to prioritise for the first time annual allocation of H-1B visas.

Washington: Two powerful US Senators have announced they will introduce a legislation which, if passed by the Congress, would give preference to foreigners studying in American universities, a move that will tighten the noose around the H-1B visa programme and could hurt Indian IT firms.

The bill - to be introduced by Senator Chuck Grassley and Dick Durban - will require US Citizenship and Immigration Services to prioritise for the first time annual allocation of H-1B visas. It will ensure the "best and brightest" students being educated in the US receive preference for an H-1B visa, a statement issued by the Senators said.

The preference system also gives a leg up to advanced degree holders, those being paid a high wage, and those with valuable skills, it said.

"Congress created these programmes to complement Americas high-skilled workforce, not replace it. Unfortunately, some companies are trying to exploit the programmes by cutting American workers for cheaper labour," Grassley said.

"We need programmes dedicated to putting American workers first. When skilled foreign workers are needed to meet the demands of our labour market, we must also ensure that visa applicants who honed their skills at American colleges and universities are a priority over the importation of more foreign workers," he said.

"Our bill takes these steps to ensure that the programmes work for Americans and skilled foreign workers alike," said Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The legislation restores Congress original intent in the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes by increasing enforcement, modifying wage requirements and securing protections for both American workers and visa holders.

"Reforming the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes is a critical component of fixing our broken immigration system and must be included in comprehensive immigration reform legislation," Durbin said.

"For years, foreign outsourcing companies have used loopholes in the laws to displace qualified American workers and facilitate the outsourcing of American jobs. The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act would end these abuses and protect American and foreign workers from exploitation. I thank Senator Grassley for partnering with me on this important bipartisan legislation," he said.

The bill among other things would crack down on outsourcing companies that import large numbers of H-1B and L-1 workers for temporary training purposes only to send the workers back to their home countries to do the same job.

Specifically, it would prohibit companies with more than 50 employees, of which at least half are H-1B or L-1 holders, from hiring additional H-1B employees, the statement said.
As well as the fine, the Tata Group firm will also have to pay 49,868 pounds in legal costs.

London: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was on Saturday fined 900,000 pounds after a worker lost his leg in an accident, described as "completely avoidable" by the court, at one of the company's UK factories nearly two years ago.

A trial at Birmingham Crown Court was told that the delivery driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into another car at JLR's Solihull plant in the West Midlands region of England in February 2015.

The worker was crushed between two vehicles and his right leg had to be amputated.

"A worker has been left with life-changing injuries that were completely avoidable. It was only good fortune that prevented this from being a fatal accident," John Glynn, an inspector with the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told the hearing.

JLR has since introduced a buffer zone to reduce the risk of a similar accident.

The HSE said its investigation found that the company had failed to ensure that the driver of the Range Rover, who was covering the shift, was familiar with normal procedures.

The firm had also failed to separate workers on the production line.

Two other employees had suffered minor injuries in the accident.

As well as the fine, the Tata Group firm will also have to pay 49,868 pounds in legal costs.

"Jaguar Land Rover is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all employees, and strives to continuously improve working conditions.

"We accept the decision and continue to work closely with the HSE to ensure that all reasonably practicable measures are in place to protect our employees," JLR said in a statement.
Mr Hammond, a former foreign minister, said EU countries varied widely in how big a security threat they saw from Russia.

Davos: Donald Trumps presidency is likely to create bigger uncertainty for the European Union (EU) than Britains decision to leave the bloc, Britains finance minister Philip Hammond said on Friday.

Brexit has introduced uncertainty. I think the change of administration in the US has introduced an even bigger piece of uncertainty for the European Union, Mr Hammond said in a panel discussion about the EU in the Swiss resort of Davos.

Mr Hammond, a former foreign minister, said EU countries varied widely in how big a security threat they saw from Russia.

Anything that changes the settled status quo of a Europe that lives with Russia as a neighbor, but lives under a protective US security umbrella as it does ... will play into the dynamics of the European Union, Mr Hammond said.

Mr Trump, who is due to be inaugurated as the US President later on Friday, has expressed his admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and raised concern about how countries share the cost of providing security via the NATO alliance.

Meanwhile, Mr Hammond held that former Prime Minister Tony Blair was partly responsible for the countrys vote to leave the bloc for failing to introduce measures to limit the flow of people from countries that joined the bloc in 2004.

He said Junes vote showed there was a strong strand of feeling against the uncontrolled movement of people within the EU and he laid the responsibility for that squarely at the door of Mr Blair.

Mr Blair, who was Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007 and remains a keen EU advocate, did not impose transitional controls back in 2004.
In Sydney, Australia's biggest city, about 3,000 people, men and women gathered for a rally before marching on the US consulate.

Protesters hold placards with slogans, during the Women's March rally, in Geneva. (Photo: AP)

Sydney: Thousands of protesters in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday joined the first of hundreds of womens' marches organized around the world in a show of disapproval of US President Donald Trump as he began his first day in office.

In Sydney, Australia's biggest city, about 3,000 people, men and women gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the U.S. consulate downtown, while organizers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne.

"Feminism is my Trump card" and "Fight like a girl," were among the placards held aloft by the protesters in Sydney.

"Were not marching as an anti-Trump movement per se, were marching to protest the hate speech, the hateful rhetoric, the misogyny, the bigotry, the xenophobia and we want to present a united voice with women around the globe," organizer Mindy Freiband told Reuters.

Many of the protesters in Sydney and Melbourne wore pink hats, that activists referred to as their "pussyhats".

The emergence of a 2005 tape in which Trump spoke of women in a demeaning way sparked widespread outrage and was one of the low points of his election campaign. In the tape he was heard saying: "Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."

In New Zealand, there were marches in four cities, involving around 2,000 people, Wellington's march organizer Bette Flagler told Reuters by phone.

Elsewhere in Asia, hundreds of people joined protests

in Tokyo, including many American expatriates.

"Trump presidency gets my blood boiling. Everything we value could be gone. It's time to speak your mind and concerns and to do our best to salvage the values we cherish in America," said Bill Scholer, an art teacher.

And in Manila on Friday about 200 demonstrators from a Philippine nationalist group rallied for about an hour against Trump outside the U.S. embassy in Manila.

Some held up signs demanding U.S. troops leave the Philippines while others set fire to a paper U.S. flag bearing a picture of Trump's face..

Worldwide some 673 "sister marches" are planned for Saturday, in addition to a protest in Washington D.C., according to the organizers' website which says more than two million marchers are expected.

In Washington D.C., at Trump's inauguration back-clad activists, who were not related to the womens marches, threw rocks and bottles at police in Washington as Trump was sworn in as President.

Although protests in the United States are common at inaugurations, in living memory only the inauguration of Richard Nixon in 1968 - as the United States fought an unpopular war in Vietnam - has drawn such a strong reaction worldwide.

In Sydney, many were worried about that Trumps politics and his attitude towards women and minorities could spread.

"As a mature 56-year-old lesbian I feel for the first time what is global is local," Vicki Skehan, 56, told Reuters.

"We've come so far with inclusiveness and I don't want to see that go away."
Pakistan has said that Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan 'deserted' to Pak in September, with grievances against his commander.

Islamabad: In an endeavour to ease the tension between the two neighbouring nations, Pakistan on Saturday handed over the Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan, who strayed into the Pakistani territory across the Line of Control, soon after surgical strikes by India.

Confirming the news on Twitter, Major General Asif Ghafoor said that Chauhan had 'deserted to Pakistan on September 29, 2016, with grievances against his commander'.

According to reports, Chavan's grandmother passed away after hearing the news of his capture.

Chavan was protected under Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention, wherein, from the moment of his capture, it is illegal to torture the soldier, and he can only be made to provide his name, date of birth, rank and service number, if and where applicable.
Scenic City Supper Club will present their winter event, the "Plus-One Dinner" on Sunday, Feb. 12 in the private penthouse of the historic Lovemans building.Tickets will go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m. via Brown Paper Tickets . There are only 70 seats are available.
by Santosh Digal

The archbishop of Mumbai reveals the Vatican willingness to open up the cause of canonization. He spoke with Card. Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Christians "have chosen to embrace death rather than deny Christ." Keeping the memory of the martyrs alive "for future generations who face the challenges of religious fanaticism."

Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar (AsiaNews) - The Vatican is willing to open the canonization process for 100 Christian martyrs killed in 2008 in Kandhamal district in the Indian state of Orissa. This was announced by Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai and president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), revelaing the contents of a meeting with Card. Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Speaking with AsiaNews Orissa Christians express deep joy in seeing the sacrifice of so many who have given their lives rather than deny Christ recognized.

Father Ajaya Kumar Singh, a prominent activist and director Odisha Forum for Social Action, says: "They did not know that they would become of the martyrs, they have defended what they believed, that Jesus is the Christ. It was more important for them to follow Jesus than to save their life. There have been many occasions in which these martyrs could have escaped death denying Jesus. But they chose to embrace death. "

In August 2008, Hindu radicals unleashed the fiercest persecution in Indias history against Christians in Orissa, blaming them for the murder of the guru Swami Lakshmananda, leader of the Hindu nationalist group Vishva Hindu Parishad. In four months of violence, more than 100 people were killed; 6,500 homes destroyed; about 395 churches and places of worship damaged or demolished; more than 56 thousand people forced to flee.

In January 2016, the Catholic Church of India decided to start the process of canonization and gave Msgr. John Barwa, Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, the task of collecting information on the murdered Christians.

Martyrdom, continues Fr. Singh, "is nothing more than the recognition that even ordinary people find more meaning in death than in life; for them, faith in Jesus is the greatest witness and meaning of life. " Heartened "that the Cardinal recognized that. It is not only a tribute to Christians who were killed, but their faith in Christ. And above all it is recognition that the values and the principles enunciated by Jesus are implemented by simple Christians of Kandhamal ".

The announcement of the Card. Gracias has rekindled hope for the relatives of victims. One of them is Kanakarekha Nayak, who lost her husband during the persecutions. "I'm happy - she says - that the cardinal has assumed the leadership of the process, which has allowed an acceleration of the cause. This gives me great confidence and consolation ". The woman met the archbishop of Mumbai during the National Eucharistic Congress, and told him of her husbands story. "I said that I firmly believe  she says - that his faith in Jesus, and his subsequent death for refusing to recant, were not in vain."

Paul Pradhan, a Catholic lawyer whose home was destroyed during the pogroms, adds: "The martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the faith. Martyrdom is the crown of faith. Their sacrifice purifies and strengthens our faith as followers of Jesus. They will live in our minds and in our hearts. " It is our task, he concludes, "to keep their memory alive. We must do this not only for ourselves but also for the coming generations, who face the challenges of religious fanaticism. "
The explosion took place in Parachinar market, in one of the semi-autonomous tribal areas. The provisional toll is 20 dead and over 40 injured. The area is known for clashes between Sunnis and Shiites. Anglican bishop calls for prayers for the wounded.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - At least 20 people were killed and another 40 injured in an attack took place this morning in a vegetable market in Parachinar, in the tribal area of northwest Pakistan Shiite majority.

The homemade bomb exploded at around 8:50 am (local time), at a time when the area was crowded with customers and vendors. A faction of the extremist group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack, perpetrated "to avenge the killing of our comrades by the security forces and teach a lesson to the Shiites for their support in Bashar al-Assad. "

Speaking to AsiaNews Anglican Bishop of Peshawar, Earnest Jacob, condemns violence. "The government - he says - claims to hold off terrorism, but incidents like these happen every month." The Anglican Bishop invites all "to pray for the wounded."

In a message released soon after the attack, even the Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif condemned the violence and expressed sorrow for yet more bloodshed. Meanwhile, the authorities report that the toll is set to rise, given that at least 12 injured were hospitalized in critical condition.

Ashiq Hussain was in the market at the time of detonation of the bomb, hidden in a box of vegetables. Slightly injured, he told the Dawn newspaper that in the area there was not even an ambulance and the injured were transported to the hospital by private vehicles and in the back of the vans used by vendors.

Qari Saifullah, Hakimullah Mehsud spokesman, the Taliban cell that claimed responsibility for the attack, warned that his Sunni Islamist group will continue to target Shiites if they will continue to support the Syrian Assad regime, involved since 2011 in a war civil that caused more than 310 thousand victims.

The explosion took place in the capital of Kurram Agency, a tribal district bordering Afghanistan, one of seven semi-autonomous areas of Pakistan where local customs and laws apply. In the past, the district has already been a target for attacks, and is known for conflicts between the Shiite and Sunni communities. In December 2015 a similar bomb caused 25 deaths. Even then the attack was claimed by two extremist groups. The territory is one of the main routes of militants crossing the border, and is an area where there are frequent kidnappings for ransom.

(Kamran Chaudhry collaborated)
An audience for the beginning of the judicial year in the Vatican, Pope Francis calls for greater effort in preparing couples for marriage to mature in "love and truth". The importance of not abandoning young couples, but "welcoming, accompanying and helping them". Going beyond legal formalism for a catechesis which would show the faith and the value of agreement. "The ruinous pitfalls of the dominant culture of the ephemeral and the provisional".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "It takes great courage to get married in these times. And those who have the strength and the joy of taking this important step should feel the love and concrete closeness of the Church next to them, said Pope Francis to the members of the Roman Rota during the audience granted them at the beginning of the Judicial Year at the Vatican.

The Pope's concern is that without strengthening the faith on the part of the spouses before and after marriage, who risk a "love without truth" which creates a "multiplication of invalid or inconsistent double celebrations."

Citing Pope Benedict XVI in "Lumen Fidei", Francis said that "if love has no relationship to the truth, it is subject to the changing feelings and does not pass the test of time". The presence of a social context "lacking in religious values and faith, cannot but affect matrimonial consent".

The Pontiff went on to suggest two "remedies". The first is the formation of young people who are preparing for marriage, to "help the bride and groom to grasp and enjoy the grace, the beauty and the joy of true love, saved and redeemed by Jesus." It is, he said, "a favorable time to renew their encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, with the message of the Gospel and the Church's teaching." It is a "particular time, often characterized by a readiness to review and change the direction of their lives."

It is an "opportunity for the evangelization of adults and, often, the so-called distant" and "an extraordinary opportunity for mission" for the whole Christian community.

The second remedy is "to help the newlyweds to continue the journey in faith and in the Church even after marriage. There is a need to help new couples to feel the faith in daily life, to discover that their unit has its "ultimate source in the mystery of the Trinity" and that "God never fails in the commitment he has taken with the bride and groom on their wedding day ".

"Often - he added - the young couple are left to themselves, perhaps for the simple fact that you do not see them in the parish. This is especially true with the birth of children. But it is in these first moments of family life that they must be guaranteed greater closeness and a strong spiritual support, even the work of education of children, for whom they are the first witnesses and bearers of the gift of faith. " The task of the Christian community is "to welcome, accompany and help young couples", even with "reference groups in which you can make a journey of lifelong learning".

This all requires the presence of "people with specific skills who are adequately prepared to that service, in a timely synergy between priests and married couples." But you also need to change their mentality, linking "foedus e fides": "It is to move from a purely legal and formal vision of the preparation of the future spouses, to a sacramental foundation" that from the beginning bears couples to mature their full foedus- consent.

"May the Holy Spirit always guide and surround the holy People of God, assist and strengthen all those, priests and laity, who are committed and engaged in this field, so they may never lose the momentum and the courage to work towards the beauty of Christian families, despite the ruinous pitfalls of the dominant culture of the ephemeral and temporary".
Pope Francis exalts the "rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and the nations commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide ". Concerns " for the poor, the outcast and those in need who, like Lazarus, stand before our door ". The oath Trump preceded by various prayers of Catholic, Protestant, Jewish Representatives. The slogan "America first" will guide political choices. String criticism of the establishment. Chinas caution and the enthusiasm of the president of Taiwan.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "May Americas stature continue to be measured above all by its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need who, like Lazarus, stand before our door." This is was Pope Francis wish for US President Donald Trump on the occasion of his inauguration at the White House.

In a message signed by the Pope, released by the Vatican press office a few minutes after Trump had sworn the oath of office, the Pope extends to the 45th president of the United States of America "my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office. At a time when our human family is beset by grave humanitarian crises demanding far- sighted and united political responses, I pray that your decisions will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nations commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide. Under your leadership, may Americas stature continue to be measured above all by its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need who, like Lazarus, stand before our door. With these sentiments, I ask the Lord to grant you and your family, and all the beloved American people, his blessings of peace, concord and every material and spiritual prosperity ".

The era of the presidency of Donald Trump began yesterday at 12 (local time) in Washington, when the billionaire-turned-politician swore on the Bible of Abraham Lincoln and of that of his grandmother to defend the US Constitution. His action and that of the Vice-president Mike Pence were preceded (and followed) by prayers led by Catholic, Protestant, evangelical and Jewish representatives. Trumps speech also mentioned "protection of God" and ended with the traditional "God bless America".

In his speech, which lasted 16 minutes, Trump repeated his campaign slogans, such as "to make America great again." But above all he has revealed himself as the champion of the common American, and was greeted with jubilant applause when he said that "today we are not transferring power from one administration to another," but "we are transferring power from Washington and we're giving it back to you, the people. " In a strong criticism of the political world, he stated that "politicians have prospered, but the loans were cut and factories were closed"; "The establishment has protected itself, but not the citizens of our country." He reiterated several times that "from today", "now", "all this will change."

"So to all Americans, in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, and from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again!."

Beyond a reference to the eradication of "Islamic fundamentalism" wherever that may be, together with the international community, there are no precise indications in Trump speech on foreign policy. But he promised that in all relations with other countries, he will tend to put the interests of Americans "first" ( "America first"). "From this moment on - he said - America comes first. We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American ". And again: "Any decision on trade, taxes, immigration, foreign affairs will be taken to benefit American workers and American families."

Although his speech can be dismissed as "populist", Trump highlights some negative aspects of globalization, which has led to the loss of jobs in the US and the closure of many manufacturing factories.

The tracks that he wants to beat - deducible from his election campaign - are those of a strengthening of infrastructure in the US, a revision (or even abandonment) of the treaties on trade with other countries, a reduction in military expenditure pushing the allied NATO countries , Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia to support security costs more. He also pledged to tax Chinese products (and Mexican) to safeguard the production made in the USA.

Maybe that's why the Xinhua attempted to downplay possible clashes between China and the United States, stating instead that Beijing and Washington now enjoy "more space than before for co-operation" and that Trump "certainly knows investment of Chinese business bring benefits to the economy US that may help create more jobs for the nation ".

In recent days, a Beijing Propaganda Bureau directive prohibited to all journalists to express unauthorized criticism of his words or actions."

Among the first messages sent to Trump, it should be noted, was one tweeted by Tsai Ying-wen, president of Taiwan, who congratulating him said that "democracy is what holds Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership. "
The Land of Cedars can help reawaken the European continent to rediscover its forgotten religious dimension. Without the memory of its Christian roots, without a vision and a desire for peace, nothing great can happen in Europe, or between it and the world. The religious dimension is important for political and cultural dialogue with the South. Card. Parolins intervention of in Davos.

Beirut (AsiaNews)  The time for play is over its now time to fulfill our duty to the nation, the Head of the State Michel Aoun made clear in his speech before the diplomatic corps on January 17 last: lessons learned from the 1975-1990 war we must now be passed on to all the Arab states shaken by violence. And the first of these lessons is that "every war must have an end, because one understands nothing of the war until one learns to hate war and prefer a negotiated solution.

Providentially saved from the violence of these times, Lebanon should not settle for complacency and remember that it was not always so. While defending its borders, Lebanon, or rather Lebanese diplomacy should strive now to be the tireless advocate of an end to violence. In doing so, the central authority needs to distance itself from Hezbollah, which offers assistance to the Syrian regime and thus perpetuates the cycle of violence, and blocks a solution to the Syrian crisis. The dynamics of moderation that Lebanon is witnessing at the moment, which internally has allowed the country to regain its spirit and its institutions, could inspire others to settle conflicts instead of deepening them.

The diplomatic mission of Lebanon in the Arab world could also double up into a cultural, historical, spiritual mission, and go beyond the Arab world to reach a stumbling Europe. In fact, in the Arab world, it will not be enough to settles political conflicts, if first there is no in-depth dialogue between the two great families of Islam, in order to overcome their divisions. And who better than a Lebanese intellectual elite to help in this? Our society has exceptional men who could offer the best of themselves.

Lebanons mission could also exceed the borders of the Mashreq and the Arab world and touch the Mediterranean, Mare Nostrum.

Speaking at the Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), Card. Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, Thursday, January 19 pleaded for greater justice in the world and invited the EU to return to the spirit of the founding fathers, as reported by Antoine d'Abbundo, correspondent of Figaro in Davos.

"On the sidelines of the great forum sessions, the Secretary of State of the Holy See came to remind 3 thousand political and economic leaders gathered in the Swiss resort, of the values of the Catholic Church and the vital role they can play in building a more human world ".

Pope Francis right hand man pointed out the great objectives that Vatican diplomacy pursues: fighting poverty, building bridges to promote dialogue, to make peace. But the Church is not content to enunciate major principles ... On the ground, everywhere in the world, the main concern of the Church is to defend religious freedom which, as St. John Paul II said forcefully, is the first among human rights . But we are working not only to defend the freedom of Catholics. Defending and promoting the right to believe is also defending respect for the human person in all of his dimensions, including the spiritual dimension. If we reduce man to the matter, without taking into account his transcendence, if it is not clear that we are brothers and sisters, then the future of humanity is compromised ''.

"Responding to questions on the crisis spreading across the European Union and the threats to its unity, the Holy See representative invited all concerned to recognize the benefits of the European integration process: first peace, but also the free movement of men and ideas. He urged a return to the spirit of the founding fathers 'who wanted a Europe of peoples and not only of trade and economy' .. 'We have to give Europe a soul', said Cardinal Parolin, taking the formula used by the President of the commission Jacques Delors in 1992".

Despite all the reservations concerning this soul, which has to recover and not create from nothing, Lebanon cannot but endorse this appeal, in the hour in which the European Union and the international community continue to scold her on the issue of refugees invoking human rights to control migratory flows of refugees and force them off their coasts, at any price.

In addition, the "Islamist threat", to the extent that it becomes rooted and diversified, becoming also cultural, political and military, is set to provoke an awakening of Christian Europe. But there are in fact two types of awakening. One is spiritual which is the reappropriation of faith and openness to the other; the other is identity, which is a radicalization of their faith and closing towards the other.

Now, in Lebanon we have made and continue to make the experience of these two revivals and it is in remembering our affinity with Europe - and individually with France  that we can comment on this subject.

"We have forgotten how we won": Lech Walesa once said, the man who managed to shake off the yoke of communism in Poland. Europe must remember that, whatever its programs, without the memory of its Christian roots, without a vision and a desire for peace, nothing big will happen in it or between it and the world. Poland has shaken off the Soviet yoke by the power of its faith. The coal and steel of the Ruhr were put together by faith. Europe was born in the crucible of suffering, and only the men of faith know the price of war and its unspeakable sufferings.

Now, between Europe and a good number of the "Southern countries", including Lebanon, there is a cultural and even spiritual hiatus. We do not speak the same language more, nor about the same mankind, when we discuss ethics, politics, programs or dialogue among civilizations.

Politically, President Michel Aoun noted in his speech: "The last few years we have witnessed the implementation of a project referred to as a 'constructive chaos in our region ... Since when has chaos been constructive? ... Some states qualify acts that are prejudicial to their security as terrorist but qualify terrorism that serves their interests as a revolution".

In terms of civilization, the post-modern West quietly ignores God to the point of having become "anomic" (without rules, the law: the word is from the essayist Jean-Claude Guillebaud), inventing the "replacement myths", one more deceitful than the other (Emmanuel Mounier), while the rest of us nations of the "South" try desperately to reconcile faith and reason. The West should take note. Because we also want a Europe "of the people" and not only "of trade and economy." We also want a Europe that has a soul, and not only ... mood swings.
NewLeaf Travel Company, along with Flair Airlines has transported over 150,000 people from coast to coast in Canada in under six months of operations.

To mark this major achievement, the Company has announced a massive trip giveaway. Beginning on February 1st, 2017, NewLeaf will announce a winner a day for 150 days; concluding on July 1st; which coincides with Canadas 150th birthday.

Demand for the service NewLeaf provides continues to rise. We have frequent travellers, and we have also stimulated the travel industry by bringing new travellers; Canadians are taking advantage of our ultra-low-fares, and enjoying the fact that going across the country for the weekend is now in the realm of possibility, stated Jim Young, President & CEO, NewLeaf Travel Company Were changing the way Canadians think about travel. You no longer have to wait for your summer holiday to take a trip, with our low fares its possible to take multiple shorter trips throughout the year.

To be eligible to win one of the 150 trips, sign up through gonewleaf.ca. All customers who are already subscribed to NewLeaf are automatically entered to win.

This is our way of saying thank you for travelling with us, as well as a prompt and encouragement to travel this beautiful country of ours!

Flights booked through NewLeaf are operated by Flair Airlines, a licensed Canadian airline with an experienced crew and pilots flying Boeing 737400 passenger jets. NewLeaf Travel Company Inc. is a privately-held Canadian company headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba that provides leisure travellers with low fares and travel options that are unbundled and transparent. See more at www.GoNewLeaf.ca.

Flair Airlines Ltd. is a Canadian airline with operations based in Kelowna, Calgary and Hamilton.

In business since 2003, Flair has a strong track record of safety and service. Learn more at www.Flairair.ca.


The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commissions next meeting will be held Feb. 16-17. The meeting is in Nashville at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agencys Ray Bell Region II Building.The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 with committee meetings.The Friday, Feb. 17 regular meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. The February meeting was originally scheduled to be held on one day.Among its business at the February meeting, the TFWC will set the 2017-18 state waterfowl hunting season and elect its new officers for the coming year.A complete agenda will be announced about a week from the meeting dates.
I am an international student , who has accepted an offer from an Australian university and paid my deposit. However, the university is still processing my COE and I have been unable to apply for student visa. However, to make it in time for orientation, my flight is scheduled to be in Australia on 10th of feb (Friday).

My question is this: should I apply and get my ETA done first then when my COE is processed and then I apply for student visa (I'm in Korea so I'm offshore until 10th feb) or should I apppy for student visa first and if it's not processed before my flight, then I apply for ETA about a day before?



Thanks guys

(P.S I already asked Australian embassy and Immigration office through phone and they said it's okay to do so, but the internet tells me different answers so I just want to double confirm here)
The German compact model will continue to have a front-wheel-drive architecture, and all-wheel drive will remain optional for some variants, while a few will have it as standard.The new A-Class comes after the success registered by the ongoing model, which has made the German corporation gain courage in the compact segment.Daimler officials have confirmed the conglomerates plans to expand the Mercedes-Benz compact range, and those could probably include new body styles for existing models.We already know that Mercedes-Benz plans to make a brother for the GLA, which will be called GLB. The latter is expected to be more capable in off-road conditions, while the former is supposed to receive a look that is more focused on the idea of a coupe.In the case of the 2018 A-Class, Mercedes-Benz could offer a three-door hatchback body . The body style was discontinued for the ongoing generation of the A-Class , but was previously available on the second generation of the compact model from the three-pointed star.Several automakers have abandoned their three-door hatchback models in recent years, and even the hot hatches based on those cars were transformed into five-door versions. Those automakers explained that three-door models cannot be justified when sales are concerned, as European clients prefer more practical vehicles.However, a few brands still offer three-door hatchbacks, and some have the courage to do this in the subcompact class, which has small profit margins. Thanks to modular platforms and adequate sales figures of the five-door model used as a base, even volume automakers can afford to have these products in their ranges.Mercedes-Benz has not confirmed or denied the rumors regarding the three-door version of the 2018 A-Class, which means there is still hope for those that prefer this body style. If it gets the green light for production, it could reach the market by late 2018.
21 January 2017 10:19 (UTC+04:00)

General Prosecutors Office of Belarus has decided to extradite Alexander Lapshin to Azerbaijan, Petr Kiselev, head of the Information and Public Relations Department of the General Prosecutors Office of Belarus, told Trend Janaury 20.

Kiselev added that Lapshin has ten days to appeal against the decision of the General Prosecutors Office of Belarus.

Alexander Lapshin is a citizen of several countries and has had a criminal conspiracy with Armenians living in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. He also illegally visited these territories.

Lapshin is accused of violating Azerbaijani laws on state border in April 2011 and October 2012.

In order to promote the illegal regime created in the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia, Lapshin presented Azerbaijans Nagorno-Karabakh as an independent state on his social media account, and supporting the independence of the unrecognized regime he made public incitements aimed at violating Azerbaijans territorial integrity on April 6 and June 29, 2016.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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21 January 2017 14:21 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order to increase the minimum monthly wage to 116 manats starting from January 1.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan was instructed to solve the issues emerging from the order.

President Aliyev also signed a decree on indexation of insured part of labor pensions.

Under the decree, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population is instructed to ensure the increase of insured part of all types of labor pensions in line with the consumer prices index for 2016; carry out indexation of amounts of pension capital accumulated in the insurance part of personal accounts.

The Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to solve the issues arising from the decree.

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21 January 2017 10:02 (UTC+04:00)

Russias lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has ratified an agreement with Ankara on the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, Sputnik International reported.

An explanatory note accompanying the ratification explains that reduced transit risks and Gazproms contractual obligations to supply Turkey and the EU with gas after 2019 were the driving forces behind the feasibility of the project.

Reliable and uninterrupted supplies of Russian gas through the Turkish Stream gas pipeline will ensure annual export duty revenues to the Russian budget of approximately $750 million with respect to only the first branch of the pipeline, intended for gas supplies to Turkish customers, the note states.

According to the document, the Russian budget is expected to receive additional money if the second string of the project is implemented.

In case of the second strings implementation and depending on the list of countries, whose consumers will receive gas transited through Turkey from the second branch, budget revenues comparable [to those received from the supplies via the first string] could be guaranteed by export duties of deliveries via the second leg, the note said.

The note said the implementation of the agreement would not result in additional expenditures burdening Russias budget.

Moscow and Ankara signed an intergovernmental agreement in October 2016 envisioning the construction of two underwater legs of the gas pipeline in the Black Sea. The annual capacity of each leg is estimated to reach 15.75 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Pipe-laying work for the Turkish Stream is expected to begin in 2017 and end in late 2019.

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The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be one of the sponsors for the eighth annual Maury County Youth Small Game and Predator Hunt to be held Feb. 11.

The free event is for youth from ages 9-15 who must have a TWRA Hunter Education certification by the hunt date and have all the appropriate licenses permits. Hunters must also provide their own firearm and ammunition.

Along with the TWRA, the Tennessee Wildlife Officers Association, Columbia Noon Rotary Club, Sun Drop, Quail Forever, Foxpro, and several other local businesses are sponsoring the event. The Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia is the events new headquarters.

The days activities will begin at 6 a.m. with breakfast at the center. Young sportsmen and women will be teamed with hunting guides, dog handlers and safety officers to participate as guides who will accompany them to pre-selected property to hunt rabbits, squirrels or predators. Public hunting lands as well as private property will be utilized for the hunt. The hunt will conclude with lunch and prizes.

Parents and/or guardians are welcome to accompany the youngsters on the hunt. There will be safety officers assigned to all hunting parties going rabbit or squirrel hunting.

To register for the hunt, send the youths name to Maury County Wildlife Officer Rusty Thompson at Rusty.Thompson@tn.gov. Please include the hunters name, age, address, email, phone number, and which species he or she prefers to hunt (rabbits, squirrels, or predators). For more information contact Rusty Thompson by email or at (931) 881-8241.
21 January 2017 12:36 (UTC+04:00)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the US president and expressed hope for close cooperation between the Alliance and the United States, Sputnik reported.

Earlier in the day, Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

"I look forward to working closely with President Trump to reinforce our Alliance, to ensure that we continue to respond to evolving challenges, including terrorism, with fairer burden-sharing among Allies," Stoltenberg said in a statement.

He underlined that the leading role of the United States in NATO since the founding of the organization in 1949, adding that the strength of the organization as the "most successful alliance in history" is equally good for the United States and Europe.

"I look forward to welcoming President Trump to his first NATO Summit in Brussels later this year," Stoltenberg added.

Throughout his 2016 election campaign, Trump repeatedly called into question the viability of NATO, the disproportionate US financial contribution to the Alliance and Washingtons pledge to defend NATOs members as per Article 5 of the Washington Treaty that established the alliance in 1949.

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21 January 2017 01:29 (UTC+04:00)

01:15 (GMT +4) Rocket attacks hit Istanbul police station and ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's local headquarters on Friday, Anadolu reported.

Unidentified assailants first targeted police headquarters and hours later a second attack hit AK Partys provincial headquarters.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said on Twitter that no one was hurt at the police HQ attack and an operation was under way to catch the attackers.

AK Party Provincial head Selim Temurci said on Twitter that there were no injuries in the attack on the party's office.

Later, speaking to reporters, Temurci said the rocket pierced the wall of the building but did not explode, and pointed to the involvement of ultra-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).

He said two assailants were involved in the attack.

Earlier, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that terror groups carried out the attack on Istanbul police headquarters.

21:43 (GMT +4) A group of assailants attempted an attack on the Istanbul Police Headquarters with rocket launchers late Friday, Daily Sabah reported.

Fortunately the rocket missed the building and no casualties have been reported yet.

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21 January 2017 12:55 (UTC+04:00)

An Iranian delegation will head to Astana, Kazakhstan January 21 to attend the sidelines of talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups on the fate of the war-torn Arab country.

The delegation will be headed by Deputy Foreign Minister for African and Arab Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari, Mehr news agency reported January 21.

The Iranian team plans to hold talks with Russian and Turkish diplomats, through whose initiative the talks will be held on January 23 and 24.

The talks are aimed at extending a ceasefire that was recently announced in Syria, and has held so far, through Russian and Turkish efforts, and at finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

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Lee Universitys Leonard Center will kick off its Leadership Development Project this semester. Participating Lee students will carry out individual, student-led service projects funded by a NobleCause grant.

This particular program goes beyond service at Lee, said Elizabeth Sanders, fellow for the project and Leonard Center intern. This project stretches students to grow and take what theyve learned with them throughout their lives.

The goal of the Leadership Development Project is to train students to use leadership skills to successfully design, propose, and complete a service project. Taking place during Lees 2017 spring break, these projects are designed for students to devote a full week to service learning. While some recipients will stay in Cleveland to carry out their projects, others will be traveling to locations such as Atlanta and New York City.

Having received the $6,500 grant in 2016, the Leonard Center divided the funds and awarded distributions to provide financial resources for five service projects. To apply for the grant distribution, students developed and submitted a proposal for an original service project, designed specifically as an outreach opportunity for community development.

Five professional seminars focused on topics such as grant writing, measuring success of projects, and fundraising, among others, will be available this semester to both the grant recipients and the project participants. According to Dr. William Lamb, director of Lees Leonard Center, educating students on the resources available to make proposals appealing will prepare them for future projects.

We aspire to show students that no matter what stage they are in life, they can serve and learn, said Dr. Lamb. Our goal is to equip them with the tools to serve as effective leaders, especially among their peers.

Service-learning at Lee is guided by the Leonard Center and is designed to prepare students for Christian citizenship through reflective community interactions that encourage a commitment to the ideals of service, benevolence, civic virtue, and social justice.

This project was sponsored by NobleCause, made possible by an anonymous donor within the GiveWell Community Foundation and organized by Noblehour.com, a volunteer management tool that promotes a culture of civic engagement and charts meaningful, measurable acts of

goodness.

For more information about service at Lee, visit http://www.leeuniversity.edu/service-learning/.

For more information about the NobleCause grant, visit http://www.treetopcommons.com/noblecause/.
Lee University mathematic students Robert Chaney and Chanda Hughes presented at the Joint Mathematics Meeting in Atlanta.

The students presented about the experiences they have gained from their internships. The presentation, From the Classroom to the Corporate World: Sharing Internship Experiences, took place during a session sponsored by BIG SIGMAA (Business, Industry, and Government Special Interest Group of the Mathematic Association of America) earlier this month.

Mr. Chaney, a senior, is a double major in chemistry and mathematics. When reflecting on his internship he said, The internship for Olin Chlor-Alkili Products was very enlightening. I was introduced to a business atmosphere in which I could actually apply many of the concepts I had previously learned from both degrees.

The students presentation in the JMM this year has been different in nature, said Dr. Caroline Maher-Boulis, an associate professor of mathematics who helps organize internships for students through the Internship Math Program (IMP.) Its the first time our math students have presented on internships with businesses. Not only was it a learning experience for our students, but it also benefited the mathematical community in the meeting. We are proud that Lee is taking a lead in this area.

Ms. Hughes, a junior mathematics major, has interned with Olin twice.

BIG SIGMAA comprises members from the MAA (Mathematic Association of America) that strive to provide resources and a forum for mathematicians working in various fields. For more information about BIG SIGMAA, visit http://sigmaa.maa.org/big/BIG_SIGMAA_Home.html.

The Joint Mathematics Meeting (JMM) strives to offer a comprehensive and rich scientific program for all levels of mathematicians. The meeting included prize and award ceremonies, a graduate school fair, games and competitions, along with presentations and exhibits. For more information, visit http://jointmathematicsmeetings.org/jmm.

IMP strives to introduce math majors to real-life problem-solving scenarios, opportunities to develop workplace skills, awareness of non-academic career options, and experience with research. Through the internship program, the industry has access to bright and energetic students and an opportunity to identify and help train potential employees while giving students an opportunity to serve in their field.

For more information about IMP, contact Dr. Maher-Boulis at cmaherboulis@leeuniversity.edu.
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money .

Our loans reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most  the different types of lending options, the best rates, the best lenders, how to pay off debt and more  so you can feel confident when investing your money.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that were putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. Weve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.

Bankrates editorial team writes on behalf of YOU  the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether youre reading an article or a review, you can trust that youre getting credible and dependable information.

We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information youre reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that were putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.

Were transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.

Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.

You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout lifes financial journey.

For many drivers, leasing a car provides an affordable way to get behind the wheel of a new car. Leasing comes with lower monthly payments and eliminates many of the other costs associated with car ownership  including repair costs, which the dealer will largely cover.

But to take advantage of the lower payments that come with a lease, you have to qualify. Leasing a car with bad credit can be more challenging.

What credit score do you need to lease a car?

When shopping around to lease a car, your credit score is an important part of the equation. Dealers treat customers with good credit scores to better interest rates  and if you have too low a score, they may not lease to you at all.

The credit score required to lease a car varies from dealership to dealership. Experian says a prime score is 661 to 780. Prime scores account for 65 percent of total financing, according to the Experian report. Scores below that, ranging from 601 to 660, are considered non-prime, and scores between 501 and 600 are considered subprime. Less than 17 percent of financing is subprime.

The higher your credit score, the more favorable the leasing offer you will receive. However, you can still expect a good leasing offer with a credit score in the 670 to 739 range. This is because lessors also consider your current income, employment history and current debt obligations when you apply. The average credit score for people leasing vehicles as of 2022s second quarter was 736, according to Experian.

While no credit score, or a low score, will not necessarily keep you from leasing, you may be required to provide a larger down payment or make higher monthly payments on a lease.

Drawbacks to leasing a car with bad credit

Taking steps to improve your credit score will help you overall, but you can still potentially lease a vehicle before repairing it  just be aware of these potential pitfalls.

High cost

Having a low credit score could mean you will need to do more to qualify for a leasing agreement.

For instance, the dealership may ask for a larger down payment. Your lease offer may also include a higher interest rate, known as a money factor or lease factor in leasing terms. This could inflate the cost of your monthly lease payment beyond what you can afford.

No equity

When you lease a vehicle instead of buying one, you walk away with no equity at the leases end. This means you wont have any trade-in or monetary value to apply to the purchase or a new lease. With a higher monthly payment, you may not be able to save enough to afford another lease.

Ways to improve your chance of lease approval

If you are set on leasing a vehicle with bad credit, there are a few things you can do to improve your chance of approval.

Make a large down payment

To show your potential lender that you are committed to paying off your lease, try and pay more than the minimum money down. This is known as capitalized cost reduction. The more money you provide in a down payment, the lower your monthly payments will be.

Get a loan cosigner

Another way to gain approval is by getting a cosigner. A cosigner adds a layer of security for the lessor. The cosigner shares responsibility for the lease, and their credit will be affected if you do not pay. In addition, if you fail to make lease payments, your cosigner will be responsible for doing so.

If this is your preferred route, be sure to choose a trusted family member or friend who has a stronger credit history than you.

Aim to lower your debt-to-income ratio

Lowering your debt-to-income ratio is also a green flag for leasing companies. Your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is defined as your monthly payments divided by your monthly income.

As someone with poor credit, you want to lower this number by paying off debts, refinancing to a lower rate or increasing your income.

You might also consider a debt consolidation loan. These allow you to combine multiple debts into a single payment, making them easier to manage.

You can use a debt-to-income calculator to find out where you currently stand.

Shop around

When looking for a car lease, shop around at several dealerships and leasing companies to see which offers the best deal to customers with bad credit. Given each dealership evaluates lease offers differently, it is possible you could receive a more favorable lease offer than you expect  and potentially at a lower rate.

You can also try to negotiate the terms of your lease, though you may have less leverage when you have bad credit. Consider negotiating the vehicles buyout price, which is the price you would pay to buy the car at the end of the lease contract. This price generally cannot be negotiated after the lease ends, so address it upfront if you think you may want to buy the car.

You can also try to negotiate the vehicles annual mileage allowance if you know you will be driving a lot.

Other ways to lease a car with bad credit

If you cannot get a lease or a lease with favorable terms, a lease transfer may be an option. Companies like SwapALease and LeaseTrader specialize in pairing people who want to get out of a lease with those who want a lease. While lease takeovers still require a credit check to qualify, the terms could be more favorable without requiring a down payment.

Another option is leasing a used car. Not all dealerships offer used cars for lease, so you may have to shop around to find a dealership in your area that offers this service. If you do, note all the terms and how much you will pay during the lease. You may find a better deal by purchasing a used car.

There are also lease here, pay here dealers that offer in-house financing for cars that they lease. The downside is that the leases often come with a far higher price tag and steeper monthly payments.

In addition, the lease payment terms are generally far from idealyou may even be responsible for covering the costs of any needed maintenance for the car. The selection of cars available at lease here, pay here dealers may be older or more limited.

The bottom line

Although it is possible to lease a car with bad credit, you may not receive a competitive lease offer. This could mean a larger down payment, higher monthly payments or leasing a car that isnt your first choice.

If you have time, taking steps to improve your credit score could result in a better lease agreement in the future. Shop around and try to negotiate the terms of your lease, no matter your credit score, to obtain the best deal possible.
The book of Micah is a marvelous book. Few passages of Scripture are better known than Micah 6:8 which adorns the alcove of religion in the reading room of the Library of Congress, He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (NASU)Even though it is a relatively short book, less than six pages in my Bible, it is brimming with prophecies of the promised Messiah. tic and omnipotent rule of the Messiah over the earth. The occasion for the prophecy from which the book originates is identified in chapter one, verse five. Rebellion is the reason; rebellion first reared its ugly head in Genesis 3 and has not ceased to be a problem some 2,500 years later. It seems to me that most of the human race is prone to it.

Micah 1:1-5 sets the stage for the prophecy against Gods people, The word of the Lord which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. 2 Hear, O peoples, all of you; Listen, O earth and all it contains, And let the Lord God be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple. 3 For behold, the Lord is coming forth from His place. He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. 4 The mountains will melt under Him And the valleys will be split, Like wax before the fire, Like water poured down a steep place. 5 All this is for the rebellion of Jacob And for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the rebellion of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? What is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem? (NASU) Evidently a court has been convened and Gods people (Israel and Judah) are the defendants. The Lord Himself, Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, will serve as the witness against Gods people. If that does not get your attention, I have no idea what will. It certainly has mine. Verse five explicitly reveals the reason for the trial. Both kingdoms, Israel and Judah, have rebelled against the Lord. Neither is worshipping properly. The northern kingdom was worshipping in the wrong place and with the wrong attitude. The southern kingdom was worshipping in the correct place but with the wrong attitude. Shockingly, Judahs sin is revealed as idolatry and the prophecy goes so far as call Jerusalem a high place. Calling Jerusalem a high place leaves no doubt that their worship was idolatrous.

Rebellion against the Lord is a serious offense and it can take many forms. Chapter two reveals many of the manifestations of rebellion. Scheming iniquity, committing evil that was conceived in the dark of night, robbing a man of his house and inheritance are all identified as marks of rebellion against God. Becoming impatient with God, stripping clothes from the needy, evicting women (presumably widows) from their homes, choosing wicked leaders, etc. all indicate a rebellious people. Covetousness and rejection of the Word of God are clear signs of rebellion. Praise God, Micah 5:4 offers sure and certain hope in the form of an omnipotent Messiah, And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth. (NASU)


A man was taken to the hospital Friday night after a deputy-involved shooting in Dunedin.

Pinellas detectives investigate deputy-involved shooting in Dunedin

Man shot after pointing gun at a deputy

Deputies were investigating reports of gun shots before incident

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to a home on Curlew Avenue for reports of gun shots heard by neighbors.

When deputies arrived, a witness told them they saw a man with a gun walking between two homes.

One of the deputies, Christopher Lyons, entered into the backyard of one of the homes and spotted the suspect, Todd Rowe, 47, leaving the residence with a handgun.

Deputy Lyons attempted to stop Rowe and told him to drop his gun several times, according to the report. Rowe pointed his gun at Lyons and when he tried to move out of the way, Rowe tracked Lyons with his firearm, the report stated.

In fear for his safety, officials said Deputy Lyons fired five times at Rowe, striking him once in the neck.

Rowe was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigators said Rowe has an extensive criminal history with at least one arrest involving a firearm.

Rowe has been charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Deputy Lyons will be placed on routine paid administrative leave, officials reported.

The investigation is ongoing.
The Daughters of the American Revolutions Chattanooga Regents Council met on Thursday. Regents Joye Duke, Chickamauga Chapter; Jessica Dumitru, Chief John Ross Chapter; Susan Lindsey, Judge David Campbell Chapter; Natalie Blackwell, Nancy Ward Chapter; Barbara Fickley, Moccasin Bend Chapter, and Teresa Rimer, Chattanooga Regents Council Chairman discussed upcoming events.

These events include naturalization ceremonies at Joel W. Solomon Federal Building where representatives of chapters present new citizens with copies of the American Creed and a flag lapel pin. Chapters also provide and serve refreshments after the ceremonies.

Attending the meeting was Bub Alley, a local businessman, author, Vietnam veteran and the Hamilton County Vietnam War coordinator. Mr. Alley presented the tentative schedule for Welcome Home and requested support by the local area DAR chapters to work with Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 203 to support a three-day event on March 27, 28 and 29. With over 800 Vietnam veterans living in the local Chattanooga area, the VVA hopes to Welcome Home those who served our country in uniform during the Vietnam era.

Welcome Home is one of many proceedings of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. Current plans for Monday, March 27, focus on providing these veterans and their families with a meal, a patriotic concert, and the pinning of veterans with the commemoration pin.

Tuesdays events will be the showing of the movie We Were Soldiers Once and Young at the Tivoli Theater. The movie is based on the book by Lt. General Harold (Hal) G. Moore and war journalist Joseph Galloway and follows the First and Second Battalions of the 7th Calvary Regiment in the Battle of la Drang Valley. This battle was the first major confrontation between U.S. troops and North Vietnamese troops. This event is open to the public.

Wednesdays activities will be at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with a candle lighting ceremony honoring those who gave their all from the Chattanooga area. This solemn event is also open to the public.

Activities later in the spring include the Brainerd Mission Cemetery flag raising ceremony on the second Wednesday of June and then, in July, providing meals to the veterans attending the UTC Veterans Entrepreneurial Program. The flag raising ceremony begins in mid-afternoon, includes a ceremony of lowering the flag that has flown over the cemetery for the past year and the raising of a new flag. This ceremony honors those who once inhabited the local area and the missionaries who brought Christianity to the indigenous Indians. Charles Rhodamer, director of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, will be the guest speaker.

The UTC/VEP program works with students starting their own business and includes pre-qualification for entry into the program, home study and then a residency at UTC in an intense, focused. learning environment. During the seven-day long course of study at UTC, students can exchange business building ideas and gain knowledge from business experts from the community and the university. Local DAR chapters join together to serve the students and faculty lunch during their course of study.

To learn more about the DAR and our support for veteran, visit the state or national websites: www.tndar.org or www.nsdar.org.






Spectacular Stormy Seas This Weekend on Oregon Coast; Surf Advisory

Published 01/20/2017 at 5:29 PM PDT

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff





(Oregon Coast)  A lively and probably spectacular set of stormy seas are coming to the Oregon coast this weekend, with the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a high surf advisory along half of the western U.S. coastline. This, in turn, will bring some great finds along the beaches and safer conditions to look for them as the skies clear a little this coming week.

The high surf advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. that night, for the entire length of the Washington coast and the Oregon coast. Waves up to 23 feet with a dominant period of 18 seconds are expected. But the big waves will go all weekend.

A dominant period in wave height for marine forecasts refers to the time between the largest waves. If the time is short, this generally means rougher conditions while at sea. But if it is a long period like the 18 seconds in this forecast, it means these waves are bigger when they hit the beach, and there will be more of the larger waves.

The NWS said to avoid walking on many features along the Oregon coast.

Avoid walking on jetties, rocks, coastal cliffs and along the water's edge, the NWS said. Waves may rise unexpectedly and sweep you into the turbulent and frigid waters. A high surf advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.

Late on Saturday, wave height will diminish slightly to around 16 feet and 16 seconds, but rising again to combined seas of over 20 feet on Sunday and more long dominant wave periods. This again means not just large waves but a higher frequency of them on the beaches.

Monday, seas drop slowly to around 19 feet, then dropping down to ten feet on Tuesday.

Winds along the beaches and headlands are expected to be sizable as well. Lots of rain and winds around 20 mph will be common on Saturday, but peak gusts will be up around 30 mph on Sunday and maybe Monday.

Meanwhile, some clearing will be happening along the Oregon coast for the rest of the week, which is looking at mostly cloudy to partly sunny through Friday. This will bring calmer conditions and seas, which will in turn will make it a prime opportunity for beachcombing. Stormy seas like this will likely bring plenty of odd and fun finds, both alive and inanimate.

A fair amount of erosion should take place, which will most likely lead to good agate hunting along many sandy spots. See here for more beach safety  see here for beachcombing possibilities.

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The tenth annual Jazz Vespers service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 5 p.m. All are welcome to attend this service. There is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be accepted, with all gifts going to support the Jazz program. A reception will follow Vespers in the Parish Hall.

The principal musicians for the service are Kathy Tugman and the David Walters Trio. Uniting all the elements of this special service will be the swing and rhythmic drives of jazz and the vocal stylings of Kathy Tugman.

St. Timothys Episcopal Church is located at 630 Mississippi Avenue on Signal Mountain.
Outpatient total joint replacements are gaining steam; physicians across the country are preforming outpatient total joints in hospitals as well as ASCs. Medicare is also considering removing total joint replacements from the inpatient only list.

Barry Waldman, MD, director of the Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics in Baltimore, and Derek Johnson, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and secretary at Denver-Vail Orthopedics discuss outpatient total joint replacements in their practices and where the procedure is headed in the future.

Question: Why do you feel Medicare should or shouldn't allow total knee replacements in the outpatient ASC setting?

Dr. Derek Johnson: I feel it is in the best interest for Medicare to allow joint replacement to occur in the outpatient setting due to the substantial cost savings for the system. An ambulatory surgery center can likely provide joint replacement in the healthy Medicare population at a cost 25 percent to 40 percent lower than traditional hospital costs. Ambulatory surgery centers are often found to have lower infection rates and complication rates compared to inpatient hospitals as they are not commonly caring for patients with infections and complex medical problems.

Dr. Barry Waldman: Outpatient knee replacement is an exciting development as it is more pleasant and convenient for a select group of patients. It also can be dramatically less expensive, as much as 40 percent cheaper, with no decrease in safety. I think that Medicare has duty to both its enrollees and to the nation's taxpayers to approve this for some total knee cases.

Q: What are the key concepts for total joint surgeons to consider when deciding whether to expand their practice to include outpatient total joints?

BW: Any physician considering outpatient knee replacement should have extensive experience with both knee replacement and the postoperative care involved. The highest volume surgeons are the ones who will feel most comfortable and take the lead in this area.

DJ: Surgeon volume and current quality must first be considered. I also feel it is necessary to be comfortable performing short-stay and same day discharge for joint replacement patients in a hospital setting prior to transitioning to an ambulatory surgery center. I performed over 150 same day discharges at an inpatient hospital and had nearly 90 percent of my patients discharging on the day of surgery or post-op day one prior to transitioning joint replacement to ambulatory surgery centers.

Q: How could Medicare removing total joint replacements off of the inpatient only list affect the quality and cost of care?

DJ: Please see cost comments and comments regarding infection above. In addition, ASCs can offer a better patient experience by decreasing the time spent at the facility. My same day discharge patients at the hospital often spend 10 to 12 hours at each facility due to inefficiencies encountered in the inpatient setting and government required paperwork and processes. In the ASC, most patients spend less than six hours at the facility.

BW: As I mentioned earlier, an inpatient total knee replacement can cost $30,000 or more, sometimes twice as much. Our center can do a total knee replacement for about $23,000. There are certainly a large number of patients with other medical problems that are not appropriate for outpatient surgery but I believe that up to 30 percent of patients could eventually have their surgery in an ASC saving millions of dollars for Medicare. Our center has also been able to save additional money using a ConforMIS patient matched knee as it dramatically lowers the number of instruments we need and the cost to process them. The preliminary data shows no difference in complication rates if patients are carefully selected.

Q: What are the most important patient selection factors for outpatient total joints?

BW: The most important criteria are relative lack of serious medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Patient motivation and a good support system at home are also crucial.

DJ: Overall health is the most important factor. I would recommend against diabetic patients or patients with multiple medical comorbidities. Also, BMI is a very good predictor of same-day discharge. Most patients should have a BMI under 30. Select patients with a BMI between 30 and 35 may be candidates, but I would avoid any patient with a BMI greater than 35. Age is also a predictor. Patients 65-70 are much more likely to discharge the day of surgery than patients greater than 80. Although, I do have a handful of patients every year 80-plus that are able to discharge the day of surgery.

Q: What percentage of your Medicare total joint patients could be taken outpatient if it were allowed?

BW: Again, up to 30 percent of Medicare patients would eventually benefit from outpatient total knee replacement, especially in centers that have a 23-hour stay capability.

DJ: At this point, approximately 25 percent of my Medicare age patients are discharging the day of surgery. However, if you look at my patients 65 to 70 [years old], approximately 40 percent are discharging the day of surgery. This however, is done in the hospital. I think those numbers could increase if we were able to perform the surgeries in the ASC setting. I have seen this in my unicompartmental arthroplasty patients. Ninety percent of my Medicare unicompartmental arthroplasty patients performed in ASCs discharge the day of surgery without a 23-hour stay, while only 50 percent of my unicompartmental arthroplasty patients performed in the hospital discharge same day.
Republicans in Congress have already laid the foundation for an ACA repeal through the reconciliation process, but what will replace the law still remains uncertain.

And while Republicans agree the ACA needs to go, they have not coalesced around a single plan yet. To provide some clarity around the replacement ideas out there right now, we pulled highlights from statements and plans put forth by President Donald Trump and several Republican leaders.

1. President Trump. A week ahead of Inauguration Day, President Trump told The Washington Post he was nearly finished crafting a replacement for the ACA and is waiting to unveil it until his nomination for secretary of HHS, Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga., is confirmed.

"We're going to have insurance for everybody," President Trump said, according to The Washington Post. "There was a philosophy in some circles that if you can't pay for it, you don't get it. That's not going to happen with us." President Trump's plan will be simple and less expensive than the ACA, he added, by increasing competition in the insurance marketplaces.

Throughout his campaign, President Trump supported the sale of insurance across state lines, a move intended to drive competition and give consumers more choices. He has also been a proponent of moving Medicaid to block grants; creating individual, tax-free health savings accounts; and allowing pharmaceutical companies and Medicare to directly negotiate prices with each other in an effort to drive down drug costs.

2. Rep. Tom Price, MD, R-Ga. Rep. Price, who awaits a final hearing Tuesday in the Senate finance committee on his nomination for secretary of HHS, previously put forth a health plan called the "Empowering Patients First Act." Much of this plan aligns with President Trump's views, such as establishing individual HSAs that can be rolled over to family members or allowing interstate insurance sales.

One hallmark of Rep. Price's plan is the creation of "association health plans," which Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., highlighted during Rep. Price's hearing in the Senate health committee this week. These health plans allow small business owners to group together through a trade or professional association to purchase coverage. During the hearing, Rep. Price called association health plans "one of the secrets to being able to solve the market conundrum we find ourselves in." The plan is similar to an offering through Blue Cross Blue Shield a few decades ago, he noted. "It just makes a lot of sense. It allows insurance to work the way its supposed to work, which is to spread the risk," Rep. Price said.

However, Rep. Price's views do differ slightly from President Trump. One difference that has gotten particular attention this week is his opinion on direct negotiation between Medicare and the pharmaceutical industry.

Grilled by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on whether or not he would support such policies during his Senate hearing this week, Rep. Price did not provide a direct answer. "You have my commitment to work with you and others to make certain that the drug pricing is reasonable and that individuals across this land have access to the medications that they need," Rep. Price said.

During the hearing, his plan was criticized by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., for potentially eliminating some of the safeguards around those with pre-existing conditions and for people under age 26. Rep. Price said insurance companies plan to include stipulations to allow children to stay on their health plans until age 26 going forward, "So we felt it was covered." He also disagreed with Sen. Murray's suggestion that people with pre-existing conditions would not be able to secure coverage under his plan.

"We would put in place high risk pools and individual health pools that would allow every single person in the individual small group market, who are the ones challenged with pre-existing illness, to be able to gain access," Rep. Price said.

3. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Speaker Ryan and Rep. Price's plans overlap significantly. Speaker Ryan's most recent plan, entitled "A Better Way," was released in June and touted as the mainGOP agenda at the time. The plan includes refundable tax credits, similar to the ACA subsidies, that are adjusted to grow with age. It also includes provisions for the sale of insurance across state lines, calls for allowing small businesses and individuals to pool together for health coverage and protects pre-existing conditions and dependents up to age 26. Perhaps most notably, the plan aims to establish private alternatives to Medicare by 2024 to "save and strengthen the program," according to an overview of the plan.

"Medicare works; the problem is it's going bankrupt  in the next decade," Speaker Ryan said during an interview Wednesday with Charlie Rose of PBS. However, not all Republicans are onboard to start tinkering with Medicare. In December, several Republican leaders in Congress suggested changing Medicare and the ACA would be too much at once, and "would fall in the category of biting off more than we can chew," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., according to Politico.

4. Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD, R-La. Sen. Cassidy, a physician from Louisiana, is behind "The World's Greatest Health Care Plan," which was introduced last year with Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas. Though the bill was titled to get media attention, Sen. Cassidy told NBC this week, the plan would be a cheaper alternative to the ACA, he said. "We spoke to an insurance group recently and they said our model  everyone enrolled unless they chose not to be  could, in and of itself, lower premiums by 20 percent, because you now have the law of big numbers," Sen. Cassidy told NBC. "It's not just the sick and old signing up ... you get everyone in. So that's a 20 percent reduction right there, but you've done it by expanding coverage."

The plan would make the ACA optional by offering health tax credits for those without employer-based coverage or coverage from the exchanges. It would send "unclaimed tax credits" for the uninsured to safety net hospitals. The plan also does away with coverage mandates, puts states in charge of Medicaid funding and establishes HSAs.

5. Sen. Rand Paul, MD, R-Ky. Sen. Paul has been working on legislation to replace the ACA, according to a Bloomberg report. The legislation sounds fairly similar to most of the Republican plans out there  tax credits, health savings accounts and association health plans. Where Sen. Paul has stood apart from other Republicans is his steadfast commitment to not repealing the ACA without a replacement ready. In early January, he tweeted, "I just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and he fully supports my plan to replace Obamacare the same day we repeal it. The time to act is now."

He was notably the only Republican to vote against the budget resolution in the Senate earlier this month  not because it paved the way for the ACA repeal  but because the budget added nearly $10 trillion to the debt. "As a physician, I cannot wait to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a healthcare system that relies on freedom to provide quality, comprehensive, and affordable care," Sen. Paul said, according to the Lexington Herald Leader. "But putting nearly $10 trillion more in debt on the American people's backs through a budget that never balances is not the way to get there. It is the exact opposite of the change Republicans promised, and I cannot support it, even as a placeholder."

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Kern Singh, MD, co-director of the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, was promoted to a full professor in the department of orthopedic surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.

Dr. Singh joined Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and Rush University Medical Center in 2005 and teaches minimally invasive spine surgery techniques to physicians from around the world. He also participates in spinal instrumentation design and has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers throughout his career.

"Achieving full professor status is a dream come true," said Dr. Singh. "I want to personally thank my father for pushing me academically and professionally. He is my mentor, role model and the father I hope to be to my kids. I hope to continue to teach and educate the next generation of spine surgeons. Constantly engaging with pre-med and medical students, residents and fellows helps to keep me intellectually challenged ... [and] push the envelope in minimally invasive spine surgery."

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Singh has presented his research more than 500 times across the world and earned a Best Paper recognition at the North American Spine Society 2016 Annual Meeting. He was a traveling fellow for the Cervical Spine Research Society and recently appointed to the chair of the spine program committee for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting from 2017 to 2020.
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At the tender age of 28, Veronica Roth is among the world's richest authors, thanks to her Divergent trilogy - yet the bestselling writer isn't as self-assured as you might expect.

She admits her early success left her feeling more under pressure when it came to penning her latest book, Carve The Mark, the first in a Young Adult sci-fi fantasy duology.

"That's just natural," she says with a laugh. "Not feeling it would be slightly delusional. But I just tried to focus on what I was doing. You already have readers and you think about how they're going to like what you're doing - and the more you think about that, the more paralysed you are, so you have to learn a mental practice when you're an author."

While her three Divergent books - Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant - were all adapted for the big screen, reportedly grossing more than 765 million US Dollars worldwide, she's not worried if Carve The Mark doesn't follow suit.

"If the right people came along with the right take on the story, then I'd be open to it, but I'm content to let it be just a book, if that's what's on the cards."

So, did she not like the Divergent films?

"For the most part, it was a positive experience. As an author, getting to have that happen is huge for your career, but they deviated more from the heart of the story as they went on. I loved the first one, but they got more sci-fi and techy and that wasn't really so much in the spirit of the story."

Roth was still at college - she took psychology in Minnesota, then transferred to study creative writing at Northwestern University - when she clinched a publishing deal for Divergent. The film rights had been sold before the book came out.

She still doesn't know how she coped with the fame and fortune thrown at her feet virtually overnight.

"A sense of humour helped. I have good friends and family and they stayed consistent. After the first movie premiere, my family came and we did this big fancy party. But then at the end of the night, it's just me and my brothers and sisters and my husband in a hotel room. That's the party I like best. At heart, I'm a homebody and I haven't changed."

She agrees she felt overwhelmed initially by all the attention, and soon sought therapy.

"It's my personality not to want any attention at all. You have to remember that the kind of person who sits down to write a book is volunteering for an entire year of solitude. We are not generally the kind of people who want any focus at all. That was hard to adjust to, but I went to therapy.

"I've had an anxiety disorder my whole life, so I've been to therapy on and off throughout, before books and after books. I went back and tried to talk through some of the things I was feeling and experiencing and it was helpful."

Roth, who was born in New York and raised on the outskirts of Chicago, where she lives today, reckons her anxiety is biological. While her parents, who are divorced, are not anxious people, she recalls that aunts and uncles in the family, along with at least one grandparent, have been.

"The thing about mental illness is that you have the biology for it, then something triggers it. I was always a worried and perfectionistic child," she recalls, admitting it greatly affected her teenage years.

"I was unhappy, but there was nothing wrong. I had a very stable home, I got good grades, my family were very loving, I had friends, but I had these existential questions.

"My first foray into therapy was as a child. My parents were getting divorced and my mom thought therapy would help my transition.

"Then I went again as a teenager and then in college. I always knew it was an option and a healthy one. Everyone needs an objective outsider to help them think things through sometimes, especially when your brain is being irrational."

Despite her success, ordinary stuff can still triggers bouts of anxiety: "It might be ordering at the deli counter or in restaurants, or when I come back from a party and think, 'Oh my God, what did I say?' It's regular things, not the big stuff."

She's ranked among the world's richest authors, so is she enjoying the fruits of her labour? "I don't know, I've created a pretty stable life with my husband, but we're not doing anything crazy. I'm still only 28 - I'm not going to be a nut about it all."

Her husband, photographer Nelson Fitch, is about to open a restaurant in Chicago. He reads her new material first, but doesn't criticise.

"He knows his job is to read it and tell me it's wonderful," Roth says, laughing. "At times, you just need a cheerleader, and he's great at that."

Carve The Mark is set in space, on a violent planet where everyone develops a "currentgift" - a unique power meant to shape the future. Its central characters are Cyra, the sister of a brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people, and Akos, a gentle chap from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe.

When Akos and his brother are captured by Cyra's people, he becomes desperate to keep his brother alive, but will he and Cyra help each other to survive, or destroy one another?

The book sees a reversal in traditional gender roles (he's very gentle, she's tough and feisty).

"It was important to have him be her inspiration for change, and to be this soft person that she wants to protect. He's still a man, it doesn't take away from his masculinity the fact that he occasionally needs to be rescued."

She seems to like creating empowered, tough female characters, like Cyra, and before that Tris in the Divergent series.

"I wish I were that tough," Roth confesses.

"One thing that Cyra and Tris have in common is their resilience in bad situations.

"They are able to bounce back and think in the midst of deep difficulty and pain, and that's a quality I think is really important for young women and for mental health - knowing you are strong enough to meet what comes at you."

Carve The Mark by Veronica Roth is published by HarperCollins, 14.99
EU negotiators will offer people in the UK the chance to individually opt-in and remain EU citizens as a proposal in Brexit negotiations, the European Parliaments chief negotiator has confirmed.

The proposal, first revealed in its early stages by The Independent last month, was being considered as a long-term aim by the European Parliament  but has now been fast-tracked to the negotiating table by Guy Verhofstadt, who is in charge of thrashing out a post-Brexit deal.

Mr Verhofstadt said the very important proposal had captured the imagination and hopes of many British people who wished to retain their rights as EU citizens and would be in his negotiating mandate.

The plan would see Brits offered individual associate citizenship, letting them keep free movement to live and work across the EU, as well as a vote in European Parliament elections.

The proposal could potentially give Brits who live and work across borders a workaround to the disruption caused by the Leave vote  and young people looking to flee an increasingly isolated UK greater choice over where to move to.

Depending on the approach taken by EU negotiators, the idea would likely be subject to approval by the British government.

Mr Verhofstadt is drawing up a report with the European Parliaments Committee on constitutional affairs about proposed long-term changes to the EUs structure. The plan was originally proposed by liberal MP Charles Goerens for inclusion in the report, but will now bypass that process and be taken forward independently.

The chief negotiator told the committees members: We come to the vote of this important amendment 882, tabled by colleague Charles Goerens. It is an important amendment that has captured the imagination and hopes of many of the 48 per cent of Brits that have voted to remain in the EU. You will all have received many emails about this - and there has been many articles about this.

It has therefore become a very important issue that cannot await treaty change - as envisaged by Charles when he first tabled it.

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.

In a statement, Mr Goerens said: Today I decided together with Guy Verhofstadt to withdraw my amendment on Associate EU citizenship. We realised that this has become a very important issue that cannot await treaty change  as was my intention when I first tabled my amendment  since this might take years.

Yesterday evening, the House of Commons decided by a majority of almost 400 to support Theresa Mays plan to trigger article 50 by the end of March 2017. Hence the prospect that this Article 50 will be invoked has become very real indeed.

The European Parliament will define its position on the Brexit agreement through a resolution during spring 2017. This seems to be the best opportunity to give Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt the possibility to enforce the Associate EU Citizenship.

I recognise this might come as a surprise to many of you, but please understand that the abovementioned procedure makes it much more likely for the Associate EU Citizenship to succeed than through an amendment.

Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder said: The option of being able to retain EU citizenship offers a glimmer of hope for the millions of British people devastated by the referendum result.

The fact this proposal is going ahead shows there remains a huge amount of goodwill towards Britain, despite the actions of this Conservative Brexit government.

Everyone who supports this should write to MEPs and tell them how passionately they feel about maintaining their rights as EU citizens, including the ability to live, study and work abroad."

In its original form the amendment suggested the provision of European associate citizenship for those who feel and wish to be part of the European project but are nationals of a former Member State; offers these associate citizens the rights of freedom of movement and to reside on its territory as well as being represented in the Parliament through a vote in the European elections on the European lists.

Though the British Government has been coy on what it wants Britains post-Brexit future to look like, it is likely that British citizens will lose the automatic right to live and work in the EU after Brexit.

This is because Prime Minister Theresa May has made clear that she would like to restrict freedom of movement from EU countries to the UK, a policy that would likely be reciprocated by the EU for British citizens.

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.

The House of Commons this week approved a motion calling for Ms May to reveal the Governments negotiating position on Brexit before triggering Article 50. It also locked in the timetable of triggering the treaty clause  and starting negotiations  before the end of March 2017.
Instructors at Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) have nominated five of their peer instructors for the Rick Perkins Award of Excellence in Technical Instruction competition.

The Rick Perkins Award honors the Technical College System of Georgias most outstanding instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

Listed are the nominees for the 2017 award, including (left to right) instructors name and program.

Jeremiah Cooper, Welding and Joining Technology

Tom Rittweger, General Education, Math

Ron Vick, Computer Information Systems

Kevan Watkins, General Education, Psychology

Dwight Watt, Computer Information Systems

We are fortunate at Georgia Northwestern Technical College to have instructors who care so much about the students and the learning process, said Beverly Padgett, GNTC Rick Perkins Coordinator. These nominees continuously go beyond what is expected of them to not only meet but to surpass the needs of their students. Commitment is a part of who these instructors are and it is evident in the relationships they have with their students.

Formerly known as the Commissioners Award of Excellence, the award was renamed in honor and memory of Thomas Rick Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioners Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death.

The Technical College System of Georgia provides oversight for the Rick Perkins Award programs through the systems office, the college presidents Academic Affairs Committee, and the state planning committee.

A screening committee of administrators at GNTC reviewed each of the nominated instructors and conducted personal interviews with the nominees. From the screening committee interviews, a winner will be chosen to represent the college as GNTCs 2017 Rick Perkins winner and move on to the regional competition.
'The Army carried out dozens of controlled explosions of 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) last October and November' (stock photo)

Bomb disposal experts were sent out to more than 50 schools across Northern Ireland amid fears over a potentially dangerous chemical.

The Army carried out dozens of controlled explosions of 2,4 dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) last October and November.

A total of 55 schools were affected  significantly more than the 14 locations reported at the time.

They included Grosvenor Grammar in Belfast, Ballymena Academy, Loreto Grammar in Omagh and Enniskillen Integrated College.

De La Salle College in Belfast and Dungannons Integrated College are also on the list.

Across the UK, the bomb squad was called out 594 times to schools or colleges between October 21 to December 21.

Controlled explosions were carried out at least 589 times.

On four occasions visits were doubled up, meaning the issue had been previously reported and dealt with.

The figures were released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after a Freedom of Information request by the BBC.

The chemical at the centre of the alert  2,4-DNPH  is used in chemistry lessons.

Usually kept inside a large container holding water, it becomes dangerous if allowed to dry out and can pose a risk of explosion through shock, friction or fire.

Dr David Kinnison, a chemical safety adviser, said the number of alerts was not a surprise because schools did exactly as they were instructed.

As a safety professional, I would always err on the side of caution, he told the BBC.

Yes, there could have been possible other ways of dealing with this. However, the schools were presented with this advice.

The positive is that a material which potentially could be unsafe was made safe and the bomb disposal squads gained some valuable experience.

A breakdown showed 38 call-outs to schools in west Yorkshire, 23 to schools in Kent and 22 in the Hertfordshire area.

The MoD said it cost almost 90,000 for the chemical to be dealt with schools at in England. It is still calculating the cost for other parts of the UK.

A spokesperson added: Weve been working with the Armed Forces and the police to support schools with any necessary disposals.
The man was arrested on Friday.

A 29-year-old man arrested in connection with social media posts making serious allegations about a number of people in west Belfast has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Searches were carried out in a house in north Belfast on Friday night.

Detective Inspector Richard Thornton said: "Police carried out a search of a house in the North Belfast area this evening, Friday 20 January, and the man was arrested there.

"He currently remains in police custody assisting us with our enquiries."
Martin McGuinness "put his neck on the line" when he condemned dissidents as traitors, the widow of the first murdered PSNI officer has said.

The former IRA man took a huge step in making a public statement denouncing those behind the killing, Constable Stephen Carroll's wife Kate said.

The officer was shot dead by the Continuity IRA in Craigavon in March 2009. He died of a single gunshot wound to the head as he sat in an unmarked police car while colleagues attended a 999 call in the Lismore Manor area.

The murder came just days after a Real IRA gun attack claimed the lives of English sappers Mark Quinsey (23) and Patrick Azimkar (21) at Massereene Army base in Antrim.

Mr McGuinness, speaking as Deputy First Minister at the time, received a death threat after branding the killers "traitors".

He said: "These people, they are traitors to the island of Ireland. They have betrayed the political desires, hopes and aspirations of all of the people who live on this island."

He also admitted at the time he had to "keep my nerve" in appealing to those within the Republican community to support the police to defeat the dissidents.

Following the news that Mr McGuinness was leaving frontline politics, Mrs Carroll paid tribute to someone she said had made "great efforts to bring about change". She added: "I think he put his neck on the line at that particular time to say that. People were aware that he was trying to make a change.

"It ruffled a few feathers. It clearly touched a nerve with the dissidents. That's obvious from the fact that he did receive a death threat soon after."

Mrs Carroll, who met Mr McGuinness when he visited her Banbridge home to pay his respects alongside then First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson, acknowledged not everyone would remember him in such a positive light.

She said: "I think everybody is entitled to their opinion. We all have our own mindset and we are all allowed to do our own thinking.

"All I can say is what I saw of him, and from what I saw, he was trying very, very hard to make that difference.

"I just hope that whoever takes his place will have the same mindset as him, that they will have the people's interests at heart."
Stormont's opposition parties have urged ministers to take action on the historical abuse report due to be debated in the Assembly next week.

UUP leader Mike Nesbitt said: "Redress for victims of historical institutional abuse should not be frustrated because the Executive can't get its act together.

"Ministers will stay in place until polling day, and I call on them to do whatever it takes to action the recommendations from Sir Anthony Hart.

"The fact that after a lifetime of waiting for an official acknowledgment of their suffering... to find it is there but they can't access it is simply obscene."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood added: "Redress for the victims and survivors is long overdue.

"The non-Executive parties will jointly bring a motion to the Assembly next week to ensure that this important issue is not buried or delayed by the rapidly changing political situation."

The Executive Office said it hoped the report would go before the Executive "at the earliest opportunity".

Health Minister Michelle O'Neill stressed that her department had admitted systemic failures of predecessor bodies, and Justice Minister Claire Sugden indicated that any lessons learned would be acted upon.

DUP MLA Christopher Stalford said: "The scale of the failure to protect our most vulnerable children is astonishing - a complete failure by the Ministry for Home Affairs, the DHSS and our criminal justice system (which is) truly shocking and devastating."

Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon added: "We now need to see the full implementation of all the recommendations of the panel soon. The PSNI now has a responsibility to thoroughly investigate all allegations."

But Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle warned: "It is extremely disappointing that the collapse of the Executive and election means any redress, whether financial or otherwise, will not be started in the immediate future.

"Victims and survivors will not receive the full justice they deserve."
Michel Barnier held separate meetings with the DUP's Diane Dodds and Martina Anderson of Sinn Fein as PM Theresa May heightened fears of a 'hard border' between Northern Ireland and the Republic

The European Union's chief negotiator on Brexit has heard sharply different messages from Northern Ireland's MEPs.

Michel Barnier held separate meetings with the DUP's Diane Dodds and Martina Anderson of Sinn Fein as PM Theresa May heightened fears of a 'hard border' between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Former Irish Taoiseach John Bruton, however, argued Mrs May had been "remarkably unclear about the sort of relationship she wants with the EU Customs Union".

UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said the UK leaving the EU would result in difficulties over border controls on the island of Ireland, but that any problems could be solved. "These are difficult problems, but they are all soluble," he said.

After her meeting with Mr Barnier, Mrs Dodds said: "I made clear the need for flexibility to ensure minimal disruption to existing border arrangements."

Ms Anderson said Mr Barnier "is acutely aware of the unique situation we face in Ireland in relation to Brexit".
Jim Wells said he received information from a relative to indicate that four members of his family had wood pellet burners under RHI

DUP MLA Jim Wells has revealed that four family members, including a brother, installed wood pellet boilers under the Renewable Heating Incentive scheme.

The total RHI spend in Northern Ireland is estimated at over 1 billion over the next 20 years.

The Treasury is set to cover 660 million of that, with Stormont landed with the remaining 490 million.

In a statement on Friday, the South Down Assembly member and former DUP health minister said: "Today I received information from a relative which indicated that four members of my family have installed wood pellet boilers under the RHI scheme

"All of these relatives are farmers who rear chickens for Moy Park Ltd based in Dungannon.

"My brother installed one boiler in September/October 2015 to heat his broiler shed. In August 2014 my two cousins and the husband of a third cousin installed a combined total of eight boilers at three separate farms to heat their sheds.

"All of these farmers have been involved in poultry rearing for well over a decade and the wood pellet burners replaced existing heating systems.

"I have no financial interest whatsoever in any of these businesses, but I believe that was important that I make this information public as soon as I became aware of it."

On Thursday Dr Andrew Crawford, an ex-special adviser to former Northern Ireland first minister Arlene Foster, resigned from his role at Stormont.

Dr Crawford's resignation was announced minutes after a public inquiry was instigated into the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.

Dr Crawford stood down 24 hours after he was named by a senior civil servant as the DUP adviser he believed was pressing to delay RHI cost controls.

Dr Crawford said his resignation was an "appropriate" response to the allegations against him, claiming he did not want to be a "distraction".

But he insisted the public inquiry would prove he "acted with complete integrity".

"I am conscious I have become the focus of the story," he said.

He added: "I will be happy to give a full account of all of my actions during this period to the inquiry and for due process to take its course."

The state-funded RHI was supposed to offer a proportion of the cost businesses had to pay to run eco-friendly boilers, but the subsidy tariffs were set too high and without a cap, so it ended up paying out significantly more than the price of fuel.

This enabled applicants to "burn to earn", getting free heat and making a profit as they did so.

Dr Crawford's brother is a poultry farmer who is a recipient of payments under the RHI scheme. There is no suggestion his brother is using the scheme inappropriately.

The long-serving DUP adviser, from Beragh in Co Tyrone, has always denied wrongdoing.

At an explosive hearing of the Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, permanent secretary at the Department for the Economy (DE), Dr Andrew McCormick, said he believed, through hearsay, that influence was being exerted by Dr Crawford on the DUP adviser within DE to keep the scheme running at a high tariff level.

Dr Crawford was at the time working for Mrs Foster, then finance minister. He had previously worked in the economy department with Mrs Foster during the period she first developed the RHI.

At the same PAC hearing on Wednesday, Dr McCormick said he had seen no evidence that Mrs Foster acted inappropriately in relation to the RHI.

Dr Crawford, who recently was working for DUP agriculture minister Michelle McIlveen, is the second DUP party special adviser to face scrutiny this week.

On Wednesday, current DE adviser John Robinson stood aside from any duties relating to RHI a day after it was revealed that his father-in-law was a poultry farmer who ran two RHI boilers.

Mr Robinson said he wanted to avoid a perception of conflict of interest.

Mrs Foster said she accepted his resignation with regret, describing him as a "faithful servant" to the party and the people of Northern Ireland.

"Anyone who knows Andrew Crawford knows he's a very private person and he didn't want to become the story," she said.

Sinn Fein finance minister Mairtin O Muilleoir ordered the public inquiry into the RHI. He said there was a need to "get to the truth".

"This inquiry will be impartial and objective," he said.

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Last week, Mrs Foster called for a public inquiry. She had written to Sinn Fein this week in relation to the establishment of a probe.

In recent weeks Sinn Fein had insisted a public inquiry would have been too time consuming.

Mrs Foster said: "We wanted to say we very much welcome the change of heart from Sinn Fein in setting up this public inquiry. It is something I have been wanting for some considerable time."

She added: "As I have always said and indeed as was confirmed yesterday in (the public accounts) committee I have absolutely nothing to hide so I look forward to the inquiry reporting."

Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan met at Stormont House on Thursday evening to discuss the ongoing political crisis that has prompted a snap Assembly election on March 2.

During discussions, the politicians affirmed a commitment to finding a way forward. They also welcomed the RHI inquiry announcement as well as talking about issues related to Brexit.

Mr Brokenshire said it was important to build confidence in the ability of the institutions to deliver and help set the tone for the election to come by establishing an RHI public inquiry.

"I would encourage full co-operation with the inquiry, and hope that it is able quickly and effectively to establish the facts, and provide assurances to the public.

"For our part, the Government will do everything we can to support this independent inquiry."
From praise for his work as a peacemaker to condemnation for his IRA past, Martin McGuinness's resignation has provoked contrasting reactions.

The former Deputy First Minister McGuinness confirmed on Thursday that he would not be standing in the upcoming Assembly election.

His decision, which he said was influenced by "a very serious illness", was met with sharply divided reactions from people who knew him and those who suffered at the hands of terrorist violence.

Stephen Gault, who was seriously injured and whose father was killed in 1987 IRA Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen, said his it was "hurtful" to see Mr McGuinness praised as a peacemaker, insisting his retirement announcement should have included an apology.

"He's been hailed as this hero and statesman, (but) I still see him as Martin McGuinness, the terrorist whose organisation brutally murdered my father," he added.

"I live in pain for the actions of his organisation. He legitimises what the IRA did and shows no remorse, and I find that very difficult to accept."

Marcus Babington's father, James Henry Babington, was gunned down by the IRA in Belfast while walking to work in 1989."My family have had nothing but torment over the last 30 years," he said. "The IRA aren't prepared to name the people who killed my father."

"Martin McGuinness is in a position to give a lot of families closure, but he refuses to do it. Now he wants to retire peacefully with his family. It's a lot more than we ever had."

Ann Travers, whose sister, Mary was shot dead in 1984 by the IRA as she walked home from Mass in south Belfast, added: "He has been allowed to go on a journey many of the IRA's victims haven't. They have been swept aside in a sea of political correctness."

Alex Bunting lost his leg in 1991 when an IRA bomb exploded under his taxi. He was recently awarded an MBE for his work as a victims campaigner, often working with Mr McGuinness.

"I always found he was very reasonable and upfront," he said. "He told me was going to lead from the front and he stuck to his word.

"He and others did cause an awful lot of pain and hurt within the victims community. But he did get (the peace process) to the table. People aren't dying anymore and bombs aren't going off. I think that he will be missed when he goes and I wish him well."

Jude Whyte who lost his mother, Peggy, to a UVF bomb in 1984, said Mr McGuinnness was a "shining example" to peacemakers. "In my view he has made a massive contribution to the process of peace," he added.

"Speaking as a victim of violence, we have to take cognisance of the hurt within the unionist community brought against them by the republican movement."

Mr Whyte also compared Mr McGuinness to late PUP leader David Ervine. "My life was destroyed by the UVF and my saviour in many respects - from mental ill health, drug addiction and maybe alcoholism - was possibly the best known UVF man ever, David Ervine," he said.

"Forgiveness is the most liberating thing on this earth for people who have been hurt. We're all getting old so, to leave something decent to our children, it's now time to forgive."

Robert McClenaghan lost his grandfather in the 1971 UVF bombing of McGurk's Bar. He said: "In many ways Martin McGuinness and the Queen of England set the standard for people like us working on the ground on issues like legacy and the past. Their gesture of a handshake and reconciliation was massive.

"What's my gesture of reconciliation towards the family who murdered my grandfather? Should I not extend the hand towards them if we're going to build peace and reconciliation in this country?"
People in Strabane have spoken of their fury at being branded vodka-guzzling gamblers who smoke too much and don't read enough.

London-based online directory 192.com's far from complimentary portrayal of the Co Tyrone town also included the phrases "housing is of poor quality and in bad repair", "residents are likely to be heavy to medium readers of the popular tabloid press" and "much less inclined to read books than other consumers".

The stinging comments also reckoned "residents to be heavily reliant on own brand foods, choosing instead to spend their money on alcohol, and in particular spirits".

The description, not surprisingly, has been refuted and the author challenged to come and see what the people of the town are really like.

Anthony McPhilemy was furious, saying: "They were short-sighted. Whoever wrote that doesn't know the Strabane people because the Strabane people are nothing like how they have portrayed us.

"Who has the right to write that kind of rubbish? This is the friendliest town in Ireland.

"They would need to apologise to the people of Strabane for that diatribe."

Paul Doherty was hard at work but took the time to voice his thoughts on the matter.

He said: "That was a pretty horrific description of Strabane and not fair at all.

"It wasn't even accurate, if they took the time to come here, they would see we are hard working, fine, upstanding members of society."

Jo Perry was just as enraged. She said: "I don't want to say where I work but it is in a public service and we have people coming in all the time including tourists.

"American and Canadian visitors are always saying how friendly and helpful we are so the whole notion that we are a bunch of vodka-swilling scroungers from hell is not reflective of the town I know.

"It strikes me that the person who wrote that looked up a brief summary of the economic situation of Strabane and came to the conclusion that it was the worst of England type of situation."

Tina Connolly thought that the description in 192.com could have been applied to any town anywhere.

She said: "Strabane is no worse that anywhere else.

"I can't understand why anyone would single out Strabane for that kind of harshness, the people are friendly. Anyone taking a walk around this town will see we are not all swilling vodka and gambling.

"People here go out at the weekend but sure people go out at the weekend in every other town and city.

"I can't understand why they didn't tell the truth.

"People in this town have had it hard but they just get on with it and make the most of it."

Another local man, Maurice Hamilton, thought an apology was due.

He said: "They got it badly wrong, it was a completely false depiction of Strabane.

"The people of Strabane spend their time looking about work but they seem to get the hard knocks all the time.

"I was really angry when I read that and it's not the first time people have sunk the boot into Strabane.

"To come out with that statement about vodka was just below the belt written by an outsider.

"If they had anything in them they should come here and say sorry but I don't fancy their chances if they did show up."

The only person less than flustered about what was written on 192.com was Donna Kelly.

She said: "That's their opinion but the reality isn't like that but it doesn't bother me what anyone said.

"I know the people in Strabane are not like that, I love Strabane, it's my home town and it's good enough for me."
Photos: Multiple Arrests In Massive Anti-Trump March Through Loop, On LSD

By aaroncynic in News on Jan 21, 2017 2:19AM



By Aaron Cynic and Stephen Gossett

Following a day of protests in Chicago and elsewhere in response to Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, thousands of Chicago protesters marched through the Loop and twice on Lake Shore Drive Friday evening.

Chicago police have made multiple arrests during the protests, which began at 5 p.m. and continued for hours. Moods varied widely throughout the night, with instances of protesters dancing in front of Trump Tower, scuffles with police and one woman who was hit by a vehicle on the corner of Lake and Michigan that tried to drive through the crowd, which later sped off. At least two bank windows were smashed in at the same corner.

A Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering the protest Tweeted that he was punched in the chest:



Adam Stefanoff, 27, of Pilsen, told Chicagoist he witnessed a man hit by police at least once with a baton after protesters attempted to push east through a blockade at Michigan and Monroe as a fire truck was pulling up to reinforce the barricade. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, a thin line of bicycle police tried to keep demonstrators from spilling on to Michigan Avenue, even though dozens were already in the intersection. A small scuffle broke out as protesters pushed their way past the line, with one arrest made.

After crowds moved east down Monroe, a man who was carrying a flare in front of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute was tackled violently and struck with bicycles by police, according to witnesses. Video below shows the tense aftermath between protesters and police.

Tension in front of modern wing after police violently subdue protester: witness pic.twitter.com/AmwMKw2kiY  Stephen Gossett (@gossettrag) January 21, 2017

The mood was festive at times, however. By 5:30 p.m., several hundred people had already gathered near Wacker and Wabash avenues, across from Trump Tower. A brass band performed near a police blockade early in the night, playing a dirge and the Imperial March from Star Wars, among other cuts.

A short time after, Black Lives Matters speakers addressed the crowd, speaking out for racial justice and transgender rights, before a speech culminated in a full-crowd middle-finger salute toward Trump Tower.

Im here fighting for equality," Armando Ramirez, 36, of Back of the Yards, told Chicagoist. "We have to continue to make our voices heard. People may criticize us, but we cant be silent, he said, sporting a large sign inspired by Shepard Faireys Obama Hope poster.

Protesters again took Lake Shore Drive later in the evening, with others marching back through the Loop. As crowds have grown smaller, tensions between police and protesters became higher, with police making several more arrests. Demonstrators responded by having a sit in at the corner of Madison and Canal where they took place.

This post has been updated.
Two students a day are signing up to an online dating service to receive a university education in Northern Ireland in return for sex, it's been claimed.

Around 700 female and male students in Northern Ireland are using 'sugar daddy' dating service SeekingArrangement.com to pay their way through college.

The statistics have been published by the controversial US-based dating service which pairs off attractive young women  and, in some cases, men  with wealthy older men.

The company which operates the website claims that 6,460 women and 555 men in Northern Ireland have used the website to meet rich partners.

Just over 1,700 (1,728) 'sugar daddies' here have also used the online dating agency  438 of whom live in Belfast.

The latest figures from the Las Vegas-based agency also claim to show a sharp rise in the number of so-called 'college sugar babies' using the service in the last year.

They appear to indicate that Queen's University is ranked 16th of the fastest growing 'sugar baby schools' in the UK.

The figures quoted show 222 students at the Belfast university have signed up to the website, including 120 who joined last year.

Belfast Metropolitan College has 210 members (43 new members as of 2012), while 173 students attending University of Ulster use the service.

North West Regional College has 86 members of SeekingArrangement.com, while Southern Regional College has 71.

According to the website's survey, Belfast came 13th in a Europe-wide survey of its membership numbers.

It comes amid a wider trend of rising university fees, fewer part-time jobs and declining wages.

Students from other parts of the UK pay as much as 9,000 a year to attend universities in Northern Ireland.

University lecturer and women's activist, Goretti Horgan, said the agency's figures were an indictment of that reality.

"I think desperate people do desperate things," she said.

But Anna Lo, Alliance MLA for South Belfast, said the arrangement equated to "prostitution" and warned women against being exploited.

"I'm appalled," she said. "This is really selling yourself  selling yourself to rich men.

SeekingArrangement.com's company chief executive officer, Brandon Wade, has defended the agency as a service connecting "intelligent and goal-orientated ladies... (with) sugar daddies (who) are respectful gentlemen".

"Because the relationship between a sugar daddy and a sugar baby is romantic in nature, most sugar relationships will likely involve sex," he recently wrote on the website. "And because a sugar daddy is expected to be the generous gentleman, money will always be spent on the sugar baby. I don't see anything wrong (or illegal) with that."

Anna Lo warned women using such a service to be careful.

"I would warn women not to put themselves in a vulnerable position to be exploited by older and richer men.

"I'm sure there are many very good, older, richer men, but really it's an unequal relationship."

Goretti Horgan said: "It's a sign of the failure of our politicians to tackle youth unemployment."

FACTFILE

* Queen's University: 222 members (including 120 new members in 2012)

* University of Ulster: 173 members (78 new members in 2012)

* Belfast Metropolitan College: 210 members (43 joined last year)

* Northern Regional College: 62 members (21 joined in 2012)

* North West Regional College: 86 members (31 joined last year

* Southern Regional College: 71 members (39 joined in 2012)

* South Eastern Regional College: 23 members (9 joined last year)

* South West College: 76 members (35 joined last year)
A 20-year-old man who broke into student accommodation was motivated to steal articles to sell in exchange for Diazepam, a court heard.

James Valliday was handed a sentence of two years and four months after he admitted four charges - including assaulting a security guard - at Belfast Crown Court.

The father of one, who was under the influence of Diazepam when he targeted the student accommodation at Mount Charles, was informed by Her Honour Judge McCaffrey that he will serve half his sentence in custody, with the remaining 14 months on supervised licence when he is released.

The court heard the defendant - whose address was given as Hydebank YOC - has engaged in courses and classes including a City and Guilds whilst on remand, in a bid to enhance his prospects of gaining employment when he has served his sentence. Valliday has also expressed remorse for his actions last January.

Prior to sentence being passed yesterday, a previous hearing was told that in the early hours of January 23, 2016, police were called to premises on Mount Charles which is owned by Queen's University and used to house students.

Police were informed that security staff from the university had detained an intruder who at one stage was armed with a knife he had picked up from the kitchen of the property.

The alarm was raised after an occupant woke to find Valliday standing at the end of his bed. He left and walked to another part of the property, with the knife tucked into his jacket.

QUB security staff attended and Valliday was located in another part of the property.

Crown prosecutor Mark Farrell said he gained access to this area by breaking an internal fire door.

The security guards were able to disarm Valliday, but a struggle ensued between him and one of the guards. He later stated that whilst he was not hurt, he was left feeling "stiff and sore" from his tussle with Valliday.

Police arrived around 3.30am, Valliday was arrested and during a search, he was found to be in possession of two key cards belonging to Madisons Hotel, that he later admitted stealing.

During police interview, Valliday gave a 'no comment' response but did accept, when shown CCTV footage from Madisons, that he was the male caught on camera.

He subsequently pleaded guilty to four offences relating to the incident, including stealing the hotel key cards, breaking into the student accommodation and assaulting the security guard.

Mr Farrell said the Crown accepted that during the burglary at the student premises "at no stage" did Valliday either brandish the knife or threaten anyone with it, but rather he had it for the purpose of burglary.

The prosecutor also accepted there was "no confrontation" between Valliday and the student who was woken by the intruder.

Defence barrister Declan Quinn reiterated Valliday did not threaten anyone in what he said must have been a frightening experience for those involved.

Pointing out that the knife in question was not brought to the scene by Valliday, Mr Quinn said his client was "extremely intoxicated" on prescription drugs that were not prescribed to him, was not thinking rationally and involved himself in an "opportunistic" burglary. Mr Quinn spoke of Valliday's remorse, saying he had been asked to apologise to Valliday's victims.

The defence barrister added: "The only tenure of the offending was to obtain property to sell and exchange for more 'blues' (Diazepam)."
Demonstrators sit at the top of a limousine with the windows broken during a demonstration in Washington against Donald Trump ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk along the Inauguration Day parade route after being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)

Theresa May will be the first foreign leader to visit Donald Trump when she travels to the United States next week, the White House has confirmed.

The visit represents a coup for the Prime Minister after an uncertain start to relations with the president following his shock election in November.

The visit will follow a weekend in which hundreds of thousands of people in the US, UK and around the world joined women's marches to protest against the controversial tycoon's presidency.

It was unclear whether Mrs May would be meeting Mr Trump on Thursday or Friday after White House press secretary Sean Spicer told a news conference in the West Wing: "The president will welcome his first foreign leader this Thursday when the United Kingdom's Theresa May will come to Washington on Friday."

On Saturday, massive "pink pussy hat" marches in Washington DC and London highlighted Mr Trump's highly controversial past statements about women.

At least 500,000 people gathered for a rally outside the US Capitol building while organisers said an estimated 100,000 people descended on central London, as similar events were staged in Edinburgh, Bristol and cities across the US.

Mrs May has promised to be "very frank" during talks, making clear she has found some of the president's comments "unacceptable", including his suggestion that his fame allowed him to "do anything" to women, such as "grabbing them by the pussy".

And she has distanced herself from suggestions the pair could rekindle the Reagan-Thatcher bond of the 1980s, saying she does not want to emulate models from the past.

The premier is "confident" of striking a trade agreement with Mr Trump despite his "America first" strategy sparking concerns in the UK about his willingness to to a deal.

But Mrs May has suggested the UK and US could reduce barriers to trade before being able to sign a formal agreement after Brexit, with a new passporting system to govern transatlantic bank trade reportedly being considered.

Mrs May is likely to emphasise the importance of Nato and the EU for collective security and defence after Mr Trump again worried some observers about his commitment to both organisations.

The Telegraph reported that the pair could agree a statement emphasising their commitment to spending at least 2% of GDP on defence and urging other Nato countries to do so, as well as promising action against Islamic State terrorists.

It is likely that Mrs May's trip to the US will be followed by a state visit by Mr Trump to Britain, which would include an audience with the Queen and the pomp and pageantry of which the president seems so fond.
A firefighter stands on the terrace of the nightclub wrecked by fire

Almost 50 people were taken to hospital after fire engulfed a popular nightclub in Romanian capital Bucharest, officials have said.

The fire erupted in the early hours at the upscale Bamboo nightclub, which was burned to the ground.

Most people suffered from smoke inhalation, according to the city's ambulance service, while others were injured as they reportedly jumped from the upper level of the lakeside club to escape the flames.

Interior Ministry spokeswoman Monica Dajbog said 44 received hospital treatment and by Saturday evening five were still hospitalised.

Some party-goers who rushed outside without picking up their coats suffered hypothermia in the minus 12C (10F) conditions.

The fire evoked memories of the disaster at another Bucharest nightclub in October 2015 which killed 64 people - the worst nightclub fire in the country's history.

Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the Bamboo fire but there was no immediate word on its cause.

Witness Corina Anghel told private television station Digi24 that people were smoking upstairs and the roof caught fire.

She also said waiters served bottles of drinks with sparklers attached. Indoor fireworks and smoking inside public places are illegal in Romania.

Bamboo has several clubs in Romania and one in Miami, Florida. It first opened in Bucharest in 2002 and was rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 2005.

AP
Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh said he has decided to cede power, under the threat of military action (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh and his family have headed into political exile, ending a 22-year reign of fear and a post-election political stand-off which threatened to spiral into military action.

As he mounted the stairs to his plane, Mr Jammeh turned to the crowd, kissed his Koran and waved one last time to supporters, including soldiers who cried at his departure.

The flight came almost 24 hours after he announced on state television he was ceding power in response to mounting international pressure calling for his removal.

The incoming president, Adama Barrow, has said Mr Jammeh would fly to Guinea, though that might not be his final destination.

Though tens of thousands of Gambians had fled the country during his rule, Jammeh supporters flocked to the airport to see him walk the red carpet to his plane.

Mr Barrow defeated Mr Jammeh in the December elections, but Mr Jammeh contested the results as calls grew for him to be prosecuted for alleged abuses during his time in power.

A regional force had been poised to force out Mr Jammeh if last-ditch diplomatic efforts failed.

The situation became so tense that Mr Barrow had to be inaugurated in neighbouring Senegal at the Gambian Embassy. He said he would return to Gambia once it is "clear" and a security sweep is completed.

Mr Jammeh's announcement ended ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

"We believe he'll go to Guinea, but we are yet to confirm 100 percent, but that's what we believe," Mr Barrow said.

As Mr Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than two decades in power, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led the famously mercurial Mr Jammeh to challenge the December election results, just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Mr Barrow.

Mr Jammeh once vowed to rule for a billion years. His agreement to step down has brought an end to the political crisis in this nation of 1.9 million, which has promoted itself to European tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa".

Critics of Mr Jammeh insisted he should not be given any kind of amnesty.

Jeggan Bahoum, of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia, said: "Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities."

An online petition urged that Mr Jammeh should not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested. Mr Barrow, though, cautioned that this was premature.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," he said. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

Mr Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, had been holed up in recent days in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, had pledged to remove Mr Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into Gambia on Thursday. The force moved in after Mr Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

Mr Jammeh's announcement to relinquish power is a good first step, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa.

He said: "For the Gambia to truly move on, president Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing. In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994."
A satellite-detected image of the damaged Roman tetrapylon in Palmyra

Islamic State militants have destroyed a landmark monument and parts of a second century theatre in Syria.

The group attacked Palmyra's Roman-era Tetrapylon and an amphitheatre, the Syrian government and opposition said.

The UN condemned the incident as a war crime.

A Syrian government official said he feared for the remaining antiquities in Palmyra, which the extremist movement recaptured last month.

The area, a Unesco world heritage site that once linked Persia, India and China with the Roman Empire and the Mediterranean area, has already seen destruction at the hands of IS.

The town first fell to militants in May 2015, when they held it for 10 months. During that time, IS damaged a number of relics and eventually emptied the area of most of its residents, causing an international outcry.

Palmyra fell again to the group last month, nine months after a Syrian government offensive was hailed as a victory for Damascus.
Thompson Center Architect Floats Bold Skyscraper Proposal Amid Demolition Threats

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jan 20, 2017 9:29PM



Wikipedia



Rendering of proposal by Helmut Jahn / via Crain's once again floated plans to sell and demolish the Thompson Center, then replace it with a supertall skyscraper, the architect who designed the ugly-beautiful, mass-of-glass icon is proposing an alternative. Keep the building primarily as isand also add a supertall tower.

Crain's reports that architect Helmut Jahn has suggested a huge, 110-story addendum structure in response to what he called Republicans monstrosity proposal, a 1,700-foot tower designed by Adrian Smith (Burj Khalifa, Chicago's Trump Tower) that, if constructed, would be Chicagos largest building. (Republican lawmakers are also presenting less outsize concepts to replace the divisive, postmodern monument, including 40- through 70-story mixed-use structures, Crain's reports.)

Were not convinced either skyscraper concept has much chance of realization, but the whole debate is a reminder that Thompson Centers days may ultimately be numberedwhich would be a shame. Yes, it regularly makes any list of Chicagos (even the nations) ugliest buildings, and its cavernous, underused design is a strain on utilities for an eternally cash-strapped state. But its our ugly oddity, and theres not much else like itand we tend to make these demolition decisions with far too little deliberation.

So even if Jahns proposal is just a counter-pipedream pipedream, well take stays of execution for the Thompson Center any way they come.
Much has been written over these past few days about the remarkable journey Martin McGuinness made from terrorist to parliamentarian, but today we publish an equally astounding insight into the man and the once unthinkable relationship that he formed with Dr Ian Paisley.

It comes not from an acolyte of the former IRA commander but from Dr Paisley's son, Ian, a man whose political philosophy runs directly contrary to that of republicanism.

His remarks do not diminish his unionism, but rather enhance it as a political outlook which can acknowledge the legitimacy of the mandate held by political opponents.

Of course his views are coloured by the personal relationship that his father and Mr McGuinness forged, and by the fact that both men - not just one - embarked on a remarkable journey. In their different ways they went from men intent on wrecking the established political order to creating a new one which offered hope of a more inclusive Northern Ireland.

His insight into how the two men prayed together, how Mr McGuinness had asked Dr Paisley to pray for his ill mother and how he, Ian junior, had never had a cross word with the former deputy First Minister showed the power of mutual respect in forging the most unlikely of political alliances.

And his public thank you to Mr McGuinness is a demonstration of that necessary respect. But there are others who find it less easy to forgive Mr McGuinness's past and, as a newspaper which has been consistent in highlighting the unforgivable lack of movement in meeting the needs of the victims of terrorism, we can understand their continuing anger at how so many were bereaved by the IRA.

Mr McGuinness makes no apology for that campaign, but that should not preclude him for saying sorry to the bereaved for their personal and continuing anguish. It would be an appropriate punctuation mark at the end of a political life which wrought so much that was positive.
National Lawyers Guild: At Least 15 Arrested Friday Night In Chicago Protests

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jan 21, 2017 6:00AM

Updated at 11:00 a.m.

At least 15 protesters were arrested in Chicago Friday night during one of several large anti-Trump protests on the occasion of Donald Trump's presidential election.

The evening protest, which began at 5 p.m. near Trump Tower and continued for hours, saw protesters dance in front of Trump Tower, scuffle with police, and the smashing of downtown business windows.

The National Lawyers Guild Chicago chapter, which offers legal assistance to progressive causes, says they received reports of Chicago Police arresting at least 15 protesters Friday night. Several of the protesters were being held at the police department's 18th District and 1st District police stations, according to the NLG.

The NLG Tweeted Saturday morning that three people were still in custody from the night before, and one would be arraigned in criminal bond court at 1:30 p.m.

Thousands of Chicagoans have plans to protest again with a march through Grant Park Saturday morning.
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Video: Grant Park Is A Sea Of Pink For Chicago Women's March

By Staff in News on Jan 21, 2017 3:55PM

Reporting by Stephen Gossett and Aaron Cynic

Updated 4:00 p.m.: Here's our recap of a day of rallying with the Women's March Chicago.



Updated: 11:20 a.m.: Due to the size of the rally, which has tens of thousands more people than expected, organizers have cancelled plans to march through the city after the rally. A safety marshal announced that ralliers should "peacefully leave" Grant Park after the rally,and they will be led out by safety marshals. Some ralliers say they are planning a rogue march out of the park, however.



Organizers of the Chicago Women's March predicted that as many as 50,000 people would be turning out to Grant Park Saturday morningnow, they say over 150,000 people are there, making this one of the largest marches outside of D.C. today. Thousands are converging on the Loop this morning for the rally and march for civil rights and women's rights, and to denounce President Donald Trump.

And yes, we're seeing a ton of people with pink pussy hats out there, too. The rally began at 10 a.m., and the march begins at 11:30 a.m. We will be updating this post throughout the day.

Chicagoist asked some of the marchers why they turned out this morning, and what's at stake for them:

Ann Scholhamer, a Women's March co-chair, told us: I am feeling overjoyed that some many people want to join in a cause and hear the speakers. Thats why Im here, and thats why over been working with 200 volunteers and new friends and familyto get people here to participate and get started acting in their communities.

Samantha Marie Ware, a member of the Hamilton cast, said, Im marching for my sisters and women of color. She was joined by several other cast members (Hamilton is currently running in Chicago), including Ari Afsar, Aaron Gordon and Carl Clemons-Hopkins.

As artists we have a desire to help all, and thats part of a reason why we entered the arts," Afsar said of his reasons for marching. "We all believe equality is the way of life and we hope to represent that here and in our art.

A huge part of being an artist is understanding empathy," Gordon said. "Weve all come to understand that thats what the world needs: empathy. Understanding other peoples experiences is whats important.

Clemons-Hopkins said he's impressed with the way different people from different causes are coming together in protest.

This is the first time in my lifetime that Ive seen such intersectionality for different causes," he said. "I hope this influences the next Women's March, the next differently-abled people's march, the next Black Lives Matter march, the next Trans Lives Matter march. When we continue to speak up for each other, only good things can happen.

Rachel Benzing, of South Elgin, an artist, said she's marching "for all Americans against hate and fear Its time to show some spirit and some gumption. She left South Elgin at 6 a.m. Saturday morning to be able to get to the rally site at 7:30 a.m.

Nora Jackson, 60, of Little Italy, got to the rally site at 8:30 a.m.

Im here protesting the new president and administration," she said. "I dont believe hell serve everyone [he's] not for all of us, and hell prove that."
Nearly 1,000 people packed into the Lenhart Grand Ballroom at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Jan. 19 to hear Dr. Cornel West speak about the man Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

He was not a god or a deity or a saint, West said, but a man who was injected with love at an early age through his family, church and teachers who then had the confidence to go out and speak truth, no matter how uncomfortable. West pointed out that although today King is much loved and embraced and his legacy revered, in his own time he was not popular, even among a majority of blacks, because he refused to become comfortable with injustice and in an uncompromising but loving way challenged society to recognize the fundamental equality of all.

He was an intellectual who used the life of the mind in the struggle for social justice, West told an enthusiastic audience. Coming from the Christian tradition, King spoke against violence and in behalf of all the worlds poor and disenfranchised, not only black people.

We need the solace and sacrifice of Martin Luther King now more than ever, West said.

In a rousing address with references from the Greek philosophers to popular entertainers, West exhorted listeners to turn away from the materialism, brand consciousness, racism and militarism of today and instead ask themselves the key questions: What does it mean to be human? What kind of people will we be?

Though the struggle is never-ending, the stakes are high, West said, and noted that King would have encouraged us to keep trying and not give up. Quoting playwright Samuel Beckett, he said, Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.

Keep going, he said. Be the leavening in the loaf, that just keeps things expanding.

Earlier in the day, West spoke to faculty and students in the Union Theater. Students had prepared for the meeting by reading the chapters he suggested from his book Race Matters, on Malcolm X and Black Nihilism.

He also met with members of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha and members of the Diversity Team.
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At the cabinet conference, an agreement was reached to provide 15,000,000 Kyat for Mon National Day. All government members agreed upon the sponsorship, that it should provide for the Mon National Day event just like it provided for the Karen New Year Day, said Dr. Min Kyi Win, Mon States Minister of Natural Resource and Environment Conservation Ministry.

Dr. Min Kyi Win added that the Mon National Day organising committee must deliver a report regarding where and how they will spend the donation.

Mon National Day has been held over 69 years already and it has taken place not only in Mon State but across other states and regions in Burma as well as internationally, where Mon communities have resettled.

The donation provided by the Mon State Government will not only be used for the central Mon National Day celebration. We will [also] use it [equally] for the celebrations of Mon National Day in all of the ten townships in order to be able to implement unity between central and township level Mon National Day celebrations, said Mi Sandar Non, General Secretary of Mon National Day organizing committee.

The 69th Mon National Day Central was celebrated in Kalaw Village, Chaungzone Township, Bilu Kyun [Island]. This years 70th Mon National Day Central celebration will be held in Kyaikmaraw Town, in Kyaikmaraw Township, Mon State.

Mi Sandar Non also said that according to Mon States program, the Mon State Governments donation could only be spent for Mon National Day celebrations within Mon State but could not be contributed to Mon National Day Celebrations in other states or regions. However, the Mon National Day organising committee will decide how it will spend the governments donation.

In December, 2016, the Mon State Government also provided 15,000,000 Kyat to the organising committee of the 79th Karen New Year in order to celebrate the event in Mon States 10 townships.
The incident happened at about 6am on Thursday, according to a resident in Loilem, who said the clash was between Burmese army Battalion 429 and RCSS/SSA troops near Nongle village, Pengjai tract, in Loilem Districts Mong Pawn Township.

The RCSS/SSA is active in this area and is led by Maj. Muu Ni, said the source. In the past, fighting has broken out around here between the RCSS/SSA and the Pa-O armed group.

No casualties have been reported.

Col. Sai La, a spokesperson for the RCSS/SSA  which is one of eight militias that signed a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with the previous Thein Sein government  said the fighting could affect the peace process. He claimed that hostilities are breaking out in many regions because the Tatmadaw [Burmese military] wishes to flex its muscles and create conflict across the country.

He explained that in order to solve issues of conflict, the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) must be involved at each and every level.

When trust is broken, peace will also be destroyed, he added.

At least five clashes have occurred between government forces and RCSS/SSA troops since the NCA was signed in October 2015.

On October 5, 2016, Shan Herald reported that Burmese army Battalion 292 had launched offensives against RCSS/SSA units in Wan Boi village, Tonglao village-tract, in southern Shan States Mong Kung Township, a site where the Shan group had set up a rehabilitation facility for local drug addicts. The fighting compelled more than 2,000 civilians in the area to flee their homes.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Public opposition may effectively lengthen the lapsed moratorium on hog barn construction in Manitoba.

Wim Verbruggens proposal in the Municipality of Oakview, which the Manitoba Pork Council believes was the first application for a new build since the province lifted its ban on construction and expansion in 2015, was rejected last month following a public hearing in Oak River featuring a dozen complainants.

It disappoints the farmer, considering his application for a 6,000-head feeder/finish barn, approximately 10 kilometres southeast of Cardale, met the requirements of Manitobas technical review committee.

We followed all the rules that were set out through the province and eventually the local government made a decision, and that decision was based on emotions, Verbruggen lamented.

We are just a small family farm trying to have more income, especially for our kids, the future, he added.

The technical review report states the proposed operation will not create a risk to health, safety or the environment.

Manitoba Pork Council general manager Andrew Dickson isnt surprised by Oakview councils decision, but hes frustrated.

We thought this would be a good proposal. It came from a local farmer who was going to build the barn himself. Hes going to manage the barn himself, hes going to use his own grain (to feed the pigs) and hes going to put the manure on his own land, reasoned Dickson. Were sort of taken aback by the lack of support of the RM for this type of business.

Resistance to hog operations is nothing new. More than a decade ago, many public hearings became fiery debates as neighbours packed meetings to complain about odour and manure spreading.

In 2006, the NDP government banned hog barn construction in 35 RMs in the province. In 2011, the government implemented what amounted to a moratorium on new hog barns anywhere in the province to protect Lake Winnipeg, a move long bemoaned by hog producers who say they did not cause the lake pollution.

The Save Lake Winnipeg Act resulted in a gradual decline in hog production and shortages at the processing level.

The provincial government maintained strict guidelines in 2015 but made a number of changes. Mainly, the province no longer required the prohibitively expensive anaerobic digester, which processes waste, and opted for a dual- or multi-cell lagoon system instead.

Since 2011, Dickson said just a few barns were built or expanded in Manitoba, which happened because farmers used permits they received before tighter guidelines were imposed.

Given a decade of little construction, Dickson estimates the provinces hog sector should be replacing 10 to 15 barns a year.

This is not just about a barn in some part of rural Manitoba, he said. As a sector we need to be replacing our current structures and if we dont get on with this, were going to reach a point where all of our buildings are in need of repair.

Dickson said the bulk of the provinces barns are about 18 years old, while the lifespan of most barns are a quarter-century.

The industry needs to replace these hog barns, he said, and fierce opposition cannot get in the way.

At this moment, its pretty heavily weighted to some of the environmental and societal concerns, but at some point we have to address the economic issues, Dickson said. We need to reinvest back in the industry so we can continue to have a thriving pork sector.

Society at large is very concerned about the environment being protected, he notes.

And by the way, so are we. We are the ones who actually live in rural Manitoba. Our farmers and our workers and our managers of our barns all live in rural Manitoba, theyre as concerned about the environment as anybody.

Dickson said there is another pending hog barn application, in the RM of Woodlands, northwest of Winnipeg, by Dutch company Topigs Norsvin. He hopes it will avoid the fate of Verbruggens application.

Ten individuals spoke and two letters were read at the Dec. 19 public hearing, all objecting to Verbruggens barn, according to the Rivers Banner.

Several had overlapping concerns relating to smell, water use/quality, traffic/roads, devalued property/taxes, location of the barn and its lagoon, the Verbruggen (family) history, proximity of the barn to another hog operation and the potential for disease, the newspaper said.

The article also indicated a few individuals brought up concerns about a secondary water flow, cutting through the proposed lagoon cell.

After more than an hour of deliberation at a subsequent Oakview council meeting, five councillors voted against the proposal and one councillor abstained.

Head of Council Brent Fortune declined an interview request Friday from The Brandon Sun.

Verbruggen believes Oakview council effectively ignored the positive case presented by him and the Technical Review Committee.

In the public hearing, its just the people who are against it who come, he said. It seems the RM, the council, made their decisions on all their information.

Verbruggen does not know if he will apply for another hog barn build in the future.

 ifroese@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @ianfroese
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hoisting Farmers Edge as a success story out of rural Manitoba, representatives from Innovate Manitoba clarified that groundbreaking work can take place anywhere.

Now a multimillion-dollar organization with more than 350 employees the world over, Farmers Edge originated in Pilot Mound, a Westman community just slightly greater than 600 people.

Partners Wade Barnes and Curtis MacKinnon came together with a business plan to blend technology with agricultural inputs and outputs in order to improve crop production while reducing waste and improving sustainability.

Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun Innovate Manitoba president Janice Lederman and Glenn Crook, a board member with Innovate Manitoba, speak during the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Royal Oak Inn and Suites on Thursday.

When it comes to Manitoba-based innovation, thats the best example there is, Innovate Manitoba board member Glenn Crook told a Brandon Chamber of Commerce audience on Thursday.

After the days luncheon, Crook explained that while his organization was formed after Farmers Edge had already found its path to success, it might have faced fewer obstacles had Innovate Manitoba been around to help the organization.

Theres a lot of help out there, Crook said, highlighting this as a key message he wanted Brandons business community to leave Thursdays presentation thinking about.

The average individual who has a great idea, and theyre tinkering with it in their basement or tinkering in their garage, they have no idea of all the support mechanisms that are out there, he said.

Many think theyre in it all by themselves, and what we do through our programs is connect them with people who are successful but came from the same garage.

Innovate Manitoba president Janice Lederman clarified that innovation carries many definitions, but that her favourite is: New or better ways of doing value things.

There has to be economic or social value for it to be

real innovation, she explained, clarifying that commercialization is the process by which you capture economic value.

Innovation is more than a doughnut shop startup, Crook explained, noting that humans love of doughnuts and coffee have been long-established truths.

Technological advancements, inventions or unique means of doing business are all areas Innovate Manitoba is keen on helping entrepreneurs with  even those ideas that nine out of 10 people have dismissed as ridiculous, Crook said.

The economic impact of some ideas might not be immediately apparent, only appearing after some additional exploration is conducted.

The television program Dragons Den is a good example of this, Crook said, noting that oftentimes the dragons ask: Whos going to buy it?

Innovate Manitoba has resources to help answer this question, and since forming in 2012, has provided 71 ventures with intensive hands-on training on how to effectively grow.

The organization has provided $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes, such as trips to meet with potential investors, and helped found 40 startups, among other successes over the years.

The main challenge right now is getting out their message throughout the province, Crook said, citing Thursdays opportunity awarded to them by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce an as excellent means of reaching into Westman.

It was an important presentation for the local business community to soak in, Chamber general manager Carolynn Cancade said, noting that anyone with a unique business idea would be wise to connect with Innovate Manitoba.

I think that innovation is becoming more important, she said. In this day and age, the world that we live in is so global and its growing so fast.

One doesnt have to live in Silicon Valley to offer an innovative idea to the global marketplace, Crook clarified, citing the Pilot Mound-based Farmers Edge as an example of success from an unlikely place.

Those with innovative ideas who missed Thursdays presentation and are interested in finding out more about the educational and financial supports available to them can learn more at innovatemanitoba.com.

Theres federal funding available, Lederman said, noting that Manitobans collect less funding per capita than those in any other province.

Plus, investors are really scouring the world for innovation, with Manitobans just as likely as those elsewhere to draw the big bucks.

 tclarke@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB
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Recorder ensemble Flute Alors! will perform at Brandon University this month as part of the universitys School of Musics Pro Series.

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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/01/2017 (2114 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Its hard to believe we finally got here, but Friday was the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States. After all of the tweets, the inarticulate and irresponsible personal attacks, and the wrongheaded policy statements, the wait is finally over. Donald J. Trump is the president, my friends, and so the fun begins.

Trump begins his term as the least popular president-elect in four decades. In some respects, this doesnt matter at all, for he has the immense power incumbent to his office. Concurrently, he faces challenges as both Congress and the Senate will be aware of his popular support numbers (or lack thereof) in their dealings with the White House.

That is, his relative lack of popularity may encourage Congress to disagree with his policies when it best serves them.

Trumps brashness and xenophobic comments wont help him, although they definitely find favour with certain elements of the voting public. Between deciding upon a wall Mexico will pay for, and determining that he doesnt know whether to trust German Chancellor Angela Merkel or Russian President Vladimir Putin, his missteps and ill-considered comments will not serve him well.

As we have learned over the last 18 months, Trumps response to allegations and attacks is not to reflect nor to apologize if necessary, but rather to double down and counter-attack. He showed these practices in his first news conference a week ago, including calling CNN fake news.

He has also continued to push his repeal of Obamacare and promising insurance for all, while keeping the specifics of his plan to himself.

This could be a smart ploy as one of the major problems with the Affordable Care Act is that it really didnt go far enough in reducing health-care spending, particularly as it applies to insurance companies.

Several of Trumps appointees have shown a surprising level of gravitas, most notably Defense Secretary nominee James (Mad Dog) Mattis. Great nickname aside, the retired general almost singlehandedly eliminated Trumps call for renewed torture of terrorism suspects by stating he would make more progress with a cup of coffee and a pack of cigarettes than using enhanced interrogation techniques.

Many did not expect such a tempered perspective. Given the past Republican administration of George W. Bush and his band of torture proponents, this perspective seems very enlightened and most unexpected.

Trump may have already jumped the shark in regards to the degree he will be taken seriously by other international leaders. Like it or not, in order to be taken seriously by his fellow heads of state, Trump will be required to live by a set of rules, largely informal, that to date he has shown no desire to follow.

Why must he be taken seriously by other leaders? Obviously, when he negotiates those great deals, they must be ratified by Congress. Will he have the power to persuade Congress to approve these treaties?

If he cannot count on their approval, it significantly undermines Trumps ability to negotiate and, hence, his global standing.

Trump made outlandish statements about domestic car production outsourcing, as well as foreign automakers building in the U.S. and considering plants elsewhere. Initially this has had some positive impact as both Ford and GM announced plans for developments in the U.S. However, his threats about import tariffs in regards to BMW have been poorly received in Germany.

Why is this important? Because in a global economy, the BMW plant in South Carolina sells 70 per cent of the cars it manufactures to more than 140 different countries.

You see, these issues are complex. Threatening BMW could cost American jobs in the well-paid manufacturing industry. Tariffs and trade threats are very broad tools, particularly in the hands of a brash xenophobe.

As the health of Canada is uniquely linked to our friends south of the border, let us wish them well at the start of this new adventure. Lets also hope that their new leadership will be wise and thoughtful in its decision-making.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG  Opposition parties play crucial practical and symbolic roles in a healthy democracy. A strong government requires a strong opposition.

In April 2016, Manitobans elected a strong Progressive Conservative government that holds 40 of the 57 seats in the legislature. To date, the government led by Premier Brian Pallister has avoided serious political trouble by postponing tough choices and benefiting from the weaknesses of its political opponents.

This year, the government will have to act on the findings of the multiple expenditure reviews it has launched and make concrete decisions that will bring revenues and expenditures into balance.

For its part as the official Opposition, a currently dysfunctional NDP must get its act together and become an effective critic of the actions and inactions of the government.

Our cabinet-parliamentary system concentrates authority and initiative in the hands of the premier and cabinet, but it then seeks to hold this small group of political insiders accountable by requiring them to regularly boast and confess in public, particularly in question period, which allows opposition members to criticize and oppose.

That the opposition is valuable is reflected in the procedural rights and protections for the opposition parties in the legislature, the provision of a ministerial-level salary to the leader of the official Opposition and the other funds provided for the research needed to challenge government positions.

Our system remains democratic in part because the opposition parties are free and have the capacity to express their disagreement with the general direction of government policy, including individual bills and expenditure decisions. This happens on a daily basis when the legislature is in session.

It is through the adversarial clash of government versus opposition that the public obtains the benefit of exposure to alternative perspectives. Often when the opposition speaks against government proposals, they are expressing the concerns of organizations outside of the legislature. Such representations contribute to acceptance of policy decisions because people feel their voices have been heard.

In addition to its practical value, the dynamics of government versus opposition, including the peaceful transition of power, send the important symbolic message that civilized political debate is the best way to achieve consensus (as much as possible in a pluralistic society) on how to make progress.

In terms of short-term political tactics, it often seems smarter for the opposition to simply criticize the mistakes, misdeeds and inactions of the governing party. This tactical approach reflects the old political adage that governments usually defeat themselves. It also avoids the risk that the governing party will steal opposition ideas and, in the process, cause the opposition to lose its identity.

On the other hand, if an opposition party wants to be seen as an alternative government-in-waiting, it must put forward some policy ideas. In the current era of permanent campaigning, too much emphasis is on winning headlines every day and too little on preparing to govern.

Having recently gone into opposition after nearly 17 years in government, the NDP is having trouble shifting into an opposition mode. They remain in a defensive mode, defending the policies they followed when in office. After such a long tenure, a party runs out of policy ideas and loses touch with public opinion in part because their leadership group is preoccupied with the tasks of governing.

There is the additional problem that the NDPs fight over leadership left enduring divisions. The magnitude of the partys defeat means there are few experienced MLAs available to challenge the Pallister government. Even among the survivors, there is less enthusiasm for the thankless tasks of opposition compared with the exhilaration of governing.

Last year, Flor Marcelino reluctantly assumed the role of interim party leader, a job other MLAs in the caucus declined. Typically, it is the party leader who leads the challenges to the government in question period. Marcelino acknowledges that she lacks the aggressive leadership style and easy command of English (her second language) that would better enable her to confront Pallister.

A lack of strategy, focus and discipline within the caucus has meant a poor performance in terms of challenging the government. The suspension of MLA Mohinder Saran amid sexual harassment allegations and, most recently, the resignation of Rob Altemeyer as caucus chairman, are other signs of disarray and dysfunction.

Selection of a permanent leader for the NDP will not take place until September. This means that, for many months, party elites and activists will be preoccupied with the leadership contest. Once chosen, the new NDP leader will have to heal any resulting divisions in order to build a cohesive team.

Currently, many in the NDP blame the election defeat on poor leadership and poor communication, not on the policies they followed or failed to pursue. This is a mistake. The partys policy cupboard may not be bare, but it definitely needs restocking for the party to regain credibility and to restore its brand in the public mind.

In the legislature, some PC ministers have been excessively zealous in celebrating the defeat and ongoing problems of the NDP. A united, effective and credible opposition would help to curb potential complacency and arrogance that eventually brings down governments.

 Paul G. Thomas is professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba. His column recently appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ill never allow this premier or any premier to trump my peoples rights. Never.

 Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand

We need the indigenous to work with us. Were not working against them. Its just not safe  Its cheating and poaching. Its not how our grandfathers who took us hunting or fishing for the first time taught us how to do it. Safety trumps your right. There is no one on the face of the Earth that has to say they have to be out at three in the morning to shoot four moose to feed their community. Thats absolutely ridiculous.

 RM of Sifton Coun. Scott Phillips

Last Monday, in a friendly room in Virden that was filled with Progressive Conservatives  and a few members of the local media  Premier Brian Pallister freely spoke his mind over the practice of night hunting in southwestern Manitoba.

While his choice of words was more than a little unfortunate  calling the anger between landowners and indigenous hunters akin to a growing race war is unhelpful at best and unnecessarily evocative at worst  Pallister was not inherently wrong in calling out night hunting as an unnecessary and poor practice.

Currently, night hunting is permitted for indigenous hunters on Crown lands or private lands where they have received permission, though the practice of spotlighting  pointing artificial light into the eyes of big game at night to stop them in their tracks remains illegal in Manitoba.

As The Brandon Sun reported on Friday, a group of reeves and councillors representing at least six rural municipalities in the southwest corner of the province have been making overtures to the province to ban the practice of night hunting altogether. They state rather boldly that the practice is not only dangerous, but that it contributes to illegal hunting and poaching in the region.

Last year, the Sun reported on the claims of rural landowners who cite a growing number of illegal hunters who have been abandoning the carcasses of big game and even livestock in various locations in the southwest corner of the province.

Weve seen the images that were provided to us, and weve heard a large amount of anecdotal evidence. Their concerns are not without merit. As a result of these rural concerns, provincial conservation officers have been much more aggressive in attempting to put a stop to illegal hunting in the region.

The heavy snow pack that accumulated since December has led to a slowdown in the number of incidents reported to conservative officers, at least according to RM of Pipestone Reeve Archie McPherson, who told us he spoke with officers in Virden. But provincial officials were certainly kept busy last year.

By the end of the year, officials had laid 49 night hunting and dangerous hunting charges that will be prosecuted in the legal system, and seized 14 vehicles and 44 long-barrel rifles. These totals are a large increase from 2015, when 25 night hunting and no dangerous hunting charges were pursued through the courts. Only five vehicles were confiscated that year.

Pallister and rural councillors and reeves across southwest Manitoba are quite right to suggest that the practice should stop. But it remains also true that indigenous groups such as Manitobas Metis have the right to hunt at night under certain conditions.

And as Chartrand told the Sun on Thursday, hes not willing to give up those rights so easily. Like Pallisters race war comment, Chartrands bombastic rhetoric is also unnecessary, and entirely unhelpful, if his ultimate aim is to get the province and rural landowners to sit down together and hammer out a solution, as he says it is.

The fact of the matter is rural landowners in southwestern Manitoba have been unfairly maligned for wanting to see the practice of night hunting end  for everyone, not just indigenous people.

And the MMF president also has a point  placing the blame solely at the feet of indigenous hunters is a difficult position to justify. And while the majority of rural officials have tried to avoid the sticky issue of race when pushing for a ban on night hunting, its not so easy to separate one from the other.

Cooler heads must prevail here, and all parties need to sit down and get to work to find some common ground. The indigenous people of our province and rural landowners alike all have an interest in the protection and preservation of our wildlife. And while rural residents must agree that indigenous people have a right to hunt for food, this right is not sacrosanct if it is being abused.

This must first be acknowledged before any headway can be made.

Meanwhile, we suggest that our politicians watch their words.
January 20, 2017

The extremist right-wing organization Lehava has launched yet another racist hate campaign, this time against drivers from the Egged bus company, which operates in the West Bank settlements of Maale Adumim and Kiryat Arba, among other places. Putting the Steering Wheel in Mohammads Hands Is Not Good, a flyer distributed by Lehava activists, claims that more than 90% of employees of the Egged Transport Co-Operative are residents of Jabal Mukaber, the East Jerusalem neighborhood of the Palestinian who drove a truck into a group of Israel Defense Forces soldiers in Jerusalem on Jan. 8, killing four of them.

The flyer directly addresses Malachi Levinger, head of the Kiryat Arba local council, charging that he is not doing anything to stop the employment of Arab drivers. Are you willing to take responsibility for a terror attack by the driver? Will our girls be able to make it home safely without being harassed? We dont want Mohammad putting the moves on the girls of Kiryat Arba.

Lehava was founded by Bentzi Gopstein, a student of the late anti-Arab radical Rabbi Meir Kahane, in 2014 during Israels Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. Its declared aim is to fight against what it calls the assimilation of Jewish women with Arab men. The group has stepped up its incitement over time. For example, it has called for a boycott of Arab stores and its members have sprayed hateful graffiti on the walls of churches and crashed an art festival in Jerusalem because a Catholic choir was performing.

Gopstein was arrested in December 2014 on suspicion of incitement to racism, and the police recommended prosecuting him. His on-call lawyer, the radical right-wing activist Itamar Ben-Gvir, claimed that Gopstein had been the target of political persecution and said the State of Israel should be commending him for the sacred work he was undertaking for its sake.

Ibrahim D., a resident of Jabal Mukaber who asked that his full name not be divulged, has been driving for Egged for two and a half years. Before that, he owned a cab. He told Al-Monitor that he had had enough of being harassed as a taxi driver and felt that passengers refused to ride with him because he was an Arab. I thought that as a bus driver, I would feel more secure and protected, Ibrahim said. But in recent months, even driving a bus has become a difficult and scary undertaking.

His brother Akram also owned a cab, working mostly in Jerusalem, and he, too, came to the same conclusion: Being an Arab cab driver in a town that had become radicalized was simply too dangerous. I started driving a cab at the age of 22, and today Im 64, Akram told Al-Monitor. I drove Jews around all my life, some of them became friends and regular customers who would always ask [the dispatchers] to be driven only by me. But tensions in the city have risen, and the hatred has increased. Not among my regular clients, mostly among young people, most of them with kippas on their heads. They look at me as if I have an infectious disease.

When he was offered a job at Egged, he did not hesitate. Akram sold his taxi and became a salaried bus driver. He says that in recent weeks, some people who did not look like real passengers started getting on the bus in Kiryat Arba, and rather than seeming intent on getting to their destination, they seemed interested in harassing him. They used to say to me, Hey Arab, whos the ass who allowed you to hold a steering wheel?, and I stayed quiet. I didnt answer. Ive been driving passengers for 40 years in the city, and Ive learned to let things like that pass.

What makes him the angriest, however, is that only a handful of passengers come to his defense and try to silence the harassers. Sometimes, some of the passengers join the cursing or just laugh in amusement, he said. Many times the word dog can be heard on the bus and Terrorist, get lost or Go to Syria and Let them all die.

Akram recounted that after the Jan. 8 attack, several young men got on his bus and cursed him. One even threw orange peels at him. All of a sudden, an older, ultra-Orthodox woman got up and yelled at them. She stood next to the drivers seat like a defensive wall, he recalled. I drove slowly because I was afraid she would fall. I said to her, Lady, its ok. You can sit down. Ill manage, but she refused. I saw her crying with all her heart, and I kept myself in check not to cry with her. When she got off at the stop in Kiryat Arba I said to her, Thanks and may God protect you, and she answered, You take care of yourself, and I ask your forgiveness.

His brother Ibrahim added that after each nightmare ride, as he describes the ones on which he is harassed, he reports the incident to his bosses at the bus company, but he claims a complaint has never been filed with police. We learned to live with this and hoped it would pass, but it hasnt, and its just gotten worse, he stated.

Ibrahim further said that passengers often get off the bus after realizing he is an Arab, even telling him that they dont ride with Arab drivers. Thats the extent to which the hate has gone to their head, he remarked. Akram said he can understand the fear of such passengers after the Jan. 8 attack, but added, Those who dont know [better] think that everyone in Jabal Mukaber can carry out a terror attack. I can tell you with certainty that 99% of the neighborhood residents were shocked and hurt [by the attack]. We live between two worlds. All of my family stays away from violence and trouble, but a cruel reality bedevils us and ruins our lives.

In the wake of the hate-filled flyer, the Egged drivers union lodged a complaint of incitement with the Jerusalem police. Judging from past experience, however, one can assume the Lehava activists will get away with it.
Sara Jo Schneider and Hickle, along with fellow Girl Scouts Jayna Kelley and Autumn Helgeson, were killed when a pickup truck crashed into them as the scouts cleaned up debris on the west side of Highway P at about 11 a.m. Nov. 3, 2018. All four were killed at the scene. A fifth girl was injured but later recovered. The girls attended Southview Elementary and Halmstad Elementary in Chippewa Falls. On Wednesday, a 20-foot-tall memorial was dedicated at the crash site, honoring the three scouts and mother killed that day.
Taking Northern Ireland out of the EU will "destroy" the Good Friday Agreement peace deal, Gerry Adams said.

He claimed fundamental human rights enshrined in the 1998 accord to end violence could be undermined. The top legal adviser to Stormont ministers has said not one word in the Agreement would be affected.

The Sinn Fein president said Northern Ireland should enjoy special status within the union of 27 states after Brexit and claimed that would not affect the constitutional settlement which secures its status as part of the UK.

He said: "Taking the North out of the EU will.

"It will destroy the Good Friday Agreement."

The Dail TD addressed a conference on achieving a united Ireland in Dublin.

Mr Adams added: "The British government's intention to take the North out of the EU, despite the wish of the people there to remain, is a hostile action.

"Not just because of the implications of a hard border on this island but also because of its negative impact on the Good Friday Agreement.

"The British Prime Minister repeated her intention to bring an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court.

"Along with her commitment to remove Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights this stand threatens to undermine the fundamental human rights elements of the Good Friday Agreement."

He claimed ending partition between Northern Ireland and the Republic had taken on a new importance.

"As the dire economic implications of Brexit take shape there is an opportunity to promote a new agreed Ireland."

Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU referendum by a majority of 56% to 44%.

Mr Adams added: " The speech by Theresa May will have reinforced this.

"The dangers of a hard Brexit are now more obvious than before.

"The North needs a special designated status within the EU.

"The Irish government needs to adopt this as a strategic objective in its negotiations within the EU 27 as they negotiate with the British Prime Minister."

He claimed there was, alarmingly, no strategic plan from Dublin ministers.

The Irish Government has already convened an all-Ireland forum on Brexit and agreed with the British Prime Minister that there should be no return to the borders of the past for Northern Ireland.

Its priorities remain its economic and trading arrangements, the peace process and border issues as well as the common travel area.

Mr Adams added: "The British position also fails to take account of the fact that citizens in the North, under the Agreement, have a right to Irish citizenship and therefore EU citizenship."
Gambia's former leader Yahya Jammeh has arrived at Banjul Airport after finally agreeing to accept defeat.

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was in close contact with a small number of Irish citizens who had remained in Gambia despite a chaotic exodus of holidaymakers earlier this week, as the country teetered on the brink of a military conflict.

The UN Security Council had backed an effort by regional states to remove Yahya Jammeh as president.

Adama Barrow told The Associated Press in an interview on Saturday that he will enter Gambia once a security sweep has been completed.

He has been in neighbouring Senegal for his safety during a political stand-off that came to the brink of a regional military intervention.

Mr Barrow, who won December's presidential elections, spoke just hours after Mr Jammeh announced he would relinquish power, ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

He said he has not yet been given the communique which should spell out the terms of Mr Jammeh's departure. "What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," he said.

Mr Barrow was inaugurated on Thursday at Gambia's embassy in Senegal, with the backing of the international community.

As Mr Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than 22 years in power, human-rights activists demanded he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led Mr Jammeh to challenge the December election results just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Mr Barrow.

Jeggan Bahoum, of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia, said: "Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot.

"The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities."

An online petition called for Mr Jammeh to be arrested instead of being granted asylum.

Mr Barrow said: "We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission.

"Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

Mr Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, has been holed up this week in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, pledged to remove Mr Jammeh by force if he did not step down.

AP
Russia is hoping for a constructive dialogue with new US President Donald Trump's administration, a spokesman for Vladimir Putin has said, but admit differences will remain.

Dmitry Peskov said it would be an "illusion" to expect US-Russian relations would be completely free of disagreements.

"Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue," Mr Peskov said.

He added that Russian President Mr Putin will call Mr Trump soon to congratulate him.

Mr Trump has promised to mend ties with Moscow badly strained over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the US elections, and his victory has elated Russian political elites.

Mr Peskov, however, pointed at the challenges posed by the intricacy of nuclear-arms control, the complexity of the situation in Syria and other issues.

While Russia supports prospective nuclear-arms cuts, they should be proportional and not upset the nuclear parity between Russia and the US, which "plays a critical role in ensuring global stability and security," Mr Peskov said.

He noted that different composition of Russian and US nuclear forces is a factor that needs to be carefully considered in negotiations.

Asked to comment on Mr Trump's recent interview with The Times newspaper in which he indicated he could end sanctions imposed on Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal, Mr Peskov said the two issues are hard to link.

Mr Peskov emphasised the US role in settling the nearly six-year conflict in Syria, where Mr Trump has offered to pool efforts with Russia in fighting the Islamic State group.

"It's quite obvious that it's impossible to constructively solve the Syrian problem without the US participation," Mr Peskov said.

Russia has already invited Mr Trump's administration to attend talks between Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan on Monday.

Russia brokered the talks together with Turkey and Iran, but Tehran has opposed the US involvement in them.

"There are certain disagreements between Moscow and Tehran on this subject," Mr Peskov said, noting the Syrian issue "is too complex to have a full harmony in approaches".

''Any deals there are unlikely, there are too many parties involved," he added.

Turning to the Ukrainian crisis, which has driven Russia's relations with the west to post-Cold War lows, Mr Peskov criticised Barack Obama's administration for an "unconstructive" approach and voiced hope Mr Trump's administration would revise it.
Sister Frances Elizabeth Schmitz, 94, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis died on Thursday at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Ill.

Schmitz began her tenure at HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in 1965, 20 years after entering the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis. She worked in medical records and served for four years as a hospital administrator.

She was then called back to the Motherhouse of the Hospital Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Springfield, where she went on to be provincial vicaress, provincial superior and serve as board of directors president for Franciscan Administrative Services, Inc.  the organization that led to the development of HSHS.

Schmitz came back to HSHS St. Josephs in 1982 to serve as the director of development where she helped lead fundraising initiatives for the L.E. Phillips-Libertas Treatment Center. She also helped lead the $10 million fundraising drive for HSHS St. Joseph Hospital that led to its rebuilding in 1975 after moving from 912 Pearl St. in Chippewa Falls.

Schmitz served as the coordinator of spiritual services and a volunteer until 2005 when she retired to the motherhouse to live with the other sisters of HSHS. She lived in the nursing care unit of the motherhouse called the Loretto home until her passing.

Joan Coffman, president and CEO of HSHS St. Josephs Hospital, remembers when she first met Schmitz when she came up from Springfield to Chippewa Falls to interview her, alongside previous president and CEO David Fish. She said Schmitz spoke about her passions for substance abuse and advocating for those who were truly most vulnerable.

Coffman said she could see the love she had and the charisma she exuded over her colleagues and volunteers. She described Schmitz as strong, wise, presen, and loving, which goes along with one of Coffmans favorite quotes from Schmitz:

If youre going to wash the dishes, wash the dishes, Coffman said. In other words, be present in the moment with whatever youre doing or whoever it is youre with. Truly be present.

Many of Schmitzs efforts revolved around substance abuse, and Coffman said much of her impact came from fundraising for various initiatives, whether they be a hospital campaign, programs, expansion of programs related to substance abuse or the Libertas Center.

The Libertas Center was supported by Hospital Sisters Health Systems west and Coffman said Schmitz advocated on St. Josephs behalf to her hospital sisters to support the funding for then Libertas Center, and then the hospital paid it back over time.

Up until two months ago, Coffman said she was still trying to raise funds for behavioral health and addiction in the area on behalf of HSHS St. Josephs.

Coffman said the hospital staffs hearts are broken right now because its such a significant loss. But they know how proud Schmitz is of the continued to support for those most vulnerable, particularly grant funding for the HOPE legislation and the governors task force on opioid abuse.

When Schmitz left in 2005 to the motherhouse due to becoming seriously injured when a staircase collapsed underneath her and Sister Mellitine Grunloh, she was one of the last remaining hospital sisters. Today, there are no sisters left in the area.

Coffman said Schmitz loved Chippewa falls and that is where her heart is. She stayed in Chippewa Falls for the two other sisters long after they had stopped working at the hospitals, before they left for the motherhouse.

As Coffman and the rest of HSHS St. Joseph moves through Schmitzs passing, she plans to share a quote from Schmitz with the rest of the staff:

In this time of uncertainty, we have the holy spirit on our side and do the lords work for the right reason and we will prevail. We go merrily along doing the right thing for the right reason and well have the grace to weather whatever comes.

Schmitzs words to St. Josephs over the years are now St. Josephs own words, Coffman said, as they move through her passing and reflect upon the great legacy she has left behind.

Visitation will be held at the St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Illinois, from 4-7 p.m. with a wake service at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 23, The Eucharistic celebration and rite of Christian burial will be celebrated by Father Dennis Koopman on Tuesday, January 24 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent, Springfield.
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ACT Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur will present a petition of about 1000 signatures to the Legislative Assembly after hundreds of protested gathered on Saturday to reject the proposal for a six-storey mixed-use building in Curtin Square.

Ms Le Couteur said the development was not compatible with the rules of the Curtin Group Centre Draft Master Plan.

Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur adresses protesters at Curtin Square. Credit:James Hall

The master plan states any building must be compatible with the desired character of the square, have appropriate scale and function of use, and minimise overshadowing and excessive scale - all of which Ms Le Couteur said was breached in the proposed development.

The redevelopment proposal put forward outlines the economic benefits for the community but Ms Le Couteur said it would only favour the developers.
A secret CIA memo warned of the Australian Communist Party's ability to "cripple Australian production" just months before the 1949 coal miner strike.

The American intelligence agency prepared a recently declassified, 10-page dossier on communist influence on Australian trade unions and the then Labor government in April, 1949.

The CIA warned that the Chifley government could face "crippled" industries if the Communist Party of Australia intervened. Credit:National Archives of Australia

The report is one of several from the CIA to detail communist activity in Australia from the end of the Second World War through to the 1960s, which were published on the agency's Freedom of Information Act website this week.

It described the government as slow to counteract the growth of communist power in unions and "notoriously lax regarding security measures" in the past.
The head of the influential doctors lobby has called out the Opposition's criticisms of the health system under minister Jillian Skinner as unhelpful and corrosive and urged Labor not to use hospitals to push its own political agenda.

Australian Medical Association NSW president Brad Frankum said he planned to meet Opposition Leader Luke Foley to address his concerns about Labor's attacks on Mrs Skinner, which were having a knock-on effect for doctors and nurses working in the system.

Labor's health spokesman Walt Secord, left, with Opposition Leader Luke Foley. Credit:Jane Dyson

"I would urge people on both sides of politics to not use critical incidents in hospitals as a way of pushing party political agendas because it's very damaging to clinicians and hospitals but most importantly to patients in the system," Mr Frankum said.

"I understand that politically, in the short term, it's probably successful, but you've got to be careful what sort of health system you want to inherit if it does end up in getting you votes."
In Saturday's sweltering heat, a group of about 300 people gathered in King George Square to protest US President Donald Trump's inauguration.

The Greens, unionists, and women's rights activists joined to support women's rights, minority groups and immigrants.

The rally, which started in a humid 33 degrees at 11am, was held in conjunction with rallies and marches around Australia.

An estimated 5000 people in Sydney marched from Hyde Park to the US consulate in one of the first Woman's Marches to take place around the globe.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a "sickening" attack in the Brisbane CBD where an ibis was strangled to death and used to threaten passers-by on Saturday morning.

Detectives said a man captured and killed the bird about 5.30am on George Street before approaching members of the public as they walked past and threatening them with the dead bird.

Ibis are a common sight around South Bank and the Brisbane CBD. Credit:Bradley Kanaris

Police attended and spoke to a man at the scene but are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or may have footage to contact them.

RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said after hearing the news "you just shake your head".
Ms Smyth said the bill attempted to address the concern by including "circumstances of an exceptional character" as an exception, but it was not defined. "Furthermore, the lack of definition of "circumstances of an exception character" might actually lead to a court allowing in an "unwanted sexual advance" defence to provocation by attempting to argue that a homosexual advance is an exceptional circumstance, which is entirely contrary to the intention of the legislation and would contravene the drafter's intention," she wrote. However, lawyer Stephen Page, who has lobbied for LGBTI equality in the past, said he hoped the reform would receive bipartisan support. "The health and safety of LGBTI people in Queensland should not be the subject of a political score card," Mr Page said. Mr Page said he had been a target while out in public with his husband, who he married in the US in 2015.

"Almost every other day for the 'sin' of holding hands or being perceived to be different, we are given the death stare, or look of disdain, or have yelled at us abusive homophobic terms. We have done nothing by our conduct to deserve such abuse," he said. Mr Page cited research from 2010, which showed 73 per cent of respondents in an LGBTI study received verbal abuse and 23 per cent were subjected to a physical attack. "Put simply, if Parliament enacts this proposed change... it will give a powerful message to the community that these types of assaults are unwelcome, unapproved and should not be tolerated," he said. The Brisbane LGBTIQ Action Group submission also supports the change, saying LGTBI Queenslanders felt vulnerable while "gay panic" remained available as a partial defence to murder. "As long as deep-seated homophobia and discrimination against people persists in some segments of society, LGBTI Queenslanders can feel vulnerable knowing this defence could potentially be used, perhaps even fictitiously, if ever they were to be the victim of a targeted gay-bashing resulting in their death," the submission reads.

"In addition to making the law fairer, by removing the so-caled gay panic defence this sends an important message to the community that LGBTI people are valued members of society and that discrimination is not acceptable." Another submission welcomed the move, but the writer questioned whether by including the phrase "other than in circumstances of an exceptional character", the bill may leave the door slightly ajar to some cases where a "homosexual advance defence" may be used. LGBTI Legal Service director of law reform Thomas Clark supported the amendment, arguing the gay panic defence was archaic. "[We] believe that the common law that gives rise to the 'gay panic' defence is completely discriminatory while perpetuating notion of 'second-class citizen' so often felt by the LGBTI community in Queensland," he said. The Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby submitted that laws that legitimate, and effectively condone, violence directed at LGBTI people "played a decisive role in the dehumanisation of members of our community throughout history, so the substantive revision of such laws is critical".

"[It would] send a strong symbolic and material message to perpetrators, as well as those in the community who would contemplate committing such acts, that they are not acceptable, are not condoned by the law, and will be punished accordingly," the submission reads. But the Australian Christian Lobby argued the bill should not be passed, saying it supported equality before the law, but section 304 was not "prima facia discriminatory" because it did not refer to sexual orientation or gender. "The proposed changes may result in unforeseen and disproportionately adverse consequences for many accused of murder in Queensland," the ACL submission reads. It also argues that female defendants might be disadvantaged, if for example, they were subjected to touching by a male colleague at work, which brought up a memory of childhood abuse, and stabbed him with scissors, they would not have access to the partial defence of provocation. "The fact that no woman in Queensland facing murder charges has appealed to 'provocation' does not mean that women who might face these charges in the future should be deprived of 'unwanted sexual advances' as a contributing factor to this partial defence," the ACL submission says.

It also asks: "Are heterosexual men to be denied a partial defence for violent responses that would be completely understandable if they were female?" The Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee received nine submissions on the bill. In November, a string of celebrities banded together to urge the Queensland government to introduce the reforms before the end of 2016. A petition calling for the reform, created by Catholic priest Paul Kelly, has more than 290,000 signatures. Father Kelly created the petition after a man was bashed and killed in his church grounds at Maryborough in 2008.
Storms that moved across south-east Queensland on Saturday afternoon, dumping significant rainfall, have brought welcome relief from muggy conditions.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning just before 3pm on Saturday, with heavy rainfall forecast as the storms cell moved north-east towards the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

The sky opened at Mount Tamborine on Saturday after sweltering days. Credit:Facebook / Nyssa Clacher

The severe system was expected to affect the area west of Kilcoy and Linville by mid-afternoon and Kilcoy, Mount Kilcoy and the area west of Conondale later in the day. Meanwhile Brisbane was expecting showers and a cool change.

Fifty-one millimetres was recorded in 30 minutes near Lake Wivenhoe, north-east of Brisbane, meanwhile Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, received just under 50 millimetres in two hours. Kilcoy, north-east of Brisbane, also saw 85 millimetres fall in the two hours to 4pm.
New York: A fugitive wanted for the brazen theft of a 39kg bucket of gold flakes worth nearly $US1.6 million ($A2.1 million) off an armoured truck in midtown Manhattan has been arrested in Ecuador, police say.

US Homeland Security investigators and New York City and Ecuador police apprehended Julio Nivelo, who also uses aliases. In Ecuador, prosecutor Maria Aguirre said Nivelo would be tried in the country for theft. Ecuador does not permit extradition.

The thief in action on the streets of New York. Credit:AP

Nivelo was arrested on Thursday after leaving the home of a relative, where he had been living, said police Colonel Carlos Coloma. Officials tracked him from New York through Florida, they said.

Defence lawyer Faricio Garcia argued that immigration documents indicate that Nivelo wasn't even in New York at the time of the theft because he has been banned from entering the US since 2008.
The district of Probolinggo in East Java, one of the centres of black magic in Indonesia. Credit:Jewel Topsfield Orthodox Islam disapproves of magic both as an idea and practice but many Javanese adhere to a religious tradition that syncretises animistic, Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. "The killings of sorcerers and subsequent ninja killings in 1998 Indonesia far eclipsed the number of victims in the Salem witch trials," La Trobe University anthropologist Nicholas Herriman writes in his 2016 book Witch-hunt and Conspiracy. Syaiful, right, the son of murder victim and suspected sorcerer Enja, with his father, Atmadin. Credit:Jewel Topsfield The so-called ninjas Herriman refers to were the black-masked assassins who killed suspected sorcerers in 1998 and then were in turn murdered by villagers.

"In the [East Javan] district of Banyuwangi alone, around 100 sorcerers were killed and many more suffered [in 1998]," Herriman writes. The bamboo gate leading to the area where Enja was killed. Credit:Jewel Topsfield The following year up to 150 more were killed in West Java. And yet, Herriman muses, the Indonesian events did not attract a fraction of the academic attention devoted to Salem. The febrile Reformasi [Reform Movement] period following the collapse of the authoritarian Suharto regime in Indonesia in May 1998, provided a ripe climate for an outbreak of lawless attacks on sorcerers. The identity card of murdered woman Enja. She was accused of being a sorceress by her brother-in-law. Credit:Jewel Topsfield

What is less known is that sporadic killings of suspected dukun santet continue to this day. On January 10, just a couple of weeks after Enja's death, a religious teacher accused of being a dukun santet was reportedly attacked and killed by seven men in Sukabumi, West Java. Reports such as these are not uncommon. Early in the new year we travel to Probolinggo, one of the centres of black magic in East Java and the home of Atmo and his haunted dreams. The woodpile in the home of Enja who was murdered by her brother-in-law Atmos for allegedly being a sorceress. Credit:Jewel Topsfield It is somehow easier to believe in sorcery in this verdant landscape, where the trees are mottled with lichen and there is darkness behind the giant piles of bananas and giant palm fronds that fringe the road. We walk through mountainous villages, where children with powdered faces wearing tiny peci (Muslim caps) scatter, shrieking in fright at the sight of a white woman.

Tiris police chief Wijaya wonders whether the fish bombs that killed a 24-year-old local labourer were actually intended for his neighbour, a suspected sorcerer. Credit:Jewel Topsfield At a village in Tiris, we sit on the floor of a home where a 24-year-old labourer called Lawe Susanto had died under mysterious circumstances just days earlier. Lawe was ripped apart by two exploding bombs, usually used for fishing, in his own living room. There are still blood stains on the door frame and under the rugs we sit on. Police are investigating whether Lawe was murdered or if he had bought the notoriously unstable fish bombs and they had accidentally exploded in his breast pocket. The police chief, Wijaya, wonders if the fish bombs were intended for Lawe's neighbour, known only as K, whom Lawe suspected of being a dukun santet. Tiris in Probolinggo. Credit:Jewel Topsfield

Lawe's wife, a slight 19-year-old, tells us her husband's little brother had died last August. "My husband told me that when my brother-in-law was sick, he kept dreaming about the neighbour," Feni Sintawati says. "Why would he dream about him if it was nothing? I am sure there is something more to it." Another view of Tiris in Probolinggo. Credit:Jewel Topsfield It's hard to imagine a place where a sick person's dreams are taken more seriously than the eastern part of East Java, known as the Horseshoe region. For police, these dreams are a red flag that santet or black magic strife is brewing in the community. "It's the culture, something their ancestors believed strongly, something that they still believe," says Probolinggo police chief Arman Asmara Syarifudin. Police have adopted an emergency response involving "three pillars"  police, religious scholars and the health department  to handle santet cases. Doctors provide a diagnosis and try to persuade the sick person their illness has a physical cause and is not a result of black magic.

The religious scholar is called upon to reinforce this message. "We try to get them to sign a statement that clears the situation up," says Arman. If all else fails, the alleged sorcerer may participate in a ritual death known as a shrouded oath or sumpah pocong. They are wrapped in a white cloth, usually in a mosque, and asked to swear their innocence with a Koran raised above their head. "It rarely goes that far because often the accuser backs down," Arman says. "This is because with sumpah pocong it is believed that if the accused was telling the truth [and was not a sorcerer] there would be repercussions suffered by the accuser." In 2016 there were six santet cases in the district of Probolinggo alone. Of these, three resulted in death and another two of the suspected sorcerers were forced into exile. Arman says santet allegations are often used as a ploy to expel a villager who has an opposing view, or in some instances, to buy the property of the accused below market price. "People living in rural areas with lower education levels are very susceptible," he laments. "We have banners up, we have lectures, but it is deep rooted in the mindset of the people."

Herriman spent a year living in the East Javanese district of Banyuwangi, sometimes referred to as the "Warehouse of Sorcery". "Local residents reconcile Islam, the predominant religion, with the existence of magic by reasoning that magic and sorcery occur only by God's leave," he writes in Witch-hunt and Conspiracy. "In every village I researched, the inhabitants I spoke to reported that several other local residents were sorcerers." However, as Herriman points out, a belief in black magic is by no means restricted to simple, illiterate villagers. Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also native to East Java, complained that witchcraft was deployed against him during the 2009 election campaign. In his book There is Always a Choice he wrote of how he and his wife had to fight a "thick dark cloud" that was trying to enter the bedroom of their home in Bogor, West Java. "Alhamdulillah. Praise the Lord. My family was safe. The incident was like footage in a typical horror movie. But this really was happening. It was real."

It is already illegal in Indonesia to teach black magic or sell items that have dark powers. However a House of Representatives team tasked with deliberating on the criminal code wants to see a heavier punishment than the current three-month jail sentence and 450,000 rupiah ($A45) fine. An amended article would criminalise anyone who said they had the ability to perform black magic that could cause sickness or death. The maximum penalty would be five years' jail and a 300 million rupiah fine. The agreed provisions were aimed at preventing violent witch-hunts and ensuring public order, Taufiqulhadi, a Nasdem Party lawmaker, told the Jakarta Post in November. More than 800 kilometres and a world away from the House of Parliament in South Jakarta, the son of the alleged sorcerer Enja sits in a green-walled shack in Jambangan in Probolinggo. Syaiful smokes a cigarette and the darkness gathers around him. It is impossible, he tells us, for his mother Enja to have studied to acquire the dark and mystical powers of a dukun santet. "She worked on the farm, that's all she could do. She couldn't even write her own name."
In celebration of Donald Trumps inauguration, I decided to see how he got elected by reading an op-ed column in the New York Times. It was written by Robert Leonard of radio stations KNIA/KRLS in Knoxville, Iowa, and titled Why Rural America Voted for Trump.

I am not too fond of Iowa. It is too flat; you may fall off the end of the world if you are not careful.

The opinion column began with this paragraph: One recent morning, I sat near two young men at a coffee shop here whom Ive known since they were little boys. Now about 18, they pushed away from the table, and one said: Lets go to work. Let the liberals sleep in. The other nodded.

That got a smile from me for several reasons, but let me continue.

The column went on to say that both boys were hard workers. One was going to college on scholarship, and the other was a welder. Both boys are conservative, believe in hard work, family, the military and cops, and they know that abortion and socialism are evil, that Jesus Christ is their savior, and that Donald J. Trump will be good for America.

I started laughing here because I remember being 18. At 18 you have just graduated from high school, and are young and pretty naive. Your life stands before you with all the majesty of unlimited time and an endless horizon. Life has not yet smacked you upside the head, but it will.

I turned 18 in June of 1969. I worked for Marshfield Water and Light, registered for the draft, registered for a deferment, drank some beer and planned to go to UW-Eau Claire in the fall. I didnt care who slept in. I was leery of the military, had no contact with the cops, did not care about abortion, did not think about socialism, did not worry about Jesus Christ and I knew Richard Nixon was very evil.

In the column, the two kids above were profiled as the new middle American Conservative. I did not know this when I was 18 and neither will the kids above: your upbringing, your parents, your own decisions, your luck and other things create your life. Politics can become a source of dumping blame on other people for reasons that often reflect our own poor judgement.

The young man above who is the welder may indeed have a great life or he may wake up some morning when he is 45, find out that breathing all the fumes from his welding career has damaged his lungs and he can no longer work. If he has no health insurance, life is going to change for him and his family. If there is no safety net, perhaps he will understand the good things about socialism, like Medicare and Social Security disability.

The young man going to Iowa State University may pursue a major and find that his skills do not match the available jobs in rural Iowa. He may end up moving out of state to a city to find work. Goodbye Iowa, hello Chicago! Chicago will be unlike Knoxville, Iowa.

Hopefully neither young man will be required to make a decision on abortion for the life or health of their spouse. Hopefully they will not face a crisis of faith in Jesus Christ. Hopefully neither one has gender identity issues or is in fact gay. Hopefully both kids will never have an encounter with the police that ends in tragedy, nor will they be drafted and sent off to fight a war that in the end is meaningless.

So, kids, to answer your concern about liberals sleeping in: I paid my dues and I will sleep in. Until you have paid all of your dues, suck it up, buttercup. Mr. Trump has and will continue to take care of himself. Congress has and will take care of itself. The question you two gentlemen need to answer is: Can you take care of yourselves or will I and other liberals have to take care of you?

The jury will be out on that one for a long time  probably 50 years. Whether you are a conservative or a liberal, remember that life is what happens when youre making other plans, and there is no way around that.

At 18 you have just graduated from high school, and are young and pretty naive. Life has not yet smacked you upside the head, but it will.
Teams familiar with another meeting again in 1st weekend of playoffs

football
The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday, Jan. 17:

Federal environmental policy often produces conflicting results. On one hand, the Environmental Protection Agency has promulgated a Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. On the other, Washington uses incentives and mandates to promote the use of ethanol in transportation fuel, even though environmental groups say ethanol is worse for the climate than gasoline.

Recently, the Bureau of Land Management decided to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota by vetoing a proposed nickel and copper mine that could have polluted it. Good enough. But government programs also can be harmful. Decades of fire suppression by the Forest Service have disrupted natural fire cycles and turned many western forests into tinderboxes waiting to burn, writes Terry Anderson and Reed Watson of the Property and Environment Research Center in Bozeman, Mont.

Getting the entire federal government to push in the same direction is no easy task, given the many agencies that have a hand in environmental issues. Getting the right balance between sensible protection and wasteful folly is also hard. Add to that a new complexity: the widespread fear that Donald Trump will surrender Americas public outdoors to extraction industries, big game hunters and private landholders.

Environmental groups such as those that work to protect and restore wolves, bears and other species are alarmed by some of the president-elects appointees. How many threats to wildlife and the environment can Trump fit into one Cabinet? one leading group, Defenders of Wildlife, asks on its website.

And thats only one realm of concern. The incoming administration already has indicated it has some misplaced priorities. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, nominated to head the EPA, sued to block the Obama administrations Clean Power Plan, which limited emissions from power plants, and its regulations on methane, a potent greenhouse gas. All this fits with the president-elects vow to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement and end what he calls (President) Obamas war on coal.

Because those EPA rules are already in place, the next administration cant simply scrap them. Undoing them would require it to go through a laborious process, followed by a protracted barrage of legal challenges.

Given the value of the regulations in moderating the long-term danger of global warming as well as protecting public health in the short term, we hope Trump decides not to reverse course. The shift away from coal has come about mostly because of its relatively high cost, not government dictates, and its unrealistic to think he could  or should  turn it around. Climate change is not the sort of problem that will go away if the president ignores it.

There are, however, steps his administration could take to reduce regulatory costs in an environmentally smart way. Trumps pledge to expand oil and gas leasing on federal lands may help combat climate change by increasing the supply of natural gas, which emits far less carbon dioxide than coal. Federal fuel economy standards for cars and trucks  a clumsy, inefficient method to cut gasoline consumption  should be phased out. Congress and the EPA ought to stop pushing ethanol. Pruitt shares our dislike of the governments ethanol mandate, which  mostly as a sop to farm state voters  requires that refiners mix increasingly large percentages of biofuels into gasoline.

Trump also could embrace an option that would simultaneously benefit the environment and reduce costs to the taxpayer and the economy. Its an idea long favored by his nominee for secretary of state, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson: a carbon tax.

By raising the costs of fuels according to the damage they do, this remedy would use market forces to get the biggest bang for the buck. By creating tangible incentives, it would eliminate the need for the governments tangle of renewable-fuel subsidies, fuel economy requirements and various gimmicks meant to alter how people behave.

Harvards Gregory Mankiw, chairman of the presidents Council of Economic Advisers under George W. Bush, has explained how proponents want to put a price on carbon and incentivize people to reduce carbon emissions through a variety of different channels, allowing individuals to figure out whats the best way to do that. Is it best to drive smaller cars? Is it best to carpool to work? Is it best to move closer to work? Is it best to commit to public transportation?

The funds collected could be used to cut other taxes  corporate or individual  so there is no change in the total tax burden. That would enhance the benefits to the overall economy even as it reduces the federal role in our lives.

Many presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, are remembered long after for their achievements in preserving and protecting air, water, wildlife and wild places. The incumbent has made some valuable contributions. Trump would be wise to focus not on dismantling Obamas legacy but on building his own.
Corinne's Place in Camden is now in the food truck business

The James Beard Foundation award-winning restaurant has been cooking up soul food in Camden for 30 years.
It is broadly estimated that the Indian logistics market will be worth $ 307 billion by 2020. However, increasing overheads like inventory holding costs and transaction costs and the fact that India spends around 14-15 percent of its gross domestic product on logistics and transportation as compared to less than 8-9 percent costs incurred by other developing countries have ensured that domestic logistics players do not have a competitive edge over their global peers. A fragmented and under-developed framework has bogged the potencies of the sector. Inferior physical and communication infrastructure has hampered the operational bandwidth of logistics service providers (LSPs) in India.
2017 is round the corner and like any other year, every industry is trying to speculate about whats going to come on their shares. As far as the healthcare sector is concerned, there are a lot of expectations. The previous made it clear that the government is aiming to move forward by a steady inclusion of healthcare insurances in order to make utility affordable and available for everybody. We also saw the coming in of many schemes such as the Jan Aushadhi Yojana, The Health Protection Scheme etc.
'First make a good-faith to recruit American workers', says a new Bill introduced in the United States Congress by senators Chuck Grassley and Dick Durbin to tighten the noose around the H-1B visa programme.
Tyre major said its new Gujarat plant would cater to both the domestic and export markets.



The company expects the facility will be constructed in 12 months. recently signed an agreement with the Gujarat government to invest Rs 4,500 crore over the next 10 years.



KM Mammen, chairman and managing director of said, MRF is soon going to acquire land in Bharuch and start construction.  While MRF did not disclose the capacity of the plant, sources said it would produce 1 million tyres per month. The project will be funded by internal accruals and debt.



MRF is investing another Rs 4,500 crore to expand its capacity in Tamil Nadu, where it has three tyre manufacturing plants.



The company now has a capacity of 120,000 tyres per day across its eight plants in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala.
Fliers to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata from Delhi airport will have to go to Terminal-2 to board flights from the middle of next month.



GMR-led (DIAL) has asked IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir to shift operations from Terminal-1 (T1), out of which they currently operate. Reason: So that the expansion work of the terminal can begin. Airlines, especially low-cost carrier SpiceJet and GoAir, had been opposing the plan  in the works of sometime now  as they feel it would inconvenience travellers. They also claimed that asking them to shift would be preferential treatment to rival IndiGo, which had not been given such an instruction earlier.

On 19 January, DIAL Chief Executive Officer I Prabhakara Rao wrote to the heads of the three airlines that as there was no consensus between them over who would shift, all three would have to shift operations so that T1D could be decongested for expansion work.

After careful consideration, it has been decided that flights operating to BOM (Mumbai), BLR (Bengaluru) and CCU (Kolkata) of all three airlines will be shifted to Terminal-2 from February 15 and accordingly, all resources will be allocated to T2, Rao wrote.

The letter has been addressed to IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh, SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh and GoAir CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer.

The letter, reviewed by Business Standard, also mentions that the airlines were given an option to reduce flights in peak hours by 20 per cent and spread it to non-peak hours, which they did not agree to.

Multiple rounds of negotiations between the airport operator and the airlines failed. According to the original plan, the SpiceJet and GoAir were asked to shift to Terminal-2, leaving the entire Terminal 1D to IndiGo  the largest domestic airline by fleet size and market share. At present, low-cost domestic carriers IndiGo, Spicejet and GoAir operate from T1D, where as Vistara, AirAsia India and Air India operates from Terminal-3.

Airline officials, speaking off-record, said that such an arrangement was unprecedented and would lead to severe difficulties in operation and create confusion for the passengers.

An IndiGo spokesperson said they supported the development plan but would not agree to splitting operations. We will support of any effort to make things better without splitting our domestic operations in Delhi and creating inconvenience for our customers, he said.

The building (Terminal-2) is far from the main terminus. We have to give new directions to the passengers. There are costs of operations. Will the airport bear that cost? said a GoAir official.

We dont have any comments to make, a DIAL spokesperson in response to a detailed query.

SpiceJet spokespersons were not available to comment.

In his letter the DIAL CEO, however, mentioned it had invested Rs 100 crore to renovate T2 and it was ready to handle 12 million passengers a year. The number of passengers could be scaled up. The renovated T2 is at par with T3 and T1 in respect of facilities and comfort to passengers, he wrote.

According to the master plan of expansion, T1s area would be increased to 133,000 sqm from 53,000 sqm, and it would be able to handle 23 million passengers.

Ten aerobridges would be constructed and the number of boarding gates would be increased from eight to 25. Other low-cost domestic carriers would be shifted to Terminal 1 after the expansion.

DIAL also plans to construct Terminal 4, in the area where currently Terminal 2 is located. Terminal 4 would cater to full-service domestic carriers, such as Air India and Jet Airways.

Once T-4 is constructed, full-service domestic operations of Jet Airways and Air India and other such airlines will be shifted there and T-3 would only deal with international flights.

MOVING BASE, FOR A WHILE



Delhi airport has asked IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir to shift flight operations to Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata to Terminal 2

REASON FOR SHIFT



Upgrade of Terminal 1

MASTER PLAN



Increase passenger capacity: From 20 million currently to 35 million

From 20 million currently to 35 million Reconfiguring and increase of aircraft parking stand: From 10 aerobridges to 86

From 10 aerobridges to 86 Constructions: Metro link, with Phase 3 and Phase 4 of Delhi Metro

Metro link, with Phase 3 and Phase 4 of Delhi Metro A multi-level car parking

WHY AIRLINES ARE OPPOSING


Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was on Friday fined 900,000 after a worker lost his leg in an accident, described as "completely avoidable" by a court, at one of the company's United Kingdom (UK) factories nearly two years ago.
Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, including two Pakistani nationals arrested by BSF in 2007 from the Indo-Bangladesh border at Petrapole, were today sentenced to death by a court in Bongaon in West Bengal's North 24-Parganas district in a case of waging war against the government.

Pakistani militants Mohammed Younus and Abdullah and an Indian, Muzaffar Ahmed Rathod, were sentenced to death by judge Binay Kumar Pathak of Bongaon fast track court-1.

The three have been booked under IPC Sections 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging, or attempting to wage war) and 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war against the Government of India), CID DIG (Operations) Nishad Pervej told PTI.

Abdullah and Younus are residents of Pakistan's Karachi and Haripur respectively, while Rathod hailed from Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag.

They were arrested by BSF while trying to enter India through its international border with Bangladesh at Petrapole on April 4, 2007.

"They had a plan to attack army camps in Jammu and Kashmir, but before they could proceed with their plan they were caught by BSF and handed over to Bangaon police station," he said.

The probe found that all the four were well-trained in using AK-47 rifle, hand grenades and manufacturing bombs.

Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem alias Sameer from Maharashtra, another militant who was also arrested along with them, had managed to flee in 2013 when he was being taken to Mumbai.

During investigation, it was found that Abdullah was a teacher while Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem was an engineer by profession. They were involved in an incident of bomb blast in Mumbai.

The three underwent polygraph tests, narco tests and brain mapping during the probe conducted by the state CID, he said.
Business Standard brings to you a list of five key developments from across the country.



The era of Trump begins



Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday. During his inauguration, he delivered a fiery attack on the Washington establishment in which he vowed to return power to the American public and deliver on the pledges he had made in his campaign. "Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, Trump said in his inauguration speech, adding, We are transferring power from Washington, DC, and giving it back to you, the people.
Four people have been arrested along with 14 kg of cannabis (hashish) as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted an inter-state racket of illegal drugs being sourced here from Himachal Pradesh.

Officials said an inter-state operation launched two days ago bore results yesterday and the NCB first intercepted three people on-board a car near the Jehangir Puri MIllegal drug racket bustedetro station.

They said a thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 14 kg of cannabis (hashish or hash) cleverly concealed in the back seat and the questioning of the occupants led the sleuths to know that the contraband was sourced from Katrain village in Himachal's Kullu valley.

They said the trio led the NCB to a fourth person, also the alleged recipient of the cache, identified as one Gopal alias Gopal Seth in nearby Faridabad.

"The investigations revealed that the intercepted vehicle belonged to Gopal. The four people have been arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act," NCB Zonal Director (Delhi) Madho Singh said.

The central anti-narcotics agency is now probing the source of the drugs from Himachal Pradesh and NCB officials said the racket was allegedly involved in supplying drugs like 'hashish' and 'charas' to various locations in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana's Faridabad, they said.

'Hashish' is consumed by smoking it with tobacco or alone in a pipe or using a rolling paper.
home World Persecuted Christians from Burma go to Iraq to help ISIS victims

As Iraqi forces continue to push their way into Mosul to liberate the city from the Islamic State, Christians who experienced persecution in Burma are risking their lives in war zones in Iraq to help the victims of the terror group.

Free Burma Rangers (FBR) was formed with the aim of providing humanitarian aid to the Burmese minorities who were displaced by persecution from the military government. Led by former U.S. Army Ranger officer David Eubank, the group had established over 70 relief teams in Burma, representing 13 different ethnic minorities. Apart from providing medical assistance, food and shelter in combat areas, FBR also documents human rights abuses.

The group took the opportunity to help oppressed Iraqis and Syrians in February 2015. In an interview with The Christian Post, Eubank revealed that he was contacted by a friend who was working as a missionary in Kurdistan after ISIS took over the Nineveh Plains in Iraq in 2014.

His friend pleaded for him to come to Kurdistan, but the Burma Army was standing in their way, making it almost impossible for them to leave the country. After Eubank prayed to God, the Burmese army moved the very next day.

With the help of another friend in the U.S., Eubank was able to purchase plane tickets to Kurdistan.

"On the first trip to Kurdistan is when I was on the front lines with the Kurdish army and I was on top of Sinjar Mountain with ISIS down below and looked out and asked God, 'What do you want me to do?'" Eubank narrated. "I just felt him say, 'Give up the Free Burma Ranger way and help these people,'" he continued.

He went on to meet with FBR team members in Thailand to ask them to join him in his mission. Eubank, along with his wife, daughter and son, went back to Kurdistan with about five of his ethnic Burmese team members.

Eubank said that all of the team members were Christians who have experienced persecution, and some have lost family members in military conflicts.

"So you get these guys from Burma and their war is not over yet. If you ask them 'Why are you going,' they will say, 'God is leading us and people have helped us so we should help others,'" Eubank recounted.

He noted that the ethnic team members have become world-class medics through their experiences in Burma.

In November 2016, an NGO asked FBR to go to Mosul to provide food to residents who were not able to escape the city and aid wounded Iraqi soldiers. Eubank said that FBR will go wherever there are people who needed their help.

"In this case, the people we needed to help were in Mosul. We were right in with the Iraqi Army, giving them medical care when they got shot, giving food and supplies for the city people," he recounted.

Eubank returned to Burma last December for the graduation of 17 new FBR relief teams, but he was in the process of returning to Mosul when he was interviewed, according to The Christian Post.
A 21-year-old student was allegedly raped by two Afghan nationals in south Delhi's Green Park area, police said today.

The victim, a second year BA (Honours) student of JNU, had gone to a pub in Hauz Khas village last week with her friend where she met one Twaab Ahmad alias Saleem, 27, an Afghan national, they said.

Saleem, who lives here along with his Afghan friend Sulaiman Ahmadi, 31, on United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card, invited them to his house in Green Park for a party, a police officer said.

"When she went to Saleem's house along with her friend, Saleem's three friends -- Sulaiman, Siddhant and Pratyusha -- were present at his house. While her friend was dropped off at JNU, the girl came back to Saleem's house and they consumed alcohol," the officer said.

When the victim woke up in the morning, she saw Sulaiman forcing himself on her. She realised that Saleem and Sulaiman had sexually assaulted her when she was unconscious," he said.

The victim went back to her hostel in and narrated the incident to her two friends, who immediately took her to the police station. She was taken to a nearby hospital for medical examination.

On the victim's complaint, an FIR under section 376 (punishment for rape) read with 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC was lodged at the Safdarjung Enclave police station on January 12.

The accused, Saleem - an event manager, and Sulaiman, have been arrested and sent to judicial custody by a court, said the officer.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government spent Rs 30 lakh on advertisements for student loans' scheme, but only three students got a mere Rs 3.15 lakh till December last, Swaraj India today claimed, as it sought to rupture the "tall claims" made by the Arvind Kejriwal dispensation in the field of education.

The Higher Education and Skill Guarantee Scheme is Delhi government's flagship programme.

Addressing a press conference, Yogendra Yadav said doubling of education budget is also a "myth" as figures tell a different tale and stated the number of schools and colleges in the capital show a decline, contrary to the claims made by the Delhi government.

"Till December 30, 2016 (in the past year-and-a-half), loans were given to 97 students of the 405 applicants through this scheme.

"Of these, the Delhi Government gave only 3 loans, limiting their exposure to a mere Rs 3.15 lakh. All the remaining loans were financed through a similar central government scheme.

"In its very first year (2015-16), the government made an advertising expenditure of over Rs 30 lakh," Yadav said.

Yadav claimed that information was sought through RTI and official documents of Delhi government.

The refused to react on Yadav's alligations.

AAP's Delhi unit convener Dilip Pandey said, "We don't want to comment on the claims those who have no role to play in growth of Delhi politics."

Pandey later said, said, "At least three lives could be shaped by it."

Yadav also claimed had promised construction of 500 new schools in a year. However, in 2014-15, there were 1,007 Delhi government schools in the Capital Territory.

"By the end of 2015-16, there were 1,011. All of 4 new schools were constructed in the entire year. This is much lower than what the previous government managed in each of the last 4 years. The total number of schools in Delhi NCT also went down in the year 2015-16, 5,796 as opposed to 5,798 till the year before," Yadav said.

He pointed out that Kejriwal had promised 20 new colleges but at the end of 2015-16, Delhi has one college less than it had till the year before for general education (84, compared to 85 in 2014-15).

He also called the government's claim of doubling of the education budget, a mere "myth".

"A few months after assuming office in February 2015, the AAP government presented its first budget and went to town about more than doubling the education budget (raising it by 106%). Figures that establish the claim as deceptive and an embarrassing exaggeration.

"It was only the Budget's 'Planned' component which was hiked to Rs 4,570 crore from the previous year's Rs 2,219 crore by 106%, and not the entire Budget.

"Also, of the gross allocated amount only Rs 2,932 crore was spent. So, the actual planned expenditure on education in Delhi NCT went up by 37%," Yadav said.
The President of India and the Governor of Tamil Nadu on Saturday gave their nods to an ordinance allowing the bull taming sport of in Tamil Nadu. This marks the end of a five-day protest by students and youth across the state. will now take place after a gap of three years on Sunday and Monday across Tamil Nadu.
Pakistan today handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the LoC hours after the army's in September last year.

Chandu Babulal Chavan, 22, returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border.

The BSF handed him over to the Army which took him to an undisclosed location.

Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the boundary in Kashmir hours after India's surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC.

Chavan's brother Bhushan Chavan, who is also a soldier, said he is thankful to the army for its effort.

"I am thankful to DGMO and army for the efforts they have made. I am never going to forget this. I am also a soldier and will continue to do my duty with full honesty till my last breath," he said.

"I am grateful to the villagers and everybody who prayed for not just my brother but for a soldier of this country," Bhushan said.

Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother had died of shock following the news of his capture by Pakistani troops.
Pakistan on Saturday in a "goodwill gesture" returned Chandu Babulal Chavan, who inadvertently crossed the LoC in September last year.

According to an ISPR statement, Sepoy Chavan, stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, "deserted his post at the LoC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders".

"He willfully crossed LoC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," the Pakistan Army's media wing said.

It said that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity along LoC and WB (International Border), Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds."

Chavan, 22, was posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles at Mendhar, Jammu and Kashmir and on September 29, just hours after the Indian Army's surgical strikes had "inadvertently crossed LoC" to the Pakistan side.

His grandmother suffered a cardiac arrest and died after the family was informed that he was captured by the Pakistan Army.

India had been in regular touch with Pakistan for the release of Chavan.
In an attempt to search for life beyond Earth, astronomers have found that a planet about 14 light years away is located within the habitable zone- the region where liquid water could exist on its surface.

The question of whether Earthlings are alone in the universe has puzzled everyone from biologists and physicists to philosophers and filmmakers.

Stephen Kane, astronomer at San Francisco State University in the US focused on finding "habitable zones," areas where water could exist in a liquid state on a planet's surface if there is sufficient atmospheric pressure.

Kane and his team examined the habitable zone on a planetary system 14 light years away.

"The Wolf 1061 system is important because it is so close and that gives other opportunities to do follow-up studies to see if it does indeed have life," Kane said.

However, it is not just Wolf 1061's proximity to Earth that made it an attractive subject for Kane and his team.

One of the three known planets in the system, a rocky planet called Wolf 1061c, is entirely within the habitable zone, researchers said.

Researchers were able to measure the star around which the planet orbits to gain a clearer picture of whether life could exist there.

When scientists search for planets that could sustain life, they are basically looking for a planet with nearly identical properties to Earth, Kane said.

Like Earth, the planet would have to exist in a sweet spot often referred to as the "Goldilocks zone" where conditions are just right for life.

The planet can not be too close or too far from its parent star. A planet that is too close would be too hot. If it is too far, it may be too cold and any water would freeze, which is what happens on Mars, Kane added.

Conversely, when planets warm, a "runaway greenhouse effect" can occur where heat gets trapped in the atmosphere.

Scientists believe this is what happened on Earth's twin, Venus. They believe Venus once had oceans, but because of its proximity to the Sun the planet became so hot that all the water evaporated, according to NASA.

Since water vapour is extremely effective in trapping in heat, it made the surface of the planet even hotter. The surface temperature on Venus now reaches around 471 degrees Celsius.

Since Wolf 1061c is close to the inner edge of the habitable zone, meaning closer to the star, it could be that the planet has an atmosphere that is more similar to Venus.

"It is close enough to the star where it is looking suspiciously like a runaway greenhouse," said Kane.

Kane and his team also observed that unlike Earth, which experiences climatic changes such as an ice age because of slow variations in its orbit around the Sun, Wolf 1061c's orbit changes at a much faster rate, which could mean the climate there could be quite chaotic.

The study appears in the Astrophysical Journal.
Unsatisfied with the responses of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Urjit Patel to specific queries on demonetisation, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Friday asked him to furnish written replies to the concerns expressed by the members within two weeks and appear before the panel again.
A public-private partnership (PPP) model by which private players can set up screening and treatment facilities in district to treat four non-communicable diseases is in the last stages of preparation.
With no Union minister present to project the state as a preferred investment destination and demonetisation hitting the small-scale cash-based industries hard, West Bengal could attract investment commitments only worth Rs 2,35,290 crore at the 2017 edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit, the lowest since the branding of the states business potential kicked off.
The two-day Bengal Global Business Summit organised by the state government has received investment proposals worth Rs 2,35,290 crore, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced here on Saturday.

Addressing delegates on the concluding day of the meet, Banerjee said the manufacturing sector netted investment commitment of Rs 61,765 crore.

Among other major sectors, MSME attracted business proposals of Rs 50,710 crore, urban development got Rs 46,600 crore and transport Rs 38,801 crore.

"Despite demonetisation, a sum of Rs 2,35,290 crore has been committed during the summit," Banerjee said.

"This figure, at this juncture, in this situation is enough," Banerjee said.

She said during the previous two summits in 2015 and 2016 the state received over Rs 4.93 lakh crore of investment proposals, of which over 40 percent are in the implementation stage.

"Out of that, already over 40 percent has been implemented. It takes time to implement the projects," she said.

In the third edition of the summit, Chinese delegation committed investments of Rs 27, 200 crore for building up elevated mass rapid transit while Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state-run Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation for setting up a green city.

Banerjee said Norway showed interest in the maritime sector while the delegation from Italy expressed their keenness for projects in leather and manufacturing categories.

She also said the Chinese delegation evinced interest in infrastructure and manufacturing while delegates from Japan were keen on participating in a drinking water project.

Terming the summit as "super successful", Banerjee once again urged the industrialists to invest in Bengal.

"If you invest in Bengal, you can develop industries in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and north eastern states. You can also develop industries in Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore which are not far way from Bengal."
Vintage Rockefeller Cigar Group has announced that Kevin Schweitzer has acquired the company. Schweitzer has assumed sole ownership of the company where he will serve as its President. Vintage Rockefeller Cigar Group is best known for its Rock-A-Feller cigar brand.

Schweitzer is known as a Wall Street trader who serves as President of Sea Crest Holding Group. He has also been a cigar enthusiast for over 25 years. A press release announcing the transaction describes Schweitzer as a type of executive who thrives under pressure; he has travelled to several countries deemed dangerous and high-risk to pursue and broker international sales of gold, silver and other highly valuable and rare precious minerals.

I am extremely excited taking over Vintage Rockefeller Cigar Group and I look forward to guiding a company with a solid history to a new era of success. Right now, my vision is to grow the brand throughout the U.S. and eventually move into shepherding the company internationally. We really want to make a cigar that not only everyone can trust, but one that can be enjoyed across all walks of life. Everyone should feel like a Rockefeller! commented Schweitzer in a press release.

The Vintage Rockefeller Cigar Group and Rock-A-Feller brand was founded by Jeffrey Uvezian and a descendant of the Rockefeller company. If the name Uvezian sounds familiar, that is because Jeffrey is the son of legendary cigar ambassador Avo Uvezian. Uvezian is no longer a part of the company.

. As for the story of the brand, according to the company, the original inspiration of the brand was to create a cigar that cigar captures a rich American history of both men and women who prospered during the time of the Great Depression.

Coinciding with news of the acquisition, the company also announced it is taking its Vintage Nicaraguan blends national. This a blend that was only made available to select retailers. Plans are to take this blend as well as the companys Dominican Classic blends into global markets in the next 18 months.

In my first few weeks with the company, I met with our Master blenders in both Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. In Nicaragua, I rediscovered my love of boutique cigars when I first lit up a blend that had been shelved years ago and laid down to age. This was a blend that had been made years ago in the early days of the company, a private blend released to a select few. At that moment I knew that it needed to be shared with the rest of the world. At that moment I knew what needed to be done. commented Schweitzer.

Schweitzer added, I have travelled across America introducing myself as the new President of Vintage Rockefeller Cigars, and the feedback has been extremely positive! We have introduced our (until recently) private blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos to a handful of cigar lovers who have all commented on the quality and exceptional flavor. It really is an exciting time to be involved in the cigar industry!

Schweitzer also has a goal of changing the perception that cigars are still only meant for retirees and older gentleman. The goal is to not only making his brand something attractive to younger smokers such as millennials.

Photo and Image Credits: Vintage Rockefeller Cigar Group
PM congratulates Donald Trump on his assumption of office as President of the USA

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Mr.

Donald Trump on his assumption of office as President of the United States of America. "Congratulations to Donald Trump on assuming office as US President. Best wishes in leading USA to greater achievements in the coming years. Strength of the India-USA strategic partnership lies in our shared values and common interests. Looking forward to working with President to further deepen India-US ties & realise the full potential of our cooperation", the Prime Minister said.
Vice President Congratulates American Vice President

The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has extended congratulations to his American counterpart, Mr. Michael R. Pence on assuming office of the Vice President of the United States of America, here today. While conveying a strong desire for working together in promoting bilateral relations, the Vice President has extended an invitation for the American Vice President to visit India at an early date.

Following is the text of Vice Presidents message :

Please accept my heartiest congratulations on your assumption of office as the Vice President of the United States of America. I am confident that under your leadership, our strong and deep relations will scale new heights. I look forward to working with you in promoting the common interests of our two nations and peoples and take this opportunity to invite you to visit India at your earliest convenience.

Please accept, Excellency, my best wishes for success in office and for your personal well-being.
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The word in Davos: ignore the tweets. Executives gathered in the Swiss resort for the World Economic Forum this week keep repeating, like a soothing mantra, that Donald Trump is at heart a pragmatist who will avoid trade wars and regulations that make it harder to do business. What somebodys saying is not necessarily what theyre going to do, said David Cote, chief executive officer of Honeywell International. He should hope so: Honeywell is a global manufacturing giant with far more employees outside the US than in, and it has made major bets on projects ...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated on his becoming the US President and said he looked forward to working with him to further deepen India-US ties.

"Congratulations on assuming office as US President. Best wishes in leading USA to greater achievements in the coming years," Modi said in a tweet.

"Strength of the India-USA strategic partnership lies in our shared values and common interests," the Prime Minister said.

"Looking forward to working with President to further deepen India-US ties and realise the full potential of our cooperation," Modi added.

Modi's remarks came after Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of USA.
Thousands of protesters in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday joined the first of hundreds of womens' marches organised around the world in a show of disapproval of US President as he began his first day in office.
With the new administration beginning, many people might want to know how to resist it. The inauguration week includes many protests against Donald Trumps values  from the Womens March on Washington to the #J20 Art Strike. What should we aim for as we head into protests?
An Indian citizen, who had sexually abused a child under 10 years, was convicted of fraud for not disclosing his crime to officials during the application process, according to authorities.

The federal prosecutor for Northern New York, Richard S. Hartunian, said on Friday that Gurpreet Singh, 37, was convicted by a federal court jury in Syracuse in New York State of unlawfully obtaining US .

The prosecutor's office said that Singh, who lived in Watertown, repeatedly affirmed to authorities that he had not committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.

But during the time he was applying for citizenship, he had abused the child and was ultimately convicted in a state court after he admitted guilt there, according to the prosecution.

"Singh deliberately failed to report his criminal activity because he knew he was not entitled to citizenship" and the citizenship service "would not have approved Singh's naturalisation application if the agency had known about his abuse of the child," the prosecutor's office said.

He will lose his US citizenship and faces a prison term when he is sentenced in May.
Having studied history, one becomes acutely aware of how the universe works in strange ways. And as a consequence of the universes bizarre machinations, today, January 20, will go down in history as the day that orange-faced buffoon (as a colleague once called him) took over the presidency of the most influential country in the world.
There was no poetry in the words delivered to a half-empty National Mall on Inauguration Day. But then, nobody expected a hint of verse or a well-turned phrase from President Donald J. Trump.
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump and his family looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington
Donald Trump invoked the image of a US plagued by weak borders, lopsided alliances and bad trade deals in an inauguration speech that hammered on his America First view of foreign policy and undermined hopes abroad that the new president would moderate his protectionist tone. For many decades, weve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry; subsidised the armies of other countries, while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military, Trump said. Weve defended other nations borders while refusing to ...
The new US administration of President said its trade strategy to protect American jobs would start with withdrawal from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact.
Bihar will form the world's longest human chain on Saturday starting from the Gandhi Maidan here showing staunch support towards liquor ban.

The chain which will be formed to herald the second phase of a campaign in support of prohibition would be over 3,000 km long and would involve more than two crore people.

The participants will hold each other's hands on the main route and sub-routes within the districts including the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The human chain will be formed at 10 a.m. for half an hour and the participants will stand in the left side of the road.

Earlier on Thursday, the Patna High Court directed the Bihar Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to explain how the students were being involved in the proposed human chain.

Earlier in January, the Bihar Government moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of plea against liquor ban legislation from the Patna High Court.

Alcohol companies had earlier moved the Patna High Court against the liquor ban.

The apex court had earlier in October stayed the Patna High Court's order quashing the notification banning consumption and sale of liquor in Bihar.

The court admitted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Government's plea and also issued notice to Confederation of Alcoholic Beverage Companies.

The state government had in October moved the apex court challenging the Patna High Court's order of striking down the Bihar Prohibition of Liquor Act.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hitting out at Asaduddin Owaisi for terming Jallikattu protest a lesson for Hindutva forces, the Congress Party on Saturday said the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen ( AIMIM) chief is being used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to create communal polarisation.

"Owaisi is B team of Bharatiya Janata Party. He is used by the BJP to create communal polarisation. Owaisi was used by the BJP even in Bihar elections and when they failed, he was sent to Hyderabad for similar purpose and now when Uttar Pradesh elections are on head, he has again now been taken out by BJP to create communal divide and polarisation," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told ANI.

Surjewala further labeled Owaisi as dangerous for the idea of India, adding that the people should realise that the latter is being used by the BJP to create communal divide.

Owaisi yesterday said that Jallikattu protest was a lesson for Hindutva forces.

"#Jallikattuprotest Lesson for Hindutva forces, Uniform Civil Code cannot be "imposed" this nation cannot have one CULTURE we celebrate all," Owaisi had tweeted.

Meanwhile, in a respite to the people of Tamil Nadu, the Centre yesterday gave approval to an ordinance revoking the ban on Jallikattu.

In consultation with Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, the ministries forwarded the ordinance to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.

This latest development came in the wake of sea of protesters that continued to swell on the Marina beach in Chennai for the fourth day as supporters of Jallikattu staged their protest.

The Supreme Court, which had banned the sport in 2014, has agreed not to pass any interim order for a week.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Would-be protesters heading to the Women's March on Washington have reportedly been denied entry into the United States.

Montrealer Sasha Dyck was part of a group of eight who had arranged online to travel together to Washington. Divided into two cars, the group - six Canadians and two French nationals - arrived at the border crossing that connects St Bernard de Lacolle in Quebec with Champlain, New York, on Thursday, reports the Guardian.

The group was upfront about their plans with border agents and said, "We were going to the women's march on Saturday" to which the agents replied, 'Well, you're going to have to pull over'."

Following this, their cars were searched and their mobile phones examined. Each member of the group was fingerprinted and had their photo taken.

Border agents first told the two French citizens that they had been denied entry to the US and informed them that any future visit to the US would now require a visa.

The others were told to head back home and were also warned that if they tried to cross the border again during the weekend, they would be arrested.

Many similar incidents have been reported.

After an attempted crossing late Thursday, Montreal resident Joseph Decunha said he was also turned away. He and the two Americans he was with told the border agent that they were planning to attend the inauguration and the women's march.

The group was brought in for secondary processing, where the border agent asked about their political views.

After being fingerprinted and photographed he was told that his two friends could enter the US, but that he could not.

Till early Saturday morning, a quarter of a million or more people had already gathered in protest at the base of Capitol Hill for the Women's March on Washington to protest against US President Donald Trump.

The march organizers are still officially only expecting a crowd of 200,000 to 250,000 people - mostly women, but also many men - based on the number who have registered.

The event is expected to turn into one of the largest marches in US history and although it is not billed specifically as an anti-Trump protest, most of the causes represented are those deemed under threat from the new administration.

.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Taking a dig at the breakup of the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Congress alliance, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday said both the parties are like sinking boats.

"The Congress and S P are sinking boats. It is difficult for the SP to return to power," said Mayawati while addressing the media here.

Alleging the SP of goondaism by recalling Muzaffarnagar riots and Bulandshahr rape case, Mayawati said the crime rates increased under their regime.

"SP has always encourage crime. People of Uttar Pradesh cannot forget Muzaffarnagar riots, Bulandshahr rape," she said.

"The SP government itself comprises criminals," she added.

Taking a dig at the Congress as well, the BSP supremo said the news of alliance has exposed selfish motive of the former.

Mayawati reiterated that the people of UP would not vote for the Samajwadi Party and that she will ensure that victory is marked by the BSP in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections.

Taking a jibe at the two factions of the Samajwadi Party, Mayawati said the groups will lead to the defeat of each other in the upcoming elections.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Describing the Centre's ongoing promotion of "Digidhan Melas" as a movement of epic proportions, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has said that digital governance has the potential to brighten the future prospects of the state.

In a message conveyed through Dr Mohesh Chai, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, and delivered to a mammoth gathering at the IG Park on Friday, Chief Minister Khandu said, "I had cancelled all my engagements to be present for the day-long Digidhan Mela. Unfortunately, due to unavoidable circumstances, I had to leave for my hometown. The Abhiyan launched by our honourable Prime Minister, for promoting digital transactions through the Digidhan Mela is a movement of epic proportions. The people and Government of Arunachal Pradesh will leave no stone unturned to be a front runner in this movement."

"Arunachal Pradesh is largely a government-driven economy, and therefore, when all institutional and government transactions are made digital, a large portion of the state's economy automatically becomes cashless. It will be the earnest and sincerest endeavor of my government to achieve this goal. I wish the Mela a grand success and promise to conduct more Digidhan Melas across the state," Khandu added.

As Arunachal Pradesh's youngest chief minister, Pema Khandu has been actively promoting digital governance in the state. He initiated and signed the first e-file on August 16, 2016. Many other digital programmes have been launched since with the aim of eradicating society of corruption, black money and terror funding, and to ensure transparent governance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Looks like Kim Kardashian is sad to see Barack Obama bidding adieu to the people as President of The United States of America.

To show love and respect to the outgoing President, 'The Keeping Up With the Kardashians' star wrote a blog post on her website for Obama.

The 36-year-old posted a series of pictures of Obama with her husband Kanye West, daughter North during a visit to the White House and wished him a politician farewell.

The message that she wrote along with the photos was, "Thank you for leading our country," and "You will be missed."

In one of the photographs, Kardashian was seen candidly talking to Obama, whom she met on numerous occasions throughout his eight-year term.

Meanwhile, Kim's sister Khloe Kardashian also took to social media after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States and posted a photo of former first lady Michelle Obama fixing Barack's tie and wrote, "I'm asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change?-?but in yours." Terribly sad to see you go but honored I was able to watch firsthand. I hope our history books will do you justice."

However, 'The life of Palbo' artist met President Trump just days after the rapper was released from the hospital after suffering a mental breakdown last month.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The police on Friday arrested a 16-year-old boy for murdering a nine-year-old and then eating his flesh.

The accused, identified as Vikesh Kumar confessed he killed the boy Deepu to eat his flesh, told the police.

As per police, the initial plan of the accused was to demand a ransom, but foreseeing failure of his plan, he ended up murdering the victim.

After murdering the victim, he ate flesh from his thigh and drank his blood.

Police also informed that he told he had removed the victim's heart from his body and thrown it on the premises of his school here, with the intention of bringing ill-reputation to it.

He confessed he never liked going to school and thus, he thought of doing so that the school gets closed.

The heart was recovered by the police from the school compound.

As per cops, the accused had some psychiatric problem due to which he used to eat raw meat.

On January 17, the accused lured Deepu with a kite string and took him to his home where he strangulated him.

He then cut the victim's body into pieces, washed them, put them in a sack and left it a vacant plot, around 50 meters away from the victim's residence.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday urged the Muslim voters to cast their votes in favour of her, and not in support of the ruling Samajwadi Party, in order to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"The Muslims should vote for BSP, instead of SP, in order to defeat BJP," said Mayawati while addressing the media here.

Taking a potshot at the BJP, Mayawati said even the workers of the saffron party know that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not fulfilled even the one-fourth of promises he made during 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Criticising the government's move of demonetising high-denomination currency notes worth Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, Mayawati said people will give a befitting reply in response to this policy.

"People will give a befitting reply to BJP regarding its policy of demonetisation," she said.

"BJP will have to face a heavier loss than Bihar in Uttar Pradesh," she added.

Using Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) spokesperson Mohan Vaidya's statement on the reservation, Mayawati hit out at BJP-RSS, saying that the anti-feelings of the party towards reservation has come to fore.

Vaidya's comment on Saturday to look into the impact of reservation as a state policy to end socio-economic discrimination has received wide flak from opposition.
The chorus supporting the bull taming sport Jallikattu is getting louder with people witnessing nation-wide protests on Saturday.

Protests were seen in Maharashtra's capital Mumbai with people coming out in support of the sport and agitating against People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The capital also saw staging of protests in favour of Jallikattu with people in Tamil Sangam area collectively coming together and demanding the event to be held.

Goa also felt the tumult of the same, with Tamil Community there protesting in favour of Jallikattu, urging the government to lift the ban on their thousand-year-old cultural festival.

Meanwhile, Chennai's Marina Beach is thronged by massive crowd as the protest extends to fifth day.

The protesters have refused to vacate the place till the event is organised.

The Tamil Nadu Government sent an ordinance on Jallikattu to the Home Ministry, which was passed by the Centre yesterday.

The ordinance has now been sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent.

Meanwhile, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) MPs have reached Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President Mukherjee over Jallikattu ordinance.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bhushan Chavan, the brother of Indian soldier Chandu Chavan, who had inadvertently crossed Line of Control (LoC), expressed gratitude at the Indian Army for taking strident efforts in bringing back his brother.

"I am also a soldier and I will forever remain grateful to the army for this. I am also grateful to the villagers who supported me and my brother. Since I am overwhelmed with happiness, I am unable to express my feelings," Bhushan told ANI.

He further expressed his gratefulness to the Centre, especially MoS Defence Subhash Bhamre for keeping track of the development and ensuring the soldier returned.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani troops handed over Chandu to the Indian army at Wagah Border 3 p.m., after which he was debriefed and a special medical check-up was carried out.

Pakistan's Military's media wing, ISPR said in a statement, "As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity along LOC and WB, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds."

Earlier today, the Pakistan Government said they have handed over Chandu, to Indian authorities today through the Wagah border, saying the decision was taken on "humanitarian" grounds.

"The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary," said a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan.

The statement further said that Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security.

The soldier had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on 30 September and was captured by Pakistani troops, a day after the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC).

The Indian Army has said that the soldier, who belongs to the Rashtriya Rifles, was not involved in the surgical strike.

Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention protects captured military personnel, some guerrilla fighters, and certain civilians. It applies from the moment a prisoner is captured until he or she is released/repatriated. One of the main provisions of the convention makes it illegal to torture prisoners and states that a prisoner can only be required to give their name, date of birth, rank and service number if applicable

The Indian Army had said at the time that the soldier, who belongs to the Rashtriya Rifles, was not involved in the surgical strike .

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Expressing happiness over the return of the Indian Sepoy who inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and was captured by Pakistan, Defence Expert has surmised Islamabad could have taken the step due to steady pressure from New Delhi.

"There are two aspects of it. One, because India was mounting lots of pressure on Pakistan to return this soldier and secondly, because probably Pakistan thought there is no utility, no useful purpose keeping this man with them, as he may not have revealed as being a soldier as much of information to them," said defence expert Major General (retired) S.R. Shino.

However, another Defence Experts Colonel Sunil Deshpande asserted that the incident is a healthy sign as it would improve of the prolonged tension between both the countries.

"Pakistan has obliged and he (Indian Sepoy) has been let go, it is a very good thing. Pakistan is taking a step towards a good relationship. It is a healthy sign, Pakistan should also release Commander Kulbushan Yadav as early as possible," Colonel Deshpande told ANI.

The soldier, Chandu Babulal had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on 30 September and was captured by Pakistani troops, a day after the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC).

Earlier today, the Pakistan Government said they have handed over Chandu, to Indian authorities today through the Wagah border, saying the decision was taken on "humanitarian" grounds.

"The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary," said a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan.

The statement further said that Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security.

The soldier had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on 30 September and was captured by Pakistani troops, a day after the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC).

The Indian Army has said that the soldier, who belongs to the Rashtriya Rifles, was not involved in the surgical strike.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan handed over Indian soldier, Chandu Babulal Chohan, to Indian authorities today through the Wagah border, saying the decision was taken on "humanitarian" grounds.

"The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary," said a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan.

The statement further said that Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security.

The soldier, Chandu Babulal Chouhan had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on 30 September and was captured by Pakistani troops, a day after the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC).

Indian Army has said that the soldier, who belongs to the Rashtriya Rifles, was not involved in the surgical strike.

Director General of Military Operations, Lt General Ranbir Singh has written to his Pakistan counterpart for returning the soldier.

Chavan's grandmother had passed away after hearing the news of his crossing over to Pakistan.

Islamabad was informed about the soldier's movement on the hotline by India's Director General Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, according to an Army release issued by the Defence Ministry.

Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention protects captured military personnel, some guerrilla fighters, and certain civilians. It applies from the moment a prisoner is captured until he or she is released/repatriated.

One of the main provisions of the convention makes it illegal to torture prisoners and states that a prisoner can only be required to give their name, date of birth, rank and service number if applicable.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Taking a dig at the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said that it has been a usual trait of both the parties to join hands against the saffron party.

"As far as alliance between the SP and Congress is concerned, is it happening for the first time? No, this is their usual feature of joining hands against the BJP. So, as far as these parties are concerned, they keep on joining hands on negative aspect," BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi told ANI.

Refraining from commenting on the present bridge between the alliance of the Congress and SP, Trivedi said the people of Uttar Pradesh have decided to get rid of the trio of SP, BSP and Congress.

"As far as the alliance between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress is concerned, this is purely their internal matter. But, the people of UP are wise enough and they have decided to get rid of the trio of SP, BSP and Congress," he said.

Clearing all uncertainties over an alliance with the Congress Party in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party on Friday released a list of 191 candidates for the first three phases of the assembly polls.

With the Congress maintaining suspense so far on whether it will ally with the ruling party in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party has fielded its candidates even in those constituencies said to be the strong hold of the grand old party.

With the Congress not yet opening its cards on whether they would go for an alliance, the Samajwadi Party seems all set to contest the polls on its own. Interestingly, the list includes the Samajwadi Party candidates on eight seats where the Congress has sitting MLAs.

This latest political development came a day after the Samajwadi Party ruled out an alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), which was earlier tipped to be the third partner in the conglomeration for the seven-phase assembly polls.

Uttar Pradesh will elect a new 403-seat state assembly in seven phases on February 11, February 15, February 19, February 23, February 27, March 4 and March 8.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
British Prime Minister Theresa May is scheduled to meet new United States President Donald Trump coming week, White House officials have confirmed.

Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon pushed forward the plans to meet May as the new administration seeks to secure a strong relationship with Britain.

The Independent quoted a local newspaper as saying that the Prime Minister will travel to the country without any other cabinet ministers and the details of the trip were apparently been worked on over the last week.

The two sides are apparently intent on emulating the relationship between Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan shared in the 1980s.

The visit of May has been confirmed by a senior White House official.

However, no information about the trip has been released from Downing Street.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thousands of women and men, including numerous Hollywood celebrities, took to streets in Washington D.C., just a day after Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States.

Latina activist and actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd: "It's been a heart-wrenching time to be a woman and an immigrant in this country ? a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday."

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war."

"Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay," she said, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Ferrera was the first of a host of keynote speakers at the march, including Gloria Steinem, Scarlett Johansson, LGBTQ activist Janet Mock, Michael Moore and civil rights activist Angela Davis.

Scarlett Johansson addressed President Donald Trump directly from the podium, saying, "I didn't vote for you but I respect the fact that you are the president. But before I support you, I ask you to support me."

She asked him to ensure that her daughter gets to grow up with the same ones his daughters enjoy.

The Women's March on Washington is a grassroots response to Trump's unexpected electoral victory over Hillary Clinton, who was the first major party female candidate in US history.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
January 19, 2017

DAMASCUS, Syria  At the Syrian Ministry of Information, where I and a fellow reporter recently were seeking authorization to travel to Qamishli, we were told we would also need the permission from the Political Directorate. The directorate is the press and information unit of the General Staff that controls the movements of foreign media inside Syria. A brigadier general behind the desk asked, Why do you want to go to Qamishli?

In Damascus, when you mention the area in northern Syria that until recently the Kurds called Rojava, suspicious looks are instantaneous. Although the Kurds accepted (not entirely willingly) the name change from Rojava to Democratic Federal System of Northern Syria, Arabs, Syriacs and Turkmens are still suspicious about Kurdish aspirations of autonomy.

In military and civilian political circles in Damascus, the Kurdish slogan of "democratic autonomy" is a prelude to a division. Syrians think the United States is playing games in that region, so eyebrows rise when you say you are going to Qamishli.

The general asked again, Why do you want to go to Qamishli? What is there? What do you hope to see there? Then the conversation went like this:

"Well, we have been to places like Aleppo and Homs. Why not to Qamishli? Isnt that also a Syrian city?"

"Sure it is, but it has problems, like security."

"Aleppo was more dangerous. We have contacts among the Kurds. They guarantee our security."

"Be that as it may ..."

Our permission had actually already been issued. The paper was on the generals desk; all we needed was his signature. But they just dont like to think about Rojava in Damascus. Even the travel agency wanted to see authorization from the immigration office before selling us a ticket to Qamishli, although the form we had from the Information Ministry was permission enough.

The brigadier in charge of foreign media said Turkey had destroyed Syria by supporting armed rebels and held Turkey responsible for the destruction and plundering of Aleppo. Anyone who meets a Turkish journalist in Syria immediately recalls the honeymoon in bilateral relations before 2011 and how Turkey shifted to supporting the armed opposition.

Another brigadier who was chatting with two Russian military officials in the same room joined the conversation.

Good relations between Turkey and Syria were for the benefit of both. People were making day trips across the border. Trade was booming. [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, by opening Turkeys borders to armed groups and giving them weapons and ammunition, caused enormous damages to both countries," he said.

"Look, I also get upset when I hear about suicide bombings in Turkey," he continued. "Nobody in Turkey knows how many safe houses are operated by groups such as [the Islamic State (IS)]. The security and stability of Syria means security and stability for Turkey. These two countries influence each other in many fields. If the Syrian economy is bad, the Turkish economy suffers. Dont misunderstand me  we have absolutely no problems with Turkish people. We know most of them support us. So what did Turkey gain from all this? Erdogan might have received funds from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but what did it [provide for] Turkey? Nothing.

As the conversation moved on, I thought it was the right time to ask whether the Damascus regime will accept democratic autonomy in Rojava and whether the Syrians approve of Erdogans policy of curbing the Kurds gains in Syria. The brigadier who was talking to the Russians answered, Our priority is to totally eradicate [Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, IS] and their allies from the Syrian scene. The Kurds are our citizens. We want to solve problems with them at the table. We have a single flag, the Syrian one. They had the Syrian flag before, and that is what they will have again.

Syrian military and civilian officials have the same reaction to the idea of a federation or autonomy in northern Syria: Neither is acceptable, but by improving the local administrations laws, some of the prerogatives of the center can be transferred to the provinces.

Sharef Abaza, a rare parliamentarian who was not reluctant to criticize the reign of former President Hafez al-Assad, spoke later with Al-Monitor about the autonomy issue.

In 1998, I addressed the parliament. I referred to the grievances of Kurds and said they must be allowed to preserve their language and culture. I said we could grant them autonomy in this direction, he said. Despite my insistence, my statement was not recorded in the parliamentary minutes. The regime cannot agree to autonomy or a federation. There is a law of local administrations. Some of the articles of the national constitution were suspended because of the 1973 war with Israel. The local administrations law was sidelined. We can amend some of its clauses and transfer central powers to the local authorities. Kurds have been oppressed. We have to find a way to improve their status. Nothing can remain as before.

While there are some who openly praise the model introduced by the Kurds, there are also those who strongly oppose the partnership the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) has developed with the United States.

A retired Syrian general who requested anonymity told Al-Monitor, The Kurds made a mistake. They should not have entered into such a relationship with the United States. In 2004, after the tension at Qamishli, we submitted a report to [President] Bashar al-Assad on the Kurds. We said we had to restore the rights of these people. After reading this report, Assad went to Qamishli and met with the Kurds. Some improvements were made in the status of Kurds who did not have citizenship. Yes, Kurds must be given their rights, but they should not abuse the opening up of the regime. They went too far by linking up with the Americans. The Syrian state cannot ever agree to an option of federation or autonomy, which will end up dividing the country.

On the way to Qamishli

In Damascus, just as I was giving up on my quest for permission to visit Qamishli, the approval came through. It was Friday. The highway to the Damascus airport and its numerous checkpoints was practically empty. There were few passengers in the terminal because it was the weekend. I was told domestic flights are usually full on other days.

When a foreigner travels from Damascus to other cities in Syria, it is like he is traveling abroad. Syrians love to record everything in massive black tomes. Our permission paper from the Ministry of Information was thoroughly checked at four different control points and recorded at length at every one. The officer at the desk could not grant permission to proceed. He passed the paperwork on to his superior. Although it is a domestic flight, passports and IDs were checked. I was told that this was to apprehend criminals or those avoiding military service.

But another official provided a different explanation: Many of our colleagues died from the rockets terrorists fired at the airport. Some of them were recruited by the army. We had staffing problems and decided to combine the domestic-foreign travel controls.

The Qamishli airport is a border gate to Turkey. The Syrian army controls nearby public buildings, a living quarters compound and the main road linking the compound to the airport. The Kurdish police force and YPG stay away. Even within Qamishli itself, those who want to travel from one end of town to the other use a complicated bypass road to avoid army checks. Syrian soldiers dont enter the Kurdish-controlled area in uniform and with their weapons.

The army-controlled highway from the airport is richly adorned with joint posters of Assad and Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah. The walls are covered with portraits and slogans of father and son Hafez and Bashar al-Assad. The widespread slogan posted at the main road junction near the public offices: Defend Syria.

I asked two Syrian journalists how the Kurds interpret that slogan. They said its message is simple: Dont damage Syria. Defend it.

Beyond the army-controlled highway, things are different. The portraits of the Assads are replaced by the portrait of imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan. Ocalan is considered the founder of the democratic autonomy idea.

Syrian Kurds, who are trying to design their own destiny, are now at a critical crossroads. On one side is Turkey, which is increasing its pressure on them and at times resorting to firepower. Farther east they have the government of President Massoud Barzani in Iraqi Kurdistan, which cooperates with Ankara and maintains an embargo on them. Finally there is the Syrian regime, which is distinctly unhappy with the Kurds plans for a federation and US partnership.

One should not underestimate the cards the Syrian regime can play against the Kurds. I am talking of provoking Kurds against Kurds and factors that could spoil the harmony among the Kurds, Arabs, Turkmens, Syriacs, Armenians, Chaldeans, Circassians and Chechens, who are all part of the Rojava project.
At least 20 persons were killed and more than 50 injured in a blast at the vegetable market in Kurram Agency of Pakistan on Saturday, an official said.

A remote-controlled bomb exploded when the Eidgah market in Parachinar area was crowded in the morning, Dawn online quoted Ikramullah Khan, a senior government official, as saying.

The death toll is expected to rise as several of the injured are in critical condition, a hospital official said.

An eyewitness saw bodies strewn around the market and wounded persons crying for help.

"There was no ambulance, and people had to carry the injured in private vehicles to the hospital," he said.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group claimed responsibility for the blast in an e-mailed statement to the media, Xinhua news agency reported.

The TTP group said the attack was revenge of the killing of Asif Chuto, chief of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militant organisation, who was killed along with three others in an encounter with police in Punjab province earlier this week.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces.

At one point it was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border.

A similar blast at the Eidgah Market in December 2015 killed 25 persons and injured 70 others.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Etapalli and Bhamragad talukas, Gadchiroli (Maharashtra): Over two nights in early January, Madia Gond tribals -- or Adivasis, as they prefer to be called -- of southeastern Maharashtra gather every year in a clearing to celebrate their pre-harvest festival. They sing, dance and feast on pork and mutton as they worship their deity, Thakur Dev.

This year, there was disquiet among the 1,000 Adivasis who had congregated here from 70 neighbouring villages. As they sat huddled around festive bonfires, they discussed the big push being given to mining activity in the region by government of India's richest state by state gross domestic product (GSDP).

On December 23, 2016, 80 trucks and an earthmover were burnt, The Telegraph reported, 20 km from the festival site, allegedly by Maoists opposed to mining projects revived after nearly a decade. In 2016, the state asked companies that had halted mining -- in the Madia Gond village of Surjagad -- for fear of naxal attacks to resume work.

Surjagad is in Gadchiroli district, on a swathe of land that bears about 60 per cent of Maharashtra's mineral wealth, which includes 17 minerals -- including coal, limestone, iron ore and manganese ore -- with reserves of 5,753 million tonnes, or 22.56 per cent of India's mineral reserves.

The Adivasis were particularly worried that prospecting licences have been issued for 25 new mining projects, across more than 18,000 acres across six talukas (sub-divisions) of the district, according to information gathered six months ago from the district mining office by Visthaapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan, an activist body.

Speeches by local Adivasi leaders expressed fears that the mining would wreck their habitat.

The tussle in Gadchiroli is illustrative of larger battles unfolding across India's tribal homelands.

Why miners come to Gadchiroli -- and other tribal lands

Resource conflicts are an intensifying and under-acknowledged phenomenon across the coal-rich farms and forests of central and eastern India -- a mineral used to generate over 60 per cent of India's power. Few urban Indians know or think about these pitched battles unfolding almost every month in rural, often remote, areas of their country, as IndiaSpend reported in September 2014.

Half of India's top mining areas are in tribal lands, such as Gadchiroli. Between 2011 and 2014, 48 mining leases were approved in tribal areas across the country by the union ministry of mines. The average proportion of forests in India's mineral-producing districts is 28 per cent, more than the national average of 20.9 per cent, and mining invariably leads to their depletion and displacement.

Since it came to power in May 2014, the National Democratic Alliance government has moved to boost mining and industrialisation, altering laws to remove consent from local-government institutions.

Jal, jangal, jameen -- the question of habitat

At the festival, there were pamphlets distributed about the fresh projects coming up in the area and banners denouncing them.

"We were told that the auctions for these projects have been carried out and MoUs (memorandums of understanding) have been signed with the mining companies. They are now at different stages of environment and forest clearances," said Mahesh Raut, convenor of the Andolan.

The adivasis said the delicate link between jal, jangal, jameen (water, forest, land) and the lives of the people needed to be conserved.

Gaaytaas (those responsible for village security in traditional adivasi systems) from different villages made public speeches at the festivals, reiterating the need to preserve the forests.

"This is the first time we are using the festival to discuss issues relating to livelihood and rights," said Rajashri Lekame of Bhamragad Patti Gotul Samiti, a traditional group of local leaders and gram sabha committees' chairpersons.

The promise of jobs and growth

The government has promised industrial growth, more jobs and an increase in income of Adivasi families in the region once mining begins, as the The Indian Express reported on August 28, 2015.

But adivasis said the forest yield was enough for them; 1,267 gram sabhas in the district had earned Rs 35 crore from sale of tendu (an ebony tree) leaves in 2016 after the Maharashtra government freed the sale of tendu and bamboo from state monopoly.

The government gave ownership rights of forest produce to gram sabhas to directly auction the produce to private bidders. This meant that each family earned between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 in around 15 days.

"When families are already earning in lakhs, why are they being told about jobs and development?" said Ramdas Jatare, a member of the Maharashtra Gram Vikas Jan Andolan (Maharashtra people's movement for village progress).

Jatare alleged that the government wants to set up infrastructure projects in the region, not to improve local conditions but to make things easy for big businesses.

"They build roads because they want to sell their cement," he said. "They provide subsidy on agricultural equipment because they want to sell their products. They mine because they profit and get commission. It is the government and the corporates who gain from the current notion of development."

(In arrangement with IndiaSpend.org, a data-driven, non-profit, public interest journalism platform. Poorvi Kulkarniis a Mumbai-based freelance journalist and a researcher with Haqdarshak. The views expressed are those of IndiaSpend. Feedback at respond@indiaspend.org)

--IANS/IndiaSpend

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Despite live broadcasts by local television networks and pages of reports and analysis by leading dailies, Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony attracted the eyes in Australia, but failed to grapple the hearts.

The top story on Australian Broadcast Company (ABC) website carried the title of "President Trump's inauguration begins with prayer, ends in protest", in which it dedicated a separate section to the anti-Trump protests staged in Washington, Xinhua news agency reported.

News.com.au mocked about the reduced turnout of spectators at Trump's inauguration ceremony from those at Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009.

"The ceremony went off without a hitch, but Trump's ego might have to endure some unflattering comparisons to Obama's first inauguration eight years ago," the news website said in its headline story.

"The New York Times compiled these two contrasting images. On the left, was the crowd about 45 minutes before the 2009 inauguration. On the right, was the crowd 45 minutes before today's ceremony.

"It's been estimated that Trump only managed to draw about a third of Obama's 1.8 million-strong crowd," the story said.

The Australian Financial Review (AFR) did not hold back in labelling Trump's inaugural speech as "deeply nationalist and populist".

"Donald Trump's deeply nationalist and populist inaugural address as the 45th US President has affirmed that he will govern just as he campaigned: as an anti-establishment crusader championing to put 'America first' for ordinary citizens who feel 'forgotten' by the elites," AFR writer John Kehoe said in his article.

Kehoe also pointed out the contradiction in Trump's speech in dealing with the Mideast countries and the US counter terrorism efforts.

"The new President said he will 'reinforce old alliances and form new ones' to 'unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism' ... But in a shot at failed military interventions trying to bring peaceful democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan, Trump said 'we do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather to let it shine as an example'".

Kehoe said that "A nativist, he (Trump) will pursue success via a mix of strength, nationalism and populism".

Greg Sheridan, foreign editor at the The Australian newspaper, has also cast doubt on Trump's speech.

"As with most populists, it is impossible to reconcile all the different parts of the Donald's pitch," Sheridan wrote in his article.

When commenting Trump's promise to bring back the jobs to the United States, Sheridan said "That's OK if it means create new jobs, but if he means he's going to bring back masses of manufacturing jobs which have been lost to technology much more than to trade, it's hard to know how it can possibly happen."

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The two-day Bengal Global Business Summit organised by the state government has received investment proposals worth Rs 2,35,290 crore, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced here on Saturday.

Addressing delegates on the concluding day of the meet, Banerjee said the manufacturing sector netted investment commitments of Rs 61,765 crore.

Among other major sectors, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) attracted business proposals of Rs 50,710 crore, urban development got Rs 46,600 crore, transport Rs 38,801 crore, IT, ITes and Telecom 18,540 crore, power and NES 3,600 crore and mining got Rs 1,580 crore.

"Despite demonetisation, a sum of Rs 2,35,290 crore has been committed during the summit," Banerjee said.

"This figure, at this juncture, in this situation is enough," Banerjee said.

She said that during the previous two summits in 2015 and 2016, West Bengal received over Rs 4.93 lakh crore of investment proposals, of which over 40 per cent are in the implementation stage.

"Out of that, already over 40 per cent has been implemented. It takes time to implement the projects," she said.

In the third edition of the summit, China based TEB technology committed investments of Rs 27,200 crore for an elevated mass rapid transit system, while Korea's Handong University signed a memorandum of understanding with the state-run West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation for setting up an intelligent and green city, Amit Mitra, state Finance, Industries and Commerce Minister, said.

Banerjee said Norway showed interest in the maritime sector and fisheries while the delegation from Italy expressed their keenness for setting up a manufacturing plant of leather machinery.

She also said the Chinese delegation evinced interest in infrastructure and manufacturing while delegates from Japan were keen on participating in drinking water and mono rail project.

"Japan will speed up the process of Howrah-Yokohama partnership. Germany's textile major Orlinkon Barmag said they are looking for funds. Once they get it, they will set up a textile machinery plant in the state," Mitra said.

Terming the summit "super successful", Banerjee once again urged the industrialists to invest in Bengal.

"If you invest in Bengal, you can develop industries in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and north eastern states. You can also develop industries in Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore which are not far away from Bengal."

The next edition of the summit will be held on January 16 and 17 next year, Mitra said.

Global think tank Horasis chief Frank Jurgen Richter announced that its next Asia meeting would be held in the city in November this year.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A blast in a busy market killed at least 21 people, including two minors, on Saturday in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, in an attack jointly claimed by the Pakistani Taliban and a branch of the sectarian militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, officials said.

The blast occurred in Parachinar area's Eidgah Market in Kurram Agency as people shopped for vegetables. Over 50 were also injured in the remotely controled attack, police said.

Hours after the incident, the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the blast in an emailed statement to media outlets.

The group said the attack was revenge of the killing of Asif Chuto, chief of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militant organisation, who was killed along with three others in an encounter with police in Punjab province earlier this week.

The other outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi said the two groups coordinated the attack together.

A senior security official claimed the explosion was caused by a remote control bomb, which went off at 8.50 a.m, during peak hours of business in the area. The official added that it was too early to draw conclusions.

The death toll was expected to rise as several of the injured were in critical condition, a hospital official said.

An eyewitness saw bodies strewn around the market and wounded persons crying for help.

"There was no ambulance, and people had to carry the injured in private vehicles to the hospital," he said.

This was the fourth attack in recent years in Parachinar's Eidgah Market. According to a local administration official, 2016 was relatively peaceful in the area, however, this incident was going to cast a shadow of doubt regarding peace in the area.

A statement from Pakistan Army's Inter-Service Public Relations confirmed 20 casualties and 30 injuries. Some of the injured were airlifted to Kohat and Peshawar, read the statement.

"There was a loud bang and a thick layer of smoke," eyewitnesses recalled.

An eyewitness said he saw children soaked in blood after the bomb exploded. The official list of the those killed and injured displayed outside the agency headquarter hospital in Parachinar included names of two minors, who were killed in the incident.

Expressing grief over the loss of life, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed concerned authorities to provide best medical treatment to the injured. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while condemning the blast ordered a detailed report regarding the incident.

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed authorities for quick evacuation and best medical treatment of the injured.

Kurram Agency is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces. At one point it was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has censured Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for violating the Model Code of Conduct, warning him of stern action in case of similar violations in future.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader said he will approach a court of law on what he termed as a "wrong" order.

"The Election Commission hereby, censures you (Kejriwal) for violating the provisions of the MCC and expects you shall be more circumspect in your public utterances during election time," said an EC order to Kejriwal.

The order was issued on Friday but became public only on Saturday.

Kejriwal tweeted: "The EC order against me (is) completely wrong. Lower court gave order in my favour. EC ignored court's order. (I) Will challenge EC's latest order in court."

The EC order reads: "You (Kejriwal) may also note that in case of similar violation of MCC in future the commission will take stern action against you and your party, using all powers available to it, including action under Para 16 A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968."

Kejriwal is said to have violated the Model Code by "deliberately and intentionally" instigating the public to take bribes for voting in Goa assembly elections on February 4.

Speaking at four rallies in Goa on January 8, Kejriwal said people should not just accept Rs 5,000, but demand Rs 10,000 from politicians keen on offering them money, but vote for the AAP.

"If the Congress or the BJP people offer money, don't say no. It is our own money; at least you are getting some of it back... but when it comes to pressing the EVM (electronic voting machine) button, vote for AAP," Kejriwal allegedly said at a rally.

Following Bharatiya Janata Party's complaint, the EC issued a notice to Kejriwal on January 16 and sought a reply by January 19.

Though Kejriwal replied through his attorney Kailash Gahlot, the EC said it is not satisfied with the reply, saying it was not at all convincing.

As per the Model Code of Conduct, political parties and candidates need to scrupulously avoid all activities that are corrupt practices and offences under the election laws.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Army sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan's kin and residents of his native village Bohivir in northern Maharashtra were overjoyed on his release on Saturday by Pakistan. His family thanked authorities for securing his safe return.

Scores of villagers came out into the streets to greet the Chavan family, who were overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, laughing and crying at the same time.

Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said: "We are extremely grateful to the government for securing his safe release. We shall remain indebted to (Minister of State for Defence) Subhash Bhamre for all his help in ensuring his return home."

"It is unbelievable and the news is still sinking in. We are so happy... for us, its like all festivals -- Diwali, Holi -- coming together simultaneously and we shall celebrate when he comes home after such a long time," his married sister Rupali Patil said wiping away tears of joy.

Pakistan defence and border authorities on Saturday released Chavan -- who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control in September 2015 -- and handed him over to Indian authorities at the Wagah-Attari Joint Check Post, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said.

Chavan, 23, of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army after he inadvertently crossed the LoC in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, just hours after the Indian forces carried out surgical strikes on September 29 across the LoC to destroy terrorist launch pads.

After hearing of the news of Chavan's capture, his aged grandmother suffered a heart attack and died a few days later.

Bhamre -- who represents Dhule constituency where Chavan's village is -- maintained regular touch with his family all these months.

At a function in Mumbai 10 days ago, Bhamre had indicated the possibility of securing Chavan's early release from Pakistan though he did not specify any time-frame.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Vietnam on September 2-3, 2016. The visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister after 15 years. Twelve agreements were signed during the visit which included cooperation in outer space, UN peacekeeping, avoidance of double-taxation, cyber security, information technology, information on white shipping and contract for procurement of offshore patrol vessels.

Further, based on the strong relations which have been vindicated during the last 44 years of diplomatic relations and nine years of strategic partnership, both the countries agreed to elevate their current level of strategic partnership to a higher level. The relationship would be upgraded to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which Vietnam currently enjoys with Russia and China.

This is pertinent as it gives an official stamp to the mutual trust exhibited in our training and day-to-day dealings. With regard to the defence issue, there is no doubt that both the countries respect the recent Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea and they agree to the freedom of navigation on the high seas.

To further strengthen the defence relationship, Prime Minister Modi extended a $500 million Line of Credit for purchase of defence equipment. The list of equipment to be procured is not exactly known but there is a high probability it could be frigates, submarines or the BrahMos missile. Vietnam during the visit signed a contract with L&T for purchase of four Offshore Patrol Vessels.

In addition, Prime Minister Modi announced a grant of $5 million for the construction of an Army Software Park at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang. Further to assist surveillance, there will be cooperation in downloading images from outer space to provide real-time picture of activities in Vietnam's area of interest.

Economic issues formed an important aspect of the visit. Enhancing bilateral economic engagement is a strategic objective. Both the countries would do their utmost to increase the bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2020. This would need immense efforts but can be achieved if both the countries enhance their business interactions and diversify their range of commercial activities. Further, there must be increased two-way investment especially by private investors of both countries.

Prime Minister Modi especially sought contractual facilitation of Tata's Soc Tranh 1320 MW plant at the earliest. Both the countries would do their best to enhance exploration of oil and gas in the new blocks allotted for exploration. Connectivity between both the countries needs to be optimised. There is need for direct non-stop flights, dedicated shipping, and land connectivity to be optimised. This would automatically strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

It was indeed creditable that both the countries exhibited the highest degree of cooperation in regional and international forums. Prime Minister Modi was grateful to Vietnam for consistently supporting India's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council. It was further decided that India would support Vietnam's candidature for non-permanent seat for the term 2020-2021 and Vietnam would similarly support India's candidature for the same in 2021-2022. Overall, India and Vietnam relations moved to a higher trajectory during the visit.

India and Vietnam enjoy strong strategic relations which emerged with the First Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence being signed in 1994, the formal Defence Protocol in 2000 and the Strategic Partnership in 2007. Ever since, we have an annual Strategic Defence Dialogue with the Indian Defence Secretary representing India. Considering the intensity of the bilateral relations, the upgradation of these talks to the Ministerial levels would commence.

The Cam Ranh Bay has been often described as one of the jewels of Vietnam. The long protective seaward peninsula, natural inner and outer harbours form what many believe to be possibly the best deep water sea port facility in the entire world. There is also an air force base with excellent runways for state-of-the-art aircraft. The usage of these facilities by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force would help India strengthen its strategic partnership and enable us to undertake actions to protect our assets in the South China Sea. The area is being quietly considered between the two countries.

Based on Vietnam's requirements, India could provide Dornier surveillance aircraft, mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), upgraded T-72 tanks and indigenously manufactured artillery equipment once the same has proved trials and a few old ships of the Indian Navy. Vietnam is currently procuring Offshore Patrol Vessels with the line of credit offered.

Vietnam is impressed with India's missile development and is keen to purchase the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos which could be used on land and sea. The issue merits serious consideration as there are no objections from the foreign joint developer. Vietnam is also keen that opportunity be accorded to train their scientists in missile technology and running of nuclear reactors.

Vietnam admires the professional training of the Indian armed forces and looks forward to assistance in training in the following areas:

* Conversion training for SU-30 pilots of the Peoples Vietnam Air Force by the Indian Air Force

* Submarine crew training of the Peoples Vietnam Navy by the Indian Navy

* Training in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare with the Indian Army

* Training in English language

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang as also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc were frank in strengthening defence relations with India. Vietnam would like to cooperate in the field of training as also gaining knowledge in the field of rocketry and missiles. It would be in India's interest to cultivate Vietnam and cooperate in strategic aspects to dissuade China from undertaking a misadventure.

Vietnam is looking for cooperation with India in areas of outer space. It has already launched two satellites and is planning its own navigation satellites. Cooperation with India would be mutually beneficial to both the countries. India is also setting up receiving stations to enable Vietnam receive downloads from Indian Reconnaissance Satellites on the areas bound by the South China Sea.

Vietnam, along with Japan, forms the two pillars of India's Act East Policy and New Delhi's partnership with Hanoi in the strategic domain is important to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. The Modi government in India is accelerating measures to further strengthen the bonds of friendship. This would lead to better stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

(Major General P.K. Chakravorty (retd) is an Indian Army veteran who served as Defence Attache at the Indian Embassy in Hanoi. The views expressed are personal. The article is in special arrangement with South Asia Monitor/www.southasiamonitor.org)

--IANS

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The poop of some of the ancient huge and astonishing creatures that once roamed Australia has indicated that the primary cause of their extinction was humans, not climate change.

Led by Monash University in Victoria and the University of Colorado Boulder, a team of researchers used information from a sediment core which had spores from a fungus called Sporormiella that thrived on the dung of plant-eating mammals.

The study, published in journal Nature Communications, was led by Sander van der Kaars of Monash University and professor Gifford Miller from University of Colorado Boulder.

"The sediment core allowed scientists to look back in time, in this case more than 150,000 years, spanning Earth's last full glacial cycle," said Miller.

"Fungal spores from plant-eating mammal dung were abundant in the sediment core layers from 150,000 years ago to about 45,000 years ago, when they went into a nosedive," added Miller.

The ocean sediment core showed the southwest is one of the few regions on the Australian continent that had dense forests both 45,000 years ago and today, making it a hotbed for biodiversity.

"Because of the density of trees and shrubs, it could have been one of their last holdouts some 45,000 years ago. There is no evidence of significant climate change during the time of the megafauna extinction," Miller noted, suggesting that the extinction may have been caused by "imperceptible overkill."

A 2006 study by Australian researchers indicated that even low-intensity hunting of Australian megafauna could have resulted in the extinction of a species in just a few hundred years.

"The results of this study are of significant interest across the archaeological and Earth science communities who are fascinated by now extinct giant animals that roamed the planet -- and the cause of their extinction -- as our own species began its persistent colonization of Earth," said van der Kaars.

--IANS

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India and the US should collaborate more on space research programmes, a prominent scientist from the US space agency NASA stressed here on Saturday as he felicitated two young Indian astronomers who created history by discovering asteroids in 2010 that are now recognised by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in the US.

Amanjot Singh and Sahil Wadhwa, former students of Ryan International School in Rohini, were part of the All India Asteroid Search Campaign (AIASC) conducted by New Delhi-based Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) organisation in collaboration with the International Astronomical Search Collaboration, where they discovered the main belt asteroid numbered as 2010 PO24.

"India and the US should collaborate on such research programmes. NASA is looking forward to invite students from across the globe to participate in their space outreach programmes," Paul Rosen, Project Scientist, NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), told IANS.

"What started as an excuse for night-out with friends became a passion. It is this passion that helped me succeed," added Singh at the annual meet organised by SPACE which is working to make science and astronomy popular among youngsters in India.

In the asteroid search campaign, students from across the country were able to discover nearly 500 new rocks in space.

However, these remained preliminary discoveries as they appeared to be asteroids but did not get confirmed because they tend to move away from their orbits. But, when the discovered asteroids remain in their orbits, it is named as a provisional discovery.

"Out of the 37 asteroids discovered (provisional discovery) worldwide in 2016, 27 have been by Indian students," Sachin Bahmba, Chairman and Managing Director-SPACE Group, told IANS.

The annual meet was also addressed by former SPACE achievers who stressed on the need for research platforms and opportunities for children across the country to excel in astronomy and science and technology.

"Curiosity to explore the unknown and an opportunity provided by SPACE led me to the field of astronomy," Aryan Mishra, a 17-year-old astronomer who discovered an asteroid in 2014, told IANS.

"For children living in a developing country like India, it is not easy to dream about space and the field of astronomy. However, it is my endeavour to change the mindset of people towards this field," added Mishra.

"Do not end your doubt with nothing. Try to find out as it may lead to a huge discovery one day," said 17-year-old Yashraj Bhardwaj.

Bhardwaj, who along with his twin brother Yuvraj, is the winner of Karamveer Chakra Award. The two have 22 projects -- national and international -- as well as seven patents to their names.

Through various astronomy-based outreach programmes, SPACE has managed to touch base with more than one lakh families and have educated more than 20,000 students annually, Bahmba informed.

"We look forward to fruitful Indo-US ties, which can come up with new technological advancements through researches done by amateurs and the scientific community of both the countries," he told IANS.

(Rachel V. Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in)

--IANS

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Indian Americans gathered for the presidential gala here to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the US.

The gala, which was attended by a hundred Indian Americans, took place at the Grand Ballroom of the central Mayflower hotel in Washington and was organised by the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council and National Committee of Asian American Republicans, American Bazaar online reported on Friday.

The event was attended by the ambassadors of several countries, including the Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna.

"This is a great celebration of Asian success," said Sarna, speaking on the occasion. "I am very happy that Indian Americans are part of the successful large Asian community."

"It was a grand success," Virginia Republican Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the organisers of the event, told the American Bazaar.

"We were able to create a platform for the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration."

Ahluwalia added that by showing up in good numbers, the Indian American community has made showed their desire for "the US-India relationship to be on the front and centre for the next administration."

Top diplomats from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore attended the gala.

Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Barbara Comstack, Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph DLG Torres as well as a number of Republican leaders from various Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities.

"The [Trump] administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries," Royce said. "We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship."

The California Republican is the chairman of the House Foreign Relations committee and one of the most staunchly pro-India voices in the US Congress.

Indian American Republicans who were present included Californian K.V. Kumar, Floridian Harry Walia and Puneet Ahluwalia. All the three are members of Trump-Pence campaign's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee.

However, the fourth Indian American member of the panel, Shalabh Kumar, did not attend the gala.

The formal part of the ball began with a rendition of the US national anthem. Indian food and Bollywood dance were other highlights of the event.

--IANS

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Call it by whatever name, the protest by the Tamil Nadu youth -- students and working professionals -- against the ban on for Jallikattu has no parallel in the recent times and is welcome, former Union Minister and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss.

The youth in Tamil Nadu took up the Nammuku Namme protest disenchanted by the political leadership on several issues.

Putting themselves to sufferings like the satyagrahis during the freedom movement the protesting youth suffered the burning sun and the chilly nights for five days at Marina beach. They demand the conducting of Tamil Nadu's traditional Jallikattu bull-taming sport.

"Even though the people of Kudankulam in Tirunelvelli district went on hunger strike for several days, the protest had a leader. However, there is no such defined leadership in the case of Jallikattu protests," Ramadoss told IANS on Friday night from New Delhi.

Similarly the protest by the India Against Corruption couple of years back had a leadership and the protests were held in different cities, Ramadoss added.

Queried about the protestors keeping out the politicians and actors Ramadoss said: "I am happy at the development though I myself am a politician."

"For the past two years I have been talking about such a movement and it is finally happening. Though I am a politician and politicians have been kept out by the protestors, it is a good beginning," Ramadoss added.

According to him the protest is the culmination of various issues on with Tamil Nadu and its people were at the receiving end.

The continued ban on Jallikattu was the tipping point for the massive protest by the youth as Tamil Nadu and Tamilians, who have been at the receiving end on several issues like the denial of Cauvery river water by Karnataka and the central government's inaction, non-stop attack on the Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Lankan Navy, the general political situation in the state and other issues, the protestors told IANS.

"Tamil Nadu has been betrayed by the central government," Ramadoss echoed the protestors sentiment.

"I am specifically using the term Tamil fishermen and not Indian fishermen as the central government does not consider them as Indian fishermen. The response of the central government would not be indifferent if fishermen from Gujarat were attacked," Ramadoss added.

Ramadoss said the Jallikattu protest by the youth is also a warning to the media as the social media is gaining people's faith and the media losing the same.

According to Ramadoss, the ordinance to be passed by the Tamil Nadu government for the conduct of Jallikattu is only a temporary measure.

"The permanent solution is the amendment of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act," he said.

The Supreme Court in May 2014 banned Jallikattu, saying that bulls cannot be used as performing animals, including for bullock-cart races.

Since then, people have been urging the central government to take steps to allow the sport.

The central government on Friday evening gave its nod to the Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to enable holding of Jallikattu.

--IANS

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Employees of the Khadi Village Industries Commissioner (KVIC) have threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike from January 26 demanding "corruption-free KVIC" and to ensure that Mahatma Gandhi's pictures always appear on its annual calendars and diaries.

The Shiv Sena-led Khadi Gramodyog Karmachari Sena (KGKS) employees union has also taken strong umbrage at KVIC management's attempt to penalize the workers who took part in a silent lunch-hour demonstration on January 12.

The employees were protesting the abrupt decision of KVIC to replace Gandhi's photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's on the 2017 wall calendar and table diaries - sparking off a huge controversy

"We are ready to sacrifice ourselves to the cause of upholding Gandhiji's ideals for which the whole world reveres him. It will be an honour to die for Gandhiji, whose death anniversary falls on January 30 and ensure KVIC is made 'bhrashtachar-mukt' (corruption-free)," a union leader told IANS today.

The KVIC decision has been vociferously condemned by all political parties, including ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ally, Shiv Sena, besides the masses, prominent Gandhians and celebs.

"This is now our party issuea We shall take it up accordingly," said senior Shiv Sena leader and spokesperson Anil Desai here late Friday.

Earlier this week, KGKS President and MP Anandrao Adsul said he has already asked the KVIC management to desist from punishing the employees who had staged a peaceful, Gandhian form of protest.

He also asked whether the KVIC had taken official permission from the PMO to dump Gandhi's pictures and replace them with Modi's.

After certain media reports claiming the PMO had distanced itself from the Khadi fracas, the KVIC struck back at the employees and served a showcause notice to KGKS on January 16 asking whether it had taken aceprior written permission" to stage the silent protest on its premises.

"The show-cause notice tantamounts to a dictatorial attitude of the management in a democratic country," Adsul told IANS that evening, warning KVIC of an all-India strike.

--IANS

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James Mattis, US President Donald Trump's pick for Defence Secretary, was easily confirmed by the Senate on Friday.

In an overwhelming vote, Mattis became the first confirmed member of Trump's cabinet, hours after Trump was sworn in as the 45th US President, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, Trump signed a waiver legislation after his inauguration to clear a legal barrier for Mattis to take office.

Under the US law, a former service member is barred from running the Pentagon less than seven years after retirement from military. Mattis only retired in 2013 as the Commander of the US Central Command. Trump signed the measure to grant Mattis an one-time exception.

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-3 on January 12 to approve Mattis' nomination, moving the vote onto the Senate floor. The committee also easily passed a waiver exempting Mattis from the law that could prevent him from becoming the Pentagon chief.

At the hearing, Mattis took a clear anti-Russia stance during the hearing, describing Moscow as a "principle threat" to US security, a position notably different from Trump.

The United States should also check Russia's growing influence in the Arctic region, Mattis said.

Mattis also chose to distance from Trump on other key issues, including the role of NATO, which Trump said should shrink, and on the Iranian nuclear agreement, which Trump threatened to scrap.

--IANS

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As many as 91 Cuban migrants were repatriated by Mexican authorities after the US ended its "wet foot, dry foot" policy that allowed Cubans to become permanent resident of the US a year after entering the country.

The 71 men and 20 women, who were sent to Havana on Friday morning, were found in an illegal status in Mexico, the USA Today cited the National Immigration Institute as saying on Friday.

It was the first deportation by the country since a repeal of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which was implemented in 1995 and allowed Cubans touching US soil to claim permanent residency in the country.

According to the policy, any Cubans caught at sea between their country and the US were sent back.

The law was eliminated earlier this month by then President Barack Obama as part of the normalisation of diplomatic ties between Havana and Washington.

According to the USA Today, the Cuban government had accepted the return of the migrants.

Earlier, the Mexican government would give Cubans arriving on its southern border a 20-day transit visa to reach the US border. But the 91 migrants held at a detention centre in Tapachula were instead repatriated to their homeland.

Cuba's willingness to accept the migrants is another sign of the normalising of immigration rules between Cuba, the US and other Latin American countries, said William LeoGrande from American University.

The co-author of 'Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana' also said: "The problem is hundreds, if not thousands, of Cubans were stranded somewhere in Southern and Central America when Obama changed the policy."

Last year, Colombia adopted emergency measures against illegal migration, including plans to deport thousands of migrants and reinforce its borders, in response to the flood of Cubans illegally crossing its borders.

Cuban officials have long denounced the policy, saying it incentivises people to leave the island nation.

The new policy forces Cubans to apply for visas in their home country, like other hopeful migrants, or face deportation if they enter illegally. About 20,000 US visas are awarded in Cuba each year.

Overall, 56,406 Cubans entered the US via ports of entry in fiscal year 2016, more than double the number who arrived in 2014.

--IANS

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Uncertainty marked reactions in New Zealand to US President Donald Trump's inauguration. There were protests, as the country remained apprehensive about "problems facing humanity in the 21st century", a media report said on Saturday.

Protest marches, under the "Love Trumps Hate" banner, against the divisions sparked by Trump were set here in the capital and the largest city of Auckland, Xinhua news agency reported.

One of the protest leaders was US-born Green Party Member of Parliament Julie Anne Genter.

In a Facebook post earlier in the week, Genter said Donald Trump epitomised "some of the worst extremes of human nature: greed, cruelty, sexual violence, anger, misuse of power."

"His election to President of the US by a small fraction of the overall population demonstrates how broken democracy is in America," wrote Genter.

"We need to find new ways of doing if we are going to solve the problems facing humanity in the 21st century."

The government has been circumspect in greeting Trump's presidency, with Prime Minister Bill English reportedly saying earlier in the week that he was positive the two countries would maintain good relations.

New Zealand was still hopeful of seeing the controversial 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal which Trump has vowed to withdraw from enacted.

"So we will work with whatever the Trump administration produces. That's what you have to do when you're a small country," English told the New Zealand Herald newspaper.

New Zealand's main newspapers published editorials Saturday that were strikingly different in tone, but both focused on the possible upheavals to the US domestic and international order.

The Auckland-based New Zealand Herald urged Trump's opponents and critics "to adopt an open mind to his proposals, looking for the good in them or at least making the best of them if they can."

It acknowledged that Trump's "geopolitical plans are deeply disturbing but not entirely wrong," citing better US-Russian relations among the possible benefits.

"But it is in the fields of trade and climate change that the world will first notice the loss of US leadership. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will be an early casualty, as well the Paris agreement on climate change. For progress on both fronts the world might look to China," it said.

An editorial in the Wellington-based Dominion-Post newspaper described the start of Trump's presidency as "a frightening fact," but the fair result of "a strangely-weighted electoral system" in need of urgent reform.

The real dilemma would come if Trump attacked the machinery of US democracy or rejected the next election's results, "as he threatened he might in 2016."

"For now, it's highly unclear that things will get that bad. Until they do, New Zealand and the world can concentrate on worrying about the powers that Trump has rightly been given -- like control over the US nuclear arsenal, the power to effectively start wars and tear up alliances, or the power to crash US efforts on climate change," said the editorial.

"They are enough to worry about, even though he earned them."

--IANS

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Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who among his many candid confessions about his life via his book "Khullam Khulla", has opened up about a past meeting with India's most wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim, says he has no regrets about having met the underworld don.

In an interview on India Today TV, Rishi was asked by anchor Rajdeep Sardesai about his meeting with Ibrahim in Dubai in 1988.

"What was regretful about it," Rishi retorted.

He narrated how when he had landed in Dubai for a show with R.D. Burman, Asha Bhosle and Bittu Anand, a person came to him with a phone and said "Bhai baat karenge".

"He invited me over for tea... I went to his house, thinking there was nothing wrong because he just a fugitive, he had not done the menace...," Rishi said.

When his comment was interrupted by Sardesai with "but he (Dawood) was still a criminal", Rishi said: "So what? I meet so many criminals in my life... Maybe I am also a criminal, but I may have not committed any serious crime. But yes, as an actor I thought I would like to know his story.

"I did so much of him in 'D-Day', I was inspired by him for playing that role."

Rishi said he had a "couple of cups of tea" with Dawood in their around four hour-long meeting.

"He also said that he didn't think he would get justice in India."

The meeting happened before the 1993 Mumbai blasts. But he was still a criminal wanted by the law.

Rishi said there was "nothing wrong at all" in meeting Dawood as he feels he can "derive inspiration from these kind of people for films sometimes".

"He just asked me for tea, and even said, 'Sorry I didn't call you in the evening for a drink because I don't drink'."

Asked if he is still in touch with the don, Rishi said: "No, there is no contact."

The veteran actor, who belongs to Bollywood's famed Kapoor family, also ruled out any underworld connect with the present-day film industry.

"I don't think we have any connect with underworld... We are a clean system, with corporate money and bank finances now."

But Bollywood had strong underworld links in the 1990s?

"Maybe so..." he said, and then narrated how Dawood had sent one representative to his Mumbai house to pay condolence a day after his father Raj Kapoor had died in June 1988.

He said Dawood was a great admirer of his father, a legendary actor and filmmaker.

Did Dawood buy him any gifts?

"Never... But he offered me and asked me, 'Can I get you something?' I said 'No, why would you get me anything? I can afford what I want'."

Further justifying his meeting with Dawood, Rishi said: "I am not a hypocrite -- there's nothing wrong (with having met him). People go to prisons to meet criminals.. I met him in a foreign country. By that time, he had not gone against our country -- at least not done something as grave as he did later."

--IANS

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Pakistan on Saturday released Indian Army soldier Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who had "inadvertently" crossed the LoC in September last year. Chavan was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah-Attari joint check post, a Border Security Force (BSF) official confirmed in Amritsar.

Chavan was handed over to Army authorities after his return to India, he said.

Sepoy Chavan's kin and residents of his native village Bohivir in northern Maharashtra were overjoyed on his release. His family thanked authorities for securing his safe return.

Chavan, 22, of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was taken into custody by Pakistan Army after he "inadvertently" crossed the Line of Control (LoC) from Krishna Ghati sector in Jammu and Kashmir on September 29 last year.

Pakistan Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor said in a statement that Chavan "deserted his post at the LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders".

"He wilfully crossed LOC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," he said.

He added that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LoC and IB (International Border), Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds."

The incident took place just hours after the Indian forces carried out surgical strikes on September 29 across the Line of Control to destroy terrorist launch pads.

The Indian Army said that they had got confirmation by Pakistan military authorities that Chavan would be handed over at 3 p.m. and the soldier was finally handed over.

"Sep Chandu Babulal Chavan crossed over to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from own Krishna Ghati sector on September 29. In order to ensure his release the matter was taken up with Pakistani Military authorities through the existing hotline and scheduled DGMO level talks," the army statement said.

In Chavan's native village, scores of villagers came out into the streets to greet his family, who were overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, laughing and crying at the same time.

Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said: "We are extremely grateful to the government for securing his safe release. We shall remain indebted to (Minister of State for Defence) Subhash Bhamre for all his help in ensuring his return home."

"It is unbelievable and the news is still sinking in. We are so happy... for us, its like all festivals -- Diwali, Holi -- coming together simultaneously and we shall celebrate when he comes home after such a long time," his married sister Rupali Patil said wiping away tears of joy.

After hearing the news of Chavan's capture, his aged grandmother suffered a heart attack and died a few days later.

Indian Army sources said that Chavan will go through a medical check up and will be subsequently debriefed.

They said that since the soldier was coming from a "hostile nation", the army will have to check for any radicalisation that might have happened.

Debriefing will help know what the soldier might have been subjected to, sources added.

The surgical strikes in September last year came in the wake of an attack on an Indian army base near the town of Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18. Nineteen Indian soldiers died in the attack, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-backed militants, a claim flatly denied by Islamabad.

--IANS

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Russian officials tweeted some of the most celebratory messages on Donald Trump's inauguration, as world leaders and people around the globe reacted to his taking over as the 45th US President.

There were celebrations at some places, while many others took over the streets and spoke of uncertainties, fears and their disgust for US' new leader.

Russians by far were the most effusive in their welcome of the new US Commander in chief, with one senator calling January 20 "a defining moment in history".

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a Facebook post: "In a world of many things can happen, except one: President Obama can't say anything anymore about Russia."

There were reports of Russians partying on Friday night to celebrate Trump - and what they see as the start of a new, friendlier era with the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration in comments broadcast on Saturday, but warned that differences will remain.

A Women's March in Brussels, Belgium, triggered criticism of Trump's offensive comments about women and alleged cases of sexual harassment.

Katrine Steinfeld, a Norwegian-Hungarian who works for gender equality, said she fears that Trump's election as the President of the US will legitimise the ill treatment of women.

"His behaviour creates legitimacy for attitudes that is not appropriate and that is a threat for women," she said.

Cuba's state media paid little attention to the inauguration. Granma, the official communist party newspaper, on Friday ran articles on birth statistics, a new and experimental strain of cigar tobacco, but made no mention of Trump's swearing-in.

During the presidential campaign, Trump pledged to reverse Obama's policies on Cuba if Havana did not make concessions on human rights and religious freedom.

China watched one of its toughest critics assume the presidency, marking the start of what could be a more contentious bilateral relationship between the world's two largest economies.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, before the inauguration, stressed on constructive relations between the two countries to "propel further development of China-US ties at a new staring point".

"We would like to join hands with the new US administration to uphold the principles of non-confrontation, non-conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," CNN quoted Chunying as saying on Friday.

During his inauguration address, Trump took a populist tone, saying: "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs."

Though he did not mention China by name, the Republican President vowed to be tougher on the country by renegotiating trade agreements and has even proposed imposing tariffs on Chinese imports.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated Trump on Twitter, in a move likely to draw objections from Beijing, which is already angry with a protocol-breaking phone call a month ago between the two leaders.

"Congratulations Trump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship and partnership," Tsai tweeted.

The new President received a warm congratulations from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Looking forward to working with President Trump to further deepen India-US ties and realise the full potential of our cooperation," Modi tweeted.

Mukherjee in a tweet said India looked forward to an early "opportunity of welcoming the President and First Lady Melania Trump".

In the Iranian capital city of Tehran, there was little love for the 45th President at the Grand Mosalla, a complex of religious halls and other facilities, as people gathered for their usual Friday prayers, according to CNN.

Instead, people ripped the US for its policies towards Iran and its role in Syria.

The main topic on the minds of many of the people present was the future of the nuclear agreement between Iran, the US and other world powers in July 2015.

Trump has called the agreement a bad deal, and said he wanted to renegotiate it.

Even before Trump's inauguration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent him a welcome tweet.

"Congrats to my friend Trump. Look forward to working closely with you to make the alliance between Israel and the US stronger than ever."

Netanyahu had earlier made it clear that he was ready to work with Trump, especially as the relationship with former President Barack Obama deteriorated rapidly in its final weeks.

Israeli leaders are already expecting Trump to follow through on one of his biggest campaign promises -- to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

A woman in Japan's Tokyo held a sign supporting Obama during a Friday

march organised by Democrats Abroad of Japan.

Hundreds of people -- mostly American expatriates, but also a few Japanese citizens -- marched in Tokyo to highlight the need to fight for women rights as well as immigration policies.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe extended his "heartfelt congratulations" to the new President.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto congratulated the new leader and expressed a desire to strengthen the relationship between the countries.

But Former President Vicente Fox, an outspoken critic of Trump's pledge to have Mexico pay for a border wall, kept up his long-running taunting of Trump.

"Speaking of allegiance, Trump? Speaking of greatness? America was already great and succesful, then you happened," Fox tweeted.

Carrying signs that said "Make America human again" and "Love trumps hate," protesters in Mexico City chanted "Get out Trump".

Palestinian leaders offered few statements after the inauguration, but their primary concern echoed the mood on the streets as thousands on Thursday demonstrated across the West Bank, protesting the potential move of the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Demonstrators held up pictures of Trump and waved Palestinian flags.

The new US President drew a message of congratulations from Britain's Foreign Minister.

"Congratulations to Trump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK-US bond," Boris Johnson tweeted.

Pope Francis in the Vatican City prayed for the new leader, the pontiff told Trump in a letter on Friday.

"...I offer you my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that almighty god will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office," the Pope wrote.

In Germany, Trump's criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as German trade and the European Union, has caused alarm among officials.

"This day really marks a celebration of American democracy and usually people here look at Washington with admiration, but I think this time it's different," said Niels Annen, foreign affairs spokesman for the center-left SPD party, a coalition partner in the government.

Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement congratulating Trump.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US has urged South Korea to arrest the brother of former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, sources inSeoul's justice ministry revealed on Saturday.

Washington asked Seoul to arrest Ban Ki-Sang, younger sibling of Ban Ki-moon, after the US Attorney General's Office indicted him last week for the attempted bribery of an official from the Middle East in connection with a real estate deal.

The justice ministry has begun to process the request and examine applicable laws, a senior Seoul official told Yonhap News Agency.

Ban's brother, an executive in the South Korean firm Keangnam, was reportedly entrusted by the company with selling a high-rise building in Vietnam, Landmark 72, for $800 million.

He reportedly hired his son (and Ban's nephew) Joo Hyun Bahn, a broker in New York, to secure the deal.

The US attorney general's office claims that, through an intermediary, the father-son duo agreed to a $2.5 million bribe (of which they advanced around $500,000), for the official responsible for acquiring the property through a sovereign wealth fund, Efe news reported.

While Bahn was arrested last week in New Jersey, Ban Ki-sang is considered a fugitive by authorities. He faces a variety of charges that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

Through a statement by his spokesperson, Ban Ki-moon declared he had no knowledge of the case and hoped the procedures would be "carried out strictly and transparently" to address any concerns.

The case could pose a serious threat to the older Ban's political aspirations, particularly after he has stepped up public activities in recent weeks as part of what is perceived as a preliminary election campaign before he announces his candidature for the country's top post.

However, Ban is yet to confirm if he will contest the election, at a time the country is in the throes of a major corruption scandal that led the Parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye last year.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A South Korean court on Saturday issued an arrest warrant for the country's culture minister over her alleged role in the creation of a supposed blacklist of dissident artists.

By issuing the warrant, the Seoul Central District Court acceded to the prosecution's request to arrest Cho Yoon-sun on charges of abuse of authority and perjury, and particularly for having created a list of around 10,000 artists, writers and entertainers critical of the South Korean administration in a bid to deny them state grants, Efe news reported.

Judges also decided to allow the arrest of the former presidential chief of staff, Kim Ki-choon, who may have authored the list.

Investigators believe the list to have been another instrument within the coercion and extortion web allegedly orchestrated by Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the centre of the national-level corruption scandal and who has been dubbed the "Korean Rasputin" for her proximity to President Park Geun-hye.

The court ruled in favour of keeping Cho and Kim in police custody, saying the charges were substantiated, and there was a risk of them destroying the evidence, according to Yonhap NewsAgency.

Investigators are now studying Choi's possible links with the blacklist, which includes the names of acclaimed film directors like Song Kang-ho, Park Chan-wook, Kim Ki-duk, Lee Chang-dong, Lee Woo-jin and Ryoo Seung-wan, and writers such as Han Kang, who won the Man Booker Prize last year.

While prosecutors say the list constitutes a serious violation of people's freedom of thought and expression, Cho and Kim denied all charges during their interrogations this week, which lasted 21 and 15 hours, respectively.

Cho was presidential secretary for political affairs between 2014 and 2015 before she was named culture minister in 2016, while Kim was presidential chief of staff between 2013 and 2015, and is said to have exerted great influence on state affairs beyond the ambit of his position.

On Thursday, a court rejected the arrest warrant against Lee Jae-yong, heir and de facto chief of Samsung Group, who is accused of donating funds to Choi-controlled organisations in exchange for favours.

--IANS

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Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be Bollywood's first Khan to travel to Delhi from Mumbai for a promotional visit for "Raees" in a train.

The makers of "Raees" along with Shah Rukh will ditch a flight for the visit.

"The team is in the process of packing their luggage and assuring that the trip is going to be an ideal combination of work and play," said a source in the know of developments.

Set against the backdrop of prohibition in Gujarat, "Raees" touches upon the way the alcohol industry crumbled and several illegal activities followed. Its trailer gives a glimpse of the story backed by heavy duty action sequences, and many thrilling moments.

In the film, the "Chennai Express" star essays the title role of Raees, a bootlegger. It also marks Pakistani actress Mahira Khan's foray into Bollywood.

The move comes in sync with SRK's character in the movie.

According to the source, the entire team -- including producer Ritesh Sidhwani and director Rahul Dholakia -- will also be taking the train.

"The train is an August Kranti which will leave from Bombay Central at evening 5 p.m. and reach Hazrat Nizamuddin at 10.55 a.m. in the morning. The train has several stopovers like Andheri, Borivili, Wapi, Walsad, Surat, Baruch, Baroda, Ratlam, Kota, Savai Modhopur and Mathura," added the source.

As of now, Shah Rukh is in Dubai to promote the movie, which also features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan. The movie is releasing on January 25.

--IANS

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Donald Trump began his presidency with a series of seismic policy interventions, starting with the repeal of Barack Obama's healthcare policies, initiating a new US missile defence system and ushering in a new period of American protectionism.

The 45th President of the United States, who was sworn into office on Friday, began his four-year term of office with a series of executive orders that will set the tone for his government. It was, he said, a government that would "put only America first".

The new President, before attending a series of inaugural balls around Washington DC, signed an executive order aimed at trying to fulfil one of his most impassioned campaign promises; repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the Obamacare.

The order allows the Health and Human Services Department and other federal agencies to delay implementing any piece of the law that might impose any economic cost.

Using similar orders, Trump also signed into law a new national day of patriotism and signalled plans to build a new missile defence system to protect against perceived threats from Iran and North Korea.

The Trump White House stripped the official website of all mention of Obama's key policy agendas, including climate change and LGBT rights along with the civil rights history section.

The various subsections of the White House website were replaced with just six; energy, foreign policy, jobs and growth, military, law enforcement and trade deals.

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people, mostly women, in the US and around the world were set to join marches on Saturday to raise awareness of women's rights and other civil rights they fear could be under threat under Trump's presidency.

Millions of others will follow suit in cities across the US and across the world. Marches in Australia and New Zealand have already taken place.

There are also more than 600 "sister marches" planned around the country, with some of the biggest expected in Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

And women and men in cities around the world -- including Sydney, Hong Kong, London and Paris -- are also marching in solidarity and in opposition to the values they think President Trump represents.

The Women's March on Washington, which will be held near Capitol Hill on Saturday, comes on the heels of a slew of protests there on Inauguration Day.

Six police officers were injured and 217 protesters were arrested on Friday, after a morning of peaceful protests and coordinated disruptions of Trump's inauguration ceremony gave way to ugly street clashes in downtown Washington.

There will continue to be a major security presence on the city's streets on Saturday, as the marchers gather en masse in the nation's capital.

Leaders from around the world, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offered well wishes and congratulations to America's new Commander in Chief.

"Best wishes in leading USA to greater achievements in the coming years," Modi wrote on Twitter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also was expected to speak to Trump by phone in the coming days, the Kremlin said.

A meeting between the two leaders will possibly be held in the coming months, rather than coming weeks, said the spokesman, adding that the specific date is expected to be discussed during the phone conversation.

Pope Francis also sent Trump a message of "cordial good wishes" on his inauguration.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe issued a statement extending his "heartfelt congratulations" to Trump.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also offered his congratulations to Trump in a statement.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson offered his congratulations in the form of a tweet.

"Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK - US bond," Johnson tweeted.

The Mexico's current President Enrique Pena Nieto took to Twitter to congratulate Trump. "I congratulate President @realDonaldTrump on taking office. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility," Pena Nieto tweeted in Spanish.

Meanwhile, as Trump took over as POTUS, Michelle and Barack Obama left the White House with the highest ratings ever, they unveiled The Obama Foundation, that aims to facilitate projects "all over the city, the country and the world".

In a video, the Obamas asked viewers to help shape the Foundation by contributing suggestions via the site's "Your Voice" section.

The new website, Obama.org. was created by the Obama Foundation, which is overseeing the creation of the Barack Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago, and its stated mission is to provide a forum for those looking to work with the Centre to improve the lives of American citizens.

The Obamas are in Palm Springs, California, for a vacation, they plan to continue living in Washington while their younger daughter Sasha completes secondary school.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Six police officers were injured and 217 protesters arrested after they smashed windows, damaged cars and threw rocks at security personnel near US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Friday in Washington D.C.

At least two police officers and one other person were taken to the hospital for undetermined injuries after run-ins with protesters, D.C. Fire Spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.

After the swearing-in ceremony, demonstrators near 12th and K streets threw rocks and bottles at police, who were clad in riot gear and attempting to disperse the crowd.

A large number of police were on scene and used smoke and flash-bang devices to try to scatter the protesters.

Acting D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told CNN that there were several hundred protesters who were confronting police, while he praised the thousands of other demonstrators who behaved in a peaceful fashion to get their point across.

"We have been pointing out all along that this is a very isolated incident and by and large everything is going peacefully and a lot of folks have come to the city to enjoy this historic day, not only the Capitol but walking all around the city," Newsham said.

Throughout Friday, demonstrators, some wearing masks and dressed in black, shattered building windows, vandalized police cars and other vehicles, setting some on fire -- including a limousine -- and toppled news kiosks.

"Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property," the police said.

Protester Lysander Reid-Powell, a 20-year-old student from New Mexico told CNN: "I think Donald Trump is a fascist, and it's very easy for people, especially people who are in pain, to slip into fascism."

At one checkpoint, about 50 protesters sat down in the street in an attempt to block Trump supporters from entering a secure area to watch the swearing-in ceremony and speech.

Not far away, a group of immigration backers staged a "pop up" protest near another check point.

"We're here to take a stand against the ideas that Trump spouted throughout the course of this campaign -- sexism, Islamophobia, his bigotry and nationalism," said protester Jed Holtz, from New York City.

There also were anti-Trump protests around the world, including London, Hong Kong and Berlin -- where demonstrators held a sign that read, "Walls divide", CNN reported.

In the West Bank, Palestinians protested against Israeli settlements and Trump's plan to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

In New York, seven people were arrested at a demonstration outside of Trump Tower, according to the New York Police Department.

On Saturday, the Women's March on Washington could attract a quarter million participants, organisers said.

"We're really trying to set a tone of resistance for the coming years," Lacy MacAuley, a DisruptJ20 organizer, told CNN.

"Donald Trump represents a shift in our in a dangerous, harmful, exclusionary direction. We oppose those policies of hate."

According to Department of Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson, as many as 900,000 spectators were slated to attend inaugural ceremonies.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tamil superstar Vijay paid a secret visit to the Marina beach to extend support to thousands of young protesters against the ban on Jallikattu, a source said.

On Friday night, Vijay joined thousands of supporters who have been protesting against the ban on the popular and ancient bull-taming sport.

"He didn't participate in the fast organised by the Nadigar Sangam as he wanted the limelight to stay on the youngsters. Hence, he decided to join them on the ground on Friday night. He covered his face with a handkerchief and silently joined protesters at Marina beach," a source close to the actor told IANS.

On Friday, the central government gave its nod to an ordinance enabling the holding of Jallikattu as proposed by the Tamil Nadu government.

Earlier, in a video message, Vijay said: "Law was not created to rob people off their tradition and rights, but to protect it. Jallikattu is every Tamilian's identity. Those who are protesting against the ban on Jallikattu are united by the feeling that they are Tamilians, but not out of compulsion or political pressure. I bow down to each and every one of them."

On the career front, he is gearing up for the shoot of his next yet-untitled Tamil outing with director Atlee.
Outgoing US Ambassador to India Richard Verma shared some heart-warming stories in his farewell speech for friends before he left Delhi last week. He recounted his interaction with two Indian prime ministers. The first, in 2012, was with Manmohan Singh and the second, more recently with Narendra Modi. Vermas father belonged to Jalandhar and migrated to the US with about $14 in his pocket. Verma said the family grew up hearing their father engage any Indian he met in conversation about the country he had left behind. At a certain age, Verma said it was embarrassing. His father would always find some link between the person he was talking to and Jalandhar.
It is also important that as new equations are being worked out, India does its part in contributing to global development, progress and security. It is already doing this through a variety of policies and initiatives and I highlight some of them for your consideration:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said 1,400 ex-servicemen in the state have been provided jobs in the last four years and work was underway to complete the war museum here.

"A total of 1,400 ex-servicemen have been provided jobs in the last four years and Rs 5.21 crore was spent to distribute grants under different bravery awards. The war museum in Dharamsala is being constructed at a cost of Rs 9 crore," he said while presiding over the Ex-Servicemen Kalyan Board's meeting here.

The state government is committed to settle issues related to serving and ex-servicemen, Singh said.

A reservation of 15 per cent is, also, being given to retired soldiers, war widows and their wards in government jobs, the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, state Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Dhani Ram Shandi also addressed the gathering.

The board also discussed exemption of tax at toll barriers in the state and opening of a CSD depot in Una district for ex-servicemen.

Allocation of funds for parks and war memorials, repair and renovation of existing Sainik Rest Houses and construction of such rest houses at Rohru were also discussed.

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A man who allegedly made a call to missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed's relatives demanding Rs 20 lakh ransom for his release has been arrested today, police said, even as the family denied receiving any such call.

The accused, whose identity is yet to be established, has been arrested from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh, said Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime).

A call was received by Najeeb Ahmed's relatives three days back demanding Rs 20 lakh for his release, the officer said.

A Crime Branch team, under the supervision of DCP(Crime) G Ram Gopal Naik, traced the location of the man, who had allegedly made the call from his mobile phone and nabbed him, sources said.

The man is giving different names. Police has got his transit remand and is bringing him to Delhi for further interrogation, Yadav said, the accused is likely to reach here by tomorrow night.

However, the missing student's family denied receiving any such call.

"We have not received any call demanding ransom," a member of Najeeb's family said.

Meanwhile, six students who were served notices seeking their consent for polygraph test, have still not agreed to it.

Najeeb's roommate, Mohd Qasim, has also not given his consent for the lie-detector test despite agreeing to it earlier.

Last year, in November, a guard at JNU's Mahi Mandavi Hostel where Najeeb was staying had received a letter which claimed that the missing student was being held captive in Aligarh. However, on investigation, the letter was found to be bogus.

Ahmed, an MSc Biotechnology student, went missing on October 15 after a scuffle allegedly with ABVP affiliated students at his hostel on the JNU campus. A reward of Rs 10 lakh has been announced by Delhi Police on any information about him.

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Jammu and Kashmir government today said that 14,345 hectares of forest land has been encroached in the state.

Minister for Forest Choudhary Lal Singh today said the innovative measures initiated by the government would take forest and its allied wings to new heights and it will also help in increasing forest cover and conserving the ecology of the state.

He said over 2801.23 hectares of forest land has been retrieved during nearly three years, he added.

Winding up the discussion in the Legislative Assembly on Demands for Grants of Forest Department, including Ecology, Environment and Pollution Control Board, the Minister said several measures have been taken to make functioning of the department accountable, transparent and result-oriented.

Enumerating the initiatives launched by the Government, the Minister said department has embarked on many new programmes, including establishment of hi-tech nurseries and upgradation of existing nurseries for production of quality planting stocks with a vision of raising 15 crore saplings annually.

He said DPR for beautification of National Highway (NH1-A/), railway line through plantations, creation of green corridors,plantation around Ranjit Sagar, Baglihar Dams and other water bodies have also been formulated.

He also informed the House that promotion of rotational grazing and eco-tourism, nature tourism is a priority for the Government.

Singh said the government won't allow breach of the forest rights of tribal communities and called for active contribution of such communities in conservation of forests.

He said plantation of fruit trees in forest would reduce man-animal conflict.

Giving details about the forest land encroachment, Singh said that Government has devised a plan for fencing the forest areas.

"We need estimated Rs 8000 crore for conservation of forest resources including fencing, but with the current resources we will start fencing around the areas which are vulnerable for encroachments" he added.

According to Working Plan, Jammu and Kashmir has 20,230



km forest area, covering state's 19.95 per cent geographical area.

The department has taken strict measures to remove encroachment from the forests.

In addition, Forest Department has also retrieved 2903.65 hectares unrecorded/freshly encroached land across Jammu region and 205 hectares in Jammu city and its outskirts, in last 2 years, said Forest Minister Choudhary Lal Singh.

The Minister informed a Draft Policy for Chief Minister's participatory forest development has been submitted to the administrative department for the approval.

The draft policy aims at carrying out afforestation and other forest development works in the forest fringe areas with the active involvement of the local people.

On the promotion of eco-Tourism, the Minister said Government aims to promote tourism in the areas having natural beauty without disturbing the environment and ecological balance of the area.

Since, many sites of tourism interest fall in forests, undertaking eco-tourism activities in such areas will provide livelihood opportunities to the locals besides, ensuring minimum or no disturbance to the forest eco-systems.

The sites include Bangus Valley, Bojpathri, Tosamaidan, Daksum, Pahalgam, Warwan, Sukrala and Machedi (Billawar).
Two labourers sustained serious burn injuries when fire broke out in a crackers factory in Batala here, police said.

Both the labourers were making crackers on the roof of the factory when the incident occurred at around 2.15 PM, they said, adding the fire quickly spread and a portion of the factory's roof blew off.

Abhishek alias Munnu, a resident of Bihar, sustained around 80 per cent burn injuries and was rushed to Amritsar in serious condition, police said.

The fire was later doused, they said.

The factory is located just 100 mt away from a school. Following the incident, school authorities did not allow its students to leave the school till the fire tenders doused the flames.

Amandeep Singh and Gurpreet Kaur, who reside near the factory, alleged that the factory was being operated in the residential area for long and despite lodging repeated complaints with the authorities concerned, no action was taken.

Civil lines police station SHO Yadwinder Singh said a police team has been sent to Amritsar to record the statements of the injured and on the basis of which action will be taken against the accused.

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A powerful explosion today ripped through a crowded vegetable market in minority Shias dominated Parachinar in northwest Pakistan's restive Kurram tribal agency, killing at least 25 people and injuring 50 others.

The blast - claimed by Tehrik-i-Taliban - occurred at the market inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.

Citing the political administration in Kurram agency, Geo TV said that at least 25 people were killed in the blast.

However, in a brief statement the military said that 20 people have been killed in the attack.

Initial report suggests that explosives kept in a vegetable crate exploded during auction of the vegetables, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital where there is a shortage of doctors and medical facilities. At least 10 patients were said to be in critical condition.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the improvised explosive device (IED) blast took place at 08:50 AM in the vegetable market.

"Army and FC Quick Response officials have reached the blast site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters have been flown in for medical evacuation of the injured," it said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the attack and ordered a detailed report regarding the incident.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, a Shia political organisation, announced three days of mourning over the blast.

According to officials, the death toll is expected to rise as the market was crowded due to early morning rush.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Umer Khurasani has claimed responsibility for the blast. He said the blast was to avenge the killing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief Asif Chotu.

Asif, who was on Pakistan's most wanted terrorist list and carried a bounty of Rs 3,000,000 on his head, was killed along with three aides in an encounter near Lahore on Tuesday.

He was directly involved in killing over 100 citizens of Pakistan in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Indirectly, he was involved in killing of over 200 people.

LeJ was founded in 1996 as a militant offshoot of Sipah-i-Sahaba, a Sunni sectarian group that emerged in the mid-1980s. LeJ has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, mostly minority Shia Muslims.

Opposition Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the blast and said that "in order to defeat terrorism people will have to support the PPP."



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan said that attack on unarmed civilians is not acceptable. "The terrorists should be tried and the victims be given justice," he said.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khatakk and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack.

Parachinar has a sizeable Shia population and in the past the minority community was targeted through bombings.

In December 2015, a similar blast at the Eidgah Market killed 25 people and injured 70 others.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.

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BJP General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya today claimed that 40 communal riots have taken place after Mamata Banerjee became Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2011.

Vijayvargiya, the party's co-observer of the state, however, did not elaborate on this issue while talking to reporters here on the sidelines of a BJP state executive committee meeting.

There is no law and order in West Bengal and 40 communal riots have taken place during the Mamata Banerjee's regime, he alleged.

"The police were siding with the rioters," he said.

The senior BJP leader alleged that a section of state government officers were involved in chit fund scam and they would not be spared.

Due to these reasons, no investment would come to the state, Vijayvargiya said in reference to the business summit currently being held by the state government in Kolkata.

Claiming that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government was importing the culture of Bangladesh in the primary education, he said, his party would soon launch a movement against it.

BJP is not getting permission from the administration to organise party programmes, he said.

He alleged that the party's posters and banners outside Town Hall, the meeting venue, were torn by the ruling party activists.

The party would soon start a campaign - "Save democracy, save culture, save Bengal", Vijayvargiya said.

Banerjee came to power with a debt burden of Rs 2 lakh crore and now it has increased to Rs 3.60 lakh crore, though no development has taken place in the state, he claimed.

Earlier, the party's state president Dilip Ghosh said that the increase in BJP's vote percentage in the two Lok Sabha by-polls is being discussed in the party's national level.

In the Coochbehar Lok Sabha bypoll held in November last, BJP finished second bagging 3.7 lakh votes compared to 2.1 lakh votes it had secured in 2014 pushing Forward Bloc, a Left Front partner, to the third position.

In Tamluk LS seat bypoll held at the same time, BJP got third position but secured 1.9 lakh votes, up from 86,000 votes the party got in last Lok Sabha polls.

Many ruling party supporters were joining BJP, he claimed saying the TMC is counting its last days.

On Bhangar unrest, he said it was the fallout of TMC's infighting.

TMC had opposed Left Front's move to industrialisation, and now they were facing the same, he said.

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Fire engulfed a popular nightclub in the Romanian capital today, sending 41 people to hospitals for treatment including one who was seriously injured.

No deaths were reported.

The fire erupted in the early hours at the upmarket Bamboo nightclub, which was burned to the ground. Some people suffered from smoke intoxication while others were injured as they reportedly leapt from the upper level of the lakeside club to escape the flames.

The health ministry said 41 received hospital treatment, updating an earlier figure. Hundreds were reportedly in the club at the time.

The fire evoked memories of the disaster at another Bucharest nightclub in October 2015, which killed 64 people the worst nightclub fire in the country's history.

There was no definitive word on the cause of the fire.

Eyewitness Corina Anghel told private television station Dig24 that people were smoking upstairs, and the roof caught fire. She also said waiters served bottles of drinks with sparklers attached. Indoor fireworks and smoking inside public places are illegal in Romania. Prosecutors have opened an inquiry.

A score of ambulances rushed to the scene as revelers ran outside. Bogdan Oprita, coordinator of the capital's ambulance service, said most of the injured were suffering from smoke intoxication. Others who rushed outside without picking up their coats suffered hypothermia in the -12 Celsius (10 Fahrenheit) cold.

Senior emergency situations official Raed Arafat said one person was seriously injured and that almost half of the injured used their own transport to reach hospitals. About half a dozen remained hospitalised.

Bamboo has several clubs in Romania, and one in Miami, Florida. It first opened in Bucharest in 2002 and was rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 2005.

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With the arrest of six persons including the one who opened fire on police, a gang allegedly involved in drug trafficking was busted and over 200 kg of poppy husk seized here, police said today.

A policeman was injured when Hanumanaram Bishnoi, wanted by police in several cases of drug smuggling, opened fire on him while police team was chasing the accused.

Police have also seized four vehicles belonging to the suppliers and consignment receivers.

According to the Superintendent of Police (Pali) Deepak Bhargava, a tip-off was received that a huge consignment of poppy husk was on its way to Pali. Immediately, a team was formed and a trap was laid to nab the culprits.

"At around midnight, police intercepted a car which was carrying 33 kg of poppy husk. We seized the husk and arrested the car occupants -- Madaram Bishnoi and Bhagiratha Bishnoi," said the officer.

During interrogation, they revealed the names of their two aides, Hanumanram Bishnoi and Madan Patidar, heading towards Rani area. A police team headed to nab them and when they tried to stop the accused, a gun shot was fired from the vehicle which left one policemen injured, he said.

"They tried to escape by hitting the police vehicle, but failed as their vehicle stuck in a crater," said Bhargava.

Police arrested both Bishnoi and Patidar and seized 150 kg poppy husk and 16 kg opium from their vehicle.

On their information, one Kanaram Bishnoi was also arrested from a nearby farm with 15 kg of poppy husk, who had taken this delivery a few hours back. Police then arrested one Rajaram Bishnoi who was to receive the delivery of poppy husk.

"Hanumanaram Bishnoi is a hardcore criminal, who has cases of opening fire and smuggling drugs registered against him in different police stations of Pali. Patidar, who belonged to Chittorgarh, is said to be a drug supplier," Bhargava added.

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Three senior CPI(M) leaders and a number of party workers arrested for staging protest at the venue of the Bengal Global Business Summit yesterday were today released on bail by a court after which they and their supporters marched to the office of SP South 24 Parganas here.

Senior CPI(M) leaders Sujan Chakrabarty, Kanti Ganguly, Manab Mukherjee and 112 party workers were produced before a Alipore court which released them on bail.

Soon after their release, the leaders and party workers under the leadership of Ganguly and Chakrabarty marched to the office of Superintendent of Police of South 24-Parganas Sunil Kumar Choudhary.

Several hundred CPI(M) activists blocked roads around the Alipore Court area.

Blockades by the CPI(M) activists on the Bakers Road, Belvedere Road and area around Alipore court resulted in huge traffic jams.

"There are no untoward incidents though a few CPI(M) activists tried blocking roads near the Alipore Court. Our officers handled the situation well," a senior officer of Kolkata Police said.

The Police yesterday had arrested 135 CPI(M) activists among whom 23 were released on bail, he said.

Meanwhile, protesting an alleged attack by CPI(M) workers on party leader and Power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay's convoy, TMC activists rallied from Kolkata Municipal Corporation office till Dorina Crossing this afternoon.

Chattopadhyay's convoy was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) activists when he was coming out of the Milan Mela ground attending the Bengal Global Business Summit last evening.

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Ahead of the crucial Mumbai civic polls, president of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee's minority department Nizamuddin Rayeen has quit Congress, accusing the party of ignoring minority community members during election and in decision making.

"I have quit the party as there is no scope for Muslim leadership to evolve and the community is not considered while taking organisational decisions as well as ticket distribution for elections. The party remembers Muslims only as a vote bank," Rayeen told PTI.

He said he will take a decision on his next political step in a day or two.

Rayeen said despite being a Parliamentary Board member, he is not aware of the meeting taking place for selection of candidates for the civic polls scheduled next month.

He said his list of candidates were disregarded.

Of the 227 corporators in Mumbai, only 21 are Muslims. As per the 2011 census, Muslims comprise 20.65 per cent of the city's population.

Hyderabad-headquartered AIMIM is all set to contest the polls eyeing this sizable chunk of voters.

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A day after the Centre cleared the jallikattu ordinance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said all efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.

"We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people," he tweeted.

Modi said the central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress.

His statement came a day after the Centre, moving swiftly, cleared a draft ordinance to allow jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests that have paralysed the state for last five days.

The Union ministries of Home, Law and Environment cleared the ordinance last night.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam had met the Prime Minister day before yesterday to seek ordinance.

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Afroz Khan Pathan, serving a life sentence in the 2006 Aurangabad arms haul case, has topped the Gandhi Peace Examination, in which 83 other inmates of Taloja Jail in neighbouring Thane district, appeared.

Eight-four inmates of the jail, most of them undertrials, wrote the exam, which tests awareness about Gandhian principles and values.

The exam was conducted in the jail last week by Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal, a trust which propagates values of the Father of the Nation.

Of these 84 inmates, six are lodged in egg-shaped high security unit (known as anda cell) and facing serious criminal charges. One of them is a Nigerian.

The inmates were given prizes at a a brief ceremony, said Mandal's Managing Trustee Tulsidas Somaiya.

Pathan, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment last year, stood first with 71 out of total 80 marks, he said.

"After the examination and getting prize, Pathan was overwhelmed. In his feedback, he wrote that thoughts and beliefs of Mahatma Gandhi regarding truth, ahimsa, tolerance and doing good to the enemy influenced him the most.

"Pathan said he is following these principles after reading Gandhi's autobiography and vowed to adhere to them in rest of his life," Somaiya told PTI.

Set up in 1952 during the 'bhoodan andolan' (land gift movement) of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, the Trust has been engaged in programmes to spread the message of Gandhi by holding seminars, workshops, meetings and youth camps.

Mandal has been organising the examination since the last 12 years in various jails of Maharashtra.

"The aim of the examination is to invoke a sense of regret in jail inmates (about their crimes) and inculcate qualities of satya (truth) and ahimsa (non-violence) so that they become better citizens after their release," Somaiya added.

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Ban on Jallikattu should be seen as a "nefarious design" of animal rights groups to wipe out native breeds in favour of corporates, alleged Karthikeya Sivasenapathy, managing trustee of Tamil Nadu-based Senaapathy Kangayam Cattle Research Foundation today.

"Some major animal rights groups are in close nexus with corporates who have an agenda to come into India. Such collaboration has become a threat to remaining native breeds across the country," he said here.

"Ban on Jallikattu does not only deny Tamil people their culture, but also 13 breeds of India are under threat because of the ban. States like Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, AP, Gujarat and Punjab should take up the issue. We have to look at it as a live stock-based issue," Sivasenapathy said.

Recently, Sivasenapathy resigned from the post of Board Member (Livestock and Farming) in the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in protest against the ban on Jallikattu.

Sivasenapathy, who was in the national capital for three days, met Union Ministers Anil Madhav Dave, Rajnath Singh and Minister of State for Road Transport Pon Radhakrishnan to apprise them about the technicalities and effects on native breeds because of the ban.

He also appealed to the Supreme Court to set up a committee, on the lines of Lodha Committee, to have a stakeholder consultation to find a permanent solution for the issue.

"We request the Supreme Court to appoint a committee and hold a stakeholder consultation to look into the intent of the protest in Tamil Nadu against the ban and see the larger issue," Sivasenapathy said.

"ICAR's National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources in Haryana should be brought into the consultation process along with other stakeholders to give a deep thought into the issue and save the native breeds," he said.

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on Saturday claimed to have formed the world's largest human chain with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, political leaders, cutting across party lines, and citizens held each other's hand to reaffirm commitment towards liquor ban.

The 45-minute-long human chain started at 12:15 PM at the historic Gandhi Maidan when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar floated colourful balloons, and ended at 1 PM.

The chief minister joined hands with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad on the one side and state Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on the other to begin the chain of people to express unity in support of prohibition.

Legislative Council Chairman Awdesh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, state Congress President and minister Ashok Choudhary, NCP General Secretary and MP Tariq Anwar and a host of ministers and legislators held each other's hand at the beginning of the chain which branched to different directions to stretch across .

Opposition BJP which lent support to the human chain joined the queue in Siwan, where their two-day state executive committee meeting is beginning on Saturday.

Top BJP leaders Sushil Kumar Modi, Union minister of state Ramkripal Yadav, Leader of Opposition in Assembly Prem Kumar, party spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain and party MP from Maharajganj Janardan Singh Sigriwal joined each other's hand in Siwan as part of human chain.

The CM, Lalu Prasad and other leaders stood in lines to form a map of Bihar in Gandhi Maidan. A picture of liquor bottle with a cross sign was drawn in the middle of this map to give the message against alcohol.

Bihar was written in dark black colour in the middle of the map so that a clear picture of the event is captured through ISRO satellite, drones and helicopters.

To display communal harmony, four children dressed in traditional attires of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians stood by side of the CM and Lalu Prasad.

The human chain is estimated to cover a distance of 11,292 km involving two crore citizens.

The Bihar human chain is tipped to be the world's largest so far. The previous record is of 1050 km long human chain which was formed in Bangladesh in 2004.

Though reaction of the CM on today's mammoth event is yet to come, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad told reporters all parties and citizens in general were together to fight evil of liquor.

Congress state President and minister Ashok Choudhary, whose Education department is the organiser of the human chain programme told reporters that it was the biggest social congregation of people in the country after Independence.
Both BJP and Congress have welcomed the Election Commission's order against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for his alleged bribe remarks during Goa rallies early this month.

While addressing a rally in Benaulim constituency, Kejriwal had reportedly told voters, "If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as it is your own money...But, when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of AAP candidate."



"We welcome the action by Election Commission of India (ECI) against Kejriwal. Action should be initiated against him under relevant sections of law," general secretary of Goa BJP Sadanand Tanawade told PTI.

He said BJP is making all attempts to have free and fair polls in association with Election Commission but AAP wants to "propagate corruption".

BJP's state information technology cell in-charge Atmaram Barve had filed formal complaint against Kejriwal.

"Kejriwal should be arrested and strict action should be taken against him," Barve said.

The Congress in Goa had also condemned Kejriwal for his statements.

"This is nothing new for Kejriwal. He keeps on getting censured for his statements," AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh said.

Goa Congress spokesman Trajano D'Mello who publicly criticised Kejriwal for the statement said ECI has vindicated his stand.

"Kejriwal is sowing seeds of corruption among common man which is dangerous," he said.

The Election Commission has censured Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his bribe remark and warned him that if he continues to violate the model code, stern action would be taken against him and his party, including suspension or withdrawal of recognition to AAP.

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AAP today strongly criticised RSS leader Manmohan Vaidya's remark advocating review of reservation policy, and said it won't allow the "anti-dalit" BJP succeed in their "nefarious designs".

The party also asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi agrees to the remarks made by the RSS functionary, demanding he should clarify his stand on the issue.

"The statement by RSS functionary is shameful. This is not the first example of RSS and the BJP being anti-dalit.

"There is no proof required after state-sponsored murder of (Dalit scholar) Rohith Vemula (who committed suicide) or the atrocities perpetrated in Una where Dalits were flogged by supporters of the BJP," AAP's national spokesperson Dilip Pandey said, adding that such remarks also came up before the Bihar polls.

Seeking to drag Udit Raj, BJP MP from Delhi and party's Dalit face in the city, Pandey asked whether he would resign from the party.

Vaidya had yesterday kicked up a row with remarks favouring a review of reservation policy, saying even the architect of the Constitution B R Ambedkar had not favoured its continuance in perpetuity.

AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was quick to latch on the controversial remark, which could potentially help the party in Punjab, a state with over 30 per cent of Dalit population.

Kejriwal had accused Modi of being anti-Dalit.

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At least 20 people were killed and over 50 injured today in a powerful blast at a crowded vegetable market in northwest Pakistan's restive Kurram Agency, officials said.

The blast took place at the crowded Sabzi Mandi inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.

Initial report suggests that explosives kept in a vegetable crate exploded during auction of the vegetables, killing 20 people and wounding 50 others, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital where there is a shortage of doctors and medical facilities.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the improvised explosive device (IED) blast took place at 08:50 a.m. in vegetable market.

"Army and FC Quick Response officials have reached the blast site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters have been flown in for medical evacuation of the injured," it said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the attack and ordered a detailed report regarding the incident.

According to officials, the death toll is expected to rise as the market was crowded due to early morning rush.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.

The attack came days after police killed banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) chief Asif Chotu, who was on Pakistan's most wanted terrorist list and carried a bounty of Rs 3,000,000 on his head, near Lahore in Punjab province.

LeJ was founded in 1996 as a militant offshoot of Sipah-i-Sahaba, a Sunni sectarian group that emerged in the mid-1980s. LeJ has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, mostly minority Shia Muslims.

Parachinar has a sizeable Shia population and in the past the minority community was targeted through bombings.

In December 2015, a bomb hidden in a bag ripped through a crowded bazaar in a mainly Shia area of the northwestern tribal region, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 30.
A car bomb blast killed at least four civilians at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan today, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Jordan's official Petra agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the Rukban camp.

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A car bomb blast killed at least four civilians at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan today, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

"A car bomb exploded on the outskirts of the Rukban camp on the Jordanian border, killing four displaced people and injuring others," said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Britain-based monitor.

Jordan's official Petra agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians according to the United Nations.

Jordan closed its nearby border in June 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven Jordanian soldiers.

Jordanian officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the borders a closed military zone.

The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying "hellish" conditions for those seeking refuge there.

Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million.

In August, King Abdullah II said his country was "doing its utmost to help refugees" from Syria.

"However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part," he said.

More than four million Syrians have fled their country since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011.

Over 310,000 people have been killed in the violence.

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A 12-year-old boy was killed by a leopard when he had gone out to answer nature's call in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said today.

Sahil Ahmed, son ofGhulam Mohammad, was killed by a leopard when he had gone out of his house to answer nature's call in Nalwa village late last night,a police officer said.

The leopard also ate away a portion of the body by the time the parents and the villagers could trace him, he said.

"When Sahil didn't return home for dinner, a search was started by his parents and villagers and they found the body. The leopard had already eaten a portion of the neck and abdomen," Station House Officer (SHO) Doda, Uday Wazir said.

A case has been registered and the body was handed over to his relatives for last rites after conducting legal and medical formalities, he said.

"Due to heavy snowfall, several wild animals especially leopards have ascended towards villages near forests in search of food," the officer said.

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The Centre today reviewed the supply of essential commodities to Manipur where normal life was badly affected due to a 80-day long economic blockade of a key highway.

An inter-ministerial meeting, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, reviewed the stock of foodgrains and petroleum products in Manipur and how to replenish the supply.

Top officials, including Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, briefed the meeting about the prevailing situation in the northeastern state and steps taken to improve the supply position, official sources said.

Prices of all commodities, especially foodgrains, have skyrocketed while petrol, diesel and LPG cylinders are being sold at high prices in blackmarkets, raising serious concerns in the central government, they said.

Since November 1, the United Naga Council has imposed the economic blockade on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) that serve as lifelines for the landlocked Manipur.

While NH-37 was partially reopened, there is no traffic movement on NH-2.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been making repeated efforts to find a way to have the NH-2 opened. On November 15, 2016, tripartite talks with government of Manipur and United Naga Council were called at New Delhi to discuss the economic blockade, which were not attended by Government of Manipur.

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WASHINGTON  Shannon Graham doesnt consider herself much of a politics fanatic, but she didnt want to pass up the chance to see a presidential inauguration in person.

Graham, a 2012 graduate of Columbus High School, attended the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade Friday for Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.

The 23-year-old was among thousands gathered to watch the 45th president of the United States officially take office. She made the trip from South Carolina, where she studies economics at Clemson University. Though it was a nine-hour drive for Graham, she said it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience she wanted to be part of.

Witnessing history was more of a draw than the man being inaugurated.

Im probably as much of a Trump fan as anybody is at this point. He wasnt my first pick in the primary (election), but I did prefer him over Hillary (Clinton), Graham said.

She watched Trump take the oath of office from the National Mall by viewing the ceremony on a large-screen television. His speech, she said, was empowering.

A lot of people liked his speech and I thought he was a powerful speaker, Graham said.

Fewer people attended the event than she expected. Protesters, at least in the area where she was, were also few in numbers and those she did see were demonstrating peacefully.

Overall, she said the atmosphere was upbeat and people were excited about the experience.

Graham has extended family who live in the D.C. area she is visiting during her stay until Monday. She tried to get a few of them to attend the event with her, but no such luck.

My family members are all completely anti-Trump, she said, adding that some of them are planning to take part in Saturday's Womens March.

Graham said Friday she was considering going to the march only to be with her family, but she was more likely going sightseeing instead.
A consortium led by Chinese firms has signed a strategic agreement to acquire 40 per cent equity of Pakistan Stock Exchange for $85 million, in a move aimed at mobilising funds for the $46-billion project and facilitating China's entry into the Pakistani capital market.

The Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed yesterday in the presence of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Karachi.

The consortium comprises Chinese Financial Futures Exchange Company Ltd (lead bidders), Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and two local partners Pak-China Investment Company and Habib Bank Ltd, Dawn reported.

It had won by placing the highest bid of 28 rupees a share for 320 million shares at a price consideration of Rs 8.96 billion ($85 mn) when the stake was put forth in December.

The PSX also plans to launch infrastructure bonds which would be predominantly be used for the $46-billion China- Pakistan Economic Corridor project, that passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Speaking on the occasion, Dar said the government had set up a 'Pakistan Development Fund' aimed at financing the infrastructure development projects in the country.

"We would soon be coming to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to mobilise funds," he said, adding the Finance Corporation and others had indicated their interest in participating in the Fund.

Dar said the strategic deal with the Chinese consortium was a "dream come true" for him. Besides being the best market in Asia and fifth best among global bourses in 2016 on the basis of returns, the PSX had after the divestment graduated to 'regional market', he said.

He expressed the hope that the decision by the Chinese consortium to venture into Pakistan's capital market would bring benefits to both sides.

"Divestment will result in institutional shareholding, experienced ownership and good governance for PSX which will translate into organised and robust development of the exchange," he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said the occasion marked a new step in all-round cooperation between the two countries. "It is a win-win situation for both sides," the ambassador said and added that the partnership would assist in investment financing and generate credit for .

"It comes at a significant moment when we are pushing forward to deepen cooperation and sustainable development in China-Pakistan all-weather friendship.

(Reopens FGN 16)



Hu Zhang, chief executive officer of the Chinese Financial Futures Exchange, said the strategic deal was completed after over eight months of negotiations.

"The deal has the blessings of China Regulatory Commission (CRC) as it lays foundation for tomorrow," he said.

He read out a message of the CRC chairman who called the deal a manifestation of deeper relationship and a step for strengthening China-Pak economic relationship.

Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan chairman Zafarul Haq Hijazi observed that the partnership with the Chinese consortium would be crucial in bringing the governance and regulatory structure of the exchange on a par with global standards.

"The investors will bring improved governance, state-of-the-art technology, managerial experience, investor base and listing and product development opportunities, thereby increasing visibility and improving marketability of PSX," he hoped.

Others who spoke included State Bank Governor Ashraf Mahmood Wathra, PSX chairman Muneer Kamal, PSX divestment committee chairman Shehzad Chamdia and former PSX chairman Arif Habib.
China has appointed Vice-Admiral Shen Jinlong as the new naval chief as Asia's largest navy rapidly expands its fleet amid tensions over its assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

Vice-Admiral Shen, 60, who had led China's South Sea fleet, has been appointed as the new commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), state-run China Daily reported.

Shen in the capacity of the PLA Navy commander had a video chat on Friday morning with officers and sailors of the 25th escort fleet in the Gulf of Aden, a navy release said.

He has replaced Admiral Wu Shengli, 71, to take charge of the largest navy in Asia, the daily said.

Although the navy did not disclose when the transition took place, observers believe it was this week.

Shen, a Shanghai native, had been commander of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla under the North Sea Fleet and then commander of the Navy's Lyushun Logistic Support Base.

In 2010, he was appointed president of the Dalian Naval Academy and promoted to the rank of rear admiral. The next year, he became president of the Naval Command College in Nanjing.

In 2014, Shen led three warships to take part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise in Hawaii. After the exercise finished, the ships paid a 5-day visit to San Diego, California.

He was named deputy commander of the South Sea Fleet as soon as he returned to China in August that year. In December 2014, he replaced Lieutenant Admiral Jiang Weilie, who was named deputy chief of the PLA Navy, to become the fleet's commander.

Shen was chosen because he has rich experience gained through posts in front-line combat units, institutes and a major fleet's commanding body, it quoted a senior researcher with PLAN as saying.

"He has theoretical and practical knowledge and front-line commanding experience, and he is just 60. This makes him a suitable choice," the senior researcher said.

The change of command came as China is rapidly expanding its naval fleet to back its growing assertiveness over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

New US President Donald Trump is also sharply critical of China reinforcing the artificial islands in the SCS with heavy weapons.

In the past 10 years, PLAN expanded rapidly taking delivery of about 100 advanced ships and submarines as well as a large number of new aircraft.

It commissioned around 20 new ships in 2015 as well as last year and is believed to have deployed several new-generation nuclear submarines during this period, the Daily reported.

The navy now has a carrier battle group headed by its first aircraft carrier Liaoning, which just completed a long-distance, live-fire drill in the Western Pacific Ocean and South China Sea.

A second aircraft carrier is being built with plans for third. The Navy's aviation force has carried out several long-range, combat-ready drills.

Moreover, the navy has gained extensive experience of large, sophisticated operations through its active participation in escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and multinational naval exercises in the past several years, the report said.

China's claims over almost all of the SCS is contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

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Highlighting the state government's work in the last three years, Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria today accused Opposition Congress of "neglecting" people during its regime.

"Congress never took care of people when it was in power," he said after presenting a report card on the completion of the state government's three years.

Speaking during the Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan here, he said the BJP took pro-people decisions.

While Union MoS for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Chief Minister (Vasundhara Raje) understood the real problem of the desert state and initiated programmes to make Rajasthan self reliant in water.

"The campaign will be a milestone and will solve the water problem in the state," he said.

The Centre has also taken several decisions to show the nation that it is a government that takes decisive actions, the Union Minister said.

The Centre is working to strengthen the economy, he said.

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The Congress will release its Goa election manifesto on January 23 at the hands of senior party leader and MP Jyotiraditya Scindia.

"The election manifesto for Goa State Legislative Assembly polls would be released by our leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on January 23," All India Congress Committee Secretary Girish Chodankar told PTI on Saturday.

The party which is contesting in 37 out of 40 assembly constituencies in Goa had began an exercise to get inputs from the people before drafting the manifesto, he said.

"The manifesto committee was constituted after inviting suggestions from public in writing and also through social media. It is completely people-centric," he said.

Though details of the manifesto are kept under wraps, Chodankar hinted that issues like ban on Casinos, Special Status to Goa, Special commission for minority people and employment generation would figure in it.

The party had in October last year released a strongly-worded charge sheet against the BJP government charging it for the MoI (medium of instruction) mess, iron ore mining closure, failure to finalise the Regional Plan and shifting of off-shore casinos out of river Mandovi and creating unemployment.

Chodankar recalled that the charge sheet had nailed the Laxmikant Parsekar government on over 25 different counts.
Delirium, a condition in which people become acutely confused and disorientated, may have long-lasting consequences, including accelerated dementia-related mental decline, a new study has warned.

The study is the first to show the multiplying effects of delirium, that affects a quarter of older patients, and dementia in these people, researchers said.

Episodes of delirium in people who are not known to have dementia, might also reveal dementia at its earliest stages, researchers, including those at University College London in the UK, found.

While both delirium and dementia are important factors in cognitive decline among the elderly, delirium is preventable and treatable through dedicated geriatric care.

Further research is needed to understand exactly how delirium interacts with dementia, and how this could be blocked, researchers said.

"If delirium is causing brain injury in the short and long-term, then we must increase our efforts to diagnose, prevent and treat delirium. Ultimately, targeting delirium could be a chance to delay or reduce dementia," said Daniel Davis, who led the research while at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

Scientists looked at three European populations - in Finland, Cambridge and UK-wide - and examined brain specimens in 987 people aged 65 and older.

Each person's memory, thinking and experience of delirium had been recorded over 10 years towards the end of their life.

When these were linked with pathology abnormalities due to Alzheimer's and other dementias, those with both delirium and dementia-changes had the most severe change in memory.

"Unfortunately, most delirium goes unrecognised. In busy hospitals, a sudden change in confusion is not noticed by hospital staff," Davis said.

"Patients can be transferred several times and staff often switch over - it requires everyone to 'think delirium' and identify that a patient's brain function has changed," he added.

The study was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

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Congress on Saturday said it wants "strictest action" against black money but was not a solution to fight the menace and described the exercise as a "monumental blunder" and "completely disastrous".

Senior Congress leader and former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said Modi's was a "political" decision and not an "economic" one and claimed that more black money was unearthed during the tenure of the UPA government under then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"We are for the strictest action against black money. We want black money offenders to be caught....Black money to be confiscated and the offenders to be jailed," he said.

Ramesh was speaking after inaugurating the 'Jan Vedana Sammelan' here, organised by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee as part of AICC's nation-wide protest campaign against the Centre's policy.

Stating that Congress was not against laws to fight black money, he said what they were agitating against was "taking away" the rights of individuals to withdraw their own money.

"We are not against laws to fight black money. We will fight the evil and menace of black money. But demonetisation is not the way for it," he said and alleged that the policy had already ruined the economy.

Claiming that Rs 1.30 lakh crore black money was unearthed in the last two years of the UPA government, he said only Rs 1.20 lakh crore of black money was seized in the first two-and-half-years of the Modi government before demonetisation.

"Manmohan Singh government seized more black money than the Modi government," he said.

Calling Modi 'Narendra Bin Tuglaq', the Congress leader said he was now talking of digital economy and a cashless society to cover up the "failure" of bringing back black money as he promised.

"Modi suddenly started talking about digital economy and cashless society. Black money was forgotten.Why? because those who have black money won't keep cash. They invested in buildings ... They buy shares. So the demonetisation, from a black money point of view, is completely disastrous," he said.

"Our challenge is a political one. We must fight it (demonetisation) politically. It will not work out in economic scenario. It will not bring black money back. It is dangerous to the long-term and short-term interests of the country. PM and BJP should be exposed for their monumental blunder" he said.

Ramesh also took a dig at the Prime Minister's claim that Jammu and Kashmir had become normal after demonetisation.

"Modi says because of demonetisation, no terrorist attacks. He says no stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir. How could they pelt stones when it is snowing and temperature is two degree Celsius? It's winter time and nobody is going to come out. But Modi says because of demonetisation, Kashmir has become normal," he said.
President-elect Donald Trump has hinted that he may lift sanctions on Russia and won't stand by the "One China" policy unless Beijing improves its currency and trade practices.

Dhaka, Jan 14 (PTI) Bangladesh police today said they have arrested a top Islamist militant accused of being one of the "masterminds" of the country's worst terror attack at a popular Dhaka cafe and plotting murders of religious minorities including two Hindu priests.

Sunday



Paris, Jan 15 (AP) Sending a forceful message to Israel's prime minister and the incoming Trump administration, dozens of countries called today on Israel and the Palestinians to revive work toward long-elusive peace, including an independent Palestinian state.

Washington, Jan 15 (PTI) The outgoing Obama administration has lashed out at China for blocking India from becoming a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group by describing the Communist giant as an "outlier" in its effort to bring New Delhi on board the elite grouping.

Karachi, Jan 15 (PTI) China has handed over two ships to the Pakistan Navy to safeguard the strategic Gwadar port and trade routes under the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a move likely to raise alarm in India.

Monday



Islamabad, Jan 16 (PTI) Pakistan Senate today unanimously passed a resolution condemning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks in which he described Pakistan as the "mothership of terrorism", calling it a "baseless" propaganda to divert international attention from "atrocities" in Kashmir.

London, Jan 16 (PTI) US President-elect Donald Trump has hailed Brexit as a "great thing", saying the UK was "smart" to have voted to leave the European Union and forecast that other countries would follow Britain's lead to leave the bloc.

Seoul, Jan 16 (AP) In a departure from the leniency typically given to South Korean big businesses, prosecutors today requested the arrest of the de facto head of Samsung Electronics, the country's most valuable company, in an influence-peddling scandal that has toppled the country's president.

Washington, Jan 15 (PTI) The Obama Administration has asserted that the Indo-US "strategic convergence" is at its highest point, as it hoped that the incoming Trump government would continue to prioritise the bilateral partnership of "paramount importance" to address global challenges.

Tuesday



Dakar, Jan 17 (AP) Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency today, just two days before he is supposed to cede power after losing elections last month.

Sydney, Jan 17 (PTI) The arduous underwater search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was suspended today, nearly three years after the plane vanished mysteriously over the Indian Ocean with 239 people, including five Indians, angering the grieving families who termed the move "irresponsible.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
AIADMK on Saturday warned the Centre that if it continues to "ignore" the regional aspirations and interests of people of Tamil Nadu then it will have dangerous implications.

After heading an AIADMK MPs delegation to President Pranab Mukherjee, AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping the Tamil Nadu government come out with an ordinance on the issue but complained that the Centre was "ignoring" the state on a number of issues raised with him and his government.

"One nation, one tax may be good for GST but the concept of one language, one culture is not good for federalism. The Prime Minister talks of cooperative federalism but what is cooperative federalism if you are not able to address our issues.

"We (Tamil Nadu government) have been raising various issues like the Cauvery, Mullaiperiyar, Kachatheevu, Tamil fishermen, Sri Lankan Tamils cause and which symbolises Tamil culture. Tamil culture is also Indian culture. It is a warning to the central government that please don't step aside the regional aspirations and interests," he told reporters here.

Recently, for the last one year, the AIADMK MPs have been seeking appointments with the Prime Minister to take up state issues, Thambidurai said.

"We waited for last three days for meeting the Prime Minister but we could not get his appointment. We hope that anytime he may call us," he said.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials today reached Katni to investigate the alleged hawala racket in which funds to the tune of Rs 500 crore were illegally routed using fake bank accounts post-demonetisation.

The agency reached Katni and started probe into the case, a top officer told PTI.

Two days ago, the agency registered a case under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) taking cognizance of four FIRs registered by Madhya Pradesh Police and a recommendation sent in this regard by the state government to ED headquarters in Delhi earlier.

The agency's team of officials from its offices in Indore and Mumbai are taking help of Katni Police who had registered the first case based on complaints.

The case had assumed political overtones after Katni Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tiwari, considered to be instrumental in taking the probe into the case forward, was transferred on January 9 to Chhindwara by the government.

Under the said hawala racket, fake accounts were allegedly opened in a private bank branch under which scrapped old notes were deposited in Katni district.

A state government spokesperson had earlier said: "Some elements have exchanged currency (old notes) through fake bank accounts at a bank at Katni by forging the documents. The state government has decided that ED should be urged to look into all these cases."



Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said the police have limited powers to probe such matters, but their investigation would continue.

"So, we are informing the ED about these cases," Chouhan had told reporters last week here.

Though the state government had termed Tiwari's transfer as a "routine" administrative affair, the development triggered a series of protests in Katni, located about 365 km from here.

Congress had alleged that the SP's was transferred to "hush up the scam".

"The name of a cabinet colleague of the Chief Minister also figured along with other influential people in this money laundering scam exposed by Tiwari," state Congress chief Arun Yadav alleged.

"In a bid to cover up the matter, the state government removed Tiwari as Katni SP's post within six months of this posting," he had alleged.

A Congress spokesperson had also said that the alleged money laundering "scam" is worth over Rs 500 crore.

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In a scene US authorities had dreamed of for decades, Mexican drug lord and escape artist Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was hauled into an American courtroom and then taken away to an ultra-secure jail that has held some of the world's most dangerous terrorists and mobsters.

Holding his unshackled hands behind his back, a dazed-looking Guzman quietly entered a not-guilty plea to drug trafficking and other charges at a Brooklyn courthouse ringed by squad cars, officers with assault rifles, and bomb-sniffing dogs.

"He's a man known for a life of crime, violence, death and destruction, and now he'll have to answer for that," Robert Capers, the US attorney in Brooklyn, said at a conference yesterday.

The court appearance came hours after Guzman's Thursday night extradition from Mexico, where he had become something of a folk hero for two brazen prison escapes.

Guzman, who is in his 50s, was ordered held without bail in a special Manhattan jail unit where other high-risk inmates including Mafia boss John Gotti and several close associates of Osama bin Laden spent their time awaiting trial.

"It is difficult to imagine another person with a greater risk of fleeing prosecution," prosecutors wrote in court papers.

Prosecutors described Guzman as the murderous overseer of a three-decade campaign of smuggling, brutality and corruption that made his Sinaloa cartel a fortune while fuelling an epidemic of cocaine abuse and related violence in the US in the 1980s and '90s.

Guzman faces the possibility of life in prison. To get Mexico to hand him over, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. They are also demanding he forfeit USD 14 billion in assets.

Outside court, Guzman defense attorney Michael Schneider said: "I haven't seen any evidence that indicates to me that Mr. Guzman's done anything wrong." He also said he would look into whether his client was extradited properly to New York.

The US has been trying to get custody of Guzman since he was first indicted in California in the early 1990s. American authorities finally got their wish on the eve of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, though it was not clear if the timing of the extradition was intended as a sign of respect to the Republican or some kind of slap, perhaps an effort to let outgoing President Barack Obama take the credit.

When Guzman got off a plane in New York, "as you looked into his eyes, you could see the surprise, you could see the shock, and to a certain extent, you could see the fear, as the realisation kicked in that he's about to face American justice," said Angel Melendez, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

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LINCOLN  Frank Zybach, inventor of the center-pivot irrigation system, will join the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame next month.

The longtime Columbus resident and three others will be recognized during a Nebraska Chamber of Commerce event Feb. 2 at The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.

Zybach transformed modern farming when he invented the center-pivot irrigation system in 1948 while working as a wheat farmer in Strasburg, Colorado. He patented the self-propelled sprinkling irrigation apparatus in 1952, then returned to Columbus and partnered with A.E. Trowbridge to start building the systems.

They built 19 units in 1953-54 that sold for around $7,000 each.

In 1954, the manufacturing rights were sold to Omaha businessman Robert Daugherty, who started Valley Manufacturing, which is now known as Valmont Industries.

By 1990, nearly all of the center-pivot irrigation systems used worldwide were produced by Nebraska manufacturers, the largest being Valmont. Nebraska has more of the systems in use today than any other state, with more than 30,000.

Zybachs family moved to Columbus soon after his birth in 1894. His father was a local blacksmith and Zybach quit school in the seventh grade to help at the farm and blacksmith shop.

He applied for his first U.S. patent in 1920 after creating an automatic guide for steel-wheeled tractors. His other inventions included an automatic transmission and self-cleaning lug for steel tractor wheels.

But Zybach, who was inducted into the Columbus Area Business Hall of Fame in 2014, will always be best-known for the center-pivot irrigation system.

Zybach passed away Aug. 19, 1980, in Columbus, but his innovation has forever revolutionized the way the world farms, while also solidifying Nebraskas role as the leading manufacturer of this important agricultural technology, the state chamber said in a release.

A state historical marker was recently added along 28th Street just north of Columbus High School to recognize his contributions to the community and agricultural industry.

The other Nebraska Business Hall of Fame inductees are Phillip C. Nelson, chairman of the board at Hamilton Telecommunications in Aurora; Tonn Ostergard, president and CEO of Lincoln-based Crete Carrier Corporation, one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the U.S.; and William Willy Theisen of Omaha, who founded Godfathers Pizza and has opened thousands of restaurants across the country, including the Famous Daves franchise.
The EU could soon step up training and equipping Libya's coast guard to crack down on migrant smuggling in the north African nation's waters, according to an EU proposal.

Malta, which holds the current rotating EU presidency, is pitching the idea as a short-term measure to try to prevent a new spate of smuggling to Europe when spring arrives.

The European Union's naval anti-migrant smuggling task force, known as Operation Sophia, does not have approval yet either from the UN or Tripoli to operate in Libyan waters.

Malta's proposal about "empowering Libyan forces" questions whether it is "politically realistic" to expect that EU naval forces will be able to operate within Libyan waters in the months ahead.

The EU should therefore consider creating a "line of protection much closer to the ports of origin" of smuggler boats, the proposal said.

This would be in Libyan waters "with Libyan forces as frontline operators, but with strong and lasting EU support," said the proposal prepared by Malta in agreement with European Council President Donald Tusk.

An EU summit in December called for increasing support to the Libyan coast guard, which the EU began training and equipping last October.

The Maltese document said the increased support could be carried out by the current train and equip programme under Operation Sophia, but said "the issue of financing needs to be addressed as a matter of priority for future trainings."



The UN-backed Libyan unity government is seeking to end years of lawlessness following the 2011 overthrow of Moamer Kadhafi, but it is locked in a power struggle with a rival administration in eastern Libya.

The EU proposal also raised the possibility of using its ties with Libya's neighbours Tunisia and Egypt to crack down on migrant smuggling.

Malta also wants to set up an arrangement with Libya similar to last year's aid-for-cooperation deal with Turkey that has dramatically slowed migrant landings in Greece, which had been the main entry point for Europe.

Arrivals over the central Mediterranean route, with Libya as the main launchpad, are picking up sharply with more than 180,000 migrants landing in Italy last year, compared with a previous annual record of 170,100 in 2014.

The proposal could come before the leaders of the 28-nation bloc at their summit in Malta on February 3.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen today told a European gathering of rightwing populists in Germany that a string of high-stakes elections in 2017 would blow a wind of change across the region.

Galvanised by Britain's vote to leave the EU and Donald Trump's US presidential victory, the far-right National Front leader said voters in France, Germany and the Netherlands would be next to reject the status quo.

"2016 was the year the Anglo-Saxon world woke up. 2017, I am sure, the people of continental Europe will wake up," she told a cheering crowd at a conference hall in the western city of Koblenz, on the river Rhine.

"It's no longer a question of if, but when," she added in a speech that railed against migration, the euro and open borders.

Billed as a "European counter-summit", the Koblenz gathering was also attended by Frauke Petry of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD), Geert Wilders of the Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party, Harald Vilimsky, secretary general of the Freedom Party of Austria and Matteo Salvini of Italy's anti-EU Northern League.

The event came just a day after the inauguration of Trump, who assumed power with a staunchly nationalist address in which he vowed to put "America first".

The Koblenz participants have made no secret of their admiration for the maverick billionaire, and like him are hoping to shake up the political landscape by capitalising on a tide of anger against the establishment and anxiety over migration.

"Yesterday a new America, today Koblenz and tomorrow a new Europe," Wilders, sporting his trademark peroxide hairdo, told the 800-strong crowd in German.

"We are the start of a patriotic spring in Europe," he said to loud applause.

The Dutch MP, who has vowed to ban the Koran and pull his country of the European Union, currently tops polls ahead of March parliamentary elections.

But observers say he will likely struggle to find the coalition partners needed to govern.

The Koblenz congress, the first of its kind, has been organised by the European Parliament's Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) grouping, which was set up by Le Pen in 2015 and now brings together 40 MEPs from nine member states.

It has been touted as an opportunity for the parties to highlight their common ground but political analyst Timo Lochocki of the German Marshall Fund said the event was mainly "just good PR" as the parties had little to gain from strengthening ties.

"The reasons why people vote for these parties are purely national and are independent from any alleged cross-national cooperation between the far-right," he told AFP.

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Four passengers were today killed in a road accident and over a dozen injured, three of them seriously when a private bus overturned in Indapur tehsil of Pune districts, police said.

The accident place around 5.30 AM after the bus driver lost control over the vehicle, which ran into a dhaba and overturned. All the passengers on board the private luxury bus were travelling from Mumbai to Hyderabad, Bali Bangar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Baramati told PTI.

The injured were shifted to a civil hospital in Indapur and later to a hospital in Akluj in Solapur district, he said.

The deceased have not been identified yet and further probe is underway.

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Four persons were awarded seven year imprisonment each by a local court here for looting a bank branch in 2012.

The sentence was given by Additional District and Sessions Judge, Hisar, Vimal Kumar yesterday who found them guilty.

Four robbers had looted Rs 3.31 lakh from the Kaimari road branch of Punjab National Bank in Hisar at gunpoint on December 4, 2012.

According to prosecution, the four robbers, whose faces were covered with masks, even shot the manager of the bank when he refused to obey them.

On a complaint of Priya Singal, the bank's cashier, Sadar Police had registered a case of robbery under relevant sections of the Arms Act on December 4.

After investigation, police arrested the accused identified as Manish alias Boxer of Rasiwas village, Krishan alias Lucky of Shiv Colony, Neerun alias Motu of Barsola village and Pradeep of Hisar.

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Four persons, including a 'freelance reporter', have been arrested for allegedly stealing jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh in Shahdara area, police said today.

Nitesh Jain, who owns a shop in Chandni Chowk of providing jewellery on commission basis, told police two days ago that two men fled with his jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh, said DCP (Shahdara) Nupur Prasad.

"Jain told police that he came in contact with Jitender and Vijay Gahlot through a common friend in dealing of his property. Gahlot contacted him to purchase jewellery since there was a wedding at his uncle and aunt's place," said the officer.

He also arranged a meeting between Jain and his "uncle and aunt" at Rail Yatri Niwas on January 9 to gain Jain's trust.

However, on January 17, Gahlot convinced Jain to meet at River Height Plaza Market, Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad for payment of the jewellery, she said.

They had 'samosas' and when Jain got off the car to wash his hands, the accused fled with the jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh.

A team comprising inspector MC Pandey, SHO(Krishna Nagar) and other cops was constituted under the supervision of ACP (Gandhi Nagar) Khushal Pal Singh.

The team developed information on basis of car used in the crime and from the CCTV footage they obtained from Rail Yatri Niwas, police got the pictures of the "uncle and aunt".

"A trap was laid and Gahlot and Jitender alias Jeetu were arrested. During interrogation, Gahlot and Jeetu disclosed that they came to know that Jain provides jewellery on commission basis.

"In association with Surender Singh and Kavita, who played the roles of his 'uncle and aunt' they planned to cheat him," she said.

The 21 ornaments weighing 1862 gram comprising eight necklaces, four bangles, one pendant set and seven pairs of earrings have been recovered, the DCP said.

While Jeetu has been previously involved in theft cases, Gahlot carried a card that had 'reporter' written on it and he claimed that he is a freelance journalist, she said.

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French President Francois Hollande warned that protectionism is "the worst response," in a seeming allusion to the "America First" policies of new US President Donald Trump.

Hollande made the comment yesterday on the first day of a Latin American tour that is taking him to Chile and Colombia -- one of his last foreign trips before stepping down after April-May elections choose his successor.

"We are utterly opposed to protectionism. We favor regulated globalization so that there are health standards, social standards... In the exchanges between countries, between regions," the French leader said in a joint conference with Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet.

Protectionism, he said, "prevents trade, damages growth and affects employment, including in countries that forge protectionism and especially erect it."



Although he did not mention any countries specifically, the message appeared to be directed at the United States, where Trump has vowed to establish a "buy American, hire American" national policy.

That stance has unnerved Latin American economies which fear trade with the US will be hurt and other countries will follow suit with similar responses.

Hollande's trip aimed to highlight French and European Union ties to Latin America.

He and Bachelet -- who is also to step down late this year -- were launching a Franco-Chilean Year of Innovation, signing a series of cooperation accords and talking up investment opportunities.

Bachelet told AFP ahead of Hollande's arrival that she was looking to France "to back us" in renegotiating an association agreement in place with the European Union.

Hollande, who was to leave late Sunday for Colombia, is deeply unpopular with voters in France.

He has said he won't try to run for re-election, leaving the field open to leftwing allies and conservative rivals.

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"Suits" star Gina Torres says she left the hit legal drama so that she can focus on her personal life.

The 47-year-old actress was known for playing Jessica Pearson in the show.

After years of travelling between Los Angeles to Toronto for the show's shoot, Torres, who lives in LA with husband Laurence Fishburne and their daughter, was ready for a change, reported New York Times.

"My contract was up, so this wasn't a power play that went terribly wrong. My personal life needed to be tended to," she said.

The show, which brings the fast-paced world of a Manhattan corporate law firm to television, will be back from its mid-season break in India on January 28 on Comedy Central. It also stars Gabriel Macht and Patrick J Adams.

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The overall global peace with absence of conflict between states since world war is now more precarious than ever with the ascension of Donald Trump as the American president, noted British historian David Armitage said today.

At a session of the ongoing Jaipur literature Festival, the Harvard professor was discussing the history of civil wars and its changing form.

But the spectre of the new US President, whom Armitage referred to only as "the one who can't be named" in an apparent allusion to Lord Voldemort, the prime villain of the 'Harry Potter series', kept looming large.

"Someone, whose name I still cannot use with the word President will soon receive the nuclear codes... His instability, trigger-happiness, and willingness to set the US against the world means the period of long peace is set to end. I am fearful that we may return to a world where conflict between states might return," he said.

He said the American citizens were in a very "uncertain territory" with Trump's inauguration and that the new President was a sign of a "declining power".

Armitage also warned that extreme polarisation among political lines is now becoming an increasingly "frightening" feature of contemporary politics.

The language of civil war, he said, is being used increasingly in relations with partisanship, and battles between political groups around the world in contemporary politics.

"So civil war is not something that happens far away. In our age of extremes, civil war is returning to even peaceful communities, peaceful states and politics.

"Divisions between political counterparts seem to become ever deeper. Violence seems to lie increasingly just beneath the surface, and often break out into the open as is often encouraged by the people like the current President of the United States.

"Political differences mean that those who should be our interlocutors are becoming enemies to fight, perhaps even to the death. Polarisation is a very frightening feature of contemporary politics," he said.

During the session, Armitage took the audience on a whirlwind tour of civil wars, from its origins in first century Rome to the current crises in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan and Yemen.

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Sending a stern message following remarks made by an RSS functionary over reservation, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale today said the government will collapse if quotas go, even as he asserted that the government does not hold any such view.

He said the BJP and the RSS should sit together and sort out issues as such statements "embarrass" the government.

"The statement reflects feudal mentality of the RSS. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never allow any kind injustice to Dalits and neither does the government hold any such view expressed by the RSS. He is bound to protect the constitution.

"But if that happens (reservations go) then the government will collapse," Athawale said.

Republican Party of India (RPI) headed by Athawale is an NDA ally.

RSS's publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya had yesterday kicked up a row with remarks favouring a review of the reservation policy, saying even the architect of the Constitution B R Ambedkar had not favoured its continuance in perpetuity.

"Reservations for SC/ST was introduced in a different context. It was provided for in the Constitution to remedy the historical injustice done to them. It was our responsibility.

"So, reservation for them has been there since the inception (of the Constitution). But, even Ambedkar has said its continuance in perpetuity is not good. There should be a time limit to it," Vaidya had told an interactive session at Jaipur Literature Festival.

Athawale expressed disagreement with Vaidya over Ambedkar not favouring continuance of reservations in perpetuity.

"Our party has never opposed reservations to the upper class. Give them reservations in remaining 50 per cent. Reservation given to us is in accordance to our population," he said.

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Zurich-based international think-tank Horasis will hold its Asia economic convention in the country for the first time by the year-end, West Bengal Finance minister Amit Mitra said.

"Horasis founder Franck Richter flew directly from Davos to the city and told us that the global community will hold its first-ever convention in India at Kolkata by the end of this year", Mitra told reporters at the concluding day of the two-day Global Bengal Business Summit here today.

Mitra said Horasis is akin to Davos-based World Economic Forum (WEF) of which Richter was director for 10 years.

Horasis invites only decision-makers like company owners or CEOs of professionally managed companies, he said.

The Horasis meeting would definitely boost the image of the city, he added.

The next edition of the Bengal business summit would be held on January 15, 16 and 17 in 2018, he said.

Mitra said South Korea had also expressed interest in setting up an office of KOTRA in the city.

KOTRA is state-funded trade and investment promotion organisation operated by the Government of South Korea.

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COLUMBUS  Hy-Vee recently introduced a new program aimed at reducing food waste  and it isn't pretty.

The Misfits line sells seasonal fruit and vegetables that are perfectly fine for eating, but dont fit the industrys aesthetic standards.

Columbus Hy-Vee produce manager Jed States first heard about the program in mid-November, the month before it was launched.

Initially, I was little leery of it, he said.

Then he spoke with representatives from the produce company Robinson Farms, which provides the fruit and vegetables that would otherwise be thrown away.

It gives us something different from our competition, States said. It gives our customer a better product at a better value and it allows those growers to gain extra income.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, around 40 percent of food grown in the United States is thrown away because it does not fit the grocery industrys standards for size, color or appearance.

States picked up a bag of lemons off the Misfits section and pointed out a faint white line on one of them.

Theres nothing wrong with it, he said. Its perfectly fine to eat.

But the question is whether consumers can learn not to judge a book by its cover. When the line first came out, the reception was tepid.

The first week, sales-wise wasnt super crazy, said States.

Then Hy-Vee went to Facebook to explain the project.

There was a very good reception on our Facebook, about 20,000 interactions, which is very good, said States. Now its a staple.

One draw is Misfits are about 30 percent cheaper than regular produce.

Youre buying almost four avocados for the price of one, said States. I think everyone wants to buy produce, they want to eat healthier, but its not the cheapest thing out there.

Those who like to support American farmers will be glad to know all the growers who supply the program are located in the U.S. That also means the produce selection varies by season.

One of the cool things is the variety, that were able to offer changes throughout the year, said States. When summer and spring hits, well have more vegetables.

The Misfits line is in the produce section at the Columbus Hy-Vee, 3010 23rd St.
A human chain, comprising people from all walks of life was formed here today, seeking to stop Kerala government's reported move to build a check dam across Bhavani river, saying it would affect irrigation and drinking water availability in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode Districts.

Those in the chain formed in Gandhipuram area, comprising leaders of some political parties, farmers' associations and trader's bodies, raised slogans against the move



General Secretary of Thanthai Peiyar Dravida Kazhakam K Ramakrishnan, who headed the chain, alleged Kerala had already started work on the dam.If built, it would lead to acute water shortage, both irrigation and drinking, in the three districts and nearly five lakh acres would become barren, he said.

Former DMK minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and Kongunadu Jananayaka Katchi founder-convenor G K Nagaraj were among those who participated, police said.

The participants raised slogans against the Kerala government and warned that supply of vegetables,eggs and other essential commodities to that state, which was dependent on Tamil Nadu for it, would be stopped.

(Reopens CAL3)



Kumar has already said today's human chain programme



waslaunched as a special drive in support of prohibition and make Bihar intoxicant-free in next two months.

Bihar is witnessing complete ban on alcohol, domestic as well Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) since April 2016. The CM has taken prohibition exercise in a mission mode.

Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, state police chief P K Thakur and a host of civil and police officials held each other's hand as part of human chain in Gandhi maidan.

Excitement of the event was visible among school children who stood in the human chain in Patna and elsewhere.

Tabishi Sinha, a student of DAV BSEB school of Patna, hailed the event to express strong resolve against liquor.

"It's historic that all our schoolmates and other students have joined hands with each other to send a loud and clear message of 'no' to alcohol," said Tabishi, whose school stood at the stretch from CM's house to J D Womens' college.

A student of Notre Dame Ayesha Sayeed, whose school stood in line near Kurji More here, said it's a historic moment as we are becoming part of a great social revolution.

Women formed bulk of human chain in Patna and elsewhere.

Burqa-clad muslim women stood in queue in Gandhi maidan display participation of people from all faiths.

BJP which had decided to participate in the human chain programme said they were against liquor but would continue to raise voice against some stringent clauses in new Excise Law, 2016 like arrest of all adults in event of recovery of liquor bottle in a house, community fine and seizure of premises if even an empty liquor bottle is found.

Media reports suggest that BJP, which has been vocal against the liquor law, came in support of it after Prime Minister Narendra Modi patted Kumar on prohibition at the 350th Prakash Parva function on January 5.

Talking to reporters while standing in human chain in Siwan, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said "we always stood in support of liquor ban. It's due to pressure created by BJP that the state government clamped a total ban on alcohol, domestic as well Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL)."



Last week, the Bihar government announced to shut all manufacturing units of liquor in the state from next financial year only due to pressure of BJP, Sushil said.

Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar said "we are not standing for any individual (Nitish Kumar) but against alcohol."



Union state minister Ramkripal Yadav and party spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain echoed similar views.

The state government made elaborate arrangements to capture the historical moments of human chain. ISRO has been involved to use Indian and foreign satellites to take photos of human chain. 40 drones, one chopper and four trainer aircraft have been engaged to film the event.
Ancient poop of some of the huge and astonishing creatures that once roamed Australia indicates the primary cause of their extinction around 45,000 years ago was likely a result of humans, not climate change, a new study has found.

Led by Monash University in Australia and the University of Colorado Boulder in the US, researchers used information from a sediment core drilled in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southwest Australia to help reconstruct past climate and ecosystems on the continent.

The core contains chronological layers of material blown and washed into the ocean, including dust, pollen, ash and spores from a fungus called Sporormiella that thrived on the dung of plant-eating mammals, said CU Boulder Professor Gifford Miller.

Miller, who participated in the study led by Sander van der Kaars of Monash University, said the sediment core allowed scientists to look back in time, in this case more than 150,000 years, spanning Earth's last full glacial cycle.

Fungal spores from plant-eating mammal dung were abundant in the sediment core layers from 150,000 years ago to about 45,000 years ago, when they went into a nosedive, said Miller.

"The abundance of these spores is good evidence for a lot of large mammals on the southwestern Australian landscape up until about 45,000 years ago," he said.

"Then, in a window of time lasting just a few thousand years, the megafauna population collapsed," Miller said.

The Australian collection of megafauna some 50,000 years ago included 1,000-pound kangaroos, two-tonne wombats, 25-foot-long lizards, 400-pound flightless birds, 300-pound marsupial lions and Volkswagen-sized tortoises.

More than 85 per cent of Australia's mammals, birds and reptiles weighing over 100 pounds went extinct shortly after the arrival of the first humans, said Miller.

The ocean sediment core showed the southwest is one of the few regions on the Australian continent that had dense forests both 45,000 years ago and today, making it a hotbed for biodiversity, said Miller.

"It's a region with some of the earliest evidence of humans on the continent, and where we would expect a lot of animals to have lived," he said.

"Because of the density of trees and shrubs, it could have been one of their last holdouts some 45,000 years ago. There is no evidence of significant climate change during the time of the megafauna extinction," he said.

Scientists have been debating the causes of the Australian megafauna extinctions for decades.

Some claim the animals could not have survived changes in climate, including a shift 70,000 years ago when much of the southwestern Australia landscape went from a wooded eucalyptus tree environment to an arid, sparsely vegetated landscape.

Others have suggested the animals were hunted to extinction by Australia's earliest immigrants who had colonised most of the continent by 50,000 years ago, or a combination of overhunting and climate change, said Miller.

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of Israelis, most of them women, protested outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv today against President Donald Trump, mirroring worldwide demonstrations to mark his first full day in office.

The protesters waved placards reading "Hate is not great" and "Women's rights are human rights", according to an AFP journalist.

The "woman's march" demonstration was one of more than 600 being held worldwide, a day after Trump's inauguration yesterday, to condemn his allegedly sexist stances following a series of disparaging comments he made during his presidential campaign.

Hundreds of thousands packed the streets of Washington while other demonstrations took place in cities such London, Paris and Sydney against Trump's presidency.

In a break with previous administrations, Trump has pledged to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has warned that such a move would deal a huge blow to hopes for Middle East peace and the UN and EU have voiced deep concern over the proposal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actress Ashley Greene won't be rushing down the aisle this year.

The "Twilight" actress became engaged last month after her boyfriend Paul Khoury popped the question during a vacation in New Zealand.

Following the engagement, the couple took to social media to announce the happy and also posted video of Paul down one knee.

The 29-year-old actress said she knew she wanted to marry Khoury long before he popped the question and the couple had even discussed what type of ring she wanted, reported E! online.

"We knew we were going to get married, and we kind of discussed what type of ring (I liked). I basically was like, 'This is what I hate, so this is the way not to go'.

"He's very artistic and really romantic, so he actually flew in the diamond, then made the band, and then had someone else put it together. A lot of time and thought (went into it)."



And while Greene started making plans early on about her engagement ring, she said she has not put any thought into her wedding.

"I want to enjoy the engagement, and I feel like if tried to plan a wedding before the end of this year it would just get stressful," she said.

"I just don't want it to be that at all. I'm just going to enjoy it, you know? I know it's coming, and then we'll enjoy being married and that whole bit. I think this year we really want to focus on our careers and kind of starting to build our life together.

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Indian-Americans including a prominent industrialist who attended Donald Trump's presidential inauguration feels bullish about the prospects of Indo-US relationship under the new Trump administration.

"India-US relationship is all set to for a new beginning under Trump administration," said noted industrialist Prakash Hinduja, who attended various inaugurations including swearing in ceremony at the Capitol Hill, and presidential ball.

He had a brief interaction with Trump during a pre-inauguration dinner at the Union Station on Thursday.

"He (the president) wants to strengthen America's ties with India," Hinduja told PTI after attending inauguration related events and his interaction with officials and leaders of the Trump administration.

While there is no official record of the number of Indian Americans attending inauguration related events, unofficial number is estimated to be several hundreds.

"India-US relationship has always been great under a Trump administration. It looks very positive to me," said Sampat Shivangi from Mississippi, an old time Indian-American Republican.

Indian-Americans are going to be a strong pillar of this relationship, said Puneet Ahluwalia, who was the finance chair of the Asian American presidential inaugural ball.

"We want India US ties to be taken to the next level. I see a desire and commitment in this regard from the Trump Administration," he said in response to a question.

Raju Chintala from Indiana, who is one of the close acquaintances of the Vice President Mike Pence felt that the new administration would focus on defense and economic ties with India.

It is time for strategic ties in the real sense, he said.

Chintala was among the few Indian Americans to have attended one of the three inaugural presidential balls.

Balasaheb Darade, a former NASA scientist who has now returned to India for not-for-profit work was among the few Indian-Americans to have briefly met Trump during one of the inauguration related celebrations.

He was joined by Bollywood movie producer and industrialist Mahaveer Jain.

"When we told him that we are from Mumbai in India, he instantly said I love Mumbai, I love India," Jain said after he and Darade attended the historic Trump's swearing in ceremony at the US Capitol.

"There is need for India and the US to come together on a host of issues in particular the war against terrorism. And I see we are moving in the right direction," said Darade, who is a member of the Advisory Committee on Skill Development in Maritime and Shipping at the Center.

A D Amar, who was among the first few Indian-Americans to have come out in open support of Trump by forming Indian Americans for Trump exuded confidence that there is a "great interest" in the new administration to "strengthen and deepen" ties with India in the years to come.

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A 58-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection with a wire fraud scheme involving hiring of Indian nationals to teach in the US.

George Mariadas Kurusu, a Fort Stockton Independent School District (FSISD) teacher, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud; one count of fraud in foreign labour contracting; one count of tampering with a witness, victim or an informant; and, one count of making a false statement on a visa application.

Kurusu admitted that from December, 2012 to May, 2016, he defrauded several teachers out of USD 50,000 for a "visa package" to get and maintain jobs and H1-B visas in Texas, according to prosecutors.

Several school districts across the US hire teachers from abroad for subjects in which there are not enough qualified Americans and bring them on H1-B visas meant for professionals.

The prosecutor's office said in a statement that he set up a company, Samaritan Educational Services (SES), and advertised jobs in FISD in newspapers and when people applied, he made it appear that they had to apply for the jobs through him, according to a statement by US Department of Justice.

He charged large fees and gave them the impression that they were for the paperwork and not for him while paying only the nominal fees, the statement said.

He used their personal information to create a buffer so that all communications to and from the FSID and the visa application process went through him, according to the statement.

And when the teachers arrived in the US he had them set up bank accounts with electronic transfer of funds provisions that sent 15 per cent of their salaries to the account of SES claiming it was for consultation and for what he claimed was ensuring they had their jobs and visa, the statement said.

When investigations into his scheme began, he told his victims not to cooperate with official and threatened them that all H1-B teachers would lose their jobs, the prosecutors said.

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Far from their motherland, Indians settled abroad are very much passionate about their country and culture, teaching children their mother tongues and cultural tales as part of a language competition in Singapore.

The contest was organised for some 200 pupils and students this month and it ended in a finale today. Singapore Language Organisation (SLO) organised the Prerna Awards competition in Tamil, Hindi and Urdu themed 'My Earth, My Responsibility!'.

"The theme resonates with the global environmental vision. One will be amazed at their love for mother tongue and efforts undertaken for its dissemination," said Mamta Mandal, founding member of SLO.

"The competition's main aim was to foster excellence in creativity by providing a platform to participants to develop their expressive talents and creative writing skills. This was also aimed at creating awareness on environmental conservation," said Mandal, the lead organiser who led competition preparation for more than six months.

"This is the first time a competition was held for Tamil, Hindi and Urdu on the same platform," Mandal told PTI.

IT was held in three categories - poetry, storytelling and public speaking for three groups - for pupils aged 8-12 years, students aged 13-16 years, and for those over 16 years.

Poetry recitation workshop, theatre workshop and public speaking workshops were also conducted for the participants.

Prominent linguistics participated in a panel discussion.

Aabid Surti, author, painter and founder of the Drop Dead Foundation was the keynote speaker at the competition. He emphasised on individual action, collective impact and transparency in public speaking.

Educationist and Social Activist Kumar Arunodaya, and Filmmaker, Brahmanand Singh, were among other panelists.

India's High Commissioner to Singapore, Jawed Ashraf, gave away the prizes to the competition winners.

Mandal reiterated that the competition's objective is to create awareness about the rich, cultural and literary heritage that "we share as a community while showcasing the upcoming talents in the field of writing, public speaking and poetry in multi-religious Singapore.

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An International Arbitration Centre (IAC) would be established in Gurugram where multinational companies will have the facility to get their disputes of national and international-level resolved.

This was today disclosed by Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge, Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal during the 'bhoomi pujan' ceremony for construction of 'Tower of Justice', over an area of seven acres in Gurugram.

Justice Mittal was accompanied by Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge and Chairman, Building Committee, Justice Surya Kant, an official release said.

Mittal said there was a plan to provide facility of IAC in the Tower of Justice. Being close to Delhi, the facility of IAC would prove beneficial for multinational companies in Gurugram.

Speaking on the occasion, Justice Surya Kant said small arbitration centres were being run in Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Delhi High Court, but the IAC at Gurugram would provide a platform for redressal of international level disputes.

A new Judicial Complex would also be set up at Sohna in Gurugram district. It would be developed over an area of about 4.43 acres at a cost of Rs 22 crore.

The construction work of the Judicial Complex would be completed in a year. Apart from this, Lawyers' Chambers would also be established in Sohna, said Justice Mittal after laying its foundation stone today.

He said two courts were made functional in Sohna on September 18, 2013 and later on their number was increased to three.

Justice Mittal said the courts were being run in the rented building of market committee which is not in good condition.

He said initially the Judicial Complex would have eight courts and entire premises would be centrally air-conditioned. Also, provision would be made to construct eight more courts in the complex, he added.

Justice Mittal said with the construction of the Judicial Complex, people of Sohna would not have to visit Gurugram to get their disputes resolved.

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Noting that life could be better with the use of technology and skills someone has acquired from educational institutes, ISRO chairman AS Kiran Kumar today called upon students to work in tandem with people's representatives to transfer knowledge to the masses.

Kumar, also the Department of Science Secretary, said this while addressing the 14th Annual Convocation of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela.

"Knowledge gives you responsibility to address the problems of the society, the immediate and beyond, and spread it for the benefit of all," said Kumar.

Students can participate in sensitizing the elected representatives about the benefit of technology and work with them, he said.

Kumar was of the opinion that the NIT Rourkela should adopt some 100 villages, like it is being done elsewhere in the country, for rural development through dissemination of technical skills.

"As the place has a predominance of tribal population, the institute could play a very deciding role in uplifting their standard of living," Kumar said.

The ISRO chairman said, "Human beings, who are causing harms to environment for short-term gains, should think of development and environment side by side."



NIT Rourkela Director Animesh Biswas said, "Our future looks bright as we are moving rapidly on the right direction."



For the session 2015-16, 771 pre-final B Tech and 3rd year dual degree students were placed in 246 organisations. Students were also sponsored by international universities like UBC Vancouver, University of Toronto, Waterloo, Ottawa and many more.

Ten students drawn from different departments at NIT-Rourkela were given gold medals at the convocation and 103 were awarded PhD.

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Former BJP MP Tarun Vijay, who has been opposing ban on jallikattu, today said the ordinance that has been approved by state Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao, paving the way for conduct of the bull taming sport, is a result of Tamil youth's "invincible spirit and love" for their culture.

The former MP, in a statement here, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister O Panneerselvam for taking steps to conduct the sport.

"Beyond divisions, we must thank all for this victory led by Tamil youth who created a world wide buzz," he said, adding, he would be present in Madurai to watch the sport tomorrow.

"Saint Tiruvalluvar's teachings made students stage demonstrations peacefully," he said.

"The stand of Prevention of Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has been completely exposed as an agent of "foreign money" and it needs to be banned," he said.

As protests for conducting the sport extended to the fifth day today, Chief Minister Panneerselvam announced that Governor Rao has approved the jallikattu ordinance and it will be held at Alaganallur in Madurai and other parts of the state tomorrow.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu, is reaching Chennai today in the backdrop of the Centre clearing the state government's proposal to promulgate an ordinance to hold 'Jallikattu', the bull-taming sport banned by Supreme Court.

"Rao will land at Chennai around 4 PM," a Raj Bhavan official told PTI here.

Rao, currently the Governor of Maharashtra, holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu after K Rosaiah's tenure ended in August last year.

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet is expected to clear the ordinance and recommend it to the Governor for promulgation.

The TN government had proposed to issue an ordinance to allow Jallikattu.

Since the subject falls in the concurrent list of the Constitution, it is mandatory to get a nod from the Centre.

Yesterday, the Centre, moving swiftly, cleared a draft ordinance to allow Jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests that have paralysed the state for last five days.

The Union ministries of Home, Law and Environment cleared the ordinance last night.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had met the Prime Minister on Thursday.

Jallikattu is a traditional event held in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal celebrations. However, the apex court banned it in 2014, taking into consideration the safety of people and animals involved in the sport.

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A Junior Engineer in Assam's Nagaon district was allegedly made to apologise by touching the feet of a BJP MLA for removing the legislator's car blocking the road to the office, a BDO official said.

The action recorded in camera of a TV channels and in front of eye witnesses showed Jayanta Das, Junior Engineer of Kothiatoli Development Block in Nagaon district touching Raha constituency MLA Dimbeswar Das' feet in the Block Development Office (BDO), the official said.

The MLA had gone on a sudden inspection of the office on Thursday and the JE, on duty, finding Das' car blocking the road to the office, got it removed from there, sources said.

This angered Das' supporters and they reported the matter to him, they said.

The BJP MLA was seen in the video-clip scolding the engineer, who then touched Das' feet in apology.

Das, however, denied before the media later that the JE touched his feet in apology.

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AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who has been aggressively campaigning in Punjab, has sought withdrawal of police security provided to him.

In a letter written to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer V K Singh, he said, "I have noticed during my tours of the state that a large number of police personnel are deployed for my security which in my view are not required. I want withdrawal of the security provided to me."



"Given the poor law and order situation of Punjab, all this security apparatus should be deployed for safety and security of people of the state," the Delhi Chief Minister said.

"I request you to take a quick decision in this regard to restore the confidence of the people of the state during the crucial period of elections," he said in the letter.

Kejriwal also mentioned in the letter that the candidates of Aam Aadmi Party had already made it clear that they did not require security in the wake of the Assembly polls.

Confirming the receipt of the letter from Kejriwal, a spokesman of the election office here said the same has been forwarded to the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) to take appropriate action after getting assessment of the security to Delhi Chief Minister.

Officials said as Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi, security had to be provided to him.

Notably, Punjab Additional Director General of Police V K Bhawra on January 18 had said some candidates including AAP nominees had refused to take security cover.

"Some candidates were not taking security cover. They have voluntarily refused to take security cover. Among them, some are AAP candidates," he had said.

Police provides three security personnel to candidate of recognised political party and two to others.

New entrant AAP is locked in a keen battle of ballot in Punjab against traditional parties Congress and SAD-BJP alliance in a three-cornered contest.

Punjab Assembly polls will be held on February 4.

AAP has fielded its candidates on 112 seats while its ally Lok Insaf Party led by Ludhiana-based Bains brothers have fielded contestants on five seats.

(REOPENS DES10)



Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal today lashed out at AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal for "enacting drama" by writing letter to the Punjab CEO seeking withdrawal of his security cover and said he should desist from playing "cheap and dirty politics".

SAD Secretary and Spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said it was strange that Kejriwal was enjoying highest level of security cover and number of times letters were written on his behalf to Punjab government for providing enhanced security to him whenever he visits the state.

He said keeping in view that Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi his security was enhanced by the state government before announcement of polls in the state and it was duly informed to the Delhi government.

"Now when the poll process was on in the state, he was playing cheap and dirty politics by urging to withdraw his security and trying to malign the image of the state for non issues," Cheema said in a statement.

He said instead of raising the non issues to attract public attention with his drama he should try to seek votes in the campaigning.

The AAP leader has "sensed defeat" of his party at the hands of Punjabis, now he is resorting to this type of "drama politics" which he played in Delhi, Cheema said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration in comments broadcast today, but warned that differences will remain.

Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with state Rossiya television that it would be an "illusion" to expect that US-Russian relations would be completely free of disagreements.

"Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue," Peskov said. He added that Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.

Trump has promised to mend ties with Moscow badly strained over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the US elections, and his victory has elated Russian political elites.

Peskov, however, pointed at the challenges posed by the intricacy of nuclear arms control, the complexity of the situation in Syria and other issues.

While Russia supports prospective nuclear arms cuts, they should be proportional and not upset the nuclear parity between Russia and the US, which "plays a critical role in ensuring global stability and security," Peskov said.

He noted that different composition of Russian and US nuclear forces is a factor that needs to be carefully considered in negotiations.

Asked to comment on Trump's recent interview with the Times of London in which he indicated that he could end sanctions imposed on Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal, Peskov said that the two issues are hard to link.

Peskov emphasized the US role in settling the nearly six-year conflict in Syria, where Trump has offered to pool efforts with Russia in fighting the Islamic State group.

"It's quite obvious that it's impossible to constructively solve the Syrian problem without the US participation," he said.

Russia already has invited Trump's administration to attend talks between Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan capital Monday. Russia brokered the talks together with Turkey and Iran, but Tehran has opposed the US involvement in them.

"There are certain disagreements between Moscow and Tehran on this subject," Peskov said, noting that the Syrian issue "is too complex to have a full harmony in approaches.

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Services on Saturday posted nearly 17 per cent drop in consolidated net profit to Rs 108.7 crore for the December quarter of the current financial year.

The net profit stood at Rs 130.8 crore in the year-ago period.

For the October-December period of 2016-17, the company's revenue from operations, at Rs 810.4 crore, was nearly 4 per cent higher than the same quarter of previous financial year, L&T Tech said in a BSE filing.

"We have a healthy pipeline of opportunities from our major customers in Industrial Products, Process and Transportation which also saw increased traction with existing Fortune 500 customers," said Keshab Panda, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Services.

In terms of geographic share, North America contributed the most at 62.5 per cent followed by Europe at 19.2 per cent and rest of the world contributing 10.2 per cent. Contribution from the domestic market stood at 8.1 per cent.

In terms of industries, transportation and industrial products accounted for over 60 per cent of revenue.

During the quarter, LTTS secured multi-million dollar contracts from its global customers across transportation, industrial products, process and telecom verticals, the statement added.
Sri Lankan Minister and former Army Chief Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has been questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with the murder of a journalist.

Fonseka, Minister of Regional Development gave statement yesterday to the CID over five hours over the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga, a former editor of the Sunday Leader.

"I was able to use that opportunity to clear my name. The former ruler was trying to blame me for the assassination," Fonseka told reporters.

He said the CID quizzed him on the military's role in Colombo during the war with the LTTE between 2006 and 2009.

He led the Army when the government troops crushed the LTTE's 30-year-old separatist campaign in the north and east of the island.

He was the handpicked Army Commander of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is credited for his action to end the LTTE's campaign of violence.

Rajapaksa and Fonseka later fell foul of each other and the former Army Commander challenged the former President in the 2010 presidential election.

He was later jailed by Rajapaksa for treason. In the last presidential election, Fonseka backed the incumbent Maithripala Sirisena against Rajapaksa.

Wickrematunga, a fierce critic of the Rajapaksa regime was way laid and murdered while he was driving to work in January 2009. The blame fell on the government. The current government has re-opened the investigation.

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Representatives of Libya's neighbors meeting in Cairo today warned the North African nation's main rival factions against seeking to settle their differences through military force, as Egypt announced that efforts were underway to bring their leaders together to chart a "joint vision" for the country.

The representatives came from Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Chad, Niger and Tunisia. Also attending was UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler.

"A comprehensive political dialogue between all Libya parties is the only way out of this crisis," said a final communique after the meeting, saying the delegates "decisively reject" a military solution to the Libyan crisis, a thinly veiled reference to past clashes between forces backing the factions.

Libya has plunged into chaos and lawlessness since the ouster and later killing of Muammar Gadhafi in a 2011 uprising and subsequent civil war, with two rival administrations operating in the east and west of the vast, oil-rich nation. Also operating in Libya is an array of militant Islamic groups, including a local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State.

The communique said participants in the Cairo meeting commended recent defeats of the militants in the coastal cities of Sirte and Benghazi, but that they remained concerned over their continuing presence elsewhere in the vast country.

Today's meeting followed airstrikes earlier this week by US Air Force B-2 bombers that targeted a pair of IS military camps southwest of Sirte, killing more than 80 fighters in an unusual mission that may have marked the final demonstration of military force of now-former President Barack Obama's global counterterrorism campaign.

The airstrikes were coordinated with the U.N-backed government headquartered in Tripoli, the Libyan capital. Addressing a conference after the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said work was underway to bring the leaders of Libya's main factions - The Tripoli government, parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk and the leader of the "national army" - to meet.

He, however, gave no specifics, only saying that the proposed gathering would aim to "bolster trust, understanding and search for a joint vision."



Shukri also repeated calls on the international community to lift a ban on arms sales to Libya, saying the "national army" was a legitimate entity. "It's inappropriate for this ban to stand and we continue to demand that it be rescinded." The Libyan army is led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, who is strongly backed by Egypt and is seen by some in Libya's eastern region as the country's best hope for defeating Islamic extremists.

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A juvenile court today directed an underage youth, caught for running liquor trade, to impart tuition to students in a Dalit area and then serve patients in a hospital in Sheikhpura district.

A three-member juvenile court, headed by Judicial Magistrate Jigar Sah, ordered the minor to give tuition to poor students in the Dalit area for three months.

After this period, the youth was directed to render services in physiotherapy ward of Sadar hospital.

The under-18, whose name was not given, was convicted for illegally running a country liquor manufacturing unit despite total prohibition in the state since April last year.

Additional Public Prosecutor A K Dubey said police had recently busted an illegal liquor manufacturing unit under Ariyari police station of the district and during investigation came across the unit run by the juvenile convict.

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Stating that "a litigant cannot have any role in the appointment of judges," senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani today favoured collegium system for "protection" of judges from corrupt politicians.

"A litigant can't have any role in appointment. The government is the biggest litigant against whom the poor has to fight. The poor require a completely impartial, learned and non-prejudiced judge," Jethmalani told PTI on the sidelines of 4th student parliament at G H Raisoni auditorium.

"You may consult the government... But there should be no final voice or effective participation of the government in the judges appointment process," he said.

"They (judges) should be protected from corrupt politicians and the government should make no effort to disturb judiciary and influence their decision,"said Jethmalani.

Asked about the system for appointment of judges, he said good judges should be appointed after proper examination of their merit and prescribed qualification.

When asked about his assessment of the present government and demonetisation, the prominent lawyer, said, "Demonetisation is not bad. It has been tried in other countries and has met with partial success. But the exercise to coverup fraud is wrong," pointed out the former law minister.

(Reopen BES28)



Asked about his views on reservations, Jethmalani



said, "Reservation should be there and if there is a demand to scrap it, it should be done with consent of all the stakeholders.
A man who allegedly made a call to missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed's relatives demanding Rs 20 lakh ransom for his release has been arrested today, police said.

The man had made a call to Najeeb's relatives three days back. He was arrested from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh by a Crime Branch team and is being brought to Delhi on transit remand, a senior police official said.

Ahmed, an MSc Biotechnology student, went missing on October 15 after a scuffle allegedly with ABVP affiliated students at his hostel on the JNU campus.

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To the editor:

I enjoyed your article about the adverse effects of repealing the Affordable Care Act. We should hope that our politicians study the benefits and the remaining problems of health care in depth rather than simply buy into the political hype and spin. While you did touch on many of the direct effects, there are many other benefits that go unseen and in some cases misunderstood.

Even those who do not obtain their insurance through the exchanges still enjoy significant benefits. The Affordable Care Act was passed because the previous system was speeding toward dysfunction, if not collapse. Repealing it will only bring back the far greater problems that preceded its passage.

First, the law has removed lifetime caps that were standard before. This means insurance companies can no longer stop paying when you are fighting an expensive illness. Secondly, insurance companies can no longer discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions. This means that no matter what previous illnesses you were or are still dealing with, that illness can no longer be a barrier to obtaining health insurance. This also means children with expensive health conditions can be insurable for their entire lives.

Third, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, so women will not have to pay more than men for coverage. Fourth, it means children can remain on their parent's policy until they are 26. Fifth, it closed the notorious donut hole which saddled seniors with high drug costs. Finally, it extended the life of the Medicare trust fund and provided free preventative services for seniors.

In total, well over 1.5 million Nebraskans benefit one or more ways. This is the time for Congress to engage in deliberate thought and objective analysis. All sides need to work together to forge a better solution.

Tom Havelka

Columbus
The government on Saturday celebrated the 45th Statehood Day at old Secretariat hall here in a function attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and other senior officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said " despite being a small state in comparison to other larger Indian states, has achieved admirable achievements in several priority sectors".

He said although the state faced several fund constraints, it had managed to take up developmental projects particularly in the health sector.

Acknowledging the contributions of top government officials, he said "they are the real administrators of the state" and elected representatives of the people needed guidance from them in their area of expertise.

He also urged the militants outfits, operating in both the valley and hill areas, to ponder over their illegal activities and stoutly said "the militants cannot dictate the people in any way" though the state government is open for reasonable dialogues through democratic ways".

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam in his speech stated that "all efforts are on to make on par with other advanced states of the country before 2020."



He said the January 21 is a "day to remember" and is observed on annual basis.

The chief minister and his deputy Gaikhangam further acknowledged the need to end unemployment as well as improve the village connectivity in far-flung areas of the state.

Manipur became a full-fledged state in 1972 during the Prime Ministership of late Indira Gandhi. Earlier, the state remained a Union Territory after becoming a part of the country.
A massive chunk of ice in Antarctica is on the brink of breaking off and is now hanging on to the parent ice shelf by a thin thread just 20 kilometres long, say scientists who found a rift that has grown by another 10 kilometres since the year began.

Latest satellite data shows that the rift is likely to lead to one of the largest icebergs ever recorded.

The imagery was acquired on 19th January by European Space Agency's Sentinel-1 satellites. It shows a 10 kilometres (km) growth of the rift in the Larsen C ice shelf in Antarctica, since January 1, bringing its total length to 175 km.

"We can report a further extension of the rift which threatens to calve an iceberg measuring more than 5,000 square km in area from the Larsen C Ice Shelf," said Adrian Luckman of Swansea University in the UK.

The rift has continued to grow parallel to the shelf edge, so the iceberg remains attached by 20 kilometres of ice.

When it calves, the Larsen C Ice Shelf will lose more than 10 per cent of its area to leave the ice front at its most retreated position ever recorded; this event will fundamentally change the landscape of the Antarctic Peninsula.

We have previously shown that the new configuration will be less stable than it was prior to the rift, and that Larsen C may eventually follow the example of its neighbour Larsen B, which disintegrated in 2002 following a similar rift-induced calving event.

A long-running rift in the Larsen C ice shelf grew suddenly in December and now just 20km of ice is keeping the 5,000 sq km piece from floating away.

Researchers said the loss of a piece a quarter of the size of Wales will leave the whole shelf vulnerable to future break-up.

Larsen C is approximately 350m thick and floats on the seas at the edge of West Antarctica, holding back the flow of glaciers that feed into it.

Researchers have been tracking the rift in Larsen C for many years, following the collapse of the Larsen A ice shelf in 1995 and the sudden break-up of the Larsen B shelf in 2002.

Last year, researchers reported that the Larsen C rift was growing fast.

But in December the speed of the rift went into overdrive, growing by a further 18km in just a couple of weeks. What will become a massive iceberg now hangs on to the shelf by a thread just 20km long.

According to Luckman, the area that will break off will be about 5,000 square kilometres, a size he said that would put the iceberg among the top ten biggest ever recorded.

He added that this is a geographical and not a climate event. Although it is believed that climate warming has brought forward the likely separation of the iceberg.

However, the researchers said they have no direct evidence to support this.

They are concerned, though, about how any break-off will impact the rest of the ice shelf, given that its neighbour, Larsen B, disintegrated spectacularly in 2002 following a similar large calving event.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey may be leading a wonderful married life with Camila Alves but the actor says his wife rejected him twice the night they met for the first time.

The 47-year-old star, who got married to Alves, 34, in 2012, opened up about the first time he met the model, saying she refused to stay over at his place even when he insisted her twice, reported Femalefirst.

"So I'm healthily single, at a club on Sunset. Then this figure moves across the room. I remember saying to myself, 'What is that?' I didn't say, 'Who is that'. She sits down, and I can't get my eyes off her. And I'm waving, trying to get (her attention).

"I go over and introduce myself. And I go, 'Would you and your friends like to come over and have a drink?' Which then, she came by herself. Now we sit down, music's playing. I make a margarita. That night I spoke 25 minutes of the best Spanish I've ever spoken in my life," he said.

The actor further added, "So we go back to the house and continue the party for a while and I'm trying to extend the time. And now she's like, 'OK, I'm gonna go. I'm gonna get a cab.' And I'm like, 'No, no. Don't do that. It's way too late. Take the guest bedroom'."



Alves agreed, turning down McConaughey's advances (twice!) later in the night.

After a few more tries, the model finally agreed to come back to the actor's home, where he impressed her with his cooking skills.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
People of Bihar, including Patna, experienced a sunny day while the MeT department forecast a partly cloudy sky tomorrow in major cities of the state.

As per the MeT bulletin, Patna today witnessed a slight decline in both maximum and minimum temperatures while the day remained sunny.

The MeT department has predicted partly cloudy sky tomorrow for all the major cities of Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea.

During the day, the state capital registered a minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees Celsius against yesterday's 10.7 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature of Patna was recorded at 24.6 degrees Celsius against yesterday's 25.9 degree celsius.

Gaya recorded the minimum temperature of 7.9 degrees Celsius while it registered a highest maximum temperature at 24.9 degrees Celsius.

Similarly, Bhagalpur's lowest was registered at 11.1 degrees Celsius while it registered a highest maximum of 25.4 degrees Celsius.

The state's lowest minimum temperature was also recorded at 7 degrees Celsius at Sabour in Bhagalpur district.

Purnea registered the lowest minimum temperature of 8.3 degrees Celsius in the state while its maximum temperature was recorded at 25 degrees Celsius.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed top military commanders here during which he is understood to have outlined his vision on security challenges before the country.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval were also present at the Combined Commanders Conference which was held at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) here as part of Modi's wish to hold the annual conference outside the national capital.

Unlike previous years, no statements were issued by the government due to directions from the Election Commission which has effected a model code of conduct ahead of assembly elections in five states -- Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur which will be held between February 4 and March 8.

This was the first conference for all the three Service chiefs who took over last year.

Though this conference was supposed to be held late last year in the North East, close to the China border, it did not take place due to various reasons.

The conference began with a presentation by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, who is Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee. His presentation was followed by those of the IAF and Army chief.

The Election Commission in an order yesterday had said that Modi's official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting, media briefing, media interaction, press release or announcement in connection with serving soldiers or ex servicemen which may effect the voters in five poll going states, including Uttarakhand.

The Congress had complained to the Commission that BJP may use the event to influence former and serving defence personnel to gain an upper hand in the five poll-bound states.

The issues that are likely to have come up for discussion was the surgical strike, situation on the LoC, rise of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the internal security situation in the North East and China.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In order to overcome the problem of rail fractures during winters to prevent train accidents, NCR is working on a pilot project at Bamrauli station under DRM Allahabad.

"At present patrol-man is able to cover only 1 km of rail line for checking rail fractures. However, line rail monitoring system would locate the fracture in a span of 25 km," GM Arun Kumar Saxena said.

The system would help in reducing accidents as rail fractures would be found earlier, he said, adding that he carried out an inspection from Rundhi station to Mathura junction to check for security, punctuality and passenger amenities.

The work of the fourth line between Rundhi and Palwal would be completed by March end, he said.

"Fourth line, when completed, would not only reduce traffic congestion but would pave way for separate corridor for Kota as well as for Jhansi," Saxena said.

He said third line between Mathura and Jhansi has been given a green signal and funds have also been made available for Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.

He said two lifts and an escalator have been introduced. Wi-fi facility has been launched at Mathura junction station and remodelling of the yard there is in progress.

"The efforts are on to connect platform 7 and 8 side of the area of the yard with the main yard," he concluded.

He also took note of the suggestion that Chapra Express and Jaipur Express between Lucknow and Mathura junction should be run on different days instead of the same day as it would also boost revenue.

"Since it falls in other railways, a suggestion for changing timing and days of the aforesaid trains would be sent to the GM concerned," he said.

DRM Agra Prabhat Kumar said technical knowledge is being given to employees for the new system.

"Gyan Sagar has been introduced for uplifting knowledge of technical and non-technical staff," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today he planned to discuss soon with US President Donald Trump how to "counter the threat" from Iran.

"I plan to speak soon with President Trump about how to counter the threat of Iranian regime which calls for Israel's destruction," Netanyahu said in a video message posted on his Facebook page.

Before his inauguration yesterday, Trump had repeatedly denounced the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, which Israel has also staunchly criticised.

On January 16, Trump said in an interview with the Times of London and Bild newspaper of Germany: "I'm not happy with the Iran deal, I think it's one of the worst deals ever made. I think it's one of the dumbest deals I've ever seen, one of the dumbest."



But he declined to say whether he intended to "renegotiate" the deal, as he asserted regularly during the presidential campaign.

Netanyahu has been an ardent opponent of the 2015 pact signed by Iran, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.

The deal placed curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

In December, Netanyahu said there were many ways of "undoing" the Iran nuclear deal and that he would discuss that with Trump. "I have about five things in mind," he said.

But before he left office, former president Barack Obama warned against rowing back the pact, emphasising its "significant and concrete results".

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has also said that the bloc would stand by the accord -- which she helped negotiate -- because it showed that diplomacy worked and served Europe's security needs.

And on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the nuclear deal was approved by the UN Security Council and therefore "is not a bilateral deal" with the US that Trump can renegotiate.

In the video message posted online, Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian people saying "we are your friend, not your enemy".

Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, whose role is largely ceremonial, said in a statement that he had invited Trump to visit Israel.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Metallica's Lars Ulrich said he isn't impressed with the new wave of rock bands hitting the music scene.

Known for its heavy rock sound, Metallica is one of the world's most successful metal bands, and have been wowing crowds for more than 25 years.

Danish drummer Lars, 53, appreciates all types of rock music, but moans that the genre currently lacks any exciting new talent, reported Contactmusic.

"Ten years ago or 30 years ago, it was different. Like, 'Oh my god, Guns N' Roses. Oh my God, who are these Nirvana guys! Oasis!' You were hearing about it, and you wanted to meet them," he said.

"Nowadays, there aren't any bands that have had that impact on me. The last time where I was like, 'This really inspires me,' was this band called The Sword, from Austin, Texas. Stoner rock, kind of a modern Black Sabbath. Super cool.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman died and two others, including a child, were injured when blaze broke out at a fire-cracker factory today at Vaanch village in Daskroi taluka of Ahmedabad, police said.

"Fire broke out at Veer Fireworks, killing Geetaben Rathod (35) and leaving two others injured," an official of Vivekanand Nagar police station in rural Ahmedabad said.

The cause of fire is not yet clear and is being investigated, police said, adding fire tenders were called in to control the blaze.

The injured persons were rushed to a hospital in Ahmedabad for treatment, they said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The "success" of Jallikattu agitation by people of Tamil Nadu, that forced Centre to clear an Ordinance permitting the bull sport, seems to have inspired Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh who have now raised their voice for special category status (SCS) that has been "deprived" to the state, post bifurcation.

The Congress wanted Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to lead a movement for securing SCS to AP, while Jana Sena Party chief and film star Pawan Kalyan asked the political class of the state to show the same kind of solidarity (as shown by people of TN) to get special status.

AP Congress president N Raghuveera Reddy said they were ready to join hands with any party for securing the promised SCS to the state.

Congress member of Rajya Sabha K V P Ramachandra Rao wrote a letter to the Chief Minister asking the latter to lead a movement for SCS.

"If a movement is launched under your leadership, all political parties, media, industry, film industry and other sectors and intellectuals besides students and youth will follow you.

"As the Budget session of Parliament will begin towards the end of this month, you should announce an action plan to exert pressure on the Centre and secure our legitimate rights," the Rajya Sabha member said in the letter.

In a series of tweets for the second consecutive day today, the Jana Sena chief hailed the "Jallikattu movement" saying it was an "inspiration for AP".

"Jana Sena Party welcomes Union Government's nod to pass Ordinance for Jallikattu. The fighting spirit of Tamils is commendable. The solidarity shown by people of all religions and political parties for the sake of their cultural identity is appreciable," said Kalyan.

"I admire the restraint shown by lakhs of people gathered at Marina Beach, which easily could have created chaotic situation on the ground," he said.

"Tamils' fondness towards Dravidian culture and the manner in which they protect is laudable," he added.

"Will Andhras ever learn? If the political class of AP had shown this kind of solidarity, AP would have got its promised special category status long back.

"But I strongly believe that it's only politicians who have compromised and not the general public.

Jana Sena is with them (people)," Kalyan said.

Main Opposition YSR Congress leader Botsa Satyanarayana, CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna and leader of AP Intellectuals Forum Chalasani Srinivas also echoed similar feelings.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
January 20, 2017

Turkeys National Education Ministry announced a new curriculum for secondary schools on Jan. 16. A draft of the curriculum will be discussed for a month, the ministry said, and criticisms will be taken into account before the final version is approved. Some aspects of the new curriculum, such as decreasing the amount of homework and allowing more time for play and socializing, seem like good ideas, but as usual, what made the headlines were the changes related to the culture war between Turkey's religious conservatives and secularists. Commentators from the latter camp focused primarily on the life and times of Ataturk, Turkeys secularist founder, being given less attention. Any secularist with a broad outlook should, however, be concerned about something else: the elimination of the theory of evolution from biology textbooks.

This change appears to be a reform based on advice given by Egitim Bir-Sen, a conservative, pro-government education union, to the ministry. Thus, The Beginning of Life and Evolution, the only chapter on evolution in the pre-college curriculum, will be excised from high school textbooks. The replacement chapter will be titled Living Beings and the Environment, and all references to Darwinian or neo-Darwinian theory will be removed. In other words, a Turkish high school graduate will learn nothing about one of the most important scientific theories, the one explaining the diversity of life on Earth as the product of common descent through gradual change and natural selection.

Why is Turkeys National Education Ministry taking such a dramatic step? The answer is obvious to anyone familiar with Turkeys culture war: Since the early 2000s, religious conservatives have had the upper hand in Turkey, and their distaste for the theory of evolution is well established. Many of them see the theory as corrosive to religious faith and want to protect young generations from such harmful ideas.

Wrestling over the theory of evolution in Turkey goes back to the late Ottoman Empire, which saw a period of relative freedom of thought. Self-declared materialist Ottoman thinkers, among them Abdullah Cevdet and Suphi Ethem, translated the works of evolutionary scientists, including the German biologist Ernst Haeckel. In turn, some Islamist Ottoman thinkers, like Ismail Fenni Ertugrul and Filibeli Ahmed Hilmi, wrote refutations of the school of materialism, raising arguments that also challenged the theory of evolution. In other words, they wrote dissenting opinions instead of calling on the government to silence opposing viewpoints.

In the more secular Republican era, the theory of evolution entered school textbooks and popular culture. It was often used in making ideological claims, going beyond a mere scientific theory. In the 1970s, the Marxist left adopted Darwinism as a cornerstone of its dialectical materialist philosophy. The right, perhaps understandably, began to see Darwinism and atheism as almost synonymous concepts. From the 1980s onward, translations of books by the new atheists, such as Richard Dawkins, added fuel to the fire. In response, Islamic creationism exploded in Turkey, often using arguments borrowed from Christian creationists in the United States.

Under the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the issue has repeatedly surfaced. In 2009, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) suspended the editor of its monthly magazine over a cover featuring Darwin. In 2013, TUBITAK stopped publishing books about evolution.

The elimination of the theory of evolution from high school textbooks seems to be the latest round in Turkey's century-old culture war. The religious conservatives behind the move probably believe that since they run the education system, they can purge it. There are, however, two important facts they seem to have overlooked.

First, the theory of evolution and atheistic interpretations of it are two different things (as is the case with many other scientific theories, including the Big Bang). There are scientists and thinkers in the West who view evolution as compatible with their belief in a creator. Moreover, Islamic civilization has its own tradition of evolution, with various medieval Muslim scholars having written about the common origin of the species centuries before Darwin. That is why John William Draper, a Darwin contemporary, referred to Darwins views as the Mohammadan theory of evolution.

Second, Muslim belief in evolution is not unheard of in modern-day Turkey. Such modernist theologians as Mehmet Bayraktar, Caner Taslaman and the late Suleyman Ates have popularized the idea. In The Creative Evolution Theory in Islam (2001), Bayraktar explains that for Muslims, evolution can be viewed as a process preordained by God to create species through natural means, just like God creates rain through natural means that are detectable by meteorology.

Regardless, even if one has a philosophical problem with the theory of evolution and views special creation as the explanation of lifes origins, what is the benefit of keeping students ignorant about the discussion? Even if Turkish students never hear about evolution in school, they will certainly come across it in popular culture. Therefore, from a conservative religious point of view, wouldn't it be wiser to teach students about a confusing theory along with explanations to make it less mysterious?

The advice to the National Education Ministry here would be as follows: Never take the theory of evolution out of the scientific curriculum. To the contrary, teach students the basics of the theory (and dont naively assume that the word theory means just an unimportant idea, because it is an idea that any educated person should know). Also teach students that there are scientific criticisms challenging the theory and that the theorys philosophical implications have been interpreted quite differently by various people, ranging from militant atheists to pious Catholics and Muslims.

Such a curriculum on evolution would not even go against the current governments vow to raise pious generations. It would just make pious students informed students as well, and it is better to be pious and informed than pious and uninformed.
The Telegram has asked me if I would put a periodic letter together that would inform and update the citizens as to what is happening in Columbus.

This might be discussions about certain items that are currently being debated by the city council or it might be items that are happening in the city that I think might need more explanation or detail. As time moves forward, this article will not only be written by me but could also be done by the city administrator or possibly city department heads. The goal is to inform and educate our citizens. Hopefully, something that is read here can answer questions you have or prevent questions from developing because of the information that has been shared.

My first weeks in office have been about what I expected. Because of my 16 years of service as a city council member, there have not been too many surprises in my duties as I transition into the mayors position. I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out the best way to balance the needs that come with this position and that of my full-time job with Pillen Family Farms. The city has an amazing staff who have years of experience and have been very accommodating in getting me in tune with what takes place and what is expected. They have also been very open to being able to alter their schedules and work around my schedule and commitments. I know that if I tried to thank them individually I would miss or forget someone, so let me give a big kudos to the entire staff for their help.

One of the items that was as a priority when I took office was moving forward with finding our new city administrator. We have been very fortunate to have Merlin Lindahl filling this position on an interim basis. Merlin has brought experience, a wealth of knowledge and reassurance to this position and staff has supported him. But we needed to move forward and find our new staff leader. When Joe Mangiamelli gave his notice to move on to then-Mayor Mike Moser, the mayor and Human Resources Director Mike Oglevie began the search for a new administrator. Ads were developed and placed in strategic places where qualified candidates would be looking. From these ads we received many qualified applications and the field was narrowed down to those we felt might be a good fit for Columbus. Working through this process, we chose Tara Vasicek, the current city administrator in York.

Tara is a young, dynamic individual who leaves the city of York a better place. She spent the past three years as city administrator there and the three years prior to that as public works project manager. Under her leadership, York has added many amenities, increased departments and made strategic plans for the future. She has been involved in opening a new dog park and skate park and improving trails, park equipment and many structures. York is currently bidding a new wastewater treatment facility.

Along with these items, she has been instrumental in having the city commit to a quiet zone with Burlington Northern and the construction of a new ballfield complex. These items are being paid for with the implementation of a new half-cent sales tax. The city of York entered into an interlocal agreement with York Public Schools and the funding from this new half-cent tax will go toward the eight new ballfields and new railroad quiet zone. Remaining monies from the collection of this tax will enable the city and school district to invest in additional infrastructure projects over the next several years.

Tara also brings experience in working on the housing issues in York. Like most Nebraska communities, York has a housing shortage. They recently finished a housing study and started implementing some of the recommended strategies to grow the housing base in York. She has been involved with tax-increment financing (TIF) and will be able to bring that background and knowledge to Columbus to help us.

Tara and her husband and three children are currently house hunting in Columbus. Her goal is to have a home purchased and the family moved before the start of the spring school semester. She will begin her full-time duties with the city on Feb. 13. Until then, she will be commuting as often as possible to attend meetings and spend time at City Hall getting to know our staff and becoming acquainted with all that we have going on.

I am excited for Tara to get started. And I know she is just as excited to begin.
Jallikattu is all set for a grand return in Tamil Nadu tomorrow with an ordinance issued for conducting the bull taming sport after a three-year-long ban but protesters in Marina beach and elsewhere tonight refused to end their agitation unless a "permanent" solution is found.

After getting Governor Vidyasagar Rao's assent for the ordinance, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam flew to Madurai for inaugurating the event tomorrow morning in Alanganallur, the main centre where the traditional sport has been held for long. Ministers will preside over similar events elsewhere mainly in southern and western parts of the state.

Even after the Centre and the state government worked feverishly on the ordinance to negate a Supreme Court order, the agitators, mainly comprising youth and students in the "Marina uprising" and elsewhere, have rejected the ordinance route as a "temporary solution".

Instead, on the fifth day of their peaceful protests, they declared that they will not disperse until the government finds a "permanent solution" that will not put any obstacles in the future conduct of the sport cherished by Tamil culture for centuries.

In Madurai, District Collector Veeraraghav Rao visited the spot in Alanganallur and told reporters that what people and youth of Tamil Nadu want will take place. He said around 350 bulls will participate in the flagship event.

"Even if the chief minister comes, it is doubtful if jallikattu will be held with the present mood among the protesters," said an organiser.

Earlier in Chennai, Panneerselvam announced the approval given by the Governor for the ordinance and said he will launch jallikattu in Alanganallur at 10 am.

In a bid to assuage apprehensions of the agitators, he aaid a draft Bill to replace the ordinance and amend the PCA Act paving the way for holding jallikattu without any hindrance will be introduced and adopted in the next session of the state Assembly starting January 23.

Moving swiftly, the Centre last night cleared the ordinance paving the way for Tamil Nadu government to promulgate it in an effort to end the protests. Rao, who is Governor of Maharashtra, holds Tamil Nadu as additional charge and reached Chennai in the evening to give his approval.

Jallikattu remained banned following a Supreme Court order in May 2014.

"I urge the youths, students and the general public to make the jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," said the chief minister, who also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support.

Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by Tamil Nadu was received last night.

"The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act)



has been obtained from Govenor also," Panneerselvam said, adding, "our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true."



Panneerselvam wrote a letter to the prime minister thanking him for his support.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Tamil Nadu, I thank you for all your support and assistance in enabling Jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu once again during the Pongal season upholding the culture and tradition of the people of Tamil Nadu," he said in the letter.

Panneerselvam also spoke to Modi over telephone and conveyed his gratitude for getting the ordinance approved.

The chief minister maintained that even the ordinance route is a permanent solution.

Recalling his earlier interaction with Prime Minister on January 19 to enable conduct of jallikattu, Panneerselvam said the Tamil Nadu Government issued an Ordinance after obtaining prior instructions of the President as envisaged under Article 213 of the Constitution.

"The Ordinance was promulgated today by the Government of Tamil Nadu and Jallikatu is to be conducted with customary fervour all over the State with all necessary safeguards."



Earlier in the day, Modi said all efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.

"We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people," he tweeted.

Modi said the central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress.

Several people across the state welcomed the decision, saying jallikattu was part of Tamil culture and steps should be taken immediately to make it a permanent feature.

DMK working president M K Stalin welcomed the ordinance but wanted a permanent solution.

"We want an assurance from the central government that it would amend the PCA Act in the upcoming session of parliament if the supreme court quashes the ordinance sometime later," said Anbumani Ramadoss, who is Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) youth wing president and son of party president S Ramadoss.

Jallikattu supporters during the day staged rail blockade at Madurai even as train services continued to remain affected due to the ongoing stir.

The Southern Railway announced cancellation of some trains besides diversion of others.
Days after veteran Congress leader Narayan Dutt Tiwari met BJP President Amit Shah, his son Rohit Shekhar Tiwari today asserted that their options are open as there has been "no response" from the party since the meeting.

"Kahani abhi baki hai. (Story is not over yet). Our options are open," Rohit told PTI.

The meeting on Wednesday had set off speculation that BJP may field Rohit, who had accompanied his father, from Uttarakhand, which goes to polls on February 15, but absence of any clear assurance from Shah and his team since have dampened the mood in the Tiwari family.

"There has been no response from BJP since we met Shah. We are confounded. We want to play a role in the campaign. My father is a big name in Uttarakhand and also Uttar Pradesh. Whoever he blesses on a dais will be the winner.

"Our options are still open. Our political options are open. I hope BJP clarifies soon," Rohit told PTI, adding that they had not joined the party.

Rohit, who had accompanied his father, said he wanted to contest from Lalkuan constituency in Uttarakhand and claimed that BJP leaders in their interactions with him had given "some kind of assurance that if you are willing to join (BJP), we will give you ticket".

BJP had announced its candidate from the seat on January 16.

Indicating that he is weighing options outside BJP, he said his family will definitely play a big role in the campaign whatever be the response of the saffron party.

Rohit said he will soon address a press conference in either Delhi, Dehradun or Lucknow on their future course.

Though BJP is yet to announce its candidates from some seats in Utarakhand and his name is doing the rounds as one of the probables, he said there was no time left for him to prepare to contest from other seats as he had worked on Lalkuan after getting assurance from leaders there.

The 91-year-old former Uttarakhand chief minister is himself not politically active much but wants his son to start his political innings from the hill state. His meeting with Shah was construed by many as a step in this regard.

It was also seen as a boost to the party's prospects in the state due to the stature Tiwari enjoys there because of his vast administrative experience.

Rohit also heaped praise on Samajwadi Party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and noted that his father had written to Mulayam Singh Yadav to let his son take over the party's mantle following the bitter feud in the clan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A senior police official says Taliban insurgents stormed a police checkpoint in the northeastern province of Kapisa, killing three policemen.

Massoud Chardara, deputy provincial police chief, said yesterday afternoon assault on the checkpoint lasted two hours.

No group took responsibility for the attack, but the government routinely blames Taliban insurgents who have publicly warned Afghanistan's security forces that they were targets and urged them to abandon their posts.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, in a text to journalists, accused government forces of killing six civilians in an attack Friday in Kapisa.

There was no immediate explanation for the contradictory claims and the remoteness of the region makes it impossible to independently verify either report.

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An assailant opened fire on a police car today in Istanbul, just hours after two other attacks against the police and Turkey's ruling party offices, media reports said.

The series of assaults, which authorities suggested were the work of ultra-leftists, come as the nation is reeling from an unprecedented series of attacks and bombings.

The shooter opened fire on officers in a car in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul, the Dogan agency said. The assailant left a hand grenade before running away when officers shot back. No injuries were reported.

The attack came in the same area where the gunman blamed for the New Year shooting on an elite nightclub in Istanbul was arrested.

Saturday's gunfire came less than 12 hours after two rocket attacks in the city on a police headquarters and the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party's Istanbul offices late Friday.

No one was killed or injured in any of the three attacks, local media said.

Images in Turkish media showed an unexploded rocket which had become stuck in a framed text of the Turkish national anthem inside the AKP offices.

No group claimed responsibility for the attacks but authorities suggested the outlawed ultra-leftist Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) could be to blame.

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said there was speculation that a "leftist terror group" was the culprit but said it was not clear which one, referring to the DHKP-C and another.

In recent years, there have been sporadic attacks by radicals from the DHKP-C, which seeks a Marxist revolution in Turkey and espouses a fiercely anti-Western agenda.

The attacks happened as the Turkish parliament in Ankara was voting on a draft bill to expand President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers, which was approved in the early hours of Saturday.

EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik said on Twitter such attacks target people and security services, but they also target "politics and tr(y) to influence decision making mechanisms".

After multiple bombings in 2016 blamed on jihadists and Kurdish militants, the new year began with the bloody attack on Istanbul's Reina club which killed 39 people.

It was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

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Military police took control today of a prison in northeastern Brazil after fighting between rival gangs left 26 inmates dead, the latest in a spate of violence in the country's penitentiaries.

A week after the violence first erupted, military police, including riot police and others, moved into the Alcacuz prison complex, outside the city of Natal. They were accompanied by an armored vehicle as a helicopter flew overhead. Authorities would not say how many officers entered the complex, but an Associated Press reporter saw about 40 go in.

A few hours after the operation began, Maj. Eduardo Franco, a military police spokesman, said the complex was again under police control.

A spate of violence has seized prisons in Latin America's largest country in recent weeks, leaving at least 126 dead since the beginning of the year. The fighting is between members of rival gangs, who clash over control of drug trafficking routes outside prison walls and have slaughtered one another inside penitentiaries in several Brazilian states.

The police forces now inside Alcacuz plan to separate rival prisoners, including by erecting a wall made of shipping containers.

The series of riots and grisly killings in Brazilian prisons in recent weeks has put a spotlight on overcrowding, underfunding and understaffing in the prison system. For instance, Alcacuz is home to more than 1,000 inmates, though it was built for 620. Images on TV and in newspapers of prisoners wielding weapons and cell phones have embarrassed President Michel Temer and put pressure on his administration to reform the system.

The violence at Alcacuz has also spilled over into Natal, where buses have been burned in recent days. The governor of Rio Grande do Norte state has said military forces are helping to patrol in the city.

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Odisha DGP KB Singh today said the state police will ensure the security of all the candidates and poll officials during the three-tier panchayat election, polling for which begins from February 13 in five phases.

He said this after reviewing the law-and-order situation in Kalahandi, Bolangir and Nuapada districts in the wake of a Maoists' call to boycott the polls.

Singh reviewed the situation here in the presence of IG Operations RP Koche, DIG South-West S Saini, DIG Intelligence Narasingh Bal, Kalahandi SP Brijesh Kumar Rai, Bolangir SP Ashish Singh and Nuapada SP Samit Sampat.

Briefing reporters after the review, the DGP said the police force and the intelligence wing have been kept on alert to combat the threat of the Maoists.

"In Kalahandi district, all the arrangements have been made, so that the polling process is not affected and the people can exercise their voting rights without fear.

"The security of candidates, polling personnel and polling booths will be taken care of. Special patrolling will be carried out in the sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas," he said.

The DGP visited the western region of the state a day after reviewing the Maoist situation and preparation for the panchayat polls in tribal-dominated Malkangiri district.

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Prospects of forming of an alliance between Samajwadi Party and Congress for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls appeared to have run into rough weather, with both parties today hardening their stance over sharing of seats.

Senior SP leader Naresh Agarwal said the possibility of an alliance was "almost over" and blamed the "stubborn" attitude of Congress for the deadlock.

"The Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) had made an offer of 100 seats to the Congress but they are asking for 120 seats. We told them that we have 234 sitting legislators and there are some others who will also contest. So we need at least 300 seats for ourselves.

"But they became very stubborn as if they command a huge influence in UP and that without them UP will not be able to survive," said Agarwal, Rajya Sabha member considered close to Akhilesh, who is also the SP president.

Uttar Pradesh Assembly has 403 seats.

According to Agarwal, Akhilesh had made it clear that SP cannot give more than 100 seats and "the Congress leaders then informed us that in such a case, there cannot be an alliance."



Asked whether scope of further talks still exists, he said the "possibility has virtually dwindled."



"I will blame Congress for this...They have helped the BJP. However, we made every effort to forge an alliance but they have been very stubborn..." he said.

On the other hand, Congress' Central Election Committee met in Delhi and finalised candidates for 140 seats which will go to polls in the first two phases.

However, the party did not declare these candidates, leaving scope for possible alliance for which talks were still underway.

"We had a meeting of CEC for first and second phase," Congress general secretary and incharge of Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters, adding party's candidates for 140 seats were finalised in this meeting.

Asked if the allinace with SP was on or over, he said, "Let us see, You will know by tomorrow morning when the announcement is made."



UP Congress chief Raj Babbar claimed that the party will fight the first two phases of elections in Uttar Pradesh with full strength.

Keeping the suspense over the proposed alliance with the SP, Babbar said, "There are no roadblocks in the talks."



Sources add that while SP does not want to give more than 100 seats, the Congress which initially put forth the demand of 150 seats under the alliance, has scaled down considerably but is not ready to accept the figure SP is adamant on.

Congress is also learnt to be demanding that its candidates should be fielded in Amethi and Rae Bareli segments of the Lok Sabha constituencies represented by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Congress is also keen to include Ajit Singh-led RLD in the alliance, which the Samajwadi Party is not keen on.

SP has maintained that it will have no truck with RLD and if Congress wanted, it could give its share of seats to Ajit Singh's party.

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Jammu and Kashmir Police has sought cooperation of the people attending the Republic Day function here to avoid any inconvenience.

In a statement issued here, Senior Superintendent of Police, Security, Jammu urged people not to carry items including cameras, arms, ammunition, sharp edged weapons, polythene bags, ladies purses, lunch boxes, transistors, patromax, handy fire extinguishers, stop watches, pens, any kind of powder, any inflammable material, cigarettes, matchboxes, lighters, and other such objectionable items to the venue of the function.

The people have been asked to immediately inform the police on duty in case any suspicious item is noticed lying unattended without touching it.

The SSP has urged the people attending the function to extend full cooperation to the frisking, checking teams deployed at different gates of MA Stadium and ensure their presence at the venue well in time so that they are seated comfortably and don't cause any inconvenience to others by arriving late and then rushing towards the seats hastily.

The people have been asked to maintain queue at the entry gates and disclose their identity when asked by the security personnel.

The statement said that dedicated parking slots have been earmarked for various categories and people should park their vehicles at the appropriate place.

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In view of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26 and its full dress rehearsal on January 23, heavy vehicles except those carrying milk, fruits, vegetables and other essential items, will not be allowed to enter Delhi through district Gurugram.

While stating this here today, a spokesman of Haryana Police said the restriction on plying of heavy vehicles would remain enforced from 8.30 PM tomorrow to 12.30 PM on January 23 and from 8.30 PM on January 25 to 12.30 PM on January 26.

He said a written communication to this effect has been sent to Superintendents of Police of Rewari, Nuh and Jhajjar, and Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Faridabad.

They have been directed not to allow heavy vehicles to enter district Gurugram and divert traffic through other routes or get vehicles parked by identifying a proper place.

He said the Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Gurugram held a meeting with transporters and urged them to cooperate following these directions.

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Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir today said it was not possible to have religion-based reservations in the country.

Ahir, who attended a two-day state executive meeting of Telangana BJP at Bhadrachalam, said reservations could be given only as per the Constitutional principles and not on religious lines, a BJP release said here.

Ahir's comment came against the backdrop of TRS government in Telangana proposing quota for backward sections of Muslims.

The BJP release quoted Ahir as saying how could the "successors of Nizam who ruled for 400 years seek reservations".

The TRS government recently said it would bring a bill providing reservations to backward sections among Muslims in the Budget session of Assembly.

Ahir also said the Indian Army had taught a lesson to Pakistan by conducting surgical strikes. "As many as 95 per cent of students were appearing for exams in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the courageous decision by Narendra Modi government," he said.

It had become clear that Kashmiris were not paying heed to militants, the release quoted him as saying.

Saying that Prime Minister Modi had emerged as the most popular leader in the world, Ahir expressed confidence that BJP would come to power in the five states where elections are going to be held.

Asserting that demonetisation decision was taken after thorough discussions, he said the government took quick and concrete steps to distribute cash across the country.

TRS government in Telangana had done nothing special for the state, the minister said, adding that BJP would come to power in Telangana if the development and welfare measures undertaken by the NDA government were conveyed to the people effectively.

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In 1977, Paul Simon recorded "Slip Slidin Away." Simon and Garfunkel made it the hit most of us remember today.

It would be easy to relate the song to Mondays ice storm. However, it was reading this weeks accounts of Gov. Pete Ricketts' plan to balance the budget and cut taxes that brings the song to mind.

Slip slidin away

Slip slidin away

You know the nearer your destination

The more youre slip slidin away

Ricketts came to Columbus on Tuesday on a State of the State fly around to reiterate the key points from his State of the State address the previous week. He was also here to gather support from business and industry leaders.

Newspapers throughout the state heard the message and showed their support. The Omaha World-Herald went all-out saying, Gov. Pete Ricketts has laid out his vision for Nebraskas state budget.

The state needs to tighten its belt, and the governor deserves credit for setting out a workable way to balance the budget without raising taxes or misusing the states rainy day fund, the cash reserve.

Ricketts budget would cut enough from state agencies to add a nominal $40 million to the property-tax credit relief fund. It also lays out a long-term path for spending restraint that could allow modest income tax relief in the years to come.

Ricketts is correct when he says, Nebraska grit is one of the things that characterizes us as a people. And while Nebraska grit will be needed, there will also be some serious uphill sledding.

Consequently, I tend to agree more with the editorial from the Lincoln Journal Star, The low-growth, two-year state budget from Gov. Pete Ricketts is appropriate at a time that state revenues are consistently failing to meet projections.

It would be shocking if the Legislature added any spending to the bottom line that the governor presented to state senators (Jan. 12). In fact, the final sum could be lower if revenue continues to fall.

Its been 11 months since tax receipts hit projections from the state economic forecasting advisory board, and the string continued last month even after the board lowered its prediction."

I want Ricketts to be right. I want him to succeed for our state and especially for Columbus. The ag industry accounts for 25 percent of Nebraskas overall economy. Im willing to bet its an even bigger percentage for Platte and several surrounding counties.

Farm income has gone from $7.5 billion a few years ago to $4.5 billion in 2015. Ricketts believes it may have declined to about $4 billion last year.

While everyone doesnt support the legislation sponsored by Sen. Lydia Brasch of Bancroft, chairwoman of the Legislatures Agriculture Committee, to change the methodology of assessing ag property, Im glad Ricketts is. Some say it doesnt go far enough, some say there are too many issues with the income-potential system.

Regardless, its time for the Unicameral to discuss, debate and find some solutions. Its time for us to speak to our state senators. Its time for us to prepare for some tough times ahead.

Ricketts' overall plan is based on controlling spending and not only avoiding tax increases to address the current shortfall of state revenue, but building in future tax cuts as a means of stimulating economic growth. Thats a very tall order. I want him to be right.

As the leader of your local newspaper, I cant tell you how excited I am to hear leaders in our government say we cant spend what we dont have. Ask any business owner in town and theyll tell you when you have to make cuts, its very hard. Theyll remind you that not cutting sometimes means closing their doors. If only our federal government understood that Nebraska value.

So this means some very tough decisions are ahead. Ricketts is already proposing government expense cuts and efficiencies that could include mergers of departments. Many will not like some or all portions of this, but we cant be fooled.

Some state departments and services will not look the same when the cuts and consolidations are made. This will have a direct impact on many of you reading this and thats when the real rubber meets the road.

We dont want to be caught off guard, like those sung about by Simon and Garfunkel:

God only knows

God makes his plan

The information's unavailable

To the mortal man

We work our jobs

Collect our pay

Believe we're gliding down the highway

When in fact we're slip slidin' away
Authorities today imposed restrictions on the assembly of people in some areas around Lal Chowk city centre to prevent protests by separatist groups on the 27th anniversary of Gawkadal massacre in which 52 civilians were killed in alleged firing by security forces.

Restrictions on the assembly of people were imposed in Gawkadal, Maisuma, Lal Chowk and Regal Chowk areas to prevent protests, a police official said.

He said security forces had erected barricades at several places to prevent any protests.

Meanwhile, shops and business establishments were shut in these areas in the wake of the strike call by the separatists, including both factions of Hurriyat Conference and JKLF.

The killings in Gawkadal in 1990 took place two days after the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. The protesters were demonstrating against the alleged high- handedness of security forces in another part of the city a day earlier.

Police yesterday arrested JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik and shifted him to central jail here, a JKLF spokesman said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar today described the senior RSS functionary Manmohan Vaidya's statement on reservations as a move to test the waters ahead of the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Vaidya had said at the Jaipur Literature Festival yesterday that even Dr B R Ambedkar, architect of the Constitution, was not in favour of perpetual continuance of reservations, and the reservations policy should be reviewed.

However, moments after Vaidya's remarks kicked up a row, the Sangh clarified that reservation as provided by the Constitution should continue and there should be no unnecessary controversy.

"As long as there is discrimination on the basis of birth, gender or any other social factor, the reservation as provided by the Constitution shall continue and RSS fully supports it," DattatreyaHosabale, Joint General Secretary of the RSS, said.

Speaking to PTI, Prakash Ambedkar, Dr B R Ambedkar's grandson, said UP being the largest state in terms of population and sends the highest number of MPs, Vaidya's statement was a sort of "kite-flying" to gauge people's inclination on the issue, as BJP still has two years in hand (before the Lok Sabha polls) to contain the political damage, if any.

"The only reason behind revisiting the reservations issue is to test the inclination of people in a poll-bound state like Uttar Pradesh," Ambedkar said.

"When RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made a similar remark before Bihar elections, BJP only lost five per cent votes. The party lost the election because of consolidation of votes of RJD and JDU. It (Vaidya's statement) is an attempt of social galvanisation by the Sangh parivar," he said.

"I am not going to condemn (the statement) and keep quiet. I am going to ask all the Dalit people or those who enjoy the benefits of reservation whether they still want to remain with BJP. The voters should send a message to BJP," Ambedkar said.

Holding that no party can form the next government in UP single-handed, he said BSP has upper hand but BJP and SP too are strong, and Congress and SP can jointly win more seats.

"BJP has certainly gained some ground in UP and it will be interesting to see how the party performs after the reservations comment," Ambedkar quipped.

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Ahead of the Republic Day, a need for high level of vigilance was underscored at a meeting of top officials of army, paramilitary forces and state police and administration which reviewed the security situation of Jammu region where the state's main function will take place.

The meeting of the 'Core Group' of Security was held at Nagrota to take stock of the prevailing security measures in Jammu Region in the run up to the Republic Day,Defence spokesman said here.

The meeting was co-chaired by Commander of Jammu-based 16 Corps Lt Gen A K Sharma and Director General of state police S P Vaid and was attended by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal as also IG Police Jammu Zone, IG BSF, IG CRPF and senior officials of intelligence agencies, the spokesman said.

A joint strategy was chalked out in great detail by all agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region and ensureincident free Republic day where Governor N N Vohra will supervise the parade and take salute. They emphasized the need for high level of vigiliance and "remaining alive and responsive to any developing security situation" while ensuring a peaceful and conducive environment in the region, the spokesman said.

Lt Gen Sharma said the Army and its various formations deployed south of PirPanjal have been pro-actively involved in maintaining peace and communal harmony in the region in complete synergy with civil administration, he said.

He also emphasized that the Army wasalways ready to face any challenges whether on the Line of Control or in hinterland and were prepared in all respects toassist the civil administration.

Lt Gen Sharma and Vaid appreciated the highlevels of synergy in operations exhibited by all agencies in recent times.

They encouraged all present to meet the security challenges and work towards enhancing confidence among the people.

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Seven people have been arrested over the robbery of USD 72 million (67 million euros) in jewellery, one the world's biggest ever heists, from Amsterdam's airport nearly 12 years ago, authorities said today.

The diamonds and jewellery were taken during the hold up of a KLM armoured car in a high-security portion of Schiphol airport in February 2005, police said in a statement.

Though the thieves were armed, no one was hurt in the heist.

Police "carried out, on Friday January 20 and Saturday January 21, 2017, a total of seven arrests in connection with the diamond theft at Schiphol airport in February 2005 and money laundering," the statement said.

The five male and two female suspects, all Dutch nationals, were arrested in Amsterdam and Valencia, in eastern Spain.

While some of the stolen diamonds were found in an escape vehicle immediately after the heist, the rest -- valued at $43 million -- remain unaccounted for.

Four people had been arrested soon after the incident, one of the Netherlands' worst cases of theft.

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A 36-year-old Shiv Sena worker, aspiring to contest the upcoming Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) polls, was allegedly hacked to death by unidentified persons at Triveni Park area on Nashik Road here, police said today.

The incident took place last night, in which the victim, Surendra alias Gharya Shejval, a resident of Canal Road, located near Nashik Road Central Jail, died on the spot, police said.

Police suspect that political rivalry could be the motive behind the murder.

Shejval had recently quit the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and joined the Shiv Sena. He was aspiring to fight the NMC polls, scheduled to be held on February 21, on Shiv Sena ticket.

"Shejval was returning home along with his friend on their two-wheeler after visiting a Shiv Sena corporator's office around 9.30 pm. The accused followed them in a car and attacked Shejval with swords and sharp weapons in Triveni Park area, in which he died on the spot," an officer of Nashik Road Police Station said.

His body was sent to Nashik Civil Hospital for post mortem, police said.

After the incident, tense situation prevailed in the area and police were deployed at the spot.

A case has been registered at Nashik Road Police Station and the unidentified accused have been booked under IPC sections 302 (murder), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object).

Further investigation into the case is on.

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Six CPI(M) activists were today arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a 53-year-old BJP worker at Andaloor in nearby Dharmadam on Wednesday last, even as the Marxist party tried to wash its hands off the incident, claiming they were not party workers.

Police claimed that the accused, aged between 25-31, were Marxist party workers and sympathisers hailing from Andaloor, from were the victim also belonged.

The arrest comes as an embarrassment to the ruling CPI(M) which had maintained since the murder on January 18 that it was a fallout of a property dispute.

Party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today claimed that the six arrested were not CPI(M) workers.

"No protection will be given to them. CPI(M) wants peace," he told reporters.

While CPI(M) leaders had earlier claimed that the attack on 53-year-old Santosh was a fallout of a property dispute between his relatives, police said it was due to some political rivalry.

The incident was said to be sequel to an attack, allegedly by RSS workers, on some Student Federation of India students of Brenen college in Thalassery who had gone on an excursion earlier.

Santosh was attacked in his house and had 21 injuries, mostly on his hands and legs. His wife and children were away at the time of the incident on January 18 at around 11 PM.

BJP had observed a hartal the next day protesting against the attack.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan visited the house of Santosh and consoled his family members.

He demanded that a special team be constituted to probe the incident and that a court monitor the same.

He wondered why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was remaining silent on the recent violent incidents in Dharmadom, his constituency.

"The Chief Minister should speak up against the violence," he told reporters in Kannur.

Police officers who do not toe CPI(M)'s line were being transferred, Kummanam alleged, referring to the transfer of Kannur range IG Dinendra Kashyap who was moved to the crime branch.

BJP General secretary V Muraleedharan demanded an apology from the CPI(M) for alleging that the murder of the party worker was a fallout of a property dispute.

Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala hit out at CPI(M) and BJP for the violence in Kannur.

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Hundreds of people today took part in the special prayer service and candlelight vigil at the St Mary's Cathedral here for Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Keralite priest who was kidnapped in war-torn Yemen last year by suspected Islamic State militants.

The prayers and vigil were held as per the call of CBCI President Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the head of the Syro Malankara church.

Special prayers will be held tomorrow at all the churches under the dioceses, church sources said.

The 55-year-old Salesian priest, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted in March 2016, had in December last made an emotive plea in a video message to the Indian government and the Church for earnest efforts to free him.

The priest, who was abducted when IS fighters stormed the Old People's Home in the port city of Aden on March 4, had made a desperate prayer to the Indian President, Prime Minister as well as Pope Francis and the Christian community across the globe to work together for his release.

"If I were a European, I would have been taken more seriously by the authorities and people and (they) would have got me released.

"I am a priest from India and perhaps, therefore, I am not considered of much value.

"I am sad about this," he had said haltingly, pointing out that a French woman, reportedly kidnapped in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, had been freed.

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Use of India-made steel by the industry would help in sustainable growth of the sector, Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh said today while asserting that the government is taking steps to make the country the world's second largest producer.

"Use of 'Swadeshi' steel is the way forward not only for steel consumption but also for sustainable growth of the steel industry and economy," the minister said during the meeting of of National Steel Consumers' Council of the Steel Ministry here.

Singh said that there is great potential for increasing steel consumption in the country.

"Government of India's emphasis through Make in India and support to Swadeshi production offers huge opportunity to raise the domestic steel consumption," the minister said.

He said that India's current per capita steel consumption stands only at 60 kg, which is very less as compared to the world average of 208 kg.

Singh also said the Steel Ministry has started a campaign to boost steel consumption in country through encouraging all concerned ministries to use only India-made steel for infrastructure and construction projects of the government.

In 2016, India emerged as the third largest steel producer in the world and the central government is taking all steps to make the country world's second largest steel producer, he said further.

Representatives of MSME producers, integrated steel plants of private and public sector, machinery manufacturers and consumers of infrastructure, transport housing equipment sectors were present in the meeting.

Singh stated that the support extended to the steel industry by way of various trade remedial measures in recent times have led to a significant reduction in imports and stabilisation of domestic market.

Globally, trade protection by various governments is on the rise. Indian steel industry has to acquire the competitive edge by benchmarking with the best in the world, in order to be a global leader, the minister said in the meeting.

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A special task force (STF) for women that will review decisions taken by the city police and other departments regarding their safety in the national capital has been reconstituted, Delhi Commission for Women today said.

The STF, headed by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, will have as its members, Delhi Chief Secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner, Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women, Principal Secretary, Home Department (Delhi), among others.

The meeting of the force will be held every 15 days, the DCW said in a statement.

The women's panel said the STF has been formed in response to the notice issued by the High Court to the LG on a DCW petition seeking response as to why no committee on women safety was set up.

"The task force will review decisions taken by the Delhi Police and other departments regarding women safety in the Capital," DCW said.

The Delhi Commission for Women had been appealing to the Home Minister and the then Lt Governor for long time in this regard, it said, adding, in 2016, the STF formed under the chairpersonship of the Union Home Secretary, was "disbanded".

"The STF was formed during the time of the Nirbhaya rape (case) and was chaired by the Home Secretary... The Home Department of the Delhi government issued orders for the reconstitution of the Special Task Force on January 17 after getting the LG's assent," the DCW said.

The other STF members would be -- Divisional Commissioner, Revenue, Transport Commissioner, Delhi, Police Commissioner, Special (Traffic), Special Commissioner of Delhi Police, Women Safety, Chairperson of the NDMC, Commissioners of all three municipal corporations (East, West, South), Excise Commissioner, Delhi, Secretary, Women and Child Development Department (Delhi), Secretary, Social Welfare Department and a member from the Union Home Ministry - Union Territory Division, the statement said.

Also, any other suitable person may be made a member of the task force, as may be considered necessary, it added.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal said, "Along with this STF there should also be a high-level committee on women's security which should have representatives not only from Delhi Police and the DCW, but also people's representatives from central government and Delhi government, and should take concrete decisions.

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: More than 100 students,including girls, part of hundreds who had camped at AFT mill ground here for the past five days in support of Jallikattu, today donated bloodto a mobile blood bank set up near the venue by an NGO, for the benefit of patients admitted to JIPMER emergency ward.

The NGO, Uyirthuli, had pitched the mobile blood bank, attached to the centrally administered JIPMER hospital, near the venue of the agitation.

"Youth and students are always prepared to rise to social causes such as voluntary blood donation as it will help save precious lives", a section of the students told reporters.

The students also helped police regulate traffic near the mill, which is close to a railway level crossing on the Puducherry-Mudaliarpet route.

Though the students refused to meet representatives of political parties on all five days, Some members of political parties were today seen staging a one day fastseveral metres away from the AFT mill ground.

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The suspense over an alliance between the Congress and Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh continued with Congress hardening its stand by holding a meeting of its Central Election Committee (CEC) and finalising candidates for 140 seats in the first two phases.

Leaving scope for an alliance, the party, however, did not declare the seats for the first two phases of elections in the state with leaders saying that talks with SP are continuing.

Congress general secretary and in-charge of Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad said the CEC finalised its candidates for 140 seats for the first and second phase of polls.

"We have cleared seats for first and second phase. We had a meeting of CEC for first and second phase," he told reporters after the meeting.

Asked if the alliance with SP was on or over, he said, "Let us see, You will know by tomorrow morning when the announcement is made."



UP Congress chief Raj Babbar claimed that the party will fight the first two phases of elections in Uttar Pradesh with full strength.

Keeping the suspense over the proposed alliance with the SP, Babbar said, "There are no road blocks in the talks."



Sources say that both Congress and Samajwadi Party have hardened their positions on seat-sharing in the proposed alliance while the deadlock remains.

Sources said that while Samajwadi Party does not want to give more than 100 seats, the Congress which initially put forth the demand of 150 seats under the alliance has scaled down considerably but is not ready to accept the figure SP is adamant on.

Party leaders from Congress and Samajwadi Party feel that it is the compulsion of both the party to ally with each other to keep the BJP out of power in the state.

Congress is learnt to have taken some hard positions on the alliance by demanding seats in Amethi and Rae Barely segments represented by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress is also keen to keep the Ajit Singh-led RLD with it in the alliance, which the Samajwadi Party is not keen on, the sources say, adding that if the alliance happens the Congress will give seats from its quota to RLD.

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Syria's government and rebel fighters will on Monday sit down at the negotiating table for the first time in nearly six years of war, the latest diplomatic push to end the hostilities.

Hosted in the Kazakh capital Astana, the talks will see an opposition delegation composed exclusively of rebel groups negotiating with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in an initiative sponsored by rebel backer Turkey and regime allies Russia and Iran.

Though the talks have been welcomed by all parties in the conflict, delegates from both sides are heading to Kazakhstan with apparently opposing ideas about the goals, with Assad insisting Thursday that rebels lay down their arms in exchange for an amnesty deal.

Although Assad said the talks would prioritise reaching a ceasefire, Damascus has insisted it will seek a "comprehensive" political solution to the conflict that has killed more than 300,000 and displaced over half of the country's population.

The rebels meanwhile say they will focus solely on reinforcing a frail nationwide truce brokered by Moscow and Ankara last month.

Moscow said this week that the objective was to "consolidate" the ceasefire and involve rebel field commanders in the "political process" to end the bloodshed, creating a basis for a new round of UN-hosted negotiations in Geneva next month.

Syria's UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari, an experienced negotiator involved in past failed talks in Geneva, will head the regime delegation in Astana.

The United Nations' peace envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, will also attend, alongside representatives of Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Mohammad Alloush of the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group -- whose commander cousin Zahran Alloush was killed in an air strike claimed by the regime in December 2015 -- will lead a "military delegation" of around eight people.

They will be backed by nine legal and political advisors from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) umbrella group.

But key rebel group Ahrar al-Sham said it would snub the Astana talks over ceasefire violations and ongoing Russian air strikes on the country.

Ahrar al-Sham nonetheless said it would support decisions taken by other rebel groups represented at the talks if they were "in the interest of the nation".

The talks, which could last days, come a month after the Syrian regime, bolstered by its allies, took full control of second city Aleppo from rebels in its biggest victory in more than four years of fighting.

With stakes high and outcomes unclear, the Syrian opposition is wary that the regime could use the rebel groups' inexperience in political talks to its advantage in Astana, a European diplomatic source told AFP.

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"Dialogue" should drive the 21st century, the on Saturday said, hoping that newly elected US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will "work together" for a peaceful global order.

The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader made the remarks while observing that peace and non-violence was "growing" in the current era as he lauded the role of multilateralism, especially the European Union (EU).

"I am one of the admirers of EU and look forward to African Union, Latin American Union, Asian Union and one at the global level. Using force has become outdated. The 21st century should be the century of dialogue," the said, and exuded hope that Trump and Putin would work together.

He was speaking at an event organised by the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) at the Federation House here.

Batting for woman empowerment, the 81-year-old spiritual leader said they are more suited to be in leadership roles for they are inherently equipped with compassion and went on to suggest that a "female Dalai Lama" was very much a possibility.

"I was asked this question in an interview many years ago (on female Dalai Lama). I had said why not? If circumstances suggest that a female would be more effective. I would say the role can go to an outsider as well," he said.

The Dalai Lama, who took shelter in India after fleeing Tibet in 1959, said India's tradition of respecting all religions as well as non-believers was "very relevant" in contemporary times while underlining the virtues of secularism and tolerance.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to be the first foreign leader to meet US President with plans being drafted for her to fly out to Washington next week, a media report claimed today.

May is likely to hold her talks with the new US President in the Oval Office on Thursday on what is likely to be a two-day visit to Washington.

"PM May hopes to fly out to Washington DC on Thursday - much earlier than previously thought. The visit has been brought forward after Steve Bannon, Mr Trump's chief strategist, reached out to appeal for an early trip," according to 'The Daily Telegraph' newspaper, which quoted government sources.

The plans have been secretly worked up over the last week, with officials across UK government corridors involved in the final 48 hours before the inauguration of Trump on Friday.

The new US administration has expressed an interest in reviving the close relationship enjoyed by former US President Ronald Reagan and former British PM Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.

"They are really, really keen to capture the Reagan- Thatcher idea: A new populist in the White House and a strong woman in Number 10. They want to rekindle that as soon as possible," a government source told the newspaper.

Trump was sworn-in as the 45th US President on Friday in a gala ceremony in Washington DC.

In a statement issued by Downing Street after the inauguration, May said: "From our conversations to date, I know we are both committed to advancing the special relationship between our two countries and working together for the prosperity and security of people on both sides of the Atlantic.

"I look forward to discussing these issues and more when we meet in Washington."



UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson also offered "warmest congratulations" to Trump and said the UK wants to work "hand in glove" with the new leader.

"I want to offer my warmest congratulations to President on accedingto the most important political office in the world and I know that billions of people will be willing him to succeed in the months and years ahead in the very great challenges that he faces.

"We in the United Kingdom will work hand in glove for the stability, the prosperity and the security of the world with President Donald Trump," he said in a statement.
Thousands of protesters today joined a Women's March here in the UK as part of an international campaign to raise awareness of women's rights and other civil rights, they fear, could be under threat under Donald Trump's presidency.

The rally is among a number of events planned in the UK, on the first full day of Trump's presidency, in solidarity with a similar march in US capital Washington DC, expected to attract tens of thousands of people.

There are as many as 600 "sister marches" planned around the US, with some of the biggest expected in Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Organisers aim to highlight women's and civil rights, which they perceive to be under threat from the new US administration.

Demonstrators marched from the US embassy at Grosvenor Square in central London, to Trafalgar Square, where Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was among those attending a rally.

Protesters chanted slogans of "build bridges not walls" and "dump Trump" and attacked the new US President for his previous derogatory remarks on women.

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Mumbai police today arrested three persons including a woman, against whom offences are registered in multiple states, for cheating people by offering to sell old gold coins at a low price.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to involvement in more than 18 offences registered in the city and at Delhi, Kanpur, Allahabad and Lucknow, police said.

Unit -9 of city police's crime branch arrested Shivkumar Rathod (33), Sonukmumar Prajapati (26) and Daludevi Kishenlal Prajapati (42), all from Kanpur of Uttar Pradesh, today.

They allegedly showed prospective customers an old gold coin, saying it was found in a field and they could provide six kg of such coins at a cheap rate.

But what they sold ultimately was fake gold-plated coins.

Police got a tip-off that the gang members were going to visit suburban Bandra West today and arrested them near a theatre.

As many as 6,345 fake gold coins were seized from them. Further probe is on.

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Continuing his party's tirade against the Centre, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay today accused BJP of being behind the recent CBI arrests of TMC leaders in West Bengal over chit fund scam.

"BJP is doing this (arrests of TMC leaders) aiming to finish Mamata Banerjee and TMC in West Bengal," Sudip, undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and hospital here, told the media.

When repeatedly asked about possible involvement of any BJP MP in the chit fund scam, Sudip refused to comment over it saying that he did not know till date on what charges the CBI has arrested him.

"I have no idea as to how much (money) I have taken from the Rose Valley Company," the TMC leader, who is the party's chief whip in Lok Sabha said.

He was arrested by the CBI on January 4 from Kolkata for his alleged involvement in the Rs 15,000 crore Rose Valley chit fund scam.

While remanded in judicial custody, the 63-year-old leader fell sick for an ailment he was suffering for last two years and was shifted here late last evening for a check up and better treatment.

Sudip, who is undergoing treatment in central ICU of the hospital, is stated to be suffering from pancreas and heart ailments.

"A team of doctors from the hospital are now attending to the patient and his condition is stated to be normal. A bulletin about the status of his vital organs would be made available only after analysing his reports," Hospital Superintendent Prof PC Rath said, adding a private hospital had advised him a health check-up once in three weeks.

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Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has approved the ordinance and the bull taming sport will be held at Alaganallur in Madurai and other parts of the state tomorrow, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam announced on Saturday.

The Chief Minister will inaugurate at Alanganallur, famous for conducting the rural sport, at 10 am.

In other areas, ministers from the respective regions will inaugurate the sport at 11 am, Panneerselvam said.

"I urge the youths, students and the general public to make the events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," he said.

As the state-wide protests including at the Marina beach here by tens of thousands of protesters entered the fifth day, Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by Tamil Nadu was received last night.

"The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act) has been obtained from Govenor also," he said, adding, "our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true."



He said a draft Bill to replace the ordinance and amend the PCA Act paving the way for holding jallikattu without any hindrance will be introduced and adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly's session which begins on January 23.
After spending his first night at the White House, the US President Donald Trump today kicked off the first full day of his presidency with a national prayer breakfast that also included Hindu and Sikh prayer services among others.

Trump, 70, was accompanied by his wife and US First Lady Melania, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen.

After prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, Trump is likely to pay a visit to the CIA headquarters in Langley.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said the President would be visiting the CIA headquarters in Langley later in the day.

This would be Trump's first trip out of the White House after the conclusion of the inaugural celebrations with the prayer breakfast at the historic National Cathedral.

Priest Narayanachar L Dialakote from popular Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, Maryland among others offered Hindu prayers at the National Prayer Service.

Another Indian-American Jesse Singh offered a Sikh prayer on the occasion.

Uma Mysorekar had offered Hindu prayers at 2009 prayer service of Obama's second inauguration.

In addition to the traditional Christian leaders, the prayer service also included leaders from other religious faiths, including Islam, Buddhist and Bahai.

"As we mark this moment of political transition, let us all draw strength and courage from the sacred texts and songs...From the many traditions of our land," said Mariann Edgar Budde, the Bishop of Washington for the Episcopal Church.

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In his first official business inside the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump signed documents pertaining to Affordable Care Act, even as James Mattis was sworn in as the Defense Secretary and John Kelly took oath as the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Trump's move, before a busy evening of attending three inaugural presidential balls, came after the Senate voted 98-1 confirming Mattis and 88-11 in favour of Kelly.

Soon thereafter, Gen (retd) Mattis was sworn in as the new Defense Secretary of the United States by the Vice President Mike Pence and John Kelly took oath as the Secretary of Homeland Security.

"It was busy, but good. A beautiful day," Trump told a group of White House reporters soon after he signed the first documents inside the Oval Office of the White House.

The executive orders pertaining to Affordable Care Act, which was the signature health care program of his predecessor Barack Obama, directs US Government departments and agencies to minimise the economic impact of Obamacare.

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As we know, Griff may or may not be a right-on activist but he certainly has some seedy-looking friends who are all going to a gig. Peter h...
US President Donald Trump has apparently traded in his Android phone for a secure, encrypted device approved by the Secret Service with a new number that few people possess.

Trump has been well-known for using Android phones; plenty of his tweets have suggested he prefers the platform when posting messages on-the-go.

The change is akin to when former President Barack Obama had to give up his personal BlackBerry before entering the White House, though he has been known to continue carrying the device throughout his presidency.

The switch from Android to a secure smartphone also comes with the Secret Service requesting Trump stop using his own airplane and adopt the more-secure Air Force One jet.

"This week, he was forced to abandon his cherished 'Trump' 757 for an Air Force jet, and, according to people close to the transition, he has traded in his Android phone for a secure, encrypted device approved by the Secret Service with a new number that few people possess," The New York Times reported.

While Obama did indeed continue to use other devices, his official smartphone apparently prevented him from doing much, even snapping photos.

When Obama was given a smartphone to replace his Blackberry he had said that the NSA told him, "Mr President for security reasons this is a great phone, state of the art, but it doesn't take pictures, you can't text, the phone doesn't work, you can't play your music on it".

"Does your three-year-old have one of those play phones? With the stickers on it? That's basically the phone I've got," Obama had earlier said.

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Two men were allegedly attacked by a pickpocket as they tried to hand him over to police near Sarai Kale Khan, police said today.

On January 17, Mohd Shahzada, who was travelling in a DTC bus found a man trying to steal his mobile phone from his pocket, he said.

With the help of another passenger Ram Kumar, he caught the pickpocket and decided to hand over the accused- Mohd Fahim to police, said the officer.

As they deboarded the bus, Fahim attacked them with a knife and fled.

Injured Shahzada and Kumar were taken to AIIMS, he said.

A team was formed to track the accused and he was arrested from northeast Delhi's Nand Nagri area said Romil Baaniya, DCP(Southeast).

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Boko Haram killed at least two soldiers and wounded seven others in a "surprise attack" on a military base in southeast Niger that began overnight, a local official said today.

Members of the Islamic State group affiliate arrived in "great numbers" on foot after crossing the Komadougou Yobe river at the Nigerian border, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The attack targeted a base in Geskerou in the Diffa region, with the assailants also torching three army vehicles.

A security official confirmed the two soldiers were members of Niger's national guard based in Diffa, a Boko Haram stronghold close to the border with Nigeria.

In response, Niger launched air strikes, killing "many terrorists" as they fled through the marshes of Lake Chad, which straddles the central African countries of Niger, Chad, and Nigeria, the security source said.

Another three Niger soldiers were killed on New Year's Eve when Boko Haram attacked their position at Baroua, also in the Diffa region, the military said.

Last month, the Niger government claimed that 50 Boko Haram fighters had surrendered, 31 of whom turned themselves in at Diffa.

Such claims are becoming increasingly common and it was not possible for AFP to verify the information.

The Nigeria-based Islamist group has waged a seven-year uprising that has claimed more than 20,000 lives, with the insurgency spilling over the West African nation's borders into neighbouring states.

The violence has left around 2.6 million people homeless, sparking a dire humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations warning the affected region faces the "largest crisis in Africa".

Diffa is one of the worst-hit regions, with around 300,000 people supported by a local population which is already chronically poor.

The UN Security Council announced last week that it is planning a visit in the coming weeks to Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad.

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Two women arms smugglers and an illegal manufacturer of weapons were arrested and a six 9-mm pistols, five magazines and a live round seized by a combined team of Assam Rifles and Manipur police.

The smugglers Esther Haokip (22) and Chongboi Haokip (43) were held from their residences at Molnom in Churachandpur district on Thursday.

In another incident on the same day, security forces destroyed two small huts in Zipitang Reserved Forest locality and recovered one 9 mm pistol and other materials allegedly used in arms manufacturing. An illegal manufacturer of arms was also arrested, police said today.

Meanwhile, a team of Manipur police commandos, in a separate operation led by Additional SP (Ops) Ibomcha, arrested a militant of the proscribed outfit United National Liberation Front (UNLF) from Keisampat area in Imphal West district yesterday, a police official said.

The militant entered the Northeastern state from neighbouring Myanmar, he said.

The police team also learnt that the UNLF cadre had joined the proscribed outfit KYKL in 2002 before crossing over to UNLF the following year.

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The quota row touched off by a senior RSS functionary's remarks has sparked concerns in the BJP over its fallout in the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly polls with party leaders terming the comments "ill-timed".

It was the party top brass which swung into action soon after RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya's remarks went on air and alarmed it. It played a role in persuading the Hindutva organisation to issue clarifications immediately.

The controversy, which started after Vaidya made comments seen to be favouring a review of reservation, is reminiscent of a similar row ignited by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks during the Bihar assembly polls in which the saffron party suffered a humiliating drubbing.

Opposition parties, including Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, have latched on the issue to paint BJP as "anti-reservation" and the issue threatens to derail the saffron party's strategy of keeping planks of development and demonetisation at the centre of campaign.

"Obviously, we are unhappy. RSS has already clarified it but we would never like reservation as a poll issue. It never benefits us. We will have to see how it pans out and plan accordingly. Vaidya's comments were ill-timed and unwarranted," a party leader from Uttar Pradesh said.

Another leader said both SP and BSP will now use it to poach on the other backward castes, who the party believes are willing to bet on it again as they did during much of 90s but drifted away later.

BSP supremo Mayawati could use the row to "scare" away those Dalit voters who might have voted for BJP in several constituencies to defeat SP, a party leader.

However, several leaders added that it is too early to comment if the controversy will have a real impact on poll and were at pains to explain that UP is different from Bihar in a number of ways.

'Mandal' (quota) has more resonance in Bihar, which has more OBC dominance demographically and is moor rural and poor compared to UP, they said.

They also pointed out the damage control exercise from RSS was swift yesterday as Vaidya immediately issued clarification and held a late night press conference to make it clear that the organisation supports reservation.

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Six police officers were injured and more than 200 protesters were arrested as brick-throwing vandals torched a vehicle and damaged half-dozen stores after a series of protests marring Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony gave way to violent street clashes here in the US.

At least two police officers and another person in downtown Washington were taken to hospital after run-ins with protesters, Fire spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.

Acting DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said the officers' injuries were considered minor and not life threatening. About 217 protesters were arrested.

A large number of protesters had gathered in the national capital since early morning yesterday to voice their anger and hold demonstrations against what they alleged were the divisive policies of the new Trump administration.

A group of protesters clad as "antifascist" smashed storefronts and bus stops, and broke windows of a limousine just blocks away from the inaugural parade route. Some also threw rocks at police manning the streets near the US Capitol.

Police had to use crowd-dispersing sprays and flash-bang devices to push back the protesters and large crowds. "Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property," they said.

Anti-Trump protests also broke out in cities across the US, including New York, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Authorities in Seattle said one person was in critical condition at a hospital with a gunshot wound.

Newsham told the American television network that the several hundred demonstrators who confronted police were outnumbered by the thousands of nonviolent protesters who had descended on the nation's capital for Inauguration Day and Saturday's Women's March.

"We have been pointing out all along that this is a very isolated incident, and by and large, everything is going peacefully and a lot of folks have come to the city to enjoy this historic day, not only the Capitol but walking all around the city," he said.

The report said nine people were arrested in New York for disorderly conduct while five people were arrested at a protest in Dallas, six in Chicago.

In Seattle, people threw bricks and other items at officers during a demonstration at University of Washington campus, city police said.

The protests are not expected to end with the inauguration as nearly a quarter million participants are expected for the Women's March in the nation's capital, considered the largest protest ever following an American President's inauguration.

"We're really trying to set a tone of resistance for the coming years," Lacy MacAuley, a DisruptJ20 organizer, told CNN. " represents a shift in our in a dangerous, harmful, exclusionary direction. We oppose those policies of hate."

The march, which began with a modest Facebook call in the aftermath of the election, has grown in to what could be one of the larger political demonstrations ever in DC.
The new American Defense Secretary Gen (retd) James "Mad Dog" Mattis has vowed to strengthen the economic and military ties with allies and "gain full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense".

"Every action we take will be designed to ensure our military is ready to fight today and in the future," Mattis said yesterday in a message to department of defense soon after he was being sworn in as head of the Pentagon by the Vice President Mike Pence at the White House.

"Recognising that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances," Mattis said.

"Further, we are devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, thereby earning the trust of Congress and the American people," he said.

A retired US marine Corps general, Mattis was sworn in after the Senate confirmed his nomination in a series of swift moves after Trump became the 45th President of the United States yesterday.

"It's good to be back and I'm grateful to serve alongside you as Secretary of Defense," he said in his first message to the Department of Defense.

"Together with the Intelligence Community, we are the sentinels and guardians of our nation.

We need only look to you, the uniformed and civilian members of the Department and your families, to see the fundamental unity of our country," he said.

"You represent an America committed to the common good; an America that is never complacent about defending its freedoms; and an America that remains a steady beacon of hope for all mankind," Mattis said.

The White House also announced to end the defense sequester and submit a new budget to Congress outlining a plan to rebuild American military.

"We will provide our military leaders with the means to plan for our future defense needs," it said.

"We will also develop a state-of-the-art missile defense system to protect against missile-based attacks from states like Iran and North Korea," the White House said.

Noting that cyber warfare is an emerging battlefield, and that the US must take every measure to safeguard its national security secrets and systems, the White House said the US will make it a priority to develop defensive and offensive cyber capabilities at its Cyber Command, and recruit the best and brightest Americans to serve in this crucial area.

During his Senate confirmation hearing last week, Mattis had said that India is of utmost importance for the US.

"US policy should continue to pursue a long-term strategic relationship with India based in convergence of our interests and our shared democratic values," he said.

In his written answers to the questions submitted by members of the Committee, Mattis noted that the US and India recently cemented India's status as a Major Defense Partner.

"If confirmed, I would assess what particular areas in the bilateral security relationship I should focus, and what steps can be taken to bolster the overall defense relationship," he said.

India is the world's largest democracy, and "our relationship with it is of utmost importance. In my view, and particularly on security and defense issues, the US-India relationship has been strengthened in recent years," he said, adding cooperation on defense and trade and technology has grown to the benefit of both countries under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative.

Expressing concern over the continuation of terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan, he told lawmakers that co-operation with Islamabad among others would focus on the need to "expel or neutralise" externally-focused militant groups within its border.

He said he will work with the State Department and the Congress to "incentivise Pakistan's co-operation on issues critical to our national interests and the region's security, with focus on Pakistan's need to expel or neutralise externally-focused militant groups that operate within its borders".

Mattis said Pakistan has "learnt some hard lessons" because of its dealings with the Afghan Taliban, as violence in that country reflects.

"I believe they should do more to collaborate with their neighbour. We should urge Pakistan to take further actions against the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

"Sanctuaries and freedom of movement for the Afghan Taliban and associated militant networks inside Pakistani territory is a key operational issue faced by the Afghan security forces.

If confirmed, I will examine efforts to deny sanctuary to the extremist forces undermining the stability and security of Afghanistan," he said in response to a question.
Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian West has paid a farewell tribute to the former US President Barack Obama and said he will be missed.

The 36-year-old star shared a series of photos on social media, featuring Obama's meeting with her and her husband Kanye West and their daughter, North.

"Thank you Mr President. You will be missed," the mother of two captioned her one-on-one moment with Obama, 55.

While the couple was all smiles during their presidential exchange, their girl North appeared gloomy.

"Northie! She fell and was crying. Potus gave her White House M&Ms and I wanted to save them for memories so wouldn't let her eat them and she cried again," Kardashian explained the photo of her daughter fussing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump directed government agencies on Friday to freeze regulations and take steps to weaken Obamacare, using his first hours in the White House to make good on a campaign promise to start dismantling his predecessor's healthcare law.

Heading into the Oval Office shortly after the conclusion of his inaugural parade, Trump signed an order on the Affordable Care Act that urged government departments to "waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation" of provisions that imposed fiscal burdens on states, companies or individuals.

It also called for efforts to give states greater flexibility in implementing healthcare programs while developing "a free and open market in interstate commerce for the offering of healthcare services and health insurance."

Health experts had speculated that Trump could expand exemptions from the so-called individual mandate, which requires Americans to carry insurance or face a penalty, or the requirement that employers offer coverage.

Experts also believe the administration could try to reduce the "essential benefits," such as maternity care and mental health services, that insurance plans must cover.

The White House did not provide further details about the executive order.

Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer said the White House also directed an immediate regulatory freeze for all government agencies in a memo from Trump's chief of staff, Reince Priebus. He did not offer details.

Repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, one of former President Barack Obama's signature laws, was a central pledge for Trump during the presidential election campaign. Republicans in the U.S. Congress have not yet laid out a plan to recast the insurance program.

In a hastily arranged ceremony, surrounded by some of his aides, Trump sat behind the presidential Resolute Desk and signed the order. He also signed commissions for his newly confirmed defense secretary, James Mattis, and his homeland security secretary, John Kelly.

Trump spoke briefly about his day with reporters. "It was busy, but good. It was a beautiful day," he said.

Vice President Mike Pence then swore in Mattis and Kelly in a separate ceremony.

There were other signs of change in the Oval Office, which Obama vacated on Friday morning. Golden drapes hung where crimson ones had earlier in the day and new furniture dotted the room.
HSBC has begun cutting around 100 senior jobs in its investment banking division worldwide this week, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

The cuts affect bankers at managing director and director level in the lender's Global Banking and Markets division, the sources said, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

"We review on an annual basis performances across Global Banking & Markets and make appropriate changes to strengthen and grow the business," a spokesman for the bank said in an emailed statement.

The cuts at HSBC follow a previous cull in the lender's Global Banking division last May as the business led by former Goldman Sachs banker Matthew Westerman looks to reduce costs.

Westerman, tipped by some insiders as a potential future HSBC Chief Executive, has made sweeping changes including cutting the jobs of dozens of senior bankers and restructuring the entire division.

Investment banks often trim jobs in January, as bosses review staff performance to decide how increasingly thin bonus pools should be allocated and which weaker performers they are prepared to let go.

The latest round of cuts comes as HSBC bankers in its London headquarters face uncertainty as the lender prepares for expected disruption caused by Britain's exit from the European Union.

HSBC Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver said on Wednesday the bank could relocate staff responsible for generating around a fifth of its UK-based trading revenue to Paris.
A day after asking ICICI Bank to give access to Flipkarts e-wallet PhonePe, the RBI-promoted National Payment Corporation (NPCI) did a volte-face today and said it is Flipkarts e-wallet that is in contravention of the interoperability norms under unified payment interface.

In a complete U-turn, the NPCI also asked Flipkart to allow payments from UPI handles of all banks on their apps.

"During a review of ICICI Bank blocking the UPI transactions made through Flipkarts PhonePe, we have found the said e-wallet and the Flipkart Apps are in contravention of the UPI guidelines of interoperability. Hence, we have directed PhonePe and Flipkart to comply with the UPI guidelines and allow payments from UPI handles of all banks on their apps," NPCI said in a statement this evening.

The Corporation said ICICI Bank has been told to allow UPI transactions from PhonePe App as soon as PhonePe and Flipkart start complying with UPI norms on interoperability.

It can be noted that after being asked by NPCI to allow Flipkart transactions, ICICI Bank yesterday told the quasi regulator of electronic payments to instead make the leading e-commerce firm and its channel partner Yes Bank that runs the PhonePe app for Flipkart to comply with the interoperability norms and end "restrictive trade practices".

The one-oneupmanship between the largest private sector lender and the top ecommerce player reached flashpoint earlier this week when the bank blocked the payments through PhonePe.

This forced Flipkart to move the NPCI, the custodian of the UPI platform. All other domestic e-payment platforms, through a public statement yesterday, asked ICICI Bank to end the blockade forthwith.

"Based on a review by NPCI on ICICI Bankss action to block UPI transactions made through PhonePe App, we would like to state that ICICI Bank has been advised to open UPI transactions immediately," an NPCI statement said yesterday.

Countering this, ICICI Bank accused PhonePe of following a "restrictive practice" of allowing only users of its own UPI handle to make payments on its app which is a violation of the UPIs guidelines on interoperability.

"NPCI has assured us in writing that this will get corrected very soon and the app concerned will allow interoperability. As soon as this is corrected, we will start allowing UPI transactions to resume on this app," the bank said in a counter statement last night.

The Corporation, which runs the UPI platform, said it had discussions with both ICICI Bank and Yes Bank, the banker for PhonePe, before arriving at the decision. "We have also advised banks to adhere to the merchant on-boarding guidelines meticulously from the angle of interoperability of merchant app so that such disputes are avoided," NPCI had said.

Early this week, ICICI Bank had blocked its customers from transacting on PhonePe, citing security concerns.
The Cache County School District (CCSD) has announced make-up days for the two days of school students missed earlier this month due to extreme weather conditions. Because state law requires Utah schools to be in session for a minimum of 180 days and 990 hours each year, the district will comply with this regulation by holding classes on Friday, Feb. 17 (Friday schedule), and Monday, Feb. 20 (regular school day schedule). These dates had been previously calendared as no-school days due to a professional development day and the Presidents Day holiday, respectively.

CCSDs Calendar Committee decided on dates for the make-up days based on input from parent and from employee groups.

Efforts were made, a CCSD news release explained, to select make-up days which would have a minimal impact and maximum benefit on family, employee and district calendars. Make-up days will be treated as regular school days, and as always, accommodations will be made for students with parent-excused absences.

The Calendar Committees decision is subject to final approval by the CCSD School Board, which will meet on Feb. 2. The Utah State School Board has agreed to consider offering Utah school districts with extenuating circumstances exceptions to the 180 day, 990 hour requirements on a future meeting agenda.

In related news, Frank Schofield, superintendent of the Logan City School District, will meet with that districts Calendar Committee on Jan. 23, and should announce make-up days for Logan schools early next week.

<hr />

jennifer@cvradio.com
The Cache Chamber of Commerce is welcoming a new membership director. Steven Emile has taken over the position, replacing Misty Richards, who served in that capacity for several years.

Emile is advancing to his new assignment from the role of chamber coordinator, after fulfilling that role for two years. He said his work coordinating events, maintaining the organizations website and managing online communications helped prepare him for his new responsibilities of maintaining and growing Chamber of Commerce membership. Emile also said he enjoys working for the chamber, which is the only entity of its kind that serves as an advocate for local businesses on this level.

As a nonprofit, he said, were able to get out there and stand up in front of cities and counties and the state and represent our businesses, who are oftentimes just too occupied in the humdrum of operating a business to get out there and talk to the people that need to be informed of the challenges that they have. I love representing the businesses here. Again, Utahs the best state for business in 2016. I was happy to hear that, and Im excited to help propel that throughout 2017.

Emile invites anyone with questions about an existing membership or about joining the Chamber of Commerce to contact him at (435) 752-2161.
CAMEROUN :: PRESS STATEMENT OF THE AMBAZONIA GOVERNING COUNCIL ON THE RECENT ARRESTS AND ABDUCTIONS IN THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS BY THE COLONIAL GOVERNMENT IN YAOUNDE

News from the two Cameroons has confirmed that within the last three days the colonial regime in Yaounde has again carried out more abductions, illegal arrests and kidnappings of peaceful Southern Cameroonians a.k.a Ambazonians and shut down social media and the internet facilities throughout our territory. The Cameroon Anglophoen Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) and the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) have also been banned. Prominent amongst those kidnapped and ferried to Yaounde in La Republique du Cameroun are Barrister Nkongho Agbor Balla, President of the CACSC, Dr. Fontem Neba, Secretary General of the CACSC, Dr. Michael Boyo, Messrs. Kah Afumbon & Mancho BBC. The Ambazonia Governing Council [AGC] expresses its utter indignation at these intimidating and frantic actions of the colonial regime and vehemently condemns the arrests and abductions. The AGC calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested and an also to put an immediate stop to the use of these Nazi tactics adopted to annihilate the independent but conquered Ambazonia people.

Consequently, the Governing Council calls on Southern Cameroonians/Ambazonians to remain calm, resolute and steadfast with overriding confidence and faith. It urges all Ambazonians to be more than ever focused on the one and single motive of achieving the complete liberation of their homeland. Ambazonia will inevitably be free. Such desperate and frustrating moves orchestrated by the colonial/occupier regime of La Republique du Cameroun are only proofs of the last kicks of a dying horse. History has recorded same with other past oppressive regimes.

In-the-meantime, the Governing Council now fully assumes coordination of all resistance activities on the ground. The AGC announces that the sit-in strikes will continue and calls for a 3-day strike from Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th January 2017. Press releases will be issued as circumstances demand to guide action on the ground. The AGC informs all Ambazonian parents, teachers and students that all schools remain firmly closed. The AGC strongly condemns the treacherous activities of some unscrupulous Southern/Anglophone Cameroonians who are being manipulated and sponsored by the government with a calculated attempt to frustrate the achievements of the ongoing peoples struggle. The AGC frowns at the signatories of the South West Teachers Association (SWETA) communique amongst who are: Chief Dr. Peter T. Agborbechem (President of SWETA)/HOD of CST Department of the University of Buea; Mr. Moki Vainder Liwonjo (Vice President of SWETA) and others calling for the resumption of schools.

The AGC calls on all Ambazonian parents/students to reject and disregard the said communique in its entirety. The signatories are hereby reminded that someday, they will be called to give an account of their stewardship to our people.

God will guide us until our sovereignty/independence is totally, completely & unequivocally restored.

Dr. Prince L. AYAMBA

Secretary of State

Ambazonia Governing Council
CAMEROUN :: THE OFFSPRINGS OF AUJOULAT AND THE GENOCIDE OF THE SOUTHERN CAMEROONS

Never again, was the solemn pledge that the civilized world made to humanity after the genocide of the Jews in the Second World War that shocked the conscience of humanity. That pledge did not stop France which was humiliated during the Second World War and the collective madness that confronted and afflicted humanity to perpetrate a genocide that claimed about half a million citizens of its La Republique du Cameroun vassal state ;assassinated its liberation leaders, and imposed a slave-master neo-colonial enclave in its African possessions. France then imposed a system of governance by terror and criminality of which genocide is a critical component.

In this governance in trust for colonial France, overseen by one Jean Forccart, a crime syndicate was put in power with a mandate to terrorize, massacre and suppress the citizens of French vassal states in Africa. France also wedged an ideological and cultural war in which citizens of its vassal states were totally brainwashed to worship their oppressor and willingly accepted slave status in their relationship with France. They accepted and considered an honour to accept this slave status in order to sustain benefit from a war economy imposed by France on its neo-colonies. For this purpose, they mortgaged the exploitation and rape of their natural resources, the sovereignty of the neo-colonies and their very humanity to their slave masters with pride and joy.

This explains why the government of La Republique du Cameroun and some of its citizens, mainly the slave orphans of Aujoulat, are cheering Paul Biya the French neo-colonial puppet on for the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity against the people of the Southern Cameroons. The total information blackout in the Southern Cameroons to conceal the genocide and crimes against humanity against the Southern Cameroons is evidence of the planned nature of these crimes and provides additional evidence of the specific intent, (dolo specialis) to commit genocide as well as the state policy requirement for crimes against humanity.

President Paul Biya himself set the tone for the perpetration of these crimes in his end of year address. Prior to that, some of his ministers made televised confessions of their involvement in these crimes and provided the systemic and widespread nature of these crimes. A telephone communications provider, MTN has confessed its complicity in the ongoing crimes admitting that it prioritized its business permit and pecuniary interests by shutting down internet services in the entire territory of the Southern Cameroons knowing that doing so served a criminal purpose and facilitated the perpetration of the ongoing genocide in the Southern Cameroons out of the view of the international community and the genocide early warning mechanism of the United Nations. This conduct makes this and other internet providers which manifested the same special intention and criminal economic motivation in these crimes, complicit in these crimes.

The political and criminal deployment of the army, paramilitary and police forces to use lethal weapons to attack maim and massacre armless civilians in cold blood may be construed as an act of cowardice. However, it exposes and confirms what was always known about the politicization and use of the military, the police and paramilitary forces also known as the Gendarmerie for criminal purposes inconsistent with their constitutional mandates and Cameroons international human rights treaty obligations.

The Commander of the Army should have for his own interest refused to deploy soldiers to attack and kill armless civilians. He would have refused to convert military and paramilitary camps into Detention and torture Centers. This resulted in the students of the University of Buea and several Southern Cameroons people being abducted and detained at the Secretariat of the Gendarmerie and other military and para-military camps. There is no statute of limitation for the punishment of these well- documented crimes. Let those involved in this joint criminal enterprise beware that power no matter how long it has been held hostage by a few will surely leave them and those who abused the power will be held to account. Differently put, as my dear friend Dr Bate Besong whose life was claimed on the demonic Douala-Yaounde grave way once said, those who hold the keys to prison for today must be prepared to taste the reality of the prison themselves. For me, it is as obvious as day follow night that the time for the gatekeepers of power and the prisons of Kondengui and human conscience to take their rightful place in these prisons.

The bogus charges brought against Barrister Agbor Nkongho and others at the Military Tribunal in Yaounde are a violation of international law. International law prohibits the court-martial of civilians. In Gwang Ngume and others v La Republique du Cameroun, ( African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights ) Akwanga v Cameroon (United Nations Human Rights Committee Geneva) and Akwanga v. Cameroon ( African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights, Cameroun was ordered never to charged civilians in Military Tribunals. La Republique du Cameroun has confirmed its pariahs status as a country where the rule of law is inexistence by charging Barrister Agbor Nkongho, Dr Neba Fontem and Mancho Bibixy before a Military Tribunal.

It is also obvious that the criminalization of free speech and civil liberties through the law on which our leaders have been charged was enacted when President Biya conceived the plan to order the commission of genocide in the Southern Cameroons. The wicked charges which have been brought against our leaders are politically motivated and intended to scare Southern Cameroons into submission. This criminal policy was tested with success when the assassination of Um Nyobe, Ernest Ouandie and other UPC leaders frightened and sent citizens of La Republique du Cameroun into perennial fear and docility. Their fear reached frenzy when they acquiesced to the raising of monuments and statues to honour war criminals and the naming of their remarkable streets in their towns after these colonial and neocolonial vampires.

Inspired by the atrocities committed by these neocolonial vampires against their own people, the ideological offspring of Au Louis Paul Aujoulat tired of feeding on the blood of its own citizens have now turned their attention towards the extermination of the valiant free spirited people of the Southern Cameroons. Not satisfied with the slaughter of armless people of the Southern Cameroons, this government has reactivated one of its ultimate instruments of oppression which is the judiciary to legitimize the assassination of our heroes. In so doing, the offspring of Aujoulat and its French political hyenas have so soon forgotten the lessons which come from the very conscience of their history. They assassinated Um Nyobe Mpodol and Ernest Ouandie hoping that the liberating ideology they aspired would die with them. Today, that hydra -headed ideology inspired by Um Nyobe and Ernest and others is back haunting them with the revived campaign against La Republiques colonial military pacts, colonial economic pacts and colonial currency after we roundly rejected colonial rule citing among others French imperial motivation for the annexation and colonization of the Southern Cameroons.

If La Republique du Cameroon thinks for a while that they will frighten the Southern Cameroons to submission or that they will quickly organize a masquerade of neo-colonial justice and render a judgment written in France and in French to convict and legitimize its long held plan to assassinate Barrister Agbor Nkongho, Dr Fontem Neba, Mancho Bibixy and many other Southern Cameroonians captives in its concentration camps as it did with its own liberation leaders, then they will be in for a rude shock awakening. If they exterminate all Southern Cameroonians in the ongoing genocide, then our incorruptible ashes of freedom will raise from the graves which already adorn our territory to seek justice. By imprisoning our colleague and leaders, you have opened the gates of prisons worldwide to yourselves. You invited them for dialogue and now want to use the issues which arose from the said dialogue to send them to the gallows. How mean! How base! How mindless!

But I have one message for all the offspring of criminal Aujoulat and all the neocolonial stooges who believe they hold the power of life and death over freedom seeking people in the Southern Cameroons and Africa, you will never ever kill a liberation ideology with your weapons of mass destruction or criminal ventures. You failed to do so in the case of your own liberation heroes. You will never ever succeed in doing that to ours liberation heroes and our people united in seeking freedom.

I wish in this case to again alert the international community to the ongoing genocide in the Southern Cameroons. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General against the Crimes of Genocide Mr Adama Dieng should immediately intervene and sound a world-wide alarm on the ongoing genocide in the Southern Cameroons. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations against Gender Crimes Mrs Zainab Bangura should immediately intervene and sound an alarm about the crimes of rape, and indignities committed against Southern Cameroons girls and women by the armed forces of La Republique du Cameroon. The European Union should invoke article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement against La Republique du Cameroun for the well-documented crimes committed against the Southern

Cameroons. Although La Republique du Cameroun is not a party to the Rome Treaty, the complicity of MTN a firm based in South Africa which as of now is still a State Party to the Rome Treaty and that of France , a state party having a colonial military pact with La Republique du Cameroun and known to have supplied weapons to La Republique du Cameroun knowing that those weapons were used in the perpetration of crimes and are presently used in the commission of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Southern Cameroons without taking measures to stop them the ICC may have jurisdiction to intervene and open a preliminary examination. All the civilized nations of the world, including countries in the European Union and the USA should immediately impose visa restrictions in all the persons participating in the ongoing crimes in the Southern Cameroons and all countries with universal criminal jurisdiction should immediately initiate criminal actions upon the filing of complaints against the perpetrators of these crimes since La Republique du Cameroun instead of investigating and punishing this criminal conduct has instead intensified the impunity with which these crimes are perpetrated. Finally, the Southern Cameroons has always favoured the path of peace and dialogue to resolving the Southern Cameroons case. International law, natural justice and history are on our side. The so-called one and indivisibility of Cameroon was never an option imposed on us neither at the UN nor even in the Plebiscite in 1961. It was never ever a provision in the purported Federal Constitution.

Those who are fronting this concept are the ones who require being tried for treasonable felony and not peace advocates.
Manifestations a Bamenda PHN

PRESS RELEASE CAMEROON CENSORSHIP AND FREE SPEECH CAMEROON: ARRESTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY BANS RISK INFLAMING TENSIONS IN ENGLISH-SPEAKING REGIONS

20 January 2017, 15:56 UTC

The Cameroonian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release two civil society leaders arrested in the English-speaking part of the country, and lift the ban imposed on their organization, Amnesty International said today.

On 17 January the Minister of Territorial Administration banned the activities of the Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC) and the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC). The president of the CACSC, Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor-Balla, and its Secretary General, Dr. Fontem Afortekaa Neba, were arrested, sparking protests in the southwest city of Buea.

On the same day both Agbor-Balla and Dr. Fontem Neba had signed a statement calling for protest activities to be carried out without violence.

These two men have been arrested solely for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression. This flagrant disregard for basic rights risks inflaming an already tense situation in the English-speaking region of the country and is clearly an attempt to muzzle dissent, said Ilaria Allegrozzi, Amnesty International Central Africa Researcher.

According to the Minister of Territorial Administration, all activities, meetings and demonstrations initiated or promoted by the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC), the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC), any other related groups with similar objectives or by anyone partisan to these groups, are hereby prohibited all over the national territory.

The government has accused the two groups of supporting a series of demonstrations that began in late October 2016 across several cities in the English-speaking region of Cameroon. The protesters are calling, among other things, for an end to the use of French in courts and schools. This week a ghost town strike  where citizens are asked to remain at home - was called in the regions main cities.

This worrying pattern of arbitrary arrests, detention and harassment of civil society members is entirely at odds with the international human rights law and standards that Cameroon has committed to uphold, said Ilaria Allegrozzi.

In December, at least two unarmed protestors were killed in Bamenda, the largest city in the English-speaking region, when security forces used live ammunition to disperse a protest.

For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in Dakar, Senegal, +221 77 658 62 27 or +221 33 869 82 31; Email: [email protected]
SYNES Remains Relsolute On Its Stance Demands Release of Member Wilson MUSA

Dear Anglophone University Teachers, It is typically Anglophone for intellectuals to stand up or speak for the deprived or marginalized.

Dear Anglophone University Teachers,

It is typically Anglophone for intellectuals to stand up or speak for the deprived or marginalized. Their role as torch bearer is even more urgent when we witness the scale of injustice that has pervaded our society and pushed Anglophones to the fringes of our society. How can we sit quiet when the students who go through our educational system have no place in a country they rightly think is theirs too?

They are not fit to enter even the professional schools they think were created to serve their interest because everything requires that they know someone or have money. The fact that students who go through our system with 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or even 25 points in the GCE A/L cannot enter Medical School in UB or UBa is inexcusable.

This and a long list of other grievances pushed ALL Anglophone teachers to go on strike after they had been ignored for 10 months.

I will like to thank ALL Anglophone teachers and parents for saying ENOUGH to a system which insults us and our children and makes us to feel like strangers in our own home. We would also like to thank our Francophone counterparts who have stood by us and believed in the need for justice for children who go through our system of education. May I also thank our students for understanding that our goal is no less than to give them equal chances in a bi-cultural, bilingual and bi-jural Cameroon? They have well behaved so far; they stayed at home and have not yielded to any provocation.

It is, however, shameful that some intellectuals, at this critical moment in history, some of them retired professors, can still afford the shameful option of thinking that they can continue to protect their garri at the expense of the peoples aspirations. The press is not surprising, but it is a needless distraction and shameless expression of their appetite for impunity.

May I reiterate that the strike continues until we are given a definite solution to this beggarly life that has been imposed on us and our children. We are working in synergy with other Anglophone teacher unions and will stop at nothing to obtain fair treatment for Anglophones in Cameroon. The teachers are still on strike and we will inform students when the issues have been resolved satisfactorily.

Once again, we salute your massive support and determination to make a date with history.

PROF. JAMES ARREY ABANGMA

PRESIDENT, SYNES-UB
| BY Lynchy |

CB Exclusive: Wrigley and DDB Sydney have launched a campaign to introduce their new Eclipse Chewy Mints. The Chew Your Way to Fresh campaign is led by a new 30 sec TVC shot by director Justin Reardon from production company Station.

Created using motion-control technology, the TVC follows a conversation between a couple who start out feeling not at their best, and then gradually find themselves becoming mysteriously fresher as a result of consuming the new range of mints.

Says David Chriswick, planning director: This ad is once again the outcome of a desire to build more engaging brand experiences. Last years Toll Booth spot got the ball rolling and this new work is a step forward again. The product is great and were all determined to make the brand as equally successful through distinctive advertising that people like to spend some time with.

Says Steve Wakelam, creative director at DDB Sydney: We wanted to create a simple ad that is essentially a product demonstration of increasing freshness  its just a slightly bizarre one.

Says Chris Blayney, Wrigley marketing director: Were excited to launch the new Chew Your Way to Fresh campaign. It continues the Eclipse brands tradition of unexpected and humourous advertising and introduces a new format that promises to bring new consumers into the Eclipse brand.

The TVC launched on Sunday in both Australia and New Zealand and will be supported by out-of-home, social media, and a substantial in-store campaign.

Client: Wrigley

Marketing Director: Chris Blayney

Marketing Manager, Mints & Confections: Alexandra Skolarikis

Brand Manager, Mints: Annabel Badilla

Consumer Insights Manager: Despy Butler

Creative: DDB Sydney

Executive Creative Director: Dylan Harrison

Deputy ECD: Darwin Tomlinson

Creative Directors: Steve Wakelam, Nick Pringle

Creative Teams: Steve Wakelam, Nick Pringle; David Fraser, Dantie van der Merwe

Head of TV Production: Brenden Johnson

Group Business Director: Rebecca Crawford

Senior Business Manager: Matty Graham

Planning Director: David Chriswick

Production Company: Station Films

Director: Justin Reardon

Executive Producer: Caroline Gibney

Producer: Norm Reiss

Post-Production: Method Studios

Flame: Richard Lambert

Grade: Andrew Clarkson

Post Producer: Briohny Pogue

Music: Smith & Weston

Sound design: Song Zu
Friday, January 20, 2017 at 3:33PM

With great job interview skills and a solid resume, business professionals can receive multiple job offers from which they can select the best employment for their specific needs. Many companies are now looking closely at their staff to ensure that each member is a good fit.

While your online business administration degree may have been the key to you getting your last job offer, your career is only going to be as active as you make it. Whether you want to stay where you are for the foreseeable future or you have plans to keep moving up the corporate ladder, it is essential that you are able to retain your position until you decide to move on. These next four tips will make it easier for you to hold onto your job, even amid layoffs, instability and other situations that could potentially put your job at risk.

1. Stay in Contact with HR

When a company has major plans that involve hiring and firing decisions, the human resources department is always first to know. Make sure that you know who your personal contact within HR is, then develop a friendly and professional relationship. You dont want to treat your HR liaison as a personal friend, but you do want to have a strong connection.

2. Move beyond an Entry Level Position

Companies are only interested in terminating employees that arent capable of carrying their weight. In an entry level position, you might go unnoticed and your supervisors may not be able to see your full potential. Whenever your employer has a new position posted, whether it is in your department or somewhere else, always make your interest known. Even if an open position seems like it is out of your league, you can fall back on your online bachelors in business to give your application more appeal.

3. Work Cooperatively with Management

Are you the type of worker who is remembered for always being motivated and action oriented, or are you constantly getting into arguments with the people who are providing you with tasks and instructions? You want to be certain that you wont be the first nominated for termination just because you arent getting along with management. Theres a smart and professional way going about disagreeing with the way that management makes its decisions, and there is an immature way that will always certainly guarantee your demise.

4. Develop Skills and Advance Education

In times past, you used to be able to pretty much land a job straight out of college, never work anywhere else or even be promoted, and still be able to look forward to retiring securely at the same organization. Those days are long gone and neither employees nor employers have the same type of views on job security or loyalty anymore. If you arent going to be applying internally for a higher level position, furthering your education in a subject that directly relates to your field is one of the best thing that you can do to keep your job.

Employees can make plans that involve their employers directly, but you cant depend on your job to keep your position safe. In addition to keeping your resume polished up, it is suggested that you keep your ears open and remain aware of any type of change that might put your job at risk. If youre known for doing your job well, youre well regarded by HR and you havent been a nuisance to your management team, theres not much more that you can do to make your job bulletproof.
Friday, January 20, 2017 at 9:26PM

Things are getting ugly between Apple and Qualcomm. Apple filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm this Friday claiming the chip manufacturer charges excessive royalties and is withholding payments in retaliation for Apples cooperation with South Korean regulators that are investigating Qualcomm. Apple is also accusing the chip supplier of charging an unfair amount to license its cellular patents. The tech giant is seeking almost US$1 billion in rebate payments, which have been withheld because of Apples cooperation in the investigation against Qualcomm.

"To protect this business scheme, Qualcomm has taken increasingly radical steps, most recently withholding nearly $1B in payments from Apple as retaliation for responding truthfully to law enforcement agencies investigating them," Apple said in a statement released to CNN.

South Korean regulators have fined Qualcomm almost $850 million last month because it has found the chip maker guilty of forcing phone manufacturers into unfair patent licensing agreements so they can get access to Qualcomms chips. The chip supplier is also in hot water with the Federal Trade Commission for pushing "onerous and anti-competitive supply and licensing terms" on phone manufacturers.

In a statement released by Reuters, Qualcomm General Counsel Don Rosenberg disputes Apples claims and calls them baseless.

"Apple has been actively encouraging regulatory attacks on Qualcomms business in various jurisdictions around the world, as reflected in the recent KFTC decision and FTC complaint, by misrepresenting facts and withholding information," Rosenberg says in the statement. "We welcome the opportunity to have these meritless claims heard in court where we will be entitled to full discovery of Apples practices and a robust examination of the merits.
Friday, January 20, 2017 at 4:05PM

Samsung is set to reveal its findings during a press conference on Sunday related to the explosions of the recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7, a device that the company was force to recall and discontinue the model which was considered to be one of the best smartphones in the market late last year before some units were combusting sporntaneously. The recall really hurt Samsung's brand as the Note 7 was not allowed on airplanes and various high profile incidents of explosions and fire made mainstream media.

Samsung will present its own investigation finding as well as results from "expert organizations" that conducted independent analysis of the Note 7 fires.



"Samsung Electronics, as well as independent expert organizations who conducted their own investigation into various aspects of the Galaxy Note 7 incidents, will share their findings," the statement reads, as reported by The Verge. "Samsung will discuss the findings of the investigations and unveil new measures Samsung has implemented in response to the incidents."
Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 12:29PM

To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, Microsoft is partnering with heritage sites and points of interest including the Toronto Zoo to give Canadian students the opportunity to learn more about their country  without leaving their classroom  via Skype virtual field trips.

On Monday, January 23, 2017 join Janet Kennedy, President of Microsoft Canada and Robin Hale, Chief Operating Officer at the Toronto Zoo as they connect with students from Port Alberni, B.C.  more than 4,000 kilometers away to give a behind-the-scenes tour of the Toronto Zoo's Great Lakes Program.

Microsoft is harnessing the power of Skype technology to give students the chance to explore Canada's premier destinations  such as the Toronto Zoo  and engage in 'live learning adventures' in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary.
Many of the banners alluded to comments Mr Trump made in a video leaked during the campaign, when he said he could "just grab [women] by the pussy" because he was wealthy and famous.
I am frothing and spraying about this subject at this time not only because this is the summer of our discontent but also because the new ACT government needs to be prodded, now, into adding more public art to our city. When I voted Labor at the ACT elections it was not only because I would rather be torn apart by cannibal zombies than ever vote Liberal but also because a Labor government is our best hope of more fine public art for Canberra. The ACT Liberals are art philistines, and populist philistines at that, quick to suck up to those angry, soulless, Trump-like Canberrans who seethe that public art is a scandalous waste of money.
Real life case studies were examined, including one on Jake Bilardi, a young suicide bomber who travelled from his home in Melbourne to carry out an attack in Iraq. Another was on Farhad Jabar, the 15-year-old who shot and killed an unarmed police civilian accountant in Parramatta. A third was Gerrah Selby, a young UK woman who was charged with planting hoax bombs and sending death threats to employees of a large company carrying out animal testing of products.
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 ...
Do you "like"? Do you "tweet"? Do you tube? Does your business do any or all of these things and, if so, does it really ...
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Mercedes-Benz are getting ready to enter the electric car wars with a number of new models including a dedicated compact hatch.



Believed to go on sale before the turn of the decade, possibly using the EQA moniker, as part of the companys EQ sub-brand, the zero-emission compact model was hinted by the Mercedes-Benz VP for Marketing, Jens Theimer, during the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, who told AutoExpress:

We will see EQ cars in every segment, from compact cars to big segments.

If these are indeed the automakers plans, then expect their compact EV to be close to the next generation A-Class, while being underpinned by a new scalable platform. This architecture allows for an electric motor to be placed on each axle to provide permanent AWD, but to reduce costs, the compact hatch will only get one electric motor and offer a range of around 500km (~310 miles).

Another electric model in the works is a crossover based on the same architecture as the EQA and inspired by the Generation EQ Concept, presented last fall in Paris.

Besides expanding their compact family with zero-emission models, Mercedes-Benz are also expected to launch a new SUV named the GLB which will be based on the same MFA2 platform as the upcoming A-Class. To differentiate itself from the more crossover-ish GLA, the GLB will have more rugged looks and be more capable off-road.

Rounding up the lineup will be a four-door version of the next A-Class, which will compete against the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series sedans in select markets like China. It will also be underpinned by the second generation MFA platform and its expected to slot between the CLA and C-Class.

Note: Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept pictured

PHOTO GALLERY
Police in New York are searching for a man who crashed a stolen BMW X5 into a C7 Corvette the early hours of Tuesday morning and caused havoc on nearby roads.



According to NBC New York, the driver of the cream-colored X5 was spotted by a New Jersey police officer speeding in Newark at about 1:53 am. The driver sped eastbound and went through the Holland Tunnel before the trooper called off the chase.

However, at approximately 2 am and after exiting the Holland Tunnel, the X5 driver careened into a white C7-generation Corvette at high speed. The impact was severe enough to cause heavy damage to the front of the Corvette and to send the X5 into the front of an art museum.

Despite the severity of the crash, the BMW driver managed to break through the windshield and flee the scene.

Although the exact condition of the BMW driver isnt known, they are believed to be injured and a task force has been established to find them. Fortunately, the 28-year-old driver of the Corvette escaped with minor injuries.

VIDEO
Footage of a semi-truck hitting a school bus in Pasco County, Florida, near the I-75 overpass, has been released to the public.



The three angles we have, depict the moment of the impact from another truck drivers perspective, but also show what happened inside the school bus, where we see the driver attempt to steer the bus to a halt, as well as a passenger fly out of her seat.

According to ABC, Florida Highway Patrol cited the semi driver for failing to yield, which was startling since he inexplicably executed his left turn from the first lane while going around a car.

There were five students on the bus, and thankfully, none of them suffered any serious injuries. The person you see thrown from her seat was a bus aide; she was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.

I was crying I was thinking that we werent going to go home and I got scared a lot, said one of the children on board. The window broke and the front part of the school bus broke too.

Luckily, neither the truck nor the school bus were traveling particularly fast, which is what kept damages and injuries to a minimum.

VIDEO
Japanese auteur Masaaki Yuasa (Mind Game, Ping Pong, The Tatami Galaxy) directed not one, but two animated features that will be released in spring 2017. The newly announced Lu Over the Wall (Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta) released a trailer this week:

The films story, according to Crunchyroll, follows the encounter and relationship between a junior high school boy Kai who lives in a fishing port town and Lu, a mermaid girl comes from the sea.

Manga artist Youko Nemu provided original character designs, while Nobutake Ito (The Tatami Galaxy, Ping Pong) adapted the designs for animation and served as animation director. Yuasa co-wrote the screenplay with veteran film and anime screenwriter Reiko Yoshida, and Takatsugu Muramatsu composed the soundtrack.
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Save Skaha Park protests last year

Management of parks and green space has no doubt been one of the most contentious issues for the City of Penticton in recent history.

Public uproar and fallout from the Skaha Lake Park waterslide saga has some people thinking there is a better way to manage public space.

The city is in the middle of creating a new parks master plan. The committee steering the process will disband once the final document is complete, but the chairman of the committee believes the city needs some form of permanent oversight.

During Wednesday's meeting, chairman Ron Ramsey tabled a motion calling for the creation of a local parks board, to review and approve all changes proposed to defined park areas.

His suggestion doesnt include an elected board like Vancouver, but an appointed group made up of stakeholders and community members that would debate parks related issues before they are sent to council.

Ramsey said his motion was narrowly defeated, but with most parks committee members actually speaking in favour of the idea. He said it was ultimately voted down because the committee thought it was premature.

My intention is to bring this back to the next meeting I just wanted to tee this thing up, Ramsey said, adding there was still discussion to be had over whether the board would manage just green space, or public recreation facilities as well.

"In my opinion those are completely intertwined," he said.
Photo: GoFundMe

Support is pouring in for the family of a 16-month-old boy who died in a tragic daycare accident.

"Baby Mac," is described as a joyful tot whose short life was surrounded by love.

Mac died in an East Vancouver daycare.

Friends and family have launched an online fundraiser for Mac's parents, Shelly and Chris.

"Mac was incredibly empathetic for a boy who wasn't even two years old yet. If you stubbed your toe or bumped your head, he would want to make sure you were OK," it reads. There are no words to express the pain that is being experienced in this household today. I lack the ability to describe the emptiness in our hearts.

We all miss him so much. Mac was like a brilliant star that appeared in our lives for only a short time, but will forever change us all.

According to the fundraiser, Chris works entirely on commission and apart from paying for funeral arrangements, the donations are intended to help ease the financial burden on the devastated parents.

By Friday afternoon, $53,000 had been donated.

Mac died Wednesday at a home near Kitchener Street and Commercial Drive. On Thursday, a family member told CTV News the toddler was killed in an unfortunate accident while in daycare.

The BC Coroners Service and detectives from the Vancouver Police Department's Major Crime Section are continuing to investigate.

Few details of the probe have been released, but police said the circumstances do not appear suspicious.

- with files from CTV
Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A man facing charges for the beating of a psychiatrist in Penticton is suing the doctor he allegedly attacked.

Gregory Nield claims Dr. Rajeev Sheoran is responsible for the confrontation, which took place in December 2014 in the psychiatric ward of PRH.

In a lawsuit filed in Kelowna on Jan. 12, Nield alleges Sheoran unlawfully imprisoned him because he falsified a medical certificate, which allowed Nield to be held against his will for 48 hours.

Defendant Rajeev Sheoran was negligent in his purported treatment of the plaintiff, deliberately antagonizing and provoking the plaintiff, the notice of claim alleges.

As a result of the false imprisonment by the defendants, the plaintiff attempted to escape and justifiably assaulted the defendant Sheoran in the process, it continues.

The lawsuit also names Interior Health, and claims he was force-fed drugs while being held in the psychiatric ward.

The doctor already filed his own civil claim against Nield in September 2016 for the alleged assault, a lawsuit that also names Interior Health for failing to keep him safe. The lawsuit alleges Nield is trained in jiu jitsu and has a history of violence.

The allegations contained in both lawsuits have not been proven in court, and neither have filed responses to each claim.

A pre-trial conference for the aggravated assault charge is set for March 1.
Photo: DriveBC

UPDATE: 7:30 p.m.

The road has reopened eight kilometres west of Chase.

Highway 1 is closed in both directions eight kilometres west of Chase because of a crash.

A detour is available along Highway 97A, Highway 97B and Highway 97N, through Monte Creek.

There is no estimated time of reopening.
Photo: Contributed

A mountain peak on British Columbia's North Shore is being named in honour of a long-time leader in the province's search and rescue community.

Premier Christy Clark has announced a 1,425-metre peak northeast of North Vancouver will be called Tim Jones Peak.

Part of Mount Seymour Provincial Park, the area was previously known as Second Pump Peak.

Jones worked as an advanced life support paramedic and led North Shore Rescue for many years, developing training techniques that allowed the group to perform rescue operations at the highest level.

He also advocated for search and rescue volunteers, lobbying for funding and recognition.

Jones was 57 years old when he died in January 2014 while hiking on Mount Seymour with his daughter and his dog.

During his time with North Shore Rescue, Jones helped more than 1,600 people, Clark said.

"He risked his neck every time to make sure those 1,600 people got home safe," she said, calling Jones a "real British Columbian hero."

"He was the best of us," Clark added.

The rescuer's daughter, Taylor Jones, said her family is grateful for the way Jones is being honoured.

"Our family will hike and ski tour to Tim Jones Peak frequently and be reminded of how lucky we were to spend part of our lives with such a caring, empathetic, compassionate and adventurous father who has left such a positive legacy of volunteerism in British Columbia," she said.
Photo: www.news.cn

At least two people were killed and 10 others are missing after a hotel in central China was buried in a landslide, the local government reported Saturday.

Crews were working to dig out those trapped in the Mirage Hotel that was struck by the disaster around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, the government of Nanzhang county in Hunan province said.

Three people were rescued and recovering in a hospital, the county government said in a news release.

The official Xinhua News Agency said 3,000 cubic meters (106,000 cubic feet) of debris tumbled down a slope behind the three-story hotel. It said the cause of the collapse is under investigation.

Xinhua said rescuers pulled five survivors from the debris, two of whom died in a hospital.

Hilly and densely populated Hunan is frequently struck by landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
Photo: The Canadian Press

UPDATE: 4:00 p.m.

A day after more than 200 people were arrested in Washington while protesting the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the Woman's March on Washington didn't yield a single arrest.

That's according to the District of Columbia's homeland security director, Christopher Geldart.

Friday's protests were led by self-described anarchists, and federal prosecutors say most of those arrested will be charged with felony rioting.

Geldart says, "I think our Metropolitan Police Department performed not only admirably but outstandingly."

He adds, "They knew when we had those who were trying to destroy things and those who were trying to peacefully protest."

Geldart says it is safe to say the crowd at the Women's March exceeded the 500,000 that organizers told city officials to expect. That would make it one of the largest demonstrations in the city's history.

UPDATE: 2:40 p.m.

On his way back from the CIA, President Donald Trump has gotten a first-hand look at the Women's March on Washington.

As the president's motorcade wound through downtown Washington, he passed by hundreds of protesters lining the streets.

Many were holding bright pink signs, and they screamed and chanted as he drove past them in the impossible-to-miss presidential limo. Thousands gathered on the Ellipse are also visible from the White House lawn.

Their roar was also clearly audible to passengers stepping out of the presidential motorcade and back into the White House.

UPDATE: 11:50 a.m.

A massive turnout at the Women's March on Washington has forced a change of plans. With the entire planned route filled with hundreds of thousands of protesters, organizers can't lead a formal march toward the White House.

That's according to a District of Columbia official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official isn't authorized to speak for the march.

The official says that shortly before 1 p.m., people were standing along the entire march route.

While there will be no formal march led from the protest stage near the Capitol, the crowd is still expected to move toward the Ellipse, an area of the National Mall in front of the White House.

The official says there could be more than half a million people on the Mall, but it's difficult to estimate because low cloud cover is making aerial photographs impossible.

ORIGINAL: 7:20 a.m.

Hundreds of Canadian women, many of them wearing pink knit hats or carrying signs emblazoned with the maple leaf and the slogan "sisters of the north", filled the sidewalks of Washington, D.C. Saturday morning as they made their way to a massive rally for women's rights.

Residents came out onto their porches to shout words of encouragement and snap photos of the crowd. Others handed out free coffee.

"We're from Canada!" one woman shouted to a man who greeted the marchers from the front door of his home. "Really?" he replied incredulously. "See you there!"

Roughly 600 Canadian travellers, most of them women, made the overnight trek on chartered buses from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Windsor, Ont. to participate in what's being called the Women's March on Washington. Others made their way to the U.S. capital by car or plane.

The rally is billed as supporting women's rights rather than protesting Donald Trump, the newly crowned U.S. president, who was officially sworn in Friday.

City officials in Washington said Saturday morning that the turnout estimate for the march on the National Mall stood at 500,000 people  more than double the initial predictions. There were early signs across the city that the crowds could top those that gathered on Friday to watch Trump's inauguration.

Many Canadian participants said they were spurred to act by Trump's controversial comments during the election campaign.

Sadaf Jamal, 38, says many people have felt marginalized as a result of the campaign and she wants to help them "stand proud."

"I'm a Muslim woman and that is why I'm marching, because I want to empower all Muslim women," she said on a bus from Toronto.

"Why should we be marginalized?  There's nothing wrong with us. We are talented women, we are courageous women, we can be whatever we want to be."

A dual Canadian-American citizen, Elizabeth Wolfenden said she cried for hours after Trump was elected.

The 18-year-old, who has many relatives still in the U.S., said she initially planned to march with her mother but decided to make the trip alone after her mother was sidelined by an injury.

The rally, she said, is her first trip alone.

"I just really want to take part in history," she said.

"I think this will be historical and I want to say that I was there, that I did something, that I tried to make a difference and I let my voice be heard, that I joined a movement that I think is really important."

Marches were also planned Saturday in virtually every major Canadian city as well as many smaller centres.
Photo: aljazeera.com

A bomb exploded Saturday in a market in a northwest tribal region that borders Afghanistan, killing 22 people and wounding at least 50, officials said.

Dr. Sabir Hussain at the main hospital in Parachinar, the capital of Pakistan's Kurram tribal region, said two more wounded victims died in the hospital, increasing the death toll.

Shahid Khan, an assistant tribal administrator, said the explosion took place when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop. He said the attack was being investigated.

Lashker-e-Jhangvi, a banned sectarian militant group that has attacked minority Shiites Muslims in the past, claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing took place in a predominantly Shiite area of Kurram, which has seen attacks by Sunni militants who have hideouts there. Shiites are a minority in Pakistan.

"That was our combined work with Shahryar group of Mahsud Taliban," Ali Sufyan, a spokesman for the banned group, wrote in a text message to an AP reporter.

Kurram has been the scene of increased militant activities in recent years and the Army carried out a massive operation against extremists in the region but they still have the capacity to strike.

Khan said some of the wounded were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Hospitals in tribal regions and rural areas of Pakistan typically are not equipped to handle such emergencies.

Khan said the number of wounded increased but they include those who sustained minor injuries. He also said the death the toll had increased to 22.

Ashiq Hussain, who was lightly wounded, was being treated in Parachinar hospital. He said he was among the people purchasing fruits and vegetables loaded on a van when the explosion took place. "There was a big bang and I saw a dark cloud of smoke and dust before passing out," he said.

Ashiq Hussain said he saw bleeding bodies and severed limbs and heard cries when he came back to his senses. "I was just bleeding from my leg," he said. "Thank God I am alive."

Initially, seven people were brought dead from the vegetable market blast site and more than 60 wounded, according to Dr. Hussain. Thirteen of the critically wounded died earlier while being treated, he said.

Shiite leader Faqir Hussain said all the bodies were brought to a Shiite mosque.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television that the remnants of militant groups targeted by security forces were trying to show their existence by such attacks.

"Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces and the remaining will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them," he said.
Photo: CTV

It's a miracle an instructor and student pilot survived a small plane crash, says their local flying club.

Transportation Safety Board are investigating the scene of the Cessna crash near Duncan Airport on Thursday.

The plane struck power lines before going down in a farmers field.

A female instructor and male student from Victoria Flying Club both survived.

Both doing well as can be expected, club president Ramona Reynolds told CTV. Its a miracle.

The student was able to pull himself out of the wreckage with only minor injuries, but the instructor had to be extricated by firefighters and is in hospital in serious condition.

The flying club praised the student for staying calm during the emergency, which happened during a touch-and-go exercise at the airport.

 with files from CTV Vancouver Island


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Well, it's official. The Big Man himself is now the president. Here's the thing: He has a whole team of advisors to help him through the transition, but who's to say those advisors know about your needs? To make sure the president hears your concerns about the coming year, join citizens across the country as they participate in Story Circles for the People's State of the Union . Story Circles are a way for voters to meet up and share their experiences with each other and, in the long run, the president. To have your voice heard, go to the National Hispanic Cultural Center this Saturday, Jan. 28 , at 1:30pm . This important meeting is free and open to citizens of all ages. (Joshua Lee)

Join a transition team to advise on directions and strategies for the new president.

COME TO THE PEOPLES STATE OF THE UNION AND SHARE YOUR VISION!

Democracy is a conversation, not a monologue.

Between January 27 & February 5, 2017, individuals and communities across the U.S. will participate in story circles as part of the Peoples State of the Union (PSOTU).

Most years, the President delivers a State of the Union Address highlighting the past year and priorities for the coming one. During inauguration years there is no official speech. When a new President is elected, a transition team is assembled to advise on directions and strategies. But a handful of experts cant represent all of us. We the People would like to play a part in advising the President.

Everyone who takes part in Story Circles will serve as a member of the PSOTU Transition Team, sharing experiences and wisdom with each other, our community, and the President-Elect.

PSOTU STORY CIRCLES: ALBUQUERQUE

Hosted by: Artful Life, Tiaso Artist Cooperative, and the USDAC

Date: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, National Hispanic Cultural Center, Domenici Education Center, 1701 4th St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102

Time: 1:30-3:30 pm

Register: www.artful-life.org

For more information: info@artful-life.org
This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions
Illinois ended 2016 with 28,400 more jobs than it had when the year started, though a big job drop in December didn't help the cause.

The state lost 16,700 jobs in December, the most of any month last year, according to preliminary data released Friday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The unemployment rate rose a notch to 5.7 percent in December, up from 5.6 percent in November. During December 2015, the Illinois unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.

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The agency also revised preliminary job numbers for November to show a loss rather than a gain. The state lost 4,500 jobs in November, as opposed to the 1,700 gain that was reported last month.

Department Director Jeff Mays called the end-of-year drop "troubling, to say the least." Jobs grew by 0.5 percent rate over the year in Illinois, slower than the 1.5 percent gain for the nation. The national unemployment rate of 4.7 percent also ticked up last month, but Illinois' rate remains significantly higher.

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"Illinois needs structural reforms and a balanced budget to attract new jobs and investment in our state," said Sean McCarthy, acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The job gains over the year in 2016 were an improvement over 2015, when Illinois lost 3,000 jobs.

The December job losses primarily were in education and health services, professional and business services, and construction. The most job gains in December were in financial activities and information.

But over the course of the year, professional and business services added 31,600 jobs, the most of all the categories, and leisure and hospitality followed with 11,900 jobs.

Manufacturing lost 11,000 jobs last year, the most of the industry categories. Construction jobs declined by 9,700, information by 2,900 and financial activities also by 2,900.

There were 374,500 people unemployed in Illinois last month, about 6,100 more than in November but down 6.5 percent from the prior year.

Unemployment numbers count people who are out of work and looking for work, but not those who have given up.

aelejalderuiz@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @alexiaer
Workplace lawsuits targeting employers' pay practices have been on the rise for years, some yielding massive settlements, but a major Supreme Court decision expected this year could reverse that trend if the justices allow companies to use arbitration agreements that prohibit class actions.

The Supreme Court recently accepted for review three cases that have diverged on the legality of workplace arbitration agreements, which force employees to resolve grievances through an arbitrator and waive their rights to participate in class-action lawsuits.

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Arbitration agreements  which consumers commonly sign, often without realizing it, when they start a credit card or cellphone contract  are becoming increasingly popular among employers who want to avoid costly and lengthy battles with their workers in court.

The court's review comes as private workplace lawsuits are expected to rise under President Donald Trump. Gerald Maatman, a partner in the Chicago office of Seyfarth Shaw who represents management in workplace lawsuits, said that while workplace agencies during the Obama years aggressively investigated and sued employers for violations, Republican administrations historically have backed off enforcement, and plaintiffs' attorneys usually end up filing more lawsuits on behalf of workers to fill the void.

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Curbing class actions, a key tool workers have to fight violations, because individual claims would fetch too paltry a sum to be worth a lawyer's time, could alter that landscape amid a boom in litigation involving pay.

"Potentially, if arbitration agreements are valid for wage disputes, that could very much drive down the number of lawsuits filed," said James Bormes, a Chicago attorney who represents employees in workplace suits. That's worrisome, he said, because without the threat of class actions, "I think it will give a green light to some companies to commit wage violations."

But to David Ritter, a partner in the Chicago office of Barnes & Thornburg who represents management, arbitration is a preferred alternative to lawsuits that are "adversarial from the start" and hammer good employers who try to comply with laws but sometimes make mistakes.

"If class-action waivers are allowed by the Supreme Court, it will be a critical defense that employers can use to stop these wage-and-hour cases that cost so much money and take so much time and are very hard to defend against," Ritter said.

Last year was a banner year for pricey settlements for wage-and-hour class-action lawsuits, the hottest segment of workplace litigation, in part because they are the easiest to bring as class actions. Wage-and-hour cases involve overtime and minimum wage violations and other laws covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

The value of the top 10 wage-and-hour class-action settlements surged to $695.5 million last year, from $436.6 million in 2015 and $215.3 million the year before, according to an annual report from Seyfarth Shaw on workplace class-action litigation. That's in contrast to other categories of workplace litigation, such as cases involving discrimination and pension plans, which saw settlement values decline last year after reaching all-time highs in 2014 and 2015.

Federal wage-and-hour lawsuit filings ticked down last year for the first time after rising steadily for 15 years, but that appears to be an aberration, said Maatman, who is lead author of the Seyfarth Shaw report. He expects filing numbers to rise and hit records again in 2017.

"If you're an employer, the No. 1 risk is how you pay people," Maatman said.

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To Bormes, the prevalence of the suits suggests many companies make a business decision to not pay employees properly and deal with consequences should they come.

"These are the people on the lowest economic rung of society," he said. "If you're a huge employer and you're shaving just a quarter a day per employee, that's a whole bunch of money at the end of the year."

But to Ritter, the management-side lawyer, the thirst for wage-and-hour litigation has more to do with lawyers eyeing a potential payout.

"Plaintiffs lawyers see dollar signs, and if they can find a single plaintiff (to file a class action), it's like ready, shoot, aim," he said. Employers rarely get a chance to resolve the issue before they're hit with a lawsuit, he added.

The rise in wage-and-hour cases, which began to accelerate in the late 1990s but surged in the past decade, can be attributed to a number of factors.

Technology is one. Smartphones and nonstop email access have raised new questions about when the workday begins and ends, Maatman said.

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In addition, the cost and burden of proof for certifying a case as a class action is lower in wage-and-hour claims than other types of employment litigation, he said.

Maatman expects wage-and-hour class actions to continue their ascent this year amid a "perfect storm" of conditions.

Part of it is awareness. The Obama administration's plan to make millions more Americans eligible for overtime by raising the salary threshold at which workers are exempt from collecting the extra pay  a move which is in limbo after a federal court blocked its implementation  garnered ample attention that may prompt workers to take a closer look at their paychecks to make sure they are being compensated properly, Maatman said.

Part of it is political. The new administration could drive more lawsuits if the Department of Labor under Trump, predicted to be less regulatory, eases up on enforcement and private plaintiffs attorneys pick up the slack, he said.

Part of it is legal. A Supreme Court ruling last year in favor of thousands of workers at a Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Iowa who wished to be paid for time spent putting on and removing protective gear could make it easier to prove commonality for a class action, he said, by softening prior precedent.

Whether the Supreme Court's decision on mandatory arbitration agreements upends those trends remains to be seen.

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It also remains to be seen if Trump's Supreme Court nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia  author of a major opinion favoring arbitration agreements, and the jurist who Trump has said would be the model for his pick  will be on the bench in time for the decision.

At issue in the three cases the Supreme Court is reviewing is whether arbitration agreements that preclude class actions are illegal under the National Labor Relations Act, which protects workers' rights to engage in "concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection."

The National Labor Relations Board has held that they are, and rulings in two of the cases under review agreed. But the decision in the third case rejects that position, finding instead that such agreements are valid under the Federal Arbitration Act. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that arbitration agreements are enforceable under that act.

But critics of the agreements say the arbitration system is stacked against employees.

Not only are employees unlikely to come forward by themselves with a grievance for fear of losing their job, but hiring an attorney often isn't worth the expense, said Seth Goldstein, a senior business representative with Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 153.

In addition, the employer pays for the arbitrator, potentially biasing the proceedings in the employer's favor, Goldstein said.

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"Everyone is trying to make this issue into an efficiency issue, but it's not about efficiency, you're dealing with someone's due process," he said.

Jennifer Fultz, of Rockford, thought she was holding onto her due process when she was fired for refusing to sign an arbitration agreement waiving her right to go to court. She worked at a call center run by Expert Global Solutions, which recently had been acquired by Alorica, an outsourcing giant with nearly 100,000 workers around the globe.

Fultz said she was called into the office at work in September and told to sign the document. Concerned about losing her rights, she asked to see a lawyer, but was denied and told she had 30 minutes to sign or they would declare her voluntarily resigned, she said.

Fultz said she wanted it documented that she was being fired. The company called police, who escorted off the property, she said.

Fultz, who was making $11 an hour plus bonuses, said "it hurt" to lose her only income and be tossed out.

"It's frustrating, it's upsetting, just going back to that day knowing I was escorted out of my company by a cop, in front of my co-workers, no less," said Fultz, 32, who is receiving unemployment benefits. "For standing up for my rights."

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Fultz, who is represented by Goldstein, filed unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB, which filed a complaint against Expert Global Solutions and Alorica. Fultz and Goldstein want a national order requiring Alorica to reinstate Fultz and stop using arbitration agreements.

Expert Global Solutions and Alorica did not respond to a request for comment.

aelejalderuiz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @alexiaer
PARK CITY, UTAH  Two days in, sandwiched between a coolly received presidential inauguration and Saturday's anti-Trump march down Main Street here in Park City, "The Big Sick" is the hit so far of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.

Most of the movie, the best of it, works like crazy with an audience. With luck producer Judd Apatow and company will elect to do the tough-love thing and find the right 10 minutes to cut out of its final third. Even so: On its own modest scale the movie could do for its cowriter and star Kumail Nanjiani, now on HBO's "Silicon Valley" and a five-year alum of Chicago's comedy scene, what "Trainwreck" (the recent, Apatow-steered comic showcase) did for Amy Schumer.

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Directed by Michael Showalter, "The Big Sick" works as a fictionalized account of how Nanjiani and his cowriter and wife, Emily V. Gordon, met in Chicago and how a coma played a key role in brokering their happiness. Nanjiani portrays a droll Uber-driver/aspiring comedian version of his younger self. Zoe Kazan, a deft and sharp-witted scene partner, plays Emily, a University of Chicago graduate student; Holly Hunter and Ray Romano enjoy juicy supporting roles as Emily's parents, perplexed by the man in their daughter's life, pulled into each other's orbits by an alarming medical emergency.

MOST READ ENTERTAINMENT NEWS THIS HOUR

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Like Mike Birbiglia's recent film "Don't Think Twice," "The Big Sick" comes from an authentic perspective of comic strivers trying to hit their stride.

"I loved that movie," a happily dazed Nanjiani told me Friday night at the post-screening party held at the Chase Sapphire lounge on Main. "Don't Think Twice," he said, made him cry. "I mean, since Trump got elected, every film I see makes me cry. But that one I saw before the election, so the fact that it made me cry really means something."

The party was loud so Nanjiani and I slipped downstairs, past the coat check, and in the basement we found a couple of chairs a few yards from a snoring, couch-bound film festival volunteer. The snow blew in circles outside; inside, all was goodwill, meatball appetizers and talk of the "buyer frenzy" (so said one industry reporter) as "The Big Sick" locks in a distributor en route to its likely theatrical release later this year.

When a movie clicks at Sundance, it's like mass hypnosis; you temporarily forget how that popularity doesn't automatically translate to mainstream success months later, outside the festival bubble.

Too early to say, or care, Nanjiani said.

"I can't fully articulate it. We've been working on this movie a long time. I suppose it's like being a chef; you think what you made might be good, and you may like it yourself, but that first screening is like the cold opening of a really big restaurant. All these people who really know movies are there . we made the movie we wanted to make. And we can only hope other people can relate to it in some way."

In Chicago a decade and more ago, the Pakistani-born Nanjiani made his way, while satisfying his work visa requirements with a daytime office job at the U. of C., up and around the local standup scene. His pals and cohorts included T.J. Miller, Hannibal Buress and Kyle Kinane.

"The most important thing I learned," he said of those Chicago years, "was finding your own voice. Telling a joke only you can tell. It doesn't matter how you're doing with the audience; it doesn't matter if you're killing or not. We didn't care what the audience thought, to be honest. We cared what the comedians thought. We kept each other honest, and kept the emphasis on being personal.

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That's what I learned in Chicago."

The 2017 Sundance Film Festival continues through Jan. 29.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune

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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)
Reporting from Park City, Utah  "Eight years ago was an amazing day," said Emmy-winning film producer Julie Goldman ("Life, Animated," "Weiner") on a palpably subdued inauguration morning at the Sundance Film Festival. "Today is the opposite."

Sundance veterans can vividly recall Inauguration Day 2009, when attendees of the prestigious annual film festival put the movies on pause, gathered in the snow-covered streets of Park City, Utah, and squeezed into viewing parties to watch Barack Obama get sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America.

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Friday morning at this year's Sundance, no such celebration greeted the anointing of President Trump.

"There's a cloud hanging over the festival in general. Everyone is down," added Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, who directed the Oscar shortlisted documentary "Life, Animated," about a family using movies to communicate with their autistic son.

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I cannot watch the inauguration. Its too painful. Its great to be able to watch films and escape from this reality.  Oscar-winning documentarian Roger Ross Williams

Goldman and Williams sat with their backs to the Trump broadcast inside a Sundance lounge hosted by CNN Films. Like many Sundance-goers, they woke up Friday morning choosing to not actively watch the inauguration.

"I do not want to watch the inauguration," said Williams, who attended Al Gore's "inspiring" opening night premiere of "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power." "I cannot watch the inauguration. It's too painful. It's great to be able to watch films and escape from this reality."

A day ahead of a quickly swelling anti-Trump protest in Park City, businesses and visiting filmmakers alike were steeling for the event expected to attract over 4,200 people to the top of Main Street on Saturday morning.

On Friday, however, even those planning to join the march expressed a feeling of mournfulness as Trump officially took office.

Unlike the first Sundance of the Obama era there were no high-profile viewing parties to be had, no cheering in the streets. Walking the central thoroughfare of Main Street past stores and restaurants prepping for the weekend crush, it was difficult to find a venue, any venue, showing an inauguration broadcast.

As the swearing-in ceremony began, a small group of festival attendees trickled into the CNN Films lounge  the rare venue along Main Street televising the event.

The CNN Films lounge at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival (Jen Yamato / Los Angeles Times )

Guests watched quietly as President Trump vowed to be a global unifier, particularly against the "radical Islamic terrorism" he promised to "eradicate from the face of the Earth." His address prompted quiet outbursts from a Park City local.

"Sure," she sighed, sarcastically.

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Liz Nord, filmmaker and editor in chief of No Film School, found the silver lining in spending a depressing inauguration weekend among a community of like-minded filmmakers now further galvanized to put their art into action.

"It's been heartening to be around people who I believe will be involved in creative resistance in the next four years," she said. "They're working on so many important issues, and raising the visibility of these issues is going to be more important than ever."

We also have to try to find a way to understand the whole country and make films that speak to people, no matter what their affiliation is.  Emmy award-winning film producer Julie Goldman

Said Goldman: "We have a big challenge ahead. First of all, we're going to be in a struggle and a fight to get funding. We also have to try to find a way to understand the whole country and make films that speak to people, no matter what their affiliation is."

Businesses, meanwhile, were steeling for different kinds of challenges over inauguration weekend. The festival brings in an estimated $143 million in economic activity to the state each year, but while restricted access around the protest route will have a direct effect on parking for employees, shops and cafes along Main Street were eagerly stocking and staffing up well in advance of Saturday's march.

On Friday afternoon Kathie James was working behind the counter at Southwest Indian Traders, a shop lined with wood carvings, animal skin rugs and Native American jewelry downstairs from the Sundance Filmmakers Lounge on Main Street. She said she was dreading Saturday's expected influx of protesters because additional street closures and massive crowds will make getting to work more difficult.

Despite the potential increase in protest-related foot traffic, the store's owner decided to reduce Saturday's hours in order to avoid the potential chaos and congestion directly outside its doors.

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James, a septuagenarian who voted against "crooked Hillary" in November and tuned into the inauguration broadcast before her work shift, described Saturday's celebrity-studded protest with bemused detachment.

Kathie James, left, and Connie Marshall of Southwest Indian Traders in Park City, Utah (Jen Yamato / Los Angeles Times )

"It's the Democrats who are [angry]. It's the liberals!" she said. "They're the ones who are throwing the fit. You're not going to see any conservatives out there."

Tight security was already in place at Thursday's opening night premieres, where guards inspected the bags and heavy snow jackets of all ticketed festival guests. On Main Street at midday on Friday, a police officer on loan from the Salt Lake Airport Police Department patrolled the sidewalk with a bomb-sniffing dog.

Connie Marshall, who works at two stores along the protest route, voiced concern over potential safety risks at Saturday's event given its highly public and highly politicized nature. "I hope tomorrow's not going to bring anything bad," she said. "I worry about that too."

James disagreed. "The people who are conservative in Utah are not fighters," she laughed. "They're Mormon."

jen.yamato@latimes.com

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Newly sworn-in President Donald Trump shakes hands with Marine Sgt. Angel Rodriguez at the Salute Our Armed Services inaugural ball Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (David J. Phillip / AP)

WASHINGTON  One of Vice President Mike Pence's last acts as governor of Indiana was to deny a request for disaster relief from East Chicago as it reels from a lead contamination crisis.

So there was a certain irony that the Marine selected to dance with his wife, second lady Karen Pence, at Friday night's Armed Forces Ball in Washington, D.C., was born and raised in the hard-scrabble lakefront city.

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Sgt. Angel Rodriguez, 28, was, naturally, far too polite to upset the Pences' happy night by bringing that up.

Instead he confidently spun the second lady about the dance floor to the tune of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You,"  terrifying his watching mom, Myra  and provoking laughter from the watching Tiffany and Eric Trump.

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The slow-shuffling President Donald Trump, Pence himself and the Trump children were all thoroughly outshined by Rodriguez's savoir faire.

"I can dance anything: rumba, hip-hop, salsa, you name it  maybe a waltz, or a foxtrot," the confident Rodriguez told Chicago Inc. before the Pences and the Trumps arrived at the event, attended by 2,500 members of the armed forces, cops and first responders. "Who doesn't like to dance?"

If he was the calmest man in the room (Staff Sgt. Jose Medina, who danced with Melania Trump, ran a close second), it's understandable.

Not only has Rodriguez served two combat tours in Afghanistan, but also he says he's lucky to have survived being shot outside a barber shop on Chicago's Southeast Side eight years ago.

He says he campaigned for Barack Obama in northwest Indiana in 2008 but almost didn't live to see him become president.

Caught in the crossfire, he was shot in the left forearm as he left VIP Cutz on his way to a party to celebrate his joining the Marines in January 2009, he said.

"It's crazy that I was shot in the street in Chicago eight years ago, and here I am tonight in a room that everyone in the country wants to be in," he said.

In all of his service since, he hasn't been so much as grazed by a bullet, he acknowledged with a laugh.

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Still, he dismissed Trump's repeated comments about violence in Chicago, saying, "You could walk out of this door and trip over a rock and die  you can be hurt anywhere."

Gracefully eliding questions about who he had voted for in this election, he nonetheless noted that he has a signed photograph of him with Obama, taken in Munster, Ind., on the wall at his home in Washington, where he is now based.

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The same boldness that allowed him to strut his stuff with the second lady also helped him snag Obama's attention back when he was campaigning in 2008.

"He was leaving an event, and I yelled out 'Barry!' and he smiled and came back, and I told him I'd skipped school to be there," Rodriguez said.

A photo of Obama and Rodriguez ran in the local paper, he said. Rodriguez recalled showing it to Obama when the former president returned to northwest Indiana, and Obama signed it for him.

Friday night made it a posterworthy moment with two presidents in a row for the Marine.

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Not bad for an East Chicago boy.

kjanssen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @kimjnews
Is a major change in store for Chicago's skyline, one that for the first time would bring a super-tall skyscraper to the heart of the Loop?

The city's four architectural giants  the Willis and Trump towers, and the Aon and John Hancock centers  have risen outside the Loop on roomy sites where it was easier to build tall.

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But that could change if one of two competing designs for redeveloping the James R. Thompson Center  architect Helmut Jahn's boldly curving but decaying state office building at Clark and Randolph streets  comes to fruition.

Chicago architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill have prepared a series of plans for state property management officials that advance Gov. Bruce Rauner's call for Illinois to sell the building to a developer who would demolish the center and build something bigger.

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One of the plans proposes a 1,700-foot mixed-use tower with undulating exterior walls. It would easily surpass the Willis Tower as the city's tallest building.

An alternative offered by Jahn suggests saving the Thompson Center and its soaring atrium as well as building a 1,340-foot hotel and residential skyscraper, complete with a dramatically expressed structure, alongside it.

Helmut Jahn, the architect of the original Thompson Center, released this proposal for a 110-story tower that would be built on the southwest corner of the Thompson Center. (Jahn Architects)

The plan would preserve the atrium "as an important urban space," the architect said in a statement, and would result in "minimal intervention" to the existing building.

The dueling plans are being floated now that Republican leaders are making a second run at enacting legislation that would allow the sale of the 32-year-old Thompson Center. A first try didn't make it to a committee hearing in 2016.

With Rauner and Democratic leaders still squabbling over the state budget, it's far from certain that this attempt will amount to anything.

If not, both Thompson Center plans will join the unbuilt Chicago Spire in the club of skyline-altering designs that promised big things  and fizzled.

The Thompson Center is a major Chicago Transit Authority hub and is part of downtown's pedway system.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 17 People walk by the Macy's store in downtown Chicago's pedway system on Thursday, January 17, 2019. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Ideas floated for pedway: Live performances in the mothballed CTA superstation below Block 37. Temporary food carts. Art displays. Shafts of natural light. Touches of greenery. Visible security patrols.

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Those were among ideas that nearly 100 people recently floated at three workshops aimed at making downtown Chicago's confusing and visually dreary network of underground tunnels and corridors easier to navigate and more attractive.

The network, called the pedway, connects more than 50 buildings and is used by thousands of people on weekdays, particularly during extreme and inclement weather. No one thinks it's perfect, the workshops revealed, but the sessions also aired different, though not necessarily irreconcilable, goals on how to make the pedway better.

"Maybe there's a tension between form and function," said Howard Learner, executive director of the Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center, the nonprofit that sponsored the workshops. "There are some who are saying, 'It needs to be made cleaner, better lit, better maintained, just an easier way to get around.' There are others who say, 'This can be made more exciting.'"

Individual building owners  including the city, state and county  operate sections of the pedway, which has grown piecemeal since its first sections opened in 1951. Yet inconsistencies in everything from operating hours to temperature levels frustrate users of the system. City transportation officials are backing efforts to upgrade the network, starting with a key stretch beneath Randolph Street that was the focus of the workshops.

The top priorities that emerged from the sessions, Learner said, are better signs and maps that will improve navigation, common hours and operating policies that will unify the pedway, and new activities that will make the network exciting, engaging, even hip, like underground networks in Montreal and Atlanta.

To do all that, the nonprofit will need to build a constituency of public officials and private businesses that will support the effort  and, in all likelihood, pay for it.

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The next step calls for a team of design consultants to lead open workshops Monday through Friday at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. The team is composed of Billings Jackson Design of Chicago, which specializes in "wayfinding" systems; British engineers BuroHappold; and New York's Davis Brody Bond architects.

"Part of what they're going to do is put a lot of stuff upon the wall and they'll incorporate the conceptual (ideas) that people have raised" at the workshops, Learner said. Key players, from officials in Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office to executives at Macy's State Street store, which has a connection to the pedway, will be invited in to comment. So will members of the public.

A conceptual plan will be released in March.

Ideally, the plan will be three-dimensional, improving not only the pedway but also its connections with the buildings and streets above it.

In the pedway beneath the Cultural Center, for example, city officials could project images on the wall that would advertise art exhibits in the building. "Somebody downstairs (could) say, 'Oh, that's pretty cool. I want to go to that exhibit,'" Learner said.

National honors for local buildings: Two Chicago-area projects were among the winners this month when the American Institute of Architects presented its awards for national design.

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The Writers Theatre in north suburban Glencoe, by Chicago's Studio Gang Architects, won honors in the interior architecture category. The University of Chicago's Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects of New York, was recognized in the architecture category.

Williams and Tsien are designing the Obama Presidential Center, which will be built to the east of the University of Chicago campus in Jackson Park. Studio Gang is headed by noted architect Jeanne Gang.

Other interior architecture winners included a modernization of the Eero Saarinen-designed General Motors Design Auditorium in Warren, Mich., by SmithGroupJJR. Company officials evaluate the form and finish of GM vehicles in the 180-foot-diameter domed space.

A list of all winners can be found online at www.architectmagazine.com/tag/2017-aia-honor-awards.

Blair Kamin is a Tribune critic.

bkamin@chicagotribune.com

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People listen during the inaugural address by President Donald Trump during the Inauguration on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (Ricky Carioti / AP)

President Donald J. Trump's astonishing inaugural address was a short one, only 16 minutes or so in the rain.

It wasn't a symphony. He used the pronoun "I" only three times. And there were no baroque flourishes to send tingles up the legs.

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This wasn't a smooth-talking politician inviting us to climb aboard his fancy word ship for a voyage beyond the stars. He did not call upon the angels. Instead, he spoke in dark tones to the forgotten man.

"The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer," Trump said. "Everyone is listening to you now."

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He began by punching the elites right in the mouth  the bipartisan Washington establishment sitting up there with him.

"For too long, a small group in our nation's Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost," Trump said.

"Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.

"Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

"That all changes  starting right here and right now, because this moment is your moment: It belongs to you."

Trump's campaign was nothing if not audacious, but to see him say such things in front of the Capitol, right to the establishment's face as those sitting behind him wore those tight smiles, was beyond audacious. It was Jacksonian.

You could feel Washington trembling. But you could also feel the establishment wise men  like Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and the K Street boys who buy them all with campaign checks, Democrats and Republicans  smirking and telling themselves a Washington truth:

Fresh presidents talk a lot about change, and finally, when they're not fresh anymore, the presidents leave town, humbled, while the insiders remain.

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So can Trump really change Washington? His boast that he'd stop inner-city violence  "this American carnage stops right here and stops right now"  seemed like the demand of a willful child, not a president.

That strident tone of his is bound to wear thin. Yes, he's got the beautiful first lady and the beautiful daughters in a country obsessed by celebrity. But he comes to the White House with historically low approval ratings.

He promised a great deal, and speeches are just words, not actions. Still, who knows with this guy?

It was that beginning that was astonishing, his declaration of war on the establishment, especially as they all sat there with him, with former Presidents Carter and Bush and Clinton and Obama looking on, outgoing first lady Michelle Obama frowning, Hillary Clinton icy and distant.

Bush bobbed his head and smiled as if in pain. Bill Clinton's eyes were two frozen blue grapes, locked in a thousand-yard stare. But what he was looking at inside his own head, I wouldn't ever want to know.

At points I found myself staring off too, wishing Trump would talk about the Constitution, rather than boasting about how he'd use his will to hammer out policy.

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The candidate I'd hoped would win the White House, Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican, would have talked about the Constitution, and why it was written to protect our liberty. But Paul didn't want to fight wars in the Middle East, and actually talked about containing spending, so the Republican establishment cut him down.

They thought they'd get Jeb Bush, but they got Trump instead. Congratulations, boys. Have fun with him.

Still, what was remarkable and gutsy about Trump's speech was that he didn't paper over harsh things he'd said about NATO paying its fair share, and asserting the U.S. would no longer impose political values on other countries. And of course, there was his message of economic nationalism.

His was a muscular, populist speech, not a partisan speech. He appealed to crime-torn inner cities and impoverished rural America and the parents of children in bad schools.

Some of it could have been delivered by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders. Other parts could have been written by conservative Patrick Buchanan.

"We've defended other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own," Trump said, "and spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

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"We've made other countries rich while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon.  The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world."

The Bush Republicans and neoconservatives and European elites won't like his "America First" message one bit.

Predictably, the left hated his speech. They love the working-class hero in the abstract, unless working-class heroes dare to support Trump. Then the left mocks them. The culture clash between liberal commentators and Trump voters has gotten so petty that I've even seen Trump voters mocked as fools for spelling mistakes.

They're not fools. They're not deplorable. They're hardworking Americans, people who sent their children to our wars, people who were pushed aside by our politics, slapped down by our economy and abused by Democrats, Republicans and the very elites who formed the establishment.

They were once the forgotten. But now their guy is president of the United States.

Listen to "The Chicago Way" podcast with John Kass and WGN's Jeff Carlin here: www.wgnradio.com/category/wgn-plus/thechicagoway.

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jskass@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @John_Kass
Hundreds of thousands of people march through the streets during the Women's March on Chicago on Jan. 21, 2017. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune) (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

The women of Chicago would not be stopped.

An estimated quarter-million demonstrators poured into downtown on Saturday, so many that organizers of the Women's March on Chicago told the throngs that the event would only be a rally because there wasn't room to march. But people marched anyway.

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"Michigan Avenue is flooded with marchers," event co-chairwoman Ann Scholhamer told the crowd at Jackson and Columbus drives a little before 11 a.m. "Wabash is flooded with marchers. State Street is flooded with marchers. People are still waiting for trains in Oak Park. We called, and you came."

So what was supposed to be a pre-march rally, with a lineup of more than 30 speakers, turned into the main event. City officials would echo organizers' decision a short while later, saying there would no longer be a "pedestrian component" to the march, and that Grant Park had reached capacity.

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"There is no safe way to march," Scholhamer told the Tribune. "We are just going to sing and dance and make our voices heard here."

But white-haired grandmothers and bearded and burly fathers, mothers with infants held close to their chests, and teenagers in pink knitted hats marched anyway. They shut down parts of the Loop, splintering off in every direction. They raised their signs above their shoulders and chanted, "This is what democracy looks like" and "No Trump. No KKK. No fascist USA."

Lee Hart, who took the train in from Evanston with her wife and twin boys, was among many who said she had not heard the announcement calling off the marching, but when informed by a reporter, she continued to make her way down Jackson.

"You can't say you're stopping the march," she said. "It's too powerful."

Chicago's march was one of hundreds that took place globally in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington. Planned for the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration, the demonstrations aimed to draw attention to women's rights, as well as other issues including civil rights, immigration and racial justice. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators on Saturday packed the streets of several cities, from New York to Los Angeles and Paris to Sydney.

Organizers initially projected that the Chicago march would draw 22,000, but by week's end the projection had jumped to 50,000.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 55 People walk north on LaSalle Street during the Women's March on Chicago on Jan. 21, 2017. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Bryan Goettel, spokesman for the Women's March on Chicago, estimated the crowd numbered 250,000. City officials would not comment on the crowd estimates.

As in Chicago, the Washington turnout was so large that the original march route  alongside the National Mall  was impassable. Protesters headed toward the White House using several different streets, resulting in a chaotic scene that clogged downtown Washington.

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Officials estimated the crowd in Washington could be more than half a million people. The march appeared to have attracted more people than Trump's inauguration on Friday, based on figures from transportation officials.

While some people who remained at Chicago's rally said they were disappointed at the change of plans, Corey Escue said she was unfazed because it meant more people could witness history and have their voices heard.

Nancy Bishop, a 77-year-old grandmother from Glenview, who used a walker, said she hadn't planned to march. For her, it was about being counted. "Marching for me is really an oxymoron now," she said. "When you gather like this, it makes you more likely to actively participate in our democracy."

Marikah Davin, 27, ran into demonstrators marching through the Loop was she was getting off the Blue Line at Jackson with her friends. They joined the crowd marching through the Loop without ever making it to the rally.

"We voted, but we still feel a lot of anger and worry," Davin, of the Ukrainian Village neighborhood, said as she held up her sign, which read "Love trumps Trump." "I didn't realize how warm and loving (this march) would be."

Throughout the day, demonstrators stopped to read and admire the hundreds of signs that floated above the crowds. They were diverse and abundant, with messages that read, "I will not go quietly into the 1950s" and "Proud my daughter fights like a girl." Some demonstrators carried tasseled banners, while others held cardboard diagrams of vaginas.

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Nine-year-old Josie Schenk enlisted help from her brother and sister when she colored a sign that read, "Your generation will build a wall. (Ours) will knock it down!" Her mother, Kate Schenk, said she was initially disappointed that she couldn't make it to the march in Washington, but that feeling vanished after she marched alongside her family and the massive crowd in Chicago.

"This is so much better," Kate Schenk said.

The unseasonably mild weather seemed to fuel excitement. The sequins sewn into some women's pink "pussyhats," which have become a symbol of the movement, glistened in the sun.

Husband and wife Robin Harris and Mark Michaels, who are both retired and live in Arlington Heights, held hands as they walked. Harris remarked at how many times she heard "thank you" and "excuse me" throughout the day.

"Everyone is so positive," she said.

City officials said in a statement that the rally and "spontaneous march" were largely "peaceful," with only limited disruption.

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Before the rally officially kicked off, 39-year-old Mary Hurtt began leading the thousands of women behind her in a chant. "Women of Chicago!" she cried, asking the crowd to repeat her words. "Fired up! Ready to go!"

The rally began with lighthearted music but quickly moved into difficult discussions on racism, homophobia, xenophobia and gun violence.

Samantha Marie Ware, a Chicago cast member of "Hamilton," became emotional onstage recalling how she, as a black woman, once felt as though she couldn't accomplish her goals because of her race. She encouraged the women before her to stand up.

Rachel Ellison, 32, is heading to Washington, D.C., from Chicago on Jan. 19, 2017, to celebrate her bachelorette party with friends during the Women's March on Washington. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

"We must equip ourselves with the wisdom of MLK, that the time is always right to do right," Ware said. "We must stand up for fear and speak up when we hear prejudices against our brothers or sisters. We must and will hold those in power accountable."

Also addressing the crowd was Cleo Pendleton, the mother of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton, whose shooting death nearly four years ago made her a national symbol for the city's struggle with violence. Pendleton talked to the crowd about how women's rights  and mothers' rights  speak to the core of Chicago's gun violence problem.

"We are here because we are women. Because we have rights. And we do not  do not  agree with this administration's perspective on guns. Yes, are you entitled to the Second Amendment? Absolutely," Pendleton said. "But (what about) my basic human right to build my family and for my family to survive?"

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 58 Protesters walk during the Women's March on Washington, with the U.S. Capitol in the background, on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

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As the speakers took turns onstage, thousands of demonstrators fanned out, spilling on to the side streets, where they kept marching. A man played "The Star-Spangled Banner" on his saxophone.

By early afternoon, throngs of marchers had descended on Federal Plaza; some continued to cluster around downtown into the evening.

Chicago Tribune's William Lee and Grace Wong contributed.

deldeib@chicagotribune.com

meltagouri@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @deldeib

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Twitter @marwaeltagouri
Six Chicago police officers have been given suspensions for giving favorable treatment to a high-ranking Chicago Fire Department official who was allegedly driving drunk when he crashed his city-issued vehicle off North Lake Shore Drive last April, according to a source with knowledge of the incident.

The officers, including three supervisors, were suspended by police Superintendent Eddie Johnson for "improper processing and reporting procedures" for mishandling the crash involving then-Deputy Fire Commissioner John McNicholas, the source said.

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Word of the suspensions come about a week after the U.S. Justice Department issued a scathing report that criticized Chicago police for, among other things, of failing to hold officers accountable for wrongdoing.

The suspensions for the six officers ranged from five to 20 days without pay, but four of the officers are appealing their suspensions.

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The crash took place a little before 1 a.m. on April 20 on LaSalle Street just west of Lake Shore Drive while McNicholas was off-duty. McNicholas had a blood-alcohol content of 0.154 percent -- nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to city records obtained by the Tribune under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

But internal investigators with the Fire Department didn't conduct the Breathalyzer test until 4:32 a.m., more than three hours after the crash, the records show.

Initially, police only issued a traffic ticket to McNicholas for failing to reduce speed. But in June, he was ticketed for driving under the influence of alcohol after the Cook County state's attorney's office declined to charge McNicholas with a felony.

McNicholas resigned from the Fire Department after the incident.

jgorner@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @JeremyGorner
A security guard fatally wounded a bank robber at an Alpine Bank branch Friday afternoon in Rockford, the FBI said.

Shortly before 4 p.m., a robber entered the bank located at 2218 N. Mulford Ave. and began firing a weapon. An armed security guard in the bank returned fire killing the bank robber, officials said.

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No employees or customers were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.

The FBI and the Rockford Police Department were investigating.
Ronald Reagan's boyhood home in Dixon is located in Lee County, Ill., where 56 percent of the vote went for President Donald Trump. Jan. 20, 2017. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

At Dion's one-seat barbershop in Ronald Reagan's boyhood hometown, three local gents watched as President Donald Trump took the oath of office and talked about a movement never seen before; about returning government to the people; about an education system flush with cash that keeps young people deprived; about buying and hiring American.

While he waited for his turn in the chair, Lloyd Bollman, 72, joked that Trump could get some help funding schools by passing the hat among his billionaire cabinet nominees. Customer Tom Burrows, 70, getting his hair trimmed, said he hoped Trump would succeed.

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"Yeah, I do, too," Bollman replied. "We need some positive things to happen."

Then proprietor Dion Day contributed.

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"I'll just be happy with Trump if he puts down his Twitter account," said Day, 42.

In Dixon, a town of about 16,000 along the Rock River 100 miles west of Chicago, Reagan's legacy is so thick that the library has a plaque proclaiming the dates of his library card and its number. Friday's inauguration made people nervous here, but excited and hopeful for prosperity for all Americans. They still disagree passionately but do so with civility, and they're committed to getting behind the new president. Mostly, they possess the quintessential Midwestern upbeat resolve to carry on.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 7 John Rich discusses politics while meeting friends at the Books on First shop, in Dixon, during the inauguration day for Donald Trump Jan. 20, 2017. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

"What I want is honesty," said Burrows, a retired elementary school principal. "Integrity, I want truth. It all goes together. I think Americans want to do what's best for all its people. Somehow we have to bridge these gaps. We need to look at everybody in need and not just special interests, and we need to care and solve these problems in ways that allow all people to prosper."

Burrows declined to say who got his vote in the presidential election. Bollman offered that he voted for Trump, and was swayed by Trump's business success and the fact that he beat more than a dozen other Republican candidates, and by the sense that the last eight years failed to produce measurable progress.

He also has a strong distaste for the Clintons. Nearly 56 percent of voters cast their ballots for Trump in Lee County, where Dixon is located, compared to about 36 percent who voted for Hillary Clinton. Barbershop proprietor Dion Day said he voted for Bernie Sanders.

"I don't particularly care for (Trump)," Day said, "but he is the president. So, I'll be hoping he does a good job."

He said he hopes "everybody gives him a chance" to do well. He's concerned that elected officials have become so uncooperative. "They always want to see the next guy fail and if the next guy fails, we all fail.

"I hope I'm dead wrong about him," Day added. "I hope he's the best president ever. That means we all win."

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About a mile away in the Ken Nelson Auto Mall, Cassie Rogers, 26, a Rochelle Police Department 911 dispatcher, watched the inauguration while waiting for repairs on her Chevy Equinox SUV. A Trump supporter, Rogers said Trump "is going to be good for the country" because he looks at issues without filtering them through political party affiliation.

"He seems like a straightforward guy," she said. "I feel like he gets people more."

A gay woman and mother of a 5-year-old, Rogers said she was unconcerned with Trump's misogynistic, crude remarks about women and early campaign statements perceived as anti-gay. Later, when he accepted the GOP nomination, he was more welcoming to the LGBT community, she said.

And she perceived his comments about women, most notably those recorded before a 2005 appearance on "Days of Our Lives," as "joking around" that the media exaggerated. "I don't think that he is the pig that some woman think of him as," Rogers said.

But Trump will be under pressure to follow through on helping all Americans, she said.

"I hope he sticks to his word. A lot of politicians when they get into office don't follow through," she said. "Don't disappoint the citizens of the U.S."

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In some ways, Dixon reflects many small towns across the Midwest. City-Data.com reports its median household income is $41,000, well below the state average of $56,210. And, its 2014 population of 15,300 has dropped by 4 percent since 2010. But, it's unemployment is 4.5 percent, slightly better than the state's level of 5.1 percent.

And, it has a buzzing downtown independent bookstore, Books On First, run by self-proclaimed liberal Larry Dunphy. Locals of all political philosophies gather inside for coffee, conversation and baked goods before its posted 7 a.m. opening. Sometimes, as on inauguration day, patrons bring homemade pastries for everyone.

John Rich, an 87-year-old real estate agent who brought stollen, a German sweet bread with black cherries, to Books on First, said he thought Trump is going to be "a fantastic president," primarily because of his business sense and cabinet selections who have achieved great success in the private sector. None of them are looking to a lucrative career after government service, which gives them independent mindsets, he said.

Lloyd Bollman discusses politics after getting a haircut at Dion's barber shop in Dixon, Ill., during the televised inauguration of President Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2017. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

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He said he hopes that Trump fixes Obamacare, the former president's contentious health care program, and builds up the military.

"I think it's going to be rough for him for awhile," Rich said. Trump's combative campaign has angered many Americans, Rich added. If the economy picks up momentum, that animosity will turn to support, Rich said.

Asked what advice he would give the new president, he said, "I think just do what he's been talking about doing and go through what he ran on."

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Robert Bell, 80, a retired architect who now is co-publisher of the monthly Sauk Valley Sun newspaper, agreed that if Trump "can do the things he has talked about doing," the economy will improve. His hope for a Trump presidency, Bell said, "is more jobs for Americans" and that "business in general" strengthens.

"He just has to realize that he's in a different situation now and he's got to change somewhat to what people are used to in a president," Bell said.

tgregory@chicagotribune.com

Twitter: @tgregoryreports
A 38-year-old man was critically injured after he was hit by a car early Saturday in the city's West Chatham neighborhood on the South Side, police said.

Just before 2:20 a.m., a 38-year-old man was standing in the middle of the intersection in the 7900 block of South LaSalle Street when a white SUV heading east on 79th Street hit him, Chicago police said.

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The motorist stopped but then drove off, police said. The pedestrian was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital.

No one was in custody. The crash remains under investigation.

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Check back for updates.
A 16-year-old boy is accused of sexually assaulting a woman last month in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on the West Side, police said.

The teen faces a felony count of aggravated criminal sexual assault with a firearm, according to a news release from the Chicago Police Department. The attack happened about 3:50 a.m. Dec. 14 in the 2700 block of West Crystal Street.

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He is accused of approaching a 23-year-old woman and hitting her in the head with a handgun. The boy then forced the woman into a car where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

The woman later identified the teen as one of the people involved in the attack, police said.

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Detectives are still searching for three other people who were possibly involved in the sexual assault. The incident remains under investigation.
A protestor that was wounded during clashes is treated in hospital in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Sept. 17, 2015. While gunfire rang out in the streets, Burkina Fasos military took to the airwaves Thursday to declare it now controls the West African nation, confirming that a coup had taken place just weeks before elections. (Theo Renaut / AP)

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso  Burkina's military seized the airwaves and installed a general loyal to the ex-president Thursday as the new head of state, carrying out a coup weeks before national elections.

The developments capped a dramatic year in this West African country where President Blaise Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last October after he tried to prolong his 27-year rule.

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That paved the way for the formation of a transitional government, but soldiers arrested the interim president and prime minister late Wednesday and announced hours later that they had been removed from office.

The political unrest sparked violence in the streets, and the presidential guard opened fire with live ammunition to disperse crowds protesting the coup, witnesses said late Wednesday. Associated Press journalists saw the bodies of at least six victims at a morgue in the capital of Ouagadougou on Thursday.

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Members of the presidential guard wandered about the city in pickups and on motorcycles seeking to disperse any gatherings late Thursday.

Burkina Faso's land and air borders were closed and a 7 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew was imposed. The coup  the country's sixth since it won independence from France in 1960  unfolded overnight with stunning speed. Late Wednesday, the country's interim president and prime minister were arrested at the presidency during a ministerial meeting.

A communique read on state TV and radio early Thursday by an army lieutenant colonel wearing a camouflage uniform criticized the electoral code, which blocked members of Compaore's party from taking part in the Oct. 11 elections. Anyone who supported the ex-president's bid to amend the constitution so he could seek another term was also banned from running.

The coup leaders later announced that Gen. Gilbert Diendere, who had been head of the elite presidential guard under Compaore and was his longtime aide, was now in charge of the nation.

In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Diendere also criticized the electoral code and vowed that elections would go forward  but not on the timeframe that has been set.

"Today it seems to me that the Oct. 11 date is too soon to hold the election," Diendere said. "It's not at our level to speak of Compaore's return. We want to stabilize the country and hold elections."

Compaore and his family initially fled to Ivory Coast but his whereabouts on Thursday were unknown.

Diendere is among African soldiers who have taken part in the U.S.-led Flintlock military exercise. The exercise is held each year to improve African militaries' counter-terrorism efforts. Diendere confirmed to the AP that he had traveled to Chad earlier this year ahead of the exercise.

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Photos posted in 2010 by the U.S. military's Africa Command showed Diendere, wearing a red beret, addressing Burkinabe soldiers before their deployment to Mali in support of that year's Flintlock exercise.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the coup in the strongest terms, and he demanded that all detained officials be released immediately and that the country's political transition resume, his spokesman said in a statement. Ban also said those responsible for the coup and its consequences must be held accountable.

France, the country's former colonial power, the United States and others expressed alarm about the unfolding events.

"The United States strongly condemns any attempt to seize power through extra-constitutional means or resolve internal political disagreements using force," State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

Speaking on state TV and radio early Thursday, Lt. Col. Mamadou Bamba said the country's transitional government was dissolved and the interim president was no longer in power. He announced the beginning of a "coherent, fair and equitable process" that would lead to inclusive elections.

Burkina Faso hosts French special forces and serves as an important ally of both France and the United States in the fight against Islamic militants in West Africa. While Burkina Faso has largely been spared from extremist violence, a Romanian national was abducted in April, and a Mali-based jihadi group claimed responsibility.

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Associated Press
A man accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and a police officer was in critical condition after ending an hourslong standoff by shooting himself in the chest, the sheriff of a New Orleans suburb said Friday.

During the hours when Sylvester Holt, 32, was threatening to jump from New Orleans' bridge over the Mississippi River, he admitted shooting Simone Veal and Westwego Officer Michael Louviere, both of whom lived in Marrero, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said.

"He indicated he had a pretty good idea they were dead," the sheriff said at a news conference Friday night.

Trooper Dustin Dwight said Holt was taken to University Medical Center, the area's Level 1 trauma center, after shooting himself once in the chest.

If Holt survives, he will face first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Veal, 32, and Louviere, 26, plus a charge of feticide, Normand said.

The late evening press conference capped a tumultuous day that began with a frantic 911 call from Veal to authorities saying that she'd just been shot and ended with the shooting suspect fleeing to the busy New Orleans bridge, holding traffic captive while he negotiated with police for hours before shooting himself.

Normand said Holt, who was later identified as the shooter, had previously been romantically involved with Veal and had recently found out the woman was pregnant with a new boyfriend's child.

Holt went Friday morning to Veal's house and an altercation ensued during which he shot her several times.

Holt then looked for Veal's boyfriend as the woman fled in a car with Holt eventually catching up to her.

"Witnesses said Sylvester Holt was ramming his truck into Simone's car and firing shots into the car" before the vehicles stopped at the intersection where Louviere found them, Normand said.

The officer had just gotten off duty and was on his way home when he pulled over to help. Veal's car was significantly damaged and she was on the ground, Normand said.

Holt shot then shot Louviere in the head as well, Normand said, praising the officer.

"He was doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time," Normand said.

Holt later fled the scene, and an intense manhunt ensued. Authorities later spotted Holt on a bridge spanning New Orleans' east and west banks. Louisiana State Police spokeswoman Melissa Matey says authorities spent hours negotiating with Holt.

"All those attempts failed. At approximately 5:30 Holt shot himself in the chest," she said.

This was not Holt's first run-in with the law. He was the subject of restraining orders obtained by several women since 2012, Normand said.

And he'd also been arrested in September after being accused of rape. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her. Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7.

Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual.

Louviere, a first-year officer who had led his recruit class, may have spoken to Holt before Holt pulled a gun, Normand said.

Louviere is survived by his wife, and their daughter, 4, and son, 1 .

According to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch, he had served with the Marines in Afghanistan and was a rising star likely bound for a job at a larger agency.

"We knew we wouldn't have him for long. We just didn't know he would be gone this soon," Munch said.

Munch said he and a doctor broke the news to Louviere's wife at a hospital that her husband had died.

"That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do," the chief said.

Friday's shooting comes after a sharp increase last year in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty  including a pair of deadly ambushes in Louisiana and Texas.

On July 7, a sniper in Dallas killed five law enforcement officers and wounded nine others at the end of what had been a peaceful rally against police brutality. Less than two weeks later, a lone gunman shot and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in an attack outside a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convenience store.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested a man accused of fatally shooting an Orlando, Florida, police officer outside a Wal-Mart on Jan. 9.

Munch, Westwego's police chief, said Louviere helped patrol Baton Rouge after the deadly shootings in that city and helped patrol neighboring Denham Springs after August's historic flooding.

"Typical Michael," the chief said.
Melissa Linebaugh felt unwelcome at the Women's March on Washington because of the organizers' stance on abortion. So she decided to skip the march in favor a "girls' weekend" with her daughter, Selah. (Dee Rivers)

Melissa Linebaugh was looking forward to taking part in the Women's March on Washington with her mother and her 9-year-old daughter.

A self-described Christian liberal from Dover, Pa., she was horrified by President Trump's rhetoric toward women and minorities during the campaign. This was their chance, she thought, to stand with other women in support of a more inclusive and equal world.

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Then she read that the organizers had refused to partner with a group of antiabortion feminists. Would she, Linebaugh wondered, be welcome?

"As liberal as I am," she said, "my one real issue that I struggle with is abortion."

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She was not alone. Across the United States, many women who oppose abortion decided to stay away from the marches planned in Washington and around the country Saturday. Others said that they would march anyway, though in some cases it would be to protest what they see as the outsized influence of abortion providers on the women's movement.

The whole principle is, dont try to take away someone elses freedom of choice.  Heidi L. Sieck, cofounder of the #VOTERPROCHOICE campaign

Not sure of what to do, Linebaugh turned to the march's Facebook page, where a debate was raging between those who support and those who oppose abortion rights. The vitriol she saw in some of the posts stunned her.

"The pro-life stance reduces women to nothing more than walking incubators," one defender of abortion rights wrote.

"The Pro Life movement has tried to destroy Roe v. Wade ever since it was upheld by the Supreme Court!" another wrote, referring to the 1973 decision that legalized the procedure nationwide. "Absolutely they should not be a part of the Women's March."

Linebaugh was crushed. Why couldn't these women see that "everybody could be together for the same cause and still have and respect different viewpoints?"

"I sat there and literally cried."

The ruckus began when the Atlantic reported Monday that the march organizers had recognized the New Wave Feminists, a Dallas-based antiabortion group, as one of hundreds of official partners. Hours later, the organizers issued a statement apologizing for "this error" and dropped the group from the list.

"The Women's March platform is pro-choice and that has been our stance from day one," the statement said.

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Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa, head of the New Wave Feminists, said she wasn't offered an explanation for the reversal but believes that the organizers caved in to pressure from the "pro-choice feminist community."

"I understand that when you say 'pro-life,' people assume bullhorns and bloody fetus signs," she said, but added that her group takes a very different approach.

"While we are a pro-life group, we do not work to make abortion illegal," she said. "We work to make it unthinkable and unnecessary by loving women and serving them well enough that they would never feel the need to turn to abortion."

Herndon-De La Rosa said she was heartened by an outpouring of support on social media from women who support abortion rights but were disappointed at the organizers' decision and wanted groups like hers to feel welcome.

When thousands of women take to the streets of the nation's capital Saturday, she plans to be there, and she has encouraged other women to march too.

"We have so many things in common, fighting domestic abuse and human trafficking and just oppression worldwide," she said.

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Heidi L. Sieck, a cofounder of the #VOTERPROCHOICE campaign who helped put together the march's policy platform, said, "There was never a moment that this march wasn't about reproductive freedoms.

"There are individuals who for whatever reason wouldn't want to have an abortion  it's not something they'd choose for themselves," she said. "You can certainly march if you are in that category  But the whole principle is, don't try to take away someone else's freedom of choice."

Linebaugh, a former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom, continued to agonize for days. She believes, passionately, that life begins at conception. But she recognizes that there are circumstances when an abortion might be necessary and says she would never judge a woman who makes that choice.

Old friends who are staunch defenders of abortion rights reached out to her on Facebook and said they would be proud to march with her. But the thought that others might not want her there "just took some of the heart out of it," she said.

She also worried about exposing her daughter, Selah, to a confrontation, if antiabortion groups turn out with their banners and start accusing other participants of being "baby killers."

In the end, she decided to skip the march in favor of a "girls' weekend" with her mother and daughter.

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alexandra.zavis@latimes.com

Twitter: @alexzavis

Los Angeles Times staff writer Laura King in Washington contributed to this report.


Mrinalini Chakraborty doesn't know when she became an activist. The 26-year-old University of Illinois at Chicago graduate student from India said it just complements her opinionated personality. In March 2016 she was at the front lines of student-led protests against a Donald Trump rally to be held on campus, which the then-Republican presidential candidate canceled. At her small liberal arts college in western Illinois, she was a member of Students Against Sexism in Society and other clubs that promoted cultural diversity. Still, she wonders how you know you're an activist.

"Is it when you have a demonstration in college, or you're speaking about issues of race and sexism?" she said. "Or is it when you lead a mass mobilization to [Washington,] D.C., is that when you become an activist?"

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Chakraborty is a state co-coordinator on the national committee for the Women's March on Washington, where more than 200,000 people are expected to show up the day after Trump is inaugurated. She handles everything state organizers need to know to get people there. What started with simply asking herself "What am I going to do?" the day after the election grew into a full-time job figuring out how to mobilize in 10 weeks thousands of people across the nation for a grassroots phenomenon that's possibly the largest inauguration demonstration in history.

An immigrant from Kolkata, India, Chakraborty came to the U.S. in 2008 on an academic scholarship. But she didn't come with grand illusions that many of her friends had about living a life of luxury in the U.S. and had to work to pay for her biology and art history education at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. In her search for an education that would allow her to think for herself, college offered her opportunities to get politically involved.

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Chakraborty does most of the planning for the march from the Gold Coast studio apartment that she shares with her husband, Deepanjan Datta. They aren't U.S. citizens, but they've been waiting for green card approval since 2008. As an immigrant helping to spearhead the Women's March, Chakraborty said she isn't afraid that this could affect her citizenship. "My parents are freaking out that I'm a part of something like this," she said.

While her parents fear she could be blacklisted, Chakraborty said she's more afraid of the new administration and what the consequences of this presidency could be, not just for her, but also for those immigrants who don't have a home country to return to. But she said she doesn't let that fear dictate how she lives.

"What's the cost of living in that sort of fear all of the time?" she said. "That turns me into a person that's almost begging the government to have mercy on us, and I am too proud to do that. I love my life here, we are being patient with the [immigration] process and doing everything legally, but at the end of it  if this country doesn't want me, then I'm not gonna beg for it."

Immigrants of all statuses are just one of the social groups the march raises up, along with LGBT people, Muslims, Native Americans, black and brown people, sexual assault survivors and people with disabilitiesgroups that have been "insulted, demonized and threatened" in the recent election, according to the mission statement at womensmarch.com. While some characterize the march as an anti-Trump rally, Chakraborty is specific in saying it's a solidarity march that highlights global issues.

For her, it's about embracing fear to create change. "You have to turn that fear or that sense of desolation into something else, some sort of action," she said. "I've been so afraid of so many things in my life, and what does that do really? If [I] can turn that into something that makes an impact, I just felt like it would give me a greater sense of achievement to not just wallow in all of the frustration that I was feeling."

Among the thousands expected to march tomorrow are celebrity faces including America Ferrera, Zendaya and Katy Perry. Chakraborty said there are an estimated 4,000 people going from Illinois; the state has more than 60 buses confirmed, around 35 of those from Chicago, according to Amanda Drenth, logistics coordinator for the Illinois Chapter of the Women's March on Washington. Part of Chakraborty's job on the national committee is to get a sense of how many people are coming to the march from every state. She set up a form asking marchers to register to attend on WomensMarch.com, which got airtime on "The Rachel Maddow Show" on Jan. 4.

Unsurprisingly, there's no guidebook for planning a mass mobilization for thousands of people in 10 weeks. Chakraborty, a self-proclaimed foodie, said she hardly eats and sleeps only about three hours a night. But the night of the election, she barely slept at all.

"We ran probably one of the most qualified candidates against the most unqualified that we've ever seen and still the latter won," she said. "I can't wrap my head around it. I came from a country where sexism and misogyny is an even bigger problem than it is here. I just cannot believe that misogyny didn't have a role to play in this."

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Feeling afraid, angry and hopeless, she felt she had to do something. On Nov. 9, a friend shared a Facebook event for a women's march in D.C. on Inauguration Day. Chakraborty joined immediately and reached out to the initial organizers to see how she could help. She volunteered to lead coordination in Illinois and by that weekend had assembled a team of five other women to help her mobilize the state.

With her work already cut out for her, Chakraborty said she didn't intend to be on the march's national committee. However, when she realized not much was getting done in terms of synchronizing the states, she made some noise about it and the national organizers asked her to come on board to handle it. "When you complain about something, you better be prepared to do the job," she said.

About 1,800 buses have registered nationwide, Chakraborty said. Most far-away states are busing participants in the morning of the march and leaving that evening. Illinois marchers are doing the round trip in about 36 hours. A rally before the march begins at 10 a.m. Eastern time at Independence Avenue and Third Street near Capitol Hill. The program features advocates, artists and entertainers, including Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, Michael Moore and the Indigo Girls. The march follows, stepping off at 1:15 p.m. Eastern.



While the masses head to Washington, more than a thousand sister marches are planned in every state in the U.S. and in cities around the world, including London, Berlin, Mexico City, Seoul and more, according to the Washington march's website. The Chicago rally starts at 10 a.m. Central on Columbus Drive just north of Jackson Drive, and more than 50,000 people are expected to march on Jackson through the Loop starting at 11:30 a.m. Central, according to the Tribune and womens121marchonchicago.org.

The globalization of the movement points to the inclusivity of the march, Chakraborty said, focusing on issues that apply to people of all genders. But some are hung up on the name and think the march excludes men, she said.

"This is a women-led movement, but that doesn't mean it can't be a movement for everyone, because it is," said Chakraborty, who's marching with her husband tomorrow. "If you consider yourself an ally to women's rights and women in general, which is more than half the population, then you should come."

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She said she believes feminism is one of the more misunderstood movements in recent history, but being a feminist isn't determined by gender. At the forefront of the march are women with jobs and families who aren't getting cut a paycheck for the planning. "None of us have the time to do it, but we are still doing it because it's important," Chakraborty said. While she encourages people of all genders to get involved, she wants to remind women that the women's rights and feminist movements were only the beginning of something larger.

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"From time to time, we become complacent.  We thought that we had fought for these rights and won them, but look at it now, women's healthcare [issues are] back on the table to be debated once more," she said. "So it's not like this is done and dusted and women are completely emancipated, no, that's not true. If you think our battles are won, you're wrong. We still need to scream and shout about it."

Getting involved is seemingly easier than ever, and social media is at the helm of the Women's March. But it's important that any political action doesn't start and die there, Chakraborty said. Political activism online, such as signing petitions and engaging in difficult conversations with peers, can be beneficial in raising awareness, but there must be a balance of ground action, including showing up in person. She said her team printed flyers and worked with churches and other organizations to reach those who don't use Facebook and Twitter.

Chakraborty said that she isn't sure what will happen after the march, but that "this has to be the beginning. This cannot be a one-day event." She hopes marchers go home inspired to connect with nonprofits or start their own organizations. She and her team are talking about hosting a fair where marchers can get more info on where to get involved.

Chakraborty said she's moved by the outpouring of help she's had in planning and the number of people mobilizing. But the potential reality that the movement will lose mass momentum after the march doesn't dishearten her.

"When you come back, maybe 30 people will want to be part of the next step, but a lot of times those people make a difference in the system," Chakraborty said. "They are the activists of the next generation. They are going to be the people who found organizations. They are going to be the people who run for office. It's the fact that we gave rise to a new generation of activists. If that's all we do, then that's fine by me. We lit the fire in some more people."

@OhItsHeather | hschroering@redeyechicago.com
Lorraine Samluk, 86, was a crossing guard in Chicagos Logan Square neighborhood for more than five decades. (Brooke Collins / City of Chicago)

For more than five decades, Lorraine Samluk helped children on bikes and on foot make their way to and from Avondale and Logandale elementary schools in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood.

The crossing guard, known as "LaLa" to children, manned her post on frigid days and blazing, humid ones, in rain and in snow, guiding more than 150,000 children safely across the street at the intersection of Diversey and Sawyer avenues.

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"I never once heard her complain about her job," said her son, Michael. "She loved being around the children and keeping them safe."

Samluk, 86, who retired from her crossing guard post in 2014, died of natural causes Jan. 11 in her North Side home.

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Seven years ago, while standing to the side of her busy intersection, Samluk was presented with a surprise unveiling of an honorary street sign bearing her name in recognition of 45 years of dedication to her job.

"I feel like I have died and gone to heaven," an overwhelmed Samluk told the gathering of family and friends that sunny September day in 2009. "This was a big surprise."

At that time, Samluk was the city's senior crossing guard.

"She makes a supervisor's job easy," her former police supervisor, Roman Robaszewski, said during the unveiling, according to the Logan Square Neighborhood Association website. "She is the definition of the term 'public service.'"

Just weeks after retiring, at 84, Samluk was summoned to City Hall for a ceremony, where she was presented with a plaque by Mayor Rahm Emanuel for her more than 50 years of service.

"The awards and all the recognition were great, but what really mattered to her were the kids," her son said. "And they all loved her."

Born and raised Lorraine Mikieta, the daughter of Polish immigrants, Samluk grew up on the North Side, the third youngest of eight children. She was married at 18 to Joseph Samluk, who survives her.

In 1964, after working at a Zenith Corp. plant for several years, Samluk became a crossing guard with the Chicago Police Department's 14th District.

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She rarely missed a day of work. But a few years before retiring, Samluk was forced to take time off after she was side-swiped by a car in the middle of the intersection and broke her arm.

"Her arm had to heal," her son said. "But as soon as she got her doctor's OK, she was right back out on the street and helping the kids."

Samluk also is survived by a daughter, Lucy Penczak, and two grandchildren.

Services were held.

Joan Giangrasse Kates is a freelance reporter.
Ascencion Clara Vazquez, who told me she is "5 and three-quarters," prefers her Hello Kitty hat. But if her great-grandmother was willing, well, she'd go along. She tugged on a bright-pink, hand-knitted hat with the tips that look like cat ears and squeezed in for a quick photo with her family  four generations traveling to the nation's capital to participate in the Women's March on Washington.

Ascencion and her mother, Charity Anne Caldwell, 36, of Oak Park, are the younger half of the group. Along with them on the 14-hour Rally Bus trip from Chicago was the little girl's great-aunt, Christina Caldwell, 60, from Cypress, Calif., and her great-grandmother, Clara Caldwell, 87, of Rock Island.

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Clara had suggested the trip to her family, she said, because she wants Ascencion to remember how many women were willing to come out to fight for girls like her.

"I want what every woman wants for their children and grandchildren  and great-grandchildren," Clara said. "For them to be able to earn a living on their own, to be respected and to have the right to make decisions about their own body."

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Clara, who is a longtime member of the American Association of University Women and has been an activist as long as her family can remember, learned about the march from friends in that group who are also participating. They'll meet up with more members of AAUW Saturday morning and march together.

Ascencion, who hasn't decided yet which hat she'll wear to the march, said she's excited to see all the people.

As the bus rolled into Washington Friday, someone made note that Donald Trump was being sworn in as president of the United States at that moment. Ascencion, a quarter-year away from turning 6, was rueful. "I know," she said, "it's hard to get over."

Lara Weber is a member of the Tribune Editorial Board.

Follow her on Twitter @lweber
President Donald Trump recently took a swat at one of his favorite pinatas, Big Pharma, vowing to revamp federal rules for buying prescription drugs.

"They're getting away with murder," he said of drugmakers. "Pharma has a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power and there is very little bidding. We're the largest buyer of drugs in the world and yet we don't bid properly and we're going to save billions of dollars."

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He didn't elaborate, but we also heard this from Republican candidate Trump, and from Democratic rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. All proposed changing the law to allow federal officials to negotiate prices of prescription drugs for Medicare Part D. All promised savings for customers and the government.

Right now, private insurers bargain individually over drug prices for millions of seniors in Part D. That was a major concession to drugmakers in the current law, which took effect in 2006. Critics say the government could drive down prices with its potentially enormous leverage at the bargaining table.

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But we have been, and still are, skeptical. A federal bigfoot of pricing could squash the innovation that yields such miracle drugs as Sovaldi, the hepatitis C cure. Many of these miracle drugs start out with breathtakingly high prices, but ultimately settle into generic versions at reasonable costs. But that can't happen if the drug isn't invented in the first place.

The Congressional Budget Office says letting the feds bargain "would have a negligible effect on federal spending (for Part D)." That's because private plans already negotiate excellent prices, particularly when there are several alternatives in a drug category. Private benefit managers have been so successful at saving money that overall federal spending on Part D is one-third less than CBO anticipated when that law passed in 2003.

That's not just private prowess at negotiating. Other factors: More lower-cost generics have hit the market than CBO expected. And fewer people have enrolled in Part D than the feds projected.

But high-cost miracle drugs like Sovaldi (sticker price: $84,000 for the 12-week course) are pushing up costs and spurring those who want to give bargaining power to the secretary of Health and Human Services. Medicare already sets prices for many medical procedures and therapies, including some drugs, the reasoning goes, so why not for all drugs? Other parts of the government, too, already exert pricing leverage. Medicaid, which insures poor Americans, extracts huge rebates from drugmakers.

For many blockbuster drugs, however, there are no generics and no substitutes. That limits bargaining leverage. And it's why the Obama administration proposed allowing the feds to negotiate for high-priced drugs when there is no competition and when private plans have little leverage to drive a better bargain. The idea got no traction in Congress.

What to think? Many people struggle with high drug costs. We understand why Americans overwhelmingly favor anything that promises to cut those costs. But letting the feds shoulder out private insurers in negotiations smacks of counterproductive government price controls.

Pharmaceutical companies invest billions to develop new drugs. They have a limited time frame to sell those drugs before generic copies are allowed. Consumers will seek out a drug that delivers a benefit greater than any other. But the price could be uncomfortably high.

Remember, though, these are drugs that often help patients avoid even more expensive treatments, surgeries included. Price controls would discourage companies from investing hugely to develop new blockbuster drugs. If the government is setting bargain-basement prices, CEOs may say: Why bother?

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Sure, Big Pharma makes mega-profits on some drugs. But companies also spend billions researching drugs that flop.

We don't endorse price gouging, or profiteering, on drugs. Companies risk their reputations and invite competition (and, yes, criticism from Washington) when they hike prices. But we think those market pressures, not government interventions, ultimately produce the most efficient pricing for consumers.

Trump the businessman might not build in a real estate market if the feds managed condo prices. Why does President Trump think drugmakers would react any differently?

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Give President Donald Trump a chance
Heather Wilhelm wrote Friday that there's no need to fear Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump's education secretary-designate, and her fellow Christians.

As someone who grew up in one of two Jewish families in a community much like hers (only instead of Dutch Reformed, most of our neighbors were Lutherans), I can tell you there is good reason for those of us who do not consider themselves Christian to fear DeVos and those like her who  albeit with good intentions  don't understand the danger in what they are proposing.

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In my town, the first thing you asked a new kid was, "What church do you go to?" And if the answer was, "We don't go to church, we're Jewish," the next question was either (and I swear I am not making this up), "What kind of Christian is that?" or "Do you believe in God?" (And by "God," they meant Jesus.)

And I can attest to the good intentions, too: Neighbors kept trying to convince my parents to send me and my brother to Sunday School "so they'll at least have something."

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Oh, and then there was the time it took our Unitarian friends' protest to get the public school board to excuse me from the formerly mandatory baccalaureate service in a church when I graduated from high school. (My parents wanted to let it slide.)

Those examples are pretty benign. But allowing them to go unquestioned  let alone appointing someone who thinks that way as the executive in charge of education for all American children is not. Jewish kids, Muslim kids, Hindu kids, gay and transgender kids understand this and always have. Catholic kids used to understand it. But do Dutch Reformed and Lutheran and Methodist and Baptist and Seventh-day Adventist and Mormon kids  all of whom currently consider themselves Christian  understand the danger it poses to them? Establishing the tenets of one faith  any faith  as the template for public education is dangerous to people of all faiths.

In addition to her obvious lack of experience in any sort of managerial or executive position, her ignorance of the basic principle of the separation of church and state  especially when it comes to the education and socialization of children  makes her not just unqualified, but actively dangerous as a candidate for secretary of education.

 Fran Fruit, Winnetka
If President Donald Trump had simply added an angry, finger-pointing scolding of the media and a "build that wall!" call-and-response to his inaugural address Friday, it would have been virtually indistinguishable from one of his campaign speeches.

Instead of new Trump  humble, generous, realistic  we got the same old Trump  vain, churlish, naive. As has been his style since he announced his bid for the presidency in 2015, he painted a grim portrait of the nation in his address  "American carnage" was the most memorable phrase of the 16-minute speech  and a gorgeous picture of the nation he will create, a paradise of jobs, wealth, safety and responsive government.

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But the moment didn't call for a revival of the grandiose campaign blather that served him well last summer and fall when he was whipping up enthusiasm among his supporters. Instead, the moment called for inclusive, inspirational oratory  words aimed less at his true believers than at those who are skeptical and apprehensive, to say the least, about the temperament and judgment of their new president.

A few annotations from the prepared address:

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"For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.  Jan. 20, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again."

The extended anti-Washington riff at the top was populist boilerplate. But, in context, it also was a not-so-subtle slap to the face, not only to all the ex-presidents seated behind him, but also to the men and women of both parties in Congress whose cooperation he will need, and who don't think of themselves as venal, obtuse scoundrels.

"You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before."

Has Trump ever cracked a history book? Though his campaign style was unorthodox, the grass-roots "movement" behind it was fairly ordinary and fueled in large part by the unpopularity of his Democratic opponent. It didn't even result in a victory in the popular vote.

"Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential: This American carnage stops right here and stops right now."

Yes, America has problems. But it isn't nearly the dystopian "hellscape" he described. And the "stops right here and stops right now" declaration echoes the absurd promise in his speech at the Republican National Convention, "Beginning on January 20, 2017, safety will be restored."

"We've made other countries rich, while the wealth, strength, and confidence of our country has disappeared over the horizon."

It's a fine line between a populist and a simpleton, and Trump perpetually wanders across it. Whether he understands the complexities of international military, political and trade relations or just pretends not to for the purposes of colorful speechifying is something we'll learn by and by.

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"We will build new roads, and highways, and bridges, and airports, and tunnels, and railways all across our wonderful nation."

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 157 President Donald Trump gives a thumbs-up alongside first lady Melania Trump at the Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. At left is Army Staff Sgt. Joseph A. Medina and second from left is Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Catherine Cartmell. (Alex Brandon / AP)

If Trump can drag his party into supporting the massive infrastructure spending this nation badly needs, he'll be well on his way to re-election. As a Democrat.

"We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American."

Do as Trump says, not as the Trump Organization does.

"We will  unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."

The invocation of the phrase "radical Islamic terrorism" by an American president no doubt sent a thrill up the leg of many right-wing pundits, but President Barack Obama and other leading U.S. officials have avoided using those words because they needlessly risked alienating mainstream, peace-loving Muslims throughout the world and did nothing to enhance anyone's understanding of the problem.

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It's emblematic of Trump's lack of depth that he imagines it's possible to "eradicate completely" any loose affiliation of violent extremists, let alone one with deep roots in foreign lands.

"When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice."

In an ideal world, true American patriots  those who love and adhere to our nation's highest ideals  axiomatically reject prejudice. In the real world, however, there's a striking correlation between patriotism, nationalism, intolerance and bigotry.

"The time for empty talk is over."

Whenever you're ready, Mr. President. We, too, have had it with inflated promises and shopworn bromides.

"We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the Earth from the miseries of disease and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow."

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This is Rorschach rhetoric. Conservatives hear in it a pledge to deregulate businesses to free them to perform such miracles. Liberals hear in it a pledge to devote new and considerable government resources to tackling our greatest challenges. Cynics hear the sound of rushing hot air.

"To all Americans, in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, and from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again."

Inflaming grievances is a great way to campaign, but a lousy way to govern.

"Together, we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And, yes, together, we will make America great again."

Never mind that America is already strong, wealthy, proud and comparatively safe. Trump, with a throw-back, bumper-sticker speech, showed no inclination to manage expectations or transition from a politician into a president.

Stuck in his own past, he'll have a hard time leading us to the future.

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Language alerts

Please join me in avoiding the term "gaming" to describe casino gambling. The topic will be in the news as an expansion in the number of casinos in Illinois has become part of the budget negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in Springfield, and the word "gaming" is an industry-friendly and utterly unnecessary euphemism.

Also, please obtain a small air horn or vuvuzela to blast whenever you hear a Republican speak about replacing Obamacare with a program that expands "access" to health insurance. Access is not coverage. Don't fall for the verbal sleight of hand. Access to shabby plans with high premiums will not fulfill Trump's promise to guarantee "insurance for all." Hold Republicans to that.

Re: Tweets

The winner of the Tweet of the Week reader poll: "I hope everyone who voted for (Jill) Stein because 'both candidates are the same' has enough healing crystals to replace their health insurance," by @msgwenl.

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Arlington Heights resident Erin Blackburn, pictured here, is one of hundreds of parents who are urging officials with Arlington Heights School District 25 to start a full-day kindergarten program. (Karen Ann Cullotta / Pioneer Press)

Officials with Arlington Heights School District 25 said Thursday that they are considering a local parent group's request for a full-day kindergarten program, but it could require families who choose that option to foot the bill.

Arlington Heights resident Erin Blackburn, a spokeswoman for the parent group Full Day K District 25, which has attracted hundreds of members, said she was disheartened to learn that though 75 percent of school districts in Illinois offer full-day kindergarten, Arlington Heights doesn't.

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"The reason we started the group in the first place was because Arlington Heights doesn't have full-day kindergarten, which broke my heart," said Blackburn, a special education teacher at a north suburban school district, who shared her concerns with officials at Thursday night's District 25 Board of Education meeting.

In an interview earlier in the day, District 25 Supt. Lori Bein said that officials were well aware of the requests for an all-day kindergarten program, after a March 2016 community survey indicated that it was among the top concerns for local families.

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Bein said that exploring the option of a full-day kindergarten is a key component of the district's "Strategic Vision 2020," a mission statement that officials unanimously approved on Thursday.

Nonetheless, Bein said officials plan to seek direction from the district's staff to ascertain if expanding the current half-day program to a full-day would be in the best interest of students.

"For me, the first step is, what does staff think is right and good for kindergarten learners?" Bein said.

"We also face different road blocks from other districts that have started full-day kindergarten programs, as we have a lack of space, and some districts have empty classrooms," Bein said.

For example, Bein said if District 25 were to start a full-day kindergarten program at all of the district's seven elementary schools, 16 additional classrooms would be needed, as well as doubling the current staffing from 24 kindergarten teachers to more than 48 teachers.

While local property taxes that make up the majority of the district's budget would continue to support the half-day kindergarten program, Bein said officials estimate that families who would choose the full-day option could pay roughly $5,000 a year to support the increased costs for new facilities and extra personnel.

In addition, Bein said District 25 is among the majority of Township High School District 214 feeder elementary districts  including Mount Prospect School District 57, Palatine School District 15, Prospect Heights School District 23 and Wheeling School District 21  that offer mainly half-day kindergarten programs.

Neighboring districts that do offer students a full-day kindergarten program include Community Consolidated School District 59 and River Trails District 26, Bein said.

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While District 25 officials will likely make some decision on the future of full-day kindergarten this summer, Bein said if the concept is approved, the soonest it could begin would be at the start of the 2018-19 school year.

"Whatever decision we make, it needs to be sustainable," Bein said. "It has to be right for the kids and the community, and we need to decide how to make that happen."

kcullotta@tribpub.com

Twitter: @kcullotta
School District 308 to hold English and computer classes for adults at Boulder Hill Elementary School in Montgomery. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

School District 308 to offer adult English, computer classes

Community Unit School District 308, based in Oswego, will offer free adult classes in English as a second language and computer skills.

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The courses will last 90 minutes. Each will be offered twice Tuesday at Boulder Hill Elementary School in Montgomery. Free child care will be provided.

The first session will run from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and the second session will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The timing is designed to allow those interested to take both courses, district officials said in a statement.

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District officials asked anyone with questions to call 630-636-3689.

Rosary High School parents group to hold Trivia Night

Rosary High School's Parents Auxiliary will host Trivia Night Jan. 28.

The event, which will begin at 7 p.m., is set for Oak Street Restaurant & Bar, 945 Oak St. in North Aurora.

The evening will feature prizes, a 50/50 raffle, beverages, desserts, and a cash bar.

The cost is $20 per person. People may sign up individually or as a team. Walk-ins will be accepted if room is available.

To sign-up, go to www.rosaryhs.com/trivia. For more information, call the school at 630-896-0831.

Rosary High School is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school for young women at 901 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora, and sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois.

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Kane County Genealogical Society presents 'Your Next Step'

The monthly meeting of the Kane County Genealogical Society will be 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 in the first floor meeting room of the Geneva History Museum, 113 S. 3rd. St., Geneva.

The topic for this meeting will be "Your Next Step: Organize & Share Your Family History." The speaker is Steve Zsabados.

This presentation discusses a process and format that makes research efforts more efficient and makes the results easier to share, according to a news release.

It will discuss how to organize the information extracted from documents and family oral history. The presentation will begin with a simple method of organizing research into readable documents.

Zsabados is a genealogy lecturer and researcher who has written 11 books on genealogy, the release said. He is also a genealogy columnist for the Polish American Journal.

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He graduated from the University of Illinois and later received his master's degree from Northern Illinois University.

He is a member of the Northwest Suburban Council of Genealogists, Illinois State Genealogical Society and the Polish Genealogical Society of America.

For information, call 630-879-0672 or go to www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ilkcgs
A Chicago man has been sent to prison for forcibly entering an Aurora home and taking cash at gunpoint from a resident.

Lawrence Baldwin, 23, of the 100 block of South Parkside Avenue in Chicago, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison by Kane County Associate Judge Clint Hull.

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On Oct. 20, Baldwin pleaded guilty to home invasion, a class X felony, and robbery, a class 2 felony.

Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Alex Bederka presented evidence during the plea and sentencing hearings that about 12:45 p.m. April 8, 2014, Baldwin knocked on the door of the victim's residence on the 1800 block of Tall Oaks Drive in Aurora. The resident, a woman, opened the door, and Baldwin, armed with a handgun, pushed his way into the residence and demanded money.

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Baldwin then pushed the woman to the floor, told her that her boyfriend owed him money and then made her look away from the bedroom door while another person entered the residence, took $600 from the woman's bedroom and left.

The investigation revealed that Baldwin had learned from a third party  a man who was a friend of the woman's boyfriend  that the victim kept a jar containing cash hidden in her bedroom.

According to Illinois law, Baldwin is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He was given credit for 595 days served in the Kane County Jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $200,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.
The gloves came off a bit at the most recent mayoral forum in Aurora, as the four candidates stressed the distinctions they say make them the most qualified to become Aurora's next mayor.

State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, Aldermen Richard Irvin, at large, and Michael Saville, 6th Ward, and Rick Guzman, Aurora's assistant chief of staff, all said their particular experience was the best preparation to be mayor of Illinois' second largest city.

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The four met for the second time in this campaign, at Pipers Banquet Hall on the far northeast side, on Thursday night. They will meet at least five more times before the Feb. 28 primary winnows the field to two final candidates for the April 4 general consolidated election.

Chapa LaVia stressed that her experience as the only candidate who has served in the General Assembly makes her uniquely qualified to work with state and federal sources, a connection Aurora relies on. Irvin said as an alderman at large, he is the only candidate who has represented the entire city.

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"I'm not from Springfield, and I'm not interested in bringing Springfield to Aurora because it's broken," Irvin said. "I'm not a ward alderman, I'm not a city employee."

Chapa LaVia responded that the city needs help from both Springfield and Washington for programs, and called shutting Springfield out "short-sighted and timid." She said she comes to Aurora government with a fresh perspective.

"We've had years of these people up here, now they want to do something?" she said.

But Saville said those years are exactly why he is the "best to lead our city." He has been the 6th Ward alderman for almost 32 years.

"No one on this stage has been a part of more policies and decisions as I have," he said.

Guzman said he is the only one in the race with actual experience in the executive branch of government, having worked in the mayor's office in Aurora for the past five years, and before that working in the governor's office in Springfield with Govs. George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich.

He called himself "one of the few folks" who was part of both Republican and Democratic administrations.

Springfield also took a beating when candidates were asked what state mandate they would eliminate or modify if they had the opportunity. All four candidates agreed the funding formula for schools, which state government has not lived up to anyway, should be modified in some way.

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Saville said the current formula should be "eliminated and reformed." Irvin agreed, pointing out there has been no change in the state's school funding formula in 19 years, 14 of which Chapa LaVia has been in Springfield.

Chapa LaVia countered that she has been working on school funding reform as a state representative. But she added the best thing Aurora can do is spend its own budget wisely and find new revenue sources.

She said while the city has had a balanced budget, it has done so by spending down its reserves.

"When you do that, you have to be careful," she said.

That prompted Guzman to say that "there are no reserves in Springfield to dip into," and that instead the state government has pushed the spending off more and more to local government. As far as what mandates he would eliminate, Guzman said "I don't know where to start."

"Unfunded mandates are a way of life in Springfield," he said.

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Irvin and Saville focused in on the state's mandate for local government to pay the costs of local public safety pensions. The state government mandates that it be paid, but forces local government to do it.

Irvin said he would have everything done locally, including allowing local government to regulate the pensions since they have to pay for them.

"It would eliminate even having to listen to Springfield," he said.

Saville pointed out that funding public safety pensions added $2.1 million to the city budget in 2016, and will only get worse down the line.

"It's an untenable situation that has to be solved in Springfield," he said.

While Thursday's forum was run by the Central Kane County League of Women Voters, it also was sponsored by several Aurora neighborhood groups. That prompted a question to the candidates about taxes, particularly on the East Side, where some properties experienced big increases.

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Chapa LaVia said she would favor an economic development plan specifically for the East Side schools, and it could include a specific payment toward the East Aurora School District for any development that comes into town.

"Wherever the location is in the city, it could be a set-aside fund," she said.

She added that increasing the tax base through economic development is necessary to help all the schools in the city.

The other candidates agreed about economic development, but had their own specifics about it. Guzman pointed out that he has proposed a tax rebate of the city portion of the property taxes to seniors who experience a big jump in their taxes.

"But this is a question of, really, how do we firm up the tax base," he said.

Irvin said within his first 100 days of becoming mayor, he would convene a consortium of taxing bodies to see how they can cooperate to possibly lower taxes. He also would use the city's high bond rating to refund and try to bring down the city's debt, and then work with aldermen to develop specific economic development plans for each ward.

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Saville said one of the keys to his economic development plans is to further develop the city's "smart economy"  increasing and using the city's 67 miles of fiber optics it has to draw in corporate business and other businesses that would use the network.

"That's the future," he said. "If we can do that we'll be a leader in the state."

slord@tribpub.com
Now that the 45th president has been sworn in and America's wild and wacky campaign season is in the rearview mirror, we here in the Fox Valley can turn our full attention to the politics that affect us most.

Aurora's mayoral election.

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OK, so maybe you're not yet over the sting of the 2016 election  still boycotting Crazy Uncle Al? Have yet to reconnect with those former BFFs you unfriended on Facebook?  but you do realize it's in your best interest to let go of the past.

And right now, at least for those who live and work in Aurora, the present is all about who will be sitting behind the mayor's desk at City Hall come spring.

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The problem is our brains were permanently rewired after living through Guttergate 2016, with most of us tuning into those raucous televised debates to be entertained rather than informed.

So I'm blaming Clinton and (mostly) Trump for the reason I was a tad let down that Thursday night's Aurora mayoral debate at Pipers Banquets on the city's far East Side was such a low-key affair, with the four candidates sitting passively next to each other while politely answering questions generated by the 300-plus crowd that gathered.

It's not like there weren't grounds for my disappointment, as the candidates all had taken verbal swings at each other early on. Last summer, Ald. Richard Irvin and Ald. Mike Saville, along with Rick Guzman, assistant chief of staff in the mayor's office, issued a joint statement criticizing opponent Linda Chapa LaVia's ties to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, with the state representative countering that her political foes were running a campaign based on fear.

A month later, the group sparred over the issue of the mayor's salary. Then in December, Chapa LaVia accused Guzman of fraud for helping a fifth candidate, who has since dropped out, get on the ballot. Guzman's response: Chapa LaVia was employing "typical Madigan-machine tactics to force another candidate from the race."

All that drama  and not once were the words "crooked" or "nasty" or "unfit" uttered at Thursday's forum.

Instead, Saville, who some consider the dark horse in this race, effectively touted his decades of experience on the City Council, focusing on creating a "smart economy" built on fiber optics and taking the lead in changing the state's school funding formula.

Guzman rightly pointed to Aurora's present successes, including the fact a Realtor's online survey recently named it one of the "top 20 best-run cities in the nation," while he also emphasized the need for "a more proactive approach instead of reacting."

A passionate and polished Chapa LaVia, who brought up how her Springfield connections helped bring home such projects as RiverEdge Park and the new Aurora Public Library building downtown, declared, "We can't be short-sighted and timid."

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And an equally aggressive Irvin recalled myriad discussions he's already had with major developers, honing in on his mission to not only "create a vision but begin to execute it, starting on day one."

That's not to say there weren't a few shots fired across the bow at this second of seven scheduled debates, with both Guzman and Irvin taking aim once again at Chapa LaVia's Springfield ties.

At one point, Guzman made a point of declaring that unfunded mandates are "how Springfield does things." And Irvin, when talking about how the city should "determine our own destiny," insisted that a broken Springfield has no place in Aurora.

Chapa LaVia, of course, fired back at her three opponents  all with strong ties to City Hall  about the need to change "the culture of city government" to be more transparent and accountable.

She noted later in the debate how the other three candidates are all tied to city government. "Now they want to do something?" she said.

You get the idea: While there may not have been fireworks, more than a few sparks were flying around the dais. And there's a strong likelihood that, as the election draws closer, the heat will increase.

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That being said, kudos to all four candidates for strong performances that, for the most part, stuck to policy. While we may want a little more drama at these debates, in the end what Aurora needs is a winner who can best describe his or her vision for Aurora and the most realistic path to achieving it.

The next mayoral debate will take place Feb. 6 at the Eola Community Center, where you can meet all the candidates running for local offices at 6:30 p.m. Local politics may not be as entertaining as what we get on national TV. But it's certainly important that we tune in whenever possible.

dcrosby@tribpub.com
Jack Busking, 1, of Palos Heights, has had a rough start to his life. He's already a veteran of several surgeries, including a heart transplant. (Lurie Children's Hospital photo)

In a season that began with thanks and culminated in holiday gifts and new year renewal, Pam Garcia and John Busking of Palos Heights learned what it is to receive one of the greatest gifts of them all. They were given the precious and precarious gift of life for their 1-year-old son, Jack, who late last year underwent heart transplant surgery at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago.

"We are very, very grateful to the parents who donated their baby's heart," Garcia said. "There were so many times that we thought we were going to lose Jack during the wait."

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Jack Busking was born Oct. 31, 2015, with a congenital heart defect  the entire left side of his heart was too small to function, according to Alexa Harris, one of Jack's cardiovascular thoracic surgery physician assistants at Lurie.

Jack's mother said they had no warning. Her pregnancy ran smoothly, and the ultrasounds all indicated she would have a healthy baby boy.

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"When he was born, though, his stats started dropping. They thought that maybe he had an infection," she said, "but then they heard a murmur in his heart."

Born at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, little Jack was almost immediately diagnosed with the heart condition.

"I was devastated," Garcia said. "I was shocked. They said, 'Your son is going to need at least three open heart surgeries,' but they expected a good outcome."

Jack underwent his first open heart procedure on November 7, 2015. He was one week old.

"He wasn't fine, but he was OK," Garcia said. "We literally just wanted him to survive until his second surgery."

Later that year, on April 14, Jack went in for surgery again, and things took a turn for the worse. His already compromised health began failing.

"He just didn't have enough reserve to make his heart work," Harris said. "These children go through heart failure just like elderly patients do. They experience the same symptoms and discomfort."

Harris was one of over a dozen medical team members who worked with Jack while he waited for his heart.

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"Jack was our little troublemaker. He has a big personality. He was always a little bit sassy. He kept us on our toes," Harris said. "He was squirrelly at times. You could tell that he wanted to move and play and do all the normal things that babies do."

But normal wasn't in the cards for Jack. From birth, his life had been one of hospitals, feeding tubes, and therapists.

"He really wasn't living," Garcia said. "He was just surviving."

According to Harris, a pediatric heart transplant is a long procedure that requires perfect timing. Once a heart is located and on its way, doctors and nurses work together to orchestrate a smooth swap. When the chest is opened, out comes the old heart and in goes the new.

Jack's parents stayed at the Ronald McDonald House during their son's time at Lurie, and Harris recalls Garcia being a constant presence at the hospital.

"Pam was there morning, noon, and night. Sun-up until sundown," Harris said. "You get close with the babies and with their parents. You talk, because they need the conversation. She's a lovely woman."

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On Nov. 7, one year to the day after Jack's first open heart surgery, he was released from Lurie. First he went to Ronald McDonald with his parents  there were too many checkups, appointments, and question marks for him to immediately go home. Then on Nov. 21, he was released. Pam and John Busking and their son finally went home.

Thanksgiving came and was celebrated, but in early December, life threw another curveball at the family: Jack's body was rejecting his new heart.

"We didn't expect this," Garcia said.

Jack was readmitted to Lurie. He spent two weeks there  including Christmas day  undergoing treatment while his family and team worked for his recovery. On Dec. 27 he was able once again to go home.

His mother said that he has weekly appointments with doctors and that Jack "is doing good now."

"We're hoping for the best," Garcia said. "As long as he's OK, I'm good."

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Angela Denk is a freelance reporter for The Daily Southtown.
Will County Board member and Chair of the Capitol Improvements committee Ragan Freitag spoke at the October groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new public safety complex. (Jon Langham / Daily Southtown)

Will County board member Ragan Freitag could become the county board's chief of staff, replacing Bruce Friefeld, who retired at the end of December after serving for 28 years, according to several officials.

Gary Mack, spokesman for board Speaker Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort Township, said Friday that Moustis offered the job to Freitag in the "last few days," but "nothing has been formalized."

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Freitag, a Wilmington Republican, who was just re-elected in November for a two-year term, is an associate attorney with the Joliet law firm of Kavanagh, Grumley and Gorbold. She did not respond to calls seeking comment Friday, but sources said she was attending the presidential inauguration.

While some board members said they were not aware of Friefeld's official plans for retirement until after the election, Democratic Minority Leader Herb Brooks Jr., D-Joliet, said he and other board members were aware of Friefeld's plans to retire before November.

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Brooks declined to comment on Freitag's appointment.

The job does not have to be posted nor approved by the county board, but Mack said it will likely be brought up for a vote.

While Friefeld left "big shoes to fill," Moustis "respects Ragan and thinks she is very bright and talented and she's familiar with the county board," Mack said.

Friefeld also was an attorney, and that experience proved valuable to his position, he said.

When asked if other candidates were considered, Mack said, "I am sure there were others but I don't know who."

If Freitag accepts, she could move into the job "relatively quickly," since the position is vacant, he said.

"If Moustis made the offer, I am confident Ragan would accept. She told me she would like the job," said board member Steve Balich, R-Orland Park. "Ragan would be a fantastic chief of staff. She treats people with respect and gets along with everyone."

"She's a young attorney and she has some experience on the county board," said Don Moran, D-Romeoville. "I'm open minded, I hope she'll do a great job."

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Will County Chief Judge Richard Shoenstedt said he was told about the pending appointment in a recent meeting with Freitag, Moustis and other county officials about the courthouse.

Freitag heads the county board's capital improvement committee and has been a strong supporter of a new courthouse.

"She's been a big proponent of the new courthouse; but we're not going to lose any energy over it," Schoenstedt said. "The vast majority of county board members are supporting a new courthouse in a big way."

He said Freitag would be a "valuable asset" to the county board and that her knowledge of county board operations and people involved in the issues would help in her new role.

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Will County board member Mark Ferry, D-Plainfield, was critical of the pending appointment pointing to Freitag abstentions on county board votes because of conflict of interest.

Her appointment to the chief of staff position would create a board vacancy to filled by a Republican appointment.

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Freitag's Democratic opponent in the November election, Joe VanDuyne said he will run again for that county board seat in 2018, and feels voters should have known about this possible appointment before the election.

By seeking re-election, Freitag "said she would serve two years and she had no intention of doing that," VanDuyne said.

He also issued a news release saying, "Ms. Freitag's claims that she got into politics for the 'right reasons' are clearly proven false. The county board chief of staff had announced plans to retire this past fall, and immediately Freitag was zeroed in on as the likely replacement."

"Freitag proves she is in this for personal interests only by accepting this position, not even two months into her term," he said in the statement, calling it "politics at work."

slafferty@tribpub.com
Oak Lawn and its firefighters union have long been at odds over minimum staffing requirements. The village would like to reduce the number of firefighters staffed per engine from four to three, and drop the staffing per shift from 21 down to 19. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown)

Oak Lawn failed to secure the staffing reductions it has long coveted from its fire department, but received its preferred wage increase schedule and the employee residency requirements it sought in a split arbitration decision handed down earlier this month.

Arbitrator Steven Bierig's ruling in favor of maintaining the status quo of 21 firefighters per shift rather than drop minimum manning to 19 individuals on duty at all times, as the village prefers, ensures that the long-running conflict between Oak Lawn and its firefighters union over staffing levels will persist for the foreseeable future.

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Bierig opined that reducing staffing constituted a "breakthrough" issue  one that represents a major change in the status quo and thus requires the village to meet a heightened burden of proof  and that it failed to satisfy that elevated standard.

The village and the union have been at odds over minimum manning for years, and millions of taxpayer dollars hang in the balance.

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The dispute dates back to 2008, when the firefighters union filed a grievance against Oak Lawn after the village, as a belt-tightening measure, began staffing engines with three people, rather than four, as is stipulated in the contract.

The administration, with the support of Fire Chief George Sheets, has argued that the department can safely and effectively run with three individuals on an engine and a total of 19 firefighters per shift. The reduction in staffing is necessary, the village contends, in order to meet skyrocketing employee pension obligations.

The union argues that four to an engine and 21 individuals on duty at all times  as a grievance arbitrator decided in 2008  represent the minimum staffing necessary to keep firefighters and the community safe.

Unable to make headway in discussions on the topic, the parties have turned to an arbitrator to adjudicate recent labor contracts.

The collective bargaining dispute first went to interest arbitrator Edwin Benn in 2014, who rejected the village's economic argument for reducing staffing levels because, he said, the system was not "operationally broken."

When that contract expired at the end of 2014, the village, still unable to reach a compromise with the union, returned to arbitration, this time before Bierig.

Bierig, who issued his decision on Jan. 1, echoed Benn's earlier analysis that a reduction in manning was not justified because current staffing levels were working as intended, and left it up to the parties themselves to negotiate any changes.

"It is clear, based on the evidence presented, that the reason that the village wishes to reduce manning, is primarily economic, and not operational," he wrote. "This is not a valid reason to obtain a breakthrough change in interest arbitration."

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Despite its inability thus far to work out a collective bargaining agreement suitable to both parties, Mayor Sandra Bury said she remains hopeful that the village and union can reach a compromise and avoid returning to interest arbitration a third time.

However, if another arbitration becomes necessary, officials said that prior setbacks on the minimum manning issue would not deter them from pushing it again in hopes that a new arbitrator would favor their economic argument.

"Am I going to give up on the taxpayers because I feel this arbitration system isn't really working for them? No." Bury said. "I'm not going to give up on the taxpayers. And I'm not going to give up on the firefighters. I've been painted to be anti-firefighter. I have nothing but respect and admiration for our first responders, and this is to help them have viable pensions."

Bury said the village's annual pension obligations have more than doubled since she took office in 2013, from $2.39 million to $5.91 million. By 2019, those costs are expected to double again, reaching $12 million, she said. Oak Lawn's entire 2017 budget is $56.7 million.

"For us to go from $2.39 million to $5.91 million has taken a huge amount of effort to make that work," Bury said. "To get from $5.91 million to $12 million, it's going to be a miracle.

"It's not me being nasty about anything," she said of her desire to reduce staffing and cut overtime costs. "It's trying to pay the bills. They're coming due. You've got to have a plan."

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Trustee Bob Streit, who is challenging Bury in April's mayoral election and often provides the lone dissenting voice on Oak Lawn's village board, wants the village to drop the minimum manning issue.

He believes reducing staffing levels would endanger the lives of firefighters and residents, and considers the legal cost of attempting to do so  which he claims is in the millions  a waste of money.

"It's disappointing that the village continues to try to convince people that this is the right approach, because it's not," Streit said. "Litigating with employees is counterproductive and I assure you that that's not the approach I'll take if I'm elected mayor, because legal battles with our staff and our employees and our unions will be over."

Bury disputes Streit's figures  she asserted in July 2016 that the village had spent a combined $514,769 on all fire department legal matters since she took office in May 2013  and says the cost, while "huge," has been well worth it.

She credits the village's willingness to fight a 2015 Illinois Labor Relations Board ruling on minimum manning for saving Oak Lawn millions of dollars.

The board's initial ruling, which ordered the village to pay firefighters $3.2 million for years of back pay and accrued interest, was reversed on appeal in 2015. The Illinois Appellate Court upheld that reversal last August, and the union has since accepted the court's position. Rather than arguing for 22 firefighters per shift as it had in the past, the union now concedes a minimum shift level of 21.

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"By standing up for the taxpayer, the Village saved more than $3 million and avoided an additional $450,000 per year in future costs," Bury wrote last year in a rebuttal to Streit.

While Bierig didn't buy Oak Lawn's arguments for reducing manpower, he did side with the village on a number of other contract points, including on wage increases and residency requirements.

Firefighters will receive a 6 percent pay increase over the lifetime of their current contract, which runs through the end of this year, rather than the 6.75 percent increase the union had proposed. Bierig's selection of the village's proposal, which he found "more compelling" for a variety of reasons, represents a $210,000 savings to the village over the contract's lifetime in base wages alone, not considering pension impacts, officials said.

Another victory for the village came on residency requirements, which the village sought to impose on employees for the first time.

Bierig wrote that the village did not meet its burden of proof on the issue, and even asserted that its proposal was "unfair" to firefighters, but nonetheless concluded that he must impose such residency restrictions because not doing so would violate state statute.

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As a result, Oak Lawn firefighters, at least three of whom currently reside in Indiana, must now live in Illinois. Those currently living outside of Illinois will have until the end of the year to notify the village of their intent to move to the state and provide a time frame for such a move, Bierig ruled.

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However, if the courts find the union's proposal to maintain the status quo, i.e. no residency restrictions, is legal under state law, Oak Lawn's residency requirements would be rescinded, Bierig decreed. The village and union are currently litigating the issue, and a decision is expected to come down in the next few months, Bury said.

The fact that neither side got everything it wanted in the arbitration means that both parties have bargaining chips they can deploy in future negotiations, and village officials are hopeful that will eventually result in a compromise all can agree on.

"Our only option is negotiation, and we intend to negotiate for it," Bury said. "It's in [the union's] interest to do so as well."

Union officials did not return a request for comment.

zkoeske@tribpub.com

Twitter @ZakKoeske
Women undergoing breast surgery to remove tumors may have one less thing to worry about. They now have options to prevent disfiguration without sacrificing their treatment in a trademarked technique called Hidden Scar, a local medical group said.

"The vast majority of patients that come to see me that have been diagnosed with cancer, they don't care what kind of surgery they have, they just want the cancer out," said Jennifer Gambla, a breast surgeon from Palos Medical group, who is certified in the technique. "It is OK to think cosmetically in terms of their treatment. You're not compromising your care by looking better."

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The technique hides incisions in three places: under the breast, under the arm, or where the darker-colored areola and breast skin meet, at the color change, she said. Even if surgeons have to travel further from the incision point to reach the tumor, "traveling further doesn't increase risk," she said.

Making the surgery possible is a lighted retractor, designed by Invuity, a medical technology company that trademarked the technique and certifies surgeons and hospitals. The lighted retractor allows "us to tunnel into the breast and reach were we need to go," by allowing surgeons to visualize the tissue, Gambla said. That is followed by a radio-frequency plasma blade with a cutting mechanism that removes the tumor, she said.

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Prior to this techniques, removing a tumor could result in severe dimpling, retraction, or displacement of the areola and nipple. It is not uncommon for skin to be stretched in such a way that would cause the nipple to point in a different direction, she said.

"Women come in, they say, 'my breasts are different sizes, I cannot find a bra to fit me,'" Gambla said. "(Some) would have to wear a prosthetic."

Although the technique benefits people with both benign and malignant tumors, women who have been diagnosed with cancer are often more concerned about saving their lives than the long-term cosmetic effects. Then afterward, they are faced with a constant reminder of traumatic experience.

"The patients come in and all they hear is 'cancer, cancer, cancer," and all they want to do is get rid of it, and I understand that," she said. "What's important to me is that patients need to be educated that this is available to them. They no longer have to accept a scar anywhere on their breasts."

"The Hidden Scar approach may also ease the emotional impact of breast cancer surgery, in that patients have little to no visible reminder of the surgery and experience a more natural-looking breast reconstruction," according to an Invuity brochure "Patients who undergo this approach are also at no higher risk of recurrence than patents who undergo any other type of surgical technique."

In 2016, more than 2.8 million women in the United Stats had a history of breast cancer, according to http://www.breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization that provides information about the disease. An estimated 255,180 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected in 2017, with another 63,410 new cases of non-invasive, the site said.

"A man's lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000," according to the organization.

Benign tumors can also be treated using Hidden Scar techniques, Gambla said. It works for both lumpectomies, which remove part of the breast, and mastectomies, which remove the entire breast, she said.

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"Not everyone is a candidate for it, but the majority of patients are," Gambla said.

Gambla said she and her partner, Kanesha Bryant, both intuitively wanted to provide this type of surgery and had the retractors. However, Invuity proctored them to ensure they were doing the surgeries the correct way, until they eventually both became certified in the techniques. They practice at the Palos Community Hospital's Breast Care & Women's Health Center, 17333 S. LaGrange Road in Tinley Park.

"We were the first hospital in the state of Illinois to be a Center of Excellence for Hidden Scar," Gambla said. "We were 21st in the nation."

Gambla said the only drawback is that "it is a little harder on the surgeon" to tunnel further inside the breast, which may cause the patient to be under anesthesia 15-30 minutes longer, an extension she called "negligible."

Financially, there is no difference in cost to the patient, and no difference in the way insurance is billed, she said.

"I do think it needs to become mainstream," she said. "This is what the future of breast surgery needs to be, not only focusing on treating cancer, but taking into account cosmetic appearance."

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Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
What will be Will County's largest 911 dispatch center is taking shape, not just physically but also legally, as its 31 agencies are in the process of approving the intergovernmental agreement to create this consolidated center.

To comply with a state mandate to reduce dispatch centers by 50 percent, four facilities in Will County are combining into the new Laraway Communications Center under construction as part of the county's new public safety complex at Route 52 and Laraway Road.

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The goal is to be more cost-effective and reduce call transfers to save time, said Nick Palmer, chief of staff for County Executive Larry Walsh.

When completed at the end of this year, it will be the largest facility in Will County in number of agencies and call volume, according to its executive director, Brad Veerman. The other two centers are the city of Joliet's and the Western Will County Communications Center, which serves 21 police and fire agencies from Bolingbrook to Wilmington.

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The four facilities in the merger  the Will County sheriff's, the Lincolnway Communications Center, the Eastern Will County Communications Center and Romeoville's  have hammered out a 20-year agreement to join and bylaws to operate the new dispatch center.

"We didn't want to do this, but we had to," said Veerman, currently director of the Lincolnway Communication Center, who was narrowly elected as executive director of the new center.

The agreement was approved Thursday by the Will County Board and in recent weeks by the Forest Preserve District of Will County and the villages of Frankfort and Braidwood.

Fire districts that have signed on include Frankfort, New Lenox, Mokena, Manhattan, East Joliet, Peotone and Crete Township, according to Veerman.

He said he is "confident" all others will approve the agreement in the next couple of weeks.

"It was hairy for a while," he said of the meetings to draft these bylaws. "There are still a lot of what-ifs."

He has estimated it will cost $5.3 million annually to run the new facility, less than the four centers now pay collectively.

Will County is constructing the $29.5 million building that will house the sheriff's department and the administrative offices for the county's 911 system, as well as the new dispatch center.

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The 911 folks will pay rent to the county for their respective spaces.

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Frankfort police Chief John Burica recently told village officials he expects to pay less than they now pay to the Lincolnway Communications Center.

But until everyone has signed on, members do not yet know their exact costs, how many dispatchers will be needed, or what salary and insurance costs will be, Veerman said.

Each member will contribute 10 percent of its costs as a startup fee, which will be considered part of its first-year budget.

According to its bylaws, the center will be governed by a board of directors, with one representative from each agency, plus an executive board comprised of seven members from the board of directors  three from police agencies, three from fire departments and one from the sheriff's department. They will serve two-year terms without compensation.

The board of directors will determine the sharing charges for all agencies, which will be based on call volume, Veerman said.

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Members will meet Feb. 22 to approve the bylaws.

slafferty@tribpub.com
Seems the so called "mainstream media" can't restrain themselves when it comes to jumping the gun on any juicy anti- President Donald Trump story that might bubble up from sewerage floating about on the internet. The recent story about Trump cavorting in a Russian hotel room clearly demonstrates that. Well, get ready folks for four years of tabloid journalism overkill. "Witch hunting" is now in season for all those liberally licensed advocate journalists.

Tom, Evergreen Park

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Now, President Donald Trump has at least four years to blame former President Barack Obama for anything that goes wrong. What goes around comes around.

Lockport

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I am not a fan of President Donald Trump but Rep. John Lewis made nasty comments about Trump and Trump made nasty comments back, so both are guilty. So stop making Lewis seem like he was the victim here. Trump needs to stay off of social media, as he's too immature and lacks the good sense to edit his remarks.

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An Elgin man is heading to prison for an armed robbery that occurred during a transaction with an undercover North Central Narcotics Task Force officer, authorities said.

John E. Dodd, 23, of the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue, on Friday agreed to a sentence of 21 years imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to armed robbery, a class X felony, according to a Kane County State's Attorney's press release. Sixteenth Circuit Court Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., accepted the plea.

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Prosecutors said Dodd had made an arrangement to sell marijuana to an undercover officer for $300. The two met in January 2016 in the area of Lincoln and Preston avenues in Elgin, the release stated. Dodd brought no marijuana with him and never planned to do so, it stated. Dodd got into the officer's unmarked vehicle and asked for the money, the release stated.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 100 Charge: drug induced homicide; Read more (DuPage County State's Attorney: Arrest does not imply guilt, and criminal charges are merely accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted.)

A co-defendant then stepped up to the car, pointed a gun in the officer's face and demanded money, prosecutors said. The officer gave the money to Dodd, a struggle ensued over the gun, which discharged inside the car. No one was struck. Dodd and the co-defendant then fled but were quickly captured by police, it stated.

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The sentence includes a 15-year mandatory enhancement because the offenders were armed with a gun during the commission of the crime. According to Illinois law, Dodd is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He was given credit for 379 days served in the Kane County jail.

The co-defendant's case is pending.

"Mr. Dodd is a violent and dangerous drug dealer. He and his co-defendant were willing to shoot someone over a small amount of cash to carry out their illicit drug trade. This officer was in grave danger because Mr. Dodd, and thankfully a team of officers was nearby to come to this officer's aid and no one was injured," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said.
An Elgin drug dealer will most likely go to prison for possessing a large amount of cocaine he planned to sell.

Carlos Garcia-Perez, 51, of the 400 block of Dwight Avenue, was convicted Friday of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a class X felony by 16th Circuit Associate Judge Linda Abrahamson, according to a Kane County State's Attorney's press release.

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Garcia-Perez had made arrangements to sell a kilogram of cocaine to a police informant for $27,000 at a specific time and location, prosecutors said. Garcia-Perez was a passenger in a car that was en route to the location to complete the transaction on March 23, 2013, when Carpentersville police stopped the vehicle to serve a search warrant, the release stated. They found hidden in the car the kilogram of cocaine, it stated.

His sentencing hearing is set for March 24. He faces between 15 and 60 years' imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections, the release stated. Garcia-Perez remains in custody in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $200,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction, it stated.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development nominee Ben Carson canceled his speaking engagement at Judson University after he received the nomination. (Riccardo Savi / TNS)

Judson University has canceled the 2017 World Leaders Forum, according to a new release from the university.

Dr. Ben Carson, the planned speaker for the April 20 event, notified the university last month he was unable to keynote the World Leaders Forum because of his nomination to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the release said.

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After exploring other options in the global political realm, Judson was unable to secure a speaker of the caliber the community has come to expect from the World Leaders Forum, the release said.

The World Leaders Forum is the signature fundraising event for Judson University, the release said. All proceeds support entrepreneurial programs and initiatives and student scholarships at Judson.

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Planning is underway for the 2018 World Leaders Forum, the release said. Previous speakers, include Queen Noor of Jordan, Mikhail Gorbachev and George W. Bush.
Deb Mikasser, of Lincolnshire, made signs for the Womenas March on Washington being held Saturday. The list of concerns she has filled a poster board. (Gloria Casas / The Courier-News)

Ruth Scifo was so busy working on the last details for the Women's March on Washington, D.C., bus trip she helped organize, she didn't have time to watch President Donald J. Trump sworn into office.

She didn't mind missing it. "I could not watch," said the Crystal Lake woman, who was upset and disappointed about November's election.

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She was feeling something entirely different as she stood inside the lobby of a Point Boulevard building in Elgin Friday afternoon, waiting to catch the bus with 46 other women, men and children headed to the U.S. capitol for the event.

"I feel energized coming together," Scifo said. "The march is a statement. It's a way to come together. It's a call to action."

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Sciofo and her group were among the estimated 500,000 who descended on Washington, more than doubling the 200,000 who had been expected to attend.

Scifo began making plans to head to D.C. when she learned about the march shortly after the election. When she began talking with other women who shared her views, she and co-organizer Cathy Johnson set up the bus trip.

"People are begging for seats right now," Johnson said Friday. Her daughter, Natalie, traveled from Colorado in order to join her on the trip.

The interest increased in the last few weeks, possibly spurred by Trump's cabinet nominations, Scifo said.

"As we got closer to the Inauguration, it became more real to people that we have this change coming," Scifo said. "I think the reason people are here is they are not happy about it."

Organizing the bus trip helped her focus on taking action rather than lamenting what happened, Scifo said. "If there's anything good about the election is people are paying attention and getting active," she said.

"I think it's exciting," Scifo said. "It's almost a resurgence of the women's movement from the 1970s and, from my perspective, it's great to see. I take heart in it."

The bus trip brought together people from around the area. Corinne Pierog, of St. Charles, was meeting her son, James, a doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University. She is marching to raise concerns about child care costs and funding for the arts.

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"Our voices are not being heard," Pierog said. "It is very important for the president, cabinet and representatives know we represent families. We represent the heart of our communities."

Paula Yensen, a member of the McHenry County Board, is making the journey to represent women and to be a voice for the voiceless, she said. She has been in social services for 30 years and is concerned about the Trump administration dismantling the Affordable Care Act.

Yensen also felt energized. "I am looking forward to lending my voice at the march. It's an invigorating experience," she said.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
State and local government officials recently talked about taking steps to improve safety at the intersection of Brier Hill Road and Illinois 72.

A special meeting about the intersection on Thursday, was attended by State Rep. Steven Andersson, two Illinois Department of Transportation officials, Hampshire Village President Jeffrey Magnussen, Trustee Mike Reid, Hampshire Police Chief Brian Thompson, Hampshire Deputy Fire Chief Trevor Herrmann, Hampshire Township Supervisor Jody Remakel and Hampshire Township Highway Commissioner Stan Walker.

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Highlights of the meeting were presented during the Hampshire village board meeting that night. Magnussen said that the Brier Hill Road and Illinois 72 intersection is on the Illinois Department of Transportation's radar along with 56 other intersections in the state.

"They talked about possibly installing a stoplight at the intersection, but it would take a minimum of four years to obtain the right of way for intersection improvements," said Magnussen. "We think there some things we can do in the interim."

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Reid said the Illinois Department of Transportation has committed to the village's request for a traffic study on Illinois 72 from French Road and an extended distance to Brier Hill Road.

The department has also committed to adding flashing amber lights to the signs on Illinois 72 in both directions that warn drivers of the upcoming intersection.

"There are obstructions on all four corners of the intersection," said Reid. "There have been eight incidents at that intersection last year mostly due to poor visibility. The visibility is even worse in inclement weather."

Land around the intersection that would be impacted by improvements is owned by four different property owners. According to village officials, one lives in Hampshire, one lives in Pingree Grove, one lives in Sleepy Hollow and one lives in Wahoo, Nebraska.

In addition to discussing the intersection, the village board this week talked about improving safety on White Oak Street in the village.

A large crowd of residents attended the December village board meeting where a proposal to restrict parking to one side of White Oak Street was brought up. Hampshire Fire Protection District Chief Bill Robinson said at the meeting that the north radius of the street is the major issue. Fire department vehicle drivers have experienced difficulty in getting around the curve especially when there are a number of parked cars.

"That curve is dangerous," said Trustee Toby Koth. "We need to do something."

"The curve is the most pressing issue," said Magnussen.

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Reid said that the village is proposing to establish a no parking zone along the curve that would impact 12 homes. Village Attorney Mark Schuster will draw up an ordinance that will be presented at a future village board meeting.

"The proposed ordinance will address the concerns of the fire department," said Reid.

Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Hundreds of women lined up to board buses staged outside Evanston Township High School Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 headed for the Women's March on Washington. (Kevin Tanaka / Pioneer Press)

Lines of women wearing specially-knitted pink caps with cat ears congregated in front of Evanston Township High School Friday, as more than 200 women prepared to board buses headed east for Saturday's Women's March on Washington.

The march comes the day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the nation's 45th president and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people.

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While it is not a direct protest of Trump's presidency, it is a march in support of women, people of color, those of different faiths and people who identify as LGBT, among others, organizers have said.

"This is a way to unite with other women around the country," said Northwestern University sophomore Lila Reynolds, 19.

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While she is following policy, Saturday's march is "not to make a specific change. It's more about emotion."

Rachel Abramson, 64, of the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago said she also was going in "solidarity."

"I want to be with folks who are standing up right now," Abramson said, as she waited to board the bus.

The Washington D.C. protest follows a campaign season in which Trump was caught on tape bragging about grabbing women's genitals and accused of walking in on nude beauty pageant contestants, among other things. Many also fear that, with Republicans controlling both houses of Congress and the White House, access to legal abortion, certain types of birth control and other reproductive health care could be threatened.

Protests are also scheduled Saturday in hundreds of cities around the nation, including Chicago.

About 220 people, mainly women, are caravaning from Evanston to Washington in four chartered busses. The travelers and their supporters have been spending the days and weeks beforehand collecting food, lining up speakers for the ride and knitting the caps, also known as pussy hats.

In total, about 400 people from Evanston are expected to make the trip.

The travelers are expected to arrive in the nation's capital early Saturday morning and depart that same nigh, returning to ETHS some time Sunday morning, organizers said.

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Ismalis Nunez, a social worker with Evanston/Skokie School District 65, said the march is important to her as a woman of color and first generation American.

"I'm doing this for many reasons," Nunez said. "I saw this as an opportunity for change. How do we rebuild?"

Some said Trump's presidency makes them concerned about privacy and retaliation for participating the protest.

Jo, 75, of Evanston declined to give her last name out of fear of retaliation down the line.

Still, she said, "I'm really interested in letting the world know that most of us really despise this man."

gbookwalter@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @GenevieveBook
An aspiring local rapper became the latest defendant in a Lake County gang racketeering investigation to plead guilty under a negotiated deal this week with prosecutors.

Harlin Barnes, 35, of Waukegan, pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering Friday and was sentenced to six years in prison under a plea deal approved by Judge Mark Levitt.

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As part of the deal, several lesser felony counts of delivery of cocaine were dismissed.

Assistant State's Attorney Reginald Mathews said that the case against Barnes involved several instances in which Barnes sold cocaine to an FBI informant in March and April of 2014, as well as intercepted phone calls in which Barnes spoke of drug dealing and distributing guns to young gang members.

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Mathews said Waukegan Police Department gang experts have said Barnes is a member of the 4 Corner Hustlers street gang.

That gang was the target of the local Illinois Street Gang and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act investigation that led to multiple arrests in late fall of 2014.

Including Barnes, 21 of the initial 27 defendants have been convicted, most through negotiated guilty pleas.

Mathews told the court that Barnes was working toward a rap career and shows promise but that he had used money from drug sales to help set up a rap production company to be called Gang Life Enterprises.

Levitt told Barnes that because he has credit for more than two years toward his sentence due to time served in Lake County Jail and is eligible for day-for-day good-behavior time off in prison, he may be out relatively soon.

"As I think you are aware, you are not going to be gone that long," Levitt said. "I hope you make plans so that when you get out you will not be coming back here except to visit."

Douglas Zeit, the defense attorney representing Barnes, had no comment after the plea deal was approved.

The racketeering investigation, called Operation Shut Down the Hustle, included the participation of the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Lake County state's attorney's office; the Lake County sheriff's office; the Mundelein, Zion and Waukegan police departments; and the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group.

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The monthslong investigation recovered large quantities of drugs, as well as weapons and cash, authorities said.

Mathews also noted that a successful challenge to the operation's use of wiretap information may be a factor for defendants whose cases are still pending, but the issue is "moot" for those like Barnes, who have voluntarily pleaded guilty.

jrnewton@tribpub.com

Twitter @jimnewton5
A hackathon focused on game development.

The Albuquerque Game Developers Guild (AGDG) was established October 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We focus on fostering a growing community dedicated to the creation and development of games. Our membership also consists of individuals working in fields related to software and technology, art, media, film, business, and education. Our community creates games, hosts local and global game jams, workshops, and provides education outreach. We hold regular weekly meetings that support collaboration and provide developers with networking and feedback opportunities.

Innovation - Experimentation - Collaboration

The Global Game Jam (GGJ) is the world's largest game jam event (game creation) taking place around the world at physical locations. Think of it as a hackathon focused on game development. It is the growth of an idea that in todays heavily connected world, we could come together, be creative, share experiences and express ourselves in a multitude of ways using video games  it is very universal. The weekend stirs a global creative buzz in games, while at the same time exploring the process of development, be it programming, iterative design, narrative exploration or artistic expression. It is all condensed into a 48 hour development cycle. The GGJ encourages people with all kinds of backgrounds to participate and contribute to this global spread of game development and creativity.

The structure of a jam is usually that everyone gathers on Friday late afternoon, watches a short video keynote with advice from leading game developers, and then a secret theme is announced. All sites worldwide are then challenged to make games based on that same theme, with games to be completed by Sunday afternoon. In January 2016, we had over 600 locations in 93 countries create 6866 games in one weekend! GGJ 2017 is January 20-22 at a location near you if not you can make one of your own. The jam is known for helping foster new friendships, increase confidence and opportunities within the community. The jam is always an intellectual challenge. People are invited to explore new technology tools, trying on new roles in development and testing their skills to do something that requires them to design, develop create, test and make a new game in the time span of 48 hours.

The GGJ stimulates collaboration and is not a competition.
We have to admire state Sen. Terry Link's perseverance when it comes to fighting for a gambling casino in Lake County. We've lost count on the number of years the Waukegan Democrat has filed bills to expand the state's gambling laws to include his 30th District.

But, he's done it again, filing Senate Bill 7 on Jan. 11, with the legislation headed to the Upper Chamber's gaming committee on Jan. 24. Like past tries, Link's wide-ranging bill would allow slot and video gambling at horse racing tracks. And, like in previous years, we've seen Waukegan and Park City officials get their hopes up that a casino will be in the county's cards.

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Along with Lake County, casinos are proposed for Chicago, southern Cook County, Rockford, Danville and way-downstate Williamson County. Since Illinois legalized "riverboat" gambling in 1990, there currently are 10 casinos, and since 2009 mini-casinos with video gambling machines in taverns and restaurants.

This may be the year, however, that all the previous footwork turns into solid groundwork. Link's casino bill is a part of the Senate's budget plan to end the two-year fiscal impasse and add revenue  hopefully, for education  to a state drowning in red ink. So far, leaders on both sides of the aisle in the Senate appear to favor the measure. We all know how much lawmakers prefer to use non-taxing revenue to bail them out before coming later for taxpayers' pocketbooks.

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If Illinois is going to expand the number of casinos, Lake County should certainly be in line for the gambling gravy train. Waukegan officials have had a shovel-ready, transportation-friendly site at Fountain Square, just miles from the Wisconsin state line, for years. They've waited patiently for a license.

As we've seen elsewhere, casinos weigh heavily in economic development, creating jobs and generating tax revenue.

Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, just off the Tri-State Tollway, posted gross revenues of just over $35 million in December, with the local share of tax revenue more than $2 million, according to the Illinois Gaming Board. Link's latest bill, like his previous attempts, has Waukegan splitting its portion of revenue take with Park City and North Chicago. Rivers Casino, too, has shared its largesse with quite a few needy south suburban Cook County communities.

As to arguments that legalized gambling has reached the saturation point in the state, that's for the marketplace to decide. Would a Lake County casino draw customers from other locales in the region? Perhaps. Those five video gambling machines at your favorite bar or restaurant already may have cut into returns at the brick-and-mortar casinos in the region. And the moral issue opposing more casinos? That ship has long been at sea since riverboat gambling began in Illinois.

While Link's 2017 version of his past gaming efforts has the legislative gantlet to contend, the fiscal state of the state may be the best argument to expand the number of casino licenses this time around. If that's the case, Lake County, and specifically Waukegan, deserves a piece of the gambling action.
The sun shines on Waukegan in recent internet postings that highlight the four- and five-star reviews of its restaurants, including posts written by out-of-towners who also took in a show at the Genesee Theatre. (Dan Moran / Lake County News-Sun)

The people have spoken. And we're told we must accept their judgment, whether we're cool with it or not.

I am referring, of course, to the crowd-sourced review sites we find on social media  those cast-iron opinions that can make or break your plans for dinner, if not the fortunes of a local business.

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In at least two recent cases of cyber-evaluating, Waukegan comes out smelling like a rose. If you're used to seeing the City of Progress ripped from afar on the World Wide Web, these developments are noteworthy simply for breaking that mold, but they're also worth a look because everyone  and I mean everyone  likes a good debate on the best places to eat.

The most immediate news flash arrived in the form of headlines like this one generated by your local NBC affiliate: "Yelp's Annual Top 100 Places to Eat List Only Includes One Illinois Restaurant." A glance at that headline no doubt made people think the lone Prairie State eatery would be some hipster establishment in Chicago or Highwood or Lake Forest with giant prices and tiny but exotic and artistic entrees.

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But no. Coming in at No. 64  smack between Appu's Cafe in Long Beach, Calif., and Crazy Hot Wings in Tujunga, Calif.  is Waukegan's own Papa Marcos Grill and Kabob, a humble storefront on Grand Avenue just west of downtown. Its stated specialty is Middle Eastern cuisine, including shawerma and the namesake kabobs, but the menu includes a roster of "Chicago Sandwiches," including your basic Italian beef-and-sausage.

Its appearance on the Yelp 100 is fueled by no less than 265 reviews, including 231 in the five-star range and 28 in the four-star category. Perhaps just as critically, there are no one-star arson jobs. Ask any small business owner how tough it can be to wipe off a stain left by a troll.

"There's a reason why this restaurant has such great reviews," reads one post from December 2016. "Terrific customer service and delicious food. Seemingly a simple business model, but so few places can nail it down."

By the way, while on the subject of business models, Waukegan civic boosters no doubt salivated when reading the rest of that review, which was written by a Chicagoan who came to town for a show at the Genesee Theatre and decided to eat in town. That was the plan to revitalize the local economy in 2004, so there you have it in 2017.

Moving on to more attention for Waukegan in the wired culture, an online magazine out of Maine known as The Exception recently threw some offbeat love at the city with "Explained: Waukegan, Illinois, Would Have Been a Location to Gain Self-Confidence."

If you find that title confusing, rest assured that reading the article will leave you no less confused. The assumption is that the generators threw an e-dart at the internet and said, hey, let's throw together something mildly satirical about this Waukegan place.

"If you are ready to chase the fantasy and finally cross the Lincoln Home National Historic Site off your bucket list, you will need to make some travel plans. We suggest you try out Waukegan, Illinois," reads the text, perhaps not recognizing the four-hour difference between the two locations.

Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

"Now is the time to appreciate your new perspective and appreciate the sensational sights of Waukegan, Illinois. Be sure to also appreciate that delightful, splurge-worthy apples and rhubarb which these cooking gurus use in all the finest cafes and pubs."

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After that, the power of Yelp is once again on display as the article shares "recommendations for the greatest restaurants in Waukegan," complete with links to the Yelp pages  all of which come in at a cumulative four-to-five stars. For the record, the clickbait list includes Louie's, Big Ed's BBQ, Sunset House, La Canoa, Sazon-Cocina Mexicana, Avocado Express, CYOC (Create Your Own Cheesecake and Cheesesteak), 17 N. Bar & Grill, El Rey del Pollo Asado, and, yes, Papa Marcos Grill and Kabob.

It's important to note that the list also includes The Terrace at Siver Place, which is currently closed. It could be that the writer of this Waukegan travelogue has never traveled to Waukegan.

If you do journey to Waukegan this weekend to take in one of the above establishments or for ArtWauk or to see Air Supply at the Genesee Theatre, here's your tip: Bring along your gently used winter coats, non-perishable goods and used blankets to donate at Coats, Cans & Covers, a charitable effort being staged Saturday evening starting at 5 p.m. at the Urban Edge Gallery, 220 W. Clayton St. The coats will be transported to area homeless shelters, the cans to the COOL Food Party and the covers to Waukegan Animal Control.

For more information, visit Coats, Cans & Covers on Facebook, which is a quiet little meeting post on the internet you might have heard about from the kids.

danmoran@tribpub.com

Twitter@NewsSunDanMoran
Lake Forest resident Kirsten Maxwell and her husband both love traveling and decided that having kids wouldn't keep them grounded. They took their youngest to Scotland when he was just nine months old and have since been to 20 countries with their kids, much to the amazement of their friends.

"I had people come to me and ask 'How do you do it? How do you travel with kids?'" Maxwell said. "I got tired of repeating the same story over and over again."

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She decided to share her strategies en masse by starting the Kids Are a Trip blog in 2014. What began as a hobby for the elementary school teacher became a career, and now many of her travels are based around pursuing stories for her own blog along with other websites she writes for such as Travelocity and TravelingMom.com. She hadn't expected her blog to last a year and now more than 21,000 people track her adventures on Instagram.

"I've built a social media presence," she said. "This year a lot of companies, especially in travel, are going to social media influencers to sell their products vs. traditional advertising."

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Maxwell will be sharing some of her tips for family travels on Jan. 26 at the Lake Forest Book Store, including how she does extensive research to find both deals and new destinations to visit such as the farmhouse outside of Florence where the family stayed during Easter, and a wine, cheese and olive farm in Tuscany that was their favorite trip together.

"I'm really big on community and what do other people's real experiences tell me about it," she said. "I don't want to read what an ad says about the property. There are thousands of travel websites out there because people are looking for genuine experiences."

Maxwell's sons are ages 9, 12 and 14 so she's dealt with everything from flying with an infant to getting input from older kids on what to do.

"When they were younger they didn't get much say in it," she said. "They just got dragged wherever we go. Now they're old enough that they complain. We took them to New York City and they said 'Not another museum.' We learned to let them have some input, which I struggle with still. I'm such a planner."

Sometimes that means compromise. Her boys found the sightseeing in New York much less impressive than a trip the family took to Indiana where they bathed elephants and zip-lined through an adventure course. She still tries to get them to museums, sometimes picking children's and science museums or finding activities to make visits more interesting like a company that runs scavenger hunts at The Louvre in Paris.

"They will entertain my kids and make it fun in a way that I will never be able to," she said.

Maxwell enjoys exposing her kids to new food, though she had to deal with one picky eater.

"He just had to learn to get over himself," she said. "You just keep putting the food in front of them until they eat it."

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More problematic is her youngest, who has food allergies. She's had two scary near misses, but has developed strategies such as creating translated allergy cards.

"It shouldn't keep you from traveling if your kid has a food allergy," she said. "There's always something your kid can eat."

Another challenge her kids growing up poses is how it will affect her site. While she still has articles on Kids Are a Trip on how to travel with young kids, those tips will eventually become less relevant.

"I'm always going to have kids and my kids are going to be kind of trippy, but they are going to leave the nest at some point," she said. "I've still got a good nine years. I have friends who are now traveling moms writing how their trips go to colleges or transitioning to food writing. I may decide I'm done and I'm ready to walk away from it altogether. I'm not a 5-year, 10-year kind of plan maker."

Kristen Maxwell's tips for traveling with kids

 Take the first flight in the morning since that's when there are fewer delays.

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 Always carry a few lightweight things to keep your kids busy like a deck of cards (Uno or standard), paper, colored pencils and paperback books.

 Find ways for your kids to decompress like visiting a park or even riding a train.

 Pack snacks and food you know your kid will tolerate, especially if they have any allergies.

Travel Night with Kirsten Maxwell

When: 6-7 p.m. Jan. 26

Where: Lake Forest Book Store, 662 N. Western Ave.

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Admission: Free

Information: 847-234-4420; lakeforestbookstore.com
A former McHenry County animal control officer was found not guilty Friday of disorderly conduct and animal cruelty charges that were lodged against him after he killed a squirrel while on duty.

Christopher Bain, 44, of Crystal Lake, was acquitted of the misdemeanor charges, though he said he lost his job over the incident. Bain said he had never denied killing the squirrel by stepping on it  an "instantaneous" act he said he regretted, though he disagreed with witnesses who said he "stomped" on the animal.

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Bain was dispatched to a Crystal Lake car dealership on Oct. 28, 2015, to help remove a squirrel that had gotten inside the service area.

Employees told police that after Bain tried to tranquilize the squirrel using a syringe at the end of a pole, the animal ran out from behind a cabinet and Bain "raised his foot about 12 inches and maliciously stomped on the squirrel's head," according a report from Illinois Conservation Police, who investigated.

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Dealership employee Matt Pease testified Friday that after witnessing the scene, blood formed a puddle on the floor and Bain laughed and said he "got it a little too hard."

Bain testified Friday that he acted reflexively and stepped on the animal as it jumped out at him.

Bain also said he'd questioned why he was sent on the call at all, explaining that he had not been formally trained to capture wildlife and that typically the agency only would respond to such calls if an animal was in distress or posing a threat to people. He said that before going to the dealership, he had suggested that a wildlife removal group be called.

Bain said he spent about 30 to 40 minutes trying to capture the squirrel and did attempt to tranquilize it, but that didn't work because the animal bit through the needle.

"All I can say, it is unfortunate," Bain said on the stand. "It came out at me like a spider or a bug running at me from under a refrigerator."

Bain said he then placed the squirrel on the ground outside and hoped it would survive. Prosecutors contended Bain actually threw the squirrel over a fence.

His attorney, Matthew Feda, said there was "no evidence (that Bain) did anything knowingly to alarm and disturb the peace. ... A wild squirrel jumped at him and he reacted. Unfortunately, it got hurt."

Judge Joel Berg, who issued the not guilty verdict, apparently agreed. Berg questioned why the case was brought against Bain in the first place and compared Bain's actions to someone using a mousetrap.

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The judge said that while he considers himself an animal lover, he also eats meat. He noted that animals are euthanized and hunted for humans to consume. So while, morally, people may have a problem with such actions, they are not criminal matters.

"A squirrel is not a pet; it is a wild animal," Berg said. "It was in a business with employees, (so) by definition it was posing a threat to public safety. This was in the realm of his job."

After the hearing, Bain tearfully said he was relieved that he was no longer the "villain" but that the whole episode cost him dearly. He said he had to fight to get unemployment benefits from the county, had to dip into his retirement savings to get by and is now is working in sales.

"I enjoyed my time with animal control," Bain said. "I hope to be reinstated as an officer. I hope that I can get some training, what I think our department was lacking originally. I regret my instantaneous reaction, and if I could take it back, I definitely would, because this has been a hard year."

Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
This surveillance camera, below and to the right of the Washington Street sign, was one of six that were replaced with new state-of-the-art models in downtown Naperville. (Bill Bird / Naperville Sun)

Naperville police say they are seeing six busy locations in the city's downtown in brighter, sharper focus following the installation of new surveillance cameras.

Naperville-based Pace Systems Inc. on Tuesday installed the last of the new cameras at the northwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Washington Street.

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There are two more cameras on Chicago Avenue, one at Main Street and the other facing the River Square shopping center. There also are two on Jefferson Avenue, at Main and Washington streets, and a new one at the intersection of Jackson Avenue at Main Street.

Naperville police Deputy Chief Jason Arres said the images being captured by the new cameras are far more detailed than before and "a great improvement" over the old ones.

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"I can say that the picture quality is improved," Arres said. "Before, we might not have been able to establish the (physical) characteristics of an individual" or the type of clothing being worn, whereas the images from the new cameras "give us a better overall picture" of a potential suspect.

"We hope they will aid us in future investigations," Arres said.

Members of the Naperville City Council in October awarded a $117,000 contract to Pace Systems for the new equipment following a request from the Police Department. A city memorandum said police wanted an upgrade because the old cameras had "been in use for 10 years or more, and (lacked) the performance of modern equipment."

The equipment installed by Pace Systems has the capacity to be expanded in the future, officials said.

"The new cameras provide higher-resolution images and a wider angle of view," said Kathy Rendek, technology project manager for Naperville's Public Works Department. "The wireless infrastructure has also been upgraded to handle the higher bandwidth necessary for the upgraded cameras."

"The old cameras being replaced were, for the most part, pan-tilt-zoom cameras," which provided narrower fields of view, Rendek said.

Each was replaced "with a higher-resolution PTZ, as well as an added 180-degree camera for overall observation view," Rendek said. The 180-degree cameras "provide the benefit of greater field of view without manual intervention by security personnel."

The city has 67 surveillance cameras in the downtown area. All but 12 are in the three public parking decks on Chicago Avenue, Van Buren Avenue and Water Street.

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wbird@tribpub.com
Christine Igoe, Naperville School District 203's assistant superintendent for student services, gives an overview of social emotion learning during a Focus 203 session Thurday. The district is incorporating SEL into its curriculum at all grade levels. (Suzanne Baker / Naperville Sun)

Nearly 100 people attended two sessions Naperville School District 203 held last week as part of Focus 203's look at the new social and emotional learning curriculum that's being launched at all the schools.

Christine Igoe, assistant superintendent for student services, said Illinois is a leader in social emotional learning (SEL) and was one of the first states to develop standards for schools.

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SEL involves teaching students skills such as how to identify emotions, how to control those emotions, how to empathize, how to work with others, and how make responsible decisions.

The need for SEL is evident in the results.

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Igoe said when a student feels loved and nurtured, academic performance on achievement tests increases by as much as 11 percentile points. It also breeds positive behaviors and improves the overall climate in schools.

District 203 will be incorporating SEL into all of its academic areas of study.

As an example of a link in language arts, Igoe said self-awareness could be discussed as part of a character analysis.

Math is a chance to teach students to make sense of problems and persevere, she said, and the SEL lesson for science might be collaborating with a partner.

Igoe said a fine arts class teaches students how to observe and critique one's own work while physical education shows students the importance of cooperating as a team.

The outcome of the incorporating SEL into daily curriculum, Igoe said, will be increased academic achievement, a positive school climate, rising student attendance and more kids using appropriate coping skills.

To help reinforce the lessons outside of school, the district proposes giving parents what it calls SEL Snapshots. Igoe described these as a quick look at the skills and vocabulary students are learning with ideas for how to apply them at home.

At the Focus 203 sessions, those in attendance were divided into groups to discuss what information should be included in the SEL Snapshots to ensure they are a useful tool.

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Participants also were asked what additional resources District 203 can provide parents and the best method for disseminating that information, whether through the district website or parent sessions.

Results from the discussion groups will be presented at an upcoming school board meeting.

subaker@tribpub.com

Twitter @SBakerSun1
The approval of Indian Prairie School District 204's 2018-19 calendar last week sparked questions over whether better options might be available and how the board might know what's best.

Of the two calendar options presented to the school board Tuesday, the board voted 6-1 for a plan that calls for school to start Aug. 21 and end May 30.

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Justin Karubas, who cast the lone dissenting vote, said the two calendars were basically the same when it comes to holidays, breaks and conferences. The second option called for school to start Aug. 23 and end June 3.

The biggest difference was the end of the first semester. By starting two days earlier, the district is able to conclude the first semester before winter break.

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Doug Eccarius, assistant superintendent for human resources, said the calendar committee  made up of Indian Prairie Education Association and district staff members  starts with winter break and works its way back from that point.

A poll of staff members showed 64 percent preferred the earlier start option.

Karubas said he would like more disaggregated information on how the committee arrived at its preferred schedule.

"I know it would assist me," he said.

He also questioned whether the starting date is more important to the staff and community members than having days off for holidays or Election Day. He also said he'd like to see how comparable districts schedule holidays and parent-teacher conferences.

"They might be doing something we're not," he said.

Board member Michael Raczak said informed decision-making is good.

"I have had the unfortunate situation to serve on a calendar committee," Raczak said. "I think getting that information improves the process."

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Board President Lori Price said she could see the value of comparing calendars to neighboring districts, where staff might live and their children attend school.

District 204 plans its school calendar several years ahead to give families the opportunity to plan vacations or events.

subaker@tribpub.com

Twitter @SBakerSun1
North Central College students watch President Donald Trump's inaugural address Friday. The group later discussed their reaction to his speech and how his actions a president might impact their lives. (Suzanne Baker / Naperville Sun)

While Donald Trump's inaugural address didn't change anyone's mind, North Central College students who watched it Friday remain hopeful and said they want to give new president the chance to prove himself.

Two dozen students from divergent backgrounds gathered to view the president's speech and discuss what possible changes might mean for them. The get-together was organized by Dorothy Pleas, director of multicultural affairs for the Naperville college, and sociology senior Sundae Saine, of Bensenville, as part of NCC's Fireside Chat series.

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Kennedy Taylor, a secondary education major from Eureka, remains hopeful the president can build on the rights that citizens already have.

"I don't want to see him fail, but we can't just wait and watch. We need to talk the walk and walk the walk," Taylor said.

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Katie Costanaro, a freshman religious studies major from Braidwood, said she hopes to see positive changes soon. If that doesn't happen, she said, Americans will need to bring about change locally and see where it goes from there.

Overall, most students attending the discussion group said the speech failed to talk to them.

"I didn't find it inspirational," Manilyn Gumapas said. "It made me sad."

The junior sociology major from Elgin said the address painted the United States in a very depressing light and made it seem that Trump was the only person who could pull America out of its misery.

"For me, I'm not buying it," Gumapas said.

Kevin Oyakawa, president of the North Central's College Democrats, said he was waiting for substance in Trump's speech.

Other than references to improving the nation's infrastructure and American jobs, the political science major from Ohio said the address was much of same rhetoric from the campaign trail.

"I just don't think he's really ready to be president," Oyakawa said.

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Bobby Gannon, a freshman from Downers Grove, said he connected with the president's message.

"It kind of incorporated everyone," he said.

The president's emphasis on unity through patriotism also raised a few eyebrows, particularly in his speech where Trump proclaimed, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it's going to be only America first, America first."

Gumapas said she often hides her cultural identity and when she does express her Filipino heritage, she gets accused of being un-American.

"I feel like I have to give up my heritage and culture to belong in an all-American space," she said.

Gannon defended Trump, saying America is a melting pot of cultures and being a patriot means people put America first and their heritage second. "You get the best of both worlds," he said.

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The students also discussed the president's penchant for Twitter.

While many said they'd prefer he stop tweeting, the students said they understand social media is a quick way for a president to get out a message.

Minooka sophomore Josh Bouie described social media as the next evolution of communication and suggested Trump might use it to speak directly to constituents without possible media influence or interpretation.

If anything, Gannon said, Trump's Twitter comments create a conversation and get people talking. "I think the tweets are funny," he said.

Oyakawa said a tweet carries more weight now and he fears another social media comment on America's nuclear arsenal could insight war.

"It's just really scary," he said.

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It's a reality Costanaro thinks about frequently because her boyfriend is in the U.S. Marines.

As a member of the military, she said, her boyfriend cannot post anything on social media that might compromise his mission or anything about her for safety reasons.

"Why are we allowing it? Why is a president spewing information when the military can't," she asked.

Costanaro said Twitter also is not the place for a president to get into battles with people who don't agree.

"I haven't been in a Twitter fight since high school," she said.

subaker@tribpub.com

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Twitter @SBakerSun1
A federal judge this week dismissed a lawsuit filed by a resident of a Niles senior living facility that alleged staff there did nothing to prevent the woman from being harassed by other residents.

Lambda Legal, a nonprofit organization that focuses on litigation and policy work on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, filed the suit in July on Marsha Wetzel's behalf.

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Organization officials announced Wednesday that they plan to appeal Judge Samuel Der-Yeghiayan's ruling, which was made that same day.

"Wetzel fails to cite any discriminatory animus, motive, or intent," said Der-Yeghianyan, a jurist for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois where the lawsuit was filed.

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Wetzel, now 69, moved to Glen Saint Andrew Living Community in November 2014 after the death of her longtime partner, Judy Kahn, and still resides in the building, she said.

In the lawsuit, she alleges that while residing at the senior living facility, she suffered "persistent verbal harassment, threats, intimidation and three separate assaults, at the hands of other residents" and was the victim of "countless homophobic slurs" as well as being physically injured by other residents due to her longtime relationship with another woman.

The suit, which was filed against the facility and its administrators, including Executive Director Alyssa Flavin, claims that staff members did nothing to prevent the harassment after Wetzel complained about it and other residents witnessed and reported the incidents to administrators.

The suit brings a claim under the Federal Fair Housing Act, which bans discrimination on the basis of sex and a state law that bars discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sex.

In his ruling, Der-Yeghiayan said a plaintiff must show "an intent to discriminate" to prevail on a claim filed under the FHA.

"Wetzel does not allege any discriminatory motive or intent to discriminate on the part of the defendants," the judge wrote in his ruling granting Glen Saint Andrews' motion to dismiss the suit. "Wetzel does not allege any facts that suggest any actions taken against her by defendants that were based on her gender or sexual orientation."

He added that Wetzel had failed to allege any facts that would provide her relief under the FHA.

Karen Loewy, senior attorney and senior program strategist for Lambda Legal, said she was disappointed by the judge's decision and felt he "got it quite wrong."

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"It's certainly our position that the Fair Housing Act imposes an obligation on housing providers to ensure they're not fostering a discriminatory and hostile housing environment," she said. "We brought this case because Glen Saint Andrew and its administrators allowed exactly that kind of discriminatory and hostile environment to be created for (Wetzel)."

Flavin did not respond to a request for comment.

According to the complaint, the facility is licensed by the state of Illinois and includes 107 independent living apartments, a 55-bed intermediate care unit and 47 units of assisted living.

Wetzel said she "went numb" when the ruling was announced.

"I am frustrated by what happened, but I'm not giving up the fight," Wetzel said. "I'm not giving up my dream of the elderly gay being treated decent and equal."

Loewy said she has "every reason" to believe the appeals court will reverse the judge's decision to dismiss the suit.

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If they prevail on their appeal, she said the case would go back to district court for trial.

Lee V. Gaines is a freelancer.
A trio of candidates endorsed by the Oak Park Village Manager Association must now head to court in order to remain on the April ballot.

After the Oak Park Electoral Board voted 2-1 on Jan. 12 to keep trustee candidates Peter Barber and Glenn Brewer and village clerk candidate Lori Malinski on the April 4 ballot, resident Kevin Peppard vowed to appeal the ruling in court.

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Peppard and fellow resident Robert Milstein had argued the three needed to submit three separate petitions with 251 signatures each to appear on the ballot, however, the three submitted one petition containing 735 signatures.

Milstein, a former village trustee, also vowed to challenge the decision during the electoral board meeting.

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"It is disheartening that a former village trustee is expending so many resources to deny these three citizens the opportunity to stand before the voters and serve their community," said attorney Michelle Mbekeani-Wiley, who is representing the candidates. "Their petitions are in full compliance with common practice and case law in Illinois."

According to Mbekeani-Wiley, both sides met inside Cook County Court at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago on Jan. 19 to set a hearing date. The case will now be heard at 10 a.m. Jan. 27 in room 1707.

"Critics of past VMA-endorsed slates have claimed they want voters to have more choices when it comes to local elections," Mbekeani-Wiley said. "Their current actions, however, are focused on reducing voters' choices. This is deeply disappointing to those of us committed to democracy. Those who are serious about enhancing our village and serving its residents should spend more time knocking on doors rather than knocking candidates off the ballot."

When reached for comment, Peppard directed all questions to his lawyer Burt Odelson. Messages left with Odelson seeking comment were not returned.

sschering@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @steveschering
Women, men and children from Northwest Indiana travel to Chicago for the Women's March. (Becky Jacobs / Post-Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

There was no march.

Because there were too many people to march.

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Women, men and children from Northwest Indiana joined thousands of people  five times the number expected  in the Women's March on Chicago Saturday. It was one of hundreds of marches across the world and United States, including in Indianapolis, Valparaiso and Washington D.C., to promote women's and human rights, among a vast list of other issues.

The night before the event, organizers estimated upwards of 50,000 would come, but as the rally began before the scheduled march, organizers estimated there were closer to 250,000 people in attendance. The thousands of people filled the spaces around Grant Park for the rally, as well as the march route down Jackson Boulevard and its side streets, singing, chanting and holding signs.

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When Zoe Kim, of Highland, walked away from where she had been watching the rally on a Jumbotron to see the crowd filling the roads at Van Buren Street and Michigan Avenue, a big smile crept across her face.

Kim and her mother, Jill Schlueter-Kim, were among the many mother-daughter duos in the crowd. Jacqueline Weber brought her 11-year-old daughter, Marie, to the rally.

"I want the world to be a better place for her," Jacqueline Weber said.

Marie, wearing a pink sweater with dogs on it, held a sign she made on an orange poster that read "love is love," as her mother held a sign with Leonardo DiCaprio on it that said, "Listen to Leo. Climate change is real."

Chris Dow rode in on the South Shore Line -- which added extra cars to accommodate the number of people expected to go to Chicago -- with her daughters, Melanie Cerajewski and Mary Dow, all from Hammond, in matching pink knitted hats.

The mother and daughters were worried about what might happen to the advances and minority groups have made over the years.

"It feels like all the progress we've made will be put in the trash without even a thought," Chris Dow said.

Mary Dow is preparing to graduate from Purdue University Northwest this spring with a degree in political science, and she said she wants to become a local politician to keep progress going, fighting for women's, gay and environmental rights.

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The U.S. is a diverse nation, and "there are a lot of people whose rights will potentially be trampled on," said Ann Bochnowski, of Munster, at the rally.

"I think this is a show of force," Bochnowski said.

Women came to show unity for a variety of issues Saturday morning, including reproductive rights, health care, education, racial justice, immigration and climate change. Men also joined the crowd to show women their support on the issues.

Em'rynn Artunian, of Hammond, wore a matching pink hat with his wife. Jerry Savel and Lawrence Anderson, both of Ogden Dunes, took turns holding a sign that said Northwest Indiana on it for people from the area to meet up and experience the rally together.

People pushed young children in strollers or carried them atop their shoulders to see the rally. It's these future generations she's concern for, said Kris Sakelaris, of Cedar Lake, who has a 22-year-old daughter.

"What kind of example are we going to set for them?" Sakelaris said.

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Signs at the rally focused on expectations for the future and the achievement made in the past, with phrases such as, "Dear little girls, yes, you can be president"; "Accept my existence or prepare for my resistance"; and "Rise up. History has eyes on us."

"We're still fighting for rights that men take for granted," said Emily Pancheri, of Lowell.

Dominique Barnes, of Dyer, said she had never felt prompted to do anything like this rally or march before, but she felt a call this time to march for women's reproductive rights, she said.

Joan Machucal, of Ogden Dunes, said she came to the march to show that Northwest Indiana issues are important and should be addressed. Among them are unemployment, affordable housing, poverty and immigration, she said.

Dolores Kinsey, of Hobart, said she has great support in her union and Women of Steel organization, but she is well aware she works in a male-dominated workforce at a steel company.

"I know personally I march because I still train male co-workers on my job only to have their questions directed to a man with less experience that isn't in fact training them," Kinsey said.

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Kathy Galdina, of Schererville, has retired, but she said she wants to ensure that women still working have equal pay and can make their own choices for their bodies. From her time working at Donald Trump's casino in Gary, Galdina said she has concerns about the president.

"I knew how he was. I knew how he did business. I don't want him running my country," Galdina said.

With the new administration in the White House and a newly elected Congress, Rhonda Szymanski, of Highland, said she feels like she's in the sci-fi show, "Twilight Zone." She said she chose to march to tell the world this new administration should not be normalized.

"It's such an alternate universe," Szymanski said.

Cerajewski said she is concerned about the rhetoric Trump created in the election and what may pursue now that he's in the White House.

"He preyed on a lot of people with good intentions, and he emboldened a lot of people with bad intentions," Cerajewski said.

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But with the rally, people chose to join together to voice their concerns and wishes, said Pam Johnson, of Miller, who held a sign that read, "NWI women unite."

"We have to show solidarity," Johnson said.

rejacobs@post-trib.com

Twitter @ruthyjacobs
Hundreds of people assemble around the Porter County Courthouse in Valparaiso Saturday for a women's march. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)

Voices were loud and clear on the courthouse square in downtown Valparaiso Saturday, even as they espoused differing viewpoints.

Porter County Right to Life held its annual prayer vigil on the north side of the Porter County Courthouse Saturday morning. Just as that event was winding down, participants in the Women's March on Valparaiso descended on the courthouse sidewalk for one of many similar events held across the globe.

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Both sides said they respected other's right to gather and hold a public rally.

At exactly 1 p.m., march organizer Charlotte Friedlund stood on a concrete bench to address the crowd of hundreds, urging them to stay on the sidewalk around the courthouse as their permit from the city allowed.

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"We gather today to be seen and heard by the new administration," she said to marchers, many of whom held signs that read, "Respect and protect women" and "Yuge mistake."

"We bear witness with all of our sisters across the nation and across the world for all the people who will suffer in the new administration's agenda," Friedlund said.

The anti-abortion vigil, which also included speakers and people holding signs with such messages as, "Abortion hurts women," drew about 85 people. Al Raffin, president of the group, said the goal of their event, held the day before the anniversary of Roe v. Wade court decision legalizing abortion, was to pray together and be in solidarity with other anti-abortion marches, including one in Washington, D.C., next weekend.

He said he believes with Donald Trump now president and former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence serving as vice president, changes to end abortion are ahead.

"My hope is that more protection can be given to unborn children," he said.

As the anti-abortion supporters listened to one of their final speakers, Sue Wolfe, of Valparaiso, said she decided to join the women's march for "myriad of reasons."

"First and foremost, during the election Donald Trump spoke of women and it was degrading, horrifying and disgusting," said Wolfe, noting that she has three daughters and two granddaughters, and is a strong supporter of civil rights. "I hold the presidency to a higher standard."

As cars on Lincolnway honked and march participants cheered and waved, Ashley Hensley, of Schererville, held a sign that read, "Girls just wanna have fun-damental human rights." She came to the march with her mother, sister and niece.

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Hensley said it was her first activist event.

"I just wanted to share my views with many other women who feel similarly today," she said. "It's important to me and it's important to share it with my family."

Vigil leader Raffin, of Porter, said the marchers might be surprised to know that many anti-abortion supporters agree with them on several issues.

"We're pro-woman," he said. "Now we would obviously disagree with them that being pro-woman includes abortion. We would say it harms women. But we're in solidarity with them on many issues."

The marchers have a right to gather and the anti-abortion participants wouldn't interfere with them, he said.

"This is the wonderful thing about our country," Raffin said. "We can express our opinion in freedom."

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Friedlund, of Valparaiso, decided to organize the women's march when she heard about similar events being held in Washington, D.C., Chicago and Indianapolis. It was the only march in this area, she said.

That event timing would overlap with the anti-abortion vigil was coincidental, she said, and made sure that march participants were aware of the two events.

"We encourage everybody to respect their rights as well," she told marchers. "I don't agree with them but I don't have to."

Amy Lavelly is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Despite relentless opposition from local environmental groups, the state has continued on a seemingly intractable course toward allowing liquor to flow at a soon-to-be privately built and operated venue at Indiana Dunes State Park.

With the latest procedural rule move endorsed Tuesday with little discourse by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission, the path is all but paved for a new banquet center to go along with a refurbished pavilion on Lake Michigan's southern shore.

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At every twist and turn in this nearly two-year saga of conflict, opponents of the liquor measure have been strong, vocal and largely ignored. That's too bad. They've raised several significant concerns.

From its inception, this proposal has lacked the proper amount of sunlight and transparency that's paramount for good government. When planners didn't get their way on the alcohol issue locally, lawmakers in Indianapolis mysteriously changed the law.

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It's troubling policy to blend recreation-minded beachgoers and their families with party-minded, booze-fueled guests at the pavilion, which sits just steps from the beach. Pavilion Partners LLC plans to build a rooftop eatery and fine-dining restaurant in the renovated pavilion.

The company, headed by Republican insider Chuck Williams, also says it will construct a 17,000-square-foot banquet center next to the pavilion. The state remains the landowner.

The additional construction plans set off worries over the fate of birds that might fly into the proposed glass-enclosed banquet center, as well as sand erosion, parking concerns and increased light pollution spoiling the night sky.

While state officials say the ban on alcohol will continue at the beach and in the remainder of the park, opponents contend the pavilion is on the beach, too. That argument didn't wash with state officials who maintain the pavilion sits on a concrete base.

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Drawing about 1.2 million visitors a year, Dunes State Park has been one of Indiana's most popular parks for decades, even after its art deco-style pavilion, built in 1929, fell into disrepair. In 2011, claiming it didn't have money for costly renovations, the DNR turned to the private sector in search of a partner willing to finance repairs.

Alcohol aside, the DNR should always maintain its park in as pristine condition as possible  not allow a private venture to drastically change one in the name of profit. That's why the land is in a state park  to be preserved.

Pavilion Partners is investing about $6 million in capital improvements, including the banquet center. It will pay the state $18,000 annually in rent, along with 2 percent of total revenue. In return, the state plans to relinquish operation through a 35-year lease, finalized in 2015.

In our view, that's a paltry sum for the state to allow a misuse of public lands so a private company can potentially reap millions in profit.

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The leasing process did not require public meetings prior to awarding a contract. Many felt blindsided by the project and maintained it seemed skewed from the start to benefit an influential GOP businessman. We agree.

Just because a certain level of transparency isn't required by law doesn't mean it isn't required by common decency and demanded by taxpayers.

Now, as the process winds down, time is running out for opposition groups such as Dunes Action and the Izaak Walton League. They say they'll fight until the end, and a judge may have the final word.
Indian Head Park police responded to a home invasion Jan. 18 with all three patrol cars on duty and two police canine units, but were unable to locate the man who entered a home and cut a 12-year-old girl with a knife.

Police provided the details and took questions Saturday morning from about 100 people who came to a town hall meeting.

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Police Chief Robert Cervenka said the girl was home alone in her upstairs bedroom when she heard sounds from the first floor. When she went downstairs in stocking feet to investigate, she saw a man standing with his back to her in the kitchen.

The man turned, saw her, produced a knife and cut her on her arm, Cervenka said. The man then dropped the knife and the girl said he left through the rear sliding door in the kitchen.

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The wound on the girl's arm was "very, very minor," Cervenka said. "It was superficial."

Paramedics from the Pleasantview Fire Protection District arrived and wrapped the cut in gauze. The girl and her mother, who had come home, decided she did not need to go to the hospital, Cervenka said.

The girl called 911 at 6:44 p.m. The police arrived within two minutes, the chief said. Cervenka said the Police Department with the assistance of the Major Case Assistance Team followed up 27 leads, but so far have not identified any suspects.

The police canine units, one working with a bloodhound and one working with a German shepherd, picked up a scent that led to the street in front of the house and ended there, Cervenka said. The investigators have found no evidence of a vehicle parked outside.

The police believe the knife was from the home and have sent it to the crime lab for processing. Cervenka said the police also sent fingerprints from the front doorknob to the lab, but they do not know yet whether the prints were from a stranger or a family member.

The girl told police the intruder wore gloves. She also said he was dressed all in black and wore a black ski mask and stocking cap. Based on the skin around the eyeholes in the mask, she said he was white. She estimated he is between 6-feet and 6-feet, 2-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds. He did not speak to her, she said.

In response to one man's question, Cervenka said they do not know the motive for the crime. At this point, nothing has been reported missing from the home, the chief said. There is no evidence that the crime is connected to two burglaries that occurred the same day in Western Springs, Cervenka said.

He also said the girl was asked whether she was having any problems with anyone at school and she said she was not.

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A resident asked if the intruder could be someone whom the family knows.

"We view everybody as a suspect," Cervenka said.

Another person questioned whether it's possible that there was no intruder.

"We are investigating this as a bona fide incident," Cervenka said.

Residents also asked why a Code Red call from the village's emergency notification system was not sent out to residents until after 9 p.m. if the police received the call about the intruder at 6:44 p.m.

Cervenka said it was his decision to wait because he thought the suspect might be caught. Because of the number of police cars and officers in the area, with extra help from the Cook County's Sheriff Department and the Countryside Police Department, Cervenka said residents were not in danger.

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Frank DiPompeo, who lives on 65th Place east of the Acacia subdivision, said he did not receive the alert until almost 9:30 p.m., but he saw police activity when he got home from the gym between 7 and 7:30 p.m.

"There were two squads with their lights on, but no sirens," DiPompeo said. "As they went down the street, they turned their lights off, so I knew something was going on."

DiPompeo said the meeting was somewhat informative, but the important thing is village officials continuing to brief residents as news becomes available.

Moira O'Brien-DeLuca said she and her husband would have liked more information than what was provided in the Code Red call.

"We knew there was an intruder and some bodily injuries and they told us to lock our doors and keep our lights on," O'Brien-DeLuca said. "But what were we trying to protect ourselves from?"

She said her husband called village officials but could not get any more information.

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She did not hear the description of the intruder until she came to the Saturday meeting, which she said was "a great idea."

She suggested the meeting should have been held at Lyons Township High School or the school's Corral, which has more room for people.

After attending the meeting, Elizabeth Cooper said she feels safe and that she didn't think the man was still in the area.

Sharon Allison said, "There probably are things (the police) can't tell us." But she appreciated the village holding the meeting for the community.

"It was very informative. I was very impressed with the police chief," Allison said.

Allison said the community has been through this before, referring to the 2011 murder of 14-year-old Kelli O'Laughlin. The girl came home from school and surprised a burglar, who then fatally stabbed her.

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Kelli's mother, Brenda O'Laughlin who is a member of the Indian Head Park Village Board, was at the meeting about the intruder.

"It is close to my heart without a doubt," O'Laughlin said.

But she said she learned from the investigation and conviction of her daughter's killer, "It's important to let the police do their job and put all the pieces together. They will let us know if people are in harm's way."

kfornek@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @kfdoings
The Pilgrim Chamber Players performed to a full house of 250 at the Highland Park Community House on Jan.15, in celebration of their 20th year. Featured in the concert was the Honigberg Trio, three generations of the Honigberg family, including Carol Honigberg, Pilgrim founder, on piano, her son, cellist Steven Honigberg and her granddaughter, violinist Lily Honigberg.

Guests enjoyed a dessert reception following the concert. More at all 312-266-8729 or 847-433-0972 or www.pilgrimplayers.org
When Liz Fisher of Carlisle saw event invitations filling her Facebook feed, she immediately decided to participate in the Womens March on Washington to send a message to the Trump administration that it would be held accountable to the people and to provide an example for her children.

Its important for me to go to show my kids I believe in this, she said.

The Womens March on Washington will begin at 10 a.m. today with a program near the Capitol and continue toward the White House. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend, based on bus registrations, train bookings and the permit application submitted by the organizers.

More than 600 sister marches are planned today at locations worldwide, including 12 cities in Pennsylvania. A march will be held in Harrisburg beginning at 10 a.m. at the Broad Street Market.

According to the event website, the march is a women-led movement bringing together people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds in our nations capital on January 21, 2017, to affirm our shared humanity and pronounce our bold message of resistance and self-determination.

The website also offers, the Womens March on Washington is a grassroots effort comprised of dozens of independent coordinators at the state level. The effort is helmed by four national co-chairs and a national coordinating committee who are working around the clock to pull it all together.

Speakers for the event include feminist Gloria Steinem, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, filmmaker Michael Moore and actresses Ashley Judd and Scarlett Johansson as well as others representing a variety of organizations that advocate womens rights and human rights.

Robin Scaer, executive director of the Carlisle YWCA, said 81 people from the Carlisle area will be going to the march on buses secured by the YWCA.

We had an overwhelming response to putting this together and heading down Saturday, Scaer said.

Preparation

By Nov. 14, less than a week after the election of Donald Trump, the YWCA knew a march was being planned, so Scaer contacted Wolf Bus Lines. She secured one bus for the trip, but also discovered the company had already taken reservations for 10 buses heading to the event from other area locations.

The YWCA had been taking calls from people interested in bus transportation even before it sent an email to its supporters and posted a message on Facebook. Three days after those messages went out, the buses were filled. Scaer said many of those who are going are aware of what is happening in their communities and around the nation, and they want to become involved.

People are looking for an outlet where they can come together with other like-minded people, Scaer said. People want to be heard because they care about issues.

Scaer said she assumes the march will attract people of various faiths and ethnicities to make it an intersection of groups and people coming together who grasp all the values of the march organizers, not just a single focal point. If not, seeing the people at the march, reading the posters and hearing the speakers may help someone to gain understanding beyond that one focal point, Scaer said.

The issues embraced by the march organizers are not new, Scaer said, though they have been unveiled in a very public and demonstrative way in recent months.

That those issues have become so visible is another reason Fisher decided to march.

Fisher said some of what was said during the campaign season scares me as a woman, and she is also concerned for her family and for those who will be subject to the policies the Trump administration may enact. Nothing can be done about the election, but marchers can put the new administration on notice, she said.

My message is that Im watching, she said. Were not just watching. Were ready to act.

Fisher anticipates that the march will be crowded, busy and challenging, but that overall, the experience will be incredibly empowering.

Both Fisher and Scaer hope that sense of empowerment will follow the marchers back home.

In the long haul, Im looking at what I can do locally, Fisher said. You have to translate that energy back to the local level.

To that end, each attendee taking the YWCA bus will be given information on the organization and on how they can become advocates to empower women and eliminate racism.

One rally alone doesnt make the change you need, she said.
Chinese comedian Zhou Libo (1st L) and his lawyer (1st R) are interviewed after Zhou was released on bail in front of Nassau District Court, the United States, on Jan. 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese comedian Zhou Libo has been arrested in Long Island, New York, for alleged illegal possession of a firearm and drug.

Zhou, 49, and the passenger, Shuang Tang, 30, are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Nassau County police said in a press release sent to Xinhua Friday morning local time.

Zhou is also charged with Mobile Phone Use While Driving. They will be arraigned on Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.

According to the release, the two men were stopped at 12:07 am Thursday because their Mercedes-Benz was "being driven erratically and the operator was using a cell phone" on Bayville Road in Lattingtown.

During the investigation a black handgun holster was seen on the rear seat of the vehicle, it said.

Upon further investigation, a loaded Colt MKIV Mustang.380 pistol was recovered along with two clear plastic bags containing crack cocaine, it said.

Both occupants were placed under arrest at the scene without incident, it said.
Chinese comedian Zhou Libo (1st L) is released on bail at the First District Court in Hempstead, on Friday, January 20, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese comedian Zhou Libo, who was arrested in Long Island, New York on Thursday for alleged illegal possession of a firearm and drugs, has been released on bail after he was arraigned on Friday at Nassau District Court.

According to the Nassau County police, 49-year-old Zhou and 30-year-old Tang Shuang were stopped at 12:07 am Thursday because their Mercedes-Benz was "being driven erratically and the operator was using a cell phone" on Bayville Road in Lattingtown.

During the investigation, a black handgun holster was seen on the rear seat of the vehicle, said the police.

Upon further investigation, a loaded Colt MKIV Mustang 380 pistol was recovered along with two clear plastic bags containing crack cocaine, added the police.

Both occupants were placed under arrest at the scene without incident.

Both men are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, the Nassau County police said. Zhou is also charged with Mobile Phone Use While Driving.

After his release, Zhou said that the loaded pistol in his vehicle is legal, but he didn't elaborate on who owned the firearm nor provided an explanation on the drugs.

According to Xinhua news agency, Zhou is expected to appear in court for his next hearing on March 9.
Premier Li Keqiang meets with Scottish-American chemist Sir James Fraser Stoddart, winner of the 2016 Nobel Prize in chemistry, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. [Wu Zhiyi/China Daily]

More foreign talent is welcome to China for innovation work and business, and the government will step up support in such areas as granting "green cards," project applications and intellectual property protection, Premier Li Keqiang said on Friday.

The country will also "relax market access, attract more foreign investment and learn advanced technologies and management," Li told a gathering in Beijing of outstanding foreign experts working in China.

One week ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, Li attended the annual event to send greetings and collect wisdom on how to boost China's innovation-driven growth and reinforce its soft power.

Speaking to the scholars and corporate leaders, Li expressed China's strong hope to "fully tap into wisdom and creativity of every individual."

The aim is to nurture new dynamism to propel economic growth, upgrade traditional industries and boost the transformation and upgrading of China's economy, Li said.

Sir James Fraser Stoddart, the Nobel Prize winner in chemistry for 2016 who now works at Tianjin University, suggested that China establish a long-term program to support creative young researchers and their teams.

Foreign experts make more than 600,000 visits to China each year, according to Zhang Jianguo, head of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.

China's problems in attracting brainpower from overseas include its lack of top-tier talent in cutting-edge domains and its insufficient attraction to high-end talent, Zhang told People's Daily on Wednesday.

Denis Depoux, Asia deputy president and senior partner of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, said China has become an innovation powerhouse, as a growing domestic market and middle class are fueling "incredible creativity and business model ingenuity."

Olaf Kastner, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, said that the world appears to be in a transitional period in which staying competitive is even more difficult, and it is in this context that Germany has embarked on its Industry 4.0 initiative.

"China is progressing with China 2025, a far-reaching strategy to lift production structures and qualities to the next level. It holds a lot of similarities to the German initiative. Both concepts are similar and striving to foster intelligent production," Kastner said.
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Jing Haipeng (left) and Chen Dong are in the Tiangong-2 space lab on Oct 19, 2016. [Xinhua]

China on Friday held a ceremony to honor the two astronauts of the Shenzhou-11 spaceflight mission for their outstanding contributions to the country's space endeavors.

Jing Haipeng, crew commander and a third-time space traveler, was honored a first-class aerospace achievement medal, and Chen Dong, a first-time space traveler, was conferred a third-class medal and the honorary title "heroic astronaut."

Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for learning from the astronauts' devotion to the motherland and their courage to overcome hardships.

Launched on Oct. 17 last year, Shenzhou-11 docked two days later with China's space lab Tiangong-2, where the two astronauts lived for 30 days, the longest time Chinese astronauts spent in space.

The Shenzhou-11 mission is part of China's ambitious plan to build a permanent manned space station.
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Shanghai's new Mayor Ying Yong (C) speaks during a press conference at the closing of the fifth session of the 14th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, the local legislature, on Friday, January 20, 2017. [Weibo.com/shanghaicity]

Shanghai's new Mayor Ying Yong on Friday pledged to further cut red tape.

Ying told a press conference at the closing of the fifth session of the 14th Shanghai Municipal People's Congress, the local legislature, that Shanghai will expand a pilot program that separates business licenses from administrative permits.

Ying was elected mayor at this congressional session. He previously served as Shanghai's executive vice mayor.

Ying said a total of 70 administrative approval items will be either simplified or eliminated this year, on top of 116 items streamlined last year.

As part of the program, companies will be able to get their businesses up running without first obtaining administrative permits.

Businesses often complained of drawn-out procedures in applying for permits.

Ying said separating business licenses from administrative permits illustrates Shanghai's commitment to streamlining administrative approvals and delegating power. The measure is meant to lower the cost of doing businesses in Shanghai.

He said Shanghai would work on further separating intermediate agencies, business councils, and trade associations from the government. Government departments' affiliated businesses will be separated as well.

Ying also said financial and institutional reforms carried out in Shanghai's Free-Trade Zone (FTZ) will continue in a prudent manner.

In 2015, it was announced that 40 financial reforms would be tested in the FTZ. The goals include the liberalization of the capital account, expanding cross-border use of the yuan, continuing the opening-up of the financial service industry and accelerating construction of an international financial market.

Last year, Shanghai Insurance Exchange was launched in the FTZ.
China's People's Liberation Army Navy has sent two frigates and a drone to search for a fishing boat that sank in the East China Sea on Friday evening, leaving at least one person dead, navy sources said Saturday.

The Chinese fishing boat, Liaoda Zhongyu 15126, had 13 crew on board before sinking at around 6 a.m. Friday.

Frigates Suzhou and Ji'an arrived in the area and began their search on Saturday morning after the Donghai Fleet received requests for assistance late on Friday from the maritime rescue center in Jiangsu Province. A military drone was also dispatched.

So far, only one body has been recovered and the rest of the crew remain unaccounted for.
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U.S. President Donald Trump signed a legislation Friday to clear a legal barrier for James Mattis, his nominee for defense secretary, to take office.

Trump signed the waiver to grant Mattis a one-time exception, in one of the first actions after he was sworn in as the 45th U.S. President at a ceremony held earlier at the Capitol Hill.

Under the U.S. law, a former service member is barred from running the Pentagon less than seven years after retirement from military. Mattis only retired in 2013 as the Commander of the U.S. Central Command.

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-3 on Jan. 12 to approve Mattis' nomination, moving the vote onto the Senate floor. The committee also easily passed a waiver exempting Mattis from a law that requires defense secretaries to be retired from service for at least seven years.

Mattis' nomination is expected to be approved at a vote in the Senate later Friday.

At the hearing, Mattis took a clear anti-Russia stance during the hearing, describing Moscow as a "principle threat" to U.S. security, a position notably different from Trump.

The United States should also check Russia's growing influence in the Arctic region, Mattis said.

Mattis also chose to stand apart from Trump on other key issues, including the role of NATO, which Trump said should shrink, and on the Iranian nuclear agreement, which Trump threatened to scrap.
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At least 20 people were killed and 30 others injured when a bomb went off in a vegetable and fruit market in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Kurram Agency on Saturday morning, officials said.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the mouthpiece of Pakistani army confirmed that the blast took place by the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) inside the market.

The ISPR earlier released a statement saying that said the explosion happened at 8:50 a.m. (local time) in Parachinar area, the administrative headquarters of Kurram Agency.

Sajid Turi, a lawmaker from the agency, said that the IED was hidden inside a carton carrying apples.

He said that a large number of people from Parachinar and adjoining villages were busy shopping in the market when the blast happened.

Outlawed organization Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) took credit for the attack in an e-mail to media.

Contradicting the officials' statement, the TTP spokesman, Muhammad Khorasani claimed that their member Saifullah alias Bilal carried out the suicide bombing in the Parachinar's marketplace.

He added the attack was revenge of the killing of Asif Chuto, chief of the banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who was killed along with three activists, in an encounter with police in the country's east Punjab province earlier this week.

All the injured people were initially shifted to Agency Headquarters Hospital Parachinar from where the seriously wounded victims were airlifted to hospitals in capital city Peshawar of neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, via army helicopters.

Noorullah Khan, a medical officials in the Parachinar hospital, said that the death toll is feared to rise and several among the injured people are in critical condition.

Two vehicles and several shops were also destroyed in the blast.

Commercial activities halted in the area following the explosion as local people closed all the markets in Parachinar.

Located along Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Kurram Agency is infested with sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni Muslims who attack each other time and again.

Local Urdu TV channel Geo reported that 12 of the killed were Shia Muslims whose bodies were shifted to a Shia mosque for final rituals.

The country's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the incident and directed hospital administration to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured people.

The quick reaction force from Pakistani army and paramilitary troops reached at the blast site and cordoned it off for investigations.
Halima hid under the bed and tried not to watch as the soldiers slit her brothers throat.

It was 1999 in Sierra Leone and the country was in the middle of a bloody civil war. Halima waited until the killers left, then crawled out and ran to her brother Salim, who was not breathing. She held him, prayed for a moment, then ran from the house. Two days later, with a false passport, she flew to the United States. She was granted asylum and now lives here with her family, including four U.S. citizen children.

I had known Halimas story for almost a decade since I was her immigration attorney. She is just one of the many people Ive met during a 20-year career practicing the type of law that exposes me to people who come from countries where politics is not as simple and sanitized as a panel discussion on CNN.

There was Muhammad, who had once been a member of the Nawaz party in Pakistan and made the mistake of being a vocal district officer and opponent of the Taliban when they took over his northern town and ordered medical workers to stop dispensing free vaccines. He was beaten, his father was shot and he was forced to flee the only home hed ever known. The Taliban are still there.

There was Javier from Guatemala, whose family had been attacked by rebels during the Civil War in the mid-80s because they refused to provide assistance, and then were persecuted by the government when, ironically, they wrongly thought his family had provided that guerrilla aid.

There was Brahim from the Ivory Coast, who had been a vocal coordinator for college students in favor of a political candidate named Ouattara, and who had been imprisoned and tortured when the presidents men maintained their power by essentially putting the challenger under house arrest and disrupting the election.

There were more. Mohan from the Sudan. Isaias from El Salvador. Lassana from Guinea. Emanuel from the Congo. Every single one fled a country that was mired in a political maelstrom because one group of people could not accept the peaceful relinquishment of power.

I tell you these stories as a reminder that even though you might not celebrate the man and the message in the ascendant in Washington, you have to honor the process.

We transition from one person to the next, one party to the next, one mission to the next, without guns. We do it without force. We do it with votes and voices.

The angry feminist marches in the streets, but is not forced to hide under her bed.

The impassioned college student writes op-eds against the administration, but does not do it from a prison cell.

The doctor who thinks birth control is a right, not a privilege, writes that prescription from an office and doesnt fear that police will break down his door and haul him away.

To those who are angry, mournful, anxious and disgusted today I say: celebrate the country you live in, that gives you the freedom to oppose Donald Trumps administration.

To those who do celebrate unreservedly, remember that those on the other side of the divide are your fellow citizens.

And to all, embrace the process that perpetuates a freedom and an individual dignity that, believe me, is the exception to a universal rule.
With a relatively short inauguration speech reportedly self-written, Donald Trump, now the 45th President of the United States, again proved his aspiration for achieving what is regularly unachievable.

This time, though, he wants to unite his politically divided nation with an off-the-beaten-track, potentially divisive, rallying call  one that is anti-tradition, anti-establishment, anti-globalization, anti-free-trade and virtually anti-everything present.

While it is purely America's business whether and to what extent his home audience will rally behind Trump the great savior, the new US president's "America First" signboard is something to worry about for the rest of the world, China included.

Not because what it literally says, because as Trump has said, every nation is entitled to prioritizing its own interests.

But rather because it carries forward the signature Trumpian antagonism to globalization, and the corresponding beliefs that have shaped the way countries interact, interdepend and co-exist economically.

If the speech was a declaration of war, as some put it, it is not just against the establishment in Washington, but, more importantly, against globalization, against free trade.

In Trump's narrative, free trade has "enriched" other countries, but "depleted" American wealth, strength, and confidence, and become a process of "ravages of other countries" making American products, stealing American companies, and destroying American jobs.

The only way out, and to "Make America Great Again", then, is to go isolationist, protectionist.

"Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength," he announced. And his prescription is simple indeed: "Buy American and Hire American".

It remains to be seen whether this will make America "strong again", "wealthy again", "proud again", "safe again". But the protectionist orientation will certainly usher in a period of global tumult as it translates from pre-presidential bluff into presidential actions.

Globalization as it is has downsides, and needs to be fairer, more inclusive, and broadly benefiting. But backpedalling will hardly facilitate Trump's vision of rebuilding American greatness.

Despite the global concern about uncertainty that befalls with the Trump presidency, at least one thing appears certain: Protectionism will pit the US increasingly against the rest of the world, starting from trade.

As the present-day world's No. 1 foreign trader, China will find itself a foremost victim as the world's largest economy, and consumer market, slams its doors shut on free trade. While the feared China-US "trade war" remains a fear, the economic interdependence, deep, broad and solid as it is believed, does not suffice for preventing a new round of mutually-weakening wrangling in trade, and beyond.

Given Trump's previous indications of readiness to resort to political levers, as wild and provocative as the Taiwan card, for Beijing's concessions in trade, things may get messier than can be anticipated.

As an emerging champion of globalization and free trade, Beijing, along with the US' old and new allies and partners, need to find a way to demonstrate to the nascent administration in Washington the prospect of an updated, more desirable version of globalization, and the benefits it promises.

The Taiwan card is bottom line breaking. As long as Trump doesn't break that line, an overture of more reasonable, mutually-beneficial trade ties should precede confrontational actions.
Photo taken on Dec 1, 2016 shows the Huanghua Port in North China's Hebei Province. China's economy grew 6.7 percent year on year in 2016, a slowdown from the 6.9-percent growth registered in 2015, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese economy has run within reasonable range in the past year, and the country will effectively stabilize its growth and guard against risks this year, Premier Li Keqiang said.

"We have the confidence and capability in tackling challenges in various fields" to promote the stable and healthy development of the economy, Li said while hosting a symposium for soliciting opinions on the draft of the annual Government Work Report.

Li will deliver the report at the annual session of the National People's Congress in March, and the premier hosted several symposiums ahead of that to collect ideas and perfect the draft.

Participants at Thursday's symposium - the third of its kind this year - include leaders of non-communist political parties, officials of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and prominent figures without party affiliation.

Li made the comments at a time in which the Chinese economy faces great pressure, and rising global trade protectionism is adding uncertainty to China's businesses.

The premier said the growth rate of the economy "was a forerunner in the world" last year, and the country's annual new employment has remained above 13 million people for four years.

Elaborating on work expected to be done by the government this year, Chen Changzhi, chairman of the China National Democratic Construction Association - one of the eight non-communist parties-said the country should further cut administrative fees levied on enterprises to lower their costs.

Yan Junqi, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, said training for grassroots medical workers should be improved.

It is hoped that they continue working together to ensure that the economy maintains its medium-and high-speed growth and steps up into a medium and high level of development, Li said.
The real estate sector's contribution to overall gross domestic product growth is likely to drop significantly in 2017, according to the head of the National Bureau of Statistics.

The real estate sector contributed 6.5 percent to overall GDP in China in 2016, or 7.8 percent to overall GPD growth in the country, according to Ning Jizhe, head of the NBS and deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Ning said that in 2017 the financial authorities would rigorously implement the policy that housing is for housing, not for speculating, and enable the real estate market to develop in a healthy and stable manner.

"The construction sector and the real economy part of the property market are pillars of the country's economic growth and they are important for meeting mass housing demand," Ning said.

"We can well handle the situation that some real estate market benchmarks are diverging in cities, and be secure that real estate is meeting people's demand while playing its role in economic growth," he added.

Investment in real estate development in 2016 reached 10.258 trillion yuan ($1.492 trillion), a 6.9 percent year-on-year increase.

The volume of property sold last year reached 1.57 billion square meters, a 22.5 percent year-on-year growth, realizing total revenue of 11.76 billion yuan, for a 34.8 percent year-on-year increase.

The NBS, which held a news conference in Beijing on Friday, said that the trend of real estate development in the country was positive overall, but there was a high divergence between top-tier and lower-tier cities.

City-specific policies to curb speculation and prevent overheating in first-and-second-tier cities and reduce inventories in lower-tier cities have been working effectively, Ning said.
China's regions which boast balanced economic structures took the lead in the growth stakes throughout last year, while more inner regions that used to lag behind are catching up through industrial upgrades, the latest regional economic data has showed.

The data revealed that of 28 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions that released their economic data in 2016, a total of 21 achieved GDP growth above 7 percent.

Leading them were the Tibet autonomous region, Chongqing and Guizhou province which remained the top three with the highest year-on-year growth rates of 11.5 percent, 10.7 percent and 10.5 percent respectively.

An analyst said that the inland regions of Tibet and Guizhou relied more on central government policy support.

But E-house China R&D Institute researcher Yan Yuejin said Chongqing's high speed growth had more to do with its balanced economic structure as well as the government's actions to control the property market.

"The invisible hand of the government played a key role," Yan said, referring to the municipal government's series of initiatives designed to stabilize the property prices amid robust GDP growth. These included a strategy of forward land reserves and steady land release, in a move to more effectively control land supply.

Another policy tool was the municipality's subsidized housing program, which met local residents' housing demand.

Chongqing Mayor Zhang Gouqing said his city wanted to tackle improving its weaker areas in 2017, including developing a high tech manufacturing industry and improving its imports and exports.

Meanwhile, the director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Alan Zhou, suggested the Chongqing government move to prevent population outflows, especially among the young, and attract more foreign manufacturing companies to invest there.
Cabinet approves the exclusion of States from National Small Savings Fund

Published: January 20, 2017

The Union Cabinet has excluded States and Union Territories except Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi (UT) and Madhya Pradesh from National Small Savings Fund (NSSF) investments with effect from 1 April 2016

The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved one-time loan of Rs. 45000 crore from NSSF to Food Corporation of India (FCI) to meet its food subsidy requirements.

Key Facts

Arunachal Pradesh will be given loans to the tune of 100% of NSSF collections within its territory, while Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi (UT) will be provided with 50% of collections.

Through the budget line of Department of Food and Public Distribution, the servicing of interest and principal of debt will be extended to Food Corporation of India (FCI).

The repayment obligation of the FCI in respect of NSSF Loans will be treated as the first charge on the food subsidy released to the FCI.

In addition, FCI will be required to reduce the amount of its current Cash Credit Limit with the banking consortium to the extent of the NSSF loan amount.

An legally binding agreement will be signed between Department of Food, FCI and NSSF on the modalities for repayment of interest rate and the restructuring of FCI debt will be made possible within 2-5 years.

In the future, NSSF will invest on items whose expenditure is ultimately borne by Union Government and Union budget will meet requirement of the repayment of the principal and interest of that amount.

Background

The 14th Finance Commission (FFC) had recommended that the State Governments should be excluded from the investment operations of the NSSF. The main reason given was that NSSF loans come at an extra cost to the State Governments compared to the market rates which are considerably lower. Following this, Union Cabinet in February 2015 held that this recommendation will be examined in due course in consultation with various stake holders. Later, all states except Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh expressed their desire to be excluded from NSSF investments.

About National Small Savings Fund (NSSF)

NSSF was set up on 1 April, 1999 with an objective to account all the monetary transactions under small savings schemes of the Union Government under one umbrella. It was set up in the Public Account of India.

The net accretions under the small savings schemes are invested in the special securities of various States/ Union Territories (with legislature)/Central Governments.

States not only can borrow from this account but have the obligation to borrow. The minimum obligation of States to borrow from the NSSF has been brought down from 100% to 80% of net collections from 2007.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2017

Topics: Cabinet Decisions  FCI  National  National Small Savings Fund  PDS  States

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Chinese companies are showing more ambition to reach into the international market, especially in the rapidly evolving technology sector, with a major acquisition announced on Thursday.

A Chinese consortium made up of China Oceanwide Holdings Group Co Ltd and IDG Capital announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire International Data Group (IDG). With operations in 97 countries worldwide, Boston-headquartered IDG is a leading global media, market research and venture company engaging in the most influential technology ventures and buyers. According to Forbes, its 2015 sales revenue was estimated at $3.8 billion. It was the first US publisher to enter the Chinese market in 1980 with the launch of China Computerworld.

This acquisition also includes IDG's subsidiaries International Data Corporation (IDC), IDG Communications and IDG Ventures.

With this deal, China Oceanwide will be the controlling shareholder of IDG's operating businesses, including IDC and IDG Communications. IDG Capital will become the controlling shareholder of IDG Venture.

The consortium has received clearance from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States for the transaction, which is expected to close within the first quarter of 2017. Although the amount of the transaction is not disclosed, earlier media reports stated that it would amount to over $1 billion.

IDG will continue to be headquartered in Boston and managed by the current team. A new board of directors will be appointed once the transaction is closed.

Walter Boyd, chairman of IDG, said that China Oceanwide and IDG Capital will provide the right financial, strategic and cultural resources to help the group seek further development.

Beijing-based China Oceanwide is a privately-owned company with diverse business operations, including real estate, financial services, media, technology and strategic investment. Lu Zhiqiang, chairman of China Oceanwide, said that IDG is a natural extension for their international portfolio expansion.

"We plan to support IDG's current management team as they implement their business plans, providing them with the autonomy, financial support and commercial resources that can support IDG's growth and expansion and further enhance its leading position in the market," said Lu.

China Oceanwide started to invest overseas to replenish its core real estate business in 2014. It became the controlling shareholder of Hong Kong-listed Hutchison Harbor Ring Limited in November 2014. It also announced the plan to acquire 51 percent stake of full-license brokerage Quam (HK) Limited with HKD$ 109.6 million ($14.1 million) last November. On Tuesday, it announced that its overseas wholly-owned subsidiary has applied for up to $300 million financing from banks to develop its overseas projects.
BEIJING - Outstanding loans to small businesses continued to grow by the end of 2016 as the central government stepped up efforts to provide more financial support to small and micro businesses.

Outstanding loans by Chinese financial institutions to small and micro businesses stood at 20.84 trillion yuan ($3.02 trillion) by the end of December, up 16 percent year-on-year, according to the central bank.

With authorities encouraging loans to small and micro businesses to help shore up the economy, the growth rate of such loans exceeded the growth rate of loans to big- and mid-sized enterprises by 7.2 and 9.1 percentage points, respectively, said the People's Bank of China (PBOC).

Outstanding loans to small and micro businesses accounted for 32.1 percent of the total outstanding loans to enterprises at the end of December, up 1.6 percentage points year-on-year, according to the PBOC.

Chinese authorities have encouraged banks to support the development of small businesses, which have difficulty accessing bank loans.

The banking regulator has implemented differential regulatory policies to improve the coverage of loans for small businesses and reduce their financing costs.
BEIJING - Once a successful real estate developer, Li Fangping has shifted to high-end manufacturing by setting up a medical device company.

"I saw signs of a possible bubble in the property market and made up my mind to enter the more down-to-earth manufacturing sector," he said.

Li's company, Nurotron Biotechnology, is the only one in China capable of independently developing cochlear implant systems. To date, some 6,000 people have been implanted with Li's products.

Behind the company's good performance is Li's devotion to scientific innovation. The company has employed top talent from abroad and invested some 25 million yuan ($3.6 million) in technological research and development every year.

From real estate to the real economy, Li has followed the country's strategy to boost the real economy, which has been plagued by rising labor costs and low investment returns compared to the financial and property sectors.

The country has adopted a set of measures, such as reducing overcapacity, streamlining administrative approvals and boosting innovation to stimulate the real economy.

Reviving the real economy was also stressed during the annual Central Economic Work Conference in December 2016.

The real economy has also been a key word in the ongoing local two sessions -- the annual meetings of provincial lawmakers and political advisors.

A Shanghai government work report published during the city's two sessions vowed to revive the real economy and promote an economy that features new technology, new industry, and new formats and patterns.

During the two sessions of the eastern province of Zhejiang, vice provincial governor Feng Fei said the real economy is facing an imbalance of profit and resource allocation as real estate and finance, which are much more profitable, have been attracting far more resources than the real economy.

The province will help lower the costs of the real economy this year so that more resources will be distributed to the sector, he said.

Government efforts and determination have boosted the morale of businesses.

On Jan 18, China's CSG Smart Science and Technology Company began construction on a robotics industrial base in Shanghai.

The base, which is expected to be completed in two years and covers over 200,000 square meters, will serve as an innovation and industry incubation center focused on both industrial and service robots.

Yao Yao, vice president of the company, said, "The city's determination to develop the real economy and local governments' efforts in streamlining administrative approvals have made us hopeful for our future development."

Companies in the virtual economy are also shifting their attention offline. China's e-commerce giant Alibaba is offering to buy Intime Retail, a department store chain, for $2.55 billion.

Alibaba Investment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, announced earlier this month that it has asked Intime's board to propose a privatization plan to shareholders.

Alibaba is already Intime's biggest shareholder, holding a 28-percent stake that will be raised to 74 percent after the deal.

"Alibaba's purchase of Intime reflected the integration of Internet companies with the real economy," venture capital analyst Zhang Zheyu said. "After years of rapid expansion, the e-commerce sector needs to join hands with traditional retailing to innovate the consumer experience."

China's producer price index (PPI), which measures costs for goods at the factory gate, rose 5.5 percent year-on-year in December 2016, the highest in more than five years.

Yang Liuyong, professor of economics at Zhejiang University, said a rebound in PPI could boost corporate profits, benefiting the manufacturing industry.

Zhang Lianqi, a national political advisor, said the key to enhancing the competitiveness of the real economy lies in quality improvement, brand building and innovation.

Hopefully the country will come up with more concrete supporting policies and supervising measures in quality inspection, setting standards, brand building, and improving the business environment, he said.
BEIJING - The Dow Chemical Co says it will continue to make investment in China, eyeing business opportunities emerging from the country's ongoing economic transformation.

"When I look at the market here, I see incredible growth opportunities across virtually every sector," said Neil Hawkins, Dow's chief sustainability officer and corporate vice president.

Despite facing downward pressure, China's ambition in urbanization, new energy technology, infrastructure construction and green growth provide ample room for innovation companies, Hawkins said.

A staunch investor for the world's second largest economy, Dow is expanding its business in China in an unprecedented pace, opening one new business center each year since 2012 and stretching to inland areas that many overseas companies barely notice.

It currently boasts a 5,000-strong staff, and operates 10 business centers and 17 manufacturing sites across the country. The Shanghai Dow Center, Dow's largest research and development (R&D) center outside the US, gathers more than 700 scientists working in over 80 world-class laboratories.

Instead of targeting "easy money" like many foreign firms, Dow is digging for gold through innovation and technological cooperation.

With its leading water filtration technology, Dow collaborated with Haier Group, China's leading home appliance producer, to make washing machines that reduce 30 percent of water use. Dow's formaldehyde abatement technology, developed by its China research team, has been applied in eco-paint in China and many other countries in the world.

"Our sharp focus on supporting economies through more sustainable products brings us onto a trajectory in the same direction of the country's development," Hawkins said, "We are highly-linked with China and want to grow along with its growth."

Yoke Loon Lim, head of Dow Greater China, said the company will further expand manufacturing, innovation and operational networks to meet consumers' growing demand. He expects the company to maintain double-digit growth in terms of sales volume in the Chinese market.

"China has become our second largest market globally. It does not matter what other multinationals might be thinking of. For us, we will continue to make investment and increase our presence here," Lim said.
DAVOS - China's current supply-side reform supports global commodity prices, said Vladislav Soloviev, chief executive officer of Russian aluminum producer RUSAL.

"A number of factors bring us to this positive situation," Soloviev said in a recent interview with Xinhua, referring to a significant uplift of aluminum price in 2016.

"First of all, there is a quite strong demand in all markets -- aerospace, automotive -- and we see some recovery of the construction market as well," he said, adding that the expanding demand in the Chinese market was the first factor influencing the price.

The CEO predicted that after years of turmoil, the sluggish commodity prices would be improved thanks to China's supply-side reform.

"China started to implement real supply reforms in 2016 and throughout the year," Soloviev said. "Those bring all of us in the industry to a healthier situation, when we see the new levels of the prices."

RUSAL is a leading global aluminum producer, which operates in 19 countries on five continents.

Among the reform measures that Soloviev praised were capacity reductions in the steel, cement, and aluminum industries. In his view, the reductions led to equilibrium in the market and a better, healthier environmental situation.

Concerning the environment, the CEO said, "it's always the discussion between what we want now and what we want to keep for our children and our grandchildren. But we have to recognize, if you win in the short term, you always lose in the long term."

He praised China's commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement, and said Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday sent a strong signal on environmental action.

The president's commitment showed that the Paris Agreement has to be implemented not only in words, but in action, he said.

The RUSAL CEO also saw strong opportunities for cooperation between Russian and Chinese companies.

"Russia and China are natural neighbors, and we can do a lot together," Soloviev said.

"Russia can be the natural supplier of some commodities and materials to China, and then China can make the further manufacturing of these materials...," he said, adding "it's a win-win situation for both of us."

He believed countries should give up the complete self-sufficiency in order to cultivate more cross-border partnerships.

However, Soloviev did see certain risks ahead, mentioning Britain's exit out of the Europe Union, the election of Donald Trump in the United States, and environmental issues. However, he said that Russia, China, and their global partners have an opportunity to work to keep economic trends going up.

The RUSAL's helmsman was optimistic about the future with regards to working in the Chinese economy.

"The market is growing, economic reform is happening, there are a lot of infrastructural reforms still continuing on the railways, the roads, in construction," he said.

"That's why we are quite optimistic about the demand of the future, also about joint ventures with Chinese companies," he noted.

On working with Chinese companies, he said he didn't perceive any difficulties.

"Of course if you want to work with Chinese companies you have to be prepared to spend more time, but in the end it gives you more benefits," he said.

Speaking about China's Belt and Road Initiative, he said, "we need all the opportunities we can find, for both countries, both Russia and China, that's why we definitely support this and want to be a part of it."
DAVOS - As the 47th World Economic Forum annual meeting concluded in Davos, Switzerland, world leaders and the private sector showed cautious optimism about the global economic outlook for 2017.

The week started with a fanfare as President Xi Jinping, the first Chinese head of state to address the forum, gave a speech that promoted open and free trade and warned against protectionism, while setting out China's plan to make its 6.7 percent growth rate sustainable.

The message was well-received, with business leaders here praising Xi's display of openness and commenting throughout the week that China has showed its willingness to lead global free trade, even as it continues to institute industrial reforms and develop more international partnerships.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, another marquee speaker at the Davos forum, made a special address on Thursday, just two days after revealing her government's vision for a more global Britain after the conclusion of Brexit negotiations.

While pledging to remain a "friend, neighbor and partner" to the European Union (EU), May presented Britain as a fresh advocate for free markets, free trade and globalization.

Whether or not the British PM's attempts to take the edge off a "hard Brexit" plan will succeed, her position was cautiously welcomed by her European partners.

European Council President Donald Tusk reacted positively to May's speech and said the EU was ready to work with Britain. On Friday, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, known for his tough stance on Brexit, said that he and his colleagues would work relentlessly to reach an agreement that would limit damage to both Britain and the EU.

Perhaps the best indication of optimism at Davos, however, came from bank chiefs and analysts. The general consensus was that growth was positive everywhere in the world, and that even sluggish regions, like Europe, were in recovery.

Brian T. Moynihan, chairman of the board and chief executive officer at Bank of America Corporation, said that "business confidence is reviving and the US economy will grow 2 percent this year."

Ana Patricia Botin, executive chairman of Spanish banking giant Santander Group, saw positive developments, while urging for more and better integration in Europe to help boost growth in the region.

For her part, Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said that "we are seeing for the first time numbers that are not being revised down by the IMF."

Meanwhile, observers and commentators have been looking eagerly to the United States and the Trump administration, to try to anticipate what policy shifts in America could do for the world's economic outlook. Many hope that the turn to fiscal policy over monetary policy will see a bump in growth, as well as a reduction in regulatory activity.

"The focus on regulations has perhaps been at the expense of growth," said Mary Callahan Erdoes, chief executive officer of asset management at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

With significantly more members of Donald Trump's cabinet having strong business experience than ever before, the prudent optimism at this year's Davos forum may have reason to grow.
DAVOS - Global elites at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting this week have expressed confidence in free trade, saying it is a global consensus that is conducive to the prosperity of all parties.

With a slowdown in world economic growth and ensuing growing political and social problems, ideologies of anti-globalization and protectionism are gaining ground in some areas of the world, which have affected free trade.

Leaders of governments, international organizations as well as enterprises who attended the forum here have voiced their support for free trade.

British Prime Minister Theresa May gave an impressive speech to illustrate that the Brexit will still make a global Britain.

"The United Kingdom -- a country that has so often been at the forefront of economic and social change -- will step up to a new leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for business, free markets and free trade anywhere in the world," she said.

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), expressed optimism about the world economic outlook.

The latest IMF report said global growth is estimated at 3.1 percent in 2016, 3.4 percent in 2017 and 3.6 percent in 2018, which is in line with the body's October forecast.

"For the first time in years, economic growth is not being revised down," Lagarde said. However, she said that risks abound and leaders must ensure that trade and tax policies will not lead to a global race to the bottom.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, told Xinhua that as energy itself needs global trade, including trade in oil, natural gas, coal and electricity, the trends of energy trade will become more global.

Zhu Min, former IMF deputy managing director, told the forum that China has benefited from globalization and China will continue to support globalization.

It is the duty of every country in the world to support globalization and China will shoulder its responsibility enhancing cooperation with other countries, Zhu said.

David Abney, CEO of global logistics giant UPS, said he was not "over-concerned" about protectionism as he believed in the power of globalization.

Free trade is still the main trend and global e-commerce is a good example, Abney added.

Experts also highlighted the contributions free trade and globalization have made to the global economy.

Huining Henry Cao, director of the Business Research Center of China's Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, told Xinhua that free trade helps break trade barriers, providing many jobs for developing countries and cheap products for developed countries.

"It's a win-win result in the sense of economics while having formed an international division of labor," Cao said.

However, in developed countries, jobs in labor-intensive sectors have been squeezed, which caused social problems including anti-globalization, Cao said.

"But it should be clarified that this is not the result of globalization and free trade," Cao said. "The slowdown in growth and inequality between the rich and the poor in developed countries are the main causes."

"Governments have better ways to solve these problems, such as providing retraining opportunities for the workforce so that they can adapt to the new generation of production technology," Cao said.
The Chinese economy has run within reasonable range in the past year, and the country will effectively stabilize its growth and guard against risks this year, Premier Li Keqiang said.

"We have the confidence and capability in tackling challenges in various fields" to promote the stable and healthy development of the economy, Li said while hosting a symposium for soliciting opinions on the draft of the annual Government Work Report.

Li will deliver the report at the annual session of the National People's Congress in March, and the premier hosted several symposiums ahead of that to collect ideas and perfect the draft.

Participants at Thursday's symposium - the third of its kind this year - include leaders of non-communist political parties, officials of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, and prominent figures without party affiliation.

Li made the comments at a time in which the Chinese economy faces great pressure, and rising global trade protectionism is adding uncertainty to China's businesses.

The premier said the growth rate of the economy "was a forerunner in the world" last year, and the country's annual new employment has remained above 13 million people for four years.

Elaborating on work expected to be done by the government this year, Chen Changzhi, chairman of the China National Democratic Construction Association - one of the eight non-communist parties-said the country should further cut administrative fees levied on enterprises to lower their costs.

Yan Junqi, chairwoman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, said training for grassroots medical workers should be improved.

It is hoped that they continue working together to ensure that the economy maintains its medium-and high-speed growth and steps up into a medium and high level of development, Li said.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
A near-complete ban on banquets in Kaili, Guizhou province, has drawn mixed reactions, with restaurant owners worried about a decrease in business.

The pilot regulation, made public by the city government on Monday, said banquets are now allowed only for first marriages and funerals. The rule applies not only to city officials and civil servants, but also residents, including expats.

Wen Rengang, a spokesman for the city government, said the regulation is aimed at preventing the use of banquets as an opportunity to rake in money, as well as curbing extravagance and promoting frugality.

"The regulation primarily targets violators from the Party and governments, and they will be held accountable by disciplinary watchdogs," he said.

Restaurants have also been ordered to ensure any banquets they host are organized with approval from the authorities, or they could face a fine.

Tan Yudi, who owns several restaurants in Kaili, is thinking about starting other ventures as the regulation could severely affect business.

Tan said such banquets normally cost about 500 yuan ($73) for each table, and the restaurant can host 600 to 800 people at one banquet.

Many residents have voiced support for the regulation, saying that it will free them from the obligation of attending such banquets, which for a guest can be expensive, because they are expected to offer money as a gift to the host.

"With the new regulation, we do not have to save face and be forced to attend unnecessary banquets," said Yang Bo, a civil servant from the city government.

Zhang Yuping, a resident of Chengxi community, said she has had to attend various banquets, such as celebrations for college entrance or a child's birthday.

A government employee, who gave only her surname, Li, said she will not be affected as authorities started restricting the number of banquets that government employees can attend in 2014.

Wen, the spokesman, said the city rolled out a measure to curb banquets early in 2014, but later found it necessary to firm up the rules.

Contact the writers at xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn
The CNS Ningde, a Type-056 class corvette, sails in waters off Dalian, Liaoning province, in November. Provided To China Daily

The People's Liberation Army Navy has commissioned its 31st Type-056 class corvette, marking a new addition to the world's largest fleet of modern corvettes.

The CNS Ezhou with a hull number of 513 was delivered to the East Sea Fleet in a naval base in East China's Fujian province on Wednesday, PLA Daily reported, saying the ship will perform coastal patrol, fishery escort, anti-submarine and anti-ship operations.

It is the second ship that has been commissioned to the PLA Navy since the start of 2017, following the CNS Kaiyangxing, a Type-815A class electronic reconnaissance ship, which now belongs to the North Sea Fleet.

The newest of the Type-056 class to enter service, the Ezhou is 89 meters long and 11 m wide and has a full displacement of 1,254 metric tons. With a maximum speed of 52 km/h, the ship features good maneuverability, a high level of automation and stealth capability, and is capable of hitting aircraft, ships and submarines, the report added, noting it can carry one anti-submarine helicopter.

In addition to the Navy, the China Coast Guard is also attracted to the fast speed and reliable self-defense capacity of the Type-056 vessels and has introduced a number of such ships, which have appeared in operations near Huangyan Island and the Diaoyu Islands, the newspaper said.

China began to build the Type-056 class around 2012 to modernize its coastal defense flotillas that were composed of the antiquated Type-037 class corvettes, which were virtually submarine chasers, and some other old patrol boats.

The first Type-056 class ship, CNS Bengbu, was delivered to the East Sea Fleet in February 2013. Before the Ezhou, a total of 30 Type-056 class ships have been commissioned for the Navy, official statistics show.

Russia has the world's largest corvette group that consists of about 80 vessels, but most of them were built in the 1980s and 1990s and cannot compete with the Type-056 in terms of technology and equipment, defense observers said, adding that the Type-056 fleet is now the biggest force of modern corvettes of all navies.

Information from IHS Jane's Fighting Ships shows a Type-056 class corvette is armed with four YJ-83 anti-ship missile launchers, a 76-mm gun, two 30-mm cannons, two triple-barreled lightweight torpedo launchers, and an eight-cell HHQ-10 short-range anti-aircraft missile launcher. The industry publication also says that some of the Type-056 class vessels have enhanced anti-submarine capabilities with towed and variable-depth sonar.

According to a ranking by the British website Naval Technology, the Type-056 is one of the world's 10 best modern corvettes along with Sweden's Visby class and Germany's K130 Braunschweig class.

Cao Weidong, a researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said despite the Type-056 class being smaller compared with frigates, it will be as powerful as frigates in battles in coastal waters thanks to its stealth design and strong firepower.

Du Wenlong, an equipment expert at the PLA Academy of Military Science, said that in addition to coastal defense, Type-056 class ships can also help with long-range operations.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
Current Affairs Today - Current Affairs - 2021 | Current Affairs - 2022

GKTodays Current Affairs Today Section provides latest and Best Daily Current Affairs 2021-2022 for UPSC, IAS/PCS, Banking, IBPS, SSC, Railway, UPPSC, RPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, TNPSC, MPSC, KPSC and other competition exams.      !

Indian scientists have developed the countrys first Overhauser Magnetometer, an instrument that helps lower the cost of sensing experiments used in geomagnetic sampling. ContentsWhat is an overhauser magnetometer? About Alibag Magnetic ObservatoryAbout IIG What is an overhauser magnetometer? A magnetometer is a scientific instrument used for measuring the strength and direction of the magnetic field. ..

Month: Current Affairs  November, 2022

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs

Topics: Indian Institute of Geomagnetism  Magnetic Field  Magnetometer

The Union Ministry of Electronics and IT recently approved the greenfield Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Pune. ContentsWhat is an electronic manufacturing cluster?About Maharashtras first electronic manufacturing clusterAbout other EMCs in IndiaWhat is the EMC scheme? What is an electronic manufacturing cluster? Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) is a manufacturing cluster designed and developed to provide ..

Month: Current Affairs  November, 2022

Category: Economy & Banking Current Affairs - 2022  Government Schemes Current Affairs  States Current Affairs

Topics: Electronics  electronics manufacturing  Electronics Manufacturing Cluster  electronics manufacturing clusters  Maharashtra

1. When is the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists observed? [A] 1 November[B] 2 November[C] 5 November[D] 7 November Show Answer Correct Answer: B [2 November] Notes:The United Nations General Assembly observes 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI), since 2013. The date for ..

Category: Current Affairs Quiz - 2022: Daily Objective Current Affairs MCQ Quiz

Tags: 2022  Current Affairs Quiz - November

Here are Todays News Headlines by GK Today for November 4, 2022 ContentsINDIAECONOMY & CORPORATEWORLD INDIA  PM launches new Complaint Management System portal of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)  Ministry of Education releases Performance Grading Index for States/UTs for 2020-21; Kerala, Punjab, Chandigarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh attain Level -2 grading  ..

Month: Current Affairs  November, 2022

Category: Today's News Headlines

Topics: 2022  Current Affairs  Current Affairs: News Headlines  Headlines  Latest News Headlines  News Headlines  Today's News Headlines  Top Headlines  Top News

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently inaugurated Yotta D1  Indias second and North Indias first hyper-scale data centre  in Greater Noida. ContentsWhat is Yotta D1?What is Yotta Greater Noida Data Center Park?Investments by Yotta InfrastructureWhat are the challenges faced by the Yotta Data Centres? What is Yotta D1? Yotta D1 is the ..

Month: Current Affairs  November, 2022

Category: Economy & Banking Current Affairs - 2022  States Current Affairs

Topics: data centre  Economy of Uttar Pradesh  Greater Noida  Uttar Pradesh

Union Home Ministry recently notified an order granting citizenship to religious minorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan residing in Anand and Mehsana districts in Gujarat. ContentsWhat is the recent MHA order on citizenship?Is this the first time that the citizenship is granted to religious minorities from neighbouring countries?How is the recent MHA order different from ..

Month: Current Affairs  November, 2022

Category: India Nation & States Current Affairs

Topics: Citizenship  Citizenship Act 1955  Citizenship Act 1955 and Provisions of Indian Citizenship  Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)  Ministry of Home Affairs  persecuted religious minorities
KUNMING -- More than 1,700 firefighters are fighting a forest fire that has lasted for more than 24 hours in Southwest China's Yunnan province, government authorities said Saturday.

Fire was spotted around 2:40 pm Friday near Lizu village, Shitou township of Yulong county, said a spokesman with the county government.

One house in the village burned down, and no casualties had been reported as of 2 p.m. Saturday, said the spokesman.

The firefighters include soldiers and civilians, and helicopters are being dispatched.

Cause of the fire is being investigated.
Over the 40-day period of Spring Festival travel rush, Chinese authorities expect the country to make about 3 billion trips, equaling 40 percent of world's population, in a phenomenon called "chunyun", the largest human migration on the planet. Millions of passengers cram into trains, planes and buses as they head for destination called home. The journey is filled with smiles and cheers as well as tiredness and tears. Let's go on a journey together by sharing our favorite bitter and sweet moments.

1. Crowd



Taking the strain is China's high-speed railway network -- the most affordable and practical mode of transport for long-distance travel. A total of 356 million train trips will be made during this year's travel rush.

Passengers crowd the Qingdao Railway Station, Jan 18, 2017. [Photo/IC]




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ZhengWeimin, vice mayor of Tonghua city, delivers a speech at the launch ceremony of the event in Tonghua, Jilin province, Jan 18, 2017. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of foreign tourism enthusiasts and Chinese journalists are nearing the end of a short trip to Tongua city in Northeast China's Jilin province. The"Nourish Yourself within the World, Enjoy Attractions in Tonghua" event ends Saturday, with participants experiencing local culture and the area's natural beauty, while the country's Spring Festival draws near.

Foreigners from the US, Nepal, Maldives, Tunisia, Ecuador, Bangladesh and India are visiting natural and historical sites in Tonghua city, including the Koguryo cultural ruins in Ji'an county, the Korean folk village in Liangshui, the mountain grape wine museum and the geological wonder Yunxia Cave. They also learned how to make traditional sticky rice cake, cold noodles and dumplings, as well as experienced ice and snow sports.

A series of activities to promote Tonghua's tourism under the theme of "A trip to Tonghua with authoritative media and foreign tourism enthusiasts" is scheduled to be held over four seasons, and this event in winter serves as a start. The event, co-hosted by the Tonghua Tourism Bureau and Ecological China Channel of CRI online, aims at promoting Tonghua's unique tourism resources.

ZhengWenmin, vice mayor of Tonghua city, said that the event is the first step in promoting Tonghua's four seasons' tourism in 2017, and he hopes that the tourism industry in Tonghua will be a strong impetus in driving forward Tonghua's green development.

Tonghua, a city on the border of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is in the southeastern part of Jilin province, which is also a well-known medical city, grape wine city and ecological city. Boasting ice and snow resource, it is also famed for its long history of ice sports. Tonghua also has the only UNESCO world heritage site in Northeast China, the capital cities and tombs of the ancient Koguryo Regime.
Insisting on dialogue instead of confrontation

There can be no doubt that the dialogue model promoted by China fits well in the international human rights regime. Choosing dialogue instead of confrontation not only leads to a different tone and format, but also serves a different end. When actors engage in confrontation they try to portray their own position on human rights as the only one which is valid and legitimate. When actors engage in dialogue their aim is to find common ground by developing a mutually acceptable solution. They are willing to give up their own human rights position for the greater good of reaching agreement.

Generally, Western states seem to be strongly attached to promoting their own position and using it as a benchmark to judge others, this comes at the expense of finding common ground, which may explain why some of the human rights dialogues are not very fruitful. This demonstrates that the ambitions are different. While Western states are uncompromising about their own stance on human rights, China is keen on achieving harmony and therefore attaches less value to human rights dogma.

A major advantage of the dialogue model promoted by China is that it serves as a very effective antidote for the legalism which dominates Western human rights discourse. The term "legalism" was coined by the American scholar Judith Shklar to describe an ideology which sees law not as a means but as an end; regards politics as being inferior to the law; associates law with justice and politics with expediency; and regards the law as neutral and objective, while portraying politics as the result of competing interests and ideologies. By embracing legalism, Western human rights experts have put the human rights discourse on legal autopilot. Consequently, more effective ways to protect human rights than by enforcing them in courts of law are no longer part of the debate.

The author is professor of cross-cultural law and human rights, Utrecht University, and director of the Cross-cultural Human Rights Centre. The article is an excerpt from his paper: "Contesting through compliance: How China can gain more support for its human rights positions."

Serges Djoyou Kamga

Respecting the cultural realities of different nations

In order to transform the current discourse on "universal" human rights into an international one, BRICS nations should stand by each other in global forums. In other words, they should advance BRICS' position rather than their own individual interests.

In this regard, during sessions at the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council, and various UN committees, the BRICS nations should advance the need to rely on local realities to promote and protect human rights. In this vein, they should rally their influence to seek consensus with emphasis on the need to refrain from using the word "violation" and other inflammatory language, so as not to threaten the goal of reaching agreement and the need to respect various worldviews on human rights.

It was the intention of the drafters of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights to reach consensus between various approaches to human rights. As the Chinese representative P.C. Chang indicated, the process was meant to bring together the strong points of different civilizations deserving of the widest support possible.

In addition, the necessity to advance others' cultures and traditions in protecting human rights should be regularly on the agenda. For instance, under the leadership of South Africa which is a BRICS nation, African countries should be able to request reliance on ubuntu, the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity, as a moral theory to advance human rights. In this perspective, states should be able to enumerate what is done under ubuntu as an additional step taken to supplement legislative and policy measures to give effect to human rights.

In the same vein, besides highlighting legal and policy measures, China should be able to underline measures informed by Confucianism to foster human rights in China.

This approach would help in addressing the politicization of human rights characterized by the fact that the decision of who is a violator of human rights is not always objective. In addition, this would create room for cultural processes at the national level before a country's sovereignty is violated in the name of human rights.

Ultimately, BRICS should push for the consideration of cultural realities in seeking solutions for respect for human rights. Far from pushing for relativism of human rights, the BRICS' actions should be informed by the need to rely on local realities to give effect to the so-called "global" standards of human rights. In fact, local realities should supplement current mechanisms.

The author is a professor at the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute at the University of South Africa. The article is an excerpt from his paper: "BRICS, International cooperation and Southern Perspectives to the Human Rights Discourse: Some reflections."

(China Daily 01/21/2017 page5)
A man walks at the main entrance of the congress center where the World Economic Forum takes place in Davos, Switzerland, in this file photo taken on Jan 18, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Delivering his keynote speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping reiterated China's commitment to opening-up and its firm opposition to trade protectionism.

Speaking in front of political and business leaders from around the world, he said it is not globalization that should be blamed for the sluggish recovery of the global economy.

The unimpressive economic recovery and the widening gap between the haves and have-nots as well as the South and the North, as Xi pointed out, are the result of insufficient momentum for growth, ineffective global governance and unbalanced development.

His comments come at a time when economic globalization is fraught with uncertainties, or as some pessimists argue, is in reverse, following Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election and the United Kingdom's "all-out" departure from the European Union, including its single market.

However, calling it the demise of globalization, which features increasing interdependence among all economies thanks to the free flow of commodities, capital, personnel, and information, is going a bit too far.

Brexit and a worrisome new US government are indeed not good news, but they are not likely to turn the tide of globalization.

The expansion of global trade is both a result of economic globalization and an engine of it. The global value chains forged over decades of cross-border exchanges have greatly changed how the world economy works: The economic well-being of all countries are more intertwined than ever.

International mechanisms are contributing to globalization, too. The Trade Facilitation Agreement, inked after the ninth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference on the Indonesian island of Bali in 2013, includes provisions pledging to fight all forms of protectionism. It is estimated that the implementation of the Bali package, the first multilateral agreement to be ratified since the WTO's birth, could increase global trading by about $1 trillion per year.

The unanimous ratification of the Paris Agreement on climate change marks a historic step in the efforts to deal with global climate change. Under the deal, all signatories are obliged to step up their cooperation to contain the rise of the global average temperature and curb greenhouse gas emissions.

China, one of the main beneficiaries of globalization, is now a torchbearer for better global governance. While hosting the G20 Hangzhou summit last year, it made clear its commitment to globalization and proposed solutions to the problems. Not only has Beijing proposed inclusive concepts such as a community of shared destiny for all humankind and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, it is also making progress in realizing them.

The success of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the BRICS New Development Bank, speak volumes for China's development, which as Xi said at Davos, is "an opportunity for the world". The nation welcomes other countries to share the opportunities of its development.

Countries aspiring to make a difference should adopt an innovation-driven approach to improve old growth models, and cooperate on reciprocal, inclusive programs for shared development. With the bright prospect of more technological breakthroughs, globalization can remain on the right track.

The author is a researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and director of the Center for Latin American Studies, Shanghai University.

(China Daily 01/21/2017 page5)
Will there be a trade war between the world's two largest trading powers? Anxiety is spreading among business people around the world as the Trump administration takes office in the United States, with many saying a showdown with China is unavoidable and imminent.

In his inauguration speech on Friday, Donald Trump signaled no retreat from his populist agenda on trade, immigration, and on scaling back commitments overseas.

"Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs," he said.

If he means what he says, then how many regular business ties will be affected? No one can tell. However, Chinese businesspeople can use this moment to reflect on what they have to lose and gain from a trade war, if one does materialize.

First, what they will lose? If there is a hike in tariffs across the board, then Chinese companies will lose a lot of orders for the same goods they have been shipping to the US market for the last decade.

What will they gain? Some of these goods are made from imported materials, like iron ore, and actually don't sell for much of a profit. And environmentally, they may even produce a negative value. Officials with China's National Development and Reform Commission may thank the Trump administration if it can help China offload obsolete, unsustainable industrial capacity quicker.

Chinese business executives, at the same time, may use the opportunity to apply for more tax breaks and preferential policies and turn to producing more competitive products. With the right policy incentives, China's ample savings can be used for a new round of industrial investment.

Now is a good time for China to upgrade its industry  with some 7 million college graduates (more than half of its total new labor) joining its labor market each year.

The rise in labor costs, at the same time, no longer permits the kind of production widespread in China in a decade ago.

Second, what will be the reaction? No war can be one-sided. The Chinese government will adopt counter-measures, and local companies will find more import substitution opportunities in the selected industries.

And if a real war is waged alongside a trade war, that will only create more defense orders for local companies.

Third, what cost will the war-maker will bear? Every war comes with a cost. And trade wars backfire easily, especially for a more advanced economy. If heavy protection is required for US manufacturers to make the same goods as can be made equally well in China or in Mexico, then it will hurt, rather than benefit, the competitiveness of the US economy.

A temporary protection may be needed, admittedly, for workers to swop jobs and companies to turn out new products. But long term, it is a dose of poison for entrepreneurship.

In the future world market, US companies cannot compete by making the things that can be made in many developing countries. Even Chinese companies can't afford to think that way, now that its wages are above some other Asian countries.

In what areas the US economy will enjoy future competitiveness is for US leaders to point out.

Fourth, the war-maker will inevitable make a loss: A trade war will also backfire because it will turn away potential customers in a country with a population of 1.3 billion. Many international brands have benefited from their sales to China. It would be foolish to deny US brands the opportunity to do the same.

Last, what is the purpose of a trade war anyway? If it is for China to buy more Made-in-the-US products, then why must anyone, especially anyone calling himself a businessperson, engage in a trade war? What real businesspeople should do is negotiate to strike the best deal they can.

Indeed, since Trump was quoted as having said everything is negotiable, what's the point of a trade war?

The author is editor-at-large of China Daily. edzhang@chinadaily.com.cn
Now, audiobooks are just a click away and can be uploaded onto a smartphone for the same, if not lower, price as the print edition.[Photo/China Daily]

Curling up with a paperback may be a forgotten luxury for many thanks to today's busy lifestyles, but listening to a book on the go, while shopping or jogging, is fast becoming the new norm.

Gone are the cumbersome cassette sets that could cost three times as much as an old-fashioned book and often featured only excerpts to cut down on costs.

Now, audiobooks are just a click away and can be uploaded onto a smartphone for the same, if not lower, price as the print edition.

Mary Beth Roche, president and publisher of Macmillan Audio, says their reader feedback suggests many use audiobooks as a "multitasking tool," a way to "consume books when their eyes are busy."

For otherswhose work lives may involve long stretches at the screenthey are a way to unplug.

"It's sort of nice to sit back, and relax and have a story told to you," said Roche.

Some 35,574 audiobook titles were released in the United States in 2015, according to the Audio Publishers Association, an eightfold increase over five years. That year, sales of books read out loud reached $1.77 billion, an annual jump of 20 percent.

According to the Author Earnings website, Amazon largely dominates the marketeven more so than for the print book industrywith around 119,000 audiobooks sold per day in January 2016.

At the core of its earnings is industry leader Audible, which Amazon bought in 2008. The tech and retail giant also offers subscription deals, including one book per month for $14.95.

Most major publishers now have dedicated audiobook teams.

A favorite in the car

In the United States, audiobooks have long been serious businesssimply because Americans on average spend so much time in their cars.

"What we found out is that's a way for consumers to make that time in traffic, quality time," said Roche.

"Even way back when it was the cassette and then the CD, the number one place that people listen is in the car. We do find that a long car trip or a long commute is often what triggers someone to try an audiobook and to experience it for the first time and then they find other places where they can listen."

When audiobooks became available in digital format, people started using them during other activitieswhen out shopping or jogging, performing household tasks or crafting.

'Lose myself'

For thriller author John Hart, gyms and shops are not necessarily the best place to enjoy a book.

"But if it's a quite contemplative type of environment, driving or working in a quiet manner, it's probably a great way to experience these books," he said. "Driving your car on a long trip I find for instance an audiobook is every bit as satisfying as sitting in a quiet room and reading and in fact it can even become more so completely immersive. I'd lose myself in the experience."

The audio rights for Hart's first book were sold to Recorded Books. After that, his publisher Macmillan sought to retain control of the audiobook as well as the print rights.

Anthony Goff, senior vice president at Hachette Book Group, noted that authors today have a much keener interest than before in the audiobook version of their works, sometimes suggesting readers or offering to do the reading themselves.

Most celebrities who recently published autobiographical works in the United States also provided recordings of the volumes, including Bruce Springsteen, Carrie Fisher and Bernie Sanders.

On average, audiobooks account for 10 percent of sales of the print version, said Roche. But the figure is greater for some genres, such as science fiction, fantasy and especially self-help works.

Roche estimates that at least 1,000 copies of a given audiobook must be sold in order to start making a profit. That's because they can be expensive to produce.

"We still count on print to lead the charge, but I do believe that audio sales are helping to expand the market and finding new fans for our authors," said Goff.
US President Donald Trump, flanked by Senior Advisor Jared Kushner (standing, L-R), Vice President Mike Pence and Staff Secretary Rob Porter welcomes reporters into the Oval Office for him to sign his first executive orders at the White House in Washington, US Jan 20, 2017.[Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON -- Hours after inauguration, US President Donald Trump on Friday signed his first executive order, directing federal agencies to "ease the burden" of his predecessor Barack Obama's health care law, or Obamacare.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus also sent out a memo to order all government agencies to immediately freeze regulations until further notified, according to White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

Spicer said that the move was part of the transition to repeal and replace Obamacare, honoring one of Trump's major campaign promises.

Obamacare, officially the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, has drawn criticism due to a rise in premiums.

But the spokesman refused to provide details on the order, which was signed by Trump on his first day at the Oval Office. Trump was joined by Vice President Mike Pence and top advisers as he signed the executive order.

Meanwhile, Trump signed confirmation papers for his picks for Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. The Senate confirmed their nominations earlier Friday.

Trump was sworn in as the 45th US President at an inauguration ceremony held Friday morning at Capitol Hill, overshadowed by occasional rain and violent protests.
As Donald Trump was sworn in on Friday as the 45th president of the United States, thousands of protesters with various agendas lined the main streets of Washington along with Trump supporters.

Along Pennsylvania Avenue, where the inaugural parade was to take place, people from across the country waited for Trump's arrival after he finished his inauguration speech and attended a luncheon with members of Congress and others at the Capitol.

Matthew Berning, who came to Washington from Florida with his parents, said Trump's inauguration speech was "very impassioned", but "it didn't provide very many specifics". "When you say you will make America wealthy again, make America great again, you are providing very nice words, but they are basically platitudes, you don't provide a specific set of goals to achieve," said Berning, who said he voted for Gary Johnson, the Independent presidential candidate.

"I think that it's a little bit soon to be assuming that he will actually be able to achieve these ends within his first four years. It is a very high objective to go for," he said.

Berning's mother Carol, who is Trump supporter, said: "We can only hope that he's able to accomplish what the people who voted for him want, that's less taxes so that they bring money back to their holding."

"It (the border) is so poor that something has to be done. Trump is a builder, he is a developer, he will get it (the wall) done: keep legal immigrants coming in and illegal ones out," she said.

Corinne Goldsmith, who was originally from New York and has lived in Washington for more than 20 years, said Trump is not "my president".

"He's against all types of people who are not like him. When I came to Barack Obama's two inaugurations, it was packed, full of people, people who didn't hate each other. But if you look here, there are more protesters than the supporters," said Goldsmith.

"I don't know what's going to happen with America. I think he's all about business for himself. All he does is put people who are not like him down. I don't see where the unity would ever be. I'll not put president with his name in the same sentence," she said.

New York

Though there was no official protest at Trump Tower on the morning of the inauguration, there was heavy police presence as people walked up and down the block opposite Donald Trump's residence holding protest signs.

The New York Police Department insisted that people, aside from media who were credentialed, not stand in place and repeatedly reprimanded those who stopped to chat with each other or with reporters. Several pro-Trump supporters also milled around on the block to make their presence known, though they were outnumbered by those who were anti-Trump.

Dana Fuchs, an actor and New Yorker from Long Island, said: ""I'm just sad. That's all you can say. I'm focused on possibly running for office, which I never thought I'd say I would do, or just figuring out to create the change that I can participate in. I give Trump that credit, because I never would have [thought about it otherwise]. He awoken that in me. If he can get elected, I'm good."

"I'm worried about the environment and healthcare. You say you want to get rid of Obamacare? How could you not have a plan? I would have been working on that five years ago. Now we're just supposed to trust you? This whole election was [run on] lack of trust," he said.

San Francisco

On Friday morning, hundreds of people took to the street of San Francisco to protest Donald Trump's inauguration. The organizers - Jobs with Justice - San Francisco and Bay Rising - said on the event's website:

"Donald Trump's inauguration begins a presidential term marked by outright xenophobia, bigotry, sexism, corporate giveaways and hate-fueled policies. We must reclaim our democracy, and show the nation how the Bay Area stands together to defend our communities and fight for justice."

The protesters started from the Justin Herman Plaza and marched to Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Peter Thiel, ICE, and other corporations that are believed to support Trump. At Wells Fargo History Museum on Montgomery Street, hundreds of people rallied, chanting slogans and holding banners and signs with messages like "Saving healthcare, public education and environmental protections" and "Stop hate and deportations".

At the Consulate General of Israel, next to the Wells Fargo building, some people inside put signs on the window, which read "Love trumps hate" and "Not my president".

Faryn Borella was an organizer of the rally at the Israeli consulate.

"We are here to say that militarized policing has been going on in the US and will continue under Trump's presidency," she said. " It's not in our best interests as Jews and not in the best interests in anyone. No one will be free until we are all free.'

"We ask for an end to the occupation and an end to the urban shield with weapon demonstrations and training here in the Bay Area that train responders to use violence as their first line of defense," she said.
India, UAE hold first strategic dialogue

Published: January 21, 2017

India and the UAE held the first meeting of their strategic dialogue in New Delhi to elevate the bilateral relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The meeting was co-chaired by Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs M J Akbar and MoS in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE Anwar Gargash.

The first dialogue took place pursuant to the decision to elevate the relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the UAE in August 2015 followed by crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visit to India in February 2016.

Key Highlights of first India-UAE strategic dialogue

Two sides discussed several issues ranging from cooperation in the areas of trade and investments to expanding the bilateral cooperation to new areas under the strategic partnership.

The news areas include energy security, renewable energy, defence and security, electronics and information technology and space.

Both sides also finalised the Strategic Cooperation Agreement aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation to new key areas including energy, defence and security between both countries.

They also agreed on a number of new initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation and on signing of fresh instruments of cooperation.

India-UAE Relations

India-UAE Relations deeply rooted in history and strategic cooperation which is driven by mutual aspirations of both countries.

UAE is lynch-pin of the economic, defence and strategic strands of the Indias coordinated strategy to outreach west Asia.

UAE is Indias third largest trading partner after China and the United States. Bilateral trade between India and the UAE stood at about $50 billion in 2015-16.

UAE is among the top investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments (FDI) and was the fifth largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2015-16.

Besides, there are also more than 2.6 million Indians living in the UAE and their annual remittance is estimated to be around 14 billion dollars.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2017

Topics: India-UAE  Internatioal Relations  National

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MEXICO CITY -- Newly-inaugurated US President Donald Trump and his hard-to-pin-down policies have generated disquiet and uncertainty among officials and political observers throughout Latin America.

In Mexico, a neighboring country where 80 percent of exports are destined for the US market, many are perplexed by Trump's isolationist and protectionist proposals, including building a wall along the border and threatening to impose heavy tariffs on American manufacturers that produce in Mexico and sell homeward.

Underscoring just how unpopular Trump is south of the border, at a panel discussion hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas last September, Mexican Economic Minister Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal referred to the then presidential candidate as "the devil."

"If we have to talk to the devil to guarantee the safety and the future of the Mexican people in Mexico and the US, we will talk to the devil," Villarreal said.

But most observers here held the belief that Trump's bark is worse than his bite.

Economist Angelina Gutierrez of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), feels it is unlikely that US-owned assembly plants in Mexico will be swayed by Trump's threats to dismantle their operations here and relocate across the border.

"I don't think the transnational companies are willing to cancel their investments and destroy the chain of production, distribution and commercialization, which are essential for globalization and the integration of countries into regional industrial and trade blocs," said Gutierrez.

US automaker Ford announced earlier this month it was cancelling plans to build a new 1.6 billion US-dollar plant in Mexico, though it claimed the decision was unrelated to Trump's new policies.

That decision is bound to cost Ford, said Violeta Rodriguez, an academic at UNAM, since it is 40 percent more expensively to manufacture a vehicle in the United States.

In Brazil, analysts feel the 70-year-old Trump is out of touch with the times.

"What surprises me is Trump's view of global economic relations, which belongs more to the 18th or 19th centuries," Mauricio Santoro, a professor of international relations at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, told Xinhua.

"Believing that you can only get rich at the expense of your neighbor is a foolish idea that ignores centuries of empirical evidence and the very rise of the United States itself," added Santoro.

Gunther Rudizit, a professor of international relations in Rio Branco, described Trump as "unpredictable" as "nobody really knows what he will do."

"If only he were a cold businessman, then he would be more predictable," added Rudizit.

In Argentina, Carolina Sampo, a visiting professor from Madrid's Complutense University, said Trump's policies threaten to undo recent advances in bilateral ties with Argentina.

Ties between Buenos Aires and Washington were cold and often hostile during the left-leaning administration of Argentine former President Cristina Fernandez (2007-2015), who pursued greater integration with regional allies, including Venezuela, much to the consternation of the White House.

Her successor, Mauricio Macri, made patching up relations with Washington a central theme of his campaign and as a result played host to former US President Barack Obama in March in Buenos Aires.

Sampo expects Trump to pursue "a much more protectionist economic policy and much more restrictive foreign policy," in stark contrast to Obama, during whose presidency Washington restored diplomatic ties with Cuba.

Argentinian Paola de Simone, a specialist on international law, agrees. "It remains to be seen whether under (the) Trump (administration), ties between the two countries continue to thaw or, on the contrary, begin to cool off again."

Should they cool, "it would not be Argentina's fault, but the fault of US isolationism," added Simone.

In Cuba, which along with Mexico has potentially the most to lose from a Trump presidency, there's plenty of skepticism regarding the future of bilateral ties.

"What seems obvious is that Cuba is not an immediate priority for Trump. Given the unknown decisions he will take concerning our country, the process of normalization of ties will either advance or regress, which is concerning," said Tania Orozco, a state worker.

She also noted Trump's famed intransigence and sympathized with Mexico.

"What ... caught my attention was his inflexibility and authoritarianism in building a wall along the Mexican border. He said that country has taken advantage of the United States, when we all know it is the exact opposite," said Orozco.

Peruvian congressman Alberto Quintanilla noted Trump's message conflicts with the trend towards global integration.

Following Trump's inauguration speech on Friday, Quintanilla told Xinhua that "there is a kind of position (in his words) that runs counter to global integration, but we hope it's just temporary, and in the end the world will move towards greater integration."
ROME  A bus carrying Hungarian school students home from a trip to France slammed into a highway barrier in northern Italy and caught fire, killing at least 16 people, police said Saturday. Thirty-nine people survived, though some were seriously injured.

No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and it wasn't clear why the bus crashed into the overpass support column on the highway near Verona just before midnight, said police commander Girolamo Lacquaniti.

The bus was returning to Budapest with students aged 15 to 17. The impact of the crash was so strong that some passengers were thrown out the bus, RAI state radio said.

Sixteen badly burned bodies were pulled from the wreckage. Of the 39 survivors, 26 were injured, some seriously, Lacquaniti said.

The 13 who didn't need medical attention were resting at the highway police station, he said.

In Budapest, the foreign ministry said official information was that there were 54 passengers, including adults accompanying the students, and two drivers aboard, but it believes the actual number was higher  for reasons yet to be determined.

This corrects spelling of Girolamo Lacquaniti.
COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday sent his greetings and good wishes to everyone celebrating the Chinese New Year in the People's Republic of China and around the world.

In a letter, Sirisena said that 2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations and the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Rice and Rubber pact between China and Sri Lanka.

A number of events organised by the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka to celebrate the Chinese New Year will be a very important part of the anniversary celebrations, the president said.

"As an outcome of these festivities I am sure the friendly relations between the people of Sri Lanka and the people of the People's Republic of China will blossom to historical heights," President Sirisena said.

"It is my sincere hope that the Year of the Rooster brings, joy, prosperity, good fortune and long life to everyone celebrating the important festival," he added.
A still image taken from a video shows a survivor, rescued by Italian firefighters, at the Hotel Rigopiano in Farindola, central Italy, which was hit by an avalanche, in this January 21, 2017 handout provided by Italy's Firefighters. [Photo/Agencies]

FARINDOLA  Emergency crews pulled out four more survivors from the rubble of a hotel crushed by an avalanche and were searching Saturday for more as family members awaited word if their relatives were among the lucky ones to get out.

The overnight operations to bring four more survivors to the hospital raised to at least nine the number of people found alive in the rubble of Wednesday's avalanche. Some 30 people were inside the Hotel Rigopiano in central Italy's snow-covered Gran Sasso mountain range at the time of the snow slide.

Two other people escaped the devastation just before the avalanche struck, including Giampiero Parete, a chef vacationing with his family who first sounded the alarm by calling his boss. He was reunited with his wife and two children Saturday after they were among the first to be located and extracted from the debris.

"Thank you everyone from my heart," Parete wrote on Facebook. "Big hugs."Firefighter spokesman Alberto Maiolo said four bodies had been found in the rubble, in addition to the four people pulled out alive overnight.

"We are still working, we are verifying the signals we have and continuing our activities to verify if there are other people and when we will be able to pull them out," Maiolo said Saturday morning.

There was some confusion about the number of people rescued; Maiolo earlier spoke of 11 in all.

The avalanche dumped 16 feet (5 meters) of snow on top of the resort, located 180 kilometers (115 miles) northeast of Rome. The region, which has been blanketed by heavy snowfall, was also rocked by four strong earthquakes on Wednesday, though it wasn't clear if they set off the avalanches.

Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation and were looking into whether the avalanche threat was taken seriously enough, and whether the hotel should have been evacuated earlier given the heavy snowfall and forecasts.

"That hotel... should it have been open?" prosecutor Christina Tedeschini was quoted by the ANSA news agency as saying. "If the people wanted to leave, what prevented them from doing so?"Parete, the survivor who sounded the alarm, said the guests had all checked out and were waiting for the road to be cleared so they could evacuate. But the snowplow never arrived and the avalanche hit around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
SEOUL -- South Korean people condemn a right-wing Japanese hotel chain, which caused uproar by placing books distorting the Imperial Japan's wartime history in guestrooms of its 400-plus hotels.

APA Group touched off anger online both in South Korea and China for books, one of the hotel chain's amenities, which deny the 1937 Nanjing massacre and the comfort women, or Korean women forced into sexual slavery for Japanese military brothels before and during World War II.

A video was recently posted on a social networking site showing passages from a book, titled "The Real History of Japan: Theoretical Modern History Two," authored by Toshio Motoya, president of the Japanese land developer and operator of hotels for budget-conscious tourists.

His book, written under the penname of Seiji Fuji, supports history revisionist views, claiming that Japan's wartime atrocities were concocted by South Korea and China. It describes comfort women victims as common prostitutes, while claiming the Nanjing massacre was fabricated despite a plethora of evidences.

"Such absurd acts by civilian Japanese rightists were triggered partly at the instigations of the right-wing Japanese government and right-leaning media outlets," Cheong Wooksik, director of local advocacy group Peace Network, told Xinhua on Saturday.

Choeng said promoting and selling books, which deny the comfort women issue and the Nanjing massacre, is an "unrighteous act" though Motoya is just a civilian hotelier, urging the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to take the lead in looking squarely at history.

Though there are conscientious activists working in Japan, the director said, ultra-right moves spread on shortage of government and media efforts in Japan to allay "clannish nationalistic acts," which he said are very regrettable amid frayed ties between Northeast Asian neighbors.

South Korean news organizations, the majority of them focusing on the scandal that resulted in the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, put their spotlight on right-leaning responses from Japanese netizens.

Yonhap news agency reported that a majority of comments, posted by Japanese netizens on the Internet, support the distorted books put in APA's hotel rooms, with some encouraging the hotel executives and others describing it as freedom of speech.

The report caused furor here over Japan, leading South Korean netizens to post negative online comments on the Japanese hotel chain and the right-leaning Japanese society.
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a speech on leaving the European Union at Lancaster House in London, January 17, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON  Britain's prime minister says she's confident President Donald Trump understands the strategic value of the NATO alliance.

Theresa May tells the Financial Times that Trump "recognized the importance and significance of NATO."The new US president has alarmed European allies by suggesting NATO may be obsolete. He's said alliance members must pay more for their defense and not rely so much on US military contributions.

May also says she believes Britain can work out a new trade deal with the US.

The prime minister expects to meet Trump in Washington soon.
DAR ES SALAAM - Tanzanian Vice-President Samia Suluhu Hassan said Saturday Tanzania will continue cherishing and strengthening relations with China for the benefit of the peoples of the two friendly countries.

Hassan made the pledge during celebrations marking the Chinese New Year held at Mnazi Mmoja grounds in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. The celebrations were attended by Chinese and Tanzanians resident in the capital.

The Vice-President said China has been Tanzania's major development partner since time immemorial, adding that relations between the two countries were ever thriving.

Suluhu assured Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Lu Youqing, that President John Magufuli's administration will work closely with the Chinese government in enhancing trade, education, health and culture.

"Tanzania has a lot to learn from China, especially in economic development undertakings which the Far East country has done wonderfully well," said Hassan.

For his part, Ambassador Lu hailed Tanzania for measures it was taking to fight corruption.

On January 14, former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa commended China for banning ivory trade and urged other countries across the world to follow suit.

"The banning of ivory trade in other countries like what China has done will lead to ending poaching in Tanzania," said Mkapa, who ruled Tanzania between 1995 and 2005.
With Chinas economy in a downturn and so much uncertainty regarding the future of US/China (and even EU/China) relations, our China business lawyers have of late been seeing a massive uptick in companies looking to do China joint ventures to share in the risk. When done right, China joint ventures do share risk. But when done wrong they actually increase the risk, but only for the non-Chinese company. This is part one in a series of posts intended to help you spot China joint venture risks and avoid them.

Fake and Exploitive China Joint Ventures

The first thing you should know is that Chinese companies will often use the false promise of a joint venture to entice foreign companies to provide them with the foreign companys technology.

Our China lawyers have seen countless exploitive joint ventures but most of them start in the same way. The Chinese company convinces a foreign company to do a joint venture and then gets the foreign company to contribute money, technology, or know-how to the joint venture. The Chinese company is put in charge of setting up the joint venture because that only makes sense, right? Wrong.

Instead of actually setting up a joint venture that gives the foreign company an actual ownership stake in the joint venture company, the Chinese side takes the assets from the foreign company but never forms a joint venture. The Chinese company will then either go silent or  if it still needs the foreign company  it will provide it with fake documents showing the joint venture was in fact formed with the foreign company having ownership in it. The foreign company believes it owns part of the China joint venture even though it does not.

Eventually (usually many years later) the foreign company starts getting frustrated about never receiving any money or even news from the joint venture and contacts a China lawyer for help. Our law firm has handled at least a dozen of these matters where our ten minute search revealed there never was a joint venture. The good news is that this sort of thing never happens to foreign companies that use their own qualified China lawyer, as opposed to their joint venture partners lawyer or a lawyer not familiar with China. The bad news is that there is usually nothing that can economically be done to help a foreign company in this sort of situation.

In some circumstances it may be possible to sue individuals and companies outside China for fraud but for that to work you need for the foreign country to have subject matter and personal jurisdiction and you need to be able to serve process on the defendants under the Hague Convention and, perhaps most importantly, have some means of collecting on any judgment awarded. Foreign courts generally will deny jurisdiction in a case involving ownership of a Chinese company and even if they did, Chinese courts are not likely to enforce whatever judgment that foreign court renders. All this combines to mean that in most instances the duped party has no good recourse.

In this post, we are going to assume that your Chinese counterpart is legitimate and truly wants to do a legitimate JV with your company. But just because there is good potential for a profitable China Joint Venture and you are working with a putative China joint venture partner that is sincere and honest does not mean doing the joint venture will make sense. Before you do a joint venture with anyone you should make sure the two (or more) of you are truly on the same page regarding what will go into the joint venture and how it will operate once formed.

There is an old Chinese saying that applies to any sort of partnership without a meeting of the minds: same bed, different dreams (). I applied this saying to China Joint Ventures (I was certainly not the first to do so) in a Wall Street Journal article I wrote back in 2007, titled, Joint Venture Jeopardy:

The much-publicized legal fight between French beverage maker Groupe Danone and its Chinese partner, Wahaha, calls to mind an ancient Chinese proverb often used to describe a bad marriage: Same bed, different dreams. Danone accuses Wahaha of breaking contracts and setting up competitor companies; Wahaha denies the allegations. The case is a highly visible test of Chinas commitment to rule of law in matters involving foreign business. Whatever the outcome, Chinas joint ventures increasingly look like unfruitful unions.

How to Avoid a Bad Joint Venture

How can you avoid a bad joint venture marriage? By putting your dreams to the test before you wed.

China joint ventures are notorious for their high failure rate. Foreign companies too often rush into China joint ventures without ever discussing their respective dreams with their China joint venture partner. The sooner you seek to discern whether you and your potential China joint venture partner share the same dreams, the sooner you will know whether it makes sense for you to keep spending time and money trying to do the joint venture deal.

To help our clients determine whether they have found their dream JV partner, we have compiled a list of questions they should ask their potential Chinese joint venture partner to determine whether there is sufficient commonality to press forward with their joint venture deal.

What are you seeking to accomplish with our joint venture?

What will you do for and with our joint venture?

What will your company do to advance the business of our joint venture?

What do you want our company to do to advance the business of our joint venture?

Who will make business decisions for our joint venture?

What mechanisms will we use for reaching JV decisions?

Who will control what of our JV?

Who will make what decisions for our JV?

What will you contribute to our joint venture, both now and in the future? Property? Technology? Intellectual property? Money? Know-how? Employees?

What do you expect us to contribute to our joint venture, both now and in the future? Property? Technology? Intellectual property? Money? Know-how? Employees?

If our joint venture loses money, who will be responsible for putting more money in?

How will we resolve our disputes? The common Chinese company response will be something like we will work out any issues among ourselves and if that fails, we will have a special meeting to try to resolve everything. This answer is meaningless. You need an answer that explains exactly how day to day disputes will be resolved so your joint venture does not collapse

Can either of us use confidential JV information for our own business?

Can our own businesses compete with our JV?

Can our own businesses do business with the JV? What is that going to look like?

How and when will the joint venture end?

What if one of us wants to buy the other one out?

How do we end the JV?

If you get answers you like to the above, you keep moving forward. If you get too many answers you do not like to the above, you move on.

How to structure a China Joint Venture

Just as a quick aside: there is a 99.99% chance you will never see a dollar from your joint venture if you use your joint venture partners attorney or even any attorney chosen for you by your joint venture partner or you use no attorney at all. If you dont realize this after reading the below, I dont even know what more to say.

Many China joint ventures fail because the foreign partner made the fundamental mistake of believing its 51% (or more) ownership of the joint venture gave it effective control over the joint venture. Foreign investors too often assume Chinese joint venture companies are managed according to the common Western corporate model under which a board of directors has controlling power over the company. Since the board is elected by a majority vote of company owners, most foreign investors strive to obtain a 51% ownership interest in their China joint venture. As the majority owner, the foreign investor just assumes it has the right to elect the entire board, and thus effectively control the joint venture company.

After winning the struggle for percentage ownership the foreign investor will frequently give the Chinese side the authority to appoint the joint ventures Representative Director and the company General Manager. But this concession cedes effective power and effectively renders the foreign investors struggle for board control meaningless. The Chinese side will intentionally angle to ensure this outcome, often by offering to concede majority ownership to the foreign investor in return for control over these two key management positions in the joint venture company. If you want effective control over a China joint venture, you must avoid this mistake. If you do not, you will not have control over the joint ventures day-to-day management.

For you to maintain control over your Chinese joint venture you need the following:

The power to appoint and remove the JVs Representative Director. The party that appoints the joint ventures Representative Director will have significant control over operations. The usual practice of conceding the power to appoint a key officer or director to the Chinese side is a mistake if you want to maintain control over your China Joint Venture.

The party that appoints the joint ventures Representative Director will have significant control over operations. The usual practice of conceding the power to appoint a key officer or director to the Chinese side is a mistake if you want to maintain control over your China Joint Venture. The power to appoint and remove the JVs General Manager. The General Manager is an employee of the joint venture company and that person is employed entirely at the discretion of the JVs Representative Director. The common practice of appointing the same person as both Representative Director and General Manager is usually a mistake.

The General Manager is an employee of the joint venture company and that person is employed entirely at the discretion of the JVs Representative Director. The common practice of appointing the same person as both Representative Director and General Manager is usually a mistake. Control over the company seal, or chop. The person who controls the registered joint venture companys seal has the power to make binding contracts on behalf of the joint venture company and to deal with the companys banks and other key service providers. For these reasons, the power over that seal should be carefully guarded. Ceding control over it as a matter of convenience is a mistake. There is a long, documented history of this seemingly minor consideration dooming China Joint Ventures.

The Chinese side to a joint venture will usually refuse to agree to these three measures by claiming it is more efficient to have the Chinese side control day-to-day management of the company. The Chinese side will also often claim they cannot bring their political connections, or their guanxi, into play unless their own people act as the joint ventures Representative Director and General Manager. These claims usually are used to disguise the Chinese companys efforts to gain operational control over the company and your relinquishing these three control mechanisms to your Chinese counterpart will likely be problematic for you.

Once these three control mechanisms are under the control of your Chinese joint venture partner, you will likely quickly learn that you have relinquished power to run the JV and bad things will likely result. What sorts of bad things? The most common is that you will never see any money from the joint venture. Ever. This occurs because with its control over your Joint Venture your Chinese counterpart can always make sure the joint venture never makes a profit, but his or her company always does.

How can this be achieved? We often see this done by using one of the following two tactics:

Suppose your Chinese JV partner can make the JV hiring and firing decisions. Now suppose your JV should have 200 employees but your JV partner hires 350 employees, thereby wiping out any profit for the JV. Why though would your JV partner do this and how does your JV partner benefit from doing so? Many reasons. The extra 150 employees can be some combination of 1) relatives who do or do not kick back a good portion of their grossly inflated earnings to your JV partner, 2) strangers who do kick back a substantial portion of their grossly inflated earnings, and 3) friends and relatives of Chinese government officials who are hired to increase your Chinese JV counterparts standing and thereby benefit your JV counterpart and its own companies, 4) friends and relatives of whomever else your Chinese JV counterpart wishes to increase his or her or its standing. Your Chinese JV counterpart chooses to buy (possibly inferior) products and services at inflated prices from his or her own companies, including from the company that is your JV partner.

Why We Both Love and Hate China Joint Ventures

For better or worse, our law firm has developed quite a reputation for not liking joint ventures and so it is not uncommon for us to get calls from potential clients that start with them saying they know we dont like joint ventures and then explaining why their doing a joint venture is either necessary or will be different from the ones we write about. Are we losing joint venture legal work because of this reputation or do we get more such work because people believe that if we give their joint venture the go-ahead it really is as good as they think it is. Though we will never know, we can at least try to clear the air. So just to be clear: we like appropriate or necessary China joint ventures but we think it a mistake to consider a joint venture as the default method for entering China.

Of all the China legal work my law firm does, setting up and dismantling joint ventures is probably my favorite. I like it because each joint venture is so different and yet all are intellectually challenging. I also like them because they tend to be one of our most lucrative corporate matters we do. We charge a flat fee for about half our China work, but we always charge hourly for joint ventures because setting up a China joint venture can range from fast and easy to difficult and contentious.

Few joint ventures are fast and easy. A joint venture consists of two independent businesses  one foreign and one Chinese  going into business together. That alone ought to tell you how difficult they can be. The most difficult questions usually center around control. Which of the two companies will control what? What really needs to be done to ensure control? What can be done to ensure neither company goes out of control?

Just to be clear, we love forming joint ventures, but only when they truly do make sense and well over half the time we end up counseling our clients against doing the joint venture. Just today I had the following conversation with a potential client (modified ever so slightly for dramatic effect):

Me: I am not clear from your email about what exactly you want to do with your Chinese manufacturer but it sounds like you want to enter into a joint venture with them and that will almost certainly be a bad idea.

Potential Client: Well, we do want to further solidify our relationship with them and we have been thinking a joint venture might be one way to do that. Why do you think that is a bad idea?

Me: [Jokingly] Did I say I thought it a bad idea? I think its a great idea and heres why. You will pay us anywhere from $15,000 to $85,000 now to set it up  the more you pay us the less likely it is to actually happen. And then the odds are good that in 3-4 years you will pay us another $50,000 or so to shut it down.

I hope I am doing a good job pitching this to you. Do you want to move forward?

Potential Client: Ill take two.

Me: Perfect.

Our China lawyers also love taking apart China joint ventures that have gone wrong, and again, not because it is in any way a good thing for our clients (who usually are in dire straits when they come to us with their joint venture problems) but because resolving joint venture disputes is like a championship chess game, but at our hourly rate.

The problem with China joint ventures is not China-specific; it is joint venture specific. Joint ventures simply tend too to be a bad way to conduct business. Our international lawyers have seen this up close and personal with Russian joint ventures, Vietnamese joint ventures, Mexican joint ventures, Korean joint ventures, Japanese joint ventures, even a Gambian joint venture. Marketing genius Seth Godin beautifully explains why this is the case in his post, Why joint ventures fail so often:

There are two reasons joint ventures fail. The joint part and the venture part.

All ventures are risky, because they involve change and the unknown. We set off on a venture in search of something, or to make something happen - inherent in the idea of a venture is failure. Its natural, then, for fearful people on both sides of a joint venture to back off when it gets scary. When given a choice between a risk and sure thing, many people pick the sure thing. So any venture begins with some question marks.

The joint part, though, is where the real problem arises. Pushing through the dip is the only way for a venture of any kind to succeed. The dip separates projects that begin from projects that finish. Its easy and hopeful and exciting to start something, but challenging and often painful to finish it. When the project is a joint one, the pressure to push through the dip often dissipates. Well, we only have a bit at stake here, so work on something else, something where we have to take all the blame.

Because there isnt one boss, one deliverable, one person pushing the project relentlessly, it stalls.

Every joint venture involves meetings, and meetings are the pressure relief valve. Meetings give us the ability to stall and to point fingers, to obfuscate and confuse. If a problem arises, if a difficulty needs to be overcome, its much easier to bury it at a meeting than it is to deal with it.

In my experience, youre far better off with a licensing deal than a joint venture. One side buys the right to use an asset that belongs to the other. The initial transaction is more difficult (and apparently risky) at the start, but then the door is open to success. Its a venture that belongs to one party, someone with a lot at stake and an incentive to make it work.

Only one person in charge at a time.

Godin is 100% right.

The Most Common China JV Mistakes

Way back in 2008, co-blogger Steve Dickinson was the legal columnist for one of Chinas most prominent English language business publications. As part of his regular monthly gig, Steve submitted an article on how to avoid joint venture mistakes. The censors rejected it and we have always assumed they did so because it would have been detrimental to Chinese companies seeking joint ventures that would greatly favor them.

AmCham Beijing did not have such constraints and it published the article Avoiding Mistakes in Chinese Joint Ventures. It provides a roadmap for avoiding what is probably the biggest and most common mistake that gives Chinese joint ventures such a bad name.

The article starts out by noting that with the exception of some market sectors, China is remarkably open to foreign investment, and in the past several years WFOEs [Wholly Foreign Owned Entities] have become the most common vehicle for foreign investment, partly due to investor skittishness as stories about past problems with Chinese EJV [Equity Joint Venture] partners made the rounds.

The article then goes on to note how thoroughly vetting your joint venture partner will dramatically increase your likelihood of success, but states that most China joint ventures fail because the foreign partner made the fundamental mistake of believing its 51% ownership gave it effective control over the joint venture:

Foreign investors too often assume Chinese joint venture companies are managed according to a common Western model, under which a board of directors has controlling power over the company. Since the board is elected by a majority vote of company owners, most foreign investors will strive to obtain a 51% ownership interest in the EJV. As majority owner, the investor then assumes he has the right to elect the entire board, and thus effectively control the company.

After winning the struggle for percentage ownership, as a concession, the foreign investor will frequently allow the local side to appoint the representative director and the company general manager.

Unintentionally, this concession cedes effective power. As a result, the investors struggle for board control is rendered meaningless. Frequently the Chinese side intentionally angles to ensure this outcome. We know of cases where an EJV partner concedes on the percentage ownership issue in return for control over the two key management positions in the company.

In order to exercise effective control over a joint venture in China, investors must avoid this mistake. It is necessary to have control over the day-to-day management of the joint venture company.

The article then sets out the following basics for maintaining control over your Chinese Joint Venture:

 The power to appoint and remove the JVs representative. The side that appoints the representative director will have significant control over operations. The usual practice of conceding the power to appoint a key officer or director to another investor is a mistake.

 The power to appoint and remove the general manager of the joint venture company. It must be made clear that the general manager is an employee of the joint venture company who is employed entirely at the discretion of the representative director. The common practice of appointing the same person as both representative director and general manager is a mistake.

 Control over the company seal, or chop. The person who controls the registered company seal has the power to make binding contracts on behalf of the joint venture company and to deal with the companys banks and other key service providers. The power over that seal should be carefully guarded. Ceding control over it as a matter of convenience is a mistake. There is a long, documented history of this seemingly minor consideration dooming EJVs.

The Chinese side to a joint venture usually will refuse to agree to any of the above three control measures by claiming it is more efficient to have them control day-to-day management of the company. The Chinese side will also often claim they cannot use their political connections unless their own people are the representative director and general manager. You should see these justifications for exactly what they are: red herrings used to disguise the Chinese companys efforts to gain operational control over the joint venture company.

Relinquishing these three control mechanisms to your Chinese joint venture partner will almost invariably cause you long-term problems because once your Chinese JV partner has these controls you will essentially have relinquished all power to influence your own joint venture. When this happens, your best bet will usually be to either reduce your investment to a minority share or abandon it altogether. Once power over operations is out of your hands, it becomes very difficult to run a successful partnership in China.
IORA finalises MoU for cooperation in SME sector

Published: January 21, 2017

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member-states have finalised Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for cooperation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector.

The MoUs were finalised during the Workshop on MSME Cooperation amongst IORA member countries held in New Delhi. They will take effect for each party upon signature by 5 countries.

Focus areas of MoUs

Finalise linkages and alliances amongst MSMEs organizations, associations and various institutions engaged in MSME development in IORA countries.

Exchange best practices, programs and policies for MSME development.

Exchange greater involvement of MSMEs in the global supply chain and increase their market access.

Promote women and youths economic empowerment.

Encourage synergies with the IORA forum.

IORA Secretariat at Mauritius will be the coordinating agency for the implementation of the MoU. Besides, for to carrying out activities envisaged under this MoU, IORA special fund will be created by member countries.

Workshop on MSME Cooperation amongst IORA member countries: It was organised by Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and was attended by around 29 delegates from 14 IORA member-states.

About Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

IORA is an international organisation consisting of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean established in 1997 to promote cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

It was formerly known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative and Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC). Its coordinating Secretariat is located at Ebene, Mauritius.

coordinating Secretariat is located at Ebene, Mauritius. It is a regional forum, tripartite in nature that brings together representatives of Government, Business and Academia, for promoting co-operation and closer interaction among them.

It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening economic cooperation particularly on trade facilitation and investment, promotion as well as social development of the region.

for strengthening economic cooperation particularly on trade facilitation and investment, promotion as well as social development of the region. IORA comprises 21 member states and 7 dialogue partners, Indian Ocean Research Group and the Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation have observer status.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2017

Topics: India  International  Iora  National  SME sector

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(Photo : Getty Images. ) Tsinghua Unigroup said that the Nanjing factory is a part of its effort to build a world class chip industry in China.

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China's state-owned Tsinghua Unigroup Ltd. on Thursday unveiled an ambitious plan to construct a $30 billion memory chip factory to bolster its local production capacity.



The factory will be built in Nanjing city, the capital of eastern Jiangsu province. It is expected to have a capacity produce 100,000 monthly chip wafers.



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In a statement on its official website, Tsinghua Unigroup said that the Nanjing factory is a part of its effort to build a world class chip industry in China. The company said it hopes that this ambitious decision will pave the way for more developmental activities.



The new factory will reportedly make DRAM and 3D-NAND flash chips, which are widely used in many modern electronic devices including smart phones and desktop computers.



Last year, Tsinghua Unigroup announced a plan to build a separate $24 billion chip factory in the Chinese city of Wuhan.



The state-owned chipmakers decision to expand its local capacity comes as it is facing difficulties in acquiring foreign companies, mainly due to regulatory hurdles. In 2015, Tsinghua's management made an unsuccessful attempt to acquire U.S. based chipmaking company Micron Technology Inc.



Last year, the U.S. government also derailed Chinese chipmaker Fujian's bid to acquire Aixtron's American business division over security concerns.



However, Tsinghua manage to acquire a six percent minority stake in American chip making company Lattice Semiconductor Corp.



In recent years, the Chinese government had been encouraging chip companies to go big on foreign acquisition in a bid to build a world-class chip manufacturing unit. However, regulatory hurdles in the U.S. seems to have punctured this ambitious plan.



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TagsTsinghua Unigroup, china, Nanjing, Tsinghua Chip Making Factories
(Photo : Getty Images) A Chinese expert has said that Beijing should prepare for the "worst case scenario" under the new Trump Administration

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A Chinese expert has warned that there could be major confrontations between Beijing and Washington on the economic front after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday.



Pang Zhongying, a US affairs expert at a Chinese university, on Saturday said President Trump is expected to employ "all possible means" to pressure Beijing into giving into his demands on trade deals.



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For Trump to gain concessions on trade deals, Pang said the newly-installed president would go as far as linking trade disputes with political issues.



'Worst to Come'



Based on Trump's inaugural speech, Pang said Beijing should brace itself "for the worst to come" in its dealings with the US under the new administration.



In Trump's speech, which observers said was a repeat of his campaign speeches, the US leader said he would prioritize giving back jobs to the American people and that he would put his constituents' interests first when crafting his economic and foreign policies.



"Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength," he said.



Trade Agreements



Trump said all nations found violating trade agreements with the US and harming American workers would be punished.



He reiterated that he would take all the measures at his disposal to put a stop to "to these abuses."



Pang said Trump's speech took on a populist approach, reiterating his campaign battle cry: "Make America Great Again."



"China should brace itself for the complicated Sino-US relations that is to come under the Trump administration. A trade war between China and the US seems inevitable," he said.



China had earlier told Trump that the "One China" policy was non-negotiable and warned that Beijing would "retaliate" if Trump insists on abandoning the decades-old US foreign policy.



"Trump will do everything he can to push China to give concessions ... Beijing should make some worst-case scenario planning, even though the development may not be as bad as we have expected," the expert added.



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TagsUS President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi jinping, Washington, Beijing, trade deals, Sino-US relations, concessions, Sino-US trade war, One China policy, worst case scenarion
(Photo : PLAN) Type 094 SSBN.

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China's only Type 094A (Jin-class) ballistic nuclear missile submarine (SSBN), its most modern "boomer," will continue to rust away at its home base on Hainan Island as work on its successor, the Type 096 (Tang-class or 09-V1), continues to face interminable delays.



Not much has been heard about the Type 096 from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) over the past few years. There was news back in 2015 the Type 096 is scheduled to replace the Type 094 subs (of which four are operational out of eight planned) starting 2020.



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It was also rumored the Type 096 will carry 24 submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) compared to 12 in the Type 094. These SLBMs for the Type 096 might either be the Julang-3 (JL-3) or the JL-2A



JL-3 has an estimated but unconfirmed range of 12,000 kilometers, which, if accurate will place most of the continental United States within range of this SLBM. JL-2A has a range of 11,200-kilometers, also sufficient to hit the U.S. from the South China Sea.



The current Julang-2 (JL-2) SLBM on the Type 094 submarine has a range of 8,000 km. This submarine carries 12 JL-2s.



Russian military expert Vasily Kashin believes the South China Sea is the only place where the Type 094A can fire its SLBMs at the USA in relative safety. The main base for China's fleet of ballistic missile submarines is Hainan Island on the South China Sea.



Misleading information leaked by China in 2012 prompted some Western analysts to predict the Type 096 would make its first sea patrol in 2014. That hasn't happened and it appears that not a single Type 096 is being built.



The Type 094A differs from the Type 094 in the former's curved conning tower and a retractable towed array sonar mounted atop its upper tailfin. The array makes it easier for the sub to listen for threats.



The Type 094A, which was first seen in November 2016, is also far quieter than the noisier Type 094.



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TagsType 094A, Type 096, Type 094, People's Liberation Army Navy, Julang-3, JL-2A
(Photo : Getty Images. ) Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen has sent a congratulatory message to US President Donald Trump via Twitter.

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Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday congratulated US President Donald Trump just hours after his oath taking ceremony. Instead of a phone call, this time the Taiwanese leader resorted to Twitter.



"Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership," Tsai tweeted.



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Tsai noted that the US is Taiwan's "most important international ally." She stated that both countries shared many common virtues including freedom and democracy.



China is apparently anxious about the US relations with Taiwan under the Trump administration. Trump made unexpected overtures to the self-ruled island nation following his stunning election victory last year.



The Republican leader first broke a decade-long diplomatic protocol by accepting a congratulatory phone call from Tsai. Later, he made a bolder move by openly questioning the US government's commitment to the "One China policy."



Trump was very critical of China even during his election campaign. He has repeatedly slammed the country's controversial trade practices.



Meanwhile, Taiwan has dismissed China's objection to the presence of a Taiwanese delegation at Trump's swearing-in ceremony, describing the objection as a "pretty concern."



Taiwan's former Prime Minister Yu Shyi-kun who led the delegation told The Associated Press: "it's hard to believe that a country with 5,000 years of history and its glorious background is so focused on this. It just shows how petty they are."



Earlier this week, China urged the US government to stop the Taiwanese delegation from attending Trump's coronation ceremony.



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TagsTsai Ing-wen, donald trump, Taiwan and U.S, Taiwan and China
home US Arkansas committee passes bill that bans dismemberment abortions

An Arkansas state legislative committee has passed a bill that would ban dismemberment abortion, a method used by abortionists to dismember the unborn child inside the mother's body using surgical instruments.

The bill, known as the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act, would ban the dilation and evacuation procedure, which is commonly used in the second trimester. It was filed by state Rep. Andy Mayberry, who described the procedure as "particularly barbaric, cruel and savage." The committee of 16 Republicans and four Democrats approved the proposal on a voice vote.

Under the legislation, abortion practitioners who use the procedure could face up to six years' imprisonment and be fined up to $10,000. The measure would allow the procedure to be used to prevent serious risk to the mother's health, but it does not provide exemptions in cases of rape or incest.

Dr. Richard Wyatt, a Little Rock obstetrician, told the panel that the dilation and evacuation procedure requires the doctor to reconstruct the fetus outside the womb like a puzzle to ensure that all the parts have been removed and reduce the risk of infection, Associated Press reported.

Victoria Leigh, a lawyer representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, argued that the alternative procedure for second-trimester abortion would require hospitalization and increased risk to a woman's health.

She accused the supporters of the measure of using inflammatory language to describe the procedure rather than a scientific description.

Ingrid Duran of the National Right to Life Committee responded to her accusation saying: "Arkansas is on the right path to protect unborn children from such a heinous act which tears the baby apart limb by limb. I can assure you there is nothing 'inflammatory' about describing the sickening reality of dismemberment abortions."

Leigh, who told reporters that the measure is "likely to pass" in the Legislature, vowed to challenge the bill in court if it becomes law.

Laura McQuade, president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, also expressed her intention to oppose the bill.

Similar measures have been passed in other states, but it is currently facing court challenges in Louisiana, Alabama and Kansas, according to Arkansas Online. The proposal is now up for consideration in the full House, which, Mayberry said, could happen as soon as Monday.
Germany Rejecting 'Almost All' Applications for Asylum of Christian Refugees, Pastor Reveals

These Christian refugees thought they finally found a safe refuge when they arrived in Germany after fleeing persecution in their homelands.

But now their asylum hopes are being "hijacked" in "kangaroo" courts as they face the prospects of deportation and returning again to the horrors they had fled from.

Dr. Gottfried Martens, a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Berlin, has revealed that the German government is rejecting almost all applications for asylum from most of his church's Iranian and Afghan refugee members who have waited years in Germany for the government to hear their cases, CBN News reported.

He said these asylum seekers are now receiving deportation notices.

Trinity Lutheran Church is known for its work with Iranian and Afghan refugees. It considers itself as the fastest growing Lutheran church congregation in Germany.

Martens explained that migrants increase their chances of winning asylum in Germany if they are able to prove that they would face persecution if sent home to a Muslim country, according to the Daily Mail.

They can do this by showing proof that they are Christian or have converted to Christianity.

But the problem is that Muslim translators are "hijacking" their asylum applications by deliberately misquoting them during their "kangaroo court" asylum hearings, making it look like their conversion was fabricated. Thus their asylum claim is deemed falsified and subsequently rejected, leading to their deportation, Martens said.

"The almost exclusively Muslim translators deliberately stick the knife in our congregational members by falsely translating what they say," Martens wrote in a Christmas letter to his supporters on Dec. 22, the Daily Mail reported.

Martens earlier expressed concern that some Muslims come to his church and express interest in Christianity just to improve their chances of getting their asylum request approved.

The German pastor also denounced the continuing harassment of Christian migrants and Christian converts living in German refugee shelters. "Many of them suffered violent attacks from Muslim residents," he said.

Last year, CBN News reported on the harassment of Christian refugees in Germany. Open Doors, a German-based organisation, confirmed the reports after documenting the attacks made by Muslim migrants against Christian refugees.
Muslim Man Defies ISIS By Making Iron Cross for Christians in Bombed-Out Church

Not every Muslim hates Christians. Even as the Islamic State (ISIS) continues its reign of terror in Mosul, one Muslim man found the courage to stand up for his Christian brothers and sisters by making an iron cross for them in a bombed-out church.

The story was shared by Jeremy Courtney, CEO of Preemptive Love Coalition, an organisation focused on helping people living in combat zones. When Courtney, who is residing in Iraq, heard about the story of how the iron cross came to be, he decided to provide people with a different story on the happenings in Mosul as well as in Aleppo, Syria.

In the video, Courtney showed a piece of the iron fashioned into a cross by the Muslim man, who explained that he made it to honour his Christian friends who lost their church because of an ISIS bombing.

"Here inside this church that ISIS destroyed here inside Mosul city limits, we found this cross that our friend Marwan helped fashion out of metal," he said, according to Faith Wire. "Marwan is a Muslim. But when he came into this church he couldn't accept that others who claimed to be Muslims had rampaged through this place destroying the signs and icons of his Christian friends."

Courtney said with his simple act of solidarity, Marwan hopes to tell his Christian neighbours that peace-loving Muslims like him are not the enemy since they respect those of other faith. All in all, Marwan's message is simple: "We are in this with you."

"This cross belongs here among our friends. This cross is to be honoured," Courtney continued. "These aren't stories we hear enough about. [But they] actually play out in places like Aleppo and Mosul."

Oftentimes, people hear stories about Muslims in conflict with Christians and vice versa. But the iron cross inside the bombed-out church tells a different story, and it's something that's worth spreading around, Courtney said.
Pastor Ronnie Floyd Shares Secrets to a Happy Marriage: It's Based on Commitment to God and One Another

Duggar family pastor Ronnie Floyd from Cross Church in Arkansas has been blessed by God with 40 years of happy marriage with his wife, Jeana.

Floyd revealed on his blog that their solid marriage did not just happen by chance since they both worked hard to make sure that they maintained love, trust and respect in their marriage. It wasn't always smooth-sailing, and there were definitely "some long days" when the fights and arguments felt overwhelming. But in the end, they persevered.

Floyd now wants to share some marriage tips that he and his wife learned through their years together. First, Floyd said couples have got to remember that marriage is based on a commitment not just to one another but also to God.

"It is not based solely upon the emotion and expression of love. For us, it has always been a commitment to God that has moved us forward through marriage," he said. "Our commitment to the covenant of marriage before God far exceeds any personal struggle we have faced together."

Another thing Floyd and his wife do constantly is strengthen their relationship. They do this by beginning each day with God. "Our personal time with God is a non-negotiable in our marriage," he said.

They also make sure to treat each other as partners throughout their relationship. They do not have "his days" or "her days," but only "our days." Sometimes, their schedules take them apart. But Floyd said he and his wife always prioritise their marriage and family time together.

Floyd said transition is inevitable in every relationship. But whatever life throws their way, he and Jeane always relied on each other.

"We belong together. Even with our unique tendencies and definite weaknesses, it is more than obvious to each of us that God has willed us to be together. Marriage is not always intimate among couples. But our marriage is an intimate relationship we only share together," he said
Revelation 11: Why Our Witness Needs To Be Credible

What an interesting week it has been in politics! The lead-up to Donald Trump's inauguration was dominated by an astonishing discussion about a document that contains speculation about his personal life a few years ago. The whole of that document seems to rest on the credibility or otherwise of a British ex-secret service agent, which wasn't really helped when it was revealed that he had been hired by Jeb Bush to find some dirt on Trump. If a witness is undermined then what they witness to is severely damaged.

Which brings us on to Chapter 11 of Revelation. Because it too is about witnesses. Again, as we have seen before in this Revelation series, there are numerous interpretations and attempts to identify the witnessss here. The standard view is that they refer to the Old Testament prophets, Moses and Elijah. This is backed up by several allusions to incidents in their lives within the chapter. (I almost feel like playing a form of biblical bingo where we mention the many allusions to the OT even in this one chapter!  how many can you get?).

However this is used to illustrate the fact that the whole church is to be a witness to Christ, throughout all the ages. And they do so against great opposition. For the first time the beast from the Abyss is mentioned (clearly the devil) and in a stroke of genius John identifies the great city as Rome, Sodom, Egypt and the Jerusalem that killed Jesus. They all combine together to celebrate their victory over Christ and his Church. But their celebrations are somewhat premature.

There is a great resurrection. Citing Ezekiel 37:10, "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feeta vast army," about the resurrection of Israel, John tells us that there will be a great resurrection (this could be referring to a great spiritual revival or the first resurrection, or both).

Then the seventh angel sounds his trumpet  which brings the third woe, but instead of immediately hearing about that, we hear about the coming of the Kingdom of God. The nations were angry, they turned against God and now the Lord does what we keep saying we want him to do  he acts. The time has come for judging the dead, rewarding the saints (all Gods people  not the specially selected ones by the Vatican!) and for destroying those who destroy the earth. That latter phrase makes Revelation 11:18 one of the key verses for Christian environmentalists! Let me explain.

A few years ago I was preaching in a Southern US city when I was approached after the sermon by a gentleman who remarked, "Enjoyed the sermon, but are you a tree hugging communist?" When I pointed out that although I had read Marx I was not a communist and I tried to avoid hugging trees, undeterred he continued, "you sure sound like one". I had mentioned this verse and pointed out that whatever our particular politics or views of how global warming was caused, it was incumbent upon us to be stewards of the earth, not destroyers of it. He was genuinely puzzled. Why bother? After all was it not all going to be destroyed anyway? I suggested to him that given his logic he would have no objection to my coming round to his house that evening and burning it to the ground  after all was it not all going to be destroyed anyway?! The point was taken. We are called to be stewards not destroyers of the earth. There will come a time when the destroyers of the earth will themselves be destroyed  do we really want to be in their number?

The chapter finishes with the Ark of the Covenant being seen and the consummation arriving. The flashes of lightening, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and severe hailstorm are far more powerful, vivid and imaginative than the rather tame Indiana Jones version would later portray.

So what can we make of all this? We are to be credible witnesses to the Gospel. What does that involve? It certainly means that we uphold the testimony of the Bible and the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before (Hebrews 11). It also means that we recognize our role not only as stewards of the Gospel, but also of God's earth. But lets return to where we came in. Our witness must be credible. Jesus told us that all men would know that we are his disciples if we had love for one another. The lack of love amongst ourselves is a denial of the Gospel. The fruit of the Spirit is evidence that we have the Spirit (interesting that it is the fruit that is mentioned, not the gifts  they are after all easier to counterfeit). When the Lord's people have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, then we are credible witnesses. Scriptural and Spirit-filled witness leads to sensational results!

You would think that having these gifts and pointing to Christ, our witness would not only be credible but accepted. But that is not the case. There is a beast from the Abyss who stirs up the hatred and rebellion against God that is in every human heart. He attacks, overpowers and kills.

But Revelation tells the persecuted, weak and apparently dead and defeated Church: Don't give up. There is a greater power. As CS Lewis so beautifully described in the resurrection of Aslan, "there is a deeper magic before the dawn of time". A power based in the resurrection of the willing victim, the Son of God. That is who we bear witness to. We need to remember that. We are not bearing witness to our 'values', or our country, or our church, or our traditions and certainly not to ourselves. Our witness is to Christ. No matter the opposition we face, we can be confident that this witness to Christ will bear fruit, and the seed of the Word of God, will not return to him empty. He will see the travail of his soul and be satisfied (Ps 22).

Rev David Robertson is minister of St Peters, Dundee and director of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity. He is on Twitter @TheWeeFlea
Dallas billionaire Andy Beal, who last year bought up two of Dallas' most expensive houses, is preparing to tear one down.

Beal closed on the Hicks Estate, which was listed at $100 million, in early 2016. It's been widely reported he paid much less, although the amount has not been disclosed. He's listing this house now for $48.9 million.
Four Houston high school students were injured after their car apparently ran into an Alief ISD school bus on Friday afternoon, according to a spokesperson with Alief ISD.

The crash occurred around 3 p.m., when four students from Hastings High School allegedly ran into the school bus with their car. The students were transported to area hospitals, two with minor injuries and the two others with unknown injuries.
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Latinos from Houston and around the country have convened in Washington, D.C., to assist with several of the events surrounding the inauguration of the new President of the United States, Donald Trump, including two Latino-themed inaugural galas.

Organized by Hispanics 100, as Donald Trump's Hispanic Advisory Council is called, the mood of the gala was that of a celebration with lots of dancing -- but also with some caveats.

Jacob Monty, a prominent Houston lawyer who is a former member of HAC, said in a phone interview that he is celebrating. "He is our president now," he said. "We need to give him a chance."

Monty, a Republican, had renounced his HAC membership in August after Trump's speech where he revealed his immigration policy. Monty thought it was too harsh against immigrants.

Gary Fountain

"I was disappointed with his immigration speech in 2016, particularly when prior to that he had been signaling to the Hispanic Advisory Committee that he was interested in a positive immigration reform," Monty said. "I had disagreements with him on immigration, but I am starting to believe that the reality is not going to be as harsh as the rhetoric.

"I didn't vote for him, I didn't vote for Hillary (Clinton), but I am glad Trump won," Monty said.



He has not rejoined the Hispanic 100. However, he says he reached out to Trump's team after he won the presidency and has contributed financially to the Latino inaugural celebrations in D.C.

"If Trump can deliver on something positive for the Dream Act kids, I'll be very pleased," Monty said.

The Dream Act is a piece of legislation that would permanently provide protection against deportation and offer work-permit status to young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors. These immigrants are now temporarily protected under Obama executive orders DACA and DAPA. During his campaign, Trump said he will end those executive protections.

Other Latino leaders in Washington are not as celebratory as Monty.

Laura Murillo, president of the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said that she went to Washington not to celebrate but to represent "women, minorities, immigrants and people who may not be able to be there to show that they are paying attention."

Besides protections for some immigrants that would benefit from the Dream Act, Murillo said she is concerned with the fact that there is no Latino in the Trump cabinet, an exclusion that hasn't happened in the cabinet since Ronald Reagan's presidency (1981-1989).

"I am taking every opportunity I have to tell people who are close to him that we are concerned about that," she said.

"We are concerned in Houston about many other issues -- such as the protection of DACA beneficiaries and of NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement), which is very important for our city's business."

President Trump has said he plans to modify or rewrite the trade agreements the U.S. has with other countries, including NAFTA.

Grace Flores-Hughes, one of the leaders of the Hispanic 100, told reporters in Washington about the lack of Latinos in the Trump cabinet: "I'm not going to lie about it, I'm not happy and the Hispanic community is not happy about this, especially the Republicans."

However, she said that several Latinos are going to have important roles in Trump's presidency. She mentioned attorney Zina Bash and Harvard University Professor Carlos E. Diaz Rosillo, who will advise the president on domestic politics and immigration issues.

Olivia.Tallet@chron.com

Twitter: @oliviaptallet
AUSTIN  Within hours of Donald Trump being sworn in as president Friday, a Corpus Christi federal court postponed a scheduled hearing in the Texas Voter ID case until next month at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Lawyers for the Justice department asked for a delay in the hearing scheduled for Tuesday, citing the change in presidential administrations.

"Because of the change in administration, the Department of Justice also experienced a transition in leadership," the Justice Department petition states. "The United States requires additional time to brief the new leadership of the Department on this case and the issues to be addressed at that hearing before making any representations to the Court."

In the past, the agency has asked that hearings in the case be expedited because of the issues involved.

The Corpus Christi court agreed to the delay, postponing the hearing until Feb. 28.

A lawyer for one of the plaintiffs expressed disappointment at the delay.

"This delay for us is not in the interest of resolving a case that has been going on for far too long," said Leah Aden, senior counsel with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which represents one of the plaintiffs. "We all have been expending far too many resources on it, and we really want a hearing to get to a decision that this law needs to be struck down."

Aden said she did not have any reason to believe the delay was a deliberate move to weaken the case against the law, but said elections are upcoming, and a resolution needs to come quickly.

Texas' Voter ID law has been the subject of litigation for years.

In 2012, a federal appeals court in Washington first blocked the implementation of the controversial law requiring voters to show a photo identification before they could cast a ballot. That court ruled that the law had a disproportionately negative impact on minority citizens in Texas.

In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court, ruling in a separate case, allowed Texas to implement its law, which it quickly did. The Texas State Conference of the NAACP and the Mexican American Legislative Caucus of the Texas House challenged the law in federal court, and a trial in 2014 showed the state's ID requirement would create discriminatory barriers to voting.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ruled the Texas law unconstitutional, but the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the law to remain in effect for the 2014 election.

Last July, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law had a racially discriminatory effect in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act, and sent it back for the Corpus Christi court for additional review.

That was to be the focus of the Tuesday hearing, court filings show.

Reporter Mihir Zaveri contributed to this story.
Houston native Jim Parsons has followed the lead set by his "Hidden Figures" co-star Octavia Spencer and purchased all the seats for a Sunday screening of their new film to give away to Houston moviegoers.

"Inspired by Octavia Spencer's buy out of a theater in Los Angeles last week for low income families, the rest of the cast and crew have followed suit," Ted Melfi, the film's director, said via email. "Jim parsons has bought out the showing in Houston, Taraji P. Henson has covered showings in South Side Chicago and D.C., Janelle Monoe has bought one in Atlanta, Pharell Williams has purchased two in Virginia, and Co-Producer Kimberly Quinn and myself covered two in Missouri. All showings are free on a first come, first serve basis."
Barbara Bush may be released from Houston Methodist Hospital on Sunday, but former President George H.W Bush is expected to spend a few more days in the intensive care unit, according to a family statement.

"Following another good night's rest, President and Mrs. Bush have both continued to improve over the past 24 hours," Jim McGrath, family spokesman, said Saturday.
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WASHINGTON  Hundreds of thousands of women from around the United States descended on the nation's capital Saturday, protesting the presidency of Donald Trump just a day after his inauguration.

Dressed in pink "pussyhats"  a stark contrast to Trump's red "Make America Great Again" ball caps  men and women alike brandished signs calling for greater equality both along gender and racial lines.

Ron Powers traveled by bus from Nashville, Tenn., bringing along his 15-year-old daughter Eden after he seeing the news of the protest march on Facebook.

SEEING SIGNS: Best protest banners from Trump's inauguration

"It's amazing for me to see people come together for a common goal," Eden said. "They are passionate and will hopefully put pressure on."

Titled the Women's March, organizers estimated the crowd at close to half a million people at 11 a.m. in Washington. From the actresses Scarlett Johansson and Ashley Judd to musical performers Cher and Katy Perry, it was a celebrity-studded event. The crowds were too thick for participants to be able to lead a formal procession to the White House.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay."

ONLINE FUN: Memes mark Donald Trump's inauguration day

The throngs of people traveling into the city for the protest march quickly overwhelmed the Washington public transit system, with packed out trains pulling into Metro stations miles away from the protest site on the National Mall.

It was not enough to deter Leah Wilson, 30, and Amanda Dudley, 31, from Chicago got married seven months ago after six years of being together. They bought their tickets to D.C. a week after the election.

MIMICKING OBAMA?: Trump's inauguration cake looks much like his predecessor's

"We just got married and want to stay married," Wilson said, who wore a T-shirt covered in pictures of Hillary Clinton. "There's a fear there will be a mentality change. That it will be okay to discriminate."

In the presidential election Trump managed to win over 42 percent of female voters  comparable to Republican Mitt Romney's tally in the 2012 election. But for many women, Trump is a particularly divisive figure.

During the campaign numerous women came forward reporting they had been sexually harassed and groped by the real estate billionaire  allegations Trump denied. In October a 2005 videotape surfaced with Trump bragging to television personality Billy Bush about grabbing and forcefully kissing women, saying "when you're a star, they let you do it."

HOW BIG: Questions surround the size of Trump's inauguration crowd

Nikki Fields, who donned a "Black Lives Matter" beanie, who has been living in D.C. for the last six months, said she felt it was her duty to come to the march and protest what she believes is an administration that doesn't stand up for people of color, women or the LGBT community.

She waited an hour and a half to get on a train to make it to Independence Avenue. She held a sign that said "Love Wins."

"We have a duty to do whatever it takes to show that we will not accept this," Fields said.

When she learned of the election results, she said it hurt her heart to know that so many people stood by the views of Trump. She also attended the Inauguration festivities on the National Mall the previous day and said she felt lower energy and fewer people were present than Saturday's march.

"It bothered me so many people accepted that," she said. "America has always been great."

She found many things Trump said offensive, his feelings about the African American community ruining inner cities and comments against women. Tears began welling up in her eyes when she talked about when her 8 year-old son Damian asked her if friends in his class at school would have to leave the country now.

"I don't want children to have to be fearful," Field said. "We need to resist. We need to work. Not just today but until the work is done."

Brielle Murray came with her friends from Brooklyn and wore "Vote for Women" sashes across their shirts.

"Because of Trump's victory, people may think they are inclined to trample on rights of others," Murray said. "I hope they see this today and it changes minds."

Nia Ledesma of Phoenix, covered in signs, including "End White Supremacy," said it disturbed her when Trump won because she said she thinks the country already needed to confront how to address sexual assault and rape. With Trump's win, she fears that nothing will improve or get worse.

A victim of rape herself and veteran, she said there is a fear among women to speak up already. She hopes this movement will show that women and the abused have a voice. She is also concerned for people of color and hatred against minority groups in general.

"As women, we are powerful together," Ledesma said. "We need to keep this movement going."

Anita Suggs, a native Texan from rural west side of the state, holding a sign that read "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet," and now lives in Asheville, NC, said she understands from seeing some of the close-minded views in her hometown why people fear other types of people. She said people in these communities need to have an open mind and accept other groups.

"They fear the unfamiliar," she said.

"I'm here because we need to be the voice for those who don't have a voice, for the women who came before us and who will come after us," Suggs said. " Everything from reproductive rights to equal pay and the struggle of women in the workplace."

Suggs, 58 who now lives in Asheville, NC and works in project management for Fortune 500 company, said she has been paid less than male counterparts her entire career.

"It feels now like we are going backwards," she said. "I shouldn't have to work twice as hard and get paid less than a man that does the same job."

Among the crowds making their up to the National Mall was Rich Arenschieldt, a 56-year old retired writer from Houston. As a gay man who suffers from cerebral palsy, he said he thought it important he was there not "to protest" but bring awareness.

Arenschieldt said he was horrified by Trump's mocking on the campaign trail of a New York Times reporter who is also disabled.

"That was the thing that resonated most with me, of all the political rhetoric," he said.

There was little sign of the chaos that erupted in downtown Washington Friday, as black-masked protesters pelted rocks at police with riot gear and set a limousine on fire  all as the inaugural parade made its way up nearby Pennsylvania Avenue.

Among the crowds gathered on the mall Saturday walked families with strollers and the elderly and young alike.

The march became as much about the creativity of the signs as it did shouting slogans.

From "Free Melania" to "Fight like a girl" and "Nasty Woman," protesters took personal aim at Trump, often using his own statements against him.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

>>>Click through the above gallery to see photos from protests in Houston, Washington, D.C. and elsewhere around the country.
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A Connecticut woman last known to be seen in November may have been spotted in southeast Texas on Jan. 6.

Emily Carrie Kutz, 22, of Canton, Conn., may have been spotted on South Padre Island on Jan. 6, but no one is sure.

There's been no sighting of her since.

FOUND: 2 children taken in 1985 found safe in Houston area

Police on the Island said Kutz may have been seen at the visitor's center on the Island on Jan. 6 at about 3:15 p.m. But, officers said, no positive identification was made.

Kutzs hair is naturally brown but it was a sandy blond last time she was seen, and it is quite long, to the middle of her back.

Kutz has two small tattoos, one on the inside of each wrist. One is the symbol for yin and yang, the other looks like the shape of a jelly bean. Both were done by her.

SUCCESSFUL SEARCH: Missing man found six weeks after psychiatric hospital discharge

Nobody has actually located her so we are still seeking her whereabouts, Lawrence Terra, a Canton police captain, told The Valley Morning Star. She is not here in Connecticut, thats for sure.

Kutz is listed in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons database.

What Kutz may have been doing on South Padre Island and whether she is still there remain a mystery.

>>>Click through the above gallery to see details about more missing persons cases in Texas.
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Roughly 30,000 people flooded the grounds of the Texas capitol for the Women's March on Austin Saturday, spilling out onto the city's main artery, Congress Avenue, for one of the largest demonstrations in the capital city in recent memory.

Many carried signs as they marched to a drumbeat of the crowd, mainly women, cheering and chanting, "This is what democracy looks like."

NATIONAL PROTESTS: Women descend on Washington, D.C. for demonstrations

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal," read one sign. "Come and take it!" read another next to a drawing of a uterus.

The march comes as hundreds of thousands of people across the country, including Washington and Houston, march to voice their frustration following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, turning his comments degrading women during his election campaign and turning them into slogans for women's empowerment.

Three generations of women showed up to make their voices heard at Austin's women's march.

Teresa Bryant, 68, drove from Houston to meet her daughter and granddaughter.

"I'm upset at the current administration's view on women's rights," Bryant said. "I want my granddaughter to understand women have to stand up for our power."

This was the family's first time participating in an advocacy march or protest. Bryant's granddaughter Ruby, 7, held a pink sign that read "Women are strong."

Ruby said the march meant "that Hillary Clinton should have won."

Other families marched from the state Capitol.

Donna Enderas, her daughter Shannon Zaninovich and granddaughter Georgia Zaninovich held signs that read "A woman's place is in the resistance."

"I marched for civil rights and I marched to end the war," Enderas said. "Now my granddaughter is marching for gay rights and women's rights."

Georgia, 12, brought her two best friends from Austin and Georgetown. Her friend, Arwen Frederiksen, 11, is marching for her two mothers.

"You can love who you want to. Other people can love who they want to and you can't control that," the girl said.

>>>Click through the above gallery to see scenes from the protests in Houston, Austin and Washington, D.C.
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UPDATE: The National Park Service's Twitter privileges have been suspended by its Washington support office, according to a report by Gizmodo.

According to an internal email obtained by Gizmodo, the National Park Service must "immediately cease use of government Twitter accounts until further notice."



---

It seems the official tweeter for the National Park Service is not a fan of the new President Donald Trump.

As the new POTUS was being inaugurated, the NPS poster went bigly rogue, retweeting two tweets: one seemingly critical of the inauguration and the other of one of Trump's first actions as president.

The first was an Esquire article about the "scrubbing" of the civil rights, healthcare, and climate change pages from the White House's official website, and the second was a retweet of a couple photos from New York Times correspondent Binyamin Appelbaum, which compared the inauguration crowds from Obama's 2009 inauguration and from Trump's inauguration Friday morning.

The tweets stayed online for a significant amount of time, but as of 3 p.m. they had been taken down.

President Trump is not an explicit believer of global warming, although his Interior Secretary nominee, Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), has admitted that humans "influence" climate change. Zinke has also said that the government should make it a priority to work on backlogged projects in national parks.

Nevertheless, there is concern that Zinke will open up the national parks for "multiple use," like, for example, allowing for the drilling of oil in addition to tourism and preservation.
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Driving north on U.S. 281, it's hard to miss the coliseum-like mansion that has been perched on a bluff overlooking the Olmos Dam since 1986.

The 6,500-square-foot "landmark residence" is now on the market for $4,999,000, complete with a star-studded history and staggering list of amenities.

RELATED: Photos: Manu Ginobili is selling his home in The Dominion for $2 million

555 Argyle Ave., in Alamo Heights, was originally owned by local philanthropists Joe and Joci Straus. Joe Straus, co-founder of Retama Park, and Joci Straus, are credited for restoring the Majestic and Empire theaters and lived in the home for 26 years.

They are the parents of Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.

The home boasts features like two elevators, wrap-around patios on each of the levels, floor-to ceiling windows with "spectacular views" of the dam and a modern, open floor plan, realtor Phyllis Browning told mySA.com.

RELATED: 10 homes in The Dominion listed for less than $500,000

Browning called the property an "incredible entertaining home." She spoke of the stately guests who were hosted by the Straus family, including celebrities, world leaders and the 41st first lady of the United States, Barbara Bush. A book-signing party for Mitt Romney was also held in the home, Browning added.

RELATED: 'Decrepit' 100-year-old San Antonio home transformed into lavish listing

Three years ago, a "well thought of" dentist purchased the home. At that point, the digs received a 21st Century makeover and an elevator was added to the three-level manor. The current owners also keep a residence in The Dominion and have never lived in the Alamo Heights home, Browning said.

"This is a very rare opportunity to acquire one of the city's most unique properties," the Phyllis Browning Company acclaimed the home in its listing.

You've seen it from afar, now go inside in the gallery above.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye
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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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Ridge View to keep on sharing The Galva-Holstein and Schaller-Crestland School Districts have reached a tentative agreement that will likely reflect Schaller-Crestlands consolidation to a single...

Pipeline company sought to limit required safeguards for soil Navigator CO2 Ventures wanted to reduce its obligations to sample and restore topsoil for the construction of its proposed carbon...
Nearly three years after a Malaysian airliner vanished, its still possible, if unlikely, for a plane to disappear. But thats changing with new satellites that will soon allow flights to be tracked in real time over oceans.

New international safety standards also begin to kick-in beginning next year, although the deadline for airlines to meet most of the standards is still four years away. Even then, it could be decades before the changes permeate the entire global airline fleet because some of the requirements apply only to newly manufactured planes.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished from radar on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew on board. An exhaustive search of a remote corner of the southern Indian Ocean has failed to turn up the aircrafts remains, and search efforts were called off this week.

If the exact same thing happened today, I think wed have the same result, said William Waldock, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona, and former accident investigator.

There has been change, but we havent put anything physical into practice yet, he said.

But Atholl Buchan, director of flight operations at the International Air Transport Association, which represents most international carriers, said a repeat of MH370 is highly unlikely since many airlines have already increased their efforts to keep tabs on planes over open ocean where they are beyond the reach of land-based radar.

In a few years, new systems and technology, if adopted universally by (air traffic control providers), will allow for global surveillance coverage, he said.

Among the changes in the works:

-The International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. agency, approved a series of new global safety standards last year in response to MH370, including a requirement that airline pilots flying over ocean out of the range of radar report their position by radio every 15 minutes. Previously, they were required to report every 30 minutes. The new requirement kicks in next year, but many airlines have already switched.

-Another new standard requires new planes beginning in 2021 to be able to transmit automatic, minute-by-minute reports on their location if theyre in distress. At normal flight speeds, minute-by-minute reports would provide authorities with a search area of a little over 100 square miles. If reports are less frequent, the search area grows much larger.

However, the requirement doesnt apply to existing planes. Since airliners often have a lifespan of 20 years or more, it could take decades before all airliners meet the new requirement.

Satellite flight tracking services may solve much of the problem sooner. This week, Aireon, a satellite joint venture, launched the first 10 satellites in what is planned to be a 66-satellite constellation that can track airliners equipped with the latest satellite surveillance technology, known as ADS-B.

Aireon expects to have all its satellites launched by the first quarter of next year, providing 100 percent coverage of the globe. It will receive signals every one to eight seconds from all equipped planes, regardless of whether the airline subscribes to the service. Not all planes have ADS-B, but Aireon vice president of aviation services, Cyriel Kronenburg, estimated that 90 percent of planes on long-haul routes over the ocean are already equipped.

However, the technology works only if ADS-B is turned on. In the case of MH370, the planes surveillance technology was inexplicably shut off.

Aircraft black box flight data recorders must be equipped with locator beacons that last at least 90 days beginning next year under another standard. The beacon on MH370s black box was required to last only 30 days.

But the beacons are only helpful if searchers already know where to look. Because currents and water temperatures can weaken the signals, searchers usually have to be pretty close to pick them up.

ICAO approved a requirement that new aircraft designs certified after Jan. 1, 2021, have some means for retrieving a planes flight data recorder, or the information contained in it, before the recorder sinks to the ocean floor. One possibility is a deployable recorder that automatically ejects from a plane upon impact and floats to the surface. But the cost of retrofitting new planes could be prohibitive, and there is a risk that recorder could deploy accidentally.

An alternative is to have planes automatically relay the data via satellite to ground stations, eliminating the need to search for the box. But there are many unanswered questions about security and custody of the information.
AKRON, Ohio -- A suspended Bedford Heights police officer pleaded not guilty Friday to a series of felony charges related to a domestic violence incident.

Patrolman Douglas Dardzinski, 39, is charged with kidnapping, abduction, extortion and several lesser offenses in a suspected domestic violence incident that began in Akron and ended in Canton, according to court records.

Dardzinski appeared at his arraignment Friday in Summit County Common Pleas Court. He remains in custody on 10 percent of $75,000 bond, defense attorney William Vasiliou said Friday.

"We were adamantly denying the charges before, and we're still adamantly denying them now," Vasiliou said.

Dardzinski is on unpaid suspension as the Bedford Heights Police Department conducts an internal investigation into a suspected Dec. 9 domestic violence incident in Canton. Dardzinski is accused of choking a woman and slamming her head into a wall during that incident, according to a police report.

Dardzinski is also charged in Summit County because the incident began outside the woman's workplace in Akron, according to the police report.

The woman who filed the domestic violence complaint against Dardzinski is an employee in the Summit County Prosecutors Office, according to a police report. Two Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutors have been appointed to the case in order to avoid a conflict of interest, Vasiliou and a spokesman for the Summit County Prosecutor's Office said Friday.

The woman who filed the domestic violence complaint said Dardzinski attacked her several times after she told him she wanted to break up with him. Dardzinski also threatened to send private photos and videos to her coworkers if she reported the attacks, the woman told Stark County Sheriff's deputies.

The woman suffered bruises on her face, arms and shoulders in the Dec. 9 incident, a Stark County Sheriff's Office deputy wrote in a police report.

Dardzinski is charged with domestic violence in Canton Municipal Court and is scheduled to stand trial Feb. 22, court records show.

Dardzinski has served three suspensions and received more than a half-dozen letters of reprimand since joining the Bedford Heights Police Department on Oct. 25, 2004, a review of his personnel file showed.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
BROOK PARK, Ohio -- After more than four months of city council consideration, an ordinance to prohibit nuisance parties in Brook Park was sent back to committee for more changes after having been slated for a final vote Jan. 17.

"The nuisance ordinance holds the homeowner responsible for the illegal activity taking place at their site and even can hold them responsible for the area near the violation," Foster wrote.

While it seemed the ordinance would be approved, some council members raised concerns about wording. Councilman Rich Scott said he also wanted to have more discussions with the law director and safety director about "repeated abuse of the (nuisance party) calls."

"There are a couple of words in here that I just think could very much open up a can of worms," added Councilman Jim Mencini. "One of them is 'gathering.' "

The ordinance mentions "a social gathering or party" but doesn't indicate how many people comprise such a gathering.

"Does this ordinance mean it could enforce a party of two?" asked Councilman Rick Salvatore. "I just don't think having that ability to disrupt a party of two or three or four is what we're looking for here."

Council President Jim Astorino emphasized, though, that the legislation enables police officers "to have the freedom to exercise their professional judgment" and seemed frustrated with council's "worrying or fretting about a word here or there."

Forestview Circle resident Brian Poindexter later reminded council how important the ordinance is to people negatively impacted by disruptive, large-scale incidents like those that occurred last summer.

"I don't think you're fully aware of how severe these parties were and how much of a nuisance they actually are," Poindexter said. "These are parties of upwards of 300, 400 and 500 people in a residence. I'm upset that it didn't get resolved today, and I hope you can take this as seriously as this issue needs to be addressed."

Council passed an ordinance Jan. 17 specifically addressing underage drinking on private property, but Mayor Tom Coyne reminded residents that accountability rests with everyone.

"We could pass all the laws we want, but it is the makeup of the people of the neighborhood that really sustains whether (the law) works or not," Coyne said. "Responsible activities and responsible treatment and respect for one another will solve the problem."
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Delores and Isaac Knight were convicted Friday of bilking the federal government out of more than $7 million in a home health-care scheme.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A jury on Friday evening convicted a mother and son for a $7 million scheme to fraudulently bill government medical programs through a Northeast Ohio home health-care company.

Delores Knight, 71, of Cleveland Heights was found guilty of 12 counts, including conspiracy, health care fraud and money laundering. Isaac Knight, 29, of Macedonia was found guilty of conspiracy and two counts of health care fraud, and not guilty of making false statements relating to health care matters.

The Knights, along with three others, were indicted in 2015, following investigations by the FBI, IRS, Ohio Attorney General's Office, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies.

Prosecutors say the group ran Just Like Familee II Inc. and Just Like Familee III Inc., which provided health care services for the elderly and the disabled from their offices in Cleveland Heights, Twinsburg and Mentor. They collected millions by preparing and submitting forged documents to Medicare, Medicaid and the VA for services they never provided, authorities say.

Attorneys for Delores and Isaac Knight argued during the two-week trial that the nurses and home health aides who worked for the company were the ones that concocted the scheme. Delores Knight even took the stand in her defense.

Jurors disagreed, though. They also said Delores Knight should forfeit homes in Macedonia and Twinsburg, as they were purchased with money from her illegal scheme.

U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent will sentence the Knights on April 20. Delores Knight is facing a sentence of about 20 years in federal prison, while Isaac Knight is looking at about three years in prison. Both are free on bond.

"These defendants stole millions of dollars by billing for services they never provided," U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon said in a statement. "We will do our best to get whatever assets they have and make sure they go to prison."

Both defendants' emotions were muted as the judge read the verdict. Delores Knight stared at Nugent, while Isaac Knight hung his head before learning his fate.

Richard Drucker, Delores Knight's attorney, said he and his client were disappointed with the verdict.

Jim Jenkins, Isaac Knight's attorney, said his client disagrees with the jury's verdict on the conspiracy charge but respect the jury's decision.

Three others were indicted in the scheme. Sonja Ferrell, the company's nursing director and Juliet Bonner, the company's bookkeeper, both pleaded guilty and testified against the Knights.

Theresa Adams, Delores Knight's daughter, was also charged but died shortly after her indictment.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
ELYRIA, Ohio -- A Lorain man was sentenced 25 years to life in prison Friday for shooting his off-again on-again girlfriend to death a year ago, the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office said.

Anthony Wayne Davis was found guilty by a jury to all counts of murder, felonious assault and other charges, Lorain County Prosecutor's Office administrative assistant Anne Marie Victor said.

Davis shot and killed 59-year-old Corrinna Charlton.

Charlton was found dead Jan. 16, 2016 in a home on West 7th Court in Lorain. Davis left the home after the shooting, investigators said.

Davis wanted to be a couple with Charlton and was obsessed with her, Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Peter Gauthier said during the trial.

Jasmine Sanders, who lives on the second floor of the home, testified during the trial that she heard Davis shout obscenities followed by two gunshots.

Defense attorney Michael Camera had argued that Davis knew Charlton had a gun and saw her get it from her purse. He said the shooting was in self defense.

Charlton also yelled at Davis during the argument, Camera said.

If you'd like to comment on this story, visit Friday's crime and courts comments section.
KENT, Ohio - Pasadena, Texas, in 1976 was a dirty, gritty city, home of oil refineries and chemical plants, all spewing those vile byproducts into the air.

We locals like honky-tonk country disciple Dale Watson, who grew up in poverty in the Houston suburb, joked that "We live in Pasadena, where the air is green-a.''

You catch the "we?''

I lived in Pasadena in 1976, trying to work my way through San Jacinto College painting Section 8 apartments and dreaming of a life as a professional drummer - or a thoracic surgeon, whichever. I got my first paying gig -- as a drummer -- at a dive just up the street from the famous Gilley's.

The Strawberry Road Inn had the typical honky-tonk dance floor of the era - sawdust-covered cheap tile scuffed into a smoke- and whiskey-stained oval by the boots of a million two-steppers. There was no chicken wire netting to protect the tiny stage, but there probably should have, especially with me on the kit. FYI, I got fired the night of my debut, only nobody told me. I showed up the next night and the door was padlocked. I still can't remember how I got my drum set back.

That ratty old dance hall was horrible and wonderful all at the same time, and it's something you had to experience to understand.

Or you could have been at the Kent Stage Friday night when Watson and Texas swing legend Ray Benson, teamed up to turn the one-time theater into a Texas honky-tonk - minus the smoke, minus the two-steppers and especially minus the bad drummer.

For more than 90 minutes, the two icons of true Texas music held sway over the three-quarters' full venue. This was old-school C&W - no "bro-country'' here, and no rock 'n' roll masquerading as country peddled by some slab of beefcake.

Benson, who co-founded the Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel even before I moved to Pasadena, has kept the spirit of Bob Wills (you have to ask?) alive for more than 40 years, and he and his pompadoured pal Watson are two chaws from the same can of Copenhagen.

The melding of Watson's Lone Stars band and Benson's Asleep at the Wheel - upright bassist Chris Crepps, drummer Mike Bernal and Lorain native Don Pawlak on pedal steel from the former and fiddler Dennis Ludiker of the latter - was just as seamless.

Over the years, Watson and Benson have done the occasional song and appearance together, as kindred spirits are wont to do. But now, they've got a new collaborative album out called "Dale & Ray.'' The 10 songs on it - from album-opening "The Ballad of Dale and Ray'' to the CD-closing "Sittin' and Thinkin' About You'' - all are instant honky-tonk classics. And fortunately, all made it into Friday's 21-song set list.

Their voices blend perfectly, with Watson able to slide out of his George Jones-style baritone into a higher harmony that perfectly complemented Benson's playful bass-baritone. Each also got a multiple chances to showcase some of the slickest guitar-shredding you'll ever see - and without the tricks like wah-wah pedals or effects - just pure pickin'.

"Bus Break Down'' had the two exchanging rapid fire lyrics over an mechanically challenged bus that, according to the song, Benson sold to his pal. "Feelin' Haggard,'' written upon learning of the death last year of their good friend and country legend Merle Haggard, was about as good an homage to a fallen star as you'll ever hear. And it got even better when Benson followed it with his own memorable cover of the Hag's wrenching "Misery and Gin.''

Watson got into the act, too, with his Possum-flavored "Jonesin' for Jones'' eulogy to the late country superstar.

And this new album adds another homage to a lost country great, Buck Owens, with "Cryin' to Cryin' Time Again.''

Benson's enthusiastic mugging - and lament at what the commercials by fellow Texan Matthew McConaughey have done to the model - and the spirited play of the entire band gave new life to "Hot Rod Lincoln,'' a song most of us first heard done by the late, great Jerry Reed or Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.

The show ended with the two teaming on a terrific cover of Waylon Jennings' "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?,'' a lament for the path country music was on in 1975 when Jennings wrote and sadly even more pertinent today.

On the Kent Stage or at a smelly joint that probably still exists only as a memory.
Performers remove a camouflage covering from a 2017 Kia Motors Sportage compact sports utility vehicle during its unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Long before a new car model hits showroom floors, it often takes its maiden voyage in a very incognito  and strangely scientific  way. In order to study the real-world performance of a new vehicle, automakers need to log thousands of miles on public roads for years leading up to the car's debut. When the new model finally hits showrooms, car companies want the design to look fresh, so preserving the auto's true looks until near the time of sale is a top priority. Enter car camouflage, which may conjure up images of soldiers on a faraway battlefield, but actually serves a unique purpose: Providing cover for prototype cars as they roll through the streets on test drives. Early in development, deception comes easy. Developing a car's powertrain  key components that fire up the vehicle and make it move  starts with "mules": prototypes that use the bodywork of existing cars. For example, Rolls-Royce uses a lifted body shell of its Phantom sedan to develop the underpinnings of its upcoming Cullinan SUV. "Early on, they disguise it in a way that you can't even tell the shape of the car," Brenda Priddy, a famed "spy photographer" who has made a living selling shots of camouflage-laden prototypes to automotive publications, told CNBC recently.



'It's the same as hunting'

You need something to keep people anxious and waiting for the new car to come out. Its like how you dont see the bride until she walks down the aisle Ken Saward senior design manager, Mazda

Changing bodywork, however, affects weight and handling characteristics. To sort out ride and handling, companies usually switch to the body structure of the upcoming car. Then, bulky, foam padding is added to cover up important details and disguise the shape of the car. "These are typically for vehicles with very telling proportions like an MX-5 [Miata]," Ken Saward, a senior design manager at Mazda North America told CNBC. "They may put a station wagon back on it so you can't possibly render what the vehicle underneath looks like." Eventually, however, car companies have to test the real-world fuel economy, performance and durability of new designs. The padding, which disturbs aerodynamics and blocks cooling, has to go. With all of the bulky trickery and testing mules gone, they begin to play games with your eyes. That's where the special version of camouflage comes in. Most of these patterns are derived from World War I-era "dazzle" camouflage, which was designed to be difficult for an eye to focus on. Such vessels were devised to make it difficult for enemies focusing on a ship, or to determine its speed and distance. Because the human brain is so pattern-oriented, it has a difficult time discerning details of a shape when a pattern is layered on top. "When you do camouflage pattern for hunting, the goal is that animals can't see you because all of the different lines break up the pattern of a person," Edward Rupp, owner of Graphik Concepts, told CNBC. "On cars, it's the same thing." Graphik Concepts, based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, has worked with automakers like General Motors and Nissan for more than 20 years supplying camouflage and other wraps to the automotive juggernauts. Over that time, they've cloaked dozens of prototypes. The patterns they've developed help to hide shadows, making it difficult to determine a surface's shape or style. With key details obscured, it's often near impossible to recognize a vehicle if it's draped in camo. "The goal is that you don't know what the car looks like until GM releases it," Rupp said. "When you see it camouflaged, you can't tell what the body contours are. Especially from a distance."





Ford Mondeo disguised in a camouflage wrap in order to hide its new styling and detail, outside a building on August 27, 2015 in Granada, Spain. Warren Dyer | Barcroft Media | Getty Images
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Skyworks Solutions didn't just deliver a blowout quarter, it gave investors a road map to further blowouts, Jim Cramer said. Apple supplier Skyworks was the market's biggest gainer on Friday, with shares skyrocketing 13 percent after reporting strong earnings and guidance. "There is now enough business involving mobile connectivity away from Apple and enough of a roadmap of the future toward 5G  that you can see why the stock soared," the "Mad Money" host said. It was music to analysts' ears when Skyworks management called the quarter "growth and success outside our largest customer," and confirmed inventories are lean.



Don't cash out

President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2017, in Washington. Getty Images

Cramer says America just swore in its first pure business president, Donald Trumpand it now marks a brave new world for investors. While the possibility of a wave of post-inaugural selling of Trump-related stocks did cross Cramer's mind, he quickly realized that it likely won't happen. If Trump is true to his word, then investors could miss out on the potential gains.

Therefore, ringing the register here could be a mistake, he said. "You shouldn't take the President too literally when it comes to stock picking," Cramer said. Cramer will also be using a new metric to evaluate companies. It all comes down to whether a stock is or isn't a Trump stock. Cramer expects Trump's agenda of deregulation, lower corporate taxes and repatriation of foreign assets to have a significant impact on the economy and stock market. On the flipside, when Trump has a problem with a company, he's not afraid to Tweet what is on his mindsomething that will put certain industries under fire. "You will feel a whole lot more comfortable owning the Trump stocks than the non-Trump variety," Cramer said.




South Kolkata District Congress Committee workers and leaders protest against Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and his demonetization at a protest rally in Kolkata.

India pushed ahead with its decision to scrap banknotes even as the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) own board expressed concern whether the cash could be replaced quickly enough, the central bank has said in written testimony to parliament.

The revelation comes amid growing criticism about whether the central bank and the government had sufficiently assessed the potential fallout from the Nov. 8 ban of about 86 percent of the cash then in circulation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's shock move caused a severe cash shortage that brought large parts of the economy to a virtual standstill, as the central bank struggled to print new 500-rupee and 2,000-rupee notes to replace the old currency.

A copy of the private testimony to a parliament panel, seen by Reuters, showed the central bank had also warned the government of "possible inconvenience to the public for some time," among the potential consequences of the massive exercise.

Despite its own doubts, the testimony showed, the RBI board approved the plan to ban 500-rupee and 1,000-rupee notes, as it believed the move would rein in counterfeiting and reliance on cash, and pull unaccounted cash into the financial system.

"It might not immediately be possible to replace these notes fully in terms of both value and volume," the board felt at a meeting ahead of Modi's Nov. 8 announcement, according to the central bank submission.

But the RBI's board ultimately believed that "corrective" action could be taken and decided to recommend the move, the document showed. The RBI also believed the impact of such an exercise would be "transitory", given its efforts to quickly replace the old notes, it said in the testimony.

The RBI's endorsement of the government action has drawn strong criticism from several former policymakers, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's 1991 financial reforms and a former central bank governor.

The document also notes the proposal to ban the cash had come from the government, in a letter a day before the announcement that advised the RBI to "immediately" put the plan before its board for approval.

Under India's RBI Act, such a move was necessary.

The central bank did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comments on its submission to parliament.
Former US President, Bill Clinton speaking during a Clinton Foundation event Cem Ozdel | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

With President Donald Trump sworn in and Hillary Clinton's presidential aspirations in the rearview mirror, some have begun to wonder what this means for the Clinton Foundation, the charitable organization founded by former President Bill Clinton in 1997. Will it continue to be the influential entity that it's been for two decades, or will it become a shadow of its former globe-trotting self in the populist age of Trump?

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Recent events could give that impression that the post-political view for the Clinton Foundation is negative. Several right-wing news outlets recently reported that the Clinton Global Initiative  the annual event held by the Clinton Foundation in New York City  will wind down, based on a filing with the New York State Department of Labor from January 12. But the layoffs at the Initiative detailed in the filing had first been reported as far back as September and had in fact been announced by Bill Clinton earlier in 2016, when he said CGI would wind down regardless of the election outcome.

Reports of the Foundation's demise

Clinton Foundation spokesman Brian Cookstra told CNBC that reports of the foundation's demise have been greatly exaggerated. "The Clinton Foundation's work continues," Cookstra said. "In fact, we recently announced the next class of our Presidential Leadership Scholars for 2017. We are continuing the changes to CGI that were announced last year, that we said at the time would happen regardless of the outcome of the election." Charity Navigator, an online guide to philanthropic organizations, gives the Clinton Foundation four stars out of four possible stars. The charity watchdog's view stands in contrast to the way the foundation was characterized during the presidential campaign, but it's consistent with the views of some who have been close to the Clintons over the years and have observed how the foundation operates. It also received an A rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy's CharityWatch.

"It is a highly rated charity," said Los Angeles attorney Bennet Kelley, who was a fundraiser for President Clinton during the 1990s. "The money that went in went to its purpose."

Let's be honest; they're aging. They're grandparents now, and they'll probably want to focus their efforts. Bennet Kelley Los Angeles attorney and fundraiser for President Clinton

According to Charity Navigator's review, based on 2014 financial disclosures, the Clinton Foundation had more than $317 million in revenue. Based on total expenses of $249 million, the foundation was carrying an excess of $89 million. It had total assets of $439 million and liabilities of $67 million.

The foundation spent 86.9 percent of its expenses on programs and services, based on the most recent review updated by Charity Navigator in September 2016. By far, the majority of its expenses have gone to the Clinton Health Initiative, which received 64 percent of spending ($129 million in fiscal 2014), according to Charity Navigator.

The latest financial snapshot
A man in Boston rolled several student loans into one, and his balance doubled overnight, with no explanation.

Near Chicago, a 39-year-old former graduate student who had a financial windfall sent in a $10,000 check to pay off his loans  and the payment was promptly lost.

The same thing happened to a woman in Maryland, who uncovered the problem three years later, after her loan had grown by $11,000.

More from the New York Times:

Student Loan Collector Cheated Millions, Lawsuits Say

Student Loan Suit Is Bold Gambit on Eve of Trump Presidency

The Number of Older Student Loan Borrowers Is Rising

And in New York City, a 41-year-old homeless man, who should qualify for reduced monthly payments, has been pleading for a break on his loan payments but says that no one is listening.



Sound familiar?

State and federal lawsuits filed this week accused Navient, the largest collector of student loan payments in the nation, of the kind of sloppiness and misleading tactics that emerged in the mortgage market in the years after the financial crisis.

The company, which is fighting the lawsuits, has denied wrongdoing.

"Navient has a well-established, superior track record of helping student loan borrowers succeed in repayment," Patricia Nash Christel, a company spokeswoman, said in a written statement. "We will vigorously defend against these false allegations."

The accusations against Navient, by the nation's consumer watchdog agency and attorneys general in two states, are aggravating a student loan crisis that has swept the United States. Student loan debt has surged to $1.4 trillion, eclipsing the totals for auto loans and credit cards, and burdening a generation with a mountain of debt just as its members try to find their financial footing.

In recent years, the Obama administration has significantly expanded programs that allow people with federal student loans to cap their monthly payments at a fixed portion of their income. More than 80 percent of America's outstanding student debt is in the form of federal loans, and most of the borrowers carrying that debt are eligible for such income-based payment plans, but enrolling in the programs can be complicated.

Navient, which services the loans of roughly 12 million current and former students across the country, is responsible for keeping track of monthly payments on more than $300 billion in loans. It also has tremendous power  and leeway  in shepherding struggling borrowers through the process of either capping their monthly payments based on income or finding other ways of reducing those payments.

Guiding these borrowers takes time and training. Navient, the lawsuits say, steered clients toward options that were simpler for the company.

Anna Nepomuceno, 40, who lives in Tacoma, Wash., has been trying for years to get help from Navient. Around a decade ago, her partner, Andrew Brittell, 46, took out multiple loans totaling tens of thousands of dollars to attend DeVry, afor-profit school. Mr. Brittell now works in the billing department of a telecommunications company and takes home around $3,000 a month after taxes, barely covering the basic living expenses for their family of five.

Mr. Brittell's federal loans would probably qualify him for an income-based repayment plan, and he has repeatedly applied to Navient to participate in such a program. The company has repeatedly lost his paperwork, Ms. Nepomuceno said  and each time, Navient suggested that Mr. Brittell instead apply for yet another loan forbearance, a program that suspends payments while interest continues to accrue.

Several of Mr. Brittell's loans have been in forbearance for more than five years, Ms. Nepomuceno said. He has made no payments on them, and the balance due has ballooned to more than $90,000.

Mr. Brittel "will put in the paperwork, and then they'll tell us that it never went through, or that they lost it, and we should go on forbearance," she said, adding: "This has happened over and over again. It's like a vicious cycle."

Navient declined to comment on individual customers' cases. But Mr. Brittell's story is not unique, according to the suits filed this week, including one by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a government agency created under the 2010 financial reform laws that increased regulation of the financial industry.

Lina Vitakauskas, who lives in the Chicago area, thought that income-based repayment was something that only younger students could take advantage of. It's not; most federal borrowers are eligible for a plan, but navigating the thicket of different options that are available, each with their own eligibility requirements, can be daunting.

It took more than six years, Ms. Vitakauskas, 43, said, to get her monthly payments lowered.

In the meantime, her loan balance  money she took out to earn a graduate degree in English  grew to more than $100,000, nearly double what she originally borrowed.

"I just felt like I was treading water," she said.

Half of Navient's borrowers who were struggling and met the criteria for income-based repayment plans would qualify for a $0 monthly payment, the consumer bureau found in its analysis.

But since 2010, Navient has enrolled some 1.5 million borrowers in at least two consecutive forbearances lasting 12 months or longer. Many of those borrowers would have been better off with an income-based plan, the bureau said.

Adam S. Minsky, a lawyer in Boston, has worked with hundreds of clients trying to resolve problems with Navient.

"They're not providing blatant misinformation, but they're not providing the borrower with the full spectrum of what their rights and options are," Mr. Minsky said. "That in itself is a form of misrepresentation."

More than half of Navient's customers who did manage to enroll in income-based plans fell out of them because they did not complete the annual renewal paperwork  a key step that Navient failed to prominently alert borrowers to, the lawsuits say.

Navient also routinely lost or misapplied its customers' payments, according to the suits.

In December 2012, Rahat Khan of Rockville, Md., tried to make a dent in the loans she had taken out to finance her daughter's education, going online to pay $38,000 she had borrowed against her house. Relieved, Ms. Khan, 62, thought she was done.

But in 2015, she started to get collection calls on the student loan that she thought had been paid. "What loan, I remember asking," she said. Swollen with interest and late fees, the loan had grown by $11,419.

"I went through circles and circles," said Ms. Khan, whose credit was tarnished because of the loan. It took Kathleen Hyland, a lawyer in Baltimore, to straighten it out.

Scott Kenemore, 39, who lives in Evanston Ill., had no such help.

Mr. Kenemore, a writer, sent Navient a check in August 2015 to pay off a balance of around $10,000 remaining on his graduate school student loans. Navient lost it, so he made a payment by phone instead. Then Navient apparently found the check  and tried to deposit it. Repeatedly.

"I had to close my bank account over it, because Navient would just not stop and their customer service was absolutely useless," Mr. Kenemore said.

The roots of suits filed against Navient this week stretch back years. From October 2012 to March 2013, the consumer bureau logged more than 600 complaints about Sallie Mae, from which Navient split off in 2014, accounting for nearly half of all the complaints about student lenders during that period. That number grew rapidly: The agency's database now holds more than 11,000 complaints against Sallie Mae and Navient.

"Complaints reported to C.F.P.B. represent fewer than one-tenth of 1 percent of Navient customers and have been consistent with or below the market share of the loans we service," said Ms. Christel, of Navient.

Unless Navient agrees to settle, the lawsuits are likely to take years. The consumer bureau, and the attorneys general, said they were seeking restitution and a change in the company's practices.

"Every single one of the borrowers who is having their loan serviced by Navient or one of Navient's companies is a borrower that's impacted," said Lisa Madigan, the Illinois attorney general, who filed one of the state cases. "If you're looking to put a price tag on that, it's billions of dollars."
Donald Trump, our new president, has vowed to dismantle many of the environmental policies passed under President Barack Obama. But for the next four years, when it comes to climate policy, the place to watch isn't the White House  it's the courtroom.

For the past eight years, Obama has positioned himself as a global leader in the fight against climate change. At home, he's passed regulations to lower emissions of greenhouse gases from cars and plants, he's boosted renewable energy, and set new records for protecting public land. On the international level, Obama has spearheaded global climate deals like the Paris accord, signing bilateral agreements with top polluters like China to reduce CO2 emissions.

But all that is now in peril. Trump's pick for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency is Scott Pruitt, a man who's questioned the scientific evidence of human-made climate change. His transition team has sent an intimidating questionnaire to the Department of Energy asking for the names of employees who worked on climate policy (the Energy Department refused and Trump's later disavowed the questionnaire). He has picked Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. And he has vowed to dismantle one of Obama's signature environmental policies in his first 100 days in office.



More from The Verge:

Obama's first act as a citizen: launching a new website

The National Park Service is slyly taunting President Trump onTwitter

Donald Trump reportedly set to name net neutrality foe Ajit Paito lead the FCC

Environmental groups are already gearing up to fight any anti-climate action, and attorneys general from several states have vowed to bring the Trump administration to court. That's where much of the fight over climate change and the environment is going to happen, likely for years to come. It's hard to predict what the outcomes will be. Trump is set to nominate a new Supreme Court justice, as well as fill in more than 100 judicial vacancies all over the US.

The courts will "really decide the extent to which the Obama legacy is maintained or rolled back," says Maria Belenky, director of policy and research at Climate Advisers. "The courts are the area of last resorts for a lot of environmental groups and a lot of states that have supported the Obama administration's agenda."

The Clean Power Plan, or CPP, is the core of Obama's plan to reduce CO2 emissions to curb climate change. But dismantling it won't be as easy, legal experts say; in fact, the CPP is already the subject of a heated legal battle at the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and litigation is only likely to continue. Two dozen states and industry groups have sued the EPA, arguing that the agency overstepped its authority under the Clean Air Act. The DC Circuit court heard arguments in September but hasn't made a decision yet. And whatever the Trump's administration is going to do, more legal battles are likely to follow.

Trump's EPA could ask the DC Circuit for a so-called "voluntary remand," a motion that would essentially halt the case while the EPA reviews the complaints, according to Michael Gerrard, the director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School. The EPA could then take its time to review the case, basically stalling the enforcement of the CPP's carbon-cutting requirements. But a group of attorneys general from several states  liberal and conservative ones  wrote a letter to Trump in December vowing to bring the administration to court if that were to happen.

"Be assured that we would vigorously oppose in court any attempt to remand the Clean Power Plan back to EPA so late in the litigation, and prior to a decision from the Court on the merits of the claims," the letter read.




President Donald Trump moved to mend his tumultuous relationship with America's spy agencies Saturday, traveling to CIA headquarters on his first full day in office and assuring officials, "I am so behind you."

But the president quickly shifted from praise for the CIA to criticism of media coverage of Inauguration Day, in an unscripted address that overstated the size of the crowd that gathered on the National Mall as he took the oath of office. Trump said throngs "went all the way back to the Washington monument," despite photos and live video showing the crowd stopping well short of the landmark.

The president's media criticism came as he stood in front of a memorial honoring CIA officers killed while serving the United States. In response, a source close to former CIA director John Brennan told NBC News that he was "saddened and angered" by Trump's "despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of the CIA's Memorial Wall of Agency heroes."

The source added that "Brennan says that Trump should be ashamed of himself."

Trump's decision to visit CIA headquarters just outside of Washington was aimed at making a public gesture to the intelligence officials he disparaged during the transition. He had repeatedly challenged the agencies' assessment that Russia meddled in the presidential race to help him win and suggested intelligence officials were behind the leak of an unverified dossier that claimed Russia had collected compromising financial or personal information about him.

During remarks to about 400 CIA officials, Trump denied that he had a feud with the intelligence community, saying it was "exactly the opposite." He again blamed the media for creating that impression, despite the fact that he made numerous public statements critical of intelligence officials.

"There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and CIA than Donald Trump," he said. "There's nobody."

The 45th president's inauguration has been shadowed by news reports that the CIA and other federal agencies are investigating Russian interference in the presidential election on behalf of Trump. The New York Times, citing anonymous officials, said agencies were examining intercepted communications and financial transactions between Russian officials and Trump's associates.

FBI Director James Comey has declined to confirm or describe the nature of the government's investigation, both during a congressional hearing and in closed-door meetings with members of Congress.




New York politicians reacted to Fridays inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th president of the United States. Here are a few comments we received via press statements, email newsletters, or tweets:

Kirsten Gillibrand, Democratic U.S. Senator for New York:

Regardless of how you felt about the election, todays ceremony was a stark reminder of the greatness of our democracy. As a public servant, I am humbled at the opportunity to work on behalf of all New Yorkers and will do my best to work with the incoming President on issues where we can find common ground.

Elise Stefanik, Republican Congresswoman for New Yorks 21st district:

The Presidential Inauguration is a uniquely American experience that celebrates the peaceful transition of power from one President to the next. Today I was honored to host over 150 constituents from across the North Country who made the trip to Washington, D.C., to take part in this historic occasion.

Todays ceremony is a reminder that, despite the challenges we face, we are blessed to live in this great and unique nation, and as elected lawmakers, we must strive to work together to tackle these problems and to preserve the American Dream for future generations.

I will continue to work on bipartisan solutions to the problems facing our nation and facing families across our district. I wish all the best to President Trump and Vice President Pence and look forward to working with them to deliver great things for our country.

Brian Kolb, Republican minority leader of the New York State Assembly

Congratulations & good luck to our 45th President, Donald Trump, as he begins his journey as the leader of our great [nation].

Contact The Business Journal News Network at news@cnybj.com
Centralia-Hallsville playoff rematch could be different

The Panthers won 26-20 on Sept. 2 in the teams' regular-season meeting. But times have changed since then.
FORT HOOD, Texas (KWTX) President Barack Obama has commuted the death sentence of a former Ft. Hood soldier who was convicted in 1989 of the shooting deaths of two Killeen taxi drivers.





Then Army Pfc. Class Dwight Jeffrey Loving was sentenced to death in a 1989 court martial for robbing and killing Pvt. Christopher Fay, who was moonlighting as a cab driver to earn extra pay, and Master Sgt. Bobby Sharbino, also a cabbie.





Fay, 20, was assigned to the 13th Corps Support Command and Sharbino was retired.





Testimony at court martial showed Loving asked Fay to drive him to a remote location on post where he shot and robbed him.





Loving then used the same tactic to rob and kill Sharbino.





Both mens bodies were found on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, 1988 in their cabs.





Unhappy with the amount of money he took in the first two robberies, Loving tried the tactic again when cab driver Howard Harrison, of Kempner, encountered Loving.





Harrison, however, was injured in a struggle with Loving but eventually was able to disarm the bandit and escape without further injury.





FBI Texas Rangers and U.S. Army CID agents arrested Loving the next day after he and his girlfriend spent the previous evening socializing with friends at Killeen night clubs.





In all the robberies netted Loving less than $100.





Loving, 48, a native of Rochester, N.Y., has been on death row at the Ft. Leavenworth since his conviction.





Loving undisputed video confession was presented during the court martial, during which he explained how he enjoyed shooting one of the men so much he re-cocked his handgun and shot the cabbie in the head again.





On June 3, 1996, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Lovings conviction and sentence, then again in 2001.





In 2008 the high court refused a re-hearing on the issue.





The court set a Dec.10, 2008 execution date for Loving, which would have marked the first military execution since 1961.

President Barack Obama commutes sentences of 2 of high-profile military prisoners

Chelsea Manning

President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of a pair of high-profile military prisoners and pardoned a controversial former Marine Corps general on Tuesday as one of his last acts before leaving the Oval Office.





Among the 209 commutations and 64 pardons announced by the White House were Chelsea Manning, serving 35 years for leaked sensitive Army documents related to the Iraq War; Dwight Loving, a soldier on death row convicted of murder in 1988, and James Cartwright, convicted of lying to the FBI about the release of sensitive intelligence information to reporters five years ago.





Cartwright received a pardon, effectively erasing the crime from his record. Manning, who has served seven years of a 35-year sentence, will be released in May.





Loving had his sentence reassigned to life in prison without the possibility of parole.





All of the 273 decisions were announced without further explanation from the White House. The majority of the decisions were for lower-level drug offenses, an issue that has been among Obamas top executive actions in recent years.





Mannings case had been among the most closely watched as Obamas time in office grew shorter, with advocates pushing for her release. She has attempted suicide several times in the last year, and her imprisonment has raised problematic questions about the militarys responsibilities to deal with her requests for gender reassignment surgery.





Manning, an Army intelligence analyst known as Bradley Manning at the time of her 2010 arrest, made public hundreds of thousands of military documents, including military reports from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and diplomatic cables from American embassies around the world.





She admitted to the crime and was sentenced without a plea deal. In the intervening years, she and her advocates have pressed Obama for leniency, noting that investigators found no evidence the leaks put lives in danger.





Cartwright was similarly accused of mishandling classified information to reporters about covert cyberattacks on Iran's nuclear facilities. He admitted to the leak and to lying to FBI investigators, and was due to be sentenced later this month. He could have faced up to five years in prison.





Instead, the presidential pardon will remove the threat of jail time for him.





Loving was a soldier stationed at Texas Fort Hood Army base in 1988 when he robbed two convenience stores and murdered two taxi drivers during a crime spree.





Only six men are on militarys death row, including Nidal Hasan, the Army psychiatrist who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. The military has not executed any prisoners since 1961.

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Source: kwtx.com, Paul J. Gately, January 21, 2017Source: Military Times , Leo Shane III, January 17, 2017
UK government has been criticised for its links with the Bahraini Sunni monarchy.

Bahrain could be poised to execute 2 prisoners who claim their confessions were extracted through torture.





Mohammed Ramadan and Husain Moosa were sentenced to death in 2014 for their alleged involvement in a bomb attack that killed a police officer, but supporters say they were falsely accused and confessed under duress.





Human rights organisations fear that the 2 men could be put to death in the coming days following the execution of 3 prisoners on Sunday (16 January), the 1st in Bahrain since 2010.





The men, Ali al-Singace, Abbas al-Samea, and Sami Mushaima, were allegedly tortured to force a confession in the same police station as the current death row inmates.





Activists have called on Britain to suspend its support for the Bahraini criminal justice system to avoid UK complicity in further human rights violations in Bahrain, a wealthy island state in Persian Gulf and a key British ally in the Middle East.





Bahrain, which is ruled by a Sunni monarchy, has led a major government crackdown against its Shia majority in the 5 years since protests erupted in Manama during the Arab Spring.





British foreign secretary Boris Johnson said in response to the executions that the UK is "firmly opposed to the death penalty", and that he has "raised the issue with the Bahraini government". But anti-death penalty campaign group Reprieve described Johnson's response as "woefully inadequate". The charity has sent a letter to UK Prime Minster Theresa May calling for the government to "immediately suspend its involvement with all actors within the Bahraini criminal justice system and Ministry of Interior".





"Reprieve and other organisations have repeatedly called attention to the link between human rights abuses and the multiple UK-trained institutions in Bahrain."





Human Rights Watch and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy were among other organisations to make similar appeals.





The UK has spent more than 5 million pounds in Bahrain since pro-democracy protests rocked the kingdom in 2011. Last Friday (13 January), it emerged that the controversial aid programme, overseen by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), is being bolstered by a further 2m pounds this year.





Reprieve says that Britain's funding and training of police officers, prosecutors, judges, prison guards and oversight investigatory bodies in Bahrain has not lessened human rights abuses in the country.





Maya Foa, director of the death penalty team at Reprieve, told IBTimes UK: "Reprieve and other organisations have repeatedly called attention to the link between human rights abuses and the multiple UK-trained institutions in Bahrain. It is disappointing that there has not been a change of position by the UK Foreign Office."





As reported in the Observer, documents obtained by Reprieve reveal that Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons helped prepare inspections of custody facilities in Bahrain in 2014, including the notorious police station where the prisoners were allegedly tortured.





The subsequent inspection report by the Bahraini Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission failed to mention high-profile allegations of torture, including those of death row inmate Ramadan.





Ramadan's torture allegations were also ignored for more than 2 years by the Ombudsman for the Ministry of Interior, a body receiving FCO-funded training from UK state-owned company Northern Ireland Cooperation Overseas (NI-CO), Reprieve claims.





His case has been passed onto another NI-CO-trained watchdog, Bahrain's Special Investigations Unit, which previously ruled that one of the executed men, al-Samea, lied about his torture allegations.





Britain is the biggest obstacle in preventing international scrutiny of Bahrain's human rights abuses, because it is playing a leading role in whitewashing Bahrain's crimes."





Reprieve's Foa said the British-backed oversight mechanisms "refused to investigate or acknowledge the systemic and brutal torture of prisoners leading to coerced confessions", and that she was "seriously concerned" that they will fail Ramadan.





Supporters of Ramadan, a father-of-3, say his arrest was a politically-motivated retaliation for his participation in pro-democracy marches. He was deprived of legal counsel in a trial based on evidence obtained under prolonged torture.





Sayed Alwadaei, director of advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, said that the FCO deeming Bahrain's torture watchdogs as "independent" is evidence that the UK is "misleading the international community".





"Britain is the biggest obstacle in preventing international scrutiny of Bahrain's human rights abuses, because it is playing a leading role in whitewashing Bahrain's crimes," Alwadaei said.





The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement that he was "appalled" at Sunday's executions , and that the way the trials were conducted "raises serious doubts whether the accused were provided with the right to fair trial".





Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, described the events as "extrajudicial killings".





Reprieve's Foa noted a "prioritisation of trade over human rights" by the UK government. Last year, the UK intensified its engagement with Bahrain, with visits to the oil-rich nation by Prince Charles, Theresa May and Boris Johnson.





Addressing the Gulf Cooperation Council in December, May said the UK was "determined to continue to be your partner of choice as you embed international norms and see through the reforms which are so essential for all of your people".





It remains to be seen whether the UK government will take any measures to prevent further capital punishment in Bahrain. In the meantime, Ramadan and Moosa live in fear of imminent execution.





An FCO spokesman told IBTimes UK: "The UK government is aware of the challenges which remain in Bahrain, but it is not good enough to merely criticise other countries from the sidelines.





"Only by working with the government of Bahrain are we able to bring about the changes we would like to see in the country. We will continue to raise concerns about human rights in Bahrain whenever we have them."





The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in London could not be reached for comments.

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Source: ibtimes.co.uk, January 20, 2017
Get ready, Office 365 administrators: Microsoft is ending support for the Office 2013 client apps that it previously distributed through its cloud-based productivity service. Instead, administrators and users will be pushed to use Office 2016, the latest version of the productivity suite that includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Starting on Feb. 28, users wont be able to download the Office 2013 apps from the Office 365 self-service portal, and they wont be downloadable through the Office 365 Admin Center. Microsoft also wont release feature updates for those products, and wont provide support through Customer Service Support or Premier Support.

Microsoft released Office 2016, the new version of its productivity software suite for Mac and Windows, in September 2015. The company has been aggressive in rolling out new features for those apps but has kept the previous version available for businesses that havent wanted to migrate yet. Now, administrators have a little over a month to install all the copies of Office 2013 that they want to.

Migrations can be tough work because the Office 2016 apps look and behave differently to their predecessors. Getting people used to a new version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook after theyve been using another for years can be a disruptive change.

Furthermore, administrators still using Exchange Server 2007 have another hurdle in front of them. Office 2016 client apps, including Outlook, dont support connecting Exchange 2007. To make everything work, theyll have to upgrade to a supported version of Exchange Server first.

Microsoft is offering assistance to companies that still have to migrate their users through its FastTrack migration service. That offering gives administrators access to tools and experts to help them make the move from one set of client applications to another.

Office 2016 offers a number of feature improvements over its predecessors, including one that might help with migration. Tell Me is a function available in  among other apps  the Windows versions of Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that lets users search for what they want to do, without having to find it in a nested series of menus.

Microsoft will continue to issue critical and important security updates to Office 2013 until April 10, 2018, however. Companies that still have the software installed will be able to keep it running at least until then without fear of gaping security holes.
A nasty spat between Apple and Qualcomm broke into public view on Friday when the smartphone maker accused the chip supplier of charging "exorbitant" licensing fees for its cellular technology.

Apple is asking a Southern California court to order Qualcomm to pay it nearly $1 billion that it says Qualcomm is holding back. Apple says it is owed the money but Qualcomm is holding it back because Apple cooperated with a South Korean government investigation into Qualcomm's licensing practices.

The lawsuit alleges that Qualcomm charges high licensing fees to the companies that make iPhones for Apple. Those companies pass the fees on to Apple but aren't allowed to show Apple the specifics of the licensing deals, leaving Apple unsure what it is paying for.

"For many years Qualcomm has unfairly insisted on charging royalties for technologies they have nothing to do with," Apple said in a statement. "The more Apple innovates with unique features such as TouchID, advanced displays, and cameras, to name just a few, the more money Qualcomm collects for no reason and the more expensive it becomes for Apple to fund these innovations."

The lawsuit comes just months after Apple began using Intel radio chips in some units of the iPhone 7. And it follows two recent legal actions by antitrust regulators against Qualcomm's licensing practices.

In December, antitrust regulators in South Korea levied an $854 million fine against Qualcomm for unfair licensing practices. Qualcomm vowed to appeal the decision.

Then, earlier this week, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission followed with allegations of its own: that Qualcomm had engaged in anticompetitive practices by forcing some phone makers into accepting unfavorable licensing terms while giving Apple a break in exchange for exclusivity.

Apple cooperated with the South Korean investigation. It alleged on Friday that Qualcomm withheld nearly $1 billion in rebates as punishment for that.

In response to the FTC's lawsuit earlier this week, Qualcomm denied it did anything of the sort and said the FTC's lawsuit is "significantly flawed."

"Qualcomm has never withheld or threatened to withhold chip supply in order to obtain agreement to unfair or unreasonable licensing terms," it said in a statement. "The FTCs allegation to the contrary -- the central thesis of the complaint -- is wrong."

It has not commented on Apple's lawsuit.
Most parts of a presidents legacy are murky. It can be hard to identify an administrations long-term effect on the economy or the environment, but the Supreme Court is a different story.





Can you think of much of what Ronald Reagan did that has an impact today? Maybe yes, maybe no," says Josh Blackman, professor at Houston College of Law. "But Anthony Kennedy? Major impact. Antonin Scalia, until recently? Major impact. Much that Bill Clinton did thats relevant today? Not much. Ginsburg and Breyer? Major impact.





In this election, in particular, the stakes of the Supreme Court have been high from the outset. Theres already one vacancy on the bench. And odds are good there will be more.





Its very possible that the new president may have more vacancies to fill as we have three justices on the court that are over right now the average retirement or resignation age of 78," says Charles "Rocky" Rhodes with Houston College of Law.





If Trump wins a second term, its possible that he could fill four seats. But just filling Scalias seat will have major implications for cases important to Texas. That includes one that ended in a 4-4 tie this summer: United States v. Texas. It considers President Barack Obamas 2014 executive action to defer deportation for certain undocumented immigrants. The tie leaves the lower courts ruling in place, which set aside Obamas order until theres a permanent resolution.





United States versus Texas might have come out differently with a different justice on the court," Rhodes says. "That case could go back up to the United States Supreme Court, and one justice there could make a huge difference with respect to the ultimate resolution of that case.





With a Trump appointee, that resolution would likely favor opponents of Obama's executive action on deferred deportations. But its not just immigration issues that would be impacted. Other looming issues such as gun rights, campaign finance or the death penalty, would likely earn a conservative ruling. Thats also true for LGBT rights cases like Gloucester County School Board v. G.G. The case just landed on the courts docket. It considers whether transgender students can use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Thats disallowed under a bathroom bill that passed in North Carolina in 2016.





Texas lawmakers are considering a similar measure this legislative session. It has the backing of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. And Rhodes predicts it wont be the last time Texas socially conservative political leadership clashes with LGBT rights.





We certainly are going to see a lot of cases that are going to be rising  trying to draw that line between where the rights of individuals to express their opposition to same-sex marriage, versus the rights of LGBT individuals," Rhodes says.





A Trump appointee may also delay action on an issue that many legal scholars view as unavoidable, says Scot Powe from the University of Texas at Austin law school.





Theres going to come a reckoning on the death penalty in some point in time, Powe says. So few states are executing people, and even Texas has slowed significantly the number of executions, that at some point in time unless things change, the court is going to say the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment. I think that decision is almost inevitable.





Theres been this movement on the left, Justices Ginsburg and Breyer have signed on to say while the death penalty may not be unconstitutional by itself, we dont have the means to implement it that is Constitutional," Josh Blackman says.





That distinction is especially relevant to Texas. Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Food and Drug Administration in early January 2017 for detaining a shipment of drugs the state plans to use in executions. The agency hadnt approved the drugs for human injections. Paxton argued the state should receive an exception to use the drug because theyre for a law enforcement purpose. But overall, lawsuits filed by Texas against a Trump-led federal government may slow significantly from the previous eight years.





Then-Attorney General Greg Abbott and his successor, Paxton, sued the Obama administration dozens of times. During the Trump administration, state attorneys may find themselves in front of the Supreme Court far less. Patrick said as much in a statement on Election Night which read, in part, "for the first time since 2008, we wont have a White House that we have to constantly sue to protect the rights of Texans."





You didnt see Governor Abbott when he was attorney general, for instance, file as many lawsuits when we had President George W. Bush in office," Rhodes says. "Because his executive orders and executive actions and the administrative decisions that were made were typically  not always, but typically  more in line with the same political beliefs as our highest Texas elected officials.





So the question now becomes whom Trump will appoint. When Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland to Scalias seat, Senate Republicans gambled. They stalled Garlands confirmation, waiting to see the outcome of the election. And it paid off. Now, looking through the list of names Trump will consider for Scalias seat, theres one in particular Texans would watch. That would be Don Willett  a current Texas Supreme Court Justice.

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Source: Texas Public Radio , Texas Standard, Michael Marks, January 20, 2017
Donald Trump is like a man trying to reach a destination while using a faulty satnav. He wants growth, but wont get it sustainably if taxes are cut but borrowing is not. He wants jobs, but these can only be guaranteed by competitive businesses, not tariff barriers. He wants to combat Islamist terror, but wont do so effectively if he conflates ideology with religion, as he did yesterday when he referred to Islamic terrorism. He wants to reinforce old alliances, hopefully including NATO, but will weaken and potentially collapse them if his new alliances include Putins Russia. The destination that he wants to reach is a shining city on a hill  a beautiful destination, as he would put it  but some of his means are ugly, others useless, others both.

So much for his inauguration address yesterday. In flavour, was a UKIP speech, not a Conservative one  which is not surprising, because Trump is not really a Republican at all: thats to say, a member of the cousin party to our own. Before he sought the partys nomination for last years election, he had a history of donating more to Democrats than to members of the party he now represents. He sought the Reform Partys candidacy for the presidency in 2000. He is essentially an independent, who has seized the presidency in a smash-and-grab-electoral raid, and a populist in the tradition of William Jennings Bryan and, more recently, Pat Buchanan.

None the less, he can work with mainstream Republicans  indeed, he has to, since he is member of the party, won its nomination, and is reliant on the support of a Republican-dominated Congress to achieve his aims. Where might Trump look abroad for an equivalent of those Republicans? Not to Germany, since Angela Merkels Christian Democracy is very different from modern Republicanism, let alone from his own views: his words about her in his Times and Der Bild interview last week  Well, I start off trusting [Merkel and Putin]  but lets see how long that lasts. It may not last long at all  will have set alarm bells clanging in Berlin, and not just because he bracketed the leader of democratic Germany with that of autocratic Russia.

No, close cousins to those Republicans can be found instead in our own Party  like them, a staunch source of support for NATO. That Trump has been studiously positive about Theresa May suggests that he thinks so, too. And when it comes to analysis, their thinking overlaps. Her just about managings are Trumps you, the people. Weneed to recognise the way in which a more global and individualistic world can sometimes loosen the ties that bind our society together, leaving some people feeling locked out and left behind, she said in Davos earlier this week. It was a well-timed warning: take my advice  or be toppled by the would-be Trumps of European populism.

But if their diagnoses are similar, their prescriptions are different. The leifmotif of his inaugural address was America First  the slogan of the movement that wanted to keep America out of the war against Hitler. Mays slogan, by contrast, is Global Britain. She has reservations about the free market, as indicated by the original thinking about her Industrial Strategy, which will be launched next week. But Britains coming departure from the EU seems to have tilted her away from a flirtation with protectionism (when push came to shove, she approved the takeoever of ARM holdings by SoftBank). The Prime Minister has come round to what this site calls an Open Brexit, rather than a Closed One. She understands that she needs business to make Brexit work.

An economy that trades with the world. Lower taxes plus spending control. Support for NATO. All these are not merely Conservative tenets; they are classic Thatcherite ones. Mays great task is to work with Americas mainstream Republicans in weaning Trump off protectionism and isolationism, and keeping the western alliance together  crafting a foreign policy for it that steers between teaming up with Iran (since it is Russias ally, and he is Putin-friendly, at least to date) and going to war with it (since he has denounced the nuclear deal with it which Barack Obama approved).

She may not succed  and not simply because they are so unalike; one sweeping where the other is studious; one brash where the other is proper; Howard Sterns interviewee meets the vicars daughter. Trumps worldview is remote from hers. He seems to see politics as a kind of contact sport. America will start winning again, winning like never before, he said yesterday. The nearest British equivalent in recent years was another blonde lion, now greying: Michael Heseltine, whose rhetoric had a similar obsession with winning: indeed, he wrote a book called (ahem): The Challenge of Europe: can Britain win? But politics is not so much a sport as an art, whose ends are achieved by working with other people, not by a triumph of the individual will.

It will thus take a lot more than Trump to eradicate Islamist terror from the face of the earth, as he put it yesterday  as though he could put right the problems of Pakistan or Nigeria. But perhaps we should take the stone out of our own eye. Maybe the idea of May taming Trump overstates our own place in the world. Perhaps we take ourselves too seriously  as Macmillan did when he mused that Britain could be Greece to Americas Rome; as the media does when it puffs up Nigel Farages jamboree in Washington (which Trump himself, please note, didnt actually attend). Either way, forget the May/Trump and Thatcher/Reagan analogy. These are different people in different times.

None the less, May must strive to get the best out of Trump. That means deploying every device in her personal armoury: she must flatter, cajole, wheedle, charm, intrigue and (whenever necessary) change the subject in order to get what she wants: in particular, she must steer the new President away from Putin; avoid differences over second-order issues, such as his stance on Israel/Palestine; begin to craft a free trade deal with America that will suits our needs as well as its own and, above all, seek to use him as a force for good in the coming Europe negotiation. Here is Trumps one big plus for Britain: he is a Brexit enthuasiast. In this sense, his White House arrival is Mays lucky break. Since shes got it, she must grab it.
NEC Corp. was awarded a contract by RTI Connectivity to supply a high capacity optical submarine cable for a new system connecting Hong Kong and Guam.



The 3,900 km Hong Kong Guam Cable System (HK-G) is scheduled to begin operation in January 2020, featuring 100 Gbps optical transmission capabilities that deliver a total capacity of more than 48 Tbps.



The HK-G is slated to connect in Guam with the SEA-US optical submarine cable system that directly connects Southeast Asia to the United States, and that NEC began constructing in March 2015.



"NEC is delighted to be selected as the supplier of the HK-G Submarine Cable planned by RTI Connectivity," said Mr. Toru Kawauchi, General Manager of NEC's Submarine Network Division. "With Guam becoming a new hub in the Pacific, we look forward to helping the RTI group of companies provide for the expanding Asia-Pacific demand for more connectivity."



The contract will partially utilize capital from the Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan's ICT and Postal Services (Japan ICT Fund).



http://www.nec.co.jp
4 Prisoners Including Afghan Citizens Hanged on Drug Charges





4 prisoners, including 2 Afghan citizens, were reportedly hanged at Taybad Prison (Razavi Khorasan province, northeastern Iran) on drug related charges.





According to a report by the human right news agency HRANA, the executions were carried out on Wednesday January 18.





The report identifies one of the prisoners as Habib Khazayi. The names of the other three prisoners are not known at this time.





Iranian official sources, including the media and the Judiciary, have not announced these 4 executions. It is not clear whether these prisoners received a fair trial or had access to a lawyer.





"Young Man" Executed on Murder Charges





A young man was reportedly hanged at Jiroft Prison (Kerman province, southern Iran) on murder charges.





According to a report by the Iranian state-run news agency Jaam-e Jam, the execution was carried out on Wednesday January 18.





The report claims the young man was sentenced to death for the murder of his step parents.





The prosecutor's office and the revolutionary court in Jiroft have identified the prisoner only by the initials "M.Sh."





Although Iranian official sources have described the prisoner as a young man, they have not released his exact age. It is not clear whether the prisoner received a fair trial or had access to a lawyer.

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Source: Iran Human Rights, January 20, 2017
CORNWALL, Ontario  On Friday, Jan. 20, the Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) unveiled their new Internet Exchange Zone, a site designed to promote safety when buying or selling things to strangers met on the internet.

The idea stemmed from increased dangers and unease around meeting strangers for purchases made through sites like Kijiji and Craigslist.

In recent years there have been several high profile crimes perpetrated against people lured through these sites.

In the United States, Philip Markoff became known as the Craigslist Killer for the series of murders he allegedly committed by answering ads placed on the classified ad site.

In Canada, 2016 saw the trial of the murderers of Tim Bosma.

The idea comes in the wake of the killing of Tim Bosma of Ancaster, who vanished in May 2013 after leaving his home with two men to test drive a truck he was selling online, the CCPS said in a press release. His charred remains were later found on a farm in Ayr and a first-degree murder trial is before the courts.

Cornwalls Internet Exchange Zone is located at 330 Montreal Road, the Easte End Station for the CCPS.

There are two parking spots marked with a yellow square and survielled by an security camera capable of infra-red capture for night time surveillance.

This was a minimal investment for a good cause, said CCPS Constable Dan Cloutier. The City of Cornwall was quick to assist us. Many have experienced the thought of a stranger coming to your home or being lured to an unknown location and not knowing what to expect.
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Ivanka Trump has always been with her father's side in terms of running their business. As of the latest update in regards to the president-elect, Donald J. Trump's daughter, it was mentioned that she left their family's company as she decided to resign from her role as the Executive Vice President of Development Acquisitions to take care of her children at home which can greatly influence their overall well-being.

Ivanka Trump's husband Jared Kushner was appointed to join the Trump administration as he was chosen as the senior counselor to the president. Ivanka and her family are bound to move to Washington, which means that their children will need to settle into new schools and into a new neighborhood as reported by Dailly Mail.

"My husband, Jared, and I will be moving with our family to Washington, D.C., where Jared will serve as Senior Advisor to the President," Ivanka Trump wrote on one of her Facebook posts. "I plan to take time to settle our three young children into their new home and schools. When my father takes office as the 45th President of the United States of America, I will take a formal leave of absence from The Trump Organization and my eponymous apparel and accessories brand. I will no longer be involved with the management or operations of either company."

Ivanka's children will be in for a big change, thus her decision to be more hands on with the kids can definitely help them during their adjustment period. Celebrity parents are often caught off guard when it comes to their children's privacy as they are always placed under the public's watchful eyes.

USA Today sheds light on the dark side of fame and the struggles of celebrity parents as their children are being watched and judged by thousands. It was mentioned that celebrity children are often placed under the scrutiny of an adult, which makes it important for celebrity parents to look after and protect their children.

Living under the limelight can negatively impact children, which is said to be lethal for a child's mental health. Being caught in a media frenzy often leaves children with anxiety at a young age, which can fall into depression if not attended properly. Ivanka Tump's move to focus more on her children's adjustment phase. Trump is hands on when it comes to raising which can positively impact her children's overall health and well-being.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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On Thursday, a city in Washington sued a Pharmaceutical company for allowing the painkiller Oxycontin into the black market. Everett, a city of 100,000 located north of Seattle claims Purdue Pharmaceuticals had evidence the pills were supplied to illegal drug traffickers and where sold in the black market. In order to maximize their profits they ignored and kept the situation from law enforcement.

In a complaint filed by Everett in the state Superior Court, Purdue was accused of gross negligence, creating public nuisance and other misconduct and punitive damages. They demand an estimated $10 million from the company to pay for handling the opioid crisis it caused.

Everett "seeks to hold Purdue Pharma - the manufacturer, seller and promoter of OxyContin - accountable for knowingly, recklessly, and/or negligently supplying OxyContin to obviously suspicious physicians and pharmacies and enabling the diversion of OxyContin into the black market, including to drug rings, pill mills and other dealers for dispersal of the highly addictive pills."

Los Angeles Times reported that Purdue has been sued hundreds of times over the past 20 years for its products and marketing. The lawsuits focused on how the company knew about criminal distribution.

"Purdue's improper actions of placing profits over the welfare of the citizens of Everett have caused and will continue to cause substantial damages to Everett," the lawyer wrote in the complaint. "Purdue is liable for its intentional, reckless, and/or negligent misconduct and should not be allowed to evade responsibility for its callous and unconscionable practices."

OxyContin is a highly addictive drug. According to Huffington Post, the city has been devastated by the heroin addiction epidemic which was triggered by the opioid prescriptions or street sales. Despite Purdue's efforts to changing its formula in 2010 to make the drug more difficult to abuse, heroin use and overdose still has risen in several cities.

There are mixed opinions if Everett's case will succeed. It was compared to litigations against firearms manufacturers.

"We know this is a bold action we are taking, but it is the right thing to do," said Mayor Ray Stephanson.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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Over the past years, cosmetic surgery has gained immense popularity for the promise of beauty and younger-looking skin. A woman, however, was left blind in one eye and face disfigured after having dermal filler injections.

Carol Bryan, a 54-year-old woman from Florida, went to her cosmetic surgeon to have dermal fillers on her face but it went terribly wrong.

She was left disfigured and worse, blind in one eye after the botched dermal fillers caused her face to swell. Apparently, the fillers were injected into a part of her face they shouldn't have been. Moreover, two different fillers, including one which was silicone, were combined into one syringe.

As a result, her forehead has become swollen that she needed to tape her eyes open to see.

Bryan said she contemplated on taking her own life as she would hide from not only her family and friends but her own reflection in the mirror.

"I felt like I had the head of an alien, my forehead so heavy that it fell and covered my eyes so that I could not see unless I taped or held up my forehead," Bryan told the Independent.

However, Bryan was no stranger to cosmetic procedures and admitted she had used botox since her late 30s to have smoother and younger-looking skin. In 2009, when she was 47 years old, she tried dermal fillers after cosmetic doctors told her she would regain the volume in her forehead and cheekbones, a decision she would later regret.

Corrective surgery, however, worsened the damage because the first surgery needed to debulk her forehead damaged her optic nerve, leaving her permanently blind in her right eye.

For three years, Bryan has hidden until her daughter decided to convince her to move to Los Angeles to seek medical help.

"The pain of the corrective procedures is not quite describable. Then, years later, with the multiple surgeries to my face, each one was just as painful as the one previous," Bryan explained. The most painful operation was when doctors conducted skin grafting from her back on to her forehead, which tool about 17 hours.

Now, Bryan is using her experience to help others struggling with disfigurement through an organization she is heading, Face2Face Healing. The group aims to help others emotionally and physically with disfigurement after all medical procedures are done.



See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
Russia Signs Deal for Syria Bases; Turkey Appears to Accept Assad



Russia signed a long-term agreement on Friday to greatly enlarge its military presence in Syria, more than doubling the space for warships in Russias only Mediterranean port and securing rights to an air base that may already be adding a second runway.



The agreement covers the port in Tartus and an air base near Latakia, which have been pivotal in Russian assistance to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria in fighting an array of insurgents. It ensures Russias ability to deploy forces in Syria for the next half-century and perhaps beyond.

News of the agreement came as Mr. Assad received what appeared to be another positive development: A Turkish official suggested publicly for the first time that Turkey would accept a peace deal in Syrias six-year-old war that would allow Mr. Assad to stay in power.



...Both developments came as Russia, Turkey and Iran prepared to convene Syrian peace talks in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on Monday.



...The new Russian military agreement with Syria provides for an expansion of Russias Tartus naval base on the Syrian coast under a 49-year lease that could automatically renew for a further 25 years, according to Tass, the Russian news agency.



Tass said the expansion would provide simultaneous berthing for up to 11 warships, including nuclear-powered vessels, more than doubling its present known capacity there.



Tass reported that the agreement also provided for a similar long-term commitment for the Russians to use the Khmeimim Air Base in the Latakia area, which the Russians built in 2015 as they mobilized to help Mr. Assads forces.



There were news reports that the Russians were building a second runway at the air base.



The military agreement came despite Russias announcement this month that it was drawing down its forces in Syria after successes by the Assad government against Syrian rebels, which were achieved with much help from the Russians

The US is invited to the peace talks. The Kurds aren't invited.More: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/20/world/middleeast/russia-turkey-syria-deal.html
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"I was walking down Front Street with my family when someone in front of us tore open a pack of cigarettes and let the plastic covering flutter down," remembered Sydney. "He walked ahead maybe five steps when he saw two men in uniform ahead, and he ran back to get it because he didn't want to be punished with a litter fine. Another time my Dad was one day late in taking down our Christmas decorations and he was fined. We had a perfectly valid reason too. Our flight had been delayed coming back from Christmas vacation. But it didn't matter."

Celebration gets so bogged down by complaints and negative press over their crazy strict laws that they dedicate a part of their website just to reassuring people that the rules aren't that restrictive, despite that being, well, a complete lie. You don't get to make a 166-page community charter, and then claim that all the rules are used "to make life more pleasant for everyone." There are literal fascist dictatorships that would balk at that booklet.

Celebrationinfo "If you don't like it, then take your ass to Universal Studios."

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The problem is that a lot of residents have a vested interest in keeping things this way. Even though Disney sold off Celebration back in 2004, a whole hell of a lot of residents still work for them in some capacity, and have a compulsive desire to keep things all Disney-fied. Further complicating it is the fact that only landowners in Celebration have the right to vote on things in Celebration, and that ensures that only the wealthiest (i.e. top-level Disney employees) can enact change.
Across Linn County on Friday morning, people gathered for breakfast as President-elect Donald Trump prepared for his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States.

At the Lariat Lounge at Pop's Branding Iron in Albany, a crowd of at least 14 sat at the bar and in booths, enjoying Bloody Marys and hash browns, bathed in the light of two large TVs, each broadcasting the event.

Some sat playing video poker, with no interest in the ceremony. But in this tight, dark bar, in the wake of a contentious election and with a new administration beginning, four people sitting at a booth may have best defined the spirit that keeps the nation together.

The four friends, passing through on their way to a cabin in the woods for the weekend, do not agree at all politically, but said that has no bearing on their friendship. As an accidental symbol, a little paper American flag stood in a bowl of chopped cantaloupe and grapes among their nearly cleared plates.

"We're heading somewhere where I don't have to watch TV today," said Kimberly Deverell of Beaverton, sitting with her back to the TV. Still, she laughed. "I'm going to the mountains so I don't have to see it."

Across the table from Deverell, her friends Dean and Suzanne Wagner of Dayton sat facing the TV, and said they were happy to witness the ceremony.

"Dean's from Canada," remarked Kimberly's husband, Gary, and the group erupted in laughter.

"We all have a little different spectrum (politically)," said Suzanne.

"We're independents," added her husband, Dean.

"But we don't let politics dictate our friendship," said Suzanne.

Next door in the restaurant, Regina Durfee, an Albany resident and a 13-year veteran server at Pop's, said she is excited for the new president.

"I think we're going to go upward now," she said. "I think he's going to help us out a lot."

Durfee also allowed that she didn't agree with some of the offensive or controversial things the new president said during the campaign.

"I think there are some things he could have backed off on," she said. "But there's no such thing as a perfect president."

Durfee also said she believes there will be a lot fewer racial issues under a Trump administration.

"He's also pro-Christianity and pro-military," she said.

Excitement,

concern at LB

Across town at Linn-Benton Community College, a handful of students and staff gathered at the Diversity Achievement Center to watch Donald Trump's inauguration. Student Vicki Bauer of Sweet Home was particularly excited, having backed Trump from the start.

Bauer said she wants Trump to tackle health care first, doing anything he can to make insurance premiums more affordable. Hers tripled in the eight years Barack Obama was in the White House, she said.

"I used to be middle class," she said. "No longer."

Trump didn't mention Obamacare during his inaugural address Friday, but did promise to bring back jobs, secure borders and put America first.

Bauer said she wants him to follow through with "everything he just said."

"We need to secure our borders. We need to bring jobs back to America," she said. "We need to make America great again."

Sitting a few feet away, student Jennifer Hernandez of Corvallis had a different takeaway. She said she'd advise the new president to "think twice about what he says and what he does," and to reconsider his cabinet choices, particularly Betsy DeVos as secretary of education.

"I don't think she knows anything about education and how it affects young people," Hernandez said.

Hernandez benefited from Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program started in 2012. DACA allows undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to apply for two-year, renewable permits that allow them to work and avoid deportation.

"As an immigrant, a person of color and a woman, I'm still sort of afraid about what's going to happen," she said. "I'm crossing my fingers and hoping for the best, but it's still kind of scary."

'Hope' key word

in Brownsville

Hope, coupled with apprehension, were the key words in Brownsville on Friday, where friends who call themselves "Morning Rounds" gathered for their usual round of beverages and discourse at Randy's Main Street Coffee.

Dennis Sinnott said he didn't support any candidate in particular this election, but he's rooting for Trump to succeed  if only to make sure the rest of the nation succeeds with him.

"As I've said to many people, isn't that like sitting on the plane waiting for him to crash?" Sinnott said.

Sinnott said he's wary of some of Trump's actions  he'd like to see education higher on the incoming president's agenda, for instance, and doesn't believe DeVos is the right person to fix it  and if he could, he'd eliminate Trump's access to his Twitter account.

At the same time, however, he has no sympathy for members of Congress who made a point of boycotting Friday's ceremony. "Get over it and do your job," he said.

Other members of Morning Rounds were more sympathetic, saying they believed the Democrats who skipped the inauguration were making a statement about Trump's fitness for the job.

Kathleen Swayze said she plans to make her own statement by marching in Portland on Saturday as part of the Women's March on Portland. She said she worries Trump's penchant for saying whatever happens to be on his mind will lead to diminished respect for the United States throughout the rest of the world.

Joni Nelson agreed. "My biggest concern is about foreign policy," she said, but she, too, was willing to be hopeful: "I would hope that he could step into the role of being more presidential; have some forethought and reserve."

Don Ware so disliked Trump as a candidate he changed his political affiliation and voted for Libertarian Gary Johnson. But now that Trump is holding the reins, he said, he believes it's time to work together.

"Hope is my key word right now. We need some major changes to occur," Ware said.

Policies resonate

in Sweet Home

Although he was outnumbered 9 to 1 by Donald Trump supporters at the daily 6 a.m. breakfast crowd at The Point restaurant Friday morning, Shane Thompson wasn't afraid to admit he voted for Hillary Clinton.

Thompson said he isn't a big fan of Clinton, but added, "I was afraid of both of them."

Thompson said he is actually more concerned with the power of Congress, especially its failure to control the banking industry.

He said Congress has become "totally dysfunctional."

But his fellow coffee drinkers  mostly retired business owners associated in some way with natural resources  were vocal in their support for President Trump.

That's no surprise coming from residents of a once timber-dependent community in a county that heavily favored Trump in a state that strongly supported Clinton in the Nov. 8 election.

And it also was no surprise Trump's key platform issues of putting America first, immigration reform and cutting taxes, resonated among the group.

Retired Pacific Power lineman Ben McKillop said he was "excited about the opportunity to advance the United States, to become better situated internationally."

McKillop hopes all Americans will give Trump a year to make improvements.

"It is very difficult to make big changes quickly," McKillop said. "There might be a lot of bumps at first, but sometimes that is what it takes to succeed in the long run."

McKillop and others seated around the table all agreed it is time to bring middle class jobs back to America, and said Trump's presence has already had a positive influence economically as big companies have announced plans to either expand or build new manufacturing plants domestically.

Bob Pickett said he was disappointed in the 70 Democratic members of Congress who boycotted the inauguration.

"The people they represent can replace them," Pickett said. "I wasn't pleased with the election of President Obama, but we didn't act like this."

Pickett said the people should give Trump a chance.

"I have relatives who are Democrats and they have worked themselves into a frenzy about this," Pickett said.

For Bob Barstead, the possible appointment of more conservative justices to the Supreme Court is a key issue.

"We need to support our law enforcement people," Barstead said. "Judges have become too lenient."

Farther up Highway 20, Cascadia resident Gary Betts said he has been a Trump supporter since the beginning of his campaign.

"I am very happy he won," said Betts, who owned a logging company for 40 years before retirement. "I hope he succeeds in tightening immigration, reducing taxes and helping the small businesses of our country."

Betts said Trump's election may have stemmed the growth of socialism and big government, which he believes happened over the last eight years under President Obama.

"It has been a scary ride the last eight years," Betts said. "Small businesses have been beaten up so much in terms of increasing government regulations and taxes."

Betts said he will be happy if Trump can achieve just 10 percent of his goals.

"He is not stupid and knows he has to turn a lot of things around in his first year in office," Betts said. "Big corporations have gotten into bed with our elected officials in the last two decades, but it is small business that is key to this country economically in terms of building a middle class."
Mobility News

Apple Reseller Simply Mac Sheds Locations As GameStop 'Right-Sizes' Retail Stores

Kyle Alspach

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Even as one well-known Apple reseller is poised to return from the dead, another is slimming down its operations amid the challenging environment for reselling and servicing Apple products.

At least four stores from authorized Apple reseller partner Simply Mac are closing, according to media reports.

A spokesperson for Simply Mac  which is owned by GameStop, and also provides services such as repairs of Apple products  said in a statement that the parent company is "evaluating and closing non-productive locations."

[Related: Tekserve Lives Again: Axispoint Buys Legendary Apple Reseller Brand]

The spokesperson did not respond to CRN queries about how many Simply Mac stores in total are slated for closure.

The closures come as the Tekserve Apple reseller brand may be revived under new ownership by solution provider Axispoint.

Tekserve's well-known Manhattan store closed in August, but the brand and an affiliated company, T2 Computing, were acquired this month by New York-based Axispoint, No. 193 on the CRN Solution Provider 500. Axispoint is weighing the possibility of bringing back the Tekserve name, Axispoint President and CEO Dan DiSano told CRN.

Jerry Zigmont, owner of MacWorks LLC, an Apple consultant based in Madison, Conn., said his company has evaluated becoming an Apple service provider in the past but found there was not enough upside. "I think most of the Apple authorized service providers in existence right now have been clinging on for dear life for a number of years," Zigmont said, amid competition from Apple's own retail and services stores.

"The lack of success they're having is nothing new," he said.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment on the business environment for authorized Apple partners.

According to media reports, Simply Mac locations in Billings, Montana; Midland, Texas; Cherry Valley, Illinois; and Fargo, North Dakota, have all been slated for closure as of this month.

GameStop is currently "right-sizing our global store portfolio across all our retail brands," the company said in its statement. Simply Mac's web site reports that the company has 76 stores in the U.S.

For the final nine weeks of 2016, GameStop reported that its total global sales were down 16.4 percent, year-over-year, to $2.5 billion.
The march, which began at around 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Student Experience Center with a group of 250 OSU students taking part in a campus walkout to protest the inauguration, soon swelled to more than 500 people marching through Corvallis as dozens of local community groups joined in. The march at its peak stretched roughly a quarter-mile long.

Marchers chanted statements like a people united will never be divided, love not hate, build bridges not walls, and not our future, not our fate, rise, resist, love, create.

Many marchers carried signs with slogans such as Love Cant Lose, Rise Up, Dont Lose Hope, and Make America Think Again.

Corvallis Police Department and Oregon State Police vehicles monitored the protest. Authorities said, despite the large turnout, there were no incidents or arrests that came out of the protest and that the protesters obeyed all traffic laws.

A smattering of counter-protesters and Trump supporters shouted back their own chants to the protesters as they marched with a few wearing Make America Great Again hats, but the incidents resulted in nothing more than shouting.

The rally included a march to Corvallis Central Park and the Corvallis Riverfront for several speeches. The rally dissipated at the riverfront at around 5 p.m. The march began with the Campus Walkout of OSU students and some faculty. Participants joining the march ranged in age from young children to senior citizens.

Justin Nielsen, a third-year political science and philosophy major at OSU who held a megaphone to lead several chants, said he was encouraged to see so many different groups come together for the rally.

I thought it was really powerful, he said. It really gives hope that the movement is going somewhere.

Nielsen said he joined the march to remind those who opposed Trumps election that they were not alone.

This is not just an anti-Trump protest. A big part of it is creating a space where people feel safe, he said. Were not going to normalize hate; were not going to accept discrimination. We want people to know theyre loved and that theyre important.

Campus groups such as the American Association of University Professors, the OSU Philosophy Club, OSUnite and Allied Students for Another Politics joined dozens of community groups such as Corvallis SURJ, Benton County Democrats, Veterans for Peace, Albany Peace Seekers and Community Action for Racial Equality. Together, the many organizations made up a recently-formed group known as the Corvallis Coalition.

Stephanie Hampton, member of Our Revolution Corvallis Allies and chair of the Benton County Democrats, said the group formed out of more than 30 different progressive organizations in Corvallis.

We got together and recognized that were facing the Trump administration and we needed to become more organized and network together, she said. People want to get involved.

Hampton said Fridays turnout of more than 500 people representing dozens of separate organizations was a clear sign that people had been looking to join together for some time.

Its been a dream for many years, she said. This is such a diverse group and thats what we wanted to come together.

Tracy Maynard, a member of the Corvallis Coalition, said the group is hoping that the spirit of Fridays protest will continue and that the coalition will help those groups become focused on making a difference locally.

There are so many different advocacy groups with so many different agendas, she said. But we can unite ourselves under the umbrella of this coalition for major moments like this.

Maynards husband, Jon, and 7-year-old daughter Molly joined her for the rally to show their support.

It feels good to see so many people out here, especially so many younger people, Tracy said. I think its important to start them early on having a consciousness about forming communities and resisting any form of oppression or threat to our values.
Cybersecurity and staffing upgrades at the Internal Revenue Service appear to be in store, assuming Steven Mnuchin is confirmed as Treasury Secretary in the new Trump Administration.

Mnuchin, a former CIO and executive vice president for Goldman Sachs, told senators in a five-hour confirmation hearing on Thursday that he is "very concerned about the lack of first-rate technology at the IRS" as well as staff cuts in recent years. Mnuchin is expected to be confirmed, and would likely work with Trump to pick the next IRS director.

Noting that he has been one of the chief architects of Trump's economic plans, Mnuchin said the administration believes that "tax simplification and fewer deductions are absolutely critical."

That comment became a prelude to a list of suggestions he made regarding IRS changes that could help enable tax reforms, including the need to protect taxpayer privacy, improve cybersecurity and possibly increase staffing.

"I was particularly surprised that...the IRS headcount has gone down quite dramatically -- almost 30% over the last number of years," he told senators. "Especially for an agency that collects revenues, this is something that I'm concerned about. Perhaps the IRS just started with way too many people but I am concerned about the staffing of the IRS. That is an important part of fixing the tax gap.

"And I'm also very concerned about the lack of first-rate technology at the IRS and the issue of making sure we protect the American public's privacy when they give information to the IRS ... and also customer service for the many hard-working Americans that are paying taxes."

The agency has had its share of problems. In June 2016, the IRS retired a Web-based tool for obtaining PINs -- which taxpayers used to file tax returns electronically -- because of repeated security attacks. And in 2015, over 700,000 taxpayers were at risk of having their personal information breached through the agency's "Get Transcript" application.

Mnuchin brought up the need for upgrades of IRS technology and cybersecurity several times in the hearing, while Republican senators focused instead on the broader need for tax reform and other topics. Democratic senators grilled Mnuchin over his financial disclosures and his management of OneWest, which took over the troubled mortgage portfolio from failing bank IndyMac in 2009.

Mnuchin's background in private sector finance won praise from Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and other senators. Prominent Democrats including U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., have said Mnuchin is a prime example of a wealthy former banker who could be favorable to Wall Street and who defies Trump's pledge of wanting to "drain the swamp" of insiders.

Mnuchin spent 17 years at Goldman, becoming a partner in 1994 before leaving in 2002 when he was executive vice president and CIO. Mnuchin later served as vice-chairman of hedge fund ESL Investments and then founded Dune Capital Management, which invested in two Trump hotels in Honolulu and Chicago. Trump sued Dune and other lenders over the Chicago investment, but the suit was later settled.

Mnuchin worked with other investors to buy IndyMac for $4.5 billion in 2009. IndyMac was renamed OneWest, which quickly became the largest bank in Southern California. OneWest was sold to CIT Group in 2015; Mnuchin served on the CIT Group's board of directors until Trump nominated him to be Secretary of the Treasury on Dec. 2.

IRS cybersecurity and staffing may be Mnuchin priorities, but he faces a range of enormous long-term policy issues including possible reforms of the Dodd-Frank financial regulation and the nation's tax code. The Treasury Secretary cannot lower tax rates or eliminate tax breaks, which are done by Congress, but he will have the leading executive role in those areas.

Mnuchin will also have a hand in U.S. trade policy. Treasury releases a report every six months on countries that manipulate their currency. Trump has indicated he wants to designate China as a currency manipulator, a decision that would involve Mnuchin.

This story, "Trump nominee suggests IRS cybersecurity and staffing boosts" was originally published by Computerworld .
But when somebody tries to sucker-punch me, when theyre after my ass, I push back a hell of a lot harder than I was pushed in the first place. If somebody tries to push me around, hes going to pay a price. Those people dont come back for seconds. I dont like being pushed around or taken advantage of. And thats one of the problems with our country today. This country is being pushed around by everyone. Donald J. Trump, in an interview published in 1990 in Playboy magazine.

Donald Trump did not divide America.

The divisions were there and, yes, he recognized them and unhesitatingly exploited them.

It was a winning strategy. But the time for electoral strategy is over.

Its time for our new president to put his hammer and wedge away and find the tool, the words, the policies, the bearing to bring our many parts together.

He won on Make America Great Again. Its time now for Make America Whole.

And the President proclaimed that goal in his Inaugural Address. After mentioning the American citizens who have been left behind for one reason or another, he said, We are one nation  and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny.

The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans.

Every American, I among them, should hope Donald Trump succeeds. And I do.

And I get the disappointment: My three daughters marched Saturday, two in Boston and one in Chicago.

People are understandably more than a little apprehensive about what may transpire during a Trump presidency.

Hearst Connecticut Media endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, obviously believing she was the preferable candidate.

She lost; Donald Trump won. Period. While his victory was indeed a shocker, he is a perfectly legitimate president, assertions to the contrary aside, even coming from a man as well admired as Georgia Congressman John Lewis, a man who is about as far from all talk  as our new President described him  as a person can be.

Yes, weve heard all the arguments about the clunky apparatus of the Electoral College. Thats the system weve agreed on. And until we all agree to change it, we live with it.

Given some of his proclamations and shameful antics during the campaign, theres no question that the 70-year-old President Trump bears watching.

Responsible citizenry calls for support for the office of the President.

That having been said, responsible citizenry also calls for fierce resistance to abuse of power and for a call to the barricades on the issues of justice that so many people, Congressman Lewis included, have fought for long and hard.

Though Trump was portrayed during the campaign as a person with limited understanding of international affairs, he didnt come across that way in the Playboy interview of 27 years ago.

The then-43 year old Trump talked of various international situations, but begged off any aspirations to get into politics, let along be President. But he responded in a hypothetical way to a question posed by the magazine about the nations defense.

Playboy: And how would President Trump handle it?

Trump: He would believe very strongly in extreme military strength.

He wouldnt trust anyone.

He wouldnt trust the Russians; he wouldnt trust our allies; hed have a huge military arsenal, perfect it, understand it.

Part of the problem is that were defending some of the wealthiest countries in the world for nothing.... Were being laughed at around the world, defending Japan 

Playboy: You categorically dont want to be President?

Trump: I dont want to be President. Im one hundred percent sure. Id change my mind only if I saw this country continue to go down the tubes.

Michael J. Daly is editor of the editorial page of The Connecicut Post. Email: mdaly@ctpost.com.
Stuff

January 21 2017The gala opening of the new Church of Scientology headquarters in Auckland.The controversial Church of Scientology opened its first New Zealand base on Saturday.It's housed in one of Auckland's landmark heritage buildings - the red-brick former Whitecliffe Art College on Grafton Rd.Scientology's leader David Miscavige mingled with the hundreds of attendees, which included its local followers as well as curious members of the public.The Church of Scientology spent $6 million restoring this heritage building on Grafton Road, Auckland.Detected media were booted out of the proceedings.President of the New Zealand Rationalist's Association Peter Harrison went along out of curiosity and said the event kicked off with a "Maori welcome that felt a bit staged".He said that while he was "naturally a bit of a cynic" about the religion - which counts Tom Cruise and other high profile actors amongst its flock - he wanted to hear about its values first hand."In fact, the speakers had a big focus on how Scientologists help disenfranchised youth and stand up for human rights," he said."We can support that regardless of the underlying theology."President of the New Zealand Rationalist Association, Peter Harrison, said he attended the opening ceremony out of curiosity.However, he said some of the speeches were swamped with jargon that laymen attendees such as himself found hard to follow."They were mentioning buzzwords like 'time-tracking', 'energy driving trails', and 'OTA'... I knew what the words themselves meant, mostly, but couldn't define them when put together," he said.Harrison said he heard one of the speakers say "psychiatrists should be wiped off the face of the earth" which he thought was "a bit harsh"."But I didn't come away brainwashed - that was good."Known to be secretive about its practices, Scientology preaches the teachings of founder L Ron Hubbard.Harrison and others spoken to - who did not want their names associated with Scientology - agreed that the church had restored the heritage building "beautifully"."It was dilapidated inside," said a man who worked on the restoration project."But they got expert craftsmen to redo all the stonework as it originally was."The building was purchased in 2007 for $10 million, borrowed interest-free from the Church of Scientology International.Its restoration is estimated to have cost $6 million.The premises at 136 Grafton Road will be open daily to the public and contains a cafe.- Stuff
Polygamy is taboo in Western society and Christianity but other cultures and faiths permit plural marriage.Special Broadcasting Service (SBS)By Nicola Heath18 JAN 2017In Australia, marriage is changing. Cohabitation and kids before marriage are becoming the norm, and soon  hopefully  Australians will be allowed to marry a person of the same sex.But one thing that remains resolutely unchanged is the number of people who make a marriage. In Australia, a legal and social consensus firmly sets that number at two.While polygamy - the marriage of more than one spouse at the same time - is one of the last remaining taboos of Western society, it is relatively common globally. Polygamy is legal in 58 out of 200 countries around the world, including across much of Africa and in many Middle Eastern states.It is important to note that when we talk about polygamy, often what were really talking about is polygyny  where a man takes more than one wife. Polyandry, where a woman takes more than one husband, is a much rarer practice. The frequent disparity in marriage rights given to men and women in countries that permit polygamy is one of the reasons the United Nations Human Rights Committee recommended in a 2000 report that polygamy be outlawed.Some of the most popular proponents of polygyny in history have been Mormons, famously depicted in HBO drama Big Love and reality series Sister Wives.Polygamy is legal in 58 out of 200 countries around the world.Plural marriage was permitted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1852 and 1890. Joseph Smith, founder of the LDS Church, is believed to have married 28 wives, while Brigham Young, the churchs second president, married 51 women and fathered 56 children.Today, the LDS Church strictly prohibits polygamy, says Elder Robert J. Dudfield, Associate Area Director in the Pacific Area Public Affairs Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.It was a part of the teachings of the Church from the early 1840s until the early 1890s but has not been practised for over 125 years, he says in a statement to SBS.From a Mormon perspective the subject of polygamy is not a subject that is generally discussed because it has been not practised for well over a century.Elder Dudfield says that polygamous groups and individuals in and around Utah, like the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the subject of the notorious Short Creek Raid in 1953 as well as more recent raids in the 2000s, are a source of confusion for outside observers.These polygamists and polygamist organisations have no affiliation whatsoever with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, despite the fact that the term 'Mormon' is sometimes incorrectly applied to them.While the LDS Church has moved away from plural marriage, other faiths permit polygyny. Islam allows men to take up to four wives, albeit with conditions (polyandry is not allowed). A husband must provide for and treat each of his wives equally, and consent is crucial. If there is no consent, then it is not a valid marriage, says a Muslim community activist and advocate of polygamy who wished to remain unnamed.Ideally, each wife lives in a separate household. Intimacy is strictly monogamous and affection is a completely private matter, says the man, who grew up in a polygamist family in Lebanon. His father took a second wife when his first wife became ill, and the man says the two women formed a strong friendship.My mother immediately looked after his previous wife and helped raise the five children. To this day, all my older half-siblings view my mother very fondly, he says. They love my mother.Polygamy in Islamic culture has its roots in an historic gender imbalance caused by the deaths of large numbers of men in war. Plural marriage helped protect the welfare of widows and reduce the number of unwed  and thus unprovided-for-women.The supporter of polygamy I spoke to sees it as the natural solution to a surplus of women he says still exists today (though not according to 2011 Census data , which found a surplus of 25-year-old single men and equal numbers of single men and women in their 30s).He also considers it a better alternative to the adultery that is so common in Western society. Polygyny, in his view, represents mens obligation to fulfil the right of women to marry.Its a womans choice, he says. She is the one who is empowered to say yes or nowithout her consent nothing is going to happen. A woman wilfully and knowingly walks into this relationship because in her mind, this is an ideal relationship for her.In the unlikely event polygamy is legalised, it is hard to imagine large numbers of single women in Australian society signing up to be second wives. The Muslim community member I spoke to concedes that the practice is extremely rare in Australia. There are no official national figures in Australia, but it is possible the situation here is comparable to that in the United Kingdom, where there may be up to 20,000 polygamous unions, representing just one per cent of the British Muslim population of 2.7 million people.Islamic Council of Victoria vice president Adel Salman says polygamy isnt a priority among young Muslims in Australia. Theyre only thinking about finding the right partner, and thats tough enough as it is. No one is talking about wouldnt it be wonderful if I had more than one wife, he says."The main thing people are looking for is a good family life, and allocating the right amount of time to family, to children, selecting the right partner and building a life together.The lack of consensus in the Muslim community about polygamy could explain the lack of a coordinated campaign to decriminalise the practice. Another possible explanation is Islamophobia. Recent news reports of polygamists claiming Centrelink payments preceded a wave of abuse directed at the Muslim community. The media coverage was sensationalist, says Salman. Its unfair to focus on Muslims who have multiple families and ignore the fact that this is something that exists in broader society as well, he says.It was the abusive phone calls and threats of physical violence made to my unnamed source, his family, and the Muslim community more broadly that convinced him to avoid putting his name to pro-polygamy views in the future.Mainstream society doesnt have major issues with mistresses, girlfriends, multiple de factos [and] polyamorous relationships...They have come to terms with them, but because [polygamy] is alien to them, it gets peoples backs up.Love the story? Follow the author here: Twitter @nicoheath
By Alan Johnson

The Columbus Dispatch

January 20, 2017

Inmates in state prisons have a new choice to practice their religious convictions: Paganism.The Appalachian Pagan Ministry, a small volunteer group based in Huntington, West Virginia, has held services at two Ohio prisons and plans to expand to three others.The Rev. Donna Donovan, ordained as a Druid priestess and an interfaith minister through Universal Life Church, is the leader of the group working with inmates she describes as "pan pagan," referring to religious that are "non-Abrahamaic," which excludes Christians, Jews and Muslims. Her meetings have included believers in Asatru, Odinism, Heathenism, Wicca and Satanism."The only way to eradicate hate and intolerance is through education," Donovan said. "I don't personally care what your higher power is as long as you believe there's a higher power than yourself."Donovan's group is visiting prisons in Ohio and West Virginia. She has been to the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility near Lucasville and the Allen-Oakwood Correctional Institution in Lima. Her group will soon begin visiting prisons in Chillicothe and Lebanon.Inmates must request visits by outside religious organizations rather than groups deciding to visit and hold services on their own.JoEllen Smith, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, has an approved list of about 50 religious groups that have permission to visit prisons, including a wide variety of Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups, plus Buddhists, Hindus, Jehovah's Witness, Mormons, Native Americans, Sabbatarians and Wiccans.The organizations must submit applications, pass background checks and undergo training about prison procedures before visiting inmates.State records show Baptists (4,739), Roman Catholic (3,420) and Muslims (1,563) are among the highest religions self-identified by inmates. There are also Rastafarians (755), Amish (36) and Druids (21).Donovan said there is widespread public misunderstanding about Pagans and related non-Christian groups. Inmates, too, usually don't know about the religion, she said."I've seen huge changes in behavior by inmates," she said. "It's helping. Instead of just just sitting there and stewing, they can be taking time to better themselves."She said she meets with 30 to 40 inmates at each Ohio prison. She funds the ministry out of her own pocket and through public donations."These inmates, male and female alike, know the mistakes they have made in their lives. They are paying for those mistakes. Yet instead of wallowing in self-pity or continuing to blame outside sources for their current situation, they are holding themselves accountable and doing what they can to grow in body, mind and spirit to ensure they do not make those same mistakes again."Ohio prisons opened the door to the expansion of religious groups because of a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court, ruled which found that state could not deny religious services to prisoners. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who wrote the decision, said federal law "protects institutionalized persons who are unable freely to attend to their religious needs and are therefore dependent on the government's permission and accommodation for exercise of their religion,
20 Ocak 2017 Cuma, 21:56

Tanl Bora discusses a form of governance and ideology that is created around a single man and cult of the person under the heading Erdoganism in his latest book

- There is a heading Erdoganism in your book. What is Erdoganism and, were we to inquire with debate over the presidency in mind, are we entering the era of Erdoganism following Kemalism?

Erdoganism is essentially a notion that certain Western political scientists have recommended. So, from the ideological viewpoint of nationalist-conservative ideology it could well be ridiculed or disparaged! Of course, the concept refers to a form of governance and ideology that is created around a single man and cult of the person. As is generally the case with such classifications, it refers to a regime in which ideology and ideas can have maximum flexibility and in which the preeminence of power and the powerful rulers arbitrariness is dominant and decisive. It is a conceptualisation that can be considered, and lends itself to being considered, against examples such as Orban in Hungary, the Polish government and Putinism. This is a phenomenon of our time. In this structure, mostly nationalist and conservative but, in all cases, populist and powerful leaders directly address the people, having well and truly relativised and well and truly undermined the separation of powers, by-passed political parties and all rules of the democratic system and established administrative mechanisms, and virtually expropriated and laid claim to all representational mechanisms. It is a form of governance informed by the attitude: The people or the nation are the direct source of power; this power is indivisible; I derived this authority directly from the people and nation and I will share it with nobody.

- Can we say that the difference from the single-man rule of the 20th century is that institutions such as parliament, civil society and the judiciary continue to exist but in hollowed-out form?

Depending on circumstances, they are hollowed out, turned into full appendices of this power structure having been stripped of their autonomy or are altered to the extent that nothing but their names remain. As such, we are confronting a contemporary phenomenon.

- Something belonging to the 21st century...

-Yes, the manifestation in Turkey of a new authoritarian configuration decked out in the strident colours of 21st century fascism. There are similar tendencies in many countries in the world that are at different levels of development. For example, there is a similar tendency in India.

- How would you describe the relationship between Erdoganism and Islamism? Is this a new Islamist regime, or, and Erdogan has not used it for a long time, but there is the term conservative democratic.

There is a strong dose of Islamism in this cauldron, but this is not all. There is a wide nationalist spectrum ranging from what is called neo-nationalism up to the shade of ultra-nationalism that is brought into play as circumstances dictate. There is a Neo-Ottoman rhetoric that, to use a fashionable term, is adjunctive to Islamism but with which we cannot simply equate it. Apart from this, standard state-security discourse is in vogue. Islamism is without doubt a very powerful factor and constitutes the frame, but an important characteristic of this ideological configuration is that its content and motifs can be pretty fluid. Depending on the state of play, on the need and on the circumstances, all manner of material can be pressed into service.

- The reason I asked this was that debate over secularism has come back to prominence since New Year and there has been a post in which an AKP mayor has equated defending secularism with terrorism. The parliamentary speaker advocates things such as removing secularism from the constitution. How do you assess Erdoganisms relation with secularism?

The ideological borders drawn by that mayor are essentially based on the premise that pointing to absolutely any social or political differentiation is a crime in its own right, and that this amounts to separatism and amounts to factionalism. There exists a point of view that perceives talk of any distinctions in Turkish society, talk of any differentiation, to be scratching the wound and triggering the fault lines, and advocates this as being treason. Secularism is also pointed to as one of these instances of treason. If you are going to talk about the secularism problem in Turkey, this is separatism, factionalism and thus grist to the mill of terrorism  this is the mindset. If we come to secularism in particular, then there is the issue that in Turkey secularism has undoubtedly always been a problem for the Islamist current. We can distinguish two attitudes. The first is a position that, making reference to the universal nature of secularism in Turkey or, for example, its moderate implementation that also maintains reverence towards religion as in Anglo-Saxon countries, the version in Turkey is different from this and is a very strict secularism  it says, as it were, We want half decent secularism. As to the second attitude, this is the attitude that sees secularism as being innately incompatible with Islam. This second one is now coming to predominance. In a wholesale manner? Not to that extent. I think we can still find both tendencies within the Islamist current and (I do not use it synonymously) the AKP. But, I think in particular they have a strategy as a common denominator to push secularism back and derive it of importance as far as possible, and, just as secularism aimed to narrow the sphere for religion, to now restrict the sphere for secularism and secularists.

You have also included in your book Hayrettin Karamans article in the immediate aftermath of 15 July stating, The nation that is worthy of saying/being called our nation belongs to the circles that adore President Erdogan and in spite of everything have not totally lost their intrinsic values and have gained knowledge, experience and courage in comparison to the time of Menderes. Is the construction of this new nation an element of Erdoganism?

Of course. In any case, all nationalistic or national ideologies at the same time try to win the acceptance of the nation for a specific definition of the nation, that is for their own definition of the nation. Nationalism is at the same time the fight over: Who is the nation? Not only Erdogan, but the AKP has its acceptance of what the nation is. It is no secret that this is based on a pious, conservative, Sunni and loyal majority. What is called the essential mass in traditional nationalist-conservative discourse. The AKP was also capable to an extent of including Kurds in the its discourse. It now still includes them by implication, but we see that they have attained a problematic status that courts doubt. In short, on the one hand, there is the unadulterated nation, the organic nation, the nation in the true sense. On the other, there are the remainder who are somehow or other formally included within the nation, who are attached by the hollow tie of citizenship. The pronouncements my people or our people serve to draw an us-them distinction of this nature in terms of inclusivity.

- Does this not foster animosity towards them from the very outset

Of course. As soon as we define the nation with such content, with such innate characteristics, those who do not fit this definition are excluded from the nation. This is blatant discrimination. This is also related to the new authoritarian populism of which we have spoken. This is actually something that broadly speaking is in populisms nature. It reduces the people or the nation to a specific characterisation of identity, a marking of identity; within this epic language different tendencies, different identifications and different preferences among the people and nation are erased. This passion for singleness and uniformity erases and increasingly blocks pluralism. This brings to mind the way Necmettin Erbakan would forever speak of our nation and came under pressure from the nationalistic-ultranationalistic wing in particular to give a name to the nation. Along the lines of, Who are you referring to, what is that nation? It was notable that he never said the Turkish nation. This strategy both enabled Erbakan to refer to the nation in a sense that was synonymous with the community of believers and also, in a sense, made the definition of the nation conducive to stretching. Undoubtedly still with a nod and a wink in the direction of those from among us.

- In the book, you have also touched on this close relationship in discussing nationalism and its recourse to Islamism, and Turkish conservatism. This came as an astonishment for younger generations, because until 7 June the MHP gave the appearance of being a party that was part of Gezi and was resisting the domestic security bill along with the HDP and CHP, but all of a sudden there was a secret coalition. What lies within the ideological roots of this?

I cannot pronounce with great authority on the actual political motives, causes and calculations behind this alignment, but, from an ideological point of view, I can speak of what I have been able to observe about this. For one thing, I am going to repeat something that I said a little earlier. A dose of Turkish nationalism that is fairly compatible with that of the MHP is included within the ideology that shapes this ruling body, that the ruling body uses and refashions and that we can call our official ideology. That is, this alliance came about in conjunction with that ideological supplementation. Here, over and above content, or even prior to it, the style and air of Turkish nationalism and certain of its ritual elements that the MHP represents also play a role. For example, that famous reception squad dressed in garb representing the Turkic states bears witness to this. Of course, there are also roots of this ideological supplementation that stretch back a long way. If you look at things from the aspect of conceptual and ideological trends, there is a joint umbrella defined first as being nationalist-pious then nationalist-conservative that stretches right back to the 1940s and 1950s. In fact, this is an umbrella that has never been fully closed. Within Islamism, there has been a tendency since the 70s to depart from that umbrella, and that tendency has developed considerable momentum. Now, it is being reopened to assume tent-like dimensions.

- Abandoning the solution process and the flirt with the MHP was necessitated by political interests at the time, but how can we classify the AKPs and Erdogans attitude towards the Kurdish issue? After all, it undergoes a great deal of fluctuation. In places, things go as far as rallies under the flag of Kurdistan and the use of the term Kurdistan, and in places there is stance that denies the existence of a Kurdish issue.

In fact, the AKP initially expressed the intention to resolve the Kurdish issue. They embarked on this endeavour with an approach that was flexible to an extent that no right-wing party in Turkey has managed to accomplish. Whether or not they took it to heart is another matter and additional debate is most certainly demanded as to its democratic-antidemocratic nature, but the proposal of a common Muslim identity was a solution project that, in the final analysis, had internal consistency. You know that in the meantime broader, more flexible approaches could have been witnessed that would not have so easily been squeezed into this slot. We are talking about a party that is able to win votes there in the region. However, as everybody also knows, there has been a massive rupture in the past few years.

- After the rupture, one cannot help asking which one is the true AKP?

One thing that I wonder  I ask because I really wonder  is what those AKP people who embraced this approach and defended the idea of solving the Kurdish issue under a common Muslim identity or within a democratic Turkey model and believed this in one way or another think now. I would really like to hear this but we are unable to hear anything like this.

- The personnel involved have been purged, for another thing.

One part has been purged. But the important thing is that part of them are unable to speak. However, we need to know and hear. Not only is it important in current affairs terms, but I am curious about this as one who deals with the history of thought in Turkey and trends in political ideology. Is this not in fact one of Turkeys most pressing issues at the moment? It is impossible to speak of freedom of thought. It is impossible to speak of public opinion functioning in a real sense. For a variety reasons, many people who are capable of commenting cannot speak. This is a huge problem on its own.

- The idea has begun to be touted that, with the MHP having paved the way for the presidential system, it will melt into the AKP. What chance will there subsequently be for the nationalism represented by the MHP when faced with the AKP?

I cannot predict this, but I think that the following optimistic expectation whereby the MHP top brass may emerge from this exceptionally strong supplementation, a supplementation that we might call nothing short of symbiosis, alive and having preserved its independent existence is feasible: The MHP has profound historic experience of such things. This is experience that stretches back to the Nationalist Front governments in which they were included as a small party in the 1970s and extends to their giving external support to the DYP governments in the 90s. In these experiences, in terms of entering the civil service ranks, they were well rewarded particularly in terms of entry to certain parts of the public service. This underpinned their growth in the long term. They are most likely placing their trust in this. They must think that that they will be able to incrementally increase their own strength through opportunities to enter the civil service and though opportunities to exert an ideological influence. But will this optimistic (for them) expectation come to such trouble-free fruition? This is because what they will be cooperating with is a very powerful force with a very high capacity for absorption and energy for swallowing. The incorporation with great enthusiasm of their own ideological motives and political styles brings with it the risk of being swallowed while overjoyed at our ideas are in power. This is not an easy dance. I imagine that the MHP and the dissatisfied people in their environs are taking stock of these risks, probably before their concerns over the constitution and regime. The bad memories of the turmoil caused in the MHP by the coalition governments of the 1990s and 2000s may increase such concerns. It appears that the MHP will fluctuate between these two poles, and as to the extent and result of this, I have no way of knowing.

- We are crossing a very critical threshold. Voting on the presidential system is continuing and if we pass to such a system a totally new era will start for all Turkeys political currents. Various potential coalitions will disappear, but other pre-election coalitions may emerge. It appears that the right-wing block will continue along the MHP-AKP axis. How do you assess the lefts current standing against this backdrop?

When you say left I take it you mean at least everybody who appears to be on the left when seen from the right. This is probably the most cut and dried definition!

- Yes. The left with the broadest of brushes.

When these massive, grave, urgent and burning prospects we are speaking of are involved, it may be necessary to relativise left-right distinctions. It may be necessary to expand common denominators to the limit as far as democracy or even the minimum degree of civilisation is concerned. I think that the left must not make do with navel gazing and the left simply addressing the left. Undoubtedly, intra-left and inter-left dialogue and cooperation is important and valuable, but politics is not a game that revolves within the left. It shouldnt be.

- How do you assess the HDP?

Despite this enormous pressure on the HDP and the attempt that surpasses pressure to destroy it and discount it, I think the HDP has displayed admirable common sense. The HDP was criticised especially at the outest of last years period of conflict for not having taken a sufficiently decisive stance against the rising violence. Such criticism can be made, that is a separate matter, but despite this enormous pressure, despite facing a multitude of accusations and in a sense being unable to curry favour with anybody, I find that its insistence above all on speaking its mind and its efforts to furnish democratic politics with content inspire admiration.

- OK, and the CHP?

I get the impression that the CHP has a body of MPs who are dynamic and in command of their own voices and ideas to an extent that has not existed in previous periods. There is great effort. But, sometimes, MPs all appear to be beavering away on their own. As if they are unable to come onto the field as an eleven.

- Theres a problem with the coach, I dare say.

Thats not what Im driving at. What I am getting at is, for example, in principled and major matters such as parliamentary immunity, or in other serious and important situations, there is a failure for it to stage an effective, powerful presence as a party. I think this has something to do with its inability to shed itself of state party conservativeness as an entity.

In speaking of the CHP and left, I will return once more to the same point. The left has its own neighbourhood; each component of the left has its own neighbourhood. Everyone is speaking in their own neighbourhood. Of course, we must not lose sight of the fact that there are huge barreirs to addressing those outside of ones own neighbourhood. We are in a country in which people are even blocked from watching parliamentary debate. The state of thought and press freedom is common knowledge  after all, we are having this conversation at Cumhuriyet. Apart from the institutional barriers, we are in an environment in which every word is instantly buried through monstrous aspertions, campaigns of slander, lies, defamation and browbeating. It is also under immense pressure and its most pressing business is solidarity and people have to rush to somebodys assistance like the fire brigade day in day out. It expends all its energy on this. All right, but I dont think this should be an excuse for those who are engaged in politics. I dont think there can be politics in the true sense without making your voice heard in other neighbourhoods, creating contact with other neighbourhoods and reaching out to them.

- We can observe a balance said to be 60-65 percent on the right and 35-40 percent on the left; an artificial balance actually.

Not long has passed since the 7 June election. One of the greatest calamities of this new regime in Turkey is the creation of pressure that conditions people not to listen to or hear anybody apart from those they reckon to be like themselves and increasingly not to consider them to be human. This is one of the most important tools of the reigning ideology. I think this has to be challenged. To do so, it is necessary to arm oneself with a different morality and a different language and without fail persist in the determination to address those who do not resemble oneself. I am aware that it is very difficult. A propaganda strategy is in place to make doing just this impossible.

- If we turn to daily politics, you are probably saying that over all issues there is a need to approach both voters who vote for the AKP or MHP, and also voters who vote for the CHP and HDP, with a minimum programme designed to transcend polarisation somewhat. In any case, the discounting of AKP voters by polical actors who claim to be opposed to the AKP benefits the AKP most of all.

Yes. But I just dont think of this in terms of the simplification: One side knows the truth about everything, so it is enough to spill the beans and tell everyone about this truth. There may be something that can be learnt from this encounter and this experience.

- One issue that you have devoted a lot of attention to is lynching. We witness an increase in the number of attempted lynchings directed at the HDP and Kurds. On top of this, the attempt to lynch Barbaros Sansal on the airport tarmac and the attempt to lynch somebody who resembled the Reina assailant courted attention.

It is as though all sense of shame has been lost. When lynching becomes commonplace, it may lead to consquences that perturb the rulers themselves, or even those who use those lynch mobs as, to use an expression I always employ, as a crisis management method. Those in power were not in the least troubled by the Sansal event that was a scandal that brought the states very status as a state into question, but, for example, things such as citizens should not succumb to such provocation were heard to emanate from the rulers themselves with reference to the latest actions targetting HDP buildings. About those who raise citizens passions with such verve, nobody says anything.

- Do you think this sitution also stokes up fear of internal conflict?

The most important thing in my view is that, if we are in a position in which we are capable of having such concerns and are capable of expressing such things, it is necessary to stop and take a look. This does not resemble the theorems developed by moving various imaginary pawns here and there by people dubbed strategy experts on television stations. If society is living in an atmosphere in which people feel this fear and which makes the feeling of this fear commonplace and unleashes this fear on them, this, this itself, is as serious as those implied and imagined dangers.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  The Vatican struck back this week at the Knights of Malta, rejecting its attempt to discredit a Vatican-appointed commission investigating the ouster of a top official over a condom scandal.

In a sharply worded statement, the Holy See also said it plans to take action to resolve the dispute, setting the stage for one sovereign entity intervening in the internal affairs of another.

The remarkable showdown is the latest example of Pope Francis clashing with more conservative elements in the Catholic Church, especially those for whom sexual ethics and doctrinal orthodoxy are paramount.

The Vatican said Tuesday it "reaffirms its confidence" in the commission, appointed last month by Francis to investigate the ouster of Albrecht von Boeselager as the Knights of Malta's grand chancellor. The Vatican called the issue a "crisis of the central direction" of the ancient aristocratic lay Catholic order.

The Order's leader, Fra' Matthew Festing, suspended Boeselager on Dec. 8 over revelations that the Knights' charity branch had distributed thousands of condoms to poor people in Myanmar under his watch.

Church teaching forbids artificial contraception. Boeselager has said he stopped the programs when he learned of them. The order's leadership has said the scandal was grave and called it "disgraceful" that Boeselager refused an order to obey Festing and resign.

Francis appointed a commission to investigate after Boeselager said he had been told by Festing that the Holy See wanted him to resign over the scandal. The Vatican secretary of state has said the pope wanted nothing of the sort and wanted the dispute to be resolved through dialogue.
County-specific poll may foretell whether Pa. is going blue or red
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.

A right delayed is a right denied.Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.

Martin Luther King Jr.

No one is born hating another person People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

Nelson Mandela

We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist

James Baldwin

There is a fine line between free speech and hate speech. Free speech encourages debate whereas hate speech incites violence.

Newton Lee

The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.

Albert Einstein
This was the speech of a man in a desperate hurry. No humour. No niceties. Down to business and the bluntest of descriptions of the task at hand: 'This American carnage,' as he called the state of much of the nation, 'stops right now.'

Eloquence? Language that lifts you up and makes your heart sing? Happy stuff? Gone.

Even Lincoln, in the midst of a civil war, managed to sound happier about the state of the nation.

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017

But there is a reason why this was a blunt piece of work, a piece of nuggety, knarled, 'bash 'em' prose.

He has to get on with being Trump. He has to hurry because he needs to deliver. No President since Richard Nixon has come to office with more people expecting him to fall flat on his face.

Donald Trump is the most unpopular incoming commander-in-chief in modern times. Large numbers of influential Americans actively want their President to fail.

You could see the contempt in some of their eyes  'Let's just see how this ends'  as they applauded from their seats around him.

So how does he prove them wrong? Through action.

They say that sharks die if they stop moving. True or not of sharks, it's certainly the case with presidencies. And this one is particularly shark-like.

Although they are suspicious of him, most Americans would agree that Donald Trump's energy is what has earned him this gig. He has to keep up the pace: he has to swim  and swim fast.

He spoke yesterday of healing divisions, and he needs America's top politicians to work with him, either because they respect him or because they fear him. It doesn't matter which. And for that, he needs a concrete programme that seems to be working.

President Donald Trump speaks after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017

In an inauguration speech possibly unprecedented in its pugnacity, he began with infrastructure, and rightly so. Anyone who knows America knows that the richest, most powerful nation on Earth is also a complete mess.

Try getting from JFK airport in New York to the centre of Manhattan. No proper public transport and clogged roads. Bridges around the country that are rusting and dangerous. Roads that are full of potholes.

Yes, it's not exactly going to the moon or curing cancer. But it really does matter, and if Trump can get money released fast to make America easier to get around, then chalk that up as a success.

So, the words the President used were not pretty, but the policies he outlined might make swathes of America look and feel much better. Greater, again.

He is going to end Islamist terror, he said.

It's tempting to laugh. The toughest soldier knows that killing ISIS and other terrorists is not enough. Political progress is part of defeating terror.

But I wonder whether large numbers of Americans have been hankering after a man who might just say what he wants to do in plain and simple style.

When I lived in Washington soon after 9/11, I remember going to a smart dinner party where the hostess proposed a toast before we ate: 'Death to al-Qaeda.'

My wife and I gulped. And yet I could understand the sense that Americans have that they have a huge military for which they pay very heavily, and they want  at least in the privacy of their own nation, as it were  to be able to say clearly what their intentions are and who their enemies are.

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017

The Trump line about terror, which will have sounded so crass to so many people around the world, might have made a lot of sense in deepest West Virginia.

So, too, will the theme of American jobs for American workers that infused the whole speech. The issue here is not just jobs, it is the providing of jobs that pay well and let people live in dignity.

Of course a Democratic president could have said the same thing: America first and American jobs first. But whoever offers that message, the delivery of the promise is fiendishly difficult, and frankly Trump's speech gave little sense of how it was to happen.

But here is a taste of why it's not completely pie-in-the-sky. One of Trump's first acts will be a one-off tax cut for companies bringing money back into the country.

They will have a year to repatriate the trillions of dollars they hold offshore to avoid U.S. taxes. This is a wall of money. Even the small tax charge on it will go some way towards oiling the wheels of the Trump job creation machine.

The companies themselves will have plenty to spend on American factories and American workers if they choose. And given that China is becoming more expensive for companies looking for cheaper labour, Trump might be banging on an open door.

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) takes the oath of office from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (R) with his wife Melania, and children Barron, Donald, Ivanka and Tiffany at his side during inauguration ceremonies at the Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017

One of the more eloquent, if depressing, passages of the speech was where he talked of 'factories being scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation'. He does not need to get them all humming again. He cannot do that.

But just a few. Just a bit of work returning to the forsaken bits of America, the so-called 'flyover states' because fashionable folk only ever fly over them.

That would feel like a victory and a vindication of these rugged words snarled out on the steps of the Capitol. And, to those people, it would feel, as Trump put it, as if they were in charge; that power really was returning to them.

At the end, a reporter tweeted that he'd just talked to a Trump supporter in the front row. 'The guy's brilliant. Is he a jerk? Yeah  but he'll do great.'

Blunt language from the podium and blunt thinking from the crowd. And so the era of President Trump begins.
We all knew he was likely to be a different sort of president. But even by his own standards, yesterdays speech by the 45th holder of the most powerful office on Earth was truly astonishing.

Indeed, Donald J Trump tore up the rule book and delivered an inauguration address unlike any heard before.

Showing characteristic contempt for the traditional niceties, he uttered none of the high-flown rhetoric or conciliatory platitudes beloved of his predecessors on these momentous occasions.

Donald J Trump tore up the rule book and delivered an inauguration address unlike any heard before

Instead, in what sounded more like a divisive campaign speech than an inaugural address, he delivered a tub-thumping battle-cry against the political establishment and those he sees as the enemies of ordinary Americans.

We are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, he said, but transferring it from Washington DC and giving it back to you the people.

For many in the US and around the world  not least the four former presidents and massed ranks of the political elite sitting behind him  his words will have been deeply uncomfortable.

But Mr Trump will have struck a resonant chord with millions of Americans, as he vowed: The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now.

Indeed, liberal politicians who were baffled by Mr Trumps election victory  and not only those in America  should study his words if they wish to understand his appeal. For again and again, his speech struck home.

Liberal politicians who were baffled by Mr Trumps election victory  and not only those in America  should study his words if they wish to understand his appeal

Weve defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own, he said, and spent trillions of dollars overseas while Americas infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

His message could hardly have been clearer: From this day onwards it is only going to be America first  America first.

As for what this will mean for the rest of the world, this paper has huge doubts about his protectionism, which can only cause harm. We simply do not believe his claim that protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.

Deeply worrying, too, is his suggestion that he will pull back from the defence of Europe.

But the Mail takes comfort from his pledge to reinforce old alliances, which promises well for a trade deal.

Showing characteristic contempt for the traditional niceties, he uttered none of the high-flown rhetoric or conciliatory platitudes beloved of his predecessors on these momentous occasions

Meanwhile, we pray that his pragmatism will make him realise that in matters of economics and defence, Americas interests are often identical to ours.

As for his most dramatic pledge  to wipe Islamic terrorism from the face of the Earth  only time will tell how he hopes to achieve this. God save us from another Iraq.

Suffice to say that the days of no-drama Obama are well and truly over. If Mr Trump carries on as he has begun, we must all be prepared for the unexpected.

Such cynical timing

Meanwhile here in Britain, for those seeking clues to why voters are fed up with the political class, look no further than the deeply cynical timing of the revelation that George Osborne is to join the worlds biggest asset manager, Americas BlackRock.

It was announced just two hours before Mr Trumps inauguration that the discredited architect of Project Fear  and preacher of austerity to struggling families  is the latest to cash in contacts and inside knowledge gleaned in public office for lavish private gain.

For those seeking clues to why voters are fed up with the political class, look no further than the deeply cynical timing of the revelation that George Osborne is to join the worlds biggest asset manager, Americas BlackRock

No doubt Mr Osborne calculated that news of his Blair-like progress through the revolving door from politics to private wealth would be buried beneath coverage of yesterdays events in Washington.

But doesnt it illustrate perfectly why voters in the West are disillusioned and why so many turned to Mr Trump?
What a difference just three years has made to the career of human rights barrister Amal Alamuddin

What a difference just three years has made to the career of human rights barrister Amal Alamuddin.

Before she met George Clooney she was a pretty and clever lawyer largely unknown outside legal circles.

Then in 2014 she married her Hollywood star in a four-day, 3.5 million Venice extravaganza, showing off more costume changes than a catwalk model, with pictures plastered all over the globe.

Now we are suddenly supposed to regard her as one of the most influential women in the world.

Amal Clooney, as she styles herself (so much for feminism!), was a guest this week at a Women of Impact dinner in Davos, hosted by the publisher and New York-based media luvvie Tina Brown.

Mrs Clooney, who appeared with George, was honoured at the dinner for her human rights work.

Personally, I would have thought that was what shes paid to do  although, to be fair, she does carry out some pro bono work for which she waives her usual 500-an-hour fee.

Also honoured at the dinner was Amals Nobel Peace Prize-nominated client Nadia Murad, now a U.N. goodwill ambassador.

Nadia has been courageously outspoken about the persecution of the Yazidi people from northern Iraq.

She was imprisoned by Isis after the terror group executed her mother and brothers and is a worthy recipient of any honour.

HYPOCRISY, NICOLE Nicole Kidman probably thought she was in for an easy ride when she agreed to do an interview for Radio 4s Womens Hour to promote her new film Lion, about an adopted child seeking his biological parents. She didnt count on that lioness Jenni Murray, who asked her how well she was getting on with the two children she adopted with Tom Cruise, as Nicole has hardly been seen with them in years. The actress immediately got on her high horse and indignantly insisted on her childrens privacy. And this is the woman who has given endless interviews explaining how it was personal experience with adoption that made her take the part in Lion. If nothing else, she deserves an Oscar for hypocrisy. Advertisement

Yet competent though Amal might be and important as her work is, why on earth is she being feted in this way simply for doing her job?

You can be sure it wouldnt have happened had she not married Clooney.

At the event in Davos, Amal was wearing a 9,875 Chanel dress, enough to rebuild an entire Yazidi village.

But thats small fry compared with the 34,000 of couture outfits she wore in just two weeks last September while working as a human rights lawyer fighting trafficking, Isis, sex slavery and weighing in on the refugee crisis.

Im sure she spends as much time on her legal briefs as she does on planning her wardrobe (although if the rumour she is pregnant with twins is true, Amal will soon be forking out for very expensive maternity wear).

What really sticks in ones craw is seeing a highly privileged lawyer honoured in this way on the back of her multi-millionaire husband while so many other great women cant get a look-in because they dont swan about like Amal in celebrity circles.

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TV ads for the price comparison website MoneySuperMarket have been rated first, second and fourth most offensive ads last year.

Since they feature repulsively fat men in hot pants twerking while tottering around in stilettos, Im only surprised they didnt sweep the board.

I wont shed a tear as Martin McGuinness, 67, leaves politics due to ill health. He was allegedly second in command of the IRA when they blew up Lord Mountbatten on his boat, killing his grandson Nicholas, 14, and local lad Paul Maxwell, 15. What would those two boys have given to live a life half as long as his?

Kate's big hair day

What has happened to the Duchess of Cambridges hair! She turned up at a charity for mental health with an eyecatching new look.

Did she oversleep in her Carmen-heated rollers? Were they extensions? She looked more Katie Price than the Katie we adore.

And doesnt she realise that all her mass of bouncy locks does is draw attention to the fact that William has inherited the Windsor hair gene?

The bigger her hair becomes, the balder he gets.

What has happened to the Duchess of Cambridges hair! She turned up at a charity for mental health with an eyecatching new look

WESTMINSTER WARS Whoever said Brexit has had no impact? A new beauty trend for 2017 reveals that Brits are opting for strong, thicker eyebrows in order to look and feel more in control in these uncertain socio-economic times. So you can go for Soft Brexit Brows (think the Hadid sisters) or Hard Brexit Brows (Cara Delevingne)  either way its still a Brexit to brow-beat the Remoaners. New boss of the equalities watchdog, David Isaac, told MPs hate crime in the UK would soar when Article 50 is triggered. Only if bigots like him keep predicting such hatred and labelling those who voted for Brexit as horrible racists. Fashionistas questioned Theresa Mays choice of an aged Vivienne Westwood tartan trouser suit for her speech on Brexit. The message was surely to Nicola Sturgeon who, when the PM stopped speaking, threatened another referendum for Scotland. I wear the trews, the PM was telling that overstuffed little haggis. Advertisement

A risky move for Assange

Julian Assange hints hes ready to leave his sanctuary in Londons Ecuadorian Embassy and face extradition to the U.S. after Obama cut short the 35-year prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the former Army intelligence expert jailed for releasing 700,000 classified military douments to Assanges WikiLeaks.

In a new Ladybird book, Prince Charles has written a warning about global warming

Since WikiLeaks has helped terrorists wage war on Western interests around the globe, and Trump yesterday vowed to wipe out radical Islamic terrorists, Im not sure hed find the new President very biddable.

In a new Ladybird book, Prince Charles has written a warning about global warming.

He describes climate change as the wolf at the door and wants world leaders to take immediate action. Perhaps he could start by cancelling all his own private helicopter and plane journeys?

And dare I suggest that Camillas use of hairspray over the decades constitutes the single most concentrated attack on the ozone layer the world has seen?

Who will save the next Poppy?

Poppy Widdison died aged four. Her mother and her partner are drug addicts and yesterday a judge declared she had died after being assaulted by her mother, Michala Pyke, or her boyfriend after months of cruelty.

Social services decided Poppy was best left with her parents even though she had severe drug withdrawal symptoms at birth.

The child was regularly given heroin, morphine and ketamine at home, often to keep her quiet.

The couple were jailed this week, yet not one social worker has lost their job and Poppy is described as a tragic child who simply slipped through the cracks.

Now Childrens Commissioner Anne Longfield says child protection services will be investigated. But after Victoria Climbies death in 2000, Baby Ps in 2007, Khyra Ishaqs in 2008 and Daniel Pelkas in 2012, we had inquiry after inquiry.

Yet still social services let children slip through the cracks.

Poppy Widdison died aged four. Social services decided she was best left with her parents even though she had severe drug withdrawal symptoms at birth
It's difficult to remain on air for decades without the occasional continuity error.

But more recently, beloved soaps like EastEnders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale have slipped up on the basics when it comes to their characters' storylines.

There's always margin for mistakes but it's wise to remember that the hardcore fans watching will never let it be forgiven.

EastEnders' bosses have explained that sometimes it's necessary to risk the wrath of the know-it-all soap fans to move a storyline along (like Phil Mitchell's recent early birthday blip).

And former Coronation Street boss Stuart Blackburn had to admit to an oversight when Kevin Webster appeared to forget his own son's birthday 15 years previously.

FEMAIL takes a look at the worst continuity moments in soap...



Fans outrage as EastEnders get Phil Mitchell AND Mick Carter's birthdays wrong

Awks! The character, played by Danny Dyer, was seen celebrating the big birthday on Friday the 13th, when in recent years it was always celebrated on the 19th of January

EastEnders viewers were up in arms when Danny Dyer's character Mick Carter celebrated his 40th birthday on the wrong date.

And just days later eagle-eyed fans were shocked to see yet another Walford resident was also enjoying their big day at the wrong time, as Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) celebrated his 56th birthday four days early on Monday's episode.

Whilst the move was deliberate on the producers part in order to accommodate an upcoming storyline, viewers were still up in arms by the change.

'WTF @bbceastenders Phil Mitchell shared his birthday with my dad last year. This year it's 4 days early!!' one viewer wrote, as others added: 'Why is Phil celebrating his birthday on the wrong day? #eastenders.

Fans were shocked to see Phil Mitchell celebrated his 56th birthday four days early during Monday's episode, just days after a similar mistake was made

'Excuse me but me and Phil Mitchell have always shared a birthday and my birthdays on the 20th...(which is Friday soooo) #eastenders,' and 'isn't Phil's birthday the 19th? #EastEnders.

The scenes came just three days after Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, was seen celebrating the big birthday on Friday the 13th, when in recent years it was always celebrated on the 19th of January.

'WTF, Mick's birthday was on the 19th last year,' a viewer tweeted, while others chimed in in agreement.

New Year's Eve does the time warp in EastEnders

On the far right of the scene a poster can be seen stating it was 'New Year's Eve 2017' which is a bit of time jump

Viewers aired their dismay on Twitter after noticing the howler on a New Year's Eve poster pinned behind the bar at Albert Square watering hole The Queen Vic.

Instead of advertising its imminent end of year party, the promotional poster appeared to get ahead of itself by proclaiming New Year's Eve 2017.

Clearly visible as pub landlord Mick Carter, played by Danny Dyer, idled behind the bar with barmaid Whitney Dean, played by Shona McGarty, the gaffe sparked an inevitably sarcastic response.

Leading the charge, one wrote: 'Why have Eastenders got a poster up for 'New years eve 2017!!!!!'

Another person wanted to know if she was alone in spotting the sloppy mistake, writing: 'Did anyone else notice the nye 2017 sign behind the bar in queen vic.'

Crew member holds the rat's tale in Eastenders

There were a series of continuity errors spotted by fans in the run-up to Christmas.

And it seems that EastEnders' fans just can't be fooled, as an unfortunate gaffe on Tuesday night's episode saw viewers mocking the show on social media once more.

During one scene, a shocked Honey Mitchell (Emma Barton) chased a rat out of the Minute Mart, however, fans spotted that the rodent was being held by a stray hand - something that shouldn't have been in shot.

oney Mitchell (Emma Barton) chased a rat out of the Minute Mart, however, fans spotted that the rodent was being held by a stray hand

The scene started off in a typically dramatic fashion with a startled Honey finding a rat in the shop.

Chasing the rodent out of the shop with a broom, a handler for the animal was caught out as his hand strayed into the shot while he tried to ensure the rodent obeyed stage directions.

As Honey's broom chases the rat out of the shop door, the stray hand cam be seen darting out from behind the wall, clutching the small animal's tail.

It didn't take long for the show's eagle-eyed fans to highlight the mistake, as they took to Twitter to mock the editing of the scene.

'Great work by #EastEnders hand and rat [sic]!' Quipped one user, @MissLoubs1.

Another user, who clearly found the incident amusing was @tinaO, who wrote: 'Lol! The hand holding the rat #eastenders.'

As Honey's broom chases the rat out of the shop door, the stray hand cam be seen darting out from behind the wall, clutching the small animal's tail

Ronnie Mitchell attempts to book a holiday cottage in Dorset that doesn't exist and her advent calendar is magic

Ronnie Mitchell, played by Samantha Womack, was busy picking a holiday cottage to stay in as a Christmas trip for her and husband-to-be Jack Branning. But she was seen clicking to book a December stay in the cottage that was actually the home of Anne Hathaway and was not located in Dorset

Eagle-eyed fans spotted Ronnie Mitchell, played by Samantha Womack, browsing for a holiday cottage in Dorset in December, but the one she had picked was actually the iconic Stratford-Upon-Avon house where Anne Hathaway, the wife of William Shakespeare, grew up.

'Another blunder #EastEnders looking at cottages in Dorset? The picture is Anne Hathaway's cottage in Stratford upon Avon! Ohhh dear EE!' one viewer stated.

In the very same episode Ronnie's advent calendar mysteriously jumped from December 13 back to December 2 in mere minutes.

Nicola King's hair dries instantly in Emmerdale

Eagle-eyed viewers noticed a glaring continuity error in Monday's Emmerdale's episode as Nicola King's hair miraculously dried within moments

After a failed business meeting with Jai Sharma, long-running character Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) made her way home through the freezing, wet weather.

But eagle-eyed viewers noticed that despite being left soaked, her wet and windswept locks were perfectly coiffed just moments later.

'How did Nicola's hair just instantly dry...?' tweeted one bemused fan, while others echoed in agreement.

'One minute Nicole King is stood in the rain with wet hair, and the next she's walked home and suddenly she's bone dry.'

Coronation Street fans notice something familiar about the prison Aidan Connor visits

Shayne Ward didn't have to go far for his scenes filmed outside what appeared to be a prison - they were actually the Coronation Street studio entrance gates

Aidan Connor, played by Shayne Ward, visited his secret lover Maria Connor in prison during scenes earlier this month.

But fans didn't seem to care about the story, they'd spotted something familiar about the prison gates that Aidan was waiting outside - they were the same gates at the entrance to the Coronation Street.

'There is absolutely no way they have just used the location I sit at for 8 hours talking to their security for a scene in corrie cba,' said one.

When Bethany Platt returned to Coronation Street she didn't have an Italian accent

Bethany Platt, played by Lucy Fallon, returned to Coronation Street in March 2015 but still had a broad Mancunian accent

In 2015 Bethany Platt, played by Lucy Fallon, returned to Coronation Street after an eight-year absence living in Milan, Italy.

Despite spending her childhood in the sunnier climes the character came back to Weatherfield with a broad Mancunian accent and not even a whisper of an Italian lilt.

Kevin Webster forgets about the death of his child

Coronation Street producers had to apologise when they realised they'd made a mistake when Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell, forgot about the death of his child.

In a June 2015 episode, which saw his daughter Sophie grieving over the death of her girlfriend Maddie, he remarked at the funeral about her parents: 'Must be hard burying one of your kids'.

Kevin Webster (played by Micheal Le Vell) weeps over the death of his son in 2000 along with his then wife Alison who went on to kill herself

Of course fans were quick to point out that Kevin should know what it's like after the death of his son 15 years earlier in 2000 with his then wife Alison.

He developed a Group B streptococcal infection and the grief-stricken mother ended up jumping in front of a lorry a killing herself after attempting to steal Bethany Platt's baby.

Former producer Stuart Blackburn later apologised admitting it was an oversight: 'I'd like to thank viewers who spotted our mistake.

'Our episodes go through many drafts and are scrutinised by many people, but on this occasion we did make a mistake.'
When Miranda Townsend walked down the aisle, she did so in a dress steeped in history.

The New Zealand resident, 29, chose to pay homage to her Scottish heritage, dressing in a hand-sewn tartan gown for her big day.

And she was not alone.

Miranda's husband Jono, 33, who is also of Scottish descent, also wore a traditional kilt. The pair told FEMAIL their wedding day was a chance to honour their ancestors.

Miranda Townsend and husband Jono (pictured) both wore tartan for their big day

The wedding was held in a stunning private castle in Christchurch, New Zealand

'It was an absolutely magical day and couldn't have gone better,' the bride told FEMAIL

While the New Zealand couple are not directly from Scotland, their recent ancestors are.

Miranda said she descended from the Farquharson clan, and Jono the Crawford clan.

'It was an absolutely magical day and couldn't have gone better,' she told FEMAIL.

Miranda told Stuff.co.nz her dress was hand woven by traditional 'dress makers from The Heritage of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland'.

The bride's dress was hand woven by traditional dress-makers in Scotland

The stunning countryside made for the perfect backdrop for the nuptials, and the bridal party also wore tartan for the ceremony

The groom wore a traditional kilt and sporran, as well as knee high socks as tradition dictates

'The bride's tartan and the bridesmaid's matching sash is the Farquharson family tartan,' the publication reported.

'The groom and groomsmen's kilts were the Black Watch tartan from The New Zealand Kilt Company as my family's tartan was unavailable but still represented throughout the wedding.'

The couple were married in a private castle in Christchurch.

The stunning countryside made for the perfect backdrop for the nuptials, and the bridal party also wore tartan for the ceremony.

The couple met at an anti shark-finning protest in Christchurch

The groom said a sword fight broke out between himself and a would-be challenger who emerged dressed in a kilt and ghillie shirt after the nuptials

The couple, who met at an anti shark-finning protest in Christchurch, continued their Scottish theme with the flowers, the bride carrying a bouquet of Scottish heather and thistles.

Jono told Stuff.co.nz a highlight of the wedding was when he became embroiled in a sword fight.

'A sword fight broke out between the groom and a would-be challenger who emerged dressed in a kilt and ghillie shirt,' he said.

'The sword fight moved out of the hall and the groom returned the victor.'

Miranda described the wedding as 'absolutely magical'. 'I felt like royalty in that gown,' she said

Photographs taken by Parker Photography captured the couple in front of the stunning landscape

The private castle in Christchurch was a fitting venue for the Scottish-themed wedding

Miranda described the wedding as 'absolutely magical'.

'I felt like royalty in that gown,' she said.

The stunning couture had delicate lace detailing around the neckline and a thigh split that revealed layered tulle.

She paired with gown with a floral headpiece, and stayed warm against the icy temperatures by wearing a soft white wrap over her shoulders.

Photographs of the stunning wedding were taken by Graham Parker of Parker Photography.
The languid glamour of the pose is a million miles from the urban squalor of the film that made her father famous.

Yet 20-year-old Clara McGregor is the beautiful daughter of actor Ewan  who shot to fame as the drug-addled star of Trainspotting and is in the sequel, T2 Trainspotting, released this week.

Clara, a budding model and film-maker, has already done a photoshoot with 1980s supermodel Helena Christensen, is about to appear in fashion bible W magazine and has been tipped by Vogue as one to watch for 2017.

20-year-old Clara McGregor, the daughter of actor Ewan, has already done a photoshoot with 1980s supermodel Helena Christensen

She says her father banned her from watching the original Trainspotting, with its graphic scenes of addiction, sex and violence, until she was mentally able to cope with it at 15.

I was thrilled when he finally allowed me to see it, says Clara, who is in her final year of a cinema studies degree at New York University. When I finally watched it, I was thrilled and so proud of dads performance. Hes brilliant.

She was born in February 1996, the same year as her fathers breakthrough role as Mark Renton in Danny Boyles cult black comedy, which follows a group of junkies through the underbelly of 1980s Edinburgh.

She is the eldest of McGregors four daughters with wife Eva from a 21-year marriage. Her sisters are 14-year-olds Esther and Jamyan, who was adopted from Mongolia, and five-year-old Anouk.

Clara (pictured right) is the eldest of McGregors four daughters with wife Eva

She grew up in St Johns Wood, London, before the family moved to LA eight years ago

Clara grew up in Londons St Johns Wood, before the family moved to LA eight years ago. She shot her first low-budget independent film, Groove, last summer and recently signed with Wilhelmina Models.

Yet she remains refreshingly down to earth and says her father refused to give her everything she wanted, despite his reported 35 million wealth.

I always had to work for my own money, she says. I worked in a clothes shop, as a waitress, doing babysitting. He wanted to teach me the value of money. Dad always stressed the value of hard work.

CAN YOU MATCH THE CELEB DADS TO THE MODELS? Sean Penn Johnny Depp Sylvester Stallone Gavin Rossdale Simon Le Bon Jude Law Steven Spielberg Arnold Schwarzenegger Bruce Willis Lionel Richie Advertisement

Its said that a models face is her fortune, but a famous name certainly helps, as does the right telephone numbers in your address book.

Its no surprise, then, that a new generation of models have naggingly familiar faces, and instantly recognisable surnames  the latest being Clara McGregor, daughter of Trainspotting star Ewan.

They are the picture-perfect daughters of some of the biggest stars in film and music, girls who have grown up around celebrity movers and shakers and are now ready to step out on their own.

Can you guess the famous parents of this years crop of catwalk starlets?

1. PIRATE'S GIRL

Her father may be known for flying the Jolly Roger, but at just 17 this American-French model and actress is already stealing hearts as a Chanel ambassador

2. TOUCH OF FROST

Rather than laying down the law, the budding models Primrose Hill set actor parents have encouraged her career, which began with a Burberry deal at just 16

3. SHE'LL BE BACK

With an actor/politician for a father and a journalist for a mother, this author/ model has a head start in Hollywood, so we cant see her career being terminated in the near future

4. MIGHTIER THAN THE PENN?

Her heart-throb father is dating someone even younger than her, while this 25-year-old jewellery models mother just keeps scheming alongside Kevin Spacey in the White House

5. KNOCKOUT GOOD LOOKS

Some models may have had a rocky start but not this 18-yearold American. She has already proved a hit on the catwalks for Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana

6. CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH SUCCESS

Maybe the family resemblance around the jaws gives it away? This film-makers model daughter, 20, has worked with fashion designer Diane Von Furstenburg

7, THREE TIMES A LADY

Her father is a legendary crooner and her sister a socialite but this 18-year-old has already said a big hello to the fashion world, as a cover girl for Vanity Fair and other magazines. She also has her own clothing line

8. HUNGRY LIKE HER DAD ?

A London girl, 27, she has modelled for River Island and shampoo brand Pantene. With genes like hers, is there any wonder the girls on film?

9. A DELICATE FLOWER?

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 27, a regular on the catwalks, can expect pearls of wisdom on career moves from her singer mum while her rocker dad is a judge on ITVs The Voice

10. A DIE-HARD DAUGHTER

Born to Hollywood acting royalty, the 28-year-old is a model but also moonlights in the acting world
In three years, Lisa Brown has shrunk to just 77 pounds - after shedding half her body weight.

The 34-year-old former model is crippled by pain and a disease that is slowly starving her to death.

Strangers often assume that she has an eating disorder, but Lisa is actually the victim of a extremely rare condition - one of only 400 known cases in the world.

Lisa suffers from superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), a rare digestive system disorder where two arteries 'pinch' part of the small intestine called the duodenum, blocking food from getting through.

The disease means Lisa is unable to keep food down and, after three years of pain, she says she's now willing to let herself die.

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Lisa Brown, 34, from Wisconsin dropped from 145 lbs (left) to 77 lbs (right) because of a rare condition where two arteries 'pinch' her intestines and leave her unable to keep food down. After three years of chronic pain, Lisa said she's done fighting

Lisa (pictured with her husband Patrick) suffers from superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS), a rare digestive system disorder that pinches part of the small intestine, blocking food from getting through.

Lisa wasn't always a slave to her body.

The 5'10" beauty from Wisconsin worked as model, went to college and graduate school, and got married.

But shortly after her 28th birthday, Lisa began to lose weight and couldn't figure out why.

Her clothing didn't fit her anymore, she was vomiting after every meal and suffering from severe stomach pain. When Lisa finally stepped on a scale, she weighed only 112 pounds - 33 pounds lighter than her normal weight of 145.

In 2013, Lisa received her diagnosis of SMAS after visiting three different hospitals, and going through a series of CT scans.

SMAS is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder that affects less than one percent of the population, leaving sufferers with a 30 percent chance of death. Often, diagnosis comes too late.

Lisa's weight continued to drop rapidly and the stares and comments from strangers increased.

She said: 'It never ceases to amaze me what people would come up to me and say.

'Once in the grocery store line, a person behind me asked my weight and told me that I can't starve myself because it doesn't look good.

'High school students yell at me to eat a cheeseburger when they see me in public.'

Lisa was diagnosed with SMAS in 2013 after visits to three different hospitals. SMAS affects less than one percent of the population, leaving sufferers with a 30 per cent chance of death

Lisa said: 'I was vibrant, social, healthy and spirited and now I'm in constant pain, rely on others and I'm confined to my home most days'

WHAT IS SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY SYNDROME? Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) is a digestive condition that occurs when the duodenum - the first part of the small intestine - is compressed between two arteries. This compression results in partial or complete blockage of the duodenum and causes acute pain. It is known to be a complication of scoliosis surgery and trauma. SMAS is very rare and occurs in less than one percent of the total population. There are about 400 reported cases worldwide. There is a 30 percent chance of death from SMAS. Signs and symptoms: Feeling full quickly when eating

Bloating after meals

Burping (belching)

Nausea and vomiting of partially digested food or bile-like liquid

Small bowel obstruction

Weight loss

Mid-abdominal 'cramp-like' pain Treatment for SMAS typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the condition. Symptoms often improve after lost weight is restored or a body cast is removed. Some options include: Nasogastric decompression (a tube passed through the nose into the stomach) and proper positioning after eating (such as lying in the left side or standing or sitting with a knee-to-chest position) to alleviate symptoms

Intravenous (IV) nutritional support and/or a feeding tube may be needed to provide enough calories. Affected people can usually then be started on oral liquids, followed by slow and gradual introduction of small and frequent soft meals as tolerated. Then, regular solid foods may be introduced

Surgery may be needed if other treatment strategies do not work. However, other treatment options should usually be tried for at least 4-6 weeks before considering surgery Advertisement

By July 2015, she was down to just 89 pounds and unsure if she'd make it to her 33rd birthday.

Lisa was hooked up to a feeding tube for 16 hours a day to make sure she was receiving a proper amount of nutrients.

At the time, she described her chronic pain as feeling as though 'there are two metal fists grabbing as tight as possible and twisting my intestines'.

She said: 'The disease has taken everything.

'Time spent with family used to be recreational and fun - the more ill I became with SMAS, the more those things came to a halt and it transformed into a caretaker role.'

To spread awareness about the debilitating syndrome, she created a YouTube video entitled Be Brave SMAS Warriors.

The video made its way to specialists at the Cleveland Clinic. Lisa relocated there with her mother, Patricia Neuhauser, in May 2015.

Lisa was hooked up to a feeding device for 20 hours a day before a series of tests diagnosed her with gastroparesis, a condition that prevents the stomach from emptying properly.

Six months later, the hospital told Lisa she needed an intestinal transplant. Insurance, however, wouldn't cover the costly bill of an estimated $1 million.

It was something Lisa says she thinks would have worked.

'It was my last chance at surviving. But it didn't happen. It was way too expensive to do on our own,' she told PEOPLE.

Lisa and her husband Patrick left the Cleveland Clinic and, in May 2016, flew to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida - one of the few hospitals in the country that offers the transplant.

Lisa said: 'I was really deteriorating at that point and they told me I had to gain 20 pounds to have the surgery.

'I knew then and there I had no shot. I couldn't take it anymore.'

Patrick went on medical leave from his job in December without pay to be with Lisa.

He's also created a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of Lisa's medical expenses. So far, almost $17,000 have been raised out of the $50,000 goal.

He told PEOPLE: 'The hardest part is just sitting here watching her suffer. But I promised her sickness and in health. I was just hoping for the health.'

After another care center told Lisa she wasn't a candidate for further treatment, and so Lisa finally moved into hospice care.

She said: 'It's not a scary thing. It doesn't mean you're ready for death. It means you're finding another way to help your fight.

'It doesn't mean you're giving up. I've never given up.'

By July 2015, Lisa was down to just 89 pounds (pictured left) and unsure if she'd make it to her 33rd birthday. She said: 'Time spent with family used to be recreational and fun - the more ill I became with SMAS, the more those things came to a halt'

Lisa is spending what she says are her remaining days in hospice care. She said: 'It's not a scary thing. It doesn't mean you're ready for death. It means you're finding another way to help your fight'

On a recent outing, Lisa's mother took her to get her nails done. Lisa chose purple, the color for SMAS Awareness Day, which is January 28.

In a Facebook post afterwards, she wrote: 'It is rare I have the strength to leave the house lately, but mom took me out for this special manicure for a gift.

'Each day is more of a challenge for me as my body protests every intervention, but it is things like this that lift my spirits to fight another day.'
Snoring can be infuriating if you are on the receiving end. But next time you feel forced to kick your partner out of bed for keeping you up all night (or take refuge in the spare room), bear in mind that anything more than an occasional snore could be a sign they need medical help.

Far from something to be brushed off, these nocturnal noises are rarely benign. Typically, caused by a combination of physiology and environmental factors, snoring may  rather surprisingly  harm the body in a number of ways

While some people may get frustrated by a snoring partner, it could actually be a sign medical help is needed

Bad Vibrations

The constant vibration of habitual snoring causes damage and inflammation to the throat, and may be linked to thickening of the carotid arteries, which run up the sides of the neck supplying the head with blood.

This, say researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, increases the risk of artherosclerosis  furring of the insides of the blood vessels  and the chances of stroke.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disorder that occurs due to the collapse of the airway in the throat during sleep and causes loud snoring and periodic interruptions in breathing. It has long been linked to heart disease and a range of other serious health problems.

The condition is thought to affect about five per cent of the adult population to some degree, with 250,000 Britons suffering what is deemed a severe form of it. However 25 million are thought to be habitual snorers, without OSA.

In the Henry Ford study, experts reviewed data for more than 900 patients, aged 18 to 50, who had been evaluated by the institutions sleep centre. None of the volunteers suffered from OSA. They completed a survey regarding their snoring and had scans of their carotid arteries.

Compared to non-snorers, snorers were found to have significantly thicker arterial walls, an early sign of cardiovascular disease.

Surprisingly, those with high cholesterol, diabetes and those who smoked did not have thickened carotid arteries, leading the researchers to suggest that snoring was the biggest health concern for these people.

It Brings on Bronchitis

The same vibrations in the throat have been suggested as a factor in the development of chronic bronchitis, inflammation of lower airways accompanied by a persistent cough and the production of mucus or phlegm.

A Korean study found that individuals who snored six to seven times per week were 68 per cent more likely to develop the condition. The association was strongest in individuals who were overweight, but smoking was not a factor.

Repeated snoring vibrations may act as mechanical stresses, leading to increased inflammatory response in the upper airway, said the report.

Reduce Reflux

Night-time acid reflux may be the cause of significant sleep impairment, including a sore throat, snoring and wheezing, according to one University of Arizona study.

Researchers discovered that half of those who suffer from diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)  the medical term for long-term heartburn  reported sleeping poorly often or most of the time.

They suggested that ways to help reduce night-time reflux may include sleeping with the head and shoulders elevated, waiting between two and three hours after eating to go to sleep, and avoiding trigger foods.

Pregnancy problems

Expectant mothers who snore three or more times a week had a higher risk of poor delivery outcomes, including double the chances of a caesarean birth and two-thirds more likely to deliver a below-normal-weight baby, according to research from the University of Michigan Health System.

SLEEP ALONE? SIGNS YOU SNORE For snorers who have bed partners, a nudge in the ribs or complaints will usually tell them they snore. But for people who sleep alone, and cant tell whether they snore, there are other pointers. One sign is frequent trips to the loo at night. During sleep, the body produces less urine while more is produced when awake, resulting in numerous night to visits to the toilet. These interruptions can be measured if a patient undergoes sleep studies. A dry mouth can be another sign, caused by air moving in and out during snoring and drying the mucous membranes. Finally, the constant vibration of snoring can cause your tongue to swell and push against your teeth, causing indentations on the front and sides of the tongue. A scalloped tongue might mean you snore. Advertisement

Those who started snoring during pregnancy had a higher risk of both elective and emergency C-sections than women who did not snore. Lowered levels of blood oxygen caused by interruption in breathing was suggested as a reason for this.

An earlier study from the same team showed that women who begin snoring during pregnancy are at high risk of increased blood pressure and pre-eclampsia.

Cures... but not for all

Patients diagnosed with OSA are offered a range of options. The NHS recommends polysomnography, also called a sleep study, where brain waves, breathing, blood oxygen levels, heart rate and movements while asleep are recorded, followed by CPAP treatment. This involves wearing a face mask at night to deliver air into the nose, or use of a mandibular advancement device, which holds the jaw forward to keep airways open.

However, for habitual snorers, a GP may first simply suggest lifestyle changes: losing weight, avoiding alcohol, and giving up smoking.

Lifestyle habits such as drinking alcohol can cause the throat and tongue muscles to relax and fall back into the airway at night, blocking it.

In rare cases, a snore may be due to vibrations in excess tissues around the uvula, the soft part at the opening to the throat at the back of the mouth. There is limited evidence that surgery to reduce this tissue may help snoring, and due to lack of evidence it is not offered on the NHS.

People who snore without a cause, like a cold, benefit from mouth and tongue exercises, like sucking the tongue against the roof of the mouth

But there is hope. A Brazilian study found that patients who snored without obvious cause (such as a cold) benefited from mouth and tongue exercises. These reduced the frequency of snoring by 36 per cent and loudness by 59 per cent.

Their exercises included:

Pushing the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth and sliding the tongue backwards;

Sucking the tongue up against the roof of the mouth;

Forcing the back of the tongue against the floor of the mouth while keeping the tip of the tongue in contact with the lower front teeth;

Elevating the back of the roof of the mouth and uvula by saying the vowel A.

If the snore remains a problem, a referral to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist may be the best way forward.
ALBUM OF THE WEEK

Tchaikovsky: Symphonies 3, 4 and 6 Onyx (two CDs) Out now

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This year, its six decades since the Liverpool Philharmonic got the right to call itself Royal. And the orchestra celebrates this milestone with this release of recordings it financed itself in 2015  three of Tchaikovskys symphonies that show the band to be in the finest possible fettle.

During his decade with the orchestra, conductor Vasily Petrenko, officially awarded the title of Honorary Scouser by Liverpool Council, has shown himself to be a dab hand at a wide range of music, including notable recordings of Elgars two symphonies.

But it is the Russian repertoire that suits him best.

During his decade with the orchestra, conductor Vasily Petrenko has shown himself to be a dab hand at a wide range of music - but it is the Russian repertoire that suits him best

His recordings of Shostakovichs symphonies won high praise everywhere. And now, with this complete Tchaikovsky symphony cycle, Onyx having issued a while ago its recordings of Symphonies 1, 2 and 5, Petrenko returns to an earlier love.

Back in 2009, he won a Gramophone Award for Best Orchestral Recording of the Year with Tchaikovskys unnumbered symphony, Manfred. This issue could be in line for an award as well, because here Petrenko strikes an ideal balance between Russian passion and Western discipline.

Some of the greatest Russian conductors  such as Yevgeny Svetlanov and Yevgeny Mravinsky, who led the Soviet Unions finest orchestra, the Leningrad Philharmonic, for 50 years  made their reputation in Tchaikovsky with high-voltage recordings, full of tempo adjustments not greatly favoured in the West. Petrenko loses none of the passion, but his readings are far more straightforward, in the Western style.

This brings huge benefits, particularly in Tchaikovskys cinderella Symphony No 3, spuriously called The Polish. Petrenkos account of the first movement untangles one of the most difficult symphonic movements to get right, while he also gets directly to the heart of the matter in the pivotal slow movement.

Obviously, Symphony No 4, modelled on Beethovens 5th, and the tragic Pathetique, first performed only days before Tchaikovskys sadly premature death, have attracted dozens of recordings.

I think Petrenko, with these readings, rises towards the top of the pile, also because of his disciplined intensity and clarity in the Pathetique, where he makes sense of the descriptions of each of the four movements found, after his death, among Tchaikovskys papers: Life, Love, Disappointment and Death.

Cheerful stuff! But turned into memorable listening by the Merseysiders.

BOX SET OF THE WEEK

The David Oistrakh Edition Deutsche Grammophon (22 CDs) Out now

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David Oistrakh ranks alongside his fellow Russian Jascha Heifetz as the most important violinist of the 20th century.

Oistrakh was a powerful player whose deep musicianship in this inexpensive box (22 CDs for 45 or less) encompasses compelling baroque performances  theres some especially glorious Bach  and some truly extraordinary performances of what was, for him, contemporary music which, incidentally, made him Shostakovichs favourite interpreter.

Sadly theres no Shostakovich here, but there is plenty of Prokofiev, who rated him equally highly. Among other highlights are the recordings he made of two favourite party pieces, the concertos of Tchaikovsky and Brahms, set down in Dresden in 1954 when he was in his absolute prime.

Among other highlights are the recordings he made of two party pieces, the concertos of Tchaikovsky and Brahms, set down in Dresden in 1954 when he was in his absolute prime

Theres also a strikingly eclectic selection of chamber music, notably a complete set of Beethoven Sonatas from 1962 with the distinguished pianist Lev Oborin. Another fine performance included here is his London recording of Max Bruchs Scottish Fantasy with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Oistrakh succumbed to a heart attack in Amsterdam in 1974 while on tour, aged only 66. Although its more than 40 years since I last saw him play live, I remember every detail.

Built like an all-in wrestler, with enormously powerful shoulders, Oistrakhs manner on the platform was kindly and avuncular. But when he stuck his violin into one of his many jowls and really got going, he was a man transformed, whose playing made it impossible for an audience not to be swept away.

This exceptional Deutsche Grammophon box shows a total master of his craft at work and shouldnt be missed.
Jackie Cert: 15 1hr 40mins

Rating:

Apart from the fact that she was a Chanel-clad Sixties style icon, all I really knew about Jackie Kennedy until this week was that she was the widow of President Kennedy, would go on to marry the Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, and that she would be forever associated with that heart-breaking instinctive scramble on to the boot of the presidential limousine to retrieve parts of her husbands skull a spilt-second after an assassins bullet had ripped through it.

I had absolutely no idea, for instance, what she sounded like, and that is one of the biggest shocks provided by Jackie, directed by the Chilean film-maker Pablo Larrain.

Natalie Portman, looking so like the title character that only a detailed study of the eyebrows can tell them apart, opens her mouth and the most extraordinary voice comes out.

Portman (seen here with Caspar Phillipson as JFK), is currently favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actress for her accurate, impersonation-driven performance

Its breathy, coquettish and the accent almost unplaceable. With more than a hint of a weak r and some distinctly strange vowel sounds, the overall effect smacks of a combination of elocution lessons and possibly a bit of speech therapy.

It is very odd indeed and one of the reasons this film may go down differently with British audiences than with American counterparts more familiar with her and, indeed, with her 1961 television tour of the White House. The historic programme, online clips of which show how accurate Portmans portrayal is, is both reprised and seamlessly recreated here.

That broadcast seemed to have the same effect on American audiences as Richard Cawstons documentary film Royal Family had over here in 1969, a point I emphasise because it shows how media-savvy the image-conscious First Lady  then just 34 years old  was. Even in her trauma and grief, as Larrains insightful film reveals, she was painfully aware of the need not just to protect her late husbands legacy but to actively create it too.

I dont always warm to such big, impersonation-driven performances but bear in mind two things. First, its just the sort of bravura acting that the American Academy love  and Portman is currently favourite to win the Oscar for Best Actress  and second, that its integral to Larrains approach.

He wants to give us the Jackie Kennedy the public knew but he also wants to bring us the private woman they didnt, a woman who seems to have mixed vulnerability and fragility with a rich vein of inner steel. Its that conflict, that contradiction that Portman captures so superbly.

Three years ago Peter Landesmans picture Parkland concentrated on the immediate aftermath of the assassination in 1963.

Director Pablo Lurrain allows us to see Jackie Kennedy (played by Natalie Portman, above) in both her public and private moments, displaying her vulnerability as well as her strength

Here, Larrain and screenwriter Noah Oppenheim switch the focus to the three days that followed, beginning with the emergency swearing-in of Lyndon B Johnson on board Air Force One and ending with Kennedys burial after the extraordinary funeral  attended by more than 100 heads of state  barely 72 hours later. Naturally, it places Jackie  who didnt change her blood-splattered pink Chanel suit for 24 hours  at the heart of everything.

A modicum of historical perspective is introduced by telling the story in flashback, using the familiar, if here slightly fictionalised, device of a journalist (Billy Crudup) turning up just one week later to get her side of a story still haunting the entire world.

IT'S A FACT At 22, Jackie was chosen from a field of 1,279 candidates to become junior editor of Vogue magazine, but quit on her first morning in the job. Advertisement

But Jackie, who has only agreed to the interview if she has full copy approval, is not content to play the conventional grieving widow. You want me to describe the sound the bullet made as it collided with my husbands skull, she says perceptively.

But she makes him wait, giving him with one hand exactly what he wants, only to immediately take it away with the other. Of course, you cant write that, she says after another indiscretion, and I dont smoke, she adds, taking a deep drag on her umpteenth cigarette.

History is literally being written  and then rewritten  in front of us; the myth of Kennedys Camelot being created.

Larrains film is darker and more subversive than it at first appears, and with strong supporting performances from the likes of Peter Sarsgaard as Bobby and Greta Gerwig as Jackies PA  and fabulously unsettling music from British composer Mica Levi  its one of the must-sees of this award season.

SECOND SCREEN

Lion (PG)

Rating:

Split (15)

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Lion is one of those films that make no attempt to conceal its heart-warming intentions and I did wonder, as we lumbered well into a second hour, whether a little more subtlety and surprise might not have gone amiss.

Its the story of Saroo, a five-year-old Indian boy who becomes accidentally but irrevocably separated from his poor but loving family and finds himself alone and battling for survival on the dangerous streets of Calcutta, only to have his life transformed when he is suddenly adopted by a comfortably-off Australian couple.

But then, guess what? He gets all grown-up and suddenly determines he will find his birth family, despite the fact that the name of the home village he thinks he can remember doesnt seem to exist.

Sunny Pawar (above with Nicole Kidman, who plays his adoptive Australian mother) gives an absolutely enchanting performance as the very small, very frightened Saroo

The similarities to Slumdog Millionaire are obvious but, nevertheless, the first half of this Garth Davis-directed picture is wonderful, thanks partly to a truly authentic sense of place created by the director and his location team but principally to an absolutely enchanting performance from newcomer Sunny Pawar, who is totally convincing as the very small, very frightened Saroo.

Devoted to his older brother Guddu (Abhishek Bharate), and determined to do what he can to help feed his family, Saroo begs to be taken along on a short journey to find night-work. But the little boy clambers into an empty train while Guddu is gone and falls asleep, only to wake up, locked in and speeding across India.

More than 1,000 miles away, he arrives in Calcutta, a city hes never heard of, where they speak Bengali rather than Hindi and where hes immediately potential prey for the child-traffickers and paedophiles who roam the streets. The sense of peril and Saroos fear are properly and impressively palpable.

Saroo's devotion to his older brother, Guddu (Abhishek Bharate, left) leads him to clamber into an empty train while helping to find night work, only to wake alone and speeding across India

But it all falls ever-so-slightly apart after we jump forward and the action switches to Australia. Theres nothing wrong with Dev Patels performance as the by-now grown-up Saroo, but the pace slows, the plotting becomes cumbersome, and casting the distinguished likes of Nicole Kidman and David Wenham as Saroos adoptive parents never quite pays off. The ending is predictably lovely but it might have been lovelier still if wed got there faster.

In recent years, the career of M Night Shyamalan  yes, he of Sixth Sense and Unbreakable fame  has often appeared in near-terminal decline.

But he returns to something resembling form with Split thanks to an ongoing tie-up with horror producer Jason Blum, and a virtuoso performance from James McAvoy as the creep who kidnaps three teenage girls and holds them prisoner in a cellar. But if its a man holding them captive, who is the womans voice they can hear?

Anya Taylor-Joy, above, catches the eye playing one of three teenage girls captured by a creepy kidnapper with multiple personalities, impressively performed by James McAvoy

There are echoes of 10 Cloverfield Lane, along with a hatful of films once the central twist  that the kidnapper has multiple personalities  is revealed. For a second or two, the film teeters on the edge of a now-unfashionable genre sleaziness but pulls back just in time.

McAvoy has an absolute ball, Betty Buckley is spot-on as his over-dedicated psychiatrist and Morgan star Anya Taylor-Joy definitely catches the eye as the most resourceful of the three girls.

Shyamalan is hardly breaking new ground and his story probably goes at least one twist too far. But hes having fun and not taking himself too seriously, as youll discover  rather deliciously  as the final credits roll.
What is your earliest memory?

As a toddler on a great liner halfway across the Atlantic. Everything grey streaked with white except for the orange lifejackets. It would have been 1949. I was three and returning to Britain after the collapse of my mothers marriage to a Canadian army officer shed met during the war. We had been living in Vancouver when their marriage finished  he was a bigamist, apart from his other faults.

What sort of child were you?

Bookish. I was the only child in a difficult family setting, rescued by a scholarship to public school which gave me the confidence to disguise my insecurities.

'When I was younger, I used to get sent the odd pair of knickers in the post'

What has been your most embarrassing moment?

Getting out of bed, stark naked, in the middle of the night in the annexe of a hotel in Bristol for a pee, mistaking the door to the bathroom and locking myself out of my room. Finding the night porter in the main building 100 yards down a busy street in Clifton was the only way I could get back into my room.

Have you ever cheated death?

I was blown up in Addis Ababa in 1991 when rebels were fighting their way into the city. The soundman was killed and the cameraman had his arm blown off but I, thank goodness, got away with just concussion.

Whats the best thing about being famous (and the worst)?

When I was younger, I used to get sent the odd pair of knickers in the post  but they were disposed of rather rapidly. The worst? The other day an attractive young woman said to me: My grandmother used to fancy you. Im still trying to work out which bit of the sentence is most wounding

What is your best and worst character trait?

Im a strange mixture of arrogance and insecurity  and like all journalists, live in fear of one day being found out. Ive got a reputation for being outspoken too, but I think thats a result of being a BBC correspondent for so long, and not being allowed to have an opinion about anything.

Who would be your dream dinner date?

The late Rabbi Hugo Gryn, whom I got to know while presenting The Moral Maze on Radio 4. I admired his impishness and energy, and will never forget the night we went out for dinner at a Turkish restaurant with the other Mazers after one show. A belly dancer was wiggling away, David Starkey wasnt the slightest bit interested because he was gay, and a couple of the others were taking a very lofty view of the proceedings. But there was Hugo, with his zest for life, stuffing 5 notes down her costume, bless him!

What is your most treasured possession?

A dark blue 1961 E-Type Jaguar, the most beautiful car ever made. Ive had it for 26 years, but I never take it out in the rain because its a bit rusty and the doors dont close very well.

What has been your biggest achievement?

Finding an occupation that suits my few talents and overlooks my weaknesses. Of course, some people may remember my dispatches from Ethiopia in 1984, which helped inspire the Band Aid record and Live Aid  but Im rather uneasy about taking any pride in other peoples misery.

... and your biggest disappointment?

Failing to get into the armed services because of poor eyesight. Im a bossy kind of person, and it really took the wind out of my sails when I was rejected.

What is your biggest regret?

The early death of my mother, Betty, who died of a heart condition aged 42, when I was 16.

When did you last feel happy?

My last wedding anniversary, on a small sailing boat in a cove in southern Turkey with my wife, Christine.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

It used to be my Prince Charles ears but now its all the signs of age.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Schadenfreude!

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

If I could be well-off and English, the 19th century. The high water mark of British history.

Whats the best piece of advice youve ever been given?

Never believe your own publicity.

What song do you want at your funeral?

Probably the African Methodist hymn Nkosi Sikeleli (God Bless Africa), which I remember from my years as a correspondent there.

What is the worst thing anyone has said to you?

Ive always admired your work, Mr Hanrahan.

Royal Recipes begins on January 23 at 3.45pm on BBC1, and continues daily (Mon-Fri)
Watching her teenage daughters disappear into a fug of tear gas in Istanbul, Bettany Hughes realised this particular family history lesson might be getting out of hand.

The author and academic, with daughters Sorel and May, had booked into a hotel on Taksim Square in May 2013, just as the citys secular and westward-looking youths were rising in protest.

As we went into the hotel the trouble exploded, Hughes recalls. Later I was told it was finished and I took the girls outside to look around. Thats when it absolutely kicked off and the tear gas was fired. Its frightening when your daughter says, Im finding it a bit hard to breathe. Looking back, I probably shouldnt have done it, but I wanted them to see history being made in Istanbul.

Historian Bettany Hughes fell for Istanbul when she was at Oxford

Now Sorel and May have the far safer option of reading their mothers illuminating new book. Istanbul: A Tale Of Three Cities is a comprehensive and ground-breaking 600-page study of the city known as Byzantium, New Rome, Constantinople and Stamboul.

A decade in the making, the book re-establishes Hughess credentials as a heavyweight academic as well as the provocative historian behind such titles as Helen Of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore and Sin City: London In Pursuit Of Pleasure and the presenter of several major television documentaries.

They said no one wants to be lectured by a woman. That put a certain fire in my belly

At 49, she still has the dark tresses that led one reviewer to call her raven-haired. (Really! she complains. Do they call male professors of ancient history lightly grey-haired?) and today, at home in west London, she wears a black dress that reveals her trademark decolletage. Her calf-length boots are smeared with dried clay. Im sorry, she says. Ive been in Cyprus. Its mud from the sanctuary of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love.

Hughes learned early in her TV career just how significant our physical and sexual lives are, when she found herself interviewing a circus performer on a trampoline. He was naked from the waist down, she says, and I was eight-and-a-half months pregnant. The director was tying himself into knots, not because he was anxious about showing this appendage waggling around, because he was anxious to avoid showing I was pregnant. That was 1996, not 1896.

In the Nineties, ancient history was deeply out of fashion. One TV producer took me aside and said, Let me tell you three things. Nobodys interested in history any more, nobody watches history on television, and nobody wants to be lectured at by a woman. That just put a certain degree of fire in my belly. The thing about me is Im bloody-minded.

In 1999 she presented Leviathan, a documentary about Reformation-era Germany, followed by 2000s Breaking The Seal, but she had to wait until 2003 for her first big TV success with The Spartans. The documentary about the warrior Ancient Greeks opened with the revelation that, in the military messes, homosexuality was compulsory between grown boys and older men. Its all pretty hot stuff.

Since then, Hughes has become pretty hot stuff herself. Alongside Mary Beard and Lucy Worsley, she is one of the leading faces in a female takeover of TV history that threatens to end the ego-led, grumpier era of male academics such as David Starkey.

There was a moment when that kind of history was really embraced by telly, Hughes says of the Starkey years. It was a time when he was trying to be very controversial. So TV liked big, bold, shouty ideas. But I dont think the point of telly is to prove how clever you are  its to make other people realise how clever they are, or can be.

I remember a TV executive telling me, Our job is to enrage people. That was the most appalling thing Ive ever heard. Im trying to illuminate rather than obfuscate, and its the same with the books I write. My job, hopefully, is to enthral people.

Who could fail to be enthralled by a city Hughes calls the brutal and brilliant metropolis?

Muslim-controlled since the Ottoman conquest of 1453, Istanbul was Christian for 1,000 years, but ten years ago, engineers tunnelling under the Bosphorus discovered remains that dated human habitation from 4,000BC. That was the moment when I knew I had to write this book, Hughes says.

Set at the junction of the Balkans and the Middle East, Istanbul is destined to be at the centre of events. Hughes narrowly missed being caught in last years failed military coup against the Islamic government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and she is a regular visitor to the Reina nightclub, where 39 people were killed by a gunman on New Years Eve.

Hughes fell for Istanbul when she was at Oxford and her tutor, Robin Lane Fox, father of entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox, told her not to be an armchair historian, but to go out there and discover it.

She says, So my friend and I went to Turkey, which has more archaeological sites than any other country. Two 18-year-old girls in shorts with backpacks. I did the things Id be horrified to hear my daughters were doing. We hitchhiked, met people in remote places and went nightclubbing with them. All the stuff you absolutely shouldnt do.

Muslim-controlled since the Ottoman conquest of 1453, Istanbul was Christian for 1,000 years

Her extensive research into Istanbuls history has gifted Hughes a brilliant cast of characters such as Sinan, the genius architect of the exquisite Suleymaniye mosque, and women like Theodora, wife of the sixth-century Byzantine ruler Justinian. She was an erotic dancer who bagged herself an emperor, says Hughes, who tells me the bedroom trick that so enchanted Justinian  sadly unprintable here.

Hughes rejects the idea that she is particularly sexy. Im 50 this year, she says. Im a tired, middle-aged mother of two. So its very funny to open the paper sometimes and see myself described as the voluptuous historian.

Her appearance in a world of male TV historians was bound to attract attention, though she says it was never deliberate. When I began I just wore exactly what I wear to every dig: jeans, a sleeveless tank top because youre in Greece and its 40 degrees, and a little shirt over the top. One excited radio reviewer described Hughes as standing there, hair blowing in the wind.

I thought, That, mate, is in your head. This is radio! I could have been in a plastic mac and scarf for all you know.

She thanks her parents for the self-confidence that saw her be awarded a bursary to private school and then become head girl  I am very head-girlish, she says  before going on to be awarded a scholarship to St Hildas, Oxford.

There, she was so focused on history she didnt take much notice of the bullish chaps around her, even though they would go on to run the country. I knew Boris, Gove and Cameron. They were all hanging around but they werent in my gang.

TUNE IN TO MORE TV HISTORY

Great American Railroad Journeys Mon-Fri, BBC2, 6.30pm Michael choo, choo Portillo sets out on an epic journey across the US rail network following the hardy pioneers of the American Wild West. World War Weird Tuesday, Yesterday, 8pm New series charting unexplained events, beginning with the story of how the crew of a WWI German U-boat helped discover a new aquatic species. British Historys Biggest Fibs With Lucy Worsley Thursday, BBC4, 9pm Worsley presents an exploration of how three of Britains most famous national events are in fact carefully crafted mythologies. She begins with the Wars of the Roses, our view of which has been shaped by the Bards history plays. George III: Genius Of The Mad King Mon Jan 30, BBC2, 9pm New light is shed on the longreigning monarch who lost the American colonies, as his letters, diaries and family papers emerge from the royal vaults after 200 years under lock and key. Advertisement

She is still enraged and a little betrayed by Michael Goves claim that we have had enough of experts in the 2016 Brexit campaign. Its a crazy thing to say. I dont understand why he said it. Didnt an expert design the screw that holds my bed together?

Did Hughes find the whiff of coming power around Dave and Boris attractive? No, but we didnt know they were going to be global leaders. They were just guys riding bikes badly through the streets of Oxford. Boris always stood out because hes funny.

She is equally sanguine about the dangers she faced while researching Istanbul.

Interviewing migrants on the Turkish/Greek border, she was spotted by people-smugglers. I was talking to the immigrants and saying, Where are your passports? and they were all saying, The smugglers have got them, and then the smugglers saw me. They hustled me to one side and I thought, I could be disappeared here. So I did what I do in any situation. I find if you say to people, even the most dangerous-looking character, Can you help me? nine times out of ten they will.

Something must frighten her? The dark! When I went down the tunnels under the Bosphorus I was so scared I had to sing. Very loud singing  thats how I keep my demons at bay.

Istanbul: A Tale Of Three Cities is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on January 26
Honda NSX

Rating:

You want to make a fortune? Please invent a silencer for the toilet flush. Ill buy two from you, I promise.

I have to stop driving my family mad at 4.30 every morning as I launch into my daily ablutions or I swear theyll divorce me.

In other news, were you aware there is a worldwide courgette shortage? Apparently, its down to inclement courgette-growing conditions in Spain. Some people have even taken to complaining to their local supermarkets they are so up in arms. Really? Courgettes?

This car is undoubtedly a superb example of high-end engineering, but frankly, so what? Comparing top speeds, 0-60mph times, lb ft torque and all that other mother jazz of the creme de la creme of two-seater supercars is like comparing a shrub to a bush. Lifes too short

This is indeed a thrilling car to drive. I might even go so far as to say the difference between its Normal driving mode and Sport+ is the most dramatic I have ever experienced

And finally, before we get stuck into this weeks carnalysis , today I am going to continue my New Years challenge of trying to master the Rubiks Cube.

OK, I may be 30 years late, but Im in week four of dry Jan and what can I tell you, I have a lot of excess time and energy on my hands.

Talking of tardiness, where to start with the long-awaited successor to Hondas legendary NSX?

How about I recall a dream I had last year. In this dream I was working on a world-famous television car show where the star car that week was the very same re-imagined NSX.

It was the car my imaginary fellow presenters and I were most excited about. There she was, sitting quietly, humbly and respectfully in the imaginary corner of the imaginary studio, poised to take centre stage and wow the imaginary waiting world.

In this dream she looked fabulous, especially from the back. Fast forward back to now and the real world and Im sorry but my imaginary rose-tinted spectacles seem to have lost their imaginary super power. What a difference seven months can make.

The same design I saw back then as dynamic and daring already seems dated  much more boxy, far less fluid, dare I say, Lego-like.

Seriously, my sons are forever fashioning miniature supercars from the millions of plastic bricks that have taken over our house.

Most of which end up looking impressively like exact scale models of the real thing, apart from one aspect: they are charmingly less aerodynamic where it really matters.

When it comes to recreating the new NSX, however, I suspect few people would be able to tell the difference. One could of course argue that with such an incredibly sophisticated bit of kit, looks are secondary to whats going on underneath. But I disagree.

Heres what I really didnt like: the steering wheel, which feels swollen, far too big and bulky

This car is merely one of an already well-established, ever-expanding, ever-improving supercar flock, no longer worthy of a judges special commendation

This car is undoubtedly a superb example of high-end engineering, but frankly, so what? Comparing top speeds, 0-60mph times, lb ft torque and all that other mother jazz of the creme de la creme of two-seater supercars is like comparing a shrub to a bush. Lifes too short and no one really cares.

That said, this is indeed a thrilling car to drive. I might even go so far as to say the difference between its Normal driving mode and Sport+ is the most dramatic I have ever experienced, and thats with Track mode still to go. (I confess I avoided Track mode altogether  I refer you back to last weekends weather reports as mitigation.)

In all other modes, however, I can confirm the car handles exquisitely, pushed almightily from behind by heaps of torquetastic power. All the way through the rev range via that headline-grabbing NINE-SPEED gearbox via an oh-so sweet twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6, further supplemented by no fewer than three cheeky little electric motors.

Now if we were comparing top speeds  which were not, remember  this is the bit where I would point out that despite the extra oomph, those cheeky little motors add considerable extra weight to the whole package, thus rendering the NSX markedly slower than the magnificently British and infinitely more beautiful McLaren 570S (#justsayin).

Heres what I really didnt like: the steering wheel, which feels swollen, far too big and bulky. The driving position, which made me feel more trapped than alive. And most of all the whole of the interior.

Theres nothing specifically wrong with it, until you bear in mind that this is supposed to be a 170k supercar. In which case painted plastic and Xbox styling just dont cut the mustard.

Dont get me wrong, this is a fantastic motor. A really fantastic motor. But in a Nissan GT-R kind of way

Heres what I really did like: the joyous pin-sharp steering. Those lightning-fast gear changes up and down the box. The quirky but unique soundtrack  an intriguing blend of deep burbling, breathy sucking and blowing and electronic soprano whirring. Best of all, though, was the NSXs grip, which was as good as it gets, the product of clever torque-vectoring and various other dark arts.

My over-arching wrinkle with the NSX Mk II is the fact that this car is being billed as the sequel to a major pioneering event that happened over a quarter of a century ago.

Which it cant be because there are too many chapters missing in between.

Other supercars get to evolve every two to five years, minus all the fuss and nonsense of great expectations.

Dont get me wrong, this is a fantastic motor. A really fantastic motor. But in a Nissan GT-R kind of way, which for a car that is accompanied by such a hefty price tag is nowhere near fantastic enough.

For the moment, it is undeniably big news.

When I took it down the pub, for example, practically all of the male members of staff abandoned their work stations without so much as a by your leave to step outside and have a drool.

Did they like it? Yes, you bet they did.

TECH SPEC

Price 169,950 Engine 3.5-litre V6 petrol (with three electric motors) Gearbox Nine-speed semi-auto Power 580hp 0-60mph 3.3s Top speed 191mph Fuel economy 28mpg Annual road tax 295 Advertisement

But what about that price tag? I suppose a hundred grand is a bit steep, mused Rob the bar manager. Er, add another 70 grand on top, I told him. Whaaaat? No way! came back the chorus of incredulity. But yes way. Yes, all the way. All the way to the bank.

When Gordon Murray, the wizard designer of the greatest car ever made, the McLaren F1, first drove the original NSX back in the Nineties, he was astounded by how well the car drove compared to any comparable road car.

In fact he re-thought much of the design of the F1 as a result. Testament indeed, but yet another problem for the new NSX.

This car is merely one of an already well-established, ever-expanding, ever-improving supercar flock, no longer worthy of a judges special commendation for being something really special.

All the glossy car mag boys seem reluctant to tell this story like it is. The Emperors New Clothes comes to mind. Its like they are paying vicarious deference at the altar of Honda because of the true icon that came first.

Ayrton Senna was alleged to have been involved in the development of the NSX, which makes them go all misty eyed and weak at the knees.

Understandable but come on chaps, lets get real. If you do have 170k of disposable income and you are hell-bent on blowing it on a slice of motoring immortality, dont fanny around.

Buy the best two versions of the original NSX out there, prep one to drive, stick the other one away, forget about it and let me know when its doubled in value.

Ive checked and the best two currently on the market come to exactly 170k for the pair. Oh, and please can I have a go? Ive never actually driven one. I would love to know what all the fuss is about.
Speaking at an event in Delhi recently, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma asserted: 'Defence deals are now worth $15 billion (Rs 1 lakh crores), that's the highest ever and we are now among the top providers of defence and military equipment to India.'

Barack Obama and Narendra Modi have had three summits in two years.

According to US Secretary of State Johan Kerry, the US had more government to government interaction with India than any other country.

Obviously, both the US and India have overcome 'the hesitation of history'

Alliance

Obviously, both the US and India have overcome 'the hesitation of history'.

Nothing signified this transformation more vividly than the signing of LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement)in Washington on Aug 29th by US Defence Secretary Ash Carter and Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

LEMOA puts in place a framework to facilitate and govern provision of logistics support, supplies and services between Indian and American militaries on a reimbursable basis .

However, UPA Govt had hesitated to ink the deal for fear of public outcry; media reports had speculated that the agreement would commit India to host US troops at its bases and might draw India into a military alliance with the US undermining her autonomy of decision making.

Carter's stress that the agreement makes 'logistics of operations so much easier and so much more efficient'.

President Donald Trump watch with first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron during the 58th Presidential Inauguration parade for President Donald Trump in Washington

While Parrikar claims that it would 'allow the Indian and American navies to have an easier time supporting each other in joint operations and exercises and when providing humanitarian assistance' have allayed such apprehensions.

The joint statement had underlined that the agreement would facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technologies and trade.

To make that happen the US agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies.

In his address to the joint session of the Congress last year PM Modi had hailed the US as 'an indispensable partner in every working group.'

A day before Christmas and less than a month to sign off, President Obama has signed NDAA (National Defence Authorisation Act) which asks the Defence Secretary and the Secretary of State to take necessary steps to recognise India as America's 'major defence partner.'

Logically, trade, business and investment should expand under the tenure of the first businessman President of the US unless he dismantles the business architecture by implementing his electoral threats of punishing those companies that were 'sending jobs abroad'.

Hopefully, once in the saddle, he will realise that a win-win situation will emerge from expansion of economic relationship and not by raising restrictions and drawing shutters.

The ambitious figure of bilateral trade touching US$ 500 billion (Rs 34 lakh crores) by 2020 mentioned at India-US Business Council meeting during Modi's visit to the US isn't too far-fetched if the leaderships in the two countries remain committed enablers for achieving this goal.

Energy

Cooperation in clean energy gets little mention, but ObamaModi have contributed a lot in this field.

'US-India Clean Energy Hub,' 'US-India Catalytic Solar Finance Programme', 'Greening the Grid' all flow from the PACE (Partnership to Advance Clean Energy) launched at the start of Obama's first term; it has reportedly attracted over US$2.5 billion (Rs 17 thousand crores) public and private investment and also developed a joint clean energy research consortium.

The ongoing cooperation in clean energy will help India achieve its ambitious target of installing 175 gigawatts of clean energy by 2020.

Strategy

President-elect Trump is disturbing too many hornet's nests at the same time.

Questioning One China Policy, indicating willingness to upgrade nuclear capability, shift the US Embassy to Jerusalem, review nuclear deal with Iran, ties with Cuba and ask the European allies to pay for US security protection.

His appointment of the Attorney General and the Secretary of State and his tough talk about Muslim Immigrants are causing anxiety and concern at a time when the world is witnessing serious economic and political turbulence.

Hopefully, President Trump will undergo a positive transformation and have a much sober, mature, holistic and statesman like view of the US and the world.

Trump who visited Indian temples in Florida and Virginia during his campaign thanked Indian Americans for their support at a thank you rally and praised Prime Minister Modi for economic reforms and initiatives taken to eliminate bureaucratic red tape.

He pledged to work for improving Indo-US relations further and added that he would be the best friend of India in the White House.

India Caucus in the Congress and the Senate is one of the biggest and there is bipartisan support for warmer relations with India.

Former NSA, Shankar Menon feels that 'the glue of economic complementarity and of strategic challenges posed by China should ensure that the US remains India's most important bilateral partner for the foreseeable future.'

The writer is former Consul General of India in Chicago '
PM Narendra Modi met a delegation of Muslim Ulemas and intellectuals and hailed the Indian youth to resist widespread radicalisation.

His meeting, however, invoked divided opinion among the attendees, as a section hailed his efforts while a group Muslim participants called it a 'symbolic exercise'.

The delegation had an inclusion of Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of All India Organisation of Imams of Mosques, AMU Vice Chancelleor Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah and Jamia Millia Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmed.

PM Narendra Modi met a delegation of Muslim Ulemas and intellectuals and hailed the Indian youth to resist widespread radicalisation

Independence icon Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's grandson and noted educationist Firoz Bakht Ahmed told Mail Today that Modi was on the right track.

'May be most Muslims don't like PM Narendra Modi, but let's not forget many have begun to like him too. Many Muslims are falling in line with what he thinks,' said Ahmed.

Narrating what transpired, he said the meeting was extremely cordial with the Prime Minister meeting the Muslim representatives in an informal way.

'PM Modi said he considered Hindus and Muslims as his two children and he will deal with both of them with equanimity and equality,' he said.

Delving into PM's vision, he said Muslims need to come out of the mentality of ghettoisation.

'He reiterated his vision of seeing the Muslims with 'computer in one hand, and the Quran in the other', but he also said that he was not going to go for the uplift of the community by way of appeasement.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's grandson and noted educationist Firoz Bakht Ahmed says PM Modi was on the right track

He said he will do it under the inspiration of his motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas',' Ahmed said.

He also lauded the PM's efforts and pointed at the increase in the Haj quota, more than many Muslim-dominated countries.

He also cited the financial assistance given to the kite-makers of Gujarat.

'The assistance was given to kite-makers and most of them are Muslims. But the assistance was not given in the name of Muslims,' he added.

Praising the efforts of the Union minority affairs ministry, Ahmed said: 'For a very long time the minority affairs ministry was running on oxygen. It was on crutches since AR Antule was the minister, but look at Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.'

'Words don't matter, actions do. Look at the way he has hit the ground. Now, the ministry is running like PT Usha.'

'PM didn't hear demands, gave no answers to the questions'

By Siddhartha Rai

Maulana Bilal Ahmed Bijrolvi, on the other hand, described the meet as just a 'symbolic' effort

Maulana Bilal Ahmed Bijrolvi, on the other hand, described the meet as just a 'symbolic' effort which 'did not go a long way in bridging the gulf between the Hindus and the Muslims'.

Bijrolvi is from Shamli, a district in poll-bound UP infamous for communal disturbances.

'I also believe that it is not going to have any effect on the outcome of the UP polls,' suggesting that BJP would find no sway with Muslims despite the effort.

Many Muslims feel disenfranchised by Modi's hardline Hindu supporters as some have been attacked by vigilantes for consuming beef or skinning cows since the BJP came to power at the Centre in 2014.

Bijrolvi accepted that the Prime Minister tried to make the meeting informal and tried to put his guests at ease, even narrating tales of a 'Haji' from his village who was extremely venerated by all and sundry, but then dismissed it as only 'symbolism'.

'We made a number of demands, but the PM did not respond to them at all,' he said.

'We told the PM that Muslims should be allowed to do 'namaz' at Muslim sites preserved by the archaeological department.'

'We told him Waqf land was being misused; reminded him of what he had promised on bringing science and Quran together and also about the minority status of AMU (Aligarh Muslim University) and preservation of other Muslim institutions.'

'But, the PM gave a long speech without ever addressing any of this.'

Bijrolvi gave Mail Today a letter that he submitted to the PM and which listed his demands.

'If you allow minority status for AMU, you will be giving a chance to the Muslims to thank you.'

He also demanded that the instant divorce practice of triple talaq be left alone as an institution.

'I also demand that the BJP leaders who are in a habit to give vitriolic speeches be punished,' the cleric said.
UP CM Akhilesh Yadav released his first list of 209 candidates for the assembly polls next month, amid speculation of a probable coalition with the Congress making rounds in the political circles.

However, the list cooled down all the talk as Akhilesh named nine candidates from seats that have sitting Congress MLAs, which shows that the two parties have failed to reach a consensus on a seat sharing formula.

While the first list declared in the afternoon has candidates from 191 seats of the first three phases of polls, the second list of 18 candidates declared in the evening was for fifth phase.

Akhilesh kept the window open for a pact as he did not name candidates for fourth phase when Congress bastions Rae Bareli and Amethi are slated to go to polls.

Later in the evening, the names of two candidates were put on hold and four were changed.

However, there is still hope for Congress that an alliance can be formed and this was just Akhilesh playing hardball to show that the alliance will be on his terms.

The UP CM has not declared the list of candidates who will contest on seats in the fourth phase as this phase covers districts like Congress bastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli.

Rahul Gandhi, Congress Vice President met his sister Priyanka at his home, other senior party leaders held a separate meeting to decide the strategy for UP polls

The Congress called it 'unfortunate' that SP announced candidates for seats that it holds and admitted it has put their proposed partnership for the elections into question.

The party said senior leader Guhlam Nabi Azad would talk to Akhilesh Yadav.

'I will be able to talk about the SP alliance once Ghulam Nabi meets Akhilesh Yadav,' said Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken.

'We have said that this alliance was concluded with Akhilesh. Now we will have to call him again. It's unfortunate that seats of nine sitting MLAs are taken away... any agreement should be honoured,' he added.

Maken's comments came after the top Congress leaders held emergency meetings in Delhi, to discuss whether and how to salvage the partnership with Akhilesh Yadav.

While Rahul Gandhi, Congress Vice President met his sister Priyanka at his home, other senior party leaders held a separate meeting.

Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar called on Akhilesh on Friday evening.

'UP Congress chief Raj Babbar had to leave for Delhi from Lucknow, but later Raj Babbar canceled his return to Delhi and decided to stay in Lucknow to meet senior SP leaders.'

'The Congress core committee had organized an emergency meeting to discuss the alliance with SP,' said a source.

Samajwadi Party's national VP Kiranmoy Nanda also said that a coalition has still not been ruled out.

'We had been offering 54 seats from day one of the talks and are also ready to give 20-25 more seats. Let them (Congress) come up with a list. We are ready to give then a total of 80-84 seats,' Nanda said.

No place for Shivpal camp

After winning the all important battle for the Samajwadi party and its symbol, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav once again made it clear on Friday that he is the boss.

Most of the loyalists of the Shivpal Yadav camp were denied tickets in the fresh lists declared by Akhilesh sending clear signals of the new power centre in the party.

As many as 59 Shivpal loyalists (whose names were in the list of candidates that was declared by Shivpal at the time of the rift with Akhilesh) were denied tickets in the fresh list released by the CM.

While Shivpal Yadav had declared a list of 393 candidates on December 28, Akhilesh had also declared his own separate list of 235 candidates on December 29 last year.

However, over 90 per cent of the candidates were common in both lists. But soon after Akhilesh won the battle for the party, Shivpals list stood null and void and his loyalists lost their place.
Aam Aadmi Party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday claimed that anticipating defeat, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has sought the help from his friend and state Congress chief Amarinder Singh to divide the anti-incumbency votes.

Standing next to former Delhi MLA Jarnail Singh, who is now the AAP candidate against Badal senior in his home turf of Lambi, Kejriwal in his usual daring tone came down heavily on the Badals and Amarinder Singh for colluding to help Badal win the Lambi seat.

'Captain has only come to save Badal Both the Congress and SAD work together. Captain doesn't want to win from here, but he wants Jarnail to lose.'

Kejriwal in his usual daring tone came down heavily on the Badals and Amarinder Singh

'On February 4, you (the voters) have to ensure that not only Captain, but Badal also loses his deposit' Kejriwal said as he reminded the audience about Captain's dual candidature from Patiala and Lambi.

Kejriwal went across the constituency and addressed five high octane sabhas in the Badal stronghold.

Prakash Singh Badal claims that no one takes AAP seriously

While praising his candidate, Kejriwal said Jarnail happily gave up his MLA seat in the Capital and came here to fight against Punjab CM to end Badal family's 'tyranny and save Punjab.'

He accused the SAD and Congress of looting Punjab together.

'It is confirmed that SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal will lose his deposit from Jalalabad seat', the Delhi Chief Minister claimed while addressing a gathering at Sarawa Bodla village.

Meanwhile, Jarnail Singh in his fiery speech invoked religion and the 1984 riots heavily.

But Badal Senior dismissed Kejriwal's AAP as a non-serious player in the upcoming elections. Speaking to India Today, the Punjab CM said: 'Kejriwal and his party is making a futile attempt to raise the drugs issue and defame Punjab.'

'Nobody here takes them seriously,' he said.

Despite the denial by Prakash Singh Badal, a different mood was noticed in his own constituency.

When this correspondent spoke to various people in the largely rural lambi seat, most voters felt the real fight was largely between SAD and AAP.

The absence of campaign material and active ground work by Congress has contributed to this.

A few voters also felt Captain is more interested in his traditional stronghold of Patiala.
DIRTY PRACTICE The Competition and Markets Authority has alleged two laundry firms have breached antitrust law.

The watchdog has provisionally concluded former joint venture partners Micronclean and Berendsen Cleanroom Services broke competition law by dividing up customers between them by geography.

AIRLINE FINED EasyJet has been fined 52,000 by a French court for not allowing a disabled passenger to board for 'security' reasons.

The budget carrier's staff wouldn't let Joseph Etcheveste board a flight in Biarritz in 2010 because he was 'unaccompanied'.

The airline said it had imposed internal rules and never intended to discriminate.

BROADBAND HIKE BT is hiking prices for broadband and some calls  and will charge TV customers 3.50 for BT Sport from August 1.

Copper broadband customers will see a 2-a-month increase from April 2 and Infinity fibre broadband will go up by 2.50.

JAGUAR TRIAL Jaguar Land Rover has been fined almost 1million after worker Mark Widnall, 59, lost his leg after being involved in a crash between two vehicles at its Solihull Plant.

A Birmingham Crown Court jury convicted Jaguar of breaching health and safety regulations. It was fined 900,000 plus 49,864 in costs.

DRIVERS DUPED Uber has been fined 16million after misleading potential drivers about how much they could earn.

A lawsuit brought by the US Federal Trade Commission alleged the taxi app firm also made false promises to about how much drivers would have to pay to finance a car.

CARIBBEAN PLANS BP has started moving a new oil platform towards the coast of Trinidad.

The Juniper platform will be one of the oil company's largest start-up projects of 2017 and is part of a 1.6billion investment in Trinidad and Tobago.

ON TRACK Lender Close Brothers is on track for strong results in the first half, driven by its banking division.

The loan book in the division rose to 6.6billion in the five weeks to December 31, up from 6.4billion in July.

TAKEOVER DEAL Guildford-based electronics supplier Acal has bought manufacturer Variohm Holdings for 13.85million.
Five Paraguayan bus drivers and one of their wives CRUCIFY themselves in union protest over sackings



The gruesome demonstration in Paraguay began 20 days ago



Eight drivers were 'fired after asking for medical benefits and overtime pay'



The protesters have vowed to continue until they are given their jobs back

Five bus drivers and one of their wives have crucified themselves, driving 38cm nails through their hands into wooden crosses in a union protest over sackings in Paraguay.



The gruesome demonstration, which is taking place near the bus terminal at Luque, 12km outside the capital Asuncion, began 20 days ago.



Each protester has been positioned next to an empty coffin and all have vowed to continue until they are given their jobs back.

Scroll down for video



The gruesome demonstration, which is taking place near the bus terminal at Luque, 12km outside the capital Asuncion, began 20 days ago.

Five bus drivers crucified themselves using five-inch nails after they were fired allegedly for being members of a union

Mr Villalba, told AFP: 'Our position is clear: we want the eight drivers to be reinstated with all employee benefits. Otherwise the strike is not lifted.'

He claims some 50 drivers working for the bus company which serves the capital have worked for years without receiving any benefits.



Company manager Aufredi Paredes said five of the drivers will be re-hired, but the rest will receive legal separation payments.



Bus drivers, from left, Mariano Centurion, Sergio Cardozo, Felix Aguero, Dario Vera, Claudio Ramirez and Oscar Garcia lie down with their hands nailed to wooden crosses during a protest on the outskirts of Asuncion




Patients are not being told about disgraced medics who have been allowed to keep their jobs despite serious criminal convictions.

At present, there are more than 1,000 doctors who are registered and licensed who have criminal convictions, MailOnline can reveal.

This includes possession of indecent pictures of children, sexual assault, soliciting for the purpose of prostitution, cruelty and neglect of children, threats to kill and death by careless driving.

But in some cases even those who have committed the most serious crimes are able to stay in their posts.

The shocking revelations will come as a shock to the millions of patients who put their complete trust and faith in doctors.

Dr Steven Burn, 53, a consultant cardiologist, was able to keep his job despite being found with 65 child abuse images on his work computer

Campaigners have reacted furiously to the disclosure and said patients should not be kept in the dark.

Magda Taylor, of patients' group The Informed Parent, told MailOnline: 'The fact [the number of doctors with criminal convictions] has increased is appalling.

'I do think the public have every right to know about doctors and their previous convictions.'

Official figures reveal there are 1,067 doctors with criminal convictions, who have accumulated 1,181 crimes between them.

The number of doctors with convictions has risen by 38 over the past two years, while the number of crimes has gone up by 35.

But in the past year, only 13 doctors were struck off the medical register.

Under the law, doctors who receive a caution or conviction must attend the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS), the disciplinary arm which hears all cases pursued by the General Medical Council.

However, in many cases, the watchdog allows them to continue to practise or only bans them temporarily.

The GMC had claimed two years ago it was looking for a way automatically to ban doctors guilty of serious crimes, including sex offences, without a hearing.

Dr Rupert Pemsel, 32, a trainee anaesthetist, kept his job despite paying call girl Leanne Davies for sex while on duty at a maternity hospital

However Steven Burn, 53, a consultant cardiologist, was able to keep his job despite being found with 65 child abuse images on his work computer.

Dr Burn, a heart doctor, was arrested after IT staff at the Royal Derby Hospital found indecent images on his work PC while checking to see if it had been infected by a computer virus.

He was convicted by a court of possessing indecent images.

Some of these pictures featured children alleged to be as young as seven, while Burn had also downloaded Japanese 'Hentai' animated pornographic images and made Google searches under the headings 'bestiality', 'little Asian girls', little Japanese girls' and 'beautiful little boys'.

But he managed to avoid being struck off after a disciplinary panel at the MPTS ruled Burn should be allowed to return to medicine following a 12-month suspension.

The panel opted to give him the chance to resume his 28-year-old career after he insisted he would 'rather die than reoffend'.

Dr Rupert Pemsel, whose wife is a GP, (pictured together) had blamed his behaviour on an addiction to internet pornography and stress from helping sick children in Uganda

Figures obtained by MailOnline reveal three doctors have convictions for possessing or taking indecent photographs of children, while three licensed doctors have committed sexual assault.

There are 107 doctors with convictions for violence, including grievous bodily harm, cruelty to and neglect of children and possession of dangerous weapons.

OSBORNE'S BROTHER WAS STRUCK OFF One doctor who was struck off the medical register last year was George Osborne's brother, Adam, after he had a two-year affair with a vulnerable patient. He was struck off for life by the GMC after he admitted conducting a two-year relationship with his patient, who tried to commit suicide as a result of the affair. The tribunal described his conduct as 'deplorable' and 'profoundly unacceptable'. Advertisement

One doctor has a conviction for gross negligence manslaughter, while two have caused death by dangerous driving.

Nineteen doctors have convictions for drug offences, while a further five have been caught driving under the influence of drugs.

The vast majority of crimes are for drink driving with 360 doctors caught intoxicated at the wheel. A further 190 have convictions for dangerous driving.

In another high-profile case, Dr Rupert Pemsel, 32, a trainee anaesthetist, kept his job despite paying a call girl for sex while on duty at a maternity hospital.

The disgraced married father-of-two was branded 'sordid' and 'abhorrent' after he admitted meeting prostitute Leanne Davies, 29, while still in his hospital gown or 'scrubs'.

But at a tribunal in Manchester last March, he escaped with just a ten-month suspension rather than being struck off the medical register. Pemsel's barrister proposed no action should be taken against his client because he was an 'excellent doctor'.

The medic, whose wife is a GP, had blamed his behaviour on an addiction to internet pornography and stress from helping sick children in Uganda.



In a separate incident, Dr Samianaz Siddiqui, who stole morphine from the hospital where she worked to feed her drug habit, was only given a six-month suspension.

Dr Siddiqui, 37, began pocketing the drug soon after she started work at York District Hospital in September 2014.

Dr Samianaz Siddiqui, (pictured) who stole morphine from the hospital where she worked to feed her drug habit, was only given a six-month suspension

The plastic surgery specialist took morphine left over from that given to patients and injected it at the end of her shift.

After admitting theft, she escaped a jail term with a suspended sentence in May 2015.

At a tribunal last September, she was only suspended for six months, rather than being struck off the medical register.

Reacting to that, campaigners complained about the lack of transparency and claimed patients should have a greater right to know about any criminal offences their doctor may have committed.

Magda Taylor, of patients' group The Informed Parent, told MailOnline: 'The fact [the number of doctors with criminal convictions] has increased is appalling, but it doesn't surprise me in the least as everything to do with medicine is self-regulated.

'There's always cover-ups and brick walls if anyone tries to look into these areas.

'I do think the public have every right to know about doctors and their previous convictions.

'Other well-meaning doctors who are doing good get targeted and in some cases struck off because of research they have done, like Dr Waney Squier who disputed the existence of shaken baby syndrome.

'She was recently reinstated but these kind of doctors are getting attacked, and then you've got others doing much worse who never get hammered in the papers and don't even have to stop practising. Any common sense would think that's very strange.

'To my mind, someone [like Dr Steven Burn], should never be reinstated. I don't think any person would want a doctor with that kind of history, even for themselves, let alone their children. It's appalling. That should be that. You should find yourself another profession.

'Within medicine, there needs to be more independent bodies with no conflict of interest involved in decisions. They should include members of the public as well as a mix of professions who could come to much better decisions in terms of punishments given.'

Roger Goss of Patient Concern told MailOnline: 'The government should legally oblige the General Medical Council (GMC) to tell patients if a doctor still practising has been found guilty of any crime that could make some people wish to avoid all contact.'

A GMC spokesperson said: 'It's important that a doctor is held to account if there are concerns about their practice or professional behaviour.

'In very serious cases, a doctor's practice will be restricted to protect their patients. In other cases a thorough investigation will determine that a warning is appropriate.

'A warning  which lasts for five years and is visible to patients and employers on the medical register  is serious, however, and is designed to send a clear message that the doctor must learn from their mistake and not repeat it.

'Patients have told us that warnings are an effective and proportionate way for dealing with these types of concerns.

'In the case of Dr Steven Burn we disagreed with the MPTS decision and he was subsequently erased from the register following an appeal by the Professional Standards Authority.

'Following a change in the law we can now appeal MPTS decisions which we feel are too lenient.'
Armed riot police have been sent into quell trouble at Brazil's Alcacuz jail where 26 prisoners have been murdered in two weeks.

The rotting Brazilian jail has been 'taken over' by warring gangs who behead their enemies and take guards hostage, the state governor warned last week.

Stick-wielding inmates hurled stones and lit fires at the anarchic prison last week and authorities have been struggling to maintain control.

Armed riot police have been sent into quell trouble at Brazil's Alcacuz jail where 26 prisoners have been murdered in two weeks

The rotting Brazilian jail has been 'taken over' by warring gangs who behead their enemies and take guards hostage

Riot police were sent into the jail in the city of Natal today to try and get a grip on the chaos

Alcacuz Penitentiary Center, near Natal in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, where the riot police entered to regain control of the penitentiary

Horrific footage from the aftermath of the riot in Alcacuz Penitentiary, the largest prison in the city of Natal, showed the severed heads of gang members strewn across the prison yard, their blood congealing with the dust underfoot.

In another haunting video, frenzied prisoners holding makeshift blades and smoking drugs surround a guard who was captured and tied up in the wake of the same riot earlier this week.

From elaborate jailbreaks to violent clashes and even rumours of executions being filmed inside its walls, Alcacuz has come to represent the country's crumbling prison system, where 140 have been killed since the start of the year.

At the centre of the violence plaguing Brazil's jails are two of the country's biggest drug gangs - the First Capital Command (PCC) from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro's Red Command.

For two decades the factions have kept the peace as they smuggled millions of pounds worth of arms and drugs over the border, until the PCC began trying to muscle their competitors out of key drug routes.

Red Command struck the first blow on January 1 when inmates loyal to the gang slaughtered 56 mostly PCC members in an Amazonas state prison.

Bloodbath: Brazil's filthy Alcacuz Penitentiary, where 26 inmates have been murdered since the start of the year, has come to represent the country's crumbling penal system. Pictured: One of the inmates killed in the riots last Saturday

Members of the ITEP police coroners' office work to identify prisoners killed in violent clashes between rival factions in the Alcacuz Penitentiary Center, near Natal in Rio Grande do Norte

Maniacal: In the aftermath of Saturday's riot, in which several inmates were beheaded, mobile footage showed a guard being taken hostage by frenzied inmates, above

Since opening its doors in 1998, the overcrowded Alcacuz prison has been beset by scandal and violence. Pictured: The mobile phones, handcrafted knives and narcotics seized by prison guards in January 2015

140 inmates have been killed in Alcacuz jail since the start of the year

The PCC retaliated by killing 33 prisoners at Monte Cristo prison in the neighboring state of Roraima on January 6, followed by the massacre in Alcacuz last Saturday.

The situation inside Alcacuz became so toxic that the Governor of Rio Grande do Norte state, Robinson Faria, feared a repeat of the infamous Carandiru incident in 1992, when armed police gunned down 111 rioting inmates.

A SWAT team entered the prison to resume order on Wednesday night - confiscating dozens of handguns, knives, other home-made weapons and bulletproof vests - but violence erupted again the next day.

Cellphone videos of the clashes were circulating widely on social media, some showing gang members chopping the heads off their rivals, slicing their hearts out and disemboweling them.

The prison has been involved in a number of controversies since opening its doors in 1998.

War: The riot in Alcacuz started when the First Capital Command (PCC) drug gang ordered its members to attack a rival cartel. Pictured: The riot in which 26 were killed last weekend

Carnage: Horrific footage from the aftermath of the riot in Alcacuz Penitentiary, above, showed beheaded and bloodied gang members strewn across the prison yard

Enemies: The feud between the two gangs, which had kept the peace over two decades, started when when inmates loyal to Red Command slaughtered 56 mostly PCC members in an Amazonas state prison in January. Pictured: Arrested members of Red Command

Vicious: The PCC, its members pictured, retaliated by killing 33 prisoners at Monte Cristo prison in the neighboring state of Roraima on January 6

Escalation: The situation inside Alcacuz last weekend became so toxic that the Governor of Rio Grande do Norte state, Robinson Faria, feared police would be forced to gun the inmates down

In September 2015, an Alcacuz prison guard was arrested for trying to smuggle in drugs, cell phones and SIM cards to inmates, PortalBo reported.

Police seized around 1.5kg worth of drugs, which was reported to have included cannabis, cocaine and crack.

Around half a kilogram of cannabis and cocaine, as well as handcrafted knives, were confiscated in a police raid in January the same year.

During a routine inspection in December 2014, prison guards found a tunnel in an outdoor area where as many as 200 inmates sunbathed in hot weather.

Prison director Ivo Freire said the prisoners used sandbags and stones to hide the tunnels from guards.

'They dug the hole then camouflaged it with rocks,' he told Globo1. 'The place is used at least four times a week for sunbathing and intimate visits, when prisoners know there is no security.'

Escape: The prison has been involved in a number of controversies since opening its doors in 1998, including when guards found a tunnel in one of the prison pavilions in December 2014, above

Sophisticated: In July 2015, guards found another tunnel complete with ladders and lighting in one of the pavilions which continued out of the prison walls

Inside job: In September 2015, an Alcacuz prison guard was arrested for trying to smuggle in drugs, cell phones and SIM cards to inmates, above

Luckily the prisoners failed to burrow out of the prison walls and more than 150 arrest warrants were issued to inmates already being detained in Alcacuz.

Around seven months later, guards found another tunnel in one of the pavilions which continued out of the prison walls, Tribuna do Norte reported.

'This one was well structured - with stairs and lighting,' said local police chief Eider Brito, who confirmed that no one had escaped.
After two months, detectives have few details on who kidnapped Sherri Papini while she was jogging in her quiet town in Northern California.

Part of the reason for this lag is because there have been three high profile cases since November 2 around Redding distracting from the Papini case.

On December 21, the Shasta County Sheriff's office was busy searching for the man who walked into a gas station and set clerk David Wicks on fire. Mr Wicks burned to death and the horrific crime garnered national attention.

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Police do not have many leads on who kidnapped Sherri Papini (above with her husband and children before her abduction) two months after she was abducted

Sherri Papini (pictured with her husband) told police she was taken while jogging in Yolo county by two Hispanic women

Juan Manuel Venegas was arrested for his murder yesterday.

The department also took on an investigation where Redding police shot and killed a man on November 16.

David Wicks was killed at a gas station where he worked in Burney

They are also chasing down Justin Ryan Mulliken in connection with a January 9 shooting.

However, Sheriff Tom Bosenko told the Record Searchlight that Mrs Papini's case is still a 'top priority.'

He told the paper: 'We are waiting on some of the results on the evidence being processed by the California Department of Justice.'

Mrs Papini and her husband Keith have stayed away from the public eye but were spotted out earlier in January.

Sheriff Bosenko said: 'I cant speak to more recently, but even initially we had asked Mr Papini to refrain from media interaction and especially after she was found, with some of the information he was releasing.'

Security footage shows the attacker walking into the gas station where he set David Wicks on fire. Juan Manuel Venegas was arrested for the murder yesterday.

On January 10, Mrs Papini was spotted out Severe bruising on her face appeared to have healed but there was no glimpse of her long blonde hair which her husband said had been chopped off by her captors.

Keith Papini kept his gaze to the ground as he followed his wife outside, carrying their young daughter in one arm.

The family moved out of the house in December as police hunted Sherri's captors.

Keith said it had been too difficult for her to remain there after her ordeal.

He was initially cleared as a suspect in her disappearance after passing a polygraph test but police have since refused to rule him out again.

Saturday's outing was the first time Sherri has been seen publicly since she was found bound, beaten and gagged on the side of the road by a passing motorist on November 24.

Sherri Papini was seen for the first time on January 10 leaving her home in Redding, California, since being kidnapped and held hostage for three weeks. The 34-year-old emerged with her husband Keith and their two children

Happier times: Sherri Papini smiles with husband Keith before the November kidnapping

She emerged only to fill up a small red tray with water before returning to the house, The New York Post reported.

Sherri went missing on November 2 when she was abducted during a routine run in the area and held hostage by two armed Hispanic women.

Her husband reported her disappearance when she failed to pick their children up from school. Her cell phone and ear buds were later found on the running track she used.

The 34-year-old vanished on November 2 and was held captive for three weeks before she was found on the side of the road on November 24. Above, she is seen making her way out of the house on Saturday

She was tortured and starved by her captors, whose faces she never saw, before being dumped by the side of the road on Thanksgiving.

The sheriff's office was forced to deny claims they thought her story was a hoax in December after a rogue officer suggested worries it may have been invented.

No definitive motive for the mother's kidnapping has been given or suggested.

While she was still missing, a 'negotiator' working on behalf of a mysterious donor made several offers to those keeping her captive.

At one stage the reward for her return was as much as $100,000 but the ransom was pulled before she was released.

Keith Papini pleaded for privacy after his wife's return and slammed 'disgusting' skeptics who labeled her disappearance a hoax.

He described the black and yellow bruises across her body when she was first brought to hospital and how she had shrunk to 87lbs.

'Her now emaciated body of 87 pounds was covered in multi colored bruises, severe burns, red rashes, and chain markings.

'Her signature long, blonde hair had been chopped off.

'She has been branded and I could feel the rise of her scabs under my fingers. She was thrown from a vehicle with a chain around her waist, attached to her wrists and a bag over her head.
Criminals are selling the private information of thousands of Britons to cold-call firms for as little as 4p each.

Names, addresses, salaries, pension details and job descriptions are being traded across the web, according to Which? Money.

It comes months after a series of Daily Mail investigations revealed outrageous cold-calling techniques and the trading of data, including a firm selling details for as little as 5p.

Charities and companies that released data were fined, and in September 2015 charity bosses promised to introduce an opt-in system so details could not be passed on without a persons explicit consent.

Sale: B2C's Nick Sayer offers details to an undercover reporter in 2015. He boasted he had access to the salaries, investments and pensions of a million people

However, the latest report from Which? shows the problem is still rife. Researchers from the consumer group posed as employees of a pensions firm looking for lists of people to target.

They were able to discuss buying personal details of more than half a million people aged 50 and over, including information about salaries, pensions, homes and jobs.

One company issued an invoice for nearly 500,000 pieces of personal information on households with an income of 40,000 or more, including phone numbers and addresses, at 4p each.

Another firm gave an invoice for 2,200 names and numbers of people with a household income of at least 35,000 for 66p per item. No personal data was exchanged in the investigation except for one company that sent a sample phone list. Of the 18 people named, 13 were registered with the Telephone Preference Service, opting out of unsolicited marketing calls.

Four firms refused to deal with the fake pensions company from the outset. But the other ten failed to check its credentials. Which? said many companies appeared to be in breach of guidance from the Information Commissioners Office, which requires consumers consent for sharing details with third-party businesses.

Harry Rose, Which? Money editor, said: Our investigation highlights that sensitive personal and financial data is being traded on a huge scale, with some companies apparently willing to sell to anyone who comes calling.

Millions are already pestered by nuisance callers and targeted by scammers  never give permission for your data to be shared by third parties and if you are called out of the blue about a financial opportunity, hang up and report it to the regulator.

An ICO spokesman said: The findings are very concerning and appear to raise serious issues about the compliance of organisations with data protection law. People have the right to know what happens with their personal data and be given a choice about how their details are used. We will be investigating these findings.

In 2015 the Daily Mail revealed how the firm B2C Data was selling personal details for 5p each. Nick Sayer, a director, boasted he had access to the salaries, investments and pensions of a million people. He sold information on 15,000 people to a reporter.

Another Daily Mail investigation exposed how charities shared donors names and contact details between each other, and sold them to rogue companies responsible for scams.

The ICO fined the RSPCA 25,000 for wrongly disclosing hundreds of thousands of donor details

The ICO fined the RSPCA 25,000 for wrongly disclosing hundreds of thousands of donor details.

The British Heart Foundation was fined 18,000 and the British Red Cross was criticised for targeting people who had registered with a no-call list.

The Daily Mail also revealed how the online NHS prescription website Pharmacy 2U sold the details of 20,000 users without their knowledge. The ICO fined the company 130,000.

That year, charity bosses promised to introduce an opt-in system. They also said warnings about data sharing will no longer be hidden in the smallprint of fundraising literature.

The ICO hopes that increasing the maximum fine for breaches of the Data Protection Act from 500,000 to 20million in 2018 will be a deterrent.
A disability support worker has been accused of beating a mute autistic boy and calling him a 'f***ing c***' when he refused to eat.

The alleged abuse was uncovered when the disabled boy's parents grew suspicious and concealed a tape recorder in his bag.

FaCS disability support worker Lennard Michael Downes, 35, was heard repeatedly calling the boy a 'f***ing c***' and threatening to hit him if he did not eat, a court has heard.

FaCS disability support worker Lennard Michael Downes, 35, (pictured) was heard repeatedly calling the boy a 'f***ing c***' and threatening to hit him if he did not eat, a court has heard

Slapping, banging and hitting sounds were also heard on the tape recording, according to the The Sydney Morning Herald.

The recordings were taken across a two-day period in November last year at a government-run care centre at coastal Illawarra, south of Sydney.

Upon discovering the disturbing audio, the boy's parents immediately reported it to police and managers at the disability care home.

The severely mentally disabled boy was also reportedly heard crying, whimpering and gasping for air.

The sounds were described in court documents as Downs physically attacking the boy.

The recordings were taken across a two-day period in November last year, at a government-run care centre in Illawarra New South Wales,

The boy's mother said her son returned from the respite care with a mark on his face, below his mouth, which later developed into a large bruise.

She also said he refused to eat, and dramatically lost weight.

When a pediatric specialist assessed the boy's injuries it was determined they were 'consistent with the victim's jaw being forced open and/or closed'.

Downes was arrested on December 22, charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He appeared in court on Thursday, where he indicated he would defend the charges.

The boy's mother said he refused to eat, and dramatically lost weight following the alleged abuse (stock)

Upon discovering the disturbing audio, the boy's parents immediately reported it to police and managers at the Family and Community Services building in Illawara district (pictured)

Downes was released on strict bail conditions which included no unsupervised contact with children.

He argued against the condition, but police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Upsall opposed the variation.

'The factual circumstances alleged are horrendous,' he said.

Magistrate Michael Stoddart agreed with the police prosecutor and refused the proposed bail variation.

Downs is due to return to court on March 15.

The disgraced disability support worker has been suspended from his job but continues to be paid in full.
Apple has sued Qualcomm, accusing the California chip-maker of abusing its market power to demand unfair royalties.

These charges echo those filed days earlier by US antitrust regulators.

Apple said in the court filing that it has been overcharged 'billions of dollars' by its chip-making partner's 'illegal scheme.'

The company also claimed Qualcomm owes it a billion dollars, but is refusing to pay due to Apple cooperating with South Korean antitrust regulators looking into the company.

In its court filing, Apple said it has been overcharged 'billions of dollars' by Qualcomm's 'illegal scheme'

'For many years Qualcomm has unfairly insisted on charging royalties for technologies they have nothing to do with,' Apple said in an email statement.

'To protect this business scheme Qualcomm has taken increasingly radical steps, most recently withholding nearly $1 billion in payments from Apple as retaliation for responding truthfully to law enforcement agencies investigating them.'

Qualcomm rejected Apple's claims, saying the iPhone maker 'intentionally mischaracterized' agreements as well as the value of the company's technology.

'Apple has been actively encouraging regulatory attacks on Qualcomm's business in various jurisdictions around the world... by misrepresenting facts and withholding information,' Qualcomm general counsel Don Rosenberg said in a statement.

'We welcome the opportunity to have these meritless claims heard in court.'

The suit claims Qualcomm built a business model that charges raised royalty fees every time Apple innovates with features such as TouchID fingerprint recognition or digital wallets in mobile devices.

The suit claims Qualcomm built a business model that charges raised royalty fees when Apple innovates with features such as TouchID fingerprint recognition or digital wallets in mobile devices

The charges say that Qualacomm believes it has the rights to charge these raised royalties by claiming legacy technology.

'Despite being just one of over a dozen companies who contributed to basic cellular standards, Qualcomm insists on charging Apple at least five times more in payments than all the other cellular patent licensors we have agreements with combined,' Apple said.

Apple noted that Qualcomm's business practices have come under scrutiny by antitrust regulators in many countries.

The company has asked for a jury trial, and for Qualcomm to the company what it owes plus giving up excessive royalties.

Qualcomm did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Qualcomm rejected the agency's case as 'significantly flawed,' arguing that reasoning at the heart of the civil complaint is wrong

The Apple suit came three days after the US Federal Trade Commission filed in federal court claiming Qualcomm abused its market power in as part of its 'unlawful maintenance of a monopoly in baseband processors.'

Baseband processors are are devices that enable cellular communications in phones and other products.

Qualcomm rejected the agency's case as 'significantly flawed,' arguing that reasoning at the heart of the civil complaint is wrong.

South Korea's anti-trust watchdog last month slapped Qualcomm with a record fine exceeding $850 million for abusing its dominant market position as a maker of baseband chip-sets used in mobile phones.

Apple relies on Qualcomm for chip-based modems that enable iPhones and iPads to communicate with telecommunication networks.

The company knows of the antitrust tide rising against Qualcomm and would like to help provide room for rival chip-makers to flourish, perhaps letting Intel improve its position, according to analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights and Strategy.

'I think Apple is not comfortable in feeling that they have only one source and are taking this opportunity to go after Qualcomm,' Moorhead said, referring to the mobile device modems.

'Qualcomm is being looked at on every continent on the planet; this is probably, strategically, the right time for Apple to do this.'

While the legal case alleges exclusionary contracts and the idea of being overcharged for licensing, it may well be powered by Apple wanting to ramp up competition to Qualcomm so it can negotiate better deals, the analyst said.
President Donald Trump's first two confirmed cabinet secretaries have started their new jobs mere hours after the U.S. Senate green-lighted them.

Vice President Mike Pence fetched retired Marine Generals James 'Mad Dog' Mattis and John Kelly and took them to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building so they could be 'immediately' sworn in, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

That followed Trump's first two signatures in the Oval Office, officially commissioning them in their new positions.

Mattis became the U.S. secretary of Defense after he took the oath of office, which pence himself administered. Kelly has taken over the Department of Homeland Security.

Mattis take the oath: The retired Marine General was sworn in by Vice-president Mike Pence immediately after Trump signed the waiver allowing the move into law

The Senate approved both men's nominations Friday afternoon and evening by overwhelming majorities.

Republicans arranged for a vote on Rep. Mike Pompeo to become director of the CIA on Monday, following an objection from Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a civil libertarian who is concerned about Pompeo's stance on electronic surveillance.

Mattis was confirmed by a 98-1 vote, with only New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand objecting.

Lawmakers had first passed a special waiver allowing Mattis, who retired in 2013, to serve before a customary seven-year limit on former military personnel assuming the Pentagon's top post.

Gillibrand maintained that the special carve-out was inappropriate, but it became the first law Trump signed as president.

In his first official statement, Trump said he was ' proud' to have Mattis and General John Kelly, who the Senate confirmed to Homeland Security, in his administration, calling them 'American heroes.'

In the Pentagon: The Senate passed James Mattis's nomination 98-1 - making him the first official member of Trump's cabinet

Controlling the borders: John Kelly was confirmed as Homeland Security 88-11

'I call on members of the Senate to fulfill their constitutional obligation and swiftly confirm the remainder of my highly qualified cabinet nominees, so that we can get to work on behalf of the American people without further delay,' Trump said in a White House statement.

Mattis has won accolades from both parties and many in the armed forces, and his path to the cabinet was relatively uncontroversial compared to that of many of Trump's other nominees.

A cornerstone of US democracy is that civilians, not people in uniform, control the military, and the commander-in-chief is the president.

Some in Congress initially raised eyebrows because Mattis, a 66-year-old Washington state native, had only retired from active duty in 2013.

Such a waiver was only granted once before, for the famous World War II General George Marshall who served under President Harry Truman from 1950-1951.

Mattis is known as a colorful commander and is famed for his pugnacious aphorisms. The media dubbed him 'Mad Dog' for his battle-hardened swagger and the sort of blunt language Marines are famous for.

Semper fidelis: Retired Marine General Mattis, who is now Defense Secretary Mattis, chats to a serving Marine before the inaugural parade

He has been quoted as saying, 'Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.'

But Mattis also has a well-known cerebral side: he issued reading lists to Marines under his command, and instructed them that the most important territory on a battlefield is the space 'between your ears.'

While Mattis sailed through his confirmation, Democratic lawmakers are putting up stiff resistance to other Trump cabinet picks, including the proposed education secretary and the health and human services secretary nominee.

Mattis replaces Ashton Carter, a longtime Pentagon bureaucratic warrior who served as former president Barack Obama's fourth defense secretary.

Senators also confirmed John Kelly's nomination to lead the Homeland Security Department, 88-11.

Among Kelly's likely first assignments will be executing Trump's plans for the fate of a program that has protected more than 750,000 young immigrants from deportation.

If Trump keeps his campaign promises, Kelly's agency will be responsible for strengthening the screening of immigrants permitted to enter the U.S. His department also will be charged with finding additional resources to locate and deport people living here illegally.

Kelly says he's in favor of a wall at the Mexican border, but he says a physical barrier alone isn't enough to secure the 2,000-mile frontier.

Trump is signing documents to allow them to be sworn in immediately.

His nominee to lead the CIA will receive a vote in the Senate on Monday, the legislative body has announced. Other nominees are in a holding pattern.
Rolls-Royce senior executives, including former boss Sir John Rose, are being investigated over the scandal that saw the firm fined 671million.

Sir John is understood to be among a number of past employees at the company being probed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Its investigators are preparing cases against individuals it believes are responsible for the corruption scandal which has rocked Rolls-Royce.

Under pressure: Former CEO Sir John Rose, right, with Tony Blair

The firm has agreed to pay 671million to authorities in the UK, US and Brazil to settle claims of international bribery between 1989 and 2013.

The payments were made under a deferred prosecution agreement which prevents the firm from facing charges in court. However, it does not protect individuals at fault from facing charges.

Sir John was chief executive of Rolls-Royce from 1996 until 2011.

As the global corruption scandal at Rolls-Royce unravels, it has emerged:

Senior officials knew details of bribery, corruption and false accounting in 2010, but failed to report it;

Authorities in Thailand and Indonesia have begun their own investigations into the Rolls-Royce scandal;

Influential investors have raised concerns about the way the company is run;

An accounting watchdog is considering a probe into the firm's affairs.

Investigations into Rolls-Royce began in 2012 when whistleblowers made allegations regarding suspicious payments the firm made to middlemen around the world in order to secure lucrative contracts.

Until then, Rolls-Royce had been seen as one of the giants of British engineering. It had major contracts across the globe, making plane engines and military equipment and building infrastructure for gas and oil refineries.

But the SFO probe, details of which were laid bare this week, found the firm had secretly paid off senior company and government officials in 11 developing countries around the world.

In the 1980s and 1990s, for example, senior employees agreed to pay 1.8million in Indonesia to push through the sale of Trent 700 engines to the national airline, Garuda.

In Russia, Rolls-Royce paid a middleman for help securing work to supply equipment for a natural gas project with state-owned Gazprom.

Rolls-Royce had major contracts across the globe, making plane engines and military equipment and building infrastructure for gas and oil refineries (stock image)

In Malaysia between July 2011 and November 2013, the firm's employees provided an Air Asia Group executive with credits worth 1.1million.

In India, it tried to pay to have a list of middlemen it had used in bidding for defence contracts retrieved after it fell into the hands of Indian authorities. And in Iraq, a Rolls middleman paid bribes to Iraqi officials to persuade them to accept its turbines and not to blacklist the company following concerns.

Court documents filed in the US between 2000 and 2013, reveal one 'executive' worked with three employees to pay 28.4milion in commission to commercial advisers in a number of countries, knowing they would be used to bribe foreign officials.

Though no individuals are named in the court papers filed this week, it is thought 38 Rolls-Royce employees were involved of which six were sacked and 11 had left the company.

Approving the deferred prosecution agreement at the High Court on Tuesday, judge Sir Brian Leveson said the investigation had revealed the 'most serious breaches of the criminal law in the areas of bribery and corruption (some of which implicated senior management and, on the face of it, controlling minds of the company)'.

HOW 13M INQUIRY UNCOVERED BRIBES DATING BACK DECADES The Serious Fraud Office began investigating Rolls-Royce in 2012 after whistleblowers claimed the engineering giant had paid bribes to middlemen to secure contracts abroad. Rolls-Royce came forward with information and also started its own investigation alongside the SFO. Investigators pored through 30million documents and conducted 229 interviews in a probe that cost the SFO about 13million. The investigations revealed that between 1989 and 2013 it was involved in 11 counts of bribery, corruption and false accounting in countries such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, Nigeria, Russia and Brazil. The deals sealed with these bribes inflated Rolls-Royces sales by around 250million. Bribes included giving a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit car to a middleman for work with Indonesias national airline. It also paid 4million to China Eastern Airlines at the request of a board member. Some or all of the funds were to be used to pay for employees to go on a two-week MBA course at Columbia University in New York, including four-star hotel accommodation and lavish extra-curricular activities. Approving the landmark deferred prosecution agreement, judge Sir Brian Leveson at the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday said he took into account Rollss extraordinary level of co-operation with the investigation. Advertisement

It has been suggested that this reference to 'controlling minds' includes Sir John.

He joined Rolls in 1984 and held a number of senior roles before being appointed boss in 1996, and is credited with turning the company from a struggling British engineer into a flagship international. Married with three children, Sir John also received the Legion d'Honneur in France in 2008.

Barry Gardiner, Labour's spokesman for international trade, has already called for Sir John to be stripped of his knighthood.

Current Rolls-Royce boss Warren East said: 'This was unworthy of everything which Rolls-Royce stands for, and that our people, customers, investors and partners rightly expect from us.' Sir John Rose could not be reached for comment.
Olympic diver Tom Daley has confessed to having an online tryst with another man during a secret relationship break  and has promised to his fiance that it will never happen again.

Footage of the diving ace stripping for online sex has emerged, prompting Daley to confess a number of online relationships to his fiance, 42-year-old Dustin Lance Black.

Daley admitted to being on a seven-month break from his then boyfriend as the pair were tied up with demanding work commitments.

Olympic diver Tom Daley confessed to having an online tryst with another man during a secret relationship break

Footage of the diving ace stripping for online sex has emerged, prompting Daley to confess a number of online relationships to his fiance, 42-year-old Dustin Lance Black (right)

During this time he messaged another man and send explicit pictures and video over social media.

Daley told The Sun: This will absolutely never happen again now that were getting married. The date is set, and were raring and ready to go for that wedding now.

The Olympic bronze medallist said his relationship with Dustin was now stronger than ever.

He added: It was the distance. Its not like I actually met up with anyone.

Im 22 years old, and if you talk to someone through social media it is what it is. It was nothing more than that. We never physically met.

But in the modern world this is what can happen  things are more accessible online, and distributed, and they spread like wildfire.

Daley revealed that the distance had made the couple realise how fond they were of each other.

Daley admitted to being on a seven-month break from his then boyfriend as the pair were tied up with demanding work commitments

Daley reportedly made contact with a Liverpudlian male fan in February last year, just months after he announced his engagement to Dustin

Thats why weve been enjoying planning our wedding so much in the last few weeks. We dont have secrets in our relationship, he told The Sun, were honest and open about everything. When we were back together I told him everything.

Lance and I had a period of time apart, and then coming back together and realising were meant for each other.

Were soulmates  and the only way that we were going to get back to that point was to be honest, open and share everything that happened in our time away from each other.

Its totally crucial to us that we are completely and totally open with each other.

I dont think Ive done anything more or less than any other 22-year-old has done. Lance and I have such a strong connection that again our honesty and openness is so important.

The Olympic bronze medallist said his relationship with Dustin was now stronger than ever

Daley reportedly made contact with a Liverpudlian male fan in February last year, just months after he announced his engagement to Dustin.

He told the 23-year-old stranger he was fit in a private Instagram message before passing on his mobile number.

According to The Sun, he repeatedly messaged the man asking him to come and visit in London over an 11-month exchange, as well as sending him explicit videos and pictures via Snapchat.

Daley met his Oscar-winning screenwriter fiance in March 2013, at a dinner in LA.

As well as being a screenwriter, Dustin Lance Black is a director, film and TV producer and an LGBT rights activist.
Three children are fighting for their lives in hospital the day after a man drove a car through scores of pedestrians in central Melbourne in a horrific attack that ended with four people dead.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, allegedly drove a car into crowds of shoppers on Bourke Street, injuring at least 26 people and killing four including a baby on Friday.

A three-month-old baby is in a critical condition, a two-year-old is in a serious condition and a nine-year-old is in a stable condition at The Royal Children's Hospital.

Four people are dead after a man deliberately drove into a crowd in Melbourne's Bourke St mall

Among the 26 injured are 3-month-old baby, a 2-year-old and a 9-year-old

Three children are fighting for their lives in hospital the day after a man drove a car through dozens of pedestrians on a rampage through the Melbourne CBD

The rampage killed four people including a baby and injured another two dozen

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, drove a car into crowds of shoppers on Bourke Street, injuring at least 26 people and killing four including a baby on Friday

Royal Melbourne Hospital is caring for 11 victims from the attack.

Two people have been discharged overnight, a spokesperson from the hospital told The Age.

Three people are in a critical condition, two patients are in a serious condition and four are stable.

The Alfred Hospital has seven patients. Three are in a critical condition, one is in a serious condition and three patients are stable.

At St Vincent's Hospital there are five victim all in a stable condition.

Three women in their 30s suffered multiple facial wounds and fractures. Two men were admitted with leg fractures.

A 10-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man died at the scene on Friday, while a 32-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man died in hospital.

Chief Commissioner Craig Ashton also said the man accused of the rampage through Bourke Street had a history of family violence.

VICTIMS OF MELBOURNE ATTACK FOUR DEAD 10-year-old girl

25-year-old man

32-year-old woman

22-year-old man 26 INJURED 3-month-old baby in critical condition

2-year-old in serious condition

9-year-old in stable condition

Royal Melbourne Hospital is caring for 11 victims. Three are critical and two are in a serious condition.

Alfred Hospital is caring for seven patients. Three are critical, one is serious and three are stable.

Saint Vincent's Hospital are caring for five patients. All are stable. Advertisement

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, allegedly drove a car through crowds of pedestrians

How the 12-hour rampage unfolded: He allegedly stabbed his brother at his home (1), took a hostage before letting her out on the Bolte Bridge (2) and led police on a wild car chase towards the city (3)

'He has come to our attention on many occasions in the past. We have mental health and drug-related issues in the background of this particular person,' he said.

Later that morning he led police on a wild car chase through Melbourne with a female hostage in the passenger seat, who police said was 'not connected' to him.

The woman escaped or was let out of the car on the Bolte Bridge near Docklands just west of the Melbourne CBD.

Police gave up their pursuit soon after as the car was moving erratically and it was feared bystanders could be injured.

Helicopters kept track of his movements as officers hoped to find another opportunity to stop him, but instead watched in horror as he drove into the city.

The rampage finally came to an end when he mounted the kerb at 555 Bourke Street and came to a stop after police shot him the arm

Police arrested a man wearing nothing but red underwear following the incident in Melbourne

Horrified pedestrians have been filmed running for their lives from the car that smashed into at least 25 people in Melbourne




Women hold just 12% of full-time jobs paying 150,000 or more, new figures suggest.

The UK Statistics Authority data released to Parliament highlights a drastic difference between the proportion of women and men in the country's highest-paying roles.

Campaigners and Tory MP Jake Berry hit out at the latest indicator of the gender gap at the top of the British workforce, which emerged from data dubbed the country's most comprehensive statistics on earnings.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said progress is being made to boost diversity in boardrooms, with the number of all-male boards down from 152 to nine in six years at the country's top companies.

But Mr Berry, who obtained the figures via a written parliamentary question, said it was 'a disgrace' that so few women were employed in high-earning jobs.

The MP for Rossendale and Darwen added: 'This is a damning verdict on the gender pay gap among the highest earners.

'The Government needs to do more to tackle this and ensure women have the opportunity to get these top jobs.

'Theresa May is one of few women in this bracket and the whole country could do with more people like her in positions to make a difference.'

The 12% estimate comes from the annual survey of hours and earnings, which is based on a 1% sample of pay records from HMRC.

John Pullinger, chief executive of the UK Statistics Authority, called the survey 'the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom' in his reply to Mr Berry.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society, said: 'Until we get women to the top of organisations in significant numbers, we won't be promoting the best talent nor making the best decisions, massively holding back our productivity.'

The 2016 survey put the gender pay gap between full-time workers at 9.4%, and 18.1% between all workers given the greater number of women working part-time.

MP Jake Berry said it was 'a disgrace' that so few women were employed in high-earning jobs

Among the highest-paid quarter of full-time employees, the gender pay gap was 18.8%.

A BEIS spokeswoman said: 'The boardroom must reflect modern Britain, which is why the Government asked Sir Philip Hampton and Dame Helen Alexander to examine how to improve the representation of women in the executive layer and champion continued increases in the representation of women on boards across the FTSE 350.

'We're starting to see the results of this, with women now representing 23.5% of board positions across the FTSE 350, up from 9.5% in 2011.

'There were 152 all-male boards across the FTSE 350 in 2011; now there are nine, and we are clear that companies will do better if they make better use of the talent available and increase boardroom diversity to reflect their workforces and wider society.'

A Resolution Foundation study released earlier this month found the gender pay gap for women in their 20s has halved to just 5%, but the progress will be undone in later life.
George Osborne has become a senior adviser to the worlds biggest asset manager.

The former chancellor is expected to earn hundreds of thousands of pounds a year for a part-time role at the BlackRock Investment Institute.

He already has a 74,000 salary as an MP and 628,000 from after-dinner speeches following his sacking last July.

George Osborne has become a senior adviser to the worlds biggest asset manager

Mr Osborne, who masterminded the Remain campaign during the EU referendum, was ditched by Theresa May as soon as she took over as Prime Minister.

His new role, which he will take up on February 1, will reunite him with his former chief of staff, Rupert Harrison, who became a senior strategist at BlackRock last year.

The job was given the green light by the official watchdog, the Advisory Committee On Business Appointments (ACOBA).

It merely told him not to lobby government over the two years following his dismissal last July. Critics say the watchdog is toothless  it has never rejected a job application from an MP  and does not prevent politicians from using insider knowledge for private gain.

...AND GUESS WHO'S ALSO WORKING THERE

Mr Osbornes new job will reunite him with Rupert Harrison, credited with being the brains behind the former Chancellor. Etons former head boy joined BlackRock in June 2015 for a six-figure sum. Destined to be a high-flier, he chose the path followed by many prime ministers  a philosophy, politics and economics degree at Oxford. Mr Harrison, who also has a doctorate from University College London, then worked for the Institute for Fiscal Studies think-tank before joining Mr Osbornes staff in 2009. The strategist, who delivered his son at home when the midwife was late, was made a CBE in David Camerons 2015 honours list. Another Osborne ally, Thea Rogers, his special adviser and chief of staff from 2013 to 2016, joined takeaway firm Deliveroo as its PR chief this month. Credited with transforming his awkward image, she was also given an OBE by Mr Cameron. Advertisement

Alistair Graham, former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, said: The public expect MPs to allocate their time representing their constituents interests, not building up a massive income.

Most of the public are pretty sceptical about the way ACOBA signs these positions off, because there are so many ways round rulings to ban lobbying if you want to try to influence government decisions.

Nadine Dorries, Tory MP for Mid Bedfordshire, said: It was a typical Osborne move, to try and slip the announcement in when the press will be full of the Trump inauguration and hoping that no one would notice. It shows that Osborne still doesnt get it. The old ways of treating the electorate like idiots ended the day he lost his job as chancellor.

John Mann, Labour MP and member of the Commons Treasury committee, said: He should stand down immediately as an MP. This is rewarding failure. British pensioners will be spitting blood at the news, but no one should be surprised.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said: The timing on this is disappointing, sneaking it out on a Friday just before the inauguration of President Trump seems like it was done in an attempt to hide the announcement.

It looks like the former chancellor also seems to think that after Theresa Mays speech this week its looking like a bankers Brexit is what the Tories have in mind for our country.

But in the communities that have been hit hardest by his austerity policies of the last six years people will wonder, are we all still in it together?

Last night a spokesman for Mr Osborne would not say how much he would be paid for the role, which is thought to be a day a week. One source said it would be at least hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.

Another Osborne ally, Thea Rogers, his special adviser and chief of staff from 2013 to 2016, joined takeaway firm Deliveroo as its PR chief this month

Earlier this week Mr Osborne was flown to the World Economic Forum at the Swiss resort of Davos by HSBC for a fee in the high five figures, where he spoke at an event for 20 of the banks important clients.

BlackRock said Mr Osborne would provide perspectives on European politics and policy, Chinese economic reform, and trends such as low yields and longevity and their impact on retirement planning. It hailed him for leading the UKs recovery from the financial crisis and described him as a leading voice in the G20 on global economic and financial issues.

Last night Mr Osborne said: I am excited to be working with the BlackRock Investment Institute as an adviser. BlackRock wants better outcomes for pensioners and savers  and I want to help them deliver that.

Its a chance for me to work part time with one of the worlds most respected firms and a major employer in Britain.

The majority of my time will be devoted to being an MP, representing my constituents and promoting the Northern Powerhouse. My goal is to go on learning, gaining new experience and get an even better understanding of the world.

Mr Osbornes appointment follows a string of fellow political heavyweights taking positions with financial firms.

Former prime minister Tony Blair earned what is thought to be hundreds of thousands after taking an advisory role at JP Morgan after leaving No 10.

Earlier this week former foreign secretary William Hague joined Citigroup as an adviser.

A spokesman for Mr Osborne denied the announcement was timed to take advantage of the inauguration  saying the announcement was down to the appointments watchdog.

Asked whether he was thinking of quitting as an MP a spokesman said: Not at all. He will continue to make a contribution.
A man who once watched a young woman take her last breath in the jaws of a huge saltwater crocodile has warned others of the dangers of getting into waters where the reptiles lurk.

Bruce Fitzpatrick spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Friday after a man died whilst wading through waist-deep water at Cahill's Crossing - a notorious patch of the East Alligator River in Arnhem Land, known for crocodiles.

Mr Fitzpatrick saw American sweetheart Ginger Meadows snatched by a crocodile in 1987 and can't fathom why anyone would risk venturing into crocodile-infested waters.

American model Ginger Faye Meadows, 24, was eaten by a large saltwater crocodile on March 29, 1987 after deciding to swim in crocodile infested waters

Bruce Fitzpatrick witnessed Ms Meadow's death - and can't understand why people still go into water with crocodiles when they know it is dangerous

Ms Meadow's was swimming with friend Jane Burchett, pictured, when a crocodile closed in for the kill

'I don't understand why people are still entering water where crocodiles are known to live,' he said.

'When I saw the news this morning I was just shocked.

'I suppose people have just become over confident near water  they need to educate themselves or be aware how dangerous swimming with crocodiles is.'

Mr Fitzpatrick was the skipper on board the Lady G the day he witnessed Ms Meadows being taken by the four-metre crocodile.

Mr Fitzpatrick was taking the luxury boat to Darwin with a skeleton crew.

Ms Meadows had hopped on board as the chef's assistant and planned to visit Papua New Guinea, and had come to Australia after seeing hit movie Crocodile Dundee.

The boat's crew took a day trip to the beautiful Cascade Falls, south of Darwin, on March 29 but Ms Meadows never made it back to the boat.

'We were aware there were crocodiles in the area,' Mr Fitzpatrick told Daily Mail Australia.

'And before we went Ginger was told to not so much as dangle a foot in the water.'

But the young American did go in the water with Australian woman Jane Burchett  the boat's chef.

Ms Meadows had been working on the Lady G a luxury boat - earning her passage from Perth to Darwin

The two young women splashed about in the water when Mr Fitzpatrick and other members of the crew were climbing the majestic falls.

The skipper saw a crocodile approaching the women and screamed out to them, he said in a television interview years after the attack.

But the saltwater predator was too fast for the girls to get back to the safety of the boat  so instead they backed up to the waterfall's wall  still waist-deep in water.

Ms Burchett also appeared on the television program where she revealed her horror as the crocodile's he jaws widened in front of the two women.

'It swum right up to us and had its mouth open,' she said.

'Then I took my shoe off and threw it at it and hit it on the top of its head and it closed its mouth.

She was told not to swim in the brown waters at the bottom of Cascade Falls but did and paid the ultimate price

The crocodile then went under the water and Ms Meadows jumped into the water in an apparent attempt to reach safety.

'Because the crocodile was in front of us maybe she thought she could swim to the shoreline and get away.

'She let go of my arm, jumped off the ledge took two strokes and it grabbed her around the waist and pulled her right under the water.

'Then he pulled her up out of the water right in front of me  I looked her right in the face she had her arms in the air and she was looking right at me.

'Then it pulled her back under the water.'

The young woman's body was recovered the next day  which would have been her 25th birthday.

News of the American beauty's death shocked the world and was one of Australia's most high-profile crocodile attacks.

Since then dozens of people have been killed after venturing into water where crocodiles are known to live.

The most recent victim was a 47-year-old man who waded through crocodile-infested waters at Cahills Crossing, near Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.

The man's body was found about two kilometres downriver at about 7pm and the 'very protective' crocodile had to be shot dead so the body could be safely retrieved, police told Daily Mail Australia.

In October last year, a woman was filmed standing on Cahill's crossing as she warned off a crocodile with a flip flop

NT Police warned at the time that crossing the river on foot was extremely dangerous

The crossing is a notorious hunting ground for the saltwater predators

The man's injuries were 'consistent with being taken by a crocodile', police said, and his body has been taken to Darwin to determine his cause of death.

The crossing passes over the East Alligator River, which is known to be infested with at least 120 saltwater crocodiles, and is littered with signs instructing people not to wade through it on foot.

In 1987 a man was decapitated near the same crossing during a fishing trip. The man was fishing when a five-metre crocodile attacked him.

'Cahill's Crossing is notorious for crocodiles and to walk across it to me is just foolishness,' NT Police Duty Superintendent Bob Harrison said.

'The area's noted for crocodiles on the causeway and there are signs there saying don't go in the water. Unfortunately they did and that was the result', he told Sky News.

'You are tempting fate, knowing the size of the crocodiles in that area,' Mr Harrison told ABC Radio Darwin on Friday morning.
A neighbour claims the man accused of driving into scores of people in central Melbourne threatened him with violence if he refused to hand over the keys of the car used in the horrifying rampage.

Gavin Wilson, 76, alleges he was violently threatened by alleged attacker Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, before he was forced to hand over the keys of his maroon Holden Commodore used in the attack on Bourke Street Mall.

Mr Wilson said Gargasoulas came into his apartment on Wednesday night in the same housing commission block as the young man shared with his mother, brandishing a bible.

Scroll down for video

Gavin Wilson, 76, (pictured) claims he was threatened by Dimitrious Gargasoulas before he was forced to hand over the keys of his maroon Holden Commodore

Gargasoulas then sat down and lit the bible on fire before throwing it into Mr Wilson's face and punching him in the jaw, the elderly man claims.

'He just went off, wanted my car, wanted the keys. He asked me twice for them and I said 'no I'm not giving them to you'. Then he put his hand on my eye and started pressing, it really hurt,' Mr Wilson told 7 News.

'He said "give them to me or I'll gouge your eye out", so I said "okay, okay" and I give them to him. And he left thank God. I'm lucky to be alive really.'

Mr Wilson, the ex-partner of Gargasoulas' mother, said he was shocked to see him on the news later that day.

'Terrible, absolutely terrible. he mowed down little kids and all,' Mr Wilson said.

'Then he put his hand on my eye and started pressing, it really hurt,' Mr Wilson (pictured) said

Dimitrious Gargasoulas is seen driving the vehicle which his neighbour claims he stole on Wednesday night

Four people were killed and another 26 left fighting for life in hospital following the rampage

Dimitrious Gargasoulas' history of drug abuse, violence and mental issues have also been revealed in the wake of the Friday rampage, which killed four people and injured more than 20 others.

Gargasoulas ranted about the Illuminati, called unbelievers 'dogs', and vowed to 'have god's laws re-instated' in the weeks before the attack that killed four people.

'I declare war on tyranny today, you dogs will have the option to either believe in me and his positive energy he offers and stay faithful to me or serve the one who enslaves you at his feet,' he wrote on Facebook on Monday.

The 26-year-old had a history of drug abuse, violence and mental issues before he allegedly ploughed through dozens of pedestrians on a rampage through Melbourne

Gargasoulas hanging out the Holden on Friday before he allegedly mowed down shoppers in Melbourne

The rampage killed four people including a baby and injured another two dozen

'I offer freedom no work no bills just that we all keep faith and believe in the one god, the one higher being for the good and protect the energy that he gives with your heart.

'God bless everyone in the world it is about to change xoxo.'

He claimed to be 'Greek Islamic Kurdish' and a follower of Yazdanism, the native religion of the Kurds before the arrival of Islam, also know as the 'cult of Angels'.

'I know exactly how to take you DOGS down the power of knowing has revealed and I shall have GODS laws re-instated,' he wrote last Saturday.

A pram is seen on the corner of Bourke and William Street at the scene, where the crazed motorist ploughed into pedestrians

Police and emergency services at the scene attending to people wounded in the attack

He ranted about the Illuminati, called unbelievers 'dogs', and vowed to 'have god's laws re-instated' in the weeks before the attack

His most recent disturbing rant on Monday saying the world was 'about to change'

He claimed to be 'Greek Islamic Kurdish' and a follower of Yazdanism, the native religion of the Kurds before the arrival of Islam, also know as the 'cult of Angels'

'I know exactly how to take you DOGS down the power of knowing has revealed and I shall have GODS laws re-instated,' he wrote last Saturday

An hour earlier he ranted about connections between Scientology, the Illuminati, and the Free Masons, who would 'do anything in the power to dominate the world'.

He claimed they would 'take on the new world order' and that women would run the world because god's laws had been 'overwritten by human laws'.

A close friend told said Gargasoulas' rantings were driven by heavy use of the drug ice, and that he had recently converted to Islam.

'He was a great guy but ice destroyed him. Then he converted to Muslim and changed very quickly. For over a month he's been on edge,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'He stabbed his brother in the face and beat up his poor mother I knew this bloke really well... I'm not sticking up for him whatsoever and he deserves to be punished for what he's done, but that evil drug ice was the cause of this.

Man wielding a bat is seen attempting to intercept the driver as he drove dangerously through the centre of the city

Dimitrious Gargasoulas is accused of killing four people and injuring 26 others in the Friday attack

An hour earlier he ranted about connections between Scientology, the Illuminati, and the Free Masons, who would 'do anything in the power to dominate the world'

Paramedics treat people injured in the Friday afternoon rampage through Melbourne's CBD

Police and paramedics tend to people injured in the chilling rampage which left four people dead

'Just take one look at his statuses over the past month and it's clear as day that he had gone into psychosis. He was saying there was a comet heading for Earth.'

Gargasoulas' longest and earliest rambling on January 9 claimed god had given him wisdom and knowledge and 'awoken' him, and included a chilling premonition.

'Keep in mind good will always prevail over evil and that is exactly whats to come in the following days weeks and so forth somebody tried to f*** me,' he wrote.

'I'll take you all out just me you need an army to take me.

'I'm a genuine good sexy young guy. And that I've experienced days and nights I thought I'd never experience in my life since I got to Melbourne. Well guess what... I've been blessed... And now your (sic) f**ked.'

On Thursday night, just hours before the attack, he checked in on Facebook at St Kilda watering hole The Dog's Bar, and implied he was wondering how to punish the unbelieving 'dogs'.

Paramedics help injured people after a car drove into pedestrians in the centre of Melbourne

A pram is seen on the corner of Bourke and William Street after the driver stormed through the Melbourne city

Four people are dead, including a baby, after a man deliberately drove into a crowd of people

'Thinking. About what to do with them lol,' he wrote next to it.

On December 30 he urged his friends to consider that when a police officer was killed on duty, maybe the 'cop killer was the good guy'.

'As it happens, that has been the case more often than not throughout human history. F**k da police,' he wrote.

'I'm a genuine good sexy young guy. And that I've experienced days and nights I thought I'd never experience in my life since I got to Melbourne. Well guess what... I've been blessed... And now your (sic) f**ked,' he said

People are seen hugging on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth street after the rogue car ploughed through pedestrians

How the 12-hour rampage unfolded: He allegedly stabbed his brother at his home (1), took a hostage before letting her out on the Bolte Bridge (2) and led police on a wild car chase towards the city (3)

Gargasoulas' longest and earliest rambling on January 9 claimed god had given him wisdom and knowledge and 'awoken' him, and included a chilling premonition

Just hours before the attack, he checked in on Facebook at St Kilda watering hole The Dog's Bar, and implied he was wondering how to punish the unbelieving 'dogs'.

On December 30 he urged his friends to consider that when a police officer was killed on duty, maybe the 'cop killer was the good guy'

The rampage finally came to an end when he mounted the kerb at 555 Bourke Street and came to a stop after police shot him the arm

Police arrested a man wearing nothing but red underwear following the incident in Melbourne

Gargasoulas was on bail for assaulting his mother's partner on Saturday when his trail of destruction began, ending with four dead and at least 25 injured.

Before Gargasoulas attacked his brother, witnesses claim the 26-year-old 'appeared to be on drugs' and was told to leave Acland street McDonald's at about 10pm, according to The Herald Sun.

The young man then allegedly stabbed his brother Angelo with a kitchen knife during an argument at 2am on Friday.

Neighbours said they heard the pair arguing and a female voice saying 'if you don't stop, I'm going to call the police', but both were gone when officers arrived.

'He had a knife and he was hacking at either a guy or a girl, I don't know,' Jess Bergin told The Age.

She said Angelo and another woman got into a waiting car, and then the knife-wielding Gargasoulas began hacking at the car.

A pram was dragged 100 metres through the middle of Melbourne's city centre by the car involved in today's horrific rampage, witnesses say

Horrified pedestrians have been filmed running for their lives from the car that smashed into at least 25 people in Melbourne

A family member also said the young man had a drug problem and was in and out of jail for car theft and drug offences.

Chief Commissioner Craig Ashton also said the man accused of the rampage through Bourke Street had a history of family violence.

'He has come to our attention on many occasions in the past. We have mental health and drug-related issues in the background of this particular person,' he said.

Later that morning he led police on a wild car chase through Melbourne with a female hostage in the passenger seat, who police said was 'not connected' to him.

The woman escaped or was let out of the car on the Bolte Bridge near Docklands just west of the Melbourne CBD.

Police gave up their pursuit soon after as the car was moving erratically and it was feared bystanders could be injured.

Helicopters kept track of his movements as officers hoped to find another opportunity to stop him, but instead watched in horror as he drove into the city.

A little boy is seen adding a bunch of flowers to the floral tributes which line the streets in Melbourne's centre

A mourner prays where flowers are being laid on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street

A woman is seen crying in the streets of Melbourne where the crazed motorist ploughed through pedestrians
According to the online particulars, the three-bedroom house in the heart of the Cornish seaside town of Newquay offered the perfect base for a family holiday.

Recently refurbished and pet-friendly, as well as boasting a stylish and cosy interior, it also had a sunny, private patio that was perfect for alfresco dining.

But for the three eastern European women and their male companion who booked the property last July, a leisurely barbecue was the last thing on their minds.

Instead, neighbours of the terrace property, which costs up to 1,200 a week to rent in peak season, watched in horror as a steady stream of men started to make their way to and from the house.

Police are warning owners of rental properties to be on their guard against a very modern and deeply worrying new phenomenon  the pop-up brothel

One local was even woken at 4am by a knock on the door from a male visitor with the wrong address.

Fed up with the constant disturbances, residents contacted the landlord who immediately investigated.

A quick search of the internet revealed that the mobile phone number his guests had left with him matched one recently posted on an internet advertisement for an escort.

Naughty Luisa here just for you! the ad read, alongside photographs of a near-naked, dark-haired woman in a series of explicit poses.

It then listed a number of services Luisa was willing to offer  starting from as little as 40  and a postcode in Newquay where she was temporarily based.

I phoned the number posing as a customer and was given the address of my holiday house, said the landlord, who asked not to be named. They had booked legitimately and I had no reason to suspect anything.

And why would he? Today, landlords, Airbnb owners and ordinary families who rent out a second home in lieu of a pension, rely almost exclusively on the internet or agents to market and rent out their properties.

But this month it emerged that holiday lets in the South-West are being targeted by criminals who use them for prostitution.

Now police are warning owners of rental properties to be on their guard against a very modern and deeply worrying new phenomenon  the pop-up brothel.

Across the country, sex workers are hiring holiday homes as a base from which to sell their services.

As well as resorts in Cornwall (pictured), pop-up brothels have been identified in the Lake District, Bournemouth, Cambridge, Preston, Aberdeen and Norwich

Often operating in groups of two or three, they advertise online, moving to a different location every week.

This not only makes it difficult for the authorities to catch them, but maximizes their earnings as they tour the countrys provincial towns and cities.

As well as resorts in Cornwall, pop-up brothels have been identified in the Lake District, Bournemouth, Cambridge, Preston, Aberdeen and Norwich.

Many of the women come from Eastern Europe, Romania in particular. And the fear is that many have been trafficked into the country by criminal gangs raking in vast sums of money from their activities.

Detective Inspector Nick Skipworth says cities such as Cambridge, where he is based, offer rich pickings.

We see a lot of them using flats and these will be 1,000-a-week flats. They can easily cover that. I chatted to one Polish girl who was 19 and she was seeing up to ten clients a day and making 100 a client.

This sort of thing is going on everywhere. There are certain places that they all seem to go and visit  the Romanians almost have a set tour route they follow around the UK.

One of their favourite calling points is Newquay. The town is popular with everyone from families and surfers to stag parties. As a result, it has large numbers of properties available to rent throughout the year.

Since the summer, 14 pop-up brothels have been identified in the town. But, according to the owner of the first property targeted, the police have been slow to respond.

The man, who does not wish to be identified, used a letting agency to market his property  but bumped into the sex workers while checking their accommodation ahead of their arrival.

The two girls were very nice and the man didnt speak much English and kept handing me a phone to speak to another woman who did and who was on the way there  they all seemed very pleasant, he said.

Since the summer, 14 pop-up brothels have been identified in the town of Newquay (pictured)

But the day after they checked in, his neighbours alerted him to strange goings-on at the property.

A bit of detective work quickly confirmed the group was using his premises for nefarious purposes.

I phoned 101 to log a complaint, but the police were absolutely no help whatsoever, the landlord said. They basically turned around and said they couldnt do anything, that they would have to do surveillance at the property and it would take a week.

We pointed out that these people were only there for a week and we were already a couple of days into that, so doing the surveillance wouldnt help.

We had the website and all the details and offered them complete access, but they basically said they were not interested. They could have gone in and got them, but because of their protocols they didnt want to go in.

Instead, it was left to the letting agency to call the guests and issue an ultimatum. The manager phoned and said we know what is going on,  the owner said. That was Sunday evening and he asked them to do us the courtesy of leaving.

They left on Monday morning. We were all very worried about confronting them and dont know what we would have done had they said they were not going.

The landlord admits he has no idea how he might guard against the same thing happening again.

Cases like that of the Christian guesthouse owners Peter and Hazelmary Bull, who were fined for refusing to allow a gay couple to stay at their hotel in 2008, have made it harder to impose restrictions on clients.

Asked about their lack of action, a spokesperson from Devon and Cornwall Police admitted the homeowner had been given incorrect advice.

The expected response, and one that has been put into action on a number of occasions since, is for police to attend the property promptly and speak to the sex workers and offer them support and signpost them to various welfare agencies, as many are forced into this profession by coercive behaviour and are victims themselves, he said.

As the law stands, it is illegal to run a brothel  by which it is meant premises used by two or more people for the purpose of prostitution.

It is also illegal to pay for sex with someone under 18 or to have sex with someone who has been trafficked, irrespective of whether or not the customer knows that to be the case.

And for anyone using pop-up brothels, those are very real risks.

In August, the links between organised crime and pop-up brothels were highlighted by an international police operation which saw 16 people detained in Romania. Among the agencies taking part was Zephyr, the South-West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

The Zephyr operation began in the UK following investigations into a gang suspected of being involved in human trafficking offences relating to pop-up brothels across the South-West in the Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucester and Wiltshire police force areas.

As well as the arrests, the early morning raids in Ploiesti, a city north of Bucharest, led to the seizure of cars, more than 9,000 in sterling, mobile phones and various forged IDs and bank documents.

DI Tony Hubbard, the senior investigating officer from Zephyr, said: We want landlords who provide short-term accommodation to be vigilant and make sure their accommodation is not being used as a brothel, which is a criminal offence.

Tell-tale signs are requests for paperless transactions, cash payments, multiple occupancy of premises or approaches for rentals by two women and a sole man.

Back in Cambridge DI Skipworth says a number of the women whom he has come into contact with have been trafficked. As well as speaking little or no English, they will have no idea where in the country they are.

We found a 16-year-old girl in one of the brothels, he says. She was a Romanian who had been brought over here by a Romanian organised crime group. She had been trafficked around the country. There were explicit pictures of her circulating on the internet. We got her on a plane and got her back home.

Arrests followed in that case and in others. One ongoing investigation has seen bank accounts containing 980,000 frozen.

By tracing the escorts online advertisements and using the cameras covering Britains roads to track the car number plates of the men who control them, it is possible to follow the gangs, says DI Skipworth.

They can be watched as they tour the country, opening pop-up brothels. There are certain cities they all seem to go and visit, he says. Cambridge is obviously on that list because it is a very affluent place with low street prostitution, so its a very easy place to make money.

Then there is Northampton, which traditionally has a large Romanian community, and also Leicester and Aberdeen.

One guest-house owner in Barrow told how she only discovered what was going on when staff came across a tearful teenage girl at her property.

The owner, who didnt want to be named, then looked back over CCTV footage and was shocked to find her property had been used on multiple occasions as a brothel.

It all started when a Romanian couple got in touch looking for a room, she told her local newspaper.

While they pretended to be together, video footage showed other men subsequently arriving at the property and dropping off other women, returning a few days later to collect them.

Often operating in groups of two or three, gangs advertise online, moving to a different location every week

A few weeks later, more Romanian women checked in. I was on holiday when I was contacted by a staff member who told me she had found a Romanian girl crying in the corridor, the owner recalled.

She was being spoken to by some men who werent speaking English.

They believed that this distraught female was a teenager. Staff called the police, but the gang fled.

The owner added: I decided to look back at CCTV and found out the prostitution had been going on for about three weeks at that point.

I also saw men waiting outside and going into the flat before leaving again quite quickly.

Often it was the same local men. Some I recognised as being married and in relationships. Young and old and just normal looking. One man has turned up here for them all.

A search of the internet found the website the women were using. The site advertised the women and it was the address of my premises they were giving, she said. I was so angry.

Police, meanwhile, warn that the problem must be widespread.

We have such a high density of B&Bs, apartments and hotels in Cumbria and find it hard to believe its not happening more widely, said Detective Chief Inspector Nick Coughlan of Cumbria Police.

But, again, the only advice given to property owners is for them to be vigilant about customers.

Meanwhile in Cornwall, the landlord whose holiday let was used as an impromptu brothel is trying to put the matter behind him.

I bought all the neighbours restaurant vouchers to apologise for any disturbance they suffered, he says. As for the house, that was all right. They left a bit of rubbish, but it was fairly tidy.

Indeed, the only damage he could find was to a sofa. A lipstick mark, he explains. An unwelcome memento of some very unwelcome guests.
Thousands of passengers face misery as train conductors threaten strike action on a key commuter line across the Midlands and into London.

Commuters on London Midlands service are braced for chaos after the RMT union said it was balloting 523 members over plans for a walkout.

The union announced the potential strike after it said the company wanted to put security staff supplied by contractors on trains without consultation.

Thousands of passengers face misery as train conductors threaten strike action on a key commuter line across the Midlands and into London

London Midland said it was very disappointed about the threat of industrial action, claiming the contractors would look out for fare evaders, smoking on trains and feet on seats.

But RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: The imposition of external contractors who have no additional skills or powers of authority to remove unruly passengers or fare dodgers is something we are totally opposed to.

He said that over two years, the unions alternative proposals were dismissed out of hand every time or regretfully ignored and the RMT had been left with no option but to ballot for a strike.

However, London Midland bosses said the security contractors would merely provide extra eyes and ears to support conductors, and the change was backed by staff and passengers.

It operates services in the West Midlands and long-distance lines from London Euston to the Midlands and Cheshire.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the union had been left with no option but to ballot for a strike

A spokesman said: The security contractors are in addition to the senior conductors and have different duties.

This is about safety. As we have told the RMT many times, we have no intention of removing conductors from our trains.

The strike ballot will close on February 2.

RMT members are due to strike next week over the introduction of driver-only trains on Southern Rail. The union said it had been excluded from talks between the train operator and the train drivers union Aslef.

But Southern said it will be able to run more than 70 per cent of its trains on Monday and a full service from Tuesday.
Richard Branson will campaign to turn public opinion against Brexit when the Prime Minister triggers Article 50.

The Virgin boss, who has called for a second referendum, has deployed his key lieutenant to set up a pro-EU group.

Sir Richard wants to convince voters they have shot themselves in the foot by choosing Brexit. But Eurosceptics last night warned the billionaire, who is based in the British Virgin Islands tax haven, to expect a backlash from angry customers.

The Virgin boss, who has called for a second referendum, has deployed his key lieutenant to set up a pro-EU group

Wealthy businessmen and Europhile campaigners who want to stop Brexit have agreed to bankroll the group led by Virgin chairman Peter Norris and former Blairite minister Alan Milburn.

Sir Richard has given office space for the project as well as 25,000. The campaign wants to launch at the same time that Theresa May starts talks on leaving the EU. She has said this will happen by the end of March.

Documents seen by the Mail show that supporters include insurance tycoon Sir Clive Cowdery and former private equity boss Stephen Peel, who has said Brexit will make the country poorer.

Sir Richard, who insists the referendum result is not binding, will claim there is very little to gain from Brexit and a lot to lose. Businesses will suffer and soon the British people will see the costs of goods going up and job losses and they will start to realises the consequences of what they have done, he has argued.

The referendum was just an advisory referendum. Once people see the terms and the consequences of whats happening, things could change.

Richard Branson will campaign to turn public opinion against Brexit when the Prime Minister triggers Article 50

Papers filed at Companies House reveal directors of the group  UK-EU Open Policy Limited  include the journalist and economist Anatole Kaletsky. He has said that Britain needs to be persuaded to change its mind about Europe.

Mr Peel, a former Goldman Sachs executive director, was a managing partner at one of the worlds largest global private investment firms, TPG Capital, until three years ago.

In the aftermath of the referendum he wrote that Britains Achilles heel is its small size.

Tory MP Peter Bone last night accused Sir Richard of arrogance. He said: The Establishment, and I include Richard Branson in that now, is determined to thwart exiting the EU and this shows what they are up to.

They do not accept the democratic view of the British people and think they know better, but this liberal elitism is one of the reasons people voted to come out. Im sure the campaign will have tons of money but it will still fail as the British people know they want to take control, be an independent sovereign country again.

Im disappointed someone who runs an international airline would think the EU is that important. Im sure some people will decide to no longer fly with Virgin Atlantic.

In the days following the referendum Sir Richard claimed the Brexit decision had led to the cancellation of a very big deal for his company costing 3,000 jobs. In 2013, it was revealed that Sir Richard, who is worth 4.5billion, had left Britain to live full time on his private Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.

He previously lived in a 200-acre Oxfordshire estate and a mansion in Holland Park, west London.

He has said he is too wealthy to allow tax considerations to dictate where he should live.

A Virgin Management spokesman said last night: Virgin is a strong believer that Britains membership of the EU brings benefits to our economy and country. While Virgin accepts the result of the referendum, we are interested in working to understand the impact Brexit will have on the UK economy and British people.

It is in everybodys interests that the Government achieves the best possible deal for the British people and that the exit process is carried out in a fully accountable way in accordance with the principles of parliamentary democracy.
The head of England's largest academy chain has suggested it will consider turning some of its schools into grammars if government plans to allow more selection go ahead.

The Academies Enterprise Trust, which runs 66 schools, said introducing selective schools could be a way to 'innovate and experiment' in some areas.

The news will come as a boost to Prime Minister Theresa May, who is planning a new wave of grammars to raise attainment in the poorest areas of the country.

The Prime Minister visited Highfield School in Maidenhead, where she answered questions during assembly and opened an eco garden on Friday

It would mean overturning a ban on creating new selective schools imposed by Labour in 1998.

Mrs May has encountered strong opposition from the teaching unions, but such a positive message from the country's most powerful academy chain suggests others could follow suit.

Julian Drinkall, the new chief executive of AET, said yesterday that some of his schools could become grammars if it fitted with the profile of local children.

He told the Times Educational Supplement: 'I think that as we look at each of those schools in the particular schools' markets and catchment areas in which they exist, there might be arguments for selection in certain places.'
Senator Pauline Hanson prematurely declared Friday's rampage in Melbourne a terrorist act and went on to wrongly claim that all such acts in Australia 'have been by Muslims'.

Less than an hour after news broke of driver Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas's alleged deadly rampage in Melbourne, Senator Hanson declared the incident a 'terrorist attack' and went on to voice her opposition to the acceptance of migrants and refugees.

Footage from a press conference in Bunbury, south of Perth, in Western Australia shows an adviser stepping forward to whisper something into the One Nation leader's ear.

Moments later, Senator Hanson faces the press and declares: 'I've just been told there's a terrorist attack that's just happened in Melbourne.'

Senator Pauline Hanson prematurely declared Friday's rampage in Melbourne a terrorist act and went on to wrongly claim that all such acts in Australia 'have been by Muslims'

Less than an hour after news broke of unhinged driver Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas's deadly rampage in Melbourne's CBD , Senator Hanson declared the incident a 'terrorist attack'

Senator Hanson's information was contradicted by Victoria's police chief commissioner Graham Ashton who said on Friday afternoon that the 'incident is not related to any counter-terrorism or terror-related activity'.

That assessment was made as social media footage circulated of a witness claiming to have heard Gargasoulas shouting 'Allahu Akbar,' an Arabic phrase that means 'God is the greatest' and that has been frequently used by Jihadist terrorists.

Officials and witnesses have pointed to the alleged killer's history of drug abuse, violence and mental issues as clues to his motives for Friday's attack.

The investigation is still ongoing.

In the press conference footage taken by Mandurah Mail, a journalist is heard questioning whether it was premature to call Friday's rampage a terrorist act without knowing the full details.

Another reporter is heard asking Senator Hanson whether she got the information through a briefing by the Prime Minister.

'No, it doesn't work that way,' Senator Hanson replied.

Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas killed four people during rampage Friday in Melbourne's CBD

Gargasoulas did burnouts in Melbourne's CBD moments before he struck several pedestrians, killing four

A pram is seen on the corner of Bourke and William Street after Gargasoulas went on a rampage in a car through busy Bourke St mall, Melbourne

She went on to say that fear of terrorist acts 'is becoming a way of our life'.

'I don't want people to feel in fear on any part of Australian soil. So it's a shame, but unless we're actually strong on this, who we allow into the country, whether that may be refugees, whether that may be migrants, whoever comes through here.'

'Take a strong stance on this. And if people don't look right, that they're not going to assimilate into our society, have a different ideology, different beliefs, don't abide by our laws, our culture, our way of life - don't let them in.'

'All terrorist attacks in this country have been by Muslims,' Senator Hanson went on to say, drawing protests from the gathered reporters.

One reporter pointed to the neo-Nazi firebomber Jack van Tongeren as an example of a non-Islamic terrorist in Australia.

After initially responding that van Tongeren was acting 'under an ideology that is of the Muslim belief,' Senator Hanson admitted that she was unsure 'which one [we're] talking about.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Senator Hanson for comment.
Thousands of red Skittles spilled onto a Wisconsin highway leaving sheriff's deputies scratching their heads as a sweet smell lingered in the air.

It turns out the candy, placed in a large box in the back of a pickup truck, spilled out after the rain disintegrated the container, according to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office.

The Skittles, taken off the market since they were missing the distinctive 'S' markings on them, were going to be transformed into cow feed, WBAY reported.

Thousands of red Skittles spilled onto a Wisconsin highway leaving sheriff's deputies scratching their heads as a sweet smell lingered in the air

It turns out the candy spilled out from the back of a pickup truck. The Skittles were taken off the market to be turned into cow feed

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office was initially stumped when they found hundreds of thousands of the red Skittles on County Highway South on Tuesday night.

The sheriff's office said: 'While we don't know who did this, it is certainly clear that it may be difficult to "Taste the Rainbow" in it's entirety with one color that likely fell off the truck!'

The candies were taken off the market after a power outage at a plant in Yorkville, Illinois, about 140 miles away, left them unstamped, Mars Inc spokeswoman Denise Young told CBS.

The company sells its unused candies to processors to turn into animal feed - a practice that has been used for decades as a way of cutting down the cost of carbohydrates.

The sheriff's office said: 'While we don't know who did this, it is certainly clear that it may be difficult to "Taste the Rainbow" in it's entirety with one color that likely fell off the truck'

Livestock nutritionist Ki Fanning told CNN Money: '[It] is a very good way for producers to reduce feed cost, and to provide less expensive food for consumers.'

The candy, which was transported on the back of a pickup truck, spilled out after a bout of rain disintegrated a box, the sheriff's office wrote.

They lacked the distinctive 'S' marking but one deputy said it only took one whiff to reveal they were Skittles.

While pictures of the roads encrusted in red Skittles left people dumbfounded, the candy spill actually helped drivers on the icy road by providing an unusual form of traction.
A Saturday Night Live writer has been blasted for saying 10-year-old Barron Trump will become 'this country's first homeschool shooter' in a now-deleted tweet.

Katie Rich fired off the tweet on Inauguration Day, only to delete it three hours later after she faced a barrage of criticism.

The comedy writer set her account to private, but Twitter users branded her 'scum', called for her account to be blocked, and urged NBC to fire her.

She wrote: 'Barron will be this country's first homeschool shooter' and faced a barrage of criticism for the 'tasteless' joke

SNL writer Katie Rich fired off the tweet on Inauguration Day, only to delete it three hours later and set her account to private after she faced a barrage of criticism

The 10-year-old accompanied his family to Washington DC this weekend, where he was thrust in the limelight during his father's inauguration

Barron will be staying put in New York with Melania Trump until he finishes out the year at the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School

Just after noon on Friday, Rich wrote: 'Barron will be this country's first homeschool shooter'.

Critics slammed the writer for her 'tasteless' joke and called her 'sick' and 'disgusting' for targeting Trump's youngest child.

Sam Janney, tweeting under the username @PolitiBunny, wrote: 'Kids are off limits...and the internet is forever. Shameful @katiemaryrich'

Dennis ONeill wrote: '@latiemaryrich what's your problem. Do you get off picking on little kids? No wonder SNL is garbage these days. You work for them.'

Some Twitter users demanded that she apologize, while several others called for NBC to terminate her contract.

Rich deleted the tweet hours later and set her account to protected, even though that seemed to anger some social medias even more as they continued to berate her online.

Some Twitter users demanded that she apologize, while several others called for NBC to terminate her contract

The 10-year-old, who accompanied his family to Washington DC this weekend, has been thrust into the limelight as the first son to live in the White House since John F Kennedy Jr.

But Barron will be staying put in New York with Melania Trump until he finishes out the year at the Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School, where tuition starts at $44,120 for those enrolling in pre-K.

Modern Family actor Julie Bowen posted a series of lighthearted posts expressing her dismay for the new president on her Instagram on Friday.

She shared several screenshots of Barron during the inauguration - and faced a similar barrage of commenters who slammed her for singling out the boy.

Modern Family actor Julie Bowen also posted a series of lighthearted posts expressing her dismay for the new president on her Instagram on Friday

She shared several screenshots of Barron during the inauguration. She joked that the 10-year-old was busy on his Gameboy in one caption

Bowen posted a photo of Barron looking down and wrote: 'I think Barron is on his Gameboy. Can't say I can blame him.'

In another photo, showing the 10-year-old with both hands around his head looking bewildered, Bowen wrote: 'Barron, a voting majority shares your horror. #barronforpresident'

The actor posted another photo of the National Mall looking relatively empty, and wrote: 'Lotta empty space at "the big show"'

Trump supporters expressed their anger at Bowen, calling her a 'pathetic celebrity' and a 'jerk'.

But other stepped in and defended Bowen. One Instagram user, @nicalips1972 wrote: 'She's not picking on him, lighten up! His dad says whatever he wants, why can't the rest of us!'

User Sealskim wrote: 'Thank you Funny Julie Bowen...we will need humor to get us through the next 4!'
President Donald Trump didn't take long to put his stamp on the Oval Office, reinstalling a bust of Winston Churchill that had gotten the boot under President Obama.

The Churchill bust was on view as Trump took some of his first actions as president, signing executive orders and a waiver to let generals serve in his cabinet despite prohibitions on ex-military tenure.

There was a transatlantic flap when Obama removed the Churchill bust in 2009. The White House at first denied it had been removed, but it was later confirmed that it had been returned to the British Embassy.

WATCHING OVER HIM: President Donald Trump has reinstalled a bust of Winston Churchill inside the Oval Office. The sculpture was removed after President Obama took office in 2009. Trump has also rearranged and removed furniture from the Oval Office - adding gold curtains and changing up the chair behind the Resolute Desk

Back in the Oval: The head of Winston Churchill was a work by Jacob Epstein, the renowned post-war British sculptor, and is now back on a table in the Oval Office

Changed up: This is the picture taken as Barack Obama left the Oval Office on Friday morning. You can see that he preferred red curtains and had a chest of drawers in the corner where Winston Churchill is now

Reporters allowed into the Oval Office for the document signings observed the change.

Obama defended the removal on a trip to the United Kingdom.

'I love Winston Churchill, I love the guy,' Obama said at a press conference in London with then-Prime Minister David Cameron.

Then-London mayor Boris Johnson, now foreign secretary, attributed the removal to Obama's 'ancestral dislike of the British Empire' owing to his father's Kenyan heritage.

During the initial flap, then-White House press secretary Dan Pfeiffer defiantly denied the charge, saying 'The bust is still in the White House. In the Residence. Outside the Treaty Room.' In fact, that was another bust that had been a gift to President Lyndon Johnson.

RESTORATION: President Donald Trump has returned a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office. It was presented by the British Government to President George W. Bush in 2001

The new Trump press shop didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night.

The Sun reported that when Johnson visited Trump tower and met with Trump advisors Steven Bannon and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, they asked for the bust to be returned.

'The Prime Minister is happy to loan the Churchill bust to the White House and will be delighted to view it on display when she visits this Spring,' a spokesperson for Prime Minister Theresa May told the paper.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee also promoted the Kenyan angle. 'His perspective as growing up in Kenya with a Kenyan father and grandfather. He probably grew up hearing that the British were a bunch of imperialists who persecuted his grandfather' Huckabee said, the Hill reported.

British Independence Party leader Nigel Farage tweeted days after the elections, 'Especially pleased at @realDonaldTrump's very positive reaction to idea that Sir Winston Churchill's bust should be put back in Oval Office.'

Trump during the elections backed the Brexit campaign. His mother was born in Scotland, and he has signaled that a trade deal with Britain could be an early priority.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer tweeted out a photo of the Martin Luther King bust, which remains in the Oval Office, after an erroneous pool report that it had been moved

For a brief period Friday night, there were erroneous reports that a bust of Martin Luther King that Obama had installed had been removed from the Oval Office. In fact, the statue was simply not visible behind a door when reporters were let inside and a pool reported didn't see it, alerting colleagues.

New press secretary Sean Spicer had some fun at the expense of the press, sending out a tweet thanking the new chief of staff for a 'wonderful picture of the MLK bust in the oval' and posted the image of the bust.
The fundamental structure of British politics hardly ever changes. It is more than 100 years ago since the last seismic shift.

Then, the Liberal Party of Gladstone and Lloyd George was displaced as Britain's main opposition by the insurgent Labour Party of Keir Hardie, Ramsay MacDonald and the trades unions.

I believe that monstrous tectonic plates are on the move again in the wake of the momentous vote on Brexit.

Peter Oborne believes the Labour Party may be entering its death throes. Pictured: Jeremy Corbyn

The Labour Party may be entering its death throes. The membership is split, and the front bench divided. Labour may soon disappear as a mainstream force in our national politics.

Last night, the date was set for two perilous electoral tests, each a potential dagger in the heart of Labour, each to be held on February 23. One is the by-election in the Cumbrian constituency of Copeland, and the other in the Midlands seat of Stoke-on-Trent Central.

Stoke has been a solid Labour seat since its creation in 1950. Copeland has been in Labour hands for more than 80 years.

In normal times, they don't count the Labour votes in Copeland and Stoke. They weigh them. But these aren't normal times.

It looks possible that Labour will lose both seats. Copeland is vulnerable to the Tories and Stoke-on-Trent could fall to Ukip. This, after all, is an area where 69 per cent voted to leave the EU.

If that happens, Labour will be finished as a mainstream party.

Corbyn's party is facing a deadly pincer movement as its rivals combine to try to polish it off. There will be no formal deal between Ukip and the Conservatives. There may not even be a tacit understanding.

Nevertheless, I understand the Conservative Party will target the bulk of its heavy artillery at Copeland, leaving Ukip a clear run at Stoke.

Left: Keir Hardy, founder of the Labour Party. Right: Ramsay MacDonald, Labour's first Prime Minister

Indeed, Ukip regards Stoke as such a prize target that Paul Nuttall himself, the new party leader, is set to run as the candidate. In my view he stands a strong chance.

Mr Nuttall is a gritty northerner who has far more in common with the Brexit-supporting voters of Stoke than the outgoing Labour MP, Tristram Hunt - a former Cambridge academic and an enthusiast for Remain - ever did.

If Mr Nuttall does win, it will be a notable moment. Crucially, he will have achieved something that Nigel Farage never managed in seven attempts: secure a parliamentary seat.

As a Westminster MP, Mr Nuttall would consolidate his leadership credentials and super-charge Ukip to take further seats from Labour. His ambition will be to take over from Labour in the North of England, just as the SNP already has in Scotland.

Don't rule out the possibility that Labour could fall towards 100 parliamentary seats from its current 235 at the next general election. Many would blame Jeremy Corbyn, but that would not be entirely fair. Corbyn finds himself at the head of a deeply divided party.

Approximately two thirds of Labour voters were passionate supporters of British membership of the EU. Meanwhile, one third voted to take Britain out of Europe. Mr Corbyn can appease only one faction, hence his flailing incoherence on the EU.

Labour may soon disappear as a mainstream force in our national politics. Pictured: Jeremy Corbyn

Labour's problems over Europe this week led the Lib Dem leader Tim Farron to dismiss Mr Corbyn as 'lame' and 'toxic', and to rule out an electoral pact designed to overthrow the Tories. The hopelessly optimistic Mr Farron, who has nine MPs, suggests his party could now overtake Labour as the main opposition.

To that end, he said his candidate would be going 'hell for leather' to win the Stoke by-election.

Tragically for Corbyn, the great issues that galvanised British politics during the years of Labour dominance after the War  levels of taxation, the size of the State, the class struggle  have now faded away.

In the wake of Brexit, Europe is the issue that determines the outcome of elections. When a by-election was held in Richmond in prosperous South-West London last autumn, the Remain camp used the vote to send out a public raspberry to Brexit.

Corbyn is a decent man, but in both Copeland and Stoke, he is vulnerable to the passionate sentiments of Brexiteer voters.

For that reason, February 23 may go down in history as the day that Labour in England died.

For hire? Cameron should be on gardening leave

'I'm available for weddings and bar mitzvahs,' joked David Cameron at one private party in Davos this week.

This was more than a throwaway joke. Cameron and George Osborne are not in Davos just to schmooze. They are there for hire. They are there to make serious money.

Both men will reportedly earn tens of thousands of pounds at Davos alone. This week, Osborne spoke at a dinner for senior executives at HSBC bank, while Cameron addressed management consultants PwC.

Both men are now important figures on the international speech-making circuit, with George Osborne clocking up a cool 628,000 in the six months since he was sacked as Chancellor last July. And yesterday, it was announced that he will join the investment research arm of asset manager BlackRock, where he will be reunited with his former chief of staff Rupert Harrison.

The Financial Times said he will earn more than 200,000.

If he carries on at his current rate, Osborne will have earned more in the 12 months since leaving office than in the entire six years he was Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I believe that this poses a profound problem for democracy.

Senior politicians like Cameron and Osborne know they can make bucket-loads of money from international banks and global corporations within months of leaving office.

This creates a huge conflict of interest. All chancellors and prime ministers now know that strings are attached to these unimaginable sums: there won't be a payday after they have left power if they upset their future paymasters in the global financial sector.

This creates a massive disincentive to challenge global financial interests. I believe that future political leaders should give assurances that they won't benefit in his way.

When chief executives of public companies leave their jobs, they go on extended gardening leave. So should prime ministers.

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017

Ever since Donald Trump stormed to victory last November, his staff have been besieged with delegations from Britain.

One senior figure close to the new President reveals that the British concentrate only on warning Trump against President Putin and against doing a deal with President Assad in Syria.

He says that Brexit hasn't been raised once. This is madness.
Crowds of people have been flooding Washington for one reason or another this Inauguration weekend.

Massive numbers of women in pink 'pussyhats' have begun posting photos of themselves headed to march on the capital in protest of Donald Trump being sworn in as president.

Pink 'pussyhats', which are pink knitted beanies with cat ears, have become the unofficial accessory of the march, and are being proudly displayed on flights.

Massive numbers of women in pink 'pussyhats' have begun posting photos of themselves headed to march on the capital in protest of Donald Trump being sworn in as president

Some photos show women wearing the hats, many also donning Hillary Clinton and 'Nasty Woman' shirts

One Southwest crew even lit up their plane cabin in pink, according to Mashable.

Photos of pussyhat-clad, pink-wearing women (and men) are cropping up on social media sites like Twitter and Instagram.

Some photos show women wearing the hats, many also donning Hillary Clinton and 'Nasty Woman' shirts.

The 'Pussyhat project' started as a campaign to outfit people marching in the Women's March on Washington.

The 'Pussyhat project' started as a campaign to outfit people marching in the Women's March on Washington

Pink 'pussyhats', which are pink knitted beanies with cat ears, have become the unofficial accessory of the march, and are being proudly displayed on flights

Photos of pussyhat-clad, pink-wearing women (and men) are cropping up on social media sites like Twitter and Instagram

Groups of women wearing the hats are doing so in order to show solidarity, as well as reclaim the loaded term used by Trump in his Access Hollywood Recording, according to the Daily News.

According to Business Insider, approximately 200,000 people will take part in Saturday's march, and tens of thousands of those will be wearing pussyhats.

Anyone planning to march can download a pattern to make their own hat from the project's website, or make them and send them to others who plan on marching in Washington.

Co-organizer Krista Suh told Business Insider that the project is about 'women refusing to be erased from political discussion'.

Co-organizer Krista Suh told Business Insider that the project is about 'women refusing to be erased from political discussion'
President Barack Obama's plane was forced to divert to another airport tonight as stormy whether ruined his Palm Springs arrival.

His government jet, SAM 28000 (Special Air Mission) - not Air Force One unless the serving President is on board - circled Palm Springs International airport for more than 40 minutes and it's believed the pilot made three attempts to land.

But as heavy rain and low cloud swept across the airport visibility was too poor for a safe landing.

President Obama was instead flown elsewhere - a destination understood to be March Air Force base in Riverside, some 44 miles away.

Fog delay: The presidential flight could be seen trying to land and failing

Off elsewhere: The plane which usually flies as Air Force One could be seen in the air but was unable to land at Palm Springs

Why are we waiting: James Costos and his husband, interior designer Michael Smith posted a selfie from inside Air Force One while it circled

Security presence: Local police had moved in force to the airport

Disappointment: Obama fans had turned up to wait for him but when the rain fell heavily they were unable to see their hero

Long wait: Crowds had formed outside the airport perimeter to await the arrival of the presidential plane - not called Air Force One because President Trump is not on board

Soaking: The Obama fans had waited and got drenched but were unable to see the president

Not going to Palm Springs yet: The Obamas had expected to land in Palm Springs but bad weather hit their plans

Welcome to Palm Springs: This was the rainy scene at the normally sunshine drenched destination

On board: James Costos and Michael Smith, who are hosting the Obamas, used their joint Instagram account to show the former first couple boarding at Andrews

Barack and Michelle Obama hold hands as they walk on the red carpet toward their waiting plane while an honor guard stands by

Just before 3pm, a large motorcade of more than a dozen SUVs and minivans along with Palm Springs Police Department vehicles were lined up on the airport tarmac in preparation for the Obamas' arrival.

They waited for over an hour and a half for the former president to make his final dissent until word came through his plane was being diverted.

His motorcade was then diverted to meet him, although officials refused to confirm this due to security concerns.

It has been reported that President Obama and his family is staying at the mansion of his Spanish ambassador James Costos and his husband, interior designer Michael Smith, in Rancho Mirage, near Palm Springs while on vacation.

Google Maps had appeared to update the address of Costos and Smith as 'Obama's Palm Springs Hideaway'.

The couple were on board the final flight, which took off from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland after President Trump was sworn in.

They used their joint Instagram account to show that they were on the flight, with an image showing the former president and former first lady walking up the red carpet towards the stairs.

The Obamas are not in for a sunny start to their vacations: conditions in Palm Springs were barely warmer, and also wetter than Washington D.C., with 50f in the California destination and heavy rain predicted.

Pride: James Costos posted a picture of him and Obama in the Oval Office

Privileged view: Michael Smith was at the side of the stage as the Obamas spoke at Andrews

The flight on the aircraft once known as Air Force One was the final time that the Obamas fly on it.

The former president and first lady were transported to Andrews on a Marine One helicopter after departing the US Capitol for the final time on Friday

Moments earlier, the Obamas watched as President Donald Trump took the oath of office

With lawmakers looking on, the Obamas were escorted to the helicopter by Trump and his wife, Melania, shortly after the ceremony

The Trumps, Vice President Mike Pence, and his wife, Karen Pence, waved goodbye as the chopper took off for Joint Base Andrews

Barack Obama joked 'is this thing still on' as he returned to his personal Twitter account just hours after handing his old @POTUS handle to Donald Trump

Just moments before boarding the airplane Obama told former staffers that their democracy doesn't end with the beginning of the new administration - a final lecture as he left.

Awaiting them at Andrews were 1,800, mostly former members Obama administration, including Denis McDonough, Obama's former chief of staff; Valerie Jarrett, a family friend and senior adviser in his administration; Susan Rice, his national security adviser; Neil Eggleston, his White House lawyer; Eric Holder, his first attorney general; Gina McCarthy, the former EPA administrator; Jeff Zients, Obama's National Economic Council head; Jen Psaki, the departing White House communications director; and Josh Earnest, his final spokesman, accompanied by his two-year-old son.

Before they finally left, Obama said that he and Michelle had been 'milking this goodbye thing.'

'So it behooves me to be very brief,' he said. 'NO!' his audience shouted in response.

Then in the air, he took to Twitter, where he will now use just one Twitter handle, @BarackObama, now that @POTUS has been taken over by President Donald Trump.
Prince Charless aides played down the recent controversy over businessmen being asked to transfer 100,000 to his charity before attending dinners at royal residences, saying the letter was sent erroneously.

Despite the mix-up, millionaires seem to have got the message that Charles is keen to receive six-figure sums.

Newly-released documents for Charless principal charity, The Prince of Waless Charitable Foundation, show that donations shot up by more than 2 million to a record 6 million over the year to March 2016  up from 3.8 million the previous year. In 2014, donations were just 2.5 million.

Prince Charless aides played down the recent controversy over businessmen being asked to transfer 100,000 to his charity before attending dinners at royal residences, saying the letter was sent erroneously

Emphasis has been put into raising funds from high net worth donors, explains the foundation, which has doubled the amount it spends on fundraising to almost 90,000 to ensure high-rollers donations dont dry up.

The Prince of Waless Charitable Foundation has stopped making grants to the National Hedge Laying Society, but it gave a gift of almost 2 million to help bankroll Dumfries House, the Ayrshire pile Charles saved for the nation in 2007 with a 20 million loan.

Prince Philip gave Charles a stern dressing-down in 1999 for his eagerness to accept millions of pounds worth of largesse from rich acquaintances

As I revealed earlier this week, his charitable foundation also paid 60,000 to his controversial former valet, Michael Fawcett, who leads the charity that runs Dumfries House. In total, Fawcetts company, Premier Mode, received 248,000 from Charless charitable trusts  even though he has no formal prior experience of running a charity.

Prince Philip gave Charles a stern dressing-down in 1999 for his eagerness to accept millions of pounds worth of largesse from rich acquaintances. But Charless love of generous plutocrats has remained constant.

After accepting a free ride to a charity polo match in Sussex in a helicopter owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, he allowed a rich Indian-born couple to pick up the 500,000 tab for his 65th birthday gala dinner at Buckingham Palace.

As the donations roll in to his charity, Charles makes sure his top-tier staff receive princely remuneration.

Over the year to March 2016, its senior management team were paid 723,911  an increase of more than 160,000 on the previous year.

The top earner is paid almost 200,000 per annum.

A one-off to the end: Snowdon's last journey

A single bell tolled as an intimate band of mourners walked across remote Welsh fields yesterday to lay Lord Snowdon to rest.

In an understated tribute to the society photographer, who died peacefully at his home in London last week aged 86, the funeral cortege processed close to Lord Snowdons family home near Caernarfon, before arriving at St Baglans Church in the remote village of Llanfaglan.

Reflecting his dislike of convention, Lord Snowdons coffin was taken to the church in a dark green Land Rover adorned with white roses.

Reflecting his dislike of convention, Lord Snowdons coffin was taken to the church in a dark green Land Rover adorned with white roses

Lord Snowdon, born Antony Armstrong-Jones, spent weekends in North Wales with Princess Margaret during their marriage, and maintained his links with the area after their 1978 divorce.

One mourner said: Tony loved visiting here, the Foryd [bay] was one of the places he loved to walk along from the castle towards the family home.

Duke's neighbour: I want him jailed

The Duke of Manchester, currently sporting an ankle bracelet whilst under house arrest for burglary in his adopted city of Las Vegas, will be hoping that Judge Douglas W. Herndon is in merciful mood when passing sentence on him next Tuesday.

Unfortunately for the Duke, however, his erstwhile neighbour, Jason Ballensky, is intent on being in court to argue that the Duke  thrice-married 54-year-old Alex Montagu  should be kept behind bars indefinitely.

I dont think this dude should be out of jail, says Ballensky, whose difficult relationship with the Duke led him to record their encounters on video camera. He was telling me that he was going to shoot my wife and my kids, adds Ballensky, who, after filming the Duke brandishing a firearm, decided to take precautionary measures.

I bought a .40 calibre handgun. Ive managed to live twelve years without having a gun, but I cant just stand there and get shot while Im videoing him.

Cambridge Bremoaner accused of hate crime

Cambridge professor Nicholas Boyle has got his comeuppance.

The don wrote a piece in the New European this week saying the referendum did not deserve to be respected because 17 million English, the lager louts of Europe, voted for Brexit in an act of geopolitical vandalism.

Now the chairman of the English Democrats, Robin Tilbrook, has reported him to the police.

Tilbrook says: I am offended by such a tirade by a person who is supposed to be, and is paid to be, a role model for students. I have, therefore, reported this to the police as a hate incident.

Attacking the English is just as much racist as attacking other racial, ethnic and national groups. We English should not put up with such anti-English insults and attacks without taking action against the perpetrators.

Its all very embarrassing for Cambridge University, whose Chancellor is Prince Philip.

Given that Philip is quite possibly himself a Brexiteer, I wonder what he makes of the intolerant Boyle.

Andrew Mitchell was to throw a party, but has been asked to postpone it

Is this evidence that the Government expects to lose its case in the Supreme Court on whether Theresa May can begin leaving the European Union without Parliaments assent?

David Daviss friend and fellow Tory MP Andrew Mitchell was to throw a party on Tuesday celebrating the Brexit Secretarys position. Now that the Supreme Court has said its decision will be the same day, Davis has asked for the bash to be postponed.

Mitchell is part of the family that owns El Vino, so at least there should be no trouble with sale and return on the wine.

Mentioning no names...

Which tycoon, worth well over 100 million, secured a criminal record in his youth for dialling 999 and announcing that he had placed a bomb at the bottom of the Post Office Tower?
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White nationalist Richard Spencer was sucker-punched in the face by a protester as he was giving a TV interview in Washington.

Spencer, a leader of the alt-right movement, was speaking about the violent anti-Trump protests on Friday when a man in a hooded jacket approached and punched him twice in the face.

Cameras captured the moment the masked man flew into view and hit Spencer in the cheek while he was on the corner of 14th and K Street around 2.30pm.

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Richard Spencer, a leader of the alt-right movement, was giving an interview in Washington on Friday when a hooded man approached and punched him twice in the face

Spencer walked off down the street instead of retaliating as the hooded man disappeared in the other direction.

He took to Twitter to initially brush off the assault, saying he can take a punch.

'I was just physically assaulted twice by antifas. No serious damage. I can take a punch,' Spencer tweeted.

But he later posted a 10-minute video rant calling the assault a 'terrible thing'.

'Someone came out of nowhere, and punched me. He didn't really land one, and it didn't hurt that much. But it was pretty remarkable,' Spencer said.

He said he was being interviewed after the incident when the same man came back and punched him on the side of his head.

Others then moved in to protect him before another person spat on him, according to Spencer.

'This was three physical assaults, really serious physical assaults, that occurred,' Spencer said.

'They occurred in the most cowardly fashion possible.'

Cameras captured the moment the masked man flew into view and hit Spencer in the cheek

Spencer walked off (pictured) down the street instead of retaliating as he rubbed his cheek

He took to Twitter to initially brush off the assault, saying he can take a punch.

Spencer later posted a 10-minute video rant calling the assault a 'terrible thing'

It comes as police arrested 217 protesters during the violent rampage just blocks away from the White House on Friday as Trump haters smashed store windows, set fire to cars and through bricks at police.

Heated clashes broke out in McPherson Square and along K Street as hundreds of riot police fired tear gas and drew their nightsticks to contain the masked mob.

As the rioting unfolded, Trump and his family were arriving at a review stand at the White House to see the end of the inaugural parade.

Militant anti-Trump protesters gave a foretaste of what could follow during the violent outbreaks, which has so far seen at least six police officers injured.

A limo was set on fire after masked protesters wearing all black threw a flare into the vehicle. They had reportedly run up to the car and smashed its windows in D.C. following Trump's inauguration

Riot police have arrested nearly a hundred people for the explosive protests in the streets of D.C. Washington police said numerous individuals were charged with rioting

Police use pepper spray on the mob of protesters in McPherson Square. A violent rampage started just two blocks from the White House in the square and along K Street

Rioters set off multiple fires as they confronted police as protests over Trump turned ugly

Rioters set fire to a limousine and scrawled 'We the people' on the side of the vehicle

More than 95 people have been arrested so far during the riots. Hundreds of protesters dressed in black marched through the streets of D.C. breaking windows and hurling projectiles

Police have arrested nearly 100 anti-Trump protesters on Friday. Rioters hurled rocks and other debris at a Starbucks Cafe window as they ran through the streets on in protest of President Trump

A mob chanting abuse at Trump threw bricks and rocks at police and set fire to debris on the street in McPherson Square near the White House.

Nearby, thousands of protesters descended on Franklin Square Park where they graffitied a stretch limo before setting the vehicle ablaze right outside the Washington Post building.

'Groups of people started gathering around the limo. There was a sense of something going to happen. People were shouting 'it's going to blow'. We tried to move them back,' Dailymail.com columnist Katie Hopkins, who witnessed the ordeal, said.

'The inauguration parade for the president is just blocks away from where all this is happening.'

Hopkins said the anarchists set things ablaze and started throwing bricks, stones and rocks.

'These people are here for this purpose - these guys are here for the fight,' she said.

SWAT team police in full riot gear moved in spraying pepper spray in a bid to disperse the rioters.

The protesters had earlier dragged trash cans into the road before setting them on fire.

Vendors selling Trump T-shirts suddenly started offering them as fire fuel, and set them alight.

A protester burns one of Trump's Make America Great t-shirt just hours after he was sworn in as president

Anti-Trump demonstrator set a 'Make America Great Again' hat on fire as masked, black-clad protesters carrying anarchist flags smashed windows and scuffled with riot police in D.C.

A man stands naked facing police and the offices of the Washington Post in protest against Trump's presidency

Police officers move protesters away from a car that was set on fire during protests near the inauguration of President Donald Trump

Thousands of protesters descended on Franklin Square Park (pictured) before setting a stretch limo ablaze

Protesters run from tear gas and pepper spray in McPherson Square as they protest the Inauguration of President Donald Trump

A young male rioter kicked in a car's windshield as fellow protesters watched on

A Washington D.C. Metro Police Officer arrests an anti-Trump protester, after a confrontation that led to several dozen protesters being cornered and then arrested for vandalism

A Trump supporter was seen trying to pull an American flag out of a fire lit by a protester just hours after the inauguration

Protesters swarmed the streets in Washington as they set fire to mutliple trash cans

A protester burns a Donald Trump shirt during the demonstration downtown Washington as passersby look on

One police van retreated quickly, reversing a whole city block at high speed after a rock smashed through its window but within minutes reinforcements arrived as a SWAT team in full riot gear blocked K Street and threatened to pepper spray yelling demonstrators.

A rock also hit a Secret Service vehicle forcing it to beat a hasty retreat.

Thugs dressed head-to-toe in black with their faces completely hidden urged the mob to gather pieces of paving stone to use as missiles.

Vandals set the limo afire after totally trashing it smashing its windows and scrawling graffiti on its side, leaving its horn constantly blaring.

Broadcaster Larry King said that while he was in a studio, the windows of his SUV were smashed by protesters.

'Protestors in DC smashed the windows of my hired SUV & many other cars. I was working in-studio & am ok, but my driver is a bit rattled,' he tweeted.

Smoke billows from a burned out limo set ablaze by anti-Trump rioters in Washington. Officers cleared the area from the flaming car

A nurse rinses pepper spray out of the eyes of a young anti-Trump protester who got sprayed during a clash with D.C. Metropolitan Police

Police in riot gear deployed pepper spray and made arrests after protesters smashed the windows of downtown D.C. businesses

Outside the offices of The Washington Post, D.C. police face off with rioting protesters

Police kept watch as firefighters put out a limousine fire after the vehicle was destroyed by anti-Trump protesters

A rioter wrapped in a rainbow flag walks very close to the police line as protests turned violent in Washington

A TV truck was also smashed as the mob ignored calls to stop from one section of the crowd who said the new administration wanted them to riot.

'Please stop. This is not ok,' pleaded one young woman. 'This is what they want. They will eat this up.'

The protesters shouted 'F... Trump,' calling his new administration 'fascist' and 'illegitimate.' They brandished placards variously denouncing the new president as racist, homophobic and anti-women.

Police blasted them with tear gas and stun grenades and several women claimed they had been maced as they struggled with tears seeping from their eyes.

Riot police chased the group, some openly promoting anarchy, down 10th and E streets, about a mile from the Mall.

More than 500 people, many wearing masks and handkerchiefs over their faces, marched through the center of DC.

They attacked cars and shop windows, smashing glass panes at a Bank of America branch, a McDonald's outlet and a Starbucks shop.

Luis Villarroel from Virginia dropped passengers off near the corner of 13th and K Streets NW then parked in front of the Washington Post building.

He got out of his Lincoln MKT limo when he heard loud noises and 'hundreds of masked men' coming his way. He said the protesters 'threw food at him' and started beating his limo. They threw a flare inside the limo, which is still visible on the seat.

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts and sparked riots around the city

Starbucks Cafe customers take cover from shattered glass as anti-Trump protesters broke a window as they ran through the streets

Protesters run from police during a demonstration where nearly a hundred people were arrested for rioting

Police face off with protesters against those who have smashed windows and shouted insults against the 45th president

Activists leave the site of a limousine which was set ablaze during a protest against Trump. Someone wrote on the side of the burning limo: 'We the People'

An angry protester faces off with a line of riot police during a demonstration in D.C.

Unruly protesters were pursued by riot police who used flash bang grenades and pepper spray to subdue the crowd. Several windows were broken including a McDonald's restaurant's

Police managed to funnel the protesters away, but security was stepped up for this afternoon's Presidential parade.

D.C. police reported that two uniformed officers sustained minor injuries and police vehicles were damaged in the riots.

President Trump began his reign at the White House today greeted by rain and vast empty spaces at his inauguration.

Unlike the inauguration ceremonies for former President Obama where crowds filled the Mall past the Washington Monument, Trump's acceptance speech was greeted by far less spectators.

As he spoke areas at the back of the Mall were empty and the three second delay in his words reaching those at the back only added to the low key atmosphere.

There were muted cheers and very little chanting to greet the President among the spectators that stood with space to walk freely behind them.

Police amass near the parade route, where President Trump will walk after taking the oath of office. Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered along the route with signage and chants to protest Trump's presidency

A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration

Riot police used flash bang grenades and pepper spray to subdue the destructive crowd

Sparks fly as protesters clash with police right before the inauguration parade. More than 500 people are reported to be involved in the destructive riots

Many thousands missed President Trump's acceptance speech due to heavy security filtering and roads being blocked and people being made to walk the entire length of the Mall before being allowed access.

FBI agent Dan Sacchini and his wife Dea missed the speech because of the time it took to enter the public viewing area. But they they did enter, they were able to walk freely towards the front.

Mr Sacchini said: 'I am not surprised that this place isn't full because the country has been devided over this President.

'I did not vote for him, but I respect the position of President. The inauguration is an example to the world of democracy.

'My wife was born in Mexico, but she voted for Trump. We respect each other's views and that is what today is about.'

Activists run after being hit by a stun grenade while protesting against Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration

Demonstrators supporting the Standing Rock Sioux tribe block a security checkpoint where inauguration attendees would normally enter the National Mall. Several more protests are planned around downtown D.C. throughout Trump's inauguration day

The riots in D.C. in response to Trump's inauguration have led to nearly a hundred arrests. Several windows were broken including a McDonald's restaurant's

But construction worker Michael Collins, who witnessed Obama's second inauguration, said: 'A lot of people don't like Trump and couldn't bring themselves here.

'I missed his speech but I don't really care. Obama will always be my man. When he did his inauguration thing, this place was one big party and it ain't quite that here.'

Police were on full alert against violent protests and officers deployed tear gas in the center of DC close to a Macdonalds when anarchists confronted them.

Several arrests were made including one man who was pinned down by five officers, blood oozing from his forehead, after behind apprehended near a security gate.

President Donald Trump takes the Oath of Office at his inauguration on Friday morning

Trump's inauguration attendance was not as expected and the National Mall sat half-empty (left) compared to Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration turn out (right), which saw an estimated 1.8million people on the below freezing day

Past inaugurations saw higher attendance numbers. According to D.C. Metro's ridership statistics, only 193,000 trips were taken by 11am on Friday morning, compared to 2013 when 317,000 people had used the public transportation

As anti-Trump demonstrators attempted to block the way to the parade walk and smashed up shop windows, supporters and protesters alike flocked to Washington D.C. for inauguration day.

Attendance was not as expected and the National Mall sat half-empty compared to Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration turn out, which saw an estimated 1.8million people on the below freezing day.

The half-empty ceremony, which expected a turn out of 900,000 people, saw temperatures in the 40s and some rain was expected.

Past inaugurations saw higher attendance numbers. According to D.C. Metro's ridership statistics, only 193,000 trips were taken by 11am on Friday morning, compared to 2013 when 317,000 people had used the public transportation.

In 2009, numbers reached 513,000 and Bush's 2005 ceremony had 197,000 rides.

Demonstrators came from across the US to voice their objection President Donald Trump - despite being a tiny minority compared to vast crowds there to hail him. Some said they would also have protested Hillary Clinton.

Protests became violent and destructive as shop windows were smashed out in retaliation to Trump being sworn in on the steps of Capitol Hill.

Several thousand inauguration-goers were held up for an extra hour by just a handful of animal rights protesters who blocked an entry point at 7th Street and D600nw and were met by soldiers and police with dogs.

Rain is expected to drizzle out around 3pm, just in time for the parade. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has said more than 3,000 police officers from other regions and 5,000 National Guardsmen will be in attendance

U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the crowd immediately before taking the oath of office as protests begin to break out around Washington D.C.

Crowds listen as President Trump delivers his inaugural address after taking the oath of office as they brave the rainy weather

Protesters demonstrated near the parade route where Trump will walk after taking the oath of office

Those who had come to voice their anti-Trump views repeatedly shouted 'Let us in' as the rain came down and senior police officials gathered to examine how best to solve the situation.

One protester who held up the lines brandished a placard which read : 'Queers for human and animal rights.'

Alena Chavez, 20, a student who had traveled from San Francisco, California, said: 'Trump needs to learn how to respect women, all races and religions and understand that we know he will not make a great President.'

Due to the expected downpour, the National Park Service has revised its policy on umbrellas.

It eased up on the 'no umbrella' rule, allowing collapsible 'totes'-style umbrellas along the parade route and on the National Mall.

On the Capitol grounds regular umbrellas are still prohibited in any ticketed area.

The nation's soon-to-be president joked about the chance of a downpour. 'That's OK,' Trump told campaign donors at an event Thursday night, 'because people will realize it's my real hair.'

'Might be a mess, but they're going to see that it's my real hair,' he said.
Tributes are pouring in for the victims who lost their lives on Friday when a crazed motorist ploughed into pedestrians in Melbourne, killing four and leaving dozens more fighting for life in hospital.

Twenty-six people remain in hospital, including a three-month-old baby, as police fear the death toll will rise.

'Obviously the hospitals are still working on those critically injured people, but we do have fears  grave fears  for the health of at lease two or three of those that are in that critical condition,' Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said.

Mourners visit Melbourne's centre to pay their tributes to the victims who were killed on Friday

Floral tributes line the streets in Melbourne's centre, where four people were killed on Friday

'You were a bystander. You were innocent. You could have been any one of us. You won't be forgotten' tribute reads

'It may be the death toll  numbers of people killed  may still increase beyond four.'

Three people were killed in the street and another died in hospital after Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, drove into crowds of people in a crazed rampage on Friday afternoon.

Mourners visited the scene of the attack in Melbourne's centre to pay their respects, just one day after the horrifying attack.

Hundreds of flowers and messages of love line Bourke Street and surrounds.

A young boy joins the masses of mourners leaving floral tributes at the sight of the crime

Three people were killed in the street and another died in hospital after Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, drove into crowds of people

Mourners visited the scene of the attack in Melbourne's centre to pay their respects, just one day after the horrifying attack

More have taken to social media to express their sadness and support for the victims' families.

'My heart goes out to the families who are affected by the incident in Melbourne yesterday,' one woman said.

'It is a very sad day for all of us in Melbourne  my thoughts and prayers for the affected people who suffered from this criminal attack.'

'Our hearts go out to the victims of this tragedy  people who lost their lives, those injured, those who witnessed this horrific event. Many lives changed yesterday,' another said.

Firefighters who attended yesterday leave flowers on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street

Two firefighters return to the scene to lay flowers in memory of those who lost their lives on Friday

Two firefighters return to the scene to lay flowers in memory of those who lost their lives on Friday

Firefighters who attended yesterday, shed a tear as they left flowers at the chilling scene

Firefighters who rushed to the scene on Friday returned on Saturday to pay their tributes.

The group of men appear sombre as they remember the lives lost in the chilling attack.

The firefighters were pictured contributing flowers to the growing tribute on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Streets.

People break down in tears as they pay their respects to the victims of the chilling attack

It was a sombre scene on Saturday as people broke down in tears in Melbourne's centre

A little girl is pictured contributing to the growing floral tribute in Melbourne's centre on Saturday

Mourners comfort each other as they pay their tributes to the people who lost their lives in the attack

A mourner prays where flowers are being laid on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews lays flowers on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street

Mourners also urged the Melbourne community to keep its chin up following Friday's attack.

'Such a sad time for Melbourne but we all stick together, stronger than ever Sending prayers to families who lost loved ones and the injured. Melbourne stands with you,' one woman said.

'Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that,' another person said quoting Martin Luther King Jr.

People mourn the lives lost in Friday's horrific attack which killed four and left 26 others injured

A woman is seen laying flowers on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street, the scene of the crime

Flowers line the grounds at Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street, one day after the shocking attack

Chief Executive Officer of Ambulance Victoria Tony Walker joined the growing number of mourners at Bourke Street on Saturday to pay his respects.

'An honour to join with my emergency service colleagues to pay our respects to those who lost their lives at Bourke Street yesterday,' he said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also visited Bourke Street on Saturday, the home of what he called a 'terrible crime  a senseless evil act'.

'You were a bystander. You were innocent. You could have been any one of us. You won't be forgotten,' he wrote alongside a photo of the floral tributes.

Two young boys are pictured laying flowers as mourners gather in Melbourne's Bourke Street

A man is pictured laying a bunch of flowers at the scene of the Bourke Street rampage

Mourners look on in shock and disbelief at Melbourne's centre which has now become the site of a chilling crime
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First lady Melania Trump and first daughters Ivanka and Tiffany Trump have upped their style stakes after making flawless entrances in their inaugural ball gowns.

A stunning Melania let her hair down as took to the stage at the Liberty Ball at the Washington Convention Center with her husband, President Donald Trump, on Friday night.

The 46-year-old dazzled in an ivory, off-shoulder gown that she helped co-create with designer Herve Pierre.

The column gown with an organza ruffle featured a crimson waist ribbon as the Trumps took their first dance as POTUS and FLOTUS to Frank Sinatra's My Way.

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A stunning Melania Trump let her hair down as took to the stage at the Liberty Ball at the Washington Convention Center with her husband, President Donald Trump, on Friday night

First daughter Ivanka had a princess moment as she stunned in a glittery Carolina Herrera gown

Melania opted for minimal accessories and styled her hair in loose waves around her shoulders. The president went for a traditional tuxedo.

The first lady helped design the silk gown with Pierre, who was the former creative director of Carolina Herrera. During his time with the designer, he dressed a number of other first ladies including Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama.

The Trumps were joined on stage by Vice President Pence and his wife Karen, before breaking tradition and invited the president's adult children to make an appearance as well.

The president gestured towards his flawless daughter Ivanka as she danced nearby with her husband Jared Kushner.

The first daughter had a princess moment as she stunned in a Carolina Herrera gown.

Her ballgown featured a tulle skirt and sheer long sleeves that were embellished with crystals.

The president's youngest daughter, Tiffany Trump, opted for a ball gown from Simin Couture - a Hollywood designer the 23-year-old discovered in Los Angeles.

Her strapless fitted princess gown with a mermaid train was made of metallic fabric with a floral design. It featured hand-beaded pink stones and rhinestones.

The Trump family joined the president and first lady on stage at the Liberty Ball at the Washington Convention Center on Friday night

Tiffany Trump wore a strapless fitted princess gown designed by Hollywood designer Simin Couture

Melania dazzled in an ivory Herve Pierre gown featuring a crimson waist ribbon, while Donald opted for a traditional tuxedo

The first lady helped design the silk gown with Pierre, who was the former creative director of Carolina Herrera

Melania let her hair down in loose waves around her shoulders as she danced with U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Jose A. Medina

The president gestured towards his flawless daughter Ivanka as she danced nearby with her husband Jared Kushner

Ivanka stunned in a glittery Carolina Herrera gown as she danced with husband Jared Kushner

President Trump invited his adult children on stage with their spouses to finish off the dance. Vice President Pence and his wife Karen (left) also included their family

Ivanka Trump dazzled in a glittering Carolina Herrera gown. She was joined by her husband Jared Kushner

The entire First and Second families soon joined the president and first lady on stage at the ball

First Lady Melania Trump beams as she enjoys a dance with US Army Staff Sgt Jose A. Medina

The president and first lady were joined first by Vice President and Second Lady Pence and then by their families at the final event of the night

President Trump gave the first of many kisses for his wife as they took to the stage for their dance at the Washington Convention Center at 9.35pm

Tiffany Trump's mother Marla Maples posted this photo on Instagram during the inaugual ball

Ivanka had kicked off the morning in a demure navy Carolina Herrera coat as she joined her family at St. John's Church before joining her sister Tiffany in suffragette white for their father Donald's inauguration.

The new first daughter looked radiant in an asymmetrical white coat and matching white pants as she strut through the Capitol.

The 34-year-old accessorized her coat with an American flag pin at the corner of her lapel, and she styled her long blond hair in loose curls around her shoulders.

Melania had earlier cemented herself as a fashion-forward first lady after opting for a stunning baby blue Ralph Lauren dress and matching jacket for the inauguration.

She accessorized her outfit with a pair of heels, clutch and elbow-length gloves that were all the same hue of blue.

The 46-year-old made the decision to keep everything else simple, choosing to play up her natural beauty by sweeping her hair into a loose undo.

It was clear Melania was channeling Jacqueline Kennedy, who wore a similar tan outfit back in 1961 when John F. Kennedy was sworn into office.

Flawless: Melania Trump selected a baby blue dress and jacket for her husband's swearing in ceremony (above leaving mass on Friday morning)

The new First Lady clearly got into the spirit of things as she grasped Trump's hand and pointed at the crowd

Ivanka Trump and her half-sister Tiffany both wore suffragette white to their father Donald's inauguration on Friday

Ivanka put her hand on her little sister's back as they smiled at each other before the inauguration




In the hours before James 'Jimmy' Gargasolous allegedly drove his car onto bustling Bourke Street and killed four people, he tried repeatedly to gain entry into a local bar.

Gargasolous, 26, is under police guard in hospital after a rampage through Melbourne's CBD on Friday which killed four and left more than 30 people injured, three of whom are in a critical condition.

On Thursday night, he reportedly tried to enter Dogs Bar in St Kilda and when he was refused entry returned to the establishment to smash glasses and terrify patrons.

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On Thursday night, Gargasolous tried to enter Dogs Bar in St Kilda, and when he was refused entry returned to the establishment to smash glasses and terrify patrons

In the hours before James 'Jimmy' Gargasolous allegedly drove his car onto bustling Bourke Street and killed four people, he tried repeatedly to gain entry into a local bar

Just hours before the attack, he checked in on Facebook at St Kilda watering hole The Dog's Bar, and implied he was wondering how to punish the unbelieving 'dogs'.

The rampage killed four people including a baby and injured another 30

About 10.45pm it is claimed the 26-year-old visited the pub for the first time, but management did not let him in.

'My wife saw him coming in through the gate and we didn't let him in,' Dogs Bar owner Gavin Breen told Daily Mail Australia.

'She had a bad feeling about him.'

It is claimed Gargasolous then 'walked away and was not too happy' about it, before returning to the bar between 12.30 and 12.45am.

He pulled up outside the bar, with a woman in his car, Mr Breen said.

'He parked in the middle of the road, left the car door open, walked across the road,' the owner said.

'He walked up to a table at the front of the bar where some women were sitting and swiped everything off it.'

About 10.45pm the 26-year-old visited the pub (pictured) for the first time, but management did not let him in

Four people are dead after a man deliberately drove into a crowd in Melbourne's Bourke St mall

'Glasses, phones, everything.'

Then, according to Mr Breen, Gargasolous got back in to the car and drove away.

He never entered the bar, despite a number of his social media posts suggesting he was there.

'He was very self-assured, had a bit of a swagger about him,' Mr Breen said.

'It was terrible what he did.'

More than 30 people remain in hospital following the rampage which began with Gargasolous allegedly stabbing his brother and ended with him being shot in the arm by police.

His brother, Angelo, remains in a critical condition in intensive care as do three other victims police hold 'grave fears' for.

Gargasolous will undergo surgery on Saturday for a bullet wound in his arm.

The wreckage of a car is seen as police cordoned off Bourke Street mall, after a car hit pedestrians in central Melbourne
Newspapers across the globe dedicated their front pages to Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday, offering their take on how the 45th president of the United States will impact the world.

France's Le Figaro featured the mogul on the cover of its magazine edition, writing: 'What if he did the job?' The conservative paper chose to outline what it described on its cover as 'the assets of an unpredictable president'.

In the UK, The Independent took a far less optimistic approach, writing on its front page: 'So help us God.'

News readers in Japan, Israel, Iceland, the United Arab Emirates and many more countries all caught a glimpse of America's new commander-in-chief on his inauguration.

French newspaper Le Figaro dedicated its magazine edition to Donald Trump, writing 'What if he did the job?' before outlining the 'assets of an unpredictable president'

In the UK, The Independent took a far less optimistic approach, writing on its front page: 'So help us God' before wondering what Trump's presidency means for the US and the world

Germany's Der Spiegel featured a game of pool made up of several countries' flags as well as Putin's portrait. A pool ball in the colors of the Stars And Stripes can be seen, ready to be launched into the others. The headline reads: 'The new world order - Trump's game'

Mainichi Shimbun (left), one of Japan's biggest three dailies, made a similar choice with a photo of Trump taking the oath with Melania, Barron, Ivanka and Tiffany next to him. Frettabladid (right), Iceland's most circulated newspaper, gave the mogul a small space on its bottom left corner

The New York Times, with which Trump has many times feuded in the past, dedicated its front page to the president, quoting: 'This American carnage stops'

Trump also appeared on the front page of the Washington Post, which also picked up on the 'American carnage' quote like the New York Times did

German weekly magazine Der Spiegel dedicated its cover to Trump but did not show his photo, opting instead for a game of pool made up of several countries' flags as well as Putin's portrait.

A pool ball in the colors of the Stars And Stripes can be seen, ready to be launched into the others. The headline reads: 'The new world order - Trump's game.'

Also in Germany, Hamburg's daily the Hamburger Morgenpost featured the mogul with his raised fist, quoting from his inaugural speech: 'America first! America first!'

A photo of Trump being sworn in with Melania by his side also circulated on the front page of multiple editions of regional newspaper Hessische/Niedersachsische Allgemeine.

The same image appeared on the front page of the French Figaro, which in addition to its magazine edition also carved out space for the new president on its newspaper version.

Russia's Novaya Gazeta dedicated the homepage of its website to the inauguration on Friday, showing Trump and his family during the oath ceremony

Qatar's pro-government daily Al-Sharq ran a picture of the president being sworn in, with his wife Melania, his son Barron, and his daughter Ivanka also featured by his side

The United Arab Emirates' Gulf News (left) also pictured the billionaire next to his wife, youngest son and eldest daughter, this time with Donald Jr in the frame. The country's Khaleej Times (right) dedicated the top half of its front page to the mogul, writing: 'It's a new world'

China Daily gave Trump one column on the right of its front page, writing: 'Early birds gather to see Trump sworn in' above a story on inauguration events

In the UK, The Guardian opted for a Trump-centric front page, with a photo of the president with his fist raised and the quote: 'From this moment on it's going to be only America first'

Germany's daily the Hamburger Morgenpost (left) featured the same fist bump photo, quoting from Trumps inaugural speech: 'America first! America first!' A photo of Trump being sworn in with Melania by his side also circulated on the front page of multiple editions of regional newspaper Hessische/Niedersachsische Allgemeine (right)

Also in France, the Aujourd'hui En France daily featured a portrait of Trump on its Friday edition, calling him: 'The abnormal president' - a play on Francois Hollande's 2012 campaign, during which he said repeatedly he wanted to be a 'normal' president.

China Daily gave Trump one column on the right of its front page, writing: 'Early birds gather to see Trump sworn in' above a story on inauguration events.

Qatar's pro-government daily Al-Sharq ran a picture of the president being sworn in, with his wife Melania, his son Barron, and his daughter Ivanka also featured by his side.

Also in France, the Aujourd'hui En France daily featured a portrait of Trump on its Friday edition, calling him: 'The abnormal president' - a play on Francois Hollande's 2012 campaign, during which he said repeatedly he wanted to be a 'normal' president

In Germany, the Abendzeitung Muenchen (left) ran a picture of Trump with the word 'D-Day' and the Der Tagesspiegel (right) also went for a raised-fist photo

'In God we trust': The Times in the UK showed Trump waving to the audience with his family and vice-president Mike Pence by his side, opting to quote the presidential oath

French newspaper Liberation ran a photograph of Trump looking out of a window on their front page

In Israel, The Jerusalem Post featured Trump on Friday, picturing the president on his way out of plane, right above a story about Jewish groups planning to march on Washington

Mainichi Shimbun, one of Japan's biggest three dailies, made a similar choice with a photo of Trump taking the oath with Melania, Barron, Ivanka and Tiffany next to him.

The United Arab Emirates' Gulf News also pictured the billionaire next to his wife, youngest son and eldest daughter, this time with Donald Jr in the frame. The country's Khaleej Times dedicated the top half of its front page to the mogul, writing: 'Its a new world.'

Frettabladid, Iceland's most circulated newspaper, gave the mogul a small space on its bottom left corner.

In Israel, The Jerusalem Post featured Trump on its Friday edition, picturing the president on his way out of plane, right above a story about Jewish groups planning to march on Washington.
An imam who will be part of President Donald Trump's inaugural interfaith prayer service is defending his choice to pray at the event to his fellow Muslims.

Imam Mohamed Magid will lead the call to prayer during the service Saturday morning with 26 other leaders in faith.

Sajid Tarar from American Muslims for Trump will also pray at the service.

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Imam Mohamed Magid drew criticism from Muslims who disagreed with his participation in Trump's inaugural interfaith prayer service

The interfaith service held at the Washington National Cathedral is a tradition, but President Donald Trump's treatment towards Muslim immigration has been controversial.

Ahmed Rehab, the executive director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago said on Facebook: 'This is my biggest problem with Imam Magid's participation. Namely, allowing us the false impression that tokenism dubs as beneficial engagement, as opposed to isolation.'

He continued: 'This is not meaningful engagement. We gain squat diddly by having the athan called out at an event *celebrating* the rise of Trump to power.'

On Saturday, 26 members of the faith community will lead a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral (right)

'We do not advocate isolation as an alternative. We advocate engagement through challenge. Challenge is not isolation, it is engagement.'

Several commenters said they disagreed with Rehab. But others like Sana Saeed, a Muslim host of AJ+, said they thought this is a problematic gesture.

In response, CNN reports Magid said: 'Do not assume that the efforts to engage those who have misconceptions of Islam are in any way contradictory to other efforts to influence public opinion. Rather they go hand in hand.'

'Many people came to do harm to Prophet Mohammed, and after engagement and getting to know him they changed their mind in a positive manner.'

Imam Mohamed Magid defended his choice to lead the call to prayer at the interfaith service in a Facebook post Friday morning

On Facebook, the imam penned in a lengthy explanation Friday morning: 'One of the tasks of the religious leader is to convey the truth and the values of Islam to everyone, including those in power, to advocate for what is good, and to address those who misunderstand and have misconceptions about the beauty of Islam.'

Magid led the Islamic Society of North America from 2010-2014. He also the imam All Dulles Area Muslim Society which aimed to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement an the Muslim community.

While Trump has backtracked on his proposal to ban Muslim immigration into the US, he has said people from Islamic countries will be subjected to 'extreme vetting.'

He also made controversial comments towards Gold Star parents Khizr and Ghazala Khan. He implied Mrs Khan was not 'allowed' to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
An off-duty suburban Chicago police officer shot and killed a man who he says was trying to steal his car.

The man shot has been identified as Joshua D Jones, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Police department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi says the shooting happened early Friday in the West Pullman neighborhood on the city's South Side.

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An off-duty suburban Chicago police officer shot and killed a man who he says was trying to steal his car (pictured)

At the scene, the body was covered with a white sheet. When officers lifted the blood-stained sheet, a woman cried out for her boyfriend, reported the Chicago Tribune.

An autopsy will take place on Saturday.

It appears the off-duty Robbins police officer fatally shot the man after the alleged robber pulled a gun and took the officer's keys.

The police officer reportedly fired his weapon when the robber was about to drive away. Guglielmi said the robber's weapon was recovered.

At the scene, the body was covered with a white sheet. When officers lifted the blood-stained sheet, a woman (pictured) cried out for her boyfriend, reported the Chicago Tribune

Chicago police say they are investigating the possible armed robbery and the Robbins department will handle the investigation of their officer

Chicago police say they are investigating the possible armed robbery and the Robbins department will handle the investigation of their officer.

The officer wasn't immediately identified. The Robbins Police Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

An unidentified woman said she heard three or four gunshots in the neighborhood, though thought the noises came from her television.
The girlfriend of Dimitrious Gargasoulas, who is accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians killing five in Melbourne, claims he threatened to kill her and himself if she left his sight.

On Saturday afternoon the death toll of the accused Melbourne driver's rampage rose to five victims after the three-month-old boy, who was previously in critical condition, died.

Earlier that day Akiir Muo, 25, begged for her life as she alleges her boyfriend Gargasoulas took her hostage and drove erratically around Melbourne before letting her out on Bolte Bridge.

In a press conference on Friday afternoon Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said the stabbing in Windsor was connected to the rampage in the Melbourne CBD.

Ms Muo said she witnessed Angelo Gargasoulas covered in blood after he was allegedly attacked by Dimitrious at their Windsor flat.

The girlfriend (pictured) of Dimitrious Gargasoulas, who is accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians in Melbourne, claims he threatened to kill her, his mum and himself if she left his sight

Akiir Muo, 25, said she was begging for her boyfriend to slow down when she alleges he took her hostage and drove around Melbourne

'I tried to pull Jimmy away from Angelo but his face was covered in blood, I couldn't see his face,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was the scariest thing I've ever seen.'

She was then allegedly taken hostage around 6am that morning and Ms Muo said her boyfriend threatened to kill them both by driving into a pole.

'He threatened to kill himself and me by driving us into a pole - I pretty much have to do what he says,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I begged him to stop and slow down. It shouldn't have happened - I mean all the people that lost their family and their loved ones, you know, over his stupidity.'

The girlfriend said she was shocked he allegedly ran over a child during the carnage in Melbourne's CBD.

'Jimmy is just lost,' she said.

'It was scary.. I was just thinking my life is going to end.. I'm gonna die.

'Jimmy had no right to do what he did. Jimmy, he just wants everything his way.

'I have two kids and just watching the fact that he had ran over a little child - that could be anyone's child.'

Eventually the pair stopped at Bolte Bridge where Ms Muo was able to escape from the car after the two hour nightmare.

The mother of Dimitrious Gargasoulas, who is accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians in Melbourne, says she feels 'ashamed' to be his mum

Emily Gargasoulas says was sickened to hear about her son's rampage which killed a 10-year-old girl and three others

The mother of Dimitrious Gargasoulas says she feels 'ashamed' to be his mum.

'I feel so ashamed and bad, you know,' Emily Gargasoulas told 7 News.

'I don't want to be known that I'm the mother. Go to hell and die in hell.'

Emily Gargasoulas says she was sickened to hear about her son's rampage which killed a 10-year-old girl and three others, and left 26 people injured, including a three-month-old baby who is fighting for life in hospital.

'When I found out about what he did ... how he killed a child, I felt sick ... so sick in my stomach,' the devastated mother told the Herald Sun.

Following the ordeal Ms Muo was interviewed by police for 10 hours, where she leaned of the tragedy that rocked the city of Melbourne.

Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas was due to face court on Friday, the same day as his alleged deadly rampage through Melbourne.

He had been charged on January 14, but freed by a bail justice.

A pram on the corner of Bourke and William Street following the rampage through Bourke St mall

Dimitrious Gargasoulas (R), 26, had a history of drug abuse, violence and mental issues before he allegedly ploughed through dozens of pedestrians on a rampage through Melbourne

Ms Gargasoulas' other son, Angelo, was allegedly stabbed by his brother Dimitrious and is currently in hospital

Neighbour Gavin Wilson, 76, claimed he was violently threatened by Gargasoulas before he was forced to hand over the keys of his maroon Holden Commodore used in the attack on Bourke Street Mall.

Mr Wilson said Gargasoulas came into his apartment on Wednesday night in the same housing commission block as the young man shared with his mother, brandishing a bible.

Gargasoulas then sat down and lit the bible on fire before throwing it into Mr Wilson's face and punching him in the jaw.

'He just went off, wanted my car, wanted the keys. He asked me twice for them and I said 'no I'm not giving them to you'. Then he put his hand on my eye and started pressing, it really hurt,' Mr Wilson told 7 News.

'He said 'give them to me or I'll gouge your eye out', so I said 'okay, okay' and I give them to him. And he left thank God. I'm lucky to be alive really.'

Mr Wilson, the ex-partner of Gargasoulas' mother, said he was shocked to see him on the news later that day.

'Terrible, absolutely terrible. he mowed down little kids and all,' Mr Wilson said.

Gavin Wilson, 76, (pictured) was violently threatened by alleged attacker Dimitrious Gargasoulas before he was forced to hand over the keys of his maroon Holden Commodore

'Then he put his hand on my eye and started pressing, it really hurt,' Mr Wilson (pictured) said

Dimitrious Gargasoulas' history of drug abuse, violence and mental issues have also been revealed in the wake of the Friday rampage, which killed four people and injured more than 20 others.

Gargasoulas ranted about the Illuminati, called unbelievers 'dogs', and vowed to 'have god's laws re-instated' in the weeks before the attack that killed four people.

'I declare war on tyranny today, you dogs will have the option to either believe in me and his positive energy he offers and stay faithful to me or serve the one who enslaves you at his feet,' he wrote on Facebook on Monday.

'I offer freedom no work no bills just that we all keep faith and believe in the one god, the one higher being for the good and protect the energy that he gives with your heart.

'God bless everyone in the world it is about to change xoxo.'

He claimed to be 'Greek Islamic Kurdish' and a follower of Yazdanism, the native religion of the Kurds before the arrival of Islam, also know as the 'cult of Angels'.

'I know exactly how to take you DOGS down the power of knowing has revealed and I shall have GODS laws re-instated,' he wrote last Saturday.

Gargasoulas hanging out the Holden on Friday before he allegedly mowed down shoppers in Melbourne

The rampage killed four people including a baby and injured another two dozen

People hug each other on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth street after the rogue car ploughed through pedestrians

Police a the scene of the incident which killed four people and injured at least two dozen others

Police and emergency services treated the injured at the scene following the horrific incident on Friday

A mourner prays where flowers are being laid on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street in Melbourne

A note left on flowers by Daniel Andrews Premier of Victoria on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street

Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle (right) lay flowers at the scene on Saturday

Police Commissioner Grahan Ashton lays flowers for the victims at Bourke Street Mall

Floral tributes for the victims of Friday's rampage that killed four people including a 10-year-old girl

An hour earlier he ranted about connections between Scientology, the Illuminati, and the Free Masons, who would 'do anything in the power to dominate the world'.

He claimed they would 'take on the new world order' and that women would run the world because god's laws had been 'overwritten by human laws'.

A close friend told said Gargasoulas' rantings were driven by heavy use of the drug ice, and that he had recently converted to Islam.

'He was a great guy but ice destroyed him. Then he converted to Muslim and changed very quickly. For over a month he's been on edge,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'He stabbed his brother in the face and beat up his poor mother I knew this bloke really well... I'm not sticking up for him whatsoever and he deserves to be punished for what he's done, but that evil drug ice was the cause of this.

On Thursday night, Gargasolous reportedly tried to enter Dogs Bar in St Kilda and when he was refused entry returned to the establishment to smash glasses and terrify patrons.

About 10.45pm it is claimed the 26-year-old visited the pub for the first time, but management did not let him in.

'My wife saw him coming in through the gate and we didn't let him in,' Dogs Bar owner Gavin Breen told Daily Mail Australia.

It is claimed Gargasolous then 'walked away and was not too happy' about it, before returning to the bar between 12.30 and 12.45am and swiping glasses and phone off a table occupied by women.

He ranted about the Illuminati, called unbelievers 'dogs', and vowed to 'have god's laws re-instated' in the weeks before the attack

On Thursday night, Gargasolous tried to enter Dogs Bar in St Kilda, and when he was refused entry returned to the establishment to smash glasses and terrify patrons

About 10.45pm the 26-year-old visited the pub (pictured) for the first time, but management did not let him in

His most recent disturbing rant on Monday saying the world was 'about to change'

He claimed to be 'Greek Islamic Kurdish' and a follower of Yazdanism, the native religion of the Kurds before the arrival of Islam, also know as the 'cult of Angels'

'I know exactly how to take you DOGS down the power of knowing has revealed and I shall have GODS laws re-instated,' he wrote last Saturday

'Just take one look at his statuses over the past month and it's clear as day that he had gone into psychosis. He was saying there was a comet heading for Earth.'

Gargasoulas' longest and earliest rambling on January 9 claimed god had given him wisdom and knowledge and 'awoken' him, and included a chilling premonition.

'Keep in mind good will always prevail over evil and that is exactly whats to come in the following days weeks and so forth somebody tried to f*** me,' he wrote.

'I'll take you all out just me you need an army to take me.

'I'm a genuine good sexy young guy. And that I've experienced days and nights I thought I'd never experience in my life since I got to Melbourne. Well guess what... I've been blessed... And now your (sic) f**ked.'

On Thursday night, just hours before the attack, he checked in on Facebook at St Kilda watering hole The Dog's Bar, and implied he was wondering how to punish the unbelieving 'dogs'.

'Thinking. About what to do with them lol,' he wrote next to it.

On December 30 he urged his friends to consider that when a police officer was killed on duty, maybe the 'cop killer was the good guy'.

'As it happens, that has been the case more often than not throughout human history. F**k da police,' he wrote.

Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas was due to face court on Friday, the same day as his alleged deadly rampage through Melbourne's CBD

An hour earlier he ranted about connections between Scientology, the Illuminati, and the Free Masons, who would 'do anything in the power to dominate the world'

'I'm a genuine good sexy young guy. And that I've experienced days and nights I thought I'd never experience in my life since I got to Melbourne. Well guess what... I've been blessed... And now your (sic) f**ked,' he said

How the 12-hour rampage unfolded: He allegedly stabbed his brother at his home (1), took a hostage before letting her out on the Bolte Bridge (2) and led police on a wild car chase towards the city (3)

Gargasoulas' longest and earliest rambling on January 9 claimed god had given him wisdom and knowledge and 'awoken' him, and included a chilling premonition

Just hours before the attack, he checked in on Facebook at St Kilda watering hole The Dog's Bar, and implied he was wondering how to punish the unbelieving 'dogs'.

On December 30 he urged his friends to consider that when a police officer was killed on duty, maybe the 'cop killer was the good guy'

Gargasoulas was on bail for assaulting his mother's partner on Saturday when his trail of destruction began, ending with four dead and at least 25 injured.

He on Wednesday allegedly stole the maroon Holden Commodore used in the attack on Bourke Street mall from an elderly neighbour.

Gavin Wilson, 76, said Gargasoulas came into his apartment, in the same housing commission block as the young man shared with his mother, brandishing a bible.

Gargasoulas then sat down and lit the bible on fire before throwing it into Mr Wilson's face, before attacking him.

'Give me your keys or I'll gouge your eyes out,' Gargasoulas allegedly demanded, Mr Wilson told The Age.

The rampage finally came to an end when he mounted the kerb at 555 Bourke Street and came to a stop after police shot him the arm

Police arrested a man wearing nothing but red underwear following the incident in Melbourne

Police fear the death toll could rise after a man on the run over a stabbing drove into Melbourne lunchtime crowds

Police close a road to traffic as investigations continue into the deadly attack

Before Gargasoulas attacked his brother, witnesses claim the 26-year-old 'appeared to be on drugs' and was told to leave Acland street McDonald's at about 10pm, according to The Herald Sun.

The young man then allegedly stabbed his brother Angelo with a kitchen knife during an argument at 2am on Friday.

Neighbours said they heard the pair arguing and a female voice saying 'if you don't stop, I'm going to call the police', but both were gone when officers arrived.

'He had a knife and he was hacking at either a guy or a girl, I don't know,' Jess Bergin told The Age.

She said Angelo and another woman got into a waiting car, and then the knife-wielding Gargasoulas began hacking at the car.

A pram was dragged 100 metres through the middle of Melbourne's city centre by the car involved in today's horrific rampage, witnesses say

Horrified pedestrians have been filmed running for their lives from the car that smashed into at least 25 people in Melbourne

A family member also said the young man had a drug problem and was in and out of jail for car theft and drug offences.

Chief Commissioner Craig Ashton also said the man accused of the rampage through Bourke Street had a history of family violence.

'He has come to our attention on many occasions in the past. We have mental health and drug-related issues in the background of this particular person,' he said.

Later that morning he led police on a wild car chase through Melbourne with a female hostage in the passenger seat, who police said was 'not connected' to him.

The woman escaped or was let out of the car on the Bolte Bridge near Docklands just west of the Melbourne CBD.

Police gave up their pursuit soon after as the car was moving erratically and it was feared bystanders could be injured.

Helicopters kept track of his movements as officers hoped to find another opportunity to stop him, but instead watched in horror as he drove into the city.

Floral tributes were growing on the corner of the mall and Elizabeth Street in the CBD as the shock of Friday's tragedy sets in.

There are teddy bears, four stems of white roses for each life lost and a little card reading: 'RIP Angels'.

One card by Daniel Andrews Premier of Victoria reads: 'You were a bystander, you were innocent, you could have been any one of us. You won't be forgotten.'

A mum could be hear telling her two young daughters that 'something terrible happened here,' before ushering them away, while Fiona McConachie left a bunch of native wattles in tribute.

'It's as much for the living people as a way of showing solidarity in grief and also as a way of thanking the people that were here and first aid responders,' she said.

'As first aid responders ourselves, had we been here, we would've felt compelled to do something.

'It's about helping those people as well as respecting the people that were caught up in this and the people that have passed away.'

Gargasoulas was arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody.

He will be charged later this weekend following surgery on Saturday for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his arm.

Coroner Sara Hinchey will examine the entire event, including police endeavours to catch the man, the role of the justice system in previous dealings with him and issues around his alleged mental health and drug abuse.

Premier Daniel Andrews says she will be given any additional resources she needs and the government would make whatever changes were necessary.
Police have shut down a planned protest Saturday night in Sydney's Kings Cross but rogue demonstrators opposed to NSW's lockout laws still vowed to turn up.

The state's Supreme Court sided with police in a decision Friday to curb a public assembly organised by the advocacy group Keep Sydney Open.

'Obviously both Keep Sydney Open and our followers were bitterly disappointed. We felt the judgement was unfair,' the group's campaign director Tyson Koh told Daily Mail Australia.

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Police shut down a planned protest Saturday night in Sydney's Kings Cross - but rogue demonstrators opposed to NSW's lockout laws still vowed to turn up. File photograph

The NSW Supreme Court sided with police in a late-night decision to curb a public assembly organised by the advocacy group Keep Sydney Open. Pictured, a march in October 2016

Tyson Koh, campaign director of Keep Sydney Open, said his group's goal is to make Sydney 'an exciting place to live'

'However we have to accept the judgement that was handed down. It's not going to stop the momentum of Keep Sydney Open's campaign. If anything it's going to concretise support behind us,' Mr Koh said.

The event was planned to protest the city's divisive lockout laws, which force inner-city establishments to refuse entry after 1.30am and to stop selling alcoholic drinks after 3am.

About 4,500 people had clicked 'attending' on a protest event page on Facebook.

In Friday's decision, the Supreme Court cited concerns with public safety and crowd management issues, noting that Keep Sydney Open's proposed 9pm-to-midnight event would be held 'at night, in a confined, semi-residential area.'

The court order does not actually prohibit public assembly, but merely '[denies] to participants the qualified protection from criminal prosecution... for any offence relating to participating in an unlawful assembly or the obstruction of any person, vehicle or vessel in a public place'.

The lack of legal protection prompted Keep Sydney Open organisers to cancel the event.

A man wears a hat saying 'Make Sydney Late Again,' a reworking of Donald Trumps campaign slogan, 'Make America Great, Again' at a Keep Sydney Open Protest in October 2016 in Sydney

Keep Sydney Open planned to protest the Sydney's divisive lockout laws, which force inner-city establishments to refuse entry after 1.30am and to stop selling alcoholic drinks after 3am

'We have a proven track record of organising large-scale assemblies, and we were willing to do whatever we needed to do work with police to make sure the rally goes off without a hitch,' Mr Koh said.

'Unfortunately Kings Cross police weren't willing to put the effort into managing our protest, as they are obligated to do.'

But some supporters said they would turn up against the group's recommendation.

One such supporter, Anthony Skinner, told Daily Mail Australia he was planning a 'renegade' assembly at Kings Cross.

'Heaps of people are still going. I'm trying to get some organisation going for those people,' Skinner, 25, said.

'I'm not worried, what can [police] do? Arrest us for standing on the street?'

'There's not much they can do, but I'm still surprised every time, they still manage to do things you didn't expect they could.'

'Unfortunately Kings Cross police weren't willing to put the effort into managing our protest, as they are obligated to do,' Mr Koh said

About 4,500 people had clicked 'attending' on a protest event page on Facebook - and some said they were still planning to turn up

'We're just going to go out in the Cross, we're not planning any destruction. Just everyone getting together,' Mr Skinner said.

Mr Koh said independent protests were a 'concern,' arguing that an official, well-managed assembly would have been safer.

'Now Kings Cross will have to deal with several smaller, more unprepared gatherings,' Mr Koh said.

'We're not going to stop these people, they have to feel free to do what they feel they have to do.'

He said the goal of Keep Sydney Open is to improve Sydney's 'suffering' reputation as an international city.

'What we're trying to do is reverse the damage that's been done over last three years. We've seen inner city streets turn into ghost towns after dark,' Mr Koh Said.

'We want to get this city's confidence back on track, to make it an exciting place to live.'
As thousands of people descended on Washington to see Donald Trump get sworn in as president, thousands more were protesting right across the United States.

Protests escalated into violence and destruction just blocks away from the White House on Friday as black-clad activists clashed with police following Trump's inauguration.

More than 200 people were arrested and six police officers injured during the violent clashes.

But other rallies and marches were simultaneously being held in most major cities - including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Austin - and carried on well into the night.

A limo was set on fire in Washington D.C. on Friday as protests escalated into violence and destruction just blocks away from the White House

More than 200 people were arrested as hundreds of protesters dressed in black marched through the streets of D.C. breaking windows and hurling projectiles

San Francisco

At least 11 people were arrested in San Francisco at various protests across the city as demonstrators in a state that overwhelmingly voted against Donald Trump's bid for the presidency rallied against his inauguration.

Thousands of protesters dressed in purple formed a human chain across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Others blocked the entrance to a skyscraper partially owned by Trump and chained themselves to Wells Fargo buildings in the city's financial district.

Thousands of protesters dressed in purple formed a human chain across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

Demonstrators link arms across the Golden Gate Bridge during a peaceful demonstration against the inauguration of Trump on Friday

Hundreds chanted and held placards as they gathered at United Nations Plaza in San Francisco

Demonstrators marched on Market Street in San Francisco on Friday night

Anti-Trump protesters rally at the entrance of a Wells Fargo office in the financial district of San Francisco where some had chained themselves to the doors

Portland

Tens of thousands gathered in Portland, Oregon where some protesters burned the American flag in Pioneer Courthouse Square before taking to the streets to march.

Police shut down streets in Portland as they were forced to use flash-bang grenades and tear gas to move on demonstrators.

Authorities had tweeted earlier in the night that the Portland protesters were armed with clubs and sticks, and were throwing unknown liquid at officers.

Demonstrators protest the inauguration of Trump in Portland, Oregon, on Friday

Other rallies and marches were simultaneously being held in most major cities, including Portland, Oregon (pictured), and carried on well into the night

Police shut down streets in Portland as they were forced to use flash-bang grenades and tear gas (pictured) to move on demonstrators

A masked female protester held a sign reading 'Dump Trump' as she appeared to meditate among the rowdy protests

Police dressed in riot gear closed roads and blocked bridges (pictured) in Portland when protesters armed themselves with clubs and sticks

Hundreds marched in Portland with placards reading 'Dump Trump the Dumb Chump' and 'Putin's President'

Riot police ride on a vehicle during protest in Portland on Friday night

Police block entrance to a bridge as demonstrators protest the inauguration of Trump

Seattle

A man was left with life threatening injuries after he was shot in Seattle late Friday at a protest at the University of Washington.

The shooting occurred outside an event with controversial speaker Brietbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos where many anti-Trump protesters were demonstrating.

The gunshot victim, a 32-year-old who has not been named, was taken to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center.

Susan Gregg, a spokesman for the hospital, said the man is in surgery and in a critical condition.

A suspect has turned himself in to police and has been taken into custody, according to CBS News.

Another demonstration was being held close by and many of the protesters made their way to the university.

Police said protesters had been throwing rocks and fireworks at officers.

Law enforcement officers guard a side street during a protest march in Seattle

A demonstrator wearing a Trump mask poses with others during a protest march in Seattle

Hundreds of protesters sit down in the street at the intersection of Pike Street and Broadway in Seattle on Friday night

Two women in a car watch as protesters surround them on the streets of downtown Seattle

People march with signs and drums to protest the inauguration of Trump in downtown Seattle

Chicago

Thousands also forced the closure of streets in Chicago as Trump haters continued to protest well into the night.

The windows of a bank on Michigan Avenue were shattered by a protester as police arrested at least six people.

Two separate protests eventually merged into one as crowds chanted in opposition to Trump. Protesters split into various smaller groups as darkness fell.

Thousands also forced the closure of streets in Chicago as Trump haters continued to protest well into the night

Protesters display anti-Trump slogans in Downtown Chicago on Friday night

Protesters march during a rally against the President Donald Trump agenda in Chicago

Austin

Unlike the rest of the country, protests held in Austin, Texas were relatively peaceful.

A number of activists spoke at the organized protest before thousands marched with placards through the city to the state Capitol building as Trump was taking his oath.

Police escorted the Austin protesters through the blocked-off streets.

People chanted as the protested in Austin, Texas during peaceful protests

Thousands march through downtown Austin with placards after Trump was sworn in

A young woman chants during a protest against President Donald Trump on the UT campus on Inauguration Day

Minneapolis

At least 2,000 people took to the streets of Minneapolis hours after Trump was sworn in as they marched behind a large banner readying 'Resist From Day One!'

No one was reported to have been arrested at the mostly peaceful rally.

Police did report that a small group broke away from demonstrators and cracked holes in a Wells Fargo sign near U.S. Bank Stadium.

Protesters burn a figure of Donald Trump in the street during an anti-Trump rally in Minneapolis

A man chants from atop the stairs during an anti-Trump rally in Minneapolis

At least 2,000 people took to the streets of Minneapolis hours after Trump was sworn

New York

Protesters in New York marched from Foley Square to the Trump Building in lower Manhattan on Friday night.

Demonstrators shouted slogans such as 'No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA!'

Councilman Jumaane Williams and six others were arrested on a charge of civil disobedience for a protest outside Trump Tower, the New York Post reported.

It comes after large rallies were held on the eve of Trump's inauguration outside Trump's hotel near Central Park.

Celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Robert de Niro and Julianne Moore spoke at the rally ahead of Trump being sworn in as president.

Protesters in New York marched from Foley Square to the Trump Building in lower Manhattan on Friday night

NYC Coalition to Resist Trump held an Inauguration Day protest and marced past the New York Stock Exchange to the Trump Building on Wall Street

Washington D.C.

Protesters were still wreaking havoc in Washington late on Friday after a day filled with destruction and violence.

Heated clashes broke out in McPherson Square and along K Street as hundreds of riot police fired tear gas and drew their nightsticks to contain the masked mob.

Militant anti-Trump protesters gave a foretaste of what could follow from angry Americans given Trump is now president.

Just before the parade started, clashes broke out between 400 to 500 stone-throwing protesters and riot police in McPherson Square - just blocks from the parade in honor of newly sworn-in president.

As Trump's motorcade wound its way up Pennsylvania Avenue in the parade to the White House, protesters also descended on Franklin Square Park where they graffitied a stretch limo before setting the vehicle ablaze right outside the Washington Post building.

Riot police have arrested nearly a hundred people for the explosive protests in the streets of D.C. Washington police said numerous individuals were charged with rioting

A Trump supporter was seen trying to pull an American flag out of a fire lit by a protester just hours after the inauguration

Rioters set off multiple fires as they confronted police as protests over Trump turned ugly

Mexico City

Trump's inauguration was marked by subdued protests across Mexico.

One political activist on Mexico City's main thoroughfare held up a banner declaring 'Racist, gringo Trump... son of Satan, you are a danger to the world.'

Concern about Trump is widespread through Mexico.

'Trump if you are Christian, don't crucify Mexicans,' migrant activist Sergio Tamay wrote on a fuschia-colored sign at a migrant protest in the northern border city of Mexicali.

Protesters hang a Donald Trump pinata and set him on fire outside of US Embassy Anti-Trump protest in Mexico City on Friday

A group of demonstrators protest against the inauguration in Mexico City on Friday night
A suspect is in custody after a man was shot and left with possible life-threatening injuries Friday night during a protest at the University Of Washington.

Hundreds had rallied against a talk by far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, Breitbart's technology editor.

Anti-Trump protesters who had previously marched in Seattle joined the campus protest and tensions escalated, Q 13 Fox reported. Police said some in the crowd had thrown bricks and other items at officers, while several people had been hit with blue paint.

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A man was shot and left with potentially life-threatening injuries Friday night during a protest at the University Of Washington in Seattle. The chaotic scene is pictured

Hundreds had rallied against a talk by far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, Breitbart's technology editor. The event (pictured) was meant to start at 7 pm but was delayed by an hour

Officers responded to the campus Friday night to remove a man with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Fire officials later said the man's injuries could be life-threatening, KIRO 7 wrote.

The gunshot victim, a 32-year-old who has not been named, was taken to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center.

Susan Gregg, a spokesman for the hospital, said the man is in surgery and in a critical condition.

A suspect has turned himself in to police and has been taken into custody, according to CBS News.

The campus' Red Square had been the scene of a tense rally as masked protesters tried to block the doors to Yiannopoulos' talk.

Fights erupted between Yiannopoulos' supporters and the protesters, prompting police to respond in riot gear.

Officers responded to the campus (pictured) Friday night to remove a man with a suspected gunshot wound to the abdomen. Anti-Trump protesters had joined the rally

Yiannopoulos, who has been permanently banned from Twitter after reports of racist abuse, reacted to the shooting on Facebook and offered his prayers to the victim

The Breitbart editor was supposed to begin his talk at 7pm, but the event was pushed back by an hour.

Yiannopoulos, 32, has been banned permanently from Twitter after 'Ghostbusters' actress Leslie Jones reported being the victim of an onslaught of racist abuse on the platform.

The commentator, who has been seen as a spokesperson for the alt-right and has spoken against feminism and Islam, was seen as the instigator of the hateful messages.

Yiannopoulos reacted to the shooting on Facebook and offered his prayers to the victim.

The campus' Red Square had been the scene of a tense rally as protesters tried to block the doors to Yiannopoulos' talk. Pictured, officials stand near an ambulance at the protest

A protester is pictured waiting for treatment after being pepper-sprayed by police at the University of Washington where people rallied against Yiannopoulos
The Interior Department was ordered to shut down its Twitter accounts after the National Park Service shared photos of the relatively small crowds at inauguration on Friday.

The official National Park Service account retweeted images from New York Times reporter Binyamin Appelbaum, comparing the crowds that turned out for Trump's swearing in on Friday to those at Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.

The tweet was later deleted, and members of the incoming administration sent out an email demanding Park Service employees to stop their Twitter activity until further notice, the Washington Post reported.

Appelbaum noticed the National Park Service's retweet, and called attention to their account, joking: 'Looks like the Trump administration hasn't taken control of the @NatlParkService Twitter feed just yet'

It wasn't before long that an email was circulated to the federal employees stating: 'All bureaus and the department have been directed by incoming administration to shut down Twitter platforms immediately until further notice'

Appelbaum joked: 'Do you think it's still OK for me to walk my dog in the local national park tomorrow morning?'

Appelbaum posted two images comparing the relatively sparse crowds of 250,000 on Friday to the historic turnout of 1.8million in 2009.

The federal agency shared Appelbaum's post, and also retweeted another user who revealed the official White House website no longer included pages on climate change and LGBT rights.

Appelbaum noticed the National Park Service's retweet, and called attention to their account, joking: 'Looks like the Trump administration hasn't taken control of the @NatlParkService Twitter feed just yet.'

It wasn't before long that an email was circulated to the federal employees barring any new tweets from the Interior Department's numerous bureaus.

The email, cited by the Washington Post, stated: 'All bureaus and the department have been directed by incoming administration to shut down Twitter platforms immediately until further notice.'

The directive did not affect other social media platforms and said existing accounts did not need to be deleted or suspended until further direction.

An investigation was launched to determine whether the Twitter activity was intentional or accidental, the Washington Post reported.

A government official also floated the possibility that the retweets were the work of hackers.

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday morning
A man has died, after he was one of five fisherman rescued on the New South Wales south coast, when they were washed off rocks into the ocean.

Emergency services were called to Bay Street in Tathra, south of Bega, after five fishermen were washed off the rocks about 1pm on Saturday.

Officers from the Far South Coast Local Area Command, Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter launched a searched for the men.

A man has died and four have been rescued after a group of fishermen were swept off rocks into the sea on the New South Wales south coast

Of the five men, police rescued three from the water, with two able to climb back onto the rocks unassisted.

One of the men who was pulled from the water, believed to be in his 50s, died at the scene.

Of the men rescued by lifeguards, only one was wearing a life jacket and it's understood he was unharmed.

Another man was given CPR at the scene and was later taken to a local hospital for further treatment.

Emergency services (pictured) were called to Bay St in Tathra, south of Bega, after five fishermen were washed off the rocks about 1pm on Saturday

Officers from the Far South Coast Local Area Command, Marine Area Command, Surf Life Saving NSW and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter were involved in the search

NSW Police said the man who died is yet to be formally identified.

A spokesman from Surf Lifesaving NSW told the Daily Telegraph that despite more than 12 fatalities in the past 18 months, some rock fisherman were still opting to fish without life jackets.

'Its always been our message, that life jackets should be a standard part of your fishing equipment if you are a rock fisherman,' the spokesman said.

NSW Police said the man who died is yet to be formally identified and a report is being prepared for the Coroner. Pictured is the Tathra headland

The man's death comes as a separate near-drowning incident took place, also on the south coast of New South Wales

Three men were washed off the rocks at Berrara headland the same day, about three-and-a-half hours north of Tathra

'But unfortunately there are some who continue to ignore that advice.'

The man is believed to be a regular angler in the area, which is a popular fishing spot.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Paramedics were seen attending to young man covered by a towel on the beach, before he sat up and was escorted to ambulances waiting nearby

The man's death comes as a separate near-drowning incident took place on the south coast.

Three men were washed off the rocks at Berrara headland the same day, about three-and-a-half hours north of Tathra.

Paramedics were seen attending to young man covered by a towel on the beach, before he sat up and was escorted to ambulances waiting nearby.

Police were seen speaking with bystanders afterwards.
A three-month-old baby boy is the fifth victim to die after a crazed driver mowed down pedestrians in the Melbourne CBD.

The baby was rushed to Royal Children's Hospital after Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, allegedly deliberately drove a car through the busy Bourke Street mall on Friday.

One of the other four dead was 10-year-old girl Thalia Hakin, whose mother Naomi and nine-year-old sister Maggie are still fighting for life in hospital.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, drove a car into crowds of shoppers on Bourke Street, injuring at least 26 people and killing four including a baby on Friday

A three-month-old baby boy is the fifth victim to die after a crazed driver mowed down pedestrians in the Melbourne CBD

Devastated father Tony Hakin was holding vigil with family and friends by his wife and daughter's bedside while the Jewish community they belong to is in shock.

Maggie and Naomi two of 37 people who were injured in the horrific attack on Friday, police said, with dozens still in hospital - half a dozen of whom are in critical condition.

Prominent Jewish community member Avi Yemini set up a crowdfunding effort to help the family of Thalia, who was about to start year five at the prestigious Beth Rivkah Ladies College in St Kilda East.

Mr Yemini said Thalia and Maggie trained at his martial arts gym every week for the past seven months and often chatted to Ms Hakin when she brought them in.

Gargasoulas hanging out the Holden on Friday before he allegedly mowed down shoppers in Melbourne

This pram was dragged 100 metres down the road by the speeding car

Four people are dead after a man deliberately drove into a crowd in Melbourne's Bourke St mall

'They are the sweetest girls, very gentle, always smiling and happy. It's just so sad, my kids went to the same school as them last year,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'They were always happy and bubbly and I am heartbroken to know that they have been torn apart in this most senseless and horrific way.'

He said everyone in the close-knit community was shocked but would come together to stand with them.

Beth Rivkah Rabbi Yisroel Sufrin said Tahlia's death hit the Jewish community in Melbourne 'very hard' and everyone was in mourning.

'It's devastated not just her own classmates but all the girls that knew her in the school, the entire school body and the entire Jewish community,' he told The Age.

Among the 26 injured are 3-month-old baby, a 2-year-old and a 9-year-old

The rampage killed four people including a baby and injured another two dozen

A friend told he Herald Sun: 'Today we found out the identity of this family and realised with a sick feeling in my gut that these little girls were students who we know personally.

'This is a family like any of ours. The public space where they were so terrorised, is a space which belongs to every single one of us.

'We all feel helpless and hopeless at times like this as there is so little we can do.'

Maggie was one of three children fighting for their lives in hospital the day after the attack that left four people dead and at least 30 injured.

Children left in jeopardy include a two-year-old in a serious condition and nine-year-old Maggie in a stable condition at The Royal Children's Hospital

Emergency services work on a victim on Bourke Street after the attack

Children left in jeopardy include a two-year-old in a serious condition and nine-year-old Maggie in a stable condition at The Royal Children's Hospital.

Royal Melbourne Hospital is caring for 11 victims from the attack.

Three people are in a critical condition, two patients are in a serious condition, four are stable and two were discharged on Friday night.

The Alfred Hospital has seven patients. Three are in a critical condition, one is in a serious condition and three patients are stable.

At St Vincent's Hospital there are five victim all in a stable condition.

Three women in their 30s suffered multiple facial wounds and fractures. Two men were admitted with leg fractures.

A 10-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man died at the scene on Friday, while a 32-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man died in hospital.

Chief Commissioner Craig Ashton also said the man accused of the rampage through Bourke Street had a history of family violence.

VICTIMS OF MELBOURNE ATTACK FOUR DEAD 10-year-old girl Thalia Hakin

25-year-old man

32-year-old woman

22-year-old man 26 INJURED 3-month-old baby in critical condition

2-year-old in serious condition

9-year-old Maggie Hakin in stable condition

Royal Melbourne Hospital is caring for 11 victims. Three are critical and two are in a serious condition.

Alfred Hospital is caring for seven patients. Three are critical, one is serious and three are stable.

Saint Vincent's Hospital are caring for five patients. All are stable. Advertisement

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, allegedly drove a car through crowds of pedestrians

How the 12-hour rampage unfolded: He allegedly stabbed his brother at his home (1), took a hostage before letting her out on the Bolte Bridge (2) and led police on a wild car chase towards the city (3)

'He has come to our attention on many occasions in the past. We have mental health and drug-related issues in the background of this particular person,' he said.

Later that morning he led police on a wild car chase through Melbourne with a female hostage in the passenger seat, who police said was 'not connected' to him.

The woman escaped or was let out of the car on the Bolte Bridge near Docklands just west of the Melbourne CBD.

Police gave up their pursuit soon after as the car was moving erratically and it was feared bystanders could be injured.

Helicopters kept track of his movements as officers hoped to find another opportunity to stop him, but instead watched in horror as he drove into the city.

The rampage finally came to an end when he mounted the kerb at 555 Bourke Street and came to a stop after police shot him the arm

Police arrested a man wearing nothing but red underwear following the incident in Melbourne
A bus carrying schoolchildren has crashed and burst into flames in Italy killing 16 people, mainly Hungarian teenagers.

The school students were returning home from a mountain holiday in France, when the bus crashed into the side of a highway near Verona.

Thirty-nine people survived but 10 of those are badly burned in hospital.

Police commander Girolamo Lacquaniti said the bus crashed and burst into flames just before midnight.

Italian police reported that 16 people died in the bus crash as Hungarian students were reportedly returning to Budapest from a school trip from France

A firefighter sprays water on the burned hulk of a bus that crashed and burst into flames near Verona, northern Italy

Italian news agency Ansa said a number of pupils were thrown out of the vehicle when it collided with a pylon.

No other vehicles were involved and it was not clear why the bus went off the road, crashing into the barriers.

The bus was returning to Budapest with students, mainly boys, ages 15 to 17.

Police say 16 badly burned bodies have been pulled from the wreckage.

In Budapest, the foreign ministry said official information was that there were 54 passengers, including adults accompanying the students, and two drivers aboard, but they believe the actual number was higher - for reasons yet to be determined.

The bus burst into flames after crashing into a barrier at the side of the highway

The gutted remains of the bus that crashed and burst into flames near Verona

The school bus is pictured burnt out on the side of the road after the horrific accident

The bus was carrying around 50 passengers, most of whom were Hungarians aged between 16 and 18

'One passenger is currently in an induced coma and in life-threatening condition,' Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto told reporters in Budapest.

According to Szijjarto, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, which hit a guard rail and then the overpass support before catching fire.

Investigators have found no brake marks at the scene, he said.

RAI state radio said a Slovenian truck driver who was traveling behind the bus had noticed a problem with one of the bus wheels and tried to alert the driver.

But the driver didn't react quickly enough, RAI said. The truck driver stayed at the scene trying to help until investigators arrived, RAI said.

On Saturday morning friends and relatives of the schoolchildren arrived outside the Szinyei Merse Pal high school in Budapest.

They placed flowers and candles outside the building.

People comfort each other in front of a school building in Budapest, Hungary, after the crash

People gather in front of the school where the children attended in Budapest

Friends and relatives of those killed in the crash cry in front of the children's school

People light candles in front of the school building in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday

Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto holds a news conference on the bus accident of Hungarian students
A man has appeared in court after allegedly indecently assaulting a woman in Sydney on Wednesday.

New Zealander Jules Baker, 27, appeared in Parramatta Court on Saturday, and was refused bail after his hearing.

Baker was arrested at Central Station on Friday and charged with committing an act of indecency, assault and offensive conduct.

Officers were called to George Street in the city about 3pm on Wednesday, following reports a man was following a woman and had made sexual offensive remarks to her.

When he was confronted by members of the public, he is said to have made several threats.

The assault follows a separate incident involving another woman a year earlier.

Police allege Mr Baker was in Alfred Park in Surry Hills about 1.50pm on January 8, 2016 when he sat next to a woman sunbaking.

Mr Baker allegedly committed an act of indecency before being confronted by another person resulting in him leaving the park.

The woman's boyfriend, Richard Taylor, filmed the alleged sexual predator at the time.

New Zealander Jules Baker (left) has been arrested and refused bail after indecently assaulting a woman in Sydney on Wednesday. It comes a year after he's alleged to have exposed himself to a woman sunbathing in Surry Hills, before being confronted, and moving to sit next to a second woman (pictured right)

On Saturday he told 7 News: 'At the time she was scared and she was very put off,'

In the footage, Mr Hunter can be heard saying: 'Mate I'm filming you right now, she texted me and I was half an hour away and I've just run up here because I was worried she had to leave.'

Mr Hunter is then seen warning another woman sunbathing nearby, asking if she knows Mr Baker.

The sunbathing incident took place in Prince Alfred Park (pictured). The boyfriend of the woman who Baker exposed himself to, Richard Taylor, filmed Baker and is heard accusing him of the act, while he denies it

Another woman, identified only as Edel, told 7 News Baker had previously followed her into a women's clothing store.

She filmed him behind her and asked him on camera why he was following her, something that he denied.

She said: 'You could see in his face that theres madness in him, by his smile. He was very smug, he didn't care I drew attention to him.'
As tens of thousands of protesters descended on Sydney to protest Donald Trump's inauguration, crowds were stunned to see his name emblazoned across the skyline.

Supporters of the new US President forked out thousands of dollars to have a skywriter plaster 'Trump' over heated protests in the city centre on Saturday.

Tensions boiled over with a standoff at Martin Place, where pro-Trump campaigners squared off in a mudslinging match with the Women's Solidarity group.

Skywriting Australia has confirmed it was approached by a group of Trump supporters to put the president's name in the Sydney sky to coincide with the march.

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The name of U.S. President Donald Trump can be seen in the sky above a protest against the controversial politician

Putting his name in the air wouldn't have been cheap either, with typical sky writing missions costing around $4000.

A spokesman for the company said it was approached by a group of around 10 Trump supporters who wanted to remain anonymous because they 'didn't want the hassle'.

'They just wanted to show a bit of support for Trump seeing as he did win an election,' he said.

'The US president's name was written in Sydney's skies twice with the first Trump drifting out over the water'.

The Trump supporters' sky mission appears to have had some success, with protesters reportedly jeering at the sight of the president's name in the sky and photos of the job sparking plenty of reaction on social media.

'Epic sky trolling in Sydney #Trump #womensmarchsydney,' one Twitter user posted accompanied by a photo.

Protesters march in Sydney in a show of disapproval of U.S. President Donald Trump

Pro-Trump protestors in Sydney's Matin Place as the two protests came to a head

Pro-Trump protestors in Sydney's matin place standoff across the road from where the Women's Solidarity March ended

Organisers of the Sydney Women's March estimated 8000-10,000 attended the Saturday event, which started at Hyde Park and ended in Martin Place.

The rally was one of hundreds across the world, which have sprung up out of a grassroots campaign started in Washington DC against what many believe is Mr Trump's concerning impact on racist and hateful sentiment.

The march was a sea of placards such as: 'Hands off my bloody pussy', 'keep calm and scream vagina', 'feminism is my trump card' and 'fight like a girl'.

The event was attended not only by women, but men of all ages, and young children.

People file through the streets with placards during the Women's March against the start of Donald Trump's presidency

Skywriting Australia has confirmed it was approached by a group of Trump supporters to put the president's name in the Sydney sky

Divisive billionair Donald Trump waves to spectators after being sworn in as US President on Saturday

The protesters were met with pro-Trump campaigners at the finishing point of the march, Sydney's Martin Place.

Holding Australians for Trump signs a group of pro-Trump campaigners exchanged heated words with the Women's Solidarity marchers.

Police formed a barricade between the two groups but failed to contain tensions from boiling over.

An estimated 2.2 million people were expected to take part in the protests across the globe, including Antarctica.
A man has had his penis removed after getting into a row over a parking space in Minsk, central Belarus.

The argument broke out when a younger man, 33, took a shovel and used it to clean a space out of the snow for his wife to park.

When he returned the shovel to the garage, another car driven by an older man, 55, took the space he'd cleared.

The fight over a parking space took place in a car park in Minsk, central Belarus (file photo)

The older man refused to move and the younger man allegedly stamped on his head and groin.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors were forced to remove his penis.

He is still in hospital and the younger man has been arrested and is facing up to two years in jail.

Neither were named in local media reports.
A curvy Wheel of Fortune contestant regretted her outfit choice after a series of wardrobe malfunctions.

Dalila, who appeared on the French version of the show, almost flashed the camera every time she took a spin of the wheel thanks to her low cut grey dress.

The popular gameshow, named La Roue de la Fortune in France, sees guests answering questions and spinning a giant wheel to win large cash prizes.

Dalila, who appeared on the French version of the show, almost flashed the camera every time she took a spin of the wheel thanks to her low cut grey dress

Dalila's strapless dress struggled to cope with all the movement and kept falling down when she span the wheel

Unfortunately, Dalila's strapless dress struggled to cope with all the movement and kept falling down when she span the wheel.

In one particularly embarrassing moment the host chases Dalila around the studio causing her dress to fall down and forcing her to cling onto her chest to protect her modesty.

However, the smiling contestant appears to make the most of her uncomfortable situation and happily hitched up her up dress every time she moves to stop her from exposing her breasts.

The smiling contestant appears to make the most of her uncomfortable situation and happily hitched up her up dress every time she moves
The son of a Nigerian government official was yesterday jailed for life after raping and murdering a 1,800-a-night high-class escort.

Bala Chinda killed Jessica McGraa only a few weeks after he arrived in Scotland to study at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

The 37-year-old 200-an-hour sex worker's partially clothed body was found the following day in the bedroom of a flat she had rented in the city's Union Terrace.

Extensive police investigations carefully pieced together the call girl's last movements following the grim discovery on February 12, 2016.

Bala Chinda, 26, raped and killed high-class escort Jessica McGraa, 37, in February 2016, just a few weeks after he arrived in Scotland to study at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. He was sentenced to live in jail for the killing on Friday

CCTV footage showed she had travelled to Chinda's student accommodation in the city's King Street with him in a taxi before they returned to her apartment a short time later, where she was found dead the following day

CCTV footage showed she had travelled to Chinda's student accommodation in the city's King Street with him in a taxi before they returned to her apartment a short time later.

Miss McGraa, also Nigerian, made her last call on her mobile phone a few minutes before surveillance cameras recorded Chinda, 26, walking down the street away from her flat.

Yesterday a jury of eight women and seven men unanimously found Chinda guilty of murdering Miss McGraa in the city centre flat.

They took more than six hours to reach their verdict and also found him guilty of raping the mother of one and stealing her two mobile phones in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

Judge Lord Beckett told the jury they had gone about their duties commendably after listening to evidence they may have found 'very distressing'.

Jailing Chinda, he told the killer he had ended the life of a woman described by friends giving evidence as 'full of fun' and who had much left to live for.

Chinda was told he must serve a minimum of 18 years.

The Nigerian, whose father works as the immigration attache at the Nigerian embassy in Beijing, wept uncontrollably after he was found guilty by the jury.

The court heard that Miss McGraa died of asphyxiation and was probably smothered with a pillow and possibly strangled with her scarf.

The taxi driver taking Chinda and Miss McGraa back to her apartment had heard the two discussing money before she was killed on February 11.

Chinda changed his phone number after her death.

Miss McGraa, also Nigerian, made her last call on her mobile phone a few minutes before surveillance cameras recorded Chinda, 26, walking down the street away from her flat. Yesterday a jury of eight women and seven men unanimously found Chinda guilty of murdering Miss McGraa in the city centre flat

The court heard that Miss McGraa died of asphyxiation and was probably smothered with a pillow and possibly strangled with her scarf at her flat, pictured above

Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: 'This was a challenging case for all involved, using the full resources of Police Scotland to understand what happened to Jessica and trace the person responsible for her murder - a man who went to great lengths to cover his involvement and deceived his victim from the outset.

'At the heart of this horrific crime was a young mother, daughter and friend whose life was cut tragically short in what must have been terrifying circumstances.'

He added: 'Throughout Chinda has shown no real remorse for his depraved actions and taken no responsibility for robbing a young boy of his mother. It is hard to imagine how difficult this past year has been for her family and friends and our thoughts are with them today.'

Miss McGraa moved to the UK from Nigeria 11 years ago after meeting an English oil worker, Gareth McGraa, who had been working in a Nigerian complex. They married and had a son but later split.

During the trial the court heard that Miss McGraa's seven-year-old son lived in London with fellow Nigerian Bimbo Ouiawe, 50, who she had adopted as her mother. She visited her son once a month and took him on luxury holidays.

She was originally from Nigeria and was an orphan but sent money to her two sisters and brothers who lived abroad.

Her double life as an escort was only exposed to her closest friends after her sudden death, with many believing she travelled round the country selling hair extensions.

Instead, she travelled across the country renting city apartments for a few days where she would spend time with her clients.

McGraa was originally from Nigeria and was an orphan but sent money to her two sisters and brothers who lived abroad. Her double life as an escort was only exposed to her closest friends after her sudden death, with many believing she travelled round the country selling hair extensions

Her services were advertised online with her contact number so clients could get in touch with her.

She was dating 21-year-old student Peter Dignam, whom she met in Belfast and who was surprised to find out after her death that he had been seeing an escort.

Friends also expressed their shock at discovering the mother was working as a prostitute.

One said: 'I thought she was a dancer in clubs - I had no idea what was really going on. But it doesn't change my opinion of her.'

Miss McGraa, who offered the 'ultimate girlfriend experience', boasted online of taking regular holidays around the world and promoted her services under the names Ebony Bianca, Kelly West and B Bianca.

According to the Adult Work website, she charged up to 1,800-a-night and took bookings from men, women and couples and was currently 'on tour' around the UK.

She described herself as 'classic, stylish, naughty, horny, sexy'. The site has topless photos of her with her face blurred out.

She wrote: 'My face is covered to protect myself as I'm ultra-discreet. I have my regular job and a private life. Do be polite when you call me.'

Miss McGraa described her son as the 'love of my life' and her Facebook page was full of photographs of the pair together.

In one post, she said: 'Love me love my son.' In 2014 she wrote online: 'None of us will die unfulfilled. We all shall make a formidable impact in this world.'
This is the moment a British Navy officer launched a raid upon a stricken Nazi U-boat that saw the top secret Enigma machine seized bringing an end to the Second World War.

The never before seen pictures see HMS Bulldog approaching the German vessel close to Greenland to capture it and two other warships.

And they prove it was indeed British forces that captured the Enigma machine and not the Americans as suggested in Hollywood film U571 starring Matthew McConaughey and Jon Bon Jovi.

New pictures have emerged showing some of the crew of HMS Bulldog launching a raid on a Nazi U-Boat during World War Two

The British destroyer captured the enemy vessels and during the raid managed to seize an Enigma code machine

The machine's capture by brave young officer Sub-Lieutenant David Balme then enabled Bletchley Park code breakers to crack the code, helping to bring an end to the war

When the raid party from HMS Bulldog boarded the U-Boat 1941, they would find the Enigma machine perfect intact, along with vital code books.

But its capture by brave young officer Sub-Lieutenant David Balme then enabled Bletchley Park code breakers to crack the code, helping to bring an end to the war.

He was terrified to board U-110 scaled three ladders to the top of the boats conning tower before snatching the machine.

The new images captured by the crew of the Bulldog are featured in a new book by historian Peter Hore, about the capture of the machine.

And he told the Mirror: 'Balme's bravery changed the course of the Battle of Atlantic which, until then, the Germans were winning.

'The capture of the machine and the codes enabled the British to re-route convoys to avoid U-boats and to send out hunting groups, which whittled away their numbers.

HMS Bulldog pictured before the war. The destroyer took part in the Battle of Atlantic during the war

'By 1943 the Battle of the Atlantic was almost won and thousands of fresh American and Canadian troops were able to cross with very few losses to help win the war in Europe.'

Sub Lieutenant Balme died last year aged 95 and was later credited with helping to shorten the war by two years.

His significance in the Allies victory was not revealed until the Seventies, when the secrecy shrouding Bletchley Park and the code-breakers' work finally began to lift.

Sub Lieutenant Balme died last year aged 95 and was later credited with helping to shorten the war by two years

An original Enigma code machine, that was cracked by code breakers at Bletchley Park to help end the Second World War

He was presented with a Bletchley badge and a certificate signed by then Prime Minister David Cameron and local MP Julian Lewis.

Mr Balme lived in Lymington , Hampshire, before moving to a nursing home in nearby Milford on Sea where he died.

In 1999 he condemned a Hollywood attempt to re-write history after it was revealed that a 55million film shot in Rome and Malta suggested that the Enigma device was captured by an American destroyer in the Mediterranean.

The film, called U571 used the 1941 raid as the inspiration but suggested it was American forces that captured the Enigma machine, and it was condemned by the Prime Minister Tony Blair.

And speaking at the time, Mr Balme said: 'He said: 'Rome and Malta make for better scenery than Greenland and Scapa Flow but Enigma was among the greatest British triumphs of the war.

'It's wrong to pretend the Americans were responsible. People don't like that sort of thing.'
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There are hopes that more survivors could be pulled from the Italian hotel hit by a massive avalanche on Wednesday, as rescuers reported hearing noises from beneath the snow.

Two men and two women were pulled from the ruins of Hotel Rigopiano, in Farindola, central Italy, overnight after hours of painstaking digging by firemen, who were having to move cautiously for fear the buried air pockets might collapse.

It comes after four children and a woman were saved on Friday, dug out from under tonnes of snow and debris in the remote valley in the Italian Alps.

Fire service spokesman Alberto Maiolo said rescuers had heard noises, but it was not clear whether they were caused by survivors still trapped under the tons of snow and debris.

Pictures have emerged of the moment a young girl in a pink jumper is pulled from the rubble by a smiling rescue worker on Friday

Four children were rescued on Friday, dug out from under tonnes of snow and debris in the remote valley in the Italian Alps

Italian rescue workers pull a young boy out of the snow. Rescue officer Marco Bini said: 'The snow insulated them and protected them from the freezing temperatures outside. It was like being in an igloo'

One of the three children that were rescued from the avalanche-hit Rigopiano Hotel late on Friday night is pictured in an ambulance

Rescuers are hopeful that more survivors could be pulled out after noises were heard from beneath the snow

He told Sky TG24 TV that the noises 'could be the drip of snow melt, material shifting' or from survivors.

Authorities believe that about 23 people are still missing from the avalanche that almost entirely buried the hotel.

Five people have been found dead following the avalanche disaster.

According to local media reports earlier in the day, rescuers have heard a number of other voices had been heard under the rubble, but that it was proving hard to establish where exactly they were.

There was no immediate confirmation of this from the emergency services.

However, rescue workers said pulling the nine survivors from the snow had raised hopes others would be found in similar air pockets.

'The snow insulated them and protected them from the freezing temperatures outside. It was like being in an igloo,' rescue officer Marco Bini said.

A girl carried to safety by rescue workers on Friday. A total of four children have been pulled out of the hotel

Rescue teams would continue to work night and day until everyone was accounted for, a fire brigade spokesman said

A woman is seen being pulled to safety by rescue workers on Friday, two days after an avalanche destroyed the hotel

Authorities believe that about 23 people are still missing from the avalanche that almost entirely buried the hotel

Rescue workers have been using shovels, saws and just their gloved hands in a hope to get to survivors

According to local media reports, rescuers have heard a number of other voices from under the rubble. These reports were unconfirmed

Pictured is one of the other children pulled out to safety on Friday. A total of nine survivors have now been pulled to safety

One of the female survivors who was pulled to safety on Friday, two days after the avalanche hit the hotel

Firefighters are continuing efforts to get to other potential survivors still trapped inside the Hotel Rigopiano

A firefighter climbs through an opening being used to access the hotel building, which was buried by tons of snow

Rescue workers said pulling the nine survivors from the snow had raised hopes others would be found in similar air pockets

He said the rescue team had been alerted to their possible location when they detected smoke from fires the group had lit to keep warm.

'They were all in reasonable health, if very cold,' he said. 'The fire will have been using up the oxygen so we were lucky to find them.

'Their faces said it all, it was like they had been reborn.'

Two hotel guests who were outside the building when the avalanche struck are also counted in the total number of 11 survivors.

Rescuers have pulled three more children alive from the ruins of an Italian hotel, two days after it was hit by an avalanche. Pictured is two of the three child survivors

Rescue workers cheer as they pull a youngster alive from the barricaded hotel after an avalanche hit it almost two days ago

One of the survivors is taken to hospital by helicopter after being pulled from the Hotel Rigopiano in Farindola, central Italy

A group of 10 people, including four children, were found alive after hiding in a kitchen of the barricaded hotel

So far, the bodies of three men and two women have been pulled out by rescue workers. The victims have not yet been identified.

A tsunami of snow smashed into the spa hotel on Wednesday afternoon, obliterating the four-storey building and spreading debris for hundreds of metres down the valley in the Gran Sasso park in the heart of Italy. Around 30 people are believed to have been in the hotel at the time.

Rescue teams would continue to work night and day until everyone was accounted for, Cari said.

However, authorities have been criticised by some of the families who are waiting desperately to find out news about their loved ones.

One man, identified as the father of Stefano Feniello, expressed his anger in front of television cameras, pointing at the cars of local officials.

Dozens of rescue workers can be seen using spades to dig their way through the snow in a bid to get to those still trapped

Other rescue teams can be seen working in the area around the Hotel Rigopiano that was hit by an avalanche on Wednesday

A team of rescue workers can be seen walking to the Hotel Rigopiano, near the village of Farindola

Rescue teams continued to dig in the hope of finding other survivors as more snow fell on Saturday

Rescue workers were pictured checking the rooms inside abandoned houses in villages and isolated areas in the Abruzzi mountains district

Rescue workers are pictured at their base in the nearby town of Penne, where the rescue operation is being co-ordinated

Two firefighters are pictured taking a nap in a sports hall in the town of Penne, which is currently being used as a base

Dramatic photographs show the levels of snow that hit remote areas in the Abruzzi mountains district, including two cars buried in the snow that ended up on their noses

He shouted: 'What are they doing? They aren't doing anything. Why didn't they go get the kids out the night before the disaster?'

He said he had been told that his son had survived, but officials had supplied no clear information by midday Saturday, nearly three days after the tragedy.

One of the children found on Friday is believed to be the daughter of a woman who was pulled out with her son earlier in the day, begging for rescuers to 'Find my little girl'.

Those who have been pulled from the snow were taken to hospitals in the cities of Pescara and Aquila.

Incredible footage emerged earlier in the day showing a mother and her eight-year-old son being rescued.

Emerging from the structure rescue crews patted the eight-year-old boy called Gianfilippo on the head in celebration before a woman, thought to be Adriana Vranceanu, emerged to chants of 'Brava Brava!' before she shouted 'Find my daughter!'

The survivors appeared fully alert and walking on their own. Both were helped down to a stretcher for the helicopter ride out.

They are the family of cook Giampiero Parete who escaped the avalanche after going to fetch headache tablets from his car for his wife when it hit.

Those who have been pulled from the snow were taken to hospitals in the cities of Pescara and Aquila

Late on Friday night, civil protection chief Fabrizio Cari said five people have been pulled to safety, including four children

Rescue teams pull a woman to safety after she was found alive in the Hotel Rigopiano, 40 hours after it was hit by an avalanche

The young boy was fully alert as he made his way out of the hotel and was then put on a helicopter to be taken to hospital

Rescue teams desperately worked to pull survivors from the Hotel Rigopiano on Friday, after an avalanche buried the building

The rescued mother is Adriana Parete and her son, who are the family of cook Giampiero Parete who escaped the avalanche after going to fetch headache tablets from his car for his wife when it hit. Their six-year-old daughter is believed to be among the children that have also now been pulled out

Simona Di Carlo, the aunt of Edoardo Di Carlo, one of three children pulled out from the hotel

A doctor treating the Paretes told a press conference: 'Mr Parete's wife and son are in excellent condition. They have light hypothermia and dehydration and they're being monitored overnight.

'Mr Parete has been dismissed but has chosen to be with his wife and child.

'They survived because they had access to the heavy clothing in their suitcases and because they were not in contact with the snow but inside a room that was closed off.

'They are also getting psychological help because it was a very traumatic situation.'

Mr and Mrs Parete's six-year-old daughter Ludovica is believed to be among the children that have also now been pulled out of the hotel by rescue teams.

It means that all four children thought to have been trapped inside the hotel have now been rescued, including one who asked for her favourite biscuits after being pulled out.

A group made a fire to keep warm and eaten food they found in cupboards in the kitchen.

Other guests had sought refuge in the bar and billiards area of the four-storey building.

Among the survivors are Eduardo Di Carlo, eight, and his parents Sebastiano and Nadia, both 48, who own a pizzeria in the nearby town of Penne.

Last night the boy's grandfather Giovanni Di Carlo told the Daily Mail: 'It's the miracle we prayed for. All three are alive.'

A rescue worker said those that were pulled free were were speechless after being saved.

In addition the hotel's dogs Wolf and Cloud, were also pulled alive from the building and are being cared for by a hotel worker who had earlier escaped.

Firefighters work at Hotel Rigopiano in Farindola, as they try to dig the snow away from the building using just shovels

Rescue work continued throughout last night, but authorities say the prospects of anyone being rescued alive looked bleak

Rescue teams have located the group hiding in a kitchen of the barricaded hotel but are have difficulty pulling them to safety until specialist equipment arrives

An aerial view showing the search area rescue teams are working at to free people trapped inside a hotel hit by an avalanche

Rescue crews located more than eight people alive in the rubble of an avalanche-crushed hotel on Friday, an incredible discovery that boosted spirits two days after the massive snow slide buried around 30 people in the resort

Rescue teams said there was still hope of finding survivors after a barrage of snow hit the Hotel Rigopiano in the village of Farindola on Wednesday ripping the three-storey building from its foundations and moving it ten metres.

Fire brigade spokesman Luca Cari said: 'They are alive and we are talking to them.'

A rescue helicopter swoops down towards the hotel in central Italy that had been buried under an avalanche since Wednesday

Rescue workers attempt to get to the scene of the hotel by ploughing through the snow which is up to 15 feet deep

Some of the survivors pulled from the hotel arrive by helicopter at an airport in Pescara before being taken to hospital for treatment

A tracked vehicle of the Italian army brings rescuers for the operation in the area was hit by an avalanche in Farindola

HOTEL'S SHEEPDOGS SURVIVE DEADLY AVALANCHE Two victims that were caught up in the Italian avalanche that had a happy ending were the Hotel Rigopiano's dogs, who have been reunited with their puppies. Lupo and Nuvola (Wolf and Cloud), a pair of shaggy white Abruzzo sheepdogs who were born and raised in the ill-fated hotel, were initially feared to have perished in Wednesday's tragedy. But they were found on Thursday ambling along a road in Villa Cupoli, a hamlet more than two miles away, according to resident Martina Rossi, who worked at the hotel but was not there when the avalanche struck. Earlier today, the hotel's dogs Wolf and Cloud were found alive after previously going missing after the avalanche. This picture of the dogs was posted on Facebook overnight She told the AFP news agency: 'I saw them in the street about 9.30 pm on Thursday night, and my heart started beating very fast. 'I called their names and they recognised me, I was so happy. I have no idea how they got there.' With the hotel owner among the people missing under the ruins, the dogs have been taken in by another local resident who had just adopted a litter of puppies Nuvola had recently given birth to. Also known as the Maremmano, the Abruzzo sheepdog breed is known for its photogenic appearance with the puppies resembling furry Polar bear cubs. Their white coats are the result of selective breeding in their native regions of Abruzzo and the Tuscan Maremma. The colour enabled them to blend in with sheep flocks they were assigned to protect from wolves. Advertisement

People waiting outside the hospital in Pescara began hugging after hearing survivors had been found at the avalanche hit hotel

A supermarket in the Italian town of Penne, close to where the avalanche occurred partially collapsed following a series of earthquakes and snow

A man walks in the town of Penne, central Italy, following a series an avalanches that have left five people dead

A firefighter walks inside Hotel Rigopiano in the part that has become accessible since the avalanche hit the building

A firefighter working at the hotel in Farindola opens a door to find snow packed together outside as he searches for survivors

Two bodies have been extracted from the rubble and two survivors suffering from hypothermia taken to hospital

The names of those believed to have been trapped in the hotel began to emerge on Friday.

Husband and wife Corporal Luciano and his wife Silvana Angelucci were among the people identified as staying in the hotel.

The couple who are both hairdressers and run a well-known beauty spa in the region Chieti , had only arrived at the hotel on Sunday.

Another couple, Marco Vagnarelli and Paola Tomassini, were also believed to have been trapped in the avalanche of snow.

The pair, who are from Castignano, messaged Mr Vagnarelli's brother to say they couldn't leave the hotel due to the weather conditions.

Among the others believed to have been trapped are Alessandro Ricetti, 33, hotel employee Emanuele Bonifazi, as well as other couple Jessica Tinari and Marco Tanda.

Others reported missing included Stefano Feniello, 28, and Francesca Bronzes, 25, as well as hotel employee Ilaria Di Biase.

Police chief Domenico DiMichelangelo, alongside his wife Marina and their seven-year-old son, were among those trapped

Husband and wife Corporal Luciano and his wife Silvana Angelucci who work as hairdressers were also reported missing

Marco Vagnarelli and Paola Tomassini, from Castignano, were believed to have been trapped by the avalanche

Stefano Feniello, 28, and Francesca Bronzes, 25, were in the hotel at the time that the avalanche struck

Hotel employees Emanuele Bonifazi, left, and Ilaria Di Biase, were also reported missing following the disaster

Special army mountain rescue teams were seen riding in vehicles with caterpillar tracks following the disaster.

'A small avalanche has created a wall of snow across the path to the hotel, we are heading up there now to knock it down,' said army Major Nicola Cappozolo.

'As long as there is hope of finding survivors we'll be there'

Italian broadcasters showed images of piles of masonry and rubble in the entrance area of what they dubbed a 'coffin hotel'.

Giampaolo Parete, 38, a chef who was on vacation there, was one of two people rescued from the three-storey hotel.

A rescuer arrives at the wrecked Hotel Rigopiano and looks up the mountainside where the avalanche hurtled down the slope yesterday

Rescuers have been digging through the huge piles of snow which crashed down onto the hotel when the snow came down the mountain

Up to 30 people are feared dead after an Italian ski hotel was buried by an avalanche during a series of earthquakes

Italy's Civil Protection Agency said there had been around 30 guests and staff at the hotel on the eastern lower slopes of the Gran Sasso mountain

Dramatic pictures from inside the hotel show how part of the building collapsed under the weight of the avalanche

Rescue workers continued to search for victims at the Hotel Rigopiano in the town of Farindola

The desperate phone call made by a chef who survived the disaster has been revealed. He told his boss: 'Help me, an avalanche has hit and the hotel isn't there anymore. It's disappeared'

Rescuers were met with an eerie silence today as they arrived at the Hotel Rigopiano and began digging through the snow in an attempt to find survivors (pictured)

A police helicopter dropped off food supplies for rescuers at the scene of the disaster

His boss, restaurant owner Quintino Marcella, said he received a phone call at 5.30pm on Wednesday.

He said: 'He calls me and says 'Help me, an avalanche has hit and the hotel isn't there anymore. It's disappeared. It's buried. Two of us are here but call rescue crews.'''

Marcella said he immediately called police and the prefecture's emergency coordination centre, but the prefect's office assured him that the hotel had phoned two or three hours earlier reporting everything was OK.

Marcella said he frantically tried to call other emergency numbers but no one took him seriously. Speaking on Sky TG24, he said only hours later, after 8pm, did the response begin.

He said his chef kept saying 'Help, help, help, help.'

He told an Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, the group had all checked out of the Hotel Rigopiano and had gathered in the lobby.

But heavy snow had made the road outside impassable and they were waiting for a snow plough to clear a path up to the hotel.

As they waited in the foyer the avalanche cascaded down the mountainside, smashing into the hotel and burying them under a huge pile of snow.

Marcella told La Repubblica: 'Giampaolo and all the other guests had paid and had reached the lobby, ready to go as soon as the snow plough arrived.'

'They had already prepared suitcases. All the customers wanted to leave.'

Earlier, it emerged that a father had survived the tragedy because he left to get headache medicine from his car for his wife when the avalanche hit the building.

But he told doctors the wall of snow had buried his wife and two children.

The four-storey hotel was completely buried in snow after the avalanche hit on Wednesday

Shocking images from inside the hotel show how snow had cascaded down stairways and corridors

Up to 30 people are feared to have been killed after an Italian ski hotel was buried by an avalanche during a series of earthquakes

There are reports this morning that as many as 30 people - guests and staff- are missing after the avalanche crashed in to the three-storey hotel, shifting it up to 30ft

A man is escorted by Alpine policemen and a fireman outside the Hotel Rigopiano, near the village of Farindola

A road block is in place preventing people from entering the village where the tragedy struck

Rescuers, who have begun extracting bodies after battling through blizzard conditions to reach the hotel on skis or by helicopter, say there were no signs of life inside the building

Rescuers have started the grim task of excavating snow from the interior of the building

Another photograph shows the snow filling up the inside of the Hotel Rigopiano

A photograph shows the damage done inside the spa hotel after it was buried by the avalanche

Separate aerial video shows how a column of rescue vehicles attempting to reach the remote community had become completely stuck in huge snow drifts

A snow-plough truck made its way through the snow in order to reach the Rigopiano Hotel

A rescue convoy became stuck in snow drifts as emergency crews scrambled to reach the village

The Hotel Rigopiano pictured before the devastating avalanche hit yesterday (file photo)

Emergency crews were eventually able to fund a way in to the Hotel Rigopiano, which has been crushed by an avalanche

Police released images showing the damage done to the interior of the hotel following the avalanche

The hotel is located around 55 miles from the epicentre of the earthquakes yesterday

Pictures emerging from the scene show how rescuers are having to contend with mountains of snow

Rescuers used shovels as they attempted to clear a pathway to the hotel where dozens are feared to have been buried

An ambulance was blocked several miles from the hotel, according to Sky, while footage showed emergency services helicopters in the air near the scene

Rescue teams seen arriving in the town of Farindola, central Italy, following the disaster

A rescue truck making its way through Farindola, as another vehicle is seen buried in the snow

Blizzards in the area were hampering rescue operations as helicopters were brought in

A rescuer carries food supplied by an Italian Police helicopter in front of the hotel

A base camp for rescue workers has been set up in the nearby town of Penne (pictured)

A car is buried in snow in Penne, which is about six miles away from Farindola

A soldier pictured in the town of Amatrice after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck the region

Farindola mayor Ilario Lacchetta said on his Facebook page that 'the dimensions of the avalanche were huge

Rescuers have been facing tough conditions as they attempt to reach the scene of the avalanche

Video footage showed rescuers with shovels digging through a wall of snow, and at least one man being led through the cleared path

Tractors with snow ploughs are being used in a desperate bid to clear roads in the area

EUROPE'S DEADLY AVALANCHES Avalanches are a recurring threat in Europe's mountain ranges, and have claimed dozens of lives in the past 20 years: - 2016 - FRANCE: Six deaths Six French legionnaires on a training mission in the Cerces range near the Italian border died on January 18 when they were caught at an altitude of more than 6,000 feet. ITALY: Six deaths Five Italians and an Austrian who were mountain climbing died on March 12 when a 300 yard snowslide swept them away at an altitude of more than 10,800ft in the Monte Nevoso region near the border with Austria. - 2015 - FRANCE: 13 deaths Four French men and two women were ski touring on January 24 in the Queyras range in eastern France when they were killed by an avalanche. And on September 15 four Germans and three Czechs who were climbing in three teams died when an avalanche broke loose on the Dome de Neige des Ecrins, a 13,170-foot peak in the French Alps. The summit is popular with tourists because it is readily accessible. - 2012 - FRANCE: Nine deaths Nine climbers from Britain, Germany, Spain and Switzerland were killed on July 12 as they tried to scale the north face of Mont Maudit in the Mont-Blanc range in the French Alps. - 2002 - RUSSIA: 127 deaths On September 20, a huge mass of rock and ice broke off a glacier and crushed the village of Nizhny Karmadon in the Caucasian republic of North Ossetia, leaving 127 people dead or missing. They included Sergei Bodrov junior, son of a prominent Russian director of the same name, who was filming with a crew when the disaster struck. The glacier lies at an altitude of more than 8,000 ft between two peaks, Mount Kazbek 6,500 ft and the Elbruz 18,480 ft. The region's president said millions of cubic metres of ice had cascaded over a distance of 20 miles. - 2000 - AUSTRIA: 12 deaths On March 28, an avalanche killed 11 young ski instructors and a snow surfer on the Kitzsteinhorn, 50 miles southeast of Salzbourg. - 1999 - AUSTRIA: 38 deaths A huge avalanche buried several houses and killed 31 people at the Galtuer ski area in western Austria's Tyrol region on February 23. The next day, another slide killed seven more people in the nearby village of Valzur. FRANCE: 12 deaths On February 9, an avalanche swept away around 20 chalets near the village of Tour, in the Chamonix valley near Mont Blanc, killing 12 people. - 1998 - FRANCE: 11 deaths Nine teenagers, a teacher and an instructor were killed as they were snow-shoeing on January 23 at an altitude of 7,200 ft near the Orres ski area in the southern French Alps. Advertisement
The lower portion of the cursed stele is currently being held by Scotland Yard

In his final weeks in office Met Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has become embroiled in legal dispute over a 2,800-year-old artefact, which comes complete with a chilling curse.

The Met Commissioner is being sued by a Lebanese antiques dealer over the rare Assyrian relic, which is worth an estimated 800,000.

The ancient slab is engraved with a warning saying a curse will be laid upon anyone who tampers with it or moves it from its place of origin.

The relic, which forms part of a larger piece depicting King Adad-Nirari III, is carved with the words: 'Whoever discards this image from the presence of Salmanu . . . and places it into a taboo house which it is inaccessible, may the god Salmanu, the great lord, overthrow his sovereignty; may his name and his seed disappear in the land, may he live in a contingent together with the slave women of his land.'

Officers seized the black basalt slab, known as a 'stele', back in 2014 following claims it had been stolen.

Antiques dealer Halim Korban had been planning to auction the stele at Bonham's, in Geneva, in the April of that year.

But officers swooped on Bonham's warehouse the night before the auction and seized the relic following a warning from the Beirut-based Saadeh Cultural Foundation, which told UNESCO that the stele had been obtained illegally.

Lebanese antiques dealer Halim Korban is suing the Metropolitan Police over ownership of the ancient basalt slab

The organisation said that the artefact had probably been looted from a site in modern Syria, and said that it should be returned to the country 'as soon as circumstances permit'.

Prior to the auction Bonham's had said that the antique was 'given as a gift from father to son in the 1960s'.

The auction house also said it was confident of the object's provenance, despite te fact that there were no details available as to how it left Syria.

The upper half of the stele, which depicts King Adad-Hirari's profile, was acquired by the British Museum in 1881 from the private collector Joseph M Shemtob.

The museum obtained the piece two years after it was discovered at the Tell Sheikh Hamad site, and has housed in ever since.

The complete stele would have measured 2.1 metres tall, and bears an image of King Adad-Nirari III.

The king ruled Mesopotamia between 810 BC and 783 BC.

The stele shows the ruler in a position of worship, with his right hand raised in worship and a mace in his left hand.

The tablet is also engraved with symbols representing the winged sun disc of Shamash; the star of Ishtar/Venus, the goddess of human passions in love and war; and the thunderbolt of the weather god Adad.

Mr Korban holds Bernard Hogan-Howe personally responsible for the seizure of the artefact

Mr Korban offered the museum the bottom half of the slab in November 2011, but, seemingly suspicious of its origins, the museum declined to purchase the piece.

He then attempted to sell the piece on the open market before it was seized by police as evidence in any future trial.

A Geneva-based antiques and jewellery dealer, Emile Chayto was charged with fraud by false representations in connection with the artefact eighteen months after the raid, and police are holding the object as evidence.

But Mr Korban has gone to court to have the piece returned to him, claiming he is the rightful owner.

He is also demanding 200,000 in compensation for loss and damage as part of his claim.

A spokesman for the art dealer told the Sunday Telegraph: 'The stele is a valuable object which Mr Korban considers his and he wants it back. He can show proper provenance and utterly rejects the notion that it was obtained illegally.'

The upper portion of the stele is currently held by the British Museum

Mr Korban holds Mr Hogan-Howe personally responsible for the seizure of the artefact and preventing its planned sale.

In the writ he has filed against the Commissioner he said: 'At all times since their seizure of the stele the police have been aware of the claimant's [Mr Korban] claim in respect of it, namely that he is its owner, and that he is who is entitled to its possession.'

However, the Met is adamant that the officers acted properly in confiscating the object, saying it is legally being held as part of a criminal investigation.

In a written submission to the High Court the Met's solicitors said: 'there are reasonable grounds for believing that the provenance provided is false and the object of the false representation was to disguise the theft and illegal export of the stele from Syria.'

It is not the first time Mr Korban has had the provenance of an antique that he was trying to offload called into question.

The dealer was at the centre of the sale of 14 pieces of Roman silver worth up to 200 million, known as the Sevso Treasure.

The J Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles was interesting in purchasing the collection, but later declined to go ahead with the sale, claiming that Lebanese export documents had been forged.

Mr Korban and a colleague later sold the silver to former Sotheby's chairman Peter Wilson, who then sold it on to the Marquess of Northampton.
A Sheffield family preparing to go on their dream holiday to Florida was stopped just before checking in at the airport, only to find out their travel agent was a scammer.

The Conway family handed over 5,250 to Rebecca Waterfall, who was a family friend, for the Virgin Atlantic trip, but upon arriving at Manchester Airport, they found out the travel agent paid for the trip with her employer's credit card and held on to the family's money.

Waterfall, 27, worked for Incentivise, a travel agent based in Lymm, Cheshire, between October 2015 and May last year.

Rebecca Waterfall, who worked for Incentivise, a travel agent based in Lymm, Cheshire, left her bosses more than 10,000 in the red - and the Conways more than 5,000 out of pocket after using her bosses' credit card to pay for vacations, and using her clients' money to pay off the bills

Prior to the Conway family's ruined holiday, Waterfall had left her bosses more than 10,000 in the red by fraudulently using their credit card to pay for holidays to Australia and Abersoch.

She also promised pals cut-price holidays in order to be popular - and then passed on the losses to her employers.

The Conways, from Sheffield, were cheated as Waterfall 'robbed Peter to pay Paul' in what the sentencing judge called the 'travel agency equivalent of a Ponzi scheme', the Manchester Crown Court heard.

Waterfall, of St Mary's Street, Hulme, admitted fraud by abuse of position.

Eventually the Conways got to go on their trip - but only after they shelled out thousands more and re-organized their entire holiday.

An investigating detective helped negotiated with Virgin on their behalf.

Waterfall sobbed on the dock as she was told she had three days to pay the Conways back the 5,250 they had lost.

Prosecutor Phil Dobson said: 'One can begin to imagine the scene when the police officer approached the family group as they were in the check-in queue at Manchester, all excited about their family holiday, suddenly asked to stand aside because there was a problem.

Manchester Crown Court heard the 27-year-old, of St Mary's Street, Hulme, fraudulently used her bosses' card to pay for holidays in Australia and Abersoch. She also promised pals cut-price holidays in order to be popular - and then passed on the losses to her employers

Waterfall has now been told she has three days to pay the Conways back. She was due for sentence on Friday but Judge Patrick Field QC adjourned the case until Tuesday so she could make good on her lawyer's promises that she would repay the debt

'They did travel, but only after considerable anxiety and paying anew from their own funds, facilitated by the officer who lobbied on their behalf with Virgin, who weren't initially sympathetic.

'They spent the first day of the trip unravelling and remaking arrangements, and all in the knowledge they would be asked to consult with the police, on their return, to pick the threads of the police investigation.'

Waterfall's defence barrister made what he called a 'plea for mercy' saying that his client had never been in trouble before, adding that her 30-year-old partner was about to undergo open heart surgery.

He described her actions as 'immature and ill-thought out', adding: 'This young woman for the first time has made dreadful errors of judgement and ended up hurting people she had the trust of, the Conways, her employers, her partner and her family.

'She has been exposed for that, she finds herself in a grave situation.'

Waterfall was due for sentence on Friday but Judge Patrick Field QC adjourned the case until Tuesday so she could make good on her lawyer's promises that she would repay the debt.

Judge Field said: 'One can only imagine the shock and distress of a family about to go on what was to be an enjoyable holiday, to be taken out of the queue, not just the shock, but embarrassing as well - toe-curling embarrassment - and on top of that to find oneself 5,000 or more out of pocket.'
Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans and people of the world, thank you.

We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and restore its promise for all of our people.

Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come. We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done.

Every four years we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power.

And we are grateful to President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent. Thank you.

Today's ceremony, however, has a very special meaning because today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people.

For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have bore the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.

The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

That all changes starting right here and right now, because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you.

It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America.

This is your day. This is your celebration. And this, the United States of America, is your country.

What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.

January 20th, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now. You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before.

At the center of this movement is a crucial conviction that a nation exists to serve its citizens. Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families and good jobs for themselves.

These are just and reasonable demands of righteous people and a righteous public.

But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists.

Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation.

An education system flush with cash but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge.

And the crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

We are one nation, and their pain is our pain.

Their dreams are our dreams, and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home and one glorious destiny.

The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans.

For many decades we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military.

We've defended other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own. And we've spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

We've made other countries rich while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon.

One by one, the factories shuttered and left our shores with not even a thought about the millions and millions of American workers that were left behind.

The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world. But that is the past, and now we are looking only to the future.

We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land.

From this day forward, it's going to be only America first, America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our product, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.

Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength. I will fight for you with every breath in my body, and I will never ever let you down.

America will start winning again, winning like never before.

We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth, and we will bring back our dreams.

We will build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways all across our wonderful nation.

We will get our people off of welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor.

We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American.

We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world, but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first.

We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example.

We will shine for everyone to follow.

We will re-enforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth.

At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country we will rediscover our loyalty to each other.

When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.

The Bible tells us how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable. There should be no fear. We are protected and we will always be protected. We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement. And most importantly, we will be protected by God.

Finally, we must think big and dream even bigger. In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving. We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action, constantly complaining but never doing anything about it.

The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.

Do not allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America. We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again.

We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow.

A new national pride will stir ourselves, lift our sights and heal our divisions. It's time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget, that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.

We all enjoy the same glorious freedoms and we all salute the same great American flag.

And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty creator.

So to all Americans in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again. Your voice, your hopes and your dreams will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.

Together we will make America strong again, we will make America wealthy again, we will make America proud again, we will make America safe again.

And, yes, together we will make America great again.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless America.
Christopher Spivey, 54, (pictured) claimed the murder of Fusilier Rigby was 'staged

A conspiracy theorist troll who claimed Lee Rigby's murder was carried out to 'whip up racial hatred' has lost his appeal against a conviction for harassing the soldier's family.

Christopher Spivey, 54, claimed the murder of Fusilier Rigby, who was hacked to death by terrorists in London in May 2013, was 'staged'.

Last week the former builder lost an appeal against a suspended six month jail sentence handed down at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.

During the hearing Spivey, of Rochford, Essex, told a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court: 'It was a fake event allowed to go ahead by the Government, aided by the security services.'

Spivey believed it was done to 'whip up racial hatred'.

But Judge Christopher Morgan dismissed Spivey's appeal and labelled his internet postings on his website as 'malicious and oppressive'.

He added that Spivey 'targeted' Fusilier Rigby's mother and sister and was aware of the risk they might see what he had written.

He said Spivey took no account of the fact the family were grieving.

Rejecting the appeal Judge Morgan said: 'A person grieving for a child and directly involved in events would be affected.

Fusilier Rigby (pictured) was hacked to death by terrorists in south London in May 2013

'The assertion that the murder of her son was a hoax to someone not connected with Lee Rigby may have simply been dismissed as the deluded comment of an obsessive, a conspiracy theorist or a crank.'

Lyn Rigby had to relive the events of her son's horrific death as she gave evidence via video link from the Manchester area.

She was visibly distressed as she spoke of feeling frightened when her address and family photographs were published by Spivey.

She told the court: 'We just couldn't go out anywhere. We were frightened to answer the door.

'It got to the point where my youngest got so frightened she would go around checking on windows and doors three times before she went to bed, over and over again.

'It made us very frightened. I got very distressed over it as I thought we were being watched all the time.'

Spivey also published pictures of her house, photos and names of Fusilier Rigby's sister Sara McClure, her children and information about her partner Robert Sergeant.

Fusilier Rigby, from Rochford, Essex, was off duty when he was attacked and killed by Michael Adebolajo (left) and Michael Adebowale (right)

Mrs McClure, who also gave evidence via video link, said she felt 'scared and vulnerable'.

She added: 'We moved house, we had to leave our home because we were worried somebody was going to come for us.'

Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adeowale, 22, were both jailed for life in February 2015 for Fusilier Rigby's murder following a trial at the Old Bailey.

Spivey was originally convicted in July 2015 of two charges of harassing Lyn Rigby and Sara McClure.

He was also found guilty of two offences of sending grossly offensive or menacing messages by public communication between May 2013 and November 2014.

Spivey received a six month prison sentence, suspended for two years and a lifetime restraining order banning him from any future contact with those involved.

He was also banned from publishing any material about them on the internet, ordered to pay 2,000 costs and his computer equipment was forfeited.

Judge Morgan left that sentence in place and ordered Spivey, unemployed and on benefits, to pay a further 2,000 costs.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet U.S. President Donald Trump but preparations for the possible meeting may take months, not weeks, a Kremlin spokesman said.

Donald Trump took power as the 45th president of the United States on Friday after winning the presidential contest against Hillary Clinton.

Russia-U.S. relations were at their lowest since the Cold War under Barack Obama administration, with tensions around conflict in Ukraine and Syria crisis.

'This will not be in coming weeks, let's hope for the best - that the meeting will happen in the coming months,' President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said according to TASS.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will call new US President Donald Trump to congratulate him

The Kremlin is voicing hope for a constructive dialogue but warning that differences will remain.

Peskov, said in an interview with state television broadcast Saturday that it would be an 'illusion' to expect that U.S.-Russian relations would be free of disagreements.

Peskov noted the intricacy of nuclear arms control and the complexity of the situation in Syria among other challenges.

'Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue,' Peskov said.

He said Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.

US President Donald Trump salutes during the presidential inaugural parade on January 20

A mug depicting Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin IS on sale several hours at a souvenir street shop in St. Petersburg, Russia

Some of Trump's opponents believe the Kremlin helped him win the White House by staging a hacking campaign to hoover up embarrassing information about Clinton, his rival.

The Kremlin denies that, saying that U.S. Democratic party used hacking allegations as an excuse for losing to Trump.

Putin and other high-ranked Russian officials have publicly praised Trump, expecting him to lift U.S. sanctions on Moscow, first put in place in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine.

Peskov said that it would be 'a big mistake' to think that Russia-U.S. relations will be 'free of contradictions and disputes,' during a Trump presidency.
Hiring a sex worker in Germany is now cheaper after ministers cut VAT on hotel rooms.

People who rent rooms in hotels for half an hour or an hour will no longer have to pay the seven per cent VAT rate after ministers decided it no longer constitutes as 'lodging'.

The tax will have to be paid however if the room is used regularly by a sex worker or brothel, according to The Times.

People who rent rooms in hotels for half an hour or an hour will no longer have to pay a seven per cent VAT rate in Germany after ministers cut the tax (stock image)

The news comes after new legislation was passed in September last year to protect sex workers from clients who don't want to wear condoms.

Fines up to 50,000 can be imposed on people who refuse to wear protection when they visit a sex worker.

Ministers in Germany also passed a 'no means no' law, which aims to make it easier for victims of sex crimes to file criminal complaints by making all unwanted sexual activity illegal, including if the victim is not in a condition to give consent.

The new legislation, which comes into force on July 1, provides for stricter regulation of brothels, and hopes regular confidential conversations with sex workers to help ensure enforcement.

Manuela Schwesig, Germany's minister for women and families, said at the time: Women and men have the right to sexual self-determination.

The news follows tighter laws implemented in Germany to protect sex workers and give them more social benefits (stock image of the red-light district in Hamburg, Germany)

'They can say "no", and have the right for that to be treated as "no", and they have the right to protection from any form of violence.'

Schwesig said many men and women sex workers have been 'defenseless against the power of brothel owners' but the new law will 'protect them from exploitation and violence.'

German law previously required victims to show that they physically resisted attack before charges for rape and other sexual assaults could be brought.

Prostitution was legalised in Germany in 2002 with the aim to monitor the industry, impose a tax and give sex workers social benefits, such as employment contracts, pension plans and health insurance, according to The Telegraph.
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls belated Christmas party has made up for lost time with an elite turnout, including Rupert Mudoch and his wife Jerry Hall who were snapped gracing the gates of Kirribilli House.

Images show the media mogul with a crimson-clad Hall on his arm being met with a media pack, after the pair jetted to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport on Friday for the exclusive event.

The CEO's of Seven West, Qantas and Coca-Cola Amatil were among other prestigious guests for the secretive function, which was put on ice due to Mr Turnbulls over-crowded calendar during the New Year period.

Rupert Murdoch and his wife Jerry Hall arrive at Kirribilli House to attend a function held by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull

Images show the media mogul arriving with Hall on his arm to be met with throngs of media at the gates of the Sydney building

The soiree was also frequented by Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who was seen climbing out of a 7 series BMW sedan.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce appeared to have a spring in his step, on the heels of his $1 million pay rise and record annual profits for the airline.

Mr Turnbull hosted a number of high-profile events over the festive season, including separate occasions for his Coalition colleagues, the Canberra Press Gallery and Australias leading military, bureaucratic and arts officials, reports AFR.

In turn, the plans for his Christmas bash were pushed for January.

The function was shrouded in secrecy and the full guest list is unknown, however numerous other movers and shakers were seen descendeding on the landmark patio.

Mr Turnbull even found the time to take a break from hosting and congratulate Donald Trump on becoming the 45th President of the United States on Twitter on Saturday afternoon.

Coca-Cola Amatil CEO Alison Watkins, (left),was among numerous high-flying CEO's to grave the belated bash

Newly appointed Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Arthur Sinodinos (left) and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce also frequented the event

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard was seen climbing out of a sparkling seven series BMW sedan.

Seven West CEO Ryan Stokes and wife Claire Campbell arrive at Kirribilli House
The crazed driver who allegedly mowed down dozens of pedestrians in Melbourne CBD was treated at the same hospital as 11 of his victims.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, was brought to Royal Melbourne Hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm where police shot him to end his rampage through Bourke Street.

The hospital's emergency medicine chief, George Braitberg, was the man tasked with managing the chaos while keeping patients' unaware of the suspect's presence.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, drove a car into crowds of shoppers on Bourke Street, injuring at least 26 people and killing four including a baby on Friday

Men, women, and children with broken bones, head injuries and internal bleeding started flooding in at 2.16pm on Friday and didn't stop until 3.30pm.

Doctors cleared eight trauma rooms and the operating theatre and staff were called in or stayed late and there were so many volunteers some had to be turned away.

Professor Braitberg said the huge team work on the 11 patients, three in critical and two in serious conditions, was like an orchestra.

'The larger the orchestra, the more potential there is of making an error, but the greater the music, the greater the sound, and I think that's what we were doing. They just did an awesome job,' he told The Age.

The hospital's emergency medicine chief, George Braitberg, was the man tasked with managing the chaos while keeping patients' unaware of the suspect's presence

Professor Braitberg said his staff were expected to give any accused killer the same treatment as their victims, but not many of them had ever been in that situation

Men, women, and children with broken bones, head injuries and internal bleeding started flooding in at 2.16pm on Friday and didn't stop until 3.30pm

The ER chief of almost three years knew to expect a shooting victim, but it was not until hours later he realised they two were connected.

He said his staff were expected to give any accused killer the same treatment as their victims, but not many of them had ever been in that situation.

'You just have to leave it at the door," he said. "You're dealing with the injuries and what happens as a consequence, and who did what, is a question of reflection for later,' he said.

Doctors cleared eight trauma rooms and the operating theatre and staff were called in or stayed late and there were so many volunteers some had to be turned away

Among the 26 injured are 3-month-old baby, a 2-year-old and a 9-year-old

'You do as much, mentally, as you can to divorce yourself from the way the patient got injured and concentrate on treating the patient's injuries.

'I've got no concern, no sense, that we wouldn't just get on and do what we needed to do.'

Fortunately for staff, Gargasoulas was kept under police guard in a separate part of the hospital away from other patients and each room is separated by thick brick walls.

Thousands laid flowers for the dead and injured on Bourke Street on Saturday

Emergency services work on one of the many victims before they were rushed to hospital

The at least 26 hurt in the tragedy included three children fighting for their lives and four died of their injuries.

One of the dead is 10-year-old Jewish girl Thalia Hakin, whose mother Naomi and sister Maggie, 9, are also in hospital, with Naomi still critical.

A three-month-old baby is in a critical condition, a two-year-old is in a serious condition nine-year-old Maggie is in a stable condition at The Royal Children's Hospital.

Three children are fighting for their lives in hospital the day after a man drove a car through dozens of pedestrians on a rampage through the Melbourne CBD

The rampage killed four people including a baby and injured another two dozen

Two people were discharged from Royal Melbourne overnight, a spokesperson from the hospital told The Age.

Three people are in a critical condition, two patients are in a serious condition and four are stable.

The Alfred Hospital has seven patients. Three are in a critical condition, one is in a serious condition and three patients are stable.

At St Vincent's Hospital there are five victim all in a stable condition.

Three women in their 30s suffered multiple facial wounds and fractures. Two men were admitted with leg fractures.

A 10-year-old girl and a 25-year-old man died at the scene on Friday, while a 32-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man died in hospital.

Chief Commissioner Craig Ashton also said the man accused of the rampage through Bourke Street had a history of family violence.

VICTIMS OF MELBOURNE ATTACK FOUR DEAD 10-year-old girl Thalia Hakin

25-year-old man

32-year-old woman

22-year-old man 26 INJURED 3-month-old baby in critical condition

2-year-old in serious condition

9-year-old Maggie Hakin in stable condition

Royal Melbourne Hospital is caring for 11 victims. Three are critical and two are in a serious condition.

Alfred Hospital is caring for seven patients. Three are critical, one is serious and three are stable.

Saint Vincent's Hospital are caring for five patients. All are stable. Advertisement

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, allegedly drove a car through crowds of pedestrians

How the 12-hour rampage unfolded: He allegedly stabbed his brother at his home (1), took a hostage before letting her out on the Bolte Bridge (2) and led police on a wild car chase towards the city (3)

'He has come to our attention on many occasions in the past. We have mental health and drug-related issues in the background of this particular person,' he said.

Later that morning he led police on a wild car chase through Melbourne with a female hostage in the passenger seat, who police said was 'not connected' to him.

The woman escaped or was let out of the car on the Bolte Bridge near Docklands just west of the Melbourne CBD.

Police gave up their pursuit soon after as the car was moving erratically and it was feared bystanders could be injured.

Helicopters kept track of his movements as officers hoped to find another opportunity to stop him, but instead watched in horror as he drove into the city.

The rampage finally came to an end when he mounted the kerb at 555 Bourke Street and came to a stop after police shot him the arm

Police arrested a man wearing nothing but red underwear following the incident in Melbourne

Horrified pedestrians have been filmed running for their lives from the car that smashed into at least 25 people in Melbourne




A great-grandfather who runs a tour company offering holidays to Afghanistan has hit out at customers who are demanding their money back following a Taliban ambush last year.

Geoff Hann, 79, has run Hinterland Travel from his home in Brighouse, West Yorkshire since the 1970s and has taken holidaymakers on trips to countries such as Syria, Pakistan and Iraq.

He also runs the world's only bus tour of Afghanistan, taking tourists around the war torn country up to four times a year.

Great grandfather Geoff Hann from West Yorkshire who runs a tour company offering holidays to Afghanistan

However, last year one of his tour parties was attacked in the Afghan province of Herat after militants used rockets to attack the tourists, who were being escorted by an Afghan army convoy.

They managed to dive behind a wall as their bus went up in flames and were later rescued by the police.

Mr Hann himself suffered shrapnel wounds and another five of the 12 holidaymakers were severely injured in the shooting.

Now it is believed some of those injured have been demanding they are refunded for the trip after facing near death.

Last year one of his tour parties was attacked in the Afghan province of Herat after militants used rockets to attack the tourists, who were being escorted by an Afghan army convoy. Pictured is one of the injured tourists

But Mr Hann, who leads the trips unarmed, has hit out and branded those who are complaining about the trip difficult.

He told the Mirror: 'The clients have been very difficult about it.

'They blame me and want their money back but I didn't bloody shoot them, did I?

'It annoys me. How many people go on holiday and get shot by the Taliban? They can dine out on that story for years.'

Mr Hann claims to have more than 40 years of experience in the adventure travel industry and organises trips to countries including Iraq and Afghanistan.

The company website states that the firm is 'regularly re-visiting Afghanistan after the years of International and Internal conflict in this starkly beautiful country.'

It goes on to acknowledge 'internal dissension' in the 'desperately poor' country, but adds that it is 'at the cutting edge of adventure tourism.'

Trips to Afghanistan are advertised from 3,200 on the website.

The burned out vehicle used by the tour. Those on board survived after they managed to dive behind a wall as their bus went up in flames and were later rescued by the police

But despite the last year's attack Mr Hann still has trips to Afghanistan planned for this year.

He plans to take four tours to the war torn country as well as three parties to Iraq.

Mr Hann claims the Foreign Office wants to block the tours, but he adds: 'But they can't.

'All I want is to give people freedom to move about in restricted areas. They're not stopping me now.'

Mr Hann claims to have more than 40 years of experience in the adventure travel industry and organises trips to countries including Iraq and Afghanistan. He is pictured visiting ruins in Iraq in 2015
Universities across Britain are monitoring student and staff emails as part of the government's counter-extremism strategy.

King's College London is one of the latest to announce that emails would be 'monitored and recorded'.

The prestigious university published a notice on its email login page warning users not to sent material deemed 'indecent, offensive, defamatory, threatening, discriminatory or extremist'.

The new policy at the university is part of the government's PREVENT program and comes as other universities across Britain also agreed to comply with the program.

The implementation of email monitoring has been controversial among academic staff and students, who argue that it creates an environment of mistrust.

King's College London is one of the latest Universities to announce to its students and staff that emails would be 'monitored and recorded'

The Counter Terrorism and Security Act of 2015 made it obligatory for universities and educational establishments to report people believed to be at risk of being drawn to terrorism.

Nottingham Trent University and University of East Anglia are among schools that have included clauses in their IT policies that warn students and staffs of potential monitoring.

King's College's warning reads: 'This system is for the use of King's College London authorised users only. Individuals using this computer system without authority, or in excess of their authority are subject to having all of their activities on this system monitored and recorded.

'King's has a statutory duty, under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, termed 'PREVENT'. The purpose of this duty is to aid the process of preventing people being drawn to terrorism.

'You must not create, download store or transmit unlawful material, or material that is indecent, offensive, defamatory, threatening, discriminatory or extremist. The University reserves the right to block or monitor access to such material.

'Anyone using this system expressly consents to such monitoring and is advised that if such monitoring reveals possible evidence of criminal activity, or activity contrary to the PREVENT statement above, system personnel may provide the evidence of such monitoring to law enforcement officials.'

King's College published its warning about monitoring on its email login page in November

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), which oversees the implementation of PREVENT duties at universities, says King's College's actions are not unusual.

'The university make it clear to users of their systems what is and isn't acceptable usage and how they identify cases where those rules aren't adhered to,' a HEFCE spokesman told The Guardian. 'This approach is consistent with the Prevent guidance.

'Within this guidance, providers have had the autonomy to decide what approach works for them. Some have gone down the route of filtering, some monitoring and some neither of these.'

A spokesperson for King's College said that the university would not 'actively' monitor emails, but notifying students and staff that it had the right and obligation to do so.

The university, which is home to the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, updated the email notice in NOvember.

The spokesperson said: 'King's College London is proud of its diverse and inclusive community and any monitoring would form part of the usual security process.'

HEFCE said earlier this month that 84 per cent of organizations it oversees has policies in place.
A group of white-haired pensioners rolled back the years when they raced down a snowy bank in washbowls.

Five elderly men sat in the plastic bowls normally used for washing clothes to slide down a hill in Bas Cakmaklar village in eastern Turkey's mountainous Erzurum Province.

Friends tied ropes around two of the old-timers' feet to drag them along and get some momentum going, while the rest held onto each other.

The five pensioners sat in the plastic bowls normally used for washing clothes to slide down a hill in Bascakmaklar village in eastern Turkey

The group raced down the steep bank after watching women stage a washbowl race in the snow at the nearby Palandoken ski resort

It was not long before the bowls were tipping over and spilling their elderly occupants into the snow

It was not long before the bowls were tipping over and spilling their elderly occupants into the snow.

But, laughing like schoolchildren, they get up and try all over again.

The group got the idea for their afternoon of fun after watching women stage a washbowl race in the snow at the nearby Palandoken ski resort on TV.

The pensioners, many of whom normally need walking sticks, had the madcap idea of trying the sport for themselves.

Friends tied ropes around two of the old-timers' feet to drag them along and get some momentum going

The men, who usually need walking sticks to get around, laughed like schoolchildren as they played

Mr Sonmez said that the group had all felt like children again as they slid through the snow

One of the grandfathers, Cafer Sonmez, said: 'If a load of women can slide in washbowls at Palandoken, why can't we do the same in our village?'

Mr Sonmez said that the group of friends hadall felt like children again as they slid through the snow on their makeshift sledges.

He added: 'We showed them what sliding means. We say to the ladies - let us see what you've got. Next year let's meet in Palandoken and race against each other!'




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Wearing pink, pointy-eared 'p****hats' to mock the new US president, throngs of protesters descended on the US capital and other cities around the globe to showDonald Trump they won't be silent over the next four years.

In more than 600 marches held all over the globe, they carried signs with messages such as 'Women won't back down' and 'Less fear more love' and decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, diversity and climate change.

There were early signs that crowds in Washington could top those that gathered for Trump's inauguration on Friday. City officials said organisers of the Women's March on Washington had more than doubled their turnout estimate to 500,000 as crowds began swelling and subways into the city became clogged with participants.

Celebrities including Katy Perry, Madonna, Scarlett Johansson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emma Watson, Ashley Judd, Cher, America Ferrera, Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia Nixon, Charlotte Church, Yoko Ono, Helen Mirren, Julia Roberts, John Legend and Amy Schumer are among those taking part in rallies across the world.

Some 2.2 million people are believed to have marched to promote women's and human rights, with an estimated 100,000 out on the streets in London.

Huge demonstrations have also been held in cities including Paris, Berlin, Edinburgh, Rome, Prague, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Athens, Copenhagen, New Delhi, Brussels, Mexico City, Barcelona, Manila, Toronto, Madrid, Geneva, Cardiff and Sydney on Saturday in opposition to the 45th President of the USA.

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Thousands of protesters packed Trafalgar Square to listen to speeches in London after taking part in the women's march

Swathes of protesters are pictured making their way through the streets of London on Saturday. While the march organisers' 'mission and vision' statement never mentions Trump the unifying factor among those turning out appeared to be a loathing for the new US president

Protesters hold 'nasty women' placards during the Women's March rally, in Geneva, Switzerland

Madonna speaking during the Women's March in Washington, where hundreds of thousands of protesters made their feelings about President Trump clear

British actress Helen Mirren addresses the crowd in New York, where thousands of protesters came along to demonstrate

Miley Cyrus (left) and Alicia Keys were among the famous faces at the marches. Cyrus protested in Los Angeles while Keys performed in Washington DC

US Senator Cory Booker and pop star Katy Perry were at the rally held in Washington DC to protest Trump's presidency

Orange Is The New Black star Taylor Schilling addresses large crowds gathered in New York

Actress Jane Fonda held aloft a placard branding Trump 'Predator in Chief' in Los Angeles (left), while pop star Miley Cyrus was also in LA to protest against the new President's inauguration (right)

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal smiles with his sister Maggie at the Women's March in Washington, wearing a badge that said: 'Women are powerful and dangerous'

Actress Charlize Theron was among the protesters who braved the snow in Utah to take part in the Women's March

Singer John Legend (left) and Sopranos actress Edie Falco (right) attended rallies at Utah and Washington respectively

Actress Marcia Gay Harden (left), singer Miley Cyrus (centre) and actress Jane Fonda (right) march in Los Angeles

Michael Moore and music legend Cher were among the celebrities at the rally in Washington

Emma Watson smiles as she arrives at the Women's march in Washington D.C. on Saturday

Whoopi Goldberg speaking to an estimated crowd of 100,000 in New York at a Women's March - one of hundreds being held across the globe

Actresses against Trump: Ashley Judd (left) rallies the crowd in Washington, where she read a poem that compared Trump to Hitler, and Jamie Lee Curtis holds a placard at a protest in Los Angeles

Twilight actress Kristen Stewart was at the March on Main in Utah, protesting against Donald Trump's Presidency

Actress Julia Roberts was among the estimated 500,000 demonstrators in Washington DC rallying against President Trump

Large numbers marched at the Women's March in Toronto, Canada, in one of more than 30 events organised in the country

Thousands turned out for the Women's March held in Berlin, where large crowds gathered at the Brandenburg Gate

A huge protest was held in Ottawa, Canada, on Saturday, one of 30 across the country demonstrating against President Trump on his first full day in office

Protesters in Prague made their opposition to Trump's Presidency known, holding up images of him and Vladimir Putin

Demonstrators make their way during the Women's March in Barcelona, Spain, with one of the banners urging the US to Dump Trump

Protesters took to the streets of Brussels to show their opposition to Donald Trump's inauguration

A huge cut out of Trump's face was carried during the march in London on Saturday

Demonstrators in Paris carry placards during a rally in solidarity with supporters of the Women's Marches around the world

Thousands of demonstrators marched to the US Consulate in Amsterdam on Saturday to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion

Anti-Trump placards are held at a rally in Bangalore, in southern India, against the new President of the USA

Protesters raise placards as they take part in a Women's March demonstration in Athens yesterday

Protesters gather at the rally in Trafalgar Square after the Women's March on Saturday

Large crowds gathered in the heart of Paris to take part in the Women's Parch, part of a worldwide day of action following Trump's inauguration

A placard is held aloft in front of the US Embassy in Berlin, where huge crowds gathered for the Women's March

Anti-Trump campaigners gather in front of the US Embassy in Madrid as part of worldwide protests

Protesters linked hands as they demonstrated for women's rights in Brasilia in Brazil, with rallies held in more than 30 countries

A woman in London captured the mood of 100,000 protesters who took to the streets on the first full day of Donald Trump's presidency

Singer Camilla Kerslake and her boyfriend former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw were seen at the march in London

Organisers of London's Women's March have hailed a huge turnout, which saw an estimated 100,000 people pack into Trafalgar Square for a rally at 2pm.

They came holding a rainbow of placards with slogans such as 'dump Trump', 'reject hate, reclaim politics' and 'no to racism, no to Trump'.

Actress Gillian Anderson tweeted that she was proud to take part in the Women's March in London today

Mr Trump's presidential campaign was plunged into crisis after a 2005 tape recording came to light of him bragging to TV host Billy Bush about groping women and that he can 'grab them by the p***y' because of his celebrity status.

Actress Gillian Anderson, star of The X Files and The Fall, who took part in the London march, tweeted: 'Proud to be one of many today.'

Holding a sign saying 'my p****y is not up for grabs', Kim McInally said she had travelled from Brighton to London for the demonstration.

The 32-year-old said: 'Yesterday was seen as the official start of fascism coming back.'

Iron Man 3 actress Rebecca Hall were spotted among the throngs of people. Hall said she joined the march because she is half American and half English, and said if she had been on the other side of her pond she would have joined the Washington DC demonstration.

She added: 'Yesterday was a confusing day and a sad day - I was sad to see Obama leave ... We do not know what the Government is going to be like.'

Labour MP Harriet Harman was joined on the march by friend and American-British playwright Bonnie Greer.

Referring to outgoing US president Barack Obama, Ms Harman said: 'It's just a shame they have a two-term limit, isn't it?'

Girls Just Wanna Have Fundamental Rights: One of the placards held aloft at yesterday's rally in Toronto

A young girl holds a banner stating 'We are stronger than you think' in Toronto

The sign reads 'Paris against Trump' as thousands of protesters gather underneath the Eiffel Tower in the French capital

Actress Scarlett Johansson smiles at the Women's March in Washington, where an estimated 500,000 people took part

Amy Schumer (L) and Madonna were among the celebrities who joined the Women's March on Washington

Actress Helen Mirren gives a thumbs up to the crowds (left) and she is pictured with Sex and the City actress Cynthia Nixon (right)

Singer Tracee Ellis Ross was at the rally in Los Angeles (left), while Alicia Keys was one of the performers in Washington DC (right)

Women in pink 'p***yhats' arrive for Washington march

Huge numbers of American women in pink 'p***yhats' have arrived in Washington DC in protest of the new president on Saturday morning. Pink 'p****yhats', which are pink knitted beanies with cat ears, have become the unofficial accessory of the march, and were proudly displayed on flights across the country. One Southwest crew even lit up their plane cabin in pink on Friday night, according to Mashable. Some photos show women wearing the p***yhats, many also donning Hillary Clinton and 'Nasty Woman' shirts on their way to Washington Thousands of participants converge on the Women's March on Washington in Washington In Washington a woman holds a sign saying 'science over opinion' another signs says 'history has its eyes on you' Women with pink hats and signs begin to gather early and are set to make their voices heard in Washington Photos show women wearing the hats and donning Hillary Clinton and 'Nasty Woman' shirts. The 'P***yhat project' started as a campaign to outfit people marching in the Women's March on Washington. Groups of women wearing the hats are doing so in order to show solidarity, as well as reclaim the loaded term used by Trump in the now infamous Access Hollywood recording. Mr Trump's presidential campaign was plunged into crisis after a 2005 tape recording came to light of him bragging to TV host Billy Bush about groping women and that he can 'grab them by the p***y' because of his celebrity status. A city official in Washington says the turnout estimate for the Women's March on the National Mall now stands at 500,000 people. That's more than double the initial predictions. Demonstrators arriving at Union Station in Washington carried signs saying '1968 is calling don't answer' and 'sexism is a social disease' There were early signs across Washington that Saturday's crowds could top those that gathered on Friday to watch President Donald Trump's inauguration. Metro subway stations and train cars are full in many locations, while ridership on Friday was well off the numbers from Barack Obama's first inaugural. The march's National Park Service permit estimated a turnout of 200,000, but the District of Columbia's homeland security chief had previously predicted turnout would be higher. Women with bright pink hats and signs begin to gather early in Washington The mission statement of the Women's March on Washington says event participants are "hurting and scared" as Donald Trump takes office - and they want a greater voice for women in political life People arrive on the mall for the march on Washington. Protest rallies were held in over 600 places around the world in solidarity Advertisement

A man in an orange jumpsuit and a Donald Trump mask (left) and a protester (right) wearing a dark mask were pictured in London

Ms Greer warned that Mr Trump's presidency was 'not a joke', adding: 'This is for real and I think this march demonstrates that London understands that.'

Spectators lining the London route cheered as the protest made its away towards Trafalgar Square.

She claimed 'human rights and human equality is getting pushed further and further down the list'.

Ten-year-old Lily, an American youngster living in Britain said: 'I don't like him at all.' She added that it's important for 'women and girls to have their rights'.

In Cardiff former classical singer Charlotte Church joined around 1,000 protesters on the women's march. Charlotte, 30, joined in chants holding a cardboard sign adorned with the feminist phrase: 'I didn't come from your rib, you came from my vagina.'

Around 1,000 people joined in the rally in Cardiff on Saturday in opposition to the 45th President of the USA

In Cardiff former classical singer Charlotte Church joined around 1,000 protesters on the women's march.

Mum-of-two Charlotte, 30, joined in chants and was holding a cardboard sign adorned with the feminist phrase: 'I didn't come from your rib, you came from my vagina.'

She was dressed in a light brown anorak and wore rounded sunglasses and was wearing a black rucksack.

More than 1,000 people took part in a march in Bristol - with one placard bearing the words 'We Shall Overcomb'

Organiser Carly Wilkinson said: 'I wanted to make the world know that Bristol feels the same as many, that our voices could be heard together'

In Bristol, more than 1,000 people marched from Queen Square to College Green - just 72 hours after the event was organised.

The group chanted and held placards as they took part in the Sister March in solidarity with the Women's March On Washington.

Blogger Carly Wilkinson, 32, began organising the march from her kitchen table in the city on Wednesday.

'I didn't expect to cry but I have just experienced every emotion,' she said.

'I wanted to make the world know that Bristol feels the same as many, that our voices could be heard together.'

Protesters outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result

Thousands of protesters make their way through the streets of London during the Women's March on Saturday

An aerial view of central London shows thousands of women and marching through the city on Saturday

Some of the signs referenced Donald Trump's famous combover hairstyle (left) others campaigned against his views on climate change

Protesters carry placards and balloons in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result

A marchers holds up a sign saying 'I am woman hear me roar' as she takes part in the peaceful protest

'Don't just watch - march! This concerns us all,' one sign said as marchers left Grosvenor Square, London. A women dressed as 'the statue of taking liberty' (left) walked with protesters

Hundreds of people walk through Bristol with signs saying 'because I want to march forwards not backwards'

Hundreds of people walk through Bristol in a Women's March, to protest against President Donald Trump on his first full day in power

Children are among the protesters in Bristol on Saturday. A girl holds a sign saying 'be nice love from Venice'

Suffragettes Against Trump protest (left) and Kim Gregory (right) protesting outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result

Thousands of protesters joined the Women's March in Chicago to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump

Singer Demi Lovado posted a picture of herself with U2 star The Edge in LA, alongside the caption: 'We stand in solidarity'

A women holds a placard saying 'we stand together against hate' next to a Socialist Worker sign in London

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and first lady Melania Trump thank guests during the inaugural Armed Forces Ball as part of the celebrations following Trump's inauguration

Thousands took part in a protest against newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump in New York

Jodi Evans from Los Angeles, Calif., attends the Women's March on Washington on Independence Avenue

A demonstrator with a sign calling for more love and less hate takes part in the Women's March to the US Consulate in Amsterdam

Activists in the Netherlands mobilised to take part in the huge protest in Amsterdam on Saturday

Signs at the march in Bristol included the slogans 'We Reject The Comb-Over Con', 'Dump Trump' and 'Feminism is Pro-Human'.

The movement states on its website that the US election 'proved a catalyst for a grassroots movement of women to assert the positive values that the politics of fear denies'.

Marchers say they want to vent against an incoming administration they fear will roll back women's rights.

An estimated 100,000 protesters marched through central London - including Mayor Sadiq Khan - bringing the city to a standstill. Pictured is the crowds at Trafalgar Square

'Women's rights are humans rights,' one sign says, another reads 'woman's place is in the resistance'

The Women's March on London (pictured is Trafalgar Square) is being held in conjunction with others taking place in cities across the world to promote women's and human rights. Organisers announced on stage that 80,000 people had taken part in the event

Protesters make their way through the streets of London with a life size cut out of former President Barack Obama

Protesters carry placards in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result

Two young girls protest Donald Trump's presidency in Edinburgh, Scotland. A woman wears an apron with the slogan 'march for all woman kind'

Women sing at the 'March of Women against Trump' protest in Rome, Italy

In Rome women sang as they started to march again Trump on Saturday

A woman holds a banner stating 'I am a Nasty Woman' in Seattle (left), while thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Atlanta (right)

Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India

Rallies have been held in cities across Europe, with hundreds gathering in the Czech capital Prague in support of the international protest.

In Wenceslas Square in freezing conditions, they waved the portraits of President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as well banners that read: 'This is just the beginning'.

Organizer Johanna Nejedlova said: 'We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections.'

In Copenhagen, Denmark, protesters in the march's trademark pink woolen hats met outside the US Embassy. Participant Sherin Khankan said: 'An alternative to the growing hatred must be created.'

At a rally in Stockholm, Sweden, organizer Lotta Kuylenstjerna said 'we do not have to accept his message', in a reference to Trump.

Women and men attend a protest in front of Brandenburger Tor in Berlin, Germany

People gather to protest the election of America's President Donald Trump in the city of Lancaster, UK

Ginger Naglee from Olney, Md., reacts by a model of Trump's head during the Women's March on Washington on Independence Ave

Women's march organisers face fury for 'snubbing' Hillary Clinton Women marching in Washington D.C. on Saturday are being accused of snubbing Hillary Clinton - whose defeat organisers claimed to be inspired by. The Democratic loser's name is not on a list of honorees, and it is not known if she was even invited by the organisers to be there. Clinton on Friday attended Trump's inauguration, tweeting that she did so 'today to honor our democracy & its enduring values'. Former Sen. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive at the U.S. Capitol on Friday for the inauguration ceremony of Donald J. Trump as the 45th president of the United States A series of tweets leveled the charge that support for Bernie Sanders was driving the march, not feelings inspired by Clinton Clinton was not at the march on Saturday but tweeted her support, saying 'we're always stronger together' But march organisers have been hit by a backlash for not appearing to extend a similar invitation to Clinton. There are even accusations that they are motivated by support for Bernie Sanders, whose defeat by Clinton has created an ongoing rift inside the Democratic Party. A hashtag on Twitter, #AddHerName, called for Clinton to be added to a list of 'honorees'. However, Clinton tweeted on Saturday throwing her support behind the march. 'Thanks for standing, speaking & marching for our values @womensmarch . Important as ever. I truly believe we're always Stronger Together.' Advertisement

Demonstrators in Brussels lit candles in Brussels as they took part in a Women's March in the Belgian capital

The candlelit parade in Brussels was held in protest at Donald Trump's inauguration as US President

A Facebook event set up to advertise the event said: 'We will march, wherever we march, for the protection of our fundamental rights and for the safeguarding of freedoms threatened by recent political events.

'We unite and stand together for the dignity and equality of all peoples, for the safety and health of our planet and for the strength of our vibrant and diverse communities.'

Hours before the women's event in Washington began, people were streaming into the city, many wearing bright pink hats and wielding signs with messages such as 'The future is female' and 'Less fear more love.'

Rena Wilson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, said she hopes the women can send Trump a message that they're 'not going anywhere.'

Joy Rodriguez, of Miami, arrived with her husband, William, and their two daughters, ages 12 and 10.

'I want to make sure their rights are not infringed on in these years coming up,' Joy Rodriguez said.

March organizers said women are 'hurting and scared' as the new president takes office and want a greater voice for women in political life.

'In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore,' their mission statement says.

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when 'many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes.'

'It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were,' she said.

Rose Wurm, 64, a retired medical secretary from Bedford, Pennsylvania, boarded a Washington-bound bus in Hagerstown, Maryland, at 7 a.m. carrying two signs: one asking Trump to stop tweeting, and one asking him to fix, not trash, the Obamacare health law.

'There are parts of it that do need change. It's something new, something unique that's not going to be perfect right out of the gate,' she said.

Protesters gather for the Women's March on Philadelphia a day after Republican Donald Trump's inauguration

Hundreds of people march in Leeds against US President Donald Trump on the first full day of his presidency

Hundreds of people march In Leeds with signs saying 'women's rights are human rights'

A woman holds a sign saying 'hands off my p***y' as she marches in central London

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya were in Trafalgar Square, where protesters gathered ahead of a rally

Many arrived wearing hand-knit pink 'p***yhats' -a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Trump's demeaning comments about women.

Some women carried signs saying 'nasty woman' as they tried to reclaim the name that Trump gave Hillary Clinton during the final presidential debate in October.

The march attracted significant support from celebrities. America Ferrara led the artists' contingent, and those scheduled to speak in Washington included Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore. The promised performance lineup included Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Samantha Ronson, the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Women and other groups were demonstrating across the nation and as far abroad as Myanmar and Australia.

In Sydney, thousands of Australians marched in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.

Friday's unrest during the inauguration led police to use pepper spray and stun grenades to prevent the chaos from spilling into Trump's formal procession and the evening balls.

Protesters stream onto Independence Avenue at the Women's March on Washington

The protesters gathered in their thousands near Capitol Hill. Roughly 1,800 buses that have registered to park in Washington on Saturday. That translates into nearly 100,000 people coming for the march just by bus

Protestors hold a placard reading 'Respect for American women' during a 'Women's March' at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France

Demonstrators flooded a popular central Sydney park carrying placards with slogans including "Women of the world resist," `'Feminism is my trump card" and "Fight like a girl"

Protesters pose at the start of the Women's March on Main Street Park City on January 21, 2017 in Park City, Utah

Protesters burn an American flag in a rally against Donald Trump in Manila, in the Philippines

An estimated 7,000 people joined a rally in Oklahoma City to mark Donald Trump's first full day as US President
The man believed to be the oldest living World War II veteran has launched a fundraising appeal so he can live out his final days in his home.

Richard Overton, 110, has lived in his Austin, Texas house since he returned from the war in 1945.

But the super-centenarian, who has outlived his closest relatives, is in need of a caregiver so he can spend his last days in the house he built himself, instead of living in a nursing home.

Richard Overton, believed to be the oldest living World War II veteran at 110 years old, is raising money to live his final days in his home

Overton said he built the house himself in 1945 after he returned from the war, but is now asking for funds to pay for a in-home caregiver instead of moving into an assisted living facility

Overton had previously lived with a friend who took care of him, but eventually the 90-year-old woman became in need of care herself, Richard's third cousin Volma Overton told CNBC.

Richard served as a sergeant in the US army during the Second World War, and tried to obtain assistance from the Veteran Affairs as he aged, but his family said the agency was only able to provide a nurse for three hours or move him into a care home.

However, Richard's only close surviving relatives chose to honor his wishes as they said moving him out of his home will likely 'put him in the grave.'

After realizing an in-home caregiver can cost up to $480 per day, Volma created a GoFundMe page to raise money to give Richard the around-the-clock care he needs.

Still looking good: Overton volunteered for service in 1942 (left) and served in the South Pacific until 1945. Now 110 (right) he likes to sip whiskey and smoke cigars

Richard Overton met President Obama at the White House before being honored at the Arlington National Cemetary on Veterans Day in 2013

Texas Governor Rick Perry visited Overton on Memorial Day 2013

With the help of kind strangers and friends, the page smashed its $50,000 goal in its first two days, and now more than $92,000 has been raised after the goal was hiked to $100,000.

The super-centernarian was honored at the Tomb of the Uknowns on Veterans Day in Arlington, Virginia in 2013 (pictured)

The veteran will be under the care of Volma and another close friend until he reaches his target.

Richard, who was stunned to see nearly 2,000 people have donated for his welfare, said he plans to accept donations until he reaches enough funds to cover him for a year.

'That house has so much to do with his happiness, his joy and his love for humanity and everything else,' Overton told the news station.

'He just needs someone around him just in case he falls to pick him up and make sure he's not hurt.'

Richard has been honored by President Obama and was visited by Texas Governor Rick Perry on Memorial Day 2013.

The 110-year-old, who has been known to have an affinity for whiskey and cigars, was featured in Cigar Aficionado magazine in 2015, and has claimed tobacco 'and God' are his secrets to a long life.

Richard Overton and two of his cousins enjoying cigars on the porch of his Texas home in 2015




A pub firm has dropped plans to re-name The Black Boy after locals protested the change.

Barons Pub Company took over the centuries-old inn at Shinfield, near Reading, Berkshire, this week and wanted to change the name to the more politically correct Shinfield Arms.

While the company said there had been 'negative' comments over the Black Boy name, more than 250 people on social media hit out at the name change.

The firm said on Saturday that it is backing down and the pub will remain The Black Boy.

Barons Pub Company took over the centuries-old inn at Shinfield, near Reading, Berkshire, (pictured above) this week and wanted to change the name to the more politically correct Shinfield Arms

Barons Pub Company said it had pitched the name change because continuing to call it The Black Boy was 'causing concern' in this day and age.

'We are always respectful of the history of pubs and understand that changing the name of a pub is not a decision to be taken lightly,' the company announced on January 16th when previous landlords Claire Hawkins and Mike Clegg sold their lease after eight years behind the bar.

The firm added: 'However, in our short association with the pub, we have been surprised how many negative reactions we have had to the name The Black Boy.

'We are proposing to change the name to The Shinfield Arms and would like to hear the views of anyone who lives in the area or anyone who has an opinion on this subject.

'All that we ask is that this is reasonable and well considered feedback.'

They got more than 250 comments from customers urging the pub to keep the historical name.

Yesterday they said the name would remain the same.

'What a fantastic response from everyone!' Barons Pub Company wrote. 'Thanks so much for all your comments, your passion and enthusiasm - you've made the decision really easy.'

The pub will remain closed for refurbishment until March 8, when it will reopen in the evening.

Barons said: 'The refurbishment will aim to enhance the character of the lovely old building, adding a touch of modernisation.

Barons Pub Company said it had pitched the name change because continuing to call it The Black Boy was 'causing concern' in this day and age

'We've got some exciting improvements for the rear patio as well with lots of covered seating, a fire pit and an outside bar too.

'You can expect to see some familiar faces when we re-open as happily most of the existing staff are staying on at the pub.

'We are currently rehoming them at our other pubs for some induction and training, and to keep them busy during the time the pub is closed.

'We wish Claire and Mike good luck for their future and would like to thank them for such a great handover of the pub.'

On social media today Peter Metalli posted: 'The Shinfield Arms was such a nondescript insipid, bland name.

'There will be the usual suspects claiming that it's not racist and it's PC gorn-maaaaaddd but the name IS offensive and has no place in the 21st century

'Why not The Black Bay? Then they would not have even had to change the horse sign (ok well maybe just a 'snip');-)'

Whitespirit replied 'No it's not offensive. It's an historic name that refers back to the English civil war. If it were called The Tar boy or something similar that would be offensive, but not a reference to a former king of England.'

The Black Boy, which is a commonly used name for pubs and inns in the UK, refers to a description of King Charles II, child chimney sweeps or coal miners

King Charles II, who was in power between 1660 and 1685, was known for his dark complexion.

A Black Boy Inn in Caernarfon, north west Wales, is believed to date back to as early as 1522.

It's landlord once said that complaints about the name were 'political correctness gone wrong'.
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Brits braved the cold this morning as temperatures in some areas of the country plunged to -8C.

In South Farnborough, Hampshire, the temperature recorded in the town was -8.1C at 5.38am this morning.

Most major cities in Britain dropped to freezing overnight as the bitterly cold and frosty conditions continued.

And the Met Office today confirmed that fog is likely to return to the UK early next week, potentially making commuter's journeys 'more difficult'.

Dog walkers were spotted in Richmond Park, London, as Britain woke up to a chilly weekend with widespread frost potentially causing dangerous driving conditions

The sun rises over the fields on Mount Skippets, Berkshire, as temperatures in the south plunge - with some areas as low as -8.1C

Runners woke up early and braved the cold to take part in the Gunnersbury Park, west London, on Saturday morning

Daytime conditions across the country were dry - but cold - with sunny spells and the temperature reached as high as 7C in the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

But it was not cold enough to stop people from heading out this morning as a large group of runners were photographed in a west London park.

Meanwhile, a women was seen walking her dog in frosty conditions in Holyport Common, Berkshire, this morning.

And later this evening, clear spells will develop while some patchy frost and fog is likely to form.

A dog walker made her way across Holyport Common, Berkshire, as Britain woke up to a chilly weekend with widespread frost

Children were pictured playing football in Gunnersbury Park, west London, before the start of their Saturday morning football coaching session

A cyclist went out on his bike in Richmond Park, London, this morning as temperatures in the south dropped as low as -8.1C

Light rain will move across the south west and head towards the north, according to the Met Office.

Dorset Airport, near Bournemouth, recorded a temperature of -6.3C this morning while Odiham, Hampshire, was -7.6C. The lowest temperature in Wales was in Usk - minus 4.8C.

Luke Miall, from the Met Office, said that fog is likely to return early next week - which will make commutes 'more difficult'.

He said: 'The fog could be quite widespread across the UK and it could make commutes a bit more difficult.'

And later on Saturday evening, clear spells will develop while some patchy frost and fog is likely to form next week

A photographer captured the stunning sunrise at Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, this morning - as most parts of the country dropped to freezing overnight
Four people are dead and scores of homes were left flattened after a tornado ripped through South Mississippi.

The devastating storm in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, caused 'massive damage' and flipped cars over, tore apart homes and snatched trees from their roots, early Saturday morning.

City officials confirmed via Twitter that four people had died and said a team of more than 40 firefighters were going door-to-door to search for the dead and injured.

Four people are dead and hundreds of homes were destroyed after a tornado ripped through Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Saturday morning. An open kitchen littered with roofing and ceiling debris shows the ruin the tornado left in its wake

The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions

City officials confirmed via Twitter that four people had died and said a team of more than 40 firefighters were going door-to-door to search for the dead and injured

Authorities have not yet released the names of the four people who died.

But Monica McCarty, of Hattiesburg, said her father and son died in the tornado that swept through the area overnight.

She said her son was crushed while in bed at her mother's house where he lived and that her father died in the same trailer park where she and her boyfriend live.

McCarty says she was in a trailer with her boyfriend Tackeem Molley when the storm hit.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the four people who died. But Monica McCarty (left), of Hattiesburg, said her father and son died in the tornado that swept through the area overnight. She is comforted by another woman (right)

The devastating storm caused 'massive damage' and flipped cars over, tore apart homes and ripped trees from their roots. Thousands of homes in three counties were left without power

The tornado was so powerful that it ripped roofs off homes

A child's stuffed animal is covered with insulation after the roof was blown off in a devastating tornado

The firefighters are bringing dogs and all-terrain vehicles.

Hattiesburg police Lt. Allen Murray says authorities remain concerned about downed power lines and possible gas leaks and are encouraging people to stay at home.

Murray says that among structures damaged was a Hattiesburg fire station. He says the city does not yet have an estimate on how many buildings are damaged or destroyed.

Mayor Johnny DuPree has signed an emergency declaration for the city, which reported 'significant injuries' and structural damage after the twister blew through the city and surrounding area.

The city also said via Twitter that Hattiesburg firefighters and police are going door-to-door to try to rescue victims.

Mayor Johnny DuPree has signed an emergency declaration for the city, which reported 'significant injuries' and structural damage after the twister blew through the city and surrounding area

Murray says that among structures damaged was a Hattiesburg fire station. He says the city does not yet have an estimate on how many buildings are damaged or destroyed

The storm ripped through three counties, including Forrest, Lamar and Perry

Greg Flynn of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said rescuers are still searching the stricken area for more possible victims.

William Carey University announced that the Hattiesburg campus is closed until further notice and students were escorted from the campus.

Arrangements were being made for students who couldn't go home.

Thousands of customers in southern Mississippi are without power due to severe weather that pummeled the region.

Mississippi Power Company says 8,314 customers are without power, a vast majority of those are in Forrest County.

The Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association reports 3,787 of its customers are without power while Southern Pine Electric Power Association reports 666 of its customers are in the dark.

Flynn said 'massive damage' was reported in a three-county area that was struck by a tornado at around 4 a.m.

The National Weather Service said three to five inches of rain have already fallen, raising the risk of flooding. More rain - one to two inches - is possible

Due to the damage, downed power lines and weather conditions, the public is asked to avoid traveling

Little remains undamaged of Cottrell Memorial CME Church after the tornado hit early Saturday morning

The three counties affected are Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties.

Flash flood warnings were also in effect for northern Forrest and Lamar counties, as well as southeastern Jones and Marion counties.

The National Weather Service said three to five inches of rain have already fallen, raising the risk of flooding. More rain - one to two inches - is possible.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol is reporting Interstate 59 north of Hattiesburg is closed due to debris.

Downed power lines and debris have been reported over a wide area. The public is asked to avoid traveling.

Flynn said the tornado touched down in Lamar, plowed through Forrest and then struck Perry before dissipating.
A ballboy has become a 'civilian' casualty after Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut ran into the youngster while chasing down a wide shot from his opponent David Ferrer.

TV footage shows the cringe-worthy collision, which left Bautista clutching his head in pain, and sent the ball boy crashing into the umpire's chair in round three of the Australian Open.

The ballboy received treatment from on-court officials, while Bautista walked back on the court despite gesturing a possible injury to his shoulder.

Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut ploughed into the ballboy chasing down a wide shot

Bautista and the ballboy are believed to have escaped the clash without injury.

Its not the first time ball kids have suffered a blow in the line of duty.

At last years open, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga helped a ball girl off the court after an off-course ball struck her in the face.

Tsonga was met with a burst of applause after leaping to the aid of the rattled girl.

The gesture saw him hailed a hero on social media before going on to claim a comfortable victory.

Bautista was seen clutching his head in pain as the ballboy flew into the umpire's chair

Bautista and the ballboy are believed to have escaped the clash without injury.
Dimitrious Gargasoulas (pictured), 26, allegedly ploughed through dozens of pedestrians on a rampage through Melbourne

The tragic fallout from the horror rampage in Melbourne continued on Saturday with a three-month-old boy succumbing to his injuries, becoming the fifth person to die in the attack.

Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, has been identified as the man who drove an allegedly stolen maroon Holden Commodore along Bourke Street on Friday afternoon, ploughing through people on the packed sidewalk as they desperately ducked for cover.

Four people died at the scene, and police said on Saturday 37 were rushed to hospital. At least ten of them are still in a serious condition, and there are fears the the death toll could rise further.

The fifth victim from the rampage, the young boy, died on Saturday night.

The boy's death comes as Gargasoulas' girlfriend revealed terrifying new details of the hours before the rampage.

Akiir Muo, 25, told Daily Mail Australia Gargasoulas took her hostage on Friday morning drove erratically around Melbourne for more than two hours before letting her out on Bolte Bridge.

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The girlfriend (pictured) of Dimitrious Gargasoulas, who is accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians in Melbourne, claims he threatened to kill her, his mum and himself if she left his sight

Akiir Muo, 25, said she was begging for her boyfriend to slow down when she alleges he took her hostage and drove around Melbourne

Ms Muo claimed she witnessed Gargasoulas subject his brother to a vicious attack that morning. Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said on Friday the stabbing of a man in the suburb of Windsor earlier that day was believed to be a trigger for the driving rampage later.

Ms Muo said she witnessed Angelo Gargasoulas covered in blood after he was allegedly attacked by Dimitrious at their Windsor flat.

'I tried to pull Jimmy away from Angelo but his face was covered in blood, I couldn't see his face,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'It was the scariest thing I've ever seen.'

She was then allegedly taken hostage around 6am that morning and Ms Muo said her boyfriend threatened to kill them both by driving into a pole.

'He threatened to kill himself and me by driving us into a pole - I pretty much have to do what he says,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'I begged him to stop and slow down. It shouldn't have happened - I mean all the people that lost their family and their loved ones, you know, over his stupidity.'

The girlfriend said she was shocked he allegedly ran over a child during the carnage in Melbourne's CBD.

'Jimmy is just lost,' she said.

'It was scary.. I was just thinking my life is going to end.. I'm gonna die.

'Jimmy had no right to do what he did. Jimmy, he just wants everything his way.

'I have two kids and just watching the fact that he had ran over a little child - that could be anyone's child.'

Eventually the pair stopped at Bolte Bridge where Ms Muo was able to escape from the car after the two hour nightmare.

The mother of Dimitrious Gargasoulas, who is accused of deliberately driving a car into pedestrians in Melbourne, says she feels 'ashamed' to be his mum

Emily Gargasoulas says was sickened to hear about her son's rampage which killed a 10-year-old girl and three others

How the 12-hour rampage unfolded: He allegedly stabbed his brother at his home (1), took a hostage before letting her out on the Bolte Bridge (2) and led police on a wild car chase towards the city (3)

Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas was due to face court on Friday, the same day as his alleged deadly rampage through Melbourne's CBD

The mother of Dimitrious Gargasoulas says she feels 'ashamed' to be his mum.

'I feel so ashamed and bad, you know,' Emily Gargasoulas told 7 News.

'I don't want to be known that I'm the mother. Go to hell and die in hell.'

Emily Gargasoulas says she was sickened to hear about her son's rampage which killed a 10-year-old girl and three others, and left 26 people injured.

'When I found out about what he did ... how he killed a child, I felt sick ... so sick in my stomach,' the devastated mother told the Herald Sun.

Gargasoulas hanging out the Holden on Friday before he allegedly mowed down shoppers in Melbourne

The rampage finally came to an end when he mounted the kerb at 555 Bourke Street and came to a stop after police shot him the arm

Police arrested Dimitrious Gargasoulas wearing nothing but red underwear following the incident in Melbourne

Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas was due to face court on Friday, the same day as his alleged deadly rampage through Melbourne.

He had been charged on January 14, but freed by a bail justice.

Gargasoulas was on bail for assaulting his mother's partner on Saturday when his trail of destruction began.

Chief Commissioner Craig Ashton also said the man accused of the rampage through Bourke Street had a history of family violence.

A pram on the corner of Bourke and William Street following the rampage on Friday

Police fear the death toll could rise after a man on the run over a stabbing drove into Melbourne lunchtime crowds

'He has come to our attention on many occasions in the past. We have mental health and drug-related issues in the background of this particular person,' he said.

He on Wednesday allegedly stole the maroon Holden Commodore used in the attack on Bourke Street mall from an elderly neighbour.

Neighbour Gavin Wilson, 76, claimed he was violently threatened by Gargasoulas before he was forced to hand over the keys of his maroon Holden Commodore used in the attack on Bourke Street Mall.

Before Gargasoulas allegedly attacked his brother, witnesses claim the 26-year-old was told to leave Acland street McDonald's at about 10pm, according to The Herald Sun.

Later that morning he led police on a wild car chase through Melbourne with a female hostage, now believed to be his girlfriend, in the passenger seat.

Police gave up their pursuit soon after as the car was moving erratically and it was feared bystanders could be injured.

Helicopters kept track of his movements as officers hoped to find another opportunity to stop him, but instead watched in horror as he drove into the city.

Floral tributes were growing on the corner of the mall and Elizabeth Street in the CBD as the shock of Friday's tragedy sets in.

There are teddy bears, four stems of white roses for each life lost and a little card reading: 'RIP Angels'.

One card by Daniel Andrews Premier of Victoria reads: 'You were a bystander, you were innocent, you could have been any one of us. You won't be forgotten.'

A candle light vigil was held for the five victims and those injured in the rampage

Flowers were left on Bourke Street in memory of the victims and the injured in the rampage

A mourner prays where flowers are being laid on the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth Street in Melbourne

Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews and Lord Mayor of Melbourne Robert Doyle (right) lay flowers at the scene on Saturday

Floral tributes for the victims of Friday's rampage that killed five, including a 10-year-old girl
Canadian mother-of-three Karine Gagne, 23, allegedly had sex in the bathroom with a 15-year-old American teen on a Bahamas cruise

The mother of a Canadian woman who is behind bars after she allegedly had sex in the bathroom with a 15-year-old on a cruise in the Bahamas is defending her daughter.

Mother-of-three Karine Gagne, 23, was on the Norwegian Cruise Line ship with her co-workers at a company that sells adult-themed products when she met the teen at a bar and casino area on the boat.

Chantale Auclair, Gagne's mother, said the teen had lied to her daughter about his age.

'She asked him how old he was and he told her was he was 18,' Auclair told The Canadian Press.

Auclair said Gagne told her the two had met at the bar while the ship was docked in Great Stirrup Cay. They began to chat and danced together.

'At one point, it went further,' Auclair said. 'They went to the bathroom and they did what they wanted to do.'

Chantale Auclair, Gagne's mother (pictured left), said the teen had lied to her daughter about his age and told her he was 18-years-old

Gagne was on a cruise with her co-workers at a company that sells adult-themed products when she met the teen at a bar and casino area on the boat

Gagne's three children are aged three, four and five. This family portrait was taken in 2013

Shortly after meeting the teen, who was reportedly a 6ft 1in American with a beard, Gagne allegedly had sex with him in the bathroom.

Auclair told La Tribune in French: 'She had no real way of knowing that he was a minor, he was tall and had a beard.'

She told the newspaper: 'How come he was in a bar and was drinking? How is it that his mother allowed him to expose himself to women like that?

'Is it that this is a setup? It seems like it, but we'll never know.'

The teen's mother was present at the bar when she saw her son exit the bathroom with Gagne and immediately called police, according to CTV Montreal.

Bahamian law states that a 15-year-old cannot legally consent to sexual intercourse.

Gagne was arrested on January 5 and has been charged with sexual assault against a minor. She's been in jail since the arrest, CTV Montreal reported.

Gagne had been on the cruise with her co-workers and manager to celebrate reaching sales objectives at their company, according to the Brantford Expositor.

The American teen reportedly pleaded for his mother not to report Gagne to authorities.

Gagne was arrested on January 5 and has been charged with sexual assault against a minor

Auclair flew to the Bahamas to see her daughter and said they were only able to speak together for about an hour.

'I cried so much,' she told CTV Montreal in French.

'But I told her I didn't come for nothing, that we weren't close for nothing. She is more than my daughter, she is my confidante.'

Auclair said Gagne is especially worried about her daughters, who are aged three, four, and five. They are currently back in Quebec.

'She said, "Mom, I don't want them to think I abandoned them,'" Auclair said.

Auclair is now raising funds to pay for legal costs, possible bail and a plane ticket home for her daughter, who she said works two jobs.

The concerned mother said it remains unknown how the teenage boy was able to enter an area reserved for those aged 18 and up on the Norwegian Cruise Line ship.

She has been in prison in the Bahamas awaiting a February court date

'I'm not blaming anyone,' Auclair added. 'I just want her to get out of there.'

A spokesman for the cruise line told Daily Mail Online that they do not comment on pending investigations.

Gagne could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

She's due in court next month, and her attorneys are going to seek a conditional release so she can go back to Canada awaiting further proceedings, La Tribune reported.

Auclair told the newspaper: 'The judge seemed very understanding at her last appearance. I think she understands the situation well.'
A man has died following an early-hours stabbing at a house in south London.

Police officers found the victim at an address on Drakefield Road, in Tooting - where properties are valued at more than 1million - after being called at 3am on Saturday.

The man, who is believed to be in his early 20s, was given first aid after suffering stab injuries at the property near Tooting Bec Tube Station but died shortly after arriving at hospital, Metropolitan Police said.

He is yet to be identified.

Police officers found the victim at an address on Drakefield Road, in Tooting - where properties are valued at more than 1million

'Enquiries continue to establish the man's identity,' a Met Police spokesman told the Evening Standard. 'Next of kin are yet to be informed. A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.'

A 29-year-old man - who also sustained stab injuries - was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody after being discharged from hospital.

Police said a 17-year-old girl was also taken to hospital after being stabbed in the hands, but is not in a life-threatening condition.

All three people involved are thought to know each other.

A murder investigation has been launched and anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4868 or via 101. They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Seven West Media chief executive Tim Worner returned to work last week a month after his affair with a PA was exposed

Embattled Seven West Media boss Tim Worner is back at work a month after his two-year affair with an assistant was made public.

Amber Harrison, 37, claimed she was paid $150,000 to keep quiet about her liaison with the married 55-year-old chief executive, but broke her silence last month.

Despite details of the sordid affair, including explicit text messages between the pair, being splashed across the headlines, Mr Worner's wife Katrina is standing by him.

She even accompanied him to the Australian Open and the couple, who have four children, were 'totally united', Seven told the Daily Telegraph.

A friend of Katrina Worner earlier said Ms Morner was not aware of her husband's indiscretions and, despite her being 'devastated', described the marriage as 'strong'.

Mr Worner was put on involuntary leave when the scandal broke, and even summoned to a meeting with 10 board members to explain himself - with chairman Kerry Stokes' phoning in from his ski cabin.

Former Seven employee Amber Harrison (left) had a two-year affair with the married father

He quietly returned to work at the Sydney headquarters in Pyrmont last week but is still under investigation by an independent panel from Allens law firm.

Though admitting to the affair with Ms Harrison, the high-flying executive denied her allegations he had extramarital sex romps with four other Seven staff - including a high-profile presenter and star actress.

He also denied using drugs 'in a work context' after Ms Harrison claimed he was a 'rampant' user and sent text messages saying his sexual performance was 'drug assisted'.

Ms Harrison said Seven West agreed to pay her a further $350,000 after she was made redundant, but never did - prompting her to go public.

Despite details of the sordid affair, including explicit text messages between the pair, being splashed across the headlines, Mr Worner's wife Katrina is standing by him

On Thursday it emerged the company threatened to sue her if she went ahead with a rumoured tell-all interview with rival Nine's 60 Minutes.

Its lawyers even warned she could be prosecuted under proceeds of crime laws if she took money for the interview, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Ms Harrison said they began flirting back and forth over email and text message after both being in the same meeting, and started a relationship in December 2012.

She claimed Mr Worner used taxis to travel to her home for sex and paid for them on his company credit card - including when she was at home on sick leave because of anxiety she claims was caused by the affair.

He quietly returned to work at the Sydney headquarters in Pyrmont last week but is still under investigation by an independent panel from Allens law firm

The former executive assistant was also treated to a romantic weekend in Melbourne with Mr Worner during the 2014 Australian Open.

'I knew he was married. It was never about love. It was about sex and power,' Ms she said.

'He likes having a bit on the side. I found our relationship, if you'd call it that, thrilling to begin with.'

Ms Harrison said the affair made her 'depressed' and caused her to suffer regular panic attacks at work, which led to her taking extended sick leave.

She begged Mr Worner for her to 'be fired' after suffering regular panic attacks, but he instead visited her during sick leave to have sex with her 'seven times'.

After she told him she has 'no idea what to say,' Mr Worner allegedly responded: 'I want to f*** you so badly and I want you to deal with my super hard c**k'.

Though admitting to the affair with Ms Harrison, the high-flying executive denied her allegations he had extramarital sex romps with four other Seven staff

Ms Harrison claimed Mr Worner another text asked if she wanted to 'go dirtier' and was 'slightly scared'.

'You are f (sic) hot so I will take the chance,' he allegedly wrote.

'I love being with you. Too much. Too sexy,' Mr Worner allegedly told the 37-year-old in March 2014.

On March 24, 2014, Ms Harrison claims Mr Worner told her he wanted to 'f*** her like a wild man'.

The couple's relationship ended in mid-2014 not long after she found out about Mr Worner's numerous other affairs and sent him an abusive message.

'You are right. You are busy. F---ing everyones assistants as it turns out,' she wrote.

Ms Harrison alleges Seven West then accused her of spending $262,000 on the company credit card and was sacked.

Mr Worner and his wife have four children and last March shelled out $9.5 million for this mansion on Sydney's northern beaches

After two years of failed negotiations about her redundancy payout, Ms Harrison she lodged a claim with the Australian Human Rights Commission last May.

Mr Worner apologised for his actions and said he was filled with 'the deepest regret and shame' in a statement by Seven West after the affair went public.

'This relationship finished some time ago and I apologised at the time, and am still trying to make amends,' he said.

'My focus is to continue to work through this in private and minimise the distress to my family.'

Though Mr Stokes was said to be embarrassed by his chief executive's actions, the company made it clear that Mr Worner's job was safe.
A state district judge in El Paso is accused of shaking his middle finger at another judge in a fit of anger and is now being charged with disorderly conduct.

State District Judge Patrick Garcia is scheduled for trial in April after he allegedly flipped off Judge Ricardo Herrera outside of the El Paso County Courthouse parking lot in November.

The District Attorney's office determined the misdemeanor case should be prosecuted.

County Court at Law No. 1 Judge Ricardo Herrera (pictured) accused Judge Patrick Garcia of shaking his middle finger in his face in an incident in November

The El Paso Times reports Garcia was angry because he believed the lower court judge had undermined a plea agreement being arranged in Garcia's court.

According to Herrera, the judge walked over to him and extended his hand 'in a shaking motion' and thanked him for 'busting' the agreement recommendation made by prosecutors and the defense.

Herrera told sheriff deputies that he shook the judge's hand before Garcia began to wave his middle finger in front of Herrera's face, shouting 'here,' 'here.'

State District Judge Patrick Garcia is accused of shaking his middle finger at another judge outside the El Paso County Courthouse (pictured)

The lower court judge claims Garcia's middle finger was four to five inches away from his face.

Garcia has told the newspaper he didn't want to comment.

Herrera said in his complaint that he did not know why the judge was upset at him and found the incident 'humiliating,' as it was reportedly done in front of his colleagues.

However, a witness told deputies that he did not 'witness a criminal act.'
A billionaire is selling off pieces of his Texas mansion that he purchased last year before it's demolished.

The Trammell Crow estate, located in Highland Park, belongs to businessman Andy Beal. DFW Pre-Demolition and Estate Sales is handling the sale.

The company said in a Monday Facebook post: 'The $55 million estate formerly owned by Trammell Crow is schedule to be demolished.

'The home was built is 1912. Come grab a piece of history.'

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A billionaire is selling off pieces of his Texas mansion that he purchased last year before it's demolished

The Trammell Crow estate, located in Highland Park, belongs to businessman Andy Beal

DFW Pre-Demolition and Estate Sales is handling the sale of fixtures and items in the home

These photographs show a chandelier (left) and a sink (right)

Images of a bank vault door (left) and a fireplace (right) were shared on Facebook by DFW Pre-Demolition

Owner Andy Beal (pictured) has a net worth of $10.3billion, according to Forbes. He is an economic adviser to President Donald Trump

Video courtesy of Narr8 Media:

Available are a staircase, kitchen cabinets, a KitchenAid stainless dishwasher, stone, iron gates, hardwood flooring, a bank vault door and Trammell Crow's home office desk, the post said.

The mansion is on a six-acre lot and features 10,000 square feet, the Dallas Morning News reports.

It was built for cotton tycoon Henry Lee Edwards, before real estate developer Trammell Crow bought the home in 1961, according to the newspaper.

His daughter Lucy Crow Billingsley, who listed the home for sale in 2014 in the wake of her mother's death, is going to keep paneling originally from a castle, the Dallas Morning News reported.

DFW Pre-Demolition and Estate Sales posted this photograph on Facebook, writing that a staircase from the home is available

Detailing is pictured on the banister inside the five-bedroom residence

DFW Pre-Demolition and Estate Sales said on Facebook the home was built in 1912

Another view of the mansion shows detail work inside the home

DFW Pre-Demolition and Estate Sales posted photos of a bath tub (left) and a vanity (right)

These images show detailing of a fireplace (left) and a lamp (right)

Wooden cabinets (left) and a banister (right) are seen in these photographs

DFW Pre-Demolition owner Rhonda Hunnicutt told the news outlet: 'People can get something that was a piece of history, whether it's the hardwood flooring or the stones or a door or a light fixture, and they can say, "This came out of the Trammell Crow estate."

'That part of it I love. In some ways it's still preserving some of the history. I enjoy doing that part of this job.'

Beal has a net worth of $10.3billion, according to Forbes. He is an economic advisor to President Donald Trump.

Candy's Dirt reports that Beal is intending to construct a new home.

DFW Pre-Demolition shared these images of shelving and storage space (left) and stones (right)

It was built for cotton tycoon Henry Lee Edwards, before real estate developer Trammell Crow bought the home in 1961

Pictured inside the mansion are cabinets and chandelier hanging from the ceiling

A room on the property features ample window space and allows for lots of light to come in

An elaborate chandelier is pictured hanging from a ceiling in a room with hardwood floors

This room offers detail work on the ceiling, as well as plenty of space to entertain guests

A large tree on the property offers a shady spot to relax and unwind
Donald Trump used Obama's inauguration photo as his new profile background after he was handed the official Twitter handle for the President of the United States.

Trump was transferred control of the @POTUS Twitter handle on Friday afternoon, and the account's background image was a patriotic scene of an inauguration.

However, the photo Trump's administration used was actually a snapshot from Obama's historic 2009 inauguration.

Donald Trump used Obama's inauguration photo as his @POTUS Twitter background after he was handed the president's official handle on Friday afternoon

The cropped photo on the @POTUS account was actually from Obama's historic 2009 inauguration, where an estimated 1.8million people turned up

The banner photo used was taken when Barack Obama was sworn-in as United States' first African-American president, an event that an estimated 1.8million people turned out to witness.

Social media users were quick to point out it was a re-purposed Getty photo, which had been cropped and seemed to have its colors enhanced.

About an hour later, the @POTUS account had a new generic image of the American flag but made no mention of the previous background photo.

Later on Friday it was updated again, this time of a low-quality image of Trump looking out of a window in the White House.

Shortly after people pointed out that it was a re-purposed photo, the image was changed to a generic American flag

Later on Friday the background was updated again, this time to a low-quality image of Trump looking out a window in the White House

Twitter users chimed in on the mishap and called out Trump and his administration for 'never being original' and 'copying' Obama.

One user said that 'these Trump just love to copy and plagiarize' the former First Family.

Another added: 'Trump takes every moment to slam Obama, yet continues to copy him at every turn. Speech, Twitter background, cake...'

People quickly took to social media to comment on the re-purposed background photo. This person tweeted that the Trumps 'love to copy and plagiarize the Obamas'

Another person chimed in and said that Trump copies Obama 'at every turn'. He makes reference to a claim by a celebrity chef that Trump copied the design of a cake he made for Obama

This user claimed that Trump has 'never been original' and shouldn't be expected to change now that he is president

Despite having the official president's Twitter handle, Trump is still expected to use his own account during his presidency.

Friday's inauguration had an expected attendance of hundreds of thousands but as the ceremony began, the National Mall sat half-empty.

The D.C. Metro reported that numbers for subway riders were drastically down from previous years, according to its statistics.

Attendance at Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday morning was less than thought and the National Mall was left half-empty when the ceremony began

The gaffe landed the 45th president in hot water on social media as users criticized the president and his administration for 'copying' from the Obama family.

Trump came under fire again later Friday night for 'plagiarizing' the design of his inauguration cake that a celebrity pastry chef said copied the design he made for Obama's 2013 inauguration.

Melania Trump has also been accused of copying the Obamas. Her speech at the Republican National Convention last July was slammed for 'plagiarizing' portions of a speech Michelle made in 2008.
A bust of Winston Churchill that was on view inside the Oval Office just hours after President Donald Trump took office is not the one owned by the British government, and is most likely an identical version that was already on display in the White House residence, DailyMail.com has learned.

Although Churchill's return to the Oval Office may send an immediate signal about the new president's inclinations or worldview, Trump has yet to reinstall a bust that the British Government loaned to President George W. Bush in 2001.

That bust was returned when President Obama took office. Trump's transition requested that the bust be loaned once again after British foreign secretary Boris Johnson visited Trump Tower to meet with Trump advisor Steven Bannon and son-in-law Jared Kushner following the elections. But the loan, authorized by Prime Minister Theresa May, has not yet taken place.

In fact, the sculpture is still on display in the library of the British Ambassador's residence in Washington.

'The prime minister has said she is happy for us to loan the Churchill bust to the White House in response to a request from President Trump's transition,' and embassy spokesman told DailyMail.com. 'We are still working on the details of the loan,' the spokesman added.

WATCHING OVER HIM: President Donald Trump has reinstalled a bust of Winston Churchill inside the Oval Office. The sculpture was removed after President Obama took office in 2009. Trump has also rearranged and removed furniture from the Oval Office - adding gold curtains and changing up the chair behind the Resolute Desk

Having inside the Oval Office a bust of Britain's wartime leader, who President Franklin Roosevelt hosted at the White House for extended visits, carries significance in whatever its form by demonstrating the close ties and 'special relationship' between the two nations.

The sculpture has attracted scrutiny and comment, along with some misinformation, throughout its recent history.

The latest iteration of the Churchill bust was on view as Trump took some of his first actions as president, signing executive orders and a waiver to let generals serve in his cabinet despite prohibitions on ex-military tenure.

There was a transatlantic flap when Obama removed the Churchill bust in 2009. The White House at first denied it had been removed, but it was later confirmed that it had been returned to the British Embassy.

According to a White House 'fact check' from 2012 that was itself an update on inaccurate earlier information, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair lent the White House the bust at a time when the White House version was being worked on.

Back in the Oval: The head of Winston Churchill was a work by Jacob Epstein, the renowned post-war British sculptor, and one of two identical versions of it in Washington is now back on a table in the Oval Office

Changed up: This is the picture taken as Barack Obama left the Oval Office on Friday morning. You can see that he preferred red curtains and had a chest of drawers in the corner where Winston Churchill is now

Reporters allowed into the Oval Office Friday for the document signings observed the change, and Churchill's reappearance drew immediate attention once again.

Obama defended the removal on a trip to the United Kingdom.

'I love Winston Churchill, I love the guy,' Obama said at a press conference in London with then-Prime Minister David Cameron. He was photographed showing the bust already in the White House collection to Cameron at the White House.

Then-London mayor Boris Johnson, now foreign secretary, attributed the removal to Obama's 'ancestral dislike of the British Empire' owing to his father's Kenyan heritage. The work is by Jacob Epstein, a renowned post-war British sculptor.

During the initial flap, then-White House official Dan Pfeiffer defiantly denied the charge, saying 'The bust is still in the White House. In the Residence. Outside the Treaty Room.' In fact, that was another bust that had been a gift to President Lyndon Johnson. Regardless, Pfieffer wrote that the idea that Obama returned the bust out of 'antipathy towards the British' was ''completely false and an urban legend.'

RESTORATION: President Donald Trump has returned a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office. It was presented by the British Government to President George W. Bush in 2001

LOCATION, LOCATION: President Barack Obama shows Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom a bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the private residence of the White House, in 2010. The bust is outside the Treaty Room, an office in the residence

The new Trump press shop didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee also promoted the Kenyan angle. 'His perspective as growing up in Kenya with a Kenyan father and grandfather. He probably grew up hearing that the British were a bunch of imperialists who persecuted his grandfather' Huckabee said, the Hill reported.

British Independence Party leader Nigel Farage tweeted days after the elections, 'Especially pleased at @realDonaldTrump's very positive reaction to idea that Sir Winston Churchill's bust should be put back in Oval Office.'

Trump during the elections backed the Brexit campaign. His mother was born in Scotland, and he has signaled that a trade deal with Britain could be an early priority.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer tweeted out a photo of the Martin Luther King bust, which remains in the Oval Office, after an erroneous pool report that it had been moved

GETTING IN ON THE ACT: Then-Speaker John Boehner speaks at a congressional ceremony to dedicate a bust of the late Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill, who became an honorary U.S. citizen in 1963

Then-White House official Dan Pfeiffer wrote a 'fact check' post about the bust for for the White House web site in 2012 and then issued an update, in just one part of the saga

For a brief period Friday night, there were erroneous reports that a bust of Martin Luther King that Obama had installed had been removed from the Oval Office. In fact, the statue was simply not visible behind a door when reporters were let inside and a pool reported didn't see it, alerting colleagues.

New press secretary Sean Spicer had some fun at the expense of the press, sending out a tweet thanking the new chief of staff for a 'wonderful picture of the MLK bust in the oval' and posted the image of the bust.
Supporting her husband as he was sworn in as president, Melania Trump looked a vision in a baby blue custom Ralph Lauren dress and coat.

And as she stood by Donald Trump's side as he took the oath of office in the Jackie Kennedy-inspired ensemble, the designer saw their company stock soar.

When Ralph Lauren shares closed on Thursday before the inauguration, they were at $88.20 a share in what has been a quiet month for the American firm.

After Melania Trump stepped out in a baby blue custom Ralph Lauren ensemble for her husband's inauguration, the American fashion label saw a boost for their shares

A graph showing how Ralph Lauren shares peaked at $88.90 a share, an hour after Melania was first spotted wearing the outfit

However, by 11am yesterday, around an hour after Melania was first spotted wearing the designer's outfit, stocks spiked at $88.32.

By the end of trading yesterday, they had levelled off again, but still finished up at $88.90 a share.

Melania's double-faced cashmere creation consisted of a mock-turtleneck dress, over which she wore a short jacket with three-quarter length sleeves that featured a bold collar that clasped at the neck with a cutaway.

Melania's double-faced cashmere creation consisted of a mock-turtleneck dress, over which she wore a short jacket with three-quarter length sleeves

Melania's outfit saw it compared to that of the ensemble worn by Jackie Kennedy at the inauguration of her husband JFK

The outfit held well together throughout the day's festivities, which began with a coffee and tea ceremony with the Obamas at the White House.

But it wasn't just Melania who has been credited for Ralph Lauren's surge in the market.

Her husband's election rival Hillary Clinton also attended the swearing-in ceremony in an ivory Ralph Lauren pant suit.

However, it is not the first time that a designer has seen a upturn in business after a first lady has worn their creations.

Melania's husband's election rival Hillary Clinton also attended the swearing-in ceremony in an ivory Ralph Lauren pant suit

In 2009, Michelle Obama chose a Jason Wu gown, which gained the young designer a major boost in the fashion world.

While a Narcisso Rodriguez dress she wore for President Obama's State of the Union address in 2016, the garment sold out soon after.

But despite the so-called first lady effect, one designer has refused to dress Melania Trump.

Tom Ford says he will not allow her to wear any of his pieces despite the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas erasing all traces of his products from its stores over the weekend.

In 2009, Michelle Obama chose a Jason Wu gown, which gained the young designer a major boost in the fashion world
A man accidentally shot his wife to death after mistaking her for an intruder, he said.

Billy Williams of Goldsboro, North Carolina, said that he was asleep in his home on Dee Dee Place when one of his children woke him up after hearing a noise at the door about 12:30am Friday, reported WNCN.

Williams, 49, told police he grabbed his gun from the safe in one of the bedrooms and went to the front door.

Billy Williams said he accidentally shot his wife Gina when she returned early from work and he shot her thinking she was an intruder

The incident happened in Goldsboro, NC at the family's house on Dee Dee Street, above - his wife was shot on the porch

Gina and Billy Williams had been together for 17 years and had two children (above)

The man told police that his wife of 17 years had left the house around 6pm for her evening work shift and was not expected home until 6am.

He said he opened the door and as the light on the porch was turned off, he could not see the identity of the person standing in front of him. He fired once, hitting his wife in the neck, and killing her.

'It's going to be a tough one' said neighbor George Ezzell of the tragedy

His wife had apparently left work early and was trying to get into the front door.

When EMS arrived, they found Gina, 48, lying on the porch and her husband administering first aid.

Deputies interviewed family members but so far no charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.

Billy Williams wrote on Facebook that his wife, Gina, said 'I love you' before she died

Williams posted on Facebook that he loved his wife and that her last words to him as he held her were 'I love you.' He also said 'this is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life.'

He wrote: 'I am dying inside and none of this seems real. Gina is the Rock of our family and the most compassionate loving person I have ever known. She loves her family so much and Dacie and Alexis are the apples of her eye.

'This is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. The last words Gina said to me as I held her was 'I love you.' Those words have rang over and over again in my head and every time I close my eyes I see her and hear her.

'Gina is the very foundation of this family and all of us will miss her tremendously. My heart feels like it has been been ripped from my chest. We have a lot of healing to do and my heart is broken. For 17 years she was my absolute everything.'

The couple have two daughters.



Neighbor George Ezzell told WRAL that the family was a happy one and liked in the neighborhood.

'You pray for the family, its going to be a tough one,' he said. 'Billy, he's a good guy. It'll be hard but he's going to be okay.'
More than 32 million worth of cannabis was found hidden in farm machinery on board a ship which docked in Ireland.

Irish police said they seized 32.4 million worth of herbal cannabis when the vessel anchored at Dublin Port - and said the find was a 'great result'.

Over 32 million of cannabis was seized at Dublin Port on Friday after being found in farm machinery on a ship

Irish Police and Revenue Officers in a joint operation against organised crime gangs found the stash

Gardai and Revenue officers, in a joint operation against organised crime gangs, recovered the stash on Friday.

Garda assistant commissioner John O'Driscoll said: 'We are all about trying to achieve results and this I believe in anyone's estimation is a great result.'

They added their investigation resulted in the identification and interception of a consignment which arrived into Dublin.

A subsequent search on Friday resulted in the seizure of 1,873 kilos (4,129 lbs) of herbal cannabis.

The drugs were found in containers (left) after the ship docked in the city. Garda assistant commissioner John O'Driscoll (right) said the bust was a 'great result'

Gardai said investigations are continuing both in Ireland and internationally, linked to the significant seizure of drugs destined for the Irish market.

The assistant commissioner added: 'We are about trying to tackle organised crime in a significant manner. The business of organised crime will be impacted.'

He listed a string of recent operations including the seizure of firearms from groups 'intent on killing each other' in an apparent reference to recent gangland killings in the city.

Gardai confirmed that investigations are taking part both in Ireland and internationally to try and stop drugs destined for the Irish market

The recent drugs find and a string of other operations would 'have a significant impact on crime' said assistant commissioner O'Driscoll

Gardai recently confiscated 18 cars in another blow against the underworld.

Assistant commissioner O'Driscoll added: 'All of these actions together combine to have a significant impact on organised crime.'
Donald Trump told a room full of Central Intelligence Agency employees on Saturday that they will play an integral role in ridding the world of the ISIS terror army, and that he will give them a longer leash to get the job done.

The approving encouragement came at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, as Trump made the first official stop of his first full day as America's president.

And he insisted that 'dishonest' reporters had overplayed reports that he was feuding with the U.S. Intelligence Community over allegations that Russian hacking aided his November election win.

'We've been fighting these wars for longer than any wars we've ever fought,' Trump said, apparently in reference to the global war on jihadi extremists that has surpassed officially 'declared' wars in length and cost.

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Restrained: The new president hinted at allowing spies more latitude in fighting ISIS as he spoke in front of the wall where each star marks a fallen officer

Manifrsto 'Radical Islamic terrorism, and I said it yesterday, has to be eradicated. Just off the face of the earth. This is evil. This is evil,' the president told a room of 400 spies

Exit: Donald Trump took his two most senior aides, counselor Steve Bannon (right, in yellow tie), and Reince Preibus, his chief of staff, whose head is visible to Bannon's right, to Langley

Off in the Beast: Donald Trump heads for his limousine as he leaves CIA headquarters in Langley after telling senior spies: 'We've been restrained. We have got to get rid of ISIS.'

'We have not used the real abilities that we have. We've been restrained,' he lamented, hinting that American spies and counterterrorism agents could soon find once-banned tradecraft methods available to them again.

'We have to get rid of ISIS. We have to get rid of ISIS,' Trump said. 'We have no choice.'

'Radical Islamic terrorism, and I said it yesterday, has to be eradicated. Just off the face of the earth. This is evil. This is evil.'

Trump told a capacity crowd of 400 that unlike 'wars between countries' whose genesis can be easily understood, the depths of Islamist rage at the root of the ISIS terror campaign 'is something nobody can even understand. This is a level of evil that we haven't seen.

Standing in front of a wall memorializing the deaths of necessarily nameless CIA officers, the new president declared: 'You're going to go to it, and you're going to do a phenomenal job. But we're going to end it. It's time. It's time right now to end it.'

Trump called the CIA 'one of the most important groups in this country' for maintaining national security and solving problems that are 'interrelated' with 'the kind of havoc and fear that this sick group of people has caused.'

Trump shrugged off the idea that he needed reconciliation with the nation's intelligence services following an election year in which the CIA, NSA and FBI concluded that Russia's government aided him through malicious computer hacking.

The president himself suggested intelligence analysts and operatives may have improperly leaked false information that erroneously linked him with the Russian regime, including claims participating in perverted sex practices while in Russia gave the Kremlin a tool to control him.

Trump has specifically suggested that former president Barack Obama's CIA Director John Brennan may have personally fed the document to journalists.

Welcome Mr President: The CIA is preparing for the first visit to the so-called Pickle Factory from the new commander-in-chief

He walked that accusation back in an interview that aired Wednesday on the Fox News Channel.

On Saturday a receptive audience gave him a warm welcome, opening up room for a chummy declaration of common purpose.

'I am with you 1,000 per cent,' Trump said, declaring that 'a running war with the media' led him to choose Langley as his first stop on his first full day at the White House.

'They are among the most dishonest human beings on earth,' Trump said of journalists. 'And they sort of made it sound like I had a feud with the Intelligence Community.'

'And I just want to let you know, the reason you're [my] number one stop  it is exactly the opposite. Exactly. And they understand that too.'

The president's team initially planned to visit Langley to swear in Kansas congressman Mike Pompeo as the agency's director following Senate confirmation on Friday.

But three liberal senators  Ron Wyden of Oregon, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut  put up a brief fight to postpone the vote, a proceeding which requires at least a few Democrats to consent first.

Visit: The move was announced by new White House press secretary Sean Spicer

Reconciliation: Donald Trump's visit to the CIA comes after he attended a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday morning

Out with the old: John Brennann (left) was Obama's CIA director. Trump is still waiting for his director-designate, Mike Pompeo (right), to be confirmed

Pompeo could be confirmed by Monday, but there are no guarantees Trump will have his intelligence team in place on any particular day next week.

Trump told the CIA employees that Pompeo was the first of as many as nine interviews he had scheduled with potential spy chiefs, and he never got to the second one.

'That was the only guy I wanted to meet,' he recalled.

'I said 'cancel everybody else'.'

Trump said Pompeo would be 'a gem' and 'a total star' at the helm of the CIA.

'He was number one at West Point. Ad he was also essentially number one at Harvard law School, and then he decided to go into the military. And he ran for Congress. And everything he's done has been a home run,' he said of the Kansan.

'And people like him, but much more important to me, everybody respects him.'

The president drew warm laughter from a section of the room filled with rank-and-file employees, by boasting that his own intellectual firepower gave him the ability to evaluate Pompeo's talent and aptitude.

'They say, 'Is Donald Trump an intellectual?'' he boomed.

'Trust me. I'm like a smart person. And I recognized immediately.'
Theresa May will become the first world leader to visit President Donald Trump in the White House amid revelations he refers to her as 'my Maggie'.

The Prime Minister, who was the tenth world leader to be phoned by Mr Trump after his election, was due to meet him in February but will now fly out next week.

The pair are expected to discuss a new deal for Britain as it prepares to exit the EU and Mr Trump hopes their co-operation will match the friendship between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s.

The White House has confirmed that Prime Minister Theresa May will meet with new US President Donald Trump next week

President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States

Mr Trump will also invite Mrs May to unveil a statue of Sir Winston Churchill which he has returned to the Oval Office after Barack Obama removed it, reports the Sunday Express.

Mrs May is likely to use the early visit to press the case for a free trade deal with the US amid doubts that an agreement would be compatible with Mr Trump's 'America first' strategy.

The PM has said she is 'confident' of striking a deal and has suggested the UK and US could even reduce barriers to trade before being able to sign a formal agreement after Brexit.

One of the items said to be on the agenda is a possible 'passporting deal' which would allow British and American firms to set up and trade in each other's countries with minimum regulatory hurdles.

Mrs May is likely to emphasise the the importance of Nato and the EU for collective security and defence after Mr Trump sparked concerns about his commitment to both organisations.

The PM has also promised to hold 'very frank' discussions with Mr Trump, making clear she has found some of his comments 'unacceptable', including his suggestion that his fame allowed him to 'do anything' to women, such as 'grabbing them by the pussy'.

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts

In his inauguration speech, President Trump, whose mother is Scottish, pledged to 'reinforce old alliances' in a sign that Britain's special relationship with the US could be boosted under the new regime.

But he also talked about the need for a new era of protection to end the decline of American industries.

Meanwhile, it has been speculated that Nigel Farage will become a member of Trump's team.

Phil Bryant, Governor of Mississippi, revealed at a party thrown by Farage that the former UKIP leader will be made a 'close but unofficial adviser' to the new President, reported the Telegraph.

Bryant said: 'There is an opportunity for him to work directly with the president, we call it 'close but unofficial'.'

On Friday Farage praised Donald Trump's inauguration speech and declared a new era for US-UK relations.

He told MailOnline it was a 'great speech and good for the UK'.

Nigel Farage, pictured at a Trump inauguration party in Washington on Thursday, praised Donald Trump's speech and declared a new era for US-UK relations

Trump's mention of 'old alliances' was interpreted as a reference to the 'special relationship' between the US and the UK, which critics claimed Barack Obama undermined during his eight years in office.

After Trump's speech, May said: 'I congratulate President Trump on taking office today.

'From our conversations to date, I know we are both committed to advancing the special relationship between our two countries and working together for the prosperity and security of people on both sides of the Atlantic.

'I look forward to discussing these issues and more when we meet in Washington.'
Gambia's former president has fled into exile after stepping down following mounting pressure from West African nations to accept that he lost a December election.

Unseated president Yahya Jammeh previously risking intervention from neighbouring states when he refused to hand over power to his successor, Adama Barrow.

Former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh boards a plane at the airport as he flees into exile

The new president, a former Argos worker from north London, was sworn in on Thursday despite his predecessor once pledging to rule the West African country for a billion years.

Soldiers from neighbouring Senegal and Nigeria stormed into the tiny state on Thursday poised to swoop on the capital Banjul to ensure Barrow would take office when former President Jammeh, who has ruled Gambia since 1994, refused to leave.

Jammeh had ruled the tiny country since 1994 and had pledged to rule The Gambia for a billion years

A security officer of former president cries as he arrives at the airport before flying into exile from Gambia

But now the former leader has left The Gambia stopping the country descending into civil war - prompting celebrations on the streets.

Jammeh was accompanied onto the plane by Guinean President Alpha Conde, who mediated the terms of his exit with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and others.

A separate plane took his family and aides.

People in Gambia were pictured dancing in the streets after hearing that the former president had left the country

A driver celebrates after former leader Yahya Jammeh boarded a plane leaving the country he had ruled for 22 years

There had been a poltiical crisis when Jammeh refused to step down and hand power to newly-elected Adama Barrow

It comes as flights to the UK from the crisis-stricken country have been suspended by British tour operators, the Foreign Office said.

All package holiday tourists have now left the country, Thomas Cook confirmed,but the tour operator said those with flight-only bookings could be left stranded - as flights to the region have been suspended.

Coalition soldiers patrol the main street of Karang, Senegal, near the border with The Gambia. Former president Yahya Jammeh had said he would step down after 22 years of power to keep peace in his country or face a military intervention

Holidaymakers were forced into a chaotic exodus earlier this week as the country teetered on the brink of military conflict following post-election unrest.

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Former president Yahya Jammeh (left) had pledged to rule Gambia for a billion years, until he lost the presidential election to former Argos worker, Adama Barrow (right), from north London

Tourists in the country were warned to leave earlier this week in case of any impeding civil-war.

Around 1,000 sun-seekers on Thomas Cook packages were ordered to pack their bags and head for the airport after the Foreign Office issued an alert late on Tuesday.

Jammeh appeared on state television saying he had decided to 'relinquish the mantle of leadership' in order to stop The Gambia from descending into civil war

All package holiday tourists have now returned to the UK before air travel was halted, but some passengers who travelled independently could remain, Thomas Cook said.

Thomas Cook said 2,524 British travellers left Gambia on 16 flights between Wednesday and Friday, 'accounting for all customers who wanted to leave the country'.

The final flight out of Banjul airport was at 7pm on Friday night, it added.

A spokesman said: 'A lot of people have come back, some stayed because a lot of our (flight-only) customers were Gambian nationals, dual-nationals and a lot of travellers and people who have long stays.'

Flights to the country with the operator will remain suspended until at least January 31.

Mr Jammeh declared a 90-day national state of emergency on Tuesday, prompting British officials to advise against all non-essential travel to the country. They have since warned against all travel to Banjul.

Political tensions were eased after the defeated leader relinquished power on Friday and is now reportedly leaving the country.

On Wednesday, Thomas Cook dispatched extra staff to Gambia and began extra repatriation flights, saying there were some 3,500 customers in the country.
Avid Trump supporter and Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has said he would only reach across an aisle to choke a Democrat rather than work with them.

Clarke addressed a crowd at the 'DeploraBall' at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on Thursday night on the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration.

The event was organized by some of Trump's more prominent alt-right supporters.

Clarke, who is a registered Democrat, told the boisterous crowd of Republicans and Trump supporters that 'the left doesn't know what to do with me'.

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Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke told a crowd of Trump supporters on Thursday that he would only reach across an aisle to choke a Democrat rather than work with them

'You may know me, you may not. I am one of those bare-knuckle fighters,' he said.

'When I hear people say we need to reach across the aisle and work with the Democrats, you know what I say? The only reason I'll be reaching across the aisle is to grab one of them by the throat.

'And remind them that the American people have spoken... and they wanted Donald Trump to be the next president of the United States.'

His short speech was followed by the crowd repeatedly chanting 'Trump'.

The sheriff had earlier said in his speech that he asked Trump to put him in the trenches as he traveled the country during the election campaign visiting 39 states for the Republican candidate.

'I play smash mouth politics,' Clarke said.

The 'DeploraBall' at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. on Thursday night was organized by some of Trump's more prominent alt-right supporters

Clarke, who is a registered Democrat, aligned himself with Trump for his presidential campaign. They are pictured above at the Milwaukee County War Memorial in August 2016

Clarke was one of those to visit the president in Trump Tower in New York (pictured) when he was tipped to be under consideration to run the Department of Homeland Security

Clarke was one of those to visit the president in Trump Tower in New York prior to the inauguration as Trump was considering cabinet positions.

At the time, Clarke was tipped to be under consideration to run the Department of Homeland Security.

Following his speech on Thursday night, Clarke was asked by reporters if he had been offered a job with the Trump administration.

'I have a job and it is as sheriff of Milwaukee County,' he said.

Clarke is known for being opposed to the Black Lives Matter movement, which he has described as a 'domestic hate group' and 'black slime.'
Donald Trump is feeling the wrath of Twitter - again.

After posting 'I am honered to serve you, the great American People, as your 45th President of the United States!' he tweeted Saturday morning.

Thousands immediately pointed out that he had misspelled 'honored.' It took over ten minutes for the tweet to be corrected.

Twitter users had fun poking fun of the president.

Trump's first attempt to say he was honored to serve didn't go too well

'Kinda fitting he doesn't know how to spell honor, lol,' wrote Sam Morrison.

'Are you honered to be the most illiterate President of the United States?' cracked David Nuzzy Nussbaum.

'I have the best typos! Nobody has better typos than me! Sad!' wrote Jules Suzdaltsev, parroting Trump's usual bombastic style.

It was eventually corrected to 'honored' - this isn't the first time the president has misspelled a tweet

Before taking the oath of office on Friday, President-elect Donald Trump had to hand over his Android phone as the leader of the free world will have to tweet on a more secure device.

The New York Times reported that Trump swapped out his phone for a 'secure, encrypted device approved by the Secret Service with a new number that few people possess.'

This isn't the first time Trump has taken heat for his spelling mistakes.

In December, he railed on Twitter that China had ripped a research drone out of international waters in an 'unpresidented' act - which left him the butt of many jokes. It was soon corrected to 'unprecedented.'
He has been separating himself from his global real estate business, while he and wife Ivanka Trump make their move to Washington

Lawyers determined that the White House is not an 'executive agency' and is therefore exempt from restrictions on hiring in a 1967

Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, has been cleared to work at the White House by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel.

Kushner's appointment to senior advisor does not violate federal nepotism laws, lawyers at the Justice Department said.

They determined that the White House is not an 'executive agency' and is therefore exempt from restrictions on hiring in a 1967 law.

'In choosing his personal staff, the President enjoys an unusual degree of freedom, which Congress found suitable to the demands of his office,' the document claims.

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Jared Kushner, Donald Trump 's son-in-law, has been cleared to work at the White House by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. He's seen attending an inauguration prayer service this morning in Washington with two of his three children

He will have to divest himself of holdings that are considered a conflict of interest and fill out a financial disclosure form. And he will be unable to take actions that could benefit his businesses of that of his wife, Ivanka, pictured at Washington National Cathedral this morning

Ivanka Trump, her husband, Jared Kushner and their daughter Arabella stand on a balcony of the White House before departure for church on Saturday morning

The president's son-in-law will have to divest himself of holdings that are considered a conflict of interest and fill out a financial disclosure form. And he will be unable to take actions that could benefit his businesses of that of his wife, Ivanka.

A 14-page legal opinion released today indicated that he may also be eligible for pay, even though he agreed to forgo a salary.

Trump has praised Kushner a 'natural deal-maker.'

'If you cant produce peace in the Middle East, nobody can,' he told Kushner at Thursday evening dinner.

The new president previously told the Times of London, 'Jared is such a good kid and hell make a deal with Israel that no one else can.'

A press release announcing Kushner's appointment called him 'a tremendous asset and trusted advisor.'

'He has been incredibly successful, in both business and now politics,' Trump said. 'He will be an invaluable member of my team as I set and execute an ambitious agenda, putting the American people first.'

Kushner will essentially take on the same role that he held during the Republican president's campaign, completing a leadership trio that includes White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Chief Strategist Stephen Bannon.

Kellyanne Conway is also likely to have autonomy and direct access to Trump. She was his campaign manager in the general election and is serving as counselor to the president.

In the campaign, Kushner did not have a formal role but he was a constant presence at his father-in-law's side. He has acted as a gatekeeper to Trump in the transition and sat in on scores of high-level meetings, including Cabinet interviews.

He was in the Oval Office on Friday night when Trump signed a set of bills and an executive order.

A billionaire, just like Mr. Trump, Kushner is leaving his sprawling real estate business to clear a series of hurdles that would prevent him from accepting a government job.

Ivanka is stepping down her clothing and accessories brand to become a stay at home mom. She also resigned from her leadership post at the Trump Organization.

'My father will be president, and hopefully, I can be there to support him and to support those causes Ive cared about my whole professional career,' she told ABC News, suggesting she will also take on a role at the White House.

He and Ivanka have already found a home in Washington, in the pricey Kalorama neighborhood, just down the road from former President Barack Obama, where they will move with their three kids.

In the campaign, Kushner did not have a formal role but he was a constant presence at his father-in-law's side He was in the Oval Office on Friday night when Trump signed a set of bills and an executive order along with Vice President Mike Pence and Chief of Staff to the President Reince Priebus, right

Government ethics experts and watchdogs had said that Kushner's employment would violate 1967 law that has been interpreted as a response to President John F. Kennedy's appointment of his brother, Robert Kennedy, to attorney general.

Richard Painter, an ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush during his administration told the New York Times on Saturday, 'The law is ambiguous on this, particularly with respect to appointments by the president.

'I am not sure I agree with Justice, but it is a reasonable interpretation. But what is important now is that Mr. Kushner complies with the conflict of interest and disclosure provisions, and I wish his father-in-law, the president, would do the same.'

Kushner, who often has the last word with the his father-in-law before a major decision is made, has consulted with federal officials about resolving potential conflicts, according to his lawyer.

'Mr. Kushner is committed to complying with federal ethics laws and we have been consulting with the Office of Government Ethics regarding the steps he would take,' said Jamie Gorelick, a partner at the law firm of WilmerHale, in a statement after he was formally named a senior adviser.

'Although plans are not finalized, Mr. Kushner would resign from his position at Kushner Companies and divest substantial assets in accordance with federal guidelines.'

Gorelick said that Kushner 'would recuse from particular matters that would have a direct and predictable effect on his remaining financial interests. He would also abide by federal rules requiring impartiality in particular matters involving specific parties.'

He and Ivanka have already found a home in Washington, in the pricey Kalorama neighborhood, just down the road from former President Barack Obama, where they will move with their three kids

In finding this Washington, D.C., real estate, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump committed to playing a pivotal part in President-elect Donald Trump's administration

Kushner's challenges highlight a notable pattern for the new administration.

Government officials are being forced to divest and rearrange their financial portfolios to comply with federal ethics laws. Their boss is not required to do the same, Trump's lawyers have said.

As president, Trump is exempt from laws aimed at ensuring federal employees' personal financial interests do not influence their decisions, they've argued.

Nonetheless, the president has put distance between himself and his international real estate business that his adult sons, Eric and Don Jr., will run.

The Kushner Companies is a major real estate investor in New York, and elsewhere, as well. It participated in roughly $7 billion in acquisitions in the last decade.

Jared Kushner will divest his stake in a major Fifth Avenue skyscraper, his spokeswoman Risa Heller has said.

The property, 666 Fifth Avenue, was the subject of a meeting with the Chinese firm on November 16.

Kushner has spent months negotiating a redevelopment of that building with Anbang Insurance Group, a real estate giant with close ties to the Chinese government.
Boston police have released a photo of a man they say may have been near the detonation of an 'incendiary device' that exploded near a police cruiser on Friday.

An explosive device, described earlier as a propane tank, blew up near an unoccupied police cruiser around 8:20am, setting the vehicle on fire, in what police described as a deliberate act.

The man is wanted to see if he has any information about the explosion - he was wearing a pinkish or reddish winter parka and had the hood up

Police said the man may have been driving this dark-colored Toyota

Authorities released a blurry surveillance camera picture of a man in a reddish or pink winter parka, a grey sweatshirt, and black gloves.

Police also released a picture of a 'dark-colored Toyota' that they say the person in question may have been driving.

The man isn't described as a suspect but a 'Person Who May Have Been in the Area.'

Police Commissioner William Evans said no one was injured in the explosion in South Boston during Friday morning rush hour.

Evans said the federal Joint Terrorism Task Force has been called in to help with the investigation. He called the incident 'troubling.'

Engulfed in flames: Twitter user Tom Kujala captured a fire burning next to a Boston police cruiser after someone lobbed a propane tank at the parked vehicle

Burn: The explosion and fire in South Boston took place during the morning rush hour Friday

Boston Police gather at the scene after a burning propane tank was left near an unoccupied police cruiser in Boston

A Boston Police cruiser is marked with crime scene tape outside the scene on West Broadway

According to Evans, the propane tank was positioned between the decking for a bridge and the passenger side of the parked cruiser. He said police are studying surveillance videos from the area.

'We are going to find out who is responsible,' Evans said. 'We will get to the bottom of this.'

The empty police vehicle was parked on West Broadway, not far from a police station, when someone lobbed the propane tank at the vehicle at 8.15am.

An officer who was driving another cruiser in the area at the time spotted a fire next to the unoccupied cop car and was able to move it just before the propane tank blew up.

'I talked to the officer and he is shaken up,' Evans told Boston Herald.

The Boston division of the FBI said it is assisting police in the investigation.

The vehicle sustained only minor damage thanks to a quick-thinking cop who was able to move it away from the explosive device

Police believe the blast was a deliberate attack, which Police Commissioner William Evans called 'troubling'

'We are postured to provide any resources that are needed and we are working closely with the Boston Police Department in identifying who is responsible,' the FBI said in a statement.

Police were on high alert nationwide on Friday as Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. Activists have scheduled anti-Trump protests around the country, including in New York, Chicago and Boston.
President Trump's defense secretary, retired Marine General James Mattis took charge of the Pentagon on Saturday - and was saluted by a fellow member of the Corps.

Marine General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greeted him as he was driven to his office for the first time - a reunion for two Iraq veterans.

Mattis shook hands with Gen Dunford before being escorted inside the Pentagon where he is getting down to work.

Semper fidelis: Marine General Joseph 'Fighting Joe' Dunford salutes his former commanding officer, retired Marine General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis as he arrives at the Pentagon

Brothers in arms: Marine General Dunford was nicknamed 'Fighting Joe' when he served under Marine General James Mattis in Iraq - where the new defense secretary was known as 'Mad Dog'

Down to work: Mattis was sworn in at the first possible minute on Friday and arrived at the Pentagon on Saturday morning.

The two served together in Iraq, where Mattis led the 1st Marine division in 2003 and 2004.

Under his command was Dunford, first commanding the 5th Marine Regiment, then chief of staff for the division, and finally as assistant commander of the division,

Dunford earned the nickname 'Fighting Joe' and went on to hold a series of more senior roles, including Commandant of the Marine Corps, and became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in May 2015.

The two were re-united on the morning after Mattis became the first member of the Trump cabinet to be sworn in.

Vice President Mike Pence fetched retired Mattis and his fellow retired Marine General John Kelly and took them to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building so they could be 'immediately' sworn in as Defense and Homeland Security Secretaries, according to White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

That followed Trump's first two signatures in the Oval Office, officially commissioning them in their new positions.

Mattis became the U.S. secretary of Defense after he took the oath of office, which Pence himself administered. Kelly has taken over the Department of Homeland Security.

Mattis take the oath: The retired Marine General was sworn in by Vice-president Mike Pence immediately after Trump signed the waiver allowing the move into law

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK: MAD DOG MATTIS' MESSAGE TO THE FORCES Its good to be back and Im grateful to serve alongside you as Secretary of Defense. Together with the Intelligence Community we are the sentinels and guardians of our nation. We need only look to you, the uniformed and civilian members of the Department and your families, to see the fundamental unity of our country. You represent an America committed to the common good; an America that is never complacent about defending its freedoms; and an America that remains a steady beacon of hope for all mankind. Every action we take will be designed to ensure our military is ready to fight today and in the future. Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances. Further, we are devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, thereby earning the trust of Congress and the American people. I am confident you will do your part. I pledge to you Ill do my best as your Secretary. Advertisement

The Senate approved both men's nominations Friday afternoon and evening by overwhelming majorities.

Republicans arranged for a vote on Rep. Mike Pompeo to become director of the CIA on Monday, following an objection from Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a civil libertarian who is concerned about Pompeo's stance on electronic surveillance.

Mattis was confirmed by a 98-1 vote, with only New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand objecting.

Lawmakers had first passed a special waiver allowing Mattis, who retired in 2013, to serve before a customary seven-year limit on former military personnel assuming the Pentagon's top post.

Gillibrand maintained that the special carve-out was inappropriate, but it became the first law Trump signed as president.

In his first official statement, Trump said he was ' proud' to have Mattis and General John Kelly, who the Senate confirmed to Homeland Security, in his administration, calling them 'American heroes.'

In the Pentagon: The Senate passed James Mattis's nomination 98-1 - making him the first official member of Trump's cabinet

Controlling the borders: John Kelly was confirmed as Homeland Security 88-11

'I call on members of the Senate to fulfill their constitutional obligation and swiftly confirm the remainder of my highly qualified cabinet nominees, so that we can get to work on behalf of the American people without further delay,' Trump said in a White House statement.

Mattis has won accolades from both parties and many in the armed forces, and his path to the cabinet was relatively uncontroversial compared to that of many of Trump's other nominees.

A cornerstone of US democracy is that civilians, not people in uniform, control the military, and the commander-in-chief is the president.

Some in Congress initially raised eyebrows because Mattis, a 66-year-old Washington state native, had only retired from active duty in 2013.

Such a waiver was only granted once before, for the famous World War II General George Marshall who served under President Harry Truman from 1950-1951.

Mattis is known as a colorful commander and is famed for his pugnacious aphorisms. The media dubbed him 'Mad Dog' for his battle-hardened swagger and the sort of blunt language Marines are famous for.

He has been quoted as saying, 'Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.'

But Mattis also has a well-known cerebral side: he issued reading lists to Marines under his command, and instructed them that the most important territory on a battlefield is the space 'between your ears.'

While Mattis sailed through his confirmation, Democratic lawmakers are putting up stiff resistance to other Trump cabinet picks, including the proposed education secretary and the health and human services secretary nominee.

Mattis replaces Ashton Carter, a longtime Pentagon bureaucratic warrior who served as former president Barack Obama's fourth defense secretary.

Senators also confirmed John Kelly's nomination to lead the Homeland Security Department, 88-11.

Among Kelly's likely first assignments will be executing Trump's plans for the fate of a program that has protected more than 750,000 young immigrants from deportation.

If Trump keeps his campaign promises, Kelly's agency will be responsible for strengthening the screening of immigrants permitted to enter the U.S. His department also will be charged with finding additional resources to locate and deport people living here illegally.

Kelly says he's in favor of a wall at the Mexican border, but he says a physical barrier alone isn't enough to secure the 2,000-mile frontier.

Trump is signing documents to allow them to be sworn in immediately.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said he is 'positive and optimistic' that the policies of the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump will work in Britain's favour.

Mr Johnson, who is visiting Burma, said on Saturday he was 'very optimistic' that a trade deal could be done quickly with the new president, once Britain had left the European Union.

During his visit, Mr Johnson was photographed joining in with prayers, dances and bell-ringing services, as well as receiving gifts and laying flowers.

Boris Johnson is pictured here praying as he visits Shwedagon Pagoda, in Burma

The Foreign Secretary, who also offered flowers here as part of his visit, is optimistic of a trade deal with the USA

He is 'very optimistic' that a trade deal could be done quickly with the new president, once Britain had left the European Union

In his inaugural speech, Mr Trump declared he would put 'America first' in all his decisions.

But Mr Johnson added that whatever deal was done with the US 'it's got to work for the UK as well'.

He said: 'I think that the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line for a new trade deal and obviously that's extremely exciting and important.'

Mr Johson (pictured receiving a book) said that whatever deal was done with the US 'it's got to work for the UK as well'

He said: 'I think that the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line for a new trade deal and obviously that's extremely exciting and important' (pictured taking part in a dance routine)

He had earlier said billions of people were wishing Trump success in the 'very great challenges' ahead of him

He added: 'We in the United Kingdom will work hand in glove for the stability, the prosperity and the security of the world with President Donald Trump'

Trump promised 'America first' would become the central organizing principle around which his government is organized.

'We will follow two simple rules. Buy American and hire American,' Trump declared.

'America first,' a mantra that he put into common use as he campaigned for the White House, found some flesh on its bone Friday.

Despite Trump promising 'America first' would become the central organizing principle around which his government is organized, Boris is upbeat

He believes that the policies of the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump will work in Britain's favour

'Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration on foreign affairs, will be made to protect American workers and American families,' he said.

Earlier, Mr Johnson had said billions of people were wishing Trump success in the 'very great challenges' ahead of him.

He added: 'We in the United Kingdom will work hand in glove for the stability, the prosperity and the security of the world with President Donald Trump.'
Officer Mike Louviere, 26, was shot and killed after he stopped to help at the scene of a car crash while he was coming home from work

The man authorities say shot and killed his pregnant ex and a police officer who had tried to help her has died.

Sylvester Holt, 32, died hours after shooting himself in the chest during a standoff with authorities on a New Orleans bridge.

Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, said Holt was pronounced dead at 11.14pm Friday at University Hospital.

Authorities said Holt shot himself in the chest Friday evening after threatening for hours to jump off a bridge spanning the Mississippi River.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said during talks with authorities on the bridge Holt admitted shooting Westwego Police Officer Michael Louviere, 26, and Simone Veal, 32, the woman Holt had been romantically involved with.

Sylvester Holt, left, is lifted off the ledge of the Crescent City Connection by an officer on Friday. He was pronounced dead last night approximately six hours after he shot himself

Holt, pictured left, shot himself once in the chest on Friday evening. Holt is believed to have shot Simone Veal and off-duty Louisiana police officer Mike Louviere, 26, pictured right

'He indicated he had a pretty good idea they were dead,' the sheriff said at a news conference Friday night.

Police said Veal was his ex girlfriend but according to the New Orleans Advocate Veal and Holt married in 2012.

Normand said Holt had recently found out she was pregnant with her new boyfriend.

The incident began Friday morning when Holt went to Veal's house.

An altercation ensued during which he shot her several times.

Rescue workers went down to get Holt, who was on a girder below and to the side of the bridge roadway when the shooting happened

Holt is seen pleading with officers while standing on a ledge of the Crescent City Connection before he was hoisted to safety

During negotiations Holt shot himself once in the chest, according to trooper Dustin Dwight. Pictured: Holt being brought to safety

Holt then looked for Veal's boyfriend as the woman fled in a car with Holt eventually catching up to her.

Normand said: 'Witnesses said Sylvester Holt was ramming his truck into Simone's car and firing shots into the car' before the vehicles stopped at the intersection where Louviere found them.

The officer had just gotten off duty and was on his way home when he pulled over to help around 5.30am Friday morning.

Veal's car was significantly damaged and she was on the ground, Normand said.

Holt then shot Louviere in the head as well.

Normand said of Louviere: 'He was doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time.'

Holt is seen speaking with officers during the standoff. During the negotiations 'he indicated he had a pretty good idea they were dead', police said at a news conference Friday night

Holt had previously been romantically involved with Veal and had recently found out she was pregnant with a new boyfriend's child. Pictured: Holt during the standoff

Louisiana authorities say Veal had been chased down in a vehicle by the shooter, who killed her as she lay on the ground after crashing her car. Pictured: the crime scene

Holt later fled the scene, and an intense manhunt ensued.

Authorities later spotted Holt on a bridge spanning New Orleans' east and west banks.

Louisiana State Police spokeswoman Melissa Matey said authorities spent hours negotiating with Holt.

She said: 'All those attempts failed. At approximately 5:30, Holt shot himself in the chest.'

Holt had clung to the Crescent City Connection bridge as officers dropped a rope to him and tried to talk him down before he shot himself.

Trooper Dustin Dwight said Holt was taken to University Medical Center, the area's Level 1 trauma center, after shooting himself once in the chest.

If Holt had survived, he would have faced first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Veal, 32, and Louviere, 26, plus a charge of feticide, Normand said.

Louviere is survived by his wife and two children. He had served in the Westwego Police Department since July 2015 and formerly served as a Marine in Afghanistan

This was not Holt's first run-in with the law.

He was the subject of restraining orders obtained by several women since 2012, Normand said.

And he'd also been arrested in September after being accused of rape.

But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her.

Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7.

Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual.

Louviere, a first-year officer who had led his recruit class, may have spoken to Holt before Holt pulled a gun, Normand said.

According to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch Louviere helped patrol Baton Rouge after the deadly shootings in that city and helped patrol neighboring Denham Springs after August's historic flooding.

Munch said he had also served with the Marines in Afghanistan and was a rising star likely bound for a job at a larger agency.

'We knew we wouldn't have him for long. We just didn't know he would be gone this soon,' Munch said.

Louviere is survived by his wife, and their daughter, 4, and son, 1.

Friday's shooting comes after a sharp increase last year in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty  including a pair of deadly ambushes in Louisiana and Texas.

On July 7, a sniper in Dallas killed five law enforcement officers and wounded nine others at the end of what had been a peaceful rally against police brutality.

Less than two weeks later, a lone gunman shot and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in an attack outside a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convenience store.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested a man accused of fatally shooting an Orlando, Florida, police officer outside a WalMart on January 9.
Scarlett Johansson was left fuming when her emotional speech at the Women's March was cut short after she mentioned Ivanka Trump.

The Hollywood actress was at the height of her speech asking listeners to support clinics such as Planned Parenthood when music started playing and her mic was turned off on Saturday.

She was visibly annoyed that her impassioned plea was cut off after she requested Trump to offer her daughter the same 'privileges' that were available to Ivanka Trump while she was growing up.

Scarlett Johansson was left looking angry when her emotional speech at the Women's March was cut short after she mentioned Ivanka Trump on Saturday

The Hollywood actress was at the height of her speech asking listeners to support clinics such as Planned Parenthood when music started playing and her mic was turned off

Johansson was seven minutes into her speech when music started playing and her microphone was promptly cut off.

The 32-year-old gave a wry laugh to the audience and turned around to give a half-hearted smile to where the music was coming from.

She looked back to the crowd to wait for the sound to subdue but when she realized her microphone was muted, she shrugged with her hands up and backed away from the podium.

A friend waiting for Johansson seemed to say to the star, 'what just happened?'.

Johansson (left) was visibly annoyed that her impassioned plea was ended after she requested Trump to offer her daughter the same 'privileges' that were available to Ivanka Trump (right) while she was growing up

She was seven minutes into her speech when music started playing and her microphone was promptly cut off

She later looks annoyed as she flips through note cards of her speech on the side of the stage.

In the mother-of-one's plea to Trump, she asked the president to support her daughter in allowing her the same privileges Ivanka Trump had during her youth.

Johansson said: 'Support my daughter, who may actually as a result of the appointments you have made, grow up in a country that is moving backwards, not forwards, and potentially may not.'

During her speech, the actress said that she didn't vote for Trump but she wanted to be able to support the president. The only way for her to do that is if he supported women's rights.

She said: 'President Trump, I did not vote for you. That said, I respect that you are our president-elect and I want to be able to support you. First, I ask that you support me.'
Animal rights activists are using drones to spy on farms  causing distress and possible harm to livestock, farmers say.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) says campaigners are flying remote-control aerial machines above its members property for surveillance.

The activists are breaking the law if the drones come within 150ft of a person or a building.

Pigs will charge and run as a herd when scared, destroying electric fences and escaping on to roads

Farmers believe it may lead to serious injuries for staff, animals or the public.

There has been a particular problem at pig farms and abattoirs where protesters have demonstrated and tried to disrupt business.

Drones have also been used to observe chicken and dairy farms, and find badger traps to sabotage during the cull.

Farmers worry animals may be alarmed by the sight and sound of a drone. Pigs will charge and run as a herd when scared, destroying electric fences and escaping on to roads. Pregnant sows can abort piglets through the shock.

Chickens can panic, mistaking a drone for a bird of prey. They will flock together, and if stressed and pushed they can suffocate.

The NFUs Rupert Weaver said: Farmers are reporting a lot of problems with drones. Animals are unpredictable and you just dont know how they are going to react. There are some who are deliberately using drones maliciously while others have not thought of the dangers.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) says campaigners are flying remote-control aerial machines above its members property for surveillance

Des Allen, a pig farmer from Coddington, Nottinghamshire, told the NFU council last week that activists were the bane of our life. He said: My guys are confident they have had drones looking at us. [Drones] are a serious problem and they are invading our privacy.

Albert Carter, of Alton, Hampshire, said his sheep had been disturbed by a drone. I didnt see anyone  that is the trouble. The sheep were spinning in circles. This was 100 per cent deliberate. Police were told but no one was arrested.

Farming leaders are calling for further restrictions on drones.
Theresa May is preparing to present a bill to parliament that would allow her to begin Brexit.

Ministers expect the Supreme Court on Tuesday to reject the government's appeal against the High Court ruling that MPs must vote before Article 50 can be triggered.

This will mean the government will not have the power to begin Brexit without consulting parliament so will need to pass a law giving permission.

Theresa May is preparing present a bill to parliament that would allow her to begin Brexit

Four draft versions of this bill are being prepared and which one is presented will depend on what the 11 judges of the Supreme Court say on Tuesday.

It is thought that the easiest way for the bill to be passed would be to keep it as simple as possible by focussing only on whether or not the government should trigger Article 50.

This is because even staunchly pro-EU MPs have acknowledged that the will of people must be carried out and the process of leaving the EU must begin - even if they can't agree on what sort of Brexit they want.

Other drafts are slightly more complicated and will seek permission for the government to remove the UK from more than a dozen EU agencies  such as Euratom which deals with energy policy.

A government minister told The Telegraph: 'There are around four drafts. They all basically say the same thing  giving the government the power to affect withdrawal from the European Union.

'Even though the draftsmen have prepared drafts, we're not regarding any of them as final until we know what the judgement says.

Investment manager Gina Miller (right) has been the lead claimant in the legal fight to get Parliament to vote on whether the UK can start the process of leaving the EU

'We have no idea what the judges are going to say. The wording of the judgments is of extreme importance.'

The law is expected to pass through the Commons but may get held up in the Lords where the Conservatives do not have a majority and pro-EU Labour and Lib Dem peers could slow the process.

If the Supreme Court rules as expected on Tuesday, it would be a personal victory for Gina Miller, the lead claimant in the legal fight to get Parliament to vote before Brexit.

Ms Miller launched the Brexit legal case with London-based Spanish hairdresser Deir Dos Santos and the People's Challenge group, set up by Grahame Pigney and backed by a crowd-funding campaign.

The Supreme Court is expected on Tuesday to reject the government's appeal against its ruling that MPs must vote before article 50 can be triggered

They argued the government could not invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty - starting the formal process of the UK leaving the EU - without seeking approval from parliament.

The news comes as Theresa May prepares to fly out to Washington to meet President Donald Trump next week.

The Prime Minister, who was the tenth world leader to be phoned by Trump after his election, could become the first to meet the President after his inauguration yesterday.

She is expected to fly out to Washington DC next week and stay for a couple of days, although no details of the visit have yet been released.
A Georgia pediatric nurse who survived a crash but lost five of her classmates when a truck crashed into their vehicle wept in court as she was awarded $15million.

Megan Richards, 22, was riding with six other students from Georgia Southern University in April 2015 when truck driver John Wayne Johnson, who was driving 70mph, failed to stop for a long line of stopped traffic ahead of him. He smashed into the students' car on Interstate 16 near Savannah, killing five of the seven occupants.

Nearly two years after a truck driver caused a seven-car crash killing five Georgia Southern University nursing students, a jury has awarded a survivor $15 million in a civil suit

He was sentenced to five years in prison and five years probation as part of a plea deal.

Richards only spent one day at a hospital, but was then taken to a treatment center, reported Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Total Transportation of Mississippi and its parent company, U.S. Express, were ordered to pay the amount after deliberating for four hours on Friday.

Richards testified in court that she suffered from PTSD and nightmares.

Megan Richards, 22, was injured in the crash and still suffers flashbacks, bad dreams, and insomnia, she said in court

Truck driver John Wayne Johnson (pictured last year in court), 57, took a plea deal this summer and has been sentenced to five years in prison

The vehicle the seven students were riding in was decimated by a truck driven by John Wayne Johnson

Megan said she wonders why she was one of the survivors and that she hopes that she can make a difference with her nursing work

The truck was owned by Total Transportation and its parent company, US Express

'I would pray all the time because I thought I was going to die young,' she said.

She said she still struggles with the fact that five of her friends died while she survived.

'I stay hopeful. I'm a Christian and I believe that maybe I did live for a reason and he'll help me and I'll make a big difference as a nurse, but sometimes I can't help but think about how it's changed me and how hard it will be,' she said. Richards is now a pediatric nurse.

Johnson said he did not know why he failed to put on his breaks as he approached a traffic jam at high speed

Johnson apologized to Richards and her family. The driver said he couldn't explain why he hadn't stopped, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Originally, Richards' lawyers asked for 'no less than' $25million, but the jury shaved $10million off that.

'We said we would pay her medical expenses,' company lawyer David Dial said when arguing for a lower amount. 'We dont dispute it. We owe her that.'

Roommate Caroline Coon testified that Richards still suffers after effects of the crash.

Parents Mandy Richards (left) and Dalton Richards (right) said their daughter was still struggling with PTSD and insomnia almost two years after the crash

Emily Clark (pictured), 20, of Powder Springs, also died in the April 2015 crash

'She is scared to sleep along because her dreams are so scary and she wakes up in a puddle of sweat and shes dreaming about the girls in the car with her. She has this fear of dying and she doesnt like to be alone when she sleeps.'

According to Richards' parents, because of insomnia, she napped much of the day, and had to take medication.

She wants the firm to recognize the full extent of her injuries, according to her parents, who said the 21-year-old had to be put on medication and still napped for the better part of the day due to her persistent insomnia.

'You don't expect to bring your kid back in the house and have her bed right beside you and taking care of her in a lot of pain. You don't want to see your kids go through this,' Megan's father, Dalton Richards, told WSB-TV.

Georgia Southern University nursing students Abbie Deloach (left), 21, of Savannah, and Morgan Bass (right), 20, of Leesburg, died in the horrific car crash near Savannah

The trucking company had already settled more than $70 million's worth of civil suits from the victims' families.

But Richard's case is the only out of seven civil suits to go to court, WSB-TV wrote.

Georgia Southern University has established the School of Nursing Students Memorial Fund to honor the five women who died.
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A visibly upset White House press secretary Sean Spicer made journalists wait an hour on Saturday for a five-minute tongue lashing about 'deliberately false reporting' that he said has already become commonplace in the 30-hour-old Trump presidency.

Spicer blasted the White House press corps over a pair of tweets, criticized their coverage of President Donald Trump's afternoon visit with CIA employees, and upbraided them for their editors' decisions to report unconfirmed crowd-counts from Friday's inauguration.

'This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration  period!  both in person and around the globe,' Spicer claimed.

He insisted that no official numbers are available, despite some news outlets' reporting that the total audience in Washington, D.C. was approximately 250,000.

'No one had numbers,' Spicer declared, 'because the National Park Service, which controls the National Mall, does not put any out.'

White House press secretary Sean Spicer gave reporters a five-minute tongue lashing on Saturday about 'deliberately false reporting' that he said has already become commonplace in the 30-hour-old Trump presidency

Attack: The new president spoke at CIA headquarters where he was meeting leaders of the intelligence community - but spoke about how many watched him, saying the claim it was 250,000 was 'a beauty'. He may not have been aware the figure was provided by his own National Park Service

Trump tweeted on Sunday that his inauguration was watched by 31 million - almost 11 million more than Obama's second inauguration in 2013. He fails to mention that Obama's first inauguration was viewed by millions more, both in person, and in TV ratings with 38 tuning in for the 2009 event

Nielson, a global information company which tracks the viewing audience of all inaugurations, released its final numbers on Donald Trump's White House induction - at 30.9 million viewers.

The number is an impressive amount - though not nearly enough to earn him the title of 'largest audience to ever witness an inauguration'. In fact, based off of television audiences alone, it ranks him as the fifth most viewed inauguration ceremony since the numbers began being tallied, and seven million less than Obama's first inauguration in 2009.

The pugnacious Trump spokesman boasted that at least 720,000 were present, walking reporters through the crowd capacities of areas along the length of the National Mall, which stretches from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument.

'From the platform where the president was sworn in, to Fourth Street, holds about 250,000 people,' he said.

'From Fourth Street to the media tent is about another 220,000. And from the media tent to the Washington monument, another 250,000 people.'

'All of this space was full when the president took the oath of office,' Spicer told reporters.

Aerial photos from Friday appear to refute this claim, but the press secretary maintained that the digital images that traveled around the world were little more than a trick of the eye.

'This was the first time in our nation's history that floor coverings have been used to protect the grass on the Mall, he said, referring to white-colored areas that appeared in photos. 'That had the effect of highlighting any areas where people were not standing, while in years past the grass eliminated this visual.'

'This was also the first time that fencing and magnetometers went as far back on the [Mall], preventing hundreds of thousands of people from being able to access the Mall as quickly as they had in inaugurations past.'

Despite Spicer's claims, photographs from Obama's inauguration in 2013 clearly show workers laying mats to protect the lawn on the National Mall.

Spicer did not cite any evidence for the claim that 'hundreds of thousands' were unable to enter security checkpoints.

A U.S. Secret Service spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday evening.

In addition, photographs of the National Mall from Obama's 2013 inauguration show white tarpaulins covering large swaths of the Mall, refuting Spicer's claim that 'floor coverings' seen Friday were a new phenomenon.

Further down the mall: This was the view towards the Washington Monument, taken from a platform a few hundred yards from the East Portico of the Capitol

 Slide me  The historic National Mall during Trump's inauguration (left). At Obama's 2009 inauguration (right) there was an estimated 1.8million people in attendance despite the below freezing weather. How many actually turned up for Trump is now in dispute

Spicer blasted the White House press corps over a pair of tweets, criticized their coverage of Trump's afternoon visit with CIA employees, and upbraided them for decisions to report unconfirmed crowd-counts from Friday's inauguration

Workers were pictured laying down special mats to protect the lawn for Barack Obama's inauguration in 2013. Trump's press secretary had claimed on Saturday that mats were used for the first time in 2017

Spicer also noted that Washington's Metro mass-transit system recorded 420,000 riders on Friday, 'which actually compares to 317,000 that used it for President Obama's last inaugural.'

He did not mention the possibility that many of those riders were navigating around the Washington metropolitan area in advance Saturday's women's march  an anti-Trump event.

However The New York Times claims there were 782,000 riders on Washingtons subway system on Inauguration Day in 2013, compared to 571,000 riders this year, according to figures from the Washington-area transit authority.

But he warned against 'any attempts to try to count the number of protesters today' by using aerial photos.

Most TV networks concluded on Saturday that the feminist marchers outdrew the president in Washington. In addition, simultaneous marches in dozens of other cities boosted likely participation number well over 1 million.

But Trump's inauguration was seen on television from wire to wire by a far larger number of people around the globe, fascinated by the billionaire who rose to power with an improbable populist message, and followed through on Friday by pledging a return of federal government power 'to the people.'

Another unfortunate comparison: First the National Park Service tweeted this unflattering comparison of 2009 and 2017, as well as criticism of the new White House for deleting parts of its website on gay rights and climate change - then on Saturday it tweeted a large apology. A Washington insider told DailyMail.com: 'You can translate that as 'please don't cancel our budget.''

Trump (pictured leaving the CIA) launched his own attack on the 'dishonest' media earlier in the day at CIA headquarters

Trump's comments prompted outrage from former CIA Director John Brennan, according to his former deputy chief of staff

The new president launched his own attack on the 'dishonest' media earlier in the day at CIA headquarters, telling employees of the spy agency that reported attendance numbers for his swearing-in dramatically undershot the truth.

His declaration suggested that he believes one unnamed television network may have aired an overhead image shot long before the ceremony began.

'We had a massive field of people. You saw that. Packed,' he told the CIA workers.

'I get up this morning, I turn on one of the networks, and they show an empty field. I said, 'Wait a minute! I made a speech! I looked out. The field was  it looked like a million, a million and a half people!''

'It looked honestly  it looked like a million and a half people,' Trump said. 'Whatever it was, it was. But it went all the way back to the Washington Monument.'

'And I turn on the thing, and by mistake I get this network, and it showed an empty field. And it said we drew 250,000 people.

'Now, that's not bad,' Trump continued, 'but it's a lie.'

'We had 250,000 people literally around - you know, in the little bowl we constructed. That was 250,000 people. The rest of the, you know, 20-block area back to the Washington Monument was packed. So we caught them. And we caught them in a beauty. And I think they're going to pay a big price.

Former CIA director John Brennan said he was 'deeply saddened and angered' at Trump's remarks made at CIA headquarters, according to his former deputy chief of staff.

'Former CIA Director Brennan is deeply saddened and angered at Donald Trump's despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of CIA's Memorial Wall of Agency heroes,' Nick Shapiro said in a statement.

'Brennan says that Trump should be ashamed of himself.'

Washington Post political reporter Karen Tumulty was one of many to tweet about Spicer's press conference on Saturday

Brian Fallon, who would have been White House press secretary if Hillary Clinton had won, criticized Sean Spicer's press conderence

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts on Friday morning

How Trump saw it:This was the view from the East Portico of the Capitol shortly before the Obamas arrived. The Trumps followed them for the swearing in

Pictured: At Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration, attendance at the National Mall was filled with hundreds of thousands of people gathered to witness America's first African-American president being sworn in

In his afternoon diatribe, Spicer also took issue with a Time magazine reporter's erroneous report that the president had removed a bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from the Oval Office after former president Barack Obama departed.

He called it 'a particularly egregious example' of false reporting.

'After it was pointed out that this was just plain wrong, the reporter casually reported, tweeted out, and tried to claim that a Secret Service agent must have just been standing in front of it,' Spicer said.

'This was irresponsible and reckless.'

Trump had also teed up the issue, identifying the reporter by his first name as he addressed the CIA audience in Virginia.

'It was right there!' the president said of the King bust. 'But there was a cameraman that was in front of it.'

Trump said he 'would never' remove the bust of the late civil rights leader from his office 'because I had great respect for Dr. Martin Luther King.'

'But this is how dishonest the media is,' he jabbed.

'Now, big story. But the retraction was like, where? Was it a line? Or do they even bother putting it in?'

'But I only like to say that because I love honesty,' said Trump. 'I like honest reporting.'
The 17-year-old suspected gunman at an Ohio school shooting has been named.

Prosecutors are seeking to charge Ely Ray Serna, the shooting suspect, as an adult for numerous charges including attempted murder, felonious assault, improper discharge of a firearm, inducing panic and illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon in a school.

Serna stands accused of using a Mossberg Model 500 12-gauge shotgun to shoot two students at West Liberty Salem High School, Champaign County Prosecutor Kevin Talebi said.

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Prosecutors seek to charge Ely Ray Serna, 17, as an adult for multiple charges including attempted murder and felonious assault

Serna stands accused of using a Mossberg Model 500 12-gauge shotgun to shoot two students at West Liberty Salem High School

Logan Cole, 16, was shot multiple times at the school in Salem Township as Serna allegedly opened fire in the hallways on Friday morning, the Springfield News Sun reported.

Another unidentified student was struck but sustained a non life-threatening injury, WHIO reported.

Serna, a fellow student, was pinned to the ground by staff members and taken into custody without incident, police said.

Logan Cole, 16, was shot multiple times at the West Liberty Salem High School as Ely Ray Serna, 17, opened fire in the hallways on Friday morning

Serna is in custody after Cole was shot Friday morning at West Liberty-Salem High School in West Liberty. Pictured: Parents picking up their children

Students said they heard gunshots break out on the K-12 school campus about 50 miles outside of Columbus just as classes began on Friday morning.

Cole was wounded with a shotgun and taken to the Nationwide Children's Hospital in critical condition although family members say he has stabilized.

Staff members at the school restrained Serna and minimized the number of victims until deputies arrived at the scene, according to 10TV.

Cole was not the intended target of the shooting, which was meant to harm more people, Champaign County Sheriff Matthew Melvin said.

Students said they heard gunshots break out on the campus on the K-12 school campus just as classes began on Friday morning

Cole remains in the hospital in critical but stable condition. Serna was taken into custody without incident. Both were students at the school

Courtesy WHIO

Cole's family released a statement that solicited prayers for Cole, as well as the gunman and his family.

It read: ' We are thankful for the Lords protective hand on our son. We are also grateful for the outpouring of support from our family, friends, and community.

'We would like to ask for continued prayers for Logan. Also, wed like to encourage prayer for the community, the other student, and his family.

'We are certain they have been deeply hurt as well. We are confident that God has a purpose and plan through this tragedy.'

Cole was not the intended target of the shooting, which was meant to harm more people, Champaign County Sheriff Matthew Melvin said. Pictured, deputies giving a press conference

The school was on lockdown for several hours and students were transported on buses to the Lions Club Ball Park about three miles away, where they were picked up by friends and family.

A State Highway Patrol spokesman says troopers were helping parents with student pickups as the sheriff's office handles the investigation.

The superintendent's office didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

A student, Avery Seymour, told WDNT, she heard gun shots but thought it was noise from nearby construction.
More than 1.5 million homes have been left blighted by botched cavity insulation work carried out to meet Government energy targets, experts say.

Properties across Britain have suffered dampness and mould, causing smells, crumbling plaster and stained walls. In some cases, the value of homes has plunged.

The Government scheme was meant to make homes more energy-efficient but some owners say their bills have increased since having the cavity wall insulation work done

The scheme, funded by a green tax on household gas and electricity bills, was meant to cut emissions and reduce charges by making homes more energy-efficient.

But experts claim that many homes were simply not suitable for retrofitting cavity wall insulation, while others were in parts of Britain where weather conditions should have precluded its use.

Some people have been left suicidal

Millions were persuaded to sign up to the scheme by the promise of cheaper bills from call-centre staff and door-to-door salesmen employed by energy firms obliged to meet Government targets.

A survey of 250,000 properties by thermal-imaging company IRT found the addition of cavity wall insulation to existing homes had failed to work in a quarter of cases and problems in half the homes it surveyed. Some owners even saw bills rise.

With more than six million properties having had the treatment since 1995, this suggests that as many as 1.5 million are affected.

Campaigners claim some people are suicidal after their properties were left riddled with damp patches and mould as a result of botched fitting, which can take thousands of pounds to put right.

Among the victims are Helen Thomson, from Cornwall, whose farmhouse suffered such serious problems after cavity wall insulation was installed that 30,000 of repairs are needed.

Helen Thomson shows off the walls at her home in Cornwall which were left damp by cavity wall insulation

And Deborah Wassell, of Southampton, had her insulation removed after furniture went mouldy and her son suffered asthma attacks.

Pauline Saunders, who set up Cavity Wall Insulation Victims Alliance after problems at her home in Newport, South Wales, said: Weve been inundated with people whose homes have been ruined. It has got so bad for some that they have been left feeling suicidal.

'Even if half the findings of the study are true, more than a million peoples homes will have problems.

Last month, Ministers published a report which admitted there were too many poor-quality installations by companies which do not have the skills required.

Stephen Hodgson, of the Government-endorsed Property Care Association, said some homes were simply not suitable for the work as their design meant the insulation  which is pumped into walls via holes drilled into the exterior brickwork  acts as a bridge for moisture to cross the cavity into the house.

He said: Contractors were desperate to mop up vast sums of money made available by energy firms on the back of Government green targets.

Under Government rules introduced in 1994, energy firms must help improve the efficiency of their customers homes, with costs added as a levy to all household fuel bills. The cost is around four per cent on top of an energy bill  equivalent to 47 per year on average.

Experts claim that many homes were simply not suitable for retrofitting cavity wall insulation

Many householders told The Mail on Sunday of difficulties getting compensation from the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA), which was set up to pay for repairs caused by botched work. Experts also say its 18 million fund is not enough but the agencys chief executive Nigel Donohue insisted: Customer satisfaction rates are up.

Neil Marshall, chief executive of the National Insulation Association, disputed IRTs findings. He said: These figures are widely inaccurate as thermal cameras in isolation are ill-equipped to assess the effectiveness of cavity wall insulation.

However, he admitted that at least 13,000 of the six million CIGA-guaranteed homes had reported problems.

An Energy Department spokesman said that Government programmes required companies installing insulation to be accredited and to provide a guarantee.
A woman who asked her community on social media for help finding the mystery man she met on a plane trip has found him.

Tiffany Beese, from New Zealand, sat next to the man with 'bright eyes, short brown hair and a red stone necklace' during a trip from Melbourne on January 5.

The 50-year-old Wellington woman said she felt an instant connection with the man but never asked for his name or number - so she turned to Facebook for help.

And just four days later, Ms Beese and the man enjoyed a meal and beer at a pub.

Tiffany Beese (pictured) who asked her community on social media for help finding the mystery man she met on a plane trip has found him

The pair were reunited after the man's two brothers, who both live in Upper Hutt, stumbled across her heart-felt appeal on Facebook.

She told NZ Herald the pair talked for hours because they shared similar interests. Ms Beese said she did not want to provide his name because he's a 'private person'.

Ms Beese said she has met a lot of people on flights during her travels - but the connection she felt with the particular man was different.

'This is the first one that went "actually I need to pursue this"... It wasn't anything weird or anything crazy. It was just: "I just have to ask",' she said.

'I just felt either I needed to learn something from him or there was a reason why I had to get in contact with him.

'I don't like living with regrets and I would have regretted the "What if?" Whether it could have either turned out good or bad, or whatever it is, at least I've answered my "What if?"'

Despite keeping in contact, Ms Beese said it was too soon to determine if the pair will pursue a relationship or remain just friends.

Ms Beese feared she missed out on finding love after she met a man on a plane trip recently

This comes after she launched a social media campaign to find the man  fearing she may have let true love slip through her fingers.

The romantic Facebook post was directed to the community of Upper Hutt where she believes the mystery man to have family.

'I flew in from Melbourne to Wellington on the 5th January last Thursday and I sat next to a man, bright eyes short brown hair with silver showing on the side, quite tall over 5'10'', wearing a Tree of life necklace with a red stone with the Latin translation ''vicci ..'',' she wrote.

'We got on like old friends and talked really easily as if we had known each other for years.'

The man told her he has two brothers in Upper Hutt and one on the Gold Coast in Australia  but his heart was set on living off-the-grid in Hokitika.

'My soul cried ''do something'',' Ms Beese said - so she posted this message on social media

The woman was on a plane from Melbourne to Wellington on January 5

'I believe he was brought up in Greymouth. He is about 45-ish,' she said.

The woman asked anyone who knew the man to get in touch with her  even appealing to the man himself.

'So I am appealing to the residents of Upper Hutt if you know this man or even if you yourself is reading this. If you too felt a connection please reply to this post.
Pearl Moen, now 18, was sentenced to 15 years for the attempted stabbing murder of a random woman she saw in a park

A teenager who said it was 'fantastic' to stab a stranger was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday.

Pearl Moen, who was 17 years old at the time of the attack on November 14, 2015, pleaded guilty to the attack where she hid in the bushes in Hyde Park, in Austin, Texas, and then pounced on a female stranger.

The victim was relaxing on a blanket just after 7.15am, reported The Statesman.

Moen stabbed the unidentified victim 21 times and collapsed her right lung. The victim said she was able to save herself since she is a nurse.

Moen gloated in her diary about the attack, writing, 'I stabbed an innocent woman to death earlier today (well yesterday since its 1 a.m.) ... It was absolutely fantastic. Murder gives me a high unlike any other. It feels like this crisp unreality, flashing and sparkling, adrenaline and shock, fight or flight mode.'

The perpetrator, whose full name is Pearl Ophelia Sybel Selke Scott Moen, described in her diary how the victim fought back.

The victim, who has not given the media her name, said that Moen was 'smiling' when she set upon her with a knife

She showed KXAN where the teen had stabbed her multiple times in the arm and shoulder, collapsing her lung

'I'm so proud of myself. I stabbed her like 20 times. Maybe more. I wasn't counting. She screamed and grabbed at me, saying, What the (expletive)?! Help. Leave.'

Moen called herself a 'homicidal maniac' who has a 'deep hatred of people.'

The victim said she was able to survive because she could fight back and also she was a nurse who was able to give herself medical attention - she was stabbed in the shoulder, chest, and arm

The victim said that Moen was smiling as she stabbed her.

At the time, Moen had a long history of drug use and psychiatric issues, but no criminal record.

'I always thought she would walk around with guilt, but knowing she had this joy and this pride is very unsettling,' the victim told KXAN.

Moen attended the Austin School for Performing and Visual Arts until fall of 2013 when she left to be home schooled, reported KVUE.

At the sentencing, the victim spoke directly to her attacker, saying, she was 'glad the defendant stabbed [me] rather than a child, an elderly person or someone who could not defend themselves.'

During the attack, the victim managed to rip off a gold ring the 'homicidal' teen was wearing around her neck. 'It was ripped off by a girl I was murdering. Fate is weird,' Moen wrote in her diary.

The ring, which was covered in blood, was found near the crime scene, helping police identify the perpetrator.

Police were stumped by the bizarre random attempted murder for months until the teen's mother contacted police saying that her daughter had tried to stab her, and showing them the diary she had found with its incriminating passages, reported Austin-American Statesman.

Moen's boyfriend also told police that the teen had joked about the Hyde Park stabbing and pretended to stab him with one of her many knives.

The teen had also sketched the scene of the crime, including the victim lying on a blanket in the park.

The victim, who has not released her name to the media, told Fox 7 she had to have a five hour surgery to repair tendons in her arm.
President-elect Donald Trump took his generalized attack on the 'dishonest media' to a more personal level by launching a direct swipe on a reporter who sent out an erroneous report that he had removed a statue of Martin Luther King from the Oval Office.

Trump delivered a monologue about Oval Office statuary during remarks at the CIA headquarters, where he blasted the media as 'the most dishonest human beings on earth' in meandering comments where he also talked about the size of his inaugural crowd.

After saying he supports the intelligence community '1,000 per cent' and saying he sometimes feels like he's 30 years old, Trump brought up reports from Friday night that he had reinstalled a bust of Winston Churchill inside the office.

Then he mentioned a false pool report from a White House correspondent who sent out incorrect information that a statue of MLK, prompting stories in several outlets. A pool report said the statue had been removed from the Oval Office, when in fact the reporter later said it was merely being obscured by a door and an agent when Trump brought in media members in while he signed documents.

President-elect Donald Trump spoke at the CIA Saturday, where after speaking about global issues spoke about an erroneous media report that he had removed a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King from the Oval Office

'We had another yesterday which was interesting. In the Oval Office. There is a beautiful statue of Dr. Martin Luther King,' Trump said. 'And I also happen to like Churchill, Winston Churchill, I think most of us like Churchill. He doesn't come from our country but had a lot to do with it, helped us,' Trump said.

'And the Churchill statue was taken out  the bust  and as you also probably have read, the prime minister is coming over to our country very shortly. And they wanted to know if I'd like it back. And I said, "absolutely," but in the meantime we have a bust of Churchill,' Trump continued.

Then me mentioned that he had been on the cover of Time Magazine '14 or 15 times' which he called 'an all time record,' as he made his way to bashing Time reporter Zeke Miller, who had authored the report.

'They said, and it was very interesting, that "Donald Trump took down the bust, the statue, of Dr. Martin Luther King." And it was right there! But there was a cameraman that was in front of it,' Trump said.

WATCHING OVER HIM: President Donald Trump has reinstalled a bust of Winston Churchill inside the Oval Office. The sculpture was removed after President Obama took office in 2009. Trump has also rearranged and removed furniture from the Oval Office - adding gold curtains and changing up the chair behind the Resolute Desk

'So Zeke  Zeke  from Time magazine writes a story about, [saying] I took down. 'I would never do that because I had great respect for Dr. Martin Luther King.'

'But this is how dishonest the media is,' Trump complained. 'Now, big story. But the retraction was like, where? Was it a line?'

Trump's attack on the press was echoed by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who mentioned the same incident and accused reporters of 'sowing division about tweets and false narratives.'

Spicer took to the White House briefing room Saturday to rail against what he called ' a particularly egregious example in which a reporter falsely tweeted out that the bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. had been removed from the Oval Office.'

'After it was pointed out that this was just plain wrong, the reporter casually reported, tweeted out, and tried to claim that a Secret Service agent must have just been standing in front of it. This was irresponsible and reckless,' Spicer said.

Meanwhile, as DailyMail.com reported Saturday morning, the bust that was on view inside the Oval Office is not the one owned by the British government.

Trump's remarks appear to confirm that it is an identical version that was already on display in the White House residence. He said that 'in the meantime, we have a bust of Churchill.'

Although Churchill's return to the Oval Office may send an immediate signal about the new president's inclinations or worldview, Trump has yet to reinstall a bust that the British Government loaned to President George W. Bush in 2001.

That bust was returned when President Obama took office. Trump's transition requested that the bust be loaned once again after British foreign secretary Boris Johnson visited Trump Tower to meet with Trump advisor Steven Bannon and son-in-law Jared Kushner following the elections. But the loan, authorized by Prime Minister Theresa May, has not yet taken place.

In fact, the sculpture is still on display in the library of the British Ambassador's residence in Washington.

Back in the Oval: The head of Winston Churchill was a work by Jacob Epstein, the renowned post-war British sculptor, and one of two identical versions of it in Washington is now back on a table in the Oval Office

'The prime minister has said she is happy for us to loan the Churchill bust to the White House in response to a request from President Trump's transition,' and embassy spokesman told DailyMail.com. 'We are still working on the details of the loan,' the spokesman added.

Having inside the Oval Office a bust of Britain's wartime leader, who President Franklin Roosevelt hosted at the White House for extended visits, carries significance in whatever its form by demonstrating the close ties and 'special relationship' between the two nations.

The sculpture has attracted scrutiny and comment, along with some misinformation, throughout its recent history.

Changed up: This is the picture taken as Barack Obama left the Oval Office on Friday morning. You can see that he preferred red curtains and had a chest of drawers in the corner where Winston Churchill is now

Time Magazine reporter Zeke Miller wrote Saturday night that the MLK bust was 'obscured by an agent and door,' leading to an erroneous report that it was gone

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer reminded the media to 'check facts' before Tweeting

The latest iteration of the Churchill bust was on view as Trump took some of his first actions as president, signing executive orders and a waiver to let generals serve in his cabinet despite prohibitions on ex-military tenure.

There was a transatlantic flap when Obama removed the Churchill bust in 2009. The White House at first denied it had been removed, but it was later confirmed that it had been returned to the British Embassy.

According to a White House 'fact check' from 2012 that was itself an update on inaccurate earlier information, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair lent the White House the bust at a time when the White House version was being worked on.

Reporters allowed into the Oval Office Friday for the document signings observed the change, and Churchill's reappearance drew immediate attention once again.

Obama defended the removal on a trip to the United Kingdom.

'I love Winston Churchill, I love the guy,' Obama said at a press conference in London with then-Prime Minister David Cameron. He was photographed showing the bust already in the White House collection to Cameron at the White House.

Then-London mayor Boris Johnson, now foreign secretary, attributed the removal to Obama's 'ancestral dislike of the British Empire' owing to his father's Kenyan heritage. The work is by Jacob Epstein, a renowned post-war British sculptor.

During the initial flap, then-White House official Dan Pfeiffer defiantly denied the charge, saying 'The bust is still in the White House. In the Residence. Outside the Treaty Room.' In fact, that was another bust that had been a gift to President Lyndon Johnson. Regardless, Pfieffer wrote that the idea that Obama returned the bust out of 'antipathy towards the British' was ''completely false and an urban legend.'

RESTORATION: President Donald Trump has returned a bust of Winston Churchill to the Oval Office. It was presented by the British Government to President George W. Bush in 2001

LOCATION, LOCATION: President Barack Obama shows Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom a bust of Sir Winston Churchill in the private residence of the White House, in 2010. The bust is outside the Treaty Room, an office in the residence

The new Trump press shop didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Friday night.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee also promoted the Kenyan angle. 'His perspective as growing up in Kenya with a Kenyan father and grandfather. He probably grew up hearing that the British were a bunch of imperialists who persecuted his grandfather' Huckabee said, the Hill reported.

British Independence Party leader Nigel Farage tweeted days after the elections, 'Especially pleased at @realDonaldTrump's very positive reaction to idea that Sir Winston Churchill's bust should be put back in Oval Office.'

Trump during the elections backed the Brexit campaign. His mother was born in Scotland, and he has signaled that a trade deal with Britain could be an early priority.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer tweeted out a photo of the Martin Luther King bust, which remains in the Oval Office, after an erroneous pool report that it had been moved

GETTING IN ON THE ACT: Then-Speaker John Boehner speaks at a congressional ceremony to dedicate a bust of the late Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill, who became an honorary U.S. citizen in 1963

Then-White House official Dan Pfeiffer wrote a 'fact check' post about the bust for for the White House web site in 2012 and then issued an update, in just one part of the saga

For a brief period Friday night, there were erroneous reports that a bust of Martin Luther King that Obama had installed had been removed from the Oval Office. In fact, the statue was simply not visible behind a door when reporters were let inside and a pool reported didn't see it, alerting colleagues.

New press secretary Sean Spicer had some fun at the expense of the press, sending out a tweet thanking the new chief of staff for a 'wonderful picture of the MLK bust in the oval' and posted the image of the bust.
Penny Smith gets a taste for steamy, mystical Laos - and the local whisky



Laos is definitely the far east, because it takes a day to get there. But it's not quite as far as Hong Kong.



The capital, as you all know, is Vientiane. But the fan-carrier and I flew in via Bangkok to the old royal capital Luang Prabang, a name that rolls off the tongue so beautifully that it's worth repeating.

So, Luang Prabang. It lies on the banks of the mighty Mekong river, which starts in Tibet, zips through China and then cunningly forms the Lao border with Burma and Thailand.

Say cheese: The writer, Penny Smith, poses beside a grinning statue

The town nestles among tall palm trees between hills that seem to be almost permanently shrouded in steam - or smoke. At dawn or dusk the view nearly goes two-dimensional with veils of cloud in the valleys.

It is a town of temples. Some of them have survived sackings and revolutions intact and contain thousands of Buddha statues. Hmm. I feel a Katie Melua song coming on. There are nine million Buddhas in Laos. That's a fact. Or maybe not, but it certainly feels like it.

There are those that are jewel-encrusted (moved to safer places) and those that recline in their golden (and sometimes enormous) beauty. There are wooden statues and stone. And in case you didn't know, their poses hold a variety of meanings, generally a variation on the theme of peace.

One evening, as we enjoyed a sundowner on the balcony of one of those stunning hotels that you dream about, La Residence Phou Vao, we looked across to The Phousi Temple (lit up courtesy of our hotel) where a seated Buddha seemed as if it were floating on the mountain.

All the moisture means it's a great place for growing rice and making silk - both of which are in super-abundance.

Sadly, growing the sticky rice (a different crop from normal rice, which has to be grown in paddy fields) appears to involve burning down the jungle.



There are days when you can't see from one bank of the river to the other because of the smoke, and there's so much ash in the air that your clothes are streaked with it.



However, the silk-weaving is exceptional, although it does also involve the destruction of the silk worm. Is nothing guilt-free?

Town of temples: Luang Prabang is awash with places of worhsip

Our guide, Sompasong, drove us a short way out of town to where swathes of material are produced the old-fashioned way with wooden looms. I could have bought all of the scarves, but confined myself to a brightly coloured brace of what I now call my silk-worm tributes.

Did I mention the temples? There is one with a name which is the entire width of a Scrabble board.



Another, which has a large Stupa in the grounds (a mound that contains relics) affectionately known as the Watermelon Stupa.



There's the Bamboo Forest Temple, the temple with designs from the epic Sanskrit text the Ramayana on the front veranda, and the one with massive serpents carved above its steps.

'Fab, innit?' asks Sompasong, who was taught English by a Londoner.

You don't get all that greenery without a lot of water - most of it making your hair limp and your fan-carrier whinge that it needs another beer. If you don't feel like a sit-down during the day, you can cool off in the scrumptious Kuang Si Falls, half an hour away by road.

Milky turquoise water tumbles from one rock pool to another, and the bigger ones can be jumped into for a refreshing swim. Apparently. I have to be at baked-pork temperature before I immerse myself in anything but a hot bath.

And, of course, there is the mighty Mekong. A boat journey is a necessity. We chugged upstream to Kamu Lodge - an eco lodge with 20 safari tents and the chance to try rice-planting, gold-panning, fishing and archery.



Can I just say that it is particularly pleasant squishing one's toes in the paddy field, dropping small rice plants into the water behind a water buffalo? Wouldn't want to do it for more than half an hour, though.

Penny at the Baci ceremony where dancers tie strings around visitors' wrists

The next day, we go for a hike through the hills. Kam Lao is our guide and he shows us all the medicinal and edible plants. Lemon grass is something else when it's eaten straight from the ground.



And then he gives me a piece of thorny plant which he says tastes delicious. Despite my reservations, I try it - and it's yummy, like spicy coriander.

Eeyore was right all this time with his choice of food. As soon as I get home, I'm going to buy a thistle patch.

There are butterflies and dragonflies everywhere as we head back to the lodge for a reviving green tea.

After dinner, the ever-helpful staff decide to nip over to the village for a bottle of Lao Lao rice whisky. It has a big label on it saying: 'Lao Lao: 10. Brain cells: 0.' It tastes how I imagine a good slurp on a petrol pump tastes.

At one stage, someone throws the dregs on the fire and the camp almost goes up in flames. It's great and guarantees a good night's sleep through the noise of the frogs and cicadas.

The journey back on the river boat is much faster. As we speed along, we watch fishermen cast their nets from the rocks and women with conical hats panning for gold from the banks.

Sompasong picks me up early in the morning to go and give alms to the hundreds of monks who pass through the town soon after dawn. 'Call me Song. It's easier, innit?' he states as he goes off to get me a pot full of sticky rice.

'Give a little bit to everyone. Because there are lots of monks,' he advises. He's right. Some of them look so young their bones must hardly be formed.



They slide the lids off their shiny bowls slung on a strap from one shoulder as they come towards us - the 'us' being other Westerners and locals, kneeling on mats with our offerings ready. I lob in a bit of sticky rice - but it's so darned hot it makes my fingers sore.

The orange-clad monks begin to keep their lids on as they go past me, my eyes cast down in the requisite manner.

'Is my rice off?' I ask Song worriedly. 'No. You're too slow,' he admonishes.

I try to speed up. But as I said, it's hot (and, well, sticky). I give larger and larger portions and eventually the rush hour dwindles. Song and I head down to the riverside for a cup of thick black chewy coffee and a green-tea chaser at one of the market stalls.

Rice work: A local woman at work in a paddy field

As the day heats up, British gap-year students meander past, wearing the sort of thing gap-year students do - skimpy tops or vests, short skirts (and that's just the boys). Sompasong looks at them with disdain.

'It isn't right, is it?' he asks. 'It's not appropriate. It's wrong, innit?' I promise him I will mention it in the article. The Lao people would generally appreciate it if you were a little more modest.

One night, we are taken through the market for a Baci ceremony. These affairs predate the arrival of Buddhism in Laos and are considered the most respectful form of welcome.

We go up the steps into the large wooden building, where men and women in traditional dress play, dance and sing for us.

In the middle of the room stands a veritable turret of orange flowers, green leaves and sticky rice items.



Unfortunately, we didn't know food was going to be on offer and have eaten so much at a nearby restaurant that we look like a pair of escaped Moomintrolls. I applique a portion of sticky rice to the roof of my mouth and hope nobody notices.

During the ceremony, the 20 or so dancers tie strings around our wrists, bowing as they do so and bestowing all manner of good wishes upon us.

My trousers are so tight as I kneel that all I am wishing for at that very moment is an extra couple of inches of fabric. You're not supposed to take the strings off for three days for their efficacy to remain at full strength.

But what with one thing and another, and the fact that they look a bit like bandages, I did come home minus a few.

While the light tan has faded, I haven't noticed any appreciable difference in the good-luck department yet - although come to think of it, my jeans are still rather snug. Obviously nothing to do with all that eating and drinking.

Laos. A landlocked, beautiful country with an excellent beer attached. Innit?



Penny Smith's latest novel, After The Break, is published by HarperCollins, price 6.99.

Travel facts

The Ultimate Travel Company (020 7386 4646, www.theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk) offers tailor-made journeys to Laos.

A nine-day stay costs from 1,695 including three nights at Villa Maly in Luang Prabang, two nights at Kamu Lodge and three nights at La Residence Phou Vao with private guided sightseeing in Luang Prabang and all activities at Kamu Lodge.



Also included are return flights from Heathrow, transfers and most meals.
After getting off the train from the airport in the heart of downtown Portland, one thing immediately strikes you. Its midweek, its the business district, yet not a single person is wearing a suit.

A couple of blocks away on Alder Street, a giant car park has been taken over by scores of food trucks.

And they are not content with doling out hot dogs or pretzels, either  everything from Hawaiian and Ethiopian to Iraqi and German dishes is being served. These trucks are taken just as seriously as top restaurants in Oregons largest city.

David explored the many sights of Portland, Oregon, pictured, a city which boasts huge parks, museums, and plenty of quirky places to eat and drink

In May, Portland will become the newest direct-flight destination in the US from the UK, with Delta launching a route from Heathrow.

And the unashamed nerdy enthusiasm that goes into the food trucks  as well as pretty much everything else  is what has helped Portland carve a niche. Its an odd place to visit, as there are few conventional tourist attractions.

But the surrounding parks are huge and fantastic.

The museum-like Oregon Historical Society gives an insight into how enlightened policies in the 1970s preserved green spaces, curbed urban growth and ensured that one per cent of all highway funding went towards cycle paths.

And the World Forestry Center will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about trees.

But otherwise, Portland is very much about what you put in your mouth. In addition to the delicious food on offer, the city is famous for its microbreweries, which is something that every US city likes to brag about, but those boasts seem hollow next to Portlands.

At Rolling River Spirits, Rick Rickard (left) was serving spicy habanero vodka - and (right) a landmark sign featuring a white stag to welcome visitors to Portland

At the last count, there were 71 breweries in the city, and the Brewvana beer tours aim to introduce visitors to just a few of them.

The tour bus is even licensed as a mobile tasting room, so visitors can keep drinking on board, and it heads out to some unusual breweries, including a former school. This has been converted into a remarkable hotel, restaurant, cinema and brewing complex.

And the DIY bug has spread well beyond beer. This is a city of coffee-roasters, winemakers, ice-cream experimentalists and home bakers turning their passions into a business.

Essentially, Portland is that one hip neighbourhood that other cities have, but spread out across a much wider area

Essentially, Portland is that one hip neighbourhood that other cities have, but spread out across a much wider area.

The newest trend for Portlanders to throw themselves into is distilling. Several have banded together to offer a Distillery Passport, where you can drop in for tastings and a chat with the guys rustling up gins, whiskeys and vodkas.

At Rolling River Spirits, Rick Rickard hands over a habanero (chilli pepper) vodka to suspicious looks.

Its not about the fire  its about being able to taste the fruit in the peppers, he says.

Well, it wouldnt be Portland if you werent prepared to give something a try, would it?
Jennifer Lopez looked dressed to the nines when she hit the NBC Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California on Wednesday.

And two days later the 47-year-old actress shared the look again, this time when she was laying on a bed.

'Mood for a rainy day,' the Shades of Blue actress wrote in the caption.

Sexy lady! Jennifer Lopez looked dressed to the nines when she hit the NBC Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California on Wednesday. And two days later the 47-year-old actress shared the look again, this time when she was laying on a bed

The star seemed to not mind at all that she was showing a lot of skin.

Instead, the World Of Dance star stared down the camera with a sultry look she has used on countless magazine covers.

Two days ago, she looked ravishing in the same ensemble.

The pop star contrasted her top with a short black leather miniskirt that included multiple buckles on the left side.

Bow wrapping: Lopez wore a large white bow tie and leather miniskirt on Wednesday to the NBC Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, California

Lopez completed her ensemble with silver collar stiletto Louboutin heels.

The Selena star accessorised with studded earrings, multiple bracelets and several rings.

Lopez had her brown hair gathered in a ponytail and accentuated her natural beauty with dark smoky eye makeup.

She attended the Television Critics Association event at the Langham Huntington Hotel to promote her NBC crime drama Shades Of Blue.

Famous curves: The actress showed her famous curves in the little black skirt

Dancing legs: Jennifer showed her lean dancer's legs upon arrival

Black and white: The Shades Of Blue star donned a white and black outfit

Striking: The actress and singer looked sensational as she posed for photographers

Picture perfect: Jennifer struck a series of sultry poses during the backstage portrait session

Hello boys: The Latina star oozed sex appeal in her thigh-skimming black miniskirt

Lopez's co-star Ray Liotta, 62, also was on hand to promote the show and he looked dapper in a black shirt, black suit and matching shoes.

Liotta, Lopez and executive producer Jack Orman took part in a panel discussion at the event.

The TCA Winter Press Tour started on January 5 with DirecTV panels and included presentations by Hulu, The CW, CBS/Showtime, Disney/ABC, Fox, FX and PBS.

Panel talk: Ray Liotta, Jennifer and executive producer Jack Orman talked about the crime drama

Series stars: Ray and Jennifer teamed up at the event

Tender moment: Ray wrapped an arm around Jennifer while giving her a kiss on the cheek

It was concluding on Wednesday with NBC.

NBC renewed Shades Of Blue in February 2016 for a 13-episode season.

Shades Of Blue will return for its second season on NBC on March 5.

Live musical: Jennifer also talked about her upcoming live production of Bye Bye Birdie

Lopez also discussed her upcoming live production of Bye Bye Birdie on NBC.

She'll be starring as Rose in a role made famous by 83-year-old Chita Rivera in the 1960 original Broadway production.

The story was somewhat 'watered down' in the 1963 movie in which Janet Leigh played the role originated by Rivera , Lopez told the TV critics.

In the play, Rivera's Rose encounters resistance from her boyfriend's mother because she doesn't want her son marrying someone with Puerto Rican roots, Lopez said.

Bye Bye Birdie Live! will air live on NBC in December and is the latest in what has become an annual live-musical holiday tradition for the network with last December's "Hairspray Live!" the most recent production.

Birdie is an homage to circa-1950s rock 'n' roll mania and centers on the character Conrad Birdie, who is reminiscent of a young Elvis Presley. He was played on stage by Dick Gautier, who died last week at age 85.
She's set to start hosting 2DAY FM's Sydney breakfast program after Rove McManus and Sam Frost were recently axed for poor ratings.

But Em Rusciano has revealed she's not worried about capturing an audience.

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, the outspoken star claimed she doesn't feel any 'pressure' to bring in the ratings because network bosses haven't mentioned it, and added she doesn't think it's a problem that she'll be hosting the Sydney show from her home city of Melbourne.

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Not worried: New 2DAY FM breakfast star Em Rusciano told The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday that she's not worried about radio ratings, despite the network having recently axed Rove and Sam for failing to capture a sizeable audience

'[Southern Cross Austereo bosses] haven't mentioned ratings once,' she said.

'There's no pressure whatsoever, because if you start doing that you will go on air scared. We need to go on air brave.'

Em will begin hosting her new program with co-star Harley Breen this coming Monday.

Not moving to the harbour city: Em will begin hosting the Sydney breakfast slot from her home city of Melbourne this coming Monday, and says she finds the furore regarding her 'snub' of Sydney 'weird'

The breakfast slot has become notorious since its stars Kyle and Jackie O famously defected to KIIS FM in January 2014.

In the three years since, three teams have tried- and failed- to gain traction with listeners, before being axed.

Rove and Sam were the latest casualties, with network bosses cutting their program earlier this month.

Fourth time's a charm: 2DAY FM will be hoping that Em and co-star Harley can capture the magic, after three previous teams tried and failed to find ratings success since Kyle and Jackie O defected from the network in 2014

The axing may not have come as a surprise to those who read last month's radio ratings, however.

KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O nabbed the top spot among the Sydney breakfast radio shows, finishing on a 10.5 per cent radio share despite dropping 0.3 per cent.

The 37-year-old star was in Sydney on Thursday conducting promotional duties for the show, but there was outrage when it was revealed that Em and Harley would be hosting from their home city of Melbourne.

Feeling relaxed: Em has been making the most of her summer break, sharing snaps from the beach

'I don't think people in Sydney actually care where stuff comes from,' Em said regarding her alleged 'snub' of the harbour city adding that the furore is 'weird.'

The media personality has been making the most of her summer break before she heads back to work, with the mum-of-two taking to Instagram in recent weeks to show herself relaxing at the beach.
The first cast snap from the reboot of Jumanji caused consternation when star Dwayne, The Rock, Johnson posted it last September.

Fans were fine with the jungle setting that showed Dwayne, Kevin Hart and Jack Black appropriately dressed in khakis.

But there were howls of sexism about co-star Karen Gillan's skimpy outfit - a crop top that showed off her tummy, tiny green cargo shorts that showed off her legs and sizzling leather boots.

The wrong image: Karen Gillan, who plays Ruby Roundhouse in Jumanji, spoke out on Friday about the sexism complaints when her saucy jungle costume was revealed in September

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Now the 29-year-old redhead has spoken out about what appears to be the totally inappropriate jungle get up for her character Ruby Roundhouse in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published Friday.

'Theres a really valid reason why shes wearing that,' Karen insisted, adding, 'my character is really not happy about it.

'But I have to say, I'd never take on a role that was truly gratuitous for no reason.'

Dwayne said something similar when he posted the image back in September.

Cover up: While Kevin Hart as Moose Finbar, Dwayne Johnson as Smolder Bravestone and Jack Black as Shelly Oberon were appropriately dressed, the Scot flashed her tummy and legs

The caption read: 'Our dope 90's vintage costumes will all make sense when our plot's revealed. Truuuuuust me.'

Meanwhile, it's not the first time a character Karen played has been called out for sexism.

The Scot recalled working on the BBC's iconic Doctor Who as the Time Lord's assistant Amy Pond from 2008 to 2013.

'Ready to kick some ass in the jungle!' Karen, centre, posted this Instagram shot with her stunt doubles in Hawaii 16 weeks ago

'There was such an uproar about my costume when that was first revealed, so I thought it was happening all over again.'

Karen co-stars with Dwayne as hunky Smolder Bravestone, Kevin as Moose Finbar and Jack Black as Shelly Oberon in the movie about a game that sucks its players into the action.

Jumanji shot in Hawaii and Sony is set to release it on July 28.
House Of Cards dropped a menacing new trailer on Friday, America's Inauguration Day, heralding the arrival of its fifth series on May 30.

The Netflix show tweeted the 28-second advert an hour and a half before Donald Trump was sworn in as President Of The United States.

Captioned: 'We make the terror,' on Twitter, the preview opens with a close-up of an American flag flying upside down against an overcast sky.

Incoming: House Of Cards dropped a menacing new trailer on Friday, America's Inauguration Day, heralding the arrival of its fifth series on May 30

As ominous music roils underneath, a group of children can be heard emotionlessly intoning the Pledge Of Allegiance.

The camera slowly pulls back from the flag, revealing it's flying in front of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Against a percussive thump, the May 30 release date appears onscreen, and a brief snatch of the programme's theme tune closes out the video.

Leading man: Kevin Spacey stars as Frank Underwood, a boundlessly ruthless politician who at the end of the second series becomes President Of The United States

The darkly cynical tone of the trailer matches that of the series, and of its Twitter page, which opens its bio: 'Democracy is so overrated.'

Its avatar is of an animated American flag with the stars missing, set upside down against a solid black backdrop.

Adapted from a BBC miniseries of the same name, the American version of House Of Cards' debuted its 13-episode first series on Netflix all at once in 2013.

Second in command: Robin Wright plays opposite him as his wife Claire , who in the fourth series becomes her husband's running mate as he vies for reelection on the Democratic ticket

Kevin Spacey stars as Frank Underwood, a boundlessly ruthless politician who at the end of the second series becomes President Of The United States.

Robin Wright plays opposite him as his wife Claire , who in the fourth series becomes her husband's running mate as he vies for reelection on the Democratic ticket.

Last February, Melissa James Gibson and Frank Pugliese succeeded creator Beau Willimon as House Of Cards' showrunners starting at the fifth series, per Variety.
The Voice judges will look to boost their teams with more vocal talent on Saturday night's show.

Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson, Tom Jones and Gavin Rossdale are vying it out to find the next big singing star on the ITV competition and they'll be faced with an assortment of performances from across the musical spectrum this week.

Sarah Morgan, 16, hopes to secure a mentor by singing Ella Henderson's Missed, but will it be good enough to see her progress?

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Singing for her future: Jazmin Sawyers, 22, put her all into a Here/Give Me a Reason to Love You (Alessia Cara/Portishead) medley

While Jazmin Sawyers, 22, puts her all into a Here/Give Me a Reason to Love You (Alessia Cara/Portishead) medley.

Other tracks picked by hopefuls to try and impress the judges include Barbra Streisand's Don't Rain On My Parade, Where Is My Mind? by The Pixies and Ennio Morricone's Cinema Paradiso Love (Se).

While teen Sarah is the youngest competitor this week, 54-year-old Geno Eccles, from Lancashire, is the oldest, singing You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker.

Giving her all: Jazmin's face was full of passion as she sang into the microphone

The Voice is competing with BBC One's Let It Shine in the weekend ratings war.

Both shows have received a mixed response from viewers since launching on January 7.

One viewer found the decision to pick between them a difficult one, taking to Twitter to announce: 'I'm torn between The Voice and Let It Shine! Bad scheduling!'

Others weren't beating around the bush with their opinions on each series: 'The Voice is so much better than Let It Shine!'

Big song: Sarah Morgan, 16, hoped to secure a mentor by singing Ella Henderson's Missed, but will it be good enough to see her progress?

Deep in thought: Gavin Rossdale looked uncertain whether or not Sarah was for him

'Had to switch over from Let It Shine to The Voice. I couldn't think straight listening to pubescent boys who can't sing!' seethed another viewer, clearly not impressed with the BBC's boy band themed show.

Up until last year, the BBC broadcast The Voice, with it moving over to ITV for 2017.

'Saw 5 mins of The Voice UK and it's way batter than it was on the BBC!' one viewer decided, adding: 'The less said about Let It Shine the better!'

Decision to make: Will.i.am looked on edge as he mulled over pressing his buzzer

Another person remarked: 'Why are the BBC even bothering with Let It Shine. Sour grapes over losing The Voice of what?'

On the flip side, others were quick to tweet Gary Barlow and applaud his new talent series: 'Loving your new show Let It Shine, beats The Voice any day!'

'Enjoying #letitshine - not switching over to The Voice! Well done!' came another satisfied tweeter.

Legend: Sir Tom Jones listened intently as the hopefuls performed




She's accustomed to flaunting her famous physique on the red carpet.

But on Friday evening, Olivia Culpo covered up in a $1,590 Mackage 'Rena-X' fur-lined parka for an event sponsored by Splenda in the ski mecca of Park City, Utah.

The 24-year-old former Miss USA 2012 looked cozy in the insulated black garment, which fell to just above her knees.

Pragmatic: On Friday evening, Olivia Culpo covered up in a $1,590 Mackage 'Rena-X' fur-lined parka for an event sponsored by Splenda in the ski mecca of Park City, Utah

Adding to the snugness, the jacket appeared to be lined with grey fur, with a longer variety fringing the hood.

On the bottom, a pair of black leather pants and some black snow boots with metal hardware no doubt kept her comfortable in the chilly conditions.

Olivia did turn a few heads with a very special hairdo featuring two long braids that fell all the way to her chest.

Moderate blush, perfectly applied eye make-up and a slick of rose lipstick ensured the Tired Lungs starlet looked beautiful for the cameras.

Hot stuff: On the bottom, a pair of black leather pants and some black snow boots with metal hardware no doubt kept her comfortable in the chilly conditions

Party princess: The pageant star took her warm but chic look on tour also stopping in at The Hub for Park City Live

Pose perfection: The model made sure to show off her hair at The Hub too wearing her locks in two braids and posing for the cameras

Winter bunny: The next day, Olivia looked sensational yet again as she conducted interview on the streets of Park City for Amazon's Style Code

Fashionista: She opted for a chic white coat, which was belted in the middle - along with a pair of thigh-high boots

Entourage star Emmanuelle Chriqui, 41, looked incredibly relaxed in a white knit sweater, black trousers and her own pair of stylish boots.

She kept warm thanks to a brown felt jacket which also featured a wide hood.

Warm Bodies actress Teresa Palmer, 30, was also on hand, and even had a date in the form of two-year-old son Bodhi, who was adorably swaddled in a navy blue snowsuit.

The Australia native sported her own olive-coloured coat with white fur fringe, which she wore over a green dress with floral pattern and a black turtleneck.

Beauty: The pageant queen tied her brunette locks up into a ponytail and wrapped up warm with a scarf and ear-muffs

Asking questions: She was clearly a natural as a reporter

Glam pals: Olivia also had a chat with fahsion blogger Marianna Hewitt, who stunned in a long wool coat

A natural! The brunette beauty was having a whale of a time during the hosting gig

Hanging out: Entourage star Emmanuelle Chriqui, 41, looked incredibly relaxed in a white knit sweater, black trousers and her own pair of stylish boots

Ready for winter: Warm Bodies actress Teresa Palmer, 30, was also on hand, and even had a date in the form of two-year-old son Bodhi, who was adorably swaddled in a navy blue snowsuit

Leggings and boots rounded out her functional outfit.

Songstress Bebe Rexha, 27, who's famous for her hit Me, Myself and I, opted to bring some colour to the party in the form of a bright orange sweatshirt, which was layered under a white fuzzy fleece, biker-style jacket.

Her ripped black jeans were probably more stylish than practical, though she did also don a pair of white snow boots.

A pop of colour: Songstress Bebe Rexha, 27, who's famous for her hit Me, Myself and I, opted to bring some colour to the party in the form of a bright orange sweatshirt, which was layered under a white fuzzy fleece, biker-style jacket
It might be winter, but Victoria's Secret Angel Elsa Hosk is heating things up.

The 28-year-old Stockholm, Sweden native on Friday uploaded a jaw-dropping shot to Instagram in which she's seated with her legs crossed on the sands of a beach in Tulum, Mexico, showing off her incredible physique in a white bikini.

The 5 ft9 model, who captioned the shot with five emojis of the sun, had her arm covering her face, while her abs were well-highlighted. The tan blonde stunner's mile-long legs were picture perfect as she had her feet dug into the sand in the tropical paradise.

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Beauty on the beach: Victoria's Secret Angel Elsa Hosk showed off her amazing figure in a shot off the Mexican coast she posted to her Instagram page on Friday

The one-time winner of Sweden's Next Top Model, who's walked for high-end fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Dior and Ungaro, clearly pleased many of her 3.4 million followers on the social media site, as she racked up about 100,000 likes in six hours.

Elsa's career in 2015 had a huge boost when she was promoted to Angel status by Victoria's Secret, joining an elite group of famed supermodels that include Alessandra Ambrosio, Jasmine Tookes, Behati Prinsloo and Stella Maxwell.

Elsa, speaking about her ascension up the catwalk ranks in a 2015 interview on her website, described her initial days as an Angel for the lingerie giant as 'amazing and unexpected.

Picture perfect: The 28-year-old showed off her flawless face in a shot earlier this week on the social media site

Natural beauty: The Stockholm stunner's chiseled physique might come in part to her athletic background, as she played professional basketball in her native Sweden

'When I came here to New York and I was leaving my old life in Sweden behind, I knew I wanted to go for it. I was going to model full time and approach it with the same drive thats always allowed me to push myself.'

She said one of her favorite aspects, in particular, is the brand's annual fashion show, which she walked in late last year.

'I love working with the brand, especially when we get to do something as big as the show,' she said. 'Those events are larger than life, and it feels wonderful to be a part of something that beloved.

'Everyone knows the Victorias Secret Fashion Show,' she said, 'and it was always something Id watched growing up.'

Social media savvy: The comely catwalk star showed off a classy, casual look in this shot she posted from Miami earlier this week




Teresa Palmer looked every bit the leading lady as she walked the red carpet at Friday's premiere of her new film, Berlin Syndrome.

The 30-year-old Australian actress incorporated a look that enhanced her beauty and elegance as she posed for shots at The Marc Theatre in Park City, Utah on the second day of the Sundance Film Festival.

The 5ft6 mother-of-two - who gave birth to her second child last month - wore a sheer pink top with a white portion covering her shoulders and a black tie at the neck.

Glam: Teresa Palmer, 30, dazzled at the premiere of her new thriller Berlin Syndrome at The Marc Theatre in Park City, Utah Friday

Amazing: The mother-of-two looked fabulous just more than a month after giving birth to her second son, Forest Sage Palmer. She also has a two-year-old boy named Bodhi

She accessorized with a black leather skirt with a trio of studded silver heart patterns toward the hem, and an off-pink winter coat with grey fur at the shoulders.The Warm Bodies star rounded out the get-up with black pantyhose and black zip-up boots with chunky studded heels.

The I Am Number Four stunner posed individually; along with her husband, actor Mark Webber, and co-star Max Riemelt; and in a group shot with director Cate Shortland and producers Polly Staniford and Angie Fielder.

Palmer plays a journalist named Clare in the thriller, which sees her hook up with a man named Andi (Riemelt) during a backpacking vacation in Germany. The morning after, the terror sets in, as Andi will not allow her to leave the domicile.

Happy couple: Palmer posed with her husband Mark Webber at the glamorous cinema event

Front and center: In the film, Palmer plays opposite Max Riemelt, who wont let her character leave his home after a one night stand

Lights, camera, action: Palmer stood center with the film's key players: (left to right) producer Polly Staniford, director Cate Shortland, Riemelt and executive producer Angie Fielder

Star time: Staniford (left) and Riemelt were well-dressed as their film debuted at Sundance

Palmer hailed Shortland as a 'genius' in a 2015 Instagram post upon wrapping up filming. She wrote of the filmmaker: 'I can't wait for the world to see the genius of this woman ... Cate Shortland, you are everything ... I'm in awe of you.'

She called working on the motion picture - which is based on a Melanie Joosten novel - 'one of the most transformational experiences of [her] life' and 'the most liberating film experience of [her] career.'

The Lights Out performer continues to thrive professionally in her acting career, coming off a big role in Hacksaw Ridge, with another thriller film in the offing this year titled 2:22.

Big props: Palmer called the director as a 'genius' and thanked her for her guidance and support
Vlada Haggerty's artwork is 'everything' to Kylie Jenner  but it took her over a year to admit it.

The 19-year-old finally gave a shout-out to the make-up artist she was accused of ripping off, 13 months after she used one of her pictures without crediting her.

On Friday, the reality star posted a four-way image of melting lips; a concept that is now synonymous with her wildly successful brand... and an image that was conceived by somebody else.

At last: Kylie Jenner FINALLY credited Vlada Haggerty who 'inspired' her Lip Kit artwork... but only after the make-up artist threatened to sue

'This really is everything,' she wrote with an adoring emoji. 'Check out the wonderful makeup art of @vladamua!'

It wasn't the first time Kylie posted the image  the only difference this time round was that she credited the original artist.

The KUWTK star first posted the pic to her brand's Instagram account back in December 2015 right before the launch of her cosmetics brand.

It lead many to believe it was one of her impending Lip Kit colours, and Kylie's team did nothing to correct the misconception.

Not hers: On Friday, the reality star posted a four-way image of melting lips; a concept that is now synonymous with her hugely successful brand... and an image that was conceived by somebody else

'Inspiration': It wasn't the first time Kylie posted the image  the only difference this time round was that she credited the original artist Vlada Haggerty

When Vlada was made aware of the 'reproduction', the picture was simply deleted from Kylie's account.

But in November, Vlada threatened to sue Kylie after she posted another image that was 'heavilly inspired' by one of her own, TMZ reported.

Vlada - who is also a California based profesional photographer - to social media last December to point out striking similarities between make-up artwork she shared on Instagram and images shared by Kylie's Cosmetics.

Lawsuit threatened: Kylie came under fire for this recent image promoting her holiday collection

Seems familar: The image looks a lot like one shared by Vlada in September

She claimed Kylie's holiday collection included an ad that look nearly identical to a photo shared by Haggerty on Instagram in September.

On September 24, Vlada  who has an Instagram following of more than half-a-million  posted a picture of a make-up look she created on model Britt Rafuson.

Shot by Julia Kuzmenko McKim, the image shows and open, pouty mouth with bold red lips, teeth just peeking through. The model's hands are crossed over her eyes and covered in a shiny gold powder. The stunning photo caught the attention of over 22,000 Instagram users.

And at least one of them may have been Kylie or a Kylie Cosmetics employee. Earlier this month, the brand's Instagram account uploaded a new campaign photo for the holiday collection, shot by photographer Marcelo Cantu (who also shot Kylie for campaign images).

Uh-oh! Vlada pointed out the similarities on Instagram after people started attacking Kylie in the comments

Dishonest: She chastised the brand for not giving her or her photographer credit

What a pro: Vlada has nearly half a million Instagram followers who love her creative cosmetics ideas

This photo also sees a close-up of a model's face, with pouty red lips, teeth just showing, and gold dust-covered hands placed over the eyes.

Fans  and Vlada herself  were quick to notice. Some followers commented on the Kylie Cosmetics image, charging that it was a 'cheap copy'. Many others commented with strings of snake emojis.

The same day, Vlada shared a side-by-side comparison of the photos on Instagram, highlighting their incredible similarities.

'Really @kyliecosmetics? Haven't you gotten enough "inspiration" from me already?' she wrote bitingly.

Noy nice: Last year, Kylie Cosmetics shared this image  created by Vlada  without attribution, passing it off as their own

Backtracking: Once she started pointing it out, Kylie Cosmetics took the image down

The former 'inspiration' Vlada referred to was her image of several pouty mouths dripping with luxe rose gold gloss.

After the snap was picked up my several news outlets, Vlada pointed out that it was really stolen goods.

'And the insanity continues,' she wrote, shouting out to Graftobian Makeup Company, which made the products used in the image. 'What can we do about it? This is your loose metallic powder in Copper mixed with the clear gloss!'

Inspo: Vlada is known to post images of lips dripping with cosmetics, long before Kylie's brand debuted

Not taking blame: Kylie did not comment on the original controversy and has said nothing this time around, either

Soon after, websites started giving Vlada attribution, but Kylie's team never fixed the situation and simply deleted the image altogether.

'Nobody reached out to me before or after the incident. I did message the brand through Instagram on the day of the repost, but there was no response,' she told Refinery29 at the time.

'Crediting artists is essential, but this goes beyond that. It's theft; this is our livelihood...I see these things happen too many times to artists. We are all trying to make it, and this business is extremely competitive. I would ask anyone at this level use the proper channels to obtain images.'

Similar: Even Kylie's Lip Kit packaging looks like photos Vlada has posted

Not the first time: Earlier this year, a beauty vlogger with her own make-up line pointed out that Kylie's eyeshadow palette looked similar to her own

Kylie has also been accused of taking 'inspiration' for her products themselves, not just the artwork.

In July, New Zealand beauty vlogger Shaaanxo posted side-by-side photos of Kylie's then-new eyeshadow palette with her own palette for BH Cosmetics. Once again, the similarities were clear.
She made headlines on Friday after missing her economy flight home to Sydney from the Gold Coast.

But on Saturday, Roxy Jacenko was reunited with her children, Pixie, five, and Hunter, two.

The PR maven took to Instagram to upload an adorable photo of her and her youngsters sporting matching team T-shirts.

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Tight-knit team: Roxy Jacenko shared an adorable snap to Instagram on Saturday that saw her and her two children all sporting team-style T-shirts emblazoned with the number 17 on them, which Roxy told Daily Mail Australia stands for '2017- our year'

The snap shows the trio with their backs turned toward the camera, wearing white shirts each emblazoned with the number 17, and their names on top.

While Pixie had her name written above the numerals, Hunter had 'Hunty' - his nickname- written on his.

Meanwhile, Roxy opted to have her surname, 'Jacenko', as the moniker of choice on her top.

Good morning! Roxy took to Instagram early on Saturday in a Mossman dress

Busy Saturday: PR maven appeared to be working through the weekend, with three outfit changes before noon

When asked about the number 17, Roxy told Daily Mail Australia it stood for '2017- our year.'

In the image, the businesswoman tenderly places a hand on her daughter's shoulder as they stand on a balcony gazing out towards a water view.

The star didn't seem to spend long in her personalised tee, having three different outfit changes on what appeared to be a busy Saturday morning.

Outfit three: Roxy showed off her third look of the day with one of her signature mirror selfies

Early in the day, Roxy posted to Instagram wearing a blue and white striped shoulderless dress by Australian label Mossman.

She then swapped into her matching ensemble to join Pixie and Hunter for a photo, before another outfit change.

For her third look of the day, Roxy wore a black deliberately tattered Givenchy shirt. The designer garment retails online for $1050.

Family time: Roxy is pictured with her children: Pixie, five, and Hunter, two

It appeared the hardworking PR queen was heading into her office as she took one of her signature mirror selfies.

Roxy teamed the shirt with a black choker and skirt, also showing off her plump pout in the mirror.

It seems Roxy isn't taking any downtime, after she flew to the Gold Coast for lunch on Friday.

The star- who lives a lavish lifestyle- shocked fans by flying economy.

Accompanied by several employees, the long lunch went overtime causing Roxy to miss her plane home.
He started out in the AFL, before quickly becoming one of the funniest men on radio.

But if you thought that Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald's daily antics alongside radio co-host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli would make him a handful at home, you're seemingly right.

The 40-year-old comedian and his wife Belinda regularly take to Instagram to share hilarious photos of themselves and have done so again, this time posting an image on Friday that many couples can relate to.

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Hilarious! Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and wife Belinda shared this photo of him using wireless headphones and being completely oblivious to her yelling out for his attention

Sitting at the dinner table enjoying a nice glass of red, 'Fitzy' can be seen smiling into the camera with a pair of wireless headphones in his ears.

In the background, wearing a pink apron having seemingly just cooked dinner, his wife Belinda yells at her oblivious husband in an attempt to get his attention.

'The conversations with my beautiful wife @beejahay have become so much better since I got my AirPods,' the former Sydney Swans player captioned his photo.

'Here she's politely asking me to change a lightbulb in our bedroom whilst I listen to @skegss.

Lovers: Fitzgerald married Belinda in 2008 at the picturesque Adelaide Oval, South Australia

Laugh a minute: The couple regularly take to social media to share funny photos from inside their home or when venturing out and about

Never a dull moment: It seems Fitzy rarely stops with the antics that have made him one of the most popular figures on radio even when he's at home with Belinda and the kids

Sportin celebrity: Fitzgerald was drafted to AFL side the Sydney Swans before later getting his break on TV and then radio

'Everyone's a winner, winner, chicken dinner.'

Fitzgerald married the brunette beauty in 2008 at the gorgeous surrounds of the Adelaide Oval, in South Australia.

The couple, who have two sons Hewston and Lenny, shared a number of images of their boys and extended family over the festive season.

Happy family: The couple, who have two sons Hewston and Lenny, who seem set to follow in their father's funny footsteps

In one video the youngsters channeled their best Star Wars impression.

Pretending to be Darth Vader Lenny reaches out at his older brother's neck, causing him to battle for air in similar fashion to the famous scene from the movies.

Unsurprisingly, it seems that just like their father the two boys have already developed quite a sense of humour.
She's the stunning reality TV contestant who captured Richie Strahan's heart in front of Australia.

And on Friday, Alex Nation proved again just why she first caught her boyfriend's eye, showing off her amazing body during a frolic at a Mornington beach.

The 25-year-old soaked up the sun in a raunchy G-string bikini which highlighted her underboob and very pert derriere.

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That's cheeky! The Bachelor's Alex Nation flaunts her pert posterior and STUNNING body in a raunchy g-string bikini while frolicking at the beach

No doubt hoping to escape the current summer heatwave, Alex arrived at the beach with a grey bag and white circular towel in tow.

The lithe blonde surveyed her surroundings before settling on a prime section of sand near the water.

Alex spread her large towel out, making sure the corners were all smoothed before sitting down.

Beach time! No doubt hoping to escape the current summer heatwave, Alex arrived at the beach with a grey bag and white circular towel in tow

Good spot: The lithe blonde surveyed her surroundings before settling on a prime section of sand near the water

Hot mama! Alex spread her large towel out, making sure the corners were all smoothed out before sitting down

Bottoms up: She made sure her towel was spread out evenly across the sand before sitting down

Tatts nice! Also visible were Alex's tattoos on her ribcage and on her right foot

Once seated, the mother-of-one became preoccupied with her phone as she soaked up the sun.

But she was soon distracted by a passing dog, with Alex clearly delighted to see another companion on the otherwise deserted beach.

After sitting for a while, The Bachelor star rose and began to make her way along the sand to the water.

Striking: The blonde beauty wore an eye-catching rust bikini for the cooling off session

Is it Richie? Once seated, the mother of one became preoccupied with her phone as she soaked up the sun

A beach pal! Alex was soon distracted by a passing dog, with Alex clearly delighted to see another companion on the otherwise deserted beach

Time to get in: After sitting for a while The Bachelor star rose and began to make her way along the sand to the water

As she walked towards the sea, her daring rust coloured bikini was on full display.

The revealing cut showed off Alex's round rump, while the top showcased her cleavage and toned tummy.

The single mother accessorised simply for the day on the sand, wearing a hair tie on one wrist and a delicate gold pendant and a ring.

Cooling off time: The attractive blonde made her way up from her towel towards the waiting water

Cheeky look:The revealing cut showed off Alex's round rump and toned long legs

Alex shielded her eyes from the bright sun with a pair of chic over-sized aviator sunglasses.

She also adjusted her revealing g-string bikini bottoms at the sides as she walked down a sand dune.

The Victorian local tested the water first, bending over as she placed her hands in the water.

Fixing it: She also adjusted her revealing g-string bikini bottoms at the sides as she walked down a sand dune

Her temperature test showed off her pert bottom, which looked lightly sunburnt from the hot weather.

Alex also soon spotted some sunburn on her chest and back, but she didn't seem to notice as she took a dip in the cool water.

After a frolic in the gentle waves she made her way back out of the water.

Time for a dip: Alex tested the water's temperature first by wading in up past her ankles

Closer inspection: Her next temperature test showed off her pert bottom, which looked lightly sunburnt from the hot weather

During her day at the beach Alex was flying solo.

She recently spoke out against critics of her parenting style with six-year-old son Elijah, who she often shares doting social media posts about.

Last Monday, Alex had shared a sweet snap of her and Elijah, followed with a lengthy comment on the pressure parents face.

Alex became a mother while still a teenager, giving birth to her son at the tender age of 19.

Back to the sand: After a frolic in the gentle waves she made her way back out of the water

Flying solo: Alex spent the day at the beach by herself, with her son and boyfriend Richie nowhere to be seen

Hit back: Recently the single mother hit back at criticism over her parenting style in a passionate Instagram post

'As mothers/parents, we can often be too hard on ourselves. We put this unrealistic expectation of ourselves to be the 'perfect parent'. Truthfully, there is no such thing,' she wrote.

The reality TV star also drew on her own experiences, namely the negative comments she attracted after leaving her child to compete on The Bachelor.

'It's no secret that I have been widely criticised for how I parent my son. People going as far as saying that I've neglected him and even further, saying he's better off without me,' Alex said.

'It's no secret that I have been widely criticised for how I parent my son': She called on people to be more positive and encouraging rather than negative

'It's interesting isn't it, how people can feel so entitled to press such an opinion on to others- without even knowing the person personally.

'What has happened to the act of encouragement and finding happiness in seeing happiness in others?'
The Bachelorette has previously said: 'You can take the girl out of Tassie'.

And on Friday, Georgia Love returned to Launceston with her boyfriend Lee Elliott to introduce him to a few of her favourite places.

The 28-year-old, who previously worked for WIN News in Tasmania, praised her 'home away from home' in a series of Instagram posts from the trip.

She'll always be a Tassie girl! On Friday, The Bachelorette's Georgia Love returned to Launceston with boyfriend Lee Elliott to introduce him to a few of her favourite places

Arriving at the airport, she declared: 'We have landed in Tassie! The air is fresh, breathe it in... It's fresh, its beautiful. Yay, Tassie!'

However, Lee cheekily replied with a chuckle: 'We're at the airport. It smells like fuel.'

The 35-year-old mechanical plumber was later heard teasing Georgia about the fact the city still has video rental stores.

'Words cannot describe': Georgia previously lived in Tasmania while working as a TV journalist for WIN News. She returned to her home city of Melbourne last year

The couple were in high spirits later as they drank champagne while overlooking a picturesque landscape at Barnbougle Lost Farm.

Georgia wrote on Instagram: 'Words cannot express how much I love Tasmania, but this photo does a pretty good job.'

While showing her new boyfriend around the city, the reality TV couple also dined at her 'favourite restaurant in Launceston', Black Cow Bistro.

'Introducing my love to fresh Tasmanian oysters': While showing her new boyfriend around the city, the reality TV couple dined at her 'favourite restaurant in Launceston', Black Cow Bistro

While dining at the restaurant, Georgia introduced Lee to a favourite local dish - fresh Tasmanian oysters.

On the second day of their trip, the pair swapped their casual outfits for race day fashion at the the Barnbougle Polo.

Georgia wore a dusty pink dress with a floral headband, while Lee looked dapper in a white shirt, blazer and monochrome shorts.
He's not moved from her side since her mother Carrie Fisher tragically died last month.

And Taylor Lautner once again proved his dependability as he accompanied girlfriend Billie Lourd to the shops on Friday.

The Scream Queen co-stars took advantage of a brief break from the rain to nip out in Los Angeles.

Sunshine under the rain! Billie Lourd walks arm in arm with Taylor Lautner as they enjoy a brief break from the wet weather in Los Angeles on Friday

Supportive: He's not moved from her side since her mother Carrie Fisher died last month

Billie held tight to her man, wrapping an arm around him as they visited the upmarket Barney's New York store in Beverly Hills.

Dressed down in a check shirt and black jeans, the 24-year-old checked her phone during the outing.

Taylor has been at Billie's side since her mother's death on December 27, which came days after the 60-year-old suffered a heart attack while flying home to Los Angeles following a promotional trip to London.

Day date: Billie held tight to her man, wrapping an arm around him as they visited the upmarket Barney's New York store in Beverly Hills

Billie suffered further loss, when her grandmother Debbie Reynolds died the day after her mother.

Taylor joined her as she said goodbye to them both with a private memorial at Carrie's house.

The pair were then pictured together in Mexico earlier this month, with Twilight star Taylor consoling grieving Billie.

Feeding the meter: Taylor acts on the TV show Scream Queens with Billie

Writing on social media after the double tragedy, Billie shared a picture of her as a child with her Star Wars actress mother.

'If my life weren't funny then it would just be true and that is unacceptable,' she wrote, quoting her mother.

And Billie added in her own words: 'Finding the funny might take a while but I learned from the best and her voice will forever be in my head and in my heart.'
She's known for being fashion-forward.

And on Friday, Ruby Rose once again cemented her spot in the style stakes as she arrived for a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles on Friday.

The Australian actress wore a black pantsuit with sky-high heels, a day after stunning in a gold gown at the Hollywood premiere of her new action film, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.

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Black is the new black! On Friday Ruby Rose was seen arriving for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Hollywood, wearing a striking black pantsuit

Ruby looked ready for business as she was led into the studio, which is situated on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

She blew a kiss to a fan as she was chaperoned into the building by a group of minders.

Proving to be the perfect combination of stylish and sexy, Ruby went without a shirt underneath her black blazer, showing off her decolletage.

Sexy and stylish: Ruby went without an undershirt for her appearance on the popular talk show

New Hollywood royalty: Ruby's star continues to rise with the release of her new action blockbuster

The star's high-waisted pants, which were of a flared style, accentuated her thin frame.

She teamed the outfit with a pair of patent black sandals that featured a tall heel, accentuating her already statuesque 5ft 6in of height.

Making sure her whole ensemble matched, the Melbourne-born beauty also wore black nail polish.

Entourage: Ruby was escorted into the studio by a team of minders

The blazer and pants combo seems to be a favourite look for the star, who wore an almost identical outfit in orange as she appeared at the People's Choice Awards on Wednesday night.

Her appearance in the all-black pantsuit comes less than 24 hours after she dazzled at the Hollywood premiere of the blockbuster film, which co-stars her close pal Vin Diesel.

At the Thursday night event, Ruby's gold gown featured a thigh-high split.

The plunging dress revealed many of the star's tattoos, including one of a crown located on her chest.

The same, yet different: Earlier in the week Ruby wore a similar outfit in bright orange, although the pants were a tighter fit

Golden girl: Ruby's revealing gown stole the show at the xXx premiere on Thursday night

She finished off her unique look with a dark metallic lip.

Ruby has been wowing crowds at premieres for the movie- the latest installment in the xXx series- around the world.

At last week's London premiere, Ruby once again stole the show in a sparkling multi-coloured gown that featured cut-outs near her rib cage.
She's the Sydney publicist known for living a life of luxury.

But on Friday, Roxy Jacenko missed her flight home from Queensland after a long lunch and was forced to fly on a budget airline.

The 36-year-old millionaire publicist was later spotted looking rather embarrassed arriving at Sydney Airport hours later.

Fashionably late? Roxy Jacenko looked rather embarrassed arriving at Sydney Airport via a budget airline after missing her flight from Queensland due to a long lunch

The Sweaty Betty PR founder was photographed covering her face while laughing with two employees, Gemma Oldfield and Holly Asser.

Despite the trip not exactly going to plan, Roxy nevertheless cut a stylish figure in a burnt orange shift dress with ruffle detailing.

She accessorised with a colourful Louis Vuitton clutch and several items of gold jewellery, while carrying her iPhone in her hand.

No hiding! The Sweaty Betty PR founder was photographed covering her face while laughing with her two employees, Gemma Oldfield and Holly Asser

It is understood Roxy and two staff members missed their flight after a long lunch at The Fish House restaurant in Burleigh Heads.

While boarding her flight, she wrote to her mother Doreen Jacenko on Instagram: 'I am boarded and squished like a sardine on my way home!!!!!!'

Clearly outraged by the prospect of travelling economy, wealthy Doreen replied: 'Nooooo... Don't do it anything but (that).'

At least her style isn't budget! Despite the trip not exactly going to plan, Roxy nevertheless cut a stylish figure in a burnt orange shift dress with ruffle detailing

Earlier that day, Roxy shared a photo of herself at Gold Coast Airport with a pair of Jetstar tickets, writing in the caption: 'When s**t gets real'.

It would appear she had to book a last-minute replacement trip after missing her pre-planned flight back to Sydney.

Roxy is known to fly regularly by private jet, including for her high-profile visits to jailed husband Oliver Curtis at Cooma Correctional Centre.

Whoops! Roxy and her Sweaty Betty PR staff had missed their flight at Gold Coast Airport
Victoria's Secret Angels Jasmine Tookes and Sara Sampaio were looking divine as they enjoyed a night out at Catch LA in West Hollywood on Friday.

The ladies, both age 25, turned heads as they flashed their gym-honed torsos while sporting stylish crop tops.

Jasmine flashed some cleavage in a plunging black satin top, which she teamed with matching jeans and strappy heels.

Heaven on earth! Victoria's Secret Angels Jasmine Tookes and Sara Sampaio were looking divine as they enjoyed a night out at Catch LA in West Hollywood on Friday

The model looked absolutely gorgeous with her brunette tresses styled into angelic waves.

She finished off the look with a violet velvet sweater and a quilted purse, thrown over her shoulder.

Sara, meanwhile, wore a pretty black sweater with ruffled sleeves.

The catwalk queen topped it all off with leather trousers, knee-high boots, and a black choker necklace.

Just gorgeous: The model looked absolutely gorgeous with her brunette tresses styled into angelic waves

Striking: She finished off the look with a violet velvet sweater and a quilted purse, thrown over her shoulder

She also wore her hair down in voluminous waves.

Jasmine and Sara no doubt were the center of attention as they made their entrance to the hot spot.

Not long ago, the ladies were busy heating up Miami.

All eyes on them: Jasmine and Sara no doubt turned every head as they made their entrance to the hot spot

Sweater weather: Sara, meanwhile, wore a pretty black sweater with ruffled sleeves

Jasmine and Sara were just two of several Victoria's Secret models to travel to the Florida hot spot earlier this month.

It comes not long after both of the stars also participated in the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Paris.

Jasmine shot to fame as she rocked the runway in the lavishly-decorated Bright Night Fantasy Bra designed by Eddie Borgo in the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Grand Palais in Paris.
She had a lucky escape on Monday when she survived a car crash.

But now Savannah Chrisley has been forced to deny texting behind the wheel was the cause.

The 19-year-old Chrisley Knows Best star suffered a fractured vertebrae in her neck, and several bruises and burns from the airbags when she hit a guardrail while driving in a rainstorm in Atlanta.

Recovering: Savannah Chrisley has been forced to deny texting behind the wheel was the cause of her crash on Monday. She posted this Instagram on Wednsday

The starlet had reveled the accident was caused when she tried to remove the floormat which became rolled up beneath her brake pedal.

However she was soon attacked on social media by people who didn't believe her account.

'Its shocking to me how people can look at a situation and say, "Oh, she was texting or she was dong this or that," but they have no idea what was going on,' she told People Magazine.

'They somehow want to blame my parents and say, "She deserves it, she had it coming". It truly hurt me and made me mad because they had no idea what was going on.

Injured: The 19-year-old Chrisley Knows Best star suffered a fractured vertebrae in her neck, and several bruises and burns from the airbags when she hit a guardrail while driving in a rainstorm in Atlanta (pictured in April)

'People in the world see what we put on social media and they see the show and think they know everything about us, but they have no idea. People say hurtful things like that; it hurts my dad and mom because the situation could have ended a lot differently. So for them to say negative comments, thats so uncalled for.'

The reality star described the 'scary experience', adding she was thankful she had her seatbelt on, but insisting there was 'mo texting involved.

'I was driving and my floor mat got rolled up to where I couldnt press on the brakes to the full extent. So I had one hand on the wheel and it was foggy out and I tried to yank it out from under,' she recalled.

The family: (from left) Savannah with Todd, Julie, Chase and Lindsie in April

'As I was doing that, I lost control and [when] I looked up I was going towards the guardrail. I tried to jerk my car over into my lane, but I overcorrected myself too much and ended up hitting the guardrail.

'I remember hitting it and spinning in the air, it felt like, at that point, forever,' she said.

'Now I look back and think, "What if I were texting? What if I didnt have a seatbelt on?" It couldve been way worse... Im just glad I had a seatbelt on.'

After the accident, her father Todd gave a statement to E! News.

Worried: Her father Todd gave a statement to E! News . 'It's the worst feeling in the world to get a call late at night while sleeping to hear on the other end that your child has been involved in a serious car accident (pictured in July)

'It's the worst feeling in the world to get a call late at night while sleeping to hear on the other end that your child has been involved in a serious car accident and that you need to come to the hospital immediately,' he said.

'That's the call we received this morning about our daughter Savannah.'

'We have a six-week recovery period and we are all so thankful to the good Lord above for His grace and mercy.

'Everyone look out for the girl wearing the helmet and riding a tricycle down the highways going forward.'
She has been documenting every step of her pregnancy, and Stephanie Davis showed no signs of letting up after her son was born.

The former Hollyoaks star excitedly informed her Twitter followers that her umbilical cord had dropped off on Friday - a week after giving birth.

The 23-year-old penned: 'OFFICIALLY ONE WEEK OLD! Celebrated by his umbilical cord fallen off and a big wee on mummy. Tears of happiness! My world! My baby boy.'

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Happy: The former Hollyoaks star excitedly informed her Twitter followers that her umbilical cord had dropped off on Friday - a week after giving birth

Showing that she was taking it easy after her gruelling 48-hour labour, the Celebrity Big Brother star added that she was enjoying watching films with her son.

She posted on Twitter: 'Cuddles snuggles & lotsss & LOTS of kisses on the sofa with my baby boy watching the incredibles. Just....Perfect'.

And giving her fans a glimpse of her prolonged labour, the actress also shared a video of herself having contractions at home as she tried to 'bring him along'.

The post, shared with her 688,000 followers on Friday sees her dancing around to Zayn Malik's Mind Of Mind before experiencing some contractions.

Welcome! Stephanie announced the birth of her baby with another image of her newborn's feet last week

A quick flashback: She welcomed her baby boy into the world last week, and Stephanie Davis has been enjoying every moment of her life as a mother since

Stephanie - who claims her ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell is the father - shared the snap of herself going into labour last week.

But clearly determined to treasure every single moment of her pregnancy the former Celebrity Big Brother gushed about the moment the contractions started.

She captioned the short clip: 'Just found this. Didn't even see this. The day my contractions started.

'Was dancing about the living room to bring him along, knackered and ready to pop hehe I look mahhooosive. Now Hes here and one week old today!! His umbilical cord fell off and he's had a big wee on mummy [sic].'

THE moment: Giving her fans a glimpse of her prolonged labour, the 23-year-old actress shared a video of herself having contractions at home as she tried to 'bring him along'

When it all stated? The post, shared with her 688,000 followers on Friday sees the former Hollyoaks star dancing around to Zayn Malik's Mind Of Mind before experiencing some contractions

The video shows Stephanie dancing around to former flame Zayn Malik's hit, Pillowtalk, when all of a sudden the star slumps into a chair clutching her tummy with a pained look on her face.

Earlier on in the day the actress revealed she cried with happiness when the stump attached to her son's belly button, which connects the placenta to the foetus, dropped off - exactly a week after he was born on January 13.

Taking to her Twitter account on Friday, the brunette beauty said: 'OFFICIALLY ONE WEEK OLD!Celebrated by his umbilical cord fallen off and a big wee on mummy Tears of happiness My world! My baby boy [sic].'

Hurts? Stephanie - who claims her ex-boyfriend Jeremy McConnell is the father - shared the snap of herself going into labour last week

Happy: She captioned the short clip: 'Just found this. Didn't even see this. The day my contractions started. Was dancing about the living room to bring him along, knackered and ready to pop hehe I look mahhooosive. Now Hes here and one week old today!

Did the tunes help? The video shows Stephanie dancing around to former flame Zayn Malik's hit, Pillowtalk, when all of a sudden the star slumps into a chair clutching her tummy

She was discharged from hospital three days ago with her little bundle of joy, whose name is not yet known, and she squealed with excitement at the fact she and her newborn can now start the first chapter of the rest of their lives together.

While her ex-boyfriend Jeremy, 26, has said that he will be happy to take on the role of father if a paternity test proves him wrong, another reality lothario, Joshua Ritchie has said he could also be the father.

The former Love Island star, 21, has claimed he's been in contact with the former Hollyoaks actress, 23, who gave birth late last week after a gruelling 48-hour labour.

In response to a Twitter troll, the Ex On The Beach star said: 'Steph isnt going favourite your tweet you beggy ugly f*****g mug! Ive spoke to Steph you ugly c**t.'

Dad? While her ex Jeremy, 26, has said that he will be happy to take on the role of father if a paternity test proves him wrong, another reality lothario has said he could also be the father

Rumour has it: Joshua Ritchie, 21, has claimed he's been in contact with Stephanie Davis - after admitting his worries that he could be her newborn's son

He posted the Tweet after the user claimed Joshua was trying to steal the spotlight and get publicity from Stephanie's pregnancy.

After Stephanie gave birth, the Bolton-born model tweeted her to wish her congratulations.

He wrote on Sunday: 'congrats on your new born babe.. Hope your all well and healthy take care'.

MailOnline has contacted reps for Joshua and Stephanie for comment.

In contact? Stephanie gave birth late last week after a gruelling 48-hour labour

Cheeky: The EOTB star posted a very revealing shot in the shower with Jasmin Walia's ex Ross Warwick

It comes as he reportedly claimed he is 'worried' that Stephanie Davis' baby son, who was born last week, could be his.

The pair were last linked in May and the reality star told The Sun: 'I slept with Steph nearly a year ago.

'Im worried  she could be turning up on my doorstep with the baby any time soon.'

However, Stephanie has always insisted that her former flame Jeremy McConnell is the father of her baby.

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for both Stephanie Davis and Joshua Ritchie for comment.

Joshua's words came after a Facebook live chat for The Sun in which he discussed who he would get with on the show.

He said: 'Jasmine Walia. She's a rocket. Vicky Pattison. She's a rocket. Stephanie Davis... already got with her.'

'She could be turning up on my doorstep with the baby': Ex On The Beach star Joshua Ritchie claims he's 'worried' Stephanie Davis' tot is his

Blast from the past: The pair were last linked in May and the reality star said: 'I slept with Steph nearly a year ago' - however, Stephanie has always insisted the baby belongs to her ex Jeremy McConnell

Sweet: The former Hollyoaks actress, 23, re-tweeted a picture posted by her best friend Jay Roberts, who she has chosen to be the tot's godfather

While it's unclear whether or not Joshua was joking with his remarks about Stephanie, no doubt she will be focusing on her new role as a mother.

Stephanie continued to give fans a glimpse into her life as a new mother online.

The former Hollyoaks actress, 23, re-tweeted a picture posted by her best friend Jay Roberts, who she has chosen to be the tot's godfather.

The picture showed him tenderly touching the baby's feet while he still wore his hospital nametag.

He captioned the image: 'Welcome to the world godson. I promise to love and care for you for the rest of your life.'

Stephanie announced the birth of her baby with another image of her newborn's feet.

She gushed in the caption: 'The day my world became complete.

Taking a swipe? While the star is focusing on her new role as a parent, her CBB ex Jeremy McConnell has been continuing his wild ways on a trip to Thailand

'I've been overwhelmed & so in love with you. Words could never describe. Thank you for all your support!'

While the star is focusing on her new role as a parent, her CBB ex Jeremy McConnell has been continuing his wild ways on a trip to Thailand.

While he has long denied that he's father of Stephanie Davis child the Irish appeared to be celebrating the birth of his rumoured love child with the disgraced Hollyoaks actress.

In a video obtained by the Mirror Online, the 26-year-old former Celebrity Big Brother star can be seen looking bleary eyed as he parties in Thailand with pals hours after his ex gave birth.

MailOnline have reached out to representatives of Jeremy for comment.

The videos shared on a friend's Snapchat see Jeremy swigging beers, play-fighting and partying at a club.

In the stream of clips, believed to have been recorded hours after Stephanie gave birth to a baby boy, Jeremy and his friends seemingly ridicule and taunt the former CBB star.

Lashing out? In the stream of clips, believed to have been recorded hours after Stephanie gave birth to a baby boy, Jeremy and his friends seemingly ridicule and taunt the former CBB star

One clip which shows Jeremy swigging form a beer as he collapses on a bed is captioned: 'Get the kid a physcoligist (sic)'.

The caption appears to be a dig at Stephanie as the caption seems to be a miss-spelling of 'psychologist'.

However, a source close to Jeremy denied it was aimed at the new-born, saying: '

'The text on the snap chat "Get the kid a ..." is referring to Jeremy as the kid and is personal joke between friends.

'It has been completely taken out of context and is certainly not aimed a Steph's son.'

Later on the evening the former Beauty School Cop Outs cast-member is seen dancing at a party shirtless.

As he dances and plays up for the camera a caption on the clip alludes to Jeremy being the father - something he categorically denied in June.

Spinning around and pulling faces in the snippet, a caption above Jeremy reads: 'Yes, a son.'

Whetting the baby's head? Later on the evening the former Beauty School Cop Outs cast-member (pictured with Stephanie in April) is seen dancing at a party shirtless

Not a care: A fellow reveler said: 'Jeremy doesn't seem to care too much about becoming a dad, it was as though he didn't have a care in the world'

A fellow reveler told the Mirror: 'Jeremy doesn't seem to care too much about becoming a dad, it was as though he didn't have a care in the world.

'How insensitive to share such a video saying her baby needs therapy, my heart breaks for Steph. Even if it was made in jest, it's pretty disgusting.'

Jeremy is still refusing to confirm he's the father of his estranged ex Stephanie Davis' baby boy - despite her finally giving birth on Friday.

Not about her: A source close to Jeremy said: 'The text on the snap chat "Get the kid a ..." is referring to Jeremy as the kid and is personal joke between friends'

The Irish model revealed he was 'delighted' for his former flame after she welcomed her new bundle of joy after a reported 48 hours in labour - but still echoed his former denial of the baby being his.

Jeremy addressed the issued of the child's paternity on Twitter shortly after the news broke, writing:

'I am delighted that Steph has safely had the baby, of course if he is my son I will absolutely step up and do what I can to support him.'

'Any timescale for that is in Steph's hands now. I did reach out to her some weeks ago but didn't hear back,' Jeremy explained the situation further.

'I am delighted': Jeremy McConnell, 26, congratulated his ex Stephanie Davis after she gave birth on Friday but still refused to confirm he was the father

Jeremy and Stephanie embarked on a toxic romance after meeting on CBB a year ago which culminated in a bitter split shortly before she announced she was expecting his child - claims he vehemently denies.

She has maintained constantly throughout her pregnancy that Jeremy is the father, yet the Dubliner has lashed out at her claims and insisted he wants a paternity test upon the arrival of the little boy.

Speaking about the saga, the actress told new! magazine: 'Jeremy knows the truth. I'm keeping (the DNA test) private. I'll sort that with him. If I could have done one straight away, I would have, but it was too dangerous for the baby.'

'If he is my son I will absolutely step up': Jeremy revealed he will do his best once he's confirmed as the father of the newborn (Pictured February 2016)

Meanwhile, just weeks before Stephanie gave birth, Jeremy had told the Daily Star: 'I was in a position where we broke up for a period of time. I found out she was pregnant, but in the meantime I knew she was with other people.'

'I can't do anything while the baby's in there,' he explained. 'When it comes out I would step up to the plate. All I want is clarification. If I find out it's mine I'll be the best dad.'

A source close the star told MailOnline: 'Jeremy has tried to contact Steph on a number occasions but he hasn't heard back.

'If he is the father then of course he going to do step up and do the right thing.'

Tumultuous times: The former lovers have had a bitter back-and-forth war of words since splitting up

In the past: The couple found love in the Celebrity Big Brother house back in January 2016

Meanwhile, a representative for Stephanie confirmed her happy news to the MailOnline on Friday, stating: 'We are delighted to confirm that our client Stephanie Davis gave birth to a baby boy on Friday. Mother and baby are doing fine.'

The former Hollyoaks star, whose baby's name is yet to be revealed, is believed to have been in labour for a gruelling two days.

As Stephanie's labor went on, a source told The Sun: 'The baby's taking his time, but we're hoping that he will arrive today. Steph is so excited that the day has finally come that she will meet her son.

'At the moment she is focusing on welcoming her little boy - her priority is his safe delivery and spending some quality time with him.'

The birth comes after a close pal of Jeremy defended the inked hunk for jetting off to Thailand for a lad's holiday, despite his ex's due date being imminent - saying he's within his rights to take the break as he has nothing tying him down.

He's finally here! The former Hollyoaks star, whose baby's name is yet to be revealed, is believed to have been in labour for a gruelling two days

'No ties': Pals of Jeremy McConnell have reportedly defended the Irish model for going on holiday to Thailand with his friends as his ex Stephanie prepares for the birth of their child

'Jeremy is simply having a well deserved holiday in Thailand with his pals,' the source told The Sun. 'I'm not sure why he's getting so much grief for posting a selfie of him having a drink.'

Despite, Jeremy's long-haul trip, the star is ready to come back at a moments notice, with his representative telling MailOnline: 'Jeremy is currently in Thailand enjoying a short holiday with friends, which has been booked for sometime.

'He has an open return ticket should he need to return to the UK before the end of his trip'.

The reality star has certainly been enjoying himself since splitting with Stephanie - and was most recently accused of sleeping with a fan's girlfriend after a nightclub appearance after a barrage of Twitter direct messages were revealed.

And Jeremy he also set tongues wagging again as he enjoyed a steamy New Year's Eve kiss with a mystery blonde earlier this month.
Elyse Knowles has sparked rumours she is secretly engaged after hiring a celebrity wedding photographer to document her camping trip with boyfriend Josh Barker.

On Saturday, the Australian model, 24, shared an Instagram photo of herself kissing Josh while wrapped in his arms and being, quite literally, swept off her feet.

While her wedding finger is not visible, the photo taken in Byron Bay, NSW recently is very romantic has the feel of an engagement photo shoot.

Wedding bells? Elyse Knowles has sparked rumours she is secretly engaged after hiring a celebrity wedding photographer to document her camping trip with boyfriend Josh Barker

It unclear if the photo is marking Elyse and Josh's engagement or simply captures a moment of affection between the young couple on holiday.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Elyse for comment and clarification.

Below the photo, which Elyse captioned 'Summer love,' several of her Instagram followers left well-wishes to the happy couple.

Engagement photo shoot? On Saturday, the Australian model, 24, shared an Instagram photo of herself kissing Josh while wrapped in his arms and being, quite literally, swept off her feet

The Billabong model later shared a hilarious video of herself trying to set up a toilet tent at their bushland camping spot.

Meanwhile, Elyse and Josh are known for spending lots of time together and share a passion for health and fitness.

Last year, Elyse told The Sydney Morning Herald the couple wake up every day at 4:30am to train together at the gym.

Unclear: While her wedding finger is not visible, the photo taken in Byron Bay is very romantic has the feel of an engagement photo shoot. Daily Mail Australia has reached out for comment

Speaking of her daily routine, she said: 'Everyday is different with modelling. But I'm up at 4.30 in the morning to train with my boyfriend at the gym.

'It's a good way to start the day together. Then I walk the dog and after that I'm straight into the shower and off to work in Melbourne or on a plane to Sydney.'

The couple have been together for over four years.
He's the restaurant critic best known as a long-serving judge of MasterChef.

And despite his many encounters with renowned chefs, Matt Preston told The Sunday Telegraph he acted like a 'total fan boy' when first meeting the series' latest celebrity recruit, Yotam Ottolenghi.

Speaking of his encounter with the Israeli-born chef seven years ago, Matt recalled saying: 'Hi Mr Ottolenghi, can I have a photo please?'

'I was a total fan boy': MasterChef's Matt Preston (L) told The Sunday Telegraph he acted like was a 'total fan boy' when first meeting the series' latest celebrity recruit, Yotam Ottolenghi (R)

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed Ottolenghi will replace Marco Pierre White as the star judge in season nine of MasterChef.

Despite admitting producers had tried to recruit Ottolenghi for years, Matt only had well wishes for former judge Marco Pierre White, who defected to Channel Seven.

'We're all very happy that Marco's got himself a great gig and we wish him all the best,' he said of the 55-year-old British chef.

Star power: Matt admitted that producers of MasterChef Australia had their eyes set on Ottolenghi as a celebrity judge for several years

New face: Ottolenghi flies into Australia this week to commence filming for the ninth season of MasterChef Australia, replacing outgoing star judge Marco Pierre White (pictured)

Ottolenghi flies into Australia this week to commence filming for the ninth season of MasterChef Australia.

The journalist-turned-restaurateur will be appearing alongside regular judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris, and Gary Mehigan.

Meanwhile, Marco will take on a celebrity version of Gordon Ramsay's series Hell's Kitchen for Channel Seven.

Familiar faces: The journalist-turned-restaurateur will be appearing alongside regular judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris, and Gary Mehigan

New role: Meanwhile, Marco will take on a celebrity version of Gordon Ramsay's series Hell's Kitchen for rivals Channel Seven

Hell's Kitchen, set to begin filming early this year, will see a group of amateur chefs take on a full-dinner service at a restaurant.

In November last year, Marco told News.com.au explained why he left for a rival network.

'Hell's Kitchen without question, is the most natural environment for me to be myself. All chefs over time will stray slowly from the stove, very few stay close to the flame.

'Cooking has never been a job to me, it has always been a way of life,' he concluded.
She recently celebrated her fourth anniversary with husband Kieran Hayler.

And Katie Price proved that her tumultuous marriage to the former stripper was a thing of the past as she shared a loved-up throwback snap from their magical wedding day.

The 38-year-old is captured in her leg-baring wedding dress as she gazes into Kieran's eyes while standing on a rock, overlooking a sweeping stretch of water.

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'Love': Katie Price, 38, proved that her tumultuous marriage to the Kieran Hayler was a thing of the past as she shared a throwback snap of their marriage - a few days after celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary

The former glamour model seductively raises one leg up as she holds onto her new husband, who looks suitably dapper in a smart white shirt and trousers.

The word 'Love' and the single letter x are scrawled in hot pink lettering on the lower half of the shot, which she captioned with three love heart emojis.

In another Instagram snap, the same image was superimposed on a red heart in two cupped hands.

'You are in my heart... Forever!' was written alongside the image in elegant red handwriting, while she captioned it: 'Kieran did this for me'.

'You are in my heart forever!' In another Instagram snap, the same image was superimposed on a red heart in two cupped hands

Cute couple: On Monday, Katie looked more smitten than ever with her beau as she shared a sweet selfie gazing into his eyes whilst they celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary

On Monday, Katie looked more loved-up than ever with her beau as she shared a sweet selfie whilst they celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary.

Gazing into each other's eyes the pair made for quite the handsome couple, as Katie captioned the shot with a string of love hearts.

Katie and Kieran tied the knot in the Bahamas on January 16 in 2013.

The couple share two children, Jett, three, and Bunny, two, whilst Katie also has three children from previous relationships.

In October Katie revealed she be taking a month out of the limelight to see a therapist with Kieran, after reliving her husband's infidelity.

Moving on: In October Katie revealed she be taking a month out of the limelight to see a therapist with Kieran, after reliving her husband's infidelity

Perfect pair: Katie and Kieran tied the knot in the Bahamas on January 16 in 2013. The couple share two children, Jett, three, and Bunny, two, Katie also has another three children

During an appearance on ITV's Loose Women last month, the former glamour model announced that she would be taking time to heal her reopened wounds - which she would deal with during couples therapy sessions.

At the time Katie revealed that speaking so candidly about her husband Kieran Hayler's affairs with two of her best friends took its toll.

She explained: 'We're gonna go back to a therapist, not because there's anything wrong with our relationship... He's realised now I've moved on, how much he's hurt me. It's a lot for him to deal with.'

Katie has spoken publicly about the moment she discovered Kieran kissing her married ex-best friend Jane, 49, while on holiday in Cape Verde in May 2014.

The Mirror reported that Katie revealed what happened after she found Jane intimately pleasuring Kieran: 'I got up and proper got her. I thought I was a cage fighter or something... I was that angry I just clutched her hair. I'm not hard but I've done training.

Tragic: Katie has spoken publicly about the moment she discovered Kieran kissing her married ex-best friend Jane, 49, while on holiday in Cape Verde in May 2014

'And then Kieran called security. The worst thing is Jane's two kids came in and they saw me attacking their mum. Security walked in and I just wouldn't get off her.

In 2015, Katie explained the exact moment she found the duo together, leading to her heartbreak and very public rows.

She said: 'I remember going down to the bar one day in Cape Verde to ask the staff if they had seen my husband.

'They pointed towards the beach and said he'd gone that way. I asked them if he was with anyone and they said no. At that point, I knew he had gone to meet her.

'So I started walking towards the beach and in the distance, I could see these two silhouettes on the sun loungers. My heart was racing because I knew it was them. Then there they were, kissing each other.'

Katie and Jane had known each other for 20 years when the ten-month affair came to light, and the latter was even maid of honour at Katie's weddings to Alex Reid and Kieran.
Last week, Samantha Armytage slammed allegations by Woman's Day that she is feuding with Sunrise co-stars David Koch and Edwina Bartholomew as 'bulls**t'.

The magazine reported that not only was Edwina being considered to replace the 40-year-old host, but 'Kochie' had even asked Channel Seven bosses to replace Sam.

And now media analyst Steve Allen told The Sunday Telegraph that in the unlikely circumstance Sam is axed and not David 'it will cause a sexist s**tstorm'.

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Opinions: A media analyst told The Sunday Telegraph that in the unlikely circumstance Sam Armytage (pictured) is axed from Channel Seven breakfast show Sunrise while her older, male co-host David Koch stays, 'it will cause a sexist s**tstorm'

Steve told the publication that Channel Seven 'needs to be careful'.

He explained: 'Revolving personalities is not the solution. If Armytage is axed (instead of Koch) it will cause a sexist s**tstorm.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel Seven for comment.

Sunrise fans will remember David's former co-host Melissa Doyle leaving the show in 2013 after more than a decade.

Claims: Woman's Day previously reported that Edwina Bartholomew (L) was being considered to replace Sam, 40, and that David Koch (C) had even asked Channel Seven bosses to replace her. Sam and 'Kochie' both publicly criticised the magazine's reports as false and baseless

Notoriety: Edwina Bartholomew, a former weather presenter who was promoted to the Sunrise panel last year, has become a popular figure in recent months

The analyst's comments come days after Sam took to Instagram to criticise a front page story about her in Woman's Day.

Last Wednesday, the TV personality publicly dismissed claims she was feuding with her colleagues David and Edwina as 'bulls**t'.

Sam claimed the 'insider' information from a source must have been made up in the magazine's office.

Speaking out: The analyst's comments come days after Sam took to Instagram to criticise a front page story about her in Woman's Day

Hitting back: Sam said the 'insider' information must have been made up in the mag's office

She wrote: 'What? The Hewitts aren't getting divorced for the 5-millionth time this week? Kate Middleton isn't expecting her 12-thousandth baby?

'So, it must be a @sunriseon7 feud to take up several pages during the quiet-January-period (sic). Silly. Trash. Idiotic. Mindless. Bull****.'

The magazine also claimed Sam went 'into hiding' at a health retreat in Queensland last week, a trip which she said was simply a holiday.
The Bachelorette's Dave Billsborrow is sticking to neutral territory as he negotiates his friendships with Sam Frost and Sasha Mielczarek following their recent split.

Several days ago, the 30-year-old Sydney plumber spent the day with Sam in the company of his new girlfriend Cortnee Spessot.

But on Saturday, Dave enjoyed a lads' catch up with heartbroken Sasha over drinks on his balcony - which appeared to be the same location as his meeting with Sam.

Catching up: The Bachelorette's Dave Billsborrow (L) is sticking to neutral territory as he negotiates his friendships with Sam Frost and Sasha Mielczarek (R) following their recent split

Sasha took to Instagram to share their friendly photo, writing in the caption: 'Awesome day catching up with the bloke from wheel of fortune @davebillsborrow!'

'After a big off season I think the two of us need to get back in the 'Kath and Kim' (gym) and work off the 'Ned Kelly' (belly),' he joked.

'Not going to lie... still going to hook into a few froffs. Trying the low carb option though #pureblondeciders @pureblonde_au #doesanyoneknowagoodplumber'

Staying friends with both? Just days before his catch up with Sasha on Saturday, Dave spent the day with Sam Frost on the same balcony, in the company of his girlfriend Cortnee Spessot

Following her recent Bali holiday, Sam paid a visit to Dave - who once competed for her heart on The Bachelorette - and his girlfriend of eight months.

In a short clip shared to Instagram earlier this week, the 2DayFM radio personality was seen smiling broadly with lovebirds Dave and Cortnee.

Sam captioned the video: 'Cort + This dude are legit my favourites', adding the hashtag 'Good to be home' and tagging the couple.

Staying neutral: Dave has enjoyed close friendships with Sam and Sasha since they appeared on The Bachelorette together in 2015

Dave and Cortnee have been dating since May last year, shortly after his split from Sam's friend and roommate, Sarah Mae Amey.

It has been a difficult year for Sam, who confirmed her break-up after Christmas. Only days later her breakfast radio show was shifted to the evening time slot.

Sam, Sasha and Dave met on the first season of The Bachelorette, which was commissioned after Sam's appearance on The Bachelor in 2014.
It has been alleged Pete Evans 'blacklisted' select journalists from covering the upcoming fifth season of Channel Seven's My Kitchen Rules.

Three journalists - two from Bauer Media and one from News Corp - were reportedly cut off from access to the show and it's launch party this coming week.

But over the weekend, a spokesperson for the network told The Sunday Telegraph that the allegations were simply 'not true.'

Hitting back: It was alleged Pete Evans 'blacklisted' select journalists from covering the fifth season of My Kitchen Rules - but Channel Seven denied the claims to The Sunday Telegraph

'Pete does not make any decisions in regards to who is given access to MKR,' Channel Seven told the publication.

'That is a decision made by the publicity department.

'And we would never refuse access to anyone because obviously we are grateful of all publicity,' they concluded.

Clearing up he rumours: A Channel Seven spokesperson told the publication, 'Pete does not make any decisions in regards to who is given access to MKR'

The reports suggested that MKR's co-host and judge Pete was on the offensive after several unflattering articles were written about him.

Not only would the blacklisted journalists be refused access to the show, they would also not be invited to the launch at Colin Fassnidge's Sydney restaurant, 4 Fourteen.

Meanwhile, it is only one week until the highly-anticipated season five of MKR returns to screens.

Competition: MKR will go head-to-head with Channel Nine's controversial dating show Married At First Sight, with both airing on 30 January

MKR will go head-to-head with Channel Nine's controversial dating show Married At First Sight, with both airing on 30 January.

The show's hosts Manu Fieldel and Pete Evans will be joined by Colin Fassnidge, but the network have also added an element of mystery with a fourth judge.

Producers have also tried to inject a sprinkle of romance into the show, with trailers suggesting 'love is in the air' between two rival contestants.
She's been a guest at a number of wedding ceremonies recently.

And it was more of the same for Anna Heinrich on Saturday as she attended her best friend Caroline Matson's ceremony at the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Sydney.

The 30-year-old criminal lawyer shared a photo of the bride on Instagram, which confused some of her fans who mistakenly believed SHE had got married.

Always the bridesmaid? Anna Heinrich (C) attended her best friend Caroline Matson's wedding ceremony at the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Sydney on Saturday

'Thought this was you for a sec! Gorgeous!' wrote one excited fan.

Before the ceremony, Anna shared a photo of herself with Caroline, accompanied by a sweet caption.

'19 years of friendship and I couldn't be more honoured to stand by your side tomorrow,' she wrote.

'19 years of friendship and I couldn't be more honoured to stand by your side tomorrow': Anna paid a touching tribute to her best friend Caroline before her special day

She continued: 'You are going to make the most beautiful bride #mybestie #loveyou #TheBlunts2017'.

Anna, who served as a bridesmaid, later posted a photo of herself with her two sisters enjoying the wedding.

It's unclear if Anna's longtime boyfriend Tim Robards had attended the wedding with her, or if he had a prior commitment.

The reality TV couple, who met on The Bachelor in 2013, recently bought a $630,000 investment property together.

The couple's marital status has long been a subject of interest to fans, with many desperate for the chiropractor to propose.

Last year, Tim told The Daily Edition he was 'getting closer' to asking and said he planned to do something unexpected.
She partied with Paris Hilton for a wild birthday party in London on Friday night.

And ever the jetsetter, Sofia Richie touched down in Paris a day later to attend the Balmain Menswear Fall/Winter '17 show.

The busy rising star, 18, looked typically chic in a mult-coloured knit cardigan and a sophisticated updo as she posed sultrily outside during Paris Fashion Week.

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Chic: Sofia Richie, 18, looked stylish in a mult-coloured knit cardigan and a sophisticated updo to attend the Balmain Menswear Fall/Winter '17 show on Saturday in Paris

Going for a monochrome theme, the blonde beauty rocked a black asymmetric dress underneath teamed with skintight trousers.

Adding height to her petite frame, the daughter of Lionel Richie rocked a pair of black leather boots.

The model wore her blonde hair swept up in an artfully tousled updo and framed her eyes with lashings of mascara.

Ready for her close-up: The model wore her blonde hair swept up in an artfully tousled updo and framed her eyes with lashings of mascara

Making an effort: Lewis Hamilton rocked stonewashed jeans and an embellished jacket for the show

It comes as Paris Hilton and her new BFF Sofia jetted into London especially for a birthday party on Friday night.

The duo posted pics from a fun photobooth session at Tramp Nightclub, where billionaire businessman James Stunt was hosting his 35th.

'Reunited in London with my sis @SofiaRichie. #SistersTakingOverLondon,' Paris captioned the snaps as the pair donned accessories, cosied up and pulled faces.

Quite the gem! The F1 racer certainly caught the eye in his dazzling outerwear and shades

The 18-year-old daughter of Lionel meanwhile reposted the same images, calling it a 'girl's night in London' and tagging Paris.

She got a little more creative with her descriptions on Twitter meanwhile, declaring '@ParisHilton and I are the anti social lesbian sh*t talking couple in the corner of the party '.

There was a time when it would have been former Simple Life co-star Nicole crammed into a photobooth with the hotel heiress, but her little sister has taken her place her side of late.
In real time, Mariah Carey's already moved on to dating her backup dancer-turned-boyfriend Bryan Tanaka.

But on the newest episode of Mariah's World, the 46-year-old pop star is dealing with her relationship issues with then-fiance James Packer.

On Sunday's episode of the E! reality show the songstress, who is currently touring, dished on her regrets for not spending more time with the Australian billionaire businessman during her Paris concert.

'I feel bad because I didn't get to spend quality time with him,' Mariah lamented.

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Mariah's World: On Sunday's episode of the E! reality show Mariah Carey, who is currently touring, dished on her regrets for not spending more time with former fiance James Packer

In the clip released ahead of Sunday's show, Mariah sat on her hotel bed cluttered with fan mail as she candidly talked to her manager, Stella, about Packer.

'Did your fiance leave already?' Stella asked after Packer flew in for Mariah's Paris show and abruptly left.

'Yes. You want to sit down,' Mariah replied clearly downcast.

She continued: 'I just feel likeI feel bad because I didn't get to spend quality time with him. I don't know how we're gonna be able to put this together because we keep pushing things.'

Girl talk: In the clip released ahead of Sunday's show, the pop star sat on her hotel bed cluttered with fan mail as she candidly talked to her manager, Stella, about Packer

'Did your fiance leave already?' Stella asked if Packer was 'upset' and why he left 'so soon' after abruptly leaving Mariah's Paris show

Stella then asked the Dreamlover hit-maker if Packer was 'upset' and why he left 'so soon.'

Mariah said, 'I don't know because I asked him if everything was good'

'I think he had to get back to deal with his own business,' she explained.

'I asked if everything was good': The hit-maker explained, 'I think he had to get back to deal with his own business'

'I feel bad': Mariah said, 'I didn't get to spend quality time with him. I don't know how we're gonna be able to put this together because we keep pushing things'

Regrets: 'I just wish I had more time to give him, like more quality time to be with him but I really don't have that right now'

Busy: 'This is a very demanding schedule and James has so many responsibilities. It's not really easy for us to spend time together'

'I just wish I had more time to give him, like more quality time to be with him but I really don't have that right now.'

'This is a very demanding schedule and James has so many responsibilities. It's not really easy for us to spend time together.'

'I don't know. It's making my stomach hurt to think about it.'

Mariah's World airs on E! on Sundays at 9 p.m.

'I don't know': 'It's making my stomach hurt to think about it'

Catch the next episode: Mariah's World airs on E! on Sundays at 9 p.m.
She struck up an unlikely friendship with Wikileaks founder julian assange in 2014.

Having formed a strong bond, Pamela Anderson was spotted for the fifth time in four months visiting her pal at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on Saturday afternoon.

The 49-year-old Baywatch beauty wrapped up for her outing as she stylishly draped a long statement grey coat over her slender frame for her lunch time catch-up.

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Catching up: Pamela Anderson was spotted for the fifth time in four months visiting her pal at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London on Saturday afternoon

Her choice of coat featured wide lapels and eye-catching brown buttons as she casually sauntered through the city's streets.

Adding a racy touch to her look, she donned a pair of black fishnet tights while slipping on a black pencil skirt, which hugged her endless curves.

The TV star - who has two children with ex husband and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee - paired her winter inspired ensemble with a gorilla emblazoned oversized jumper.

Completing her outfit, the buxom bombshell adorned her feet with a leather heeled boot that elongated her toned pins, while she held her soft grey satchel and Pret A Manager lunch offering.

Work it! The 49-year-old Baywatch beauty wrapped up for her outing as she stylishly draped a long statement grey coat over her slender frame for her lunch time catch-up

Ever the glamourpuss, she donned a pair of cat-eye shades as her peroxide blonde locks cascaded down her shoulders into a curl.

Pamela's demure appearance comes after her last visit to Assange in December, where he has been hiding under political asylum since 2012 to avoid a rape investigation in Sweden.

He has struck up an unlikely friendship with Pamela and even complained when she kept bringing him 'vegan foods'.

In November, the Peta ambassador arms were full, as she juggled a straw bag, coffee shop carrier bag and a tray laden with treats like fruit salad and vegetarian burgers.

Standing in style: Adding a racy touch to her look, she donned a pair of black fishnet tights while slipping on a black pencil skirt, which hugged her endless curves

Although a kind gesture, Assange apparently didn't enjoy her offering, describing the vegan treats as 'torture'.

Pamela - who will appear in the new film reboot of Baywatch later this year - set up The Pamela Anderson Foundation at the start of 2014 with the goal of using her celebrity to help environmental causes and to protect vulnerable people and animals.

Since then she has raised awareness for organisations such as PETA and Mercy For Animals, and joined initiatives that seek to protect the Arctic, halt deforestation and speak out against the force feeding of ducks and geese, a practice used in the production of foie gras.

Friendship: Pamela's demure appearance comes after her last visit to Assange (pictured) in December, where he has been hiding under political asylum since 2012 to avoid a rape investigation in Sweden

In August 2014 fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood introduced Pamela to Julian.

Speaking to The Mail On Sunday shortly after the meeting, the fashion designer explained the meeting of minds.

'I was supposed to take Pamela to see Julian in the embassy but she got the date wrong, so she went on her own the day after me. She told me afterwards that they got on very well.

'Julian was just brilliant... Pamela's trying to help people with her new trust and he gave her some ideas on how to do that.'
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Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday afternoon then beamed as he enjoyed his inaugural dance with model wife Melania while daughters Ivanka and Tiffany looked on.

And the next day he attended church with his family to pray for a peaceful transition as Barack Obama leaves office.

But already marches were beginning across the country to protest the President's stand on such issues as abortion, diversity and climate change.

And celebrities were at the front of many of these marches, including a teary eyed Charlize Theron in Utah and a pink p**** hat-wearing Julia Roberts in Washington DC where 200,000 women met up.

Sad day for this Oscar winner: Charlize Theron had tears in her eyes as she attended the Women's March in Park City, Utah on Saturday morning the day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States

Too much to handle: The Mad Max actress wore a white cap and grey scarf as she wiped away her tears

Three for the road: The Oscar winner was joined at the Park City protest by talk-show host Chelsea Handler, who had on a pink hat. Actress Mary McCormick was also there

Come snow or come shine: Theron, Handler and McCormick joined other women in p**** hats in the snow

Group hug: The comedienne pulled her pals in for a warm embrace

Trump was sworn in as President of the United States on Friday; here he is seen at his inaugural ball with Melania

Theron was in Utah for the Sundance Film Festival.

The Mad Max actress wore a white cap and grey scarf as she wiped away her tears while holding up a large banner in the streets of the small town of Park City.

The Oscar winner was joined at protest by talk-show host Chelsea Handler, who had on a pink hat. Actress Mary McCormick was also there. Snow fell on the women as they chanted and raised their fists.

'This isn't 1917; it's 2017,' Handler said during her speech after the march. 'We shouldn't have to fight for progress we've already made, but we're ready to. It's our duty to take care of the next generation and to ensure that our children have the same access to the essential services that we did and this is coming from somebody who doesnt have children.

'But, as a responsible citizen, I know that we have a duty to protect everyone else's children.'

In Washington DC, Roberts stood out in her floppy-eared kitty cat hat as she wore a black coat and white-strapped Women's March tag.

The Pretty Woman actress, 49, was also with her blonde daughter Hazel.

The wife of cameraman Danny Moder also wore black sunglasses and a black coat as she had several female friends with her and two male bodyguards.

Roberts was a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter and attended fundraisers for her in New York City last year.

Marching on: Handler shared a snap of herself marching down the street alongside Charlize Theron and numerous other demonstrators

With her mini me: In Washington DC, Julia Roberts stood out in her p**** hat as she wore a black coat and white tag. The Pretty Woman actress, 49, was also with her daughter Hazel

Her posse: The wife of cameraman Danny Moder had several female friends with her and two male bodyguards

Comedienne Amy Schumer of Trainwreck fame wore a costume as she walked with her friends in DC.

The blonde HBO stand-up star had on a bright orange NASA suit with her hair in braided ponytail and prescription glasses on.

There were badges on her uniform that read NOPE and Commander.

Roar: Katy Perry wore a pink jacket and a beige hat as she was seen with Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey

In the crowd: The I Kissed A Girl hit maker was seen with a pal as Ashley Judd followed behind

Schumer wore the same suit when talking to Neil deGrasse Tyson earlier this week for a skit on her series Inside Amy Schumer. The star was asking the 58-year-old astrophysicist and cosmologist about how freeze-dried ice cream stays fresh in space.

The actress also wore a matching Wear Orange sweat band to create awareness for gun violence to the march. Trump has been a supporter of the NRA.

Katy Perry wore a pink jacket and a beige hat as she was seen with Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey.

Astronaut for a day: Comedienne Amy Schumer of Trainwreck fame wore a costume as she walked with her friends in DC

Taking flight: The blonde HBO stand-up star had on a bright orange NASA suit with her hair in braised pigtails and prescription glasses on. There were badges on her uniform that read NOPE and Commander

Recycling her costumes: Schumer wore the same suit when talking to Neil deGrasse Tyson earlier this week for a skit on her series Inside Amy Schumer. Her pals had on the same look

A six pack: In this Instagram image Amy has her arm up as she poses with her female pals. Her note read: 'March like everyone's watching'

A pal: Later Amy posed with Madonna, who dropped three F-bombs during her speech and also wore a NASA suit

More of this: Amy looked shocked to pose with Debi Mazar, Gloria Steinem and Madonna

Madonna has spent her life dropping F-bombs both in her music and in her appearances. And the 58-year-old Vogue singer was at it again on Saturday in DC after Ashley Judd and Scarlett Johansson delivered speeches to an estimated 500,000 people.

The mother-of-four was clearly not happy with 45th President of the United States Donald Trump. 'Welcome to the revolution of love, to the rebellion, to our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny, where not just women are in danger but all marginalized people, where being uniquely different right now might truly be considered a crime.

'It took this horrific moment of darkness to wake us the f*** up.' Madonna also told Trump to 'suck a d***.'

The singer's remarks aired uncensored on C-Span, CNN and MSNBC.

Nasty: Madonna has spent her life dropping F-bombs both in her music and in her appearances. And the 58-year-old Vogue singer was at it again on Saturday in DC after Ashley Judd and Scarlett Johansson delivered speeches to an estimated 500,000 people

No lipstick here: Alicia Keys, who is famous now for refusing to wear makeup, also showed up in DC

The funny girl waved her arms to fans and tried to get cheers.

Bella Thorne, who was also a Clinton backer, was seen with a pink hat on.

Chrissy Teigen also made an appearance in DC. Her hair was pulled back and she had on a black coat and scarf as she struck a serious mood.

Her husband John Legend was at the march in Utah as he had to be in town for the Sundance Film Festival.

The day before she had been texting up a storm about Trump's inauguration, calling it 'sickening' and making jokes about how he was not making American great again. She even took a jab at his wife for trying to look like Jackie Kennedy in her blue Ralph Lauren outfit.

Apart: Chrissy Teigen also made an appearance in DC. Her hair was pulled back and she had on a black coat and scarf as she struck a serious mood. Her husband John Legend was at the march in Utah as he had to be in town for the Sundance Festival

Not a fan: The day before she had been texting up a storm about Trump's inauguration, calling it 'sickening' and making jokes about how he was not making American great again

Actresses Cynthia Nixon and Helen Mirren pose together left at the Women's March in NYC. Mirren takes the mic, right, to speak to crowds

Mirren and Sex And The City's Nixon at the Women's solidarity march in New York on Saturday

Emma Watson looked ready for her closeup with a black beanie hat and red painted lips. She was one of the few stars that smiled and appeared to be in a good mood.

Shake It Up TV star Bella Thorne wore a pink cap.

Thorne wore a pink top, leggings and boots as she joined her female friends. She also had a camera around her neck and one in her hand.

Ashley Judd gave a speech in DC comparing Trump to Adolph Hitler and making fun of his orange tinted skin.

Smiles at last: Emma Watson (left) looked ready for her closeup with a black beanie hat and red painted lips. She was one of the few stars that smiled and appeared to be in a good mood. Shake It Up TV star Bella Thorne (right) wore a pink cap

With her girls: Thorne wore a pink top, leggings and boots as she joined her female friends. She also had a camera around her neck and one in her hand

A Brit in Manhattan: The Harry Potter star held onto her phone as she screamed in the crowd

Scarlett Johansson of Lucy and Captain America fame also made a show at the DC march, taking to the podium.

The mother-of-one who lives most of the year in Paris with her husband, wore her blonde locks short.

The star appeared to be in a good mood as she talked with friends and modeled a puffy coat with a fur trim and several scarves around her neck.

Hear me! Scarlett Johansson of Lucy and Captain America fame also made a show at the DC march, taking to the podium

From France with love: The mother-of-one who lives most of the year in Paris with her husband, wore her blonde locks short The star appeared to be in a good mood as she talked with friends and modeled a puffy coat

Vocal: Ashley Judd gave a speech in DC comparing Trump to Adolph Hitler and making fun of his orange tinted skin

Backlash already: Judd of Kiss The Girls fame has been called trashy for talking about how Trump called Ivanka a 'sex symbol'

Never a Trump fan: Lena Dunham shared a photo from the march. She was joined by star Amy Poehler

Padma Lakshmi, a model who parlayed her catwalk success into a hosting job on TV's Top Chef, made an interesting impression.

The beauty - of Indian descent - was seen with the father of her child, Adam Dell.

The two have not been photographed together often, but appear to have come together to express their dislike for the new US President.

The former Vogue darling, 46, held a sign that read GIRLS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS and wore a pink scarf with a white puffy jacket.

Dell was seen holding the child they share - a daughter named Krishna.

Lena Dunham shared a photo from the march.

She was joined by star Amy Poehler.

The Girls actress has been very opposed to Trump and wrote on her Lenny Letter about the former Apprentice reality star in November.

'As horrifying as I found Donald Trumps rhetoric, as hideous as I found his racism and xenophobia, as threatening to basic decency as I found his demagogue persona, I never truly believed he could win.'

Pretty in pink: Padma Lakshmi, a model who parlayed her catwalk success into a hosting job on TV's Top Chef, made an interesting impression

The baby daddy: The beauty - of Indian descent - was seen with the father of her child, Adam Dell. The two have not been photographed together often, but appear to have come together to express their dislike for the new US President

The former Vogue darling, 46, held a sign that read GIRLS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS and on the back GIRLS RILE, and wore a pink scarf with a white puffy jacket

Not the Simple Life: Nicole Richie showed up to the Los Angeles march that started at Pershing Square in downtown LA and went to City Hall

OK, we get your point: Miley Cyrus wore an outfit with smiley faces all over and HH as eyes in LA

Zendaya, who will appear in the next Spider-Man film, took over the Snapchat account for Vogue to document her contribution to the march.

The Oakland native wore a yellow shirt under a denim jacket and flashed peace signs as she posed with fans.

Nicole Richie showed up to the Los Angeles march that started at Pershing Square in downtown LA and went to City Hall.

Interesting look: The always cute Vanessa Hudgens had on a shirt that alluded to the p****hat movement

Making a point: Natalie Portman wore a shirt in LA that read: We Should All Be Feminist. She is promoting the film Jackie

Standing up for animals: Singer Kesha protested the trophy killings made by Donald Trump's sons

Her statements: Kristen Stewart help a sign in support of Planned Parenthood and a button that said 'I'm With Meryl' while at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah

She had on a print coat with pink fur collar over a black shirt that read Stronger Together. Her friend wore a leopard coat and pink scarf.

Miley Cyrus wore a ton of smiley faces on her clothes and shoes.

The always cute Vanessa Hudgens had on a shirt that alluded to the p****hat movement.

Peace please: Zendaya, who will appear in the next Spider-Man film, took over the Snapchat account for Vogue to document her contribution to the march

Her position: The Oakland native wore a yellow shirt under a denim jacket with a fur collar and she also had on glasses

Cat ears: Marisa Tomei of My Cousin Vinny fame held onto a fence as she looked up at the stage

Voicing her complaints: Cher was also at the rally. The 1960s singer who had a massive hit with Turn Back Time skipped the pink p**** hat and instead wore a cream colored cap and matching jacket

Cher was also at the DC rally.

The 1960s singer who had a massive hit with Turn Back Time skipped the pink p**** hat and instead wore a cream colored cap and matching jacket.

And she posed with Madonna too.

The Moonstruck star was very vocal about not liking Trump, and even said she wanted to move to 'another planet' if he was elected President.

The I Got You Babe singer told Mario Lopez at Extra in October: 'Im horrified. With every fiber of my real self I could not imagine a world where there was a President Trump. I dont know how other people cannot see he really is unhinged.'

Mars? The Moonstruck star was very vocal about not liking Trump, and even said she wanted to move to 'another planet' if he was elected President

The crowds: Signs such as 'OMG USA WTF' were held up as well as Resist Intolerance

Making her presence known: John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono was helped by a friend so she could make the march

Chloe Moretz and Jessica Chastain were seen together in a video clip as they made their way to the march in DC.

The actresses joked around as they were driven to the scene.

It is not known if they have been friends for a while or if their shared dislike for Trump brought them together.

Buddies: Chloe Moretz and Jessica Chastain were seen together in the march in DC

Her turn: Taylor Schilling of Orange Is The New Black showed up for a protest in New York City

Two cute: Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants co-stars Amber Tamblyn and America Ferrera posed in DC

Youthful: A glowing Helen Mirren, known for being one of Hollywood's original feminist, gave the crowd two thumbs up at the Women's solidarity march in New York

Legend: Hollywood icon Whoopi Goldberg spoke at the women's march sister event in NYC

Having a moment: Amy grinned broadly as she embraced Dunham

Girl power: Lena showed off the protest signs both she and a gal pal carried that day, along with a quote from Al Capone

'Today was a good day!' Lauren Conrad was optimistic as she took part in the Women's March with friends

Showing the love: Rose McGowan puckered up to a Hillary Clinton figurine

Putting on her walking shoes: Demi Lovato took a Snapchat as she headed to the Women's March

'So proud': Rumer Willis stood beside the movement

Disbelief: Prepon quoted a protest sign in her caption, '"I can't believe we still have to protest this sh**!'

United: Mandy Moore and Jane Fonda joined forces during the march

Star power: Moore was joined by Helen Hunt for the big day of demonstrations

Teamwork: Amber Rose proudly posed with several protesters

Representing: Mark Ruffalo showed off his fancy sign as he marched in New York

'Sisterhood': Naomi Watts watched the giant crowd form below in New York

Patriotic: Schumer captioned a snap of alongside America Ferrera, 'America the beautiful'

'Solidarity': Demi Lovato was happy to be joined by The Edge

Love: Olivia Wilde was in Washington, D.C. for the march

Making a statement: Ireland Baldwin showed off a funny sign featuring her father Alec Baldwin (L), while Moby showed off one in Los Angeles

Friends: Amy came across actress Amy Poehler during the protest

'Hear our voice': Miley Cyrus showed her support for Planned Parenthood during the Los Angeles demonstrations

Look who's here! Jamie Lee Curtis was also at the Los Angeles march

Fashion statement: Dirty Dancing actress Jennifer Grey sent a message with her T-shirt

She's there too: Ariana Grande and her grandmother Nonna were among the Los Angeles protesters

'So inspiring': Kerry Washington and Natalie Portman showed their support

Saying her piece: Schumer shared a post of herself behind the podium

'We are here': Alicia Keys embraced Janelle Monae during the demonstration

Stage presence: Keys smiled broadly as she took the stage

'Savages for equal rights': Willow Smith closed her eyes as a pal kissed her on the cheek

Her side: Sharon Lawrence explained why she was participating in the march via an Instagram video

Landmark: Teigen showed off a view of the Washington Monument

'Hear me roar!' Hudgens proudly carried a 'I am woman hear me roar!' sign

'The future is female': Pharrell shared a video of the massive crowd

Participation: John Legend shared a post from the Park City, Utah demonstration

'Today a feminist got her wings': Katy Perry got in a snap with activist Gloria Steinem

'Equality for everyone': Colton Haynes had a message about equality on the day of the Women's March

Star presence: Barbra Streisand lent her support as she took to the stage in Los Angeles

A family affair: Jake Gyllenhaal was joined by his sister, Maggie Gyllenhaal, in Washington, D.C.

Taking the stage: Tracee Ellis Ross and her Black-ish co-star Yara Shahidi took to the podium in Los Angeles

Action star: Melissa Benoist referred to her show, Supergirl, when she participated in the march

Showing her support: Kim Kardashian tweeted a message referencing the march on Saturday

'So proud': Kim shared a black-and-white image of a protester's sign
Kayne West made quite a splash when he voiced his support for President Donald Trump during and after the election.

But from the looks of it the 39-year-old rapper wasn't in Washington DC for inauguration celebrations, as he was spotted getting dinner with his wife Kim Kardashian in Brentwood, California late Friday.

While Yeezy was not at the inaguration, Kim showed her political stripes on Instagram, paying tribute to President Obama with a 'family' portrait of her, North, Kanye, and the former POTUS.

Not in Washington: Kanye West was spotted in Brentwood Friday, smashing rumors that the star would be attending President Donald Trump's inaguration

The Life Of Pablo artist left through the back door of the upscale eatery with several members of his squad.

While exiting the restaurant the designer sported one of his favorite jackets: a red plaid coat that gave off strong lumberjack vibes.

He hit the pavement with a pair of yellow and grey sneakers with the laces untied.

Rolling deep: The rapper and designer left the building with several friends in tow

Some were surprised to learn the GOOD Music founder supported the former Republican candidate.

At a concert in San Jose just prior to his hospitalization in November, West shared that he doesn't vote but if he did, his support would go to Donald Trump.

He later clarified that he's not socially conservative and is still an ardent support of Black Lives Matter and an LGBTQ ally.

Don't trip! The Bound 2 artist wore a pair of yellow kicks with precariously untied laces

Style staple: The Late Graduation rapper sported a red plaid coat that he's been spotted wearing several times over the years

The couple certainly have different political philosophies.

During campaign season Kim was a vocal supporter of Hilary Clinton and the Democratic party, attending several fundraising events.

On Friday, the reality starlet was quick to share her fond memories of the former President saying: 'What an era! I posted some amazing memories on my website/app! I can't wait to show these to my kids one day!'

You can see more of Kim's tribute to Obama on her site kimkardashianwest.com as well as on the star's Instagram.

Touching tribute: Kim shared a photo tribute to President Obama on Friday that showed Kayne, North and the mother of two with the former POTUS
While most women went with pink to protest Donald Trump's stand on women's issues during marches across the country on Saturday, Amy Schumer chose another color.

The 35-year-old Trainwreck star walked in orange in Washington DC on Saturday to bring awareness to gun violence.

Her bright orange NASA suit was taken from the wardrobe department at Inside Amy Schumer as she slipped into the uniform to meet astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson recently.

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Taking to the streets! Amy Schumer donned a bright orange NASA space suit as she and her girlfriends led the pack in the Women's March in Washington, D.C. on Saturday

Schumer is a vocal advocate for gun control.

In 2015 two women were killed and nine others wounded during a screening of Schumer's movie, Trainwreck.

After the shooting, the star joined her cousin, New York senator Chuck Schumer, to speak out against gun violence.

Leading the pack! The 35-year-old comedienne took to the streets on behalf of women's rights and gun violence

Vocal advocate: The actress is a vocal advocate for gun control. In 2015 two women were killed and nine others wounded during a screening of Schumer's movie, Trainwreck

Why orange? Orange is the color that hunters wear to avoid being shot accidentally. The color has become a symbol of gun violence awareness

She also appeared in an SNL sketch on the topic, parodying America's fascination with guns and its dismissal of common sense gun control.

On Saturday the blonde HBO stand-up star had on a bright orange NASA suit with her hair in a braided ponytail. She also had on prescription glasses.

Orange is the color that hunters wear to avoid being shot accidentally, and thus has become a symbol of gun violence awareness.

There were badges on her uniform that read 'NOPE' and 'Commander.'

Anti-Trump: There were badges on her uniform that read 'NOPE' and 'Commander'

'March like everyone's watching': Amy shared this shot to Instagram of she and her friends all in costume during the march

Repeat: Amy wore the same suit when talking to Neil deGrasse Tyson earlier this week for a skit on her series Inside Amy Schumer

The star was asking the 58-year-old astrophysicist and cosmologist about how freeze-dried ice cream stays fresh in space.

She shared a couple of the videos with Tyson on her Instagram page.

In the humorous clips, Schumer dons the space suit while Tyson is clad in a business suit.

In the videos the pair sit and discuss meteorites and eat astronaut food meant for space.

Science skit: The star was asking the 58-year-old astrophysicist and cosmologist about how freeze-dried ice cream stays fresh in space

LOL: She shared a couple of the videos with Tyson on her Instagram page. The pair talked about meteorites, and ate astronaut food

Arms up! The funny girl waved her arms to fans and tried to get cheers

Center stage: At one point in the March Amy took the podium

Star-studded: Debbie Mazur, Gloria Steinem, Madonna and Amy attended the rally at the Women's March in DC

Meanwhile, the actress also wore a matching 'Wear Orange' sweat band to further create awareness for gun violence to the march.

The funny girl waved her arms to fans and tried to get cheers.

She took to Instagram ahead of the march with a 'flashback Friday' picture of herself as a babe in a tub with a lengthy caption.

'I am going to march tomorrow with love in my heart and hope for our future.'

'Let's march': Amy shared this vintage shot of herself and a lengthy caption on Friday ahead of the march
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Natalie Portman stood up for her beliefs on Saturday, as she joined The Women's March in Los Angeles.

The pregnant actress made her feelings clear in a 'We should all be feminists!' shirt as she spoke to the hundreds of thousands gathered on the streets of Downtown LA.

She wasn't alone, with stars as varied as Jane Fonda, Vanessa Hudgens, and Miley Cyrus showing up to do their part for the cause.

Starlets from the film and music industries flocked to the event, with estimates putting the number of attendees in Los Angeles at around 750,000.

'We should all be feminists!' Pregnant Natalie Portman makes her feelings clear in logo T-shirt as she joins Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens and Jane Fonda at Los Angeles Women's March on Saturday

Truth: Starlets from the film and music industries flocked to the event, with estimates putting the number of attendees in Los Angeles at around 750,000

Powerful: People took to the streets of Los Angeles on January 21 holding up signs like 'Protect Women's Health'

O fficials have said this march is the largest since the famous 2006 immigration protest in downtown.

Vanessa Hudgens, 28, and Miley Cyrus, 24, showed up early with bells on.

The outspoken feminists wore loud outfits to draw attention to a cause close to their hearts.

Vanessa marched with a handmade 'I am woman hear me roar!' sign, while Miley created a 3D Happy Hippie - her non-profit- '4' P***y Power' poster.

Her message loud and clear: High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens had on a shirt that read 'Yeah P****'

Representin': Miley Cyrus represented her non-profit Happy Hippie Foundation while joining the march in a unique ensemble

The celebrities joined civilians in chanting 'Love Trumps hate' as they made their way toward City Hall.

The Los Angeles march is one of dozens of protests worldwide.

The event - which has garnered huge international attention - has been organized in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 55 global cities including Tokyo, Sydney, Paris, London, Berlin, and Amsterdam.

Star power: Miley was joined by Marcia Gay Harden (L) and Jane Fonda (R) at the march

Feminist: Miley's sign stood for Happy Hippie for P***y Power

Mom plus one: A very pregnant Natalie showed up in support of the movement

No idleness here: Kesha came out with a handmade sweater reading 'President, I DARE you to "grab" me by the p***y'

Kesha came out with a handmade sweater reading 'President, I DARE you to "grab" me by the p***y.'

The songstress has had a tough time at the hands of men who have exercised power over her in the past few years, namely music producer Dr. Luke, in which she was involved in an exhausting legal battle.

Rallying: Emily Ratajkowski joined in on the political fun holding a strong message in hand

Stunning Emily Ratajkowski was part of the day's action.

The introspective feminist made a hand-drawn sign with a quote by Naomi Wolfe:

'The enemy is not lipstick but guilt itself, we deserve lipstick, if we want it and free speech, we deserve to be sexual and serious or whatever we please.'

We The People: Jessica Biel made an appearance holding a poster with a powerful message

Fierce ladies: Jamie Lee Curtis, 58, and Jane Fonda, 79, posed together on an off moment from marching. Curtis' sign said 'what she said' with arrows pointing in all directions

Symbol: Juliette Lewis held up her hand in a clenched fist, symbolizing her solidarity and support to the women's movement

Making a statement: Mandy Moore was also in attendance, wearing the uniform of the day: a pink 'p****y hat'

'Standing with my sisters:' Nicole Richie attended the protest in a 'Stronger Together' shirt

The apply doesn't fall far from the tree: Idina Menzel is joined by her mom at the protest

Like mother, like daughter: Helen Hunt brought along her daughter Makena for the day

Young activist: Rowan Blanchard, 15, marched with a 'Predator in Chief' sign

Showed up in pink: Jodie Sweetin showed up for the early morning rally
He narrowly missed out on the world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November last year.

But Lewis Hamilton certainly came first in the style stakes on Saturday, as he made an appearance at Paris Men's Fashion Week in not one but two high-fashion looks.

The 32-year-old, who is a keen follower of fashion, showed off the many sides to his style as he headed to the prestigious Dior show in a sleek raincoat - before venturing to the Balmain catwalk in a glitzy denim jacket.

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Twice as nice! Lewis Hamilton came first in the style stakes on Saturday, as he made an appearance at Paris Men's Fashion Week in not one but two high-fashion looks

The Formula One driver first headed to the star-studded Dior SS17 show alongside Paris Jackson, Bono and Karl Lagerfeld, in a practical but stylish raincoat.

The outerwear stood out from the crowd with its high-shine black material, which jazzed up his simple but classic skinny black trousers.

Adding a splash of colour to his look, Lewis then layered a vibrant red roll neck underneath - effortlessly co-ordinating with his jacket, which featured scarlet ties on the hood.

Come rain or shine: The Formula One driver first headed to the star-studded Dior SS17 show alongside Paris Jackson, Bono and Karl Lagerfeld, in a practical but stylish raincoat

Maintaining the seemingly practical vibe of his outfit, he then added a set of rubber Chelsea boots to his feet, with matching red soles.

He tied the look together with a chunky silver ring on his middle finger and a trendy set of rounded sunglasses as he posed for cameras.

After rubbing shoulders with celebrities and designers alike at the elite show, the British star then made a quick change for his second event of the day - Balmain.

Matchy matchy: Adding a splash of colour, Lewis then layered a vibrant red roll neck underneath - effortlessly co-ordinating with his jacket, which featured scarlet ties on the hood

Finishing touches: He tied the look together with a chunky silver ring on his middle finger and a trendy set of rounded sunglasses as he posed for cameras

Upping the glamour for his next catwalk show, the Formula One star swapped his trendy raincoat for a pale denim jacket encrusted with multi-coloured beads and jewels all over.

He then replaced his comfortable black tracksuit bottoms with matching skinny jeans and added a plain white T-shirt underneath, to let the statement sparkling Balmain jacket do the talking.

Lewis, who is a regular on GQ's best dressed list, has been a main face at this year's event in Paris - attending the Off-White, Rick Owens and Louis Vuitton shows on Thursday.

Glitz: Upping the glamour for the Balmain show, the Formula One star swapped his trendy raincoat for a pale denim jacket encrusted with multi-coloured beads and jewels all over

Layering up against the brisk winter weather, the three-time world champion first rocked a camouflage t-shirt with a checked shirt and orange bomber jacket at the Off-White collection presentation.

However, it seemed that Lewis feels his outfits need a switch-up for each event - once again changing for the FROW at Rick Owens by throwing on a funky pale green parka instead.

Saving the best until last, he then rocked a knee-length grey coat lined with cream fleece and heavy duty boots at the elite Louis Vuitton show.

Changing it up: Lewis has been a main face at this year's event in Paris - showcasing his style at the Off-White, Rick Owens and Louis Vuitton shows on Thursday (L-R)

Lewis is taking time off in the French captial amid the much-discussed transfer of Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas - who is in talks to join Mercedes after the retirement of Nico Rosberg.

Addressing the potential move, Claire Williams of Williams Martini Racing said: 'It has been dragging on, and I think everyone wants to know. It is a great opportunity for Valtteri, and he has given a lot to Williams.'

The situation is no doubt made worse for Lewis by the fact that his former team-mate Nico is the one who pipped him to the post at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - causing Lewis lose the world title and be left in second place.

Lewis is not set to return to the F1 track until March, for the 2017 season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
James Mattis sworn in as Trump's defense secretary

Retired Marine general James Mattis was sworn in as US defense secretary, praising intelligence agencies and calling for stronger ties with allies in a break from positions taken by President Donald Trump.

Mattis was confirmed by a 98-1 vote earlier Friday in the first action taken by US senators after Trump took the oath of office, and was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence.

"Together with the intelligence community we are the sentinels and guardians of our nation," Mattis said in a statement to the Department of Defense -- tipping his cap to the agencies that Trump has sharply criticized as they investigate claims of Russian interference in the US election.

US Vice President Mike Pence (R) swears in James Mattis as Secretary of Defense JIM WATSON (AFP)

"Every action we take will be designed to ensure our military is ready to fight today and in the future."

"Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances," he said, a contrast to Trump's recent branding of the NATO military alliance as "obsolete."

Lawmakers passed a special waiver allowing Mattis, who retired in 2013, to serve before a customary seven-year limit on former military personnel assuming the Pentagon's top post.

John Kelly, another retired Marine general, was also confirmed and sworn in to head the Department of Homeland Security.

"These uniquely qualified leaders will immediately begin the important work of rebuilding our military, defending our nation and securing our borders," Trump said in a statement.

"I am proud to have these two American heroes join my administration."

Mattis has won accolades from both parties and many in the armed forces, and his path to Trump's cabinet was relatively uncontroversial compared to that of other nominees.

A cornerstone of US democracy is that civilians, not people in uniform, control the military, and the commander-in-chief is the president.

Some in Congress initially raised eyebrows because Mattis, a 66-year-old Washington state native, had only retired from active duty in 2013.

The waiver allowing him to take the top Pentagon post was only granted once before, for the famous World War II general George Marshall who served under President Harry Truman from 1950-1951.

Mattis is known as a colorful commander and famed for his pugnacious aphorisms. The media dubbed him "Mad Dog" for his battle-hardened swagger and the sort of blunt language Marines are famous for.

He has been quoted as saying, "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet."

But Mattis also has a well-known cerebral side: he issued reading lists to Marines under his command, and instructed them that the most important territory on a battlefield is the space "between your ears."

While Mattis sailed through his confirmation, Democratic lawmakers are putting up stiff resistance to other Trump cabinet picks, including nominees to head the departments of education and health and human services.
Taiwan envoy hails US ties after Trump inauguration

The leader of a Taiwanese delegation that defied Chinese anger to attend US President Donald Trump's inauguration said Friday that US-Taiwan ties were at a "historic high."

Former premier Yu Shyi-kun, who headed the Taiwanese government between 2002 and 2005, led an 11-strong team to the ceremony on Washington's National Mall.

His invitation to the event had enraged Beijing -- which sees the self-ruling island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification -- and sparked a diplomatic spat.

Former Taiwan premier Yu Shyi-kun led an 11-strong delegation to US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Washington's National Mall SAM YEH (AFP/File)

China formally asked Washington not to welcome a Taiwanese party to the inauguration, leading Yu to denounce its leader Xi Jinping as "narrow-minded."

But, even if anger preceded the visit, Yu was all smiles on Friday after attending the event, along with parliamentarians from four Taiwanese parties.

Yu himself is a member and former chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which is skeptical of cross-strait ties and defends Taipei's autonomy.

- Best relations -

He was enthused by the welcome he had received in Washington: "Taiwan-US relations are probably at their best right now," he told AFP.

Almost immediately after he won the November election, Trump provoked Beijing's ire by accepting a congratulatory call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, recognizing the Communist mainland rulers in Beijing as the sole government of "One China."

But, under the terms of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Washington maintains an ambiguous approach to the island, maintains trade ties and sells Taipei weapons.

It does not recognize Tsai as a head of state, however, and China was infuriated at what it saw as a breach of protocol in Trump's acceptance of her call.

The then president-elect was unconcerned, and some US conservatives praised him for standing up for a democratic ally.

Earlier this month, Tsai transited through the United States on her way to meetings in Latin America, and at the airport she met Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz.

Yu, in an interview with AFP, said that Trump's decision to take Tsai's call and to allow the transit visit were good signs that relations are warming.

"She received a very high-level and good treatment in the US, and also there was the call between President Trump and President Tsai, which raised Taiwan's visibility," he said.

- One China -

Asked whether he had met with officials from former president Barack Obama's outgoing administration or Trump's new one, Yu was cautious.

"According to the norms and understanding that we have between Taiwan and the US, if we have any meetings with members of the administration we cannot disclose that," he said.

Yu noted that Trump had, in one of his notoriously intemperate Tweets, called the United States' "One China" policy into question.

But, while he welcomed this, he said that some in Taiwan had been concerned that in follow-up interviews Trump had appeared to suggest he would use Taiwan ties as a bargaining chip.

Last month, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that "everything is on the table, including One China" but suggested China could save the policy by negotiating a trade deal with him.

Yu said he had raised the idea that Trump may "sell out Taiwan" at conservative think tanks in Washington, but had been reassured that the Taiwan Relations Act would forbid this.

Taiwan's other concern is the apparent collapse of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a planned free trade deal championed by Obama but denounced by Trump.

"Under the Obama administration they were very keen on getting TPP signed," Yu said "Taiwan and the US had an understanding for Taiwan to be part of the TPP."

- Constant unfair threat -

If TPP cannot be salvaged, however, he hopes a separate Taiwan-US trade pact might be signed and that Taiwanese investors might help Trump fulfil his pledge to create US jobs.

In the meantime, he can only lament that Taiwan's population of 23 million remains "under constant unfair threat" from its neighbors because it is not a recognized United Nations member.

"Taiwan and the US are both members of a democratic alliance," he said.

"We share the same values of freedom and democracy and human rights and peace. Our values are the same," he insisted.
Melania Trump stuns in first lady fashion stakes

First Lady Melania Trump stunned fashion watchers by donning a sleek, off-the-shoulder cream dress with a daring thigh-high slit to dance with President Donald Trump at the inaugural balls.

Her column dress, finished with a sculpted ruffle that cascaded down the front of the gown and cinched at the waist with a red ribbon, won praise for being fresh, modern, elegant and yet understated.

She won rave reviews for her look and originality in choosing Herve Pierre a New York-based designer who last year struck out on his own after working as creative director for famed label Carolina Herrera.

First Lady Melania Trump's dress for the inaugural balls won praise for being fresh, modern, elegant and yet understated JIM WATSON (AFP)

Her pick is likely to boost sales and publicity for the relatively unknown Pierre, much like her predecessor Michelle Obama's selection of the then relatively unknown Jason Wu in 2009 turned him into a star.

The 46-year-old former model glowed as she stepped onto the dance floor, her auburn hair hanging around her shoulders, with her husband, dressed in a black tie, to "My Way" the song made popular by Frank Sinatra and considered something of a personal anthem for Trump.

The couple swayed rather gingerly, the Republican president clutching his wife tightly by one hand and placing his other on her back as they nuzzled, and exchanged smiles and laughs.

The former reality TV star, who reportedly refused to practice the dance ahead of time, at times broke away from his wife to wave or flash a thumbs up to unidentified members of the crowd.

They were joined by Trump's adult children from his two previous marriages, each dancing with their other halfs, and first daughter Ivanka stunning in a pink bead-encrusted princess Herrera gown.

- Channeling Jackie O in Ralph Lauren -

Women's Wear Daily, quoting Pierre, said Trump collaborated on the gown. He said it had been an honor to dress her "under my name" after dressing first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama while working for Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera, it said.

The new first lady's sartorial picks for the inauguration went some way to silencing critics who have complained in the past that she favored high-end European clothes rather than American creations.

Earlier in the day she donned a custom-made power blue suit from US fashion royalty Ralph Lauren for her husband's swearing-in ceremony.

Her cashmere turtleneck dress fell to her knee, paired with a cropped bolero jacket and matching suede gloves. The Slovenian-born first lady wore her hair swept up, showcasing diamond stud earrings.

It was a look that channeled her 1960s predecessor Jackie Kennedy, of whom she has spoken admiringly, the wife of slain Democratic president John F. Kennedy and considered one of the most stylish first ladies.

Lauren, a 77-year-old master who personifies a rags-to-riches American dream is perhaps the country's most iconic living designer, whose clothes define a uniquely American sense of elegance.

His decision to work with the new first lady comes after a string of other designers refused to dress her, citing opposition to her husband's controversial policies on immigration and campaign insults.

An American first lady's clothes have become hugely influential, believed to send implicit messages about the tone of their husbands' administrations.

- Old fashioned feel -

Both Melania Trump's outfits on Friday are likely to go on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History along with first lady inaugural wear dating back to Mamie Eisenhower.

Obama was particularly praised for her savvy blend of accessible high street clothes with striking high-end pieces that championed a host of little known designers.

As the wife of a billionaire, it remains unclear whether Trump will follow Obama's example and include cheaper outfits in her wardrobe.

She will also have to work hard to keep up with 35-year-old Ivanka, who unlike Melania is moving straight to Washington with her husband, Jared Kushner, an incoming White House advisor.

Tickets to the official balls went for $50 a head, which the Trump team said was designed to make them accessible to the ordinary voters who helped propel Trump into the White House, electrified by his populist, message that has nonetheless alarmed vast swaths of America.

The three official balls, the grand finale to inauguration day, served up a slice of old fashioned glamour with performances from the likes of the Rockettes, Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance and Sam Moore.

Aged 70 and the oldest man ever sworn in as US president, and the first to have never previously held elected or military office, Trump and his family took to the dance floor at all three.

The choice of "My Way," a song made globally famous by Sinatra in 1969 is synonymous with Trump's hometown New York and is own tear-up-the rule book approach to politics that ended in his widely unexpected election.

First Lady Melania Trump won rave reviews for her look and originality in choosing Herve Pierre a New York-based designer who last year struck out on his own JIM WATSON (AFP)
India PM overturns ban on bull-wrestling festival

An Indian state lifted a Supreme Court ban on a popular bull-wrestling festival on Saturday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the event should be allowed to go ahead.

Modi overturned the ban on the festival after massive protests in southern India by demonstrators who called the court's ruling an attack on their culture.

India's Supreme Court outlawed the bull-wrestling Jallikattu festival last year after a plea by animal rights groups, which have long accused participants in the event -- held annually across southern Tamil Nadu state -- of cruelty to the animals.

People shout slogans and hold placards during a demonstration against the ban on the Jallikattu bull taming ritual, and calling for a ban on animal rights organisation PETA, in Chennai on January 19, 2017 ARUN SANKAR (AFP/File)

Tensions have escalated in recent days with thousands of demonstrators gathering in state capital Chennai and other cities, demanding the ban on Jallikattu be lifted which they say is an attack on their culture and traditions.

The growing protests prompted Tamil Nadu's chief minister to travel to Delhi earlier this week to ask Modi to overturn the ban, which he did late Friday.

Tamil Nadu's governor then promulgated the executive order Saturday evening, paving the way for Jallikattu to resume on Sunday.

"Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao approves Jallikattu ordinance," the state's ruling AIADMK party posted on Twitter.

Television footage from Chennai showed crowds erupting in joy, waving, giving the thumbs up and flashing peace signs as the news came in.

State Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is set to kick off the traditional contest Sunday morning.

"Honourable CM Thiru O. Panneerselvam thanks the students, women and the public who staged agitations across the state to protect our culture," the party said on Twitter.

In Jallikattu, young men struggle to grab the bulls by their sharpened horns or jump on their backs as the muscular animals, festooned with marigolds, charge down the road.

Unlike in traditional Spanish bullfighting, the animals are let loose into open fields where young men compete to subdue them bare-handed.

Critics say organisers lace the bulls' feed with liquor to make them less steady on their feet and throw chilli powder in their faces to send them into a sudden frenzy as they are released from a holding pen.

Organisers of the centuries-old festival insist the animals suffer no harm, calling the event an established part of Tamil culture.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has overturned a Supreme Court ban on bull-wrestling after protests spread across the south of the country ARUN SANKAR (AFP)
Bodies of 2 firemen recovered after Tehran tower inferno

Rescue teams recovered the bodies of two Iranian firefighters early on Saturday, two days after they were killed while tackling a blaze in Tehran's oldest high-rise.

They were among around 20 firefighters feared to have been killed when the 15-storey Plasco building collapsed on Thursday after a four-hour blaze while emergency services were still evacuating the tower.

One firefighter already died in hospital from his injuries.

Rescue teams recovered the bodies of two Iranian firefighters early on Saturday, two days after they were killed while tackling a blaze in Tehran's oldest high-rise ATTA KENARE (AFP)

Smouldering fires and smoke have complicated the recovery effort as sniffer dogs have combed the rubble.

Tehran's chief pathologist said the degree of the burns had made identification of the dead difficult.

"Even the identity badges they wore on their uniforms were burnt beyond recognition," Massoud Ghadipacha told Iran's ISNA news agency.

The government announced a day of mourning for the firefighters on Saturday, with the cabinet releasing a statement "praising these great men of sacrifice".

President Hassan Rouhani, who visited the site on Saturday, called for an immediate investigation.

Impromptu displays of solidarity and sadness appeared across Iran, with people leaving flowers and lighting candles outside fire stations.

The Plasco building was Iran's oldest high-rise and contained a shopping centre and hundreds of clothing suppliers.

When completed in 1962, it was Iran's tallest building, before being dwarfed by the construction boom of later years.
Women lead mass anti-Trump marches across US

Led by women in pink "pussyhats," hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of Washington and cities across the United States in a massive outpouring of defiant opposition to President Donald Trump.

Roused by fiery speeches, the protesters sent out a resounding message of resistance the day after the Republican hardliner took office with a vow to roll back the legacy of his predecessor Barack Obama.

"I know that we can do better, we have to fight for the change we want to see," said Michelle Phillips, a 45-year-old recent American citizen, who said she came to take a stand against Trump's "platform of hate and bigotry."

Roused by fiery speeches and led by women in pink "pussyhats," hundreds of thousands flooded Washington and cities across the US to protest President Donald Trump ZACH GIBSON (AFP)

A sea of women and men -- teens, pensioners, parents with toddlers on their shoulders -- swarmed up the streets around the White House in a good-natured but determined show of unity.

"Women won't back down," "Women's rights are human rights" and "Thank you Trump -- you turned me into an activist," read some of the hundreds of handmade signs held aloft in the capital.

Organizers estimated the turnout for the "Women's March on Washington" at half a million, double initial expectations, with huge crowds reported at sister marches nationwide, from Chicago to New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

Saturday's rallying cry was heard far beyond America's shores, with organizers saying over 2.5 million people signed up to take part in one of more than 600 marches being held worldwide.

One of the largest was in London, where tens of thousands of women, men and children marched chanting "Dump Trump."

The human tide flooding the US capital appeared to dwarf the throngs of Trump supporters in red "Make America Great Again!" caps who the day before had cheered his swearing-in.

Washington's Metro stations were overwhelmed as trains packed to bursting ferried cheering, clapping marchers into the city -- many wearing knitted "pink pussyhats" in an allusion to Trump's videotaped boasts of grabbing women's "pussies" with impunity.

By 11 am, the city's Metrorail system said it had moved 275,000 people, eight times a typical Saturday.

Trump's defeated rival Hillary Clinton tweeted her support to the protesters, while former secretary of state John Kerry was spotted in the crowd -- a day after leaving office -- with his dog on a pink leash.

And Pop diva Madonna, wearing a black pussyhat of her own, made an impromptu appearance on the protest's main stage near Washington's National Mall to deliver an expletive-laden indictment of the president.

"Welcome to the revolution of love," the 58-year-old intoned. "To the rebellion. To our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny."

- Trump's first full day -

For his first full day in the world's most powerful office, Trump attended a multi-faith service at Washington National Cathedral before visiting the headquarters of the CIA, an agency he feuded with bitterly before taking office.

"I am with you 1,000 percent," Trump said in a short address to CIA staff -- during which he also complained about media coverage of his inauguration which he said played down the turnout.

Trump's inaugural speech on Friday set the tone for his presidency: proudly populist, fiercely nationalist and determined to break with Obama's legacy.

His first act in office -- signing an executive order aimed at freezing Obama's signature health care law -- was a potent gesture in that direction, with more such actions expected to follow.

But if Friday was Trump's day -- marred by sporadic outbreaks of vandalism and more than 200 arrests -- Saturday belonged to demonstrators with fresh memories of his fat-shaming a former beauty queen, sex assault allegations and a controversial stance on abortion.

Filmmaker Michael Moore, a march organizer, noted that his copy of the Washington Post was bannered with the headline "Trump Takes Power."

"I don't think so. Here is the power," he said, gesturing to the crowd.

- 'Railroad' -

Jennifer Behr, a 42-year-old accessory designer, rode a packed train from Baltimore to make her voice heard.

"It's important we assert our majority and we have a large physical presence to show Trump and the Republicans that they cannot railroad our country," she said.

While Trump won 42 percent of the women's vote, millions who did not vote for him worry that gender rights and other progress on women's health, contraception and abortion could be chipped away.

The Women's March began with a simple Facebook post from Hawaii grandmother and retired lawyer Teresa Shook to about 40 of her friends -- but word travelled quickly and the event took on a life of its own.

Dozens of progressive groups backed the march, as well as Amnesty International and Planned Parenthood, the women's health care provider that is a Republican target because of the abortion services it provides.

The human tide flooding the US capital appeared to dwarf the throngs of Donald Trump supporters in red "Make America Great Again!" caps who the day before had cheered his swearing-in JIM WATSON (AFP)

The anti-Trump rallying cry was heard beyond America's shores with organizers saying over 2.5mn signed up to take part in one of more than 600 marches being held worldwide Eric FEFERBERG (AFP)

Hundreds of thousands flooded the streets of cities across the US in a massive outpouring of defiant opposition to President Donald Trump, including in New York Bryan R. Smith (AFP)

Washington's Metro stations were overwhelmed as trains packed to bursting ferried cheering, clapping marchers into the city -- many wearing knitted "pink pussyhats" Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS (AFP)
Bomb kills 11 at Syria-Jordan border camp: monitor

A car bomb blast killed at least 11 people at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

The Britain-based group said the dead included a family of four, with the father, mother and two children killed in the blast on the outskirts of the Rukban camp.

Another four of those killed were fighters from local tribes in eastern Syria that have battled the jihadist Islamic State group.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million KHALIL MAZRAAWI (AFP/File)

The monitor said the toll could rise further because a number of the injured were in serious condition.

Jordan's official Petra news agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians according to the United Nations.

The source said 14 wounded people had been taken to a clinic in the border area for treatment, adding that no decision had been taken yet on whether they would be transported to Jordanian hospitals.

The source said there were no Jordanian casualties.

Jordan closed its border in June 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven Jordanian soldiers.

Officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the border a closed military zone.

The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying "hellish" conditions for those seeking refuge there.

Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million.

In August, King Abdullah II said his country was "doing its utmost to help refugees" from Syria.

"However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part," he said.
Egypt working for talks between rival Libya authorities

Egypt is working to organise direct talks between the leaders of rival Libyan authorities contesting the war-torn country, its foreign minister said Saturday after hosting a regional meeting.

The UN-backed government in Tripoli has struggled to impose its authority contested by a rival administration in the east of the country.

"A political solution is the only way to resolve the crisis in Libya," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Saturday before going into a meeting with foreign ministers from Libya's neighbouring countries.

(L-R) Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Libyan foreign minister Mohamed Tahar Siala and Algerian Minister of Maghreb Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, chat during a meeting over the turmoil in Libya on January 21, 2017, in the capital Cairo

Following the meeting, attended by ministers from Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Niger, as well as UN envoy Martin Kobler, Shoukry announced plans to hold the direct negotiations.

"We are focusing our efforts on bringing Libyan leaders together for a direct dialogue, to build confidence and understanding," he told a news conference.

Libya has been torn apart by fighting between militias, tribes and the two rival governments since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The parliament-backed government in eastern Tobruk has refused to recognise the Government of National Accord, based in the capital Tripoli.

"The will to organise this meeting is present, its date will be decided according to the commitments of the Libyan leaders," Shoukry said.

Jihadist groups have exploited the chaos to gain a foothold in the North African country.

"Despite recent victories in the fight against terrorism, in Benghazi and in Sirte, terrorism will never be fully eradicated in Libya until there is a political solution," Shoukry said.

Militarily, the eastern administration is backed by the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army commanded by Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar enjoys the support of several Arab countries including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well an emerging alliance with Russia.

GNA-aligned militias from the port city of Misrata, who led the fight to oust the Islamic State group from Sirte last year, control much of the west.

In the east, Haftar's forces have been fighting other jihadist groups for more than two years, particularly in Benghazi.
Nigeria botched air strike 'may have killed up to 236 people'

As many as 236 people may have been killed in the botched Nigerian air strike against Boko Haram that hit a camp for civilians displaced by the unrest, a local official told AFP on Saturday.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday had said the death toll from Tuesday's strike on the town of Rann in the far northeast had risen to 90, although it claimed that could climb as high as 170.

But Babagana Malarima, president of the local Kala-Balge government in Borno State where the strike took place, claimed the death toll is much higher.

Bodies covered with blankets are pictured in Rann, northeast Nigeria on January 17, 2017 after an an air force jet accidentally bombarded a camp for displaced people

"From what the people who buried the dead victims with their hands told me, not those who treated the wounded, they buried 234 dead," said Malarima on Saturday.

"And I later got a report that two of the injured taken to Maiduguri died."

The bombed camp had been set up to help people fleeing Boko Haram Islamists in Borno State.

Nigeria's air force said it was investigating the incident but military commanders had already claimed it was a mistake.

"Our people are really traumatised that a fighter jet belonging to their country can make this mistake and kill them the way it did in their own country," fumed Malarima.

"Lives and property have been lost. It is not enough to just bury the dead and pray for their souls. Their families should be supported as is done in other countries. They should not be forgotten.

"The death toll is colossal. We are in grief."

Tuesday's strike happened while humanitarian workers were distributing food in Rann, a small town close to the Cameroon border where some 20,000 to 40,000 people had sought refuge.

MSF said most of the victims were women and children.

At least six Red Cross volunteers were amongst the dead with another 13 injured.

Rann only recently became accessible to aid agencies because of improved security.

But on Thursday night, security forces said Boko Haram launched an attack on Rann that was repulsed, leaving at least 14 militants dead.

Nigeria's chief of army staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Buraitai said on Friday while visiting Rann that Thursday's attack showed the military were acting on credible intel.

"This incident happened in the midst of a civilian population and it was based on intelligence received that Boko Haram had moved into the area," said Buraitai.

"The air force was briefed and they came and the incident happened.

"And yesterday we received a report that Boko Haram were back. Soldiers repelled them."

Buraitai added: "This shows that there is credibility in the intelligence report we received that these people (Boko Haram) are moving into Kala-Balge area.

"A mistake was made. We pray it doesn't happen again."

At least 20,000 have been killed and more than 2.6 million made homeless since Boko Haram Islamists' insurgency began in 2009.

Map locating Rann in Nigeria where a botched air strike by the air force killed at least 70
'Dump Trump': Tens of thousands join global march

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of London, Paris and other cities worldwide on Saturday in solidarity with women-led marches in the United States opposed to President Donald Trump.

Just one day after his inauguration, a largely female crowd that also included many men and children packed London's Trafalgar Square, chanting "dump Trump", and waving banners demanding equal rights.

"Our Rights Are Not For Grabs -- Neither Are We" were among the banners held aloft, along with "We shall overcomb" and "Make bigotry wrong again".

Protesters hold placards during the Women's March in London on January 21, 2017 as part of a global day of protests against new US President Donald Trump BEN STANSALL (AFP)

Hannah Bryant, a 34-year-old museum worker, brought her four-year-old daughter -- both of them wearing the bright pink "pussy hats" donned by US demonstrators.

"I've been teaching her about equality and prejudice," she said.

UK organisers said 100,000 attended the London march, although there was no independent verification as police do not give an estimate.

In the US, organisers said more than 2.5 million people had signed up online to take part in one of the 600 marches planned around the globe.

In Paris, at least 7,000 people gathered near the Eiffel Tower, according to police, holding up banners that read "liberty, equality, sorority", in a reference to France's national motto.

"I am here for women and for all minorities because Trump is a threat to all humanity," said US national Kendra Wergin, who is in her mid-30s.

Andreia Rossi, a 39-year-old Brazilian, told AFP: "He has lied to all those who voted for him, and that can happen in France too."

Francoise Seme Wallon, 70, a member of the European Union of Women, said for her Trump is "a nasty guy and he's dangerous for the whole world".

Right-wing populists and nationalist groups in France and elsewhere in Europe have been emboldened by Trump's victory as well as by Britain's vote last year to leave the European Union.

While Trump won 42 percent of the women's vote in the US, many worry that gender rights and other progress on women's health, contraception and abortion could be chipped away.

- 'Bridges not walls' -

In Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Prague and Geneva too, protesters were enraged by Trump's derogatory remarks on women.

"We are here for women and for human rights," one of a large contingent of American expatriate women told SkyTG24 news channel in Rome.

"We must defend democratic values," said Karen Olson, who organised the Swiss march, as motorists driving by honked their horns in support.

"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," read a banner held up by a Barcelona protester.

"Make America sane again," said a banner in Amsterdam.

In Prague, protest organiser Johanna Nejedlova branded Trump's rhetoric "hateful".

In Budapest, up to 400 people gathered in solidarity with the Washington marchers.

"Bridges not walls," read one of their banners, a reference to Trump's threat to build a wall separating the United States from Mexico to stop migrants from entering the country -- and to have Mexico pay for it.

Hundreds rallied in front of the US embassy in Berlin, chanting pro-migrant slogans in a nation that welcomed nearly a million people fleeing war and poverty in 2015.

"No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here," they cried.

A rally was also held in front of the US embassy in Lisbon.

"Trump's rise reminds me of what my mother used to tell me about Hitler's rise to power," said Bert Wiesel, 69, a Swiss-American protester.

Solidarity marches also took place beyond Europe, with protests in Johannesburg, South Africa, where marchers held up banners reading "Black lives matter" and "Love trumps hate".

Women led marches in some 20 cities across Canada, with thousands turning out from Halifax to Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto.

"The world has radically shifted over the last two months," said Rachel Zellars, a lawyer among the 2,000 people marching in Montreal.

"The American election has sent a strong reminder of the work still to be done" for women's rights.

Anti-Trump protests were held in Australia with several thousand marching in Sydney and Melbourne. And in New Zealand, hundreds joined demonstrations in the capital Wellington as well as in Auckland.

A protester waves the US flag during the 'Women's March' in Trafalgar Square in London on January 21, 2017 as he joins thousands of others as part of a global day of protests against new US President Donald Trump BEN STANSALL (AFP)

Trump prepares for power Laurence SAUBADU, Jonathan STOREY, Gillian HANDYSIDE (AFP)

People march holding placards in central Barcelona on January 21, 2017 in a mark of solidarity for the political rally promoting the rights and equality for women, Women's March on Washington, taking place in the US capital LLUIS GENE (AFP)

Demonstrators arrive on the National Mall in Washington, DC, for the 'Women's March on Washington' on January 21, 2017 Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS (AFP)
Thousands march against Trump at Sundance festival

Thousands braved the snow at the Sundance Film Festival Saturday to march for women's rights and in protest against the election of President Donald Trump.

It was billed as a "women's march," but a crowd made up of roughly half men led by comedian Chelsea Handler waved banners decrying the new head of state.

They called out "Love Trumps Hate" and waved banners with slogans including "Make America Compassionate Again" and "Keep Your Tiny Hands Off My Human Rights."

Jennifer Beals (3rd L), Chelsea Handler (C) and Charlize Theron (2nd R) participate in the Women's March on Main Street during the 2017 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, January 21, 2017 Valerie Macon (AFP)

Many of the banners and slogans supported defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, as well as causes seen as being under threat under the new administration, such as Planned Parenthood.

The protest in the ski resort of Park City, Utah, was part of a day of action across the world centered on a demonstration in Washington which drew hundreds of thousands.

Among the speakers at Sundance were Salt Lake City mayor Jackie Biskupski and actors Benjamin Bratt and Maria Bello.

Handler was joined by a snugly wrapped up Charlize Theron while fellow Hollywood A-listers Kristen Stewart, John Legend, Laura Dern and Chris O'Dowd were spotted in the crowd.

"Hello all you pussies," Bello shouted, referring to Trump's remarks caught on the now notorious 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape boasting about where women can be grabbed by powerful celebrities.

"When they punch you in the pussy, punch 'em back with your pussy power."

She told the protesters she had struggled to get out of bed since the election but was spurred into action by Meryl Steep's speech -- which savaged Trump without naming him -- at the Golden Globes.

"Today we are all standing together in solidarity," Handler added, jokingly describing the movement against Trump as "the new Tea Party."

"If you're feeling hopeless, if you're feeling dejected, take a look around," Handler concluded, fighting back tears.

"Youre not alone. You're not alone. Don't lose hope. I'll give you hope. Let's all give each other hope and stick together," she said.

The festival had no official association with the protest, but several high-profile organizers, including director John Cooper, joined the demonstrators.

Local officials estimated the crowd to number more than 4,000.
Hundreds of Israelis protest against Trump in Tel Aviv

Hundreds of Israelis, most of them women, protested outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv Saturday against President Donald Trump, mirroring worldwide demonstrations to mark his first full day in office.

The protesters waved placards reading "Hate is not great" and "Women's rights are human rights", according to an AFP journalist.

The "woman's march" demonstration was one of more than 600 being held worldwide, a day after Trump's inauguration Friday, to condemn his allegedly sexist stances following a series of disparaging comments he made during his presidential campaign.

Demonstrators hold placards during a protest outside the US embassy in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv against US President Donald Trump, mirroring worldwide demonstrations to mark his first full day in office January 21, 2017 JACK GUEZ (AFP)

Hundreds of thousands packed the streets of Washington while other demonstrations took place in cities such London, Paris and Sydney against Trump's presidency.

In a break with previous administrations, Trump has pledged to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has warned that such a move would deal a huge blow to hopes for Middle East peace and the UN and EU have voiced deep concern over the proposal.
'Girl Power!' Anti-Trump demonstrators swarm DC streets

Perched atop a high metal fence to escape the crush of a massive crowd, Erica Orr surveyed the sea of pink-clad women that had converged on downtown Washington and shook her head in pride and disbelief.

"It's an indescribable feeling," the 20-year-old college student from Michigan said of finding herself on Saturday in the midst of one of the largest demonstrations in recent memory in the US capital, the Women's March on Washington.

Hundreds of thousands of people, mainly women, flooded into the city's downtown for a march organized to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump as president a day earlier.

Protesters walk during the Women's March on Washington, with the US Capitol in the background, on January 21, 2017 Mario Tama (Getty/AFP)

"I came because I wanted to be a voice for change," said Orr, who is African-American. "If I sit at home and complain, nothing's ever going to happen."

It appears nobody had expected the astonishing numbers of demonstrators that were drawn to the city, a crowd that appeared to rival that of Friday's inauguration but acted with more exuberance and passion.

"I've been to many protests here, but this is like nothing I've ever experienced," gushed Rosemarie Kerwin, who wore a blue "Obama '08" sweatshirt.

The retiree from Burke, Virginia cringed about having turned 74 years old Friday, the day Trump took office.

"He'll do nothing good for women," she said on Pennsylvania Avenue as she stepped away from the thick crowds of marchers. "He's not going to unite this country."

The crowd amassed just below the US Capitol, filling large areas of the National Mall and broad Independence Avenue, where stars like Madonna addressed demonstrators, as did lawmakers and civil rights leaders.

- Creative, sassy, respectful -

Marchers booed loudly as they filed past the fenced off Trump International Hotel, his newly opened property on Pennsylvania Avenue just blocks from the White House.

One woman quietly stood outside the hotel's side door holding a poster that read:

"Stick to your tweets, stay away from my twat."

It was a common, if vulgar, theme that coursed through much of the rally.

"Power to the pussy," said a young woman's poster. "My body, my rights," said another. "Impeach Trump, the sexual-predator-in-chief!" said a third.

"Girl Power!" several women yelled as they ran down a packed Seventh Street.

One older woman simply held up a coat hanger, a symbol of illegal abortions and one that became a call to arms for the pro-choice movement.

Other signs captured the various moods on the street: creative, sassy, respectful, obnoxious, proud, or terrified.

As one, their overarching message was a rejection of the new presidency of the billionaire real estate tycoon who stands accused of misogyny, discrimination and sexual harassment.

"True patriots resist Trump," one woman shouted in the crowd.

"I'm with her," read one sign, with a dozen arrows pointing in all directions.

As thousands of people poured out of a subway station blocks from the march route, a cheer swelled as a beaming John Kerry, who resigned as secretary of state Friday, strode through crowd, shaking hands and offering high fives.

A woman thrust a pink "pussyhat" into the former top diplomat's hand. He gave it a curious look.

Tens of thousands of the knitted hats with cat ears were made for the march as a sign of protest, and they quickly became an expression of solidarity, with thousands of women wearing the caps on Saturday.

They allude to Trump's comment in an audiotape which surfaced during the campaign that he could grab women's genitals with impunity because he is famous.
Lebanon foils bomber in busy Beirut district: security sources

Lebanese soldiers arrested a would-be suicide bomber inside a crowded cafe in one of the busiest neighbourhoods in the capital Beirut on Saturday night, security sources told AFP.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a man wearing an explosive bomb belt had been detained by authorities after entering a coffee shop in the upscale Hamra neighbourhood in west Beirut.

The cafe is on the main street of the bustling area, and was filled with people socialising on a weekend evening when the arrest occurred around 2100 GMT.

Lebanese security forces secure the street near the cafe in Hamra street in Beirut where a suicide bomber was arrested minutes before exploding himself on January 22, 2017 ANWAR AMRO (AFP)

The sources said the man was being followed by security forces, who have stepped up foot patrols in the neighborhood in recent weeks.

The man was injured during the arrest, with several soldiers holding him down to ensure he was not able to detonate the belt, one security source said.

He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before interrogation, the sources added.

Lebanon has been hit by a string of bomb attacks in recent years, with some linked to the ongoing war in neighbouring Syria.

Some of the deadliest blasts have targeted neighbourhoods sympathetic to the powerful Shiite Hezbollah movement, which is fighting alongside Syria's government against an uprising.

The casualties in the blasts have been almost exclusively civilians.

The Hamra neighbourhood, a district known for shopping and nightlife, has not previously been hit by an attack.

But in June 2016, the army said it had arrested jihadists from the Islamic State group planning attacks against busy areas, including Hamra.

An AFP correspondent in Hamra said a heavy security presence remained in place with the cafe and several nearby restaurants closing after the incident.
More than 100 bidders want to grow Uruguay pot

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP)  More than 100 businesses are hoping to compete for the right to grow the marijuana that Uruguay's government will sell in its newly legalized pot market, the country's drug czar said Thursday.

Drug secretary Julio Calzada told The Associated Press that the government can satisfy demand in the legal pot market it's launching this year by licensing two to six growers to cultivate the plants on plots no larger than 5 acres (2 hectares).

Successful bidders will have to identify everyone involved in their businesses, document the source of their financing and be cleared by Uruguay's anti-money laundering agency. These controls are needed to keep out organized crime, Calzada said.

A shopper looks at a T-shirt decorated with a marijuana leaf and the word " Mujicannabis," a combination of the president's last name "Mujica" and cannabis, at a head shop in downtown Montevideo, Uruguay, Tuesday, May 6, 2014. Uruguay's President Jose Mujica is set to sign a law creating the country's legal marijuana market,making Uruguay the first country in the world to create a nationwide market regulating the cultivation, sale and use of legal marijuana. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

"The big worry of the whole world is that those who produce marijuana illegally in Paraguay move in here and produce marijuana covered by Uruguayan law," he said.

Days earlier, President Jose Mujica said he, too, was worried that drug traffickers would try to move in and influence the campaign to choose his successor in October.

"I'm not sure that the marijuana (apparatus) isn't participating in electoral campaigns," he told the AP last week. "We are taking on well financed adversaries and I'm not sure that this isn't happening. I have my doubts."

Calzada rejected criticism from opponents of the governing Broad Front coalition that the legalization law did not include a mechanism to tax marijuana in the same way that tobacco and alcohol are taxed.

"It's because it's an unprocessed plant product. Cigarettes and alcoholic drinks are processed," Calzada said.

"The way to get revenue from marijuana for the control, prevention and treatment of addicts, just like we proposed, is through two non-taxing mechanisms: a fixed license fee that those who plant will pay and an adjustable levy on the product that the Institute of Cannabis Regulation and Control will change administratively."

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Leonardo Haberkorn on Twitter: https://twitter.com/leohaberkorn
Ex-Slovenian leader begins prison term for bribery

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP)  Slovenia's former Prime Minister Janez Jansa went to prison Friday to begin a two-year sentence for bribery in an arms deal with a Finnish company.

Some 2,000 supporters gathered outside the Dob prison, near the capital Ljubljana, as Jansa went inside. Some carried banners comparing him to South Africa's late President Nelson Mandela.

Jansa, addressing the crowd, urged them to vote for his Slovenian Democratic Party in July 13 elections.

Former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, right, stands next to his wife Urska Bacovnik, prior to his departure to prison, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, June 20, 2014. Jansa has gone to prison to serve a two-year sentence for bribery in an arms deal with a Finnish company. (AP Photo/Matej Leskovsek)

"On that day, we must paint Slovenia in the colors of freedom and justice," declared Jansa, who served as prime minister twice following Slovenia's 1991 independence from Yugoslavia.

Jansa and two others were convicted last year of accepting about 2 million euros ($2.7 million) in bribes while in office to help the Finnish firm Patria win a 2006 contract for 135 armored personnel carriers worth 278 million euros ($377 million).

He previously was imprisoned for several months in Dob in 1988 and 1989 when he was convicted for allegedly disclosing military secrets. That verdict was widely seen as politically motivated and triggered a wave of demonstrations.

He again has denied he is guilty of any offense.

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Associated Press reporter Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed to this report.

Former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa stands in front of the Slovenian flag sign prior to his departure to prison, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, June 20, 2014. Jansa has gone to prison to serve a two-year sentence for bribery in an arms deal with a Finnish company. (AP Photo/Matej Leskovsek)
Slain Paraguayan journalist was probing drug gangs

ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP)  A newspaper said Friday that a journalist who was shot to death was investigating drug gangs with suspected links to Paraguayan politicians.

Pablo Medina was killed Thursday in a crime-ridden northern area that is a hotbed for drugs and arms smuggling. He worked for the newspaper ABC Color and focused on investigations exposing corruption and drug traffickers.

ABC Color on Friday published on its front page the names of suspects in the crime, all of them residents of the northern town of Ypehu, including one with an elected post in the municipality. Several calls were made to the municipal offices seeking comment on the allegation, but no one answered.

Journalists protest to demand justice for their murdered colleague Pablo Medina, in Asuncion, Paraguay, Friday, Oct. 17, 2014. The 53-year-old reporter was killed Thursday in a crime-ridden northern area that is a hotbed for drugs and arms smuggling. He worked for the newspaper ABC Color and focused on investigations exposing corruption and drug traffickers. The newspaper where Medina worked said Friday that he was investigating drug gangs with suspected links to Paraguayan politicians. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

President Horacio Cartes on Friday lamented the killing and said the investigation will not be influenced by any political party. "Today, I feel like we've all been killed," he told reporters.

At the opening of the 70th General Assembly of the Inter American Press Association in Santiago, Chile, the organization condemned the killing and called on Paraguay's government "to conduct a speedy and exhaustive investigation to determine the motives of the crime and punish those responsible."

The IAPA said Medina was returning after doing some reporting "when he was intercepted and attacked by two men wearing camouflage who shot him at close range several times."

Medina's assistant, Antonia Almada, 19, also was killed, while another woman, identified as a local peasant leader, escaped uninjured. Medina was 53, rather than 48 as reported initially in stories about his slaying.

"The murder of Medina and that of 10 other journalists in the Americas since April this year reminds us of the importance of strongly raising our voices to demand justice in such crimes and call for guarantees for the safety and protection of members of the press while covering the news," said Claudio Paolillo, the chairman of the IAPA's Committee on Freedom of the Press and Information.

Two other journalists have been killed so far this year in Paraguay while working along the porous northern border with Brazil.

"Working on the border with Brazil is very risky because all the big issues have to deal with marijuana and cocaine," said Anibal Gomez, a journalist from the northern city of Pedro Juan Caballero who has gotten death threats.

Former Paraguayan lawmaker Elvis Balbuena said proposed legislation he authored that would legalize marijuana should be brought up again in Congress and approved to avoid more violent deaths.

"The prohibition and persecution of marijuana raise its price, and the many drug gangs commit all types of crimes in order to smuggle it into Argentina, Brazil and Chile," he said.

Anti-drug chief Luis Rojas has estimated more than 100 gangs, made up of Paraguayan and Brazilian drug dealers, operate in Paraguay's northern region.

Journalists protest to demand justice for their murdered colleague Pablo Medina, in Asuncion, Paraguay, Friday, Oct. 17, 2014. The 53-year-old reporter was killed Thursday in a crime-ridden northern area that is a hotbed for drugs and arms smuggling. He worked for the newspaper ABC Color and focused on investigations exposing corruption and drug traffickers. The newspaper where Medina worked said Friday that he was investigating drug gangs with suspected links to Paraguayan politicians. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
A federal judge on Friday overturned the conviction of a mother found guilty of assaulting her 15-month-old daughter on a flight from Alaska.

U.S. District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi's ruling Friday orders a new trial for Samantha Watanabe.

A jury convicted Watanabe of assault in May 2016 after a trial where prosecutors said she cursed at her daughter, Clementine, smacked her in the head, hit her in the face with a stuffed doll and yanked out tufts of her hair.

Samantha Watanabe stands outside federal court in Honolulu in 2016. US District Court Judge Leslie Kobayashi on Friday overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial

Watanabe walks outside of federal court in Honolulu in May 2015

A federal judge on Friday overturned the mom's conviction of abusing her 15-month-old daughter Clementine (pictured)

She was sentenced to 30 days in a detention center for 'reflection,' reported the Metro West Daily, which she served starting May 10.

Defense attorneys had argued the allegations were fabricated by judgmental passengers who didn't like how Watanabe looked and dressed her child.

'The magistrate judge abused his discretion by allowing the government to present lay opinion testimony regarding whether defendant's actions were within the authority of parental discipline,' Kobayashi's order said.

To passengers and flight attendants on that May 3, 2015 flight from Anchorage to Honolulu, Watanabe was unnecessarily rough to a generally well-behaved toddler, Assistant US Attorney Marc Wallenstein told the jury during the trial.

Passengers testified that Watanabe's actions were excessive and abusive.

Alaska State Trooper Brian Miller, who was headed to a Kauai vacation with about a dozen family members, testified that Watanabe was rough with her daughter. 'She was telling her to shut the F up and... what's your problem and so on,' he said.

He also said that the mother pulled a tuft of hair from the little girl's head and blew it to the ground.

Passengers said the mom hit and pulled the hair of the little girl; but the judge said the witnesses should not have been able to testify about whether her actions were within the authority of parental discipline

Prosecutor Wallenstein also said the girl was 'a 15-month-old child who was pushed in the face with an open hand with enough force to cause her head to jerk all the way back to its full range of motion.'

But the mother's defense attorney, Alexander Silvert, argued that passengers were unfairly judging his client. For example, Clementine was wearing a Playboy bunny pendant, which one passenger thought was a symbol of 'pornography' but was just a bunny to the little girl, said the attorney.

He also said there were no bruises or marks on the girl's body, nor any evidence that her hair was yanked.

The incident happened aboard Alaska Airlines as the woman was traveling back to Honolulu

When Miller was asked why he didn't pick up the tuft of hair for evidence, the trooper said he wasn't quite sure what he was seeing and wasn't thinking of the incident in terms of a criminal investigation.

Wallenstein didn't immediately return messages seeking comment on the reversal.

Watanabe has served her sentence of a month in jail and three months' home confinement.

'On behalf of Ms. Watanabe we're very pleased with the decision and we're looking forward to retrying this case and having her vindicated,' said Silvert, one of the federal public defenders who represents her.

Watanabe has seven children, according to the Huffington Post, and she does not have custody of any of them, including Clementine.
The Latest: Trump returns to White House after celebrations

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States (all times EST):

12:15 a.m.

The nation's 45th president, Donald Trump, has arrived back at the White House after attending three inaugural balls celebrating his election.

President Donald Trump dances with first lady Melania Trump at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The president has used the balls to recount his victory and to let supporters know that "now the fun begins."

One of the biggest cheers of the night came when he asked whether he should continue to use his Twitter account. The crowd gave the question a resounding yes.

The president took part in one dance at each ball after giving a short speech. The president chose to dance to the song "My Way" during the first two balls and "I Will Always Love You" for the third.

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11:55 p.m.

Vice President Mike Pence is paying tribute to veterans with a stop at another inaugural celebration.

Pence made an unannounced stop at the Veterans Inaugural Ball at a downtown Washington hotel late Friday.

Pence, who was introduced by the head of the American Legion, said the day was "the dawn of a new era."

He paid tribute to veterans who have been killed or injured in the line of duty and said they were "an inspiration to our new president," Donald Trump.

Pence pledged that the Trump administration would take better care of the nation's veterans and give the military "every tool" it needs.

Pence's son is a Marine and his father was a veteran.

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11:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are taking part in a traditional dance and cake-cutting with members of the U.S. military.

The newly sworn-in president is dancing with U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Catherine Cartmell of Newport, Rhode Island.

Mrs. Trump is dancing with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jose A. Medina of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, also are dancing with members of the military.

The Trumps and Pences are also participating in the military's traditional cake cutting to honor the sacrifice and service of its members. The cake is cut with a saber.

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11:10

First lady Melania Trump thanked the members of the armed services at the third and final inaugural ball she and President Donald Trump attended Friday.

She said, "Thank you all for your service. I'm honored to be your first lady."

The first couple then danced to "I Will Always Love You."

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10:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump asked the crowd at the second of three inaugural balls he's attending whether he should "keep the Twitter going?"

The crowd roared in apparent approval.

Trump said his all-hours tweeting to his more than 20 million followers is "a way of bypassing dishonest media."

He spoke with first lady Melania Trump by his side. She wore an ivory column gown.

"Now," he added, "the fun begins."

The first couple again danced to "My Way."

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9:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are dancing at the first of three inaugural balls they'll attend Friday night.

Trump says his first day as commander-in-chief was great.

Trump says, "People that weren't so nice to me were saying that we did a really good job today." He adds, "It's like God was looking down on us."

They are dancing to "My Way," and they have been joined by Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Susan, as well as Trump family members.

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9:30 p.m.

After eight years, Barack Obama had to wait a little bit longer to start his post-presidential relaxation.

The plane taking the Obama family from Washington to the California desert Friday was delayed then diverted because of bad weather.

Officials say the Obamas hovered for about 40 minutes over Palm Springs International Airport, where gawkers and photographers had gathered to catch a glimpse of them. It was eventually diverted to March Air Reserve Base about 60 miles to the west, where it landed at about 5:45 p.m., about an hour after it was expected.

Obama left Washington after attending President Donald Trump's morning inauguration.

The first family had sought a sunny vacation as they left cold capital, but Southern California is being doused by a series of storms.

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9:25 p.m.

Members of the military, veterans and first responders are awaiting President Donald Trump's arrival at the "Salute to Our Armed Services" ball.

The invitation-only event is being held in Washington's National Building Museum, which has hosted such events since the days of Grover Cleveland.

The evening began with a solemn prayer and a moment of silence in honor of soldiers killed in the line of duty.

The evening's entertainment is being provided by singer Tony Orlando, who was introduced as "America's most loved and enduring entertainer," and Texas musician Josh Weathers.

Weathers at one point told the crowd, "I know that nobody in this room knows who I am." He has been playing popular covers for guests gathered around a sprawling stage.

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8:30 p.m.

The White House is putting a freeze on any new regulations and halting ones that former President Barack Obama's administration had started.

A memo from White House chief of staff Reince Priebus says federal agencies shouldn't submit any completed regulations to be published in the Federal Register until President Donald Trump's administration can review them.

The memo also freezes any regulations that were in the pipeline to be published. Regulations that have already been published but haven't kicked in are to be postponed for 60 days to allow for a review.

Priebus says the White House budget director can grant exceptions to allow critical regulations to move forward.

The memo is similar to one that Obama's chief of staff issued the same day Obama was inaugurated in 2009.

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8:15 p.m.

Protesters and an Associated Press photographer say police fired rubber projectiles at them during demonstrations against President Donald Trump in downtown Washington.

An AP photographer says he was hit three times by projectiles  once on his left shin and twice on his right  while covering demonstrations Friday.

A photo of a spent canister appears to show the bottom part of a "rubber sponge." The foam-nosed projectile is launched at high-speed by police as a form of less lethal force.

District of Columbia police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck says police did not use rubber bullets but would not comment on whether they used rubber sponges. He says he will "gladly provide" a comprehensive after-action report once the demonstrations wrap up.

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8:10 p.m.

President Donald Trump is already making some changes to the Oval Office.

A bust of Winston Churchill was visible as reporters were allowed in to watch Trump sign an executive order.

Former President Barack Obama had been criticized for removing the bust. But Obama had said the Churchill bust remained in a prominent White House location outside his private office where he could see it every day.

A rug Obama had in the Oval Office that had quotations along its border has been removed.

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7:50 p.m.

Defense Secretary James Mattis is telling military personnel and their families that his actions are aimed at making sure "our military is ready to fight today and in the future."

Mattis said in a statement Friday evening that he recognizes that "no nation is secure without friends" and is pledging to "work with the State Department to strengthen" the nation's alliances.

He says the Pentagon is "devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, thereby earning the trust of Congress and the American people."

The statement was released just moments after Mattis was sworn in to the Cabinet post overseeing the Pentagon.

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7:35 p.m.

Vice President Mike Pence has sworn in President Donald Trump's nominees to run the Pentagon and the Homeland Security Department.

Retired Gen. James Mattis took the oath of office to be defense secretary. Retired Gen. John Kelly took the oath to be homeland security secretary.

They were sworn in Friday during a hastily arranged ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the vice president's suite of offices is located. The building is part of the White House campus.

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7:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump has signed commissions for retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as defense secretary and retired Gen. John Kelly to serve as secretary of the Homeland Security Department.

Trump signed the commissions in the Oval Office on his first day in office as reporters watched.

Trump spokesman Sean Spicer says Vice President Mike Pence will soon deliver the oath of office to the two retired generals. The Senate confirmed their nominations earlier Friday.

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7:25 p.m.

Police are clashing with protesters as a fire burns on K Street in Northwest Washington.

Authorities in riot gear standing side-by-side pushed protesters away from the fire, which was set in overturned newspaper bins in the middle of the street known for high-powered lobbying firms. Police hit at least 10 people with pepper spray as they advanced.

Several people ran from the scene yelling for medical attention while holding their eyes. Other protesters came to their aid and used bottled water to rinse their eyes.

With many people pushed into a nearby park, firefighters moved in and extinguished the fire.

_

7:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump has signed his first executive order as president, ordering federal agencies to ease the burden of President Barack Obama's sweeping health care law.

Presidential spokesman Sean Spicer refused to offer details on the order.

Trump was joined in the Oval Office by Vice President Mike Pence, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and other top advisers as he signed the executive order on the so-called "Obamacare" law that he opposed throughout his campaign.

Trump also formally signed the commissions of incoming Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

The White House says Priebus was also sending a memorandum to agencies and departments instituting an immediate freeze on regulations. No additional details were immediately available.

Asked about his first day as president, Trump says, "It was busy but good  a beautiful day."

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7:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump is using his first written statement as president to call on the Senate to confirm the rest of his nominees.

Trump says he is pleased that the Senate on Friday confirmed John Kelly to lead the Homeland Security Department and James Mattis at the head of the Defense Department. Trump is calling them "uniquely qualified leaders" who will start immediately to rebuild the military, defend the U.S. and secure its borders.

Trump says the Senate should fulfill its constitutional duty by swiftly confirming the rest of his nominees. He says they're highly qualified. Trump says he needs them confirmed so "we can get to work on behalf of the American people."

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6:50 p.m.

The parade for newly sworn-in President Donald Trump is over, shifting the celebration to its third act  a trio of balls. Trump and first lady Melania are expected at all three.

Two balls will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The third, the "Salute to Our Armed Services Ball," will take place at the National Building Museum.

The celebrations come after Trump was sworn in as the nation's 45th president and the Senate confirmed his picks to lead the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

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6:30 p.m.

The District of Columbia police chief says 217 people have been arrested and charged with rioting and six officers suffered minor injuries during demonstrations against President Donald Trump.

Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham provided the update at a news conference Friday.

Meanwhile, protesters in downtown Washington linked arms, facing off from the police line and chanting, "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA."

Metropolitan police have deployed streams of pepper spray against demonstrators marching along the streets of the nation's capital  a disgruntled parallel to the ongoing inaugural parade.

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6:25 p.m.

Donald Trump's hotel in Washington is tweeting a photo of flag-waving staffers welcoming the new president, and that's not sitting well with a prominent government ethics lawyer.

The tweet reads: "We are waiting for you Mr. President! Thank you!"

Former chief White House ethics lawyer Norm Eisen says the tweet "puts the lie" to Trump's vow that his company would avoid even the appearance of using the presidency to promote his business.

Trump made the pledge in a six-page "White Paper" released last week to avoid conflicts of interest. He promised his company would not take "any actions that actually exploit, or even could be perceived as exploiting, the Office of the Presidency."

The Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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6:15 p.m.

The Senate has voted convincingly to put a tough-talking retired Marine general in charge of overseeing President Donald Trump's pledge to crack down on illegal immigration.

Senators confirmed John Kelly's nomination to lead the Homeland Security Department, 88-11.

Among Kelly's likely first assignments will be executing Trump's plans for the fate of a program that has protected more than 750,000 young immigrants from deportation.

If Trump keeps his campaign promises, Kelly's agency will be responsible for strengthening the screening of immigrants permitted to enter the U.S. His department also will be charged with finding additional resources to locate and deport people living here illegally.

Kelly says he's in favor of a wall at the Mexican border, but he says a physical barrier alone isn't enough to secure the 2,000-mile frontier.

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5:40 p.m.

A video on social media shows District of Columbia police pepper-spraying a group of protesters  including an elderly woman and a man on crutches, as well as those trying to help them to move out of the way.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department declined to immediately provide comment. It was unclear what happened just before the video began.

The video shows a woman screaming "my child" as she runs with her crying son in her arms. Others are hunched over or coughing as plumes of pink spray waft over hundreds of people in the street. Toward the end of the video, protesters appear to be breaking up cement blocks and some people are seen throwing objects toward police.

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5:35 p.m.

The Republican-led Senate has voted to confirm James Mattis to be President Donald Trump's defense secretary.

Senators cleared the retired Marine general's nomination Friday.

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who challenged the idea of a former military leader in a civilian job, voted "no." Republicans pushed for fast approval to ensure the post wouldn't be empty even for a brief amount of time after Trump's swearing-in.

Mattis will replace Ash Carter, who has been former President Barack Obama's defense secretary since February 2015.

Congress had to pave the way for Mattis to serve. Lawmakers last week passed legislation that Trump signed granting Mattis an exception from the law barring former service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the job.

Mattis retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.

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5:30 p.m.

A group of protesters in downtown Washington jumped on the hood of a limousine, smashed its windows and then set it on fire, while hundreds of others waved signs and chanted slogans voicing their displeasure of their new president.

The protests came as President Donald Trump's inaugural parade continued blocks away.

Pockets of demonstrators broke out into screaming matches with Trump supporters. Police deployed flash bang grenades. Helicopters circled above, taking in the scene.

A line of police officers wearing riot gear watched demonstrators marching. The officers moved in once the limo was set afire to allow fire officials to extinguish the blaze. A pile of overturned newspaper boxes, trash cans and a tire were also set alight.

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5:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and their wives are arriving at the reviewing stand near the White House to watch the inaugural parade.

Trump said the day was "unbelievable," as he and wife Melania made their way along the North Lawn to the stand on Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump also flashed a thumbs-up.

The first couple are surrounded in the enclosed stand by their family members.

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5:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump twice got out of their vehicles to walk and wave to the crowd during their escorted trip from the Capitol to the White House.

They first walked for about a block before reaching the Trump International Hotel, where the crowds on both sides of the street were at their loudest. As the Trumps neared the hotel, agents urged the couple to get back into their sedan.

A large crowd of protesters had gathered on the opposite side of the street, while supporters and employees of the hotel cheered on the hotel side of the street.

Later, the Trumps exited their sedan with their children and grandchildren in tow. An announcer roared, "Welcome home, Mr. President."

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5:05 p.m.

A watchdog group is asking the General Services Administration to determine whether President Donald Trump has violated his lease for the government-owned building that houses his luxury hotel a few blocks from the White House.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington issued the letter Friday shortly after Trump took the oath of office.

The 2013 lease Trump signed for the Old Post Office building specifically bars any "elected official of the Government of the United States" from benefiting. Trump announced earlier this month that he would hand over day-to-day control of his multibillion-dollar business empire to two of his sons, but there is no indication he has relinquished his ownership stake in the $200 million project.

A spokeswoman for the GSA declined to comment.

President Donald Trump dances with first lady Melania Trump at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump signs his first executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Tony Orlando performs at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A protester holds a sign during a demonstration in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

A protestor kicks in a windshield during a demonstration in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Ezra Kaplan)

Police fire pepper spray on protestors during a demonstration after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump walk along the inauguration day parade route after being sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)

Protesters burn trash cans during the demonstration downtown Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, during the inauguration of President Donald Trump. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Military units march in the inaugural parade from the U.S. Capitol, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump depart the Capitol for the inaugural parade during the 2017 presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (Jack Gruber/Pool Photo via AP)

The inaugural parade steps off from the U.S. Capitol as it heads to the White House Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Newly sworn in President Donald Trump with his wife first lady Melania Trump, shakes hands with Hillary Clinton, as they arrive for the inaugural luncheon at the Statuary Hall in the Capitol, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. Trump became the 45th president of the United States. Others are former President Bill Clinton, right, and Trump's daughter Tiffany Trump, second from left. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

President Donald Trump leaves the President's Room of the Senate at the Capitol after he formally signed his cabinet nominations into law, in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. He is joined by his wife Melania Trump and and daughter Tiffany Trump. At far right is Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, with White House counsel Donald McGahn, second from right. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, Pool)
Illinois governor extends tax incentive program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a temporary extension of a corporate tax incentive program which has been criticized as expensive and too favorable to large businesses.

The Republican's action on Friday extends through April the EDGE program  for Economic Development for a Growing Economy.

Rauner supports replacing EDGE with another proposed incentive program which would be less generous.

EDGE provides tax breaks to businesses that create and maintain jobs in Illinois.

Rauner backs a sweetener that gives companies credit for 50 percent of the withholding taxes from jobs created. EDGE gave them 100 percent credit.

Some lawmakers complain that EDGE is too expensive or benefits larger companies over smaller ones.

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S. Korean minister arrested over artist blacklist allegation

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korean prosecutors on Saturday arrested President Park Geun-hye's culture minister and her former top presidential adviser over allegations that they blacklisted artists critical of the government.

Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun and ex-presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon were allegedly involved in the drawing-up of a blacklist of thousands of artists and cultural figures to exclude them from government funding programs. Three other top former officials have already been arrested over the allegation.

The arrests of Cho and Kim came as the Seoul Central District Court approved prosecutors' request to arrest them for alleged abuse of power and other charges.

In this Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 photo, South Korean Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun, center, leaves the Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, South Korea, after attending a hearing. South Korean prosecutors on Saturday, Jan. 21, arrested Cho and President Park Geun-hye's former top presidential adviser over allegations that they blacklisted artists critical of the government. (Choi Jae-koo/Yonhap via AP)

The blacklist allegation surfaced as authorities widened their investigations into the explosive political scandal that led to Park's parliamentary impeachment last month. The Constitutional Court is reviewing whether to formally end Park's rule and hold an election to replace her.

Prosecutors accuse Park of colluding with a longtime confidante to extort tens of millions of dollars from businesses and let her meddle in state affairs although she has never had an official post. The confidante, Choi Soon-sil, and several of Park's former presidential advisers have been arrested.

In a setback to prosecutors' investigation, the Seoul court on Thursday disapproved the arrest of Lee Jae-yong, the de-facto leader of Samsung Group which donated the largest portion of the money to two non-profit foundations controlled by Choi. Prosecutors wanted to arrest Lee because they believed the Samsung money was a form of bribe, but the court said there was not enough justification to arrest Lee.
Device with propane tank explodes, damages police cruiser

BOSTON (AP)  An explosive device with a propane tank blew up near a police cruiser on Friday in what appears to be a deliberate act, police said.

The South Boston explosion occurred during the morning rush hour and damaged the cruiser, but no one was hurt, police Commissioner William Evans said.

The federal Joint Terrorism Task Force was called in to help with the investigation into what happened, said Evans, who called the explosion "troubling."

Evans said the propane tank was positioned between the decking for a bridge and the passenger side of the parked cruiser. He said police are studying surveillance videos from the area.

"We are going to find out who is responsible," Evans said. "We will get to the bottom of this."

Police released a blurry photograph of a person who may have been in the area of the explosion and asked for the public's help in identifying the person. In the photo, the person is wearing a light-colored winter coat with a hood pulled over the head.

Police said the person may have been driving a dark-colored Toyota. Investigators asked anyone who may have taken photos or video in the area between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. to contact police.
Nevada Sen. Cortez Masto 1 of 11 against new Homeland chief

RENO, Nev. (AP)  Nevada's new U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto was one of 11 Democrats who voted against President Trump's nominee for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate voted Friday to confirm Gen. John F. Kelly on a vote of 88-11. No Republican opposed him.

Cortez Masto said in a statement she respects the general's many years of service to the country. But she said she couldn't in good conscience support him given his views on immigration.
World jittery about Trump's 'America first' inaugural speech

President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy led by a forceful executive, in contrast to the coalition building and international conferences which have featured strongly in past administrations.

The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs.

"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

A private security tries to prevent the media from taking pictures as protesters picket the Trump Tower hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in the financial district of Makati city east Manila, Philippines. Pledging emphatically to empower America's "forgotten men and women," Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States on Friday, taking command of a riven nation facing an unpredictable era under his assertive but untested leadership. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A look at some reactions from around the world:

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AFGHANS DISAPPOINTED BUT HOPEFUL

Like many in the Afghan capital of Kabul, restaurant owner Mohammad Nahim watched the presidential inauguration ceremonies but was disappointed to not hear any mention of Afghanistan.

"Trump did not mention a word about Afghanistan in his speech and the salaries of the Afghan army and police are paid by the U.S.," he said. He added that if the U.S. stops helping Afghanistan, "our country will again become a sanctuary to terrorists. I hope Trump will not forget Afghanistan."

Mohammed Kasim Zazi, a shopkeeper whose home is in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, where the feared Haqqani network is prominent, said he expected Trump to stay focused on Afghanistan.

"Trump said he will finish the terrorists in the world and that has to mean that Afghanistan will remain in the sights of the U.S." said Zazi.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said he was encouraged by Trump's speech to soldiers in Bagram. "There he announced his support to the troops and the continuation of support for their troops here and strengthening their troops, which is a good and elegant step and I am sure that our cooperation in other areas will continue as well."

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SPEECH RESONATES IN MEXICO

Perhaps no country was watching the speech more closely than Mexico. Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States.

So Trump's talk of "protect(ing) our borders," ''America first" and "buy American and hire American" had particular resonance in America's southern neighbor.

Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for "the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and populist speech we just heard. Unity against that useless wall, against deportations, against the blockade of investment."

"The challenge is enormous. ... We demand the federal government leave aside tepidity, that it tackle with absolute firmness and dignity the new relationship with the United States," Anaya said.

The United States is by far Mexico's largest commercial partner, buying some 80 percent of its $532 billion in exports in 2015. Mexico is the second-largest market for U.S. exports.

"At least the word 'Mexico' was not heard in the speech. Nevertheless one can expect the United States to launch a hyper-protectionist project," said Ilan Semo Groman, a researcher at Iberoamericana University.

If Trump truly moves to block or drive away U.S. investment in Mexico, Semo said Mexico should focus its commercial efforts on other countries.

"There are very clear possibilities," Semo said.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent three tweets after Trump's inaugural speech Friday:

 "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility."

 "We will establish a respectful dialogue with the government of President @realDonaldTrump, to Mexico's benefit."

 "Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States."

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PAKISTAN WORRIES ABOUT MUSLIM COMMENTS

A group of retired government officials gathered after morning prayers for a walk in a sprawling park in the heart of the federal capital of Islamabad and the topic of their conversation was President Trump's inaugural speech.

They expressed concern that Trump would target the Islamic world, particularly Pakistan, because of his campaign rhetoric about Muslims as well as his inaugural speech in which he promised to eradicate Islamic terrorism worldwide. Pakistan has often been accused of harboring militant insurgents and declared terrorist groups that have targeted neighboring India, against whom Pakistan has fought three wars, as well as Afghanistan. Pakistan denies the charges.

"Likely there is more trouble in store for the Islamic world and our country will take the most brunt of the harsh treatment from President Trump administration," said Mohammad Afzal.

His sentiments were echoed by Shafiq Khan, who said "the one main thing that the new president mentioned about the world outside America is to tackle Islamic radicalism and that should be the matter of concern for all of us."

Amanaullah, a school teacher in Islamabad, feared Trump's reference to eliminating radical Islamic terrorism. "I think under this name he wants to malign and eliminate Islam," he said.

Umair Khan, an engineer, said of Trump: "Let him taste the burden of government and get settled, I am sure he will calm."

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CONCERN IN TOKYO

Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.

Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.

"Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing."

Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.

"Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said.

Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions.

"In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said.

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CHINA BRACES FOR TROUBLE AHEAD

A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.

The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order.

"Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said.

The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead."

The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."

In Beijing, Independent scholar and commentator Zhang Lifan drew a contrast between Trump's focus on domestic issues and Chinese President Xi Jinping's emphasis on international cooperation.

"The new U.S. administration's policy toward China is not clear now. In my view, Trump will deal with China like a businessman, especially on trade negotiations," Zhang said.

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TAIWAN TWEETS

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership."

Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election.

He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.

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SOUTH KOREANS PUT SECURITY FIRST, WORRY ABOUT ALLIANCE, TRADE

Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.

"I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S."

In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons.

There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries.

"There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out."

In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.

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INDIANS FRET ABOUT IMMIGRATION PROSPECTS

Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.

"It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.

Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?"

Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper.

"Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.

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VIETNAMESE SAY SPEECH TOO AMERICA-FOCUSED

A Vietnamese analyst said Trump's speech was disappointing because it mainly served the domestic audience.

"I think this speech would be right for an election campaign, but not an inauguration speech," said Nguyen Ngoc Truong, president of Hanoi-based private policy think-tank Center for Strategic Studies and International Development.

"It should not be that simple because in an inauguration speech, you must introduce an objective and multi-faceted vision, not just one-sided vision to the American public," he said. "I don't think Trump could have a magic stick to be able to manage America to realize the goals that he outlined."

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AUSTRALIANS FIND SPEECH DIVISIVE

An Australian father of two, Marek Rucinski, found Trump's speech "very divisive" and lacking substance.

"Normally these speeches are used to rally and unite people," he said. "It was, again, more bluster."

Rucinski was among some 8,000-10,000 people who attended a Women's March anti-Trump rally in Sydney's Hyde Park.

Self-described feminist, Niall Anderson, watched the president's inauguration in disbelief.

"Just disbelief that this can happen in 2017," the 35-year-old said.

The Australian newspaper's Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan wrote that "Trump answered one big question with his inauguration address: There is to be no transition from campaign Trump to presidential Trump."

"Donald Trump is always Donald Trump. This consistency is perhaps his chief virtue," Sheridan wrote.

"And his inauguration address made it clear that he intends to govern just as he campaigned, taking swings at his opponents, extolling his populist mantras, speaking in the slightly weird argot of contemporary down market celebrity," he added.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that Mexican politician Ricardo Anaya Cortes called Trump's speech "populist."

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Associated Press journalists Amir Shah and Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan, Peter Orsi in Mexico City, Mari Yamaguchi and Emily Wang in Tokyo, Gillian Wong and Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Youkyung Lee and Yong Jun Chang in Seoul, South Korea, Muneeza Naqvi in New Delhi, Tran Van Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.

Protesters, one wearing a Donald Trump mask and another with an Adolf Hitler mask, embrace as others display a #lovetrumpshate hashtag during a brief picket at the Trump Tower hours after Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in the financial district of Makati city east Manila, Philippines. Pledging emphatically to empower America's "forgotten men and women," Donald Trump was sworn in as President of the United States on Friday, taking command of a riven nation facing an unpredictable era under his assertive but untested leadership. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

American residents in the Philippines Gabriel Ortiz, left, and Donald Goertzen display placards during a candlelight vigil at the American Cemetery to protest the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in suburban Taguig city east of Manila, Philippines.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Diver mauled by shark north of Australia to undergo surgery

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A diver who was mauled by a 4-meter (13-foot) bull shark near the Great Barrier Reef was flown in stable condition to an Australian hospital for microsurgery to an arm, a paramedic said Sunday.

The 55-year-old man had been free diving with friends in the Torres Strait from a boat chartered from the Queensland state city of Cairns when the shark attacked on Saturday afternoon, paramedic David Cameron said. Free diving uses no breath apparatus.

The man was 15 meters (50 feet) under water with other divers when the shark attacked, Cameron said.

"The bull shark has come up from behind and has unfortunately bitten the patient on the arm several times and bitten him on the stomach," Cameron said, adding the most severe injuries were to his left arm.

"When you start to talk about 4-meter (13-foot) sharks up here in the Torres Strait, he's very lucky to walk away," Cameron said.

The man swam back to the boat, which then took three hours to reach the nearest medical center on Murray Island, about midway between Australia and Papua New Guinea, Cameron said.

An attempt to winch him from the boat by rescue helicopter was abandoned due to torrential rain, Cameron said.

The man was flown during a break in the weather from Murray Island 210 kilometers (130 miles) west to the Thursday Island Hospital north of Queensland, where he spent the night. On Sunday, he was again flown 800 kilometers (500 miles) to Cairns for microsurgery, Cameron said.
Pakistan hands back deserted Indian soldier

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan has handed over to Indian authorities an Indian soldier who crossed into Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region in September.

A foreign ministry statement Saturday said Chandu Babulal Chohan deserted his post and crossed the Line of Control to the Pakistani side because of severe grievances with superiors.

The statement said Pakistan convinced him to return to India and Chohan was handed over at the Wahga border point.
The Latest: Former CIA chief says Trump should 'be ashamed'

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EST):

12:15 a.m.

Former CIA Director John Brennan says President Donald Trump "should be ashamed of himself" for his behavior at CIA headquarters.

With Capitol Hill in the background, President Donald Trump and the first family ride in a motorcade during the inaugural parade in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

That's according to a statement released by Brennan's former aide Nick Shapiro.

The statement says Brennan "is deeply saddened and angered at Donald Trump's despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of CIA's Memorial Wall of Agency heroes. Brennan says that Trump should be ashamed of himself."

Speaking to CIA officers Saturday while standing in front of the memorial for fallen CIA agents, Trump appeared more focused on settling scores with the media. He berated journalists over the coverage of his inauguration and wrongly claimed that the crowd was much bigger than the media reported.

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8:10 p.m.

The White House has edited first lady Melania Trump's official bio to remove a reference to the QVC shopping network.

When posted Friday, the White House website said the former model had launched her jewelry collection  Melania Timepieces & Jewelry  on the online and TV retailer in 2010.

A spokesperson for the first lady says the website was updated later Friday out of "an abundance of caution" to remove the name of her jewelry line.

The White House says the jewelry line is currently not available for sale.

Ethical questions have been raised about the business dealings of President Donald Trump and some of his family members.

The White House also says a reference in the bio to Melania Trump's success as an entrepreneur is factual, and not an endorsement.

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6:55 p.m.

President Donald Trump's press secretary is declaring that Trump's inauguration had the largest audience in history "both in person and around the globe."

Sean Spicer insists that, "This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period."

Spicer offers no evidence to support the claim. It is not known how many people watched the ceremony on television around the globe. In the U.S., Nielsen estimates 31 million viewers watched TV coverage, but that's less than Barack Obama's and Ronald Reagan's first inaugurations.

On the ground in Washington, crowds on Friday were noticeably smaller than those of some pervious inaugurations.

Spicer convened reporters at the White House during Trump's first full day in office to accuse them of engaging in "deliberately false reporting." He's claiming that photographs of the inauguration were intentionally framed in a way to minimize the crowd.

Photos of the National Mall make clear that the crowd did not extend to the Washington Monument, as it did for the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama.

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6 p.m.

President Donald Trump will meet with his first foreign leader as president on Friday: British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer says Trump has also scheduled a meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto later this month.

The two are scheduled to meet on Jan. 31 to discuss trade, immigration and security.

Trump has proposed building a wall along the southern border and insists that Mexico will pay for it.

Trump and Pena Nieto met in Mexico City during Trump's campaign.

Spicer also says Trump spoke on Saturday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and plans to set up meetings in the coming days.

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5:15 p.m.

Nielsen estimates that 31 million viewers watched TV coverage of President Donald Trump's inauguration.

That's better than Barack Obama's second inauguration but well short of his first.

The most-watched inauguration since 1969 was President Ronald Reagan's first oath-taking in 1981, which was seen by 41.8 million people.

The audience total measures continuous coverage by 12 broadcast and cable networks.

In 2013, 20.6 million viewed Obama's second inauguration. His first inauguration, in 2009, was seen by 37.8 million people.

For Trump's big day, NBC was the most-watched broadcast network with 5.8 million viewers, followed by ABC with 4.9 million and CBS with4.6 million.

On cable, Fox News Channel was far ahead, with 8.43 million viewers. CNN had 2.46 million and MSNBC had 1.35 million.

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4:45 p.m.

Backstage photos from the black-tie inaugural balls.

A quick peek out the Truman Balcony to admire the view of Washington.

A visit to the basement White House bowling alley.

President Donald Trump's grown children, who all spent his first night in office sleeping at the White House, have reveled in the first 24 hours of their father's term, and they have enthusiastically documented it on social media.

Donald Trump Jr. posted video of his wife bowling in the White House's basement alley while Ivanka Trump shared a photo of her family riding in a presidential limousine for the inaugural parade.

The children were a constant presence at the president's side during the inaugural festivities.

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4:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is accusing the news media of lying about the size of the crowd that attended his inauguration.

Addressing employees at CIA headquarters in Virginia, Trump wrongly said the crowd had stretched all the way to the Washington Monument in the middle of the National Mall.

Photos taken of the Mall on Friday showed large swaths of empty space compared to Barack Obama's inauguration eight years ago.

Trump says the inauguration crowd looked to be about a million and a half people. The National Park Service doesn't provide an official estimate, but such a figure is highly dubious. Other events that filled more of the Mall have not drawn a crowd of that size.

He says the news media will pay a "big price" for what he claims was dishonesty.

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3:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump is telling CIA employees whose work he has publicly doubted that no one feels stronger about the intelligence community than he does.

Trump is addressing about 400 CIA employees at their headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on his first full day in office.

Trump told the workers that they are really special and amazing people and that "I am so behind you."

The meeting follows Trump's repeated and sharp public criticism of U.S. intelligence agencies before and after the election. He challenged and at times belittled their conclusions that Russia attempted to influence the election to help him win the White House.

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2:45 p.m.

An online petition seeking the release of President Donald Trump's full tax returns has garnered more than enough signatures to merit a White House response.

The petition was created on Inauguration Day and had more than 135,000 signatures by midday Saturday. Under rules established by former President Barack Obama, a petition needs 100,000 signatures within 30 days to get a response. It's unclear whether Trump's White House will respond.

The petition says the public must be aware of "unprecedented economic conflicts" by the administration, including documentation related to foreign influences and financial interests that could put Trump in violation of parts of the Constitution.

Trump has refused to release the tax returns until the IRS completes an audit. He also says journalists are the only people interested in seeing them.

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2 p.m.

President Donald Trump has arrived at CIA headquarters in Virginia, where he'll speak to intelligence agency workers.

The visit from the new president could be awkward.

During the campaign and after he was elected, Trump repeatedly voiced skepticism about findings by U.S. intelligence agencies  including conclusions that Russia attempted to influence the election to help him win the White House.

Trump is expected to address a group of about 300 people at the headquarters in Langley, Virginia.

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1:10 p.m.

Israel's president has congratulated President Donald Trump on his inauguration and invited him to Jerusalem.

Reuven Rivlin sent a letter Saturday, at the end of the Jewish Sabbath, and thanked Trump for being "a longstanding friend" of Israel.

Israel made great efforts to refrain from taking sides in the election. But after repeated clashes with ex-President Barack Obama, Israel's nationalist right has high expectations for Trump.

Trump's chosen ambassador to Israel has close ties to Jewish West Bank settlements, as does the foundation run by the family of Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Tax records show Trump himself also donated money to a Jewish seminary located in a settlement.

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12:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump has had some trouble with his spelling.

Trump tweeted Saturday that "I am honered to serve you, the great American People, as your 45th President of the United States!" He misspelled "honored" by swapping in an "e'' for an "o."

The president posted the incorrectly spelled tweet at 11:57 a.m. Twelve minutes later, it was deleted and the message was re-posted, this time with the correct spelling.

Trump posted the incorrect tweet from his original @realdonaldtrump account, not his new @POTUS handle. He then posted the same message, with a photo, from the new account.

The deletion raises questions about whether a deleted Trump tweet would run afoul of the Presidential Records Act, which requires the preservation of presidential communications.

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11:25 a.m.

The State Department says the American ambassador to Kazakhstan will represent the United States at international talks on Syria set for Monday in the Kazakh capital.

The talks are being sponsored by Russia and Turkey. The invitation for the U.S. to be an observer came from Russia's ambassador in Washington in a telephone call with Michael Flynn, the new White House national security adviser.

That call took place on Dec. 29  the same day the Obama administration levied sanctions on Russia in relation for election-related hacking in the 2016 White House campaign.

The talks are seen as a prelude to a new round of U.N.-led negotiations in Geneva next month between the Syrian government and the opposition.

The U.S. envoy in Kazakhstan is George Krol, a career foreign service officer.

The State Department's acting spokesman, Mark Toner, says a U.S. delegation isn't attending because of the presidential inauguration and the "immediate demands" of the transition between the Obama and Trump administrations.

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10:45 a.m.

President Donald Trump is opening his first full day in office by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

Trump entered the cathedral holding hands with his wife, Melania, and took his place in the first pew alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Trump smiled and nodded to those who passed him during the procession.

The cathedral has for years hosted a prayer service for the new president. But keeping the tradition has sparked debate this year among Episcopalians opposed to Trump's policies.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington wrote in a blog post that she shared "a sense of outrage at some of the president-elect's words and actions" but also felt an obligation to welcome all people.

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10:40 a.m.

The Justice Department says federal anti-nepotism laws do not prevent President Donald Trump from appointing his son-in-law to his administration.

The decision clears the way for Jared Kushner to take a post as a senior adviser.

Kushner is married to Trump's daughter Ivanka and became one of his closest advisers later in the campaign.

The Justice Department released a memo to the White House counsel Friday concluding that the president's "special hiring authority" allows him to make the appointment to the West Wing staff.

Federal anti-nepotism laws prevent relatives from being appointed to government positions. The Trump transition team argued the laws apply to federal agencies, not White House posts.

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10:10 a.m.

The Interior Department has suspended its Twitter activity.

This, after a bureau of the department  the National Park Service  retweeted a pair of posts Friday that appeared unsympathetic to President Donald Trump.

The first noted that the crowd for Trump was far smaller than the one that turned out for Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.

The second pointed out that webpages about some issues, including climate change, had been removed from the White House site.

A spokesman for the National Park Service, Tom Crosson, said Saturday the retweets "were inconsistent with the agency's approach to engaging the public."

The spokesman says the Interior Department's account will resume tweeting over the weekend.

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8:30 a.m.

Britain's prime minister says she's confident President Donald Trump understands the strategic value of the NATO alliance.

Theresa May tells the Financial Times that Trump "recognized the importance and significance of NATO."

The new U.S. president has alarmed European allies by suggesting NATO may be obsolete. He's said alliance members must pay more for their defense and not rely so much on U.S. military contributions.

May also says she believes Britain can work out a new trade deal with the U.S.

The prime minister expects to meet Trump in Washington soon.

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7:35 a.m.

It's the first full day in office for President Donald Trump  after his first night in the White House.

And first up on his schedule: a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.

For years, the cathedral has hosted such a service for the new president. But this year, some in the largely liberal congregation have objected to hosting it this year.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has written in blog post that she shares "a sense of outrage at some of the president-elect's words and actions"  but that she feels an obligation to welcome all people without qualification.

Later Saturday, Trump is expected to visit the CIA. Trump has been critical of intelligence officials for their assertions about Russian election hacking and about leaks about his briefings in the weeks before he was sworn in.

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6:10 a.m.

The Kremlin is hoping for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration, but also warning that differences will remain.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman tells Russian state television that it would be an "illusion" to expect that U.S.-Russian relations would be free of disagreements.

Dmitry Peskov notes the intricacy of nuclear arms control and the complexity of the situation in Syria among other challenges.

Trump's victory has elated Russian political elites amid bitter tensions with Washington over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections.

Peskov says "successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue."

He says Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.

President Donald Trump speaks at the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Va., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, sing together during a National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral, in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
'Is God mad?' Mississippi tornado wreaks havoc; kills 4

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP)  Rain was pouring down in the pre-dawn darkness, and the wind was picking up as Darryl McMorris ran for his daughters' bedroom. The windows started blowing out as he dove on top of his girls, grabbing one under each arm as he tried to protect them.

"As soon as I did that it seemed like we were flying in the air," he recalled Saturday. Walls began to collapse and the house began to blow apart as his daughters screamed. But he held on tight.

When the tornado finished ripping its way through their Hattiesburg home he and the two girls were under a wall. Their house appears to be a total loss, bedding tossed 50 feet into a tree and their oldest daughter asking, "Is God mad at us?" But they're alive.

Tracey Morgan, left, consoles Monica McCarty, who lost her father and son when a tornado hit the trailer camp all were staying at in Hattiesburg, Miss., early Saturday morning, Jan. 21, 2017. All three were in different trailers when the storm hit. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

"I don't see how we survived this," said his fiancee Shanise.

Across the tornado's devastating path, families were taking stock of the damage, hugging friends and neighbors, grieving over the remains of their homes and in many cases mourning those killed.

Authorities said four people died when the twister touched down around 3:35 a.m. Saturday. Shannon Hefferan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says damage reports indicate it touched down in Lamar County before ripping into Forrest County and skirting just south of downtown Hattiesburg  the state's fourth largest city.

The tornado continued across the Leaf River into neighboring Petal. Emergency management officials said the severe weather also damaged Perry and Jones counties.

Teams are out assessing the damage. Already they know that the tornado was accompanied by a deluge of rain  3.42 inches over a six to seven hour period Saturday morning  Hefferan said.

And the bad weather isn't over yet.

The weather service anticipates another round Saturday night. A tornado watch was already in effect until 9 p.m. in parts of southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, warning that hail, gusting winds and tornadoes are possible.

Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict on Saturday afternoon released the names of the dead: Earnest Perkins, 58; Cleveland Madison, 20; David Wayne McCoy, 47 and Simona Cox, 72.

Monica McCarty lost her father  Perkins  who died in the same trailer park where she and her boyfriend live and her son  Madison  who was apparently crushed to death while in bed at her mother's house where he lived.

Standing amid the tornado's carnage, McCarty wept as her boyfriend, Tackeem Molley, comforted her.

"They couldn't get him out of the house. They said he was lying in the bed," McCarty said of her son.

Molley said he and McCarty were in a trailer when the storm hit. Molley, whose bare foot was bandaged, said he climbed out through a hole in what had either been the trailer's roof or wall.

"I had a little hole I could squeeze out of," he said.

In the surrounding neighborhood, power company trucks ran up and down the streets and city backhoe plowed debris from the road. Dozens of homes were damaged.

Sheet metal was strewn everywhere. Trees turned into spindly sticks were lying across power lines. At least three nearby churches had sustained damage.

Mayor Johnny DuPree has signed an emergency declaration for the city, which reported "significant injuries" and structural damage.

Greg Flynn of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said "massive damage" was reported. At least 50 people have been treated for injuries at two area hospitals, he said. Gov. Phil Bryant visited the damaged areas Saturday. Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says insured damaged is likely to top $200 million.

"You've got so many buildings that are for all practical purposes totally destroyed," said Andy Case, a disaster recovery specialist with the Department of Insurance.

Emergency management officials reported 16,000 customers were without power as power companies rushed to restore electricity where damage allowed.

At William Carey University, a Baptist institution south of downtown Hattiesburg, almost every building on campus suffered at least superficial damage. Many were heavily damaged. College officials closed the campus where 3,200 students study and 800 students live and are not sure when it will reopen.

Saturday afternoon parents and students streamed onto campus to remove belongings from damaged dorms with some students making their way over shattered glass or around fallen bricks to reach their room.

For students in their dorms when the tornado struck, it was terrifying. Tegan Sager, a freshman from Hermiston, Oregon, said she'd never been in a tornado before. She said bursts of lightening lit up the outside just before the tornado hit. She and 20 other students huddled in the first floor hallway of their dorm, cradling their heads in the hands.

"That's when the panels from the roof were falling in," she said. "Girls were screaming and a person next to me got cut on the leg."

In many areas the roar of chain saws could be heard as people began cutting down trees, salvaging belongings and considering their next steps.

As the McMorris family gathered at a parking lot of a ruined gas station across the street from their house, they took stock of their losses and what had been saved.

"I lost everything but I'm just glad I didn't lose my daughters," McMorris said.

__

Rebecca Santana reported from New Orleans.

Shanise McMorris grieves on the slab of her Hattiesburg, Miss., home after an early tornado hit the city, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Shanise McMorris grieves on the slab of her Hattiesburg, Miss., home after an early tornado hit the city, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Neither she or her husband or two children were injured when the roof collapsed on them. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

First responders used dogs to sniff for bodies or injured residents of each residence and business damaged by the early morning tornado in south Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Residents of south Hattiesburg, Miss., survey the damage to their community following a early morning tornado blew through, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Shanise McMorris grieves on the slab of her Hattiesburg, Miss., home after an early tornado hit the city, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Neither she or her husband or two children were injured when the roof collapsed on them. The house was moved 12-feet during the storm. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Monica McCarty, grieves as she speaks about losing her father and son when a tornado hit the trailer camp all were staying at in Hattiesburg, Miss., early Saturday morning, Jan. 21, 2017. All three were in different trailers when the storm hit. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A Hattiesburg, Miss. resident observes a fallen tree after a tornado stuck the city on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (Susan Broadbridge/The Hattiesburg American via AP)

Little remains undamaged of the interior of Cottrell Memorial CME Church after a morning tornado hit early Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in south Hattiesburg, Miss. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Darryl McMorris, recalls how the outside debris flew in his face moments before he managed to secure his wife and two daughters in the children's bedroom as a tornado bore down on the residence, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. The house was moved several feet from its foundation and was completely destroyed, but the four were left uninjured. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

An open kitchen littered with roofing and ceiling debris show the strength of the tornado that hit this south Mississippi community in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Margarita Morales, carries her possessions out of a house she shared with two other people after a tornado destroyed the residence, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in Hattiesburg, Miss. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Donna Thompson, and a friend, salvage some of her possessions Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, after a morning tornado ripped her roof off in Hattiesburg, Miss. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Little remains undamaged of Cottrell Memorial CME Church after a morning tornado hit early Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in south Hattiesburg, Miss. Its room was heavily damaged, allowing rain and debris to litter the inside. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Nora Martinez carries her possessions out of a house she shared with two other people after a tornado destroyed the residence, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in Hattiesburg, Miss. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions.(AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Lanada Miller stands before the remains of her trailer home being ripped apart, while leaving two other trailers with exterior damage, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in Hattiesburg, Miss. The tornado was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Police official says 3 policemen killed in Taliban assault

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  A senior police official says Taliban insurgents stormed a police checkpoint in the northeastern province of Kapisa, killing three policemen.

Massoud Chardara, deputy provincial police chief, said the Friday afternoon assault on the checkpoint lasted two hours. No group took responsibility for the attack, but the government routinely blames Taliban insurgents  who have publicly warned Afghanistan's security forces that they were targets and urged them to abandon their posts.
A closer look at Turkey's proposed presidential system

ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkey's parliament has signed off on a contentious constitutional reform package that would concentrate even more powers in the office of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and potentially extend his mandate till 2029. The reforms will come into effect if approved in a national referendum

HOW IT CAME ABOUT

Constitutional reforms were first floated by the ruling party after it won the 2011 general elections, but that failed to gain traction immediately.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan salutes his supporters in Istanbul, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Erdogan started campaigning for constitutional reforms that would greatly expand the powers of his office on Saturday, hours after a vote in parliament cleared the way for a national referendum on the issue.(Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Press Service, Pool Photo via AP

In 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the country's first directly elected president and the idea of bolstering his office resurfaced.

The ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, made the executive presidency central to its campaign promises in June 2015 general elections.

In November 2016, the nationalist party declared it would back moves to switch to a presidential system, saying Erdogan's rule was a de-facto presidential system anyway.

THE CHANGES

The presidency would be catapulted from a largely ceremonial role to a nearly all-powerful position as head of government, head of state and head of the ruling party.

The office of the prime minister disappears, making way for a strong, executive president supported by vice -presidents. The president would have the power to appoint cabinet ministers without requiring a confidence vote from parliament, propose budgets and appoint more than half the members of the nation's highest judicial body. The president would also have the power to dissolve the national assembly and impose states of emergencies.

Parliament would be elected every five years, instead of every four, in general elections held in tandem with presidential elections.

The reform package also raises the number of lawmakers in parliament to 600 and lowers the age of political candidacy to 18.

Controversially, it allows for a partisan president. To date, the symbolic head of state has been obliged to remain neutral and cut ties with his party.

It also introduces technical requirements that would make it harder for the assembly to remove the president from office or bring down his government with a vote of no confidence.

WHAT MAKES TURKEY'S PROPOSED SYSTEM DIFFERENT

Turkey's presidential system would allow Erdogan to be the head of state, the head of government and the head of the ruling party.

The model proposed by Turkey lacks the safety mechanisms of checks and balances present in other countries like the United States, observers say. The proposed changes transfer powers traditionally held by national assembly to the presidency rendering it a largely advisory body.

THE CONTEXT

The proposal comes six months after a violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016 failed to unseat Erdogan. The government reacted by declaring a state of emergency and sweeping purges that left no government institution untouched.

More than 100,000 civil servants have been dismissed for their alleged ties to the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S. based cleric Ankara blames for the revolt. He denies involvement.

At the same time, Turkey is waging a multifaceted war against "terrorists," a term encompassing Gulen supporters as well as the Islamic State group and Kurdish rebels at home, Syria and Iraq.

Turkey suffered dozens of stinging bombing attacks in 2016 in violence linked to the resumption of conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast and increased activity of foreign and local IS cells in Turkey.

THE CONTROVERSY

Supporters of a powerful presidency argue that a strong president would strengthen Turkey as it confronts a broad array of internal and external security threats.

Critics say that the reforms concentrate too many powers in the hands a leader who has increasingly displayed authoritarian tendencies. They point to anti-terrorism campaigns that have decimated an opposition pro-Kurdish party, the closure and government takeover of dozens of media outlets, the detention of more than 100 journalists, and hundreds of defamation lawsuits brought against individuals who "insulted" the president.

They also say that holding a referendum when the country is under a state of emergency prevents the opposition from campaigning freely against the proposed changes.

WHAT NEXT?

Turkish authorities say a referendum on the reforms will be held between late March and mid-April. If more than 50 percent of voters approve it, the reforms would come into effect.

Parliamentary and presidential elections would be held at the same time in 2019.

The constitutional changes would also reset the clock on term limits, giving Erdogan the possibility of continuing as president until 2029.
Brazil president to wait to replace justice killed in crash

SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazil's president said Saturday that he would wait to name a replacement for the Supreme Court justice who died in a plane crash until after the court reassigns a major corruption case he was handling.

Justice Teori Zavascki was in charge of handling accusations against politicians in the "Car Wash" investigation, a multibillion dollar kickback scheme involving the state oil company Petrobras. He was in the process of deciding whether to validate several plea bargain agreements, potentially making public accusations against high-profile businessmen and politicians.

His death Thursday raised questions about who would take over this critical work. President Michel Temer nominates judges to the Supreme Court, and typically a new justice would take over the caseload of the one he replaces. The court can also decide to reassign the caseload to a sitting justice.

In this photo released by Brazil's Presidency, Brazil's President Michel Temer attends the funeral of Brazil's Supreme Court Justice Teori Zavascki in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Saturday, Jan 21, 2017. Brazil's president said Saturday that he would wait to name a replacement for the Supreme Court justice who died in a plane crash until after the court reassigns a major corruption case he was handling.(Beto Barata/Brazil's Presidency via AP)

Many Brazilians have said in recent days it would be unseemly for Temer to name the next rapporteur to the case because he himself might be implicated in the plea bargains, Temer has denied any wrongdoing in the "Car Wash" case.

While paying his respects Saturday at Zavascki's memorial in the southern city of Porto Alegre, Temer appeared to offer a solution to the potential conflict of interest.

When a reporter asked when he would nominate a new justice, Temer replied: "Only after a rapporteur has been named."

Other Brazilian dignitaries, along with family and friends, were also paying their respects Saturday, including Judge Sergio Moro, who is leading the "Car Wash" investigation. With his voice cracking, he told reporters that he came to show his appreciation for the "quality, relevance and importance of the services (Zavascki) rendered."

The Supreme Court said the burial would be later in the day.

Federal police and the public prosecutor's office are investigating the small plane's crash in heavy rain off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state. The G1 news portal reported that authorities have determined that Zavascki died from "multiple traumas."

The aircraft was still floating Saturday in the waters off the colonial town of Paraty, and divers and others were working to remove it.
France's ex-PM Valls fights for spot in presidential primary

PARIS (AP)  As France's prime minister when terrorists killed 130 people in Paris in 2015, Manuel Valls was on the front line of the government's response, calling the attack an act of war and successfully lobbying parliament for emergency powers.

Just 14 months later, having stepped down in December from President Francois Hollande's government, Valls' political future has never been more uncertain.

Should he fail to secure the Socialist Party's nomination for France's two-round presidential election in April and May, Valls could be staring at a long spell in the political wilderness.

Former Prime minister Manuel Valls, left, and former Economy minister Arnaud Montebourg look on before taking part in a final televised debate of the candidates for the French left's presidential primaries ahead of the 2017 presidential election in Paris in Paris, France, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. Seven competitors are bidding to be the Socialist Party's candidate in next spring's French presidential election. (Eric Feferberg/Pool Photo via AP)

This weekend's first round of voting in the Socialist primary pits the Spanish-born 54-year-old, who became French at 20, against six other candidates. With little to separate them politically, Valls' opponents have tried to set themselves apart by attacking him.

Valls, in return, argues that his years spent at Hollande's side, first as France's top cop at the interior ministry and then as prime minister, have armed him with the experience that France's next leader will need as the country battles Islamic terror and other challenges.

"In this difficult world, with my convictions, my ability to speak the truth, I assumed the responsibilities," Valls told the Liberation newspaper. "I take responsibility for has been done."

But his association with Hollande, who gave up on a second presidential term that he had no hope of winning, and Valls' own record in government make his candidacy a tough sell.

Voters could use Sunday's primary to punish Valls for pro-business reforms and a 40-million-euro ($42 million) tax cut for companies that he pushed through when he was prime minister. On six occasions, Valls forced new economic and labor laws through parliament without a vote, infuriating lawmakers.

Valls now says that as president, he would limit this extraordinary power  an about-face that leaves him open to accusations of hypocrisy. Several of his opponents in the primary are vowing to repeal the labor measures that sparked wide protests, on grounds that their passage was undemocratic.

On the campaign trail, Valls has encountered problems, too.

In the western region of Brittany, a young man lightly slapped Valls as he was shaking hands with a small crowd, and was immediately wrestled to the ground. Last month, a man threw flour at Valls during a visit to the eastern city of Strasbourg.

The outcome of Sunday's primary is uncertain, with Valls seemingly locked in a close race with two other former ministers of Hollande's  Benoit Hamon and Arnaud Montebourg.

Unlike Valls, neither carries the baggage of close ties with Hollande's presidency. They rebelled in 2014, stepping down as ministers amid feuding over economic policy. Valls, on the other hand, split with Hollande only when it became clear even to the president that he was too unpopular to run again.

Hamon, 49, a former junior minister and education minister, is pledging to push for the introduction of a modest but regular "universal income" living allowance for all French citizens. Montebourg, 54, a former industry and economy minister, wants protectionist measures and state intervention to boost the French economy.

The four other candidates  Vincent Peillon, Francois de Rugy, Sylvia Pinel and Jean-Luc Bennahmias  aren't expected to be among the top two who will advance to a Jan. 29 runoff.

For the winner of the primary, the road will get even steeper.

The Socialists are being squeezed on both sides by leftist leader Jean-Luc Melenchon and Hollande's former economics minister, Emmanuel Macron, running as an independent. Both are attracting crowds and headlines.

The fear for the Socialist presidential candidate in the first round of balloting in April will be that Melenchon and Macron siphon off so many voters that conservative candidate Francois Fillon and far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen get a clear path to the French presidential runoff in May.

Candidates for the French left's presidential primaries ahead of the 2017 presidential election, (from L) Francois de Rugy, Manuel Valls, Arnaud Montebourg, Sylvia Pinel, Benoit Hamon, Vincent Peillon, Jean-Luc Bennahmias pose before taking part in a final televised debate in Paris, France, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. Seven competitors are bidding to be the Socialist Party's candidate in next spring's French presidential election. (Eric Feferberg/Pool Photo via AP)

Candidates for the French left's presidential primaries ahead of the 2017 presidential election, (from L) Francois de Rugy, Manuel Valls, Arnaud Montebourg, Sylvia Pinel, Benoit Hamon, Vincent Peillon, Jean-Luc Bennahmias pose before taking part in a final televised debate in Paris, France, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. Seven competitors are bidding to be the Socialist Party's candidate in next spring's French presidential election. (Eric Feferberg/Pool Photo via AP)

Candidates for the French left's presidential primaries ahead of the 2017 presidential election, (from L) Francois de Rugy, Manuel Valls, Arnaud Montebourg, Sylvia Pinel, Benoit Hamon, Vincent Peillon, Jean-Luc Bennahmias pose before taking part in a final televised debate in Paris, France, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. Seven competitors are bidding to be the Socialist Party's candidate in next spring's French presidential election. (Eric Feferberg/Pool Photo via AP)

Candidates for the French left's presidential primaries ahead of the 2017 presidential election, Vincent Peillon, left, and Manuel Valls take part in the second televised debate in Paris, France, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2016. Seven competitors are bidding to be the Socialist Party's candidate in next spring's French presidential election. (Bertrand Guay/Pool Photo via AP)

French politicians, from left to right, Arnaud Montebourg, Benoit Hamon, Jean-Luc Bennahmias, Vincent Peillon, Manuel Valls and Sylvia Pinel attend the second televised debate for the French left's presidential primaries in Paris, France, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2016. Seven competitors are bidding to be the Socialist Party's candidate in next spring's French presidential election. (Bertrand Guay/Pool Photo via AP)

Former Prime minister Manuel Valls, left, receives make up before taking part in a final televised debate of the candidates for the French left's presidential primaries ahead of the 2017 presidential election in Paris, France, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. Seven competitors are bidding to be the Socialist Party's candidate in next spring's French presidential election. (Eric Feferberg/Pool Photo via AP)
Gambia's defeated leader leaves country, ends standoff

BANJUL, Gambia (AP)  Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh and his family headed into political exile Saturday night, ending a 22-year reign of fear and a post-election political standoff that threatened to provoke a regional military intervention when he clung to power.

As he mounted the stairs to the plane, he turned to the crowd, kissed his Quran and waved one last time to supporters, including soldiers who cried at his departure.

The flight came almost 24 hours after Jammeh announced on state television he was ceding power to the newly inaugurated Adama Barrow, in response to mounting international pressure for his ouster.

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh waves to supporters as he departs at Banjul airport Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Though tens of thousands of Gambians had fled the country during his rule, Jammeh supporters flocked to the airport to see him walk the red carpet to his plane. Women shouted: "Don't go! Don't go!"

Jammeh landed in Guinea an hour later. He and his family then took off for Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, according to an airport official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak to the press. Equatorial Guinea, unlike Guinea, is not a state party to the International Criminal Court.

"What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," Barrow told The Associated Press earlier Saturday.

Barrow won the December elections, but Jammeh contested the results as calls grew for him to be prosecuted for alleged abuses during his time in power. A regional force had been poised to force out Jammeh if last-ditch diplomatic efforts failed to persuade him to leave.

The situation became so tense that Barrow had to be inaugurated in neighboring Senegal at the Gambian Embassy on Thursday, after Jammeh's mandate expired at midnight.

Barrow told The Associated Press he would return to Gambia once it is "clear" and a security sweep is completed.

Shortly after Jammeh's departure, the United Nations, African Union and the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, issued a declaration saying that any country offering him and his family "African hospitality" should not be punished and that he should be free to return to Gambia in the future. It said Jammeh was leaving "temporarily."

The joint statement did not include promises of amnesty but said the world and regional bodies "commit to work with the government of the Gambia to prevent the seizure of assets and properties lawfully belonging to former President Jammeh or his family and those of his Cabinet members, government officials and party supporters."

Jammeh, who seized power in a coup in 1994, once vowed to rule for a billion years. He represented one of a dwindling number of West African leaders staying in office without apparent limit. The success in getting him to leave peacefully may help the vast region move toward more stable transfers of power.

His departure has brought an end to the political crisis in this impoverished nation of 1.9 million, which promotes itself to overseas tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa" while being a major source of migrants heading north toward Europe.

As Jammeh prepared to leave the country after hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

"Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities," said Jeggan Bahoum of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia.

An online petition urged that Jammeh not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested. Barrow, though, cautioned that was premature.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," Barrow told the AP. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

In recent days, Jammeh had been holed up in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc had pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force that rolled into Gambia on Thursday, after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

The joint statement late Saturday announced a halt to the military operation in Gambia. But the force already in Banjul would stay to secure the capital before Barrow's arrival, Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the regional bloc, told reporters in Senegal.

Gambia's unrest had more than 45,000 people fleeing the country, the United Nations said. But when Jammeh left, the deserted streets came back to life. Restaurants opened, music played and people danced in the streets.

"It's New Year's Eve in Gambia. We are just about to start a new democratic Gambia," said Momodou Janneh.

"For the Gambia to truly move on, President Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing," Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa, wrote in an email. "In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994."

___

Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press writers Abdoulie John in Karang, Senegal; Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal; and Aboubacar Diallo and Youssouf Bah in Conakry, Guinea, also contributed.

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh departs at Banjul airport Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh, wearing white, departs at Banjul airport Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh waves to supporters as he departs from Banjul airport Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Supporters of Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh watch as his plane prepares for takeoff as he departs at Banjul airport Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

In this image taken from TV, Gambia's longtime leader Yahya Jammeh appears on state TV to give a brief statement agreeing to step down from office, in Banjul, Gambia, the early hours of Saturday morning Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh's decision to step down appears to pave the way for the winner of December's general elections, Adama Barrow to take power. (Gambia State TV via AP)

In this image taken from video, Gambia's new president Adama Barrow talks during an interview with The Associated Press in Dakar, Senegal, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, just hours after Yahya Jammeh agreed to step down from office. Barrow said Saturday that he will launch a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the alleged human rights abuses of Yahya Jammeh's 22-year regime. (AP Photo)

Adama Barrow, left, speaks to the media after he was sworn in as President of Gambia at Gambia's embassy in Dakar, Senegal, Thursday, Jan 19, 2017. A new Gambian president has been sworn into office in neighboring Senegal, while Gambia's defeated longtime ruler refuses to step down from power, deepening a political crisis in the tiny West African country. (AP Photo)

A ferry bringing back people who fled arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia, as it reopens Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. life slowly returns to the Gambian capital as Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A ferry bringing people back to the capital, arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, as life slowly returns to normal in to the Gambian capital. Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

In this image taken from TV, Gambia's longtime leader Yahya Jammeh appears on state TV to give a brief statement agreeing to step down from office, in Banjul, Gambia, the early hours of Saturday morning Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh's decision to step down appears to pave the way for the winner of December's general elections, Adama Barrow to take power. (Gambia State TV via AP)

People sit amidst empty stalls and closed shops in the market in Gambia's capital Banjul Tuesday Jan. 17, 2017. Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh declared a state of emergency just two days before he is supposed to cede power after losing elections last month to President-elect Adama Barrow in the December 2016 election. Barrow is vowing to take power Thursday Jan. 19, despite Jammeh's refusal to leave. (AP Photo)

People arrive at the port to take the ferry in Banjul, Gambia as it reopens Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. life slowly returns to the Gambian capital as Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave.AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

People board the ferry in Banjul, Gambia, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, as life slowly returns to normal in the Gambian capital. Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A ferry brings back people who fled to the port in Banjul, Gambia, as it reopens, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. As Gambia's defeated authoritarian ruler prepares to leave the country, human rights activists demand that he be held accountable for alleged abuses. Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he will cede power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat that a regional military force would forcibly remove him. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

A ferry bringing back people who fled arrives at the port in Banjul, Gambia as it reopens Saturday Jan. 21, 2017. life slowly returns to the Gambian capital as Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave.AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

People sit aboard a ferry taking them to Banjul, Gambia, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, as life slowly returns to the Gambian capital. Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

People board the ferry in Banjul, Gambia, Saturday Jan. 21, 2017, as life slowly returns to normal in the Gambian capital. Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

In this image taken from TV, Gambia's longtime leader Yahya Jammeh appears on state TV to give a brief statement agreeing to step down from office, in Banjul, Gambia, the early hours of Saturday morning Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh's decision to step down appears to pave the way for the winner of December's general elections, Adama Barrow to take power. (Gambia State TV via AP)

Soldiers roll back the red carpet near a parked Gambian Presidential aircraft on the tarmac of Banjul's airport Friday Jan. 20, 2016. The leaders of Guinea and Mauritania have arrived in Gambia's capital in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to get defeated President Yahya Jammeh to cede power to Adama Barrow who was sworn in as Gambian President Thursday. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
2 wounded in shooting during Puerto Rico street festival

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Authorities say a shooting during a crowded street festival has wounded two men and prompted the evacuation of partygoers from San Juan's historic district.

U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad said Saturday that a Coast Guard petty officer was among the two people shot Friday night outside a bar during the popular San Sebastian Street Festival. The four-day music and art festival draws thousands of visitors from across Puerto Rico and abroad.
Nigeria group: 20 die, many missing after pro-Trump rally

WARRI, Nigeria (AP)  A Nigerian separatist group says the death toll has risen to 20 after a demonstration in support of U.S. President Donald Trump turned into clashes with police.

Friday's demonstration in southern Rivers state was organized by the Indigenous People of Biafra, which wants Trump to support the creation of an independent Biafran state for the Igbo people.

Member Ugochukwu Chinweuba said Saturday that lawyers were working to locate and release those arrested by police. He said more than 200 people remained missing.

Nnamdi Omoni, a spokesman for Rivers state police, denied that anyone was killed but said 65 people had been arrested.

Neither of the competing accounts could be independently verified.
Charlie Liteky, a Vietnam veteran who courageously rescued more than 20 wounded men only to give up his Medal of Honor in protest after he became a peace activist, has died at the age of 85.

Richard Olive, a longtime friend of Liteky's said he died on Friday night at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Francisco, California.

Liteky was a quarterback in high school who became a Roman Catholic priest before two tours in Vietnam eventually led him to renounce his religion and protest for peace in places like El Salvador and Iraq.

Reflecting on his life in 2009, he told the Florida Times Union: 'I have tried to live life to the truth as I see it at the time. That's a very costly thing. I've lost a lot. I'm an ex-lot of things. But what have you got? Your integrity.'

Charlie Liteky (left) died at the age of 85 on Friday. He was a Vietnam veteran who was given the Medal of Honor (right, with Lyndon B Johnson) for rescuing more than 20 wounded men despite being injured himself

Liteky grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was a quarterback at the Robert E. Lee High School.

One high school classmate Carroll Gambrell described him as 'charismatic' and said a lot of girls were crushed when they learned he headed to seminary school to become a chaplain.

But it was his service in Vietnam that catapulted him as a national hero.

The Army awarded Liteky the highest military decoration for his actions on December 6, 1967, when his company came under intense fire from an enemy battalion in Bien Hoa province.

Despite getting hit by shrapnel in the neck and foot, Liteky carried more than 20 men to the landing zone to be evacuated during the fierce firefight.

'Noticing another trapped and seriously wounded man, Chaplain Liteky crawled to his aid,' the Army's official citation reads.

'Realizing that the wounded man was too heavy to carry, he rolled on his back, placed the man on his chest and through sheer determination and fortitude crawled back to the landing zone using his elbows and heels to push himself along.'

He returned to Vietnam for a second tour, and told the Florida Times Union in 2009: ' I had really developed a sympathy and an admiration for the young men there at the time. A lot of them were there against their will.'

After Liteky volunteered for a second tour in Vietnam, he renounced his faith and became a peace activist. Pictured, Liteky fasting with three other veterans in protest of the US support to Nicaraguan Contras

He married former Catholic nun and peace activist Judy Balch, who fought against a US Army School that trained soldiers in Central and South America as well as those from the Caribbean

Liteky gave back his Medal of Honor and left a letter to President Ronald Reagan at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. Pictured, Senator Ted Kennedy (right) along with Liteky and the other veterans protesting aid to the contras

Liteky left the Army in 1971 and started questioning his faith before he made the decision to leave priesthood behind.

I n 1983, he married former Catholic nun and peace activist Judy Balch, who fought against the U.S. Army School of the Americas, an academy at Fort Benning, Georgia, where the soldiers from Central and South America and the Caribbean were trained.

She also introduced him to refugees from El Salvador, 'teenagers, whose fathers had been killed and tortured'

'I didn't believe it, but I kept going to more and more of these meetings and it became clear these people weren't blowing in the wind,' Liteky told the San Francisco Chronicle in a March, 2000 interview.

Twenty years after his heroic actions in Vietnam, Liteky gave up the Medal of Honor and left a letter to President Ronald Reagan at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

He returned the medal to protest the US' foreign policy in Central America, where U.S.-backed dictators were fighting bloody wars against left-leaning rebels.

'I find it ironic that conscience calls me to renounce the congressional Medal of Honor for the same basic reason I received it--trying to save lives,' he said.

'This time the lives are not young Americans, at least not yet. The lives are those of Central Americans of all ages: men, women, vulnerable innocents of the conflict.'

In 1986, he went on a hunger strike with three other veterans for more than six weeks to protest Ronald Reagan's policies in Central America.

In 2003, Liteky (center with other activists in 2000) traveled to Baghdad with other peace protesters to bear witness to the war and work with children in an orphanage and at hospitals

After that, Liteky spent years protesting against the U.S. Army School of the Americas with his wife, and was sentenced to one year in federal prison for entering the school without permission and splashing its rotunda with their own blood.

In 2003, he traveled to Baghdad with other peace protesters to bear witness to the war and work with children in an orphanage and at hospitals.

Olive said Saturday he remembers Liteky for his humility.

'It was three years after I met Charlie and bonded a fast friendship that I learned he was a Medal of Honor recipient' when Liteky told him about his plans to renounce the medal, Olive said.

Liteky once explained: 'Heroes, so-called heroes, have clay feet just like everybody else. When you're getting all those accolades, and you know who you really are, the mistakes you've made - it doesn't feel that good.'
Theresa May has emphasised the importance of Nato and the European Union for security and said she is confident of striking a trade deal with the United States despite Donald Trumps America first strategy.

The Prime Minister moved to deal with concerns about the new presidents apparently nationalist approach and said she would hold very frank talks with him when she visits Washington DC.

Officially Mrs May is expected to visit the controversial commander-in-chief in the spring and a Number 10 source has dismissed as speculation reports that she will travel to the US as soon as next week.

Donald Trump and Theresa May (PA)

Theresa May insists "from our conversations" she knows Trump is committed to advancing special relationship, despite talk of "America first"  Arj Singh (@singharj) January 20, 2017

In his inaugural address, Mr Trump sparked concerns in Britain about the prospect of reaching a quick free trade agreement with the US to offset any Brexit-related economic hit.

The president promised that every decision on trade will be made to benefit American workers and American families and Labour MPs were swift to question what it meant for the UK.

But in an interview with the Financial Times, Mrs May said: Im confident we can look at areas even in advance of being able to sign a formal trade deal.

Congratulations to @realDonaldTrump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK - US bond  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 20, 2017

Perhaps we could look at barriers to trade at the moment and remove some of those barriers to open up that new trading relationship.

A very strong speech by @POTUS. He means it.  Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) January 20, 2017

On a visit to Burma, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson backed the PM, saying he was very optimistic about striking a trade deal but insisting its got to work for the UK as well.

I think that the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line for a new trade deal and obviously thats extremely exciting and important, he told reporters.

Feared the reality of today would be worse than the anticipation and it is.  Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) January 20, 2017

On Friday, Mr Trump again provoked worries about his commitment to Nato at a time when Russia is showing increasing aggression.

The president complained that the US had subsidised the armies of other countries and defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own.

Apparently there's something on telly, but I found something better to do instead... pic.twitter.com/5wdN7YJxv7  Tim Farron (@timfarron) January 20, 2017

Baltic nations, which fear Russian incursion as Vladimir Putin masses troops on their borders, will hope Mr Trump was simply urging other Nato members to boost their defence spending rather than signalling a desire to leave the alliance of mutual protection.

"From now on it's America first. Every decision on trade will be made to benefit Americans." Hmm - looking forward to this trade deal, then.  David Lammy (@DavidLammy) January 20, 2017

Mrs May said she was sure the new president recognises the importance and significance of Nato.

The PM also moved to emphasise the value of the EU for collective defence and security, following Mr Trumps suggestion in an interview earlier this week that he would welcome the break-up of the union.

Sounds like he's really gonna be great for UK trade #inaguration  Jess Phillips MP (@jessphillips) January 20, 2017

The president described the EU as a vehicle for Germany and predicted others will leave.

But Mrs May said: Im also confident the USA will recognise the importance of the co-operation we have in Europe to ensure our collective defence and collective security.

From this day forward it's going to be America First. I'm not sure a UK trade deal with Trump will be very mutually beneficial.  Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) January 20, 2017
A bust of Sir Winston Churchill has been returned to the most important room in the world  the White Houses Oval Office.

In a nod to the special relationship, President Donald Trump appeared to make good on an agreement to return the wartime leaders likeness to the famous office within hours of being sworn in.

The former prime ministers renewed presence was noticed as Mr Trump signed his first orders as the 45th president of the United States.

Vice President Mike Pence watches (left) as President Donald Trump prepares to sign his first executive order in the Oval Office (Evan Vucci/AP)

The bust of Winston Churchill replaced by one of Martin Luther King by Pres Obama will return to the White House under President Trump.  Michael Fabricant  (@Mike_Fabricant) January 11, 2017

The sculpture of Churchills face is said to be a replica of one given to 1960s leader Lyndon B Johnson and first appeared in the Oval Office during former George W Bushs administration.

However it was replaced by a bust of civil rights champion Martin Luther King Jr during Barack Obamas presidency.

Reports of Churchills removal prompted protests from British figures including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who in turn was criticised when he blamed the swap on Mr Obamas ancestral dislike of the British empire.

He explained at the time: When I was elected as president of the United States, my predecessor had kept a Churchill bust in the oval office.

The Winston Churchill bust is back in the Oval Office  Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 21, 2017

There are only so many tables where you can put busts otherwise it starts looking a little cluttered.

And I thought it was appropriate and I suspect that most people here in the United Kingdom might agree, that as the first African-American president, it might be appropriate to have a bust of Dr Martin Luther King in my office to remind me of all the hard work of a lot of people who would somehow allow me to have the privilege of holding this office.

After meeting Mr Trump in November, former Ukip leader Nigel Farage said he was especially pleased at his very positive reaction to the idea that Sir Winston Churchills bust should be put back in the Oval Office.
Rafael Nadal says his five-set win against Alexander Zverev has given him a huge boost of confidence for the rest of the Australian Open.

Nadal defied doubts about both his fitness and form during a pulsating four-hour contest on Rod Laver Arena, at the end of which he had beaten the talented Zverev 4-6 6-3 6-7 (5/7) 6-3 6-2.

The Spaniard will now continue his pursuit of a 15th grand slam title against Frances sixth seed Gael Monfils.

Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Germany's Alexander Zverev (Andy Brownbill/AP)

The bull rages on...



Zverev puts #Nadal through an epic 5-set battle but the Spaniard comes out on top 4-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/jJvgG3G2Hv  #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2017

When the final point was won, Nadal thrashed his arms in delight as the 30-year-old moved into the last 16 of a grand slam for only the second time in six attempts.

More than just his progress, however, this victory could do wonders for self-belief given Nadal, back from another injury lay-off, had lost his last three five-setters at major tournaments.

For the confidence, for a lot of things, it is very important to win these kind of matches, Nadal said.

I worked a lot during all December to have the chances to compete well in these kind of moments. Even if I start the match with some nerves, I think I was able to came back well.

Nadal added: Mentally I have been very positive during the whole match. In terms of physical performance I felt great, ready to run for every ball.

In terms of the level of tennis, I think I finished the match playing much better than what I started the match. Thats a very important thing.

Zverev showed here why he is considered a multiple grand slam winner of the future but the 19-year-old looked to be struggling with cramp at the end, as Nadal twice came from a set down to go through.

Asked how he won, Nadal said: By fighting. And by running a lot. I think everybody knows how good Alexander now is.

He is the future of our sport and the present too. It was a tough match for me, I was not playing my best and not feeling well because I was losing too much court.

Then I changed the dynamic in the third, I was feeling better and I had more time to control the points from the baseline.

After losing the tie-break I said, I need to fight for every point. Forget the result. And thats what I did.

Zverev came into the match having won four out of his last five meetings against top-10 players, although he is yet to do so at a grand slam.

#Zverev on playing ball with the big guns: "Yeah, I am close. I kind of showed it a few times last year, and this now."#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/a0Vd3DDB03  #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2017

The world number 24, however, pushed Nadal all the way in Melbourne and believes he is closing in on the elite.

I am close. I kind of showed it a few times last year, and this now, Zverev said.

Even now Im disappointed but I know that this was a great match. That was a great fight. Theres a lot of positives in this match.
A teenager has been remanded in custody charged with the murder of 16-year-old Leonne Weeks, who was found stabbed to death on a path.

Shea Peter Heeley, 18, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court accused of killing the teenager, whose body was found in the village of Dinnington, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Monday.

Magistrates remanded Heeley, of Doe Quarry Lane, Dinnington, into custody to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on February 17.

Leonne Weeks (South Yorkshire Police/PA)

BREAKING: Man charged with murder in #Rotherham - https://t.co/Oj2jcGPnKN  South Yorkshire Police (@syptweet) January 20, 2017

Heeley appeared in the dock with two security officers and wore a grey t-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms.

He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address during the two-minute hearing.

The court clerk told the defendant: Between January 14 and January 17 of this year, it is alleged, at Dinnington, you murdered Leonne Weeks.

There was no application for bail.

Teenager named in Dinnington murder inquiry - https://t.co/GB4HwOvW6M pic.twitter.com/7X2ZnGhgnU  South Yorkshire Police (@syptweet) January 18, 2017

Mark Adamson, chair of the magistrates bench, told Heeley: This matter will be sent to the Sheffield Crown Court, where you will appear on February 17 in the morning.

He added: You will be remanded into custody.

Dozens of Leonnes family members and friends packed into the public gallery of the court room and appeared emotional as they watched the proceedings.

Heeleys family sat separately, some sobbing as he was remanded into custody.

Leonnes body was found on a path off Lordens Hill, in Dinnington, by a member of the public at around 10.55am on Monday.

A post-mortem examination concluded that she died as a result of multiple stab wounds.
Ukip leader Paul Nuttall will fight the crunch Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election in a major test of his plan to replace Labour as the party of the working class in the Midlands and the North of England.

Mr Nuttall was confirmed as the candidate after the other 10 people on the shortlist withdrew from the contest to make way for their leader.

His decision to stand indicates Ukips belief that it has a strong chance of taking the former Labour stronghold on February 23.

Paul Nuttall (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

UKIP Leader @paulnuttallukip announced as our candidate for the Stoke-on-Trent Central By-Election pic.twitter.com/zab3giljH3  UK Independence Party (@UKIP) January 21, 2017

Mr Nuttall will be seeking the support of some of the 65.7% of Stoke voters who backed Leave in last years EU referendum, describing the city as the capital of Brexit.

He sought to exploit Labour divisions over the vote to trigger Article 50 of the EU treaties to start the exit process, and accused Jeremy Corbyns party of trying to water down Brexit.

Great turnout as @paulnuttallukip is announced as UKIP's candidate for the Stoke by-election. We're going for the win here.  Jonathan Arnott (@JonathanArnott) January 21, 2017

Addressing the local party, he said: In the referendum last year just about 70% of voters from Stoke voted to leave the European Union.

This was the highest vote share for Leave in any city in the United Kingdom.

That makes Stoke the capital of Brexit.

And be clear  nobody will fight harder than me to ensure that Brexit happens in full and good time.

Great speech from @paulnuttallukip accepting his nomination as @UKIP's Stoke on Trent Central by-election candidate. pic.twitter.com/em8NnZTrOw  James Carver (@JamesJimCarver) January 21, 2017

If I am elected as your MP it will send a signal to all those who are trying to put spanners in the works that their jobs are on the line.

And in particular those Labour MPs who represent working class communities which voted Leave and now want to water down Brexit.

They will be put on notice that if they seek to frustrate the will of the people they may as well be asking for their P45s in the post.

Pitching himself as the anti-establishment candidate, Mr Nuttall attacked the metropolitan elite at the top of the Labour Party and said he could give constituents a national voice as a party leader.

Delighted to be in Stoke-on-Trent ready to campaign for @paulnuttallukip!  Suzanne Evans  (@SuzanneEvans1) January 21, 2017

The metropolitan elite has had the fate of working people in its grip for too long, he said.

Its now time that that grip was broken.

I have heard people say that these communities have been left behind, this is no doubt true.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of leading Labour moderate Tristram Hunt, who stood down as an MP to become director of Londons V&A museum.

On my final day as MP, delighted to welcome Sir John Peace to @byportmeirion factory in Stoke to talk #MidlandsEngine pic.twitter.com/vihA3shrcd  Tristram Hunt (@TristramHuntVA) January 20, 2017

Mr Nuttall said Labours north London middle class Islington set has nothing in common with voters in the seat and pledged that Ukip would be the new patriotic voice of working people.

Labour will choose a candidate on January 25 and Mr Nuttall sought to pre-empt the partys attacks on Ukip by insisting he stands for an NHS free at the point of use.

He vowed to take on so-called health tourism and fight to slash the foreign aid budget to fund the NHS.

Ukip made it clear, perfectly clear, in its manifesto of 2015 that the NHS must remain public free at the point of delivery, he said.
Theresa May has insisted being a female prime minister and the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump since his inauguration will be the biggest statement she can make about the role of women in the world.

Mrs May confirmed she will meet the US president in Washington DC on Friday after a weekend in which hundreds of thousands of people around the world joined womens marches to protest against Mr Trump.

The PM said she will tell Mr Trump when she finds his behaviour or statements unacceptable  a criticism she has already levelled at him over his past comments about women.

Mrs May has previously used the term unacceptable to describe Mr Trumps suggestion that his fame allowed him to do anything to women, such as grabbing them by the pussy.

The Presidents repeated highly controversial remarks about women inspired massive pink pussy hat marches attended by at least 500,000 in Washington DC and 100,000 in London on Saturday.

President Donald Trump speaking at the Central Intelligence Agency in Virginia.

The PM said the special relationship between the UK and US will allow her to criticise Mr Trump where she sees fit.

Asked if she would raise the controversial tycoons treatment of women at their meeting, Mrs May told BBC Ones Andrew Marr Show: I have already said that some of the comments that Donald Trump has made in relation to women are unacceptable, some of those he himself has apologised for.

When I sit down I think the biggest statement that will be made about the role of women is the fact that I will be there as a female Prime Minister, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, directly taking to him about the interests that we share.

Theresa May will meet Mr Trump on Friday (Michel Euler/AP)

The PM highlighted her track record in defending the interests of women, including moves to tackle modern slavery and domestic violence while home secretary.

She said she was proud to be the second female premier, adding: I will be talking to Donald Trump about the issues that we share  about how we can build on the special relationship, its the special relationship that also enables us to say when we do find things unacceptable.
Asylum requests in Austria more than halved in 2016

VIENNA, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The number of migrants applying for asylum in Austria more than halved in 2016 and did not breach a cap introduced early last year to limit new arrivals, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

The Alpine country of 8.7 million was the last stop before Germany for many fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond at the beginning of the refugee crisis.

After receiving 90,000 requests for asylum in 2015, it introduced a cap on the number of asylum seekers it would accept in January 2016.

Last year, Austria received 42,073 requests for asylum, most of them from Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis, an interior ministry spokesman said, confirming an earlier report by APA news agency.

The ministry counted 36,030 applications as relevant for the cap of 37,500 because it strips out certain cases, including those it believes should be processed in other countries.

Austria's step had provoked hefty criticism in Brussels and from human rights organisations, who said that such a limit broke the bloc's rules and supported anti-immigrant attitudes.

But as the European Union has not been able to agree on a joint solution on how to deal with the large number of migrants, the introduction of a refugee cap has also become an issue in Germany.

In Austria, the further reduced cap of 35,000 applications this year has been heavily discussed in recent days.

The junior coalition partner OVP called for halving that number while the head of the far-right Freedom Party wanted "zero and minus immigration".

Migration should be limited to a number that ensures integration, Chancellor Christian Kern, a Social Democrat, told ORF television. Integrating migrants and refugees had been difficult and therefore sustainable solutions were needed, he said.
Court rejects bid to enforce Ecuador judgment on Chevron Canada

By Ethan Lou

Jan 20 (Reuters) - A Toronto court has rejected a bid by Ecuadorian villagers to enforce a judgment in their home country against Chevron Canada Ltd, ruling the subsidiary is not liable for parent Chevron Corp, the U.S. oil major said on Friday.

A Canadian lawyer for the villagers in the environment-damage lawsuit said the ruling is "not a modern-day view," and that an appeal will be filed.

Residents of Ecuador's Lago Agrio region have been trying to force Chevron to pay for water and soil contamination caused from 1964 to 1992 by Texaco, which Chevron acquired in 2001.

The villagers obtained a $9 billion judgment against Chevron in Ecuador in 2011. But the company has no assets in Ecuador, and the villagers have been suing it in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Argentina to enforce the decision.

While not disputing that pollution occurred, Chevron has alleged the villagers' lawyer, Steven Donziger, and his associates went too far, including arranging for the ghost-writing of a key environmental report and bribing the presiding judge in Ecuador.

A U.S. federal appeals court, which blocked enforcement of the judgment last year, agreed with the company.

On Friday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled Chevron Canada Ltd is a separate entity from Chevron Corp, and is thus not a debtor to the Ecuadorian judgment, according to a copy of the decision provided by the California-based Chevron.

But Justice Glenn Hainey also ruled partly in favor of the villagers.

Chevron had argued the Ecuadorian judgment is unenforceable in Canada because of what it says is the corrupt manner in which it was obtained. The villagers had asked for that argument to be struck out entirely.

Hainey ruled some parts of Chevron's argument should be struck, while some should be tested through trial.

Karen Hinton, U.S. spokeswoman for the Amazon Defense Coalition that represents the villagers, called the decision a "resounding victory," even if the Chevron Canada subsidiary, which is worth billions, is not up for grabs.

"The part of the decision that knocks out Chevron's subsidiary from the enforcement action still allows the villagers to proceed against Chevron itself," she said.
West Ham sign Portugal defender Fonte from Southampton

LONDON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - West Ham United have captured Portugal's Euro 2016 winner Jose Fonte from Southampton on a 2-1/2-year contract for eight million pounds ($9.89 million), the London club said on Friday.

The central defender, who has the option to sign for another season, had not featured for Southampton since handing in a transfer request earlier this month.

The south-coast club claimed he had repeatedly rejected improved terms but Fonte, who had 18 months left on his deal, countered that he had not been offered a new contract.

He moved to Crystal Palace from Benfica in 2007 and joined Southampton in 2010, making 288 appearances, including 154 in the Premier League. He was captain for the past 3-1/2 seasons.

Fonte, who has family in London, said the size of West Ham and their passionate fans attracted him to the club along with the fact that manager Slaven Bilic was keen to sign him.

"The manager was... a very big influence. I thought that he really wanted me and that he sold me the project and the ambition of the club," he told the club website (www.whufc.com).

"I also have part of my family living in London and they are big West Ham fans. It just made sense for me at this stage to join West Ham. It is a new challenge and a new beginning..."
Blundell the only newcomer in New Zealand one-day squad

WELLINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell has replaced the injured Luke Ronchi in New Zealand's one-day squad for their Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia that starts on Jan. 30.

Blundell, who was brought into the Twenty20 squad for the final match against Bangladesh earlier this month when Ronchi got injured, was the only newcomer in the ODI squad.

Opening batsman Tom Latham is also expected to take the gloves at some stage as the New Zealand selectors look to build some flexibility in their team ahead of the Champions Trophy in England later this year.

"It's hard to replace the experience that Luke brings, but it's good Tom Blundell got a small taste of the environment during the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh and this will be another opportunity for him in the squad," selector Gavin Larsen said in a statement on Saturday.

"Having Tom Latham as an option gives the squad flexibility and allows us the chance to play an extra bowling option.

"He's done it before for us, but well look to give Tom an opportunity to have a game with the gloves in the (domestic one day competition) before the opening match."

All-rounder Corey Anderson, who is still restricted from bowling, missed out as he was considered only as a batsman.

Ross Taylor has returned after he missed the limited overs matches in Australia and then against Bangladesh due to eye surgery.

Neil Broom, who made a superb return after six years in the one-day wilderness to replace Taylor, has been retained. Both are in the side and could provide a strong middle order with Colin Munro batting at six and Colin de Grandhomme possibly coming in at seven.

"We have a number of options to consider in the middle order and having Ross and Neil in there gives the batting line-up a much more experienced look to it than the squad which toured Australia," Larsen added.

"Australia have shown how dangerous they are, but with the Chappell-Hadlee trophy on the line at home, we know we have an exciting opportunity."

The first match is on Jan. 30 in Auckland, before the series moves to Napier (Feb. 2) and ends in Hamilton on Feb. 5.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor
Myanmar rebuffs Malaysia for organizing OIC meeting on Rohingya

YANGON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Myanmar rebuffed Malaysia on Saturday for organising a meeting of Muslim governments to put pressure on Myanamar over the plight of Rohingya Muslims following a military crackdown that sent at least 66,000 people fleeing to Bangladesh.

Hosting a meeting of representatives from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Thursday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak called on Myanmar to stop attacking, and discriminating against the Rohingya minority.

Najib urged the OIC, which groups 57 Muslim nations, to act to end the unfolding "humanitarian tragedy".

In response, Myanmar, a mostly Buddhist country, said it was "regrettable" that Malaysia had called the meeting, and accused Kuala Lumpur of exploiting the crisis "to promote a certain political agenda" and disregard for the government's efforts to address it.

"The Government has been endeavouring to safeguard lives and ensure the security of the people from the violent attacks of new extremists," said Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement printed in the country's state-run daily, the Global New Light of Myanmar.

The ministry is run by Nobel Peace Prize winner and de facto leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, who won 2015 elections in a landslide after decades of pro-democracy struggle, ushering in Myanmar's first civilian government for about half a century.

Myanmar authorities say the military launched a security sweep in response to what they say was an attack in October by Rohingya insurgents on border posts near Myanmar's border with Bangladesh in which nine police officers were killed.

Since then, at least 86 people have been killed and the United Nations says at least 66,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh.

Residents and refugees accuse the military of killing, raping and detaining civilians while burning villages in northwestern Rakhine State.

The government denies the accusations and insists a lawful counter-insurgency operation is underway.

About 56,000 Rohingya live in Malaysia having fled unrest and persecution in Myanmar.

Kuala Lumpur summoned Myanmar's ambassador last year to protest against the treatment of Rohingya, breaking a tradition of non-intervention by members of the Association of South East Asian Nations in each other's affairs.

Najib said it would be a disgrace if the Southeast Asian group did not do its utmost to "avert the catastrophe that has been unfolding".
Denying feud over Russia hacking, Trump vows support to CIA

By Jeff Mason and Warren Strobel

LANGLEY, Va./WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump tried to ease tensions with the CIA on Saturday, telling officers he had their back after he had leveled unprecedented criticism against spy agencies for their investigation into Russian hacking during the election.

In his first official visit to a government agency as president, Trump - who had said U.S. intelligence tactics were reminiscent of Nazi Germany - sought to leave no doubt with officers that he supported their work.

Even so, some analysts said it would take more than a quick visit for Trump to patch up relations with a community that he has denigrated. A large part of Trump's off-the-cuff remarks on Saturday were not related to the work of the CIA, at times sounding more like a campaign rally than an address to intelligence professionals.

Trump made no mention of Russia during his remarks, which included praise for his nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency, Mike Pompeo, a pledge to fight Islamic State and a rant against the media, which he said invented his feud with intelligence agencies.

"Very, very few people could do the job you people do and I want you to know I am so behind you," Trump said, to cheers and loud applause from about 400 officers who packed the building's atrium to hear him speak.

Ahead of his inauguration, Trump had harshly criticized intelligence officials after they concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed hackers to breach Democratic emails to try to boost Trump's presidential election campaign. He has since accepted those conclusions.

Then, after leaks about an unsubstantiated dossier compiled by a private security firm suggesting Moscow had compromising information about him, Trump blamed intelligence agencies for using Nazi-like tactics - drawing a rebuke from outgoing CIA Director John Brennan.

Trump has said he wants to try to work with Moscow to fight Islamic State militants and reduce stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

He said reporters made up the tension between him and the CIA. "I have a running war with the media. They are among the most dishonest people on earth," Trump said. "They made it sound like I had a feud with the intelligence people."

Trump also slammed media for showing images of "an empty field" from his inauguration on the National Mall while he claimed that the crowd "went all the way back to the Washington Monument." And he called out by name a reporter who had made an error in a White House press pool report.

QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUMP

While Trump has some support in the U.S. intelligence community, his criticism over the Russia issue eroded much of it. Within the 17-agency intelligence community, there are widely shared concerns about the qualifications and judgment of Trump, a businessman and television star who never before held public office.

Some veteran analysts who have spent their careers studying foreign dictators and autocrats have said they are troubled by Trump's style, saying his negativity, egotism and appeals to nationalism are hallmarks of autocratic regimes.

"Many people are asking whether we can serve under a president and national security adviser who've expressed such contempt for the intelligence community, and one photo opportunity drive-by on a Saturday is not going to change that," said a veteran officer now working at CIA headquarters after multiple assignments overseas, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Paul Pillar, a former top U.S. intelligence analyst on the Middle East, said Trump's digressions during the speech show that "even when he is in their own building he can't be bothered to focus on their work."

Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives' intelligence committee, said Trump's speech in front of a memorial wall with stars representing CIA personnel killed in action was "little more than a perfunctory acknowledgment of their service and sacrifice."

A PROMISE TO RETURN

Trump had originally hoped to swear in Pompeo as his new CIA chief during the visit to the spy agency. But the Senate has not yet confirmed the Kansas Republican representative for the job. That vote is expected on Monday.

Trump and Pompeo received briefings at the CIA headquarters before the president made remarks.

Trump vowed he would return to speak with officers again. He said fighting Islamic State militants would be a priority for the agency, saying "radical Islamic terrorism" had to be eradicated.

"We have not used the real abilities that we have. We've been restrained," Trump said. It was not immediately clear what he meant by restraints.

During his campaign, Trump pledged to bring back the use of waterboarding, a simulated drowning technique that former President Barack Obama had banned as torture.
Injury rules out France's Fofana from Six Nations

PARIS, Jan 21 (Reuters) - France centre Wesley Fofana has been ruled out of next month's Six Nations after the Clermont player suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in a Champions Cup game against Exeter on Saturday.

"He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg and he will see the surgeon tomorrow morning as he will probably need to have an operation. He will be out for a long time," his club Clermont said in a statement.

Fofana, one of France's most highly rated players, sustained the injury on his own at the end of the first half.

He was unable to put his left foot on the ground as he left the pitch.

France start their Six Nations campaign against England at Twickenham on Feb. 4.
Some 3500 dengue patients have been found during the past three months of this year throughout the country of which 11 patients had died, Coordinator of the Dengue Eradication Unit of the Health Ministry, Dr. Hasitha Thisera said.

He warned that the people have to be vigilant as the disease had spread rapidly in 8 districts namely Colombo,Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Kandy, Ratnapura Jaffna and Trincomalee.

He observed that mosquitoes were being bred in small water containers in which people in the drought hit Hambantota, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar and Puttalam store water for long periods. Dr. Thisera requested the people to store water in closed tanks to prevent this situation.

He further warned that mosquito breeding might increase with the intermittent rain experienced in several parts of the country. (Ranjan Kasturi)
Sri Lanka's 2500-year-old Buddhist culture is non-negotiable for whatever reasons, even if it were to gain the GSP+ or any other benefit, two United National Party ( UNP) back-benches said yesterday.

These views were expressed by UNP MPs Harshana Rajakaruna and Wijepala Hettiarachchi at a media briefing last morning.

They said legalizing homosexuality or any other step which diluted Sri Lanka's rich culture would never happen.

Mr Rajakaruna said the division of the country was also out of the question and that the government had not agreed to any condition that would lead to the division of the country.

He said the real situation with regard to GSP+ is that there were no conditions involved in re-gaining it. The European Union had only requested that Sri Lanka ratify and implement 27 international conventions, to which the successive governments had agreed to in the past, he sad.(Yohan Perera)
Six police officers were injured and 217 protesters arrested Friday after a morning of peaceful protests and coordinated disruptions of Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony gave way to ugly street clashes in downtown Washington.

At least two DC police officers and one other person were taken to the hospital after run-ins with protesters, DC Fire Spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.

Acting DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said the officers' injuries were considered minor and not life threatening.

Bursts of chaos erupted on 12th and K streets as black-clad "antifascist" protesters smashed storefronts and bus stops, hammered out the windows of a limousine and eventually launched rocks at a phalanx of police lined up in an eastbound crosswalk. Officers responded by launching smoke and flash-bang devices, which could be heard from blocks away, into the street to disperse the crowds.

"Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property," police said.

Anti-Trump protests also broke out Friday in US cities, including New York, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Authorities in Seattle say one person was in critical condition at a hospital with a gunshot wound. Demonstrations also took place overseas in Hong Kong, Berlin and London.

In Washington, Newsham told CNN the several hundred demonstrators who actively confronted police were vastly outnumbered by the thousands of nonviolent protesters who swarmed the nation's capital for Inauguration Day and Saturday's Women's March on Washington.

"We have been pointing out all along that this is a very isolated incident, and by and large, everything is going peacefully and a lot of folks have come to the city to enjoy this historic day, not only the Capitol but walking all around the city," he said.

But many protesters, including permitted marchers, accused security personnel of denying them access to their planned routes. (CNN)
The government has identified a Unites States-based company to share in the SriLankan airlines equity under the proposed Private Public Partnership (PPP) model, Public Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Eran Wickramaratne said yesterday.

Initially, the government had short-listed three prospective investors for this project.

He said a committee comprising ministry secretaries had identified one of the companies for further engagement. However, the deputy minister said the selected company was not a traditional airline operator.

It is a private equity company that has invested in airlines for decades. But not an airline operator. The committee has recommended this company for further discussions, he said. The government has proposed the PPP model to revitalize some of the loss-making state institutions. The deputy minister said the government would retain a majority stake in these ventures. (Kelum Bandara)
Economic unhappiness

1. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party now embodies a silent uprising against the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and the opposition Congress. The state is desperate for a transformational departure from their near-similar economic policies.

2. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's tight regulation of power, water and schooling bills in the national capital have resonated with Punjab voters. And so has his audacious anti-corporate activism.

Public support to the corporate order has considerably dwindled in the state's farm-based economy.

The AAP convenor seems to have sensed the peoples sentiment. He successfully exploited Rahul Gandhi's "suit-boot ki sarkar" slogan for the BJP to his own advantage  against the Akalis and the Congress leadership of Punjab  without copying it verbatim.

3. The aam aadmi (common man) doesnt read election manifestos cover-to-cover. Journalists do. But Kejriwal's trademark subaltern approach in issuing multiple manifestos for a cross-section of people has worked in Punjab. His small booklets have generated sufficient headlines that sunk into the psyche of his target audiences. His message about their economic betterment was concise and clear.

4. Debt-ridden farmers of Punjab sold off their real crops for badly wanted cash. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's abrupt currency ban on November 8 turned their paltry earnings into worthless paper overnight. Worse, they were then forced to queue up outside cash points for the next two months.

Remember, Punjab had no Modi wave in 2014, as was evident from results the state produced in the General Elections back then. Debts were bad enough for the farmers, but demonetisation was the final straw that broke their trust in the governing coalition.

Subsequently, Kejriwal and his team tapped a lot into the pain and anger of the farming community.

Frustrated with feudalistic leadership, many voters are drawn towards the Aam Aadmi Party for its novelty factor. [Photo: DailyO]

Drug menace

5. Punjab's notorious drug trade and proliferation of prescription opioids didn't happen in a single decade of the Akali rule. It's a legacy from the first few years of militancy-free Punjab. Yes, substance abuse seemed to have peaked over the past ten years.

But many Punjabis do not fully exonerate the Congress for the scourge. They believe the UPA government at the Centre and Capt Amarinder Singh's in the state from 2002 to 2007 didn't work sincerely enough to root out cross-border smuggling and addiction.

Grassroots mobilisation

6. Kejriwal and his team appear to have felt the pulse of Punjab better than the Congress. Their mapping of the state's 117 constituencies  especially in the 68-borough Malwa region  has been phenomenal.

Frustrated with feudalistic leadership, many voters are drawn towards the Aam Aadmi Party for its novelty factor. Most of its candidates are fresh faces from the grassroots. This AAP formula worked in Delhi because of its originality. It will likely work in Punjab for the same reason.

7. Sikh groups opposed to the Badals for their stranglehold of their religious centres have been unable to create a parallel faith-centric formation. They won't support the Congress party because of Operation Blue Star and the Sikh massacre of 1984.
Speaking at an event in Delhi recently, US Ambassador to India Richard Verma asserted, Defence deals are now worth $15 billion (Rs one lakh crore), thats the highest ever and we are now among the top providers of defence and military equipment to India.

Barack Obama and Narendra Modi have had three summits in two years. According to US secretary of state Johan Kerry, the US had more government to government interaction with India than any other country.

Alliance

Obviously, both the US and India have overcome the hesitation of history. And nothing signified this transformation more vividly than the signing of LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) in Washington on Aug 29th by US defence secretary Ash Carter and Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar. LEMOA puts in place a framework to facilitate and govern provision of logistics support, supplies and services between Indian and American militaries on a reimbursable basis.

However, UPA government had hesitated to ink the deal for fear of public outcry; media reports had speculated that the agreement would commit India to host US troops at its bases and might draw India into a military alliance with the US undermining her autonomy of decision making. Carters stress that the agreement makes logistics of operations so much easier and so much more efficient, and Parrikars claim that it would allow the Indian and American navies to have an easier time supporting each other in joint operations and exercises and when providing humanitarian assistance have allayed such apprehensions.

The joint statement had underlined that the agreement would facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technologies and trade .To make that happen the US agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies.

Photo: Mail Today

In his address to the joint session of the Congress last year PM Modi had hailed the US as an indispensable partner in every working group. A day before Christmas and less than a month to sign off, President Obama has signed NDAA (National Defence Authorisation Act) which asks the defence secretary and the secretary of state to take necessary steps to recognise India as Americas major defence partner.

Logically, trade, business and investment should expand under the tenure of the first businessman President of the US unless he dismantles the business architecture by implementing his electoral threats of punishing those companies that were sending jobs abroad. Hopefully, once in the saddle, he will realise that a win-win situation will emerge from expansion of economic relationship and not by raising restrictions and drawing shutters. The ambitious figure of bilateral trade touching US$ 500 billion (Rs 34 lakh crore) by 2020 mentioned at India-US Business Council meeting during Modis visit to the US isnt too farfetched if the leaderships in the two countries remain committed enablers for achieving this goal.

Energy

Cooperation in clean energy gets little mention but ObamaModi have contributed a lot in this field. "US-India Clean Energy Hub," "US-India Catalytic Solar Finance Programme", "Greening the Grid" all flow from the PACE (Partnership to Advance Clean Energy) launched at the start of Obamas first term; it has reportedly attracted over US$2.5 billion (Rs 17 thousand crore) public and private investment and also developed a joint clean energy research consortium .The ongoing cooperation in clean energy will help India achieve its ambitious target of installing 175 gigawatts of clean energy by 2020.

Strategy

President-elect Trump is disturbing too many hornets nests at the same time. Questioning One China Policy, indicating willingness to upgrade nuclear capability, shift the US Embassy to Jerusalem, review nuclear deal with Iran, ties with Cuba and ask the European allies to pay for US security protection. His appointment of the Attorney General and the Secretary of State and his tough talk about Muslim Immigrants are causing anxiety and concern at a time when the world is witnessing serious economic and political turbulence. Hopefully, President Trump will undergo a positive transformation and have a much sober, mature, and holistic and statesman like view of the US and the world.

Trump who visited Indian temples in Florida and Virginia during his campaign thanked Indian Americans for their support at a thank you rally and praised Prime Minister Modi for economic reforms and initiatives taken to eliminate bureaucratic red tape. He pledged to work for improving Indo-US relations further and added that he would be the best friend of India in the White House.

India Caucus in the Congress and the Senate is one of the biggest and there is bipartisan support for warmer relations with India. Former NSA, Shankar Menon feels that the glue of economic complementarity and of strategic challenges posed by China should ensure that the US remains Indias most important bilateral partner for the foreseeable future.
We have long heard of the clash of civilisations. But what is occurring could be better described as a clash of cultures or a cultural war. This is happening at many levels social, religious, political, and economic.

Fueling this clash of cultures are the forces of globalism. On the positive side, the global platform is bringing all countries together in a common network of communication, in which each group can have a voice, particularly in the social media. But on the negative side, the dominant global culture remains that of the old colonial powers, their values and modified traditions that have changed their language more so than their approach over the decades.

Colonial powers used to pontificate over non-western cultures, claiming to civilise them  even India and China that already had older complex civilisations. They used military force to sustain their foreign rule, pushing their colonies into servitude. Today these same countries claim to represent democracy, progress, human rights, free markets and multiculturalism, which are often uncritically equated. Yet when other countries do not go along with their leadership, they are still willing to use intimidation to force their compliance.

Beneath the veneer of multiculturalism the fact is that traditional cultures in the world are rapidly disappearing owing to their domination by the forces of globalism, which serve to undermine local cultures. Modern multiculturalism appears to consist of people of all cultures being westernised. If we look at the major cities in the world where globalism prevails we find the same stores, behavior and expressions indicating this.

Hinduism Under Siege  New York Times and Colonial Prejudices

This new cultural war has specifically targeted Hinduism as constituting the largest traditional, spiritual and pluralistic culture remaining in the world. Hindu Dharma is outside of western cultural and religious forces, and most able to challenge them at a civilisational level than perhaps any other culture.

Hinduism has the oldest, most profound and many-sided culture in the world. This extends from ancient village customs to the highest spiritual knowledge of exalted gurus. It includes intricate arts and crafts that connect us to the Earth, as well as the most sublime practices of Yoga that direct us beyond time and space. It involves the worlds largest cultural events and the greatest variety of temples and holy sites.

This cultural war is real and much of Indias westernised media is supporting it. [Photo: DailyO]

This cultural war against Hinduism is now targeting local festivals that keep Hinduism alive in the common people. The current effort to ban Jallikattu is but part of the ongoing attack on Hindu culture. It is not about protecting animals but about eliminating competing cultures.

The New York Times, regarded as progressive, in a recent article by Ellen Barry responding to the Jallikattu event, criticised India as a land of superstition and oppression. The article described Jallikattu as part of the tension between the hold of established cultural practices and new efforts by activists to safeguard rights, whether minority, individual or animal. In other words, established Indian cultural practices are bad and biased, while efforts by activists to eliminate them altogether, largely funded by western sources, are justified.

The newspaper described Jallikattu as merely bulls given alcohol and abused, along with people dying and being injured. It then compared Jallikattu with dangerous Hindu and Jain rituals such as  worshipping scorpions and letting them run over peoples bodies, making children fast to death, throwing sheep off of cliffs, and making precarious human pyramids of Dahi Hand in honor of Lord Krishna. A more denigrating picture of Hindu culture would be hard to imagine.

One is reminded of the remark of Mahatma Gandhi on American writers Katherine Mayos negative comments on India that she was but a drain inspector. In other words, for the New York Times there has been no progress relative to its reporting of India from the colonial era to today.

This cultural war is real and much of Indias westernised media is supporting it. If Indians do not stand up against it, their culture will be eliminated like many other traditional cultures of the world have been already.
With much fanfare, the Mamata Banerjee government has conducted the third edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata to woo investors to the state.

Like in previous editions, the two day mega event was big on show, full with giant banners accompanied by Mamata Banerjee's image highlighting state's achievements, blue and white lights (CM's chosen colour scheme for the state) and of course green carpets (she hates red) to welcome business delegates to the conclave.

However, the question everyone's asking in Kolkata - what has the event achieved in real terms over the past three years?

After the 2016 summit, the government had announced that Rs 2.50 lakh crore "worth of business announcements, business document exchanges, expressions of interest and investment proposals" had been received across sectors.

However the government response on how much of it has actually materialised on the ground remains vague at best.

Vendor selling tea and snacks at the Bengal Global Business Summit venue. [Photo: DailyO]

The West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC) portal mentions investments of Rs 15,052 crore for 2010-11, the year when Mamata Banerjee had just come to power.

However, there is no mention of any investment data in subsequent years between 2011 and 2016, when Banerjee completed her first term in office.

For a fire brand leader like her who drove to power by driving out the Tata Nano project from Singur, shedding off her anti-industry image is no easy task.

Notwithstanding her rhetorical claims of creating land bank for industry, Banerjee's "hands off" policy on land acquisition remains the single biggest deterrence to any big industrial investment in Bengal.

It does not come as a surprise then, that while she was busy wooing business leaders in Kolkata this Friday; farmers were up in arms against the state administration, clashing with the police in a violent anti-land acquisition protest over a power grid project in Bhangar, barely 30km from where the conclave was taking place.

For over two months, villagers in South 24 Pargana district have been protesting against a power substation project by the Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL), alleging that 16 acres of prime farmland had been forcibly acquired by the state using the local Trinamool leadership.

Just 48 hours before business summit in Kolkata, two villagers died in firing during clashes with the police in Bhangar. With a deafening silence, chief minister Mamata Banerjee left it to party leaders like Mukul Roy to fire fight.

To quell the anger, the state government announced scrapping the project, blacked out cable TV in the area and sent out bulk text messages to citizens.

"WB administration is with the people of Bhangar. No land will be forcefully acquired. The project will also be stopped if the people so desire...Issued by WB Govt. in Public Interest," the message read.

Not surprisingly, the tables have now turned on Mamata Banerjee with the ghost Nandigram and Singur back to haunt her as the chief minister at a time when she is desperate for investments in the cash strapped state.

Not just private enterprise, land is required for even essential government infrastructure projects too. Several national highway expansion projects in Bengal have been stalled as the government has asked the administration to go slow on matters of land acquisition.

Anti-land acquisition protesters block road in Bhangar village. [Photo: DailyO]

With such a precedent, land has become a political hot potato in the state. Experts point out the impossible task for private investors to engage with individual farmers to convince them to give farmland for industry, no matter what the sops on offer were.

Amidst the prevailing situation, the constant antagonistic stance of the ruling political dispensation to whoever is in power at the centre has only made things worse for Bengal.

Be it the three decade long Left regime or the present Trinamool government, the state's opposition to the central government has mostly been constant with Mamata Banerjee usurping the age old Left rhetoric complaining of "Centre's neglect" made famous by Jyoti Basu.

Given the existing hostility, the Bengal Global Business Summit had no union government participation with finance minister Arun Jaitley skipping this year's event.

With Mamata once again slamming Modi from the event, it is clear who the target audience for the event is. A gigantic public relations exercise for the urban electorate to make believe that something is happening on the industrial front.
On February 4, Punjab is going to elect the representatives for its 117 Assembly constituencies. Three key political forces - the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine, the Congress and the emerging Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) - are engaged in a tough fight to capture power in this rich, as well as politically and strategically sensitive state.

Punjab is the wheat bowl of India as it contributes half of the total wheat procured in the country. Thus, besides the issues of massive drug abuse and deteriorating law and order, agriculture and water are concerns dominating the election debate in the state. With the election season here, the decades-old Punjab-Haryana water sharing dispute has come alive with renewed force.

After India's signing of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in 1960, the eastern rivers of the Indus system - Ravi, Beas and Sutlej - were used exclusively by east Punjab, on the Indian side.

The BJP has tried its best to make the SYL canal dispute an India versus Pakistan issue. Photo: PTI

However, with the reorganisation of states in 1966 and the creation of Haryana, a dispute ensued over sharing of these rivers between Punjab and its neighbouring states.

In 1966, Punjab lost its riparian status for the Yamuna, which now ran only through Haryana. In 1976, Haryana managed to receive water from the Ravi, while Punjab was denied water from the Yamuna.

However, the most controversial water sharing dispute between the two states continues over the decision to construct the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal in 1981. Once the 214km canal sees completion, it will transfer water to Haryana from the Sutlej.

Designed to transport 10,500 cusecs of water, the canal will provide 6,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. When its construction began in 1984, Punjab was already witnessing the peak of violent Khalistan movement.

Under the leadership of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, protests were organised against the canal and militants killed a number of labourers and engineers engaged in the construction.

The portion of the canal in Haryana's territory has been constructed, but work on the Punjab side has remained in a limbo since 1990 - it lies in ruins and the canal turns into a big water channel flooding agricultural fields in the rainy season.

Punjab is no longer the water surplus state it used to be in 1970s and 1980s as it grapples with severe water scarcity. The state receives an average of 570 mm of rainfall.

This inadequate rainfall is also ill-distributed in time and space. The groundwater table in Punjab is also receding at an alarming rate because of the over-extraction of water resources to meet the agricultural demand.

In the face of increased water scarcity, the transfer of river water to Haryana has become difficult for Punjab to accept with its own farmers in dire need of irrigation water.

The growing scarcity in the state provided a golden opportunity to the ruling Akali Dal, which politicised the SYL canal issue in the past as the Congress party at the Centre was the force behind the water transfer plan.

Punjab's refusal to honour the commitment to build the SYL canal forced Haryana to approach the Supreme Court. In 2002, the apex court passed an order asking Punjab to resume the construction of the SYL canal, handing the Congress a prized tool to get even with the Akalis on the issue.

The then Congress government, headed by Captain Amarinder Singh, piloted the Punjab Termination of Agreements Act in 2004 in the Assembly, annulling all agreements on SYL canal with Haryana.Amarinder Singh went against the wishes of his central party leadership and took this unusual step, which made him a hero in the eyes of Punjab's farmers.

The2004 Act could not stand judicial scrutiny and, in November 2016, the Supreme Court declared this unilateral decision of Punjab invalid.

However, it has given the Congress party and its leader Amarinder Singh something to not only counter Akali Dal's rhetoric on the water dispute, but also expose the ruling party's vulnerability, particularly due to its alliance with the BJP.

Now, the BJP not only wields power at the Centre, but also, for the first time, has formed the government in Haryana. This changing political landscape considerably limits the scope for Akali Dal to use the SYL canal as an election issue, as this would put it in direct confrontation with its own alliance partner.

The Akali Dal's recent attempt to return the acquired land for the SYL canal to farmers has also been thwarted by the Supreme Court's intervention.

The BJP, in an effort to distance itself from being targeted by the Opposition, has tried its best to turn the water-sharing dispute debate from becoming a Punjab versus Haryana or Punjab versus Centre issue, seeking to make it an India versus Pakistan issue.

As recent as November 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at Bathinda, asserted in his trademark style that "each drop of water" that flows out of the rivers of Punjab to Pakistan must be stopped.

Like the BJP, the new kid on the block, the AAP too is decidedly defensive about the SYL canal controversy.

Party chief Arvind Kejriwal's Haryanvi origin makes AAP vulnerable to any election issue resting on the Punjab versus Haryana fervour. Thus, while the BJP promises to increase water availability for Punjab by pledging to stop the water flowing into Pakistan, the AAP talks about spending more resources on repairing and building canals should it come to power - and to give priority to water harvesting.

These "abstract" promises of the BJP and the AAP to win more water for Punjab's farmers are not as effective in the election as the highly emotive SYL canal issue can be.
Transcription

1

2 GUIDELINES FOR HAWAII MEDIATORS Reporter Note: It was suggested that we prepare a rationale for all suggested changes to explain our thinking and facilitate public discussion as well as consideration by the Hawaii Supreme Court. Reporter's General Comments: The term guideline has been used rather than standard to better reflect the voluntary nature of this document. The term should has been used throughout rather than shall, will and other words to provide consistency and indicate the aspirational nature of these guidelines. The term participant has been used rather than disputant (some may consider perjorative) or party (some may consider legalistic). In a few places, a preference for written agreements has been indicated but it is recognized that some practitioners and participants do not do or want this. I. PREAMBLE AND BACKGROUND Mediation is a process of dispute resolution in which an impartial third party intervenes in a dispute with the consent of the participants and assists them in negotiating a voluntary and informed settlement. Mediation is a separate and distinct activity from arbitration, adjudication, evaluation, counseling and therapy, although it may be used with these and/or other conflict resolution procedures. In mediation, whether private or public, decision-making authority rests with the participants themselves. The role of the mediator includes but is not limited to assisting the participants in improving the definition of issues, reducing obstacles to communication, maximizing the exploration of alternatives, and helping them arrive at agreements that are fair, efficient, and stable. Mediation is based on principles of communication, negotiation and problem solving that emphasize: the needs and interests of the participants; fairness; procedural flexibility; privacy and confidentiality; full disclosure; self determination. As with other forms of dispute resolution, mediation must be built on public confidence and understanding. Persons serving as mediators, therefore, bear specific responsibilities to the mediation participants, to the mediation process, to the public, and to any specific agencies under whose auspices a mediation is taking place. Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 1

3 Recognizing that mediation is an increasingly accepted, respected, and desirable method of settling many disputes, the Hawaii State Judiciary, through its Program on Alternative Dispute Resolution, convened a committee (Appendix 1) in September, 1985 to develop recommended standards. After reviewing literature relevant to this matter (Appendix 2) the committee drafted proposed standards, circulated them to additional mediation groups throughout the state, and completed its recommendations to Hawaii's Chief Justice on April 2, In 1999, Hawaii's Chief Justice requested a review of the standards by the dispute resolution community through the Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution. This committee submitted recommendations to the Chief Justice on May 14, Based on the work of these committees, the Judiciary broadly endorses the use of mediation for many types of disputes and recommends that persons serving as public or private mediators in the State of Hawaii subscribe to the following guidelines of practice. It is not the intent or desire of the Judiciary to regulate the work of mediators. The judiciary does, however, encourage mediators to view this document as general guidelines of practice. Reporter Note: Consensus of those attending the October 6, 1999 SPIDR Hawaii meeting on the standards that mediation as a field is still developing and guidelines should be aspirational, not prescriptive. This is consistent with the language in the Standards and the Hawaii Supreme Court's resolution adopting the Standards. These guidelines are addressed to the practice of mediation as commonly understood. It is recognized that practitioners of ho`oponopono and other culturally based conflict resolution and conciliation methods may or may not find some or all of the guidelines appropriate or useful. Reporter Note: This paragraph recognizes the diversity of practice in Hawaii, including cultural practices. These guidelines are not meant to cover practices not considered by practitioners and/or the public to be mediation, e.g., ho`oponopono. II. THE PROCESS 1. Description and Education Before beginning mediation and throughout the process, mediators should educate participants about the mediation process, distinguish mediation from other procedures, explain the respective responsibilities of the mediator and the participants, Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 2

4 affirm the participant s willingness to participate in such a process, and fully explain any applicable policies, procedures, and guidelines. 2. Identification of Issues The mediator should encourage and elicit sufficient information from the participants so that they can identify the issues to be addressed in mediation. 3. Appropriateness of Mediation Both before and during the process, the mediator should encourage and assist the participants in evaluating the benefits, risks, and costs of mediation and the alternatives available to them. Where a mediator concludes that the participants are not informed of their rights, the mediator should encourage the participants to seek qualified legal, financial, therapeutic or other professional advice before or during the mediation process. A mediator has a responsibility to postpone, suspend, or terminate the mediation process if one or more participants is unwilling or unable to participate meaningfully. The mediator should withdraw if the process is being abused or the mediator is unable to remain impartial. 4. Mediator Disclosure A mediator should disclose to the participants the mediator=s qualifications, experience and any affiliation with the participants or biases relating to the issues. 5. Procedures Mediators should describe and affirm to the participants the procedures to be followed in mediation. Such an understanding includes but is not limited to the use of separate meetings between a participant and the mediator, provisions for confidentiality (both to the process itself and to the use of private meetings within the process), the use of legal services, the involvement of additional participants, and the conditions under which mediation may be terminated. 6. Mutual Duties and Responsibilities. The mediator and the participants should agree upon the duties and responsibilities that each is accepting in the mediation process. This may be a written or oral agreement. III. IMPARTIALITY Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 3

5 1. Impartiality A mediator should maintain impartiality toward all participants. Impartiality means freedom from favoritism and bias in word, action and appearance. Impartiality implies a commitment to aid all participants, as opposed to a single individual, in reaching a mutually satisfactory agreement. A mediator has a responsibility to maintain impartiality while raising questions for the participants to consider as to the reality, fairness, equity, and feasibility of proposed options for settlement. The mediator should withdraw if the mediator is unable to remain impartial. 2. Conflicts of Interest and Relationship A mediator's actual or perceived impartiality may be compromised at any time by social or professional relationships with one of the participants or others affected by the dispute. A mediator should be aware that pre- and post mediation professional or social relationships may compromise a mediator's ability to serve as an impartial third party. Mediators should disclose to the participants any relationships that might be perceived as a conflict of interest. The mediator should not proceed with the mediation unless (a) such relationships have been disclosed; (b) the role of the mediator has been made distinct from the relationships; and (c) all of the participants freely choose to proceed. IV. COSTS AND FEES 1. Explanation of Fees and Charges If fees are charged, a mediator or his or her agency should explain before mediation begins the fees and any other related costs to be charged. Mediators or their agencies should commit their understanding to a written agreement with the participants before the mediation process begins. 2. Contingent Fees Reporter Note: There have been unresolved discussions about whether contingency fees should be allowed, i.e., this section eliminated or modified. Concern is: What happens to the mediation process if the mediator has a financial stake in the outcome? On the other hand, if contingent fees are prohibited then sophisticated participants who desire and use this type of fee arrangement would be prevented from using it. Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 4

6 Three possibilities: (1) Neither mediators nor their agencies should charge contingent fees or base fees on the outcome of mediation (2) Neither mediators nor their agencies should charge contingent fees or base fees on the outcome of mediation unless special precautions are taken to minimize potential conflicts associated with the fee arrangement. (3) Charging contingent fees or fees based on the outcome is normally discouraged, although in special situations with competent advice, both participants may agree to such arrangements. Reporter Note: Virtually all standards which have considered this issue have categorically disallowed such fees, e.g., Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators, American Arbitration Association, American Bar Association & Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution (1995). Proposed Standards of Practice for Lawyers Who Conduct Divorce and Family Mediation, American Bar Association Family Law Section Task Force (July 1997). AFM and AFCC Standards of Practice for Divorce and Family Mediation, Academy of Family Mediators & Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. Standards of Practice for California Mediators, California Dispute Resolution Council. State Mediation Standards of Practice, North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (1996). Oregon State Mediation Standards of Practice, Oregon Mediation Association. Standards of Practice for Mediators, The Mediation Council of Illinois. Pennsylvania Council of Mediators Ethics and Standards of Conduct (November 6, 1998). 3. Referrals and Commissions No commissions, rebates, or similar forms of remuneration should be given or received by a mediator for referral of clients for mediation or other related services. V. CONFIDENTIALITY AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION 1. Confidentiality/Release of Information The mediator and any mediation administrative agency, whether during premediation or mediation, should hold all information acquired in mediation in confidence. Mediators are obliged to resist disclosure of information about the contents and outcomes of the mediation process. Reporter Note: These changes are intended to cover instances in which an employee of an organization performs intake functions rather than the mediator. Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 5

7 A mediator should obtain the consent of the participants prior to releasing information about their mediation to others unless otherwise compelled by law. The mediator should maintain confidentiality in the storage and disposal of records and should render anonymous all identifying information when materials are used for research or training. 2. Tape Recordings and Recorded Transcripts Recordings or transcripts of mediation proceedings or conferences should not be permitted as being inimical to free and uninhibited discussion. The mediation agreement itself may be recorded in writing, tape or otherwise. Reason: If an agreement is reached, and the parties are willing to put it on tape, it is cumbersome to have to stop and execute an agreement to do so when everyone could just acknowledge on the tape that they agree to the procedure. VI. SELF-DETERMINATION 1. Responsibilities of the Participants The primary responsibility for the resolution of a dispute rests with the participants. The mediator's obligation is to assist the participants in reaching an informed and voluntary settlement. At no time and in no way should a mediator coerce any participant into agreements or make substantive decisions for any participant. Mediators may make suggestions and may draft proposals for the participants consideration, but all decisions are to be made voluntarily by the parties themselves. 2. Responsibility to Non-Participants A mediator has a responsibility to promote consideration of the interests of persons affected by actual or potential agreements and not present or represented at the bargaining table. Where a mediator believes the interests of an absent participant will be harmed and where the participants themselves refuse the inclusive participation, a mediator is encouraged to withdraw his or her services. Reporter Note: There is a concern with putting a burden on the mediator to raise the idea of including additional participants. For example, is every divorce mediator now going to have to suggest that minor children should have a Guardian Ad Litem appointed to represent them at the mediation? It is felt that the first and last sentences of the paragraph adequately cover the issue. Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 6

8 VII. PROFESSIONAL ADVICE 1. Independent Advice and Information A mediator should encourage the participants to obtain independent expert information and advice when such is needed to reach an informed agreement or to protect the rights of a participant. A mediator may give information only in those areas where qualified by training or experience and only with the caution that participants are encouraged to seek independent advice and counsel on the matters at hand. 2. Legal Advice When a mediator suspects that the outcome of a mediation may potentially affect rights or obligations, the mediator should advise participants to seek legal advice prior to resolving the issues in a formal agreement. VIII. PARTIES' ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE 1. Informational Factors A mediator has a responsibility to promote fairness in mediation through access to information. Minimally, the mediator should encourage (a) the full disclosure of information between participants and (b) the seeking of adequate information and advice outside the mediation process. 2. Inability to Participate If one of the participants indicated inability or appears to be unable to participate meaningfully in the mediation process, a mediator should postpone or cancel mediation. Reporter Note: The proposed change recognizes that mediators are not necessarily skilled enough in this area to make a determination as to the condition of participants. IX. CONCLUDING MEDIATION 1. Agreement. When a full or partial agreement to the issues in dispute has been reached, a mediator should discuss and reach a mutual understanding with the participants on how such agreements are to be finalized, which are encouraged to be in writing or recorded. 2. No Agreement Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 7

9 A mediator should inform the participants of their right to withdraw from mediation at any time and for any reason. If a mediator believes that participants are unable or unwilling to participate meaningfully in the process or that a reasonable agreement is unlikely, a mediator may suspend, terminate mediation or encourage the parties to seek other forms of assistance for the resolution of their dispute. If participants reach an impasse, a mediator should not prolong unproductive discussions that would result in emotional and/or monetary costs to the participants. X. TRAINING AND EDUCATION 1. Training A mediator should acquire knowledge and procedural training in mediation. This includes an understanding of appropriate professional ethics, standards, and responsibilities. Upon request, a mediator should disclose the extent and nature of his or her mediation training and experience. Reporter Note: The use of the phrase substantive knowledge was problematic for some. How is one supposed to know what substantive knowledge or experience might be relevant until the mediation is underway? It is felt that discussion of training and experience addresses this issue. 2. Continuing Education A mediator should participate in continuing education activities and be personally responsible for ongoing professional growth. Mediators are encouraged to join with other mediators and members of related professions to promote mutual professional development. XI. PROFESSIONALISM AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH PROFESSIONALS OTHER 1. Responsibility of the Mediator Towards Other Mediators A mediator whose assistance is being sought by one or more participants should endeavor to discover if other mediators are involved. A mediator should not intervene in an on-going mediation process being conducted by others. The wishes of the participants supercede the interests of the mediators. 2. Use of Information A mediator should not use information disclosed or obtained during the mediation process for private gain or advantage nor should a mediator seek publicity from a Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 8

10 mediation effort to enhance his or her position. This does not preclude the promotion of mediation as a process. 3. Relationships with Other Professionals A mediator should respect the complementary relationship that exists between mediation and other social and dispute resolution services and should promote cooperation with other professionals. 4. Advertising A mediator should make only accurate statements about the mediation process, its costs and benefits, and the mediator=s qualifications. XII. ADVANCEMENT OF MEDIATION 1. Pro Bono Service Mediators are encouraged to provide free or low cost mediation to those who cannot afford it. 2. Promotion of Mediation A mediator should promote the advancement of mediation by encouraging and participating in research, evaluation, or other forms of professional development and public education. Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 9

11 APPENDIX 1 Committee On Mediation Standards The following agencies and organizations participated in the drafting of these standards:! American Arbitration Association (Mr. Keith W. Hunter)! Armed Services YMCA Community Mediation Service (Ms. Josie Blevins)! Better Business Bureau of Hawaii, Inc. (Mr. Frank S. Conkey)! Children's Divorce Clinic, Kapiolani Women's and Children's Medical Center (Dr. Jane A. Waldron)! Hawaii State Bar Association, Section on Alternative Dispute Resolution (Mr. Frank T. Lockwood and Mr. Gerald S. Clay)! Honolulu Board of Realtors Mediation Committee (Ms. Dorothy Read)! Judiciary Program on Alternative Dispute Resolution (Dr. Peter S. Adler)! Neighborhood Justice Center of Honolulu, Inc. (Mr. Leland K.W. Chang)! University of Hawaii Program on Conflict Resolution (Dr. David Chandler)! Ms. Melody Parker, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii Helpful comments and criticisms were also received from:! Ms. June Amimoto, Program Director, Ku'ikahi YMCA Mediation Center, Waiakea Settlement YMCA! Dr. Ted Becker, Chairman and Coordinator, Master's Degree Program in Conflict Resolution, Peacemaking and Mediation, Department of Political Science, University of Hawaii! Mr. Mark K. Bradley, Ms. Jocelyn M. Higa and Mr. David Swartout, ASUH Student Mediation Service, University of Hawaii! Mr. Robert Coulson, President, American Arbitration Association! Mr. Michael M. Hazama, Mediation Services of Maui, Inc.! Judge Shunichi Kimura, State of Hawaii Judiciary, Third Circuit, First Division! Judge Evelyn B. Lance, State of Hawaii Judiciary, First Circuit, Family Court! Judge Marie N. Milks, State of Hawaii Judiciary, First Circuit, Sixteenth Division! Judge Ronald T.Y. Moon, State of Hawaii Judiciary, First Circuit, Ninth Division! Commissioner Frank S. Schoeppel, Federal Mediatiation and Conciliation Service Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 10

12 APPENDIX 2 Documents Consulted American Arbitration Association. Code of Ethics for Arbitrators In Commercial Disputes, (1977). Baker-Jackson, Maxine; Bergman, Kay; Ferrick, George; Housepian, Vahana; Garcia, Julian; and Hulbert, Ron. Ethical Standards For Court-Connected Mediators," Mediation Quarterly, No. 8, (June 1985): Bishop, Thomas. "Standards For Family And Divorce Mediation," Dispute Resolution Forum, (December 1984): 3-9. Chaykin, Arthur. "Mediator Liability: A New Role For Fiduciary Duties?" Cincinnatti Law Review, Vol. 53, (1984): Cormick, Gerald. "The Ethics of Mediation: Some Unexplored Territory," a paper presented to the Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution, (October 1977). Cramer, Clarence and Schoeneman, Russell. "A Court Mediation Model with an Eye Toward Standards," Mediation Quarterly, No. 8 (June 1985): Duryee, Mary. "Public Sector Mediation: A Report From the Courts," Mediation Quarterly, No. 8, (June 1985): Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the United States. Code of Professional Conduct For Labor Mediators, (1971). Goldberg, Stephen; Green, Eric; and Sander, Frank. "A Dialogue On Legal Representation In Divorce Mediation," Mediation Quarterly, No. 8 (June 1985): 5-8. Hay, Linda; Carnevale, Carol; and Sinicropi, Anthony. "Professionalization: Selected Ethical Issues In Dispute Resolution," The Justice System Journal, Vol. 9 (1984): McIsaac, Hugh. "Confidentiality: An Exploration Of Issues," Mediation Quarterly, No. 8 (June 1985): Milne, Ann. "Model Standards Of Practice For Family and Divorce Mediation," Mediation Quarterly, No. 8 (June 1985): Neighborhood Justice Center of Honolulu, Inc. "Ethics and Responsibilities," Mediator Training Manual, (1983): Perlmutter, Felice Davidson. "Ethical Issues In Family Mediation: A Social Perspective," Mediation Quarterly, No. 8 (June 1985): Riskin, Leonard. "Toward New Standards For The Neutral Lawyer In Mediation," Arizona Law Review, Vol. 26 (1984): Saposnek, Donald. "What Is Fair In Child Custody Mediation?" Mediation Quarterly, No. 8 (June 1985): Hawaii Mediation Guidelines - Report 11




Heading into the elections in November, the Democrats held 8 of the 35 seats in the South Dakota state Senate. On November 8, they held 6 seats (and none of the 6 had been contested by the GOP). And of the 70 members of the state House, only 10 are Democrats. Every statewide elected official is a Republican and the 3 members of South Dakota's congressional delegation are also Republicans. Trump beat Hillary 227,721 (61.5%) to 117,458 (31.7%). In 2012 Romney won the state, but Obama did far better than Clinton, having taken 144,988 votes (40%). Of the state's 66 counties, Obama won 10; Hillary won 5. The Republicans own South Dakota; the Democrats barely exist there.





Last week the legislature killed a proposal that would have banned the predatory sexual behavior between legislators and their young pages and interns. Conservatives, who believe in the law of the jungle feel they have the right to rape youngsters as a manifestation of their power. When state Senator Stace Nelson, a Republican from Fulton proposed a ban on the behavior, he was rebuffed . Conservatives-- particularly, though not exclusively, Republicans-- are generally extremely hostile to ethics regulations.

A legislative panel voted down a proposed rule change Wednesday that would have explicitly prevented them from engaging in sexual contact with legislative interns and pages.



...Nelson said state lawmakers have previously engaged in instances of sexual harassment and sexual contact involving interns and high school pages, with at least one facing charges in 2007 for allegedly groping a legislative page.



"The facts are, this body went through a very public and ugly trial about a decade ago. There's been events in history that indicate these rules should have been put in stone and they haven't," Nelson said. "This is a rule we brought forth to address this so that there is no gray area."

The proposal was defeated in committee 9-4. Ironically, South Dakota voters approved-- 180,580 (51.6%) to 169,220 (48.4%)-- a package of ethics reforms in November and Republican elected officials are working furiously-- and so far successfully-- to block the implementation.





Argus Leader, the biggest newspaper in the state, ran a report on right-wing Republican from Madison, Rep. Mathew Wollman, who has been Yesterday, Sioux Falls', the biggest newspaper in the state, ran a report on right-wing Republican from Madison, Rep. Mathew Wollman, who has been molesting interns . Although he denied the allegations when first confronted with them, he has since admitted his culpability to another right-wing crackpot, House Majority Leader Lee Qualm.





I remember when Mark Foley was caught molesting young interns and let off the hook by a conspiracy between Republican and Democratic leaders in return for him resigning. (Later Foley told me he would take pages to states where the age of consent was lower so he could have sex with them without technically breaking statutory rape laws.) Wollmann is claiming that the interns he molested were "of age" and "consenting." He has admitted he fucked one intern in 2015 and another one last year. He seems bitter that "my reputation was lowered, or perceived to be seen as lowered." Conservatives can't help but play the victim; it's part of the nature of conservatism.

He said he believed both were older than 21, and that he didn't feel he took advantage of his position of power because neither worked for him and both were of consenting age, which is why he thought it was permissible.



He said he hasn't hired a lawyer to represent him and would consider testifying before the committee if called.



"I cant express how much Im embarrassed, I understand these actions are unacceptable and Ill accept all punitive measures that are decided," Wollmann told reporters. "Ive tarnished the system and our title, this body as well as my name."



The state's legislative rule book says lawmakers are to avoid all sexual harassment in the workplace, but nothing explicitly prohibits sexual contact with interns or legislative pages.



Wollmann's confession comes a week after a Joint Committee on Legislative Procedure voted down a proposed rule change that would have prohibited sexual contact between lawmakers and interns or pages. House members said during the meeting that they considered sexual contact with high school pages and college interns to be misconduct.



The South Dakota Legislature last dealt with a case of a lawmaker engaging in sexual contact with a page in 2007. At that time, the Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion chose to censure Democratic state Senator Dan Sutton.



Qualm said he wouldn't comment on whether he viewed Wollmann's actions as a violation of House rules as he didn't want to skew the results of the investigating committee's probe.



There are some implications in there, but thats why were going by the rules, because we want the committee to make the determination, Qualm said.

Washington Post yesterday. She had Trumpanzee and his crooked cabinet in mind. Trumpanzee "is selecting nominees to run his government," she wrote. "It's no secret that I have deep reservations about the policy views of many of these nominees. I will vote against some of them." Yes... "some implications." Elizabeth Warren didn't have South Dakota or it's ethics-free Republican legislature in mind when she wrote her OpEd on the Republican approach to ethics for theyesterday. She had Trumpanzee and his crooked cabinet in mind. Trumpanzee "is selecting nominees to run his government," she wrote. "It's no secret that I have deep reservations about the policy views of many of these nominees. I will vote against some of them."
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, and markets biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, neuroscience, and covid-19 diseases. The company's products include Revlimid, an oral immunomodulatory drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma; Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; and Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis. It also provides Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia; Yervoy for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma; Abraxane, a protein-bound chemotherapy product; Reblozyl for the treatment of anemia in adult patients with beta thalassemia; and Empliciti for the treatment of multiple myeloma. In addition, the company offers Zeposia to treat relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; Breyanzi, a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma; Inrebic, an oral kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with myelofibrosis; and Onureg for the treatment of adult patients with AML. It sells products to wholesalers, distributors, pharmacies, retailers, hospitals, clinics, and government agencies. The company was formerly known as Bristol-Myers Company. The company was founded in 1887 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
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.
The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International. The Health and Wellness segment offers cleaning products, such as laundry additives and home care products primarily under the Clorox, Clorox2, Scentiva, Pine-Sol, Liquid-Plumr, Tilex, and Formula 409 brands; professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brands; professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand; and vitamins, minerals and supplement products under the RenewLife, Natural Vitality, NeoCell, and Rainbow Light brands in the United States. The Household segment provides cat litter products under the Fresh Step and Scoop Away brands; bags and wraps under the Glad brand; and grilling products under the Kingsford brand in the United States. The Lifestyle segment offers dressings, dips, seasonings, and sauces primarily under the Hidden Valley brand; natural personal care products under the Burt's Bees brand; and water-filtration products under the Brita brand in the United States. The International segment provides laundry additives; home care products; water-filtration systems; digestive health products; grilling products; cat litter products; food products; bags and wraps; natural personal care products; and professional cleaning and disinfecting products internationally primarily under the Clorox, Ayudin, Clorinda, Poett, Pine-Sol, Glad, Brita, RenewLife, Ever Clean and Burt's Bees brands. The Clorox Company sells its products primarily through mass retailers; grocery outlets; warehouse clubs; dollar stores; home hardware centers; drug, pet and military stores; third-party and owned e-commerce channels; and distributors, as well as a direct sales force The company was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Oakland, California.
(Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany)Egyptian Christians protest against the Coptic beheadings.

Dozens of Egyptian Christians working in Libya still find themselves trapped in the country amid threats coming from Islamic terror groups, a Christian persecution watchdog revealed.

The International Christian Concern (ICC), which aims to bridge Christians from free countries to Christians who are persecuted in different parts of the world, reported that they were able to speak to a group of Christians in Libya who shared the dangers and persecutions they are facing. "We are 16 Christians, living in a housing building in Misrata, Libya. We hope to return home to Egypt, but there isn't any safe way," said one of the persecuted.

The ICC noted that Christians in Egypt face discrimination and marginalization, leaving them jobless. "Christians are hated. They are often kicked out of schools and forced to compete with true Egyptians, Muslim Egyptians for even the most mediocre of jobs," the report said. This predicament has prompted them to flee Egypt and travel to Libya to find work while facing extreme dangers coming from extremist groups.

In 2015, 21 Coptic Christians who were kidnapped in Libya in December 2014 were beheaded by Islamic State militants. A five-minute video of the brutal killing was released to further strike terror. "The world was shocked to see them lined up in orange jumpsuits. The world mourned as their blood spilled into the ocean and stained the sand. But then the world forgot," the ICC report stated.

One of the residents also shared that there are more than 30 of them in their village who are currently trapped in Misrata. The ICC suggested that the "Egyptian Foreign Ministry has to intervene and find safe ways to return these men to their homes."

Open Doors, an international group also serving persecuted Christians, recently came out with their 2017 World Watch List and ranked Libya and Egypt in the 11th and 21st spots, respectively, among countries where Christians are facing "severe persecution."
Domtar Corporation designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes communication papers, specialty and packaging papers, and absorbent hygiene products in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Pulp and Paper, and Personal Care. The company provides business papers, including copy and electronic imaging papers used in inkjet and laser printers, photocopiers, and plain-paper fax machines, as well as computer papers, preprinted forms, and digital papers for office and home use. It also offers commercial printing and publishing papers, such as offset papers and opaques used in sheet and roll fed offset presses; publishing papers, which include tradebook and lightweight uncoated papers for publishing textbooks, dictionaries, catalogs, magazines, hard cover novels, and financial documents; and converting papers for envelopes, tablets, business forms, and data processing/computer forms. In addition, the company provides papers for thermal printing, flexible packaging, food packaging, medical packaging, medical gowns and drapes, sandpaper backing, carbonless printing, labels and other coating, and laminating applications; and papers for industrial and specialty applications, such as carrier papers, treated papers, security papers, and specialized printing and converting applications. Further, it offers absorbent hygiene products, including absorbent briefs, protective underwear, underpads, pads, washcloths, and body patches under the Attends, Indasec, IndasSlip, and Reassure brands; and baby diapers, training and youth pants, and bed mats under the Comfees, Chelino, Nene, and Bambino brand names. The company serves merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters, and end-users. Domtar Corporation was founded in 1848 and is based in Fort Mill, South Carolina. As of November 30, 2021, Domtar Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Karta Halten B.V.
A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator invented by Ernest O. Lawrence. It operates on the principle that a charged particle accelerates outwards from the center along a spiral path, increasing in energy for every trip around. The particles are held to this trajectory by a large magnetic field, usually supplied by a built-up permanent magnet of the Alnico type. The acceleration of the charge particles comes from a rapidly varying electric field placed onto dee shaped antennas within the device. To drive them a simple tube RF transmitter is used that operates in the megahertz region.

For several decades, cyclotrons were the best source of high-energy beams for nuclear physics experiments and their use by scientists won many Nobel Prizes. One application for the cyclotron was in creating new elements. By shooting energetic particles into stationary target atoms the number of protons per nucleus may be increased. In 1941 Glen Seaborg, a scientist working at Berkley, used a cyclotron that fired deuterons into a block of uranium 238. Because the particles had both a proton and a neutron, the uranium atom increased its atomic number and the new element 94, plutonium, was synthesized. This experiment won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1951.

Cyclotrons can also be used in medicine to treat cancer. The powerful ion beams they produce are targeted to kill tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue along their path. Some large hospital centers also utilize cyclotrons to produce the short-lived positron-emitting isotope Technetium  99m used for imaging and functional studies of the brain, thyroid and liver. Because this isotope has a half life of only 6 hours and cannot be stocked, it is very cost effective to make it at the same facility where it will be used.

Cyclotrons were originally conceived in Germany in the 1920s. The first patent dealing with acceleration of particles using a time varying AC signal was filed by Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard in 1929, while working at Humboldt University of Berlin although he did not actually build a working model. The first working cyclotron was finally developed by Ernest Lawrence of the University of California, Berkeley, in January 1932, and you can see this prototype displayed in a hilltop museum on the UC Berkeley campus that is dedicated to the invention. Made only of window glass, brass and sealed with tar, this unit, only 4.5 inches in diameter, operated on 1,800 volts and a frequency of 4 MHz to accelerate hydrogen ions (protons), up to energies of 80,000 electron volts.

Feeling quite sure about the physics behind the invention, Lawrence immediately started planning for larger machines. In summer 1931 an 11-inch cyclotron was constructed that generated particles having energies of over a million electron volts. What set this invention apart from other linear atom smashers using Van de Graaff generators or Cockcroft-Walton multipliers is the fact that the particles were accelerated millions of times in their spiral path before they exited the machine. You didnt have to apply a million volts DC to get energies of a million electron volts.

With the help of the Federal Telegraph Company, Lawrence obtained an 80 ton surplus magnet for his next build. This allowed him to construct a cyclotron with an accelerating chamber some 27 inches in diameter and capable of reaching energies of nearly 5 million electron volts. But as the machines got larger Lawrence needed more laboratory space to set them in and because of the notoriety and positive scientific work generated by the building of cyclotrons, the university kept funding the next larger device.

In 1939, a colossal 60-inch cyclotron was constructed in the Crocker Laboratory on campus. Having a 220-ton magnet the giant mechanism could accelerate particles up to 16 million electron volts. With this machine at least seven new elements were created by the Berkeley scientists.

At the present, the largest cyclotron in the world is the 56-foot giant multimagnet TRIUMF accelerator at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, which can produce 500 MeV protons. There are over 1200 cyclotrons used in nuclear medicine worldwide, mostly for the production of radionuclides.
ELKO  Fridays snowstorm was bigger than expected, delivering the heaviest snowfall to Elko so far this winter. Another storm expected to arrive Sunday could be just as big or bigger.

The National Weather Service measured 7  inches of snow Friday at the airport, bringing Januarys total to more than 26 inches.

Hazardous driving conditions were reported on all major highways in the region at mid-morning Saturday, with chains or snow tires required over Adobe Summit and Secret Pass.

Northeastern Nevada is under a winter storm watch from early Sunday morning through mid-morning on Monday. A total of 4-8 inches is expected in the valleys and up to 20 inches in the mountains.

The main impacts will be on Eureka Highway, U.S. 93 and Highway 6, according to the weather service.

Wind gusts of 35 mph are forecast for Sunday.

Icy spots and poor visibility will make travel difficult at times. Blowing snow will affect travel from Sunday through early Monday, the advisory stated. Travel or recreation in the mountains will be hazardous, if not impossible.

The forecast for Elko calls for highs around the freezing mark and snow tapering off on Tuesday night.
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.
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.
AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Lynparza, Orpathys, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology; Brilinta/Brilique, Bydureon/Byetta, BCise, Byetta, Crestor, Evrenzo, Farxiga/Forxiga, Komboglyze/Kombiglyze XR, Lokelma, Onglyza, Qtern, and Xigduo/Xigduo XR for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; Bevespi Aerosphere, Breztri Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir Genuair, Fasenra, Pulmicort, Saphnelo, Symbicort, and Tudorza/Eklira/Bretaris for respiratory and immunology; and Andexxa/Ondexxya, Kanuma, Soliris, Strensiq, and Ultomiris for rare diseases. The company's marketed products also comprise Synagis for respiratory syncytial virus; Fluenz Tetra/FluMist Quadrivalent for Influenza; Seroquel IR/Seroquel XR for schizophrenia bipolar disease; Nexium, and Losec/Prilosec for gastroenterology; and Vaxzevria and Evusheld for covid-19. The company serves primary care and specialty care physicians through distributors and local representative offices in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Australasia. It has a collaboration agreement with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to research, develop, and commercialize small molecule medicines for obesity; Neurimmune AG to develop and commercialize NI006; Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop eplontersen, a liver-targeted antisense therapy in Phase III development for the treatment of transthyretin amyloidosis; Proteros Biostructures GmbH to jointly discover novel small molecules for the treatment of hematological cancers; Sierra Oncology, Inc. to develop and commercialize AZD5153. The company was formerly known as Zeneca Group PLC and changed its name to AstraZeneca PLC in April 1999. AstraZeneca PLC was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Cambridge, the United Kingdom.
ELKO  Chains or snow tires were required on Mountain City Highway north of Elko Friday afternoon as heavy snow fell under freezing temperatures.

Hazardous driving conditions were reported on Lamoille Highway and Interstate 80 east of Elko as well as Emigrant Pass.

Nearly all of Nevada was under a winter weather advisory until 10 p.m. Friday. The National Weather Service predicted up to 4 inches of snow in the valleys and 6 inches in the mountains.

Icy spots and poor visibility will make travel difficult at times, stated the advisory.

Scattered snow showers are forecast for Saturday before another wave hits on Sunday, bringing another 3 inches of snow to the valleys.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. owns, manages, and operates senior living communities in the United States. It operates in three segments: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). The Independent Living segment owns or leases communities comprising independent and assisted living units in a single community that are primarily designed for middle to upper income seniors. The Assisted Living and Memory Care segment owns or leases communities consisting of freestanding multi-story communities and freestanding single-story communities, which offer housing and 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living for the Company's residents. This segment also operates memory care communities for residents with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The CCRCs segment owns or leases communities that provides various living arrangements, such as independent and assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing; and services to accommodate various levels of physical ability and healthcare needs. It also manages communities on behalf of others. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned 347 communities, leased 299 communities, and managed 33 communities on behalf of others. Brookdale Senior Living Inc. was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through three segments: Regional Banking, Specialty Banking, and Corporate. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. The company also underwrites bank-eligible securities and other fixed-income securities eligible for underwriting by financial subsidiaries; sells loans and derivatives; and offers advisory services. In addition, it offers various services, such as mortgage banking; title insurance and loan-closing; brokerage; correspondent banking; nationwide check clearing and remittance processing; trust, fiduciary, and agency; equipment finance; and investment and financial advisory services. Further, the company sells mutual fund and retail insurance products; and credit cards. It operates approximately 500 banking offices in 22 states under the First Horizon Bank brand; and 400 banking centers in 12 states under the FHN Financial brand in the United States. The company was formerly known as First Horizon National Corporation and changed its name to First Horizon Corporation in November 2020. First Horizon Corporation was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
Its no secret that our infrastructure is in serious need of attention. Everything from our roads, water treatment plants, railways, port facilities, pipelines, and electric grid needs investment. President Trump has wisely signaled that investment in infrastructure is a top priority.

The need for a new approach to infrastructure investment is glaring. Between 1960 and 1980, we spent 2.5 percent of U.S. GDP on infrastructure. Today, at a time with significantly more complex infrastructure challenges, our investment has shrunk to just 1.7 percent of GDP. If it feels like we are neglecting the physical foundation of our country, its because we are. Digital networks and new software are no replacement for crumbling tunnels, tainted water systems, or broken subways. No American should worry that the bridge they use is going to collapse, or that the water their children drink might be impure.

President Trump has called for a $1 trillion infrastructure investment plan that will likely lean heavily on public-private partnerships. Pushing his plan through Congress  even with indications of bipartisan support for such investment  will not be easy. Despite ample evidence that wise infrastructure spending is an investment that boosts job creation, enhances public safety and health, enables economic growth, and helps connect people, efforts to provide the necessary infrastructure investment have proved remarkably difficult.

If President Trump wants to use his trillion-dollar infrastructure plan as an economic engine, particularly for the middle class, he should also think about sourcing the materials needed to build these roads, airports, railroads and other projects. Relying on Chinese steel, iron ore, or other metals to rebuild America would be like taking three steps forward but two steps back.

If this infrastructure plan comes to fruition, the demand for metals and minerals will soar. Consider that the Golden Gate Bridge, once the worlds longest suspension bridge, used 88,000 tons of steel. The new Tappan Zee Bridge, under construction just outside of New York City, requires 100,000 tons of steel. Some 6 billion tons of steel has already been used in the U.S. National Highway System. In addition, copper is essential to the wire that keeps national transit systems like Amtrak running. Silver is critical to large-scale water filtration systems and solar power generation. And due to its super strength, molybdenum is a key component in alloys used in the construction of large buildings and bridges.

Rebuilding the nations infrastructure will require massive amounts of raw materials. Fortunately, the U.S. is a major metals and minerals producer, but mining companies have a hard time opening new mines or expanding existing ones to meet rising demand under the current regulatory regime. It takes an average of seven to 10 years to permit a mine in the United States, compared to 2 to 3 years for Canada or Australia  countries that employ similar environmental safeguards.

Reforming the U.S. mine permitting process to ensure that domestic mineral producers can meet rising demand should be a bipartisan priority. Legislation recently introduced in the Senate by Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) and in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) provides the necessary reform policies to improve efficiencies, reduce duplication, and ensure best practices throughout the mine permitting process. Doing so will help drive investment back to the United States, create stable family-wage jobs, and reduce the cost of rebuilding our infrastructure.

Our infrastructure is in decline. Its time to reform our policies in order to reinvest, rebuild, and modernize. A necessary start will be to recalibrate our cumbersome and outdated mine permitting process. A streamlined system for mining the nations metals and minerals can provide the building blocks we need to rebuild America.
When bullets are snapping and whining past ones ears, theres no difference between a small skirmish with an enemy and a full-blown battle for the history books.

On Jan. 24, 1877, Cpl. Clinton Greaves was experiencing that truism firsthand as he fought for his life. The man who likely was born into slavery on August 12, 1855, in Madison County was a long way from home on that perilous day.

Greaves had enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1872 and was a member of the 9th Cavalry Regiment. It, as well as the 10th Cavalry Regiment, consisted of black soldiers under the command of white officers.

The two cavalry units were sent west after the Civil War to fight hostile Indians. The Indians dubbed these men buffalo soldiers because of their hair.

Hostilities between Apache Indians and Americans erupted in 1863, when gold was discovered on the Indians ancestral land. Fighting went on for more than a decade until most of the Indians were subdued and moved onto reservations.

Greaves was part of a small detachment sent into the Florida Mountains of New Mexico to convince a band of about 50 Apache Indians to surrender. The Indians werent about to do that.

The Apaches were unequaled when it came to stealth and using familiar terrain to their benefit. They also were fierce warriors who, as they saw it, were fighting for their land and freedom.

So its not surprising that Greaves and the small number of soldiers with him found themselves surrounded and under heavy attack. As the Indians closed in on the outnumbered cavalrymen, the fighting turned into a bloody melee.

Greaves found himself at the center of the cheek-by-jowl fighting as it was reaching a crescendo of violence. When it seemed certain that the Americans would be annihilated, the Virginian rose to the occasion.

With determination and strength that likely surprised the attacking Indians, Greaves charged straight at them. With rifle in hand, he shot and clubbed his way through the enemy, which had been on the verge of victory.

Greavess do-or-die assault opened a gap through which he and the others were able to make a successful break for freedom. Apparently, the Apaches had been reduced enough in numbers that they didnt pursue the escaping soldiers.

On June 26, 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes presented Greaves with the Congressional Medal of Honor for his courageous actions. The brave soldier then went on to serve more than 20 years in the military.

When Greaves retired from military service in 1893, he had reached the rank of sergeant. He then worked for the Quartermaster Department.

Greaves was 51 when he died of heart disease on Aug. 18, 1906. He is buried at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

There soon will be a Historical Highway Marker honoring Greaves installed in his home county. Although there are few details about what Greaves did during the fight of his life, there is no question that he richly deserved the nations highest medal for valor.
As Albemarle Countys public school division continues to move through the early stages of planning a new initiative to rethink high school experiences and outcomes for future students, it recently received one of its largest bouts of community input since its inception.

On Tuesday night, educators, community members and parents came out to Monticello High School to discuss what high school curricula and graduation requirements might look like in the near future.

The feedback received will play into the work the county schools have been doing around High School 2022, an initiative to incorporate community- and work-based learning into the curriculum, beginning with freshmen entering high school in fall of 2018.

This effort goes along with an initiative known as Profile of a Virginia Graduate that is being hashed out by the Virginia Board of Education.

Parents who attended expressed their interest and concerns with the changes that could affect their students in the coming years.

The Albemarle division has been working on High School 2022 since August with collaboration from those in the schools and in the community. Now, theyre looking to take this and other bits of feedback from the community to the School Board for more direction.

* * *

Hosted by Matt Haas, county schools deputy superintendent, the events goal was to bring as many stakeholders together as possible and collect input on how the school division should move forward with its high school redesign initiative. In all, at least 200 people attended the event  mostly parents and educators.

At the event, the documentary Most Likely to Succeed was shown. The movie is about a school in California  High Tech High  that goes through an academic year in a 21st-century learning environment similar to what the county division is trying to incorporate in its own schools.

Most of the event was centered around the viewing of the 90-minute documentary, but breakout sessions allowed parents to hear from the schools what they're already doing that lines up with High School 2022, and also to express any concerns.

Patrick McLaughlin, strategic planning officer for the county schools, said he was pleased with the turnout and reaction he and others with the school division received from the audience.

Lisa Duval, a parent of a student who will attend Albemarle High School by the time this initiative goes into effect, said shes interested in some aspects of High School 2022, but theres some concern of whether this will approach will help her child still meet the standards that determine ones acceptance into college.

McLaughlin said aspects such as Standards of Learning will still be a part of a students high school experience, but theyll also find other ways to assess student achievement and success.

One of the things we want to make sure people know is that traditional paths through high school are still going to be available to kids, he said. This isn't going to be this radical redesign where we say there's no more of these courses that are out there, but we're going to start by making a few small changes and opening up a few more opportunities for kids.

Bill Bradley, a parent of a student at Walton Middle School, said he can empathize with some of the concerns from parents he heard that night.

But as I look at my own children and see their independent ways of thinking and learning, how they don't fit into a box, I realize that their path to college, or their path to career readiness in life, is probably going to be very different from mine, he said.

McLaughlin and Kate Acuff, chairwoman of the county School Board, both mentioned that a lot of the work eyed for division-wide implementation is already seen in some areas of the schools, such as pathway programs and academies.

I think the good thing about our schools is that we've been on the forefront of this in the state, and we already have a lot of this happening, Acuff said. We already have internships; we already have educational, project-based learning culture.

* * *

While the prospective internships, as well as job shadowing and other similar opportunities, have generated a large amount of discussion during this process, they wouldn't be a requirement for students, but they would likely be presented as an elective.

Internships already have been done by county students at local businesses and organizations, and that opens the possibility of continuing that in the community as a part of High School 2022.

Frank Squillace, vice president of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, attended Tuesdays event and said the county schools should make sure local business leaders are invited to more discussions with the division as the details are continually worked out, especially around the idea of having more opportunities for internships.

I would hope, moving forward, that the county would do like they've done with other things that have seem to come to fruition  where people have the opportunity to hear and provide input, he said.

One issue that has been brought up regarding off-campus experiences like internships is how to accommodate transportation needs of students. That point goes in line with a comment Haas made during Tuesdays event, where he said this initiative should be ensure parity and equity in programming for all students in the county.

McLaughlin said conversations about how transportation would be provided to students in this scenario would be discussed in more detail as the division gets to the point of talking what budgetary and services needs.

McLaughlin mentioned that another alternative the division might consider to internships are capstone projects that still incorporate community and real-world involvement.

We want you to have an experience that gets you these skills, he said.

While the feedback from parents, educators, business leaders and others in the community has been helpful, Acuff said she would like to hear more from the students who would be affected.

A staff report on the initiative, featuring the feedback from Tuesdays meeting, will be presented to the School Board in February, which will complete the first phase of the planning process. The final adoption of the project to the Board of Supervisors is currently scheduled for April 2018.

Februarys really kind of the end of phase one, where we'll hopefully have at least the draft of a product to put in front of the [School] Board, McLaughlin said. And pending board direction, we're going to spend through probably the next October of this year thinking about those impacts on the physical, on budget and staffing and things like that, to get this program up and running.

More information about High School 2022 can be found at k12albemarle.org under the Division tab.

Similar to what the county school division is working on, Charlottesville City Schools will host a series of meetings to get feedback from the public on the development of a strategic plan that will guide the division into 2023, according to a news release from the city schools.

The largest of the meetings is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday and will be held at Charlottesville High School. The full list of meetings is at charlottesvilleschools.org/strategic-plan.

This planning process also goes along with the states recent changes to high school graduation requirements.
This calendar, published every Saturday, lists special events of a religious nature. Because of space constraints, notices about regular worship services cannot be included. Items intended for publication, including an address and phone number, should be faxed to (434) 978-7252; mailed to Worship Calendar, The Daily Progress, P.O. Box 9030, Charlottesville, VA 22906; or emailed to ewood@dailyprogress.com. Material must be received by 4 p.m. the Wednesday prior to publication.
Starting Monday, the Virginia Department of Transportation will close the Blenheim Road (Route 795) bridge over the Hardware River on in Albemarle County for rehabilitation.

Located about 3 miles south of Secretarys Road (Route 708), the bridge will be closed until the project is completed on or before Oct. 30.

Southbound drivers should travel east on Secretarys Road to Jefferson Mill Road (Route 618), which carries traffic back to Blenheim Road. Northbound motorists will reverse that detour. Driveway access will be maintained for local traffic.

The existing bridge was built in 1907 and carries approximately 180 vehicles daily, according to a traffic count from 2015.

Under a $746,846 contract, Fairfield-Echols LLC, of Fishersville, will replace the current timber deck truss structure in kind. After construction, the posted 3-ton weight restriction will be removed and the bridge will be open to all legal-weight vehicles. Message boards are in place to notify the public of the closure.

For more information, visit virginiadot.org/info/bridge.asp.
If Nevadans smoke enough marijuana our students might turn out to be smarter than those in Colorado.

That was one take-away from this weeks State of the State address, when Gov. Brian Sandoval proposed an additional pot tax. The 10 percent on retail sales would be on top of the 15 percent wholesale tax. All of the money would be funneled into education.

In the same week, Colorados governor proposed raising the pot tax there a mere 2 percent, to a total of 12 percent. The extra tax would generate nearly $100 million a year, which is roughly the amount of the deficit currently facing Colorados public school system.

Sandovals pot tax hike is the only revenue enhancement listed in his budget, which would increase spending by about 11 percent over the biennium. The extra 10 percent pot tax is expected to generate around $50 million a year  and no one is likely to complain about it unless they want to be considered a pothead or anti-education.

If you believe funding levels are the primary factor in student performance, Nevadas youth stand to benefit from the voter-enacted recreational marijuana law. Pot smokers could be considered as doing the state a favor. We might even welcome some of the 1,700 drug offenders that Obama let out of prison to move here and start lighting up.

Other Nevadans think recreational marijuana will be harmful to our youth, including their capacity to be educated. But they were on the losing side of the vote.

In regard to public safety, Sandoval also announced he would create a task force to oversee implementation of the marijuana law.

Additionally, I will ask regulators to limit the sale of marijuana products and packaging that appeal to children or may be mistaken for candy, he said.

We would be more comfortable if he asked regulators to ban such packaging altogether, instead of simply limiting it, because unlike regular marijuana these edible products can be very harmful, especially to children.

Colorado was also in the news this week when Denver officials started working on a plan to allow marijuana consumption in some public places, after voters approved a social use measure in November.

According to the Associated Press, a group of Denver business owners, city pot regulators and marijuana opponents met for nearly an hour to debate topics such as whether kid-friendly venues such as museums or zoos could host adults-only marijuana-friendly events at night.

Supporters argued that adults regularly consume alcohol with abandon in public places such as sporting events.

Nevadas law prohibits smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana in a public place, in a retail marijuana store, or in a moving vehicle. For discrimination reasons, private businesses are considered public places if they are generally open to the public.

Will smoking marijuana on some commercial properties, such as private clubs that restrict membership, be allowed? We may have to wait for the state tax departments regulations to come out before we have an answer.

Meanwhile, Carson City and Henderson have both enacted temporary bans on recreation pot dispensaries, despite assurances from proponents that local governments could not get away with that. Its a moot point, anyway, because the bans will expire well before the tax departments deadline to enact regulations by the end of 2017.

Until that happens, pot smokers will have to hold their breath.
Reports that President Donald Trump is planning to eliminate federal endowments for the arts and humanities have some in Charlottesville concerned that a source of funding for research and teaching could disappear.

The Hill, a political trade publication, reported Thursday that two members of the presidents transition team are laying out a plan to reduce federal spending by $10.5 trillion over the next decade.

Among the most dramatic changes proposed, according to The Hill, is the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The proposal hits close to home in Charlottesville, which hosted the NEHs 50th anniversary with a four-day celebration last September. The city is also home to the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, which received 21 percent of its $6.2 million budget from the NEH last year.

The state provided 19 percent of the foundations funding, while UVa provided another 10 percent.

UVa received about $2.24 million from NEH and NEA last year. President Teresa A. Sullivan  who was a sociologist before moving to the administrative side of academia  said the agencies are important to the country as a whole.

The great value of the NEH and the NEA is that they help us preserve the best of our past while envisioning and creating the future, Sullivan said. Both agencies are valuable to American life.

Rob Vaughn, director of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, said hes not yet worried. The Trump administration has not officially announced plans to cut or eliminate the agencies, he said, and they have received bipartisan support in Congress in recent years.

We are optimistic that the incoming Trump administration will also see the value of the NEHs work with communities around the country, Vaughn said.

The NEH and NEA fund a variety of arts and humanities projects around the country, including documentaries, symposia and research. Libraries, museums and archives all benefit from the grants given out by the two organizations.

Each agency is asking Congress for about $150 million in the upcoming budgetary year.

Even before the election of Trump and rumors of the NEHs demise, people in the humanities were aware that they have a public relations problem.

Shortly before the NEHs 50th anniversary celebration, William Adams, the agencys director, said that he senses that many Americans do not see the value of the humanities because of a deep tendency in American culture to lean hard in the direction of technical disciplines and technical knowledge.

Increases in student debt and falling revenues have caused many people to question the utility of such programs, Adams told The Daily Progress in September.

The crushing experience of the recession in 2008 and beyond certainly caused students and parents to question the vocational and economic value of the humanities in their academic forms, Adams said.

Lisa Reilly, chairwoman of UVas Department of Architectural History, has received two NEH grants. Last year, she directed an NEH-funded symposium for 60 teachers at Monticello and UVa, detailing life on a 19th-century plantation and the world inhabited by Thomas Jefferson, his family and the enslaved laborers who worked for them.

The symposium also showed teachers how to use historic sites in their own towns to teach their students about history in a more engaging way, Reilly said.

The grant provided a stipend of $1,200 to each attendee to cover travel expenses and books. Most of the attendees were social studies teachers, Reilly said, who shared what they learned with colleagues and students.

Often people think its fairly esoteric work that only affects a small group of people, she said. By the time you multiply 60 teachers by the students theyre teaching, I would think its in the thousands.

I think that kind of broadness in how it serves so much of the country thats lost on a lot of people, she added.
RICHMOND  The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission has concluded that there are no safety aspects that would prevent the issuance of a license for construction and operation of a third reactor at Dominion Virginia Powers North Anna Power Station, a project opposed by both environmental and consumer groups.

The commissions final safety evaluation report, released Thursday, was prepared in response to Dominions 2007 application for a license for the North Anna 3 reactor in Mineral, which the utility has not yet decided whether it will build and is estimated to cost $19 billion.

The report is a step in the licensing process and will be followed by a mandatory hearing phase later this year prior to a license being issued, the commission said in a news release.

The Virginia State Corporation Commission also would have to approve the reactor project and allow Dominion to recoup the expense from its ratepayers.

The evaluation is the culmination of much hard work that looked at all aspects of nuclear safety, Dominion spokesman David Botkins said in a statement.

Botkins said the review included a seismic analysis that included data from the Aug. 23, 2011, 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Mineral, resulting in both units safely shutting down automatically.

Dominion will make a decision on whether to build the reactor sometime in the future after the license has been issued, Botkins said.

The leader of Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club said the group remains worried about any expansion at North Anna.

We continue to find it concerning that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is moving forward despite the fact that this nuclear complex is sited in a seismic zone that experienced a major earthquake in recent years, said Kate Addleson, director of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club. Dominion is railroading this project forward despite the enormous cost to their customers, while refusing to expand the use of cheaper renewable energy resources. The landscape for energy is changing, and throwing all this money at nuclear just doesnt make sense when there are better alternatives.

The step forward on the North Anna project came the same day as a General Assembly committee advanced legislation that allows Dominion to seek approval from the State Corporation Commission for riders that will pay for upgrades to extend the lifespan of its existing nuclear power plants.

Dominion operates four nuclear reactors in Virginia, two at the Surry Power Station and two at North Anna. Surrys reactors are licensed until 2032 and 2033, respectively, and North Annas are licensed until 2038, and 2040. Together, they have a generating capacity of 3,349 megawatts.

Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Scott, the bills sponsor, said it would clarify the existing law to allow Dominion to seek recompense from ratepayers for up to $4 billion worth of upgrades needed to keep the reactors operating.

Jack Rust, a Dominion lobbyist, said the utility intends to apply to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2019 to extend the reactors licenses.

Were already incurring costs in putting together the application, Rust said. We just wanted to make sure it was clear this was included.

Erica Gray, a volunteer for the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, was the lone opponent of the bill Thursday, noting that the federal government has yet to finalize regulations for license renewals of reactors seeking to stay in service from 60 to 80 years. Surrys units began operating in 1972 and 1973, respectively. North Annas units began operation in 1978 and 1980.

Its never been done before, she said. This could lead to very expensive stranded assets or even worse, a nuclear disaster. ... Were talking about years in advance so Im not sure why theres a hurry.

The bill cleared the House Commerce and Labor Committee and heads to the full House with an amendment that clarifies that the refurbished units would not be eligible for the higher rate of return that new nuclear facilities are.

Todays language clarification to the state code positions Virginias four nuclear units for an extra 20 years of life producing cheap, safe, carbon-free energy for the commonwealth, Botkins said.
About 50 University of Virginia students showed up to the Rotunda to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump on Friday morning.

The students, some of whom walked out of class to be at the demonstration, held signs and chanted anti-Trump slogans before marching across the Lawn to Robertson Hall.

The next four years will require commitment from all of us, said Wes Gobar, a third-year student who helped to organize the event.

If we do not commit to active citizenship, our fundamental rights  and the services we expect from the government will be compromised, Gobar said.

Hannah Borja, a second-year student, asked protesters to help advocate for students who are undocumented immigrants.

Many of these students are protected by an immigration policy, implemented by former President Barack Obama, that shields some people brought to the U.S. illegally as minors from being deported.

Trump has not yet committed to a stance on the policy, known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Borja said these students are unsure of their future under the new administration.

These students are just as [much] a part of UVa as you or I, Borja said, speaking on the steps outside the Rotunda.

The idea that your life could be ripped out from under you while youre going to class  that messes with you as a person, she said.

The demonstration took place without any incident.

Before the protest, the UVa administration  which did not respond to requests for comment on the demonstration  advised deans of each of the schools about the students plans.

Students are allowed to take part in the demonstration, read a letter from Thomas C. Katsouleas, the universitys provost, as long as they do not interfere with day-to-day operations, endanger anyones safety or result in destruction of property.

As the day unfolds, if you are concerned that events are becoming disruptive to operations in your area, you should contact the University of Virginia Police Department, read the letter, sent on Thursday night.

The protest kicked off a day of teach-ins and workshops at UVa, led by faculty members and community leaders, including Charlottesville City Councilor Wes Bellamy.

The workshops were meant to teach students how to get involved in politics and effect change at the local level.

Brian Balogh, an associate professor of history, marched with students from the Rotunda to Robertson Hall, where he led the first teach-in, which discussed how to be active in local politics.

Speaking before the teach-in, Balogh said it is crucial that students pay attention to what is happening in their own neighborhoods.

[Local politics] is where everything starts; its where political leaders get their start, he said. Its where you change things that affect your life directly.

Balogh encouraged students to get involved in the boring work of local politics  getting involved in community organizations, electing local politicians and starting grassroots movements. Thats how Republicans gained so much clout at the state and local levels, Balogh said, and its how liberals can begin making the changes they want to see.

This is what politics is about, he said.
University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan will be leaving her post in July of 2018. Sullivan  the universitys eighth president and the first woman to hold the position  will step down when her contract expires.

As 2017 begins, UVa is strong and positioned for even greater strength in our educational offerings, research programs, and health system, Sullivan wrote in a statement Friday afternoon. Given this strength, UVa is well-positioned for a transition to its ninth president.

Sullivan, 67, took her post in August 2010, replacing John T. Casteen III, who served as president for 20 years. Sullivan came to Virginia from the University of Michigan, where she was provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Though she is best known for being ousted from the presidency  then quickly reinstated  by the Board of Visitors in 2012, Sullivan led the university through a crucial phase in its history. Declining state funding, coupled with rising need brought on by a massive recession forced the university to make some difficult decisions.

Sullivan touted her administrations accomplishments in the face of this funding squeeze.

We have sustained UVas academic excellence in spite of fiscal challenges, she wrote.

Anticipating a wave of faculty retirements and increases in enrollment, Sullivan led a massive hiring surge, the construction of new facilities and initiatives to build new research infrastructure. Many of these changes have taken place under the long-term Cornerstone Plan proposed by Sullivans administration and passed in 2013.

Sullivan and the Board of Visitors also agreed to shift to a new financial model that is more dependent on philanthropy and tuition dollars  a strategy traditionally used by private universities. The immediate effect of the Affordable Excellence Plan, passed in 2015, was a series of tuition increases.

Today, in-state tuition at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences is 18 percent higher than it was in the fall of 2014. Still, UVa consistently scores high in best value rankings by organizations such as Kiplingers, Money, U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. This is thanks in large part to a generous financial aid program funded by both tuition dollars and philanthropy.

Disagreements over administrative costs and online education boiled over into public conflict, especially with Sullivans professional adversary, former Rector Helen E. Dragas, who led the failed 2012 coup.

In June, Dragas accused the Sullivan administration of funneling investment returns and cash reserves into a slush fund for pet projects. State auditors concluded the university had not acted improperly in creating the $2.3 billion Strategic Investment Fund, but members of the General Assembly are still pressuring the university to lower or freeze tuition and admit more in-state students.

While navigating these difficult issues, Sullivan had to deal with a spate of nightmare public relations crises, including a sensational article in Rolling Stone magazine  later debunked  that detailed an alleged gang rape and portrayed Sullivans administration as callous toward sexual assault victims.

In 2014, student Hannah Graham went missing and was later found murdered off Grounds.

On two separate occasions, UVa students sued Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control after scuffles with agents.

A 2015 article in Fortune magazine christened Sullivan the unluckiest president in America.

But Sullivan has remained even-tempered in the face of these crises  at least in public. In a 2015 interview with The Daily Progress, she said she didnt dwell on the unpredictability of her job.

I dont think you can ever be certain of the challenges youll face, she said. This happens in the life of a president. If youre not prepared for it, youre either going to get prepared or give up.

Siva Vaidhyanathan, a professor of media studies at UVa, said Sullivan should be remembered for her quiet leadership during a difficult time. She was level-headed following the failed 2012 coup, for example, which allowed the university to move on.

I think a person with a shorter temper and a tendency to hold grudges mightve pushed harder to dance in the end zone, he said. But that wasnt her style. And I think her style was right for the university at the time.

The 2012 crisis serves as a lesson to the rest of academia about the importance of keeping channels of communication open between boards of trustees and university administrations, said Ronald G. Ehrenberg, an economist at Cornell University and trustee board member at the State University of New York.

I think Teresa will be remembered in academia largely as a president who never fully achieved her promise because of the initial leadership failure of her board, Ehrenberg said.

"President Sullivan has served UVa admirably," Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., tweeted Friday night. "Wishing her the best as she finishes her hard work!"
The University of Virginias long-running student-run news radio station will become an online news outlet.

WUVA has sold its radio station, FM 92.7, to Michigan-based Saga Communications for an undisclosed amount. Approval by the Federal Communications Commission is pending, but Sagas management could take over the station as early as next month.

Along with the rights to the station, WUVA is relinquishing its broadcasting facilities in UVas Alumni Hall. Instead, the student-run outlet  which has produced original news content in Charlottesville since 1947  will work entirely online.

The organization is looking for a new home, said President Kailey Leinz.

Leinz said its a bittersweet moment for WUVA, but one the stations leadership sees as inevitable. One of the primary goals of the station is to train students to enter the world of professional journalism, she said, and the internet is at the center of the current media ecosystem.

We needed to think about the future, said Leinz, a fourth-year student at UVa. And the future of journalism is online.

It was an online video that netted the organization international notoriety in 2014, as people tried to make sense of a controversial  and now discredited  Rolling Stone article on sexual assault at the university.

A WUVA interview with then-UVa Associate Dean Nicole Eramo  filmed just before the release of the article  was disseminated and scrutinized by members of the media. The video was later used as evidence in Eramos defamation trial against Rolling Stone.

WUVA will continue producing digital content on its website, wuvanews.com. Student journalists will focus on writing stories and producing video for the site.

The organization will no longer operate a radio station, but it will retain the WUVA name. There are no plans to sell the rights of the organization to a larger media company or to affiliate with the university, Leinz said.

Weve always been independent and we want to keep it that way, Leinz said.

Saga Communications, which purchased the station, also owns several other local stations, including 106.1 The Corner and NewsRadio WINA.

The company expects to take over operations at the station by Feb. 1, said Jim Principi, president and general manager of Sagas Charlottesville Radio Group. Principi said hes not yet sure what format the station will take by then, but the company is in no rush to change things.

Its kind of, if it aint broke, dont fix it right now, Principi said. The station is doing well right now, but were going to do our due diligence  for now, were comfortable to move forward with the station, as is.

The radio station has changed formats before. Last year, it changed from R&B to classic country.

Whatever its decision, Principi said Saga Communications will stick with locally produced content.

The one thing Saga believes in is local, local, local, he said. Weve got more live bodies on the air than any other [company] in town, and we want to continue that moving forward.

WUVA, the student-run media organization, is raising money to update its equipment for the new digital-only focus, including new video editing workstations and updated audio equipment. More information on the campaign is available at wuva-fm.com/campaign-for-wuva.
WASHINGTON  Heres how area senators voted on major issues in the week ending Jan. 20. The House was not in session.

James Mattis, defense secretary. The Senate on Jan. 20 voted, 98 for and one against, to confirm retired Maine Gen. James N. Mattis, 66, as the 26th secretary of defense since the office was established in 1947. When Mattis retired from active duty in 2013, he was commander of the U.S. Central Command, which is directs American military operations in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. Mattis became the first member of President Donald Trumps cabinet to receive confirmation. The negative vote was cast by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.

A yes vote was to confirm Mattis to head the Department of Defense.

Voting yes: Mark R. Warner (D); Tim Kaine (D).

John Kelly, homeland security secretary. The Senate on Jan. 20 voted, 88 for and 11 against, to confirm retired Marine Gen. John F. Kelly as the fifth secretary of homeland security since the department was established in 2002. Kelly, 66, was commander of the U.S. Southern Command (spanning South and Central America and most of the Caribbean) when he retired in January 2016. He is the highest ranking military official to have lost a child in Iraq or Afghanistan; his son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, died in combat in Afghanistan in November 2010.

A yes vote was to confirm Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security.

Voting yes: Warner, Kaine.
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

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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

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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
What happens when caring individuals believe that people experiencing homelessness have what it takes to do more than just get a job?

Becky Blanton and I, the co-creators of The Homeless Entrepreneur: Suitcase to Briefcase program, want to thank the community supporters who helped launch the pilot effort that taught eight people how to start their own businesses.

We are grateful that the Haven, a Charlottesville resource shelter for those experiencing homelessness, hosted the class sessions and special presentations. It was because of The Havens support that we were able to present this class.

We are thankful for the individuals at Woodforest National Bank who provided inspiration to the participants and worked one-on-one with them to establish bank accounts and provide financial counseling. For most of us, getting a bank account is taken for granted. Not so for these people and not easy to get.

We are also grateful for support from the University of Virginia, its School of Nursing, and the UVa Bookstores. These units, with their caring, generous leaders, broadened the participants horizons by giving them new experiences, inspirational ideas, beautiful gifts and a meal to remember!

Staples on U.S. 29 was very generous with helping us with our printing needs and proved to be a blessing.

The idea for creating Suitcase to Briefcase grew out of the stimulating environment nurtured by the Community Investment Collaborative entrepreneurial training course.

With the support of dozens of other sponsors and partners, we hope that the Suitcase to Briefcase program will develop into a funded nonprofit dedicated to helping those who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of homelessness, to gain entrepreneurial success.

For more information on our efforts, see www.thehomelessentrepreneur.com.

David Durovy

Fluvanna County

David Durovy is co-founder, along with author Becky Blanton, of Suitcase to Briefcase, a program of The Homeless Entrepreneur.
A domestic dispute call ended with a Caroline County deputy fatally shooting an armed man who was threatening officers Thursday night, state police said.

Caroline Sheriffs deputies responded to the dispute in the 13000 block of Long Branch Road in Woodford at 8:30 p.m., according to the Virginia State Police, which is investigating the shooting at Sheriff Tony Lippas request.

The state police said when deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered an armed man in an outbuilding on the property.

State police Sgt. Stephan Vick said 49-year-old William D. Fisher of Woodford was armed with a handgun and made continuous verbal threats to harm himself and the deputies. Fisher refused to comply with deputies commands to drop the weapon and was subsequently shot by a deputy, Vick said.

Fisher died at the scene.

Lippa said the deputy, whose name was not released, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is under investigation. The sheriff said that is standard procedure in such cases.

Police declined to release any other information involving the shooting.

In a prepared release, Lippa said: Last night, one of our deputies had to make the decision none of us ever wants to makethat of firing a weapon at another human being.  My thoughts and prayers are with our deputy, his family and to the family of the deceased.

Lippa said in a brief interview on Friday that he couldnt recall an officer-related shooting during his four terms as sheriff.

I dont think weve ever had one, he said. Weve been very fortunate.

The Caroline shooting follows a pair of deadly officer-related shootings in Stafford and Fredericksburg last year.

On Aug. 1, Stafford County deputies shot and killed Kenneth Bonanno after responding to a crash on Cool Spring Road. Deputies said the 67-year-old man raised a revolver and fired a shot in their direction.

Stafford Commonwealths Attorney Eric Olsen later called the killing tragic but concluded that the deputies acted in self-defense. Bonnanos siblings have said they have serious doubts about the report.

On March 22, Travis J. Blair was fatally wounded by a Fredericksburg police officer after he tried to take the officers gun at least three times during a struggle, according to police.

Blair, 33, described by police as a heroin addict wanted on a felony warrant, was on Braehead Drive after being pulled over while driving on Lafayette Boulevard. A special prosecutor concluded that the officers use of deadly force was an act of self-defense that was justifiable under state law.
President Donald John Trump promised to give the power back to the people during his inauguration speech Friday in Washington, D.C., and his supporters in Culpeper believe he can do it, even as local detractors remain suspicious about the new administration.

For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourishedbut the people did not share in its wealth, said 70-year-old Trump, wearing a suite and red tie said. Politicians prosperedbut the jobs left, and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.

Trump said that would all change, starting with his swearing-in as the 45th president of the United States of America.

What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people, he said. January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

Trump said the forgotten men and women would be forgotten no longer.

Everyone is listening to you now, he said. You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before. At the center of this movement is a crucial conviction: that a nation exists to serve its citizens.

Culpeper County Republican Committee Vice Chairman Jon Russell said that part of the presidents speech really resonated with him. He felt it was possible to give the power back to the people.

He hit all the points I wanted to hear. Transferring the power from Washington, D.C. back to the people really connected with me, he said. Now his actions need to match his words.

Adriana Bustamante Yactayo, 21, of Culpeper, was invited to attend Fridays inauguration as part of the Envision Collegiate Presidential Inauguration Leadership Summit. She said the program is helping her strengthen her leadership skills, as well as define issues around her and their solutions.

I am a teacher, a mentor and an older sister so I want to find within me the best version of myself and be a good, if not great, example for the future leaders in our community, said Yactayo, identifying as a Democrat. Being at the inauguration I could see, hear and feel for my people in Culpeper, and all of Virginia, and find ways to help this nation truly be great, by finding welfare for all Americans.

Culpeper County Republican Committee member Dewey McDonnell was also in D.C. Friday for the inauguration along with his wife, Janet, a retired Culpeper public school teacher. They were supposed to take the Amtrak from the Culpeper Depot Friday morning, but it was two hours late.

A short drive to the Metro station in Vienna got them to the inauguration on time and without incident, they said. They had tickets to the event and were 200 yards from where Trump took the oath of office.

It was awesomewow, said Dewey McDonnell. Very little rain, the military band music was great, the speech was great, the crowd was so excited.

Janet McDonnell said she got the scare of her life upon hearing the 21-gun salute immediately after the swearing-in, but other than that it was a historic occasion.

It was just unbelievable, she said. I would do it again in a heartbeat. President Trump said everything I wanted to hear.

Her husband said the new presidents remarks echoed what he said on the campaign trail.

He meant what he saidwe are going to do it, McDonnell said of giving the power back to the people. It doesnt happen overnight. He cant drain the swamp alone. We have to help him.

He said the boos were very vocal when New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer gave his speech some felt took shots at Trump. Schumer warned that America is facing a rapidly changing economy that benefits too few, while leaving too many behind, a fractured media, a politics frequently consumed by rancor.

Whatever our race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, whether we are immigrant or native-born, whether we live with disabilities or do not, in wealth or in poverty, we are all exceptional in our commonly held, yet fierce devotion to our country, and in our willingness to sacrifice our time, energy, and even our lives to making it a more perfect union, Schumer said.

Mr. McDonnell said too many politicians take the oath of office and it doesnt mean anything.

We were instrumental in running Eric Cantor out of office, said the local Republican of the 2014 upset of the House Majority Leader, Culpepers former congressman. The oath of office has some pretty strong words in itwhen you swear over a Bible, it ought to mean something.

Many D.C. politicians, including Hillary Clintons running mate U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, took to social media Friday to congratulate Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

I wish them the best as they take on this monumental duty & hope they will be successful for all Americans, Kaine posted on Twitter and, As I continue to advocate for the interests of Virginia in the Senate my motto remains: advance everywhere we can, defend everything we must.

Virginias other Democratic U.S. Senator, Mark Warner, appeared on CNBC Friday morning where he criticized Trumps recent comments to the Wall Street Journal about the U.S. dollar being too strong.

Thats unprecedented, Warner said. Is this president going to continue to intervene with his comments or his tweets in the market in a way that would be disruptive and not predictive so theres a lot of questions about the behavior of the president going forward.

Christina Stockton, a 59-year-old grandmother who operates a small farm with her husband in Rixeyville, said she is deeply suspicious of the incoming administration. Thats why she and her family will be attending the Womens March on Washington on Saturday.

I believe that everyone should have the right to worship, or not, as they please, she said. I believe that we are a nation of immigrants, and that our willingness to welcome others is part of what makes ours a great country. I believe in a womans right to make her own choices regarding her family.

Stockton said she believes access to healthcare is a basic human right and that every child has a right to a free and appropriate education.

Nothing that I have heard from the incoming administration leads me to think that they share any of those beliefs, she said. I will go to D.C. tomorrow just to show our government that I am paying attention, and that I will hold them to account.
University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan said she plans to retire when her contract expires in summer 2018, announcing Friday that she has asked the board to begin the search for her successor.

But Sullivan, 67, vowed she will work at full speed for UVa until the very last day of my time in office.

This is not a farewell note, Sullivan wrote in a message to the university. We have unfinished business to do in the months ahead.

She said she was making the announcement now because the work to find her replacement is best done without an undue sense of urgency.

UVas rector, William H. Goodwin, said the board of visitors will appoint a presidential search committee and announce details of the process soon.

Sullivan is one of the hardest-working university presidents in the country, Goodwin said in a statement.

Her current contract runs through July 31, 2018, and contains a provision to allow for a new president to begin as soon as Nov. 1, 2017.

The contract also states that her term can be extended until May 31, 2019, if the board does not select a successor before the end of the term or if her successor is unable to begin work on Aug. 1, 2018.

Sullivan was provost of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor when the board elected her as the first woman to lead U.Va. in January 2010. She became UVas eighth president that August, succeeding John T. Casteen III, who had held the post for two decades.

Two years into her tenure, she survived a covert attempt by the board to remove her when faculty and alumni revolted against the decision.

But the then-rector who engineered the coup attempt, Helen E. Dragas, again has cast the university into controversy.

Last summer, after her term on the board expired, she disclosed that the administration had amassed what she termed a slush fund initially worth $2.3 billion.

The university calls it a Strategic Investment Fund, with earnings that will be used to finance research, academic experiences and scholarships, including a new Bicentennial Scholars Fund.

Dragas was at the state Capitol this week for a news conference called by legislators critical of spending by public universities. One of their proposals would force the university to use surplus revenue to roll back tuition charges.

Sullivan responded through spokesman Anthony P. de Bruyn that the timing of her decision was not related at all to the controversy over the fund.

When she was hired, she told the board she would serve as president for seven to 10 years, he said. She continues to enjoy the privilege of leading the university.

Goodwin and Dragas did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Peter Blake, director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, said Sullivan cares deeply about the well-being of students. Her thoughtful contributions to expanding access to higher education and ensuring student success have moved Virginia forward.

UVa announced that Sullivan will be named University Professor and president emerita at the conclusion of her service. After a research leave, she will join the teaching faculty.

Her husband, Douglas Laycock, is a law professor at UVa.

In her message, Sullivan said UVa is strong and positioned for even greater strength in our educational offerings, research programs and health system.

She said she made the decision to start the search now because a smooth transition takes some months to accomplish, and ideally should provide sufficient time after my successor is named for me to provide personal introductions to government officials, alumni leaders and donors.

Planning for that transition now would have a successor in place for the bicentennial of the universitys charter in 2019 and for the launch of the next fund-raising drive, the Campaign for the Universitys Third Century, she said.

Sullivan and her husband last month made a $100,000 gift to the Bicentennial Scholars Fund, bringing their philanthropic support for the university to more than $600,000.

Sullivan defended the universitys strategy to maintain academic excellence despite fiscal challenges.

The combined revenue from state general funds plus tuition that the university received for each in-state student in 2016 is about $200 less than it was in 2000 (in constant dollars), she wrote. The total is composed of a long-term decline in state funds and a corresponding shift to tuition.

That we continue to provide a first-rate education with flat revenues per in-state student results from heroic cost-containment efforts by our staff in operational areas, and our successful advancement efforts, she said.

The university, she said, completed a $3 billion capital campaign in 2013, and its annual philanthropic cash flow increased from $203.8 million in 2010 to $260.2 million in 2016.
Now that our major presidential issue has been decided, I want to discuss some bothersome issues with you. If you have been paying attention, you would know that natural disasters, crumbling roads and bridges, old electric power grids failing, polarization of our communities, attacks both on our fellow citizens and police, riots here and there often over disseminated misinformation, an invasion of unvetted foreigners and, recently, an increasing amount of false information from news outlets have been sporadically occurring in America.

All of these could easily affect us here in Culpeper.

Thankfully, we have not seen the perfect storm as New Jersey and New York saw a few years ago with Hurricane Sandy. However, it seems to me that these occurrences mentioned above are popping up more frequently, and it also seems that there is more and more anger and threats since November last year.

I dont think it will take long for a perfect storm of events to occur if we, as Americans, do not start to learn from the consequences in the past: looting in Baltimore after a major snow storm when police were too busy, Los Angeles riots, Ferguson, Missouri, potential acts from ISIS training camps in America, and crises in Venezuela, Argentina and other countries when services are overwhelmed.

We all should be cognizant of what is going on around us and not dismiss the possibility of crises occurring at the same time or very close to one another. What would you do if riots broke out in our community? What if a major hurricane and electrical grid problems occurred at one time? What would happen if evacuations of Washington, D.C. occurred, bringing a massive number of refugees down Route 29 to Culpeper? If you think I have lost my mind, okay, stop reading. If you think, for an instant, that maybe this guy has a point, continue to read.

Would you, your family and your neighborhood be ready to help one another or defend yourselves from outsiders? When major calamities occur, the police, the sheriffs, fire departments and emergency personnel will all be busy and, at times, severely overwhelmed. We will be left to our own capabilities. Are you ready? Do you have enough food, water and shelter? Does your family have a plan to get together in one safe area? Have you even thought about any of this? There will be no time to go to a grocery store to get vital supplies, and, besides, all of it will be gone in the first hours of such an event.

Will you have enough gas, backup electricity or a secure living space to which to hunker down and ride it out?

Many of you may not have even thought of the consequences of a major disaster occurring, but you should. Im not fear mongering here. I have nothing to sell, but I am giving you a chance to prepare for an crisis or crises occurring. Those who have not prepared will quickly realize how bad off they are and start taking what they can, even from you if they deem it necessaryand will do it with force.

I urge you all to start to think about yourselves, family, neighbors and the Culpeper community. We all have Culpeper in common, and we all should be thinking about how we can help should anything untoward happen to the Culpeper area.

There is a group of community-minded individuals who have formed an organization to help Culpeper citizens prepare and also be an adjunct to the law enforcement, fire and emergency agencies of this area. It is the Culpeper Chapter of the Oath Keepers of Virginia. Initially, this organization was made up of former police, veterans and others with similar backgrounds, but now more interested regular citizens are joining.

I urge every reader here in Culpeper County to check out this organization, come to their monthly meetings, join their instructional training sessions and become prepared. Your life, the lives of your family members and others may depend on it.

Please contact Al Swann at 540/399-1341. Leave a message, and someone will return your call with the appropriate information in regards to the time and place for the meetings. Start preparing to help yourselves and the Culpeper community.
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

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".

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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

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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
Bako Sahakyan gives instructions to the Defense Minister

On 21 January Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan partook at the meeting of the Defense Army's Military Council devoted to summing up the results of 2016 and action plans for 2017. In his speech the Head of the State touched upon the army-building process, mentioned accomplishments and existing issues, assessing the activities carried out in 2016 as a whole satisfactory. According to the President, 2016 was a hard year from the military-political point of view and went down in the history of our people as the year of the Four Day April War. "This war has evidently revealed a number of fundamental developments in military-political and psychological dimensions as well tasks to be carried out and necessary steps to be implemented for facing new challenges", underlined Bako Sahakyan. According to the President the April developments showed our defense Army's high combat readiness, determination of our people and the entire Armenian nation to defend the Motherland's independence, freedom and dignity, ability to unite in critical moments and the fact that any aggression against Artsakh is perceived by the Armenian people as a patriotic war. The Head of the State gave concrete instructions to the defense minister and supreme command staff of the Army for proper solution of the problems the armed forces faced. Head of the General Staff of the Republic of Armenia's Armed Forces Movses Hakobyan and other officials partook at the meeting.
WASHINGTON D.C - USA - From the absence of religion of the Obama years, Trump's inauguration doled out more God-botherers in half an hour than Obama's whole term.

The insane brainwashed Christian evangelists came up to the podium one by one to dole out their religious nonsense, and this signalled the turning point in Americas direction.

The US will now revert back to the heady days of George W. Bush post 911, and a full frontal assault on the whole of the Islamic religion.

Theres nothing wrong with that, many will say, however, this stance always fails because by further attacking Islam, one only fuels more terror, and recruitment into the fighting, defensive stance of their religion, many who were previously peaceful will join the fight against what they see as an unjust attack on their religion and lands.

Under a Trump presidency, we will thus see a noticeable escalation of numbers of jihadists created, more terrorism and more ISIS territory gained.

We will also see increased hatred of Islam within Europe and the United States, where citizens who overtly dress like Muslims will be attacked in the streets and told to leave.

Trump has already talked about blocking Muslims travelling to the US, however he has not stopped there, he has also alluded to detaining Muslims in camps, away from the general populace. These camps are already being prepared, as they were previously FEMA camps, and the lists of known Muslims within the US have already been drawn up. Those who are armed will be rounded up first.

The use of religion to create war is an old technique utilised by many throughout history, and Trump, with the Christian evangelists in tow is now on a mission from his god to decimate the Middle East further, of course with the full support of Israel.

This is all a consequence of pulling the rubber band too far during eight years of Obama rule. At some point the rubber band snaps back to its original state, the state of deranged Christians and their false religion of peace. The state of the true white America.
NSDL are one among 11 entities which have been given an in-principle nod by the RBI to start payments banks.

Mumbai: The leading depository NSDL today said it will be applying "very soon" for the final licences to launch a payments bank and hopes to roll out the new entity over the next three months.

"We have complied with all the requirements for the final licence and will be making the final application for the payments bank very soon," Managing Director and Chief Executive GV Nageswara Rao told reporters here.

He said the company will adhere to the February deadline for seeking the final nod from the Reserve Bank and hopes to launch the bank in three months from now.

The new payments bank venture will be a separate entity housed within the 20-year-old securities depository and will be led by an independent team starting with a chief executive, Rao said.

The leadership team has been identified and will be announced shortly, he said, but declined to give any further information about the new venture.

Claiming that NSDL, which successfully introduced the dematerialisation of shares in the country, is the true fountainhead of digitisation in the financial world, Rao said the payments bank will continue to leverage on the best technology has to offer.

NSDL are one among 11 entities which have been given an in-principle nod by the RBI to start payments banks with an 18-month window to apply for the final nod. Three have withdrawn from the race midway, while Airtel has already launched its bank.

Others, including SBI- RIL and Vodafone, are at various stages of launching or applying for the final nod. Rao was speaking on the sidelines of an event to mark the 20th anniversary of NSDL.

Addressing the event, Sebi Chairman UK Sinha flagged cyber security as the biggest challenge for the financial markets in the days ahead. Citing a recent instance of a breach, he asked the depository companies to be more watchful.
Presently, there is no tax on an income of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.

Mumbai: The Union Government has now made it clear it will hold Union Budget 2017-18 in Parliament on February 1 and that it wont budge to Oppositions pressure for a shift in date.

What does the Union Budget have in store for the salaried class and individual taxpayers in particular?

There is much anticipation that there will be an increase in the exemption limit on personal income tax in the range of Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. Taxpayers can expect an exemption up to Rs 4 lakh as it would alleviate their fiscal woes that were result of abrupt notes recall.

"The present Governments objective of having globally competitive tax rates has been pointing in this direction," Parizad Sirwalla writes in her moneycontrol.com article.

Sirwalla who is Partner and Head of Global Mobility Services  Tax of KPMG India also writes that personal income tax collection between April-December 2016 going up by 21.7 per cent further raises hopes for change in income tax slabs.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his brief on tax collection figures during April-December 2016 said that direct tax collections went up by 12.1 per cent and indirect tax collections were up by 25 per cent. This also increases the chances of an increase in exemption limit in Budget.

A cashless economy, less cash economy, digital economy and eradication of shadow economy have been the governments top agenda that would influence evaluation of various tax rates by the government.

An increase of Rs 50,000 will take the exemption limit to Rs 3 lakh per annum which at present is Rs 2.5 lakh; and that does not seem to be implausible. Experts believe government may go for an increase in exemption limit to up to Rs 4 lakh per annum given uncertain fiscal environment in country due to demonetisation.

Tax slabs Tax rates Up to Rs 2.5 lakh - Rs 2.5 lakh - Rs 5 lakh 10 per cent Rs 5 lakh - Rs 10 lakh 20 per cent Above Rs 10 lakh 30 per cent *These are current rates

Last time government raised exemption limit on personal income tax was in Budget 2014-15 when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented his maiden budget of the newly-elected government. It raised exemption for individual taxpayer to Rs 2.5 lakh from Rs 2 lakh and for senior citizens the limit was raised to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.

Under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, an investment of up to Rs 1.5 lakh was exempted, a limit that was earlier Rs 1 lakh. Deduction for interest on home loans was also raised from Rs 1.5 lakh earlier to Rs 2 lakh.
Till December 19, 2016, the RBI had said that around Rs 5.9 trillion notes were remonetised.

Mumbai: Currency circulation is likely to normalise by the end of February as nearly 70 per cent of the notes will be remonetised by then, a report said today.

"We are still maintaining that 70 per cent of the notes will be remonetised by February-end," said the report brought out by SBI Research.

The report said with transactions at the fuel pumps amounting to Rs 4.5 trillion on an annualised basis, even a 20 per cent shift to digital would mean a saving of Rs 1 trillion.

"Hence normalcy will return most likely by the end of February."

As per the latest RBI data on currency in circulation, the newly-supplied currency till January 13 was around Rs 7 trillion, which means roughly 70 million pieces of notes of different denominations are being printed per day. It translates into around 1.8 billion pieces a month by the currency printing presses, it said.

Till December 19, 2016, the RBI had said that around Rs 5.9 trillion notes were remonetised. Hence, during the intervening period of December 19 and January 13, about 1 trillion worth of notes have been printed.

The report said given the current printing press capacity, it is highly unlikely that the RBI has only printed Rs 500 banknotes in entirety.

This would mean around 2.2 billion pieces of Rs 500 notes worth Rs 1.1 trillion, an unlikely event since the printing capacity is less than two billion pieces in a month, it seems going by the data.

Hence, the monetary authority has most likely also printed notes of varied smaller denominations as well as Rs 2,000 bills to optimise the printing capacity, the report said.

"Printing of new notes is going on at a pace keeping in mind the less-cash future and not the past, and we welcome this new normal. The future belongs to money as a medium of exchange and not as a store of value," it added.
Los Angeles: Reality TV personality Kim Kardashian West has paid a farewell tribute to the former US President Barack Obama and said he will be missed.

The 36-year-old star shared a series of photos on social media, featuring Obama's meeting with her and her husband Kanye West and their daughter, North.

Also read: Art imitates life? Kim Kardashian films cameo for jewel heist movie

"Thank you Mr President. You will be missed," the mother of two captioned her one-on-one moment with Obama, 55. While the couple was all smiles during their presidential exchange, their girl North appeared gloomy.

"Northie! She fell and was crying. Potus gave her White House M&Ms and I wanted to save them for memories so wouldn't let her eat them and she cried again," Kardashian explained the photo of her daughter fussing.
Chennai: Tamil star Suriya has issued a legal notice to animal rights advocacy group PETA for its claim that the actor was supporting Jallikattu to promote his upcoming movie 'Si3', saying this has caused "mental stress" to him and asked the NGO to apologise or face legal proceedings.

In a notice dated January 20, 2017, the actor's advocate R Vijay Anand said that Suriya had reiterated his commitment and support for the bull taming sport on several occasions in the past and there was no need for him to indulge in "cheap publicity."

The notice was issued to PETA India, its India CEO Poorva Joshipura and two other office-bearers.

The "mischievous and slanderous comments" has lowered my client's reputation, Anand said in the notice, alleging that they were made with "malafide intention and ulterior motive knowing fully well that it is untrue."

It has also caused "mental agony and stress" to him and his family members and his fans, he said.

Read: Tamil superstar Suriya lashes out at PETA for opposing Jallikattu

"My client voiced his opinion on an issue which is identified with Tamil culture, pride and tradition for almost 300 years and as a Tamilian he is fully entitled to do so," Anand said.

He urged PETA India, Joshipura and the two others to issue an "unconditional apology" in writing to Suriya within seven days of receipt of the notice and release the same to media, "failing which, my client shall be constrained to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against you," he warned.

Suriya had earlier lambasted PETA India for its opposition to Jallikattu, saying it was "paradoxical to see those aiding extinction of native breeds talk about cruelty to animals in the bull-taming sport".
Ram Gopal Varma's views on various topics often land him in trouble.

Mumbai: The Kollywood industry has come to a standstill protesting the Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu with several stars like Rajinikanth, Ajith, Suriya, Kamal Haasan, Dhanush and other stars expressing their opposition to the ban.

Stars had even assembled at Nadigar Sangam on Friday to lend their support to the protest.

However, Ram Gopal Varma doesnt share the same opinion and has slammed the celebrities protesting against the ban.

The filmmaker, who is known for his controversial statements on Twitter, went on a rant in a series of tweets against the celebrities and the sport in general. He accused the celebrities of supporting the movement only for votes and tickets and called out the barbaric treatment of the bulls in the sport.

The filmmaker has a habit of rubbing people the wrong way and he continues the trend again.
New US first lady Melania Trump stepped out in a Ralph Lauren baby-blue jacket and matching dress on Friday, choosing one of Americas most iconic designers for Inauguration Day ceremonies.

Democrat Hillary Clinton, who lost to Republican Donald Trump in the November elections, also chose Ralph Lauren, and her cream coat and white pantsuit was echoed by the choices of the Trump daughters.Ivanka Trump, who has her own fashion line, donned a white pantsuit with an asymmetrical cut that was designed by Oscar de la Renta. Tiffany Trump wore a white doubled breasted coast over a white dress.

But the outfit getting most attention on Friday was the red hat with white and blue military style coat worn by Trumps former campaign spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway.The short, double-breasted Gucci coat had a revolutionary-era look that took social media by storm, evoking comparisons ranging from Paddington Bear to Napoleon and a nutcracker.Conways outfit sparked some 28,000 Tweets in three hours.

By contrast, Melania Trumps custom-designed Ralph Lauren outfit, worn with long matching gloves, stiletto shoes, and her long hair swept up in a loose bun, had a 1960s vibe and wowed fashionistas.Womens Wear Daily said the outfit, with its mock turtle neck, triggered comparisons to the late US first lady and style icon Jacqueline Kennedy.

Style-watchers agreed, posting archive photos of Kennedy in a similar blue outfit for her husbands inauguration in 1961, and giving Trumps outfit a large thumbs-up.It was very Jackie, said Joe Zee, editor in chief of Yahoo Style.Melania looks every inch a first lady. So beautiful and classy! Im proud of her!, admirer Theodora West wrote on Twitter.

Melania Trumps Inauguration Day outfit had been the cause of much speculation after Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and other leading designers said publicly they would not dress the former model for her big day because they opposed her husband.Lauren and his eponymous corporation became synonymous with American style through his preppy line of Polo shirts, casual slacks and shorts in the 1970s and is regarded as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century.

Ironically, Lauren was also the designer of the pantsuits in many colours that became Clintons signature look. He was also the designer Clinton chose for her own Inauguration Day outfit.Melania Trump, 46, is the first US first lady to come from the fashion world. She began as a teen model in her native Slovenia and has been featured on the cover of magazines like Vogue and GQ.

Standing 5 feet, 11 inches (1.8 meters) tall, she tends to favour unfussy dresses in solid colours, tailored coats and killer high heels.
London: Delirium, a condition in which people become acutely confused and disorientated, may have long-lasting consequences, including accelerated

dementia-related mental decline, a new study has warned.

The study is the first to show the multiplying effects of delirium, that affects a quarter of older patients, and dementia in these people, researchers said. Episodes of delirium in people who are not known to have dementia, might also reveal dementia at its earliest stages, researchers, including those at University College London in the UK, found.

While both delirium and dementia are important factors in cognitive decline among the elderly, delirium is preventable and treatable through dedicated geriatric care. Further research is needed to understand exactly how delirium interacts with dementia, and how this could be blocked, researchers said.

"If delirium is causing brain injury in the short and long-term, then we must increase our efforts to diagnose, prevent and treat delirium. Ultimately, targeting delirium could be a chance to delay or reduce dementia," said Daniel Davis, who led the research while at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

Scientists looked at three European populations - inFinland, Cambridge and UK-wide - and examined brain specimens in 987 people aged 65 and older.

Each person's memory, thinking and experience of delirium had been recorded over 10 years towards the end of their life. When these were linked with pathology abnormalities due to Alzheimer's and other dementias, those with both delirium and dementia-changes had the most severe change in memory.

"Unfortunately, most delirium goes unrecognised. In busy hospitals, a sudden change in confusion is not noticed by hospital staff," Davis said. "Patients can be transferred several times and staff often switch over - it requires everyone to 'think delirium' and identify that a patient's brain function has changed," he

added. The study was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.
New Delhi: In an irony of fate, 65-year-old Ramarati Devi, who is battling a brain tumour and needs immediate surgery, has been given a date as early as February 20, 2020 by doctors at AIIMS citing "unavailability" of beds.

A native of Bihar's Chhapra district, Devi was referred to the neurosurgery department of the institute by doctors at a government hospital in Patna. Her farmer son Gulab Thakur says: "Doctors at AIIMS have said a surgery is needed but given a date of February 20, 2020 citing unavailability of beds.

"It will be too late... my mother will die. I am a poor man. I do not have money for a surgery at a private hospital."A despondent Thakur has been making rounds of the hospital in a hope get an early date. He says her mother is suffering from "severe headache, frequent memory loss and weakness and with each passing day, her pain is becoming more unbearable". The hospital authorities claim the "huge patient load" comes in the way of speedy treatment.

"The rush of patients is more than what our doctors can handle. We usually give dates on the basis of severity and seriousness of condition."Sometimes, the waiting list is long. A surgery is accorded priority if something is very urgent," says Dr B S Sharma, HOD of the neurosurgery department, AIIMS.
More than 85 per cent of Australia's mammals, birds and reptiles weighing over 100 pounds went extinct shortly after the arrival of the first humans. (Photo: Pixabay)

Melbourne: Ancient poop of some of the huge and astonishing creatures that once roamed Australia indicates the primary cause of their extinction around 45,000 years ago was likely a result of humans, not climate change, a new study has found.

Led by Monash University in Australia and the University of Colorado Boulder in the US, researchers used information from a sediment core drilled in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southwest Australia to help reconstruct past climate and

ecosystems on the continent. The core contains chronological layers of material blown and washed into the ocean, including dust, pollen, ash and spores from a fungus called Sporormiella that thrived on the dung of plant-eating mammals, said CU Boulder Professor Gifford Miller.

Miller, who participated in the study led by Sander van der Kaars of Monash University, said the sediment core allowed scientists to look back in time, in this case more than 150,000 years, spanning Earth's last full glacial cycle. Fungal spores from plant-eating mammal dung were abundant in the sediment core layers from 150,000 years ago to about 45,000 years ago, when they went into a nosedive, said Miller.

"The abundance of these spores is good evidence for a lot of large mammals on the southwestern Australian landscape up until about 45,000 years ago," he said.

"Then, in a window of time lasting just a few thousand years, the megafauna population collapsed," Miller said. The Australian collection of megafauna some 50,000 years ago included 1,000-pound kangaroos, two-tonne wombats, 25-foot-long lizards, 400-pound flightless birds, 300-pound marsupial lions and Volkswagen-sized tortoises.

More than 85 per cent of Australia's mammals, birds and reptiles weighing over 100 pounds went extinct shortly after the arrival of the first humans, said Miller.

The ocean sediment core showed the southwest is one of the few regions on the Australian continent that had dense forests both 45,000 years ago and today, making it a hotbed for biodiversity, said Miller.

"It's a region with some of the earliest evidence of humans on the continent, and where we would expect a lot of animals to have lived," he said. "Because of the density of trees and shrubs, it could have been one of their last holdouts some 45,000 years ago. There is no evidence of significant climate change during the

time of the megafauna extinction," he said. Scientists have been debating the causes of the Australian megafauna extinctions for decades.

Some claim the animals could not have survived changes in climate, including a shift 70,000 years ago when much of the southwestern Australia landscape went from a wooded eucalyptus tree environment to an arid, sparsely vegetated landscape.

Others have suggested the animals were hunted to extinction by Australia's earliest immigrants who had colonised most of the continent by 50,000 years ago, or a combination of overhunting and climate change, said Miller. The study was published in the journal Nature Communications.
The 55-year-old man who was attacked by a shark is in stable condition with injuries to his left arm. (Photo: Pixabay)

Canberra: A scuba diver mauled by a shark in the Torres Strait has been transported four hours by boat to an island off the Australian coast for medical treatment.

Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman Mike Augusta says the 55-year-old man is in stable condition with injuries to his left arm. After being attacked Saturday, the man traveled 120 kilometers by boat to Murray Island, which had the nearest medical center.

Augusta said the man would likely fly by helicopter from Murray Island to Thursday Island north of Queensland state then fly by plane to a mainland hospital. Bad weather prevented an earlier attempt to fly him to the larger medical center on Thursday Island, Augusta said.
New Delhi: A 21-year-old JNU student was allegedly raped by two Afghan nationals in south Delhi's Green Park area, police said on Friday.

The victim, a second year BA (Honours) student of JNU, had gone to a pub in Hauz Khas village last week with her friend where she met one Twaab Ahmad alias Saleem, 27, an Afghan national, they said.

Also read: JNU scholar allegedly drugged, raped by fellow student in hostel

Saleem, who live here along with his Afghan friend Sulaiman Ahmadi, 31, on United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card, invited them to his house in Green Park for a party, a police officer said.

"When she went to Saleem's house along with her friend, Saleem's three friends -- Sulaiman, Siddhant and Pratyusha -- were present at his house. While her friend was dropped off at JNU, the girl came back to Saleem's house and they consumed alcohol," the officer said.

When the victim woke up in the morning, she saw Sulaiman forcing himself on her. She realised that Saleem and Sulaiman had sexually assaulted her when she was unconscious," he said.

Also read: JNU suspends PhD scholar accused of raping fellow student

The victim went back to her hostel in JNU and narrated the incident to her two friends, who immediately took her to the police station. She was taken to a nearby hospital for medical examination.

On the victim's complaint, an FIR under section 376 (punishment for rape) read with 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC was lodged at the Safdarjung Enclave police station on January 12.

The accused, Saleem - an event manager, and Sulaiman, have been arrested and sent to judicial custody by a court, said the officer.
The parents alleged that Anthony dodged their questions and remained aloof when they approached him. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: A Class 9 student was allegedly beaten up by his principal at the Little Flower school in Abids  the student suffered injuries to his ears. An oral complaint has been lodged against the principal, Anthony Reddy.

The students parents claim the principal called the boy to his office and hit him on the face, which caused bleeding from the the ear. They added that their son was beaten simply because he was late to school.

The parents further alleged that Mr Anthony dodged their questions and remained aloof when they approached him.

But a formal, written complaint has not been filed yet as cops could not find the parents when they responded to their call.
Kolkata: Irritated by the constant barking of his neighbour's pet dog, a man barged into the latter's house and attacked him with a rod after trying to strangulate him in the city's posh Ballygunge Place area, police said today.

Abhijit Sen was arrested and booked under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder) on the charge of attacking Mukund Khaitan.

Police said Sen has been complaining to Khaitan about the barking for quite some time but last night he lost his cool.

According to the police complaint lodged by Khaitan, the accused tried to strangulate him first and then attacked him with a rod that he had taken with him.

When produced before a local court, Sen was remanded in one-day police custody. Mukund was undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
Raheem fled to Saudi Arabia in 2004, and was working as an insurance agent there since 12 years.

Hyderabad: A day after his deportation from Saudi Arabia, police is investigating if Syed Zakir Raheem, who was declared a fugitive in the case regarding the conspiracy to kill BJP leaders, has ISIS connections. Police said they are investigating if Raheem tried to recruit anybody for the ISIS.

Police found that Raheem was still in touch with his relative and HuJI operative Farhat Ullah Ghori, who is now in Pakistan.

Raheem fled to Saudi Arabia in 2004, and was working as an insurance agent there since 12 years. He also took his wife and kids to Riyadh, where he lived. When Ghori went to Pakistan with the help of terror outfits, Raheem stayed back in Riyadh.

In 2004, a group of militants including Raheem, who were allegedly trained by the ISI, conspired to kill the then BJP MLA Indra Sena Reddy and Baddam Bal Reddy. Police arrested four people in connection with the case then, but the other suspects went absconding.

Police said the militants found it easy to attack Indrasena Reddy as he sometimes had only minimal security.

Following a land dispute between two communities, Indrasena Reddy had visited Moosarambagh to sort out the matter. This provided them a chance to watch his movements, officials said.

Saudi officials said that Raheem was meeting ultra religious men at his home. The Saudis found it unacceptable and gave him exit visa.
The incident took place on January 13 and parents came to know of this only on January 20 as they were advised not to come on the 13th as children were fasting on the day. (Representational image)

Nellore: Police booked a case against a teacher working in a madrasa for girls for branding three students with a hot rod at Kanigiri in Prakasam district on Saturday. The victims are aged between 10 and 15. The incident took place a week back, but came to light only when parents went to visit the children on Friday.

The teacher, S.K. Rasheeda, made two senior students carry out the branding using a spatula (Atlakada), an implement used for making dosa, on the hands, legs and the cheeks of students. The teacher forced seniors to put a liquid extracted from garlic into the eyes of one of the victims, Afsa and did not serve food to another student Reshma. Black marks can be seen around Afsas eyes

Police said the teacher targeted the victims due to a petty issue regarding repairs of the motor and water supply pipes. The injured are Shaik Afsa of Podili, Shabana of Vinukonda and Yashmin of Kandukur in Prakasam district.

There are 180 students at the madrasa and inmates are prohibited from talking to day scholars. The madrasa teaches only religion-related subjects and Arabic and Urdu, CI M. Subba Rao said. No one is allowed inside. Parents can meet the children only on Friday, which is a holiday, he added.

The incident took place on January 13 and parents came to know of this only on January 20 as they were advised not to come on the 13th as children were fasting on the day. The children were so scared that only one of the injured revealed the matter to her parents. We had a tough time convincing the parents to file a complaint. Only one of them complained on Friday and others followed on Saturday, the CI said.

He said one of the victims, belonging to Gonugunta in Markapuram mandal, is yet to approach them.

He said they have registered cases against the Rashida under IPC sections 326 A, 323, 324, 342 and 506 besides Juvenile Justice Act 75 pertaining to partial damage or deformity, causing burns or maims or disfigures or disables, wrongful confinement, threatening and thrashing .
Bhubaneswar: Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandopadhaya, who was arrested in connection with Rose Valley chitfund scam, was admitted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack on Friday as he complained of chest pain during his stay at the Special Jail at Jharpada here.

Sudip, lodged at the jail hospital, was first taken to the state-run Capital Hospital here in the morning.

However, the attending doctors advised to shift him to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, a jail staff said.

Bandopadhaya, who has been lodged at the Special jail, continued to stay at the jail hospital since January 12 along with another TMC MP Tapas Pal.

Sudip Bandopadhyaya was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days from January 12 as his bail petition was rejected by the CBI designated court here.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the chit fund scam, had arrested the four-time Lok Sabha member from Kolkata on January 3.

Sudip's TMC MLA wife Nayna Bandyopadhyay, had pleaded the court to allow her husband to stay in jail hospital due to his health condition.
Morigaon: A Junior Engineer in Assam's Nagaon district was allegedly made to apologise by touching the feet of a BJP MLA for removing the legislator's car blocking the road to the office, a BDO official said.

The action recorded in camera of a TV news channels and in front of eye witnesses showed Jayanta Das, Junior Engineer of Kothiatoli Development Block in Nagaon district touching Raha constituency MLA Dimbeswar Das' feet in the Block Development Office (BDO), the official said.

The MLA had gone on a sudden inspection of the office on Thursday and the JE, on duty, finding Das' car blocking the road to the office, got it removed from there, sources said.

This angered Das' supporters and they reported the matter to him, they said.

The BJP MLA was seen in the video-clip scolding the engineer, who then touched Das' feet in apology.

Das, however, denied before the media later that the JE touched his feet in apology.
Lakhs of people formed a massive human chain against alcoholism and other addictions at historical Gandhi Maidan in Patna on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Patna: Over three crore people participated in the human chain formed on Saturday in Bihar in support of prohibition, which was beyond expectations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said and asked the Guinness book of world records to take notice of the mammoth gathering.

"As per reports reaching from across the state, more than three crore citizens participated in the human chain programme today," Kumar told reporters hours after the event.

The 'unexpected' rush of participants resulted in increase in distance on determined route of human chain to 11,400 km, he said.

Initially it was estimated that more than two crore citizens would participate in the human chain in a distance of 11,292 km.

The CM began the human chain by joining hands with RJD President Lalu Prasad on the one side and State Assembly Speaker Vijay Chaudhary on the other side for 45 minutes from 12:15 PM to 1 PM.

From Gandhi Maidan the human chain branched into different directions to go across the state.

"The Bihar population at present would have been in between 11 to 12 crore and out of this more than 3 crore coming on streets to form human chain clearly shows that people of Bihar have taken a vow against liquor," the CM said.

Taking pleasure in successful organisation of the mammoth programme, Kumar said directions of the Patna High Court was taken care of and no hindrance was caused in running of essential services.

Asked if the state government would stake claim to Guinness book of world record for registration of largest human chain in world so far, Kumar said "why shall we make any claim...if Guinness book has to remain Guinness book it itself will take notice of this congregation of people in form of human chain."

As per official records, today's human chain in Bihar has surpassed the 1050 km long human chain formed in Bangladesh in 2004.

Kumar, who has taken liquor ban on a mission mode and has been exhorting people through his ongoing 'Nishchay yatra' to participate in the human chain, said the 'unprecedented' congregation of citizens today was also different from other such human chains in the world.

"In other human chains people had come on streets to register protest on some issue but human chain in Bihar was to express support on a positive issue (prohibition)," he added.

Kumar said loud and clear message of the human chain would cross boundaries and serve as an eyeopener for states whose government are scared of losing revenue due to prohibition."

Lauding people's participation, the CM said besides leaders of all the parties, farmers, labourers, professionals, those linked with medical work, women and students came on streets to express "jan bhavna" (public sentiment) in support of liquor ban.

"Bihar displayed today it is against alcohol," he said. Kumar said human chain would further create a favourable condition for total prohibition and the event would make life difficult for people who still illegally indulged in alcohol trade.

"Today's human chain would also pave way for a handful of people who link boozing with fundamental right to accept prohibition slowly and gradually," the CM said, adding this also launched a two-month campaign to take Bihar a step forward from prohibition towards making it intoxicants-free.

The campaign would end on March 22 as "Bihar day", he said.

"Coming of citizens in large number on streets in support of prohibition would also further improve Bihar's image which he alleged had been "maligned by a few of our own people."

Nitish was flanked by Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, Chief Secretary Anjali Kumar Singh and state police chief P K Thakur at the press conference.

Taking an apparent dig at BJP, Kumar said "a few people among us only project the state in way which tarnish its image outside."

Lending support to human chain after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pat to Kumar on prohibition, BJP leaders joined it at Siwan where they have congregated in connection with its two-day state executive meeting.

Asked about a few policemen fainting during human chain in Gandhi maidan, the CM said "its not a big issue.

"Since 2006 while participating in Independence day I had seen 4-5 policemen having fainted during speech," he added indicating such things happen.

Kumar dedicated the prohibition campaign in the state to 10th sikh guru Govind Singh whose 350th Prakash Parva ended in the state on January 5 last and centenary celebration of Mahatma Gandhi's "Champaran satyagraha" against British rule.

He said the state would not rest on laurels of today's success of human chain against liquor, but rather the drive against liquor would intensify.
A draft ordinance prepared by the Tamil Nadu government was vetted by the home ministry. It was late in the night approved by the ministries of law and environment for Presidents assent.

Chennai/New Delhi: Tamil Nadu was brought to a standstill by a shutdown on the fifth day of the protest by students, youths and other sections demanding immediate staging of the traditional bull-taming sport in Alanganallur, epicentre of the of Jallikattu, and other places.

As the peaceful and disciplined gathering at Marina bonded together with their zeal to preserve Tamil identity crossed two lakh persons, the arterial roads and commercial hubs in Chennai wore a deserted look.

In parts of the city where large groups of people were seen, it was only to protest against jallikattu ban and uphold Tamil pride.

The youth said they welcome the efforts to promulgate an ordinance for allowing the sport but they would not withdraw the agitation until the event is held.

A draft ordinance prepared by the Tamil Nadu government was vetted by the home ministry. It was late in the night approved by the ministries of law and environment for Presidents assent.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, who stayed back in the national capital on Thursday after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced to the public in the morning that the state government would issue an ordinance in a day or two to allow Jallikattu.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday agreed to defer by a week the pronouncement of its judgment on the validity of Centres notification allowing Jallikattu with certain conditions, after the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi made an request to that effect.

Rajini, Ajith join protests

The Tamil film industry expressed solidarity with Jallikattu supporters, with top actors and actresses joining a silent protest. Film shootings were suspended for the day.

Superstar Rajinikanth, actors Ajit Kumar, Surya, Siva Karthikeyan besides actress Trisha, who had faced flak from the pro-Jallikattu groups for her perceived opposition to the sport by reportedly being associated with PETA, joined the silent protest.
Chennai: Buckling under tremendous pressure, the Tamil Nadu Government on Friday got the Union Governments approval to bring a state-specific amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that seeks to remove the bull from the list of performing animals through an ordinance. The ordinance, once promulgated, will pave the way for conduct of jallikattu in the state.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who was at the forefront of the efforts to bring an ordinance, declared on his arrival here from New Delhi on Friday afternoon that bulls would come out roaring from the vaadi vaasal (the gateway through which the bulls enter the jallikattu track) very soon.

Also read: Jallikattu: All efforts to fulfil cultural aspirations of Tamil people, says Modi

The ordinance, approved by the Home Ministry late on Friday night, will be placed before the Tamil Nadu Cabinet for its approval on Saturday morning after which it will be sent to Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao for promulgation. Mr Rao, who is in Maharashtra, will be in the city on Saturday morning.

Once the Governor promulgates the ordinance, jallikattu can be conducted anytime. The approval from the Home Minister, who signed the ordinance as powers to sign on behalf of the President are vested with him, came on a day of fast-paced developments with approvals from different ministries  Environment, Law and Home  coming in a span of record 13 hours.

Also read: Jallikattu protest: Cop in uniform makes spirited speech on Marina

Working at a feverish pitch, the Tamil Nadu and Union Governments moved swiftly from Friday morning at around 8 am to bring a state-specific amendment to the PCA.

It first went to the Home Ministry, which forwarded it to Environment and Law Ministries for their comments. As expected, both the ministries went through the ordinance, vetted and approved it in matter of few hours without any major changes. After it came back to the Home Ministry at around 7.30 pm, Home Minister Rajnath Singh gave his approval a little after 9.30 pm.

Also read: Jallikattu ban: Solution in sight, but Tamil Nadu continues to be on edge

Since the Ordinance is issued by the state, it has to be finally promulgated by the Governor. And because the ordinance makes a state-specific amendment to a Central act, it needs the assent of the President or the Union Government, a senior government official said.
Chennai: Constable Mayalagu of the Armed Reserve Police caused major stir in the jallikattu protest at the Marina on Friday making a robust speech in uniform exhorting the congregation to continue the fight for the farmers' right to water and livelihood and not just stay content getting back the bull fight.

They keep saying we are an agrarian country but are they giving importance to agriculture? What kind of government is this? Farming depends on water and cattle manure. They have killed the soil by applying chemical fertilizers and now they want to kill our bulls too by banning jallikattu. Farmers are dying due to lack of water and we are begging neighbouring states for water. What have you (government) got to say to all this? thundered the cop, putting the best political orator to shame.

Policemen standing nearby appeared clearly embarrassed when Mayalagu declared that he was speaking on behalf of his many colleagues in the force who were in the congregation and who were all in support of the agitation. He said the agitation would end peacefully if the government took early action realising that even policemen, like himself, had taken part in the jallikattu protest.

The climax was delivered by Mayalagu, drawing loud cheering from the crowd, when he turned his attack on Prime Minister Modi. We have a Gandhi Mandap in our place and we are conducting this agitation in a peaceful manner, but you have sought votes saying you were born in Gandhi's birthplace. I am asking Modi.

A sub-inspector and a constable then whisked him away and took him to deputy commissioner (AR) at nearby Pudupet, where the DC, K. Sounderarajan, pulled him up for speaking in uniform.

My family also spoke to me and advised me to keep quiet even if the higher-ups take me to task for my speech. They are all asking me why I made the speech in uniform, Mayalagu told DC. The young cop is married for just four months.
New Delhi: A day after the Centre cleared the Jallikattu ordinance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said all efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.

"We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people," he tweeted.

Also read: Jallikattu bulls will run again, courtesy state ordinance

Modi said the central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress.

His statement came a day after the Centre, moving swiftly, cleared a draft ordinance to allow Jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests that have paralysed the state for last five days.

The Union ministries of Home, Law and Environment cleared the ordinance last night.

Also read: Jallikattu protest: Cop in uniform makes spirited speech on Marina

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had met the Prime Minister day before yesterday to seek ordinance.

Once the Governor promulgates the ordinance, Jallikattu can be conducted anytime. The approval from the Home Minister, who signed the ordinance as powers to sign on behalf of the President are vested with him, came on a day of fast-paced developments with approvals from different ministries  Environment, Law and Home  coming in a span of record 13 hours.

Working at a feverish pitch, the Tamil Nadu and Union Governments moved swiftly from Friday morning at around 8 am to bring a state-specific amendment to the PCA.

Also read: Jallikattu ban: Solution in sight, but Tamil Nadu continues to be on edge

It first went to the Home Ministry, which forwarded it to Environment and Law Ministries for their comments. As expected, both the ministries went through the ordinance, vetted and approved it in matter of few hours without any major changes. After it came back to the Home Ministry at around 7.30 pm, Home Minister Rajnath Singh gave his approval a little after 9.30 pm.

Since the Ordinance is issued by the state, it has to be finally promulgated by the Governor. And because the ordinance makes a state-specific amendment to a Central act, it needs the assent of the President or the Union Government, a senior government official said.
Chennai: After 48 years of litigation, its a major relief to river Moyar, (the lifeline for villages and reserve forests in Nilgiris and Sathyamnagalam) the Madras high court has upheld the declaration of rainforests to an extent of 17,000 acres, which were converted into private estate areas during the colonial era.

The factual matrix of the case is about Gudalur, which is located in the cradle of the confluence of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, the epi-centre of these litigations, said justice P. N. Prakash in his order. It requires no reiteration that the Western Ghats, which is said to have had its origin in Madagascar millions of years before, is a home to thousands of species and is a declared Unesco heritage site. To usher in land reforms, the state of Tamil Nadu passed the Gudalur Janmam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1969 (for brevity the Act) for the acquisition of the rights of Janmies in the Janmam estates in the Gudalur and Pandalur taluks and for the introduction of ryotwari settlement in such estates.

During the British rule, the original Janmies had sold, leased out or tenanted some pockets of the vast estate to various tea companies for plantation purpose and those companies are claiming rights either as Janmies or leaseholders or tenants, the order read

The notification clearly states that the government had declared 80,087.74 acres as Janmam lands, out of which, a settlement has been finalised in respect of 28,087.03 acres and the balance extent of 52,000.71 acres was found to be forest land, out of which, 17,014.43 acres of land have been declared as forest land. Thus, it is limpid that the impugned notification is a composite one and not a stand alone order merely declaring certain areas as forest areas.

Therefore, the question once again hearing all the stakeholders does not arise in the facts and circumstances of the cases at hand. Hence, this court rejects the submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners qua pre-decisional hearing by the settlement officer. Section 53 of the Act, the judge said in his detailed order also pointing out the facts put forth by government pleader M. Santhanaraman that about 300 cases still under consideration on the file with the tribunal (district judge, Ootacamund) and that the encroachers were taking advantage of the pendency of the litigations usurping the forest lands, as a result increasing the man-animal conflicts.

The order also discussed that during 2016 as many as 12 people were killed by elephants, 2 mauled by tiger forcing the authorities to gun down the man-eater.

If any person is aggrieved by the order of the settlement officer declaring his land as forest land, he is entitled to file an appeal to the director and further revision to the government, the order added.
The AP governments advisorclaimed that Chandrababu Naidu was a key speaker as chief guest in at least seven WEF sessions. (Photo: Twitter)

Amaravati: Unlike his previous trips to Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum (WEF), Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidus latest visit has come under attack from the opposition parties, dubbing it as a "publicity stunt" and alleging he was not an invitee to the event but a paid delegate.

The state government has spent Rs 7,52,57,500 for its show in Davos, including setting up the AP Lounge for marketing Sunrise Andhra Pradesh with the Chief Minister himself carrying the mantle.

Of the total sum, Rs 69.30 lakh was spent for the accommodation of the delegation, including the Chief Minister, the Finance Minister and senior officials, according to official figures.

Another Rs 44.27 lakh was spent on putting up the states billboard on a star hotel in Davos.

The delegation was sanctioned Rs 54.72 lakh as advance towards airfare, daily allowance, breakfast, lunch, dinner and purchase of shawls and mementos (for visitors to the AP Lounge).

A sum of Rs 6.39 crore was paid to CII for putting up the AP Lounge on the sidelines of WEF conference, where the Chief Minister held meetings with top executives of various multinational companies, soliciting investments into the state.

Principal Opposition YSR Congress party alleged that the Chief Minister was not an invitee to the WEF meet and was just a paid delegate.

Chandrababu was never invited by the WEF as being claimed but he paid a whopping $ 3.22 lakh, as delegate fee, from the government coffers to attend the conference, YSRC spokesman Ambati Rambabu alleged.

Neither the Chief Ministers Office nor the Telugu Desam Party has reacted to these allegations.

There is no transparency involved in the Chief Ministers WEF visits. He is simply taking people of the state for a grand ride in the name of attracting investments, AP

Congress Committee vice-president and former Speaker of Assembly Nadendla Manohar said. Manohar wanted the CM to come clean on this.

CPM leader Hanumantha Rao has also criticised Naidu's visit and alleged that it did not yield any results. The state governments advisor (communications), however, claimed that Naidu was a key speaker as chief guest in at least seven WEF sessions.

Notably, Chandrababus communication team did not issue any release on what he spoke at the sessions in Davos, except one on Preparing for the City Century on January 17.
Kannur: Six CPI(M) workers were arrested on Saturday in connection with hacking to death of a BJP worker at Andaloor in nearby Dharmadam a few days ago.

Police said the accused, aged between 25-31, were Marxist party workers and sympathisers hailing from Andaloor, from were the victim also belonged.

While the CPI(M) leaders had earlier claimed that the attack on 53-year-old Santosh was a fallout of a property dispute between his relatives, police said it was due to some political rivalry.

The incident was said to be in retaliation to the attack by alleged RSS workers on some Student Federation of India students who had gone on an excursion earlier.

Santosh was attacked inside his house and had 21 injuries, mostly on hands and legs. His wife and children were away at the time of the incident on January 18 at around 11 pm.

BJP had observed a hartal the next day protesting against the attack.
The protests will continue for three days until the demands put forth by the association is accepted, stated another member Dr K. Senthil.

Chennai: With the ongoing protests against the ban on jallikattu on the rise, the health and medical sector of the state also actively participated and turned up in large numbers to stage a dharna in an attempt to demand the preservation of the Tamil culture.

The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors' Association (TNGDA) marked their disagreement at the unhappy move of the jallikattu ban in the form of a dharna, along with members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the medical student fraternity.

The participation of youth, especially students against the ban, made it more powerful. A minimum of 250 to 300 students from the government medical college across the state participated. Members of the TNGDA from Chennai, Kanyakumari and Erode distributed food packets to the protesters, said Dr J A. Jayalal of the association.

The protests will continue for three days until the demands put forth by the association is accepted, stated another member Dr K. Senthil. The association demands that the ban be lifted and safety measures be implemented. It also demands a special ordinance and review of the petition, he said.

Around 25,000 doctors of the association are supporting the dharna across the state by voting against the ban. 15,000 doctors from 10 districts, including Chennai, participated in the dharna on Friday, he added.
Chennais arterial roads and commercial hubs wore a deserted look as at least two lakh people converged at Marina area.

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu shut down all activities Friday, closing shops and stopping public transport  buses, trains, autorickshaws and taxis  in support of the massive protests by students seeking revival of the bull-taming festival, Jallikattu.

Chennais arterial roads and commercial hubs wore a deserted look as at least two lakh people converged at Marina area. The dawn-to-dusk strike called by various organisations, including trade unions, got unprecedented support across the state with all shops in every nook and corner voluntarily downing their shutters.

The suburban electric multiple units (EMUs), which usually operate during strikes, also did not operate, bringing life to a halt.

There were also no autorickshaws and taxis. Only a few buses operated as employees of transport unions stayed away from work, responding to a strike call by trade unions in support of the Tamil movement without a leadership.

The only mode of public transport was the Indian Railways-owned Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (CMRTS), which brought people from other parts of the city to Marina.

The protests continued throughout the city and people came out in large numbers in the western belt, delta districts and northern Tamil Nadu, besides south Tamil Nadu, the hub of Jallikattu protests.

Tamils in other states of the country too gathered to raise their voice. Tamils living in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE, Algeria, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, the US and the UK, among others, gathered at public places to protest in support of their relatives in Tamil Nadu. They also sent messages on Twitter and other social networks.

All sections of society including doctors, lawyers, farmers and fishermen held protests expressing solidarity with the agitating students.

At least 2,000 mechanised fishing boat owners and thousands of country boat owners did not go out to sea in solidarity with the protesters.

In Rameswaram, all shops remained closed. Following the protests, Southern Railway announced full and partial cancellation of some trains, besides diversion of others. Private schools were closed and people who were at home were glued to their television sets watching live coverage of the protests.
The TN government had proposed to issue an ordinance to allow Jallikattu. (Photo: PTI)

Mumbai: Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu, is reaching Chennai on Saturday in the backdrop of the Centre clearing the state government's proposal to promulgate an ordinance to hold 'Jallikattu', the bull-taming sport banned by Supreme Court.

"Rao will land at Chennai around 4 pm," a Raj Bhavan official said.

Rao, currently the Governor of Maharashtra, holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu after K Rosaiahs tenure ended in August last year.

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet is expected to clear the ordinance and recommend it to the Governor for promulgation.

The TN government had proposed to issue an ordinance to allow Jallikattu.

Since the subject falls in the concurrent list of the Constitution, it is mandatory to get a nod from the Centre.

Yesterday, the Centre, moving swiftly, cleared a draft ordinance to allow Jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests that have paralysed the state for last five days.

The Union ministries of Home, Law and Environment cleared the ordinance last night.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had met the Prime Minister on Thursday.

Jallikattu is a traditional event held in Tamil Nadu as part of Pongal celebrations. However, the apex court banned it in 2014, taking into consideration the safety of people and animals involved in the sport.

Protests demanding lifting of jallikattu ban were held at Alanganallur, hub of the jallikattu event in Madurai district, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Kanyakumari and other parts of south Tamil Nadu, police said.

Some youths also squatted on the rail tracks in Madurai and talks between the protesters and railway and police officials were held. Train services were cancelled.

In Salem junction also the protesters squatted on rail tracks.

In Alanganallur, protesters demanded promulgation of ordinances by the Centre and state to hold the bull taming sport. They also demanded removal of bulls from the Performing Animals category.

According to reports from Theni district, a group of people conducted cock fight, which is also banned, as part of their protests. Cock fights were a part of Tamil culture and the basic right of people, they said.

In Rameswaram, fishermen decided to boycott fishing till the ban on Jallikattu was lifted.
Chennai: The main opposition DMK and other parties, including PMK, welcomed the state government's ordinance that has paved the way for holding jallikattu even as they praised the students' stir describing it as 'revolutionary'.

Animals rights group PETA, on the other hand, said it will study the ordinance.

Winding up a day-long fast here, DMK working chief M K Stalin said, "Our goal is jallikattu must be held. The feelings of Tamils should be respected and our culture should be guarded and that is why we welcome the ordinance at once".

However, ordinance alone was not enough, he said. Stalin, also the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said "bulls should be removed from the performing animals list and an amendment should be done for it (indicating that the Centre should do it) and that alone can be the permanent solution."

"Not only for this year, in any year, there should be no ban for jallikattu," he said.

"Central government should take back its notification (that banned jallikattu) and pave the way for jallikattu using bulls," he said.

Stalin compared the agitation of students at Marina beach to the anti-Hindi stir spearheaded by students in 1965 and hailed the demonstration as "historic" which, he said, will go down in the pages of history as "Marina Revolution."

He extended his "greetings and congratulations" to the students for their 'historic' stir.

He said breach of conditions laid down by the Supreme Court during the AIADMK regime was the reason for the ban on jallikattu.

Welcoming the ordinance, PMK chief Ramadoss, however, said it did not "appear to be a permanent solution."

"To provide permanent legal protection for jallikattu," he said "Tamil Nadu government should continue to urge the Centre to remove bulls from the list of animals banned to perform by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

I urge the Centre to bring an amendment Bill and pass it in the upcoming Parliamentary session," he said.

MDMK chief Vaiko too hailed the students for their protest and said it led to the ordinance being promulgated and praised the Marina stir as "Marina revolution."

BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan, in a tweet, said, "Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Thank you for bringing out the ordinance on #jallikattu. We Tamilians are grateful for ur support to save our culture."

Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan thanked Modi and his party chief Amit Shah for the ordinance.

PETA said, "We await a draft of the new ordinance and shall study it. Of course the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India is still pending and the matter remains sub-judice."

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's quote on the importance of good treatment of animals, it said, PETA India believes that one day all "bloodsports" worldwide will be relegated to the history books, even if that day is not today."
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has urged the Centre to ensure that NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is conducted in Urdu as well.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, he pointed out that there were many students studying in Urdu medium in the state.

Urdu is the second language in the state, and the children of Muslim families pursue studies in Urdu, he said.

Since the Centre has already decided to conduct the exam in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Telugu and Tamil, KCR wanted Urdu also in the list.

It may be mentioned here that AIMIM had urged the government about the need to conduct NEET in Urdu in the Assembly session held recently.

The Chief Minister announced `21 crore for construction of an orphanage for Muslims in Nampally, an IT SEZ and an Islamic Study Centre, upgradation of Faluknuma junior college to degree college at a meeting on minorities welfare held on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the CM directed the authorities to take steps to conduct the DSC exam for filling Urdu teacher vacancies in schools. He wanted them to identify vacancies in schools and issue notifications accordingly.
New Delhi: Pakistan on Saturday handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the LoC hours after the Armys surgical strike in September last year. Chandu Babulal Chavan, 22, returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border.

The BSF handed him over to the Army which took him to an undisclosed location. Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the boundary in Kashmir hours after Indias surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC.

Army doctors to examine Chavan

Pakistan on Saturday handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the LoC hours after the armys surgical strike in September last year.

Chavans brother Bhushan Chavan, who is also a soldier, said he is thankful to the Army for its effort.

I am thankful to the DGMO and the Army for the efforts they have made. I am never going to forget this. I am also a soldier and will continue to do my duty with full honesty till my last breath, he said.

I am grateful to the villagers and everybody who prayed for not just my brother but for a soldier of this country, Bhushan said. Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother had died of shock following the news of his capture by Pakistani troops.

Chavan will be first medically examined by the team of Army doctors. Minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre said his ministry and the DGMO had been constantly trying to secure the release of the jawan.
Chennai: Five days of peaceful and persistent protesting across Tamil Nadu paid off finally with Governor Vidyasagar Rao promulgating an ordinance to pave the way for Jallikattu to be held once again in the state after a ban of nearly three years imposed by the Supreme Court following petitions from animal rights outfits alleging that the bulls were being tortured in the rural sport.

But protesters numbering several thousands remained unrelenting saying ordinance is not a permanent solution.

Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam told reporters that he would himself flag off the Jallikattu at Alanganallur near Madurai Sunday morning and other ministers would inaugurate the bull sport in their respective districts simultaneously.

This would be followed by a full-fledged legislation to be enacted in the Assembly session beginning on Monday, which would replace the ordinance and amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act so that the sport could be held without hindrance in future.

And that would be the ultimate solution. There is no need for any apprehension, he said, while thanking the protesters, particularly the youth and students, for carrying out their long agitation in an orderly and peaceful manner.

The protesters at Marina Beach, the epicenre of the statewide stir with close to three lakh people gathered on this fifth day, however, appeared to be in no mood to relent, insisting that the PCA should be amended so as to ensure permanent solution.

The CMs assertion that he had delivered a permanent solution did not cut ice with them. It was the same restive situation at Alanganallur with the crowds refusing to listen to Madurai collector Veeraraghava Rao and district SP Vijayendra Bidari that the CMs package was indeed a permanent answer to their Jallikattu demand.
New Delhi: As the SP-Congress alliance tottered on the brink of collapse, the grand old party continued to explore a middle path while its leaders were engaged in last-minute negotiations with the Samajwadi Party brass.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav has also been approached by the Congress high command to speak with both SP chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and his father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, to save the secular alliance.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC general secretary and UP in-charge, while leaving the partys central election committee meet which lasted for over an hour on Saturday, said, A final decision on the Congress' alliance with the SP will be announced on Sunday.

Top Congress and SP leaders are expected to hold further parleys late on Saturday night. Priyanka Gandhi personally spoke with SP chief and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav earlier in the day to salvage the situation, sources said.

As SP, Congress alliance totters, Sonia steps in

As the SP-Congress alliance tottered on the brink of collapse, the grand old party continued to explore a middle path.But at this juncture chances of the two parties coming together look grim.

Getting ready to go alone in the UP polls, the Congress in its CEC meet, chaired by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, cleared 140 names for the first two phases. The names will be announced after a final decision on the alliance is taken on Sunday.

The CEC meeting discussed various permutations and combinations to make the alliance click. The Congress, so far, is not willing to compromise on the number of seats. Of the 403 Assembly berths, the Congress has asked for over 100 seats, while the SP is not willing to offer more than 99 seats.

SP MP Naresh Agarwal, when asked about the alliance, said that it was almost over. Virtually ridiculing the Congress, Mr Agarwal said, Congress is behaving as if it is an influential outfit in UP, and added, We need to contest over 300 seats.

The Congress was decimated in Uttar Pradesh in 2012. It has only 22 MLAs in the state Assembly. The SP has also refused to give the Congress maximum representation in the 10 Assembly segments in Amethi and Rae Bareilly and it has put up its own candidates in the nine constituencies the Congress had won in western UP.
Chennai: A team of central government officials arrived here today to assess the drought situation in Tamil Nadu following a plea by the state government.

The team is expected to visit drought-hit areas and discuss the situation with senior state officials, officials said.

On January 16, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had urged the Prime Minister to depute a central team to study the extensive damage caused to agriculture crops and to take stock of the drinking water scarcity in Tamil Nadu.

The state government had urged the Centre to sanction Rs 39,565 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund towards mitigation measures.

Also, Panneerselvam had sought Rs 1,000 crore from the NDRF for the state "to enable taking up immediate relief and rehabilitation measures to mitigate the drought situation".

Tamil Nadu received only 168.3 mm of rainfall during North-East monsoon as against the normal rainfall of 440.4 mm, a deficit of 62 per cent.

Earlier, in the south west monsoon a deficit of 20 per cent was recorded.
Jaipur: A distorted version of history has been taught in India by Left liberal historians who from the Nehruvian era have monopolised the intellectual space in the country, RSS ideologue Dattatreya Hosabale claimed on Friday.

He also said religion must not be kept out of classrooms. At an interactive session at Jaipur Literature Festival, he said there is a dire need to change the history being taught in India and the educational system which, according to him, should be based on the "ethos of the nation".

He questioned if history being taught is enabling the younger generation to help India occupy a covetable place in the committee of nations, which he himself answered "No".

"The demand to change history and education system has not been a demand of RSS alone. Other sections of the society have also been demanding this since independence. Commissions after commissions have been constituted regarding this. Our education system should be based on the ethos of the nation, on the right history of the nation," he said.

"There should be proper study of history and then it must be taught in schools. There have been several attempts to distort history. The history you read is not history. Historical facts should decide what history means.

"Left-liberals have dominated the academic and media circles and have never allowed others to present their version. Their tolerance can be gauged from the fact that they boycotted coming here after hearing that RSS people were participating in the session. That is their tolerance," he said.

"Aryan invasion is being taught to school students. The 'invasion' has been disproved by the BBC. Social scientists have said that no Aryan invasion took place."

Hosabale also batted for including religious teachings in classrooms. "Religion should not be kept out of classrooms. Religious teachings and values need to be taught in our classrooms...The RSS and I do not believe that you become more rational by removing religion from classrooms. Universal values like compassion, and other such virtues and qualities, are found in religion. We must not keep religion out of classrooms but must discuss the manner of teaching religion.

Hosabale also said that the Varna system is outdated. "It has outlived its purpose if at all it had any purpose in the first place. Constitution has to abolish it. The debate over whether the caste system arose out of the varna system is still on."

Referring to the political violence in Kerala, he said, "RSS does not condone violence. If it is against any community, RSS has never supported it. However, if same people are out to attack RSS men, it's but natural for them to retaliate."

"RSS people are being attacked in Kerala for the past many months. What has government been doing there? Nothing has been done. Where are the so-called tolerant people? Why don't they speak up? We are law-abiding citizens and the government in Kerala is not performing its duties," he said.

When asked why RSS has not produced distinguished scholars and intellectuals, Hosabale said academic and media circles have been monopolised by Left-liberals for a long time and they have never allowed others to speak heir mind. "After hearing that we are coming here that we are attending a session, they have boycotted it. This is the tolerance of these people," he said.

Hosabale gave examples of people like S L Bhyrappa and Narendra Kohli, who he said were not members of the RSS, but were speaking what RSS believe in.

RSS's publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya, who also participated in the session Meanwhile Vaidya said that people have strayed from the concept of Hindutva which is why there are a lot of problems in the country.

"The people showing intolerance in their behaviour are people who have rejected Hindutva. Hindutva never talks of uniformity. We all have to live together and celebrate diversity," he said.

He said the world secularism did not have to be included as there were already provisions in the Constitution. "So-called minorities have all the rights in India which is unlike any other country in the world. The inclusion of the word secular was neither needed, demanded, debated or discussed," Vaidya said.
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has asked the state government to take stern action against medical shops found dispensing medicines without prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner or a qualified pharmacist. The court issued the order on a petition filed by the Kerala Pharmacists Organisation which pointed out there were instances of medicines being dispensed in the absence of a pharmacist qualified as per the provisions of Pharmacy Act, 1948, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Rules 1945, Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015.

It charged that the government was not taking any steps to prevent such practices by various medicine dispensation units in private and public sector. The medical shops in private as well as in public sector are bound to follow the provisions of respective Acts and Rules and Regulations, 2015, the court stated.

The Rules clearly stipulated that no person other than a registered pharmacist shall compound, prepare, mix, dispense or supply of any medicine on the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.

The Rules further stated that dispensing medicines without the prescription of the Registered Medical Practitioner will fall under professional misconduct. Kerala State Pharmacy Council submitted that the council had appointed Pharmacy Inspectors in all districts for strict implementation of the pharmacy Act, Rules, Pharmacy Practice Regulations, 2015. Pharmacy Inspectors were regularly inspecting the medical stores, it said. The court held that if any violation is committed by any medical shop or other dispensing unit, severe action shall be taken against the persons without fail. The government shall also ensure that working hours provided under the rules and regulations are strictly complied with.
Troubled by financial problems and the ill health of her husband, a 30-year-old maid and her two sons committed suicide in Malkajgiri. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: Troubled by financial problems and the ill health of her husband, a 30-year-old maid and her two sons committed suicide in Malkajgiri. The maid, Nakka Gouri and her sons jumped before a train.

Gouri, 30, married Bandalaiah nearly eight years ago, and the couple had two sons Nagaraju, 7, and Saiteja, 5. Bandalaiah started working as a guard in an apartment complex, and Gouri as a maid. Their kids, Nagaraju was studying in Class I and the other, Saiteja, in UKG at the Vishwabharathi HS in Manikonda. A few months ago, Bandalaiah started suffering from epilepsy. Due to frequent epilepsy attacks he became bed-ridden. Due to poverty, they could not afford to treat Bandalaiah. On Friday evening after the kids returned from school, she came to the bus stop and boarded a bus for Secunderabad. Villagers who saw her, informed her brother Swamy, who thought she was going to buy something. After reaching Secunderabad, she attempted to jump in front of a train, but rag pickers saved her. She then walked towards Malkajgiri railway station and the three jumped in front of a running train, Secunderabad GRP inspector A. Anjaneyulu said.

Railway employees who saw the bodies alerted the police. Police registered a case under Section 174 CrPC and handed over their bodies to relatives.
KALPETTA: The Wayanad Chamber of Commerce with the support of investors is set to build a ropeway connecting Adivaram in Kozhikode district with Lakkidy in Wayanad through the Wayanad ghats. A private limited company, the Wayanad Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Company, which was formed for the purpose, has purchased one acre of land at Lakkidy for the landing of the cable car.

WCC president Johnny Pattani told DC that a feasibility study had been already completed with the assistance of Conveyor and Ropeway Services Private Limited based in Kolkata. "We have sought the support from the panchayats concerned, Wayanad district administration and various departments for the initiative," Mr Pattani said. Noted architect C.P. Sylesh of Wayanad Tourism Organisation told DC that the project had been hanging fire for the last many years. "It is good that somebody came up to support the project which would boost the tourism prospects of Wayanad," he added.

"The District Tourism Promotion Council had earlier included the project in its 'would be' list, but failed to execute it due to its high cost," he said. The Wayanad chamber will call an investors' meet in Kochi and Dubai soon to mobilise funds for the project, which is expected to cost Rs 30 crore. However, the green signal from the centre and the state and the forest department is yet to be received. The leading lights of the project and the stakeholders in the tourism industry hope that the project would change the tourism industry of the region.
AIADMK leader M Thambidurai along with party MPs talking to the media after meeting Home Minister Rajnath Singh regarding Jallikkattu ban. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: AIADMK on Saturday warned the Centre that it will have to face dangerous implications if it continues to "ignore" the regional aspirations and interests of people of Tamil Nadu.

After heading an AIADMK MPs delegation to President Pranab Mukherjee, AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping the Tamil Nadu government come out with an ordinance on the Jallikattu issue but complained that the Centre was "ignoring" the state on a number of issues raised with him and his government.

"One nation, one tax may be good for GST but the concept of one language, one culture is not good for federalism. The Prime Minister talks of cooperative federalism but what is cooperative federalism if you are not able to address our issues.

"We (Tamil Nadu government) have been raising various issues like the Cauvery, Mullaiperiyar, Kachatheevu, Tamil fishermen, Sri Lankan Tamils cause and Jallikattu which symbolises Tamil culture. Tamil culture is also Indian culture. It is a warning to the central government that please don't step aside the regional aspirations and interests," he told reporters in New Delhi.

Recently, for the last one year, the AIADMK MPs have been seeking appointments with the Prime Minister to take up state issues, Thambidurai said.

"We waited for last three days for meeting the Prime Minister but we could not get his appointment. We hope that anytime he may call us," he said.

Thambidurai said if elected MPs, a Deputy Speaker, are not able to meet the Prime Minister, then it leaves a bad feeling. "The Prime Minister should help us when we come," he said.

He said since the issue of animals is in the concurrent list of the Constitution, the Tamil Nadu government has been waiting for the Centre to issue an ordinance.

"The earlier UPA government in which DMK was a constituent did not do anything. Even the BJP government did not help us. That is why this ordinance now," he said.

He said talk of federalism is alright but the Centre should also protect various languages and cultures in the country.

"If the Centre fails, then what will happen. Tamil Nadu is showing that lakhs and lakhs of people are on the streets for protection of Tamil language and culture. The Centre should understand this and resolve issues.

"We are all Indians but at the same time state culture and language should be protected. If one language, one culture is sought to be imposed then it will be dangerous and it will have dangerous implications. All languages are equal," he said.

Thambidurai said they met the President and gave him a memorendum seeking his intervention for the conduct of Jallikattu.

The AIADMK and the Tamil Nadu government will soon achieve what they wanted. "An ordinance will come soon and Jallikattu will be held in a day or two," he said.
Chennai: As her party led government ensured conduct of jallikattu by issuing an ordinance, AIADMK general secretary Sasikala Natarajan on Saturday claimed she had directed the party and the government to make sustained efforts for the conduct of the bull taming sport.

The AIADMK governments continuous efforts in the lines of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and the dignified protests taken forward by young men and women had reclaimed the bravery sport for us, she said while appealing to the protesters to return to their education and other routine activities.

I consider Tamils rights and sentiments as (my) two eyes. That is why I had earlier issued a statement in support of the students and young protesters. I made the government keep up sustained efforts for conduct of jallikattu, she said.

Following this, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the party MPs had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, she said.

Sasikala also thanked Modi for understanding the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and having supported the state governments efforts to ensure conduct of jallikattu. She said she was following the slogan I am because of the people, I am for the people by Jayalalithaa while the government was following the path laid down by the late Chief Minister.
Nearly a quarter century after it was established, and after multiple splits, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference has decided at long last to formulate a considered strategy that is sustainable. One would have thought that this would have been its first task soon after its formation. Its constitution, which was to come into force from August 31, 1995, set out its objectives; prime among them being to make peaceful struggle to secure for the people of... Jammu and Kashmir the exercise of the right of self-determination in accordance with the UN Charter and the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council. However, the exercise of the right of self-determination shall also include the right to independence... To make endeavours for an alternative negotiated settlement of the Kashmir dispute amongst all the three parties to the dispute. Those resolutions excluded, at the insistence of both Pakistan and India, the option of independence. The Hurriyat never set down calmly to deliberate on strategy. If it has done so now, it is because its leaders were seen to have failed miserably in the crisis that engulfed Indian Kashmir since the killing of Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016. Shops were shut for months. Business came to a standstill. Tourism suffered.

Even educational institutions stopped functioning. It is the loyal populace that suffered economically and emotionally. The recent emphasis on sustainability is a tacit admission of its leaders failures. A joint resistance leadership came into being, which included leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik. They issued weekly calendars of protests. At long last, criticisms were voiced. The three leaders issued a joint statement on December 14, 2016: We have moved closer to our goal, it claimed, and added, Now it is time to consolidate our gains and build upon them in order to move ahead further. In this regard, the leadership feels that a long-term sustainable strategy, based on proactive initiatives, programmes, and sustainable modes of protest with maximum public participation in their creation and implementation and minimum costs for the people, is the way forward. The litmus tests are: popular inputs, minimum cost to the people, and sustainability in the long run. They would reach out to lawyers, artists, writers, artisans, students, traders, transporters and teachers to discuss the idea with them, and seek their suggestions.

To be sustainable, the strategy must not disturb the even tempo of life. Kashmiris are in a crisis that will not end soon. To begin with, it will not and cannot end without a settlement between India and Pakistan that also receives the peoples support. As Nawaz Sharif told visiting Indian journalists when he first became Prime Minister, the Pakistanis, Indians and Kashmiris must take a step back. Barring Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, none of the Hurriyat leaders show any inclination towards a compromise. One would have expected Kashmiris to press for a settlement, which cannot happen without compromise. But the very concept of compromise is unacceptable to Geelani and his associates. If this section of the separatists dreads the very thought of compromise, the Indian establishment abhors the prospect of peaceful protest. This is its Achilles heel  masses out on the streets peacefully demanding azadi. This should be a prime element in the strategy. It is fully covered by the fundamental right to assemble peacefully without arms (Article 19.1.b) that the Indian Constitution guarantees. Demand for respecting this right should be pressed relentlessly.

There is need for another fundamental shift, one that is long overdue. It is the descent of the Hurriyat leaders from their perches to the people, and their interest and involvement in the peoples many pressing issues. During the freedom movement, even the tallest leaders took part in humble municipal activities. On March 10, 1904, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was elected to Bombays municipal corporation. Sir Pherozeshah Mehta was already its member. Jawaharlal Nehru participated actively in Allahabads municipal corporation, as did Vallabhbhai Patel in the Ahmedabad corporation. The Hurriyat leaders need not contest elections to local bodies themselves, but they can encourage supporters to do so as individuals. As part of this exercise, the leaders can interest themselves in the economic plight of the citizens and the many problems that beset traders, businessmen, students, teachers and the rest. In short, the Hurriyat should immerse itself in the plight of the people beyond feeding them slogans and demanding sacrifices of them. If the Hurriyat is to move forward and become relevant, it must be with the people and of it. This will strengthen the movement as well as lift the morale of the people. Such a strategy is pre-eminently sustainable.

By arrangement with Dawn
Donald J. Trump, who revels in his self-portrait as the ultimate outsider and made a virtue of this through the extremely bitter months-long presidential campaign, was inaugurated the 45th President of the United States on Friday, but for all the leads people think they picked up from his 16-minute speech after taking oath the new American leader remains an enigma. We must wait for policy action on the ground before forming an opinion based on substance rather than an extrapolation drawn from speeches. The 70-year old is one of the richest Presidents in US history to have taken office. No older person has taken oath for the first time as the US President. This could mean that Mr Trump may like to make every minute in office count. And herein lies the problem. A record number of super-billionaires have been gathered in the Trump Cabinet.

Structurally, then, can a government of the very rich live up to the Presidents promise, specially to white working class America, to bring back the economic cushion it has been losing in the last 15 years or so? Will jobs come flooding back just because a leader gives calls such as America First or Make America Great Again? We saw something similar when Prime Minister Narendra Modi barnstormed his way to power in 2014, but the ground is yet to shake in economic terms for the better. The new US President too, after taking oath, made fun of his predecessors being all talk and no action, as he vowed to reverse national decline which he used extreme language to depict  the American carnage. Mr Trump gave the impression that America had financed economic prosperity in other countries at its own cost, and defended others borders and not looking after its own. Is this nationalist, anti-globalisation, messaging for real?

Fact-checking the Trump speech makes it plain that jobs have declined largely not because immigrants were taking them away or on account of US trade and investment policies, but on account of the domestic resort to automation to enhance efficiency. The President spoke also of reinforcing old alliances and forming new ones and uniting the civilised world against Islamic terrorism. Which are the countries he would unite with? Europe? Does that mean Nato continues (unlike the impression Mr Trump gave on the campaign trail)? Pakistan, where President Barack Obama had pumped in $21 billion to fight terrorism, but to no effect? These questions are wide open and we must wait for answers. And, if political alliances are to be struck, is there to be a trade and economy component or not? In India, we will specially look to the US Presidents outlook towards Pakistan and China and his commitment to developing strategic ties with New Delhi.
He is working hard to leave behind a legacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been relentlessly trying to emerge as the iron man who put Pakistan in its place, waged a war against black money, a leader who empowered the poor and took India to dizzying heights. His surgical strikes against Pakistan, his demonetisation policy were aimed at his attempts to emerge as the leader India never had. Whether he succeeded in convincing India would be tested in the forthcoming Assembly polls in five states, particularly in caste-ridden Uttar Pradesh. These elections would be a mini-referendum on Modis policies, specially the contentious demonetisation decision.

Read: United anti-Modi block in 2019 will stay fragile

After the surgical strikes BJPs stock rose. Modi emerged as a Prime Minister, (after Indira Gandhi), who had the ability and courage to move against Pakistan. BJP played the nationalist card hard, made jingoism its mantra and India cheered. Then on November 8, 2016 came demonetisation. Things began to change. The advantage gained by the surgical strikes began to fade. Nobody dares question the Prime Minister, so nobody did. But behind closed doors, grim saffron faces with frayed nerves told another story  that all is not well.

Read: BJP eyes Manipur, has advantage in Uttarakhand

After losing Delhi and then Bihar, BJP desperately needs a victory in a politically crucial state. This has become more important after demonetisation. The party functionaries travelling across the election-bound states returned with stories of public discontement and public anger. The functionaries who were asked to aid people standing in queues outside banks and ATMs for hours together, refused to do so, because of the fear of being targeted by the angry masses. Things came to such a pass that the BJP president Amit Shah had to crack the whip and told the edgy functionaries to stop whining and work round-the-clock to make the party win in the Assembly polls.

Punjab, however, seemed to be a lost cause. With anti-incumbency riding high, corruption charges levelled against the top leaders and ministers, SAD-BJP ruling coalition found itself in a sticky wicket. The demonetisation apparently demolished the rural vote bank of the ruling combination. The fight is now between the AAP and Congress. We are not hopeful in Punjab, a senior BJP functionary revealed. The battle is tough in the other saffron citadel of Goa. Even BJPs most popular face in Goa, former chief minister and Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar was facing an uphill task to secure his home turf Panaji for the BJP candidate, sitting MLA Sidharth Kuncalienker. Besides the growing popularity of AAP, the RSS rebel-backed Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) is entering the poll arena for the first time and it has vowed to defeat BJP. In Goa, the RSS unit has stated that the organisation will not play an active role in campaigning for BJP candidates. We will not tell RSS cadre to support any particular party, RSS sanghchalak for Goa Laxman Behre told an English daily in Goa. Without RSS backing, Goa could be a tough call for the party. But its in Uttar Pradesh with 403 Assembly berths that BJP will fight the mother of all battles.

If BJP wins all state elections and loses UP, it still could be viewed as a referndum against Modis demonetisation, a senior BJP leader said. Its in this Hindi heartland where Modi and his policies will be tested. Leading the charge in this most crucial battle is BJPs poll mascot  the indefatigable Narendra Modi.

Demonetisation has hit us badly, a senior BJP functionary in UP said. Yet BJP had an edge with the possibility of a multi-cornered fight. The BJP expected the 20 per cent Muslim votebank to be split between BSP, SP and Congress. With the upper caste in its pocket, the BJP was also hopeful of attracting a large chunk of OBCs other than Yadavs and dalits. In western UP, it was confident of winning over the Jats as it did in the 2014 general elections. The BJP continued to have an edge till the feud raged in the Yadav parivar. With Akhilesh Yadav winning the battle and getting the cycle symbol, the saffronites began to slip. Akhilesh Yadavs clean image, his fight against the corrupt old guard, his slogan for all round development hurtled him to the top. To make matters worse, SP and Congress are in talks for an alliance. If this happens, a majority of the 20 per cent Muslim votes will go for this combination. Besides eight per cent of the Yadav vote bank, Akhilesh Yadav-led SP could also draw a large chunk of the other backward castes. If Congress-SP alliance works out, the combination could also draw a good number of the 22 per cent upper caste votes. Even if Akhilesh decied to go alone, beside his formidable Muslim-Yadav (MY) combination, he also has a large appeal among the youth and women.

The BJP, however, is confident that the Muslim and OBC votes would split between SP and BSP. Mayawati has fielded 97 Muslims candidates. This could split the Muslim vote, a BJP leader said. But the problem nagging the BJP was its failure to project a credible face, which could match upto Akhilesh Yadav or Mayawati. Modi is the face, but he is the Prime Minister. Our lack of a face to project could hit us hard, the BJP leader said.

In UPs multi-cornered fight, the situation is fluid. There is also a strong possibility of a fractured mandate. Whatever may be the outcome to win this mini-referendum, BJP has to emerge as the largest party to attract parties like RLD and other smaller outfits to form a government.

Uttarakhand at this point is the only state where BJP seems to have a clear edge, thanks to infighting within the Congress. But winning Uttarakhand and Manipur will not put BJP on the drivers seat for the 2019 general elections. It is UP, however, which will deliver the final verdict on Modis gamble to make India cashless.
The year 2016 will always be the year of BJP in the Northeast. No other national party barring Congress could ever enter the politically impregnable terrains of the Northeast. Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, BJP broke the jinx and captured the gateway to the Northeast  Assam in June 2016. Before the year came to an end, BJP struck again on December 31. In a fast-paced development, a BJP government was installed in Arunachal Pradesh after 33, out of 43 Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLAs led by chief minister Pema Khandu, joined the saffron brigade.

After capturing Assam, designing defections to form the government in Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP is now eyeing Manipur in the forthcoming Assembly polls. And to win this fight, BJP wants the states icon  Olympic boxer Mary Kom to campaign for the party.

Manipur, which was described by Jawaharlal Nehru as jewel of India has been under Congress rule for the past 15 years. Modis magic and Rahul Gandhis charisma will be put to test in March this year. Led by chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, the Congress has so far managed to survive despite a recent spate of violence and blockades hitting the state. But the anti-incumbency is weighing heavily on the Congress. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Modi is all set to try and woo the Vaishnavite majority in the state. The majority of Manipurs population is made of Meiteis who are mostly Vaishnavites. But is BJPs appeal in the Northeast confined mainly to the Hindus in the Northeast, which is a blend of various tribes and people practising different religions? After winning Assam, the BJP formed the North-East Democratic Alliance (Neda), which now seemed to be gaining ground. The BJP leaders believe that Neda would change the perception of the BJP being only a party for Hindus.

There is a tilt towards the Prime Minister in Manipur. But the problem for BJP is its lack of a face against the veteran Congress leader and CM Ibobi Singh. The CM delivered a masterstroke when he created seven new districts on December 8. By creating new districts he has crafted an image of a strong leader who can take on Christian insurgent group NSCN (IM)s Greater Nagalim demand.

Waged in a battle to capture the hills of Manipur, the BJP is also eyeing the other hill state  Uttarakhand. In Uttarakhand with 70 Assembly seats, its an upbeat BJP pitted against the ruling Harish Rawat-led Congress riven with dissension and infighting. Till a few months back it was advantage Congress. Rawat had consolidated his position and gained sympathy after he trumped BJPs move to clamp Presidents Rule in the state by winning the floor test. But that was then. Congress prospects seem to be on a downward spiral. Infighting, coupled with most of its stalwarts shifting loyalties to the saffron camp are being seen as two of the major causes that could oust Congress from the state. In the last assembly elections, infighting did BJP in, this time it could be Congress turn.
The Opposition challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 may have to cross several hurdles in terms of unification of an anti-BJP block, if developments in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh  Indias largest state accounting for a massive 80 Lok Sabha seats  is anything to go by.

With political parties reconciling to a situation where the Muslim vote would be inevitably split between the SP and BSP, came another jolt for Opposition unity. A resurgent Samajwadi Party, led by CM Akhilesh Yadav, decided to ignore the Jat-dominated Rashtriya Lok Dal, citing the lack of trust in its leadership when it came to firming up a pre-poll electoral alliance. Observers point out that regional satraps always look to protect their own turf first and often fail to surmount personal egos to face a common formidable opponent like PM Modi and his BJP. But even when Opposition unity fructified against formidable political leaders, such as the Janata Party taking on and defeating then PM Indira Gandhis Congress in 1977, the experiments did not last long due to internal bickering between Opposition stalwarts that saw the Janata Party disintegrating, paving way for the Congress to return to power at the Centre in 1980. It was virtually a repeat in 1989-90 when the Janata Dal disintegrated due to the squabbles between then PM V.P. Singh and his deputy PM Devi Lal. The transformation of a third front into the United Front in 1996-97 also did not last long. So any Opposition unity against PM Modi could remain sporadic and fragile, raising doubts about its longevity.

Curiously, before the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, UP had been reduced largely to a two-horse race between the ruling Samajwadi Party (that hinges on consolidation of the Muslims and Yadavs) and the Opposition BSP, which is anchored on the Dalit vote. The collapse of the BJP  which relied on the upper caste and non-Yadav OBC votes  in UP in the first decade of this century following the expulsion of OBC face Kalyan Singh from the party ensured the marginalisation of national parties from the scene. That is until PM Modi changed everything with his blitzkrieg in UP in 2014. The BJP swept the state, with its alliance winning 73 out of 80 seats. This triggered speculation in the months to come whether arch foes SP and BSP would ever ally again to defeat the BJP on the lines of the Bihar grand alliance. But the move did not materialise.

Question marks over opposition unity on a national scale were also raised recently when Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar came out in support of the Centres demonetisation exercise as against most Opposition parties, which decided to come together to oppose it. This led to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accusing Mr Kumar of betrayal on his home turf. Interestingly, both Mr Kumar and Ms Banerjee are trying to project themselves as the natural leaders of an Opposition alliance before the 2019 general elections. But nevertheless, hope persists. We can say that the opposition is united, but it is also a fact that all parties will look after their own regional interest first, senior TMC MP and Lok Sabha member Saugata Roy told this newspaper.
Joshua Ehrlich, Laura Lark, Sam Payler, Brian Ramos, Jay Bevington, Ansley Barnard In this photo provided by the University of Hawaii, scientists Joshua Ehrlich, from left, Laura Lark, Sam Payler, Brian Ramos, Jay Bevington and Ansley Barnard, pose for a photo before they enter a geodesic dome called Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, or HI-SEAS located 8,200 feet above sea level on Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. The four men and two women moved into their new simulated space home Thursday afternoon, as part of a human-behavior study that could help NASA as it draws up plans for sending astronauts on long missions to Mars. (AP)

Six scientists have entered a dome perched atop a remote volcano in Hawaii where they will spend the next eight months in isolation to simulate life for astronauts traveling to Mars, the University of Hawaii said. The study is designed to help NASA better understand human behavior and performance during long space missions as the U.S. space agency explores plans for a manned mission to the Red Planet.

"Im proud of the part we play in helping reduce the barriers to a human journey to Mars, said Kim Binsted, the mission's principal investigator. The crew will perform geological field work and basic daily tasks in the 1,200-square-foot (365 m) dome, located in an abandoned quarry 8,000 feet (2.5 km) above sea level on the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.

There is little vegetation and the scientists will have no contact with the outside world, said the university, which operates the dome. Communications with a mission control team will be time-delayed to match the 20-minute travel time of radio waves passing between Earth and Mars.

"Daily routines include food preparation from only shelf-stable ingredients, exercise, research and fieldwork aligned with NASAs planetary exploration expectations," the university said. The project is intended to create guidelines for future missions to Mars, some 35 million miles (56 million km) away, a long-term goal of the U.S. human space program. The NASA-funded study, known as the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (Hi-SEAS), is the fifth of its kind.

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Obama has now planned to start Obama.org, a website which he and his wife Michelle will be coordinating their work together.

Former US President Barack Obama has finally taken a big break. However, before he takes charge of his personal life, he has taken charge of his old Twitter Handle (@BarackObama) and has promised to launch a new website, Obama.org.

TechCrunch reported that his old handle was been run by a non-profit organisation Organizing for Action, since 2013. However, it appears that Obama finally took charge of his personal account. He tweeted on January 21 stating, Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off in a quick vacation, then well get back to work.

Obama has now planned to start Obama.org, a website which he and his wife Michelle will be coordinating their work together. The website posted a video in which Obama introduced the website stating More than a library or museum, it will be a living, working centre for citizenship. Thats why we want to hear from you. Its going to take all of you and your ideas to make it a reality.

Obama plans to have world-wide projects and organise it through the Chicago centre. The website has a form that allows users to suggest local organisations they like or to discuss the ideas of citizenship. The website also showcases photos featuring the Obama family, their trips, hobbies and dogs. More information will be uploaded on the website post the power couple starts operation after their vacation.

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Donald Trump is definitely happy with his new position, but he will definitely be very unhappy with his new smartphone.

Donald Trump has finally taken his position as the US President after Barack Obama. He will how command as one of the most powerful man on earth, with a huge, unimaginable responsibility resting on his shoulders. However, he will have to sacrifice most of his previous identity, especially when it comes to his personal communication with friends and contacts. Now that he stands President, his entire communication will be under heavy surveillance and he will have to give up his old smartphone, his favourite Samsung Galaxy, only to forcefully embrace a highly secure BlackBerry smartphone.

The Presidents smartphone

Donald Trump will no longer be able to be on his favourite tweeting platform like he used to be. The highest responsibility as the President of the United States calls for a highly secure communication channel and he will have to now start tweeting on the Presidents official handle.

As reported by the New York Times, the 45th American president Donald Trump has handed over his old Android smartphone and is now in position of a highly secure and encrypted device, approved by the Secret Service. He will have a new cell number, and this number will only be available for a few people on the planet. While people around him will be flashing their elegant iPhones, Mr Trump will have no option but to show off his newly acquired BlackBerry.

The new phone will not be able to do much, citing security issues. When Barack Obama was handed over a similar phone at the time he took charge as president, his secure smartphone had no camera, no texting features, no music playback, and a few others. In short, his smartphone wasnt as smart as one would consider. When Obama was on the Tonight Show last year, he commented that that he almost had a play phone, similar to what a 3-year-old has.

Donald Trump is definitely happy with his new position, but he will definitely be very unhappy with his new smartphone. He has to trade his old smartphone with something that will satisfy the secret services at the White House. He would not be able to call his friends, or send messages to them. Whats worst for Mr Trump  he wont be able to tweet to his followers. However, he has vowed that he will keep his twitter handle alive during the time he spends in his office, reported CNet.

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He will also act as an adviser to both Kalanick and Anthony Levandowski, who heads Uber's self-driving program.

Ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc has hired the man behind Google search to work closely with Chief Executive Travis Kalanick and help grow the company's self-driving car program. Amit Singhal announced on his personal blog on Friday that he will join Uber after 15 years at Alphabet Inc, where he led Google's search division. Singhal will take the post of senior vice president of engineering, an Uber spokesman said, a role which oversees the company's marketplace and mapping efforts - the core of Uber's business. He will also act as an adviser to both Kalanick and Anthony Levandowski, who heads Uber's self-driving program.

In his blog post, Singhal said he was excited for the engineering challenges Uber is tackling, and called the company "a geek's candy store." "And don't even get me started on how interesting and exciting self-driving is for a computer scientist," he wrote.

Uber debuted its self-driving car pilot in Pittsburgh, in September. It launched a second fleet in San Francisco last month, but a feud with California regulators over Uber's failure to obtain proper permitting compelled the company to take its autonomous testing cars off the streets. Uber then packed up its cars and brought them to Arizona, where there are no special regulations for autonomous testing.

Singhal announced his departure from Google nearly a year ago, and said his next career move would involve philanthropy. He founded the Singhal Foundation, which aims to provide education to underprivileged children in India.

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New York: In the heart of bustling lower Manhattan sits one of the country's most secure federal lockups - and the new home of Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.

Guzman, who pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges he ran one of the world's biggest drug-trafficking operations, can expect to be kept in a special unit inside the drab 12-story Metropolitan Correctional Center, where such other high-profile, high-risk inmates as Gambino crime family boss John Gotti and several former close associates of Osama bin Laden awaited trial.

"It's got extra security above and beyond what you would have in a restricted housing area," second only to the super-maximum security prison in Florence, Colorado, said Catherine Linaweaver, who served as the lockup's warden for 15 months before retiring in 2014. "There is no other unit in the Bureau of Prisons like the high-security unit in New York."

To authorities, it's a setting befitting a man who twice escaped from maximum-security Mexican prisons. Federal prosecutors wrote in a court filing that "it is difficult to imagine another person with a greater risk of fleeing prosecution" than Guzman.

The jail is sandwiched between federal prosecutors' offices and two federal courthouses and is protected by steel barricades that can stop a 7 1/2-ton truck. Cameras capable of reading a newspaper a block away are trained on the area.

Inmates can be transported to court through corridors linked to both courthouses, though Guzman will be ferried to and from court in Brooklyn, a potentially risky job for the U.S. Marshals Service.

In the 10th-floor Special Housing Unit, known by its acronym, the SHU, pronounced like "the shoe," around a dozen prisoners spend 23 hours a day in 20-by-12-foot cells, prohibited from communicating with one another. Meals are eaten in cells, and exercise is in a recreation area specifically for these inmates.

To reduce the risk that a wealthy inmate such as Guzman might try to corrupt jail staff, the number of jailers who have access to him will likely be limited and each will undergo extra screenings by top jail officials, Linaweaver said.

The special unit's strict confinement drew criticism in 2011 from the human rights group Amnesty International, which expressed concern that the sparse cells, exercise restrictions and isolation "amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment."

The jail saw an audacious escape attempt in 1982, when two armed people in a hijacked sightseeing helicopter tried to pluck an inmate off a roof. Four years earlier, three prisoners broke out by cutting through window bars.

Security there was tightened significantly after Mamdouh Mahmud Salim, described as a right-hand man to bin Laden and awaiting trial in a terrorism case, used a sharpened comb to stab a guard on Nov. 1, 2000. Salim, who later apologized for the stabbing, is serving a life sentence.

Guzman's case doesn't mark the first time federal authorities have grappled with how to hang onto a member of his Sinaloa drug cartel.

Authorities expressed concern that the cartel might attempt to break a son of one of Guzman's cartel partners out of a federal lockup in Chicago in 2011. Of particular concern in that case: A fenced rooftop recreation center officials feared could make a defendant susceptible to sniper fire.

The son was moved to a more secure facility.
President Donald J. Trump gives a thumbs up after dancing with first lady Melania Trump at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball. (Photo: AP)

Washington: Several Indian-Americans from across the country attended a presidential gala in Washington to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

The gala organised by the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council and National Committee of Asian American Republicans on Friday was attended by Ambassadors from several Asian countries including the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna.

"This is a great celebration of Asian success. I am very happy that Indian-Americans are part of the successful large Asian community," Sarna said in his brief address at the celebrations.

Noting that he has a personal experience in how Indian-Americans play a role in strengthening India-US ties, Sarna said the Asian-American community play a major role in strengthening relationship with their home countries.

Top diplomats from South Korea, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka also spoke on the occasion.

"The new administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries. We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship," said Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee in his brief address.

Mukesh Aghi, president of the US India Business Council said there is tremendous potential in India-US business ties. The new goal is to increase the bilateral trade to USD 500 billion per annum.
Kulwant Singh Sandhu was yesterday found guilty of two counts of making harassing calls by Eastern California Federal Prosecutor Phillip A. Talbert. (Representational Image)

San Francisco: A 56-year-old Indian-origin man who made more than 3,000 harassing interstate phone calls to officials, some with death threats, has been convicted by a federal court in the US state of California.

Kulwant Singh Sandhu was yesterday found guilty of two counts of making harassing calls by Eastern California Federal Prosecutor Phillip A. Talbert.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Federal Prosecutors Nirav Desai and James Conolly before Federal Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr.

The prosecution said in a statement that in about 2012 Sandhu started making harassing phone calls to the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington and to private individuals and in 2015 alone he made more than 3,000 calls and left 350 voicemails.

The SEC regulates the stock markets and the securities industry.

"His voicemails were profanity-filled tirades that repeatedly called for SEC personnel and others to be, among other things, rounded up, publicly hanged, water-boarded, burned alive, shot, and blown up with rockets and tanks," the prosecutor's office said.

"His comments were often sexually graphic and targeted individuals."

He is to be sentenced in April and faces a maximum of two years in prison for each of the two charges he was convicted of and a USD 250,000 fine.
Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman pictured while he was being escorted to a helicopter in handcuffs by Mexican navy marines at a navy hanger in Mexico City. (Photo: AP)

New York: Drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman appeared in a US court on Friday after his surprise extradition from Mexico and pleaded not guilty to charges that he ran the world's largest drug-trafficking organisation during a decades-long criminal career.

El Chapo (Spanish for "Shorty"), who twice made dramatic escapes from Mexican prisons and was one of the world's most wanted drug lords, was accompanied by two lawyers during the appearance in federal court in Brooklyn.

The extradition came on the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration, a coincidence some officials said was an olive branch to the incoming U.S. president who declared he would kick Guzman's "ass" on taking office.

The Mexican attorney general's office rejected claims the move was related to Trump's swearing-in, noting that Guzman faces 10 pending cases in Mexico following his U.S. sentence.

Guzman, 59, wore a blue jump suit and had no visible expression on his face as he entered the courtroom and listened to questions from a judge. He did not appear to be wearing handcuffs. Guzman's lawyers declined to comment to reporters.

After U.S. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein asked Guzman if he understood the charges against him, Guzman responded through a Spanish interpreter, "Well, I didn't know until now."

An additional hearing was scheduled for Feb. 3.

The indictment in Brooklyn against him, with 17 criminal counts, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison, Robert Capers, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said at a news conference earlier in the day.

U.S. prosecutors have more than 40 witnesses ready to testify against Guzman, Capers told reporters, adding that the eventual trial will likely last "many" weeks.

Leading the Sinaloa cartel, Guzman oversaw perhaps the world's largest transnational cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine smuggling operation, playing a key role in Mexico's decade-long drug war that has killed over 100,000 people.

Guzman arrived in a small jet at Long Island's MacArthur Airport after nightfall on Thursday from a prison in Juarez in the northern state of Chihuahua, where his cartel rules.

A few hours earlier, Guzman, who stands 5 feet six inches, was bundled out of the Mexican cell block with his hands cuffed above his bowed head, Mexican television footage showed
Washington: Barack and Michelle Obama have said they opened a foundation to facilitate projects "all over the city, the country and the world" in their first message on his personal Twitter account as they exited the White House.

"Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we'll get back to work," Obama wrote.

"In the meantime, I want to hear what you're thinking about the road ahead. So share your ideas with me here," Obama tweeted.

He also tweeted a link to the website obama.org, where he and Michelle had recorded a video message about what comes next for them.

"After eight years in the White House, Michelle and I now rejoin all of you as private citizens," Obama said.

"We want to thank you once again from the bottom of hearts for giving us the incredible privilege of serving this country that we love," he said.

Michelle continued: "First, we're going to take a little break. We're finally going to get some sleep and take some time to be with our family, and just be still for a little bit".

Obama on Friday handed over the baton to next US President Donald Trump.
The eight-year-old dog dislocated a leg in the fall onto Phil Foster Park, according to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. (Photo: Pixabay)

Houston: In a shocking incident, a woman in Florida tossed a dog off a bridge claiming dogs could fly.

Before the woman threw the Jack Russell Terrier 30 feet off the Blue Heron Boulevard Bridge in Palm Beach County, Florida, she claimed dogs could fly, witnesses told Palm Beach County sheriffs officials.

Authorities took the woman to a hospital for a mental-health evaluation. She likely will face animal-cruelty charges, the sheriffs office was quoted as saying by the Palm Beach Post.

The eight-year-old dog dislocated a leg in the fall onto Phil Foster Park, according to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.

A lifeguard on the beach comforted the dog until help arrived.

It did attempt to sit up. It was yelping really badly, a witness told Sun-Sentinel.

We had to turn away. It was just horrible to see a dog in so much pain and shock. But it did seem as though it was trying to sit up, the witness said of the incident that took place this week.

A day later, the 30-pound dog was in significant pain. It is in serious, but stable, condition, according to Captain David Walesky of Animal Care and Control.

Hes not completely out of the woods yet, Walesky said about the dog, adding that it has a significant amount of swelling.

The dog will stay with Animal Care and Control for the foreseeable future, Walesky said.

Last year, in another incident of cruelty to animals, a woman was arrested after she reportedly kicked a tied-up dog into the Intracoastal Waterway near Boca Raton.

The state decided this month not to file animal cruelty charges against the woman, court records show.
"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first." (Photo: AP)

Washington: President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy, but offered no specifics about America's place in the world.

The billionaire businessman and reality television star - the first president who had never held political office or high military rank - promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs.

"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

A look at some reactions from around the world:

Indians Fret About Immigration Prospects

Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.

"It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.

Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?"

Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper.

"Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.

Pakistan Worries About Muslim Comments

A group of retired government officials gathered after morning prayers for a walk in a sprawling park in the heart of the federal capital of Islamabad and the topic of their conversation was President Trump's inaugural speech.

They expressed concern that Trump would target the Islamic world, particularly Pakistan, because of his campaign rhetoric about Muslims as well as his inaugural speech in which he promised to eradicate Islamic terrorism worldwide. Pakistan has often been accused of harboring militant insurgents and declared terrorist groups that have targeted neighboring India, against whom Pakistan has fought three wars, as well as Afghanistan. Pakistan denies the charges.

"Likely there is more trouble in store for the Islamic world and our country will take the most brunt of the harsh treatment from President Trump administration," said Mohammad Afzal.

His sentiments were echoed by Shafiq Khan, who said "the one main thing that the new president mentioned about the world outside America is to tackle Islamic radicalism and that should be the matter of concern for all of us."

Umair Khan, an engineer, said of Trump: "Let him taste the burden of government and get settled, I am sure he will calm."

Speech Resonates In Mexico

Perhaps no country was watching the speech more closely than Mexico. Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States.

So Trump's talk of "protect(ing) our borders," ''America first" and "buy American and hire American" had particular resonance in America's southern neighbor.

Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for "the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and protectionist speech we just heard. Unity against that useless wall, against deportations, against the blockade of investment."

"The challenge is enormous. ... We demand the federal government leave aside tepidity, that it tackle with absolute firmness and dignity the new relationship with the United States," Anaya said.

The United States is by far Mexico's largest commercial partner, buying some 80 percent of its $532 billion in exports in 2015. Mexico is the second-largest market for U.S. exports.

"At least the word 'Mexico' was not heard in the speech. Nevertheless one can expect the United States to launch a hyper-protectionist project," said Ilan Semo Groman, a researcher at Iberoamericana University.

If Trump truly moves to block or drive away U.S. investment in Mexico, Semo said Mexico should focus its commercial efforts on other countries.

"There are very clear possibilities," Semo said.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent three tweets after Trump's inaugural speech Friday:

- "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility."

- "We will establish a respectful dialogue with the government of President @realDonaldTrump, to Mexico's benefit."

- "Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States."

Afghans Disappointed But Hopeful

Like many in the Afghan capital of Kabul, restaurant owner Mohammad Nahim watched the presidential inauguration ceremonies but was disappointed to not hear any mention of Afghanistan.

"Trump did not mention a word about Afghanistan in his speech and the salaries of the Afghan army and police are paid by the US," he said. He added that if the US stops helping Afghanistan, "our country will again become a sanctuary to terrorists. I hope Trump will not forget Afghanistan."

Mohammed Kasim Zazi, a shopkeeper whose home is in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, where the feared Haqqani network is prominent, said he expected Trump to stay focused on Afghanistan.

"Trump said he will finish the terrorists in the world and that has to mean that Afghanistan will remain in the sights of the US" said Zazi.

Concern In Tokyo

Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.

Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.

"Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing."

Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.

"Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said.

Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions.

"In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said.

China Braces For Trouble Ahead

A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.

The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order.

"Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said.

The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead."

The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."

Taiwan Tweets

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership."

Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election.

He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.

South Koreans Put Security First, Worry About Alliance, Trade

Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.

"I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S."

In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons.

There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries.

"There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out."

In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.

Vietnamese Say Speech Too America-Focused

A Vietnamese analyst said Trump's speech was disappointing because it mainly served the domestic audience.

"I think this speech would be right for an election campaign, but not an inauguration speech," said Nguyen Ngoc Truong, president of Hanoi-based private policy think-tank Center for Strategic Studies and International Development.

"It should not be that simple because in an inauguration speech, you must introduce an objective and multi-faceted vision, not just one-sided vision to the American public," he said. "I don't think Trump could have a magic stick to be able to manage America to realize the goals that he outlined."

Australians Find Speech Divisive

An Australian father of two, Marek Rucinski, found Trump's speech "very divisive" and lacking substance.

"Normally these speeches are used to rally and unite people," he said. "It was, again, more bluster."

Rucinski was among some 8,000-10,000 people who attended a Women's March anti-Trump rally in Sydney's Hyde Park.

Self-described feminist, Niall Anderson, watched the president's inauguration in disbelief.

"Just disbelief that this can happen in 2017," the 35-year-old said.

The Australian newspaper's Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan wrote that "Trump answered one big question with his inauguration address: There is to be no transition from campaign Trump to presidential Trump."

"Donald Trump is always Donald Trump. This consistency is perhaps his chief virtue," Sheridan wrote.

"And his inauguration address made it clear that he intends to govern just as he campaigned, taking swings at his opponents, extolling his populist mantras, speaking in the slightly weird argot of contemporary down market celebrity," he added.
Women made up the overwhelming majority of the people who emerged whooping and cheering from Washingtons Union Station, arriving on jam-packed trains and buses.

Washington: Women in pink pussyhats flooded into Washington by the train-load on Saturday for a massive rights march set to draw hundreds of thousands in defiance of Americas hardline new president, Donald Trump.

Actress America Ferrera speaking at the start of the Womens March on Washington rally said every single one of us is under attack by President Donald Trump. She said people have gathered in the capital and across the country to say to Trump, We refuse.

Metro stations overflowed as trains packed to bursting moved cheering, clapping marchers into the city for what was expected to be a record-breaking inauguration-related protest.

Women made up the overwhelming majority of the people who emerged whooping and cheering from Washingtons Union Station, arriving on jam-packed trains and buses.

The incoming tide of women in knitted pink hats flushed through a city that the day before had welcomed throngs of Trump supporters in red Make America Great Again! caps for the Republicans swearing-in to a four year term.

Meanwhile, thousands of people marched through central London as part of a global day of protests against Mr Trump and his derogatory remarks about women. The largely female crowd, which also had many men and children, marched from the US embassy to Trafalgar Square, chanting dump Trump and waving banners demanding equal rights.

Trump Special Relationship: Just Say No and Our Rights Are Not For Grabs  Neither Are We were among the banners held aloft, along with We shall overcomb and Make bigotry wrong again.

Women and men in cities around the world  including Sydney, Berlin, London, Paris and Cape Town, South Africa  took to the streets in solidarity with the Washington protesters.

In Wenceslas Square in freezing conditions, they waved the portraits of President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as well banners that read: This is just the beginning.

Hillary Clinton praised those attending the Womens March on Washington. The former Democratic nominee for president thanked attendees on Twitter for standing, speaking and marching for our values.
US President Donald Trump gestures to supporters during the Inaugural Parade on January 20 in Washington, DC. (Photo: AFP)

Tokyo: A day after Donald Trump became US President and vowed to put America First, Asian media decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global economy and sow widespread international discord.

In a defiant inaugural address, Trump said US workers have been devastated by an outflow of jobs overseas, one of the main themes of a divisive campaign that emphasised making America strong again.

India must not only prepare for a more protectionist America, but also prepare of a United States that does not plan to mess around with other peoples affairs or squander blood and treasure in the name of promoting democratic values, wrote policy analyst C Raja Mohan, head of Carnegie India, in The Indian Express.

In Japan, one of Washingtons oldest and staunchest Asian allies, newspapers across the political spectrum criticised the new administration, with more than one saying the world was now in unpredictable territory.

Has there ever been a new US administration that began by spreading unease, not expectations, throughout the world? said the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun, adding that Trump appeared ready to take both alliances and global norms lightly if they didnt benefit the United States.

The liberal Asahi Shimbun went further and said Trump, who called on allies like Japan and South Korea to shoulder a greater share of defence costs or face the possible withdrawal of US troops, posed a risk to the freer global order born after World War Two and the Cold War.

Will the unpredictable Trump whirlwind cross the US borders to spread division and conflict? The new master of the White House must realise the heavy responsibility that accompanies his words and actions, it said.

State media in China, accused of stealing US jobs during Trumps campaign, said they hoped his government understood the importance of relations with China but that Beijing should also brace for the worst.

Whats crucial is to control and manage disputes and find a way to resolve them, said the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Partys official Peoples Daily.

Worry about friction between the two superpowers loomed over many in the region.

As an exporting nation reliant on both China and the US, we would suffer from greater US protectionism and any trade war, said the Sydney Morning Herald.

We may have to negotiate our way through a new world order not just regarding trade and China but also climate, Russia and regional security given Trumps lack of interest in the US playing the role of sheriff.

A less-engaged Washington could also lead to shifting alliances and more reliance on regional networks.

A few said they expected US political institutions to prevail and that Trump should be given the benefit of the doubt as the duly-elected US leader. It is wisest to hope he succeeds, added The Australian in an editorial titled President Trump Seals the Deal.

But uncertainty prevailed for the most part.

Under Trump, the United States is apt to be as edgy and unpredictable as his former television reality show, said Thailands The Nation on Friday.

The reality show has become reality. We are about to discover whether America can become great again - and whether the word great takes on unexpected meanings.
Protesters hold placards with slogans, during the Women's March rally, in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: AP)

Sydney: Thousands of protesters in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday joined the first of hundreds of womens' marches organized around the world in a show of disapproval of U.S. President Donald Trump as he began his first day in office.

In Sydney, Australia's biggest city, about 3,000 people, men and women gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the U.S. consulate downtown, while organizers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne.

"Feminism is my Trump card" and "Fight like a girl," were among the placards held aloft by the protesters in Sydney.

"Were not marching as an anti-Trump movement per se, were marching to protest the hate speech, the hateful rhetoric, the misogyny, the bigotry, the xenophobia and we want to present a united voice with women around the globe," organizer Mindy Freiband told Reuters.

Many of the protesters in Sydney and Melbourne wore pink hats, that activists referred to as their "pussyhats".

The emergence of a 2005 tape in which Trump spoke of women in a demeaning way sparked widespread outrage and was one of the low points of his election campaign. In the tape he was heard saying: "Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."

In New Zealand, there were marches in four cities, involving around 2,000 people, Wellington's march organizer Bette Flagler told Reuters by phone.

Elsewhere in Asia, hundreds of people joined protests

in Tokyo, including many American expatriates.

"Trump presidency gets my blood boiling. Everything we value could be gone. It's time to speak your mind and concerns and to do our best to salvage the values we cherish in America," said Bill Scholer, an art teacher.

And in Manila on Friday about 200 demonstrators from a Philippine nationalist group rallied for about an hour against Trump outside the U.S. embassy in Manila.

Some held up signs demanding U.S. troops leave the Philippines while others set fire to a paper U.S. flag bearing a picture of Trump's face..

Worldwide some 673 "sister marches" are planned for Saturday, in addition to a protest in Washington D.C., according to the organizers' website which says more than two million marchers are expected.

In Washington D.C., at Trump's inauguration back-clad activists, who were not related to the womens marches, threw rocks and bottles at police in Washington as Trump was sworn in as President.

Although protests in the United States are common at inaugurations, in living memory only the inauguration of Richard Nixon in 1968 - as the United States fought an unpopular war in Vietnam - has drawn such a strong reaction worldwide.

In Sydney, many were worried about that Trumps politics and his attitude towards women and minorities could spread.

"As a mature 56-year-old lesbian I feel for the first time what is global is local," Vicki Skehan, 56, told Reuters.

"We've come so far with inclusiveness and I don't want to see that go away."
Demonstrators take part in the Women's March on London, following the Inauguration of US President Donald Trump. (Photo: AP)

London: Thousands of people marched through central London on Saturday as part of a global day of protests against new US President Donald Trump and his derogatory remarks about women.

The largely female crowd, which also had many men and children, marched from the US embassy to Trafalgar Square, chanting "dump Trump" and waving banners demanding equal rights.

"Trump Special Relationship: Just Say No" and "Our Rights Are Not For Grabs Neither Are We" were among the banners held aloft, along with "We shall overcomb" and "Make bigotry wrong again".

Hannah Bryant, a 34-year-old museum worker, brought her four-year-old daughter both of them wearing bright pink "pussy hats" worn by US demonstrators.

"I've been teaching her about equality and prejudice, and I wanted her to see how many people believe in it," she said.

Oliver Powell, a 31-year-old actor, who called the new US president a "hideous person", said: "I want the majority of Americans who didn't vote for him to know they have support across the world."

"You can't believe he's real," said his friend, 36-year-old Emily Chase.

Many marchers were mothers and daughters, joining unionists, feminist groups, rights organisations and London mayor Sadiq Khan in global protest on the day after Trump's inauguration.

"It's a feeling of solidarity not in our name," said Jill Pickering, a 56-year-old American student. "I'm angry I didn't vote for Trump."

"For me it's a message of hope," said her friend Sarah Macdonald, a 51-year-old company director.

"I think that this is going to galvanise the liberal parties, the Democrats (in the US) and the leftist parties in this country that have suffered electoral defeat. What do we have left? Protest."

Their friend Kirstin Hadley, a 43-year-old lawyer, added: "We have to come out and say we won't accept this. You cannot be apathetic any more."
Far-right leader and candidate for next spring presidential elections Marine le Pen from France delivers a speech at a meeting of European Nationalists in Koblenz, Germany. (Photo: AP)

Koblenz: French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen on Saturday told a European gathering of rightwing populists in Germany that a string of high-stakes elections in 2017 would blow a wind of change across the region.

Galvanised by Britain's vote to leave the EU and Donald Trump's US presidential victory, the far-right National Front leader said voters in France, Germany and the Netherlands would be next to reject the status quo.

"2016 was the year the Anglo-Saxon world woke up. 2017, I am sure, the people of continental Europe will wake up," she told a cheering crowd at a conference hall in the western city of Koblenz, on the river Rhine.

"It's no longer a question of if, but when," she added in a speech that railed against migration, the euro and open borders.

Billed as a "European counter-summit", the Koblenz gathering was also attended by Frauke Petry of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD), Geert Wilders of the Dutch anti-Islam Freedom Party, Harald Vilimsky, secretary general of the Freedom Party of Austria and Matteo Salvini of Italy's anti-EU Northern League.

The event came just a day after the inauguration of Trump, who assumed power with a staunchly nationalist address in which he vowed to put "America first".

Good PR

The Koblenz participants have made no secret of their admiration for the maverick billionaire, and like him are hoping to shake up the political landscape by capitalising on a tide of anger against the establishment and anxiety over migration.

"Yesterday a new America, today Koblenz and tomorrow a new Europe," Wilders, sporting his trademark peroxide hairdo, told the 800-strong crowd in German.

"We are the start of a patriotic spring in Europe," he said to loud applause.

The Dutch MP, who has vowed to ban the Koran and pull his country of the European Union, currently tops polls ahead of March parliamentary elections.

But observers say he will likely struggle to find the coalition partners needed to govern.

The Koblenz congress, the first of its kind, has been organised by the European Parliament's Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) grouping, which was set up by Le Pen in 2015 and now brings together 40 MEPs from nine member states.

It has been touted as an opportunity for the parties to highlight their common ground but political analyst Timo Lochocki of the German Marshall Fund said the event was mainly "just good PR" as the parties had little to gain from strengthening ties.

"The reasons why people vote for these parties are purely national and are independent from any alleged cross-national cooperation between the far-right," he told AFP.

Le Pen said the Koblenz participants shared a commitment to break free from the "tyranny" of Brussels and become a "Europe of nations, a Europe of freedom".

Ode to Joy

The meeting stirred controversy in Germany.

Some 5,000 protesters rallied against the event under the banner "Koblenz stays colourful, no room for rightwing populism", police told AFP.

A group of demonstrators sang a German rendition of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy", the EU's anthem, while others carried signs that read "If you sleep through democracy, you wake up in a dictatorship".

Among the protesters were German vice-chancellor Sigmar Gabriel and Luxembourg's foreign minister Jean Asselborn.

"We stand for a diverse, open and social Europe of the 21st century," Asselborn told the crowd.

More than 1,000 police officers were deployed to keep the demos peaceful.

Migrant invasion

In the run-up to the congress, AfD MEP Marcus Pretzell, Petry's husband, triggered widespread criticism when he announced that several German media outlets had been denied accreditation because of their perceived bias.

AfD co-chief Petry meanwhile came under fire for taking part in the meeting at all, with some prominent members questioning whether the party should be cosying up to Le Pen, and in doing so, lurch further to the right.

The AfD started out as an anti-euro party but has since gained ground by railing against Merkel's liberal refugee policy, which has brought over a million asylum seekers to the country since 2015.

Petry used her speech Saturday to again lash out at the record influx, slamming the establishment's calls for tolerance "while hundreds of thousands, millions, of mostly illiterate young men from a far and partly violent culture invade our continent".

The AfD is polling at 11-15 percent, ahead of a general election in September, boosting its chances of becoming the first hardline rightist party to enter Germany's parliament since 1945.
One of the three children that were rescued from the avalanche-hit Rigopiano Hotel is transported to a hospital in Pescara. (Photo: AP)

Farindola, Italy: After two days huddled in freezing cold, tons of snow surrounding them in the wreckage of the avalanche-demolished hotel, survivors greeted their rescuers Friday as "angels." Among the 10 people pulled out alive was a plucky 6-year-old who just wanted her favourite cookies.

But for the loved ones of at least 16 others still trapped in the doomed mountain resort in central Italy, the agonizing wait to learn their relatives' fate dragged on.

"Whoever had good news is happy," said Francesco Provolo, the prefect of the nearby town of Pescara, where the survivors were taken to a hospital.

"Who didn't have good news...," Provolo's voice trailed off as he was joined by people at the hospital who looked upset.

Cheers of "Bravo! Bravo!" rang out early Friday as the first survivors were pulled from the debris, boosting spirits two days after the massive snow slide buried some 30 people. Four children were among those found alive, though the fate of the parents of one of them remained unknown as rescuers dug on.

"Today is a day of hope. There's a miracle under way," declared Ilario Lacchetta, mayor of the tiny town of Farindola, where the hotel is located.

Before the rescues, four bodies had been discovered earlier in the rubble of the luxury Hotel Rigopiano, in the Gran Sasso mountains 180 kilometres (115 miles) northeast of Rome, where the avalanche dumped 16 and a half feet (5 meters) of snow on top of the resort Wednesday.

Relatives of the missing rushed from the mountain rescue operations center to the seaside hospital where the survivors were taken for treatment in hopes that their loved ones were among the lucky few to be found.

First word of the survivors came around 11 am when a boy wearing blue snow pants and a matching ski jacket emerged through a tunnel dug in the snow more than 42 hours after the avalanche struck.

It was Gianfilippo Parete, the 8-year-old son of Giampiero Parete, a chef vacationing at the resort who was outside the hotel when the deluge hit and first sounded the alarm by calling his boss.



Emergency crews mussed the boy's hair in celebration. "Bravo! Bravo!" they cheered.

Next to emerge was the boy's mother, Adriana Vranceanu, 43, wearing red snow pants and appearing alert as she pointed toward the wreckage where her 6-year-old daughter, Ludovica, was still trapped. Mother and son were taken by stretcher to a helicopter for the ride out.

They were then reunited with Parete at the hospital in Pescara, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration but otherwise in good health.

"They had heavy clothes," said Dr. Tullio Spina, director of the hospital's intensive care and anesthesia unit. "They had ski caps to cover themselves. They remained away from the snow and cold, they were always inside the structure. That's why the hypothermia wasn't severe."

Ludovica, in a fuschia-colored top and dark snow pants, was rescued several hours later and asked for cookies: Ringos, an Italian version of Oreos, said Quintino Marcella, the restaurant owner who rallied the rescue after getting the phone call from her father.

He said the little girl, her brother and mother "are great. Of course, they are worn out after two nights and two days without anything, in the cold."

Some 30 people were believed trapped inside the hotel when the avalanche hit after days of winter storms that dumped nearly 10 feet (three meters) of snow. The region was also rocked by four strong earthquakes on Wednesday, though it was not clear if they set off the avalanche.

As the rescue work continued, relatives of the missing gathered anxiously at the Pescara hospital waiting for word of their loved ones.

"I just hope that my niece and her boyfriend will make it out of there," said Melissa Riccardo. "We came to see if she was here."

A few erupted in frustration at an evening news conference.

"The only news I have has been from the internet. They haven't given me anything direct," said Domenico Angelozzi, awaiting news of his sister and brother-in-law.

The number of survivors found and extracted evolved over the course of the day.

Marco Bini, a member of a police squad participating in the rescue, said the team opened a hole in the hotel roof Thursday night but "heard nothing." Still, they pushed on, following a floor plan of the hotel until they found signs of life.

Upon seeing their rescuers, the survivors "called them angels," he said.

"They weren't in a lot of space" but it was enough to survive, an area probably protected by the snow, Bini told Italian state TV.

Late Friday, civil protection chief Fabrizio Curcio said 10 people had been found alive: Five who had been extracted, including the four children. Rescuers were working to remove the rest, he said.

"A beautiful feeling. Wonderful. I can't describe it!" marvelled Simona Di Carlo, aunt of Edoardo Di Carlo, after hearing word that he was among the children rescued, although his parents remained missing.

Rescue crews said a group of survivors was found in the hotel's kitchen area in an air pocket that formed when reinforced cement walls partially resisted the avalanche's violent power.

"It's probable that they realized the risk and took protective measures," firefighter Giuseppe Romano said.

Prosecutors opened a manslaughter investigation into the tragedy and were looking into whether the avalanche threat was taken seriously enough, and whether the hotel should have been evacuated earlier given the heavy snowfall and forecasts.

"That hotel... should it have been open?" prosecutor Christina Tedeschini was quoted by the ANSA news agency as saying. "If the people wanted to leave, what prevented them from doing so?"

Parete, the survivor who sounded the alarm, said the guests had all checked out and were waiting for the road to be cleared so they could evacuate. But the snow plow never arrived and the avalanche hit around 5:30 pm Wednesday.

In addition, pleas for a rescue team initially went unheeded by Italian authorities. Marcella, Parete's boss, said his call to the Pescara prefect's office was rebuffed because the hotel had informed it a few hours earlier that all was OK there.

He persisted with other emergency responders and eventually someone took his information seriously and mobilized the rescue some two hours later.

Tedeschini said the delay was "a relevant theme that we will look into."

The operation has been hampered by fears of triggering new avalanches and building collapses onto possible survivors trapped in the rubble.

Workers have been clearing a seven-kilometre (5.5-mile) road to bring in heavier equipment, but the mountain road can handle only one-way traffic and is covered with snow and fallen trees and rocks.

The force of the massive snow slide collapsed one wing of the hotel and rotated another off its foundation, pushing it downhill.

An Alpine rescue team was the first to arrive at the hotel on cross-country skis after a seven-kilometer journey that took two hours. They found Parete and Fabio Salzetta, a hotel maintenance worker, in a car in the resort's parking lot.

The mountainous region of central Italy has been struck by a series of quakes since August that destroyed homes and historic centres in dozens of towns and hamlets. A deadly quake in August killed nearly 300 people. No one died in strong aftershocks in the region in October, largely because towns had already been evacuated.
London: Prince William, the second-in-line to the British throne, on Saturday confirmed he will be quitting his job as an air ambulance rescue pilot to focus on his royal duties on behalf of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth "full-time".

The Duke of Cambridge will also move his family to Kensington Palace in London from their current family base in Anmer Hall, Sandringham.

The 34-year-old has told East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) that he will not be renewing his two-year contract with them when it lapses in a few months' time in the summer.

In a statement, Prince William said: "It has been a huge privilege to fly with the East Anglia Air Ambulance.

"Following on from my time in the military, I have had experiences in the job I will carry with me for the rest of my life and that will add a valuable perspective to my Royal work for decades to come.

"I would like to thank the people of East Anglia for being so supportive of my role and for letting me get on with my job when they have seen me in the community or at our regions hospitals.

"I would especially like to thank all of my colleagues at EAAA, Babcock, and Cambridge Airport for friendship and support. I have loved being part of a team of professional, talented people that save lives every day.

"My admiration for our country's medical and emergency services community could not be stronger," he said.

William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, will make the move to London so that their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, can begin a new school and nursery, respectively, in the British capital.
Police were on high alert with additional officers on duty. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Vienna: Austrian police raided several addresses early on Saturday as they grilled a suspected Islamic extremist thought to have been planning an attack, authorities said.

"There were several raids on homes in Vienna and Lower Austria (state)," interior ministry spokesman Karl-Heinz Grundboeck told AFP.

"Material recovered in these searches is now being evaluated. So far there has only been one arrest, the one which took place yesterday (Friday)," he said.

The 18-year-old man arrested on Friday evening in Vienna was meanwhile being questioned, Konrad Kogler, national security chief, said on public radio.

"It is possible more raids and arrests will take place, depending on what comes out of the enquiry," Kogler said.

Austria's interior minister had said Friday that the man was an Austrian citizen from the Albanian minority and that indications of possible links to Islamic extremists were being investigated.

Wolfgang Sobotka added there were "leads suggesting that he may not be alone but that a larger network could be behind him".

A police spokeswoman had told AFP that signs had multiplied in "recent days" that there might be an attack in Vienna, a city popular with foreign tourists, and that security measures were boosted.

Kogler said Saturday that an attack on Vienna's metro system was "one possible scenario" and that there were indications that it would have taken place "in a very short space of time".

Authorities declined to comment if any explosives were found. Police were on high alert with additional officers on duty. The public were told to be vigilant.

Austria has been spared in the string of attacks by Islamist extremists in recent years suffered by other European countries.

In 2015 a record 90,000 people applied for asylum in Austria after hundreds of thousands of migrants transited the country bound for Germany and elsewhere.

Several of the attackers behind the deadly November 2015 attacks in Paris transited through Austria with false papers among the flow of migrants.

In December 2015, two migrants were arrested in Salzburg and later extradited to France over their alleged intent to take part in those attacks, which left 130 people dead.

A Moroccan asylum-seeker was detained in Austria in December for allegedly planning an attack in Salzburg over the Christmas and New Year period, prosecutors said.

"Today's case shows once again that Austria is no blessed isle. That Austria, like Europe, has to expect terror situations," Sobotka said on Friday.

Austria's opposition far-right has risen in popularity by stoking concerns about immigrants and security, mirroring the rise of other anti-immigration parties in Europe.

It came close in December to winning Austria's largely ceremonial but coveted presidency and is leading national opinion polls.
In a post-coup crackdown, Turkey has jailed some 40,000 people pending trial and has suspended or dismissed more than 100,000 from the military, judiciary and public services. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Ankara: Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for more than 400 people, including soldiers and security officers, in 48 provinces across the country following July's failed coup, broadcaster Haberturk said on Saturday.

They were being sought on suspicion of using Bylock, an encrypted smartphone messaging app that the government says was used by the network of Fethullah Gulen who is alleged by Ankara to have orchestrated the attempted coup, Haberturk reported.

Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied the charge and condemned the coup.

In a post-coup crackdown, Turkey has jailed some 40,000 people pending trial and has suspended or dismissed more than 100,000 from the military, judiciary and public services.

Among the suspects were 123 soldiers from the navy and 187 security officers, Haberturk said. It said 12 people had been detained so far in operations centered in Ankara and Istanbul.

Separately, authorities detained five people in relation to attacks with rocket launchers on Friday by unidentified assailants on Istanbul's police headquarters and an office of the ruling AK Party, broadcaster CNN Turk said.

NATO member Turkey has been hit by bombings and shootings in the past year, on top of July's failed coup, in which soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power.
Turkey's parliament approved a contentious constitutional reform package, paving the way for a referendum on a presidential system that would greatly expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office. (Photo: AP)

Istanbul: Turkey's parliament has signed off on a contentious constitutional reform package that would concentrate even more powers in the office of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and potentially extend his mandate till 2029. The reforms will come into effect if approved in a national referendum.

How it came about

Constitutional reforms were first floated by the ruling party after it won the 2011 general elections, but that failed to gain traction immediately.

In 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the country's first directly elected president and the idea of bolstering his office resurfaced.

The ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, made the executive presidency central to its campaign promises in June 2015 general elections.

In November 2016, the nationalist party declared it would back moves to switch to a presidential system, saying Erdogan's rule was a de-facto presidential system anyway.

The changes

The presidency would be catapulted from a largely ceremonial role to a nearly all-powerful position as head of government, head of state and head of the ruling party.

The office of the prime minister disappears, making way for a strong, executive president supported by vice -presidents. The president would have the power to appoint cabinet ministers without requiring a confidence vote from parliament, propose budgets and appoint more than half the members of the nation's highest judicial body. The president would also have the power to dissolve the national assembly and impose states of emergencies.

Parliament would be elected every five years, instead of every four, in general elections held in tandem with presidential elections.

The reform package also raises the number of lawmakers in parliament to 600 and lowers the age of political candidacy to 18.

Controversially, it allows for a partisan president. To date, the symbolic head of state has been obliged to remain neutral and cut ties with his party.

It also introduces technical requirements that would make it harder for the assembly to remove the president from office or bring down his government with a vote of no confidence.

What makes Turkeys proposed system different

Turkey's presidential system would allow Erdogan to be the head of state, the head of government and the head of the ruling party.

The model proposed by Turkey lacks the safety mechanisms of checks and balances present in other countries like the United States, observers say. The proposed changes transfer powers traditionally held by national assembly to the presidency rendering it a largely advisory body.

The context

The proposal comes six months after a violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016 failed to unseat Erdogan. The government reacted by declaring a state of emergency and sweeping purges that left no government institution untouched.

More than 100,000 civil servants have been dismissed for their alleged ties to the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a US based cleric Ankara blames for the revolt. He denies involvement.

At the same time, Turkey is waging a multifaceted war against "terrorists," a term encompassing Gulen supporters as well as the Islamic State group and Kurdish rebels at home, Syria and Iraq.

Turkey suffered dozens of stinging bombing attacks in 2016 in violence linked to the resumption of conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast and increased activity of foreign and local IS cells in Turkey.

The controversy

Supporters of a powerful presidency argue that a strong president would strengthen Turkey as it confronts a broad array of internal and external security threats.

Critics say that the reforms concentrate too many powers in the hands a leader who has increasingly displayed authoritarian tendencies. They point to anti-terrorism campaigns that have decimated an opposition pro-Kurdish party, the closure and government takeover of dozens of media outlets, the detention of more than 100 journalists, and hundreds of defamation lawsuits brought against individuals who "insulted" the president.

They also say that holding a referendum when the country is under a state of emergency prevents the opposition from campaigning freely against the proposed changes.

What next?

Turkish authorities say a referendum on the reforms will be held between late March and mid-April. If more than 50 percent of voters approve it, the reforms would come into effect. Parliamentary and presidential elections would be held at the same time in 2019.

The constitutional changes would also reset the clock on term limits, giving Erdogan the possibility of continuing as president until 2029.
Ankara: Turkey is headed for a referendum this year on whether to dramatically expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after parliament backed the changes early Saturday.

The government insists the proposals to create an executive presidency will ensure simpler and more effective leadership, but critics fear they will edge Turkey toward one-man rule.

Parliament approved a new 18-article constitution, which includes the presidency changes, in a final vote with 339 approving, and 142 MPs voting against the bill.

Each article was put to a vote in the 550-seat parliament, where the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) enjoys a comfortable majority. At least 330 votes -- a three-fifths majority -- were needed to adopt the constitutional change.

Immediately after the bill was approved, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said the "last word" would be had by the people in a referendum, expected to be held in April.

Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said on Twitter the reforms would ensure stability, adding: "No more coalition governments that led to crises in 1970s and 1990s."

The bill would create an executive presidency for the first time in modern Turkey and give the president the power to appoint and fire ministers.

In addition, the post of prime minister will be abolished for the first time in the country's history and replaced by a vice president, or perhaps several.

Worst fighting in years

The debates have been fractious and the assembly has witnessed some of the worst fighting in years including clashes on Thursday after an independent lawmaker, Aylin Nazliaka, handcuffed herself to the microphone on the platform.

The bill would allow parliamentary elections and presidential ballots to be held at the same time, with the draft giving November 3, 2019 as the poll date.

Yildirim said the changes would allow for a "sole power that would be strong", meaning a more decisive approach to solving problems.

"There would be no weakness in fighting terror (or)... on economic issues," Yildirim said in an interview with TRT Haber broadcaster.

The proposed changes would also widen the scope of conditions in which the president can declare an emergency and would allow for a period of six months initially, up from the previous 12 weeks.

Turkey has been under a state of emergency for almost six months following the July 15 failed coup that tried to overthrow Erdogan.

It was extended earlier this month meaning that campaigning for the referendum will take place under the emergency, raising concerns among human rights groups.

Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey director of Human Rights Watch, said she feared the public would not be sufficiently informed about the implications of the bill.

"There is no possibility under a state of emergency for an effective public debate in the media about the changes that are being brought in," she said.

Not reform but suicide

The debate takes place during a tense period after a bloody 2016 which saw multiple terror attacks by Kurdish militants and Islamic State jihadists.

On Saturday, an assailant opened fire on a police car in Istanbul, just hours after two rocket attacks against the police and Turkey's ruling party offices, local media reported.

No one was killed or injured, and no group claimed responsibility.

The political instability has contributed to the lira's continuous decline in value against the US dollar, and worries over the already fragile economy.

Opponents have accused Erdogan of marching towards authoritarian rule, comparing the executive presidency to sultans of the Ottoman Empire.

Sinclair-Webb told AFP the changes could not be compared with other countries like France or the United States because of their "strong checks and balances on the power", despite the government's insistence.

"According to the Turkish model that is outlined in this amendment, you don't have any such check on presidential power."

President of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations (UTBA) Metin Feyzioglu criticised the changes, saying they harked back to the country's Ottoman history.

"This new system is not unknown to us, because we have been ruled for 600 years in this way. It has a name which is sultanate," Feyzioglu said.

He added: "It is not a reform but suicide and the people will not commit suicide."
Peshawar: At least 20 people were killed and 30 others injured on Saturday in a blast at a vegetable market in northwest Pakistan's restive Kurram tribal agency, officials said.

The blast took place at the crowded Sabzi Mandi inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.

Initial report suggests that explosives kept in vegetable crates exploded during auction of the vegetables, killing 20 people and wounding 30 others, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital.

Security personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the entire area and started search operation.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.
The blast, claimed by Tehrik-i-Taliban occurred at the market inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border. (Photo: Representational Image)

Peshawar: A powerful explosion on Saturday ripped through a crowded vegetable market in minority Shias dominated Parachinar in northwest Pakistan's restive Kurram tribal agency, killing at least 25 people and injuring 50 others.

The blast, claimed by Tehrik-i-Taliban occurred at the market inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.

Citing the political administration in Kurram agency, Geo TV said that at least 25 people were killed in the blast. However, in a brief statement the military said that 20 people have been killed in the attack.

Initial report suggests that explosives kept in a vegetable crate exploded during auction of the vegetables, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital where there is a shortage of doctors and medical facilities. At least 10 patients were said to be in critical condition.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the improvised explosive device (IED) blast took place at 08:50 am in the vegetable market.

"Army and FC Quick Response officials have reached the blast site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters have been flown in for medical evacuation of the injured," it said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the attack and ordered a detailed report regarding the incident. Muttahida Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, a Shia political organisation, announced three days of mourning over the blast.

According to officials, the death toll is expected to rise as the market was crowded due to early morning rush.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Umer Khurasani has claimed responsibility for the blast. He said the blast was to avenge the killing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief Asif Chotu.

Asif, who was on Pakistan's most wanted terrorist list and carried a bounty of Rs 3,000,000 on his head, was killed along with three aides in an encounter near Lahore on Tuesday.

He was directly involved in killing over 100 citizens of Pakistan in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Indirectly, he was involved in killing of over 200 people.

LeJ was founded in 1996 as a militant offshoot of Sipah-i-Sahaba, a Sunni sectarian group that emerged in the mid-1980s. LeJ has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, mostly minority Shia Muslims.

Opposition Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the blast and said that "in order to defeat terrorism people will have to support the PPP."

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan said that attack on unarmed civilians is not acceptable. "The terrorists should be tried and the victims be given justice," he said.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khatakk and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack. Parachinar has a sizeable Shia population and in the past the minority community was targeted through bombings.

In December 2015, a similar blast at the Eidgah Market killed 25 people and injured 70 others.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.
Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free, officials said. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Beijing: In a setback to Indian travellers, Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, has withdrawn the visa-free facility for Indians who will have to complete a pre-arrival registration from Monday.

"The Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals will be implemented on January 23. The online service for Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals is now open," the Hong Kong immigration department said in an announcement on its official website.

"Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free (if seeking to enter the HKSAR during transit). Pre-arrival registration is not required for Indian nationals in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area," it said.

A notice on the Indian Consulate in Hong Kong said Indian passport holders without the Pre-Arrival Registration Slip, except those belonging to any of the exempted categories, would not be allowed to board a conveyance bound for Hong Kong.

A Pre-Arrival Registration is normally valid for a six month period or until the expiry date of the Indian passport linked to it, whichever is earlier, it said.

This is a major set back for over half a million Indians who visit the former British colony for business, trade and holidays.

Till now Hong Kong has permitted Indians to enter with valid passport for a period up to 14 days without a visa. But the facility has been withdrawn despite representations from India ostensibly on the ground that the number of Indian asylum seekers was on the rise, official sources told PTI here.

Indian officials refute that saying a minute number of asylum seekers from over half million visitors can not be an excuse to scrap the longstanding facility which also benefitted Hong Kong as most of them were high spending tourists contributing to the economy of the former British colony.

There is also concern whether the move is being brought about by Hong Kong due to pressure from China.
Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday asked India and the World Bank to inform it about all the dams and hydropower projects proposed to be built by India under the Indus Waters Treaty on the western rivers, and not just the two projects under dispute currently.

The matter was discussed during an inter-ministerial meeting presided over by finance minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday.

Ministers and other representatives of the ministries of water and power, foreign affairs and law and justice, the attorney generals office and civil and military experts attended the meeting.

The meeting observed that the president of the World Bank had drawn up the lots for appointment of umpires for a court of arbitration before it had put on hold the process about two months ago.

This meant that the World Bank was convinced and had accepted Pakistans position, attorney general Ashtar Ausaf claimed.

Pakistan said its stance was that not only the two schemes under dispute at the moment -- the Kishanganga and Ratle projects -- but technical and other details of all the upcoming projects should be shared with the World Bank and Pakistan, along with their designs and locations, so that Islamabad could examine them in a manner that they did not create problems every now and then and the treaty could function smoothly, said Ausaf.

The meeting also asked a taskforce led by the attorney general to formulate a strategy for future handling of the disputed projects.

Ausaf said the chief executive officer of the bank, Kristalina I Georgieva, who is second only in hierarchy to its president, would arrive on January 26 for deliberations on the subject.

He said the senior official was inducted into the World Bank group on January 2 and her visit to Pakistan would be her first trip outside Washington, which meant that the bank was attaching great importance to Islamabads case.

At the same time, Ausaf said, it was decided that the bank must be reminded that it had a critical role to play and that it should honour its responsibilities under the treaty.

The finance ministry said that Pakistan viewed the treaty as a useful and time-tested mechanism for sharing water with India and that Islamabad had always abided by it.

It said it was in the interest of both countries that they continue to implement the terms of the treaty. In this spirit, Pakistan would continue to fulfil its obligations under the IWT. The contrasting stances of Pakistan and India were deliberated in detail at the meeting.

The treaty, signed in 1960, gives India control over the three eastern rivers of the Indus basin -- the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej -- while Pakistan has the three western rivers -- the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.

The IWT also sets up a mechanism, the Permanent Indus Commission, which includes a commissioner from each country.

The current dispute revolves around the Kishenganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric plants. India is building the plants on the Kishanganga and Chenab rivers, which Pakistan claims violates the IWT.
Islamabad: To ease tension between the two neighbouring nations, Pakistan on Saturday released the Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan, who had strayed across LoC hours after the surgical strike in September last year.

The acting spokesperson of the Pakistan Army, Major General Asif Ghafoor made the announcement on Twitter.

Ghafoor also said that Chavan had deserted to Pakistan on September 29, 2016 with grievances against his commander.

According to reports, Chavans grandmother passed away after hearing the news of his capture.

Chauhan was protected under Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention, wherein, from the moment of his capture, it is illegal to torture the soldier, and he can only be made to provide his name, date of birth, rank and service number, if and where applicable.
Over 200 protesters were arrested as brick-throwing vandals torched a vehicle and damaged half- dozen stores after a series of protests marring Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony gave way to violent street clashes here in the US.





Six police officers were also injured and at least two police officers and another person in downtown Washington were taken to hospital after run-ins with protesters, Fire spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.



A large number of protesters had gathered in the national capital since early morning yesterday to voice their anger and hold demonstrations against what they alleged were the divisive policies of the new Trump administration.



A limousine was later set aflame as Trump rode a short distance away in his inaugural parade. Police in riot gear used pepper spray and concussion grenades to halt the rampage near the US Capitol  where Trump was inaugurated.



Officers responded by launching smoke and flash-bang devices, which could be heard from blocks away, into the street to disperse the crowds.



At least 217 protesters were arrested, the CNN report said.



Earlier, police had to use pepper spray to disperse people who had gathered outside the National Press Club, against what they called "the Alt-Reich," a reference to new administration s's allegedly divisive, sexist and racist policies.



Washington Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Lt Sean Conboy said they have arrested people for "vandalism and destruction of property."



One of the protesters burned a Trump hat, according to NBC News. "Impeach the predatory president," read one of two messages projected onto a building's facade.

Anti-Trump signs and banners were seen even as thousands of his supporters made their way to the US Capitol yesterday.



"They are white supremacist fascists," a volunteer Desba Rojas was quoted as saying by The Los Angeles Times.



Rojas said her goal was "to stop them from getting into office, and if they get into office, sopping them before they can consolidate" power.



A large number of left protesters under the banner of DisruptJ20 planned a march towards the inauguration venue and display anti-Trump sign along the parade route. So did another antiwar and anti-racism group.


Pakistan today handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the LoC hours after the army's surgical strike in September last year. Chandu Babulal Chavan, 22, returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border. The BSF handed him over to the Army which took him to an undisclosed location.



Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the boundary in Kashmir hours after India's surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC. Chavan's brother Bhushan Chavan, who is also a soldier, said he is thankful to the army for its effort.



"I am thankful to DGMO and army for the efforts they have made. I am never going to forget this. I am also a soldier and will continue to do my duty with full honesty till my last breath," he said. "I am grateful to the villagers and everybody who prayed for not just my brother but for a soldier of this country," Bhushan said. Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother had died of shock following the news of his capture by Pakistani troops.



Chavan will be first medically examined by the team of army doctors, said an official posted at Attari. Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said his ministry and the DGMO had been constantly trying their level best to secure the release of the jawan "who was in Pakistan's custody after he inadvertently crossed the LOC". He said the soldier will be able to return home after the army completes due procedure.



"The External Affairs Ministry was also involved. All efforts were made to secure the release of the soldier and the result is that he has been released today," the Minister said. "Our DGMO was in touch with his Pakistani counterpart. Last week we were told that he will be released soon," he said.



Pakistani army issued a statement early in the day announcing the handing over of the Indian soldier. It said that the soldier had "deserted" his post across the LoC due to "grievances against his commanders" and "has been convinced to return home". "Pak Army returning Indian sldr to India as goodwill," Pakistan's Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet.



In a separate statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said, "The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary. "Despite Indian belligerence, Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security."




Though reaction of the CM on today's mammoth event is yet to come, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad told reporters all parties and citizens in general were together to fight evil of liquor. Congress state President and minister Ashok Choudhary, whose Education department is the organiser of the human chain programme told reporters that it was the biggest social congregation of people in the country after Independence.



Kumar has already said today's human chain programme was launched as a special drive in support of prohibition and make Bihar intoxicant-free in next two months. Bihar is witnessing complete ban on alcohol, domestic as well Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) since April 2016. The CM has taken prohibition exercise in a mission mode.



Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, state police chief P K Thakur and a host of civil and police officials held each other's hand as part of human chain in Gandhi maidan. Excitement of the event was visible among school children who stood in the human chain in Patna and elsewhere. Tabishi Sinha, a student of DAV BSEB school of Patna, hailed the event to express strong resolve against liquor.



"It's historic that all our schoolmates and other students have joined hands with each other to send a loud and clear message of 'no' to alcohol," said Tabishi, whose school stood at the stretch from CM's house to J D Womens' college. A student of Notre Dame Ayesha Sayeed, whose school stood in line near Kurji More here, said it's a historic moment as we are becoming part of a great social revolution. Women formed bulk of human chain in Patna and elsewhere.



Burqa-clad muslim women stood in queue in Gandhi maidan display participation of people from all faiths. BJP which had decided to participate in the human chain programme said they were against liquor but would continue to raise voice against some stringent clauses in new Excise Law, 2016 like arrest of all adults in event of recovery of liquor bottle in a house, community fine and seizure of premises if even an empty liquor bottle is found.



Media reports suggest that BJP, which has been vocal against the liquor law, came in support of it after Prime Minister Narendra Modi patted Kumar on prohibition at the 350th Prakash Parva function on January 5. Talking to reporters while standing in human chain in Siwan, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said "we always stood in support of liquor ban. It's due to pressure created by BJP that the state government clamped a total ban on alcohol, domestic as well Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL)."



Last week, the Bihar government announced to shut all manufacturing units of liquor in the state from next financial year only due to pressure of BJP, Sushil said. Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar said "we are not standing for any individual (Nitish Kumar) but against alcohol." Union state minister Ramkripal Yadav and party spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain echoed similar views.



The state government made elaborate arrangements to capture the historical moments of human chain. ISRO has been involved to use Indian and foreign satellites to take photos of human chain. 40 drones, one chopper and four trainer aircraft have been engaged to film the event.



Nitish Kumar, in a message issued after the human chain, expressed thanks to the citizens of Bihar. "Through unprecedented support, the citizens of Bihar have sent a strong message against liquor and intoxicants not only in the country but across the world," he said. "Today, people displayed that foundation of social change has been laid in Bihar," he added.



The CM urged the citizens to continue displaying their unity and strong determination against liquor in future too. Meanwhile, reports of formation of human chain poured in from Begusarai, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and other districts. District Magistrates and Superintendent of Police joined citizens in their areas as part of the 45 minute event.



The 11,292-km human chain covered National Highways, State Highways and branch roads within districts of Bihar. While NHs/SHs form 3007 km of human chain sub-routes is extended in 8285 km. With 2,000 participants standing in one km of human chain, an estimated two crore citizens are said to have joined the event.



Bihar today claimed to have formed the world's largest human chain with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, political leaders, cutting across party lines, and citizens held each other's hand to reaffirm commitment towards liquor ban. The 45-minute-long human chain started at 12:15 PM at the historic Gandhi Maidan when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar floated colourful balloons, and ended at 1 PM.The chief minister joined hands with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad on the one side and state Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on the other to begin the chain of people to express unity in support of prohibition. Legislative Council Chairman Awdesh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav, state Congress President and minister Ashok Choudhary, NCP General Secretary and MP Tariq Anwar and a host of ministers and legislators held each other's hand at the begining of the chain which branched to different directions to stretch across Bihar.Opposition BJP which lent support to the human chain joined the queue in Siwan, where their two-day state executive committee meeting is beginning today. Top BJP leaders Sushil Kumar Modi, Union minister of state Ramkripal Yadav, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Prem Kumar, party national spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain and party MP from Maharajganj Janardan Singh Sigriwal joined each other's hand in Siwan as part of human chain.The CM, Lalu Prasad and other leaders stood in lines to form a map of Bihar in Gandhi Maidan. A picture of liquor bottle with a cross sign was drawn in the middle of this map to give the message against alcohol. Bihar was written in dark black colour in the middle of the map so that a clear picture of the event is captured through ISRO sattelite, drones and helicopters.To display communal harmony, four children dressed in traditional attires of hindus, muslims, sikhs and christians stood by side of the CM and Lalu Prasad. The human chain is estimated to cover a distance of 11,292 km involving two crore citizens. The Bihar human chain is tipped to be the world's largest so far. The previous record is of 1050 km long human chain which was formed in Bangladesh in 2004.
Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, including two Pakistani nationals arrested by BSF in 2007 from the Indo-Bangladesh border at Petrapole, were today sentenced to death by a court in Bongaon in West Bengal's North 24-Parganas district in a case of waging war against the government. Pakistani militants Mohammed Younus and Abdullah and an Indian, Muzaffar Ahmed Rathod, were sentenced to death by judge Binay Kumar Pathak of Bongaon fast track court-1.



The three have been booked under IPC Sections 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging, or attempting to wage war) and 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war against the Government of India), CID DIG (Operations) Nishad Pervej told PTI. Abdullah and Younus are residents of Pakistan's Karachi and Haripur respectively, while Rathod hailed from Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag.



They were arrested by BSF while trying to enter India through its international border with Bangladesh at Petrapole on April 4, 2007. "They had a plan to attack army camps in Jammu and Kashmir, but before they could proceed with their plan they were caught by BSF and handed over to Bangaon police station," he said. The probe found that all the four were well-trained in using AK-47 rifle, hand grenades and manufacturing bombs.



Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem alias Sameer from Maharashtra, another LeT militant who was also arrested along with them, had managed to flee in 2013 when he was being taken to Mumbai. During investigation, it was found that Abdullah was a teacher while Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem was an engineer by profession. They were involved in an incident of bomb blast in Mumbai. The three underwent polygraph tests, narco tests and brain mapping during the probe conducted by the state CID, he said.
As her party led government ensured conduct of jallikattu by issuing an ordinance, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala today claimed that she had directed the party and the government to make sustained efforts for the conduct of the bull taming sport. The AIADMK government's continuous efforts in the lines of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the 'dignified' protests taken forward by young men and women had "reclaimed the bravery sport for us," she said.



"I consider Tamils' rights and sentiments as (my) two eyes. That is why I had earlier issued a statement in support of the students and young protesters. I made the government keep up sustained efforts for conduct of jallikattu," she said. Following this, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the party MPs had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, she said.



Sasikala also thanked Modi for "understanding the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and having supported" the state government's efforts to ensure conduct of jallikattu. The AIADM general secretary said she was following the slogan "I am because of the people, I am for the people" by Jayalalithaa while the government was following the path laid down by the late Chief Minister.



"I wish to assure one and all that both myself and this government will work together for the rights and welfare of the Tamil race," she said in a statement. Sasikala also appealed to the agitating youth to withdraw their stir since they had the "responsibility" of carrying on with their education and other routine activities. She also likened their protests to the Philippines' 'People Power' revolution and extended her greetings to the Tamil youth for carrying out dignified protests, bereft of any untoward incidents.



Such protests had proved that the Tamil race was 'mature' and that its people were 'selfless', she added. Sasikala also recalled the sustained efforts by Jayalalithaa in ensuring jallikattu was held in the state.


Prospects of forming of an alliance between Samajwadi Party and Congress for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls appeared to have run into rough weather, with both parties today hardening their stance over sharing of seats.





Senior SP leader Naresh Agarwal said the possibility of an alliance was "almost over" and blamed the "stubborn" attitude of Congress for the deadlock.



"The Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) had made an offer of 100 seats to the Congress but they are asking for 120 seats. We told them that we have 234 sitting legislators and there are some others who will also contest. So we need at least 300 seats for ourselves.



"But they became very stubborn as if they command a huge influence in UP and that without them UP will not be able to survive," said Agarwal, Rajya Sabha member considered close to Akhilesh, who is also the SP president.



Uttar Pradesh Assembly has 403 seats. According to Agarwal, Akhilesh had made it clear that SP cannot give more than 100 seats and "the Congress leaders then informed us that in such a case, there cannot be an alliance."



Asked whether scope of further talks still exists, he said the "possibility has virtually dwindled." "I will blame Congress for this...they have helped the BJP. However, we made every effort to forge an alliance but they have been very stubborn..." he said.



On the other hand, Congress' Central Election Committee met in Delhi and finalised candidates for 140 seats which will go to polls in the first two phases.



However, the party did not declare these candidates, leaving scope for possible alliance for which talks were still underway.



"We had a meeting of CEC for first and second phase," Congress general secretary and incharge of Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters, adding party's candidates for 140 seats were finalised in this meeting.



Asked if the allinace with SP was on or over, he said, "Let us see, You will know by tomorrow morning when the announcement is made."



UP Congress chief Raj Babbar claimed that the party will fight the first two phases of elections in Uttar Pradesh with full strength.



Keeping the suspense over the proposed alliance with the SP, Babbar said, "There are no roadblocks in the talks."



Sources add that while SP does not want to give more than 100 seats, the Congress which initially put forth the demand of 150 seats under the alliance, has scaled down considerably but is not ready to accept the figure SP is adamant on.



Congress is also learnt to be demanding that its candidates should be fielded in Amethi and Rae Bareli segments of the Lok Sabha constituencies represented by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.



Congress is also keen to include Ajit Singh-led RLD in the alliance, which the Samajwadi Party is not keen on.



SP has maintained that it will have no truck with RLD and if Congress wanted, it could give its share of seats to Ajit Singh's party.
A man who allegedly made a call to missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed's relatives demanding Rs 20 lakh ransom for his release has been arrested today, police said.





The man had made a call to Najeeb's relatives three days back. He was arrested from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh by a Crime Branch team and is being brought to Delhi on transit remand, a senior police official said.



Ahmed, an MSc Biotechnology student, went missing on October 15 after a scuffle allegedly with ABVP affiliated students at his hostel on the JNU campus.
Ashley Furniture HomeStore  the American store chain retailing Ashley Furniture products  has designed a strong India-centric strategy, with a vision to put up at least 100 stores in the years to come.





Not willing to quote a precise timeline for the realisation of its robust plans, Ashley Furniture HomeStore Vice President (Sales  Asia) Robin Lim said, Indeed, we have aggressive plans for India. Hopefully, we can hit 100 stores, but have not set a fixed timeline to it.



He continued: We are optimistic about this market, and if conditions are right, we may even explore manufacturing facilities in India.



Hinting at the direction in which Ashley HomeStore would see its plans go through, he said that in three to five years, the company could have over 30 stores in the country.



Arcadia, Wisconsin-headquartered Ashley began its India journey last December, with a 600-sq metre store in Bengaluru, partnering with Dash Square. It opened its second HomeStore  a 1,000-sq metre facility at Pune  in partnership with Ishanya.



Globally, the companys retail strategy involves a licensing model, wherein licencees with domain and market capabilities are selected, and it is they who invest in store infrastructure and front-end retail operations, while Ashley supplies the inventory.



Today, we have more than 695 HomeStores across 28 countries, while in terms of retail presence, Ashley Furniture is in more than 123 countries. Except for a few corporate-run stores in the US and China, we are focused on the licence model everywhere, Lim told DH.



As a global furniture provider, Ashleys range boasts of a wide price spectrum over an even wider assortment of products, which are spread across six major categories  Vintage Casual, Urbanology, Contemporary, New Traditions, Family Spaces and Grand Elegance. With eight superfactories in the US, and three plants in Vietnam, and one in China, the company is able to serve demand worldwide.



Meanwhile, the companys global store footprint includes standalone and mall formats, which in total, will hit 700 outlets by the end of this month, following which, it will open its second HomeStore in Bengaluru by April.



With Ashleys views on expanding in India, Lim asserted that the timing was just right. Its booming with an upwardly-mobile middle-class We design, produce and ship our wares ourselves; so with that in mind, India is a good opportunity, he said, adding that as a privately-held company, Ashley is agile to implement decisions quickly. If market conditions allow, and we are able to have 20 stores open in 2017, then that is the path wed be able to take, he hinted.




Pranav Shukla of Baroda always wanted to give all the good he had received throughout his life till date back to society. Pranavs daughter married last year into a well-to-do family. His son too got his citizenship of the United Kingdom.





I told my children to take care of each other and if possible give me and my wife some time once in a while. With no family liability, I began thinking on what to do so that I can realise my intimate need to give back to society, 56-year-old Pranav says.



A professional writer for local media and later a supplier of materials for interior decoration, he came across many people in need.



The worst pain I could see was hunger, especially among the elderly. I am a man of limited resources and could not think of anything better than feeding the empty stomachs of elderly who were alone, he said.



I realised that as one grows in age, his or her ability to be active physically reduces. I kept wondering the amount of difficulty an elderly person using a walker or a walking stick to walk would face in cooking or even going out of their houses to eat food.



So he began looking for the elderly who live alone in the city and do not have any source of income. Initially he helped a couple a of elders and began providing them with cooked food. Gradually the word spread, first by word of mouth and then via social media.



I send out the message on social media and that spread among the concerned citizens. Once they get the message, many of them call on my mobile phone and share information. They give the reference of such elderly persons and today I have the honour to be able to provide lunch and dinner to over 100 elders across Baroda.

He also takes help of his staff employed at his shops. As he could not afford to pay them extra, he requested them to give two hours everyday and help deliver the tiffin. Thankfully they agreed and today are his backbone to run his kitchen. So much so that at times they do not attend to my clients at shops if they have to deliver a tiffin to elderly! But I have no complaints.



Pranav and his team ready lunch by 10.30 am and begin delivery across the city by noon. As of now they deliver the tiffin as far as 12-km from their kitchen. For the quality, Pranav says that he and his family eat the same food. Because he is not in this for money he uses only branded oil, flour and pulses and never serves leftover food.



All the food is cooked fresh and even the masalas used are branded. Pranav spends close to Rs 10,000 every day for serving tiffins to the elderly. He says he is not worried about the money he is spending. The money to buy everything keeps coming somehow. Me, my wife, brother-in-law and three helpers get stuck with operations every day but some energy drives us out of the trouble each time, Pranav adds.



At times, Pranav also gets help from like-minded persons. Once a volunteer bought him cooking oil and there was another called Samsher Singh, a Punjabi settled in Baroda, who runs a home appliances showroom.



Samsher Singh visited his kitchen and satisfied with the quality of food and work, donated a fridge and gave Pranav a person to help with delivery of tiffins. Today, that person comes regularly and delivers tiffins on a two-wheeler. Pranav says that Singh has promised him that if the number goes up, Singh would arrange for a car to deliver tiffins, all at Singhs cost.



But does all the efforts he takes, really make a difference he seeks. Pranav proudly narrates a tale of a woman in Fatehpura locality of Baroda. She had been left alone by her children and once Pranav began supplying her tiffin, the children felt ashamed and began feeding her food under pressure from neighbours. The mother is happy but at times calls me to say that your food was much better (laughs!).



But then there are people who try to take undue benefit of his magnanimity. Though they can afford to keep a cook, they call him for the tiffin. I begin supplying tiffin on the basis of trust and the phone calls I receive. I never go to check on the elderly I send tiffin to. However, my boys who supply tiffins keep giving me feedback and based on that I have even stopped supplying tiffins to people I realise are capable or not needy.



Pranav says that the work gives him utmost joy. I have physical and economic limitations but I have now decided that I will continue with this work as long as I live and am capable of. I firmly believe that either you do it right or not do it at all. And I am going to do it for sure.


Thousands of women from across the US, many wearing bright pink hats, today poured in the nation's capital to protest against Donald Trump's allegedly anti-women views, just a day after the billionaire Republican was sworn in as 45th US President.





With banners and posters like "women rights are human rights," hundreds and thousands of women protesters poured in downtown Washington, and were joined by several lawmakers including Indian-American Ami Bera.



The Washington march, expected to attract around one million people, was just one of a series of marches planned across major world capitals like London, Sydney and Tokyo, to raise awareness on women's and civil rights, seemingly under threat in Trump presidency.



"Congratulations to the women marching today. We must go forward to ensure full reproductive justice for all women. #WomensMarch," Senator Bernie Sanders said in a tweet, asking his supporters to join the first protest against Trump.



Said to be the largest ever protest against Trump, law enforcement officials were on their toes and the city was on a high-alert to maintain law and order in the city.



Protesters, many of them supporting bright pink knit hats, poured in the city since early morning in buses, trains, and cars, and swamped the streets of downtown Washington in a sea of pink.



Long-queues were witnessed in the city's Metro subway system, which was visibly under stress due to the load of so many people.



Yesterday, over 200 protesters were arrested by Washington police after clashes broke out between masked protesters and law enforcement agencies at many places in the capital during Trump's inauguration ceremony.



The Women's March on Washington aims to send a message to all levels of government, including but not limited to the new administration, that "we stand together in solidarity and we expect elected leaders" to act to protect the rights of women, their families and their communities, the organisers said.



"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new President is waging a war," actress America Ferrera said addressing the huge crowd.



"Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the President is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay," Ferrera said.



Some of the posters being displayed included "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love."



As per organisers similar marches are being held in 600 sister cities across the country and the world.
Casual dining chain Chilis American Grill & Bar is set to expand its presence in South India.





With over eight years of presence in India, the Dallas-headquartered company has 10 restaurants in the South and eight in the North, with the former region, along with Western India, boasting of company-owned-and-operated outlets.



Mumbai and Bengaluru are the leading markets in the region. We already have three restaurants in each of the cities, and to leverage the traction we are getting here, we plan to add two more in each of them, said Ashish Saxena, the Chief Executive Officer of TexMex Cuisine India, the company that owns and operates Chilis American Grill & Bar in India.



With plans to launch one restaurant in Chennai this year, the companys restaurant tally in South and West India will touch 15 restaurants, across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune.



Each restaurant is set up at an investment of Rs 4-5 crore, and on an average, we are able to churn Rs 7-8 crore in revenues from each restaurant, Saxena told DH.



As the Indian market picks up, the company is continuously investing in its operations here. Up to 98% of its ingredients and raw materials are sourced locally, which is a substantial increase, compared with 60%, three years ago.



For instance, the company sources cheese from a plant in Pune, and this cheese and made specifically for Chilis as per our taste and standard requirements, he said.



In the F&B business, the gross margin is around 60%, so driving sales is more important than controlling costs. We have achieved over 28% CAGR during the past two years. Multiple efforts, including new menu items, reinvigorating service training and refurbishment of stores have led to this sales growth, he said, adding, We have implemented a company wide ERP (enterprise resource planning) that is integrated with our POS (point of sale) systems and materials management. This enabled us to track ideal versus actual food variance and bring focus in managing the food costs.



The ERP model has helped the company save up by reducing costs by up to 2.5%, he said.




Cashing in on the burgeoning real estate industry in India, NoBroker.com  a Bengaluru-based real estate search portal that connects flat owners and tenants directly with each other  aims to expand its reach across India.





We are present in four cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai. We are planning to expand to eight more cities this year, including the NCR region, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Hyderabad, NoBroker CEO Amit Agarwal told DH.



The company embarked on its operations in March 2014. Till date, the startup has raised Rs 132 crore in Series A and Series B round.



Our investors include SAIF Partners and Japanese investor Beenext. KTB Network, which is a Korean investor, recently invested in us. This is the first time that a Korean investor has invested in an Indian startup, Agarwal said.



NoBroker eliminates entry of brokers with the help of a proprietary algorithm. As an owner, you can come and post your property for rent or sale, for free. As a tenant or buyer, you can come and access broker-free properties. Customers can interact with each other directly and save entire brokerage amount, Agarwal explained.



From monetisation point of view, NoBroker is a premium subscription-based model. For availing additional services, like more owner-contacts, phone relationship manager, customers can pay a flat service charge of Rs 999 or Rs 1,999. This results in a savings of 90% to 100% of cost-saving in real estate transactions, compared to a broker, he added.



We have 16 lakh customers in total, and each month, we are adding one lakh customers. These are registered customers and not website visitors. We have six lakh Android mobile app downloads. We close 6,000 property transactions a month, helping both the owner and seeker. This savings amount to Rs 20 crore of brokerage per month. We have been in business for the past three years, and have saved over Rs 300 crore of brokerage, he claimed.




A 16-year old student from Ludhiana has been detained for reportedly killing a nine-year old boy, chopping his body into six pieces, eating the flesh and drinking the blood before dumping the body.





The minor victim, Deepu Kumar, had been missing since Monday. He also took out Kumars heart and threw it in the school premises. According to the police, the accused did this as he disliked going to school and wanted the institution to get a bad name. Police later recovered the heart from the campus.



The police on Friday detained the boy, who is undergoing medical and psychological tests.

The accused, a Class VIII student, and the victim are children of migrant labourers and lived in the same neighbourhood. The incident came to light after the police examined CCTV footage from the locality, which showed the accused taking Deepu away. The accused lured the victim on the pretext of giving him kite strings. He took the victim to his house and strangled him, after which he chopped off his body parts, washed it in the bathroom and stuffed it in a sack before dumping it in a nearby vacant plot.



According to sources, the accused had cannibalistic tendencies and often craved for human flesh, and would eat raw chicken. He even craved to eat his own limbs, they said.
The internal fissure in the ruling AIADMK came to the fore as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen, by a section close to party general secretary V K Sasikaka, as bailing out a beleaguered Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on the Jallikattu issue.





A section of the AIADMK, led by Panneerselvams arch rival Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai, openly attacked Modi for ignoring the state on a number of issues raised with him and his government, just before the governor promulgated the ordinance.



Thambidurai also led a delegation of party MPs to President Pranab Mukherjee, after which he warned the Centre that if it continues to ignore the regional aspirations and interests of the people of Tamil Nadu, it will have dangerous implications.



Thambidurai, who represents an influential section of the party, wants Sasikala to take over as the chief minister. The Jallikattu crisis was seen as an opportunity by this group to ease out Panneerselvam and ask Sasikala to take charge, AIADMK sources said.



What took this group by surprise was that Modi sought to provide all assistance to defuse the crisis caused by crowds refusing to leave Chennais Marina Beach till an ordinance was promulgated to allow bull fighting.



Not only did Modi moot the idea of a state ordinance, he got officials of three Central ministries to help in drafting it. Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi was instructed to ask the Supreme Court not to pass any order on the issue till the crisis was defused.



Thambidurai irked

Thambidurai was peeved with Modi for refusing to grant him an audience along with Panneerselvam on January 19 as well as on an earlier occasion when the chief minister had called on the prime minister in December.



As it became clear that Modi would only deal only with Panneerselvam when it came to resolving state issues, Thambidurai tried to force the chief minister to cancel his appointment with the prime minister.



Last month, Thambidurai sought to meet Modi by travelling with Panneerselvam in the same car to the prime ministers residence. But PMO officials made it clear that the appointment was only for Panneerselvam and AIADMK leader in the Rajya Sabha A Navaneethakrishnan. Panneerselvam conveyed to Modi that Thambidurai wanted to submit a memorandum and was waiting in the reception office of the prime ministers residence.



To this, the prime minister asked Navaneethakrishnan to bring the memorandum from Thambidurai.

DH News Service
A government clerk who called Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and reported what according to him was the ineffectiveness of the states new prohibition law has landed him in jail.





The clerk, Gopal Italia (27), identified himself as a policeman. Gopal had served in the Lok Raksha Dal, a government entity that existed till 2015 and worked to compliment the police force.



Gopal told Patel that the new prohibition law was ineffective due to the nexus between the police, politicians and bootleggers. It has only resulted in higher price for liquor in the state and has served no other purpose, Italia is heard saying in the audio clip which went viral over social media.



The crime branch officials registered a non-cognisable offence and launched a manhunt. However, when it was revealed that Gopal was not a policeman, the crime branch filed an FIR.



An official from the Ahmedabad Crime Branch said that they have arrested Gopal. He was impersonating as a public servant when deputy chief minister asked him (Gopal) for identity. He even gave his buckle number, the official said.



Gopal is reported to have received bail. During questioning, Italia said that he became nervous and developed cold feet as he was speaking to the deputy chief minister. Hence, instead of revealing his real identity, he ended up identifying himself as a Lok Raksha Dal constable.



Meanwhile, OBC leader Alpesh Thakore, who has launched a tirade against the sale and consumption of liquor, on Saturday announced that in the coming days, 10,000 people would make phone calls to the deputy chief minister on prohibition.

DH News Service
Senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale will join a protest at Jantar Mantar against the killings of BJP workers in Kerala.





The latest provocation for the RSS and its affiliates to hit the streets in Kerala and in the national capital is the death of its woman worker Vimala, which, it charged, was a state-sponsored attack.



Vimala suffered severe burns after her house was set on fire reportedly by CPM workers. The agitation will be held outside Kerala Bhavan near Jantar Mantar on Tuesday morning, said a release from Jan Adhikar Samiti, which is organising the protest. The Left and Sangh Parivar have been accusing each other of unleashing violence against their worker.



Since Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has taken office, there has been an alarming trend of attacks on women and children by the CPM cadre.  it read.
Actor Zaira Wasim, who recently landed in a controversy after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, on Saturday received support from the son of radical separatist leader Asiya Andrabi.





Muhammad Bin Qasim, the son of the Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya, commented on Facebook that Zaira, the 16-year-old actor who played wrestler Geeta Phogat in Aamir Khan starrer Dangal, has proved herself to be a girl of substance.



I do not know #zaira wasim personally but after reading her posts and recent tweets, i must say she is a girl of substance, he wrote on Facebook.



Qasim (26) also castigated Kashmiris who abused and burnt posters of Zaira on Friday.

It was our moral responsibility to stand by her and make her feel safe after she posted an apology, instead some nonsense people burned down her pictures. Such a disgrace and shame. I am not posting this status to applaud her brilliant performance in Dangal, but how she stood up against hypocrite and biased people around us especially the Indian media and Indian citizens after meeting Mehbooba. She has set an example by speaking what she truly believes in. Kashmiris who abuse #Zaira are illiterate, uneducated and do not represent us, he said.



Filth of Bollywood

Qasims mother Asiya had advised Zaira to return from the filth of Bollywood. However, Qasim said, We should invite this 16-year-old girl towards righteousness and guide her.



Not burn her pictures. This has to stop, JAAHIL QAWM hae kashmir (Kashmiris are ignorant). We are only pushing her away, #Zaira is an intelligent, bright and awesome kid who needs us!



On Friday, some people in Srinagar had burnt pictures of the actor. One of the placards, which had pictures of her with the chief minister, carried a threatening message.

DH News Service


The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday closely monitored Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Dehradun, to address a Combined Commanders Conference in the capital of poll-bound Uttarakhand.





The Chief Electoral Officer was instructed to keep a tab on the conference and to ensure that the prime ministers visit to the city for the conclave did not violate the Model Code of Conduct.



The official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting. No media briefing, media interaction, press release or announcements in connection with serving soldiers or ex-servicemen, which may affect the voters in the five poll-going states, including Uttarakhand, should be made, the EC Special Principal Secretary, R K Srivastava, wrote to Defence Secretary G Mohan Kumar ahead of the conference.

DH News Service
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the BJPs star campaigner for the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh (UP) Assembly elections, starting February 11.





With the BJP not projecting chief ministerial candidates in the upcoming elections in any of the five states, the party is fighting the electoral battle on Modis popularity and his governments performance.



The party has decided against using Modi too much in this round of the polls, as it had done in Bihar and Delhi.



In the list of 40 campaigners handed over to the Election Commission by the party, MP Varun Gandhis name is missing but the party has included his mother, Union minister Maneka Gandhi, to canvass for candidates in the first two phases of polling, which would be held in the western region and parts of central region in UP.



Varun had courted controversy following the emergence of posters, projecting him as the prospective chief minister of UP, in Allahabad last summer at the time of the partys conclave there.



Veteran leader Murli Manohar Joshi, who had addressed rallies during the partys parivartan yatra, has also not been included in the list of star campaigners. BJP president Amit Shah and 15 Union ministers will be seeking votes for the party in the polls.

DH News Service
With the Union government clearing the draft ordinance for amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, enabling Jallikattu, the Kambala enthusiasts, too, are looking for a positive response from the authorities concerned.





Speaking to DH, K Gunapala Kadamba, the founder-secretary of the Dakshina Kannada Kambala Committee, said that pressure was mounting on it following the move on Jallikattu. He said a special meeting had been called on Sunday to decide on the future course of action on Kambala. The meeting will be held at Samaja Mandira in Moodbidri at 3 pm.



Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Jodukare Kambala Samiti president Shantharam Shetty told DH that the case pertaining to Kambala was pending before the Karnataka High Court and the verdict was expected to be pronounced on January 30. The Samiti has approached the court seeking permission for organising Kambala. He said various Kambala committees from undivided Dakshina Kannada have also moved the court.



Centre should allow Kambala: minister



Minister for Animal Husbandry A Manju on Saturday said the Centre should allow Kambala, just like Jallikattu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown interest in resolving the Jallikattu row, but he is discriminating against Karnataka on Kambala, he told journalists at Somwarpet in Kodagu district, reports DHNS.



Jallikattu is a dangerous game and participants could die. But Kambala is a traditional folk game in coastal Karnataka and there is no cruelty to animals. There is cruelty even in horse racing. Why isnt it banned, he said.


As many as 17 candidates are in the fray for the byelection to the Karnataka Legislative Council from South-East Teachers constituency, the polling for which is scheduled for February 3.





T N Niranjan (Congress), Basavaraj (BJP) and Ramesh Babu (JD-S) are among the 17 candidates. The constituency, spread across Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Tumakuru, Chitradurga and parts of Davangere districts, has 21,000 voters, Bengaluru Division Regional Commissioner M V Jayanti told reporters here. Counting of votes will take place on February 6.



The bypoll has been necessitated following the resignation of Y A Narayanswamy, who was representing the constituency. He quit as MLC after he was elected to the Assembly from the Hebbal constituency on the BJP ticket in a byelection in 2016.




The state executive meeting of the BJP on Saturday resolved to take action against members of the party who take part in the activities of the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade.





This was announced by party general secretary Aravind Limbavali. Briefing journalists here on the proceedings of the meeting on the first day, Limbavali said the BJP national general secretary in charge of Karnataka P Muralidhar Rao had received many complaints against people trying to equate the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade with the BJP.



It is said that none of the leaders spoke even a word about the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade at the state executive meeting. The Sangolli Rayanna Brigade has caused a rift between state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and another senior leader K S Eshwarappa, who is the force behind the brigade.



At the inaugural session of the executive committee meeting, Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa shared the dais after a long time. But they did not even exchange pleasantries or mention each others name in their speeches. Later, Eshwarappa told reporters that the Congress dream of retaining power due to the dissidence in BJP would not be realised.



Meanwhile, the party heaved a sigh of relief with senior leader and former minister V Somanna informing reporters on the sidelines of the meeting that he was not quitting the BJP to join the Congress.



Limbavali said the meeting called upon the state government to expedite relief works in drought-affected areas, deal with cases of atrocities on women with an iron hand and address the loopholes in Article 371 (J) of the Constitution, which provides special status to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region. It criticised the government for not getting the stay granted by the court on providing 8% reservation for people in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region in other areas of the state vacated.



In his address, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar attacked the Congress government in the state, calling it a 420 government, as it utilised only Rs 420 crore, out of the Rs 1,330 crore it released to the Hyderabad-Karnataka Development Board. The meeting also demanded that the government should declare 25 more taluks as drought affected.



Police quiz BJP leader over rape



The Bengaluru police detained Venkatesh Mourya, member of the BJPs national SC morcha, for questioning at Harkod Kalyana Mantapa in Kalaburagi, where the partys state executive committee meeting was going on, over a 2011 rape case. Speaking to journalists later, Mourya claimed innocence and said the case was politically motivated.






Hundreds of people from all walks of life marched from KSR (City) Railway Station to Freedom Park on Saturday, demanding safer streets for women.





The march, triggered by the incidents of molestation of women on New Years Eve, was part of a nationwide movement called #IWillGoOut.



In over 30 cities across the country such as Delhi and Jaipur, people took to the streets and raised their voice against misogyny and sexual harassment. In Bengaluru, more than 500 people marched to the beat of street drummers. Holding placards, the participants raised slogans such as my body, my right and freedom for women. College students turned up in large numbers and they were supported by senior citizens, expats and members of the sexual minorites.



Proving a point that public spaces are meant for women too, many were seen dancing fearlessly on the streets and in the park. Bengaluru artistes such as Bindu Malini and Deepti Sudhindra performed and several others gave speeches. Karnataka has not put in even one line about making urban spaces safe for women in the budget being discussed and, that needs to change. Public pressure is the only way. It is a long struggle but this is only the beginning, said Tara Krishnaswamy, part of the Bengaluru chapter of the movement and a member of Citizens for Bengaluru.



Members of several womens rights groups participated and spoke against victim blaming. The importance of reporting incidents of harassment was also stressed upon.
A 28-year-old Nepalese man is accused of bludgeoning his younger brother to death for having an affair with his wife.





Veer Bahadur, a security guard at an apartment complex, suspected that his brother, Raj Bahadur, was having an affair with his wife. The siblings, who hail from Nepal, often quarrelled over the matter. They were living with their respective families in Munireddy Layout, Mahadevapura, east Bengaluru. Raj also worked as a security guard.



On Friday night Veer came home and quarrelled with his wife, suspecting that she had met his brother when he was away. He then grabbed a shovel, went to Rajs house, bludgeoned him to death and fled the spot. Police tracked him down on the basis of a complaint filed by Rajs wife. They also recovered the shovel. A court has remanded Veer in judicial custody.
The Revised Master Plan 2015 (RMP-2015) had a grand vision for Bengaluru. But it failed on several fronts, the most apparent being its poor record in preventing mixed development. Rules have been blatantly violated through a well-oiled nexus of corrupt officials, politicians and builders to populate purely residential layouts with commercial establishments. This, say planning experts, has directly triggered traffic congestions of enormous proportions.





The experts say the RMP-2015 legalised the commercialisation of neighbourhoods by giving a faulty interpretation of the concept of mixed residential. The Master Plan was also criticised for lack of clarity on the strategy of functioning and year-wise action plan with a time-table. It was dubbed more as a wishlist than a plan.



Only 14% of the additional road network was implemented in the last 10 years, points out civic evangelist V Ravichander. The Master Plan assumes that 100% will get implemented. It was bound to fail because there was no coordination with the agencies involved. Besides, the plan got very static, he adds.



Rules have been blatantly violated through a well-oiled nexus of corrupt officials, politicians and builders to populate purely residential layouts with commercial establishments



Master plans tend to run into implementation challenges, agrees Rejeet Mathews from the World Resources Institute (WRI). Road networks can be planned but acquisition of land is a challenge. Karnataka is yet to look at alternative mechanisms to access land for public use, although there are provisions for it under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning Act, 1961, she points out.



For cities, a strategic spatial plan such as the one followed in London could be a model. The plan is anchored by the mayor, who coordinates with various transport agencies to implement it. Mathew feels this can work here too, but the plans here are based on very dated legislations.



So, even as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is busy readying another master plan for the next 14 years, there are many who feel the idea of such a plan itself is outdated. There is now talk of a 25-year vision for Bengaluru, a strategic plan for five years and a tactical plan every year. Annually, the strategic and tactical plans are reviewed to ensure consistency with the longer vision.



Improve the existing road network by developing a network structure and define the road hierarchy. Provide additional rings/radials wherever possible and consider urban road design as an important element



Focus on providing more public transport targeting to carry 70% of trips of the city from the present 50%. Seriously consider more transport spends on provision of Metro/BRT/Monorails, etc. Push for the commuter rail system.



To bring 20-25% of planning area under transit-oriented development



Provide a freight movement plan with logistic hubs and warehouses interconnected with dedicated freight corridors



Reorganise interstate bus and rail hubs.



Consider that the pedestrian is also a road user  provide comfortable/safe facilities for

pedestrians.



Re-establish the role of bicycles and encourage/provide for them.


The higher education department has given six tasks for the inquiry committees that have been set up to probe irregularities in civil works of 17 state universities.





Higher Education Minister Basavaraja Rayareddy had often said there are large-scale irregularities in construction activities taken up over the years by all state varsities. Some varsities like the University of Mysore and Bangalore University have allowed encroachment of their land, he had said.



On Saturday, the department issued a notification, which will facilitate the inquiry. It pertains only to administrative lapses in building constructions and losing land due to encroachments.



As many as 17 committees have been formed, one for each university. Each comprises an engineer from the Public Works Department, an accounts officer from the city corporation or zilla panchayat and an officer from the education department or related department like technical education. On some panels, additional deputy commissioners have been appointed.



The notification says that the committees have to submit the report within the next 15 days. But going by the work assigned, it looks more time would be required to source the information, officers in the department said.



Committee members have to physically inspect all the civil works taken up by the universities and record the same for review. While doing so, they should check whether the rules framed under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, 2000, have been followed.



Another task is to find out whether payment has been made to the contractors more than what they had quoted and the loss incurred by the state exchequer due to delay in execution of work. They have also been asked to find whether the universities have taken decisions without proper administrative approval. Also, any irregularities in civil work executed by the varsities should be reported.



Rayareddy said the works done in the last five years would be probed. I am well aware that large-scale financial irregularities have taken place over the years. It is time to act. For example, it is said that Bangalore University has lost nearly 80 to 100 acres, while 8 acres of University of Mysore have been encroached, he said.



Bharat Lal Meena, principal secretary, department of higher education, said, Annually, the department do get audit reports from the universities. But this is the first time such a big exercise to find financial irregularities has been taken up in the state.



Asked whether two weeks would be sufficient to probe, Meena said, It must be sufficient. Some universities might have not violated the rules. If required, more time could be sanctioned, he added.

DH News Service
The proposed alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress suffered a big setback on Saturday.





Negotiating seat-sharing for the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the parties accused each other of being unreasonable. Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister and SP supremo, has offered 100 seats to the Congress, but they want 120, sources in his party told DH.



However, neither party said the talks had collapsed completely. Both want an alliance to check the division of Muslim votes, which play a crucial role in more than 100 seats, said a senior state Congress leader.



SP leaders also said last-minute efforts were on to resolve differences.



Dynasty seats

The Congress is demanding all Assembly seats in Amethi and Rae Bareli, whose Lok Sabha constituencies are represented by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.



We have a sitting MLA from Amethi and he is a senior SP leader, the SP leader said.

The SP has announced candidates for 191 seats for the first two phases, including in constituencies where the Congress had emerged victorious in 2012. The Congress on Saturday readied its list of candidates for 140 seats.



In a battle of brinkmanship, the Congress rejected the SP offer of 99 of the 403 seats, and insisted the chief minister honour the seat-sharing agreement reached with him before the Election Commission handed him the cycle symbol.



Delhi meeting

Meanwhile, in Delhi, senior Congress leaders went into a huddle at party president Sonia Gandhis residence.



AICC General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad and UP Congress chief Raj Babbar briefed her and party vice president Rahul about the discussions with the SP.



The partys Central Election Committee (CEC) met soon after to discuss candidates for the first two phases of the seven-phase elections.



A senior leader said the clear message from the Congress high command was that the dignity of the national party should be maintained, and we should not look like beggars.



The Congress was taken by surprise on Friday when the SP unilaterally announced 191 candidates. A Congress leader said the party was keen to field candidates for all 28 seats it had won in the 2012 elections, and rejected the SP argument that at least nine Congress MLAs had defected from its ranks.



We have cleared the seats for the first and the second phase... you will get to know about the alliance by Sunday morning after the announcement of candidates, Azad told reporters, emerging from the two-hour CEC meeting.



DH News Service



Congress downbeat

If the mood on Saturday at the AICC headquarters is any indication, the alliance with the SP is all but over. A large section of ticket-seekers were angry with the betrayal by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, while some were upset with the Congress for assuming that everything would be hunky dory with the serial backstabber SP. In Lucknow, SP leader Naresh Agarwal admitted the talks were going nowhere.
Tamil Nadu issued an ordinance on Saturday to work around the Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu. The ordinance was signed by Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao, who arrived from Maharashtra in the evening.





The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will be amended through the ordinance. The government is gearing up for the traditional bull-taming sport at Alanganallur, Palamedu and Avaniyapuram in Madurai district, with Chief Minister O Panneerselvam set to flag it off on Sunday.



However, not everyone is happy. Many protesters believe the solution is temporary, and are seeking a permanent law to protect the sport.



In an official statement, Panneerselvam said the ordinance was a follow-up to the meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 19.



The Tamil Nadu government had obtained the necessary prior instructions of the President of India as envisaged under Article 213 of the Constitution, the statement said.



The chief minister said an Act would be passed in the Assembly session, beginning January 23. Madurai district authorities said they were erecting barricades, galleries and enclosures for the medical inspection of bulls.



A senior official from the Madurai Corporation said that the sport would be played in keeping with the rules and regulations. The bulls and the participants will have to undergo a series of medical tests before they take part in the event, he said.



Police said security has been enhanced at the venues. More than 10,000 police personnel will be deployed, a senior policeman said. Panneerselvam will leave Chennai on Saturday night and reach Madurai on Sunday to inaugurate a Jallikattu event at Alanganallur.



Agitating Jallikattu supporters on Saturday said the ordinance was just a temporary fix.

We want a permanent law to help us conduct Jallikattu every year. Until then, our protests will continue, a protester said.



Thousands of youths continued to protest at Marina Beach in Chennai, the epicentre of the agitation for Jallikattu, for the fourth consecutive day.



Protests were also held in Madurai and other districts, seeking a ban on the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the organisation instrumental in moving the Supreme Court to ban Jallikattu.



Braving heavy rain, thousands of women and school students joined the demonstrations in Trichy.



Though agitators cheered when they heard that the Tamil Nadu Governor had signed an ordinance, they refused to disperse, dubbing it an eyewash.



The ordinance is valid for only six months. We want a permanent law, a protesting youth said. The Jallikattu row gained global attention on Saturday, as protests spread among the diaspora in the US, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Australia, Canada, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.



Students blamed the Opposition DMK for conducting a rail roko on Friday and putting people to hardship.



Our agitation is apolitical, peaceful, self-regulated and disciplined. We do not want any political party to support us by disturbing the people, S Kumaresan, a law student, said at Marina Beach.

DH News Service


The Donegal parents' advocacy group, Our Children's Voice, has paid tribute to Oran Nibbs of Rathdonnell, Trentagh, who passed away at home on Friday.

Oran, son of Ashling and Colm Nibbs, was 7 years old.

"Donegal has lost a brave warrior today who always had a smile on his face, as he fought the battle with Mitochondrial Disease," the advocacy group posted to social media. "It's with great sadness we say farewell to this gorgeous boy."

"Our thoughts are with his family and all who love Oran," Our Children's Voice said.

The Donegal parents in Our Childrens Voice are passionate advocates for children with life-limiting conditions or high medical/physical needs.

There is no cure for mitochondrial disease. Mitochondria are the powerhouse of cells, responsible for more than 90 per cent of the bodys energy and necessary to sustain life and support growth. Mitochondrial failure means that the bodys organs do not have enough energy to work.

In 2015 Ashling, Colm and Oran were among the families who met actor Colin Farrell at an event for the Katie Rose Foundation. Fiona and Sean Rodgers of Donegal set up the foundation in memory of their daughter, Katie Rose, who passed away at age 2 in December 2014 from mitochondrial disease.

Orans remains will repose at his home from 12 noon to 8pm today, Saturday, and tomorrow, Sunday, January 22nd. The funeral Mass will be held at 11am in the Church of the Irish Martyrs, Letterkenny, with interment afterwards in Carrigans Cemetery, Maugherow, County Sligo.

Oran is survived by his parents, a brother and a sister, grandparents and extended family.
Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has announced details of where the 500 extra places on the Rural Social Scheme for farmers and fishermen will be allocated.

81 extra places have been allocated for Donegal, currently the figure here is 227, rising now to 308.

The increase across the country brings the total number from 2,600 to 3,100. Its the first increase since 2006 when the numbers increased by 100 from 2,500 to 2,600.

I am a big fan of the Rural Social Scheme. It provides an opportunity to farmers and fishermen to make off-farm income in areas where there are few opportunities to do so, brings money into rural and coastal communities and gets valuable work done on the ground, Minister Varadkar said.

The Scheme is especially important in the north-west, west and south of Ireland, where participants work on the following type of projects:

 Looking after waymarked ways, agreed walks and bog roads;

 Caretaking at community and sporting facilities;

 Energy conservation work for the elderly and the less well off;

 Village and countryside enhancement projects;

 Social care and care of the elderly such as meals on wheels;

 Community care for pre-school and after-school groups;

 Environmental maintenance work such as Tidy Towns projects;

 Helping non-profit cultural and heritage centres.

The extra places will strengthen the Rural Social Scheme by supporting more farming and fishing families on low incomes. The Scheme is delivered through 35 Implementing Bodies or Local Development Companies, and Udaras na Gaeltachta.

Participants must be actively farming or fishing with an underlying entitlement to a qualifying Department of Social Protection payment, such as Farm Assist, in order to be eligible. Most participants receive a weekly payment of 188 a week (equal to the maximum personal rate on Farm Assist) (rising to 193 from Mid-March), and an additional 22.50 top-up per week under the Rural Social Scheme.

Participation is voluntary and is dependent on the availability of vacancies in the relevant locality. As this scheme is administered on a local level by Implementing Bodies on behalf of the Department, a person should, in all instances, contact their local Development Company for any further information, or for an application form.
The Perrys will be in concert at First Free Will Baptist Church in Dothan on Friday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. The event is free and a love offering will be received. The church is located at 1461 Timbers Drive, Dothan, one block off Highway 52 West and Honeysuckle Road, (behind Dollar General). Call 334-792-3316 for more information.

Bethany Divinity College and Seminar in Dothan will host a winter seminar titled The Art of Teacher on Jan. 27, 6-9 p.m., and Jan. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with Dr. Rodney George as professor. The seminar is good for Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders and is free to the general public. Students taking for credit should call for pricing information. Call 334-793-3189 for more information or to register by Jan. 25. Bethany is located at 2573 Hodgesville Road.

The Lighthouse Church in Geneva will host a Man Up conference on Jan. 27-28 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. at The Vineyard Christian Camp located at 245 County Road 131 in Ariton. Speaker will be Pastor Myron Wideman Sr. For information, call 334-403-5152 or visit www.tlcog.net.

The Southeast Alabama Conference Lay Organization will meet Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. at St. John AME Church, located at 03 St. John St. in Abbeville.

Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church II in Dothan will hold the service Shopping at Heavens Grocery Store on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. The church is at 1547 Lucy Grade Road. Songs will be performed by Burdeshaw Street Choir and there will be a number of speakers. A benediction will be led by Shady Grove Pastor Gamaska Vickers. All churches are invited.

The Davis/McLeod District of the Churches of God in Christ will hold its Annual District Women's Conference on Jan. 28 starting at 10 a.m. The Conference will be held at Memorial Church of God in Christ in New Brockton. Message will be from Mother Lucille Tyruse of St. Roberta Church of God in Christ in Geneva. A "Wacky Fashion Show" will also be held.

Grimes Gospel Lighthouse, 1512 County Road 25, Grimes, will host Southern Glory of Panama City, Florida, on Jan. 28. Music starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free; offering will be taken. Call 334-983-4654 or 334-714-4658 for more information.

Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center will host the 23rd Annual Peace Parade on Saturday, Jan. 28. Transportation will be provided from the church to the starting point of Advanced Auto Parts in Daleville beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the parade will begin at 10 a.m., culminating in the churchs parking lot. A program will follow the parade; it will start at 11 a.m. Dr. Diane C. Flournoy, superintendent of the Daleville City School System will be the keynote speaker. For more information, call the church at 334-598-6279.

Klondyke Gospel Music Center, located between Newton and Ozark at 3885 Highway 123 S., will host: The Men of Cornerstone Quartet of Newnan, Georgia, Jan. 28; The Cokers from Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 3; Crimson City Quartet from Mobile, Feb. 4; Straight & Narrow Bluegrass from Black, Feb. 11; Heartline Trio from Prattville, Feb. 18; Jordans River from Rockledge, Georgia, Feb. 25. Music starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, contact Ron Jeffers, president and concert coordinator, at 334-797-9862.

Archdiocese United Christian Fellowship International will convene its Fifth Sunday Fellowship of Churches on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. at Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center. Elder Kim Ray of United Christian Fellowship Dothan will be the featured minister, and the combined fellowship choir will minister in music. Lunch will be served from 1:15-2:30 p.m. in the Archbishop Carl McComb Community Life Center. For more information, call 334-598-6279.

Pastor James C. Harvey Sr. and the St. Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church family invite the community to the first sermon of Rodney D. Harvey Sr. on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 2:30 p.m. St. Elizabeth is at 611 Florida St. in Geneva.

Chancellor Assembly of God Church is having a Fifth Sunday Night Sing on Jan. 29 featuring The Thompsons from Grand Ridge, Florida. Starting time is 5 p.m. The church is located at 10527 N. State Highway 27 in Chancellor.

A special day of prayer for the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville will be held Jan. 29. The day was set aside by the Florida Baptist State Convention to lift up those who work and study at the institution. For more information, call 800-328-2660 ext. 460.

The Nelons will perform during services on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Slocomb, located at 225 N. Dalton St. The Nelons have won multiple Dove awards, have been nominated for Grammy awards, and were recently inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The music ministry has also performed as part of the prestigious Gaither Homecoming Tour and Video Series. Vocalist Amber Nelon Thompson, named as the youngest Dove Award nominee in history by the Gospel Music Association, will join The Nelons for the performance. For more information, call 334-886-2200 or visit www.thenelons.com.

Smyrna Baptist Church in Dothan will hold a Fifth Sunday Night Sing on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. featuring the Bethel Trio from Dothan. The church is at 1800 Husky Road. Everyone welcome. Food and fellowship to follow sing.

The Hoppers will be in concert on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. in the wellness center at the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. Over the years, The Hoppers have received numerous accolades and have also been popular guest performers on the Gaither Homecoming Tour. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and tickets for the evening can be purchased for $12 in the colleges business office by calling 850- 263-3261 ext. 418 or by visiting www.baptistcollege.edu. All seating will be general admission.

Burdeshaw Street Church will host appreciation services for the churchs pastor, Wilbert Dawsey, and his wife, Alice Dawsey, on Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Larry Butler of Friendship Freewill Church in Dothan and at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Jackson Glover of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Pinckard.

Maple Avenue Baptist Church will host the next 39ers C.L.U.B. luncheon meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m. The church is at 1009 W. Maple Ave. in Geneva. The acrostic means Christians Living Under the Blood! The non-denominational 39ers C.L.U.B. is open to anyone and is held once a month on the second Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until noon. The cost for the luncheon is $5 per person. If you have been involved in the 39ers C.L.U.B., contact your table hostess by Tuesday, Feb. 7, to make or cancel your reservation. If you would like to be a part of the 39ers C.L.U.B. and have never been before, call the church office at 334-684-9617 by Tuesday, Feb. 7. The February meeting will be a musical program presented by Kim Tate, a member of Carmel Assembly of God Church of Bonifay, Florida.

Cloverdale United Methodist Church at 102 Rollins Ave. in Dothan will celebrate their 63rd Homecoming on Feb. 19. The special speaker will be the Rev. Mark Lilly. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a covered dish lunch following the morning worship service.

Shady Grove Baptist Church in Dothan will hold a Church Anniversary service on Feb. 26 at 2:30 p.m. The church is at 1547 Lucy Grade Road. Guest pastor will be Christopher Scott, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, and music will be provided by Antioch Choir. All churches invited. Lunch served from 1-2 p.m.
The Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland will host several meetings that will benefit local farmers.

The Extension office will hold a Wild Pig Management Seminar on Feb. 25 at 9 a.m.

The wild pig is destroying our farmers crops, said Jimmy Jones, Henry County Extension agent. This seminar will concentrate on wild pig history, biology and ecology in Alabama. It will also provide participants with an overview of wild pig control methods and trapping of wild pigs. Demonstrations will also be performed to show farmers the best way to trap and remove the pigs.

Individuals are truly unaware of what kind of damage wild pigs can do. The agricultural damage caused by wild pigs costs farmers in the United States millions of dollars every year. Hogs cause damage either by eating or trampling agriculture crops. Damage also occurs through rooting and wallowing. These activities not only cause direct damage to crops but the holes and ruts created in ag fields can lead to damage to farm equipment and endanger equipment operators. Rooting also damages turf and irrigation equipment.

Although crop damage is a major concern for farmers, it is not the only damage caused by wild hogs.

Wild pigs threaten livestock in three ways, Jones said. The first is through predation. Pigs are opportunistic omnivores and will readily feed on newborn sheep, goats, and calves. Wild hogs also affect livestock through the spread of disease. There are a number of diseases carried by wild pigs that can be contracted by domestic livestock including brucellosis, pseudorabies and classical swine fever. Another way wild pigs threaten livestock is through competition. If wild pigs gain access to a livestock feeding lot they will readily consume food and exclude livestock from feeding. I strongly encourage all farmers to participate in this meeting. We are offering this program to help farmers get a handle on the pigs, before too much damage is done.

The Wiregrass Research and Extension Center will also host its annual peanut growers meeting on Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.

This meeting is very important to our peanut farmers, said Kris Balkcom, research specialist. This meeting will address several issues that our farmers deal with on a regular basis.

A few of the topics to be addressed during the meeting include: peanut varieties, marketing, weed control, disease control and fungicides.

Last year our farmers had a decent crop, Balkcom said. However, a few plants did suffer from leaf spots and white mold. We also saw a slight increase in viruses in the peanut crop. This meeting will allow local farmers to see the latest research on what varieties may fight these issues better; and in the long run produce a better yield for next year. Our main goal is to educate the farmers on the latest research information available, as well as help our farmers make money. That is what it is all about, helping our farmers to the best of our ability.

For more information regarding upcoming meetings, call 585-6416 or 693-2010.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Do Ba Khoa (R) presents his credentials to Brazilian President Michel Temer (Brazil's presidential Palace)

Temer made the statement at a meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Do Ba Khoa who presented his credentials on January 19th.

He spoke highly of Vietnams achievements in its renewal (Doi moi) process as well as the countrys increasingly important position in the region and the world.

Ambassador Khoa affirmed his hope for the further development of the Vietnam-Brazil comprehensive partnership in the coming time, for the sake of the two peoples.

He expressed his joy at the Latin African nations economic recovery in spite of global economic difficulties, adding that Vietnam appreciates Brazils important role in the region and the international arena.

The diplomat highlighted the encouraging development of the bilateral ties in recent times, especially in economics and trade.

The two sides need to enhance exchange of all-level visits and seek measures to tap cooperation potential in politics-diplomacy, economics-trade, culture, science-technology between the two countries localities and organisations, he said.

He called on the Brazilian Government to facilitate Vietnams goods to make inroads into markets in Latin America, and recognised Vietnams market economic mechanism soon./.
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Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Davos (Photo: VNA)

At a high-level dialogue on responsive and responsible leadership on January 19(local time), he called on countries to act responsibly towards regional and global peace and stability.

He also highly valued the role of multilateral organisations, especially the United Nations, in promoting common interests of the international community.

Meanwhile, in an opening speech at a debate session on the outlook of ASEAN after 50 years of development, the Vietnamese leader highlighted the groupings achievements, its consensus principle and the ASEAN Way which created the blocs identity.

ASEAN should effectively implement the roadmap to the ASEAN Economic Community and take advantage of free trade agreements with partners to attract investment and foster trade. Vietnam has made important and responsible contributions to the unity and consensus of ASEAN and joined other ASEAN countries in building a strong ASEAN Community, he added.

At a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres the same day, PM Phuc assured that Vietnam will continue its proactive and active participation and effective contributions to the UNs important issues. The two sides also voiced their delight at the growing relationship between Vietnam and the UN.

He valued the effectiveness of the extensive cooperation with the Netherlands, particularly in the building of the Mekong Delta Plan, while talking to his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte.

PM Phuc asked the country to keep assisting Vietnam to implement the strategic partnership agreement on sustainable agriculture and food security, and to support Vietnams candidacy for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

Meeting with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, he said he hopes the Queen will share experience in the development of inclusive finance and promote partners assistance for Vietnam in building credit programmes targeting low-income people and ethnic minority groups.

Meanwhile, he noted satisfactorily the organisation of practical activities marking 45 years of the Vietnam-Switzerland diplomatic ties at another meeting with Swiss President Doris Leuthard on January 19th.

He also appreciated the Swiss Governments commitment to giving USD90 million in financial aid to Vietnam for 2017-2020, asking Switzerland to help his nation develop high-quality education.

Speaking to Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, PM Phuc told both sides to coordinate to effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms. They should also consider setting up a joint committee at the ministerial level to boost ties, work out concrete measures to augment trade, investment and tourism and agricultural cooperation.

At separate meetings with executives of global enterprises, the leader asked UK group Prudential to expand operations in Vietnam and have more programmes and projects to help enhance the local insurance and financial services industries.

PM Phuc showed support for US firm Alphabet-Googles opening of an office in Vietnam, adding that Vietnam boasts huge potential for IT development. He also invited the groups representatives to attend the APEC Business Advisory Council and the APEC meetings in Vietnam later this year.

He told executives of the USs Carlyle and Qualcomm groups that his country is pressing on with measures to improve the investment climate and have much potential of IT development.

He highly valued the Swiss Re Groups operations in Vietnam, saying these have helped improve the competitiveness of the countrys insurance system.

The PM also asked Swiss Re to share experience and carry out more cooperation programmes and projects in this field, especially agricultural insurance./.
(Reuters/Eric Thayer)Algerian laws prohobit defaming Muhammad and Islamic tennets through social media.

A Christian convert in Algeria is facing jail time after a judge convicted him of offending Islam through cartoons posted on his Facebook page.

Samir Chamek, a 33-year-old actor in the northern area of Wilaya de Bouira, had initially been sentenced to five years in prison to go with a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars or an equivalent of US$900 last year. The sentence, however, was reduced to one year, according to a report from Morning Star News.

The report said the ruling was based on Article 44 of the Algerian Penal Code that prohibits any "writing, drawing, statement or any other means" that defames or belittles the prophet Muhammad or any of Islam's precepts.

"I had just been tried without knowing it. The judge of the court, in agreement with the attorney general, condemned me in my absence to five years in prison and to pay a fine of 100,000 Algerian dinars, accusing me of having infringed Islam and the person of the prophet," said Chamek in an interview with Morning Star News.

Chamek shared that police officials in Wilaya de Bouira invited him for an interrogation that lasted for five hours, revolving around his Facebook account, before receiving a summon to appear before court. He explained to the authorities that the caricatures found on his social media account had already been in circulation on the Internet for a long time and that he did not create any of it.

"I explained to them that I had no particular interest in them, and if they were there, it was merely mere artistic curiosity, for I love all that is connected with art," Chamek added.

A similar incident in Egypt reported by the Christian Action Network two years ago led to the imprisonment of Bishoy Camille, a Coptic teacher who was charged for contempt of Islam through his drawing of Muhammad, which was also posted on Facebook.

Chamek, who converted to Christianity in 2005, is one of thousands of Christians facing persecution in Algeria. The predominantly Islam nation ranked 36th on 2017 World Watch List by persecution watchdog Open Doors.
Oct. 13, 2022

Prior to this summer, the memorial garden had lost its shine and perhaps had gone forgotten. That was when 18 year old Annabelle Smith, daughter of an Eielson Airman and a Girl Scout for 13 years, decided to take on a renovation project as a part of a Gold Award project, one of the highest awards in
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with delegates to the event (Photo: VNA)



At the session, which forms part the 47th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, he noted that Vietnam can no longer count on exhausting natural resources and cheap labor force to achieve a fast and sustainable growth in the era of the fourth industrial revolution.

He briefed participants that the country is renewing growth modal and improving growth quality, labour productivity and economic competitiveness while developing sectors with high added value, scientific and technological applications and highly-skilled workers.

He affirmed that businesses are positioned as the central part of Vietnams renovation course and the Government will work to spur development, serve the people and businesses, and strive to create a fair and favorable business environment for businesspeople.

Up to 110,000 new businesses were set up in 2016, he said, reporting on the countrys 2020 goal of having over 1 million new enterprises and assisting 600 businesses with 2,000 projects in creative start-up with a view to helping businesses access to novel technologies. In addition to that, Vietnam will speed up international integration to nurture renovation and creativity.

In 2017, Vietnam will host the APEC Summit under the theme Creating new driving force for a common future, which is facilitating discussions on promoting economic linkages and raising competiveness in the digital era and offering a good chance for businesspeople and investors to seek partnerships, he stressed.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2017 started in Davos, Switzerland, on January 17th.

It brought together 3,000 participants, including 50 State leaders, Government officials from 70 countries worldwide, and representatives from international organisations, such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation.

Lasting through January 20th, the meeting consists of 446 sessions, discussing the global matters, such as inclusive growth, the fourth industrial revolution, international cooperation models and immigration./.
Sen. Lt. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh (L) welcomes Major General Martin Bricknell (Photo: VNA)

He had talks in Hanoi with a delegation of the army medical services led by Major General Martin Bricknell, Director of the Medical Policy & Operational Capability at the UK Ministry of Defence.

He highly valued the UK military medical forces capacity and experience in combat, humanitarian aid and UN peacekeeping, especially the commanding and operation of level-2 field hospitals.

Vietnam is carrying out a plan for 2014-2020 on deploying field hospitals for the UNs peacekeeping operations.

It has sent 12 officers to serve as staff officers, liaison officers and military observers at the UN missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Their performance has been highly regarded by the UN, the mission commanders and international counterparts, Minh noted.

He added his country has completed personnel preparations, pre-deployment training, and foreign language training. It is ready to have its preparedness examined by the UNs working group before officers are sent to UN missions.

He also asked the UKs army medical services to enhance cooperation with the Vietnam Peoples Army.

At the talks, Bricknell said his delegation had a working session the Vietnam Peacekeeping Centre, and they agreed on some major cooperation activities in the time ahead.

He shared some of the UKs experiences in deploying level-2 field hospitals in peacekeeping operations, including personnel and equipment preparations, pre-deployment training and negotiation with the UN.

Speaking highly of Vietnams readiness, he expressed his belief that with its experience and officers adaptability and discipline, the countrys level-2 field hospitals will fulfill tasks at UN peacekeeping missions.

The UK delegation is set to visit and shared peacekeeping-related experience with staff of Military Hospital 354 in Hanoi later on January 20th./.
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Fake messages sent to NatWest customers

NatWest is warning that some customers in the Isle of Man have received a fraudulent text message claiming to be from the bank.

The message appears genuine and can show up in the same message thread as real texts from NatWest, but is a fake.

The bank warns any messages urging a customer to call a number should be treated as suspicious, and that people should only use the number published on the bank's website or on bank statements.

Anyone who receives such a text can email a copy of the message to phishing@natwest.com so the bank can investigate and arrange to have the number sending the messages disabled.

The bank is also reminding customers never to give out their PIN, password or card reader codes during phone conversations, as NatWest employees will not ask for these details.
Quayle backs May's Brexit plans



Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK

The Chief Minister believes Theresa May's plans for Brexit will benefit the Isle of Man.

The British Prime Minister set out her objectives for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union earlier this week.

May revealed her plans would mean Britain leaving Europe's single market, taking control of migration and ending the European Court's jurisdiction in Britain.

In an interview about Brexit with MTTV, Howard Quayle revealed he thinks the changes will be good for the Island, if the Prime Minister can agree the plans with the EU [play audio].

Media

Howard Quayle
So now that Hilary Duff is single again, it is time for a new boyfriend for her - music producer Matthew Koma. Both of them have been spotted going around the various spots of Hollywood together.

Hilary took Matthew Koma to the hotel where she had her first wedding night with her first husband, Mike Comrie. The new couple hung out at Santa Barbara's San Ysidro Ranch, according to celeb dirty laundry.

Hilary began to sidle up to her new man, Mathew. They were seen in a close embrace at Woodland Hills cafe. She had her arms over him. They even entwined their hands around each other and shared a kiss at one point, according to us magazine.

Hillary's friends and fans aren't too enamoured by her new affair, though. She had broken up with her ex-boyfriend and trainer Jason Walsh last December. Hilary's friends had been rather shocked to hear about it, as the couple had gone on a vacation to Mexico before Thanksgiving. A number of her fans are even taken aback by him.

The surprise has been strengthened by a spotting of Hillary with ex-husband Mike Comrie only last month during a romantic date just before the vacation. The two had spent a long time together with their four-year-old son, Luca. There are reports of Hillary spending a lot of vacations with Mike when she hangs out with her family. Still, she does not want to give her relationship with Mike another chance.

Even for Hollywood celebrities, Hillary Duff looks rather shocking. Many of her fans even call her a "serial dater", as she got linked up with a number of men, including Joel Madden, Frankie Muniz, and Aaron Carter.

Having become single again, it really looks like she is jumping from one affair to another.

YouTube/CHANNEL News
Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 is the last one to see Masi Oka as the actor is leaving the show. Episode 13 was the last one to see Oka's character, Dr. Max Bergman. However, he is not the only one to bid goodbye to the police procedural television show. Alex O'Loughlin will also follow suit after Season 8.

Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 saw the last performance of Masi Oka in Episode 13 as the actor will not return to the show in the next season. The actor has already revealed his intention to leave the show, reports New York Post.

Referring to his character, he said in an interview that Bergman's story has already run its course. According to him, his character has gotten married and is well-settled with his life and was going on a new adventure.

So, he wanted the same thing for himself as well, which is to say that he wanted another adventure. Notably, Oka has a lot on his plate and there are many projects waiting for him. The actor has expressed a desire to visit Hawaii but not for work.

He wants to vacation over there. Also, commuting from Los Angeles to Hawaii has stressed him out as it had been draining him. So, now he is looking forward to a more relaxed work schedule.

In related news, Alex O'Loughlin, who plays Steve and is popular for being the other half of the McDanno bromance, has also said that he would be leaving Hawaii Five-0 after Season 8, claims Collider. In an interview last year, the Australian actor said that he loved the show but it was taking a physical toll on him. Revealing his state-of-mind, Alex said that he was not sure if he could give as much as he could beyond eight seasons.

It may be mentioned here that Alex had injured his shoulder and knees during the shooting of Hawaii Five-0. Not only this, he also underwent stem cell treatments because of the said injuries.

Perhaps, this is why the actor made it very clear that he enjoyed his work and loved being on the show but it was not something he would give priority over his health and family. Watch Masi Oka's goodbye scene on Hawaii Five-0 Season 7 Episode 13 below.
Hollywood just received a sad news recently as it was reported that 61-year old NCIS: Los Angeles actor, Miguel Ferrer, passed away while battling with throat cancer.

As reported by Deadline, showrunner R. Scott Gemmill released a statement confirming the news to the actor's fans and supporters. The statement said, "Today, NCIS: Los Angeles lost a beloved family member. Our thoughts go out to his wife Lori, his sons, and his entire family. He will be greatly missed."

The producer added that Ferrer had left a huge mark on the show, where the actor was a cast member from the third to the present season. He praised Ferrer's professional talent saying that he had an undeniably powerful dramatic presence on screen and a sense of humor with a big heart.

It was already reported before that Ferrer's absence on the recent episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles has an involvement with his health issues. It was confirmed just last year that he has been battling with throat cancer. Despite that fans had just known this, they continue to support the actor and the CBS series, where he was portraying one of the main characters, Owen Granger. Fans have been speculating that the actor's death might change some of the planned storyline of the series.

According to Carter Matt, the official synopsis released for the upcoming episode involves a kidnapping that will occur involving one of the team's agents. The government reportedly captures the team, consisting of G. Callen, Sam Hanna, Marty Deeks and Owen Granger, portrayed by actors Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J, Eric Christian Olsen and Miguel Ferrer, respectively. They will not be released until they find out who the mole is.

Furthermore, as hinted by the promo released, Callen attacks the guards as he gets annoyed from being interrogated while Deeks is still in isolation. According to the source, the mole is suspected to be a white male basin gon the teasers. The upcoming episodes of this season will hopefully reveal the mole on the team, which fans should look out for.

NCIS: Los Angeles season 8 episode 14 is scheduled to air on January 29, 2017 on CBS. Watch official teaser shown below.
The Crown just dominated the Golden Globes with a couple of awards and it looks like there are more to come. In fact, the show's creator Peter Morgan teased what in store in the coming chapter and the possible The Crown Season 3 and their plans for the next chapters.

At the backstage of the Golden Globe press room, the 53-year-old film writer addressed the issues that the biographical drama will run up to six or seven seasons. He then said that it is not funny and simply painful to write something about someone "with a long life" which story "goes on and on."

However, in The Crown Season 3, Morgan revealed that fans may not continue to see Claire Foy as the young Queen Elizabeth II. According to Yahoo TV, the playwright might employ a new set of the cast after the second season.

By then, the current stars will already reach the limit of portraying their roles as the first two seasons of the show will only tackle the two decades of the monarch's life. Although it will still take long before that happens as they haven't talked about it yet with Netflix.

Moreover, in an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Morgan also revealed that he is eyeing for the show to only have three chapters. The first one will cover Queen Elizabeth's life as the young sovereign, the second one will be her middle-aged life story while The Crown Season 3 will feature her tale as the old head of state.

On the other hand, as Queen Elizabeth's life story is too colorful and beefy to tell, Morgan admitted that he needs more time by just writing it. "The truth of the matter is, I could've written three or even four seasons of her as the Young Queen. I did get to the point where I thought, 'Actually no, let's leave it on the knife's edge of Suez','' he explained.

It has been known that Suez Crisis is the changing point of the Great Britain and the country was never been the same after the event took place. Hence, this will be the plot story of the second season and fans still have to watch out what to expect in The Crown Season 3.
Even though Pippa Middleton has got reflected fame as the sister of the future Queen of England, she is still experiencing some of the side-effects of her famed links. Just a few months before she gets married, her wedding plans have got exposed. A couple of hackers got into her iCloud account in order to snitch some of her private photographs.

A 36-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman have got arrested for having gone into her account. Both of them were taken in by the police, and were arrested. Both were in Wellingborough, taken by the cops under charges of having tried to conspire to perpetrate and also keep in their possession "false identity" documents with wrong intentions. At Wellingborough, their property too has been rifled, according to ibtimes.

Last year, in September, when her account got hacked, the poachers had attempted to sell thousands of images to a daily, which included pictures of the royal family, said Sun. Photographs of Pippa in a wedding gown as well as some nude pictures of her fiance, James Matthews, were included in the mix.

An earlier email was sent by the hacker to Sun last year. He had asked for "a minimum of EUR50,000 in a couple of days, for images and data from Pippa's iCloud account."

The hacker had even sent evidence of his hacked photographs. Pippa was in a wedding fitting. Still, the dress she wore was covered. There was one more picture of her mother, Carole Middleton, standing in a church aisle.

"The man and woman were taken into custody at a south London police station and have since been bailed to return to the police station on a date in mid-March," a spokesperson for the London Met Police said.
The release of the international non-governmental organisation (INGO) Oxfams annual reports on economic inequality is invariably timed to coincide with the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum in January at Davos. This year the report is titled An Economy for the 99%; last year the heading was An Economy for the 1%. This is, after all, the time of the year when the worlds ultra-rich converge on the Swiss resort to shape global, regional and industry agendas by engaging with world business and national political leaders to ostensibly improve the state of the world.

Oxfam appears to have borrowed its recent report captions from the #OccupyWallStreet movement. We are the 99% was the rallying cry of that campaign, calling attention, quite sharply, to the dramatic increase in incomes and net worths of those at the very apex of the economy and the stagnation or decline in the incomes and net worths of the majority. Drawing on the 2016 data from the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Data Book and the Forbes list of dollar billionaires, Oxfams latest report tells us that the bottom 50% of the worlds population has just 0.2% of the worlds wealth, and if one sums up the wealth of the worlds top-eight billionaires, six of whom are from the United States (US), these ultra-rich persons together have more wealth than what the bottom 50% of the worlds population owns.
Punjabs political arena which has had two main competitors, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Indian National Congress (henceforth, the Congress) saw the entry of a third key player, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) during the 2014 general elections. AAP won four Lok Sabha seats out of a total of 13 that it contested from Punjab (see Appendix 1). It not only lost every seat it contested elsewhere in the country but 414 out of the 434 candidates it fielded forfeited their security deposits. I attempt an explanation of this extraordinary electoral performance of AAP in Punjab in 2014 and examine its prospects for the 2017 state assembly elections.

The key to capturing this difference in Punjab lies in understanding its recent political history and more specifically the emergence and suppression of two movements in its contemporary history along with the consequences of the suppression of those movements. These two movements are: the Maoist Naxalite movement of the late 1960s and the Akali morcha (agitation) of the early 1980s for the protection of Punjabs river water rights and for other economic, political and religious demands, and the subsequent armed Sikh opposition movement against the Operation Blue Star army action at the Golden Temple in 1984.

This article will attempt to throw light on these two movements to highlight both the similarities in the political culture of Punjab with the political culture in other states in India as well as the huge differences. I do not intend to imply that there is one uniform political culture in India outside Punjab. On the contrary, I firmly believe that there are massive interstate differences in India where I look upon the states as homelands of various nationalities at different levels of their nationality developments. I merely aim to emphasise the specificity of Punjabs political culture in contrast to the political culture in other states in India.[1] By analysing the emergence and suppression of the two movements mentioned here, and the political and cultural fallout from the suppression of those two movements, I hope to solve the puzzle of the amazing electoral success of AAP in Punjab while it miserably failed elsewhere in the 2014 general elections. It, of course, performed spectacularly well in the Delhi assembly elections in February 2015.

The rest of the article discusses aspects of Punjabs specificity, the Naxalite movement in Punjab and its suppression, the Akali movement and the armed Sikh resistance movement and its suppression, and the implications of the suppression of these two movements for the emergence of AAP as a political force. I will also discuss the current and future prospects of AAP in Punjab in the light of its past successes and its vulnerability due to the Haryana and non-Punjabi dimensions of its top leadership and also the Delhi-based over-centralised organisational structure of the party. Finally, I will examine, though briefly, the potentialities and limitations of the AAP challenge to the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the semi-secular Congress.

The Sikh Dimension

One aspect of Punjab, which distinguishes it from all other states, is that it is the homeland of the Sikh people. Punjab is the only state where the Sikhs are in a majority. They constitute 1.7% of Indias population but about 58% of that of Punjab. About 77% of Indias total Sikh population is settled in Punjab in contrast to their marginal presence in a majority of the other states (see Appendix 2). The majority status for the Sikhs in Punjab is a relatively recent phenomenon which took place only after the territorial reorganisation of Punjab on a linguistic basis on 1 November 1966.

This duality of the Sikh location  a minority in India but a majority in Punjab  is a continuing source of political conflict and tension between the Sikh majority Punjab and Hindu majority India. This duality offers a primary insight into understanding the difference between electoral trends in Punjab and most other states. The absence of the Narendra Modi wave in Punjab during the 2014 general election when it was considered to be the major influence in other states, especially in north and west India, is a telling illustration of this dialectic.

Even when there is convergence of electoral trends in Punjab and the rest of India as, for example, during the emergence of the electoral success of regional parties in the 1967 assembly elections in many states or the anti-Congress vote in the general election after the Emergency, this convergence manifests itself through the regional specificity of Punjab. Both during the 1967 assembly elections and post-Emergency general election in 1977, the regional specificity in Punjab manifests itself through the massive electoral victories of SAD, which so far has been almost the sole articulator of Punjabs regional interests and the Sikh communitys political aspirations[2]. This political monopoly of SAD is being questioned in the wake of political change brought about by the AAP upsurge in Punjab.

The foundations of the Sikh faith, which imparts distinctive character to Punjabs political culture, were laid by Guru Nanak (14691539) who came from an upper-caste Hindu Khatri background but rebelled, even as a child, against the practices of his parents faith. He soon matured as a great spiritual teacher, poet and communicator choosing Punjabi, the language of the masses in Punjab, as his medium of communication in opposition to Sanskrit and Arabic chosen by the priestly class of the two dominant religionsHindu and Islamof that time in Punjab.

He attracted a community of followers who came to be known as Sikhmeaning disciple or follower (Singh 1994:1). His denunciation of the Hindu caste system and gender inequalities attracted many lower caste men and women mainly from the Hindu background but some from the Muslim background too to his fold. He also denounced the atrocities committed by the Moghul king Babur through powerful poetry and had to face a brief period of imprisonment before Babur realised that Nanak was not an ordinary political rebel and that he was a person of great spiritual learning.

This was a period of great social and political turmoil in India especially in north India. Many other spiritual leaders such as Kabir, Ravi Das and Namdev, to mention just a few, were also preaching similar views as Nanaks in other regions of what we now call India. Guru Nanak travelled to all corners of India and beyond to meet spiritual leaders of similar leanings and to also debate with and question the traditional religious figures. What distinguished him from other saints of the Bhakti period was that he understood the importance of an organisation for spreading his teachings. Therefore, before his death, he appointed his successor Guru Angad (15041552) as the second guru of his followers who had come to be called Nanakpanthis or more generally as Sikhs.

The fifth guru, Guru Arjan Dev (15631606), compiled the teachings of all the Sikh gurus but also of other spiritual teachers such as Baba Farid, Kabir and Ravi Das into a major work that came to be called Adi Granth and subsequently Shri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) which became the holy Sikh scripture.[3] It is clear from the teachings contained in the SGGS that the Sikh gurus applauded the ancient Hindu scriptures but also criticised a number of Brahmanical theological assumptions and religious practices.[4] The growing Sikh faith had to go through severe persecution but it not only survived but grew to such strength that one Sikh chieftain Ranjit Singh (17801839) became the sovereign ruler of the Punjab in 1799.[5] The independent sovereign state of Punjab that lasted for half a century was eventually annexed by the expanding British empire in 1849 and made a part of colonial India.

A rich heritage of their own religious scripture and the memory of having been rulers of an independent empire impart a distinctive identity to the Sikhs and their homeland Punjab. This distinctive identity is a central component of the distinctive political culture of Punjab. An understanding of this distinctive political culture is critical to grasping the background to the emergence and suppression of the two movements and the consequences of that suppression for the response that AAP has received in Punjab.

Naxalite Movement and AAP

Three socio-economic and cultural processes can be identified as contributing to the emergence of the Naxalite movement in Punjab and especially in the form in which it emerged there. One, the split in the international communist movement between the pro-Soviet Union and pro-China blocs leading to a split in Indias communist movement was the overarching and visible factor in encouraging the emergence of the Naxalite tendency in Punjabs communist movement.[6] Two, the 1968 radical upsurge in the youth and other radical movements all over the world contributed to radicalising the educated Punjabi youth and thus facilitated their attraction towards the Naxalite movement.[7] Third, a majority of the Punjabi youth that got attracted towards this movement came from Sikh religious and cultural backgrounds[8], and the history of the evolution of the Sikh community over the last five centuries shows a tendency towards armed struggle coexisting with a non-violent one (Singh 2007).

Right from the beginning of the 20th century, a distinctive left-wing tendency that has been politically active and at times very influential among the Punjabi Sikhs has drawn upon the armed struggle tradition among the Sikhs to attract them to its political perspective and practice. The Ghadar Party activists, Kartar Singh Sarabha and the very well-known Indian revolutionary Bhagat Singh are examples of the attraction towards left-wing armed struggle among Punjabi Sikhs. The emergence of the Naxalite movement in Punjab in the 1960s was not a sudden political development, it represented a strong historical bond with the militant tradition in Sikhism and the impact of this tradition on a militant left-wing tradition in Punjab. This historical bond coupled with the split in the international communist movement and the radical upsurge among the youth in the 1960s created the conditions for the rise of the Naxalite movement in Punjab. Taking any of these three dimensions singly would distort the understanding of the movement in Punjab.

This movement faced brutal state repression (Judge 1992, Singh 2010). Nearly 100 activists were physically liquidated by the Punjab police in what were presented by the latter as encounters (Singh 2010). It is claimed that this method of liquidation, that is, killing in police custody was innovated by the Punjab police and later transmitted to other regions[9]. Apart from these killings, there were thousands of sympathisers who were tortured, and many more thousands who were abused, harassed and monetarily exploited. The suppression of this movement left thousands of families broken, discontented, helpless and angry. These families had virtually no political home in the existing political parties. They considered the parliamentary communist parties as traitors and the non-communist parties (such as the Akali Dal, Congress, Jana Sangh/BJP, Janata) as contemptible citadels of bourgeois economic and political power. The rise of AAP in 20132014 meant a platform to these activists and other sympathisers. They felt fired up by the prospect of strengthening a party which could challenge the existing political parties.

Dharamvir Gandhi (the suspended AAP Member of Parliment (MP)) who defeated the Congress candidate Parneet Kaur, wife of Congress leader Amarinder Singh, from Patiala is an example of thousands of such activists, former activists and sympathisers of the Naxalite movement. He has dedicated many years of his life providing free medical services, whenever neccessary. He is a product of the Naxalite movement, and the inspiration behind his work with the poor and marginalised comes from his association with that movement. He was instrumental in building up the Punjab Students Union (PSU), the most powerful student organisation Punjab has ever seen. The PSU was closely aligned with the Naxalite movement. Thousands of students who had participated in the activities of the PSU pursued a range of different activities in the post-Naxalite phase. Some became doctors, schoolteachers, journalists, academic scholars, agriculture extension service providers and theatre activists etc, and sought meaning and purpose through work that they considered as contributing to improving the living conditions of the oppressed. Some became active in farmers organisations and trade unions while others joined human rights and civil liberties organisations. Yet others joined organisations like the Tarksheel Society (Rational Society). Some took to organic farming. Of course there were others who turned to alcohol in their despair or simply lost interest in any movement and immersed themselves in domestic life. Even those who became politically inactive kept themselves informed in varying degrees about the social and political changes taking place in Punjab, India and beyond.

The Naxalite movement in Punjab had especially attracted the students, rural youth and school teachers and represented the most idealistic elements of Punjabi youth. When AAP came on the scene, it was like a breath of fresh air for these idealists and erstwhile idealists who had now entered middle or late middle age. There were others from a new generation of young Naxalites or pro-Naxalites who in most cases were children of the older activists, and were active in student unions mostly in the Malwa belt of Punjab where AAP wielded much influence.

All these erstwhile activists, politically inactive sympathisers and the new activists became the foot soldiers of AAP. Their dormant energies were unleashed and they provided momentum to AAPs political work which no other established political party in Punjab had. They played a crucial part in AAPs electoral victories in all the four seats it won but particularly in the Faridkot and Sangrur constituencies, and to a lesser extent in the Patiala constituency. These constituencies formed areas where the Naxalite movement had had a substantial following especially among the youth.

The Sikh Militant Movement, its Suppression and the Consequences for AAP

The Sikh militant movement against the Indian state had one big similarity with the 1960s and 1970s Naxalite movement. Both inspired the Sikh youth in Punjab and both were brutally crushed by the power of the Indian state. The spread of the Sikh movement was far wider and its suppression was much deeper than the Naxalite movement (Singh 2008, 2010, Pettigrew 1995, Mahmood 1996). While the suppression of the Naxalite movement affected thousands of families, the suppression of the Sikh militant movement affected hundreds of thousands of families whose members were liquidated by Indias security forces or tortured, abused, humiliated or subjected to extortion. Punjab has 12,581 villages (Government of Punjab 2013: 3) and every village has one or more families whose members were either liquidated or tortured. Some villages had many such families, for example, Sur Singh Wala village in Amritsar district which had nearly 100 of its young men liquidated by the Indian state.[10]

This large scale suppression of a movement which was widely spread out through the state left a substantial section of the Sikh population disgruntled, angry, humiliated and rebellious but without a political home in any of the existing political parties. At one stage around 1989, these angry masses did find a political home in the Simranjeet Singh Mann-led Akali Dal and this resulted in massive election victories of candidates supported by it, in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab[11]. However, Mann was not able to organise this support in a sustainable manner, and literally millions who had voted his candidates to victories again became homeless politically. Some of those supporters were reintegrated into the mainstream Akali Dal led by Parkash Singh Badal but a strong residue of discontentment against existing political parties remained.

The emergence of AAP on the scene electrified this N P discontented mass. The mainstream Akali Dals alliance with the BJP annoyed this discontented mass. However, the Akali Dal led by Mann did not inspire confidence among them except in a small section that had long-term personal ties with Mann. It is this discontented mass which migrated almost en masse towards AAP and ensured its electoral victories. The election of Harinder Singh Khalsa from Fatehgarh Sahib, in particular, showed the strength of this stream of AAPs electoral support base. Khalsa had resigned in 1984 from his Indian Foreign Service post in Norway in protest against Operation Blue Star, and had acquired popularity among the supporters of the Sikh militant movement.

Diaspora, Punjabi Hindus and Dalits

Apart from the pro-Naxalite and pro-Sikh militancy sections of the Punjabi population which ensured AAPs electoral victories, there were three other sources of support for the party. One was the enthusiastic support of the Sikh diaspora, the second was the upper-caste Hindu youth in Punjab, and the third was Dalit voters. The reason behind the diasporas support to AAP can be traced to the support extended to it by pro-Naxalite and pro-Sikh militancy sections of Punjabs population. Many supporters and activists of the Naxalite and Sikh militant movements had migrated to escape state repression.

They were dissatisfied with all the existing Indian mainstream political parties, and became enthusiastic supporters of AAP. Many Punjabi migrants to the West had experienced life which was free from day-to-day corruption. They longed for such a state of affairs in their native state of Punjab and AAP offered them hope of such a corruption-free future. The diaspora played an active part not only in generating generous financial resources for AAP but also in persuading their relatives and family members in Punjab to vote for AAP candidates.

The upper-caste Hindu youth especially in the towns of the Malwa region of Punjab where AAP candidates won, and the Dalit voters especially in the Doaba belt where their numbers are substantial, formed the other two sections of supporters. The former were different in their political orientation than the older generation that had witnessed the partition and its aftermath and was much more sympathetic to either the open Hindu nationalism of the BJP or the veiled Hindu nationalism of the semi-secular Congress.

This new generation was not particularly attracted to the Akali Dal although a few politically ambitious among them did hitch themselves to the Akali Dal[12]. This new generation was not even attracted to left-wing ideologies partly because of their class location in the trading communities of Punjab but were fascinated byAAPs rise to power in Delhi. Through the process of elimination, AAP seemed like an attractive political home to semi-idealistic sections of the upper-caste Punjabi Hindu youth. In addition to this, Arvind Kejriwal was projected in some urban circles as the most popular political leader to emerge in India from the Bania caste, and this had some success in attracting Punjabi Hindus from that caste to AAPs fold.

The Dalit voters were disillusioned with the Congress, a party they had supported for many years.They were also disappointed with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) due to what they saw as the opportunism of many of its leaders who fell prey to the politics of patronage resorted to by upper-caste leaders in order to co-opt leading Dalits into mainstream parties (Singh 2016a). AAPs substantial support among the Dalits in Delhi captured the imagination of Dalit voters in Punjab and this resulted in massive voting by Punjabi Dalit voters in favour of AAP. Though AAP did not win any seat in the Doaba belt where Dalit vote is substantial, its candidates, even the ones who were complete novices in politics, managed to get lakhs of votes. In the two Doaba constituencies of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur, AAP scored 24.42% and 22.19% of the vote respectively while in Anandpur Sahib which is a mixture of Doaba and Malwa areas, the AAP candidate got 28.14% votes (see Appendix 1).

Current Position and Prospects of AAP for the 2017 Election

Due to various factors but primarily due to its internal organisational problems, AAP has not managed to keep up the momentum it had gained in Punjab during the 2014 general elections. Apart from isolated errors of judgment by the Delhi-based central leadership of AAP regarding its organisational structure in Punjab, the roots of its organisational problems lie in the over-centralised organisation and mode of functioning. This is further confounded by the fact that the central leadership of the party does not have any Punjab-based leaders.

The partys leadership did not understand the Punjab specificity behind its 2014 success and has consequently made serious organisational and political blunders. One of the most serious of such blunders was in removing its founding convenor Sucha Singh Chhotepur from the convenorship on the basis of a frivolous and unproven allegation that he had accepted `2 lakhs from a party supporter. It has widely come to be believed in Punjab that Chhotepurs removal was motivated more by the desire to strengthen the hold of the Delhi-based leadership over the Punjab unit than to weed out corruption as officially proclaimed.

Chhotepur responded by pointing out that his entire political career has been without any blemish, and that this ouster has been masterminded by Haryana-and UP-based political leaders to weaken the hold of Punjab-based leaders in the Punjab unit of the AAP. This row has thrown into sharp relief the contradiction facing all political parties in Punjab (except the Akali Dal). While they have to win over Punjabs voters, their politics and organisational set up is controlled by their Delhi-centred parties which are not governed by the interests of Punjab but by how it fits into their all-India political strategy.

This contradiction has especially acquired importance for AAP because Punjab is the only state in India from where it won Lok Sabha seats and from where at one stage, it seemed it could win the election to the Punjab assembly. The media coverage of Chhotepurs ouster has highlighted this glaring weakness of AAPs Punjab organisational set-up especially as it comes after two of its MPsGandhi representing the pro-Naxalite stream and Khalsa representing the pro-Sikh militancy stream of its support basehad rebelled against what they characterised as Kejriwals authoritarian mode of functioning and Delhi-centric anti-Punjab policies.

A shocking lack of sensitivity to Punjabs cultural specificity by AAPs Delhi-based leadership was highlighted when the party while issuing its youth manifesto compared it to the Guru Granth Sahib and the cover page of which showed the partys election symbol of a broom superimposed on the image of the Golden Temple. Kejriwal rushed to the Golden Temple to apologise for this desecration (Indian Express 2016a). However, this penance could not fully undo the damage that had been done.

Chhotepur has floated a new party Aapna Punjab Party (APP) with the sole purpose of drawing a sharp attention to the absence of Punjabi organisational control of AAP in the state. Of all AAP political leaders in Punjab, he is the most experienced with a clear mass base in Gurdaspur district, his home district. The charge levelled by the Delhi-based leadership against him has not stuck and his credibility instead of being damaged has been enhanced. He is being seen as a victim of a conspiracy hatched by Haryana-and UP-based political leaders who hold the top leadership positions in the partys central organisation in Delhi. Similarly, the rebel AAP MP Gandhi has forged the Punjab Front whose major stance is that Punjab needs a region-based party free from Delhis control.

In order to strengthen its Punjab credentials against this attack both from inside as well as from outside by the Akali Dal and Congress, AAP has been forced to reach an alliance with one purely Punjab-based organisation called the Lok Insaaf Party, launched by two Akali rebel Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) known as the Bains brothers. This move which is contrary to its declared policy of not reaching an alliance with any party is a desperate damage control attempt by AAP.

Despite huge organisational and political blunders, AAP is still a substantial player in Punjabs electoral politics. It does not have the organisational network that the Akali Dal has and nor does it have a popular leader like the Congress Amarinder Singh who defeated Arun Jaitley, the BJP candidate, from Amritsar in 2014 with a margin of over one lakh votes. Amarinder Singh was strongly supported by the Sikh voters for his brave decision in resigning from the Congress party and Lok Sabha as a protest against Operation Blue Star. The Sikh voters chose him over AAPs Daljit Singh despite the latters high profile professional and social standing because in choosing Amarinder Singh, they wanted to make a clear political statement against Jaitley whose party had supported Operation Blue Star. The weakness of the Congress in Punjab, however, is that apart from Amarinder Singh, the party has nothing else to show. The Congress has lost its old urban Hindu and Dalit support base.

There is a strong anti-incumbency resentment against the AkaliBJP government. The Akali Dal is more likely to be adversely affected by this than the BJP. The BJP support base among urban upper-caste Hindu voters is intact and both Congress and AAP are unlikely to defeat the BJP in the Hindu majority urban constituencies. Amarinder Singhs popularity among Sikh voters might negatively affect the Congress in Hindu majority constituencies. In contrast, the Bania castes support for Kejriwal might prove useful for AAP in some constituencies especially where the margin of voting between the three competitors might be small.

Between AAP and Akali Dal, the support network for AAP is more visible because of the activistvolunteer background of the political streams supporting AAP. In contrast, Akali Dal has a substantial but undemonstrative support base especially in the rural areas where many of its elderly supporters do not attend rallies and demonstrations.

In the midst of this electoral competition between the three main players in Punjab, the damage to AAP from its Punjab imbroglio of organisational and political blunders has been further deepened by charges of corruption and moral turpitude charges against some AAP ministers in Delhi who had to be sacked from their cabinet positions.

It is unlikely that AAP will win the assembly election in Punjab but even if it does manage to do so, its credibility as a potential national alternative to Congress and BJP has been severely undermined by the recent splits in its Punjab unit and the ouster of its three ministers in Delhi.

Conclusions

AAP staged stunning electoral victories from Punjab during the 2014 general elections. This was in sharp contrast to its candidates losing every seat it contested in the rest of India. The explanation of AAPs unique electoral success in Punjab lies in the specificity of Punjab namely that it is the only Sikh majority state in India. Two movements in Punjab which had substantial base amongst the Sikh populationthe Maoist/Naxalite movement in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the Sikh militant movement against the Indian state in the 1980s and 1990swere crushed brutally by state terrorism.

The suppression of these two movements left large sections of the Sikh population angry and humiliated and at the same time without a political home among any of the existing political parties. The emergence of AAP on the political scene energised sections of the Sikh population that had been left discontented as a result of the suppression of these two movements. These politically reactivated individuals and groups with backgrounds in the Naxalite and Sikh militant movements provided the enthusiastic foot soldiers for AAPs election machine in Punjab. No other political party had been able to win such a large number of activists especially from the younger generation to their party fold. These activists were the key to the electoral success of AAP in Punjab in 2014.

Between 2014 and 2017, a contradiction that already existed in AAPs organisational set up in terms of the conflict between the need for regionally-responsive politics and centrally-controlled organisational arrangement, became more acute with the emergence of open conflict between the Punjab-based leadership and the Delhi based central leadership. In one sense, this contradiction is not unique to Punjab. All the major political parties in India are centrally controlled and that is one reason that state-based regional parties have been growing in all the states, especially in the non-Hindi speaking ones. The Akali Dal in Punjab represents this regionally-oriented turn in politics.

However, its close alliance with the Hindu nationalist BJP deprived the Akali Dal from legitimately claiming that it represented the regional interests of Punjab in the same way that the regional parties of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were able to do. This weakness of Akali Dal politics opened a door for AAP to claim that it represented Punjabs and especially the Sikh interests. The turmoil in Punjabs AAP unit in the form of Punjab based leadership being undermined by the non-Punjabi leadership in the central organisational set-up in Delhi has weakened that claim. It was further weakened by leaders who hail from Haryana being in control of the central party machine in Delhi. Due to several interstate conflicts between Haryana and Punjab, AAPs claim of representing Punjabs interests gets further undermined.

With its weakening in Punjab, AAP becomes a weak political rival at an all-India level to the BJP and Congress.[13] Had it remained strong in Punjab and carried that strength to other states, AAP might have replaced the Congress as the main rival of the BJP and might have even emerged as a stronger rival to the BJP than the Congress has ever been. In that sense, it is a setback to the emergence of a stronger all-India rival to the BJP.

One significant political outcome from AAPs entry into Punjab politics as a key player is that the issue of Punjab politics being governed by Punjab politicians and not Delhi-based centralised leaders has acquired importance like never before. All political partiesthe Congress, BJP, BSP, Communist Party of India, Communist of India-Marxist, and CPI Marxist-Leninistare underplaying the role of their central leaders and projecting greater decision-making powers to their state-based leadership. Additionally, three new political partiesthe APP, Punjab Front and LIPhave emerged which are solely Punjab based and, for the first time in Punjabs political history, are challenging the Akali Dal to be the sole articulator of Punjabs regional interests. Irrespective of how AAP performs in the 2017 assembly elections, this will be paradoxically its lasting and valuable contribution to Punjab politics, that is, the accentuations of regionalisation of politics in Punjab.

(I wish to acknowledge the research assistance provided by Rajkamal Singh Mann and the information supplied by many others who chose to remain anonymous. The usual disclaimer applies.)

References

Brar, Bhupinder (1994): Explaining Communist Crises. Delhi: Ajanta Publications.

Garewal, Naveen (2008): Poll Analysis: Akalis expanding urban foothold, Tribune, July 2.

Government of Punjab (2013): Statistical Abstract of Punjab, Chandigarh, Economic Advisor to Government of Punjab.

Judge, Paramjit Singh (1992): Insurrection to Agitation: The Naxalite Movement in Punjab, Bombay: Popular Prakashan

Mahmood, CK (1996): Fighting for Faith and Nation: Dialogues with Sikh Militants, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Pettigrew, J (1995): The Sikhs of the Punjab: Unheard Voices of State and Guerrilla Violence, London: Zed Books.

Singh, Harbans (1994): The Heritage of the Sikhs, 2nd edn, Delhi: Manohar.

Singh, Patwant and Rai, Jyoti (2009): Empire of the Sikhs: The Life and Times of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Penguin Books: New Delhi.

Singh, Pritam (1985): Marxism in Punjab, EPW, March 30, Vol 20, No 13 (30 March 1985), pp 543544.

Singh, Pritam (1997): Marxism, Indian State and Punjab, International Journal of Punjab Studies, Vol 4, No 2, pp 237250.

Singh, Pritam (1999): Capital, State and Nation in India: Reflections with Reference to Punjab, International Journal of Punjab Studies, Vol 6, No 1, pp 8599, JanuaryJune.

Singh, Pritam (2007): Political Economy of the Cycles of Violence and Non-Violence in the Sikh Struggle for Identity and Political Power: Implications for Indian federalism, Third World Quarterly, 28(3) pp 55570.

Singh, Pritam (2008): Federalism, Nationalism and Development: India and the Punjab Economy, Routledge, London/New York ( a paperback edition and also a Special Indian reprint in 2009).

Singh, Pritam (2010): Economy, Culture and Human Rights: Turbulence in Punjab, India and Beyond, Three Essays Collective, Delhi.

Singh, Pritam (2011): Punjabs Electoral Competition, Economic & Political Weekly, 10 February, pp 46667.

Singh, Pritam (2014): Class, nation and religion: Changing nature of Akali Politics in Punjab, India, Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, 52:1, pp 5577, February.

Singh, Pritam (2016): The origins, influence, suppression and resilience of the Maoist/Naxalite movement in India: 1967present, Socialist History, No 50, pp 85104.

Singh, Pritam (2016a): Punjabs Dalits and politics of patronage, Tribune, December 16.

Singh, Pritam (2017): Aam Admi Partys electoral success in Punjab and its current turmoil: Implications for an all India political scenario, Mujibur Rehman (ed) Rise of Saffron Power: Reflections on Indian Politics (Routledge 2017 forthcoming).

: Punjabs Dalits and politics of patronage, December 16.

Indian Express (2016): AAP apologises for using Golden Temple image on cover of youth manifesto, July 5.

 (2016a): Arvind Kejriwal Cleans Dishes at Golden Temple as Penance, July 18.

Tribune (2006): SAD all-inclusive party, says Badal, 22August.



Appendix 1 Vote share and results of General Elections 2014 for Punjab State

Constituency Party Winner Percent of Votes Secured Over total electors in constituency Over total votes polled in constituency Gurdaspur INC 23.7 33.2 BJP BJP 32.14 46.25 AAP 11.56 16.63 Amritsar INC INC 32.69 47.94 BJP 25.73 37.74 AAP 5.59 8.2 Khadoor Sahib INC 23.46 35.24 SAD SAD 29.89 44.91 AAP 9.24 13.89 Jalandhar INC INC 24.52 36.56 SAD 19.95 29.74 AAP 16.38 24.42 Hoshiarpur INC 22.42 34.64 BJP BJP 23.34 36.05 AAP 14.37 22.19 Anandpur Sahab INC 20.69 29.77 SAD SAD 22.2 31.94 AAP 19.56 28.14 Ludhiana INC INC 19.25 27.27 SAD 16.44 23.28 AAP 17.98 25.48 Fatehgarh Sahab INC 22.42 30.37 SAD 22.39 30.34 AAP AAP 26.29 35.62 Faridkot INC 17.27 24.34 SAD 19.12 26.95 AAP AAP 30.98 43.66 Ferozepur INC 29.99 41.29 SAD SAD 32.06 44.13 AAP 7.45 10.26 Bathinda INC 32.47 42.09 SAD SAD 33.75 43.73 AAP 5.76 7.47 Sangrur INC 12.73 16.49 SAD 22.57 29.23 AAP AAP 37.43 48.47 Patiala INC 21.81 30.75 SAD 21.52 30.34 AAP AAP 23.14 32.62

Source: Election Commission of India

Appendix 2: The Sikh share in the population of India, Punjab and the other states of India

Religious composition of Indias population 2001 and 2011 (%)

Religion 2001 2011 Hindu 80.456 79.8 Muslim 13.4344597 14.225 Christian 2.34102413 2.298 Sikh 1.86812532 1.721

Adapted from:

Source of data: For 2001 http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm

Source of data: For 2011 http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html

Religious composition of Punjabs population 2001 and 2011 (%)

Religion 2001 2011 Hindu 36.94 38.49 Muslim 1.57 1.93 Christian 1.20 1.26 Sikh 59.91 57.69

Adapted from:

Source of data: For 2001 http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm

Source of data: For 2011 http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html

Punjabs religious communities as a share of their all India

population 2001 and 2011

Religion 2001 2011 Hindu 1.09 1.11 Muslim 0.28 0.31 Christian 1.22 1.25 Sikh 75.94 76.82

Adapted from:

Source of data: For 2001 http://censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm

Source of data: For 2011 http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html

Sikhs as a share of the states population 2011 (%)

State/UT Percentage of Sikhs India 1.72 Jammu & Kashmir 1.87 Himachal Pradesh 1.16 Punjab 57.69 Chandigarh 13.11 Uttarakhand 2.34 Haryana 4.91 Nct Of Delhi 3.40 Rajasthan 1.27 Uttar Pradesh 0.32 Bihar 0.02 Sikkim 0.31 Arunachal Pradesh 0.24 Nagaland 0.10 Manipur 0.05 Mizoram 0.03 Tripura 0.03 Meghalaya 0.10 Assam 0.07 West Bengal 0.07 Jharkhand 0.22 Odisha 0.05 Chhattisgarh 0.27 Madhya Pradesh 0.21 Gujarat 0.10 Daman & Diu 0.07 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 0.06 Maharashtra 0.20 Andhra Pradesh 0.05 Karnataka 0.05 Goa 0.10 Lakshadweep 0.01 Kerala 0.01 Tamil Nadu 0.02 Puducherry 0.02 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 0.34

Adapted from:

Source of data: For 2011 http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html
Michael Cohen3Lanny Davis13365014010
The Angolan government launched a $5 billion investment fund last month, publicizing it as a new sovereign wealth fund. But questions remained as to how exactly the fund would carry out what it calls a "diversified approach" to investments in Angola and abroad.

The new fund, which the government now calls the Fundo Soberano de Angola, replaces a previous fund established by presidential decree in March 2011. That was called the Fundo Petrolifero de Angola, referred to by the IMF and ratings agencies as the Oil for Infrastructure Fund.

The previous fund was managed by the central bank and consisted of revenues accruing from the sales of 100,000 barrels of oil a day. The new fund will be capitalized using the same pool of cash, says Jose Filomeno Dos Santos, one of three members of the board of directors and the Angolan presidents son.

"Our primary focus is investing in developing the infrastructure that is needed, locally and regionally," says Dos Santos. He says the fund has a responsibility to help in the physical reconstruction of Angola, which emerged from four decades of civil war in 2002.

Responsibilities

However, in a video presentation screened at the launch, Armando Manuel, economic adviser to the president and the new funds chairman, said: "The sovereign wealth fund will also have fiscal responsibilities, to help stabilize the economy in terms of high fluctuations in the business cycle, and help around scenarios of excessive volatility in our tax returns."

Armando Manuel, economic adviser to the president and the new funds chairman

Dos Santos says the fund will be audited separately from the states budget, and that it "will not be within the normal public-sector investment". He adds: "We dont foresee random withdrawals." The government  whose revenues are almost entirely dependent on oil  has not made clear exactly when and how the fund could be used to support the governments fiscal accounts. Dos Santos says the proportion of the fund that will remain in low-risk, liquid assets is yet to be determined. He says the president will decide the funds investment policy.

"The launch of Angolas sovereign wealth fund is an important component of a medium-term macroeconomic policy framework to guard against volatility in the oil price," says Nicholas Staines, the IMFs resident representative in Angola. The IMF approved the final release of a $1.4 billion loan to Angola in March.

"A key part of this is under what circumstances and what rules the budget can draw upon the fund for stabilization or other purposes," says Staines. "The government will need to clarify how the fund will be accounted for within the fiscal accounts and in the central banks foreign reserves."

Meanwhile, questions have also been raised about the selection process involved in a liquidity management contract for $3 billion of the funds assets. That contract was awarded to a little-known Swiss firm, Quantum Global Investment Management. Dos Santos says Quantum has proved successful in similar mandates for the Angolan central bank.

"Quantum is already known and has built trust in Angola. That helped us gain this mandate, as it needed to be awarded urgently," says Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, the Swiss-Angolan chairman of Quantums advisory board. "We have been appointed by the fund as a liquidity manager only, investing in highly liquid assets, not equities or real estate."

Quantum quality

According to the firms website, Quantums advisory board includes well-known figures in the financial world including Marcel Rohner, former chief executive of UBS, and Ernst Welteke, the former Bundesbank president. Welteke is also the chairman of another firm that Dos Santos says is working for Fundo Soberano de Angola: Stampa, a Swiss-based group that helps companies in areas such as group accounting.

Although the new fund says no conflicts of interest have arisen in Quantums previous work in Angola, Dos Santos has up to now been a business partner of Bastos de Morais and Welteke in Banco Kwanza Invest, a Luanda-based investment bank. Bastos de Morais launched the bank in 2008 under the name Banco Quantum Capital. Welteke is the chairman.

Dos Santos resigned as a director of Banco Kwanza Invest in June this year. He is now selling his shares, according to a statement posted on the banks website the week after the Fundo Soberanos launch. The statement said that the bank does not work with the fund.

"The fund will probably have to establish procedures to select international advisers that fit our objectives," says Dos Santos. "As we speak, we are creating the conditions to be able to assess the criteria for evaluating these type of contracts."
"You need to make a sash," I said. The kind of half-joking, half-sincere thing I often say. Spoken to my wife a couple days ago, leading up to Saturday's big women's march in Chicagoand Washington, and New York, and around the country, protesting the election of Donald Trump, a president dedicated to undermining the civil rights of women in our country.

Sashes of course were what suffragettes wear. "Votes for Women." Just one hundred years ago. And the sexism is so baked into our society that, unlike those who marched and were beaten for Civil Rights in the 1950s and 1960s, the big-hatted suffragettes  who also marched and were also beaten  are remembered as somewhat ridiculous: Winifred Banks, ignoring her children for some cause. Her sash ends up the tail of a kite, when she returns to her family, where she belongs.

Carla Slawson, with breakfast, hurries to the station.

Just to say that they were not ridiculous: they were courageous, patriotic, they pried a basic democratic right -- the right to vote -- from the grasp of a male-dominated culture that abused and marginalized them, sounds faintly radical, still, a reminder that, hard as it is to see, we live in a world sunk in prehistoric sexism. We sneer at the Saudis, not letting their women drive, then our government goes hammer and tongs after Planned Parenthood and its life-saving health care. Led by a man married three times who bragged into a hot mike about groping women against their will.

Not to focus on him. The key truth to always keep in mind is that Trump didn't make us like this, he just came along and exploited how we are. And in that sense, ultimately, he might have done this country a service, by so highlighting our deficiencies, assuming we are able to remedy them. But it will be a long uphill slog to get there, made harder by who is now in power across the federal government.

I would have gone along to protest, but didn't want to big foot into the women's march. Besides, a half dozen friends were meeting her. Instead, I hovered as she got ready, spewing Polonius advice. "The police use their bikes as a wall," I said, describing the "Seattle maneuver" I observed at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. "They create a perimeter and then expand it to move the crowd. Don't get up against the bikes because you'll end up getting pushed back."

She said she'd be fine, and I'm sure she will be.

I am proud of my wife for going, for making extra signs, for those without, for making several defending science, also under immediate assault. Proud that our neighbors happily went, taking the 7:30 Metra Milwaukee North line.

As a rule, I narrow my eyes at protests. What's the point? Who are you protesting to? Donald Trump? He sure ain't listening. His followers? They don't even perceive reality. They've already cherry-picked a few acts of protest violence to wave smugly at each other and giddily denounce the lib-tards and their violence. And what do you hope to accomplish? Trump isn't going anywhere. Women's rights will be a pinata for the next four years.

But seeing my wife off at the station, I realized why protesters protest. Not for the subject of their protest, but for themselves. Because they have to. They have to do something. To speak up. It isn't for Trump, or the Republicans, or their voters. It's for them, for their sense of duty, so as the next four bleak years of corruption, self-dealing, incompetence and hostility toward women unfolds, they can say, "We did what I could. We stood up. We spoke out." It's a beautiful, bold, feminine, American thing.












When an evolutionist, such as Michael Shermer in this case, warns readers that people dont change their minds even when presented with the facts, the irony should be savored. Shermer writes in Scientific American (How to Convince Someone When Facts Fail).

Have you ever noticed that when you present people with facts that are contrary to their deepest held beliefs they always change their minds? Me neither. In fact, people seem to double down on their beliefs in the teeth of overwhelming evidence against them. The reason is related to the worldview perceived to be under threat by the conflicting data. [Emphasis added.]

Yes, there certainly are conflicting data. It gets worse:

Creationists, for example, dispute the evidence for evolution in fossils and DNA because they are concerned about secular forces encroaching on religious faith.

Evidence for evolution in DNA? What exactly would that be? Ultra-conserved elements, orphans, replication, duplication, the universal DNA code, protein synthesis, protein coding genes, genetic regulation, recurrent evolution, convergence, cascades of convergence, andwell you get the idea. This evolutionist is demonstrating some of those facts that fail and the attendant doubling down, right before our eyes.

And what about those fossils? More evidence for evolution? How about those fossils that appear as though they were planted there, as Richard Dawkins once admitted. One of those planted classes, the humble trilobites, had eyes that were perhaps the most complex ever produced by nature.1 One expert called them an all-time feat of function optimization.

And even Shermers go-to source, Wikipedia, admits ancestral forms, err, do not seem to exist:

Early trilobites show all the features of the trilobite group as a whole; transitional or ancestral forms showing or combining the features of trilobites with other groups (e.g. early arthropods) do not seem to exist.

Likewise, even the evolutionist Niles Eldredge admitted2 they didnt make sense in light of standard evolutionary theory:

If this theory were correct, then I should have found evidence of this smooth progression in the vast numbers of Bolivian fossil trilobites I studied. I should have found species gradually changing through time, with smoothly intermediate forms connecting descendant species to their ancestors. Instead I found most of the various kinds, including some unique and advanced ones, present in the earliest known fossil beds. Species persisted for long periods of time without change. When they were replaced by similar, related (presumably descendant) species, I saw no gradual change in the older species that would have allowed me to predict the anatomical features of its younger relative.

And it just gets worse:

The story of anatomical change through time that I read in the Devonian trilobites of Gondwana is similar to the picture emerging elsewhere in the fossil record: long periods of little or no change, followed by the appearance of anatomically modified descendants, usually with no smoothly intergradational forms in evidence.

Any more facts, Michael Shermer?

Notes:

(1) Lisa J. Shawver, Trilobite Eyes: An Impressive Feat of Early Evolution, Science News, p. 72, Vol. 105, February 2, 1974.

(2) Niles Eldridge, An Extravagance of Species, Natural History, p. 50, Vol. 89, No. 7, The American Museum of Natural History, 1980.

Photo: A trilobite, by Mike Peel [CC BY-SA 2.0 uk], via Wikimedia Commons.

Cross-posted at Darwins God.
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When a nationally known artist wanted to put a face to the concept of dignity, he turned to a San Antonio woman.

Maribel Valdez Gonzalezs portrait is now on a poster that can be carried by marchers or affixed to walls nationwide.

Street artist and activist Shepard Fairey based the poster on a photograph of Gonzalez by San Antonio-based photographer Arlene Mejorado.

San Antonio is representing on a national level right now with this art, Mejorado said via email.

Created in response to divisive rhetoric surrounding the presidential election, the image is part of the We the People Campaign by the Amplifier Foundation. The visual media organization that funds collaborations between grassroots movements and artists.

The organization teamed up with Fairey, who is best known for his stenciled Barack Obama Hope poster, Colombian American muralist Jessica Sabogal and Los Angeles artist Ernesto Yerena to produce artwork to reject the hate, fear, and open racism that were normalized during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to the Amplifier website.

A Kickstarter campaign raised money to take out full-page ads with the images in the Washington Post in anticipation of Inauguration Day so that people across the capitol and across the country will be able to carry them into the streets, hang them in windows, or paste them on walls, according to the campaign statement.

The crowdsourcing effort raised more than $1.3 million.

The piece by Fairey based on Mejorados photograph is one of three images he created using the same red, beige and blue palette he used in his Obama design. It is a portrait of a young Latina woman with a red flower in her hair. She is wearing a Mexican eagle T-shirt. The text below reads We the People Defend Dignity. The other two are of a Muslim woman and an African-American woman.

On Thursday, Mejorado, who is in Los Angeles for the International Womens Day March and Rally on Saturday, posted a photograph of herself signing prints with Fairey on social media. In the post she wrote that she was told Obama had called to praise the campaign and request prints for his collection.

Being one of the photographers and creators behind this campaign is important because women of color need to take the mic and take up space unapologetically, she said. We need to be involved, especially when our faces are being used to inspire and move people.

Our stories and struggle have the power to move a whole nation, and the collaborative piece released by the Amplifier Foundation by Shepard Fairey and I called Defend Dignity is proof that we have a lot of pull right now as mujeres, as women.

Gonzalez, 26, is an educator and first generation Mexican-American.

Her photo is part of a series of portraits I have taken of community members that I believe do progressive and revolutionary work through the arts, education, research, and more, Mejorado said. (She) is a passionate middle school teacher in an underserved San Antonio school. I watch her go above and beyond for her students.

Gonzalez said she is proud to be one of the faces of the campaign.

I feel truly blessed to be part of a movement that is rooted in unity and dignity for all people regardless of background. I believe the intention behind this campaign is to highlight the goodness and love humanity has for each other after a tumultuous election season, she said via email.

How does it feel to be one of the faces of the campaign? I feel humbled and honored that I was chosen. As a mom-to-be, I am excited to be part of a community of driven, hopeful, and courageous leaders who demonstrate the beauty and resiliency of our Latinx/a/o indigenous community to our future generation. We are in this together.

The images can be downloaded for free at theamplifierfoundation.org.

lsilva@express-news.net
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The lead attorney for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, facing a trial this spring for leaving his post in Afghanistan, filed a motion Friday seeking to dismiss the case, saying President Donald Trump had irreparably tainted it with his comments about his client.

On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly labeled Bergdahl a traitor and is now commander in chief of the officers who will try him, the defense pointed out in a motion released to news media moments after Trump swore the oath of office.

President Trumps statements deny Sgt. Bergdahl the due process right to a fair trial and constitute apparent unlawful command influence, stated the brief by his civilian attorney, Eugene Fidell.

Bergdahl has said he left his outpost on the night of June 30, 2009, to embark on a 19-mile cross-country trek. He had hoped to trigger an alert that would call attention from higher ranking officers to his concerns about his unit, according to testimony and interviews Bergdahl gave for the podcast Serial. He was quickly captured by the Taliban and held prisoner for nearly five years.

Prosecutors did not dispute his narrative in a hearing held in September 2015 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. Held in often brutal conditions, Bergdahl was flown here upon his release for medical and psychological care in June 2014 and remains assigned to Fort Sam.

Bergdahl is charged with desertion and misbehavior in the face of the enemy. He could be imprisoned for life for the latter charge. He sought but did not obtain a pardon in November from President Barack Obama. A trial is set for April 28 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

When the court hears the motion to dismiss in the next few weeks, it will likely consider whether Trump violated the prohibition against unlawful command influence. As a candidate, Trump made a series of comments denouncing Bergdahl in interviews and speeches at rally after rally across the country, the motion asserted.

It offered examples of Trump calling Bergdahl a dirty, rotten traitor, a dirty, no-good traitor, and a horrible traitor, saying the soldier went to the other side and negotiated with terrorists, and referring to him as the worst, no good, this bum, a whack job, this piece of garbage and a son of a bitch.

Testimony at the Fort Sam hearing showed that Bergdahl resisted his captors, repeatedly tried to escape and was punished severely after being caught.

Trump sometimes claimed five or six soldiers died searching for Bergdahl. Then-Maj. Gen. Kenneth Dahl, the Armys investigator in the case, told a hearing on Sept. 18, 2015, in San Antonio that he found no evidence that anyone was killed in the search.

Fidell said we should prevail, but two former military attorneys familiar with the case agreed that the latest defense argument was unlikely to get it dismissed.

Donald Trump was not subject to the (military legal system) and therefore there is no command influence. He was not the commander-in-chief until today, said St. Marys University School of Law Professor Jeff Addicott, a retired Army lieutenant colonel.

Dismissal is a drastic remedy in (unlawful command influence) cases, said retired Army Lt. Col. Geoffrey Corn, a professor at South Texas College of Law in Houston. The military judge will have other options.

But another expert, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rachel Vanlandingham, said Trumps comments were vicious enough to create a perception within the military that cannot be erased with a bland curative instruction from a military judge and agreed that it violated Bergdahls due-process rights.

sigc@express-news.net
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In August 2015, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards shut down the Frio County Jail in Pearsall after it repeatedly flunked inspections.

Two months later, county officials persuaded the state to reopen the lockup. They had hired Public Safety Partnerships LLC of Pflugerville, paying the firms owner, Jordan Jericho Bautista-Gunter, $100,000 a month to turn things around.

The firm was obscure and Bautista-Gunter was only 25, but the jail seemed to be improving until a couple of months into the contract, when he was accused of sexual harassment. Then, in January 2016, Bautista woke a former jail inmate in the middle of the night and  out on the mans porch  made him provide a urine sample.

Pearsall police figured out that Bautista-Gunter was not a cop and charged him with impersonating one. Shortly after that, in February 2016, federal agents arrested him again, accusing him of transporting prisoners on commercial airlines around the country while carrying a gun.

On Friday  after testimony that linked Bautista-Gunter, now 26, to an unrelated murder-for-hire plot  Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra sentenced him to 65 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person who possessed a firearm, and for illegally carrying a gun on a commercial airliner.

His behavior endangered thousands of people, Assistant U.S. Attorney Bettina Richardson said. If you think of a plane with so many people on it, and hes got a gun and a prisoner on it, but he isnt authorized or trained to do either, thats a recipe for disaster.

Bautista-Gunter flew with prisoners 21 times, Richardson said.

His lawyer, assistant federal public defender Jack Carter, said Bautista-Gunter didnt have the proper credentials to fly prisoners but it was still a valuable public service performed under contract with Hays County. Federal officials did not indicate where the prisoners came from and Hays County officials could not be reached late Friday to confirm it.

Richardson argued for a higher sentence, presenting evidence that Bautista-Gunter, after pleading guilty in the federal case, allegedly hired Ruben Menace Reyes, a hitman for the Texas Mexican Mafia, to kill two witnesses in the Pearsall impersonation case.

Bautista-Gunter has not been charged in the alleged plot, which unraveled when Bautista-Gunters common-law wife called the jail to report that Reyes threatened her because he wanted to be paid the $2,000 that Bautista-Gunter offered, Transportation Security Administration agent Dennis Collins testified.

Reyes, who is now serving five life terms for unrelated killings, claimed in a jailhouse call to his wife that he had already sent word to others to conduct the hits, Collins said. Bautista-Gunter talked about the plan in a letter to his own wife, sent through his lawyer, who withdrew from the case because he became aware of it, according to testimony.

Richardson said Bautista-Gunter knew he was prohibited from having a gun but lied on his federal forms about his past to get weapons, then lied on TSA forms claiming to be a peace officer so he could board aircraft as one, Richardson said.

Carter, the public defender, said Bautista-Gunter has Asbergers syndrome and lives in this fantasy world of police work.

The Pearsall impersonation charge is still pending.

As it turns out, Bautista-Gunter was known as Forrest Jordan Gunter until 2014, when he changed his name, court records show. He has spent much of his life playing cop, records show.

As Gunter, he pleaded guilty in 2010 in Maryland to a charge of carrying a concealed dangerous weapon, a collapsible baton, and was given a suspended sentence with three years of probation. Though a misdemeanor in Maryland, the charge carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and disqualified him from owning or possessing firearms under federal law.

Frio County officials never ever checked him out, said Jose Pepe Flores, one of the commissioners who voted for the contract to let Bautista-Gunters company take over their jail operations.

It was a desperate deal. He came at the right moment, Flores said in an interview. At the beginning, it looked like a good thing, but it backfired.

Frio County Attorney Joseph Sindon said Bautista-Gunter talked like a person who knew how to run a jail, adding, He said the right things, checked the right boxes. In dealing with him, youd never think hed be able to do what he did.

Sindon said Bautista-Gunter worked to make improvements at the jail, but after the urine-test incident, the county ended the contract after some haggling with his company and the Sheriffs Office is running the jail again.

He presented a very believable front, Sindon said. As much as everyone here feels pretty silly about this, we weren't the only ones he duped.

gcontreras@express-news.net

Twitter: @gmaninfedland
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San Antonio Councilman Ron Nirenberg said Friday that he remains concerned about the future of the controversial Vista Ridge water pipeline and stands behind comments he made this month about the financial status of the company building it.

He reiterated his stance after the president of the pipeline construction company strongly disagreed with what the councilman said on a recent episode of the KLRN show Texas Week with Rick Casey.

Nirenberg, who has embarked on a mayoral campaign to oust incumbent Ivy Taylor, said he harbors concerns about whether the pipeline will deliver water in the long term, when the city would need it most.

Nirenberg noted that the first company involved in the deal, Abengoa SA, nearly went bankrupt, and the second, Garney Construction, may or may not be solvent enough to finish the pipeline.

He also has raised concerns that the city-owned San Antonio Water System would take over the pipeline, shifting the risk from a private company to ratepayers. Nirenberg has said the project is high risk for several reasons, including whether the requisite water permits will be in place 30 years from now when SAWS will own it.

If the project, which is a 30-year-long construction and delivery process, if that project cant pass muster, if it doesnt meet the scrutiny thats required, I wont support it, he said on the show. Today, it doesnt meet that scrutiny.

On Thursday, Scott Parrish, chief operating officer of Garneys western pipe operations and president of Vista Ridge LLC, responded in writing to Nirenberg, with copies to his council colleagues, the mayor and her staff, and Robert Puente, CEO of SAWS.

As you know, leading banks approved the $927 million in loans to Garney for the construction of the pipeline, Parrish wrote. Those loans were based on the companys creditworthiness and the strength of its balance sheet.

Parrishs letter also states that while Puente, prior to October, had mentioned the possibility of buying out the project, theres been no discussion of that scenario since the financial close of the project.

Under Garneys leadership, the project continues to be on time and on budget while meeting all the terms and conditions of its agreement with SAWS, he wrote. He also countered Nirenberg about the projects risks to SAWS and the ratepayers, saying they have not changed.

Nirenberg said hes contemplating a response to Parrish, noting that the ability to get a loan is far different than the ability to repay it.

Puente on Friday said he and the SAWS board, on which the mayor sits, have the utmost confidence that Garney will complete the pipeline.

Its solvency is a nonissue, as it has secured almost $1 billion in loans needed for construction of the pipeline, and is meeting deadlines, he said, adding that a SAWS buyout of the project was pure conjecture.

On Texas Week, Nirenberg also accused Taylor of blocking efforts to give more control and oversight to the City Council. Nirenberg has unsuccessfully demanded that the council vote on major changes to the pipeline contract.

Taylor fired back on Friday, saying Nirenberg has always voted in favor of the Vista Ridge pipeline.

Under my leadership, City Council unanimously approved this project twice. Im proud of our decision, she said via text messages. Weve ensured our city will have the water well need for the growth we know is coming and to continue adding jobs. Listening to Councilman Nirenberg talk about Vista Ridge, its easy to forget that he voted for the project both times. Maybe hes changed his mind.

The councilman said the current contract is drastically different from the one he voted for in 2014. The second vote, a year later, was for a five-year rate increase that covered costs for several needed SAWS projects aside from Vista Ridge.

He accused Taylor of rejecting a request to split out the vote on rate increases specifically for Vista Ridge. Had the council had that opportunity, Nirenberg said, he would have advocated for a requirement that SAWS come before the council each year to get approval for Vista Ridge-related rate increases.

And he fired back that until she was convinced streetcar was a bad idea, she voted twice for that too.

Though Nirenberg usually attacks the mayor for failed leadership, it was Taylor who implied that Nirenberg was deficient.

Hes surely not trying to compare the proposed streetcar to a project that ensures our water future, Taylor responded. A leader recognizes when an issue is taking too much time and attention away from whats really important to San Antonio taxpayers  thats why I killed streetcar.

jbaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh
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They werent celebrating, just respectfully watching history in the making.

Several dozen San Antonians gathered at St. Philips College on Friday to monitor the inaugural events for President Donald Trump, just as they did eight years ago for the first swearing-in of Barack Obama.

With few classes scheduled on Fridays, the crowd was mainly faculty and staff. The audience was mostly silent throughout the broadcast, with no eruptions of cheering or applause. Instead there was rapt attention to the solemn ceremonies and Trumps 16-minute address, which eased concerns for some.

Student Damon Lake said Trump handled the address very well. A lot of people who may have been a lot more leery of him coming into the presidency may have a little more to go on, Lake said.

I stand behind the leader of the free world. I believe we can do this, said Lake, student body vice president and ambassador to the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities All-Stars program.

Trumps campaignlike address reassured Lake that the nation can move forward constructively, despite lingering misgivings about Trump compared with Obama.

Im not in shock by the contrast. I was more shocked by a black president being elected, he said.

After Trumps address, St. Philips President Adena Williams Loston added a hopeful perspective that encouraged the audience to make individual efforts to help the nation.

Acknowledging that many have trepidations and concerns going forward, Loston said positive change hasnt always started in the White House. She cited the work of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez and Artemisia Bowden, the founding president who led St. Philips for 52 years.

These folks didnt lead great efforts from Washington, D.C., Loston said. I encourage you to think about the people that we celebrate the most  they dont occupy the Oval Office.

One faculty member said hes been trying to make a difference among students for years, with an unusual gimmick. History instructor Jason Fabianke brought a prop to the inauguration watch event to reinforce his long-running message about tolerance.

Using a broom to symbolically sweep the ground around campus, a routine hes had for seven years, Fabianke said he catches peoples attention and tells them, Im here to sweep out hatred and intolerance. Ive been doing it a long time and its not over yet.  It causes people to think.

Fabianke said he encourages students to look at democracy as more involved than just voting. Citizens must stay engaged and assess the impact of public policies on all people, he said.

jgonzalez@express-news.net

Twitter: @johnwgonzalez
WASHINGTON  Amid cheers, protests and drizzle, business tycoon Donald J. Trump took the oath as the nations 45th president on Friday, ending a tumultuous transition from the eight-year administration of his political opposite, Barack Obama.

The 70-year-old Republican maverick, entering office after a historically divisive election, vowed to give voice to alienated Americans who feel economically disenfranchised and shut out of the political system.

We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, and in every foreign capital and in every hall of power, Trump said. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, from this day forward, its going to be only America first! America first!

Trump also committed himself to reverse what he sees as the slide of the inner cities and of Americas working class. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now, he said, as former President Obama and Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton looked on.

He also had harsh words for the political establishment that had come together to celebrate his assumption of power: For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost, he said. Washington flourished - but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered - but the jobs left, and the factories closed.

In a pointed reminder of the raucous rallies that fueled his campaign, Trump said, You will never be ignored again.

As the inaugural pageantry unfolded on Capitol Hill, downtown Washington was the scene of violent clashes with police, who used pepper spray to break up groups of young leftist activists trying to block heavily-secured entry points for inaugural ticket-holders.

The speech also marked the beginning of a planned weekend of peaceful protest, with large crowds expected on the national mall Saturday as a show of support for women, minorities, and others who have felt under assault through Trumps populist campaign rhetoric.

Despite the divisions, Trumps inauguration spells unified Republican control of the White House and both houses of Congress, with the new president poised to nominate a ninth Supreme Court justice to replace the late conservative icon, Antonin Scalia.

Dozens of House Democrats stayed away from the inauguration  including six of the 11 Texans in Congress  with Houston Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee deciding on the eve of the inauguration to stay away, even if she declined to term it a boycott.

I am not boycotting this ceremonial inaugural event, Jackson Lee said. I have decided in good conscience I cannot go.

Other Texas no-shows included San Antonio Rep. Joaquin Castro, Lloyd Doggett of Austin, as well as Filmon Vela of Brownsville, Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen and Al Green of Houston.

At the very least Donald Trump has turned a blind eye to racism and through his words emboldened people, said Vela, who vehemently has opposed Trumps plan to build a border wall with Mexico.

For Texas Republicans the inaugural marked the start of a clear opportunity to advance tax and fiscal reforms they had talked about for years. The Woodlands Republican Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, called it an exciting new start for the country.

Hosting an inaugural reception at a Texas barbecue restaurant in Washington, Brady said, President Trump is the most straight-talking president Ive ever seen. His message was clear: You will not be ignored.

After Trumps speech vowing a new order in Washington, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in an interview that the newly-installed president has been consistent about his priorities since becoming a candidate.

His campaign was all about putting America and Americans first and it didnt change when he was elected president of the United States, Patrick said.

Patrick, who headed Trumps Texas campaign, played the role of analyst after Trumps assertion to Americans that I will never, ever let you down.

He doesnt want to disappoint people. He didnt want to disappoint his father. He didnt want to disappoint his business partners, or his family. And he doesnt want to disappoint the American people. I think thats a real virtue.

For Trump, who won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Clinton, the ceremonial day began, characteristically, with a tweet:

It all begins today! I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES - THE WORK BEGINS!

Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump emerged shortly after 8 a.m. from the Blair House across the street from the White House, where the first couple traditionally spends the night before the inaugural.

They then made the traditional presidential pilgrimage to the historic St. Johns Episcopal Church, before crossing Lafayette Park to the White House for yet another inaugural tradition, a morning tea with the outgoing president and first lady.

The Obamas and the Trumps then traveled by motorcade to the U.S. Capitol, where Trump took the oath of office at 11:47 a.m. EDT. Less than an hour later, the new president was on the East Front of the Capitol to wave goodbye to the Obamas, who left the Capitol complex by helicopter. The former president waved back through a window.

A southerly wind and mid-40s temperature made for a chilly day, compounded by a light rain that started as people gathered, but mercifully stopped before dignitaries took the stage.

Trump was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, yet another public figure who has been the target of the new presidents barbs. During the campaign Trump described Roberts as a nightmare for conservatives and remarked at another point that Roberts looked like a dummy when he voted in a case to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

A lack of civility often displayed in Trumps campaign crowds showed up at times during the inauguration ceremony.

Lock her up, a man near the front of the stage yelled when Hillary Clinton was introduced. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stirred boos in the restive crowd during a long-winded story about a letter written by a patriotic Union officer to his wife shortly before he perished in the Civil War.

Trumps hard-edged populist speech generated shouts of yea baby and right on from the crowd as the new president outlined America First priorities that sounded at times like the messages at a campaign rally.

The inauguration drew Texans from far and wide to Washington.

Cindy Blair, of Dallas, drove to D.C. with her brother Hank Schaffer. Donning a bright gold Make America Great Again hat, Schaffer was cheerful after the inauguration.

I hope the country is more confident in itself and wont just be about politics. Its a general philosophy that we need to have he said.

Herb Butrum, 67, of Houston, assistant vice president of government and community relations at Baylor College of Medicine, referred to the inauguration ceremony as the Super Bowl of politics.

Were all celebrating the freedoms we have. No matter who youre for, the campaigns over and its time to be Americans, he said.

Dr. William Elizondo, an optometry doctor from San Antonio, was taking in Trumps swearing-in before leaving this weekend on a ski trip to France.

Elizondo, 86, spoke highly of former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. I think we need to support our presidents. I have followed Trump and the fact that he has been able to do good things in his life suggests he has the capability to bring the country together. We need solidarity, he said.

Nick Florescu, 65, who operates an online marketing business in Houston, said he had been a supporter of Barack Obama before being won over by Trump.

As Obama brought change, I think were seeing another sort of change today. And we all pray that its in the right direction, he said.

Despite the echoes of change, it appeared that far fewer people attended Trumps inauguration compared to Obamas first swearing-in in 2009.

According to the Associated Press, photos of the National Mall from President Obamas inauguration eight years ago show a teeming crowd stretching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. Photos taken from the same position on Friday showed large swaths of empty space on the Mall.

Along the mile-long parade route, Chants of Trump! and U.S.A.! blended with protesters calls of Not my President. Near one intersection, a group of men unfurled a flag with a confederate banner. Nearby, another man held up a sign that said, Sad.

A Hearst Newspapers reporter riding in the parade route in front of Trumps limousine saw thin crowds in many places, and empty bleachers near the VIP review stand, where former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Trumps pick for Energy Secretary, was waiting among a swarm of dignitaries.

Crowds thickened as the procession neared downtown, especially in front of Trumps namesake hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. It was at that point that Trump and the new First Lady got out of their armored limousine and made the first of three short walks along the parade route, which was lined with police and members of the military.

On their final jaunt outside, as the sky darkened, the Trumps found themselves on foot as they approached the White House, where they are settling in for the next four years.

Reporters James Osborne and Erin Mulvaney contributed to this story.
Texas, this is what happens when you elect a candidate who once wore a gay Hitler costume. In short order, he sends a letter to Muslims across the state to poll them on terrorism.

State Rep. Kyle Beidermann, R-Fredericksburg, has stamped his harassing letter URGENT REPLY ASAP, informing its recipients weeks before Texas Muslim Capitol Day that he would share their responses with Texas elected officials.

I tried to warn you about this, Texas.

I wrote about Biedermann last year, when a photograph surfaced of him, a swastika on his arm and a pink sash around his neck, making a Nazi sieg heil salute.

Gay Hitler debuted on Saturday Night Live in 2001. Beidermann resurrected the character about nine years ago for an SNL-themed costume party that benefited a food pantry.

Before running for office as a conservative, Christian Republican, he removed the offensive photo from his Facebook page. When I wrote about it in March, Biedermann was in a runoff election for Texas House District 73, which covers Comal, Gillespie and Kendall counties just north of San Antonio.

Well, he won.

Now, Islamic leaders across the state, including in San Antonio, are receiving letters signed by Biedermann that insinuate with no evidence that they support violent extremism.

According to the Pew Research Center, the letter stated, large percentages of Muslims in 39 countries want Sharia law, a legal code based on the Quran and other authoritative Islamic writings, to be the official law of the land in their country.

The letter asked Texas Muslims to answer whether they support a Declaration of Muslim Reform Movement, a pledge to keep former Muslims safe and efforts to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization.

Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, agreed that Biedermanns gay Hitler high jinks foreshadowed the intimidating letter.

Whenever these things occur, they dont drop from the sky without some kind of history, Hooper said. Theres always a history with these people, a history of bigotry and intolerance, usually tied to others, and then they just shift their targets when they feel empowered by this administration.

By this administration, Hooper meant the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump.

Unfortunately, with the election of Trump, weve seen the empowerment of the Islamophobic industry in our nation, and (Biedermanns letter) is just symptomatic of that disturbing phenomenon he said. What he is trying to do is a new type of poll tax for Texas Muslims. Basically, he is seeking to intimidate them from engaging in political participation.

Texas Muslims are expected to visit the state Capitol on Jan. 31 for Texas Muslim Capitol Day to meet lawmakers and learn about state government.

On Friday, I tried to contact Biedermann to ask about the letter. A political consultant responded with a written statement from the lawmaker: The poll that went out was paid for with private funds and was sent out to gather responses in advance of my upcoming Homeland Security Summit.

The goal of the Jan. 26 summit, according to Biedermanns website, is to thoroughly understand the critical threat of radical Islamic terrorism in Texas  with the aim of enacting policies and legislation to better protect Texas.

Among the experts assembled to testify at the hearing is Mayor Beth Van Duyne of Irving, who spread a hoax in 2015 that a Sharia court had been established in her city. In a Wednesday press release, Biedermann falsely claimed that Van Duyne has combatted radical Islam in her city.

Sarwat Husain, president of the San Antonio chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations, received an invitation to the summit, where experts from across the nation will testify on the dangers of radical Islamic activity in the state of Texas, it stated.

This is unnecessary, Husain told me. And honestly, if you really have radical Islam spreading in Texas, give us evidence. We will work with him hand-in -hand.

In reality, Biedermann is just another empty head, Husain said, who cant solve real issues facing the state.

It is dangerous to have representatives like this in our state, she said. They are extremists.

Gay Hitler could have told you that, Texas.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
I finally understand what Donald Trumps supporters mean when they say he tells it like it is.

They dont mean that hes honest, because, by any objective standard, our new president spews lies at a faster clip than any major American politician of the past 40 years (and thats saying a lot).

Trump lies about matters of real importance (whether or not thousands of Muslims in New Jersey celebrated the 9/11 terrorist attacks) and pure irrelevance (the size of the crowd for his pre-inaugural concert) with equal fervor.

His supporters dont mean to say that Trump is truthful, they just mean that hes never not Trump; that there is no discernible gap between the public and private man, no filter separating his internal impulses from his external combustion.

Thats why even the infamous 2005 Access Hollywood video (which captured Trump bragging about his ability to get away with groping women) didnt prevent his march to the White House, when it would have capsized almost any other campaign.

As disgusting as his words on that video were, they were recognizable as coming from the same guy his supporters saw blustering in front of the cameras on a daily basis.

This wasnt like Richard Nixons White House tapes, which revealed a dark, paranoid bigot so at odds with the pious statesman that Nixon tried to portray in public.

In his 16-minute inaugural address Friday, Trump was extraordinarily Trumpian. He sounded exactly like himself, which is not that easy to do when youre caught up in the historic pageantry of a presidential inauguration.

Trumps task was simplified by the fact that he has little use for history. Insiders suggest that he hasnt read a single book, cover to cover, since high school. Keep in mind that he devoted a chunk of his 2016 speech at the historic Gettysburg battle site to denouncing the women who have accused him of sexual assault.

In a way, it was to Trumps credit that he resisted any temptation to get lofty at the inaugural. There were no platitudinous bombs like Nixons 1969 observation that the American dream does not come to those who fall asleep.

The speech was nothing more, nothing less than the final stump speech of Trumps 2016 campaign; a zealous sales pitch from a guy who already got the job. Put a red cap on his head, add a few gratuitous shots at the crooked media, and it could have been an October rally in Grand Rapids.

Once again, he pushed a nationalistic America First agenda, promising that this country will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American.

Eight years ago, Barack Obamas $800 billion stimulus bill so enraged conservatives that they launched the tea-party movement only weeks after his inauguration. None of those tea-party Republicans, however, objected Friday when Trump pledged to deliver a similar infrastructure package to rehabilitate this countrys roads, highways, bridges and airports.

But thats where political tribalism has left us.

Trump doesnt have much regard for that kind of partisanship, because he sees himself as bigger than any party affiliation. In his inaugural speech, he lumped his fellow Republicans together with Democrats as part of a corrupt Washington establishment he planned to challenge.

He looked at a country that has seen unemployment drop from 10 percent to 4.7 percent over the past seven years (and produced 75 straight months of private-sector job growth), and saw economic calamity. He looked at a country that has seen violent crime drop by more than 16 percent over the past decade and saw American carnage.

Trumps message was clear: Obama has handed me a dystopian pile of flaming garbage, but Im here to put out the fire.

I watched the inauguration at an East Side viewing event hosted by St. Philips College. A skimpy crowd of about 40 students and faculty members gathered in the Bowden Alumni Center. The attendees were somber  stone-faced, arms folded  but respectful. They werent necessarily sold on the new president, but they were willing to listen.

David Williams, a Kinesiology assistant at St. Philips, said he has never liked Trump, but added, I hope that my worst fears are wrong. I hope that in the end, with the weight of the office, he ends up being a good president.

For better or worse, Fridays inaugural confirmed that the weight of the office wont change Trump. Hes too set in his Trumpian ways for that.

ggarcia@express-news.net

Twitter: @gilgamesh470
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Soon after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, his administration undid one of Barack Obamas last-minute economic policy actions: a mortgage-fee cut under a government program thats popular with first-time homebuyers and low-income borrowers.

The new administration on Friday said its canceling a reduction in the Federal Housing Administrations annual fee for most borrowers. The cut would have reduced the annual premium for someone borrowing $200,000 by $500 in the first year.

The reversal comes after Trumps team criticized the Obama administration for adopting new policies as it prepared to leave office. In the waning days of the administration, the White House announced new Russia sanctions, a ban on drilling in parts of the Arctic and many other regulations.

Last week, Obamas Housing and Urban Development secretary, Julian Castro, said the FHA would cut its fees. The administration didnt consult Trumps team before the announcement.

Republicans have argued in the past that reductions put taxpayers at risk by lowering the funds the FHA has to deal with mortgage defaults.

Shares of private mortgage insurance companies, including MGIC Investment Corp. and Radian Group Inc., erased earlier losses, trading up about 1 percent as of midafternoon. They closed little changed from the day before. Private insurers, which back loans guaranteed by mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, compete with the FHA for market share and have been critics of fee cuts in the past.

A letter Friday from HUD to lenders and others in the real estate industry said, more analysis and research are deemed necessary to assess future adjustments while also considering potential market conditions in an ever-changing global economy that could impact our efforts.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York took to the chambers floor to denounce the reversal.

It took only an hour after his positive words on the inaugural platform for his actions to ring hollow, Schumer said. One hour after talking about helping working people and ending the cabal in Washington that hurts people, he signs a regulation that makes it more expensive for new homeowners to buy mortgages.

Mark Calabria, director of financial regulation studies for the libertarian Cato Institute, said it was appropriate for the administration to examine last-minute decisions by its predecessor, especially when those decisions appear to be purely motivated by politics.

Ben Carson, Trumps nominee to lead HUD, FHAs parent agency, said at his confirmation hearing last week that he was disappointed the cut was announced in Obamas final days in office.

The FHA sells insurance to protect against defaults and doesnt issue mortgages. It is a popular program among first-time homebuyers because it allows borrowers to make a down payment of as low as 3.5 percent with a credit score of 580, on a scale of 300 to 850.

The Obama administration announced last week it would cut the insurance premium by a quarter of a percentage point to 0.60 percent, effective Jan. 27.

Some housing industry groups lauded the change, saying it could increase homebuying by offsetting recent rises in mortgage rates. Supporters of the reduction were disappointed that the Trump administration reversed course.

This action is completely out of alignment with President Trumps words about having the government work for the people, John Taylor, president of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, said through a spokesman. Exactly how does raising the cost of buying a home help average people?

Sarah Edelman, director of housing policy for the left-leaning Center for American Progress, in an email wrote, On Day 1, the president has turned his back on middle-class families  this decision effectively takes $500 out of the pocketbooks of families that were planning to buy a home in 2017. This is not the way to build a strong economy.

The FHA came under severe stress after the financial crisis. In 2013, it needed $1.7 billion from the U.S. Treasury, its first bailout in 79 years, due to a wave of defaults. To replenish the FHAs coffers, the Obama administration several times increased the fees the agency charges. The law requires the FHAs capital reserve ratio to stay above 2 percent, and the agency hit that level in 2015 for the first time since the bailout.

It is important to ensure that the FHA fund remains strong to support homeownership in the future while minimizing taxpayer risk, Teresa Bryce Bazemore, president of Radian Group, said in a statement.
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The British red meat sector has said it 'looks forward' to dealing with new US President Donald Trump after his inauguration.

With Mr Trump having been inaugurated yesterday (Friday, January 20), the British red meat industry is looking forward to 'continued good progress' towards opening up the American market to lamb and beef products; a market which could be worth 20 million a year for Welsh red meat alone.

The American market has been closed to lamb from Britain for many years, but work has been ongoing for a decade to re-establish the trade by Hybu Cig Cymru  Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), working alongside the Welsh and UK governments.

HCC visited the US Department of Agriculture in January 2014 in the company of Welsh Ministers, and welcomed USDA delegations to Wales last year.

'Positive progress'

The United States Government held a consultation last year on bringing its rules on animal health in line with other countries, which is essential for red meat exports to resume, said HCCs Market Development Manager Rhys Llywelyn.

This was positive progress, and something we hope to see continue under the new US Administration.

Recent market research has shown us that there is an excellent potential demand for high-quality PGI Welsh Lamb in the American market  particularly in retailers and foodservice clients on the east coast, added Mr Llywelyn.

Theres still some way to go, but HCC will continue to work with the whole of the red meat industry in Wales to be ready for when the opportunity to export to the USA arises.

Mr Trump has named former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as his nominee for secretary of agriculture.
Farmers in Northern Ireland will soon start to receive their money under the 2017 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme in March.

Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen has also announced the payment rates for the 2017 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme.

Payment rates will be 56.47 per hectare for the first 200 hectares, and 42.35 per hectare above 200 hectares. The split rates are a requirement of the EU Regulation which states that payments must be degressive above a threshold level of claimed area per holding.

Announcing the rates of payment Miss McIlveen said: This is the second year of the Pillar II Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme and farmers claimed for ANC payments as part of their Single Application in May 2016.

The payment rate for the first 200 hectares of eligible forage land claimed in the Severely Disadvantaged Area will be 56.47 per hectare, and the payment rate for eligible forage land claimed above 200 hectares will be 42.35 per hectare.

The Minister concluded: ANC payments will begin to issue in early March 2017 and most payments should be processed before the end of that month.

The ANC scheme is part of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It provides a payment on eligible hectares of forage land in the Severely Disadvantaged Area to compensate for all or part of the additional costs and income forgone related purely to the constraints for agricultural production in the area.

'Decreasing significantly'

Ulster Farmers Union has welcomed the announcement, but warns the Northern Irish government body DAERA 'must find ways' to extend the scheme beyond 2018 given that the total pot of funding streams coming into the ANC is 'decreasing significantly.'

The UFU's hill farming chairman, Ian Buchanan said the payments are a 'crucial element' of farm incomes in these areas.

He said: This will provide some much needed reassurance and certainty for farmers facing a difficult cash flow situation, after another year of volatile prices.

Volatility makes it difficult for businesses to plan ahead to improve margins. The minister's decision for 2018 confirms the importance of ANC payments. These are a vital income boost for farmers who have to deal with the challenges of working on difficult land and with a harsher climate, he said.

While the minister has decided to extend the ANC scheme, by a further year into 2018, the UFU says it is crucial DAERA find ways to extend the scheme beyond then to help avert the natural decay of many of these areas over the longer term.

It says there has been an underspend in the ANC scheme in the last two years, and that similar under-spends are likely with other Rural Development Programme schemes potentially leaving monies available for further extensions.
A Bluefaced Leicester fleece which was the winner of the British Wool Marketing Boards 2016 Golden Fleece competition will go under the hammer to raise money for Cancer Research UK and the childrens hospice Ty Gobaith, Conwy.

The fleece from Anglesey-based sheep farmers Myrfyn and Jayne Roberts was sheared from one of the couples pedigree Bluefaced Leicester ewes and weighs 670g, with a staple length of 19cm and is approximately 26 micron.

Competition finals judge Mark Powell, BWMB chief operating officer, described it as having great uniformity of quality, strength of staple, colour and presentation.

It was an outstanding entry and clearly from a producer who takes pride in their wool crop. It is a good tidy fleece, all of which is useable, he explained.

'Exceptional work'

Jayne Roberts said having won the competition she wanted to use the fleece to benefit both local and national charities.

Both Cancer Research UK and Ty Gobaith do exceptional work and need all the support they can get. Ty Gobaith is a local charity which provides exceptional care and support for young people and their families often in the most difficult of circumstances.

We were shocked to win the Golden Fleece competition and want to use our success to benefit others. We take pride in the wool we produce, but didnt think wed have a chance of winning such a prestigious national competition. Hopefully people will get behind the auction and ensure it raises some much needed money for these charities.

The sealed bid auction will take place from 9am on Monday 23 January to 4pm on Friday 10 February, with the winner announced on Valentines Day, 14 February.

BWMB chairman Ian Buchannan said the success of the 2016 Golden Fleece competition had demonstrated the exceptional quality of British wool and the versatile nature of the fleeces produced by British sheep farmers.

Now were asking all those who appreciate British wool to show their love for this winning fleece and raise a worthwhile amount for two excellent charities.
Sheep are to be reintroduced on the '1 a year rent' far in Conwy county, Wales.

The tenant who took over the 1m farm, 38 year old Dan Jones from Anglesey, was handed over the keys from the National Trust for the 124 acre Parc Farm in North Wales.

The site has rare habitats and species - some of which the charity said existed nowhere else on Earth.

The 360-strong flock will graze on the grassland to encourage the survival of rare plants and animals.

Sheep have not been seen on the headland since the foot and mouth crisis more than a decade ago.

Property manager William Greenwood said: "If we get this right, we should see the rarer species such as the silver studded blue butterfly and wild cotoneaster, which exist only on the Great Orme, really flourishing."

The unique 1 tenancy follows on from the announcement of the conservation charitys new ten year vision, aimed at reversing the alarming decline in wildlife  60 per cent in the past 50 years  and finding long term solutions to help nurse the countryside back to health and deliver for nature.
"We would love to put them under cover but we haven't got the funds," Rob said. "We have had grant money to help us with some exhibits but we have to pay for operational costs such as power and rent and our only income is from tourists and some personal donations some of us have made.
Some history buffs may recall the British claimed the north edge of the island in the 1840s, and what is now Sabah was declared a British protectorate in 1882, along with Sarawak and Brunei in 1888.
The future of Fauquier Times now depends on community support. Your donation will help us continue to improve our journalism through in-depth local news coverage and expanded reader engagement.

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Pitts: Before voting, take a look at your sample ballot in Cumberland County and NC
Ukrainian railways in 2016 shipped more than 544,000 grain wagons, which transported 35 million tonnes of grain, according to a press release from PJSC Ukrzaliznytsia.

According to the report, this is 4.1 million tonnes more than in 2015.

The railways daily loaded 1,486 cars with grain, which is 157 cars more than in 2015. Some 424,600 grain wagons (28 million tonnes), which is more 2.2 million tonnes more than in 2015, were loaded for exports.

"Rail workers together with shippers, exporters and forwarding agents conducted significant work to reduce grain wagons' standing idle on the approach ways at elevators for loading" the document reads.

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, in 2016 the average time grain cars spent at regional branches of state companies reduced and amounted to 18.67 hours, which is 2.57 hours less than in 2015.

In 2016 the railways launched a website on which exporters can find information about the availability of empty grain cars at the railways, directorates and stations.
Ukraine plans to boost defense and technical cooperation with the United Kingdom (UK). One of the key directions of the partnership on the new conditions will be cooperation in the imports replacement.

The press service of Ukroboronprom State Concern has reported that the opportunities for expanding defense cooperation were discussed by the sides during a visit of UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon to Antonov State Enterprise (Kyiv) on January 20.

Fallon studied the promising projects of Ukrainian aviation industry, including new transport aircraft An-132 being designed by Ukraine under the order of Saudi Arabia with participation of Britain's Dowty Propellers and Ipeco.

Fallon positively assessed experience of bilateral cooperation under the An-132 program. He said that UK intends to deepen defense cooperation with Ukraine in the future.

Antonov President Oleksandr Kotsiuba recalled about successful experience of Ukrainian-UK cooperation on the global heavy air transportation market and in the area of strategic air transportation using Ukrainian heavy transport aircraft An-124-100 Ruslan and An-225 Mriya. He said that starting January 2017 the representative office of Antonov Airlines  Dreamlifts Ltd.  is working in London suburbs.

Antonov state enterprise is the leading Ukrainian developer and manufacturer of aircraft, the recognized world's leader in the niche of transport aircraft for wide purposes. The company cooperates with 76 countries. According to the government decision, Antonov has been part of Ukroboronprom state concern since April 2015.
Yara Shahidi was worried about exposing "all sorts of stuff" in her sheer gown at the 2017 People's Choice Awards.

Yara Shahidi at the People's Choice Awards

The 16-year-old actress made two outfit changes during the star studded event, which took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday (18.01.17), but the 'Black-ish' star has revealed she was worried about flashing too much flesh in the Virgil Abloh's see-through checkered gown at such a young age and had to find an extra layer to wear underneath her dress to conceal her body parts.

Speaking to PEOPLE about her wardrobe choices, the brunette beauty said: "I had to figure that out because I was like, 'I'm sixteen, I can't be showing all sorts of stuff.'"

Yara swiftly changed into a transparent sleeved blouse with a patterned midi pencil skirt from Bibhu Mohapatra's Spring 2017 ready-to-wear collection to present the Favourite Premium Series Actress award to 51-year-old actress Sarah Jessica Parker.

And the starlet has admitted her style is "ever changing" and depends on what mood she is in as to what items she will adorn.

She said: "It's ever-changing, really.

"It really depends on my mood and what kind of music I'm listening to, what kind of attitude I've got."

However, Yara has hinted she loves denim and has revealed her "daily uniform" is a smart casual ensemble.

She said: "My daily uniform is a Canadian tux, denim jeans, denim jacket, denim shirt."

And the Minnesota-born star has praised 'Black-ish' television producer Kenya Barris, 42, for his "most brilliant" collection of denim garments.

She said: "We actually try to out denim each other on the set because the creator of the show (Kenya Barris) has the most brilliant denim collection I have ever seen!

"He rolls out every single day with something new and I'm like, 'When did you buy this?! You're literally on set every single moment of your day!' It's now a competition."
The whole world witnessed the peaceful transition of power from Barack Obama to Donald Trump and a lot of people are worried about how the Trump presidency would be like. The sizzling Evelyn Sharma took to Twitter by saying that 'our prayers' would help the world leaders attain wisdom, love and peace!

Evelyn Sharma tweeted, "This morning I urge that we pray for all our #WorldLeaders. For divine wisdom, acts of love and thoughts of peace. #TrumpInauguration."



On the work front, Evelyn Sharma is currently shooting for Imtiaz Ali's upcoming film 'The Ring' and it also stars Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma and Sayani Gupta. The first leg of the film was shot in Budapest, Prague and Amsterdam. The film will also be shot in Punjab and Gujarat. The actress was all praises for the Baadshah of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan and said,

Pictures! Mika Singh Attends Donald Trump's Pre-inaugural Dinner, Takes A Selfie With Ivanka Trump

"I've been raised in Germany and Bollywood means Shah Rukh Khan for us. We only know him and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan there. So my dream of working with him has come true. Also when someone as brilliant as Imtiaz Ali asks you to be in his film, you just say yes."

Ram Gopal Varma Predicts Donald Trump Will Become The Greatest US President Ever!
Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen is all set to be on the judges panel on the 65th Miss Universe 2017 beauty pageant which will be held in Manila, Phillippines on January 30, 2017. The best part is that Sushmita was crowned Miss Universe at the very same city, Manila in 1994 and now 23 years later, she'll be seated at the judges seat. Life come to a full circle for Sushmita here!

Want World Peace? Evelyn Sharma Has A Solution!

She took to her social media handle and announced that she'll at the judges panel and also went nostalgic about the whole event. She said,



"Getting ready with a dancing heart!!!!! I am soooooooo excited, emotional and looking forward to returning home to the Philippines after 23years. It's where it all began Manila 1994 #missuniverse1994. Life comes a full circle, from winning Miss Universe, to having owned its Indian Franchise to now...returning back to Manila this time as a #judge at the 65th Miss Universe pageant!!! to all my #filipino friends who have been graciously asking... I can now confirm... yesssssss!!!! I am coming!!! Mahal Kita Philippines see u sooooooon!!!!!"

The 65th Miss Universe beauty pageant will take place on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Phillippines. Roshmitha Harimurthy will represent India at this prestigious contest.

Pictures! Mika Singh Attends Donald Trump's Pre-inaugural Dinner, Takes A Selfie With Ivanka Trump
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 01/20/17 -- MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: BMK) ("MacDonald Mines", or the "Company"), announces that it has closed a third tranche of its private placement offering (the "Offering") originally announced on December 19, 2016, pursuant to which it has issued 5,050,000 non flow-through units of the Company (see below) for gross proceeds of $303,000. Total gross proceeds received to date from the Offering amount to $818,580.

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company may issue up to a total of 12,125,000 "flow-through" units of the Company (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.07 per FT Unit and up to 8,333,333 non-flow-through units of the Company (the "Non-FT Units") at a price of $0.06 per Non-FT Unit. To date, the company has issued 7,365,429 FT Units on December 29 and 30, 2016 and 5,050,000 Non-FT Units on January 20, 2017. Each FT Unit is comprised of one Class A common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") issued on a "flow-through" basis within the meaning of such term in the Income Tax Act (Canada), and one whole non-flow through Class A common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each such Warrant being exercisable to acquire one non-flow-through Class A common share at a price of $0.10 for a period of 36 months following the closing date of the Offering. Please note that the Company has determined to include a whole warrant in the FT Unit rather than a half warrant as disclosed in the December 19, 2016 press release. Each Non-FT Unit is comprised of one Class A common share of the Company (issued on a non-"flow-through" basis) and one Warrant.

In connection with the closing of the third tranche of the Offering, the Company has paid finders fees equal to 9% of the gross proceeds raised by the Company to investors introduced to the Company by such finders, or approximately $27,270 and has issued compensation options (the "Compensation Options") equal to 9% of the number of units sold, or 454,500 Compensation Options. The Compensation Options will be exercisable to acquire one Non-FT share for a period of five years from the date of issuance thereof at a price of 0.06 per unit.. All securities sold or issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance thereof.

The Company may close additional tranches of the Offering. However, there can be no assurances that there will be any additional closings. The Offering is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V").

About MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.

MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. is a mineral exploration company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Previously focused on Copper and Zinc (VMS), and Nickel exploration in the Ring of Fire area of the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario, the Company has recently entered an option and joint venture agreement with Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. to advance exploration on Noble's Wawa-Holdsworth Gold and Silver Project in Ontario, Canada and has acquired the Charlevoix Silica Property in Quebec, Canada.

The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "BMK".

To learn more about MacDonald Mines, please visit www.macdonaldmines.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "should", "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.

Quentin Yarie

President & CEO

(416) 364-4986

qyarie@macdonaldmines.com



MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd.

Mia Boiridy

Investor Relations

(416) 364-4986

mboiridy@macdonaldmines.com




The Union Budget 2017-18 is already poised to be quite a trailblazer. First, by moving the Budget announcement to February instead of the traditional March, secondly by eliminating the difference between Plan and Non-Plan expenditure and finally by integrating the Railway Budget with it. Going by the trend, a lot is being expected from the Budget that would move away from convention and bring in some much needed financial consolidation to the economy, businesses, policy and the common man. There is also a reflection of the urgency to improve the investment climate of the economy in the wake of demonetisation and for the stepping up of demand, particularly investment demand.

Budget and real estate

Looking at the real estate perspective, optimism is ruling the roost. With the central government gung ho about accelerating the housing sector, the real estate sector is finally getting the much needed attention. Most of the stakeholders are now hoping this translates into positive policy implementation. This, especially in the context of the prime minister's mandate on Housing For All and the highly talked about RERA, calls for a considerable stimulus from the government to enable and sustain the realty sector.

Budget and the homeowner

The recent interest subvention announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of 4 percent on home loans up to Rs 9 lakh and 3 percent on loans up to 12 lakh, has established the governments recognition of the sector in terms of its welfare and growth potential. This is in the same vein as the 2016-17 Budget where additional deduction was given on interest for loans of Rs 35 lakh or lesser, provided the value of the house did not exceed Rs 50 Lakh. Taking this forward, we now hope that the range of the loan be increased to Rs 40 lakh and the amount of interest exemption be increased to Rs 2 Lakh from the existing Rs 50,000. The Section 43Ca, which has provision for taxation in case sale values are less than ready reckoner rates, as well as the Section 194, which calls for a 1 percent TDS on properties above Rs 50 lakh, should also be removed. As the market has rationalised, post demonetisation there is no need for such provisions which are grossly unfair to the buyer.

Finance and real estate

If implemented, these changes will help propagate and provide the right impetus to banks and other financial institutions to facilitate a low interest regime, in line with the objective Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had set in 2016. Further clarity and support through the GST, in terms of exemption for affordable housing and softer rates for the other segments and a lowering of long-term capital gains tax on property will further boost the movement of funds into the sector. This will help create the much craved capital that the sector is short of and help the supply of housing match the demand, a gap which presently stands at almost 20 million housing units.

Housing as infrastructure

A key element to be considered when discussing the Budget expectations is the infrastructure aspect. Housing projects contain provisions for roads, electricity sewerage and other institutional uses which form the infrastructure of an area. They are central to the growth of the country and are integral to every individual citizens basic need. It stands to reason, therefore, that affordable housing projects be given the status of infrastructure to enable them to access institutional finances. This would lend support to the sector and allow affordable housing to grow without hindrances, making it the core driving segment of the sector. This will enable the sector to focus on every segment catering to various income groups.

The budget provides the perfect opportunity for the government to create a supportive, inclusive and growth-oriented ecosystem for the real estate sector and all its stakeholders. It is imperative that incentives be provided not just for end-users but for institutional and individual investors as well to transform real estate into a viable investment asset. With the onset of newer investment instruments such as REITs, the sector needs the support of the invisible hand of the government to guide it towards a long lasting period of development.

(The author is president, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India)

For full coverage of Union Budget 2017 click here.
Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by Congress leader KV Thomas on Friday failed to get clear answers to crucial questions over demonetisation from the Reserve Bank of India and its governor Urjit Patel even as the members belonging to BJP and Congress in the panel had heated exchange over the grilling.

According to a PTI report, the RBI told the PAC it does not know the "exact number" of junked currency notes that were in circulation and it is still "reconciling" the number of notes that were deposited back. It is to be remembered that more 72 days have passed after prime minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

"The exact number of Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) withdrawn from circulation is being worked out," the central bank said in a written submission to the PAC.

On 2 December, Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal had, however, told Parliament in a written response that currency notes worth Rs 15.44 lakh crore (17165 million pieces of 500 notes and 6858 million pieces of 1000 notes) were in circulation on November 8, when the demonetisation was announced.

RBI Governor Urjit Patel along with Deputy Governor R Gandhi and other senior functionaries appeared before the PAC, headed by former union minister and senior Congress leader K V Thomas, for oral evidence on 'Review of Monetary Policy'.

Sources told PTI the RBI was asked about the "total number" of the scrapped currency deposited in banks after November 8.

In its reply, RBI is understood to have informed PAC that the exchange of the currency took place at thousands of bank branches and post offices over the 50 days demonetisation period. The collected notes were deposited in 4,000 currency chests.

"It (number of notes) is pending finalisation as of now, as physical verification and reconciliation are underway," said the sources quoting the RBI's reply.

RBI informed the panel that its Board meeting which recommended withdrawal of legal tender of Rs 500/1000 notes was held on November 8 at 5.30 pm.

The prime minister announced about the demonetisation in his address to the nation at 8 pm on the same day after Cabinet's approval.

The Members of Parliament in the PAC were also informed by the RBI that the matter related to demonetisation was under discussion between the government and the RBI for "some months", following which the proposal was placed before the Central Board of RBI on November 8 for consideration.

The Board recommended the proposal to the government.

The Board meeting was attended by Governor Patel, two Deputy Governors (R Gandhi and S S Mundra), and five Directors of RBI -- Nachiket Mor, Bharat N Doshi, Sudhir Mankad, Shaktikanta Das and Anjuly Chib Duggal.

Sources said another director N S Vishwanathan (Deputy Governor) did not attend the meeting as he stayed back in Mumbai for "strategic reasons" to brief the bankers first hand immediately after the decision on demonetisation was taken.

Another director, Natarajan Chandrasekaran was abroad at the time of the meeting.

Meanwhile, media reports said PAC head's introductory remarks kicked off a heated war of words between the BJP and Congress members of the committee.

Thomas, according to the reports, started off listing out the hardships the common man faced in the aftermath of the note ban to which BJP members Bhupender Yadav, Kirit Somaiya and Nishikant Dubey protested.

The BJP members also said that questions to the RBI governor should be on monetary policy and not outside it. Dubey has been quoted as saying in a report in the DNA that the ban on Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 undertaken by the government does not strictly fall under the monetary policy decisions of the RBI.

The opposition members, including Thomas, have expressed disappointment that Patel did not give clear answers to crucial questions.

With inputs from PTI
In the 'age of new media', the treatment of the age-old art of covering conflict is rapidly morphing.

Media houses experiment not only with the technicalities, but also the format, the language  and the platform from which the audience will eventually consume (the content). The issue of Kashmir is one that has been captured, reported and dissected in multiple ways, from literature, to documentary films to protest art. Is there then, scope, to add to the discourse surrounding the conflict zone?

The answer is yes, depending on how you approach the question. And one such commendable approach is that of Live from Kashmir, a web-series now in its fourth episode.

Behind Live from Kashmir is the Mumbai-based Video Daddy team  a group of people brought together by their similar vision: that of nuance. The team includes former fashion photographers like Akshay Vaidya and Leo Vuppuluri, Mass Media graduates like Tanmay Kulkarni, and writer-editors in the form of Garima Sharma, Sreejith Karnaver, Sumit Verma and Paramand Kumar. What does such a diverse bunch arrive at? That is open to perception.

Live from Kashmir at first sounds like dispatches from Kashmir, a real-time thing  which it isnt. In the initial days of the curfew we seemed to be the only people walking around shooting stuff. We have an inside joke about it where we refer to ourselves as still being Live in Kashmir, the group says about how the name came to be.

Live in Kashmir is a sort of mash-up of real hard reporting, historic footage, commentary, clever fill-ins, borrowed animations and a panache for voice and sound editing. The genre hence, is debatable. It has a Zeitgeist-like approach, but isnt as argumentative, not even close. It of course has actual on-ground reporting to showcase, which authenticates whatever happens at the editing stage. The unpredictability and incongruity of just getting up and going to Kashmir appealed to us. It did work itself out thematically almost on it own. The thing about the form of the show is that it developed organically depending on the world we came upon here. What genre it is, is probably the last thing we had in mind while doing this, the group says.

The group says they are trying to do things differently from propagandist, boxed-in films like Zeitgeist. We believe in the legitimacy of process and intent over the convenience and clarity of propaganda. Especially under the terse circumstances of the situation in Kashmir, to sustain without being compromised is a tightrope walk, they say. And the hard-hitting, grounded yet simmering with emotion conversations with Kashmiris that makes up the series accounts for the process.

It is also interesting how the series has progressed so far. While the first two episodes introduce people to the conflict, and put them 'on the ground', by the third episode (titled Media), the series moves on to comment on the populist narrative of the media, which so evidently reared its head post-Uri attacks. We unwittingly landed up in the middle of a very uneven perception war between the massive army of the Indian media and the whimpers of a very frustrated Kashmiri people. We were like rabbits caught in the headlights for the first month. We realised that we would be unable to make sense of it right away, the Video Daddy team says.

The Media episode especially doffs its hat to the language of filming itself. So much is said, so smartly, simply by juxtaposing elements, timelines and contrasting channels of information and argument. The articulation is important, and here the makers are firmly in control, even though they leave enough space for your own perspective to fill. A mention has to be made of the sound editing  most importantly how music and voice are used in the series. Most of the tracks used in the series are not popular ones, and the majority have been produced by musicians from Kashmir itself. Of the music scene in Kashmir, the team says, "There is a great amount of musical talent in Kashmir. We have a separate category called Live from Kashmir Sessions where we do live jams with local musicians like Ali Saffudin. This music scene is in its nascent stage. By March we are aiming to have 4-5 artists introduced through these sessions.

The aesthetics and production value of the series aside, the human element is central to the conflict of Kashmir, implying the need for a certain sensibility and treatment of the subject. Holding a camera to a face is one thing, making it want to talk and share is another. There are then, in such circumstances, events or people who become etched in memory, not so much of the viewer but of the filmmaker. One incident that had deep impact on all of us was meeting the CRPF guy who has been posted behind the Juma Masjid for the last 10 years. He is more Kashmiri than Indian. That man told us of his dreams, of relaxing by his wheat fields in Jajjhar. The effect of this melancholy is deepened by that fact that he was saying this as he looked over the gully that is now more home to him to him than his own home, the team says, as they themselves try to make sense of a conflict that sees no end, but might at least see a definition.

Listen to 'Do Hi Rastay Hain' by Mehdi Maloof:
By Stanley Carvalho

| ABU DHABI

ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi's government merged two of its top investment funds on Saturday to strengthen their financial clout in an era of low oil prices, creating a company with assets totalling about $125 billion.The new fund, Mubadala Investment Co, was formed by merging Mubadala Development Co and International Petroleum Investment Co, which own corporate stakes in the energy industry and other sectors across the world.The new firm's assets will total about $125 billion, based on valuations at the end of 2015, make it the world's 14th largest sovereign fund, according to data from the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, which tracks the industry.Mubadala Investment will be run by Chief Executive Khaldoon al-Mubarak, United Arab Emirates state news agency WAM reported, adding that a board had been appointed. Mubarak, a prominent executive who sits on several companies boards, was chief executive of Mubadala Development.

With oil prices at about half their levels in mid-2014, sovereign funds across the rich Gulf Arab oil exporting states are having to adjust policies to cope with lower inflows of petrodollars. Mubadala Development did not receive new cash from the government in 2015 for the first time in at least eight years.The new firm's large size should improve its ability to raise money from international markets, a source close to the merger told Reuters when the plan was originally announced last June.

As part of its drive to strengthen strategic financial firms, Abu Dhabi is in the process of merging its two biggest banks, National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank. Bankers in the emirate say more mergers are likely.Mubadala Investment will have a total of 68,000 employees globally with partnerships and businesses in 30-plus countries, it said in a statement.

Its assets include stakes in General Electric and private equity firm Carlyle, Spanish energy firm Cepsa and Austrian energy firm OMV, and Unicredit, Virgin Galactic and UAE construction firm Arabtec.IPIC is locked in a dispute with Malaysian state fund 1MDB, after the Malaysian fund defaulted on interest payments for bonds which IPIC had guaranteed; IPIC is claiming about $6.5 billion. 1MDB has been the subject of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries. (Additional Reporting by Ahmed Tolba and Tom Finn; Writing by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Larry King)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The Ukrainian side has called on the international community to press the Russian Federation into stopping the persecution of Crimean journalist Mykola Semena from Krim. Realii (Crimea. Realities) internet project, a division of Radio Liberty and other Ukrainian citizens.

"Journalist Semena is being persecuted for political reasons for defending freedom of speech for protecting the motherland. We condemn the illegal actions of the invader. We call on international partners to influence the Russian Federation demanding an end to the persecution of Semena and other Ukrainian citizens..!." the spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine Mariana Betsa wrote on Twitter on Friday.

Semena's lawyer Emil Kurbedinov wrote on his Facebook page that his client on Friday night received an indictment and that soon a criminal case will be sent to the court. "The indictment is the result of pre-trial investigation. After this, the case goes to trial."

In spring of 2016, the Crimean department of the Federal Security Service (FSB) launched a criminal case against Semena on the charge of "public calls for actions aimed at violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, with the use of mass media, or electronic or information telecommunications networks (including the internet)."

In April, a travel ban was imposed on Semena, a journalist from Krim. Realii (Crimea. Realities) internet project, a division of Radio Liberty.
New Delhi: Indian Army soldier, Chandu Babulal Chavan, who was released by Pakistan on Saturday, had crossed the LoC "inadvertently" due to "severe grievances with his superiors and leadership", according to a Pakistan Foreign Office statement.

Chavan, 23, of the 37 Rashtriya Rifles, "crossed the Line of Control over severe grievances with his superiors and leadership. Pakistan convinced the soldier to return to India being an Indian national and address his grievances through local grievance mechanisms," the Pakistani statement said.

While the Indian Army has yet to give a statement on the reasons for Chavan crossing over on September 29 last year, if what the Pakistan authorities say has any truth it would be another in a slew of complaints that members of the Indian forces, including paramilitary, have been airing on social media.

Junior level officials of the Border Security Force, the Central Reserve Police Force and also Army jawans, have lately taken to social media to raise their voices against their service conditions.

In a recent video, Lance Naik Yagya Pratap Singh, posted in 42 Infantry Brigade in Dehradun, alleged that soldiers are being exploited by their officers.

Earlier, Border Security Force trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav posted a YouTube video showing poor quality food being served to them on the icy border in Jammu and Kashmir. Many more such clips have surfaced on social media, including of a Central Reserve Police Force constable complaining about deprivation and harassment by seniors.

Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat, referring to the growing complaints on social media, has said that jawans can raise complaints internally instead of resorting to social media.

Sepoy Babulal Chavan, stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, crossed over to India at the Wagah-Attari border on Saturday afternoon after he was handed over to the BSF by the Pakistani authorities.

India had been pursuing his case with Pakistan since he crossed over on September 29, just hours after the Indian Army's surgical strikes across the LoC.

According to a statement by the Pakistan Army's media wing, Chavan "deserted his post at the LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders".

"He wilfully crossed LOC on 29 September, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army."

It said that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LOC and IB (International Border), Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds."

Chavan's grandmother had suffered a cardiac arrest and died after the family was informed that he was captured by the Pakistan Army.
Over the past four days, if there is one organisation that has come under fire, it is the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta). While posters targeting it can be found all over the Marina beach, the ground zero of the pro-jallikattu protest in Chennai, even political leaders like MK Stalin have called Peta anti-national. Many others have demanded that Peta should be thrown out of Tamil Nadu.

TS Sudhir spoke with Dr V Manilal, director, Peta who admitted to receiving several threats and abusive calls all through this week. But despite the opposition, Manilal says Peta will continue to be committed to the cause of educating people about compassion towards animals. Edited excerpts from the interview:

The govt is moving an emergency ordinance to allow Jallikattu on Sunday. Tamil Nadu Chief minister O Panneerselvam has promised to inaugurate it himself. Are you at Peta left with no options now?



We always have the legal option. We will consult our lawyers and we will proceed based on their advice.

But if the ordinance is promulgated on Saturday and Jallikattu happens on Sunday, that leaves you with hardly any time over the weekend to approach the court? All indications are that jallikattu will happen for sure on Sunday. Other animal rights activists seem resigned to it.



We will need to look at the possible legal remedies. Even if it goes ahead, our effort to educate and create awareness and tell people why we are opposed to Jallikattu will continue. The Supreme Court in its 2014 order has clearly mentioned that cruelty is inherent in jallikattu. Nothing stops us from educating people about it.

Peta has been made the villain in the protests in Tamil Nadu. There are posters and there is sloganeering against your organisation. Are you surprised by the hatred and the vehemence of the hate?

We are indeed surprised. We are a soft target. Everyone knows Peta is an NGO. We do not frame laws nor implement them. We only abide by the laws. By putting the blame on Peta, people are ignoring the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act of 1960, which was created when PETA did not even exist. The PCA Act clearly states that it is the duty of the owners to protect the animal and not indulge in any animal fighting.

Peta was not even in the picture when the petition against Jallikattu was filed by A Nagaraja, a father whose young son was gored to death by a bull in 2004. It was the Animal Welfare Board of India, a body formed by the Union Environment ministry that was involved in the litigation. It was the ministry that said bulls are not to be used for performance in 2011. Peta got into the case only in 2011 when despite regulations, abuse of bulls was taking place during Jallikattu.

That being the case, why do you think Peta has come under such sharp attack?

Peta has demonstrated about the cruelty to the bulls in jallikattu. We have conducted awareness programmes about it. It goes with the essence of the Supreme Court verdict which ruled that jallikattu is unnecessary suffering to bulls, that using bulls as a performing animal is not permitted under PCA act.

Tamil and Telugu actor Trisha came under attack because of her association with Peta. Were you disappointed that she backed down after the trolls came after her, subjecting her to a lot of abuse?

Trisha is not our brand ambassador. She had associated with us to talk about cruelty to dogs and to spread the message to adopt instead of shopping for pedigree dogs. We feel sorry about what Trisha had to go through. We intend to do good for animals and it put her in a difficult situation.

Now Trisha has said she supports Jallikattu. Do you see a contradiction there? On one hand, you campaign against cruelty to dogs but are okay with a sport that the Supreme Court has banned on grounds of cruelty to the bulls.

These are individuals. They have their own opinion. We provide them with the information but finally, it is their mind and choice.

We received many threat calls saying they will kill us at Peta. Callers abused in English and Tamil. Our CEO, Poorva Joshipura got threats of rape. We have not yet filed a complaint with the police because we have been rather busy fire-fighting as you can see.

You also have celebrities like AR Rahman and chess champion Vishwanathan Anand coming out in support of Jallikattu. Rahman observed a one-day fast on Friday. Are you suggested they are not informed as well?

As I said, everyone has the right to make choices. On our part, we reach out to all celebrities with information.

Would you reach out to Rahman and Anand as well?

Yes, we will and hope to change their perspective about jallikattu.

Do you suspect a conspiracy against Peta, in the manner in which people have gone after you?

There are people who are desperate to bring back jallikattu despite the SC ban. So they do it by targeting someone who is easily available and vocal. They used this opportunity.

Tamil Nadu's Leader of the Opposition and DMK's MK Stalin called Peta anti-national. What do you have to say about that?

Labelling Peta anti-national does not make sense because the Constitution of India says everyone should be kind and compassionate. We believe precisely in that. That makes us patriotic. If they say, let cruelty take place, are they nationalistic?

There are also calls to throw you out of Tamil Nadu.

We have no office in Chennai but through our office in Mumbai we have been reaching out to all states for the last 17 years in India.

With so much vitriol against you both in the real and the virtual space, do you fear that the Government of India will come after you?

We are clean. We abide by the law of the land. We have nothing to be worried about. Why should we fear if we fight for the rights of living beings?

Have you felt being under some kind of a siege in the last four days, ever since the Marina Beach was occupied by protesters?

Not really but it seems the challenge is bigger. We need to reach out to more people and create more awareness.

There is a lot of online abuse directed at Peta. Was there anything in person?

Yes, many threat calls saying they will kill us at Peta. Callers abused in English and Tamil. Our CEO, Poorva Joshipura got threats of rape. We have not yet filed a complaint with the police because we have been rather busy fire-fighting as you can see.

That is unfortunate and worrying and I wish you well. This entire protest has been billed as Tamil culture versus the ban and organisations like Peta. Do you think it was deliberate to pitch it like that to be able to appeal to the emotions of the average Tamilian?

Tamil culture is not anti-animal rights. Also, it is not Peta's battle alone. I believe there is no conflict between tradition and compassion.

It is quite possible that jallikattu could take place on Sunday, as the CM has promised. Do you still believe that jallikattu will cause harm? What if they ensure no bull is harmed and win the propaganda battle against animal rights activists like you?

The behavioural pattern of a bull is that it responds to an adverse situation by putting up a fight. Otherwise, when you see bulls in the middle of a road, they just stand still and won't charge at anyone. Now, when they prod the bull to go towards the vadivaasal (the entry point), it resists. The men are waiting to jump on it like predators attack a prey. It senses the threat perception and is reluctant to go. To force it to go, the men bite and bend its tail. They cut off the thick rope which passes through its nostrils. Can't we imagine the pain it goes through when the rope rubs against its soft nasal system at a speed? Then with the same knife, its body is poked. Basically, without agitating a bull, you cannot conduct jallikattu.

And nothing you think will be any different on Sunday when jallikattu could be possibly held?

No. The point is it is not the owner of the bull or the family that is going to embrace the bull when it comes out. Ten to fifteen strangers are jumping on it, trying to hold on to some part of its body. The bulls don't only suffer physical injury but mental trauma as well.

But the oft-repeated claim of the bull owners is that the animal is treated like a family member.

I agree. For 364 days, it is indeed treated like a child of the family. We appreciate it. But on one day, the family allows it to be manhandled. I ask, would we do that with our child? According to animal behavioural science, most animals like bulls and cows also act and respond like humans. They feel the pain, trauma, fear and affection.

Have the events of the last four days significantly set back animal welfare in India?

We believe every calamity is an opportunity. More people know about jallikattu now. The Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi said, 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.' Our lawmakers have to be made to understand this.
Chennai: After a nearly three-year-long ban, the traditional bull-taming sport jallikattu is set for a grand return in Tamil Nadu on Sunday with governor Vidyasagar Rao promulgating an ordinance in the face of massive protests that have paralysed the state for the last five days.

Chief minister O Panneerselvam, who announced the approval given by the governor for the ordinance, will launch jallikattu at Alanganallur in Madurai, which is famous for conducting the rural sport, at 10 am.

Moving swiftly, the Centre had cleared the ordinance on Saturday night, paving the way for Tamil Nadu government to promulgate it in an effort to end the protests. Rao, who is governor of Maharashtra, holds Tamil Nadu as additional charge and reached Chennai in the evening to give his approval.

Protesters gathered at the Marina Beach which is at the epicentre of the state-wide stir in which tens of thousands of people took part, appeared to be in no mood to relent. They demanded a permanent solution.

Panneerselvam said that in other areas, ministers from the respective regions will inaugurate the sport at 11 am. Jallikattu remained banned following a Supreme Court order in May 2014.

"I urge the youth, students and the general public to make the jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," he said.

Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, by Tamil Nadu was received on Friday night. "The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act) has been obtained from the govenor also," he said, adding, "Our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true."

He said a draft bill to replace the ordinance and amend the PCA Act paving the way for holding jallikattu without any hindrance will be introduced and adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly's session which begins on 23 January. Panneerselvam thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support.

"On behalf of the government and people of Tamil Nadu, I thank you for all your support and assistance in enabling jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu once again during the Pongal season, upholding the culture and tradition of the people of Tamil Nadu," he told Modi in a letter.

Recalling his earlier interaction with the prime minister on 19 January to enable conduct of jallikattu, Panneerselvam said the Tamil Nadu government issued an ordinance after obtaining prior instructions of the President as envisaged under Article 213 of the Constitution.

"The ordinance was promulgated today by the government of Tamil Nadu and Jallikatu is to be conducted with customary

fervour all over the state with all necessary safeguards," he said.

Earlier in the day, Modi said all efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu. "We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people," he said.

Modi said the central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress. Several people across the state welcomed the decision, saying jallikattu was part of Tamil culture and steps should be taken immediately to make it a permanent feature.

"We want an assurance from the central government that it would amend the PCA Act in the upcoming session of Parliament if the Supreme Court quashes the ordinance sometime later," said Anbumani Ramadoss, who is Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) youth wing president and son of party president S Ramadoss.

Jallikattu supporters staged a rail blockade at Madurai during the day, even as train services continued to remain affected due to the ongoing stir. The Southern Railway announced cancellation of some trains besides diversion of others.
It was a scene right out of a Bollywood blockbuster.

In December 2016, two known middlemen from a village in Rajasthan were approached for an illegal sex determination scan to be done on a pregnant woman. A deal was struck. It would cost her between Rs 25,000 to 30,000. The cost of a normal, legal pregnancy scan in a government clinic is about Rs 300.

The two men took the pregnant woman and her assistant in a car and drove them to several places during the day. They were dropped back in the evening and told that the test would be done the next day. This time they were driven to the adjoining state of Gujarat. They finally landed in the house of a 65-year-old doctor in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad.

The agreed amount of money was handed over and the doctor started scanning her. And then came the climax.

A team from the Rajasthan governments PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) cell burst into his clinic. They had been tracking the woman with the help of a GPS device which she carried. The moment she gave them a signal that the money had changed hands, they raided the clinic.

And so the 52nd decoy operation of the PCPNDT cell of Rajasthan ended in a success. The doctor was arrested and his machine seized. The money given by the woman was confiscated, to be produced as evidence in court. The pregnant decoy, her assistant and the informer who had led the team to the agents were all paid and the team moved on to its next operation.

According to Naveen Jain  the special secretary and MD of the National Health Mission and chairperson, State Appropriate Authority, PCPNDT Medical, Health & Family Welfare Department, Rajasthan  this was their sixth successful operation in a row in December, their fourth foray into Gujarat and their eighth interstate operation.

On 20 January 2017, Jain jubilantly posted on his Facebook page: One more ugly face of sex determination exposed by our team while following an inter-state gang. Govt doctor in govt hospital in Radanpur, Patan, Gujarat caught red-handed  fifth operation in Gujarat after four successful decoys in private hospitals... three people including two touts arrested in the entire exercise and they will be produced in the court at Barmer tomorrow. Shamelessly, some people  who claim to be protectors of daughters  tried to save the culprits but our team bravely performed the job.

Naveen Jain is a man with a mission: an all-out battle against sex selective abortion. He has miraculously managed over the last four years to actually raise the child sex ratio in this traditionally girl-child starved state.

Even as he started tightening the screws on the many illegal clinics flourishing in Rajasthan, he found that that the agents were taking couples across the border into other states where sex selection was more easily available. That is when he got the help of his legal team to devise a strategy for targeting illegal clinics in other states too.

Pregnant decoys have been used by PCPNDT cells before for sting operations but usually they have had to confine themselves to clinics within the state. This is because they need to get the cooperation of the other states PCPNDT cell if they need to do an interstate sting. But acting under legal advice, the Rajasthan state government started booking sex determination crimes under Section 315 of the IPC. This gives them the freedom to arrest persons from any other state as well, without having to go through the State Appropriate authority. Furthermore, the punishment for the accused under this section is much more severe than the one they would have received otherwise.

Section 315 is actually an old law which pre-dates the PCPNDT Act. According to this, any act done with the intent to prevent a child from being born or to cause it to die after birth is deemed a non-bailable offence and the accused can be sentenced to 10 years in jail. Some activists have expressed reservations about using this law as it blurs the lines between legal and illegal abortions. In a society where unsafe abortions are already a matter of deep concern, using Section 315 could create further confusion.

However, if used judiciously and honestly, this law can obviously have a salutary effect on the unethical medical practitioners who have been getting away scot free, often with the connivance of law enforcers.

Jain is passionate about his decoy operations which he described in detail to me over the phone. A sum of Rs 2 lakhs is budgeted for every such sting. Of this about Rs 80,000 goes to the informer, Rs 80,000 to the pregnant woman who is the decoy, and Rs 20,000 to the coordinator. The rest is used for expenses. Once the informer gives the confirmed identity of middlemen in an area, the decoy is sent equipped with tracking devices and currency.

A very crucial element of this is the law enforcement: the Rajasthan PCPNDT cell also has, attached to it, a dedicated team of police officers who are vigilant and on call during these raids. The decoy system was introduced in 2009 in Rajasthan. But after the initial spurt of enthusiasm when nine raids were conducted, the number of raids decreased to three per financial year. In the year 2015-2016, this increased to six, and then dramatically in the financial year 2016-2017 already 20 raids have been conducted.

Naveen Jain and his team have a multi-pronged approach. They also use a software called IMPACT (which stands for Integrated System for Monitoring of PCPNDT Act). Using this, sonography machines are connected with tracking devices (Active Tracker or Silent Observer) to improve the monitoring of the centres.

This system was designed and developed by the Rajasthan National Informatics Centre. By 2016, more than 1,600 sonography centres were registered online. Each center was given a special user name and password which it could use to upload all the information onto the website. More than one crore Form-F had been submitted online and more than 8,000 online Form-F were being submitted by the centres on a daily basis. Jain said nearly 3,000 tracking devices had been installed.

This was an excellent move to get paper work out of the way and all the information digitised and hence, hopefully tamper proof. But the question still remains whether this would deter unscrupulous doctors who could still communicate the sex of the child through other means, to a patient who was willing to pay.

The question is, can the Rajasthan model be replicated in other states? And more importantly, is it sustainable?

Activist and researcher Sabu George, who spent some time with Naveen Jain and his team, observing their strategies, said that for the first time in 16 years of visiting Rajasthan, he felt hopeful that things were finally working. However, he also pointed out that most often, the success of such programmes was hinged on the dynamism and sincerity of the officer in charge. If he is moved from his post, there are good chances of the programme slipping again.

The problem with this issue is that there are too many elements involved. An entire mafia is still at work exploiting our societys craving for male children. Its not just the girl child who is endangered. In the process of eliminating her, her mothers life is also put at risk. There are many black holes. Over the years, sex determination has become a huge money-spinning black market racket. Many untrained quacks using unregistered portable Chinese machines are willing to visit homes to conduct the tests. Often their clients dont know that the reading in these machines could be inaccurate and more importantly that the sonographers using them may not even know how to read the data.

And then there is another scam. While a sex determination scan alone costs Rs 30,000, if it has to be followed up with an illegal abortion, the cost could be around Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Therefore, irrespective of the sex of the foetus, the woman is told she is carrying a girl and is made to undergo an abortion. Many of the clinics who offer these underground services have a network of nurses and midwives who can even do the abortion at home.

The Rajasthan model indicates the direction that could be taken to enforce the laws we already have. Sting operations, stringent punishment and wide publicity (all the operations are given extensive coverage in the local papers) combined with use of technology like digitisation, GPS tracking and spy cameras, and follow up by an honest and dedicated police cell are some of the elements which have contributed towards making this model a success.

Can this be replicated in other states? Is there a glimmer of hope that the strong arm of the law can actually bring about much needed social change? Only time will tell.
Panaji: Both BJP and Congress have welcomed the Election Commission's order against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for his alleged corruption remarks during rallies in Goa earlier this month.

While addressing a rally in Benaulim, Kejriwal had reportedly told voters, "If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as it is your own money. But, when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of AAP candidate."

BJP's Goa general secretary Sadanand Tanawade told PTI, "We welcome the action by Election Commission of India (ECI) against Kejriwal. Action should be initiated against him under relevant sections of law."

He said BJP is making all attempts to have free and fair polls in association with the Election Commission but AAP wants to "propagate corruption".

BJP's state information technology cell in-charge Atmaram Barve had filed formal complaint against Kejriwal. "Kejriwal should be arrested and strict action should be taken against him," Barve said.

The Congress in Goa had also condemned Kejriwal for his statements. "This is nothing new for Kejriwal. He keeps on getting

censured for his statements," said AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh.

Goa Congress spokesman Trajano D'Mello, who publicly criticised Kejriwal for the statement, said ECI has vindicated his stand. "Kejriwal is sowing seeds of corruption among the common man which is dangerous," he said.

The Election Commission has censured the Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for his remark and warned him that if he continues to violate the model code, stern action would be taken against him and his party, including suspension or withdrawal of recognition.
Panaji: Two major contenders for power in south-western state Goa  the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress party  are fighting a battle to get some of the rebels withdraw from the fray with the last date for withdrawal ending on 21 January.

Compared to 2012 state elections when 215 candidates were in the fray for the 40-member legislative assembly, a staggering 405 aspirants had filed their nominations when the process for filing of nomination ended on 18 January, triggering fears that as against the expected four-cornered contests, Goa may witness multi-cornered contests when the 11.09 lakh registered voters exercise their right to franchise on 4 February.

Both BJP and the Congress had officially announced to contest 36 seats each. While BJP announced tactical support to four independents, Congress party had set aside four seats for Goa Forward (GF) party. However, Congress party ended up fielding 37 candidates, including Joseph Silva from Fatorda seat, which it had supposed to have left for GF mentor Vijai Serdesai.

The overall list of candidates in the fray may come down after the dummy candidates withdraw their nominations. Major parties often file dummy candidates to ensure they do not go unrepresented if the official candidates nomination is rejected for any reason. Lack of a dummy candidate has already cost the Shiv Sena the Pernem seat after nomination papers of its candidate Sangam Bhosle was rejected.

Problem for the two parties are expected to increase if the dummy candidates refuse to withdraw, which is not uncommon in Goa which witnesses a huge number of independents every time elections are held in the coastal state. Victories of five out of 72 independents in fray in 2012 polls, which happens to be the maximum the state has ever elected, is expected to work as incentive for the rebels. The 72 independents had together managed to poll a whopping 16.67 percent of the total votes polled five years ago.

All out pressure and persuasion tactics of the BJP to get Ramesh Tawadkar withdraw from fray as an independent from his home constituency Canacona has failed to bear fruits. Tawadkar was serving as a minister in the outgoing Laxmikant Parsekar government. He along with Anant Shet, Speaker of the outgoing assembly, were only the two lawmakers from among 21 BJP MLAs denied nomination.

While Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is virtually running the BJP show in Goa, managed to persuade Shet not to contest as an independent form his Mayem seat, after promising him a lucrative post in one of the government bodies, Tawadkar has refused to budge. BJP had stated that it took the decision based on two internal surveys conducted by professional agencies which concluded that Tawadkar and Shet had become unpopular among voters and stood no chance to emerging victories, if fielded.

Tawadkar, the thrice BJP MLA is contesting this and says he will prove his popularity by winning the Canacona seat, the lone seat reserved for the Scheduled Tribe in Goa. In their place, the BJP has nominated two turncoats from the ranks of the Congress party -- Vijay Pal Khot and Pravin Zamtye from Canacona and Mayem seats respectively.

The drama being witnessed in the Congress party is of its own making. Silva had filed nominations from the same Fatorda seat on behalf of both the Congress party and Goa Vikas Party. He opted to withdraw his nomination from Goa Vikas Party when the returning officer during scrutiny pointed out that he cannot contest on behalf of both and it may lead to cancellation of his nomination on behalf of both parties. He sought time for an hour and produced Form B, duly signed by the Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro recommending party symbol for him along with a certificate that he indeed was a registered Congress member, following which his nomination was accepted.

Serdesai, who Congress party circles allege had managed to buy the Fatorda seat following a personal deal with a senior party leader in New Delhi, objected to it. By the time Faleiros messenger could reach the returning officers office with the official message withdrawing Form B to Silva, the 3 Oclock deadline had elapsed, giving legs to doubts that it was all pre-planned and enacted at the behest of another faction at the Congress partys central office in New Delhi which was opposed to the understanding with the GF party in four seats.

The Congress party had initially announced its intention to contest all 40 seats without any pre-poll alliance.

The Goa unit of the Congress party now wants GF party to withdraw its candidates in its favour from two seats, namely Saligao and Velim in lieu of Fatorda. Congress party had announced it would not contest Fatorda, Panaji, Porvorim and Siolim seats. Silva has since said that under no circumstances he would withdraw his candidature and the returning officer has said he will remain the official candidate of the Congress party in case he does not withdraw from the fray.

What hold further trouble for the Congress party is the decision of its erstwhile ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to field its candidates on 18 seats on the last day of filing of nominations after the Congress party refused to set aside any seat for it either under alliance or adjustment.

The Congress party was expecting NCP to enter into the fray only from Benaulim seat of former Goa chief minister and political heavyweight Churchil Alemao. Alemao had joined NCP in the run up to the Goa polls. What, however, has surprised the Congress party is the NCPs audacity to field 18 candidates. While it remains to be seen if NCP, unlike 2012 when it had contested seven seats as a junior ally to the Congress party and failed to win any, will manage to open its account this time, there is no doubt that NCP may dent and hurt prospects of the Congress party in at least four constituencies, since the two parties share the common ideology and vote bank.

The All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge for Goa, Digvijaya Singh, who rushed to Goa on Thursday night to manage the tricky situation, is bound to have a tough time in getting Silva and NCP candidates withdraw from the race on Friday.

If the Congress party falters at the hustings, it will have none to blame but itself for dilly-dallying on alliance issue and delaying its list of candidates till the last date.
By Nita Bhalla and Anuradha Nagaraj

NEW DELHI/CHENNAI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Hundreds of women gathered in over 30 towns and cities across India late on Saturday, saying they were "occupying the night streets" to demand safety in public spaces after reports of the mass molestation of women in Bengaluru city on New Year's Eve.From the capital New Delhi to Kolkata in the east, Chennai in the south and Mumbai in the west, activists, students, and professionals gathered at marches and street plays or sang songs and recited poetry on equality for women.The participants, which also included many men, chanted slogans such as "Freedom, Freedom, Freedom!" and held banners saying "Take back the night. Break the silence. End the violence" and "Nobody asks what my molester was wearing." "Since the age of 12, I have never felt comfortable or safe on the streets - day or night, but first time I have ever attended a march like this ," said Anuradha Sinha, 37, a program manager at a e-commerce company."I have a 3-year-old daughter and given the situation we face today in terms of sexual harassment, I don't want my daughter to grow up and endure we have to go through every day. It has to change."The marches coincided with marches being held around the world following U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday, but organisers of the #IWillGoOut campaign said their demands were different from those in other countries.

The campaign in India was launched this month after reports of sexual assaults during celebrations on Dec. 31 in Bengaluru, where several women were allegedly groped and assaulted by a mob in the city's central business district.The state home minister later told television networks "such incidents do happen", while another politician blamed women for following "western culture", dressing inappropriately and staying out late. The attacks, reminiscent of those blamed on migrants in German cities during New Year's Eve celebrations in 2015, shocked many Indians, since Bengaluru, home to many well-educated professionals, is regarded as safer for women than New Delhi.

Sex crimes are common in India, where the National Crime Record Bureau says more than 34,000 rapes were reported in 2015, although women sometimes do not report assaults for fear of the associated social stigma.The fatal gang rape of a woman by six assailants aboard a bus in Delhi in December 2012 sparked global outrage and led to calls for greater protection for women moving around India's cities.While the government has brought in tougher legislation on sexual assault, activists say more could have been done.

At least 30 Indian towns and cities - including Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Puducherry, Lucknow, Pune, Jammu, Dharamsala and Bhopal - held events, with a few hundred participants turning out in each city, said organisers.In Bengaluru, where around 300 people gathered, organisers said most women have experienced being pinched, groped, molested, or faced lewd comments in public -- from travelling on the bus to shopping in the market to walking in the street."I have so many stories of being made to feel uncomfortable in public spaces," said Divya Titus, one of the organisers of the Bengaluru march."Despite a legislation, we still see sexual harassment. I decided enough is enough. We have to stop normalising these events." (Reporting by Nita Bhalla @nitabhalla in Delhi and Anuradha Nagaraj @AnuraNagaraj in Chennai. Additional reporting by Subrata Nagchoudhury in Kolkata. Editing by Astrid Zweynert. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Angeline Ong and Sujata Rao

| DAVOS, Switzerland

DAVOS, Switzerland India's biggest lender by assets, State Bank of India, could tap capital markets next fiscal year to raise up to $1.5 billion, its chief said on Friday, though it first needs to complete a planned merger with its subsidiary banks.In an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Arundhati Bhattacharya also said the lender would look to raise funds from stake sales in its life insurance unit that could list in a year to 18 months, and by paring its holding in UTI Asset Management Co, which is also looking to go public."We do plan to raise some capital. However, this is also dependent on the fact that there is a merger that we are planning to do," said Bhattacharya, 60, who has been at the helm of SBI as its chairman since late 2013.SBI, which is merging its five subsidiary banks with itself and also taking over a small state-run lender for women, previously expected the merger to be completed by March. The deals could now get delayed by a quarter, Bhattacharya said, as banks are still busy replacing withdrawn banknotes after India's sudden move in November to cancel 86 percent of its currency. India's fiscal year starts in April."As long as the merger is not over and done with, it could be difficult to approach the capital markets," Bhattacharya said, adding the lender could look to raise between $1 billion and $1.5 billion from the markets.

SBI last sold shares in January 2014 to raise $1.2 billion. Bhattacharya said activities were "slowly getting back to normal" as effects of the banknote ban subside, although it would still take until the end of February to fully gauge the impact.Bhattacharya hoped recent lending rate cuts by banks including SBI, after they were flush with billions of dollars of deposits following the banknote ban, would help "kickstart" credit growth, which is hovering near two-decade lows.

"We feel that credit growth will pick up ... definitely by the second half of next (fiscal) year we should see substantial pick up," she said.Ratings agency Fitch estimates India's banks will need about $90 billion to meet global Basel III rules which are due to be fully implemented by March 2019.Indian banks face a March deadline from the country's central bank to identify and make provisions for the troubled assets.

But Bhattacharya said: "It's unlikely now to be finished by March 2017, but probably in another quarter or two it should be at least many of the large ones would have found some kind of resolution."BNP Paribas Cardif, SBI's partner in its life insurance arm, was no longer interested in picking up 10 percent more in SBI Life at current valuations, Bhattacharya said. The two sides had been in talks over the stake after India allowed higher foreign holdings in the insurance sector. In separate deals, SBI last month agreed to sell stakes in SBI Life to KKR and Temasek($1 = 68.1400 Indian rupees) (Writing and additional reporting by Devidutta Tripathy in Mumbai; Editing by Mark Potter)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Chennai: The main opposition DMK and other parties, including PMK, welcomed the state government's ordinance that has paved the way for holding jallikattu even as they praised the students' stir describing it as 'revolutionary'.

Animals rights group PETA, on the other hand, said it will study the ordinance.

Winding up a day-long fast here, DMK working chief MK Stalin said, "Our goal is jallikattu must be held. The feelings of Tamils should be respected and our culture should be guarded and that is why we welcome the ordinance at once".

However, ordinance alone was not enough, he said.

Stalin, also the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said "bulls should be removed from the performing animals list and an amendment should be done for it (indicating that the Centre should do it) and that alone can be the permanent solution."

"Not only for this year, in any year, there should be no ban for jallikattu," he said.

"Central government should take back its notification (that banned jallikattu) and pave the way for jallikattu using bulls," he said.

Stalin compared the agitation of students at Marina beach to the anti-Hindi stir spearheaded by students in 1965 and hailed the demonstration as "historic" which, he said, will go down in the pages of history as "Marina Revolution."

He extended his "greetings and congratulations" to the students for their 'historic' stir.

He said breach of conditions laid down by the Supreme Court during the AIADMK regime was the reason for the ban on jallikattu.

Welcoming the ordinance, PMK chief Ramadoss, however, said it did not "appear to be a permanent solution."

"To provide permanent legal protection for jallikattu," he said "Tamil Nadu government should continue to urge the Centre to remove bulls from the list of animals banned to perform by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

I urge the Centre to bring an amendment Bill and pass it in the upcoming Parliamentary session," he said.

MDMK chief Vaiko too hailed the students for their protest and said it led to the ordinance being promulgated and praised the Marina stir as "Marina revolution."

BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan, in a tweet, said, "Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Thank you for bringing out the ordinance on #jallikattu. We Tamilians are grateful for ur support to save our culture."

Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan thanked Modi and his party chief Amit Shah for the ordinance.

PETA said, "We await a draft of the new ordinance and shall study it. Of course the judgement of the Honble Supreme Court of India is still pending and the matter remains sub-judice."

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's quote on the importance of good treatment of animals, it said, PETA India believes that one day all "bloodsports" worldwide will be relegated to the history books, even if that day is not today."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Dehradun to hold the Combined Commanders' Conference in the capital city of poll-bound Uttarakhand. The conference will bring the top commanders of the three forces and senior officers of the government to discuss the security scenario in the country and decide upon the future course of action.

Modi is expected to spend nearly six hours at the conference. However, with the Model Code of Conduct already in place in Uttarakhand, the Election Commission has warned the Ministry of Defence from combining the visit with any media related activities.

The EC had also said, in a letter to the Defence Secretary, that no announcement about serving or retired servicemen be made which can influence voters.

The EC conditions had come after the Indian National Congress complained to the Commission that the Bharatiya Janata Party may use the event to influence former and serving defence personnel to gain an upper hand in the five poll-bound states  Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Punjab and Goa.

According to The Indian Express, "Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat had slammed Modi saying that 'in the pretext of government works the Prime Minister should avoid visiting those states that are going to election. It is not a good tradition.'"

The EC gave "no objection" to holding the conference on Friday at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, however, it said that the dignitaries attending the conference should "observe certain conditions".

"The official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting...no media briefing, media interaction, press release, announcement in connection with serving soldiers or ex-servicemen, which may affect the voters in five poll going states, including Uttarakhand, should be made," it said asking the Defence Secretary to ensure compliance.

The conference is usually held every year and inaugurated by the prime minister, but this is the first time it is being held at the IMA in Dehradun.

With inputs from PTI
The Ukrainian National Security Council Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov during a meeting with the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon has called for an upgrade of the bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

The Ukrainian National Security Council's press service said on Friday that during the meeting the sides discussed Russia's policy in Donbas and the Middle East, as well as the situation in the eastern Ukraine.

"The sides paid a particular attention to the discussion of the reforms of Ukraine's security and defense sector in compliance the NATO standards and deepening of the Ukrainian-British cooperation in the military-technological sector," the press service said.

Turchynov said that Kyiv considers blocking of supplies of lethal arms and technologies of their manufacturing a "strategic mistake." "Because security of Europe depends on Ukraine's defense potential," he said.

He said that UK always supported Ukraine, "and we are grateful for that, but believe it's time for our cooperation to upgrade to a higher level."

Turchynov said that the global situation requires a strict and firm stance on countering terrorism and military aggression without which it is impossible to restore the collective security system.

Fallon, in turn, said that Ukraine is interested in an increase of assistance to Ukraine. He also said that UK's stance on the sanctions pressure on Russia remains unchanged.

He said that the conflict in Ukraine remains under London's scrutiny and UK will continue to support Ukraine on its democratic path in the future.
By Steve Holland

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, succeeding Barack Obama and telling a bitterly divided country he will pursue "America First" policies at home and abroad.As scattered protests erupted elsewhere in Washington, Trump raised his right hand and put his left on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln and repeated a 35-word oath of office from the U.S. Constitution, with U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.Afterward, he stretched his arms wide and hugged his wife, Melania, and other members of his family. Then he turned around to a podium and delivered his inaugural address."This moment is your moment, it belongs to you," Trump told a large crowd that had earlier booed Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader in the U.S. Senate.Revisiting themes from his improbable campaign victory, Trump said his presidency would aim to help struggling middle-class families, build up the U.S. military and strengthen U.S. borders."We are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you," he said."From this day forward a new vision will govern our land," Trump said. "From this day forward it's going to be only America First."The transition from a Democratic president to a Republican took place on the West Front of the domed U.S. Capitol before a crowd of former presidents, dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of people on the grounds of the National Mall. The crowd stretched westward on a cool day of occasional light rain.Trump, 70, takes over a country divided after a savage election campaign. A wealthy New York businessman and former reality TV star, he will set the country on a new, uncertain path at home and abroad.Away from the Capitol, masked activists ran through the streets smashing windows with hammers at a McDonalds restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop and Bobby Vans Grill steakhouse several blocks from the White House.They carried black anarchist flags and signs that said, "Join the resistance, fight back now." Police used pepper spray and chased them down a major avenue, a Reuters eyewitness reported.In another location not far from the White House, protesters also scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at them at outdoor cafe. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate who Trump defeated on Nov 8, attended the ceremony with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter were also present with their wives. Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, 92, was in Houston recovering from pneumonia.

Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, began the day attending a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. Trump, wearing a dark suit and red tie, and Melania Trump, clad in a classic-styled, powder blue ensemble, then headed into the White House for a meeting with Obama and his wife, Michelle.Trump took office with work to do to bolster his image.During a testy transition period since his stunning election win, Trump has repeatedly engaged in Twitter attacks against his critics, so much so that one fellow Republican, Senator John McCain, told CNN that Trump seemed to want to "engage with every windmill that he can find."An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week found only 40 percent of Americans viewed Trump favorably, the lowest rating for an incoming president since Democrat Carter in 1977, and the same percentage approved of how he has handled the transition. (abcn.ws/2jU9w63)TRUMP'S AGENDA

His ascension to the White House, while welcomed by Republicans tired of Obama's eight years in office, raises a host of questions for the United States.

Trump campaigned on a pledge to take the country on a more isolationist, protectionist path and has vowed to impose a 35 percent tariff on goods on imports from U.S. companies that went abroad.His desire for warmer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and threats to cut funding for North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations has allies from Britain to the Baltics worried that the traditional U.S. security umbrella will be diminished.In the Middle East, Trump has said he wants to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at the risk of angering Arabs and stirring international concern. He has yet to sketch out how he plans to carry out a campaign pledge to "knock the hell out of" Islamic State militants.The inaugural festivities may have a more partisan edge than usual, given Trump's scorching campaign and continuing confrontations between him and Democrats over his take-no-prisoners Twitter attacks and pledge to roll back many of Obama's policies.More than 60 Democratic lawmakers planned to stay away from the proceedings to protest Trump, spurred on after he derided U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero of the civil rights movement, for calling him an illegitimate president.Thousands of anti-Trump protesters were expected among the inauguration crowd and many demonstrators will participate in a "Women's March on Washington" on Saturday. Protests are also planned in other cities in the United States and abroad.

Keith Kidwell, chairman of the Republican Party in Beaufort County, North Carolina, was among the crowds on Friday, eager to see the start of the Trump presidency."I cling to my guns and my Bible. I've been waiting a long eight years for this day," said Kidwell, adding he initially supported U.S. Senator Ted Cruz to be the Republican presidential nominee but was now squarely behind Trump.QUICK ACTION

Trump's to-do list has given Republicans hope that, since they also control the U.S. Congress, they can quickly repeal and replace Obama's signature healthcare law, approve sweeping tax reform and roll back many federal regulations they say are stifling the U.S. economy."He's going to inject a shock to the system here almost immediately," Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News.Democrats, in search of firm political footing after the unexpected defeat of Hillary Clinton, are planning to fight him at every turn. They deeply oppose Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric from the campaign trail and plans to build a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Trump's critics have been emboldened to attack his legitimacy because his win came in the Electoral College, which gives smaller states more clout in the outcome. He lost the popular vote to Clinton by about 2.9 million.Trump's critics also point to the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia used hacking and other methods during the campaign to try to tilt the election in the Republican's favor. Trump has acknowledged the finding - denied by Moscow - that Russia was behind the hacking but said it did not affect the outcome of the election.To his critics - including Obama who during the campaign called Trump temperamentally unfit for the White House - his straight talk can be jarring, especially when expressed in tweets. His supporters, many of them working-class whites, see Trump as a refreshingly anti-establishment figure who eschews political correctness. "He's here for the working man" supporter Adam Coletti of Plainfield, Connecticut, said as he headed toward the inauguration. (Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Richard Cowan, Ian Simpson, David Alexander, Susan Heavey, Roberta Rampton, Phil Stewart and Emily Stephenson; Editing by Frances Kerry)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Steve Holland

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Donald Trump took power as the 45th president of the United States on Friday and pledged to pursue "America First" policies in an inaugural address that was a populist, anti-Washington rallying cry.Sketching a bleak vision of a country he said was ravaged by rusted-out factories, crime, gangs and drugs, Trump indirectly blamed his predecessors in the White House for policies that helped the establishment at the expense of struggling families."From this moment on, it's going to be America First," the Republican told hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the grounds of the National Mall after taking the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Four past U.S. presidents, three Democrats and a Republican, sat nearby. Scattered street protests erupted against Trump elsewhere in Washington."Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families," Trump said, describing the country's social and economic ills as "American carnage." Trump, 70, takes over a country divided after a savage election campaign. A wealthy New York businessman and former reality TV star, he will set the country on a new, uncertain path at home and abroad.Trump's inaugural address revisited the themes of the campaign rally speeches that carried him to an improbable victory on Nov. 8 over Democrat Hillary Clinton, who attended the ceremony with her husband, former President Bill Clinton.Under pressure to unite the country after the bitterly fought campaign, Trump said that through allegiance to the United States, "we will rediscover our loyalty to each other" and called for a "new national pride" that would help heal divisions.Abroad, Trump signalled the possibility of a more aggressive approach to Islamic State militants than his immediate predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama."We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones, and united the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth," he said.After repeating the 35-word oath of office, Trump stretched his arms wide and hugged his wife, Melania, and other members of his family. Ceremonial cannon blasts fired.The transition from a Democratic president to a Republican took place before a crowd of former presidents, dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of people on the grounds of the National Mall. The crowd stretched westward on a cool day of occasional light rain.

Away from the Capitol, masked activists ran through the streets smashing windows with hammers at a McDonalds restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop and a steakhouse several blocks from the White House.They carried black anarchist flags and signs that said, "Join the resistance, fight back now." Police used pepper spray and chased them down a major avenue. In another location not far from the White House, protesters also scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminium chairs at them at outdoor cafe. Former presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter were present at the inauguration with their wives. Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, 92, was in Houston recovering from pneumonia.Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, began the day with a prayer service at St. John's Episcopal Church near the White House. Trump took office with work to do to bolster his image.An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week found only 40 percent of Americans viewed him favourably, the lowest rating for an incoming president since Democrat Carter in 1977, and the same percentage approved of how he has handled the transition. (abcn.ws/2jU9w63)

During a testy transition period since his election win, Trump has repeatedly engaged in Twitter attacks against his critics, so much so that one fellow Republican, Senator John McCain, told CNN that Trump seemed to want to "engage with every windmill that he can find."TRUMP'S AGENDA

His ascension to the White House, while welcomed by Republicans tired of Obama's eight years in office, raises a host of questions for the United States. Trump campaigned on a pledge to take the country on a more isolationist, protectionist path and has vowed to impose a 35 percent tariff on goods on imports from U.S. companies that went abroad.His desire for warmer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and threats to cut funding for NATO nations has allies from Britain to the Baltics worried that the traditional U.S. security umbrella will be diminished.

In the Middle East, Trump has said he wants to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at the risk of angering Arabs and stirring international concern. He has yet to sketch out how he plans to carry out a campaign pledge to "knock the hell out of" Islamic State.More than 60 Democratic lawmakers stayed away from the proceedings to protest Trump, spurred on after he derided U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero of the civil rights movement, for calling him an illegitimate president.Many demonstrators are to participate in a "Women's March on Washington" on Saturday. Protests are also planned in other cities in the United States and abroad.QUICK ACTION

Trump's to-do list has given Republicans hope that, since they also control the U.S. Congress, they can quickly repeal and replace Obama's signature healthcare law, approve sweeping tax reform and roll back many federal regulations they say are stifling the U.S. economy."He's going to inject a shock to the system here almost immediately," Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway told Fox News.Democrats, in search of firm political footing after the unexpected defeat of Hillary Clinton, are planning to fight him at every turn. They deeply oppose Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric from the campaign trail and plans to build a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Trump's critics have been emboldened to attack his legitimacy because his win came in the Electoral College, which gives smaller states more clout in the outcome. He lost the popular vote to Clinton by about 2.9 million.Trump's critics also point to the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia used hacking and other methods during the campaign to try to tilt the election in the Republican's favour. Trump has acknowledged the finding - denied by Moscow - that Russia was behind the hacking but said it did not affect the outcome of the election. (Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Richard Cowan, Ian Simpson, David Alexander, Susan Heavey, Roberta Rampton, Phil Stewart and Emily Stephenson; Editing by Frances Kerry and Alistair Bell)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Lucknow: In a setback to the Samajwadi Party (SP), Mulayam Singh Yadav's aide Ambika Chaudhary on Saturday joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), saying he was saddened by the way the SP patriarch was treated by his son and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

I have resigned from SP and all positions related to the party and have dedicated myself completely to BSP now: Ambika Chaudhary #UPpolls pic.twitter.com/Bj1r0j8aFp  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 21, 2017

Chaudhary, who joined the BSP in the presence of party chief Mayawati, has been promised a party ticket from his traditional Phephna seat in Ballia which he had lost in the 2012 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. He later became a member of the Legislative Council.

"I have taken him in the party and he will be given full respect in the BSP at all levels, much more than he was getting in the SP. The party will field him from his old seat in Ballia in the Assembly polls," Mayawati said.

Chaudhary said he has resigned from all posts in the Samajwadi Party.

Referring to the infighting in Mulayam Singh Yadav's clan, he said, "It was not merely an internal matter of a particular party at the time of elections. This political party is in power and has the responsibility to check BJP from coming to power."

But, he said, "the manner in which these developments came to an end...before the Election Commission on 16 January only proved that the intention of the tussle was something other than shielding the secular movement and the downtrodden".

"It is also important that anyone can support or oppose Mulayam Singh politically but the manner in which Akhilesh Yadav and his people behaved with him....and he was rejected, has been deplored in the whole country and I am also very sad because of it," he said.

Chaudhary, who had been a minister in the Mulayam Singh Yadav government, said that he had been in politics for 40 years and in the SP since 25 years.

He thanked Mayawati for giving him a chance "in the decisive" fight against the communal forces.

During the tussle in the SP, Chaudhary was involved in negotiations with Shivpal Singh Yadav for finding a solution.
The Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls is reportedly on the verge of collapse, even as Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azaad and a special emissary of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were holding talks with the SP to thrash out issues.

News agency ANI quoted Samajwadi Party sources to report that the talks for alliance fell through after the parties failed to reach a consensus over a seat-sharing formula. While SP reportedly offered 99 seats to Congress, the latter, that was reduced to just 28 seats in the 2012 Assembly elections, demanded at least 115.

The news agency further reported that with the nomination process ongoing in the state, Congress has already cleared the names of 140 candidates soon after the talks of an alliance failed.

Kareeb kareeb tuth hi gaya hai gathbandhan, UP CM 100 seats de rahe the lekin Cong 120 seat ke niche maan nahi rha tha: Naresh Agrawal, SP pic.twitter.com/BK5ksl4P7j  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 21, 2017

For Congress, this is definitely not good news, and that too at a time when rival parties are claiming the party is nearly done in Uttar Pradesh. In fact, earlier on Saturday, BSP chief Mayawati said that even if Congress manages to pull off the alliance with Samajwadi Party, it won't help the party's situation. Mocking Congress' bid to align with Samajwadi Party for the high-stake assembly polls, the BSP supremo said that it was merely a reflection of the grand old party's political bankruptcy.

However, the Samajwadi Party will not be fazed by this update. The much-touted alliance was being considered as a clever ploy by the party to consolidate the Muslim-Yadav vote bank that has been the secret of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh's success for many years.

Chief minister and national president, Akhilesh Yadav, is to release his party's manifesto on Sunday, said spokesman Rajendra Chowdhary. Earlier, it was supposed to be happening at a joint event between Congress and SP.

Samajwadi Party's Maharastra state unit leader Abu Azmi said SP had given enough space to the Congress and that before seeking more seats, Congress should look at its haisiyat (reality). Raghuraj Pratao Singh aka Raja Bhaiyya, an independent legislator from Kunda in Pratapgarh, also said SP should go it alone.

After meeting the SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Raja Bhaiyya, who is a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav Cabinet, advocated that SP should go it alone in the polls and expressed confidence that the party was in a position to form the next government on its own. "I am very confident that SP under Akhilesh Yadav will romp home again and that there is no need to enter into an alliance with Congress," he said.

The statements are being seen as an indication that the SP leadership was not very keen to tie up with the Congress, though initially the first step was taken by it. Akhilesh, then battling power centres within his party, had said a tie-up with Congress would mean 300-plus seats for the combine.

On Friday, however, things changed dramatically when Samajwadi Party went ahead unilaterally and declared 191 candidates, that included names for seats where the Congress had won in the 2012 Assembly polls. Amid protests from Congress, the chief minister made it clear that they had accommodated enough and there was no possibility of giving them more leg space.

With inputs from IANS
VIENNA An Austrian man suspected of having jihadi contacts was arrested on Friday in Vienna in a move the interior minister said prevented an imminent attack and police urged citizens to report any abandoned bags.Special forces arrested the 18-year-old with a migrant background in a Vienna apartment at around 1700 GMT, police said."The decisive leads came from foreign intelligence services," Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka told reporters.Asked whether the suspect had Islamist motives, he said: "There are certain indications, which we have to investigate. There is one contact which is fairly clearly positioned."

The arrest comes a month after an attack at a Berlin Christmas market killed 12 people and after attacks in France and Belgium raised fears in Europe. Austrian newspaper Krone said a group of radical Islamists of Albanian descent had planned an attack in Vienna between Jan. 15 and 30. It did not specify its sources for the report.

The minister declined to give further details on the suspect but asked people to be vigilant in crowds and to report unattended items of luggage in public places. The arrested man had been monitored by special forces for several days, Sobotka said, adding there were hints the man, who lives in Vienna, had travelled to Germany.

He did not confirm the Krone report saying the suspect had built an explosive device in Germany. (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle and Shadia Nasralla; Editing by Dominic Evans and Janet Lawrence)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Emily Stephenson and Scott Malone

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Large crowds of women, many wearing bright pink knit hats, poured into downtown Washington by bus, train and car on Saturday for a march in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump only a day after the Republican took office.The Washington event was expected to be the largest of a series of marches across the world in cities including Sydney, London, Tokyo and New York to criticize the new president's often angry, populist rhetoric.Trump has angered many liberal Americans with comments seen as demeaning to women, Mexicans and Muslims, and worried some abroad with his inaugural vow on Friday to put "America First" in his decision making.On Friday, the nation's capital was rocked by violent protests against the businessman-turned-politician, with black-clad anti-establishment activists smashing windows, setting vehicles on fire and fighting with riot police who responded with stun grenades. [L1N1FA0LA]The protests illustrated the depth of the anger in a deeply divided country that is still recovering from the scarring 2016 campaign season. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. party."It's important that our rights be respected. People have fought hard for our rights and President Trump has made it clear that he does not respect of them," said Lexi Milani, a 41-year-old restaurant owner from Baltimore, who had ridden down in a bus with 28 friends."I just want people to feel empowered and go home and be active. Call your Congressman, run for office," Milani said. "I don't want people to feel defeated."Washington subway trains and platforms were packed with people. The Metro sent a service alert warning of "system-wide delays due to extremely large crowds." At least one station was closed to new passengers because of the crowds backed up on the platform.The Women's March on Washington, featuring speakers, celebrity appearances and a protest walk along the National Mall, is the brainchild of Hawaiian grandmother Teresa Shook and is intended as an outlet for women and their male supporters to vent their frustration and anxiety over Trump's victory.

Organizers said they expected several hundred thousand people to attend.A disparate lineup of organizations including reproductive health provider Planned Parenthood, gun-control group Moms Demand Action and Emily's List, which promotes female candidates for office, sent large contingents to the event.'IDENTITY POLITICS'

Many participants wore knitted pink cat-eared "pussy" hats, a reference to Trump's claim in the 2005 video that was made public weeks before the election that he grabbed women by the genitals.

Some Republicans have criticized feminist, gay-rights and other activist groups critical of Trump as resorting to a divisive style of "identity politics." Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, a supporter of the marchers, rejected that assertion."It is Donald Trump who singled out Muslims for a Muslim registry. It was Donald Trump who made disparaging comments about women. It was Donald Trump who criticized a judge of Mexican heritage. That's identity politics. We're sending the message that we're all Americans. The march spotlights the fierce opposition Trump faces as he takes office, a period that is typically more of a honeymoon for a new president. A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found Trump had the lowest favorability rating of any incoming president since the 1970s.

Women gave a host of reasons for marching, ranging from inspiring other women to run for office to protesting Trump's plans to repeal the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which among other things requires health insurers to cover birth control.Jesse Carlock, 68, a psychologist from Dayton, Ohio was attending her first protest in decades."Once Mr. Trump was elected, I decided I needed to get active again, and I hadn't been since the 60s and 70s," Carlock said. "I've got to stand up and be counted as against a lot of what President Trump is saying...about healthcare, immigration, reproductive rights, you name it."Women said they hoped to send a unity message to Trump after a campaign in which he said Mexican immigrants were "rapists," discussed banning Muslims from entering the United States, and was revealed to have once bragged about grabbing women by the genitals and kissing them without permission.Trump's team did not respond to a request for comment about the march.Celebrities such as the musicians Janelle Monae and Katy Perry - both of whom supported Clinton in the election - are expected to take part in Saturday's march.The march organizers said they had extensive security plans in place, and would have both visible and hard-to-spot security workers along the route. (Additional reporting by Ian Simpson and and Ginger Gibson; Editing by Leslie Adler and Alistair Bell)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
At noon on January 20, Washington was grim and grey as Donald J Trump took the oath of office to become the 45th President of the United States of America. Trump was in his elements as his countenance and words matched the conditions that prevailed.

His first oration as the new occupant of the White House was a condensed version of the numerous campaign speeches, though shorn of the rambling that marked them; and sharp thanks to a teleprompter.

The message was clear  America First. The worlds leading economy is entering a protectionist phase. It was evident that this was a message meant not just for Americans but for all others, as the first line he delivered referred to "people of the world".

It wasnt a soaring spectacle, as the inaugurations of 2009 and 2013 had been when the former president Barack Obama spoke eloquently of his vision to the thousands gathered at the National Mall. Instead, as Obama watched on, Trump jibed at that rhetoric: "The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action."

Having created a wave of anti-establishmentarianism and anti-elitism, it was hardly surprising that Trump reprised these themes in his inaugural address, as he said, "Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another  but we are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you, the American People. For too long, a small group in our nations Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost." That's your #DrainTheSwamp hashtagged homily right there.

If anyone had been expecting political correctness from Trump, it was as scant as sunlight on this gloomy afternoon. While Obama and his administration had carefully sidestepped those words, Trump referred to the threat of radical Islamic terrorism which he promised, with an inimitably Trump-like flourish, to "eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."

And just as concerns rise over an anti-immigrant sentiment impelling the new Administration, Trump refused to provide any words of succour, instead, at different times, he remarked: "We've defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own"; and "We will bring back our borders." Only the rousing cries of the crowd shouting "Build the Wall" was missing.

It was also a return to the familiar themes of global economic systems sucking wealth and employment out of America; an emotive attack on globalism that had resonated in the Rust Belt states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan during the campaign.

"Buy American and hire American," appears to be the "two simple rules" that will govern the actions of the incoming Trump team.

This will be a far more inward-looking nation as reflected by these words: "Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families." These are matters that demand attention in world capitals including New Delhi, which as it is, is increasingly dependent on trade with the United States, especially as the Narendra Modi government seeks to boost manufacturing with Make in India. What it also means is that Indians seeking employment in America may find work visas more difficult to secure.

Weve heard this trend of thought before; throughout the contentious 2016 campaign cycle and at Trumps acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. But what made this instance more important is that for the first time, this mantra was repeated by an American president.
BANJUL He vowed to rule Gambia for "a billion years".But Yahya Jammeh, who ran the nation of 1.8 million for a generation after seizing power in 1994, was forced out by regional military forces this week after refusing to accept his defeat in a Dec. 1 election.True to his reputation as one of Africa's most unpredictable leaders, Jammeh defied deadlines to leave power but then said on Saturday he was stepping down as West African troops closed in.Jammeh denies allegations of torture and killing opponents while in power. But his rule and a flagging economy saw thousands flee across the Sahara and Mediterranean to Europe each year.Hours before Jammeh's announcement, new President Adama Barrow, who was sworn in in neighbouring Senegal last week, dared not believe that his opponent had finally given in."We are skeptical because he is so unpredictable," Isatou Touray, a senior Barrow aide, told Reuters.The concerted way in which West African leaders rounded on Jammeh after his election defeat showed his isolation, which had worsened as his behaviour grew increasingly bizarre.He claimed to have a herbal cure for AIDS that only worked on Thursdays and advocated slitting the throats of homosexuals. In 2009, he arrested hundreds of people for witchcraft.

CHARM AND TORTURE

In his earlier years, Jammeh showed glimpses of charm and generosity. When celebrating his 48th birthday in Banjul in May 2013 he saw a street hawker selling peanuts with a child strapped to her back. Without hesitating, he sent an aide over with a gift: $1,000 in cash, double the average annual wage."He could change a life in minutes," said his former press secretary, Fatou Camara, who witnessed the incident. "When you are close to him, it is impossible to believe the killings."

Over time, such incidents became rarer as paranoia set in and Gambia morphed into a repressive police state. That showed itself as he reversed course over his election defeat."I am not a coward. My right cannot be intimidated and violated. This is my position. Nobody can deprive me of that victory except the Almighty Allah," he said on Dec. 21 as the diplomatic offensive against him gathered steam.When Jammeh deposed the regime of Dawda Jawara, who had ruled since independence from Britain in 1965, he was welcomed as a fresh start, a quiet man with little education who grew tomatoes and lettuce on his farm.Friends and victims alike say he changed after a coup attempt by a vanguard of the military in 2006.

"He could be very jovial and kind and then lose his temper like a mad dog," said Momodou Sowe, 36, an aide to Jammeh between 2003 to 2012.Musa Saidykhan, then editor-in-chief of The Independent newspaper, was arrested shortly after the coup. His paper had reported Jammeh understated the number of people rounded up.Saidykhan was taken to the National Intelligence Agency, next to one of Banjul's white sand beaches.There, in a room Gambians nicknamed the "Crocodile Hole", agents electrocuted his genitals, beat him with batons, suffocated him with a plastic bag and broke his right hand."They said I write with my right hand and that is what is causing the trouble," he told Reuters. Saidykhan left Gambia after his 22-day ordeal and is now a social worker in the United States.As the economy struggled from lack of investment, Gambians became bolder, expressing dissent even after dozens were arrested for protesting in April and May last year."The fear began to erode," said Jeffrey Smith, from campaign group Vanguard Africa. "People had had enough."

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Peshawar: At least 20 people were killed and over 50 others injured on Saturday in a powerful blast at a crowded vegetable market in north-west Pakistan's restive Kurram Agency, officials said.

The blast took place at the crowded Sabzi Mandi inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.

Initial report suggests that explosives kept in a vegetable crate exploded during the auction of the vegetables, killing 20 people and wounding 50 others, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital where there is a shortage of doctors and medical facilities.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the improvised explosive device (IED) blast took place at 8.50 am in the vegetable market.

"Army and FC Quick Response officials have reached the blast site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters have been flown in for medical evacuation of the injured," it said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the attack and ordered a detailed report regarding the incident.

According to officials, the death toll is expected to rise as the market was crowded due to an early morning rush.

Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.

The attack came days after police killed banned militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) chief Asif Chotu, who was on Pakistan's most wanted terrorist list and carried a bounty of Rs 3,000,000 on his head, near Lahore in Punjab province.

LeJ was founded in 1996 as a militant offshoot of Sipah-i-Sahaba, a Sunni sectarian group that emerged in the mid-1980s. LeJ has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, mostly minority Shia Muslims.

Parachinar has a sizeable Shia population, and in the past, the minority community was targeted through bombings.

In December 2015, a bomb hidden in a bag ripped through a crowded bazaar in a mainly Shia area of the northwestern tribal region, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 30.
Poroshenko congratulates Trump on being sworn in as U.S. president

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has congratulated Donald Trump on having been sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

"Ukraine congratulates Donald Trump on inauguration as 45th U.S. President," Poroshenko said on Twitter on Friday evening.

"Wishing success to fulfill noble goals of leading the free world," he said.

Trump's first term in office started earlier on Friday, after he had been sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.
Lupin warns of more pricing pressure as fourth-quarter profit halves | Reuters By Zeba Siddiqui | MUMBAI MUMBAI Indian drugmaker Lupin Ltd expects to launch over 30 products in the United States this year, but warned revenue growth would remain muted due to growing pricing pressure and competition in the world's largest healthcare market."We've talked about medium single digits of price erosion in the past and I think we are now (seeing) high single digits," Managing Director Nilesh Gupta told Reuters after Lupin reported a quarterly profit that halved from a year earlier.The country's third-largest drugmaker has been working on building a pipeline of high-value complex generic drugs in the United States to offset growing competition in plain generics. But a consolidation among drug distributors has hit generic companies' ability to negotiate on prices, and price hikes have also become harder to justify amid regulatory scrutiny."Competition is increasing and (distributors) are getting more powerful than ever before," Gupta said. The company expects to launch more than 30 drugs this year, most of which would be small to medium-sized opportunities, with bigger, more lucrative launches planned for 2019, he added
VERONA, Italy/BUDAPEST Sixteen people were killed and about 40 were injured when a bus carrying Hungarian students burst into flames on a highway in northern Italy, police and the fire service said on Saturday.The number of victims could rise to 18, "but certainly no more than that", the Hungarian consul in Italy Judit Timaffy told reporters in the city of Verona. The bus went off the road near a highway exit close to Verona overnight. The local highway police chief said it was carrying mostly teenage students, teachers and parents."Many children among the victims of the accident in Verona, a bus catches fire on impact with a pillar," national police said on Twitter. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference that the teenagers were from a Budapest secondary school, returning from their annual ski camp in France.A spokesman for the minister told Reuters the school was the Szinyei Gimnazium. The official passenger list included 54 people, Gabor Toth, director of the school, told national news agency MTI. Toth said there were 36 students on board, some former students, three teachers and the family of one of the teachers.Earlier Szijjarto said there was uncertainty over the exact number of passengers on board and that it was higher than the director of the school had known about.

A physical education teacher, who suffered severe burns, returned to the bus several times to save other passengers and all of the survivors were "well taken care of" with nobody suffering life-threatening conditions, said Timaffy. All of the injured, ten of whom were assessed as "serious", were in a Verona hospital and twelve other passengers, who were "well", were staying in a hotel south of the city, the minister said. Local highway police chief Girolamo Lacquaniti told TV channel SKY TG24 that some people had minor injuries, but others were more serious.

UNCLEAR DYNAMICS

Lacquaniti said the cause of the crash would be investigated: "We are not aware of other vehicles being involved, it seems to have gone off the road of its own accord." The bus had left France around 1630-1700 CET and the two drivers had a shift change approximately an hour before the accident took place, shortly before midnight, said Timaffy. Both drivers were Hungarian, state news agency MTI wrote, quoting an unnamed employee of the bus provider, denying earlier press reports that one was French.

The company employee added that the bus was from German company Setra, had a capacity to seat up to 59 people, was in good condition and that the drivers were experienced. "There was a lot of black smoke coming out of the back of the bus," a truck driver who was driving behind it before it went off the road told SKY TG24. Police released photographs and television footage of the burned-out hulk near a road bridge. The wreckage had been removed from the road by around 0800 GMT."With my prayers, I am with the families and friends shocked by the tragedy," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a statement sent to MTI.Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni called Orban in the morning to express his condolences, the Hungarian government said on its website. (Reporting by Matteo Berlenga in Verona, Sandor Peto in Budapest, Giulia Segreti in Milan; Additional reporting by Stefano Rellandini and Philip Pullella,; Writing by Isla Binnie and Giulia Segreti; Editing by Andrew Bolton)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters, spearheaded by women's rights groups, are set to converge on Washington on Saturday to send a defiant message to America's new president Donald Trump.

The flag-waving crowds who turned out to cheer Trump's inauguration will make way for a coalition of protesters who fear an erosion of women's rights under the new Republican administration.

Powered by social media, the 'Women's March on Washington' aims to draw 200,000 people, illustrating the divisions of a country whose incoming leader faces levels of public mistrust unseen in recent decades.

Trump's inaugural speech on Friday set the tone for his presidency: Proudly populist, fiercely nationalist and determined to break with the legacy of his Democratic predecessor.

His first act in office  signing an executive order aimed at freezing Barack Obama's signature health care law, before it is eventually repealed  was a potent gesture in that direction, with more such actions expected to follow on Monday.

Trump's official schedule for Saturday, his first full day in the world's most powerful job  includes just one engagement, a multi-faith service at Washington National Cathedral at 9:30 am.

But less than 24 hours after entering the White House, he will be faced with a show of force by demonstrators united by a common dread of what his presidency holds in store.

Backed by celebrity participants including Scarlett Johansson and Michael Moore, Saturday's march comes on the heels of a first day of anti-Trump protests marred by sporadic outbreaks of vandalism, with windows smashed downtown and more than 200 people arrested.

Authorities will be on alert for any new flare-up of violence  although the stated goals of the women marchers are resolutely peaceful.

One participant, 37-year-old Jessica Vroman from Sacramento, California, posted a picture of women packing a flight bound for Washington. "It is FULL of women -- all ages, all races -- going to the march. We are singing, high-fiving and taking selfies. This what hope looks like people!" she wrote.

Trump's campaign was marred by sex assault allegations, fat-shaming a former beauty queen and a controversial stance on abortion.

While Trump nonetheless won 42 percent of the women's vote, millions who did not vote for him worry that gender rights and other progress on women's health, contraception and abortion could be chipped away.

"The Women's March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights," organisers said in a statement.

They have not specifically used the term 'anti-Trump' to describe their efforts, but the message is clear.

Bringing together "people of all genders, ages, races, cultures, political affiliations and backgrounds," organisers say the protest march seeks to secure immigrant rights and access to abortion services, among other demands  things which Trump's critics accuse him of wanting to curb.

Dozens of progressive organisations are supporting the event, as well as Amnesty International and Planned Parenthood, the women's health care provider that is a Republican target because of the abortion services it provides.

The marchers secured the right to gather from 10:00 am on the National Mall, the site where Trump was sworn in as America's 45th president, and which his supporters failed to fill to capacity on Friday. The Women's March began with a simple Facebook post from Hawaii grandmother and retired lawyer, Teresa Shook, to about 40 of her friends.

Word traveled quickly, and eventually made it to the pro-Hillary Clinton Facebook group Pantsuit Nation, which has nearly four million members. Nearly 225,000 people have said on Facebook they will attend. Another 250,000 said they were interested.

Women across America have knitted more than 60,000 pink "pussyhats"  with cat ears  for the marchers to wear, in a bid to claim back the derogatory term used by Trump in a hot-mic boast about groping women's genitals.

Though a mass turnout is no guarantee, at least 1,200 buses have asked for parking permits at Washington's RFK Stadium for the protest day  far more than for the inauguration itself.

Some 300 sister marches are being held across the country, from New York to Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle, as well as cities around the world.
NEW YORK The U.S. government has asked South Korea to arrest a brother of former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on charges that he engaged in a bribery scheme to carry out the sale of a Vietnamese building complex, a federal prosecutor said on Friday.During a court hearing in federal court in Manhattan, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Noble said that a request had been made for the arrest of Ban Ki-sang, who was an executive at South Korean construction firm Keangnam Enterprises Co Ltd.

Noble said the United States plans to seek his extradition, "but as of yet, he has not been apprehended."

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York; Editing by Chris Reese)

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It is easy to see why Donald J Trump is such a polarizing figure and one of the least popular US presidents to take the oath of office, but he reminded the world through his inaugural address on Friday just how he made the impossible, possible.

No one took the reality TV star seriously when he announced his intent to run for the most prestigious job on the planet. With an orange mop on his head and outrageous remarks on lips, Trump had looked and played the part of a skirt-chasing, narcissistic, megalomaniac philistine. The real estate magnet was summarily dismissed as a mountebank and yet invited to TV studios so that people may laugh at him while his rivals had to open their purse strings for that kind of publicity. As he put paid to his Republican rivals and ran into Hillary Clinton, not even his own family members perhaps gave him much of a chance.

And yet it was Trump who stood on Capitol Hill swearing on the Bible of Abraham Lincoln as the 45th president of the United States before a stony-faced Clinton who displayed admirable chutzpah in attending her own political funeral. How did this miracle take place? Trump showed it all over again.

There was no grace, grandeur or poetry. No appeal to the better nature of our selves. No political correctness, no beating about the bush, none of the usual niceties. There was not even a perfunctory attempt at mending of bridges, leave alone extending an olive branch to the war-mongering anti-Trump brigade who continued to clash with the police even on Friday. If Trump had run a bulldozer through the template of presidential elections while gunning for the office, he carried that motif even during his inaugural speech.

As the rain beat down on his parade, El Presidente launched a raw, savage attack on the entire American political establishment whose members stood motionless beside him, transfixed in revulsion and perhaps even fascination. This was Trump the Outsider, barging through the gates of White House and skewering the power elite before his followers on the Hill and a world audience beyond it.

But he wasn't just taking on the opposition.

Be it the Republicans or the Democrats, the Trump rapier drove through the heart of Washington's entire power elite. His violent indictment of the cozy power-sharing culture between the political dynasties of the Bushes or the Clintons right before their very noses reminded one of the stunning attack he had launched during a Republican debate before South Carolina primary when he savaged the Bush dynasty in their den by calling Iraq war a "big, fat mistake" and indicated that George W Bush had taken the Mickey out of American public by lying about Saddam Hussein's 'weapons of mass destruction'. It takes balls of steel to pull off such a stunt and Trump showed he has them.

"For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land," he said, as the applause ran through.

Political consultant and author Craig Shirley, who has written on Ronald Reagan, told Washington Post that "this was pure Trump, just a declaration of war against the Washington establishment and President Obama It was not the usual call for togetherness; it was Trumpism, the speech of a businessman  problems and solutions, very utilitarian.

This was more campaign rhetoric than an inaugural address but that was the point. During the campaign, Trump repeatedly presented 'himself' as the solution to all of America's problems. On Friday, he sought to reassure the people that power won't be able to change him because with him in office, it was really the American public who are in White House, not the influential members of the current system. This is an interesting narrative. Even as he became the part of the Establishment, Trump insisted that he will remain an outlier because now the power will be given back to the people.

"We are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the people."

Trump seemed to be quoting Bane from The Dark Knight Rises, where the villain in the Christopher Nolan-directed Batman flick tells Gotham City after a raid: "We take Gotham from the corrupt! The rich! The oppressors of generations who have kept you down with myths of opportunity, and we give it back to you, the people."

There have been a lot of concern about Trump not being able to build his team fast enough before the transition and relying on Obama staff members to fill key administrative posts. Trump, however, indicated that none but he will matter in his establishment. Be it foreign policy, homeland security or policy decisions, he will take the only and final decision in direct consultation with the people.

While pitching for protectionism in all its Great Depression-era glory, Trump vowed: "Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength. I will fight for you with every breath in my body and I will never ever let you down America will start winning again, winning like never before."

There will be time yet to judge him for his words, and how much of the promise will he be able to meet. For now, we must revel in the spectacle that unfolds as a Molotov cocktail is lobbed inside the sanitized precincts of the White House.
By Emily Stephenson and Scott Malone

| WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON Hundreds of thousands of women, many wearing bright pink hats, marched in Washington on Saturday in a mass show of opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump's agenda the day after the Republican businessman-turned-politician took office.The Women's March on Washington was one of a series of street protests throughout the country and the world against the new president's often angry, populist rhetoric.Trump has angered many liberal Americans with comments seen as demeaning to women, Mexicans and Muslims, and worried some abroad with his inaugural vow on Friday to put "America First" in his decision making.The flood of people on Saturday appeared to be larger than the crowds who turned out the day before to witness Trump's inauguration on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Organizers of the protest had told police they expected 200,000 people to attend but the crowd looked bigger than that.It stressed the city's Metro subway system, with riders reporting enormous crowds and some end-of-line stations temporarily turning away riders when parking lots filled and platforms became too crowded.By midday Saturday the protest rally had been peaceful, a sharp contrast to the day before when black-clad anti-establishment activists smashed windows, set vehicles on fire and fought with riot police who responded with stun grenades. The protests illustrated the depth of the anger in a deeply divided country that is still recovering from the scarring 2016 campaign season. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. party.Bonnie Norton, 35, and Jefferson Cole, 36, brought their 19-month-old daughter Maren to the march."We're just disturbed by everything Trump wants to do," Norton said. Cole said he was pleased Friday's violence had not been repeated. Thousands of women took to the streets of Sydney, London, Tokyo and other cities in Europe and Asia in "sister marches" against Trump. Women in U.S. cities also protested on the streets. Although his party now controls both the White House and Congress, Trump faces strong public opposition as he takes office, a period that is typically more of a honeymoon for a new president.

A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found Trump had the lowest favorability rating of any incoming U.S. president since the 1970s. SUBWAYS OVERWHELMED

Many protesters on Saturday wore knitted pink cat-eared "pussyhats," a reference to Trump's claim in the 2005 video that was made public weeks before the election that he grabbed women by the genitals.The Washington march featured speakers, celebrity appearances and a protest walk along the National Mall.In the crowd were well-known figures including Madonna and former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who waved to supporters as his walked his yellow Labrador dog, Ben.

Across town, Trump began his first full day as president at an interfaith prayer service in the Washington National Cathedral. The event is traditionally held the morning after inauguration. He wrote on Twitter on Saturday that "I am honored to serve you, the great American People, as your 45th President of the United States!" but made no mention of the protests. Crowds filled more than six city blocks of Independence Avenue in downtown Washington, with more people spilling into side streets and additional marchers pouring into the area before midday. The Washington Metro subway system sent a service alert warning of "system-wide delays due to extremely large crowds." At least one station temporarily closed to new passengers because of the crowds backed up on the platform.The Metro reported 275,000 rides as of 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) Saturday, 82,000 more than the 193,000 reported at the same time on Friday, the day of Trump's inauguration and eight times normal Saturday volume.Elizabeth Newton, 59, traveled from Lafayette, California, to attend the march and stayed overnight in Baltimore. When she and her friends arrived at a rail station in that city to try to board a train to Washington, they were overwhelmed by the crowds.

"It was all the way around the block and partway around again. It was extraordinary," Newton said. She and her friends instead opted to spend $106 on a Uber ride in to the city. WOMEN'S VOTES

While Clinton won the women's vote overall at last November's presidential election, 54 percent of white women backed Trump. Trump offered few if any olive branches to his opponents in his Friday inauguration speech."He has never seemed particularly concerned about people who oppose him, he almost fights against them instinctively," said Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics.The lawmakers who Trump will rely on to achieve his policy goals including building a wall on the Mexican border and replacing the 2010 healthcare reform law known as "Obamacare" may be more susceptible to the negative public opinion the march illustrates, Levesque said."Members of Congress are very sensitive to the public mood and many of them are down here this week to see him," Levesque said.Jesse Carlock, 68, a psychologist from Dayton, Ohio was attending her first protest in decades."Once Mr. Trump was elected, I decided I needed to get active again, and I hadn't been since the 60s and 70s," Carlock said. "I've got to stand up and be counted as against a lot of what President Trump is saying...about healthcare, immigration, reproductive rights, you name it." (Additional reporting by Jonathan Landay, Ian Simpson and Ginger Gibson; Editing by Alistair Bell)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The Ukrainian Embassy in the United States expects that the bilateral meeting of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and U.S. President Donald Trump will take place at the end of February, 112 Ukraine TV Channel has reported.

"Ukraine would chair the UN Security Council and it is obvious that the president could participate. We will try to propose to the United States to use the opportunity to meet at the bilateral level. This would be absolutely natural, as we have issues we need to discuss in the near future," Ukrainian Ambassador in Washington Valeriy Chaly said.

He said that Ukraine and the United States would focus on three issue pools.

"This is countering actions to Russia's aggression or the security pool The second is the development of reforms in Ukraine: macroeconomic stability. The third is obviously the issues linked to institutional mechanisms," he said.

Earlier Poroshenko in an interview with The Wall Street Journal at the World Economic Forum in Davos expressed hope that he would meet Trump in Washington in February 2017.
The marijuana industry had an incredible 2016, and pro-legalization enthusiasts are hoping that momentum carries over into 2017.

Heading into 2016, there were 23 states that had legalized medical cannabis and four (Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Alaska) that had legalized recreational pot. This in itself was impressive considering that, just two decades prior (1996), California became the first state to legalize any form of marijuana with its Compassionate Use Act for a select few medical patients. In 2017, five additional states wound up legalizing medical cannabis, two of which did so entirely through the legislative process, while residents in four more states (California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada) approved recreational marijuana initiatives.

The expansion of state-level pot represents two key trends. First, we're witnessing a growing favorability toward marijuana from the public. National pollster Gallup found that 60% of Americans supported the idea of legalizing weed nationally in its latest poll, which is an all-time high. By comparison, marijuana's favorability was a mere 25% two decades ago.

We're also seeing a steady influx of investment and revenue into the pot industry. Investment firm Cowen & Co. estimates that the legal marijuana industry is worth about $6 billion at the moment, but that it could grow to become a $50 billion industry by 2026, representing a better than 23% annual rate of return.

But 2017 could prove to be another banner year for marijuana for an entirely different reason. For what would be the first time in the history of marijuana legalization, one state is strongly considering the idea of legalizing recreational pot via the legislative process.

Could this be the year we see a legislative recreational cannabis approval?

As reported by Reuters last week, legislators in Rhode Island are strongly considering bypassing a ballot initiative that would allow residents in the state to vote on recreational marijuana and instead legalizing recreational pot through the legislative process.

Democrats Sen. Joshua Miller and Rep. Scott Slater from Rhode Island are pushing the idea of a legislative approval out of fear of losing potential tax revenue to neighboring Massachusetts, which approved recreational weed in November. The concern of legislators is that consumers will simply drive across the border to Massachusetts, buy marijuana, then bring the product back into Rhode Island, cutting Rhode Island out of a potentially new channel of tax revenue. Gov. Gina Raimondo (D-R.I.) has suggested that she would be open to the idea of a legislative approval of recreational marijuana.

Although no formal proposal has been presented to the state's legislature as of yet, Reuters reports that a recreational marijuana law would apply to adults ages 21 and up, and it would place a cumulative 23% sales tax on consumers at the retail level.

If there is one factor working in Rhode Island's favor, it's that the legislatures of both Massachusetts and Maine will delay the official launch of recreational pot businesses within their respective states. Massachusetts won't launch its recreational pot business until July 2018, with Maine's legislature expected to offer a similar delay. This would presumably give Rhode Island's legislature plenty of time in 2017 to hash out a recreational marijuana bill that could ensure it doesn't lose potential tax revenue to neighboring Massachusetts.

A small step forward in a long journey

If Rhode Island were to make history and become the first state to legalize recreational weed through the legislative process, it would represent a positive step forward for the marijuana industry. Even though Pennsylvania and Ohio both legalized medical cannabis last year through the legislative process, it's the recreational market that holds considerably higher tax revenue and growth potential, and is thus far more intriguing from an investment and legislative standpoint. Rhode Island could open the door for similar legislation from other key states.

However, even if Rhode Island were to become the ninth state to legalize recreational pot, you should understand that this represents just a small step in a very long trek to come for the marijuana industry.

One of the bigger hurdles the industry will contend with in 2017 is the transition in Washington to Donald Trump's administration. President-elect Trump has been a backer of medical marijuana on numerous occasions, though his views on recreational marijuana can aptly be described as "wait-and-see." The bigger potential concern is Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), who has been a strong opponent of marijuana while in the Senate. Even though Sessions noted during his confirmation hearings for Attorney General that he would defer to the president's policy, his long-term views on pot can't be overlooked.

By a similar token, the marijuana industry must also grapple with the reality that pot is unlikely to be rescheduled while Trump is president. Republican lawmakers generally have a more conservative view of cannabis, meaning the inherent disadvantages that the industry has been contending with for decades -- minimal access to basic banking services and an inability to take normal business tax deductions -- are probably going to remain for many more years. That's not exactly great news for investors or pro-legalization enthusiasts who'd like to see the pot industry continue its rapid expansion.

As has been the case for years now, the safest place to be from an investment standpoint is on the sidelines.
Natural gas prices were red-hot last year, jumping 63%. That said, despite the recovery, gas prices were still at their lowest level in nearly two decades, averaging just $2.49 per million Btu for the year, though they did end 2016 more than a dollar higher. Weighing on gas prices were warmer-than-normal temperatures, which pushed residential and commercial gas demand down 7% and 4%, respectively, last year. Nevertheless, demand from other areas, including the power sector, as well as the export market, strengthened. These strengthening markets, combined with the return of more normal weather, could drive gas prices even higher in 2017, potentially making it a great year to invest in high-growth gas producers.

The supply and demand story

Last year U.S. natural gas production declined by 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to an average of 77.5 Bcf/d, marking the first annual decrease in output since 2005. Driving down production was a sharp drop in the number of active gas-drilling rigs, which fell 19% year over year. That was mainly due to producers cutting back investment because of low gas prices at the start of the year. Also contributing to the decline was the reduction of oil-focused drilling due to low oil prices, causing a drop in associated gas production.

However, while both production and demand from residential and commercial customers declined last year, demand elsewhere continued heating up. Natural gas overtook coal as the leading generator of electricity in the U.S. -- contributing 34% of the nation's output compared to 30% for coal -- which drove up gas demand to the power market from 26.3 Bcf/d in 2015 to 27.6 Bcf/d last year. Meanwhile, demand for gas outside the U.S. increased throughout the year so that the country became a net exporter in November for the first time since 1957. The bulk of that gas went south to Mexico, which accounted for 87% of U.S. gas exports. However, the start-up of Cheniere Energy's (LNG -2.98%) Sabine Pass liquefaction terminal in Louisiana began opening up new markets for American gas.

Natural gas exports should continue growing in 2017. One driver is new export pipelines to Mexico. For example, pipeline giant Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) and its partners expect to complete the $1.3 billion Trans-Pecos and Comanche Trail pipelines early this year, which have the capacity to transport 2.5 Bcf/d of gas to Mexico. The Energy Transfer Partners project will connect gas supplies in the Permian Basin to the Mexican border, where it will interconnect with pipelines to take the gas farther south.

Meanwhile, Cheniere Energy has only just begun ramping up its gas export capacity. The company completed construction of its first two liquefaction trains in May and September of last year and started shipping test cargos from both facilities. Those exports should ramp up this year. Meanwhile, Cheniere has two more trains at Sabine Pass nearing completion. As production from these trains ramps up, it will pull more gas from the domestic market.

Three gas stocks that could be big winners in 2017

Natural gas market fundamentals appear to be improving thanks to slipping production and strengthening demand. Those trends bode well for gas prices, which could continue increasing, especially if weather normalizes and drives a rebound in residential and commercial demand. While that rising tide would lift all gas producers, three that stand out from the crowd as having the best ability to capture the upside of an improving gas market are Range Resources (RRC 3.28%), Antero Resources (AR 5.14%), and Rice Energy (NYSE: RICE).

Range Resources made a big bet on natural gas exports last year after spending $4.2 billion to acquire Louisiana-focused gas producer Memorial Resource Development. As a result of that deal, Range Resources sees its gas production rising 33% to 35% this year; 11% to 13% of that growth will come via newly drilled wells. However, the company could accelerate growth this year if gas prices increase because it has ample liquidity to develop its large resource position in Louisiana and the Marcellus shale.

Rice Energy also completed a game-changing acquisition last year, spending $2.7 billion to acquire Vantage Energy. The deal will increase Rice Energy's 2017 production by a remarkable 70% above last year's average. In fact, the company plans to deliver that growth while investing roughly half its capital expenditures budget on building well pads and drilling wells that it will turn into sales in 2018 and beyond. Given its strong balance sheet, the company could pull this production forward and grow even faster next year if gas prices heat up.

Finally, Antero Resources plans to increase gas output by 20% to 25% this year, which puts it on a faster organic pace than the similarly sized Range Resources. Driving Antero's growth are its lucrative positions in the Marcellus and Utica shale, which can earn excellent rates of return at current gas prices. Given those returns, Antero could accelerate its growth rate this year if prices rise and it decides to pull production forward to capture the opportunity to earn even higher returns. Otherwise, the company is on a trajectory to grow gas production by 20% to 22% annually from 2018 to 2020 while living within cash flow at current prices, which shows just how lucrative its asset base is in the present market.

Investor takeaway

Natural gas demand should rise this year thanks in part to increasing gas exports. This improving gas market should push prices higher, which would be a boon for low-cost gas producers Range Resources, Rice Energy, and Antero Resources. All three expect to deliver robust production growth rates this year at current prices, which alone should drive their stocks higher. Meanwhile, there is the potential for even greater returns if gas prices continue to heat up.
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Investors will be closely watching four agricultural megamergers in 2017 totaling some $186 billion. Low grain prices have forced crop protection suppliers and seed and trait developers to cut selling prices in the last two years, as farmers have been forced to make difficult decisions to keep their heads above water. That economic hardship, combined with an oversupplied market, has also led to a historic collapse in fertilizer prices -- taking the share price of leading manufacturers along for the ride.

Management teams explored their options, and in the end eight teams decided that a merger was the best available. Should investors expect each deal to be approved? Are there causes for concern? Let's explore the merits of each proposal.

Merge and split

Who? Dow Chemical Company (DOW) and DuPont (DD) How Much? $59 billion acquisition, combined company worth $130 billion prior to split When Will the Deal Close? Expected first quarter of 2017, approved by U.S. regulators, pending decision by European Union regulators

Why merge: The companies claim that merging will unlock $30 billion in market value, save up to $3 billion in annual costs, and provide up to $1 billion in additional growth synergies. Synergies rarely play out as expected, but this isn't a normal merger. Dow Chemical and DuPont plan to combine their operations, then split as quickly as possible into three companies dedicated to core growth areas: agriculture, material science, and specialty products.

Why the deal will be approved: U.S. regulators have already signed off on the deal, but E.U. regulators have delayed their decision to February 2017. Both companies are optimistic the deal will go through. Actually, both are acting as if the enormous merger is a slam dunk. The plan to split into three "smaller" companies should help to appease regulators, although the smallest business of the trio will have annual sales of $12 billion. Either way, regulators shouldn't have any issues with two of the three splits, which bodes well for approval. But...

Why the deal will be denied: Agriculture. Regulators probably don't care that Dow Chemical and DuPont are merging their agricultural operations, specifically crop protection (pesticides) and seeds and traits products. It's the fact that the top six agricultural technology companies are merging simultaneously that should worry investors banking on approval.

Consider that the DowDuPont agriculture spinoff will have annual sales of $16 billion -- more than Monsanto (MON) has ever had. Regulators worried about consumer and farmer choices being narrowed from six suppliers to just three suppliers could nix this megamerger, or at least the agricultural part of it. Don't forget, regulatory pressure forced Halliburton and Baker Hughes, as well as General Electric and Electrolux, to abandon mergers that would have led to similarly heavily aggregated industries.

China's food security dilemma

Who? ChemChina and Syngenta (NYSE: SYT) How Much? $43 billion acquisition When Will the Deal Close? Approved by U.S. regulators (for now), pending decision by E.U. regulators

Why merge: Food security. China is home to 19% of the world's population, but just 7% of the world's arable land. It has only approved two genetically modified crops, resulting in a technology gap which, together with soil and geographical differences, contribute to 40% lower yields in corn and soybean production compared to the United States. The state-owned ChemChina is looking to skip years of seed and trait R&D by acquiring an industry leader.

Why the deal will be approved: U.S. regulators have signed off on the deal, saying that it doesn't threaten the food security of the United States. The only remaining regulatory hurdle resides in the E.U. (a common theme for these megamergers). There really shouldn't be any sizable objections to approval, except, of course, the fact that the rest of the industry is consolidating at the same time.

Why the deal will be denied: Aside from fears of industrywide consolidation, there aren't many reasons to expect denial. Here's a long shot: In October 2016 news leaked that ChemChina and Sinochem were discussing a possible merger that would create a $100 billion chemical manufacturing giant. There's a slim chance that a merger between the state-owned chemical suppliers will cause U.S. regulators to take a second look at the Syngenta acquisition. But, while state-owned Sinochem operates a fertilizer business, that will likely be separate enough from crop protection and seeds and traits to avoid tripping regulatory alarm bells. We'll see.

Buying the next great GMO

Who? Monsanto and Bayer (BAYR.Y 4.24%) How Much? $57 billion acquisition price ($66 billion including debt), combined company worth $145 billion before potential spinoffs When Will the Deal Close? Expected end of 2017, pending decisions by U.S. and E.U. regulators

Why merge: Monsanto has the best potential for growth and the best portfolio and pipeline of next-generation agriculture products among the big six. That includes the industry's best replacement for Roundup Ready traits, called RoundUp Ready Xtend, which allows crops to tolerate the application of glyphosate and dicamba herbicides. The company owns both the genetic traits and advanced formulations of the combined herbicides. That, combined with a regulatory hiccup in Dow Chemical's competing product, should pave the way for major market share in a multibillion technology ecosystem. Bayer -- and everyone else -- wants Monsanto's pipeline and portfolio.

Why the deal will be approved: Bayer may need to spin off parts of its herbicide business to appease regulators, but Mr. Market isn't so optimistic. While Monsanto shareholders approved the deal in December, shares are still trading 16% below the $128 offer price -- and have never come close since the merger was announced. It's a very public gauge of sentiment, which is pretty sour on approval. However, both companies' CEOs met with President-elect Donald Trump in early January, and are hopeful that business-friendly practices will help gain approval from U.S. regulators sooner than later.

Why the deal will be denied: The bulk of investor pessimism likely stems from concern over regulators' response to industrywide consolidation that includes the two megamergers listed above. It's a real concern -- and how regulators respond to the Dow Chemical-Dupont merger next month will likely set the tone for the remaining deals on the slate. I've been a vocal critic of this deal since rumors first began swirling. I think Monsanto is stronger as a stand-alone company and that the merger is a kneejerk reaction to short-term headwinds, but I don't get a say in the end.

Fertilizer merger of equals

Who? Potash Corp. (POT) and Agrium (NYSE: AGU) How Much? Combined company worth $30 billion When Will the Deal Close? Mid-2017, pending decision by Canadian regulators

Why merge: Synergies and untapped growth potential -- you know, the usual. The biggest takeaway here is that a Potash-Agrium merger would allow each to benefit from the other's strengths. The former is the world's largest fertilizer miner and producer, while the latter is the world's largest retailer, generating 77% of its revenue from retail sales in 2016. Putting the two together could indeed lead to cost and pricing benefits. It's also worth noting that these are two of the three members of the fertilizer cartel known as Canpotex, which could compound their ability to extract value from an expected rebound in agriculture nutrient prices.

Why the deal will be approved: When one Canadian company mergers with another, will anyone raise an objection? The fertilizer industry is very important to the Canadian economy, especially for exports, so regulators there shouldn't have many problems combining the dynamic duo. The merged company will employ 20,000 people in the country -- a number that could increase with fertilizer prices.

Why the deal will be denied: Of the four megamergers listed here, this is the most likely to gain approval.

What does it mean for investors?

One very important angle that investors should consider is how a rapidly changing political landscape, both in the United States and Europe, could affect proposed megamergers. It's generally expected that the U.S. will adopt business-friendly practices that should help grease the wheels for merger and acquisition activity. Importantly, investors will want to watch what occurs when E.U. regulators meet in February to decide the fate of the Dow Chemical merger with DuPont. That decision will likely set the tone for the remaining megamergers in the agricultural industry.
A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan sponsored by employers. You fund the account with money from your paycheck, you can invest that money in the stock market, and you earn some tax perks for participating. That's the basic (and slightly boring) definition of a 401(k). What is a 401(k)? The more interesting angle is what a 401(k) can do for you. The 401(k) is a powerful resource for achieving financial independence, especially when you start using it early in your career. Said another way, if you like money and wish to have more of it in the future, you can use a 401(k) to make that happen. Read on for a closer look at how the 401(k) works, when you can withdraw funds from a 401(k), and what happens to your 401(k) if you change jobs.

How does a 401(k) work? Eligibility to participate in your company 401(k) usually involves a minimum employment period. Many employers allow you to participate in the 401(k) within a month or two of your hire date. The amount you deposit into your 401(k) with each paycheck is calculated from your contribution rate. Your contribution rate is the percentage of your salary you will contribute. Say you make $45,000 annually, or $3,750 gross monthly. A 10% contribution rate would mean you contribute $375 from your monthly paycheck towards this retirement plan. Don't panic if that seems like too much money to carve out of your income. Thanks to the 401(k)'s tax advantages, a $375 paycheck deferral will cost you something less than $375. The contributions from your paycheck are tax-deductible. Known as paycheck deferrals, these amounts are taken from your pay before income taxes are applied. That lowers your taxable income, which, in turn, reduces your income taxes. Some 401(k) plans offer matching contributions, also known as an employer match. These are deposits to your 401(k) account that are funded by your employer -- basically free money. Matching contributions follow a formula that your employer defines. A common structure is for the employer to deposit $0.50 for every $1 you contribute, up to 6% of your salary. Those are just a couple of the rules for 401(k). You also get tax-deferred investment earnings. Normally, you'd owe taxes annually on interest, dividends, and profits earned on investments you've sold. You don't have to worry about any of that in a 401(k). You can make as much as you want on your 401(k) investments and you won't pay taxes until you withdraw funds from the account.

Source: The Motley Fool

How much can I contribute to a 401(k)? Even if you wanted to, you probably cant put all of your paycheck into your 401(k). This is because the IRS sets limits on 401(k) contributions. There are caps on how much you can contribute from your paycheck and on how much you and your employer can contribute in total. The numbers can change from year to year, but the limits for 2021 and 2022 are below. You can normally contribute up to $20,500 ($19,500 in 2021) from your salary to your 401(k). Exceptions apply to highly compensated employees, or HCEs.

If you are 50 or older, you are allowed additional paycheck deferrals of $6,500 per year. These are called catch-up contributions.

Total contributions cannot exceed your pay, or $58,000, whichever is less. Total contributions include your paycheck deferrals, matching contributions, and any other employer-funded contributions.

If you over contribute to your 401(k), make sure to contact your plan administrator.

You can contribute to both a 401(k) and IRA or Roth IRA, but there are certain limitations.

What is a Roth 401(k)? Some 401(k)s allow you to make Roth contributions. A Roth 401(k) contribution has a different tax structure than your standard 401(k) deposit. While the traditional 401(k) contribution is tax-deductible up front and taxable when you withdraw funds, the Roth contribution is the opposite. You get no tax deduction for a Roth contribution, but your withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.

How much should you contribute to your 401(k)? Understand how much you need to save for retirement

Withdrawing from your 401(k) The 401(k) is intended to be a retirement plan, so withdrawals are restricted in your younger years. There are a few exceptions, but most withdrawals before age 59 1/2 come with a 10% penalty. Retirement withdrawals: You can start taking retirement withdrawals once you've reached age 59 1/2. You may be able to begin withdrawals at age 55 without penalty if you no longer work for the company. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. Required minimum distributions: If you don't need the money, you can leave it in the account until you are 72. In the first quarter of the year after you turn 72, the IRS requires you to take taxable withdrawals annually. These are known as required minimum distributions, or RMDs. The amount of your 401(k) RMD for each year is based on your age and your year-end account balance. 401(k) loan: Your plan may allow you to borrow against your 401(k) balance, which would not incur a penalty. You do pay interest on the loan; however, youre paying interest to yourself. And, if you change jobs, you normally must repay the loan by the time your next tax return is due.

401(k) rollovers Your job may not be a keeper, but your 401(k) balance is. If you change jobs, you can take your retirement money with you. Depending on your account balance, your former employer may even require you to take your funds out of the plan. Either way, you'll want to do what's called a 401(k) rollover so you can avoid any taxes or penalties. There are two main types of rollovers: Direct rollover: You ask your plan administrator to send your funds directly to a different retirement account -- either an individual retirement account (IRA) or a 401(k) plan with your new employer. No taxes are withheld from your funds. 60-day rollover: If your old employer sends your 401(k) funds to you directly, you have 60 days to deposit those rollover funds to an IRA or a different 401(k). This gets tricky because your plan will withhold 20% in taxes from the direct payment. But the amount you must deposit in a new account is the full account balance, including the withheld taxes. If you deposit a lesser amount, you will report the difference as taxable income on your next tax return. Here's an example to clarify the 60-day rollover. Say your 401(k) balance is $5,000 when you leave your job. Your employer sends you a check for $4,000, with $1,000 withheld for taxes. You have 60 days to deposit the full $5,000 into another retirement account. If you deposit only the $4,000 you received, you will report $1,000 as taxable income. Youd also owe a 10% penalty if its an early withdrawal.

How to withdrawal from a 401(k) Understand all the ways you can take money out of your 401(k)

401(k) for financial independence in retirement The 401(k) makes it easy to build wealth for retirement. Once you set your preferences, the work of saving and investing happens behind the scenes. Plus, you have tax savings and, possibly, matching contributions that expedite your savings momentum. Here's what it comes down to: The earlier you start contributing to a 401(k), the more you'll get from its benefits and the richer you can be when you retire.

401(k) vs other retirement accounts Compare the 401(k) to other retirement plans:

More Retirement Topics

401(k) FAQs What is a 401(k)? A 401(k) is a type of retirement plan offered by employers. It allows you to save for retirement using pre-tax dollars from your paycheck. Frequently employers will match contributions up to a certain percentage, allowing you to save even more. Then you pay taxes when you withdrawal from the account in retirement. What are 401(k) contribution limits? You may contribute up to $19,500 to a 401(k) in 2021 and $20,500 in 2022, unless you are age 50 or older, in which case you may make an extra catch-up contribution of up to $6,500. These contribution limits can change yearly. What is a Roth 401(k)? A Roth 401k plan is much the same as a traditional 401(k) except contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Roth contributions don't reduce your taxable income for the current year but are distributed tax-free in retirement. More on a 401(k) vs Roth 401(k)
Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, member of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction Refat Chubarov on the 26th anniversary of Crimean referendum repeatedly has urged Ukrainian authorities to initiate amendments to X Section of the Constitution of Ukraine regarding the creation of the Crimean Tatar Autonomous Republic.

"I again call on the Ukrainian president and Ukrainian government to convene the Constitutional commission as soon as possible to start work on amendments to Section X of the Constitution "Autonomous Republic of Crimea." We must make the Autonomous Republic of Crimea the Crimean Tatar Autonomous Republic as an integral part of Ukraine," Chubarov said in Ukrainian parliament on January 20.

He recalled that 26 years ago on January 20 the Crimean referendum was held. It concerned the restoration of the autonomy of Crimea, which was abolished in 1945 in connection to the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people.

"The referendum was held at the beginning of the mass return of Crimean Tatars to their motherland. The Soviet Union and Communist's regime existed. Moscow was concerned about the fact that they would have to restore the Crimean Tatar Autonomous Republic, as deported Crimean Tatars returned to their land," Chubarov said.
Commodities trader and investor TrailStone Group has purchased Cargill Inc's gas and power trading group, three sources familiar with the deal said this week.

The move, first reported by Sparkspread, comes amid a reshuffling in the power and natural gas industry as private equity firms and hedge funds pour into the space, filling a void left by banks and other longtime players.

The banks and others have been pulling back over the past several years as natural gas prices have reached lows not seen in a decade, due to abundant U.S. shale gas and increasingly strict capital requirements and regulations that have pressured banks to reduce their involvement in physical commodities markets.

Swiss-based commodities trader Gunvor Group Ltd this year opened a natural gas trading desk in Connecticut, headed by a former director of natural gas for Freepoint Commodities.

Last September, Hartree Partners lost its head of natural gas trading, and in May, U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs Group Inc snagged Mercuria Energy Trading's head of natural gas and power trading.

TrailStone already had natural gas and power trading operations in the United States. TrailStone did not respond to a request for comment, and Cargill declined to comment.

(Reporting by Catherine Ngai and Liz Hampton in Houston; additional reporting by Scott DiSavino in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Q. How do you make a million dollars?A. Start with two million.

That's an old joke, and it reflects a major loss -- of a million dollars. Most of us have lost some large sums one way or another, but few of us have lost that much. Still, there are actually a bunch of people who have lost billions -- and their stories are not only interesting, but sometimes instructive.

Image source: Getty Images.

What's a billion?

First, though, let's take a moment to appreciate just how significant a billion dollars is. With just a single billion dollars (and many of the people we'll get to soon have made and lost many billions), here's what you could buy:

4,000 houses at $250,000 apiece

1,000 million-dollar homes

20,000 cars that cost $50,000 each

250 yachts that cost $4 million each

10,000 employees who cost $100,000 each for a year

82 CEOs at the recent averageannual salary of $12.2 million for S&P 500 CEOs

All of Sears Holdings at its recent market capitalization

at its recent market capitalization All of Barnes & Noble at its recent market capitalization

at its recent market capitalization All of Weight Watchers International at its recent market capitalization

at its recent market capitalization All of both Eastman Kodak Co. and The Container Store

and Four years of college for 6,250 students at$40,000 per year

167 around-the-world 25-day-long tripsfor 80 people on a private jet

The Baltimore Orioles baseball team

Clearly, a single billion dollars is a lot of money. Here are 10 billionaires who lost all, or close to all, of their vast fortunes:

Bernie Madoff -- he made off with other people's money

Bernie Madoff entered the annals of financial history by swindling many wealthy people out of tens of billions of dollars in the largest Ponzi scheme in history. It's estimated that before he went to prison, sentenced to 150 years, he was worth about$17 billion. Not much remains. The biggest lesson this story offers us is to be very wary of hard-to-believe financial claims or promises.

Eike Batista -- the richest man in Brazil

Eike Batista fell a long way. At his financial height, he was the richest man in Brazil -- a nation with more than 200 million citizens. He made his money largely via Brazilian natural resource companies but also carried a lot of debt. When the businesses crashed, so didhis net worth, falling from an estimated $35 billionto less than $300 million -- that's a drop of more than 99%, by the way. Interestingly, after a priest suggested to him that, "everything he had taken from the sea has to be returned in some way and this could be done by a ritualistic gesture showing gratitude," Batista tossedgold coins worth more than $150,000 into the ocean.

Image source: Getty Images.

Elizabeth Holmes -- bad blood

Elizabeth Holmes was praised in the press for years, as the CEO of Theranos, an exciting start-up that promised to revolutionize medical testing with inexpensive blood tests. Her 50% stake in the company was worth an estimated $4.5 billion at one point -- but Forbes magazine recently listedher net worth at zero. Allegations of fraud brought down Theranos and Holmes, followedby lawsuits and sanctions.

Michael Pearson -- raising prices wasn't enough

If you're familiar with Valeant Pharmaceuticals, you probably know that its stock crashed more than 80% in 2016 amid investigations and criminal charges against at least one former executive. You may not know as much about its former CEO, Michael Pearson. He was a billionairenot so long ago, raking in $182 millionin compensation in 2015 alone. But with Pearson at the helm, Valeant acquired dozens of companies, took on a lot of debt, and hiked prices of many drugs -- a formulathat didn't lead to great success. Pearson, meanwhile, was a billionaire on paper, and made big donations to Duke University with borrowed money

Aubrey McClendon -- brought down by foul play

If the name Aubrey McClendon is familiar, it's because he used to head up the successful Chesapeake Energycompany and its high-flying stock. That stock is downclose to 90% from its peak, though, and with its massive debt load, bankruptcy isn't out of the question, despite a surprisingly profitable third quarter. (Chesapeake's debt soared from $1 billion to $13 billion between 2000 and 2010.) McClendon died in a fiery car crash in March of last year, settingoff speculations of suicide because of his being indicted a day before the crash, chargedwith conspiring to rig bids. More recently, the death was deemed accidental; McClendon did have a historyof driving fast and recklessly. In 2011, McClendon's wealth was estimated at $1.2 billion before Chesapeake's stock imploded. A lesson here is that taking big risks and running up massive debt can be crippling. Even in his personal investments, he usedmargin, investing with borrowed money, and faced margin calls.

Image source: Getty Images.

Vijay Mallya -- the "King of Good Times"

VIjay Mallya isn't a household name in the United States, but he's quite well known in his native India, where he was the wealthiest liquor baron and ownedthe now-out-of-business Kingfisher Airlines, as well. He was reportedly worth around $1.5 billion at one point, but lost his fortune in large part due to massive debts and lavish spending. As authorities were getting close to charging him, he left the country. His passport has since been revoked, he's living in exile, and authorities are attempting to extradite him. Mallya's story reminds us that even when you have gobs of money, it's possible to overspend and that debt can ruin people at all levels.

Patricia Kluge -- sold to Donald Trump

Patricia Kluge made her fortune through marriage, reportedlycollecting $1 billion and an annual $1 million after divorcing Metromedia founder John Werner Kluge, who had been the richest American at one point. That seems like enough money on which to live comfortably for the rest of one's life, but like many investors, Kluge made some badinvestments -- and racked up many millions in debts, too. The key failed investment was a vineyard in Virginia that Donald Trump ended up buying for a small fraction of what she had spent on it. Kluge ended up declaring bankruptcy.

Image source: Getty Images.

Alberto Vilar -- bad investments, and worse

Back before the internet bubble burst, Alberto Vilar and his Amerindo Investment Advisors company had made lots of money investing in young high-tech companies that would soon head south. He was, at one point, estimatedto be worth more than $1 billion. By 2008, though, he had been convictedof multiple counts of fraud and, some time later, sentenced to nine years in prison. A lesson to steer clear of fraud is obvious, but just as important is the lesson to not follow crowds into high-flying stocks without taking the time to determine whether they're overvalued.

Masayoshi Son -- lost $70 billion and still a billionaire

SoftBank, Japan's largest telecom and internet company, was founded by Masayoshi Son, who once had a net worth close to $80 billion. When the internet bubble burst, it sent shares of Softbank down 98% and led to Son losing more than $70 billion -- estimated to be the most money that anyone has ever lost. He's not living in a van down by the river, though. The Forbes listof billionaires recently ranked him as the 82nd richest person, with a net worth near $21 billion. Softbank has a controlling interest in American telecom company Sprint, and is planning to separateits Japanese and international businesses into two companies.

Image source: Getty Images:

Warren Buffett -- giving it all away

Warren Buffett, who has headed the Berkshire Hathawayconglomerate for more than 50 years, has been the world's richest man for a bunch of them. He's currently the third-richest person on earth, with a net worth topping$70 billion. So how did he lose his fortune? By giving just about all of it away. The billionaire pledged in 2006 to give away "morethan 99%" of his fortune, with much of it going to the Gates Foundation. He has reportedly given away more than 30% of his fortune already and gives away several billion annually. Charitable giving is also a win-win move for those of us with smaller fortunes, as there are tax breaks available for us and the recipients can do wonderful things with the donations. Author J.K. Rowling, of the Harry Potter series, is another billionaire whose fortune shrank due to sizable charitable donations. (Significant tax hits in her native United Kingdom also played a part.)

There are valuable life lessons to be learned by paying attention to the successes and failings of people in the news.

The $15,834 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $15,834 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after.Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

Longtime Fool specialistSelena Maranjian, whom you can follow on Twitter, owns shares of Berkshire Hathaway (B shares). The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Berkshire Hathaway (B shares) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool owns shares of The Container Store Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
President Trump could shake up the pharmaceutical world. If he delivers on his promises, it means that Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), one of the biggest of the big pharma companies, is in for some significant changes. How might Pfizer fare in a Trump Administration?

IMAGE SOURCE:DISNEY / ABC TELEVISION GROUP, VIAFLICKR.

Negatives

Most of us like to hear the bad news first, so let's begin by looking at the potential negative impacts to Pfizer under President Trump. Drug pricing has been a hot topic -- and Trump made his views pretty clear. He said thatpharmaceutical companies "are getting away with murder" and pledged to allow Medicare to negotiate pricing with drugmakers.

How would Pfizer be affected if President Trump's proposed change to Medicare's authority becomes reality? Less than you might think. The Medicare 2015 Drug Spending Dashboard, which lists the drugs that the federal healthcare program spent the most on, includes only three of Pfizer's drugs: Lyrica, Prevnar, and Xtandi. (Enbrel is also listed, but Pfizer only received revenue from sales of the drug outside of the U.S. and Canada.)

In 2015, Pfizer received Medicare payments of roughly $2.7 billion for Lyrica and Prevnar. That comprised less than 5.5% of the company's total revenue. Pfizer didn't own Xtandi until it acquired Medivation last year. Medicare shelled out around $791 million for Xtandi in 2015. Medivation's partner Astellasreported U.S. sales of the drug totaled $1.15 billion in 2015. That means that Medicare accounted for roughly two-thirds of the drug's total sales.

It's possible that Pfizer could depend more on Medicare in 2016 and subsequent years with the company's cancer drug Ibrance and newer drugs picking up sales momentum. However, Pfizer probably won't be too badly impacted should Medicare be allowed to negotiate drug prices.

There could also be a potential issue for Pfizer stemming from President Trump's dealings with China. Should the current verbal sparring evolve into retaliatory trade policies, Pfizer would be negatively affected.

Several of Pfizer's products are experiencing strong growth in China, including Lipitor, Norvasc, Celebrex, and Inlyta. These drugs combined for sales of $949 million in the first three quarters of 2016.Pfizer also owns 49% of Chinese drugmakerHisun Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.

Positives

President Trump could help Pfizer in some ways, especially with corporate tax reform. During the presidential campaign, Trump proposed reducing U.S. corporate tax rates from 35% to 15%. He also promoted allowing a one-time repatriation of cash held in other countries at a much lower tax rate of 10%.

Pfizer desperately wants to lower its taxes. The big drugmaker had plans to acquire Allerganlast year to cut its taxes. Pfizer initially intended to merge with Allergan then relocate to Ireland (where Allergan is based) to enjoy the country's much-lower tax rate. However, the U.S. Treasury Department changes rules in an attempt to prevent these kinds of tax inversion deals.Although the potential Allergan merger was abandoned, Pfizer might not have to look for buyouts to improve its tax situation with President Trump in office.

Let's do a back-of-the-napkin-style calculation of the tax benefits Pfizer might receive under President Trump's proposed rate reduction. The company provided guidance for full-year 2016 revenue of at least $52 billion. Using Pfizer's 2015 results, around 44% of its total revenue stems from U.S. sales. That would translate to U.S. federal tax payments of roughly $8 billion on 2016 revenue at the current tax rate.

Under President Trump's proposed corporate tax rate of 15%, Pfizer would only have to pay $3.4 billion or so. That's close to $4.6 billion extra money in one year.

Then there's the repatriation factor. Pfizer's cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments total a little over $14.4 billion. The company has stated in the past that it typically holds up to $10 billion in U.S. tax jurisdictions. That leaves at least $4.4 billion or so parked overseas.If Pfizer could bring much of this money back into the U.S. at a low tax rate, it would be significant.

Overall impact

I think that the overall impact of President Trump's proposals will be positive for Pfizer. Medicare changes could hurt the company somewhat, but not as badly as they will some other drugmakers. Potential trade skirmishes with China could also put a dent in Pfizer's revenue, but how big of a dent is uncertain.

What is clear, though, is that Pfizer stands to benefit tremendously from Trump's corporate tax plans.As Pfizer CFO Frank D'Amelio said at theJ. P. MorganHealthcare Conference, these plans would give the company "huge capital firepower."That's a good adjective to use. Huge.

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Social Security plays a vital role in the financial well-being of many of our nation's seniors. According to national pollster Gallup, around 60% of current retirees who are taking Social Security benefits rely on those benefits in a "major" way each month. A similar question posed to baby boomers, who are in the process of transitioning out of the workforce and will be doing so for at least another decade, showed a relatively similar expected reliance on the income Social Security provides during retirement.

But Social Security isn't without its problems. The program that seniors have leaned so heavily on for decades is expected to burn through its more than $2.8 trillion in spare cash by the year 2034, at least according to the latest predictions from the Social Security Board of Trustees. If Congress can't figure out how to make the program's budgetary shortfall disappear, current and/or future beneficiaries could see their monthly benefit checks cut by up to 21%. It's not exactly a dream scenario with so many retirees and pre-retirees expected to be reliant on Social Security income.

Hands-down the most popular Social Security fix

While there are more than a dozen ways to partially or fully fix Social Security, the one adjustment that a majority of Americans seem to agree on is raising the payroll tax earnings cap.

All American workers pay a 12.4% payroll tax on their wages, with most workers splitting the responsibility of this tax with their employer (6.2% each). In 2016, the payroll tax applied to wages earned between $1 and $118,500. Any wages beyond $118,500 were free and clear of the payroll tax.

Image source: Getty Images.

Whereas most workers are stuck paying into Social Security on every dollar they earn throughout the year, the well-to-do only have to pay into the program on a percentage of their earnings, assuming they earned more than $118,500 in 2016. Raising the payroll tax earnings cap would require the wealthy to pay more into Social Security without having any impact on more than 90% of the workforce, which is already paying into the program with every dollar they earn.

One of the biggest proponents of a payroll tax earnings cap increase was former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. During her campaign, Clinton had called for lifting the payroll tax cap to roughly $250,000. Doing so would have provided a payroll tax moratorium between the current payroll tax earnings cap and $250,000. However, any wages earned beyond $250,000 would once again be hit with the 12.4% payroll tax (or 6.2% if you're employed by someone else).

This hasn't happened in 36 years

As we know, Clinton lost the November election to Donald Trump, so her solution to lift the payroll tax earnings cap was pushed to the wayside. However, it didn't entirely get put out to pasture.

As announced in October, the Social Security Administration made a number of changes to Social Security in 2017, including raising the payroll tax earnings cap from $118,500 in 2016 to $127,200, a 7% increase that'll have well-to-do employees paying an additional $539 into Social Security this year. If this seems like an exceptionally large increase to the payroll tax earnings cap on a percentage basis, you'd be correct. It's the first time since 1981 -- that's 36 years for you math-phobic people -- that the payroll tax cap has jumped by such a large percentage.

Image source: Getty Images.

Why such a large increase? The maximum taxable earnings figure is tied to the National Average Wage Index, which happened to rise 3.6% in 2014 and 3.5% in 2015, the most recent year for which the benchmark is available. However, rules built into Social Security disallow an increase to the maximum taxable earnings when there's no corresponding cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This means in three of the past eight years when there was no COLA, a result of a decline in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), there was also no increase in the maximum taxable earnings.

After the steepest recession in 70 years there has still been minimal wage growth, so even after three years of static maximum taxable earnings, the fourth year saw only a modest increase in wages and maximum taxable earnings. But with the economy clicking on all cylinders at the moment, and the CPI-W declining because of falling oil prices the previous year, the maximum taxable earnings were ripe for a sizable increase.

The bright side is that only 12 million workers, or about 7% of the labor force, will be affected by the increase in the payroll tax cap. For the remaining 161 million workers, the increase has no bearing whatsoever. As long as wage growth continues to impress, there's a good chance that the wealthy will be required to pay a little bit extra into Social Security with each successive year.

More needs to be done

While an increase in the maximum taxable earnings could put a little more pep into Social Security's step in 2017, it's not a long-term fix for the program. In fact, raising the payroll tax earnings cap to say $250,000, or eliminating the cap entirely and taxing all wages, still wouldn't be enough to rid Social Security of its budgetary shortfall. More work is going to be needed beyond just adjusting the payroll tax earnings cap.

Image source: Getty Images.

What else might be in order? According to the "Voice of the People" survey, 79% of registered voters were in favor of raising the full retirement age if it meant preserving Social Security for future generations.

Your full retirement age, which is determined by your birth year, is the age where you become eligible to receive 100% of your benefits. If you claim benefits before reaching your full retirement age, you'll receive less than 100% each month. Conversely, signing up after your full retirement age means a bigger benefit. Adjusting the full retirement age higher to age 68, 69, or even 70, would affect all future retirees by causing them to wait longer to receive their full benefit, or reducing their payout.

Combined with a payroll tax earnings cap increase, this combination of revenue increase and benefit cuts could work in ebbing Social Security's shortfall. However, the final say is up to Congress, and who knows when exactly lawmakers on Capitol Hill will agree on a solution.

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Sean Williamshas no material interest in any companies mentioned in this article. You can follow him on CAPS under the screen nameTMFUltraLong, and check him out on Twitter, where he goes by the handle@TMFUltraLong.The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.
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It's no secret that department stores are having a rough time these days. Comparable sales over the holiday season fell at nearly every major chain, and total sales at department stores dropped 5.6% last year, according to the Census Bureau.

Macy's(NYSE: M) may be the poster child for this declining industry. The company is more than 100 years old, and has flagship stores in the downtown of major cities across the country. It's as synonymous with shopping as any other store.

It has, however, posted declining comparable sales for the last seven quarters in a row, and is on its way to its eighth straight drop. Like its peers, Macy's has been squeezed by e-commerce competitors like Amazon.comon one side and by fast-fashion purveyors like H&Mand Uniqlo on the other.

As part of its restructuring strategy, Macy's announced last year that it would shut down 100 stores, and recently named 68 of them, saying it would lay off 10,000 employees in the process.

But incoming CEO Jeff Gennette revealed an interesting fact about the store closures when he said that the stores the company is closing are still profitable. Gennette explained the reasoning:

As much of the apparel retail industry is seeing, in-store sales are moving online and store traffic dwindling. EvenJ.C. Penney(NYSE: JCP), which remains among the weakest department store chains years after Ron Johnson's gutting of the business, said all but four of its stores are profitable, though it is considering closing stores.

Profitability is not the issue. The trend is.

Playing defense

Macy's move underscores the fact that these businesses remain substantially profitable, but are in retreat as times change. In most industries, a company would attempt to turn around a store with declining volume that was still profitable, but the major department store chains recognize that these shifts are structural as declining retail traffic is not going away.

Macy's also believes that not all of those stores' sales will be lost as some move to other stores and others go online.

But these actions underscore the department stores' biggest problem. This retail format is more than a century-old and came to a rise to give customers a convenient place to shop for items ranging from apparel to jewelry to home goods to gifts. The central purpose department stores served in the pre-internet days is no longer necessary as all of those items can be purchased online or in specialty stores where customers might get better service or better-curated selection.

What it means for retail

While Macy's and other department store chains are seeing e-commerce sales grow by double digits, they are at a disadvantage against another subset of brick-and-mortar retail. The brands of Macy's and other department store chains are directly tied to the brick-and-mortar real estate and the in-store experience since Macy's brand is not associated with an actual product. Competitors likeMichael Kors,L Brands'(NYSE: LB) Victoria's Secret, orLululemontherefore have an advantage as their brand value stems from products rather than stores. That may explain why those types of retailers have fared better in the e-commerce era as they've been able to rapidly build online sales. Victoria's Secret now derives more than 20% of its revenue online, partly as a result of its vibrant catalog business.

Macy's plans to open more off-price Backstage stores within its department stores as well as BlueMercury beauty outlets to help drive traffic. But as it waves the white flag on even profitable stores, it seems like the tide is inevitably turning against the department store concept as a whole.

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Jeremy Bowman owns shares of J.C. Penney. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Millions of reality TV fans can't enough of their favorite food competition shows like "Top Chef," "Chopped," and "Hell's Kitchen."

But Jacques Pepin isn't one of those people.

While promoting new chef-focused episodes of the PBS documentary series American Masters, the celebrated chef and cookbook author slammed culinary cooking shows once again, reports The Wrap.

Cooking is about being together, about love and sharing, Pepin told reporters at the Television Critics Association Press Tour. "That kind of confrontation that you have there is not really how you learn to cook, or how you understand food,

JACQUES PEPIN BLASTS GORDON RAMSAYS HELLS KITCHEN FOR HUMILIATING ASPIRING CHEFS

Pepin, considered one of the first modern TV chefs, rose to fame in the 1980s alongside Julia Child with simple stand-and-stir programs that showcased classic French culinary cooking school techniques. But the times have changed and Pepin says he's distraught over the competitive nature of todays cooking television shows.

Alice Waters, of the organic eatery Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif. (who also appears in the documentary) echoed Pepin's sentiments about the state of modern cooking programs.

Were teaching the kind of fast food values of our country in those competition cooking shows, when in fact cooking really is something that can be very meditative, Waters said.

She added that cooking should never be focused on one-upping others in the kitchen but rather "it's about the pleasure of dealing with real food.

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This isn't the first time Pepin has expressed disdain for the way chefs are portrayed on TV today. Pepin had harsh words for Gordon Ramsay's "Hells Kitchen" in July. In an open letter that appeared on The Daily Meal, the French chef slammed competitive cooking shows for humiliating hard working cooks.

The so-called 'reality' cooking shows are, if anything, totally unreal. A real, well-run professional kitchen has dignity and order, wrote Pepin at the time.

Chefs Flight," which features four master chefs in four episodes under PBS' "American Masters" series premieres in May.
Restaurateur Danny Meyer, who famously ditched gratuities at several of his New York eateries, recently spoke out about the racist roots of tipping, calling the practice "one of the biggest hoaxes ever pulled on an entire culture."

The Shake Shack founder explained on WNYCs "The Sporkful"podcast earlier this month that tipping began in the US just after the Civil War as a way to get around the abolition of slavery.

"The restaurant industry, as well as the Pullman train car industry, successfully petitioned the United States government to make a dispensation for our industries that we would not pay our servers," he said. "But it wasn't considered slavery because we would ask our customers to pay tips and therefore no one could say they were being enslaved."

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"And no surprise, most of the people who were working in service professional jobs and restaurants and in Pullman train cars were African-American,"Meyer continued.

In October 2015, the restaurateur announced that he was beginning to phase out tipping by raising menu prices at his eateries, starting with the posh restaurant The Modern inside the Museum of Modern Art. Since then, he's also eliminated tipping at Gramercy Tavern and Union Square Cafe.

At the time, Meyer said the changes would ensure that back-of-the-house workers made no less than $11 an hour.

This story originally ran on NYPost.com.
One serviceman killed in ATO zone in past 24 hours

One soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was killed in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in the east of the country over past 24 hours, spokesman for the Defense Ministry for ATO matters Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said.

"Last day one Ukrainian soldier was killed, no wounded," he said at a briefing in Kyiv.

Earlier ATO headquartered reported that one serviceman was killed.
The Dominican Republic swore in its new president Thursday with pledges to reduce poverty and improve the Caribbean country's education system.

Danilo Medina said Thursday that he also will expand infrastructure projects from the previous administration, including a subway system, hospitals and roads.

The 60-year-old economist of the Dominican Liberation Party won 51 percent of the vote in May, beating former President Hipolito Mejia. Medina previously ran for the presidency in 2000, when he lost to Mejia.

Between 1990 and 1994, Medina was the president of the Chamber of Deputies in the National Congress where he was instrumental in resolving of the 1994 political impasse.

Medina was twice the Secretary of the Presidency to outgoing President Leonel Fernandez, once during his first term in the late 1990s and the in 2004 during is second term.

Outgoing President Fernandez was constitutionally banned from seeking a third term and departed with a 70 percent approval rating.

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.

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As President Trumps limousine drove the Washington, D.C. parade route on Friday, the Senate was busy at work stocking Trumps Cabinet  though not fully.

Gen. James Mattis was confirmed as Secretary of Defense and Gen. John Kelly was confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security in a pair of Friday evening votes.

Mattis was approved by a vote of 98-1. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., was the lone vote against. Kelly was approved 88-11. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., did not vote on either Kelly or Mattis. Sessions has been nominated to be Attorney General.

Trump signed the commissions for Mattis and Kelly later Friday. Vice President Mike Pence swore in both Generals.

TRUMP OUTLINES NEW VISION FOR AMERICA

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also tried to begin debate on Rep. Mike Pompeos nomination as CIA Director following the Mattis and Kelly votes, but Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., objected. Instead, the Senate was set to begin the Pompeo debate on Monday.

I am pleased by the confirmation votes of Generals Mattis and Kelly," Trump said in a statement. "These uniquely qualified leaders will immediately begin the important work of rebuilding our military, defending our nation and securing our borders. I am proud to have these two American heroes join my administration.

"I call on members of the Senate to fulfill their constitutional obligation and swiftly confirm the remainder of my highly qualified cabinet nominees, so that we can get to work on behalf of the American people without further delay.

Noting the Senate approved seven of former President Obamas Cabinet nominees on the first day of his administration in 2009, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chastised Democrats for refusing to consider confirmation of more of Trumps nominees. McCain said the only difference between 2009 and 2017 is that now weve got a world on fire, citing Syrian refugees and Russias aggressive actions.

We need a new Director of the CIA more than ever, McCain said.

Wyden, however, countered that the Senate would not be Trumps rubber stamp.

Trump earlier Friday signed into law a waiver allowing Mattis to serve as Defense Secretary. The bill passed by Congress last week granted Mattis a one-time exception from federal law barring former U.S. service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military. Mattis, 66, retired from the Marine Corps in 2013 after a 41-year career in uniform.

FORRESTER: 4 LESSONS MATTIS TAUGHT ME

During that same signing ceremony, Trump joked with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer about Pompeos confirmation.

"Mike Pompeo. Great. They tell me he's going to be approved momentarily, but you never know with this place," Trump said.

Schumer retorted: "Depends how you define momentarily  soon."

There was little debate about the confirmation of Kelly, who is widely respected by Democrats and Republicans alike. As the former head of the military's Southern Command, based in South Florida, he routinely worked with the Department of Homeland Security to combat human trafficking and drug smuggling.

Kelly joined the Marine Corps in 1970 and served three tours in Iraq. He was also the highest-ranking officer to lose a child in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, was killed in November 2010 in Afghanistan.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Protesters created havoc across Washington on Inauguration Day, shattering glass storefronts and torching cars but never posing a serious security threat to President Trumps official inaugural ceremonies.

Authorities said 217 people were arrested Friday in the protests and demonstrations, which started before dawn and at one point turned into a full-scale riot.

Most of the damage was inflicted by protesters associated with the group DistruptJ20 that had vowed for weeks to paralyze the city.

Black-clad protestors with their faces covered smashed out the windows of a limousine, then set it afire. They also shattered the class-fronts of a Bank of America, McDonalds and Starbucks, as police officers fired pepper spray to tried to disperse the crowd as it moved from midtown to the Inaugural Parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Metropolitan Police Department Chief Peter Newsham said the destruction started at about 10:30 a.m. and that those arrested were charged with rioting.

He also said that six police officers were injured in clashes with protesters, including three with head injuries. One civilian also was injured, and none of the injuries was life threatening.

Going into today, the goal was to ensure everyone wishing to peacefully exercise their rights had ability do so, said Newsham, who also thanked the federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies from across the country that came to help. Unfortunately, a small group of people have engaged in vandalism and violence against officers. This will not be tolerated.

Newsham also called for calm overnight, as visitors attend inauguration balls throughout the city.

The disruptions started early. Shortly after daybreak, protesters started blocking the roughly 10 security checkpoints to the parade and other official events. But Trumps swearing-in on Capitol Hill and the parade to the White House occurred with no reported problems.

The group Black Lives Matter forced the Secret Service to close one checkpoint after members, just after dawn, started blocked the gates and chaining themselves to fences.

A Kansas couple told FoxNews.com that demonstrators attacked them at the checkpoint.

Celeste Sollars, who said she and her husband came to town from Kansas to see the inauguration, said they were spit on and her husband was put in a chokehold by protesters.

"The cops wouldn't do anything, she said, crying. This is not how it was supposed to be -- assault is not a First Amendment right.

Sollars said she was attacked -- as demonstrators followed through on threats to disrupt President-elect Donald Trumps inaugural ceremonies.

We are here to let people know this presidency is not legit. It goes against hundreds of years of democracy -- black lives matter, BLM DCs Tracye Redd told FoxNews.com.

Among the first to arrive Friday morning was Bill McCann, who planned to join up with Bikers for Trump, after having drove his motorcycle from Fort Worth, Texas.

Ever since Mr. Trump announced his candidacy, Ive supported him 100 percent, said McCann under the light of the Capitol Rotunda, as protesters with the anti-war group Jewish Voice for Peace rallied just blocks away.

McCann spoke under the light of the Capitol Rotunda amid a heavy police presence.

Were here to say that whoever is president, No more war,  said Naomi Dann, of Brooklyn. The incoming president hasnt said whether hes a pacifist, but Im pretty sure hes not.

Dann said her concerns and those of other group members include targeting Muslims and increased surveillance.

A lot of people are angry, she said.

Fox News' Guerin Hays, Jake Gibson, Matthew Dean and Griff Jenkins and FoxNews.coms Brooke Singman contributed to this report.
In his first hours as president Friday, Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to "ease the burden" of ObamaCare while his chief of staff directed an immediate regulatory freeze.

Trump was joined in the Oval Office by Vice President Mike Pence, Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and other top advisers as he signed the executive order on former President Barack Obama's signature health law, which Trump opposed throughout his campaign.

The order, which noted that Trump intends to seek the law's "prompt repeal," directs agencies to "minimize the unwarranted economic and regulatory burdens [of ObamaCare] and prepare to afford the States more flexibility and control to create a more free and open healthcare market." It also tells agencies to waive, defer or delay imposing any ObamaCare provisions that impose fiscal penalties on states, health care providers, families or individuals.



Trump's order also ordered agency heads to "encourage the development of a free and open market in interstate commerce for the offering of healthcare services and health insurance," a key component of Republicans' ObamaCare replacement plan.

Priebus' memo says that agencies shouldn't submit any regulations to be published in the Federal Register unless a Trump-selected agency head approves it. That appears to mean that some regulations that had been approved by Obama's administration would be halted. It also freezes any regulations that are already in the pipeline to be published and allows time for other pending regulations to be reviewed by Trump's administration.



The memo is similar to one that Obama's chief of staff issued the day Obama was inaugurated in 2009.



Trump also signed the commissions for his first two Cabinet appointments. Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly were easily confirmed by the Senate earlier in the day. Both men were formally sworn in by Pence in a hastily arranged ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the vice president's suite of offices is located.

Asked about his first day as president, Trump described it as "busy but good -- a beautiful day."

Most of Trump's first substantive acts as president will wait until Monday, his first full work day at the White House.

Shortly after being sworn in, Trump switched between the official business of governing and the pageantry of his inauguration, making his first official moves as president in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor. Flanked by Pence and congressional leaders before his congressional luncheon, Trump praised each of his Cabinet nominees as he signed the papers formalizing their nominations. He also engaged in banter with his new congressional rivals, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

There were others signs the new government was up and running. Federal websites and agencies immediately began reflecting the transfer of power, and WhiteHouse.gov was revamped for Trump's policy priorities as pages about LGBT rights and the Obama administration's climate change plan were eliminated.



Shortly after Trump became president, the Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended the Obama administration's planned reduction of mortgage insurance premium rates, a move that had been intended to make buying a home more affordable.



More significant policy announcements are expected in the early days of the Trump administration.



Trump's spokesman has said the president intends to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which he views as detrimental to U.S. businesses and workers. He has also promised to renegotiate the two-decades-old Clinton era North American Free Trade Agreement or withdraw from it.



Given Trump's opposition to Obama's immigration actions, he could also cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which has protected about 750,000 young immigrants from deportation. The program also offered those immigrants work permits.

Trump also faces an early choice of naming a Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Trump has said he will announce a nominee in about two weeks.

Other issues poised to receive early action include energy, where Trump is likely to undo regulations on oil drilling and coal, and cybersecurity, where he has already said he will ask for a report on the strength of the nation's cyber defenses within 90 days of taking office.



Fox News' John Roberts and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Former President George H.W. Bush will remain in the hospital for observation for a few more days and his wife, Barbara, could possibly be discharged Sunday, his office said Saturday.

Following another good nights rest, President and Mrs. Bush have both continued to improve over the past 24 hours," his office said. Mrs. Bush could possibly be discharged from Houston Methodist Hospital (Sunday), while President Bush will be remaining in the ICU for observation for a few more days.

The 92-year-old former president is breathing well on his own, his spirits are high and he is looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule, according to his office. He even checked in on his staff by phone Friday night.

Bush was removed from a ventilator Friday and spent the afternoon watching President Trumps inauguration.

FORMER PRESIDENT BUSH'S BREATHING TUBE INDICATES SEVERE PNEUMONIA

The 92-year-old former president was admitted to Houston Methodist's ICU on Wednesday.

The 41st president had been placed in the ICU to address "an acute respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia," spokesman Jim McGrath said.

Bush was first admitted to the hospital Saturday for shortness of breath.

Barbara Bush, who is 91, was admitted to the same hospital Wednesday to rest and treat a cough.

The Bushes just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversery. They have have had the longest marriage of any presidential couple in American history.

FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH HOSPITALIZED FOR SHORTNESS OF BREATH, SPOKESMAN SAYS

Bush became president in 1989 and served for one term. He has a form of Parkinson's disease and uses a motorized scooter or a wheelchair for mobility.

He was hospitalized in 2015 in Maine after breaking a bone in his neck in a fall at his summer home.

He was also spent a week in the hospital in Houston in 2014 for shortness of breath. He spent Christmas 2012 in intensive care for a bronchitis-related cough and other issues.
President Trump is set to meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May at the White House next week, in his first sit-down with a foreign leader since taking office.

A senior White House official confirmed the meeting to Fox News.

Additional details were not available.

Trump was inaugurated Friday as the 45th president. His first actions as president included installing two Cabinet secretaries and issuing an executive order directing agencies to ease the regulatory burden from ObamaCare.
At the last of his whirlwind trio of inaugural ball appearances Friday, President Trump addressed a room full of uniformed military and, via video, soldiers fighting in Afghanistan with a distilled version of the message hed been delivering for the better part of the past two years: Keep fighting. We're going to win.

By the time he took the stage at the Salute to the Armed Services Ball, Trump had been sworn in as president, paraded around Washington, D.C., signed his first executive order and approved the commissions of his first two Cabinet officials  in less than 12 hours. Before the evening was through, he would dance with a U.S. Navy Petty Officer and join Vice President Mike Pence in slicing a towering cake with an equally imposing sword.

I will tell you, Im with you all the way, Trump said to the troops in Afghanistan. You have somebody that is going to be right alongside of you.

TRUMP TELLS AGENCIES TO EASE OBAMACARE BURDEN IN FIRST ORDER

While he exhibited typical Trump bravado in celebratory remarks at the two previous balls  The Liberty Ball and The Freedom Ball  Trumps tone was slightly different for his final crowd, the members of which he is now officially the Commander-in-Chief.

You are special people, you are great, great people, Trump said. I have your back.

Speaking about the hard-fought campaign, Trump said: I did a good job as a messenger. But I am your messenger, just remember that.

One of Trumps biggest applause lines of the evening was his announcement that Gen. James Mad Dog Mattis had been confirmed and sworn in as Secretary of Defense and Gen. John Kelly as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Weve been pushed around by a lot of different people, lots of bad things are happening, Trump said. But I think youre going to see a big improvement, really.

LIVE BLOG: KEEP FIGHTING WE'RE GOING TO WIN

First Lady Melania Trump also spoke for the only time on Friday evening, thanking the troops for their service and saying she was honored to be First Lady. She ended with a line that dovetailed perfectly with her husbands fiery rhetoric.

We will fight. We will win. And we will make America great again, she said.

At the earlier Freedom Ball, Trumps biggest crowd pleaser was a voice poll on whether he should keep tweeting now that hes president. Those in attendance roared with approval.

You know, the enemies keep saying, Oh, thats terrible, Trump said, speaking of members of the media. Its a way of bypassing the dishonest media, right?

Trump also added a new wrinkle to his Make America Great Again slogan.

Ill tell you what, Ive added since Ive got to know some of the people in this country  greater than ever before, he said. It will happen.

The president and First Lady danced twice to cover versions of My Way and, at the Armed Services Ball, to a cover rendition of I Will Always Love You.

But the moments of levity and ease were few and far between.

We are not playing games, Trump said at The Liberty Ball. The work begins.
President Trump visited the CIA on Saturday in a conciliatory bid to end a feud with the intelligence community -- a dispute he suggested was overblown by the media -- while making clear one of his top priorities will be to destroy Islamic State terror groups.

We have to get rid of ISIS. We have no choice. Radical Islamic terrorism, it has to be eradicated, said Trump, on his first full day in the White House and his first official agency stop of his presidency.

Trump's decision to travel to CIA headquarters so quickly after taking office was seen as an attempt at a fresh start with the intelligence agencies he will now rely on for guidance as he makes weighty national security decisions. Following his private meeting with top CIA leaders, Trump said the U.S. had been "restrained" in its efforts to combat terrorism, calling the threat "a level of evil we haven't seen."

Trumps trip across the Potomac River to the agencys headquarters in northern Virginia follows a tumultuous past couple of months in which the U.S. intelligence community has suggested Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 campaign was meant to help Trump beat the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The CIA, FBI and other agencies in the so-called U.S. intelligence community recently issued a report that stated Putin and Russia meddled in the race, though it found no evidence of vote tampering.

However, Trump last week suggested outgoing CIA Director John Brennan may have leaked an unofficial dossier on him containing embarrassing and highly suspect allegations, and compared the situation to living in Nazi Germany.

John Brennan has denied such accusations and said Trump lacks a full understanding of Russian capabilities and the actions the country is taking in the world.

Nobody feels stronger about the intelligence community than Donald Trump, the president said Saturday. I love you. I respect you. Theres nobody whom I respect more. We are going to start winning again."

Trump suggested that the news media, which he has repeatedly argued are dishonest and have treated him unfairly, overplayed his concerns about intelligence officials. He also accused the media of mischaracterizing the size of his inauguration crowds.

California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, slammed Trump for using his CIA visit to squabble over media coverage.

"He will need to do more than use the agency memorial as a backdrop if he wants to earn the respect of the men and women who provide the best intelligence in the world,' Schiff said.

Former CIA Director John Brennan went further. His former aide Nick Shapiro released a statement saying "Brennan is deeply saddened and angered at Donald Trump's despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of CIA's Memorial Wall of Agency heroes. Brennan says that Trump should be ashamed of himself."

We are going to do great things, said Trump, who also tried to reassure the roughly 400 agency employees who assembled at the headquarters that his pick to run the agency now, Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo, would advance the CIA and its mission as the countrys top spy agency.

Before joining Congress, Pompeo was first in his class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, served in the Army and graduated from Harvard Law School.

Everything hes done is a home run, Trump said. People like him. People respect him. You are going to be getting a total star."

Trump said during his winning campaign that President Obama didnt do enough to destroy ISIS, the upstart terror group that emerged in the chaos of the Middle East and has since claimed responsibility for dozens of terror attacks over the past several years that have killed hundreds.

Trump had begun his first full day in the White House by attending the traditional, post-inauguration National Prayer Service.

The roughly one-hour, interfaith service at the Washington National Cathedral included the National Anthem and a Muslim prayer.

Hold fast that which is good, said Bishop Mariann Budde, of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Make no peace with oppression. Strengthen the weak.  Honor all people."

Trump posted on Facebook on Saturday night saying, Thank you for the prayers and continued blessings upon our country during the National Prayer Service this morning.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


President Trump has returned a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to the Oval Office, which had been removed by his predecessor in 2009.

Reporters first noticed that the bust had been placed back in the room on Friday, just as Trump was signing a series of executive orders at the Resolute desk.

Obama had moved the bust to the White House residence during his first few days in office and later installed separate busts of Martin Luther King Jr. and President Lincoln in its place.

A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed last week that Trump had personally asked if England would loan the bust of Churchill to the U.S. once he took office.

Read more on WashingtonExaminer.com
A meeting of non-affiliated deputy Nadia Savchenko with the leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk Republics (DPR and LPR), Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky, was organized by Head of the captive liberation center from the Ukrainian side Volodymyr Ruban.

Ruban gave the information in an interview with Hromadske TV.

"When an occasion recurred I organized the meeting in Minsk [between Savchenko, Zakharchenko and Plotnitsky]," he said, adding that the meeting was not a secret.

Earlier Savchenko confirmed that on December 7, 2016 she was in Minsk where she met with Zakharchenko and Plotnitsky. She said she acted with the agreement of Ukraine's Security Service and her main goal was to resolve the prisoner exchange issue. She said she sees these talks as the need to broaden 'the Minsk format'.

On December 15, 2016, a group of MPs from various factions of the Verkhovna Rada, who are members of the national security and defense parliamentary committee drew up a draft resolution on expulsion of Savchenko from the committee.

The regulations parliamentary committee on January 18, 2017 recommended making a decision on the draft resolution on expulsion of Savchenko from the national security and defense committee via voting in the session hall.
President Trump used his first executive order late Friday to immediately undercut his predecessors signature health care law, ordering federal agencies to ease the regulatory burdens of ObamaCare -- a move that could be aimed at rolling back the laws so-called individual mandate.

The requirement to buy insurance is one of the more unpopular components of the law. Trumps order stated clearly that his policy is to seek the prompt repeal of the Affordable Care Act, but also said his directive to agencies in the meantime is meant to minimize the economic impact of the law.

The order stated that relevant agency heads shall exercise all authority and discretion available to them to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of any provision or requirement of the Act that would impose a fiscal burden on any State or a cost, fee, tax, penalty, or regulatory burden on individuals, families, healthcare providers, health insurers, patients, recipients of healthcare services, purchasers of health insurance, or makers of medical devices, products, or medications.

The language does not specifically cite the individual mandate -- which was at the center of the Supreme Court battle under the Obama administration that ultimately left the law in place -- but was seen as a potential swipe at that provision, among others.

"It's a sign that the Trump administration is looking to unwind the law in every way it can administratively," said Larry Levitt of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan clearinghouse for information and analysis about the health care system.

One distinct possibility is for the government to find new ways to grant exemptions from the law's requirement that people who remain uninsured pay fines, if deemed able to afford coverage. For example, GOP lawmakers in Congress have proposed an exemption for people in areas where only one insurer offers coverage -- currently about a third of U.S. counties.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Saturday that the order indeed appears to target the individual mandate.

The California Democrat, a staunch supporter of the law, warned: When President Trump threatens the individual mandate, he threatens the affordable health coverage of the millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.

It may take weeks or months to discern the full impact of Trump's directive. Departments like Health and Human Services and Treasury will have to issue policies that embody the new president's wishes.

The executive order may not have much impact for 2017, since government rules for this year have already been incorporated into contracts signed with insurance companies.

Leslie Dach, campaign director of the Protect Our Care Coalition, issued a statement saying, "While President Trump may have promised a smooth transition, the Executive Order does the opposite, threatening disruption for health providers and patients." He called the executive order "irresponsible."

Trump made clear he is not unilaterally suspending the Affordable Care Act. It remains on the books, and his directive instructs agencies to act within "the maximum extent permitted by law."

Changing the underlying law would require Congress to act, but the Trump administration can rewrite regulations carrying out the legislation. New regulations cannot be issued overnight, but would have to follow a legally established process that requires public notice and an opportunity for interested parties to comment on the administration's changes.

Trump's order also directed agency heads to "encourage the development of a free and open market in interstate commerce for the offering of healthcare services and health insurance," a key component of Republicans' ObamaCare replacement plan.

Simultaneously, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus directed agencies Friday not to submit any new regulations to be published in the Federal Register unless a Trump-selected agency head approves it. The memo is similar to one that Obama's chief of staff issued the day Obama was inaugurated in 2009.

Most of Trump's first substantive acts as president will wait until Monday, his first full work day at the White House.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Trump began his first full day in the White House by attending the traditional, post-inauguration National Prayer Service on Saturday before visiting the CIA.

The roughly one-hour, interfaith service at the Washington National Cathedral included the National Anthem and a Muslim prayer.

Hold fast that which is good, said Bishop Mariann Budde, of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Make no peace with oppression. Strengthen the weak.  Honor all people."

Trump has wasted no time tackling official business -- signing an executive order just hours after being sworn in Friday to ease ObamaCare provisions.

Though a trip to the CIA might seem to come particularly early, a visit to the countrys top spy agency is of particular interest for Trump, considering the tensions between him and the intelligence community following findings about Russia interfering in the 2016 presidential race, at times allegedly to help his candidacy.

Trump last week suggested that intelligence officials leaked an unofficial dossier on him containing embarrassing and highly suspect allegations, and compared the situation to living in Nazi Germany.

Outgoing CIA Director John Brennan has denied accusations that he leaked the document and suggested last week to Fox News that Trump lacks a full understanding of Russian capabilities and the actions they are taking on the world.

Trump will arrive at the CIA without an agency director.

He appointed Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo, a fellow Republican, to be the new chief, but Senate Democrats on Friday delayed Pompeos confirmation.

The CIA executive director, Meroe Park, is temporarily in charge.

Trumps and Vice President Mike Pence's visit to the Episcopal cathedral -- which over roughly the past 50 years has hosted President Reagans funeral and dozens of other official-Washington events -- also comes with controversy.

Some in the churchs largely liberal congregation have objected to hosting this years prayer service.

Budde recently wrote in blog post that she shares "a sense of outrage at some of the (Trumps) words and actions" but feels an obligation to welcome all people without qualification.

The Saturday service, also attended by the first family and the vice president's family, also included a Navaho Nation blessing and a Jewish prayer.

Also on Friday, Pence administered the oath of office to Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, the first members of Trump's Cabinet to clear Senate confirmation.

Asked about his first day as president, Trump said, "It was busy but good -- a beautiful day."

He also signed a proclamation declaring a national day of patriotism, according to a tweet from White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

Though Trump campaigned on a detailed 18-point plan of things to do on Day One, he backed off some of his promised speed, downplaying the importance of a rapid-fire approach to complex issues that may involve negotiations with Congress or foreign leaders. Trump has said that he expects Monday to be the first big workday, his effective Day One.

There are others signs that Trumps new government is up and running.

Federal websites and agencies immediately began reflecting the transfer of power, and WhiteHouse.gov was revamped for Trump's policy priorities as pages about LGBT rights and the Obama administration's climate change plan were eliminated.

Shortly after Trump became president, the Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended the Obama administration's planned reduction of mortgage insurance premium rates, a move that had been intended to make buying a home more affordable.

More significant policy announcements are expected in the early days of the Trump administration.

Trump's spokesman has said the president intends to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which he views as detrimental to U.S. businesses and workers. He has also promised to renegotiate the two-decades-old Clinton era North American Free Trade Agreement or withdraw from it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The President possesses the bully pulpit.

Political analysts have penned entire dissertations about how an effective president serves as the chief whip in Congress. He makes calls behind the scenes and huddles with key lawmakers to spur movement on key legislative initiatives.

And new to the enterprise is how President Trump disciplined the country in the power of governing via Twitter.

What do lawmakers think about Trumps medium of choice?

I dont want to give the president (sic) advice, Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, recently said. I dont want to be a tweet-ee.

And therein lies the threat -- if it can be called that.

Will lawmakers tremble when Trump threatens to call them out publicly should they not back one of his legislative priorities or support a cabinet or judicial appointment?

The question centers on how much deference lawmakers will grant the president during his first days in office.

Trump enters as one of the most-unpopular presidents in four decades. He lost the popular vote to Democrat Hillary Clinton by nearly 3million votes and failed to even crack 46 percent of the popular vote.

Twenty House Republicans represent districts Clinton carried.

Many congressional Republicans who ultimately supported Trump did so tepidly. Scores climbed on board after he vanquished Clinton. It was not much of a clarion endorsement. Rather, after eight years of President Obama, Republicans in Congress were buoyed by the opportunity of unified government.

With President Trump in the White House, Republicans have the opportunity to detonate ObamaCare, reverse the financial law known as Dodd-Frank and fillet a host of executive orders with which conservatives disagree. The GOP has a willing partner in the White House to perhaps drill deeply into revising the tax code for the first time in more than three decades.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, a fellow, called out Trump on multiple occasions -- even disinviting the GOP nominee from a rally in his home-state of Wisconsin after the appearance of the lewd Access Hollywood tape. But now the speaker stands behind the president foursquare.

A marriage of convenience for politics sake or is this a governing coalition? Unclear. But consider the tone of Ryans words directed at Trump during the campaign, to say nothing of what the president said then about the speaker.

But with these men now holding two of the three Constitutional offices of U.S. government, Ryan would find himself in a nearly untenable position were he to get crossways with the president now.

That could come. But for now, Ryan and most other Republicans, are on the train.

The reasons? Trump enjoyed a moderate Electoral College victory. There was no popular vote mandate. Unsteady support from congressional Republicans. Plus, the entire House and one-third of the Senate faces re-election in two years (only eight of the those seats are held by Republicans.

Experts would argue that only two of those are possibly in play). Still, the potential toxicity of a president often filters down-ballot to members of his own party. Look at the Democrats in 1994 and 2010. Check out the Republicans in 2006.

So how high will congressional Republicans jump when President-elect Trump orders them to jump?

So far, the GOP has hops.

Consider what happened in the hours just before the Congress started on January 3. Rank-and-file House Republicans ignored the advice of Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and decided instead to defang the quasi-official Capitol Hill watchdog known as the Office of Congressional Ethics.

The OCE isnt popular among lawmakers of either party. The office allows outside persons or groups to file ethics complaints against lawmakers -- which are sometimes unfounded and specious. But its bad optics for Congress to enfeeble an ethics steward and undercut potential whistleblowers.

The 115th Congress was due to convene at noon that day. Voting on the new ethics plan would be part of the Houses rules package and constitute one of the first votes of the year.

But that morning, Trump unleashed a Tweet storm, hectoring members of his own party.

With all that Congress has to work on, do they really have to make the weakening of the Independent Ethics Watchdog, as unfair as it ... may be, their number one act and priority? Focus on tax reform, health care and so many other things of far greater importance! #DTS.

At a press briefing that morning, McCarthy told reporters there wasnt a plan to revise the rules package despite a barrage of negative press overnight. But Mr. Trumps badgering seemed to turn the tide. Granted, some lawmakers re-thought the proposal and backed off on their own.

But at 11:50 that morning, a mere ten minutes before the start of the Congress, the GOP yanked the ethics overhaul language from the rules plan.

It was done -- all via the Twitter pulpit.

A few days ago, the president proclaimed, Were going to have insurance for everybody.

Such a pronouncement sent ripples through Capitol Hill, as Republicans scramble to concoct a replacement bill for ObamaCare. The president was careful to mention he didnt envision single-payer. Thats a program in which the government operates the health system.

Some Republicans rushed to spin Trumps line about universal coverage. But still, insuring more people is a goal of most policymakers, regardless of party.

I think its a noble aspiration, said Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas.

The president speaks conceptually, said Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., whos crafting a replacement bill. He believes they can drive down insurance premiums by insuring more people.

Its unclear whether this was just a line from the president, a goal or a command to Congress. And nobody is quite sure how this fits into that still-nebulous ObamaCare replacement bill, floating in the congressional ether.

I understand theyre working on a plan and were eager to see it, Cornyn said.

And then there is a potential jam on tax reform.

Trump fired a shot across the bow of the GOP proposal to craft a border adjustable tax for international business.

Congressional insiders argue that the adjustable border tax could produce $1 trillion in revenue by taxing imports and not exports.

The border adjustable tax provision is essential to Republican tax reform proposals because it would hypothetically fill the federal coffers.

That would fill fiscal vacuums created by the repeal of ObamaCare and offset major new spending on the military and infrastructure. But the president squelched the tax idea as too complex.

I dont love the plan, said he told The Wall Street Journal.

Congressional Republicans argue theres still a way to work out the tax provisions. But thwarting the idea sent congressional Republicans scurrying for new ideas.

Of course, this sort of comment by a president arguing that he isnt in favor of one proposal or another isnt new. Presidents do that all the time to persuade and cajole members to do something else -- and threaten to veto and actually veto bills. But its unknown what powers of persuasion this President brings to the office.

The office. The Oval Office.

Trump certainly exercises his social media bona fides, unleashing blistering attacks on Twitter. But when you become president, the muscles augment with the power of the position.

There is no room in the Western World more intimidating than the Oval Office. Its symbolizes the presidents broad capacities. And when members of Congress are summoned to the Oval Office for a tete-a-tete, a shiver sometimes ripples up their spine.

The most-powerful congressional committee chairman, senior senators and blustery lawmakers cower when beckoned for an audience with the president of the United States in the Oval Office.

Compare that to Twitter?

The president sent his first Tweet from the official @POTUS account Friday afternoon, saying On behalf of my entire family, THANK YOU!

But just moments after Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office, the @POTUS Twitter account flipped to President Trump.

@POTUS hasnt tweeted yet, read the notice at the time.

And lawmakers will watch to see how this goes.
Apple is suing mobile chip maker Qualcomm for $1 billion in a patent fight pitting the iPhone maker against one of its major suppliers.

The 100-page complaint filed Friday in a San Diego federal court depicts Qualcomm as a greedy monopolist abusing its power in a key segment of the mobile chip market to extort royalties for iPhone innovations that have nothing to do with Qualcomm's technology.

For instance, Qualcomm demanded royalties on Apple's fingerprint identification system built into recent models of the iPhone and also for larger storage capacities on the devices, according to the lawsuit.

Qualcomm denied the allegations.

"We welcome the opportunity to have these meritless claims heard in court where we will be entitled to full discovery of Apple's practices and a robust examination of the merits," said Don Rosenberg, Qualcomm's general counsel.

Apple says it has been cooperating with government regulators who have been investigating Qualcomm's business practices, prompting Qualcomm to retaliate by withholding about $1 billion in scheduled payments.

"Qualcomm's recent effort to cover its tracks  by punishing Apple for providing truthful testimony at the request of government regulators  underscores the lengths to which Qualcomm will go to protect its extortion scheme," the lawsuit alleges.

Apple launched its legal attack three days after the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit alleging Qualcomm has been imposing unfair licensing terms on manufacturers.

Besides cooperating with the FTC's investigation, Apple says it has been providing information about its dealings with Qualcomm to regulators in Europe, South Korea and Taiwan.

South Korea regulators last month imposed an $853 million fine on Qualcomm for violating its antitrust laws, a decision that Qualcomm is fighting.

Shares in San Diego-based Qualcomm Inc. fell $1.56, or 2.4 percent, to close Friday at $62.88. Those of Apple Inc., which is based in Cupertino, California, ended up 22 cents at $120.
A Pittsburgh man who laughed while his girlfriend tortured her toddler son by burning him with cigarettes is headed to prison.

A judge gave 26-year-old Enrique (en-REE'-kay) Soto on Thursday a sentence of about three years to about six years behind bars.

Soto and 20-year-old Anna Russell pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, child endangerment and related crimes in October. Russell's sentencing was postponed due to a medical emergency.

Authorities say at least 15 burns were inflicted in August on the now-2-year-old boy and were discovered a week later when his grandmother took him to a hospital.

Police say the boy's then-3-year-old sister told them Russell burned him while Soto watched and laughed.

KDKA-TV reports Soto withdrew his guilty plea in court and asked the judge for mercy.
The Louisiana man authorities say killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend and an off-duty cop police officer has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's spokesman John Fortunato said Saturday that Sylvester Holt died late Friday at University Hospital in New Orleans.

Holt shot himself in the chest earlier Friday after threatening for hours to jump off a New Orleans bridge, authorities said.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said that during the stand-off on the bridge Holt confessed to killing Simone Veal, 32, of Marrero, La., and Westwego Officer Michael Louviere, 26.

Normand said Holt went to Veal's house Friday morning after hearing that she had become pregnant by her current boyfriend.

Witnesses said Holt fired at Veal in her car and then chased her to an intersection where she hit a truck waiting at a light, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's spokesman John Fortunato said.

Louviere, whose shift ended at 6 a.m. Friday, was on his way home after work when he spotted the crash and stopped to help.

Normand said Holt "executed" Louviere with a single shot to the head as the officer tried to render aid to Veal.

Normand said that Holt took a taxi to the bridge, but got out after telling the cab driver that he felt sick and was going to throw up.

Cops closed the bridge from New Orleans' east bank to its west bank, causing traffic to back up for miles.

Authorities said negotiators attempted to talk Holt off a girder below and to the side of the bridge roadway without success.

Holt eventually shot himself at around 5:30 p.m. CT.

Normand said that several women had taken out protective orders against Hold between 2012 and November 2016.

He had also been arrested in September after being accused of rape. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her. Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7.

Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual.

Louviere was described as a dedicated family man with a strong work ethic; he was married and had a 1-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, Fortunato said.

According to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch, he was a rising star likely bound for a job at a larger agency.

"We knew we wouldn't have him for long. We just didn't know he would be gone this soon," Munch said.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, Louviere was a U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan, Munch said. He joined the department in July 2015 and "finished first in everything" in his police academy class of roughly 20 recruits, Munch said.

Munch said he and a doctor broke the news to Louviere's wife at a hospital that her husband had died.

"That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do," the chief said.

The shooting happened outside Visitation of Our Lady School, Archdiocese of New Orleans spokeswoman Sarah Comiskey McDonald said. Veal did not work there, she said in an email. The school teaches pre-kindergarten through seventh grade.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The Latest on President Donald Trump (all times EST):

7:35 a.m.

It's the first full day in office for President Donald Trump  after his first night in the White House.

And first up on his schedule: a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.

For years, the cathedral has hosted such a service for the new president. But this year, some in the largely liberal congregation have objected to hosting it this year.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has written in blog post that she shares "a sense of outrage at some of the president-elect's words and actions"  but that she feels an obligation to welcome all people without qualification.

Later Saturday, Trump is expected to visit the CIA. Trump has been critical of intelligence officials for their assertions about Russian election hacking and about leaks about his briefings in the weeks before he was sworn in.

___

6:10 a.m.

The Kremlin is hoping for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration, but also warning that differences will remain.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman tells Russian state television that it would be an "illusion" to expect that U.S.-Russian relations would be free of disagreements.

Dmitry Peskov notes the intricacy of nuclear arms control and the complexity of the situation in Syria among other challenges.

Trump's victory has elated Russian political elites amid bitter tensions with Washington over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections.

Peskov says "successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue."

He says Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.
A suspect in a shooting at the University of Washington surrendered to police, according to reports Saturday.

The shooting Friday left a 32-year-old man in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, police said.

The victim was in a crowd protesting a campus event featuring far-right commentator Milo Yiannopoulos.

Shooting suspect still at large, search continues. Red Square event has ended, people have left. Info: https://t.co/ycyGn0x4OM  UW Alert (@uwalert) January 21, 2017

Police said the victim underwent surgery after suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Seattle Police reported that the person of interest in the shooting later turned himself into the University of Washington police for questioning.

Police had described the suspect as an Asian male in his 50s wearing glasses, a yellow cap and a black jacket, Q13 Fox reported.

Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg said the shooting victim was admitted to the hospital around 9 p.m.

People marching against President Trump's inauguratuion joined the Yiannopoulos demonstration at the University of Washington just prior to the shooting. Yiannopoulos writes for right-wing Breitbart News and is known for leading a harassment campaign that resulted in a lifetime ban from Twitter.

One witness told KOMO News that the victim was trying to keep the peace during the protest.

Before the shooting protestors threw bricks and paint balloons at cops police who responded with pepper spray.

The shooting took place near Kane Hall, KOMO reported.

The school's president, Ana Mari Cauce issued a statement.

"I am absolutely heartbroken that someone was shot on our campus during tonights protest," she said. "I have been very proud of our students who, to the best of my knowledge, acted with restraint, whether they were planning to attend the event or protest it peacefully. It is an outrage that anyone would resort to violence in the middle of this otherwise peaceful protest."

Brietbart reported that the shooting occurred after the speech had already started. Yiannopoulos insisted on continuing after learning about the shooting.

The police have told me that it is indeed the case. We dont really have a protocol for this. I dont know if it was a fatality or not. Until I do know that, my suggestion is that the show should go on. If I stopped my event now, we are sending a clear message that they can stop our events by killing people. I am not prepared to do that, he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
A tornado ripped through parts of southern Mississippi early Saturday morning reportedly killing at least four people and leaving in its wake a trail of destroyed homes, collapsed buildings and other residents trapped in their homes.

The city of Hattiesburg said via its Twitter account that four people had died after the twister blew through the city and surrounding area.

Mayor Johnny DuPree has signed an emergency declaration for the city, which reported "significant injuries" and structural damage.

The National Weather Service issued a warning at around 3:45 a.m. that a tornado had touched down in Hattiesburg, located about 91 miles southwest of Jackson.

To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, the statement read. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

Greg Flynn of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said rescuers are still searching the stricken area for more possible victims.

Cars had been flipped over, sometimes piled on top of each other while parts of houses were ripped into shards of wood and debris.

More photos of extensive damage in downtown Hattiesburg. #mswx pic.twitter.com/heeVfZ5XZy  Ryan Moore (@RyanMooreMS) January 21, 2017

Once tall trees were ripped from their roots and thrown across roads.

William Carey University in Hattiesburg tweeted there was damage to their dorms and several minor injuries reported.

"There are some minor injuries," said Mia Overton, William Carey public relations coordinator, told WDAM-TV. "Officials are working to ensure students are safe and accounted for. There is damage to most buildings on campus including cars and a home across campus is damaged."

The three counties affected are Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties. Flash flood warnings were also in effect for northern Forrest and Lamar counties, as well as southeastern Jones and Marion counties.

The National Weather Service said three to five inches of rain have already fallen, raising the risk of flooding. More rain  one to two inches  is possible.

The Mississippi Highway Patrol is reporting Interstate 59 north of Hattiesburg is closed due to debris. Downed power lines and debris have been reported over a wide area. The public is asked to avoid travelling.

The Associated press contributed to this report.
Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Hrytsak has said that SBU has prevented an assassination attempt on a Ukrainian deputy and Russian intelligence agencies were involved in it.

"Yesterday in Kyiv an assassination attempt on of a deputy was prevented," Hrytsak said at a briefing in Kyiv on Saturday.

He said that Russian intelligence agencies were involved in it.

Hrytsak also said that two persons were detained. They are suspected of committing this crime. They were reporting to their curator in Russia.

He said that painstaking preparations for committing the crime were made.

As for the mode how to commit the assassination attempt, he said that it would have been committed using a self-made explosive device: two options  to install it under a car or to explode it when the car is running.

The delinquents were working out an escape to Russia after committing the crime, Hrytsak said.
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It is a massively popular book form that originated in Japan where it became a cultural phenomenon. Now manga comics are flourishing in Algeria as well.

"The Algerian manga is our trademark," said Salim Brahimi proudly. "It's what we call the DZ manga."

Brahimi is the founder of Z-Link, Algeria's first publisher of manga comics. And Z-Link's manga are 100 percent Algerian, from the drawings to the text.

Published in French, colloquial Arabic and soon in north Africa's Berber language, DZ manga has put a distinctly local stamp on a major Japanese product.

And the comics are flying off the shelves.

"We are printing 3,000 copies per title," said Kamal Bahloul, Z-Link's representative at a book festival in the eastern city of Tizi Ouzou.

"In 2008, 40 percent of our print run was sold against 70 percent today," he added.

Since its launch in 2007, Z-Link has been increasing its catalogue -- and its staff.

"When we started this adventure there were just two of us," said Bahloul. "Now we have nearly 30 employees. We are growing five percent on average every year."

In 2008, a year after Brahimi co-founded Z-Link, he launched a key weapon in its marketing armoury: Laabstore magazine, a monthly review of Algeria's burgeoning manga, cinema and video games scene.

Laabstore runs extracts from the work of up-and-coming manga writers -- and of course also serves as a successful shop window for Z-Link's own titles, with its print run having risen from 2,000 to 10,000 copies in five years.

Japan's manga, a sometimes lurid style of comic strip, cover a wide range of themes and are massively popular both at home and abroad.

The Algerian version respects the basic ingredients of sharp humour, suspense and a hyperactive artistic style, but the scripts also add the crucial local flavour.

"The stories we deal with are typically Algerian scenes," said 28-year-old Sid Ali Oudjiane, a manga writer whose "Victory Road" series -- featuring a schoolboy's quest for sporting glory -- has already won him three national awards.

DZ's catalogue includes a variety of genres -- and claims plenty of young talent, both male and female.

"The Revolution", published in 2012 to mark the 50th anniversary of Algeria's independence from France, is one of a string of titles from 18-year-old Fella Matougui.

Problems in the desert

And one of the first major successes of the local manga scene was "Samy Kun" by Yacine Haddad, about a teenager who gets mixed up in the problems of the Algerian Sahara.

But as well as the different subject matter explored by the writers, the artists have sought to break away from the purely Japanese style by bringing distinctive local touches to their work.

Despite its success, however, Algeria's DZ manga is often more of a passion to pursue than a way of earning a living -- even for the award-winning Oudjiane.

"I work on manga on the side. I can only devote my free time to it, at the weekends and at night," he said.

Likewise for manga author Amir Cheriti, whose day job is as a graphic artist in an advertising agency.

"For us, it is still for pleasure," he said.

Algeria's DZ manga has had its own special billing at prestigious industry events, including two international book fairs in the French cities of Angouleme and Montpellier.

But surely the greatest recognition so far has come from the manga Mecca itself.

This year, Japan's Kyoto International Manga Museum acquired several Algerian works, "not just to be exhibited, but also for research", said Z-Link founder Brahimi.

The influence of the Algerian brand is also attracting attention in the United States, where it is the subject of a doctoral thesis at Philadelphia University.

And there is growing interest from companies seeking to harness its marketing potential.

"Firms like Sonelgaz and Panasonic have called us about advertising illustrations," said Bahloul.

At the Tizi Ouzou book fair, Z-Link is busily raising manga's "Made in Algeria" profile, with Oudjiane displaying his skills to a group of inspired young festival-goers at one workshop.

"In 20 or 30 years, young Algerians will all have mangas and comics on their bookshelves," said Bahloul, predicting the continuation of trend that few would bet against right now.
Both have miles of white sand beaches surrounded by crystal-clear blue seas and are gently rocked by calming Caribbean breezes.

One, however, has been a major vacation destination for tourists from the United States for decades, while the other has been closed to anyone holding an American passport for over 50 years and is just starting to open up to U.S. travelers.

As the U.S. moves to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba  a change that has many adventurous Americans salivating at the opportunity to travel to the so-called pearl of the Antilles  hotel owners and tourism officials on the nearby Dominican Republic are warily watching the events to see how it will affect the travel industry in their country.

"We are closely monitoring the process," Simon Suarez, the president of the Dominican Hotel and Restaurant Association told Fox News Latino. "We can already see that there will be an effect on the Dominican Republic because of the demand by Americans who want to go to Cuba."

With the normalization of relations between Washington and Havana creeping forward, U.S. citizens actually freely traveling to Cuba for vacation purposes may be a long way away, but that doesn't mean that Americans aren't trying to get down there.

We run head to head in the sun and sand departments with Cuba...But the Cuban charm that is something we have to compete with.  Simon Suarez, the president of the Dominican Hotel and Restaurant Association

When CheapAir.com became the first major booking site to offer flights to Cuba (albeit with some caveats) the company received 10,000 search requests for flights to Cuba in the first two hours they were offered. Cheapflights.com, another search site, also saw a spike in interest in Cuba immediately after Obama announced an easing of travel and trade restrictions, with the island jumping to fourth on the list of most searched Caribbean destinations, behind Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Michael Zuccato, of California-based Cuba Travel Services, told Fortune Magazine recently that he expects his business to increase 50 percent to 200 percent over the next several years and Michael Sykes, founder of Cuba Cultural Travel, has already made moves to sure up around 10,000 rooms in anticipation of increased visits from the U.S.

While there may not be an easy route yet for Americans to get to Havana, some U.S. citizens could get there by using one of the 12 legal reasons  including visiting family, professional research, attending educational or religious activities or participating in performances, exhibitions or competitions  and then enjoy some R&R on the side.

"There's an ongoing and growing interest in Cuba," said Emily Fisher, the head of North American Communications for Cheapflights.com, to Fox News Latino earlier this month. "The people who are interested in going are interested in getting a snapshot of Cuba before it changes."

This idea of Cuba  the beat-up 1950s Chevrolets, crumbling post-colonial architecture and anti-imperialist propaganda  poses a bigger threat to the Dominican tourism industry trying to attract U.S. visitors than its neighbor's beaches and weather. For decades, U.S. travelers have been denied these iconic, Cold War-era relics and now many want to see them for themselves before outside investment turns the island into a more traditional tourist destination like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the slew of other islands dotting the Caribbean basin.

"We run head to head in the sun and sand departments with Cuba," Suarez said. "But the Cuban charm that is something we have to compete with."

Cuban charm  or Cuban decay, depending on who you ask - may be a major attraction to some American travelers, but Dominican hoteliers and travel businesses are betting that in the long run their well-founded tourism sector, value and easy access to a number of major U.S. metropolitan areas will win out over the exoticism that Cuba offers.

Dominican destinations like Punta Cana, La Romana and Samana  home to some of the country's most well-known all-inclusive resorts  all offer the modern amenities and luxuries lacking in many parts of Cuba. Even with the opening up of Cuban to foreign investors from countries like Spain and Russia  and soon possibly the U.S.  experts in the Dominican Republic say it will take years for Cuba to catch up with their country in terms of these luxury amenities.

"The Dominican Republic today has better suited infrastructure for the U.S. market, particularly related to five-star resorts," Alex Zozaya, the CEO of Apple Leisure Group, the largest U.S. tour operator in the Caribbean. "It will take a few years for Cuba to catch up with the infrastructure, but it will happen as the opportunity is there."

Still, Zozaya admitted that "Cuba has all the ingredients to be a great destination for Americans as it has been for years for the European, Canadian and Latin American market."

The opening of Cuba to U.S. tourists  whenever that happens  is certainly on the minds of the Dominican tourism sector, but until that actually occurs most local travel experts seem secure in their country's place as the leader of tourism in the Caribbean.

Cuba in 2014, with only the U.S. restricting travel to the island, saw 3 million foreigners visit the island, while the Dominican Republic recorded more than 5 million visitors, which helped the $61 billion countrys economy expand 7.1 percent last year -- compared to Cuba's 0.8 economic expansion.

"We are not concerned that there is something in Cuba that we cannot compete with, either in the short term or in the long term," Suarez said. "The Dominican Republic exceeds Cuba's performance in almost every aspect of the market."
Bolivian authorities are concerned that the increasing demand for jaguar teeth in China is threatening the lives of the jungle cat.

According to a recent report by the Bolivian Environment Forum, authorities in the Andean nation seized 800 jaguar teeth between 2014 and 2016  putting the number of jaguars killed around 200 or around the same number as during the 1980s when hunting the large felines was still legal.

Over the last 30 years a campaign to stop the poaching of jaguars has been hugely successful in Bolivia. But animal rights activists says they have seen the tide change as more and more Chinese nationals visit areas like the Madidi and Pilon Lajas natural reserves.

"When tourism was growing and raising people's awareness regarding laws and preservation, there were very few cases, activist Daniel Manzaneda said, according to Insight Crime. "But since the Chinese came they've been killing them by the dozen, as well as ocelots, snakes and who knows what other species."

The teeth are used to make gold jewelry. But in traditional Chinese medicine it is also used as a cure for ailments like rheumatism. One Chinese citizen was arrested in Bolivia in May after he bought a radio announcement in the Rurrenabaque municipality offering to buy jaguar teeth for $100 apiece.

The illegal poaching of jaguars is exacerbated by remoteness of their habitats and the large size of the reserves. The Madidi and Pilon Lajas natural reserves consist of an area that is more than 98,000 acres and yet there are only 12 park rangers employed to patrol the region.

Adding to the difficulties is the fact that the trafficking routes that lead out of the reserves go through a veritable no-mans land near the border with Peru.

"Brazilian mafiosos and Peruvians enter and traffic as they please, a local police officer said. Now we're also seeing Chinese people, I don't know if they're competition or if they have agreements."

Experts say that the revelation of Chinese smugglers hunting for jaguar teeth in Bolivia is just the latest sign of organized crime groups from the Asian nation becoming involved in wildlife trafficking in Latin America as the demand for exotic food and other goods grows in their home nation.

Earlier this year, Mexican federal agencies stepped up patrols and monitoring in the Upper Gulf of California to protect the Gulf of California harbor porpoise, a rare marine mammal known in Mexico as the "vaquita" (sea cow), and fight trafficking of the totoaba, an endangered fish species that is highly prized in China.

The United Nations and other international bodies have pressured China to crack down on wildlife trafficking and Beijing has responded with a successful ad campaign that has reduced the consumption of some endangered species, but groups like the World Wildlife Fund still say trafficking to the country is rampant.

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U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is the elephant in the Congress Center here at Davos. Foreign leaders are hotly debating what the President will be like, and what it will mean for them. There is trepidation. But also sufficient willingness to let Trump work his role.

Specifically, there is curiosity about a Trump tilt toward Russia, which would be a major geopolitical shift. One former world leader, referencing Trump's desire to somehow get through to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said he too had had a few "moments of madness" thinking at one time that he could win President Vladimir Putin over. That leader, speaking off-the-record, urged caution, but added that you need to try your best to work with the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, Emma Marcegaglia, Chairman of Italy's energy giant ENI, said Europeans would generally be pleased to see Russia come in from the cold if it meant they would be back on normal trading terms, as many countries have a long history and big deals with Moscow. She did throw an interesting twist into the debate.

"If Trump decided to have his most important interlocutor be Russia and not Europe, this will be a bad thing. This is possible. There is a strange situation in Europe where people are asking, 'is all this serious, or not?'"

The man sometimes called Trump's Valerie Jarett, Anthony Scaramucci, was asked why the President-elect seems so hot to trot for Putin, when Russia is hardly an economic superpower.

"My personal view is that there is one nation on the planet that can take out the United States in 35 minutes," he said. "So, whatever you think about [Russia's] economic power, it's the largest land mass nation, stretching between Europe and Asia. It has a different culture to Europe and Asia. They are a very proud people." Scaramucci went on to say that the new administration faced basically two choices: trying to find common ground with Moscow or sticking to the status quo in relations. The latter option, in Scaramucci's mind, is not so great for the world.

The head of Russia's Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev, was also positive about bilateral relations going forward. He said, "We are quite optimistic about our communications with the Trump Administration. We believe they treat Russia with respect."

Hedge Fund Manager Bill Browder, the biggest foreign investor in Russia in the days after the end of the Soviet Union, has an entirely different take on dealing with the Kremlin. He claims hundreds of millions of tax dollars he paid to the Russian government were stolen by corrupt officials. Browder's lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, was thrown in prison where he died in 2009 at the age of 37 after having allegedly been beaten and denied medical attention. No one has been punished for any of this.

Browder has managed to get 40 people he claims were involved in fraud and Magnitsky's murder sanctioned by Congress, under something called the Magnitsky Act. Their assets are frozen and they cannot travel to the U.S. Browder managed widen the net  the Global Magnitsky Act passed last month. It allows the U.S. to sanction fraudsters and human rights abusers anywhere in the world. Browder does not believe the pressure should be off Russia.

"If Donald Trump wants to lift sanctions, he is going to make a grave mistake, which will cost American lives in the end," Browder said. "It will give Putin free rein to start conflicts in other countries that we will be dragged into."

Browder doesn't think Putin wants to occupy these countries, but he does want to manipulate them "so he can control their financial flows, their law enforcement and their politics, so they become vassal states to Russia. He wants to widen the reign of his kleptocracy and he doesn't want all these righteous Westerners interfering."

But Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov warned the crowds at Davos that the world's big, intractable problems, such as international terrorism, cannot be solved without contribution from and collaboration with Russia.

And Anthony Scaramucci explained why it might be time for a less punitive approach to Russia. He said, "I don't know if you've noticed, but sanctions have had a positive political effect on President Putin. His popularity went up because Russians would eat snow in the winter in their bare feet to survive. That's their culture."
A man suspected of planning a bomb attack in Vienna has been arrested by special forces, Austrian media has reported.

The Austrian authorities had been warned about a possible attack by foreign intelligence services, a Vienna police spokesman, Thomas Keiblinger, told news agency APA.

He said: "There were growing indications of a planned attack in the capital in the past few days."

The suspect was detained at an apartment in Vienna at around 6 p.m. local time (noon ET), Mr Keiblinger said.

He added: "The man has been in custody... There are still lots of things to clear up."

The number of officers on the streets has been increased, while police have also warned people to be alert and tell them if they see any suspicious items.

Police refused to comment on a report from the Kronen-Zeitung newspaper that the suspect had built explosives in Germany.

The newspaper also claimed the man belonged to an Islamist group which originated in Albania, and which held sympathies with Islamic State (ISIS).

Click for more from Sky News.


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Emergency crews have extracted four more survivors from the rubble of a hotel crushed by an avalanche and are searching for more as family members await word if their relatives are among the lucky ones to get out.

Firefighter spokesman Alberto Maiolo says so far rescue teams have located 11 people alive, including the four who were pulled out overnight.

In addition, four bodies have been recovered.

The survivors include all four children who were in the Hotel Rigopiano in central Italy's snow-covered Gran Sasso mountain range when the avalanche struck Wednesday afternoon.
As Italy looks for fresh ways to cope with the hundreds of thousands of migrants bottled up in the country, one solution is rising to the top of the agenda: deportation.

The pressure on Rome to ease its migration problem is growing after the country saw a record 180,000 migrants arrive by boat last year, bringing the total of seaborne arrivals to about half a million since the start of 2014. The revelation that the Tunisian man accused of a deadly attack on a Berlin Christmas market had evaded an Italian expulsion order also has given Italy new impetus to toughen its stance.

In response, the new government of Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni is set to unveil plans Wednesday to open 16 new detention centers throughout the country to hold migrants who receive expulsion orders, enabling Rome to raise the number of forced repatriations. They are also ordering police to intensify efforts to find illegal migrants.

Italy also plans to curtail the number of appeals migrants can lodge when their applications are denied and create special sections within the court system to process the appeals more quickly.

Severe measures in dealing with illegal immigration allow us to be stronger in helping with integration, said Interior Minister Marco Minniti this month.

Click for more from The Wall Street Journal
A bomb exploded Saturday in a market in a northwest tribal region that borders Afghanistan, killing 22 people and wounding at least 50, officials said.

Dr. Sabir Hussain at the main hospital in Parachinar, the capital of Pakistan's Kurram tribal region, said two more wounded victims died in the hospital, increasing the death toll.

Shahid Khan, an assistant tribal administrator, said the explosion took place when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop. He said the attack was being investigated.

Lashker-e-Jhangvi, a banned sectarian militant group that has attacked minority Shiites Muslims in the past, claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing took place in a predominantly Shiite area of Kurram, which has seen attack by Sunni militants who have hideouts there. Shiites are a minority in Pakistan.

"That was our combined work with Shahryar group of Mahsud Taliban," Ali Sufyan, a spokesman for the banned group, wrote in a text message to an AP reporter.

Kurram has been the scene of increased militant activities in recent years and the Army carried out a massive operation against extremists in the region but they still have the capacity to strike.

Khan said some of the wounded were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Hospitals in tribal regions and rural areas of Pakistan typically are not equipped to handle such emergencies.

Khan said the number of wounded increased but they include those who sustained minor injuries. He also said the death the toll had increased to 22.

Ashiq Hussain, who was lightly wounded, was being treated in Parachinar hospital. He said he was among the people purchasing fruits and vegetables loaded on a van when the explosion took place. "There was a big bang and I saw a dark cloud of smoke and dust before passing out," he said.

Ashiq Hussain said he saw bleeding bodies and severed limbs and heard cries when he came back to his senses. "I was just bleeding from my leg," he said. "Thank God I am alive."

Initially, seven people were brought dead from the vegetable market blast site and more than 60 wounded, according to Dr. Hussain. Thirteen of the critically wounded died earlier while being treated, he said.

Shiite leader Faqir Hussain said all the bodies were brought to a Shiite mosque.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television that the remnants of militant groups targeted by security forces were trying to show their existence by such attacks.

"Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces and the remaining will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them," he said.
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Turkey's parliament has signed off on a controversial constitutional reform package that would concentrate even more powers in the office of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and potentially extend his mandate till 2029. The reforms will only come into effect if approved in a national referendum. Here is a look at what the bill entails and what next.

HOW IT CAME ABOUT

Constitutional reforms were first floated by the ruling party after it won the 2011 general elections, but that failed to gain traction immediately.

In 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the country's first directly elected president and the idea of bolstering his office resurfaced.

The ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, made the executive presidency central to its campaign promises in June 2015 general elections.

In November 2016, the nationalist party declared it would back moves to switch to a presidential system, saying Erdogan's rule was a de-facto presidential system anyway.

THE CHANGES

The presidency would be catapulted from a largely ceremonial role to a nearly all-powerful position as head of government, head of state and head of the ruling party.

The office of the prime minister disappears, making way for a strong, executive president supported by vice-presidents. The president would have the power to appoint cabinet ministers without requiring a confidence vote from parliament, propose budgets and appoint more than half the members of the nation's highest judicial body. The president would also have the power to dissolve the national assembly and impose states of emergencies.

Parliament would be elected every five years, instead of every four, in general elections held in tandem with presidential elections.

The reform package also raises the number of lawmakers in parliament to 600 and lowers the age of political candidacy to 18.

Controversially, it allows for a partisan president. To date, the symbolic head of state has been obliged to remain neutral and cut ties with his party.

It also introduces technical requirements that would make it harder for the assembly to remove the president from office or bring down his government with a vote of no confidence.

WHAT MAKES TURKEY'S PROPOSED SYSTEM DIFFERENT

Turkey's presidential system would allow Erdogan to be the head of state, the head of government and the head of the ruling party.

The model proposed by Turkey lacks the safety mechanisms of checks and balances present in other countries like the United States, observers say. The proposed changes transfer powers traditionally held by national assembly to the presidency rendering it a largely advisory body.

THE CONTEXT

The proposal comes six months after a violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016 failed to unseat Erdogan. The government reacted by declaring a state of emergency and sweeping purges that left no government institution untouched.

More than 100,000 civil servants have been dismissed for their alleged ties to the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S. based cleric Ankara blames for the revolt. He denies involvement.

At the same time, Turkey is waging a multifaceted war against "terrorists," a term encompassing Gulen supporters as well as the Islamic State group and Kurdish rebels at home, Syria and Iraq.

Turkey suffered dozens of stinging bombing attacks in 2016 in violence linked to the resumption of conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast and increased activity of foreign and local IS cells in Turkey.

THE CONTROVERSY

Supporters of a powerful presidency argue that a strong president would strengthen Turkey as it confronts a broad array of internal and external security threats.

Critics say that the reforms concentrate too many powers in the hands a leader who has increasingly displayed authoritarian tendencies. They point to anti-terrorism campaigns that have decimated an opposition pro-Kurdish party, the closure and government takeover of dozens of media outlets, the detention of more than 100 journalists, and hundreds of defamation lawsuits brought against individuals who "insulted" the president.

They also say that holding a referendum when the country is under a state of emergency prevents the opposition from campaigning freely against the proposed changes.

WHAT NEXT?

Turkish authorities say a referendum on the reforms will be held between late March and mid-April. If more than 50 percent of voters approve it, the reforms would come into effect.

Parliamentary and presidential elections would be held at the same time in 2019.

The constitutional changes would also reset the clock on term limits, giving Erdogan the possibility of continuing as president until 2029.
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Thousands of people have gathered in the Kosovo capital of Pristina to urge France to release their former prime minister who was detained there on a Serbian arrest warrant.

The protesters  mostly opposition party members and former guerrilla fighters of the 1998-1999 war for independence from Serbia  consider Ramush Haradinaj's detention as illegal.

Haradinaj, also a former guerrilla commander, was released by a French court, but he must stay in France under judicial supervision, pending a decision on whether to extradite him to Serbia.

Kosovo considers Haradinaj's detention a political move from Belgrade, given that he has been twice cleared of war crimes charges by a U.N. tribunal.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has not recognized the move.
Head of Vidrodzhennia (Revival) group of lawmakers MP Vitaliy Khomutynnik during his visit to the United States on the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of the 45thU.S. President Donald Trump met chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce and the Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.

"At the meeting the sides discussed the importance of deepening relations between Ukraine and the United States, the necessity of U.S. assistance in peace-making in the eastern part of Ukraine," Vidrodzhennia said on its Facebook page.

"U.S. politicians assured that relations between Ukraine and the United State after the election of new President Donald Trump will deepen. The position of Republicans in the Ukrainian issue is clear and consistent  the United States as a reliable partner of Ukraine will continue providing support to our country," Khomutynnik said.
Authorities say 38 people have received hospital treatment after a fire broke out at a popular nightclub in the Romanian capital.

The fire erupted early Saturday at the upmarket Bamboo nightclub in northern Bucharest. There was no word on what caused the fire.

About 20 ambulances rushed to the scene as revelers ran outside. Bogdan Oprita, coordinator of the capital's ambulance service, said most of the injured were suffering from smoke intoxication.

Senior emergency situations official Raed Arafat said one person was seriously injured and some used their own transport to reach hospitals. There were unconfirmed reports that people were smoking at the club, which is illegal.

Some 64 people died at a fire at a nightclub in Bucharest in October 2015, the worst fire in the country's history.
Spanish police say they have arrested a 28-year-old man in relation to the deaths of two rural agents in a hunting area in the northern Catalan province of Lleida.

Catalan Interior Minister Jordi Jane said the two agents were shot and killed during a routine permit check, presumably by the detained Spanish man, who was hunting without a valid gun license at the time of their encounter.

The suspect, however, called the police himself, saying that he had shot the two agents while hunting.

Jane later ruled out the possibility of an accident and labeled the deaths a double homicide. He said the man acted violently while visibly distressed and with clear intent to kill, shooting both victims in the head.
Ukraine hopes to receive a ruling on imposing the temporary restrictions from the UN International Court in The Hague (the Netherlands) under a lawsuit against the Russian Federation in order to bring it to justice for the acts of terrorism and discrimination in the course of its illegal aggression against Ukraine in several months.

"Ukraine is asking the UN International Court to impose temporary restrictions to stabilize the situation and protect its citizens who are exposed to permanent and inevitable threats due to long-run violation of two international agreements by Russia. It takes long time to hear the lawsuit by the UN International Court. The court rules allow asking the imposing of these restrictions It could take several months to hear this," Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ukraine Mariana Betsa told Interfax-Ukraine on January 19.

Betsa said that the decision of the UN International Court to impose temporary restrictions is the binding order.

Earlier Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Olena Zerkal said that hearing of Ukraine's lawsuit with the International Court of Justice against the Russian Federation in order to bring it to justice for the acts of terrorism and discrimination in the course of its illegal aggression against Ukraine could last for several years.

"The hearing of the lawsuit is really difficult and long procedure. After making the decision on applying the terms the court gives some time to submit the memorandum with the entire evidence package. Then the defending party has some time to prepare a counter-memorandum. The case will be long and heard for years," she said.

As reported, on January 16, 2017 Ukraine filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice against the Russian Federation in order to bring it to justice for the acts of terrorism and discrimination in the course of its illegal aggression against Ukraine. The lawsuit was filed under the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
A former Orange County volunteer firefighter faces a 20-year prison sentence after a Fredericksburg jury found him guilty of numerous sex offenses.

After a two-day trial, the jury found Harry Lee Davison III guilty and recommended the sentence on Friday afternoon in Fredericksburg Circuit Court. The 24-year-old Orange resident is scheduled to be officially sentenced on March 29.

The charges stem from an incident that happened Oct. 3, 2015, after Davison and a woman in her mid-30s left Cowboy Jacks bar off State Route 3 in Fredericksburg.

The two, who didnt know each other at the time, had been drinking heavily before they left the bar in his truck, where the sexual assault happened, according to evidence and testimony presented during the trial.

When they returned to the bar parking lot, the woman got out of the truck and was bleeding profusely, according to testimony. The bleeding was the result of internal injuries caused by sex acts. She lost half of her blood and required emergency surgery that night.

Davison left the bar with a friend and went to a car wash on Route 3 to clean himself and the truck, which had a large amount of blood inside it. The prosecution showed the jury selfies and a Snapchat video of the defendant apparently making light of the situation while at the car wash. He eventually returned home, changed clothes and went to bed.

But Fredericksburg police tracked him down and went to Davisons home that night to question him.

He was eventually charged with eight counts of sex offenses related to the incident. The jury found him guilty of forcible sodomy, object sexual penetration, aggravated sexual battery and wounding in the commission of a felony.

Davison and his attorney, Eugene Frost, contended that the sex was consensual. Davisons version of what happened was unclear and inconsistent.

Prosecutor David Sands contended that the woman was drunk and did not consent to what happened. He also detailed the extensive injuries that the woman suffered, including the internal injuries and bruises over much of her body.

The jury began deliberations Thursday evening and continued until almost midnight. They returned Friday and handed down their verdict in the afternoon.

This story has been updated to clarify the nature of the incident.
A domestic dispute call ended with a Caroline County deputy fatally shooting an armed man who was threatening officers Thursday night, state police said.

Caroline Sheriffs deputies responded to the dispute in the 13000 block of Long Branch Road at 8:30 p.m., according to the Virginia State Police, which is investigating the shooting at Sheriff Tony Lippas request.

The state police said when deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered an armed man in an outbuilding on the property.

State police Sgt. Stephan Vick said 49-year-old William D. Fisher of Woodford was armed with a handgun and made continuous verbal threats to harm himself and the deputies." Fisher "refused to comply with deputies commands to drop the weapon and was subsequently shot by a deputy, Vick said.

Fisher died at the scene.

Lippa said the deputy, whose name was not released, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is under investigation. The sheriff said that is standard procedure in such cases.

Police declined to release any other information involving the shooting.

In a prepared release, Lippa said: Last night, one of our deputies had to make the decision none of us ever wants to makethat of firing a weapon at another human being.  My thoughts and prayers are with our deputy, his family and to the family of the deceased.

Lippa said in a brief interview on Friday that he couldnt recall an officer-related shooting during his four terms as sheriff.

I dont think weve ever had one, he said. Weve been very fortunate.

The Caroline shooting follows a pair of deadly officer-related shootings in Stafford and Fredericksburg last year.

On Aug. 1, Stafford County deputies shot and killed Kenneth Bonanno after responding to a crash on Cool Spring Road. Deputies said the 67-year-old man raised a revolver and fired a shot in their direction.

Stafford Commonwealths Attorney Eric Olsen later called the killing tragic but concluded that the deputies acted in self-defense. Bonnanos siblings have said they have serious doubts about the report.

On March 22, Travis J. Blair was fatally wounded by a Fredericksburg police officer after he tried to take the officers gun at least three times during a struggle, according to police.

Blair, 33, described by police as a heroin addict wanted on a felony warrant, was on Braehead Drive after being pulled over while driving on Lafayette Boulevard. A special prosecutor concluded that the officers use of deadly force was an act of self-defense that was justifiable under state law.
WASHINGTONAmid the whir of helicopters and the strange silence of streets empty of their usual early morning traffic, thousands of visitors poured into the nations capital to cheer, protest or simply witness the 58th presidential inauguration.

A contingent of about 60 Fredericksburg residents who came to celebrate as Donald Trump was sworn in as the nations 45th president said the morning was peaceful and well-organized.

I think it was more of a tear-jerking, heartfelt moment when the president was sworn into office, Johnny Bryant said as he waited for the groups bus to leave Friday afternoon.

Deborah Franks, who helped to organize the bus, said it was the first time any of the group had attended an inauguration.

To me, it was very emotional because we need this change, she said, citing jobs and immigration as major issues.

As the groups bus pulled away, there were more protesters than supporters in streets north of the barriers around the route for the inaugural parade.

Various groups marched with signs and megaphones, shouting slogans opposing President Trump, supporting protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock, and about other causes. But the largest group near the White House was gathered at McPherson Square, where speakers and performers demonstrated in front of a crowd. During the afternoon, many of the messages related to pipeline protesters.

Shani Shih, a 23-year old artist who lives in D.C., painted the message Defend the sacred on the back of plywood panels being used for a mural.

Im here because I feel that as a part of this countryI was born and raised hereI want to do what I can to protect my friends, my family, everyone who shares this country I am in, Shih said. Im an immigrant. Were all immigrants. None of our social justice projects have any foundation unless we start with acknowledging that.

Closer to the parade grounds at Pennsylvania Avenue, hundreds of people waited to be allowed through barriers to watch the parade, including Trump supporters Sonia Martinez and her son Bryan Barrientos, 29, who flew in from Miami.

Its been really great, said Martinez, who said she immigrated from Cuba in 1961. I want him to make America great again.

Martinez, who arrived legally, feels that lack of control over immigration has caused problems. She teaches at a public school with a large immigrant population, and her salary has been tied to the performance of students who are in the country illegally and dont speak English, she said.

Her son agreed. Both said they feel potential immigrants who would contribute to the country have not been able to immigrate because of the problems with illegal residents.

I dont like the direction the countrys been going the last eight years, Barrientos said.
WASHINGTONHenry Basilica popped up from his seat on the Virginia Railway Express train.

Hed just overheard a lady behind him say she had two spare tickets to the presidential inauguration.

How much are the two extra tickets going for? asked Basilica, 19, a senior at Spotsylvania Countys Riverbend High School.

He voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton, but that didnt matter on Friday. The high-schooler had a chance to witness history: Republican Donald J. Trumps inauguration as 45th president of the United States.

But the other passenger didnt want to give away her tickets to just anybody. A man in her group asked Basilica if he supported Trump, to which the student hesitantly replied: Im a supporter, followed by a sheepish grin.

He then explained that Trump seemed like a joke at first, but that he thought the mogul was taking his new role seriously. The woman paused, then politely declined to hand over the tickets. I was not convinced, she said a few seconds later.

Henry and his father, Mark Basilica, 60, would have to settle for general admission.

Earlier Friday morning, they stood among dozens of people waiting for the 7:44 a.m. VRE train at the downtown Fredericksburg station. Several people, including Lynn Simms of Fredericksburg, wore Make America Great Again hats and other Trump gear.

Are yall deplorables? a man with a Trump hat asked Simms and a couple other women.

Yes, and proud of it, replied Simms, 58. She sported red, white and blue earrings to go with her cap.

It would be her third inaugurationbut the first time she would see a Republican take the oath of office.

She was in high school when she attended Democrat Jimmy Carters inauguration in 1977. And in 2013, she took a foreign exchange student to President Barack Obamas second inauguration.

Trumps appeal is simple, she said. Hes not a career politician.

Meanwhile, Mark Basilica likes to say he voted for his partys candidate, who just happened to be Trump. Years ago, he took his daughter to Democrat Bill Clintons first presidential inauguration, so it was only fair that he give his son Henry the same opportunity.

Hes been harassing me endlessly about going, joked Basilica, a retired civil servant who now works for a defense contractor.

Getting there would be the easy part.

After exiting the train at LEnfant Plaza, the father-son duo approached fences and other barricadesincluding dump trucks filled with sandsurrounding the U.S. Capitol.

Its almost like martial law has taken over, Mark Basilica said, as National Guard soldiers stood nearby.

They swung by a CVS to buy a disposable cameraHenry forgot his smartphoneand bottled water.

Next, they planned to stake out a spot with a view of the festivities. But as Mark Basilica approached the long line into the National Mall, he said: I didnt come here to wait in line to stand in front of a Jumbotron 2 miles away.

So they kept walking.

They passed Trump supporters with megaphones and signs reading BLM are racist thugs, referring to the Black Lives Matter movement. They passed chanting protesters with posters stating, Water is life, a common refrain from opponents of the Dakota Access oil pipeline. And they passed dozens of street merchants hawking flags, Tshirts and other Trump paraphernalia.

Finally, they found a spot next to the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial with a view of the U.S. Capitol. People with tickets passed through metal detectors up ahead.

At least I can say I was here, Henry said.

Then his momwho was watching the inaugural on TVsent his father a text message reading: Theres a lot of space on the mall. They decided to make one last attempt to get a little closer to the next president.

Unfortunately, the line had not gotten any shorter. It was time for plan Bwatch the inaugural at the Bullfeathers restaurant.

Simms, too, said she struggled with the long lines. She ended up watching Trumps speech on her iPhone, which, to make matters worse, kept losing its signal.

They dont have enough entrances into this thing, she said over the phone. Still, she said she was glad to be there in support of the new president.

Trump had just started his speech when Henry and his dad walked into Bullfeathers. A hostess seated them right as Trump promised to transfer power from Washington to you, the people.

Henry headed for the restroom as the new president proclaimed that the establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.

After the speech, as his son munched on tater tots, Mark Basilica reflected on the presidents remarks.

Anything less would not be Trump, he said. He categorically listed everything that was wrong and said hed fix it.

The next four years should be entertaining, he added.
Little Free Library founder Tod H. Bol was discussing his Kids, Cops & Communities program during a stop in Richmond last September when a thought struck Hugh Mercer Elementary School librarian Eileen Thompson.

She realized that the Fredericksburg Police Department headquarters would be a good candidate for the program, which gives the police a positive way to reach out to the community while promoting literacy and a love of books. The headquarters building at 2200 Cowan Blvd. is near her school and a number of apartment complexes and neighborhoods that are within easy walking distance.

Thompson told Bol that shed be willing to see if the police, who already volunteer to read to children at Hugh Mercer, would like to put up one of the Little Free Libraries. She added that she could be its steward.

When I said that, he looked at me for a moment and said, Im going to give you one,  she said.

Bol, who was on a road trip from Alabama to the National Book Festival in Washington to promote Little Free Libraries, went out to his trailer and got Thompson a bright blue wooden one thats 23 inches tall and is nearly as wide and deep. She said that when she discussed the concept during a meeting with the Fredericksburg Police Chief David Nye and some of his staff, they gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up and had the box installed on a post in front of the headquarters in December.

Thompson fills it once a week with books she buys by the bag at library book sales or is given by friends, the police department and even strangers.

I was putting books in it when a lady from an apartment across the street asked, Whats in the little blue box? When I told her, she said, Oh, Im going to come down and put some books in,  Thompson said.

A post about the Little Free Library on the polices Facebook page also convinced a group of friends who wanted to do an act of kindness once a month to drop off childrens books for the library on Thursday as their first act. They also brought cookies and cupcakes to show their support for what police do.

Im an avid reader, said Patricia Grey, one of the friends. Any time you can get someone to sit down and read a book, thats a good thing. It gets them off electronics and gets them to use their minds and their imagination.

Like the name implies, Little Free Libraries are free book exchanges where people can borrow a book to keep, return or pass on to someone else. Many of those in the one next to the Fredericksburg Police Departments headquarters are aimed at children, and some feature the police. Officers can take one of the books to share if theyre dispatched to a call where they know a child is present.

The Little Free Library doesnt truly belong to the Police Department, it belongs to the entire city, Police Chief David Nye said in a news release. It is our hope that the Little Free Library will expand the joy of reading in our community.

Little Free Libraries got their start in 2009 when Bol, who lives in Hudson, Wis., built a model of a one-room schoolhouse in honor of his mother, a teacher who loved to read. He filled it with books, mounted it on a post in his front yard, and added a sign that said FREE BOOKS.

The idea caught on and he eventually teamed up with Rick Brooks, a youth and community development educator with a background in social marketing at the University of WisconsinMadison. They were inspired by a number of ideas, including the more than 2,500 free public libraries built using grants from businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Little Free Libraries was established as a nonprofit in 2012, and received the Library of Congress Literacy Award three years later for its effective implementation of best practices in literacy and reading promotion. It now has a number of programs, including Kids, Cops & Communities.

Several police departments in major cities, including Minneapolis and Los Angeles, are taking part. Theyre put Little Free Libraries at their precincts as a way to give cops and children a way to interact in an everyday situation instead of an emergencyand possibly deter future crime.

According to the Little Free Library website, the Department of Justice has found that youth delinquency, violence and crime are welded to reading failure, yet many dont have access to reading materials to help develop an interest and confidence in reading. In fact, according to the Handbook of Early Literacy, in low-income neighborhoods theres only one book for every 300 children on average.

Little Free Libraries help address that lack of access. As of last November, there were 50,000 registered Little Free Library book exchanges around the world. A number are in the Fredericksburg area, including one that Thompson, who lives in Fredericksburg, had installed next to her familys cottage in Colonial Beach after seeing one at Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont in Stafford County.

Its a simple idea, but its a really fun idea, Thompson said. Ive enjoyed being a part of it.
Members of the King George County Board of Supervisors have added their voices to concerns about a proposed General Assembly bill that hides from the public record what chemicals are used in hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Because King George has been at the forefront of recent public discussions about possible gas and oil drilling, the supervisors agreed Tuesday to lobby their legislators to oppose House Bill 1678. It is sponsored by Del. Roxann Robinson, RMidlothian, and is designed to protect trade secrets of the companies involved in fracking, the process of injecting water and chemicals deep into the ground to loosen trapped gas and oil.

The King George County board is among several advocates of open government, as well as environmentalists and the Virginia Association of Counties, who oppose the measure. Supervisors agreed to send a letter to legislators Ryan McDougle, Richard Stuart and Margaret Ransone, asking them to oppose Robinsons bill and a similar one in the Senate. The letter says that residents have a right to know what chemicals are being introduced into the environment, just as first responders need to know what theyre dealing with in the case of a fire, leaking well or overflowing waste pit.

And, they need to know the particular properties of chemicals before something happens, said Eric Gregory, King Georges county attorney. He spoke in opposition of the bill, and House Bill 1679, which would allow information to be released after an accident happens.

Gregory served on a panel convened in recent years by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, the state agency that oversees gas and oil drilling. The panel was composed of representatives from wildlife and environmental groups, as well as those from industry and county government, and one of its main recommendations was that drillers should disclose what chemicals are usedand not be able to hide them under the notion that publicly posting the list would harm their company because it would reveal a trade secret.

DMME officials also reported that the majority of comments from the public about drilling regulations suggested the gas and oil industry should be more forthcoming about what chemicals are used.

But Robinson, as well as members of the industry, maintain that first responders could get the needed information from the DMME, which would have access to the list of chemicals under her proposed legislation.

She also pointed out that the state has a stellar safety record after fracking in Virginia for decades, and there hasnt been a requirement to disclose the list of chemicals.

But Ruby Brabo, chairwoman of the King George board, has traveled and talked extensively about fracking issues, including a summer visit to Colorado towns that went through a gas-drilling boom. She said past examples have shown that information about what chemicals are used isnt disclosed quickly enough.

In an opinion piece she wrote for the Richmond TimesDispatch on Sunday, she said it took state and federal officials five days to get a list of what chemicals spilled into the Ohio River after a fracking accident in Monroe County, Ohio.

By then, 70,000 fish were dead and firefighters had been battling the chemical-induced blaze for a week, she wrote.

The House bills are being discussed in the House General Laws Committee. If the committee approves them, they will be considered on the House floor.
Chinese President Xi Jinpingdelivers a keynote speech at the United NationsOffice in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 18, 2017. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

GENEVA, Jan. 18 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Wednesday that China remains unchanged in its commitment to upholding world peace.

He made the remarks while delivering an address at the UN Office at Geneva.

"For several millennia, peace has been in the blood of us Chinese and a part of our DNA," said Xi.

"Do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you," he quoted from Confucius, a great ancient Chinese sage.

He noted that China has grown from a poor and weak country to the world's second largest economy not by committing military expansion or colonial plunder, but through the hard work of its people and their efforts to uphold peace.

"China will never waver in its pursuit of peaceful development. No matter how strong its economy grows, China will never seek hegemony, expansion or sphere of influence. History has borne this out and will continue to do so," he vowed.

The Chinese leader also pledged that China will remain unchanged in its commitment to pursue common development.

"China's development has been possible because of the world, and China has contributed to the world's development. We will continue to pursue a win-win strategy of opening-up, share our development opportunities with other countries and welcome them aboard the fast train of China's development," said Xi.

According to Xi, China has provided foreign countries with over 400 billion yuan (about 58.4 billion U.S. dollars) of aid between 1950 and 2016, while since the outbreak of the international financial crisis, China has contributed to over 30 percent of global growth each year on average.

He went on by saying that in the coming five years, China will import eight trillion dollars of goods, attract 600 billion dollars of foreign investment, make 750 billion dollars of outbound investment, adding that Chinese tourists will make 700 million outbound visits.

"China remains unchanged in its commitment to foster partnerships," he said in the speech.

He also said that China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and is ready to enhance friendship and cooperation with all other countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

China has formed partnerships of various forms with over 90 countries and regional organizations, and will build a circle of friends across the world, he said.

The Chinese president said China will strive to build a new model of major country relations with the United States, a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination with Russia, partnership for peace, growth, reform and among different civilizations with Europe, and a partnership of unity and cooperation with BRICS countries.

China is also going to remain unchanged in its commitment to multilateralism, said the president.

He hailed multilateralism as an effective way to preserve peace and promote development, saying that for decades, the UN and other international bodies have made a universally recognized contribution to maintaining global peace and sustaining development.

China will firmly uphold the international system with the UN as its core, the basic norms governing international relations embodied in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the authority and stature of the UN, and its core role in international affairs, he added.
Its been a long journey for retired Marine Cpl. Garrett Jonesa journey that began in 2007 on the hot and dusty battlefields of Iraq where he lost his left leg after stepping on an improvised explosive device.

Nearly 10 years later, one adventure ended and another began as Jones and his family stood in front of their brand new smart house Thursday morning choking back tears during a dedication ceremony that gave the community the opportunity to welcome the Jones family to their new home in Stafford County.

The Jones family celebrated their new beginning due to the generosity of the Gary Sinise Foundation and its partners. During the ceremony, Jones received the keysor, in this case, iPadto a smart home that will give the disabled veteran more independence and freedom.

Although the Gary Sinise Foundation led the project, they credit its success to partnerships. Dozens of organizations added to the overall beauty and efficiency of the home by contributing lighting, kitchen appliances, furniture, hardwood flooring and smart home technology, among numerous other features and amenities.

Dr. Hans-Peter Wild, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation, PS Charities, Semper Fi Fund, Hope For The Warriors, and Operation Finally Home are just a few of the contributors to the Jones home.

The Gary Sinise Foundation also worked with Shubert Design Furniture, National Wood Flooring Association, National Tile Contractors Association, National Association of Home Builders, American Airlines, Benjamin Moore, CORE Brands, North American Van Lines, GE, Sunbelt Rentals, Broan NuTone, James Hardie and Aaronal Homes.

Stafford Supervisors Meg Bohmke, Laura Sellers and Chairman Paul Milde also attended the ceremony. Mission BBQ, which is well known for its support of veterans, catered the lunch.

Bob Pence, a board member for the Gary Sinise Foundation, read a letter from Sinise during the ceremony describing the home as a small symbol of the Americas gratitude for Joness service and sacrifice.

While we can never truly repay the debt we owe Garrett, we can strive to show him and his brothers and sisters in arms that we do not forget or take their service for granted, expressing our appreciation and gratitude whenever and wherever possible, Sinise wrote.

This means supporting our military service members and their families before, during and after the battle, Sinise continued. For all they have done and have given, they ask so little in return. Knowing they are honored and their sacrifice is appreciated can make a world of difference.

Pence said it is always humbling to be in the presence of people like Garrett who put their lives on the line to protect the freedom of those on the home front.

Jones enlisted in the Marine Corps in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. During his deployment to Iraq, an IED detonated under him, which led to severe injuries and the amputation of his left leg. He endured an arduous recovery process, including undergoing 20 surgeries in a month.

Despite his pain and injuries, he redeployed to Afghanistan as an intelligence analyst less than a year later. His redeployment shattered Department of Defense norms, since common practice at the time was for wounded warriors to retire.

That deployment, as bloody as it was, was also a period of healing for me, Jones said. I learned so much about myself and learned you really can overcome any obstacle no matter how challenging.

After returning home and retiring from the military, Jones started a family and later uprooted their life in Oregon to travel 3,000 miles across the country to Virginia. Jones embarked on several attempts to build his own home, but when his efforts fell through, he said the Gary Sinise Foundation miraculously swooped in and took over everything.

The finished product exceeded the Jones familys expectations.

I cant believe we are going to call this place our home, Jones said. I think it may feel like a luxury vacation home for a while before I can truly process that this is our home.

The new home is going to make Jones life much easier. For the past nine and a half years, being at home has been a constant battle for Jones and seemingly simple tasks, such as making a cup of coffee or climbing into the bathtub, posed a challenge.

The smart home will allow Jones to reclaim his independence and improve his quality of life. He will no longer have to chase his children up and down stairs on crutches or rely on his wife, Allison, to grab him a snack or help him with other routine activities.

In particular, the smart home technology will help give him more control. At the touch of a button on an iPad, he will be able to turn on a light or adjust the thermostat without getting out of his wheelchair or climbing the stairs.

From the iPad, he will be able to control security cameras that enable him to monitor his three childrenHudson, 5, Halle, 3, and Kate, 1more easily.

The new house will also allow him to achieve his professional goals by giving him time for rest and recovery. He said the house is more than a homeit is an investment in his future and his family. The family is eager to start making memories in their new home.

Allison plans to operate a school out of the basement, which will allow her to be present at home for her children and husband while running a business.

Christmas came a few weeks late for the Jones family, Jones said.
When Dana Hollifield first moved to Virginia in 2014 the plan was for her to continue working as a school nurse.

But Virginia, unlike Massachusetts where she moved from, didnt require that every school have a nurse on staff. That was a problem for Hollifield. A big problem.

Because the state didnt require school nurses at each school she was asked to help others, nonprofessionals, to treat students dealing with Type 1 diabetes, seizures, severe allergies, asthma and other ailments.

I had to walk away from working as a school nurse in Virginia because I didnt feel like I could protect my [students], and I did not feel like I could protect my license, said Hollifield, who quit in 2016 and is now an at-home pediatric nurse.

Nurses, students and a legislator from Stafford County have joined forces to try to make sure every child in the state has access to a nurse while in school.

The effort is being spearheaded by Del. L. Mark Dudenhefer, RStafford, who has sponsored legislation calling for every School Board to employ at least one nurse at every elementary, middle and high school, or one for every 550 students.

The bill, HB1757, was advanced out of the Elementary & Secondary Education subcommittee Wednesday and will be heard by the House Education Committee on Monday.

Nurses, Hollifield said, are essential in school settings given all the ailments students face. Issues they deal with each day can range from a child getting sick in class to a diabetic child whose blood glucose must be monitored and insulin dose adjusted on a medical pump or with an injection.

Nurses also are the first medical professionals on site when there is an emergency and, in high-poverty areas, may be the only exposure to health care for some young people.

Hollifield said having unlicensed, unregulated laypeople dealing with complicated medical procedures could have disastrous results.

I said no, Hollifield said of handing off duties to those who arent fully trained.

I cant do that.

According to the Virginia Association of School Nurses, there currently is one school nurse for every 829.7 students in the state.Locally, its a little better with Hanover and Henrico counties having a school nurse in every school and Chesterfield County with 42 nurses servicing the districts 62 schools.

Chesterfield spokesman Shawn Smith said in an email that the district is working to find a way to get one nurse for every school.

Richmond Public Schools has 31 nurses serving 42 schools and other programs in the city.

To address the issue, Superintendent Dana Bedden has included $702,000 in his annual budget to hire 12 nurses with the goal of having one nurse for each school.

The increase, according to a school system spokeswoman, would adequately address the increasingly complex medical concerns with which our students are presenting.

The issues students face when there is a lack of nurses extends beyond having access to medical care, parents say.

Molly Alonzo has two daughters with Type 1 diabetes attending Fairfax County schools. She said multiple issues have arisen because of the number of nurses in the county.

Alonzo, and her husband James, moved to the county five years ago from California, where the girls had a registered nurse at their schools.

We thought it would be a simple matter to continue their support in Virginia, Alonzo said. We even made an additional endocrinologist appointment to make sure we provided Fairfax County Public Schools with an order from a local doctor. However, within four months, we discovered that (the district) was not providing this support and in many cases actively opposing it.

In a presentation last April, Fairfaxs health department reported that each year the number of students with a health condition increases while the nurse-to-student ratio worsens with the increasing number of students.

The presentation showed the county has 65 nurses  and 200 aides  serving 185,000 students at 196 schools. About 27 percent of the students in the district have a health condition.

Alonzo said while aides at schools are trained to support students with some tasks, they arent prepared to handle some of the more complex issues that may come up.

For kids the problem of having a nurse on staff creates a whole other set of issues.

Corrine Alonzo, 13, said that because there was not a nurse available to treat her diabetes it meant that in the third grade, she was forced to sit and watch while other kids ate snacks at classroom birthday parties.

Teachers would place her treat in a plastic bag and send it home with her.

Not being able to participate, she said, made her feel isolated from other kids, a feeling that was only made worse in fifth grade when teachers would segregate students by medical conditions on field trips.

I was seated next to the students with a peanut allergy even though peanut butter crackers were written into my health plan to help treat low blood sugar issues, Corrine said.

The state Board of Education, which is working with Dudenhefer, is recommending to the General Assembly that the Standards of Quality be revised to require one full-time school nurse for every 550 students.

Dudenhefer originally sought one nurse for every 1,000 students but amended the bill.

To help offset the cost of hiring the additional nurses, Dudenhefer has filed a $1.8 million budget amendment.

Because the state is beginning the second year of a biennial budget, the subcommittee, with Dudenhefers consent, amended the bill to make it effective July 2018 rather than July 2017. This extra time would allow lawmakers to figure out the funding.

Im one of those guys who believes in fiscal responsibility, said Dudenhefer, whose granddaughter suffers from severe allergies. But I also believe when we get to a point, and weve identified an absolute life or death need, its our responsibility to the public to do it.

But the Virginia Association of Superintendents argues that the bill, while increasing the cost on school districts, will be very difficult to put in place.

They say many areas, particularly in Southwest Virginia and Southside, are dealing with nursing shortages. How, the association argues, is the district supposed to find nurses when hospitals are having a difficult time finding staff.

How am I going to fulfill the requirement of one per building when the hospital cant fill its own requirements for nurses? Theres some very definite concern, Thomas Smith, the legislative liaison for the association, said.

I wont argue the importance of school nurses. I had them as a superintendent and I think they play a good function. But there are difficulties with implementation when we dont consider availability of staff and funding. And for that reason, were opposed to this bill.
DONALD JOHN TRUMP became our nations 45th president Friday with all the traditional pomp and circumstance.

Unfortunately, Americas transition of power was marred as anti-Trump demonstrators clashed with police in Washington and anger from 2016s divisive campaign spilled over into what has long been a D.C. day of celebration. In the Fredericksburg area, though, participants in a Silent Inauguration in the citys Hurkamp Park were peaceful and prayerful.

While calling for unity in his inaugural address, the 70-year-old New York businessman delivered a tough, combative vision for a new America. The 16-minute speech was much like the ones he used to rally supporters during his bruising bid to upset Democrat Hillary Clinton.

With former presidents and congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle sitting behind him, Trump castigated the Washington political establishment for forgetting the American people.

Today, we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people, he told the crowd on the National Mall. For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. . . . Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed.

Trump showed no sign of changing his successful populist stance as he moves into the leading the federal government. We assembled here today are issuing a new decree ... from this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, its going to be only America first. America first! he said.

This was not a traditional inaugural address in which the president tries to reach out to those who didnt support him. Stephen Farnsworth, professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said previous Republican presidents such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush extended olive branches to opponents in hopes of unifying the nation.

Donald Trump wants to distinguish himself from previous presidents, Farnsworth said. It appears his combative campaign style will be replaced with a combative governing style.

Calling it vintage Trump, he said, His inaugural address was consistent with his campaign themes. It was aggressive and made it clear where he wants to take this country.

He promised anew to deliver on jobs, trade, border security and defeating radical Islamic terrorism, which the president said we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth.

Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families, he vowed.

Foreign and domestic, those major themes helped him win the highest office in the land.

The speech had grace notes, too.

Trump declared, Through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice. The Bible tells us, how good and pleasant it is when Gods people live together in unity. 

And significantly to anyone who treasures free speech and civil discourse, he said: We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.

Though his speech was proudly nationalistic, it also offered hope to other countries.

In lines that allies and enemies abroad will closely scrutinize, Trump said: We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the worldbut we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first. We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow.

Promising to follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American, Trump then echoed applause lines from his campaign, saying I will fight for you with every breath in my bodyand I will never, ever let you down. America will start winning again, winning like never before. We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.

Early on in his inaugural address, he said: The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now.

Yes; the pundits, power brokers and corporate chieftains are now listening. That much is certain.
(Xinhua) 09:58, January 21, 2017

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- Shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn into office Friday, the newly updated White Housewebsite said the new administration will eliminate the Climate Action Plan, the centerpiece of former President Barack Obama's climate legacy.

"For too long, we've been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry," the website said in a page titled "An America First Energy Plan." "President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule."

It claimed that lifting these restrictions will "greatly help American workers, increasing wages by more than 30 billion U.S. dollars over the next seven years."

The rest of the webpage did not mention climate change any more.

Trump has called climate change a "hoax" and has threatened to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement that took effect last year.

Trump's energy plan said that the U.S. has "vast untapped domestic energy reserves" valued at 50 trillion dollars in total, and that the country "must take advantage of "the revenues from energy production to rebuild our roads, schools, bridges and public infrastructure."

The plan also vowed to revive America's coal industry.

In addition, the Trump administration pledged to work with the country's Gulf allies to develop "a positive energy relationship" as part of its anti-terrorism strategy, it said.

Trump's plan was criticized by environmental groups.

"It's all a big handout to the oil, gas, and coal companies. Trump has given a front-row seat at the table of American government," Rhea Suh, President of the U.S. Natural Resources Defense Council, a non-profit environmental organization, said in a statement. "We will fight this handout, tooth, nail, and hair."
Democrats showing disrespect for new president, nation

I find it very interesting that when Barack Obama was elected our president, Republicans who strongly opposed him, did not riot in cities around America, block highways, plan huge demonstrations during his inauguration and the Hollywood elite did not use award ceremonies to lash out at President Obama.

What is equally troubling is Rep. John Lewis, DGa., stating he does not consider Donald Trump to be a legitimate president.

Mr. Trump won Georgia by a large margin in November, but Rep. Lewis decided, along with many other Democratic members of Congress, not to attend President Trumps inauguration. This not only shows disrespect for the president, but also for our nation as a whole.

Even though the majority of Rep. Lewis district did not vote for Mr. Trump, I am certain many of his constituents did. His duty is to represent all his voters. I hope that when voters return to the polls in 2018, they remember the disrespect for the office of the president that Rep. Lewis and other Democratic members of Congress have shown.

Stephen W. Schenk

Stafford
Trumps presidential ability underestimated?

When he rode into office at the White House early in the new century, there were gasps of horror from all sides. Not a friend of business, said Wall Street tycoons.

Labor leaders questioned whether he, with all his wealth, could possibly relate to the working man.

Not our sort for racial issues, sniffed the Democrats.

Too inexperienced for the world stage, huffed mainstream Republicans.

Yet by the time he left office, many of his skeptics had to admit they were wrong. With bold moves, he had left America a noticeably better and stronger place, commanding new and profound respect throughout the world. Business had been rendered more competitive and the national economy was booming. Working conditions had made leaps forward. Racial lines had been crossed with his appointments, especially in the South, amid the howls of the Democrats.

While building a powerful, state-of-the-art navy, he had worked tirelessly to stop a terrible war. Oh yes, and he had completed one of the most ambitious civil construction projects known to history.

All in all, Teddy Roosevelt was a hugely successful president.

Now, a century later, history is poised to repeat itself through the offices of another underestimated man of action. As Donald Trump takes office, I and so many others offer most fervent prayers for our country and for his success.

Butch Horseman

Spotsylvania
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Chinese comedian Zhou Libo (C) and his lawyer (L, Front) prepare to leave after Zhou was released on bail at Nassau District Court, the United States, on Jan. 20, 2017. Chinese comedian Zhou Libo has been arrested in Long Island, New York, for alleged illegal possession of a firearm and drug. Zhou, 49, and the passenger, Shuang Tang, 30, are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Nassau County police said in a press release sent to Xinhua Friday morning local time. Zhou is also charged with Mobile Phone Use While Driving. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

NEW YORK, Jan. 20 -- Chinese comedian Zhou Libo has been arrested in Long Island, New York, for alleged illegal possession of a firearm and drug.

Zhou, 49, and the passenger, Shuang Tang, 30, are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Nassau County police said in a press release sent to Xinhua Friday morning local time.

Zhou is also charged with Mobile Phone Use While Driving. They will be arraigned on Friday at First District Court in Hempstead.

According to the release, the two men were stopped at 12:07 am Thursday because their Mercedes-Benz was "being driven erratically and the operator was using a cell phone" on Bayville Road in Lattingtown.

During the investigation a black handgun holster was seen on the rear seat of the vehicle, it said.

Upon further investigation, a loaded Colt MKIV Mustang.380 pistol was recovered along with two clear plastic bags containing crack cocaine, it said.

Both occupants were placed under arrest at the scene without incident, it said.
The new year is certainly starting with a bang. From 1 January we rebranded our farming enterprise to the Belvoir Farming Company to help give some clarity between our farming operations and our drinks business.

Both businesses are growing and branding is an important part of future growth. Hopefully this wont cause too much hassle for our suppliers and customers in the coming months, its all very exciting.

See also: Read more from our Arable Farmer Focus writers

After much overindulgence over the festive period I felt a full farm walk was the only option to try to clear my head and lose some pounds.

Positive outlook

On the whole crops look good, late drilled wheat has emerged well and to my absolute delight so far there seems to be the lowest levels of blackgrass Ive seen for years.

However, I am holding my breath a little to see if we get some spring germinations. Even our subsoiled oilseed rape is clean, which historically is where deep-rooted blackgrass has proved to be a problem.

Autocast rapeseed currently looks equally as good as the subsoiler established crop, which is encouraging as growing costs are considerably lower.

By using controlled traffic and matching row widths we could autocast in rows over the previous years subsoiler giving excellent rooting and good drainage.

Land destined for spring barley was worked last August and has greened up well with both wheat volunteers and blackgrass.

Hare coursing concerns

However, these fields have been targeted by hare coursing gangs all winter and efforts to lock or block gateways have resulted in either locks being cut or them just driving through holes in the hedge.

So far this winter weve been unable to catch them, but its only a matter of time.

Often, like many others, my highlights from shooting come equally from my dog Millies performance as they do from shooting well.

I have to say she has performed brilliantly over the past four seasons and she even remains enthusiastic when I miss, which is good considering its a common occurrence.

I just hope she retains her enthusiasm when her new trainee puppy arrives next month  fun times ahead.

Keith Challen manages 1,200ha of heavy clay soils in the Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire, for Belvoir Farming Company. Cropping includes wheat, oilseed rape and elderflowers. The farm is also home to the Belvoir Fruit Farms drinks business.
U.S. President Trump signs waiver to clear way for defense secretary nominee

(Xinhua) 10:43, January 21, 2017

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- U.S. President Donald Trump signed a legislation Friday to clear a legal barrier for James Mattis, his nominee for defense secretary, to take office.

Trump signed the waiver to grant Mattis a one-time exception, in one of the first actions after he was sworn in as the 45th U.S. President at a ceremony held earlier at the Capitol Hill.

Under the U.S. law, a former service member is barred from running the Pentagon less than seven years after retirement from military. Mattis only retired in 2013 as the Commander of the U.S. Central Command.

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-3 on Jan. 12 to approve Mattis' nomination, moving the vote onto the Senate floor. The committee also easily passed a waiver exempting Mattis from a law that requires defense secretaries to be retired from service for at least seven years.

Mattis' nomination is expected to be approved at a vote in the Senate later Friday.

At the hearing, Mattis took a clear anti-Russia stance during the hearing, describing Moscow as a "principle threat" to U.S. security, a position notably different from Trump.

The United States should also check Russia's growing influence in the Arctic region, Mattis said.

Mattis also chose to stand apart from Trump on other key issues, including the role of NATO, which Trump said should shrink, and on the Iranian nuclear agreement, which Trump threatened to scrap.
Before Lynne McKee became the manager of the Benton County Fairgrounds, she was the head of the FBIs international art theft investigation program.

From 1997 to 2005, McKee coordinated the bureaus art theft investigations, exposed fake artworks and helped restore stolen masterpieces to their rightful owners. When the National Museum of Iraq was looted during the fall of Baghdad in 2003, she flew to the Middle East to help recover thousands of cultural artifacts for the Iraqi people.

Shell discuss her experiences Wednesday in a pair of 90-minute presentations in Corvallis.

McKee will present To Catch a Thief: International Art Theft and the FBI at 3 and 6 p.m. in the auditorium at the fairgrounds, 110 S.W. 53rd St.

The cost to attend is $5 for the general public or $3 for students with ID, with proceeds going to benefit the Benton County Fair.
Oregon State University is hosting a community forum on values from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Room 155 of the International Living and Learning Center, 1701 S.W. Western Blvd.

The forum seeks to establish connections and encourage collaborative efforts, events and civic activities that will reflect, support and protect the people who live here.

Speakers during the first hour include Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber, OSU diversity officer Angelo Gomez, Jasper Smith of the Corvallis King Legacy Advisory Board and Capt. Nick Hurley of the Corvallis Police Department. The second hour will consist of discussions and brainstorming.

In other public meetings:

Saturday

 Ward 1 Councilor Penny York and new Ward 6 Councilor Nancy Wyse will team up on the 10 a.m. to noon government comment corner at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave.

Monday

 The Philomath City Council has a work session on the general fund at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 980 Applegate St. The regular council session, which will feature goal setting, is scheduled for 7 p.m.

 The Adair Village Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 6030 William R. Carr Ave.

 The Oregon Sierra Club and Our Childrens Trust is hosting a meeting on climate action at 7 p.m. at the First Alternative Co-Op. 1007 Southeast Third St. The guest speaker, Gordon Levitt, a climate law fellow with Our Childrens Trust, will discuss advocating for legal protection for the atmosphere

Tuesday

 The Benton County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session and meeting at 9 a.m. in the county boardrooms, 205 N.W. Fifth St. The main item on the agenda will be a vote on whether to opt out of a Linn County lawsuit seeking $1.4 billion from the state for failing to maximize timber revenues from public lands held in trust for 15 Oregon counties and dozens of smaller taxing districts.

 The Corvallis King Legacy Advisory Board meets at 5:15 p.m. at Osborn Aquatic Center, 1940 N.W. Highland Drive.

 State Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, will hold a preview of the 2017 legislative session from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the library.

Wednesday

 The Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is holding an open house to discuss the update of its regional transportation plan at 5 p.m. at the library. On the agenda is an opportunity to review and comment on a draft plan and regional project list.

 The Corvallis Watershed Management Advisory Board meets at 5:15 p.m. at the Madison Avenue Meeting Room, 500 S.W. Madison Ave.

Thursday

 A community meeting to discuss planned playground improvements at Bruce Starker Arts Park is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ashbrook Independent School, 4045 S.W. Research Way.

 The City Club of Corvallis will host a question-and-answer session on the upcoming legislative session with state Sen. Sara Gelser and state Rep. Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at library.
This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise.

Corvallis Police Department

FRIDAY, JAN. 20

CAR THEFT: 7:29 a.m., 300 block Southeast Goodnight Avenue. A woman reported that her 1992 brown Honda Accord was stolen the night before. The vehicle had a University of Oregon "O" on the back window, a dent above the rear passenger side tire and a sunroof.

THURSDAY, JAN. 19

FIGHT: 4:56 p.m., 450 S.W. Third St. A man, later identified as Shaun Gess, no age or address listed, reported that he had been punched and hit in the face with a bottle at Safeway. After reviewing video footage, an officer determined Gess was not hit with a bottle, but was involved in a physical altercation with Brenton Walker Garman, 43, no address listed. Gess was later cited with second-degree disorderly conduct and released. Garman was later contacted and reportedly uncooperative. Garman was arrested and charged with second-degree disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, assaulting a public safety officer, aggravated harassment, fourth-degree assault and attempted assaulting of a public safety officer.

ASSAULT: 6 p.m., 900 block Northwest Sycamore Avenue. Police responded for a reported assault. A female reported that Lupe Jesse Guillen, 62, of Corvallis had assaulted her. Guillen was arrested and charged with fourth-degree assault and possession of methamphetamine.

Benton County Sheriff's Office

SATURDAY, JAN. 14

DUII: 12:51 a.m., Northwest 23rd Street and Grant Avenue. Deputies charged Brenden Jazz Ennis, 20, of Corvallis with DUII following a traffic stop. Ennis had a reported blood alcohol content of 0.10 percent.
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School expansion : Bonn International School celebrates new building

Bonn International School front left: Patricia Baier, Nurton Schlinkert, Ashok Sridharan, Friedrich Kitschelt, Stefan Susterhenn. back left: Dieter Schmoll, Reinhard Schlinkert, Eric Voss, Andrea. Foto: Ronald Friese

Plittersdorf It was a happy day for Bonn International School as they celebrated their expansion with the completion of a third building. Public officials were on hand to welcome the new addition.

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Its called The Crest and it is the new build in the expansion of Bonn International School (BIS) in Plittersdorf. The third building in the school complex, it offers 23 new classrooms. Numerous guests came to the school on Friday afternoon to celebrate the grand opening. In addition to parent representatives and students, chair of the BIS Board of Trustees, Eric Voss welcomed business leaders, Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan and other public officials, including Friedrich Kitschelt of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

All good things come in threes, said Voss in his welcoming remarks. The fourth part comes in the future when the former American Club is finished, he said.

Twenty years ago, the American elementary school, high school and the British high school were combined to make Bonn International School. Costs to build the school have so far totaled 8.5 million euro. Three sponsors have contributed the largest amount of funding: the BMZ, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, and the NRW Ministry of Building, Housing, Urban Development and Transport. The school contributed 1.5 million euro.

Between the colorfully striped Waves main building on Martin-Luther-King-Strae and the classic Agora building which was added in 2012, one can now see The Crest, in the same colors as the Waves building. The new space gives us great opportunity for innovative teaching and learning, said school director Patricia Baier. Friedrich Kitschelt from BMZ praised BIS as a kind of melting pot. Here is where students from 76 nations learn how globalization works, he said. BIS is a pillar of the international city of Bonn, he expressed.

Student speaker Andrea was happy about the new study room, Here, we can prepare for our classes intensively and without disruption. As a part of the expansion process, the cafeteria was also expanded to contain 200 spaces. Celebrations were to take place there in the evening in honor of the new opening. The Crest building project took one year to complete.
Opening trial in Bonn : Walid S. denies involvement in attack on Niklas

Walid S. Foto: Benjamin Westhoff

Bonn With much interest from the public, the trial against Walid S. and Roman W. opened in Bonn district court. The main defendant Walid S. denies having been involved in the attack that led to the death of Niklas Pohler.

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With the trial against Walid S. and Roman W. opening on Friday morning in a Bonn courtroom, it was evident that media interest was huge. The trial got underway just eight months after the violent death of 17-year-old Niklas Pohler.

The main suspect, Walid S. is accused of bodily harm leading to death and involvement in a physical altercation. Roman W. is said to have punched a companion of Niklas Pohler with his fist against the head, and is also accused of trying to kick Niklas but being held back. Additionally, he is accused of severely beating a witness.

Neither defendant wanted to comment on the allegations, only their lawyers took the floor. According to defense lawyer Martin Kretschmer who represents Walid S., his client denies having participated in the attack on Niklas Pohler. He said he had been with friends at the Kurpark when the beating took place.

Further, the defendant said through his lawyer that he had only left the park once to get food and drink at a nearby gas station. Then he returned to the park. In the course of the evening, his clique had also consumed alcohol and marijuana. That is why he can not recall exact times. However, the witnesses he provided to authorities have not been able to confirm his alibi in previous interrogations by police and public prosecutors.

The jacket which was found with Walid S., containing traces of blood from Niklas Pohler, does not belong to the defendant. His lawyer said that the jacket was handed over to Walid S. on that evening by a friend.

Roman W. also refrained from making any comments about the accusations against him on the first day of the trial. Through his lawyer, Peter Krieger, he said that he had not put pressure on any witness. Further, he said that at a meeting with the witness, the witness acted as if he were a friend, although he had previously implicated him in the crime to police. For that reason, he was so angry that he beat him, and he regrets that. Again through his lawyer, he said that at no time did he threaten or kick the witness. He did not want to make any more comments in the main trial.

Besides reporters and camera teams, there were about 30 spectators at the trial. Among them was the mother of Niklas, who participated in the trial as a joint plaintiff, represented by Dr. Dirk Simon.

The court has planned a total of 17 days for the trial. The next date is set for January 27.
New evidence involving the ancient poop of some of the huge and astonishing creatures that once roamed Australia indicates the primary cause of their extinction around 45,000 years ago was likely a result of humans, not climate change.

Led by Monash University in Victoria, Australia and the University of Colorado Boulder, the team used information from a sediment core drilled in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southwest Australia to help reconstruct past climate and ecosystems on the continent. The core contains chronological layers of material blown and washed into the ocean, including dust, pollen, ash and spores from a fungus called Sporormiella that thrived on the dung of plant-eating mammals, said CU Boulder Professor Gifford Miller.

Miller, who participated in the study led by Sander van der Kaars of Monash University, said the sediment core allowed scientists to look back in time, in this case more than 150,000 years, spanning Earths last full glacial cycle. Fungal spores from plant-eating mammal dung were abundant in the sediment core layers from 150,000 years ago to about 45,000 years ago, when they went into a nosedive, said Miller, a professor in the Department of Geological Sciences.

The abundance of these spores is good evidence for a lot of large mammals on the southwestern Australian landscape up until about 45,000 years ago, he said. Then, in a window of time lasting just a few thousand years, the megafauna population collapsed.

A paper on the subject was published online Jan. 20 in Nature Communications.

The Australian collection of megafauna some 50,000 years ago included 1,000-pound kangaroos, 2-ton wombats, 25-foot-long lizards, 400-pound flightless birds, 300-pound marsupial lions and Volkswagen-sized tortoises. More than 85 percent of Australias mammals, birds and reptiles weighing over 100 pounds went extinct shortly after the arrival of the first humans, said Miller.

The ocean sediment core showed the southwest is one of the few regions on the Australian continent that had dense forests both 45,000 years ago and today, making it a hotbed for biodiversity, said Miller, also associate director of CU Boulders Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research.

Its a region with some of the earliest evidence of humans on the continent, and where we would expect a lot of animals to have lived, Miller said. Because of the density of trees and shrubs, it could have been one of their last holdouts some 45,000 years ago. There is no evidence of significant climate change during the time of the megafauna extinction.

Scientists have been debating the causes of the Australian megafauna extinctions for decades. Some claim the animals could not have survived changes in climate, including a shift some 70,000 years ago when much of the southwestern Australia landscape went from a wooded eucalyptus tree environment to an arid, sparsely vegetated landscape.

Others have suggested the animals were hunted to extinction by Australias earliest immigrants who had colonized most of the continent by 50,000 years ago, or a combination of overhunting and climate change, said Miller.

Miller said the extinction may have been caused by imperceptible overkill. A 2006 study by Australian researchers indicates that even low-intensity hunting of Australian megafauna  like the killing of one juvenile mammal per person per decade  could have resulted in the extinction of a species in just a few hundred years.

The results of this study are of significant interest across the archaeological and Earth science communities and to the general public who remain fascinated by the menagerie of now extinct giant animals that roamed the planet  and the cause of their extinction  as our own species began its persistent colonization of Earth, said van der Kaars.

In 2016 Miller used burned eggshells of the 400-pound bird, Genyornis, as the first direct evidence that humans actually preyed on the Australian megafauna.

The new study also included Research Professor Scott Lehman of INSTAAR. The study was funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the German Research Foundation.

Note: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Colorado at Boulder.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21

Trend:

UK will continue to assist the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at finding peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a message to the Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian in connection with the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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.
kacylee at 21-01-2017 09:35 AM (5 years ago) (f)



The leader of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has finally bowed to local and international pressure to announce that he has stepped down.

The leader of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh has finally bowed to local and international pressure to announce that he has stepped down.

At long last, Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh said Saturday he would step down to keep peace in his country after 22 years in power, following last-chance talks with west African leaders before a military intervention, reports AFP.



He reached the decision after spending long hours with Guinea and Mauritanias presidents on Friday in Banjul, where agreement was reached that he would hand power to Adama Barrow, the declared winner of elections last month.



I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians, Jammeh said in a statement broadcast on state television.



Jammeh stated that the decision to leave office was not because of international pressure or threats but out of his own volition. It is still yet known where his next destination will be.



My decision today was not dictated by anything else than the supreme interest of you the Gambian people and our dear country, Jammeh said in his speech, thanking Gambians for their support.



At a time when we are witnessing trouble and fears in other parts of Africa and the world the peace and security of the Gambia is our collective heritage which we must jealously guard and defend, he added.



It would be recalled that troops from five African nations are stationed on the tiny west African nations borders in the event Jammeh does not keep his word, and it was thought Conde would stay into Saturday to iron out remaining disagreements.



Jammeh made the decision public in a state televised event. It is believed he will not be in the Gambia while President Adama Barrow presides over the affairs of the country to avoid any clash of interest.





Jammeh has accepted he will leave power. The discussions revolve around where he will live in exile and the conditions around that, a Mauritanian source close to the delegation in Banjul told AFP.



A highly-placed Guinean source said the country of exile had to be far enough away to stop Jammeh interfering in his countrys affairs.



The Guinean source mentioned Equatorial Guinea as a possible option, while diplomats discussed the possibility of Morocco.

Gambias army chief Ousman Badjie said foreign troops would be welcomed with a cup of tea rather than gunfire if they intervene to ensure Jammeh stands down.



Why should we fight?, said Badjie, a former Jammeh loyalist.



This is a political misunderstanding. There is no military solution to a political problem, let me tell you. We are not fools. I love my soldiers. I love the Gambian people. Nobody is going to be hurt here.



The political turmoil forced about 45,000 people to flee.



"I believe in the importance of dialogue... I've decided to relinquish the mantle of leadership," Jammeh on State TV HT/Adeola #NBSUpdates pic.twitter.com/UvIFGVVVkD  NBS Television (@nbstv) January 21, 2017 At long last, Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh said Saturday he would step down to keep peace in his country after 22 years in power, following last-chance talks with west African leaders before a military intervention, reports AFP.He reached the decision after spending long hours with Guinea and Mauritanias presidents on Friday in Banjul, where agreement was reached that he would hand power to Adama Barrow, the declared winner of elections last month.I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians, Jammeh said in a statement broadcast on state television.Jammeh stated that the decision to leave office was not because of international pressure or threats but out of his own volition. It is still yet known where his next destination will be.My decision today was not dictated by anything else than the supreme interest of you the Gambian people and our dear country, Jammeh said in his speech, thanking Gambians for their support.At a time when we are witnessing trouble and fears in other parts of Africa and the world the peace and security of the Gambia is our collective heritage which we must jealously guard and defend, he added.It would be recalled that troops from five African nations are stationed on the tiny west African nations borders in the event Jammeh does not keep his word, and it was thought Conde would stay into Saturday to iron out remaining disagreements.Jammeh made the decision public in a state televised event. It is believed he will not be in the Gambia while President Adama Barrow presides over the affairs of the country to avoid any clash of interest.Jammeh has accepted he will leave power. The discussions revolve around where he will live in exile and the conditions around that, a Mauritanian source close to the delegation in Banjul told AFP.A highly-placed Guinean source said the country of exile had to be far enough away to stop Jammeh interfering in his countrys affairs.The Guinean source mentioned Equatorial Guinea as a possible option, while diplomats discussed the possibility of Morocco.Gambias army chief Ousman Badjie said foreign troops would be welcomed with a cup of tea rather than gunfire if they intervene to ensure Jammeh stands down.Why should we fight?, said Badjie, a former Jammeh loyalist.This is a political misunderstanding. There is no military solution to a political problem, let me tell you. We are not fools. I love my soldiers. I love the Gambian people. Nobody is going to be hurt here.The political turmoil forced about 45,000 people to flee.

Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 21-01-2017 09:35 AM (5 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Uber seems to focus on carpooling and ride-sharing in India News oi -GizBot Bureau Get to know the reason for Uber to focus more on carpooling and ride-sharing

Getting "more people into fewer cars" has the potential to cut congestion and, therefore, pollution in urban cities. In India, carpooling and ride-sharing can actually improve urban mobility and global online cab-hailing app Uber has hit the ground running on this count.

For a country that considers car ownership as a status symbol, it has been interesting to note that people are finally adapting to the idea of sharing rides.

The San Francisco-headquartered firm launched UberPOOL -- a service that enables people going the same way at the same time to share their journey -- in Bengaluru in September 2015. Thereafter, it was introduced in Delhi in December 2015, followed by Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and, more recently, in Chennai.

5 hidden iPhone features you wish you had known earlier

"The response we have got on UberPOOL has been phenomenal so far and is fast-emerging as the most preferred mode of transport for riders in India. More than 31 per cent of rides in Delhi are on UberPOOL and over 20 per cent of the UberPOOL rides are in the remaining five cities -- Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai," Apurva Dalal, Head of Engineering, Uber India, told IANS.

"Since the launch of UberPOOL in the country, the company has partnered with citizens in saving over 32 million km of vehicle-travel, over 1.5 million litres of fuel, reducing CO2 emissions worth 3.5 million kg," Dalal claimed.

UberCOMMUTE -- the ride-sharing feature for those who embark on long rides on a daily basis to share journey with a fellow commuter headed in the same direction and recoup the costs -- is also picking up.

"If we aspire for every journey in India to be a shared journey, we need to use private cars for the public good. How do we encourage people who own a car to carpool more often with Uber technology making the experience seamless?," asked Dalal who has previously led the Google India Development Centre.

There are over 2.7 million cars in Delhi but less than 100,000 are eligible to use ridesharing apps.

"Similarly, we have hundreds of thousands of riders in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai who can be encouraged to share their rides with appropriate government support for this," Dalal told IANS.

According to the Uber executive, more cars that are eligible for ride-sharing and more passengers per car is the only way to get rid of the congestion on city roads.

"Cities in India suffer from some of the worst congestion in the world. For example, on an average, we have 1.2 people in one car at any given point, with the average asset utilisation rate as low as five per cent. There is an appetite for more options for reliable and efficient ways to get to and from work," Dalal noted.

SEE ALSO: Google Maps update allows you to directly book Uber rides

Uber founder and CEO Travis Kalanick, who was recently in India, also spoke at length about how to decongest mega cities in the country.

"Our journey in India started three years ago with Bengaluru; the growth since then has been phenomenal. We started with three employees and are now a 700-people team operating across 29 cities with over 400,000 driver-partners on our platform, of which 50 per cent are active at any given point in time," Dalal informed.

The company has also ramped up its engineering centre in Bengaluru -- the only one in Asia -- to tap into the deep tech talent pool in the country.

The centre's aim is to innovate on transportation technology for India, many of which (innovations) are then rolled out in other markets around the globe. Additionally, it has also set up a Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad.

"We are also investing aggressively in India especially in the areas of research and expansion. We are confident that ridesharing is going to be the future of urban mobility and are going to focus our efforts a lot more in helping build awareness of this mode of transportation," Dalal stated.

Uber has also introduced a lot of firsts in India.

UberGO -- a new range of low cost, chauffeur-driven hatchbacks (like Etios Liva and Maruti Ritz) that was first rolled out for riders in India -- is now available in Turkey.

Cash as a payment option was first piloted in Hyderabad in May 2015. The option is now available in various parts of the world, including Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia.

"We recently launched a new rider app, rebuilt completely from the ground up for the first time, since the last redesign in 2012," Dalal said, adding that the India experience shows that carpooling and ride-sharing will sure make a tangible difference when it comes to helping with pollution and congestion.

Source: IANS

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Templates

There are well-designed templates on Google Docs. You can use the template gallery on the Google Docs homepage for any purpose such as writing your resume, crafting a business letter, drafting a project proposal, formalizing meeting notes or designing a brochure. There are templates for almost all needs, and under each category, there are multiple template choices as well.

Clear Formatting

On copy pasting text from another location to Google Docs, you might have faced issues related to formatting. Instead of editing the pasted text manually, you can use the Clear Formatting option. To do so, you need to highlight the pasted text in a different format and navigate to Format  Clear Formatting in the toolbar. That's it. The offending text will appear in line with the rest of the content in the document.

Also read: Paytm debuts Google Play recharge codes sales

Research/Explore Tool

If you are writing in Google Docs and you are in need of online research, then the research tool will definitely be a boon. It lets you research and refer to details and images online without having to leave the document. Eventually, there is no need to switch between the tabs. You can access this feature from Tools  Research/Explore. Then right click on a word and choose Research or Explore.

Footnotes

These are easy and quick things to add to the documents, but not many people use the feature. To add a footnote to your document, all you need to do is just place the cursor in that specific part of the document where you want the footnote to be inserted. Then navigate to Insert  Footnote and type the footnote. Once you are done, just click on the document to save the note.

Suggesting Mode

Google Docs has the ability to suggest changes that you can make to your document without making the changes automatically. It works similar to Comments in Microsoft Word. To enable the Suggesting mode, you need to switch from the Editing mode to this one by clicking on the pencil icon at the top right corner of the document. Once the Suggesting mode is enabled, anything that you type, delete or change will be displayed in colored marks along with details on the right.

Revision History

With Google Docs, you can get to see the changes made by you and others to the documents. The Revision History also lets you go to back to the earlier version of the document. To get the revision history, you need to go to File  View Revision History. The panel on the right will show the changes along with the time and user who changed it.

Also Read: Google acquires Fabric, Twitter's mobile app developers' platform

Voice Typing

If you are using Google Chrome and have a microphone that functions properly, you can type in Google Docs using your voice. You can add punctuation marks by voicing out the name such as "comma", "question mark", etc. You can start a new paragraph by saying "new paragraph". To start voice typing, click on Tools  Voice Typing and start talking. It is as simple as that.

Comments

If you have have a document shared with many people and want to leave a message along with your changes, you can leave a comment in the document itself. The comments on Google Docs can be used as a conversation thread as you can reply to the comments and carry on a detailed conversation over there. Also, you can close the thread once you are done. The comments can be edited or deleted whenever you want to.

Create Custom Shortcuts

Google Docs already has many shortcuts that are useful, but you can create your own custom shortcuts as well. To do so, you need to go to Tools  Preferences  Automatic Substition.

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Dictionary

What if you want to know the meaning of a word that you have written on Google Docs. Well, you can get this with the inbuilt dictionary in the platform. Just right click on the specific word and choose Define to get the Research tool that will look up for that word on the internet from within the document.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21

By Anakhanum Hidayatova  Trend:

NATO and Azerbaijan cooperate on a number of areas within the framework of the Partnership for Peace (PfP); more specifically through two important tools: the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) and the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), an official representative of NATO said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

"Currently key areas of cooperation include security cooperation, defence and security sector cooperation, civil emergency planning, scientific cooperation, and public diplomacy," said the NATO official.

"Azerbaijan continues to be a great contributor to NATOs efforts in Afghanistan, by providing troops to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission to train, advise, and assist the Afghan National Defence Forces and by contributing to the Afghan National Army Trust Fund," noted the official. "Azerbaijan also consults on a regular basis with NATO allies on further improving defence planning, defence budgeting, and logistical support."

"In cooperation with NATO and through participation in activities organized by NATOs Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC), Azerbaijan is developing its national civil emergency and disaster-management capabilities. Azerbaijans special search-and-rescue platoon has participated in several exercises organized by the EADRCC, including the 2015 exercise in Ukraine and 2016 exercise "CRNA GORA 2016" in Montenegro," added the official.

"In addition, Azerbaijan is developing two units (search and rescue and CBRN) to be on high readiness and ready to be deployed on disaster relief operations and is awaiting INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Guidelines) certification. Since 2009, an Azerbaijani officer from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) has been working in the EADRCC as a Voluntary National Contribution."

"Azerbaijan is also actively involved in the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, a unique partnership programme that offers opportunities for practical cooperation on security-related civil science and technology development. Over the last 20 years, Azerbaijan has participated in more than 80 SPS activities. For instance, in 2016, a group of system and network administrators from Azerbaijan took place in a cyber defense Advanced Training Course," said the NATO official.

"Baku also hosted a SPS-funded training course for experts in the field of counter-terrorism last year. In the field of energy security, Azerbaijani scientists support a SPS multi-year project, led by Italy and Georgia, to enhance security for the Enguri energy infrastructure in Georgia. The SPS Programme remains open to applications by interested scientists and experts from Azerbaijan in 2017."

"Azerbaijan has for many years worked with Allies to enhance infrastructure security and improve counter terrorism training. Azerbaijan also engages with NATO on the protection of energy-related critical infrastructure. NATO is providing support to Azerbaijans developing International CT Training Centre as it establishes its new courses," noted the official.

"The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action and the NATO Support Agency will continue their work in 2017 on the Jeyranchel Trust Fund, which aims to clear unexploded ordnance and mines. Turkey will lead this Trust Fund," said the NATO official.

"Going forward, we encourage Azerbaijan to work more with us in the field of good governance and democratic institution building, reflecting the objectives of the Partnership Action Plan for Defense Institution Building, which Azerbaijan endorsed in 2004. Opportunities offered by the Building Integrity Initiative could also be used," added the NATO official.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Anahanum
Apple files lawsuit against Qualcomm over unpaid royalty fee News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Apple pulls Qualcomm to court.

Lately, the chip maker Qualcomm was sued by FTV over an anti-competitive deal that was allegedly made along with Apple. It was reported that the contract covered iPhone production from 2011 till 2016.

As per the suit, Qualcomm had accepted to exclusively make the baseband chip for iPhones in that period. In return, Apple was asked to pay a low royalty fee to Qualcomm. This year, the iPhone maker is making use of baseband chips from both Intel and Qualcomm.

Amidst this, Apple has filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm accusing the chip maker of withholding $1 billion that is claimed to be owed by Qualcomm. The lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of California, Qualcomm has been accused for overcharging Apple for the supplied chips and refusing to repay a sum of $1 billion in promised rebates.

Apple's 0 million patent win against Samsung reinstated

The Cupertino tech giant claims that it is strong in this lawsuit as the company has spoken the truth to the law enforcement agencies involved in investigating the chip maker Qualcomm regarding the lawsuit. However, in an official statement, Qualcomm's General Counsel Don Rosenberg stated that Apple's claims are baseless.

Notably, Qualcomm is a dominant supplier of chips for both Apple and Samsung and these chips come with the ability to connect phones to the wireless networks. The two makers accounted for about 40% of the $23.5 billion revenue that Qualcomm generated in the recent fiscal year.

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LG G6 now rumored to come with Google Assistant preinstalled News oi -Chakri Kudikala The Google Assistant is exclusive to just Pixel phones.

There are plenty of rumors coming out every day regarding the upcoming flagship LG G6 and today's leak say that the phone will come with Google Assistant built-in.

Rumors say that LG has approached the search giant, Google to request them to include the Pixel-exclusive Google Assistant on their upcoming flagship phone. But, there are no details on whether Google has agreed to this or not.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air 2 could be lighter than a Kg; new details revealed

Because LG previously worked with Google to manufacture Nexus phones, the response from Google might be a positive one. Incidentally, LG is the one releasing two new Smartwatches with Android Wear 2.0 on February 9.

However, if Google denies LG to include the Google Assistant on their phones, the South Korean giant has another plan as well. It was rumored that LG would approach Amazon, another leader in AI technology to integrate their tech in the LG G6.

But, there's no final response for now from Google. If Google ever accepts this LG's proposal, then the LG G6 will be the world's first non-Pixel phone to get Google Assistant.

SOURCE

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Reliance partners with Foxconn to manufacture Lyf branded smartphones in India News oi -Chakri Kudikala The Reliance Lyf phones will be a lot cheaper if it ever happens.

In what could be considered as a significant move, Reliance Industries (RIL) led by Mukesh Ambani has reportedly partnered with Taiwanese smartphone maker, Foxconn to manufacture their Lyf branded phones in India itself.

The company will set up a manufacturing plant in Navi Mumbai and will soon start the production of smartphones. Also, the company has asked Foxconn to manufacture set-top boxes, and other home automation devices as well.

Also Read: Reliance Jio to continue offering free voice calling, but might charge for data after March 31

That said, Reliance is making this move especially because of bringing down the cost of their Lyf phones, and it will eventually happen if Foxconn agrees to this.

A spokesperson from Reliance speaking to Economic Times quoted as follows "Foxconn has its set of handsets that they will make for Reliance's Lyf. Local sourcing will bring down costs of these devices,".

There is no estimated date revealed by the source on when the production will officially start, but we are expecting it to begin in coming weeks.

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Sony sends out media invites for the MWC 2017 event News oi -Chakri Kudikala Expect two flagship Sony phones, at least.

After LG sending out their media invites for the MWC 2017 event, it's now Sony turn to do the same. Yes, the Taiwanese smartphone giant has sent out media invites for an event to be hosted by them at the MWC 2017.

The event will be held on February 27, and the invite just has the timings of the event. There are no details about what Sony will launch at the event, but recent reports claimed that Sony would launch two new smartphones powered by the MediaTek Helio P20 chipset.

Both the phones will come with model numbers as G3112 and the G3221. The G3112 is expected to be the lower variant with a 720p screen, whereas the G3221 might boast of a 1080p display with a display size of 5.2-inches.

SEE ALSO: Sony halts the Android Nougat update for Xperia Z5 series

These phones are touted to be launched under new Sony Xperia series rather than the usual Xperia C, Z, X series of phones. As we are inching towards the MWC 2017, the phones will be leaked in full glory in coming days. We will keep you updated, as always if we receive any details regarding the upcoming Sony phones.

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Report: Probe Launched Into Possible Links Between Russia, Trump Associates

January 20, 2017

U.S. intelligence and law-enforcement agencies are reportedly "examining intercepted communications and financial transactions" as part of an inquiry into possible links between Russian officials and at least three associates of President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20.

Citing current and former senior American officials, The New York Times reports that the probe centers "at least in part on the business dealings that some of Trump's past and present advisers have had with Russia."

The newspaper says Trump campaign advisers under scrutiny for their possible links to Russia include his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who has done business in Ukraine and Russia; Carter Page, a businessman and former foreign policy adviser to the campaign; and Roger Stone, a longtime Republican operative.

The New York Times says it is unclear whether the intercepted communications had anything to do with Trump himself or his campaign and whether the investigation is linked to a probe into alleged attempts to disrupt the U.S. presidential elections.

U.S. intelligence agencies accused the Kremlin this month of orchestrating a campaign to meddle in the November 8 vote, which Moscow denies.

Based on reporting by The New York Times

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/probe-into- possible-links-between-russia-trump- associates/28245004.html

Copyright (c) 2017. 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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USS Carney Visits Villefranche Sur Mer

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170119-12

Release Date: 1/19/2017 2:17:00 PM

From U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

VILLEFRANCHE SUR MER, France (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) arrived in Villefranche sur Mer, France, Jan. 19 for a scheduled port visit.

The visit aims to enhance U.S.-France relations and commemorate events honoring the 50th anniversary of the years 1950s and 1960s during which the U.S. 6th Fleet was based in Villefranche sur Mer, France.

Quote:

"We have worked closely with the French navy during our two deployments in 6th Fleet since joining the forward-deployed naval forces in Europe. It is an honor to visit France and pay homage to our shared naval heritage. We have been close allies for nearly 2 1/2 centuries, and nowhere is that partnership more evident than between our two navies here in the Mediterranean." - Cmdr. Peter Halvorsen, commanding officer, USS Carney (DDG 64)

Quick Facts:

U.S. 6th Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Christopher Grady will be visiting Toulon to meet with the commander of the French Mediterranean Fleet (CECMED), Vice Adm. Charles-Henri du Che, and will attend U.S. 6th Fleet homeport commemoration events in Villefranche sur Mer.

The U.S. 6th Fleet was based in Villefranche sur Mer from May 1956 to January 1967.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

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Carter Hall Trains for Evacuation Operations

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170119-13

Release Date: 1/19/2017 2:20:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darren M. Moore, USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) participated in a Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) exercise Jan. 16, while underway for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

Crew members trained on how to respond in the event the ship would need to provide refuge to U.S. citizens if needed during its upcoming deployment.

Carter Hall Executive Officer, Cmdr. Brian K. Hamel, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, said the training was important because a NEO is a likely scenario for Carter Hall.

"Ultimately our job is to protect U.S. citizens overseas," Hamel said. "We're here to ensure that if something happens we can get them into a relatively safe environment; and we'll get them here and we'll take care of them."

During the NEO exercise, 15 Marines with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) acted as U.S. citizens who were evacuated from an American embassy and in need of care and assistance. The roles ranged from small children to older citizens.

"We're often in environments where they would need to do evacuations," Hamel said. "As American citizens our job is to bring them on American soil. Carter Hall is 605 feet of U.S. territory at sea."

The evacuee role players began on Carter Hall's flight deck, as though they were delivered via helicopter. Crew members then escorted them to the vehicle stowage area (VSA) where stations were set up for in-processing, medical screenings and assistance.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Matthew R. DeJesus, from Bradenton, Florida, said the medical team performed and communicated well during the exercise. The evacuees simulated illnesses and trauma injuries such as gun shot wounds.

"The importance of having medical personnel available is because a lot of times in these NEOs there are people that have medical conditions or have had trauma," DeJesus said. "They need to be screened as they could have some medical conditions that could affect the people that are on the ship. We need to make sure that we're taking care of them and their needs, while also protecting our ship staff and ship riders from any possible dangers from personnel coming on board."

DeJesus said everyone worked together and learned a lot of valuable information for future NEOs.

Cpl. Jeffery D. Ott, from Farmville, Virginia, acted as an 8-year-old boy during the exercise. He said he could not imagine an 8-year-old coming aboard a ship, but that the crew was very comforting and well organized.

"It was good training," Ott said. "I think we gave them a pretty good picture of what it would be like."

Carter Hall is underway with the Bataan Amphibious Readiness Group participating in COMPTUEX, in preparation of a scheduled upcoming deployment.

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Future USS Sioux City to be Commissioned in Annapolis, Maryland

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS170119-23

Release Date: 1/19/2017 3:15:00 PM

From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus today announced that the city of Annapolis, Maryland, will serve as the commissioning site for the future USS Sioux City (LCS 11).

Sioux City, a Freedom variant of the LCS class, was named to honor the patriotic, hard-working citizens of Sioux City and the state of Iowa for their support of, and contributions to, the military. Sioux City was termed an All-American City by the National Civic League because of the balance it struck between community and industry.

No date has been set for the ceremony, but the ship is expected to be commissioned later this year.

Mary Winnefeld, spouse of retired Adm. James "Sandy" Winnefeld, serves as the ship's sponsor. Sponsoring the Sioux City is a continuation of Winnefeld's commitment to public service. She has volunteered for multiple organizations, many of which support military families, including the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and the Cohen Veterans Network.

Littoral combat ships are fast, agile, focused-mission platforms designed for successful operations in near-shore and open-ocean environments. They are designed to defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.

Sioux City will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly as combat needs demand. These mission packages are supported by special detachments that will deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine, undersea and surface warfare missions.

Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wis. built Sioux City, which is 378 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 57 feet, displaces approximately 3,000 tons, and will operate at speeds in excess of 40 knots.

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AF refuelers enable B-2 strike against ISIL in Libya

By Master Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher, 18th Air Force Public Affairs / Published January 20, 2017

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender crews from five bases on three continents provided aerial refueling support during the B-2 Spirit bomber mission which struck two Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant training camps in Libya Jan. 18, 2017.

Two B-2s dropped 500-pound GPS-guided bombs on the camps, which were being used to plan and train for attacks against U.S. and allied interests in North Africa and Europe.

A total of 15 tankers participated in the operation, enabling the B-2s to fly more than 30 hours roundtrip to the target from their home base at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Planners at 18th Air Force and the 618th Air Operations Center at Scott AFB coordinated the tanker mission, ensuring the refueling aircraft were at the right place at the right time to get the bombers to and from the ISIL training camps.

"Our goal was to find the aircraft to do the mission," said Lt. Col. James Hadley, the 18th AF operations planner. "The mobility enterprise flexed to put tankers from the U.S., U.S. European and U.S. Central Commands toward this effort. Everybody had a part in making this work, and it was very successful."

The 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, was one of the units that contributed tankers to the refueling mission. Col. Darren Cole, the 305th AMW commander, said several units had to come together from different locations and commands and function together as a team to make this mission happen.

"It's a big team that has to execute things on time to make it work right," he said. "It's pretty impressive to be able to hit a target globally at a moment's notice with so many people participating."

Making sure the tankers and bombers meet at the right place and time is like choreographing a Broadway production, Hadley said.

"When you get the request, you have to look at the whole enterprise," he said. "Some tankers may already be in the right spot, some may have to be moved. The speed of the aircraft(s) are completely different, so they won't all take off at the same time, and it takes several mid-air refuelings to make an air bridge. If one person is off, the whole mission can go awry."

Col. Clint Zumbrunnen, the 305th Operations Group commander, said the 305th AMW keeps two aircraft on continuous alert just in case such a mission should come up. He said that, coupled with an efficient operations team, made sure the 305th OG would fly on time.

"The crews grow up here being conditioned for short-notice missions, to show up, plan and get the fuel to the fight," Zumbrunnen explained. "Our current operations team is also particularly skilled at making operations happen on short notice. It makes us particularly well-equipped to do this sort of mission."

Hadley said the stakes can be high.

"If a tanker fell out you might have seen on the news how a couple of bombers had to land somewhere in Europe," he said. "Or even worse, you might have seen a news report about two bombers lost in the North Atlantic. Our tanker fleet enables them to do what they do."

Using tankers sends a message to friend and foe alike, Hadley said.

"They affect things on a global scale," he said. "They tell our forces that we can support them where ever they are, and it tells our adversaries that we can find you and touch you on a moment's notice."

Cole said he's proud of the role his Airmen played in this mission.

"As always, they do an outstanding job when their nation calls upon them to do the tough tasks," he said. "And it came off extremely well. It's air refueling that puts the 'global' in 'global strike.'"

The Libya strike is just one example of how the command facilitates the tanker war against ISIL, said Brig. Gen. Lenny Richoux, the 18th AF vice commander.

"The air bridge our planners and tanker crews create enable U.S. and allied strike aircraft to continuously hit (ISIL), or any enemy, no matter where they hide," Richoux said.

"Missions like this one are merely one of many executed every day," he added. "The mobility enterprise conducts a massive amount of planning every single day, and we coordinate with customers around the globe for each mission. America's air refueling tanker (capabilities) are one of the key missions that set us apart from every other Air Force in the world. Everyone needs air refueling and we deliver it."

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Air Force faces fighter pilot shortage

By Airman 1st Class Nathan Byrnes, 99th Air Base Wing / Published January 20, 2017

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The Air Force is in the midst of a pilot shortage. While most platforms are affected by the shortage, the fighter pilot community has been hit the hardest.

In September 2015, the Air Force Chief of Staff directed a fighter enterprise redesign to focus on developing a strategy and implementation plan to ensure the Air Force has an enduring, proficient and sufficient fighter pilot force.

Senior Air Force leaders took time to discuss the topic during the annual Weapons and Tactics Conference at Nellis Air Force Base from Jan. 9-13.

"The health of the fighter pilot community is bad," said Lt. Gen. Chris Nowland, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements (AF/A3). "We focus on fighter pilots, but it's not just [them]. We have a national pilot crisis. Essentially the Air Force, when it comes to pilot production, is going to have to change."

The past 25 years of continuous combat operations has taken a toll on the Air Force fighter community. Compounding the problem since fiscal 2014, losses of fighter pilots have exceeded the Air Force's annual production capacity.

"Recruiting and getting people on to fly is not a problem," Nowland said. "If you look across the Air Force, the quality of the individuals coming into the Air Force are some of the highest we ever had. That goes for the enlisted and officer force.

"Our problem is capacity. It's how do we get the throughput up to produce the number of pilots we want. It's a supply and demand problem," Nowland continued. "Air Education and Training Command is working hard on this problem, but it's not something that can change overnight. There is a lot of infrastructure associated with it and the problem becomes complicated as you consider how to man to the increased capacity that we want to build."

While a complete fix of the shortage will be a long process, senior leadership have already begun aggressively attacking the problem and have several initiatives that will help fix some of the current issues as well as developing a long-term plan to rebuild the career field.

"Senior leadership is extremely engaged," said Col. Jason Cockrum, the AF/A3 director of staff. "They care deeply and are taking this very seriously. They know and appreciate the high operations tempo that our fighter forces have been operating at for the past 25 years, and recognize the new and emerging threats in the Pacific, Europe and the ongoing operations in the Middle East. They understand those demands and the requirements for a strong sustainable fighter force in the future."

According to Cockrum, the Air Force is taking a threefold approach to solving this problem by reducing the number of fighter pilot requirements, increasing retention of pilots currently serving and increasing the production of new fighter pilots.

Cockrum engaged in an open Q-and-A session with the pilot community that were in attendance at WEPTAC to get feedback on the issues causing the retention rate of pilots to decrease and how they can go about solving those issues.

"Every time we go out and meet with pilots we learn something new," Cockrum said. "We lean on our Airmen to give us feedback and provide us with the changes they would recommend. For example, we had a really good idea from the group we met with (during WEPTAC) and within about three hours after the meeting we had information back to the senior leadership in the Pentagon. In less than 24 hours the idea was pitched to Congress to see if the suggestion could be implemented as part of a future solution."

Much of the impact on the military flying community stems from the draw of commercial airlines, who have been hiring at an increased rate the past three years.

"There are three pillars that a lot of people focus on when considering staying in the military; quality of service, quality of life and monetary compensation," Cockrum said. "Nobody in the civilian sector can compete with quality of service. What Airmen go out and do every day for our nation, you just can't get that anywhere else. So we are focused on improvements related to quality of life and monetary compensation. We are not going to be able to compete directly with the airline industry on the monetary piece, but we are focusing on how we can ensure the other two pillars offset any differences offered by the civilian sector."

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev offered condolences to President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hassan Rouhani on Jan. 21.

I was deeply saddened by the news of the loss of lives as a result of the collapse of a multi-storey building in Iran, said President Aliyev in his letter.

On the occasion of this tragedy, on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the families and loved ones of those who died and the whole people of Iran, and wish the injured the swiftest possible recovery, added the president. May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace!
Counter-ISIL Strikes Hit Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Jan. 20, 2017  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 the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 23 strikes consisting of 39 engagements in Syria:

-- Near Bab, three strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units and damaged a tactical vehicle.

-- Near Raqqah, 18 strikes engaged five ISIL tactical units, destroyed five fighting positions, two tunnels, five tunnel entrances, and a weapons cache; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed an oil wellhead.

-- Near Palmyra, a strike engaged an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed a headquarters, two vehicles and an ISIL-held building

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, rotary and remotely piloted aircraft conducted eight strikes consisting of 47 engagements in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Mosul, seven strikes engaged three ISIL tactical units; destroyed 12 watercraft, five vehicles, a heavy machine gun, four mortars, a tunnel entrance, a bunker, a vehicle bomb-making facility, a staging facility, eight shipping containers, and three vehicle bombs; damaged 12 supply routes; and suppressed an ISIL tactical unit.

-- Near Rawah, a strike destroyed an ISIL bunker.

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 they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in 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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Engineer training strengthens U.S., Kenyan armed forces partnership

By Meredith March January 20, 2017

VICENZA, Italy -- Massachusetts National Guard engineers and their State Partnership Program counterparts from the Kenya Defence Forces Engineer Brigade are putting their partnership into action at Thika Barracks, a job site near Nairobi, Kenya, where they are conducting overseas deployment training.

The State Partnership Program helps partner nations build a skilled force capable of helping to develop the host nation's defenses and security, disaster response, crisis management and interagency cooperation capabilities, according to Massachusetts National Guard officials. The partnership between Massachusetts and Kenya is one of 12 such partnerships between National Guard forces from 10 states and countries on the African continent.

The current training, the largest event so far in the yearlong partnership between the Massachusetts National Guard and KDF, includes exercises in site development, vehicle preventive maintenance checks and services, site clearing, grading, road improvement, foundation work and debris removal.

Throughout the training, which began last month and will continue into April, rotating teams of about eight National Guardsmen will cycle into Kenya to participate. Collaboration during this event will facilitate interoperability between the partner militaries, as well as inform planning for future engagements, officials said.

These objectives are already being fulfilled, according to National Guardsmen from the first cycle.

"(Massachusetts National Guard and KDF participants) have been pretty successful so far," said Sgt. 1st Class Joe Sullivan. "I definitely want to do this again in the future. I want to see how we can continue to integrate."

First Lt. Patrick St. Pierre, an officer in charge, said training with the KDF engineers has positively affected how he approaches unexpected complications.

"I've learned about getting outside of a problem," he said. "Kenyans use collective wisdom to solve problems ... They used creativity and ingenuity in ways we might not have thought about."

St. Pierre believes the stage has been set for an increasingly rewarding SPP relationship.

"The future is wide open," he said. "We have laid the foundation."

(Editor's note: The 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs Office at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., contributed to this article.)

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U.S. Department of Defense

Press Operations

News Release

No. NR-019-17 January 20, 2017

Statement by Pentagon Spokesman Captain Jeff Davis on US strike against al-Qaida Training Camp in Syria?

U.S. manned and unmanned aircraft conducted a precision air strike Jan. 19 against an al-Qaida training camp in Idlib Province, Syria. More than 100 al-Qaida fighters were killed in the strike.

The Shaykh Sulayman Training Camp was operational since at least 2013. The removal of this training camp disrupts training operations and discourages hardline Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with al-Qaida on the battlefield.



U.S. strikes have killed more than 150 al-Qaida terrorists since Jan. 1. These strikes include the removal of Mohammad Habib Boussadoun al-Tunisi, an external operations leader, on Jan. 17; Abd al-Jalil al-Muslimi, a facilitator associated with a network plotting terror attacks in the west, on Jan. 12; and Abu Hasan al-Taftanaz, an al-Qaida senior leader, on Jan. 6. These strikes, conducted in quick succession, degrade al-Qaida's capabilities, weaken their resolve, and cause confusion in their ranks.

We will continue to exert unrelenting pressure to defeat violent extremist groups across the globe.

http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/1055821/

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S.Korea, U.S., Japan to hold joint maritime drills against DPRK missiles

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:55, January 20, 2017

South Korea, the United States and Japan will hold joint maritime drills this week to enhance capability to detect and trail ballistic missiles from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Yonhap news agency reported on Friday citing South Korea's navy.

The missile warning exercise will be conducted from Friday to Sunday in waters near the three nations, mobilizing three Aegis-equipped destroyers, the South Korean navy was quoted as saying.

South Korea's Sejong the Great destroyer, a 7,600-ton Aegis-equipped vessel, will be mobilized, together with the 8,800-ton USS Curtis Wilbur and Japan's Kirishima Aegis destroyers.

The exercise to jointly detect and trail DPRK ballistic missiles would the third of its kind since the first was held in June last year near the U.S. island of Hawaii. The second was staged in November.

It is expected to strengthen missile defense (MD) cooperation between the three countries. Seoul and Washington agreed in July last year to deploy a U.S. missile shield, called Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in the former's southeastern region by the end of this year.

The THAAD deployment indicates South Korea in effect becoming a part of the U.S. missile defense system. China and Russia have strongly opposed the installation as its X-band radar can peer into territories of the two nations.

South Korea's News 1 news agency cited the country's navy as saying that during the exercise, the three countries will share simulated military intelligences on missile detection and trail.

The three allies signed a trilateral military pact in December 2014 to share the DPRK's nuclear and missile threats.

South Korea inked the similar military intelligence pact with Japan in November last year despite oppositions from the general public and the parliament.

Participating Aegis destroyers from the United States and Japan are reportedly equipped with SM-3 interceptors that can shoot down incoming missiles at an altitude of over 500 km.

Citing unnamed U.S. and South Korean sources, Yonhap reported on Thursday that Pyongyang already produced a new type of two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that were being mounted on mobile launchers.

Seoul's military believed that the DPRK can test-launch its ICBM at any time when the leadership decides.

Top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un said in his new year speech that his country had entered a final stage to prepare for the test-fire of a long-range ballistic rocket, indicating the ICBM test-launch in the foreseeable future.

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Gambia's Jammeh asks for extension of deadline to quit

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 4:6PM

The Gambia's long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh has asked the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to extend a midday deadline for him to step down.

Jammeh asked the West African bloc for his deadline to be extended from noon to 4 PM local time (1600 GMT), government sources said on Friday.

It was not clear whether Jammeh intended to step down.

The development came as Guinea's President Alpha Conde and Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz arrived in the Gambian capital of Banjul on Friday for last-ditch talks with Jammeh to persuade him to leave power.

The Gambian ruler, whose presidential term ended on January 19, has been in power for 22 years but lost the December election to the opposition coalition's candidate Adama Barrow by a thin margin. However, Jammeh refuses to leave power under the pretense of election irregularities.

Initially Jammeh conceded defeat, before challenging the result in the courts.

Barrow, 51, was sworn in inside Gambia's embassy in neighboring Senegal, where he had been remaining after Jammeh refused to endorse the results of the presidential election.

Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting with foreign forces entering the country and demanding his removal.

The United Nations Security Council on Thursday unanimously backed West African states' efforts to force Jammeh to quit.

The 15-member body approved a Senegal-drafted resolution expressing "full support" to the Gambia's new president and calling on ex-leader to step down.

A Senegalese army officer told media that troops from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Mali including "land, air and sea" forces crossed into the Gambia.

The Gambia's army chief Ousman Badjie has said he would not order his men to fight the internationally-backed troops sent to intervene in the country's elections.

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African forces give midday ultimatum to Jammeh to quit

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:20AM

Long-time ruler of the Gambia Yahya Jammeh has been given until midday Friday to cede the presidency to Adama Barrow, who won last month's presidential election.

Military forces from regional states, unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council, entered the country on Thursday to exert pressure on Jammeh to hand power to Barrow.

Barrow was sworn in as the third president of the Gambia in the country's embassy in Senegal this week.

"This is a victory of the Gambian nation. Our flag will now fly high among those of the most-democratic nations of the world," said 51-year-old Barrow during his inauguration which officially ended Jammeh's 22-year rule.

He called for loyalty from the country's armed forces.

Jammeh's presidential term expired at midnight Wednesday. However, he has rejected the vote results under the pretense of election irregularities.

Initially Jammeh conceded defeat, before challenging the result in the courts.

Meanwhile, international pressure is mounting with foreign forces entering the country and demanding his removal.

"We have suspended operations and given him an ultimatum," said Marcel Alain de Souza, head of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

"If by midday, he doesn't agree to leave The Gambia... we really will intervene militarily," he said.

The UN Security Council unanimously backed west African states' efforts to force Jammeh to quit.

A Senegalese army officer told media that troops from Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Mali including "land, air and sea" forces crossed into the Gambia.

The Gambia's army chief Ousman Badjie has said he would not order his men to fight the internationally-backed troops sent to intervene in the country's elections.

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US drone strikes killed 117 civilians during Obama's presidency: Report

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:34AM

Outgoing President Barack Obama ordered at least 526 drone strikes during his presidency, killing as many as 117 civilians, according to a new report by US intelligence agencies.

The number of drone strikes during the Obama administration was 10 times more than the number carried out during the presidency of President George W. Bush, according to the intelligence community's report released Thursday.

The annual report was required by Obama's executive order signed last year, and comes just hours before the end of his term.

US official said the White House called intelligence agencies Thursday to push out the report, saying if it wasn't released now it may never be under Incoming US President Donald Trump.

The report says as many as 117 civilians have been killed in American drone and other counter-terror attacks in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya and elsewhere.

Those numbers were greeted skeptically by human rights organizations, which estimated 380 to 1,000 civilian casualties were caused by US strikes.

The Center for Civilians in Conflict said the figure of civilian casualties in the report falls well short of numbers reported by most independent observers. "They know, better than anybody, how many civilians are actually killed, and it's important for official figures to match reality," said the center's executive director, Federico Borello.

The US military, along with the CIA, conduct drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Libya.

Trump has not addressed the drone policy specifically, but he has said he wants to "take out terrorists" and expects he will continue using drones in counter-terrorism operations.



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Trump Sworn In As 45th U.S. President, Vows To Put 'America First'

RFE/RL January 20, 2017

Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States on January 20, pledging to put "America first" at all times but also to strengthen existing alliances, forge new ones, and let the country "shine as an example for everyone to follow."

In a brief inaugural address after taking the oath of office while thousands protested against him on the streets of Washington, some violently, Trump promised a "great national effort to rebuild our country" for all its people.

But he lashed out at opponents and the political establishment by charging that the elite in Washington has prospered at the expense of ordinary citizens - whom he called victims of "American carnage" -- and vowed to hand power that he said is now held in the capital "back to you, the American people."

Trump, 70, defeated Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election after a contentious campaign clouded by what U.S. intelligence agencies say was Russian interference in his favor as well as by concerns among critics about his blunt remarks and his statements on a range of issues including immigration, Islam, and climate change.

At home, he pledged to "protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs."

"From this day forward it's going to be only America first," Trump said, repeating: "America first."

"America will start winning again, like never before," he said.

Abroad, Trump said, "We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones -- and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."

The United States will not "seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow," he said.

Trump -- the oldest person ever to start an initial term as U.S. president -- was sworn in after attending a morning church service and a meeting with outgoing President Barack Obama at the White House along with their wives, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.

"Mr. President-elect, how are you?" asked Obama, who had left the Oval Office for the last time in eight years as president minutes earlier and said "Thank you" to the American people.

In his address, Trump thanked the Obamas for "their gracious aid" throughout the period of transition of power.

After a luncheon with lawmakers and dignitaries at the Capitol, Trump and the new first lady rode a limousine that inched to the White House in the midst of a ceremonial parade, red and blue lights flashing as security agents walked slowly beside the vehicle and onlookers watched from the sidewalks.

Defeated candidate Clinton received a cheer from the crowd when she arrived at the ceremony. Members of the U.S. Congress also attended, but more than 60 of the Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives boycotted the event.

Tight Security, Protests

Security was tight with thousands of law-enforcement officers deployed and kilometers of crowd barriers set up to handle about 900,000 people who had been expected to turn out in the capital.

The crowd of spectators on the National Mall was smaller than when Obama started his first term in 2009, according to aerial footage.

Rifts revealed and aggravated by the election campaign were also on plain display, with thousands of people protesting, clashes breaking out between police and demonstrators, and dozens of arrests.

Most of the protests -- including those by a range of anti-racist, feminist, pro-immigration, antiwar, and marijuana legalization groups concerned about Trump's views -- were peaceful. Some marchers chanted: "No deportation, no KKK, no fascist USA!"

But about 90 minutes before the swearing-in ceremony, activists smashed store and car windows and clashed with police in riot gear who responded with chemical spray and stun grenades.

About 500 people, some wearing masks, marched through the city's downtown in the late morning, using hammers to claw up pieces of pavement and smashing windows at a Bank of America branch and a McDonald's restaurant.

After the ceremony, an RFE/RL correspondent said, police clashed with protesters near the parade route a few blocks from the National Mall who tore up cobblestones and bricks, overturned newspaper vending boxes and tossing them into the streets, and shouted obscenities targeting Trump and police.

The sound of stun grenades rang out repeatedly and chemical spray billowed in the air. Helmeted police holding shields and wielding batons cleared some 50 protesters from an intersection, shouting "Move, move, move!"

A Metropolitan Police Department spokesman, Lieutenant Sean Conboy, said that police had arrested about 95 people for "vandalism and destruction of property" and that two police officers were hurt during confrontations with the protesters.

Trump, a real estate developer and former reality TV star with no previous government experience, faces a tough task if he seeks to bridge divisions.

He lagged behind Clinton by nearly 3 million ballots in the popular vote, and a Washington Post-ABC News survey conducted earlier this week found his approval rating was the lowest of any incoming president-elect since Jimmy Carter in 1977.

"The majority of Americans did not vote for this man, and probably support... agencies doing the work of protecting the consumer and the environment,' said Maryann Daly, a 66-year-old retiree from Washington who held a sign reading 'Honor the Paris Climate Agreement'."

'Too Much Focus Outside U.S.'

Anti-Trump protester Ken Herringer, a 54-year-old tax preparer from Silver Spring, Maryland, told RFE/RL: "I do believe in freedom, and I have a feeling this new administration might try to roll back some of the gains we've made over the past eight years."

But Trump supporters who came to Washington spoke enthusiastically about the prospects for the United States and its people during his presidency.

"We're going to make America great again, because for the last, really,16 years we've had too much focus outside of the United States," Meg Kilgannon, a 44-year-old teacher of natural childbirth techniques from Centerville, Virginia, told RFE/RL.

"We need to focus on our own country, get our own house in order, and do things for the American people," she said.

Jon-Paul Oldham, a firefighter from the state of Connecticut, told the Associated Press that he was "hoping for some unity" and suggested all Americans should rally behind Trump.

"Wanting him to fail is like wanting the plane to crash, but you're on the plane," Oldham said.

One of the largest demonstrations in Washington was organized by the ANSWER Coalition, an umbrella group consisting of antiwar and civil rights organizations.

"It's Day One, we're saying, of a larger era of resistance, and we believe we're going to send a very powerful message to Trump and the government," said Ben Becker, an organizer with the group. "The Trump agenda is very comprehensive. It includes attacks on Muslims, immigrants, on women's rights, on workers' rights."

Rolling Back Obama Policies

Confirmation hearings for Trump's cabinet nominees this week have been marked by often testy questions from lawmakers, particularly Democrats, amid concerns about the nominees' qualifications and potential conflicts of interest.

Earlier this month, U.S. intelligence agencies said they had concluded "with high confidence" that Russian President Vladimir Putin "ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election," with the goals of undermining faith in U.S. democracy, denigrating Clinton, and harming her electability. They charged that Putin and the Russian government "developed a clear preference" for Trump over Clinton in the election.

While speaking of unity, Trump was readying several measures to roll back Obama's policies through a series of executive orders.

Minutes after Trump was sworn in, a statement posted on the White House website said that defeating Islamic State "and other radical Islamic terror groups" would be the highest priority of an "America first" foreign policy, which it said would be centered on "peace through strength."

The statement added that the United States would "pursue aggressive joint and coalition military operations when necessary" to achieve that goal.

In addition, the statement promised to "rebuild the American military," reversing what it said had been a substantial downsizing of the army and navy since 1991 -- the year the Soviet Union collapsed.

It also included a vow to "embrace diplomacy," saying: "The world must know that we do not go abroad in search of enemies, that we are always happy when old enemies become friends, and when old friends become allies."

A separate statement focusing on the military said the United States "cannot allow other nations to surpass our military capability" and "will pursue the highest level of military readiness."

It said the United States would "develop a state-of-the-art missile defense system to protect against missile-based attacks from states like Iran and North Korea."

It did not say whether the system would differ from those in place or under development, including a European missile shield that Russia has vociferously opposed.

The foreign policy statement said the United States will seek to bolster its economy by "fighting for fair but tough trade deals" and will start by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Obama negotiated.

Another statement said that Trump was "committed to building a border wall to stop illegal immigration," an apparent reference to a wall on the border with Mexico that was a key campaign promise and target of criticism from opponents.

Ahead of Inauguration Day, aides said some of Trump's first actions would include a freeze on U.S. government hiring, suspension of climate change regulations, suspension of immigration from countries associated with Islamic extremism, lifting of restrictions on coal mining and oil drilling, and halt to federal funding for U.S. "sanctuary cities," which refuse to arrest immigrants living in the country illegally.

Congratulations and exhortations came in from world leaders throughout the day, with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov both expressing optimism and saying Russia is ready to do its share to improve relations with Washington.

Trump has said he wants to improve U.S.-Russia relations, which have sunk to lows unseen since the Cold War amid rancor over Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, its backing of separatists in a war that has killed more than 9,750 people in eastern Ukraine, its involvement in the Syrian conflict, and other issues.

Trump's praise of Putin and statements about Russia ties, as well words in support of key ally Britain's exit from the European Union and appraisal of NATO as "obsolete," have caused jitters in Europe about his intentions and sparked concerns that he could scrap sanctions imposed on Moscow over its interference in Ukraine and step back from U.S. commitments abroad.

In an interviewed published on January 20 in the Financial Times, British Prime Minister Theresa May said that she thinks Trump "recognizes the importance and significance of NATO," and that she is "confident" he will "recognize the importance of the cooperation we have in Europe to ensure our collective defense and collective security."

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg congratulated Trump and said NATO's "strength is as good for the United States as it is for Europe."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, and Kosovar President Hashim Thaci tweeted their congratulations and hope for cooperation with Trump's administration.

Pope Francis urged Trump to use ethical values as his guide and take care of the poor and the outcast during his presidency.

"I pray that your decisions will be guided by the rich spiritual and ethical values that have shaped the history of the American people and your nation's commitment to the advancement of human dignity and freedom worldwide," wrote Francis.

With reporting by RFE/RL Senior Correspondent Mike Eckel in Washington, AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa, CNN, Sky News, and BBC

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-inauguration- 54th-u-s-president/28246710.html

Copyright (c) 2017. 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 Vows Unity While Readying Plans To Roll Back Obama's Programs

RFE/RL January 20, 2017

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledged to unify what he called a divided nation and to bring change as he arrived in the capital for his January 20 inauguration.

While speaking of unity on the eve on his inauguration, Trump was readying a raft of dramatic measures to roll back policies of his predecessor, Barack Obama, through a series of executive orders targeting Obama's climate-change regulations, immigration liberalization moves, international trade agreements, and restrictions on energy development.

"We're going to unify our country," Trump told a cheering crowd of thousands in front of Washington's Lincoln Memorial after a concert that ended in a burst of fireworks.

"We're going to do things that haven't been done for our country for many, many decades," he said. "It's going to change, I promise you."

As hundreds of thousands of people were expected to celebrate or protest Trump's inauguration in central Washington, Trump gave thanks to the millions who voted for him and made his upset election possible.

"It's a movement like we've never seen anywhere in the world," he said. "You're not forgotten any more... We're going to get it turned around. We're going to bring our jobs back."

Trump's aides said his first hours in office would be marked by dramatic action and that his inaugural address would be shorter than many made by past presidents.

"Trump is a man of action, not words, and you'll hear that tomorrow," said incoming White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. His inaugural address on January 20 is set to be an "elegant, beautiful, powerful, and brief speech," she said.

Among Trump's first actions, aides say, will be a freeze on U.S. government hiring, suspension of climate-change regulations, suspension of immigration from countries associated with Islamic extremism, withdrawal from a trans-Pacific trade agreement Obama negotiated, lifting of restrictions on coal mining and oil drilling, and a halt to federal funding for U.S. "sanctuary cities" that refuse to arrest immigrants living in the country illegally.

Some of those decrees were expected to be issued within hours of Trump's swearing-in.

"He is committed to not just Day 1, but Day 2, Day 3 of enacting an agenda of real change," Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said.

While Trump's plans for change were quickly taking form, how he would unify a nation where millions still reject his presidency remained unknown.

One-third of the Democrats in the U.S. House have said they plan to skip his inauguration. Earlier this week, a Washington Post-ABC News survey found Trump's 40 percent approval rating was the lowest of any incoming president-elect since Jimmy Carter in 1977.

Confirmation hearings for Trump's cabinet nominees this week have been marked by often testy questions from lawmakers, particularly Democrats, amid concerns about the nominees' qualifications and potential conflicts of interests.

Earlier this month, U.S. intelligence agencies said they had concluded "with high confidence" that Russian President Vladimir Putin "ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the U.S. presidential election."

They also charged that Putin and the Russian government "developed a clear preference" for Trump over his rival in the November 8 vote, Hillary Clinton.

Tom Barrack, the chief architect of Trump's inaugural festivities, said Trump would show the world that "we can argue, we can fight, and we can debate," but then the nation unites behind one president.

Obama also had vowed he would unify the country and end the sharp partisan divide in Washington, but admitted after eight years in office that he had failed to reach that goal.

Some Trump fans who came to Washington were optimistic about Trump's prospects.

"We're hoping for good weather and hoping for some unity," Jon-Paul Oldham, a firefighter from the state of Connecticut, told AP. He said everyone should want Trump to succeed.

"Wanting him to fail is like wanting the plane to crash, but you're on the plane," Oldham said.

Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers and kilometers of barriers were in place in Washington, as about 900,000 people were expected to gather in the center of the capital, including the National Mall facing the Capitol, where Trump will be sworn in, and the parade route along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

Meanwhile, opponents were planning to hold anti-Trump protests throughout central Washington. One of the largest such demonstrations is to be organized by the ANSWER Coalition.

"It's Day One, we're saying, of a larger era of resistance, and we believe we're going to send a very powerful message to Trump and the government," said Ben Becker, an organizer with the group. "The Trump agenda is very comprehensive. It includes attacks on Muslims, immigrants, on women's rights, on workers' rights."

On the streets of New York, Hollywood actor Robert de Niro and other celebrities joined several thousand protesters to demonstrate against the president-elect on the eve of his inauguration.

"Whatever happens, we Americans, we New Yorkers, we patriots, will stand united for our rights and for the rights of our fellow citizens," de Niro said.

Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev expressed hope that Trump's inauguration will be the start of a period of better ties with the United States.

While it's not clear what course Trump will take, Medvedev wrote on his Facebook page, "we are ready to do our share of the work in order to improve the relationship."

Trump has said he wants to improve U.S.-Russia relations, which have sunk to lows unseen since the Cold War amid rancor over Moscow's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, its backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine, its involvement in the Syrian conflict, and other issues.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-vows -unity-readies-plans-roll-back- obama-programs-immigrations-climate -change-trade/28244881.html

Copyright (c) 2017. 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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Women Marchers Plan To Send Signal To President Trump

RFE/RL January 20, 2017

Women from around the United States are converging on Washington D.C. to join a mass protest march on January 21 -- the first full day in office for newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the U.S. election campaign, Trump was often criticized for his attitude and public statements toward women.

Now, many women and men plan to express in the streets of the U.S. capital how they feel about Trump by joining what is being billed as the "Women's March" main event.

Other so-called "solidarity" marches are scheduled in cities across the United States and around the world.

One women's march was already held in Brussels on January 20 with around 1,000 people gathering in the Belgian capital for a "Lights for Rights!" rally. The crowd, mostly women, denounced sexism and protested against President Trump.

Organizers behind the march in the U.S. capital say they want their voices to be heard by Trump's administration on its first day.

"The Women's March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world, that women's rights are human rights," they said on the womensmarch.com website. "We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us."

March organizers added that, despite the name, all were welcome to join, not just women.

The organizers expect some 200,000 people to attend their Washington protest, which is set to being at 10 a.m. local time.

The marches come a day after an Inauguration Day that featured the usual celebrations but was also disrupted by protests and some violence in Washington.

TV footage showed police in riot gear using pepper spray and making arrests after some protesters smashed windows of downtown businesses. The AFP news agency reported that many of those protesters were masked, clad in black and carrying anarchist flags.

Other incidents were reported throughout the capital. Police made at least 95 arrests in the U.S. capital on January 20.

Organizers of the Women's March were urging those participating to protest peacefully.

"Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people," they said.

The website says that 673 marches were planned globally, with more than 2 million sympathizers expected to join.

In London, organizers called for an international day of solidarity.

"The U.S. election proved a catalyst for a grassroots movement of women to assert the positive values that the politics of fear denies," they said. "We, the organizers of the London march, call on people of all genders to march in London as part of an international day of action in solidarity."

In Moscow, organizers were also planning a solidarity march for January 21.

"Millions will gather in Washington D.C. and in hundreds of cities around the world," they said on the actionnetwork.org website. "This is a local event for those that will be unable to travel to Washington, D.C. -- instead, we will march in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington here in Moscow."

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/women-washington-protest -marchers-signal-trump/28247534.html

Copyright (c) 2017. 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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Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21

Trend:

Snowfall in Moscow did not affect the implementation of flights between Baku and Moscow, Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport told Trend Jan.21.

The airport said that all flights on the Baku-Moscow route have been implemented today.

"Cancellation of flights from Baku to Moscow and back is not expected today" said the airport.

70 flights have been delayed and cancelled in Moscow airports, according to the "Yandex.Schedule" portal.
Japan, S Korea, US Conduct Military Drills to Counter N. Korea's Missile Threat

Sputnik News

11:06 20.01.2017(updated 11:35 20.01.2017) Get short URL

Japan, South Korea and the United States are conducting military drills on January 20-22 to prepare for a potential missile launch from the territory of North Korea, media reported Friday, citing a source in the South Korean military.

TOKYO (Sputnik)  According to the Kyodo news agency, Japanese, South Korean and US destroyer ships equipped with Aegis combat systems are taking part in the drills, where they are expected to act out a scenario of a possible launch of an intercontinental missile from the territory of North Korea.

On September 5, 2016, Pyongyang launched three ballistic missiles in the direction of the Sea of Japan. Several days later it conducted a successful test of a nuclear warhead, which is believed to be the fifth and largest blast since Pyongyang began pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

In the latest New Year's address to the nation, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country was finalizing preparations for another intercontinental ballistic missile test.

On January 8, the North Korean Foreign Ministry said the country was ready to launch a ballistic missile at any time and from any location. On the same day, former diplomat at the North Korean embassy in London Thae Yong Ho, who defected to South Korea in 2016, stated that North Korea sought to complete the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the end of 2017 or in early 2018.

 Sputnik

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Gambia's Jammeh Agrees to Cede Power, Leave the Country

By Katarina Hoije January 20, 2017

Defeated Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has agreed to relinquish power and leave the country, according to incoming President Adama Barrow.

Yahya's decision came after Guinean President Alpha Conde and Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz arrived together in Banjul early Friday to convince him to cede power and leave the country or face military action.

Barrow took the oath of office Thursday at the Gambian embassy in neighboring Senegal after not being able to be sworn in at the Gambian capital.

Red carpets were reportedly rolled out at the airport in Banjul in what appeared to be preparations for Jammeh's departure.

Also on Friday, Gambian defense chief Ousmane Badjie pledged his allegiance to the country's new president.

The West African leaders gave Jammeh until midday local time to relinquish power, the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said.

After the deadline was imposed, Jammeh asked for a four-hour extension to cede.

ECOWAS Chairman Marcel Alain de Souza said Conde would offer Jammeh the chance to cede authority peacefully. "If that fails, we will bring him by force or by will," he said.

The United Nations Security Council had earlier approved a military intervention and recognized Adama Barrow as the new president.

On Thursday, U.S. President Barack Obama's State Department spokesman, John Kirby, said the U.S. supported the West African force "because we understand that the purpose is to help stabilize a tense situation and to try to observe the will of the people of Gambia."

Kirby said the U.S. had no plans to send in any U.S. troops.

The U.N. Security Council unanimously backed a Senegalese-drafted resolution condemning "in the strongest possible terms" attempts to prevent a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.

Council President Olof Skoog, the Swedish ambassador, said he personally spoke to President Barrow to tell him he has the council's full support.

Council members Egypt, Uruguay and Bolivia stressed that the resolution in no way authorizes military force to install Barrow as president.

ECOWAS and the African Union Peace and Security Council have called in separate communiques for "all necessary measures" to be taken to respect the will of the Gambian people regarding the election outcome. In diplomatic language, that often means the use of military force.

The United Nations refugee agency, meanwhile, said Friday that tens of thousands of Gambians were fleeing the country amid the standoff. Spokesman Babar Baloch told reporters in Geneva an estimated 45,000 people had reportedly fled to Senegal in recent days and said there is the possibility of many more to follow.

Barrow won the country's election December 1. Jammeh, who once vowed to rule Gambia for "a billion years," initially accepted the results, but changed his mind, citing alleged voting irregularities.

Until Friday, he had refused to give up power, declaring a state of emergency and ramming a meaningless three-month extension of his mandate through parliament.

Amnesty International and other major human rights groups have accused Jammeh of having little tolerance for dissent. They say he has killed or jailed many opponents. He also has threatened to murder homosexuals and once ordered the kidnapping of more than 1,000 villagers accused of being witches.

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Making Our Military Strong Again

Our men and women in uniform are the greatest fighting force in the world and the guardians of American freedom. That's why the Trump Administration will rebuild our military and do everything it can to make sure our veterans get the care they deserve.

Our military needs every asset at its disposal to defend America. We cannot allow other nations to surpass our military capability. The Trump Administration will pursue the highest level of military readiness.

President Trump will end the defense sequester and submit a new budget to Congress outlining a plan to rebuild our military. We will provide our military leaders with the means to plan for our future defense needs.

We will also develop a state-of-the-art missile defense system to protect against missile-based attacks from states like Iran and North Korea.

Cyberwarfare is an emerging battlefield, and we must take every measure to safeguard our national security secrets and systems. We will make it a priority to develop defensive and offensive cyber capabilities at our U.S. Cyber Command, and recruit the best and brightest Americans to serve in this crucial area.

Let us never forget that our military is comprised of heroic people. We must also ensure that we have the best medical care, education and support for our military service members and their families  both when they serve, and when they return to civilian life.

We will get our veterans the care they need wherever and whenever they need it. There should be no more long drives. No more wait lists or scheduling backlogs. No more excessive red tape. Just the care and support our veterans have earned through sacrifice and service to our country. The Trump Administration will transform the Department of Veterans Affairs to meet the needs of 21st century service members and of our female veterans. Our reforms will begin with firing the corrupt and incompetent VA executives who let our veterans down, modernizing the bureaucracy, and empowering the doctors and nurses to ensure our veterans receive the best care available in a timely manner.

Under the Trump Administration, America will meet its commitments to our veterans.

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Obama blasts US Congress for blocking Guantanamo closure

Iran Press TV

Thu Jan 19, 2017 9:40PM

Outgoing US President Barack Obama has condemned the Republican-dominated Congress for thwarting his plans to close the notorious American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In a letter to the Republican leaders of Congress  House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch -- on Thursday, Obama said the prison "never should have been opened in the first place."

"There is simply no justification beyond politics for the Congress' insistence on keeping the facility open," he stated.

"Members of Congress who obstruct efforts to close the facility, given the stakes involved for our security, have abdicated their responsibility to the American people," Obama continued.

The closure of the Guantanamo prison was among the main campaign promises of Obama during the 2008 presidential election. Obama vowed to close it within a year when he came to office in January 2009. But his efforts had been continually blocked by Republican lawmakers in Congress.

The US Senate has confirmed that prisoners were regularly tortured at the notorious facility, which was set up by former US President George W. Bush after the September 11, 2001 attacks to hold suspected al-Qaeda and Taliban detainees.

Obama's proposals to shift the inmates to prisons on US soil were also blocked by Republican lawmakers, who argued that the transfer would jeopardize the national security.

Nearly 800 men have passed through the Guantanamo prison since it was opened in January 2002.

In recent months, the Obama administration has accelerated the rate at which detainees who have been approved for transfer are released from the detention center.

In his letter on Thursday, Obama revealed that four more prisoners have been transferred out of the prison, which means that only 41 detainees remain, down from the 45 the Pentagon said were there Tuesday.

"Of the nearly 800 detainees at one time held at the facility, today only 41 remain," Obama wrote.

A US military official also confirmed the transfer of four additional detainees, but did not name the newly transferred men or what countries they were sent to.

The Guantanamo prison and its associated military commissions cost the Pentagon $445 million in fiscal year 2015. It currently costs about $7 million per detainee a year.

Obama repeatedly said the prison served as a "recruitment tool" for terrorist groups and was a waste of money.

"As the president has said, spending hundreds of millions of dollars to keep 41 men in an isolated detention facility in Cuba, year after year, is not consistent with our values or our interests as a nation," stated a report accompanying Obama's letter.

The report concluded that the Guantanamo prison "undermines our standing in the world, and it is viewed as a stain on our longstanding record of upholding the highest standards, of adhering to the rule of law. It is long past time to close this chapter in our history."

Donald Trump, who will swear-in as the US president on Friday, has embraced Guantanamo and promised to bring back water-boarding, one of the so-called enhanced interrogation techniques used on suspects of the so-called war on terror after the 9/11 attacks. He has said he wants to fill Guantanamo up with "bad dudes."

Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA, said on Thursday, "We are extremely concerned that President-elect Trump will make good on his threat to subject more people to indefinite detention without charge or trial."

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Mexico drug lord 'El Chapo' arrives in US to face criminal charges

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 5:27AM

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, Mexico's most notorious drug lord, has been extradited to the United States to face multiple court trials after twice escaping from maximum-security prisons in his country.

Guzman arrived in the US city of New York late Thursday, said a federal law enforcement official.

The boss of the powerful Sinaloa drug cartel is to stand trial in a federal courthouse in Brooklyn on Friday.

He is accused of running a massive drug operation that employed thousands of people, laundered billions of dollars in profits back to Mexico and used hitmen to carry out murders, kidnappings and acts of torture.

After his trial in New York, Guzman faces more criminal charges in five other US cities, including San Diego, Chicago and Miami.

If convicted, the kingpin could face life in prison in the US.

In Mexico, Guzman, who is around 60, had managed to escape from prison twice.

His first prison break was in 2001, when he got out of the jail in the western Jalisco state by hiding in a laundry cart.

Guzman's second escape took place in the summer of 2015.

He fled from his cell at the Altiplano jail, which is Mexico's highest-security facility, despite reportedly wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet, with surveillance cameras recording his jail cell 24 hours a day.

In fall 2015, Guzman participated in an interview in a secret location with actors Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo.

In that interview, according to Penn, Guzman justified his heinous criminal activities throughout his life by saying he joined the criminal community as a teenager simply as a means to escape poverty.

"The only way to have money to buy food, to survive, is to grow poppy, marijuana, and at that age, I began to grow it, to cultivate it and to sell it," Penn quoted Guzman as saying.

Some analysts believe the West is running the international drug trade.

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CIA Knew Economic Sanctions Wouldn't Halt North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Buildup

Sputnik News

01:23 21.01.2017(updated 01:24 21.01.2017) Get short URL

A declassified CIA document from the early 1990s reveals that the US intelligence community knew that economic sanctions against Pyongyang would not cause the country to back off its nuclear expansion program.

The sanctions alone "would not cause North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program," according to the first 'key judgement' in the CIA report. US President Donald Trump stated via the White House website that designing a "state-of-the-art" missile defense system is a top priority to squash threats posed by Pyongyang.

Trump blasted Beijing via Twitter on January 3 for "taking massive amounts of money & wealth from the US in totally one-sided trade, but won't help with North Korea. Nice!"

The report comments cryptically that China, a vital economic partner to Pyongyang, "would strenuously opposeand assist Pyongyang in evadingan embargo."

Cutting off North Korea from trade with major economic players like the European Union and the US puts a stranglehold on Pyongyang in crucial industries. As of 1991, all of Pyongyang's crude oil, advanced technology, and coal were imported. Further, one-quarter of grain imports at the time were imported, meaning that sanctions would likely lead to starvation among poorer North Koreans.

A trade embargo "at minimum" would place the Pyongyang regime "on alert," the unclassified brief notes. "It is possible, though not likely," the report says, that sanctions could force Pyongyang to "resort to a military attack on the South, if Pyongyang perceived sanctions threatened its basic survival."

 Sputnik

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Germany sending troops to Baltics as part of NATO's anti-Russia force

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:53AM

Germany is deploying hundreds of soldiers to the Baltic region near the Russian border as part of a force organized by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The 500-strong military contingent, including 450 troops from German armed forces and the rest from Belgium and the Netherlands, assembled in the Bavarian town of Oberviechtach on Thursday for deployment to Lithuania, according to Europe-based media reports.

The mechanized infantry soldiers attended a farewell ceremony before their deployment in what the US-led military alliance has described as a "deterrence" force against Russia.

"In the past few months, we have undergone a highly intensive training," said Christoph Huber, commander of the so-called German Panzergrenadiere force, emphasizing that the soldiers were looking forward to the "great task."

According to the reports, soldiers from Battalion 122 of Germany's mechanized infantry, along with 26 Leopard-2 tanks and 170 armored vehicles would be stationed in Lithuania nearly 100 kilometers away from the Russian city of Kaliningrad in the coming weeks.

The troops would contribute to NATO's "deterrence" force against Russia, which is deploying combat battalions in the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Poland.

Up to 600 troops from members of the NATO military alliance are to be stationed near Kaliningrad by the end of next month.

The development comes as Germany's main opposition party, The Left, has slammed NATO's aggressive efforts and "escalation with Russia."

However, the alliance's military moves in the Baltics were welcomed by members of Germany's ruling party as well as the Green Party in the nation's parliament, the Bundestag.

Meanwhile, senior NATO military officials anticipated that the Kremlin will respond to the troop deployment, pointing to recent reports that Moscow has deployed its mobile nuclear "Iskander" missiles in Kaliningrad, which are capable of striking targets as far as Berlin.

Earlier this month, the US deployed nearly 4,500 troops and more than 2,800 pieces of military hardware to Poland in a bid to take part in NATO war games that Washington touted as "defense against Russian aggression."

Moscow hit out at the biggest deployment of US troops in Europe since the end of the Cold War, criticizing the move as a threat to Russia's national security.

"We perceive it as a threat. These actions threaten our interests, our security, especially as it concerns a third party building up its military presence near our borders. It's [the US], not even a European state," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at the time.

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India, UAE Foray in Defense and Security Cooperation

Sputnik News

20:03 20.01.2017Get short URL

India is trying to loosen Pakistan's strategic proximity with Gulf countries by promoting greater emphasis on defense and security cooperation.

New Delhi (Sputnik)  India and UAE held their first meeting focusing on strategic cooperation as part of New Delhi's efforts for closer defense and security ties with Gulf countries.

"During the meeting, the two sides discussed cooperation in trade and investments as well as new areas such as energy security, defense and security, electronics, IT and space," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson in a statement.

UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash led the dialogue held on the eve of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit as the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day celebrations on January 26.

UAE is India's important trading partner and among the top investors. It is also the fifth largest supplier of crude oil to India.

But India for the past several years has been keen to strike a closer strategic partnership with West Asian countries that have traditional security proximity with Pakistan. Washington is their main underwriter of security and Donald Trump's recent statements may also have spurred them to explore security ties with regional heavyweights such as China, India and Russia.

Significantly, Pakistan Army chief Qamar Ahmed Bajwa called on the Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Islamabad on the same day as the India-UAE talks on strategic cooperation and assured him of complete security cooperation.

 Sputnik

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Iraqi army forces recapture more areas from Daesh in Mosul

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 3:17PM

Iraqi government forces have regained control of more areas in the eastern and northern sides of Mosul in northern Iraq, as fierce clashes continued against the Takfiri Daesh militants in their last urban stronghold in the crisis-ridden Arab country.

The commander of Nineveh Liberation Operation, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, said on Friday that soldiers from the 71st Brigade of the 15th Division and the 76th Brigade of the 16th Division in the Iraqi Army had liberated al-Araby al-Oula neighborhood in eastern Mosul from Daesh grip, Arabic-language al-Sumaria television network reported..

The high-ranking Iraqi military commander went on to say that government forces had inflicted heavy losses on Daesh ranks during the operation, before they hoisted the national flag over a cluster of buildings in the area.

Earlier, Iraqi army soldiers recaptured a pharmaceutical plant on the northern outskirts of Mosul from Daesh militants.

Iraqi troopers also completely freed al-Hurra neighborhood in the northern part of Mosul, and raised the Iraqi flag on some of its buildings after heavy clashes with Daesh militants that left dozens of the terrorists killed and wounded.

Additionally, dozens of Daesh Takfiris were killed early on Friday as pro-government fighters from the Popular Mobilization Units  commonly known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Sha'abi  thwarted their offensive against al-Nazaza village close to the city of Tal Afar, located 63 kilometers west of Mosul.

An unnamed local source also said Daesh had mobilized dozens of Takfiris and sealed off large parts of al-Akab district in western Mosul in search for a senior militant commander, who had gone missing mysteriously the previous night.

Meanwhile, an elderly man and his grandson lost their lives when a Daesh unmanned aerial vehicle dropped an explosive device on their home in the western Bab al-Toub neighborhood of Mosul.

The Iraqi Air Force also announced in a statement on Friday that its fighter jets had killed 59 Daesh terrorists and destroyed eight explosive-laden vehicles during a series of airstrikes across Mosul.

Furthermore, the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC) stated that government forces are trying to liberate the last four remaining neighborhoods of al-Rashidiya, Baisan, al-Araby and Ghabat in eastern Mosul.

The JOC statement put the number of liberated eastern Mosul neighborhoods at 61 out of the entire 65.

The commander of Mosul Operations, Major General Najm al Jabouri, also said US-led military aircraft had targeted 21 Daesh boats in al-Rashidiya district northeast of Mosul as the slain terrorists were fleeing across the Tigris river.

Iraqi army soldiers, supported by Hashd al-Sha'abi fighters and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, launched a joint operation on October 17, 2016 to retake Mosul from Daesh terrorists.

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Iraqi Kurdistan Leader Hopes US Under Trump to Fight Terrorism More Effectively

Sputnik News

13:44 20.01.2017(updated 13:45 20.01.2017) Get short URL

The president of Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq expressed hope that the Donald Trump administration will fight terrorism better.

DAVOS (Switzerland), (Sputnik)  President of Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq Masoud Barzani said Friday he hopes that the new US administration would fight terrorism more effectively.

"I hope that they be more interested in fighting terrorism than the previous [administration]. But we have to wait and see," Barzani said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Donald Trump's inauguration as 45th president of the United States is taking place later on Friday.

Barzani said he expects Rex Tillerson to bring major challenges to US foreign policy as the country's next State Secretary.

"Yes we know him, he visited Kurdistan, we met him. We expect he is going to make a huge transformation in the US foreign policy," Barzani said.

Tillerson is undergoing the confirmation process in the US Congress.

Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Tom Shannon will serve as the chief US diplomat until Tillerson is confirmed, State Department spokesman John Kirby said Thursday.

 Sputnik

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Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 21

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistan should be among the worlds leading industrialized countries in order to achieve the highest goals, said President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during his working visit to the countrys Mary Province, the Turkmen media reported.

It is necessary to expand the promotion of domestic competitive, high quality products on the international market, as well as to conduct wide production of import-substituting products, noted Berdimuhamedov, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reported.

It was previously reported that Turkmenistan adopted a state program on increasing the export volume of goods produced in the country and a state program on production of import-substituting products. Under these programs, it is planned to implement more than 110 projects aimed at the development of chemical industry, mechanical engineering, agriculture, construction sphere, light, food and other industries, as well as the formation of the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

Enterprises will be built to produce a wide range of construction, chemical, household and other products made from local raw materials.

Turkmenistan is one of the rich countries for its natural gas resources. According to BP, the countrys recoverable reserves are estimated at 17.5 trillion cubic meters of gas or nine percent of total global reserves, which puts Turkmenistan on the fourth position in this field after Iran, Russia and Qatar. The country has an opportunity to export its gas to China and Iran.

Meanwhile, the economy is being diversified in Turkmenistan  the textile industry and the oil and gas processing industry have achieved progress.

Privatization is mainly carried out in the spheres of construction, trade, communications and services.
UN criticizes Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya Muslims

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:44PM

A United Nations rapporteur tasked with evaluating Myanmar's handling of the plight of Rohingya Muslims has criticized the country for its poor performance.

In a statement before her departure on Friday, the UN human rights envoy, Yanghee Lee, painted a bleak picture of the rights situation in Myanmar.

The UN's special investigator criticized the government's harsh crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in the west and aggressive fighting with the Kachin minority in the country's north.

Myanmar's military is accused of mass human rights violations in both areas.

"The government's response to all of these problems seems to currently be to defend, dismiss and deny. And this response is not only counterproductive but is draining away the hope that had been sweeping the country," she said at the end of her 12-day visit to probe the human rights situation in Myanmar.

Lee criticized army actions in Rakhine state, where a crackdown has driven an estimated 65,000 Rohingya to flee across the border to Bangladesh in the past three months. She said the military had conducted security operations there with seemingly little regard for the rights and dignity of the Rohingya.

The army denies abuses despite numerous reports of violations and global condemnation of the crackdown, which was launched in October after nine policemen were killed in attacks by unidentified gunmen along the border.

Human rights groups and Rohingya advocates charge that the security forces have killed hundreds of members of the minority group and burned down more than 1,000 Rohingya homes. Lee said the government claimed the houses were burned down by their own residents because they were of poor quality and the expected international aid would allow them to build better homes.

"The authorities offered no evidence for this, and I find this argument quite incredible," she said, adding that in some cases these may be where families lived for generations, and they might be displaced for an indeterminate period.

Lee said the estimated 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine are victims of "decades of systematic and institutionalized discrimination against the Rohingya population". They face official and social discrimination in Buddhist-majority Myanmar. Most do not have citizenship and are regarded as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, even when their families have lived in Rakhine for generations. Communal violence in 2012 forced many to flee their homes, and more than 100,000 still live in squalid internal displacement camps.

Lee also said she was barred by the government from traveling to parts of Kachin state, but that it was clear that the situation there was deteriorating. People who live there told her "the situation is now worse than at any point in the past few years," she said.

Lee expressed concern about the fear of reprisals against ordinary people she spoke with or wanted to speak with and asked officials to make sure that people who spoke frankly to her would not face retribution.

"Yet distressingly, several people I met during this visit would say to me, 'I don't know what will happen to me after our meeting,'" she said.

"In one case, an individual directly told me they thought they would be arrested following our conversation. In another village, where there were more than two communities living separately but side by side, I asked if that person was comfortable talking to me. The response: 'I am afraid I will not give the right answer.'"

Lee also met with the country's leader, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and other cabinet ministers.

However, she complained that the country's military commander, Senior General Minister Aung Hlaing, had declined to see her.

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Russia, Syria ink agreement on expanding Tartus naval base

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:21PM

Russia and Syria have signed an agreement on the development and modernization of a leased military installation of the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean port city of Tartus, and extending operations there to the next decades.

Under the deal, which was struck in Damascus on Wednesday but made public on Friday, Syria has offered Russia free use of the Soviet-era naval supply and maintenance facility for 49 years. The term can be automatically extended for further 25-year periods if neither side objects.

The agreement allows Moscow to upgrade Tartus naval base so that it can immediately accommodate up to 11 Russian vessels, including those equipped with nuclear propulsion systems, provided that nuclear and environmental safety guidelines are taken into account.

The deal says the Tartus facility will help "support peace and stability in the [Middle East] region," adding that "it has a defensive character and isn't directed against any other nation."

It also says the Russian military will ensure the seaborne and airborne protection of the base, while Syria will be responsible for its ground security.

Russia will have the right to renovate, rebuild and demolish the building, do construction work, including underwater, and set up offshore platforms.

The agreement also stipulates that Russia will help Syria restore its Soviet-built warships.

On October 7, 2016, the lower house of the Russian parliament ratified an agreement with the Damascus government that allows Russian troops to stay indefinitely in Syria as Moscow is battling foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants in the conflict-ridden Arab country.

The deal allows Russia to keep its forces at the Hmeimim air base in Syria's western coastal province of Latakia for as long as it wants.

The accord was penned in August 2015, one month before the Russian air campaign against militant positions in Syria began at the request of the Damascus government. Russian President Vladimir Putin then submitted the agreement to the State Duma on August 9, 2016.

Under the deal, the Russian air force will operate inside Syria upon the orders of the air group commander and in coordination with Syrian authorities.

Russia also reserves the right to bring into or remove from Syria any munitions or military equipment necessary to accomplish the air force's tasks and provide the safety of its personnel. The agreement would be terminated once one of the sides notifies the other of its desire to do so.

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Obama presidency 'shameful' and 'ridiculous,' top Russian official says

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 2:2AM

The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused outgoing US President Barrack Obama's administration of promising a "respectful" cooperation between Washington and Moscow, but pursuing a master-slave approach in reality.

"It is worth recalling that it was Barack Obama who, at the beginning of his first term in 2009, proclaimed the restart with Russia and the development of comprehensive relations. At some point, we managed to conclude a number of important bilateral agreements, including the CIS agreement in 2010," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova said at a press conference in Moscow on Thursday.

She added, "However, our partners could not manage it for long. Promising verbally to cooperate in a respectful way, in reality, Washington had an interaction like a master and slave in mind. And that is exactly the way the White House used to do business and cooperate with Western European countries."

"The behavior of the Obama administration looks so ridiculous and so shameful for such a great country as the United States We sincerely regret that the presidency of Barack Obama, especially his second term, was a period of missed opportunities for bilateral relations," the senior Russian official pointed out.

She expressed hope that the incoming US administration led by Donald Trump would "show wisdom and focus on a normal pragmatic dialogue."

Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has described degrading Russo-US relations as Obama administration's major foreign policy blunder.

In fact, "US-Russia relations completely fell apart by the end of the second term of the Obama administration," Medvedev wrote in a post published on his official Facebook page.

He added that the Obama administration has proven to be "short-sighted on such an important and complex issue as relations with Russia."

Medvedev further noted that US political pressure and economic restrictions on Russian businesses and individuals have reduced Moscow-Washington cooperation to zero.

The Russian prime minister expressed hope that Washington would adopt a more balanced approach towards his country under Trump.

"We are ready to do our share of the work in order to improve the relationship," Medvedev commented.

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Russia to Expand Capabilities of Naval Base in Syrian Tartus

Sputnik News

21:00 20.01.2017Get short URL

Russia and Syria signed all necessary documents on development and modernization of Russian naval base in Syrian Tartus.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia and Syria have signed an agreement on development and modernization of Russian naval base in Syrian Tartus as well as the protocol stipulating the conditions for Russian Aerospace Forces' aircraft deployment in Syria.

The documents, signed on Wednesday, were made public on Friday. Both chambers of the Russian Parliament confirmed to RIA Novosti their readiness to examine the agreement as soon as possible.

In October 2016, the Russian Defense Ministry said it intended to create a permanent naval base in Tartus.

TARTUS AGREEMENT

The agreement is supposed to be in effect for 49 years and to extend automatically for 25-year periods after that.

The document stresses that the agreement is defensive in nature and is not aimed against any other parties.

The deal stipulates that 11 Russian vessels can be present in the harbor of Tartus at once, including the ships equipped with with nuclear marine propulsion, provided that nuclear and environmental safety guidelines are respected.

Russia will carry out the seaborne and airborne protection of the base, while Syria will be responsible for the land security. Russia will be able to deploy temporary mobile outposts beyond the base, if coordinated with the Syrian side.

Russia will have the right to renovate, rebuild and demolish the building, do construction work, including underwater, and set up offshore platforms.

Russia promises to send to Syria, at its request, specialists to help restore Syrian warships and will help organize the defense of the harbor of Tartus and help mount search and rescue operations in Syrian waters.

Syria will not make any objections related to the military activities of the base, which will also be beyond Damascus' jurisdiction.

Syria also pledges to solve any conflicts that may arise if a third party objects to the activities of the base.

FULL-SCALE BASE

This agreement means that the logistics center in Tartus has earned the naval base status.

"This means that in the future the vessels of all ranks and types can be based in Tartus, except aircraft carriers," Adm. Viktor Kravchenko told RIA Novosti.

According to Kravchenko, the supply of water, fuel and electricity has to be ensured for that, and the berth space has to be expanded.

"It will be necessary to build a battery room to replace submarines' batteries or to recharge them onshore," Kravchenko said.

The admiral stressed that the security of the base would be the main concern and missile defense systems and air defense systems, as well as coastal missile systems, such as Bal or Bastion, would have to be deployed there.

LAWMAKERS READY TO APPROVE DEAL

The Defense Committee of the State Duma, Russian Parliament's lower chamber, will not take long to examine the agreement on the Tartus logistics center, the deputy head of the committee told RIA Novosti.

"I do not think that ratification will take long. As soon as the documents on this agreement arrive at the State Duma, the specialized committee will begin working on the ratification of the deal," Andrey Krasov said.

The lawmaker noted that the agreement signified Russia's return to the Middle East as a political player.

"That is only one item in the infrastructure network that will allow Russia successfully fight international terrorism in the region," Krasov said.

The Federation Council, the parliament's upper chamber, may discuss the agreement at its next session on February 1, if the draft has been brought to the parliament and approved by the lower chamber by then, Viktor Ozerov, head of the Russian Federation Council's defense committee, told RIA Novosti.

According to Ozerov, the ratification of this agreement is extremely important as it will help create legal framework for the deployment of Russian military personnel abroad.

Ozerov also noted that, when calculating the number of the vessels that can be based in the harbor, the specialists considered its size and the center's tasks.

The senator stressed that the base in Tartus is supposed to be a maintenance center for Russian Navy in the Mediterranean rather than a military one.

 Sputnik

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Russian Naval Facility in Tartus Could Be Upgraded to Naval Base in 1.5-2 Years

Sputnik News

19:31 20.01.2017Get short URL

A Russian naval repairs and maintenance facility in the Syrian port of Tartus could be overhauled to a full-scale naval base capable of hosting large warships, including aircraft carriers, within two years, a senior Russian lawmaker said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia and Syria signed on January 18 an agreement on the expansion and modernization of the Tartus facility, stipulating its use by Moscow for at least next 49 years.

"We will not delay the modernization of Tartus [facility]Judging from experience, I think that the infrastructure in Tartus could be upgraded to meet our requirements in 1.5-2 years," Viktor Ozerov, head of the Russian Federation Council's defense committee, told RIA Novosti.

According to Ozerov, the upgraded base will be able to host all types of warships, including aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, and provide a wide range of logistics, maintenance and repair services.

 Sputnik

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Russia-Syria Agreement on Naval Facility in Tartus Defensive in Nature

Sputnik News

17:09 20.01.2017(updated 17:17 20.01.2017) Get short URL

The presence of the Russian naval maintenance facility on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic meets the objectives of maintaining peace and stability in the region, is defensive in nature and is not directed against other states, according to official document.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Russia-Syria agreement on Russia's naval maintenance facility in Syria's Tartus is defensive in nature and is not directed against other countries, according to the document posted on the Russian government's legal information portal Friday.

"The presence of the Russian naval maintenance facility on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic meets the objectives of maintaining peace and stability in the region, is defensive in nature and is not directed against other states," the document says.

It says Russia will ensure the defense of the naval maintenance facility in Tartus from air and sea, while Syria will defend it from land.

 Sputnik

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Russia, Syria Agree Expansion, Overhaul of Tartus Naval Facility

Sputnik News

17:08 20.01.2017(updated 17:09 20.01.2017) Get short URL

Russia and Syria have signed an agreement on the expansion and modernization of the Russian naval maintenance facility in the Syrian port of Tartus, according to the document posted on the Russian government's legal information portal on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The agreement, signed on January 18, will be in force for 49 years, the document says.

"The current agreement is valid for 49 years and will be automatically prolonged every 25 years thereafter unless one of the sides notifies the other side not less than a year prior in written form and through diplomatic channels of its intention to terminate it," the document stipulates.

According to the agreement, Russia will have full legal authority over the Tartus facility and will use it free of charge.

 Sputnik

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'Trump is Not Our Man, He is American Man, President of US' - Kremlin Spokesman

Sputnik News

14:42 20.01.2017(updated 15:43 20.01.2017) Get short URL

Donald Trump is not "our man", he is a US president, the Kremlin spokesman said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  It would be a mistake to assume that US President-elect Donald Trump is "our man" rather than that of the United States, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview excerpt broadcast on Friday.

"This is not our man. This is an American man  the president of the US," Peskov told the Vesti v Subbotu ("News on Saturday") program on Russia's Rossiya 1 broadcaster.

Peskov warned it would be "the biggest mistake for Western analysts and political scientists to assume that he is our man."

Earlier in the day, Peskov said that he could not confirm yet that the consultations between the teams of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump had already begun.

During his election campaign Trump expressed willingness to work closer with Russia and regret over the current state of the Moscow-Washington relationship.

On January 6, the US Intelligence Community released a report saying it was very confident that Russia had meddled in the 2016 presidential election but failing to provide the proof.

Outgoing US President Barack Obama and his Vice President Joe Biden said, at the year-end press conference and a speech at the Davos economic forum, respectively, that Russia had influenced the US election process.

The Kremlin has repeatedly denied allegations that it had helped sway the US voters in Trump's favor, calling these accusations absurd. Trump has also denounced the allegations.

Trump's inauguration will begin at 14:30 GMT in Washington.

 Sputnik

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No longer realistic to solve Syria crisis without Assad: Turkey

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 2:4PM

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek says Ankara can no longer insist on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's resignation as a precondition for resolving the nearly six-year crisis in the Arab country.

"The facts on the ground [in Syria] have changed dramatically, so Turkey can no longer insist on a settlement without Assad, it's not realistic," Simsek told a panel on Syria and Iraq at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss city of Davos on Friday.

"We have to be pragmatic, realistic," he said.

The Turkish government had previously demanded the Syrian president's resignation, describing his removal from power as the only solution to the conflict which has ravaged Syria since 2011. Ankara, however, has become less insistent on Assad's leaving office since its recent rapprochement with Russia, which supports the Syrian president, and ahead of peace talks planned to be held in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana on January 23.

Ankara has stepped up its cooperation with Moscow recently, prompting speculation that Turkey might be moving away from the US which is supporting Kurdish militants in Syria.

Representatives from the Syrian government and foreign-sponsored opposition groups are expected to take part in the Astana negotiations.

The negotiations, which exclude the Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist groups, are mediated by Russia, Turkey, and Iran. The three countries successfully implemented a similar accord in December after militants were defeated in Syria's northwestern city of Aleppo.

The Syrian president on Thursday said the upcoming peace talks in Astana would focus on enforcing a cessation of hostilities across the Arab country.

"I believe that they will focus, in the beginning, and will prioritize, as we see it, reaching a ceasefire," Assad said.

The peace negotiations in Astana come ahead of the next round of UN-brokered political negotiations in the Swiss city of Geneva on February 8.

The Astana talks would be held in the wake of a nationwide ceasefire in Syria which was mediated by Moscow and Ankara and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council on December 31.

Syria has been fighting foreign-sponsored militancy over the past six years. According to estimates by UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, 400,000 people have been so far killed in the country's crisis.

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Over 40 terrorists killed in airstrikes in Syria's Aleppo Province: Report

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 11:5AM

Over 40 Takfiri terrorists from Fateh al-Sham Front have reportedly been killed in airstrikes on their camp in Aleppo Province in northwestern Syria.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it cannot immediately specify who carried out the Thursday airstrikes in the western part of the province.

"Warplanes, which may have been Russian or coalition aircraft, struck a Fateh al-Sham camp in Jabal al-Sheikh Suleiman," the Britain-based group said.

The Takfiri group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, along with Daesh, is not a party to a countrywide ceasefire deal reached between Damascus and militant groups on December 30, 2016.

Mass grave found in Aleppo

Meanwhile, the Syrian army forces have discovered a mass grave at a school in the eastern sector of Aleppo City, which was liberated from the militants late last year.

According to a letter sent by the Syrian army to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the victims had been executed by the Takfiri Fajr al-Islam militant group.

The letter said certain countries consider the terrorist group as moderate fighters and equip them with arms and technical support.

Twenty of the victims have been identified and investigation is underway to identify another 37 victims, the letter added.

Aleppo reconstruction

In a Friday interview with Iran's Fars News Agency, Aleppo Governor Hussein Diab said clean-up and reconstruction operation sin Aleppo have made signification progress.

He said the reconstruction process will include the entire Aleppo province with a primary focus on urban services.

The operations include removing the debris, cleaning up the streets, providing security for vehicles and reopening schools after four years, Diab said.

He said 20 schools have been reopened for 5,000 students and three health centers have started providing medical services to the citizens.

Following the liberation of Aleppo in late 2016, the Syrian government adopted a plan of action meant to restore public services and security to the northwestern city.

The plan includes a range of measures such as the opening of Aleppo roads, providing water, electricity and fuel to citizens as well as assessing conditions for repair and reconstruction activities there.

Lavrov 'optimistic' on Syria peace process

On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed optimism over the prospect of peace process on Syria, saying the meeting in the Kazakh capital Astana on January 23 is as an important step toward establishing a framework for talks taking place in Geneva.

"As you know an inter-Syrian meeting between the Syrian government delegation and armed opposition will take place next week in Astana. We view this meeting as an important input into work on parameters of integral political reconciliation in the Syrian Arab Republic which will continue at larger events in Geneva in the beginning of February," he added.

Russia is currently in talks with Iranian officials on preparations for the upcoming Syria peace talks, among them the possible US presence in the discussions.

Iran has voiced strong opposition to the US participation in the upcoming Astana talks, citing Washington's dedication to the ouster of the Syrian government and its longtime support for the Takfiri terror groups operating in the Arab state.

Representatives from the Syrian government and foreign-sponsored opposition groups are expected to take part in the Astana negotiations.

The conflict resolution talks on Syria are brokered by Moscow, Ankara and Tehran. The three sides have in the past months been engaged in a diplomatic process, which helped establish a ceasefire in Syria late last year and bring back Damascus and opposition groups to the negotiating table.

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Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 21

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Turkmenistans President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov offered deepest condolences to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani over the collapse of a shopping centre in Tehran that killed and severely injured numerous people, the Turkmen government said in a message.

The fire engulfed the 17-story high-rise, which housed a big shopping center, on Jan. 19. The building collapsed as the fire-fighters were trying to extinguish the blaze. As a result of the accident, nearly 30 people were killed and the number of injured people exceeded 70.

On behalf of the Turkmen people and government and on his own behalf, Berdimuhamedov conveyed empathy and support to relatives and friends of the killed people, and wished quick recovery to those injured.
33 Daeshis killed in clashes with army forces in central Syria

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 12:59AM

More than 30 members of the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group have been killed when they engaged in fierce exchanges of gunfire with Syrian army soldiers and pro-government fighters from popular defense groups in the country's central province of Homs.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that at least 18 Daesh extremists had been killed as they sought to advance near the Tiyas Military Airbase, also known as the T-4 Airbase, west of the ancient Semitic city of Palmyra.

The UK-based monitoring group's head, Rami Abdel Rahman, said 12 pro-government fighters had also been killed, including seven in a bomb attack.

Daesh has tried for weeks to cut off the Syrian army's access route to the airbase, but to no avail in the face of strong resistance shown by government forces.

Additionally, Syrian soldiers killed more than 15 Daesh terrorists, and destroyed an armored vehicle and seven pickup trucks equipped with heavy machineguns south of Sharifa village, situated about 60 kilometers west of Palmyra.

A Syrian military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, also told Syria's official news agency SANA that the army had established control over a number of strategic hills and checkpoints along al-Phosphate road in Homs province.

Syrian government forces inflicted heavy losses on Daesh ranks and military equipment during the operations.

Furthermore, Syrian army units, backed by the Air Force, targeted militant hideouts in al-Maqaber area of the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr as well as the nearby al-Tharda Mountain.

Daesh executes dozen people in Palmyra

Meanwhile, Daesh terrorists have reportedly beheaded and shot 12 captives in Palmyra in front of crowds of men and children.

Several of the victims were said to have been killed inside a second-century Roman amphitheater, while others were murdered in the courtyard of the Palmyra museum, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Four of those reported dead were teachers and government employees. The other eight were Syrian army soldiers and militants from the so-called Free Army.

Daesh extremists retook Palmyra on December 11, just eight months after the Syria army drove them out.

Separately, tension prevails on the outskirts of the northwestern Syrian city of Jisr al-Shugur after members of the Takfiri Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, attacked the headquarters and checkpoints of Ahrar al-Sham militant coalition in the town of Khirbet al-Joz on the border with Turkey.

Jabhat Fateh al-Sham militants also stormed Ahrar al-Sham's positions in Z'einiyyeh area, where ensuing clashes between the two sides have reportedly caused a number of casualties.

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Russia, Turkey Constantly Coordinating Actions Regarding Syria

Sputnik News

15:32 20.01.2017(updated 15:33 20.01.2017) Get short URL

The Kremlin spokesman said Russia and Turkey were in contact with each other on Syria on a permanent basis.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Moscow and Ankara are in contact with each other on Syria at various levels on a permanent basis, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

"There is constant coordination between the Russian and Turkish sides at various levels," Peskov said when asked whether the Russian and Turkish leaders plan to exchange views on the issue of negotiations in Astana.

In late December, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a Russian-Turkish resolution on a ceasefire regime in Syria, as well as on holding political talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups in Astana, Kazakhstan in January 2017. A day earlier, a nationwide ceasefire between Syrian government troops and several opposition factions came into force. Russia and Turkey serve as guarantors of the deal that paves the way for negotiations between the warring parties.

Since 2011, Syria has been engulfed in a civil war, with government forces fighting against numerous opposition and terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front and Daesh, which is banned in a range of countries, including Russia.

 Sputnik

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Tsai reiterates stance on maintaining cross-strait peace

ROC Central News Agency

2017/01/20 20:43:34

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) In a recent letter to Pope Francis, President Tsai Ing-wen () reiterated the Republic of China's stance on upholding Taiwan's democracy and peace in the Taiwan Strait, outlining four principles for peaceful engagement with mainland China.

Tsai sent the letter on Jan. 5 in response to the Pope's message on the World Day of Peace 2017. In the papal message, Pope Francis called on individuals and nations to take concerted efforts to address the crises facing mankind with love and faith in nonviolence.

In the letter, published by the Presidential Office on Friday, Tsai expressed her appreciation and support of the Pope's call for "disarmament and the abolition of nuclear weapons, as well as solutions to regional conflict, terrorism, migration issues and environmental destruction."

She wrote that Taiwan and mainland China were once embroiled in a zero-sum conflict that caused tension in the region and anxiety among our peoples, but now people in both sides enjoy stable lives and normal exchanges under peaceful and separate governance.

"We should thus cherish all the more this status quo of hard-won stability," Tsai said.

Tsai also listed four principles for peaceful engagement with mainland China: "our pledges will not change, our goodwill will not change, we will not bow to pressure and we will not revert to the old path of confrontation."

"I urge the governing party across the strait, together with the governing party in Taiwan, to set aside the baggage of history and engage in positive dialogue," Tsai said in the letter.

Addressing the close ties between the Republic of China and the Holy See, Tsai pledged that the ROC would continue to answer the Pope's appeal for humanitarian assistance and to assist the Catholic Church in its pastoral work around the world.

The Holy See, with which the ROC established diplomatic relations in 1942, is the only country in Europe that has full diplomatic links with Taiwan.

(By Sophia Yeh and Elizabeth Hsu)

ENDITEM AW/



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Trump urged not to treat Taiwan as bargaining chip

ROC Central News Agency

2017/01/20 19:52:34

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump should stand up to Beijing over Taiwan, bring the "one China" policy into the 21st century without risking war and not make Taiwan a bargaining chip in deals with China, a Wall Street Journal opinion piece said on Thursday, one day before Trump's inauguration.

Citing Trump's remarks during a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal that "everything is under negotiation including 'one China,'" the opinion piece said such remarks could rattle Beijing.

Trump's comments came after he previously suggested in December that the U.S. stance on Taiwan would depend on progress with China on other issues such as North Korea and trade.

In response, Beijing has insisted that the "one China" principle is the basis of U.S.-China ties, adding that "Trump's ignorant blundering could lead to a breach in relations, even war," the article said.

Under its "one China" policy, the U.S. recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging Beijing's position that there is one China and Taiwan is part of China.

Despite that, Washington has never accepted mainland China's sovereignty over Taiwan and the U.S. position is that Taiwan's status should be determined peacefully and with the consent of the island's people, the article said.

The U.S. does not need to change its official position on "one China" or recognize Taiwan's independence, but "should acknowledge that Taiwan is a flourishing democracy with which Washington should expand official contacts," the article argued.

"The question is whether this is what Mr. Trump intends to do," it said. Trump sometimes seems as if he wants to use Taiwan as a bargaining chip as part of a new grand bargain with Beijing, "which would be a betrayal and a blunder," it added.

Taiwan is a major U.S. trading partner and de facto ally and the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 obligates the U.S. to help the island if it comes under attack, it said. "Putting Taiwan's status up for negotiation would unsettle allies and lead Mr. Trump into conflict with the U.S. Congress," it added.

"This is also not a game Beijing will play," given that its leaders have told the Chinese people that Taiwan is part of the motherland and must not be allowed to slip away, it said. "Any hint of a Taiwan quid pro quo with Mr. Trump would be a major climbdown for the regime and hurt its standing at home," it said.

The article argued that Trump has an opportunity "to stand up to Beijing's bullying over Taiwan, improve the island's global standing and bring the 'one China' policy into the 21st century without risking war."

"But that will depend on his willingness to set Taiwan apart from the art of the deal for the sake of principled and realistic policy," it concluded.

(By Elaine Hou)

ENDITEM/AW

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Taiwan leader calls for 'new era' in relations with China

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:17AM

Taiwan's leader has announced a peace initiative for creating a "new era" of cordial relations with China as military drills are being held in preparation for possible clashes in the region.

"Upholding peace requires ample goodwill and communication. Based on many years of experience in cross-strait negotiations during my political career, I am convinced that military action cannot resolve problems," Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen wrote in a letter to the Vatican released by her office on Friday.

Beijing considers the self-ruled Taiwan a renegade region.

The Vatican is one of few places which have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

China has expressed readiness to use military force if Taipei pursues to breach the internationally-approved "One China" policy that recognizes only one China.

"Taiwan and mainland China were once embroiled in a zero-sum conflict that caused tension in the region and anxiety among our peoples. In contrast, today people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait enjoy stable lives and normal exchanges under peaceful separate governance," Tsai said in the letter.

She said the Taipei government wanted to maintain the current peaceful environment, adding however, that her administration would not bow to pressure from Beijing.

Tsai's comments were seen as a follow-up on US President Donald Trump's remarks before his inauguration signaling that he may end Washington's commitment to the "One China" policy which has been the bedrock of Sino-US diplomatic relations for decades.

"I call on cross-strait negotiators to set aside former agreements and engage in positive dialog," Tsai said.

Tsai's Democratic Progressive Party does not agree with the "One China" policy.

Beijing has repeatedly warned that the US abandoning the policy would result in pro-independence aspirations in Taiwan and could result in China ending cooperation with the US in major fields.

In a related development, media reported on Friday that the US and Japan will carry out a tabletop exercise next week to simulate its response in the event of a military clash between China and Taiwan.

The Self-Defense Forces will conduct drills from Monday through Friday with the US military participating as an observer, a Japanese government source told Kyodo News.

The exercises, which do not involve actual troop deployments, assume that the US and Japan are responding to a military conflict, Kyodo said Thursday.

In response to the news of the regional military drills, China's foreign ministry said Japan should not meddle in Beijing's "internal affairs."

"I want to emphasize that the Taiwan issue is an internal affair of China, and we hope that Japan will be very cautious with its words and actions...and not do anything that would undermine regional peace and stability," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

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Fighting erupts in Turkish parliament over Erdogan powers bill

Iran Press TV

Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:42AM

Turkish MPs have once again engaged in physical violence after a female lawmaker handcuffed herself to the parliament's podium in protest at a constitutional reform package under debates.

Independent legislator Aylin Nazliaka attached herself to the microphone on Thursday, forcing the deputy parliament speaker to call recess twice.

The row erupted among female lawmakers during the recess as efforts failed to convince Nazliaka to end her protest.

The lawmakers started shoving and slapping each other after one legislator proceeded to unscrew the microphone.

Two legislators, including Pervin Buldan, a deputy speaker from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), and Gokcen Enc, with the ruling Jutice and Development Party (HDP), were hospitalized following the brawl.

It was the third such fight during parliamentary debates over the controversial bill proposed by the AKP.

If adopted both in the parliament and a national referendum, the new constitution would cancel the parliamentary system of government in favor of a presidential one.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the AKP's founder, has long pushed for the constitutional amendments, arguing that a strong presidency will make Turkey stronger.

On January 11, Turkish lawmakers got engaged in physical violence, pushing each other and exchanging blows during a round of voting.

The opposition lawmakers accused the ruling party of breaching the law on secrecy of ballot by displaying their votes.

So far, the parliament has approved seven out of the 18 articles of the draft constitution.

Under the new mechanism, Erdogan would be allowed to serve two five-year tenures. With the exception of his current mandate, he could thus be leading the country until 2029, with the next elections being scheduled for 2019.

The reforms would also enable the president to appoint and dismiss government officials at his own discretion.

The president would further be able to be a party member, thus giving Erdogan a permit to return to the leadership of the AKP, which he himself has founded.

Under the new charter, the number of parliamentarians will be increased from 550 to 600, as well.

The AKP has only 316 deputies eligible to vote on the bill, which needs 330 'Yes' votes at every parliamentary hurdle. The party, therefore, relies on its allies from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) for approving the bill.

The AKP and the MHP say the changes will create a strong executive leadership vis-a-vis the fragile coalition governments of the past.

The proposed reform package has been met with strong opposition from the Turkish legislature's second- and third-biggest parties, the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the HDP.

Critics say such changes to the constitution will fuel authoritarianism as it places too much power in the hands of the president.

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Kiev Hires Foreign Mercenaries to Carry Out Criminal Orders - Lugansk Republic

Sputnik News

16:21 20.01.2017Get short URL

More than 300 foreign mercenaries are engaged on Kiev's side in the Lugansk Region, a senior Lugansk People's Republic commander said.

LUHANSK (Sputnik)  About 300 foreign mercenaries fight on the side of Kiev in eastern Ukraine's Lugansk Region, Chief of Staff of the People's Militia of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) Oleg Anashchenko said Friday.

"According to our records, there are over 300 foreign mercenaries in the Lugansk Region who serve in different units," Anashchenko said.

He noted that the Kiev authorities resorted to such measures due to the Ukrainian military's unwillingness to carry out certain "criminal" orders.

Low morale of the Ukrainian army also prompts Kiev to search for help from abroad, according to Anashchenko.

The Donbass conflict erupted in April 2014 as a local counter-reaction to the West-sponsored Maidan coup in Kiev that had toppled legitimate President Viktor Yanukovych in February. Residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions held independence referendums and proclaimed the People's Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Kiev has since been conducting a military operation, encountering stiff local resistance. According to the UN data, over 10,000 people died as a result of the conflict.

In June 2016, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered the General Staff of the Ukrainian army to publish data on the number of foreigners who are fighting on Kiev's side in Ukraine's east.

 Sputnik

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UK To Expand Support To Ukraine's Armed Forces

20 January 2017

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has reaffirmed the United Kingdom's commitment to Ukraine

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has said that the United Kingdom stands firmly alongside Ukraine as the British Army prepares to broaden its already extended training package to all of the country's armed forces.

Speaking in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, on his second trip to the country in 18 months, Sir Michael said that the UK is beginning to deliver training to Ukraine's Air Force as well as its Army and Navy.

Meeting with Defence Minister of Ukraine, General of the Army Stepan Poltorak, the Defence Secretary confirmed that the UK's short-term training teams (STTTs) will have trained 5,000 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the end of March - 1,000 more than initially planned - and will now continue in their training role for another year.

The Defence Secretary also agreed to explore how Britain's training efforts in Ukraine could be maximised to produce long-term benefits on the ground, delivering a more comprehensive approach including by Train the Trainer (T3). Moving to this method of training would entrench the impact of Britain's support within Ukraine's armed forces for years to come.

Furthermore, Britain will continue its commitment to support defence reform in Ukraine via the UK defence section. As part of his visit the Defence Secretary will meet the UK Special Defence Advisor in Kyiv and Ukraine's Defence Reform Office who are working hand-in-hand to continue reforms and support further anti-corruption efforts.

Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon said:

"The values of freedom and democracy cannot be traded."

"Britain is stepping up on the global stage and standing firm with our Ukrainian friends."

"The UK is sending a clear message that we are committed to defending democracy across the world and support Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity."

During his visit, Sir Michael met with Ukrainian veterans to hear first-hand how the UK's training provides vital support for the UAF. In December he confirmed that the training programme, named Op Orbital, would be extended meaning UK forces will be in the country until at least 2018. As the UK extends its training, a new regiment  4 SCOTS  will take over dedicated delivery of the infantry short-term training.

Later in his visit, which marks the 25-year anniversary of UK-Ukrainian diplomatic relations, the Defence Secretary also visited the ATO Memorial inside the National Defence University to pay tribute to the 127 soldiers killed in the East of the country in 2014-2015.

The Defence Secretary also spoke about how the UK is a partner in prosperity with Ukraine. He met with staff of the Antonov National Company, the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers company. British equipment from operations in Afghanistan and now in Iraq has been transported using Antonov aircraft and Dowty Propellers, based in the UK, has started component deliveries for propeller systems that will equip a demonstrator for the company's new AN-132 twin-engine transport aircraft.

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan. 21

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Delegations of foreign ministries of Uzbekistan and Russia exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral cooperation within the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) during political consultations held in Tashkent, the Uzbek Foreign Ministrys press service said.

Delegations of the two countries also considered the preparation for the upcoming meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers in Tashkent and activities within the bilateral cooperation.

The Russian delegation was headed by the countrys Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Nebenzya.

Relations between Uzbekistan and Russia are characterized as strategic partnership in the wide range of cooperation in political, economic and humanitarian spheres.

The expansion of economic and investment ties is the priority area of Uzbek-Russian comprehensive dialogue. Russia is one of Uzbekistans big trade partners.

More than 900 joint enterprises with Russian capital operate in Uzbekistan, and representative offices of 85 firms and companies of Russia have been opened in the country. Moreover, over the recent years, Russian investments in Uzbekistans economy amounted to more than $6 billion.
The Danville School Board heard a report on the future of facility renovations and repairs from an architect firm during its meeting Thursday.

The firm RRMM Architects presented a facility expansion report to board members. RRMM is creating a long-term plan for school facility updates based on the areas of greatest need that will help the most students.

Board member Ed Polhamus said the presentation was just focused on pre-kindergarten through middle school facilities. The firm is still working on a proposal for high schools.

The board took no action on the plans.

Were excited to see how this might play out, Polhamus said.

Board members also heard a report on December discipline data. Though middle and high schools had a drop in infractions compared to December 2015, elementary schools experienced a 46 percent increase in infractions and a 44 percent increase in out-of-school suspensions.

Polhamus said board members continued to offer up any ways they could help the schools with discipline issues.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan. 21

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Deputy foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan discussed practical issues of cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the context of the organizations upcoming expansion, the Uzbek Foreign Ministrys press service said.

The meeting held in Moscow Jan. 20 was also attended by SCO Secretary General Rashid Alimov and Director of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the SCO (SCO RATS) Yevgeniy Sysoyev.

Before the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with heads of delegations.

Discussions were held on priorities and practical measures on development of cooperation within the SCO in the political, security, economic and humanitarian spheres. The commitment of the SCO member states to enhance joint efforts in order to support peace and security, ensure welfare and prosperity in the SCO area was unanimously confirmed.

The sides stated that the successful expansion process of the organization, primarily, the upcoming acceptance of India and Pakistan as the SCO full members will further enrich the multifaceted potential of equal cooperation, enhance the international role and authority of the SCO.

The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic and military organization which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan. 21

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sent a letter of condolences to his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani over the deaths of people who were killed after the blazing Plasco building in Tehran crumbled on Jan. 19, the Uzbek Foreign Ministrys press service said.

The fire engulfed the 17-story high-rise, which housed a big shopping center, on Jan. 19. The building collapsed as the fire-fighters were trying to extinguish the blaze. As a result of the accident, nearly 30 people were killed and the number of injured people exceeded 70.

Mirziyoyev also sent a letter of condolences to Italys President Sergio Mattarella in connection with the loss of lives after an avalanche buried the four-storey building with its eight staff and 20 guests, including several children, inside.

In his letters, the Uzbek president conveyed words of sincere sympathy and compassion to the families and friends of those killed and injured.
Hope

Fear

For the moment

SAN FRANCISCO  In the waning hours of Barack Obamas presidency, a group of tech luminaries, many of whom helped the outgoing administration digitize government services, gathered in a trendy office space in San Francisco for a discussion that few, if any, predicted having prior to Election Day: What happens to their efforts once President Donald Trump takes office?The chief speakers were Jennifer Pahlka, founder and executive director of Code for America, a nonpartisan organization aimed at closing the gap between the delivery of public services and private-sector innovation, and Tim OReilly, a venture capitalist and activist who popularized the phrases open source and Web 2.0. There was a duality to the talk, as Pahlka, OReilly, and the tech and government workers in the audience oscillated between hope and fear: fear that Trump would use tech advancements to orchestrate promises made during his inflammatory campaign, and hope that the work started by civic-minded technologists under Obama would continue to progress, fostering better services for more people.For all of the trepidation about what Trump will do to tech, and at what point tech workers might draw the line in meeting his requests, both speakers agreed that improving government through technology has been so vastly beneficial to the public that the work is worth continuing.If you look at the budget of the United States federal government  its food assistance and Medicaid and veterans benefits, Pahlka said during the discussion. And those things need to happen, and they need to happen way better than they happen today. And if the tech industry says F you and walks away, the progress weve made on making these things better is going to erode or fall apart  not because someone else brought it on us, but because [of us].In the most direct support of her optimism, Pahlka told the crowd she had spoken to members of the GOP who were excited to continue the Obama administrations digital progress. Her impression was that both established Republicans and Trump advisers think recent government tech work is awesome, because it is. Providing better, digitized government services at lower costs excites both parties, and while Pahlka, of course, could not predict what would happen, she doubted such work would be erased.Its possible that its actually going to accelerate, said Pahlka.That statement was the highwater mark of the nights optimism. It, as well as most other positivity, was tapered by noting that Trumps victory was fueled by inflammatory rhetoric likely contrary to beliefs held by much of the tech talent brought into government during the Obama years.The challenge of working for an administration that has said the things that this administration has said  nobody is minimizing that, Pahlka said. I think its a huge, huge struggle. But at this time, the opportunities to serve people far outweigh the challenges.Pahlka was certain most technologists would remain interested in government services under Trump, owing to the rewarding nature of the work, which she described as just a profound experience that changes you when you do it.To reassure concerns, Pahlka also described how the tech work done for the federal government has created a model for state and local agencies, a model they can move forward with regardless of who is president.One potentially disruptive piece of that work is the procurement process. Obama-era tech agencies within the federal government have introduced experiments that subvert the traditional RFP cycles and allow for companies to build one piece at a time, test prototypes, fail and then iteratively improve the product. Theres micropurchasing , where agencies put out bids for bits of code that can be paid from a credit card. And then theres the blanket purchase agreement , which sets up ongoing contracts with vendors who can then compete with each other for work. Governments at the state and local level have started adopting those concepts OReilly, the decidedly less rosy of the two speakers, led by describing the work of technologists in government as less than 1 percent complete. In response to Pahlka noting that government work was more rewarding than the private sector because it forces a focus on all people rather than a target market, OReilly voiced concern that Trump would enact policy to only serve certain people.His peak optimism was arguably his citing of the famed quote from the Battle of Bunker Hill: Dont fire until you see the whites of their eyes. OReilly said that negative reaction to Trump thus far has been to his rhetoric, and everyone, technologists included, would do well to save energy for combating real actions instead.Were wasting all this energy worrying about what might happen, and [not enough] building capacity, said OReilly. So for me one of the questions I have is what does building capacity look like, so that when things are not just rhetoric but might actually be happening, were more prepared to deal with it.Peter Leyden, founder of the media site Reinvent and the moderator of the talk, started off the night with the words of a eulogy: We are gathered here on the last day of the Obama administration.Such is the concrete foundation for techs pessimism as Trump takes office: Its not just that a wild card of a man, an ideological opponent to the deep-blue tech industry of the West Coast, is rising to power. Its that Obama, the tech president , is leaving.It may have been that the Internet truly exploded while George Bush was in office, and that smartphones burst onto the scene, but it was Obama who welcomed tech to the federal government with open arms. In his eight years in office, Obama appointed the first chief information officer, the first chief technology officer, the first chief data scientist, the first White House chief digital officer. He started up the Presidential Innovation Fellows, the U.S. Digital Service and 18F. He set up the TechHire initiative . His administration was the fertile soil from which grew massive grant programs for funding development in the Internet of Things renewable energy , and connected and self-driving vehicles . And on and on.Where does Trump stand on these topics?Even as the new administration comes in, civic tech leaders lack answers to that question. In his inaugural speech, Trump barely mentioned technology. On the reset homepage for the administration, whitehouse.gov, the issues section doesnt mention technology. Hes appointed a White House chief digital officer , but remains mum on the fate of USDS, 18F, Presidential Innovation Fellows, the Technology Transformation Service, and all the work and people tied to them.At the San Francisco talk, OReilly noted that it can be difficult to sustain that level of innovation as power shifts to new people. In the United Kingdom, he said, the people responsible for introducing a more tech-oriented approach to government have largely been replaced with the old guard.Thats the thing I worry about that [could] happen, but Im not sure it is, OReilly said. The jurys still out.Its not just support for technology, and the question of whether tech will have a seat at the table, thats driving the trepidation in the field as Trump takes office. Its the fear of what the new president might want as well. Civic tech is about making government work better for the people  what happens if the government demands that tech leaders build something they believe would hurt people?Lets say the challenge is how do we make the social safety net more robust and cheaper and more responsive and a better user experience for people  there you go, everybodys all for it, OReilly said. If you go, How do we get all those Muslims registered so we can roll them into camps? or How do we get all these people deported? or whatever  actually, wed like government to be incredibly inefficient for that.Somewhere, Pahlka said, theres a line that some people wont be willing to cross. But where that line is, and whether the incoming administration will approach it, remains foggy.Perhaps the issue the tech industry has been loudest about is the prospect of building the tools necessary to support a registry of Muslims  an idea Trump has sent conflicting signals on since the days of his campaign. But even the suggestion of the registry was enough to prompt technologists to sign a pledge not to help build such a system.Then theres Trumps rhetoric on immigration, symbolic or otherwise. The Bay Area, and all the expertise it can bring to government, is filled with talented immigrants capable of driving change. The chief executive officer of Google, Sundar Pichai, was born in India. Tim Papandreou, who led San Franciscos efforts in the Smart City Challenge, is from Australia.As of Jan. 20, Inauguration Day, there was nothing about immigration on whitehouse.gov. No mention of a border wall, no description of a Muslim registry.With so much uncertain about what Trumps presidency will look like, the talk ended without action plans or concrete statements.What the tech industry is left with is hope and fear. There is always, OReilly said, both hope and fear.You have to use them both, OReilly said.Then he turned to the audience, full as it was with technology leaders who continue to work to improve government, and asked a question: Who felt more like Eeyore, the sad-sack donkey, and who felt more like the bouncy, enthusiastic Tigger?There were several Eeyores. But there were more Tiggers.
Long Beach Announces $12 Million ERP Contract

AngelList Partner Excited about Gov Tech in 2017

MySidewalk Brings On New VP

Long Beach, Calif., has announced a new enterprise resource system, built with Tyler Technologies Munis, with costs amounting to more than $12 million across five years.The system, which Mayor Robert Garcia described as the largest single technology project in Long Beachs history, integrates operations across the citys operations, according to a press release . It also replaces 17 software modules, including payroll, budgeting and cash processing. The price tag includes a purchasing cost of $8.4 million plus a five-year maintenance and support contract.The city is calling the ERP system LB COAST. According to the statement, it will help the city connect data sets, speed up transaction postings from overnight batches to real time, eliminate paper timesheets and replace outdated systems that couldnt integrate with newer technology.This new technology will help increase efficiency and effectiveness, improve controls, provide better information for decision-making and increase transparency, Garcia said in the statement. It also advances our open data policy.According to a bid document from the city, the mammoth project took 11,000 staff-hours from more than 200 employees. Staff members have been working to finalize the procurement since the latter half of 2014. Tyler won the bid against proposals from eight other vendors: Applied Software Technology Corp., CGI Technologies and Solutions, HCL America, Labyrinth Solutions, Quintel-Management Consulting, Sierra Cedar, SunGard Public Sector and Xerox Consultant Co. Alex Pack , a partner on AngelLists deals team, wrote in a recent blog post that government technology is the sector hes most excited about in 2017.Citing the massive spending power of federal, state and local government, Pack wrote that there is potential even in narrowly focused sectors of government. Indeed, the 2017 GovTech 100 list contains companies that do everything from managing local codes to providing customer engagement tools for police departments. Its when those companies find new niches to fill, and expand toward platforms, that they begin to scale up and offer returns to investors.Pack also wrote about the ability of startups to subvert the traditional government RFP process that can stretch tech projects into multi-year, million- or billion-dollar slogs. Oftentimes startups are more focused, working more quickly and iteratively than their more established counterparts.Altogether, he has enthusiasm for the market. 2016 saw greater interest from a larger group of [venture capitalists], angels, and the top accelerators, Pack wrote. Govtech may soon be as big as FinTech or HealthTech.MySidewalk has hired Amy Bradshaw as its new vice president of finance.Bradshaw, who comes to mySidewalk from the health and human services company Netsmart Technologies, will be responsible for budgeting, analyzing business opportunities and handling monthly company reporting, according to a press release Shes joining the company just a few months after its founding chief executive officer, Nick Bowden, stepped away from mySidewalk . Bowden founded the company, which works with cities on data and analytics, as MindMixer in 2010.Bradshaw holds degrees in business administration, accounting and manufacturing engineering, and has held jobs in consulting and communications.The team here is pretty fast-paced, and Amy is a great fit for this sort of environment, mySidewalk CEO Stephen Hardy said in the statement. Shes already hit the ground running and will improve our ability to serve our customers.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jan. 21

By Demir Azizov  Trend:

High representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, vice-president of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini addressed a letter to Uzbekistans President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to congratulate him on his victory in presidential election and expressed great interest of the EU in the further development of relations with Uzbekistan and the establishment of closer cooperation with the countrys new government.

The letter was handed over to the Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov by Peter Burian, EU special representative for Central Asia, during his official visit to Uzbekistan on Jan.19-20, according to the press release of the EU delegation to Uzbekistan.

The EU special representative and the Uzbek foreign minister discussed international and regional issues. Burian spoke positively about Uzbekistans current constructive cooperation with the neighboring states as well as with other international partners, including the EU.

Burian also held talks with the first Deputy Chairman of the Uzbek Senate Sodiq Safoyev. The sides mulled the prospects of further development of the inter-parliamentary dialogue and bilateral relations in trade and investment.
Tehran, Iran, January 21

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iran is going to hold a high-level international auto industry congress and exhibition in mid-February, Cyrus Razzaghi, president of ARA Enterprise told Trend .

"We are organizing an important event for Irans Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade and IDRO (Iran Development and Renovation Organization) which is the largest auto conference in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and also the largest industrial event in Iran for the next 15 months," he said.

According to Razzaghi, tens of Turkish companies will participate in the event and the Chairman of the Turkish Automotive Parts Association will attend as a Keynote Speaker.

ARA Enterprise has told Trend that major auto companies such as Mercedes, Volkswagen, Renault, Citroen, etc. will attend the event.

During the congress, speakers will discuss such topics as the role and share of after-sales services in brand image, value chain of sales and after-sales services, customer satisfaction through sales and after-sales services, the impact of the government and regulations on sales and after-sales services, patterns and successful international strategies in sales and after-sales services, and the economics of sales and after-sales services.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Irans gas pipeline to Iraq will be inaugurated on Jan. 23, spokesman of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), Majid Boujarzadeh, said.

However gas export to Iraq will not start in the coming days, Boujarzadeh said, Mehr news agency reported Jan. 21.

Iran has injected gas to the pipeline and is ready to start exporting gas to the neighboring country, but Iraqi side is not yet ready to receive gas, he added.

Earlier, Amir Hossein Zamaninia, Irans deputy oil minister for International and Commercial Affairs said that as soon as financial issues are settled, gas will be transmitted to Iraq.

Under the existing contract, Iran is expected to export 35 million cubic meters of gas per day to Iraq in a period of six years.

The two neighboring countries also have agreed on a deal for exporting 25 mcm of gas to Iraqs Basra. However, no pipelines have been laid so far for exporting gas to Basra City.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Director France Cordova will participate in MobilityTalks International, a public policy forum hosted by the Washington Auto Show on 24 January.

Cordova, accompanied by an NSF-funded self-driving Cadillac SRX, will highlight the essential role federal, basic, research funding plays in current and future automobile-related innovations.

This first MobilityTalks forum will allow world governments to exchange best practices related to emerging trends in transportation. Cordova will join an international group of automotive industry experts, lawmakers and regulators to deliver remarks and participate in a question and answer session focused on best practices related to connected and autonomous vehicles.

The Washington Auto Show opens at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on 27 January and runs through 5 February.
Achieving the 2030 target under the proposed plan will continue to build on investments in clean energy and set the California economy on a trajectory to achieving an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) released the proposed scoping plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030the most ambitious target in North America. ( Earlier post .) The plan builds on the states efforts to reduce emissions and outlines the most effective ways to reach the 2030 goal, including continuing Californias Cap-and-Trade Program.

For the past decade, California has been reducing emissions through a series of actions, innovative solutions and advances in technology. These include cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars and zero emission vehicles, low-carbon fuels, renewable energy, waste diversion from landfills, water conservation, improvements to energy efficiency in homes and businesses, and a Cap-and-Trade Program.

Assembly Bill 32, signed in 2006, set Californias initial goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and directed CARB to develop a climate change scoping planto be updated every five yearsdetailing specific measures needed to reach the target.

The first Scoping Plan required by Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) was adopted in 2008. Under that plan, California set in place a range of effective programs to slash greenhouse gases from cars, trucks, fuels, industry and electrical generation. The State is well on its way to achieving the goal of AB 32to reach 1990 levels of greenhouse gases by 2020.

The newly released proposed plan, required by the Governors April 2015 Executive Order, updates the previous scoping plan to account for the new 2030 target codified in Senate Bill 32 (Pavley).

The proposed plan continues the Cap-and-Trade Program through 2030 and includes a new approach to reduce greenhouse gases from refineries by 20%. The key programs that the Proposed Plan builds on include the Cap-and-Trade Regulation (continued through 2030), the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and much cleaner cars, trucks and freight movement, powering the State off of cleaner renewable energy, and strategies to reduce methane emissions from agricultural and other wastes. It also comprehensively addresses for the first time the greenhouse gas emissions from natural and working lands of Californiaincluding the agriculture and forestry sectors.

Achieving the 2030 goal will require contributions from all sectors of the economy and will include enhanced focus on zero- and near-zero emission vehicle technologies; continued investment in renewable energy, including solar and wind; greater use of low-carbon fuels; integrated land conservation and development strategies; coordinated efforts to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants, which include methane, black carbon and fluorinated gases; and an increased focus on integrated land-use planning to support livable, transit-connected communities.

The major elements of the framework proposed in this new Scoping Plan are:

SB350. Achieve 50% Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2030; doubling of energy efficiency savings by 2030. Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Increased stringency (reducing carbon intensity 18% by 2030, up from 10% in 2020). Mobile Source Strategy (Cleaner Technology and Fuels Scenario). Maintaining existing GHG standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles; put 4.2 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) on the roads; increase ZEV buses, delivery and other trucks. Sustainable Freight Action Plan. Improve freight system efficiency; maximize use of near-zero emission vehicles and equipment powered by renewable energy; deploy more than 100,000 zero-emission trucks and equipment by 2030. Short-Lived Climate Pollutant (SLCP) Reduction Strategy. Reduce emissions of methane and hydrofluorocarbons 40% below 2013 levels by 2030; reduce emissions of black carbon 50% below 2013 levels by 2030. SB375 Sustainable Communities Strategies. Increased stringency of 2035 targets. Post-2020 Cap-and-Trade Program. Declining caps, continued linkage with Quebec, and linkage to Ontario, Canada. CARB will look for opportunities to strengthen the program to support more air quality co-benefits, including specific program design elements. In Fall 2016, ARB staff described potential future amendments including reducing the offset usage limit, redesigning the allocation strategy to reduce free allocation to support increased technology and energy investment at covered entities and reducing allocation if the covered entity increases criteria or toxics emissions over some baseline. 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the refinery sector. By 2018, develop Integrated Natural and Working Lands Action Plan to secure Californias land base as a net carbon sink.

The proposed plan, which follows the release of a discussion draft in December, analyzes the potential economic impacts of different policy scenarios, including a carbon tax, and calculates the benefit to society of taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan also includes the estimated range of greenhouse gas, criteria pollutant and toxic pollutant emissions reductions of each measure.

The analysis in the plan finds that Cap-and-Trade is the lowest cost, most efficient policy approach and provides certainty that the state will meet the 2030 goals even if other measures fall short. The Cap-and-Trade Program funds the California Climate Investments program, which provides funds for community, local, regional and statewide projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with at least 35% of proceeds invested in disadvantaged and low-income communities. To date, a total of $3.4 billion in cap-and-trade funds have been appropriated for the California Climate Investments program.

The proposed plan was developed by CARB staff over the past 18 months working with multiple State agencies and departments. This effort was guided by legislation and reflects input from dozens of public workshops and community meetings, and input from CARBs Environmental Justice Advisory Committee and many other stakeholders.

The first of three public hearings on the proposed plan will be held at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on 27 January 2017. The California Air Resources Board is slated to hold workshops in February and hear an update at the 16 February Board meeting.

The Final 2017 Scoping Plan Update will be released in late March and be considered for approval by the Board in late April.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 21



By Fatih Karimov  Trend:



Irans president Hassan Rouhani visited the site of the Plasco building in Tehran, which collapsed on Jan. 19 following a massive fire.



Accompanied with a number of cabinet members Rouhani visited the site Jan. 21 morning and was informed about the latest rescue operations, Tasnim news agency reported.



He expressed hope that firefighters, who trapped under the rubble of the collapsed building, would be still alive.



Rouhani also called for comprehensive plans to ensure the safety of the old buildings that face the same threats.



As the operation to find the people trapped under the rubble entered third consecutive day, rescue teams retrieved the second body from the site on Jan 21 morning.



Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, earlier said that between 20 to 25 people are believed to have been trapped under the rubble.



Yesterday, a firefighter that had been hospitalized with burns died due to injuries.



Irans government has announced Jan. 21 national mourning day in commemoration of the people killed in the incident.



The fire engulfed the 17-story high-rise, which housed a big shopping center, on Jan. 19. The building collapsed as the fire-fighters were trying to extinguish the blaze.



The damage to the Plasco building is estimated at about $500 million, Ali Fazeli, the head of Iran Chamber of Guilds, previously told IRNA.
Women take to the streets in marches across the country, and the world. For many it was a stand against Donald Trump, a candidate and now pres
GREENSBORO  The N.C. Attorney Generals Office has advised a Superior Court judge that he does not have the authority to ask it to prosecute a case of possible theft of state money  but the judge does have the right to appoint a special prosecutor to do so.

In July, Superior Court Judge Joe Crosswhite ordered the State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the district attorneys offices in Person/Caswell and Rockingham counties for the alleged theft of state money. After reviewing a preliminary report from SBI agents, Crosswhite wrote to Senior Deputy Attorney General Robert Montgomery in December to ask that the attorney generals office take necessary action in the case.

Montgomery wrote to Crosswhite in a letter dated Jan. 20 that the attorney generals office has to decline because state law only allows for a district attorney to make such a request.

Absent a proper request from a district attorney and the attorney generals acceptance of that request in his discretion, the attorney general has no authority to initiate criminal actions, Montgomery wrote.

He then suggested that Crosswhite appoint a special prosecutor to handle the case.

An employee of Crosswhites office who answered his phone Friday told the News & Record that Crosswhite received Montgomerys letter Thursday and had been making phone calls since then to figure out his next step.

Crosswhite did not immediately return a request for comment.

Montgomerys letter clarified specifics of the investigation, stating that it centers on the possible theft of state funds by Cindy Blitzer, an employee of District Attorney Wallace Bradsher.

A call to Cindy Blitzer on Friday was not answered and a message left for her received no response.

Bradsher, whose office serves both Caswell and Person counties, answered his phone but hung up when he heard that the caller was a News & Record reporter.

Cindy Blitzer worked for Bradsher as an investigator in the Person/ Caswell district attorneys office from Jan. 13, 2015, until October 2016. She also is married to Rockingham County District Attorney Craig Blitzer, who initially employed her from Jan. 1, 2015, when he took office, until she joined Bradshers office.

Neither prosecutor has been named specifically as a suspect, and Rockingham Countys involvement in the investigation remains unclear.

Crosswhite had named one other suspect, John J. Stultz, who had approved Cindy Blitzers work time in the states payroll system.

Stultz worked in Bradshers office until Jan. 1, when he was sworn in as an elected District Court judge in Caswell County.

Montgomerys letter said that, in addition to Cindy Blitzer, an assistant prosecutor and other individuals are under investigation.

SBI officials confirmed on Jan. 7 that agents had not completed their investigation into the two prosecutors offices and did not have time frame to do so.

A request for a status update sent by the News & Record on Thursday has not been answered.

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed the SBIs spokesman, Erik Hooks, to his Cabinet. Several officials have said since then that the SBI does not have a spokesperson, and other agents are not authorized to speak directly to reporters.
GREENSBORO  A restaurant employee was shot and robbed while taking out trash from the business early this morning.

Employees at Amores Pizza and Subs, 1320 Lees Chapel Road, Suite F, told investigators the incident happened about 12:10 a.m., and the suspect ran northeast, according to a news release.

It is not clear if the suspect received any property.

The victim, whose injuries were not considered life-threatening, was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said.

The suspect was black, about 5 feet, 4 inches tall and 22 to 23 years old. He wore a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Greensboro/Guilford County Crime Stoppers at (336) 373-1000.
GREENSBORO  When the clock struck noon Friday, a handful of people assembled in downtown outside Scuppernong Books to wail, scream and cry  anything that represented their feelings about President Donald J. Trumps inauguration ceremony.

Across town in a conference room off Wendover Avenue, Guilford County Republicans watched Trump speak with less conflicted feelings.

Its just a wonderful day, said Ernie Wittenborn, the head of the Guilford County Republican Party, which gathered in a conference room at the Greensboro Regional Realtors Association to watch the festivities. Its exciting to participate, even at such a distance, in the peaceful transition of power.

About 100 Republicans came to the party, many dressed in red, white and blue clothing emblazoned with Trumps Make America Great Again slogan. They listened reverently as Trump delivered his first speech as president, breaking their silence only to cheer or applaud certain remarks. Among them: Buy American, hire American and his references to politicians who are all talk, no action.

When Trump concluded his remarks by saying, We will make America great again, the audience spoke along with him in unison before erupting into cheers.

Republicans at the party were elated to watch Trump take the oath of office, though many did not support him throughout the long presidential campaign. Wittenborn, for example, was a delegate for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, but flipped to Trump after millions of Americans began to buy into his message of returning the government to the people and ridding the Capitol of career politicians.

His message that Washington was not working for the people really resonated, Wittenborn said. And in his speech today, the thing that resonated the most is the theme that the power in America belongs to the people, and that the political class needs to listen to the people.

Fran Rafanovic, a High Point resident, was one of the local Republicans who supported Trump from the beginning of his campaign. She wore a large jeweled elephant pendant to watch her candidate assume the presidency and cried as he repeated the oath of office, his left hand atop two Bibles. Trumps message, though harsh at times, never bothered her, she said, because she could see the truth beneath the words.

If you take aside the things he maybe should not have said, whats left is that he wanted to keep jobs, bring back companies that have left America, control immigration of those who dislike us and build up the military, she said. I felt in my heart that he was being sincere. And I do know that the man loves America.

Her husband Richard, seated next to her, cheered when the Marine helicopter left Washington with former President Barack Obama on board. Richard, a native of Czechoslovakia, became an American citizen in 1953 and watched with despair as the country deteriorated over the past few decades, he said.

Over the years, politicians started to become more important than we are, he said. Trump, to me, was rising above the political promises. And I believe he will live up to that.

The mood was more subdued at Scuppernong Books, where co-owners Brian Lampkin and Steve Mitchell hosted an all-day Hootenanny de la Resistance, during which 15 musical performers sang or played different versions of Woody Guthries This Land Is Your Land. The event was designed as a response to the inauguration, Lampkin said, but also an all-day haven for people who still feel shell-shocked and frightened about the reality of a Trump presidency.

Well see what history decides, but I think many people in Greensboro are fearful and despairing and worried, Lampkin said. But we dont want to fall into that as the only response possible. You can have this nagging dread, but you can also have joy  so this is a way to combine those two things.

In addition to 12 hours of music, the hootenanny offered drink specials (about 20 $5 mimosas had been sold by 2 p.m.), a one-minute wail on the sidewalk outside as a cathartic response to the inauguration and a chance for residents to tweet their thoughts directly to the newly minted president. Each tweet, sent from a Twitter account created specifically for Inauguration Day, was also typed on one of four manual typewriters, creating a document that will be archived, Lampkin said.

Sample tweets included Free Melania! and I suspect your microbes are out of balance, real Donald Trump.

Some shoppers came to peruse books and stayed for the music, while others, including Courtney Danieluk, came specifically for the event. Danieluk, a Connecticut native who moved to Winston-Salem in August, had heard about the hootenanny from friends.

I felt that I needed to do something today, she said. And to communicate and connect with people, and to be present.

Danieluk, who works with intellectually and developmentally disabled adults, said she worried more what a Trump presidency could mean for their futures than for her own.

I think about my residents, women with disabilities that maybe dont know or understand how their lives are going to change because of this, she said. And that really scares me.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 22

Trend:

An accident occurred at the power plant in Armenia, advisor of the Armenian Prime Minister Shushan Sardaryan told Interfax agency Jan 21.

As a result of the accident at the high-voltage power line energy supply of the substation and the first power unit of the Armenian nuclear power plant was interrupted on Jan. 21, she said. "As a result of the accident the third power unit was promptly loaded and shortage of power supply was compensated from Georgia".

The accident has been eliminated in the evening, adviser added.
GREENSBORO  A plethora of pink permeated downtown Saturday morning, a color often associated with causes important to women.

But the women, men and children who wore the hot and pale pink hats, hair ribbons, shirts, pants, boots and yes, even tutus, at the Triad North Carolina Women's March were not there just in support of women's issues. They were representing the issues important to all people.

For Joyce Black, it all came down to respect. In a sea of signs colorful both literally and figuratively, the one she held high had just that one word. Respect. It's something everybody deserves, she said.

"And if that doesn't happen in this country, we lose the ability to be civil to each other," said Black, who lives in Greensboro. "We lose the ability to come together as a great nation."

Estimates put participants of the Triad N.C. Women's March anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000. It was part of a larger national effort, the Women's March on Washington, to highlight women's issues, which some feel could be threatened by a Donald Trump presidency. Driven by rhetoric during the presidential campaign that many considered divisive and hurtful  particularly to minorities and immigrants  individuals and groups organized marches in cities across the country in an act of solidarity.

The marches came the day after Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

In Washington, organizers sought a permit for a march they thought would attract about 200,000, but later said as many as a half-million people participated, The Washington Post reported Saturday afternoon.

More than 1 million people rallied at women's marches in the nation's capital and cities around the world, the Associated Press reported. In North Carolina, tens of thousands attended marches in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington and Greensboro, AP said.

All told, more than 600 "sister marches" were planned worldwide. Authorities, including Greensboro police, described the marches as peaceful. There were no arrests in Greensboro, police said.

For Greensboro's gathering, people trickled in early Saturday morning to the governmental plaza at Washington and Greene streets before the start of a short march up February One Place, down Elm Street and to LeBauer Park. But the crowd quickly ballooned, with friends and strangers standing shoulder to shoulder taking photos and selfies against the backdrop of the crowd. A few people spoke words of encouragement from under a tent before the march started, but their words were drowned out by the excited chatter among the crowd.

For those who did not do a lot of talking, their signs spoke for them.

"Women's Rights Are Human Rights."

"Make Racists Afraid Again."

"Normalize Equality."

"We Refuse to be Quiet."

"Girls Just Want to Have Fun-damental Rights for All."

"I'm Here to Topple the Hyper Masculine Heteronormative White Supremacist Empire."

But that there even had to be such a march bothered some participants, such as Lorraine Norwood of Greensboro. Norwood, who attended the march with her daughter and two granddaughters, said she was one of the first members of the Raleigh chapter of the National Organization for Women. She said she didn't think she'd still have to be fighting for issues such as equal pay and abortion rights by the time she had grandchildren.

"I want them to live in a better world," Norwood said of why she marched.

Other participants also made the event one for the family. Regina and Amber Alexander of Greensboro brought their 7-year-old daughter, Emery, to the march, and they all wore red T-shirts with the word "love" written in rainbow colors. The Alexanders said they wanted to let the community know that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families matter.

Black spotted a young girl in the crowd who sat on a man's shoulder.

"Today is all about her," she said. "It's her future, too."

Some people stopped to take photos of the signs Jennifer White carried. On one side she listed all the issues important to her: pro-choice, LGBT rights, and justice for people of color. On the opposite side, she had a personal message for Trump.

"Hey Trump. I dare you to mess with Roe v. Wade," the sign read, referencing the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that granted abortion rights to women.

"I was in mourning over the election," said White, who lives in Caswell County. "It didn't hit me until about the third day (after the election), 'Oh, my God, the Supreme Court.'"

Some people fear what effect Trump's conservative pick for the Supreme Court could have on issues such as abortion rights.

It's a fear that Chris Roerden of Greensboro knows well. She broadcast her abortion experience with a sign on her back that read "Grams had illegal abortion."

It was 1969, and Roerden was a senior in college. She was also 34 years old and married with two children age 6 and 8. The birth control she had used for 14 years failed, she said.

"So my family physician performed the abortion alone at midnight after his staff left for the day," Roerden recalled after the march ended at LeBauer Park.

One week later, she graduated college with the highest honors and secured a contract to teach writing at that same school. That's not something she felt she could have done with a third child.

"I never would have been able to teach," Roerden said. "I would have had to raise three children instead of two, which is exponentially greater. It would have changed my life completely. It would have changed the family."

Through music and passionate speeches, participants were told that their work didn't end with the march. It's just the beginning.

Drawing on the Book of Esther, the Rev. Pam Strader of West Market Street United Methodist Church reminded them a single person who sees an injustice can bring it to someone's attention.

"Your influence and advocacy can make a difference," Strader said. "It is time to make your voice heard. Whatever the passion in your heart and the cause for which you wish to sacrifice, it is just for such a time that you may be called to listen, to learn and to engage."

Elizabeth Freeze, director of philanthropy for Planned Parenthood's South Atlantic region, told the marchers that they were not just standing in support of women's health. They were also standing strong for other issues that unite them: LGBT rights, economic equality, racial justice, voting rights and the environment.

"As an organization serving thousands of women, men and young people every day across this state and country, we know there are far more issues that unite us than divide us," Freeze said. "And we will not be divided."

And before leading the crowd in "We Shall Overcome," the Rev. Diane Givens Moffett of St. James Presbyterian Church reminded them that there has to be a stirring on the inside before they can understand what needs to change on the outside.

"We cannot solve the problems that we face with the same level of consciousness that created them," she said. "Something has to change."
President Donald Trump was exactly right in his inaugural address to proclaim, The time for empty talk is over. Now comes the hour of action.

Trumps short speech repeated the themes of his improbable campaign: that the interests of average Americans are overlooked, wealth has been ripped away, factories are closed and jobs have been stolen. Also, our military has been weakened, our infrastructure ruined, our borders undefended, our schools failed, our inner cities torn by crime, drugs and gangs.

It must have been embarrassing for former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter to sit and listen to the litany of woe. But, truth be told, all of those men failed to address some of the countrys fundamental problems.

Trump likely struck a nerve with many of the Washington VIPs when he said the capital establishment has prospered at the expense of ordinary Americans. He spoke past the insiders to people across the country:

That all changes right here and right now because this moment is your moment, it belongs to you. ... January 20, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of this country will be forgotten no longer.

The new president also called for national unity, but wide chasms remain from a rancorous campaign. He won with nearly 3 million fewer votes than Hillary Clinton received and under a cloud of suspicion about covert Russian assistance.

Residents in much of the country, including Guilford County, might worry they will be forgotten by Trump, his administration and Republican majorities in Congress. Trump received only 38 percent of the vote in this heavily Democratic County. Yet Guilford County is represented by Republicans in Congress. Will the voices of all those residents who did not vote for the president or his allies be heard? Will their concerns about health care, the environment, justice issues, fair wages, immigration policy and other matters be considered by the people who serve them in Washington? Trump said nothing Friday about any of that.

Yet, all will gain if Trump accomplishes some of what he promises. He repeated his pledge to rebuild U.S. infrastructure with American hands and American labor  a stimulus program that would boost the economy. He vowed that every decision will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

Trumps business record raises questions about whether he sides with those who prosper or those who pay, as does his selection of so many fellow billionaires to populate the top levels of his administration. He hasnt even released enough information about his own finances for anyone to know whether hell continue to prosper in office.

Yet his success as president depends on his ability to meet some of the most ambitious promises anyone has made upon entering the office.

America will start winning again, winning like never before, he said. We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.

It is time for him to begin. As he so aptly said, The time for empty talk is over.
WENTWORTH  Rockingham County government has been now been recognized for four straight years for presenting an effective budget.

Strategic Management Director Paul Murray was recognized by County Manager Lance Metzler on Jan. 17 for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

County Managers Association Management Fellow Michael Greene was also recognized for his efforts.

The budget award is given governing bodies and staff members across the United States and Canada that meet the highest principals of governmental budgeting.

A total of 1,565 participants received the award for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Rockingham County government has been recognized for pioneering efforts and providing an example of how to improve the quality of budgeting.
WASHINGTON  After Sen. Thom Tillis said he would be talking to constituents live Wednesday on Facebook, more than 200 people submitted questions  many of them pointed queries about his views on health care.

While Tilliss office had advertised a 30-minute event, the senator ultimately appeared on camera for 11 minutes, answering eight questions read to him by a staff member.

We have to repeal Obamacare and replace it with something that works, said the North Carolina Republican. What we also have to do is get through the rhetoric youre hearing from some people ... Some of the mainstream media and others have pretended that there is no replace strategy  there is.

Tillis did not acknowledge any of the follow-up questions that popped up in the comments alongside his video, including requests for more details on the GOP replacement plan. But he did avoid the sort of viral spectacle that many of his fellow lawmakers have encountered over the past week as the debate over repealing the Affordable Care Act got underway in Washington.

Seven years after unruly Democratic town halls helped stoke public outrage over the Affordable Care Act, Republicans now appear keen to avoid the kind of dust-ups capable of racking up millions of views on YouTube and ending up in a 2018 campaign commercial. Only a handful of GOP lawmakers have held or are planning to host in-person town hall meetings open to all comers  the sort of large-scale events that helped feed the original health care backlash in the summer of 2009.

The Republican Congress kicked off the process of repealing the landmark health care legislation last week. According to Legistorm, which tracks lawmakers events, 10 GOP lawmakers have held in-person town hall meetings since Jan. 1. As of Thursday, only Rep. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.) had scheduled any future events.

That may be because such freewheeling events  especially with a hot topic like the ACA on the table  can devolve into chaos, with made-for-social-media moments brought to you by anyone with a smartphone in the audience.

Instead, lawmakers are increasingly turning to more controlled forums like telephone town halls, as well as Facebook Q&As and smaller, unpublicized personal meetings that cannot so easily be filmed.

John Feehery, a former senior House GOP leadership aide, said lawmakers need to take a very cautious approach when it comes to public events.

In this day and age, real-life town halls are very dangerous for all but the most seasoned politicians, he said. I think John McCain can get away with it and a few others, but most should stick to office hours, really good constituent service or tele-town halls.

That seems to be especially true as Republicans move to eliminate the 2010 health care law that has provided roughly 20 million people with some form of coverage. The GOP has put forth principles for a replacement, but lawmakers have not settled on a detailed alternative.

Since Congress took its first steps to unwind the ACA, Republicans have been publicly confronted by constituents  generating media reports and shareable videos that have been happily circulated by Democrats eager to turn the tables.

Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) was greeted by more than 150 people at a one-on-one constituent event last Saturday at a library in the Denver suburbs  generating footage of chanting, singing and Coffman leaving the event out of a back door.

On Monday, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)  the chairwoman of the House Republican Conference  encountered shouts of save our health care as she addressed a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event in her district.

And during a nationally televised town hall event last week, an Arizona cancer survivor told House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) that because of the Obama health care reforms, Im standing here today alive.

Why would you repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement? the man, Jeff Jeans, asked Ryan.

Said Ryan, Without getting into all of the legislative mumbo-jumbo, we want to do this at the same time and, in some cases, in the same bill.

Dan Keylin, Tilliss communications director, said the senator has used Facebook events and telephone town halls for months and that the recent health care debate hasnt caused him to change the way he interacts with voters. Questions that Tillis did not answer personally Wednesday will be answered by staff, he said.

The feedback we receive has been overwhelmingly positive, Keylin said.

The public remains closely divided on the ACA. A Washington Post-ABC poll conducted from Jan. 12 to 15 found 46 percent supported repealing the law, while 47 percent opposed it.

Republicans have plenty of constituents who stand to be affected by changes to the ACA: According to a recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, Republican districts combined contain 6.3 million Obama marketplace enrollees versus the 5.2 million in Democratic districts. Millions more are covered under the expansion of Medicaid.

Several lawmakers surveyed in recent days acknowledged a major uptick in constituent engagement on health care, whether through phone calls, social media postings or in-person contacts.

Im getting a lot of calls, said Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-N.J.), one of nine Republicans who voted against a key measure kicking off the repeal push last week. What Im hearing from people is, theyre much more concerned about the substance of the fix than the timing of the fix. We didnt get here overnight, and I think people realize it may take a little time to fix it and get it right.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who represents a state where Donald Trump won with 69 percent of the vote, said his constituents are scared to death.

Ive got miners who could lose their black lung (coverage). Ive got people in treatment now who never had treatment before for opiate addiction, he said.

But most said their interactions with constituents had only encouraged them to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who represents a state where an estimated 75,000 residents are covered through the Obamacare marketplace, said some activists were spreading misinformation about Republicans intentions.

I think its really unfortunate that some of these paid activists are scaring people about whats going to happen, said Collins, who has counseled her GOP colleagues to move carefully.

Few, however, said they had definite plans to hold widely publicized public events in their districts.

Instead, they emphasized meetings with smaller groups of constituents, social media outreach and, increasingly, telephone town halls, where thousands of constituents can dial in or be called directly.

We definitely have seen an uptick in the last month or so, said Shaun Thompson, chief government, public and client affairs officer for Tele-Town Hall, a leading vendor.

Most members see the phone events as a complement to traditional town hall meetings, Thompson said, and have no qualms about taking difficult questions.

But he acknowledged that the nature of such events  where only one constituent speaks at a time, and the operator can mute a disruptive questioner  can prevent the kind of dramatic confrontations that rocket aroundthe Internet.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) said he had 12,000 constituents on a telephone town hall earlier this month  up about 25 percent from previous similar events.

There is going to be a new health reform, and we want to get it right, so I want your feedback, he said. Thats my message.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) representing a state where more than 50,000 residents have enrolled through the exchanges, hosted more than 24,000 constituents on a Jan. 10 telephone town hall. Daines polled the callers on whether they support repealing Obamacare; 80 percent said yes, according to his office.

For many GOP lawmakers who were elected in the past six years, they insist there is little they could hear at any town hall meeting that would weaken their resolve on health care.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) who was elected to the House in the 2010 tea party wave and to the Senate in the 2014 GOP midterm sweep, said activists are wasting their time.

Were going to keep moving forward, because this is what most of us were elected to do, he said. The frustrating thing for me is, there are a lot of folks peddling a lot of fear right now ... and they have no idea what the next proposal is, so theyre just assuming the worst and encouraging people that are cancer patients and diabetics to start calling us.

But Democrats are warning that the GOP ignores its constituents at their peril. Manchin said that most of the West Virginia residents who have gained health care under the ACA probably voted for Donald Trump.

They dont know how they got their health care, he said. Theyre going to know how they lost it, I guarantee you that.
President Donald Trump visited CIA's headquarters in Northern Virginia on Saturday afternoon, making a gesture of goodwill after he harshly criticized the intelligence community in the run-up to his inauguration.

"There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and the CIA than Donald Trump," said Trump.

Trump thanked the intelligence officers for their service. This was to be the first in what aides say will be a series of visits the president will make to federal departments and agencies in the weeks to come.

Trump's visit may be designed to signal a fresh start between the new president and an agency that he has frequently vilified.

Trump lambasted the intelligence community throughout much of his transition in an attempt to push back against what he saw as politically charged conclusions by the CIA and other agencies about Russia's hacking of Democratic Party emails to interfere with the 2016 election. He has taken issue with the CIA's determination that Moscow intervened not only to disrupt democratic mechanisms, but to help Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

During his recent news conference, Trump accused U.S. intelligence officials of being behind a Nazi-like smear campaign against him. And last weekend, for instance, Trump attacked CIA Director John Brennan - who resigned Friday at the conclusion of President Barack Obama's term - in a pair of tweets:

---

"Outgoing CIA Chief, John Brennan, blasts Pres-Elect Trump on Russia threat. Does not fully understand." Oh really, couldn't do... much worse - just look at Syria (red line), Crimea, Ukraine and the build-up of Russian nukes. Not good! Was this the leaker of Fake News?

---

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters at a briefing Thursday that Trump is "humbled" by the sacrifices and service of career intelligence officers, even if he disagrees with the actions of the intelligence community's leadership.

"The men and women who so often serve in the intelligence community without recognition because of the very nature of the work they do, is something that he has a true understanding of, the sacrifice that they make," Spicer said. "And so he has been very, very clear that while he may have differences sometimes with the leadership of the intelligence community, that the work of the individuals - men and women who tirelessly support the analysis and readings of the intelligence community - is something that he will continue to show his support for and his thanks."

Trump has skipped many of the daily intelligence briefings prepared for him, suggesting that he finds them repetitive and unnecessary, and he suggested that he would push the CIA to resume the use of counterterrorism tactics that were dismantled years ago, including the simulated drowning interrogation method known as waterboarding.

Trump's visit comes at a moment when the agency's leadership ranks are in flux. Brennan and his deputy, David Cohen, both left their positions Friday and vacated their offices on the agency's seventh floor.

Trump's nominee to lead the CIA, Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, a process that was delayed Friday by objections from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. That leaves the agency's executive director, career officer Meroe Park, temporarily in charge. Only a small percentage of the CIA's workforce is likely to be on duty on a Saturday.

Just two of Trump's nominees - Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly - have been confirmed by the Senate as of Saturday morning, a source of frustration for the president and his top advisers. Mattis and Kelly were sworn in Friday evening by Vice President Mike Pence.
WASHINGTON  Tens of thousands of women, determined to mount a roaring rejoinder to the inaugural gathering for Donald Trump, poured into Washington Saturday for the Women's March.

Coming from around the country and sometimes sleeping on the couches of people they had never met before, the marchers occupied a swath of terrain around the National Museum of the American Indian. Organizers, who originally sought a permit for a gathering of 200,000, said Saturday they now expect as many as a half million participants - potentially dwarfing Friday's inaugural crowd.

The demonstrators - mostly women, largely white - said they wanted to take the most public possible stand against Trump, a candidate and now president whom they said routinely insults women and the issues they care about. But the gathering also provided therapy for many, the balm of immersing themselves in a like-minded sea of citizens who shared their anxiety and disappointment after Democrat Hillary Clinton's historic bid for the presidency ended in defeat.

Clinton tweeted her gratitude as the rally got under way at 10 a.m., telling them: "Thanks for standing, speaking & marching for our values @womensmarch. Important as ever. I truly believe we're always stronger together."

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem, 82, who was among the first speakers, looked out over the swelling crowd and exulted, "This is the upside of the downside. This is an outpouring of democracy like I've never seen in my very long life."

In the hours before the march officially began, participants threatened to choke Metro lines. Inbound trains were packed with pink-hatted protesters, and the transit agency reported parking lots full at several stations by 8:30 a.m.

"You won't get in. We can't move," said one woman on the phone from an overrun spot near the American Indian Museum. She advised other marchers to seek other spots along the planned route.

Marchers fueled themselves at coffee gatherings around the city. Hundreds filled a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency, where the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism held a service of prayer and pastries.

"Enough already! Let's start walking!" declared 74-year-old Barbara Willenson, who traveled by bus with a group from Milwaukee.

The growing crowd was buoyant, even joyous. Many held up signs - "I Am Very Upset!" and "Love Trumps Hate" and "Bridges Not Walls" - while others took videos of the moment on their cell phones. Every few minutes, a rolling roar swept over them, echoing through the concrete concourse. The throng will get on the move early in the afternoon, ending at the Ellipse adjacent to the Trump White House.

Judith Snyder-Wagner was among them. The 67-year-old said she has sensed a shift in the rural, blue-collar community near Canton, Ohio, where she lives with her wife, Joy. A neighbor mowed a piece of grass along their property line and put up a Trump sign facing their home. Someone recently drove through the neighborhood flying a Confederate flag.

"We've been afraid," Judith Snyder-Wagner said, her voice quavering. She was limping up the sidewalk on Independence Avenue. She has had both her knee and hip replaced, and she held a cane in one hand and a poster in the other. "We just feel like we're going to lose our civil rights."

The couple boarded a bus at 1 a.m. Saturday in Ohio and will head home less than 24 hours later. "We needed to feel inspired," Joy Snyder-Wagner said, looking around at the huge crowd. "And we do."

Trump's election was the wake up call that progressives needed, said Erin Edlow, 28, the membership director of the Virginia Beach Young Democrats. She was in town with her sister to demonstrate her support for LGBT and immigrant rights.

"Democracy is not a spectator sport," she said.

The march has turned into the weekend's star-studded event, with celebrities including Janelle Monae, Scarlett Johansson and Ashley Judd making appearances. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, D, introduced herself as a "chick mayor" and implored the Republican majority in Congress to stop meddling in the District of Columbia's local lawmaking.

Actress America Ferrera declared that "our new president is waging a war" on the values that define the country with "a credo of hate fear and suspicion of one another."

"It's been a heart-rending time to be both a woman and an immigrant," said Ferrera, whose parents are from Honduras. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have been under attack."

"But the president is not America," she said. "We are America."

The demonstration's organizers have embraced an imperiled liberal agenda - a sharp contrast to much of what Trump laid out for his presidency. The platform calls for ending violence against women, workers' rights, reproductive rights, environmental justice, immigrant rights and more.

But a group of anti-abortion women also came, beseeching the larger march to recognize their variety of feminism. Whether or not to include the conservative viewpoint sparked controversy in the days before the march. Anti-abortion women said they have been excluded.

Siobhan Rooney, 32, drove from Philadelphia Saturday morning to march for women's rights. For her that includes the rights of their unborn children.

"We are in the same page on so many issues. It's just this one issue," she said.
The Pentagon has a new leader as the GOP-led Senate has confirmed James N. Mattis as the next Secretary of Defense, Sputnik reported.

As the Senate continued to vote on Friday evening, more than 70 lawmakers had voted in the affirmative without anyone rejecting the nomination.

A nominee needs 51 votes for confirmation.

As the Senate continued to vote on Friday evening, more than 70 lawmakers had voted in the affirmative without anyone rejecting the nomination.

The retired Marine general is a pick of newly inaugurated President Donald Trump, who recently signed a bill granting Mattis a one-time exception from federal regulations that prohibits former US military personnel who have been out of service for more than seven years from serving as Defense Secretary.
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STAMFORD  In a crowd that was four times larger than expected, there were men and women of different ages, races, religions, nationalities and political parties.

But those 5,000 people who gathered Saturday in downtown Stamford had one common goal: To put President Donald Trump on notice during his first full day in office.

President Trump isnt a good role model, said Aisha Memon, a 13-year-old Muslim from Norwalk. He has made fun of disabled people and said racist things about African-Americans, Muslims and Hispanics.

Addressing fellow protesters at Mill River Park before the march began Saturday afternoon, Memon described a pattern of discrimination she said is taking place in classrooms across the country since then-candidate Trump proposed to ban Muslims from entering the U.S.

What scares me the most is that kids in my school think its OK to say things because theyve heard the president say them on TV, she said. When President Trump disrespects women, it gives permission for boys in my class to disrespect me and my friends. When Trump says he wants to ban Muslim immigrants, it gives permission for kids to call me a terrorist.

The Womens March on Stamford was one of hundreds of sister demonstrations in cities around the world to coincide with the flagship event in Washington, D.C., which drew hundreds of thousands to the nations capital.

Back to the 50s

Protesters walked the blocks circling the Trump Parc building at the corner of Broad Street and Washington Boulevard. Marchers from Stamford, nearby towns and from other states joined the protest with signs and chants opposing the presidents stances on workers and voters rights, gender and racial equality, among other issues.

We're concerned about losing our rights, said Karen Wenz, who was holding a sign that read, I will not go quietly back to the 1950s.

Wenz, 55, of Stamford, was joined by her daughter and granddaughter.

Some of the most popular signs made statements on immigration, health care, abortion and refugees. Although most messages were positive, several signs referred to the president as thin-skinned, illegitimate, a bigot and Russian President Vladimir Putins poodle.

Intentionally ignorant

Stamford resident Jerry Hikel, 40, said this was the fourth anti-Trump demonstration hes joined since the election. His biggest concern about Trump is the presidents lack of curiosity.

Hes intentionally ignorant, Hike said. He has no interest in learning what he needs to do.

Organizers initially planned to start the march at the University of Connecticut campus on Broad Street, but so many asked for a spot that they had to move the event to Mill River Park. The permit was approved at the last minute.

Police Capt. Susan Bretthauer said the march was peaceful despite the traffic disruption. Several roads were closed for more than two hours for the event.

The event kicked off with speeches by march organizer Lisa Boyne, Mayor David Martin, state Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, and representatives from several organizations, including Planned Parenthood and ACLU.

Todays march around the world demonstrates how powerful and inclusive this group and this march is, Martin said.

Culture of disrespect

Stamford resident Colleen Walsh, a Republican who voted for Hillary Clinton, said she joined the march to stand up for the disabled, including her late brother, who died in an accident last month. She said it horrified her when she watched Trump mock a disabled reporter during a campaign speech last year.

Disrespect for the disabled creates a culture of disrespect, she said.

Trump has denied mocking the reporter. In a recent tweet, he said he was showing the reporter groveling.

Farhan Memon, Aisha Memons father and the chairman of the Council of American Islamic Relations Connecticut chapter, called Trump is a threat to our democracy.

Hes someone who wants to turn back the clock, but were going to remain vigilant, he said.

Paula Aspesi, an art therapist from Norwalk, brought a canvas banner for marchers to write peaceful messages. Aspesi said its important to have hope.

Im not full of anger. Im just disappointed, she said. I dont think its the end of the world, but I have to show I care.

noliveira@stamfordadvocate.com, 203-964-2265, @olivnelson
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The Betsy DeVos that MacKay Jimeson, a Fairfield father of three, heard during a long and contentious senate confirmation hearing this week, left him feeling encouraged.

DeVos wants to improve local control of schools and empower parents with more choices in education, said Jimeson, who see reform as essential to leveling the playing field when it comes to public education.

She will put students first, Jimeson said.

The DeVos that Bridgeport parent Kate Rivera heard, scared her to death.

She has no idea what (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is, Rivera, who has four children, said of the federal law that protects the rights of children with special needs. She doesnt know the difference between growth and proficiency and isnt sure if she would enforce Title IX ... Betsy DeVos' nomination is an insult to democracy.

Since the nomination, letter-writing campaigns have been waged on both sides with a group of Republican governors calling the pick of DeVos inspired and a large group of civil rights advocates suggesting she would undermine bedrock American principles of equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and public education itself.

That sharp divide is expected to continue long after a vote is taken  perhaps as soon as Tuesday  on the 59-year-old Michigan billionaires nomination to the post of U.S. Secretary of Education.

But it also has many wondering what it takes to run the department, what role the feds should even play in public education, and ultimately, what impact it will have on Connecticut.

Learning curve

DeVos has never worked in or attended public schools. Neither have her four children.

During a three-hour-plus hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, DeVos pledged to be a strong advocate for great public schools, who would work to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act the way that Congress intended  with local communities freed from burdensome regulations from Washington.

But, if a school is troubled, or unsafe, or not a good fit for a childperhaps...perhaps they have a special need that is going unmetwe should support a parent's right to enroll their child in a high-quality alternative.

In that, Bruce Ravage, who runs Park City Prep Charter School in Bridgeport, found something he can support.

Her firm belief that parents should have options to choose their childs school, he said. That is something not available to all too many parents whose children are relegated to attend a failing neighborhood school.

But during her hearing, DeVos said it should be up to states to decide whether to make schools gun-free zones, something that didnt sit well with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut. Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 first graders and six adults were gunned down in 2012, is in Murphys district.

DeVos also suggested the protection of students with disabilities should fall to the states. In both cases there are federal laws. The IDEA law has been around for four decades.

That left Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticuts Democratic governor, concerned.

I was disappointed at her lack of knowledge as to the work done by the U.S. Department of Education, Malloy said.

I am sure Ms. DeVos is not use to being held accountable to the public, State Rep. Chris Rosario, D-Bridgeport, chair of the Connecticut Legislative Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and a member of the legislatures education committee, added. I expect my Secretary of Education to hold all schools accountable to standards to ensure our kids are college and career ready.

Impact

Carol Sutton, president of the Greenwich Education Alliance, which represents teachers, urged school board members to write to their senators and urge them not to confirm DeVos.

DeVos supports private school vouchers and help get Detroits charter school movement off the ground.

She has no experience with public education, but has been deeply involved in charter schools, private schools, and favors vouchers, Stratford Schools Superintendent Janet Robinson said. The reality is that there is only so much money in the education pool, and if those tax payer dollars go to fund charters or vouchers, it leaves little for our public schools. Good public schools are essential for a thriving democracy.

Ben Walker, a Greenwich High School music teacher and a member of the Bridgeport Board of Education, is all in favor of parents having the best place to send their kids to school.

I just want in Bridgeport for that best choice to be a Bridgeport public school and when we are stripping resources from an already strapped district that makes it exceedingly difficult to elevate what we have in our district, Walker said.

From what he has seen so far, DeVos has absolutely no answers.

His hope is that under DeVos, the federal government reach will be minimal and that Connecticut, which has a track record of high achievement can fix its funding issues and allow Bridgeport to elevate its school system.

Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, is also hoping from insulation from the U.S. Department of Education and whoever is put in charge of it.

I dont think the federal department of education should be involved in local education. It should back off, Lavielle said. I dont think the federal department of education should be involved in local education. It should back off.As for having experience, Lavielle said she twice voted in favor of a state law requiring the commissioner of education to have an education background.

As for U.S. Secretary of Education, she is not so sure.

If she starts getting down in weeds, its preferable but i dont even know what is is she is supposed to do, Lavielle said. The role seems to very from administration to administration.

Ronelle Swaggerty, chief operating officer of New Beginnings Family Academy, said that DeVos clearly understands that one size does not fit all when it comes to providing meaningful learning opportunities to a diverse body of children.

Swaggerty said DeVos does have a steep learning curve when it comes to understanding key aspects of public education, but expects she will be a quick study.

Education is an economic development issue that is going to require we all rise above our special interests and focus on equipping tomorrow's workforce with skills that computers don't have - skills such as critical thinking, creativity and collaboration, Swaggerty said. If she puts children over politics ... Betsy DeVos can and will be a strong education secretary. I'm rooting for her.

lclambeck@ctpost.com; @lclambeck
President Donald Trump praised his political rival in the 2016 election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, for attending the inauguration ceremony on Friday, Sputnik reported.

Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election having achieved 304 electoral votes against Clintons 227 electoral votes.

"I was honored, very, very honored when I heard that President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton were coming today," Trump said during the inaugural luncheon after the ceremony in which he was sworn-in as the next US president.

Trump added there is nothing more he can say, "I have a lot of respect for those two people."

Hillary Clinton received a long standing ovation in the room and shook hands with Trump.

However, earlier in the inauguration ceremony, prior to Trump being sworn in, Clinton was booed by the crowds who chanted "lock her up." The chant was an often repeated refrain during Trump rallies, refering to perceived violations of law by Clinton.
The news just keeps on getting worse for Qualcomm this week. A couple of days ago the FTC filed a lawsuit against the chip maker alleging that it has engaged in unfair patent licensing practices, and today it's Apple's turn to sue Qualcomm.

Apple's lawsuit has to do with what it claims are excessive royalties charged by Qualcomm for use of basic cellular standards that it contributed to developing in the past.

Furthermore, Apple says that once it began cooperating with South Korean authorities in their antitrust investigation of Qualcomm, the chip maker withheld $1 billion in retaliation. Here's Apple's full statement on the matter:

For many years Qualcomm has unfairly insisted on charging royalties for technologies they have nothing to do with. The more Apple innovates with unique features such as TouchID, advanced displays, and cameras, to name just a few, the more money Qualcomm collects for no reason and the more expensive it becomes for Apple to fund these innovations. Qualcomm built its business on older, legacy, standards but reinforces its dominance through exclusionary tactics and excessive royalties. Despite being just one of over a dozen companies who contributed to basic cellular standards, Qualcomm insists on charging Apple at least five times more in payments than all the other cellular patent licensors we have agreements with combined. To protect this business scheme Qualcomm has taken increasingly radical steps, most recently withholding nearly $1B in payments from Apple as retaliation for responding truthfully to law enforcement agencies investigating them. Apple believes deeply in innovation and we have always been willing to pay fair and reasonable rates for patents we use. We are extremely disappointed in the way Qualcomm is conducting its business with us and unfortunately after years of disagreement over what constitutes a fair and reasonable royalty we have no choice left but to turn to the courts.

Apple wants roughly $1 billion from Qualcomm as compensation for this behavior. Qualcomm hasn't yet commented on Apple's allegations and lawsuit.

Source
If you somehow missed the good news, 2017 greeted us with Nokia's long-anticipated return to the smartphone scene. The mid-range Nokia 6 Android handset is already a reality and marks HMD Global's first effort at managing the legendary brand. There is still a lot of mystery surrounding the handset in question, ranging from international availability to possible future software efforts, like an AI assistant. However, one thing is for sure - the Nokia 6 has already stirred up a lot of excitement in the mobile realm, and sparked numerous speculations on other upcoming Nokia phones, like the Nokia 8.

Well, the latter might have managed to elude us for now, but today brings yet another bombshell of a rumor to the Nokia table. And, boy, is it a big one. A recent GFXBench listing appears to describe a mysterious Nokia-branded tablet. But, its not something as straight-forward, as a successor to the N1, but rather a huge, unwieldy 18.4-inch beast.

Yes, you read that right, HMD might be working on a 2650 x 1440 pixel device to compete in the same odd niche as the Samsung Galaxy View. That one weighs around 2.65 kilograms, so, we can probably expect something in the same ballpark for the Nokia unit. That isn't one of the specs GFXBench is capable of listing, but it does offer interesting info on some of the alleged internals of the tablet.

These include Qualcomm's powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset, clocked at 2.2GHz and complete with a formidable Adreno 540 GPU, to push pixels to the massive QHD panel. It is said to be working alongside 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Other notable specs include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC. The massive unit also appears to have 4G LTE connectivity, which would suggest, HDM is indeed expecting it to be lugged around, for some reason.

We don't usually expect much in the camera department from tablets, but the mysterious Nokia boasts a duo of 12MP shooters- one on the back and the other on the front, both capable of 4K capture. Last, but not least, the reported Android version is 7.0 Nougat, which is all but expected, since the Nokia 6 runs on it as well.

As is usually the case with benchmark leaks, be sure to take this one with a grain of salt as well. It is not that such a device is unfeasible or unheard of, but it does seem a bit of a strange thing to offer at such an early stage of Nokia's revival. Then again, stranger things have happened in the past.

Source
LG has announced that the Nougat update (Android 7.0) for its G5 flagship has now started hitting units in the Philippines. The announcement was made by the South Korean company's Philippines subsidiary on Twitter.

Life's good and even made better with the #LGG5 now available in the latest OS, Android 7.0 Nougat. Don't miss out on the sweetest update! pic.twitter.com/LhiaFFhWSF  LG Philippines (@LGPhilippines) January 21, 2017

It's been a while since the G5 Nougat update started rolling out globally. South Korea was the first country to get it, followed by the US, Europe, Brazil, and other countries. Last we heard, the update rolled out in Canada, which happened sometime late last month.

Source
Seven young people, aged 16 to 20, suspected of having been involved in the October 2016 clashes with police in Viry-Chatillon were indicted for attempted murder, Evry prosecutor Eric Lallement has announced, Sputnik reported.

In total, 12 people were arrested this week as part of the case, five of them were released.

"These seven people have been indicted for attempted murder of persons of public authority committed in organized groups," Lallement said in a Friday statement, as quoted by BFMTV.

Of the seven arrested, six reportedly denied any involvement in the violence against police, while one admitted to throwing stones at law enforcement officers.

In October 2016, a fight broke out between a group of youth and police in Viry-Chatillon, a southern suburb of Paris. The young people threw Molotov cocktails and set two police cars on fire. As a result, two police officers were injured, one of them, a 28-year-old, suffered severe burns.

Following the incident French police held several protests across the country.




Haiti - Justice : Haitian sentenced to 19 years in prison in USA





Marcus Noel, 40, of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Joan A. Lenard to 235 months imprisonment after having previously pled guilty to the international hostage taking of a United States citizen in Haiti.



Co-defendant Moises Louinis, 24, also of Port-au-Prince, was previously sentenced to 144 months imprisonment for his participation in the scheme.



Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and George L. Piro, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.



" According to statements made and documents filed in court, defendants Noel and Louinis were charged with the armed hostage taking of a United States citizen on July 5, 2014, in Petion-ville, a neighboring suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Noel and Louinis approached the victim as she stood by the side of the road and forced her into her car at gunpoint. The defendants then drove with the victim around Port-au-Prince and forced her to place ransom calls to various family members in Haiti. The victim was eventually taken to a school operated by Noel, where she was kept blindfolded, gagged and handcuffed inside a locked room for three days. In addition, the victim was forced to sleep on dirt floors and given only minimal food and water. During the victims captivity, Noel continued to call the victims family members to demand a $150,000 ransom and made threats to kill the victim and her children if the ransom was not paid. On July 7, 2014, the victim was rescued by Haitian law enforcement officials."



Attorney Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, Haitian National Police and the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) Anti-Kidnapping Unit. Mr. Ferrer thanked the Haitian Government, including the Haitian Ministry of Justice for their assistance with this matter. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cristina M. Moreno.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Diplomacy : Two new ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary





Friday at the National Palace, de facto President Jocelerme Privert, received the credentials of two new extraordinary ambassadors and plenipotentiaries in Haiti. These are Alfred Tanduk Palembangan of Indonesia who is resident in Cuba and Patrick Van Gheel of the Kingdom of Belgium who represents the Dominican Republic and Cuba where he also holds his residence.



After handing over their credentials to the Head of State, the two diplomats separately had a tete-a-tete with Jocelerme Privert in the presence of Chancellor Pierrot Delienne.



President Privert, while wishing most cordial welcome to these two ambassadors, called for the strengthening and improvement of diplomatic relations between Haiti and these two friendly countries.



For their part, the two diplomats undertook to represent their country with dignity, while respecting the principles governing diplomatic relations.



Subsequently, the two ambassadors separately presented a floral offering to the Museum of the Haitian National Pantheon (MUPANAH). Michele Frisch, the General Manager of the Museum, then invited the diplomats to discover the history of Haiti through a guided tour of the museum's collections "[...] It is an honor for me to serve in the function of Ambassador of Belgium in the proud homeland of Toussaint Louverture [...]" declared Patrick Van Gheel at the end of his visit.



SL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





Senator Beauplan absent on February 7 ?

Senator Evaliere Beauplan (PONT), close to Lavalas, said he did not know whether he would come to the National Assembly on 7 February to give a quorum for the swearing-in of elected President Jovenel Moise (PHTK).



More than 5,000 observers...

For the elections of 29 January a total of 4,569 national observers and 600 international observers were registered. At the deployment level of CEP members :



The President Leopold Berlanger, Representative of the press, will be in the department West 1 ;



The vice president, Carlos Hercule, Representative of the Episcopal Conference, will be in the Department of Artibonite ;



Marie Frantz Joachim, Representative of the women's sector will be in the departments West 2 and Grand'Anse ;



Frinel Joseph, Representative of the Reformed Cults, will be in the department of the South-East ;



Marie Herolle Michel, Representative of the employers' sector, will be in the departments of North and North-East ;



Kenson Polynice, Representative of the farmer sector / Vaudou will be in the department of the North-West ;



Jean Simon Saint-Hubert, Representative of the human rights sector, will be in the department of the Center.



PNH : Berson Soljour elected Departmental Director of the Year

Friday, Michel-Ange Gedeon, the Director General of the Haitian National Police (HNP) held his first command meeting of 2017 during which the Divisional Commissioner Berson Soljour, Departmental Director of Grand Anse was elected "Director Departmental of the Year" by its peers and the entire PNH General Staff. The elections on 29 January, the inauguration of the President-elect and pre-Carnival festivities were also on the agenda of the meeting.



Where to go to vote ?

Richardson Dumesle, CEP's communications director said voters can find out about their Voting Centre and polling station by dialing 8828 (Natcom) and 8830 (Digicel). Voters can also send SMS messages to the 8829 (Natcom) and to the 8831 (Digicel).



Chile-Haiti Cooperation

Friday, a meeting was held between Eliccel Paul, Cabinet Director of the Minister of National Education Jean Beauvois Dorsonne and Chilean Ambassador to Haiti Raoul Fernandez. Cooperation projects between the Ministry and Chile and the inauguration of the National School "Republic of Chile" were at the hearth of exchanges. Recall that Veronica Michelle Bachelet Jeria, the President of the Republic of Chile is excepted in Haiti Thursday, January 26 to participate in the inauguration of the National School Republic of Chile.



Meeting in National Assembly on 1 February

The Bureau of the National Assembly announces a session in National Assembly on Wednesday, 1 February 2017, at 11.00 am for the ratification of 6 international instruments.



The Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness adopted by the United Nations on 30 August 1961 (text and report) ;



The Climate Change Convention adopted at the 21st Paris Conference (text and report) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17231-haiti-environment-dieuseul-desras-to-the-signing-ceremony-of-the-paris-agreement-cop21.html ;



The Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (text and report) ;



The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (text and report to be revised) ;



Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (text and report) ;



The Economic Partnership Agreement Carifoum - European Community (text and report).



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Published on 2017/01/20 | Source

Added episode 18 captures for the Korean drama "The Legend of the Blue Sea" (2016)

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Directed by Jin Hyeok

Written by Park Ji-eun

Network : SBS

With Jun Ji-hyun, Lee Min-ho, Lee Hee-jun, Shin Won-ho, Lee Ji-hoon, Hwang Shin-hye,...

20 episodes - Wed, Thu 22:00

Synopsis

'The Legend of the Blue Sea' is a fantasy romance drama that borrowed motifs from a mermaid story found in a book called 'Eaou Yadam', a collection of folk tales. According to the folk tale, Kim Dam-ryung, a magistrate in Hyupgok, released a mermaid caught by a fisherman back to the sea. The drama will tell the story about the magistrate and the mermaid.

Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2016/11/16

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Harlow is a former New Town in Essex with a population of 86,000. Located in the upper Stort Valley, it was built in the decades after the Second World War to ease overcrowding and London and provide homes for people bombed out during the Blitz. It includes Britain's first pedestrian precinct and first modern residential tower block, The Lawn. Old Harlow, the historic part of the town, was mentioned in the Domesday Book. David and Victoria Beckham's former home, Rowneybury House, nicknamed 'Beckingham Palace', is nearby.

12:22, 4 NOV 2022
Hundreds of thousands of women flooded the US capital for the Women's March on Washington January 21, easily eclipsing the numbers President Donald Trump's inauguration drew the day before, Sputnik reported.

Washington's Metro released its ridership figures Saturday morning, and found that ridership was at 275,000 as of 11 a.m.  more than eight times a normal Saturday and busier than most weekdays, the public transit authority tweeted. As of 11 a.m. yesterday, 193,000 rides had been taken.

The National Park Service permit for the event originally estimated 200,000 would come to the event  by Saturday morning, organizers had upped their expected estimate to 500,000.

These numbers were achieved despite reports that some protesters have been stopped at US borders. Eight would-be protesters  six Canadians and two French nationals  were stopped at the border between Quebec and New York state on their way to join march, the Guardian reports. The group told border agents they were going to the march and were told to pull over. For two hours, their cars and mobile phones were searched, and each member of the group was fingerprinted and photographed. Then they were told to go home and not try to cross the border again during the weekend or they'd risk arrest. The two French citizens were told they had been denied entry to the US and would require visas for any future visits.

"And that was it, they didn't give a lot of justification," Sasha Dyck of Montreal, one of those turned around, said.
UPDATE: OBAMACARES IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESS WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT

by Ben Gitis and Sam Batkins, American Action Forum, January 18, 2017 (excerpts)

Research from the American Action Forum (AAF) finds regulations from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are driving up health care premiums and are costing small business employees at least $19 billion in lost wages annually. These figures varied by state, but in 2015 the ACA cost year-round workers $2,095, $2,134, and $2,260 in Ohio, New York, and North Dakota, respectively. Premium increases, a prospect regulators predicted when issuing the first ACA regulations, also significantly diminished the number of business establishments and jobs nationwide. Across the country, small businesses (20-99 workers) lost 295,030 jobs, 10,130 business establishments, and $4.7 billion in total wage earnings. Florida lost 17,950 jobs; Ohio lost 19,000; Pennsylvania lost 15,680; and Texas lost 28,010 jobs due to higher sensitivity to rising health care premiums and the ACA.

The increase in employer contributions to health insurance premiums generally hovered around 25 percent. But the increases in some states have been quite severe. For instance, between 2009 and 2015 employer contributions to premiums increased 36.2 percent in Hawaii, 42 percent in North Dakota, 45.9 percent in Kentucky, and 47.6 percent in Ohio.

There are many reasons policymakers have called for significant amendments to the ACA. Higher premiums are typically cited as a top concern. However, these higher premiums have broader consequences for the labor market. As AAFs research has shown, ACA regulations have contributed to at least $19 billion in lost wages, 10,000 fewer establishments, and nearly 300,000 lost jobs.

read  Obamacare impact

PBN: Not so affordable





Table 6: Employer Contributions to Health Insurance Premiums



State 2009 2015 Percent Change U.S. State Avg $3,713.50 $4,703.58 26.70% Hawaii $3,655.00 $4,978.00 36.20%





Table 7: Weekly Pay Loss in Firms with 20 to 49 Employees



State Loss in Weekly Pay Loss in Annual Earnings Loss in Total Earnings (,000) U.S. State Avg/Total $4.73 $236 $3,879,800 Hawaii $6.16 $308 $21,700





Table 8: Weekly Pay Loss in Firms with 50 to 99 Workers

State Loss in Weekly Pay Loss in Annual Earnings Loss in Total Earnings (,000) U.S. State Avg/Total $24.03 $1,202 $15,446,700 Hawaii $28.52 $1,426 $80,400





Table 9: Employment, Business Establishment, and Total Wage Earnings Losses among Firms with 20 to 49 workers
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The collection offers four versions of the Da Vinci Automatic 36: a diamond-set model in 18-carat red gold and three in stainless steel, one of which also has a diamond-set bezel. The discreetly recessed inner circle on the dial, the semicircular crown and the round date window at 6 oclock form a harmonious ensemble. Thanks to the moving horns, the lugs do not protrude and the strap is held comfortably close to feminine wrists. Combined with the new three-wing butterfly clasp, they ensure increased wearing comfort. All watches are equipped with the 35111 calibre, are tested for water-resistance to 3 bar and have a power reserve of 42 hours.

The most exclusive of the Da Vinci Automatic 36 models is the Reference IW458310, featuring an 18-carat red gold case and linked bracelet together with 54 pure white diamonds on the bezel. The gold-plated hands and golden appliques harmonize well with the silver-plated dial, while the blue seconds hand provides a colourful highlight.

The stainless-steel version set with 54 diamonds (Ref. IW458308) with its raspberry-coloured alligator leather strap from Santoni guarantees its wearer a stylish elegance. The striking colour contrasts with the black displays on the silver-plated dial.

The IW458307 model comes entirely in stainless steel with a mirror-polished link bracelet. The gold-plated hands and appliques form a harmonious colour composition with the blue seconds hand on the silver-plated dial.

With its dark blue dial and alligator leather strap, reference IW458312 is the ideal timepiece for an elegant sober style. The cool, understated blue contrasts starkly with the polished stainless-steel case and elegant horns. The small blue date display and the rhodium-plated hands and appliques blend harmoniously into the overall appearance.

All Da Vinci Automatic 36 watches feature an engraving of the Flower of Life on the case back. This geometrical figure was the object of numerous drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. It represents his unflagging search for mathematical rules for beauty and proportions, and thus symbolizes the new design approach of the watch collection.
Week in Review | Legislative Session Opens

From Hawaii Family Forum January 20, 2017

Presidential Inauguration 2017!

Today Donald Trump became the 45th President of the United States. Visit the White House website to sign up for Presidential email, if you are interested.

29th Legislature Opened This Week

The Hawaii State Legislature opened on Wednesday, January 18, 2017. Bills are being introduced and we will keep you updated on issues important to life, family and religious freedom.

Make sure you know who your legislator is. If you don't, you can click here and our system will plug you into your Senator and Representative. We encourage you to send them a quick email just to let them know you are praying for them.

Here are some resources for you:

Assisted Suicide Push?

Many of you have already noticed the lopsided press to promote assisted suicide. Once again, our opponents have changed the name of the issue to soften its impact: Bills being introduced on the issue are being called "Aid in Dying" or "Relating to End of Life Option" and even "Relating to Health."

Polls with confusing and misleading questions are being used to say that over 70% of the people in Hawai'i WANT assisted suicide.

We will keep you posted but contact us if you want to get more involved on this issue. Visit www.hpacc.org for more information and stay tuned!
China defends appointment of new bishops, Vatican relations. (Photo : AP Archive/YouTube)

China stood firm in its resolve to eradicate corruption in the government as its anti-graft bureau, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), invited over a hundred foreign envoys for them to learn more about the government's anti-corruption mission. The foreign envoys were encouraged to pay a visit to the commission and to interact with anti-graft officials.



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According to a report from China Daily, Wu Yuliang, the commission's deputy secretary, as well as Xiao Pei, the vice-minister for supervision, joined Liu Jianchia, the commission's director of international cooperation bureau, in briefing diplomatic missions representatives of 113 countries and representatives of 13 offices of international organizations located in China.



Many of those representatives participated in the briefing by asking questions on the subject, and expressed their admiration for China's desire in expunging corruption, describing it as "an outstanding political accomplishment."



"The event has sent a message of openness and transparency," the Greek ambassador to China, Mr. Leonidas Rokanas, said of the briefing.



One question that was asked during the briefing was about the impact of China's determination against corruption on economic development.



"We have drawn a conclusion that anti-graft work will not impact the economic development, but help regulate the market and maintain a sound order," the commission's deputy secretary answered as quoted.



Earlier, World Bank released a report predicting China's resilient economy for 2017, despite a tad lower economic growth at 6.5 percent from last year's 6.7 percent. One of the factors that affected such lower growth is China's transition to consumer-oriented economy.



In fact, it has been predicted that local companies would soon outweigh foreign multinational corporations in hiring China's next generation of leaders. And as China shifted its economy to invest more in providing services to consumers, its drive to cleanse the government of corruption would fit the picture perfectly.


Natasha Carberry was looking after nine children at the time

A childcare worker, who claimed she has suffered back pain since she tripped and fell on a plastic toy in a creche, has settled a 60,000 damages claim in the Circuit Civil Court for an undisclosed sum.

Natasha Carberry told the court that, in January 2015, she was called by a superior to assist in changing nappies in the baby room at Precious Minds Creche, Griffin Drive, Lucan, Co Dublin.

She said she was usually in charge of children aged between one and two years in a different room and had needed to take two children with her to the baby room, while the others were asleep.

Carberry, of Beech Grove, Lucan, told her barrister, Frank Crean, that her superior left the baby room and she had to look after six awake and three sleeping children.

Judge Brian O'Callaghan heard that, as she went to assist one of the children, she tripped on a plastic plate and fell on her right side. She had been in shock.

Negligence

Carberry (26) said she felt pain in her lower back and in her right leg.

She had later gone to her GP. The court heard she suffered soft-tissue injuries to her back.

Mr Crean said his client has ongoing pain in her back and is considering a change of career as a result.

Carberry sued Precious Minds Ltd for negligence.

She claimed the creche had failed to have regard to her safety and that the child-adult ratio had been too high that day.

Sean Walsh, a forensic engineer who gave evidence on behalf of Ms Carberry, said it was essential that staff should not be placed in unduly stressful working conditions.

The creche had denied liability and had claimed Ms Carberry had been the author of her own misfortune.

It also alleged that it was her duty to keep the floor clear.

Following a brief adjournment, Mr Crean told Judge O'Callaghan that talks had taken place between the parties and an accommodation had been found, without admission of liability.

The judge complimented the parties and struck out Carberry's claim, awarding her legal costs.
Lara McHugh's (4 months) is pictured with her father David McHugh and her mother Celine Power

A baby girl given just a few weeks to live has received the gift of life following the approval of a new "miracle drug".

The parents of four-month-old Lara McHugh said they "cried with joy" when they received the good news that their daughter could avail of the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) drug Spinraza.

Lara, from Blanchardstown, and 22-month-old baby Nellie Lannon, from Dublin, are the only two infants in the country with the extremely rare condition Type 1 SMA.

"We're absolutely delighted," her father Niall told the Herald.

"My fiancee and I were jumping around the house crying with joy. How can you contain yourself when you hear news like that? Without this drug Lara would definitely die within only a short space of time, but now there's hope."

Baby Lara was diagnosed with Type 1 SMA just six weeks after she was born.

The genetic disease makes her muscles extremely weak, with the weakest being in her legs, upper arms, and neck.

A common cold can easily turn into pneumonia, which is often what leads to the deaths of children.

On Wednesday, pharmaceutical company Biogen gave both families hope by offering Temple Street Children's Hospital a chance to take part in an expanded access programme for Spinraza.

In 50pc of cases it can stop the advancement of SMA1 and, in 40pc of cases, it reverses the symptoms.

"Our whole aim was to get access to this treatment on a compassionate basis, which Biogen has now done," said Niall.

Cure

"This means that we have immediate access to the treatment and don't have to pay for it.

"We still have to hope that she responds well to the treatment with further hopes that it will stop the progression of the SMA disease."

Spinraza helps to boost protein production in an affected infant's body.

"There is still the likelihood that Lara will be in a wheelchair and prone to infections, but this is stuff you can manage and live with," added Niall.

"This treatment has just become available and, who knows, maybe they'll find a cure for the disease within the next five to 10 years."
Protesters (L to R) Sadhbh lawlor from Inchicore & Danielle Mckenna from Tallaght during a demonstration to coincide with Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States at the central Bank, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins Dublin

Hundreds protested in Dublin against the inauguration of Donald Trump as the billionaire property tycoon was sworn in as America's 45th president.

Among an estimated 400 demonstrators packing the Central Bank plaza last night was mature student Geraldine Robinson (52), who held up a sign reading, "No Censor of the Press".

Ms Robinson, from Phibsborough, north Dublin, likened the election of Trump to the rise of right-wing dictators in Europe in the 1930s.

"When I see this person pretending to be a president, I just see a dictator," she said.

"I see this as very, very scary. And if we tolerate this it will just slide further and further," she said.

Idiot

She spoke of her disappointment at seeing Irish American dancer Michael Flatley agree to perform at last night's inaugural ceremonies in Washington.

"People need to stand up now and not wait as they did in the Second World War," she said.

"Whether we are regular protesters or not we have to stand up and speak out as human beings and unify against this."

Mother-of-two Season Dailey (32), originally from Oxford Hills, Maine, said she was disgusted as an American citizen to see her countrymen elect "an idiot".

"I was devastated actually. It was very traumatic."

The art student, who lives in Inchicore, said she would not return home to live in America under President Trump.

"It's very divided now. I was very surprised to learn that my father actually voted for Trump," she said.

Shocking

Although many Americans were disillusioned with Hillary Clinton, no one expected such a shocking election result, she added.

Finbar Geaney (69), from Sutton, Co Dublin, said he also fears for millions of unemployed Americans in the so-called Rust Belt of states like Ohio, where Mr Trump promised during his election campaign to boost jobs.

"There is mass unemployment and Trump represents the opposition," said Mr Geaney, a retired executive with the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI).

"He pretends he's going to bring jobs but it's not going to happen.

"He has a right-wing agenda in terms of economics and there is racism and sexism as well," he added.
Two of the combat helmets made by MKU Industries. (Photo : MKU Industries)

The Indian Army has at last gotten around to equipping its downtrodden jawans with a modern combat helmet that can stop shell fragments and 9 mm pistol rounds fired at close range.



The army has signed a contract with Indian defense contractor MKU Industries based in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh State for the supply of 158,000 of the new helmets, which will be made from Kevlar or another para-aramid fiber used to make bullet resistant gear.



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The contract price is $26.4 million with each helmet costing some $160. By comparison, a brand new U.S. Army advanced combat helmet costs over $200 each.



This is the first large order for helmets by the Indian Army in over two decades.



The army's standard helmet is the indigenous Model 1974 helmet, which is made from composite fiberglass material that is in no way bullet resistant. On the other hand, the army's Parachute Regiment use the Israeli-made OR-201 helmet made from GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic). These lightweight helmets can stop a 9 mm round at close range.



Delivery of the first of the new Indian Army helmets is expected this August with complete delivery to take place over the next three years. There are 1.2 million active personnel in the Indian Army and the contract for only 158,000 helmets is seen as an initial order to protect troops along the deadly Line of Control with Pakistan.



The army said the new helmet is designed to withstand the impact of a 9 mm round fired from 20 meters away. It will also stop some shell fragments.



Like other Kevlar helmets in use by armies worldwide, the new Indian Army helmet will not stop penetration by a high velocity assault rifle round such as the 7.62 x 39 mm fired by the Chinese-made Type 56 assault rifle (an AK-47 clone) that is the standard weapon of the Pakistan Army.



The helmet, however, will slow down the bullet enough to decrease its killing power, especially if the round is fired from long range.



The Indian Army didn't specify the exact type of helmet it's buying from MKU. The company's website, however, reveals it only makes two kinds of ballistic helmets.



The first, which is called the Mukut combat helmet, is a ballistic helmet that looks similar to the standard Kevlar helmet worn by some units of the Indian Army and many armies worldwide. The second helmet, the Mukut Advanced Combat Helmet, however, is a far more different design that protects more of the neck area.



MKU says both helmets are manufactured using its RHT (Reduced Helmet Trauma) technology that provides protection from bullets and fragments and reduces head and skull injuries.



The technology also reduces the resultant trauma, arising due to BABT (Behind Armor Blunt Trauma), by over 40 percent as compared to standard conventional composite helmets, according to the tests conducted by HP White Laboratory in the United States.



MKU said trauma caused by bullets and fragments have long been a concern among armed forces worldwide as the symptoms and aftermath of trauma related injuries surface long after they have occurred and stay for lifetime with the affected soldier.


Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter star in the Disney channel series 'Girl Meets World.' (Photo : YouTube/Promos and Previews)

"Girl Meets World" Season 4 ended on Friday night with an episode that served as the finale for the entire franchise.



In "Girl Meets Goodbye," Topanga (Danielle Fischel) made the difficult decision to not accept her job offer in London, and instead stay at her coffee house. This just paved the way for a possible renewal for the series, but most likely not on Disney Channel anymore.



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Following the finale episode, series creator Michael Jacobs told Deadline that it was a tough call for Topanga to make that decision, but she did so with her family in mind.



"Topanga is an incredibly strong decision maker. Anybody who gives up Yale for a fictional college because she loves Cory Matthews, is not going to uproot her family for Trafalgar Square. But the main point of the story was that she found her own bay window right where she was," he said.



Meanwhile, Jacobs explained his decision to write the finale in such a way that it was really a conclusion for the franchise. When they filmed "Girl Meets Goodbye," the fate of "Girl Meets World" has not yet been sealed.



However, Jacobs already realized that most shows on Disney Channel end after three seasons, and they were already lucky enough to have been picked up for Season 4.



"The last thing I would want for a loyal audience would be to leave over 200 episodes of a franchise unfinished. But I also wanted the possible finish line to have obvious space to keep going. I hope we did that," he said.



A few days after "Girl Meets World" was officially cancelled by the Disney Channel, Jacobs told TV Line that there are early talks for a possible pickup but on a different network.



The series creator revealed that there are some networks who are excited to have "Girl Meets World" on board because of its loyal fans. Unfortunately, it is still unclear when Season 5 will be released, and if it will really be a go.



"Girl Meets World" Season 4 aired its 20th and final episode on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. EST on Disney Channel.






Jamie Dornan (Photo : Getty Images/John Phillips)

"Fifty Shades Darker" star Jamie Dornan recently opened up about the fans and critics of the franchise.



While speaking with GQ Australia (via E! News), the Irish actor did not deny the fact that there are a lot of people hating on "Fifty Shades." However, even though the film has received hurtful comments from some people, Dornan said that he is not one to lose sleep over it.



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"As much as it has 100 million fans, there are a lot of people who are not into it and are very much vocal about that. I do not blame people. I have got plenty of opinions about things I do not know a lot about, or that I did not give a chance - it is just the nature of the beast. I am not going to lose any sleep over it," he said.



However, even though Dornan does not agree with the critics of "Fifty Shades," the actor admitted that in real life, his character, Christian, is not someone he would hang out with.



"He is not the sort of bloke I would get along with. All my mates are easy going and quick to laugh - I would not imagine myself sat in a pub with him. I do not think he would be my type, when it comes to choosing mates," he said.



Meanwhile, the actor also opened up about BDSM and said that it is not something that he is interested in trying in real life. But in order to prepare himself for the role of Christian Grey, the actor said that he visited a sex dungeon and was surprised with what he saw.



"It was like nothing I had experienced before. I have never seen any form of S&M before this, I had no interest in that world. It does not float my boat. I have always been open-minded and liberal - I would never judge anyone's sexual preference. Whatever gets people off is entirely up to them and there are a million different ways to please yourself sexually," he said.



"Fifty Shades Darker" is slated to hit theaters in the United States on Feb. 10.






It's been 125 years since Dracula was published. And it's still scary.
Actors Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder and writer/producer Julie Plec attend the 'The Vampire Diaries' panel during Comic-Con International 2016 at San Diego Convention Center on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Matt Winkelmeyer)

"The Vampire Diaries" (TVD) Season 8 episode 10 airs Jan. 27 on The CW. The upcoming segment is titled "Nostalgia's a Bitch" and it will see Sybil's attempt to even scores with Damon. Meanwhile, Caroline and Bonnie enter Damon's subconscious to find answers. Here are spoilers for the next chapter of the series. Read on to find out what happens next.



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[Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for "The Vampire Diaries" (TVD) Season 8 episode 10 "Nostalgia's a Bitch." Do not read further if you don't wish to know more about it.]



Sybil is back and she wants revenge and more. According to Spoilers Guide's description for "The Vampire Diaries" (TVD) Season 8 episode 10 "Nostalgia's a Bitch," Sybil seeks revenge from Damon. She puts him Catatonic state and makes him suffer.



Meanwhile, the time is running out and Sybil must find the magic bell. Both, Sybil and her sister Seline race against the time to acquire the bell and its control and none of them is ready to give up.



Elsewhere, Bonnie and Caroline find way to Damon's subconscious and make a shocking discovery. They learn that the key to Damon's fate is no one else but his own brother Stefan. While exploring Damon's subconscious, Bonnie and Caroline run into some familiar people from Damon's past.



According to Siver Times, the familiar people from Damon's past that Caroline will interact with includes Vicky Donovan, Matt's older sister. The website notes that the information was first made available on Twitter account TVDFRA.



The promo video for "The Vampire Diaries" (TVD) Season 8 episode 10 is yet to be released. It is expected to be out after episode 8 goes on air on Jan. 20. Stay tuned, it will be made available here.



"The Vampire Diaries" (TVD) Season 8 episode 10 airs Jan. 27 at 9:00 pm on The CW. More spoilers and updates are expected soon.



UPDATE



A promo video for "The Vampire Diaries" Season 8 episode 10 is out. Scroll down to watch it.






Lee Min-Ho attends a press conference for a commercial event on September 11, 2014 in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo : Getty Images/Ashley Pon)

Lee Min Ho's mermaid drama "Legend of the Blue Sea" has been posting strong TV ratings since it released its first episode in November 2016. Recently, the SBS series' penultimate episode reached high viewership shares following Cheong's (Jun Ji Hyun) health scare.



"Legend of the Blue Sea" episode 19 recently reached its highest nationwide TV ratings to date. Aired on Jan. 19, Thursday, the said episode registered viewership ratings of 21 percent across the South Korean nation, according to Nielsen Korea, as cited by OSEN.



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The said episode's nationwide ratings marked the second time that Lee's drama crossed the 20 percent mark. Episode 17 that was released on Jan. 12 posted viewership shares of 20.8 percent.



Meanwhile, the SBS drama's penultimate episode also achieved strong ratings that reached 22.2 percent. If compared to the previous episode's viewership shares, the said ratings are higher by 2.3 and 2.7 percentage points in Seoul and nationwide, respectively.



With Lee and Jun's fantasy series set to air its final episode, many viewers are looking forward to learning about Cheong and Joon Jae's (Lee) fate. However, given Cheong's ailing health, she may need to revert to her mermaid form and return to the sea.



At this time, it is still unclear whether Cheong will be able to find her way back to Joon Jae should she return to her underwater home. Despite Joon Jae's willingness to wait for her along with a promise to find her again, it appears the Cheong would rather erase his memories of her to ease his loneliness and give him a chance to live a happy life.



In other news, "Legend of the Blue Sea" nabbed the second spot on the Content Power Index for the period from Jan. 2 until Jan. 8. The SBS drama scored 236.9 points on the said TV popularity chart, according to CJ E&M and Nielsen Korea, as cited by Yonhap News.



"Legend of the Blue Sea" will air its series finale on Jan. 25, Wednesday on SBS. Watch a clip from the drama below:






Sameh Shoukry was speaking at a meeting of representatives of countries neighbouring Libya

The Skhirat agreement is the ideal solution to the Libyan crisis and would guarantee active participation of all Libyan factions to end the current crisis, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Saturday at a Cairo conference on Libya.

The Skhirat agreement, which was signed in Morocco in 2015, mandates the reaching of a peaceful transition of power in Libya and the establishment of a national unity government.

MENA reported Shoukry as saying, during his opening speech at the conference of countries neighbouring Libya, that Egypt is committed to upholding Libyas sovereignty, supporting its legitimate institutions and rejecting foreign interference in the crisis.

This is the tenth meeting of the group of countries, which include Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Niger, Chad, as well as United Nations envoy, Martin Kobler and a representative of the African Union.

There are currently five proposed amendments to the agreement, including a change in the makeup of the Libyan national dialogue committee to better balance the country's factions, a change in the duties of the army commander, and measures to maintain the independence of the armed forces and separate them from political conflicts.

Egypt has been playing an active role in seeking to find a solution to the civil war in Libya.

On Friday, Egyptian Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mahmoud Hegazy met with Libya's General Khalifa Haftar in Cairo to discuss latest developments in the conflict-hit country.

Last week, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with the chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Fayaz Al-Sarraj, in Cairo.

Libya currently has two parliaments and two rival governments, which have effectively divided the country into east and west.

The parliament and interim government in the eastern part of the country are refusing to endorse the UN-backed administration in Tripoli in the west, a prerequisite for the Tripoli camp to take sovereign control of the country.

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Egypt's minister of manpower renewed a warning to Egyptians not to carry the recently-prohibited medications to Qatar, including those legal in Egypt

A number of Egyptian workers travelling to Qatar have been detained at Doha international airport for being found in possession of medications that were recently banned in the Arab Gulf nation, state news agency MENA reported on Saturday.

According to MENA, Egypt's Minister of Manpower Mohamed Saafan received on Saturday a report from the Egyptian Embassy in Doha on those Egyptian nationals detained, who are set to be deported back to Egypt.

The report said the Egyptians were able to show Qatari authorities their prescriptions, or required documents necessary to carry the medications.

It was not clear from the media report how many Egyptians have been detained.

Minister Saafan renewed his warning to Egyptians travelling to Qatar against carrying any kind or quantity of the now-prohibited medications, including those legal in Egypt, MENA reported.

The Qatari list of banned drugs includes medications known for treating colon disease, nerves and depression. It also includes the painkillers Parkinol, Tramadol, Lyrica, Alepam and Librax.

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Libya's neighbours call for political dialogue to replace military action inside Libya, and for a new national unity government to be selected and afforded the confidence of parliament

Representatives of Libyas neighbours rejected Saturday any proposal of military intervention in the country. The rejection was voiced during a conference in Cairo held to discuss solutions for the ongoing Libyan crisis.

In a final statement of the ministerial meeting of countries neighbouring Libya, foreign ministers called on the Libyan Presidential Council to form a national unity government that would represent all political powers in Libya, and that it be given the confidence of the Libyan parliament.

The statement also underlined the principles of the Skhirat agreement, which was signed in Morocco in 2015, as the only way out to the Libyan crisis, asserting the necessity of keeping Libya stable, united, secure and civil, with full sovereignty over its lands, preservation of legitimate Libyan institutions, and keeping the Libyan army unified.

The foreign ministers attending the meeting also called for political dialogue instead of use of military force as a solution for the current crisis, while affirming that fighting terrorist groups in Libya should be done in accordance with international law.

The ministers also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation of the Libyan people, calling on the international community to coordinate with Libya's legitimate authorities to respond to human needs, especially the lack of medication and medical supplies.

Cairos Saturday meeting is the tenth meeting of the group of participating countries, which include Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Niger, Chad, as well as United Nations envoy Martin Kobler and a representative of the African Union.

Libya currently has two parliaments and two rival governments, which have effectively divided the country into east and west.

The parliament and interim government in the eastern part of the country refuses to endorse the UN-backed administration in Tripoli in the west, a prerequisite for the Tripoli camp to take sovereign control of the country.

There are currently five proposed amendments to the UN-brokered agreement, including a change in the makeup of the Libyan national dialogue committee to better balance the country's factions, a change in the duties of the army's top commander, and measures to maintain the independence of the armed forces and separate them from political conflicts.

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I am very, very excited about it, Morganton resident Anna Stuntz said, who was watching the inauguration coverage Friday afternoon at Olde Hickory Tap Room.

Stuntz said she had been watching inauguration coverage since Thursday night and found herself tearing up during the concert.

Im very optimistic about the next four years, Stuntz said.

In particular, Stuntz said she was looking forward to the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, re-evaluation of illegal immigration and the removal of business regulations.

Another tap room patron spoke of the meaningfulness of the event to all Americans.

You know, this is an exciting time regardless of whether your candidate was elected or not, Tracy Sain said, who lives in Iredell County and was at Olde Hickory Tap Room on Friday.

I think it is our duty to get behind and support that person because its a tough job, you know, the toughest job.

Steve Shull, who was also at the downtown restaurant, said the event made him think of both Jesse Ventura's surprise victory as Minnesota governor and the panic surrounding Y2K.

I think peoples anticipation is always worse than...so I dont know, Shull said.

Cant screw it up any worse than anyone else has.

Others, while not giving a strong opinion on the president-elect did say people should wait to see what Trump does before passing judgment on him.

I believe, just give the guy a chance and judge later, Todd Hayes said. I just get tired of people just automatically bashing the guy before he even takes office.
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Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday asked Punjab chief electoral officer (CEO) V K Singh to withdraw police security provided to him.

During my tours, I have found a large number of police personnel deployed for my security, which is not required. I want the security withdrawn, Kejriwal, who has been campaigning in Punjab, wrote to the CEO.

While drawing urgent attention of the CEO towards, what he termed, an important issue concerning the safety and security of the people of Punjab, Kejriwal said: Our clear position is that given the poor law and order situation of Punjab, all this security apparatus should be deployed for the safety and security of people of the state.

Kejriwal said that AAP candidates had already clarified that they did not require security provided to them in the run-up to the February 4 assembly elections.

I request you to take a quick decision to restore the confidence of people of the state during the crucial period of elections, he said.

A spokesperson for the CEO said Kejriwals letter was forwarded to the Punjab director general of police (DGP) for appropriate action.

Officials said security had to be provided to Kejriwal as he is the chief minister of Delhi.

On January 18, Punjab additional DGP V K Bhawra said certain candidates, including some AAP nominees, declined security cover.

Police provides three security personnel to each candidate of a political party and two to the others.

The AAP is locked in a triangular tussle in Punjab against the Congress and the SAD-BJP. The AAP is contesting 112 seats, while its ally, Lok Insaf Party led by the Ludhiana-based Bains brothers, have fielded five candidates.

(WITH AGENCY INPUTS)
The five states going to the polls this February and March recorded a spurt in attacks against Christians last year, said a non-government organisation in a report that could reignite a debate on the alleged rise in persecution of minorities.

The Mumbai-based Catholic Secular Forum in its report, titled Indian Christian Persecution, said Uttar Pradesh registered an almost three-fold increase in cases of violence against people from the religious minority.

Less than 1% of Indias most populous and politically crucial state follows Christianity.

In Punjab, another state that will vote on February 4 for a new government, violence against Christians increased from just one case in 2014 to 11 in 2016.

The report said similar spikes were witnessed in Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa, a former Portuguese colony with a sizeable Christian population.

NGO chairperson MF Saldanha, who was a judge in Karnataka and Bombay high courts, blamed the NDA government for the spike in attacks on Christians.

The type of repression started now marks a general pattern, of attacking minorities and the backward classes. The idea, I suppose, is to terrorise and subjugate, which is not what is expected in a democracy, he alleged.

He accused the government of following an ultra-aggressive policy.

The BJP dismissed the allegations, with party leader Siddharth Nath Singh launching a stinging counterattack.

Read: Modi govt @ 2: Dissenters and minorities struggle for space, voice

Where was this organisation when it was proved that the rape of a nun in West Bengal was the handiwork of Bangladeshi infiltrators? Initially it was alleged the incident was fallout of the ghar wapsi programme, Singh said.

They cant be selective. Instead of creating falsehoods they should strengthen society.

The Hindu right wing has always been at loggerheads with Christian missionaries, accusing them of converting people through coercion and allurement to their faith.

Several Hindu organisations have conducted ghar wapsi or homecoming of such people, which minority groups say is a couched term for re-conversion.

Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan said the polarisation and attack on minorities has been the standard operating procedure of the ruling government to catch votes.

These attacks on minorities are not a religion-driven but election- driven mechanism.

According to the 2011 census, Christians constitute about 2.3 % of Indias population. Manipur has 34%, Goa 26.7%, Punjab 1.26% and Uttarakhand less than 1%.

The hill state of Uttarakhand recorded eight cases of attacks against Christians, Goa seven cases and Manipur two cases last year, the NGOs report said.

The crimes include murder and rape, and attacks on churches. But the incidents are not restricted to the poll-bound states. BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh topped the list of states with the maximum number of attacks, followed by Tamil Nadu, according to the report.

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April 6 Movement co-founder Mohamed Adel is set to be released soon after serving his sentence while fellow activist Ahmed Douma awaits an appeal on a life sentence in April

Opposition April 6 Movement co-founder Mohamed Adel is to be released soon after finishing Saturday a three and a half year prison sentence on charges of violating Egypt's protest law.

According to Adels lawyer, Karim Ezzat, Adel will be transferred from Abdeen Police Station to Daqahliyas Mansoura Police Station, closest to his residence, pending his expected release.

His lawyer said he will be on probation for three years.

Adel will be joining founding member and former head of the movement, Ahmed Maher, who was released two weeks ago after finishing his sentence in the same trial.

Maher, along with April 6 Youth Movement co-founders Mohamed Adel and Ahmed Douma, were charged in late November 2013 with illegally protesting 26 November 2013 and assaulting police officers outside a Cairo court while he was handing himself in for questioning over accusations of illegal protesting.

In December 2013, an Egyptian misdemeanour court sentenced all three activists  who were at the forefront of Egypt's January 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak  to three years in jail and fines of EGP 50,000 each on charges that included organising protests without official permits.

In March 2016, a Maadi court upheld a six-month prison sentence for Douma and Adel for assaulting police officers assigned to a court in the district in 2013, while they were on trial in another case.

Douma, however, is serving a life sentence in another case, where he has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and fined EGP 17 million for involvement in the December 2011 cabinet clashes. He is awaiting an appeal trial in April.

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After Congress and AAP promised to waive farm debt, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday said SAD-BJP alliance will waive off farm debts of all small farmers if voted to power for the third consecutive time.

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir also promised to give bonus of Rs 100 per quintal on foodgrain and Rs two lakh agricultural crop loan to all farmers once it returned to power.

Addressing a gathering in favour of party candidate Harmeet Sandhu at village Chhabal and Ravinder Brahmpura at Khadoor Sahab, the SAD president said the alliance government would ensure adequate compensation to farm labourers in case of damage to farm crops.

Sukhbir said we recognise the problems being faced by farmers. Accordingly we have come out with a complete package for farmers. We will waive off debt of all small farmers immediately after coming to power.

Besides, we will give a state bonus of Rs 100 per quintal on both wheat and paddy crops which will be over and above the minimum support price (MSP) for both food grains. This will be a fertiliser input. Farmers will also be eligible for Rs 2 lakh interest free agricultural crop loan for every small farmer every year, he said.

The SAD president said the alliance was also committed to protect the interests of farm labourers. He said the government would ensure 10 per cent calamity relief is distributed to farm labourers in case of any damage to farm crops.

Sukhbir also announced that the alliance would provide tube wells to all farmers on demand, irrespective of land holdings.

We have distributed a few lakh new tube wells during our last term. Now we will further broad base this initiative, he said.

Stating that the SAD-BJP alliance would shortly announce a package for each and every section of society, Badal said we are pro-Punjab and pro Punjabi while accusing Congress of being the enemy of Punjab.

It is responsible for sending tanks and artillery to the Harmandir Sahib as well as the genocide of Sikhs in 1984, he alleged.

He also lashed out at AAP, saying it is an army of outsiders.

Arvind Kejriwal wants to rule over Punjabis. Will you ever allow an outsider to rule over you ? This is the same person who betrayed Anna Hazare who brought him into the political limelight. He betrayed the founders of AAP. He betrayed the farmers of Punjab on the issue of SYL. How can you trust such a person, SAD chief asked.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday asked Congress to introspect before forming an alliance with the ruling Samajwadi Party for the next months assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and said its strategy will boomerang.

The alliance talks between Congress and SP, however, were in a deadlock on Friday with two sides squabbling over the share of seats, two days after the grand old party declared the tie-up with the SP in the state a done deal.

The SP dealt a blow to the coalition talks when it came out with a list of candidates for 208 seats, including nine held by the Congress, voting for which will be held in the first three phases, beginning February 11.

The BSP chiefs appeal appeared to stem from her worry that the Congress-SP coalition might divide the Muslim vote, which experts say is one of the most coveted constituencies of UP politics in the state.

In this election, the BSP has given 97 tickets to Muslims and openly appealed to the community to vote for it. The BSP has fielded 51 Muslim candidates in western UP whereas arch-rival SP has given tickets to 44 of them. Both the parties are locked in a bitter fight for the Muslim votes in Rohilkhand area that has a large concentration of Muslim voters.

The Congress is a secular political party whereas the SP government has exploited the common people and promoted communal politics. The SP is facing anti-incumbency as well. During the campaign, the Congress leaders might face tough questions from people if they go along with the SP, she said at a press conference at the partys state unit office in Lucknow.

Mayawati suggested that rather than allying with the sinking ship of the SP, the Congress should contest assembly election on its own or form a coalition with smaller political parties.

The Congress has exposed itself by surrendering before the SP before polls. The Congress is virtually on oxygen in UP. The khat sabha and yatras of Rahul Gandhi failed to make the desired impact on the masses. In Bihar, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar saved the Congress and here they are looking toward Akhilesh. Their strategy of forging an alliance with SP will boomerang, she said.

She accused SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav of adopting various tricks to cover up the failures of the state government and to protect his son and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs image is tarnished due to lawlessness, murder, loot, land-grabbing and terror let loose by party leaders during five years of SP rule. He has protected the BJP leaders accused in Muzaffarnagar riots, she said.

The people are waiting for the polls to get rid of the SP government. The Congress will also face the peoples anger if it contests the election in alliance with the SP, she said.

When pointed out that Congress leaders had approached her for a pre-poll alliance, Mayawati replied that the BSP has decided to contest the assembly election on its own and finalised candidates for 403 assembly seats.

Lashing out at the BJP, Mayawati said people angry with the Centres anti-people policies and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to fulfil the promises he made to the people during the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

The BJP has failed to project CM candidate in UP and this clearly shows that it is worried over the increasing anger among the people. The BJP is also promoting dynasty politics by giving tickets to the kith and kin of the senior leaders. The in-fighting in the party has increased as the election dates draw near, she said.

Demonetisation has broken the backbone of the BJP. The leaders of the saffron brigade are a dejected lot and unable to face the anger of the people, she said.

Mayawati condemned RSS leader Manmohan Vaidyas demand for a review of reservation, saying her party will not only provide good governance but also protect the rights of the Dalits, backwards and STs in the state.

I appeal to the Dalit, backwards and scheduled tribe people to teach the BJP a lesson in the assembly election so that no leader in future dares to demand review or revoking of reservation granted by Dr BR Ambedkar. If the BJP forms the government in UP, it will withdraw benefits of reservation to the weaker section, she said.

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After my father, Kaifi Azmis death in 2002, I decided to take his dreams forward in Mijwanthe village in Azamgarh where he was born. He had visualized empowered girls and development at Mijwan.

Through the Mijwan Welfare Society (MWS), we give chikankari training to girls and have school and computer training facility for them. The girls in the village are so empowered now that they raise strong voices against child marriage and other social evils. The girls of Mijwan have walked the ramp and their designs of chikankari have been worn by superstars in designer Manish Malhotras show. The village today gets electricity for 14 hours, and is the chosen few for the I Sparsh scheme of the state which aims to make it a smart village.

The development work of the present state government has really been impressive. Whether there is change of party or the same party continues after elections, I hope to see more development and women empowerment in UP.

Womens health, education, skill development, and their empowerment are a must for the states growth. Let us learn from Kerala, which allocates 40 percent funds for womens issues at panchayat levels itself. Uplift of rural areas and power supply should also be on top of state governments agenda. Higher education, skill development and creating job opportunities should be other focus areas of the governments.

I see a lot of young writers and actors in the film industry and most of them come from Uttar Pradesh. They do exceedingly well because their language and culture give them an edge over others. I wish UP had a film institute where aspiring youngsters get an opportunity to learn and hone their skills in cinema.

Youngsters struggle for jobs. If there are enough jobs within the state, they wouldnt go anywhere and contribute to his/her own state.

We have been pushing for a university in Azamgarh for long. Now that more and more children are attending school and there is a lot of emphasis on education, a university for the students of Azamgarh is a very fair demand.

It is being increasingly understood by governments in the country that only GDP isnt the hallmark of progress and thus the focus should also be on Human Development Index including proper health services, women empowerment, education etc. The new government must be serious on such issues.

(As told to Richa Srivastava)
As the parleys between the Congress and the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh appeared to collapse over seat-sharing, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday intervened and spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on the phone.

Congress leaders meanwhile were quite hopeful on the talks, as was reflected in their comments to the media.

With the SP refusing to budge from its offer of around 100 seats and the Congress not agreeing to anything below 120, leaders in both camps had thrown up their hands that the prospects of the electoral tie-up were almost over.

Congress sources said Sonias intervention will surely boost the alliance prospects. Everything will be clear by tomorrow (Sunday) morning. The Congress might agree on 100-103 seats. Both the parties know they need each other in Uttar Pradesh polls.

Read | UP election: Samajwadi Party- Congress alliance in trouble over seat sharing

Earlier, talking about the alliance, senior SP leader Naresh Agrawal said: The alliance is almost over. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) was offering Congress 100 seats but they were not agreeing to anything less than 120 seats.

We told them we cant fight in less than 300 seats but the Congress was adamant as if they are a very influential party in the state, he added.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in charge of UP Ghulam Nabi Azad said: Youll get to know everything by tomorow (Sunday) morning.

Congress state President Raj Babbar said during the day: The talks will go on.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too are reported to be working on some possibilities.

The Gandhi family scion is said to be furious at the slight and disrespect shown to the Congress by the SP leadership.

Earlier, the sources said that the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) had decided to go it alone in the first and second phases of the seven-phase assembly elections in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.
After languishing in Karachi jail for 10 months for inadvertently straying into the Pakistani sea in March 2015, a tribal youth from Madhya Pradesh is ready to fish in troubled waters once again.

Sunil Uike, 22, was reunited with ailing mother Juggo Bai and elder brother Anil in his native Khuddipur village in Maoist-affected Balaghat district three days ago. But with unemployment and poverty staring at the family, the Class 1 school dropout may have to return to Gujarat and rejoin a fishing company.

A small piece of agricultural land and my brothers meager income is all we have and this is not enough to make ends meetIf I dont get a job soon, Ill have to return to Gujarat and start fishing, Uike told HT on Saturday.

Scores of youths from MP, Uttart Pradesh and Bihar reach Gujarat in search of jobs in fishing firms for even a paltry salary of Rs 10,000 per month. In 2015, Uike had left for Okha (in Gujarat) to work for a fishing company owned by Dinesh Maharaj. But on March 29 last year, 12 boat-full of fishermen were captured by the Pakistani Marine Security Agency (PMSA) near Okha and all 59 fishermen aboard, including Uike, were sent to Landi jail in Karachi.

On January 5, Pakistan released 220 fisherman, included 54 out of 59 men.

Uike was rescued after the Balaghat district administration and police helped his family collect valid papers from his employers and family and sent them to the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi, which subsequently took up the matter with their Pakistani counterparts.

Still five of our colleagues, all from Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, are lodged in the Karachi jail. When were being released on January 5, the Pakistani jail authorities asked us to tell our government to release 300-plus Pakistani fishermen languishing in Indian jails, Uike said.

The tribal familys only hope now is the local administration could extend some help to them. Balaghat district collector Bharat Yadav, who is likely to meet Uike on January 24, said: Let me meet him first and see what best can be done for him. Since hes skilled in fishing, we could help him start fish farming through grant of concessional loan.

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Sidharth Malhotra has been ranked ninth Most Handsome Face among other celebrities across the world, as per a survey. The star has three big-banner projects in his kitty and has been signed as the Indian ambassador for a social initiative. With an eventful beginning to the year, the actor is in a positive space as far as his professional life is concerned. HT Cafe engages in a tete-a-tete with the young actor.

How important are peripherals such as social media, PR, brand value, et al. to you?

I think that purely depends on what your plan and interest is. Some boys and girls (actors) really like a certain projection of themselves, probably they want to focus on being fashionable. All this is exciting, but it doesnt surpass [doing] an amazing film such as Ek Villain (2014) and Kapoor and Sons (2016). The high that you get to entertain an audience - make them cry, laugh or emotional  is beyond everything else. However, we will be asked to go to certain places to promote certain things. I would rather go for an event or engage in social media for causes that I believe in.

Skill India is an initiate that you are now associated with

I am really happy about it. Its a great initiative to help the youth of the country, train them in different skills, and inspire people who are from humble backgrounds. If I have to walk the red carpet or use the social media for a positive cause that is more exciting for me.

Thank you for the koffee karan ! Best time #koffeewithkaran @karanjohar @jacquelinef143 A photo posted by Sidharth Malhotra (@s1dofficial) on Dec 24, 2016 at 1:31am PST

Do you feel more responsible now?

I wouldnt say I am burdened by it. However, I would think if it is justified to do a certain thing in a film, or do we have extreme reasons [for doing something in a movie] because we cant have barriers when it comes to storytelling. There are bad things and bad people in this world. Sometimes as an actor and a storyteller, youre portraying that (bad things and people) as well. I am not averse to it, but Im conscious that a particular sequence in a story should look justified and not put in a negative way, just to grab attention.

By now, do you anticipate questions on your equation with Alia Bhatt in every interview?

Not exactly I hope people go beyond it, and talk about my work, and only me. I sound like a typical narcissistic actor (laughs). But anyway, I understand sometimes.

I see stars ! @aartishetty @aliaabhatt #ayanmukherjee A photo posted by Sidharth Malhotra (@s1dofficial) on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:22pm PST

What is that one quality about Alia as an actor that you would like to imbibe?

I really admire the work she does. I think she is good with her monologues. She has a great graph. She makes you feel the correct moment and the correct words, which is slightly a technical thing (as far as acting is concerned). Delivering long monologues and picking five to six lines in a row, giving it a variety and correct emotions - that is something she (Alia) does exceptionally well. Most of her movies have had those (emotional) outbreaks (scenes), and she does it really well.

Have you been offered a film by Shakun Batra, co-starring Alia Bhatt?

That you will have to ask Shakun (chuckles). He would be the best to answer. That being said, I love Shakun and know him personally. We recently shot an ad film together. We have a great time. It will be amazing to work with the same team again, especially Shakun.

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Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, who visited Gurgaon recently as part of Bangla mela, remembered her visits in Delhi for theatre performances and her transition to films from stage.

Sharmila, who had a culturally laden childhood, says. I was surrounded with art. I was six when I was a part of a group that used to perform on stage. We would tour Delhi and Mumbai, sometimes we did two shows in one evening. Remembering her childhood days, she adds, I grew up in a joint family. January started with Saraswati Pujo, and we were not allowed to have Kul (tropical fruit) before that. We would wear yellow... Every month had different festivals. Every puja had different rituals and everything was made at home. We imbibed aesthetics and art just by being in the house. Poush is the spring month when we relished the bengali delicacies. Looking back, kite flying was a lot of fun. And, our house was full of voracious readers with books everywhere. I used to read, and was called very Pakka (mature). I used to speak in very flowery language that depended on who I would be reading at that time.

Sharing anecdotes of working with filmmaker Satyajit Ray, she says, He was my priority. When he called me, I would drop everything and go. For Apur Sansar (1959)Manik da (as Ray is fondly referred to as) was looking for a young child bride. Since Tinku (Her sister  Tinku Tagore) had worked in films before, Ray felt that my family wouldnt have objections. Moreover, It was Soumitras (actor Soumitra Chatterjee) first film also. While we were waiting for Manik Das instructions, Soumitra asked me, Are you feeling nervous. I said No why should I feel nervous(laughs)And Manika Das voice ran out, and he said light sound, camera action. I wish Manika Da was alive and I could ask him this, that it was so symbolic. It was Aparnas (The character played by her in Apur Sansar) first glimpse of where she is going to stay. She crosses the threshold to a new life and somehow it was the same for me. I wanted to ask him if he kept the scene on purpose or not.

On sashaying from regional to Bollywood films, she says lip syncing to songs was the biggest challenge. If youre working in regional language films, its obvious that youd want to go national stage because Hindi films have a better reach. Since Ray introduced me, it helped me a lot. But, I had no idea of the song and dance routine.

Sharmila, who has worked in the film industry for many years, says she was once on the verge of giving up her career. She says, Shashi Kapoor came to visit me on the sets of Kashmir Ki Kali. I had a huge crush on him. I had seen Prem Patra (1962) and couldnt sleep for three nights. Eastman color had just come, and there was white make-up. I had said this is my last film. But then I worked for the next 30 years.

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There are times when experiences leave behind a permanent mark on us. Actor Raveena Tandon underwent a similar episode in her life while shooting for her upcoming film, The Mother, where she plays the title role.

When Raveena first heard the narration of the film, based on violence against women, she found the script both interesting and disturbing. As she started shooting, she could connect with her character well, and it slowly became difficult for her to dissociate from the film even after the shooting was done. I couldnt sleep for three nights after we shot the horrific incident. The worst was when I had to dub for it all over again. I couldnt stop crying once the dubbing got over. It took me some time to come back to my calmer self. It was very disturbing, shares the actor known for films such as Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Mohra (1994) and Shool (1999).

A still from Raveena Tandons upcoming film. (Twitter)

Raveena refutes the reports that the film directed by Ashtar Sayed is based on the December 16 Delhi gang rape case. The film is based in Delhi, but it has nothing to do with the incident. However, its really strange that the minute we wrapped up shooting in the Capital, a similar incident happened, exactly like what we shot for the film. So when we read about the incident in newspapers, we were shocked that something we shot in fiction has actually happened in real. That was uncanny, says the National Award-winning actor.

Prod her further on this incident and Raveena says that she cant divulge anything more about the film. I dont want to mention the incident I am referring to because if then I will be revealing about the storyline of the film, she adds.

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At a session on the intellectual history of civil wars, British historian David Armitage said the current political polarisation might bring back conflict between states.

The swearing-in of the 45th American President and its possible repercussions formed the background to the session on civil wars where David Armitage walked the audience through the history of internal conflicts. The long period of peace since World War II or the absence of conflict between states, as historians call it, might be set to change, the Harvard professor said while discussing his forthcoming book, Civil Wars: A History in Ideas.

Donald Trump became Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter series at the session with the speaker and later the audience referring to him as the one who cannot be named. Someone, whose name I still cannot use with the word president will soon receive the nuclear codes, Armitage said. His instability, trigger-happiness, and willingness to set the US against the world means the period of long peace is set to end. We may return to a world where conflict between states might return, he said.

The purely self-interest based policies that he hopes to build will destroy the underpinnings of the international order that have been in place since World War II, he said. Armitage said the present American president was a sign of Americas anxiety as a declining superpower. He has encouraged nuclear proliferation and some people fear a global civil war, one that is fought with nuclear weapons.

Ours is not a world of peace but of civil wars, said Armitage, pointing to the pattern of conflict that has moved from war between states to war within states. There are 40 ongoing conflicts around the world from Afghanistan to Yemen, he said, and the Al Qaeda and ISIS have brought the war to the streets. The states may be at peace but their citizens can hardly experience it. Tracing the origins of civil wars to Rome of the first century BCE, he said the term originated from the war between citizens which erupted repeatedly throughout Roman history.

Modern democratic politics was designed to prevent civil war and violence, but now we are finding it difficult to manage fundamental differences, said Armitage during the session. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT Photo)

Medieval Europe was the inheritor of this tradition with Italy experiencing civil war in the 15th century, France its religious wars in the 16th century and England the War of Roses in the 15th century. The series of violent upheavals took the thread of modern liberation in the 19th century with civil wars taking the form of revolutions whether it was the French or the American.

The definition of civil war changed over time but was incorporated in the Geneva Convention only after World War II. Referring to the reluctance of the international community to term the Syrian conflict as a civil war against president Bashar Al-Assads government, Armitage said it was a typical response since so much, politically and militarily, hangs on the use of the term.

Polarisation is the most frightening feature of international politics today, Armitage said. Civil war is returning to even peaceful states and politics.

Modern democratic politics was designed to prevent civil war and violence, but now we are finding it difficult to manage fundamental differences, he said. Brexit showed that there are two Britains, which cannot comprehend the other sides point of view.

Pointing to the savage American presidential campaign, the blaming of opponents looking to encourage internal conflict by the French president after the Paris attacks, Armitage said that democratic politics in USA, Europe and India looks like a civil war by other means.

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Yes my husband is a vegetarian. But we are still against the Jallikattu ban, Aishwarya Rajinikanth Dhanush said at her session on the third day of the Jaipur Literature Festival. Yesterday, her actor husband Dhanush had issued a statement saying that he regrets the PETA Award that was given to him in 2012 for being the Hottest Vegetarian. He said that he considers it a grave insult and praised Tamil Nadus youth who are protesting against the ban. Today, Aishwarya extended her support to the pro-Jallikattu protests as well, while here to talk about her memoir Standing on an Apple Box.

Once the initial murmur that followed her comment had subsided, the session saw Aishwarya talk about her father  superstar Rajinikanth, her husband and what it was to grow up in a celebrity bubble. She insisted that she had pretty much the same childhood as everyone else. But went on to say that most of my childhood, my father was hardly around. He was doing seven films a year at that time. My mother would tell us to enjoy whatever time we got with him. But she says that she still connects better with her dad. And I still like the actor in him more than the star.

Talking about Dhanush, she said that she had no time to know him before they got married. My parents are conservative. They really werent in support of us dating before marriage. It was more like, okay hes good for you, so get married to him. There was no courtship period. But, she said, shes grateful that it all turned out well for them. My husband encouraged me to stand on my own, gave me the nudge to do what I wanted  either singing or directing films, she added. About the changing role of women in the film industry, Aishwarya pointed out that they are no longer just actresses, Today, were in every field in cinema, from editors to cinematographers to directors.

My husband encouraged me to stand on my own, gave me the nudge to do what I wanted  either singing or directing films, said Aishwarya during the interaction. (PTI)

Aishwarya also talked about social media and how it was a huge challenge to bring up children in this digital age. You cant not allow anything today, she said. Everything is available on the Internet. If I try to keep them from being informed about something, theyll simply Google it or get to know from Facebook. So the best thing to do is to not stop them from something but to make them understand it. Social media has also put a lot of pressure on celebrity kids to be or behave a certain way, she said. Theyre expected to not go wrong. Now thats a little impossible for children, no?

Watch: Live with Aishwarya Rajinikanth Dhanush

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The families of Egyptian workers reportedly kidnapped in Libya staged a protest on Saturday in Cairo's downtown, near the Egyptian press syndicate, demanding that the president interfere to bring their relatives home.

Fifteen migrant workers from Egypt were reportedly kidnapped and tortured in Libya earlier this month.

According to the captives' families, the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of 300,000 Libyan dinars (around EGP 4 million), threatening to kill the captives if it is not delivered.

"We need President [Abdel-Fattah] El-Sisi to interfere; he is our president, who else should we go to? And what else should we do? I submitted complaints everywhere, but nothing happened," Mohamed Rabie El-Sherbiny from Damietta governorate, whose father is among the 15 kidnapped, told Ahram Online.

"We arrived early this morning at the syndicate; security forces promised us they would call the presidency, but later they said that there was no response. So, we stood silently raising signs but got beaten by them, to end the protest," he said.

The protest was dispersed by security forces and four of the demonstrators were briefly detained, including two photo-journalists, according to El-Sherbiny.

El-Sherbiny's father, 62-year-old Mohamed Gad Hamed, ran a painting workshop in Libya, which he'd operated since the 90's, followed by his son and some of the family's cousins.

"Libya is like a second home to me; we went there to earn our living, and to be able to feed our children, escaping the hardship in Egypt," Hamed's son said.

El-Sherbiny said he has received threats, and torture photos, showing the reportedly abducted Egyptians handcuffed with signs of torture on their backs.

"I could not produce the ransom, and I do not know what to do now, but we do not deserve this, and we will not accept this ignorance and insult," the son concluded.

Last week, a brother of one of the kidnapped Egyptians, Hamada Salah, told Ahram Online he had received a message from the kidnapper telling him his brother had been killed. Salah has not been able to confirm the information.

A screenshot of the message Salah received went viral on Facebook, along with photos of the captives' torture.

Ahram Online could not independently verify the authenticity of the photos circulating on social media of the reportedly kidnapped Egyptians.

The Egyptian foreign ministry has not released any statements on the issue.

The ministry was not available for comment on Saturday.

In 2015, Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs began urging citizens to avoid travel to Libya due to unstable security conditions following the killing of 20 Egyptian migrant workers near Derna by the Islamic State militant group.

The warning was renewed in 2016 and is still in effect.

Despite the government's warning and Libya's difficult economic conditions, Egyptian workers continue to migrate to the country.

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We may be heading towards cultural myopia, but the great Indian epics were radical and irreverent. The many interpretations of the Ramayana, which continue to this day, are a testimony to this. At the session Uttara Kand: Searching Sita, Telugu writer Volga and author-translator Arshia Sattar spoke about their respective work and perspectives with storyteller-writer Vayu Naidu.

Talking about her book, The Liberation of Sita, P Lalitha Kumari, who writes under the pseudonym Volga, said her feminist retelling of the stories of the women in the Ramayana belongs to a long tradition in Telugu literature.

In 1890, Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Chowdhury questioned Ramas slaying of the shudra Shambuka for performing penance in Shambuka Vadha. In Sita Agneepravesha, Chalams Sita thinks Ravana loves her more for he staked everything for her. She leaves Rama to enter Ravanas funeral pyre. Telugu literature was very radical, she said.

Arshia Sattar said not many people have read Valmikis Ramayana in the original and the seeds of radicalism present in the original text are what open the ancient text to anti-Brahmin, anti-Kshatriya and feminist interpretations. Admitting that the text was misogynistic, Sattar read out an excerpt from her recent translation of Uttara Kand, where Rama and Lakshman deceive a pregnant Sita and take her to the forest on the pretext of visiting her friends: the wives of sages.

The women in Volgas novella (originally published as Vimukta Kada Samputi in 2010)  Surpanakha, Renuka, Ahalya, Urmila  help Sita on her journey to self realisation and breaking free of her attachment to Rama. All these women, Sattar pointed out where punished for their perceived sexual transgressions.

In feminism, sisterhood is an important concept, said Volga. I wanted to explore this sisterhood between women. So I took Sitas story as the connecting thread with these four women helping her on the path of liberation through their struggles and experiences.

Volga said not much has changed from Ahalya to Nirbhaya, and even today the woman is blamed for the violence meted to her. Where did this power to discipline and punish women come from? The context is as old and as new as Nirbhaya, she said.

Watch: Telugu writer Volga on her book The Liberation of Sita

Ahalya was the wife of Sage Gautama who was tricked into bed by Indra who approached her disguised as her husband. Volga read out an excerpt from her book where Ahalya meets Sita and tells her it doesnt matter whether her husband believed in her innocence. His property has been polluted.

What does conducting an enquiry mean, Sita? Distrust, isnt it? Wouldnt it be better, instead, to believe in either your innocence or guilt?  All men are the same, Sita.

All in all, a session that made the audience think deeply about issues that are at once eternal and contemporary.

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British journalist and author, Bee Rowlatt, who now lives in New Delhi, speaks about her work, about being a white feminist, about the misogyny that defined the US presidential elections, and how it is a great time to be a feminist in India.

You started out as journalist with BBC World Service in the 90s. How did your first best-selling book, Talking about Jane Austen in Baghdad (2010) happen?

It was a direct result of my work as a journalist. While trying to interview Iraqis after the invasion of Iraq, I got to know an academic (May Witwit) and our friendship developed over email. When her colleagues were being beheaded, she asked me to get her out of Iraq. I tried a number of things which failed. Ultimately, someone at Penguin found this interesting and asked us for our emails. The advance helped towards her getting a visa to come to the UK.

Your second book In Search of Mary retraces Mary Wollstonecrafts treasure hunt across Europe in the 17th century.

There were two factors at play: As a working mother, I was finding the idea of self-fulfillment very challenging. The idea of doing something utterly selfish seemed extraordinary to me. Mary Wollstonecraft  the first mother of feminism  wrote a bestseller, travelled with a baby on her own in 1795. I found this to be very compelling. My smallest kid, who accompanied me on this trip, was of the same age as the baby she travelled with  10-months old.

Feminism in India, says Rowlatt, is breathtaking. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT Photo)

What were the takeaways from this trip?

I learnt a lot about privilege. As a white woman swanning around the world could I claim to be utterly oppressed? Well no! But a lot hasnt changed since Wollstonecrafts time, for example, the excoriation of women in public life. Look what happened to Hilary Clinton; the same thing happened to Wollstonecraft.

The level of debate around an experienced politician like Clinton was very gendered. Women in the public sphere face unequal levels of scrutiny of their private lives and unequal share of abuse online. Look at the abuse that Barkha Dutt gets, and women politicians as well.

Misogyny is the same across the world, but there have been gains as well.

Absolutely. There have been huge gains. I think what we are witnessing is a backlash. There was a huge backlash against Mary Wollstonecraft and against the suffragette movement as well. But in a country where there are women like Justice Leila Seth, there is scope for optimism. Women in the judicial system are making a change and creating policy. That is how you change peoples lives, through education and through policy.

What do you think of feminism in India today? On one hand we had this huge civil society movement against gender violence after the Nirbhaya gang rape and then we have celebrities who distance themselves from the term feminist.

I think they dont know what it means but there can be no excuse for not knowing. Men can be feminists too. In many ways, they are trapped in patriarchy in the sense of not being able to express their emotions or take time off to care for their kids. I think feminism in India is breathtaking. Ive seen some very young, witty campaigners and brilliant campaigns like the one around the menstruation taboo.

The problem in India, says Rowlatt, is the societal pressure on women to leave the workplace once they get married. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT Photo)

You have four children, aged 6, 10, 14 and 15. Is it easier being a working mom in UK or in India?

It is harder in the UK because we have a minimum wage. Stuff is really cheap in India and, unlike in UK, most middle-class people have help at home. If youre a working mum in UK with low income and you have to pay for childcare, youd end up poorer. So the incentive is to not go back to work.

The problem in India is the societal pressure on women to leave the workplace once they get married. They go and get an MBA, then they get married and then they leave the job! That bothers me.

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A day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States of America, over two lakh women descended on Washington DC for the Womens March, an event that hopes to send a simple, affirmative message to the government on their first day in office womens rights are human rights. Theyre rallying for freedom from sexual violence, comprehensive reproductive rights, minimum wages, LGBT rights, immigrant rights and more, all concerns they believe will be under threat in Trumps presidency rule.

Miles away, women in India were marching in a similar fashion, but in an effort to reclaim their rights to safe public spaces around the country. As part of I Will Go Out, at 5 pm today, women in Mumbai, Bhopal, Chennai, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Jammu, Thrissur and Ranchi, among other cities, took to the streets in solidarity against sexual harassment and misogyny. The hashtag and march comes in the wake of a spate of gendered violence incidents in the country  the year, in fact, began with disturbing images from Bangalore, where several women were reportedly groped in a famous area of the city on New Years eve.

The anonymity and security that a group offers leads men to behave in the worst imaginable ways, said ElsaMarie DSilva, speaking at a special edition of Feminist Rani, centred around the march, on Friday. DSilva is the founder of SafeCity, an online platform that crowd-sources experiences of sexual harassment and abuse in public places. She added that being a mere bystander and witnessing acts of harassment was almost as bad as being a perpetrator. Sexual violence is not restricted to hours of the day, an individuals age, or even public spaces.

Since its inception, Feminist Rani has emerged as a powerful platform to engage and elevate conversations around feminism, by bringing together opinion leaders from varied fields. Fridays edition saw author and moderator Meghna Pant, queer activist Harish Iyer, celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani, actor-director Dan Hussain and journalist Aarefa Johari, among others. Husain spoke on male privilege, and how the privilege should be everyone irrespective of their gender or orientation. When I dress up every morning, the thought that Ill be stared, stalked, felt, groped or even intimidated does not even cross my mind. Unfortunately, this is not true for women, he said.

Iyer, who began by addressing a question hes commonly asked  what is a man going to do at a male gathering  spoke on his own experience of being sexually abused for nine years, and how homophobia and misogyny are closely interlinked. Both of them operate from the same system of patriarchy, he said, later reciting a bold poem around #IWillGoOut. An excerpt -

Awaara sadkon par awaara ghoomongi,

Khud ko mardaangi ke andar band kar lo tum,

Main toh firungi, khush rahoongi,

I will go out

Iyer captured the essence of #IWillGoOut when he said, Until some of us are safe, all of us are unsafe. The causes for the Indian and American marches may be different, but the underlying message is the same  safety and equal rights.

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Donald John Trumps inaugural speech as the 45th president of the United States on Friday was all about nationalism, to make America great again, nothing less than what Narendra Modi would call swadeshi.

Hitting at businesses and the previous government, Trump in his trumpeting moment said that the establishment protected itself and not the people of the country. Their victories have not been your victories... That all changes, starting right here, right now, he said.

All this can be a dampener on the great Indian information technology (IT) industry, which is expected to generate $160 billion in 2016-17. That is more than the gross domestic product of Iraq with all its oil reserves.

Over the last three decades, low-cost man power and large number on computer engineers, attracted companies to outsource technology jobs to India. Throw in Indias English speaking population, it is only second to the US at 125 million.

Not only Indian IT companies such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys and Wipro, large technology companies like General Electric and IBM expanded their base in India fast. They set large research facilities, built huge campuses and transferred low-end IT work to India. Eventually, as Indias technology prowess grew, these companies started using India for high-end automation and tech processes.

Even new generation companies such as Amazon, Facebook and Google have built centres for research. For example, Google built maps in India, Facebook is working on low-bandwidth products here, and Amazon is ramping up research.

But, Trump is not willing to part with his great American dream  after all he won the presidential elections against Hilary Clinton on the idea of nationalism. That is how Modi, too, won in 2014  on the promise of creating more jobs, improving the countrys economy, and building core sectors such as manufacturing in India.

America will start winning again, winning like never before. We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams, Trump, alongside his former supermodel wife Melania, addressed hundreds of thousands of people, from the west front of the Capitol, in raining Washington.

At 70, Trump is the US oldest president, but none of his predecessors has been a likely capitalist. Son of immigrants, Trump is three times married, built a conglomerate around real estate businesses, casinos and media. His personal life often became front page headlines of tabloids.

Not only India, Trump attacked the previous government for letting manufacturing jobs go to China, Taiwan and Korea.

Few former American presidents painted a picture so grim in inaugural speeches. He talked about impoverished cities where mothers and children are trapped, and rusted-out factories are scattered like tombstones, and the rising unemployment have forced people to take on drugs and commit crimes.

Trump is vocal, he always has been. This American carnage, he said should stop right away.

The carnage that Trump is referring to can upset the growing technology and manufacturing economy of India. America is already looking into new regulations of work visas, which allows Indians to go to America and work at lower cost than its citizens.

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In its pre-budget proposals, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry has asked finance minister Arun Jaitley to restrict corporate tax at 25% with cesses and surcharges from 2017-18.

Corporate tax rate should not be more than 25% from the headline rate of 30% and 34.6% with cesses and surcharges, PHD Chamber said in its budget proposals that were submitted to the finance minister here on Saturday.

It also suggested an increase in the rebate on interest paid on housing loan by Rs 1.5 lakh from fiscal 2017-18 with a special provision in the forthcoming budget through which lending to micro-small and medium enterprises by Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFCs) could be brought in priority sector.

The Chamber argued that time has come to increase the rebate on interest paid on housing loan from the current level of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh as it would boost demand in the real estate and construction and also spur up economic sentiments with positive multipliers.

While appreciating the incentives given on promoting cashless transaction, PHD Chamber president Gopal Jiwarajka suggested that RTGS and NEFT transfers should be free of transaction costs.

As Goods and Services Tax (GST) is heading towards implementation, the industry body suggested that its peak rate should be moderated to the level of 20%.

With GST becoming reality by July 2017, the indirect taxation would be rationalised to a large extent but urged the government that its peak rate should be moderated to the level of 20%, Jiwarajka said.

The show cause notice should also be retained at 18 months instead of 36 months. Anti-profiteering clause should also be removed from GST, he added.

The Chamber also demanded that banks should be allowed to provide funding for domestic mergers and acquisitions and effective transmission of the monetary policy is required so that the benefits of rate cuts are percolated towards beneficiaries.
Three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) members, including two Pakistani nationals, who were arrested by the BSF at the Petrapole border in North 24 Parganas in April 2007 were sentenced to death by the Bongaon court on Saturday.

The three convicts are Md Yunus, Sheikh Abdullah (both are Pakistani nationals) and Muzaffar Ahmed Rathod. They had come from Karachi and tried to enter India from Bangladesh to attack specific targets, said the prosecution. Explosives were seized from their possession.

After their arrest, the trio was taken into custody by the Bengal CID. Yunus had told the CID that he was a member of the LeT suicide squad but never revealed where he was supposed to carry out the attacks.

A fourth terrorist, Sheikh Samir, who was also arrested at that time, escaped from police custody in 2014 by jumping off a train in Chhattisgarh while he was being taken to Mumbai for interrogation. He was wanted in Mumbai in connection with several cases, including the Aurangabad arms haul case.

Samir, alias Abdul Nayeem, reportedly confessed during a narco-analysis test that he helped Pakistani terrorists carry out the Mumbai train blasts and regularly aided terrorists sneak into India through the Bangladesh border.

The counsel for the accused said he would move higher court challenging the death sentence.

Forty-four witnesses were examined by the court.
Good morning and welcome to Trumpworld. The forecast is blustery with signs of storms brewing on the horizon and the possibility of golden showers. Heres a prediction you can take to the bank, and if you dont want to queue up, place this in your digital wallet  the next 48 months will be far from placid.

It may appear a lifetime, but Republican Donald Trump was elected president of the United States less than 75 days ago. Following that unexpected victory, Trump exhibited the kind of grace that no one could have predicted. He spoke well of the man he will succeed, Barack Obama, and even of the woman he bested, Hillary Clinton. That lull, though, lasted all of a week. Then he returned to regular programming.

Read | Here come the Trumps: All you need to know about new US first family and 45th President Donald

Over the past two months, Trump has been setting himself up to be Americas curser-in-chief. Just a cursory count of his Twitter tirades places the number of objects of his insults at over 40 in that short period, without taking into account his several allusions to the dishonest media. Among those have been Democratic Congressman and civil rights champion John Lewis; the director of Central Intelligence Agency John Brennan (was this the leaker of Fake News?); actor Meryl Streep (Hillary flunky); leader of the Democrats in the senate Chuck Schumer (head clown); rigged favourability polls and Saturday Night Live, the sketch television show. With his nuclear twitter trigger fingers and a penchant for launching misguided missiles, he will enter the Oval Office with an unrivalled record of 140-character assassination. So much for the transition.

This, of course, is just a preview of coming distractions. In the weeks ahead, there will be executive orders many annulling those signed by Obama. There will also be contentious confirmation hearings of his Cabinet nominees, including controversial choices like those for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson and attorney general, Jeff Sessions.

Watch | Mass protest marks Trumps inauguration ceremony

Thats actually not unusual  in early 2009, one of Obamas earliest backers in the primary process, former senator Tom Daschle, withdrew his nomination as health and human resources secretary as a matter related to unpaid taxes took its toll. Another nominee, Timothy Geithner, also had tax troubles, but was ultimately confirmed as treasury secretary. What will be different is that if a Trump pick gets panned, the president will go ballistic.

Over the last eight years, we have become accustomed to adult supervision in the White House. While many neutral critics, somewhat correctly, will not grade the Obama tenure particularly highly, what was evident was the courtesy with which charges were challenged. There was plenty for Obama to be chagrined over, beyond policy critiques. Questions were raised over his birth in Hawaii (that Kenyan), over his religion (that Muslim), and his ideology (that communist). These were personal assaults.

Read | Vu Televisions CEO welcomes President Donald Trump with full-page ad, gets trolled

However, he dealt with them in a manner that can fittingly be described as presidential. That calm may actually have won him the presidency. Those who recall the tumultuous days of the Wall Street meltdown and his opponent John McCains own knee-jerk reaction including threatening to withdraw from the first presidential debate of 2008, will remember that Obamas composed demeanour was what was required in those days of disaster.

This again is a period of turmoil. Angst ruled 2016 among American voters and Trump was the winner of their discontent. Unlike Obama, though, Trump will pick at the scab rather than apply salve. That has been his political style and it has worked for him.

Read | Obamas last day as US President: Bare walls, empty offices and a farewell call

While the Obama administration was far from scandal-free as insiders have been trying to portray it, it certainly did not devolve into spectacle. Thats a reason why the appellation No Drama Obama was deserved.

The next four years could more than compensate for that. If Trump keeps his campaign promises on his first day, and his first 100 days, that theatre will expand and the reviews wont be very flattering. That, in itself, will add another ring to the circus, with Trump having every slight in his sights. And for that, he will have his cyber bully pulpit to stream his reality soap opera.

Anirudh Bhattacharyya is a Toronto-based commentator on American affairs

The views expressed are personal

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Last week I was in Tamil Nadu, on a long overdue trip to visit the great Chola temples. The temples were even more majestic than I had anticipated or hoped for. I spent long afternoons in each of the three best known ones, together maintained as a World Heritage Site.

My visit coincided with the growing protests around Jallikattu. The place I was staying in had no television, but I was kept abreast of the news by family members at home, watching the protests unfold in Chennai and beyond. And I had internet access, so I could follow the thoughts on the subject that were pouring forth on websites and on Twitter.

Unlike some other Indians, I did not need the Supreme Court to inform me about the practice which many Tamils now sought to uphold. Two decades ago, I compiled an anthology of the writings of the great Tamil naturalist M Krishnan, which included a fine, sharply observed essay written in 1951 on what Krishnan (since he was writing for an English-owned paper), called The Jellicut. A Jellicut is a major event in rural areas, wrote Krishnan, addressing his Bengali and North Indian audience, adding: Men and beasts come to it from all around, sometimes from considerable distances.

Now, in 2017, the desire to defend the Jallikattu had become a major event in the urban areas of Tamil Nadu as well. Men were coming from considerable distances to display their devotion to the practice. I saw this at first-hand, when on my drive back to Bengaluru, I was confronted head-on by the rising tide of popular sentiment. I spotted several demonstrations along the road, and then at Salem, where the highway passes through the city, traffic stalled completely. Trucks and cars lay piled up, crowds (all male) were milling, and there were no police in sight. We were surrounded by a group of angry young men, whereupon we turned into a side road, and, via a long detour, rejoined the highway well past Salem.

My personal experience confirmed what I had been alerted to long ago by M Krishnan: that Jallikattu had deep roots in Tamil society. But the claims being made for it by the ideologists supporting the protests were far greater; that it was, in effect, the essence and embodiment of Tamil culture. The Supreme Court ban was thus being seen as a direct, dangerous and possibly mortal threat to the identity and survival of the Tamil people.

The hyperbole was particularly rife in social media. Here, there was a noticeable attempt to cloak the Tamil cause with the colours of Hindutva. It was being said that Western-funded NGOs had coerced the Court to ban the practice; and that this would aid multinational corporations to sell foreign breeds of cows here (since the survival of native breeds allegedly depended on their being bashed and bruised during Jallikattu). Other enthusiasts were comparing the leaders of the protest on Marina Beach to Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh.

In social media as well as on the streets, passion almost always trumps over reason. But within the space afforded by a newspaper column one can at least try to redress the balance. So let me say first of all that there are reasonable grounds to oppose a ban on Jallikattu. One can seek to conduct the practice in moderation, and within parameters that minimize animal or human suffering.

That said, the extreme claims made on behalf of the agitation are untenable. It was certainly not an uprising of the Tamil people. It was active only in a few districts, and here, too, dominated by men, often of particular castes. Dalit intellectuals had spoken out against Jallikattu, since the practice tied Dalits down to the rearing of animals, closing down their avenues to a dignified livelihood. And as some Tamil feminists pertinently asked, why were there no such mass protests against the widespread attacks on women?

Read | Jallikattu protests are an uprising against a failed political system

Untenable, too, is the attempt make Jallikattu a signifier of the authentic or true Tamil identity. Surely aesthestically-minded Tamils should be far prouder of their great heritage of art, architecture, literature and music. Surely socially conscious Tamils should and would be prouder of the great traditions of progressive social reform represented by, among others, Iyothee Thass and Periyar. In a state still rife with caste and gender discrimination, a state reeling under the impact of a severe drought, did this defence of an archaic and sometimes oppressive practice merit such massive and disproportionate attention, so much passion and energy?

Nationalism allied with emotion can make people do strange and sometimes stupid things. There is certainly a case for continuing Jallikattu in a modified form. Animal rights fundamentalists are often wrong, and even the Supreme Court can occasionally be mistaken. But the manner in which the Jallikattu protests are being furthered and represented does the Tamil people no justice. To reduce Tamil identity to Jallikattu is as farcical and tragic as the ongoing attempt to reduce Indian identity to the worship of the flag.

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Are reports of the slowing down of the economy post-demonetisation anecdotal, as the Union finance minister has claimed? Or are they substantial and credible? Seventy-five days after demonetisation was announced this question needs to be answered.

Arun Jaitleys confidence is based on direct tax collections rising by 12% and indirect tax collections by 25% in the first three quarters of this financial year. But look a little deeper and the picture is different. April-December saw indirect tax growth of only 25% compared to nearly 34 last year. Second, indirect tax growth decelerated from 30.5% in October to 23.1 in November and 14.2 in December. No doubt direct tax collection has accelerated but that is, at least, partly due to a change in the advance tax payment schedule.

However, the real reasons for questioning Jaitleys statement are a series of recent surveys. Their findings are worrying and cannot be taken lightly.

The Society for Automobile Manufacturers says sales of cars, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles has fallen by 18.7%, the biggest drop since 2000. Knight Frank India says home sales in eight major cities have fallen by 44%. The All India Manufacturers Organisation says Small and Medium Enterprises (8% of GDP and 45% of manufacturing) have cut their workforce by 35% whilst their revenues have dipped by 50%. Finally, the State Bank says bank credit off-take has declined to a historic low. Surely these are not anecdotes but real facts? You cant ignore or dismiss them.

Read: Demonetisation: A virtual nuclear strike to tackle a mosquito

Going further and possibly building on this, the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy says the average daily value of new investment proposals announced since November 8 has slumped by nearly 60%. Its Managing Director, Mahesh Vyas, now expects GDP growth of just 6% this year  compared to last years growth of 7.6  and it will stay at that level for the next five years. If that turns out to be the case, it could be very depressing.

However, there are a few reports and statistics that point in the other direction. Contradicting the bad news, the recent industrial production (IIP) figure shows an increase of 5.7% in November, the highest for 13 months. With regard to agriculture, Niti Aayog claims its growth story is intact. In a recent report it says: Demonetisation is found to have had insignificant effect on output growth as well as farmers income.

However, the IIP figure could be misleading because of whats called the base effect. In November 2015 it fell by 3.4% which could make this years rise seem bigger than it is. And Niti Aayogs confidence is questioned by reports (Indian Express 9/1) that the average daily demand for NREGA recorded a 60% increase in December.

Read: Resale realty market hit hardest by demonetisation

As I am not an economist Im not sure what conclusion to come to. The IIP figure is the only indication that industry is unaffected. All the others convincingly suggest otherwise. On the agriculture front we may well perform better than 2015-16 but that was a second consecutive drought year.

So let me end with a note of caution: the economic suffering may be exaggerated by some but its not anecdotal and it would be unwise to dismiss it.

The views expressed are personal

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Bughani, a village about 35km from Pauri town, has produced two chief ministers and several government officials, but migration has reduced it to almost a forsaken place. Dilapidated houses, fallow fields and absence of youths  all signs of outflow from the village.

Bughani is the ancestral village of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna, a wily leader who started his political journey with Congress and went on to become the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1973, and later the union finance, and petroleum and chemicals minister.

Vijay Bahuguna, who was a judge in the Bombay high court, stepped into his fathers shoes and became the chief minister of Uttarakhand in 2012. He was replaced by Harish Rawat in January 2014 after the 2013 flashfloods that killed thousands of people.

Pauri district has never been Vijay Bahugunas political battlefield except for the 1996 Lok Sabha elections in which he came third; Satpal Maharaj won the Pauri seat. Vijay Bahuguna later contested from the Tehri Lok Sabha seat and was elected as an MP in 2007 and 2009.

When the Congress appointed Vijay Bahuguna as the Uttarakhand chief minister, Kiran Mandal vacated the Sitarganj constituency in Udham Singh Nagar district to facilitate his election to the assembly in a by-election.

HN Bahugunas daughter Rita Bahuguna Joshi was the Uttar Pradesh Congress president, but she joined the BJP last year after her brother Vijay Bahuguna switched to the saffron party.

Of the 65 families that lived at Bughani, only 22 remain  and they comprise mainly the elderly reluctant to leave their native place. Most youths have migrated; the primary school at the village has only eight students on its rolls.

Like other villages of the hills, Bughani faces drinking water shortage and lacks facilities for education and health care. Disenchantment with agriculture, mainly because of crop damage by wild boars and monkeys, and lack of employment opportunities have fuelled migration.

Many houses at Bughani have crumbled, some are dilapidated and are beyond repair and some remain locked. The only signs of development are concrete roads and a museum being constructed in the memory of HN Bahuguna.

Most people living in Bughani lament that despite producing several political giants and officiala, the village did not develop the way it should have. Ridheshvari Devi, 80, the sole member of a family, was nostalgic of HN Bahugunas visits. He would arrange feasts not only for his village but for all the surrounding villages, and would listen to the complaints of the people, she said. That type of social interaction is missing after his death though some prominent people of this village do come occasionally.

Most people have left the village to seek quality education for their children, and the poor have been left behind, said Mahant Dinesh Puri. Had the government provided English-medium schools and quality living conditions, many would have stayed back.

Gajendra Singh Bhandari, who returned to the village after retiring from Sashastra Seema Bal, said had the government improved drinking water facilities, opened banks, sanctioned projects to utilise land and provided job opportunities, migration could have been checked.

With the coming up of an NIT at Sumari, the museum at Bughani, and an archeological site at Devalgarh, this area would see better days, says an optimistic Anil Dangwal.

Pramod Uniyal said, The government failed to address the basic problems of the villagers. The hospital does not have medicines, and the two hand pumps, installed at the village to tackle drinking water crisis, spew dirty water because their filters were not changed.
At least two policemen were injured Saturday in clashes between security forces and unknown militants in North Sinai, state owned news agency MENA reported, citing security sources.

In press statements, security sources said that clashes erupted in Al-Arish and extended to a North Sinai highway, leading to the wounding of several policemen.

According to the sources, a North Sinai security directorate deputy in the investigation department and several conscripts were among those injured.

They were transferred to hospitals to receive medical treatment.

The sources said that the terrorist elements opened fire on a police contingent during a security raid, leading to major clashes with heavy gunfire as police forces responded.

Police were combing surrounding areas to arrest the militants responsible.

The interior ministry has yet to release a statement on the incident.

The attack comes nearly a week after Egypts interior ministry announced it had killed a leading figure in the Sinai based terrorist group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis during a raid on a house in the governorate.

Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis has claimed responsibility for the majority of attacks against security personnel and installations in the restive North Sinai.

Egypts army and police forces have been waging a war over the past three years against an Islamist militant insurgency in North Sinai that has seen hundreds of security personnel, as well as hundreds of terrorists killed.

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Swaraj India, the political party floated by former AAP members Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, on Saturday attacked the Delhi government over its claims of improving the citys education system. The party alleged that the government was making false claims about work done in the education sector.

As part of its Jawaab Do, Hisaab Do campaign  a precursor to the partys campaign for the upcoming municipal polls  Swaraj India president Yogendra Yadav raised questions on the poll promises made in AAPs education manifesto during the Delhi Assembly elections. He said that the governments claim of doubling the education budget was a myth as the number of schools and colleges in the national capital had declined.

Only four new schools have been constructed in the entire year. This is much lower than what the Sheila Dikshit government built in a year in the last four years of its rule. The AAP had promised to build 500 new schools in its election manifesto. In 2014-15, there were 1,007 schools run by the Delhi government. By the end of 2015-16, only four new schools had been added, Yadav said.

Read more: Yogendra Yadavs Swaraj India enters Punjab poll fray: AAP graph sliding

He also said that the government gave only three loans of Rs 3.15 lakh under its higher education and skill guarantee scheme, while incurring an expenditure of over Rs 30 lakh to advertise the scheme.

The Swaraj India party further said that enrolment in Delhi government schools fell by 28,000 and of the 42,827 seats in private schools under the economically weaker section (EWS) quota, as many as 24,372 were lying unoccupied.

Talking about colleges, Yadav said: Kejriwal had promised 20 new colleges. But by the end of 2015-16, Delhi actually had one college less than what it did the year before for general education. There are 84 colleges in Delhi now, compared to 85 in 2014-15.

The Delhi government termed Swaraj Indias claim as misinformation.Misinformation being spread on governments higher education loan scheme. More than 100 students have been sanctioned loan this year, said Atishi Marlena, advisor to education minister Manish Sisodia.
Free mobile phones to 28,000 sanitation workers, permanent jobs to 6,000 daily wagers plus free life insurance, 500 special toilets for the physically challenged, a medicity and legal status to illegal constructions made up to February 8, 2007 in rural areas were among a slew of sops announced by the BJP-ruled North Delhi Municipal Corporation ahead of the crucial MCD polls in Delhi.

The promises were made notwithstanding the crippling financial crunch -- the estimated budgetary deficit for the next financial year will be R3,610 crore -- that the civic body is facing. The current deficit Rs 2,754 crore.

All three municipal corporations in the city are ruled by the BJP. Except the south Delhi civic body, both north and east bodies have not turned profit ever since their inception in 2012. However, with the poll dynamics changed this year with the emergence of AAP, the BJP-ruled civic bodies are losing no opportunity to woo the voters ahead of the municipal polls which are likely to be held in April.

Read: MCD polls: Infighting surfaces in Delhi BJP, leaders seek appointment from Amit Shah

Sanitation and other staff of the civic body have gone on strikes in the past couple of years several times over non-payment of regular salaries.

Chairman of the North Delhi Municipal Corporations standing committee, Pravesh Wahi, also announced that senior citizens above 100 years of age will be exempt from paying property tax, provided the said property is registered their name. The agency also promised organising monthly heath camp for women.

Sanitation workers would be given free mobiles by end of this year. We will finance the project from funds received under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan from the Centre. The decision would help in strengthening sanitation services. Their mobile numbers will be shared with RWAs who can contact them in case they are absent from work, said Wahi.

He said 6,000 daily wagers will be regularised in different departments against the vacant positions, in a phased manner.

Wahi also declared to free hold the 1500 flats allotted under Ambedkar Awas Yojna to North Corporations safai karamcharis during the presentation of revised budget for 2016-17 and budget estimate for 2017-18.

Read: Rationalise staff, mechanise: NGT tells EDMC to resolve MCD strike

The leader of the opposition Mukesh Goel rapped the BJP for making big announcements without having the funds to implement them. The corporation has no money to pay salaries on time so how it will provide funds for implementing the sops. They are simply fooling people and making promises which can never be fulfilled, he said.

Also, the decision to exempt senior citizens above 100 from paying property tax is really funny. How many people in city would be above 100 years? he said.

Goel also riled the BJP over the announcement of disabled-friendly toilets. They have promised 500 toilets. But the truth is that they did not construct even 30 such toilets. There is no land to construct these toilets, said Goel.

Wahi also announced tax exemption to residential properties up to 20 square metres from the next fiscal. These properties are largely occupied by the poor, said Wahi.

To increase revenue collection, the chairman also shared plans to sell advertising space on MCD website. Our website is viewed by lakhs of people every day. Advertisements could help us earn Rs 10 crore per year, said Wahi.

NDMC also said that with the UPIC (unique property identity cards) system, survey of 37 wards have been done and 2 lakh properties have been identified which did not pay property tax.

NDMC would collect property tax from these properties and it is expected to earn Rs 250 crore in each next two financial years, he said.

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The Kalindi Kunj bypass project, which has been lying in cold storage for the past 16 years, will finally see light of the day.

The 13-km project -- 5.5 km of which will be elevated -- to decongest Ashram Chowk and Mathura Road was in limbo over transfer of some tracts of land under the UP government.

The UP government has now agreed in-principle to transfer the land to Delhi PWD in a few days.

According to PWD officials, with the bypass in place commuters from east Delhi, south Delhi and Noida going towards Faridabad will be able to avoid Ashram completely.

The first leg of the bypass will start from the DND flyover and touch down at Kalindi Kunj. Here, the existing road that joins Badarpur flyover will be widened. Once at the Badarpur flyover, commuters will have a signal-free access to Faridabad.

One completed, the travel time to Faridabad will be reduced by 30 minutes. It will also make the drive to Agra smooth and hassle-free. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is already constructing a highway bypassing Faridabad.

Read: Unclog Delhi before its too late

People using Ring Road will be able to take this elevated section after Sarai Kale Khan, from the point where DND starts now. People coming from Noida will be able to use this road. Currently, they have to come all the way to Ashram Chowk and use Mathura Road. The bypass will run parallel to it up to Jamia Nagar, the official added.

The bypass will run by the side of Yamuna and then pass through UP irrigation colony. It will be aligned away from the bird sanctuary so that it does not disturb the ecology. It will pass through Agra canal and end at existing Kalindi Kunj-Badarpur road, which is currently under expansion.

We will link other parts of Noida through an additional bridge on the Yamuna. The UP irrigation department fears it will damage the Agra canal but we have assured them of every precaution, the official added.

The estimated cost of the project is 750 crore and it will be completed in two phases. In the first phase, the stretch from Kalindi Kunj to Badarpur flyover will be expanded and then the stretch between DND and Kalindi Kunj will be constructed.

The approval over land use comes after Delhi chief secretary MM Kutty wrote to his counterpart in UP to resolve the land issue. The issue was discussed in a meeting of the NCR planning board.

The project was conceived by the Delhi government in 2000 but it could not be executed due to the issue of transfer of land. Chief secretary level talks are on and project is likely to see the light finally, said a PWD official.

Also read: Delhi policeman puts duty first, helps arrest son who stabbed woman 9 times

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New Delhi

The Delhi Police said on Saturday they will file a chargesheet in the case of a 21-year-old JNU student, who was allegedly raped by two Afghan nationals at their south Delhis Green Park flat last week, in the first week of February.

The two alleged accused - identified as Twaab Ahmed, 27, and Sulaiman Ahmadi, 31 - have been arrested and sent to Tihar Jail.

A senior official said the Afghan men were living in India for the past few months and hold cards purportedly issued by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Twaab works as an event manager in Delhi and Sulaiman is unemployed.

We have already recorded the statement of the rape survivor and her female friend with whom she had gone to a pub in Hauz Khas village and from there to the flat of the two Afghan nationals where she was raped, a senior police officer said.

The complainants friend has claimed that they were dropped to their hostel in JNU by her boyfriend and the two Afghan nationals after the party. While she stayed back, her friend accompanied them back to the flat, he added.

The friend told police that the woman, a second year BA (Honours) student, learnt about the sexual assault only after she returned to the hostel the next morning. Her boyfriend was also present at the flat, but he was not involved in the crime and was not was aware that his two Afghan friends had raped the woman, a police officer said.

He added said that they will also record the statement of the third person who was present at the flat. Their statements will be corroborated with the rape survivors statement and her medical examination report while preparing the chargesheet.

The police have not registered the case under section 376D of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that defines gangrape. The FIR was filed under section 376 (rape) of the IPC even though the woman said in her complaint that she was sexually assaulted by Twaab and Sulaiman.

The officer explained that during investigations it was found that the first alleged sexual assault on the woman was made allegedly by one of the two Afghan nationals at the flat before the women were dropped to their hostel.

The other accused assaulted her when she returned (from JNU) with them to their flat. We have also added section 34 of the IPC which establishes that the crime was done with common intention, he added.

In her complaint, the woman said that she along with a friend from her hostel had gone to a pub in Hauz Khas village last week where she met her friends boyfriend and the two Afghan nationals. From there they went to their flat for a bonfire party on the terrace.

Sources said that the woman was initially reluctant to file a police complaint as she feared for the reputation of her family and her father, who is a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) rank official in Uttar Pradesh.

She agreed to file the complaint only when her friend insisted and accompanied her to the Safdarjung Enclave police station.
An employee of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) allegedly attempted suicide by consuming poison at his office in south Delhis Sarojini Nagar on Friday evening. Soon after this, he developed cold feet and rushed to a nearby hospital in his Santro car. But his life could not be saved.

The 58-year-old assistant sanitary inspector (ASI), Harpal Singh, was said to be under pressure, as he was allegedly being harassed by his seniors. Police recovered a suicide note, which his family said he wrote in the hospital before his death. The ASI was posted in the NDMCs health department office in Sarojini Nagar. He was reportedly the in-charge of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Clean India programme in Sarojini Nagar locality.

Hum log yahan naukri karne aaye hainkisi ki bhi himmat hai ki humko naukri se hata degatoh fir hum kyon kisi se darte hain ya gulami karte hainMain aapko ye kah kar jaa raha hoonanyay kea age kabhi mat jhuko (We have come here to worknobody can take our jobthen why we are afraid of anybody or act like their slavesI am leaving this world by telling you that never give up to injustice), Singh wrote in the note, addressing his colleagues.

Read More|Workers suicide note blames zila parishad CEO

Singhs family blamed senior NDMC officials for his extreme step. They alleged that Singhs supervisory officers were harassing him by forcing him to work beyond his duty hours and in the areas that did not fall under his jurisdiction.

Singh is survived by his wife Usha and five children  three daughters and two sons  all married. His sons, Ashwani and Songi, are unemployed. Singh was the only bread earner in the family.

His nephew Sachin alleged that his uncle was forced to work for 18 to 20 hours every day, even when he was 58 years old. My uncles supervising officers used to ask him to engage sanitary workers in keeping the areas clean. They forced him to even clean railway tracks and areas that did not fall under his jurisdiction. My uncle was depressed because of such harassments, said Sachin.

A senior police officer said that the matter came to light around 7 pm after Singh reached a private hospital in Chanakyapuri and died during treatment. Doctors informed the Sarojini Nagar police and told them that Singh died allegedly due to poisoning. The police informed his family members who immediately reached the hospital.

Read More|First-year engg student of Amity varsity falls to death, cops suspect suicide

One of the doctors gave us the suicide note which my uncle wrote before his death. He has mentioned about harassment at workplace in the note. We want justice for him and action against those senior NDMC officials who are responsible for my uncles death, said Sachin adding that his uncle requested the doctors for a pen and paper as his condition started deteriorating and scribbled the suicide note just moments before he died.

The police, however, are probing if the note was written by Singh. We will consult handwriting experts and seek their help to ascertain if the handwriting in the note matched with Singhs handwriting, the officer said.

Meanwhile, the body of Singh was handed over to his family members after the autopsy was conducted at AIIMS. His preliminary autopsy shows that he also had a cardiac attack. Singhs viscera samples have been collected and will be sent to the forensic lab for examination. We want to know if he died due to cardiac attack or due to poisoning, as said by the private hospital doctors, the officer added.

The council will cooperate with the local police in their probe. Any action from our side will be taken only when the police enquiry is over. We cannot jump to any conclusion at this moment, said an NDMC spokesperson.

Read more|Ex-serviceman allegedly kills self over One Rank One Pension issue
An international drug trafficking racket, involved in pumping cocaine in India from Latin American, south Asian and some African countries, was busted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday.

Three Vietnamese nationals, including a 36-year-old woman, were arrested and three kilograms of cocaine and 450 grams of methaqualone, valued at over Rs 21 crore in the international market, seized from their possession. NCB sleuths nabbed the trio from a hotel in central Delhis Paharganj.

Rajendra Pal Singh, deputy director general of NCB told HT that the arrested were identified as T Hach Thi Thanh, 36, and her two male accomplices Phan Van Soan, 27, and Van Taon Do, 39. The cocaine seized from them was smuggled into India from Brazil via Vietnam and Ethiopias Addis Ababa by Thanh and Soan.

Interestingly, the consignment of cocaine was concealed in a way that it passed undetected at security check points at the IGI airport. Even the X-ray machines at the airports could not detect the packets.

Read more: Six heroin peddlers arrested

Madho Singh, NCBs zonal director (Delhi unit), said the cocaine was stuffed in small packets which were further tightly wrapped with several layers of black polythene. The packets were then hidden between two thick layers of black polythene and kept in the bags.

X-ray machines detect suspicious items through colour coding. The packets of drugs went undetected because they appeared black in the X-ray machines, Singh said, adding the two Vietnamese citizens arrived at IGI Airport by Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa on Friday.

After landing in Delhi, Thanh and Soan reached a hotel in Paharganj while their aide Van Taon Do was staying since January 16. NCB sleuths were tipped off about the drug consignment by their informers and they raided the hotel room where the three Vietnamese nationals were caught with cocaine and methaqualone.

Interrogation of the trio revealed that they were transporting the consignment on instructions of two of their handlers  a woman staying in Vietnam and a Nigerian national staying in India. They were supposed to handover the drugs to the Nigerian national.

The three accused only speak Vietnamese. We took help from Vietnam embassy officials as translators, said a senior NCB official.

While Thanh and Soan were visiting India on a tourist visa for the first time, NCB officials suspect that Van Taon Do may have been a regular visitor. Soan told NCB officials that he allegedly has trafficked drugs into various south Asian and African countries like Singapore, Combodia and Togo in the past three years.

Read more: Drugs worth Rs 1 bn seized in Delhi

In a separate operation, three men were nabbed near Jahangirpuri Metro station with 14 kilograms of hashish on Friday. The arrested trio were smuggling the hash into Delhi from Himachal Pradesh in an i20 car.

The drugs recovered from them were to be delivered to one Gopal Das, a supplier in Uttar Pradesh and Faridabad, Haryana. Das and the two carriers, Rajinder and Brij Kishore, were arrested.
Amid much anticipation and many controversies, First Lady Melania Trump stunned fashion watchers by donning a sleek, off-the-shoulder cream dress with a daring thigh-high slit to dance with President Donald Trump at the inaugural balls.

Her column dress, finished with a sculpted ruffle that cascaded down the front of the gown and cinched at the waist with a red ribbon, won praise for being fresh, modern, elegant and yet understated.

She won rave reviews for her look and originality in choosing in Herve Pierre a New York-based designer who last year struck out on his own after working as creative director for famed label Carolina Herrera.

Her pick is likely to boost sales and publicity for the relatively unknown Pierre, much like her predecessor Michelle Obamas selection of the then relatively unknown Jason Wu in 2009 turned him into a star.

The 45th American President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend the Liberty Inaugural Ball in Washington on Friday. (AFP)

The 46-year-old former model glowed as she stepped onto the dance floor, her auburn hair hanging around her shoulders, with her husband, dressed in a black tie, to My Way the song made popular by Frank Sinatra and considered something of a personal anthem for Trump.

The couple swayed rather gingerly, the Republican president clutching his wife tightly by one hand and placing his other on her back as they nuzzled, and exchanged smiles and laughs.

The former reality TV star, who reportedly refused to practice the dance ahead of time, at times broke away from his wife to wave or flash a thumbs up to unidentified members of the crowd.

They were joined by Trumps adult children from his two previous marriages, each dancing with their other halfs, and first daughter Ivanka stunning in a pink bead-encrusted princess Herrera gown.

American President Donald J Trump dances with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington on Friday. (AP)

Channeling Jackie O in Ralph Lauren

Womens Wear Daily, quoting Pierre, said Trump collaborated on the gown. He said it had been an honour to dress her under my name after dressing first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama while working for Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera, it said.

The new first ladys sartorial picks for the inauguration went some way to silencing critics who have complained in the past that she favoured high-end European clothes rather than American creations.

Earlier in the day she donned a custom-made power blue suit from US fashion royalty Ralph Lauren for her husbands swearing-in ceremony.

Her cashmere turtleneck dress fell to her knee, paired with a cropped bolero jacket and matching suede gloves. The Slovenian-born first lady wore her hair swept up, showcasing diamond stud earrings.

First Lady Melania Trump donned a custom-made power blue suit from US fashion royalty Ralph Lauren for her husbands swearing-in ceremony. (AFP)

It was a look that channeled her 1960s predecessor Jackie Kennedy, of whom she has spoken admiringly, the wife of slain Democratic president John F. Kennedy and considered one of the most stylish first ladies.

Lauren, a 77-year-old master who personifies a rags-to-riches American dream is perhaps the countrys most iconic living designer, whose clothes define a uniquely American sense of elegance.

His decision to work with the new first lady comes after a string of other designers refused to dress her, citing opposition to her husbands controversial policies on immigration and campaign insults.

An American first ladys clothes have become hugely influential, believed to send implicit messages about the tone of their husbands administrations.

Old fashioned feel

American President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk along the Inauguration Day parade route in Washington on Friday. (AP)

Both Melania Trumps outfits on Friday are likely to go on display at the Smithsonians National Museum of American History along with first lady inaugural wear dating back to Mamie Eisenhower.

Obama was particularly praised for her savvy blend of accessible high street clothes with striking high-end pieces that championed a host of little known designers.

As the wife of a billionaire, it remains unclear whether Trump will follow Obamas example and include cheaper outfits in her wardrobe.

She will also have to work hard to keep up with 35-year-old Ivanka, who unlike Melania is moving straight to Washington with her husband, Jared Kushner, an incoming White House advisor.

Tickets to the official balls went for $50 a head, which the Trump team said was designed to make them accessible to the ordinary voters who helped propel Trump into the White House, electrified by his populist, message that has nonetheless alarmed vast swaths of America.

The three official balls, the grand finale to inauguration day, served up a slice of old fashioned glamour with performances from the likes of the Rockettes, Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance and Sam Moore.

Aged 70 and the oldest man ever sworn in as US president, and the first to have never previously held elected or military office, Trump and his family took to the dance floor at all three.

The choice of My Way, a song made globally famous by Sinatra in 1969 is synonymous with Trumps hometown New York and is own tear-up-the rule book approach to politics that ended in his widely unexpected election.

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A thunderstorm and cold winds from the Himalayas are expected to hit the city next week, bringing another spell of chill, the Met department said. Gurgaon has been shivering even after Lohri festival with the minimum temperature recorded five degrees below normal and the maximum temperature three degree below normal in the last week.

The on set of the cold spell has been later than usual this year as Lohri, which was celebrated on January 13, traditionally marks the end of bone-chilling weather.

The minimum temperature was 6.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The Himalayas will witness heavy snowfall on Tuesday and Wednesday and as a result, the cold wave will return to the city, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The maximum temperature was 17 degrees Celsius on Saturday.

Residents are advised to remain indoors and avoid the extreme weather conditions. A cold wind will blow into the city and as a result, the temperature is expected to dip by two to three degrees in the coming week. Light shower and thunderstorm are also expected next week, the IMD said.

Dense fog is also likely in the morning in the next few days and visibility might come down to less than 50 metres, the weatherman said.

The sky was cloudy early on Saturday and a cold breeze swept the city. There was no sunshine for most part of the day and residents were seen keeping themselves warm around bonfires.

The sudden dip in temperature from the beginning of January has made life difficult. The evenings have become colder in the last few days and we have been enjoying bonfire at night in our society, Rakesh Singh of Sector 15 said.

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The badly-damaged stretch between Mahavir Chowk, near the bus stand, and the Management Development Institute (MDI) roundabout, spanning 3 km, is proving a bane for vehicles plying on it and needs immediate fixing. The commuters are upset how the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG), the custodian of this road, turned a deaf ear to their complaints and sat on its haunches as it went from bad to worse over the last five years.

This saga of apathy dates back three years when former MCG chief engineer BS Singroha prepared an estimate of Rs 29 to re-carpet the stretch. However, the project was scrapped later by Vikas Gupta, former MCG commissioner and fresh tenders were invited in February 2015.

Hemant Kumar, a resident of New Colony, said, One proposes and the other disposes. This has been a perennial disease that has affected the day-to-day functioning of the MCG and stalled all development works. The stretch is used by commuters coming from the far-flung areas of the district en route to Faridabad via Iffco Chowk. Besides, tens of thousands of city commuters and others who come to work from NCR, too, fetch up on this stretch for their daily commute. The stretch from Mahavir Chowk to Iffco Chowk carriageway is in a particularly bad state. My car suffered a lot of wear and tear after a drive on this stretch. I have since posted several complaints to all top (MCG) officials, but nothing happened.

Read I Two accident-prone stretches to get road reflectors, markers

The stretch is important as it also connects industrial areas of sector 14, Government Girls College, Civil Hospital, Old MCG office and the bus stand, apart from hotels and other notable hospitals.

Yashpal Batra, senior deputy mayor, Gurgaon, said, Since Vikas Gupta scrapped Singrohas estimate and ordered fresh tenders, theres been no development work in the city. We also want the MCG to have the road re-carpeted urgently.

Read I Felling of trees stalls Old Delhi-Gurgaon road expansion

The road used to be in the care of the Haryana Urban Development Authority before 2011. However, that was the before HUDA (Haryana Urban Development Authority) got the MCG to take up custodianship of this road for the sake of regular maintenance and re-carpeting.

MR Sharma, superintending engineer (SE) MCG said, We stopped re-carpeting work in November as the winter had set in. We will start again soon and complete the job by February-end.

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Haryana police has imposed restrictions on plying of heavy vehicles in Gurgaon for two days in the wake of Republic Day parade and dress rehearsal prior to that on January 23.

A spokesperson of the Haryana police said that in view of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26 and its full dress rehearsal on January 23, heavy vehicles, except those carrying milk, fruits, vegetables and other essential items, will not be allowed to enter Delhi through Gurgaon district.

A Haryana police official said that the restriction on plying of heavy vehicles would remain enforced from 8.30pm on January 22 to 12.30pm on January 23, and from 8.30pm on January 25 to 12.30pm on January 26.

A written communication to this effect has been sent to superintendents of police of Rewari, Nuh and Jhajjar, and commissioner of police (traffic) Faridabad. They have been directed not to allow heavy vehicles to enter Gurgaon district and divert traffic through other routes or get vehicles parked by identifying a proper place.

The commissioner of police (traffic) Gurgaon also held a meeting with transporters and urged them to cooperate in following these directions, the spokesman said.

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Syria's government and rebel fighters will on Monday sit down at the negotiating table for the first time in nearly six years of war, the latest diplomatic push to end hostilities.

Hosted in the Kazakh capital Astana, the talks will see an opposition delegation composed exclusively of rebel groups negotiating with the regime of Bashar al-Assad in an initiative sponsored by rebel backer Turkey and regime allies Russia and Iran.

Though the talks have been welcomed by all parties in the conflict, delegates from both sides are heading to Kazakhstan with apparently opposing ideas about the goals, with Assad insisting Thursday that rebels lay down their arms in exchange for an amnesty deal.

Although Assad said the talks would prioritise reaching a ceasefire, Damascus has insisted it will seek a "comprehensive" political solution to the conflict that has killed more than 300,000 and displaced over half of the country's population.

The rebels meanwhile say they will focus solely on reinforcing a frail nationwide truce brokered by Moscow and Ankara last month.

Moscow said this week that the objective was to "consolidate" the ceasefire and to involve rebel field commanders in the "political process" to end the bloodshed, creating a basis for a new round of UN-hosted negotiations in Geneva next month.

Syria's UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari, an experienced negotiator involved in past failed talks in Geneva, will head the regime delegation in Astana.

The United Nations' peace envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, will also attend, alongside representatives of Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Mohammad Alloush of the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group -- whose rebel commander cousin Zahran Alloush was killed in an air strike claimed by the regime in December 2015 -- will lead a "military delegation" of around eight people.

They will be backed by nine legal and political advisors from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) umbrella group.

But key rebel group Ahrar al-Sham said it would snub the Astana talks over ceasefire violations and ongoing Russian air strikes on the country.

Ahrar al-Sham nonetheless said it would support decisions taken by other rebel groups represented at the talks if they were "in the interest of the nation".

The talks, which could last days, come a month after the Syrian regime, bolstered by its allies, took full control of second city Aleppo from rebels in its biggest victory in more than four years of fighting.

With stakes high and outcomes unclear, the Syrian opposition is wary that the regime could use the rebel groups' inexperience in political talks to its advantage in Astana, a European diplomatic source told AFP.

"There is genuine worry in the opposition that the representatives of rebel groups, which are not at all used to these types of international negotiations, will be dragged into a political solution that will play into the hand of the regime," the source said.

A negotiator in previous ceasefire agreements, Washington was last month sidelined from sponsoring the nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey after months of disengagement from the conflict.

US President Donald Trump's team has been invited to Astana but has not yet officially responded.

Washington's absence has seen Moscow and Ankara join efforts on the Syrian crisis despite lingering disagreements over Assad's future and other aspects of the conflict.

After overcoming a rift in relations following Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane in Syria in November 2015, the two countries this week conducted their first joint strikes against Islamic State group targets in an operation Moscow hailed as "highly effective".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview aired Saturday on Russian state television that deals that could help end the conflict in Syria were "unlikely" to be struck in Astana because "too many parties are involved in the process."

Iran, the talks' third sponsor, will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaber Ansari, the country's Isna news agency reported.

Analysts say Iran, a longtime ally of Assad, views the Astana talks as an opportunity to increase its influence in the region after playing a crucial role in the symbolic recapture of Aleppo.

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When Kripa* decided to start using contraceptives five months ago, she turned to Google to figure out which one to buy. I didnt want to go to a gynaecologist because most of them ask embarrassing questions and Im unmarried, says the 22-year-old makeup artist from Mumbai. Her random Google search informed her that the emergency morning-after pill was rated five stars. So she bought a strip and began popping them as contraceptives.

Two months ago, she began to feel severely nauseous and bled very heavily during her period. I looked up the possible causes on the internet, tried a painkiller that a friend suggested, but nothing worked, she says. Finally, last month, she sought out a doctor. The gynaecologist told her it was a case of faulty contraception.

The case of PR executive, Kriti Rathi*, 21, is somewhat similar. She saw a gynaecologist recently with complaints of irregular periods, it did not take much time for her doctor to figure out the reason.

Read:Myth busted: Nope. Contraceptives do not kill sexual desire, age does

Rathi had a habit of popping in the morning-after pill whenever she had unprotected sex. On an average, she had been popping two-three pills in a month for the past couple of years, sometimes even back to back. For the past 6 months, she was experiencing irregular periods, and decided to consult a doctor.

Across urban India, doctors are becoming increasingly concerned that, as girls start to have sex younger, and at the same time develop an unfounded trust in the internet, they are self-medicating when it comes to contraceptives, with potentially disastrous results.

Many young women  including minors  do not realise that starting regular contraceptive use without medical supervision can have severe health effects, says Dr Charusheela Sabne, gynaecologist at Punes Sahyadri Hospital.

The emergency morning-after pill, for instance, is not meant to be taken on an ongoing basis, and can cause irregular menstrual cycles, loss of fertility, hormonal imbalances, cramps and nausea if misused. Overall, regular contraceptive use without medical supervision can also cause serious health hazards such as cervical erosion. Emergency contraceptive pills or morning-after pills may be available over-the-counter, but experts warn against using them in place of a regular oral contraceptive. It is an emergency measure and must be taken only in dire circumstances. It is not safe to use an emergency contraceptive frequently, says Dr Bandana Sodhi, senior obstetrician and gynaecologist at New Delhis Moolchand Hospital. Dr Sodhi sees about three to four women in a month who have had a habit of using emergency contraceptives frequently.

The frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills has side effects. Also, these pills have a high failure rate.

If a woman is having three-four pills in a month, why cant she go for regular contraceptive methods, asks Dr Tripat Chaudhary, senior obstetrician & gynaecologist at Fortis La Femme, Delhi. Taking these pills once in a while is ok. But frequent use messes up your periods. You dont need these pills if you dont fall into the fertile period, and only a doctor will be able to tell better, says Chaudhary.

On the internet, anybody can present themselves as a pregnancy and contraception advisor. We are seeing a rising number of cases of gynaecological complications and even pregnancy where contraception was used. Unfortunately, young people do not know what kind of contraception should be used, or how it should be used, says Dr Anita Soni, a gynaecologist at Mumbais super specialty Hiranandani Hospital.

Dr Madhuri Laha, consultant for obstetrics and gynaecology at the Columbia Asia Hospital in Pune adds that girls as young as 16 are reporting such complications.

Doctors say that the new generation of birth control pills are low dose and dont lead to weight gain or other side effects. (Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, technology is marching forward. In November, the union health ministry announced a mass roll-out of injectable contraceptives to help widen contraceptive choices for women.

Though no contraceptive method is 100% effective all the time, doctors prefer a regular pill if one is sexually active and doesnt want to conceive.

Read:Injectable contraceptives allow women greater autonomy

It is mostly the myths surrounding the oral contraceptives that deter women from taking them regularly. The newer generation of pills are low dose and dont lead to weight gain or other side effects like nausea, says Dr Sodhi. There is no lack of choices; the problem is lack of information and awareness, Dr Laha says.

The ideal contraception varies according to the age of the woman, says Dr Sonal Kumta, consultant gynaecologist at Fortis hospital, Mumbai. You should not choose your own contraception. Always get advice from a doctor, she adds.

Counselling for girls and their mothers is the only way. The fault lies in the system as theres easy access to most drugs, and no proper sex education, says Dr Chaudhary. Counselling is an art, so for it to work with a teenager one has to be extremely patient.

(Names changed on request)
India will start providing free vaccination against pneumococcal diseases this year as part of its universal immunisation programme. Beginning in phases with five states -- Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh -- pneumococcal vaccination will be scaled up to cover all states over the next two years.

Theres need for the live-saving vaccine. Pneumococcal infections kill one child every three minutes in India, with more than 180,000 children dying of the infection each year. The symptoms include high fever, chills, a productive cough with breathing difficulty, and pain in the lungs, which can lead to septicaemia (blood poisoning) and death. Pneumococcal infections spread from person to person through close contact and take more lives each year than HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, Zika and Ebola, combined.



Its not just children who get sick. Lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, are the fourth common cause of all deaths in India, after heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and stroke, reports The Global Burden of Disease 2015.

Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but children under two years, adults 65-years-old and above, smokers and people with compromised immunity because of disorders such as chronic lung conditions, liver disease, kidney disease or heart disease are at higher risk.

Shot of life

The magic wand against infection is the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV-13), which protects children and adults against common ear infections and life-threatening infections in the lungs (pneumonia), blood (bacteremia) and the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). PCV-13 protects against 13 of the 90 strains of bacteria that cause the most severe infections in children and about half of infections in high-risk adults.

Its a deactivated vaccine that contains no live bacteria and cannot cause disease. It is a highly effective vaccine, and many studies in the European Union, US, Africa and Australia showing it is 85-100% effective in preventing disease, says Dr Keith P. Klugman, director, pneumonia, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on a visit to India.



The vaccine does more than protect those who are vaccinated. Studies show that PCV-13 lowers antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by bringing down infection in the community and reducing the need for antibiotics. It greatly reduces antibiotic use in children, as bacterial ear infection is the biggest reason for antibiotic prescription in children, says Klugman. These effects are amplified by the vaccine extending protection to unvaccinated persons in the community to create herd immunity.

Apart from eliminating antibiotic use, vaccination lowers the risk of complications by opportunistic infections, and the need for broad-spectrum treatment of a clinical syndrome, such as pneumonia.

India will start providing free vaccination against pneumococcal diseases this year as part of its universal immunisation programme. (Shutterstock)

Fighting resistance

Vaccines, including PCV, even work against those bacterial strains that have developed resistance. Resistance was already becoming a problem in Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) by the time vaccines against these organisms were introduced, but the vaccines have reduced or nearly eliminated the problem, write researchers from Harvard in the journal mBio, the journal of the American Society of Microbiology.

A systematic review of the indirect effects of PCV vaccination on the general population published in Lancet Global Health 2017 showed that childhood PCV programmes lead to substantial protection across the whole population within a decade.



The US is a case in point. Before the vaccine, pneumococcal disease caused more than 700 cases of meningitis, about 13,000 blood infections, about 5 million ear infections, and 200 deaths in children under-5 each year. Within four years of the vaccine becoming available, severe pneumococcal disease in children fell by 88%. With the introduction of PCV vaccines (PCV7 in 2000 and PCV13 in 2010) in children in the US, it reached the lowest level of disease within three years and herd protection in five years, said Dr Klugman. Vaccinating children is the most cost-effective way to prevent infection in the general population.

Cotrimoxazole was the WHO drug of choice to treat pneumonia a decade ago, but since then, overuse and misuse has led to some bacterial strains becoming resistant to it. This makes prevention through vaccination even more imperative, says Dr Klugman.

The PCV-13 vaccine can safely be given with other vaccines in the immunisation schedule. Along with the rotavirus vaccine, which was introduced last year in the four states -- Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha  it will help demonstrate how the two vaccines bring down hospitalisations and deaths in children. If both vaccines reach all the children they are meant to reach, they can swiftly halve under-5 deaths.

Close to 30% children miss out on life-saving vaccines in India each year. The challenge is making sure no child is missed.

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Mishearing the word pitch for b***h and having it removed, censoring shots of a character drinking juice and soda because they believed it to be liquor; the CBFCs decisions are often controversial, and as it turns out, just as arbitrary.

In an in-depth interview conducted by the film website Birth.Movies.Deaths Siddhant Adlakha, which ended with him getting kicked out, the bizarre inner workings of the Pahlaj Nihalani-run censor board are laid bare.

The interview, which Adlakha describes as by far the weirdest Ive conducted, Nihalani says that he doesnt watch a single movie that is sent for certification, and instead, passes them on to an examining committee. In the 2 years that he has been in charge of the CBFC, Nihalani says that he has seen only about 30 films in an official capacity.

In fairness, he does say that he cant see any movie (as per rules), but then, he also admits to having seen those 30.

Examples of the boards odd decision-making policies add to the confusion. Often, films are cleared with a rating mere days before their scheduled release, which doesnt allow producers any room to appeal to a revising committee. Instead, they are forced to comply to the boards recommendations.

When it has been cut, the producer has agreed. So he knows the thing, otherwise he wouldve gone (to appeal), says Nihalani, implying that the producers lack of options (and time) and compliance with the boards directives is a sign of guilt.

But then, Adlakha points out some instances of censorship that are strange even by the CBFCs standards. In the recent xXx: Return of Xander Cage, a scene in which Vin Diesels lead character drinks cranberry juice and club soda was asked to be removed because the board believed that Diesels teetotaller character was sipping liquor instead.

When the recent Jennifer Aniston film Office Christmas Party is brought up in the interview, the mere mention of the word vibrator makes Nihalani uncomfortable, says Adlakha. In the film, the word dildo is muted out, only to reappear later in the same conversation, less than 3 seconds later. In the same film, the phrase one second was also muted, presumably by accident.

Nihalani brings up La La Land as an example of the boards progressive ways. For La La Land, we were giving them the U/A certificate. He (the producer) said No, I want the A certificate!.

Here is the letter that the representative sent to the CBFC:

As you can see, Viacom only agreed to an A certificate because they didnt have the time, nor the resources to make the necessary cuts. La La Land is by no means an adult film, a fact that Nihalani agrees with, and yet, it is illegal for a minor to watch that film in India.

In Quentin Tarantinos The Hateful Eight, a film that was no stranger to controversy abroad as well, but in India, the phrase sales pitch was muted, possibly because someone misheard it for another, similar sounding swear word.

Nihalani also brings up the recent Ranveer Singh-starrer Befikre, from which he admits to cutting at least forty or fifty kisses.

But perhaps the most telling statements he made in the interview are these: The first thing is, sanskaar in our country is valuable, and theres a respect for sanskaar.

I dont see any (films), I just make them go through the examining committee. I dont see a single movie, because as per rules I cant see any movie. Okay? In two years, only one hundred and fifty movies have gone on to the revising committee. Out of those one hundred and fifty movies, I must have seen thirty.

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A 13-year-old boy cooked up a fake story about his kidnapping so he could visit his relatives in Mumbai, police said on Saturday. The Class 7 boy, a Rohtak resident, wanted to meet his uncle and aunt who reside in Macchi Bazar in Mumbai. His parents , however, were not in favour of the trip.

He then approached the city police and told them that he was abducted from his hometown Mumbai and brought here by his kidnappers.

The boy dubbed his own parents to be kidnappers while giving information about them to the police, and said that he managed to free himself from their custody at the railway station.

The police said they got suspicious of the boys story after hearing his local accent. They then called up the Mumbai police, who told that there was no such case of kidnapping reported with them.

Already suspicious due to the boys local mannerisms, the police took him on a city tour, where he initially refused to identify any spot in the city, but then expressed his desire to see local Sai Baba temple on NH-10 in Kharawar village. The police said he kept on giving his real parents description when asked more about the kidnappers, and called his relatives residing in Mumbai his parents.

The police shared his photograph on social media, through which they discovered the parents of the boy. The police said he resided in Sector 1, where his father worked as a professor in a Delhi institute and mother worked as a lecturer in a private institute. He was handed over to his family, who thanked the police and informed that he suffered from hypertension and had been persuading them to meet his relatives in Mumbai.
The success of Jallikattu agitation by people of Tamil Nadu, that forced Centre to clear an Ordinance permitting the bull sport, seems to have inspired Opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh who have now raised their voice for special category status (SCS) that has been deprived to the state, post bifurcation.

The Congress wanted Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to lead a movement for securing SCS to AP, while Jana Sena Party chief and film star Pawan Kalyan asked the political class of the state to show the same kind of solidarity (as shown by people of TN) to get special status.

AP Congress president N Raghuveera Reddy said they were ready to join hands with any party for securing the promised SCS to the state.

Congress member of Rajya Sabha K V P Ramachandra Rao wrote a letter to the Chief Minister asking the latter to lead a movement for SCS.

If a movement is launched under your leadership, all political parties, media, industry, film industry and other sectors and intellectuals besides students and youth will follow you.

As the Budget session of Parliament will begin towards the end of this month, you should announce an action plan to exert pressure on the Centre and secure our legitimate rights, the Rajya Sabha member said in the letter.

In a series of tweets for the second consecutive day on Saturday, the Jana Sena chief hailed the Jallikattu movement saying it was an inspiration for AP.

Jana Sena Party welcomes Union Governments nod to pass Ordinance for Jallikattu. The fighting spirit of Tamils is commendable. The solidarity shown by people of all religions and political parties for the sake of their cultural identity is appreciable, said Kalyan.

I admire the restraint shown by lakhs of people gathered at Marina Beach, which easily could have created chaotic situation on the ground, he said.

Tamils fondness towards Dravidian culture and the manner in which they protect is laudable, he added.

Will Andhras ever learn? If the political class of AP had shown this kind of solidarity, AP would have got its promised special category status long back.

But I strongly believe that its only politicians who have compromised and not the general public.

Jana Sena is with them (people), Kalyan said.

Main Opposition YSR Congress leader Botsa Satyanarayana, CPI state secretary K Ramakrishna and leader of AP Intellectuals Forum Chalasani Srinivas also echoed similar feelings.
In the surcharged atmosphere that envelops Tamil Nadu over Jallikattu, it is a tough ask to be an animal rights activist. Especially if one has had anything to do with events that led to a ban on the traditional bull-taming sport on the grounds of cruelty.

Cries of Ban PETA reverberated at Marina beach and other venues where youth and students congregated to protest against the Jallikattu ban.

PETA and other animal rights activists have become soft targets for the protesters.

About 100 people tried to march towards the Besant Nagar residence of animal rights activist and Hindu intellectual Radha Rajan to protest against her for making derisive comments about Jallikattu protesters. She edits the website Vigil Online and is an animal lover who cares for about 80 street dogs in her locality.

Tamil Nadu police have stepped up security in and around the houses of known animal rights activists, members and officials of the Animal Welfare Board of India and anyone connected with People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

If the protests were not enough, a Madras high court advocate, C Rajashekaran, filed a complaint against Rajan and BJP MP Subramanian Swamy for his abusive comments against the protesters.

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Bihar will form the worlds longest human chain on Saturday starting from the Gandhi Maidan here showing staunch support towards liquor ban.

The chain which will be formed to herald the second phase of a campaign in support of prohibition would be over 3,000 km long and would involve more than two crore people.

The participants will hold each others hands on the main route and sub-routes within the districts including the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The human chain will be formed at 10 a.m. for half an hour and the participants will stand in the left side of the road.

Earlier on Thursday, the Patna High Court directed the Bihar Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to explain how the students were being involved in the proposed human chain.

Earlier in January, the Bihar Government moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of plea against liquor ban legislation from the Patna High Court.

Alcohol companies had earlier moved the Patna High Court against the liquor ban.

The apex court had earlier in October stayed the Patna High Courts order quashing the notification banning consumption and sale of liquor in Bihar.

The court admitted Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led Bihar Governments plea and also issued notice to Confederation of Alcoholic Beverage Companies.

The state government had in October moved the apex court challenging the Patna High Courts order of striking down the Bihar Prohibition of Liquor Act.
A team of central government officials reached Chennai on Saturday to assess the drought situation in Tamil Nadu following a plea by the state government.

The team is expected to visit drought-hit areas and discuss the situation with officials of the state government, officials said.

On January 16, chief minister O Panneerselvam had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to depute a central team to study the extensive damage caused to crops and take stock of the drinking water scarcity.

The state government had urged the Centre to sanction Rs 39,565 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund towards mitigation measures.

Also, Panneerselvam had sought Rs 1,000 crore from the NDRF to enable taking up immediate relief and rehabilitation measures to mitigate the drought situation.

Tamil Nadu received only 168.3 mm of rainfall during the north-east monsoon as against the normal rainfall of 440.4 mm, a deficit of 62 per cent.

Earlier, during the south-west monsoon, a deficit of 20 per cent was recorded.
When this government clerk from Surendranagar called up Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel to report the alleged ineffectiveness of the states new prohibition law, he probably didnt imagine that the act would land him behind bars.

His crime? Pretending to be a policeman.

Gopal Italia (27) used to be a member of the Lok Rakshak Dal, a government body created to strengthen the state police force, until 2015. The conversation between the two  which has the clerk telling Patel that the states improved prohibition law only resulted in a liquor price hike and strengthened the nexus between police, politicians and bootleggers  has gone viral on the social media.

When minister asked Italia who he was, the accused identified himself as a policeman with the Madhapar station, said an officer with the Ahmedabad crime branch. On Friday night, Italia was arrested for impersonating a public servant under Section 170 of the Indian Penal Code.

Crime branch officials said they had only registered a non-cognisable office after the video went viral, and launched a search to locate the policeman who phoned Patel. However, an FIR was filed after an investigation revealed that Italia was a government clerk, not a member of the state police force.

Italia told police that he had called the minister with the sole intention of informing him about the ineffectiveness of the new anti-liquor law. However, when the minister enquired about his identity, the clerk developed cold feet and claimed that he was a policeman.

Last month, the Gujarat government took cognisance of demands by members of the OBC, SC and ST communities to issue an ordinance that made its prohibition law  which as been in place since the states inception in 1960  more stringent on offenders.
A documentary on Dalit PhD scholar of University of Hyderabad Rohith Vemula, whose suicide on January last year had triggered nationwide outrage, has created ripples on the social media soon after it was released on Saturday.

Directed by Hyderabad-based RTI activist Srikanth Chintala, the 57-minute documentary titled Rohith Vemula had over 1,500 views within hours of its release on YouTube.

The Dalit scholar, who was suspended from the university over a political dispute, committed suicide by hanging himself on January 17 last year. His suicide had sparked massive protests, resulting in a fierce political slugfest with a string of parties and Dalit organisations siding with students and accusing the BJP and varsity administration of being anti-Dalit.

Chintala had started documenting the story of five Dalit students in the first week of January, 2016, after they were suspended for opposing the capital punishment to Yakub Memon. In the short film Vemula can be seen arguing with ABVP leaders and explaining why he was forced to sleep in the open. It also shows Vemulas letter of December 18, 2015 to University of Hyderabad vice chancellor, Appa Rao Podile, seeking permission to end his life.

Read: Our universities cant survive another death of a marginalised student

In fact, it was not my intention to make a documentary on Rohiths death, when I started filming it. My original idea was to make a documentary on the five Dalit students, who were ostracised and suspended on the campus for questioning the hegemony of the saffron brigade. Like millions of Indians, they too were opposing the capital punishment to Yakub Memon, but action was taken only against these five students because they were Dalits, Chintala told Hindustan Times on Saturday.

Vemula committed suicide only a few days after Chintala started shooting his documentary.

Later, Chintala visited the Dalit scholars native place in Guntur and spoke to his mother Radhika Vemula. Everybody, with whom I interacted, vouched for the fact that Radhika was a Dalit, which was the reason why her husband Manikumar had deserted her, while her foster mother used to ill-treat her, he said.

The documentary, produced under the banner of NGO Public Interest, founded by Chintala, is planning to release it officially at Prasad Laboratories, Hyderabad, on Vemulas birthday on January 30. It will also be dubbed in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil and Malayalam, besides Spanish and German.

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A car bomb blast killed at least 11 people at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

The Britain-based group said the dead included a family of four, with the father, mother and two children killed in the blast on the outskirts of the Rukban camp.

Another four of those killed were fighters from local tribes in eastern Syria that have battled the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

The monitor said the toll could rise further because a number of the injured were in serious condition.

Jordan's official Petra news agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians according to the United Nations.

The source said 14 wounded people had been taken to a clinic in the border area for treatment, adding that no decision had been taken yet on whether they would be transported to Jordanian hospitals.

The source said there were no Jordanian casualties.

Jordan closed its border in June 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the IS killed seven Jordanian soldiers.

Officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the border a closed military zone.

The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying "hellish" conditions for those seeking refuge there.

Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million.

In August, King Abdullah II said his country was "doing its utmost to help refugees" from Syria.

"However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part," he said.

More than four million Syrians have fled their country since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, which has killed more than 310,000 people.

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The AIADMK on Saturday warned the Centre that if it continued to ignore the regional aspirations and interests of people of Tamil Nadu, it will have dangerous implications.

After heading an AIADMK MPs delegation to President Pranab Mukherjee, AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha deputy speaker M Thambidurai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping the Tamil Nadu government come out with an ordinance on the Jallikattu issue but complained that the Centre was ignoring the state on a number of issues.

Read: Jallikattu protests LIVE: AIADMK MPs reach Rashtrapati Bhavan to meet President

One nation, one tax may be good for GST (Goods and Services Tax) but the concept of one language, one culture is not good for federalism. The Prime Minister talks of cooperative federalism but what is cooperative federalism if you are not able to address our issues, he said.

We have been raising various issues like the Cauvery, Mullaiperiyar, Kachatheevu, Tamil fishermen, Sri Lankan Tamils cause and Jallikattu which symbolises Tamil culture. Tamil culture is also Indian culture. It is a warning to the central government that please dont step aside the regional aspirations and interests, he added.

Read: Jallikattu protests: PM Modi says govt taking steps to fulfil Tamil Nadus cultural aspirations

For the past one year, the AIADMK MPs have been seeking appointments with the Prime Minister to take up state issues, Thambidurai said. We waited for the last three days for meeting the Prime Minister but we could not get his appointment. We hope that anytime he may call us, he said.
Bhushan Chavan, the elder brother of Chandu Chavan, an Indian soldier who inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in September last year, has thanked the defence ministry for efforts taken to ensure his return.

Minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre had earlier on Thursday said that Pakistan has committed to release the soldier, who inadvertently strayed across the LoC last year.

Bhushan, who is also with the Indian Army and currently posted in Jamnagar in Gujarat, said, I am thankful to the government. I, particularly, thank minister of state for defence Suresh Bhamre, who personally pursued the matter.

He said his entirely family had been waiting for Chandus return.

The family had been through a tough time since he went astray. His grandmother Lilabai had died of shock after learning about his crossing.

Chandus sister-in-law Sheetal had told HT that the family was unable to lead a normal life and have even a proper meal because of the two incidents that happened in quick succession.

Bhushan had then taken a months leave to pursue his brothers return.

The brothers parents died when Chandu was two years old and his grandmother took care of them. Their grandfather was a government officer and also looked after their ancestral farm.

Meanwhile, residents of Chavans village, Borvihir in Dhule district of Maharashtra have started celebrations outside a local temple after hearing about his release.

Read: Pakistan releases 218 more Indian fishermen from jail as goodwill gesture
The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday directed Punjab and Haryana to apprise the court within three months whether provisions made for female attendants in vehicles ferrying girls in the two states are being followed or not.

The direction was issued by the special division bench of justice Surya Kant and justice Ajay Tewari in a matter in which the court is overseeing compliance of traffic-related issues in both the states and Union territory (UT) of Chandigarh regarding implementation of policies framed for schoolchildrens transportation.

As the hearing began, the HC asked the counsels whether there were provisions for employing female attendants. It also wondered if such provisions were made, how a schoolchild came under the wheels of a school bus earlier this week in Panchkula.

The court was apprised by Punjab and Haryana that provisions had been made in the schemes by respective states, whereby a female attendant is mandatory in every school bus ferrying girls. For a school bus ferrying boys, the schools can employ a male attendant, Punjab additional advocate general Rajinder Goyal told the court.

The bench noted that though reports on compliance of these policies have been filed by Punjab and Haryana, it is not separately mentioned, whether compliance of this aspect was checked or not by child rights protection commissions.

The court said that it will be the joint responsibility of transport departments and child rights protection commissions of both states to carry out the inspections and ensure that provision of the policies are followed by schools. Special drives be carried out and district-wise report be submitted before the court after three months, the bench ordered.

REPORT SOUGHT ON TRAFFIC CHAOS AT SHAHABAD

The high court also sought a report from the Haryana government on traffic chaos being reported at a religious place on the Delhi-Ambala highway near Shahabad in Kurukshetra. The court also sought details of donations received by the trust of the religious place. It observed that separate arrangements had not been made to park vehicles, leading to accidents and endangering lives of commuters. The receiver of donations is local tehsildar, and the management of the religious place is with the local deputy commissioner. A large number of people visit the religious site every day and vehicles parked on the national highway. Why cant they build parking lots in the vicinity of the religious place? the bench asked.
Pakistan said on Saturday an Indian soldier who crossed the Line of Control last year has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border.

Chohan had crossed over in September last year as tensions rose following a cross-border raid that India said it carried out against militants.

An Indian Army official had earlier said such incidents of people including civilians crossing the frontier by mistake have happened in the past from both sides and those who strayed are returned.

As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity along LOC and WB, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds, Pakistans Inter-Services Public Relations said in a press release.

A source said Chohan was likely to be handed over to India by Saturday evening.

Union minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre said recently Pakistan had committed it would release the Indian soldier.

A defence official said the 22-year-old soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles had inadvertently crossed the de-factor border in Kashmir hours after Indias surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC. Chohan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra.

The Pakistan Army had earlier informed its Indian counterpart that it is not aware of Chavans whereabouts. Under a bilateral arrangement, soldiers who inadvertently cross the LoC are handed over to their side.

Chohans family has been under stress since the news of his disappearance broke on September 29 last year  his grandmother died of a heart attack two days later. Chohans parents died when he was two years old and his grandmother Lilabai took care of her two grandsons.

Read: Pakistan asks India to suspend work on hydro projects in Jammu and Kashmir
In a setback to Indian travellers, Hong Kong has withdrawn its visa-free facility for Indians who will have to complete a pre-arrival registration from Monday.

The pre-arrival registration for Indian nationals will be implemented on January 23. The online service for pre-arrival registration for Indian nationals is now open, the Hong Kong immigration department said in an announcement on its official website.

Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free (if seeking to enter the HKSAR during transit). Pre-arrival registration is not required for Indian nationals in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area, it said.

A notice on the Indian consulate in Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, said Indian passport holders without the pre-arrival registration slip, except those belonging to any of the exempted categories, will not be allowed to board a conveyance bound for Hong Kong.

A pre-arrival registration is normally valid for a six-month period or until the expiry date of the Indian passport linked to it, whichever is earlier, it said.

This is a major setback for over half a million Indians who visit Hong Kong for business, trade and holidays.

Till now Hong Kong has permitted Indians to enter with valid passport for a period of upto 14 days without a visa. But the facility has been withdrawn despite representations from India ostensibly on the ground that the number of Indian asylum seekers was on the rise, official sources said.

Indian officials refute this, saying that a small number of asylum seekers from over a half million visitors cannot be an excuse to scrap the longstanding facility which also benefited Hong Kong as most of them were high spending tourists contributing to the economy of the former British colony.

There is also concern whether the move is being brought about by Hong Kong due to pressure from China.
With the decks getting cleared for the bull taming festival of Jallikattu in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, there is a growing chorus for organising Kambala -- a traditional annual buffalo race in marshy fields held in the coastal districts of Karnataka.

Read: Ordinance clears way for Jallikattu in TN, but protesters seek permanent solution

Kambala committees have decided to meet in Mangaluru on Sunday to strategise their agitation.

By coming Wednesday or Thursday we are also planning an agitation in this region. By organising a large-scale agitation in Mangaluru, we want to attract the attention of politicians and the whole nation. Kambala lovers from Udupi and Mangaluru regions and 150-200 pairs of buffaloes will participate in it, Kamabala committee president Ashok Rai said.

He said when Jallikattu has got permission, Kambala should also get it, because no violence is involved in it. It is part of our cultural heritage.

Karnataka High Courts division bench, headed by chief justice SK Mukherjee, in an interim order in November, 2016 had stayed holding of Kambala on a petition by PETA challenging it in view of orders passed by the Supreme Court on Jallikattu.

Kambala committees have filed an interim application, seeking vacation of the stay. The matter came up on Friday before the division bench of the High Court, which adjourned the case to January 30.

Kambala has been disrupted because of PETAs ill intentions. We have faith that we will get legal victory also. There is a lot of difference between Kambala and Jallikattu, PR Shetty, member of Kambala Committee said.

Support for Kambala, a folk sport, has gained momentum on social media websites also.

The ban has sparked a debate on whether the event amounts to cruelty to animals or is it just a simple rural sport.

Kambala in its traditional form is a non-competitive sport, with buffalo pairs made to race one after another in paddy fields. It is considered a thanksgiving to the Gods for protecting the animals from diseases.

Over the years, it has become an organised sport with animal rights activists claiming that the buffaloes run in the race due to fear of being beaten up, which the organisers dismissed saying that no violence was involved and that several modifications had been made to ensure that it was an animal-friendly event.
Kerala police arrested six CPI(M) workers on Saturday in connection with the murder of an RSS activist, despite the ruling partys claim that it was not a political killing.

CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had said that the activist  Santhosh  was murdered over a property dispute, and the party was not involved in the crime.

The 52-year-old RSS worker was hacked to death by a gang of people who barged into his house at Andalur, near chief minister Pinarayi Vijayans assembly constituency of Dharmadam, on Wednesday. The next day, members of the BJP and the RSS observed a day-long bandh to protest the killing.

The district in north Kerala, which is notorious for red-saffron clashes, witnessed eight political murders in the last seven months. Four such killings occurred in Vijayans constitutency.

Police said minor political skirmishes in the area, including two stabbings last week, culminated in the murder of the RSS worker. Santhosh, who was stabbed 20 times, reportedly disclosed the names of his assailants while he was being taken to the hospital.

The state government had transferred two police officers from the region  inspector general Dinesh Kashyap and superintendent of police KG Philip  on Friday, spurring allegations from opposition parties that they were punished for not toeing the party line.

BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan called on the chief minister on Friday and asked him to set up a special investigation team to probe the activists murder. The party has been demanding deployment of central forces in the politically volatile area.

CPI(M) leaders, on the other hand, were upset with police for permitting RSS-BJP workers to take Santhoshs body to the vicinity of the ongoing youth festival in Kannur.

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For 14 years, Suhagiya Devi, 60, had not draped herself in a new sari. What she had was in tatters.

Life had been in a mess for a long time. It had been so for many other in the village, says Suhagiya Devi from Musahar Toli at Subhai, a tiny hamlet near Hajipur town of Bihars Vaishali district.

Marriage for me meant trouble  cooking food, tending to children, suffering vile words from father-in-law and facing domestic violence by an alcoholic husband who spent his entire earnings on buying liquor, she says.

Suhagiya Devi is from a Musahar family, the most depressed among depressed and the story of other women of her caste in the village was no different till a few months ago.

The women folk, mostly illiterate, now take pride in having been a catalyst for change now sweeping Bihar. Liquor-related ill-effects, like domestic violence, are being reported in much less numbers post-prohibition.

I can see my son does not beat my daughter-in-law anymore and we have been able to pay off a little of our debt, says Suhagiya Devi, who joined Nirmala Devi and Bhagwani Devi in 2013 to pick up brooms and attack liquor vends around the village.

Even before chief minister Nitish Kumars prohibition policy was implemented in April 2016, acts of women like Suhagiya Devi had driven fear into liquor vendors. With more women joining them, the movement spread to more villages. Then 57, Suhagiya Devi, turned a hero.

All of them have been reformed. My old man has given up drinking and now works like a responsible bread earner, Suhagiya Devi says with a smile.

We are happy with prohibition. Its a gift the CM has given us, adds Nirmala Devi, who recounts how her two sons have given up drinking and are working hard to bring home Rs 4,000 per month.

Earlier, we did not know where our next meal will come from. All that has changed now, says Reena Kumari, a housewife in her early twenties.

Call it winds of change sweeping Vaishali or inspiring tales of how liquor ban has brought smiles back on the faces of the economically backward sections, the general mood of people in these parts is tilted heavily in support of the governments prohibition drive.

A section of skeptics, however, point to the now roaring trade of liquor made from mahua (a nectar-rich flower). It is called munh phodwa (mouth blaster) here for the brew gives rashes after heavy consumption. Yet people drink, for it is easily available, says one of them, adding IMFL too can be bought at four times the original cost.

Why does the government not seal the borders? People are drinking local alcoholic brews and IMFL bought at a premium, rues Rajendra Rai of Lalganj, just 10 km from the landmark Vaishali stupa.

Shikha Kumar, a school teacher posted at Model high school, Podhai, on Sarai-Lalganj road, talks of how the liquor ban has brought peace in surroundings of her village. Quarrels were common. People then could do anything under the influence of liquor. No more now. Women can travel fearlessly in these parts today, she says, adding, law and order is much better now.

Suhagiya Devi and those like her cherish the freedom from liquor, but now aspire for more five decimal land, a toilet and some regular employment.

Liquor is gone. But when you are in your senses, you yearn for a decent life, says Lakhindra Manjhi, a resident of Lalganj, pointing to the roof of his house, part of which has caved in.

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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday slammed the Narendra Modi government for its plan to present the Union Budget on February 1, the day when Saraswati Puja will be celebrated in West Bengal and other parts of the country.

Why dont we celebrate Saraswati Puja in a big way instead of presenting the Union Budget on February 1. Do Saraswati bandana (prayer) and not your bandana, she said in a statement.

Why don't we celebrate Saraswati Pujo in a big way instead of presenting Union Budget on Feb 1. Do Saraswati bandana & not YOUR bandana 2/2  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 21, 2017

We celebrate Saraswati Puja with due dignity and reverence every year. It is an important day in our lives, Banerjee said, adding, We worship Ma Saraswati and celebrate it in a special way in every school, college, university, home Everywhere. February 1 is a state government holiday.

We worship Ma Saraswati and celebrate in a special way in every school, college, university, home. Everywhere.Feb 1 is a State Govt holiday  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 21, 2017

Now we pray to Ma Saraswati so that good senses, good knowledge, good learning and good humanity prevail and misleading, distorted, planted and spoilt brains cease to exist. Let Ma Saraswati bless us with constructive thoughts and not with destructive ones, the chief minister said.

The Centre has decided to convene the Budget Session of Parliament from January 31 to present the Budget for 2017-18 fiscal the very next day.
Days after veteran Congress leader Narayan Dutt Tiwari met BJP president Amit Shah, his son Rohit Shekhar Tiwari on Saturday asserted that their options are open as there has been no response from the party since the meeting.

Kahani abhi baki hai. (Story is not over yet). Our options are open, Rohit told PTI.

The meeting on Wednesday had set off speculation that the BJP may field Rohit, who had accompanied his father, from Uttarakhand, which goes to polls on February 15, but absence of any clear assurance from Shah and his team since have dampened the mood in the Tiwari family.

There has been no response from the BJP since we met Shah. We are confounded. We want to play a role in the campaign. My father is a big name in Uttarakhand and also Uttar Pradesh. Whoever he blesses on a dais will be the winner.

Our options are still open. Our political options are open. I hope the BJP clarifies soon, Rohit told PTI, adding that they had not joined the party.

Rohit, who had accompanied his father, said he wanted to contest from Lalkuan constituency in Uttarakhand and claimed that BJP leaders in their interactions with him had given some kind of assurance that if you are willing to join (BJP), we will give you ticket.

The BJP had announced its candidate from the seat on January 16.

Indicating that he is weighing options outside the BJP, he said his family will definitely play a big role in the campaign whatever be the response of the saffron party.

Rohit said he will soon address a press conference in either Delhi, Dehradun or Lucknow on their future course.

Though the BJP is yet to announce its candidates from some seats in Uttarakhand and his name is doing the rounds as one of the probables, he said there was no time left for him to prepare to contest from other seats as he had worked on Lalkuan after getting assurance from leaders there.

The 91-year-old former Uttarakhand chief minister is himself not politically active much but wants his son to start his political innings from the hill state. His meeting with Shah was construed by many as a step in this regard.

It was also seen as a boost to the partys prospects in the state due to the stature Tiwari enjoys there because of his vast administrative experience.

Rohit also heaped praise on Samajwadi Party chief and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and noted that his father had written to Mulayam Singh Yadav to let his son take over the partys mantle following the bitter feud in the clan.

Read: ND Tiwari-Amit Shah meet sets off rumours; son Rohit Shekhar may get BJP ticket
Tamil Nadu governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday said he was satisfied that an ordinance was the most appropriate route to bring back Jallikattu in the wake of massive protests across the state seeking nod for holding the event.

Since the issue is resolved through ordinance, The Governor is confident that life would return to normalcy and all (protesters) would return to their homes with Jallikattu around the corner, Raj Bhavan said in an official release here.

The governors statement assumes significance amid the claims of protesters and opposition parties that ordinance is not a permanent solution to hold the bull-taming sport.

The propriety of issuing an ordinance when the Assembly was set to meet on January 23 was also considered by governor Rao, the release said.

Enough precedents of promulgation of ordinances both by the Centre and states while the House was summoned to meet and before the actual sitting were also brought to the notice of the governor, it said.

The opening session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly for the current year begins on January 23.

As per the rules, the House will be in session till prorogation from the date of first meeting, and if a Bill has to be passed and made an Act, as demanded, the entire Constitutional process would take a long time for completion.

Considering all such factors, Governor is satisfied that the ordinance route will be the valid and most appropriate solution in the present situation, it added.

In high esteem for the Tamils culture and considering the situation and sentiments of Tamils, Governor Rao has promulgated the ordinance.

Read | We have had enough: Marina beach protests are about far more than just Jallikattu

The ordinance amends Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 thereby exempting Jallikattu from the prohibitory clauses of the Central Act. Hence the ban is removed with immediate effect, the release pointed out.

Hailing Jallikattu as a rich tradition, Tamil pride and heroic sport, the release referred to the widespread agitations seeking nod for the sport, which also found support with the Tamil diaspora.

Owing to the protests ... considering the sentiments of Tamils and to protect their cultural right and having regard to the grave and volatile situation prevailing in the state and in the best interest of maintaining law and order, it was decided to promulgate the ordinance, the release said seeking to explain the background to the issuance of the ordinance.

Also read | Protests over SCs Jallikattu ban not a first, here are other cases of defiance
Pakistan sent back on Saturday an Indian soldier who crossed the Line of Control last year, adding that he had been convinced to return to his own country on humanitarian grounds.

Chandu Babulal Chavan had crossed over in September last year as tensions rose following a cross-border raid that India said it carried out against militants.

Despite Indian belligerence, Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security, a release by Pakistans ministry of foreign affairs said.

An Indian Army official had earlier said such incidents of people including civilians crossing the frontier by mistake have happened in the past from both sides and those who strayed are returned.

As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquillity along LOC and WB, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan has been convinced to return to his own country... on humanitarian grounds, Pakistans Inter-Services Public Relations said in a press release.

Chavan was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border at 2.30pm.

A defence official said the 22-year-old soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles had inadvertently crossed the de-factor border in Kashmir hours after Indias surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC. Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra.

The Pakistan Army had earlier informed its Indian counterpart that it is not aware of Chavans whereabouts. Under a bilateral arrangement, soldiers who inadvertently cross the LoC are handed over to their side.

Chavans family has been under stress since the news of his disappearance broke on September 29 last year  his grandmother died of a heart attack two days later. Chavans parents died when he was two years old and his grandmother Lilabai took care of her two grandsons.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Dehradun on Saturday to inaugurate the Combined Commanders Conference, an official said.

The Prime Minister earlier reached the Indian Military Academy (IMA) campus from the Jolly Grant airport in a special Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper.

Modi would be in the hill state for over six hours, the official told IANS.

The military conference is being attended by the defence minister Manohar Parrikar, the chiefs of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy , besides the national security advisor and other experts in the field of security and defence.

The Prime Minister laid a wreath at Shaheed Smarak (Martyrs Memorial) at IMA after which he crossed over the Chatwood Square where he was accorded the traditional salute by the three armed forces.

He then drove to the Khetrapal Auditorium where he will address the conference.

Before this he met the family members of the cadets at the Vikram Batra mess.
The Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Uttar Pradesh transport minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati over violation of the model code of conduct in connection with seizure over 4,000 sarees that were allegedly meant to be distributed in Amethi during the assembly election.

The commission had directed Prajapati, who represents Amethi in the Vidhan Sabha, to submit a reply by January 23 or else strict action will be initiated against him.

Commission secretary Anuj Jaipuriar said, With announcement of the assembly election schedule by the EC on January 4, the model code of conduct has been enforced in the state.

Read | EC warns political parties of stern action for violating model code of conduct

The district election officer and the Fatehpur superintendent of police sent the Election Commission (EC) a report with a copy of an FIR registered against Gayatri and two of his associates on January 11 at a local police station.

According to the report, policemen seized 4,452 sarees from a Tata-407 vehicle during a check on the highway. Prajapatis name was mentioned as the receiver of the goods on the receipt recovered from driver, it added.

During interrogation, the driver told police officers that the sarees were meant to be distributed during the soon to be held assembly election in Amethi and were to be delivered to Prajapati.

Citing the model code of conduct, which states that all parties and candidates shall avoid corrupt practices and offences under the election law such as bribing of the voters, Jaipuriar said the seizure of sarees was prima-facie a serious violation.

Prajapatis written reply should reach the EC by January 23 before 5pm, failing which it will be assumed that he has nothing to say in the matter and action as deemed fit will be initiated against him without further notice, Jaipuriar added.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support to Jallikattu, an emotive issue which triggered mass protests across the state.

On behalf of the government and people of Tamil Nadu, I thank you for all your support and assistance in enabling Jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu once again during the Pongal season, upholding the culture and tradition of the people of Tamil Nadu, he wrote to Modi in a letter.

Recalling his interaction with the Prime Minister on January 19 on the issue, Panneerselvam said the Tamil Nadu government had issued an Ordinance, enabling the conduct of the bull-taming sport, after obtaining the prior instructions of the President as envisaged under Article 213 of the Constitution.

The Ordinance was promulgated today by the government of Tamil Nadu and jallikattu is to be conducted with customary fervour all over the state with all the necessary safeguards, he said.

Earlier in the day, Modi said all efforts were being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.

We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people, he tweeted.

Read: Dont ignore aspirations, interests of Tamil people, AIADMK tells Centre

Modi said the Centre was fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure that the state scaled new avenues of progress.
Bihar claimed to have forged a world record on Saturday as tens of thousands of people came together in support of prohibition, forming a chain which the ruling JD(U) said stretched for more than 11,000 kms across 38 districts.

Officials said three Isro satellites, four trainer aircraft, choppers and 40 drones filmed the entire event played out over 3,000 km of National Highways and 8,285 km of state highways and roads.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who kept a poll promise by announcing total prohibition on April 5 last, led the landmark event which was also attended by RJD chief Lalu Prasad and state Congress chief Ashok Choudhury.

The human chain made of some 2.5 crore (25 million) of its 11 crore (110 million) population holding hands has broken a Guinness world record, set up in 2004 in Bangladesh, which extended across 10,000 km, said Ajay Alok, spokesperson of the JD(U).

It was, however, not immediately verifiable.

Bihar chief minister meets school students after making a massive human chain against alcoholism and other addictions at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. (PTI Photo)

The chain was billed as a social message against addiction, and specifically in favour of prohibition,

Despite opposition from many, the Kumar government has clamped down severely on anyone found violating the ban.

Education department officials, who anchored the event, said an estimated 1.57 crore government school children, 4 lakh teachers, 5 lakh college students and 70 lakh self-help group women, powered the event, besides some 1.70 lakh Anganwadi workers among others.

People make a state level human chain to support liquor prohibition called by CM Nitish Kumar in Patna on Saturday. (PTI Photo)

The state had got 1.20 crore families of students to sign a document supporting prohibition last September. However, BJP leaders, who had congregated for the partys state executive meeting in Siwan, played down the event, describing it as the governments spider web to distract people from the failing law and order situation.

Citizens make a human chain to support liquor prohibition. (PTI Photo)

Union minister Giriraj Singh said he refused to participate in the event though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on January 5 praised the resilience of the chief minister in initiating this brave move. Tibets spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama, had also praised the measure on January 13.
A senior RSS leaders call for reviewing the reservation policy gave political fodder to the BJPs opponents on Saturday, potentially threatening to hurt the saffron partys prospects in Uttar Pradesh where caste equations play a major role in the election results.

Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, crucial for the BJPs hopes of gaining majority in the Rajya Sabha, will be held over seven phases starting February 11.

A similar comment by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat ahead of the 2015 assembly polls in Bihar is believed to have boomeranged on the BJP, resulting in a resounding victory for a Nitish Kumar-led grand alliance of the JD(U)-RJD-Congress.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati, who projects herself as a champion of the Dalits, on Saturday asked the suppressed community to teach the BJP a lesson in the assembly elections, indicating the issue will dominate the partys campaign.

If (the) BJP comes to power in UP, it will withdraw reservation, Mayawati said a press conference adding that Dalit, OBC, ST will reject the saffron brigade.

Speaking at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival on Friday, Vaidya said reservation a state policy of providing a fixed number of seats in educational institutions and in jobs to the socially and economically backward -- wont serve much purpose and, in fact, could promote separatism.

Quota for Dalits was required as they had been kept away from education for several years and not accorded respect, said Vaidya, head of the RSSs communications department.

even (BR) Ambedkar has said its continuance in perpetuity is not good. There should be a time limit to it.

The RSS is considered the ideological fountainhead of the BJP, which is trying to shed an alleged anti-Dalit image, highlighted by incidents of flogging of youth in Gujarats Una and the suicide of scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad.

The Congress, trying to find a foothold in the state after many years, too has picked up the issue.

Dubbing the BJP and the RSS anti-Dalit and anti-backward, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said they were trying to polarise voters ahead of the polls.

A stung RSS attempted to control the damage by saying that Vaidyas remarks were twisted out of context.

Dalits constitute 23% of the electorate in the countrys most populous state.

While the Dalits, especially the Jatav sub-caste, are considered Mayawatis base vote, the BJP is wooing non-Jatav Dalits in the state.

A senior RSS leader, who refused to be identified, said the BJPs rivals were trying to create a controversy over the comments.

This is a situation similar to the one that unfolded during the Bihar polls when RSS chief Mohan Bhagwats remarks were picked up selectively to target the RSS and BJPThe RSS has never singled out individuals on the basis of their caste.

The RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)  whose vast network of workers work as foot soldiers for the BJP -- recently launched dine-with-Dalits programme to help the party connect with the community.

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Since the large-scale protests at Marina beach started on Tuesday night, initially as a response to the ban on Jallikattu, it has been made clear that more than a traditional sport is at stake.

We are here fighting for our cultural rights because no one else will stand for us, says S Balaji, a Chennai college student who has been at the Tamil Nadu capitals iconic seafront since the demonstrations started.

For Balaji, Jallikattu has come to symbolise the frustrations of a generation of Tamils who feel they have been overlooked and betrayed on many occasions by an indifferent Centre. GST, NEET, no water from the Cauvery, no help with the drought and no real solutions offered when our farmers kill themselves, either from Delhi or from our own government, he continues. We have had enough.

Its a sentiment that is clearly not confined to a particular generation. The 10,000 strong crowds that have thronged Marina beach, and crowds seen across the city and state span all ages and religions. Both men and women have articulated their frustrations of the general discontent felt by Tamils.

Placards calling for Tamil Eelam, demanding Cauvery water, and highlighting the plight of the states farmers have intermingled with the occasional picture of slain LTTE chief V Prabhakaran, making it very clear that the protests are no longer about the traditional bull-taming sport.

Do you know how many of our fishermen are arrested and killed by Sri Lanka every year? asks P Selvaraj, a 17-year-old boy from the nearby fishing hamlet of Nochi Kuppam. This is about the injustices we historically have faced as Tamils, he adds angrily.

No political leader has escaped the Marina crowds scorn. Chief minister O Panneerselvam has been mocked mercilessly, along with AIADMK general secretary VK Sasikala.

Hanif Mohammed, a 23-year-old student, at a protest in Chennai. (Aditya Iyer/Hindustan Times)

Vyavasayi kannu la kanneer, enga ponaa Paneer? (There are tears in the eyes of our farmers, where has Panneerselvam gone?) chants a crowd of college students, disenchanted with the perceived inaction of the government in protecting their rights.

Many barbs are also directed at the Centre. When has any Hindiwallah ever given a damn about us? snarls P Gurumoorthy, an IT worker originally from Trichy. Tamil Nadu, many of the protesters maintain, has always had to fight the Centres attempts to impose itself upon them.

The BJP needs to understand that we are Tamils beyond any religious divide like theyre trying to create, says Hanif Mohammed, a 23-year-old student from Chennai, referring to a recent tweet made by BJP leader H Raja which attracted widespread scorn.

Student Vignesh vasudevan was brutally attacked by muslims participating in Jallikattu agitation for holding National flag. I condemn this .  H Raja (@HRajaBJP) January 20, 2017

The complexities of the protesters are many: one voice cries out for justice for what happened in the Sri Lankan war, another for Cauvery waters, a third against GST and NEET, and a fourth against PETA. But what unites them, the protesters insist, is a consensus that Tamils have not been taken seriously by New Delhi for too long, and enough is enough.

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Hundreds of women gathered in over 30 towns and cities across India late on Saturday, saying they were occupying the night streets to demand safety in public spaces after reports of the mass molestation of women in Bengaluru on New Years Eve.

From the capital New Delhi to Kolkata in the east, Chennai in the south and Mumbai in the west, activists, students, and professionals gathered at marches and street plays or sang songs and recited poetry on equality for women.

The participants, which also included many men, chanted slogans such as Freedom, Freedom, Freedom! and held banners saying Take back the night. Break the silence. End the violence and Nobody asks what my molester was wearing.

Since the age of 12, I have never felt comfortable or safe on the streets - day or night, but first time I have ever attended a march like this , said Anuradha Sinha, 37, a program manager at a e-commerce company.

I have a 3-year-old daughter and given the situation we face today in terms of sexual harassment, I dont want my daughter to grow up and endure we have to go through every day. It has to change.

The marches coincided with marches being held around the world following US President Donald Trumps inauguration on Friday, but organisers of the #IWillGoOut campaign said their demands were different from those in other countries.

The campaign in India was launched this month after reports of sexual assaults during celebrations on December 31 in Bengaluru, where several women were allegedly groped and assaulted by a mob in the citys central business district.

The state home minister later told television networks such incidents do happen, while another politician blamed women for following western culture, dressing inappropriately and staying out late.

The attacks, reminiscent of those blamed on migrants in German cities during New Years Eve celebrations in 2015, shocked many Indians.

Women take part in the #IWillGoOut rally, organised to show solidarity with the Women's March in Washington, along a street in New Delhi. (Reuters Photo)

Sex crimes are common in India, where the National Crime Record Bureau says more than 34,000 rapes were reported in 2015, although women sometimes do not report assaults for fear of the associated social stigma.

The fatal gang rape of a woman by six assailants aboard a bus in Delhi in December 2012 sparked global outrage and led to calls for greater protection for women moving around Indias cities.

While the government has brought in tougher legislation on sexual assault, activists say more could have been done.

At least 30 towns and cities - including Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Puducherry, Lucknow, Pune, Jammu, Dharamsala and Bhopal - held events, with a few hundred participants turning out in each city, said organisers.

In Bengaluru, where around 300 people gathered, organisers said most women have experienced being pinched, groped, molested, or faced lewd comments in public -- from travelling on the bus to shopping in the market to walking in the street.

I have so many stories of being made to feel uncomfortable in public spaces, said Divya Titus, one of the organisers of the Bengaluru march.

Despite a legislation, we still see sexual harassment. I decided enough is enough. We have to stop normalising these events.
A mob on Saturday set a Kalna-bound bus on fire and brickbatted the police force on NH 34 at Habibpur in Nadia district to protest against the lynching of a man and thrashing of five others at Kalna in Burdwan two days ago.

Seven day labourers, who had gone to Kalna to spray pesticide on trees, were beat up by local people at Baruipara -- who suspected them to be child lifters. It led to the death of one Anil Biswas while five others were injured.

Claiming that the labourers hailed from the area, the mob torched a private bus plying on Ranaghat-Kalna route, a senior police officer said. The situation was soon brought under control and some of the protestors were detained, the officer added.

The protestors were demanding that all those involved in the incident be arrested and adequate compensation be given to the family of the deceased and injured.

The Nadia police officer said the Burdwan police had arrested some people in connection with the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday he planned to discuss soon with US President Donald Trump how to "counter the threat" from Iran.

"I plan to speak soon with President Trump about how to counter the threat of Iranian regime which calls for Israel's destruction," Netanyahu said in a video message posted on his Facebook page.

Before his inauguration on Friday, Trump had repeatedly denounced the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, which Israel has also staunchly criticised.

On January 16, Trump said in an interview with the Times of London and Bild newspaper of Germany: "I'm not happy with the Iran deal, I think it's one of the worst deals ever made. I think it's one of the dumbest deals I've ever seen, one of the dumbest."

But he declined to say whether he intended to "renegotiate" the deal, as he asserted regularly during the presidential campaign.

Netanyahu has been an ardent opponent of the 2015 pact signed by Iran, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.

The deal placed curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

In December, Netanyahu said there were many ways of "undoing" the Iran nuclear deal and that he would discuss that with Trump. "I have about five things in mind," he said.

But before he left office, former president Barack Obama warned against rowing back the pact, emphasising its "significant and concrete results".

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has also said that the bloc would stand by the accord -- which she helped negotiate -- because it showed that diplomacy worked and served Europe's security needs.

And on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the nuclear deal was approved by the UN Security Council and therefore "is not a bilateral deal" with the US that Trump can renegotiate.

In the video message posted online, Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian people saying "we are your friend, not your enemy".

Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, whose role is largely ceremonial, said in a statement that he had invited Trump to visit Israel.

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So far millions of Indians were drinking arsenic dissolved in groundwater. But now many could also be breathing this toxic substance too.

A study by two professors and a student of the civil engineering department of Jadavpur University in Kolkata have stumbled upon arsenic particles  nearly two times the permissible limit prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) -- suspended in the air in a locality in south Kolkata. The area is already known to be in the grip of arsenic ground water contamination.

Long-term exposure to high levels of this toxic element can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning (arsenicosis). It can affect the nervous system, kidney, heart and placenta of women among other organs.

It cant be an aberration, as all the samples collected over six months showed almost equal levels of arsenic. The air samples were tested at a lab accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, said Amit Dutta, associate professor and a member of the JU study team.

This is the first time we have found arsenic particles in the ambient air. It seems to be an emerging pollutant in Kolkata and a matter of serious concern. More research is needed to confirm the finding and zero in on the source, said Dutta.

According to CPCB guidelines, the permissible limits for arsenic in air is 6 nanograms per meter cube. But the quantity of arsenic found in all the 65 samples is more than 13 nanograms per meter cube.

File picture of a villager showing symptoms of arsenic poisoning in Buxar district, Bihar. (HT Photo)

The finding came to light earlier this week when it was mentioned in a report on Kolkatas Air Quality, which was prepared after a series of roundtable talks organized by the US Consulate in Kolkata, Global Change Program of Jadavpur University and a city-based social enterprise Banglanatak dot com. The report would be handed over to the state government too.

To our knowledge, there has been no study on presence of arsenic in the air in Indian cities, Dutta added.

The team was analyzing 65 air samples collected between October 2014 and March 2015 from near the university campus gate for a completely different purpose. It was a part of master thesis. The experts, however, were flabbergasted when all the samples showed high levels of suspended arsenic particles  twice the permissible limit of 6 nanograms per cubic metre of air.

The area where Jadavpur University is located is a densely populated middle class residential area with an arterial road running past the gates of the campus. It is not an industrial area.

The samples also tested positive for Nickel  another metal which if inhaled in high doses could lead to several diseases including cancer. Nearly 50% of the samples showed that suspended nickel particles were present at least 1.5  2 times above the permissible limit of 20 nanograms per cubic metre of air (Central Pollution Control Board standards).

In 1983 Dipankar Chakraborti, a professor from the same university, first detected arsenic contamination of ground water in West Bengal. It had sent shock waves across the country. Even the government was initially reluctant to accept the results but had to accept it later on.

Speaking to HT, Dutta said that even though the exact source is yet to be ascertained but it could be coming from underground.

Jadavpur area, from where the samples were collected, is known to be arsenic prone for several years now. We wont be surprised if further research reveals that arsenic particles are coming from the underground water and then being released into the air as dust, he said.

In that case it could have far reaching ramifications as around seven states including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam among others are exposed to arsenic contaminated drinking water affecting more than 70 million people. Other countries are affected too.

The reports were not made public as the samples were collected from just one place and we needed more confirmation. Besides this we need to test them in our own labs for which substantial funds are required. We now plan to take up further research, said Dutta.

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The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will launch its campaign to consolidate its hold over Muslim voters in west UP on Saturday.

To begin with, the Muslim face of the party, Naseemuddin Siddiqui, will address a series of public meetings in the Muslim dominated areas in the region.

The BSP has fielded 51 Muslim candidates in west UP whereas arch rival Samajwadi Party has given ticket to 44 of them. Both the parties are locked in a bitter fight for the Muslim votes in Rohilkhand area that has large concentration of Muslim voters.

Siddiqui will address public meetings in Bulandshahr, Saharanpur, Muzaffarangar, Meerut, Amroha, Bijnore, Moradabad, Rampur, Hapur, Sambhal and Bareilly till January 31. In all these districts, Muslims constitutes 30%-40% of the population. After Siddiqui completes the ground work by mobilizing the Muslim voters, BSP chief Mayawati will launch her election campaign on February 1 and address public meetings in Meerut and Aligarh. Later, Mayawati will address a series of public meetings in the Rohilkhand region.

Worried over the talks of alliance between the SP and the Congress, Mayawati has cautioned the Muslim voters urging them not to waste their vote by supporting the SP-Congress alliance. The BSP is in a position to stop BJP from grabbing power whereas the SP- Congress alliance is an opportunistic coalition to create confusion among the voters. The SP is a divided house whereas the Congress has lost its base in UP, she says.

Read more|UP elections: Is there a Muslim vote factor in Uttar Pradesh?

Talking to HT, a senior BSP leader said, We have completed first round of electioneering in the Muslim dominated area of west UP by organizing Muslim bhaichara (brotherhood) meetings in all the assembly constituencies. In all these meetings, besides highlighting killings and displacement of a large number of Muslims during Muzaffarnagar riots, the BSP also drew the attention of the people toward the neglect of the Muslim community by the SP government. Now, the BSP will highlight the welfare and development schemes launched for the Muslim community by the BSP government (2007-12), he said.

The party has directed the senior and influential leaders from Muslim community to camp in west UP till the first and second phases of the polling was over. To woo the young voters, Afzal Siddiqui, son of Naseemuddin, has been made in-charge of six divisions in the region.

A political observer RK Gautam says, Muslim votes will be crucial for Mayawati for returning to power. Since the BJP has made inroads into backward caste votes of the BSP, Mayawati plans to fill up the gap by winning the support of the Muslims. She has given large chunk of tickets to Muslims, 97 to be precise. In 2012 assembly elections, Mayawati had fielded 61 Muslim candidates.

Read more| UP elections: Politicians tour Islamic seminaries and dargahs in hope of Muslim votes

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Unhappy with the alleged misuse of their influence, religious places and educational institutions for political gain during elections, Muslim clerics have decided to distance themselves from political parties this poll season.

The well-known Islamic seminary Darul Uloom of Deoband was the first to make public its intention to avoid party leaders ahead of the upcoming state polls. Mohtmim Abul Kasim Nomani of the school clarified that no one from the institute would officially interact with political parties and candidates during the election season. Explaining the decision further, an official of Darul Uloom said political leaders could enter the premises but institute officials would not interact with them till the elections were over.

He said the decision was taken to prevent possible misuse of the institute during polls, as had been the case in the past. Muslim voters play a decisive role in many west UP constituencies and parties claim familiarity with the in a bid to woo Muslim vote.

A Darul Uloom official claimed that Mulayam Singh Yadav had visited the institute in 2007 to meet the then mohtamim (administrator) Murgubur Rehman. A picture of the cleric blessing Mulayam in accordance with traditions had made it to the front pages of many newspapers forcing the Darul Uloom to clarify its stance vis-a-vis the polls. Indira Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Amar Singh and Baba Ramdev are a few other personalities who have visited the institution in the past. Asraf Usamni, former spokesperson of the institution, said, We are an educational institution and have nothing to do with politics.

Maulana Arif Ul Haq, Imam of the prestigious Phoos ki Masjid in Baruat, met Imams of 262 mosques in the tehsil under the jurisdiction of the masjid on Sunday. The religious heads decided in the meeting to keep political leaders at bay during the 2017 UP elections. The Imam said, Religion and politics should not be mixed. Politicians mislead people in the name of Imams and exploit religious leaders for their political gain during polls.

The Imam and his staff are now busy sending letters to Imams of all associated mosques advising them to not accept donations from political parties during election season.

Mukti Zulfikar, state president of All India Imam Association, while supporting the decision of Muslim clerics said, It is true that party leaders many times use innocent religious persons for their political benefit and unfortunately religious heads end up earning a bad name in the process.

Read more| UP elections: Politicians tour Islamic seminaries and dargahs in hope of Muslim votes
Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khans music was magic to the ears of German saxophone player Roger Hanschel, so much so that he not only learned Indian classical music but also started playing kajri (a genre of semi-classical singing, popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) compositions on saxophone.

Hanschel, a great fan of the shehnai maestro, became interested in Indian classical music in the mid-eighties when he listened to the shehnai recital of Ustad Bismillah Khan for the first time. After that, there was no looking back.

Hanschel visited Varanasi, learning, practising and playing classical and folk tunes with sitar player Deobrat Mishra and tabla player Prashant Mishra.

Now, he plays kajri compositions like Mirzapur kaila gulzarand Kachauri gali soon kaila balamu on his saxophone with dexterity.

Speaking about his musical journey, Hanschel, who started playing saxophone at the age of 11, recalls, I became a great fan of Ustad Bismillah Khan in the 1980s after I got a cassette of his shehnai tunes and listened to them. Later, he bought some cassettes and CDs containing the work of the Ustad and listened to all of them. Later, he decided to travel to India. He visited Varanasi in 1994 and returned after sometime. In 2013, he visited Varanasi again in his quest to understand the basics of Indian classical music and learned ragas for about a month before going back to Germany.

During his stay, Hanschel came across sitar player Deobrat Mishra and apprised him of his wish to visit the house of the late Ustad. Mishra took him to the Ustads house where Hanschel called on Nazim Hussain, son of Bismillah Khan whom he requested to play a musical tribute to the Ustad on his death anniversary.

The German played kajri on saxophone as a mark of respect to the great maestro whose son accompanied the saxophone player on tabla.

For me, it was a matter of great respect to get a chance to pay a tribute to the great maestro at his residence, Hanschel said, adding that he still felt honoured. Mishra also paid tributes to Ustad by playing the sitar.

Hanschel remained in touch with Mishra and decided to bring the two styles of music close.

Along with Mishra and tabla player Prashant Mishra he formed a group Trio Benaras in October 2014. The group composed interesting fusion compositions, which earned laurels in Europe and the western world.

A multi-faceted saxophone player and composer of contemporary jazz, Hanschel wants to add shades of Indian classical music to his compositions. He finds jazz close to Indian classical music and loves spending time at Assi ghat.

Before leaving for Mumbai, Hanschel told HT, Classical music is certainly great. I have learnt its basics and am trying to learn more. I am keen on including classical Indian music in my new compositions while staying true to my roots.

Hanschel has given around 2,000 performances in 80 countries and attended around 500 jazz festivals. The Germans prized possession is his 50-year-old saxophone instrument. I love playing the saxophone, he said, before signing off.

Read more: Is Bismillah Khans Varanasi still alive?

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Seeing a two-year-old girl as a threat to peace, Chakeri police have booked her along with her five family members under section 107/16 of the criminal procedure code (CrPC).

They are unable to explain as to how two-year-old Radha could be bound down in apprehension of being a threat to the peace of city.

I am looking into the reasons, said station house officer, Chakeri, Santosh Singh, when asked about the action by the Sanigawan police post incharge. Those who have been served notices under the above mentioned legal provisions have to file a security bond, failing which they could be imprisoned.

We have moved the court and apprised it of the police notices served on us for no reason, said the girls father Babu Singh Rajput.

I have told the court about Radha and presented all documents about her age. I dont have any criminal history nor has my wife, he claimed. The police action is based on the verbal duel Babulal had with a neighbour over a piece of property last month in Sanigawan locality.

If I have done something illegal, action should be taken against me. Why action has been taken against my kid, my wife, my sister and other family members, asked Babu Singh.

Last week, Bithoor police had bound down three boys aged 16 with a similar notion. All the three had appeared before the district authorities with documents and asked as to how the police could deem them a threat when they had never been involved in any criminal activity.

The officials are now working on getting their names struck off from the list of potential threats.

Chakeri police are under sharp criticism for failing to curb the rising crime graph and for acting against innocent people.
A 32-year-old factory worker kidnapped a 10-year-old boy from Antop Hill and demanded Rs10,000 ransom from his family.

According to the police, the accused Dilip Kumar resorted to kidnapping when he faced significant losses due to demonetisation. An officer from Antop Hill police station said, Kumar has been working as an artist with a cloth factory in Wadala for the past five years. His salary was Rs8,000 a month but he was getting only Rs 3,000 as his employer was facing heavy losses. He then decided to kidnap a child and demand a ransom.

Kumar knew the 10-year-old boy as he used to see him go to school regularly and assumed that the child was from a well-to-do family and could pay a hefty ransom. He then began to plan how he could kidnap the child, said a source from the police.

There was a television at the cloth factory as the labourers would work and live there. There, Kumar watched the show Crime Patrol regularly and hatched his kidnapping plan with inputs from the show, said an official. He kept an eye on the boy for two more days before kidnapping him on January 19, the official added.

On Thursday, around 3pm when the boy was playing near his house after returning from school, Kumar struck a conversation with him and lured the child away on the pretext of giving him chocolates. From there they went to the nearby chowpatty where around 4.30pm Kumar called up the boys father and asked him to get Rs10,000 as ransom to Dahanu station, claimed police sources. Meanwhile, unable to find the child, his mother approached the police and registered a case.

After registering the complaint, six teams were formed to trace the minor, said deputy commissioner of police N Ambika (zone 4).

During the investigation, one of the police teams learnt that a labourer hasnt reported for work for the last two days claiming that he was going to his home town.

Following which, we tried to get the labourers details and started tracing him through his friends and call data records. On the same day, the boys father went to Dahanu station with the ransom while hidden police teams kept an eye out for the boy and the accused, said Ambika.

He added that at one point the accused was in front of them, but as the boy was not present with Kumar, they did not nab him as their prime motive was to rescue the child.

We later spotted both the accused and the boy at the other platform on Dahanu station and thats where we arrested him and rescued the child, said Ambika.

Reacting to her sons rescue, the mother said, I am extremely thankful that the Mumbai police rescued my boy. I was so scared that the kidnapper would kill him.

Also read: 13-yr-old dubs parents kidnappers to go to Mumbai

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Another round of seat-sharing talks between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena, apparently at the behest of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, failed to break the deadlock . The third round of talks between representatives from both parties did not take off after both realised it was difficult for them to reach an amicable solution. As such , it has again been left to Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to work a way out of the impasse.

What is the stumbling block? According to sources, it is the huge difference between the number of seats demanded by the BJP and that offered by the Shiv Sena. The BJP has demanded 114 wards, while the Sena offered only 60 seats, less than the 63 seats contested by the former in 2012. The representatives, involved in the negotiations from both the sides, have now left it to their respective top leadership to resolve the deadlock.

Responding to our demand of 114 wards, our ally offered us 60 seats. As the gap was huge, we have reached to the conclusion that this cannot be resolved at our level. The top leaders from both the sides will now take a call and then only can further dialogue resume, Ashish Shelar, Mumbai president of BJP said.

Though the BJP did not keep it a secret of its intention of demanding 50% of the total 227 seats, it did not expect Sena to offer it even fewer seats than it fought in 2012.

After a round of bickering led to the suspension of talks for an alliance on Friday, the third round of talks took place at Rangsharada in Bandra on Saturday. Chief minister Fadnavis asked BJP leader Vinod Tawde to get in touch with Sena leaders to resume the talks.

After Tawde spoke to Sena MP Anil Desai (who was part of Senas negotiating team), the third round of talks took place in the evening. As it was decided, both the parties exchanged the number of seats they wanted. The leaders from both the sides, after looking at each others offer, agreed upon only one thing that the discussion cannot go ahead at their level.

Shiv Sena leaders said their party has upped its strength much more than in 2014 elections and deserves to have bigger share in seat sharing. We have performed well in our stint at the BMC and the citizens of Mumbai are in our support. Our strength in the city has risen after the 2014 assembly elections and we deserve to get more seats than in last election, said Shiv Sena leader Anil Desai.

After teams of leaders from both the parties suspended the talks at their level, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray are likely to intervene to decide the fate of the alliance.

Besides Shelar, education minister Vinod Tawde, housing minister Prakash Mehta represented BJP in talks with the Shiv Sena represented by Anil Desai, Anil Parab and Ravindra Mirlekar .

The former partners, according to observers, have long way to go before they arrive on a consensus on the alliance.

Even if they arrive at an agreement, it will be difficult to agree upon the wards being demanded by the BJP. Many of the 114 wards being demanded by the BJP have the sitting corporators of the Sena, though the formers demand is based on its performance in the 2014 assembly elections.

The BJP has now claimed all seven wards in the Borivli assembly constituency, represented by Vinod Tawde, claiming that it had won four out of the five it contested in 2012. Sena had lost both the seats it fought. Similarly, in Vile Parle, the BJP is demanding the wards represented by Senas two powerful corporators. Of the 12 wards in Ghatkopar, the BJP has demanded 8 wards against the four it fought last time. There many such instances which could prove bone of contention for the talks, said a Sena leader.

NCP promises complete medical cover for Rs101

In the run-up to the BMC elections next month, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is ready with big promises for Mumbaiites. The party has formulated a medical-insurance scheme that will cover all medical expenses of a person for just Rs101. The scheme will cover all the expenses of a patient right from admission to a hospital till it gets discharged. The party is in talks with private hospitals and insurance companies to make it practically and financially feasible. NCP Mumbai president Sachin Ahir confirmed to have formulated such a scheme for the manifesto but refused to divulge details.

The scheme that will be the major attraction of the NCPs election manifesto is based on two medical schemes  Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Arogya Yojana (RGJAY) run by Maharashtra government and a medical-insurance scheme being introduced by the Uttar Pradesh government on pilot project, sources revealed. Initially, it will cover families with annual income more than Rs 1 lakh as RGJAY, being renamed as Mahatma Phule Jana Arogya Yojana recently, covers all the families having annual income of Rs 1 lakh and below, sources said. The elite and upper middle class families will not like to take benefit of such a scheme, so we have formulated it keeping in mind families that belong to middle and lower middle class. Two insurance companies said the scheme is practically feasible and have agreed to become part of it, said a senior NCP leader. The estimated cost of the scheme, is around Rs1,800 crore per annum, he added. The annual health budget of the BMC is Rs 3,700 crore

NCP not keen on Congress seat-adjustment offer

The Mumbai Congress offer to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for not fielding candidates against each other for a few seats in the civic elections was not accepted by the latter on Saturday.

Peeved that the Congress did not respond to its earlier offers for an alliance in Mumbai, the NCP said the decision over its candidates has already been taken and two lists of 76 candidates has been announced.

The Mumbai unit of NCP said only the partys senior leaders can take a call on the proposal.

Congress, which was first to announce there will be no alliance with the NCP, on Friday offered to not field candidates to 20 seats where the NCP has sitting corporators or has better chances of winning. In return, it expected the same from the NCP. In the meeting of the partys core committee on Friday, such a move was accepted by the Congress leaders. The Congress was expecting a similar assurance from its former ally. The party also clarified there would be no formal alliance between the two.

Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam said no formal discussion with the NCP has taken place. If accepted by NCP, the adjustment can benefit us both. This will help us keep communal forces at bay, Nirupam said. NCP, however gave a cold shoulder to Nirupam. We have already announced two lists of candidates. Had the offer come to us before finalising the second list, it could have been thought of. I dont think it is possible now at my level, said Sachin Ahir, Mumbai NCP chief.

Most of the members of the Congress core committee, comprising former MPs, MLAs and leaders, were against forging an alliance with the NCP. They, however, agreed on adjustment on some of the seats for better prospects of both the parties.

According to sources in the Congress, the party would not insist upon the adjustment if no positive response was received from the other side. Sunil Tatkare, state NCP president said it is too late and also unfair if Congress is quoting a number of seats.

I will still check with party president Sharad Pawar on this and will see what can be done, Tatkare told HT.
In a relief for 63 Moons Technologies Limited, the Bombay high court has stayed an order passed by the enforcement directorate (ED) freezing all demat accounts and investments of the Jignesh Shah-promoted company in the share market.

Jignesh Shah-promoted Financial Technologies India Ltd (FTIL) has changed its name to 63 Moons Technologies Ltd. FTIL has been under the regulatory scanner for its alleged role in the Rs 5,574 crore settlement fraud at National Spot Exchange Ltd (NSEL). FTIL (now 63 Moons) holds a 99.99% stake in NSEL.

The division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice AM Badar stayed the ED order primarily on the grounds of non-compliance with statutory provisions by the agency.

On September 26, 2016, a deputy director of ED had instructed compliance officers of National Securities Depository Limited and Central Depository Services Limited to freeze all accounts or investments of the Jignesh Shah-promoted company.

The company then approached high court challenging the order. Its counsel, senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani submitted that the ED officer had not complied with requirements of section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

While ED counsel, advocate Hitendra Venegaonkar, countered submitting that the order had been passed not under section 17 of the PMLA Act, but under section 65 of the PMLA Act and section 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which requires the officer effecting seizure to report it immediately to the local magistrate.

The judges, however, found that the ED official did not comply with the requirement of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Even assuming that the impugned orders are passed resorting to section 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, we are of the prima facie opinion that the respondents (ED officials) have not complied with sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, said the bench while staying the order.

The ED counsel then made a statement that the officials would complete investigation in respect of the frozen assets within four weeks. In view of the statement, Jethmalani assured the court that the company would not transfer or create any third party interests in respect of the frozen assets during the period. He also assured that a 72-hour notice would be given to the deputy director of ED before any treasury operation being conducted by the company.

Also read: NSEL case: ED attaches property worth Rs1,170 crore
A 21-month-old boy fell to his death from a 14th-floor window of a building at Bandstand in Bandra (West) on Saturday.

The incident took place around 9am when Soham Chanabasawa Balate was playing in the sitting room of the apartment on the 14th floor of Sea Bird building. While his parents and grandparents were present in the house, Soham was alone in the sitting room.

According to the police, the toddler climbed on to the parapet by sliding the glass window, which did not have a safety grill, and fell as he lost balance. The boy suffered multiple injuries and died on the spot.

Soham and his parents, who are from Nanded, came to Mumbai on January 5 to visit his 60-year-old grandfather, Ganpati Morge, who was diagnosed with cancer.

As the apartment has been taken on rent, the owner has not installed safety grills, said a police officer. Had the tenant got the safety grills installed, the incident could have been avoided.

Soham was rushed to Bhabha Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. We have registered a case of accidental death. Further probe is on to find out if anybody can be held responsible for negligence. A post mortem was conducted and the body has been handed over to his parents, said Pandit Thakare, senior police inspector, Bandra police station.

Read

5-year-old girl falls to death from 15th floor of Mumbai building

Mumbai teen falls off train while doing stunts
In what was a first-of-kind experience for them, differently-abled students from several Ghaziabad schools and those in the care of NGOs were on Saturday roped in for a massive rally held to encourage Ghaziabad voters to come out in numbers and get their fingers inked on February 11.

The drive to get voters out in numbers on election day assumes significance as several Ghaziabad segments, which are home to a sizeable concentration of urban voters, fared dismally with regard to turnout during the UP assembly polls in 2012. While Ghaziabad City recorded a turnout of 54.08%, the Sahibabad segment fared even worse at 49.31%. These are figures quoted by none other than the state election commission.

Read more Three sitting MLAs file nominations in Ghaziabad

In some urban areas, there are people who dont come out and vote. Weve came out here to encourage such voters to exercise their democratic right. We held a rally urging them to vote, Ilima, a differently-abled student from Sahibabad who took part in the rally, said.

More than 300 students participated in the rally, which also featured district officials. The event was one in a series that had been planned by the district administration to raise voter awareness before UP goes to polls.

We want more people to come out and vote. So we held up placards and banners during the rally urging them to make their votes count, Rohit Rawat, another participant, said.

Read more UP polls: BJP names Ghaziabad candidates

The students looked keen and determined to attract eyeballs and make themselves heard as they covered a stretch, spanning more than 5 km, from Chaudhary Morh intersection on GT Road. They later converged on Hapur Road after covering various other parts of the city.

The children had put in a lot of hard work over the last couple of weeks and took help of their teachers in preparing their banners and placards. They were excited to be able to take part in the event and woke up early to begin preparations. The rally was held with support from the district administration, said Anurag Kishor, principal of Asha Vidyalaya which was among the schools represented at the rally.

Read more SP declares its candidates from Ghaziabads five seats

The total number of voters in the last UP polls had been pegged at 12,74,92,836, of which only 7,57,25,793 had their fingers inked. The overall polling percentage stood at 59.40%. In Ghaziabad, the polling percentage stood at 62.34%, while Murad Nagar, Loni and Modi Nagar segments, which are home to a sizeable count of rural voters, recorded similar numbers.

However, the administration, this time, has set a polling target of 75% and roped in students from across the district to encourage people to vote. As part of the effort, a drawing competition and another event that is likely to feature nearly 10,000-5,000 students, are lined up in Ghaziabad.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of United States on Friday, issuing a staunchly nationalist vow to put "America first" in his opening address to a country -- and a world -- watching a page of history turn.

"From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land," Trump said, pronouncing an end to business as usual in Washington.

"Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, DC. And giving it back to you, the people."

"From this day forward, it's going to be only America first."

"Together we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And, yes, together, we will make America great again," Trump said.

Just moments before, the 70-year-old Republican billionaire placed his left hand on a bible used by Abraham Lincoln and recited the 35-word oath spoken since George Washington.

Trump's inauguration caps the improbable rise to power of the Manhattan real estate mogul, who had never before held elected office, served in the government or the armed forces.

A crowd of hundreds of thousands looked on, including outgoing president Barack Obama and Trump's defeated election opponent Hillary Clinton -- who narrowly missed out on becoming America's first female president.

Obama and his wife Michelle departed the Capitol by helicopter moments after the swearing-in ceremony, turning a page on eight years of Democratic leadership in the White House.

When Trump descended the escalators of his glitzy New York tower in June 2015, his run for office was dismissed and even mocked.

His staff, many shunned by friends for supporting a man who has been labeled a racist and bigot by his critics, will become power players in the White House.

In the primaries, Trump dominated a crowded Republican presidential field with smash-mouth rhetoric and star power. He rode that same wave of anti-elite sentiment to victory over Clinton in the November election.

"January 20th, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again," Trump said striking a populist and overtly political tone that is unusual for inaugural speeches.

"The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now."

For Trump's critics, there was disbelief that a man who 19 months ago hosted "The Apprentice" is now leader of the free world.

A short distance from the steps of the Capitol, where Trump was sworn in, police fired gas to disperse protesters. Stones were thrown and windows broken.

A 27-year-old financial worker from Tampa Bay in Florida, who did not want to give his name for fear of retaliation by his employer, said Trump's election victory had left him fearful.

"There is nothing to hope for except for grassroots efforts to oppose him," he said. A bigger anti-Trump rally is planned for Saturday.

At 70 years of age, Trump is the oldest man ever to begin work in the Oval Office.

He has vowed to tear up Obama's policies and re-examine decades-old alliances with Europe and in Asia.

"For many decades we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military," he said.

"We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth."

Earlier in the day, Trump had traced the steps of many presidents past, attending a prayer service at St. John's Church before heading to the White House, where he was greeted warmly by Obama.

"Mr President-elect, how are you?" Obama asked his successor, after having deposited a letter in the Resolute desk and left the Oval Office for the last time.

Later Friday Trump will enter that office. His team plans a rolling series of daily executive orders to roll back Obama's agenda.

But he arrives to the White House with a 37 percent approval rating, the lowest on record, according to a CBS News poll.

His inauguration was notably more sparsely attended than that of Obama in 2009 and 2013.

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The Greater Noida Police arrested wanted gangster Sanjeev Khadkadi in a search operation on Friday evening. Wanted in multiple cases of murder, loot and extortion, he had been on the run and had a price of Rs12,000 on his arrest.

Led by the superintendent of police, Noida City, a team from Badalpur police station nabbed the gangster at the Al Deco intersection in Greater Noida at about 7.30 pm on Friday. The Badalpur team was led by sub-inspector Ram Mehar Singh.

We had information that a wanted gangster will be travelling through the Al Deco intersection on Friday evening and set up a check post to inspect all vehicles passing through the crossing. We managed to catch him as he arrived in his SUV, Singh said.

The cops also seized a country-made pistol and live ammunition from him.

A native of Tronica city, Ghaziabad, Khadkadi has criminal cases registered at Badalpur, Baghpat and Ghaziabad police stations. He had been wanted in more than a dozen cases of murder, loot and extortion. The Meerut police division had announced a reward of Rs 12,000 for anyone who had information on his whereabouts.

He had cases registered under the Arms Act and Gangster Act and also under IPC sections for abduction, rioting, murder, attempt to murder and robbery. Wed been on the lookout for him for more than a year. Hes finally behind bars, Singh said.

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Sixty seconds  thats how long the fire service department has, once it receives a distress call, to dispatch a team of firefighters equipped with fire tenders and gear.

On Thursday, thats precisely how long it took for 20 firemen and three officials to dispatch eight fire tenders after they received a call from a factory building in Sector 4.

A major mishap was averted by the firefighters of Phase I fire station who helped rescue at least 250 people trapped by a fire, which broke out in the basement of a factory in Block A, Sector 4.

The firemen risked their lives to reach the second floor of the building and helped rescue people stuck on the roof. At least three firemen, including the fire station officer Sushil Yadav, suffered uneasiness and infection due to the heavy smoke. But their efforts did not go in vain.

We used traditional equipment such as ladders and ropes to rescue workers. We formed a bridge between two buildings and shifted people to safer spots. Ropes were also used, Yadav recalled.

The 20-member Phase I power station team has responded to 375 cases of fire in 2016. Yadav claims that each and every call was treated with the same level of seriousness.

It doesnt matter whether we receive a call from a politician, a government official or a rickshaw puller in a slum. Once the siren goes off in the station, all we have is a minute to respond, Yadav said.

With better equipment and increased number of vehicles, the fire team is all ready the summer, or the fire season, as it records the maximum number of fire cases every year.

The fire season begins from March and stays till June-end and we work day and night during that time. Whenever the temperature is beyond 40 degrees Celsius and the humidity is low, the chances of fire escalate, said Mahesh Kumar, a firefighter.

Recently, the fire station has procured a hydraulic platform that can reach 42 metres. The platforms are meant for rescues in high-rise buildings and residents of Noida had been demanding them for a long time.

We had one hydraulic platform of 32 metre height and now we have one of 42 metres. Soon, we are going to have another hydraulic platform of 72 metres. These vehicles will assist us in accidents that occur in high-rise apartments, Yadav said.

The fire station also has three different varieties of fire tenders, which are meant for different rescue operations.

We have a water mist vehicle with a capacity of 400 litres and foam. It is meant for reaching spots that regular tenders cannot reach. The foam is used for dousing oil and chemical related fires, Yadav said.

The team also has a water bowser vehicle with capacity of 12,000 litres and a water cannon vehicle with a 14,000 litre capacity.

Our gear and water are ready in vehicles all the time, waiting for that call, Gurdayal Singh, a fire serviceman, said.

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With two more days left to file nominations, Monday and Tuesday, two of the UP candidates arrived at district election office on Saturday to file their papers. One of them was former Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) MLA Madan Bhaiya who arrived a day after his party rolled out its list of candidates and decided to go solo as the proposed alliance with the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) did not work out.

Elected an MLA from the Khekra assembly segment in Baghpat in 2007, the 57-year-old Bhaiya lost to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate after he contested the Loni assembly segment of Ghaziabad in 2012. He was among those named in the RLD list on Friday evening and arrived to file his nomination early on Saturday. He arrived in an SUV, flanked by supporters. A heavy contingent of policemen stationed outside the district election office asked him to have the beacon on his vehicle removed.

I dont see much challenge from the opposition candidates. All I know is that Im to contest this seat on an RLD ticket and have no clue about alliance talks in the opposition camp, Bhaiya said.

In his affidavit, he disclosed several criminal and court cases against his name in Delhi, Loni and Meerut. However, he got bail in all these cases. He also pegged his familys assets at Rs10.96 crore. The affidavit says he quit studies while in the first year of his bachelors degree from CCS University, Meerut.

The other candidate who arrived to file his nomination paper was Sudhan Rawat. Formerly with the Samajwadi Party (SP), he recently switched camps and got a BSP ticket to contest the Muradnagar seat in the upcoming UP polls. He fought the 2014 Lok Sabha polls on an SP ticket, but lost. He also contested the mayoral polls for the local municipality on an SP ticket in 2012, but lost to BJPs Teluram Kamboj. Kamboj passed away later.

Having suffered losses in the two previous polls that he contested, Sudhan is hopeful of a turnaround this time. He was flanked by his wife Vibha as he filed his nomination paper on Saturday. He said he left the SP as he was upset with the bitter power struggle within the party.

Infighting in the SP has been on for some time and the issues hit the surface a couple of months back. The morale of the cadre, right down to the grassroots was down, and the workers seemed to have lost the stomach for a fight. I sensed the disillusionment within and decided to join the BSP, he said.

The BSP is a disciplined party and people have fond recollections of the development work undertaken by the Mayawati government. I hope the strong pro-BSP sentiment in the area will help me win the seat this time, he said.

He declared his total moveable and immovable assets at over Rs 30 crore. His affidavit says he holds a bachelors degree.

Most of the candidates to have filed their nomination papers so far are from the SP and BSP. Those from the Congress and the BJP are expected to file theirs by January 24.

In Gautam Budh Nagar, a total of five nominations were filed from across political affiliations on Saturday, but not one from the major parties in fray.

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Life of women in Basudevapuri village, a few kilometres south of Naubatpur police station in Patna rural, seems to have made a complete turnaround in the last few months.

Just as you enter the village, women from Musahari Tola can be seen relaxing with kids, enjoying the sun. Things were different a few months back.

Of the 100 families in the tola, almost all used to prepare and sell Mahua liquor (home-brewed liquor).

Had you been here around daytime last year, you might have seen my husband and other men in deep slumber under the influence of Mahua, and women preparing liquor and snacks, said Radha Devi.

Now that the government has banned liquor, men are compelled to go out to work and earn money, she added.

Another woman, Manti Devi, said her children now had regular food and she had also been able to get her son admitted to a school in Basudevapuri.

I have had enough of this daru (liquor) business. Now I want him to be educated and do some work, she said.

The biggest change after the liquor ban is the relief from physical violence.

My husband used to beat me every evening. It had become so routine. Once I dared to stop him, but he took up the matter with the village panchayat, Chameli Devi, an elderly woman of the tola, said.

I am happy he is now busy in farming. With whatever money he (husband) has earned, we recently got our daughter married, she said.

Manju, a member of Ekta Parishad, an NGO which has been working in the village for the last several years, said complaints of domestic violence, too, had decreased in local police station.

Earlier, women used to throng police stations almost every other day to register complaints of domestic violence against husbands, she said.

Men in most families used to spend even their wives earnings on liquor. It has stopped now. Women now save money, she said.

While most men in the locality work at construction sites, women get to work on farmlands.

Almost every women self-help group (SHG) now have common fund in which every member deposits Rs 40 a month. During need, they borrow money from this fund, Soni Kumari of Sikandarpura said.

Many (women) also have bank accounts now. Women have also created an Anaaj Kosh (granary bank) in the village in which they deposit a handful of foodgrain every day, which helps them in need, she signed off.

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A day after Hindustan Times reported on three cops allegedly reaching an accident spot in an inebriated state in Maloya, two of the cops were suspended and the services of one was terminated on Friday.

We have initiated departmental inquiries against the three. Sub-inspectors Sarwan Singh and Purushotam Singh have been suspended, while home-guard Sher Singh has been terminated. We have sought their medical reports and will see the report submitted by Maloya SHO, a senior police official said.

Another senior officer said that if the cops were innocent and were not in an inebriated state as alleged; they wouldnt have refused to give their blood and urine samples during medical examination.

They shouldnt have refused to give the samples. It is a serious offence if any cop on duty consumes alcohol or anything illegal. We need to enforce discipline, added the officer.

Later, DSP Uday Pal briefed his team at Police headquarters, Sector 9, to avoid such incidents.

In another case, Sukhjinder Singh, Burail police post in-charge along with three head constables, was suspended due to dereliction in duty. The cops were sent to Police Lines following an inquiry. The head constables have been identified as Kuldeep Singh and Jatinder Kumar.

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Kicking off the BJP campaign in Amritsar for the February 4 assembly polls, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said the divided Opposition would help the Akali-BJP combine score a hat-trick in Punjab.

Hitting out at the Congress at a press conference here on Saturday, Jaitley said: Terrorism in Punjab was the outcome of wrong policies of the Congress. As far as SAD-BJP alliance is concerned, it not only plays a political but also a social role in the state.

The factors that will work in our favour include the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and development works carried out by the Parkash Singh Badal government in the state, he added.

Jaitley, who lost the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat in 2014 polls, lauded BJP candidate Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina for the bypoll, saying he was a popular face in the constituency.

Reacting to a media query that the party has fielded a weak candidate, Rajesh Honey, against Navjot Singh Sidhu from Amritsar East assembly constituency, Jaitley said: Honey is partys district chief and is a strong candidate. Also, he will always be accessible to the people of the constituency unlike Sidhu. Amritsar has had the misfortune of having an absentee member of Parliament for over 12 years, who was nowhere to be seen in the constituency and Parliament.
The Chandigarh electricity department has sent a revised power tariff proposal for 2017-18 to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), recommending a hike of up to Rs 1.20 per unit for domestic consumers.

The proposal will be implemented if cleared by the regulator which will take a final call on the extent of hike. The JERC will also take suggestions from residents in a public hearing session.

In the domestic category, the department has recommended a hike of 20 paisa for using up to 150 units and Rs 1.20 per unit for consuming more than 150 units.

In the commercial category, the department has recommended a hike of Rs 1.20 for consuming up to 400 power units and an increase of Rs 1.35 for using more than 400 units.

The department has also proposed to increase the fixed charges along with basic tariff. As of now, fixed charge is levied on domestic consumers at the rate of Rs 10 per kilowatt. Rs 2 increase has been recommended in fixed charge for domestic consumers and Rs 22 for commercial ones.

Last year, the power tariff was hiked by 17.78% after a gap of three years. It was increased by 14% in 2012-13 but the commission had stated that the department should increase it only after getting its commercial audit conducted.

During summers, the demand of electricity reaches 395 megawatts (MW) in the city. The department has projected the peak demand at 450 MW and 475 MW for 2017-18 and 2018-19.

There are 2.12 lakh power consumers in the city, of which 1.75 lakh are in the domestic category.

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A day after taking the fight to the Badal camp, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress candidate from Amritsar East, asked party cadres to stay united to throw out the SAD-BJP government.

Addressing a meeting of the party workers of his constituency, the former BJP MP who recently switched allegiance, said, Nobody can defeat the Congress unless the Congress defeats itself. Independent candidates are contesting to deceive you. Just stay united in the interest of the Congress.

I have highlighted how Punjab government is just the government of one family. This has to end and every Punjabi has to get a share. I will raise the voice against them on every platform, he added.

Repeating his coinage Bhajj Badala Bhajj (Run, Badal, Run) in his speech a number of times, Sidhu took a dig in particular at chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son and deputy Sukhbir Sungh Badal. Main ehna nu jalebi waang kathha kar deyanga (I will roll them like a jalebi), he said, People of Punjab are fed up... have seen their sewa (service) which is 90% mewa (self-interest) and 10% sewa. In his aggressive style, he repeatedly called Sukhbir Sukha.
In a major development, the state government on Friday imposed preventive detention of former minister Yogendra Sao under provisions of Jharkhand Crime Control Act (JCCA).

Sao, currently lodged in Jaiprakash Narayan Central Jail in Hazaribag, was charged with running and promoting an extremist group--Jharkhand Tiger Group.

Chief Minister Raghubar Das approved Hazaribag deputy commissioners recommendation for imposing the CCA against Sao, who is allegedly involved in several criminal cases of serious nature.

However, the governments decision of Saos preventive detention would attain finality after the approval of the state advisory board comprising three members headed by a sitting high court judge.

The government has invoked CCA against Sao on the ground that Sao was running an extremist group and involved in several cases of kidnapping, extortion and murder and therefore his release would be a threat to the society at large. It was also alleged that Sao had been instigating villagers under Hazaribag district to agitate against a Nav Ratna company which created law and order problem.

In September last year, Sao and his legislator wife Nirmala Devi had allegedly provoked villagers to attack a police team when it reached Barkagaon block in Hazaribag district to arrest Nirmala Devi who was sitting on a dharna. The police team, however, had to open fire in which four villagers were killed. Later, the police booked the couple and arrested them.

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On the first full day as U.S. president, Donald Trump will head to CIA headquarters on Saturday, signaling an effort to mend fences after he slammed spy agencies for their investigation into Russian hacking during the presidential election.

Trump engaged in an unprecedented feud with the CIA and U.S. intelligence agencies before his inauguration, but his spokesman Sean Spicer suggested that Trump would bear friendlier greetings when he speaks with more than 300 people at the event at the Langley, Virginia-based Central Intelligence Agency.

"Excited to thank the men and women of the intelligence community," White House spokesman Spicer said on Twitter. It was not immediately clear what time Trump would travel to the CIA.

Trump harshly criticized intelligence officials after they concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed hackers to breach Democratic emails to try to boost Trump's presidential election campaign.

He accused intelligence agencies of engaging in tactics reminiscent of Nazi Germany, for leaks about an unsubstantiated dossier compiled by a private security firm suggesting Moscow had compromising information about him.

That drew an unusual public rebuke from outgoing CIA Director John Brennan and raised fears about the impact that sagging morale at the agencies could have on U.S. security.

The visit is a "good gesture," said Bruce Riedel, a former senior CIA and White House official, now at the Brookings Institution think-tank. Riedel said the visit may help Trump learn more about the agency's counterterrorism work.

WILL TAKE TIME TO HEAL

But others said it may take time to heal the wounds caused by the fight, giving concerns - widely shared in the 17-agency intelligence community - about the qualifications and judgment, of Trump, a businessman and television star who has never held public office.

"While a Saturday visit is unusual - my view is that there is not a moment to waste in trying to repair relations with the agency," said a former senior U.S. intelligence official.

Some veteran analysts who have spent their careers studying foreign dictators and autocrats have said they are troubled by Trump's style, saying his negativity, egotism, and appeals to nationalism are hallmarks of autocratic regimes.

"Many people are asking whether we can serve under a president and national security adviser who've expressed such contempt for the intelligence community, and one photo opportunity drive-by on a Saturday is not going to change that," said a veteran officer now working at CIA headquarters after multiple assignments overseas, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"It will be interesting to see how many people leave their houses and jump in their cars to drive to headquarters on their day off to make the crowd look bigger for someone who's compared them to Nazis," said a second serving intelligence officer.

MONTHS BEFORE PUTIN MEETING

Trump, who has said he wants to try to work with Moscow to fight Islamic State (IS) militants and reduce stockpiles of nuclear weapons, has since accepted the conclusions of the election hacking investigation.

Trump had originally hoped to swear in his new CIA chief during the visit to the spy agency. But the Senate has not yet confirmed his pick, Kansas Republican Representative Mike Pompeo, for the job. That vote is expected on Monday.

The relationship between Washington and Moscow frayed after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, prompting new U.S. economic sanctions. Former U.S. President Barack Obama also blamed Putin for prolonging Syria's bloody civil war.

Putin is ready to meet Trump but a meeting would take months to prepare, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

"This will not be in coming weeks, let's hope for the best - that the meeting will happen in the coming months," Peskov told BBC, according to TASS.

NO TIME TO WASTE

In a long day of pomp and ceremony on Friday, Trump - a real estate mogul who has never held office - was officially sworn in as the 45th U.S. president, and celebrated with his family at three balls late into the night.

But he squeezed in a hastily arranged Oval Office ceremony to sign an order to weaken Obamacare, using his first hours in the White House to make good on a campaign promise to start dismantling his predecessor's healthcare law.

Trump won his campaign with an often-angry anti-establishment pledge to crack down on illegal immigration and protect U.S. jobs, but his upstart message sparked a series of protests around the world.

On Saturday, large crowds of women, many wearing bright pink knit hats, poured into downtown Washington for a march on the National Mall, which was filled with Trump supporters only a day earlier.

He began the day by attending the National Prayer Service, an interfaith service traditionally held the morning after inauguration.

Trump's motorcade weaved past handfuls of protesters as well as supporters as it drove to and from the National Cathedral. One jogger along the route lifted both of his middle fingers as he was running.

Near the White House people held signs including "Hate does not make America great" and "Women's rights are human rights."

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Tamil superstar Vijay paid a secret visit to the Marina beach in Chennai to extend support to thousands of young protesters against the ban on Jallikattu, a source said.

On Friday night, Vijay joined thousands of supporters who have been protesting against the ban on the popular and ancient bull-taming sport.

He didnt participate in the fast organised by the Nadigar Sangam as he wanted the limelight to stay on the youngsters. Hence, he decided to join them on ground on Friday night. He covered his face with a handkerchief and silently joined protesters at Marina beach, said a source close to the actor.

Who is the masked superstar? Really nice of #Vijay to join the protesters on ground in support of #Jallikattu. Much respect. pic.twitter.com/UJZVTRtEH7  Haricharan Pudipeddi (@pudiharicharan) January 21, 2017

On Friday, the central government gave its nod to an ordinance enabling the holding of Jallikattu as proposed by the Tamil Nadu government.

Earlier, in a video message, Vijay said: Law was not created to rob people off their tradition and rights, but to protect it. Jallikattu is every Tamilians identity. Those who are protesting against the ban on Jallikattu are united by the feeling that they are Tamilians, but not out of compulsion or political pressure. I bow down to each and every one of them.

On the career front, he is gearing up for the shoot of his next yet-untitled Tamil outing with director Atlee.

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Although viewers of the reality show Bigg Boss loved watching Monalisas marriage to long-time beau Vikrant Singh Rajput, there are rumours doing the rounds that the couple was offered money by the makers to do it. In fact, Karan Johar, who came on the show, said hed sign a film deal with Monalisa, and even that would last longer than the marriage.

Although now evicted from the house, Monalisa is hurt by the insinuation. Its painful to see that people still think that our marriage is fake. It isnt. For any girl, marriage is a big thing. We were planning to get married, but things were just not falling in place, she says.

Monalisa is a popular Bhojpuri actor, who recently got married in the Bigg Boss house.

When asked about Johars comment, she says, I dont know when he said this. I cant comment unless I watch the episode. But he did congratulate me on my new journey. Salman Khan also said so many nice things to me. I am thankful to Bigg Boss for everything.

Antara aka Monalisa, whos looking forward to her honeymoon outside India, will now plan her reception, to be held in Mumbai, Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh (Vikrants birthplace). She will also visit her family in Kolkata.

Ask her who she thinks may win Bigg Boss 10 and Monalisa adds with a smile, Given an option I would have chosen myself as the winner. This time you cant really say who will win the show because all of them are playing so well.

Next, Monalisa will start completing her pending Bhojpuri films. She is also keen on doing both Bollywood and television. If the role is satisfactory enough then I am open to every medium. I would also want to do Bengali films. Lets see what offers I get. I am keeping my fingers crossed, she says.

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Culture is a many-splendoured thing. The dictionary defines culture as the arts, ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular people or society. What it doesnt define it as, is a tool to whip up mass public sentiment, as it has done in the past week or more. From Chennais Marina Beach to New Delhi and even abroad, Tamils across the world have banded together in the name of culture to protest against a 2014 Supreme Court ban against Jallikattu, a bull taming sport popular in parts of the state during Pongal celebrations. Save Jallikattu, its our culture. Ban PETA, read banners carried by protestors. While critics feel the practice amounts to animal cruelty, supporters of the sport had hoped that the ban would be lifted ahead of Pongal. The protest saw political parties in the state joining hands in support of Jallikattu and Prime Minister Narendra Modis assurance that all efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people. Modis assurance came a day after the Centre cleared an ordinance drafted by the state government to circumvent the Supreme Court ban. On Saturday, Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao approved the ordinance allowing Jallikattu to be held across the state on Sunday.

Read: To reduce Tamil identity to Jallikattu is both farcical and tragic

In the age-old war between culture and tradition on one side and reform on the other, this battle has gone to the culturists. For Jallikattu is hardly the first cause that has leaned heavily on the culture crutch for support. Even where the campaign has been against more severe instances of socially and morally unjust practices, whether it be womens suffrage in the US or womens education, abolition of sati and child marriage and widow remarriage back home, or the movement against the caste system, over the years all of these have run into a solid wall of opposition based on what is perceived to be a part of culture.

Trupti Desai leads a group of women in a protest at the Shani temple in Maharashtra, after they were prevented from entering the temple in April last year. Women have subsequently been allowed entry into the temple. (Dhanesh Katariya/HT PHOTO)

The past few years have seen progressive discourse on many issues that have for years been put out of the reach of debate. Women have moved court against the system of triple talaq and polygamy. The Centre is pushing for a uniform civil code of law  a move which has again been opposed in the name of religion and tradition. Last year the Haji Ali Dargah Trust allowed women entry into the Mumbai shrine after a prolonged legal battle. The fight for women to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, where entry is banned for women, has also reached the courts. Voices for Dalit rights and against the caste system have gained increasing resonance across the country. All these movements are indicative of a society poised for change  a society where reason and basic rights are respected more than traditional practices that might be rooted in ignorance and blind faith.

Members of Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan inside the inner sanctum of Haji Ali shrine in Mumbai after the dargah trust allowed entry to women last year. (HT PHOTO)

Punishing practices

Of course, the going has been far from easy. And culture has been the common stick used to try and beat back change. Culture has always been violative of individual rights. It can be oppressive, says Zakia Soman of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), that has been at the forefront of the movement to abolish triple talaq and polygamy. The arguments in favour of the practice  as being part of religion, culture and tradition  are hardly different from those that had been raised when the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 had made polygamy illegal for Hindus.

Culture is used by those in a position of power or advantage to hold on to that influence, says Trupti Desai, who has led the campaign for entry of women in places of worship. If something is wrong, if something is unjust, it cant be justified in the name of culture and tradition, or to satisfy public sentiments. It needs to be changed. As society changes, so must culture, says Desai.

Some feel it is the same male craving for dominance and display of power that fuels the outrage against the Jallikattu ban. Jallikattu is more than a sport. I have been to many Jallikattu events in the past. Its a blatant show of masculinity, says NG Jayasimha, a member of the Animal Welfare Board of India. Women rarely come to even watch. Traditionally, the winner used to get to marry the woman of his choice, or the daughter of the owner of the bull. Which means that the woman had little say in the matter. I dont know whether that practice is still followed. He adds, Also, there is a deep casteist undercurrent. Till recently Dalits were not allowed to participate in Jallikattu events.

If something is wrong, if something is unjust, it cant be justified in the name of culture and tradition, or to satisfy public sentiments. It needs to be changed. As society changes, so must culture , says activist Trupti Desai.

Soman agrees. Already some Muslim patriarchs have started speaking in favour of Jallikattu. I am sure that at some point they will link its cultural importance to other oppressive practices which are carried on in the name of culture, she says. There are also the associated financial gains to be considered, to make it important for the practice to carry on.

Be it the economy associated with the raising of the bull, or the bets that are placed on the sport and the gold and other gifts given as prizes, there is a huge amount of money riding on Jallikattu. It is the same with temple sacrifices, where the people who stand to gain from it are the temple priests who are often involved in the trade of the animals raised for sacrifice, says Jayasimha.

Shades of grey

But while the social and economic trappings around Jallikattu seem to be similar to traditions that have been opposed for being unjust, many feel it cant be said to be symbolic of the friction between perceived culture and change. It is more complicated than sati or triple talaq, which are more black and white. It is easy to oppose those in the name of humanity and reason. But here, the focal point of the protest has come to be Tamil pride. The emotional reaction to the ban is disproportionate, but there are a lot of greys here, says historian Ramachandra Guha, who says he has just returned from Chennai after getting a first-hand experience of the protest. Sociologist Shiv Visvanathan agrees. The protest is less about Jallikattu now and more to do with what Tamils see as oppression of Dravidian culture, he says.

Culture has always been violative of individual rights. It can oppress. Take marriage, for example. The oppression that often takes place within that is justified in the name of culture and tradition, says Zakia Soman of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan

The question being asked in Chennai, and by Tamils elsewhere, is why if Jallikattu is banned in the name of animal rights, should animal sacrifice be allowed for Eid, or cock fighting or camel racing be allowed in other parts of the country? While two wrongs dont make a right, and a beginning has to be made somewhere, the situation  given the high voltage public sentiments  is no doubt a tricky one for both the legislature and the judiciary and has always been so.

Senior advocate and former additional solicitor general Raju Ramachandran recalls how once the Supreme Court had thrown out a petition against animal sacrifice, with the judge saying that the court couldnt intervene in such age-old religious practices.

Often though, the legislative or judicial support for or against culture depends on the social and financial might of those it affects. I am against the protest in favour of Jallikattu because it is against animal rights. But in general I am all for culture and traditions, says sociologist Ashis Nandy. Too often culture is cornered, especially the cultural practices of the weaker sections, by those with vested interests. I am against a monolithic idea of culture. It should be open to interpretations, he adds.

Power struggle

The debate is often dictated by the agenda of those in power. Jayasimha gives the example of the ban on cow slaughter and ban on beef consumption that has been put in place in some states. There is no consistency in the rhetoric and policy practice. If they are so concerned about protecting cattle, why does India continue to be a leading exporter of beef? he questions.

Jallikattu is more than a sport. I have been to many Jallikattu events in the past. Its a blatant show of masculinity. Women rarely come to even watch. Till recently Dalits were not allowed to participate in Jallikattu events, says animal rights activist NG Jayasimha

What stands at risk in this war between culture and change  apart from the animals or the those fighting for their rights, of course  is the rule of law in the country, which as Guha says, is already in a fragile state. The state needs to be guided by the Constitution rather than public sentiment. But what has been happening in recent years is that justice and equality have been equated with whatever has been the most vocal, the most vociferous argument, says Soman.

The way out, feels Ramachandran, is for the legislature to intervene. When there is a legislative guideline, it is easier for the court to interpret it in its judgment. But courts cannot and should not cater to public sentiments. It has to uphold the constitutional principles he says, adding, If one stretches respect for popular sentiment, then in the past there was even support for the dowry system and child marriage.

To give in to public sentiment once, sets a dangerous precedent, by giving everyone a chance to uphold any unjust practice in the name of culture.

Where then does one stop the slide back in time?

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Shilpa Krishnan Shuklas Theres Always Tomorrow (Pularum Iniyum Naalekal) in Malayalam and English - which screened at the Dhaka International Film Festival - is a short and sweet story of a man and a woman who meet at an Abu Dhabi cafe and spend an afternoon together. Once, they were lovers.

Shuklas movie did remind me of Richard Linklaters Before series - where Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy play two characters who meet in Vienna and spend a passionate night together in Before Sunrise. Their paths cross again nine years later in Before Sunset, and this time it is Paris. He is a writer and married, and she has a boyfriend. But he misses his flight or that is what is conveyed, and they spend time together again - only to part and meet yet again in Greece. This time, they become a couple.

Shuklas film has her protagonists, Anthony (Balaraman Kunduvara) and Durga (Gayathri Gopal), married to different people - but the writer-director holds herself back from letting them run away with their feelings. Once they were together, but spilt, and the accidental meeting in Abu Dhabi helps them walk down the memory lane. Their marriages do have little pinpricks, which the two discuss on that lazy afternoon as they make a little tour of the Arab city. There is a beautiful scene of them sitting on the sand dunes as the night falls - a perfect setting for a romance, which does not happen, though.

Pularum Iniyum Naalekal stars Balaraman Kunduvara and Gayathri Gopal. (Shilpa Krishnan Shukla)

Shukla thus steers her movie from the predictable. Anthony and Durga do not get back into being lovers - even for a brief afternoon. In the course of a conversation with this writer here after the film was screened the other day, Shukla says that I really wanted to avoid that kind of a cliche of lovers wanting to get back...

As Anthony and Durga while away their afternoon in splendid locations at Abu Dhabi, we understand that they were deeply in love and wanted to elope (because their families were opposed to the union). But she does not turn up, and he leaves after a long wait - an incident which reminded this writer of a shot from Casablanca, where Humphrey Bogarts Rick desperately waits for his love, Ingrid Bergmans Ilsa, at the train station. But she never arrives that day - only to walk into his cafe in Casablanca years later with her husband.

But I have never seen these films, Shukla avers. But one supposes that artists have this uncanny ability to think alike.

However, what is important is that I wanted to show that Anthony and Durga have moved on with their lives. They have found love with other people. There is no remorse or regret or negativity in them... They have fairly good marriages.

So, this was the mood of the two former lovers when they meet. One presumes that in such a case there could not have been any scope for them to get into bed together. Anyway, Anthony and Durga are not even allowed to get indoors. Shuklas story and script keep them outdoors - cafes, heritage village, camel farm, desert and so on. And while the title, Theres Always Tomorrow, may sound misleading in a certain sense, Shukla is not quite perturbed by this. Maybe, a sequel may come.

Theres Always Tomorrow, which premiered at Kosovo, has till now travelled to over a dozen festivals. The next stop is Brussels.

(Gautaman Bhaskaran is covering the Dhaka International Film Festival.)

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At least 22 people were killed and 87 others were injured in a blast at Eidgah Market in Kurram Agencys Parachinar area in Pakistan on Saturday. The blast occurred in Eidgah Markets Sabzi Mandi as people shopped for vegetables, killing at least 21 people and injuring over 50, political agent Kurram Agency Ikramullah told a local newspaper.

Most of the residents of the area are Shias.

Hours after the incident, banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility.

A senior security official claimed the explosion was caused by a remote control bomb, which went off at 8:50am, during the peak hours of business in the area. The official added that it was too early to draw conclusions.

This was the fourth attack in recent years in Parachinars Eidgah Market. According to a political administration official, 2016 was relatively peaceful in the area. However, this incident was going to cast a shadow of doubt regarding peace in the area.

A statement from the armys Inter Service Public Relations confirmed 20 casualties and 30 injuries. Some of the injured will be airlifted to Kohat and Peshawar if needed, read the statement..
At least 16 people were killed and about 40 injured when a bus carrying Hungarian students burst into flames on a highway in northern Italy, police and the fire service said on Saturday.

The bus went off the road near a highway exit close to the city of Verona overnight.

The local highway police chief said the bus was carrying mostly teenage students, teachers and parents.

Many children among the victims of the accident in Verona, a bus catches fire on impact with a pillar, the national police said on Twitter, adding that they had come to Italy from France.

Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference that the teenagers were from a Budapest secondary school, returning from their annual ski camp in France.

He added that there was uncertainty over the exact number of passengers in the bus, but it was higher than the director of the school had known about.

Szijjarto said that one of the victims, whose life was at risk, was being kept in coma, and that all of the injured were in hospital.

The minister added that 12 passengers were well and were staying in a hotel in the southern part of Verona.

Local highway police chief Girolamo Lacquaniti told SkyTG24 television that some people had minor injuries, but others were more serious.

Lacquaniti said the cause of the crash would be investigated. We are not aware of other vehicles being involved, it seems to have gone off the road of its own accord.

Police released photographs and television footage of the burned-out hulk near a road bridge. The wreckage had been removed from the road by around 0800 GMT.

With my prayers, I am with the families and friends shocked by the tragedy, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a statement sent to the national news agency MTI.
Fire engulfed a popular nightclub in the Romanian capital Saturday, sending 38 people to hospitals for treatment including one who was seriously injured. No deaths were reported.

The fire erupted in the early hours at the upmarket Bamboo nightclub, which was burned to the ground.

Some people suffered from smoke intoxication while others were injured as they reportedly leapt from the upper level of the lakeside club to escape the flames.

There was no word on the cause of the fire. There were unconfirmed reports that people were smoking at the club, which is illegal. Prosecutors have opened an inquiry.

About 20 ambulances rushed to the scene as revelers ran outside. Bogdan Oprita, coordinator of the capitals ambulance service, said most of the injured were suffering from smoke intoxication. Others who rushed outside without picking up their coats suffered hypothermia in the -12 Celsius (10 Fahrenheit) cold.

Senior emergency situations official Raed Arafat said one person was seriously injured and that almost half of the injured used their own transport to reach hospitals. About half a dozen remained hospitalized.

In October 2015, 64 people died at a fire at a nightclub in Bucharest the worst fire in the countrys history.

Bamboo has several clubs in Romania, and one in Miami, Florida. It first opened in Bucharest in 2002 and was rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 2005.
Some things dont change. En route to the White House after his swearing-in, President Donald Trump stopped his motorcade just before the luxury hotel bearing his name and walked with his family for a bit in an obvious tip of the hat to his business.

And some things do change. The irascible Trump of the campaign trail miraculously disappeared after a fiery inaugural address, and was replaced by an amiable New York dealmaker schmoozing with Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill. Theres more: At a traditional luncheon on the Hill, he called out to Hillary Clinton  the Democratic candidate with whom he had clashed bitterly during the campaign  and prompted a standing ovation for her and her husband, former president Bill Clinton.

Day one in a new presidents tenure is full of pomp and pageantry, starting with the inaugural parade and ending with inaugural balls that are mostly focused on the First Ladys dress, who made it (Caroline Herrera, if you wanted to know), how did it compare with her predecessors (just started). But Trump also got right down to business by signing an executive order on the Affordable Care Act, the signature legislation of former President Barack Obama that Republicans plan to repeal and replace.

He also signed the appointment letters of two cabinet nominees confirmed by the senate  general James Mattis as defense secretary and retired general John Kelly as secretary for homeland secretary. The rest will happen, or not, next week.

The day was also marked by instances of protests turning violent in different parts of the city, with agitators smashing windows of businesses downtown and setting trash bins on fire. More than 200 people were arrested, and several police officers were injured.

A massive rally  called the Womens March  is scheduled to take place in DC and 250 cities across the country on Saturday to register concerns about the new administration and its pursuit of actions potentially damaging to women and minorities. As witnessed by the recent election, there has been a profound deepening of divisions in our country, organisers of the march said in a statement. Etched in history, these divisions cleave us from one another across the lines of racial, ethnic, religious and sexual identity. We seek to address these divisions and stand together in the face of injustice. Together, we will raise our voices in the service of all people.

Trumps inaugural speech, which hewed close to his campaign promises, did little to address those concerns. He stated once again that he would work to make the lives of all Americans better, but somehow missed the mark. Commentators and analysts wanted to hear more from Trump on the need for unity than a mere statement that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.

The protestors, however, arent backing down. We want him to step down, resign, said Ted Sirota of refusefascism.org, one of the organisations staging protests in DC.

Trump is not stepping down, so what next?
A day after Donald Trump became US President and vowed to put America First, Asian media decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global economy and sow widespread international discord.

In a defiant inaugural address, Trump said US workers have been devastated by an outflow of jobs overseas, one of the main themes of a divisive campaign that emphasised making America strong again.

India must not only prepare for a more protectionist America, but also prepare of a United States that does not plan to mess around with other peoples affairs or squander blood and treasure in the name of promoting democratic values, wrote policy analyst C Raja Mohan, head of Carnegie India, in The Indian Express.

In Japan, one of Washingtons oldest and staunchest Asian allies, newspapers across the political spectrum criticised the new administration, with more than one saying the world was now in unpredictable territory.

Has there ever been a new US administration that began by spreading unease, not expectations, throughout the world? said the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun, adding that Trump appeared ready to take both alliances and global norms lightly if they didnt benefit the United States.

The liberal Asahi Shimbun went further and said Trump, who called on allies like Japan and South Korea to shoulder a greater share of defence costs or face the possible withdrawal of US troops, posed a risk to the freer global order born after World War Two and the Cold War.

Will the unpredictable Trump whirlwind cross the US borders to spread division and conflict? The new master of the White House must realise the heavy responsibility that accompanies his words and actions, it said.

State media in China, accused of stealing US jobs during Trumps campaign, said they hoped his government understood the importance of relations with China but that Beijing should also brace for the worst.

Whats crucial is to control and manage disputes and find a way to resolve them, said the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Partys official Peoples Daily.

Worry about friction between the two superpowers loomed over many in the region.

As an exporting nation reliant on both China and the US, we would suffer from greater US protectionism and any trade war, said the Sydney Morning Herald.

We may have to negotiate our way through a new world order not just regarding trade and China but also climate, Russia and regional security given Trumps lack of interest in the US playing the role of sheriff.

A less-engaged Washington could also lead to shifting alliances and more reliance on regional networks.

A few said they expected US political institutions to prevail and that Trump should be given the benefit of the doubt as the duly-elected US leader. It is wisest to hope he succeeds, added The Australian in an editorial titled President Trump Seals the Deal.

But uncertainty prevailed for the most part.

Under Trump, the United States is apt to be as edgy and unpredictable as his former television reality show, said Thailands The Nation on Friday.

The reality show has become reality. We are about to discover whether America can become great again - and whether the word great takes on unexpected meanings.
Austrias interior minister said on Friday that the authorities averted a potential terror attack in Vienna with the arrest by armed police of an 18-year-old suspected Islamist extremist.

Our police forces managed in quick time to arrest a suspect and so prevent a potential terror attack in the federal capital Vienna, Wolfgang Sobotka said shortly after police in the capital announced the arrest.

The suspect is an Austrian citizen with a migration background who is 18 years old, Sobotka told a news conference. He said that possible indications that he may be an Islamic extremist were being looked into.

There are individual indications (of extremism) that we have to investigate. There is one contact that is pretty clear and there are several indications that will be looked at intensively, Sobotka said.

A police spokeswoman told AFP that signs had multiplied in recent days that there might be an attack in the city, which is popular with foreign tourists, and that security measures had been increased.

The presence of uniformed and plainclothes police was increased and today (Friday) at 1800 (1700 GMT), the suspect was arrested in Vienna near his address, spokeswoman Irina Steier said.

Sobotka said that the man, who lived in Vienna, had been under observation for several days and that he did not resist arrest. He said that decisive information came from foreign intelligence agencies.

Austria spared so far

Police also issued a public warning for people to be on the lookout at crowded public places and to inform police if they see any suspicious objects.

Austria has been spared in the string of attacks by Islamist extremists in recent years suffered by other European countries.

In 2015, a record 90,000 people applied for asylum in Austria after hundreds of thousands of migrants transited the country bound for Germany and elsewhere.

Several of the attackers behind the November 2015 deadly attacks in Paris transited through Austria with false papers among the flow of migrants.

In December 2015, two migrants were arrested in Salzburg and later extradited to France over their alleged intent to take part in those attacks, which left 130 people dead.

A Moroccan asylum-seeker was detained in Austria in December for allegedly planning an attack in Salzburg over the Christmas and New Year period, prosecutors said.

The 25-year-old was arrested in a refugee centre in a small Alpine resort town near Salzburg in western Austria, close to the German border.

Todays case shows once again that Austria is no blessed isle. That Austria, like Europe, has to expect terror situations, Sobotka said.

Austrias opposition far-right has risen in popularity by stoking concerns about immigrants, coming close in 2016 to winning the largely ceremonial but coveted presidency and leading national opinion polls.

Albanian origin

In the latest arrest, the Kronen-Zeitung newspaper published online a document from the BVT anti-terrorism agency saying that a group of radical Islamists of Albanian origin intended to launch an attack in Vienna.

It said that according to information from a foreign intelligence agency and, independently from a foreign police force, the attack was to take place between January 15 and January 30.

The document, whose veracity could not be confirmed, added that a German-speaking sympathiser of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group made explosives in Germany and that he intended to bring them to Vienna to carry out an attack.
The ministry has received over 1 million tonnes of sugarcane and beets from domestic farmers which will be converted into refined sugar and injected into the market in February

Egypts supplies of essential foodstuffs are sufficient to cover demand for four to six months, including sugar supplies, according to statements from the countrys supply minister on Saturday.

The ministry has received over 1 million tonnes of sugarcane and beets from domestic farmers which will be converted into refined sugar and injected into the market in February, minister Mohamed Ali El-Sheikh was quoted as saying by state television's website.

This quantity of sugarcane and beets will help provide the market with 2.4 million tonnes of domestically-produced refined sugar.

El-Sheikh said that in the next few days, the country's High Committee for Sugar would meet to decide on how much refined sugar Egypt still needs to import, whether by public or private sector companies. Imports to cover the country's consumption gap will likely amount to between 800,000 and 1 million tonnes per year.

During the last four months, according to El-Sheikh, the ministry provided the market with around 900,000 tonnes of sugar.

Egypt faced a shortage in sugar supplies during the last quarter of 2016 due to a foreign currency crisis that crippled imports.

Last November, the ministry increased the price of subsidised sugar sold through ration cards by 40 percent to EGP 7 per kilogramme. Many Egyptians still complain of increasing commercial prices of sugar.

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British Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday said she believed US president Donald Trump recognises the importance and significance of NATO, despite him dubbing the military alliance obsolete a few days earlier.

In an interview, May said: I am also confident the USA will recognise the importance of the cooperation we have in Europe to ensure our collective defence and collective security.

The British premier is expected to visit Trump in the spring, according to Downing Street, although the Financial Times reported that she could go to Washington as early as next month.

May congratulated Trump after he took office on Friday. From our conversations to date, I know we are both committed to advancing the special relationship between our two countries and working together for the prosperity and security of people on both sides of the Atlantic, she said.

I look forward to discussing these issues and more when we meet in Washington.

Earlier this week, before he was sworn in as president, Trump told two European newspapers he had long warned that NATO had problems.

Number one, it was obsolete, because it was designed many, many years ago, he said, referring to its Cold War, post-World War II origins. Number two, the countries arent paying what theyre supposed to pay.

Read: NATO obsolete, not taking care of terror but is very important to me: Trump

In his inaugural address on Friday, Trump said the United States had subsidised the armies of other countries, highlighting a common cause of friction in the 28-nation alliance.

In response to Trumps reported remarks about NATO earlier in the week, German chancellor Angela Merkel warned Europe had to take responsibility for itself.

British foreign secretary Boris Johnson said billions of people were wishing Trump success in the very great challenges ahead of him.

We in the United Kingdom will work hand in glove for the stability, the prosperity and the security of the world with President Donald Trump, he said in a statement.

Also read: US President Donald Trumps first day ends with inaugural balls and executive orders: See photos
A car bomb blast killed four civilians at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

A car bomb exploded on the outskirts of the Rukban camp on the Jordanian border, killing four displaced people and injuring others, said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Britain-based monitor.

Jordans official Petra news agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians, according to the United Nations.

The source said 14 wounded people had been taken to a clinic in the border area for treatment, adding that no decision had been taken yet on whether they would be transported to Jordanian hospitals.

The source added that there were no Jordanian casualties in the blast.

Jordan closed its nearby border in June, 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven Jordanian soldiers.

Jordanian officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the borders a closed military zone.

The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying hellish conditions for those seeking refuge there.

Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million.

In August, King Abdullah II said his country was doing its utmost to help refugees from Syria.

However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part, he said.

More than four million Syrians have fled their country since the beginning of the conflict in March, 2011. Over 310,000 people have been killed in the violence.
A consortium led by Chinese firms has signed a strategic agreement to acquire 40 per cent equity of Pakistan Stock Exchange for $85 million, in a move aimed at mobilising funds for the $46-billion CPEC project and facilitating Chinas entry into the Pakistani capital market.

The Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed on Friday in the presence of finance minister Ishaq Dar in Karachi.

The consortium comprises Chinese Financial Futures Exchange Company Ltd (lead bidders), Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and two local partners Pak-China Investment Company and Habib Bank Ltd, Dawn reported.

It had won by placing the highest bid of Pakistani Rs 28 a share for 320 million shares at a price consideration of Rs 8.96 billion ($85 million) when the stake was put forth in December.

The PSX also plans to launch infrastructure bonds which would be predominantly be used for the $46-billion China- Pakistan Economic Corridor project, that passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

On the occasion, Dar said the government had set up a Pakistan Development Fund aimed at financing the infrastructure development projects in the country.

We would soon be coming to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to mobilise funds, he said, adding the International Finance Corporation and others had indicated their interest in participating in the Fund.

Dar said the strategic deal with the Chinese consortium was a dream come true for him. Besides being the best market in Asia and fifth best among global bourses in 2016 on the basis of returns, the PSX had after the divestment graduated to regional market, he said.

He expressed hope that the decision by the Chinese consortium to venture into Pakistans capital market would bring benefits to both sides.

Divestment will result in institutional shareholding, experienced ownership and good governance for PSX which will translate into organised and robust development of the exchange, he said.

Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said the occasion marked a new step in all-round cooperation between the two countries. It is a win-win situation for both sides, the ambassador said and added that the partnership would assist in investment financing and generate credit for CPEC.

It comes at a significant moment when we are pushing forward CPEC to deepen cooperation and sustainable development in China-Pakistan all-weather friendship.
China has appointed Vice-Admiral Shen Jinlong as the new naval chief as Asias largest navy rapidly expands its fleet amid tensions over its assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

Vice-Admiral Shen, 60, who had led Chinas South Sea fleet, has been appointed as the new commander of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), state-run China Daily reported.

Shen in the capacity of the PLA Navy commander had a video chat on Friday morning with officers and sailors of the 25th escort fleet in the Gulf of Aden, a navy news release said.

He has replaced Admiral Wu Shengli, 71, to take charge of the largest navy in Asia, the daily said.

Although the navy did not disclose when the transition took place, observers believe it was this week.

Shen, a Shanghai native, had been commander of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla under the North Sea Fleet and then commander of the Navys Lyushun Logistic Support Base.

In 2010, he was appointed president of the Dalian Naval Academy and promoted to the rank of rear admiral. The next year, he became president of the Naval Command College in Nanjing.

In 2014, Shen led three warships to take part in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise in Hawaii. After the exercise finished, the ships paid a 5-day visit to San Diego, California.

He was named deputy commander of the South Sea Fleet as soon as he returned to China in August that year. In December 2014, he replaced Lieutenant Admiral Jiang Weilie, who was named deputy chief of the PLA Navy, to become the fleets commander.

Shen was chosen because he has rich experience gained through posts in front-line combat units, institutes and a major fleets commanding body, it quoted a senior researcher with PLAN as saying.

He has theoretical and practical knowledge and front-line commanding experience, and he is just 60. This makes him a suitable choice, the senior researcher said.

The change of command came as China is rapidly expanding its naval fleet to back its growing assertiveness over territorial claims in the South China Sea.

New US President Donald Trump is also sharply critical of China reinforcing the artificial islands in the SCS with heavy weapons.

In the past 10 years, PLAN expanded rapidly taking delivery of about 100 advanced ships and submarines as well as a large number of new aircraft.

It commissioned around 20 new ships in 2015 as well as last year and is believed to have deployed several new-generation nuclear submarines during this period, the Daily reported.

The navy now has a carrier battle group headed by its first aircraft carrier Liaoning, which just completed a long-distance, live-fire drill in the Western Pacific Ocean and South China Sea.

A second aircraft carrier is being built with plans for third. The Navys aviation force has carried out several long-range, combat-ready drills.

Moreover, the navy has gained extensive experience of large, sophisticated operations through its active participation in escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and multinational naval exercises in the past several years, the report said.

Chinas claims over almost all of the SCS is contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. PTI KJV PMS
The Trump administration on Friday removed all mentions of climate change from the White House website and said it would eliminate the Climate Action Plan, which seeks to cut emissions in part by preserving forests and encouraging increased use of cleaner renewable fuels.

Less than an hour after Donald Trump took over as new US President, the White House website was transformed, and the energy and climate page vanished. It appeared as page not found.

The website was transformed to remove all traces of former President Barack Obamas climate change initiatives which previously had its own prominent and detailed webpage on whitehouse.gov.

Trump has cast doubt on the degree to which human activity causes climate change. His nominee for secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, this week expressed doubts about the science behind climate change and said EPA rules should not hurt economic development.

He has also vowed to back out of the Paris Agreement, sanctioned by the United Nations Convention on Climate Change. The agreement, signed by over 195 countries, is aimed at reducing dangerous increases in greenhouse gas emissions; a leading cause of rising global temperatures.

Within the first 100 days of office, Trump also plans to dismantle the Clean Power Plan, which is regarded by the EPA as a historic and important step in reducing carbon pollution from power plants that takes real action on climate change.

Read| On first day, Trump signs executive order to minimise the burdens of Obamacare

The new-look White House website carried a set of policy pledges that offered the broad contours of the Trump administrations top priorities. The list includes fierce support for law enforcement bordering on vigilantism, an immediate elimination of the White Houses policy page on climate page and the notable absence of any directives involving President Obamas Affordable Care Act, said the Sydney Morning Herald.

Our job is not to make life more comfortable for the rioter, the looter, or the violent disrupter, reads the law and order section, which calls for more law enforcement and more effective policing.

Our job is to make life more comfortable for parents who want their kids to be able to walk the streets safely. Or the senior citizen waiting for a bus. Or the young child walking home from school, it reads.

The issues page of Trumps White House website offers no new plans or policies but rather a rehash of many of his most prominent campaign promises - a signal to the nation that Trump, more pragmatic than ideological, plans to implement at least the key guideposts of his campaign vision, says SMH.

His policies include plans to both withdraw from and renegotiate major trade deals, grow the nations military and increase cyber-security capabilities, build a wall at the nations southern border and deport undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes.

Meanwhile, California released new measures to fight climate change within minutes of Trump being sworn in as US president , signalling the states commitment to be the nations environmental steward under an administration that has questioned the reality of global warming.

California officials said it was a coincidence that the plan was released 37 minutes after the inauguration. The state outlined how it would achieve its goal of cutting output of heat-trapping greenhouse gases 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

The California plan includes an extension of the states controversial carbon cap-and-trade program and calls for the states oil refineries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent.

Climate change is impacting California now, and we need to continue to take bold and effective action to address it head on to protect and improve the quality of life in California, said Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board.

Read| Donald Trump admin makes defeating Islamic terrorism top foreign policy goal
Far fewer people attended President Donald Trumps inauguration Friday than his predecessors swearing-in eight years ago.

Photos of the National Mall from President Barack Obamas inauguration in January 2009 show a teeming crowd stretching from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol all the way to the Washington Monument. Photos taken from the same position on Friday show large swaths of empty space on the Mall.

Thin crowds and semi-empty bleachers also dotted the inaugural parade route. Hotels across the District of Columbia reported vacancies, a rarity for an event as large as a presidential inauguration. And ridership on the Washingtons Metro system didnt match that of recent inaugurations.

As of 11 a.m., there were 193,000 trips taken, according to the transit services Twitter account. At the same hour eight years ago, there had been 513,000 trips. Four years later, there were 317,000 for Obamas second inauguration.

There were 197,000 at 11 a.m. in 2005 for President George W. Bushs second inauguration. The Metro system also posted that only two parking lots at stations were more than 60% full.

Read | Amid protests, Donald Trump gets down to work on first day as President

The smaller crowds may prove humbling for Trump, who frequently boasted during the campaign about the attendance at his rallies and would claim, often inaccurately, that thousands more people were waiting outside and unable to get into the event.

Some Trump supporters were slowed entering the Mall due to delays at security checkpoints caused by protesters. Thousands of people at Obamas inaugurations were also delayed due to logistical hold-ups at the security checkpoints.

An official crowd count of Trumps inauguration may not ever be known.

For decades, the National Park Service provided official crowd estimates for gatherings on the National Mall. That changed after the Million Man March in 1995, a gathering of black men meant to show renewed commitment to family and solidarity. The park service estimated 400,000 people attended the march, making it one of the largest demonstrations in history in Washington.

But organizers believed they reached their goal of 1 million participants. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, one of the march organizers, threatened to sue the park service, arguing its count was motivated by racism, white supremacy and hatred for Louis Farrakhan.

Read | On first day, Trump signs executive order to minimise the burdens of Obamacare

No lawsuit was filed, but the dispute was enough to get the park service out of the head-counting business.
Pledging emphatically to empower Americas forgotten men and women, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States Friday, taking command of a riven nation facing an unpredictable era under his assertive but untested leadership.

Under cloudy, threatening skies at the West Front of the US Capitol, Trump painted a bleak picture of the America he now leads, declaring as he had throughout the election campaign that it is beset by crime, poverty and a lack of bold action. The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a new national pride and protect America from the ravages of countries he says have stolen US jobs.

This American carnage stops right here, Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, its going to be America first.

Eager to demonstrate his readiness to take actions, Trump went directly to the Oval Office Friday night, before the inaugural balls, and signed his first executive order as president  on Obamacare.

The order notes that Trump intends to seek the prompt repeal of the law. But in the meantime, it allows the Health and Human Services Department or other federal agencies to delay implementing any piece of the law that might impose a fiscal burden on states, health care providers, families or individuals.

This is a movement and now the work begins, Trump told supporters, before dancing with his wife, Melania, to Frank Sinatras My Way at the first of three inaugural balls. We love you. Were going to be working for you and were going to produce results.

Trump also signed commissions for two former generals confirmed to Cabinet posts earlier by the Senate: James Mattis as secretary of defense and John Kelly to head the Department of Homeland Security. Vice President Mike Pence swore them in soon after.

Mattis struck a different tone from his new boss in his first statement to his department: Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances.

At the inauguration, the crowd that spread out before Trump on the National Mall was notably smaller than at past inaugurals, reflecting both the divisiveness of last years campaign and the unpopularity of the incoming president compared to modern predecessors.

After the swearing-in, demonstrations unfolded in the streets of Washington. Police in riot gear deployed pepper spray after protesters smashed the windows of downtown businesses, denouncing capitalism and the new president.

Police reported more than 200 arrests by evening and said six officers had been hurt. At least one vehicle was set afire.

Short and pointed, Trumps 16-minute address in the heart of Washington was a blistering rebuke of many who listened from privileged seats only feet away. Surrounded by men and women who have long filled the governments corridors of power, the new president said that for too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.

His predecessor, Obama, sat stoically as Trump pledged to push the country in a dramatically different direction.

Trumps victory gives Republicans control of both the White House and Congress  and all but ensures conservatives can quickly pick up a seat on the closely divided Supreme Court. Despite entering a time of Republican dominance, Trump made little mention of the partys bedrock principles: small government, social conservativism and robust American leadership around the world.

He left no doubt he considers himself the product of a movement  not a party.

Trump declared his moment a fulfilment of his campaign pledge to take a sledgehammer to Washingtons traditional ways, and he spoke directly to the alienated and disaffected.

What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people, he said. To all Americans in every city near and far, small and large from mountain to mountain, from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again.

But the speech offered scant outreach to the millions who did not line up behind his candidacy.

Trumps call for restrictive immigration measures, religious screening of immigrants and his caustic campaign rhetoric about women and minorities angered millions. He did not directly address that opposition, instead offering a call to speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.

While Trump did not detail policy proposals Friday, he did set a high bar for his presidency. The speech was full of the onetime showmans lofty promises to bring back jobs, completely eradicate Islamic terrorism, and build new roads, bridges and airports.

Despite Trumps ominous portrait of America, he is taking the helm of a growing economy. Jobs have increased for a record 75 straight months, and the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in December, close to a 9-year low.

Yet Trumps victory underscored that for many Americans, the recovery from the Great Recession has come slowly or not at all. His campaign tapped into seething anger in working class communities, particularly in the Midwest, that have watched factories shuttered and the certainty of a middle class life wiped away.

Randy Showalter, a 36-year-old diesel mechanic and father of five from Mount Solon, Virginia, said he felt inspired as he stood and listened to Trumps speech.

I feel like theres an American pride that Ive never felt, honestly, in my life, said Showalter, who donned Trumps signature Make America Great Again red hat.

Trumps journey to the inauguration was as unlikely as any in recent US history. He defied his partys establishment and befuddled the news media. He used social media to dominate the national conversation and challenge conventions about political discourse. After years of Democratic control of the White House and deadlock in Washington, his was a blast of fresh air for millions.

At 70, Trump is the oldest person to be sworn in as president, marking a generational step backward after two terms for Obama, one of the youngest presidents to serve as commander in chief.

In a show of solidarity, all of the living American presidents attended the inaugural, except for 92-year-old George H.W. Bush, who was hospitalized this week with pneumonia. His wife, Barbara, was also in the hospital after falling ill.

But more than 60 House Democrats refused to attend Trumps swearing-in ceremony in the shadow of the Capitol dome. One Democrat who did sit among the dignitaries was Hillary Clinton, Trumps vanquished campaign rival who was widely expected by both parties to be the one taking the oath of office.

At a post-ceremony luncheon at the Capitol, Trump declared it was an honour to have her attend, and the Republicans and Democrats present rose and applauded.

While most of Trumps first substantive acts as president will wait until Monday, he signed a series of papers formally launching his administration, including official nominations for his Cabinet. Sitting in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor, the president who had just disparaged the Washington establishment joked with lawmakers, including House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, and handed out presidential pens.
The wheel of history has turned a full circle. Well, sort of. When Idi Amin expelled Indians from Uganda in 1972, most of them moved to Britain, settled there and prospered in various fields. Now, they are leading major trade initiatives back to Uganda and East Africa.

As former British prime minister David Cameron said in 2012, Indians and Asians from Uganda are one of the most successful groups of immigrants anywhere in the history of the world. This strand of migration  from India to Africa to Britain  is unique in the history of Indian diaspora.

Indians first moved to East Africa in the 1890s to work in large railway and infrastructure projects. By the 1970s, they were leading in business and other fields  enough to worry dictator Idi Amin, who gave them 90 days to leave Uganda, with only $50 each.

This community left behind homes, businesses, friends and memories for an uncertain future in Britain and elsewhere. Today, they are prominent figures in every walk of life in Britain. And Uganda over the years has tried to overcome Amins blunders.

Popat with former British PM David Cameron. (Via lordpopat.com)

Dolar Popat, member of the House of Lords and the Prime Ministers trade envoy to Uganda, told HT: In a short space of time, many who fled Uganda saw amazing levels of success  from family-run businesses becoming major global trading companies and dominating the rich lists in the UK, to the boardrooms of FTSE 100 firms  the Ugandan Asians have woven themselves into the fabric of British life.

It is worth remembering that Edward Heath and his government were incredibly principled in inviting the Ugandan Asians to Britain. Other world leaders  including Indira Gandhi  simply refused to help. But Ugandas and Indias loss has been Britains gain.

The Theresa May government is keen to revitalise trade links with India, Uganda and other Commonwealth countries in the post-Brexit situation, when Britain will not have access to the European Single Market.

While Popat says he is amazed at the number of companies and Asian individuals approaching him, wanting to trade with Uganda, Leicester-based Jaffer Kapasi  one of those expelled in 1972  has been appointed Ugandas honorary consul-general.

Leicester-based Jaffer Kapasi  one of those expelled in 1972  has been appointed Ugandas honorary consul-general. (YouTube screengrab)

He says: India remains high on the agenda but many African countries are also ready to benefit in the post-Brexit situation. The East African countries are going through the opposite of Brexit, where there will soon be one currency one visa and one nation serving over 300 million people, with ease of trade.

A large number of Leicestershire Indian businesses with historical ties are already trading with Uganda or East Africa, from packaging to medical technology to solar energy.

Popat notes that many of those expelled from Uganda were entrepreneurs; they understood business and its risks, which allowed them to prosper elsewhere. The same entrepreneurial skills are now playing a vital role in developing trade links between Britain and Uganda.

A lot of political focus in Britain is given to our trade links with India. But if you take Africa and India they have very similar populations, and yet we do twice as much  35 billion  worth of trade with Africa than we do with India (17 billion), he adds.

Uday Dholakia, who has the role of export champion with Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, says: British Asians in Leicester, three decades ago, led the first trade mission to Uganda, post-Amin, at their own initiative to start the dialogue with the Museveni administration.

The initial energy was directed at reclaiming assets and business properties. This quickly led to fresh investment in retailing, consumer based manufacturing to recent involvement with gas and oil exploration. The confidence has percolated into enhanced tourism, supply chain import of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers that are flown daily into Europe.

Indians from Uganda settled in various parts of Britain, with a large concentration in the east Midlands town of Leicester, which, over the years, has become a poster town of Britains multiculturalism. Twinned with Rajkot, it is reputed to host the largest Diwali celebrations outside India.

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Protesters set fires and hurled bricks in a daylong assault on the city hosting Donald Trumps inauguration, registering their rage against the new president in a series of clashes that led to more than 200 arrests. Police used pepper spray and stun grenades to prevent the chaos from spilling into Trumps formal procession and evening balls.

Several spirited demonstrations unfolded peacefully at various security checkpoints near the Capitol as police helped ticket-holders get through to the inaugural ceremony. Signs read, Resist Trump Climate Justice Now, Let Freedom Ring and Free Palestine.

Read | Americans, you will never be ignored again: Full transcript of Trumps speech

The confrontation began an hour before Trump took the oath of office and escalated several hours later as the crowd of protesters swelled to more than 1,000, some wearing gas masks and with arms chained together inside PVC pipe. One said the demonstrators were bringing in the cavalry.

A massive Womens March on Washington is planned for Saturday. Christopher Geldart, the District of Columbias homeland security director, has said 1,800 buses have registered to park in the city Saturday, which could mean nearly 100,000 people coming in just by bus.

A woman protests against the new US President Donald Trump, in Mexico City during his inauguration day on January 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (AFP)

A symbolic wall and a pinata representing the U.S. President Donald Trump is seen during a protest outside the U.S. embassy, in Mexico City, Mexico January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Edgard Garrido (REUTERS)

People march in protest to U.S. President Donald Trump's inauguration in Seattle, Washington, U.S. January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Redmond (REUTERS)

Demonstrators sit at the top of a limousine with the windows broken during the demonstration downtown Washington Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, during the inauguration of President Donald Trump. ( AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) (AP)

Police fire pepper spray on protestors during a demonstration after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (AP)

A man shouts slogans as he holds up anti U.S. President Donald Trump signs during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci (REUTERS)

A coalition of students, immigrants, refugees and supporters fill a downtown street as they head to a rally while protesting on Inauguration Day, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (AP)

People march to The Trump Building at 40 Wall St. to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Stephen Yang (REUTERS)
French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said on Saturday that Britains vote to leave the European Union would have a domino effect across the bloc.

Le Pen, head of the anti-EU, anti-immigrant National Front (FN) and seen by pollsters as highly likely to make a two-person runoff vote in May, has marked out Europe as a major plank in her programme with broadsides at the EU and the euro currency.

We are experiencing the end of one world and the birth of another, she told a gathering of far-right leaders from Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands in the German city of Koblenz one day after US President Donald Trump took office.

I dont say every country has to leave the euro... But we have to leave the possibility if a country wants to leave, she said to laud applause, adding that the election of Trump was a bigger embarrassment to neo-liberals.
On 14 and 16 May, the Cairo Opera House audience was treated to a unique performance by Ballet Mimbipa, a troupe from Paraguay. They performed a selection of the countrys folk riches. Colourful dresses, lovely polkas and pulsating galopas were showcased alongside the traditional Paraguayan harp, the peacock fight and the bottle dance. All added to this musical and visual profusion from the heart of South America.

The arrival of the troupe to Egypt paralleled an important national date: on 15 May 1811, the Paraguayan people gained their independence by overthrowing the Spanish administration. It was the perfect occasion to introduce this distant culture to the viewers.



The troupe performed one of its typical shows titled Paraguay Omimbipa. The Mimbipa Ballet is the brain child of choreographer Sussy Sacco, also the founder of the dance academy, Academia de Danza Sussy Sacco.

The idea of the troupe goes back to 1971, when I worked on my first dance project, the National Folkloric Company which I headed until 1981, Sacco explains. It was later on, in 1998, that drawing on my experience, I established the Mimbipa Ballet, with the word mimbipa meaning brilliant or luminous in the Guarani language, an indigenous language of South America.

While immersed in Paraguayan folk traditions, the Mimbipa also reaches to the elements drawn from other Latin American countries: Brazil and Argentina, for example; occasionally it adds its own jazz components. The troupes main home is the Academia de Danza in the capital, Asuncion. Mimbipa does not have its own stage, performing only when invited by the many hosts.

According to the programme notes, previous performances of the troupe included extensive shows in Paraguay; they also participated in the many folklore festivals held across South America, and made a few visits to Europe. The Egypt performance came after Mimbipas show in Dubai in the course of the companys first, small tour of the Middle East. Sacco recalls the troupes largest tour. It took them to France where within 40 days they gave 55 performances. The tour included a multitude of street shows bringing Paraguayan folklore to 22 French cities, Sacco proudly remarks, adding that the troupe also performed on the 2010 International Day of Cultural Diversity, at celebrations organised by UNESCO in Paris to commemorate two centuries of some Latin countries independence.



The Mimbipa Ballet includes a total of 40 dancers, yet the group that arrived in Egypt numbered 23 dancers, the majority of them women. The show is characterised by dynamism and sheer joy in art emanates from each routine performed.

The programme notes present the troupe as consisting of Paraguayan dance professionals and students, but I found out from Sacco that all of the dancers have other jobs with the academy presenting an additional hobby that they nevertheless pursue all their lives and practice to perfection. A few conversations with the troupe members reveal that many of the young women are graduates of Paraguayan universities: an architect, a psychologist, a German language teacher... What connects them is their passion for the dance and their countrys folk gems.

Sussy Sacco has a great ability to bring the best of our traditional material to audiences worldwide, without undermining the folk authenticity, so comments one of the dancers, who joined the academy when she was still a child.



And, indeed, the Mimbipa Ballet company performed some of the iconic routines drawn from their countrys folk reservoir to recorded music, mostly by the Municipal Band. The show included four segments, two in each half, each interspersed by a short performance of a small music ensemble.

Among several routines was the bottle dance: the performer balances a series of bottles on her head, one on top of the other, as she progresses with her show. Eventually the number of bottles reaches 14.

Another routine showcased Paraguayan patronal feasts where religious fervour is celebrated with dance and music. The routine brought to Egypts audiences the sounds of nature while groups of men and women danced together in appreciation of creation.

And another routine included a captivating cockfight, yet another iconic element of Paraguayan culture. The patriotic accents emerging in the segment entitled Rhapsody to My Land presented men dressed as soldiers coming on stage to the sound of horses and trumpets.

In some dances, the performers also sang. This particular element should have been either technically improved so it gains definition and becomes clear to the audiences ears or dropped to avoid the murky sounds coming from the stage.



In the singing department, the evening was nevertheless embellished by Paraguayan musicians, a quartet consisting of three guitars and the countrys traditional diatonic harp.

Held by the performer in a standing position, Paraguayan harp is an emblematic element of the countrys traditional music, recognisable instrument in other folk traditions of the South America. The combination of harp and guitar is among the iconic formations of the region, and it no doubt generates a unique and splendid flavour. Topped with musical virtuosity, the ensemble was no less impressive than the colours of the dances performed by Mimbipa.

The parts showcasing the musicians would have been just perfect had they not been disrupted by the obvious technical hiccup of the loud sounds a fog generators struggling to exhale smoke, almost rhythmically accompanying one of the softer songs.



Though the evening included a multitude of breathtaking elements, the choice of stage probably restricted the bubbling energy of the Paraguayan routines. One wished the show had been performed in a more relaxed setting in the open air, which would have provided a better framework for the material at hand. The Cairo Operas Open-air Theatre, or  even better  the Midan Theatre erected in front of the Hanager Arts Centre, would have underlined the folk vibrancy and created a more effervescent link with the audience, an element characteristic of folk shows.

A different setting would also have avoided the problems resulting from insufficient knowledge of the locations lighting design. The performance relied mostly on Fresnel lanterns projecting beams of light from the top of the stage. Though this frequently practiced in the performing arts technique gives a unique atmospheric haze, it needs to be well balanced with front lights so the performers do not end up with their faces hardly visible. This technical glitch might have not be an issue were the whole show been undertaken in a different setting.



To the Egyptian audience, the folkloric wealth of Paraguay is not well known; we can hardly recall any artistic showcase of the country presented over the past years. The audience therefore does not have a reference point at its disposal and has to reply on the hosts choice, believing it will present the most characteristic and artistically commendable option supported by equally strong technical ability.

One should applaud the important step of introducing such a distant culture to Egypt, however. The sampling of Paraguays folklore was especially inviting... Hopefully the next few months will bring about more opportunities allowing us to explore Paraguays artistic wealth in more depth. A better technical presentation can certainly make this journey among the most memorable initiatives on Egypts cultural scene.



Check Photo Gallery from the performance here

This article was originally published in Al Ahram Weekly

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Gambias longtime leader Yahya Jammeh said on Saturday he would step down from power in a statement made in the face of pressure from West African armies that invaded his country to remove him after he refused to concede an election defeat to President Adama Barrow.

I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation, he said on state television, wearing a white robe and looking tired.

Jammeh lost an election to Barrow in December and initially conceded defeat, but changed his mind saying the vote had been unfair.

Jammeh said his decision was taken in the national interest after prayer and said he was proud to have served the Gambian people, imploring them to work together as one nation.

His statement will be welcomed by democracy advocates across Africa and brings to an end a reign that began in 1994 when he seized power in a coup. His government established a reputation for torturing and killing perceived opponents to stifle dissent.

Barrow was sworn in on Thursday in neighbouring Senegal and late that night West African forces from regional bloc ECOWAS crossed the border and were poised to strike the capital to enforce the new presidents mandate and resolve the impasse.

Guineas President Alpha Conde and Mauritanias President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz traveled to the capital Banjul on Friday to allow Jammeh one last chance to cede power peacefully.
Universal Hindu and Sikh prayers were offered at the interfaith service in the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday to invoke divine blessings for new President Donald Trump and the nation.

Hindu priest Narayanachar Digalakote prayed in Sanskrit for the government leaders in the first part of the service when prayers were said for those who govern.

Jesse Singh, the founder of American Sikhs for Trump, recited in Punjabi a prayer said by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh master, in the segment of prayers for the people.

Singh who was dressed in a suit and wore a dark turban, translated the invocation that was for unity, binding the common bonds of all and equality.

Expanding on it, he added prayers for the most vulnerable in society and for those who perform the dangerous and dirty jobs for the well being of all.

Bless all whose lives closely linked with ours, he prayed.

Wearing a saffron shawl and religious markings on his forehead, Digalakote recited a shloka or hymn to invoke divine blessings for those who govern, in the first part of the ceremony of prayers for leaders.

Unlike Singh, the Jewish rabbis and the Muslim imam, who provided translations of their prayers and religious texts, the priest of the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, a Washington suburb, walked away after his rote recitation, leaving the congregants without an idea of what the prayer was about.

Nicknamed the White House Priest, Digalakote has participated in Deepavali celebrations at the White House under Barack Obama.

While most of the Christian prayers at the service were focused on Christianity, the Hindu and Sikh prayers were ecumenical, addressed to a common deity.

For the first time for either the Democratic or Republican parties, a Sikh prayer was said at the opening of the second days session at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last year.

Harmeet Dhillon, the Vice Chairperson of the California State Republican Party, opened the second night of the Republican National Convention by reciting the ardaas or prayer.

Trump has reached out to the American Hindu community, addressing a rally held by them last October, where he said he would be their friend in the White House.

After his election, Trump called out to the Hindus in the audience at a Thank-You rally in Florida.

Trumps son Eric visited a Hindu temple in Orlando, Florida, in the final days before the November election and his wife, Lara, visited a temple in Chantilly, Virginia, to celebrate Deepavali.
Indian Americans gathered for the presidential gala here to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the US.

The gala, which was attended by a hundred Indian Americans, took place at the Grand Ballroom of the central Mayflower hotel in Washington and was organised by the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council and National Committee of Asian American Republicans, American Bazaar online reported on Friday.

The event was attended by the ambassadors of several countries, including the Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna.

Read | Donald Trump draws far smaller inaugural crowd than Obama swearing 8 years ago

This is a great celebration of Asian success, said Sarna, speaking on the occasion. I am very happy that Indian Americans are part of the successful large Asian community.

It was a grand success, Virginia Republican Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the organisers of the event, told the American Bazaar.

We were able to create a platform for the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration.

Ahluwalia added that by showing up in good numbers, the Indian American community has made showed their desire for the US-India relationship to be on the front and centre for the next administration.

Top diplomats from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore attended the gala.

Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Barbara Comstack, Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph DLG Torres as well as a number of Republican leaders from various Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities.

The [Trump] administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries, Royce said. We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship.

The California Republican is the chairman of the House Foreign Relations committee and one of the most staunchly pro-India voices in the US Congress.

In pics | Fires, bricks mark day-long assault on Donald Trumps inaugural festivities

Indian American Republicans who were present included Californian K.V. Kumar, Floridian Harry Walia and Puneet Ahluwalia. All the three are members of Trump-Pence campaigns Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee.

However, the fourth Indian American member of the panel, Shalabh Kumar, did not attend the gala.

The formal part of the ball began with a rendition of the US national anthem. Indian food and Bollywood dance were other highlights of the event.
In a scene US authorities had dreamed of for decades, Mexican drug lord and escape artist Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was hauled into an American courtroom Friday and then taken away to an ultra-secure jail that has held some of the worlds most dangerous terrorists and mobsters.

Holding his unshackled hands behind his back, a dazed-looking Guzman entered a not-guilty plea through his lawyers to drug trafficking and other charges at a Brooklyn courthouse ringed by squad cars, officers with assault rifles and bomb-sniffing dogs.

Hes a man known for a life of crime, violence, death and destruction, and now hell have to answer for that, Robert Capers, the US attorney in Brooklyn, said at a news conference.

The court appearance came hours after Guzmans Thursday night extradition from Mexico, where he had become something of a folk hero for two brazen prison escapes.

Guzman was ordered held without bail and was expected to be kept in a special Manhattan jail unit where other high-risk inmates  including Mafia boss John Gotti and several close associates of Osama bin Laden  spent their time awaiting trial.

It is difficult to imagine another person with a greater risk of fleeing prosecution, prosecutors wrote in court papers.

Prosecutors described Guzman as the murderous overseer of a three-decade campaign of smuggling, brutality and corruption that made his Sinaloa drug cartel a fortune while fueling an epidemic of cocaine abuse and related violence in the US in the 1980s and 90s.

Guzman, whos in his 50s, faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted. To get Mexico to hand him over, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. They also are demanding he forfeit $14 billion in assets.

Outside court, Guzman defense attorney Michael Schneider said: I havent seen any evidence that indicates to me that Mr Guzmans done anything wrong. He said he would look into whether his client was extradited properly.

The US had been trying to get custody of Guzman since he was first indicted in California in the early 1990s.

American authorities finally got their wish on the eve of Donald Trumps presidential inauguration, though it was unclear if the timing of the extradition was intended as a sign of respect to the Republican or some kind of slap, perhaps an effort to let outgoing Democratic President Barack Obama take the credit.

When Guzman got off a plane in New York, as you looked into his eyes, you could see the surprise, you could see the shock, and to a certain extent, you could see the fear, as the realization kicked in that hes about to face American justice, said Angel Melendez, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

While Guzman faces federal charges in several US states, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn won the jockeying to get the case. The US attorneys office in Brooklyn has substantial experience prosecuting international drug cartel cases and was once led by outgoing US Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

New York also boasts one of the most secure lockups in the United States, the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan. The drab-looking building is protected by steel barricades that can stop up to 7 1/2 tons of speeding truck, and the area is watched by cameras capable of reading a newspaper a block away.

The jails inmates have included Ramzi Yousef, who was the architect of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme king Bernard Madoff.

In the special high-security wing for the riskiest inmates, around a dozen prisoners spend 23 hours a day in roughly 20-by-12-foot cells, prohibited from communicating with one another. Meals are eaten in cells, and exercise is in a recreation area specifically for these inmates.

Only a limited number of carefully vetted jailers would be allowed access to an inmate with Guzmans wealth and potential to corrupt people, said Catherine Linaweaver, a former Metropolitan Correction Center warden who retired in 2014.

The special units strict confinement drew criticism from the human rights group Amnesty International in 2011.

The jail saw an audacious escape attempt in 1982, when two armed people in a hijacked sightseeing helicopter tried to pluck an inmate off a roof. Four years earlier, three prisoners broke out by cutting through window bars.

Guzman, whose nickname means Shorty, presided over a syndicate that funneled tons of cocaine from South America into the US via tunnels, tanker trucks, planes, container ships, speedboats and even submarines, prosecutors said.

Initially arrested in 1993, he broke out of a maximum-security Mexican prison in 2001, apparently in a laundry cart, and became a folk legend among some Mexicans, immortalized in song.

He was caught in 2014 but escaped again, this time through a hole in his prison cell shower. A specially rigged motorcycle on rails whisked him to freedom through a mile-long tunnel. He was recaptured in a January 2016 shootout that killed five associates.
Mexicos government has deported 91 Cubans about a week after the United States ended a so-called wet foot, dry foot policy that granted residency to almost every Cuban who reached US soil, Mexican officials said on Friday.

The repeal of the longstanding policy last Thursday by former US President Barack Obama left hundreds of Cubans who were seeking a new life stranded in Mexico and Central America countries.

The 71 men and 20 women were flown to the Caribbean island by Mexican federal police jet from the southern city of Tapachula, Mexicos National Migration Institute said.

The Cubans were in Mexico irregularly, the institute said in a statement, though they had applied for a permit to remain temporarily in the country.

Cuban officials had long sought an end to the policy, arguing that the promise of US residency was fuelling people-trafficking and encouraging dangerous journeys.

Buses block the view of Cuban citizens boarding a Federal Police airplane bound to La Havana, Cuba, after being deported from Mexico, at the international airport in Tapachula, Mexico on January 20, 2017. (REUTERS)

The policy let Cubans who fled to the United States pursue residency if they reached the mainland, but not if they were picked up at sea before reaching the shore.

Obama entered into detente in 2014 with Cuban President Raul Castro, and the two governments continued to sign cooperation agreements this week to wrap up a range of issues before Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president on Friday.

Trump has vowed to scrap Obamas policy toward Havana unless Castros government makes further concessions, although he has not specified what those should be.
Mexico said Friday it expelled 91 Cuban migrants whose aim of reaching the United States was thwarted by a sudden change in US policy.

Mexicos National Migration Institute said the 71 Cuban men and 20 women were turned away after arriving in Chiapas state near the Guatemalan border.

They were returned to their country of origin in an airplane provided by the Mexican authorities, it said in a statement.

Tens of thousands of migrants make their way every month through Mexico in search of a better life in the United States.

Among them, thousands Cubans received special treatment upon reaching US soil -- until now.

Days before leaving office on Friday, former US president Barack Obama ended decades-old regulations that allowed Cubans arriving in the United States to settle there without a visa.
As many as 236 people may have been killed in the botched Nigerian air strike against Boko Haram that hit a camp for civilians displaced by the unrest, a local official told AFP on Saturday.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday had said the death toll from Tuesdays strike on the town of Rann in the far northeast had risen to 90, although it claimed that could climb as high as 170.

But Babagana Malarima, president of the local Kala-Balge government in Borno State where the strike took place, claimed the death toll is much higher.

From what the people who buried the dead victims with their hands told me, not those who treated the wounded, they buried 234 dead, said Malarima today.

And I later got a report that two of the injured taken to Maiduguri died.

The bombed camp had been set up to help people fleeing Boko Haram Islamists in Borno State.

In pics: Nigerian Air Force fighter jet claims lives in a refugee camp

Nigerias air force said it was investigating the incident but military commanders had already claimed it was a mistake.

Our people are really traumatised that a fighter jet belonging to their country can make this mistake and kill them the way it did in their own country, fumed Malarima.

Lives and property have been lost. It is not enough to just bury the dead and pray for their souls. Their families should be supported as is done in other countries. They should not be forgotten.

The death toll is colossal. We are in grief.

Tuesdays strike happened while humanitarian workers were distributing food in Rann, a small town close to the Cameroon border where some 20,000 to 40,000 people had sought refuge.

MSF said most of the victims were women and children.

At least six Red Cross volunteers were amongst the dead with another 13 injured.
On their first day as being regular citizens after eight years in the White House, Barack and Michelle Obama said they would focus their energies on their foundation to facilitate projects all over the city, the country and the world.

Reactivating his personal Twitter account, former US president Barack Obama said the couple would get back to work after a short vacation.

Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then well get back to work.  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 20, 2017

In the meantime, I want to hear what youre thinking about the road ahead. So share your ideas with me here, Obama tweeted with a link to the Obama foundation website, where he and Michelle had recorded a video message about what comes next for them.

After eight years in the White House, Michelle and I now rejoin all of you as private citizens, Obama said in the message.

We want to thank you once again from the bottom of hearts for giving us the incredible privilege of serving this country that we love.

Read | Amazing things have happened over the last 10 years: Obama

Michelle continued: First, were going to take a little break. Were finally going to get some sleep and take some time to be with our family, and just be still for a little bit.

Obama handed over the baton to Donald Trump who became the 45th US President on Friday.

Read | Americans, you will never be ignored again: Full transcript of Trumps inaugural speech
Large crowds of women, many wearing bright pink knit hats, poured into downtown Washington by bus, train and car on Saturday for a march in opposition to US President Donald Trump only a day after the Republican took office.

The Washington event was expected to be the largest of a series of marches across the world in cities including Sydney, London, Tokyo and New York to criticize the new presidents often angry, populist rhetoric.

Trump has angered many liberal Americans with comments seen as demeaning to women, Mexicans and Muslims, and worried some abroad with his inaugural vow on Friday to put America First in his decision making.

On Friday, the nations capital was rocked by violent protests against the businessman-turned-politician, with black-clad anti-establishment activists smashing windows, setting vehicles on fire and fighting with riot police who responded with stun grenades.

The protests illustrated the depth of the anger in a deeply divided country that is still recovering from the scarring 2016 campaign season. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton, the first woman nominated for president by a major US party.

Its important that our rights be respected. People have fought hard for our rights and President Trump has made it clear that he does not respect of them, said Lexi Milani, a 41-year-old restaurant owner from Baltimore, who had ridden down in a bus with 28 friends.

I just want people to feel empowered and go home and be active. Call your Congressman, run for office, Milani said. I dont want people to feel defeated.

Washington subway trains and platforms were packed with people. The Metro sent a service alert warning of system-wide delays due to extremely large crowds. At least one station was closed to new passengers because of the crowds backed up on the platform.

The Womens March on Washington, featuring speakers, celebrity appearances and a protest walk along the National Mall, is the brainchild of Hawaiian grandmother Teresa Shook and is intended as an outlet for women and their male supporters to vent their frustration and anxiety over Trumps victory.

Organizers said they expected several hundred thousand people to attend.

A disparate lineup of organizations including reproductive health provider Planned Parenthood, gun-control group Moms Demand Action and Emilys List, which promotes female candidates for office, sent large contingents to the event.

Identity politics

Many participants wore knitted pink cat-eared pussy hats, a reference to Trumps claim in the 2005 video that was made public weeks before the election that he grabbed women by the genitals.

Some Republicans have criticized feminist, gay-rights and other activist groups critical of Trump as resorting to a divisive style of identity politics. Democratic US representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, a supporter of the marchers, rejected that assertion.

It is Donald Trump who singled out Muslims for a Muslim registry. It was Donald Trump who made disparaging comments about women. It was Donald Trump who criticized a judge of Mexican heritage. Thats identity politics. Were sending the message that were all Americans.

The march spotlights the fierce opposition Trump faces as he takes office, a period that is typically more of a honeymoon for a new president.

A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found Trump had the lowest favourability rating of any incoming president since the 1970s.

Women gave a host of reasons for marching, ranging from inspiring other women to run for office to protesting Trumps plans to repeal the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which among other things requires health insurers to cover birth control.

Jesse Carlock, 68, a psychologist from Dayton, Ohio was attending her first protest in decades.

Once Mr. Trump was elected, I decided I needed to get active again, and I hadnt been since the 60s and 70s, Carlock said. Ive got to stand up and be counted as against a lot of what President Trump is saying...about healthcare, immigration, reproductive rights, you name it.

Women said they hoped to send a unity message to Trump after a campaign in which he said Mexican immigrants were rapists, discussed banning Muslims from entering the United States, and was revealed to have once bragged about grabbing women by the genitals and kissing them without permission.

Trumps team did not respond to a request for comment about the march.

Celebrities such as the musicians Janelle Monae and Katy Perry  both of whom supported Clinton in the election - are expected to take part in Saturdays march.

The march organizers said they had extensive security plans in place, and would have both visible and hard-to-spot security workers along the route.
Pakistan on Friday asked India and the World Bank to inform it about all the dams and hydropower projects proposed to be built by India under the Indus Waters Treaty on the western rivers, and not just the two projects under dispute currently.

The matter was discussed during an inter-ministerial meeting presided over by finance minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday.

Ministers and other representatives of the ministries of water and power, foreign affairs and law and justice, the attorney generals office and civil and military experts attended the meeting.

The meeting observed that the president of the World Bank had drawn up the lots for appointment of umpires for a court of arbitration before it had put on hold the process about two months ago.

Read| World Bank chief discusses Indus Waters Treaty dispute with Pakistan foreign minister

This meant that the World Bank was convinced and had accepted Pakistans position, attorney general Ashtar Ausaf claimed.

Pakistan said its stance was that not only the two schemes under dispute at the moment -- the Kishanganga and Ratle projects -- but technical and other details of all the upcoming projects should be shared with the World Bank and Pakistan, along with their designs and locations, so that Islamabad could examine them in a manner that they did not create problems every now and then and the treaty could function smoothly, said Ausaf.

The meeting also asked a taskforce led by the attorney general to formulate a strategy for future handling of the disputed projects.

Ausaf said the chief executive officer of the bank, Kristalina I Georgieva, who is second only in hierarchy to its president, would arrive on January 26 for deliberations on the subject.

He said the senior official was inducted into the World Bank group on January 2 and her visit to Pakistan would be her first trip outside Washington, which meant that the bank was attaching great importance to Islamabads case.

At the same time, Ausaf said, it was decided that the bank must be reminded that it had a critical role to play and that it should honour its responsibilities under the treaty.

The finance ministry said that Pakistan viewed the treaty as a useful and time-tested mechanism for sharing water with India and that Islamabad had always abided by it.

It said it was in the interest of both countries that they continue to implement the terms of the treaty. In this spirit, Pakistan would continue to fulfil its obligations under the IWT. The contrasting stances of Pakistan and India were deliberated in detail at the meeting.

The treaty, signed in 1960, gives India control over the three eastern rivers of the Indus basin -- the Beas, Ravi and Sutlej -- while Pakistan has the three western rivers -- the Indus, Chenab and Jhelum.

The IWT also sets up a mechanism, the Permanent Indus Commission, which includes a commissioner from each country.

The current dispute revolves around the Kishenganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric plants. India is building the plants on the Kishanganga and Chenab rivers, which Pakistan claims violates the IWT.
Pakistans two parliamentary committees in rare joint resolution asked India to immediately suspend work on two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir and agree on the constitution of an arbitration court to resolve the water dispute.

National Assemblys Committee on Foreign Affairs and Water and Power held a joint sitting in Islamabad yesterday to discuss water issues with India.

A joint resolution unanimously adopted in the meeting asked India to halt the construction work, Dawn reported.

The resolution also called upon the World Bank to constitute a court of arbitration to adjudicate on issues raised by Pakistan against Indias ongoing construction of Kishanganga and Ratle hydro projects.

Read | Indus Waters Treaty: Another India-Pakistan showdown over hydro projects?

It said that under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), it is the responsibility of the World Bank to play its role without further delay.

Until the World Bank constitutes the court of arbitration, it must persuade India to put an immediate halt to ongoing construction of the Ratle dam till the issue is resolved, read the joint resolution adopted unanimously by both the government and opposition members of the committees.

The construction of dams on the western rivers by India has brought the two countries at loggerheads and Pakistan has engaged the World Bank, a facilitator of the IWT, to stop India from going ahead with the construction.

The committees were briefed on the agenda  Indian threat on the Indus Waters Treaty and to chart out a course of action for Pakistan. The meeting was co-chaired by Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Muhammad Arshad Khan Leghari, members of the parliament and the chairmen of the two committees.

Briefing the committees, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said all options were available with Pakistan in case India violated the IWT.

We will not let India violate the treaty, Chaudhry said, adding that Pakistan had already engaged the World Bank to look into the issue as guarantor.

Read | Pakistan asks World Bank to stop illegal Indian water projects

We have already requested the World Bank to appoint chairman of the arbitration court, he said.

The secretary said Islamabad would defend its right at any cost. New Delhi, he alleged, was using delaying tactics while we want to resolve the issue at the earliest.

Pakistan has serious reservations over an Indian move to construct 45 to 60 dams on the western rivers, he said.

Water and Power Secretary Younus Dagha said Pakistan was challenging the construction of Kishanganga and Ratle projects in the court of international arbitration. He, however, said India had not as yet started work on Ratle project.

Former foreign minister and Tehrik-i-Insaf leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the water dispute with India had reached such alarming proportions that it could even dwarf the Kashmir issue. He suggested the government to evolve a clear roadmap, assuring his partys support on the issue.

Read more | Indus water tussle heats up between India and Pakistan
Congratulating Donald Trump on assuming the office of the US President, Pakistan on Saturday expressed its keenness to work closely with the new administration to face emerging security challenges and maintain peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan welcomes the successful transition in the United States and felicitates Trump on assuming the office as the 45th President of the US, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz said in a statement.

Calling on the new Trump administration for its continued engagement in the region, Aziz said that the imperatives of peace, stability and security in the wider region demand continued close cooperation between Pakistan and the US.

Continued close cooperation between Pakistan and the US is important to successfully deal with the challenges facing the region and beyond, he said without specifying the challenges.

Aziz also recalled the warm exchange Sharif had with Trump following his victory in November and said that Pakistan and the US have a long history of cooperation in various fields including counter-terrorism and security.

US-Pakistan cooperation is also vital for realising the economic opportunities this resource-rich region offers, he said.

Pakistan looks forward to maintaining the momentum in the high-level exchanges and building on the convergences to take the relationship to a new and higher level, he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putins spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trumps administration in comments broadcast on Saturday, but warned that differences will remain.

Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with state Rossiya television that it would be an illusion to expect that US-Russian relations would be completely free of disagreements.

Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue, Peskov said. He added that Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.

Trump has promised to mend ties with Moscow badly strained over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections, and his victory has elated Russian political elites.

Peskov, however, pointed at the challenges posed by the intricacy of nuclear arms control, the complexity of the situation in Syria and other issues.

While Russia supports prospective nuclear arms cuts, they should be proportional and not upset the nuclear parity between Russia and the US, which plays a critical role in ensuring global stability and security, Peskov said.

He noted that different composition of Russian and U.S. nuclear forces is a factor that needs to be carefully considered in negotiations.

Asked to comment on Trumps recent interview with the Times of London in which he indicated that he could end sanctions imposed on Russia imposed after the 2014 annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal, Peskov said the two issues are hard to link.

Peskov emphasized the US role in settling the nearly six-year conflict in Syria, where Trump has offered to pool efforts with Russia in fighting the Islamic State group.

Its quite obvious that its impossible to constructively solve the Syrian problem without the U.S. participation, he said.

Russia already has invited Trumps administration to attend talks between Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan capital Monday. Russia brokered the talks together with Turkey and Iran, but Tehran has opposed the U.S. involvement in them.

There are certain disagreements between Moscow and Tehran on this subject, Peskov said, adding that the Syrian issue is too complex to have a full harmony in approaches.

Any deals there are unlikely, there are too many parties involved, he added.

Turning to the Ukrainian crisis, which has driven Russias relations with the West to post-Cold War lows, Peskov criticized Barack Obamas administration for an unconstructive approach and voiced hope that Trumps administration would revise it.
Rescuers found the bodies of two firefighters in the rubble of a commercial building that collapsed in Tehran after a blaze, leaving up to 30 dead.

Footage showed rescuers carrying the body of one of the victims. The two were the first to be found in the large pile of debris.

Also on Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani visited the site and urged a quick restoration of the area, part of Tehrans commercial and business neighborhood.

Iran also lowered the flags at its embassies across the world to half-mast.

Iranian officials have yet to offer definitive casualty figures for the Thursday disaster.

State-run Press TV reported Thursday that 30 firefighters had been killed, without elaborating. Later, authorities said more than 20 firefighters had been killed.

On Friday, authorities said an injured firefighter died at a local hospital.

A report by the official IRNA news agency on Saturday put the number of injured firefighters and other victims at 114, but said only five of them were hospitalised.

Authorities described the building, built more than five decades ago, as having a weak structure. Thursdays fire was the worst in Tehran since a 2005 blaze at a historic mosque killed 59 worshippers and injured nearly 200 others.
Russian president Vladimir Putin is ready to meet US president Donald Trump but preparations for the possible meeting may take months, not weeks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS news agency.

This will not be in coming weeks, lets hope for the best - that the meeting will happen in the coming months, Peskov told BBC, according to TASS.

Read: Donald Trump: The assertive but untested 45th US president
Seven people have been arrested over the robbery of $72 million (67 million euros) in jewellery, one the worlds biggest ever heists, from Amsterdams airport nearly 12 years ago, authorities said Saturday.

The diamonds and jewellery were taken during the hold up of a KLM armoured car in a high-security portion of Schiphol airport in February 2005, police said in a statement.

Though the thieves were armed, no one was hurt in the heist.

Police carried out, on Friday January 20 and Saturday January 21, 2017, a total of seven arrests in connection with the diamond theft at Schiphol airport in February 2005 and money laundering, the statement said.

The five male and two female suspects, all Dutch nationals, were arrested in Amsterdam and Valencia, in eastern Spain.

While some of the stolen diamonds were found in an escape vehicle immediately after the heist, the rest -- valued at $43 million -- remain unaccounted for.

Four people had been arrested soon after the incident, one of the Netherlands worst cases of theft.
Eight people were killed on Saturday after a shell landed on a house in southern Rafah, in the north of Sinai, eye witnesses and medical sources said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack and witnesses and medical sources said the source of the shell was unknown. Rafah is on the border with Gaza.

Egyptian forces have been fighting an Islamist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula which has gained pace since the military toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypts oldest Islamist movement, in 2013.
Thousands of protesters in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday joined the first of hundreds of womens marches organised around the world in a show of disapproval of US President Donald Trump as he began his first day in office.

In Sydney, Australias biggest city, about 3,000 people - men and women gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the U.S. consulate downtown, while organisers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne.

Feminism is my Trump card and Fight like a girl, were among the placards held aloft by the protesters in Sydney.

Were not marching as an anti-Trump movement per se, were marching to protest the hate speech, the hateful rhetoric, the misogyny, the bigotry, the xenophobia and we want to present a united voice with women around the globe, organiser Mindy Freiband told Reuters.

Many of the protesters in Sydney and Melbourne wore pink hats, that activists referred to as their pussyhats.

In pics: Fires, bricks mark day-long assault on Donald Trumps inaugural festivities

The emergence of a 2005 tape in which Trump spoke of women in a demeaning way sparked widespread outrage and was one of the low points of his election campaign. In the tape he was heard saying: Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything. [nL1N1F40DT]

In New Zealand, there were marches in four cities, involving around 2,000 people, Wellingtons march organiser Bette Flagler told Reuters by phone.

Elsewhere in Asia, hundreds of people joined protests

in Tokyo, including many American expatriates.

Trump presidency gets my blood boiling ... Everything we value could be gone. Its time to speak your mind and concerns and to do our best to salvage the values we cherish in America, said Bill Scholer, an art teacher.

And in Manila on Friday about 200 demonstrators from a Philippine nationalist group rallied for about an hour against Trump outside the U.S. embassy in Manila.

Some held up signs demanding U.S. troops leave the Philippines while others set fire to a paper U.S. flag bearing a picture of Trumps face.. [nL4N1FA4D2]

Worldwide some 673 sister marches are planned for Saturday, in addition to a protest in Washington D.C., according to the organisers website which says more than two million marchers are expected.

In Washington D.C., at Trumps inauguration back-clad activists, who were not related to the womens marches, threw rocks and bottles at police in Washington as Trump was sworn in as President. [nL1N1FA0LA]

Although protests in the United States are common at inaugurations, in living memory only the inauguration of Richard Nixon in 1968 - as the United States fought an unpopular war in Vietnam - has drawn such a strong reaction worldwide.

In Sydney, many were worried about that Trumps politics and his attitude towards women and minorities could spread.

Read | On first day, Trump signs executive order to minimise the burdens of Obamacare

As a mature 56-year-old lesbian I feel for the first time what is global is local, Vicki Skehan, 56, told Reuters.

Weve come so far with inclusiveness and I dont want to see that go away.
Donald Trump took over on Friday as the 45th US President and in doing so inherited the White House Twitter account from outgoing leader Barack Obama.

In the first social media transition at the White House, Trump became the owner of the Twitter handle @POTUS, which represents the president of the United States.

The transition on Twitter got off to a bumpy start, with an image from Obamas 2009 inauguration briefly on the account, before being fixed minutes later.

The White House last year indicated it would hand over to Obamas successor control of the account and other social media platforms which were launched during Obamas eight-year tenure.

Obama, meanwhile, assumed a new Twitter handle @POTUS44, keeping some 13.9 million followers and his archived tweets in the shift.

Incoming first lady Melania Trump took over the @FLOTUS handle and Michelle Obama shifted to @FLOTUS44.

The accounts of both the President and first lady started with a clean slate with no tweets from their predecessors.

Trump quickly garnered some 4.3 million followers for the new Twitter handle in the first hour. But he continued tweeting from his old @realDonaldTrump account, which has more than 20 million followers.

The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer, Trump said in one of his tweets on Friday. From this moment on, its going to be #AmericaFirst.

It was not immediately clear how Trump was managing his account or if his staff were tweeting for him.

Some reports said Trump agreed to trade his smartphone this week for a new device with security enhanced by the Secret Service.

Obama had used a device which lacked many online functions due to security concerns.
President Donald Trump will rebuild Americas vast military, boost its anti-missile capabilities and prioritize defeating the Islamic State group, according to the first policy statements published on the White House website Friday.

Published moments after Trump was inaugurated president, the statements say he will end limits on Pentagon spending agreed by Congress and the Obama administration, and will soon release a new budget proposal outlining his vision for the military.

We will provide our military leaders with the means to plan for our future defense needs, the White House said.

We cannot allow other nations to surpass our military capability.

The statement said the US will develop a state-of-the-art missile defense system to defend against attacks from Iran, North Korea and others.

It listed developing cyberwarfare capabilities as a key goal -- an issue that gained importance after US intelligence agencies said Russia interfered with the US presidential election, hacking political party computers.

Some of that work is already underway.

Read| On first day, Trump signs executive order to minimise the burdens of Obamacare

Even if there is not a full defensive ring around the country, the United States has already deployed missiles on its West Coast designed to intercept ballistic missile fire from North Korea.

Under policy set during the Obama administration, the number of those interceptors is to be increased to 44 by the end of this year.

US arms expert Loren Thompson said Trump is probably talking about further modernizing that technology.

In addition, the government has taken steps -- not yet finalized -- to place cyberwarfare capabilities under a separate military command.

The website also said Trump would reverse declines in the US navy and air force. A program is already underway to do that in the navy.

Trump knows that our military dominance must be unquestioned, the statement said.

The world will be more peaceful and more prosperous with a stronger and more respected America.

Trump enters office with North Korea threatening to test-launch a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.

CNN and other US news reports, quoting a US defense official, said last week that the Pentagon had deployed a high-tech system -- a sea-based X-band radar -- to watch for possible North Korean long-range missile launches in coming months.

Read| Donald Trump admin makes defeating Islamic terrorism top foreign policy goal
Turkeys parliament on Saturday approved a contentious constitutional reform package, paving the way for a referendum on a presidential system that would greatly expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans office.

The decision marks a victory for Erdogan, a polarizing but overall popular figure, who critics view as increasingly autocratic.

In an all-night session that ended early Saturday, lawmakers voted in favor of a set of amendments presented by the ruling party, founded by Erdogan. The reform bill cleared the minimum threshold necessary to put the measures to a national referendum for final approval.

The vote took place with 488 lawmakers in the 550-seat assembly in attendance. A total of 339 parliamentarians voted yes, 142 no, five cast empty ballots and two were ruled out as invalid.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim celebrated the result saying the decision was now in the hands of the Turkish people who would make the right choice.

Dont you ever doubt that the people will most certainly make the best decision regarding the constitutional reforms, he told lawmakers. Our people will head to the polls, will vote with their hearts and minds and make the best choice for Turkey.

A public vote on the issue is expected as early as March 26, and no later than mid-April, according to officials of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP.

In addition to changing the system of government, the reform bill would allow the president to keep ties with his party and restructure the nations highest judicial body.

It increases the number of seats in the assembly to 600, lowers the minimum age of lawmakers to 18 and foresees simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections every five years.

Ruling party officials argue a strong presidency is needed for a strong Turkey capable of surmounting a broad array of internal and external security threats.

Opposition lawmakers see the changes as a bid to cement the powers of Erdogan, who has established a de-facto presidential system since coming into the office in 2014. Some complained that restrictions on the press and intense pressure to toe the line had left no space for them to air their views.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the opposition Republican Peoples Party, condemned the outcome saying parliament had handed over its own authority and betrayed its history. He vowed to lead a struggle for democracy to have the reforms rejected in the referendum.

Saturdays decision concludes almost two weeks of heated debates in the assembly, where lawmakers traded barbs and came to blows on more than one occasion.

The parliamentary vote comes six months after a violent attempt to unseat the Turkish president failed and ended with the masses rallying to defend him.

Read| Fallout of failed coup: Turkey dismisses over 8,000 in new wave of purges
Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for more than 400 people, including soldiers and security officers, in 48 provinces across the country following Julys failed coup, broadcaster Haberturk said on Saturday.

They were being sought on suspicion of using Bylock, an encrypted smartphone messaging app that the government says was used by the network of Fethullah Gulen who is alleged by Ankara to have orchestrated the attempted coup, Haberturk reported.

Gulen, a US-based cleric who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied the charge and condemned the coup.

Read: Fallout of failed coup: Turkey dismisses over 8,000 in new wave of purges

In a post-coup crackdown, Turkey has jailed some 40,000 people pending trial and has suspended or dismissed more than 100,000 from the military, judiciary and public services.

Among the suspects were 123 soldiers from the navy and 187 security officers, Haberturk said. It said 12 people had been detained so far in operations centred in Ankara and Istanbul.

Separately, authorities detained five people in relation to attacks with rocket launchers on Friday by unidentified assailants on Istanbuls police headquarters and an office of the ruling AK Party.

NATO member Turkey has been hit by bombings and shootings in the past year, on top of Julys failed coup, in which soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power.
A US air strike on Thursday targeting an al Qaeda training camp in Syrias Idlib province killed more than 100 militants, the Pentagon said in a statement on Friday.

The strike took place just a day before the end of Barack Obamas presidency and the beginning of Donald Trumps, and a day after more than 80 Islamic State militants were killed in US air strikes in Libya.

The removal of this training camp disrupts training operations and discourages hardline Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with al-Qaida on the battlefield, Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said in the statement.

Davis said the Shaykh Sulayman training camp had been operational since 2013, adding that since the start of this year more than 150 al Qaeda militants have been killed in US air strikes.

An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the air strike was carried out by a B-52 bomber and unmanned aircraft and dropped 14 munitions. The official added that there was a high level of confidence that there were no civilian casualties.

A US-led coalition has been carrying out air strikes and supporting local forces in Syria to oust Islamic State militants. However, there is concern that the defeat of Islamic State could open the door for al Qaeda to take territory in ungoverned parts of the country.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday that an air strike killed more than 40 members of the jihadist group Jabhat Fateh al-Sham in northwestern Syria. It was not immediately clear if this strike was the same one the Pentagon was referring to.
The US interior department was ordered to shut down its official Twitter accounts indefinitely after the National Park Service, that manages all national parks in the country, shared tweets about low turnout during President Donald Trumps inauguration ceremony.

The first tweet noted the new presidents relatively small inaugural crowd compared to the number of people former president Barack Obama drew to the National Mall when he was sworn into office in 2009.

Looks like the Trump administration hasn't taken control of the @NatlParkService Twitter feed just yet. pic.twitter.com/dCKGHoW0cU  Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) January 20, 2017

The second tweet noted several omissions of policy areas on the new White House website. A Park Service employee retweeted both missives yesterday, the Washington Post reported.

All bureaus and the department have been directed by incoming administration to shut down Twitter platforms immediately until further notice, said an email circulated to Park Service employees.

The email described the stand-down as an urgent directive and said social media managers must shut down the accounts until further directed, the Post reported.

Interior department has dozens of official Twitter accounts at its multiple offices and 10 bureaus, which include the Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Geological Survey.

As Trumps inauguration ceremony got underway yesterday, a Park Service employee involved in social media officially retweeted a tweet from New York Times reporter Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) that pictured the crowd at Obamas inauguration next to gathering on the Mall.

Compare the crowds: 2009 inauguration at left, 2017 inauguration at right, Appelbaum wrote.

The Park Service Twitter account then shared a second tweet from someone else with a message about climate change, civil rights and healthcare issues being removed from the Obama White House website.

A government official familiar with the stand-down said the agency is investigating whether the retweets were purposeful, errant or whether weve been hacked.

They were not reflective of Park Service policy, said the official, who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the directive.

National Park Service spokesman Thomas Crosson declined to comment on the tweeting ban. But he said that it is against Park Service policy to estimate the size of crowds at events, because they are often inaccurate.

Due to the difficulty in accurately assessing crowd estimates for large events, most notably following 1995s Million Man March, the National Park Service no longer makes it a practice to provide crowd estimates for permitted events, Crosson said.

While we make internal estimates for staffing, security and emergency response purposes, it is left to the discretion of event organisers to make a determination of the event attendance, he said.
Tension in ties might be inevitable between China and the US under the new administration but President Donald Trump should think about viable options rather than playing out a zero sum game between Washington and Beijing, a leading Chinese expert on international relations has said.

Efforts to contain China could easily backfire on the US and if Washington forces the situation, it could easily escalate to the doctrine of mutually assured destruction, Victor Zhikai Gao, leading foreign policy expert and chairperson of the China Energy Security Institute, told HT.

During his presidential campaign, Trump had attacked China many times, accusing it of taking away American jobs. He also riled Beijing by speaking to the president of self-ruled Taiwan, which China views as a wayward province with no right to formal foreign ties.

Trump, however, made no direct mention of China in his inaugural address.

What will be endgame of containing China? Is China just like a submissive lamb to be slaughtered at the altar? No. China is more or less is armed to the teeth. China does not have the largest nuclear arsenal in the world but if you talk about the MAD, China has that capacity, said Gao, who was once the translator of Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.

Gao was among the many Chinese academics and experts  besides officials and diplomats  who closely followed Trumps inauguration and his 16-minute speech early Saturday.

He said the greatest certainty now is the uncertainty and the greatest predictability now is the unpredictability.

All countries including China and including India need to really wait and size up the situation very carefully. It is not the time to make any hasty judgement or hasty decisions, mainly because we do not know what President Trump is really up to. What exactly is his relation with Russia, for example, and how he will really put what he has said into the action of the US government, Gao added.

But one thing is sure, according to Gao: If Trump has plans to contain China  by aligning with countries like Japan, Philippines or the NATO  he should re-think.

If anyone in the world really tries to contain 1.4 billion Chinese people, it is ludicrous, it is a fantasy. No one can be successful in containing China with 1.4 billion with up to about 100 million overseas Chinese in all corners of the world. It is a fantasy, he said.

The nationalistic tabloid, Global Times, also send out a warning after Trumps inauguration.

Although Trump has spent a lot of time talking about China over the past year, his actual China policy has yet to take shape. Definitely, the Trump administration wants to boost exports to China and relocate factories from China back to the US. Taiwan will be merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China, the tabloid said in an editorial on Saturday.

Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many fires on its front door and around the world. Lets wait and see when it will be Chinas turn.

At the same time, China is hoping for the best and preparing for the worst  especially in trade ties.

On the world stage, Trump will likely align his foreign policy with US corporate interests, blurring the lines of ideology or political values. Frictions between the US and its allies, and trade tensions between the US and China seem inevitable within the four years ahead, paper added.
Donald Trump has attended three inaugural balls in Washington, marking an end to his first day in office.

He told the many supporters gathered at the balls that his first day as commander-in-chief was great: People that werent so nice to me were saying that we did a really good job today.

Its like God was looking down on us, he said.

With his wife, Melania, the first couple danced to Frank Sinatras My Way before being joined on stage by deputy president, Mike Pence, and his wife and Trump family members.

US President Donald Trump, left, dances with Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Catherine Cartmell as first lady Melania Trump is spun by Army Staff Sgt. Jose A. Medina during a dance at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington, Friday. (AP Photo)

The newly installed president asked the crowd whether he should keep his Twitter account going, to roars of apparent approval. He said his all-hours tweeting to his more than 20 million followers was a way of bypassing dishonest media.

The balls followed Trump issuing his first executive orders from the Oval Office where he directed government agencies to ease the burden of the Affordable Care Act on Friday night. The new president campaigned on repealing Obamacare and replacing it with something terrific.

In addition, new White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, issued a memo on Friday night directing an immediate regulatory freeze to prevent federal agencies from issuing any new regulations. This echoed Trumps pledge to repeal two existing regulations for new government regulation imposed by his administration.

US President Donald Trump and his wife first lady Melania Trump arrive at his "Liberty" Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC. (Reuters)

However, these actions fell far short of the big promises Trump made for his first day in office on the campaign trail.

Trump took pleasure in boasting about the feats he would accomplish in his first 24 hours in the Oval Office, ranging from building a wall on the US-Mexico border to promises to announce a renegotiation of Nafta and withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

There was also a broad statement that he would cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama.

President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump as they dance at the The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington. (AP Photo)

On Friday, however, the reality seemed far more restrained. Many of the first steps for the new administration had been postponed until Monday morning, three days after he assumed office. With a slow transition process that did not lead to the announcement of a full cabinet until the day before the inauguration, members of the new administration tamped down on expectations.

Vice-President Mike Pence said as much on Wednesday, telling CNN the administrations first day really wouldnt be Friday or even Saturday. I think you can expect that President Donald Trump will hit the ground running on day one come Monday morning, he said.

United States Army Staff Sergeant Jose A Medina dances with US first Lady Melania Trump as United States Navy Petty Officer Second Class Catherine Cartmell dances with US President Donald Trump (left) during the "Salute to Our Armed Services Ball" on Inauguration Day in Washington, DC. (Reuters)

A source familiar with the transition indicated to the Guardian that many administration staffers would not even begin their orientation until Monday, although it was noted that appointees in many key positions were poised to be sworn in at 12.01pm Friday.

Some administration priorities are likely to wait for months. Although Trump has long insisted he will move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a source familiar with administration foreign policy indicated that no such step was likely for months and would in any case wait for Trumps pick for US ambassador, David Friedman , to be confirmed.

US President Donald Trump acknowledges the crowd at the Freedom Ball in Washington, on Friday. (AP Photo)

Friedman is not scheduled to receive a hearing until February and is unlikely to be confirmed until March at the earliest.

Surprisingly, for all of Trumps promises for executive action on his first day, he signed his first bill hours before his first executive order. Shortly after taking the oath of office Trump, signed a law that would give Gen James Mattis, his nominee for defense secretary, the needed waiver to serve in a ceremony in the Capitol. US law requires any potential defense secretary to have been retired from the military for seven years. Mattis retired from the marines in 2014.

Ivanka Trump blows a kiss as she departs with her husband Jared Kushner from the Inauguration Freedom Ball in Washington. (Reuters)

At the inauguration celebrations, supporters did not to focus on specifics. Many touted their belief in the new presidents ability to bring back jobs and, of course, make America great again.

Dina Cook, a 76-year-old Spanish-American woman from Tennessee bedecked in Trump gear, enthused about the new presidents ability to rebuild American infrastructure, provided that they would let him.

Others showed more specific focus on what the new president could accomplish unilaterally. Danny, a gruff and moustached man from Yorktown, Virginia, with a Trump pin in his hat, was optimistic that the president would immediately repeal a lot of Obamas executive orders.

US President Donald Trump and his wife first lady Melania Trump (left) gesture towards his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner as they dance their first dance as first couple to Frank Sinatra's song "My Way" at his "Liberty" Inaugural Ball in Washington. (Reuters)

Trump has long pledged to suspend immigration from terror-prone regions where vetting cannot safely occur, adding: All vetting of people coming into our country will be considered extreme vetting.

He has shown no indication that he might relent, or indeed delay any such action. In an interview with the Sunday Times of London, he indicated one of his first orders as president would involve enhanced border security, one of the mainstays of his staunchly conservative policy agenda on immigration.

One of the first orders Im gonna sign  day one  is gonna be strong borders, Trump said. We dont want people coming in from Syria who we dont know who they are. You know theres no way of vetting these people. I dont want to do what Germany did.

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania walk the inaugural parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2107 following swearing-in ceremonies on Capitol Hill earlier today. / AFP PHOTO / JIM WATSON (AFP)

In October 2015 , Trump said such refugees could be Isis. Among refugee advocates, concern is widespread.

One of our biggest concerns is not only the damage Trump can do at home, but what he means for other countries, said Grace Meng, a senior immigration researcher at Human Rights Watchs US program.

We know that there are politicians in western European countries as well as other countries around the world who see him as a model for really anti-rights, anti-refugee policy.

The US has admitted only a small number of Syrian refugees who have fled the country since 2011. In the 2016 fiscal year, Obama admitted 12,587 refugees from Syria, slightly above the 10,000 admittances targeted. In the 2017 fiscal year, starting in October 2016, 3,566 Syrian refugees have been resettled in the US.

US President Donald Trump is joined by the Congressional leadership and his family before formally signing his cabinet nominations into law, in the President's Room of the Senate, at the Capitol in Washington,DC on January 20, 2017. From left are Vice President Mike Pence, the president's wife Melania Trump, their son Barron Trump, and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-WI. (AFP Photo)

A spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) in Washington said there were more than 60,000 Syrian refugees awaiting resettlement in the US whose fate remains entirely unclear under the incoming administration.

UNHCR is responsible for selecting individuals for resettlement following application interviews. Such individuals are then screened by agencies including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), subjected to biometric security checks and interviewed by DHS agents. The process can take up to two years.

Immigration hawks hope Trump will move towards a lengthy or even permanent moratorium on such arrivals.

US President Donald Trump takes the oath of office with his wife Melania and son Barron at his side, during his inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington. (Reuters Photo)

For most Americans, if we did not admit refugees for five years while we explored the problem of vetting in this unique circumstance, most people would not shed a tear, said Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a conservative immigration thinktank to which Trump transition adviser Kris Kobach serves as a legal counsel.

Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a conservative migrant research organization, said he hoped a moratorium would also be placed on refugees from Somalia and Iraq.

If it were me, I would reassess the whole idea of refugee resettlement, which I think is mistaken because the vast majority of people we resettle are not in some kind of emergency need of a new place to stay, Krikorian said.

US President Donald Trump leaves the President's Room of the Senate at the Capitol after he formally signed his cabinet nominations into law. (AFP Photo)

Trump has provided scant details regarding the extreme vetting he would seek to implement. In a campaign speech in Arizona, he advocated new screening tests that might provide an ideological certification to make sure that those we are admitting to our country share our values and love our people.

Krikorian acknowledged that the national security benefits of such a scheme were likely to be on the margins but said he supported the proposal nonetheless.

Its just a return to a cold war approach to excluding ideological enemies of the United States, he said.
President Donald Trumps inaugural speech promised America first policy, but offered no specifics about Americas place in the world.

The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a new national pride and protect America from the ravages of countries he says have stolen US jobs.

This American carnage stops right here, Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, its going to be America first.

A look at some reactions from around the world:

INDIANS FRET ABOUT IMMIGRATION PROSPECTS

Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trumps inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.

It is going to be a little bit challenging for those, said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.

Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. Someone at the level of the US president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?

Indian newspapers highlighted Trumps protectionist policies in his speech. America First President, read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper.

Read: Looking forward to working with you, PM Modi to US President Donald Trump

SPEECH RESONATES IN MEXICO

Perhaps no country was watching the speech more closely than Mexico. Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States.

So Trumps talk of protect(ing) our borders, America first and buy American and hire American had particular resonance in Americas southern neighbour.

Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and protectionist speech we just heard. Unity against that useless wall, against deportations, against the blockade of investment.

The challenge is enormous. ... We demand the federal government leave aside tepidity, that it tackle with absolute firmness and dignity the new relationship with the United States, Anaya said.

The United States is by far Mexicos largest commercial partner, buying some 80 percent of its $532 billion in exports in 2015. Mexico is the second-largest market for U.S. exports.

At least the word Mexico was not heard in the speech. Nevertheless one can expect the United States to launch a hyper-protectionist project, said Ilan Semo Groman, a researcher at Iberoamericana University.

If Trump truly moves to block or drive away U.S. investment in Mexico, Semo said Mexico should focus its commercial efforts on other countries.

There are very clear possibilities, Semo said.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent three tweets after Trumps inaugural speech Friday:

 I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility.

 We will establish a respectful dialogue with the government of President @realDonaldTrump, to Mexicos benefit.

 Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States.

CONCERN IN TOKYO

Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trumps America first policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.

Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trumps inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.

Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... its a grave concern, he said. If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and Im really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing.

Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the US, citing Trumps decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.

Japan-US relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade, he said.

Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japans, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth, he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions.

In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe, he said.

CHINA BRACES FOR TROUBLE AHEAD

A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trumps inauguration speech indicates that the US and China would inevitably face trade tensions.

The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trumps inauguration that dramatic changes lay ahead for the US and the global economic order.

Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many fires on its front door and around the world. Lets wait and see when it will be Chinas turn, it said.

The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put America first, and said trade tensions between the US and China seemed inevitable within the four years ahead.

The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the US governments relations with Taiwan as merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China.

TAIWAN TWEETS

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership.

Trump didnt mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning Novembers election.

He has said earlier that Washingtons one China policy under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the US should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.

SOUTH KOREANS PUT SECURITY FIRST, WORRY ABOUT ALLIANCE, TRADE

Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.

I think the biggest challenge is the national defense, said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was heavily influenced by the US.

In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Koreas relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is fortunate that Trump has a strong position on North Koreas nuclear weapons.

There were concerns about potential conflicts between the US and China, South Koreas key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition Peoples Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the US seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries.

There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight, said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out.

In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Koreas nuclear development.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took the stage on Friday night to perform their first dance at the inaugural ball within hours of taking office.

The first couple danced at the Liberty Ball to a cover version of Frank Sinatras My Way, CNN reported.

Sinatra had performed in former President Ronald Reagans inaugural ball in 1981.

Donald and Melania were soon accompanied by his family and Vice President Mike Pence and his wife.

The couple will also attend the Freedom Ball and the Salute to the Armed Forces Ball.

Trump said, People that werent so nice to me were saying that we did a really good job today. He added, Its like God was looking down on us.
The Breguet 14 wasnt World War Is fastest, most maneuverable or best-looking biplane, but it soldiered on long after more iconic aircraft had disappeared.

To the untrained eye, World War I biplanesessentially collections of wood, canvas and wiresappear hopelessly fragile. But looks can be deceiving, especially in the case of the Breguet 14. Though Louis Breguets innovative and versatile design may not have been a beauty, it was among the finest, and certainly one of the most rugged, combat aircraft of the war.

I would agree with that from personal experience, testified Djibrail Nazare-Aga, a Persian volunteer who served as a bomber pilot in French Escadrilles Br.66 and Br.108 from 1917 to 1918. After my return from one mission, my mechanic showed me that three of the four longerons of my fuselage had been shot apart by an attacking Fokker D.VIII had come back with only one holding the plane together. Early in October [1918], my left undercarriage leg was blown away, but I managed to make a pancake landing south of Chalons-sur-Marne. Such attrition says a lot about the intensity of the fighting, but it also shows how strong the Breguet was.

Born in Paris on January 2, 1880, Louis Charles Breguet was the scion of a family famous since 1775 for manufacturing watches. Louis, however, was more interested in aeronautics than timepieces. He began developing his own aircraft as early as 1905, experimented with a helicopter design in 1907 and founded his own manufacturing company in 1909. Breguet became a proponent of using metal in the construction of aircraft, and his early creations proved to be both sturdy and useful. He sold several to the French army, and in September 1914 flew a notable reconnaissance mission in one of his own airplanes, locating the German First Army, which was then advancing toward Paris, and setting the stage for the momentous Battle of the Marne.

When the French army sought aircraft suitable for bombing missions, Breguet agreed to design and build one. The authorities requested a pusher, so thats what Breguet delivered, even though he believed a tractor design would have been far superior. In spite of his own dissatisfaction with his pusher, many were manufactured by Breguet, as well as by other companies under license. In addition to bomber and reconnaissance versions, escort fighters and night fighters were also developed from his design.

In the summer of 1916, Breguet designed a new single-engine, two-seat tractor airplane that he considered an improvement over the pusher. Again the French military tried to interfere, requesting that he install a 200-hp Hispano-Suiza V-8. But Breguet stood firm this time, holding out for the 220-hp Renault V-12, which he believed offered greater potential for development. He was subsequently proved correct, as the production version of the Renault engine that was eventually installed produced 310 hp, and by wars end improved versions were generating more than 400 hp.

Designated the Breguet 14, the new design was a two-bay biplane with a slight back-stagger. Its large rectangular nose radiator contributed to the airplanes angular appearance. Unprepossessing though it looked, it performed well and turned out to be both sturdy and capable of performing a variety of missions.

Beneath its conventional fabric skin the Breguet 14 was constructed primarily of oxy-welded steel tubes and duraluminan innovative design feature for the stick-and-wire era. In fact, it was among the first production airplanes to make extensive use of duralumin in its structure. The result was a strong airframe that proved to be far more durable than wooden structures, which tended to deteriorate after extended exposure to the elements.

The Breguet 14 was a relatively large two-seater, with a span of 47 feet and a length of 29 feet. Its steel tube and duralumin airframe, however, made it comparatively light at approximately 2,300 pounds, depending upon the version and the equipment carried. Performance also varied for the same reason, with maximum speed generally ranging between 110 and 120 mph.

The pilot sat just behind the upper wing, where he had a good view in most directions. The observer/bombardier/gunner was seated close behind him, facilitating communications. Armament consisted of a single forward-firing synchronized Vickers machine gun and one or two Lewis guns on a flexible Eteve or Scarff ring mounting in the observers pit. Some aircraft mounted an additional flexible Lewis gun for the observer to fire beneath the fuselage, to defend against attacks from below.

On November 21, 1916, Breguet himself piloted the prototype on its first flight. After an inordinate length of time spent overcoming the French air services skepticism over his use of duralumin, the Breguet 14A2, optimized for reconnaissance and observation, was approved for production on March 6, 1917.

One month later Breguet introduced a bomber prototype, the 14B2, which differed from the A2 in several respects. Besides wing-mounted racks accommodating up to 660 pounds of bombs, the B2 had a large square window on each side of the rear cockpit to provide light for the bombardier to operate the bombsight. Fullspan flaps on the lower wings were controlled by bungee cords, which lowered them automatically when the airspeed dropped below 70 mph and raised them as the airplane exceeded that speed, a very advanced feature for 1917.

Once the French air service finally accepted the new Breguet, it seemingly couldnt get enough of them. In addition to the parent company, at least four other firms were soon subcontracted to build the aircraft under license. According to French sources, wartime Breguet 14 production totaled 3,916 A2 reconnaissance versions and 1,586 B2 bombers.

While the preferred engine remained the Renault, visually distinguishable by its single vertical exhaust stack jutting above the cowling, supplies of that power plant could not keep up with demand. As a result other engines were installed, notably a 285-hp 6-cylinder inline Fiat. A few planes were also fitted with the 400-hp American Liberty V-12.

By the end of the war, at least 71 French squadrons were flying the Breguet 14 on the Western Front, while others were deployed to Italy, Salonika and the Middle East. Besides being fast and sufficiently well-armed to defend itself, the Breguet could absorb a great deal of punishment.

Versatility was another major attribute. In addition to the observation and bombing aircraft, Breguet developed other more specialized variants. The 14B1, a single-seat long-range bomber version, replaced the observer position with an extra fuel tank. Although a number of this type entered service, they were never used to bomb their intended target, Berlin. The 14H (Hydroavion) floatplane was developed for the French navy. The 14S (Sanitaire), capable of carrying two stretchers, was one of the first specialized flying ambulances to enter operational service. Used on the Western Front in 1918, it later proved its worth in colonial wars in North Africa and Syria. The 14E (Ecole) served as a two-seat trainer. About 200 examples of the Breguet 16, a specialized night-bomber development of the 14 with larger-span three-bay wings and other alterations, were built during 1918, and remained in use until 1923.

Perhaps the most formidable wartime development, the Breguet 17 two-seat fighter mounted two forward-firing machine guns for the pilot and two more for the observer. Powered by an uprated 400-hp Renault, it had a top speed of 135 mph and would have been a match for anything the Germans flew. The 17 made its maiden flight in the summer of 1918, but the war ended before it could be deployed. Approximately 100 were completed before production was canceled.

At least 35 Fiat-powered Breguet 14A2s were supplied to the Belgian air service during the war, equipping two complete squadrons and partially equipping at least four others. After the armistice Belgium received 15 more Renault-powered machines, which remained in squadron service until 1923. A few were reportedly still flying as late as 1928.

The other major wartime user of the Breguet 14 was the United States. Desperate for up-to-date aircraft, the U.S. Army Air Service accepted a total of 376 aircraft, of which 199 were Fiat-powered. Of that total, 229 were A2 reconnaissance planes, 47 were B2 bombers and 100 were E2 trainers. The USAS 9th and 96th Aero squadrons both relied heavily on the Breguet 14. On June 12, 1918, the 96th flew the first-ever U.S. bombing mission. The Americans, however, operated under the dual disadvantages of having no combat experience and being compelled to go to war in secondhand aircraft that the French had used as trainers.

The 96th suffered an embarrassing setback on July 10. After six of its planes departed Amanty aerodrome to bomb Conflans, the units commander, Major Harry Brown, failed to account for the effect of 70 mph southwesterly winds above the cloud level that blew his flight 100 miles off course, to Koblenz. Those same winds impeded their attempt to make for home until they ran out of fuel and landed in Germany, where all six planes and their crews were captured intact.

The Germans soon dropped a message in Allied lines that found its way to Colonel William Mitchell, who was already seething about the mishap. We thank you for the fine airplanes and equipment which you have sent us, it read, but what shall we do with the major? Mitchell remarked that he was better off in Germany at that time than he would have been with us.

Once reconstituted, the 96th became the most active of the four squadrons making up the 1st Day Bombardment Group from September 1918 onward, primarily due to the reliability of its Breguets compared to the American-built Liberty DH-4s used by the 11th, 20th and 166th Aero squadrons. The 9th also broke new ground as the first American squadron to specialize in nighttime reconnaissance. Because so much of the enemy lines lay within view of Allied observation aircraft and balloons, the Germans had taken to transferring troops and supplies by night. It was the 9ths task to find out what the enemy was up to after dark. Although both squadrons struggled with worn aircraft powered by tired engines, their crews considered the Breguets superior to the Liberty DH-4s that were being issued to most of the newer squadrons.

If Louis Breguets reconnaissance flight of September 1914 was one of the wars most significant, a Breguet 14A2 carried out another mission of major importance in November 1918. On the 13th, it flew the German plenipotentiary from Tergnier, France, to Spa, Belgium, bringing the armistice conditions to the German general staff.

While the armistice spelled the end of production for most WWI aircraft, the Breguet 14 was among the few that remained in demand after hostilities ceased. Approximately 2,500 more were manufactured between November 11, 1918, and 1926. The sturdy biplane proved ideal for military service in the French colonies, since its metal frame stood up to tropical climates far better than did the wooden structures of most other contemporary aircraft. The majority of the Breguets, however, were built for export, serving in no less than 24 foreign air forces during the 1920s, with some soldiering on into the early 1930s.

The adaptable Breguet 14 was also converted for commercial service. In addition to using 14s as airmail transports, the Breguet and Latecoere companies modified them to carry passengerstwo in the 14T and three in the 14T-bis. These operated in Europe and on routes across the Sahara Desert.

Although hardly among WWIs most glamorous airplanes, the Breguet 14s performance, versatility and structural strength made it one of the best all-around aircraft developed during that conflict, and guaranteed its continued popularity for years afterward. The Breguets strutted biplane configuration, open cockpits, fixed landing gear and fabric covering made it appear typical of its era, but its sturdy metal airframe was years ahead of its time.

A number of Breguet 14s still exist, including an original on display at the Musee de lAir et lEspace at Le Bourget. There are also several replicas, including one at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum in Bangkok. In 2000 a homebuilt flying replica was completed in France by Eugene Bellet. Registered as F-POST and flown extensively, it is painted in the civilian markings of the French Latecoere Air Line of the 1920s.

Frequent contributor Robert Guttman writes from Tappan, N.Y. He recommends for further reading: Breguet 14, by J.M. Bruce and Jean Noel; and U.S. Army Aircraft, 1908-1946, by James C. Fahey.

Originally published in the March 2015 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here.
The young underground sensation known as XXXTENTACION  whom A$AP Rocky recently touted as the hardest rapper in Florida  remains in jail, despite rumors that he would be released yesterday. It now seems he wont be released for at least another few months. His manager revealed via Twitter that Xs court date got pushed back to April for no real reason. His 20th birthday is on Monday.

X did appear in court yesterday, as a good number of his fans showed up, and some of them posted pictures of the incarcerated rapper sitting in the stands. Its unclear what happened at the hearing, though it doesnt seem like he will be given any details regarding his potential release until his next court date, which his manager says is scheduled for April.

His manager also said that so many fans showed up to yesterdays court date that Xs own family couldnt make it into the courtroom. In the below No Jumper video, the same manager takes a call from X, who tries to explain why the court is holding him longer than expected.

He is currently in jail for allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend, reports Pigeons & Planes.

XXXTENTACION has accrued a large Internet fanbase over the past few years while doing very little press. Thus little is known about his story aside from that he hails from Broward County, which is also home to notable South Florida talents like Kodak Black and Robb Bank$.

X has many tracks with millions of plays on SoundCloud. He has an eclectic range of influences, though most all of his work is dark, moody, and psychedelic. Some of his more notable tracks verge on hardcore or heavy metal.

XXXTENTACION
Kodak Black has had his ups and downs in the past. Despite his chart-topping success, the Florida rapper was sent to jail for a few months. And though released, he is scheduled for another court date in February to face more charges. But LilBIGPac can rest easy for the time being. He announced his official return to Miami for a solo show at Heart Nightclub tonight, Friday, January 20.

Heart manager Jake Inphamous Hermelo wants the night to be dedicated to the Project Baby rapper.

I want this Friday to be all about Kodak, Hermelo says in an email to Miami New Times. My partner Joe Ontrak and myself really want to make it special for his fans since this is his first Miami appearance since he was released from jail.

Since his release from South Carolina detention center back in November, the South Florida has performed in various other places across the country. After tonights show, he will continue to tour until mid-March. He is reportedly banned from South Carolina.

Known for his theatrics, he has just launched his own streetwear  Sniper Gang Apparel  as well as a one-sided beef with Lil Wayne.

Kodak Black
After the success of the Kneeling Santa ugly Christmas sweaters for prison reform, Nas announced his brand HSTRY is launching a new collection for Black History Month. Part of the proceeds for the collection will go to the National Black Child Development Institute, which focuses on providing black children with early childhood education, health awareness initiatives, literacy and more.

The collection features pro-black versions of classic cartoons like Bart Simpson, Charlie Brown, and the Pink Panther with statements like Black Dont Crack, and the James Brown-anthem Im Black and Proud.

Nas states that he used to view Black History Month as a slap in the face to the black community and that he hopes the collection will instill some positivity during these tough times in America. This collection is about turning things around and instilling positivity. Celebrating being Black in a loud and fun way. Taking a much-needed moment to be proud of the achievements we have made, our colorful culture, black royalty and excellence from the past, present, and future.

Get a piece of your very own BLK HSTRY, available now exclusively at HSTRY.

Item #1
DAVOS, Switzerland  It's been impossible to escape the shadow of Donald Trump at this year's gathering of the business elites at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Uncertainty over what Trump will do once he takes office Friday and whether his presidency will mark the end of globalization dominated discussions all week at this event, which more than any has become synonymous with international business.

Sure, lofty ambitions were discussed, from fighting epidemics to dealing with inequalities across the world. But inevitably all talk turned to Trump, who has promised to rewrite free trade deals and even slap tariffs on China, the world's second-largest economy.

"Do I really think we're going back to protectionism? I don't really know yet and I can promise you I'm paying a lot of attention to it because trade matters to us," said David Cote, chairman and CEO of industrial conglomerate Honeywell. "It's a little too early to press the panic button; we ought to see what ends up happening here."

Roberto Azevedo, director-general of the World Trade Organization, the institution that oversees global trading rules, reminded delegates that in the 1930s, unilateral actions to raise tariffs led to a "domino effect" that wiped out two-thirds of global trade in three years.

"That would be a catastrophe of untold proportions," he said. "I think we should try not to talk ourselves into a trade war and I think we're seeing a lot of that."

___

THE CASE AGAINST GLOBALIZATION

Whether or not world trade goes into reverse, it's evident that globalization  the commitment to lower barriers to doing business around the world is under threat like no other time in decades.

The main allegations are that it has increased inequalities in wealth, eroded job security for the middle and lower-income families in developed countries, and kept a lid on wages as businesses seek low-cost workers in poorer countries. The breakneck pace of technological innovation is making jobs redundant, particularly in industries like manufacturing.

Anti-poverty charity Oxfam illustrated the issue of inequality starkly in a report this week in which it said that eight billionaires own as much wealth as half the world's population, or 3.6 billion people.

There's a perception among many middle- and lower-income households in developed economies like the U.S. and Europe that globalization hasn't worked for them and it's their anger that supported Trump's victory and Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

___

THE CASE FOR IT

Globalization has helped lift hundreds of millions to escape poverty over the past few decades. Populous countries like China and India have enjoyed phenomenal growth, improved standards of living, life expectancy, literacy and employment rates.

As though to underscore that point, China's leader visited the Davos forum this year for the first time ever.

In a historic address, Chinese President Xi Jinping cast his country as a champion of free trade and stability. Though China does in fact put big limits on foreign companies in the country, Xi's message was clear: that China wants to take a bigger role on the global stage and keeping business flowing.

"We must remain committed to promoting free trade and investment through opening up, and say no to protectionism," Xi said, without directly referencing Trump. "Pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room. While wind and rain may be kept outside, so are light and air ... No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war."

___

WAY AHEAD

The key will be what policies Trump actually puts in motion, and whether other countries follow the temptation to throw up bigger barriers to business.

Britain will this year renegotiate its trade relations with the rest of the EU, the region it does most business with. And populist political movements have risen in countries like the Philippines and are increasingly prominent in developed economies like France, the Netherlands and Italy.

"We may be at a point where globalization is ending," said Ray Dalio, founder of hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.

German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said he doubted the U.S. and the West would leave the defense of free trade to Chinese leadership.

Beyond Trump, Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, said the broader international system must change.

Dealing with inequality will have to become a central concern for governments, she said, adding that could mean greater redistribution of wealth  a tough message to deliver to a crowd of millionaires and billionaires.

Theresa May, Britain's prime minister, sought to convince the Davos elite that Britain was not retreating from the global scene. But she did concede that policymakers have to support those for whom globalization is not working.

"The forces of liberalism, free trade and globalization that have had, and continue to have, such an overwhelmingly positive impact on our world ... are somehow at risk of being undermined," she said.
The Houston metropolitan area made it through 2016 with positive employment growth, adding jobs slowly as it began to shake off a two-year oil bust.

The region added 14,800 jobs last year - an anemic growth rate of just a half percent - compared with 15,200 in 2015 and 117,800 in 2014, the peak of the oil boom, according to U.S. Labor Department data released Friday. Growth in sectors such as health care and retail more than offset the losses in the oil and gas industry.

"Maybe the most striking thing about Houston's recent job growth is the difference between the performance of the oil market and Houston's economy," Bill Gilmer, a regional economist at the University of Houston's Bauer School of Business, wrote in a recent forecast. "This is arguably the worst downturn ever for U.S. oil - but certainly not a serious downturn for Houston."

Still, the economy is far from humming. Greater Houston added just 400 jobs in December, compared with 5,900 new jobs created in December 2014. The area unemployment rate rose to 4.8 percent from 4.2 percent a year ago. That's slightly above the national unemployment rate of 4.7 percent.

Job gains last year were led by services. Education and health services, which include universities and hospitals, add nearly 14,000 jobs over the year, an increase of 3.7 percent. Leisure and hospitality employment grew by 4.2 percent, or nearly 13,000 jobs.

But goods-producing sectors like construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas extraction took hits. Most of the construction job losses came in the industrial building sector, which lost 9.7 percent over the year as work on major petrochemical refinery projects finished up. That trend is set to continue: $22.7 billion in industrial construction projects will wrap up in 2017, followed by less than $5 billion in 2018, according to Gilmer's forecast.

Another 12,500 industrial construction jobs are projected to disappear this year.

The mining and logging sector, which includes oil and gas extraction and services, lost another 7,100 jobs last year, a decline of 7.5 percent. Machinery manufacturing, which along with many other sectors is highly tied to the oil and gas industry, declined 14.1 percent or 6,900 jobs. Their continued recovery will depend on oil prices going forward; the price of crude has climbed above $52 a barrel since bottoming out at about $26 last February.

The past year looked stronger statewide, ledby strong growth in Dallas and Austin. Service sector employment grew 2.5 percent, while goods-producing jobs shrank 2.5 percent. But, since the service sector is larger, overall employment in the state grew 1.8 percent, or 210,00 jobs.

December, however, proved a slow month for hiring in Texas. The the state gained only 800 jobs, a sharp deceleration from November, when Texas employers added more than 35,000. The state unemployment rate was 4.6 percent, unchanged from November.

Economists noted that the statistics are estimates and subject to revision.

The Labor Department will release revised data for 2016 and previous years in March.
The fate of a $10 billion chemicals and plastics plant proposed by Exxon Mobil and Saudi Arabia's largest chemical company could be determined by a community school board north of Corpus Christi.

The Gregory-Portland Independent School District last week began consideration of the project about granting a tax abatement to the project that would save the plant owners more than $460 million over 20 years.

The board could make a decision as soon as February.

Exxon Mobil and Saudi Basic Industries Corp., known as SABIC, last summer proposed building a multibillion-dollar petrochemical complex along the Gulf Coast, the first U.S. joint venture for two of the world's biggest energy companies. They recently selected their preferred site - 1,400 acres just beyond the boundaries of two cities, Portland and Gregory - despite opposition from residents who fear the plant is too close to homes and schools.

The site is a mile from the local high school and junior high.

At least 40 protesters showed up at the school board meeting with air pollution masks, signs and red "Portland Citizens United" shirts.

A smaller group of supporters wore green "United for Growth" shirts made by the local Chamber of Commerce and economic development group.

"They want more money," said project opponent, Adair Apple of Portland. "That's all they care about. Do they care about kids? No."

Exxon Mobil project executive Rob Tully countered that the project will be safe and bring jobs - up to 600 permanent positions and about 11,000 temporary construction positions.

"We operate these plants safely every single day," Tully said.
The Woodlands-based NextDecade is homing in on a Texas City location near Galveston for its latest effort to build a multibillion-dollar liquefied natural gas export facility.

NextDecade, which has focused on an LNG export project in Brownsville, said it signed lease agreements for a nearly 1,000-acre site at Texas City's Shoal Point. The location offers port access, proximity to natural gas pipelines and the potential to expand, the company said.

The move comes after the Point Isabel school board in Brownsville rejected tax incentives for NextDecade's Rio Grande LNG project there, as well as for the competing Annova LNG project owned by Chicago-based Exelon Corp. Residents and environmental activists teamed up to oppose the projects. NextDecade and Annova have vowed to proceed in Brownsville without the tax breaks.

Still, NextDecade also has plans for Texas City to export the cheap and abundant natural gas supplies produced from Texas shale. The company is working to attract additional financing for both projects.

The projects are part of a growing number of LNG projects under development along the Gulf Coast and other regions as the U.S. increasingly shifts from importer to exporter of energy, another example of how hydraulic fracturing, horizontal drilling and other technologies that sparked the shale revolution have changed the global energy equation.

Last February, Houston-based Cheniere Energy became the first U.S. LNG exporter, shipping liquefied natural gas from its Sabine Pass terminal near the Texas-Louisiana border. In November, Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. of Houston and Perth, Australia, received final U.S. regulatory approval to export LNG and begin building a $4.3 billion LNG project, called Magnolia, south of Lake Charles, La.

Five other LNG export projects, including two in Texas, also are under construction in the U.S., including Houston-based Kinder Morgan's Elba Island LNG project in Georgia, which began construction in early November.

"Now more than ever, the U.S. has the potential to benefit from the incredible natural gas resources we have right here in Texas," NextDecade CEO Kathleen Eisbrenner said in announcing its Texas City plans. "The U.S. is the most competitive source of LNG in the world, and NextDecade is looking forward to bringing new supply to the global marketplace from the heart of the global energy industry."

But the issue facing NextDecade and other LNG developers is timing. The world is experiencing a glut of LNG as supplies grow and demand temporarily wanes, according to analysts. The question is when demand will again outstrip supply. Most analysts don't expect that to happen until the next decade.

The projects, however, can take years to develop, and many of the companies are betting that they can bring their projects online just as global demand picks up.

French energy giant Total is among those making that bet. Total recently said it will invest more than $200 million to buy a 23 percent stake in the liquefied natural gas company founded by Charif Souki, the former Cheniere CEO and a pioneer of U.S. LNG exports. Souki's Tellurian Investments is developing the $12 billion Driftwood LNG project south of Lake Charles, with the goal of beginning operations in 2022 and the expectation that growing global demand by then will have wiped out the glut of LNG.
Matt Cardy/Stringer

SAN FRANCISCO - Apple is suing mobile chip maker Qualcomm for $1 billion in a patent fight pitting the iPhone maker against one of its major suppliers.

The 100-page complaint filed Friday in a San Diego federal court depicts Qualcomm as a greedy monopolist abusing its power in a key segment of the mobile chip market to extort royalties for iPhone innovations that have nothing to do with Qualcomm's technology.
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Astronaut Mike Hopkins lay on his back with hips and knees at a 90-degree angle. Strapped into a seat in launch position, he stared at two screens displaying altitude, direction and other critical spacecraft information. His seat began vibrating, and then he set to work.

Hopkins read text on the displays. He used the hand controller to resolve caution and warning messages. All the while, his seat continued to vibrate. The feeling, described as riding in a truck down a bumpy road, simulated different portions of Orion's eight-minute trip into space.

It was the first time an astronaut tested the visibility of the Orion spacecraft display screens under the vibration of a simulated launch.

"It's important for us to make sure, for that phase of flight, they are able to get the information that they need and respond appropriately," said Jennifer Boyer, the Orion human engineering system manager for NASA.

Beyond visibility, the test was also the first time an astronaut interacted with the Orion display and used the controllers while strapped in a mockup seat and spacesuit undergoing the launch-simulating vibration. The crew impact attenuation system, which reduces loads on the body during landing, was also part of the test to make sure launch and ascent vibrations wouldn't cause it to malfunction.

Friday was an important milestone for Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the Orion spacecraft. Its Houston office was involved in building the seats and managing the subcontractors that built the displays, controllers and impact attenuation system.

"This test is really the first time we've brought together multiple pieces to understand how it works together," said Mark Baldwin, a biomechanical engineer at Lockheed Martin tasked with making sure the Orion design is safe for astronauts.

As the tests continue through Jan. 30, Baldwin will be analyzing the data with NASA and incorporating it into designs. Lockheed is currently building three Orion spacecraft: the first for an uncrewed Orion that will travel more than 40,000 miles beyond the moon, the second for a test to ensure that Orion's design can withstand extreme temperatures and flight loads, and the third for Orion's first mission with astronauts onboard.

To see firsthand if Lockheed's design was safe for the crew, Baldwin was the first person to undergo the vibration test. He participated Tuesday and Wednesday and was happy with how the hardware performed.

"It's a remarkable experience to be under vibration," Baldwin said. "I don't think too many people actually experience that phenomenon when your cheeks are literally trying to jump off your face."

Hopkins was one of six astronauts who will participate in the vibration tests. These crew members are of varying weights and eyesight.

The technology they're testing in Orion's displays has advanced significantly since the space shuttle program.

The space shuttle had 100 panels of switches compared to just seven on Orion because more functions can now be done using the computer, said astronaut Lee Morin, chief of the Crew Interface Rapid Prototyping Lab that creates the prototype software and prototype hardware for the Orion crew displays.

"Technology has moved on," Morin said. "The computers are a lot more powerful."

The space shuttle also had 250 pounds of paper checklists detailing a variety of tasks. That has been reduced to just one pound on Orion as the checklists are now on the computer.

Many years ago, touchscreens were briefly considered for the display units on Orion. But they were quickly decided against.

Boyer said acceleration makes it difficult for astronauts to lift their arms, so it'd be hard to reach up and touch the screen during the launch. They instead opted for controllers near the astronauts' arms.

Morin said the crew wasn't keen on altering spacesuit gloves to make them touchscreen-friendly. There was also a concern that items floating around in the spacecraft could accidentally hit the screen.

"You always want to learn from the past but also move forward to the future," Boyer said.

The vibration tests took more than six months of planning. After they're finished, Boyer said, the data will be evaluated to see if design changes are needed.

"It's one of many milestonesto qualify the design," Morin said.
After the private party was over, the tables began to empty of red-hued revelers. Someone set about plucking the mini American flags out of the sugar packet dishes, and I stood near the bar of the Original Ninfa's on Navigation talking with the local Republican Party chairman about President Donald Trump, the inauguration speech and whether any of the panic on the left was justified.

"They need to get over it," Paul Simpson said as he laughed lightheartedly, and then explained that a true tyrant wouldn't appoint Cabinet members who publicly disagree with him.

"You're not going to tell Rex Tillerson what to do," Simpson said, referring to Trump's secretary of state pick, a former Exxon CEO who certainly doesn't need the government salary or the grief.

We were still talking when the regular lunch crowd trickled in and a young woman glared at Simpson in his red GOP sticker, aimed a finger at her temple and feigned shooting herself - visual slang for put-me-out-of-my-misery exasperation.

Simpson hardly seemed to notice. But, for me, it was a sharp jolt from one world to another.

The mostly white, graying crowd who had attended the Harris County Republican watch party, who had stood and removed hats during the national anthem, who had watched Trump's oath with glistening eyes, who had cheered his vow to end "American carnage" and roared at the first presidential utterance of the phrase "radical Islamic terror," was mostly gone.

Others were coming in for their salsa and chips.

When Trump put his hand on that Bible, he vowed to contend with all Americans. That includes the people protesting in the streets, the people who view the 45th president as everything from an erratic buffoon to an existential threat to democracy itself.

Not a conservative

He must contend with the exasperated young woman, and her far-more outspoken lunch companion, who couldn't process the irony of Republicans celebrating the inauguration of a man who disparaged Mexicans at a Mexican restaurant.

"Go somewhere else. This is our Friday spot," said the 30-something woman who declined to give her name.

When I told her that Mama Ninfa was a longtime Republican, she shrugged. It wasn't about party - she had voted Republican, worked for Republicans, she said, but Trump is no conservative. She wasn't sure what he was.

None of us are. For many, that's part of his allure. He doesn't fit into a box. He promises to put people before party. He says what he thinks. He doesn't adhere to precedents, or the rules of political correctness. He appears to be his own man.

That's also what scares the hell out of others. We're off the grid here. Solid, time-honored boundaries defining civility, discretion and conflicts of interest are suddenly made of grape jelly. For anyone who's ever read "Thirteen Days," Robert F. Kennedy's memoir of the delicate, patient decision-making that saved the world from nuclear annihilation during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Trump's Twitter fits are terrifying.

Yes, he could be the grand deal-maker who cuts through partisanship and rancor like no president ever has. Or he could be the undoing of this grand experiment of a government that has only ever survived on trust and faith.

What's wrong with hoping for the best?

But watching the inaugural scene on the flat screen at Ninfa's - the juxtaposition of the pomp, the military marches, the dignitaries in their stiff coats alongside the trademark scowl of a reality TV star being sworn in as the most powerful man on earth - was at times confusing.

I felt the pressure of a patriot to support my country, its institutions and the outcome of a fair election. And I felt the pull of my gut, telling me something is amiss, telling me that someone who mocks the disabled, attacks the media and gloats about groping women and not reading books shouldn't be standing there.

A voice tells me: acceptance means complacency!

But that voice is wrong. It's possible to accept this president, and wish him well, wish that some of the things he promises - growing the middle class, for one! - actually happen. And at the same time, to watch him, to question him and to speak out against him if he leads us astray.

What Oval Office needs

It's also important to entertain the possibility that people like Lauren Taylor are right. I met the 36-year-old construction company owner right after Trump's speech. The native Houstonian wore a bright-red shirt to Ninfa's, and let her 5-year-old, Grady, take the day off pre-K. His favorite part, incidentally, was the armored cars.

"As much as everybody claims he is divisive, it was a uniting speech," said Taylor, who says she's been involved in politics since she was young.

She had been with Trump from the get-go - even when she was afraid to put a Trump sticker on her new car - because she had been waiting for a straight-talking, successful businessperson to run. She thought Trump's experience in solving problems and making deals with diverse groups of people is exactly what Washington needed in the Oval Office.

She knew he wasn't an ideologue like Ted Cruz, who sees people and issues in black-and-white terms. Trump, she believes, is a pragmatist in the end. And so is she.

Taylor finds some of Trump's rhetoric offensive: "Are there times when I want to smash his phone? Yes."

She explained that she's learned to disregard some of what he says the way she did her gruff World War II-veteran grandfather.

Just then, her friend Bonnie Font, a 66-year-old she met in real estate, cried out:

"Wait, Lauren, this is the moment we've been waiting for!" Font said as she pointed to the Obamas boarding a helicopter. "They're leaving! Praise the Lord."

The room erupted in applause. Taylor watched but didn't join in.

She said she sees Barack Obama as a good husband and father, and a good advocate for those in his base who felt marginalized. She even respects some of his progress on social issues. But she believes he was a divider.

He didn't speak to, or for, all the people, she said. She believes Trump will.

The skeptic in me is dubious. The patriot can only hope I'm wrong.
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After six weeks on the job, Houston's new police chief had his first meeting with the Houston Police Department's youth advisory council Saturday morning.

The 50 or so high school students on the youth council -- whose 1997 founding makes it the first in the nation, according to HPD -- planned to discuss dating violence and human trafficking with HPD Chief Art Acevedo plus panelists from the Houston Area Women's Center and United Against Human Trafficking.

Acevedo greeted teens as they arrived Saturday morning, asking their school and grade. He made sure to also ask where students were heading to college.

ZERO TOLERANCE: Officials vow crackdown on human trafficking around Super Bowl

Though he came from California, Acevedo was quick to encourage aspiring University of Texas and Texas A&M students to "Hook em'" or "Gig em," respectively.

One teen said she was here because she wants to be an FBI agent in the future. About 20 teens gathered around a square of folding tables to discuss sexting and relationship violence. They said sexting and sending nude photos has become a social norm at their schools, and many teens, especially girls, are distraught after their pictures get shared.

"Actions have consequences," Acevedo told the teens and the Facebook Live audience.

Once you click send, you lose control of images.

HELPING HAND: Police academy training ground for future Taiwanese first responders

"That picture lives on forever." Acevedo emphasized that only family will love you forever. He elicited a chuckle around the room when he asked whether teenage relationships were likely to last a lifetime.

One young woman said she imagines adults also did things like sexting when they were younger, but some adults pointed out that camera cellphones weren't around back then.

"We had to draw," Acevedo joked.

The tone grew more serious when the young woman described a classmate at her school who got secretly video recorded while having sex with her boyfriend in her school's parking lot. When teens and the experts talked about possible punishments,

Acevedo said he thinks lawmakers in recent decades have made overly harsh punishments for youthful indiscretions.

"We've kind of criminalized childhood," he said, adding that some Texas legislators like Houston-area Sen. John Whitmire have sought to address penalties for minor infractions by minors.

TEACHER SEX: Former teacher impregnated by 13-year-old gets 10 years in prison

Acevedo shared a story from his own teenage years to emphasize that males can also become victims. He said when he was 15, his girlfriend slapped him once. He said she had grown up in an abusive household and learned that behavior, but he said he told her he would end the relationship if she ever acted violently again. About six months after the first incident, she raised her hand again. He left.

"You don't wait," Acevedo told the teens. "Walk away."

Acevedo was sworn in on Nov. 3o as Houston's police chief after nearly a decade at the helm of Austin's force. He's started his tenure with a flurry of community meetings, media interviews and public appearances. He also enrolled in HPD's upcoming citizens' police academy.

In the social-media-friendly spirit of the new chief -- who operates his own accounts on Twitter and Instagram -- the department will broadcast the meeting on Facebook Live and take questions from viewers.

IN-DEPTH HPD COVERAGE, EXCLUSIVELY ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM:
The United States has always been a bit of a bully when it comes to Mexico, seizing Texas and California from it in a bitter war memorialized in that country's national anthem.

Over the last few decades, however, the neighbors' relationship has matured, more teenage posturing than playground fist fights, as the countries sharing the world's busiest border work closely on trade and security. When Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain suggested an electric fence on the Mexican border in 2011, it spurred such outrage that he quickly backtracked, saying, "That's not a serious plan."

Today the two couldn't be at a more different place, and it is Texas that is ground zero for much of the conflict.

President Donald Trump, who took office Friday, began his campaign by likening Mexicans to rapists and promising that country would pay for a border wall. He vowed to deport immigrants here illegally, block Mexican remittances, and redo the North American Free Trade Agreement, credited for revamping Mexico's economy. Since the election, such rhetoric hasn't slowed, with Trump's rebuke this month of car companies building plants there plunging the peso to its weakest in two decades.

"Mexico has taken advantage of the United States," he said this month. "It's not going to happen anymore."

It's all cause for serious concern in Mexico as the United States is by far its largest trading partner, and top officials will meet with senior members of Trump's administration this week. But the prospect of how his presidency might act on Mexico is also worrying business leaders in Texas, whose leading export destination is its southern neighbor. Many say they are working behind the scenes to convince the Trump team that Mexico is not China and should be treated as an ally, not an enemy.

"We have to appreciate and we have to respect our Mexican southern border," said Rick Figueroa, a Houston businessman on Trump's Hispanic advisory council. "I don't think we can ignore (Mexico) and say, 'Hey, we're the big bully. You have to do what we say. If you don't like it, you don't like it.' I think that's a big error  if Mexico loses, we lose too."

'Uncertainty, even volatility'

The relationship is not only interdependent, but far more than economic, said Figueroa, who noted that emphasizing the two's importance to each other is what he plans to relay to Trump first.

Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican diplomat who worked on the NAFTA negotiations, called this moment a crucial one in U.S.-Mexico relations, one that could have a disastrous impact, not just on trade but on border security, anti-terrorism and drug war cooperation.

"I certainly am concerned about (Trump's) 'my way or the highway' approach," Sarukhan said. "I think it's a danger and a threat  this could be a very damaging moment in the relationship."

Antonio Garza, a Texan and former U.S. ambassador to Mexico under President George W. Bush who now works for the Mexico City law firm White & Case, said there used to be a clear understanding of the bilateral relationship.

"That is what is very different now," he said. "The operative word is uncertainty, even volatility."

Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto has said that he would strengthen business ties with Latin American and Asian countries and use all of his bargaining chips in renegotiating its relationship with the United States.

"All the issues that define our bilateral relationship are on the table, including security, migration and trade," Pena Nieto said in a recent speech to his diplomats. "It is evident that we have differences with the new United States government on some issues, such as a wall that Mexico absolutely will not pay for. At no time will we accept anything that goes against our dignity."

Pena Nieto has named Geronimo Gutierrez, head of the North American Development Bank who lives in Texas, as ambassador to the U.S. And he appointed former finance minister Luis Videgaray as foreign minister, signaling an effort to use personal relationships to influence Trump. The MIT-educated economist has ties to Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.

"That is a back channel that Videgaray will be focusing on, to try to salvage whatever he can of the relationship with the United States," said Tony Payan, director of the Mexico Center at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy.

He said Texas leaders are playing both sides, noting that Gov. Greg Abbott made his first international diplomatic visit to Mexico in 2015, touting the two's strong economic ties. But he has not denounced Trump's harsh rhetoric against Mexico. A spokesman for Abbott, whose wife is of Mexican descent, did not respond to requests for comment.

"Texas' political leadership will eventually have to go to Washington and say, 'Your economic plan is not good for Texas. We may be with you politically but we're not with you on economic plans,' " Payan said. "Mexico and Texas are joined at the hip. We are as dependent on Mexico as Mexico is dependent on the U.S."

More than 5 million U.S. jobs rely on trade with Mexico, including some half a million jobs in Texas. More than $400 billion in goods and services crisscross the border, about $179 billion between Texas and Mexico. Nearly half of all of Texas exports go to Mexico, which in turn buys more U.S. exports than Japan and China combined. The opening of Mexico's vast energy sector also stands to benefit Houston energy companies in particular.

Hurd: Update NAFTA

If Trump's rhetoric turns into action and he imposes large tariffs on companies moving to Mexico, that country could retaliate in turn, slapping fees on American exports, Payan said. The biggest losers would be machinery and vehicle manufacturers as well as farmers, since Mexico is the biggest buyer of U.S. agricultural products after China and Canada.

"One of the strategies could also be that Mexico begins to take a more nationalistic stand, that energy reform cannot simply be handed over to the Americans," Payan said. "They may invite more European, Chinese and Australian companies to invest ... Texas would probably be the biggest loser."

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, a Republican from Texas who represents more miles along the southern border than anyone else in Congress, said it makes sense to update NAFTA, reflecting changes in the Internet and energy sectors, but only if it makes it more favorable to all countries involved.

"We shouldn't be looking at antagonistic stances to one another," he said.

Instead Texans must press Mexico's importance to Washington and the nation.

"Everybody needs to be talking about this," he said. "We can't take for granted what we in Texas have seen for the last 20 years."

Randy Velarde, president & CEO of The Plaza Group, an international chemical marketing firm in Houston who exports to Mexico, said his clients there are deeply worried.

"They really think a lot of what (Trump) has said will in some form or fashion take place," he said.

Carlos Petersen, a Latin American analyst at the Eurasia Group, an international consulting firm, said he expects Trump to impose some trade restrictions on Mexico even as his cabinet appointments point more to concern with China. But none of them dispel concerns over Mexico, which was a central issue in Trump's campaign and easier to target than Beijing.

Because of Mexico's dependence on the U.S. market, to where it sends 80 percent of its exports, and its need for foreign direct investment and remittances to keep its economy from falling into recession, the country has less leverage, Petersen said.

"It makes it really hard to impose any conditions on the U.S. government and try to get a better deal than what (the U.S.) wants to do," he said.

A negative outcome from a NAFTA renegotiation could bolster far-left politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who would run a nationalist presidential campaign like Trump in 2018 and whose potential victory would likely not be favorable to Washington.

Luis de la Calle, a former top Mexican trade official, said Trump's statements and policies that have caused the peso to plummet could backfire. A declining peso hurts Mexicans' ability to buy U.S. goods, which could grow the U.S. trade deficit. It's also likely to spur more illegal immigration if Mexico falls into a recession. And it could in fact encourage more U.S. companies to move there if they face even lower costs of production.

"Realities are stubborn," de la Calle said. "There's a reason why we are so close."

Artemio "Temo" Muniz, a Republican strategist in Houston and chair of the Federation of Hispanic Republicans, said he has formed a Texas-Mexico alliance that will have its first meeting here next month.

"The key is to make sure we have energy businessmen from The Woodlands and Mexican leaders and see if we can keep the culture of cooperation going," he said. "We're hoping cooler heads will prevail over time once Trump gets in there and realizes what is the real deal."

Impact on drug war

Muniz sees positive signs in the nomination of former Gov. Rick Perry to head the Department of Energy and Rex Tillerson, the Texan-born former ExxonMobil CEO, as secretary of state. The two understand the importance of Mexico to the U.S., he said.

Perry declined an interview through a spokesman, saying he was focused on his confirmation hearing last week. Tillerson in recent testimony struck a more moderate tone than Trump, calling Mexico a "long-standing neighbor and friend." Gen. John Kelly, confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary on Friday, previously headed the U.S. Southern Command and is also seen as grasping the bilateral relationship, especially when it comes to border security.

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo, said the U.S. should be bringing Mexico closer, not pushing it away, noting it could help more to stop illegal immigration by setting up an equivalent to U.S. Border Patrol to guard its northern frontier and doubling down on migrants at its Guatemalan border.

A worsening relationship would be detrimental to drug war efforts, said Reggie Thompson, a Latin American analyst for Stratfor, a global intelligence company in Austin. Most of the human intelligence gathering is done by Mexican sources, he said. Just hours before Trump's inauguration, Mexico announced it was extraditing notorious drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to New York, which some analysts saw as a message about just how much the countries cooperate on security.

Al Zapanta, head of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce and a likely pick for ambassador to Mexico, said all the rhetoric notwithstanding, he's bullish about the two countries' relationship.

But Peter Rodriguez, an economist and dean at Rice University, warned that even empty threats carry negative consequences.

"Increasing tension will encourage business people to question moves or deeper investments, even if policies don't change much," he said. "It's the first time in a while that we're seeing the potential reversal of the strong relationship between the two."
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BEIRUT - Islamic State militants have destroyed parts of the second-century Roman amphitheater and an iconic monument known as the Tetrapylon in Syria's historic town of Palmyra, the government and experts said Friday.

It was the extremist group's latest attack on world heritage, an act the U.N. cultural agency called a "war crime." A Syrian government official said he feared for the remaining antiquities in Palmyra, which ISIS recaptured last month.

The U.N. Security Council "strongly condemned the ongoing barbaric attacks" by the militant group in Syria, "including the destruction of cultural heritage such as parts of the Roman Theater in Palmyra."

Also Friday, Turkey's military said ISIS killed five Turkish soldiers and wounded nine in a bomb attack in northern Syria. Since its military intervention, Turkey has lost 54 soldiers in Syria, most of them in the al-Bab offensive.

Palmyra, a UNESCO world heritage site that once linked Persia, India, China with the Roman empire and the Mediterranean area, has seen destruction at the hands of the Islamic State group. The ancient town first fell to ISIS militants in May 2015, when they held it for 10 months. During that time, ISIS damaged a number of its relics and eventually emptied it of most of its residents, causing an international outcry.

Palmyra fell again to the group last month, only nine months after a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive was hailed as a significant victory for Damascus.

On Friday, Maamoun Abdulkarim, the head of Syria's antiquities department, said reports of the recent destruction first trickled out of the ISIS-held town late in December. But satellite images of the damage only became available late Thursday, confirming the destruction.

Abdulkarim said militants have destroyed the facade of the second-century theater, along with the Roman-era Tetrapylon - a set of four monuments with four columns each standing at the center of the colonnaded road leading to the theater.

Satellite imagery obtained by the Boston-based American Schools of Oriental Research, or ASOR, shows extensive damage to the Tetrapylon. DigitalGlobe satellite imagery also shows damage to the theater facade.

ASOR said the damage was likely caused by intentional destruction from ISIS, but the organization was unable to verify the cause. ISIS extremists have destroyed ancient sites across their self-styled Islamic caliphate in Syria and Iraq, perceiving them as idolatry.
AUSTIN The inauguration of Donald Trump as the nation's president sparked protests in the Texas capital city Friday, including hundreds of University of Texas students voicing anger or fear for what the next four years could bring.

Police officers in Austin stopped traffic on several main roads while student protesters moved through the university toward downtown.

"No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA," they chanted while shutting down Guadalupe Street, one of the main roads that run along campus.

Some more than 200 students gathered in front of the University of Texas Tower to watch members of the Revolutionary Student Front, an anti-capitalist student group, demonstrating with signs reading, "Drown fascism in a sea of resistance" and "All power to the people."

Students watching the protest largely outnumbered those protesting, but some stood in the crowd with signs that read, "Bridges not walls" and, "My body, my choice. No man owns me."

UT sophomores Colin Christopher and Belinda Busogi were among the onlookers. Both students voted for Hillary Clinton and were disappointed by the results of the election.

"The mood has changed from anger to despair," Christopher said. "Today, it's anger."

Busogi said she showed up to observe the protests.

"It's kind of concerning to me what the next four years are going to be like," Busogi said. "It's sad that we have to get used to (the protests)."

Several fights almost broke out between protestors and onlookers. At one point, a man on a bike held up a sign that read "Legalize weed. Make America great again," borrowing a slogan Trump used throughout his campaign. Protestors ripped up the sign while the man pulled out a pipe and began smoking with a crowd gathered around him.

David Green, a UT freshman and Trump supporter, showed up to the protest in his red "Make America Great Again" hat.

Green said although he disagrees with the protestors, he respected them for fighting for what they believe in. However, he couldn't get to close to the group.

"If I get within about six feet, someone will grab my hat and throw it into the crowd," Green said.

The crowd of students are expected to march to the One Resistance gathering at Auditorium Shores scheduled for 5 p.m.

At the Texas Capitol, ten artists, actors and activists sprawled out on the sidewalk. Behind them was another actor standing on a box wearing a Donald Trump mask, busy getting upset on Twitter as four people in white masks, dark suits and skull arm bands stepped over the supposedly dead bodies.

That was the scene at the Texas Capitol Friday afternoon as Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. More protests are scheduled in the Capital city throughout the day.

The demonstrators, who call themselves The Demolitionists, refused to give their names, but said they they have deep concerns over who has leverage over Trump.

Around the corner, seven gun owners carried semi-automatic weapons, posing for pictures next to a woman with a sign reading, "The majority has spoken you got Trumped."

The gun owners said they were on the lookout for mayhem, should protesters turn violent and begin shattering store windows or lashing out over frustration with the new president.

"We know we're not cops, we're just here," said James Everard, of Fort Hood, with a Vepr 12 shotgun hanging from his shoulder and a Glock 19 on his waist.

Another, CJ Grisham, president and founder of Open Carry Texas, offered pacifiers to help anyone "emotionally unhinged" because of the inauguration "to help them calm down. It always worked for my kids."
WASHINGTON  Amid cheers, protests and drizzle, business tycoon Donald J. Trump took the oath as the nation's 45th president on Friday, ending a tumultuous transition from the eight-year administration of his political opposite, Barack Obama.

The 70-year-old Republican maverick, entering office after a historically divisive election, vowed to give voice to alienated Americans who feel economically disenfranchised and shut out of the political system.

"We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, and in every foreign capital and in every hall of power," Trump said. "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, from this day forward, it's going to be only 'America first! America first!'"

Trump also committed himself to reverse what he sees as the slide of the inner cities and the America's working class. "This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," he said, as former President Obama and Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton looked on.

Patrick Semansky/STF

He also had harsh words for the political establishment that had come together to celebrate his assumption of power: "For too long, a small group in our nation's Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost," he said. "Washington flourished  but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered  but the jobs left, and the factories closed."

In a pointed reminder of the raucous campaign rallies that fueled his campaign, Trump said, "You will never be ignored again."

As the inaugural pageantry unfolded on Capitol Hill, downtown Washington was the scene of violent clashes with police, who used pepper spray to break up groups of young leftist activists trying to block heavily-secured entry points for inaugural ticket holders.

The speech also marked the beginning of a planned weekend of peaceful protest, with large crowds expected on the national mall Saturday as a show of support for women, minorities, and others who have felt under assault through Trump's populist campaign rhetoric.

Despite the divisions, Trump's inauguration spells unified Republican control of the White House and both houses of Congress, with the new president poised to nominate a ninth Supreme Court justice to replace the late conservative icon, Antonin Scalia.

Dozens of House Democrats stayed away from the inauguration  including six of the 11 Texans in Congress  with Houston Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee deciding on the eve of the inauguration to stay away, even if she declined to term it a boycott.

"I am not boycotting this ceremonial inaugural event," Jackson Lee said. "I have decided in good conscience I cannot go."

Jackson Lee added, however, that she would attend Trump's State of the Union address, saying it will be "the president's first message directly to Congress and the American people on how he will lead."

Two other Houston Democrats split on the issue: U.S. Rep. Al Green skipped the inauguration, citing Trump's attacks on civil rights legend John Lewis, the Georgia Democrat who led the boycott. His Democratic colleague, Gene Green, said he was attending out of respect for the office and the peaceful transfer of power.

The other Texas no-shows were U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Lloyd Doggett of Austin, as well as Filemon Vela, of Brownsville, and Vicente Gonzalez, of McAllen.

"At the very least Donald Trump has turned a blind eye to racism and through his words emboldened people," said Vela, who vehemently has opposed Trump's plan to build a border wall with Mexico.

For Texas Republicans the inaugural marked the start of a clear opportunity to advance tax and fiscal reforms they had talked about for years. The Woodlands Republican Kevin Brady, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, called it "an exciting new start for the country."

RUTH FREMSON/STF

Hosting an inaugural reception at a Texas barbecue restaurant in Washington, Brady said, "President Trump is the most straight talking president I've ever seen. His message was clear: 'You will not be ignored.'"

After Trump's speech vowing a new order in Washington, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in an interview that the newly-installed president has been consistent about his priorities since becoming a candidate.

"His campaign was all about putting America and Americans first and it didn't' change when he was elected president of the United States," Patrick said.

Patrick, who headed Trump's Texas campaign, played the role of analyst after Trump's assertion to Americans that "I will never, ever let you down."

"He doesn't want to disappoint people. He didn't want to disappoint his father. He didn't want to disappoint his business partners, or his family. And he doesn't want to disappoint the American people. I think that's a real virtue."

For Trump, who won the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Clinton, the ceremonial day began, characteristically, with a tweet:

"It all begins today! I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in. THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES - THE WORK BEGINS!"

Trump and incoming First Lady Melania Trump emerged shortly after 8 a.m. from the Blair House across the street from the White House, where the first couple traditionally spends the night before the inaugural.

They then made the traditional presidential pilgrimage to the historic St. John's Episcopal Church, before crossing Lafayette Park to the White House for yet another inaugural tradition, a morning tea with the outgoing president and first lady.

The Obamas and the Trumps then travelled by motorcade to the U.S. Capitol, where Trump took the oath of office at 11:47 a.m. EDT. Less than an hour later, the new president was on the East Front of the Capitol to wave goodbye to the Obamas, who left the Capitol complex by helicopter. The former president waved back through a window.

A southerly wind and mid-40s temperature made for a chilly day, compounded by a light rain that started as people gathered but mercifully stopped before dignitaries took the stage.

Trump was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts, yet another public figure who has been the target of the new president's barbs. During the campaign Trump described Roberts as "a nightmare for conservatives" and remarked at another point that Roberts "looked like a dummy" when he voted in a case to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

A lack of civility often displayed in Trump's campaign crowds showed up at times during the inauguration ceremony.

"Lock her up," a man near the front of the stage yelled when Hillary Clinton was introduced. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stirred boos in the restive crowd during a long-winded story about a letter written by a patriotic Union officer to his wife shortly before he perished in the Civil War.

Trump's hard-edged populist speech generated shouts of "yea baby" and "right on" from the crowd as the new president outlined "America First" priorities that sounded at times like the messages at a campaign rally.

The inauguration drew Texans from far and wide to Washington.

Cindy Blair, of Dallas, drove to D.C. with her brother Hank Schaffer. Donning a bright gold "Make America Great Again" hat, Schaffer was cheerful after the inauguration.

"I hope the country is more confident in itself and won't just be about politics. It's a general philosophy that we need to have" he said.

Herb Butrum, 67, of Houston, assistant vice president of government and community relations at Baylor College of Medicine, referred to the inauguration ceremony as "the Super Bowl of politics."

"We're all celebrating the freedoms we have. No matter who you're for, the campaign's over and it's time to be Americans," he said.

Dr. William Elizondo, an optometry doctor from San Antonio, was taking in Trump's swearing-in before leaving this weekend on a ski trip to France.

Elizondo, 86, spoke highly of former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. "I think we need to support our presidents. I have followed Trump and the fact that he has been able to do good things in his life suggests he has the capability to bring the country together. We need solidarity," he said.

Nick Florescu, 65, who operates an online marketing business in Houston, said he had been a supporter of Barack Obama before being won over by Trump.

"As Obama brought change, I think we're seeing another sort of change today. And we all pray that it's in the right direction," he said.

Despite the echoes of change, it appeared that far fewer people attended Trump's inauguration compared to Obama's first swearing-in in 2009.

Patrick Semansky/STF

According to the Associated Press, photos of the National Mall from President Barack Obama's inauguration eight years ago show a teeming crowd stretching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. Photos taken from the same position on Friday showed large swaths of empty space on the Mall.

Along the mile-long parade route, Chants of "Trump!" and "U.S.A.!" blended with protesters' calls of "Not my President." Near one intersection, a group of men unfurled a flag with a confederate banner. Nearby, another man held up a sign that said, "Sad."

A Houston Chronicle reporter riding in the parade route in front of Trump's limousine saw thin crowds in many places, and empty bleachers near the VIP review stand, where former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Trump's pick for Energy Secretary, was waiting among a swarm of dignitaries. Crowds thickened as the procession neared downtown, especially in front of Trump's namesake hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. It was at that point that Trump and the new First Lady got out of their armored limousine and made the first of three short walks along the parade route, which was lined with police and members of the military.

On their final jaunt outside, as the sky darkened, the Trumps found themselves on foot as they approached the White House, where they are settling in for the next four years.

Reporters James Osborne and Erin Mulvaney contributed to this story.
Chinese language skills are becoming more important than English for workers at duty free shops at Incheon International Airport.

Ahead of the opening of a Louis Vuitton shop at the airport in September, the global luxury brand posted ads for sales and management staff who have a strong command of Chinese or Japanese.

Fluency in English, which used to be a requirement for luxury brand shop employees, has become a preferred ability.

"With the increasing numbers of customers from China and Japan, we need more staff who can speak those languages," said an executive at Bluebell Korea, which will operate the Louis Vuitton shop. "Chinese is especially important due to the soaring number of Chinese customers."

Among shoppers who had spent more than US$200 over the last five years, 14 percent came from China and 12 percent from Japan, compared to just 1 percent from English-speaking countries including the U.S.

Other high-end retailers are also following the trend. Italian luxury brand Prada, which offers financial support to employees who learn Italian, recently started to help pay for Chinese learning as well.
Dan Patrick wants to raise your property taxes.

That's the only conclusion we can reach after reading the Texas Senate's proposed budget.

The lieutenant governor can't do that, of course. At least not directly. A statewide property tax is unconstitutional in Texas. Only certain local authorities, like cities, school districts and counties, can levy property taxes.

But that won't stop Patrick from trying. His state budget, sponsored by state Sen. Jane Nelson, brazenly underfunds health services and public education, inevitably pushing the tax burden onto local property owners. Even the most fiscally conservative school board member or county commissioner will get caught in Patrick's trap as state funding dwindles and recapture siphons your school taxes. Services can only be cut so far. Students will still need teachers. Patients will still need doctors. And property taxes will be the only revenue stream available to fund them.

State budgets used to be a pipeline that helped shore up local needs. Now the former talk radio host is throwing the whole thing in reverse. Homeowners are paying so that Patrick can claim a false mantle of fiscal responsibility.

Just look at Houston-area school districts.

Thanks to recapture, also known as the "Robin Hood" school finance system, Spring Branch ISD sends three times as much in local taxes up to Austin, $66 million, than it receives in state funding, $17.5 million. La Porte ISD pays 38.6 percent of its tax revenues to the state. Galveston ISD pays 27 percent. And Houston ISD is still stuck dealing with a recapture payment of $162 million, though voters chose to detach property instead. At least we don't have it as bad as taxpayers in Austin ISD. By 2019, recapture will suck up more than half of every tax dollar collected by that school district.

All across the state, local funding for school districts has grown by 44 percent since 2008, but state funding has only grown at 7 percent. In 2017, about $2 billion will be sent up to legislative coffers under recapture. HISD taxpayers alone will have to pay $1 billion over the next four years. Those property tax dollars could have stayed in homeowners' pockets if the state had only paid its share.

As Texas Tribune reporter Ross Ramsey put it, "You can forgive your local school board members for smacking their foreheads: This budget proposal comes from some of the same legislators who have been railing against rising local property taxes and promising voters the remedy is to harness spendthrift local governments."

Patrick is trying to pull this same trick with healthcare funding. The Senate budget accounts for neither Medicaid enrollment growth nor the increasing cost of health care. Refusing to fund something doesn't mean that it goes away - it just means that local property taxes will have to make up the difference.

Even the Railroad Commission's duties might have to be supplemented by local property taxes. The three-member board in charge of regulating the oil and gas industry is in dire need of funding to help clean up abandoned wells and other oil field remnants after the oil bust caused industry payments to plummet. So what did Patrick's Senate budget do? It cut the Commission's funding. Don't be surprised when county taxpayers get stuck with the bill to fix sinkholes and contaminated water supplies.

Of course, there is an alternative to Patrick's property taxes: Speaker of the House Joe Straus.

His budget fulfills the basic duties of keeping up with expected growth and health care costs, properly funding the Railroad Commission, and providing a $1.5 billion incentive to fix school funding so that the state doesn't have to keep relying on recaptured property taxes. Straus pulls off this feat by cutting back on a spike in spending along the border and drawing down from the rainy day fund.

In contrast, school finance reform was nowhere to be found on Patrick's top 25 priorities for the legislative session. Your property taxes just aren't as important as his potty patrol.

Patrick spares no rhetoric about the burdens of the property tax on Texas families. Don't listen to what he says. Look at what he does. Look at how he balances his budget. Patrick needs your local property taxes to fund his statewide agenda. Texans shouldn't let him get away with it.
The City of Houston will lose one of its few remaining manufacturing plants by the end of this year.

The Gamo Outdoor USA distribution warehouse will close its doors after close to 14 years in Houston. Gamo is the parent company of Daisy Outdoor Products, and will move its Houston operation to Rogers, Ark., where Daisy is based.

The announcement was made Jan. 18 at the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas by Daisy/Gamo president Keith Higginbotham and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Gamo manager John Stenger said he had been given a target date of Dec. 31.

Weve been told were going to be here through the end of the year, Stenger said. That could change  we could be here longer than that or not as long as that. Its contingent on a few things.

Daisy is well-known for making BB guns, air rifles and other outdoor products, and was purchased by Gamo last summer. Gamo produces high-end adult air guns and accessories.

Stenger said Gamo has 24 employees in Houston. Several members of management could relocate to Rogers and continue with the Gamo operation.

Theyve been approached, Stenger said. There are some people who are giving that some thought, but to my knowledge, no one has made a commitment.

Gamo Outdoor began producing air guns in Spain in 1961. In 1995, the firm began operation in the U.S. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before locating to a building in Houston in March 2003. Stenger has headed up the operation since it came to Houston.

My objective right now is to get done here what needs to be done, he said, and Ill go from there.

The 66,000 square foot building  located at South Industrial Drive and South Sam Houston Blvd.  was originally constructed for a shoe manufacturer, Brown Shoe Co. The Houston Industrial Authority acquired the building and later sold it to an affiliate of Gamo.

ARCHIVE: Gamo moves to Houston
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The number of foreign sales staff has been increasing at cosmetics shops in Seoul's swish Myeong-dong shopping area amid a tourism boom.

Foreigners account for 60 to 70 percent of all sales staff at major cosmetics brands such as TheFaceShop, It's Skin and Nature Republic, which have over five outlets each in Meyong-dong, according to industry figures.

Sixty of It's Skin's 66 staffers at six outlets in the area are Chinese or Japanese; only the managers are Korean.

As a result of the weakening yen, the number of Japanese tourists has dropped a little, but there are now more Chinese visitors and a corresponding rise in Chinese-speaking salespeople.

The number of Korean-Chinese who can communicate with Korean customers also increased.

Sixty percent of all foreign staff at TheFaceShop's outlets in tourist areas like Myeong-dong and Namdaemun Market are from China. At Nature Republic's shops, 70 percent are Chinese or Korean Chinese and 30 percent Japanese.
The White House website has been updated with a new trade strategy in the wake of President Donald Trumps inauguration.

This strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership [TPP] and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers, the website states.

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President Trump is committed to renegotiating NAFTA, it continues. If our partners refuse a renegotiation that gives American workers a fair deal, then the President will give notice of the United States intent to withdraw from NAFTA.

Many critics argue that Trumps desire to withdraw from the 12-country TPP, which includes Canada, Mexico and Japan, contradicts his anti-China attitude on trade.

They see the trade deal  which excludes China but includes other Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam  as an attempt to limit Chinas economic influence.

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Scrapping the deal in essence strengthens Chinas economic dominance in Asia, critics say.

And the U.S.s withdrawal from the TPP has not yet killed the deal entirely. Just last weekend, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced they would accelerate the process to bring the TPP into force. All the countries in the TPP, save for the U.S., have at least initially signed on the agreement at this point.

Canadas Liberal government signed the agreement in principle but has not brought it to Parliament for ratification.

A number of studies have suggested the deal would have a very limited economic impact on Canada, given that Canada already has trade deals with most of its largest trade partners in the pact. Other studies have suggested an outright negative impact from the deal, with the country losing jobs and seeing inequality rise.

But an internal study done for the Department of Finance concluded that it would be even worse for Canada if it stayed out of the deal, and lost out on trade opportunities.

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The Canadian government is now bracing itself for a renegotiation of NAFTA to take place early in the new Trump administration.

Wilbur Ross, Trump's pick for commerce secretary, told a congressional confirmation hearing on Wednesday that tackling NAFTA is logically the first thing for us to deal with after Inauguration Day.

We have to solidify the relationships in the best way we can in our territory before we go off to other jurisdictions," Ross said.

Canadas Liberal government offered to open NAFTA for renegotiation shortly after Trumps election in November.

Still, Trumps America first inauguration speech on Friday had some Canadian exporters on edge, particularly in light of recent talk about congressional Republicans instituting a border tax.

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Canadas foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, played her cards close to her chest following the speech.

She noted that the theme of middle-class jobs and prosperity in Trumps speech is a message that will be very familiar to Canadians from our own prime minister.

So I think making sure that our relationship, our conversations with this new administration are really focused on that shared project of middle-class jobs, growth and prosperity, I think is going to lay the foundation for continued Canada-U.S. collaboration, she said, as quoted at Global News.

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Obama /Trump Inauguration Crowds See Gallery
Bastiaan Slabbers via Getty Images

Lights up.

As I'm writing this, Donald J. Trump has been the 45th President of the United States for around an hour. The world is reeling from a presidency it never expected. A triumphal Donald Trump placed his hand on a bible to be the 45th person to take the oath of office, surrounded by a visibly sad, but smiling, Hilary Clinton, four former US presidents, Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle and his extended family, making history.

Trump arrives to a challenge. The chair of the Senate inauguration committee quoted the inaugural addresses of two former presidents in his address prior to the inauguration. He quoted first 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, saying "We are all Republicans; we are all Federalists" (the two parties of the time) and 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, who said during the Civil War of both sides that they "Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God." This is representative of a country that needs uniting. Two divisive candidates contested a divisive election. Many Americans feel fearful of Mr Trump's premiership; as do people all over the world.

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He used his short inaugural address (just 20 minutes), to give a speech not indifferent to those he gave on the campaign trail. He talked of "America First" extensively, criticising past administrations for defending foreign borders before defending America's own. He went on to talk about returning power to the people - no longer leaving it to the Washington "establishment," as he claims it has been for many years. His speech was also peppered with calls for unity and mentions of God, cheered on by a smaller crowd than Obama managed 8 years ago.

This first address appealed to a traditional, conservative, nationalist population of America which have made Donald Trump their champion. With his first policy announcement coming 90 minutes after the inauguration that his administration will develop a missile defence system against Iran and North Korea may perhaps be the first look at what the Trump/Pence White House will look like. In addition, by signing an order for a National Day of Patriotism, Trump, shows that the so-called nativist wing of the Republican Party will be able to name Trump as a President from their faction of the GOP.

Obama's departure was visibly pensive. Michelle Obama, the now former first Lady, looking similarly pensive but more morose than her husband shared a moment of commiseration with the former Democratic nominee and former First Lady Hilary Clinton. They leave as a highly popular First Couple, with many asking whether they will make a return to frontline politics one day, with them moving now to just a few streets away from the White House, remaining in Washington until their youngest daughter has finished high school, later this year.

For the next four years, and possibly eight, Mr Trump will lead an America and a world divided. He will join a global politics on a knife edge with a tide of populism (given new wind by his inauguration), of Brexit (which Nigel Farage claimed helped DJT to victory) and of religious tension (with the Islamic State still at large). His protectionism will provide a stark change from his predecessors with America perhaps being split Red and Blue more than ever in recent history.

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While the Mexican government and the EU perhaps look to the next four years with trepidation, and Russia look with hope and nervous confidence, the protestors out on the streets of the District of Columbia this afternoon speak out in fear of his leadership. As president Obama takes a holiday in Palm Springs and Trump tucks into his first lunch as President (of lobster, shrimp, and Aberdeen Angus beef) the world waits with bated breath to see if the Trump of the presidency will be a different one to that of the campaign, however, with "America First" and "Buy American, hire American" being the memorable moments of his speech today, he looks to be following his "Make American Great Again" mantra so far.
This is a giant cloud of what's believed to be pot smoke hanging over a village that's been dubbed Europe's "cannabis capital":



Smoke rises from Lazarat village, 230 kilometers (140 miles) south of capital Tirana, Tuesday, June 17, 2014, allegedly from villagers burning their cannabis ahead of the police raid.



According to the Associated Press, "plumes of pungent smoke" blanketed the Albanian village of Lazarat Tuesday. The smoke allegedly came from villagers burning their stashes of cannabis ahead of a massive police raid.

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Lazarat, said to be the largest illegal marijuana producer in Europe, produces some 900 tons of cannabis annually, according to the BBC. That's estimated to be worth about $6 billion -- equal to about half of Albania's total gross domestic product, the outlet notes.

Hundreds of Albanian police stormed the village this week in the hope of ridding the town of drug gangs.

A police statement Thursday said officers have established control throughout the village, per the AP. About 13 tons of marijuana and 80,000 plants were reportedly seized and destroyed in the raid.
Image: Domestic violence. Stock Photo. Pixabay.com

When the Soviet Union fell apart in the early 1990s, many who had chafed under the Communist system's lack of freedoms hoped for the dawning of a new day.

A sizable chunk of women hoped that the fall of the Soviet system would give them better opportunities and usher in legislation to protect themselves and their children from the domestic abuse that has long plagued the cultures of Russia and its neighbors.

In the mid-1990s some Russian women began lobbying Parliament for a domestic-violence law that would send men who battered their wives to prison for lengthy stretches.

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That dream withered as the male-dominated Parliament refused for more than two decades to pass such legislation, even when outrageous domestic-abuse murders led to surges in anger over the situation.

Parliament is finally in the midst of passing a domestic-violence bill -- but it's the exact opposite of what women want.

Instead of providing for long prison terms for batterers, it lets them off with no jail time at all, not even a day.

Instead, wife beaters will simply pay a fine for an assault -- and a small one at that.

While a deplorable development, it's not a surprising one, given the Russian government's legal and even physical attacks on dissidents, gays and others it doesn't like.

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Because Russia sets the tone for the rest of the former Soviet Union, the new domestic-abuse bill will encourage misogynists across the region to put women back in their place where they belong.

How bad is domestic violence in the former Soviet Union? No countries keep statistics, but surveys have shown a remarkably consistent figure of about a third of women being victimized.

Armenia's Women's Right Center, a non-governmental organization, puts the figure at 30 percent, for example, and Belarus' YWCA says every third woman there "has been beaten at least once in her life by her spouse or sexual partner."

In Russia, the state-owned news agency RIA Novosti reports, 40 percent of serious crimes are committed in the family. Two particularly disturbing statistics are that 36,000 women are beaten by their husbands each day and that domestic violence kills 12,000 women a year -- one every 44 minutes.

One of the most despicable things about the new Russian domestic-abuse legislation is that the sponsor of the bill is a woman who said she drafted it to help preserve the family.

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Yelena Mizulina, an arch-conservative in Parliament's more powerful Lower House, or Duma, decries current law as "anti-family" because under it courts can impose jail time on batterers.

The statutes allow for a "baseless intervention into family affairs," she huffed, adding that a man can go to jail for giving his wife just "a scratch."

Russian women who have fought for years for more legal protections against batterers are appalled about the legislation, of course.

Women's-rights advocates in other countries in the region are upset as well, since their governments often adopt legislation Russia passes.

Mizulina's bill would recategorize "battery within families" as an administrative rather than criminal offense -- unless the battering occurs several times a year. The batterer would get off with a fine each time he beat his wife until he crossed the excessive-battering threshold.

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"Punishments (for offenses) can not contradict the system of social values that society holds on to," Mizulina used as a justification for her legislation.

Any woman who has been battered will tell you that a fines-only punishment system increases the chance she will be seriously injured or killed -- because many batterers inflict worse beatings on their wives over time.

Women's-rights advocates decry the legislation, of course. Alyona Popova complained that the bill fails to embrace advocates' longstanding goal of more law-enforcement and court protection for victims. It simply shifts liability for battering from jail time to fines, she said.

Popova started a petition drive on change.org calling for Parliament to replace Mizulina's bill with one that actually reduces domestic violence in Russia. More than 174,000 people had signed it as of mid-January.

Although petition drives have occasionally persuaded Parliament to change or scrap legislation, I don't expect it this time. The Duma passed the bill almost unanimously -- 368 yes votes, one no, and one abstention.

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That overwhelmingly support indicates that President Vladimir Putin himself wants the change, so the bill's adoption is a foregone conclusion.

In this brave new world of a just-inaugurated American president emboldening Putin to do what he wants with little fear of consequence, other countries may not be worrying about a new law that further enslaves Russian women.

But I am. I feel for you, sistas.

Remind yourselves that it's taken decades for women's movements in most countries to achieve even modest gains.

Don't despair. Think long term. We'll get there eventually.
"Art is music. Nobody tells you what you like, you just know? Right? It's kind of like love, you know? Roy Tabora is sitting there, on the sofa in an air-conditioned corner of a Lahaina gallery, talking, complete with hand gestures and his big smile. He is an engaging conversationalist. "Art is not one of those things that you can compartmentalize, you just don't approach it in a practical way. Unless you are pressed for why, then you try to explain it but to yourself, you don't. You just try and enjoy the moment, right?"

Roy Tabora is a third generation artist but says that the way he paints now is quite different from the way he was guided. His grandfather and uncles had the talent, the ability and a desire strong enough to do what they had to do to survive. His family became artists out of necessity. There was no definitive structure as to how or why they became artists, they were just trying to survive.



Rythmic Dance by Roy Tabora

Kralik- The more I learn the clearer is my understanding that representational painting was surviving in little pockets all over the place. It did not just come down from Gerome or the Italians or the Russian School or whatever. Somebody went to Rome and said wow and bought some paint and went back home and started doing it.

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Tabora- I bet you that is more true than people give it credit for. The instinct to carry on, whether you got a family to feed or whatever, if you have that internal drive you will find a way. My family did billboards, painted them by hand, not just pasting up some posters, no no no, they did large scale, measured it out and did it by hand. They had this ability and it needed to be done, you know, baby needs new shoes, come on, lets do it! Plus you want to do well because you want another job like that so you put your best effort in there. It is all in the mix.



Ebb and Flow by Roy Tabora

Tabora- That early connection with the artists in my family was sort of short lived because my immediate family moved to Guam. I started when I was 6, which is an age where you are not really going to develop any sort of skill but, the fire was lit and I was very inspired and I was able to identify with being an artist without really knowing what that is. It was just someone who draws and paints. I had no experience of the artists life, of how it really is. I was a child. I wasn't in the business or any of that, I was just in it to explore whatever curiosity I had. I was doing everything. My family was more traditional back in the Philippines but Guam is a US territory so suddenly my mind was opened up to all sorts of things. I was curious and I always ended up being the artist of the class and that just threw more gasoline on the fire! I was picking up techniques and living on a tropical island, the scenery was a curious thing so it perpetuated itself. Then, when it was time to go to college I came through Hawaii in 1975. I came back in 77 and have been living here ever since. I just felt that this was the place I had to be, it just felt right. It felt home,

I didn't do any research or have a plan other than I just knew that there was nothing I would rather do and it was as simple as that.

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Summer Embers by Roy Tabora

Tabora- A lot of people tell me that they or their kid is leaning toward art. There is a practical approach to art and then there is the other. I talk about this in my new book, I want to make sure that they know it is very hard. It is difficult and therein lies the importance of being passionate about it because I believe that is your fuel. You are going to run into so many dead ends, in all different varieties whether it is trying to improve upon your skill or opportunities that you want to have available to you or people that you meet who do not always have your best interest in mind, all of those things.

I never had a plan B. All the eggs in one basket! It is a JUMP! It is a commitment.



Solitude , Midnight Wonderland and Blush of Early Dawn (detail) by Roy Tabora

Kralik- Did you ever wrestle with what style to go with?

Tabora- Yes. That is part of the checklist. If you are going to be an artist you have to address the style and I got caught up in all of that but somewhere, and I don't know when that happened. I abandoned that mindset. When you look at what is trending, and you look at it like that, from a business standpoint, but being honest, I know that I did not want to work that way so eventually I just listened to my natural inclination. I was following my wiring.

I committed to my wiring instead of working outside of myself. I just liked the realistic look. I started out with that and then got to be more expressive with emotions and fudged the realism a little in order to accomplish the goal of making someone REALLY feel this. I saturate the colors, pump it up a little bit, more drama in the composition, but there is still all the references of those who have gone before. So, I abandoned that thought of establishing a style. You have to be excited about what you are doing. If you are not, if you are not sold. If you are following another matrix to get that, it is not natural. If it is outside yourself the chances that you will abandon the project is really great.



The Unveiling by Roy Tabora

Tabora- As much as we cannot deny the business aspect of what we are doing now, we can think back to the time when there wasn't any money in it. We still did it and finally the money caught up. That is one of the things that grandpa taught us, and I didn't understand it until later, "Don't chase the money. Let the money chase you. "



Timeless Rythm by Roy Tabora

Tabora- Painting from the heart is most important. It is scary but that is part of what adds to it. Love is it's own thing, it survives. Things out there, trends can morph you and I certainly sampled a few of them in the 70's but I kept coming back to love, good old fashioned love, right? No matter what everybody else was doing. If you are a trendy artist you better have the next thing lined up because the clock is ticking on this work. Classics are classics for a reason. They transcend time. That is something everybody can relate to. You do not have to rely on the marketing guy's take on it for you to appreciate it. You can see it for yourself. There is something in it that you are going to gravitate to if you are a human being. Without any preparation from anybody, you can appreciate this. The marketing guy can sway the population away from that for a little while but you cannot deny your wiring. That is what people need to come back to.

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Tabora Gallery

https://taboragallery.com/
Donald Trump's inaugural address, delivered in the very direct and even pugnacious style for which he has become famous, revealed something interesting about his view of the how the USA and religion are related. Like so much of President Trump's vision for the country, his view of religion's relationship to it hearkens back to an earlier era. That time was the one in which he grew up, from Trump's birth in 1946 (the first year of the baby boom) through end of the 1960's, when be entered young adulthood. In those days, and especially during the 1950's, the American establishment embraced religion in general even as it rejected government endorsement of any one faith in particular.

The "non-preferentialist" position as constitutional scholars call it was supported then by American presidents, Congress and the Supreme Court. One clear sign of that came in 1954, when Congress passed and President Eisenhower approved a federal law officially inserting the words "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance, which was being recited daily then by the largest cohort of young, school-age children in American history (including Donald Trump). That same sense of America as a land of religious people that did not endorse any one faith tradition but was friendly to religion in general was also supported then by rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court. Helping strengthen that official attitude was the ongoing pressure of the Cold War, because the leading countries on the other side (the Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China) rejected religion in general as a false belief system. In President Trump's childhood, the official view was that God was on our side, both historically and in that Cold-War struggle. It was a message that private military schools like the one he attended during his high school years especially emphasized. That vision of America's relationship to religion tended to ignore, if not ostracize, non-believers.

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President Obama's first inaugural address represented something of a rejection of that view by publicly acknowledging that there were Americans who were not religious and that they, too, were part of the people. Like so much of his vision for the country, Obama's sense of the relationship between it and religion reflected a newer conception that first began to emerge in the later 1960's and early 1970's. The new view was one of government neutrality with respect not just to particular faiths but also to the issue of faith in general. What gave that new way of thinking a boost, more than anything else, was the decline in Cold-War tensions that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990's.

That new relationship with religion, like much of the rest of Obama's vision of what the country was becoming, has produced a backlash, which could be seen in Donald Trump's Inaugural Address. What references to God he made there came shortly after his discussion of "radical Islamic terrorism," which he pledged to "eradicate completely from the face of the earth." From there, Trump moved to America's relationship to religion by saying, "The Bible tells us how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity." He also sought to strike a reassuring note, by saying that Americans enjoyed not just secular but also divine protection in going about their lives and work. In Trump's words, "We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and most importantly, we will be protected by God." The overall message was simple: God is still on our side, and will protect us as we do battle with our enemies. Excluded from that vision of the American people are those without religious beliefs, even though their numbers have grown over the years.

Like Trump's overall campaign message, his view of America's relationship to religion is both authentically populist (many, perhaps most, of the ordinary people of the country agree with it) and troublingly insensitive (to the minority that does not). The USA is a more varied place that it was in Trump's childhood, and he clearly wants to make it less so again as a way of uniting it. However, his tone and manner in doing so often come across as heavy-handed, which can undermine the very thing he is ultimately trying to accomplish. Whether he can find a way to fight for what he wants so as to bring people together - rather than drive them apart - very much remains to be seen.
A growing number of storekeepers in popular shopping districts favor Chinese students as part-time staff because they can speak Mandarin. With an increasing number of Chinese tourists here, convenience stores, restaurants and cosmetics shops favor young Chinese part-timers over their Korean rivals because they can talk to many Chinese customers.

Last year there were 67,066 Chinese students at Korean universities, more than double the number in 2007 and accounting for three to five percent at major universities in Seoul.

Cosmetics stores in shopping areas near universities are especially keen to recruit Chinese part-timers. The owner of one cosmetics store near Ewha Womans University said, "There are a lot of Chinese students and tourists who come to Ewha Womans University, so you need to have Mandarin-speaking staff if you want to do business here." She already employs three Chinese students.

Many restaurants have replaced Korean staff with Chinese workers. Chinese students also love convenience stores for their boxed lunches, snacks and flavored milk, and tend to go to those with Mandarin-speaking staff.


President Obama's decision to commute the bulk of Chelsea Manning's sentence for leaking classified military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks has been met with predictable outrage by hawks, and jubilation by the likes of WikiLeaks. Sen. Tom Cotton, who served in the Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, lambasted the move, saying, "We ought not treat a traitor like a martyr." WikiLeaks declared "VICTORY" in a tweet. Both reactions treat the move as a win for the leaking of state secrets. It is not. Obama's decision to commute Manning's sentence is a victory for decency, proportionality and empathy at a time when all three are in distressingly short supply.

One needn't support leaking of classified information to be glad to see the former Army intelligence analyst, known previously as Bradley Manning, set free. The soldier's leak of three-quarters of a million classified documents to WikiLeaks may indeed have been reckless and put lives at risk, but it was an act of conscience committed to help the United States, not hurt it. Manning did not quietly leak secrets to an enemy or seek financial reward. In compensation for the leak, she received only a 35-year prison sentence, including months on end in abusive solitary confinement in the now-shuttered brig at Quantico Marine Base in Virginia.

For better or worse, Manning leaked information to you, the American people, that you might have a clearer understanding of the opaque worlds of war and international diplomacy. And the leaks did uncover information that should not have been kept secret, revealing, for example, a far higher civilian death toll in the Iraq and Afghan wars than U.S. officials had publicly acknowledged, and a cavalier attitude from U.S. authorities toward torture and worse committed by the Iraqis and defense contractors.

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At the time, Manning's leaks were by far the largest ever. As I wrote in my book on the incident, PRIVATE: Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks and the Biggest Exposure of Official Secrets in American History, the event, which was unprecedented in scale, marked the collision of three countervailing trends: more draconian secrecy after 9-11; an increase in the sheer amount of information produced in the digital age; and the spread of an ethos of transparency and openness encouraged by the culture of the Internet. A result of overarching impersonal forces as much as the actions of any one person, Manning's leaks, I wrote, were "the beginning of the information age exploding upon itself."With hindsight we can see that the government's response, handing down a prison sentence far longer than any earlier whistleblower had received, was clearly an overreaction. The sky has not fallen. On the whole, America and its allies are alive and well. As Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, "Is this embarrassing? Yes. Is it awkward? Yes. Consequences for U.S. foreign policy? I think fairly modest." In reducing the total total time Manning will have spent behind bars from 35 years to seven, Obama has simply acknowledged the reality that a 35-year prison sentence was too long. The commutation isn't a pardon. As White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said of the news, "Chelsea Manning is somebody who went through the military criminal justice process, was exposed to due process, was found guilty, was sentenced for her crimes, and she acknowledged wrongdoing." Manning broke the law, has acknowledged that and been punished for it. The president hasn't endorsed leaks.
3. They're optimistic. Passionate people are always focused on what can be rather than what is. They're always chasing their next goal with the unwavering belief that they'll achieve it. You know how it feels when you're looking forward to a really special event? Passionate people feel like that every day.



4. They're early risers. Passionate people are far too eager to dive into their days to sleep in. It's not that they don't like to sleep; they'd just much rather be pursuing their passion. When the rooster crows, their minds are flooded with ideas and excitement for the day ahead.



5. They're willing to take big risks. How much you want something is reflected in how much you're willing to risk. Nobody is going to lay it all on the line for something they're only mildly interested in. Passionate people, on the other hand, are willing to risk it all.



6. They only have one speed--full tilt. Passionate people don't do anything half-heartedly. If they're going, they're going full tilt until they cross the finish line or crash. If they're relaxed and still, they're relaxed and still. There's no in between.



7. They talk about their passions all the time. Again, we're talking about people whose passions are inseparable from who they are, and you couldn't form much of a relationship with them if they couldn't be real about who they are, right? It's not that they don't understand that you don't share their obsession; they just can't help themselves. If they acted differently, they'd be playing a role rather than being authentic.



8. They're highly excitable. You know those people who probably wouldn't get excited if an alien spaceship landed in their front yard? Yeah, that's not how passionate people operate. It's not that they're never calm, or even bored. It's just that it takes less to get them excited, so they get excited more frequently and stay excited longer. One theory is that they devote their energy to just one or two things, so they make more progress, and that momentum fuels their excitement.



9. They're all about their work. Passionate people don't worry about work/life balance. Their work is who they are, and there's no separating the two. It's what they breathe, live, and eat, so there's no such thing as leaving it at the office. Asking them to do that is tantamount to asking them to deny who they are. And they're OK with that because there's nothing else they'd rather be doing.



Bringing It All Together
Insurance is a complicated business; it sells protection so one could hedge against potential losses in the future. Insurance companies don't deny reality. They base their product on detailed programs and actuarial tables in order to assess the risks of future activities. Donald Trump's inaugural address was also based on protection but unlike the insurance industry, Trump was telling the American people that he could protect them from the future itself.

By repudiating globalization in his speech and then in eliminating the White House postings on global warming, Trump was more in tuned to the counter reformation of 15th and 16th century Europe than America in 2017; denying what is clearly evident. In its worldview his speech was not so dissimilar to view of the court that in 1663 found the Astronomer Galileo guilty for saying the earth turns around the sun. At his conviction, Galileo was reported to say, "But it still turns," and so it is with globalization, technology and global warming.

Politics is the art of perception. Ed Koch, the late mayor of New York, once recalled, while campaigning on the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, an elderly woman who approached him and implored that he "make it like it was." America today is richer than it has ever been and is in the healthiest condition of any major global economy, yet many Americans don't see it that way. Like Ed Koch's elderly constituent, they want it to be like it used to be. And globalization gets caught up in that "used to be." Global economic growth is counterintuitive--people view global economics as a zero-sum game. If another country has grown wealthier, then it stands to reason that your country is now poorer.

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The facts, however, tell another story. China has become significantly wealthier over the past forty years, as we all know, but so has the United States. In 1980, the United States had a gross domestic product of $2.8 trillion, while China's was only $302 billion. By 2014 the US economy had grown to $17.348 trillion, and the Chinese economy grew to $10.430 trillion. The US economy, as we can see, more than doubled during that period. Of course, China's rate of growth during the same time was much higher, but they had much more room to grow. China needed to build steel mills and highways, and to electrify their rural areas. The United States did all that a long time ago. The point is that the United States did not get poorer as China grew--quite the opposite.

Compounding the illusion that global growth is a zero-sum game is the reality that some people have lost their jobs to globalization. But the operative word here is some. In the political game of perception, Donald Trump has managed, with his attacks on China, Japan, and Mexico, to make globalization the simplistic scapegoat for most of the job losses in American manufacturing. However, as reported by Bloomberg two years ago, this was not the case then, nor is it the case now.

"The U.S. had become the second-most-competitive manufacturing location among the 25 largest manufacturing exporters worldwide. While that news is welcome, most of the lost U.S. manufacturing jobs in recent decades aren't coming back. In 1970, more than a quarter of U.S. employees worked in manufacturing. By 2010, only one in 10 did.

"The growth in imports from China had a role in that decline -- contributing, perhaps to as much as one-quarter of the employment drop-off from 1991 to 2007, according to an analysis by David Autor and his colleagues at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. But the U.S. jobs slide began well before China's rise as a manufacturing power. And manufacturing employment is falling almost everywhere, including in China. The phenomenon is driven by technology."

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Take for example all the people that used to make cameras and film in upstate New York; does anyone buy a Brownie camera or film anymore? Or look at companies that used to print newspapers and books that are now facing severe competition from e-readers.

And then there is the US automobile industry. In 2015 the United States manufactured 12,000,000 vehicles, double the quantity of the early 1950s, when there were no imports. Yet those 2015 production numbers were achieved with the same number of workers as in 1953, approximately 900,000. A key difference appears to be automation. In 2014, 58 percent of all industrial robots ordered in North America went to the automobile industry.

Rapidly declining employment in the coal industry is another example where technological change is the main factor, while climate change and now even China are being blamed. In a masterful but irrational readjustment of facts, Donald Trump once tweeted, "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive."

The decline in employment in the coal industry is partly due to climate change, but the main culprit is innovation in energy production. Due to innovations in fracking, natural gas is not only now much more competitive for use as an energy source in manufacturing, it is also cleaner. Coal, like Kodak's old Brownie camera, is being innovated out of business.

In 1960, Harvard professor Theodore Levitt wrote an essay in Harvard Business Review titled "Marketing Myopia." In the essay, Levitt refers to the destruction of buggy whip industries due to the advent of the automobile. This analogy has now entered the economic lexicon. Although Professor Levitt's point was that if the buggy whip industry was attuned to their market they would have understood and re-adjusted to change, in terms of the employees there was a benefit in that change that does not exist today. The buggy whip employees found better jobs relatively easily in the rapidly growing automobile industry. The same could be said throughout that period in American history, when millions left the farm for the cities because they were able to find better jobs in various forms of manufacturing with relative ease. Change was not frightening then, because new industrial jobs replaced the old occupations.

The difference today isn't globalization alone; it is that change for many people looks frightening and not positive. In the age of human capital, industrialized economies--whether it's in the United States, Germany, Japan, or China--will rely less and less on manufacturing. The agility needed to go from factory work to the gig economy, or tech, or entrepreneurialism, or services, is much greater than it was to go from the buggy whip factory to the automobile factory. And instead of leading by proposing realistic ideas on how the government can help with that change, Trump is selling false protection, insurance against the fear of change.
The civil suit brought yesterday on behalf of victims of atrocity crimes for which the NIF/NCP regime in Khartoum is responsible marks a moment of extraordinary revelation. French banking giant BNP Paribas is shown to be deeply complicit in these crimes, and we have a much clearer sense of why U.S. financial sanctions have proved ineffective in curtailing the atrocities of the regime. By virtue of criminal violations of U.S. financial law, to which BNP Paribas ("BNPP") pled guilty in mid-2015, many tens of billions of dollars of were effectively "laundered" and made available to Khartoum, which thus encountered none of the restrictions on the sale of petroleum that would otherwise have been prohibitive. The Complaint, filed by the law firm of McKool Smith, P.C.(Los Angeles), is a devastating indictment that goes far beyond the Statement of Facts to which BNPP agreed in its settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice; the "facts" as we can see them now extend to many times the $9 billion in forfeitures and fines that PNBB paid in acknowledging its criminal guilt.

This guilt extended to aiding Cuba and Iran, then on the U.S. State Department list of "State Sponsors of Terrorism," as was Sudan. But it was the people of Sudan who suffered the consequences of what was the massive and shameless criminality associated with BNPP's financial services to the Khartoum regime--72 percent of the overall total even in the inadequate Justice Department "Statement of Facts." Reprehensibly, the Obama administration directed none of the billions in forfeiture money to the Sudanese victims of atrocity crimes, or to humanitarian efforts seeking to provide relief to the people who continue to suffer from military activity very substantially financed by BNPP.

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[The first crucial 20 pages of this extraordinarily damning legal Complaint may be found at | http://sudanreeves.org/2017/01/21/7740; the entire 166-page document is available upon request.]

The recent, departing Executive Order by former President Barack Obama--essentially lifting sanctions on Khartoum--was a further despicable betrayal of the people of Sudan, and a gratuitous gift to a regime that continues to wage terrible war against the marginalized peoples of it peripheral regions. In her final interview as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power spoke of improvement in humanitarian access that amounted to a "sea change" (her incomprehensible phrase), failing to acknowledge that Khartoum continues to impose humanitarian embargoes on vast areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile (see minute 50 at | http://webtv.un.org/watch/samantha-power-united-states-final-press-conference-to-un-correspondents-13-january-2017/5281173841001/). As one extremely experienced and knowledgeable humanitarian--on the ground in South Kordofan--declared in an email to me:

"There's been absolutely no change in humanitarian access [in the Nuba Mountains--suffering under Khartoum's humanitarian embargo for over five and a half years]. Not a single grain of sorghum nor one tablet of medicine has entered Nuba from any of the usual humanitarian agencies." (email received January 17, 2017)

And as has been true for many years, Khartoum continues to deny access to vast areas of Darfur and regularly expels humanitarians and humanitarian organizations without meaningful explanation. This not has changed, and Power's claim to the contrary is terribly destructive mendacity, convincing Khartoum that in fact there is no reason to improve access. It is quite possible that tens of thousands of people will die because of this gross misrepresentation of humanitarian access.

The Obama administration's policy toward Sudan, which reduces to an accommodation of Khartoum's barbarism in exchange for putatively valuable counter-terrorism intelligence, remains guided by a willingness to forgive or turn a blind eye to the reality of genocidal counter-insurgencies--the preferred method of domestic control by this regime since it came to power by military coup in June 1989. Nor has it mattered to Obama administration officials that the regime has essentially destroyed the Sudanese economy and thereby imposed terrible hardship on the people of Sudan (see | http://sudanreeves.org/2015/12/09/7041/). Nor has it mattered that the regime is engaging in increasingly violent repression of human rights activists, newspapers, and civil society expressions of discontent. What has mattered is keeping the National Islamic Front/National Congress Party regime in power, a point emphasized by former special envoy for the Sudans Princeton Lyman, offered in an interview I have cited many times but that continues to demonstrate just how preposterous the Obama administration has been in characterizing the ruling junta in Khartoum:

"We [the Obama administration] do not want to see the ouster of the [Khartoum] regime, nor regime change. We want to see the regime carrying out reform via constitutional democratic measures." (Interview with Asharq al-Awsat, December 3, 2011 | http://english.aawsat.com/2011/12/article55244147/asharq-al-awsat-talks-to-us-special-envoy-to-sudan-princeton-lyman)

Although perversely contemptuous of what is truly possible under the regime, this view nonetheless continues to guide the policies of the current special envoy, Donald Booth (who certainly must have or should have known about the effects of BNPP money laundering in shielding Khartoum from the effects of U.S. sanctions). Booth's justification for lifting sanctions is based on a "look-back" period of 180 days, during which Khartoum is supposed to have shown, (in the words of Obama's Executive Order) "positive actions."

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One must wonder: do these "positive actions" include arrest of some 20 people for daring to meeting with Ambassador Booth (August 2016; see | http://wp.me/p45rOG-1VE/), this in the wake of the vast campaign in Jebel Marra, during which Khartoum used chemical weapons against civilians? (See | http://sudanreeves.org/2017/01/19/7735/). Do they include the slaughter of civilians by regular army forces in Nertiti (Central Darfur) on the first day of this new year (see | http://wp.me/s45rOG-7710)? Does it include the refusal to rein in the epidemic of sexual violence throughout Darfur, regularly reported by Radio Dabanga if not by the spectacularly incompetent and corrupt UN/African Union force (UNAMID) deployed in the region? (See | http://wp.me/p45rOG-1Rr). What of repeated reports of fighting initiated by SAF and militia forces in South Kordofan and Blue Nile? Much could be determined with the devotion of minimal satellite photographic resources, but the Obama administration proved in June 2011 that it wasn't interested in what was visible on the ground during the beginning of massive violence in South Kordofan, including the building of mass graves (see http://wp.me/p45rOG-BU).
Like many others, I found myself alarmed and concerned last November as the country elected a reality TV-star president and put into place a single-party government. The system of checks and balances I've always trusted to keep the country running within generally accepted boundaries is gone and now, we, the citizens, must act as the checks and balances. Family values, personal liberties and civil rights are at stake. I want to close my eyes and click my heels and think "there's no place like home" in hope that someone will return me to a kinder, gentler reality, but I know that wishing or waiting for someone else to act is not going to be enough.

You may not think of yourself as a political activist, but after the recent election, you may be feeling the need to protect your right and values. We all hear the calls to action: "Roll your sleeves up! Get your hands dirty!" But what exactly does that mean? Where do we start?

To find the answers, I attended a non-partisan, public meeting, "Resistance Forum: Planning a Way Forward in a New Policy Era," hosted by Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach. Sen. Leach and a panel of experienced advocates articulated what citizens can do protect our liberties, passions and values.

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I'm not an expert in activism; this information is taken from Sen. Leach and the expert panel's experience and knowledge. However, I do have a passion, a pen and this platform so I am passing these tips along to you on how to effectively make a difference when stakes are at the highest.

1.Sustained small events build momentum. You don't need to plan the next Women's March (though kudos to those who have), organizing small events at a local level will get your message out and encourage like-minded people to join the effort and grow momentum.

2.Oppose bad ideas. Don't try to solve it or create an alternative idea, that just opens room for fighting over the solution. Focus your energy on stopping the bad idea.

3.Federalism is our friend. Many federal laws are only effective if state resources carry them out. Work at a local level to change the state regulations and law.

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4.Do what is right when it comes to non-enforceable laws. Use the bathroom you identify with - the police aren't going to ask for proof on your way to the stall and a jury isn't going to convict you for choosing a restroom. I can firmly attest, as anyone with a child knows, that there is no room for discussion nor interrogation when someone "reallllyyyyy has to pee!"

5. Talk to your local and state representatives. This is the most effective way to influence decision-makers. If your rep is holding a local town hall, attend, ask questions and state your concerns., These events are more likely to draw media who will help report and spread your message. If you aren't yet comfortable with a public showdown with your state senator, personal visits, handwritten letters, and phone calls (in that order) are also highly effective. Less effective are sending templated emails, signing online petitions and tweets or Facebook posts.

(If you aren't sure who your local representatives are, a quick Google search will give you name & contact info)

6.Join groups that share your interests. Talk about the issues and decide on what needs to be done.

7.Support organizations that act. Get on lists and learn how and when to come forward and take action.

8.Fight for the broader cause. Everyone has their individual passions, but support is needed for many other like-minded causes. Join your natural allies, instead of waiting on an event that supports one singular issue.

9.Discuss "kitchen-table issues." Talk to others about what affects their lives.

10.Find your passion and tell your personal story - every time. That is how people will identify, connect and respond to your cause. This is also how you will find your 'crew' to stand with you.

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11.Embrace people who advocate in a different way than you do - they may protest and you many write but together you can move mountains.

12.Defend journalism. It is unfortunate that people with low values are publishing "fake news" to mislead the public, but that is not an indictment of the professional news organizations we rely on to keep us informed so we can decide on major issues for ourselves.

13.Subscribe to a newspaper! Diversify your news sources like you would your stock portfolio.

14.Write letters to the editor or op-ed pieces voicing your opinion on the issues that are important to you.
The Afghanistan war was forgotten during the 2016 presidential campaign although the war is the longest American war in US history. After 16 years including NATO participation, the war is inconclusive - there is no peace and seemingly no end. The war has been between U.S./NATO and the Taliban. Originally the Taliban conquered many towns and provinces without fighting as the townsmen welcomed them because they were disappointed with the mujahidin internal intrigue just the same as the American public who were disappointed with the established political order in Washington during 2016 election that led to the victory of President-Elect Donald Trump.

The Taliban had control of Afghanistan when the tragedy of Bin Laden's 9/11 took place and caused a regime change in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. The subsequent U.S. appointed regimes failed to make peace with the Taliban and bring into the fold the 30 million Afghan citizens.

Needless to say, the American war must end by President Trump as it has no purpose to continue. The engagement of NATO members in Afghanistan was arguably unlawful. The North Atlantic Treaty initially included 12 memberships in 1949. Its mission was a collective defense pact against the threat of the Soviet Union to protect Europe. The membership has been expanded to currently 28 countries. Under article 5 of the treaty an attack on any member is considered an attack on all members. However, the Soviet Union never attacked a member of NATO and therefore its provision was never put to use until the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.

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The United States pressured NATO members to participate in the invasion of Afghanistan plus several additional non-NATO members such as Korea. NATO participation in Afghanistan has been a tragic failure, as evidenced in the British contingent in Helmand and the French contingent in the southern provinces of Afghanistan. Moreover citizens of France and England demonstrated against the war in Afghanistan and pressured their governments to withdraw their troops which they did prematurely. Besides the engagement of NATO in Afghanistan was arguably illegal as Afghanistan had not invaded any of the NATO member countries and therefore NATO's article 5 provisions did not apply in the particular case of Afghanistan. Historically, Afghanistan has had good relations with European countries.

During the U.S. presidential campaign candidate Trump opted to modify or withdraw from subsidizing NATO. President Trump should use this lever to redefine US Afghanistan policy.


Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20 exemplifies a phenomenon that is likely to shape global politics for years to come: the rise of the strongman.

The term is broadly used to describe law-and-order candidates with authoritarian tendencies who weaken institutions and concentrate power in the executive. As leaders, they tend to reject pluralism (the idea that political power is distributed among many institutions, both governmental and nongovernmental). Instead, they often claim to be the exclusive representatives of "the people".

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russia's Vladimir Putin and Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro are classic strongmen. Calling their opponents "unpatriotic" and implying they are guided by "foreign interests", these politicians consistently articulate a moral form of anti-pluralism.

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Strongmen thrive on polarisation: once in office, all three of these world leaders have described their opposition as illegitimate, immoral and "enemies of the people"; Maduro even called those who voted against him traitors.

Does this remind you of any recently triumphant American politician? Hint: in November 2016 Donald Trump referred to "millions of illegal voters" to explain why he lost the popular vote.

Of course, some strongmen are more authoritarian than others, and a firm institutional framework can help limit leaders' room for manoeuvre. Is Trump in the populist big leagues, with the likes of Putin or Erdogan? We'll find out soon.

A year of democratic challenges

This year will see strongmen in power in Washington, Budapest, Moscow, Ankara, Manila and Caracas. What does this situation, unprecedented in recent history, mean for global politics?

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Above all, it symbolises a profound crisis of democracy, with a real risk of contagion. In their most extreme form, as in Venezuela or Russia, such leaders no longer organise free elections: they're unnecessary because those presidents already know what "the people" really want.

But strongmen can also be electorally competitive when voters feel that traditional political institutions aren't meeting expectations, as we've seen in the Philippines.

The Brexit and Trump populist successes did not take place in small countries with limited visibility. Rather, they occurred in the world's two most mature democracies, which -- despite many missteps -- have historically played an important role in the flourishing of democracy across the world.

So one consequence of a populist winning the White House will be a decline in American soft power. In fact, Trump's election has already had a negative affect in this area. The US is less able to attract and co-opt support, rather than to coerce by force. This makes the case for democracy elsewhere in the world much harder.

This will be particularly true if Trump moves forward with some of his campaign promises to discriminate against people of Muslim faith. The stronger anti-Islam currents grow in Western democracies, the less the US, among others, can criticise governments in China, Myanmar and elsewhere for how they treat their religious minorities.

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Under Trump, the US can also be expected to spend less money on international human rights and democracy groups. One may rightly criticise US foreign policy on many fronts, but we must recognise the massive US government investment in NGOs, journalism and opposition groups living under dictatorships around the world - to the tune of US$10 billion per year over the past decade.

Trump, by contrast, has made clear that he thinks little of defending or promoting democracy abroad, and has spoken highly of strongmen such as Putin, Hungarian President Viktor Orban and Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte. Both stances will reduce pressure on authoritarian governments around the world.

Endangered: truth, plurality and stability

The global resurgence of strongmen has coincided with the rise of the "post-truth" era.

This trend threatens to undermine democracies' key advantage over authoritarian regimes: democracies make ample use of available data to determine public policy and enjoy the benefit of a relatively transparent debate to elect competent, prepared leaders. They are noisy but ultimately moderate and stability-producing.

The proliferation of fake news also creates an unprecedented challenge. News organisations, struggling to adapt to the digital era, lack funds for investigative journalism (particularly on the local level). Meanwhile, social media is contributing to social fragmentation; today, few news sources speak to large portions of society.

The result is an environment marked by a high degree of distrust - easy fodder for post-truth strongmen like Trump and Putin to exploit.

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Democracies also tend to embrace diversity and globalisation, with their capacity to integrate migrants from all over the world. In most western democracies, the percentage of the population born abroad has consistently been around 10% in recent years; in Canada or Australia it reaches 20%.

The strongman's governing model, on the other hand, requires a degree of polarisation and fear. Both Trump and Putin consistently point to dangers from abroad, be it "bad hombres" from Mexico (Trump), or foreign-funded NGOs (Putin). Most observers now expect a US retreat from trade agreements and even security alliances, further reducing the United States' role in global affairs.

Democracies are now seen as creating more economic unpredictability than authoritarian regimes. That would have been impossible to foresee a few years back. And considering that pollsters failed to predict both Brexit and Trump, markets will be more volatile ahead of elections. That's bad for the market: investors need, above all, predictability. So we can expect negative economic consequences during 2017, year of the strongman.

The longer such a scenario prevails in democracies around the world, the more endangered democratic governance becomes - morally, strategically and economically.

Trump and Putin: a match made in heaven?

Trump doesn't know Putin, as he famously declared in an October 2016 debate. But even if they become friends, it's no guarantee that US-Russia relations will be stable.

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The notion that personal friendships between strongmen produce stability is spurious: it depends on interpersonal chemistry over institutional agreements - and the latter are far more durable.

Turkey's Erdogan was so close to Syria's Bashar Al-Assad that their families vacationed together. This did not prevent the two from falling out and producing one of the Middle East's most profound enmities.

Right now, it seems that Russia will benefit greatly from the US' political sea change, and Trump has spoken positively of Putin while barely acknowledging Russian interference in the election.

But one could quickly "dump" the other. Politicians usually know how to separate policy-making from personal feelings. Trump and Putin, on the other hand, vain and thin-skinned, are unlikely to compromise or backtrack if their pride is threatened.

Such unprecedented uncertainty bodes badly for growth prospects in 2017. But strongmen in power in Washington and Moscow bodes well for future populists.

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France, where Marine Le Pen is a strong contender for the presidency, may be the test case of whether 2017 really is the year of the strongman (or strongwoman). If she wins, it could spell the end of the European Union.

As voters go to the polls in France and Germany later this year, the stakes have never been higher.

Oliver Stuenkel, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Fundacao Getulio Vargas
Actress Lee Young-ae is making a comeback with a new TV series to be aired late this month.

The TV series is about one of the most famous women in Korean history, Shin Saimdang, a renowned artist and writer during the Chosun Dynasty.

"She was the breadwinner of the family and her husband was not interested in household matters, so she must have had a lot to worry about," Lee said about the leading role of Shin Saimdang. "The situation is actually the same now. Not much has changed in 500 years. I am sure the biographical drama will allow viewers a moment to strike a chord with working women of today."

She also said her emotions and the depth of feelings have changed since she got through marriage and having children.

"Actors get opportunities to express emotions deeply when they experience a pivotal change in life such as childbirth and even aging," Lee said.

"Facial wrinkles show deepening of emotions so I am not sad that I am getting old. You can't have a starring role forever, and you can't stay pretty forever. I want to do as many things as possible, be it TV dramas, films, or documentaries, as long as they convey meaningful messages while allowing me to discover new aspect of myself," she added.
Bill Self, Kurtis Townsend won't be on sidelines for KU's first four games

Hawk Zone
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art will spotlight some public art moments in the downtown to drive traffic to local businesses. Program Coordinator Ricco Fruscio, left, and chamber President Glenn Maloney show an illustration of new directional signage planned for around the city. Fruscio welcomes chamber members to the annual meeting at Bright Ideas Brewing on the Mass MoCA campus. PreviousNext

North Adams Downtown Readying for Mass MoCA Opening



Mass MoCA Director of Communications Jodi Joseph speaks about the upcoming opening of the new galleries and efforts to include the downtown on the museum's 'lovely moment.'

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art's 135,000 square-foot-expansion is opening this May  and local businesses are warned to be ready to capitalize on an expected surge in traffic.



"We're in a lovely moment at Mass MoCA right now," Jodi Joseph, MoCA's communications director, said at the North Adams Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting on Wednesday night. "We have a huge summer in front of us ... we are already looking at record attendance with the Nick Cave exhibition (in the massive Building 5.) It's received tons of press and lots of attention, a lot of fanfare ...



"We are on track to have our best year ever at Mass MoCA."



The museum also got the keys back last week to Building 6, part of the $55 million expansion that will feature the long-term participation of six critically acclaimed artists: James Turrell, Jenny Holzer, Laurie Anderson, Louise Bourgeois and Robert Rauschenberg Gunnar Schonbeck.



There are also one-off projects, like North Adams artist Mary Lum's commissioned work for the ingenious bike trail connector that cuts through Building 6 in preparation for the eventual Mohawk Bike Trail. "Literally she has a paint brush in her hand right now, she's installing art," said Joseph.



"We're really hoping that people are coming to this and seeing it as a two- or three-day stay ... we just want to bring more and more people to North Adams and have them supporting local business while they're here visiting," she said.



With the museum about to become the largest contemporary art museum in the nation, it's trying to spread the wealth to North Adams' historically struggling downtown.



Museum officials are working with the city, colleges and other partners to develop a North Adams Exchange of a "series of public art moments."



"We are going to give retail some vitamins in the downtown and really try to bolster the offerings around town to give people more reasons to go downtown," Joseph said.



One of those art moments is a chance for visitors interested in Natalie Jeremijenko's famed "Tree Logic" to see trees that have been retired from the upside-down planters at Colegrove Park.



"They are now unfurling their branches and heading toward the sky at Colegrove Park and one of our missions is to make sure everyone who comes through Mass MoCA knows that," she said. "We get asked over and over 'what happens to the trees, are they OK?' Some, they are driven to tears. ... Now we can tell them they're four blocks away at Colegrove Park."



Secondly, the city's history and presence won't be forgotten as the museum touts its newest additions.



"We are working on a vigorous press campaign for our new opening and downtown North Adams is one of the centerpieces of the stories we're pitching to national and regional publications," Joseph said.
Berkshire County Women Head to DC Women's March

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  iBerkshires rarely gets a chance to report outside its coverage area because of our focus on local news.



There's the occasional jaunt to Boston, Greenfield, Springfield, Bennington, Vt., and even Albany, N.Y.



But Friday night I'll be on a bus headed to the Women's March on Washington with a group from North County. Readers can follow along on my Twitter feed @iBerk_Editor and we'll have a story posted later on the front page.



Those interested in the march can also attend a free event the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield from 10 to 2 on Saturday hosted by WAM Theatre. The event is being held thanks to an anonymous donor covering the rental fee but Berkshire County keepsake magnet will be for sale for $5 to help cover other associated costs.



"This event is free and people are welcome to stay the whole time or come and go between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.," said WAM's artistic director, Kristen van Ginhoven, in announcing the event. "We will be streaming the DC Rally from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the theatre, along with having some other action oriented activities in the lobby."



The program will also feature readings from the Constitution and original writings created for the event by local writers and an interactive art project in the lobby by Juliana von Haubrich, associate artist with WAM.




iciHaiti - Sunrise Airways : Commissioning of an Airbus A320





Philippe Bayard, President of the Haitian company Sunrise Airways announced in a press release the commissioning of a new Airbus A320 aircraft of 180 seats on the air routes between Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic in partnership with the Dominican Wings.



"The additional capacity and comfort of the A320 raise our service to Cuba to an unprecedented level in the market. At the same time, we position ourselves strongly for a robust expansion throughout the Caribbean [...] This represents an important leap forward for our company and for our valued customers."



It should be noted that previously, Sunrise Airways fleet consisted solely of ATR 42-320 and Jetstream 32 EP aircraft.



Learn more about Sunrise Airways :

Sunrise Airways (IATA: S6, ICAO: KSZ) is a progressive, modern Haitian-owned commercial airline launched in December 2012 that is elevating air travel within the Western Caribbean to new heights of excellence. Sunrise Airways owns and operates a fleet comprised of Jetstream 32 EP aircraft offering the comfort of leather seating and ample in-cabin cargo room for a maximum capacity of 19 passengers. Headquartered in Port-au-Prince with a dedicated maintenance facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Sunrise Airways is owned by noted Haitian businessman and philanthropist, Philippe Bayard. Members of the airlines leadership team average more than 15 years of aviation experience with such well-known industry brands as Aerocaribbean, Air Jamaica, BAE Systems, Condor Airlines, Jamaica Air Shuttle, and LAN Airlines.



TB/ iciHaiti






















iciHaiti - Economy : Project Investing in Haiti / Open Data





As part of the "Investing in Haiti / Open Data" project, a memorandum of understanding for the sharing of electronic data has just been signed between the Investment Facilitation Center (CFI) and the Bank of the Republic of Haiti ( BRH), an important institution in the production of quality data in Haiti.



Note that this is the third agreement signed under the project "Investing in Haiti / Open Data" before the official launch of the platform https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19624-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html



What is Open Data ? :

www.opendatahandbook.org/guide/en/what-is-open-data/



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19624-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html



IH/ iciHaiti


















Paid Protestors

Washington, DC - "There's no doubt that many of the demonstrators who seek to disrupt President Donald Trump's term in office do it as a way to vent their ideological views. But are there paid agitators among them," asks Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens.

Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson exposed the man behind a blatant and phony online attempt to so-called 'operatives,' offering cash to attend protest rallies. On his program Wednesday night, Carlson actually interviewed a man calling himself Dom Tullipso who claimed he created an organization called Demand Protest to disrupt President-elect Trump's inauguration ceremony.

Carlson proved the man to be a liar and shouted him down, saying: "This is a sham, your company isn't real, your website is fake. This is a hoax. [Tullipso] is not your real name; we ran you through law enforcement-level background checks."

Weber says that every citizen has a right to express his views on issues, it is guaranteed in the Constitution. "But it is one thing for individuals to express their views. It's another thing for organized 'operatives' to threaten the stability of the nation."

The 'fake news' that Mr. Tullipso was spreading was revealed for what it was. But the issue of paid protestors is not a new one. A few days after the elections in November, an alleged Associated Press report appeared on the ABC News Web site claiming that an Arizona man had been paid $3,500 to protest against Donald Trump. It, too, proved to be a fake.

Why is it important to investigate reports of paid protestors at any political demonstration, including anti-Trump rallies? Weber says that "If they are untrue, we have a right to know, and if they are true we need to be aware of the potential peril to our democracy."

ABOUT AMAC

The Association of Mature American Citizens is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today.
Michael R. Pence is the 48th and current Vice President of the United States

Washington, DC - Michael R. Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana, on June 7, 1959, one of six children born to Edward and Nancy Pence. As a young boy he had a front row seat to the American Dream. After his grandfather immigrated to the United States when he was 17, his family settled in the Midwest. The future Vice President watched his Mom and Dad build everything that matters  a family, a business, and a good name. Sitting at the feet of his mother and his father, who started a successful convenience store business in their small Indiana town, he was raised to believe in the importance of hard work, faith, and family.

In 1981, Vice President Pence set off for Hanover College, earning his bachelors degree in history. While there, he renewed his Christian faith which remains the driving force in his life. He later he attended Indiana University School of Law and met the love of his life, Second Lady Karen Pence.

After graduating, Vice President Pence practiced law, led the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, and began hosting The Mike Pence Show, a syndicated talk radio show and a weekly television public affairs program in Indiana. Along the way he became the proud father to three children, Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey.

Growing up in Indiana, surrounded by good, hardworking Hoosiers, Vice President Pence always knew that he needed to give back to the state and the country that had given him so much. In 2000, he launched a successful bid for his local congressional seat, entering the United States House of Representatives at the age of 40.

The people of East-Central Indiana elected Vice President Pence six times to represent them in Congress. On Capitol Hill he established himself as a champion of limited government, fiscal responsibility, economic development, educational opportunity, and the U.S. Constitution. His colleagues quickly recognized his leadership ability and unanimously elected him to serve as Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee and House Republican Conference Chairman. In this role, the Vice President helped make government smaller and more effective, reduce spending, and return power to state and local governments.

In 2013, Vice President Pence left the nations capital when Hoosiers elected him the 50th Governor of Indiana. He brought the same limited government and low tax philosophy to the Indiana Statehouse. As Governor, he enacted the largest income tax cut in Indiana history, lowering individual income tax rates, the business personal property tax, and the corporate income tax in order to strengthen the States competitive edge and attract new investment and good-paying jobs. Due to his relentless focus on jobs, the states unemployment rate fell by half during his four years in office, and at the end of his term, more Hoosiers were working than at any point in the states 200-year history.

As Governor of Indiana, Vice President Pence increased school funding, expanded school choice, and created the first state-funded Pre-K plan in Indiana history. He made career and technical education a priority in every high school. Under Vice President Pences leadership, Indiana, known as The Crossroads of America, invested more than $800 million in new money for roads and bridges across the state. Despite the record tax cuts and new investments in roads and schools, the state remained fiscally responsible, as the Vice President worked with members of the Indiana General Assembly to pass two honestly balanced budgets that left the state with strong reserves and AAA credit ratings that were the envy of the nation.

It was Indianas success story, Vice President Pences record of legislative and executive experience, and his strong family values that prompted President Donald Trump to select Mike Pence as his running mate in July 2016. The American people elected President Donald Trump and Vice President Pence on November 8, 2016. President Donald Trump and Vice President Pence entered office on January 20, 2017.

Vice President Mike Pence remains grateful for the grace of God, the love and support of his family, and the blessings of liberty that are every Americans birthright. He looks forward to working with the American people as together they seek to Make America Great Again.
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The American street artist Shepard Fairey created a poster for Barack Obamas presidential election campaign. It was 2008 and the simple red, beige and blue stencilled image of Obamas face over the word HOPE quickly became the iconic image of the election, the rallying cry around which it was fought and won. It remains the enduring image of his presidency.

But it is also now a reminder of promised hope ultimately unfulfilled, and many artists might have concluded they would stay away from politics in future as a result. Instead, Fairey has been at the centre of a Kickstarter initiative to finance a protest poster campaign against Donald Trumps presidential inauguration called We the people: public art for the inauguration and beyond.

It has been a great success, raising $1.4m (1.1m) in a week. The posters flooded Washington yesterday  as placards and on street corners  and will be printed as full page adverts in the Washington Post, and as postcards to send to the new president.

The new images do not feature Trump or even refer to him directly, concentrating instead on the ethnic groups that campaigners fear face being excluded from this new presidents America. Its a radical shift in focus that nevertheless retains the colours from the Obama image and Faireys signature stencil style. What does this tell us about his journey as a commentator  and about political art in 2017?

Lost illusions

Faireys Obama poster was not about a man but rather a heroic, idealised, abstracted icon. It showed Obama thoughtfully looking upwards and to the right, into the distance towards the future hopes of the nation. It symbolised the promise of things yet to come, yet to be imagined  in keeping with other leaders elected on aspirations for change, such as Tony Blair or John F Kennedy. In Faireys image, hope is promised but nothing is specific. It invites the viewer to project their own desires into the icons imagination.

For all its inspirational power, the poster set itself up to fail by making a personal promise it could not keep. How could one man fulfil the individual hopes of millions of citizens? Once held up as an example of how a political poster could help bring about positive change in the world, now it perhaps serves as a warning that its all just propaganda in the end.

Fairey certainly counts himself among those disappointed by Obamas eight years in office. When asked in an interview in 2015 whether he thought Obama had lived up to the promise of his poster, Fairey answered bluntly:

Not even close Obama has had a really tough time, but there have been a lot of things that hes compromised on that I never would have expected.

 Alt-right leader Richard Spencer punched in the face during inauguration protest

A new approach

Faireys three new posters are only superficially similar to the Obama image. Choosing not to feature the incoming president as either hero or villain, they show members of the public that represent marginalised groups within society. According to the Kickstarter pitch, it is about creating a series of images that capture the shared humanity of our diverse America. Two other images have been contributed by fellow artists Ernesto Yerena and Jessica Sabogal.

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

While the central themes of Faireys art have always been propaganda and power, the Hope poster was very much about a conventional traditional propaganda approach that operated in the future tense. There is no unspecified hope in his new images; the figures do not make promises about the future. They know what they want now.

Over the text We the People are greater than fear a Muslim woman wearing a US flag hijab piercingly locks eyes with the viewer. By staring directly in this way, the poster becomes a personal confrontation. It is a direct challenge to consider what it means to be a member of the We the People of the American constitution and to uphold common values such as freedom from fear within this society.

Faireys image of the dreadlocked African-American boy inverts Obamas distant upwards dreaming pose by looking downwards to the left. He is not looking for a hero to save him. His eyes are not fixed on a vague dream of hope, but resolutely on the realities of living as a black American citizen today.

This work demonstrates that Fairey has learned and matured as a political communicator since 2008. By shifting the tense from future-imaginary to present-reality, and the power from the heroic politician to the individual citizen, his 2017 posters become more than propaganda. They have the potential to become, as they said on Kickstarter, symbols of hope, offering a positive strategy to disrupt the rising tide of hate and fear in America.

A poster by Colombian muralist Jessica Sabogal for the 'We the People' campaign

As Fairey said recently, We have Trump, so whats the antidote? The antidote is not attacking Trump more. These are protest posters which attack hate by refusing to attack. In doing so, they offer new hope for the role and relevance of political art in Trumps America.

Peter Buwert is a lecturer in graphic design at Edinburgh Napier University. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
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Women's groups in France have condemned the decision to invite veteran producer Roman Polanski to preside over the Cesar Awards, known as the "French Oscars".

Polanski, 83, is wanted by US authorities on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977 in Los Angeles.

He pleaded guilty to unlawful sex but denied rape, serving 42 days in prison after accepting a plea bargain.

He fled over fears that the judge hearing his case would overrule the plea bargain and he would be imprisoned again.

The announcement that he would succeed Oscar-winner Claude Lelouch in the role was made by the Academie des Arts et Techniques du Cinema.

"Artist, film-maker, producer, screenwriter, actor, director - there are many words to define Roman Polanski," the Academie said. "But there is only one to express our admiration and enchantment: thank you, Mr President."

One of the Cesar Awards tipped for major success this year is about a rape victim who seeks revenge on her attacker. Elle stars Isabelle Huppert, and won best foreign film at the Golden Globes earlier in January.

Clare Serre-Combe of Osez le Feminisme ('Dare Feminism'), said that feminist groups were extremely angry about the decision.

"We cannot let this pass," she told Agence France-Presse. "Making Polanski president is to snub rape and sexual assault victims.

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"The quality of his work counts for nothing when confronted with the crime he committed, his escape from justice and his refusal to face up to his responsibilities."

Shirley Kohn, an actor and producer, told Le Monde that it did not matter if the full details of the case were not know - "it's as if we were not taking this accusation of rape seriously. Are actors and cinema professionals ready to receive prizes from Polanski?"

Former French culture minister Aurelie Filippetti defended the director and said he "should be allowed to preside over this ceremony".

Speaking to France Info radio, he said: "It's something that happened 40 years ago. One cannot bring up this affair every time we talk about him because there was a problem back then. It's just an awards ceremony."

Polanski, who lives in Paris, has won the Cesar award for Best Director on four occasions, including for Tess, The Pianist, and The Ghost Writer.

He has not stepped foot on American soil since he fled in 1978, despite continuing to make films and work with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Last month it was decided that he would not be extradited to the US if he enters Poland.
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Stars of film, TV and music are planning to join the Women's March and send a message to America that Donald Trump will be held accountable for protecting their rights.

The slew of celebrities who attended former President Barack Obama's inauguration celebrations were noticeably absent from President Trump's.

In contrast, Olivia Wilde, Zendaya, Chloe Grace Moretz, Amy Schumer, Padma Lakshmi, Patricia Arquette, Cher, Uzo Aduba, Lupita Nyong'o, Julianne Moore, Lena Dunham, Katy Perry and Constance Wu are just some of the celebrities expected at the march taking place in Washington DC and in sister demonstrations across the US and in the UK.

Among the expected speakers are America Ferrera, who is serving as chairwoman, Janet Mock, Gloria Steinem, Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd and Angela Davis.

The Women's March official website reads: "In the spirit of democracy and honouring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore.

"The Women's March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights.

"We stand together, recognising that defending the most marginalised among us is defending all of us."

According to the Women's March on Washington Facebook page, 226,000 people have marked themselves as 'going', while a further 249,000 said that they were 'interested' in attending the event.

And that's just in Washington. Simultaneous marches are taking place across the US and around the world in an expression of unity, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

Hidden Figures star Janelle Monae will perform with the Indigo Girls.

She said in a statement to Billboard: "I am honoured to join this critical movement to bring justice and equality for all.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

"Music has always been a powerful tool for galvanising unity and I believe that singing and standing together, our voices will be stronger than any force that tries to repress us."

You can follow the Independent's live coverage of the Women's March in London, along with updates from the Washington event, here.
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Russia's Channel One has blamed the leak of the Sherlock season four finale on one of its employees, who it says "non-maliciously broke" the company's security protocols.

An investigation was launched by the BBC after a Russian language version of the show, featuring a three-second continuity announcement that linked it to Channel One, emerged online a day before the episode was due to air.

Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor demanded that all pirated versions of the episode be taken down, while the show's creators urged fans not to watch the leaked version.

A BBC source reportedly said that the leak was "more than an accident" while an official spokesman said: "BBC Worldwide takes breaches of our stringent content security protocols very seriously and we have initiated a full investigation into how this leak occcured."

However a statement from the network on Friday blamed a single employee, spoke of a "gross dereliction of duty" and promised that content security had been "completely revised".

"We regret to confirm that one of our employees non-maliciously broke our strict security protocols," Channel One said. "As a result of this gross dereliction of duty, the file leaked online.

Sherlock season 4 in pictures Show all 7 1 /7 Sherlock season 4 in pictures Sherlock season 4 in pictures Mark Gatiss and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Una Stubbs as Mrs Hudson in Sherlock Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016 Sherlock season 4 in pictures Mark Gatiss in Sherlock Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Toby Jones in Sherlock Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Martin Freeman in Sherlock Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Martin Freeman, Amanda Abbington, and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock Copyright: Hartswood Films 2016. Sherlock season 4 in pictures Amanda Abbington, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Martin Freeman in Sherlock Hartswood Films 2016

"We would like to reassure our partners and viewers, that as a result of this incident, we have completely revised our content security procedures to ensure that this does not happen again, and we apologise to Hartswood Films, BBC Worldwide and Sherlock fans everywhere who have been impacted by this leak."

BBC Worldwide, which is the commercial arm of the BBC, said in a new statement: "Further to Channel One's findings that this was an isolated non-intentional content security lapse on the part of an employee, BBC Worldwide welcomes their reassurances that they will be tightening security procedures to eliminate any similar future risks, and we will work closely with them to ensure this happens."
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In just three years, Four Pillars Gin has won prestigious awards for each of its four mainstay spirits. So it might surprise you that the distillers behind the drink are not based in London, the city synonymous with gin, but in Australias wine country. They are among distillers at the vanguard of the emerging Australian craft spirits scene.

And what might make traditional gin buffs balk further is that they learned their techniques by travelling from the US hipster enclaves of Portland, Oregon to San Francisco.

From the onset we knew we wanted to make a more contemporary style. We love London dry gin but we felt the world didnt need another one made by three bald Australians, says Cameron Mackenzie, a distiller and co-founder of the firm.

Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Show all 16 1 /16 Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Matt Jones, Cameron Mackenzie and Stuart Gregor of Four Pillars Gin Four Pillars Gin - In pictures The Australian Christmas Gin Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures The distillery in the Yarra Valley Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures Four Pillars Gin - In pictures

Yet, while the founders of Four Pillars are trying to combat the laughable idea that Australians only drink wine and beer, Mackenzie says the outsiders perspective is understandable. After all, the distillery is based in Healseville, in the Yarra Valley.

Australia produces some cracking wines, and for a long time we were seen as a beer-swilling nation. Thats one of the hardest battles for us  getting people to realise that incredible spirits are being made right here in Australia, he tells The Independent.

And these are producers that have been awarded medals at some of the most prestigious spirit competitions around the world. Our Australian spirits are up there with the best of them in terms of quality and taste, and now were taking them to the world.

There is West Winds over in Western Australia, McHenrys down in Tasmania and Starward Whiskey in the heart of Melbourne, just to name a few says Mackenzie.

Its an added bonus, then that the support offered by the wine community is incredible, he says.

Four Pillars gins borrow influences from across the world, including spices from Asian, Mediterranean citrus fruits, and native Australian botanicals, including the abundant lemon myrtle and Tasmanian pepperbery leaf which the makers say add a lemon panacotta and warmth to the drinks.

We also use fresh organic oranges in the botanical basket rather than dried peel. Its quite unusual to use fresh citrus in a distillation but we are very fortunate to have fresh citrus all year round so we just cut them in half and vapour infuse them for around six hours.

Its bloody delicious and a very different character to orange peel, he says.

Mackenzie founded Four Pillars with Stuart Gregor, his friend of twenty odd years who he met in the wine industry, and marketer Matt Jones. Working to build the business since 2011, they released their first gin  Four Pillars Rare Dry  in 2013. It took around 18 months to perfect the recipe.

Some of this was our Breaking Bad phase where we tested botanicals in a small lab still.

We were always big gin drinkers, he says. This background in wine helped them to create Four Pillars spirits. Unlike vodka, where the optimum drink is tasteless, a delicious gin, like a wine, has well-balanced and interesting flavours.

Since then, the Rare Dry Gin has been awarded medals at a number of prestigious international competitions including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016 and 2014, Gold at the Global Gin Masters 2016, and Gold at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Competition 2014. Our Navy Strength Gin was awarded Trophy for Best Gin at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition 2016, and has been twice been awarded Master status at the Global Gin Masters (in 2015 and 2016).

When the team started out, the Australian spirits industry was still emerging, he says. Now, some 45 Australian gins making up the nations healthy craft distilling scene.

Most gins or whiskeys were sold close to their distillery or from farm gate. We launched in late 2013 and found there was incredible interest in not only premium gin but Australian distilling. Since our launch the number of distilleries in Australia has grown enormously.

Mackenzie pins their success to the artisan food and drink scene taking over the globe, where customers  both those who drink socially and bartenders - are more interested in the provenance of what they consume, but also the story of the brand.

Its not just gin  there are some truly world-class whiskeys, rums and vodkas being produced in Australia too. Its an amazing industry and its a really exciting time to be a part of it.

Tying in with the experimental nature of the craft beer and spirits scene, the team also invites bartenders to visit its small distillery to create new drink. The Bartender Series include the Spiced Negroni Gin in collaboration with 2010 Australian Bartender of the Year Jason Williams; the Modern Australian Gin made with the leading restaurant company Rockpool Group.

And the team are happy to continue being ambassadors for the burgeoning Australian spirit scene.

Almost everywhere we travel we meet bartenders and drinkers who have never tasted an Australian spirit! We are known for wine and beer and coffee and produce.but the time is now right for Australian craft spirits and Australian gin has quite a compelling story. We are pretty excited to keep telling that story.
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Baking requires trust. Its a belief that your hands can transform simple ingredients  flour, sugar, butter  into something much greater than the sum of its parts. Its an act of faith when you close the oven door, confident that a bit of magic will happen and something delicious will emerge that makes someone smile.

Trust  the kind needed for baking  is in short supply when a new batch of trainees first walk through the doors of Luminary Bakery. The bakery, a social enterprise located in Londons Stoke Newington, helps women, who are homeless, have been in the prison system, victims of domestic violence, or in the sex trade, learn how to bake.

The bakery got its start at Kahaila Cafe on Brick Lane, but in 2016 it got its own bricks-and-mortar home, thanks in part to a donation from the London Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund. In addition to the training programme, Luminary runs a wholesale bakery supplying tray bakes, cakes, cookies and biscuits to restaurants, cafes and bars. Now the goal is to open its own retail cafe on site this spring.

The women enter the six-month training programme with no baking knowledge and leave with the skills to get a job. Trusting people is initially quite difficult, says Alice Boyle, co-founder of the Luminary Bakery. They have their guard up. They dont want to trust the support workers. They dont want to support the other people in their team They dont want to trust the bakers. And often they dont feel like they can trust themselves to produce something really well or even to commit to being here every week.

Boyle says that many trainees suffer from anxiety, panic attacks or severely low self-esteem. She tells the story of when they showed a trainee the loaf of bread shed baked. When the loaf came out of the oven, we brought it to her and said, This one is yours. She looked at it, No, its not. And we said, Yes, it is. It has your name on the tin. And it just looked so perfect. She burst into tears and said, I cant believe I did that. And its a moment like that when she slowly but surely realised she can do it.

Luminary Bakery graduate Tina understands that feeling all too well. She never baked growing up. We werent allowed to cook or do anything and if I did I would have been mocked. Her confidence was so low that she almost didnt show up on the first day. Thats half the battle, confidence, isnt it? Tina says. The last two years have been very difficult. Ive been homeless. I was living in a park. I was squatting. If she (Alice) hadnt come that Summer to the hostel where I was living I wouldnt be in a good place.

There are so many women  hundreds of thousands  who have experienced these things so were never going to address all those things and all those people, Boyle says. But what were doing is helping a few people well, so theyre completely supported. Whats really exciting is to see them then help others.

After graduation, Tina went on to a training programme at the Centre for Better Health in Hackney, where she studied how to make sourdough bread. Now shes back at Luminary as a teacher, sharing her passion for sourdough and starters with the latest group of students. The hope is that like Tina, everyone who graduates will find work whether its in baking or another field, such as a recent graduate who is pursuing a degree in psychology and comes back to help trainees prepare to enter the workforce.

Its not just baking skills, says Boyle. We also help them learn life skills like how to manage money, how to manage their emotions and how to get on well at work with your colleagues. Luminary also launched an enterprise course that helps budding culinary entrepreneurs get the support they need to launch their own food businesses.

(Luminary Bakery (Luminary Bakery)

The people in the hostel, we do want a purpose, somewhere to go and feel like you can do something, says Tina. If you put us with the rest of the people applying for a job, were not going to get there because we dont have that confidence, we havent worked for a while. And we do need someone who is slightly more caring and understanding. If there were more places like this that help you up, wed get more people into work.

National Baking Week: Ready, steady, book a break Show all 4 1 /4 National Baking Week: Ready, steady, book a break National Baking Week: Ready, steady, book a break bake.jpg National Baking Week: Ready, steady, book a break bakeportugal.jpg National Baking Week: Ready, steady, book a break bakemorocco.jpg National Baking Week: Ready, steady, book a break bakehollywood.jpg

The transformation is massive and thats all down to Alice. We need more people like her, dont we? Tina adds. I ask her what shed like to do in the future. Shes reticent and says she doesnt like to think about the future too much. For now, shes happy to be working, out of the hostel, and living in a flat, reunited with her cat. But then she pauses before she says smiling, Maybe one day Ill be wealthy and I can make Luminary Bakeries everywhere.
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Nearly half of men believe women are at least partially to blame if they are drunk or wearing a short skirt when they are sexually assaulted.

Around 38 per cent of men and 34 per cent of women believe women must take some responsibility if they are attacked on a night out, according a new study of 8,000 adults by the Fawcett Society.

For men aged 18-34, 41 per cent believe the woman was partially to blame  with 14 per cent saying it was completely her fault.

But among older generations, it is women who are more likely to blame each other if they are attacked.

Some 55 per cent of women over 65 believed it was partially a womans fault  compared to 48 per cent of men.

This suggests the influence of so-called "lad culture"  where the sexual assault and humiliation of women can be viewed as "banter"  is still a particular problem among young people.

The Fawcett Societys chief executive Sam Smethers said: "I can think of no other crime where we are so ready to blame the victim, but here women are being held responsible for the behaviour of their attacker.

"It reveals just how deep-seated our readiness to blame women runs within our culture.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

This resonated with the young women we spoke to who told us about the lad culture they experience on a daily basis and the way they have to manage the situation if they are approached in a bar, for example. Just saying the word no can escalate to violence.

In the report, titled Sounds Familiar, the charity suggests this is because hostility to women remains disturbingly high.

Around 18 per cent of men aged 25-34 and 14 per cent of those aged 18-24 agreed with the statement that they did not want the women in my life to have equality of opportunity with men.

Recommended A backlash against feminism is growing

Twenty-four per cent of men aged 18-24 and 33 per cent of men aged 25-34 said they were actively hostile towards feminism, felt excluded by feminism or thought feminism was irrelevant to modern life.

The report was released to coincide with a worldwide Womens March to protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump as the new US President.

More than 2.5 million people in more than 30 countries were marching in towns and cities against the new Commander in Chief.

In London alone more than 100,000 people were believed to have joined from march from the US embassy in Grosvenor Square to Trafalgar Square with many more marches around the country.
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Close to 100,000 protesters have marched on London to express their opposition to Donald Trumps presidency. Womens March On London was one of hundreds of protests taking place in major cities around the globe to mark the politicians inauguration.

Womens Marches took place in cities around the world to protest the inauguration of the controversial president, who has been sued for allegedly denying accommodation to African Americans while a real estate mogul and also been recorded appearing to brag about sexually assaulting women.

Mr Trump has dismissed criticism against him, insisting his comments about sexual assault were locker room banter which people should not take seriously.

The marches welcome protesters of all genders and say their mission statement is to take a stand against growing right-wing political sentiment in all its forms, including homophobia, transphobia, anti-Muslim bigotry, misogyny, class prejudice and racism.

Throngs of demonstrators at the London event marched from Grosvenor Square in Mayfair, past the US embassy and onto Trafalgar Square. Many bore placards highlighting Mr Trumps misogynistic comments, allegations of racism or his refutation of climate change.

One woman carried her infant daughter in one arm and a placard in the other. It read: So she will never question her self worth  why Im marching.

Another woman among the crowd wielding a sign reading Keep your tiny hands off womens rights told The Independent: When I heard the march was [happening] I couldnt not come out today and join it. I dont want to look back on Trumps presidency in years to come and think Id not done what I could do resist it.

A pair of protesters carrying placards in support of Black Lives Matter, the anti-racism movement which originated in the US in response to police brutality against African Americans, said: Were worried about what Trumps election says about the state of the world  about the state of poorphobia, misogyny and racism.

 Thousands attend Women's March on London protest against Trump

The crowds shouted slogans against the politician, including calling for impeachment and vowing that women would fight back against any attempt to further reduce their rights under his administration.

Marches were held in cities around the world from Dublin to Cape Town, Budapest to Kolkata.

The largest Womens March took place in Washington DC, the same site as Mr Trumps inauguration, where an estimated half a million people took to the streets. Unconfirmed reports suggested more protesters attended the Washington Womens March than supporters who attended the inauguration itself.

The business mogul turned politician has some of the lowest approval ratings among the American public at this stage in his presidency. Just 37 per cent of citizens say they approve of him, compared to the 80 per cent support which Obama enjoyed at this stage in his own presidency in 2009.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

While Mr Trump won the electoral college vote, he failed to win majority support among voters- with the majority instead going to his rival Hillary Clinton.

The initial reaction for many feminists upon Mr Trump's election in November 9 as results trickled in, was one of stunned silence and shock. However, it appears their frustration has now boiled over into angry and a vocal desire for change, which will now form an unignorable back drop to the next four years of Mr Trump's presidency.

As London protesters arrived at Trafalgar square, politicians and activists addressed the crowds, after which music and dancing broke out before the crowds dispersed. As they left, protesters tucked their banners into the railings around Trafalgar Square, creating the appearance of an anti-Trump shrine through hundreds of placards, balloons and posters.

It is yet to be seen what specific actions will form part of a Trump presidency, including whether the concerns about potential attacks on minority rights are justified. However, the strong show of support through the marches across the globe suggest the world will be watching over the next four years.
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Ministers have been accused of failing young people in mental health units, after revealing there have been 11 deaths in just four years.

Campaigners have reacted with horror at a higher-than-expected total  and because the Government claimed it did not know the number of deaths before 2013.

Worse, ministers have been accused of failing to come up with a plan to end the confusion and secrecy surrounding those deaths and to learn lessons from them.

Hopes that details of any future fatalities would be given to Parliament and independently investigated had been dashed, the campaigners said.

The controversy has blown up after the Department of Health (DH) admitted, last year, that it was unaware how many young people had died as mental health in-patients.

Inquest, a charity for bereaved families, had highlighted some really shocking cases, including the deaths of a 14-year-old girl who tied a scarf around her neck and a 15-year-old boy with a history of self-harm.

At one point, DH said four deaths of young people in mental health units had been recorded  while Inquest estimated there had been nine.

William Doan's art tackling mental health Show all 13 1 /13 William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health William Doan's art tackling mental health

Now, in a statement, health minister Nicola Blackwood has told MPs: Officials have now made a detailed assessment of the available data.

I can confirm that there have been eleven deaths of patients under the care of mental health inpatient services, both inside and outside of the premises since January 2013.

It is not possible to provide an accurate figure on the number of deaths prior to this time period, due to the commissioning arrangements and data collection methods which were in place at that time.

Ms Blackwood said DH would now notify the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide if a self-inflicted death has occurred.

And she pointed to an ambitious transformation programme already put in place to give mentally-ill young people the support they need.

But the response was condemned as complacent and inadequate by Deborah Coles, the director of Inquest  in particular, the failure to promise independent investigations of deaths.

Ms Coles said: Theres no commitment to that in this answer.

The death of a child in the care of mental health services is a human rights issue, in the same way as a death in a prison, or a young offenders institution, or in police custody.

We hoped the Government response would be to promise both independent investigations and parliamentary scrutiny, and the opportunity for families to be represented at an inquest.

We hoped the Government would recognise they had failed in the past and would now move forward with more transparent oversight, to show that lessons had been learned.

We really hoped that children in mental health services would  particularly after Theresa Mays speech on mental health  be treated as a high political priority.

This response is complacent and inadequate. It is not the comprehensive answer that we were looking for.

Ms Coles said the pledge to notify the National Confidential Inquiry was inadequate, because it cant scrutinise individual circumstances.

And she added: They are still not able to give accurate figures prior to 2013.

 Theresa May dodges question on 'theft' of child mental health funding

Thats inexcusable  they should be able to find that information given that there would have been an inquest at some point.

But, in the response, Ms Blackwood added that the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt now received an immediate report of any death in a childrens inpatient mental health settings, or on home leave from such services where they occur.

Furthermore, local health leaders would be required to improve their understanding of deaths arising from problems in care and demonstrate the learning and action that follows.

Ms Blackwood said: We know that we need to improve the system of investigating deaths of mental health patients.

The Government and local providers are working hard on the implementation of the Mental Health Taskforce report [which] will address these issues and the House will be kept informed.

The written statement was published on a Friday, the day when most MPs are absent from Westminster.

In June last year, an inquest jury ruled that neglect had contributed to the accidental death of 14-year-old Amy El-Keria, while under the care of the Priory hospital, in London.

Amy died after tying a scarf around her neck on the day she had told staff that she wished to end her life.

In September, the lack of resources for childrens mental health services was described as a national scandal at the inquest into the death of Christopher Brennan, 15.

Christopher was found unconscious at a south London hospital, six weeks after admission because his family and local mental health services felt unable to keep him safe at home.
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Theresa May will be one of the first foreign leaders to meet President Donald Trump, White House officials have confirmed.

The Prime Minister will be holding talks with the 45th President on Friday and will fly to Washington DC for a "couple of days".

Plans to meet Ms May were pushed forward by Steve Bannon, Mr Trumps chief strategist, as the new administration look to secure a strong relationship with Britain.

Ms May is set to visit without any other cabinet ministers and the details of the trip have apparently been worked on over the last week, according to The Telegraph.

Officials on both sides of the Atlantic are apparently intent on emulating the relationship between Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan in the 1980s.

They are really, really keen to capture the Reagan-Thatcher idea: A new populist in the White House and a strong woman in Number 10. They want to rekindle that as soon as possible, a government source told The Telegraph.

A senior White House Official confirmed Ms May's plans but Downing Street has not yet released any information about the trip, Sky News reported.

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

Ms May had been overtly critical of Mr Trump in the past and there were fears the President would choose to shun the Prime Minister.

During the 2016 campaign period Ms May suggested she disapproved of the way Mr Trumps campaign had been conducted and said he was "just plain wrong" on his comments about policing in London and British Muslims.
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The Labour Party has launched an attack ad against Ukip leader Paul Nuttall, who is expected to pose a real threat to Labour in the forthcoming by-election in Stoke.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted a video about Mr Nuttall, with the warning: Voters of Stoke, if you value your NHS then dont vote for this man who wants to sell it off #CarefortheNHS.

In the footage, MEP Mr Nuttall brands the NHS is a monolithic hangover from days gone by.

Unfortunately  or fortunately, should I say  were becoming an older population, and quite frankly I would like to see more free market introduced into the health service, because this is the way that we have to go in the long term, Mr Nuttall adds.

The video was released as it was confirmed that Mr Nuttall would contest the seat of Stoke-on-Trent Central, left vacant after Labours Tristram Hunt quit politics to become director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Other parties have yet to announce their candidates.

Mr Hunt was re-elected in 2015 with a reduced majority of just over 5,000  and Ukip will see this as a very winnable seat, given that Stoke-on-Trent came out as the most pro-Brexit city in the UK in the EU referendum. Almost 70 per cent of voters there backed Brexit.

Ukip finished second in the seat in the 2015 general election, just 33 votes ahead of the Conservatives in third place, and Mr Nuttall has gone on the attack against the so-called metropolitan elite in Labour for "neglecting" traditionally working-class areas like Stoke.

Recommended Ukip leader says NHS privatisation debate could come this century

The Labour video was tagged with the warning: Theres one thing you should know about Paul Nuttall  he supports greater privatisation of the NHS.

Attack ads, common in the US, have been becoming more popular in the UK in recent years.

Online advertising is free from the strict rules that govern television campaigns, with both Ofcom and the Advertising Standards Authority saying they have no power to regulate them.

In the last general election campaign, the Conservatives used an online and poster campaign of a beaming Ed Miliband outside Number 10 with former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond to warn against handing power to the SNP in the event of a hung Parliament.

During the 2015 campaign, the Labour Party said it would not run attack ads, but would focus on issues rather than personalities.

But last year, Labour made an online ad featuring the then Chancellor, George Osborne, in a dodgem car to claim that he didnt understand the importance of fair taxation.

Party sources have also announced that senior Labour MP Jack Dromey is to run Labour's by-election campaign in Stoke.

This follows a meeting where the Labour leader was quizzed about his election strategy by Labour MPs, who view the two forthcoming by-elections  the other is in Copeland, Cumbria  as a critical test of Mr Corbyns leadership.
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Theresa May will be one of the first foreign leaders to hold talks with President Donald Trump, it has been reported.

The Prime Minister could fly out to Washington DC as early as next Thursday to meet with Mr Trump and visit for a couple of days, government sources were quoted as saying.

Plans to meet Ms May were pushed forward by Steve Bannon, Mr Trumps chief strategist, as they look to secure a strong relationship with Britain, according to The Telegraph.

 Theresa May: the UK is a "hub for foreign investment"

Despite overtly criticising Mr Trump during the 2016 campaign period, Ms May is hopeful of being able to work effectively with the new President, Downing Street reportedly said.

Ms May had previously suggested she disapproved of the way Mr Trumps campaign had been conducted and said he was "just plain wrong" on his comments about policing in London and British Muslims.

I take a simple view about the way I like to see campaigns being conducted, Ms May said at the time.

I like them to be conducted in a calm and measured way with proper consideration of the issues.

 Farage: Brexit and Trump the start of a 'global revolution'

The details of the trip have apparently been worked on over the last week and Ms May is set to visit without any other cabinet ministers.

Officials on both sides of the Atlantic are allegedly intent on emulating the relationship that Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher shared in the 1980s.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

They are really, really keen to capture the Reagan-Thatcher idea: A new populist in the White House and a strong woman in Number 10. They want to rekindle that as soon as possible, a government source told the Telegraph.

There are currently no plans to visit the Presidents country retreat in Maryland, Camp David, and instead it is thought Mr Trump will opt for a more business-like approach.

Ms May is likely to bring up the topic of a trade deal between the two countries as well as seeking assurances over Mr Trumps stance on Russia and Nato.
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Theresa May said she remains "confident" a trade deal with the United States can be signed, in the wake of Donald Trump's inauguration speech that signalled a return to protectionism and trade deals that would only benefit America.

The Prime Minister is set to visit Mr Trump in Washington DC next week and said she would hold "very frank" talks with the new President, who last week indicated a trade deal with the UK could be done quickly and properly.

In his inaugural address, President Trump said that "every decision on trade... will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

On Friday the White House website was updated, with all mention of climate change removed, and a specific section on trade deals added, which states that trade policies will be implemented by and for the American people.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mrs May said: "I'm confident we can look at areas even in advance of being able to sign a formal trade deal.

"Perhaps we could look at barriers to trade at the moment and remove some of those barriers to open up that new trading relationship."

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is currently in Burma, and told reporters he was "very optimistic" about a US/UK trade deal but said "it's got to work for the UK as well".

"I think that the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line for a new trade deal and obviously that's extremely exciting and important," he said.

Ms May distanced herself from remarks by the new President that the EU was a vehicle for Germany and that he would welcome its break-up.

Mrs May said: "I'm also confident the USA will recognise the importance of the co-operation we have in Europe to ensure our collective defence and collective security."
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Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave.

"I believe it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed," Mr Jammeh said in a brief statement on state television. He promised that "all the issues we currently face will be resolved peacefully."

Regional armies, who entered The Gambia late on Thursday, were poised to remove him by force if required, as even his army chief, who had stood beside the former coup leader, recognised election winner Adama Barrow as the new commander-in-chief.

West African leaders Alpha Conde of Guinea and Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz travelled to the capital Banjul on Friday to allow Mr Jammeh one last chance to cede power peacefully.

"I can assure you that he has agreed to leave," Mai Ahmad Fatty, Mr Barrow's special advisor, told Reuters in Senegal's capital Dakar on Friday. He could not say where Mr Jammeh would go into exile.

Recommended Former Gambia president Yahya Jammeh given until noon to leave country

Mr Barrow, who won the 1 December poll by a slim margin, was sworn into office at The Gambia's embassy in Dakar on Thursday and immediately called for regional and international support.

West African militaries announced soon after that they had crossed into The Gambia, which is almost completely surrounded by Senegal.

"The rule of fear has been banished from The Gambia for good," Mr Barrow told a crowd gathered at a Dakar hotel on Friday. "To all of you forced by political circumstances to flee our country, you now have the liberty to return home."

The Gambia's army chief General Ousman Badjie, who had been perhaps the last remaining pillar of support for Mr Jammeh, said he would welcome, not fight, the regional force.

"We are going to welcome them with flowers and make them a cup of tea," he told Reuters. "This is a political problem. It's a misunderstanding. We are not going to fight Nigerian, Togolese or any military that comes."

The military operation was halted late on Thursday to give mediation a chance.

A midday deadline was extended on Friday as negotiations, which diplomats said were focusing on a deal that would grant Mr Jammeh immunity from prosecution, continued.

One regional diplomat said the delegation was planning to spend the night in Banjul and Mr Jammeh was looking for "extremely solid guarantees" before leaving.

"There is a real possibility this could work. I don't think he is going the (Saddam) Hussein route," he said, referring to the Iraqi leader who was arrested in 2003 following an invasion, then tried and hanged.

Mr Jammeh, in power since a 1994 coup, initially conceded defeat to Mr Barrow before back-tracking, saying the vote was flawed and demanding a new ballot.

During his 22 years in power, Mr Jammeh, who once vowed to rule The Gambia "for a billion years", has been accused by rights groups of torturing and killing perceived opponents. And some Gambians were angered by the prospect of granting him immunity.

"I don't want that man to escape punishment from us," said Lamin Darboe, 35, a Gambian shopkeeper who was present at Mr Barrow's speech in Dakar on Friday. "Wherever he moves to we'll follow him there and grab him."

Late on Thursday, Mr Jammeh dissolved the government  half of whose members had already resigned  and pledged to name a new one.

His estate, located almost on the border with The Gambia's sole neighbour Senegal, was heavily fortified on Friday, witnesses said.

Ecowas says its intervention, dubbed Operation Restore Democracy, involves 7,000 troops backed by tanks and warplanes. Its forces entered The Gambia from the southeast, southwest and north.

Reuters witnesses saw a fresh convoy of more than a dozen trucks loaded with heavily armed Senegalese soldiers arrive at the border near the Senegalese town of Karang on Friday afternoon.

The size of The Gambia's army is unclear, but estimates range from 800 up to 2,500 soldiers.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said about 45,000 people, mainly children, have fled to Senegal since 1 January amid growing fears of unrest.

Thousands of tourists, who'd flocked to the popular beach holiday destination for a break from the harsh European winter, also left this week.

Reuters, AP
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Activists have blockaded Ubers US headquarters because of the companys links to President Donald Trump.

Ubers CEO, Travis Kalanick, recently joined Trumps new economic advisory board. The team also includes tech mogul Elon Musk, and the CEOs of private equity firm Blackstone and investment bankers JP Morgan.

A member of the group organising the action, Anti Police Terror, told The Independent employees could not enter the building, but people inside the building were free to go. Activists have blockaded all entrances to the building in downtown San Francisco.

Several of the protesters have locked themselves together with arm tubes outside every entrance to the building. Footage shows the protesters chanting: Donald Trump, go away. Racist sexist, anti-gay.

The activists have also blocked off San Franciscos busy Market Street, holding a large banner claiming that Uber collaborates with Trump. A brass band has also joined the blockade.

A Facebook Live video shows police arriving at the scene, but it does not appear that they have attempted to move on any protesters at the moment.

Cat Brooks, co-founder of Anti Police Terror, told The Independent she was protesting today to oppose Donald Trumps racism.

We targeted Uber because the tech industry has been increasingly pricing out black and brown people from the Bay Area, and actively profiting from their evictions.

A statement issued by the group earlier today said: Uber CEO Travis Kalanick is among the front ranks of the white supremacists, misogynists, and xenophobes who have answered the call to public service by joining Trumps Strategic and Policy Forum. Under a Trump administration run by the countrys most insulated ruling elites, the San Francisco-based companys anti-worker business model can be expected to thrive, even as it runs public safety regulations into the ground.
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A list of all the changes triggered by the swearing in of a new president would take a long time to compile.

But one, quick, change was the switching over of presidential twitter accounts. As Donald Trump took charge of the @Potus handle, a name that was made available to Barack Obama only two years ago, the outgoing president reclaimed his old handle and quickly started tweeting.

Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then well get back to work, he wrote.

In the meantime, I want to hear what you're thinking about the road ahead. So share your ideas with me here.

On Friday morning, his last as president, Mr Obama tweeted a couple of final messages from the official account.

Mr Obama wrote his final tweets from the official presidential handle on Friday morning

It's been the honour of my life to serve you. You made me a better leader and a better man, he said.

I wont stop; Ill be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humour, and love.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

He also tweeted a link to the website obama.org, where he and Michelle Obama had recorded a video message about what comes next for them.

After eight years in the White House, Michelle and I now rejoin all of you as private citizens, Mr Obama said.

We want to thank you once again from the bottom of hearts for giving us the incredible privilege of serving this country that we love.

Michelle Obama continued: First, were going to take a little break. Were finally going to get some sleep and take some time to be with our family, and just be still for a little bit.
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Donald Trump began his term as the 45th President of the United States at midday on Friday, and his first official act was to put his name to a number of important documents.

The new President signed into law his list of formal nominations to the Senate, and created a National Day of Patriotism.

He also signed a waiver which allows James Mattis to become Defence Secretary, despite the fact he has not yet been out of military uniform for seven years, bypassing a law designed to curb excessive military power.

However, viewers around the world appeared to be more interested in Mr Trumps distinctive handwriting than these first policy moves.

Tracey Trussell, of the British Institute of Graphologists [experts in the study of handwriting] has previously told The Independent that his large writing, upright slant and long tall letters indicate a whole host of characteristics about Mr Trump.

Ms Trussell said: His signature transmits wild ambition, dynamism, bravery and fearlessness.

"He's hungry for power and has both determination and stubbornness in spades.

President Trump's signature

She claimed that Mr Trump's style indicates that, despite his forceful nature, he is protective too, especially when it comes to his family.

Ms Trussell's analysis suggests that he isn't much of a listener, but is undoubtedly a tough negotiator - he excels at being hard lined, bold and direct."

Aside from some of the more apparent points, there were some surprises in the analysis, too.

Mr Trump is famous for his strong stances and viewpoints, but Ms Trussell pointed out that there is a sign in Mr Trump's handwriting of flexibility.

The long tall letters indicate "he's not quite as inflexible potentially as people think."

Mr Trump has recently shown signs of flexibility on several key campaign promises. The President has indicated that he will not scrap Obamacare, and that US taxpayers, not the Mexican government, will initially fund a border wall.

Follow updates from Inauguration Day here.
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Donald Trump delivered a rambling, boastful speech in front of 300 CIA staffers Saturday in an attempt to win over support in the intelligence community.

The meeting follows the multi-agency investigation that determined Moscow interfered with Novembers election to allegedly help Mr Trump win the presidencya report that the Trump administration and Russian President Vladimir Putin have vehemently denied.

While speaking at the agencys headquarters in McLean Virginia, President Trump hinted at using unlawful interrogation methods against terrorism suspects, complained about the way media outlets covered his inauguration crowds, and did his best to convince the CIA that hes behind the intelligence agency 1,000% despite likening them to Nazis a few days prior.

"We havent used the abilities weve got, he told his audience. Weve been restrained.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

The president was able to generate a few laughs from the crowd by describing journalists as the most dishonest human beings while complaining about the way crowds were portrayed by the media. He then claimed that 1.5 million people were in attendance while official estimates have counted between 200-250,000.

Pool reports later indicated that attendants who were cheering and clapping when Mr Trump spoke were not CIA staffers but people who accompanied Mr Trump, Washington Post fact-checker Gary Kessler wrote on Twitter. He later clarified that it was unclear exactly who the people were, but senior CIA members standing in front did not react until the end of the speech.

When he wasnt complaining about the news mediaalong with a false report of the bust of Martin Luther King Jr being removed from the Oval Officehe worked to mend the fences with the agency whose investigating his ties to Russia.

"There is nobody that feels stronger about the Intelligence Community and the CIA than Donald Trump," he said, appearing fawn over his audience. "I am so behind you. You're going to get so much backing."

Following the brief news conference, the Democratic National Committee criticized the president.

"After he finished ranting about crowd sizes on the National Mall, I hope President Trump sat down for an interview with the CIA to help with their investigation into his team's possible collusion with the Kremlin to win the election," DNC Senior Adviser Zac Petkanas said in a statement.

"Next, he can sit down with the FBI who have sought warrants to monitor his team for the same reason."
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He fought the campaign as a populist  and today from the most solemn stage, in his first defining speech as President, Donald Trump delivered a populist manifesto to his country. He would make America great again, and nothing a self-serving national elite or an ungrateful world would do would stand in his way.

I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear to faithfully execute... At exactly noon on Friday, the words that were virtually unimaginable even four months ago, wafted out over a rainy Washington and the world. And with them his country entered a new and uncertain future.

In the setting where Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt and John F Kennedy had taken the oath of office, a property mogul and reality TV virtuoso became the 45th President of the United States, and one unlike any other: without the slightest experience of public office, richer than any of his predecessors, the most unpredictable and surely the most divisive.

And he delivered a speech unlike any other: terse and blunt, and shorn of the soaring and cheering rhetoric that have marked every other inaugural address. There was little overt emphasis of unity, no evocation of a shining city on a hill, as per Ronald Reagan, no talk of an America as noble example for the rest of the planet. Mr Trump instead vowed to remake a country he portrayed as battered and dispirited, riven by violence, and neglected by a pampered establishment.

We are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you the people, he said at the very epicentre of power in the capital. For too long a small group in national government has reaped rewards, but the people bore the cost. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

But that was all changing, starting right here and now. What truly mattered was not which party controlled government, but which government is controlled by the people. Today will be remembered as a day when the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten will be forgotten no longer.

In front of him, a crowd flecked with those familiar red Make America Great Again caps and chanting U-S-A, U-S-A stretched away down the Mall. But its size appeared modest, a far cry from the millions who turned out for Barack Obamas inauguration eight years ago, when hope and idealism filled the air. This time, it was a hard Trumpian reality, of few smiles and a turning inward.

Throughout the day, unity and disunity battled for supremacy. The ceremonial part was thick with the former, epitomised by Mr Obama smiling and patting the back of his successor as they made their way through the Capitol building on their way to the formal transfer of power.

And no symbol was more poignant than a certain former First Lady: Hillary Clinton smiled bravely as she underwent the excruciating ordeal of watching the man she beat by three million in the popular vote embarking on the job that she and the rest of the world had expected to be hers. It was a sign of sorts that a polarised country could come together  if not in a resounding display of comity, then at least in the sense of wounds temporarily plastered over.

But behind the veneer of pomp and circumstance  the marching bands, the patriotic music, the shared drive from the White House to Congress by presidents 44 and 45  Americas political fissures, deeper and more personalised than ever, were plain. Some 60 Democratic members of Congress boycotted the ceremony.

Sporadic protests and confrontations between Trump supporters and opponents broke out on the streets. Police used pepper spray in at least one incident and reported numerous arrests. Saturday, meanwhile, may see a demonstration rival the crowd today, the Womens March on Washington that may draw 200,000 protesters.

Democrats might pay their respects to the office, but not to the man. Mr Trumps words today may have commanded the stage. But there was no forgetting the bullying, the coarse and vindictive tweets, the lies and exaggerations (truthful hyperbole in Trump-speak) that marked not just the campaign, but the transition as well.

But if Mr Trump was mindful of this, his speech, which might have been delivered three months ago in any of the Rust Belt states that handed him victory on 8 November, showed scant sign of it. The economy might be thriving, and unemployment stand at just 4.7 per cent. But the new President described closed factories as tombstones that dotted the county and scolded the federal government for spending billions of dollars defending other nations borders while refusing to defend Americas own.

 US president Donald Trump vows to put America first

He lamented not just the loss of jobs and factories, but also the disorder and violence in Americas cities. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now, Mr Trump said with his predecessor looking on impassively. We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, and in every foreign capital and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, from this day forward it's going to be only America first! America first!

The question now is how much is words and how much action. Once again the new President did his good cop/bad cop impersonation, first scolding Washington, then once inside the Capitol Building, joking and backslapping with some of the members of that very elite he had excoriated a few moments earlier.

Republicans have a total grip on Washington, and their President may soon have the chance to turn the Supreme Court conservative for a generation. But how relations will work out between Mr Trump and the party he hijacked and which still does not entirely trust him is anyones guess. The themes he sounded in his inaugural address were populist, rather than Republican or Democrat. As usual, they were fleshed out with few facts and fewer details. Washington, America and the world are set for a unpredictable ride.
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Donald Trump has begun his presidency by referring to his critics as the enemies.

Any hope that he might ditch the divisive rhetoric of his election campaign appeared to have been dashed by Trumps remarks as he arrived at the Freedom Ball to celebrate his inauguration as president.

Flanked by his wife Melania, the new president, whose angry tweets belittling opponents became a feature of his election campaign, asked a cheering crowd of supporters: Should I keep the twitter going or not? Keep it going?

As the crowd at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre roared approval of him continuing to tweet, Trump said: I think so, I think so.

You know, the enemies keep saying, oh, thats terrible, but, you know, its a way of bypassing dishonest media, right?

Trumps opponents were swift to pick up on the apparently sinister tone and what it might mean for critics of the Trump presidency. Some compared the remarks to those of the previous Republican president George W Bush, who had referred to Al Qaeda and the Taliban as the enemy, and suggested that Trump was now labelling his fellow Americans as enemies.

Trump repeatedly criticised the mainstream media on the campaign trail, and has continued to do so even after winning the election. During his first press conference as President-elect, at which he was questioned about a dossier full of unverified and disputed claims that Russia had compromising information about his activities, he refused to take questions from a CNN reporter whom he branded fake news.

After attending the Freedom Ball, Trump moved on to the Armed Services Ball at the National Building Museum, and again criticised the press.

Trump Inauguration protests around the World Show all 14 1 /14 Trump Inauguration protests around the World Trump Inauguration protests around the World Activists from Greenpeace display a message reading "Mr President, walls divide. Build Bridges!" along the Berlin wall in Berlin on January 20, 2017 to coincide with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United State Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World An activist holds up a sign at the "We Stand United" rally on the eve of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration outside Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York on January 19, 2017 in New York Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters burn a U.S. flag and a mock flag with pictures of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump outside the U.S. embassy in metro Manila, Philippines Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Filipino protestors hold placcards during a protest rally in front of the US embassy in Manila, Philippines, 20 January 2017. On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump's inaguration as the 45th president of the United States, Filipinos and Fil-Americans held a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila to denounce the incoming US president. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Hong Kong police officers and security guards look on as an anarchist protester belonging to the Disrupt J20 movement sits after using a heavy duty D-lock and motorcycle lock to chain himself to a railing at the entrance gate to the Consulate General of the United States of America in Hong Kong to protest the inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump, Hong Kong, China, 20 January 2017. Two activists were arrested and taken away by Hong Kong police during the demonstration. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A banner is unfurled on London's Tower Bridge, organised by Bridges Not Walls - a partnership between grassroots activists and campaigners working on a range of issues, formed in the wake of Donald Trump's election, which aims to build bridges to a world free from hatred and oppression. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Bridges Not Walls banner dropped from Molenbeek bridge in Brussels, Belgium, 20 January 2017, in an Greenpeace action part of protests Wolrd protest in solidarity with people in the US, the day Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds an anti-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump placard during a rally in Tokyo, Japan, Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A Palestinian protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and against US President-elect Donald Trump, on January 20, 2017, near the settlement of Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Banners on North Bridge in Edinburgh as part of the Bridges Not Walls protest against US President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Russian artist Vasily Slonov (L) and his assistant carry a life-sized cutout, which is an artwork created by Slonov and titled "Siberian Inauguration", before its presentation on the occasion of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in a street in Krasnoyarsk, Russia Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds a banner during a march to thank outgoing President Barack Obama and reject US President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration at a park in Tokyo, Japan, 20 January 2017. EPA Trump Inauguration protests around the World Palestinian demonstrators protesting this week against a promise by Donald Trump to re-locate the US embassy to Jerusalem Reuters

Speaking to soldiers in Afghanistan via satellite link, he said: I like them much better than I like the media. These are much nicer people, finer people.

Trump, however, appears to be sparing some sections of the media from his vitriol.

In his first tweet of the day on Saturday, the President praised the right-wing TV channel Fox News for the GREAT reviews of his inauguration speech.
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The White Houses webpage on civil rights has been deleted, just hours after Donald Trump was inaugurated as President.

Previously a page marking the history of civil rights in the US the page has now been removed. The page appears to have been replaced by one entitled Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Community which states there is a dangerous anti-police atmosphere in America as well as a tide of lawlessness associated with illegal immigration.

The move will risk infuriating more of his predecessors supporters, as Mr Obamas election as the first African American President is considered a major milestone in civil rights progress in the US.

 Trump: 'America first, America first'

No new page on civil rights appears to have been posted elsewhere on the site as a replacement for the old webpage.

The new webpage states: One of the fundamental rights of every American is to live in a safe community. A Trump Administration will empower our law enforcement officers to do their jobs and keep our streets free of crime and violence. The Trump Administration will be a law and order administration. President Trump will honor our men and women in uniform and will support their mission of protecting the public. The dangerous anti-police atmosphere in America is wrong. The Trump Administration will end it.

It continues: President Trump is committed to building a border wall to stop illegal immigration, to stop the gangs and the violence, and to stop the drugs from pouring into our communities. He is dedicated to enforcing our border laws, ending sanctuary cities, and stemming the tide of lawlessness associated with illegal immigration.

Supporting law enforcement also means deporting illegal aliens with violent criminal records who have remained within our borders.

 Donald Trump supporters boo mention of immigrants during speech

The webpage is one of a number which has been deleted from the White House website immediately after Mr Trump assumed office. Other pages include those on climate change and LGBT issues, other topics with which Mr Obama was closely associated during his presidency and which his successor has been deeply critical of.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

Mr Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in the traditional ceremony, accompanied by his family. He told supporters: Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another- but transferring it from Washington DC and giving it back to you the people.

For too long a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.

Washington flourished but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.

The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country.
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Hassan Jamils love affair with Donald Trump began in the thick of the American presidential campaign, when he found himself glued to his television screen on the other side of the world each night, transfixed by the billionaires beautiful hair, commanding presence and magnetic speaking style.

Jamil, who doesnt speak English, couldnt understand the Republican nominees words but said it didn't matter. The candidates forceful cadence told him everything he needed to know.

The night Trump clinched the presidency, Jamil made a decision that took his pregnant wife by surprise.

I decided that if my wife gave birth to a boy, I would 100 per cent name him Trump, he said.

Two weeks later, on 23 November, Hassans wife gave birth not only to a baby boy, but also to what appears to be a burgeoning Kurdish legend.

His name: Trump Jamil Hassan  AKA Little Trump.

Jamil, a 25-year-old father of three and Kurdish peshmerga fighter, said he was proud of his decision. What I like most and admire about Donald Trump is that he's a confident man and a successful businessman. He became a leader because he has self-confidence, otherwise he wouldn't be president.

Six thousand miles away, dossier-citing Democrats would beg to differ, perhaps, but Trump appears to have no shortage of proud fans in Kurdish areas of northern Iraq. Among a population that respects brash displays of masculine authority, expressions of undying loyalty and the kind of transactional dealmaking that the billionaire businessman touts as his trademark, Trump is enjoying a honeymoon full of cross-cultural appeal.

That appeal is not without expectation, though. Kurdish peshmerga fighters such as Jamil hope the new American president will return the loyalty they have displayed in the fight against Isis by supporting their long-standing quest for an independent state. Their autonomous region has flourished since Saddam Hussein was toppled by American forces nearly 14 years ago, ushering in a new era of security, economic growth and autonomy.

I'm a big fan of the Kurdish forces, Trump said in July, leading many to believe that he sympathises with the populations political goals.

Trumps stance on Kurdish independence is unclear, but Walid Phares, a Fox News contributor and one of Trumps foreign policy advisers, has made statements that seem to imply that US policy toward the Kurds may be malleable.

Mr. Trump has valued the role of the peshmerga and the Kurdish forces of Iraq against the advances of Isis, Phares told a Kurdish television station in June.

Now, after Daesh [Isis] is receding, how will the United States policy be with regard to the Kurds? he said. Definitely that is determined right now by the Kurds becoming allies to the United States. Then we would have our diplomats meeting Kurdish representatives and then together looking at the future and what could be done to strengthen that friendship.

Some Kurdish officials said they associate Republican presidents with starting the kind of high-risk, international conflicts that promise to remake political borders. Where others see recklessness, they see possible reward.

Our hope is that Trump and his administration will be bold enough to help the Kurds get independence, which is a basic right of the Kurdish people, said Shahab Goran, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Partys local committee in Dahuk province. Kurdistan can become another Israel for the US in the region.

Besides, he added, Kurdistan has a lot of oil and gas resources, and all this is about interests, so the US can get something in return for their support for the Kurds.

In the Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah, a large Trump poster now graces the side of a chickpea stand on the side of the road.

A Trump poster in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq (Peter Holley/Washington Post)

And in the city of Dahuk, about a 90-minute drive from Mosul  the front lines of the Iraqi governments fight against the Islamic State  a restaurant owner named Nedyar Zawity opened a new restaurant called Trump Fish.

I personally love Trump for this, Trump Fish owner Nedyar Zawity told Reuters, referring to the Presidents words of support for Kurds. The name Trump is beloved in Kurdistan.

Not to be forgotten, of course, is Little Trump.

This man is the first one in the whole Middle East who has named his newborn after Trump, Goran said. Trump should build a hospital or a school or a kindergarten for us because he is a rich businessman. We are proud that this child was named after him.

Goran and others said they were aware that Trump is a divisive figure in America. The controversy, they said, is a result of his success and the enemies it inevitably produced.

Not even Trumps inflammatory statements about banning Muslim immigration to the United States seem to deter his support in Kurdistan, where the population is overwhelmingly Muslim.

Trump himself mentioned that he doesn't like extremist Muslims, not all Muslims, Jamil said. We Kurds are Muslims, but we fight against Isis because they are extremists.

While many Americans were shocked by Trumps election, Jamil was not. He says he saw a Trump victory months before it occurred.

When a person has that much self-confidence, that person can win, he said.

He hopes that same belief in self manifests in his son someday. For now, he said, the only quality his infant shares with the president is their unique skin tone.

What colour is that exactly?

Reddish-orange, Jamil said.

 Washington Post
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When Donald Trump was elected President, it came as the Republicans kept control of both sides of Congress  meaning an easier route to pushing through any legislative agenda.

Mr Trump has proved to be combative in the run-up to him taking office, taking on China, journalists, Congressmen and women, and numerous others  primarily through the use of Twitter.

It is that combative nature that might worry some about the potential for clashes between Mr Trump and Congress over differences between the agenda of the Republican Party and the agenda of the Trump administration.

That is without the difficulty of the GOP itself between a party with its own fissures and factions  from the conservative Tea Party faction to the moderate Republicans. Many Republicans differ with Trump on issues such as free trade and worry he might be too willing to spend money that could increase budget deficits.

Mr Trump himself has appeared to potentially row back on a number of policies over the last week. The Presidents administration is seen as very pro-business  particularly when it comes to simplifying things like the tax code  but Mr Trump has recently criticised a key Republican Party tax plan, known as the border adjustment tax as "too complicated".

Even more troubling for some, the main aim for a Trump presidency of repealing and replacing Barack Obamas healthcare plan may not be as simple as it looks. The signature policy sought to extend health insurance to cover more Americans, and Mr Trump muddied the waters over a repeal this week by calling for healthcare insurance for all.

Trump Inauguration protests around the World Show all 14 1 /14 Trump Inauguration protests around the World Trump Inauguration protests around the World Activists from Greenpeace display a message reading "Mr President, walls divide. Build Bridges!" along the Berlin wall in Berlin on January 20, 2017 to coincide with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United State Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World An activist holds up a sign at the "We Stand United" rally on the eve of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration outside Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York on January 19, 2017 in New York Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters burn a U.S. flag and a mock flag with pictures of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump outside the U.S. embassy in metro Manila, Philippines Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Filipino protestors hold placcards during a protest rally in front of the US embassy in Manila, Philippines, 20 January 2017. On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump's inaguration as the 45th president of the United States, Filipinos and Fil-Americans held a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila to denounce the incoming US president. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Hong Kong police officers and security guards look on as an anarchist protester belonging to the Disrupt J20 movement sits after using a heavy duty D-lock and motorcycle lock to chain himself to a railing at the entrance gate to the Consulate General of the United States of America in Hong Kong to protest the inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump, Hong Kong, China, 20 January 2017. Two activists were arrested and taken away by Hong Kong police during the demonstration. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A banner is unfurled on London's Tower Bridge, organised by Bridges Not Walls - a partnership between grassroots activists and campaigners working on a range of issues, formed in the wake of Donald Trump's election, which aims to build bridges to a world free from hatred and oppression. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Bridges Not Walls banner dropped from Molenbeek bridge in Brussels, Belgium, 20 January 2017, in an Greenpeace action part of protests Wolrd protest in solidarity with people in the US, the day Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds an anti-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump placard during a rally in Tokyo, Japan, Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A Palestinian protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and against US President-elect Donald Trump, on January 20, 2017, near the settlement of Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Banners on North Bridge in Edinburgh as part of the Bridges Not Walls protest against US President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Russian artist Vasily Slonov (L) and his assistant carry a life-sized cutout, which is an artwork created by Slonov and titled "Siberian Inauguration", before its presentation on the occasion of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in a street in Krasnoyarsk, Russia Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds a banner during a march to thank outgoing President Barack Obama and reject US President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration at a park in Tokyo, Japan, 20 January 2017. EPA Trump Inauguration protests around the World Palestinian demonstrators protesting this week against a promise by Donald Trump to re-locate the US embassy to Jerusalem Reuters

The key to keeping such utterances from causing major problems may end up being the Vice President Mike Pence. He has been placed at the centre of the legislative agenda for Mr Trumps team  in a way that few Vice Presidents have.

In Mr Trump's first 100 days in office, Mr Pence will be leading the charge on a number of initiatives in Congress, such as rewriting Obamacare, senior Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway told Reuters.

He has the assurance and the green light to do so from President Trump, Ms Conway said.

He is a major part of every serious conversation and important decision that is made, especially when it comes to the legislative agenda, she added.

Mr Pence is seen by many on Capitol Hill as being affable and that could work to his advantage. But it wont remove all his issues. The fact that the calm Mr Pence and the more dynamic  to put it mildly  Mr Trump are such different characters could mean that many of the people negotiating with Mr Pence may not believe completely that he speaks for the President.

There is also the fact that Mr Pence's stance on many issues has raised the ire of Democrats  particularly his anti-abortion rhetoric, his work against gay rights, his opposition to measures aimed at womens pay equity in the workplace and his determination to repeal Obamacare.

If Republicans in the House of Representatives can rally around Mr Trump's agenda, Democrats will have few tools to block them.

But in the Senate, Democrats can use procedural moves to stop legislation that does not otherwise have support from 60 senators. Republicans control 52 votes in the 100-member chamber.

Beyond the Democrats, Mr Pence will have to smooth over some feelings of Republicans that Mr Trump took aim at during his campaign. It is useful that he has such a good relationship with Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House, whom Mr Trump clashed with repeatedly on the campaign trial.

So, while Mr Trump may back his own ability to get a deal done, he may end up relying on Mr Pence to make sure that his administration achieves what he claims it will.
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A bust of Winston Churchill has been returned to the Oval Office, after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

The statue was removed from the Oval Office by Barack Obama, who put it outside the Treaty Room in the private quarters of the White House.

A figure of Martin Luther King was put in its place in the Oval Office.

Recommended Barack Obama explains why he moved Winston Churchill bust

The decision provoked irritation among some conservative political figures, including Boris Johnson, who said it was a snub to Britain, amid inaccurate reports that it had been sent back to the British embassy in Washington.

Mr Obama always denied this, but said it was appropriate of the first African-American president to display a statue of the great civil rights leader in his office.

Mr Trump had previously hinted at returning the bust to its former place if elected, a cause vigorously supported by Nigel Farage.

Now, the first pictures of Mr Trump in the Oval Office appear to show the Churchill bust restored to pride of place.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

The Martin Luther King bust was still in the Oval Office as Mr Trump got to work on Friday, signing the first executive orders of his presidency.

The Affordable Healthcare Act, also known as Obamacare, was the first issue in his sights, and he gave instructions for it to be dismantled.
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The US Interior Department has reportedly been ordered to cease use of its official Twitter accounts, after the National Park Service shared two tweets implicitly critical of Donald Trump during his presidential inauguration.

An email sent to Park Service employees, obtained by Gizmodo, stated that all Department of the Interior bureaus must "immediately cease use of government Twitter accounts until further notice".

"We have received direction from the Department through [the Washington Support Office] that directs all [Department of Interior] bureaus to immediately cease use of government Twitter accounts until further notice," it said.

"Please ensure all scheduled posts are deleted and automated cross-platform social media connections to your Twitter accounts are severed. The expectation is that there will be absolutely no posts to Twitter.

"In summary, this Twitter stand-down means we will cease use of Twitter immediately. However, there is no need to suspend or delete government accounts until directed."

While the reason for the ban was not given, the announcement came shortly after the official Twitter handle for the Park Service, which is part of the Interior Department, posted two retweets that appeared to be unsympathetic towards Mr Trump.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

As the inauguration got underway, the National Park Service retweeted a message about the fact that climate change, civil rights and healthcare issues had been removed from the White House website.

Civil rights, climate change, and health care scrubbed clean from White House website. Not a trace," the tweet said.

The Park Service also later shared a second tweet by a New York Times reporter comparing a photo of the crowd at Barack Obamas inauguration with one of the gathering at the Mall on Friday afternoon.

Both retweets were later removed from the agencys Twitter feed. A government official reportedly said the agency was investigating whether the retweets were purposeful, errant or whether weve been hacked".

The Interior Department has dozens of official Twitter accounts and 10 bureaus, including the Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Geological Survey.

One organisation within the National Park Service, the Mount Rainier National Park, confirmed on their Twitter account that they would not be providing Twitter updates until further notice, but did not give a reason why.

The Independent has contacted the National Park Service for comment. A spokesman for the agency, Thomas Crosson, told the Washington Post that he could not currently comment on the tweeting ban.
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Pat Fitzgibbons was seated beneath a statue of General Winfield Scott Hancock and she was clapping her hands.

The general, a dirty green colour, looked rather sad. By contrast, Ms Fitzgibbons, from New Jersey, looked positively delighted.

It would be a bold person who tried to guess whether supporters of Donald Trump outnumbered those opposed to him on inauguration day. But at the US National Archives, one of the main sites where people were expressing their anger and fury towards the Americas new president, Ms Hancock was definitely in the minority.

I think we need a change, she said, explaining why she voted for him. I want him to create more jobs and to cut taxes.

By sharply chiselled contrast, many people gathered at the archives were adamant that they did not even consider Mr Trump their President. As the New York tycoon was sworn in, they booed and hissed, their noise drowning out the words of Mr Trump being broadcast over loudspeakers, as he promised to protect and defend the Constitution.

As he spoke, delivering a speech that many believed was more likely to further stoke the USs divisions rasher than heal then, they shouted out their disagreement. They carried banners and signs, or at least as many as they were able to get past the security check.

 Lessons in eloquence with Obama and Trump

Im opposed to Donald Trump on a number of levels  both about his tone and his substance, said Larry Udell, 68, a philosophy teacher from Philadelphia. And I do not agree with his plan to create jobs by cutting taxes.

Victoria Najlis moved to the US from Nicaragua thirty years ago. Now she works in a health department in Atlanta. She had flown to Washington to voice her opposition to Mr Trumps fiery and frequently racist rhetoric about immigrants and Hispanics.

The night he was elected, it felt as though somebody in my family had died. There was such grief, she said. I am very worried about what will happen to immigrants in this country.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

David Beigel, a child psychologist from Washington, said he believed America had been founded on a idea of fairness towards each other, along with freedom of speech.

We just elected a half-logical narcissist who wants to turn things back to the 1950s when any sort of dissent got met by McCarthyism, he said.

Betsy Andrews had travelled from New York with two friends. She said all three of them were gay.

She said: He is anti-women, anti-immigrant, anti-women, a sexual assaulter  [Mr Trump has denied a number of accusations of sexual assault]  and he has appointed people to his cabinet who are just going to make sure more money goes to the wealthy.

The Trump supporters who were present, were  in the large part  keeping a largely low profile.

We came because were Trump supporters, said Tom Campbell, a service technician from Yorktown, Virginia. We voted for him because we did not want Hillary Clinton imposing her liberal agenda.

And what policies of Mr Trump did he particularly like? He said: His plan to build a wall and his plan to bring jobs back to America.
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A petition calling for the immediate release of Donald Trump's tax returns has reached the 100,000 signatures needed to prompt a White House response.

The petition, posted to the White House's official website on Friday, demands for the new President to "immediately release [his] full tax returns, with all information needed to verify emoluments clause compliance."

It states: "The unprecedented economic conflicts of this administration need to be visible to the American people, including any pertinent documentation which can reveal the foreign influences and financial interests which may put Donald Trump in conflict with the emoluments clause of the Constitution."

 Obama leaves note for Trump as he exit Oval Office for last time

The White House petitions web page states that if a petition obtains 100,000 signatures within 30 days, the administration will issue an official update within 60 days.

Mr Trump was dogged by reporters and rivals during the election campaign to release his taxes, but he refused to do so because he said he is under audit", while claiming that reporters were the "only ones who care" about seeing them.

A poll carried out several days before the billionaires inauguration revealed three quarters of Americans  including half of Mr Trump's supporters  want him to release his tax forms, an increase from just 63 per cent of Americans in September.

Almost half  49 per cent  of his supporters said he should release his returns, while 94 per cent of Hillary Clinton supporters agreed.

Trump Inauguration protests around the World Show all 14 1 /14 Trump Inauguration protests around the World Trump Inauguration protests around the World Activists from Greenpeace display a message reading "Mr President, walls divide. Build Bridges!" along the Berlin wall in Berlin on January 20, 2017 to coincide with the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United State Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World An activist holds up a sign at the "We Stand United" rally on the eve of US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration outside Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York on January 19, 2017 in New York Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters burn a U.S. flag and a mock flag with pictures of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump outside the U.S. embassy in metro Manila, Philippines Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Filipino protestors hold placcards during a protest rally in front of the US embassy in Manila, Philippines, 20 January 2017. On the eve of President-elect Donald Trump's inaguration as the 45th president of the United States, Filipinos and Fil-Americans held a protest in front of the US embassy in Manila to denounce the incoming US president. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Hong Kong police officers and security guards look on as an anarchist protester belonging to the Disrupt J20 movement sits after using a heavy duty D-lock and motorcycle lock to chain himself to a railing at the entrance gate to the Consulate General of the United States of America in Hong Kong to protest the inauguration of United States President-elect Donald Trump, Hong Kong, China, 20 January 2017. Two activists were arrested and taken away by Hong Kong police during the demonstration. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A banner is unfurled on London's Tower Bridge, organised by Bridges Not Walls - a partnership between grassroots activists and campaigners working on a range of issues, formed in the wake of Donald Trump's election, which aims to build bridges to a world free from hatred and oppression. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC, U.S. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Bridges Not Walls banner dropped from Molenbeek bridge in Brussels, Belgium, 20 January 2017, in an Greenpeace action part of protests Wolrd protest in solidarity with people in the US, the day Donald Trump sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds an anti-U.S. President-elect Donald Trump placard during a rally in Tokyo, Japan, Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A Palestinian protester holds a placard during a demonstration against the construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and against US President-elect Donald Trump, on January 20, 2017, near the settlement of Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Banners on North Bridge in Edinburgh as part of the Bridges Not Walls protest against US President Donald Trump on the day of his inauguration Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World Russian artist Vasily Slonov (L) and his assistant carry a life-sized cutout, which is an artwork created by Slonov and titled "Siberian Inauguration", before its presentation on the occasion of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in a street in Krasnoyarsk, Russia Getty Trump Inauguration protests around the World A woman holds a banner during a march to thank outgoing President Barack Obama and reject US President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration at a park in Tokyo, Japan, 20 January 2017. EPA Trump Inauguration protests around the World Palestinian demonstrators protesting this week against a promise by Donald Trump to re-locate the US embassy to Jerusalem Reuters

High-profile figures including billionaire investor Warren Buffett have claimed that being "under audit" was not a valid reason to hide the returns.

Releasing the tax documents would clarify whether or not the new President has previously paid taxes on his commercial empire, and any business deals with Russia.

Prior to the election in November, the billionaire businessman admitted during a debate that he had taken advantage of a tax loophole and used a loss of almost $1 billion in 1995 to avoid paying federal income tax for the next two decades.
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Donald Trump has promised to act quickly on his first full day as President of the United States.

Following the pomp and ceremony of the inauguration, Mr Trump, a light sleeper who says he often manages on just four hours a night, woke early and was scheduled to attend a national church service at Washington Cathedral with wife Melania.

A visit to CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, was thought to be on his schedule, although this could be postponed as the agency is technically without a leader as Mr Trumps nomination, Mike Pompeo, has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.

If it goes ahead, the visit will receive close scrutiny because of Mr Trumps disparaging comments about the reliability of intelligence following the publication of the so-called dirty dossier about him.

 Donald Trump's five key pledges

During the bitterly fought election campaign against Hillary Clinton, Mr Trump made several promises as to what he would do on his first day in the Oval Office  including the deportation of illegal immigrants who have criminal records.

We will begin moving them out, day one. My first hour in office, those people are gone, he told a cheering campaign rally in Phoenix, although he later said that he meant his first Monday in charge.

Although commentators have cautioned against taking Mr Trump too literally, he also vowed to suspend immigration from terror-prone countries and to impose extreme vetting on others.

He further pledged to immediately end Mr Obamas policy of protecting undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as young children.

And he said he would announce his intention to withdraw or renegotiate from the North America Free Trade Agreement and to abandon the pursuit of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

During his inauguration ceremony, Mr Trump again reiterated that he would put America first  indicating that he will indeed pursue protectionist trade policies.

From this moment on, it's going to be America First. We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and hire American, he said.

Mr Trump has said that on his first day in charge, he will repeal Obama-era rules restricting where oil drilling and other energy production are allowed  although he may find this requires a long legislative process.

He further promised that on day one, he would indicate his support for the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring petrol from Canadas oil sands to Gulf coast refineries, a project Mr Obama decided against.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

A call to the United Nations may form part of his plans, as he said he will inform officials of his desire to cancel US financial commitments to the UN climate change programme, again on day one.

In a nod to the powerful US gun-lobby, the President promised to act to get rid of gun-free zones around schools and other community facilities.

My first day, it gets signed, OK? he said at a January rally in Burlington, Virginia.

My first day. Theres no more gun-free zones.

Many of these first-day pledges require Congress legislation, and so cannot possibly be accomplished on a single day.

Mr Trump has also said he will meet with senior Pentagon officials on his first day to discuss the threat posed by Isis and other terrorist groups.

I am also going to convene my top generals and give them a simple instruction: They will have 30 days to submit to the Oval Office a plan for defeating Isis, Mr. Trump said in Greenville, North Carolina, during the campaign.

The White House website has been overhauled to replace Mr Obama's policies with Mr Trump's agenda.

The new administration lists just six issues on the website - energy, foreign policy, jobs and growth, military, law enforcement and trade deals, with no mention of civil rights, LGBT rights, healthcare or climate change.
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One of Donald Trumps first acts as President was to increase the cost of mortgages for low-income and first-time buyers.

The Republican suspended one of the final decisions by former President Barack Obama that would have cut Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insurance premiums by 0.25 per cent, meaning the average borrower would save around $500 (400) a year.

The cut was expected to help a quarter of a million more people afford home loans over the next three years.

 Trump's bizarre signature overshadows first official act as President

But some Republicans had opposed the rate cut, fearful that if the loans could not be repaid, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) would need a bailout from the Treasury.

In 2013, the FHA received a $1.7bn (1.37bn) rescue package to help it cope with consequences of the collapse of the housing bubble.

However, announcing the cut earlier this month, the outgoing Obama administration said sufficient progress had been made since the bailout to justify cutting rates for ordinary Americans.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

Mr Obama's Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro argued that after four years of straight growth and with sufficient reserves on hand to meet future claims, it's time for FHA to pass along some modest savings to working families.

But announcing its decision to freeze the rate cut, the Trump administration emphasised its duty to taxpayers, saying: More analysis and research are deemed necessary to assess future adjustments.

It said it was considering potential market conditions in an ever-changing global economy that could impact our efforts.

Now, the rate will remain at 0.85 per cent, rather than 0.6 per cent.

At his confirmation hearing, Mr Trumps pick for HUD Secretary, Ben Carson, indicated he thought mortgage loans did not necessarily need government backing.

Recommended What Donald Trump has planned on his first full day as President

The neurosurgeon-turned-politician  who has previously opposed government schemes that encourage what he calls dependency  indicated he was open to private companies playing a larger role in providing home loans to poorer households.

Mr Carson also said he was surprised by the Obama administrations FHA rate cut, vowing to really examine that policy if he was confirmed as HUD secretary.

The cut in rates would have come into force on 27 January had it not been suspended.
 Close Thousands join London Women's March

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More than half a million have gathered in Washington to protest Donald Trump's inauguration, while millions of others - including an estimated 100,000 people marching through London - have taken part in demonstrations around the world. Here are how events unfolded:

Please wait a moment for the live blog to load

Women's Marches are a collective of events against the 45th President are taking place at different cities around the world. The London march is expected to be among the biggest outside the US, with thousands of protesters attending from noon.

Thousands more are expected to march on New York and Washington, while protests have also taken place in countries including Australia and New Zealand.

Organisers say they decided to organise the action due to their distress and dismay at the politician's election. Although originating in the US, off-shoots soon emerged around the world as others overseas sought to show solidarity.

Mr Trump was criticised for expressing misogynistic beliefs during the election campaign. Such criticisms intensified as video footage emerged of the politician appearing to gloat about committing sexual assault.

He has also been accused of having "ableist" attitudes after mocking a journalist who has a disability.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

Concerns have also been raised that Mr Trump denies climate change and has been critical of LGBT rights.

The march is billed as "woman-led" but welcomes "people of all genders".

In its mission statement, the march organisers say: "We will march, wherever we march, for the protection of our fundamental rights and for the safeguarding of freedoms threatened by recent political events. We unite and stand together for the dignity and equality of all peoples, for the safety and health of our planet and for the strength of our vibrant and diverse communities.

"We will come together in the spirit of democracy, honouring the champions of human rights who have gone before us. Please spread the word, so that our numbers are too great to ignore and the message to the world is clear.The politics of fear and division have no place in 2017."

High profile speakers including Labour MPs Yvette Cooper and Stella Creasy are to address the crowds.
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Donald Trump split away from his inauguration festivities Friday to sign the first executive order of his presidency, which directed the federal government to begin dismantling Obamacare.

The wide-ranging, single-page order instructs government agencies to "waive, defer, grant exemptions from or delay implementation of any provision or requirement" of the healthcare law that could pose a fiscal burden on state, drug companies, individuals and insurers.

Since the Affordable Healthcare Act has been set in regulation, Mr Trump cannot fully repeal the 2010 law with executive action. Today's symbolic order fulfilled his campaign promise to immediately begin repealing his President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.

The memo also states that it's the administration's priority to "repeal and replace" the healthcare law. However, the president and Republicans have yet to propose a replacement for the law that currently insures more than 30 million Americans.

This order doesn't in and of itself do anything tangible, Larry Levitt, vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation, told Vox. But, it directs federal agencies to start taking steps to use their administrative authority to unwind the ACA in all sorts of ways. This is a signal that the Trump administration is not waiting for Congress to start making big changes.
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Twitter is investigating claims that users were unknowingly added to the @POTUS account after President Donald Trump took control of it on Friday.

Users complained they had been added as followers to official White House accounts after the transition, despite never following them before.

The accounts of @POTUS, @FLOTUS, @PressSec, @WhiteHouse and @VP were moved from Mr Obamas team to Mr Trump's following the President's inauguration.

Twitter said it was investigating the issue and the company's support account acknowledged the problem.

"We continue to work on the investigation and fix for the @POTUS migration," it tweeted. "Stay tuned!"

Jack Dorsey, Twitters CEO, responded to a user who said she was leaving the social media site because of the issue and just said: We are investigating.

During the transition, all the official tweets from Mr Obamas administration were moved to new accounts of @POTUS44, @VP44 and @FLOTUS44, allowing Mr Trump to start with no prior posts.

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. 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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. 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. 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Those who were following @POTUS under Mr Obama will be automatically following his new accounts and also Mr Trumps official accounts.

The President said he would continue to tweet from his personal account, which has almost seven million more followers than the official @POTUS handle.
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Severe weather including at least one tornado touched down in Mississippi Saturday morning, killing at least three people and destroying several homes in the city of Hattiesburg.

In the aftermath of the storm, people were trapped in their homes and Mayor Johnny DuPree issued an emergency declaration and told reporters that a search and rescue mission is underway in the city of more than 48,000 citizens.

There are conflicting reports as to how many people have died in the storm. The city of Hattiesburg has tweeted that at least four people were killed while CNN and ABC News confirmed only three. According to the National Weather Service, three to five inches of rain have already fallen.

The citys campus of the University of Southern Mississippi also reported excessive flash flooding and students were instructed to take cover at several locations.

Glen Moore, director of Forrest County Emergency Management, told ABC that his office received reports of people trapped in homes that were either destroyed or collapsed. "Search and rescue teams are being deployed to assist Forest County emergency management in the Hattiesburg area," his agency said in a statement.

Officials said that its too early to determine how many people were injured in the storm.
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President Donald Trump has filled his cabinet with former generals, millionaires and billionaires, but so far only two  Generals James Mattis and John Kelly  have made it through Senate confirmation hearings. For the rest, a veritable grab bag of people whose CVs do not necessarily match the jobs they have been granted, congressional approval is still required.

Recommended Donald Trump will be the most interventionist president in decades

Mr Trump, who failed to win the majority of the popular vote, had claimed he called former President Barack Obama for advice regarding whom he should appoint to the incoming administration. But the majority of the people he has officially named do not seem to reflect Mr Obamas input  which is not unexpected, given his criticism of the previous administration.

What concerns critics, however, is how many of Mr Trumps appointees maintain hard-line stances on progressive issues  including LGBTQ, civil, immigrant and womens rights. Others appear to go against his primary campaign promise to drain the swamp of Washington DC elite and Wall Street-lined pocketbooks. Additionally, his cabinet appointments has taken shape to be the whitest in decades  it is the first to not include a Latino nominee in decades.

So, who are the people who will now run the US?

Vice President-elect Mike Pence arrives a short time before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington DC (EPA)

Mike Pence

Vice President

Former Governor of Indiana

Mr Pence served in the US House of Representatives from 2003 to 2013. He has built a reputation as a hard line opponent of abortion. During his time as governor, Mr Pence passed a law requiring the burial for foetal tissues and remains  blocked by a federal judge in June. (photo: EPA)

Tillerson emerged as Trump's top pick this week (Brian Harkin/Getty Images)

Rex Tillerson

Secretary of State

Former ExxonMobil CEO

Confirmed: No

The nominee for Secretary of State has worked for ExxonMobil for 41 years; he became CEO in 2006. During his tenure as chief executive, he brokered a deal with Russia valued at approximately $500bn (409bn), per Vladimir Putins estimation. The arrangement earned Mr Tillerson the Russian Order of Friendship, the highest honour for a foreign national.

But 2014 sanctions imposed on Russia  which the oil giant lobbied against  prevented Exxon from continuing their business in the country. Many suspect Mr Tillerson would work to lift those sanctions despite Russias illegal annexation of Crimea, as well as further interference with Ukraine.(Brian Harkin/Getty)

Picture: (Getty Images / Alex Wong)

Gen James Mattis

Secretary of Defence

Retired Marine General

Confirmed: Yes

Mr Mattis is best known for leading the Marines during the 2004 Battle of Fallujah in Iraq. He had previously ignited controversy for making light of killing people during battle during 2005 remarks, bragging that its fun to shoot some people. The retired general diverged from the Presidents positions on foreign policy during his Senate confirmation, suggesting that he supports a tough approach to dealing with Russia, agrees with the Iran nuclear deal, and supports maintaining Nato. (Getty)

Picture: (AFP / Getty Images / Molly Riley)

Gen John Kelly

Homeland Security Secretary

Retired Marine General

Confirmed: Yes

Mr Kelly served almost five decades in the US Marine Corps, during which time he was responsible for all military activities in Central and South American while leading the US Southern Command. Should Mr Trump decide to go through with his proposed mass deportations, massive wall and Muslim registry, Mr Kelly would be responsible for overseeing those actions.

During his confirmation hearing, he distanced himself from those positions. For border security, he said he supported a more layered approach using technology and drones  like the system already in place at the Mexican border. One the topic of Muslim registration, Mr Kelly said it was not appropriate to focus on something like religion as the only factor to migrate to the US. (Getty)

Mr Sessions took the oath before giving his statement (Chip Somodevilla/Getty)

Jeff Sessions

Attorney General

Alabama Senator; former US attorney

Confirmed: No

Mr Sessions will oversee the department that rejected him for being too racist during confirmation hearings for a federal judgeship in the 1980s. The Alabama senator supports tough measures on immigration and criminal justice. Senator Cory Booker and Congressman John Lewis testified against Mr Sessions appointment, saying his confirmation would be a blow to civil rights.

The Alabama Republican has come under fire for comments he made about the NAACP and ACLU, calling them un-American organisations that were trying to force civil rights down the throats of people. After the leak of footage that captured the now-President bragging about sexually assaulting women, Mr Sessions said he did not believe grabbing a woman by the genitals was sexual assault. (Getty)

Picture: (AFP/Getty)

Steven Mnuchin

Treasury Secretary

Former Goldman Sachs executive; Hollywood producer

Confirmed: No

Although Mr Trump campaigned on the platform of removing Wall Street influence from Washington politics, he nominated Mr Mnuchin, who spent much of his career working for Goldman Sachs. During his confirmation hearing with the Senate Finance Committee, Mr Mnuchin failed to disclose $100m in assets and was interrogated over his use of offshore tax havens.

Mr Mnuchin bought IndyMac Bank, renamed it to OneWest Bank, during the financial crisis in 2009. He sold the business in 2015 for twice the price of purchase. While he was at the helm of OneWest, the bank carried out some 36,000 foreclosures. The company foreclosed on a 90-year-old Florida woman for a 27-cent payment error. (AFP/Getty)

(Getty)

Ryan Zinke

Interior Secretary

Montana congressman; former Navy Seal

Confirmed: No

Mr Zinke studied geology during his undergraduate studies and would be in charge of overseeing National Parks and other land development issues. During his time in Congress, he supported public use of federal lands, but has a consistent record of voting against environmental measures in favour of coal and gas extraction. (Getty)

(Getty Images)

Wilbur Ross

Commerce Secretary

Investor

Confirmed: No

Mr Ross represented Donald Trump when he found himself in financial trouble during the mismanagement of three of his failed Atlantic City casinos in the 1980s. The investor has a fortune of $2.9bn and has said that he will impose sweeping changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, and has endorsed tariffs on China. (Getty)

Picture: (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

Elaine Chao

Transportation Secretary

Former Labour Secretary under George W Bush; Former Deputy Transportation Secretary under George HW Bush

Confirmed: No

Ms Chao will be in charge of implementing the infrastructure reforms if Mr Trump does, in fact, carry out his promise to rebuild roads and bridges. Of the appointees, Ms Chao has met the least resistance from Congress. She is among the most qualified for her role compared to the majority of the administrations appointees. (Getty)

US's education secretary Betsy DeVos at her confirmation hearing (Getty)

Betsy DeVos

Education Secretary

Former Michigan Republican Party chair

Confirmed: No

Mr Trump plans to shrink the education department; and Democrats have criticised Ms Devos for apparent intent to privatise public schools. Ms Devos largely supports voucher programmes and charter schools. Although she has been involved in some educational activism, her efforts have largely been seen as diverting money from already existing public schools. Ms Devos contentious confirmation hearing was met with ridicule when she said teachers may need a gun in the school to protect from potential grizzlies, referring to a Wyoming elementary school. (Getty)

Mr Perry is likely to have a steep learning curve (AP)

Rick Perry

Energy Secretary

Former Governor of Texas

Confirmed: No

The former Texas Governor will be overseeing one of the departments he had previously argued to dissolve in his failed presidential bid in 2012. He will be in charge of overseeing the United States nuclear arsenal. A former adviser, Michael McKenna, stirred concerns when he told The New York Times that Mr Perry faced a learning curve upon taking the job. (AP)

Picture: (Alex Wong / Getty Images)

Tom Price

Health and Human Services Secretary

Georgia congressman; former orthopaedic surgeon

Confirmed: No

Mr Price has been a central voice in the GOP movement to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He has denied that the move would result in 20 million losing their insurance; he still has yet to indicate any plan Republicans have to replace the law. (Getty)

Ben Carson listens to a question from a reporter during a campaign stop in Las Vegas, Nevada (Reuters)

Ben Carson

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Neurosurgeon

Confirmed: No

Mr Carson, who ran for president, said that he was not qualified to run a government agency, but he still accepted Mr Trumps nomination to oversee the nations affordable housing programme. He has repeatedly criticised social assistance programmes, stoking concerns of fair-housing advocates. It still remains unclear why Mr Trump chose him to run the department. (Reuters)

Nikki Haley speaks at an event in Greenville, South Carolina, last year (Getty)

Nikki Haley

UN Ambassador

South Carolina Governor

Confirmed: No

Ms Haley has diverged from the Trump administration and admitted that Russia has committed war crimes in Syria. She has faced little resistance in her confirmation hearings. (Getty)

Picture: (Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty Images)

Scott Pruitt

EPA Administrator

Oklahoma attorney general

Confirmed: No

Mr Trump has promised to completely dismantle the Environmental Protection Agency. Appointing Mr Pruitt, the pro-fossil fuel advocate who is suing the EPA, would be consistent with that position. Mr Pruitt, however, admitted that climate change is real, despite the Presidents denial of science that proves otherwise. (Getty)
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Moscow has attempted to distance itself from US President Donald Trump, saying the Republican is not our man.

However, supporters of Vladimir Putin held all-night parties to celebrate Mr Trumps inauguration and Russian politicians hailed the property tycoons election as the start of improved relations with Washington.

President Putins press secretary Dmitry Peskov told Russian state broadcaster Vesti: He is not our man, he is America's man.

He is President of the United States of America.

It must be the biggest mistake by Western analysts, by some of our political analysts, to consider him being our man.

 US President Donald Trump and wife Melania dance at Liberty Ball

The Kremlin's statements come shortly after reports that US intelligence agencies were examining intercepted communications and financial transactions between the Presidents team and Russia.

The probe was said to focus partly on business dealings with Russia by some of Mr Trumps advisers, both past and present.

It has been reported that Mr Trumps former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is among those under investigation.

However a spokeswoman for the new President said: We have absolutely no knowledge of any investigation or even a basis for such an investigation.

And Mr Manafort told the New York Times that claims he had dealings with the Russian government were a Democrat Party dirty trick and completely false".

A Kremlin spokesperson said Mr Putin was expected to call Mr Trump in the coming days to congratulate him on taking office.

Mr Pescov told the BBC the Russian President was ready to meet Americas new leader, although the visit could take some time to organise.

This will not be in coming weeks, let's hope for the best, that the meeting will happen in the coming months, he said.

Russian state broadcasters have carried flattering reports about the former reality TV star, chronicling his business achievements and detailing his ritzy lifestyle.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

Senior Russian politicians also spoke with disapproval about anti-Trump protests and criticised CNN for speculating about possible succession if Mr Trump was assassinated in an attack on the inauguration day.

That atmosphere shows us the flaws of Western democracy, particularly in the United States, the ultra-nationalist leader, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, said in parliament.

Mr Trump's promises to fix poor relations with Moscow have delighted Russia's political elite amid spiralling tensions with Washington over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the US elections.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that while Mr Trump's policy toward Russia was unclear we are hoping that reason will prevail".

We are ready to do our share of the work in order to improve the relationship, Mr Medvedev said on Facebook.

Many Russians view Trump's presidency with high hopes, and some nightclubs and bars held parties to celebrate the inauguration.

One all-night party organised by a former Russian MP affiliated to Putins United Russia Party invited his Facebook followers to the event with the comment: See you in the evening. Washington will be ours.
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Uruguay has approved a ground breaking bill legalising marijuana, making it the first country to allow the growth, sale and consumption of the drug.

The decision was made by senators following almost 12 hours of debate late on Tuesday evening, with the bill passing with 16 votes in favour and 13 against in Congress. Congress' lower house had already approved the measure in late July.

The bill, which is expected to come into effect after April, allows Uruguayan residents registered on a database and aged 18 and over to purchase up to 40g (1,4oz) of the drug each month from licensed pharmacies.

The 120-day period gives authorities time to establish a control board in order to regulate standards, prices and the amount of the drug being consumed. Everyone involved in the production and sale of marijuana will have to be registered and licensed by authorities. License-holders will be limited to growing six plants in their own home per year.

Today is an historic day. Many countries of Latin America, and many governments, will take this law as an example, Sen. Constanza Moreira, a member of the governing Broad Front coalition, said after the bill was passed. The legislation was proposed by President Jose Mujica, who argued the global drug war was failing and said the bill could help tackle organised crime and drug cartels. The 78-year-old is now expected to sign it into law.

Supporters of the bill gathered outside of Congress in Montevideo waving green balloons and flags and with some smoking marijuana cigarettes. But the bill has also proved contentious among both the public and politicians - opinion polls suggest nearly two thirds of Uruguayans opposed the legislation.

Marijuana use is already legal in Uruguay but production and sale of the drug were not. Opponents of the bill are now warning against the potentially negative impact of health smoking the drug could have. Former Health Minister Alfredo Solari, a Colorado Party senator said he feared the law would make it easier for children to acquire marijuana. "The effects of this policy on public health will be terrible," he added.

Senator Pedro Bordaberry warned the Government not to "experiment" with the people of Uruguay. "We are not guinea pigs", he said on Tuesday evening.
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Donald Trump is so unpopular that there are even women marching against him in Antarctica.

The day after the inauguration of a president who bragged about grabbing women by their genitals, thousands will be marching in Washington and in more than 60 countries around the world, to stand up for human rights, womens rights and against hate.

And in Paradise Bay, a remote corner of Antarctica whose population normally comprises gentoo penguins, Weddell seals and the occasional humpback whale, a group of at least 30 women and supportive men will be joining the Womens March movement. They will march with banners proclaiming 'Penguins for Peace', 'Seals for Science', "Cormorants for Climate', and 'Love from seven continents'.

The Antarctic march is being organised by Linda Zunas, 42, a data analytics and market research professional from Oakland, California, who told The Independent she had been motivated by Donald Trumps apparent intention to reverse the environmental policies of Barack Obama.

I set it up because I wanted to participate in the Womens March, she said. I spent a month after the election mourning the impending damage to the earth that will be done. I felt like I needed to do something to be part of the global movement.

Describing the protesters as "an international group of eco-minded visitors" to Antarctica, Ms Zunas said: "They range in age from 24 to 87, male and female, from over six countries."

Because of the environmental sensitivity of the area, she explained, "The actual marching will be short as we have to limit our footprint on land."

 Thousands join London Women's March

The shortness of the march, however, would be compensated for by the uniqueness of the spectators.

"We hope to have gentoo penguins in the background of our march," said Ms Zunas.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

We are not discussing politics at all, she added, But you may infer our opinions based on our choice of day and topic.

Ms Zunas' own twitter feed also suggests she is not a fan of Trump.
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They started gathering before dawn, before the mist and fog had unwrapped itself from around the Washington Memorial.

They had arrived in planes and and trains and buses, packed themselves into cars and jumped onto the highway, and when they reached the nations capital they smilingly squeezed themselves and their banners into subway carriages, or else made their way on foot.

Organisers of the Womens March on Washington had hoped that up to 200,000 people would come. In the end, officials estimated that 500,000 or more showed up  far larger than the crowds who attended Donald Trumps inauguration the day before, and so big that officials were obliged to change the route and rule out a march towards the White House.

So many people turned out that organisers had to change the route of the march (AP)

Over the decades, the National Mall has been home to some extraordinary scenes, from Martin Luther Kings Dream speech in 1963, Louis Farrakhans Million Man March in 1995, through to the jam-packed celebratory scenes following the swearing-in of Barack Obama in January 2009.

On Saturday, the sight was no less startling, as hundreds of thousands of men and women, many of them wearing pink, pointed-eared pussyhats came together in an act of defiance and unity.

The messages they wanted to express and the placards they bore varied. But one common theme of the protest was that Mr Trumps agenda would not go unchallenged for the next four years, especially when it related to women.

We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war, said actress America Ferrera.

Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack, and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. We are America, and we are here to stay.

 Donald Trump's most offensive moments

The march in Washington was one of hundreds taking place across the country and around the world. Demonstrators gathered in every US state, in London, Paris and Sydney. There were even a small group of marchers in Paradise Bay, a corner of Antarctica.

In all, the number of sister marches was expected to top 600. Organisers said that up to three million people would be involved globally.

After several hours of speeches, and as movement in the Mall began to get difficult, the marchers set off. People clapped and cheered as they made their way west, heading for Independence Avenue.

Francis Clark, 50, a speech therapist from New York, said she did not feel she had a choice but to attend.

Peoples voices are not rising, those in power are not listening, she said. The first thing that Mr Trump did was to end the mortgage premium cuts, making it harder for someone to own a home. Its betrayal from day one.

Demonstrators arrive via public transportation to take part in a 'Women's March' to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump (Reuters)

Michelle Fortin had come from British Columbia, Canada. She was anxious about what Mr Trump would do to push back LGBT rights, reproductive rights and fail to fund education.

She said there was nothing about his proposals or personality that she liked. The only good thing is that he has emboldened us to get busy, she said.

The marchers were young and old, black and white, people of different religions and sexual orientation. Many mothers had come with their daughters. Frequently, three women together indicated a grandmother-motherdaughter combination.

And their chants varied constantly. Black Lives Matter, We want a leader, not a creepy tweeter, and the call-and-response of Tell me what democracy looks like  this is what democracy looks like.

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

One woman who said she had grown up around the struggle for the right to choose, as cemented by the 1973 Roe v Wade Supreme Court ruling, said it was appalling that her daughters generation may be having to refight those same battles. She carried a sign that read: We should not be having to do this.

Tamara Beus was walking with her husband. She said the issues that trouble her about Mr Trumps coming presidency, were too many to list. But she said she was particularly worried about press freedom, the likely repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and a hate and fear that had been given such a voice.

I think the damage he could do is great. said Ms Beus, from San Diego.

Victoria Pauley had arrived that morning on a bus from Augusta, Georgia, a journey that had taken her ten hours. She had got in at 10am, and the bus was leaving again at 7pm.

She said that living in a so-called red state, she  unlike millions of Americans  was not surprised by Mr Trumps victory.

But she had a message for him, all the same. I think Trump and I think Mike Pence might be even more of a threat, she said, referring to the Vice President, who has a long record of opposing reproductive services and opposing the LGBT community. I fear he is going to take away our rights.
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China has reacted nervously to Donald Trumps inauguration, with one state-controlled media outlet warning of dramatic changes and fires being lit by the new US administration.

International relations experts in China suggested the time had come for Beijing to make preparations for a sharp deterioration in relations with Washington.

Mr Trump frequently hit out at China during his campaigning, branding the Beijing government currency manipulators and implicitly threatening a trade war.

His inauguration speech did not directly reference the country, but he spoke about foreign industries being enriched at the expense of American jobs.

 Trump calls critics 'enemies' at inauguration ball as he vows to keep his Twitter account running

Speaking about the inauguration of Mr Trump, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Sino-American ties have had their ups and downs, but they have continued to move forward.

She maintained they would push forward from this new starting point to make greater progress".

However, other state-sanctioned voices were more damning.

Frictions between the US and its allies, and trade tensions between the US and China seem inevitable within the four years ahead, said an editorial by the Global Times, a pro-government tabloid newspaper with a reputation for populist rhetoric.

Adding that dramatic changes were on the way, the newspaper continued: The Trump administration will be igniting many fires on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn.

Chinese experts on their countrys relations with the US appeared equally bleak about the future.

A trade war between China and the US seems inevitable, Pang Zhongying, of Renmin University, told the South China Morning Post.

Beijing should make some worst-case scenario planning, even though the development may not be as bad as we have expected.

International relations professor Yu Xiang said Mr Trumps speech was aggressive as he urged the Chinese government "not to underestimate the challenges and difficulties we will be facing in Sino-US relations".

Other analysts thought increasing economic and trading difficulties could cause instability and security problems in the Asia-Pacific region.

The possibility of a real conflict was also hinted at by the China Daily, which said this would only create more defence orders for local companies.

It argued that an economic clash could benefit China in some ways and not be in the interest of the US.

Trade wars backfire easily, especially for a more advanced economy, the Dailys editorial said.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

If heavy protection is required for US manufacturers to make the same goods as can be made equally well in China or in Mexico, then it will hurt, rather than benefit, the competitiveness of the US economy.

However, other outlets were more guarded, reflecting the official line.

The state-owned Xinhua news agency, the countrys largest media outlet, played on Mr Trumps business savvy as it extolled the economic benefits of working with China.

He will soon realise that leaders of the two countries must use more mature and effective ways to communicate than trading barbs via Twitter, an editorial said.

Cooperation requires respect for each other's bottom line and prudence not to violate it.

Among all his alternatives, the least desirable for Trump is to act on his previous threats to slap punitive tariffs on his country's largest trading partner and label China a currency manipulator, as protectionism only stirs up retaliation.
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At least 22 people died and dozens more were injured after a bomb exploded at a busy vegetable market in north-west Pakistan.

More than 50 people were said to have been wounded in the attack in the Kurram area agency's regional capital Parachinar, as locals crowded into the market to buy fruit and vegetables.

Some of the wounded were taken to hospital in Parachinar, while others were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, reportedly due to the local hospitals lack of capacity to deal with such emergencies.

The explosion has been claimed by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a banned sectarian militant group known for attacking minority Shia Muslims. The group said they were acting with the Taliban.

That was our combined work with Shahryar group of Mehsud Taliban, Ali Sufyan, a spokesman for the banned group, wrote in a text message to an Associated Press reporter.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television that the remnants of militant groups targeted by security forces were trying to show their existence by such attacks.

Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces ... will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them, he said.

The attack took place in an area with a high Shia population, which has experienced a string of similar attacks over recent years.

The city of Parachinar has seen similar attacks by Sunni militants, and is widely considered the frontline of Pakistan's battle against an Islamist insurgency that began in 2004.
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Britain must relax immigration rules for Australians if it wants to strike a free trade deal with the country after Brexit, Australias high commissioner to the UK has said.

Alexander Downer, a former Australian Liberal Party politician and now high commissioner in London, said Canberra would seek greater access for businesspeople before reaching a post-Brexit trade agreement with the UK.

He also suggested that the UK should establish an easier system for Australian workers to obtain visas.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Mr Downer said: We would want to see greater access for Australian businesspeople working in the UK and thats often been a part of free-trade negotiations  it hasnt always been by the way, but its often been part of our free-trade negotiations.

It might just make it a bit simpler actually. For example, an Australian company that invests in the UK might want to bring some of its executives to the UK.

That can be done now with what are called tier two visas, but maybe that could be made a little bit easier.

The high commissioner added that talks had already taken place at a ministerial level between the two countries to explore the scope of a prospective free-trade agreement, but added that nothing could be negotiated until the UK formally leaves the European Union.

We have had discussions with them at all sorts of different levels, including ministerial level, and we have set up a working group to explore the scope of what a free-trade agreement might look like, he said.

We cant negotiate a free-trade agreement with the UK until the time is right. Obviously once the UK leaves the EU it can negotiate free-trade agreements, but not before then.

But we can scope it out and weve provided a scoping paper to the British Government to explain what we think the scope of a free-trade agreement should look like.

Australias trade minister Steven Ciobo said in October that starting talks before Britain formally cuts ties with the EU would not be legal, but added that it was keen on securing agreements promptly.

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

Mr Downers comments came after Theresa May made it clear that Britain would not remain a full member of the EU customs union after Brexit, saying the UK wanted to negotiate its own trade deals with the rest of the world.

During her first major speech on Brexit, the Prime Minister indicated plans for future trade deals with countries outside the EU bloc, saying: We have started discussions on future trade ties with countries like Australia, New Zealand and India.

I want to remove as many barriers to trade as possible and I want Britain to be free to establish our own tariff schedules at the World Trade Organisation, meaning we can reach new trade agreements not just with the EU but with old friends and new allies from outside Europe too.

During the speech, Mr Downer praised Ms May, tweeting that he welcomed her enthusiasm for a free-trade agreement with Australia.

Under current immigration rules, the tier two visa allows Australians to stay in Britain for a maximum of five years and 14 days.

People are eligible for this only if they have a skilled job in the UK, a certificate of sponsorship from their employer and a minimum of 945 in savings.

Australians also need to prove they will be earning an appropriate salary, which is usually at least 25,000, although there are exemptions to these rules.
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A man who drove his car into a crowded Melbourne street, killing four people including a child, had a history of mental health and drug abuse, police have said.

Named by local media as Dimitrious Gargasoulas, the 26-year-old was shot in the arm and then arrested by police after ploughing his car into pedestrians in the citys central business district.

Victoria Police said he was being treated for non-life threatening injuries in hospital.

 Melbourne car attack: Three killed as car ploughs into pedestrians

A police statement said the incident was linked to a stabbing that took place in a Melbourne suburb early on Friday morning involving parties known to one another.

Following this incident, it is alleged the same man took a woman, who is known to him, hostage in his car, the statement continued. She managed to escape from the car on the Bolte Bridge earlier today.

Recommended Baby ripped from pram in Melbourne car incident

Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said the suspect also had an extensive record of domestic violence.

Last weekend, he was arrested after police said he assaulted members of his family.

During todays incident, police tried to intercept his vehicle, but called off the chase before he entered the centre of the city because he was driving so erratically.

Two adults and a child died after being struck by the car, Mr Ashton said, and a fourth person died in a hospital on Friday night. Police did not release any details of that victim.

Another 15 people were injured, with five in critical condition, including an infant.

Additional reporting AP
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Frances presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has told a far-right conference 2016 was the year the Anglo Saxon world woke up.

The Front National leader was among anti-immigration and populist parties who gathered at a conference dubbed the European counter-summit in Koblenz in Germany.

Parties including the Alternative for Germany (AfD), Dutch Freedom Party and Italys Northern League outlined their plans for a patriotic spring in Europe.

They were joined by former Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson, who is now an independent member of the European Parliament after being expelled from the party over an expenses claim made by a member of her staff.

 Marine Le Pen claims no difference between her policies and Ukip

Ms Le Pen told cheering crowds: 2016 was the year the Anglo-Saxon world woke up. 2017, I am sure, the people of continental Europe will wake up.

It's no longer a question of if, but when.

The Front National leader, whose father was convicted over racial hatred, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, denounced the EU as a force of sterilisation and attacked German Chancellor Angela Merkel  whose name was booed loudly  for her refugee policy.

Crowds chanted the Nazi era term Lugenpresse, which means lying press and was named Germanys non-word of 2015, after several major news outlets were banned from attending that years far-right conference.

Despite the occasional anger, the general mood was celebratory after a year that saw Brexit, the election of Donald Trump and election surges for previously fringe parties.

Yesterday, a new America. Today  hello Koblenz  a new Europe! said Geert Wilders, the leader of the anti-Islam Dutch Freedom Party.

The people of the West are awakening. They are throwing off the yoke of political correctness.

Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell

This year will be the year of the people ... the year of liberation, the year of the patriotic spring.

His party could win the largest percentage of votes in the Netherlands parliamentary election in March, while Ms Le Pen is now considered a serious contender in the French presidential election.

Ms Merkel is battling to prevent her party losing seats to the anti-immigration AfD in September, when Frauke Petrys increasingly radical Eurosceptic party expects to enter the Bundestag for the first time.

The meeting of the Europe of Nations and Freedom group in the European Parliament also featured Matteo Salvini of Italys Northern League and Harald Vilimsky, the general secretary of Austrias Freedom Party, which last year narrowly failed to win the countrys presidency.

We are experiencing the end of one world and the birth of another, Ms Le Pen said. We are experiencing the return of nation-states.

She claimed the first real blow to the old order was Junes vote for Britain to leave the European Union, followed closely by Mr Trumps shock election victory.

Geert Wilders, of the Dutch PVV, Frauke Petry, of Alternative for Germany, Harald Vilimsky, of the Austria Freedom Party, Marine Le Pen, of the French Front National, Matteo Salvini, of the Italian Lega Nord, and Janice Atkinson at a conference in Koblenz on 21 January (Getty) (Getty Images)

The new President, already close to Ms Le Pens ally in the European Parliament, Nigel Farage, will not support a system of oppression in Europe, she said.

Marcus Pretzell, one of the AfDs MEPs and Ms Petrys husband, denied accreditation to German public broadcasters and several other news outlets because he did not like how they reported on its party.

He opened the congress by lamenting the current state of the EU, the Schengen zone and the Euro, as well as claiming that we have a problem with political Islam.

Left-wing protesters staged a sit-in outside the hall shouting slogans including no border, no nation, stop deportation.

Not far away, demonstrators from the global Avaaz activist group placed statues of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin, among others, in front of a landmark statue of German Kaiser Wilhelm.

Activist Pascal Vollenweider said the statues of the dictators were meant to send a strong message to the nationalist politicians meeting that global citizens are rejecting their old dangerous ideas.

They are not fascists in jackboots, its a different type of fascism, of course, but if you look at the ideas ... its very dangerous, and we have to face it: these guys are carrying old, dangerous fascist ideas, he added.

This item has been amended to make clear that the expenses claim over which Ms Atkinson was expelled from Ukip, was made by a member of her staff, not her. The only person charged over the incident was Christine Hewitt, the aide in question. We are glad to clarify matters. 24/1/17
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A family Rottweiler attacked and killed a 14-month-old baby in northern France.

Police say the dog, in the familys courtyard in their Saint-Aubin home in Aisne, jumped on the baby girl and bit her in the head on Thursday morning.

A gendarmes spokesman also told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that another dog, a Russian Jack Russell, joined in during the attack and bit her several times.

The mother and girl couldnt do anything, he said. The attack was extremely violent. The dog jumped at the girl who was in the yard of his home with his mother and bit her on the head.

The girls heart had reportedly already stopped, after a cardiac arrest, when rescue workers arrived, and she died on the spot.

The spokesman said the Rottweiler was shot dead by a hunter after running from the scene, and that the local mayor will decide whether the Jack Russell is put down.

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

Owners in France must have permits for breeds classed as dangerous dogs, which include Staffordshires, Pitbulls, Mastiffs and Tosas.

Those without a permit can be fined up to 750 (650).

Anyone charged with owning a dog who caused a persons death can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined 75,000 (65,000).
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Kuwait, 28 February 1991

What kind of people would do this? Thats what we kept asking ourselves in Kuwait City yesterday. Day had been turned into night, so thick was the canopy of smoke, the nations oil wells burning gold and orange along the black-fringed horizon, Hieronymus Bosch courtesy of the Iraqi army. They had even used the modern equivalent of a torture wheel. All day, Kuwaiti men, young and old, approached our car with their terrible stories. They twisted my son on a pole and broke his legs with pieces of wood, a stooped old man said. They thought he was in the resistance. Now they have taken him away, with all the others, as a human shield. Then there was Heather Rennison, an English woman married to a Kuwaiti. A cousin of my mother-in-law was arrested. She was only 19 and they had found two-way radios in her bedroom. Three days later they came to her home to ask her parents for clothes and blankets. So her parents thought she would be all right. Then the Iraqis hanged her and dumped her body outside her home. There were burns from electricity on her arms and legs. Of course, the Iraqis kept the clothes and blankets.

Perhaps one needed to walk the pavements of Kuwait City yesterday to understand the extent of what the Iraqis did, that it really does amount to a war crime. I will show you the mosque where they shot 11 men on Friday, a bearded man shouted from his car.

The Abdullah Othman mosque stands in the Palestinian Hawali quarter. The bearded man pointed to a yellow wall. The Iraqis said that all those at prayer would be taken away  kidnapped  and 11 men stayed in the mosque and refused to go. So they brought them here, blindfolded them, made them stand with their backs to the wall and shot them in the face. The bullets that had hit the worshippers heads were embedded in the yellow wall. Dont be surprised, the man said. I had two neighbours who the Iraqis thought were in the resistance. So they pushed them into drains, closed the grille, poured petrol on them and set them on fire. Their families buried them later  you cant leave bodies in drains.

The figure of 5,000 Kuwaiti men abducted in the last hours before Iraqs retreat seems fantastic until you find as I did yesterday  that the first three families who offered lifts to various locations in Kuwait City had all lost sons as hostages. The young men had simply been ordered into Iraqi army buses as they walked to work. Three thousand men and women murdered here, the Kuwaitis also tell you. Who could do this?

It is comforting, in trying to come to terms with a reign of terror, to search for some logical reason, historical hatred perhaps, or some aberrant unit of the Iraqi secret police. But this would be fanciful. What is one to think when one walks, as I did, through the smoking embers of the National Museum, fired by the Iraqis on Tuesday? Or the gutted interior of the parliament? Or the still burning library in the Seif Reception Palace  its golden clock tower smashed by a tank shell  where I found, lying on a chair, the remains of a book entitled The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi? What kind of people burn museums and libraries?

Outside the museum, Kuwaits collection of historic wooden boats had been burned to cinders. The Islamic house lay in ruins. The walls of the Emir of Kuwaits Dasman Palace had been torn down with explosions and bulldozers. The Iraqis had used tanks to shoot at the parliament. The great hotels had been systematically fired. The Iraqis had even planted explosives in the bedrooms of the Meridian Hotel. It was like a medieval army which conquered, looted and then burned even on an individual level.

Boat owners found their yachts stolen or deliberately sunk in the marinas. Shopkeepers found their stores burned if they could not be looted. At an abandoned anti-aircraft gun on the coast  where the Iraqis mined the lovely beaches against a non-existent American amphibious landing  I came across piles of brand new womens shoes, made in France, none of them matching, all wrapped inside Iraqi army blankets along with body-building magazines. Why did they do this, these soldiers? Why had they stolen, too, an exhibition display of womens eye shadow? There were cartridge cases across the forecourt of the great museum, bullet-holes in the cracked walls of the building that once contained Kuwaits finest national treasures. What was he thinking, this soldier, when he opened fire at a museum?

The seafront restaurants have been torn down, the high, glass-covered landmark water towers machine-gunned. At al-Ahmadi, the Iraqis set off explosives every hour at the two oil farms, each containing 20 tanks. The fine old British White House there was burned down along with the control room that operates the oil pipelines.

I suppose one sensed in Kuwait yesterday that something very wicked, at times evil, had visited this city. Not just an occupation army, not even the Iraqi Baath Party apparatus, but something which intrinsically links dictatorship and corruption. Down with the dirty Fahd, Sabah and Hosni Mubarak, said a blood-red graffito on the wall of one of the burned palaces.

Long live Saddam Hussein. In the little, looted museum of Kuwaiti peasant art, I found a poster of Saddam stapled to the wall. Most victorious of all Arabs, the great leader Saddam Hussein  God bless him, the caption said.

Whoever uttered such prayers? Colonel Mustapha Awadi, of the Kuwaiti resistance movement, offered to show me. In a bleak housing estate in the suburb of Quwain, he took me to a school  the Iraqis used schools as interrogation centres  and in a classroom I found 16 young Iraqi soldiers. They sat on the floor, legs crossed, moustachioed, miserable, ordinary men with tired, dirty faces and grimy uniforms. They were happy to surrender, the colonel said. See? We even give them food and tea. I promise they will be handed over unharmed to the Kuwaiti Army.

Two of the men had been wounded in the face  their bandages were fresh and they all smiled when I greeted them and when they heard me tell the colonel in Arabic that I would mention their presence to the Red Cross. One could not help but feel sorry for these defeated teenagers with their sad smiles. So what kind of men had raped Kuwait?
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More than 100 Islamist fighters have been killed by US air strikes on a training camp in Syria as American forces expand their assault beyond Isis.

The Department of Defense said planes and drones were involved in Thursdays operation on the Shaykh Sulayman camp in northern Syria, on the last day of Barack Obamas presidency.

A statement described the target as an al-Qaeda training camp, but monitors say it was controlled by Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS) and Hakarat Nour al-Din al-Zenki.

JFS claimed it split from al-Qaeda last year, when it changed its name from Jabhat al-Nusra, while the Nour al-Din al-Zenki movement received American weapons including TOW anti-tank missiles as one of dozens of vetted groups.

Its fighters filmed themselves beheading a Palestinian boy accused of spying last year, and has abducted and tortured journalists and humanitarian workers.

Captain Jeff Davis, a spokesperson for the Pentagon, said the camp had been operational since at least 2013.

The removal of this training camp disrupts training operations and discourages hardline Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with al-Qaeda on the battlefield, he added.

 Fighting continues in Syria as al-Nusra breaks from al-Qaeda

The US extended air strikes from Iraq into Syria in 2014, followed by other members of the coalition including Britain, with the stated aim of targeting Isis.

But the bombing campaign has been increasingly expanding to include al-Qaeda linked groups including JFS, which has been gathering power and territory across Syria while international efforts have focused on its rival Isis.

More than 150 al-Qaeda militants have been killed so far this year, the Pentagon said, including several high profile leaders and militants plotting terror attacks in the West.

These strikes, conducted in quick succession, degrade al-Qaedas capabilities, weaken their resolve, and cause confusion in their ranks, Mr Davis said.

JFS released a statement condemning the strike and accusing the US of aiding Bashar al-Assads regime, which Mr Obamas administration opposed.

Reports on jihadi Telegram channels said the joint training camp was preparing dozens of Mujahideen for the coming battle against regime forces and Shia militias.

The targeted camp is in a region expected to be a key battleground for Bashar al-Assads forces (AP)

They claimed at least 110 martyrs had been killed, publishing graphic footage showing body parts strewn amid the rubble of the destroyed camp.

An official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the strike was carried out by a B-52 bomber and unmanned aircraft that dropped 14 munitions.

The camp, near the border between Aleppo and Idlib province, is in a region expected to be the Syrian Presidents next target following his forces assault on rebel-held parts of Aleppo city.

Civilians were allowed to cross into government-controlled areas, while fighters fled to the east into regions controlled by JFS and other Islamist and opposition rebels.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said JFS and al-Zinki fighters were killed by drone at a joint camp known as Regiment 111, although it was unclear whether the report referred to the same attack.

Islamist activists accused the US of injuring children and civilians in recent strikes, including one on a car carrying a high profile militant, showing a young boy in hospital.

British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Show all 10 1 /10 British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Tornado jet takes off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, as RAF Tornado jets carried out the first British bombing runs over Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Pilots and ground crew prepare combat aircraft Panavia Tornados at RAF Marham at RAF Marham, UK Getty British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Eurofighter Typhoon jet takes off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, as RAF Tornado jets carried out the first British bombing runs over Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A RAF Tornado arrives at RAF Akrotiri to begin operations in Akrotiri British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Tornado jet ahead of taking off from RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, as RAF Tornado jets carried out the first British bombing runs over Syria, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. The air strikes were carried out within hours of a vote by MPs in the Commons to back extending operations against Isis from neighbouring Iraq British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Personnel work on a British Tornado after it returned from a mission at RAF Akrotiri in southern Cyprus British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria Two RAF Tornado GR4's, both with remaining weapons ordnance, approach RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as they return to the base after carrying out some of the first British bombing runs over Syria British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A RAF Tornado takes off from RAF Akrotiri, on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria A Tornado jet leaving RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland British jets prepare for air strikes in Syria AKA RAF Tornado arrives at RAF Akrotiri to begin operations in Akrotiri, Cyprus. The RAF has sent two further Tornado aircraft and six Typhoons to bolster aircraft now flying sorties to both Iraq and Syria

American probes have so far confirmed at least 188 civilians killed in bombing in Syria and Iraq, with several other incidents still ongoing.

Air strikes continued on Friday, with Isis militants, vehicles, oil wells, weapons and infrastructure targeted in the Raqqa, Deir Ezzor and Homs provinces of Syria, as well as near Mosul, Kisik and Kirkuk in Iraq.

US-led forces carried out a three-day campaign to prevent Isis transporting fighters and equipment across the Tigris River in Mosul, where they have been driven out of eastern parts by Iraqi security forces.

Coalition planes struck 90 watercraft and three barges, Central Command said.

We believe this was a desperate attempt to retrograde Isil (Isis) fighters now that the Iraqi Security Forces own the eastern bank of every bridge in Mosul, said Col John L Dorrian.

The US has hailed vast territory losses by Isis after using its firepower to back partner forces on the ground in operations to retake strongholds including Fallujah and Jarablus.

But there is concern that the defeat of Isis will leave a vacuum for al-Qaeda factions to expand through ungoverned territory, with its leader already making a clear pitch to attract defectors from the so-called Islamic State.
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Arif carefully sprinkles tobacco onto betel leaves at a tea shop popular with fellow Rohingya refugees from Burma. Like tens of thousands before him he risked a treacherous journey by sea, at the mercy of smugglers, to seek sanctuary in Malaysia. The 27-year-old escaped the oppression still ravaging the Muslim minority in his homeland. But now he is one of a vast, unwanted diaspora scraping a precarious living in the shadows of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysias capital.

The stateless Rohingya, often called the worlds most persecuted minority, have long flocked to Muslim-majority Malaysia in misguided hopes of a warmer welcome. In Burma, they are regularly persecuted by the Buddhist majority, denied citizenship, forced to face apartheid-like restrictions on movement, and stigmatised as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh despite their deep roots in the country. But the reality for some 55,000 Rohingya refugees registered with the UN in Malaysia alone, and for tens of thousands more believed to be in the country without the stamp of official recognition, is a state of limbo.

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People here dont oppress us. We have no problem with locals. But if the police come, we have to run, says Arif (not his real name), pausing from folding small parcels of betel leaves, a stimulant widely chewed in Burma and other parts of Asia.

Like most Southeast Asian nations, Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, although it has allowed the UNs refugee agency (UNHCR) to register refugees on the basis that most will be resettled elsewhere. While registered refugees are not held in camps, they are left to live in urban environments without crucial legal protections. Denied residency or work rights and given little aid, they take on low-paying jobs in unregulated sectors, living in constant fear of arrest, abuse, or extortion. Those with the coveted refugee status then wait for the creakingly slow process of resettlement to a third country.

Thousands of refugees have fled into China due to fighting in northern Burma (Getty) (Getty Images)

But now, after years of stalled talks, the government is working on a potentially game-changing pilot plan long advocated by the UNHCR  granting 300 Rohingya legal permits to work in the plantation and manufacturing sectors for a three-year period, starting early this year.

At the agencys hub in Kuala Lumpur, Richard Towle, the UNHCR representative in Malaysia, says the plan is a win-win situation if everybody works together. We know that the refugees want to work. Most of them are working. And industries and business would really like to engage with them. Whats missing is the lawfulness of it, he said.

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Towle adds that the work permits will offer vital protections for refugees who are vulnerable to exploitation in a largely invisible economy, as well as grant Malaysia, which has long relied on foreign labour for low-skilled jobs, an affordable workforce.

If this is a success and all parties are comfortable with it, we would like to see all UNHCR refugees have the right to work, he said.

The plan comes at a time when new ideas on how to tackle the global refugee crisis are desperately needed. Its not just that more people are displaced than ever before  its that fewer countries are willing to receive them as official residents.

Shifting geopolitics are especially worrisome for Malaysia, which has long been on the receiving end of regional refugees. Malaysia was a beneficiary of one of the largest UNHCR resettlement programmes in the past decade, when more than 100,000 refugees who arrived there were resettled to other countries, most of them going to the US. But the majority of those refugees came from Burmas Christian Chin minority, victims of the long-running clashes between ethnic militias and the government rather than the Rohingya, who form the bulk of Malaysias refugees. Now, the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has voiced strong opposition to refugees and Muslims in recent months, plunges future Rohingya resettlement into deeper uncertainty.

Thats why rights advocates emphasise finding the best ways to help refugees caught in limbo, harnessing the contributions they already make to the societies that have become their de facto homes. Amy Smith, executive director of the Southeast Asia-focused advocacy group Fortify Rights, hopes Malaysias new work plan will take off and inspire others. This is definitely a step in the right direction for Malaysia. More countries in the region need to think of strategies to integrate refugees into their population, she said.

A refugee from Burma rests in a temporary shelter in Wanding, in Chinas southwest Yunnan province (Getty) (Getty Images)

But as full details of the pilot are yet to be disclosed, Smith voiced concerns about refugees entering a labour rights landscape in Malaysia that is very exploitative for migrant workers. Any new plans should offer protections such as the ability to change employers and report workplace abuse, she said.

Other experts have questioned the scope of the pilot, which is open to only a tiny fraction of Malaysias UN-registered Rohingya refugees.

Im not sure its sufficient to tease out the real benefits of a work plan, said Caitlin Wake of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), a London think tank.

It will have little to no impact for the vast majority of refugees for that time. In a context like Malaysia, this is a very small step, said Wake, the author of two recent reports exploring the working lives of Rohingya in Malaysia.

She also cautioned against expecting too much from work plans. Globally were seeing more progress on refugees labour rights. But while work permits have been lauded by policymakers, the response from refugees themselves has been more tepid. For example, in Jordan, conditions associated with obtaining and having a work permit can be a disincentive.

Rohingya children attend a class at a school inside the Kutupalang Refugee Camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh (Reuters)

In the Malaysian pilot, the limited sectors where refugees can work has also been one of the barriers in finding candidates. The UNHCR said several Rohingya refugees turned down the opportunity, preferring to work informally in less stable but sometimes better-paid industries such as construction. The agency hopes that a future expanded plan would open more sectors to refugees.

In a small grocery store on the eastern outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, long-standing Rohingya refugees, some of whom have lived in the capital for nearly three decades, stock up on Burmese staples.

Ijaz (not his real name), who runs a cafe, arrived in Malaysia 24 years ago. The 43-year-old fled Rakhine, the westernmost Burma state that is home to most of the countrys estimated one million Rohingya, to escape detention by intelligence officials he said were arbitrarily arresting young Muslims.

Though well-established by refugee standards, he locks up his shop and hides when police patrol the neighbourhood, saying he is often forced to pay bribes.

Failed government promises on previous labour plans mean Ijaz isnt confident about the latest drive. They say something today, another thing tomorrow, he says. But at least here we feel safe. We can sleep in peace.

A 2006 plan to issue 10,000 temporary work permits ceased within days over corruption claims, while an older plan granting some Rohingya six-month work permits in the early 1990s was never renewed, says Wakes ODI report published in November.

But there has been added impetus to this new initiative. Progress on the UNHCR plan has accelerated after a fresh wave of violence erupted in Rakhine in October 2016. Deadly attacks on police posts, which Burma blames on local militants, have prompted an intense army crackdown, with dozens of Rohingya killed and at least 65,000 fleeing to Bangladesh in the last few months, according to the UN. Its the worst unrest in Rakhine since 2012 clashes between Burmas Buddhist majority and the Rohingya.

A Burmese Rohingya girl reads the Quran at a refugee camp in Teknaf of southern Coxs Bazar district (Getty) (Getty Images)

In November, a UN official said Burma sought the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya from its territory, an accusation the government led by the once-imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi has strongly denied. In December, in a rare break from traditional regional diplomacy, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak added his own strongly worded statements while attending a Kuala Lumpur protest.

The world cannot sit by and watch genocide taking place, Najib said to a cheering crowd of Muslims, including Rohingya refugees. Whats the use of Aung San Suu Kyi having a Nobel Prize?

Najibs motives have been questioned at home. Critics accuse him of courting Malaysias Muslim vote before the general elections, while ignoring the plight of Rohingya refugees on Malaysian soil. But the narrative of Muslim solidarity is running strong and helping to drive the pilot plan forward.

At the office of the Rohingya Society in Malaysia, a community group that helps the stateless minority, its president, Bo Min Naing, also known as Faisal, cautiously welcomes the plan. Its a good thing, but Im worried about the long term. Our status will continue as refugees, so nothing will change. We need to think about resettlement or citizenship, he said.

The message from the Malaysian government has nuances beyond the bold show of support from Najib.

The aim is to give them the chance to work and earn a living, but at the same time we dont want to encourage more people to come here, said Nur Jazlan Mohamed, deputy minister of home affairs. He added that the pilot may be expanded, but only to people already here.

The long-term goal is to send them back. When Burma gives them the guarantee of safety and security, they can go back. This only gives a band-aid solution.

 Washington Post
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Canadian and British protesters heading to the Womens March in Washington have been denied entry to the United States.

Joe Kroese, a British man studying in Montreal, told the Independent he was refused entry into the country after a border agent told him he was planning to attend a potentially violent rally.

There were reports of other groups of would-be protesters being denied entry into the US at a land crossing in Quebec after being searched, fingerprinted and photographed.

 Police officers high-five demonstrators on women's march

Mr Kroese, originally from Newcastle and studying at McGill University, said he was questioned by security staff for three hours at the border.

The 23-year-old was travelling with a Canadian and two US nationals and the group had planned to go to the Womens March in Washington after a short stop in New York.

Mr Kroese and his Canadian friend were refused entry, fingerprinted and photographed before being advised not to travel to the US for several months. They were also told they would need a visa the next time they came.

They took my phone and started going through my texts. There was another group of Canadians there that were also going to the march and were being refused entry," he said.

"They searched the car and then they asked the driver if he practised Islam and if he spoke Arabic. They wanted to spook us a bit. It felt like a kind of intimidation."

In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters

Montrealer Joseph Decunha was also turned away for administrative reasons after he told a border agent he planned to go to the inauguration and the Womens March in Washington.

"The first thing he asked us point blank is, 'Are you anti- or pro-Trump? It felt like, if we had been pro-Trump, we would have absolutely been allowed entry, he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Border agents told him that if he tried again to enter the US this weekend, he would be refused.

Sasha Dyck, of Montreal, reported a similar experience to the Guardian.

She had arranged to travel with a group of eight, including six Canadians and two French people to Washington for the march.

But when the group arrived at the border crossing and told the border agents about their plans, their cars were pulled over to the side and searched, their mobiles phones examined and each member of the group was fingerprinted and had their photo taken.

The two French citizens were denied entry and also informed that there would need a visa for any future visit to the US.

The rest of the group was told to head home and that if they tried to cross the border again during the weekend, they would be arrested, Ms Dyck told the Guardian.

The Independent has contacted the US Customs and Border Protection for comment.
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A top London university has admitted to spying on its staff and students as part of government efforts to prevent radicalisation on campus.

A notice on the King's College London (KCL) email login page warns members that emails can be monitored and recorded under the Governments controversial anti-terror strategy Prevent.

Members of the KCL Students Union have called the measures a violation of trust, adding: Students who have not committed any crimes are being treated as suspects.

Commenting on the complaints, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) - responsible for overseeing the implementation of Prevent within universities - said KCLs actions were not unusual, and suggested that other institutions were doing the same.

This approach is consistent with the Prevent guidance, a HEFCE spokesman said.

Within this guidance, providers have had the autonomy to decide what approach works for them. Some have gone down the route of filtering, some monitoring and some neither of these.

Student news in pictures Show all 34 1 /34 Student news in pictures Student news in pictures South Korean policemen detain a student demonstrator during a protest against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye EPA Student news in pictures South Korean policemen detain student protestors during a protest against South Korean President Park Geun-Hye outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea. The protesters demanded that the parliament takes steps to impeach President Park Geun-Hye EPA Student news in pictures Filipino demonstrators face off with anti-riot police during a protest near the US Embassy in Manila, Philippine EPA Student news in pictures Hundreds of protesters including Indigenous People, students and militant groups marched towards the US Embassy to protest against the presence of US military troops and condemning the violent dispersal which left at least forty people hurt including twenty police officers and three people who were run over by a police van EPA Student news in pictures A federal judge in Mexico has ordered that a once-fugitive police chief be held on charges of kidnapping in the disappearance of 43 students Student news in pictures A man holds up a photograph of a missing student with a caption reading 'We are missing 43,' during a meeting marking the 25-month anniversary of the disappearances of 43 students in the southern state of Guerrero, in Mexico City. A federal judge in Mexico has ordered that a once-fugitive police chief be held on charges of kidnapping in the disappearance of 43 students AP Student news in pictures Miguel Perez, an intern student from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, puts away his cell phone before walking into the operating room at the Dr. Isaac Gonzalez MartInez Oncological Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Once they complete their general surgery training, many residents are moving to the United States in search of better wages, one of the main factors linked to the current shortage of specialists in the Island Student news in pictures Fewer EU students have applied to start university courses in the UK next autumn. There was a 9% fall in the numbers who had applied for courses, according to admissions service UCAS. PA wire Student news in pictures University students protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela. Masses of protesters jammed the streets of Venezuela's capital on the heels of a move by congress to open a political trial against Maduro, whose allies have blocked moves for a recall election AP Student news in pictures University students protest against President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela AP Student news in pictures Thousands, most of them high school students, march during a demonstration in Madrid, Spain, on a one day strike to protest about the country's education law that increases the number of annual exams AP Student news in pictures Students gather on the west mall to confront the Young Conservatives of Texas student organization over a controversial bake sale on The University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter at the University of Texas-Austin sparked the protest with an affirmative action bake sale. The club encouraged students to buy a cookie and talk about the disastrous policy that is affirmative action Student news in pictures Donald Parish Jr, right, confronts Electrical and Computer Engineering senior Dewayne Perry over a controversial bake sale on The University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas. The Young Conservatives of Texas chapter at the University of Texas-Austin sparked the protest with an affirmative action bake sale. The club encouraged students to buy a cookie and talk about the disastrous policy that is affirmative action AP Student news in pictures Brigham Young University announced that students who report sexual assault will no longer be investigated for possible violations of the Mormon-owned school's strict honor code that bans such things as alcohol use AP Student news in pictures Students of secondary education march to protest against the final examinations and LOMCE (The Improvement Quality Education Law) law, after a call by trade unions, in Murcia, Spain EPA Student news in pictures South African police have used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters who had marched to the parliament building to call for free university education, where the finance minister was giving a budget speech AP Student news in pictures Police break up student protests outside the parliament in Cape Town, South Africa Reuters Student news in pictures South African Policemen fire rubber bullets at student protestors in Cape Town, South Africa AP Student news in pictures A student protestor is hit by a rubber bullet in Cape Town, South Africa AP Student news in pictures An injured student is helped by colleagues during protest outside the parliament during South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's medium term budget speech in Cape Town, South Africa Reuters Student news in pictures Plaintiffs and bereaved families of elementary school students killed in the tsunami that followed a major earthquake in northeastern Japan in 2011, show banners that say 'victory in a suit filed with the Sendai District Court' in Sendai. A Japanese court ordered municipalities to pay $13.7 million dollars to families of school children who were swept away to their deaths by the 2011 tsunami Getty Student news in pictures A group of student at Ewha Womans University calls for a thorough investigation into those involved in years of engagement with state affairs backstage by Choi Soon-sil, a personal confidante of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, at the school's front gate in Seoul, South Korea EPA Student news in pictures Students raise placards during a strike action called by the student union, in Madrid against university entry exams Getty Student news in pictures Libyans throw a newly graduated student into a fountain as they celebrate during the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Libyans celebrate as they attend the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Libyans celebrate as they attend the graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Al-Arab University in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi Getty Student news in pictures Thousands of Thai Catholic students take part in mourning tributes and in singing the Thai Royal Anthem to honour late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Saint Dominic School in Bangkok, Thailand EPA Student news in pictures Students of Silpakorn University paint portraits of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the university campus in Bangkok Getty Student news in pictures A student of Silpakorn University paints a portrait of the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the university campus in Bangkok Getty Student news in pictures St Andrews University students take part in a foam fight known as Raisin Monday in the Lower College Lawn behind St Salvator's Quadrangle following the Raisin Weekend PA wire Student news in pictures St Andrews University students take part in a foam fight known as Raisin Monday in the Lower College Lawn behind St Salvator's Quadrangle following the Raisin Weekend, an annual tradition where student 'parents' inflict tasks on the unfortunate first-years they have adopted as 'children' as part of a mentoring scheme PA wire Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) in Havana, Cuba Reuters Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) take part in a practice in Havana, Cuba Reuters Student news in pictures Students at the Cuba's National Ballet School (ENB) wait in line to enter a classroom in Havana, Cuba Reuters

A message on the KCL website states that anyone using the system expressly consents to their correspondence being monitored, and advises users not to send any material deemed indecent, offensive, defamatory, threatening, discriminatory or extremist, as the university has a statutory duty to report it.

Campaigners against Prevent argue the system risks creating a culture of mistrust, closing off open debate and unfairly targeting some ethnic and religious groups.

The National Union of Students has also condemned the systematic monitoring of private emails.

NUS President, Malia Bouattia said: This is yet another example of how the Prevent agenda turns our educational institutions against their own students, perpetuates a culture of fear, restricts academic freedoms and normalises Islamophobia.

NUS is deeply concerned about the impact that systematic monitoring of messages will have on students, particularly black and Muslim students and those involved in political campaigns, activities or research.

A spokesperson for KCL, which is home to the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, said the university was not actively monitoring emails, but was notifying users that it had the obligation and right to do so if required.

The changes to text on the sign-in screen indicate our obligations under Prevent with regards to such policy, they added.

Kings College London is proud of its diverse and inclusive community and any monitoring would form part of the usual security process.
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The Prime Minister should never have allowed the Brexit case to go to court. She could have avoided the embarrassment of the Supreme Court ruling against her on Tuesday. It is likely to decide that the Government cannot begin the procedure for leaving the European Union without an Act of Parliament.

This is a guess, rather than inside information. Theresa May  who has probably been told because not even Supreme Court judges can keep secrets  hinted at defeat when answering questions in the Commons on Wednesday: We shall have to consider the result of the decision of the Supreme Court, which may, if it goes against the Government, require legislation.

What we will find out at 9.30 on Tuesday morning is how the 11 judges have divided, and what they have said about the subsidiary questions before them. One of those is whether the Scottish Parliament or the Northern Ireland Assembly has any way of delaying or blocking Brexit. I think that is unlikely  again not because I have inside information but because, if the Court had decided anything that might threaten Mays timetable for Brexit, I think the tremors of alarm emanating from Downing Street would have been detectable by now.

On the main question, however, the Government is preparing to lose. It wont make much practical difference, because Parliament will pass the Act well before the end of March, which is Mays target date. Which is why she should have put it to Parliament in the first place.

 Brexit at the supreme court: Day Three

The reason for refusing to do so was a misguided attempt to preserve the Governments  and therefore the Prime Ministers  power over international treaties. The convention is that the Government negotiates treaties and Parliament ratifies them afterwards. EU membership is unusual, however, because Article 50 of the EU Treaty requires a member state to make a decision two years before it actually leaves.

So the Prime Minister will try to pretend that she hasnt been forced to put a Bill through Parliament and will say that everything is going to plan, because she is sticking to her timetable. She will be able to do that because there is a majority in both Houses of Parliament for triggering Article 50. Which is why, on Tuesday, attention will turn not to Theresa Mays defeat but to the agonies of the Labour Party.

Recommended Thank God the PM will face down anyone over Brexit

The reason there is a large majority in the Commons for Article 50 is that most Labour MPs support it. Jeremy Corbyn confirmed on Thursday that this was the policy of the official opposition: Ive made it very clear, the Labour Party accepts and respects the decision of the British people. We will not block Article 50.

His MPs would be asked to vote for it, he said. When this was reported as a three-line whip for Article 50, however, Labour spokespeople went into reverse and said nothing had been decided. The main effect of giving Parliament a vote, therefore, is to expose divisions in the Labour Party.

The same thing happened last month when Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit Secretary, tabled a motion demanding the Government publish its plan for Brexit (which it did in the form of a speech from the Prime Minister on Tuesday). The Government amended it to say Article 50 should be triggered by the end of March, and the whole thing was carried by 448 votes to 75; 23 Labour MPs broke with the party whip to vote against and many more abstained.

Now there is talk of between 60 and 80 Labour MPs voting against Brexit. Tim Farron, who is positioning the Liberal Democrats as the main anti-Brexit party in England, says: I have lost count of the number of Labour MPs whove told me they wished they could argue what weve been arguing. That doesnt say much about his number skills, because I suspect that 80 is higher than he would need to count to.

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 point is, though, that most Labour MPs will vote to pass the Bill. This is not because Corbyn is trying to impose an old-fashioned leftist ideology on a reluctant parliamentary party. Most Labour MPs represent seats that voted to leave, even if most Labour voters, and they themselves, wanted to remain. The Labour peers, who for some months unilaterally declared independence from Corbyn and refused to attend his shadow cabinet, have also said they wont obstruct Brexit. That means the House of Lords will pass the Bill too.

There will be attempts to amend the Bill, and it is possible that soft amendments that are not designed to obstruct it might succeed, especially in the Lords. An amendment to guarantee the rights of EU citizens already here, for example.

But the Bill will go through and the main story of its passage is likely to be Labour disarray. It is only after it is passed, Article 50 invoked and the negotiations begin that Labour has any chance of turning the debate round to a forensic critique of the Governments policy. For Corbyn and Starmer, 31 March cannot come soon enough.

* The image at the top of this article shows pro-EU protesters making their voices heard against the government's case. We originally miscaptioned it to suggest they were "Brexiters" protesting against a parliamentary vote on Article 50.
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Anyone searching for #Maldives on Twitter over the last week, and expecting to see endless pictures of an idyllic desert island holiday, may have found themselves slightly perplexed by the seemingly random image of a machete lodged through a door.

The door in question belongs to Minivan News, an independent online publication that has provided coverage of the country's often painful transition from an autocratic theocracy to a democracy. Minivian News journalists were then once again threatened with their lives via SMS. You will be killed next, Minivan News' current deputy editor was told.

The machete, pictured above, was a gift from suspected gang members on a self-proclaimed spiritual mission to eliminate suspected secularists, atheists and homosexuals. Conveniently, these labels are almost always attached to media outlets, NGOs, opposition politicians and bloggers.

What started with a machete through the door of the Minivan News office, soon escalated into arson threats being issued against the publication and Raajje TV. Police moved quickly to evacuate the offices of both media outlets, while providing them with ongoing protection.

The weekend of fear and violence across the capital follows the recent publication of a report commissioned by the Maldivian Democracy Network NGO that linked radicalised gangs to the disappearance of Minivian News journalist Ahmed Rilwan.

Ahmed Rilwan is believed to have been abducted at knife point in early August from outside his apartment building on the island of Hulhumale. Little else is known at present.

The government of Maldives issued a statement of ...deep concern on the sudden disappearance of Mr. Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla and noted that, ...the Government and concerned authorities were committed to maximum effort in searching for the whereabouts of Minivan news journalist who was last seen on CCTV footage from Hulhumale...

The Maldives Police Service subsequently announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with Rilwan's disappearance, but also criticised marches held to keep up pressure on authorities over the case.

Since the disappearance, journalists for a number of news publications that covered the story have received anonymous threats warning of further violence if they don't drop their coverage. Meanwhile, Rilwan's family, friends and colleagues have continued to raise concerns about the speed and current conclusions of police investigations.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Ms Dunya Maumoon expressed concern on the act of intimidation and reprisals to journalists in general. Freedom of media facilitates a greater degree of interconnectedness and awareness in the community, and is the cornerstone of any democratic society. Therefore, the protection and safety of journalists is fundamental not only at an individual level, but at a national and international level as well. She added, ...the Government is committed to ensuring safety and security of all Maldivians.

According to Reporters without Borders, the Maldives has experienced a great deal of political instability since emerging from a dictatorship in 2008 [...] Violent gangs have imposed a climate of terror and their close links with political parties underlie the widespread corruption. At the same time, most of the parties use the gangs to harass their opponents. Dissidents are often threatened, abducted or murdered, undermining freedom of expression and information. The attacks on Minivan are not isolated. The premises of Raajje TV, an opposition station, were torched last October.

This summer's attack is the latest act in an escalating idealogical crisis for a religiously conservative country that is almost exclusively associated with its hundreds of resort islands catering exclusively to the whims of earnest foreign honeymooners.

The Maldives has cosponsored resolution calling for the safety of journalists at the Human Rights Council in 2012 and at the UNGA in 2013.

Neil Merrett is the former deputy editor of Minivan News
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Donald Trump climbed onto the American stage yesterday still caught up in a kind of campaign puberty, high on testosterone and ego. The winner, the outsider, the salesman of the grand idea standing triumphant on the side of the people.

Short sentences, fragmentation, oppositional language, emotive ideas, and even a touch of bad poetry. Cliche-riddled and contradictory, he spiralled between earth and sky, dreams and realities, God above and rusted factories down below. Taking an oath of allegiance to all Americans, he made meaty promises for the future: America First, winning like never before, recovering from carnage, making America great again.

For a moment, Trump seemed to have changed his style, starting with longer sentences and more conciliatory language than had characterised an election campaign that was toxic on all sides. Perhaps he truly had taken inspiration from John F Kennedy, as hed suggested he might. Soon, however, he reverted to form. The classic Trump emerged in his full pomp of oppositional language and fragmentation of ideas. Very quickly, he moved from reaching out to the world and restoring promise to all Americans.

Trump couldnt resist one more dig at the establishment, and a reference to the transfer away from these people to you. It wasnt even delivered in the manner of Shakespeare, of Marlon Brando voicing the rage of Marc Antony. This was primal playground stuff, the knife of Brutus driven down hard in the rain. The new emperor tore away his toga and went off script, all plans to be a Kennedy or a Reagan abandoned. Those statesmen come from a world thats long gone in the reality TV age. Trump wanted to talk to the America of today; to hell with history.

What this speech told us, however, is that Trump cant make a leap of imagination or emotion beyond the boundaries of his own personal history  and he does not even see any need to do so, because he stands to his supporters as the embodiment of the American dream.

He is playing to the people he took on a gonzo-style road trip across the rusted midriff of America and raised up to the heavens. Even on the day when he was supposed to formally enter the establishment, he said a public no thanks to that. In his words, hes going to take power from the folks in Washington and hand it to the ordinary ignored people of America.

In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters

Trumps linguistic presentation is a strange series of soundbites that he believes to be poetry, philosophy and unprejudiced patriotism. He delivers heady promises, rather than practical solutions.

A prime example is the way his great notion of eradicating Islamist terrorism was uttered in almost the same breath as a remark withdrawing America from its role as policeman of the world, secure inside its own borders. How can he square this circle? Other sections followed the same pattern. He spoke of eradicating poverty while discussing his desire to end programmes for poorer Americans such as Obamacare health insurance.

Its possible that Trump himself is not sure how hes going to draw all the loose ends of these ambitions together. Before he took to the stage, he looked strangely subdued, even uninterested and uncharacteristically nervous. But ever the grand showman, he built his confidence on the podium by taking refuge among the people who put him there. He carefully used the language they wanted to hear: God, jobs, victory, and a world where America comes first, secure in its own borders.

As a linguist, this reads like a script thats made up as he goes along. Maybe thats all part of the theatre. Perhaps Trump writes his speeches in one unedited take, a stream of consciousness. The failure to follow in the rhetorical footsteps of presidents past may prove useful to him. After all, some of the audience didnt have the greatest reaction to Chuck Schumer reading the Dear Sarah letter. Perhaps the people arent interested in history anymore, or the mistakes that they can learn from. Perhaps he calculated that Americans watching from home dont have the attention span for anything so serious. Trumps own concentration jumps about like a frog in a box. During the presidential debates, hed abandon sentences and arguments in mid-flow.

Theres an element of theatre in all politics, especially American politics. But Trump presents us with a different kind of theatre. This is gonzo theatre, not written according to script but delivered according to the needs of the moment.

 Trump's bizarre signature overshadows first official act as President

Trumps style may be his downfall. If he cant stick to some aspects of the presidential script established by history, hes going to take the country, and the world, in a very uncertain direction. This inauguration was the Presidents last stab at playing the outsider, one of us taking on them. Now he has to start delivering on the grand promises he made.

Todays show is over, but sit back and settle in. The auditorium is about to get interesting.

Dr Paul Breen is a senior lecturer at the University of Westminsters Professional Language Centre
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A thaw with Moscow was one of the few points on which Trump remained steadfast, not just through the election campaign, but through his beleaguered transition. Once in office, he will face pressure from three directions.

From large parts of Congress, as well as from much of the defence and security establishment, will come the warning: just dont do it. Even those more favourably inclined towards a Russian reset will advise that he should not move too fast, lest he appear too eager. The third source of pressure will be Russia itself: the Kremlin will want, and need, the new President to show that he is serious.

Trump himself will probably want to gauge the chances of mending fences with Vladimir Putin as soon as possible. And he will want to make that judgement himself. Both at his press conference before taking office and in recent interviews, he countenanced the risk of failure, but he has invested political capital in what is essentially a hunch, that he and the Russian president will get on. He will want to make up his mind about Putin face to face.

 Donald Trump's inauguration: What actually happens?

Unconfirmed reports say plans are being laid for an early US-Russia summit in a third country  on the model of the first careful Reagan-Gorbachev encounter  and this is probably how Putin, too, will want to play it. Reykjavik has been mentioned, but might send the wrong vibes, as that summit  unlike the first Reagan-Gorbachev meeting in Geneva  concluded without agreement. Lake Bled in Slovenia might be another possibility; this is where George W Bush claimed to have seen into Putins soul, and Slovenia happens to be the home country of Melania, the new First Lady.

The US security establishment will be wary, and Trumps entourage will surely agree that any bilateral meeting will have to be as meticulously planned as the first Reagan-Gorbachev encounter. Jack Matlock, who subsequently became US ambassador in Moscow, but was then a Soviet specialist in the National Security Council, has reminisced about the USSR-101 briefing documents he prepared for Reagan before that meeting, and Trump will probably commission something similar: basic, pointing out the pitfalls, but sympathetic towards the direction he wants to go.

Hints have been dropped about some of the early themes. Trump has said that in his view both sides nuclear arsenals could take a cut. Arms control is often a good place to start in US-Russia discussions, because this is where Russia feels itself more equal and has room to broach concessions.

Whether Trumps idea of bartering nuclear reductions against an end to Ukraine-related sanctions has any appeal for the Kremlin, however, is another matter. Moscow may well see the two things as belonging in quite different boxes, and its desire for an end to sanctions has more to do with national dignity and image than with economic necessity.

Recommended There are solid reasons to be optimistic about President Donald Trump

That said, however, such a deal could help to disguise the reality that any phasing out of US sanctions will be more unilateral than bilateral, as anything that entails even de facto recognition of Russias annexation of Crimea will amount to a Western climb-down. Moscow, too, could welcome a way of extracting itself from the Ukraine tangle that leaves it in charge of Crimea. Several prominent Ukrainians have also suggested a deal along similar lines, though public opinion might be another matter.

The complexities of Ukraine  and the risk of allowing Russia to appear too much the victor  might militate in favour of pushing Ukraine a little down Trumps list and moving instead towards some form of cooperation on Syria settlement and perhaps Afghanistan. On Syria, Trump comes to office without the precondition set by Obama for any Syria agreement, that President Assad should leave office first, and Russia has recently indicated that it sees both the UN and the US as playing a role in whatever happens in Syria next.

Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Show all 14 1 /14 Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A lesbian couple kisses in front of mural depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a barbecue bar 'Keule Ruke' on May 19, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Barcroft Media/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - NOVEMBER 23: A woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A woman walks past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A child walks past a graffiti depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, on the walls of a bar in the old town in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, May 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural People walk past a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural AP Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A young woman walks past a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin with the slogan "make everything great again," in reference to Trump's campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again," on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A morning commuter stops to look at a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Restaurant owner Dominykas Ceckauskas pose next to a mural on the wall of his establishment depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. Kestutis Girnius, associate professor of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science in Vilnius university, told AFP -This graffiti expresses the fear of some Lithuanians that Donald Trump is likely to kowtow to Vladimir Putin and be indifferent to Lithuanias security concerns. Trump has notoriously stated that Putin is a strong leader, and that NATO is obsolete and expensive. / AFP / Petras Malukas (Photo credit should read PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP/Getty Images) Petras Malukas/AFP/Getty Images Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural A passerby photographs a mural showing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) blowing marijuana smoke into the mouth of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the wall of a bar-b-que restaurant on November 23, 2016 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Many people in the three Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are concerned that Russia, because Trump has expressed both admiration for Putin and doubt over defending NATO member states, will be emboldened to intervene militarily in the Baltics. Sean Gallup/Getty Trump and Putin passionately kiss in street mural Getty

Whether the first Trump-Putin meeting is productive or not, however, will depend not just, or even mainly, on the specific topics chosen, but on whether Putin feels that Trump understands his concerns and Trump feels he can trust Putin to honour his commitments.

Early signs are mixed. During his campaign Trump seemed to appreciate, in a way Obama and Hillary Clinton apparently did not, how the world might look from the Kremlin. But both Trump and Putin have a strong sense of their own dignity that could spell trouble, and for Trump time will be of the essence. Unlike most new presidents, he will be beholden to no one  as he funded most of his campaign himself  and, at 70, he is likely to be a president in a hurry.

Putin clearly wants a new relationship with the US and was concerned to do nothing during the transition that would set the wrong tone  to the point of not retaliating to Obamas diplomatic expulsions. But he will have to be careful how he approaches his first Trump encounter, because he cannot expect a second chance.
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I usually avoid protest marches. They are noisy, undisciplined affairs. Everyone has a different reason for turning up. Somewhere, a fringe group with a divisive agenda always manages to steal the attention and appropriate the message.

All these things may prove true today of the womens march in London, or of any of its partner marches across the globe. All these accusations have already been levelled by its detractors. But a groper-in-chief is now President of the United States. So today, Im marching with my sisters.

Allow me a thought experiment about President Donald Trump. Forget, for a moment, those murky trails suggesting Russian espionage and cyberwarfare  who are we to prove their complexities? Forget, just briefly, that sinking sensation you felt in your stomach as he stoked white Americas resentment against the foreign-born, the multiracial, the stranger. Forget those questions about his financial interests, and forget the nasty rumours that he cant even manage to read a policy document.

What is left of Donald Trump? On what grounds can we indict him without question? To what crimes has he himself confessed? He enjoys sexual assault.

 US President Donald Trump and wife Melania dance at Liberty Ball

Grab them by the pussy. By the pussy. In Trumps own voice, on tape, we heard him reduce each American woman to a fumblesome flab of flesh between her legs, a reluctant prize to be claimed by the winners of The Apprentice in a zero sum game. This isnt an aberration from Trumps life philosophy. Selling a lifestyle  whether a beauty pageant or aspirational business education  he has always preached sexual predation as the prerogative of the alpha male. This is the sexual prosperity theology of Donald Trump.

Most women have encountered men like Trump. Those who mock us for our naivety  this happens all the time  miss the point. We know this is the way of world. We know that Trumps voters felt that boasting about sexual assault didnt disqualify him from the White House. But we reserve the right to deplore the world in which this can be true.

As one woman told me the day after Trumps election: It feels like every man who has ever sexually assaulted me; every man who has harassed me on the street; every man who has demeaned me at work  theyve all been cloned together, patted on the back, and handed the keys to the White House.

On the Billy Bush tapes, Trump was seen talking about a specific woman, Arianne Zucker, who then immediately showed up to work with him. It confirmed everything women always suspected and couldnt prove when we leave an all-male meeting room and hear laughter. Yes, locker room talk happens in every business environment. And, no, thats not OK.

A march of angry women in London wont change anything. Even a march in Washington DC will change little. The democracy of the American republic is to be treasured  if, to quote Benjamin Franklin, you can keep it. But women arent marching today in the hope of overthrowing a President. Were marching because the only other option is to scream silently into our pillows every night.

Its striking how many critics have emerged to police womens anger. It is true that the lefts fierce policing of social language, the purity politics surrounding race and gender, have contributed to the polarisation of American and British politics. But it is not an excess of political correctness to be horrified by a sexual predator in the White House.

Few activists marching today hold out real hope that well bring Donald Trump down. We simply cannot stay silent.
Gerry Adams said Northern Ireland needs a special designated status within the EU

Taking Northern Ireland out of the EU will "destroy" the Good Friday Agreement peace deal, Gerry Adams said.

He claimed fundamental human rights enshrined in the 1998 accord to end violence could be undermined. The top legal adviser to Stormont ministers has said not one word in the Agreement would be affected.

The Sinn Fein president said Northern Ireland should enjoy special status within the union of 27 states after Brexit and claimed that would not affect the constitutional settlement which secures its status as part of the UK.

He said: "Taking the North out of the EU will.

"It will destroy the Good Friday Agreement."

The Dail TD (member of the Irish parliament) addressed a conference on achieving a united Ireland in Dublin.

Mr Adams added: "The British government's intention to take the North out of the EU, despite the wish of the people there to remain, is a hostile action.

"Not just because of the implications of a hard border on this island but also because of its negative impact on the Good Friday Agreement.

"The British Prime Minister repeated her intention to bring an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court.

"Along with her commitment to remove Britain from the European Convention on Human Rights this stand threatens to undermine the fundamental human rights elements of the Good Friday Agreement."

He claimed ending partition between Northern Ireland and the Republic had taken on a new importance.

"As the dire economic implications of Brexit take shape there is an opportunity to promote a new agreed Ireland."

Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU referendum by a majority of 56% to 44%.

Mr Adams added: " The speech by Theresa May will have reinforced this.

"The dangers of a hard Brexit are now more obvious than before.

"The North needs a special designated status within the EU.

"The Irish government needs to adopt this as a strategic objective in its negotiations within the EU 27 as they negotiate with the British Prime Minister."

He claimed there was, alarmingly, no strategic plan from Dublin ministers.

The Irish Government has already convened an all-Ireland forum on Brexit and agreed with the Prime Minister that there should be no return to the borders of the past for Northern Ireland.

Its priorities remain its economic and trading arrangements, the peace process and border issues as well as the common travel area.

Mr Adams added: "The British position also fails to take account of the fact that citizens in the North, under the Agreement, have a right to Irish citizenship and therefore EU citizenship."
Ireland will go after the same markets and lure EU agencies away from London if the UK pulls out of the Customs Union and implements trade restrictions, Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar said.

Addressing a public meeting on Brexit in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Mr Varadkar said there should be no return to a hard border, and that long-standing arrangements between Ireland and the UK, including in the labour market, welfare rights and peace in Northern Ireland, should be maintained.

"If Britain decides to put up borders to restrict its trade, to impose customs, well we will go after their markets - and why shouldn't we? Also we will seek EU agencies that are now in London to come to Ireland," he said, with specific reference to the European Medicines Agency.

He also spoke of the need for a citizens' Europe, arguing support for European integration was falling.

In Drogheda, Co Louth, Housing Minister Simon Coveney was addressing a similar meeting, revealing the Government had "intensively" lobbied Downing Street to ensure Theresa May made specific reference to Ireland in her Brexit speech.

In her address this week laying out the UK's vision for Brexit, in which she said the UK would leave the single market, Mrs May said the UK would commit to maintaining the common travel area.

Mr Coveney said discussions have been taking place directly between the Irish and British governments surrounding the UK's EU withdrawal, and claimed London was pressed by both Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan to ensure Ireland was referred to by Mrs May.

he also claimed that Ireland now has a role to play as a "rational" voice between the UK and EU, as he predicted the negotiations would be "nasty".

"Before Theresa May made her speech, there was intensive lobbying coming from Government, to the British government, to ensure that in her speech she specifically singled out Ireland as an issue that needs to be resolved in terms of the common travel area," Mr Coveney said.

Laying out the risks faced by Ireland at the Fine Gael organised meeting, Mr Coveney said it would be unacceptable to the Government if the common travel area was to cease.

He said Brexit potentially meant that Irish citizens, and therefore EU citizens, living in Northern Ireland will be potentially cut off from their own country.

"There are Irish citizens in Northern Ireland who have the right to be EU citizens, who will be living outside of the EU, because everybody in Northern Ireland has the right to Irish citizenship, and they may be restricted from moving into their own country potentially if we can't manage border issues," Mr Coveney said.

He accused the UK of looking for the benefits of EU membership, and none of the responsibilities. And he signalled Ireland had a role to play in the negotiations.

"We have this role to play which in my view goes way beyond our size in terms of importance to try to be a stabiliser and a rational voice to try to find a way forward between two giants, that at the moment are punching each other and that's going to continue," he said.

"It is in our own self interest that we need to do that, but it is also in Europe's interest that we need to do it, because no country understands the complexity of the British mindset better than Irish people."
Attendees walk past a sign in the Congress Hall during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland

Open markets and global trade have been widely blamed for job losses over the last decade, but global ceos say the real culprits are machines.

Business leaders gathered at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos relish the productivity gains technology can bring, but they warned this week that the collateral damage to jobs needs to be addressed more seriously.

From taxi drivers to healthcare professionals, technologies such as robotics, driverless cars, artificial intelligence and 3-D printing mean more and more types of jobs are at risk.

Adidas, for example, aims to use 3-D printing in the manufacture of some running shoes.

"Jobs will be lost, jobs will evolve and this revolution is going to be ageless, it's going to be classless and it's going to affect everyone," said Meg Whitman, chief executive of Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

So while some supporters of Donald Trump and Brexit may hope new government policies will bring lost jobs back, economists estimate 86pc of US manufacturing job losses are actually down to productivity, according to the WEF's annual risks report.

"Technology is the big issue and we don't acknowledge that," Mark Weinberger, chairman of consultancy EY, said, rejecting the idea the blame lies with trading partners.
Agendas, meetings and the importance of a coloured badge - here are the 10 things you need to know about Davos:

1. What is Davos?

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is an annual gathering of the world's business and political elite - the so-called 1pc.

Delegates (who must be invited) include world leaders, the chief executives and senior personnel of major international companies, including hedge funds, banks, tech and big pharma as well as leading scholars and policymakers.

The WEF, now in its 47th year, is held at the Swiss ski resort of Davos, a small mountain town that is placed in lockdown for the four-day conference, with activities overseen by a permanent corps of Swiss army snipers in ski boots who perch on rooftops overlooking the conference venues and hotels.

In theory, Davos is an opportunity for an exclusive group of leaders to network and dream up solutions to the world's problems.

In practice, it is the biggest business development opportunity on the planet.

2. Badges

In Davos, attendees obsess about the WEF's badge hierarchy. Heads of state, royalty and high level participants have the most coveted badges: white, credit card style badges with special insignia.

"Regular" participants also have white badges.

Orange (media), violet (tech staff), green (officials accompanying heads of state) and grey badges (for spouses and partners of white badgers) offer more limited access.

Least envied are the so called "hotel badgers," whose pass gets them into hotels close to the main event but not the inner sanctum of the congress centre.

3. The Agenda

Davos is meant to bring the 1pc and others together to heal the world's problems.

They do so through a range of panels, debates and speeches and simulations such as 'A Day in the Life of a Refugee' in which delegates trade food for valuables, fill out identity papers and endure orders from uniformed soldiers with fake weapons to experience what life is like for refugees.

The program includes everything from pandemics to climate change but has been derided for failing to spot or find solutions to problems such as the financial crisis, growing inequalities, Trump, Brexit and populism.

4. The Meetings

For all the publicity Davos attracts, real business happens behind closed doors.

Davos is the ultimate business speed-dating experience, with most meetings lasting less than 30 minutes.

Space is at a premium so it is not unusual for "spotters" to stand over you waiting for an empty space to emerge.

Here, too, there is an elaborate caste system.

There are public meetings and bilateral that you'll find out about.

The most important meetings are those that are held in absolute secrecy.

5. Davos Man

Only 20pc of the Davos chosen are women.

There are women at Davos including high-level participants such as the IMF's Christine Lagarde and British Prime Minister Theresa May. But most women are at Davos in a supporting role.

Davos is a man's world and a depressing reminder of how few of the 50pc have made it in to the 1pc.

6. Parties

The parties at Davos are legendary and salt in the wounds of those who loathe its elite status.

The hottest ticket this year was a dinner hosted by Saudi Aramco, which is about to embark on the world's largest IPO. The dinner at the $175m egg-shaped InterContinental Davos and was attended by people including Stuart Gulliver, the boss of HSBC Holdings Plc and Larry Fink, head of fund manager BlackRock Inc. I couldn't blag my way into that one.

7. Best speaker

For symbolic significance, the opening address by Chinese President Xi Jinping was the biggest speech, overshadowing a special address by British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Xi, the first Chinese leader to address Davos, positioned himself as arch defender of globalisation and free trade. A communist party man charming the capitalist elite at Davos is something that would have been inconceivable five years ago.

8. In demand

In previous years, delegates and their entourage from America dominated the agenda at Davos.

This year China was in the ascendant, but all anyone really wanted to talk about was Donald Trump.

Partly because of a backlash against globalisation and centrist policies, many high-profile political and business figures chose to stay away from Davos this year.

Notable absentees include German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

9. Weather

Temperatures plunge as low as -15 or -17 degrees in Davos and falls on the frozen footpaths are brutally common.

Still, delegates and their entourages were luckier than those who travelled to the ski resort between Christmas and New Year where the local hospital was fielding some 100 admissions a day.

10. Still the best show in town

Davos is blamed for the rise in populism and middle class anger around the world and sadly many private conversations this year were about how Trump could enhance further still the power and wealth of the 1pc.

For all the criticisms of Davos, there is nowhere like it. It is a gathering of the elites, but mere mortals are here too.

It brings together, in one location, the most powerful (and, yes, wealthy) people in the world.

They are the people with power to influence and make change: whether they do so is another matter.
A total of 37 jobs are to go at Loyaltybuilds HQ in Ennis

An Irish business that was victim of a "very sophisticated cyberattack" is to maintain its presence here - but with a reduced workforce.

That is according to new accounts just filed by Loyaltybuild which show the firm recorded pre-tax losses of 9.1m in 2015.

Last October, Loyaltybuild - which built its business operating customer loyalty programmes for clients - announced the redundancy of 37 staff at its Ennis HQ in Co Clare.

The new accounts show that the estimated cost of the restructuring is 780,000. The directors state that in addition, the firm's relationship with a significant client ended on December 31st last.

The directors state that in order to maintain the company's leadership position in a competitive market, the company must refocus on becoming an agile, leaner and predominantly digital-led business.

The decision to downsize the Irish operation followed three years after the 2013 cyberattack put Loyaltybuild's Irish business out of action for seven months costing the company millions of euro in lost revenues.

No one was ever identified or brought to court for the cyberattack.

The new accounts show that Loyaltybuild managed to halve its pre-tax losses to 9m in 2015 as its revenues increased by 25pc from 23.8m to 29.9m.

A large proportion of the 2014 18m pre-tax loss concerned the restructuring of the firm's French operation.

The company's accounts cover the activities of Loyaltybuild's European business including its French operation.

The revenues generated in Ireland increased in 2015 from 5.9m to 6.3m with revenues in 'Other European Countries' increasing from 17.9m to 23.4m.

Numbers employed reduced from 132 to 119. Staff costs at the firm in 2015 reduced from 7.7m to 4.72m.

Directors' remuneration in 2015 declined from 803,353 to 394,382.

The loss in 2015 takes account of combined non-cash depreciation and amortisation costs of 875,998.

The company is owned by US group, Affinion and a note attached to the accounts states that Loyaltybuild had net liabilities of 2.67m and net assets of 644,719 at the end of December 2015.

The note states that Affinion will continue to provide financial support as required and has confirmed that the firm will not seek repayment of the amounts due if they were to cause financial difficulty for Loyaltybuild.

In 2008, three Co Clare businessmen who co-owned Loyaltybuild bucked the recession when they sold the firm to the US group for 25m.

It is understood that founder and former ceo Dominic Considine, businessman, aircraft leasing financier, Domhnal Slattery and developer and hotelier, Sean Lyne received half of the proceeds up front.

The balance was to be paid over a number of years, based on the firm meeting targets.
Fine Gael politicians have expressed concern that the mechanism being used to select the new areas for rent caps will see many rural towns bypassed.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney faces a clamour from other parts of the country as rent caps will be extended to up to 20 further towns in the coming weeks.

Clare senator Martin Conway last night said it would be "completely unacceptable" if Ennis, which is in his constituency, was excluded.

"The rent pressures in Ennis are acute, it is proving so difficult for people to find a rental property at a reasonable rate," Mr Conway told the Irish Independent.

"I would not be one bit happy if Ennis was not included in the latest tranche of towns."

Other urban areas such as Limerick and Waterford are not expected to be included in the list of new rent pressure zones, due to be announced in the coming weeks.

However, Waterford TD John Deasy said he did not believe Waterford should be included this time round.

"Waterford has not seen the type of rent pressures that have been recorded in the likes of Dublin in recent times," Mr Deasy said.

His party colleague senator Paudie Coffey also expressed caution about designating Waterford as a rent pressure zone, but said he would like to see all of the data guiding Mr Coveney's decision.

Read More

For towns to be designated as a pressure zone the average rents has to be above the national average and prices must have increased by 7pc in four of the last six quarters.

Landlords can increase rent by only 4pc a year for the next three years in designated zones.

The 20 new towns are in Cork, Galway, and in counties along the Dublin commuter belt. Mr Coveney is due to reveal the full list by the end of the month.

Sources indicated Navan in Meath and Naas in Kildare met the criteria, as has Carrigaline, Ballincollig, Douglas and Rochestown in Cork.

Fianna Fail's Housing spokesperson Barry Cowen is set to call for almost 40 towns to be designated as pressure zones due to the prohibitive cost of rising rents in other areas of the country. But Mr Coveney said he would be "sceptical" of Fianna Fail's figures.

He said the review of rent prices needed to be based on data, not on popular decisions.

Mr Coveney was initially criticised when he introduced his rent strategy as only areas in Dublin and Cork were designated as pressure zones. But his ability to secure support in the Dail has boosted his leadership credentials.
Lyons Demesne in Celbridge, Co Kildare, former home of Ryanair founder Tony Ryan, was sold for 12m in 2016

The number of 1m-plus homes trading hands has risen year-on-year as families struggle to secure a foothold on the housing ladder.

Some 511 high-end properties were sold in 2016, an increase of 37 or 8pc, despite a sharp drop in the number of houses and apartments trading hands due to a lack of supply.

An analysis of the Property Price Register shows that almost 4,000 fewer homes were sold in 2016 compared with 2015, but that prices rose by an average of 20,000 per unit.

Worryingly, among the sharpest falls in transactions were in areas of highest demand.

Some 2,300 fewer homes were sold in Dublin last year, a drop of 15pc. In Cork, they fell by 402, down 7.5pc.

The sharpest fall was in Galway, where just 2,316 property transactions took place - down 506, or almost 18pc.

The figures include both new and second-hand homes and come after a series of Government initiatives were introduced aimed at boosting the construction sector and helping first-time buyers secure a home.

They include the introduction of the Help to Buy scheme, which allows first-time buyers to reclaim up to 20,000 in taxes to fund a deposit.

The latest figures from the Revenue Commissioners show that 1,502 have sought relief under the scheme.

The State has also allowed local authorities to reduce development levies in areas of high demand to spur developers into building homes, and Central Bank lending rules which limit amounts which could be borrowed have been adjusted.

The measures are needed because between 25,000 and 30,000 new homes are required every year just to keep pace with demand.

However, new figures from the Department of Housing show that in the first 11 months of last year, just 13,376 have been completed.

Chief economist at Goodbody, Dermot O'Leary, said that while supply continues to increase at a fast pace, it is from a low level.

"These are exceptional growth rates, but must be seen in the context of the exceptionally low level that they are coming from and our housing demand forecast is circa 31,000 per annum," he said.

"The multi-year growth period for housing supply has a lot more to run, aided by ongoing demand, loosening credit conditions, foreign capital and government initiatives."

He predicts just 18,500 will be built next year, but officials in the department expect it to exceed 20,000, pointing to a sharp rise in planning permissions granted which are up around 45pc year-on-year.

But the lack of properties being built is having little or no impact on wealthy buyers seeking a high-end home.

The register also shows that in 2016, some 511 homes costing more than 1m were sold. This compares with 474 in 2015.

Overall, some 598 transactions above 1m were concluded. This includes block sales of apartment buildings, and follows annual increases since 2010 in the number of 1m-plus transactions occurring.

The most expensive private residence sold last year was the Lyons Estate in Celbridge, Co Kildare. The mansion and surrounding lands fetched just over 12m.

Most of the luxury homes were purchased in Dublin (455), followed by Wicklow, Kildare and Meath. 18 were sold in Cork.

Total investment in these luxury homes stood at almost 838m, with an average selling price of 1.6m each.

While the sharpest rise in the value of the 'average' transaction was in Clare, up 37pc to 170,494, this includes the sale of student accommodation at Thomond Village at the University of Limerick for 33.1m in March last year. When this is excluded, the average price stands at 138,579.

The register also reveals:

 Last year, 44,956 property transactions took place across the State. This compares with 48,889 in 2015, a drop of 3,933. Total spending on residential property amounted to 10.683bn.

 The average price paid in each transaction rose by more than 10pc from 220,177 to 242,639 - up 22,462.

 The sharpest rise in the value of the 'average' transaction was in Louth, up 15.9pc to 165,435.

 The most expensive county in which to buy is Dublin, up almost 48,000 year-on-year to 398,757. It is followed by Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, Cork and Galway.

 The cheapest county is Longford, where the average price per transaction was 83,319, up 15.2pc.

 The value of all transactions last year totalled 10.683bn - a slight fall of just 81m, despite almost 4,000 fewer units being sold. In 2015, transactions totalled 10.764bn.

The register shows that new home transactions have remained largely static, suggesting that a lack of second-hand homes coming onto the market is hampering the ability to families to purchase.

See 'How Much Is Your House Worth? 2017' in today's Irish Independent
Some commentators have been talking about this since 2013. Eventually they will be right. There was no sign of a bubble in 2013 and it's still not in evidence now. Properties fell by 60pc from 2007 to 2013. To get back to where they were, prices would have to increase by 120pc. Some have increased by 40pc to 50pc, a long way off where they were in 2006.

Pat Davitt is the CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV). Pat has more than 34 years' experience in the sector, spending much of it running a family-based auctioneering firm in Mullingar.

Claire Solon

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I doubt that it will, but if a bubble forms, it will be principally to do with too much demand for too little supply and may be specific to certain locations. It won't be a credit-fuelled one, as we previously experienced.

Claire Solon is president of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, with 5,000 members in the property sector, and head of property at Friends First, where she manages 500m of property assets.

Keith Lowe

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As property prices still remain over 40pc below their peak levels back in 2006, I do not believe that a property bubble is emerging. The definition of a property bubble is where property prices are at a level over market value for a prolonged period of time. This is simply not the case at this juncture of the market cycle.

Keith Lowe is CEO of Douglas Newman Good, which has 75 offices throughout the country. He has 32 years' experience in the sector, having joined the firm in 1984.

Michael Grehan

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We are way beyond saying something will never happen again. Having said that, there is currently a supply crisis leading to soaring rents and the potential for greater price increases and the knock-on social implications. The future supply of credit and new homes will be more controlled and managed, thus reducing the risk of returning to bubble territory.

Michael Grehan s the managing director of the Sherry FitzGerald estate agency group, which has a 66-branch-strong network including franchises. He has more than 27 years' experience in the sector.

Marian McQuillan

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We think it unlikely that another bubble will form in the short to medium term. There is more prudent lending in place now compared to 10 years ago. Although the deposit requirement has been reduced to 10pc for first-time buyers, it is still necessary to meet the 3.5-times-salary requirement. This, in our opinion, is central in avoiding another bubble. The Central Bank is continuing to monitor activity and is ready to tweak the rules if there is any sign of another bubble.

Marian McQuillan is the CEO of Quillsen, formerly Gunne Estate Agents, and was formerly a director of Purcell McQuillan Tax Partners.
There is no doubt that Simon Coveney has committed himself to resolving this crisis, and the plan incorporates a multi-faceted approach to resolving the crisis to provide the 25,000 new homes needed each year up to 2021. To get a sense of the scale of investment required, over 5bn will be injected into building social housing over the next six years. The challenge is for the industry to scale up again to the extent required and factors like finance, labour and taxation need to be addressed now to support an industry still emerging from a significant crash.

Claire Solon is president of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, with 5,000 members in the property sector, and head of property at Friends First, where she manages 500m of property assets.

Michael Grehan

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A great initiative which requires a collaborative approach and energy by many stakeholders to ensure the objectives are translated into homes and apartments in a timely manner. The success of the plan will be determined not in its aspirations but rather in the brave execution and speed at which change needs to happen to guarantee the success of Rebuilding Ireland. The Minister needs a lot of support from a lot of people.

Michael Grehan s the managing director of the Sherry FitzGerald estate agency group, which has a 66-branch-strong network including franchises. He has more than 27 years' experience in the sector.

Marian McQuillan

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It is definitely an action-driven plan and decidedly a step in the right direction. Whether it is realistic in terms of the numbers of new builds - 25,000 per annum by 2020 and to complete 1,500 units in the rapid-housing programme - is optimistic at best and unrealistic at worst. The speed at which existing stock is ready for new occupancy is reported to be incredibly slow.

Marian McQuillan is the CEO of Quillsen, formerly Gunne Estate Agents, and was formerly a director of Purcell McQuillan Tax Partners.

Pat Davitt

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There are some positive developments emerging but elements of the plan display a lack of understanding of market dynamics. The Minister and his public- sector advisors need to consult with agents on an ongoing basis to understand what's really happening in the various localities. I believe the plan can and will work if it is reviewed regularly and tweaked where necessary.

Pat Davitt is the CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV). Pat has more than 34 years' experience in the sector, spending much of it running a family-based auctioneering firm in Mullingar.
Our expert on the ground reports a disparity between buyer expectations in Dublin 12 and the true market values of homes on offer - as evidenced by the huge numbers of viewers turning up at showings only to be put off by bidding. "Most first viewings have been attracting 30-100 people; there were 200 at one showing," says Adrian Murphy of Murphy Mullan, who reports a "very strong" year for prices in D12.

"We saw three to seven bidders on most properties we brought to the market in 2016 at first-time-buyer level. Anyone coming to view was loan-approved and arrived with their financing in place, ready to bid. But what they hadn't done was their research on prices: they were not expecting prices to go as far above the asking price as they did. They needed to factor in 10pc above asking; if they didn't, then they were looking outside their price range."
Due to its stock of more afford- able homes, most of the demand in Dublin 20 comes from first-time buyers. But Dublin 20 was hit hard by the bank lending regulations brought in two years ago.

"The market in Dublin 20 suffered a lot because of the Central Bank cap and the deposit requirement," says local agent Roger Berkeley. "But, since the recent rule changes, we saw prices edging up towards the end of 2016."

Even taking the Central Bank rules into account, properties in the Dublin 20 area saw growth of an average of 8pc.

Berkeley reports that Palmerstown, where prices have been sluggish for years, is only now making up for lost ground. The housing stock in the area is varied, with newer estates such as Whitethorn now seeing prices shoot up.

Homes in Whitethorn are now making in the late two hundred thousands, while older 1950s redbrick houses in locations such as Palmerstown Drive are now making in the region of 385,000.

"Prices in Palmerstown Drive are back where they should be," says Berkeley. "Most people who bought here have stayed in their houses, and put money in to extend and upgrade. You still get a lot more house for your money in Palmerstown than you would elsewhere."

The last time that new houses were built in the area in any numbers was in the mid-1990s, and Berkeley is hopeful that there may be some new development in 2017.

Prices in Chapelizod (which includes even and odd postcodes on both sides of the Liffey) are considerably higher than in Palmerstown, especially when it comes to apartments. Berkeley reports that he had great interest in 'Moira Villa', 71 Old Lucan Road - a characterful, double-fronted bungalow with chocolate-box appeal that eventually sold for 550,000.

"There's always a market for something special," he says. For 2017, Berkeley is predicting increases of between 6pc and 12pc, depending on location. "Growth this year will be the same as last year - at least."
The big news in Dublin 7 is the 'Luas effect', which is inflating prices in Cabra in particular - spiking them disproportionately following the interest from buyers with an eye on a faster travel time to the city centre.

On top of this, the growing student population at the new DIT campus in Grangegorman and the redevelopment of Dalymount Stadium are both contributing to a feel-good factor in Dublin 7. Meantime, there are still hopes that Phibsborough Shopping Centre will finally get a much-needed makeover.

The Luas/Grangegorman combo has seriously inspired investors, and Vinnie Mullen of DNG reports that the buy-to-let brigade are now outbidding first-time buyers for the first time since the crash in central areas such as Smithfield.

"Stock levels are very low and demand was still strong," says Mullen. "Investors kept prices going up because rents are so good. But prices are still 35-40pc below what they were at the peak." Mullen says he believes there is plenty of room for more big hikes this year.

Properties in good condition are making disproportionately better prices than those requiring refurbishment, reflecting the difficulties that purchasers have in borrowing money for renovation work. Our agent cites the example of two very similar houses on Newgrange Road in Cabra - one sold for 257,500 in June 2015, while another, in similar condition, made 286,000 in December last year.

The sale of 15 Cherrymount Park, Dublin 7, needing work, was agreed in March 2016 for 432,000, while 6 Cherrymount Park, already refurbished, was agreed in July 2016 for 530,000.In Phibsborough, 25 O'Connell Avenue, a 78sq/m property needing refurbishment, was agreed in May 2016 for 292,500, whereas 50 Geraldine Street, a 103sq/m property that had been extended and was in excellent condition, went sale agreed in June 2016 for 500,000.

A building company bought 439 North Circular Road, Dublin 7, in March 2016 for 320,000, and, after a refurbishment costing approximately 80,000, the property was sold on for 550,000 in December 2016. Mullen says there is highest demand among owner-occupiers for three-bed Edwardian houses in Shandon in Phibsborough, along with equivalents in the general Stoneybatter/Cherrymount areas.
IN order to determine your home's value, first select your micromarket from the drop down menu.

We have listed the most common property types first. These usually include family-sized homes such as three- and four-bed semis in cities, and three- and four-bed bungalows in the counties.

Trace down through the table to find your property type. You will see our valuer's estimate of how much an average property in the area will sell for today. Here you will also find last year's average value estimate for this property type and a forecast figure based on how the local auctioneer believes this type will perform in the year ahead - subject to conditions currently prevalent in your local market.

We list the better-known locations or biggest population centres in each and every market. In some cases (Terenure, Milltown and Portarlington), locations span more than one postcode or county.

You will find an 'average price' overall listed for your local market. This figure has been gleaned from the most typical property types in the area. Where there are too few property types to warrant a listing in our tables we have left these out entirely - for example, there are few period two-storey-over-basement properties in Dublin 10 (Ballyfermot).

How Much Is Your House Worth? 2017 is an opinion-based survey built on the local experts' professional, informed view of what an average version of each type of property will sell for today. Other surveys are based on asking prices, which are largely irrelevant to the final price paid.

Because How Much Is Your House Worth? 2017 has had its valuations carried out in a period during which prices tend not to move (the weeks before Christmas to early January), it is up to date and the values are current.

All figures are based on the 'average of the averages' so if your home is located in a better part of your postcode or county, you will have to factor in those differences. It is worth noting that some property types and some markets will occasionally exhibit trends which defy the market norms.

Where possible, we have explained these irregularities. For example, South Wicklow bungalows outside towns are more expensive than those in town, simply because of shortage.

Where a market is too big to be covered by the expertise of one agent, we have sought the help of two (Donegal, for example). Where highly priced enclaves can skew prices elsewhere too radically, we have split out markets and analysed them separately (Clontarf has its own category within the other, much cheaper, D3 markets, and Killarney has been split from the rest of Kerry). Where imbalances arose we readjusted retrospectively to realign the data and iron them out.

Finally, we have accompanied each market with a picture of a property which has been sold in the last 12 months and we have included the official price listed on the national property-price register for that property.

You can use your price guide not only to value your own home but properties all over Ireland -making this publication perfect for those who fancy acquiring a holiday home, an investment property or, indeed, just having a good nose into the values of homes owned by others.
Limerick City has had its strongest year economically since the crash and this is reflected in the city centre's districts, where the overall aesthetic has been steadily improving - almost no shop vacancies are left in key streets.

Big employers near the city centre, such as Regeneron and Uber, have continued to staff up and, like many international firms, hired staff from Limerick and elsewhere in Ireland, as well as bringing in personnel from abroad. All will require accommodation in a market where supply remains tight and there is no sign of development on the way.

Generally speaking, property values are up by 10pc through 12 months, according to local estate agent Geoff de Courcy of Property Partners de Courcy O'Dwyer. This includes three- and four-bed semis, which would not be so numerous in the city-centre area. Smaller city-centre homes such as apartments, terraces and cottages saw their values shoot up by 15pc amidst an intense interest from investors during a period when stock for sale has been running low. Overall, it meant the average price was up around 12pc.

Investors are accounting for around two thirds of sales in the city centre at the moment. Of the investors purchasing, two thirds are from Limerick City, while the rest come from Dublin, Cork and elsewhere, including the regional towns around the city.

When it comes to apartment sales, investor penetration is 80pc, while the 20pc of owner-occupiers purchasing are split between those trading down and first-time buyers.

Having been hit especially hard by the crash, Limerick city centre still presents considerable value, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging 52,000, and that's after inflating 15pc in the last 12 months and by 9pc in the previous year. Outsiders from Dublin and Cork have taken note.

There is more equal competition for the city centre's smaller houses, with two-bed cottages up 10,000 to 80,000 and expected to go up to 87,000 this year. Two-bed terraces are up in value by 16,000 to 121,000 and are heading for 132,000 this year. The three-bed version is already at 167,000 and likely to go to go over 180,000 in 2017.

Meantime, despite rising by almost 15pc through the last 12 months, an entry-level house can still be had in Limerick City for under 80,000.

The only new-homes scheme to provide new units in the city centre was an upper-end scheme located beside the Strand Hotel. The Strand complex, on the banks of the Shannon, has been taken over by a fund, and the apartments are being fed to the market for sale in tranches.

As these are larger apartments with a river view, they have proven the exception to the apartment rule and are being bought largely by owner-occupiers, including those trading down from more exclusive residential locations. There are no new schemes in the pipeline for Limerick city centre, which means price increases are likely to continue - our projection is by 9pc for the next 12 months.

Overall cash sales are still down at 20pc, the same level as last year, and reflective of the fact that vulture funds and banks are still offloading stressed property in steady tranches at strategic intervals. When it came to apartments, investors bought 80pc of what came up for sale.

The 'hotspot' most likely to add capital value in the year ahead is the Ennis Road, although de Courcy says this is very closely followed by the North Circular Road. Both enclaves at the top end of the city market are competed for by executives and wealthier professionals. "There's a mix of homes dating from turn-of-the-century to the 1950s, and a four-bed detached requiring modernisation here will cost you around 350,000.

At the top end, ex-pats are coming home from abroad having made a few quid and are targeting homes in these areas. Unlike many other population centres, Brexit doesn't seem to have had any major impact on the Limerick City market, even though many will be returning here from Britain with property to sell. It's also possible that the overall lift in prosperity generally has clouded its impact.
Former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh has joined Bank of Ireland as the events manager for Workbench in Limerick.

Workbench offers entrepreneurs and startups a free space in which to discuss new ideas, pitch and develop relationships.

Ms Walsh joins Bank of Ireland from AR, a New York-based advertising agency. Following her stint as Rose of Tralee she campaigned in favour of the marriage equality referendum.

Ms Walsh will manage upcoming events and initiatives at the Limerick Workbench such as the monthly Startup Grind events.

"We are delighted that Maria is joining the team in Workbench Limerick," said Pat Carroll, Start Up Community Manager at Bank of Ireland Limerick. "Maria will manage the Bank's busy events programme for 2017.

"She brings a wealth of creative and marketing thinking to the role which will really help the startups based in the Workbench think differently about how they bring their product to market. I would like to welcome Maria to the team and look forward to working with her."
Michael Flatley may have said he was "honoured" to be performing at US President Trump's inauguration, but fans and critics are still divided.

The Lord of the Dance star introduced the troupe, who flew over from Ireland specifically for the occasion, on Friday night to perform at the Liberty Ball in Washington D.C.

"To introduce the greatest team of dancers in the world - the cast of Lord of the Dance. They've come with me all the way from Ireland tonight to celebrate the election of America's new president Donald Trump," he said in a brief introduction.

"May God bless him and guide him, I hope you enjoy the show.

Just to clear up any confusion folks - #Riverdance will not be performing at the #Inauguration Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance is  Riverdance (@Riverdance) January 19, 2017

On Thursday, Riverdance distanced their production from the event.

Just to clear up any confusion folks - #Riverdance will not be performing at the #Inauguration Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance is  Riverdance (@Riverdance) January 19, 2017

Flatley's participation has been praised and criticised in equal measure - with those in disagreement with Trump's ethos expressing their upset with the dancer and others celebrating the quality of the performance.

Watch the full performance, here:

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A marking with three Xs in it outside a property denotes three good targets in a row

A key explaining burglary chalk markings was released by police in the UK Photo: Devon Police

Rural communities fear their properties are being marked with chalk to alert burglars of valuables inside.

One rural community has set up a 24-hour neighbourhood watch after a series of break-ins.

Locals in Clonaslee, Co Laois, believe farmers' homes in particular were being targeted, with stones and markings used to identify properties of note.

Local Joey Dempsey told the Irish Independent that houses in the area have seen "mysterious" markings outside before they were burgled.

"There was so much concern in the community that there is now a volunteer nightly patrol, seven nights a week," he said.

"Burglars are going one step further, creating stone mounds or markings with stones outside properties to be hit."

local farmer Joe Reilly said that farmers in the area were being robbed "left, right and centre".

"They were targeting farmers who were on their own and stealing their machinery. I believe the markings were used to later target houses."

Local businessman Paul Downey said that burglars had been seen on CCTV outside properties that had been hit.

"We saw two lads on CCTV going around the neighbourhood every night between 12am to 4am. I think it's legitimate that the houses were marked and then targeted."

Brendan Kelly set up the neighbourhood watch in the nearby town of Killoughy, Co Offaly, after a number of robberies.

"We set up the neighbourhood watch two years ago when we noticed a lot of break-ins in the area," he said.

"We have a team of about 42 people and every night somebody is on watch," he said. "It seems to be working because the burglaries have declined."

A Garda spokesperson urged the public to remain vigilant.

Earlier this week, locals in the Ballybrack and Shankill area, Co Dublin, became concerned after spotting distinct markings outside their homes.

One image of a chalk marking in the area shared by a local showed three Xs in a row, which according to a key suggests 'three good targets in a row'.

Local Fianna Fail activist Vinny Duran-Kearns said similar markings had been used to target homes in the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown area.

"Burglars have used similar markings to target houses in the area. We have a guide of what they might mean to keep locals updated," he said.
A GAA fan was caught drunk driving a horse and carriage on a motorway on his way home from the All Ireland final.

Christopher Gunning (58) was stopped by gardai as he drove an antique Dutch carriage festooned with Dublin flags and pulled by a black-and-white piebald on the motorway.

He was described as highly intoxicated, and an officer who had to rein the horse in while he called for backup in heavy traffic said he feared for their safety.

Gunning, a grandfather-of-four, denied he was drunk and said bringing the flag-draped carriage to the All-Ireland was a "tradition".

He told gardai he had had six pints, but insisted in court it had been only three shandies.

Judge Michael Walsh found him guilty and fined him 300, describing his behaviour as "reckless in the extreme".

Gunning, of Clonshaugh, Cloughran, pleaded not guilty to being under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent that he was not capable of having proper control over an animal-drawn vehicle.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened on the M1 in Santry on September 18, 2016. Garda Colm Reid told the court he had finished duty and was driving his motorcycle home at 7.55pm.

"In front of me, holding all the traffic behind it up was a horse and cart, it was a black-and-white horse and the back of the cart was draped in Dublin flags," he said.

It was dark and there were no lights on the cart. He got up beside it and Gunning was sitting in front, with cars beeping and swerving around him.

He felt the situation was "extremely dangerous". The garda shouted at him to get off the road and Gunning looked at him and said nothing.

The garda managed to pull him in.

"He wasn't able to understand what I was saying even though I was very close to him," the garda said.

"He was barely able to speak a proper sentence. Nothing he could say to me made much sense."

As he was on the phone for assistance, Gunning pulled back out into oncoming traffic, with some "near misses".

Agitated

Garda Reid parked in front of him, stopping him again and Gunning told him he was trying to go home. Cars were "flying past" and the garda was "extremely nervous" for his safety. The horse became agitated and he feared they would be clipped by a car.

The garda had to hold the horse's reins while on the phone. Gunning was very unsteady on his feet when he got off the carriage and the garda "knew he had consumed a hell of a lot of alcohol".

Gunning told the court he'd had a "designated driver" in the carriage with him, but that man left on the way.

He said cars were beeping and taking photos of him on the way. He did not initially know the man who told him to stop was a garda.

Gunning said he did pull away a second time because he was moving to a safer place for his horse. He said he was not intoxicated, but more "tired".

The defence argued that Gunning had proper control of the vehicle. He said the horse in question was "placid".

"God only knows what might have happened if something upset or disturbed the animal I can only imagine the consequences," Judge Walsh said.
Just eight of 458 patients currently occupying hospital beds - despite being well enough for discharge - are refusing to leave, it emerged yesterday.

The majority of these patients, termed 'delayed discharges', cannot leave until suitable care is ready - and many are waiting for their applications for financial support under the Fair Deal nursing home scheme to come through. Others need a home care package or remedial work on their houses because of a disability.

The HSE said it does not "collect information on specific reasons for people refusing to leave hospital."

HSE legal adviser Eunice O'Raw, in legal advice correspondence, said that some elderly farmers were refusing to leave hospital.

This was in order to protect their inheritance and avoid going through a means test for Fair Deal which takes the farm into account as an asset, forcing the potential sale of some land to meet the fees.

However, the HSE said it does not gather details of the family background of delayed discharges and could not say how many farmers were resisting discharge.

This information, however, would be available at hospital level where social workers are involved in organising step-down care for these patients.

The problem of elderly patients refusing to leave hospital was more prevalent before the start of the Fair Deal scheme as families faced the prospect of paying out huge bills for nursing home care.

Under the Fair Deal legislation, hospitals are allowed to charge these patients around 1,365 a week.

Beaumont Hospital in Dublin was the first to impose this charge on six patients who were refusing to fill out forms to allow them to be financially assessed for the Fair Deal.

They were among 60 people, ready for discharge, given notice of the fee in recent years.

St James's Hospital also took legal action in 2014 against an elderly patient who had been occupying a bed for almost four years, although she was ready for discharge in 2010.

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She resisted offers to transfer to a nursing home and she was supported by her family.

A court order to pay fees to the hospital was appealed.

Only 17,000 people in the country have HSE-provided home care packages which allow the elderly to remain in their own homes.

Catherine Cox, of Family Carers Ireland, said until there was legislation introduced to underpin older people's access to home care support, it would continue to remain inequitable, problematic and unreliable.

"We welcome Older People Minister Helen McEntee's promise of a statutory entitlement to home care and, while we are conscious that this process will take time to get right," she said.

"In the short team there needs to be additional funding allocated towards home care as a matter of urgency. There are family carers across Ireland today who are struggling to care for their loved ones at home without adequate supports. Change must come sooner rather than later."
From Left: Gregory Grene, Antonia King general manager at Haven, Leslie and Carmel Buckley and Timothy Perutz. as the prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award will be presented to Gregory Grene and Timothy Perutz, founders of the Andrew Grene Foundation (AGF), at the Sixth Annual Haiti Ball To Celebrate Haiti Week. The AGF was established in memory of Andrew Grene, a Political Affairs Officer with the United Nations, who was the sole Irish fatality in the 2010 earthquake, at the Intercontinental Hotel tonight. Picture Fergal Phillips

From Left: Ambassador, chef and TV personality Clodagh McKenna, Leslie and Carmel Buckley, at the prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award will be presented to Gregory Grene and Timothy Perutz, founders of the Andrew Grene Foundation (AGF), at the Sixth Annual Haiti Ball To Celebrate Haiti Week. The AGF was established in memory of Andrew Grene, a Political Affairs Officer with the United Nations, who was the sole Irish fatality in the 2010 earthquake, at the Intercontinental Hotel tonight. Picture Fergal Phillips

From Left: Gregory Grene, Ambassador, chef and TV personality Clodagh McKenna, Leslie and Carmel Buckley and Timothy Perutz. as the prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award will be presented to Gregory Grene and Timothy Perutz, founders of the Andrew Grene Foundation (AGF), at the Sixth Annual Haiti Ball To Celebrate Haiti Week. Picture Fergal Phillips

From Left: Gregory Grene, Leslie & Carmel Buckley and Timothy Perutz. As the prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award will be presented to Gregory Grene and Timothy Perutz, founders of the Andrew Grene Foundation (AGF), at the Sixth Annual Haiti Ball To Celebrate Haiti Week. Picture Fergal Phillips

The charity Haven hosted its sixth annual Haiti Ball this evening.

The event at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin celebrated Haiti Week and raised vital funds following the devastation caused in the country by Hurricane Matthew.

At the event the prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award was presented to Gregory Grene and Timothy Perutz, founders of the Andrew Grene Foundation (AGF). The AGF was established in memory of Andrew Grene, a Political Affairs Officer with the United Nations, who was the sole Irish fatality in the 2010 earthquake.

Gregory, Andrews twin brother, and Timothy, his lifelong friend, set-up the AGF in 2010 to empower the people of Haiti through education, loans and building projects.

It has opened the Andrew Grene High School in Cite Soleil, offering free education and scholarships to hundreds of students in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Port au Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Its microfinance programme in Aquin, south Haiti, equips local women with micro-loans to pave their way out of poverty, with more than 1,600 enrolled in its education project.

Leslie Buckley, Founder and Chairman of Haven, said: It is a great honour to present this prestigious award to the founders of the AGF. Gregory and Timothy are continuing the legacy of their cherished brother and friend, Andrew, who was incredibly passionate about the people of Haiti. By opening access to education for young people and supporting women to build their own livelihoods, they are transforming thousands of lives in Haiti.
Possibly one of the best parties I got to on Friday night had to be the surprise 60th birthday party being held for Ciaran Kinney from Ard Easmuinn in Kennedys Bar.

Ciaran who had no idea about the bash had arrived down to the pub to celebrate the fact that his son Padraic had finished his Accounting exams and arrived in to find his wife Bernie, sons Padraic and Niall, mum Joan and a huge collection of family and friends awaiting to celebrate his big day with him.

I wasn't too long in the door when I met up with son Niall who told me they had night planned but when Ciaran was asked to go down for the celebration drink was all on for inviting many of the people going to be there and had to be told they wanted to keep it to just family, so as not to spoil the surprise!

Next I headed over to, Ciaran's brother Sean Kinney from Hackballscross who was having a laugh with brother Liam from Waterville Crescent and sisters Maeve McKeever from Kilcurry and Deirdre O'Reilly from Cooley who told me the look on his face when he arrived in the door was priceless and worth coming for just that!

I got a word with Deirdre who told me she was with husband Francis and family friends and neighbours Declan and Angela Connolly who wanted to wish Ciaran all the best after he got over the surprise.

After this I caught up with Ciaran's wife Bernie who told me the surprise was great and they were going to have a marvellous night. She was sitting talking to Niall's girlfriend Ellena Franceli from Willow Grove and Padraic's girlfriend Rachel Clinton from Armagh Road who wanted to wish Ciaran all the best on his big night.

Not too long later I then caught up with my old friends Benny and Donna McDonald from Willow Grove who were awaiting the arrival of son Ben from the Friary Youth club and they too wanted to wish Ciaran all the best on the big night.

Heading for another table I caught up with David Larkin from Ard Easmuinn and Christina Begley from Hackballscross who told me they are family friends and were delighted to be there to make sure Ciaran had a good night.

Beside them I then got talking to Ciaran Tynan from Mountpleasant, Niall Taaffe from Seatown and Paul Dowdall from Ard Easmuinn who told me they were up for making it a mad one with Ciaran and the rest of the family.

Seated close by were Ciara Corr from Knockbridge and Hazel Holland from Manydown Close who were looking well and ready to party the night away with everyone there.

Next I got a word with neighbour Declan Connolly who was trying to keep it low-key, but he was with the man of mystery aka Ben Gallagher originally from Donegal but now living in town and the lads just couldn't work out whether the night was 'an ensemble' or 'a soiree'!

Finally, before I departed I met up with sister Maeve McKeever who was with sons Daniel and Cian from Kilcurry who were having a laugh with their uncles Sean and Liam who were all on about mentioning Cian's hair, pay no heed Cian, it looked fantastic!
On Friday night, I headed for the Ballymascanlon Hotel where the Dundalk Grammar School were hosting their 63rd annual Graduation Ball and the place was filling up swiftly by the time I got there.

I wasn't too long in the door when I caught up with Aaron Rafferty and Shannon Byrne both from Drogheda who told me that Shannon was taking him and he was on his best behaviour, well, yes when I met them he certainly was, but who was to say what the rest of the night would bring.

I then had the pleasure of meeting up with Micaela Nelson originally from South Africa but now living in Mount Avenue who was with Ivan Mlikota originally from Croatia but now in Dublin and he too was behaving himself and they assured me it was going to be a wild one.

Not too long later I met up with Thomas Craig and Fillian Browne both from Kilcurry who were looking really well and said they were ready for all eventualities on the night.

After this I headed over for a chat with Jack Hand from Blackrock who had brought Jenny Hughes also from The Rock, Luke Ferris from Ardee who was with Caelan Gray from Bray who were a little cautious and told me they'd be playing it by ear to see how the night went.

Making my way through the crowds I met up with Aine Reilly from Ardee was on the arm of Ronan O'Sullivan from also from Ardee who were sporting the matching dress and dickie bow combination and were having a great laugh with Kate Smyth from Blackrock who had asked Sam McDonnell from Haggardstown who were all looking well and ready to party the night away.

Not too far away I met up with Beth McKeague from Haggardstown who was with Maebh McManus from Blackrock who assured me they were there to party and couldn't wait for the night to really get under way.

After this I met up with Leo McClean from Termonfeckin and Caoimhe Hopkins from Harristown who were in the matching dress and dickie, only this time in a lovely sky blue ensemble who assured me they were going to have an excellent night with all their friends.

Making my way through the crowds I then caught up with Philip Ledwith from Stapleton Place who was with Aine Fitzgerald from Dublin, Aaron Collier from Tallanstown with Ellen McCarthy from Dun Laoghaire, Conor Capplis from Blackrock and with Rachel Tyler from Dublin and they were all looking extremely well and were looking forward to a good night of celebrations.

After this I headed over for a chat with Michael Bothwell from Nicholastown who was with Zoe Hallahan from Ard Easmuinn who were looking extremely well and were looking forward to a good night together.

Meanwhile up near the bar I then got talking to Erin Carr originally from Australia but now living in Belfast who was there with Sam McSherry from Blackrock who assured me it was going to be anything but a quiet night.

Just arrived in the door I then met up with Conall Murdock from Darver along with his sister Elizabeth who was on the arm of Jack McDonald from Blackrock who were in great form and up for whatever the night brought along.

One man who was certainly on his toes was teacher Dave Symmons from Ardee with his wife Helen and he was the main organiser of the night and was there to make sure it passed off as successfully as possible, everyone enjoyed it and got home safely.

After this I met up with James McQuade from Trim who was with Julie Kelly from Monasterboice, Daniel Fallon from Dublin and Aviva Kearney a past pupil also from Dublin who was back to see all her old friends again.

Next I got a word with John Bennet from Kells who was talking to Victoria Folayan from Dublin Road and Joy Omoruyi from Farndreg who were looking extremely well and couldn't wait for the night to get under way.

Making my way through the crowds I then met up with Patrick O'Callaghan from Carrick Road who was with Rachel Cantwell from Duleek who tried to tell me it was going to be a quiet and refined night!

Beside them I met up with Charlie Connelly from Anne Street who was with Emma Bailey from Drogheda who were looking very well and told me it was definitely going to be a good night.

One man there ready to break with tradition was David Anderson from Ardee wo was carrying a lovely clutch bag that really set off his suit. However, he did try to tell me it belonged to Katie French-Davis from Lobinstown, a likely story!

Finally, I got a word with Thomas Murdock from Darver who was with Emily Deane from Navan who were just after arriving in and told me it was going to be a fantastic night with all their friends.
Ridleys Nite Club in Dundalk took a new initiative this Christmas in getting behind the St. Vincent de Paul Society's annual appeal.

Over the Christmas and New Year patrons attending the Park Street venue were invited to contribute to the appeal, and the response was magnificent.

'We felt that it was something that we wanted to become involved in' said Gerry Morgan, manager of the Nite Club, who added that they were so encouraged by the response that they hope to get involved again next Christmas.

A total of 2,500 was contributed, and Kevin Mulligan, Area President of the Society thanked the management and staff of Ridleys who mounted the appeal and the many who contributed.

The Christmas appeal by the Society raised a record 140,000 in the Dundalk area, through church collections, donations from individuals and firms and fund raising activities such as carol singing.

In addition many schools, firms and individuals contributed generously to the Society's food and 'Giving Tree' toy appeal, which allowed the Society's volunteers to distribute over 700 food parcels in the town and district.

In addition Dundalk Social Services and the Lions Club distributed a further 250 food parcels on behalf of the Society.

Demand for the Society's help increased significantly over Christmas and throughout last year, and in response over 400,000 was distributed in direct aid to families, and in helping schools and individuals to meet educational demands.

'We deeply appreciate the help that we get from the people of Dundalk and the 180 volunteers working for the Society in Dundalk are greatly encouraged by the support they receive', said the Area President.
A North Louth man who was a former vice president of a global investment bank in Dublin has been jailed for 18 months after he admitted getting over 200,000 from two local couples through a fake investment portfolio which he used to fund his gambling addiction.

Paul Sharkey (43), Ballinurd, Kilkerley, was before Judge Leonie Reynolds at Trim Circuit Court on Monday after he pleaded guilty, following the start of his trial last summer, to three counts of dishonest appropriation of funds relating to investments made by two couples in North Louth in 2011 and 2012.

Sentencing had been deferred so the judge could consider the matter after she heard the victims have no interest in the scheme put forward by Sharkey, to repay the victims, which would have taken nine years.

Sharkey, who has no previous convictions, didn't invest the 150,000 he received from the first couple, nor the 50,000 he got from the second husband and wife. He was a gambling addict who 'tried to win back' the investments by betting on dogs and horses, sometimes placing hundreds of small bets a day.

But he failed to get back the money for the couples and, in victim impact statements, read to the court last year, they said they had been 'financially devastated' by the loss of the cash. The woman who invested 50,000 used her lump sum from early retirement to fund her part of the deal.

At the time of the offences, Sharkey was a vice president (pricing) of the Northern Trust Investment Bank (Ireland).

The Gardai became involved and on July 8 2013, Sharkey was arrested. In a statement, he told Gardai he had received the money and had, at the time, wanted to set up a company. However, he accepted that the money was gone and he had made up the statements of the 'imaginary performances' of the couples' cash.

Sharkey was admitted to the Rutland Clinic for five weeks following his statement where he was treated for gambling and alcohol addiction. He was fired from his job.

Judge Reynolds heard the couples sued the bank for their money and the bank settled, as a 'goodwill gesture' before the case went to court, with the couples getting 80% of their investments back.

However, the first couple are still out of pocket to the tune of 40,000 while the second were at a loss of 20,000.

Last month, the court heard the defendant's mortgage is over 66,000 in arrears and his mortgage bank had refused to allow him sign up to the mortgage to rent scheme.

He offered 3,000 loaned to him by his parents and was proposing repayments of 500 per month, through a back to work scheme which he is on through Louth Leader which has seen him set up an event management business.

Judge Reynolds said she would require more time to consider the documents handed into the court.

On Monday, the court heard the accused was now proposing to pay back the victims within seven years, two years earlier than the previous offer. But Judge Reynolds said the proposals 'appeared to have little reality to them'.

She said the case involved 'gross deception of persons who had been engaged in a long standing personal relationship' with the defendant and' who have had to wait almost five years to have matters concluded'.

She noted that a large number of testimonials had been handed into the court in relation to the defendant's previous good character and Mr. Sharkey had 'albeit at this late stage' expressed his remorse.

She imposed a three year sentence, but suspended the final 18 months for three years from the date of his release from prison.
Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams met representatives of the Border Communities Against Brexit (BCAB) group in the Dail last week where they made a submission to the Oireachtas Good Friday Agreement committee on the issue of Brexit.

Mr Adams commended the work of the group and said that Brexit is 'probably the most important and difficult challenge facing the citizens of this island in recent decades.

He said: 'In my discussions with the delegation they expressed serious concern about the impact of a so-called hard border and the possibility of a return to the bad years of border road closures.

'The blocking and destruction of hundreds of cross border roads during the years of conflict life along the border, especially for farmers and local business'.

The BCAB group told the committee: 'Currently on Europe's eastern border Frontex is responsible for the implementation of the hard border that exists there. All small roads are closed and people are forced through large designated checkpoints. In Slovakia for example there are three crossings; these a large scale crossing with six to eight lanes, where passports, visas, the vehicles and there contents are checked. Currently if you live more than 50 miles from the European border you must apply a week in advance to gain entry, anyone living within 50 miles can apply for a yearly pass'.

Mr Adams said: 'The British Prime Minister Theresa May is also refusing to tell the Executive in the North, or the Scottish or Welsh Cabinets her negotiation strategy for Brexit. This is causing serious concern.

'The vast majority of citizens on the island of Ireland understand the imperative of opposing one part of the island - the North - being dragged out of the EU. The adverse impact on the whole island would be substantial.

'There is an onus on the Irish government to put in place a comprehensive strategy that refuses to be mesmerised by what the London government is going to do.

'Taoiseach Enda Kenny needs to focus on an all-island vision and in particular on securing a designated special status for the North within the EU'.
There is, apparently, no money available at the moment, from anywhere, to build the Narrow Water Bridge. That doesn't stop politicians from all sides of the border and the political spectrum saying publicly that they support it and want it constructed and, at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement just before Christmas, the topic was on the agenda - again.

The bosses of Louth County Council and Newry, Mourne and Down Council - Joan Martin and Liam Hannaway, made a presentation to the committee members about the project. But since European funding for the project, which had been estimated to cost around 17 million and for which tenders were received in the region of 30 million, was withdrawn, there have been a number of other matters to take into account.

The most important of these is the push to build a 'Southern Relief Road' from Warrenpoint Port, bypassing Newry and getting traffic onto Belfast or Dublin as quickly as possible. It's going to cost a lot of cash and will, if it gets the go-ahead, impact on the bridge idea, as Ms Martin outlined: 'The aim and objective of the southern relief road is completely different from that of the Narrow Water Bridge. The road needs to get over the mountain and on to the North-South motorway so serves a different purpose.

'If the southern relief road goes ahead, and depending on where its bridge is built, then it may not make sense to build another bridge'.

Newry's council chief gave the background to the Southern Relief Road project and gave it the same priority ranking as the bridge. He said: 'The big issue for the southern relief road is that this time 12 months ago we had hoped to apply for status as a trans-European transport network, TEN-T, project.

'The (NI) roads Minister, Christopher Hazzard, was in Brussels and got a good hearing regarding the road as part of the TEN-T process but Brexit throws everything into the air with regard to funding, particularly whether we can attract European funding.

'The southern relief road is by no means a given either. The Narrow Water bridge and this project are sitting precariously because of considerations of where we will get funding.

'The Minister is committed to developing the environmental options and development proposals for the southern relief road. That is moving ahead. Ultimately, we need money to build the Narrow Water bridge and the southern relief road. These are strategic projects for our area'.

And the idea of a car ferry, mooted by committee member and senator Frances Black, was also addressed by Ms Martin.

'Clearance has finally be given for a ferry from the mouth of the lough between Greenore port area over to Greencastle in County Down. 'A ferry will add to the loop and infrastructure that is already available to tourists. People will be able to take the ferry, travel around the Mourne mountains for the day and then return on the bridge'.

Mr Hannaway was able to pass on some new information: 'On my way here today I received a phonecall from the developer of the project. He told me that he hopes to have the roadworks finished this side of Christmas and to start drive piling.

'He also hopes to have the ferry operational in May and has commenced his marketing plan'.

An explanation of how the bridge project stalled was given by Ms Martin and how the costs of the project were under estimated.

She said: 'We have received tenders in excess of 30 million. We have had something of an argument with the consulting engineers because the original estimate was 17.4 million, which was based on our grant application to INTERREG, and the tender is in excess of 30 million.

'The huge disparity in cost was explained by the uniqueness of the bridge. Members (of the committee) will have seen the picture of the bridge included in our presentation.

'The bridge is unique as it requires a lifting mechanism in order to continue to allow access to the important canal and basin in Newry that is being developed as a marina and tourism area.

'Such an unusually designed lifting bridge would be a risk for a contractor and thus led to an increased cost'.

The future of the bridge was also detailed by Ms Martin, and she laid bare the problems that now face the project's supporters. 'The funding INTERREG IVA is the only programme that offered us an opportunity to apply for funding.

'Normally there would not be an opportunity for a council to apply for large infrastructural grants in the roads area. That money, on previous programmes, was kept within the departments located in the North and South. It is the first time in the 30 or 40 years of the project that we have had such an opportunity.

'Unfortunately, today I must say to the committee that I do not know where the opportunity rests at the moment. There is nowhere for the councils to apply for funding. There is no opportunity with INTERREG V. The PEACE programme does not have that kind of infrastructural money available to it either. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in the South does not have an enormous budget. It has suffered a lot of cutbacks and has not retrieved the level of budget that it had.

'The Department has never been in a position to offer us large funding for the project although it gave us some assistance when developing the designs.

'The project is being seriously considered by the North-South Ministerial Council. It has met us and continues to consider the project. There may be some level of enthusiasm for the project at the moment and hard lobbying might unlock the money. The Governments will have to make a move as there is nowhere else for us to go'.
A local couple had a harrowing experience as they were caught up in the recent Florida airport shooting

Pat and Marie Hamilton, from Blackrock were waiting to board their flights home from Fort Lauderdale to Dublin. when shots rang out at the end of the hallway.

Speaking about the ordeal, Pat said 'In the ensuing panic people were screaming and diving under any form of cover or behind seats. A security guard opened a gate and there was a mad scramble to get to the door, and it literally was survival of the fittest with fear dictating the pace.'

He recalled that hand luggage, laptops, phones, shoes and parcels were scattered 'and in the panic some elderly people were knocked over and children were separated from their parents in the rush to get out of the lounge areas.

'Just when the Army and sheriffs department got the all clear after about an hour to proceed back into the building via a service tunnel a further scramble ensued when word filtered through that the 'active shooter' was still at large 'Disruption and chaos took place and this time the crowd headed straight for the runways. Armed police and army rangers moved the crowd across a second runway.'

Pat explained that a private hangar was cleared and airport staff and Security managed to escort the crowd inside the building, where they were given bottled water and snacks but were detained for over four hours.

The couple's son Cathal at home in Blackrock was able to update his parents via social media as to what was happening at the airport which was at this stage completely shut down. Reports filtered through that five people were dead and a further six in critical condition. A large number of people were treated for injuries arising out of what could only be described as panic fuelled fear.'

After being interviewed and photographed, the couple were able to secure a hotel booking, but it would take another few days before they got a flight home.

The couple were extremely upset at their ordeal but considered themselves extremely lucky to avoid any physical injuries, and were shocked and saddened at the loss of life and injuries sustained by others during the incident.'It was an experience which we would not like to go through again but we were some of the lucky ones,' said Pat.

'The sheer pandemonium and fear on view was quite frightening and what made things worse was not being informed for long periods apart from social media.'

He added: 'We would really like to thank our U.S.A relatives Phil & Eamon Smyth, formerly from Blackrock, and their family for their generosity towards us, and all from the Dundalk area who texted and emailed and skyped us with messages of support over the weekend, also our son Cathal at home who kept all our family and friends fully briefed at all times.'

The couple were delighted to eventually arrive back home to Blackrock on Tuesday morning following their experience.
The debate was based on BJP leader PS Sreedharan Pillai's work, 'Punnapra-Vayalar Samarathinte Kaanappurangal' (The Unseen Dimensions of the Punnapra Vayalar Agitation).
The scene of the incident on Monday night

Ardee is in mourning this week following the tragic deaths of two popular local women in an horrific road traffic accident.

Irish Wheelchair Association and Ardee Hospice volunteer Josie Duff and her cousin, Kathy McDonald, both died after being struck by a car while crossing the Dublin-Derry road at the Hunterstown Inn on Monday night, just before 6.30pm.

The two women were after getting off a bus when they were struck by a passing vehicle. It is believed the women had parked in the pub car park.

Locals rushed to the scene, some helping to block the busy stretch of road as the women were attended to.

Emergency services then arrived, but the two women were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies removed to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. The driver of the car was uninjured.

Gardai closed the stretch of road to facilitate an examination by Forensic Collision Investigators on Tuesday morning.

Both women, who were in their 70s, were very much respected in the area.

Mrs McDonald ran a flower shop in the town at one stage and was predeceased by her husband just last year.

Josie Duff was a long time volunteer and community worker and had a room named after her in the wheelchair centre seven years ago.

Cathaoirleach of the Ardee Municipal District, Cllr Dolores Minogue, said the area was 'numb with shock' and on behalf of the local council body expressed condolences to all those involved in a 'terrible tragedy'.

'It is terrible news for the families this week and we send our deepest sympathy to them. It's heartbreaking,' she stated.

She also paid tribute to the emergency services and all those that came on the scene and did their very best to help.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact Ardee Garda Station on 041-6871130, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Fianna Fail TD Declan Breathnach has expressed his concern at the possible impact of Brexit on children both north and south.

This follows the opening statement by the Children's Rights Alliance at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, of which Deputy Breathnach is vice chair, on Thursday January 12.

'Children must not be a casualty in Brexit talks', according to Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of Children's Rights Alliance. They have been working with colleagues in Northern Ireland and in particular, the Children's Law Centre. The implications of Brexit for children's rights in the context of North-South co-operation could be huge.

Mr Breathnach said: 'Shockingly, rates of child poverty in Ireland and Northern Ireland are among the highest in the EU. An increase in child poverty rates is likely post Brexit and we must do all in our power to prevent this happening.

'The Good Friday Agreement has a presumption of continued membership of the EU, however, post Brexit there will be potential exploitation of loopholes in child protection systems.

'EU laws provide ways to tackle cross-border child protection issues and crimes committed against children. Post Brexit we must ensure that all loopholes are closed and part of the talks should focus on retaining a common child protection system.

'The Good Friday Agreement recognises the right of people in Northern Ireland to hold Irish citizenship and a special case will have to be made to that this can continue to be the case post Brexit.

'The Children's Rights Alliance are worried that the European Convention on Human Rights will become a casualty of Brexit and this should not be tolerated. We should seek agreements whereby the UK would remain in international EU agreements.

'The issue of the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK was also discussed with focus on the rights of Irish children resident in the UK and also UK Children resident in Ireland.

'Children's rights must not be compromised because of Brexit and it is incumbent on all sectors involved in discussions the ensure this'.
Acting workshops will start at Signal Arts Centre on Thursday, January 26, at 8 p.m.

These workshops are for adults and older teenagers who want to learn about theatre and drama, pick up new acting skills, and practise existing abilities in a collaborative, enjoyable environment.

The workshops will be held each Thursday evening and each session focuses on a different aspect of theatrecraft, like reading a play, creating a character, developing your performance, auditioning, effective rehearsing, voice work, stagecraft, direction and so on. They suit anyone who is serious about acting, whether or not you have experience of being on stage or in front of a camera.

The fee for the ten workshops is 80. To find out more call Patrick Dunne on (087) 066764416 or email pjsdunne@gmail.com. Enrolment will close on Monday, January 23.
Quinn's Eurospar has raised much needed funds for their local charity partner, West Wicklow Day Care Centre.

A sum of 4,700 was raised over the past few months through in-store charity box contributions and donations from the sale of SPAR range; a donation is made with the sale of each own brand product in store.

The donation was made instore during their 'Freshtival' event held just before the Christmas break

Ronan Malone of Quinn's EUROSPAR Baltinglass, said that he's delighted to be able to help such a fantastic charity.

'West Wicklow Day Care Centre do sterling work locally and we are delighted to be able to go some way to help this worthy cause. 'I would like to thank our customers for their generous donations. It also gave us an opportunity to wish all of our customers a Happy Christmas as well.'

Eithne Carroll, Public Relations Officer of West Wicklow Day Care Centre thanks the store for its generous donation and said that the group was delighted to be Quinn's chosen charity partner.

'There are many people relying on our support, especially around this time of year, and we know that this money will go a long way to help those in need,' said Ms Carroll.

The supermarket hosted its Freshtival event to thank customers for their business throughout 2016 and also to present some fresh food ideas for the festive season. To the joy of local children, Santa arrived to his inflatable grotto at the supermarket and they were also kept entertained with a DJ.
The Native Woodland Trust is seeking volunteers to join them this weekend to continue planting its native woodland reserve in Laragh.

Anyone who can spare a couple of hours is being invited along at 11 a.m. this Sunday, January 22. No experience is necessary as all volunteers will be shown what to do.

There is a short, steep slope to get to the Laragh reserve and so this activity may not be suitable for everybody.

Tools will be provided but everyone is asked to wear weather appropriate clothing and footwear and to bring along a snack and drink.

The group will meet at 11 a.m. at Trooperstown Forest car park (located on the R755 Road between Annamoe and Laragh) and should be finished by approximately 1.15 p.m. This event is weather dependent.
Workers in the film and television industry are holding a public meeting next week to discuss the sale of Ardmore Studios.

'We have made representations to Wicklow County Council to ask for their support in ensuring the land which the studios is on will remain zoned for use for film and television only,' said a spokesman for the workers.

They are also asking that a portion of the land which has been zoned as residential be rezoned for use for film and television also.

'Thankfully we have been given the full support of the council however we still have some concerns.' Their concerns, said the spokesman, arise from a portion of the prospectus which highlights the residential potential of the site.

'With this in mind we have organised a public meeting to discuss this issue and make the workers in the industry and anybody with an interest aware of our concerns and to listen to other concerns or points of view.' The meeting will take place at the Royal Hotel on Wednesday, January 25, at 7.30 p.m.
Five volunteers climbed Bray Head last Saturday and collected beer bottles, cans, coffee cups and other items of litter.

This was as part of the Coastcare January cleanup.

Three large bags of litter were removed from Bray Head and are now on their way to be recycled.

The shelter along the start of the Cliff Walk has also been maintained and is completely graffiti free thanks to volunteers keeping on top of it.

'Bray Head and the Cliff Walk are now looking very clean and on behalf of Bray Coastcare Group but also on behalf of locals and tourists alike I would urge people who walk Bray Head or the Cliff Walk to refrain from littering and if they can not find a bin to keep the litter on them until they come across one,' said Seamus Connor, chairman of Coastcare Bray. 'Litter breads more litter so it is important we all take personal responsibility for our own actions when it comes to dropping it.

'Although we are disappointed at Bray's recent result in the IBAL (Irish Business' Against Litter) Tables we are pleased with the way Bray's coastal areas are looking. Much thanks must go to Bray Town Council workers and also the volunteers in the various community groups around the town who work hard to keep our beautiful coastal areas clean and welcoming.'

Bray Coastcare group are hoping to paint over some unsightly graffiti on one of the round concrete huts along the promenade in the coming days.

If anyone is interested in helping to volunteer, even if it is only for one event, email braycoastcaregroup@yahoo.com.
Dublin Bus paid a visit to Bray Municipal District last Tuesday evening, where they updated members on a number of matters.

The main points in answer to questions from the members, included a reassurance that the 145 route will not stop going via the Herbert Road.

Members of the delegation told members that they are not looking at going back into the Palermo/Fassaroe area. John Saunders of Dublin Bus explained that previously, the 'imp' type buses were able to turn there safely but when they switched to double decker buses, they found that it was not safe, particularly with a playground nearby. They went into the area to install a turning space, but were forced to leave due to protesters.

Mr Saunders said that they are actively looking at a route to St Vincent's Hospital. He also said that they are tendering for routes in the area facing privatisation

The members heard that the company will revisit the process to get a new bus shelter in Kilmacanogue. Cllr Christopher Fox said that there always was one, prior to upgrades to the N11. 'People are standing out there in all weathers, particularly now that the 145 is not coming to Kilmacanogue,' he said.

The delegates explained that the matter was neglected due to changes in personnel but they will return to it. A number of members asked about an 'around Bray' service. The delegates said that really, it is the NTA who would decide such a route. They said that it would be useful for both the district council and Dublin Bus to contact the body about that. Cllr Steven Matthews said that such a service should include the seafront and Putland Road.

Any new development at old Fassaroe will be served by Dublin Bus, the delegates said. Cllr Michael O'Connor remarked that only seven per cent of Dublin Bus employees are female, which he said is very low. Mr Saunders agreed and said that the company is actively trying to recruit women, with initiatives such as driving days.

Mr Saunders said that a 145X would not be something they would rule out, although other than the Herbert Road section, he said that it is already quite a quick service. The bus stop on Quinsboro Road may be moved back up a bit from the Carlisle Grounds. Another stop closer to the Main Street on Quinsboro Road was removed as it was causing some traffic delays.

Cllr John Ryan asked about the fact that with the Leap Card there is no 'tag off' situation like on the Dart. Members heard that if passengers are travelling a shorter journey, they should bring their card to the driver for the correct fare.

In a presentation to the members, Dublin Bus told them that there are eight routes serving Bray, including the nitelink which also goes to Greystones.

There are 120 bus drivers working in the area and hundreds of trips to and from Bray each week.

Cllr Joe Behan said that the company always comes to the area meetings when invited. 'It shows an openness to listen to public representatives and what they have to say,' he said. The other members agreed with Cllr Behan's remarks.
Wicklow was well represented at this year's BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition as five schools took home awards.

The Wicklow competitors were among the 1,100 students from 375 schools who took place in this year's event which was showcased at the RDS last week.

Avondale Community College pupils Ayyub Azmat, Niall Gaffney and Christopher Makin took third place in the intermediate group Biological and Ecological category for their project entitled 'Biodegradable plastic pots to minimise the effects of transplant shock.'

Four further schools were highly commended for their entries.

Donovan Webb and Chloe Gannon took part in the Technology category with their project 'Mount Usher navigator - The application of new technology to engage young people in natural tourism'.

Erin Connolly and Clodagh Moxham from St Mary's College were also highly commended for their work which assessed 'The reactions of people to mothers breastfeeding in public' in the intermediate level of the Social and Behavioural Sciences category.

Colaiste Chraobh Abhainn was represented by Oisin Cullen and Dylan Symmes who also entered the intermediate Technology section with 'Innovations in feeding technology for livestock.'

Rachael Millea and Sashbh Cullinane from Dominican College took part in the senior Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences competition with their project 'Can coffee be used to remove lead and other heavy metals from drinking water?'

Speaking after the winners were announced on Friday, Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, said: 'It is wonderful to see so many students entering the world of STEM through the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Initiatives such as this have a critical role to play in raising awareness and engagement around science and technology and the impact it has on every aspect of our lives. I would like to congratulate every student, teacher and school community involved for their fantastic work this week.'
With planning permission granted for the Florentine, the council will have to start putting plans in place for parking, according to Bray Chamber President Mick Glynn.

An Bord Pleanala approved the plans this week, with works expected to be complete by 2019.

'It's great news and a massive spark to the retail environment,' said Mr Glynn. 'It's been missing that key for 20 years. Going forward there seems to be a certain level of interest from tenants. With the planning permission, they're in a position where it can really go to market.'

He said that the cinema and restaurants will ad to the night-time economy and the stores are a great chance to get a good retail mix.

'The council has got to really concentrate on what to do for parking during construction. That really needs to be addressed. It's all about forward planning.'

He said that the Herbert Road parking site could be developed to accommodate the 240 spaces currently available on the Florentine site in the centre of the town.

A cinema, two anchor tenants, three restaurants and a new street will form part of the so-called Florentine Centre.

Planning permission has been granted to Wicklow County Council by An Bord Pleanala for a 13,000m2 retail and cinema development at the heart of Bray's Main Street. The development is estimated to cost 24 million.

The Cathaoirleach Wicklow County Council, Cllr Pat Fitzgerald, welcomed the decision and looked forward to the realisation of this scheme which has been foremost on the agenda of local councillors for 20 years and which will have a hugely beneficial impact on Bray as a town.

The Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Steven Matthews, expressed his satisfaction with the decision saying: 'We could not have picked a better time to come to the market with this project.'

The Florentine site has been the subject of three previous planning applications by Ballymore Properties. After a number of false starts, the site reverted to use as a car park five years ago. Bray Town Council acquired the site in late 2013 and the Wicklow County Council appointed team, led by Des O'Brien, Bray Municipal District Manager, has brought it to the planning stage and is now in the process of engaging with potential development partners.

The development will be built around a new pedestrianised street which will open up from the Main Street and end in a public space.

The new street will comprise of two anchor stores of 3,000 and 1,000 square metres respectively, eight retail units totalling 3,449 square metres and three restaurants totalling 545 square metres, a 5-screen multiplex cinema and undercroft parking.

The final design configuration will be determined by the retail mix and the requirements of the occupiers.

The principal aim of the scheme is to complement the existing retail offering and to reinvigorate the shopping experience in Bray. The presence of the cinema and restaurants will add vibrancy to the town's evening economy, which is of significance to Bray as a Purple Flag town.

Wicklow County Council, Chief Executive, Mr Bryan Doyle, said: 'This will reinforce the role of the town centre as the key meeting and shopping place for the citizens of Bray, now that we have the green light we hope that we will see the new development open in 2019'.
A new building with a country market space could be on the cards in Newtownmountkennedy, with a planning application lodged just before Christmas.

Harvieston Ltd is seeking permission to build a 1,436m building consisting of a country market with subdivision for local business enterprise along with parking and ancillary site development works and services at Mountkennedy Demesne, Newtownmountkennedy.

Submissions can be made up until February 2.

Also just before Christmas, Kineada Ltd lodged an application to make a number of alterations to previously granted planning permission for Monalin in Newtownmountkennedy. They want to redesign a section of the estate to omit 49 units - houses 72 to 78 and 85 to 126 - and remove a temporary open space. Permission is also being sought to complete units 62, 71 and 79 to 83. The provision of 14 units will be broken into nine three-bed semi-detached or terraced units, four four-bed semi-detached units and one four-bed detached house.
The frenzied expectation surrounding writer-director Damien Chazelle's musical love story was deafening before La La Land won a record seven Golden Globe awards earlier this week.

His impeccably crafted follow-up to Whiplash is now firmly installed as the frontrunner for glory at next month's Oscars, and already has one trembling hand on the coveted golden statuettes for Best Picture and Best Director.

The feverish hype is fully justified.

La La Land is a visually sumptuous, unabashedly swooning valentine to the golden age of Hollywood musicals, artfully constructed on a foundation of distinctly modern sensibilities.

Yes, characters burst into catchy songs composed by Justin Hurwitz, with snappy lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, to express their churning emotions, while their bodies tap, pirouette, twist and jive to Mandy Moore's expressive choreography.

But there is so much more to Chazelle's story of boy meets girl than doe-eyed glances and pat sentiment, including a heart-wrenching second act that affirms the need for everyone to chase their dreams, but also acknowledges the acrid pill we must swallow when reality bites, down to the bone.

Aspiring actress Mia (Emma Stone) works as a barista in between auditions, which repeatedly end in crushing rejection.

On a traffic-jammed Los Angeles freeway, she crosses paths with talented pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), who reveres jazz in its purest form, but is forced to play saccharine standards by restaurant owner Bill (JK Simmons).

'I hate jazz,' Mia tells Sebastian after they meet at a party in the Hollywood hills, where they share dreams for the future beneath the twinkling stars of the Californian night sky.

Sebastian is convinced he can spearhead a new appreciation for music till an old classmate, Keith (John Legend), questions his devotion to masters of a bygone era.

'You're holding onto the past,' laments Keith, 'but jazz is about the future.'

While Mia prepares to stage her semi-autobiographical one-woman show So Long, Boulder City, Sebastian agrees to play keyboard in Keith's soulless, chart-friendly band the Messengers.

Frustrations between the couple come to a head in a fractious to and fro about artistic integrity.

'Since when do you care so much about being liked?' snarls Mia.

'You're an actress.' Sebastian angrily reminds her, introducing pot to black kettle.

La La Land is a perfect marriage of directorial brio, tour-de-force performance and jaw-dropping production design.

Gosling and Stone are individually luminous and electrifying as a double-act in high energy song and dance sequences.

Both are gifted emotionally wrought solos - City Of Stars and Audition (The Fools Who Dreams) respectively - that galvanize Sebastian and Mia's perilously fragile romance.

Chazelle's film is a bitter and sweet confection in equal doses, laced with dry wit and an appreciation for the tug of war between love and career advancement that necessitates painful self-sacrifices for either side to triumph.
Two monks are returning to their monastery after it rains. They reach a swollen river and in front of them is an extremely beautiful lady in a delicate silk kimono, distressed because she is unable to cross the river by herself. So, the older monk scoops her up, carries her safely to the other side and the two monks continue on their way in silence.

Five hours later, as the two monks reach their destination, the younger monk, literally fuming, bursts out: "How could you do it? You touched a woman; you know we're not allowed to do that!" The older monk replies, "I put her down five hours ago, but you are still carrying her with you. Why?"

How many times have you done this? And I don't mean pick someone up and carry them; I'm talking about holding onto anger, resentments, hurts, regrets, judgements, worries etc.

As humans we will all have experiences that we don't like or approve of and things may not be exactly how we want them to be; but that is a part of our life journey. When this is the case it can be very easy to react habitually; fighting against and resisting these experiences.

When we hold onto 'stuff' or resist and push against our experiences we make things harder than they have to be and by making things even more difficult we create unnecessary stress and struggle. All of this shifts your attention away from the many joys and positive experiences that surround you but remain unnoticed by you because your focus is elsewhere.

When we create struggle we also flood our mind and bodies with stress hormones, resulting in illness and disease.

Life breathes you and you can choose to inhale every moment for what it is and exhale all those 'shoulds' and 'whys' by letting them go. Like the monks in the story we always have a choice about where to place our focus of attention. We can be open and receptive to all the wonderful experiences that surround us each and every day as we journey on or we can remain stuck paralysed by our outdated rules and habits of thought that no longer support us.

Letting go usually involves forgiveness and acceptance - whether it's yourself, someone else or a situation. The irony is that whatever you're holding onto, it's probably hurting you much more than it does anyone else. There is great strength is every act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is recognising the reality that what has happened has already happened, and that there's no point in allowing it to dominate the rest o f your life. Forgiveness refreshingly sets you free and allows you to reclaim your energy for you to move forward. It's about lightening your load

You don't need to know how to let go, you just need to be willing! You can't change the past, but you can learn from it and change how you feel going forwards.

And remember - whatever you find it hardest to let go of is probably what you need to let go of the most.

You'll be amazed at how much more is possible when you liberate yourself and let go of the emotions that are holding you back from experiencing true happiness and lasting peace.
Grooms and brides-to-be who have yet to chose the venue for their big day might be interested in attending a wedding showcase at The Kingsley in Cork City on Sunday, January 29, next from 12.30pm until 5pm.

The Kingsley - billing itself as 'Cork's most stylish city wedding venue' - will have a range of professionals on hand to discuss all aspects of the modern business of marriage with couples, from photographers to stationers, wedding planners, make-up artists, musicians, travel agents and even bakers.

Above all, couples will get the chance to experience every last detail of The Kingsley's public spaces up close.
Chamber makes submission for local area plan: Regarding the Local Area Plan for the Charleville area, the local Chamber recommends that the following areas should be addressed by the local authority in respect of the future development of the town's economic and community plans and the following observations were forwarded to the county council for consideration:

1. Improve Charleville Town Centre Public Realm in terms of Trading and general urban operations by Traffic Calming measures to be put in place at pedestrian crossing on Northern side opposite Chinese Restaurant and at Southern end opposite Aldi.

Continue Footpath Repair programme in Main Street with considera-tion for wheelchair users and elderly.

Improve the usage of Town Plaza by providing Tulip type cover for public events.

2. Look at the possibility of a Public Car park at Northern end of Town adjacent to Catholic Church on previous Tesco site.

3. Investigate the possibility of alternative exit off the N20 south of Bal-lysally Cross via new roadway which services the Medical Centre, thus gaining access to Bakers Road and the industrial site on Railway Road.

4. Provide a water supply sufficient for new industrial development. Charleville Chamber is promoting and encouraging the local authority to relax rules and criteria for eligibility and usage of the remaining industrial lands that Cork county council owns to attract potential in-terested parties to locate in Charleville in conjunction with the council and the IDA, and also called for the erection of specialist food units that are fit for purpose for start-ups and the expansion of artisan food producers.

5. Access to Metropolitan Area Network broadband, already in Charle-ville needs to be more affordable

6. The Chamber is concerned at both the volume and speed of traffic on the approach roads to the town. Speed ramps and traffic calming measures need to be deployed to safeguard pedestrians, especially the elderly and children, cyclists and other road users. It is currently impossible to implement a walk or cycle to school programme for children due to the high volumes and speed of traffic passing through Charleville.

They also requested the development of a Greenway along the disused railway line between Charleville and Limerick on which some work has already been done under the REDZ project in 2015.

The Chamber also recommended that every effort be made to use the open public realm that is the Town Plaza in front of the town library by explor-ing the use of retractable covering of the plaza. This would encourage in-creased usage of the space for public events and farmers markets.

More details emerge of historic Paraguayan visit to Charleville Library

More details have emerged regarding the visit of the Paraguayan vice-minister for higher education to Charleville Library on this Saturday morn-ing at 11am.

The delegation will also include Patricia Coughlan, Professor Emerita in English in University College Cork and Professor Nuala Finnegan of the Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies and Direc-tor of UCC's Centre for Mexican Studies.

They will show a film and deliver a short lecture on Eliz Lynch on Saturday morning.

The visit is a prelude to the opening of the launch of an Eliza Lynch Annual Lecture in honour of the Charleville born Lynch, who is the national heroine of Paraguay. In honour of this historic link between Cork and Par-aguay, the Higher Ministry of Education, Paraguay and University College Cork have established an annual lecture series along with an Eliza Lynch Postgraduate Scholarship in Women's Studies to include areas of women's history, writing and art.

The inaugural event of this exciting new partnership, which consists of a Round Table with participants Jose Gabriel Arce Farina, Vice-Minister for Higher Education, Paraguay, Patricia Coughlan, Professor Emerita in Eng-lish, Nuala Finnegan, Professor in Latin American Studies and Cliona Ma-her, International Office, University College Cork. The Round Table, which is open to the public will consider Eliza Lynch's life, her representation in novel and film and the broader context of women's place in Latin American history.

The event takes place in the Aula Maxima at U.C.C. on Monday, January 23 at 1pm and everybody is welcome to attend, as they are at Charleville Library on this Saturday morning.
Fianna Fail TD, Kevin O'Keeffe has said that Fine Gael councillors bemoaning potential cuts to Expressway bus services in north Cork should speak to their Fine Gael TDs first before running to the local newspaper.

"Last week, a number of Fine Gael councillors expressed their deep concern and unease about the X8 Expressway service that links Cork City to Dublin Airport, and serves north Cork towns such as Fermoy and Mitchelstown.Deputy O'Keeffe said: "I share their concerns, and I will fight any attempt to reduce services or amend the route to bypass Fermoy and Mitchelstown."

He said both towns are without a rail link to Cork City or Dublin. They need the X8 service to maintain connectivity for students, older people and the wider public. "However, I find it galling that government-supporting councillors attempt to get the headlines in the local newspaper, while they have a direct line to government, and decision makers."The precarious financial position of Bus Eireann, and in particular the Expressway services, is deeply concerning. Minister for Transport, Shane Ross needs to get his act together, and outline how he will work with Bus Eireann to protect services.
A concert to mark the conclusion of the 800th jubilee of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) will be staged in the church of St Magdalen on Thursday January 26th at 8pm.

The special guests on the night are the Garda Siochana Band and they'll be joined by world renowned tenor Eugene Ginty from Dunany, Togher.

Tickets are 15 from the Dominican Mass office. They are also available after masses and on the night.

Big Fellow at Droichead

The Big Fellow is coming to the Droichead Arts Centre on February 2.

Written by Declan Gorman, based on Frank O'Connor's biography of Michael Collins, it is a non-stop, edge-of-your-seat theatrical adventure, laced with scenes of daring, intrigue and humour.

With original music by ex-Waterboys' Colin Blakey, this is the compelling story of Michael Collins' rise from unknown volunteer to military leader who brought down an empire only to meet his death at the hands of former comrades.

More than a straight dramatisation of the life of a hero, however, Gorman's drama captures the turmoil of Collins' biographer, literary genius Frank O'Connor, who witnessed traumatic scenes as a timid adolescent soldier fighting against Collins, and is now seeking to make reparation.

Gerard Adlum is Frank O'Connor and Cillian O'Gairbhi plays Michael Collins.

This play was originally commissioned by Drogheda Arts Festival in 2016.

'My Wife's Family'

Aisteoiri na Boinne are all set to stage their next big show, My Wife's Family, by Fred Duprez at the Droichead Centre from Tuesday February 7th until February 11th.

This Farcical Comedy is based on the Loves and Lives of the Nagg Family, and the mayhem which ensues when the mother-in-law from hell arrives unannounced in the quiet household of "Peacehaven". A great laugh.
Sister Kathleen Donnelly died on January 10th following several years of illness which were borne in a patient and brave way.

Because of health problems, she had returned to the MMM Motherhouse in Drogheda in 2007, following a very active missionary life. Recently, she moved to the Nursing Facility, Aras Mhuire.

Born in Newpark, Co. Tyrone in Northern Ireland in 1935, on completion of her secondary education at the Loreto School in Omagh, Kathleen went on to qualify as a nurse and midwife at Belfast City Hospital. After a year's experience in Ireland, she took up a post in Zambia, where she remained for two years. While there she felt drawn to a life-long commitment as a missionary, and joined MMM in 1971.

Her assignments following her religious formation included a year in Leon, Spain, and then she worked for over three years as Ward Sister at the MMM-run hospital at Kitovu in Uganda. In 1980 she was assigned to Kenya and worked there until she had to reluctantly accept retirement in 2007.

Kathleen loved life in the Great Rift Valley. She was responsible for a broad range of services in Community Health Care based at Subukia, Kenya, from 1992 to 1997, and then became part of the Integrated Development Project at Kipsaraman where she spent a further ten years.

Finally she moved to the MMM-run Health Centre in the huge peri-urban slum of Mukuru, in Nairobi.
The Drogheda branch of the National Widows Association will hold their monthly meeting in the Westcourt Hotel on Thursday January 26 at 3.30pm. All welcome.

Clogher - Termonfeckin road closed for two weeks

Louth County Council is to close the Clogherhead to Termonfeckin Road - R11-102 - from Wednesday January 25 to Wednesday February 8th to facilitate road repairs.

A detour via Callystown will be in place during the course of the works.
St Mary's Parish are holding a charity concert in St Mary's Church James' Street on Thursday February 2nd at 7.30pm.

Proceeds will go to Fr Eamon Sheridan (Right) from Old Hill as he takes up his appointment to Burma later in February and the concert will feature the Drogheda Male Voice Choir, Mornington Gospel Choir, St Mary's Youth Choir, Amie Dyer among others, under the guidance of Mr David Leddy.

Fr Phil Gaffney says he delighted that so many talented people have shared their time and talents to stage the event.

As for Fr Eamon, it's another challenge.

'Myanmar, also known as Burma, is one of the poorest countries in the world. Rich in natural resources it has been bled by a corrupt military Junta that ruled the country until February 2016. The Columban General Council decided in 2015 to set up a mission unit consisting of a small group of Columban priests and lay missionaries to return to Myanmar and see how we can assist the local church as it seeks to move out of the darkness of military rule.

'I will join this group when I fly to Myanmar on February 8th. The challenges are enormous,' he admits.

Between 2006-2012 when he was on the general council of the Columbans, he had the opportunity to visit the diocese of Myitkyina in Kachin State that Columbans had founded and worked in up to 1978 when they had to leave.

'In cooperation with Bishop Smith we helped fund education projects to help the poorest students from rural areas. They would come from the countryside and live in church run boarding houses so they could attend local schools. Without these boarding houses they would have no education. Some of the the boarding houses were in a desperate state of disrepair.

'I am very grateful to Fr. Phil and Fr Joe for organizing a fundraising concert to support my mission and the mission of the Columbans to Myanmar. The Columbans were originally known as the Maynooth mission to China. I am personally very grateful to have the support of my home parish of St. Mary's,' he added.

Fr Eamon is a former student at St Joseph's CBS and an Augustinian altar boy and was ordained almost 30 years ago.

He has spent much of that time on the missions and lived in Taiwan, where he encountered many migrant workers.

'My father worked in the Oil and Cake in Drogheda so I knew about industrial workers and how hard life was. I became associated with the workers centre and met people from the likes of the Philippines and Vietnam and spent my fair share of time in police stations and detention centres trying to assist these migrant workers,' he revealed. Later, he went to Hong Kong.
A man who drove uninsured and crashed into a wall before leaving the scene of the collision initially told garda his car had been stolen.

Robert Mulligan (22) panicked and removed the registration plates and insurance and tax discs from the vehicle before leaving it at the scene, Drogheda District Court heard.

He thought if he said his car was stolen it would solve the problem, his solicitor Dermot Monahan told Judge Flann Brennan.

'But he then owned up that it was him driving,' said Mr Monahan.

'It was a foolish decision he made and realises the error of his ways.'

Mulligan of St Jude's in Mornington pleaded guilty to hit and run, driving without insurance and giving gardai false information that his car was stolen on December 15th, 2015 at Coast Road in Laytown.

The court heard gardai came across the silver BMW which had crashed into a stone wall at 7.15pm. The registration plates and discs were removed from the car and gardai had to call a tow truck to have the car removed from the scene.

The car was traced to Mulligan who initially told gardai he had parked the car at Laytown Train Station and it must have been stolen.

He then admitted he was driving.

Mr Monahan explained Mulligan received a phone call from his girlfriend who was unwell and he panicked and was on his way to her.

He lost control of the car and panicked.

'He made a bad decision and it has come back to haunt him,' said Mr Monahan.

He said the 22-year-old who is completing an apprenticeship handed in a letter of apology to the gardai admitting his mistake and is asking for a chance.

He has one previous conviction of driving without a driving licence.

'He quickly tried to rectify his mistake and I am asking you not to take his licence off him,' Mr Monahan said to Judge Brennan.

'The problem is there was an accident and damage caused to a wall,' said Judge Brennan. 'He also gave gardai false information and he has a previous conviction.'

He convicted and fined Mulligan 100 each for giving gardai false information and for driving without insurance and disqualified him for 12 months. He struck out the rest of the charges.
Consultants have been appointed this week for the proposed 8.5km Boyneside Trail from Drogheda to Mornington.

The project will now be progressed to Part 8 planning.

Fine Gael Councillor Sharon Tolan has expressed her delight with the news, stating that she has championed the project and supported the committee all along in their endeavors, secured funding last year from Meath County Council and the NTA. Following a motion put down by Cllr Tolan last June, Meath County Council went out to tender for the Part 8 element of the project. This is the statutory process required for the council to secure planning permission from itself to deliver the project.

'I am delighted to see the Boyneside Trail another step closer to being delivered,' she said.' The Boyneside Trail Committee have to be commended for the work they have done so far, but in order to get this important piece of infrastructure delivered, it is now time for consultants to begin the public consultation and complete a detailed design that addresses any concerns the public may have.

'We must not be left wanting when it comes to Greenway projects suitable for Failte Ireland funding, and we must do all we can to ensure that we have excellent shovel ready proposals on the table that just cannot be refused capital investment. It will be crucial for all Councillors in our District to unite and support these projects in order to get them delivered for our community and I hope to see this when the Part 8 plans are complete.'

The Part 8 will cover the stretch, approx. 8.5km from Drogheda to Mornington and would complete the 18km long trail from the mouth of the Boyne to Oldbridge and provide a valuable amenity for both locals and tourists alike.
A delivery driver who was caught with 20 worth of cannabis herb had his case dismissed after Judge Flann Brennan applied the Probation Act.

Patrick Walsh (28), who has no previous convictions, was going through a 'tough time' when a friend recommended he should try cannabis, Drogheda District Court heard.

Walsh, of Collonbeg in Collon pleaded guilty to being in possession of the cannabis herb under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Inspector Brendan Caddan gave evidence Walsh was stopped by on off-duty garda while he was driving as he appeared to be acting suspiciously.

The garda searched the vehicle under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and found a small bag of cannabis herb.

Walsh admitted it was his and for his own use.

Defence solicitor Eleanor Kelly said the 28-year-old who works as a delivery driver took cannabis for a short while and he is anxious not to get a conviction.

Judge Flann Brennan said he would deal with Walsh leniently and warned him to have no involvement with drugs in the future.

'You don't know where you got it from and only a step or two away there are people who will kill or maim you over money for drugs. Lives have been blighted by drugs,' warned Judge Brennan and applied the Probation Act.
Drogheda & North East Branch of Samaritans has announced details of its latest recruitment drive for volunteers.

The branch, which serves counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Cavan, is inviting prospective volunteers to attend either of two information sessions - Tuesday, January 17 at 7.30pm or Saturday, January 21 at 11am - in the centre at Number 2 Leland Place, Stockwell Street, Drogheda. Members of the Samaritans team will present a talk and provide information on how one can become a volunteer and help with the branch's vital work in the community.

The Drogheda & North East Branch, which was established in 1996, is led by a dedicated team of approximately 90 volunteers.

It is keen to add to its numbers as the demand for its services continues to increase.

In 2016, the local branch had its busiest year to date answering a total of 29,155 calls for help, an increase of more than 3,000 for the previous 12 months.

Speaking ahead of the 2017 volunteer recruitment drive, Director of Drogheda & North East Branch of Samaritans and Laytown resident, Marie McCormack, said: 'We see this as an ideal opportunity to tell prospective volunteers about our work and to reassure them that we offer comprehensive training for new recruits.

'We have wonderful volunteers in our branch, from all walks of life, offering emotional support to those who contact us.

'People can talk to us in confidence about any issue in their lives that may be causing them difficulty.'

For more information on the volunteer recruitment drive, please phone 041-9843844 from 9.30am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, email droghedasams@gmail.com or visit www.samaritans.ie/drogheda
A Fingal senator is encouraging people in the county to consider a 'staycation' in the region and continue a surge in business in the tourism sector here.

Fine Gael senator, Dr James Reilly has said that 2016 was a record year for Irish tourism, benefiting communities and businesses in Fingal. He encouraged people to consider a staycation in 2017, as thoughts turn to summer holiday bookings.

Senator Reilly said: '2016 was a record year for Irish tourism, an industry that is absolutely crucial to communities and businesses here in Fingal. The latest official data on overseas travel from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), showed an increase of 277,000 overseas visits to Ireland for the first eleven months of 2016 compared to the same period of 2015.

'This represents an increase of 11%.

'The largest increase was in visits from North America, up 18.3%.

'Visits from Mainland Europe grew by 8.8%; and visits from Great Britain were up by 11.1%. We must continue to prioritise our marketing of Irish tourism in Britain this coming year, particularly in the context of Brexit.'

He added: 'Communities across Fingal are so dependent on tourism and we know how it can benefit local businesses here. The CSO figures released in December show that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding fares) for the first nine months of the year rose by 9.4% compared with the corresponding period of 2015.

'My Fine Gael colleague, Minister for Tourism Patrick O'Donovan, has noted that in addition to the strong performance in overseas tourism, our home holiday market is also growing. Domestic holiday trips and related expenditure were each up by over 3% in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period last year.'

Dr Reilly concluded: 'The New Year period is a busy time of year for the holiday market, as people turn their thoughts to booking a summer trip.

'I strongly encourage Irish people to consider a staycation in 2017. Fingal is well placed to cater for domestic visitors as well as those from overseas, with the many sites and attractions we have to offer here,'
Fingal County Council's chief executive has hit back at suggestions the council 'rejected' properties from NAMA that could have provided social housing.

Cllr Philip Lynam (SF) challenged the chief executive to explain why it had been recently reported that Fingal County Council among local other authorities had turned down NAMA properties for social housing.

Council chief executive, Paul Reid said the council was initially offered 279 units from NAMA but subsequently, '162 of those were withdrawn by NAMA for various reasons'. He said the council had expressed an interest in 158 of those originally offered properties and had since completed a process to close the deal on 105 of the remaining properties offered by NAMA. He said that in fact, the council had only turned down about a dozen properties that were in estates where management fees were considered too high by the local authority or were not vacant and the council did not want to find itself in the positin of 'evicting people who may be on a long-term rental' in order to house people on its social housing waiting list.

He said the council had a 'quite a strong percentage take-up from NAMA of houses' and aimed not to reject any house it was offered. He also said the local authority had a 'very good working relationship' with NAMA.

Cllr Justin Sinnott (NP) said it was 'deeply unfair' for NAMA to criticise local authorities for turning down properties when there were a variety of reasons those properties were not suitable for social housing. He said the council needed to be 'more robust in how we counter the kind of commentary that is coming out (from NAMA)'.

Cllr Matt Waine (AAA/PBP) also criticised NAMA saying the doubts people had about the orgainsation were 'totally justified'. He said the council should provide a breakdown of the properties that were rejected and show exactly why they were unsuitable for social housing and where they were located.

Cllr Malachy Quinn (SF) said that while Fingal County Council was one of the more progressive councils in terms of tackling the housing crisis, he said that local authorities should look to examples being set elsewhere for new solutions. He cited Birmingham City Council as somewhere 'progressive measures' were being taken.
This month's meeting of the full council was taking place as news was breaking of the initial agreement struck between the Government and the Home Sweet Home campaign and in an emergency debate on the issue, the campaign that occupied Apollo House for several weeks, throwing it open to homeless people living on Dublin's streets, was supported by a majority of councillors.

An overwhelming majority of councillors supported a motion stating that 'this council expresses its full support for Home Sweet Home and Apollo House in highlight the role of NAMA in providing solutions to the housing and homeless emergency'.

One of the proposers of the motion, Cllr Matthew Waine (AAA/PBP) said the campaign had achieved some 'important victories' and secured commitments from the Government on providing accommodation for the residents of Apollo House.

Cllr Waine said there was 'an important lesson' to be learned from the campaign that 'where people are prepared to take action, they can force the powers to be to talk to them and come up with solution or part solutions to issues'.

Cllr Paul Donnelly (SF) said the campaign had mounted a 'hugely significant direct action' and that had led to a 'an enormous shift in policy from the Government'.

Cllr Jimmy Guerin (NP) supported the motion but he said that councillors did not need the Home Sweet Campaign to alert them to the housing and homelessness crisis but what the campaign did do was highlight the issue to the public and 'created an awareness there'.

He said he was glad the campaign had reached an agreement with the Government and said he had been worried that the action was 'giving false hope to people'.

Cllr Barry Martin (Ind) said: 'The work of the Home Sweet Home campaign has been pretty inspirational and I think it has brought out the best in the people of this country.'

He said that over 2,500 volunteers had worked on the project and over 150,000 had been donated to the cause.

Cllr Cian O'Callaghan (SD) rejected any claim that the action was a publicity stunt and said the 'backbone' of the action came from activists and homeless people themselves. He said the commitments they had won from Government were 'very welcome'. He praised the Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney who said he was dealing with the crisis more seriously than his predecessors and he argued that the campaign at Apollo House actually strengthened the minister's hand at the cabinet table in arguing for more resources to tackle the homelessness problem.

When the motion was put to a vote, a huge majority of some 23 councillors voted in favour of it with four abstaining and only one voting against.
What a year it has been for Loreto Balbriggan as it reigned over the student scientist world as 2016 champions of the Young Scientist exhibition, taking home another armful of awards in the process.

The school was back again this year at the exhibition and showing no signs of slowing down its scientific progress, presenting no less than six projects in the finals covering subjects as diverse as glucose in potatoes and the controversy surrounding the HPV vaccine.

Proud as punch of their students were school principal, Ann Marie McDonough and science teacher, Dr Niamh McNally when the Fingal Independent caught up with them on the floor of the exhibition in Dublin's RDS, last Thursday.

Asked if this year's participants in the exhibition felt a certain amount of pressure to perform after last year's successes, Niamh said: 'Actually not at all, it's quite the opposite. So many students were enthused by the girls last year that we got lots of people who were interested in doing it. The girls from last year have been really helpful to them too.

'I was worried they might be intimidated but it didn't happen and we have six projects in the exhibition this year which is really good.'

School principal, Ann Marie McDonough praised last year's successful students for staying involved in this year's effort and helping the new crop of young scientist's through the exhibition experience. She said the veterans had been 'hugely supportive' to the freshmen and 'they took that intimidation factor out of it because they were all just so encouraging'.

The school principal said the school's success did not happen overnight and was the result of many years hard work by a lot of people and she was glad the efforts made in science in the school were 'getting the recognition they deserve'.

Niamh said that beyond the science department, teachers involved in literacy skills, communication skills, mathematics and even art, have a role to play in the Young Scientist effort which she described as a 'whole school effort'. The school principal agreed and said there was a culture in the school where the various departments worked in support of each other.

Turning to this year's six entrants from the school, Niamh said she was delighted by the 'wonderful variety' in the projects and that many of them are rooted in their locality and speak to their own communities. She said there was a great atmosphere among the group who were 'really enjoying' the experience.
The Mayor of Fingal has called for increased patrols in the River Valley area of Swords following a recent series of burglaries and attempted burglaries in the area.

Last week, the Fingal Independent reported that three burglaries had happened on the same afternoon in the Brookdale area of River Valley and this week, there has been a further two successful break-ins with residents alleging that there were several more attempted burglaries during the past week.

In response to residents' concerns, the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Darragh Butler said recently: 'I rang Swords Garda station earlier today and they wish they had more resources.

'They told me to get anything suspicious reported to them immediately.'

Addressing residents in the area, Cllr Butler said: 'Please can everyone remain vigilant and immediately report anything suspicious to Swords Garda Station (01) 666 4700.

I have also emailed Coolock (the district HQ) and requested that more resources be allocated to Swords and River Valley. I've asked if they could move checkpoints into the area.'
There is a renewed push for 'real time' bathing water quality testing at Fingal beaches that might reduce the need for beach closures like those seen after overflows from pumping station on the county's coastline last summer.

Cllr Barry Martin (Ind) has been campaigning for the introduction of a system, similar to one he has researched in the United States which provided near instant results on bathing water quality which he hopes would result in much shorter beach closures if there was a repeat of the events of last summer.

the council has been trialling a separate system that would speed up the delivery of test results considerably, with a system developed by the Marine and Environmental Sensing Technology Hub at Dublin City University.

Cllr Martin said the system he investigated was a DNA testing technology used in Wisconsin and he had talked to the scientist behind that project and believed that Fingal could be a 'leading force' in pioneering the system in Ireland.

His idea had the widespread support of his fello councillors with Cllr Tom O'Leary (FG) saying if the system was 'more timely and more accurate', it would be welcome while Cllr Brian Dennehy (FF) said itw as 'great idea altogether'.

Environment director at Fingal County Counci, Gilbert Power said he agreed with the 'spirit and intention' of Cllr Martin's motion and the council had worked with DCU to try and identify a system that would deliver quicker results and he said that system had the potential to deliver results in half a day.

He said that Fingal had the 'great advantage' of having eight designated bathing water spots on its coast but they were under 'constant threat' from the large population that lived on their shores.

He said that initial investigations from the council's environment officers into the separate system used in Wisconsin and favoured by Cllr Martin suggested it would not be suitable to use in Fingal but he said in light of the detailed information Cllr Martin presented about the system at this month's meeting of the full council, he would ask them to look at it again and speak to the American scientist behind that project.

Beaches across Fingal were closed for extended periods last summer after a series of faults and overflows at pumping stations and Cllr Martin believes if water testing could deliver results faster then these beach closures could be shortened, if not eliminated.
The housing agency Cluid has announced that it provided homes for 33 families in Co Wexford, including 29 homes in Clonattin Village, Gorey, last year.

The allocations were made in partnership with Wexford County Council, bringing the total number of Cluid-supported homes in the county to 190.

Across the country, the agency provided homes to 426 additional families during the year, bringing the national total to 5,777 homes. Cluid said it plans to deliver many more in the next three years, with 2,500 homes in the pipeline.

Cluid spokesperson Simon Brooke paid tribute to the local authorities. 'They support us in assessing the need for social housing in an area, in achieving the funding and planning, and in referring households from their waiting lists,' he said. 'They have been vital to every single home added in 2016 and we thank them sincerely for collaborating with us.'

'At a time of growing demand for social housing, Cluid's relationship with local authorities has never been more important,' he added. 'Together we combine public, social and business capacity to make the best possible use of the limited resources that are available.'

Cluid's newest schemes are funded using a small government loan to leverage a larger bank loan, usually from the Housing Finance Agency - an independent organisation which provides long term loans at very advantageous rates. Cluid will repay those loans using the rent paid by tenants (which is always affordable) and an availability payment from the Department of the Environment.

'The standard of these new homes is what we should expect of good, quality housing,' said Mr Brooke. 'Our aim is to create "ordinary" housing which is indistinguishable from any other housing. Our focus is on quality and value for money. We invest in sustainable homes that will be around for a very long time to come.'

'In this way we will avoid costly repair problems in the future and establish a reputation for high quality housing,' he continued. 'We are then able to counteract the challenges that commonly arise around social housing.'

Housing associations are independent, not-for-profit charities, and Cluid Housing is the largest such association in Ireland. It is keen to partner with local authorities, developers, state agencies and financial institutions to help it achieve its aims.
Wexford is one of 15 counties which has no on-call mental health service available to children.

New figures show that children and adolescents in severe mental health distress have no access to an out of hours Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

According to figures received by Deputy James Browne in a parliamentary reply from the HSE there is no on-call service available to vulnerable young people in counties Wexford, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Kerry, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Meath, Longford, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly and Louth, according to information obtained in a parliamentary reply by Fianna Fail spokesman on mental health James Browne.

Davy Hynes of It's Good 2 Talk counselling services said it is a 'disgrace' that Wexford is without a specialised CAMHS service.

'This is something that needs to be addressed urgently. We have a lot of issues here in Wexford regarding suicide and our mental services are totally inadequate for the level of demand.

'We have been calling for a 24/7 acute mental health unit for a long time. The lack of an on-call CAMHS team is just another example of the way in which Wexford is being left behind. We need to call on the Government to provide this not just for Wexford but for all the counties who don't have it.

'Young people are very vulnerable and mental health provision is a specialist area. It can't be left to their local doctor to address it. Their problems have to be addressed in a certain way, a very professional and specialised way.

'This needs to be looked at urgently. There was a recent motion at the council calling for these services which was supported by everyone. The lack of vital services is an absolute disgrace and this is translating to the high number of suicides we are experiencing in Wexford for the past number of years. A 24/7 acute mental health service with a CAMHS on call service will go a long way to our addressing problems.'.

Deputy Browne, who is the Fianna Fail spokesperson on Mental Health said that the Government must move to adequately staff mental health services for children.

'It's clear that our mental health services have been struggling in recent years due to a lack of investment and increasing demand. New information which I have received sets out the enormous challenges facing our mental health services for children in particular,' said Deputy Browne.

'No on-call service is available in counties Wexford, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo, Leitrim, Kerry, Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Meath, Longford, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly and Louth. 'This is shocking and clearly demonstrates the patchy nature of our mental health services. Questions have also been raised over the availability of on-call services in Donegal, Waterford and Clare. This represents vast swathes of the country which are left without an effective out-of-hours service.

'There has been increased demand for these services in recent years. Despite this the Government has continued to under-fund our mental health services. This attitude needs to change, particularly when you consider the demographic changes that Ireland faces in the years ahead. It is vital that the availability of out-of-hours mental health services for children is spread evenly across the country.

'The Mental Health Commission has already highlighted that under-investment in services for children is one of the factors contributing to the continuing high number of admissions of children to adult psychiatric units. This practice is one which must come to an end. The delivery of 24-hour emergency services for children is fundamental in helping to achieve this.'

Deputy Browne said that more recruitment needs to be carried out for CAMHS teams adding that the 2015 figures showed that they have just over half of the needed staff required under the policy, 'A Vision for Change'.

'We have to remember that in Ireland one in four of the population is under 18 years of age. It's not good enough that the mental health services available to them continue to be under-resourced,' said Deputy Browne.
Businesses in North Wexford are feeling positive about the coming year, despite the potential effect of outside factors such as Brexit, and Donald Trump being elected President in the US.

Gorey Chamber recently conducted a Build Your Business sentiment survey among a small sample of mainly service industry businesses based in North Wexford, and found that business expansion and new jobs are on the agenda for many of them.

When asked about the potential impact of outside influences, 67 per cent of respondents said that they had no sense of where Ireland would fit into Brexit.

Furthermore, 73 per cent of them were of the view that the soon-to-be-inaugurated President Trump in the United States would not be good for Ireland's economy.

However, despite the potential fallout from both of these factors, their overall business sentiment was 100 per cent positive.

Of those surveyed, 83 per cent said they hope to see their business expand in 2017. Some 67 per cent of them said they had secured new business already, and half of the respondents said they see themselves creating new employment.

'The start of a new year is always a good time to look forward and see where we are going,' said Gorey Chamber CEO Dick White. 'We are heartened with such positivity amongst the business sector in spite of Brexit and Trump. With 83 per cent predicting business expansion, it clearly shows that the belief is that the economy is on an upwards curve.'
The multi platinum selling The High Kings will bring their Grace and Glory concert to the National Opera House on January 21 as part of their European and American tour.

This legendary Irish folk band comprising Brian Dunphy, Finbarr Clancy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden are a quartet of accomplished musicians selling out hundreds of shows across Ireland and the US. In addition they have also appeared on numerous television shows. The High Kings showcase their incredible versatility as multi-instrumentalists playing 13 instruments between four of them bringing a rousing acoustic flavour to all their songs. The concert takes place at 8 p.m.
Tralee is set for another great weekend's trad music this year as it hosts Fleadh Cheoil Chiarrai for the second year in a row between May 18 and 21.

Comhaltas organisers are calling on everyone with any love in the traditional culture to come along and take part in a fundraising quiz for the Fleadh at The Brogue Inn, Tralee, on Friday, January 20, starting at 8.30pm. Tables of four cost 20 with plenty of spot prizes to be won on the night.
Precious as traditions might be, sometimes loosening their ties yields its own treasure.

We went away for Christmas this year. A bit radical for us but we did it; we abandoned home and country and went away for Christmas. But I didn't abandon everything.

One of the more important traditions is our Christmas Day visit to the cemetery. Unfortunately we lost our youngest child 24 hours after his birth and though we visit him throughout the year, the Christmas visit is special. This might sound like a sad tradition but it's not. To me the graveside is a happy place on Christmas Day; so many people come out to remember, grieve and celebrate those who are gone yet who are still very much present.

I can't quite pinpoint it, but the Christmas visit goes a long way in validating my son's existence for me. It is a busy world and life can easily forget about the unlived dreams of unborn babies and babies lost before life has begun. On Christmas Day he becomes real to me again. How was I to manage without that?

So we moved the visit forward. That meant the decoration of the grave had to be moved forward. This I usually do alone. However, for the first time ever I brought the dog with me. She has never been to the cemetery before; I am not even sure if dogs are allowed, but I thought I could take her for a walk afterwards because I guess I was feeling bad about leaving her behind as well.

She is a big dog - noisy, playful and hyperactive. Yet to do my routine of which she is not familiar, I needed to risk mayhem and destruction by letting go of her lead. Strangely, however, neither happened; in her freedom she did not bolt or move. As I cleaned the headstone, arranged the lantern and placed the candle, she settled on the grass of the grave as though keeping vigil. In the dusk of a December day, her brown eyes never left me and her stillness echoed the silence of the mountainside. I didn't have the company of the crowd but I had the company of the dog. And I had the joy of her too.

So our family went away for Christmas and came back again in time for New Year's but by then half the house had succumbed to the flu which ended up killing another tradition.

For 29 years I have kissed the same guy come midnight on New Year's Eve but come the eve of 2017 he was lost to fever and sleep by 10pm. There were only two of us to see in the New Year together - me and my girl. She had wanted to go out but the plan was flimsy and she didn't hold it against me when I said no. So as we sat on her bed, pulled back the curtain and peered through the window at suburban fireworks, she became the first person I kissed at midnight.

It was another tradition broken but a beautiful moment formed.

Traditions are precious but life is infinitely more so.
A woman who contributed to an RTE investigation into Animal Heaven Animal Rescue (AHAR) in Castleisland, has told The Kerryman she wants the charity's status to be revoked and for its name to be scrapped.

Georgia Murray - a former volunteer and treasurer at AHAR - featured in the investigation on The Claire Byrne Show on Monday evening which raised issues around financial transparency and animal welfare concerns.

The charity, which was founded by Suzanne Gibbons, is one of the busiest rescue centres in the country.

Georgia says that, in her view, it's time for the charity to be closed and new management put in place. "It's now time for this to happen. The charity number should be removed and the name AHAR scrapped and restructured," Georgia claimed.

But Ms Gibbons hit back strongly at the documentary, saying she is deeply upset about how she has been portrayed in the programme. She said AHAR had been a "tremendous success story" for the animals concerned but admitted that there are some problems AHAR must face up to. She said the Charities Regulator had pointed to book-keeping issues but highlighted how this was not the same as misappropriation of funds.

"Even RTE mentioned on two occasions that there was no suggestion of impropriety in the use of AHAR donations," she posted.

She also admitted that AHAR had been served welfare notices but detailed each incidence and the documentary said they were complied with.

"If AHAR was what it was painted to be last night... The professionals who's job it is to inspect us and our work, would have stepped in long before now and closed us down," she added.

RTE reported on Monday night that the Charities Regulator had deemed that AHAR was not in compliance with regulations with regard to financial management.

A statement on the AHAR Facebook page yesterday said: "Dear Supporters - be assured we at AHAR fully support proper governance and procedures in charities, and have been actively working with the Charities Regulator since April 2016 in relation to compliance with same".
Drivers, supporters and organisers of the James Ashe Memorial Vintage Tractor Run pictured outside The Anvil Bar in Boolteens, Castmaine ahead of the start of the run, early on Sunday morning. All photos by Fergus Dennehy

There were truly great scenes witnessed in the Boolteens area of Castlemaine on Sunday morning as close to 100 tractors of all shapes, size and colour rumbled through the village as part of the James Ashe Memorial Tractor Run, with organisers delighted at what they are calling an "outstanding" day.

A charity event in aid of the Palliative Care Unit in University Hospital Kerry, this was the eighth year of the tractor run, and the third year in which it has been dedicated to one of the great local fundraisers - James Ashe, who passed away from cancer on November 24, 2014.

"James was a truly, truly outstanding fundraiser for Palliative Care; this is our eighth year doing the run and in all this time, we have managed to raise close to 54,000 for the service," said Francie Ashe, speaking to The Kerryman on Monday.

"We had 84 tractors last year and this year I think that we almost broke the 100 mark. It was outstanding; it was just unbelievable the support that we got on the day. We were so happy with how many people showed up to help out."

"We were blessed with the weather and I like to think that James was looking down and smiling at us; he'd have been delighted with it; we'd just like to thank everybody that came out, donated money and thanks to all the pubs that helped with refreshments," he finished.

The run started from The Anvil Bar with the long cavalcade of motors then driving through Castlemaine before heading for Milltown and Killorglin and returning to The Anvil for further refreshment.
Parents of residents at St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort said they were 'very pleased' to receive four commitments from Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath on his visit to the centre last week.

"When I met with parents I gave them four commitments: Firstly, that residents will only move out of St Mary's if they and their family members agree that it is in their best interests. No one will be forced out," Minister McGrath told The Kerryman this week.

"Secondly, if any resident moves it will be only on the basis that it will enhance their life. Thirdly, no planning for any move will take place without an open and inclusive discussion with residents and their families. And finally, the setting up of a peer group with the HSE, family members and the St John of God with the aim of working together in the best interest of the person with the disability."

Chairman of the Parents and Family group Jack Fitzpatrick said they were 'very pleased' with the commitments given by the Minister on Wednesday.

In the course of the visit, Minister McGrath inspected every building on the site, meeting staff and residents before discussing the future of the centre in a meeting with family representatives.

The Minister told The Kerryman he was deeply impressed with the staff and recent improvements undertaken at St Mary's. However, the HSE's 'Time to Move On from Congregated Settings' policy would not be waived in respect of the Beaufort facility.

"The whole idea of Time to Move On is that it is an evidence-based report compiled and written following major research and analysis. This is not just to close down congregated settings," the Minister said.

At its heart is the person with the disability: "My only objective is to make sure the person with disability is given what they want. It's not about the staff, it's about the person with the disability. Giving them a personal choice is a key thing of mine." He cited a number of case studies supporting the policy, including a man whose rate of violent behaviour reduced by up to 70 per cent following a move from a Leinster institution into a house in which he obtained his own room, amid other freedoms.

20 million will be spent this year securing homes to facilitate the policy nationwide with a further 80 million to be spent on the project between 2018 and 2021.

St Mary's will not reopen to readmissions, the Minister confirmed. This is an area of huge concern for many worried about the level of care for children into the future. However, Minister McGrath said he secured an extra 96.3 million on the disability budget for 2017 to facilitate his Social Care Disability Plan 2017, with the objective of establishing 8,400 residential homes as well as 182,000 respite beds over the next five to seven years. 2.75 million has also been sourced to provide 'home support hours'. "I will try to have a service from the cradle to the grave for children with disability so all will have long-term care when their parents die."

Parents noted their disappointment on the Minister's rejection of their proposal to establish a centre of excellence in disability training at St Mary's, but he said he was 'open to ideas' for the the centre into the future, not least the use of empty units for disability respite care.
There is outrage in Listowel after an 80-year-old woman's home was broken into and her collection of jewellery robbed while she was attending Mass on Saturday.

It was one of eight separate burglaries across the county in the past week, including the theft of an Audi A4 outside a home in Ballybunion while the owners slept inside.

Gardai across the county are appealing for witnesses to come forward as they hunt the thieves behind the week's worrying raids.

The burglary in Listowel occurred at a home on Church Street while the woman, who lives alone, was at Mass. She returned to find her jewellery, of huge sentimental value to her, taken in a burglary that left her deeply shocked. The Kerryman understands she was unable to stay in her own home in the immediate aftermath of the incident such was the trauma.

Homes were broken into in Killorglin, Listowel, Aghadoe, Ballyheigue, Ballylongford, Knocknagoshel and Killarney in the spate. The owners of the Audi realised their car had been taken overnight at noon on Sunday at Rahoonagh, Ballybunion.

Meanwhile, a man in Ballylongford who had left his Main Street home for a mere fifteen minutes at 10.30am on Sunday to go to the shop, returned at 10.45am to find it ransacked. Nothing appeared to have been stolen, however.

In most of the burglaries cash, jewellery and electronics were taken. Anyone who saw anything unusual in these areas is urged to contact Gardai in Listowel, Tralee or Killarney Garda Stations.
Moyvane parish priest Fr Kevin McNamara received at least three abusive phone calls within hours of his RTE's Late Late Show complaint becoming widely known, with the callers hurling offensive abuse towards priests in general.

However, Fr McNamara is taking heart from the fact that he has received a far greater volume of calls supporting him in his complaint against the Rubberbandits comedian David Chambers' (performing as Blindboy Boatclub), description of the Eucharist as 'haunted bread' in the Late Late Show of January 6.

"You obviously can't fully control what is being said in a live show. But what really stunned me was that the host Ryan Tubridy effectively endorsed the idea and said he thought the reference to 'haunted bread' by David Chambers of the Rubberbandits was a great expression...I don't think the national broadcaster is the place to make fun of such things."

Fr McNamara said he was hurt 'beyond words' in his parish newsletter of January 15, prompting him to lodge his complaint on the issue with RTE, not the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

But some of the callers to his home in Moyvane on Monday told him 'you wouldn't know the meaning of hurt'. "At least three were quite offensive towards priests and quite aggressive saying things like 'thank God priests are finished' and mentioning child sex abuse. The level of support has been huge on the other hand, with people from places as far away as Wexford and Fermanagh ringing here to communicate their support."

Fr McNamara had no previous issue with The Rubberbandits, describing them as 'articulate, gifted and talented' performers but he said he took 'Blindboy's' Late Late quip as indicative of a rising anti-Catholic bias within society, the resulting laughter from the audience further supporting his view.

The comment came in a discussion about faith in modern Ireland, with Mr Chambers saying that young people were not going to Midnight Mass 'for haunted bread, but because it was a family event'. "There was a line crossed this time," Fr McNamara said.

He hopes his complaint will now ensure such a situation - of RTE effectively 'endorsing' a comment likely to cause deep offence as he believes - would not happen again: "I hope a recurrence of this would never happen again and that there would be clear guidelines laid down as to what is and what is not acceptable."

The Rubberbandits appeared non-plussed about the controversy, at least in response to a 'tweet' on Twitter accusing them of picking a soft target, in Catholicism, rather than going after Islam: "It's none of my business. I was raised catholic. Plus, Catholicism still in constitution, therefore its political," one of the comic duo shot back.
At the presentation of a cheque for 385 to Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue were, from left: Frank O'Connor (PRO), Mike Flahive (Treasurer), Caoimhe Barry, TJ McCarron (Chairman), Eoin Sheahan, Aoife Sheahan, Shauna Barry, Odhran Barry, Josh Enright (BBSR), and Liam Mulvihill (Safety Officer).

Wrenboys and girls from two North Kerry/West Limerick communities got a big 'thank you' from members of a sea rescue unit for their fundraising efforts on St Stephen's Day.

Members of Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue were thrilled to receive a cheque for 385 from the Lisselton and Athea Wren - vital funding for their lifesaving task.

"Only for the contributions we get through various fundraising events we couldn't survive. What wonderful young people they are to give up their day, especially at Christmas, to go out and fundraise for our Unit," PRO Frank O'Connor said.
Duncannon is in line to secure a Blue Flag for its water quality. Dr Fran Igoe of the newly established Local Authority Waters and Communities Office (Lawco) said he made a presentation in Duncannon recently, which was very well attended, about water.

Mr Igoe said the lack of a treatment plant in Duncannon should not deter Duncannon beach from getting a Blue Flag.

Mairead Kavanagh said Irish Water is proposing that the waste water treatment plant for the Duncannon, Arthurstown, Ballyhack areas be located in Arthurstown.

Ms Kavanagh said that a final report is being prepared by consultants and their work is due to be completed in four years.

A new plan to develop interest in and use of rivers and the Irish Sea along the coast was unveiled at the meeting by Dr Igoe who made a presentation to councillors on the Water Framework Directive.

Mr Igoe said the group will be looking at the Barrow and Nore rivers having already looked at the Suir in terms of its potential. 'We need to get communities in these areas to join up. It's about creating awareness.'

He said the recent discovery of honeycomb coral on our coast was important, adding that the wide variety of fish in our waters is another point of interest tourists could connect with. Funding opportunities also exist for communities, he added. Mr Igoe said the group will work in partnership with councillors. Cllr Oisin O'Connell said most people live beside rivers or streams that they might have ideas about potential uses for them, or concerns about activities on the rivers, but they do not know whom to tell.

'This is a way to get people working together. Sometimes when it comes to mitigating flooding or sewage you need a whole system approach rather than just a technological fix,' Cllr O'Connell said.

Ann Phelan of Lawco said: 'This is about participation. We will be working very closely with communities on the ground. This is about working with people to deliver good water quality through projects.'
Tittle tattle has no place in the council chamber, according to cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Whelan, who told off Cllr Michael Sheehan at the meeting for airing a rumour that the council was after blocking a developer from proceeding with his plans in the town.

Cllr Sheehan said a developer who has invested significant sums to develop part of the town of New Ross was being blocked from doing so by the council, he had heard, via a rumour.

'I would hate to think that anyone would think that the council was blocking the redevelopment of the town,' he said. James Lavin from the council's planning department said any submission made to the council is followed up on. 'We definitely aren't involved in the blocking of development as it would have a very serious impact on the town.'

Cllr Whelan said: 'Are you going to come in here with every rumour you hear out there and just put it out there for the press.

'It's rumour you said you don't believe,' Cllr Whelan added. 'Do you think it's fair to come in here and bring rumours that you have heard?' he added.

'No, I don't,' Cllr Sheehan replied.
Christine Ryan and her daughter Jade both had a lucky escape when deer struck their car on the Rosslare Road outside Wexford

Wild deer are becoming a major safety hazard in County Wexford as increasing numbers of the animals move south from neighbouring Wicklow.

At least two accidents have been caused by deer on or near the Rosslare Road in as many weeks, with one family lucky to be alive after a Stag ran into their car and smashed into the side of it close to the Drinagh roundabout on the outskirts of Wexford town.

And in the north of the county, IFA chairman Pat Murray said there had been an explosion in the number of deer.

'God forbid that anything would happen, that somebody would be killed, but that's the risk,' said Mr Murray, whose own Jeep was struck by a deer in north Wexford several months ago.

Christine Ryan, from Ballycogley, said she and her six-year-old daughter Jaden and niece Rebecca Foley had a very lucky escape in the accident on the Rosslare Road side of the busy roundabout on January 7.

'My niece said it was a miracle it didn't come through the windscreen,' said Christine.

'I was dropping her off to work when she said "look there's a deer" and with that he ran across the road in front of us.. I tried to stop and was still trying to when he hit the car and came up the side of it,' she said.

Shocked but unscathed, and with a large dent in her car wing, she then saw the Stag run off and at least 10 more deer in a field next to the road jump across the fence and run across the N25.

'I lived in Mayglass all my life and I have never heard of deer down here,' she said.

'Somebody could easily be killed,' said Wexford Mayor Cllr Frank Staples, 'there have been lots of sightings.'

In another incident shortly before Christmas, a car was badly damaged after it ran into a deer near Killinick. Gardai said they had no information on this incident, although, according to local reports the deer was killed and the car was a virtual write off.

Cllr Staples said he had been told that 5,000 in damage had been caused to the car.

'They are moving down from Wicklow, from farm to farm,' said Cllr Staples.

Mr Murray said the huge increase in the deer population in the north of the county with the animals spreading south from Wicklow in search of greener pastures.

'There are three main issues, accidents being caused by deer, second the damage they are causing to crops and fencing and thirdly the animal health issue because some could be carrying TB,' he said.

Mr Murray estimated that there were between 150,000 and 200,000 deer in Wicklow, representing 40 per cent of the deer population in the country.

'There needs to be a cull.. culling 30,000 out of the entire east region would just hold the numbers as they are, but there is question about whether there is the political will to do this.

Mr Murray said deer were particularly numerous in north Wexford with large numbers in areas of woodland near Kilanerin, Castletown and Bunclody, although there was no accurate estimate of just how many there were in the county.

'Some farmers in north Wexford have counted as many as 50 deer in their fields close to woodlands. I am calling on the Department of Environment and the Department of Agriculture to deal with this situation,' he said.
Sligo County Council has sought an urgent update from the Minister for Health about providing a cardiac catheterisation lab at Sligo University Hospital.

The motion was put down by Councillor Rosaleen O'Grady, who told this month's meeting that "it's of huge importance that this service is provided for."

"A project group was established in 2016 - where is the project at? It would roll out essential services to Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan and South Donegal," said Cllr O'Grady.

"There's not a word about it since the General Election. My objective is to progress it. I put it on the table to get it provided. I intend to keep it highlighted and would ask that the TDs that are in Government would give us a reply," she said.

She said that the fixed cardio cath lab was the treatment of choice for heart patients.

"I'm appealing to those of you who have contacts with people in Government office that ye would keep it on the table for Sligo," she said.

Cllr O'Grady said it was important to have this treatment for Sligo patients during the 90 minute trip to Galway.

She was supported by Cllr Tom MacSharry: "Rosaleen O'Grady has been to the forefront - it's an issue we all want to see as a reality here in Sligo," he said.

Councillor Sean MacManus commended Cllr O'Grady for highlighting the issue.

"I would have a more vested interest in this as I have been the subject of cardio catheterisation in St James' Hospital," he said.

"The first hour after a heart attack is the most important. Catheterisation helps people survive. It would serve in excess of 300,000 people here. I'd also like to see a result from the Minister," he said.

Councillor Hubert Keaney said it was "disappointing that these things can be incredibly slow."

Patients in the North West with an acute heart attack within 90 minutes of travel time to Galway are flown by helicopter from Sligo and brought straight to the hospital where they receive emergency treatment in the cardiac catheter laboratory.

This involves a minimally invasive procedure under local anaesthetic to open blocked arteries using a balloon catheter and stents to stop heart attacks. If outside this travel time, the patient is taken to the nearest hospital emergency department for thrombolysis or clot-breaking drugs and then urgently transferred to Galway.
A 53 year old father of five has given an undertaking to stop growing cannabis and also to quit smoking the drug.

Brian Ambrey appeared before Sligo Circuit Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to cultivating four cannabis plants at his home at Snee, Coolaney on September 4th 2015.

Garda Pat Ruddy told prosecuting counsel Ms Dara Foynes BL with Mr Hugh Sheridan State Solicitor that a search warrant was obtained for the defendant's house, lands and outhouses.

Sergeant Niall Davey, Sgt John Walsh and Garda Kevin Brannick conducted the search and a small bag of plant material which turned out to be cannabis was found in a bedroom which Ambrey said was for his own use.

He was asked if there was anything else on the property and the defendant volunteered that he had cannabis plants growing in one of his sheds. There were three plants there growing under high intensity lights.

Gardai also found a grinder on a kitchen table. Another cannabis plant was found growing in a polytunnel but this was a male species unlike the other three and the defendant said he used this in connection with his bee keeping with the smoke from the plant helping to keep them calm.

The defendant had a previous conviction from the District Court in October 2009 for an offence in December 2008 for the cultivation of cannabis for which he was fined 250.

In reply to Mr Keith O'Grady BL with Mr Morgan Coleman, Solicitor, Garda Ruddy agreed that there appeared to have been full co-operation with the Gardai in the matter.

The Garda also agreed that the valuation of the plants could depend on their maturity. Mr O'Grady suggested the value of the plants was closer to 400.

Mr O'Grady pleaded that the defendant lived on a small farm where he kept bees and smoked cannabis for a number of years now.

"If there is ever a straightforward case of cannabis growing for one's own use then this is it," pleaded Mr O'Grady who added that the matter would be in the District Court only for his previous conviction.

At the invitation of Judge Keenan Johnson, the defendant gave an undertaking not to cultivate cannabis in the future. Ms Foynes put it to the defendant: "Clearly you cannot be smoking it either because it is illegal and ordinary smoke can be used to calm the bees. It may necessitate a lifestyle change for you but at least you won't be coming in here." The defendant also undertook not to smoke cannabis either again.

Judge Johnson said he noted the defendant admitted his wrongdoing immediately and in the circumstances where there was fulsome co-operation and there was no question of selling or supplying he was satisfied to impose a non custodial sentence. A two year term was imposed suspended for five years with the conditions attached regarding growing and smoking the drug.
Eight new school wardens have been approved for Sligo County Council. Mayor of Sligo Municipal District Cllr Marie Casserly, who raised the issue, was told that the Council received 'same-day' approval for the new permanent part-time positions.

Director of Services Tom Kilfeather told her that the Council submitted a request to the Department on Friday 6th January and received written approval by the close of business.

Councillors Casserly and Thomas Healy welcomed the speed with which the Department approved the new school wardens.

"We should apply for some outdoor staff," said Cllr Sean MacManus. Cllr Declan Bree said "we should welcome it."

Mr Kilfeather said there were currently vacancies for school wardens at Maugheraboy Post Office and St. Edwards National School.
Farmers in Manorhamilton have rallied round in a bid to save the local mart from closure.

Over 170,000 has been put into an account by locals in an effort to keep the mart going which Sligo District Court heard on Thursday had a significant deficit in its client account.

The exact amount wasn't disclosed in court but it's significant enough for a regulatory body to state that it may well go to the High Court in the matter, an action that could lead to the mart's closure.

The court was also told that Manorhamilton Livestock Sales Ltd didn't have a licence and the regulatory body wasn't in a position to grant it one due to outstanding issues.

These included issues with regard to a tax compliance certificate and the client account. The matter originally came before Manorhamilton Court last October and was adjourned to Sligo District Court last Thursday where the regulatory body, Property Services Regulatory Authority resisted an application to have the case adjourned for a further two months to allow the mart address deficiencies in its licence application.

The mart admitted at the court in Manorhamilton to two counts of operating without a licence at Station Road, the only one in the country in such a situation the court was told.

The court heard that the mart had allowed too much credit in the past and this was the reason for its financial difficulties.

Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (for the mart) said it was a complex matter but that a number of matters had been dealt with over the past month. "We're seeking more time to get the matter across the line and I'm asking for the matter not to be finalised to day. We are getting there. I agree it's slow and painful. Things have cropped up you wouldn't expect to have cropped up," he said.

He added that people in Manorhamilton were very concerned about the mart. A sum of 170,000 had been lodged by new investors in a solicitor's client account with a view to being used as share investment.

Mr Noel Whelan SC for the (PSRA) said each day the mart traded without a licence it committed an offence. Since July 2012 it was required to have a licence.

He confirmed to Judge Kevin Kilrane the body had the power "to go to the High Court and close it in the morning." He said an essential requirement of a licence was having an appropriate client account. The body had a concern about the risk and it had an obligation to the rest of the community.

Judge Kilrane noted there was local support for the mart and people were "putting their money where their mouth was."

"If I impose a conviction today it might have the effect of frightening the horses as it were of the support of the local community," he said.

Mr Whelan said the mart had informed the authority that it was pursuing those who owed it money, it no longer gave credit and there was a suggestion some persons were putting up money re share capital.

Judge Kilrane said if there was trust between the parties to remedy the deficiencies that were there he was prepared to grant the two month adjournment sought by Mr McGovern.

Mr Whelan said the matters arose from complaints in the community. He added there was no confidence fromt he authority that the matters would be remedied in that time frame.

Mr McGovern said one of the complaints had come from someone who owed a substantial amount to the mart and was pursued in the Circuit Court in relation to this.

Mark Dunne of the PSRA, in evidence, confirmed that after the court in Manorhamilon last October he met with mart director, Ivan Moffitt and went through the various steps required for a successful application for a licence.

The tax clearance issue had not been rectified and the appropriate financial arrangements were not in place, he said, adding that the application could not be accepted.

"We don't have any confidence at this stage," said Mr Dunne. The big issue he stressed was the client account, a situation he described as "very serious." "We cannot allow money belonging to the public to be at risk," he said.

In reply to Mr McGovern, the witness agreed that creditors owed a substantial amount of money to the mart and also that in recent days a substantial sum had been put into an account of a solicitor. Mr McGovern said the next step was to have a shareholder agreement in place.

"There's no credit available anymore which has caused this major problem for them," said Mr McGovern.

"We need two months. We are down to the client account and if that is sorted...." - Mr McGovern.

"Not quite down to just that" - Judge Kilrane.

The Judge said the mart had been operating for years and had traded successfully but either through foolish management or difficult times it resulted in a deficit in the client account which was a serious thing. The authority had the power to close the mart but it wasn't pressing the nuclear button just yet. He said he was prepared to adjourn the matter for two months on terms.

This included a letter from Mr Dunne to Mr Moffitt outlining the totality of the requirements for the licence and the latter filing a daily report as to progress. Mr Moffitt was also be contactable with any supplementary questions to be dealt with the same day.

If Mr Dunne felt there was any breach liberty was granted to re-enter the matter before a court in the Judge's district. The case was put back to March 9th.

Mr Moffitt was told if there was any breach the proceedings would be brought to an immediate conclusion in the District Court and it could lead to a conviction and the High Court closing the mart.

"It's the last chance saloon," said Judge Kilrane.
Nothing has been done to develop a recreation and amenity area at the 'Rocks' at Gibraltar, despite the Council agreeing to do so two years ago.

Councillor Declan Bree proposed in February 2015 that a draft plan be drawn up and grant aid sought for the refurbishment of Gibraltar. It was unanimously adopted by the Council.

In the early 1950's the Council developed a tidal swimming pool and coastal walkway at the Rocks, which has since been abandoned.

Director of Services Tom Kilfeather told Cllr Bree last week that the Council had no plans to progress the idea because of reduced staff and the need to prioritise other projects.

"I'm disappointed with the response. I would ask for some kind of a phased plan, especially for the outdoor pool," said Cllr Bree.
A Garda drove at 200kph in bid to catch up with a speeding driver but made no ground on him, Sligo Circuit Court was told.

As a result of his driving on the Sligo to Collooney dual carriageway on June 23rd last year, Syed Waqas Ali Bukhari formerly of Rusheen Ard was fined 500 and banned for two years for dangerous driving at the District Court. It was stipulated the ban would be for one year if no appeal was taken.

He appealed that conviction to the Circuit Court on Monday where he was represented by Mr Keith O'Grady BL with Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor.

State Solicitor Mr Hugh Sheridan told Judge Keenan Johnson that the appellant was prepared to enter a plea to a lesser charge of careless driving and this was acceptable to the State subject to the approval of the court. Mr Sheridan said he had also spoken with the prosecuting Garda, Peter McDonnell and he was also in agreement.

Mr Sheridan said the Garda was in an unmarked patrol on the N4 car when at around 9pm he became aware of a car that came up behind him at high speed whose driver flashed his lights at him and then passed him before taking a turn off at Caltragh. The road was very damp at the time but there was no surface water. The Garda was unable to measure the miles per hour the driver was doing but he was travelling at such a high speed the Garda was unable to catch him

Asked what speed the Garda did in his attempt to catch him, Judge Johnson was told it was 200kph. Mr O'Grady pleaded that the defendant had bought a car and was testing it on the dual carriageway. There was no allegation of dangerous overtaking or of failing to stop at a junction. The appellant was a doctor who was working in Sligo at the time and was now qualified in vascular surgery and based in Waterford. "It's a beg for mercy type of case," said Mr O'Grady. Judge Johnson said 200kph was extremely excessive. He fined the appellant 2,000 and banned him for four months for careless driving.
Sligo County Council has agreed to recognise Traveller ethnicity and is now calling on the Government to do the same.

The motion was put forward by Councillor Gino O'Boyle and seconded by Cllr Sean MacManus. Cllr O'Boyle said members of the Traveller community experienced low education and high rates of suicide: "Ethnicity means equality. Recognising Traveller ethnicity will have a huge effect on the Traveller community," he told the meeting.

Cllrs Declan Bree and Tom MacSharry agreed: "It's high time the Government came on board and the Taoiseach instructed a junior minister to make this a reality asap," said Cllr MacSharry.
The OPW has met with staff from the Garda station in Tubbercurry to discuss their facilities there.

Councillor Margaret Gormley was told at the most recent Joint Policing Committee Meeting in Tubbercurry that Chief Superintendent Michael Clancy is in discussions with the OPW and a number of options are being considered.

Cllr Gormley raised the issue to find out what progress has been made in accommodating the Gardai.

She pointed out that nothing has happened since she raised the issue in February 2016.

"The fact that Tubbercurry is the largest town outside of Sligo on a national primary route, it's of vital importance that there are proper up-to-date facilities with more Gardai.

Cllr Gormley said the present building was "not fit for purpose, one would not swing a cat in it."

She has suggested they move to the empty Government building next door. Chief Superintendent Clancy agreed there was a need for improved facilities.
Councillor Keith Henry has called on the Council to apply for an EU initiative which provides internet access in public spaces.

"The WiFi4EU scheme allows for local authorities to provide high speed broadband connections in public spaces such as parks, council buildings, health centres etc," he told this month's meeting last week.

"Over 120 million has been committed to the scheme between 2017 and 2019," he said.

"It offers a great opportunity to boost tourism as I know from experiencing a similar service in other cities, when you connect to the public Wifi you are given lots of options close to your location at that given time" said the Ballymote Councillor.

"Nowadays, one of the first questions staff in cafes, bars and restaurants are asked is what is the WiFi password. To be able to offer this service in public spaces would be another step in making Sligo more attractive to tourists and indeed reduce data costs for locals" he added.

Head of Finance with the Council Marie Leyden told Cllr Henry that the Council would apply when it was feasible.

Cllr Henry welcomed that and asked that they also include locations outside of Sligo town particularly in towns such as Ballymote and Tubbercurry.

Cllr Jerry Lundy said wifi was very important in relation to tourism: "It'll help step up business and is important for people coming to the area."

Cllr Marie Casserly said it "sounds like a fantastic initiative."

Cllr Paul Taylor added his support to the motion also.

Cathaoirleach of the County Council Councillor Hubert Keaney wished the staff the best of luck in applying for funding from the EU Commission for the wifi scheme.
Wicklow Town Community First Responders are seeking volunteers who can give up 24 hours a month.

The small group of trained volunteers were formed in 2014 and respond to 999 calls in the immediate area that relate to cardiac arrest, heart attack, chest pain, stroke, collapse cases and breathing difficulties.

Because each of the Responders live locally, they can arrive to the patient within a few minutes and provide emergency medical care for these type of incidents whilst waiting on the arrival of an ambulance.

Each volunteer is also trained in CPR.

Last year, with the support of Wicklow Care Plus Pharmacy and Wicklow Rotary, two public access

Defibrillators were placed in the town, one outside Delahunt's Hardware and one outside Wicklow Care Plus Pharmacy.

These defibrillators are available 24/7 and can be used by any member of the public to save a life.

If anyone would like to offer their services as a volunteer, they are asked to get in contact with (086) 6016982.
A senior claims official who defrauded her employer of 220,000 over six years has been sent to jail on foot of an appeal by prosecutors.

Naila Zaffer (38), with an address in Tulfarris Village, Blessington, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to ten sample counts of using a false instrument, theft and attempted theft from IPB Insurance on dates between April 2007 and August 2012.

She was give a wholly suspended two-and-a-half year sentence by Judge Terence O'Sullivan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on May 11, 2015.

In October, the Court of Appeal found Zaffer's sentence to be 'unduly lenient' on foot of an application for a review of sentence by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

She was jailed for eight months yesterday (Tuesday).

Giving judgment in the three-judge court, Mr Justice Alan Mahon said Zaffer, who is originally from Halifax in Yorkshire, was a senior insurance claims official for the Irish Public Bodies Insurance Company.

Mr Justice Mahon said Zaffer forged insurance claims by adding an additional claim to policies paid out by IPB Insurance. The amount in question was 221,600.

The Circuit Court judge had noted that the money defrauded had not been recovered. He asked rhetorically whether there was any point in imprisoning her.

Zaffer had no previous convictions, she had had a drug addition which motivated the offending and she had lost her job as a consequence of what she did, the Circuit Court judge noted.

Mr Justice Mahon said serious pre-meditated fraud over a prolonged period will almost always merit a prison sentence. Only the existence of exceptional circumstances could result in a suspended sentence.

Mr Justice Mahon said the two-and-a-half year headline sentence was appropriate.

'Strong mitigation' included her co-operation, plea of guilty, genuine remorse, lack of previous convictions and difficult background. She was 'psychologically vulnerable' and very positive probation reports indicated an ambition to deal with her addiction difficulties and avoid reoffending.

These factors desreved particular leniency, Mr Justice Mahon said. In addition, having enjoyed her liberty since last February, she now faced 'a reversal of that status' which was significantly more difficult for her than if she received an immediate custodial sentence.

Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, suspended all but eight months of her two-and-a-half year sentence.

Zaffer was required to enter into a good behaviour bond for the suspended period. When asked if she undertook to be so bound, she said 'I do', before being lead away to serve her sentence.
Rathnew will look very different in a few years if a number of proposed developments in the village are given the green light.

A new village centre, petrol station, road and hundreds of homes are among the projects seeking planning permission at the moment. While development in the area is being welcomed, local councillor John Snell has said that all efforts should be made to ensure adequate facilities are provided along with new homes, warning that 'there is more to a development than just creating houses'.

Two days before Christmas, Cedarbrick Ltd lodged a planning application with Wicklow County Council seeking permission for a one- to three-storey village centre scheme, comprising retail convenience food store, cafe, 26 dwelling house units and 134 car parking spaces.

The development shall also deliver the second phase of the new Rathnew Inner Relief Road, comprising of a two-lane 6m carriageway with footpaths, cycletracks, the realignment of the R761, the upgrade of the R761/772 junction, a new roundabout, new access junction and a future access junction servicing lands at Clermont Campus.

Submissions can be made up until February 4, with a final decision on the application due on February 25.

As previously reported, Keldrum Ltd has sought permission for 369 housing units near to Tinakilly House. The extensive housing scheme would consist of eight one-bed units, 91 two-beds, 118 three-beds, 140 four-beds and 12 five-bed units. The proposed development would also deliver the first phase of the Rathnew Inner Relief Road, the upgrade of the Merrymeeting interchange and a new junction proposed with the avenue serving Tinakilly House.

A decision on the application is due on February 7.

Thomas McMullan is seeking permission to construct a new single-storey filling station building at Tighe's Avenue, Rossanna Avenue, to include a retail sales area, a coffee bar and deli and associated ancillary areas. The building will be 7.1 metres at its highest point.

Permission is also sought for a 7.1 metres high illuminated canopy, three 60,000 litre underground fuel storage tanks, an automatic car wash facility incorporating a plant room of 13sqm, a solid fuel store of 12.2 sqm, a 20,000 litre underground rain water harvest tank and car wash water storage tank, a 7m high illuminated company sign, corporate signage and insignia.

Submissions cam be made up until February 2, while the Planning Department at Wicklow County Council will make a decision on February 23.

One-hundred-and-fifty-five houses are currently under construction at the back of Seaview Heights, while the housing association Cluid have 45 voluntary units at the ready near Saunders Lane.

Thirty-four new units were constructed at Kirvin Hill, with the second phase comprising of 50 additional units and a creche.

In welcoming the developments, Cllr John Snell has warned that it is important that community facilities and public and recreational spaces are a prominent part of each scheme.

'The inner-relief road will reduce the traffic going through Main Street. There are some massive schemes and they will transform the village,' said Cllr Snell.

'I welcome the extra units and the revitalisation of the village centre of Rathnew, as well as the job and businesses opportunities each development will create, but we need to be mindful that there is more to a development than just creating houses. You need to build communities as well.

'The last thing anyone wants to see are big concrete jungles, with rows and rows of houses, with no active open spaces and recreational areas.

'Something tangible has to be provided for outdoor and recreational activities. We also need to look at the current facilities in Rathnew, such as sporting organisations and community groups.

'If we can't meet the new capacity of the village created by these developments, then the new developments need to provide something to make up for any potential shortfall. One of the first thing any family thinking of buying a house will ask is what facilities are in the area for them and their children,' said Cllr Snell.
Wicklow RNLI invited former crew member Sean Doyle and his fiancee Sarah Emma down to the station over Christmas for coffee, while he was home on leave from the Naval Service.

During the visit, Sean was presented with a glass-etched picture of the all-weather lifeboat, in recognition of his humanitarian work in the Mediterranean Sea.

Sean was a volunteer crew member at Wicklow RNLI before joining the Naval Service, on both the inshore and all weather lifeboats.

Today he serves on the LE Samuel Beckett, which recently completed a deployment to the Mediterranean. During the tour of duty, the Naval Service rescued over 3,000 migrants.

Speaking during the presentation, Operations Manager, Des Davitt said: 'the crew have always had a keen interest in Sean's career with the Navy.

'They wished to show their appreciation for his demanding role, during deployment to the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.'
President Liam Leonard and members of the Wicklow Rotary Club with Joe Healy at the launch of the The Nell Healy Wicklow Parish people of the year awards.

Wicklow Rotary Club, in association with Phil Healy's Pub, have launched new awards which will provide people with the chance to acknowledge individuals and groups or organisations who have made a real difference to the community.

The Nell Healy People of the Year Award is named after the highly-respected Ellen Healy, who passed away just over three years ago. Nell was the backbone of Phil Healy's for over 52 years and she always acknowledged the good deeds performed and the achievements of individuals in the community. It is, therefore, fitting that her name should be associated with these awards.

The awards will allow the public to honour individuals, groups or organisations for their extraordinary achievement, in areas that include public service, social advocacy, culture and community life.

There are four categories in all.

The International Person of the Year Award is open to an Irish person who has made an outstanding contribution on an international level, or to a person from outside Ireland who has made a positive impact to life on the island of Ireland.

The Young Person of the Year Award is for extraordinary achievements made by a young person, aged 25 years or under.

The Sportsperson of the Year Award will seek someone who has excelled in their chosen sport to create records and make living history.

The Community Group of the Year Award is open to a group of people who have stepped up to the mark to support a cause.

Forms are available at Phil Healy's and on the Wicklow Rotary Club website. The closing date for the receipt of all applications is February 16.

All application forms should be sent or dropped into the Grand Hotel in Wicklow town.

The adjudication panel should consist of three Rotarians and two non-Rotarians.

There will be three nominees in each category and one winner.

The awards are not about the Rotary Club or Phil Healy's, but provides an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of people who have stepped up and made a positive contribution to the Wicklow community and the parish.
Italian police were called to the scene of the bus crash in Verona

Firefighters inspect the bus that crashed and burst into flames near Verona. (Italian Police/ANSA/AP)

At least 16 people have died after a bus taking Hungarian students home from a school ski trip to France slammed into a highway barrier in northern Italy and burst into flames.

Thirty-nine other people survived the crash on a highway near Verona, with 26 injured, some seriously.

The impact of the crash was so violent that an overpass support column tore through the bus, officials said.

The ensuing fireball burned some of the 16 dead beyond recognition, with a twisted steel skeleton all that remains of the bus.

One teacher managed to save some of the children, suffering serious burns to his back as he did so, according to Judit Timaffy of Hungary's consulate, who was at the scene of the crash.

"The kids told me that the fire started and they escaped from the fire, breaking the windows of the bus," she said.

"Some of them managed to escape, but many were left inside."

No other vehicles were involved, and the cause is not known, police commander Girolamo Lacquaniti said.

Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said: "One passenger is currently in an induced coma and in life-threatening condition."

According to Mr Szijjarto, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle, which hit a guard rail before the overpass support and then exploded. Investigators found no brake marks at the scene, he said.

Ms Timaffy said investigators are looking into the possibility the driver fell asleep at the wheel.

RAI state radio said a Slovenian truck driver travelling behind the bus had noticed a problem with one of its wheels and tried to alert the driver. But the bus driver did not react quickly enough, RAI said. The Slovenian truck driver stayed at the scene, trying to help, until investigators arrived.

In Budapest, a black flag flew above the Szinyei Merse Pal Gimnazium school. About 60 students gathered for a vigil outside, lighting small candles and laying flowers in memory of the victims.

"We knew many of them, but the ones we were closest to and in daily contact are mostly all right," student Tamas Mezo said after placing candles at the school's door.

He said the school organised a ski camp each year, involving about 50-60 students and a few teachers.

"I was very much planning on going this year but in the end it didn't work out," Tamas said. "There were three or four teachers on the bus and unfortunately one of them did not survive. Our hearts our hurting because we loved him. He was really nice."

Survivors had been taken to a nearby hotel and were being interviewed by investigators. The parents of some of the children are heading there to bring them home.

Hungary's foreign ministry said it was told that there were 54 passengers and two drivers aboard, but it believes the actual number was higher.

Condolences came in from Italy's president and its foreign minister, as well as the German chancellor Angela Merkel.
The separatist group is looking for support from the new US president

A Nigerian separatist group said 20 people have died after a demonstration in support of US president Donald Trump led to clashes with police.

Friday's rally in the southern Rivers state was organised by the Indigenous People of Biafra, which wants Mr Trump to support the creation of an independent Biafran state for the Igbo people.

Member Ugochukwu Chinweuba said lawyers are working to locate and release those arrested by police. He said more than 200 people are still missing.

Nnamdi Omoni, a spokesman for Rivers state police, denied that anyone was killed but said 65 people had been arrested.

Neither of the competing accounts could be independently verified.

One million people died in the 1967-70 civil war over efforts to create a Biafran state.
Senegal soldiers providing security at their gathering point on the Gambia border with Senegal at the town of Karang (AP Photo/Sylvain Cherkaoui)

Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow is expected to return from Senegal to take up power (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh said he has decided to cede power, under the threat of military action (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh and his family have headed into political exile, ending a 22-year reign of fear and a post-election political stand-off which threatened to spiral into military action.

As he mounted the stairs to his plane, Mr Jammeh turned to the crowd, kissed his Koran and waved one last time to supporters, including soldiers who cried at his departure.

The flight came almost 24 hours after he announced on state television he was ceding power in response to mounting international pressure calling for his removal.

The incoming president, Adama Barrow, has said Mr Jammeh would fly to Guinea, though that might not be his final destination.

Though tens of thousands of Gambians had fled the country during his rule, Jammeh supporters flocked to the airport to see him walk the red carpet to his plane.

Mr Barrow defeated Mr Jammeh in the December elections, but Mr Jammeh contested the results as calls grew for him to be prosecuted for alleged abuses during his time in power.

A regional force had been poised to force out Mr Jammeh if last-ditch diplomatic efforts failed.

The situation became so tense that Mr Barrow had to be inaugurated in neighbouring Senegal at the Gambian Embassy. He said he would return to Gambia once it is "clear" and a security sweep is completed.

Mr Jammeh's announcement ended ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

"We believe he'll go to Guinea, but we are yet to confirm 100 percent, but that's what we believe," Mr Barrow said.

As Mr Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than two decades in power, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led the famously mercurial Mr Jammeh to challenge the December election results, just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Mr Barrow.

Mr Jammeh once vowed to rule for a billion years. His agreement to step down has brought an end to the political crisis in this nation of 1.9 million, which has promoted itself to European tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa".

Critics of Mr Jammeh insisted he should not be given any kind of amnesty.

Jeggan Bahoum, of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia, said: "Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities."

An online petition urged that Mr Jammeh should not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested. Mr Barrow, though, cautioned that this was premature.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," he said. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

Mr Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, had been holed up in recent days in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, had pledged to remove Mr Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into Gambia on Thursday. The force moved in after Mr Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

Mr Jammeh's announcement to relinquish power is a good first step, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa.

He said: "For the Gambia to truly move on, president Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing. In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994."
A deadline was extended for Gambia's embattled dictator, Yahya Jammeh, to give up power yesterday as regional mediators flew in to offer him one last chance to go peacefully.

The country's entrenched strongman has resisted more than a month of increasingly forceful demands to honour his original pledge to step down after losing December's elections.

Overnight on Thursday, he was warned that if he did not step down by noon yesterday, a detachment of Senegalese troops at the border would be authorised to roll into the capital, Banjul, to overthrow him by force.

That deadline was later extended as a final diplomatic delegation, led by the president of Guinea, Alpha Conde, and the president of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, flew in for a last-ditch session of talks yesterday.

By late afternoon the talks were still ongoing, although diplomats insisted they were hopeful of a solution.

Divided

The delegation arrived a day after the man who won December's election, Adama Barrow, was sworn in as Gambia's new president at the Gambian embassy in neighbouring Senegal.

Despite Mr Barrow ordering the Gambian security forces to surrender immediately to his command, the military appeared to be divided over how to respond.

General Ousman Badjie, the chief of the army, said he would not fight the Senegalese troops, describing the impasse as a "political" problem. "We will welcome them with flowers and make them a cup of tea," he said.

However, Mr Badjie has switched loyalties at least once already, and in recent days his behaviour has become increasingly erratic.

A hard core of Mr Jammeh's presidential guard was last night still standing by him at his offices at State House in Banjul.

Mr Jammeh has received offers of asylum, including in Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

He has rejected them, apparently in fear he could be extradited to face prosecution for human rights abuses.

Diplomats say he may be worried about facing a similar fate as Charles Taylor, Liberia's former warlord, who was granted asylum in Nigeria but then handed over years later to face a war crimes court over the slaughter in Liberia's civil war.

UN officials, including Mohammed Ibn Chambas, UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, were also involved in the talks.

The military operation was halted late on Thursday to give mediation a chance, and a midday deadline was extended yesterday as negotiations, which diplomats said were focusing on a deal to grant Mr Jammeh immunity from prosecution, continued.

"There is a real possibility this could work. I don't think he is going the (Saddam) Hussein route," a regional diplomat said, referring to the Iraqi leader who was arrested in 2003 following an invasion, tried and hanged.

A senior official from regional bloc Ecowas, under whose mandate the military operation was launched, said late on Thursday that there was no question that Mr Jammeh would be allowed to remain in Gambia, even if he agreed to step down.

Mr Jammeh, in power since a 1994 coup, initially conceded defeat to Mr Barrow following a December 1 election before back-tracking, saying the vote was flawed and demanding a new ballot.

Late on Thursday, he dissolved the government - half of whose members had already resigned - and pledged to name a new one. His estate - located just 1km from the border with Senegal, Gambia's sole neighbour, which surrounds it on three sides - was heavily fortified yesterday, witnesses said.

Ecowas said its intervention, dubbed Operation Restore Democracy, involved 7,000 troops and was backed by tanks and warplanes. Forces have already entered Gambia from the southeast, southwest and north. The size of Gambia's army is unclear, but estimates range from 800 to 2,500 soldiers. ( Daily Telegraph London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
President Donald Trump, flanked by senior colleagues, signs his first executive order on healthcare in the Oval Office (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

US president Donald Trump has attempted to mend his tumultuous relationship with America's spy agencies, assuring officials at CIA headquarters: "I am so behind you."

Mr Trump's decision to visit the agency's base just outside Washington was a public gesture towards the intelligence officials he disparaged during the transition period.

He had repeatedly challenged the agencies' assessment that Russia meddled in the presidential race to help him win and suggested intelligence officials were behind the leak of an unverified dossier that claimed Russia had collected compromising financial or personal information about him.

During remarks to about 400 CIA officials, Mr Trump denied that he had a feud with the intelligence community, saying it was "exactly the opposite".

He again blamed the media for creating that impression, despite the fact that he made numerous public statements critical of intelligence officials.

"There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and CIA than Donald Trump," he said. "There's nobody."

However, the president quickly shifted from praise for the CIA to criticism of media coverage of his inauguration day, in an unscripted address that overstated the size of the crowd that gathered on the National Mall as he took the oath of office.

Mr Trump said crowds "went all the way back to the Washington monument", despite photos and live video showing the crowd stopping well short of the landmark.

The new president's media criticism came as he stood in front of a memorial honouring CIA officers killed while serving the United States.

Mr Trump's inauguration has been shadowed by news reports that the CIA and other federal agencies are investigating Russian interference in the presidential election on his behalf.

The New York Times, citing anonymous officials, said agencies were examining intercepted communications and financial transactions between Russian officials and Mr Trump's associates.

FBI Director James Comey has declined to confirm or describe the nature of the government's investigation, both during a congressional hearing and in closed-door meetings with members of Congress.

Saturday marked the end of three days of inaugural celebrations, with Mr Trump and his family attending a national prayer service traditionally held for the new president.

The president and his wife, Melania, joined vice president Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, in a front pew at Washington National Cathedral for the morning service.

The inter-faith service is a tradition for new presidents and is hosted by the Episcopal parish. But the decision to hold a prayer session for Mr Trump sparked debate among Episcopalians opposed to his policies.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington wrote in a blog post that while she shared "a sense of outrage at some of the president-elect's words and actions", she felt an obligation to welcome all people without qualification, especially those who disagree and need to find a way to work together.

The service took place as throngs of women, many of them wearing bright pink, pointy-eared hats, descended on the nation's capital and other cities around the world Saturday for marches organised to push back against the new president.

Officials said the crowd in Washington for the women's march could be more than half a million people, more than double the number expected. The event appeared to have attracted more people than Mr Trump's inauguration, based on figures from transportation officials.

Trump arrived at the cathedral mid-morning. The service included readings and prayers from Protestant, Jewish, Sikh, Mormon, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Baha'i, Episcopal, Hindu and Native American leaders. But the service was remarkable for the large number of evangelicals participating, including two former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention, the country's largest evangelical denomination. Several speakers had served as Trump advisers and supporters who spoke at the Republican National Convention.

Mr Trump, a Presbyterian, is not a regular churchgoer. He does not attend weekly services in New York, but worships every Christmas at a church near his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Mr Trump courted evangelical voters during the presidential campaign and infused his inaugural address with references to God and quoted from the Bible's book of Psalms during a call for national unity.

The president's family joined him at the White House for his first weekend in office. His daughter Ivanka and her husband, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, were seen snapping photos Saturday on the Truman balcony with a young girl who appeared to be their daughter.

The Justice Department released a memo concluding the president's "special hiring authority" allows the New York real estate mogul to appoint Mr Kushner to the administration, and the move does not contravene federal anti-nepotism laws.
Families and friends wait for news as they gather outside the Pescara central hospital. Photos: Andreas Solaro/AFP/Getty Images

Rescue workers at the Hotel Rigopiano in Farindola, Italy, which was hit by an avalanche. Photo: Vigili del Fuoco/Handout via Reuters

Ten people were miraculously found alive yesterday in the wreckage of an avalanche-hit mountain hotel after surviving two nights of sub-zero temperatures because the snow insulated them "like an igloo", Italian rescuers said.

The survivors, including three children, were found after tendrils of smoke emerged from the small attic space in which they had taken refuge when the 300-yard wide avalanche all but swept away the four-star Rigopiano Hotel in the Apennine mountains of the Abruzzo region on Wednesday.

Among those pulled from the hotel alive were the wife and son of Giampiero Parete, who was one of two survivors who raised the alarm on Wednesday night after leaving the hotel to fetch medication from his car moments before the avalanche hit.

Video footage released by rescuers showed eight-year-old Gianfilippo Parete, wearing blue snow trousers and a matching ski shirt, emerging from the structure and crews mussing his hair in celebration. His mother, Romanian-born Adriana Vranceanu, was pulled free at the same time. Last night the couple's six-year-old daughter, Ludovica, was also reported to have been rescued.

Rescuers were trying to extricate the remaining survivors from the rubble last night, with more children freed, according to reports. "We know they are there. We are in contact with a woman and two children," said Luca Cari, a fire service spokesman.

The survivors were ecstatic to be pulled out alive after spending two freezing nights inside the smashed wreckage of the hotel. "They called us angels when they saw us," said Marco Bini, a police alpine rescue expert. "They were so happy to see us. They couldn't believe their eyes. Their faces said it all. It was like they were reborn."

The smoke came from stoves that remained alight within the attic space.

"We heard no voices but we smelt a very strong smell of smoke," said Mr Bini. "We dug down into the snow with our hands. We found the top of a roof and opened it up with a drill. We discovered them in a very small space. It was a wonderful moment. The snow insulated them and protected them from the freezing temperatures outside. It wast like being in an igloo. This more than repays all our hard work."

Despite their ordeal, the survivors were uninjured.

"They seemed OK. They were in a surprisingly good state of health. When they have recovered we need to ask them where the other people might be. It's a really big area that we are searching so the information would help," said Mr Bini.

Rescuers said there was still a high risk of further avalanches because the temperature had risen slightly and snow was melting.

Efforts

"We couldn't wish for any better news. It brings a feeling of pure joy. It's truly a miracle," said Federica Chiavaroli, a government official who was on the scene after the rescue effort. "This will encourage the rescuers to redouble their efforts."

The avalanche slammed into the hotel around 5pm on Wednesday, a day after central Italy was shaken by a series of powerful earthquakes which were felt as far away as Rome.

Rescue workers used thermal imaging equipment and microphones to try to detect any further signs of life beneath the mounds of snow, smashed tree trunks and rubble.

"This was an exceptional event," said Mr Cari, the fire service spokesman. "The area is covered in up to three metres of snow."

An elderly woman in the nearby town of Penne, where the rescue operation is based, said it was the heaviest snowfall for more than half a century.

The alarm was raised by Mr Parete, who by chance survived because he had stepped out of the hotel to retrieve some medicine for his wife.

Emergency services initially refused to believe there had been an avalanche and it was two hours later that rescuers were mobilised - a delay which is now the subject of an official investigation.

Days before the disaster, Meteomont, a national service for the prevention of avalanches, had said there was a level-four risk of avalanches in the region, with five the highest level. However, authorities issued no orders to evacuate the area.

Alpine rescue specialists from the Guardia di Finanza police force reached the hotel at 4.30am on Thursday after strapping on their skis and tramping 8km through a blizzard.

Lorenzo Gagliardi, head of the police ski team that reached the hotel in the middle of the night, said conditions were atrocious as his men trudged through the storm. They found a scene of devastation when they reached the resort, which had been flattened by tons of snow, rock and uprooted trees.

"There was almost nothing left of the hotel, it was just a big white mound," he said.

They found two survivors huddled in a car - Mr Parete, who was in shock and told them repeatedly that his wife and two children were inside, and Fabio Salzetta, a maintenance worker.

Two bodies have so far been recovered from the wreckage but up to 20 people are still missing. ( Daily Telegraph, London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Eight years ago this week, I joined the massive crowds - some estimates put the number at almost two million - that flocked to Washington DC for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Hundreds of thousands stood on the Mall for hours in the biting cold waiting to hear Mr Obama speak for the first time as president. When he did, a hush descended. Such was the solemnity of the occasion, the realisation that history was being made with the first black president of the United States, that only a few times was his address interrupted by applause.

Two are lodged in my memory: when Mr Obama rejected what he painted as a false choice "between our safety and our ideals" and when he sent a pointed message to adversaries that America would "extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist". Many took those lines, in addition to his references to the need for mutual respect, humility and restraint, as hints on how US foreign policy would unfold under an Obama administration.

Within a couple of months, I witnessed how the powerful symbolism of Mr Obama's presidency had reached some of the most remote corners of the world. In a market in a small town in eastern Chad, a trader approached me pointing to his own face. He wanted to express his delight that the president of the United States was now a man who, as he put it, "looks like me".

Two presidential terms later, as the world holds its breath to see what a Donald Trump presidency might bring, Mr Obama's vision of an "interdependent" world, a world of co-operation which transcends not just physical borders but also those imposed by conflict and mistrust, appears to be in retreat.

The high expectations of how Mr Obama might shape the world are a distant memory now. His stirring speeches to Europeans in Berlin shortly before his election and to Muslims in Cairo months after his inauguration raised hopes, but his premature Nobel Peace Prize less than a year into his presidency was rightly criticised at the time.

In the end, his foreign policy successes were few. The deal with Iran, aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons but also ending the chill in relations between the two countries, was the most notable, followed by the Paris climate change agreement and the historic rapprochement with Cuba. All three may now be at risk during the Trump presidency.

Over the last eight years, I have seen the impact of Mr Obama's foreign policy decisions up close in several parts of the world. In Pakistan, people told me of their anger and resentment over the civilian deaths caused by his drone war on the restive border region with Afghanistan. In Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen, Mr Obama dramatically expanded the US drone programme, carrying out 10 times more strikes than his predecessor George W Bush.

For the last five years I have reported on Libya, from the 2011 Nato-led intervention that helped bring an end to Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year-old regime to the instability that has plagued the country since as it struggled to transform itself from dictatorship to democracy. Mr Obama has spoken often of his regrets over Libya. The biggest mistake of his presidency, he said last year, was "probably failing to plan for the day after what I think was the right thing to do in intervening in Libya".

Many Libyans would agree. They say they feel let down by the Western powers that helped them dislodge Gaddafi, though after his overthrow Libyans refused further assistance, insisting they could handle the aftermath themselves.

What happened in Libya in turn affected Mr Obama's calculations on Syria and his eventual conclusion that while the threat posed by the expansion of Isil there required a military response, the ruthless war of the Assad regime against its own people did not.

In his last press conference as president, Mr Obama justified his much-criticised Syria policy as being underpinned by what he said was a sense of "what's the right thing to do for America". History will be the judge of that, as the grim fallout from Syria's horrific conflict promises to continue making itself felt far beyond its borders for years to come. As a Syrian refugee in Europe put it to me last year: "We are seeing the bitter harvest of ruined hopes."

Mr Obama's blotted foreign policy record aside, it is almost impossible to imagine a successor so at odds with his view of the world as Trump. While the shape of the mercurial Mr Trump's policies remain to be seen, his strident economic nationalism, his opposition to what he derides as "globalism", his disdain for long-standing alliances like Nato and hostility towards immigrants and Muslims do not bode well.

Mr Trump's approach to the world is more transactional than visionary. The Obama era is over in more ways than one.
Pakistani security officals and local residents gather at the site of a bomb explosion at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / STRSTR/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani security officals inspect the bomb explosion site at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / Ali JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani security officals inspect the site of a bomb explosion at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / ALI JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani security officals inspect the bomb explosion site at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / ALI JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani security officals inspect the bomb explosion site at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / ALI JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images

A bomb which exploded in a market in Pakistan on Saturday left 20 people dead and wounded at least 50 others, officials said.

Two wounded victims died during treatment, raising the death toll to 20, said Dr Sabir Hussain at the main hospital in Parachinar, the capital of Pakistan's Kurram tribal region.

Initially, seven people were killed in the blast at the vegetable market and more than 60 wounded. But 11 of the critically wounded died earlier while being treated.

Dr Hussain said several of the wounded were in serious condition and being transferred to other hospitals for better care.

Expand Close Pakistani security officals inspect the bomb explosion site at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / ALI JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pakistani security officals inspect the bomb explosion site at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / ALI JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images

Shahid Khan, an assistant tribal administrator, said the explosion took place when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop. He said the attack was being investigated.

Lashker-e-Jhangvi, a banned sectarian militant group that has attacked minority Shiites Muslims in the past, claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing took place in a predominantly Shiite area of Kurram, which has been attacked in the past by Sunni militants who have hideouts there. Shiites are a minority in Pakistan.

Expand Close Pakistani security officals inspect the site of a bomb explosion at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / ALI JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pakistani security officals inspect the site of a bomb explosion at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / ALI JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images

Mr Khan said some of the wounded would be airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Hospitals in tribal regions and rural areas of Pakistan typically are not equipped to handle such emergencies.

Kurram has been the scene of increased militant activities in recent years. The Army carried out a massive operation against extremists there but they still have the capacity to strike.

Expand Close Pakistani security officals inspect the bomb explosion site at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / Ali JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pakistani security officals inspect the bomb explosion site at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / Ali JANALI JAN/AFP/Getty Images

Shiite leader Faqir Hussain said all the bodies were brought to a Shiite mosque.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television that the remnants of militant groups targeted by security forces were trying to show their existence by such attacks.

Expand Close Pakistani security officals and local residents gather at the site of a bomb explosion at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / STRSTR/AFP/Getty Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Pakistani security officals and local residents gather at the site of a bomb explosion at a vegetable market in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO / STRSTR/AFP/Getty Images

"Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces and the remaining will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them," he said.
US air strikes have killed more than 100 al-Qa'ida militants at a training camp in a remote area in north-western Syria, defence officials said.

The strike was carried out on Thursday by a US Air Force B-52 bomber and an undisclosed number of drone aircraft, an official said.

The militants killed in the air strikes were described by the official as "core" al-Qa'ida members, among a number who moved to Syria early last year to establish a foothold.

The official distinguished these militants from members of the group formerly known as the Nusra Front, which is an al-Qa'ida affiliate in Syria.

Meanwhile, Jordan is deploying more forces to face a growing threat to its borders, as extremists in neighbouring Iraq and Syria are being dislodged from some strongholds, the commander of the kingdom's border guards said.

The Isil group, which seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, is under intense military pressure in both countries and has lost significant territory in recent months. US-backed Iraqi forces recently announced the recapture of the eastern side of Mosul, the northern city where they have been waging a three-month-old offensive.

General Sami Kafawin, commander of Jordan's border forces, said he expects some of the retreating Isil fighters to make their way to southern Syria, close to Jordan. Isil-affiliated groups already hold positions in southern Syria, some a few hundred meters from the border, the commander said, ahead of a tour of military positions along the western-most stretch of Jordan's border with Syria.

One such position, Thneibeh, faces the small Syrian village of Qusair, across the Yarmouk River.

Ravine

Qusair is controlled by an Isil-affiliated group, said Colonel Rami Sondos, a border official. Another Syrian village, separated from Qusair by a deep ravine, is run by Syrian rebels.

The Syrian groups mostly fight each other, trading fire between the two villages, as the Jordanian troops observe.

During Thursday's visit, a soldier perched on a lookout in a watchtower monitored the villages through large, mounted binoculars. A camera used at night can detect movement 8km into Syria, while cameras mounted at other border posts have a reach of 20km, Sondos said.

Infiltration attempts from Syria, including by drug smugglers suspected of ties to the militants, have so far been one of the biggest threats, border officials said.

Kafawin said that if more Isil fighters reach southern or eastern Syria, "we expect everything to be armed, to be dangerous, to become a real threat to the Jordan borders," including possible car bombs and suicide attacks.
French far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen has joined fellow nationalists at a conference in Germany to a show of populist confidence as Europe faces a series of high-stakes national elections.

Populist parties have been surging in polls in Europe and the leaders' mood was celebratory as they came together in support of one another the day after Donald Trump was sworn in as US President following a campaign buoyed by anti-establishment and protectionist themes.

"Yesterday, a new America. Today - hello Koblenz - a new Europe!" Dutch anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders said as he opened his speech in the German city of Koblenz on the banks of the Rhine.

He added: "The people of the west are awakening. They are throwing off the yoke of political correctness.

"This year will be the year of the people ... the year of liberation, the year of the patriotic spring."

Mr Wilders' anti-Islam Party of Freedom could win the largest percentage of votes in the March 15 Dutch parliamentary election.

Ms Le Pen, head of the far-right National Front, is among the top contenders in France's April-May presidential vote.

In September, Frauke Petry's four-year-old Alternative for Germany party hopes to enter the German parliament at the election, riding high on anti-immigrant sentiment that rejects Chancellor Angela Merkel's welcoming policy toward refugees.

The meeting of the Europe of Nations and Freedom group in the European Parliament also featured Matteo Salvini of Italy's conservative Northern League and Harald Vilimsky, general secretary of Austria's right-wing Freedom Party, which last year narrowly failed to win the country's presidency.

Ms Petry said: "Just as Donald Trump in America shows the way out of a dead end, with new prospects - including for (resolving) international conflicts, we want to do that in the coming months and years for Europe."

"We are experiencing the end of one world and the birth of another," Ms Le Pen said in her address to the conference. "We are experiencing the return of nation-states."

She denounced the 28-nation European Union as "a force of sterilisation" and criticised Mrs Merkel - whose name was booed loudly - for allowing in large numbers of migrants.

"Everyone sees that this migration policy is a daily disaster," Ms L e Pen said.

The first "real blow to the old order" was last June's vote in the UK to leave the EU, Ms Le Pen said - followed closely by Mr Trump's election.

"His position on Europe is clear," Ms Le Pen said. "He will not support a system of oppression of the people."

She added that "2016 was the year when the Anglo-Saxon world woke up and 2017, I am sure, will be the year of the awakening of the people of continental Europe."

Mr Wilders said the nationalist parties will not be deterred if they fail immediately to achieve their election aims this year.

"We will win, I'm very confident," he said. "And if we wouldn't, or if we would not win, all of us, the genie will not go back into the bottle."

Left-wing protesters staged a sit-in outside the hall, shouting slogans like "No border, no nation, stop deportation".

AP
The crowds start to fill the National Mall as the sun rises over Washington (AP)

The Obamas and the Trumps pose for pictures at the White House (AP)

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States (Matt Rourke/AP)

US President Donald Trump has quickly assumed the mantle of the White House and begun setting up his new administration.

Mr Trump signed a Bill that allows retired general James Mattis to serve as his defence secretary, as well as the nomination papers for his other cabinet choices.

Less than an hour after delivering a stinging rebuke of the political status quo in his inaugural address, Mr Trump sat in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor to officially assemble his core team.

Flanked by Vice President Mike Pence and congressional leaders, he praised each of his nominees as he signed the papers and handed out the pens he was using.

He also engaged in banter with his new congressional rivals, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

Mr Trump also signed a proclamation declaring a national day of patriotism, according to a tweet from White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

Although Mr Trump campaigned on promises to get to work immediately, he has since backed off some of his promised speed, downplaying the importance of a rapid-fire approach to complex issues that may involve negotiations with Congress or foreign leaders.

Mr Trump has said that he expects Monday to be the first big work day, his effective Day One.

The Bill passed by Congress last week granted Mr Mattis a one-time exception from federal law barring former US service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job.

The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military.

Mr Mattis, 66, retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.

He was confirmed by the Senate as Mr Trump watched his inaugural parade from a stand outside the White House.

While Mr Trump participated in the rituals of the day that included the inaugural parade and balls, there were signs his new government was up and running.

Federal websites and agencies immediately began reflecting the transfer of power, and WhiteHouse.gov was revamped for Mr Trump's policy priorities as pages about LGBT rights and the Obama administration's climate change plan were eliminated.

But the Trump team kept a section of the website that let voters petition the White House.

Two new petitions were posted on Friday: one calling on him to release his tax returns and verify that he is not receiving payments from foreign governments, the other asking him to divest of his holdings or put them in a blind trust.

Shortly after Mr Trump became president, the Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended the Obama administration's planned reduction of mortgage insurance premium rates, a move that had been intended to make buying a home more affordable.

At the signing ceremony at the Capitol, Ms Pelosi jokingly objected to receiving a pen used to nominate Representative Tom Price of Georgia to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. House Speaker Paul Ryan interjected, saying: "I'll take it."

Mr Trump has affirmed parts of the 18-point Day One plan he campaigned on, indicating that significant policy announcements may be teed up in the opening days of the Trump administration.

He still intends to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which he views as detrimental to US businesses and workers.

He has also promised to renegotiate the two-decades-old Clinton era North American Free Trade Agreement or withdraw from it.

Given Mr Trump's opposition to Mr Obama's immigration actions, he could also cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme, or DACA, which has protected about 750,000 young immigrants from deportation.

The programme also offered those immigrants work permits.

Mr Trump also faces an early choice of naming a Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

He has said he will announce a nominee in about two weeks.

Other issues poised to receive early action include energy, where Mr Trump is likely to undo regulations on oil drilling and coal, and cyber security, where he has already said he will ask for a report on the strength of the nation's cyber defences within 90 days of taking office.

AP
Musicians may make the safest drivers, a new study suggests, after researchers found that people who play an instrument have faster reaction times.

The University of Montreal compared the reaction times of 16 musicians and 19 non-musicians asking them to click a mouse button when they sensed a vibration or noise. Musicians reacted around 30pc faster than people who could not play instruments.

"These results suggest for the first time that long-term musical training reduces simple non-musical auditory, tactile and multi-sensory reaction times," lead author, doctoral student Simon Landry, said.

"Reaction times are related to cognitive function. Having faster reaction times could help reacting to something when you're driving, if your attention is focused on driving, or if your job requires you to react to something quickly."

The finding could also be useful for elderly people, as it suggests that learning an instrument in later life could improve mental ability and prevent the brain declining.

"As people get older, for example, we know their reaction times get slower. So if we know that playing a musical instrument increases reaction times, then maybe playing an instrument will be helpful for them," Mr Landry said.

Research has already shown learning a second language in later life can help build cognitive reserve and prevent age-related decline.
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a visit to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley, Virginia U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

US president Donald Trump has attempted to mend his tumultuous relationship with America's spy agencies, assuring officials at CIA headquarters: "I am so behind you."

Mr Trump's decision to visit the agency's base just outside Washington was a public gesture towards the intelligence officials he disparaged during the transition period.

He had repeatedly challenged the agencies' assessment that Russia meddled in the presidential race to help him win and suggested intelligence officials were behind the leak of an unverified dossier that claimed Russia had collected compromising financial or personal information about him.

During remarks to about 400 CIA officials, Mr Trump denied that he had a feud with the intelligence community, saying it was "exactly the opposite".

He again blamed the media for creating that impression, despite the fact that he made numerous public statements critical of intelligence officials.

"There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and CIA than Donald Trump," he said. "There's nobody."

However, the president quickly shifted from praise for the CIA to criticism of media coverage of his inauguration day, in an unscripted address that overstated the size of the crowd that gathered on the National Mall as he took the oath of office.

Mr Trump said crowds "went all the way back to the Washington monument", despite photos and live video showing the crowd stopping well short of the landmark.

Expand Close President Donald Trump holds up a fist after speaking at the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Va., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) / Facebook

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Whatsapp President Donald Trump holds up a fist after speaking at the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Va., Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The new president's media criticism came as he stood in front of a memorial honouring CIA officers killed while serving the United States.

Mr Trump's inauguration has been shadowed by news reports that the CIA and other federal agencies are investigating Russian interference in the presidential election on his behalf.

The New York Times, citing anonymous officials, said agencies were examining intercepted communications and financial transactions between Russian officials and Mr Trump's associates.

FBI Director James Comey has declined to confirm or describe the nature of the government's investigation, both during a congressional hearing and in closed-door meetings with members of Congress.

Saturday marked the end of three days of inaugural celebrations, with Mr Trump and his family attending a national prayer service traditionally held for the new president.

The president and his wife, Melania, joined vice president Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, in a front pew at Washington National Cathedral for the morning service.

The inter-faith service is a tradition for new presidents and is hosted by the Episcopal parish. But the decision to hold a prayer session for Mr Trump sparked debate among Episcopalians opposed to his policies.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington wrote in a blog post that while she shared "a sense of outrage at some of the president-elect's words and actions", she felt an obligation to welcome all people without qualification, especially those who disagree and need to find a way to work together.

The service took place as throngs of women, many of them wearing bright pink, pointy-eared hats, descended on the nation's capital and other cities around the world Saturday for marches organised to push back against the new president.

Officials said the crowd in Washington for the women's march could be more than half a million people, more than double the number expected. The event appeared to have attracted more people than Mr Trump's inauguration, based on figures from transportation officials.

Trump arrived at the cathedral mid-morning. The service included readings and prayers from Protestant, Jewish, Sikh, Mormon, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Baha'i, Episcopal, Hindu and Native American leaders. But the service was remarkable for the large number of evangelicals participating, including two former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention, the country's largest evangelical denomination. Several speakers had served as Trump advisers and supporters who spoke at the Republican National Convention.

Mr Trump, a Presbyterian, is not a regular churchgoer. He does not attend weekly services in New York, but worships every Christmas at a church near his estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Mr Trump courted evangelical voters during the presidential campaign and infused his inaugural address with references to God and quoted from the Bible's book of Psalms during a call for national unity.

The president's family joined him at the White House for his first weekend in office. His daughter Ivanka and her husband, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, were seen snapping photos Saturday on the Truman balcony with a young girl who appeared to be their daughter.

The Justice Department released a memo concluding the president's "special hiring authority" allows the New York real estate mogul to appoint Mr Kushner to the administration, and the move does not contravene federal anti-nepotism laws.
Donald Trump's speech was another version of the dystopian America he portrayed during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in July which confirmed him as the party's nominee for president.

During that time, Mr Trump said America was living through a "moment of crisis" with "attacks on our police and terrorism in our cities" threatening America's "way of life".

Yesterday, instead of a rallying call of pride and unity, he chose again this time to tell every American that all was not well.

"An education system flush with cash, which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge," he said.

Not only is President Trump offering a vision of hopelessness on the institution that most shapes the future citizens of a country, he doubled-down on his dystopia by saying the situation is so dire and out-of-hand that even cash injections can't save it.

"The crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealised potential," he added, using the same 'law and order' theme that drew him great support from the party faithful at the convention, and onwards throughout the campaign.

It was an obvious and fitting lead up to the 'Make America Great Again' slogan.

In other words, I'm on your side, but some of this may be too intractable. His war against the Washington elite was fitting and true; "Washington flourished but the people did not share its wealth."

He may have thanked the Obamas, saying they were "magnificent" at the beginning of the speech, but immediately afterwards launched in to a dark and unveiled assessment of the bleak outlook that faces the country.

Never mind the fact that the jobless rate is almost at full employment, never mind that in eight years America has remained free of terror attacks orchestrated and conducted from outside, and never mind that in spite of impossible obstruction from Congress, Guantanamo Bay is all but closed.

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now" - a chilling, unequivocal description, regardless whether the facts bear out, focusing on the apparently latent threat of Islamic terrorism, and the miserable prospect of living among the factories "scattered like tombstones".

The culprit: foreign industry and governments in spite of the fact that almost every international trade agreement and military alignment is dominated by the demands of the US.

"For many decades, we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidised the armies of other countries, while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military," he said. The solution: a retreat from globalisation. "We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams," he told Americans.

Mr Trump all but said that the American dream was over; and yet so many who heard his words seemed overjoyed by what they'd heard.

No need to despair, said John Burke from Pennsylvania. "I thought it went awesome," he said. "We've been waiting to hear this for the last eight years; he's going to secure our borders and take control."

And Jay Tyrrell from Chicago admired his new president's strong words.

"I like how firm he is - he's going to bring this country back to what it was before," he said.
Diana Angus of the north side of Columbus holds a sign she made at home before the start of the Women's March on Washington - Ohio Sister March in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. (Brooke LaValley/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)

Micaela Johnson, of Leewood, Kan., in town to take part in Saturday's Women's March on Washington, takes a selfie with the Capitol Building in the background as preparations continue for Friday's presidential inauguration, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

People hold candles as they protest in solidarity with the Women's March in Washington at the same time as the U.S. Presidential inauguration, in Brussels on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

A woman wearing a pink protest hat, symbol of the anti-Trump women's march, holds a sign that reads "Black Muslim lives matter" during an anti U.S. President Donald Trump protest outside the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Participants of a rally regarding women's rights hold placards as they march in Wellington, New Zealand, January 21, 2017 the day after Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States. Joshua Gimblett/Handout via REUTERS NO ARCHIVE.

Thousands file through the streets during the Women's March in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday Ben Birchall/PA Wire

People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

A protester outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. John Stillwell/PA Wire

Protesters outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. John Stillwell/PA Wire

Protesters outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. John Stillwell/PA Wire

Kim Gregory protesting outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. John Stillwell/PA Wire

Protesters outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. John Stillwell/PA Wire

Women hold signs to show solidarity with the Women's March in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Zagreb, Croatia, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

Chris Robshaw and partner Camilla Kerslake outside the American Embassy in London in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: SaturdayJohn Stillwell/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result.Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

A young girl on the shoulders of a woman in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

A placard saying 'we shall overcomb' in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result.Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in Bristol in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry walks to join the Women's March on Washington, after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington, DC, U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

People gather for the Women's March in Washington U.S., January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

People pack the National Mall for the start of the Women's March in Washington, U.S. January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Demonstrators take part in the Women's March to protest Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States in Washington, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Nicole Monceaux from New York City, attends the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in Washington, on the first full day of Donald Trump's presidency. Thousands are massing on the National Mall for the Women's March, and they're gathering, too, in spots around the world. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz)

People gather for the Women's March in Washington U.S., January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London, Britain January 21, 2017. The march formed part of a worldwide day of action following the election of Donald Trump to U.S. President. REUTERS/Neil Hall

Protesters display their body graffiti as they take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London, Britain January 21, 2017. The march formed part of a worldwide day of action following the election of Donald Trump to U.S. President. REUTERS/Neil Hall

Protesters gather for the Women's March in Oslo, Norway, January 21, 2017. The march is being held in solidarity with similar events taking place internationaly. NTB Scanpix/Stian Lysberg Solum via REUTERS

People gather for the Women's March in Washington U.S., January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Protesters in London during a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Protesters take part in the Women's March in Paris, France, January 21, 2017. The march formed part of a worldwide day of action following the inauguration of Donald Trump to U.S. President. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen

Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they walk from the American Embassy to Trafalgar Square, in central London, Britain January 21, 2017. The march formed part of a worldwide day of action following the election of Donald Trump to U.S. President. REUTERS/Neil Hall

Protesters walks with torchlight in the Women's March in Oslo, Norway, January 21, 2017. The march is being held in solidarity with similar events taking place internationaly. NTB Scanpix/Stian Lysberg Solum via REUTERS

Sandi Toksvig speaks at a rally in Trafalgar Square, London, after a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Protesters listen to speeches in Trafalgar Square, London, after taking part in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. John Stillwell/PA Wire

Protesters listen to speeches in Trafalgar Square, London, after taking part in a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Photo credit should read: John Stillwell/PA Wire

Satirical artist Kaya Mar holds one of his paintings during a march in London to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. John Stillwell/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in London, during a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Protesters carry placards in London, during a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result.Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Protesters in London during a march to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

People protest in solidarity with the Women's March in Washington at the same time as the U.S. Presidential inauguration, in Brussels on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. The event organized by a multicultural grassroots coalition of women in the Brussels area seek to counter the rise of the far right agenda Ai be it in Europe, the U.S. or beyond. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Thousands file through the streets during the Women's March in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Protesters at the Women's March rally carried placards with slogans including "Women of the world resist," ''Feminism is my trump card" and "Fight like a girl." (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

A protester takes part in the Women's March on London, as they walk from the American Embassy to Trafalgar Square, in central London, Britain January 21, 2017. The march formed part of a worldwide day of action following the election of Donald Trump to U.S. President. REUTERS/Neil Hall

In Pictures: The Women's March takes place around the world Close

Women all over the globe took to the streets to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump today.

In the US capital, and recent scene of Trumps triumph, women took the city back promising never to back down in the face of misogyny. Democratic politician and academic Elizabeth Warren addressed a crowd in Washington by saying: We can whimper, whine, or we can fight back.

From the world of entertainment, actress America Ferrera used her profile to tell the Washington crowd: "We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war.

"Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday.

Expand Close Micaela Johnson, of Leewood, Kan., in town to take part in Saturday's Women's March on Washington, takes a selfie with the Capitol Building in the background as preparations continue for Friday's presidential inauguration, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Micaela Johnson, of Leewood, Kan., in town to take part in Saturday's Women's March on Washington, takes a selfie with the Capitol Building in the background as preparations continue for Friday's presidential inauguration, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

"But the president is not America. We are America, and we are here to stay."

The womens march boasted many well-known celebrities, from Scarlett Johansson, to Ashley Judd and Michael Moore are all lined up to take part in the speeches in Washington.

Expand Close Diana Angus of the north side of Columbus holds a sign she made at home before the start of the Women's March on Washington - Ohio Sister March in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. (Brooke LaValley/The Columbus Dispatch via AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Diana Angus of the north side of Columbus holds a sign she made at home before the start of the Women's March on Washington - Ohio Sister March in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. (Brooke LaValley/The Columbus Dispatch via AP)

Performances from Mary Chapin Carpenter and Janelle Monae, among others are to be attended by a star-studded audience comprising Cher, Katy Perry and Julianne Moore.

According to City officials attendance at the Women's March on Washington had doubled expectations with estimates reaching well into 500,000.

Expand Close A woman wearing a pink protest hat, symbol of the anti-Trump women's march, holds a sign that reads "Black Muslim lives matter" during an anti U.S. President Donald Trump protest outside the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci / Facebook

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Whatsapp A woman wearing a pink protest hat, symbol of the anti-Trump women's march, holds a sign that reads "Black Muslim lives matter" during an anti U.S. President Donald Trump protest outside the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

During the march, placards emblazoned with slogans like "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" must have given the new president pause. Yet the normally twitter-happy Trump was strangely silent during the massive demo.

Someone who did tweet her approval of the march was Trumps defeated Republican rival Hillary Clinton who resurrected her campaign slogan Were always Stronger Together.

Expand Close Participants of a rally regarding women's rights hold placards as they march in Wellington, New Zealand, January 21, 2017 the day after Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States. Joshua Gimblett/Handout via REUTERS NO ARCHIVE. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Participants of a rally regarding women's rights hold placards as they march in Wellington, New Zealand, January 21, 2017 the day after Donald Trump's inauguration as President of the United States. Joshua Gimblett/Handout via REUTERS NO ARCHIVE.

She thanked attendees on Twitter for "standing, speaking and marching for our values". She said this is as "important as ever".

Across the world, from Dublin and Sydney to Copenhagen, women and all feminist supporters were demonstrating.

Expand Close People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke / Facebook

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Whatsapp People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

Copenhagen march organiser Lesley-Ann Brown said: "Nationalist, racist and misogynistic trends are growing worldwide and threaten the most marginalised groups in our societies, including women, people of colour, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community and people with disabilities."

Other groups who felt targeted by Trumps biases joined the marches championing causes from climate change, gun control, immigrant rights to abortion rights.

Expand Close People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke / Facebook

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Whatsapp People gather in front of the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate in solidarity with women's march in Washington and many other marches in several countries, in Berlin, Germany, January 21, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

Fashionable accessories on the marches were hand-knitted "pussyhats"  signalling female empowerment.

Though Trumps name was never mentioned by march organisers and the emphasis was squarely put on loftier subjects such as human and womens rights, the 45th president was never more conspicuous by his absence worldwide.
Donald Trump takes the oath of office as his wife Melania holds the bible and his son Barron looks on. Photo: Getty

Picture a typical supporter of Donald J Trump, the new president of the United States. Go ahead - give it a little bit of thought.

What have you got? Male? White? Working class? Middle-aged? Sure, sure.

But this is just between us, remember. Perhaps you want to delve a little deeper?

Reactionary? Uneducated? Angry? Right, now we're going places, getting a little emotional, a little high-pitched.

Maybe you'd go even darker still, like Hillary Clinton did last September?

"You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump's supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables, right?" she said. "The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic - you name it."

Woah! Did you go there too? Hillary, as it turned out, put 31.5 million Americans, or half of Trump's popular vote, into this 'deplorables basket'. Seems a tad unrealistic and downright depressing, Hillary, all things considered.

Either way, what about the other basket? The focus is so rarely on them, even when they are celebrating victory on Inauguration Day. Who are they anyway?

Expand Close Outgoing US first lady Michelle Obama watches on at the Trump inauguration. Photo: Reuters / Facebook

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Whatsapp Outgoing US first lady Michelle Obama watches on at the Trump inauguration. Photo: Reuters

On the 10th floor of an office building on Washington's L Street, the prominent law firm Greenberg Traurig was hosting an inauguration party. It's expensive suits and deep-fried lobster nibbles, congressmen mixing with mining company executives, clean-shaven lawyers talking regulations with bored international diplomats at the free bar.

It's big bucks, power and influence; the establishment, but with helpful nametags.

Rudy Guiliani - Mr Trump's close adviser, the former mayor of New York City, and a partner in the law firm - was here, talking about the new president being "a breath of fresh air" for business and politics.

"You're going to see a different approach, an infusion of energy, he's not the caricature we see pictured in the media," he insisted, to warm applause.

And the applause was not simply politeness - many here were Trump people.

"He is now running the biggest corporation in the world, and he will bring that business mentality which is needed," one US businessman in his 50s, who didn't wish to be named but recently sold his management firm that employs 1,100 people for tens of millions, said.

"The government way of doing business, with all the lobbyists and all the people on the gravy train to be paid - that's going to end. That's the swamp to be drained.

"You don't want a politics guy. You want someone who knows how to use leverage, and knows how to deal."

His man wrote the book on that, famously.

The first official chapter of Mr Trump's new story began with hundreds of thousands lining the streets of the capital and braving uncompromising security checks and merchandise-heavy stalls to be part of a seismic day in American political history.

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It was the kind of start his critics had gleefully predicted: a rambling, partisan speech on Capitol Hill that broke with tradition to focus on political point-scoring, a limp call for the divided country to come together, and violent anti-Trump protests elsewhere in the city.

Promising to "make America great again", the President said: "From this day forward it is going to be only America first, America first."

As rain began to fall, he said: "America will start winning again, winning like never before.

"We will bring back our jobs, we will bring back our borders, we will bring back our wealth and we will bring back our dreams."

You don't have to check Twitter to predict the reaction of his opponents.

But those watching the swearing-in ceremony from the grassy National Mall - with estimates varying wildly from 250,000 to 900,000 before official figures are released - after queueing for hours, well, they lapped it up (what they could hear of it).

You better believe they are Trump people. Mostly 'common' people, if you like. Working people, if given the opportunity.

"I love my son but I want him to move out. I spent $80,000 on his education - get the hell out and work," Joe Gilbert said, explaining he thinks the incoming president will create jobs for Bryce and Billy, who have travelled with him from Charleston, South Carolina.

"The wall at the Mexican border is not about keeping good people out, it's about keeping good people in," the auditor (45) with a natural gas firm said. "It's about holding on to our jobs, as he said, and creating new ones so these guys here can work.

"I'm pumped to be here, excited about our future."

Eamon Shiel, who runs a construction firm in New Jersey but who emigrated from Galway in the 1980s, watched the inaugural parade snake down Pennsylvania Avenue later in the afternoon, with his wife Terry and youngest son Eamon Jnr.

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He wasn't planning on checking Twitter any time soon to gauge reaction back home.

"It's not up to Ireland or the EU to decide who to elect US president, or to judge - you guys don't understand what's been going on here for years," he said.

"The hard-working people of America spoke. Don't be listening to Hollywood."

Expand Close Former president Bill Clinton and defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton salute well-wishers following the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Getty / Facebook

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Whatsapp Former president Bill Clinton and defeated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton salute well-wishers following the inauguration ceremony. Photo: Getty

Despite his appearance in 'Home Alone 2', Mr Trump is more of a reality TV man, and the reality of the divisions opened up during a fraught election campaign are surely not lost on him.

There was in the region of 90 arrests before 4pm local time amid violent protests, with individuals being charged with rioting, the city's police department said.

The statement said that two police officers had sustained minor injuries from "coordinated attacks" while there were reports of windows in various businesses in downtown Washington being smashed in by marauding rioters, numbering up to 500.

Verbal confrontation was far more common, however.

"I didn't listen to it, he's not my president," said Sally-Anne Bates (24) from Delaware when asked about the President's speech revisiting themes that brought about his improbable victory.

"Well you should have some respect," said a male passer-by in his 40s, "and get a job, we're sick of carrying you."

This was a Trump man too, no doubt about it, although he declined to be named by "the mainstream media". The Irish Independent in Washington was chuffed.

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Ms Bates works in a design studio, she explained - with some vitriol - to the gentleman, before the shouting began in earnest.

Time to move on to another show.

Politics, they say, is showbusiness for ugly people. In Washington, the days around the biggest prize in US politics see a sprouting of black-tie events, and a slew of fashion reporters outside entrances asking well-heeled ladies how others can ape their style, dollars permitting.

But there are balls, and there are balls.

While Melania and Ivanka Trump are set to steal some of the limelight from the big man at the high-end events, it is perhaps forgivable to fear the worst when entering an unofficial event called the Deplorables Inaugural Ball at the Ronald Reagan centre at short notice.

Presumably a bigot or an alt-right fascist would look much the same as anyone else in a rented tuxedo - slightly uncomfortable?

It was $500 a ticket, with VIP seating up to $10,000 and with an emphasis on bling.

These were self-styled deplorables, defiantly Trump people. But it transpires you could leave your prejudice at the door too.

The first two we met were a surgeon and a doctor, not attending together but both first-generation Irish-American, and both with a considered, calm view on the incoming administration.

Mary Rusior (55), whose mother is from Roscommon, is a doctor at the US military academy at West Point in New York.

"I'm a doctor working in government for the past 10 years, and I'm often surprised about how many things that work well in the civilian sector are wrapped up in bureaucracy in the government sector.

"There are so many unnecessary layers," she said.

"I can see that because I've come in from outside the government system. I think Mr Trump can see that too. He might not understand exactly how it works, but he'll look at it like a normal person, shine a little light on it and clear it up."

President Trump's work to prove the majority in America and, indeed, much of the rest of the world wrong has begun.

Many wouldn't fancy his chances. But there's one thing we can predict with certainty: that won't faze him or his supporters in the slightest.
New US President Donald Trump arrives at Capitol Hill in Washington for yesterdays inauguration Picture: Getty

Donald Trump made a fierce vow yesterday to put "America first" and rescue the country from the "carnage" he said had been wreaked upon it.

The 45th president of the United States used his inaugural address to make a blistering attack on the state of the nation, which he said had for too long allowed itself to be exploited.

In a speech that will be seen to herald a new era of American nationalism, President Trump vowed to defeat Isil, but said Nato allies would have to contribute more to their own defence.

After decades of Washington politicians enriching themselves at the taxpayer's expense, he pledged to return power to the "forgotten" people. Calling on the country to unite behind him, he promised America would "start winning again like never before".

But in a warning to both allies and enemies, he said that to achieve this, his priority would be to put America first in every decision he takes.

After swearing the presidential oath, Mr Trump began his speech by praising the "magnificent" Barack Obama, but in the 20 minutes that followed, he lambasted what America had become under his predecessor.

Expand Close Outgoing president Barack Obama waves as he departs from Capitol Hill Picture: AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Outgoing president Barack Obama waves as he departs from Capitol Hill Picture: AP

He painted an apocalyptic, dark picture of an America whose inner cities are being riven with crime, drugs and gangs. Of places where "mothers and children are trapped in poverty".

The country's education system was "flush with cash" but leaving America's young people "deprived of all knowledge".

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"Their pain is our pain," he said. "They're dreams are our dreams, and our success will be their success. This American carnage stops right here."

Expand Close Ivanka Trump carries her daughter in the Senate on Capitol Hill after her father signed cabinet nominations into law Picture: AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ivanka Trump carries her daughter in the Senate on Capitol Hill after her father signed cabinet nominations into law Picture: AP

Speaking to the embattled blue collar and middle classes that supported him, the president described "rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation".

In an address that echoed some of the furious rhetoric of his address at the Republican convention, Mr Trump blamed the economic decay on the country's liberal trade policies.

Strength

He said the wealth of the middle class had been "ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world". However, a new protectionist economic policy would, "lead to prosperity and strength".

Since World War II, Western leaders have promoted globalisation and economic interdependence as a fundamental pillar of securing peace among nations. But speaking from the steps of the capitol building to a cheering crowd that stretched back to the Lincoln memorial, Mr Trump made it clear that his administration would challenge the status quo.

"For many decades we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidised the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military," he said.

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"We've defended other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own."

In a comment that may be read as a continuance of his warmth towards Vladimir Putin, Mr Trump promised America would form new relationships, to "unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth".

Hillary Clinton, who was defeated in a bitter presidential campaign that divided America, also attended the inauguration.

She appeared steely-eyed as she awaited Mr Trump's arrival, but tweeted: "I'm here today to honour our democracy and its enduring values. I will never stop believing in our country and its future."

Mr Obama sent his own valedictory message to the American people, urging them to believe "not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours".

He tweeted: "It's been the honour of my life to serve you. You made me a better leader and a better man."

The new president wasted no time launching the most radical agenda of any US leader in living memory, vowing to build a nuclear missile defence system to counter attacks from North Korea and Iran, eviscerate his predecessor's actions on climate change and build a border wall to stop illegal immigration.

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Within minutes of his inauguration Donald Trump's team posted a statement on the White House website announcing the "state-of-the-art" nuclear defence plan although no further details of cost, or whether it differed from technology already in development, were given.

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There was also an announcement from the White House on Mr Trump's commitment to overhaul Mr Obama's Climate Action Plan, and Environmental Protection Agency regulations aimed at enforcing clean water.

Mr Trump previously indicated he would consider Monday "day one" of his administration.

But he appeared to have instead decided to hit the ground running, saying he was keen to "get the show going".

Only an hour after finishing his inaugural address he signed his first three official orders.

They were a proclamation for a "National Day of Patriotism," a formal document that will allow General James Mattis to serve as defence secretary, and a paper bearing formal nominations to the Senate.

Mr Trump's team moved into the White House the moment he was sworn in, with one of them suggesting he could "erase the Obama presidency in several hours".

Meanwhile, riot police clashed with anti-Trump protesters before and after the ceremony in violent scenes that resulted in numerous arrests. ( Daily Telegraph, London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
The explosion happened in Parachinar, the capital of Kurram tribal region in Pakistan

At least 22 people have died and dozens more are wounded after a bomb exploded on Saturday at a market in a north-west tribal region of Pakistan that borders Afghanistan.

Shahid Khan, an assistant administrator in the Kurram tribal region, said the explosion took place in regional capital Parachinar when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop.

As well as the 22 fatalities, Mr Khan said the number of people wounded stood at more than 50, including those who sustained minor injuries.

Lashker-e-Jhangvi, a banned sectarian militant group that has attacked minority Shiites Muslims in the past, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The bombing took place in a predominantly Shiite area of Kurram, which has seen attack by Sunni militants who have hideouts there. Shiites are a minority in Pakistan.

"That was our combined work with Shahryar group of Mahsud Taliban," Ali Sufyan, a spokesman for the banned group, wrote in a text message to an AP reporter.

Kurram has been the scene of increased militant activities in recent years and the army carried out a massive operation against extremists in the region, but they still have the capacity to strike.

As well as being taken to hospital in Parachinar, some of the injured were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Hospitals in tribal regions and rural areas of Pakistan typically are not equipped to handle such emergencies.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television the remnants of militant groups targeted by security forces were trying to show their existence by such attacks.

"Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces and the remaining will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them," he said.

AP
Riot police push back demonstrators during a protest in central Washington during the inauguration of President Donald Trump (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

People gather at Hyde Park during the Women's March rally in Sydney against Donald Trump (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Protesters wait for speakers along the barricades at the Women's March on Washington (AP)

Tens of thousands of women have amassed in Washington DC and other cities around the globe for marches aimed at showing US president Donald Trump they will not be silent over the next four years.

Actress America Ferrera told the crowd in the US capital: "We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war.

"Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday.

"But the president is not America. We are America, and we are here to stay."

The women brandished signs with messages such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" and decried Mr Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change.

There were early signs that the crowds in the capital could top those which gathered for Mr Trump's inauguration on Friday.

City officials said organisers of the Women's March on Washington had more than doubled their turnout estimate to 500,000 as crowds began swelling.

Hillary Clinton has praised those attending the march.

The former Democratic presidential nominee thanked attendees on Twitter for "standing, speaking and marching for our values". She said this is as "important as ever".

Mrs Clinton also revived her campaign slogan and said in the tweet she believes "we're always Stronger Together".

The defeated presidential candidate's show of support for the march comes a day after she attended Mr Trump's inauguration at the US Capitol.

In Washington, Rena Wilson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, said she hopes the women can send Mr Trump a message that they're "not going anywhere".

Joy Rodriguez, of Miami, arrived with her husband, William, and their two daughters, aged 12 and 10. "I want to make sure their rights are not infringed on in these years coming up," she said.

March organisers said women are "hurting and scared" as the new American president takes office and want a greater voice for women in political life.

"In the spirit of democracy and honouring the champions of human rights, dignity and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore," their mission statement said.

Many protesters arrived wearing hand-knitted "pussyhats" - a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Mr Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals.

The march attracted significant support from celebrities. Ferrara led the artists' contingent, with Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore also expected to speak in Washington.

The promised performance line-up included Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Samantha Ronson, the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Cher, Katy Perry and Julianne Moore are all expected to attend.

Women and other groups were demonstrating across the nation and as far abroad as Myanmar and Australia. In Prague, hundreds gathered in Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin and holding banners which read "This is just the beginning," ''Kindness" and "Love".

In Copenhagen, march organiser Lesley-Ann Brown said: "Nationalist, racist and misogynistic trends are growing worldwide and threaten the most marginalised groups in our societies, including women, people of colour, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community and people with disabilities."

In Sydney, thousands of Australians marched in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organiser said hatred, bigotry and racism are not just American problems.

The idea for the march took off after a number of women posted on social media in the hours after Mr Trump's election about the need to mobilise.

Hundreds of groups quickly joined the cause, pushing a wide range of causes, including abortion rights, gun control, climate change and immigrant rights.

While the march organisers' mission statement never mentions Mr Trump and stresses broad themes, including the message that "women's rights are human rights", the unifying factor among those turning out appeared to be a loathing for the new US president and dismay that so much of the country voted for him.

The turnout in the capital was so big that crowds packed the entire march route, preventing organisers from leading a formal trek towards the White House.

Likewise, in Chicago, organisers cancelled the march portion of their event for safety reasons after the overflow crowd reached an estimated 150,000.

Officials said the crowd in Washington could be more than half a million people, more than double the expected total. The event appeared to have attracted more people than Mr Trump's inauguration on Friday, based on figures from transportation officials.

In Washington, feminist leader Gloria Steinem described the worldwide mobilisation as "the upside of the downside", adding: "This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life.

"Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are," she told the crowd, labelling Mr Trump an "impossible president".

Cher told the crowd in the US capital that Mr Trump's rise has people "more frightened maybe than they're ever been".

In Park City, Utah, Charlize Theron led demonstrators in a chant of "Love, not hate, makes America great". And in New York, actresses Whoopi Goldberg, Helen Mirren and Cynthia Nixon joined a crowd of protesters marching towards Mr Trump's local home.
Russia is hoping for a constructive dialogue with new US President Donald Trump's administration, a spokesman for Vladimir Putin has said, but admit differences will remain.

Dmitry Peskov said it would be an "illusion" to expect US-Russian relations would be completely free of disagreements.

"Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue," Mr Peskov said.

He added that Russian President Mr Putin will call Mr Trump soon to congratulate him.

Mr Trump has promised to mend ties with Moscow badly strained over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the US elections, and his victory has elated Russian political elites.

Mr Peskov, however, pointed at the challenges posed by the intricacy of nuclear-arms control, the complexity of the situation in Syria and other issues.

While Russia supports prospective nuclear-arms cuts, they should be proportional and not upset the nuclear parity between Russia and the US, which "plays a critical role in ensuring global stability and security," Mr Peskov said.

He noted that different composition of Russian and US nuclear forces is a factor that needs to be carefully considered in negotiations.

Asked to comment on Mr Trump's recent interview with The Times newspaper in which he indicated he could end sanctions imposed on Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal, Mr Peskov said the two issues are hard to link.

Mr Peskov emphasised the US role in settling the nearly six-year conflict in Syria, where Mr Trump has offered to pool efforts with Russia in fighting the Islamic State group.

"It's quite obvious that it's impossible to constructively solve the Syrian problem without the US participation," Mr Peskov said.

Russia has already invited Mr Trump's administration to attend talks between Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan on Monday.

Russia brokered the talks together with Turkey and Iran, but Tehran has opposed the US involvement in them.

"There are certain disagreements between Moscow and Tehran on this subject," Mr Peskov said, noting the Syrian issue "is too complex to have a full harmony in approaches".

''Any deals there are unlikely, there are too many parties involved," he added.

Turning to the Ukrainian crisis, which has driven Russia's relations with the west to post-Cold War lows, Mr Peskov criticised Barack Obama's administration for an "unconstructive" approach and voiced hope Mr Trump's administration would revise it.

AP
Generally, inaugural addresses are not designed to be fact-checked. But President Donald Trump's address was nothing if not unique, presenting a portrait of the United States that often was at variance with reality. Here's a guide to understanding whether the facts back up his rhetoric.

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"Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed."

Trumps engages in some sleight of hand here, equating "politicians" with "Washington." The suburbs around Washington are among the richest in the United States, largely because of the federal government (which attracts people with college or advanced degrees). People either work for or lobby the federal government, and that was especially enhanced by the post-9/11 growth in defense and security contracts.

The Washington metro area has the highest median income in the nation - $93,294 versus a U.S. median of $55,775 - though growth has slowed in recent years, in part because of reductions in defense spending. Indeed, income in the area around the District of Columbia has grown essentially at the same rate as the rest of the nation since 2006, including a dip in median income during the Great Recession.

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"You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before."

No matter how you measure it, the "movement" was not as historic as Trump proclaims it to be.

Trump is a minority president, in terms of the popular vote. He lost the popular vote by nearly 2.9 million votes to Hillary Clinton. Clinton had the largest popular vote margin of any losing presidential candidate, according to an analysis by The Associated Press.

Trump's electoral college win, meanwhile, was a squeaker. Trump had narrow victories in three key states (and narrow losses in two others). He won Michigan by 10,704 votes, Wisconsin by 22,177 votes and Pennsylvania by 46,435 votes. So if 39,659 voters in those states had switched their votes, 46 electoral votes would have flipped to Clinton - and she would have won 278-260.

Overall, according to a tally by John Pitney of Claremont McKenna College, Trump ranks 46th out of 58 electoral college results.

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"Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities  and the crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now."

Trump repeats a problematic talking point about crime and poverty in "inner cities." It's unclear what he means by "inner cities," which is not a category by which crime or poverty is measured.

In 2015, 13 percent of people lived below poverty level inside metropolitan statistical areas, according to census data. That is on par with the national poverty rate in 2015, which was 13.5 percent. Overall, the poverty rate has remained relatively flat under Obama.

As we have repeatedly pointed out, violent and property crimes overall have been declining for about two decades, and are far below rates seen one or two decades ago. Homicides have spiked in major cities in 2015 and 2016, but the rates remain far below their peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

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"For many decades, we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry; subsidized the armies of other countries, while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military."

Trump mixes up several things here. He seems to be referring to free-trade agreements in the first part of his sentence, though he ignores the fact that many U.S. industries also benefit and grow when they are able to sell products overseas.

As for subsidizing the armies of other countries, Trump appears to be referring to military bases that the United States has overseas. A 2013 Senate report found that the U.S. spent $10 billion a year on bases abroad, with 70 percent focused on three countries - Germany, South Korea and Japan. Germany is the center of European defense obligations, while the troops in Japan are the core of U.S. projection of power in Asia. The troops in Korea deter an attack by North Korea. Given a defense budget of more than $500 billion, the cost of maintaining these bases is a mere pittance.

The U.S. doles out about $6 billion a year in foreign military financing, with most of it going to just two countries: Israel and Egypt. But this money comes with a catch - most of it must be spent on U.S. hardware, creating jobs for Americans.

As for the "very sad depletion" of the U.S.military, this is hyper-exaggeration. One can argue about whether the military budget should be boosted, but there is no question that U.S. military is stronger and more capable than any other nation's. The website Globalfirepower.com ranks countries based on 45 factors, and the United States tops the charts. Here's one small statistic: The United States had 19 aircraft carriers, as of the end of last year; no other country had more than four.

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"[We've] spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay. We've made other countries rich, while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon."

Trump appears to be referring to U.S. involvement in military adventures, such as the 2013 Iraq invasion he supported, and possibly foreign aid.

Foreign aid amounts to less than 1 percent of the U.S. budget, with about $18 billion going to economic and development aid and $8 billion for security assistance. Even the Marshall Plan advanced by President Harry Truman, designed to stabilize Europe after World War II, was only a little over $100 billion in today's dollars.

So Trump only gets to "trillions and trillions of dollars" by including wars. Iraq war is estimated to have cost $1.7 trillion through 2013, though one estimate says that the cost will rise to $6 trillion through 2053, primarily from paying the interest on the debt incurred to wage the war because the Bush administration chose not to raise the taxes to pay for it. But we doubt Iraqis would say the war made the country "rich."

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"One by one, the factories shuttered and left our shores, with not even a thought about the millions and millions of American workers that were left behind. The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world."

Trump again engages in hyperbole, attributing all of the decline in manufacturing to foreign trade.

The number of U.S. workers engaged in manufacturing is now about 12.3 million, up from 11.5 million in 2010, after the Great Recession hurt many manufacturers. But that's still a decline from about 17 million in the 1990s.

Some analysts calculate that between 1 to 2 million U.S. jobs were lost after China was admitted to the World Trade Organization in 2000. But economists believe the biggest factor in the decline in manufacturing is automation, not jobs going overseas. Another factor is decreased consumer spending on manufactured goods.

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"We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs."

Trump continues to attack companies that ship jobs overseas, and has promised to keep jobs in the United States. But Trump has had a long history of outsourcing a variety of his products as a businessman, and has acknowledged doing so.

We know of at least 12 countries where Trump products were manufactured. Further, Trump products transited other countries through the packaging and shipping process - meaning workers in more than 12 countries contributed to getting many of Trump's products made, packaged and delivered to the United States.

Here's our inventory of Trump's products made overseas.

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"We will get our people off of welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor."

"Welfare" is a broad term, and can apply to people who are working but receiving some government assistance. If someone is receiving means-tested assistance, it doesn't necessarily mean they are not working.

Not all people eligible for welfare collect benefits. When they do, many of the benefits are contingent on the recipients working or actively searching for jobs, as a result of an overhaul of welfare signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996. And even low-income families receive some level of public assistance.

According to the 2012 U.S. Census, about 23 percent of U.S. households with at least one person with a job received means-tested benefits.

Meanwhile, Trump is apparently unaware that participation has declined in means-tested programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps).

Caseloads in the TANF program have declined over the past 15 years, from about 2.4 million families to 1.6 million families. After its post-recession peak in 2013, the number of people receiving food stamps has declined. In October 2016, there were 43.2 million people participating in the program, compared to 47 million in October 2013.
Sixteen people were killed and about 40 injured after a bus carrying Hungarian students burst into flames on a highway in northern Italy, police and the fire service said on Saturday.

The bus went off the road near a highway exit close to the city of Verona overnight. The local highway police chief said it was carrying mostly teenage students, teachers and parents.

"Many children among the victims of the accident in Verona, a bus catches fire on impact with a pillar," national police said.

Local highway police chief Girolamo Lacquaniti told some people had minor injuries, but others were more serious.

Lacquaniti said the cause of the crash would be investigated. "We are not aware of other vehicles being involved, it seems to have gone off the road of its own accord." Police released photographs and television footage of the burned-out hulk near a road bridge. The wreckage had been removed from the road by around 0800 GMT.

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Pakistan military to return Indian Sepoy 'Chandu Babulal Chohan'

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Beijing: In Central China's Hubei Province a landslide hit a hotel due to which two people died and many are missing. The three storey building of the hotel collapsed in which staff members and guests got trapped.

The firefighter in charge as per the sources news said A total of 15 people were trapped in the Mirage Hotel in Nanzhang County at around 7:30 PM yesterday when around 3,000 cubic meters of debris slid down a slope behind the hotel.

The rescuers saved five people from the debris, out of which two died in hospital while they were going under the treatment.

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Mumbai: Fire breaks out in Hotel Samraj of Chakala area
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Just do it. It's not lame, it's that simple.

Take it from the now 28-year-old James Asquith, currently working at the Deutsche Bank in London and someone who, at 24, won the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to travel to all sovereign countries.

Who fancies a glacier trek? #guinnessworldrecord #everycountryintheworld #traveltheworld #alaska #glacier  A photo posted by James Asquith (@jamesasquithtravel) on Jan 9, 2017 at 1:06pm PST

And how he managed to travel, have fun, break a record and write a book in JUST five years is pretty simple. Really.

1. Make the best of what you already have

James Asquith

"It was never the purpose to race around and hop into every country to tick it off," he told Business Insider. Instead, Asquith drew inspiration from closer home. His father working as a pilot for British Midland International (BMI) meant Asquith got to travel to places he otherwise may not have considered bookmarking.

"I started going away with my Dad when I could, or even without him, on these weird route networks. I thought, 'I want to see more,' and eventually thought, 'Now I want to go everywhere.'" Flying with his dad got him to see places like Kazakhstan, Eithiopia, Sierra Leone, Iraq - places that would have otherwise cost a bomb.

2. Start saving some of that hard-earned cash

James Asquith Asquith may not have had this precise dream at 12, but that's exactly when he started saving up thanks to the few odd jobs he took up at the time. The holidays were yet another means of adding to the piggy bank - he asked that he get money as opposed to gifts. And by the time he was 18, Asquith had a sizeable amount saved up. He used this money to get him to Southeast Asia (where he'd planned to stay for about three months) with a few friends in tow.

3. Sometimes let the universe lead

James Asquith "When it started, I remember going to get our backpacks and the guy in the shop saying, 'Get this one, you'll catch the travel bug and it will be durable.' I thought, 'No, it's just going to be a three-month trip.' Two days after I came back I booked my first solo trip and went to Egypt," he told Business Insider. 4. Real life doesn't have to get in the way of travel James Asquith Take it from Asquith who continued to travel while also studying BSc in Economics at The London School of Economics. He managed to do this since at the time he was living with his parents and was able to save a lot from the three jobs he had. Yet another time when the financial crisis hit, Asquith had to think of a way to make money. One such place where he found his answer was the stock market where he invested in the stocks of some UK banks. He says he was able to make some money off of that which he later used to travel. While it's good to show prudence, you never really know how lucky you can get until you take the plunge. 5. If you're aiming for a record, aim hard James Asquith Asquith spent at least one day or night in every country he visited. "There were obviously some that I spent less time in  I went to Afghanistan during a war  but some I spent months in. I got a flavour of every country." 6. Take the plunge James Asquith "I was sceptical at first, and just kind of went along with it, but it was the best thing I ever did. You educate yourself in ways you cant imagine, and you have a new found respect and knowledge for other people, cultures, religions and traditions." (Source) It's true. We hold ourselves back in more ways than one. The obvious - work, family, money - are easy to spot. What about what's going on in your head? Imagine a freshly ironed shirt still warm to the touch - now imagine your mind feeling the same. This, probably comes the closest to describing how fresh the mind feels after months and months of travel. There, literally, is nothing for anyone to regret.
As the protests continue to spread all over Tamil Nadu, chief minister O Panneerselvam said that an ordinance will be issued within two days on lifting the ban on Jallikattu. The draft ordinance, in this regard, has already been sent to the home ministry.

BCCL

The legislation is aimed at bypassing the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act) under which the popular sport, which is intertwined with the Tamil culture.

When I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, he assured me that the Centre would support the efforts taken by the state government. Following this, I stayed back in Delhi and consulted senior officials about bringing in state-level amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. It has been decided to bring such an amendment to the Central governments law. Further, it has also been decided to make this amendment in the form of an ordinance, Panneerselvam said.

Earlier it was said that the Centre would take any step only after the Supreme Court's final call on the issue.

BCCL

Meanwhile the massive showdown across Tamil Nadu in support of jallikattu shows no signs of slowing down. Across the state many cities have shut down and are witnessing mass demonstrations in support of jallikattu.

In Marina Beach, the epicenter of the protests, thousands continue to flock together for the fourth consecutive day.

BCCL

The camping, led by youths have refused to heed to the calls by the state CM to end the demonstration, saying that only once the ordinance is tabled they will end the protest.

The demonstrators also have the backing of Tamil political parties across the board and film stars.

BCCL

Some of the biggest names in the industry, including actors Ajit, Surya, Vishal and Trisha had extended their support to the movement. Both Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan are expected to address the protesters on Friday. Legendary music composer AR Rahman is also observing a one-day fast on Friday to express his solidarity for the pro-jallikattu supporters.

BCCL

Jallikattu, the bull taming sport which is a part of the annual harvest festival was banned in 2014 by the Supreme Court citing animal cruelty. However, the people of Tamil Nadu feel the ban was an attack on the cultural heritage of the state, thus making it an emotional issue.
It has been a long hard battle that has ended with a win, but the war is far from over. Meet Atri Kar, a 27-year-old transgender applicant to the West Bengal Government sector exam who found no column available by which to identify her gender.

Atri Kar

Atri loves to read novels and is a student of elocution at Bratati Bandipadhyays institute. She has a caring family that understands her and supports her and helps her in her battles at carving out a niche for herself in mainstream society.

Two years after the Supreme Court passed a judgment making it mandatory for government offices to include the third gender in all its forms, the West Bengal State Administrative Tribunal on December 5 finally issued an order directing the state government to amend all its online as well as off-line forms to include the others column or the third gender.

Atri Kar

This is the first such order issued in the state.

A resident of Hooghlys Tribeni, Kar lives with her family, comprising her parents, elder brother, his wife and son. I am a primary school teacher at Kuntighat, says Kar, going on to add, I completed my graduation in English Honours from Calcutta University, following which I took admission in Bardhaman University for my post graduation degree.

However, for Atri, that remained a dream, as she soon had to leave the course midway for being discriminated against.

Having applied for SSC TET (School Service Commission Teachers Eligibility Test) and Primary TET, Atri would soon go on to qualify for the Primary TET and join her first institution on January 7, 2014. But what should have been a dream beginning, soon turned dark, as she had to leave the institution for being harassed by the management due to her sexual identity.

Atri Kar

I then joined a second school, where the headmaster Subarna Mandal, really supported me and was understanding of my situation, but there too I faced a lot of social flak, says Atri, adding, While he was progressive and had awareness regarding the issue, the other teachers in his school did not. So I started facing the same kind of harassment as I did in the first school. He later shifted me to a third school where all the teachers have been very accepting and supportive of me.

My new school treats me like a normal human being, says Atri.

Atris nightmares were far from over for when the interview forms finally came for the SSC TET examination that she had given, they too had only two options in the gender column.

A battle had just begun.

This has been a long battle. I first raised the issue with the Education department in 2011. I had just completed my Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) and had applied for a job with the government. I had taken the School Service Commission examination and had qualified. At that point even the Supreme Court order had not been given. The Education department had told me that since I had given the examination as a female thats how I would be recruited, says Kar.

Meanwhile, Atri had joined RICE in pursuit of realising bigger dreams by cracking the WBCS (West Bengal Staff Selection) examination. Having trained there for one and a half years when she finally tried to fill up the form in 2016 for the examination, she found out that there too, the gender column had only two options, either male or female.

Atri Kar

A distraught Atri sought help from the Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman.

There was a lack of adequate response on his part, and the last date for the filling up of the form was going, and finally I filed a case against PSC.

I still remember the day we had gone to court, we were already behind many seeking justice, but the judge, Honorable Dipankar Datta, took a keen interest in my case, but since it was a Supreme Court Verdict we were asked to move to the State and Tribunal Court.

According to Atri, the Tribunal too made it a priority case and the very next day passed a hearing that she be allowed to fill up the form offline since the last date for application was looming large and also issued a directive that the online applications must include the third gender.

Atri has filled up the form and is awaiting examinations to be held on January 29th.

Atri, however, feels that no one is to be blamed here.

I am not blaming anyone, it is not that the government is not doing anything. Since the passing of the verdict by the Supreme Court in 2014, two years have gone by but there has never been a single transgender applicant who has raised the issue. No one has fought for their right! No one wanted to break social conventions and demand justice.

She goes on to add, Interestingly, PSC was very helpful during this whole ordeal. They helped me out in every step of the way. What remains most interesting to me, however, is the fact that I remember their lawyer coming up to me and saying, You are the first person who is knocking on the door of the PSC.

Atri believes that this is where things have gone haywire. See, the government wants data, as long as no one approaches, nothing can be done, there can be no change brought about. And change is a vast term, at least it should begin from somewhere!

Most of the times the transgender are scared that if they do approach and fight for their rights, their future might be ruined, and they cannot be blamed for this as well. Look at the social ostracizations I have faced for coming out. Thankfully I am now at a place which respects me for being a human being more than anything else.

Atri Kar

You know, I have been in relationships, all failed, and social stigma played a very important role in its failure. No one wants to go against society, not even for love. They do not want to settle down, and then just leave me behind.

Even family is sometimes a bit jittery with me. My immediate family is very supportive, but one cannot expect the same from all relatives and neighbours. There are a lot of times when I excuse myself from certain social settings because I know I will not find acceptability there.

The government needs to sensitise the society, feels Atri, Just adding the third gender in forms might not help, it will perhaps create more problems, for the fear is always there, will the society accept?

Atri Kar

She goes on to add, There is perhaps a general lack of awareness, most of the times, whatever message is forwarded carries with it a social stigma. Say for example. Whenever, they want to talk about HIV, you will always see posters with the faces of transgender plastered on it. Why? Is it rooted within this community? They need to reach out to the grass root level and make people aware. Either that or it is an uphill battle where people will slowly accept transgender people into mainstream society by seeing them in public offices and as public workers. But for that to happen, even people from the community need to step up.

Awareness is the key, from both ends, feels Atri.

Atri Kar

But Atri feels lucky that her school is one place which looks above everything else. I have never been made to feel lesser or that my gender identity is any different in my school.

The best part is when my students wait for me every day beside a bridge near my school so that we can all cross the bridge together. That is a welcome routine for me and reminds me there is still hope.
Pakistan's two parliamentary committees in a joint resolution asked India to immediately suspend the ongoing construction of the Kishanganga and Ratle hydro power projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

ET

The two projects are being constructed on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers.

A resolution adopted by the National Assembly's foreign affairs and water and power committees also asked the World Bank to set up a Court of Arbitration to mediate the dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty between the two countries.

It said that under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), it is the responsibility of the World Bank to play its role without further delay.

ET

Until the World Bank constitutes the court of arbitration, it must persuade India to put an immediate halt to ongoing construction of the Ratle dam till the issue is resolved, read the joint resolution adopted unanimously by both the government and opposition members of the committees.

The construction of dams on the western rivers by India has brought the two countries at loggerheads and Pakistan has engaged the World Bank, a facilitator of the IWT, to stop India from going ahead with the construction.

ET

The committees were briefed on the agenda -- Indian threat on the Indus Waters Treaty and to chart out a course of action for Pakistan. The meeting was co-chaired by Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Muhammad Arshad Khan Leghari, members of the parliament and the chairmen of the two committees.

Briefing the committees, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said all options were available with Pakistan in case India violated the IWT.

"We will not let India violate the treaty," Chaudhry said, adding that Pakistan had already engaged the World Bank to look into the issue as guarantor.

"We have already requested the World Bank to appoint chairman of the arbitration court," he said.

AFP

The secretary said Islamabad would defend its right at any cost. New Delhi, he alleged, was using delaying tactics while "we want to resolve the issue at the earliest".

Pakistan has serious reservations over an Indian move to construct 45 to 60 dams on the western rivers, he said.
A trial court in Bongaon, West Bengal has sentenced three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists including two Pakistani national to death on Saturday.

The trio arrested were arrested on April 4, 2007 along with another LeT member Sheikh Sameer from Maharashtra by the Border Security Force when they were trying to cross the Indo-Bangla border illegally.

AFP/Representative Image

Sameer managed to escape in Chhattisgarh when he was being taken to Maharashtra to be produced in a Mumbai Court.

Mohammad Yunus, and Abdullah Khan, both originally from Karachi, belonged to the LeT suicide squad and had also planned a suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir.

At the time of their arrest huge quantities of explosives, apart from fake documents, were recovered from them.

They were convicted under Section 121 IPC, waging a war against the state.
A trial court in Bongaon, West Bengal has sentenced three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists including two Pakistani national to death on Saturday. The trio arrested were arrested on April 4, 2007 along with another LeT member Sheikh Sameer from Maharashtra by the Border Security Force when they were trying to cross the Indo-Bangla border illegally. Read more here.

Indiatimes

1. A Day Into Trump's Presidency And The LGBT Rights And Climate Change Pages Get Deleted From The White House Website

Just one day into Donald Trumps presidency and changes can already be felt. For starters, the climate change and LGBT rights page has been deleted from the White House website.

Reuters

They have instead been replaced by a page that reads, Sign up for updates from President Donald J. Trump. Read more here.

2. Tamil Nadu Governor Signs Pro-Jallikattu Ordinance, Bull Races May Begin On Sunday

Tamil Nadu Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday promulgated an ordinance for the conduct of jallikattu. The Union government on Friday cleared the state's draft ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, enabling the conduct of jallikattu.

Indiatimes

"The Governor's nod was obtained today for the ordinance to amend Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which has the approval of President Pranab Mukherjee," Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam said. Read more here.

3. Indian Soldier Chandu Chavan Who Inadvertently Crossed LoC To Be Returned, Confirms Pakistan

Pakistan has confirmed that the Indian soldier Chandu Chavan, who inadvertently had crossed the border last year, will be released today.

Indiatimes

Chavan will be returned at 3 PM via Wagah Border in Punjab. He will be debriefed and a special medical check-up will be carried out. Read more here.

4. Tribunal Has Ordered Recovery Of Vijay Mallya's Assets, But There Is Nothing Left To Attach

The Debt Recovery Tribunal had on Thursday ordered to recover Rs 6,203 crore along with interest by attaching properties of fugitive former liquor baron Vijay Mallya. The move which was hailed as a victory to the SBI-led bankers consortium however might not get executed.

Indiatimes

This is because in the past few years, the enforcement directorate (ED) has attached almost all the Indian properties, assets and shares of Mallya worth Rs 9500 crore. Read more here.

5. Hundreds Of Protesters Marched Through Washington As An Act Of Defiance Against President Trump

Protesters marched through Americas Washington as Donald Trump was being sworn in as the President of The United States of America, and clashed with the police, which left six police officers injured and 217 protesters arrested.

Reuters

There were several different marches taking place simultaneously. Some of the non-violent marches with protestors holding signs that read, show us your tax returns and not my president. One of the protests took on the form of a carnival and included an inflatable elephant wearing a sign which said racism. Some other marches, however, were more disruptive where demonstrators burnt flags and threw bricks. Read more here.
Just one day into Donald Trumps presidency and changes can already be felt. For starters, the climate change and LGBT rights page has been deleted from the White House website.

Reuters

They have instead been replaced by a page that reads, Sign up for updates from President Donald J. Trump.

President Obamas administration had set up the LGBT page to engage with the community and it also included a blog about policy commitment and information about the White Houses LGBT work.

Whitehouse.gov

The now-deleted LGBT page under Obamas presidency read, President Obama is committed to working with all Americans to create the brightest future for our country through innovation, education and building new technologies and more connected communities.

Since taking office, the President has demonstrated that his vision for a brighter future includes greater equality for LGBT Americans. The President and his Administration are dedicated to eliminating barriers to equality, fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and engaging LGBT communities across the country.

The LGBT community has expressed concerns that their rights will take a step back during Trumps presidency and given that Vice President Mike Pence opposed laws protecting the LGBT community when he served as Indianas governor.

All related information and news on climate change has also been removed from the White Houses website.
Technology companies including Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, may find themselves in the line of fire as anger against outsourcing in America turns bellicose as a new government led by Donald Trump takes charge in the worlds biggest market for information technology services.

In what many view as a sign of things to come, the US Labour Department sued software giant Oracle, earlier this week, accusing the California headquartered company for discriminatory hiring practices against White, Hispanic and African-Americans in favour of Asians, particularly Asian Indians.

PTI

I would expect to see a rise in the number of lawsuits which are then further amplified by a populist press, said Peter Bendor-Samuel, CEO of IT consultancy firm, Everest Group, adding that rising protectionism in both the US and the UK fosters an environment which encourages law suits. Samuel also sees increased scrutiny from US regulators creating more friction.

For their part, Indian firms such as Infosys and TCSBSE -0.12 % are bracing to deal with changing circumstances. We continue to hire and in vest locally. However, given the skill shortages in the US and the availability of technically skilled workforce in various global markets, we also rely upon visa programs to supplement these skills, said Infosys COO Pravin Rao.

In addition, the president is a seasoned entrepreneur and as such we expect the administration to be business friendly and innovation friendly, said Rao. TCS and Oracle declined comment.

Indian Outsourcing Industry A Favourite Punching Bag

The $150-billion Indian outsourcing industry has been a favourite punching bag of American politicians, of all hues, for over a decade. While it is common practice for politicians  from senators to Presidential hopefuls  to take pot shots at outsourcing, Trump is the first to have campaigned virulently against outsourcing and then be elected to the highest office in the country. Indian firms such as Infosys and TCS along with several American firms too have been subject to law suits and state scrutiny over alleged visa misuse and discriminatory practices in the past few years.

AFP

American tech workers are now grasping that Equal Employment Opportunity laws protect them and that prestigious law firms are willing to take these cases on contingency, said Donna Conroy, executive director of the Chicago-based tech advocacy group Bright Future Jobs. She added that US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission can also independently initiate investigations against an employer  without an aggrieved party.

The possibility of disgruntled employees taking the legal route for old grievances is also high, say industry watchers. A worker in America has up to seven years, after termination, to file a lawsuit against his employer, said Rajiv Dabhadkar, founder of the National Organisation for Software and Technology Professionals, which works for Indian workers overseas.

As the lawsuits by American citizens would increase, state authorities will be forced to scrutinise contracts with offshore companies that manipulate the wages of their foreign employers to displace resident workers. Contracts could be terminated or not extended, said Dabhadkar.

ET

Indian IT companies like TCS and Infosys are no strangers to legal troubles in the US. US national Jack Palmer triggered a US investigation of Infosys visa practices after he alleged possible visa violations at the company in 2011. While he lost the long-drawn battle in the Alabama court in August 2012, he filed a fresh lawsuit against the firm demanding reappointment and compensation for alleged wrongful termination in 2014. Infosys also had to pay $34 million to end a federal investigation into visa fraud and errors in its hiring records. In April 2015, a former American employee sued TCS alleging it favoured workers of South Asian descent.

ALSO READ: Here's Why Indian Job-Seekers Should Be Concerned About US Proposed Changes In H-1B Visa Policy

H-1B Visa Issues

Patrick Thibodeau, national correspondent, Computerworld, told ET that the Barack Obama administration never pursued a national origin discrimination case against any IT offshore industry firm (or the company that hired the contractor). But the Trump administration may be different.

TOI

The Trump administration can bring about H-1B reform in three ways. It can issue executive orders that change some of the rules around the work visa, it can push for legislative reforms in Congress, and it can bring court cases accusing firms of discrimination when they replace a US worker with a visa holder. The Trump administration is likely to use all three approaches, he said. In his confirmation hearing for the post of attorney general of the US, Senator Jeff Sessions reiterated that the Trump administration will push for legislative reform to curb what he termed as abuse of H-1B visas for foreign workers.

IT industry body Nasscom which is in the process of sending a delegation to meet US policymakers is hopeful of Indian companies coming out clean. Our companies operate in more than 80 countries and work with more than 75% of Fortune 500 companies, said Shivendra Singh, vice-president, global trade development, Nasscom. They follow the due process of law and meet regulatory standards.
Aimed at helping NASA better understand human behaviour and performance during long space missions, six scientists have entered a dome perched atop a remote volcano in Hawaii where they will spend the next eight months.

Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation

The results from the exercise, known as the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation which simulates life for astronauts travelling to Mars, as the US space agency explores plans for a manned mission to the Red Planet.

"I'm proud of the part we play in helping reduce the barriers to a human journey to Mars," said Kim Binsted, the mission's principal investigator.

The crew will perform geological field work and basic daily tasks in the 1,200-square-foot (365 m) dome, located in an abandoned quarry 8,000 feet (2.5 km) above sea level on the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii's Big Island.

Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation

There is little vegetation and the scientists will have no contact with the outside world, said the university, which operates the dome.

Communications with a mission control team will be time-delayed to match the 20-minute travel time of radio waves passing between Earth and Mars.

Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation

"Daily routines include food preparation from only shelf-stable ingredients, exercise, research and fieldwork aligned with NASA's planetary exploration expectations," the university said.

The project is intended to create guidelines for future missions to Mars, some 35 million miles (56 million km) away, a long-term goal of the U.S. human space program.
Donald Trump, in his inauguration speech, promised to unlock the mysteries of space during his presidency. This was one of the number of broad commitments he made in his speech.

Reuters

He also said, The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action. His first commitment was to head to space, but he did not elaborate on how he would do it.

We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow. A new national pride will stir ourselves, lift our sights and heal our divisions.

Representational image/Flickr

President Trump said he wants to explore deep space. At a rally in Florida, he told the crowd, I will free NASA from the restriction of serving primarily as a logistics agency for low-Earth orbit activitybig deal. Instead, we will refocus its mission on space exploration. Under a Trump Administration, Florida and America will lead the way into the stars.

Representational image/Flickr

In October his advisors also said that Trumps administration would focus their efforts on exploring deep space rather than just concentrating on Earth-related activities like global warming.
Follow us on china pak bhutan to provide inputs on water flow in india

Shillong, Jul 8: China, Pakistan and neighbouring Bhutan have agreed to provide information on water levels of rivers flowing into India, inputs that could help lessen casualty from floods, union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent Pala said.









Water levels in these countries are directly related to the flood situation in our country and hence, the ministry took the decision to have a tie-up with these countries, he said.



The ministry through its Central Water Commission (CWC) has set up forecast stations in the different tributaries, including of the Brahmaputra, parts of the border with China and other neighbouring countries such as Pakistan and Bhutan, Pala said.



Chinese authorities are passing on vital information on water levels of five rivers, including Tsangpo converging with the Brahmaputra in the North-East, as part of the imitative to mitigate floods caused by the Brahmaputra.



Around Rs 87 lakh was paid to China in a year, while another Rs 14 lakh was paid later to provide us with the information on the water-level of Brahmaputra, he said.



Besides, India has also entered into an understanding with other countries, including Bhutan and Pakistan for similar activities, the Minister added.



The Brahmaputra has more than 52 main tributaries.



Latest India News
Regime Change Comes Home: The CIAs Overt Threats against Trump By James Petras January 20, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The norms of US capitalist democracy include the election of presidential candidates through competitive elections, unimpeded by force and violence by the permanent institutions of the state. Voter manipulation has occurred during the recent elections, as in the case of the John F. Kennedy victory in 1960 and the George W. Bush victory over Al Gore in 2000. But despite the dubious electoral outcomes in these cases, the defeated candidate conceded and sought via legislation, judicial rulings, lobbying and peaceful protests to register their opposition. These norms are no longer operative. During the election process, and in the run-up to the inauguration of US President-Elect Donald Trump, fundamental electoral institutions were challenged and coercive institutions were activated to disqualify the elected president and desperate overt public pronouncements threatened the entire electoral order. We will proceed by outlining the process that is used to undermine the constitutional order, including the electoral process and the transition to the inauguration of the elected president. Regime Change in America In recent times, elected officials in the US and their state security organizations have often intervened against independent foreign governments, which challenged Washington s quest for global domination. This was especially true during the eight years of President Barack Obamas administration where the violent ousting of presidents and prime ministers through US-engineered coups were routine  under an unofficial doctrine of regime change. The violation of constitutional order and electoral norms of other countries has become enshrined in US policy. All US political, administrative and security structures are involved in this process. The policymakers would insist that there was a clear distinction between operating within constitutional norms at home and pursuing violent, illegal regime change operations abroad. Today the distinction between overseas and domestic norms has been obliterated by the state and quasi-official mass media. The US security apparatus is now active in manipulating the domestic democratic process of electing leaders and transitioning administrations. The decisive shift to regime change at home has been a continual process organized, orchestrated and implemented by elected and appointed officials within the Obama regime and by a multiplicity of political action organizations, which cross traditional ideological boundaries. Regime change has several components leading to the final solution: First and foremost, the political parties seek to delegitimize the election process and undermine the President-elect. The mass media play a major role demonizing President-Elect Trump with personal gossip, decades-old sex scandals and fabricated interviews and incidents. Alongside the media blitz, leftist and rightist politicians have come together to question the legitimacy of the November 2016 election results. Even after a recount confirmed Trumps victory, a massive propaganda campaign was launched to impeach the president-elect even before he takes office  by claiming Trump was an enemy agent. The Democratic Party and the motley collection of right-left anti-Trump militants sought to blackmail members of the Electoral College to change their vote in violation of their own mandate as state electors. This was unsuccessful, but unprecedented. Their overt attack on US electoral norms then turned into a bizarre and virulent anti-Russia campaign designed to paint the elected president (a billionaire New York real estate developer and US celebrity icon) as a tool of Moscow . The mass media and powerful elements within the CIA, Congress and Obama Administration insisted that Trumps overtures toward peaceful, diplomatic relations with Russia were acts of treason. The outgoing President Obama mobilized the entire leadership of the security state to fabricate dodgy dossiers linking Donald Trump to the Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that Trump was a stooge or vulnerable to KGB blackmail. The CIAs phony documents (arriving via a former British intelligence operative-now free lance security contractor) were passed around among the major corporate media who declined to publish the leaked gossip. Months of attempts to get the US media to take the bite on the smelly dossier were unsuccessful. The semi-senile US Senator John McCain (war-hero and hysterical Trump opponent) then volunteered to plop the reeking gossip back onto the lap of the CIA Director Brennan and demand the government act on these vital revelations! Under scrutiny by serious researchers, the CIA dossier was proven to be a total fabrication by way of a former British official  now  in  hiding! Undaunted, despite being totally discredited, the CIA leadership continued to attack the President-Elect. Trump likened the CIAs dirty pictures hatchet job to the thuggish behavior of the Nazis and clearly understood how the CIA leadership was involved in a domestic coup detat. CIA Director John Brennan, architect of numerous regime changes overseas had brought his skills home  against the President-elect. For the first time in US history, a CIA director openly charged a President or President-elect with betraying the country and threatened the incoming Chief Executive. He coldly warned Trump to  just make sure he understands that the implications and impacts (of Trumps policies) on the United States could be profound Clearly CIA Director Brennan has not only turned the CIA into a sinister, unaccountable power dictating policy to an elected US president, by taking on the tone of a Mafia Capo, he threatens the physical security of the incoming leader. From a Scratch to Gangrene The worst catastrophe that could fall on the United States would be a conspiracy of leftist and rightist politicos, the corporate mass media and the progressive websites and pundits providing ideological cover for a CIA-orchestrated regime change. Whatever the limitations of our electoral norms- and there are many  they are now being degraded and discarded in a march toward an elite coup, involving elements of the militarist empire and in`telligence hierarchy. Mass propaganda, a red-brown alliance, salacious gossip and accusations of treason (Trump, the Stooge of Moscow) resemble the atmosphere leading to the rise of the Nazi state in Germany . A broad coalition has joined hands with a most violent and murderous organization (the CIA) and imperial political leadership, which views overtures to peace to be high treason because it limits their drive for world power and a US dominated global political order. James Petras is a Bartle Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology at Binghamton University, New York. http://petras.lahaine.org/
UKs Delusional Threats to Europe over Hard Brexit' By Finian Cunningham January 20, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " SCF " - Britains Prime Minister Theresa May delivered her much-anticipated speech on Brexit this week, and it was suffused with delusions of grandeur. When are British leaders going to realize that their days of imperial greatness are long gone? Listening to May, however, one would think that the worlds map was still splattered in red, white and blue colors of the Union Jack  otherwise known by former colonial subjects as the Butchers Apron. The Conservative prime minister gave a bravado speech that heralded a blissful, prosperous future for global Britain. May said that Britain was now open for free trade with the rest of the world, after having voted in a referendum last June to quit the European Union, after 43 years of membership. Finally, after seven months of dithering and confusion on the matter, May declared that Britain would henceforth be seeking a hard Brexit, whereby the United Kingdom would no longer seek to be part of the EUs single market. It would therefore be free from obligations concerning migration and free movement of European citizens. That is, Britain would gain full control of its borders. A soft Brexit option would have involved a compromise between retaining single-market membership and accepting a degree of open borders. No way. Theresa May was at last supposedly giving clarity on Britains position, saying there would be no half measures, no half in, half out Brexit means Brexit. The Financial Times approved of her upbeat message with the headline: No more Theresa Maybe. Listening to Mays prognosis of glowing prospects for global Britain  trading with the US, Canada, China, India and the Persian Gulf among others as bilateral partners  makes one wonder why Britain ever bothered joining the EUs single market back in 1988, as her predecessor Margaret Thatcher had zealously committed to (15 years after its original accession to the European Economic Community, the precursor of the EU.) Perhaps it has something do with the fact that nearly 50 per cent of the UKs exports go to EU markets  free from any trade barriers. How Britains exports will fair in a global marketplace of cut-throat trade tariffs is a moot question. According to the British government its all going to be rosy. That, by the way, wasnt Mays position prior to the referendum. She campaigned for remaining in the EU and in doing so she had predicted that leaving the bloc would spell economic disaster for Britain. All that doom seems to have dramatically disappeared now in Mays apparently revised upbeat world outlook, without providing an explanation for her U-turn. Heres the thing: Downing Streets supposed announcement of clarity on the Brexit this week raises, on the contrary, even more befuddling questions. May is aiming to conclude Brexit negotiations in two years with the European Commission based in Brussels. But that timescale is impossibly optimistic. Only a few weeks ago, her top diplomat charged with negotiating the Brexit was forced to resign because he dared to warn that a separation deal would take up to 10 years to finalize. And that longer-term view is probably a realistic assessment. For instance, it took Canada seven years to recently conclude a free-trade pact with the EU. For Britain, with many more legal entanglements to resolve, any less timeframe seems in the realm of daydreams  as some EU politicians caustically remarked following Mays speech this week. Britains Foreign Minister Boris Johnson can crow all he likes that the world is queuing up to do business with Britain. One of those potentially new trade partners is Britains old colony, the United States of America. Following President Donald Trumps welcoming remarks for a quick trade deal with Britain earlier this week, there was much excitement from Johnson and other Brexiteers that a new lucrative horizon was indeed dawning. The harsh reality is that Britain will be technically and legally a member of the EU until it concludes departure negotiations that could several years. Under those circumstances, as several EU politicians have pointed out, Britain will not be free to negotiate bilateral trade agreements with the US or any other nation. That means that Britain will not be able to gallop off into supposed new trade deals with the US, China or anyone else, until it finishes its no doubt protracted divorce proceedings with the EU. The Brexit process is going to be a rude awakening for British leaders who seem to harbor delusions about Britains stature in the world. This delusional thinking was revealed when Theresa May issued a barely veiled warning to the EU that Britain would not accept a punitive Brexit deal. Despite her speech opening with charming talk of Britain being the best of friends with Europe, May drew a dagger towards the end. I know there are some voices calling for a punitive deal that punishes Britain and discourages other countries from taking the same path. That would be an act of calamitous self-harm for the countries of Europe. And it would not be the act of a friend, said the British premier. With a foreboding tone, she added: Britain would not  indeed we could not  accept such an approach. And while I am confident that this scenario need never arise  while I am sure a positive agreement can be reached  I am equally clear that no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain. It was a glinting threat from May, akin to flashing a knife at the EU. Earlier, May said in contradictory fashion that while Britain was leaving the single market, at the same time it was demanding full access to markets as an associate member to make trading as frictionless as possible. So, only in a rhetorical sense is the British government declaring a hard Brexit by purportedly leaving the single market. For all intents and purposes, however, the British still want full access to the market, as May stipulated in her speech. And this privilege is to be had at the same time that Britain takes full control of its borders over EU migration. That sounds like Britain wanting to have its cake and eating it. Supposedly being out of the market, but still in it for all practical purposes, while pulling up the draw bridge on the rest of Europe. Moreover, the British prime minister is declaring that if Britain does not get full access it will be perceived as punitive  and then in that case her country will walk away from negotiations. Her haughty attitude sparked outrage across the EU. Guy Verhofstadt, the EU Parliaments point man on Brexit, reportedly fumed that Britains days of cherrypicking and a la carte Europe are over. Tomas Prouza, the Czechs EU minister, noted sardonically of the British position: Trade as free as possible, full control of immigration wheres the give for all the take? What May was alluding to in her threat of walking away was that Britain would undercut the EU by slashing corporation tax, thereby luring foreign companies away from continental Europe to set up shop in Britain. That is, turning Britain into a tax haven to cheat the rest of Europe. May also hinted that Britains military forces in NATO might be pulled out of Poland and the Baltic states, which would have the effect of destabilizing these EU members, given their congenital paranoia over alleged Russian aggression. The British governments threats to the EU stems from a misplaced arrogant attitude of a has-been world power, which somehow still thinks that it can pontificate to other, perceived lesser nations. With a ballooning trade deficit with Europe and an all-but extinct industrial base, the only asset that the UK can claim is its City of London global financial center  which accounts for 80 per cent of its national economy. Despite Theresa Mays supercilious tone, Britain will find that it needs Europe a lot more than Europe needs Britain. And if cut loose harshly, the former Great Britain is in no industrial shape to ply the global markets as it once did with the backing of its colonial armies of occupation. Britains hard Brexit is all hard talk belying typical British subterfuge to wheedle self-serving concessions. Such conceited British attitude will only stiffen EU resolve to make minimal trade concessions in the final separation. If the British are seen to get a cherry-picked deal of access to the single market, yet be able to spurn any immigration, that would be tantamount to giving an exit license for other members of the EU to do likewise. And given the level of Euro-skepticism rising across Europe, Brussels and other pro-EU governments must, of their own necessity, act sternly towards Britain in its divorce arrangement. Britain can indeed expect a hard Brexit. On much harder terms from the EU than delusional British politicians are arrogantly demanding. Less Rule Britannia; more like Fool Britannia.
How the NYT Plays with History



By failing to tell the hard truth about Establishment wrongdoing, The New York Times  along with other mainstream U.S. media outlets  has destabilized American democracy.



By Robert Parry January 20, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Consortium News " - Whenever The New York Times or some other mainstream news outlet holds itself out as a paragon of professional journalism  by wagging a finger at some pro-Trump fake news or some Internet conspiracy theory  I cringe at the self-delusion and hypocrisy. No one hates fake news and fact-free conspiracy theories more than I do, but the sad truth is that the mainstream press has opened the door to such fantasies by losing the confidence of the American people and becoming little more than the mouthpiece for the Establishment, which spins its own self-serving narratives and tells its own lies. Rather than acting as a watchdog against these deceptions, the Times and its mainstream fellow-travelers have transformed themselves into little more than the Establishments apologists and propagandists. If Iraq is the enemy, we are told wild tales about how Iraqs non-existent WMD is a danger to us all. If Syria is in Washingtons crosshairs, we are given a one-sided account of whats happening there, black hats for the regime and white hats for the rebels? If the State Department is backing a coup in Ukraine to oust an elected leader, we are regaled with tales of his corruption and how overthrowing a democratically chosen leader is somehow democracy promotion. Currently, we are getting uncritical stenography on every conceivable charge that the U.S. government lodges against Russia. Yet, while this crisis in American journalism has grown more severe in recent years, the pattern is not entirely new. It is reflected in how the mainstream media has missed many of the most significant news stories of modern history and has, more often than not, been an obstacle to getting at the truth. Then, if the evidence finally becomes so overwhelming that continued denials are no longer tenable, the mainstream media tries to reclaim its tattered credibility by seizing on some new tidbit of evidence and declaring that all that went before were just rumors but now we can take the long whispered story seriously  because the Times says so. For instance, we have the case of Richard Nixons sabotage of President Lyndon Johnsons Vietnam War peace talks in 1968 to give himself a crucial boost in a tight presidential race against Vice President Hubert Humphrey. In real time  both as Nixon was executing his maneuver and in the years immediately afterwards  there was reporting by second-tier newspapers and independent journalists into what Johnson privately called Nixons treason, but the Times and other newspapers of record treated the story as little more than a conspiracy theory. As the years went on and the case of Nixons guilt grew stronger and stronger, the story still never managed to cross the threshold for the Big Media to take it seriously. Definitive Evidence Several years ago, I compiled a detailed narrative of the 1968 events from material declassified by Johnsons presidential library and I published the material at Consortiumnews.com. Not only did I draw from newly available recordings of Johnsons phone calls but from a file of top secret wiretaps  labeled The X envelope  which Johnson had ordered his national security adviser, Walt Rostow, to remove from the White House before Nixons inauguration. I also traced how Nixons paranoia about the missing White House file and who might possess it led him to assemble a team of burglars, known as the Plumbers, whose activities later surfaced in the Watergate scandal. In other words, by unraveling the mystery of Nixons 1968 treason, you change the narratives of the Vietnam War and Watergate, two of the pivotal issues of modern American history. But the mainstream U.S. media studiously ignored these new disclosures. Just last November, in a review of past October Surprise cases  in the context of FBI Director James Comey telling Congress that the FBI had reopened its investigation of Hillary Clintons emails  the Times offered this summary of the 1968 affair: President Lyndon Baines Johnson announced a halt to bombing of North Vietnam, based on his claim that peace talks had entered a new and a very much more hopeful phase, and he invited the government of South Vietnam and the Viet Cong to take part in negotiations. Raising hopes that the war might end soon, the announcement appeared to bolster the standing in the polls of Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, the Democratic presidential nominee, but Humphrey still fell short in the election against former Vice President Richard M. Nixon, the Republican. In other words, the Times treated Johnsons bombing halt and claim of peace-talk progress as the October Surprise to try to influence the election in favor of Humphrey. But the evidence now is clear that a peace agreement was within reach and that the October Surprise was Nixons sabotage of the negotiations by persuading South Vietnamese President Nguyen van Thieu to boycott the Paris talks. The Times got the story upside-down by failing to reexamine the case in light of convincing new evidence that had been available for years, albeit circulating outside the mainstream. However, finally, that disdain for the story may be dissipating. Earlier this month, the Times highlighted in an op-ed and a follow-up news article cryptic notes from Nixons 1968 campaign revealing Nixons instructions to top aide H.R. Haldeman. Haldemans notes  discovered at the Nixon presidential library by historian John A. Farrell  reveal Nixon telling Haldeman Keep Anna Chennault working on SVN, meaning South Viet Nam and referring to the campaigns chief emissary to the South Vietnamese government, right-wing Chinese emigre Anna Chennault. Nixons gambit was to have Chennault pass on word to South Vietnamese President Thieu that if he boycotted Johnsons Paris peace talks  thus derailing the negotiations  Nixon would assure Thieu continued U.S. military support for the war. Monkey Wrench It Another Haldeman note revealed Nixons intent to get Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen, R-Illinois, to berate Johnson about a planned bombing halt while Nixon looked for Any other way to monkey wrench it? Anything RN [Richard Nixon] can do. Though Haldemans scribbling is sometimes hard to decipher, the next entry makes reference to SVN and adds: tell him hold firm  the same message that Anna Chennault later passed on to senior South Vietnamese officials in the last days of the 1968 campaign. Though Farrells discovery is certainly newsworthy, its greatest significance may be that it has served as a tipping point that finally has forced the Times and the mainstream media to move past their longstanding dismissals of this conspiracy theory. The Times gave Farrell space on its op-ed page of Jan. 1 to explain his discovery and the Times followed up with an inside-the-paper story about the Haldeman notes. That story included some favorable comments from mainstream writers, such as former Newsweek bureau chief Evan Thomas saying Farrell nailed down what has been talked about for a long time. Of course, the story of Nixons Vietnam peace-talk sabotage has been more than talked about for a long time. A series of journalists have pieced together the evidence, including some as the scheme was unfolding and others from digging through yellowed government files as they became available over the past couple of decades. But the major newspapers mostly brushed aside this accumulation of evidence apparently because it challenged their authoritative narrative of that era. As strange and vicious as some of Nixons paranoid behavior may have been, it seems to have been a bridge too far to suggest that he put his political ambitions ahead of the safety of a half million U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam war zone in 1968. For the American people to have been told that troubling truth might have profoundly shaken their trust in the Establishment, given the deaths of 58,000 U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War, plus the killing of several million Vietnamese. (Nearly half of the dead were killed after Johnsons peace talks failed and as Nixon lived up to his commitment to Thieu by extending the direct U.S. combat role for four more years.) [For more details, see Consortiumnews.coms LBJs X-File on Nixons Treason and The Heinous Crime Behind Watergate.] A Reprise But the mainstream medias concealment of Nixons treason was not a stand-alone problem in terms of distorting recent U.S. history. If the American people had realized how far some top U.S. officials would go to achieve their political ambitions, they might have been more willing to believe other serious allegations of government wrongdoing. For instance, the evidence is now almost as overwhelming that Ronald Reagans campaign reprised Nixons 1968 gambit in 1980 by undermining President Jimmy Carters negotiations to free 52 American hostages then held in Iran, another well-documented October Surprise case that the mainstream media still labels a conspiracy theory. With more than two dozen witnesses  including U.S., Iranian, Israeli and other officials  describing aspects of that Republican behind-the-scenes deal, the reality of this prequel to Reagans later Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages scandal should be widely accepted as a real piece of modern American history. But a half-hearted congressional investigation in 1991-93 naively gave then-President George H.W. Bush the crucial job of assembling internal U.S. government records to confirm the allegations  despite the fact that Bush was a principal suspect in the 1980 operation. Several years ago, I uncovered documents from the Bush presidential library in College Station, Texas, showing how Bushs White House staff organized a cover-up to conceal key evidence and hide a key witness from the investigation. One memo by one of Bushs lawyers disclosed that the White House had received confirmation of a key October Surprise allegation  a secret trip by campaign chairman (and later CIA Director) William Casey to Madrid  but then withheld that information from congressional investigators. Documents also showed the White House frustrating attempts to interview former CIA officer Donald Gregg, a key witness. Another document bluntly set out the White Houses goal: kill/spike this story to protect Bushs reelection chances in 1992. After I discovered the Madrid confirmation several years ago  and sent the document to former Rep. Lee Hamilton, who had headed the congressional inquiry which had concluded that there was no credible evidence supporting the allegations  he was stunned by the apparent betrayal of his trust. The [Bush-41] White House did not notify us that he [Casey] did make the trip to Madrid, Hamilton told me in an interview. Asked if knowledge that Casey had traveled to Madrid might have changed the investigations dismissive October Surprise conclusion, Hamilton said yes, because the question of the Madrid trip was central to the inquiry. Yet, to this day, both right-wing and mainstream media outlets cite the investigations inconclusive results as their central argument for defending Reagan and his legacy. However, if Nixons 1968 gambit  jeopardizing the lives of a half million U.S. soldiers  had been accepted as genuine history earlier, the evidence that Reagan endangered 52 U.S. embassy personnel might have seemed a lot easier to believe. As these longstanding cover-ups slowly crack and begin to crumble, the serious history behind them has started to show through in the mainstream media. For instance, on Jan. 3, during a CNN panel discussion about interference in U.S. presidential elections, popular historian Doug Brinkley added, One point: 1980, Ronald Reagan was taking on Jimmy Carter, and there was the October Surprise meeting keeping the hostages in Iran. William Casey, people in the Reagan administration were interfering with foreign policy then saying, Keep the hostages in until after the election. So it has happened before. Its not just Nixon here or Donald Trump. [For more details on the 1980 case, see Robert Parrys Americas Stolen Narrative or Trick or Treason: The 1980 October Surprise Mystery or Consortiumnews.coms Second Thoughts on October Surprise.] Contra-Cocaine Scandal But the denial of serious Establishment wrongdoing dies hard. For instance, The New York Times, The Washington Post and other major news outlets have long refused to accept the overwhelming evidence that Reagans beloved Nicaraguan Contra rebels engaged in cocaine trafficking under the benevolent gaze of the White House and the CIA. My Associated Press colleague Brian Barger and I assembled a lot of that evidence in 1985 for the first story about this scandal, which undermined Reagans claims that he was fighting a relentless war on drugs. Back then, the Times also went to bat for the Establishment. Based on self-serving information from Reagans Justice Department, the Times knocked down our AP reporting. And, once the Times got taken in by its official sources, it and other mainstream publications carried on vendettas against anyone who dared contradict the accepted wisdom. So, when San Jose Mercury News reporter Gary Webb revived the Contra-cocaine story in 1996  with evidence that some of that cocaine had fed into the crack epidemic  the Times and other big newspapers savaged Webbs articles and destroyed his career. Not even an institutional confession by the CIA in 1998 that it had been aware of widespread Contra drug smuggling and looked the other way was enough to shake the mainstream medias false conventional wisdom about the Contras and the CIAs innocence. After the CIA inspector general reached his damning conclusions admitting knowledge of the drug-running, the Times did run a story acknowledging that there may have been more to the allegations than the newspaper had previously believed, but the same article kept up the bashing of Webb, who was drummed out of journalism and, nearly penniless, committed suicide in 2004. Despite the CIA admissions, The Washington Post also continued to deny the Contra-cocaine reality. When a movie about Webbs ordeal, Kill the Messenger, was released in 2014, the Posts investigative editor Jeff Leen kept up the papers long-running denial of the reality with a nasty new attack on Webb. Leens story was endorsed by the Posts former executive editor Leonard Downie Jr., who circulated Leens take-down of Webb with the added comment: I was at The Washington Post at the time that it investigated Gary Webbs stories, and Jeff Leen is exactly right. However, he is too kind to a movie that presents a lie as fact. [For more on Leens hit piece, see Consortiumnews.coms WPosts Slimy Assault on Gary Webb. For more on the Contra-cocaine story, see The Sordid Contra-Cocaine Saga.] Lies as Truth The fact that mainstream media stars lie in calling facts a lie  or they cant distinguish between facts and lies  has contributed to a dangerous breakdown in the publics ability to sort out what is and what is not real. Essentially, the problem is that the mainstream media has sought to protect the integrity of the Establishment by dismissing real cases of institutional criminality and abuse of power. However, by shoring up these defenses  rather than challenging systemic wrongdoing  the mainstream media has watched its own credibility erode. One might hope that someone in a position of power within the major news organizations would recognize this danger and initiate a sweeping reform, which might start by acknowledging some of the long-buried historical realities even if it puts Establishment icons, such as Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, in a negative light. But that is clearly not the direction that the mainstream U.S. news media is heading. Instead, the Times, the Post and other mainstream outlets continue to take whatever Establishment sources hand out  now including dubious and bizarre U.S. intelligence allegations about Russia and President-elect Donald Trump. Rather than join in demanding real evidence to support these claims, the mainstream media seems intent on simply channeling the Establishments contempt for both Russia and Trump. So, whatever is said  no matter how unlikely  merits front-page headlines. The end result, however, is to push more and more Americans into a state of confusion regarding what to believe. While some citizens may seek out honest independent journalism to get what theyre missing, others will surely fall prey to fake news and conspiracy theories. Investigative reporter Robert Parry broke many of the Iran-Contra stories for The Associated Press and Newsweek in the 1980s. You can buy his latest book, Americas Stolen Narrative, either in print here or as an e-book (from Amazon and barnesandnoble.com).
The Abia State Police Command have arrested a female suspect for her alleged involvement in the repackaging of expired food products.

Described as a worrisome act, the police said Nnenna Sunday, 28, has perfected the act of using chemicals to erase batch production numbers and expiry dates on snacks

It is an act that endangers the lives of the buyers of the expired products, but yet reinforces the need for everyone to check well before buying any food product.

After her arrest, she claimed to be innocent and obeying the orders of her boss.

I did not do anything. They have been doing it before I came. I am not the first or the second. I do not understand this type of temptation.

My hands are clean. Police saw us wiping out the expiry dates on the snacks and it is my oga (boss) that asked me to do it because that is how he has been doing it before he employed me, the suspect said.

She further claimed to have joined the company recently and do not know the boss very well, but many onlookers at the scene questioned what her conscience had told her while she engaged in the act.

The arrest, according to the police was part of its determination to continue the implementation of the anti-crime strategies which are proactive in nature and geared towards ensuring a safe and secured environment for inhabitant of Abia State.

Meawhile, the Police have reiterated its readiness to sustain the fight against heinous criminal activities by improving on the existing security strategies which include visibility policing, raiding of criminal hideouts, intelligence led policing amongst many others.
The Ikoyi Bourdillon residence of the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was on Thursday besieged by aggrieved residents of Olokonla community in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State over planned demolition of their houses by the Lagos State Government.

The protesters were seeking the intervention of the former Lagos State Governor over what they alleged that some men who claimed to be the officials of the Lagos State government allegedly demolished their buildings worth over N15billion.

The protesters, led by Barrister Mr. Dotun Hassan, said their houses were demolished without a court order.

We appeal to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a kind politician, to intervene and stop this demolition.

We are not illegal occupiers. We have our genuine land documents, he said.

While receiving the protesters, the Media Assistant to the APC Chieftain, Tunde Rahman, urged them to maintain the peace saying he will relay their petition to Tinubu.

He however, advised their leader to come to the Freedom House next Tuesday to state their petition further.
Bishop Justus Mogekwu of the Nigerian Anglican Communion (Asaba Diocese) has tongue lashed the Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) for calling on the State Government to take-over all public schools it handed over to missions some years ago.

Mogekwu said the reason for the demand is unfounded and selfish, daring the NUT to saunter into any school currently run by missions to ascertain the level of huge positive change that has swept through academic activities in the state.

Recall that the leadership of the state NUT had called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to urgently initiate and perfect all processes need to retake all schools handed over to religious bodies, claiming that such move had become inevitable in the interest of public education.

In an address during the 2016 World Teachers Day celebration held in Asaba, the state chairman of the union, Comrade Jonathan Jemirieyigbe had lamented that most public schools handed over to missions by the previous administration have turned into shadows of themselves.

The union wish to make a clarion call on the state government to take back the schools earlier handed over to missions in the state as those schools are now shadows of their former selves, the NUT boss had said.

Jemirieyigbe, who is also the acting State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, had also said that although the state government succeeded at building and equipping some hitherto public schools to good standards, most of such schools are now in dire need of students after they were handed over to missionary authorities.

But Mogekwu, whose church runs the St. Peters and Mary Juniorate School, viewed that call by the NUT as a mere outcry that is not realistic, insisting that all the schools handed over to mission authorities are far better than they were at the point of transfer. In an exclusive interview with our reporter, the Bishop said: The NUT is just being selfish because they think they will have more salaries and staff when government takes over schools.

The truth is, they (government teachers) dont work; they know they dont work. They do not have the discipline expected of teachers in mission schools.

The cleric maintained that it will be retrogressive for government to yield the call of the NUT, insisting that schools run by mission authorities do not only churn out academically viable students, but also impact positively on their morality.

Source: Leadership
Unknown gunmen on Friday night kidnapped the Chairman of Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, Modu Guja, a Police source have said.

According to a report by PREMIUM TIMES, the kidnappers came in tricycle to the residence of Modu Guja on Lagos Street in Maiduguri, the state capital.

The Police source who preferred anonymity said the gunmen disguised as plain-clothed security personnel and tricked the council boss out of his house in the guise of questioning him.

We just received an information from top a government official of Borno state that the Caretaker Chairman of Bama local government areas of Borno state, Ali Guja, was taken away from his residence at Lagos street, Maiduguri, by two unknown men who came in a keke Napep tricycle, the police source said.

The two men disguised as security operatives and took him to unknown destination.

Till this moment, we do not have any idea about his whereabouts, the source added

The abducted chairman will be the first serving government official of Borno State to be abducted in the last four years.

It would be recalled that, Gujas vice, was two weeks ago arrested by military personnel in connection with alleged hiding of a Boko Haram terrorist in the home of another council chairman.
Mexican drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, newly arrived in the United States, pleaded not guilty to numerous criminal charges in New York on Friday.

Guzman was extradited from Mexico Thursday to face 17 criminal charges related to his drug empire  including corruption, murder, conspiracy, drug importation and money laundering.

On Friday, the Sinaloa cartel leader pleaded not guilty to the charges, which could put him away for life.

The accused drug overlord communicated through an interpreter in his court appearance, telling the judge that he understood the charges against him.

Mexican authorities previously opposed extraditing Guzman, 59, to the United States unless the U.S. Department of Justice assured he would not face the death penalty, as Mexico opposes capital punishment.

Who is Chapo Guzman? U.S. Attorney Robert Capers of the Eastern District of New York said during a Friday news conference. In short, he is a man who has known no other life than one of crime, violence, death and destruction.

Capers said federal authorities would also seek a criminal forfeiture of $14 billion against Guzmans massive illicitly built empire, linked to massive properties, luxury yachts, expensive vehicles, etc.

The Justice Department opted to prosecute Guzman in Brooklyn first. He also faces charges in six other federal districts including California and Florida.

El Chapo  meaning The Short One or shorty  so dubbed because of his 5-foot-6-inch frame, was first captured in Guatemala in 1993. He has twice escaped from prison since his initial capture.
Nigerian newspaper headlines January 21, 2017.

Guardian

The Federal Government, yesterday, disclosed that it was working on the modality of enrolling all serving corps members on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) nationwide to provide them unhindered access to better health care services.

Premium Times

President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to receive a clean copy of the Nigeria Peace Corps bill recently passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Thisday

Donald Trump, a real estate mogul and reality television star who upended American politics was yesterday sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, succeeding Barack Obama and telling a bitterly divided country that he would pursue America first policies at home and abroad.

The Nation

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on Saturday finally agreed to quit office following last-chance talks with west African leaders ahead of a possible military intervention.

Vanguard

There was panic yesterday as over 15 Pro-Biafran agitators, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, were allegedly shot by security operatives and about 70 arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Port Harcourt.

Punch

The National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers have threatened to shut down Arik Airs operations for failing to implement the agreement reached with them in December concerning some members of staff of the carrier who were sacked.

Leadership

Yayah Jammeh has agreed to stand down.

The Sun

For former Petroleum Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, her trouble comes in threes.
The Oyo state government has constituted stakeholder committees to look into the crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

The committees would look at the crisis both at state and local government levels.

The government has urged the groups involved not to take laws into their hands.

The Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Security, Mr. Olusegun Abolarinwa, unveiled the mediation move as he unfolded governments efforts to stem clashes between the groups.

Identifying grazing as one of the causes of the crisis, he said that the  state government does not have any policy on grazing zone yet.

He said that the federal government through the federal ministry of Agriculture had yet to make a pronouncement on nomadic rearing to be domesticated in all states.

In the interim, the state government has taken proactive steps to constitute committees at both the state and local levels.

The committees are comprising security agencies, chairmen of local councils, farmers associations, committee of Fulanis, miyetti Allah cattle rearers association of Nigeria, Seriki Hausawa, community leaders and relevant stake holders in the community.

He said the governor has directed the Special Adviser on Community Relations and the Senior Special Assistant on Security, to address the crisis erupting in the religion sector.

They have also been mandated to step into the community related crises at the Ibarapa zone of the state with specific instructions to meet with the aggrieved sects of farmers and Fulani Bororo herdsmen.

Abolarinwa explained that the crisis erupted when farmers laced their farms with poison in a bid to retaliate on the Fulani whose cows destroyed their farm lands and trampled on them.

He urged the aggrieved parties not to take laws into their hands, reiterating that the government has put adequate measures in place to strengthen the security of the state with the joint security patrol.

The government also bought armoured personnel carriers (APC) for the state police command as well as Hilux vehicles for the security agencies.

The government, he said, was rendering all forms of assistance to the security agencies in the state.
Nigerian government officials son, Bala Chinda, has been jailed for raping and murdering a compatriot high-class escort at a flat in Aberdeen

He was jailed for 26 years for the murder and rape of Nigerian Jessica McGraa, who kept double life as a call girl secret.

She was suffocated with a pillow and strangled with her own scarf, , Mailonline reported.

Chinda, 26, killed 37-year-old McGraa only a few weeks after arriving in Scotland to study at Robert Gordons University.

Her body was found partially clothed in the bedroom of a flat she had rented on Aberdeens Union Terrace the following day.

Extensive police investigations carefully pieced together the call girls last movements following the grim discovery on February 12.

CCTV footage revealed that she had travelled to Chindas student accommodation on King Street with him in a taxi before they returned to her apartment a short time later.

She made her last ever call on her mobile phone a few minutes before surveillance cameras recorded Chinda walking down the street away from her flat.

On Friday, a jury of eight women and seven men unanimously found Chinda guilty of murdering Jessica in the city centre flat.

They took more than six hours to reach their verdict and also found him guilty of raping the mother-of-one and stealing her two mobile phones in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

Judge Lord Beckett told the jury they had gone about their duties commendably after listening to evidence they may have found very distressing.

Jailing Chinda, he told him that he had ended the life of a woman described by friends giving evidence as full of fun and who had much left to live for.

The Nigerian, whose dad works as the immigration attach at the Nigerian embassy in Beijing, wept uncontrollably after he was found guilty by the jury.

The court heard that Ms McGraa died of asphyxiation and was likely smothered with a pillow and possibly strangled with her scarf.

The taxi driver taking Chinda and Jessica back to her apartment had heard them discussing money before she was killed on February 11.

Chinda changed his phone number after her death.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Houston said: This was a challenging case for all involved, using the full resources of Police Scotland to understand what happened to Jessica and trace the person responsible for her murder  a man who went to great lengths to cover his involvement and deceived his victim from the outset.

At the heart of this horrific crime was a young mother, daughter and friend whose life was cut tragically short in what must have been terrifying circumstances.

Throughout Chinda has shown no real remorse for his depraved actions and taken no responsibility for robbing a young boy of his mother.

It is hard to imagine how difficult this past year has been for her family and friends and our thoughts are with them today.

During the trial the court heard that the mother had a young seven-year-old son who lived with her adopted mother in London.

Ms McGraa was originally from Nigeria and was an orphan but sent money back to her two sisters and brothers who lived abroad.

Her double life as an escort was only exposed to her closest friends after her sudden death with many believing she travelled round the county selling hair extensions.

She visited her son in London every month and took him on luxury holidays abroad and was dating a young man in Dublin who she planned to marry.

Detective Chief Inspector Houston added: Police Scotland recognises that many males and females involved in prostitution are there as a result of force or a perception of limited alternatives.

We have worked closely with a range of partners including health authorities and support groups, to ensure our responses to prostitution focuses on protecting individuals and communities from harm while targeting organised crime groups and individuals who attempt to control, abuse, exploit or coerce others.

Source: NAN
Un ottobre da sogno per Antonio Conte: lex ct della Nazionale italiana, attualmente alla guida del Chelsea, nelle ultime quattro gare di Premier League ha collezionato solo successi, conditi da 11 reti segnate e addirittura nessuna incassata. Numeri da record che non sono certo passati inosservati alla Federazione inglese, la quale ha conferito al tecnico leccese lambito premio di Manager del mese.

Unavventura oltremanica iniziata in sordina, quella di Conte, pur a fronte di tre vittorie nelle prime tre gare di campionato. A far vacillare, anche se solo per un momento, le certezze del patron del club londinese, Roman Abramovich, i risultati conseguiti tra la 4a e la 6a giornata, coincisi con un pareggio sul campo dello Swansea City e, soprattutto, con le due pesanti sconfitte subite dal Liverpool, sul terreno casalingo di Stamford Bridge, e dallArsenal. In particolare, la debacle interna coi Reds, aveva irritato non poco il numero uno russo, poiche occorsa proprio nel giorno della sua 250esima partita da presidente della societa.

Come detto, solo un momento. Dopo lincontro dellEmirates, il tecnico salentino cambia modulo, adottando un piu equilibrato 3-4-3 e inserendo elementi di corsa come lo spagnolo Pedro. Una svolta totale perche, di li in poi, il Chelsea inanellera solo e soltanto vittorie: 2 gol allHull City e al Southampton in trasferta, 3 ai campioni dInghilterra del Leicester e 4 allo United in casa, con un meraviglioso numero zero nella casella delle reti subite. Un fantastico poker, ottenuto tra l1 e il 29 ottobre. Un cambio di marcia sbalorditivo, confermato dal 5 a 0 rifilato ai toffees dellEverton nel primo match di novembre, e una scalata che, man mano, ha portato i blues al secondo posto in classifica, a soli 2 punti dal Liverpool capolista.

E allora, non poteva mancare il riconoscimento di migliore allenatore del mese, ottenuto surclassando tecnici del calibro di Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) e Mark Hughes (Southampton). Tanta, ovviamente, la soddisfazione: E un grande onore e voglio condividerlo con i giocatori e con la societa  ha dichiarato Conte sul sito ufficiale della Premier League -. E la prima volta che lavoro in un altro Paese, con una cultura diversa, e portare la propria filosofia non e facile, ma ora sono contento di questa scelta.

A completare la festa, la premiazione del fantasista belga, Eden Hazard, come miglior giocatore di ottobre. Due risultati importanti per il club, ottimo incentivo per la rincorsa al trono dei campioni, occupato dal Leicester di Ranieri. Il prossimo appuntamento per l11 di Conte sara al Riverside Stadium, tana del Middlesborough neopromosso. Il tempo di festeggiare e gia finito.
What Is the U.S. Secretary of Labor?

The United States Department of Labor is part of the executive branch of the U.S. federal government. It is one of several executive cabinet departments under the leadership of the president of the United States.

Key Takeaways The U.S. secretary of labor position is controlled by the U.S. president and is part of the presidents executive cabinet of leaders.

The U.S. secretary of labor oversees all activities of the Department of Labor.

The U.S. secretary of labor is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule and earns the salary prescribed for that level ($221,400 as of 2021)

The current secretary of labor is Marty Walsh, former mayor of Boston.

Understanding the Secretary of Labor

The secretary of labor and other cabinet department leaders collectively form the presidents advisory cabinet. The Department of Labor and its leader, the secretary of labor, are responsible for issues that arise concerning U.S. federal standards for:

Wages and hours worked

Occupational safety

Re-employment services

Unemployment insurance benefits

Economic statistics within the labor market

Work-related rights and benefits

Conditions in the workplace

The purpose of the Department of Labor is also to uphold, endorse, and advance the well-being of U.S. citizens by implementing regulations and directives that impact wage earners, citizens seeking employment, and retirees. The Department of Labor is authorized to enforce and administer more than 180 federal laws and thousands of federal regulations, affecting at least 125 million wage earners and 10 million employers. The department is also responsible for lobbying for new U.S. federal labor legislation to be passed by Congress.

Within its operating capacity, the Department of Labor includes several agencies and departments that fulfill its goals. Some of its most noteworthy departments include:

Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB)

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

The Department of Labor can also communicate with state labor departments. Across the United States, each state has its own Department of Labor and department leaders, along with its own state labor laws.

Duties of the Secretary of Labor

The Office of the Secretary of Labor is one of the many departments within the U.S. Department of Labor. The Office of the Secretary and the Office of the Deputy Secretary collectively lead and oversee all Department of Labor activities. The current secretary of labor is Marty Walsh, former mayor of Boston.

As the head of the Department of Labor, the secretary of labor is charged with the following:

Overseeing and managing the functions of the Department of Labor collectively with regard to laws affecting the workplace, unions, and issues pertaining to business-to-employee relationships

Enforcing current laws

Making recommendations for new laws

Enforcing safety standards for the workplace

Facilitating the analyzing and recording of job statistics

Overseeing the dispensing of unemployment compensation benefits

Testifying to the U.S. Congress on matters having to do with employment and labor

Generating legislation and presenting it to Congress through the president

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does a Person Become Secretary of Labor?

As a U.S. cabinet department, the leader of the Department of Labor is nominated by the president of the United States. A majority vote by the U.S. Senate must confirm the nomination. Once sworn in, the secretary of labor reports directly to the president of the United States. As a cabinet leader, the secretary of labor can be discharged at any time by the U.S. president.

What Experience Does the Secretary Need?

The president can choose nominees for secretary of labor with any type of experience. There is no required background. As such, a nominated individual may have a background in law, economics, education, business, the military, or previous government service. In general, the pool of nominees is composed of seasoned professional and political bureaucrats with various backgrounds.

However, there is at least one restriction. To prevent any sitting members of Congress from serving in the executive cabinet, there is a clause in the U.S. Constitution called the Ineligibility Clause. It says that no person may be a cabinet member while serving in Congress. This is part of the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.

How Much Does the Secretary of Labor Make?

According to the federal website FederalPay.org, the U.S. secretary of labor is a Level I position in the Executive Schedule. The secretary earns the salary prescribed for that level, which was $221,400 as of 2021.

How Long Does a Secretary Stay in Office?

The secretary of labor role has no fixed-year term. Traditionally, the secretary of labor resigns or is replaced when a new president is elected and takes office. The president appoints the labor secretary and can replace that person at any time, as is the case for all executive cabinet leaders.

The purpose of the position of labor secretary is to improve the quality of life for citizens working in the United States. However, the secretary has great leeway in determining what would improve the quality of life for citizens and may work closely with the president in interpreting the goals of the Office of the Secretary of Labor.

The secretary may work for or against healthcare benefits in the workplace, a minimum wage, and overtime pay. In addition, the secretary weighs in on conflicts regarding federal labor regulations and interpretations that affect all types of businesses.
The risk of a bank failure from a major cyberattack is not far-fetched. Almost all financial institutions have experienced a cyberattack in one form or another, and the number of attacks is only increasing. Financial firms are 300 times more likely than other institutions to experience them, according to the Boston Consulting Group.

The increasing risk of cyberattacks and the potential impact on banks is a top concern for financial institutions and the government. Here is a look at how and why banks are at risk and what the effect of a cyberattack might be.

Key Takeaways The risk of major cyberattacks on banks is on the rise.

Due to the interconnectivity of banks, the spillover risk of cyberattacks among banks is great and could impair the solvency of a financial institution.

U.S. banks are particularly susceptible to state-sponsored cyberattacks.

There was a spike in cyberattacks in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The Rising Risk of Cyberattacks

Fears of a major cyberattack on banks have been rising since hackers successfully stole nearly $100 million from Bangladeshs central bank in February 2016. Shortly afterwards, Russian central bank officials disclosed that hackers stole more than $31 million (2 billion rubles at the time) from the countrys central bank and commercial banks.

In testimony before the House Financial Services Committee in February 2020, when asked what he perceives as the greatest risk to the financial system, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell named cybersecurity. The thing that we worry about a lot is cyberattacks. I think we have a great game plan for traditional issues like bad loans and things like that. Its more cyberattacks is really the frontier where you worry," Powell said.

Many banks already see millions of attempted attacks each year, resulting in modest losses, but hackers are rapidly becoming more sophisticated, making banks even more vulnerable to major attacks.

How Banks Are at Risk

In a report published in January 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York says the risk of spillover effects from cyberattacks is high because the banking system is interconnected. The report suggests a cyberattack on any of the five most active U.S. banks could affect 38% of the network.

Experts warn U.S. banks are particularly susceptible to state-sponsored cyberattacks by countries including Russia, China, and North Korea. "State-sponsored hacking is the biggest threat to our financial sector because of the capacities that they can bring to bear, Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of George Mason Universitys National Security Institute, told the House Financial Services subcommittee on national security, international development, and monetary policy during a hearing in June 2020.

During the same hearing, Tom Kellermann, a member of a cybersecurity commission during the Obama administration who is now head of cybersecurity strategy at software company VMWare, warned of a major rise in cyberattacks on banks and other financial institutions during the 2020 crisis.

238% The rate of increase in cyberattacks against banks between February and April of 2020, according to a report by VMWare.

Impact of Cyberattacks on Bank Customers

Consumers have relatively little to fear from routine cyberattacks on banks, provided they havent been lax about safeguarding their information and notify their bank promptly when funds go missing. U.S. law requires banks to refund money taken from customers' accounts without authorization if the customer alerts the bank within 60 days of the transactions appearing on their bank statement. Business accounts, however, have fewer protections and could be subject to greater losses.

While bank deposits up to $250,000 are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for participating institutions, the banks themselves have no federal guarantee to solvency in the event of a major cyberattack. Such attacks could target bank processing systems and disrupt critical financial transactions.

The Bottom Line

Cybersecurity is a top concern for the banking sector. Consumers are likely to be able to recover their money under federal law, but some experts are concerned that escalating attacks could eventually threaten a big bank's solvency.
If you head over to Chinese websites like AliExpress or Gearbest, you will find plenty of useful and unique accessories for your iPhone. For iPhone 5s owners, one such particularly useful kit is the iPhone 7 mini kit which transforms your handset into a mini iPhone 7.

These kits are usually available for anywhere between $25-$40 and transform your iPhone 5s to look like a matte black iPhone 7 mini. These kits are available in other colors as well if you are not particularly fond of black, including blue and red.

Installing the housing will take you around a couple of hours and various tools, but if you lack the expertise things can go wrong. However, as the photos posted by Reddit user igenno show, the end result surely would be beautiful.

As per the Reddit user, the iPhone 7 mini kit uses an aluminium that is very similar to the quality that Apple has used on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and gives the phone a very sexy look. There is one caveat, though; the reception of the phone will degrade by at least 15-20 percent once you apply the kit on your iPhone 5s. The conversion kit also does not make use of a 2.5D curved glass which can make swiping from the edges a less than pleasant experience.

Since the iPhone 5s and iPhone SE share the same design and dimensions, similar kits are also available for the latter. If you are interested in such a kit for your iPhone 5s or iPhone SE, you can order one V.

[Via Reddit
On Sunday's all-new episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta  Phaedra Parks and Kenya Moore rekindle their friendship as they travel to Flint, Michigan, to participate in Phaedra's summer camp. Back in Atlanta, Cynthia Bailey makes herself at home at Kandi Burruss' house. Bob Whitfield gets another shot to try to win back Sheree, while Porsha Williams starts seeing red flags in her relationship with Todd.

After a cathartic and emotional camp experience, Phaedra brings everyone together to discuss a camping trip with all the ladies -- but concerns about Porsha's past anger issues lead some of the women to question whether or not they should go on the trip.. Watch a sneak peek preview below!

In this clip, Bob Whitfield seduces Sheree with a cabaret performance, will it work?In this other clip, the ladies sit-down and Kenya Moore confronts Porsha Williams about her anger management situation and things don't go well as planned.airs Sunday nights at 8/7c only on Bravo. For International TV ListingsSource/Photo Credit: Bravo
Donald Trump has moved into The White House and begun his presidency by reversing a key policy of Barack Obama.

He has started the process of scrapping Obamacare, which extends health insurance to America's poorest.
The European Ombudsmans probe relates to ties between ECB officials and the Group of Thirty, a private organisation where policymakers, economists, bankers, and fund managers meet behind closed doors to discuss economic and monetary affairs.

Ties between the ECB and financial sector firms have been in the spotlight since 2015, when a top official discussed the banks money-printing plans at a private event with hedge funds.

The inquiry was triggered by a complaint by activist group Corporate Europe Observatory, which says proximity between ECB officials and the G30 is incompatible with Frankfurts role as the eurozones top banking watchdog.

Members of the G30 include several former and current central bankers, including Bank of England governor Mark Carney and Bank of Japans Haruhiko Kuroda, as well as Nobel prize winner Paul Krugman.

But it also includes the chairmen of several commercial banks, such as JP Morgans Jacob A Frenkel and UBSs Axel Weber.

Ombudsman Ms OReilly, who watches for lapses in ethics or transparency at European institutions and can make non-binding recommendations, is now asking the ECB to hand over documents illustrating its ties with the group.

As a first step in my inquiry, I would ask that the ECB facilitate an inspection of all relevant ECB-held documents which will help my office gain a fuller understanding of the extent and range of the ECBs overall involvement with the G30, she said in a letter to Mr Draghi.

Mr Draghi has been a member of the G30 since 2006, when he was still the governor of the Bank of Italy.

The treaty requires the ECB to maintain a dialogue with external stakeholders, an ECB spokesperson said.

We see [the G30] as a relevant forum to engage with, always remembering that we have a range of rules and instruments in place to avoid apparent or potential conflicts of interest.

A similar complaint lodged by the same activist group in 2012 was rejected by then-ombudsman Nikiforos Diamandouros.

Reuters
Prime Minister Theresa May will be bound by Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines after Brexit, Mr Noonan said yesterday at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, when asked if the UK could become a lightly regulated, low-tax rival for the EU.

Potential UK company tax cuts arent a major concern, Mr Noonan said.

Asked if the UK could become similar to Singapore in terms of corporate-tax regime, Mr Noonan responded no, its not possible because of OECD guidelines curbing tax breaks.

The Government is hoping the 12.5% corporate tax rate will aid its race to win finance jobs that may move from London as the UK prepares to leave the EU. Therell be a lot of movement into Dublin, said Mr Noonan, adding that some UK-based bankers are already checking out schools in Dublin for their teenage children.

Separately, IDA chief executive Martin Shanahan said it had over 20 meetings with existing investors and potential clients at Davos.

Meanwhile, UK chancellor Philip Hammond told a Davos gathering yesterday that an inflation pickup will put a damper on consumers this year.

The first signs may already be appearing. Less than an hour before Mr Hammond spoke, UK data showed retail sales fell at the fastest pace in almost five years in December, recording a 1.9% drop that far exceeded even the most pessimistic forecasts.

Possible explanations include price increases and consumers scaling back purchases after taking advantage of Black Friday discounts the previous month.

The decline could be a portent of 2017, with sterlings drop since the June vote to leave the EU boosting import costs and fuelling a sharp upturn of inflation.

That means UK consumers, who have weathered the Brexit vote so far, now face a squeeze that will eat into real incomes. That could potentially hurt growth in an economy that relies heavily on their enthusiasm for spending. While the slowdown in 2017 may not be as sharp as initially expected, cooler growth is predicted.

Both the UKs Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank of England forecast expansion of 1.4% this year, down from just above 2 % in 2016. Mr Hammond said a weaker consumer is partly behind that view.

The currency depreciation is now feeding through into inflation which will increasingly affect consumer behaviour during this year, he said at the World Economic Forum Annual meeting.

Hence the lower forecast for economic growth in 2017 as that inflation effect takes place.

Much of the economic impact of the Brexit vote depends on the deal Ms May ends up securing with EU leaders.

She said this week the country will not remain part of the EUs single market of more than 500m consumers or the customs union, though indicated she will seek maximum possible access across frictionless borders.

Bloomberg
The boy, aged 17, and his mother, who is in her 30s, have appeared at the Dublin Childrens Court. Both were charged with possessing 1,300 worth of cannabis and having it at their south inner city home with intent to sell or supply on a date last April.

The mother has additional charges for possession of cocaine and having it to sell or supply at their home address on the same date. The value of the cocaine allegedly seized has not been given. Neither can be named because the youth is a juvenile.
Thats the claim from horse traders who say some of the bylaws drawn up by Cork County Council as part of new casual trading regulations are definitely non-runners. They say three of the bylaws in particular are unworkable.

One proposes that horses may not be trotted at fairs while another states that no person under 16 can be in control of a horse at any time.

The council also wants to introduce a licence fee for selling horses, making it the first local authority in the country to do so.

Dermot OMahony, a senior member of the West Cork Horsebreeders Association, led a delegation to meet councillors where he and colleagues outlined their fears about the proposals.

Ive been going to these fairs for 60 years and now they want us to get a licence. They just dont want us to go to fairs.

It will spell the death knell for horses fairs, of which there are 10 around the county, including the famous Cahirmee [Buttevant], Mr OMahony said.

He said the council wants to confine each horse to a designated spot for the day, which would be impractical and it would be impossible to sell them unless prospective new owners see them trot.

Cllr Christopher OSullivan, who organised the delegation, pointed out that some ponies may be only 12 hands, 2ins, or smaller, and can only be ridden by children under the age of 16.

Younger members of horse breeding families have traditionally ridden small animals in front of prospective buyers.

Trotting your horse and demonstrating how the horse moves is a huge part of making a sale.

This is how fairs have operated for decades and I will be insisting this continues to be the case. These bylaws cannot be implemented in their current form, Cllr OSullivan said.

He said horse fairs are part of the fabric of West Cork in particular.

The Ballabuidhe fair in Dunmanway is centuries old and there is an age-old tradition of horse fairs in Rosscarbery, Bantry, Johnstown, and Leap village.

They have always been held without the requirements for permits or licences and this has been one of the reasons for their long-lasting success.

For many of these towns Fair Day is the busiest day of the year for many businesses.

In some instances they are a tourist attraction in their own right, he added.

Cllr OSullivan said that if council officials insist on introducing licences and fees he could guarantee that horse traders will go elsewhere to buy and sell horses.

No other county has such bylaws which means we will be sending people outside the county to do business.

Alternatively they will go to horse sales where there is less paper work required.

I accept the bone fides of the council in making efforts to regulate casual trading.

However, I will be looking for horse traders to be exempt from the bylaws or a complete overhaul of the bylaws in their current form, Cllr OSullivan said.
Julian Myerscough, aged 54, formerly of Alexandra Rd, Lowestoft in Suffolk, was found guilty by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court on September 30, 2015, of 13 counts of making indecent images of a child.

He was also found guilty of three counts of breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which had been placed on him following a previous conviction for a similar offence.

Myerscough was on bail before sentencing and was discovered to have boarded a ferry to Dublin.

A judge in Ipswich issued a warrant for his arrest.

On October 2, 2015, gardai arrested Myerscough in a Dublin hotel on foot of a European arrest warrant, which had been issued the previous day.

The High Court in Dublin ordered his surrender to the UK authorities on February 29 last year after he had opposed his extradition.

Myerscough then took two cases under Article 40 of the Constitution claiming his detention in Arbour Hill Prison was unlawful, both of which were rejected by the same High Court judge. He appealed one of those decisions and the Court of Appeal also rejected his challenge on November 25.

These cases had the effect of staying his surrender to Britain.

This month, a further Article 40 application came before Ms Justice Mary Faherty.

Representing himself, he argued that his detention was unlawful for, among other reasons, the arrest warrant under which he had been sought was merely an assertion rather than proof that he had been convicted in the UK.

Although a jury had found him guilty, Myerscough said there had been no judicial decision as to a conviction made by a UK trial judge.

Ms Justice Faherty said she was satisfied that Myerscough was in lawful detention.

She was satisfied the information put before the court in relation to the arrest warrant contained relevant evidence necessary to comply with the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003.
Natasha Carberry told the court that in January 2015, she was called by a superior to assist in changing nappies in the baby room at Precious Minds creche, Griffin Drive, Lucan, Co Dublin.

She said she was usually in charge of children aged between one and two years in a different room and had to take two children with her in the baby room, while the others were asleep.

Ms Carberry, of Beech Grove, Lucan, told her barrister, Frank Crean that her superior left the baby room and she had to look after six awake and three sleeping children.

Judge Brian OCallaghan heard that as she went to assist one of the children, she tripped on a plastic plate and fell on her right side. She had been in shock.

Ms Carberry said she felt pain in her lower back and in her right leg. She had later gone to her GP. The court heard she suffered soft- tissue injuries to her back.

Mr Crean said his client has ongoing pain in her back and is considering a change of career as a result. Ms Carberry sued Precious Minds Ltd for negligence.

The creche had denied liability and had claimed Ms Carberry had been the author of her own misfortune. It also alleged that it was her duty to keep the floor clear.

Following a brief adjournment, Mr Crean told Judge OCallaghan that talks had taken place between the parties and an accommodation had been found, without admission of liability.

The judge complimented the parties and struck out Ms Carberrys claim, awarding her legal costs.
Mr Justice Raymond Groarke said Elizabeth Power should not have entered the room of a resident at the Granby Centre, Granby Row, Dublin and he reduced an award of 30,000 to 10,000 on the basis of contributory negligence.

Ms Power, aged 61, of Glenhill Grove, Finglas East, Dublin, told the court that, in August 2013 she had told a superior that the room was cluttered with bags and had been told not to clean it.
The partys justice spokesman, Jim OCallaghan, said the practice of leaving critical positions vacant needs to end.

He was speaking following the retirement yesterday of the head of the Gardas Security and Intelligence section, Detective Chief Superintendent Peter Kirwan.

As the Irish Examiner reported this week, Supt Kirwans departure, which had been known about for many months, leaves the most sensitive position in the Gardas intelligence service without a dedicated leader.

Security sources are concerned at the uncertainty at how long the position will remain vacant, with fears it could be several months.

When the Government failed to appoint replacements to a number of critical Garda vacancies in November, I was assured in Dail Eireann that we would see them filled as soon as possible, said Mr OCallaghan.

It is deeply concerning that yet again a number of vacant, high-priority posts in An Garda Siochana remain unfilled.

Mr OCallaghan expressed concern at the lack of clarity regarding the succession of Chief Supt Kirwan.

This is an important position which is responsible for directing the operations of the Special Detective Unit, the Emergency Response Unit and liaising with international security and intelligence services, he said.

Mr OCallaghan said there have been other high priority vacancies and a reluctance to fill them.

These posts investigate serious, subversive crime and it is, therefore, inexcusable that a precise timeline for filling critical, high-ranked vacancies has not been outlined, he said.

The practice of leaving senior positions empty needs to end and the minister and her department, together with the Policing Authority, must ensure that vacancies are filled promptly.

He said this should not pose a problem, particularly since most vacancies are caused by retirements.

The Policing Authority  which has assumed responsibility for senior promotions set by the Department of Public Expenditure  said selection competitions will be held. It told the Irish Examiner they are based on information from the commissioner on vacancies and that they are planning to undertake competitions in the first half of 2017.
Gardai need to develop a balanced and consistent approach to policing the planned supervised drug injecting centre, a former top Australian police commander has said.

Pat Paroz said it was critical that Garda management was clear about the law regarding such centres and develop a document on policies and procedures in implementing it on the ground.

In a major shift in policy, Ireland is set to have its first medically supervised injecting centre this year.

Mr Paroz, former Commander of Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination for the New South Wales Police Force, was speaking at a drugs conference in Dublin, attended by international experts and drugs strategy minister Catherine Byrne.

Mr Paroz said the attitude of police before an injecting centre was established in Sydney in 2001 was simple.

The traditional approach, probably the same as here, was that drug use was something police were opposed to and that our job was to try and stop it and do that by arresting people, he said.

Research has shown that accidental deaths from heroin and other opiates in Australia rose from 307 in 1989 to 1,116 in 1999.

Evaluations on the Sydney MSIC in 2011 found that 4,400 drug overdoses had been successfully managed by the centre, without a fatality.

Mr Paroz said the aim of the centre was to reduce the harms from unsupervised injecting and improve the quality of local areas, affected by public injecting and dirty needles.

All of those things have happened and thats positive, he said. Theres also been no increase in violent thefts and it is not attracting more users into the area, which was a concern, including among police. That has not happened.

Mr Paroz has held a number of meetings with Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Jack Nolan, who he said was very interested to hear how the Sydney centre was being policed.

He wants to make sure that it operates the best that it can, said Mr Paroz.

He had words of advice for the assistant commissioner and other gardai.

It is critical they know the wording of the legislation, the objectives of the legislation, and that they know the part the police play, he said.

The law needs to be clear, the clearer the better, but even still there is always room for interpretation. Thats where the police need to develop their own plan.

Its important to have a consistent response to issues in and around the centre. It should not be the case that the centre is somewhere we couldnt or wouldnt go  and, on the other hand, not a place we were targeting. Its very much a balancing act.

Mr Paroz said a close relationship with the centres staff was very important.

He said police had to be conscious of public expectations about such facilities.

We dont want to be seen as avoiding the centre or condoning any inappropriate behaviour outside the centre, he said

Mr Paroz added that if there was dealing or antisocial behaviour going on outside the premises, it was policed as normal.

He said if a user was walking to the centre and not doing anything that warranted police intervention he or she would be left do so, without conducting a stop and search to see if he was in possession of drugs.

Mr Paroz said all new police, and police transferred to Sydney, were informed of the centre as part of their induction and were taken on a tour of the facility.
Following a four-day trial, a jury took under two hours to find Michael Casey, aged 64, of Verona Esplanade, OConnell Avenue, Limerick, guilty of the offence.

During the trial before Judge Tom ODonnell at Limerick Circuit Court, Casey denied the complainants allegations, which dated to September 1981.

In evidence to Lorcan Connolly, prosecuting, the victim, 11 at the time of the offence, recalled how Casey befriended him in a typical grooming situation.

The victim said the older man often gave him treats at his workplace which was nearby. It was like Willy Wonka, he said.

Recalling a trip to a Kerry village, the victim said that it started with horse play and would end up with buggery or rape.

He said he was shown hundreds of videos which were not appropriate for his age  worse than porn he said.

Alcohol was shared during a trip to the holiday home when he was just 11 and after drinking it, he said he became sick.

He put me to bed. I cant remember what happened but I was naked and sore in my anal region when I woke up the next morning.

Another witness told the trial he saw Casey and his friend in bed at the holiday home.

The victim told the jury that he found Polaroid pictures of himself which Casey had taken in the holiday home. The victim said he tore them up because he felt humiliated.

In 2014, the court heard Det Garda Paul Crowley took a statement of complaint from the victim which led to Casey being indicted before the Circuit Criminal Court.

The victim said he was a father now and the idea of anyone doing to my son what this man did to me horrified me and has to be prevented.

Anthony Sammon, defending, put it to the victim that it simply didnt happen, and the victim replied that I would have done anything to try and get back at this man for what he had done.

Casey had been charged with 13 indecent assault offences and the jury acquitted him of 12. After the jury returned the guilty verdict in the 13th charge, an application by the State to remand Casey in custody was refused by Judge Tom ODonnell and the matter was adjourned to March 31 for sentence.
Michael Martin, aged 37, who was living at Shandon Court, Yellow Road, Waterford City when the incident occurred, had pleaded guilty to false imprisonment of the girl along the roadside near Oldtown, Cullohill, Co Laois on March 4 last.

Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced Martin at Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court to 17 years imprisonment with the final four suspended on November 5, 2015.

Martin moved to appeal his sentence yesterday on a number of grounds including the overly punitive nature of the sentence, in the words of his barrister, Kevin White BL.

Mr White submitted to the Court of Appeal that the sentence was entirely disproportionate to the circumstances of the case and at was variance with comparative cases. A further ground was the protective nature of the sentence and the emphasis the court placed on the need to protect society, Mr White submitted.

The sentencing judge remarked that he would have imposed a life sentence on Martin if that measure was available to him, Mr White said. Counsel further submitted that the sentencing judge erred in holding that Martin failed to fully co-operate with gardai.

Finally, Mr White said the trial judge placed too much emphasis on the aggravating factors rather than focusing fairly on the mitigating factors.

Mr White said Martin had 92 previous convictions, the majority of which related to thefts and burglary, and only two were of relevance. He said Martin was given 12 months for sexual assault in 2000.

Martin was subsequently involved in an abduction case when a 14-year-old girl travelled to Belfast with him. Martin, who was 25 years old at the time, remained in telephone contact with the girls parents during the incident and handed himself in, Mr White said. He was jailed for two years.

Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, John William Fennelly BL, said the appropriate sentence was adopted. Mr Fennelly said it was a serious case and there were red flags in Martins prior record and in a psychological report.

It was a case of a very young child being lifted from a green area next to her hall door. He said the court had to have regard to the vulnerability of young children in cases such as that.

Reserving judgment, Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, said the case is of enormous seriousness.

Judge Johnson, who originally sentenced Martin, praised the girl and her twin brothers at the time of sentencing.

The children had been playing when the accused approached them. The man grabbed the girl and pushed her into the passenger seat of the jeep.

As he did so the girls brother attacked Mr Martin and clung onto the side of the jeep as he attempted to drive away. During the boys attack on Mr Martin, the young girl was able to escape.
Meitheal Mara, a community boatyard, yesterday unveiled plans for expansion as part of an integrated maritime hub for Cork City.

Founded in 1993, Meitheal Mara has helped participants build traditional boats, learn how to sail and row these boats, and take part in maritime races and events in Ireland and overseas.

Workers at Meitheal Mara specialise in building traditional Irish currachs, particularly the Kerry-style naomhog and a variation on the two-person hazel-rod currach used on the north coast of Donegal.

Chairman of Meitheal Mara, Martin Ryan, said that there has been a huge rise in interest in the marine environment and watersports activities throughout the city and county.

In response to these opportunities, our vision is to expand the organisation and provide additional supporting facilities for other maritime groups through the development of a maritime innovation hub on the banks of the River Lee, he said.

This hub will feature development, commercial as well as activity infrastructure, including training and education workshops, meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, boat building and repair, craft training, a clubhouse, changing rooms, and storage for boats as well as equipment.

The plan was launched by Housing, Planning, and Local Government Minister, Simon Coveney, a Fine Gael TD for Cork South-Central.

This is an ambitious plan with many potential benefits, not just for Meitheal Mara, but also for Cork City and Cork Harbour, Mr Coveney said.

The proposed development will provide opportunities to grow and integrate the maritime recreation and tourism sector within Cork City, and extend and integrate maritime activities from the city throughout Cork Harbour, he said.

More information on meithealmara.ie or from Meitheal Maras offices at Crosses Green: 021 431 6813.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Noonan also revealed that firms from Britain inquiring about moving here are asking if there are good schools for their children.

His comments came after British prime minister Theresa Mays indication of a hard Brexit earlier this week and as the US prepared to see a new president in Washington yesterday.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Mr Noonan was asked about President Donald Trumps pledge to significantly reduce business taxes in the US.

Mr Noonan said he spoke with officials in Washington before Christmas and got the sense that tax changes are coming down the line. He said it did not matter if Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton had been elected, as tax changes were inevitable.

Mr Trump needs to deliver on his election promises between now and June and there is a political window before the next electoral cycle in the US begins, noted Mr Noonan.

Asked how this might affect Ireland and if firms would repatriate to the US, Mr Noonan said he does not expect US firms here to change their accounts. However, he did not rule out companies returning to a lower tax regime in the US.

The pipeline of investment into Ireland is very strong, he added. Ireland has seen more investment here in the last two years compared to the last 10, he added.

He also spoke about the time he met Mr Trump when the property tycoon came to visit his golf course hotel development in Ireland in 2014.

Mr Noonan said at the time he thought the businessman and reality TV star was an affable gentleman.

Asked about relations with the US, Mr Noonan stressed that Irelands relationship is based on its work with the administration and not the individual in power. The relationship will remain professional and business-like.

It is the office that matters to us rather than the personality, he said.

Speaking about Brexit, Mr Noonan also stressed that Britain will have to play by international rules after it exits the EU, restricting any opportunity to use tax breaks to attract investors. Theresa May will be bound by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Developments guidelines after Brexit, he said.

The Government here is hoping to woo British-based businesses and firms to move to Ireland because of Brexit. Mr Noonan said this week that 100 firms have made inquiries about relocating to Ireland.

Mr Noonan also confirmed that those firms and individuals with them had not only asked about infrastructure for employees potentially moving here but also about facilities for their families. Firm inquired about getting their teenage children into good schools in Dublin, he revealed.

However, the Government is now under pressure to ensure employment relocates here, especially with the confirmation that a hard Brexit is likely, a move which may see border restrictions, fresh tariffs applied to trade and a disruption to business between Ireland and Britain.

An Oireachtas Committee heard this week that up to 40,000 jobs could axed, 50% tariffs could be applied to Irish foods, and the national debt may surge with a hard Brexit.
The PIA was opposed by Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) DAC, which held a debt of 151,975 secured on the woman's home in Co Tipperary.

The woman, a part-time book- keeper, hoped the PIA would mean she could stay in her home, but Peppers opposition led to it being voted down at a creditors meeting in June 2016. She has total debts of 166,643 and her other creditor, Affinity Credit Union Ltd, supported the PIA.

The woman ran into difficulties in meeting mortgage payments in 2014 and made five late payments that year, which were accepted by her lender. Her PIA proposed restructuring her mortgage, writing off a substantial portion of the debt, interest-only payments over six years, and payment of capital and interest on an annuity basis for the balance of the 25-year term.

After the Circuit Court upheld Peppers objection to the PIA, the woman appealed to the High Court.

Ms Justice Marie Baker, while expressing sympathy for the woman and describing the outcome as harsh, said she must dismiss the appeal.

The net issue was whether the debt was a relevant debt within Section 115A(9) of the PIA Acts 2012-15, which allow the courts approve a PIA to protect a family home after creditors have rejected it.

Section 115 defines a relevant debt as one secured over a debtors family home and requires a debtor in arrears before the January 1, 2015, cut-off for the provision to have entered into an alternative arrangement with the secured creditor concerned.

The judge said 151,976 is owed to Pepper and the court is required to balance interests of debtors and creditors.

While the woman undoubtedly had difficulties meeting mortgage payments in 2014, because of the January 1, 2015, cut-off and because she proactively engaged with her lender and made late payments by alternative means which were accepted, she was not actually in arrears by the cut-off date, the judge said.

The ad hoc acceptance of breach of the mortgage agreement could not be called an alternative arrangement and the woman had not reached an arrangement for amended terms and conditions of repayment necessary to bring her within Section 115A(9), she ruled.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has been embroiled in a dispute with the HSE over staff shortages, retention, and recruitment and has threatened industrial action if the issue is not properly addressed.

One-day stoppages remain on the cards after 90% of the membership of the INMO voted in favour of industrial action before Christmas.

However, the INMO deferred on making a decision as to when it will begin its planned strike action after it began talks with the HSE and Government officials. The INMO is to go through the proposals over the week-end before re-entering talks with the HSE, Department of Health, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on Monday.

INMO secretary general Liam Doran said: We will be deliberating on the basis of what is in this document and that will impact on what progress is made next week. I would imagine there will be discussion for a number of days next week but you never know.

Nursing representatives have demanded special measures to address the loss of nursing/midwifery posts in recent years, and the impact of this upon workloads, morale, and the health and safety of nurses and midwives.

A HSE spokeswoman said: The HSE will not be making any further statement until such time as the INMO has had time to consider the proposals.

Separately, around 17,000 members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) will have until February 1 to vote on proposals around pay, conditions, and Junior Cycle reform put forward by Education Minister Richard Bruton. Its 180-member executive committee recommend members reject the proposals.

If the ASTI does vote down the deal, members will continue with the withdrawal of the 33 Croke Park hours and could also go ahead with strike action over pay for recently qualified teachers. The action would have a similar consequence as the withdrawal from supervision and substitution duties by ASTI members last term, which closed 500 schools for up to three days.

If necessary, the union is also willing to ballot principals or acting principals to refuse to co-operate with any request to identify teachers for redundancies.

In the event of an ASTI member being made redundant as a result of the redeployment scheme being withdrawn from ASTI members, ASTI will ballot for industrial action, up to and including strike.
According to the university management team, its security infrastructure and staffing is insufficient to deal with security required at the planned academic conference in March.

Hiring additional security would have cost implications. The team advised its organisers to come up with special security plans if they want the university to host the event at a later date.
The woman, from Nigeria, has told a jury that once in Ireland she had to have sex with up to 10 men a day to pay off a 50,000 debt to Joy Imasogie arising from her being brought to Ireland.

Ms Imasogie, aged 40, of Chapleswood Crescent, Hollystown, Dublin 15, has pleaded not guilty to organising for the woman to enter the country illegally, to compelling or coercing the woman to be a prostitute and to controlling or directing the activities of prostitution for gain on dates between March 2006 and April 2008.
Valerie Purcell, aged 39, of Fairfield Meadows, Fairhill, Cork, was sitting on a bench at her local park in Farranree on the north side of Cork City on July 5, 2014, when grass-cutting was going on.

She testified at Cork Circuit Court yesterday that the sit-on lawnmower came within a metre of the park bench, sending a 1 coin flying through the air, which struck her on the leg.

Ms Purcell felt terrible pain that went from her right calf  where she was struck  and up into her thigh.

The shape of the coin imprinted itself on her calf, she said.

Judge Sean O Donnabhain said he wondered whether the mark of the coin on her flesh at that time represented 1 in currency, as in the historical case of the cheque famously written on the back of a cow.

Ms Purcell testified that, on the day after she was struck by the coin, she felt a weakness in her right leg and it went from under her, causing her a back injury which troubled her for the next six months.

James Duggan, barrister for Cork City Council, asked if the local authority was supposed to go around and check the park in case there was a 1 coin in the grass before cutting it.

Judge O Donnabhain suggested that the council might consider getting a goat to graze on the park instead of using a drive-on lawnmower.

The plaintiffs barrister, Mahon Corkery, said that if the council was using a drive-on lawnmower, they should not use it within one metre of where the plaintiff had been sitting.

Liam Nugent, the driver of the grass-cutter on the day, said that he was not mowing any closer than five to six metres from Ms Purcell on the day.

Mr Nugent said that Ms Purcell called him over and said that she had been struck and showed him the mark.

I saw a circular mark the size of a euro coin on her leg, he said.

Did you put up signs to say there was a risk of flying objects? Mr Corkery asked the witness.

Mr Nugent said that he did not.

Judge O Donnabhain said: I think this is a fanciful case. I am not convinced she had any significant injury referable to the accident.

I dismiss the case with costs.
"I didnt choose couture  it chose me, states Helen Cody. I tried mass production and it didnt suit me. Everything thats intrinsic to us and has the DNA of what we do  beading, embellishment, 3D effects  my hand is in the work.

Couture is all about the handwork. When Haute Couture Week begins in Paris tomorrow, the collections of Dior, Chanel, and the houses which have earned the designation haute couture, will showcase the work of skilled petites mains  the seamstresses and artisans who pour sometimes hundreds of hours into the creation of a single garment.

Having witnessed the painstaking production of a piece of feathered tulle in a Parisian atelier, Cody recalls: As it wafted down the catwalk, I felt so honoured to have been close to this work of art. It was poetry in motion.

Its a rarefied world, but Cody is one of a new breed of Irish designers bringing the craft and tradition of couture back to these shores.

For Eddie Shanahan, head of the Council of Irish Fashion Designers, couture is the most abused word in the fashion lexicon, but true couture has a firm place in the history of Irish fashion.

When Sybil Connolly created her signature pleated handkerchief linen, it marked the beginning of a golden era when European houses began using Irish cloths, and the Irish Haute Couture Group was established.

Our most famous couturier, Peter OBrien, enjoyed an illustrious career at Dior, Givenchy, and Rochas; and now, a select few are bringing Irish couture to the fore once again.

Through investment pieces or once-in-a-lifetime buys like wedding gowns, Irish customers are discovering the unabashed luxury of couture garments; designers like Umit Kutluk and Delphine Grandjouan  who produce both ready-to-wear and couture lines  are relishing the creative freedom couture offers.

Both find couture standards, once employed, are difficult to leave behind. Grandjouan holds fittings in Dublin and Kerry for both her RTW and couture lines, and Kutluk describes his individually-tailored RTW pieces as demi-couture.

For designer Jen Kelly, haute couture is the name of the game. At this level everything is by hand. Diaphanous bias-cut gowns are fully lined  Very difficult to do, he says, but we can do it  and tailored pieces come with details like hand-rolled hems.

In his showroom, Linton tweeds used by Chanel sit alongside laces from couture embroiderers Lesage in Paris. He tells me about one piece of Lesage lace on order for a bride: hand beaded, it weighs 23kg.

Saudi royalty and New York socialites are among his clientele but, equally, you might get a school teacher buying a beautiful wedding gown and her whole heart and soul is in it. She enjoys every payment she makes. Its part of what he sees as a whole new customer evolving.

In the last two years Ive shown in London, New York, Derry, Belfast, Dublin, he tells me. I feel like a prophet, converting people to the art of haute couture. It is, quite simply, the ultimate.
W hen things looked like they might get out of hand, the police opened fire, hitting at least 10 of the protesting workers. The firing of rubber bullets just served to escalate the dispute, with thousands more coming out to join the protestors. Twenty-one people, including trade union leaders and a reporter, were arrested.

The protest began over the sacking of 121 workers, but quickly unearthed simmering resentments over pay. The workers were earning about one-fifth of the estimated living wage.

Within days, most of the workers had returned to their stations. The protest petered out. A police spokesman said that all the factories have resumed their operations. Some 90% of the workers are back at work. Why a police spokesman would sound like a representative for the factories is anybodys guess. At least 1,500 workers were sacked as a result of the dispute.

The above incident occurred not in this State a century ago, but in Bangladesh last December. The workers were engaged in making clothes for the garment industry. The merchandise ends up on the shelves of shops such as Zara, H&M, and Gap.

The dispute prompted fears in some western countries about supply over the busy Christmas season. As some fretted over whether that nice shirt or that pair of jeans were still available, those who made them were being shot at, sacked and ultimately blacklisted for having the temerity to down tools and demand they be treated like functioning human beings.

There is no record of how Amancio Ortega reacted to the dispute and how it was handled. He is the founder of Zara, a self-made billionaire who last week was named as one of the eight wealthiest individuals in the world. Oxfam published a study showing that the club of eight has more wealth than the poorest 3.5bn people on the planet.

There is no reason to believe that Mr Ortega is anything but a thoroughly decent man, who undoubtedly does his bit for charity and those not as fortunate as himself.

However, the contrast between his standing at the apex of his business empire and the plight of those who are at the very bottom is obscene. But business is business and the ways of the world dictate that commercial pressures push down hardest on those least equipped to defend themselves, wherever they may be found.

The ways of the world also dictate that the thoroughly decent people in western countries like ours prefer to be shielded from the knowledge that in buying clothes in most shops we are complicit in perpetuating the savagery that occurred last December. If we were to give any thought to such matters it could result in the most awful consequences, such as having to invest time and perhaps even a little money in ensuring that any clothes purchased are not done so as a result of gross exploitation.

Conditions had been even worse in recent years. In 2013, the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,134 workers. Think about that. So many people dying as they worked in sweatshop conditions to enable consumers in the wealthier countries of the world to buy as cheaply as possible.

For a while after that tragedy, the eyes of the world were on conditions that Bangladeshi people are forced to toil under, but the media spotlight has moved on, and conditions have settled back down to being little short of depraved. The Western consumer let the matter slip to a deep recess of conscience.

That is one element of globalisation that has received scant coverage in the political upheavals in Britain and the USA last year. All the focus has been on communities in rich countries which have been devastated by the flight of manufacturing and associated industries to the east and south.

Donald Trump exploited the disenchantment felt in the rust belt states about the flight of jobs, as did the Brexiteers in stricken parts of Britain. Both failed to give due weight to the reality that technology had far more to do with the changed landscape than the lowering of trade barriers, but perception will also trump reality in that regard.

What has gone largely uncommented on is that at the far end of globalisation, the jobs created have been done so at the cost of huge exploitation. It wasnt enough for the mobile capital to set up in a lower cost country. They had to use their power to ensure that the cost would be plunged as far as possible, in an environment where basic civil and human rights are not fully developed.

That aspect to globalisation was not one that ever bothered the good burghers who gathered in Davos last week. No, their concern about the impacts of a globalised world only surfaced when they manifested themselves last year in political upheaval in western countries.

As they gathered and celebrated themselves in the Swiss town, the big issue was how to address the anger at the growing inequality as evidenced in last years polls. They would do well to take heed of economist Joseph Stigltz, who told the New York Times during the week that the gathering was studiously avoiding the elephant in the room.

More rights to bargain for workers, thats the part where Davos man is going to get stuck, he said. The stark reality is that globalisation has reduced the bargaining power of workers and corporations have taken advantage of it.

Instead, according to all reports, they convened discussion panels on how to reform capitalism, make globalisation work and put some money back in the pockets of those in western countries who feel disenfranchised.

All of this, of course, will have to be achieved without the global elite agreeing to any watering down of their power, or acceding to a system in which their share of the wealth would have to be reduced in line with global inequity.

There is precious little chance of the billionaire industrialists or their enablers of doing just that. They view the world through eyes that see only what they regard as entitlement. And as of now, democratic politics has remained in thrall to that power.

So it was that Enda Kenny and Michael Noonan walked among this elite, doffing the cap to a tech exec here, bowing at the waist to a world leader there.

In contrast to some areas, globalisation has on the whole been good for this country. Some of the benefits are attributable to public policy over decades, and some down to luck. But Messrs Kenny and Noonan must have been aware that in the grand scheme of world affairs, their little island is exposed to all manner of headwinds being generated in a turbulent world.

We are beneficiaries of globalisation but we could quite easily join the ranks of victims. And irrespective of how the winds blow, we are also complicit in its nastier aspects.
Any attempt to deny the idea of free speech, a cornerstone of democracy, is very unwelcome, as Europe-wide protests after the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris showed.

The subject matter is not the issue but the idea that any topic, no matter how divisive or distasteful can be discussed, debated, and challenged openly must prevail. That this decision was reached by a university  a place of learning  makes it even more difficult to understand, much less support.
A total of eight food recalls have been issued by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the past week - due to a suspected Salmonella contamination of a milk powder.

The contaminated milk powder is made by Valley Milk Products. The products include Valley Milk's High Heat Nonfat Dry Milk Powder and Sweet Cream Buttermilk Powder. Both varieties are being sold in 50-pound bags to different food companies across the country.

"These products are not sold directly to consumers, but are used as ingredients in a number of foods such as bakery products and distributed by brokers," according to the recall statement released by Valley Milk Products.

Salmonella Contamination

FDA found Salmonella residues on the processing facility and food contact surfaces of the company's production facility. According to the agency, Salmonella traces were seen even after the areas have been cleaned.

Valley Milk however confirmed that none of the tested milk powder samples yielded positive results for Salmonella bacteria. FDA's announcement however still resulted to the several recalls from the other companies using the milk powder in their products.

Bran Castle LLC, an Ohio-based company, recalled its 16-ounce red boxes of Monkey Bread Mix. The product has already been shipped to about 40 states including Washington, Arizona, Florida, and Massachusetts. Food manufacturers using the possibly contaminated milk powder did voluntary recalls over the past week.

"The health and safety of our consumers is always our top priority," founder of Deep River Snacks, Jim Goldberg, said. "Although we haven't found any contaminants in either our seasonings or our finished products, we are taking great precautions to protect our customers."

Here's a full list of companies and affected products:

 Valley Milk Products: nonfat high heat milk powder and sweet cream buttermilk powder

 Publix Super Market: pancake and waffle mixes

 Shearer's Foods, LLC: kettle chips, potato chips, and nacho chips

 Deep River Snacks: kettle chips

 Boulder Brands, Inc.: macaroni and cheese

 Stonewall Kitchen: pancake and waffle mixes

 TreeHouse Foods, Inc.: macaroni and cheese

 New Hope Mills: crepe mix

 Fourth Street Barbecue Inc.: macaroni and cheese

 Brand Castle, LLC: monkey bread mix

As of now, there have been no reports of infection from any of the suspected products. All customers who purchased the mentioned products are requested to get rid of them or return them from their place of purchase and request for a refund.

FDA confirmed that Valley Milk is currently doing investigations on the cause of the inspection results. The milk company has already informed all companies using the suspected milk powder and buttermilk powder and requested destruction of the products. All companies involved are also advised to review food processing practices and clean equipment thoroughly to avoid contamination.

Salmonella Infection: Poses Health Threats



Salmonella infection can result to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Most reported cases of Salmonella infection have proven costive recovery minus any treatment. However, for children, the elderly and individuals with weak immune systems, Salmonella infection may cause serious health threats even leading to death. Rare cases may also lead to Salmonella infection reaching the bloodstream causing further infections such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.
As the efforts to eradicate climate change and HIV are continuously ongoing, it is just but undeniable that their impacts continue to haunt us even up to this day. And, as the US government has recently conveyed a hint regarding their potential withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, a number of experts believe that it may have wide range of implications more than we just have thought it to be. Moreover, while much attention has concentrated upon melting glaciers, rising sea levels and conflicts over scarce resources, another area that represents a major cause for public concern and is usually being overlooked is human health.

The Double Jeopardy: HIV And Climate Change

In one of their statements reported by The Conversation, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has explained that global climate change has direct health impacts that are being linked to certain changes in the frequency of extreme weather events that includes heat, drought and intense rain. They also have found that increasing temperatures can allegedly disrupt the ecosystem's dynamics, which makes it easier for mosquitoes and other organisms to come into contact with human populations and spread infectious disease.

Furthermore, it was also found that climate change also have the ability to undermine the improvements in the management of existing disease outbreaks. Authorities have already claimed that the South African government has become more aggressive in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic while establishing itself as a leader in the testing and treatment of HIV-positive individuals

HIV On Resource Shortage

According to reports revealed by The Good Men Project, the chronic HIV suggests that there must be a universal access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), which basically shows a politically neutral terrain for sick and dying people. Regardless of the government's assertions of widespread access to antiretroviral drugs, in South Africa as elsewhere, health professionals have revealed that some people still lack access to treatment regimens that offer the possibility for survival. Ultimately, this is further challenged by new guidelines from the World Health Organization recommending that HIV-positive individuals pursue ART earlier.
Google Brain researchers are looking for ways to soon put forth a software that will be creating machine learning software as well.

There's a relevant reason why researchers are getting their heads on this. A lot of money is still needed to hire experts who can work with it. What's more is that building an AI still requires a significant amount of time and effort to develop AIs using machine-learning. Relieving some of that stressful work to other machine learning systems could greatly cut the human input that needs to be dedicated to the entire process.

According to Google Brain's research group leader, Jeff Dean, "automated machine learning" is one of the most promising research avenues the team was exploring.

"Currently the way you solve problems is you have expertise and data and computation," Dean said during the AI Frontiers conference in Santa Clara Convention Center, California last January 11 to 12. The conference which was hosted by Impact Deep LLC, is a training and education organization dedicated to AI and deep learning. He follows that up with a revolutionary question: "Can we eliminate the need for a lot of machine-learning expertise?"

MIT researcher, Otkrist Gupta, says that easing the burden from data scientists would result into an increase in productivity, better models, and allow a lot more exploration of ideas.

Professor Yoshua Bengio from the University of Montreal previously explored the idea sometime in the 90s. Apparently, the concept of having a software that learns to learn has already been circulated. It's just that experiments done could not really stand against what humans were capable of doing. Currently, AI is advancing with what is called deep learning. Deep learning software learns to recognize patterns in digital representations of sounds, images, and similar data.

Bengio says, however, extreme computational power is still needed. So, it's still impractical to think of relieving work from machine-learning experts.
In order to combat a totalitarian government surveillance, the popular Switzerland-based email provider ProtonMail has teamed up with Tor network, so it can now offer to its users the possibility of logging into their accounts via an encrypted network. Naturally, this represents a symbolism of an era in which peoples privacy are threatened than ever.

ProtonMail Users Believe That Privacy Will Be More Threatened Under Trumps Administration

According to the International Business Times, ProtonMail explained that this action, made on January 19, is aimed as a measure to prevent any kind of privacy infringement from totalitarian governments around the world, which has been characterized for cutting access to privacy tools.

Apparently, what has been a huge surprise for the firm, ProtonMail user base rocketed after president Donald Trump won the 2016 U.S. presidential election against the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, given the fact that this is something that shows how many people believe that monitoring and spying will be stronger than ever under Trumps administration.

Using Tor Network, People Wont Be Spied Easily

Regarding this situation, ProtonMail listed which are the most important reasons why users around the world may want to connect via Tor, but eventually admitted that the service could still be open to disruptions as the testing continues. Nevertheless, it pointed out that one of the most important advantages of using the Tor network is the fact that it reroutes users IP address globally, which means that tracing its locations becomes extremely difficult for someone that wants to spy it.

As reported by The Register, ProtonMails CEO and co-founder Andy Yen, explained that they are expecting to see more censorship this year to his company and many others that provide the same kind of services. Although its not known if this is something that will actually happen, there are reasons to believes that this kind of actions might be taken, considering several events like the one perpetrated by the Egyptian government, which tried to block the encrypted chat app Signal.
Tilt Brush, the virtual reality app that allows users to manipulate their work in a virtual 3D space was bought by Google in 2015. With the company's release of the Tilt Brush 3D sketch program last April, numerous 3D artworks have already popped up.

Creations in Tilt Brush stayed in Tilt Brush. Google, however recently released the open-source Tilt Brush toolkit which aims to Tilt Brush toolkit will assist users in their creative endeavors even more. The Tilt Brush app was used for creating static images that users were able to capture to film, photographs, and exported as 3D objects.

However, an easy way to add animation, interactivity and sequencing was largely lacking in Tilt Brush. This is where the Tilt Brush comes in. Users can now tinker with Tilt Brush, then have it forwarded to the Unity engine which is known to be utilized in 3D software development and video games.

"We're sharing all our brush shaders, our audio reactive code, a streamlined Unity import pipeline, file-format conversion utilities, and several great examples so hobbyists and professionals can showcase their Tilt Brush art in new places, on new platforms, and in new ways," says Google in a blog post by Tilt Brush creative director, Drew Skillman.

Tilt Brush boasts a broad range of brushes like ink, smoke, snow, or fire that 3D art enthusiasts and curious users can check out. What interested users need to do is just install Steam then have the app launched after setting up their HTC Vive. Final creations can be shared as a room-scale VR or cute animated GIFs.

Google is also encouraging artists to share their works and hashtag them on Twitter with #TiltBrush. If they like the content enough, they will be highlighted at the official Google VR Twitter profile.
Google has been buying millions of its own ads, according to a post from Wall Street Journal, then it conveniently places its hardware products like Google Home and Nest smart thermostats well above the search results list.

Google and Alphabet products are secured as the top ads 91 percent based on 25,000 searches of selected terms. For example, if users type in "phones", they would most likely be greeted with Google Pixel ads. Based on 1,000 searches, if a user inputs searches involving "laptops" is present, Chromebook ads would top while 98 percent of searches involving "watches" resulted to ads about the Android smartwatch. Semrush, an advertising data firm was behind the analysis.

"We have consciously and carefully designed our marketing programs to not impact the ad auction," said Google. "All our bids are excluded from the auction when determining the price paid by other advertisers, and we have strict rules and processes - set to tougher levels than our customers - to govern the use of our own ads products."

Google is obviously an Internet powerhouse. The Google search is practically one of the first things people open once online. Companies shell out a large amount of money for bidding just to claim the top spot.

Google, however, will be the first to admit that they love Google AdWords. According to a blog post dated in November 2010, they use it themselves as it is a great way to reach users and raise awareness about certain products and features. The company also says that it's quite common for companies to run house ads like newspapers that show ads in their papers providing information on how people can subscribe.

The report also states that after giving the results to Google, a lot of the said ads were no longer available. Brands like Apple, Lenovo and Apollo now seem to be at the top of search results pages for these terms, according to a BBC test.
With Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony a success, the billionaire that used to the most lavish transportation modes and most expensive devices had to trade down for his own security. The 45th President of the United States has had to give up his own Trump 757 in favor of the Air Force jet. He also had to surrender his Android phone fo one that the Secret Service issued.

According to The New York Times, the new handheld has its necessary features. It is encrypted, has a new number and is only known by a few people. But the publication points out as well that this will minimize Trump's direct communication with reporters and the like - which will address the concerns of public relations more than actual security.

The actual model of the president's new device is unknown, but as Technology Reviews reports, former President Obama did provide some useful insight to the same when he appeared on "The Tonight Show" last year. He mentioned that the device did not have texting capabilities, music features or even a camera. "Does your three-year-old have one of those play phones," Obama asked host Jimmy Fallon. "That's basically the phone I got."

Obama expressed his concern about having to give up his beloved BlackBerry when he first took his oath. He also mentioned how it did not help that he would see everyone with their iPhones in tow. He did, however, express how important it was that the Secret Service had neutered the phone.

Trump's phone is likely to be the same, relatively low-tech device. He is not expected to be able to Tweet from anywhere, nor will he be able to easily speak to his friends and former colleagues - and has expressed grief about the same. He has, however, vowed to keep his current Twitter account alive and well during his reign as the 45th President of The United States.
A new study reports that many patients in the U.S. with advanced lung cancer do not receive treatments that could possibly extend their lives. Researchers from Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of California analyzed data from 1998 to 2012 from National Cancer Database. It was found out that one in every five patients afflicted with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) did not have any treatment. This included surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

According to the researchers, many of the untreated patients were women, elderly, low-income and uninsured and minorities. The reasons why patents went untreated was unclear. According to Dr. Elizabeth David, an assistant professor of surgery, they were able to identify a large number of untreated patients who were similar to patients who received treatment.

According to the researchers, the overall survival rates of patients who were untreated with all stages NSCLC were significantly lower than for those who had received therapy. Treatment did seem important to outcomes of the patients, even when the lung cancer was in its advanced or late stages.

Median survival rates among patients with stage 3 cancer that received radiation and chemotherapy was 16.5 months. In contrast, those who did not receive any form of treatment, the median survival was only 6.1 months. Median survival for patients with stage 4 disease was 9.3 months for those who had chemotherapy and only 2 months for those who had not received therapy. In the U.S., non-small cell lung cancer is responsible for an annual 158,000 deaths, more than any other type of cancer according to an article by UPI.

Dr. David believes that factors like the stigma that surrounds a lung cancer diagnosis, age, race and insurance status may play a role in the decision of not pursuing treatment. Dr. Nagashree Seetharamu, a medical oncologist at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute in Lake Success, N.Y. states that the study suggests that some patients may be missing out on treatment. However, she says that the study does have some flaws.

According to Dr. Seetharamu, the sources of the studys data which comes from the National Cancer Database may lack details that might explain physicians decision making involving the treatment of patients. She said the study does not seem to take into account the new biologic drugs that are different from standard chemotherapy as reported in an article by Health Day.
Smokers who successfully quit smoking using stop smoking services see an improvement in their mental health such as a decrease in symptoms of depression. Funded by the Cancer Research UK, the study was published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. The study found that successful quitters had a significant improvement in feelings of depression.

Researchers at King's College London, joined with researchers from Charles University in Prague, studied people who attended a stop smoking clinic in the Czech Republic. The results of the study showed that two-thirds or 66.3 percent of those who had moderate or severe depression during the time they were smoking reported no or minimal symptoms during a one-year follow up.The researchers also discovered that those who received specialist behavioral support and medication from the clinic were more likely be consistent in quitting the habit for a year if they went back for repeat visits, the Medical Xpress says.

They also noted that people with mental health issues were still less likely to quit successfully than those without. This highlights that people with mental health problems need extra help.Smoking rates among people with depression more than double those of the general population with around three million having a mental health condition out of an estimated 9.6 million adult smokers in the UK.

Smoking is the biggest factor contributing to early death linked with a mental health condition, the Cancer Research UK says. According to Dr Leonie Brose, a Cancer Research UK fellow, smoking cessation services "can be very effective at supporting people with depression, and that increased visits greatly improve the success of quit attempts". The new study highlights the great value of stop smoking services and that smokers who use stop smoking services are around three times more likely to quit successfully than those using no support at all.
City officials of the City of Everett in Washington have filed lawsuit against the manufacturer of OxyContin. The first-of-its-kind lawsuit alleges that the drug company is turning a blind eye to criminal trafficking of its pills in order to reap large profits. The city is demanding that the company pay for the widespread opioid addiction in the community.

Communities are looking for accountability as deaths from drug overdoses are skyrocketing across the country. Family members of victims are asking why pain medications are still overprescribed. An investigation done by L.A. Times last year involving the drug maker Purdue Pharma knowing of illegal trafficking of its pills across the nation, led to the lawsuit being filed by city officials. The company did not share the information with law enforcement and had not cut off the supply.

According to the investigation, gang members were able to get their hands on OxyContin and trafficked the drug on the streets of Everett. In 2010, at the height of the drug problem, OxyContin was a factor in half the crimes committed in Snohomish County. This in turn sparked a heroin epidemic which still troubles the region to this day.

Along with punitive damages, city lawyers are now seeking millions of dollars from the drug company to be paid to Everett. The lawyers wrote that Purdues improper actions of endangering the welfare of the citizens of Everett in exchange for profit gains for the drug company. They further wrote that Purdue is liable for its reckless, intentional and negligent misconduct should not be allowed to dodge its responsibility for its unconscionable actions as reported in an article by HealthZette.

The Connecticut based company said that it is committed to collaboratively work to find solutions to the drug menace that the country is facing. In 2007, Purdue Pharma along with its executives paid more than $630 million in legal penalties for willfully misrepresenting drug addiction risks of its products as reported in an article by The Spokesman-Review.
New Jerseys largest chain of hospitals is expanding. A new partnership formed between the renowned Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Barry H. Ostrowsky RWJ Barnabas Health president and CEO and Madeline Bell president and CEO of Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia issued a statement regarding the alliance. According to them, the partnership will enable them to recruit the best specialists and collaborate on research efforts along with the help of Rutgers University.

According to Ostrowsky, it will take at least six months for the two parties to map out their business plan. This would likely include addition of outpatient medical practices in the North and Central Jersey areas. He said that patients will see CHOPs name in inpatient facilities. All pediatric care given will be in affiliation with the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

Ostrowsky said that the partnership will be mutually beneficial to both parties as RJW Barnabas brings a deep market share of 5 million patients from North and Central Jersey and CHOP with its reputation as being one of the best childrens hospital in the country. He further stated that the entire region will benefit as they combine their three highly recognized pediatric rehabilitation, childrens hospital and outpatient pediatric care services with the outstanding reputation of the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia according to a report from NJ.com.

Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia is the nations first pediatric hospital. It was founded in 1855 and boasts as having one of the largest national research program. The RWJ Barnabas system includes Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey Medical Center, Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and seven other hospitals in Long Branch, Lakewood, New Brunswick, Toms River, Hamilton, Rahway and Somerville.

In the recent months, several national medical institutions have formed partnerships with New Jersey hospitals to expand their reach. Hackensack Meridian Health have recently announced an agreement with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center of New York according to an article by NorthJersey.com.
Samsung has unwittingly confirmed the existence of a new smartphone and its Galaxy S8 name is applying to the United States Patent and Trademark Office to register the new device.

The 10 Things We Know So Far About The Samsung Galaxy S8

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is said to be announced within the next couple of months, and we have a bunch of good rumors and speculations from reliable sources to share. Check out what I've seen and heard about Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S8, here are the 10 things we know so far about the smartphone.

The Name Is Samsung Galaxy S8

In fact, there is no official announcement yet from Samsung that the upcoming smartphones will include the name "Galaxy S8." We have no way to confirm if this is the real name of the device we are talking about. But many rumors are claiming that it is the right name because the previous work of Samsung in the Galaxy S series is the Samsung Galaxy S7.

Absent Home Button

As the leaked photo suggests, the Samsung Galaxy S8 won't have a physical home button. The home button of the new smartphone from Samsung may be embedded underneath the front glass panel. If this is true, the Samsung Galaxy S8 could look and work similarly to the new home button of Xiaomi's new Mi 5s smartphones, according to Business Insider.

Two Models With Different Screen Sizes

There are a few conflicting rumors that have been surrounding about the screen size of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8. One set of rumors claims the smaller model will have a 5.1-inch screen while the larger model will have a 5.5-inch screen, according to Korea Herald. The device could also fit a bigger screen into a device that's the same size as the existing Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

Dua-Lens Camera

ET News claims the future Samsung Galaxy S8 will have a dual-lens camera, one of which will be the 16 megapixels and the other is 8 megapixels. But the Chinese social site, Weibo, claims that the dual lens of the Samsung Galaxy S8 will have 13- megapixel and 12-megapixel sensors. As of now, it is still unclear what functionality a dual-lens camera will offer on the Galaxy S8.

Powerful Processors

Samsung will use a new chip from Qualcomm called the Snapdragon 830 for the US models. Other international Samsung Galaxy S8 models will use a version of Samsung's own Exynos chip.

Samsung's New AI

According to Galaxy Club, Samsung's smart assistant will be called as "Bixby," and it could join the ranks of other smart assistants such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. In line with this, Samsung bought the AI smart assistant company, Viv, in October 2015, which at least shows some sort of interest from Samsung in the smart assistant space.

Two High-end Dual Speakers

According to GSM Arena, Galaxy S8 may come with dual speakers and they might be made by the high-end audio company, Harman. The rumor lines up nicely with Samsung's recent acquisition of Harman in November 2015. As of now, it's not clear whether both speakers will be facing downwards, of if they'll be on the top and bottom edges of the phone for stereo sound like the Apple iPhone 7.

USB-C Instead Of MicroUSB

Samsung released the Galaxy Note 7 with the USB-C. USB-C is the new standard that is slowly replacing the traditional microUSB for charging and data transfers. It can charge devices faster than regular microUSB and it can also be used to transfer data and stream video to external monitors as well.

Absent Headphone Jack

SamMobile claims the Galaxy S8 won't come with a headphone jack. There are many benefits to ditching the headphone jack, like forcing people to go wireless. At the same time, it is potential means buying new wireless headphones or using a dongle adapter for your old wired headphones, which isn't ideal.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Announcement

Rumors claim that Samsung will release the Galaxy S8 earlier than its usual announcement during February's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Korean news site Naver claims that Samsung may host its own event in New York City in March for a release on April 18.
Luis Tamarez, 4-year-old preschooler stood tall, this month thanks to strangers kind donation that helped him take his very first step. A student at North Main Street Elementary School in Pleasantville, New Jersey, took his steps this month using an Upsee mobility device today with his mom and step dad watching. Luis stepfather said he could not find words to describe how he feels. He described it as phenomenal, and how happy his sons face looks like. It was incredible and the people in the school have been very nice to him.

Luis does not want to miss a day and even during the weekends Luis wants to go back to the school. Because of this his parents are so grateful. Luis has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair to get around. Amy Cutler, Luis teacher said the Luis has an incredible spirit and loved by his friends and teachers alike.

Cutler said that she learned about the Upsee through a colleague in December. It is a harness that allows children like Luis to stand up straight with the guidance from the other person attached to it. She also started researching and collecting funds for the Upsee. They needed $500 dollars to buy the Upsee for the 4-year-old.

According to the ABC News, Yorel Browne, a former principal and is a substitute teacher was intrigued by Cutlers idea. Browne also works as an Uber driver and was chatting with a local businessman whom he was driving to Atlantic City. The two made a small talk that led into a random act of kindness. Browne recalled that he was telling a story about how great a kid with disabilities and on how that kid is so enthused to help himself. The businessman said, that the school does not need to raise funds for it anymore that he will write a check to cover for this device.

They brought the gentleman to the school. He wrote a check for $500 dollars. The stranger that was riding Brownes Uber was the owner of a local heating, ventilation and air conditioning company. His name is Jim Burke. He is 49, of Mays Landing, New Jersey. Bruke said he donated the$500 dollars for Luis Upsee because he was in the right place at the right time. He also said that the story touched him.

According to the Fox News, Bruke was invited January 5 to witness Luis use his Upsee for the first time. While attached to his one-on-one aid, Collins Days. Bruke described how heart melting to see Luis reaction. Luis was overjoyed and was smiling. Bruke also remembers Luis says I am standing.

Luis mother could not thank Bruke enough for his generosity. She said that it is something that does not have a price. She has no words to describe it. 4-year-old walks for the very first time makes his friends and family very happy, thanks to the generous strangers who were touched by his story.
Right now, Samsung has so much pressure on its shoulders as the company is about to release its new flagship devices. Considering the controversy that the Galaxy Note 7 has brought about last year, it's understandable for the company to be a little anxious about their next products. Nevertheless, as amusing as it may be, it looks like the consumers aren't exactly fazed by the Note 7's safety issue, at least not fazed enough to boycott Samsung's next smartphones. In fact, there are many people awaiting the company's 2017 flagships.

Samsung Galaxy 2017 Flagships

Samsung is set to release the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy Note 8 this year, and while it is easy to assume that the Note 7 fiasco will ruin Samsung's chances at success this year, this idea could be quite wrong. In fact, even the "dangerous" Note 7 got quite a positive response from some of its buyers. It's worth noting that there were people who decided not to get rid of their Note 7 despite the recall and Samsung had to release a killing update to the remaining Note 7 phones. These people are the fraction of people awaiting Samsung's next phones so as to have their recalled devices replaced with a valid substitute.

Samsung Galaxy S8 And Galaxy Note 8 Rumor roundup

One more reason why the 2017 Samsung flagships are highly-awaited is because they are quite a stunner. The Galaxy S8 is expected to come with no home button, a display or rear positioned fingerprint scanner and an iris scanner. As per Business Insider, it could also come in two curved variants that will differ in sizes. Additionally, Samsung may use AMOLED display and a dual-lens rear camera. A new AI assistant could also be introduced with the name Bixby and a Continuum-like feature may also be included. Just like what Apple did, Samsung might also be ditching the headphone jack. On top of that, Harman stereo speakers might also be used.

As for the Note 8, not a lot of info has been leaked about Samsung's 2017 phablet yet. However, there's good chance that it will share some features with the Galaxy S8 such as the Bixby assistant, lack of a home button and the ditching of the headphone jack. The Galaxy Note 8 could also inherit some of its predecessor's traits like the iris scanner. Additionally, as per Tech Times, rumor has it that the Galaxy Note 8 could come with a 4K display and VR-ready design. It could also come with a top-notch processor and an improved stylus pen.
Google is taking things into its own hands by introducing its line of budget-conscious smartphones into the United States market. The idea is not exactly unique, as several companies provide the option of mid-tier handheld, but there is wisdom to the search engine giant's decision. The project has been successful in areas such as India and Pakistan and it is now ready to take in a new group of consumers.

According to Computer World, Google introduced the Android One to areas such as Pakistan and India because it was hard for individuals to get smartphones of good quality. Furthermore, the tech giant considered these areas to be emerging markets - and the gamble has since paid off. Android One is Google's take at a cost-friendly handheld with all the possible fixings, as well as the necessary sacrifices.

But as the publication points out, there is so much more to Android One that just budget smartphones. Reportedly, Google is looking forward to fixing Android as a whole and not just provide hardware. With the units, the company is promising reliable and timely updates, both in terms of security patches and actual OS releases.

Google's attempt to get a firm grasp on Android once again may have internationally begun with the introduction of the Pixel and the Pixel XL. Theoretically, it is the search engine giant's attempt at an iPhone. Much like Apple's flagships, the Pixel and Pixel XL is made and manufactured completely by one company.

With Pixel and Pixel XL - and now with Android One - Google can provide loyalists and fans and the curious an experience that is 100 percent Google. The existence of Android has thus far relied heavily on the fact that it could be altered by third party providers. Google's fully created smartphones are as expensive as they come, thereby eliminating the company's geographic. Theoretically, the company could only offer a pure Android experience to those that are willing to spend upwards of US$650 for a handheld.

Android One invites smartphone manufacturers and allows them to create their own self-branded devices with the promise of following Google's guidelines - very similarly like Nexus. Third party companies could brand the hardware as they want it, but the search engine giant will be in control of the actual user experience. Arguably, the operating system of a smartphone is what drives this all important aspect of the smartphone anyway.

The publication goes to explain why Google would prefer this level of participation in a very competitive tech market. The move makes sense because manufacturing a device for each tier in the market could be costly and time consuming for the company. Allowing others to shoulder the cost while reaping the benefits of each sale is ideal for any branding - and Google has a footprint large enough to demand such deals.

The Information notes that the very first handheld under the Android One project will reach United States' soil by the middle of the year. At this point, however, it is unknown what smartphone manufacturer will debut the technology outside of the initial markets. The benefit really is a clean operating system that has timely updates - and the handheld itself will cost an average of US$200.
The upcoming LG G6 could use artificial intelligence (AI) technologies supplied by either Google and or Amazon.

LG G6 To Feature Google Assistant Or Alexa

According to CNET, if LG were to bring Google Assistant to the upcoming device G6, it would make LG the first smartphone brand outside of Google to use the Assistant. That is ahead of competitors like Samsung and its forthcoming Galaxy S8. So far, the Google Pixel and Pixel XL are the only phones to use Google's AI assistant.

LG is also possible to consider using Amazon's Alexa assistant in the G6, behind Huawei's Mate 9 for the US. The South Korean tech giant has already integrated Alexa into some of its devices, such as the SmartThinQ Hub and Instaview refrigerator. Therefore, this wouldn't be the first time the LG and Amazon have collaborated.

Google and Amazon may soon be fighting over mobile assistants on different phones, together with Apple's Sir and the upcoming Samsung's Bixby. While Amazon's Alexa won't make its smartphone debut until February of this year, its hands-free voice activation pushes into the territory currently occupied by Google Now and Siri.

On Friday, Business Korea reported that LG Electronics is strengthening cooperation with global companies, such as Google and Amazon, as part of its efforts to promote its sluggish smartphone business.

More News On LG Products

In additional information, LG is also rumored to use Google's AI to power its next line of Android Wear smartwatches, which is possible to be unveiled next month.

The most anticipated LG G6 is expected to be announced next month at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) show, according to Techno Buffalo. So whether LG will get Google or Amazon as the mobile AI for the G6 smartphone, we will know next month.
After multiple delays, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Friday, Jan. 20, at 7:42 p.m. E.T. Aboard the rocket is US Air Forces third Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellite. The SBIRS is designed to detect missile launches and give advance warning to the US Air Force.

The Atlas V rocket launch has been delayed three times on Thursday, the last due to an aircraft detected near the area. The rescheduled rocket launch was predicted to have 70 percent chance of favorable weather. Fridays countdown was reported to be smooth which resulted in an on-time launch.

The $1.2 billion project is set to replace the Defense Support Program of the US Air Force which dates back from the 70s. The SBIRS, was dropped off in orbit, more than 22,000 miles above the equator. With that height it can scan sections of the planet while focusing simultaneously on smaller areas.

Hundreds of launchers and missiles are currently in range of our deployed forces, Col. Dennis Bythewood, director of the Remote Sensing Systems Directorate at Los Angeles Air Force Base said according to USA Today. A US official added that the SBIRS is mainly used for intelligence. The specific detection capabilities of the system are classified but the Pentagon it would be used to help track the positions of ISIS forces in Iraq.

The launch was the first ULA mission of the year and the second successful US launch after the SpaceX Falcon 9 lift-off from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Saturday, Jan. 14. Atlas is scheduled for its next mission on Feb. 9 for an Atlas V 401 fly from Vandenberg. Its mission is to deploy two naval intelligence satellites into low Earth orbit.

A fourth SBIRS satellite is also scheduled to be launched via Atlas V rocket in November according to NASASpaceFlight.com. A fifth and sixth satellite is currently in production. On the other hand, SpaceX returns to launch from Cape Canaveral on Florida in Jan. 26.
Many analysts already predicted that the iPhone 8 would be the best smartphone from Apple. Tim Cook supported this in his statement earlier in the month that Apple is just getting started in being the trendsetter in the smartphone industry.

The latest rumors support earlier claims that wireless charging will be one of the iPhone 8's main features. Reports also reveal that the iPhone 8 will be much bigger than its predecessors and it is going to be a 5.8-inch phone with an OLED screen and it would be capable of facial recognition.

Supersized iPhone 8

The last round of rumors predicted that Apple is planning to launch three new iPhone models this year. Earlier reports suggested that Apple would veer away from LCD screen and the new handsets that it will launch this year will use OLED screens from Samsung. As indicated in the latest rumors, the iPhone 8 may be the only handset to have an OLED screen. The upgraded iPhone 7 models could continue using an LCD screen although this decision will lie with Samsung's ability to supply the needed parts.

The Touch ID fingerprint sensor, FaceTime camera, and even the earpiece would all be embedded in the iPhone 8's "wraparound" screen. The design for the screen would be similar to most Samsung models since it will have a "fixed flex."

iPhone 8 Features

Aside from the features indicated above, the analyst Timothy Arcuri predicts that Apple will also add facial recognition in its flagship phone. This said feature will not only allow users to open the phone using their face, it would also enable some features through gestures.

As noted in a publication, Huawei and LG already enabled similar technologies in their cameras where a photo will be captured automatically when a smile has been detected. Consumers are expecting Apple to unveil the iPhone 8 in September 2017.
President Donald Trump's administration has outlined some of its agenda, and has said nothing as far as supercomputing is concerned. Will it participate in the global race to develop an exascale supercomputer? It's been silent on this.

The supercomputing race is going to turn very real for the Trump administration. An exascale supercomputer -- a 1,000 petaflop system -- will likely be delivered somewhere in the world before Trump's first term ends. This may be a Sputnik moment for the new administration.

The stakes appear high. Supercomputing is seen as critical to national competitiveness because research and product development are increasingly done virtually. Europe and China, in particular, want to use their own, homegrown technologies to create exascale systems. They see this as a way to improve the ability of their IT sectors to compete with U.S.-based companies.

China and Japan both have plans to deliver an exascale system by 2020. Europe is well in the race and has targeted 2022, but it could deliver something earlier.

China is using its own microprocessors, and one of the systems in development in Europe uses ARM chips. Europe has committed 700 million (US$749 million) to supercomputing research, and plans to have a system "based on EU technology" by 2022, it reported in a document last year.

The Obama administration didn't move as swiftly on exascale as some in the supercomputing community would have liked. While development of the next generation of supercomputers did eventually become a priority, the system delivery target date is 2023-24, well behind China and Japan.

But in the final weeks of the Obama administration, a new plan emerged to produced the first exascale system by 2021.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Exascale Computing Project "is now a 7-year project, not a 10-year project, but it will cost more," said Paul Messina, a computer scientist at the Argonne National Laboratory and head of the project, in an email Thursday.

The improved timeline was accomplished by tightening parts of the schedule and increasing the budget. According to DOE planning documents, the cost range with the new schedule is $3.5 billion to $5.7 billion. The previous estimate, for the longer time frame, was $3.1 billion to $5.1 billion. But the Trump administration and Congress will have to go along with the changes.

The world's fastest system today is in China and is capable of speeds of about 125 petaflops. A petaflop system can perform one quadrillion arithmetic operations per second.

The goals of the U.S. exascale project are to "contribute to the economic competitiveness of the nation" and "support national security." But another goal is to develop a software stack, in collaboration with vendors, that can be used on smaller systems by industry and academia, according to planning document.

This will help ensure "continued American leadership in architecture, software and applications to support scientific discovery, energy assurance, (nuclear) stockpile stewardship, and nonproliferation programs and policies," the documents state.
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Should we celebrate Tet at all?

And/or, why are we celebrating two New Years every year?

Amidst all the happy hustle and bustle associated with the approach of Tet (Lunar New Year), this topic is being revisited this year on social media with surprising fervour.

If memory serves me right, the topic was first raised more than 10 years ago by a famous professor who controversially suggested that the Lunar New Year celebration be done away with, and Viet Nam as a nation shifts to celebrating the solar New Year, based on the Gregorian calendar.

The professors argument went thus: The long time that Vietnamese people took to celebrate Tet meant the loss of opportunities to do business with foreign partners; farmers would spend less time tending to the Winter-Spring rice harvest, the biggest of the year, causing losses; it wasted time that students should spend studying; the celebration promoted social evils like gambling and drinking; there were more traffic accidents; and working days were wasted.

Many people applauded this suggestion, including economists and other experts. They argued that having two different holidays for the solar and lunar new years affected businesses and production.

This year, the argument has gained some added traction, with people saying greater international integration, an avowed national target, was a reason to celebrate just one New Year.

Japan is pointed to as an example, with some even going to the extent of saying celebrating the New Year like Westerners was one of the factors in the East Asian giants many economic achievements, including becoming the third largest economy in the world.

Other reasons have weighed in against the festival, too. Some people said it stressed them out. They were tired of shopping before the holiday, and then cooking and visiting relatives during the holiday.

"Actually, I am afraid of Tet now. The traditional part of it has been gradually vanishing", said Nguyen Hai Huyen, from Ha Noi. It was no longer a big family affair with people getting together to make things, she said.

"Every year, I am exhausted preparing for Tet (on my own), and the enjoyment is missing, really," she said.

Utter nonsense

Predictably, the other side is outraged.

Ive seen this nonsensical debate going on these days over whether we should abolish the traditional Tet festival, said To Quyen, a Vietnamese woman living in the United Kingdom.

I say nonsensical because this should not be an issue at all. If you are Vietnamese, you celebrate Tet. This cannot change.

She has a point, I would say.

There can be no argument that Tet is the biggest and perhaps the oldest festival in Viet Nam, bringing people together to celebrate a sacred, meaningful annual event. It is an occasion when members of a family, no matter where they are and what they do to earn a living, get together and pray in front of the ancestral altar. Returning home to celebrate Tet is de rigueur for just about every Vietnamese citizen, whether they are away from home within the country or abroad. In fact, the festival draws thousands of foreign visitors looking to get an authentic feel for the country.

Duong Trung Quoc, a historian, says that like other countries in Asia, Vietnamese people are original rice farmers, and their lives are connected closely with lunar calendar. All the important events of a Vietnamese persons life, the one-month old celebration, weddings, funerals, and death commemorations are based on lunar calendar, he said.

This has been happening for thousands of years. Why should we change now?

Are we to dismiss and undermine our own culture and identity for the sake of economic efficiency?

I would say that this economic efficiency is even more of an abstract idea than a cultural festival that is linked to actual, daily life events like harvests, change of seasons, traditional festival food the list goes on and on.

So let us take the learned professors contention that the long celebration of Tet is one of the reasons Viet Nam is less developed and lags behind other countries.

What about Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. We all know people from other countries flock to Thailand for the kingdoms own New Year celebrations. And what of India? Its citizens probably celebrate a dozen different New Years, which are local holidays. All that cultural diversity should be destroyed to honour commercial gods?

I am reminded of the story where a development worker approaches a poor man sitting and relaxing under a tree at the beach. The expert advises the man to work hard and make progress. For what? So that he can sit and relax at the beach.

If we work harder (as if we dont do that now) and do not celebrate Tet, what will we do with the added prosperity? Celebrate Tet.

And there is evidence aplenty that honouring the commercial god will rob the soul of a nation and its people.

Lets get this clear, once and for all: Tet marks our culture and our identity, and it represents our nations soul.

VNS

Chu Lan Huong




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Reynolds Vapor, Fontem agree on mediator

R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co. and an electronic-cigarette manufacturing rival have agreed on a mediator for their patent-infringement legal case.

Fontem Ventures BV and Fontem Holdings BV, owned by Imperial Brands Plc of England, has filed at least three lawsuits against Reynolds Vapor, which makes top-selling Vuse.

The mediator will be Jonathan Harkavy.

The Fontem companies reached a settlement Jan. 5 with NuMark LLC, a subsidiary of Altria Group Inc. of Richmond, which had filed a countersuit.

Richard Craver

Local biotech company eligible for $250,000 loan

A Winston-Salem biotechnology company, Biorg, has been made eligible for a $250,000 loan from the N.C. Biotechnology Center.

The small business research loan will be used to help Biorg develop a liver-cancer model for drug safety and efficacy testing. The goal is improved predictive accuracy and reduced reliance on animal testing.

The loan is for applied research critical to developing products, processes or tools with clear commercial potential.

Elon University received a $90,509 grant through principal investigator Daryl Lawson to develop a medical device that uses heat and electrical stimulation to treat non-healing diabetic foot ulcers.

Richard Craver

Wells Fargo consolidates global banking units

Wells Fargo & Co. said Thursday that it is merging its international group within its wholesale banking business lines.

The banks foreign exchange unit will be folded into Wells Fargo Securities, while global financial institutions will join corporate banking, global banking will be split among corporate banking and middle market banking, global trade services will join middle market banking, and international treasury management will join treasury management.

Richard Craver

Judge approves Marlboro settlement funding

More than 21,000 Marlboro Lights smokers and their attorneys will receive a portion of $29.1 million from a lawsuit settlement fund.

A Pulaski County Circuit judge approved the payment Tuesday from the $45 million settlement fund, which was set up to end a 13-year-old lawsuit alleging that Philip Morris USA and parent company Altria Group misled smokers in Arkansas by advertising Marlboro Lights and Ultra-Lights as safer than regular cigarettes.

The companies denied any wrongdoing, citing that the lights filters were specially ventilated to reduce tar and nicotine.

Anyone in the state who bought the Lights brands between November 1971 and June 2010 were entitled to a share of the money regardless of whether they ever resided in Arkansas.

About $18.1 million will go to more than 13,000 applicants. The judge also approved a payment of $10 million to the lawyers on the case since 2003.

The Associated Press
After hearing an inauguration speech in which President Donald Trump talked about putting the people back in charge, Trump supporters both here and in Washington joined the president in voicing out loud his trademark line to make America great again.

Some Winston-Salem area residents gathered at the Hickory Tavern on Stratford Road to watch the inauguration, while others made the trip to Washington to watch in person.

The ones in Washington joined a vast throng of people wearing Trump caps, and in at least one case couldnt get to the inauguration because protesters blocked the way.

It was pretty spectacular, said Scott Cumbie, who watched the inauguration on the National Mall with his wife and daughters. A lot of really good people were all crowded in pretty tight. We were on our spot at 6:30 in the morning.

Cumbie and his family were close enough to see Trump well, although they could also look at a large screen to see more detail.

There was a lot of chanting, Cumbie said. When Trump showed up they said Trump! Trump! Trump! Everybody is just excited about returning power to the people. For so long, government has taken and taken and taken, and if Trump does even half of what he promised to do, we are going to be great again.

Local watch party

Peggy Harrison, a Davie County woman watching Trump speak at the Hickory Tavern, said an emphatic Yes! when Trump talked about how the day would be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

Later she stood and cheered Trump and waved her flag.

It is our turn and it is his time, Harrison said.

About 30 people filled a room at the restaurant and had lunch while they watched the events. Or, as in the case of Paige White and Maria Olson, some also ordered celebratory bottles of champagne.

We have watched many elections together, White said. And Olson interjected that this is the first one we have had a chance to celebrate.

Justin Bias, a high-schooler who came with his mom to watch at the Hickory Tavern, brought along a big blue Trump flag and showed off the Trump sticker on the back of his smartphone.

Someone in a Trump van gave me 100 of them, Bias said. The day after the election I came to school with 10 or 12 of them to give to my friends. Everyone I saw asked me for them, so the next day I brought the rest and gave them all away.

Terri Bias, Justins mother, said she has been a Trump fan since long before he announced in this election cycle.

Trump is a businessman, and we need a businessman in office, she said.

Tim Flinchum, the treasurer of the Forsyth County Republican Party, said he and his wife, in Washington for the inauguration, didnt have tickets but planned to watch from the non-ticketed area.

That is, until protesters blocked three different entries they tried to use to get into the viewing area. Knowing they might face protesters, the Flinchums took the precaution of not wearing any Trump-related items.

The protesters were clustered together and literally 30 to 50 people deep, Flinchum said. They were generally blocking anybody. I was amazed at how many there were. You couldnt get through.

Flinchum said he gave up after a nasty interaction with protesters on the third attempt, when he tried to cross through the protesters with some other folks who were wearing Trump stuff.

That one group (of protesters) was very intimidating, Flinchum said. One guy said, This is not safe for you physically to try to walk here.

Flinchum said he was disappointed, but at least got a good spot on the parade route, and was able to watch the inauguration on his smartphone.

Austin Howell, a senior at the University of South Carolina, came home to Winston-Salem to watch the inauguration with his mom at Hickory Tavern. He said even his left-leaning friends at school are excited about the new administration.

Everybody wants a job, Howell said. Based on what we have seen leading up to this  jobs  people are pledging to invest money in the U.S.

Jeff Lansing, a U.S. Navy veteran watching the inauguration here, said that he always waits to see if a politician does what he says hell do, but that Trump is not a politician.

I think he is more friendly to the military than the past administration, Lansing said. I think he is going to try to get the VA up to speed.

Lansings wife, Rowena Lansing, was born in the Philippines, said that she thinks most people in her home country will like the Trump administration better than the one of former President Barack Obama.

Trump has an agenda that most Filipinos living in North Carolina like, she said, naming off issues such as securing the border, creating jobs, lowering taxes and going back to a Bible-based agenda.

For all people

Madeline Kuettner came to the Hickory Tavern dressed for Trump: A red, white and blue hat, red Trump T-shirt and a button with Trumps face on it and the Trump slogan.

She offered her take on the speech.

It sounds like he is going to do what he said he is going to do, Kuettner said. She also liked the parts of Trumps speech where he talked about the need to stop the ravages of drug abuse. She said her husband, Ulrich Kuettner, a native of Germany, got his citizenship here last year so he could vote for Trump.

Mari-Jo Dryden, watching in Winston-Salem, said Trump has unfairly been tagged as a candidate of only some people, and liked it that Trump said he is going to be for all people.

And, she said, it was brave for Trump to criticize the Washington establishment with all of them looking on.

Ed Broyhill, the son of former U.S. Rep. Jim Broyhill, played an important role in North Carolina raising money for Trump, putting together volunteer support and getting out the vote. Friday, Broyhill had a seat near the front, and talked about how North Carolina had a strong contingent at the event.

I am sure that the U.S. House and Senate have been extremely busy laying out a legislative agenda and working with (Trumps) new appointees, Broyhill said. There are many folks who have had concerns about Trump in the past who will be elated to see some of the actions that will improve the quality of life for everybody.

Angie Daoud got a seat up front right behind Trumps extended family and friends, and thought Melania Trump looked like a throwback to Jackie Kennedy.

We are still pinching ourselves that it is really true that Trump got elected, Daoud said. Our President Trump did not shy away. He hit the same talking points that he has had all along.

And when Trump got to the close of his speech and started talking about making America wealthy, proud and safe again, everybody there joined in at the end with Trumps slogan, she said.

Everyone knew what was coming at the end and repeated it too, she said.
A Winston-Salem restaurateur has been ordered to pay more than $47,000 to the Downtown Winston-Salem Foundation.

On Dec. 20, assistant Forsyth County Clerk of Superior Court Tawana Grogan approved the default judgment against Souphab Restaurant Group Inc. and Souphab Daoheang.

The money owed consists of $41,000.98 due on a loan plus interest and $6,150.15 in attorney fees. The order also covers $260 in court costs.

It comes from a complaint filed Nov. 8 by the Downtown Winston-Salem Foundation, a charitable, nonprofit organization.

According to the complaint, Souphab Restaurant Group and Daoheang borrowed $60,000 from the Downtown Winston-Salem Foundation on Feb. 17, 2009. The promissory note was modified Sept. 1, 2009, to $60,750.00 with principal and interest to be paid in full before Aug. 1, 2016.

The complaint states that Souphab Restaurant Group and Daoheang refused to pay the loan by the due date.

The Downtown Winston-Salem Foundation sued for $41,000.98 plus interest, along with its attorney fees of $6,150.15.

According to the judgment, Souphab Restaurant Group and Daoheang did not meet a Dec. 12, 2016, deadline to respond to the complaint and did not get an extension to respond.

Daoheang said the promissory note was for a loan on his former Downtown Thai & Sushi restaurant at 202 W. Fourth St. in One Park Vista, not his current Downtown Thai & Pho restaurant, which is still open at 271 W. Fourth St.

He also said he had defaulted on a federal credit union loan he used for Downtown Thai & Sushi, which closed in 2015.

Daoheang said he was the first person to dare invest more than a million dollars for a restaurant downtown.

Downtown doesnt have enough business to support that size restaurant, Daoheang said.

He said he did his best to keep the doors open at his former restaurant in One Park Vista.

I sacrificed every ounce of money I had in my life savings, my life insurance, everything to keep the doors open, but it still couldnt survive, Daoheang said. I sacrificed every credit line I had to keep it open.

He added that the down economy played a big part in the closing of his former restaurant in One Park Vista.

He said it took a credit union almost a year to sell it, way under the market.

In an email statement, Alfred Adams, the chairman of the Downtown Winston-Salem Foundation, said: We have no comment to add as the facts are public record and included in the legal documents.
WASHINGTON  CIA Director John Brennans biggest concern the past few years hasnt been Russian hacking, or even the wars in the Middle East, but what he calls modernization of the agency. In an effort to improve performance of this notoriously siloed organization, Brennan moved to fuse operations (the agencys vaunted spies) and analysis (its less glamorous but no less essential sifters of information).

To outsiders, this move may sound like a minor bureaucratic shuffle. But inside the CIA, with its fiercely guarded fiefdoms, it exploded like a grenade. The Brennan modernization triggered a mini-rebellion from some colleagues who thought he was destroying the CIAs clandestine culture. A few of the agencys senior-most spies quit in disgust.

Will Brennans revamped structure remain in place even though he left his post Friday? Even as President Donald Trump has likened the intelligence community to Nazi Germany and blasted Brennan himself as Not good! and a possible purveyor of Fake News, the fate of Brennans modernization has been a topic of intense interest in the corridors of Langley.

Brennan told me bluntly in an interview after Trumps election: I think it would be folly  and it would be disastrous for the agency and our national security  if somebody came in here and said this modernization doesnt make sense, and took it apart.

Mike Pompeo, the Kansas congressman tapped to succeed Brennan, told the Senate last week that the reforms objective makes sense, but there is still work to do in implementation, especially streamlining decision-making processes. That was a wait-and-see answer that left Pompeo ample bureaucratic maneuvering room.

Whats the right course? After interviewing several dozen CIA officers and veterans over the last several months, my conclusion is that Brennans reforms should continue  but only with adjustments that eventually reduce the bureaucratic layering and duplication that his overhaul unintentionally fostered.

The CIA needs to be leaner, flatter and more able to operate secretly; some of Brennans reforms instead created a more complicated and confusing organization chart. Analysts and operations officers have different skills and career paths, and Brennans attempt to treat them all as intelligence officers first risked producing a homogenized culture with a duller edge.

To understand the CIA, it helps to think of it as a fancy high school. The cool kids on campus have always been the operators. The analysts were un-cool: brainy, fussy about their independence but socially introverted. Its telling that two former senior operations officers both described Brennans effort as the revenge of the nerds. The CIA wasnt exactly Mean Girls, but it was close.

Brennan was personally scarred by this culture. A flinty Irish-American, he entered the agency 37 years ago hoping to be an ops officer but moved to analysis. When he talks about the operators in their ivory towers, the anger shows.

Brennans reorganization created a matrix that integrated all four of the agencys main directorates: operations, analysis, science and technology, and support. The gathering points were 10 newly chartered mission centers that focused on geographical areas, such as the Near East or East Asia, or on topics, such as counterterrorism or counterintelligence.

But Brennan also kept the old directorates, to preserve their tradecraft expertise. And thats where confusion arose. Analysts and operators still looked to their pre-existing silos for promotion and long-term career guidance, even as their daily work was done through the mission centers.

Though the new system was more complicated, it was valuable, says a senior operations officer. We consult and no longer work in isolation.

Brennan took another reorganization step that won almost universal praise. He created a new Directorate of Digital Innovation to adapt to a world where technology has transformed the essence of espionage.

The October 2015 launch of the mission centers and the digital directorate brought considerable angst. Returning officers didnt know where they would land. Division chiefs and deputies lost their titles. The veteran officer who heads the Modernization Task Force noted some initial problems: It felt like there were more layers, more bureaucracy, it was  harder to get things done, he said in an interview. Last March, the agency made 14 course corrections in the reorganization.

Pompeo, the new director, will arrive with broad internal support and a clean slate, and without Brennans scar tissue. Hed be wise to leave the organization chart alone for a while and let this agency do its job. For once, thanks to Trumps reckless comments about Nazis, the CIA may even have some public sympathy.

Brennan, by stubborn force of will, may have changed the agency more than any of his predecessors. What he leaves, though, is still very much a work in progress.
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Mustafa Habib | (Baghdad) | (Niqash.org) |  

The volunteer militias formed to fight the Islamic State group are now policing Baghdads neighbourhoods. But as they do, they compete with the real police, ignore the real laws and often act more like a mafia.

Recently Baghdad local Jafar al-Aboudis son got into a fight with his neighbour at a local cafe. Al-Aboudis son ended up breaking the arm of the boy next door. After the incident the injured boys father appeared to be on the brink of going to settle the matter using tribal law. This would have meant that tribal elders in the area were approached and they would decide how much reparation  known as diyeh, in Arabic  was needed to see justice done. Often this involves the perpetrator of the crime paying money to the victim.



Members of the Saraya al-Khorasani militia on Baghdad streets.

To avoid this al-Aboudi decided to go instead to one of the militias that controlled their neighbourhood. The individual who manages the offices of the Shiite Muslim militia in their area managed to solve the problem. The two young men were brought together to shake hands and hug. The offender apologized and his father promised to pay for the victims medical expenses. In the end though, the victim and his father refused any money out of respect for the offices of the militia, who have played a crucial but sometimes controversial role in the fight against the extremist group known as the Islamic State.

There was no thought of going to the local police.

The police are corrupt and they take bribes, al-Aboudi explained his reasons for seeking justice elsewhere. I am sure if I went to them my son would have ended up in prison for days while they tried to resolve the issue. They all want to make money out of every case rather than enforcing the law.

The militias man in this area, Abbas al-Saadi, says that he and his group do not willingly interfere in police business. But people often come to us and ask us to solve their problems; they dont want to go to the police because they think they are corrupt, al-Saadi told NIQASH. Every week we get locals coming to us with these issues and some of their problems are even with the local police.

A few days ago, his office was approached by a restaurant owner whose business is in Baghdads bustling Karrada area. He told us a police officer was charging him protection money and forcing him to give him free food, al-Saadi says. We stopped this officer from blackmailing the restaurant owner. Even though the police cannot protect anyone or maintain security, they still extort the businesses. The government is aware of how corrupt the police are, he maintains.

Most neighbourhoods in Baghdad now have a base  usually an office  belonging to whichever militia is present in that part of the city. This is also true for other southern provinces in Iraq. The militias sometimes work security and directly help local police, or they do other, more undercover work, where they and their informants roam streets, markets and residential areas in civilian clothing, watching out for terrorist activity.

The fact that the militias have played such an essential part in the fight against the extremist Islamic State, or IS, group over the past two years has made the groups very popular, especially among young local men. It is hard to join the army or the police and often requires that candidates bribe their way in to the regular wages. So its become more popular for young, unemployed men to join a militia instead.

Additionally, it is also clear that often official security forces  and the local police forces in particular  have not been capable of protecting the cities in which they work from terrorist bomb attacks. Hundreds of Iraqis were killed in a series of suicide attacks targeting residential and commercial areas, just since the beginning of this year.

Since 2006 security in Baghdad has been in the hands of the so-called Baghdad Operations Command. This body is tasked with keeping Baghdad secure and is composed of around 70,000 members drawn from the regular Iraqi army, military police and regular police as well as intelligence services.

However not many locals appear to think they are up to the job. Last week Mohamed al-Bayyat, a senior member of the Badr organization which is responsible for one of the larger militias, said that Baghdads official security forces had been infiltrated by enemies  by this he means extremists and terrorists. The Baghdad Operations Command is unconstitutional, al-Bayyat said in an official statement, that called upon the Iraqi government to rethink the capitals security and to involve the Shiite Muslim volunteer militias more in protecting Baghdad.

This is not the first of these kinds of criticisms and doubtless it will not be the last time the two forces clash. In September 2016, there was even a physical clash. Shiite Muslim militias fought a battle against the local police in the Zafaraniyah area. The militias aim was to arrest police who were supposedly helping the Islamic State group, even though the local police denied this.

In November 2016, the Iraqi Parliament passed a law regarding the volunteer militias that had formed after the beginning of the security crisis in mid-2014. The militias were formed by volunteers who offered to fight the IS group and to protect their homes, in the face of the Iraqi armys weakness. The new law has made the volunteer militias an official body  that is, no longer volunteer  but it has not specified what role the militias should play in the future. Would they be like the Iraqi army, called in to fight battles? Or would they be able to operate more like a local police force inside Iraqi cities? As yet, the answers are unclear.

The police commander cant do his work if he doesnt cooperate with the local militias.

On the other side of the situation, the militias are making it increasingly difficult for local policemen to do their jobs properly. Senior police officers are forced to cooperate with the senior members of the militias that work in their areas, if those areas are under the police control at all.

With any security-related issues, the police station has to coordinate with the militia offices in its area, says Asaad al-Taei, a police officer working in the Karkh neighbourhood in western Baghdad. The police commander cannot work if he doesnt do this. And there are many other reasons why we cannot do our work properly.

For instance, in some neighbourhoods there is more than one militia present and the police have to try and work with several different groups, al-Taei said. We cannot hold them accountable for any violations they may commit either, he told NIQASH. They move around in cars with tinted windows and without license plates. They carry personal IDs that may well be fake and the police at the checkpoints cannot just stop them.

Civilians in Baghdad complain about the increasing security chaos and the fact that there is theft and kidnapping in broad daylight. They cant understand why these culprits are not caught or how they manage to pass through so many official checkpoints on their way to and from the scene of the crime. But often the identification carried by the culprits is counterfeit. For instance, on Jan. 2 this year an Iraqi woman was sentenced to five years in prison for impersonating a senior officer in the militias; she had 14 other fake ID cards with her when she was caught.

Sometimes the militias in one neighbourhood even fight one another and the police have to remain neutral  meaning they dont stop the fighting. This is yet another sign of the waning power and prestige of local police and the waxing of the militia clout. The imbalance is such that some of the militia fighters appear to believe themselves above the law.

Among the militias themselves the leaders say they respect the rule of law but that it is difficult to monitor their men, who are deployed all around Baghdad, let alone the men from other militias.

Late last year, the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who heads the Sadrist movement, of which the Saraya al-Salam militia is part, declared that everyone should respect the local security forces. Nobody has the right to attack them, even under the banner of the militias, he stated.

Nor is this problem limited to Iraqs southern provinces, populated mainly by Shiite Muslim Iraqis. The Sunni-majority provinces are also experiencing difficulties with militias, as armed tribal groups take charge of security in provinces like Anbar and Salahaddin.

Majid al-Thayabi is a member of one these Sunni Muslim militias working in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. He acknowledges that the tribal militias are becoming stronger  but, he argues, this is because the police and the army are weak and there are not enough of them.

People complain about the police being corrupt and they say the police refuse to arrest citizens who may be involved with terrorism, al-Thayabi told NIQASH. We simply arrest them and we dont worry too much about the rules. We care more about the safety of the people than the bureaucracy enacted by corrupt police officers.
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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Donald Trumps inaugural speech, like the candidate himself, was a chain of falsehoods, saber-rattling and scary Neofascist uber-nationalism. But it could be difficult to follow because so much of it seemed stolen from the mass politics of the 1930s in central and southern Europe. So here is a plain English translation of some key passages.

Todays ceremony, however, has very special meaning because today, we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the people.

You may be confused, as an English speaker. Trump, a billionaire real estate developer and serial grifter who founded a phony university that defrauded thousands, has appointed a cabinet of billionaires and multi-millionaires, the wealthiest and most elite cabinet in American history, which even includes the CEO of petroleum giant Exxon-Mobil.

How, you might ask, can he represent this coup by the super-rich as giving power back to the people? The people wouldnt even be allowed on the grounds of the gated communities where Trumps officials live.

The confusion arises from thinking in English instead of 1930s German. Das Volk or the people was a mystical conception for the German far right. It comprised the German people as an organic whole, uniting great landlord and lowly peasant. The great German corporations, too, were said to be expressions of the people (Hence the German automobile company Volkswagen, now led by perfectly nice people but not so much in the 1930s). The phrase comes into focus if you understand the people as white Protestants and some lately admitted ethnic Catholics who are united across social class (though of course led by their billionaire betters), and who stand in contrast to the cosmopolitans, the mixed-race people, infiltrating minorities, the socialists and others bent on diluting the people and subverting its prosperity and power by kowtowing to foreigners.

Trump also used the typical 1930s diction of the traitor within:

For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nations capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

The traitors to das Volk, the people, are the intellectuals and persons with an international outlook, and socialists secretly working for an international cabal, and the peacemakers and diplomats who were seen as weak and feckless. There are also religious and ethnic groups who polluted the integrity of the bodily fluids of the White body politic; for Trump these especially include Mexican-Americans and Muslims, though some people around him think that high-placed liberal Democratic Jews are manipulating the Fed against American interests. Obama was one of these infiltrators, the faux American born in Kenya who is secretly a Muslim or maybe a Muslim-Communist. These treasonous bureaucrats and artists and thinkers and soft businessmen ultimately make a pretty penny and gain social prestige and power by betraying the helpless Volk and reducing them to weakness and poverty. They may even be in the pay of foreign Powers.

The Volk are helpless before these traitors unless the natural leaders within the White community take charge and reestablish the mystical union between working class whites and corporate whites. The policy? Economic protectionism and monopoly capital inside one country. The enemy? International competitors like Chinese firms.

But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists: mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge; and the crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.

The United States has 5% of the worlds population. But its gross domestic product (GDP), at $18.5 trillion, is 22.5% of the GDP of the entire world in nominal terms! The US economy is the largest in the world and is substantially larger than that of its nearest competitor, China (at $11.5 trillion), which, however, has about 4 times as many people as the United States. That is, on a per person basis, Chinese are positively poverty-stricken compared to Americans. Trump has taken the most flourishing economy in the world, which admittedly has large internal inequalities, and made it an economic graveyard by his gloomy rhetoric. (He in fact intends to increase the inequalities). Only by proclaiming a crisis and obscuring the US success story and US prosperity can he hope to convince das Volk that they need a great leader to restore them to their previous glory. Note that abandoned factories are highlighted here, mostly caused by mechanization and robotification of labor so that the big corporations dont need as many American workers. The actual blight on the landscape of oil spills and mercury dumps and coal-fired plants the pollution caused by corporate malfeasance is not mentioned, since, of course, the corporations are The People.

Crime, too, has dramatically fallen in the United States in the past 20 years, but Trump wants people to believe the opposite. Again, only if there is a crisis of brown and black crime will das Volk be willing to surrender their rights to the Great White Trump.

h/t Gallup .

By the way, those gangs he alleges are laying waste to our cities? He isnt talking about skinheads or white supremacists or neo-Nazis. They, of course, are an essential part of das Volk, perhaps even the shock troops of The People.

Likewise, US education is not the vast wasteland Trump depicts. The US ranks in the middle of industrialized countries on math and reading. But much of the shortfall is because of the lack of funding for schools in poor districts (since local schools are funded by local taxes, the school system reflects Americas vast class and racial inequalities). Trumps idea of fixing these schools is not to pump Federal money into the poorer districts to even the playing field but to privatize the school system so that the poor cant even afford schooling at all. That is the kind of thing Betsy DeVoss, who wants to use the government to indoctrinate children into extremist forms of Christianity, promotes.

I could go on analyzing Trumps lies and his Neofascist code words. But you get the picture. He and his billionaire cabinet are the natural leaders of the white Volk of Amerika, so much so that they are The People. Unlike the racialists of the 1930s, he will allow some individuals from the minorities along for the ride if they are ideologically aligned with the real Americans. He is going to kick out the cosmopolitan, half-breed traitors in the name of America First (not being a historian of the United States, it was only about a decade ago that I discovered how ugly this seemingly admirable phrase is). And he is going to run down all of Americas beauty and achievements and causes for pride so as to pull the wool over the eyes of The People and get them to back him in a new, authoritarian coup government for the United States one where de facto most of the Bill of Rights are abolished except for the Second Amendment.



Related video added by Juan Cole:

Democracy Now! Cornel West on Donald Trump: This is What Neo-Fascism Looks Like
JURIST Guest Columnists James G. Hodge, Jr. and Sarah Wetter, of The Sandra Day OConnor College of Law, Arizona State University, discuss forthcoming new regulations on controlling communicable diseases through the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

On January 19, 2017, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a final rule to enhance and clarify its capacity to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases into and across the US.

Pursuant to the federal Public Health Service Act (PHSA), CDC is authorized to detain, medically examine, and release foreign and interstate travellers suspected of carrying a communicable disease. However, corresponding regulations stemming from this legislative authority have long been overdue for reforms.

In the process of modernizing these regulations, CDC published an initial draft of the regulations on August 15, 2016. Ensuing public commentary revealed concerns over potential infringements of individual and community rights stemming from CDCs efforts to strengthen its authority. While the agency worked extensively to balance modern public health powers and personal freedoms in amending its initial draft, the final rule may still be subject to legal and political challenges.



Need for Federal Communicable Disease Control Reforms



Recent communicable disease outbreaks (e.g., SARS (2003), H1N1 (2014), Zika (2015)) expose existing inadequacies in US public health preparedness. In 2014, 2 individuals infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) arrived to the US from abroad. Their conditions were initially undetected, resulting in case investigations of over 700 close contacts (other travelers, members of their household and community, and health care workers), costing upwards of $250,000.

The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak reached the US after spreading throughout remote West African villages to major international transportation hubs. One infected individual, Eric Thomas Duncan, slipped into Dallas, Texas from Liberia. He was initially turned away by a local hospital that failed to properly diagnose his condition, and later died at the same hospital where 2 of his treating nurses were also infected. His case lead to the screening of over 30,000 additional travelers at US airports between October 11, 2014 and the end of the outbreak months later. However, federal officials failed to detect any new, incoming cases through this lengthy, expensive surveillance.

These outbreaks and events reinforce the need for more coordinated and efficacious governmental responses to detect, prevent, and treat emerging infectious conditions. Modernized powers to institute social distances between infected persons and at-risk communities are essential to protecting the publics health.



CDCs Final Rule: A Primer



CDCs final rule seeks to strengthen the authority for federal officials to take rapid and effective action in response to potential or actual public health emergencies. It authorizes federal public health prevention measures at US airports, seaports, railway stations, bus terminals, and other interstate and international transportation hubs.

All travellers, regardless of their destination, may be subject to prevention measures including observation, questioning, and review of available health and travel records. Airline operators must report incidences of persons who fall ill or perish in flight, and take action to confine the spread of potential infectious agents. Affected individuals may be required to provide contact information in the event of suspected exposure to an infectious agent.

The rule broadly defines ill person to include anyone with signs or symptoms of a communicable disease, allowing CDC to take early action to prevent the spread of contagious and potentially life threatening conditions. Based on reasonable beliefs that an individual is infected with a quarantinable communicable condition (listed via Executive Order), a CDC official may issue an order for apprehension, isolation, quarantine, or conditional release of the individual. To assist in this determination, the individual may be required to undergo a medical examination by a licensed health worker. Examinations may include testing as reasonably necessary to confirm or rule out the presence of a quarantinable condition. Infected individuals may not engage in interstate or international travel (with some exceptions) without a federal travel permit.



From Draft to Final: Key Changes



Five months prior to the publication of the final rule, CDC published a proposed version of the rule and implemented a two-month period for public commentary. After reviewing over 15,000 comments, CDC issued its final rule that strikes a finer balance between promoting the publics health and protecting individual and community rights.

The final rule affords several individual protections lacking in the proposed version. CDC eliminated a provision that would have allowed the agency to unilaterally require individuals to submit to procedures including hospitalization, vaccination, and medical treatment. Public health prevention measures must be non-invasive. Medical examinations can only be conducted with prior informed consent. Individuals subject to social distancing measures are entitled to adequate food, water, accommodations, medical treatment, and means of communication.

Federal orders for isolation, quarantine, or conditional release must be issued in close proximity to an individuals initial apprehension. Any order is subject to reassessment by a federal official (who cannot be the same person who issued it originally) within 72 hours. Officials reassessing an order have to consider and determine whether less restrictive means would adequately protect the publics health. Affected individuals subject to continuing orders can request a medical review, present witnesses and testimony, and be represented by medical or legal advocates at governments expense if the individual is indigent.



Potential Legal Pitfalls



Despite meaningful reforms, the final rule may still be subject to legal and policy challenges depending in part on how and when its provisions are executed. CDCs continued reliance on reasonable beliefs of an individuals infection in support of its social distancing measures falls below the clear and convincing standard of evidence generally needed to justify such deprivations of liberty interests. CDC may purport that a lower threshold is justified where the public health threat is substantial.

Broadly defining ill persons allows federal officials wide discretion to make initial determinations of a travelers health status, but could also lead to unjustified social distancing orders impacting individuals with relatively minor conditions. To the extent the final rule does not mandate external, non-CDC assessments or reviews via a neutral decision maker, individuals may arguably be denied sufficient due process.



Future Implementation of the Final Rule



CDC published the final rule just one day prior to the Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump and the resulting changes in its own leadership with the departure of Director Tom Frieden and others. How the provisions of the final rule actually play out will only be known after February 21, 2017 when it takes full effect.

To be sure, updating existing, antiquated powers to prevent the introduction, transmission, and spread of communicable diseases into and across the US is a laudable goal. CDCs final rule goes a long way toward clarifying specific federal authority in this critical area of emergency preparedness. Yet, implementation may lead to legal and political challenges. CDC must be diligent in exercising its authority in a manner that properly weighs protection against public health threats with potential infringements on individual rights.

James G. Hodge, Jr., JD, LLM, is Professor of Public Health Law and Ethics, and Director, Public Health Law and Policy Program at Sandra Day OConnor College of Law, ASU. Sarah Wetter, JD candidate (2017), is a Senior Legal Researcher, Public Health Law and Policy Program at Sandra Day OConnor College of Law, ASU.

Suggested citation: James G. Hodge, Jr. & Sarah Wetter, Communicable Disease Regulation: Balancing Civil Liberties and Public Health, JURIST  Academic Commentary, Jan. 20, 2017, https://www.jurist.org/forum/2017/01/forging-ahead-on-revised-federal-communicable-disease-control-regulations.php.

This article was prepared for publication by Kelly Cullen, a JURIST Assistant Editor. Please direct any questions or comments to him at commentary@jurist.org
[JURIST] The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] on Tuesday expressed deep concern at the ongoing political predicament surrounding the release of incriminating audio recordings of conversations between officials in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The content of the tapes raises concerns [press release] of election fraud, interference with the judiciary and mass surveillance. Opposition leader Zoran Zaev of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) [party website, in Macedonian] has released a number of audio recordings since February, implicating government officials in ethnically-motivated surveillance programs [BBC report], as well as politicians for the opposition party, journalists and religious leaders. Recordings also indicate a scheme to manipulate voter registration records [AP report], and coerce government employees and other voters to back the ruling Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) [party website, in Macedonian]. Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has dismissed calls for a snap election [Reuters report] and a transitional government, claiming that the wire taps are the work of a foreign government colluding with Zaev to destabilize the country. The OHCHR urges the Macedonian authorities to launch an impartial investigation into all allegations, and to ensure the accountability of all wrongdoers, regardless of political affiliation.

Tensions have escalated in Macedonia since its April 2014 elections [Reuters report], in which the Gruevskis VMRO-DPMNE party again won the election, leading to Gruevskis fourth consecutive term as prime minister amid allegations of fraud. Zaev was charged in January for attempting to overthrow the government [Agency Focus report, in Macedonian] with the aid of an unnamed foreign intelligence agency. In September a Macedonian court found Zaev guilty of slandering Gruevski [JURIST] for claiming that Gruevski took a bribe in 2004 to facilitate a Serbian businessmans purchase of a bank in Macedonia.
[JURIST] US District Court Judge Sam Sparks issued a temporary restraining order [text, PDF] on Thursday to halt Texas plan to cut Medicaid [official website] funding for Planned Parenthood [advocacy website]. The cut, which was due to take effect January 21, is now delayed [Texas Tribune report] until February 21. Sparks issued the delay to give the court time to consider the mountain of evidence in the case, which includes testimonies of 14 witness and 397 exhibits. Included in the exhibits is the eight-hour video released in 2015 by the anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress [advocacy website]. Although a Texas grand jury investigated the video and cleared Planned Parenthood of any wrongdoing, attorneys from both sides cited clips from the video. Planned Parenthood has 34 health centers [Reuters report] in Texas and serves more than 120,000 patients, 11,000 of whom are Medicaid patients. During fiscal year 2015, Planned Parenthood affiliates in Texas received about $4.2 million in Medicaid funding. Critics of the defunding have argued that none of the Medicaid funds were used for abortions, and consequently the plan would jeopardize the availability of its other services such as HIV care and cancer screenings. Jami Snyder, associate commissioner for Medicaid and CHIP, testified that Medicaid patients would still have access to the same services through an estimated 141,000 providers. Planned Parenthood has contended that other providers do not offer the same availability as their facilities which offer weekend hours and walk-in appointments. Nevertheless, Planned Parenthoods funding remains at risk as PresidentDonald Trump [official website] takes office on Friday with intentions to defund the organization during his term.

There has been a recent slew of state laws and suits dealing with abortion. While the new laws and suits do not list a reason for the timing of the filings, the actions began after the election of President Donald Trump, who has vowed to fight abortion rights [WSJ report]. In October a federal judge blocked a Mississippi law that disqualified [JURIST report] Medicaid benefits for non-therapeutic abortions. Also in October the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled [JURIST report] that a state law adding new licensing and inspection rules for facilities that perform abortions is unconstitutional. In September a federal judge issued a temporary injunction [JURIST report] against Arkansas suspension of Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood after Governor Asa Hutchinson [official website] terminated [AP report] the Medicaid funding last year following national controversy ignited by video recordings of Planned Parenthoods practices. In August a judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Florida [official website] permanently blocked [JURIST report] portions of a Florida law that would stop funding to Planned Parenthood. In July the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) [advocacy website] and Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit [JURIST report] against an Arizona law that would potentially prevent low-income women from obtaining healthcare from their provider of choice. Earlier the same month a federal judge placed an injunction [JURIST report] on an Indiana law that would have banned women from seeking abortion procedures when they are based on race, sex, or the potential for or actual diagnosis of a disability in the fetus. Recently the US Supreme Court ruled [opinion, PDF] 5-3 in Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt [SCOTUSblog materials] that a Texas law [HB2 text] imposing certain requirements on abortion clinics and doctors creates an undue burden on access to abortion, and is therefore unconstitutional [JURIST report].
[JURIST] UN Independent Expert Mohammed Ayat on Friday described [press release] some of the challenges that Cote dIvoire, or the Ivory Coast, must face as the UN Operation in Cote dIvoire (UNOCI) [official website] withdraws from the country. Ayat made mention of recent incidents of strikes, school violence and mutinies, stressing that the demands of these groups must be expressed and heard in an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and respect for human rights. He further urged the country to focus on security reform, institutions of peace, and the strength of its governance in order to improve its current state. Ayat also stated that, though the national economy has significantly improved, further growth will require a better distribution of wealth. The UNOCI supported the National Commission for Human Rights in Cote dIvoire (CNDHCI) and the Ivory Coast armed forces in developing methods for monitoring violations of human rights. Ayat encouraged the country to use these methods in order to ensure the army properly protect its civilians. A final report on the country will be presented to the Human Rights Council [official website] in June.

The Ivory Coast has faced turmoil since 2010 when former president Laurent Gbagbo [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] lost his second presidential race to former prime minister Alassane Ouattara [BBC profile]. The EU recognized that Ouattara defeated Gbagbo, but Gbagbo refused to concede victory [JURIST report]. Gbagbo has been accused [JURIST report] of starting a civil war after losing the presidency, which resulted in 3,000 deaths and the displacement of one million people. Voters in the Ivory Coast successfully approved [JURIST report] a new constitution last year. In November, Oattara signed [JURIST report] the constitution into law. Amid political tensions, the Ivory Coast continues to host human rights violations. In July, the UN released a report [JURIST report] claiming that the Ivory Coast needed to make greater efforts to prevent and punish rape. In May, the Human Rights Watch called [JURIST report] for the trial of the former Ivory Coast first lady to be credible, fair, and followed by the trials of other high-level rights abusers.
Boca Raton, FL, USA, 01/20/2017 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Nursing homes have a responsibility to keep residents from harm. You may think of that as preventing falls or bed sores but its much more than that. It includes keeping residents away from criminals, including those who are employees and fellow residents. Boca nursing home abuse lawyer Joe Osborne states nursing homes obligation to keep residents safe includes sufficient supervision of residents and properly screening job applicants.

A former North Miami nursing home employee faces three counts each of grand theft and exploitation of the elderly after her arrest in August, reports WPLG1. Haymee Hernandez is accused of deceiving three sick or disabled residents and stealing more than $13,000 from their bank accounts. She was the Medicaid coordinator at the Claridge House in North Miami, adds Joe Osborne, a nursing home negligence attorney in Boca Raton.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Florida Office of the Attorney General states Hernandez used some of the money to shop at Macys and buy baked goods, among other things.

Hernandez is accused of conning victims into giving her their ATM cards, then accessing their accounts and withdrawing cash without their knowledge or consent.

She falsely told nursing home residents they had too much money in their accounts to qualify for Medicaid. Hernandez offered to make withdrawals and put their cash in a nursing home safe. Instead she spent the money on herself.

It was a successful con at least three times. Her victims included a man with diabetes, anemia, chronic kidney disease and hypertension. Another is wheelchair bound and a third is partially blind.

After being confronted by authorities and the nursing home administrator Hernandez admitted to using patients money due to financial problems caused by her divorce. She faces a possible jail sentence of up to 30 years if convicted.

Its not just employees who are a possible threat to nursing home residents. An 87-year-old nursing home resident faces criminal charges after he was found having sex with a 94-year-old man debilitated by Parkinsons disease and too disabled to consent. Louis Lawson was charged with sexual battery in July, according to the Palm Beach Post2.

His roommate told Lantana police Lawson would screw anything that walked and was oversexed.

He was living at the Village on High Ridge. Employees stated they have found Lawson touching himself and was known for grabbing and fondling staff but he had no prior criminal record in Palm Beach County.

The Lantana facility is in the bottom 20% of the states nursing homes for administration, according to rankings by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Overall the facility received two out of a possible five stars.

When the newspaper asked the facility about the situation, they responded the alleged sexual assault of a severely disabled 94-year-old man and resulting criminal charges had been blown out of proportion by the media and declined to comment.

If a loved one has been the victim of a crime in a South Florida nursing home, whether that involves a physical or sexual assault or financial exploitation, contact Boca Raton nursing home abuse lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 800-4011 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss the case, how the law may apply and the best legal options to protect the nursing home residents rights and obtain compensation for the harm done.

Press Contact:

Personal injury lawyer Joseph Osborne

561-800-4011

Footnotes:

1 WPLG- www.local10.com/news/crime/former-north-miami-nursing-home-employee-bilks-from-sick-disabled-patients

2 Palm Beach Post- www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crimelaw/lantana-nursing-home-resident-charged-with-sexual-battery/05XhtFvdXO2BqMbk6CWAPM/

source: http://www.oa-lawfirm.com/boca-nursing-home-abuse-lawyer-says-nursing-homes-can-crime-scenes/

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#NCT 127 K-pop group NCT 127's concert in Jakarta ends early for safety reasons A concert by K-pop boy group NCT 127 in Jakarta ended early on Friday after some excited fans caused chaos to get closer to the stage, a local event agency said. "An unexpected ...
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Director Paul Hickey is currently working with Graignamanagh based drama group, Duiske Players on Ray Cooneys hilarious farce Not Now Darling which will be presented in The Abbey Hall, Graignamanagh on March 9, 10 and 11 at 8pm nightly.

The scene is the exclusive London fur salon of Bodley, Bodley and Crouch, where Crouch (the well-meaning innocent) struggles to keep things on an even keel despite the energetic philandering of his partner. At the moment, Bodley is trying to secure the affections of his latest would-be mistress by "selling" her husband an expensive mink fur coat for a fraction of its real worth, and the stammering Crouch is saddled with the task of consummating the sale with a straight face. But, as luck would have it, the husband seizes the bargain coat as the perfect gift for his own mistresswhereupon the complications burgeon uproariously, with poor Crouch caught in the middle. Suspicious wives, mistaken identities, scantily clad girls clapped hurriedly into closets and a continuous barrage of rapid fire jokes all become part of the hilarious doings, as the action of the play bubbles along merrily right up to the final curtain when, miraculously and to the great relief of all concerned, everything somehow manages to work out as it should.

The cast: Helen Kavanagh, Edward Hayden, Edel Bolger, Peter Prendergast, Lily Brennan, Anna Malone, Jim Kielthy, Pat Kavanagh, Aoife Mahon, Stas Bolger, Brid Maloney, Nathan Dunne

A wonderful set and lighting plan has been designed by Eamonn Doherty, Mark Bolger, Fiachra OBrien and Adrian Kavanagh. Tickets on the door.
Still Standing: Four the Moments legacy honoured at Nova Scotia Music Week

When a quartet of Halifax women began singing together a cappella in the name of social justice in 1982, there was little in the way of a music industry at play in Atlantic Canada. And even if there had been, its likely that Four the Moment would ...
By Jessica DiNapoli

NEW YORK, Jan 20 (Reuters) - A U.S. bankruptcy court judge granted Avaya Inc approval on Friday to tap $425 million of the $725 million loan proposed to carry the telecommunications company through its restructuring, funds the company said were essential to continue operations.

Avaya filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Thursday to cut its debt of about $6 billion after efforts to sell its call center business and reach a consensual deal with creditors failed. The bankruptcy underscored the challenges telecoms companies face as they transition to software and services from hardware.

"The company has taken a decisive step to rightsize its balance sheet," Pat Nash, one of the company's attorneys, told Judge Stuart Bernstein at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.

Nash said Avaya would be "marrying a balance sheet restructuring with an operational transformation."

The company's lawyers said a significant portion of the $725 million loan, extended by an affiliate of Citigroup Inc for up to a year, was funded by Avaya's existing lenders.

Avaya plans to return to U.S. bankruptcy court on Monday for approval on other expenses.

Buyout firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice LLC (CD&R) had been in the lead to acquire Avaya's call center business for about $4 billion. But Avaya and CD&R could not agree on price, terms or how the deal would effect Avaya's pension obligations, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

Avaya has liabilities totaling about $1.5 billion stemming from its pension and other promised post-employment benefits.

The Santa Clara, California-based company faced potential penalties from lenders on Jan. 28 after it did not turn in its annual financial statements for its fiscal year on Dec. 29.

Avaya has consistently reported losses, stemming in part from costs related to its debt. It was taken private in 2007 for $8.2 billion by private equity firms Silver Lake Partners LP and TPG Capital LP. (Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
There is so much critical comment on the rubbish from Oxfam on wealth inequality, it is hard to know where to start.

Let us start with Fusion:

The result is that if you use Oxfams methodology, my niece, with 50 cents in pocket money, has more wealth than the bottom 40% of the worlds population combined. As do I, and as do you, most likely, assuming your net worth is positive. You dont need to find eight super-wealthy billionaires to arrive at a shocking wealth statistic; you can take just about anybody.

Obviously the niece must have her 50 cents taken off her and redistributed.

Consider this: Would you rather have $75,000 in the bank and no debt and no degree, or $75,000 in the bank and $75,000 in student loans and a four-year college degree? As far as the Oxfam methodology is concerned, the difference is enormous: The person with $75,000 and no debt is in the top 10% of the worlds wealth distribution, while the person with the college degree is in the bottom 10%. And yet theres a right answer to the question: Youre much better off with $75,000 in debt and a college degree than you are with no debt at all.

Oxfam would count a 24 year old Harvard medical graduate as being in the bottom 10% with negative net wealth. However the intangible asset of his or her degree will allow them to earn millions of dollars.

Stats Chat comments:

These are graduates from the Keck School of Medicine, at the University of Southern California, who owe an average of over US$200,000 in student loans. By the Credit Suisse definition of wealth inequality they have less wealth than people living in poorly-maintained state housing in south Auckland. They have less wealth than immigrant agricultural workers in southern California. They have less wealth than subsistence farmers in Chad.

So a subsistence farmer in Chad has more wealth by this definition.

Danyl McL also works out a flaw:

Wont the countrys poorest people be heavily indebted, and basically anyone with positive equity own more than all of them put together?

Yep.

Eric Crampton also has a blog on the Oxfam nonsense.

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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. Snow may mix in late. Low 32F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Snow may mix in late. Low 32F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
By Ko Dong-hwan

The U.S. government has requested Korea's Ministry of Justice to arrest former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's brother on charges of bribery.

The ministry is in talks with the U.S. government regarding Ban's younger brother Ban Ki-sang and his son Bahn Joo-hyun, who were indicted in New York in October.

The suspects are accused of attempting to hand over some $500,000 to an unidentified official from the Middle East while trying to sell a building owned by Korean construction firm Keongnam Enterprises in Vietnam. The money, however, is known to have been spent by a middleman named Malcolm Harris before reaching the official.

An official said that though official discussions have not begun, the two countries are "exchanging views on the matter" and "checking relevant laws."

"Though we have no knowledge of the case, if the judicial authorities of South Korea and the U.S. are going through a consultation as reported, we hope the procedures to be carried out strictly and transparently to address suspicions people have without leaving any doubts," the official said, according to Yonhap news agency.

Ban's aide released a statement following the report, apologizing for causing concerns with matters related to relatives of the second in presidential opinion polls.
/Yonhap



By Ko Dong-hwan

Thousands of demonstrators took to the Seoul streets on Saturday to join Women's March on Seoul, a global campaign that denounced new U.S. president Donald Trump for his derogatory remarks towards women.

Some 2,000 protesters, made up of locals and foreigners, marched near Gangnam Station in southern Seoul, demanding from the 45th American President "freedom, equality and respect right now."

The demonstration came after Trump made discriminatory remarks against women in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election in November.

A local women's right advocacy group organized the rally. They said they protest "against the discriminatory and disrespectful remarks" made by Trump during the campaign period and "stand here to send a strong message to the world on his inauguration day."












South Korean Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun was formally arrested by investigators Saturday over her suspected involvement in the blacklisting of cultural figures deemed critical of the conservative government.

The Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant to arrest Cho on charges of abuse of authority and perjury. It also issued an arrest warrant for former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon, accused of masterminding the blacklisting.

The court said their criminal facts have been substantiated and the suspects could destroy evidence.

An independent counsel team, looking into an influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her friend, on Wednesday requested the warrants for Cho and Kim.

Cho and Kim were questioned for 21 hours and 15 hours, respectively, from Tuesday to early Wednesday over allegations that they masterminded the creation and management of the blacklist to deny dissident artists state support.

They were among the closest aides to the beleaguered president. Cho served as the senior presidential secretary for political affairs from 2014 to 2015 and became the culture minister last year.

Kim, who served as the presidential chief of staff from 2013 to 2015, is said to have exerted significant influence on state affairs beyond his position.

The list is known to have nearly 10,000 people on it, including author Han Kang, winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, and director Park Chan-wook, who won the grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004.

The investigation team's spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said last week, "The creation and execution of the blacklist severely infringed upon the people's freedom of thought and expression."

Lee said the team is now looking into whether President Park was involved in the creation of the list. (Yonhap)
By Ko Dong-hwan

Three Filipinos including two local police officers were arrested for kidnapping and murdering a Korean businessman last year, Korea's foreign ministry said Saturday.

The suspects were arrested on Friday on charges of abducting the victim, 53, surnamed Ji, in the Philippines last October for ransom and strangling him to death later on the day of his abduction.

One of the two officers in custody reportedly confessed he witnessed the other officer killing the man. Both are also accused of cremating Ji's body.

Four others are also under investigation without physical detention on charges of being involved in Ji's abduction. One of the suspects is known as the victim's housekeeper.

The Korean ministry said that it ordered its ambassador stationed in the Philippines to cooperate with local authorities to get to the bottom of the case and hold anyone involved accountable.
Former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon (left) and Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun enter the Seoul Central District Court, Friday. / Yonhap



By Ko Dong-hwan

Investigators formally arrested Korea's Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun and former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon on Saturday over their involvement in blacklisting cultural figures deemed critical of the government.

The Seoul Central District Court issued arrest warrants for Cho and Kim. Cho has charges of abuse of authority and perjury, and Kim charges of masterminding the blacklisting. The court said their criminal charges have been substantiated and the suspects could destroy evidence.

An independent council requested the warrants for Cho and Kim on Wednesday as it was looking into an influence-peddling scandal involving President Park Geun-hye and her friend Choi Soon-sil.

The investigators questioned Cho and Kim for 21 hours and 15 hours, respectively, from Tuesday to early Wednesday over allegations that they masterminded the creation and management of the blacklist to deny dissident artists state support.

Cho and Kim were among the closest aides to Park, who now waits for the Constitutional Court's decision on whether to impeach her. Cho served as the senior presidential secretary for political affairs from 2014 to 2015 and became the culture minister last year. Kim, who served as the presidential chief of staff from 2013 to 2015, is said to have exerted significant influence on state affairs beyond his position.

The list is known to have about 10,000 people on it, including author Han Kang, winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, and director Park Chan-wook, who won the grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004.

The investigation team's spokesman Lee Kyu-chul said last week that the creation and execution of the blacklist "severely infringed upon the people's freedom of thought and expression."

Lee said the team is now looking into whether President Park was involved in the creation of the list.
Song Ji Hyo is set to finish her stint with "Running Man" as the show ends after seven years on broadcast. But fans should not worry because they will still see her every week through her new variety show JTBC2's "Song Ji Hyo's Beauty View."

JTBC News reported that the show premiered on Jan. 19 and the reviews are great so far. As the title suggests, "Song Ji Hyo's Beauty View" is a beauty magazine program that provide tips and guides to guests with regards to the makeup style that suit them best.

Commenting on her decision to accept hosting the show, the actress said that she had no idea she will end up with a show like this and revealed she had second thoughts on doing the program. "I didn't know I would become an emcee of a beauty program," OSEN quoted Song as saying.

She hilariously added that she has interest in makeups and how to apply them, however her hands just cannot follow along when she try. But despite not being very good on beauty regimens, the actress member still managed to look pretty.

In fact, in most of "Running Man" episodes, Song is rarely seen dressed up or have makeup on. Still, her bare face has been described as the 'prettiest bare face in Korea.' This was also the reason why she was selected to host "Beauty View."

At any rate, during the press conference that was held on Jan. 18 at the JTBC building in Sangam-dong, Seoul, Song Ji Hyo also gushed about her co-host, actor Gong Myung. She said that she knows him but it was only when they hosted the show that they became close.

According to Seoul Daily, Ji Hyo described Gong Myung as handsome and a good guy with great sense of humor. The working chemistry of the two actors are so nice that viewers are excited to see more of them in the show.

Korean fashion designer Katiacho will also join "Song Ji Hyo's Beauty View" as one of the co-hosts. Meanwhile, Song Ji Hyo was able to take this new project since her work schedule is not that tight anymore after the cancellation of "Running Man."
The delicious dishes from the top Chinese mainland restaurants have been made into La Liste. [Photo/China Daily]

Foodies who are eager to sample delicious Chinese food must not miss the newly published bookThe Guide to La Liste's Top Chinese Restaurants.

"Foodies may feel lost as there are so many gastronomic lists. But French gastronomic classification La Liste (The list) is known as 'the guide of the guides', and offers relatively authoritative and fair guides," says food and wine critic Xie Ling based in Beijing, one of the book's co-authors. She is better known as her pseudonym Lingxin Xiaoxie.

"The book tells you which Chinese restaurants have won international recognition and what their best dishes are."

La Liste was founded by Philippe Faure in 2015, who is responsible for the Tourism Development Agency of France.

The Chinese language guidebook was published by Qingdao Publishing House and is co-authored by Dong Keping, He Nong and Xie Ling, who were the only Chinese judges on La Liste's international advisory board.
Forty-seven-year-old textile trader, Ifeka Obi, was about to board a flight at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday when a search of his baggage revealed a curious cargo.

Tucked within a load of foodstuffs, which he told operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the scene that he was exporting for sale in Cambodia was 4.4kg of methamphetamine.

According to the NDLEA, at about $325,000 per kilogramme, the narcotic cargo Obi was caught with will fetch his handlers at least $1.4m (about N426m).



The agencys spokesperson, Mitchell Ofoyeju, told a Punch correspondent that drug cartels are working to capture the market for methamphetamine in the Southeast Asian country because the price of methamphetamine is higher there.

For the N426m drug, the suspect, an Oba Idemili South Local Government, Anambra State indigene, said he had been promised N1m payment by his sponsors.

I was given the drug in Lagos but decided to travel through Abuja. My travel expenses were taken care of by myself . I was told I would be paid the N1m once I deliver the drugs successfully.

I am a textile dealer but I lost everything due to family problems. This is my first time of smuggling drugs. All I wanted was money to get my business back on track. Now, I will accept anything that happens to me as fate.

The NDLEA commander at the airport, Hamisu Lawan, said that the drug which was concealed inside foodstuff was detected during the outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight.

Chairman of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Abdallah (retd.) said the seizure was an indication of the agencys superior intelligence and law enforcement practice.

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The son of a Nigerian government official was yesterday jailed for life after raping and murdering a 1,800-a-night high-class escort.

Bala Chinda killed Jessica McGraa only a few weeks after he arrived in Scotland to study at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

The 37-year-old 200-an-hour sex workers partially clothed body was found the following day in the bedroom of a flat she had rented in the citys Union Terrace.

CCTV footage showed she had travelled to Chindas student accommodation in the citys King Street with him in a taxi before they returned to her apartment a short time later.



Miss McGraa, also Nigerian, made her last call on her mobile phone a few minutes before surveillance cameras recorded Chinda, 26, walking down the street away from her flat.

Miss McGraa moved to the UK from Nigeria 11 years ago after meeting an English oil worker, Gareth McGraa, who had been working in a Nigerian complex. They married and had a son but later split.

During the trial the court heard that Miss McGraas seven-year-old son lived in London with fellow Nigerian Bimbo Ouiawe, 50, who she had adopted as her mother. She visited her son once a month and took him on luxury holidays.

She was originally from Nigeria and was an orphan but sent money to her two sisters and brothers who lived abroad.

Her double life as an escort was only exposed to her closest friends after her sudden death, with many believing she travelled round the country selling hair extensions.

Instead, she travelled across the country renting city apartments for a few days where she would spend time with her clients.

She charged up to 1,800-a-night and took bookings from men, women and couples and was currently on tour around the UK.

She described herself as classic, stylish, naughty, horny, sexy. The site has topless photos of her with her face blurred out.

Yesterday a jury of eight women and seven men unanimously found Chinda guilty of murdering Miss McGraa in the city centre flat.

They took more than six hours to reach their verdict and also found him guilty of raping the mother of one and stealing her two mobile phones in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

Jailing Chinda, he told the killer he had ended the life of a woman described by friends giving evidence as full of fun and who had much left to live for.

Chinda changed his phone number after her death.

The Nigerian, whose father works as the immigration attache at the Nigerian embassy in Beijing, wept uncontrollably after he was found guilty by the jury.

The court heard that Miss McGraa died of asphyxiation and was probably smothered with a pillow and possibly strangled with her scarf.

Chinda was told he must serve a minimum of 18 years.

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Nigerian troops have killed 15 members of the Boko Haram terrorists, who were part of insurgents responsible for the mistaken deployment of rockets by the Nigerian Air Force in Rann,.

They also captured one terrorist, suspected to be a foreigner. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, confirmed the killing and capture of the terrorists in Rann on Friday, when he paid an operational visit to troops of 3 Batallion.

Buratai said the insurgents came again to the town in two gun trucks on Thursday at about 6p.m. to attack, but were repelled by the soldiers, who killed 15, while others escaped with one gun truck.



He added that the troops recovered the other truck with weapons, including one General Purpose Machine Gun, three AK47 and ammunitions.

Buratai recalled that the Tuesdays incident, the Air Force component of the Operation Lafiya Dole based on intelligence that the terrorists had infiltrated Rann with intent to attack, deployed the rockets.

He, however, regretted that the weapons mistakenly hit IDPs camps in the town, killing over 50 civilians and wounding many others.

Two of our soldiers were also affected in the unfortunate incident, Buratai said. He described the incident as unfortunate and big mistake.

We have all learnt lessons from it. We will take note of this; the issue of coordination and passage of the right information will help to prevent such incident again.

It is a mistake which can happen and it has happened in other places.

We pray it never happen again, he said. While addressing the troops, Buratai urged them not to allow the unfortunate incident to demoralise them.

He charged them to remain committed, dedicated and patriotic, assuring them that their efforts would be rewarded.

The chief of army staff also met with elders of the community and condoled with them over the incident. According to the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion, Lt.-Col. I. P. Omoke, Rann was one of the last towns retaken from the insurgents on March 22, 2016. Omoke said since then, the terrorists had made five failed attempts to attack the town but never succeeded.

Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno, is 175km from Maiduguri and 8km to the Republic of Cameroon.

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PRESS RELEASE

Japanese Prime Minister Tells Parliament, He Will Visit Russia As Soon As Possible

Jan. 20, 2017 (EIRNS)Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is already expected to visit Russia twice this year to further the agreements arranged during Russian President Vladimir Putins official visit to Japan last December. Abe affirmed his intention to visit Russia "without delay" to discuss further progress on a peace treaty, he told the opening of the national Parliaments plenary session on Friday.

"I shall pay a visit to Russia this year without delay in order to use the convenient occasion," he said, adding that "settlement of the territory issue, which continues for more than 70 years now, is not easy."

He said that Russian-Japanese economic activities on Kuril Islands will be exceptional and promised "to move step by step towards signing of a peace treaty."

On Jan. 18, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said at a meeting with Japans Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko, who is also in charge of economic relations with Russia, that Russia plans to receive Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe twice this year.

"We face a very challenging task because outcomes of the visit of the Russian President to Japan are excellent, but we have to work out two visits of Japans prime minister this yearin April and September. This is very serious,"

the Russian official said.

In his address before the Parliament, Abe said:

"Last month, during the visit of Russias President to Japan, we shared the sincere inclination to settle problems. We have agreed to begin talks in order to have joint activities on all the four northern islands in the framework of a special system, and agreed that former residents of those islands would be able to visit freely the native places and the graves. "And in the framework of the new approach we made an important step on the way towards reaching a peace treaty,"

the prime minister said.
PRESS RELEASE

Russias Lavrov Reiterates Need for International Anti-Terror Coalition

Jan. 20, 2017 (EIRNS)Speaking today in Moscow at the opening session of a ministerial-level meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov underscored the need for a "truly universal counter-terror coalition" as originally proposed by President Vladimir Putin at the 2015 meeting of the UN General Assembly.

Referencing the "complex" international situation, Lavrov pointed out that the "unprecedented" growth of terrorist activities is of great concern, as they has become "the main threat to global stability." Terrorist attacks occurring all over the world, including the assassination of Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, "prove this alarming and dangerous trend." But, he added, they "have strengthened the perception that there is no alternative" to the kind of international cooperation proposed by the Russian President.

In this context, as reported by the Foreign Ministry, Lavrov said that much of what happens in global affairs

"will depend on our relations with the leading Western countries, above all with the new U.S. administration. We would like to hope that our partners will abandon their lopsided and mercenary attitude toward the key international issues. We have taken note of Donald Trumps election statements, including on readiness and resolve for a joint fight against ISIS. As President Putin said more than once, Russia is ready to cover its part of the way towards resuming constructive dialogue with Washington, primarily in order to find effective responses to terrorism and many other global challenges."

Reuters reported today that Lavrov expressed the hope that the new Trump administration would send a Mideast expert to participate in the Jan. 23 Syria talks in Astana, Kazakhstan. The State Department has acknowledged receiving an invitation, but spokesman Adm. Kirby said on Jan. 19 that it would be up to the new administration to decide to send someone.

Lavrov told Sputnik that progress toward settling the Syrian conflict is encouraging, as it is generally agreed there is no option but a political-diplomatic settlement. The upcoming Astana meeting will provide "important input," he said,
PRESS RELEASE

Alibaba Founder Jack Ma: The U.S. Should Invest in InfrastructureNot in Wall Street or Wars

Jan. 20, 2017 (EIRNS)Chinese tycoon Jack Ma, who had met President-elect Donald Trump earlier in January, spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland yesterday, and had a few good remarks on the origin of the American economic decline.

"Over the past 30 years, the Americans had 13 wars spending $14.2 trillion," said Ma.

"What if they had spent part of that money on building up their infrastructure, helping white-collar and blue-collar workers? No matter how strategically good it is, youre supposed to spend money on your own people.... "And the other money which Im curious about is that when I was young, all I heard about America was Ford and Boeing and those big manufacturing companies. The last 10-20 years, all I heard about is Silicon Valley and Wall Street,"

he continued.

"And what happened? The year 2008: The financial crisis wiped out $19.2 trillion in the U.S.A. alone and destroyed 34 million jobs globally. So what if the money spent on Wall Street and the Middle East was spent on the Midwest of the United States, developing the industry there? That could change a lot."

Ma also said that globalization should be improved by making more room for small businesses, rather than the current system run by the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was developed to protect corporate interests.
The day after the election I wrote that Republicans would find it hard to repeal Obamacare  but not so hard to vandalize it.

In his first official action after being sworn in as president, Donald Trump applied the first smear of graffiti to a law that today brings health coverage to more than 20 million Americans.

The executive order Trump signed at the White House gives the Department of Heath and Human Services and other government agencies broad latitude to start undermining the law. It encourages them to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay any provision of the law that would impose a fiscal burden on pretty much anyone  state, hospital, doctor, or patient.

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[The executive order] may signal that Trump has no interest in trying to make the ACA work while Congress debates repeal.  Nicholas Bagley, University of Michigan

In the first hours of the Trump administration, healthcare experts were divided about the impact of the order.

Sarah Kliff of Vox elicited some relatively sanguine reactions from healthcare experts Tim Jost of Washington and Lee law school and Larry Levitt of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

They pointed out that the order limits much of this activity to whats possible within the maximum extent permitted by law. That means the regulators cant unilaterally eliminate the taxes that fund the Affordable Care Act or abrogate the individual mandate, which requires most people to purchase insurance. They cant single-handedly zero out the laws subsidies. All that would require congressional action.

Any new rules would have to go through the gantlet of the Administrative Procedure Act  hearings, draft rules, feedback, etc., etc.

I think hes been advised that he cant repeal the Affordable Care Act through executive action, and now we see where this goes, Jost said.

We think Jost is too optimistic.

So does health insurance wonk David Anderson of Duke, who, writing pseudonymously as Richard Mayhew at his old post at balloon-juice.com, was rather more uneasy about how this will affect the risk pool. Carriers will need to model a much sicker and more expensive single, unified risk pool as the non-subsidized portion of the risk pool will death spiral, he observed.

Even Levitt became more doubtful on reflection. On Saturday, he tweeted that the biggest effect of this executive order could be waivers from the ACAs individual mandate penalty, with chaos in the insurance market.

Trumps executive order strikes at the Affordable Care Act in two important ways.

One is by messaging. The executive order signals the Trump administrations open hostility to the individual market, with Trumps insurance for everyone, trumpeted just last weekend, nowhere to be seen. The order treats the ACA as largely a burden on every stakeholder. We know from experience that the program works best when its supported by government officials and regulators  thats why its been a great success in California and Kentucky, which embraced its provisions, and an abject failure in Mississippi, where it was fought at every turn by state government.

Without the support of HHS, the programs in trouble. Reading between the lines, writes Nicholas Bagley of the University of Michigan, the order may signal that Trump has no interest in trying to make the ACA work while Congress debates repeal.

Then theres the matter of waivers, alluded to by Anderson and Levitt. Insurers have groused from the start that the individual mandate is too easy for healthy customers to evade. Theres already a waiver for people facing financial hardship in paying for required insurance, as well as several provisions allowing those who miss the annual open enrollment period to sign up throughout the year  if they get married, have a baby, or move, for instance.

At the behest of insurers, who said these loopholes left the individual risk pool looking older, sicker, and more costly than they liked, the Obama Health and Human Services Department moved to tighten up the rules. Trumps order potentially loosens them beyond recognition. Within broad limits, the rules can be manipulated by administrative fiat; Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), Trumps HHS Secretary-designate and a sworn enemy of Obamacare, is capable of decreeing that just about any fiscal burden warrants a waiver.

If the secretary of HHS determines that paying a dollar is an undue hardship, an exemption can be granted, observes Anderson. Under this executive order, the hardship exemptions will be freely and frequently issued.

With loose waivers, Anderson reckons, we should expect quite a few healthy people to leave the 2018 risk pool . That means the average premium will increase much faster as the risk pool will be proportionally sicker and more expensive with fewer healthy people to insure the sicker and more expensive individuals.

The consequence could be an enormous increase in premiums. That will hit the population not receiving subsidies the hardest, driving all but the sickest customers out of the pool.

Anderson notes that Obamacare customers receiving subsidies  more than 80% of them  might not feel a premium increase rate shock, since the subsidies are designed to rise in tandem with premiums. But paying those subsidies will come out of the federal budget, at higher cost than projected. Expect conservatives in Congress to start squealing, and soon. Insurers will be working on their 2018 rates within weeks.

What will insurers do? Those that have stayed in the market have done so because they expected costs and profits to stabilize, especially after a round of rate increases for 2017. Now chaos looks to be in the offing. Think of it this way: If youre an insurance actuary and your CEO comes around tomorrow asking, Obamacare for 2018  in or out? who among you would say, Sure boss, things look great for 2018  lets stay in! Expect more insurers to bail out, starting very soon.

Bagley sees the Trump order as an effort to undermine the individual mandate in the guise of delaying its implementation. If the IRS delays the individual mandate he writes, the insurance markets in many states could go into a tailspin.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) was seen recently wringing his hands and crying crocodile tears on CNN and the Charlie Rose Show over premium and deductible increases and the supposed flight of young healthies from the risk pool. He proclaimed the existence of a death spiral in which the flight of healthy customers drives premiums up for everyone else, prompting more flight, etc. etc.

That was an untruth, because there have been no signs of such a trend thus far. But there will be now. Republicans will find it very difficult to evade responsibility for the consequences, because they will emerge in direct response to Trumps order.

Speaker Ryan hasnt seen anything yet. Just you wait, Paul, just you wait. And everyone else should fasten their seat belts. The carnage is just beginning.

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.

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UPDATES:

9:34 a.m.: This post has been updated with comments from Nicholas Bagley.
Few executives have moved into new jobs as freighted with history as Tolga Kurtoglu. When he became chief executive of Xerox PARC on Jan. 10, he inherited the legacy of one of Silicon Valleys most revered institutions.

The Xerox Palo Alto Research Center is the birthplace of personal computing, the graphical user interface, the Ethernet, the laser printer, and key elements of what became the Internet. Members of its founding generation of engineers and computer scientists went on to create their own companies, such as Adobe and 3Com, and create new products and inspire innovation at fledgling companies such as Apple and Microsoft.

Pride in that record still infuses PARC. The creative aspects of thinking about hard problems and finding solutions to them is still there, the Ankara, Turkey-born Kurtoglu, 40, told me during a recent interview from his Palo Alto office. But theres more of a pragmatic view of the world in todays PARC compared to the past.

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We dont advance the science for the sake of advancing the science ... but we ask hard questions about whether the market needs it.  PARC CEO Tolga Kurtoglu

Instilling a pragmatic view in PARC has been a mission at Xerox ever since the labs first generation delivered those wonderful inventions along with some hard lessons for the parent.

Xerox was ill-equipped to exploit most of PARCs inventions. It was a hulking big company that had developed as a marketing machine for big, centralized office copiers that couldnt be purchased, only leased  with rental payments, and sales commissions, based on the number of copies produced. The companys thousands of salesmen couldnt figure out how theyd collect commissions on machines that didnt require paper. Consequently, many of PARCs innovations  the laser printer was a key exception  ended up enriching other companies.

Kurtoglu, who joined PARC in 2010 after working at Dell and NASAs Ames Research Center, alludes to that past even as he looks ahead to PARCs future. He says that among its core interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and integrating devices, systems, and computing. One can hear excitement rising in his voice as he describes how sensors and high-level computing can create a whole set of new capabilities for technologies including self-driving cars, robotics, and virtual and augmented reality. PARC is going to be right there, he says.

Practical applications? They range from the mundane, such as containers for milk and other perishables that judge the freshness of their contents based on the environments theyve traversed from factory to fridge, to life-saving  expiration-tracking for vaccine and medicine supplies and sensors for soldiers helmets that measure their exposure to explosive impacts.

Today the lab, which employs about 260 physicists, computer and social scientists, engineers and other staff, is one of four Xerox R&D centers budgeted at a total of more than a half-billion dollars a year. Thats a far cry from the core group of perhaps 40 researchers who were at the hub of its most important inventions in the early 1970s. The lab still occupies the modernistic concrete-and-glass hillside complex opened in 1975 to accommodate a growing workforce.

The most important change at PARC has been in its business model  or to be more precise, the creation of a business model where one did not originally exist.

Xerox today is nothing like the high-flying company that founded PARC in 1970  the year before a local journalist first used the term Silicon Valley in print. Back then, as I described the arrangement in my 1999 book Dealers of Lightning, PARC was free to look ahead to digital technologies that might erode copier demand. The catchphrase was to invent the office of the future  but the company was willing to indulge the view of PARCs first director, George Pake, that it shouldnt expect anything concrete from the lab for at least five years. The corporations wealth flowed west just at the moment when new technological vistas were about to open up. Many of Xeroxs new employees cherished the opportunity to make the first tracks in a field of new-fallen snow.

More recently, Xerox has struggled with technological change. Its sales declined 20% and profit fell more than 50% from 2011 through 2015. On Jan. 3, the company spun off its business services unit  the remnant of a company it acquired in 2010  as a separate publicly traded company, Conduent. PARC will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of the surviving Xerox, which retains its copier and printer business.

PARC today reflects a rethinking of corporate research and development that took hold in industry following its own initial sunburst. The notion that corporate researchers should follow their instincts regardless of their parents needs and desires is now regarded almost as quaint, though in reality it was more a myth than reality. Even AT&Ts Bell Labs, whose Nobel Prizes made it resemble an academic lab and made it a model for PARC, was largely focused on its parents technical demands.

Technology companies struggled to find ways to bring corporate research more in sync with business imperatives without stamping out the creative impulses that could lead to unexpected new markets. Xerox tried intrepreneuring by giving researchers the chance to spin off their best ideas into their own businesses or Xerox subsidiaries.

Today the watchword is open innovation. PARC depends on Xerox for half its revenue, with the other half raised by hiring out as an innovation farm for government and industry, helping to develop manufacturing processes and performing technical studies for clients that have included the Pentagon, Boeing, Honda and Sony. This portfolio may not have the romantic sheen of the launch of the digital age by a clutch of youthful visionaries, but Kurtoglu says it allows its staff to work within a broad business ecosystem while also sharing the risks inherent in early-stage R&D before a product can be commercialized.

The goal is to bring business thinking into the mix of science and technology development, he says. We dont advance the science for the sake of advancing the science per se, but we ask hard questions about whether the market needs it and who needs it and in what format.

This mode of operation has won praise from the Harvard Business Review, which found in 2011 that partnering closely with customers, inventing a minimally viable product, and collaboratively iterating from there based on market feedback preserves the enduring PARC culture of excitement about and support for invention and made for a winning combination.

Whether this fosters the sort of innovation that PARCs original scientists and engineers strived for is an open question. The original structure of PARC was a sort of artists colony whose members had a shared feeling about their ultimate goal, as Alan Kay, one of the original PARC computer scientists, told Fast Company in 2015. Kay, whose concept of a personal, portable information manipulator helped give birth to the PARCs pioneering Alto PC, argued that a company should have an invention center precisely because its a wild card. But PARC-like things have failed over the years, he observed, either because theyre so antithetical to the corporate culture that nobody really wants it, or the impulse is to try to monetize everything.

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There were few limits on the participants imagination, but their innovations could become orphans if the parent was unable or unwilling to commercialize them.

PARC today may harbor a converse set of risks and benefits. A project may not get very far if its commercial potential remains murky; but the flashes of inspiration that can create entirely new markets may not come either.

That defines the changes in PARCs role. Industry needs the collaborative iteration of nascent technologies mentioned by the Harvard Business Review. But it also needs wild cards, and theyre hard to find.

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.

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American Apparel opened its first stores in 2003, with locations in Echo Park, New York and Montreal. Within three years, it had mushroomed into a global chain with more than 140 locations in 11 countries. By 2009, that figure had doubled to 281 stores.

It was, founder Dov Charney once boasted, the fastest retail roll-out in American history.

This rapid expansion helped turn what had been a little-known wholesale basics brand into a household name synonymous with colorful U.S.-made cottonwear, racy advertising and sleek-and-simple stores that dotted trendy neighborhoods across the globe. But it also saddled American Apparel with a load of debt that ultimately helped contribute to its downfall.

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After filing for bankruptcy protection for the second time last year, the company sold its brand and some manufacturing equipment this month to Canadian clothing maker Gildan Activewear for $88 million. Its remaining 110 stores are expected to close by April.

Real estate experts said that American Apparel initially enjoyed success by opening stores in up-and-coming neighborhoods in the U.S. in which its target demographic of young customers lived. As it grew, the chain expanded into traditional shopping malls and added multiple outposts within cities.

That early retail success spurred the company to quicken its pace of store openings. But such moves came just as fast-fashion rivals, including Forever 21 and H&M, which unlike American Apparel manufactured mainly overseas, started courting the same customers.

It was a real estate strategy that initially worked, said Peter Lynch, a partner at A&G Realty Partners. But then with all this other competition you had to deal with, the productivity of those stores dropped.

The company lacked an overall retail strategy backed by testing different markets around the country. Charney, who was intimately involved in every aspect of the business, picked locations based more on instinct and recommendations from friends, said Ilse Metchek, president of the California Fashion Assn. There was no strategy whatsoever, she said.

Metchek said that Charney had a good nose for the next hip neighborhood  American Apparel, for instance, was one of the first brands to open in downtown Los Angeles now-booming Arts District.

All it takes is one hot store to create a hot street, she said. You have to give him credit for sometimes guessing correctly.

But American Apparel ended up opening too many stores too close together in some of the highest rent areas in the country. In 2008, for example, American Apparel had 16 stores in Manhattan alone. Many stores clustered in expensive areas failed to generate enough sales to justify the high rents, analysts said.

You cant have that many stores in the same city in a small radius, said Jessica Ramirez, retail research analyst at Jane Hali & Associates.

Ramirez said she used to have five American Apparel shops within walking distance from her New York office. That can work, she said, if the stores set themselves apart with a different mix of products to entice shoppers  something American Apparel failed to do.

It was the same thing over and over again, she said.

In an interview, Charney disputed that the number, location and funding of stores posed problems and said almost all the stores were profitable at the time he was ousted in 2014. He said the company was forced to take on debt after it fired more than 1,500 skilled workers in 2009 when an immigration inspection uncovered questionable employment documents.

We racked up a lot of debt not for the stores but because we were trying to transition after the immigration audit toward hiring and training new staff and dealing with a drop in production, he said. Store productivity was one of the highlights of American Apparel at the time of my firing.

However, by 2008, same-store sales  an important gauge of stores that have been open for at least a year  had plunged 10%. The company flirted with filing for bankruptcy protection as about $101 million of its long-term debt, taken on in part to fuel its store expansion, came close to maturing.

That forced American Apparel in early 2009 to accept an $80-million cash infusion from British investment firm Lion Capital, which also got two board seats and the right to buy 18% of the company.

The twin problems of mounting debt and falling sales continued to plague the company, as additional crises hit. In 2013, a disastrous start at the companys new distribution center in La Mirada  which suffered inventory mix-ups and delayed orders  ultimately cost American Apparel an additional $15 million in expenses and lost sales.

In early 2014, Charneys share of American Apparel plunged to 27% from 43% after the company issued new shares to cover an interest payment due on a bond. That ultimately gave the board enough wiggle room to oust him as chairman, and later chief executive, citing allegations of sexual misconduct with employees and misuse of company funds.

A year later, American Apparel  which was still stuck with crippling debts and interest payments  filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the first time.

That cut down its debts, but analysts also were expecting the company to shutter many under-performing stores. American Apparel did close some, but not as many as it should have, analysts said.

They could have done it then  get out of the bad stores and consolidate the merchandise, Metchek said. But they wouldnt do it.

Metchek said she doesnt think the stores alone were a death knell for the company, which was plagued by other pressing problems. She points to the boards refusal to adequately fund the turnaround plan following its bankruptcy as the final nail that sealed the companys fate. After Charneys firing, 90%-off sales were instituted storewide, which caused sales to plunge and inventory to be depleted on the most popular items, she said.

Other retailers, including Gap and Macys, have survived having too many locations, she said, in part by closing stores and revamping their merchandise. But history has not been kind to those that failed to keep pace with changing shopper preferences or let their retail business stagnate, such as Wet Seal, which is reportedly filing for bankruptcy again after filing for Chapter 11 last year and closing 300 stores, and the Limited, which began closing all 250 of its stores this month.

The mantra of more and more stores, she said, obviously some chains have survived it.

Follow Shan on Twitter @ByShanLi

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Question: I am white, but I have a stepbrother who is black and we are very close. I recently moved into an apartment in a small building, and my landlord lives in the apartment across from mine.

Everything was fine, but two weeks ago I had my brother over for dinner and my landlord saw him outside on the way to my apartment. She immediately became hostile and demanded that he leave.

The landlord then called me and asked why I was letting dangerous people visit me. I told her that the visitor was my brother and that he was not dangerous.

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My landlord then told me that I was not allowed to have my brother over as a guest because she wanted to keep the house safe and did not want dangerous people on the property. I told her that I didnt think she could stop my brother from visiting me and reiterated that he was not dangerous in any way.

The following week, I was issued a 60-Day Termination of Tenancy notice. This doesnt seem right, but I am not sure what to do. Can you advise me?

Answer: Based on what youve told us, it certainly seems as if your landlord may have been reacting to your brothers race, although you would want a fair housing agency to investigate further to be sure. Here, your landlord knew nothing about your brother except that he was black, and yet she jumped to the conclusion that he was dangerous. Assuming that he was not behaving in a way that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that he was dangerous, her conclusion could well be based on a racial stereotype.

But what makes this situation a little different from most fair housing cases is that the landlords apparent prejudice is not directed specifically at you, her tenant, but to your brother, a visitor.

Fair housing laws protect the right of all tenants to live in a rental property without interference or discrimination, regardless of race, and this includes the right to associate with anyone you choose, regardless of the race of the individual with whom you choose to associate. This means that your landlord cannot prohibit you from having visitors who are black, or of a particular national origin or religion, or of a specific gender or in any other way related to a protected class.

Here, by prohibiting your brother from visiting you apparently for no reason other than his race, and then serving you with a termination notice when you didnt agree to keep him off the property, the landlord may well have violated your fair housing rights.

You should contact your closest fair housing agency as soon as possible to get its assistance in investigating this case more fully. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing.

Current is fair housing director for Project Sentinel, a Bay Area nonprofit. For more information, contact Project Sentinel at 1-888-324-7468, info@housing.org, visit www.housing.org or contact your attorney or local housing agency.
The Department of Transportation under the Obama administration adopted an unprecedented number of airline passenger protections, including a rule that fines carriers for leaving fliers stranded on an airport tarmac for more than three hours.

In the final week of the Obama administration, the federal agency proposed one final regulation: a requirement that airlines and travel agents disclose bag fee information at all points of sale.

The rule expands a previous regulation mandating airlines to include easy-to-find fee information on their websites. Some airlines responded to this rule by burying the information deep within their sites.

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The new proposal goes a step further by requiring that the bag fee information appear alongside the fare price when fliers search air fares on airline websites as well as on Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and other travel sites.

Airlines report record low rates of lost luggage and canceled flights in November 

The departments goal is to protect consumers from hidden and deceptive fees and enable them to determine the true cost of travel in an effective manager when they price shop for air transportation, the agency said in its rule proposal.

The public has until March 20 to comment on the proposal before the agency decides whether to adopt the change.

Airline industry representatives say U.S. carriers have been transparent enough without the new regulation.

The fact that a record number of people are flying underscores that customers are benefiting every day from affordable fares and the ability to choose among carriers, amenities and service options that best meet their needs, said Vaughn Jennings, a spokesman for Airlines for America, the trade group for the nations airlines.

Jennings said he couldnt speculate whether the regulation would get the support of the incoming transportation secretary under the new Trump administration.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter.

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Anyone who has been stuck waiting for a flight at Los Angeles International Airport knows that connecting to the Internet can make a long delay somewhat tolerable.

But a new study released last week found that wireless and cellular speeds at LAX are among the slowest of any major airport in the country.

Seattle-based technology company Ookla gauged the speeds of the four largest carriers  AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon  as well as the airport-provided Wi-Fi at each of the nations top 20 busiest airports.

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When it comes to connecting to cellular service, LAX had the slowest speeds of all airports except for New Yorks LaGuardia Airport, according to the study.

The download cellular speed at LAX was an average of 8 megabits per second, the study found. That is a stark contrast to the fastest cellular speeds of about 45 Mbps at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

LAX had a nightmarish holiday season of delays and gridlock. Its likely a preview of the airports growing pains 

As for the free wireless Internet provided at LAX, it ranks 12th among the 20 biggest airports, behind the airports in Denver, Philadelphia, Seattle and Dallas-Fort Worth. The average download speed at LAX was about 12 Mbps, compared with more than 60 Mbps at Denver International Airport, which ranked as the fastest.

Justin Erbacci, chief technology officer at Los Angeles World Airports, said the airports Wi-Fi provider is adding access points throughout the terminals to make connecting faster. He said his agency is also working with cellular carriers to improve their speeds at the airport.

We understand how important Wi-Fi and cellular service is to our guests, he said. We are listening to them and have heard their message loud and clear.

LAXs Wi-Fi is free in increments of 45 minutes, with faster speeds offered for $4.95 an hour or $7.95 for 24 hours.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

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In the wake of two embarrassing on-board incidents, Delta Air Lines is expediting diversity training for all of its flight attendants and customer service workers in the terminals.

The training was mandated for all executives last year and was planned to be eventually expanded to flight attendants this year. But officials at the Atlanta-based carrier said the timing of the training has been pushed up to start in March after the two recent incidents.

In November, Delta apologized for failing to remove a man from a flight after he launched an expletive-laced speech in support for Donald Trump. Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastain later banned the man for life from the airline.

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A few weeks earlier, Delta had to apologize to an African American doctor who was rebuffed by a flight attendant when she offered to help a sick passenger.

Delta already requires diversity training for new employees and again on an annual basis.

The new inclusion training  involving online lessons and group discussions  was mandated four months ago for all executives. Delta officials said the two incidents have forced the airline to expedite the training for flight attendants and front-line airport workers.

hugo.martin@latimes.com

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Buyers from all over the world flock to Gitman Bros. to get a piece of timeless American style: oxford shirts, plaids and rep ties often cut slightly slimmer to appeal to the trendy and urbane.

But when the companys president, Chris Olberding, attended the venerable menswear trade show Pitti Uomo in Italy this month, the brands Made in USA label was an unexpected liability.

Clients flung jokes at the then-president-elects expense. There was talk about avoiding travel to the U.S. during Donald Trumps four-year term. And one of the Ashland, Pa.-companys accounts was almost canceled because a customer wanted to boycott American clothes.

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I felt like the wind got knocked out of me, Olberding said in a phone interview from Florence. I always thought it was a good thing to keep our production in the U.S., and all of a sudden the conversation changes because of this one person.

By all appearances, Trump should be a boon for the Made in USA brand. The nations 45th president swept into office pledging to get American factories humming again.

We will follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American, Trump said during his inauguration speech Friday.

But the negative reaction at Pitti Uomo underscores the pitfalls of these polarizing times. Trump by association can act as a double-edged sword.

Is Made in USA in danger of becoming Make Made in USA Great Again?  Jonathan Wilde, editor of GQ.com

A backlash against American brands would be a painful and ironic twist for the apparel and footwear companies that have fought to keep production stateside against innumerable odds.

Long before Trump campaigned on the promise of reviving domestic manufacturing, time-tested labels such as Gitman Bros., Filson and Red Wing Shoes were touting their Made in USA roots and encouraging customers to buy American menswear at a time when competitors had long fled to cheaper countries.

They rode a wave of popularity in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis as trendsetters began rejecting fast-fashion brands like H&M and embracing traditionally stodgy ones like Brooks Bros.  an acknowledgment that it was better to buy pieces that lasted than support wasteful fads. With a modern cut and higher prices, the movement essentially made your grandfathers clothes cool, at least among a certain subset of fashion-savvy men.

Now, some of those same companies, as well as more recently established ones, are wondering what the Made in USA label will mean under the new administration. Will it continue to stand for craftsmanship and style, or amount to an endorsement of Trumps policies  or even the president himself?

Its a question made all the more important because many of the labels newfound fans are ensconced in left-leaning enclaves like Brooklyn and Silver Lake.

Is Made in USA in danger of becoming Make Made in USA Great Again? said Jonathan Wilde, editor of GQ.com, a mens fashion bible that has been at the forefront of reviving interest in so-called heritage American brands.

Wilde sees a contradiction unfolding. On one hand, U.S. apparel makers could benefit from an administration that favors local producers and makes domestic manufacturing more cost effective. On the other, these brands could lose their cool among their prime demographic if Trump turns Made in America into a political slogan.

He can support things that arent entirely wrong, Wilde said. But can you separate that from the rest of him? He could be your largest ally or your worst ally. He could make what was a very good phrase almost something of a third rail.

New Balance, whose retro sneaker designs have enjoyed a popular resurgence, may be the first casualty of this new dynamic. The company, which makes some of its footwear in the U.S., found itself at the center of a social media firestorm in November after an executive was quoted in the Wall Street Journal saying the Obama administration turned a deaf ear to us and that things are going to move in the right direction under Trump.

Defaced my New Balance shoes as an interim measure. Will certainly never buy another pair. https://t.co/WfWqLc09yP pic.twitter.com/rrLNoWdaHJ  Janine Ballard (@janine_ballard) November 17, 2016

I run 1000s miles (I run ultras). Will never wear NB ---New Balance Created Its PR Crisis. Neo-Nazis Arent Helping https://t.co/cr4HxKXxHR  Julie Goodale (@JulieGoodale) November 15, 2016

Customers were outraged, pledging a boycott and posting videos of the companys chunky sneakers getting tossed in the trash or set ablaze. White supremacists began claiming New Balance as the shoe brand of white people. The company, which did not respond to a request for an interview, quickly released a statement saying it did not tolerate bigotry or hate and remained committed to manufacturing in the U.S.

A similar controversy befell L.L. Bean this month (albeit without the white supremacists) after Trump tweeted support for the Maine clothing brand, which had landed on a list of companies to boycott because of its ties to the president. Those ties, however, were limited to board member Linda Bean, a Trump donor. In a public statement, the company sought to distance itself from Linda Bean, the granddaughter of L.L. Beans founder.

We are deeply troubled by the portrayal of L.L. Bean as a supporter of any political agenda, said the company, which still produces some items such as boots in the U.S.

The recent politicization of fashion labels is the stuff of nightmares for executives like Geoff Clawson, president of Birdwell, a surfwear company thats been manufacturing its signature board shorts in the same Santa Ana factory since 1961.

Its something we pay close attention to, but I dont wish for that problem, Clawson said of the controversies that usurped New Balance and L.L. Bean.

Keeping production in the U.S. is hard enough without having to worry about how partisan politics can affect the bottom line. Supply chain is a constant concern because the success of Clawsons business is deeply linked to the survival of his nylon supplier in South Carolina and grommet supplier in Florida.

Its possible for Made in America to come back, but it will require more of this source material manufacturing to also return to the U.S. and be profitable, Clawson said. Politics aside, it seems like thats what the president-elect is pointing to. For us to be Great Again, we need to reclaim these disciplines.

Its unclear precisely what Trumps administration will do to bring jobs back other than to renegotiate trade deals or raise tariffs on imports. Fashion industry experts say that would be devastating for a broad swath of American apparel brands that either manufacture or source materials from overseas (including Trump- and Ivanka Trump-branded apparel). It would, however, shrink the gap between the cost of clothes made in the U.S. and those made overseas.

The fashion industrys low margins have punished companies such as the recently sold American Apparel, which tried to sell affordable, mass-market clothes while offering its employees living wages. The share of domestically produced clothing in the U.S. in 2015 was 2.7%, down from 10.2% in 2005 and 46.2% in 1995, according to the American Apparel & Footwear Assn. Over the same period, apparel consumption has grown more than 60%.

Theres absolutely no possibility of fashion making a reentry to the U.S., said Bjorn Bengtsson, a professor at Parsons School for Design in New York. The reason is labor. Most U.S. manufacturers are having tremendous difficulty finding skilled labor. We have to train people. But even then, salaries are not going to be as low as in countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Higher wages means higher price tags, and Americans have shown an unwillingness to pay more for their shoes and threads. A recent NDP Group survey found that 80% of Americans considered Made in USA labels important to some degree, yet only 23% said they would pay more for it.

Made in USA tags to be sewn into shorts, shirts and jackets at Birdwell, a surfwear company founded in 1961 that makes its goods in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times )

The apparel industry is also nervous about the effect that Trump will have on its largely immigrant workforce. Finding qualified workers to man sewing machines has been so challenging that companies such as Brooks Bros. have turned to refugees to fill out its ranks.

Im not sure this work appeals to anyone, said Marcus Wainwright, co-founder of Rag & Bone, which still relies on the shrinking New York garment district for production. I wish it did. The only people left to work in this are immigrants. Cut down on them and it will make things a lot harder.

Still, some fashion brands are hopeful about a Trump administration, arguing that his rhetoric is invariably bringing more positive attention to the Made in USA label and that his policies could level the playing field with competitors that manufacture abroad.

When designer Todd Shelton started selling his namesake clothes, he manufactured in China but hated having little control over production itself. So he shifted manufacturing back to the U.S., eventually making jeans, woven shirts and sweaters out of a factory in East Rutherford, N.J., where he can hover over his products as theyre made.

Still, Shelton believed that the odds were stacked against him, with local suppliers struggling to survive and competitors turning to low-cost foreign manufacturers. So he cast his vote for Trump in the hope that his administration would take action like levying import tariffs, which could make his products more cost-competitive and slow the deluge of imported clothing thats driving over-consumption.

As business owners, weve heard support for Made in USA before from politicians, but with Trump, it felt sincere, Shelton said. In my case, I saw this election as the best shot I may ever have to affect trade policies that could help my company and my employees  so I took a chance.

But any new trade policies may not keep up with changes in fashion. The American heritage look, which gave us sartorial curiosities like the lumbersexual, is already falling out of favor, according to mens fashion experts. In its place is a return to European luxury, as well as a sort of gulag chic popularized by Kanye West, whose own label and popular Adidas sneakers are manufactured overseas.

Even if policies are enacted to bring American manufacturing jobs back, that doesnt mean there will be a demand for American-made goods, said Brad Bennett, founder of Well Spent, a website that highlights up-and-coming brands and ethically sourced clothing from America and around the world.

Bennett added: Most New York fashion editors wouldnt be caught dead wearing Red Wing shoes now.

david.pierson@latimes.com

Follow me @dhpierson on Twitter

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A social icebreaker was perhaps the first giveaway that 1951 Coffee, a new coffee shop in Berkeley, is not your typical latte stop.

Where are you from? Nazira Babori, 26, a barista-in-training, asked her coworker, Tedros Abraha.



For the record: An earlier version of this article contained a quote from barista trainee Tedros Abraha stating that the Eritrea was above Egypt. Eritrea is south of Egypt.

Eritrea, Abraha, 31, said. Do you know Eritrea?

Hmmm, Babori said. Is it democratic?

With the exception of co-founders Rachel Taber and Douglas Hewitt, 1951 Coffee is entirely staffed by refugees, asylum seekers and special immigrant visa holders. The nonprofit establishment counts among its baristas people who left Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, Uganda and Syria after facing political, religious or ethnic persecution. Its a coffee shop with a cause, giving recent arrivals barista training and employing them in customer-facing roles so they can practice speaking English and engage with the community.

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And, while its still early days, its founders believe it stands as a testament to the welcoming nature of American communities, particularly as President Trump takes office with his promise of a hard-line stance on immigration.

Its been difficult and tense, said Taber.

When the coffee shop was first announced last year, commenters on articles questioned why she and Hewitt, who both previously worked for the International Rescue Committee and now run the 1951 Coffee Company  a refugee advocacy organization of which the coffee shop is a part  are creating jobs for refugees instead of those born in America.

Theres this sense of, Why arent we helping our own? Taber said. But just because were doing this doesnt mean were taking away from programs for Americans. Theres room for everyone.

With immigration thrust into the spotlight during the recent election cycle, she sees it as an opportunity to educate. Many Americans, for example, think of refugees as outsiders who havent yet arrived in the country, Taber said. But thousands of refugees are resettled in California every year, and thousands more are already living and working as locals.

Los Angeles County last year resettled 2,250 refugees, according to data from the California Department of Social Services. In the East Bay counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, more than 400 refugees from Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, Eritrea, Iraq, Iran and Syria settled between October 2015 and September 2016. Those numbers dont include asylum seekers, who arent as well-documented because many dont receive formal resettlement services.

The Bay Area has so far welcomed 1951 Coffees arrival, with locals patronizing the coffee shop during its soft launch this week and hanging back to ask about its mission. Being in Berkeley  historically a bastion of liberal politics  has also helped.

The coffee shop looks and feels like neighboring trendy coffee houses, serving almond milk lattes, drip coffee and cold brews. But its walls are decorated with information about the plight of refugees  a feature its founders hope will make patrons stop to think.

Customers and staff chat at 1951 Coffee, a new shop where the baristas are refugees. (David Butow / For the Los Angeles Times )

By its second day, 1951 was experiencing the morning and afternoon rushes typical of coffee shops.

I was a bit nervous today, said Meg Karki, 27, a barista at 1951 who had never worked in a coffee shop before. But it was fun.

Originally from Bhutan, Karki spent 20 years in a refugee camp in Nepal before resettling in Oakland five years ago. Even though he was eager to work, his lack of work experience in the United States hampered his job hunt. He did a stint at fast-food joints such as Little Caesars, where he barely interacted with customers. He also worked at Chipotle and Trader Joes. But none of those jobs prepared him to work with customers in the way 1951 Coffee has, he said.

Prior to the coffee shops opening, every employee received barista training, in addition to basic customer service training, and attended workshops on workplace and American culture.

In some cultures, a person might have a job interview and never look their boss in the eye, said Hewitt. Whereas in the U.S., if you didnt make eye contact with someone, theyd think something was wrong. We try to prepare them for that.

The coffee shop pays its baristas $13 an hour, plus tips and benefits (minimum wage in Berkeley is $12.53).

This is one of the best ideas, said Abraha, who resettled in Oakland last August after fleeing Eritrea five years ago, where he had been a political prisoner. His journey took him from Eritrea to Sudan, Angola, Brazil and finally to the United States. Quick to adopt the American hustle, he now works two jobs: one at 1951, and a food service gig at a mac n cheese restaurant in Oakland.

Its difficult to be a new person in a new country, Abraha said. But being here, in the U.S., you get respect and recognition. The most important thing is to live with dignity.

For Karki, 1951 Coffee is also a source of purpose and pride. Its not just a job, he said. We are helping people, and that makes me happy.

On Day 2, as Karki prepared to clock out from his morning shift, the afternoon rush started.

Oh wow, said Hewitt, as 10 customers walked into the coffee shop at the same time.

Do you need my help? Karki asked. No one heard him over the bustle. He looked at the line, put down his bag, and made his way back behind the coffee counter. Im gonna help, he said.

tracey.lien@latimes.com

Twitter: @traceylien

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Late Friday on inauguration day, several dozen people arrived at the L.A. County Museum of Arts Bing Theater to consider the transition of power to a new president. But it had nothing to do with Donald Trump.

Instead, the event was focused on Ronald Reagans 1981 inaugural gala, which was hosted by Johnny Carson and aired on ABC News.

The museum was screening artist Edgar Arceneauxs film Until, Until, Until, which examined a controversial song-and-dance routine created by performer Ben Vereen for the Reagan inaugural. In tribute to vaudevillian Bert Williams, Vereen had donned blackface. But when ABC cut a key portion of his performance from the televised broadcast, Vereens intentions were misinterpreted, and there was furious backlash.

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Arceneaux created a work of theater in New York City based on Vereens inaugural act. The movie screened at LACMA is a filmed version of one of Arceneauxs performances.

Until, Until, Until was shown for free at the museum. LACMA curator Jose Luis Blondet described it as our counter inaugurational event. The crowd, filled with artists, writers, actors and aficionados, gave him hearty applause

The works examination of the volatile intersection of race and politics was certainly magnified on the day in which Trump, who made controversial statements about Muslims, African Americans and Mexicans throughout the campaign, was sworn into office. In introducing the film, Arceneaux was visibly rattled.

Watching Obama get on a helicopter and leave D.C. and hand the key to the White House to he said, unable to complete the thought.

After the screening, Arceneaux took questions. But he also arranged for a little surprise. Organizational psychologist Roberto Vargas took to the stage with a drum to give audience members  many of whom seemed rattled by the Trump inauguration  a morale booster.

Vargas asked those gathered to share their worries, to name the things that inspired gratitude and to make a commitment for how they would effect change.

One woman said she was committed to bringing humor back.

A man shouted, I commit to not giving up.

Vargas played his drum and sent everyone off with some words of uplift: We do our art, we do our work, we do our life to make a better world.

--------------

This is one of several inaugural weekend dispatches in which I follow L.A.'s cultural institutions, big and small, to see how they are responding  or not  to the advent of the Trump administration.

Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter 

carolina.miranda@latimes.com

@cmonstah

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Watch a nightclub shooting in virtual reality? For Rose Troche, painful subjects make for powerful art

Filmmaker Rose Troche wants her virtual reality work to be considered something other than cinema. She premiered a VR piece at Sundance, If Not Love. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Rose Troche says she came out three times in her life: first as a Puerto Rican, next as an artist and finally as a gay person.

By the time I came out as gay, it was like, Oh, this old thing? jokes Troche, the child of immigrant parents who grew up hiding her minority identity on multiple levels in a tough Chicago neighborhood during the 1960s and 70s.

Relaxing on a couch in a Hollywood Hills chalet, she explains how shes in the midst of a fourth coming-out of sorts. As a writer and director on the vanguard of virtual reality, shes trying to articulate that her latest form of art isnt filmmaking.

Its a tricky but important sticking point for the celebrated indie filmmaker, whose virtual reality project If Not Love premiered this week at the Sundance Film Festivals experimental New Frontier arts and media exhibition.

Since 2012, New Frontier has showcased the film worlds bold and exciting steps into the VR space. Troche, who has exhibited three pieces at New Frontier since 2014, is searching for fresh language to describe that entrance.

Im advocating for a whole new set of words so that we stop calling it cinema, she says. This needs to exist as what it is and not be put into a funnel of what is a beautiful and amazing medium, but its not the same thing.

Troche would know. She carved out a career for herself in film after her 1994 feature debut, the lesbian romantic comedy Go Fish, became a cult hit. Made for $15,000, the film grossed more than $2.4 million at the box office thanks to a string of awards and a nomination for a Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.

I do pieces that take you to places that you dont want to go, and I dont want to take you to those places on a whim or in a cavalier way.  Rose Troche

Film gave way to a decade spent building commercial success in television, most notably as the co-executive producer of the lesbian drama The L Word. But a history of social activism and a desire for a new artistic challenge drove Troche to create VR work.

Three out of four of her pieces have dealt with difficult subjects. Perspective Chapter 1: The Party was a first-person exploration of date rape from the point of view of both the survivor and the assailant. Perspective Chapter 2: The Misdemeanor told the story of a police shooting from the perspective of a policeman and a young black man being shot.

The new work, If Not Love, is a short piece that takes the viewer on a painful, 360-degree journey through a mass shooting at a gay nightclub. If Not Love isnt intended to re-create last years Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Fla., but the project was inspired by that incident as well as by the tragedy in Nice, France, when a truck plowed through a crowd at a Bastille Day celebration.

In both cases, Troche wondered if anything could have been done to stop the violence.

If Not Love explores that thought by following the story of a closeted gay man who, after an anonymous hookup, decides to carry out a shooting at a nightclub. The piece presents an alternate scenario where, instead of letting him leave after sex, the mans partner asks him to stay. The two men kiss and hold each other, while back at the nightclub the bodies on the ground suddenly rise up in reverse of the falls they took in the shooting.

The idea, which Troche admits is perhaps naively simplistic, is that a single act of love just might save someone from himself. She felt VR would be the most effective medium to get her idea across because of its immediacy.

This form allows you a shortness of story, but in a more immersive way, Troche says. I do pieces that take you to places that you dont want to go, and I dont want to take you to those places on a whim or in a cavalier way. I wouldnt want you to be immersed in this for more than seven minutes.

If this isnt film, what is it? You watch it like film, only through a special headset. And the watching is active, instead of inactive. VR encourages you to move around  to look up, down, right and left. If you turn completely around during the scene in If Not Love, when the shooter is leaving after his secret tryst, for example, you will see a childs car seat.

With VR, Troche says, we are relearning how to watch. Its teaching us how to view things differently, and to be more intuitive viewers.

New Frontier curator Shari Frilot says she has invited Troche to exhibit year after year because of her ability to emotionally penetrate the limits of the intellect  in ways that are powerful, familiar and accessible.

She continues to stand out as a storyteller in this field who is doing something unique around combining classic aspects of filmmaking  character, performance, story structure  with the embodied power of this immersive medium in ways that continue to push this field forward, says Frilot, who has seen New Frontier grow exponentially since its inception in 2007 as a fledgling space at the intersection of art, filmmaking and technology.

Troche believes that VR will claim its rightful place in the pantheon of future media arts when its makers learn to create strong narratives with powerhouse performances. Three years ago, she says, it was popular to say narrative couldnt be done in VR. This has been proven false, but to date she doesnt feel the accomplishment has been properly achieved.

Its really important to me to test the parameters of how to create sustainable narratives in VR, Troche says, adding that the sooner a cohesive language to describe it emerges, including critics who understand and employ that language, the sooner that feat will be accomplished.

Actors, too, will need to relearn their craft if VR is to flourish. Actors are never off camera in a 360-degree film, unless they physically leave the room. Its almost like being in a play, only, unlike with theater, actors in VR need to understate everything. The more they project in VR, the more false they look.

Troches next step into the narrative realm is a 30-minute VR comedy series called LGBTQIA, which she describes as The Bad News Bears of gay comedy.

Im trying to find the strengths of VR and what it has to offer, she says.

I watched the film Blue alone in a movie theater, and I remember being in the space and bubble and world of it. I think VR has the potential to put viewers back in that space in a whole new way.
The inauguration is over, so you can turn off your cellphones!

That was the Sundance Film Festivals director, John Cooper, introducing the Friday afternoon screening of Gillian Robespierres new comedy, Landline. For those of us who chose to bury ourselves in movies rather than pay attention to the events transpiring across the country, the mention of the inauguration jolted us briefly back to reality  a needle puncturing our cozy Hollywood bubble, if you will  shortly before the lights dimmed and a fresh distraction took over the screen.

Reactions to the inauguration seemed fairly muted in Park City, at least from this observers admittedly limited, partly scarf-concealed vantage. Rather than cheer, jeer or laugh in response to Coopers mention, most of us simply followed his instructions and put our cellphones away  a fitting enough way to ease oneself into a movie called Landline. In this 1995 nostalgia-fest, a Manhattan family must rely on floppy disks and mixtapes to make their way through a gauntlet of dysfunction and bad decision-making. (More political reminders: At one point, the characters watch Hillary Clinton delivering her Womens rights are human rights speech in Beijing, though mostly they just admire her pink pantsuit.)

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The movie centers around twentysomething Dana (Jenny Slate), whos in love but a tad bored with her fiance (Jay Duplass), and her 17-year-old sister, Ali (Abby Quinn), whos starting to experiment with boys and drugs. They clash to varying degrees with their parents (Edie Falco and John Turturro), whose long marriage is showing signs of strain. The insight of the movie  delivered amid a torrent of half-germane, half-gratuitous raunch  is that lust, dissatisfaction and restlessness have a way of manifesting themselves at every age and stage of life.

Landline is the latest collaboration between Robespierre and Slate since Obvious Child, which made a splash at Sundance in 2014 as a kind of pro-choice indie-comedy rejoinder to Juno. Their new movie isnt as daringly high-concept, or as effective. The family dynamics are persuasive enough, particularly Slate and Quinns snappish, sisterly rapport. But the tetchiness soon turns monotonous. Great movie bickering becomes a kind of music, but well before the end of Landline, I just wanted the characters to cease their ranting and storming, or at least lower the volume.

::

Speaking of lowering the volume: In writer-director Maggie Betts exquisitely cloistered drama Novitiate, a fresh class of aspiring nuns are introduced to the harsh, sacred rigors of convent life. Their days are divided between regular silence, during which some talking is permitted, and grand silence, when it is expressly forbidden. Eye contact between nuns is frowned upon; physical touch is an outright sin.

Margaret Qualley in Novitiate. (Mark Levine / Sundance Institute )

Its sometime during the early 1960s, shortly after the sweeping reforms introduced by Pope John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council, which allowed nuns to shed their literal and figurative habits. But the Reverend Mother (Melissa Leo), who oversees the Sisters of the Blessed Rose, is having none (ahem) of it. She suppresses the news of Vatican IIs decisions and continues to discipline her postulants with every instrument at her disposal  none more nightmarish than the chapter of faults, a regular gathering where the young sisters are ordered to confess their gravest weaknesses.

The tension Leo can generate simply by entering a room is extraordinary; the folds in her wimple look like extra neck tendons. Her performance immediately joins the all-time great screen depictions of domineering clergywomen  right up there with the late Geraldine McEwan in The Magdalene Sisters and Agata Kulesza in last years Sundance-premiered The Innocents. Hell, Ill even throw in Maggie Smith in Sister Act, but Im leaving out Meryl Streep in Doubt (Leo would eat her for breakfast). The scenery-chewing doesnt cancel out the emotional depth in this case; it amplifies it. This performance becomes a small masterpiece of camp humanism.

Leo may be Novitiates standout element, but she isnt its center. That would be a young postulant named Sister Cathleen, embodied with gorgeous stillness by Margaret Qualley, who defies the wishes of her mother (Julianne Nicholson) to pursue her love of God to its fullest. Sister Cathleen takes her vocation more seriously than her fellow trainees (one of them claims to have signed up after seeing Audrey Hepburn in The Nuns Story), which only makes her more susceptible to the more unyielding aspects of the calling.

This is an excellent narrative feature debut for Betts, who previously directed the 2011 documentary The Carrier, about the impact of the AIDS crisis on a Zambian family. Her nonfiction training can be seen in the immersive, even-handed way she captures the convents hushed environs and ritualistic way of life, but it doesnt account for her remarkable skill with actors. In an ensemble without a weak link, special note should be made of Dianna Agron (Glee), gently heartbreaking as an empathetic, progressive-minded young nun who learns, well before any of the others, that you can only repress the body so long before crushing the spirit.

The strongest film Ive seen in the U.S. dramatic competition so far, Novitiate made an unexpectedly stellar double bill with Jeff Baenas Midnight entry, The Little Hours. A gleefully anachronistic comic riff on The Decameron, set in a medieval convent that becomes a hotbed of horny activity, the movie stars Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza and Kate Micucci as a wicked trio of mean-girl nuns who drop more expletives than Hail Marys, get drunk on sacramental wine and think nothing of sexually assaulting the hunky new handyman (Dave Franco).

If the humor gets a bit one-joke  I wish Molly Shannons Mother Superior, in particular, had more to do  The Little Hours is nonetheless a cohesive vision. And like Novitiate, its a surprisingly shrewd reflection on the age-old tension between devotion and desire. Baena, who was previously at Sundance with Life After Beth and Joshy, earned a minor in medieval and Renaissance studies while at NYU film school, and while he has clearly taken a few artistic liberties with what he learned, he somehow achieves that rare form of cinematic transubstantiation whereby mockery becomes an act of love.

justin.chang@latimes.com
First things first. Yes, there is a movie at Sundance called L.A. Times. No, it does not have anything to do with this here media organization of the Los Angeles Times. (Trust me, when the festivals program announcement came out, there were some very quizzical looks around the newsroom, as if people were afraid they had been in a documentary and/or reality show without knowing it.)

Rather, L.A. Times is a look, at once both breezy and insightful, into the personal and professional intersections of a small group of people in the creative enclaves of Silver Lake, Echo Park and Los Feliz. The first feature film directed by Michelle Morgan, who also wrote the screenplay and plays the lead role, L.A. Times launches her as a multi-faceted talent to watch.

The film has its world premiere on Friday night at Sundance as part of the discovery-oriented Next section. In the film, Morgan plays Annette, who impulsively breaks up with her boyfriend, Elliott (Jorma Tacone), and finds herself feeling adrift. At the same time, Annettes friend Baker (Dree Hemingway) has problems of her own as she juggles an affair with married man (Tate Donovan) and an increasingly complicated relationship with a cousin (indie stalwart Kentucker Audley, revealing himself as an unexpectedly credible romantic leading man). The supporting cast includes Margarita Levieva, Adam Shapiro, Angela Trimbur. Robert Schwartzman and Nora Zehetner.

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The movie is littered with wry observations and dialogue heightened just enough to have a witty sparkle but still seem credible. In conversation, Morgan comes across as unguarded and a bit freewheeling  Am I allowed to share grievances in this interview? she asked early on during a recent conversation in a Hollywood coffee shop  while still just a few degrees different from her character in the movie.

Nothing in the movie is particularly autobiographical, she added, I mean, is the character me? Every character that you write as a writer is a little bit of you. I think that if youre going to make a movie and youre going to star in it, you should poke fun at yourself, and I tried to do that.

If youre going to make a movie and youre going to star in it, you should poke fun at yourself.  Michelle Morgan on the Los Angeles of L.A. Times

A Los Angeles native, after attending Cal State Northridge Morgan was planning on becoming a screenwriter when she fell into acting, mostly for television. Then she had to work her way back into screenwriting and eventually wrote, directed and acted in a short film, K.I.T., which played Sundance in 2013.

I feel like my journey is a little bit weird, Morgan said. I feel like a lot of people make a short or they make an indie so that they can get an agent and start getting work and I feel like Im working backwards.

Morgan recalled that when trying to make it as an actress she would often rewrite the dialogue she was given for auditions and the casting people would ask if they could use her revisions. She launched herself into a writing career, working on numerous studio projects and television pilots. She wrote the 2008 Anton Yelchin-Eva Amurri film Middle of Nowhere, and followed it in 2013 with Girl Most Likely starring Kristen Wiig.

Even though she appeared in the K.I.T. short and now L.A. Times, and Morgan acknowledges writer-director-performers such as Woody Allen, Albert Brooks and Lena Dunham as influences, she sees herself shifting toward a purely behind-the-camera creative path.

I didnt do this to be an actress. I dont know if I want to act even at all anymore, she said. I did this as a bit of rebellion for all the years I was segregated from everything. As a writer youre just not allowed to make any decisions, and so this was kind of a control freak being like Im going to do this the way I want to do this.

L.A. Times is also something of a romantic manifesto, a purposeful antidote to the fantasy relationships that once fueled Hollywoods rom-com boom. Morgan is herself in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend, screenwriter Jared Stern (also a producer on the movie), but finds that the way movies portray romantic couplings is rarely in line with her own feelings on the experience.

Im not all about romantic true love, one soulmate, she continued. I think its OK to love a couple of different people secretly in your heart and to also love the person that youre with and choosing a partner to live with or to marry, a lot goes into that. Its not Cinderella.

I dont relate to people that act like theyre really really happy in their relationship, Morgan said. I trust people that go, You know what, I havent had sex in three months, I  hate him sometimes. But were in it for the long haul. Or were not in it for the long haul. I dont necessarily think that a break up disparages what somebody had. And so thats how I feel about relationships.

Portraits of contemporary Los Angeles, in particular the neighborhoods surveyed by L.A. Times, have become something of a recent Sundance staple. Morgans take on this particular slice of the city stands out as both cynical and hopeful, a realist romance that is a little bit flaky and a little bit grounded. Much like life for many in the city itself.

But there is one thing that throws off, just for a moment, the seemingly unflappable Morgan. When asked her age, she paused, using the question to reflect on where she finds herself in her career and as a filmmaker making her debut at Sundance.

I dont really want to talk about it, Morgan said. Im in my 30s. I have no issues with being in my 30s, but you always want everyone to think this just happened. And of course it didnt.

Although actually now that I think about it, she quickly course-corrected, I dont want anyone to think this just happened. Because it didnt. It took a long time for this to happen. And I wouldnt change that.

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Mark.Olsen@latimes.com

Follow on Twitter: @IndieFocus

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Eight years ago was an amazing day, said Emmy-winning film producer Julie Goldman (Life, Animated, Weiner) on a palpably subdued inauguration morning at the Sundance Film Festival. Today is the opposite.

Sundance veterans can vividly recall Inauguration Day 2009, when attendees of the prestigious annual film festival put the movies on pause, gathered in the snow-covered streets of Park City, Utah, and squeezed into viewing parties to watch Barack Obama get sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America.

Friday morning at this years Sundance, no such celebration greeted the anointing of President Trump.

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Theres a cloud hanging over the festival in general. Everyone is down, added Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, who directed the Oscar shortlisted documentary Life, Animated, about a family using movies to communicate with their autistic son.

I cannot watch the inauguration. Its too painful. Its great to be able to watch films and escape from this reality.  Oscar-winning documentarian Roger Ross Williams

Goldman and Williams sat with their backs to the Trump broadcast inside a Sundance lounge hosted by CNN Films. Like many Sundance-goers, they woke up Friday morning choosing to not actively watch the inauguration.

I do not want to watch the inauguration, said Williams, who attended Al Gores inspiring opening night premiere of An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power. I cannot watch the inauguration. Its too painful. Its great to be able to watch films and escape from this reality.

A day ahead of a quickly swelling anti-Trump protest in Park City, businesses and visiting filmmakers alike were steeling for the event expected to attract over 4,200 people to the top of Main Street on Saturday morning.

On Friday, however, even those planning to join the march expressed a feeling of mournfulness as Trump officially took office.

Unlike the first Sundance of the Obama era there were no high-profile viewing parties to be had, no cheering in the streets. Walking the central thoroughfare of Main Street past stores and restaurants prepping for the weekend crush, it was difficult to find a venue, any venue, showing an inauguration broadcast.

As the swearing-in ceremony began, a small group of festival attendees trickled into the CNN Films lounge  the rare venue along Main Street televising the event.

The CNN Films lounge at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival (Jen Yamato / Los Angeles Times )

Guests watched quietly as President Trump vowed to be a global unifier, particularly against the radical Islamic terrorism he promised to eradicate from the face of the Earth. His address prompted quiet outbursts from a Park City local.

Sure, she sighed, sarcastically.

Liz Nord, filmmaker and editor in chief of No Film School, found the silver lining in spending a depressing inauguration weekend among a community of like-minded filmmakers now further galvanized to put their art into action.

Its been heartening to be around people who I believe will be involved in creative resistance in the next four years, she said. Theyre working on so many important issues, and raising the visibility of these issues is going to be more important than ever.

We also have to try to find a way to understand the whole country and make films that speak to people, no matter what their affiliation is.  Emmy award-winning film producer Julie Goldman

Said Goldman: We have a big challenge ahead. First of all, were going to be in a struggle and a fight to get funding. We also have to try to find a way to understand the whole country and make films that speak to people, no matter what their affiliation is.

Businesses, meanwhile, were steeling for different kinds of challenges over inauguration weekend. The festival brings in an estimated $143 million in economic activity to the state each year, but while restricted access around the protest route will have a direct effect on parking for employees, shops and cafes along Main Street were eagerly stocking and staffing up well in advance of Saturdays march.

On Friday afternoon Kathie James was working behind the counter at Southwest Indian Traders, a shop lined with wood carvings, animal skin rugs and Native American jewelry downstairs from the Sundance Filmmakers Lounge on Main Street. She said she was dreading Saturdays expected influx of protesters because additional street closures and massive crowds will make getting to work more difficult.

Despite the potential increase in protest-related foot traffic, the stores owner decided to reduce Saturdays hours in order to avoid the potential chaos and congestion directly outside its doors.

James, a septuagenarian who voted against crooked Hillary in November and tuned into the inauguration broadcast before her work shift, described Saturdays celebrity-studded protest with bemused detachment.

Kathie James, left, and Connie Marshall of Southwest Indian Traders in Park City, Utah (Jen Yamato / Los Angeles Times )

Its the Democrats who are [angry]. Its the liberals! she said. Theyre the ones who are throwing the fit. Youre not going to see any conservatives out there.

Tight security was already in place at Thursdays opening night premieres, where guards inspected the bags and heavy snow jackets of all ticketed festival guests. On Main Street at midday on Friday, a police officer on loan from the Salt Lake Airport Police Department patrolled the sidewalk with a bomb-sniffing dog.

Connie Marshall, who works at two stores along the protest route, voiced concern over potential safety risks at Saturdays event given its highly public and highly politicized nature. I hope tomorrows not going to bring anything bad, she said. I worry about that too.

James disagreed. The people who are conservative in Utah are not fighters, she laughed. Theyre Mormon.

jen.yamato@latimes.com

@jenyamato
After a December fire in Oakland killed dozens of young music fans at the DIY venue known as Ghost Ship, one question has ricocheted around L.A.s underground music community: What do we do now?

In the wake of tragedy and public scrutiny, L.A.s underground promoters, artists and fans know that change is coming. A scene that felt like a little utopia has been scarred by unbelievable loss, and a police crackdown on un-permitted venues has already begun (the popular Burning Man hangout Purple 33, near Culver City, was among the first to go).

Long-simmering fears of displacement  over safety concerns and gentrification alike  have proven prescient.

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The conversation about how to move forward has been difficult to document. Many in the scene have, out of fear for their livelihoods, retreated deeper into the underground, relying on private social-media groups, specialized apps and a no-talking-to-media policy to avoid further pressure.

Yet few promoters seem ready to give up. Many consider such shows to be safe havens for marginalized groups not welcome at more mainstream venues. Additionally, as scared and frustrated as some promoters are, others are optimistic that a safer future is possible and argue for open dialogue among underground promoters, city officials and cultural institutions.

To see how they were adapting to the new, post-Ghost Ship reality, The Times reached out to several dozen promoters and artists involved in L.A.s underground club-music scene. Although the response from many was silence, others conveyed a need to publicly defend the importance of underground music culture.

Look at the Bauhaus parties in the 20s, look at Shakespeare and Andy Warhol. Think of our most profound artists in history: These are the spaces where they come from, said Derek Marshall, who throws the underground, LGBT-focused roving party Ostbahnhof. If you want to have a thriving culture, these spaces need to be protected. Its not about going to get messed up or disassociate, its about creating beauty and making the world a better place. 

The response of the many promoters who politely declined to comment was typified by one who said, My gut reaction is that I think I need to lay low on this.

Some cited a recent L.A. Times article in which reporters visited underground shows and published names of promoters who didnt always have the necessary permits. Others said that media scrutiny blamed the very people who perished at Ghost Ship for creating the conditions that killed them.

But a few concert promoters have decided to speak out  to demystify what they do and rebut stereotypes about the scene. They hope that the Ghost Ship tragedy might open up new relationships with local governments and institutions, to find a detente that allows for DIY shows with a renewed transparency about safety.

The promoters who spoke to The Times emphasized that they would pursue any opportunity to improve safety at their shows. The conditions at Ghost Ship were, if not completely anomalous, some of the worst in the DIY world. The Oakland fire department had no records of visits to the building in 12 years, and building code inspectors hadnt visited in 30. The space was full of combustible, exit-blocking furniture, and many of the dead were trapped above an illegal stairway built from wooden pallets.

If you dont think about the basic safety of your guests then youre doing it wrong, said Aaron Davis, the promoter behind the popular Acid Camp series of concerts and daytime parties. There are simple things, like multiple easily accessible exits, that I always make sure are obstacle-free. Many times, DIY still means up to code and beyond. Many people cant afford to pull permits but can still have an A+ safety rating.

After Ghost Ship, a popular public Google document made the rounds in clubland offering tips for abiding by safety codes in DIY venues. But the process of navigating building and fire codes, coupled with the expense of pulling event permits, as well as producing the actual shows, can be opaque and often economically unfeasible for small-scale concerts.

When reached for comment on Wednesday, representatives for the Los Angeles Fire Department said they would be unable to answer questions by press time.

In Berlin, perhaps the city with the most successful nightlife scene on the planet, there is an intermediary to help promoters abide by the best safety practices. Lutz Leichsenring is the spokesman for Berlins Clubcommission, a group designed as a liaison between Berlins artistic communities and its governing bodies. Other cities like London and Amsterdam have similar agencies.

While Berlin has a famously liberal attitude toward clubbing (especially compared to Californias 2 a.m. closing times and cost-prohibitive liquor licensing), Leichsenring sees his group as model for how to organize a sometimes-unruly artistic scene, advocate for its cultural and economic merits, and better communicate with local governments.

As L.A. reckons with Ghost Ship and how to regulate such venues, a similar advocacy body might be advantageous.

I think what needs to be done is to create understanding on both sides, Leichsenring said. Our strategy was to create a platform for young promoters. At our second meeting, we invited a lawyer to explain to them exactly what is legal and illegal, and also the gray zones. The next meeting was to talk to politicians, and they said, We understand this is something Berlin needs, but there are problems. If you find solutions to this, we will support you.

The police dont want to spend their time shutting down parties, he added. The police were some of the first allies we got, actually. 

That dialogue can create literal dividends for cities. Berlin-based tech companies like Soundcloud, Ableton and Native Instruments all have direct roots in the citys vibrant electronic music scene.

Another strategy might be closer partnerships with existing cultural institutions, like MOCA and the Broad Museum, whose vast fiscal and political capital could create opportunities for struggling promoters while maintaining artistic credibility.

Many of the marquee cultural spaces in L.A. host underground music performances on-site, such as the Music Centers popular Sleepless after-hours series and the Broads Nonobject(ive) concerts, which have featured experimental acts like Sophie, Elysia Crampton and Lotic.

Some hope that such institutional muscle could someday fund off-site programming as well.

Its interesting to see in other major cities how museums have grounding connections to the underground, said Nacho Nava, the promoter for the long-running, gay-focused, experimental club night Mustache Mondays, now held at the (fully permitted) downtown bar the Lash. L.A., he argued, is just starting to bridge the worlds of high art and underground dance music.

Its important to remember this when speaking on the state of nightlife in Los Angeles, Nava said. Its vital for artists to talk, work together and exchange ideas.

Another source of strength could be a re-emphasis on the social-justice elements of nightlife. Many of the leading underground parties are explicitly centered around LGBT identity and music originating from marginalized groups. While many welcome mixed crowds, much of their audience goes to underground shows for the rare freedom from violence or harassment.

In our reactionary political environment, these parties can be necessary refuges and resources for organizing. Well-connected LGBT activist groups could potentially help support underground shows post-Ghost Ship, where many of the dead were gay and trans youth.

When I was throwing parties in New York in [more mainstream] nightclubs, Id get e-mails from people in the queer community who felt unsafe, that there was a lot of gawking. Mainstream clubs can attract a certain clientele that just makes people feel unsafe if you dress in drag or if youre trans, Marshall said.

And its a class thing as well. In the underground spaces you have a lot of folks who just dont have a lot of money. When you go out in WeHo, theres a commercial viability that just doesnt exist here.

In the end, the future of L.A.s underground music scene probably will depend on some sort of political organizing. Ostbahnhofs Marshall has worked for a Berlin NGO supporting the United Nations and is currently communications director for Jessica Salans, a candidate running for Los Angeles City Council in District 13.

For him, that political experience underlined the potential for L.A.s nightlife scenes to productively engage with the city and not retreat into the underground. His work has convinced him that politicians will listen and act on their concerns.

After Ghost Ship, Oaklands mayor announced a $1.7-million fund to aid artists displaced by gentrification, which many in the scene blamed in part for the cramped, neglected conditions there.

Anything thats worth fighting for needs to happen in the public eye, Acid Camps Davis said. You need people to see that youre fighting for something better. Our fight is for safer, non-discriminating and welcoming events and parties.

Structural safety has to be part of that conversation, of course. But for promoters who wish to engage with the city on safety, its hard to argue that they should not also be met with a promise from local governments to keep their own culture vital as well.

I hope that we will cherish and invest in the local arts more, and create safer spaces for all types of arts and events, Davis said. No one should have to risk their life to enjoy what they love.

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If there was one thing MSNBCs Chris Matthews was determined not to normalize on Donald Trumps inauguration day, it was the incoming presidents unbuttoned overcoat. Which Matthews mentioned at least three times.

Why doesnt Trump button his coat? Matthews fretted. Sign of formality there.

Given the strange, strained and unprecedented relationship between Trump and the television news media, the most striking about Fridays coverage was its unexpected predictability.

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While revelations and suppositions about Russias involvement in election continue to emerge, CNN, Fox, and MSNBC seemed trapped in a contextual bubble  determined to report more on the time-honored ritual than the man walking through it. Each network hewed to its traditional quasi-partisan lines, but all seemed to have agreed to an uneasy ceasefire with the new president, whose Twitter account remained silent for hours.

After months of launching, then dodging, fiery fake news salvos, of attempting to adjust to a presidential tone of invective that began with the primaries and ran up until hours before the swearing-in, the talking heads of cable news seemed suddenly at a loss, returning to old scripts that may have fit the pomp but not the circumstance.

And there were plenty of moments to sustain cables endless commentary: Melania Trump showing up at the White House with a gift for the Obamas from Tiffanys (a pen and pencil set? a picture frame?); Hillary Clinton visibly steeling herself before walking down the Capitol steps to join the ceremony she thought would be hers; the rows of empty stands outside the White House; Sen. Chuck Schumers carefully critical (and loudly booed) remarks; the rain that began, as if on cue, just seconds into Trumps inaugural address.

Everyone gushed about the miraculously peaceful transition of power, perhaps a little more enthusiastically than in years past.

There was the speech itself, a fiercely nationalist, strikingly angry rebuke of the Washington establishment and the American carnage it has, in Trumps estimation, wrought.

What the pundits heard in the speech differed depending on who was offering commentary, but generally everyone agreed it was  how to put this?  different.

CNNs chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper deemed it one of the most radical inaugural speeches weve ever heard, allowing radical to serve whatever purpose the listener required. .

The network, perhaps keen to disprove Trumps constant claim of bias, clung to its signature middle of the road real estate, in at least one case literally: Anchor Brooke Baldwin provided running commentary from the back of a truck that was crawling down the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue during the slow-moving inaugural parade.

The network relied, as ever, on its standard chessboard of talking heads, but this time there was no shouting, no drama, and everyone gushed about the miraculously peaceful transition of power, perhaps a little more enthusiastically than in years past.

Though MSNBC has made efforts to edge into the middle over the last year, it remained the leftie outlier on Friday. Anchor Tamron Hall parked in front of the newly opened Trump International Hotel, a source of potential ethical headaches for President Trump.

It also had Chris Matthews being very Chris Matthews. When he wasnt analyzing the state of President Trumps coat, he was name-checking John F. Kennedy, and before the clock had struck 11 a.m. on the east coast, making an ill-advised joke about the difficulty Trump would face in theoretically firing his senior adviser/son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Mussolini had a great solution to that, Matthews said. He had him executed.

Rachel Maddow also invoked World War II, though in less off-color fashion. She noted that Trumps repeated use of the loaded slogan America first harkened back to the isolationist, anti-Semitic group that opposed American involvement in World War II. The phrase is something that means a specific thing in this country. To repurpose it now, not that far down the historical path, its hard.

Indeed, no less an authority than Doris Kearns Goodwin deemed the speech lacking in both empathy and humility.

MSNBC commentators were also ready to point out  repeatedly  that the crowds on the Mall were smaller than those of Barack Obamas inauguration in 2009. (What few pundits, even on MSNBC, seemed willing to acknowledge was the demographic makeup of the crowd  a sea of predominantly white faces in red Make America Great Again hats.)

Fox, meanwhile, often seemed far more interested in the protesters that the president. Those who clashed with police in downtown D.C., breaking store windows and throwing rocks were, according to Fox Politics Editor Chris Stirewalt, making Trumps case against carnage for him. The protest, he suggested, might hurt Democrats leverage with middle America suburbanites concerned about law and order. This will cause supporters to rally to Trump, he said. This will cause people to take his side, because this misconduct and attack on the process will strengthen Trumps hand.

As for Trumps speech, reaction varied, but the word muscular popped up with an uncomfortable frequency on Fox. Analyst Brit Hume deemed it Not poetic, but quite strong. He also added that it wasnt soaring rhetoric  i.e. it wasnt Obama, and therefore not entirely a bad thing.

If anchor Chris Wallace wasnt buying the comparisons to Charles Lindbergh, he was also quick to remind some of his more ideological colleagues that Obama left the White House with record approval ratings.

The network also made a bit of news on Friday: It announced Friday that former U.K. Independence Party leader and Brexit champion Nigel Farage would be joining as a commentator.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

meredith.blake@latimes.com

Follow me @MeredithBlake
Joining the Womens March on Washington, D.C. on Saturday  and identifiable by turquoise silk scarves  will be a collective of native groups coming together to support human rights and advance indigenous issues.

Women who participate in what theyre calling the Indigenous Women Rise: Womens March on Washington will be gifted a limited-edition Women Warrior scarf by L.A. designer Bethany Yellowtail.

The silk scarf was a creative collaboration between Yellowtail and artist John Isaiah Pepion. The scarf being worn this weekend is the second iteration of the Women Warrior scarf.

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The scarf harkens to the traditional womens war bonnet dance  in Crow culture called the Shoshone War Bonnet Dance. The dance is part of a larger ceremony that celebrates young leaders from indigenous nations.

The womens war bonnet dance is said to be the highest honor for Crow women, and the only appropriate time for a woman to wear the sacred war bonnet. Stylistically, the pattern of the scarf is designed in a circle.

I felt it was important to design the artwork in the form of a circle because of our value systems, Yellowtail explained during an interview last week in L.A. And the way we think of life is always in a circle. It is not linear.

Additionally, Yellowtail said the women warrior image on the scarf complements the ideals of the Womens March. The artwork, she said, underscores female empowerment and respect.

We love this sea of turquoise! Tweet us a picture with your limited edition @Byellowtail scarf with the hashtag #IndigenousWomenRise pic.twitter.com/NZuSUPPrcC  Native Philanthropy (@NativeGiving) January 20, 2017

A representative for Native Americans in Philanthropy, a group involved in Indigenous Women Rise, believes that Yellowtails scarf is helping to inspire and give a voice to Native American women across the country. The groups CEO Sarah Eagle Heart also said women from 20 cities are registered as part of Indigenous Women Rise and will be represented in Saturdays march.

This is a great opportunity to help educate and connect with non-native allies, she said earlier this week. It is an incredible time because you have the Standing Rock, the youth and the womens movements all simultaneously happening at a time of great uncertainty under the new presidential administration.

According to the Native Americans in Philanthropy website, indigenous women who plan on marching this weekend or want to show support are asked to wear long skirts and turquoise scarves for visibility and identification. Within native nations, turquoise is a universal color for friendship, unity and peace, while long skirts signify prayer and times of ceremony.

Show your support by wearing a turquoise scarf or shawl this weekend. Limited edition scarves by @Byellowtail available at today's event! pic.twitter.com/V6GnFCj8Vk  Native Philanthropy (@NativeGiving) January 20, 2017

Yellowtail founded her brand, B.Yellowtail, in 2014 in Los Angeles, and the brand embodies the essence and values of her Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribal heritage.

Her line is a celebration of indigenous cultures, natural beauty and storytelling, and its a favorite among celebrities including Shailene Woodley.

Yellowtail said she plans to attend the march on Saturday in Washington to show support for her native community and all women across the country.

It is exciting to see how this event has sparked so much passion and fire in our people to stand up and be proud, she said. I have the resources and I support them being able to be vocal. We come from a matrilineal society, and I know that is ultimately part of my responsibility to help.

Bethany Yellowtail appears with samples from her line of apparel. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

tara.paniogue@latimes.com

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Most it-girls can attest that theres a point at which extreme ubiquity causes the masses to tire of you. And yet heres Minnie Mouse, pushing 90 years old.

Shes everywhere isnt so much hyperbole as it is fact: Shes wearing custom Olympia Le-Tan at her own party. Collaborating with Commes des Garcons, Lanvin, the Gap and more.

Even more impressive? No ones sick of her. In fact, thanks to a look that appeals to old and young alike, she gains new fans daily, many introduced via their first Minnie-branded outfit: diapers.

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So its hardly surprising that such a hot commodity would team up with another in-demand bright young thing: Fine art photographer Gray Malin was tapped for a highly involved aerial photo shoot involving Minnie for the first image in his Red Carpet Series.

The Times was invited to peep behind the scenes for the big shoot late last year, which was revealed this week in honor of National Polka Dot Day  Jan. 22, if you didnt already have it on your calendar.

Sixty dancers in Old Hollywood-inspired dress hit their marks over and over again as choreographer Mary John Frank sweetly but firmly kept count and tweaked their movements. And when the star  Miss Minnie, obviously  appeared on set in one of her signature dotted dresses, they all seemed to stand a little straighter. Tough, for professional dancers, but thats the magic of the mouse. (A special video component shows off the hypnotic dance, and is previewed on Malins Instagram.)

Off-stage, a host of influencers, such as social media stars Ashley Torres (@pursuirtofshoes) and former Miss USA Olivia Jordan, selfied with help from their professional hair bow hair styles  bows made literally from their own locks  and had their nails transformed to Minnie-inspired reds, sparkles and decals.

A rack of previous collaborations  Kate Spade, Loungefly, Stance Socks, Keds  was ripe for the picking. Rice Krispie treats and cookies dolled up to look like  who else, Minnie  served as top-level photo props as well as treats. All from a set-up furnished by Minnies collaboration with Ethan Allen.

Malin is known best on social media for his aerial photographs that make even the most glamorous sets  Aspen, Capri, the Hamptons  look even more over the top, almost like a luxuriously frosted cake dotted with elegant sprinkles.

 Gray Malin launches video art in partnership with Minnie Mouse.

With Malins signature stance, atop the rafters of the studio, the dancers with their umbrellas turn into polka dots, bouncing to up-tempo music.

While Miss Mouse was not available to comment, she gamely posed for portraits with signature curled lashes batting. As she and Malin preened together, she cozied up to him as he exclaimed, Do we look like a cute couple?

th IMAGE Ive always associated Minnie Mouse with Hollywood and timeless style, and I loved the idea of a red carpet scene shot from above, he said later. Minnie is so glamorous, and probably one of the most famous characters of all time  certainly the most famous one Ive photographed.

An ensuing celebration for the release of the photo series brought Minnie and Malin out once again, this time the former dresses in a custom dress and bag by the designer Olympia Le-Tan, known best for her wild and whimsical book-inspired clutches. Le-Tan designed this particular dress as a one-off  who would want to be pitted against Minnie in a Who Wore It Best?  but it was inspired by the French designers upcoming Minnie-themed collection, which will arrive in Uniqlo stores this spring.

Wanting a piece of the action? Share you own polka-dotted look with @MinnieStyle, or check out the prints available for purchase via Gray Malins website. If youre looking for a smaller commitment, Instagram-famous Alfred Coffee & Kitchen will be handing out custom coffee sleeves branded with polka dots, as well as #Rockthedots-themed murals outside Melrose Place, Silver Lake and Studio City locations through the end of January.

image@latimes.com

@latimesimage
Happy Chinese New Year! Red envelopes and lion dances for all! If you want to celebrate at a Chinese restaurant, and I cant see why you wouldnt, here are a few places to ring in the Year of the Rooster.

Ask Jonathan Goldbot where to eat on Facebook Messenger 

Chengdu Taste

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(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The last time we wandered into Chengdu Taste, we ran across a new menu item whose English translation, intriguingly enough, was Guess the Shrimp. No matter how many times we had been to the restaurant, we probably wouldnt have guessed that the dish would turn out to be more or less the Sichuan equivalent of carne asada fries  a lovely, aggressively seasoned mess of French fries, chopped chiles and big shell-on shrimp, a dish designed to get all over your shirt and splash into the hair of the person across the table from you. Is Guess the Shrimp traditional in Sichuan? Im guessing not, although its form is not far removed from the ubiquitous Sichuan dry pot. But it is just one of the great dishes at Chengdu Taste, the first of the new wave of Sichuan restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley. If you order both numb-taste wonton and boiled fish with green pepper sauce, the waiter may object, because he believes that the sauce on the dumplings will obliterate your ability to taste the subtleties in the fish. Get them both anyway, and the tea-smoked duck and the garlic leeks sauteed with house-cured bacon. The food is flavored with a vast array of fresh, dried, pickled and ground chiles, but the vivid scent of Sichuan peppercorn comes to the front, and the sensation is of numbness rather than pain.

828 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra. (626) 588-2284

18406 Colima Road, Rowland Heights. (909) 675-8888

8526 Valley Blvd., Rosemead. (626) 899-8886

China Tasty

(Terrence R. Rorie / For The Times)

China Tasty may be the only place in the west San Gabriel Valley to serve real Lanzhou-style noodles  chewy, elastic things hand-thrown to order by chefs whose talents are displayed in a glassed-in kitchen  which you can get stir-fried with meat and vegetables or served in an intense broth of beef or lamb. Even the big plate chicken comes with dense hand-shaved noodles. This is more than anyone has a right to expect from a bowling-alley restaurant, even one in the San Gabriel Valley. And it is a reliable source of scallion pancakes, dumplings and passable beef rolls when the lines at 101 Noodle Express in the same complex are too long.

1308 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra. (626) 457-8483

Duck House

Is Duck House the grand Beijing duck palace Los Angeles sorely needs? Not quite  its a Taiwanese restaurant that just happens to specialize in Beijing duck, but is just as happy to see you eat eel with sticky rice, pork belly with garlic, and the slithery fiber-rich jelly called konjac. But the duck is pretty celebratory: crisp slivers of duck skin arranged on a platter, ready for you to fold into tissue-thin wheat pancakes with shredded scallion and a dab of sweet bean jam. Yes  you get sliced meat too; for a few dollars extra there is a bland, milky-white soup made with duck bones or scraps stir-fried with bean sprouts. Veterans of the local Chinese-food wars still yearn for Quanjude, the short-lived Rosemead outlet of the Beijing-duck restaurant Richard Nixon made famous, but Duck House will do. Note: You must call and reserve a duck one hour in advance. Otherwise, no duck for you.

501 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, (626) 284-3227.

Hai Di Lao

(Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Hai Di Lao is a glittery China-based chain specializing in hot pot, the spicy Sichuan equivalent of shabu-shabu. In the Chinese branches of the chain, there are free manicures while you wait, neck massages, shoe shines and free fruit salad. In the Arcadia restaurant  there are magazines to browse through. But you still assemble your dipping sauce from an infinite bank of possibilities, swish your bits of meat and fish through your own pot of seasoned broth, and glug endless pitchers of watermelon juice. Is it possible for glossy Chinese pop to be played any more loudly? Do you need to tip the dancer who pulls your noodles to order? You will be steered toward one of the combination plates, thinly sliced beef or lamb to swish through your individual pot of broth, plus tofu, sturdy nappa cabbage leaves, lettuce, sweet potato and a fistful of noodles. You can negotiate your way to a seafood platter, which will include mussels, clams and scallops in their shells, a few fillets of whitefish, and some squid and octopus cut up in interesting ways, but really  the fluffy shrimp balls are enough. And dont forget the Spam.

400 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia (in the Westfield Santa Anita mall). (626) 445-7232

Hui Tou Xiang Noodles House

Hui tou is an invented name for the house specialty, dumpling skins burrito-wrapped around thumb-sized lozenges of pork minced with onions, flattened into oblongs, and pan-fried tawny brown. You will also find good soup dumplings in this tiny San Gabriel mini-mall restaurant. You will scarcely see a table without a bowl or two of bouncy, beautiful noodles, which are hand-kneaded and sent through a machine in back, served hot in broth with braised meatballs or big chunks of slow-cooked pork rib. They are served, too, with shredded cucumber and a dense, fragrant sesame paste.

704 W. Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel. (626) 281-9888

Hunan Mao

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The steamed fish head is pretty splendid at Hunan Mao. The fish head will be large, probably from an enormous carp or similar freshwater species, thus comical, and it will be frosted with the chopped blend of dried, fresh and fermented chiles that give Hunanese cooking its reputation for head-snapping heat. Were fans of the luscious cucumber stir-fried with shiso, the toss-fried mutton and the chewy, spicy lamb ribs fried with garlic and lots of Sichuan peppercorn. If your tastes extend more toward gooey strips of pigskin tossed with chopped chiles, magma-thick Hunan hot pots or the fearsome dish called Hot Over Spicy, basically a stir-fry of chiles flavored with chiles, seasoned with yet other chiles and dosed with a bit of ground pork, you will find them here too. Youll want at least one dish made with the house-smoked Hunan ham, which has the punch of first-rate barbecue.

8728 Valley Blvd. No. 101, Rosemead. (626) 280-0588

J. Zhou Oriental Cuisine

The swankest Chinese restaurant in town at the moment may well be in a Tustin shopping mall, a glittering, cavernous space with a specialty in sea cucumber, air-dried abalone and other luxuries of the Hong Kong table; herb-infused soups that seem less simmered than distilled; and crackly skinned suckling pig. The cost of the highest-end banquet menu would serve as a solid down payment on a Porsche. But unless your tastes run toward birds nests, spaniel-size Australian lobsters and rare fish netted on distant tropical reefs, J. Zhou may fit into your special-occasion budget too, with lovely roast duck, steamed scallops and big steamed crabs, as well as what is probably the solidest dim sum south of Rowland Heights.

2601 Park Ave., Tustin, (714) 258-8833

Mian

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

There are other Sichuan noodle shops in the San Gabriel Valley, but there is nothing quite like the Chongqing-style noodle house Mian, from the chef behind Chengdu Taste. The flavors are bright and clean, informed as much by the tart funkiness of Sichuan pickles as by pure chile heat, and the handmade noodles have an integrity and chew you might associate with good Italian pasta. The spicy beef noodle soup is excellent, as good in their way as the renowned versions at No. 1 Noodle House in Rowland Heights or Dai Ho in Temple City, but the draw here is probably the zhajiangmian: noodles with a mean streak, a potent lashing of hot chile and oil, and laced with just enough numbing Sichuan peppercorn. The difference between the Chengdu zhajiangmian and the Chongqing zhajiangmian at Mian? The latter includes soft peas imported from Chongqing. Who wouldnt want a handful of Chongqing peas?

301 W. Valley Blvd. No. 114, San Gabriel. (626) 693-6888

New Port Seafood

(Kathy M.Y. Pyon / Los Angeles Times)

In the whirlwind of restaurant fads that have at one time or another saturated the San Gabriel Valley with porridge, hot pot, soup dumplings and spicy crawfish, the latest craze seems to be Chiu Chow seafood  or rather, the specific, spicy brand of Southeast Asian-tinged seafood made popular at New Port Seafood. If the lines are too long at the converted Marie Callenders in San Gabriel, you can find pretty much the same menu at nearby Boston Lobster or 626 Seafood, or at the sister New Ports in Rowland Heights and Beverly Hills. Because if there is a more festive Chinese dish than the house special lobster, it is hard to imagine what it might be. The fearsome beasts, 5 pounds and up, fried with fistfuls of chopped chiles, scallions and garlic, are more than a match for any tableful of ravenous, nutcracker-armed souls, although we can all but guarantee that there will not be a smidgen to take home. The menu may seem like a document of formidable length, but the waiter standing patiently by your side already knows that you are going to end up ordering the sweet-spicy Vietnamese-style shaking beef, the pea leaves sauteed with garlic and maybe the clams sauteed with basil. But it is the lobster that will set you free. Pro tip: The extra few bucks they charge to put noodles underneath the lobster, where they soak up the chiles, the chopped garlic and the schmutz, is worth at least twice what theyll charge.

518 W. Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, (626) 289-5998

18441 Colima Road, Rowland Heights, (626) 839-1239

50 N. La Cienega Blvd. No. 130, Beverly Hills, (310) 855-0088

Sea Harbour

(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Sea Harbour is one of the two or three best Hong Kong-style restaurants in the Los Angeles area, a comfortable dining room with impeccable live seafood and deft interpretations of Chinese luxury dishes. If you were looking for birds nest, braised sea cucumber or sun-dried abalone preparations, this is the place  and it can be pretty expensive. Its kitchen has long been considered the most serious in the San Gabriel Valley; the Hong Kong-American equivalent of a place like Spago. In the mornings, the dim sum is pretty much still the best in town, especially if you are open to things like fried chicken knees and scallop dumplings with fish roe alongside your barbecue pork buns and rice noodle rolls.

3939 Rosemead Blvd., Rosemead. (626) 288-3939

Seafood Palace

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Seafood Palace is known for its excellent Chiu Chow seafood, in particular for what the menu calls house-special fried crab, a version of the Hong Kong dish sometimes known as typhoon shelter crab because of its onetime ubiquity as unsanctioned harborside street food. Seafood Villages fried crab is especially good, hacked into chunks, dipped in a gauzy batter, deep-fried and showered with chopped scallions and handfuls of fried garlic  a dish as impossible to stop eating as almost anything in town. You will find lots of fresh vegetables cooked with little oil, complex braises and an occasional level of spice that rarely makes it into the food of southern China. One of the restaurants best preparations is a simple dish of whole, seeded jalapeno peppers stir-fried with salty crumbles of pork. You can try clams with basil; fried, garlic-glazed snowfish that is as juicy as any piece of miso cod that has ever made it out of the kitchen at Nobu; and a casserole of ong choy, Chinese water spinach, cooked with tender, freeform fish balls that resemble top-rate gefilte fish.

9669 E. Las Tunas Ave., Temple City, (626) 286-2299

Shanghai No. 1 Seafood Village

(Mariah Tauger / For The Times)

The walls are covered with red velvet, and the black velvet of the banquettes is punctuated with rhinestones. The chairs are overstuffed. The chandeliers are blinding. If you want to be accurate about it, Shanghai No. 1 Seafood is less a Shanghai-style restaurant than it is an actual Shanghai restaurant, one of an upscale Shanghai-based chain plunked down in San Gabriel. And the restaurants menu, a thick, glossy document stuffed with glistening pictures of spiked sea cucumber, is the Chinese menu equivalent of a September Town & Country, except instead of estates, there are red-cooked squid and live fish and fried prawns, reproduced in excruciating detail. The cooking is not altered to suit the Western palate, and many of its most stunning effects may whiz straight over the heads of diners not actually raised in eastern China. So skip the shark-lip casserole and go straight for the crabs fried with chile and garlic; the crocks of candy-rich Old Alley Pork; the smoked fish; the stone-pot fried rice; or the pan-fried pork buns called sheng jian bao. Cantonese dim sum, prepared by an entirely different crew, is served afternoons.

250 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel. (626) 282-1777

Tasty Noodle House

(Amy Scattergood / Los Angeles Times)

Tasty Noodle House specializes in the clean, subtle seafood preparations of the northern port city Dalian, which sometimes means that you will find sea cucumber where you dont expect to find sea cucumber, and both the vinegar-marinated pork and the braised jellyfish head are really fine. You would not be unhappy with slow-cooked whole fish with tofu or with the snappy fresh-oyster soup. But if you want to treat Tasty Noodle House as a great strip-mall noodleshop, nobody there will stop you, and the pan-fried pork buns, the super-crisp scallion pancakes and the beef stew noodles are all kind of great.

827 W. Las Tunas Ave., San Gabriel. (626) 284-8898

The Legendary Restaurant

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Nobody can accuse the Legendary Restaurant, the newest of the San Gabriel Valleys Sichuan palaces, of a lack of ambition. Because while it is possible to order a meal made up solely of the standard mapo tofu, boiled fish with green chile and lots of Sichuan pepper, and flash-fried string beans, it is trying to make its reputation on spectaculars  cured pork hung from tabletop racks, enormous platters of fried chicken buried with dried red chiles, and peppery strips of pork belly crimped into stepped Maya pyramids. Ever heard of trick eggplant? Garlicky slabs served in a ridged clay mortar, of the sort we have always associated with the grinding of grinding sesame seeds, are strewn with black, glistening wedges of thousand-year egg  you are supposed to grind it all into a paste with a wooden pestle. The trick, I think, is that you will sorely wish for a beer. The house smoked plum juice will almost do.

2718 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra, (626) 427-2236.

jonathan.gold@latimes.com

@thejgold

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It was, no matter where you stood, an astounding day.

The man of the moment was no longer Donald Trump the reality TV star, or Donald Trump the real estate baron-turned-politician.

He was Donald Trump, president of the United States.

If they ever bring back the $10,000 bill, his mug will be on it.

Fridays inauguration was for some a dream come true, and for others the beginning of a four-year migraine.

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Convention and civility were trampled on for more than a year during the campaign, were as sorely divided as ever, and Trumps inaugural speech was vintage Trump.

The polarizer-turned-president indicted the political elite he had just joined.

We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action, he said to cheers.

So here we go. Trump made promises in his campaign and in his inaugural speech. Big promises. Lots of promises.

That was the easy part.

Were about to find out if the guy who was all talk, with a stable of scapegoats for whatever ailed the nation, can deliver.

But let me back up to the hours before Trump took the oath.

I started the day at McPherson Square, base camp for protesters. As a native of California, whose clean air regulations already appear to be under threat from a Trump Cabinet nominee, I wanted to hear people out.

His pick for EPA sued the EPA, and hes supposed to inspire the staff?  Alex Ventura, protester

The first person I approached happened to be a San Diego lawyer named Lisa, who was demonstrating in support of the Center for Biological Diversity but didnt want to give her last name because her views are hers and not her firms. Californians, by the way, are all over D.C. as leaders of the resistance. My plane out of LAX was loaded with people on their way to Saturdays womens march.

I care about climate change in general, and loss of habitat and public lands, said Lisa, who worried that based on comments from Trump and his inner circle, environmental protections won through years of hard work could be at risk.

Wed be foreclosing on our childrens future, she said, mentioning the withering of the Great Barrier Reef. We just had the hottest year on record in 2016, which superseded 2015, which superseded 2014.

The next people I encountered  Alex and Andrea Ventura  were from Atwater Village. When I asked what issues they were concerned about, Alex said: Where do you begin?

The new administration, they said, seems out of step with D.C., a progressive city with lots of bikes, hybrid taxis and science museums. Theyd been to the Natural History Museum, where theres an exhibit on climate change.

Maybe Trump can take the oil tycoons and climate deniers in his inner circle on a field trip.

His pick for EPA sued the EPA, and hes supposed to inspire the staff? Alex said. Thats the guy, Scott Pruitt, who questioned Californias authority to impose tougher auto emissions.

So the demonstrators had plenty to work with, and they made their presence known across the nations capital Friday, many of them stationed along the parade route.

A Trump supporter on Pennsylvania Avenue passed a demonstrator holding a sign that said Not My President.

Yes he is, the Trump supporter said.

Thats what the history books will say  and Trumps backers were as gung-ho as his detractors, as if he were the second coming.

In more ways than one.

We believe this is Gods will, said Sharon Patrick, who was with her buddy Amy Jemery. They were convinced Trump would accomplish more in short order than President Obama did in eight years.

Ron Potts, a college student from Florida, said Trump would unify us after years of divisive leadership. You were made to feel like a racist, he said, if you didnt embrace Obamas policies.

His mother, Carol, said Trump had appealed to her early on because he financed his own campaign and wasnt beholden to anyone  and he was clever enough to get billions of dollars worth of free press.

She said sanctuary cities should have federal dollars shut off and thinks the dream of a better life died under Obama and that Trump inspires hope.

But he promised a lot, I said, and was short on details. What if he doesnt come through?

Then well vote him out, she said with conviction.

Even some Trump foes said that he had heard and spoken to and connected with people who felt left out.

I saw it a little differently. I think he told them what they wanted to hear.

Im reminded of my trip to the Orange County Fairgrounds to watch candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger drop a wrecking ball on a car. Then as governor, he scaled back the car tax  a $4-billion tax break that immediately created a $4-billion deficit he couldnt dig out of.

The act wore thin when he didnt deliver, and the lesson was an old one: Beware the politician with simple answers to complicated problems.

Trump, to his credit or detriment, has made huge promises and provided scant detail. Affordable healthcare for all, better jobs for all, and the extermination of radical Islam, to name a few.

Hes got a lot on the line, and so do we.

Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez

MORE ON THE TRUMP DISSENT

Angry protests and inaugural celebrations play out side by side in Washington

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U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two men with ties to a Los Angeles gang who were seen crossing the border Thursday evening about 3  miles east of the Calexico port of entry, according to the agency.

The men, ages 26 and 22, are Mexican citizens and, according to the agency, admitted to affiliations with the L.A.-based Sureno gang. The men have no criminal records, but one had been returned to Mexico several times in civil proceedings.

They jumped the border fence in a flat area of agricultural fields, irrigation canals and dirt roads and proceeded on foot into the country, according to Alessio Faccin, spokesman for the El Centro sector of Border Patrol. He said two roads run from that area to Highway 98. For most trying to cross the border without permission, getting to a main thoroughfare is key to disappearing into the U.S.

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The two men will be returned to Mexico, Faccin said. Using a process called expedited removal, border officials will not be required to take them to see an immigration judge. Instead, the office can determine that they are inadmissible to the U.S. and send them back across the border.

Faccin said that because the agency had proof the men had entered illegally and planned to stay, they were administratively charged with illegal entry. That is not a criminal charge, but it does block border-crossers from obtaining permission to enter the U.S. for five years.

Those sent back are not generally criminally charged with illegal entry unless they are known to be chronic offenders, commit other crimes or have criminal histories. Neither man was criminally charged in this case, according to Faccin.

kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com

Morrissey writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune
As City Hall pushes a proposal that could give civilians a greater role in disciplining Los Angeles police officers, city lawmakers on Friday called for a closer examination of the police departments often-criticized disciplinary system that could open the door to further changes.

City Council President Herb Wesson introduced a motion calling for a series of reports and community meetings about the L.A. Police Departments Board of Rights panels, noting that procedures havent been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated in more than two decades.

If approved by the council, Wessons motion would also direct city agencies to explore how to expand the pool of civilians hired to weigh discipline cases and ways to increase transparency surrounding the proceedings, which are kept secret under state law.

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Vanessa Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for Wesson, said he introduced the new motion to ensure that the proposal already on the table  which could give civilians a greater role in disciplining officers  wasnt done in a vacuum.

It has to be an ongoing conversation, she said. Depending on what he hears from the community in these various town hall forums, I think that will facilitate the citys next steps.

The move comes days before the City Council is poised to vote on language for a May ballot measure that, if passed by voters, would allow officers facing serious discipline to have their cases heard by an all-civilian board. Under the current system, Board of Rights panels are made up of two high-ranking officers and only one civilian.

If Wessons motion is approved in committee Monday, the council could vote on the two motions a day later. Mayor Eric Garcetti has expressed support for both.

Offering all-civilian boards would mark perhaps the most significant change to the LAPDs disciplinary system in decades  one that has long been sought by the union representing rank-and-file officers.

But the proposal has drawn criticism from some community groups and LAPD observers, who argued that the departments disciplinary system needed a larger overhaul with more public input.

On Thursday, four groups  the Community Coalition, the American Civil Liberties Union, Los Angeles Community Action Network and the L.A. branch of the Black Lives Matter movement  urged Wesson and Garcetti to scrap the proposed ballot initiative.

Those affiliated with the coalition argued that qualifications for the civilians who sit on the disciplinary boards unfairly exclude the vast majority of Angelenos. Some accused the union of looking for softer punishments for cops, pointing to a city analysis that showed the civilian members were consistently more lenient than their sworn counterparts and frequently voted to acquit the accused officers or dole out lesser punishments.

This isnt real civilian oversight, said Peter Bibring, a senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California. This is just going to make it harder for officers to be disciplined for misconduct and harder to hold anybody accountable for that failure.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck has also raised concerns about the potential for all-civilian disciplinary panels. He recently told reporters that although he was more than willing to find ways to improve the disciplinary process, he thought removing sworn officers from the hearings would also take away valuable insight into the LAPDs procedures and expectations for officers.

Its an old system, Beck said. I think it needs a lot of discussion before we do anything. There is much at risk.

Under the current system, Beck must send any officer he wants to fire to a Board of Rights hearing. If the panel determines the officer is guilty of the accusations, it then recommends whether to fire the officer or assign a lesser penalty, such as a suspension. The chief can accept or reduce the punishment, but not increase its severity.

Officials with the union representing about 9,800 rank-and-file LAPD officers contend that the boards can be unfairly swayed by favoritism within the department  or by the chiefs influence over the two officers who sit on each panel. Civilians can look at the cases more objectively, they argue, without pressure from the police chief.

Wessons latest proposal acknowledged the complaints about the LAPDs disciplinary system from inside and outside the department. It also noted a recent surge in lawsuits settled by the city, including some stemming from police officers actions.

The City Council moved this week to issue a bond borrowing up to $70 million to help pay off mounting legal settlements and court judgment costs. Last month, the city agreed to pay $8 million to end lawsuits related to three fatal shootings by LAPD officers.

Repairing the disciplinary system can be a significant factor in increasing the trust between the public and the city, Wessons motion read. That increased trust can and should lead to a reduced number of jury awards and settlement payouts.

Karren Lane, vice president of policy for the South L.A.-based Community Coalition, said that her organization was encouraged by the motion introduced Friday and the community input it called for. But, she said, council members should table further action on the proposed ballot measure until they get more information.

Theres a lot of questions that need to be answered, she said. But then the City Council is considering supporting a ballot measure to change our City Charter without answering those questions.

Times staff writers Dakota Smith and David Zahniser contributed to this report.

kate.mather@latimes.com

@katemather

MORE LOCAL NEWS

Obama administration made last-minute modifications to Californias nearly $1-billion bullet train grant

Residents meet to discuss ongoing concerns, including deaf ears at City Council meetings

Glendale City Councilman elected to transportation boards
In the final hours of the Obama administration, the Federal Railroad Administration on Thursday made key modifications to a $928-million grant to the California bullet train agency.

The grant extends the deadline for completion of construction in the Central Valley to 2022 from 2018. The project is building 118 miles of rail structures in the Central Valley as the first part of a high-speed rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco, which the state estimates will cost $64 billion.

The extension is similar to one that the administration made for a $2.5-billion grant that was made with stimulus funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

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The action will also help the California High-Speed Rail Authority cope with delays in the project, though four years is less time than the federal agency projected the state may need to complete construction. A risk analysis briefed to the state authority on Dec. 1 estimated construction may not be completed until 2024.

The current modification creates some other tight conditions on the project. It would require the state to pay its matching share of the stimulus grant, estimated at about $2 billion, before drawing on the $928-million grant.

The state has to use all of the stimulus grant this year but is being allowed to spend the matching funds over future years.

The changes mean the state would have to start funding about $2 billion of construction out of state funds by the middle of this year before it can access the $928 million.

So far, the state has been relying on the federal grants to fund the work, mainly concentrated around Fresno.

California is trying to sell bonds approved by voters in 2008, but the move has been tied up in litigation for several years.

The state also can draw on carbon tax fees, which are projected to generate about $500 million annually. The revenue this year, however, came in well below projections.

It is unclear what approach President Trump and his pick for Transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, will take. House Republicans have long said they would not grant any additional federal money and explored the possibility of clawing back the existing grants. Chao would have broader authority to determine whether the state is complying with the terms of the grant.

If the federal office determines the project is not making adequate progress, it can terminate the grant, according to the agreement. State rail authority officials did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The grant modification was disclosed by federal officials to the House rail subcommittee, and the grant document was posted on the state rail authoritys website.

ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com
In a move with symbolic timing, the Los Angeles City Council chose the day of Donald Trumps swearing-in as Americas 45th president to approve the hiring of an immigrant advocate at City Hall.

Pointing to Trumps forceful statements on immigration, council President Herb Wesson told his colleagues the city needs to be prepared for policy changes. We have a responsibility to protect all the residents of the city, Wesson said Friday.

The duties havent been defined, but Wesson wants someone with a legal background, said his spokeswoman, Vanessa Rodriguez. Whoever is hired will work in concert with Mayor Eric Garcettis Office of Immigrant Affairs, Rodriguez said.

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It is the latest move by local and state politicians to shield immigrants from deportation by Trump. Last month, officials unveiled a $10-million city-county legal defense fund for immigrants. Several City Council members also announced plans to decriminalize sidewalk vending amid concerns that vendors could be arrested and deported.

More than 1 million of the estimated 11 million immigrants in the country without legal status live in Los Angeles County.

The council on Friday also asked city advisors to prepare reports on state, local and federal immigration policies. It also asked for the definition of sanctuary city amid concerns L.A. could lose federal funding and want to know how much Los Angeles receives annually from the government.

Trump made illegal immigration a central theme during his presidential campaign and vowed during the election to punish sanctuary cities, defined by some as municipalities with lenient policies toward illegal immigration.

Los Angeles is due to receive about $500 million this fiscal year directly from the federal government to pay for services such as port security and homeless shelters, city officials said last year.

A White House website launched Friday outlines several immigration policies, including Trumps commitment to build a border wall and end sanctuary cities. The site also says Trump will deport illegal aliens with violent criminal records.

Several hundred people marched in downtown L.A. to protest Trumps presidency. A diverse crowd took to the streets with signs carrying slogans that included: Deport yourself to Russia, Here for humanity and Hate does not make America great.

Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, applauded the councils actions. Its absolutely appropriate and necessary that L.A. stand firm as a city of immigrants, Salas said.

Gary Aminoff, treasurer of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County, doesnt believe Trump will carry out mass deportations and questioned why local and state politicians are spending so much time on the issue.

Its a waste of time and money, Aminoff said.

Times staff writers Rosanna Xia and Soumya Karlamangla contributed to this report.

dakota.smith@latimes.com

Twitter: @dakotacdsmith
Montana beekeeper Lloyd Cunniff shipped his 488 hives of bees in fresh, new pallets to Northern California in late December, hoping to pollinate acres of almond trees in the Central Valley.

But the bees never got to pollinate because thieves got to them first.

Somebody stole some good colonies of bees, the 56-year-old said Friday as he drove back home to Choteau, Mont., without his hives.

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The third-generation beekeeper discovered the massive heist on Tuesday, a day after he had been tending to the bees.

Cunniff, who owns the Beeline Honey Co., had spent Monday making sure the pallets were lined straight and properly placed on a rural property near Meridian, a small community in Sutter County. Later that evening, he headed back to his hotel in Yuba City, about 16 miles east, and called it a night.

The next morning, Cunniff returned to the remote property and found it vacant. His hives had been stolen.

Someone with a lot of manpower and assistance used a 2-ton, flat-bed truck to haul away the hives, he said. They likely made two trips and used a forklift to move the hives, which were on 122 pallets, Cunniff said.

This isnt some fly-by-night guy who decided to steal some bees, he said.

Lt. Dan Buttler, who oversees patrol operations in the Sutter County Sheriffs Office, said thieves not only got to Cunniffs hives, they also stole more than 50 pallets of beehives from another property that same night. Detectives, he said, are following up on leads.

Buttler said the theft of bees is a sophisticated operation, and hives are usually hard to track. Authorities have to work quickly to find the thieves, he said.

After stealing the hives, thieves usually swap out pallets and wipe away any identifying marks, including registration numbers, the lieutenant said. Cunniffs bees werent registered in California, but were listed in Montana.

They have to know what they are doing, Buttler said.

Last year, the California State Beekeepers Assn. issued an advisory to beekeepers across the state after members noticed an unprecedented rise in beehive thefts.

The thefts were largely due to rapidly rising prices of almond pollination, the association said in a statement issued to beekeepers in February. More than 500 hives were stolen from the organizations members last year.

Hive theft is not a problem that will go away, the association said. Beekeepers, bee brokers, and almond growers need to be vigilant and work together to prevent hive theft and catch those responsible.

Cunniff said he doesnt plan to return to California in the future.

Before thieves stole his bees, he had planned to eventually truck the hives to almond tree fields in Fresno, he said. Cunniff said he was hoping to make some money after last years honey crop came up short.

But the theft wiped him out. Cunniff has only one colony of bees remaining. He estimates he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in hives and equipment.

I am going to start over from scratch now, he said.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

For breaking news in California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA on Twitter.
The third in a series of powerful winter storms unleashed a deluge in Southern California on Sunday, flooding numerous roads and freeways, setting new rainfall records and stranding some in dangerously rising waters.

Forecasters had predicted this storm would be the strongest and several years, and it didnt disappoint. While earlier storms produced periods of heavy showers, this one delivered several hours of sustained pounding rain, with damaging results.

Coastal areas of Los Angeles County were among the hardest hit, with Long Beach Airport setting a new all-time rainfall record, 3.87 inches. The intense rain was too much for local roads. Sunday afternoon, both the 110 Freeway in Carson and the 710 Freeway in Long Beach were shutdown due to extreme flooding that left cars stranded like islands in a lake.

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In Long Beach and surrounding communities, dozens of intersections were flooded and some residents reported their parked cars were damaged as the rainwater kept rising. Across the region, several people were rescued from their cars and thousands lost power.

1 / 43 A car is stuck in standing water on the southbound 110 Freeway on Jan. 22. (Christina House / For The Times) 2 / 43 A surfer barely clears a giant wave in Manhattan Beach. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 43 People enjoy the snow in Acton. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 4 / 43 Elizabeth Wolterbeek plays among rocks in the 200 block of Mel Canyon Road in Duarte on Friday after a mudslide. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 43 A girl loses control of her umbrella after being rescued by a Huntington Beach police officer and a tow truck operator. Her family became trapped in their disabled car in the middle of flooded Heil Ave. amid a heavy downpour in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 43 Commuters navigate a rain-soaked 10 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning, as the first of three storms rolls through Southern California. More storms are expected over the weekend. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 43 Palmdale residents Cesar Navarro, left, and his son Cesar Navarro Jr. sled down a snowy hill in Acton. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 8 / 43 A fast moving discharge of water spews from the San Gabriel Dam, as a storm front moves through the area. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 43 A bicyclist comes to the end of a trail thats covered in wet sand at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa del Rey. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 43 Snow covers boat slips and a lone picnic at Lake Arrowhead on Monday as the latest strom moves through. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 43 Debris, including drinking cups, rubber balls and bottles, washes ashore along the Alamitos Peninsula near East Ocean Boulevard and 56th Place in Long Beach on Monday. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 43 Dale Ball of La Canada Flintridge has rain gear for herself and her dogs while walking toward the entrance to Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena on Jan. 23. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 43 A car drives through a snowy scene on Shannon Valley Road in Acton. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 14 / 43 A city worker uses a snowblower to clear the walkways during a snowstorm at Lake Arrowhead Village. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 43 With the road closed to traffic, Paul Doolin rides a skateboard past a fallen boulder that rests on Topanga Canyon Blvd. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 43 A city worker shovels the walkways during a snowstorm at Lake Arrowhead Village in the San Bernardino mountains. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 43 Jose Villa of Lake Arrowhead clears fresh snow off his windshield during a blizzard in Rimforest, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 43 Snow begins to fall and stick to the road in Crestline, Calif. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 43 Enrique Nicanor carries plywood on an improvised walkway he made over a flowing creek that damaged the driveway to the house where he works on Iron Canyon Road. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 20 / 43 Clearing storm clouds are reflected in the wet sand at low tide in Newport Beach on Monday. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 43 County of Los Angeles pubic works equipment clears the flooded creek on Iron Canyon Road. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times) 22 / 43 Niklas Hofverberg and his daughter Bianca Hofverberg, 3 1/2 years old, watch the sun set as storms clouds dissipate in Venice on Monday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles TImes) 23 / 43 John Fisher of Altadena looks out toward Devils Gate Reservoir in Pasadena on Jan. 23. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 43 Westminster resident Shirley Hansen carries her dog Scruffy while she walks through floodwater caused by recent rain on the boardwalk in Seal Beach. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 43 A glimpse of blue sky is seen during a break in the rain at Devils Gate Reservoir in Pasadena on Jan. 23. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 43 Gina Picciolo takes a picture of a boulder that fell onto Topanga Canyon Blvd. Picciolo is a longtime resident in the area. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 43 Ward Preston and Gina Picciolo walk past a mudslide along Topanga Canyon Blvd. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 43 A Huntington Beach police officer watches a tow truck operator hook up chains to rescue a family from the middle of flooded Heil Avenue after their car stalled in the deep water amid a heavy downpour in Huntington Beach on Jan. 22. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 43 A rainbow appears over Seal Beach, Calif. on Monday. The tail end of a punishing winter storm system lashed California with thunderstorms and severe winds Monday after breaking rainfall records, washing out roads and whipping up enormous waves. (Amy Taxin / Associated Press) 30 / 43 All lanes of the 110 Freeway from Carson Street to 223rd Street were closed Sunday because of flooding. (Christina House / For The Times) 31 / 43 Jerry Katz stands next to a mudflow at the corner of Mel Canyon and Brookridge roads in Duarte. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 43 A Huntington Beach police officer watches a bus drive through flooded Heil Avenue amid a heavy downpour in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 43 A man looks for a safe way to cross floodwaters flowing from hillsides in a nearby recent burn area on North Iron Canyon Road in Santa Clarita. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 43 A Huntington Beach police officer diverts a pickup driver while a tow truck operator hooks up chains to rescue a family from the middle of flooded Heil Ave. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 43 Mud and rocks have filled the driveway of a Duarte home along Mel Canyon Road, where residents have been evacuated due to mudslides. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 43 Rudy Fuentes stands on the porch of his home on Mel Canyon Road in Duarte, looking out at where mud has taken over his driveway. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 43 Police stop traffic on Mountain Crest Road where residents have been evacuated due to incoming storms in the Fish fire impact area in Duarte. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 43 Marcus Jenkins selling umbrellas as he shelters under one of his own on Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood as the second of three winter storms begin to drench the Southland Friday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 43 Motorists navigate the flooded lanes of northbound Fairview Street in Santa Ana. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 43 Ella Masa, all wrapped in plastic, pushes her two service dogs as she joins an East LA/Boyle Heights group with banners and posters marching from Mariachi Plaza on Friday, protesting President Trumps inauguration. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 43 Umbrellas are necessary on Hollywood Boulevard as the second of three winter storms begins to batter Southern California on Friday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 43 A pedestrian scurries across the street under her umbrella in downtown Los Angeles on Friday morning. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 43 Paulina Tu takes cover under her umbrella as she waits for a ride in downtown Los Angeles on Friday morning. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Brett Albright, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services office in San Diego, said the storm dumped as much as four inches of rain in some places.

Today was very intense, said Albright. Its not a normal event. It was definitely a culmination of the perfect circumstances: We had a very intense atmospheric river with a lot of moisture and an area of lift in the atmosphere right over coastal Los Angeles and Orange counties. It forced all of that moisture out.

Its not often we see higher rainfall totals on the coast than in the mountains, he said.

Southern California has been mired by a 5-year-drought. But this storm is part of a larger shift toward wetter conditions that began last fall. Since October 1, downtown L.A. has received more than 13 inches of rain -- 216% of normal rainfall for this period, which the National Weather Service said was 6.26 inches.

Officials said much of the Southland remains in drought, although recent storms are helping.

On Sunday, the brunt of the storm hit in the afternoon.

Rockslides closed roads in Malibu and other coastal mountain areas. Up the coast in Isla Vista, a cliff and a patio collapsed into the ocean. Rescuers had to evacuate 15 to 20 residents of ocean-front apartment units, according to Gina DePinto, a spokesperson for the County of Santa Barbara.

At least one fatality was believed to be linked to the storm. A motorist in Pomona was driving about 3:15 p.m. amid heavy rains, lost control of the vehicle and smashed into a telephone pole, according to the Pomona Police Department. The driver suffered major injuries and was pronounced dead by Los Angeles County paramedics. The persons name was not released pending notification of family members.

A homeless encampment off of the Pacific Coast Highway in the Harbor City neighborhood was submerged in several feet of water. Los Angeles fire rescue teams helped three people walk out of the flooded area and brought two others out by boat, officials said.

One of those rescued, a 39-year-old man, was transported to a local hospital. Swift-water rescue teams were still searching the area, a roughly 300-square-foot patch of land with dense vegetation off the highway, for other victims late Sunday afternoon.

Some of the biggest concerns about the storm came from the communities hit by wildfires last year. Heavy rains can cause mudslides in burn areas, and some officials urged residents to evacuate.

Evacuation orders were issued for burn areas in Glendora, Duarte, Silverado Canyon in Orange County and parts of Santa Barbara County.

As of Sunday night, most of the hillsides had held up, to the relief of anxious homeowners.

In the Duarte burn area, many residents chose to stay in their homes. Rudy Fuentes, an elementary school teacher, said he decided to stay behind to protect his home in case things really got out of hand.

I hope it doesnt come to that, said Fuentes, whose driveway was covered in about two inches of mud. We just decided to stick it out.

Jerry Katz, a 25-year resident of the neighborhood, wasnt worried at all about the situation. He didnt put down any sandbags or dig any trenches. He blamed the citys orders to leave on nervous lawyers.

The real problem is I cant take my son to Cheesecake Factory tonight, Katz said.

Orange County officials remained on guard, particularly in Silverado Canyon, which is still recovering from a nearly 1,000-acre fire in 2014. Extra emergency crews have been brought in to help, including a bulldozer operator and two additional swift-water rescue teams.

The ground still remains pretty saturated and  it can be problematic, said Capt. Alan Wilkes, of the Orange County Fire Authority.

The epic rains caused something very unusual at Disneyland Sunday -- a quiet day with small crowds. As heavy rains poured and a flash flood warning was issued, the sparse number of guests hid under the monorail.

Some were clearly unprepared for the rain  wearing jeans, sneakers and hoodies, with some even without umbrellas. Star Wars lightsaber umbrellas were selling briskly, despite a hefty price tag of $65.

But the visitors who braved the weather enjoyed short lines  less than half an hour for Hyperspace Mountain, where lines typically can last for 2 hours.

Thunderstorm conditions were expected to ease slightly late Sunday into Monday. But the rainfall is expected to continue until Tuesday.

In all, the storm system is expected to generate 4 to 6 inches of rainfall over the next three days, with the most rainfall in the foothill and mountain areas. Clearer skies and temperatures in the mid to high 60s are expected to return beginning Friday.

The storm also caused problems in Northern California, which has seen a series of major storms over the last few months that lifted much of the region out of drought.

Mudslides and snow closed major roads including Interstate 80. U.S. 395 and Highway 17, the main freeway linking Silicon Valley with Santa Cruz.

Monster surf on Saturday set a new wave height record for the Monterey Bay: 34.12 feet, according to the NWS. The previous record was 32.8 feet, set in 2008. Those conditions smashed the remains of the famed concrete ship, the S.S. Palo Alto, in the Monterey Bay town Aptos.

Times Staff Writers Rong-Gong Lin II and Joseph Serna contributed to this report.

frank.shyong@latimes.com

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

adam.elmahrek@latimes.com

howard.blume@latimes.com

ALSO

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UPDATES:

8:55 p.m.: This article was updated with additional background on the storm system and minor editing.

6:45 p.m.: This post was updated with details on surf conditions in the Bay Area.

6:15 p.m.: This post was updated with preliminary rainfall totals.

5:10 p.m.: This post was updated with more details about a swift-water rescue in Harbor City.

4:30 p.m.: This post was updated with details on the rainstorm at Disneyland and elsewhere.

3:30 p.m.: This post was updated with more details about flooding.

2:55 p.m.: This post was updated with details on flooding and the issuing of a flash flood warning.

1:40 p.m.: This post was updated with more detailed information about evacuations.

1:10 p.m. This post was updated with new information regarding evacuations.

12:45 p.m.: This post was updated with new information from the National Weather Service.

11:20 a.m.: This post was updated with new information about flooding preparations in Orange County.

10:35 a.m.: This post was updated with new information regarding the Hermosa Beach Pier.

9:30 a.m.: This post was updated with new information about evacuations in Duarte.

9:10 a.m.: This post was updated with conditions in Northern California, including Highway 17.

8:20 a.m., Jan. 22: This post was updated with a forecast, and developments in Northern California.

11:30 p.m.: Updated with news of more evacuations.

8:55 p.m.: This story was updated with new information about evacuations in Santa Clarita.

5:50 p.m.: This story was updated with new information from the National Weather Service.

3:40 p.m.: This story was updated with snow and surf forecasts.

This story was originally published at 11:55 a.m. Jan. 21
Women whove accused Donald Trump of sexual harassment will be among the marchers in Washington

Former Miss Utah Temple Taggart with attorney Gloria Allred (Hailey Branson-Potts / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles civil rights attorney Gloria Allred on Saturday appeared at a news conference in a downtown Washington, D.C., hotel with four women who have accused President Donald Trump in the past of sexual harassment. The women said they will be participating in the Womens March on Washington.

All of these women are someones daughter, Allred said.

The women are:

 Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice who filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump earlier this week.

 Temple Taggart, a former Miss Utah, who has said she was stunned when Trump kissed her directly on the lips without consent when she was a 21-year-old Miss USA contestant in 1997.

 Jessica Drake, an adult film actress who said Trump offered her $10,000 and the use of a private jet if she went out with him.

 Rachel Crooks, who said she was a 22-year-old receptionist at Trump Tower when Trump kissed her on the mouth outside an elevator when she introduced herself.

Allred said the women had come to D.C. to show that women, including those who have accused the president of sexual harassment, would not back down, even with Trump in the White House.

Now more than ever, it is time to be brave and time to speak truth to power, she said.

Trump had threatened during the campaign to sue women who had publicly accused him of assault. Allred said such women should not be bullied, and there should never be a threat which can be interpreted as a message to silence a woman who alleges inappropriate sexual conduct.

Drake said she was horrified by the new administration and fear the consequences it will have, and as a woman who has used the services of Planned Parenthood in my adolescence, I want to use my platform to speak for others who cannot.

Mr. Trump, she said, we are watching.

Taggart said she couldnt shake the image of Trump mocking a disabled reporter and how he has belittled or bullied anyone with differing views, opinions, beliefs or backgrounds.

Taggart, choking up as she spoke, said that she had a disabled brother who committed suicide last month and that she was marching in his honor. She said he left a note begging people to stop the hate and love people unconditionally.

I hope to share my brothers message that we need to stop the hate and start looking in the inside so we can see that each individual matters and each life is truly priceless, she said.
Melissa Linebaugh was looking forward to taking part in the Womens March on Washington with her mother and her 9-year-old daughter.

A self-described Christian liberal from Dover, Pa., she was horrified by President Trumps rhetoric toward women and minorities during the campaign. This was their chance, she thought, to stand with other women in support of a more inclusive and equal world.

Then she read that the organizers had refused to partner with a group of antiabortion feminists. Would she, Linebaugh wondered, be welcome?

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As liberal as I am, she said, my one real issue that I struggle with is abortion.

She was not alone. Across the United States, many women who oppose abortion decided to stay away from the marches planned in Washington and around the country Saturday. Others said that they would march anyway, though in some cases it would be to protest what they see as the outsized influence of abortion providers on the womens movement.

Not sure of what to do, Linebaugh turned to the marchs Facebook page, where a debate was raging between those who support and those who oppose abortion rights. The vitriol she saw in some of the posts stunned her.

The pro-life stance reduces women to nothing more than walking incubators, one defender of abortion rights wrote.

The Pro Life movement has tried to destroy Roe v. Wade ever since it was upheld by the Supreme Court! another wrote, referring to the 1973 decision that legalized the procedure nationwide. Absolutely they should not be a part of the Womens March.

Linebaugh was crushed. Why couldnt these women see that everybody could be together for the same cause and still have and respect different viewpoints?

I sat there and literally cried.

The ruckus began when the Atlantic reported Monday that the march organizers had recognized the New Wave Feminists, a Dallas-based antiabortion group, as one of hundreds of official partners. Hours later, the organizers issued a statement apologizing for this error and dropped the group from the list.

The Womens March platform is pro-choice and that has been our stance from day one, the statement said.

Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa, head of the New Wave Feminists, said she wasnt offered an explanation for the reversal but believes that the organizers caved in to pressure from the pro-choice feminist community.

I understand that when you say pro-life, people assume bullhorns and bloody fetus signs, she said, but added that her group takes a very different approach.

While we are a pro-life group, we do not work to make abortion illegal, she said. We work to make it unthinkable and unnecessary by loving women and serving them well enough that they would never feel the need to turn to abortion.

Herndon-De La Rosa said she was heartened by an outpouring of support on social media from women who support abortion rights but were disappointed at the organizers decision and wanted groups like hers to feel welcome.

When thousands of women take to the streets of the nations capital Saturday, she plans to be there, and she has encouraged other women to march too.

We have so many things in common, fighting domestic abuse and human trafficking and just oppression worldwide, she said.

Heidi L. Sieck, a cofounder of the #VOTERPROCHOICE campaign who helped put together the marchs policy platform, said, There was never a moment that this march wasnt about reproductive freedoms.

There are individuals who for whatever reason wouldnt want to have an abortion  its not something theyd choose for themselves, she said. You can certainly march if you are in that category  But the whole principle is, dont try to take away someone elses freedom of choice.

Linebaugh, a former lawyer turned stay-at-home mom, continued to agonize for days. She believes, passionately, that life begins at conception. But she recognizes that there are circumstances when an abortion might be necessary and says she would never judge a woman who makes that choice.

Old friends who are staunch defenders of abortion rights reached out to her on Facebook and said they would be proud to march with her. But the thought that others might not want her there just took some of the heart out of it, she said.

She also worried about exposing her daughter, Selah, to a confrontation, if antiabortion groups turn out with their banners and start accusing other participants of being baby killers.

In the end, she decided to skip the march in favor of a girls weekend with her mother and daughter.

alexandra.zavis@latimes.com

Twitter: @alexzavis

Times staff writer Laura King in Washington contributed to this report.

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Neil Gorsuch could fall somewhere between his hero, Justice Scalia, and former boss, centrist Justice Kennedy By David Savage Judge Neil M. Gorsuch was resting midway down a Colorado ski slope last year when his cellphone rang with the news that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia had died. I immediately lost what breath I had left, Gorsuch recalled in an April speech, and I am not embarrassed to admit that I couldnt see the rest of the way down the mountain for the tears. Now, as President Trumps pick to replace Scalia on the high court, Gorsuch is seen by many on the right as a fitting replacement for the iconic jurist that Gorsuch considered a lion of the law. Like Scalia, Gorsuch, 49, who serves on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, is a well-respected conservative who believes judges should decide cases based on the law as it was understood when passed, not on how they think it should be. Hes a clear, impassioned writer, albeit without Scalias flare for biting sarcasm. But Gorsuch also evokes the qualities of Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, for whom Gorsuch worked as a law clerk. (If confirmed, Gorsuch would join three justices who previously clerked on the high court, but he would be the first ever to serve alongside the justice he or she worked for.) Like Kennedy, 80, Gorsuch is a Westerner with a polite, congenial manner who at times has won praise from liberals. He may be more conservative than Kennedy when it comes to expanding individual rights, but he seems to lack Scalias fervor for overturning liberal precedents from decades past. Which way Gorsuch skews could be pivotal for the future of the court. Conservatives clearly hope hell be more like Scalia than Kennedy, a centrist swing vote who has often joined liberals on issues such as gay marriage and abortion. Some conservatives have even expressed hope that Gorsuchs personal history with Kennedy might enable him to draw the Reagan-appointee back toward the right. Read More Facebook

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Trump chooses Neil Gorsuch, a conservative seen as likely to be confirmed, for Supreme Court By Michael A. Memoli President Trump nominated federal Judge Neil M. Gorsuch on Tuesday to the Supreme Court to fill the seat of the late Antonin Scalia, choosing from his short list an appeals court judge from Denver seen as most likely to win Senate confirmation. Because Scalia was a stalwart conservative, Trumps choice is not likely to change the balance of the court. But it does set the stage for a bruising partisan fight over a man who could help determine law on gun rights, immigration, police use of force and transgender rights. Read More Facebook

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Trump administration is radicalizing Democratic voters, creating a challenge for the party, Rep. Adam Schiff says By Sarah D. Wire (Mark Wilson / Getty Images) As protests spread over policy announcements from the Trump administration, Democrats must work to encourage participation in politics, but face a danger of the party becoming too radicalized, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said Tuesday. The radical nature of this government is radicalizing Democrats, and thats going to pose a real challenge to the Democratic Party, which is to draw on the energy and the activism and the passion that is out there, but not let it turn us into what we despised about the tea party, Schiff said. During a meeting with reporters and editors in the Los Angeles Times Washington bureau, Schiff also discussed his role as the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Committee under a Trump administration and how Democrats will manage in the minority. Ever since the election, party leaders have been debating: Did we lose because we were too far to the left and we had too small a tent, or did we lose because we are too mainstream and didnt energize the base? Schiff asked. We are obviously having that debate, but theres a whole new element, which is the reaction to the Trump administration that makes this different in kind, certainly different in intensity, than I think weve ever seen after an election, he said. The more radical the administration is, the more radicalized our base becomes, which just feeds the Breitbart crowd, and who knows where that ends. Democratic leaders have to channel public reaction to Trumps actions into progress, rather than deadlock, Schiff said. Reaction to Democrats seen as working with the Trump administration has been strong. Monday night, for example, protesters marched on Sen. Dianne Feinsteins home and office voicing fears she would back Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general. The senator from California announced Tuesday that she would oppose Sessions. Several groups calling themselves indivisible have popped up in cities across the country as focal points for efforts to organize. We have two of the most capable strategists as the head of our House and Senate Democrats, Schiff added, referring to House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Senate Democratic leader Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York. If anybody can grapple with this, they can, but its going to be a challenging and moving target day to day. I just hope that we can channel that energy in a way where we can provide a check on this administration because Ive never been more worried about the countrys future than I am right now, he said. Schiff said part of his role as the ranking Democrat on the House Select Intelligence Committee will be pushing back when the Trump administration puts out inaccurate information about the intelligence community and its findings. Trump has repeatedly dismissed or sought to minimize the intelligence communitys findings that Russia sought to intervene in the 2016 election to benefit him. Schiff said hes concerned about what else the administration might be willing to dismiss. I think that will be kind of a new frontier, he said. How do we contradict a president making representations about what the intelligence community has to say when the information is classified? Facebook

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Trump administration signals that some temporary bans on entry into the U.S. could become permanent By Brian Bennett  Trumps orders put a greater emphasis on deporting those convicted of crimes and those in the country illegally who were charged with crimes not yet adjudicated The Trump administration doubled down Tuesday on its commitment to transforming the nations border law enforcement, signaling that some of the temporary bans on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries are likely to be made permanent and elevating a deportations official to run the top immigration enforcement agency. Administration officials, led by newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, moved to allay the havoc that marked the roll-out of the ban and another on refugees. They briefed reporters and planned to head to Capitol Hill later today in an apparent effort to smooth relations after reports that lawmakers and other stakeholders were left out of the crafting of the executive order on toughened vetting at border entry points. In a news conference, Kelly and other top Homeland Security officials conceded some problems, including poor communication. But they insisted that all court orders were followed over the weekend, rebutted reports that some legal residents were denied access to attorneys at airports and said they everyone detained by border agents was treated with dignity and respect. The vast majority of the 1.7 billion Muslims that live on this planet, the vast majority of them have, all other things being equal, have access to the United States, Kelly told reporters. And a relatively small number right now are being held up for a period of time until we can take a look at what their procedures are, he said, seeming to acknowledge that mostly Muslims have been affected by the ban. The moves signaled that the White House remained committed to remaking border law enforcement even in the face of widespread confusion and condemnation of President Trumps order. Kelly said for the first time that the some of the restrictions that caused confusion and sparked protests over the weekend could be extended well into the future. Some of those countries that are currently on the list may not be taken off the list anytime soon, he said. Trump also named a longtime deportation officer, Thomas D. Homan, as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homan, who will oversee the execution of Trumps immigration enforcement order, was most recently in charge of the agencys 5,000 deportation officers, a force Trump said he would triple to 15,000. Trumps orders put a greater emphasis on deporting not only those convicted of crimes, but also people in the country illegally who were charged with crimes not yet adjudicated, those who receive an improper welfare benefit and even those who have not been charged but are believed to have committed acts that constitute a chargeable criminal offense. Facebook

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White House tries to ban the word ban, hours after president uses it himself By Noah Bierman This is not a ban, spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters in a fiery news briefing. (Alex Wong / Getty Images) President Trump used the word ban in a tweet as recently as Monday to describe his new executive order suspending travel from seven Muslim-majority countries and halting the refugee program for several months. But facing backlash from many directions, the White House adamantly insisted Tuesday that the word is verboten. This is not a ban, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters in a fiery news briefing. When we use words like travel ban, he said later, that misrepresents what it is. Its seven countries previously identified by the Obama administration, where, frankly, we dont get the information that we need for people coming into this country. In fact, people from the seven banned countries  Iraq, Iran, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya  cannot enter the United States under the order. Spicer appeared to be making a renewed effort to distinguish the order from the all-out ban on Muslims entering the country that Trump proposed during the campaign. Many around the world see the newest policy as an outgrowth of that proposal. Trump himself conceded a religious connection when he said in an interview on Friday that he wanted to make it easier for Syrian Christians to enter the country. And former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani told Fox News that the order sprang from a group he formed at Trumps request to create a legal framework that would accomplish the campaign goal of a Muslim ban. But amid confusion and worldwide criticism in recent days, the Trump administration has tried to temper some of the more incendiary rhetoric around the proposal. Even the words extreme vetting, a favorite Trump slogan, were called into question by Spicer on Tuesday. Calling for tougher vetting [of] individual travelers from seven nations is not extreme, he said. It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country. But changing the ban branding around the program at this point will be difficult. Heres Trumps tweet from Monday: If the ban were announced with a one week notice, the "bad" would rush into our country during that week. A lot of bad "dudes" out there!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017 And Spicer himself used the term ban as recently as Sunday: Sean Spiceer today: This is not a Muslim ban. It is not a travel ban.



Sean Spicer in White House press release, Jan. 29: pic.twitter.com/axTM1m66nM  Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) January 31, 2017 Facebook

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Senate confirms Elaine Chao as secretary of Transportation By Associated Press Elaine Chao testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Jan. 11, 2017. (Zach Gibson / AP) The Senate has confirmed Elaine Chao to serve as Transportation secretary in the Trump administration. The vote was 93 to 6 on Tuesday. Chao is an experienced Washington hand. She was Labor secretary under President George W. Bush and is the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Chao would be a lead actor in pursuing Trumps promise to invest $1 trillion to improve highways, rail service and other infrastructure projects. Facebook

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Speaker Paul Ryan defends Trumps immigrant and refugee ban, as Congress grumbles about being left out By Lisa Mascaro "What is happening is something we support... we need to make sure that the vetting standards are up to snuff," Paul Ryan says of travel ban pic.twitter.com/iX6YkOLkLl  CBS News (@CBSNews) January 31, 2017 House Speaker Paul D. Ryan on Tuesday stood by President Trumps temporary ban on refugees and citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations and indicated that he was confident the administration could fix the confusing rollout without action from Congress. What is happening is something we support, said Ryan, whose office was the target of a sit-in by protesters opposed to Trumps order. We need to pause and we need to make sure that the vetting standards are up to snuff so we can guarantee the safety and security of our country. Congress was blindsided by Trumps executive action -- Ryan learned about it as the public did when the White House announced it Friday afternoon. Many GOP lawmakers have raised concerns. During a private meeting in the Capitol basement Tuesday, Republican lawmakers were counseled on how to handle protesters and office sit-ins happening across the country. Its regrettable that there was some confusion on the rollout of this, Ryan said. No one wanted to see people with green cards or special immigrant visas, like translators, get caught up in all of this. Ryan also said he was concerned the ban could be used as propaganda by terrorist groups. The rhetoric surrounding this could be used as a recruiting tool, and I think thats dangerous, he said. Still, Republicans leaders as well as rank-and-file GOP lawmakers largely agreed with the presidents move to halt refugee admissions for 120 days, and to temporarily ban citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, unless they are Christians or other religious minorities. The president was well within his right to issue an executive order, said Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), chairman of the House Rules Committee. Do I feel let out? I feel like everybody was left out, he said. I wish they communicated it. I wish they had gotten more information to people. I wish they had measured three times and sawed once. Lawmakers have shown little appetite for Congress to get involved, and suggested the chaos that erupted at airports over the weekend was just part of a learning curve at the White House. I support the thrust of the executive order, said Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.), who nevertheless said the administration should have been better prepared and will need to get your act together. Last year, Ryan had strongly condemned Trumps campaign-trail call for a Muslim ban. In recent days, Ryan, like other congressional leaders, was forced to dial up the administration with his questions and concerns about the order, conferring Monday with Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. I am very pleased and confident that he is, on a going-forward basis, going to make sure that things are done correctly, Ryan said. Pressed on whether Congress would have a role, Ryan did not indicate any immediate legislative action. Facebook

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Democrats boycott Senate committee votes on Price, Mnuchin By Jim Puzzanghera Senate Democrats speak with reporters after boycotting Finance Committee confirmation votes. (JIM WATSON / AFP/Getty Images) Senate Democrats on Tuesday boycotted a committee vote on two of President Trumps top Cabinet nominees -- Tom Price to lead Health and Human Services and Steve Mnuchin to be Treasury secretary. Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) blasted the Democratic move as he sat in a hearing room with only Republicans on the dais. They ought to be embarrassed. Its the most pathetic treatment Ive seen in my 40 years in the United States Senate, Hatch said. I think they should stop posturing and acting like idiots, he said. At least one Democrat needs to be present for the committee to vote on the nominations, Hatch said. He recessed the hearing until further notice, saying he hoped a vote could take place later Tuesday. But asked mid-afternoon if he thought the committee would be able to meet Tuesday, Hatch said it doesnt look like it. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), the committees top Democrat, said Price and Mnuchin have misled the public and held back important information about their backgrounds. Until questions are answered, Democrats believe the committee should not move forward with either nomination, Wyden said. This is about getting answers to questions, plain and simple, he said. Ethics laws are not optional, and nominees do not have a right to treat disclosure like a shell game. Today @SenateFinance Democrats refused to move forward with nominations of Mnuchin & Price.  Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 The litany of ethics revelations regarding @RepTomPrice are strong evidence that he cannot be allowed to have control of #Medicare.  Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 Mr. Mnuchin continued to fail to come clean on shady foreclosure practices that hurt Americans.  Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 31, 2017 Liberal groups cheered the boycott while Senate Republican leaders decried it as Democratic obstructionism. They are manufacturing issues on a daily basis to drag this process out, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kent.) said of the confirmations of Trumps nominees. I dont see how they can explain to the American people how it is appropriate to prevent the administration from getting up and getting started, he said. Democrats have said Mnuchin, a wealthy Wall Street executive, misled the committee in his response to a written question about foreclosures at Pasadenas OneWest Bank while he ran it from 2009-15. Democrats pointed to a report Sunday by the Columbus Dispatch that Mnuchin denied that OneWest engaged in so-called robo-signing of mortgage documents. The paper said its analysis of nearly four dozen foreclosure cases in Ohios Franklin County in 2010 showed that the bank frequently used robo-signers. The Columbus Dispatch cited a foreclosure involving a mortgage signed by Erica Johnson-Seck, a OneWest vice president who said in a deposition in a 2009 Florida case that she signed an average of 750 documents a week. Barney Keller, a spokesman for Mnuchin, said Monday that several courts had dismissed cases involving allegations of robo-signing by Johnson-Seck. The media is picking on a hardworking bank employee whose reputation has been maligned but whose work has been upheld by numerous courts all around the country in the face of scurrilous and false allegations, Keller said. Democrats also have problems with Price, a six-term congressman and former orthopedic surgeon who has distinguished himself in conservative circles for his staunch opposition to the Affordable Care Act and his plans to slash federal healthcare spending. His nomination has become among Trumps most controversial, in part because of his hostility to government safety net programs, including Medicaid and Medicare. Democrats have also been increasingly critical of Prices extensive trading in healthcare stocks while he has been in Congress, and in some cases while he has pushed legislation that would benefit his portfolio. Price has denied any wrongdoing. Also drawing criticism is Prices purchase of discounted shares in an Australian biotech firm, Innate Immunotherapeutics, which he was offered through a private deal not available to general shareholders. Price also denied that this was improper, and Senate Republicans have rallied to his side, saying he did not violate any ethics rules. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said he and the other Democrats on the committee want Mnuchin and Price to explain their lies either in person before the committee or in new written answers. I want them to disclose this information that they seem not to want to disclose, Brown said. 12:10 p.m.: This post was updated with additional comments from Hatch as well as from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Sherrod Brown. 8:00 a.m.: This post has been updated with additional information and background. 8:07 a.m.: This post has been updated with additional information. Facebook

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White House aides who wrote Trumps travel ban see it as just the start By Brian Bennett (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Even as confusion, internal dissent and widespread condemnation greeted President Trumps travel ban and crackdown on refugees this weekend, senior White House aides say they are only getting started. Trump and his aides justified Fridays executive order, which blocked travel from seven majority-Muslim countries for 90 days and halted refugees from around the world for 120, on security grounds  an issue that they say they take seriously. But their ultimate goal is far broader. Trumps top advisors on immigration, including chief strategist Steve Bannon and senior advisor Stephen Miller, see themselves as launching a radical experiment to fundamentally transform how the U.S. decides who is allowed into the country and to block a generation of people who, in their view, wont assimilate into American society. That project may live or die in the next three months, as the Trump administration reviews whether and how to expand the visa ban and alter vetting procedures. White House aides are considering new, onerous security checks that could effectively limit travel into the U.S. by people from majority-Muslim countries to a trickle. Read More Facebook

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Why corporations cant risk keeping silent about Trumps immigration ban By David Pierson Starbucks Chief Executive Howard Schultz said the Seattle coffee company is developing plans to hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years. (Richard Drew / Associated Press) Corporate America generally prefers to stay quiet about partisan politics. Pick one side of a hot-button issue, the thinking goes, and youll risk losing customers on the other side. But like so many norms before it, President Trump has turned this one on its head. A growing number of companies are deciding its a bigger risk to their investors and bottom line to stay quiet than it is to protest Trumps ban on refugees and travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, betting vocal opposition to the executive order scores them a moral and fiscal victory. While it was possible for companies to take a wait-and-see approach leading up to Trumps inauguration, many firms can no longer ignore the White Houses policy given the effect the order is already having on employees either stranded or fearful of traveling. Only a week ago it seemed foolish to speak out against a president who has admonished individual companies on social media such as Carrier, Boeing and General Motors. Now the pendulum has swung the other way. Companies, mostly in technology but increasingly in other sectors, have decided that its not enough just to speak out against the immigration order. They believe that they must also take headline-grabbing action. Read More Facebook

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Op-Ed: Trump is taking the Bannon Way, and it will end in disaster By Jonah Goldberg Bannon has said hes a Leninist' but hes really more of a Trotskyist because he fancies himself the leader of an international populist-nationalist right wing movement, exporting anti-'globalist' revolution. In that role, his status as an enabler of Trumps instinct to shoot  or tweet  from the hip seems especially ominous. The Bannon way might work on the campaign trail, but it doesnt translate into good governance. Its possible  and one must hope  that Trump can learn this fact on the job. But what if he doesnt? He could put the country in serious peril.  Jonah Goldberg Read More Facebook

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Trump will leave LGBTQ protections in place By Associated Press (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The White House says President Trump will leave intact a 2014 executive order that protects federal workers from anti-LGBTQ discrimination. In a statement released early Tuesday, the White House said Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community and that he continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election. The Trump administration has vowed to roll back much of President Obamas work from the last eight years and had been scrutinizing the 2014 order. The directive protects people from LGBTQ discrimination while working for federal contractors. The recent statement says the protections will remain intact at the direction of Trump. Here is the text of Obamas executive order, signed on July 21, 2014: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including 40 U.S.C. 121, and in order to provide for a uniform policy for the Federal Government to prohibit discrimination and take further steps to promote economy and efficiency in Federal Government procurement by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, it is hereby ordered as follows: Section 1. Amending Executive Order 11478 . The first sentence of section 1 of Executive Order 11478 of August 8, 1969, as amended, is revised by substituting sexual orientation, gender identity for sexual orientation. Sec. 2. Amending Executive Order 11246 . Executive Order 11246 of September 24, 1965, as amended, is hereby further amended as follows: (a) The first sentence of numbered paragraph (1) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex, or national origin. (b) The second sentence of numbered paragraph (1) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. (c) Numbered paragraph (2) of section 202 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. (d) Paragraph (d) of section 203 is revised by substituting sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin for sex or national origin. Sec. 3. Regulations . Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor shall prepare regulations to implement the requirements of section 2 of this order. Sec. 4. General Provisions . (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an agency or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. Sec. 5. Effective Date . This order shall become effective immediately, and section 2 of this order shall apply to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of the rules promulgated by the Department of Labor under section 3 of this order. Update 6:45 a.m.: This article was updated with the text of the 2014 executive order. Facebook

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Trump fires Justice Departments top official after she refuses to defend his refugee ban By David Lauter Sally Yates. (J. David Ake / Associated Press) President Trump fired acting Atty. Gen. Sally Yates on Monday, just hours after she announced that the department would not defend his controversial executive order banning refugees and travelers from certain countries. Yates has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States, the White House said in a statement. It is time to get serious about protecting our country. The move came after Yates sent a letter to Justice Department lawyers saying that she questioned the lawfulness of Trumps executive order. My responsibility is to ensure that the position of the Department of Justice is not only legally defensible, but is informed by our best view of what the law is after consideration of all the facts, Yates wrote. At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities, nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful, she wrote. Consequently, for as long as I am the acting attorney general, the Department of Justice will not present arguments in defense of the executive order unless and until I become convinced that it is appropriate to do so. Yates was a holdover from the Obama administration. But because Trumps nominee for attorney general, Sen. Jeff Sessions, has not been confirmed and no other senior Justice Department officials have been appointed, firing her was expected to cause significant problems within the department. Among other issues, Yates is the only person in the department currently authorized to sign warrants for wiretapping in foreign espionage cases involving the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Trump replaced Yates with Dana J. Boente, a three-decade veteran of the Justice Department who was appointed in 2015 by former President Obama as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Virginia. 6:37 p.m.: The story was updated with Trumps decision to fire Yates. Read More Facebook

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U.S. service member killed in Yemen identified as Navy SEAL from Illinois By Jeanette Steele The Pentagon on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. servicemember in a raid in Yemen targeting al-Qaeda, marking the first American combat death under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. A Navy SEAL from the Virginia-based elite unit known as SEAL Team 6 was killed Sunday during an unusual nighttime raid that put U.S. troops on the ground against Al Qaeda leaders in the middle of war-torn Yemen. The fallen sailor was identified Monday as Chief Special Warfare Operator William Ryan Owens, 36, of Peoria, Ill.. Three other Americans were wounded in the raid and an MV-22 Osprey had to be destroyed after the aircraft suffered a hard landing and couldnt fly. Another U.S. service member was injured in that crash. The raid marked the first known counter-terrorism operation and first confirmed combat fatality under President Trump. Steele writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Facebook

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Protests against Trumps ban on certain immigrants continue across the country By Ann M. Simmons Protesters rally at Los Angeles International Airport on Jan. 29, demonstrating against the immigration ban imposed by President Trump. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) After a weekend of turmoil at many of the nations airports following President Trumps executive order to suspend the U.S. refugee program and temporarily prohibit entry to citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations, federal officials said all people being detained on arrival to the U.S. had been released. But that hasnt put a stop to demands to lift the travel ban. Protests continued to be held and organized throughout the country  incluidng in New York, New Orleans, Colorado and Connecticut. According to Ground Game, an online platform for organizing, at least a dozen demonstrations were planned for this week in what the group described as a fight against Islamophobia and Fascism. Calls to rally, demonstrate and protest swept social media platforms, including Twitter and Facebook. In Louisville, Ky., a rally was planned for Monday evening at the Muhammad Ali Center, in what organizers said would be a gathering for American values and to voice support for our nation and our city, which was founded and is strengthened by immigrants. In Hattiesburg, Miss., there was call to join a peaceful vigil in solidarity with refugees, immigrants, and Muslims on the University of Southern Mississippi campus on Monday evening. Declaring that Jersey City stands with our Muslim and immigrant community, organizers in that New Jersey city called on people to come to a pedestrian mall on Monday to stand in solidarity and peace as we show our strength in diversity as one of the most diverse cities in the nation. Other demonstrations were planned for later in the week in cities nationwide, including Tuesday in Tuscon, where organizers encouraged people to stand in solidarity with Senator (John) McCains strong public statement opposing the executive order banning refugees and Legal Permanent Residents from Muslim countries! Similar actions were planned on Tuesday at the South Carolina State House in Columbia and at the Worchester City Hall and Common in Massachusetts, while organizers in San Francisco, under the banner #NoBanNoWallSF, urged residents to join the resistance against Donald Trumps racist and exclusionary Executive Orders on Saturday. We will not allow our country to be divided by hate and religious persecution, read a statement from #NoBanNoWallSF posted on Facebook. Facebook

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Obama carefully weighs in on refugee ban, says he is heartened by public response By Michael A. Memoli (Jim Watson / AFP/Getty Images) Former President Obama has offered his first public comment on the conduct of his successor, saying through a spokesman that he is heartened by public demonstrations against the Trump administrations controversial move to temporarily ban refugees and block all admissions from seven countries. President Obama is heartened by the level of engagement taking place in communities around the country, Kevin Lewis, a spokesperson for the former president, said in a statement emailed to reporters Monday. In his final official speech as President, he spoke about the important role of citizen and how all Americans have a responsibility to be the guardians of our democracy--not just during an election but every day. Citizens exercising their constitutional right to assemble, organize and have their voices heard by their elected officials is exactly what we expect to see when American values are at stake. Lewis also said in the statement that Obama fundamentally disagrees with the notion of discriminating against individuals because of their faith or religion. Trump aides deny that his executive order, released Friday, involves religious discrimination. The order temporarily blocked travel to the U.S. by residents of seven predominantly Muslim nations, but left many of the Islamic worlds largest population centers unaffected, they note. The order also included an exception for believers of minority religions in those countries, a provision that Trump explicitly said would help Christians. Obamas statement is notable less for its content than for the fact that it was issued at all. It reflected the delicate balance he feels he must strike between showing a degree of deference to the new president and speaking out on issues he sees as critically important. The statement tiptoed around the content of the order, focusing more on the former presidents interest in citizen engagement. Obama said before leaving office that he expected to choose carefully when to comment on the actions of his successor and would focus less on normal functioning of politics and more on certain issues or certain moments where I think our core values may be at stake, as he put it in his final news conference. Mondays statement did point, though, to comments Obama made at a news conference in November 2015, when he called the idea of a religious test for immigration policy shameful and not American. We dont have religious tests to our compassion, he said at the time. Facebook

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GOP-led Congress worries about its role in the Trump era By Lisa Mascaro Its what congressional Republicans had long dreamed about: a majority in both chambers to advance conservative policies and a president from the same party to sign them into law. But the Trump White House isnt turning out exactly the way they envisioned. The GOP establishment is experiencing whiplash after a week of President Trump bulldozing through the norms of policy and protocol  dashing off executive orders without warning, escalating a diplomatic crisis with the countrys closest southern neighbor, triggering global confusion with a new refugee policy and generally hijacking party leaders agenda and replacing it with his own. Rather than the hoped-for collaborative new relationship between the White House and Congress, GOP officials complain that Trump is brushing aside their advice, failing to fully engage on drafting tough legislative packages like tax reform and Obamacare, and bypassing Congress by relying on executive actions, something they frequently complained about under President Obama. At the same time, Trumps unilateral moves continue to blindside Republicans and direct the national focus toward topics many in the party would rather avoid, whether thats how to pay for building the border wall with Mexico, warming ties with Russia, investigating false claims about voter fraud or, most recently, implementing sweeping new policies on refugees and visas. In the name of party unity, many Republicans so far have refrained from publicly attacking the new president. But for some, the new refugee policy crossed the line, signaling the first major rift in their already fraught partnership. Read More Facebook

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Washington state sues Trump over immigration order By Mark Z. Barabak President Trump signed an executive order Friday that suspends all immigration for citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) Opening a new legal front, lawyers for the state of Washington filed suit Monday seeking to block President Trumps executive order temporarily banning foreign refugees from entering the United States. No one is above the law, not even the president, Atty. Gen. Bob Ferguson said in announcing the federal lawsuit. And in the courtroom, it is not the loudest voice that prevails. Its the Constitution. Over the weekend, a federal judge in Brooklyn issued an order curtailing portions of Trumps executive order, issued Friday, which temporary halts migration from seven predominantly Muslim countries for at least 90 days and also closed the nation to refugees for at least the next four months. Other challenges are pending. The lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle was the first taken by a state attorney general, and its provenance was no surprise. Washington state and others along the West Coast voted overwhelmingly for Democrat Hillary Clinton in November and have emerged as a hotbed of anti-Trump sentiment. We will not yield, said Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who joined Ferguson at a Seattle news conference. We will not be leveraged. We will not be threatened. We will not be intimidated. We will not be bullied by this. Trumps order, which has sparked demonstrations across the country, brought an outpouring of objection from Insleys Democratic colleagues around the country. President Trumps recent executive orders that divide and discriminate do not reflect the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution or the principles we stand for as Oregonians, said Gov. Kate Brown. A single executive order does not define who we are as a country, said Connecticut Gov. Daniel P. Malloy. We are a nation of immigrants and must continue to fight for the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses yearning to breath free. In Massachusetts, another state that voted overwhelmingly for Clinton, Republican Gov. Charlie Baker joined the chorus of Democratic criticism, saying the travel ban would undermine the international relations forged by the states business, academic and healthcare communities. The confusion for families is real. The unexpected disruption for law-abiding people is real, Baker said. Thankfully, the federal courts will have an opportunity to straighten this out and it is my hope they do so, and do so quickly. Facebook

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How a top conservative radio host took on Trump, lost his audience and faith, but gained a new perspective By Mark Z. Barabak Charlie Sykes, right, interviews Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) before Wisconsins 2016 primary (Morry Gash/Associated Press) For nearly 25 years, Charlie Sykes was one of the most powerful and influential voices in Wisconsin. He cheer-led policies that turned this historically progressive state into a model of conservative governance. He made and destroyed political careers, using his perch on Milwaukee talk radio to help vault figures such as House Speaker Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker to national prominence. But for the moment Sykes was speechless. He sank into the brown leather banquette of a suburban steakhouse. He stammered. He sighed. When youve devoted your whole life to certain beliefs and you think now they have been undermined and that you might have been deluded about things, he began. So. So. Um... In 2016 Sykes emerged as one of Donald Trumps most prominent critics, a stance that outraged listeners, strained longstanding friendships and left him questioning much of what he once held true. Read More Facebook

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Pentagon compiling a list of Iraqis who aided the U.S. military and wants them shielded from Trumps travel ban By W.J. Hennigan The Pentagon is compiling a list of Iraqi citizens who have worked with the U.S. military and is recommending that they be exempt from President Trumps temporary ban on entry to the U.S. by people from Iraq and six other predominantly Muslim countries, according to the U.S. military. The move could potentially shield tens of thousands of Iraqi interpreters, advisors, and others who have assisted the American military from the presidents controversial executive action that blocked visitors from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters Monday that the list will include names of individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to helping the United States. Even people that are doing seemingly benign things in support of us  whether as a linguist, a driver, anything else  they often do that at great personal risk, he said. So people who take these risks are really making a tangible signal of support to the United States, and thats something that will, and should be, recognized. The list would not require any changes to the presidents order, but rather serve as guidance to the Department of Homeland Security and the White House in implementing the new policy. White House spokesman Sean Spicer later pushed back against blanket exemptions. We recognize that people have served this country, we should make sure that in those cases theyre helped out, he said. But that doesnt mean that we just give them a pass. Trump, who signed the order at the Pentagon on Friday, did not consult Defense Secretary James N. Mattis or Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the temporary suspensions of entry to visitors from the seven nations, according to U.S. officials. The executive action put the U.S. military in a difficult position because it works closely with the Iraqi government on a range of issues, including the fight against Islamic State, which necessitates travel between the two countries. For instance, Iraqi military pilots train to fly F-16 fighter jets at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Its not clear those pilots, who are active in the fight against Islamic State, could arrive in the U.S. for the training. 1:10 p.m.: This post was updated with White House response. Facebook

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Trump signs order on rulemaking: For every regulation added, agencies have to cut 2 others By Noah Bierman (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump signed an executive order Monday designed to fulfill his campaign pledge reduce red tape for businesses. The two-page order requires that when a federal agency proposes new regulations, it shall identify at least two existing regulations to be repealed. We want to make the life easier for small businesses and big business, Trump said Monday from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, where he met with nine representatives of the small-business sector. Trump said he hoped to see up to 75% of federal regulations eliminated during his presidency. Regulation has been horrible for big business, but its been worse for small business, Trump said. He also reiterated his promise to gut the Dodd-Frank Act, the financial regulatory overhaul that was passed after the financial crisis. Dodd-Frank is a disaster, he said. Were going to be doing a big number on Dodd-Frank. Consumer advocates who backed the law say that eliminating it would help Wall Street and other players in the financial sector at the expense of consumers. Facebook

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U.S. diplomats to protest Trumps travel ban order By Tracy Wilkinson Protesters of President Trumps immigration order block traffic at LAX. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) A number of U.S. diplomats are condemning President Trumps ban on some Muslim immigrants and visitors, saying the abrupt order does not make the U.S. safer and will only stoke anti-American fervor overseas. The complaint, being made through the State Departments so-called dissent channel, echoes criticism coming from human rights attorneys, legal experts and lawmakers from both political parties, as well as world leaders. It is significant because it represents the viewpoint of the men and women who must carry out Trumps unconventional and often provocative foreign policy. A policy which closes our doors to over 200-million legitimate travelers in the hopes of preventing a small number of travelers who intend to harm Americans ... will not achieve its aim of making our country safer, said a draft version of the memo that was circulating Monday and was reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. It was first reported by ABC News. Moreover, such a policy runs counter to core American values of non-discrimination, fair play and extending a warm welcome to foreign visitors and immigrants. The White House was quickly dismissive of the dissent and seemed to suggest the diplomats should quit if they disagree with a policy. Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said the diplomats raising of opposition does call into question whether or not they should continue to work in the State Department. It was not clear how many officials would sign the memo. Dissent channel memos are in theory not made public. The mechanism is designed to allow diplomats to offer an alternative policy without fear of retaliation. Acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner confirmed the existence of the memo but declined to comment on its contents. The dissent channel is a longstanding official vehicle for State Department employees to convey alternative views and perspectives on policy issues, he said. "... It allows State employees to express divergent policy views candidly and privately to senior leadership. The agency is still waiting for a boss. Trumps pick for secretary of State, former Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson, is expected to be confirmed by the Senate this week. The last time a dissent-channel memo was reported publicly was last year, when about 50 diplomats protested Obama administration policy in Syria, which they described as inaction. 12:20 p.m.: This story was updated with White House comment. 8:40 a.m.: This story was updated with comment from a State Department spokesman. Facebook

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Trump to announce his Supreme Court choice Tuesday -- in prime time By Michael A. Memoli (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump will announce his first Supreme Court nomination in prime time on Tuesday, he tweeted this morning. I have made my decision on who I will nominate for The United States Supreme Court. It will be announced live on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M. (W.H.)  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2017 The announcement was moved up two days amid the continued fallout from the executive action Trump signed temporarily banning refugee admissions from some countries. Trump had tweeted last week that he would announce his high-court decision Thursday. In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network on Friday, Trump said his administration was doing some final vetting of his choice to replace the late Antonin Scalia, and that the pick would be from among the list of 20 names he issued during the election campaign. I think the person I pick will be big, big, he said. I think people are going to love it. I think evangelicals, Christians will love my pick. And will be represented very fairly. Times Supreme Court reporter David Savage profiled each of the leading contenders: Judge Thomas Hardiman of the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Neil M. Gorsuch of the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Judge William H. Pryor Jr. from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The move could prompt a major clash with Senate Democrats, who have warned the president against a choice outside what they consider the mainstream. Some are threatening to block any choice in retaliation for Senate Republicans refusal to even hold hearings on President Obamas choice to replace Scalia, Merrick Garland. Democrats 2013 change to Senate rules that allowed most nominations to advance with a simple majority vote exempted Supreme Court nominations, meaning that Democrats could potentially filibuster the choice. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to rule out any further rule change in an interview last week, though Trump urged him to consider doing so. Facebook

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As Hollywood gathered at the SAG Awards, some entertainers joined LAX protest Facebook

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This New York doctor went to visit family in Sudan, and now hes stuck By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Dr. Kamal Fadlalla (Dr. Kamal Fadlalla / For The Times) Dr. Kamal Fadlalla, a hospital resident who has been working in New York for the last 20 months, was stuck in Sudan on Sunday, having gone there to see his family earlier this month. He had left Jan. 13, was due to return Feb. 4 but tried to return on Friday after hearing about President Trumps executive order on immigration, which suspended entry for people from seven countries, including Sudan. He made it past passport control, all the way to the gate at the airport in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital. One hour before departure they called my name, he said, and summoned him to the ticket counter, along with other New York-bound Sudanese passengers. When I got to the counter, they said there was a notice from Customs and Border Protection that ... they had to offload us from the flight. I was shocked. Fadlalla, 33, hoped for a reprieve as other passengers gathered, all stuck. One family, they came back from Dubai, she was a mother of three or four kids. She was waiting overnight at the Dubai airport. There were also two passengers turned back from New York, he said. It was a very tough night on me, He stayed for several hours, then returned to his mothers home in Madani, two hours south. Fadlalla is a second-year resident in internal medicine at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn. He is hoping to specialize in hematology and oncology. The Committee for Interns and Residents found an attorney to represent him, he said, but he had not received any news about how a New York federal judges ruling late Saturday, which halted the deportations of people who had arrived in the U.S. with valid visas, could affect him. I dont know what Im going to do. My vacation is going to end and I have to join the hospital next week. Its going to be tough on me, Fadlalla said. I dont know for how long Im going to stay here. I dont know what Im going to do. My visa is valid for three months. Im really stuck. I have my house there, my utilities, my work, my patients, my colleagues. It was my life for the past 20 months. And Im stuck here. Fadlalla is from northern Sudan, and describes himself as a moderate Muslim. He said the executive order wont make the U.S. safer by barring valid visa holders like him because, Ive been through the whole process of visa interviews. He had planned to take board exams next year, and if he misses them, his schooling will be delayed. He had wanted to stay and work in New York, too. All my life is there. Now Im stuck here. I dont know what to do, he said. Its going to really affect my life, my patients, my colleagues and their work schedule. He said the executive order has shocked others in Sudan, too. Theyre talking about human rights. Everybody knows the United States is about freedom, he said. Everybody knows America is a free country, a country of chances for everybody. Still, people have hope in those protesting at airports all over the United States and attorneys who have volunteered to help immigrants and refugees, he said. He said the order is especially worrying for aspiring Sudanese medical residents who have been preparing to match with a hospital in March to study in the United States. A lot of my colleagues who are preparing for exams are really, really worried about this, Fadlalla said. Im really worried about the future of these young people. They study a lot and spend a lot of money, a lot of effort to enter the United States. Im concerned about my future and my colleagues future. Facebook

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Californias congressional Republicans hold their fire on Trumps refugee order By Sarah D. Wire Only a few of the states 14 Republican representatives have publicly commented on an executive order signed by President Trump on Friday that barred refugees and green card holders from seven countries from entering the country. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) released a statement Sunday night saying that some tweaks are needed, but that his background as chairman of the House Select Intelligence Committee leads him to support the executive order. In light of attempts by jihadist groups to infiltrate fighters into refugee flows to the West, along with Europes tragic experience coping with this problem, the Trump administrations executive order on refugees is a common-sense security measure to prevent terror attacks on the homeland, Nunes said. While accommodations should be made for green card holders and those whove assisted the U.S. armed forces, this is a useful temporary measure on seven nations of concern until we can verify who is entering the United States. Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) told the Washington Post that the executive order is the right call to keep America safe, but he hopes the cases of people traveling on visas who were prevented from reentering the country are resolved quickly. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) said Sunday on Twitter that the rollout has created confusion, and that executive orders arent the way to fix the countrys long-term problems. View Twitter post View Twitter post Several of Californias 38 Democratic congressional representatives and the states two senators were out in force over the weekend demanding the release of refugees and green card holders as well as an end to the executive order. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced she would file two pieces of legislation in response. One would immediately rescind the presidents order. The second would limit executive authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent a president from unilaterally banning groups of immigrants. Its clear that the president gave little consideration to the chaos and heartbreak that would result from this order, she said in a statement. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) joined protesters outside the White House on Sunday afternoon. We will fight against racism. We will fight against anti-Muslim rhetoric. We will fight against those who will marginalize who we are. pic.twitter.com/R54f3MDhvo  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 29, 2017 In Los Angeles, Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) joined protesters at Los Angeles International Airport. On Saturday, Reps. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park), Nanette Barragan (D-San Pedro) and Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) joined the initial protests at the airport, and worked to get some of those being held released. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) accompanied protesters at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday. Congresswoman @MaxineWaters is here at LAX protest leading the crowd in the chant "no ban, no wall, you build it up we'll tear it down" pic.twitter.com/iNEmkVVkmW  Javier Panzar  (@jpanzar) January 29, 2017 Facebook

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Legal moves come too late for Iranian man who arrived at LAX after Trumps order By Matt Hamilton Ali Vayeghan arrived at 7:15 p.m. Friday from Tehran. He was going to stay with relatives, then go to Indiana, to join his wife, who arrived in the U.S. four months ahead of him, and his son. But he never emerged from customs. His niece said he was put on a plane to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. The ACLU was trying to prevent his deportation but arrived with paperwork 45 minutes too late. The family spoke to him by phone after he landed in Dubai, where he was waiting to be put on a flight to Tehran. Hes literally crying in the airport in Dubai, Ali Vayeghans niece, Marjan Vayghan, said. On Sunday afternoon, a federal judge in Los Angeles ordered authorities to transport Vayeghan back to the U.S. and admit him under the terms of his visa, which is set to expire Feb. 14. U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee said in her order that Vayeghan had demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in establishing that removal violates the Establishment Clause, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and his rights to Equal Protection guaranteed by the United States Constitution. But by the time the order came down, Vayeghan was on a plane bound for Tehran. Federal judge in LA has issued order allowing Iranian man deported from LAX yesterday to be admitted to US pic.twitter.com/yPth0xEQpv  Matt Hamilton (@MattHjourno) January 29, 2017 Facebook

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The political climate is a hot topic at the Screen Actors Guild awards The Actor statue watches over the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium. (Matt Sayles / Invision / Associated Press) Stars on the red carpet and at the winners podium tonight in Los Angeles are not keeping their mouths shut on current affairs. The 23rd Screen Actors Guild awards are being held at the Shrine Auditorium. Heres what they have had to say so far: I want you all to know that I am the daughter of an immigrant. My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France, and Im an American patriot, and I love this country, and because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes and this immigrant ban is a blemish and it is un-American.  Julia Louis-Dreyfus, accepting her award for her role in Veep We need to vote. Had we all voted, we wouldnt be here. You dont like it, you dont have nothing to say if you didnt vote. Get a clipboard, get organized and get in it. Dont sit back on the sidelines. Get in it. This is a fight for the country right now. Its worth fighting for.  Courtney B. Vance, nominated for his performance in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story For the first time ever in my lifetime, Ive been concerned about where its going to go. It doesnt seem to be that its going to go in a very positive direction.  Claire Foy, nominated for her role as Queen Elizabeth in the Netflix series The Crown Read More Facebook

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Green card holders will not be blocked by Trumps order, Homeland Security says By David Lauter (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) The Trump administration backed away from one of the most controversial parts of its new executive order on immigration Sunday evening, saying that permanent U.S. residents in most cases will not be affected by the new rules. Since the president issued the order Friday, confusion has been rampant over the effects on permanent residents, noncitizens who hold so-called green cards that allow them to live and work legally in the U.S. Many were stopped and detained at airports for many hours on Friday and Saturday and, in some cases, reported that they had been threatened with being returned to their home countries. An undetermined number of other green card holders were stopped from boarding U.S.-bound planes. Late Sunday, however, the secretary of Homeland Security, retired Gen. John Kelly, issued a statement changing the policy. Statement By Secretary John Kelly On The Entry Of Lawful Permanent Residents Into The United States  https://t.co/Es1qivoR3J pic.twitter.com/hffMK2MOQC  Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 29, 2017 I hereby deem the entry of lawful permanent residents to be in the national interest, Kelly wrote. Green card holders from one of the seven countries covered by the 90-day ban will still need to request a waiver to gain reentry to the U.S. if they have traveled abroad. But unless officials have significant derogatory information about a green card holder that indicates a serious threat to public safety and welfare, lawful permanent resident status will be a dispositive factor in deciding the case, Kellys statement said. A White House official, briefing reporters about the change in policy, said that about 170 people have applied for a waiver to the ban so far, and all 170 have received a waiver and have been allowed to enter the U.S. The seven countries affected by the ban are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Facebook

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Uber fights immigration order -- and #DeleteUber hashtag -- with $3-million legal fund for drivers By Tracey Lien Hours after Lyfts co-founders announced a $1-million donation to the American Civil Liberties Union to defend the

Constitution, Uber Chief Executive Travis Kalanick pulled out his pocket book as well. Kalanick promised in a Facebook post that the company would create a $3-million legal defense fund to help drivers affected by the Trump administrations move to restrict immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. The fund will help drivers with immigration and translation services. Kalanick also said the San Francisco ride-hailing company will provide 24/7 legal support to drivers stuck outside the country and compensate them for lost earnings. Drivers eligible for assistance were directed to contact the company via an online form. Although the announcement was greeted with some support on Facebook and Twitter, many saw it as too little too late. The company had come under fire a day earlier for advertising on Twitter that it was operating at New Yorks Kennedy International Airport during a taxi strike protesting the executive order. That gaffe, coupled with Kalanicks involvement in a panel advising President Trump on economic issues, helped spawn the Twitter hashtag #DeleteUber, which encouraged customers to delete the app from their phones in protest. You are 20 hours too late, one person wrote in response to Kalanicks Facebook post. Still deleted my account today, wrote another. Though Kalanick issued a statement on Saturday opposing the executive order, it didnt stop thousands of Twitter users from adopting the trending the #DeleteUber hashtag to decry Ubers actions. They accused the company of attempting to profit from the strike and prioritizing business interests over a moral imperative. Celebrities also jumped on the bandwagon, with actor and activist George Takei on Sunday tweeting to his 2.9 million followers: Lyft donates $1mil to ACLU while Uber doubles down on its support for Trump. #DeleteUber. Facebook

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75-year-old grandmother from Iran tells the story of her detention at LAX By Alene Tchekmedyian Siavosh Naji-Talakar of Phoenix hugs his grandmother Marzieh Moosavizadeh after she was released from detention at LAX early Sunday morning. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Marzieh Moosavizadeh and her grandson follow a routine when she visits almost every year from Iran. The 75-year-old, who travels in a wheelchair and speaks little English, struggles to find direct flights to Phoenix, where he and his family live. So they meet in Los Angeles and he escorts her on the last leg of her trip. This time was different. Moosavizadeh landed at Los Angeles International Airport a day after President Trump signed an executive order banning citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, from entering the United States. Read More Facebook

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GOP senators call executive order a self-inflicted wound. Trump calls them wrong and weak By Matt Ballinger McCain and Graham in 2013. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John McCain of Arizona released a statement Sunday saying that confusion at U.S. airports shows that President Trumps executive order on immigration was not properly vetted. Such a hasty process risks harmful results, the Republicans statement read. We should not stop green-card holders from returning to the country they call home. We should not stop those who have served as interpreters for our military and diplomats from seeking refuge in the country they risked their lives to help. And we should not turn our backs on those refugees who have been shown through extensive vetting to pose no demonstrable threat to our nation. It went on: Ultimately, we fear this executive order will become a self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism. The president responded on Twitter: The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong - they are sadly weak on immigration. The two...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017 ...Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017 Facebook

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At least 600 people wait to greet Syrians arriving in Phoenix By Nigel Duara Elijah Chavez and Brandi Hernandez protest in Phoenix (Nigel Duara/Los Angeles Times) A Phoenix-bound British Airways flight was scheduled to arrive from London at Sunday evening carrying several Syrians. A protest of about 600 people was waiting at a Phoenix international airport terminal for the flight to arrive. The outcome when these people arrive is uncertain at best, said Tanveer Shah, an Arizona attorney in private practice who volunteers with the ACLU. Shah said Syrians on board the flight would, in the best case, walk off the plane without a problem. But given the outcomes in other cities on Saturday and Sunday, Shah said it was incumbent on civil liberties attorneys to be there when the plane arrives. We have staff attorneys here ... who are prepared to file emergency pleadings, Shah said. Facebook

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When Muslims got blocked at American airports, U.S. veterans rushed to help By Matt Pearce (G. Morty Ortega / Getty Images) Jeffrey Buchalter was reflooring his foyer in Chesapeake Beach, Md., and listening to MSNBC over the weekend when he heard the news: An Iraqi who had worked with American forces as an interpreter had been stopped from entering the U.S. under a new executive order on immigration from President Trump. The story stopped him cold. Buchalter, an Army veteran who works as a law-enforcement instructor at the Department of Homeland Security, had served multiple tours of duty as a military policeman in Iraq, service that cost him dearly. He was decorated for injuries sustained from gunfire and improvised explosive devices. Exams revealed hed suffered herniated discs, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, and he spent 2  years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center trying to get right. But he was still alive, and now the married father of two children. And he believes thats thanks in part to the work of Iraqi interpreters who acted as guides during his work in their country. So he told his younger daughter and son they were going to take a trip: a two-hour drive to Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., where, for the first time in his life, Buchalter would join a protest. Read More Facebook

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Demonstrators against Trumps immigration limits  and a few who like them  surge through LAX By Javier Panzar The crowd at LAX is getting bigger and bigger. pic.twitter.com/dJ281TETXj  Javier Panzar  (@jpanzar) January 29, 2017 Thousands of people filled the international terminal at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday afternoon to call for the release of an unknown number of people being detained by immigration authorities. Filling the arrivals section of the terminal and spilling into the street outside, the throng chanted, Let them in, and Love, not hate, makes America great. Jacob Kemper, a 35-year-old Army veteran who fought two tours in Iraq, said he was infuriated to think soldiers he fought alongside might be denied entry to the country. I really dont care about religion, but I really hate oppression, he said, holding a sign that read, I Fought Next To Muslims. Shay Soltani, a network engineer, fled the Iranian revolution 40 years ago and still has family members in Iran. She doesnt know if she will be able to see them again. As she and hundreds of others marched through the airport, she said she was horrified by Trumps order. I am so hurt by this, she said. He is against freedom of speech and the constitution and everything I believe in as an American. Meanwhile, about a dozen counter-protesters popped up on the other side of the street, holding signs that said X-treme vetting and Keep Refugees Out. They said they were tired of immigrants entering the U.S. illegally, which they said jeopardizes the safety of American citizens. Chanell Temple, 63, of Los Angeles said she was sick of watching immigrants here illegally steal benefits and services from American citizens, specifically veterans and homeless people who need aid. I worked out here for 40 years and they are coming here and taking everything away, said Temple, a former bookkeeper who said she lost her job and healthcare after she was fired for an inability to speak Spanish. Raul Rodriguez Jr., coordinator of a group called America First Latinos, said he was concerned about what he considers a surge in crimes committed against Americans by those who are in the country illegally. They are lawbreakers. They have violated federal law and they need to be deported, he said. Facebook

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Silicon Valley execs speak out against immigration ban By Tracey Lien Technology executives are speaking out against President Trumps executive order on immigration, highlighting how the ban hurts their businesses. Leaders of companies that include Google, Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, Dropbox and Twitter denounced it over the weekend. Apple would not exist without immigration, let alone thrive and innovate the way we do, said Apple chief executive Tim Cook in a memo to employees. In my conversations with officials here in Washington this week, Ive made it clear that Apple believes deeply in the importance of immigration  both to our company and to our nations future. General Electric Co. chief executive Jeff Immelt said Sunday that businesses with global operations must balance working with the new administration while also supporting their workers and partners. We have many employees from the named countries and we do business all over the region, Immelt said in a statement. These employees and customers are critical to our success and they are our friends and partners. We stand with them and will work with the U.S. administration to strive to find the balance between the need for security and the movement of law abiding people. Facebook

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LAX protest grows as families wait Meg Heatherly, 27, of Los Angeles holds a Shame sign during a protest at the Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Facebook

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L.A. city attorney barred from seeing detainees at LAX By James Queally Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer said he was repeatedly denied access to federal detainees or an attorney who could discuss the situation with him at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Federal officials have declined to discuss the LAX detentions or respond to Feuers criticisms. While he was at the airport, Feuer said he was approached by a woman who claimed her father, suffering from Parkinsons disease, was among the detainees. It is those kind of real stories that are at stake because of this outrageous action by the feds. It is time not only for officials in my position, but all Americans, should find this a breathtaking violation of rights.  Mike Feuer Read More Facebook

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Democratic attorneys general from 15 states condemn Trump immigration order By Ann M. Simmons California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) More than a dozen Democratic attorneys general from states across the country have condemned the Trump administrations executive order suspending acceptance of refugees and have vowed to oppose it to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created. In a communique Sunday, the group said: As the chief legal officers for over 130 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trumps unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful Executive Order and will work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith. The executive order places an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and prohibits citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering as refugees for four months. It also places a suspension on admissions of other citizens of those countries. The legal officials represent 15 states. They include California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and his contemporaries in Washington, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. Religious liberty has been, and always will be, a bedrock principle of our country, and no president can change that truth, the attorneys general said in the statement. They praised the decision of multiple federal courts to order a stay on some aspects of the order. We are confident that the Executive Order will ultimately be struck down by the courts, the statement said. Facebook

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13 people who had been detained at LAX have been released, source says By James Queally Protesters at LAX on Sunday. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Thirteen people who were detained Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airports Terminal 2 were eventually released, a law enforcement source told The Times. Each of them held green cards, which grant permanent residency in the U.S. The source, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the situation at the airport, could not provide detention figures for the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which has been the center of protest activity. Thats where protesters were gathering Sunday. Nurse Jamie Shoemaker, 51, of Los Angeles held an American flag in one hand and carried a sign that read, Muslims are welcome here, racists and fascists are not. She called Trumps order un-American. This is not the country I want, she said. This is not the country I grew up in. Read More Facebook

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Democrats in Congress drafting legislation to repeal Trumps refugee ban, pressuring GOP for support By Lisa Mascaro Sen. Chuck Schumer becomes emotional speaking against Pres. Trump's immigration order, calling it "mean-spirited and un-American." pic.twitter.com/NkhUdpaNyV  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 29, 2017 Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Democrats will introduce legislation as soon as Monday to stop President Trumps actions temporarily banning refugees and arrivals from certain Muslim countries. House Democrats are taking similar legislative action, and lawmakers from both chambers will rally Monday evening at the Supreme Court to protest Trumps orders. This executive order was mean-spirited and un-American, said Schumer, the New York Democrat, choking up as he stood with immigrants and refugees at a press conference Sunday. It must be reversed immediately. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said House Democrats are exploring legal options, including an amicus brief in support of the ACLU lawsuit against the actions. The chances of passing a bill through the Republican-controlled Congress are slim, as most GOP leaders and lawmakers have not objected to Trumps ban. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Sunday that while he was personally opposed to a religious test on admissions, it was best left to the courts to resolve the issue. Its hopefully going to be decided in the courts as to whether or not this has gone too far, McConnell said on ABCs This Week. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) expressed his support Friday for Trumps action. A handful of Republicans, though, are uneasy with Trumps orders, and have spoken against them. Schumer noted that just few more Republicans would be needed to reach the 60-vote threshold for advancing Senate legislation. Maybe we can pass something in Congress, Schumer said. Its up to Republicans. Facebook

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Emotional reunion at JFK airport after release of elderly Sudanese man from immigration detention By Barbara Demick Tears and hugs at JFK's international arrivals as a detainee is released, reuniting father with son. More families wait, cheering. pic.twitter.com/WrVpoocWjY  Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) January 29, 2017 For those immigrants temporarily detained under a new Trump administration executive order at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, attorneys have put a priority on getting some of the older detainees released to their families. One small victory for the lawyers was the case of Yassin Abdelrhman, a 76-year-old green card holder from Sudan who had been detained after a trip home to visit family. He was released about noon on Sunday after being detained for 30 hours. Soon, he was reunited with his sons. He is a strong individual, but he has some health challenges, said U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who had been working on their case. Facebook

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Iranian director Asghar Farhadi will not attend Oscars Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi after winning an Oscar in 2012. ((Allen J. Schaben/ Los Angeles Times) ) In a statement to the New York Times today, Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi said he no longer planned to attend this years ceremony. Farhadis film The Salesman is nominated in the foreign language film category. Farhadi had initially hoped to attend despite the prohibition on visitors from Iran. But he said he had decided the possibility of this presence is being accompanied by ifs and buts which are in no way acceptable to me even if exceptions were to be made for my trip. Read More Facebook

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How an Iranian Fulbright scholar got into the U.S.: We found a lawyer who found a lawyer who found a lawyer By Barbara Demick Iranian students in front of a makeshift law office in JFKs Terminal 4. (Barbara Demick / Los Angeles Times) Perhaps nothing encapsulates the chaos emanating from President Trumps executive order better than what happened with Ukrainian Airlines Flight 232. The regularly scheduled flight to Kiev had to turn around on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy Airport early Sunday after a federal judge issued a stay of a deportation order of dozens of foreigners, including a 32-year-old Iranian linguist who is a doctoral candidate and former Fulbright scholar. With just minutes to spare, Vahideh Rasekhi -- helped by volunteer lawyers and her smart phone  managed to prevent the flight from taking off. She had arrived Saturday afternoon, but was blocked from entering the United States by the executive order barring arrivals of citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia and Libya. Around midnight, she was put on the Ukrainian Air flight to return to Tehran, via Kiev. We found a lawyer who found a lawyer who found a lawyer, said Mehdi Namazi, 29, a friend who has been waiting for her at the airport. The lawyers were showing officials a copy of the order issued a few hours earlier by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Donnelly in Brooklyn. It was all very confusing. They were arguing as the plane was taxiing, Namazi said. According to one lawyer, Melissa Trent, Rasekhi herself was walking up and down the aisles arguing for the plane not to take off. She knew that if the plane left she would never get back to the United States again, Trent said. Rasekhi spent most of Sunday in detention with other Iranians, but was released into the United States at around 3 p.m.. A dozen Iranian friends had been waiting inside the airports Terminal 4 amid a clutter of discarded coffee cups and half-eaten donuts in front of a diner that had been turned into a makeshift law office. Another Iranian student was waiting for her parents, who were taken into detention after arriving on another flight I havent seen them in 3-1/2 years. They dont speak English. But Im hopeful, said the student, who gave her name as Sahar. The students were both furious at the way their country had been targeted by Trumps order and touched by the outpouring of support from the volunteer lawyers. We see two different Americas here. There is this order banning us, and than there are all these people here who came to the airport. If it werent for these volunteers, she would have been deported, said Namazi. Im very depressed. We feel betrayed by this country that we invested so much energy and hope into. We are all graduate students, professors, PhDs, engineers. To say this is for national security, it doesnt add up, said Tahmineh Tabrizian, 33, another friend of Rasekhis. She said her own parents had planned to come to the United States and had spent $14,000 on tickets and visas and would now have to cancel their trip. Rasekhi, who has lived in the United States for a decade, was a Fulbright scholar at UC Santa Barbara and received a masters degree at Fresno State University, according to a resume supplied by one of her friends. She had been studying for a PhD at Stony Brook University on Long Island. She had gone to Tehran over the Christmas break to visit her parents and was on her way back to resume her studies when she was detained. Facebook

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Protests begin again at LAX on Sunday morning By Genaro Molina Facebook

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Protesters in Tel Aviv compare Trump immigration order to Israeli refugee policies By Joshua Mitnick Demonstrators in Tel Aviv protest U.S. President Trumps new immigration order. (Joshua Mitnick / Los Angeles Times) Holding signs reading Refugees Welcome and chanting No Ban, No Wall, Sanctuary for All, several dozen demonstrators gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Sunday to join protests in the U.S. against President Trumps new immigration policy. Mia Zur Szpiro, a 36-year-old filmmaker, said she felt compelled to demonstrate because her parents survived the Holocaust. We are a country of immigrants, and to me it was astounding that this [order] was passed on Holocaust Memorial Day, she said. Its wrong to stereotype, and its wrong to send people who are in need back into the face of danger and the risk of death. Elliot Vaisbrub Glassenberg, a protest organizer and migrant rights activist, compared the new U.S. policy to Israeli policies toward tens of thousands of Eritrean and Sudanese migrants who crossed into the country illegally from Egypts Sinai desert. The policies that Trump has enacted are no worse than the policies that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has enacted for years here  such as not allowing any non-Jews to be given refugee status in Israel, except for a select few. Togod Omar, a native of Sudan who was at the protest, said he applied for political asylum in Israel three years ago, and is still waiting. He said Sudanese friends hoping to be resettled in the U.S. were upset by the new executive order. Trump doesnt understand whats going on in Sudan, Omar said. You cant punish the Sudanese people for what the Islamic government is doing. You cant banish someone because of their religion. Facebook

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President Trump hits majority disapproval in record time, Gallup finds By David Lauter Days until achieving MAJORITY disapproval from @Gallup



Reagan: 727

Bush I: 1336

Clinton: 573

Bush II: 1205

Obama: 936



Trump: 8. days. pic.twitter.com/kv2fy0Qsbp  Will Jordan (@williamjordann) January 29, 2017 President Trumps actions during his first week in office have appeared to be aimed at the voters who already supported him, not at reaching out to the rest, and thats taken a rapid toll on his support, which was already historically low. Gallup, which has measured job approval for presidents for decades, shows Trumps approval so far at 45%, with 48% disapproving. Thats an average of several days polling. The daily trend lines are not kind to the new administration. As of Saturday, 51% of Americans disapproved of Trumps performance. Thats a record for the speed of getting to majority disapproval. By comparison, President George W. Bush hit majority disapproval six months into his second term, in June 2005, and remained in negative territory for the rest of his tenure. President Obama did not hit 51% disapproval until August of 2011, during the crisis over the federal debt ceiling that summer. His approval rebounded later that year, but he had a second period of majority disapproval during late 2013 and much of 2014. He ended his term with widespread approval and 37% of Americans disapproving. Trump Job Approval: Approve 45% (-1); Disapprove 48% (+3). Get the full trend https://t.co/BjTUhf0NAM.  GallupNews (@GallupNews) January 27, 2017 Facebook

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Hundreds of travelers were caught in limbo over rushed visa ban By Brian Bennett (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Hundreds of travelers were blocked from entering the U.S. or prevented from boarding flights in the hours after President Trump signed his order banning arrivals from seven predominantly Muslim countries, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In the order, Trump temporarily suspended refugee admissions and banned travelers from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Scores of people from those countries were aboard airplanes flying toward the U.S. when Trump signed his executive order on Friday afternoon, setting off waves of confusion among border officials and the traveling public. Upon landing at U.S. airports, 109 people from the listed countries were detained by immigration officials and prevented from entering the U.S., officials said. The department had approved 81 waivers to the new travel ban by Saturday afternoon, the official said, but at least some of the people detained on arrival were sent back to their countries of origin. Court orders issued Saturday evening required U.S. border officials to stop returning people who had already arrived with valid visas. It is unclear how many people were deported before the orders were issued. It is also unclear if the Trump administration has fully complied with those orders. In addition to the people who arrived in the U.S. and were detained, as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, an additional 173 travelers from the listed countries had been stopped from boarding flights to the U.S., a Homeland Security official said in a statement. The department did not make an official available to describe the actions and the agencys response. As many as 3,250 travelers may have been inconvenienced by the new visa restrictions, officials for the department said in a statement Sunday. Yesterday, less than 1% of the more than 325,000 international air travelers who arrive every day were inconvenienced while enhanced security measures were implemented, the statement read. The department will comply with court orders, the statement said. But no evidence was given to confirm this. Lawyers seeking to meet with detainees at Dulles International Airport outside of Washington and at San Francisco have said that they were blocked by officials on Sunday. The Department of Homeland Security will comply with judicial orders, faithfully enforce our immigration laws, and implement President Trumps executive orders to ensure that those entering the United States do not pose a threat to our country or the American people, according to the departments statement. All of the visa holders and travelers from the listed countries blocked from entering the U.S. since Friday already had gone through multiple steps of security screening that checked their biographical information and travel history against U.S. terrorism databases. Facebook

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White House seems to back down on part of new vetting policy By Christi Parsons The White House on Sunday appeared to back down on a key part of President Trumps tough new immigration order, signaling that travelers trying to enter the country from seven banned countries will be allowed in if they hold green cards. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said that these legal permanent residents are exempt from the travel ban moving forward, even though over the weekend other administration officials said the rule did apply to them. The apparent reversal came amid a national controversy over the new Trump order that temporarily halts the entry of all refugees to the U.S. and any traveler from seven majority Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Federal judges across the country have blocked parts of the presidents executive actions since they came down on Friday, mostly preventing the deportation of some travelers who ran into the first wave of implementation over the weekend. The back-and-forth over the green-card holders reflected a generalized confusion about the new order, which also bars Syrian refugees from entering the United States indefinitely. Lawyers for some of the affected immigrants said border agents seemed uncertain about the new rules and were disagreeing with one another about which travelers were affected and which were not. Further complicating the picture was a statement from the Department of Homeland Security asserting that its agents would enforce all of Trumps orders while also complying with judicial orders. As some of the orders block deportation, that left individual officers to try to figure out which priorities to honor. Facebook

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Op-Ed: Trumps cruel, illegal refugee executive order By Erwin Chemerinsky Protesters demonstrate at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Saturday. (Stephanie Keith / Getty Images) Barring individuals fleeing persecution from entering the United States is simply inhumane. Adding irony to injury, Trumps executive order was issued on Holocaust Remembrance Day, which should have been an occasion to atone for turning away refugees during the 1930ssome of whom then died in concentration camps. For example, in 1939, the United States turned away the St. Louis, a boat filled with refugees, many of them German Jews. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 254 passengers from the St. Louis died in the Holocaust.  Erwin Chemerinsky Read More Facebook

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Lyft pledges to donate $1 million to ACLU following Trumps immigration order By Tracey Lien (Richard Vogel / Associated Press) Tech executives had been mostly quiet for the first week of Donald Trumps presidency  but that changed after his controversial executive order restricting refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries. Executive after executive spent Saturday tweeting and posting messages to Facebook decrying the administrations actions. Lyft co-founders John Zimmer and Logan Green went a step further: On Sunday, they announced they would donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union over the next four years. Banning people of a particular faith or creed, race or identity, sexuality or ethnicity, from entering the U.S. is antithetical to both Lyft and our nations core values, the co-founders wrote in an email to Lyft customers. We stand firmly against the actions, and will no
As part of the vile eugenics movement that swept the country during the first half of the 20th century, more than 60,000 women and men were sterilized in state homes and hospitals to prevent them from passing on what were considered defective genes.

Laws in 32 states allowed sterilizations to be performed at state-run institutions on people deemed feeble minded or mentally ill or even, in some cases, sexually promiscuous. However, nowhere was eugenics more aggressively practiced than in California. About 20,000 people in California were sterilized, mostly between 1920 and 1960, although the state law was in effect from 1909 to 1979. Most were forced or coerced. All were in the care of the state at the time. In some cases, hospitals made sterilization a condition for discharge. This newspapers publisher for much of the first half of the 20th century was a supporter of eugenics, and a regular column ran in the paper extolling its virtues.

Former Gov. Gray Davis issued a public apology for the practice in 2003. Apologies were issued in six other states as well. But is that enough? A recent paper published in the American Journal of Public Health by a University of Michigan professor, Alexandra Minna Stern, estimates that as many as 831 survivors of the procedure are alive today in California. While the law did not single out people by race or income, people who were poor and those with Spanish surnames were disproportionately sterilized. Stern believes the state government of California should offer reparations.

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Reparations seem like the last chance to make a strong statement.

Theres no question that what was then considered a public health program is now recognized as a deplorable human rights abuse that robbed people of their reproductive rights. But does it require reparations? People of Japanese descent who were forced into internment camps during World War II received compensatory payments many years later. Although much debated, there has never been a program of reparations for slavery, the ultimate American human rights abuse.

The real question, according to both Stern and Georgia State University College of Law Professor Paul Lombardo, should not be which evils are worse than other evils. A better question is what is feasible and fair. In this case, there are reliable records of who was victimized  and the possibility that many are still alive and could be traced.

Furthermore, a judicial solution seems unlikely. A class-action lawsuit would probably not succeed, scholars say, because these sterilizations were done under the auspices of duly passed state laws  which were upheld as constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court decades ago. So reparations seem like the last chance to make a strong statement.

It could be a challenging task for the state to locate people who were sterilized  and are now probably in their late 80s  and persuade them to confirm or discuss what happened to them. Barely a handful of people in California have come forward in the last decade on their own to speak about their victimization. But why not try?

Two states  North Carolina and Virginia  have already offered monetary reparations to victims of coerced sterilization. North Carolina offered $50,000 per survivor while Virginia offered $25,000. (By contrast, Japanese Americans who were interned were given $20,000 each by the federal government.)

If there are indeed 831 survivors, and each were to receive, say, $25,000, that would cost the state approximately $20 million  which wouldnt bust the states budget and doesnt seem like an unreasonable price for taking away someones ability to have children.

State officials should quickly begin tracking down these elderly victims who were abused decades ago while under the states care. Time is short to do right by them.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
Before the brash, unpredictable Donald Trump, there was the contemplative, cool Barack Obama (remember him?). Perhaps the only obvious thing the two have in common is their service to a deeply divided nation, but Obamas absence appears to have already made our letter writers hearts grow fonder.

In the final days of the his administration, the letters written about Obama skewed more favorable than usual for the 44th president. Several writers set aside politics and praised the former president for what they consider his admirable personal qualities; others reacted warmly to the defiant optimism expressed by someone whose successor promises to undo much of his legacy. Of course, some readers were happy to see Obama go.

Here are some of those letters.

Stella Wilson of Savannah, Ga., approvingly lists Obamas accomplishments:

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Obama was the epitome of class and grace. His administration set an example that others would do well to follow.

How can the new president make America great again? It would be an achievement if he can keep it the same.  Morrie Markoff, Los Angeles

Here is some of what he deserves gratitude for:

Expanding access to healthcare for more than 20 million Americans; implementing an economic recovery program; signing into law the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act; ending the Iraq war; finding and destroying Osama bin Laden; saving the American auto industry from collapse; and making an effort to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Lastly, Obama deserves thanks for giving us a scandal-free administration.

Thousand Oaks resident Rodney K. Boswell hopes Americans can justify the former presidents optimism:

Say what you will about our outgoing president. You can demean him. You can castigate him. You can insult him, the first lady and their family.

But as he made clear in his final news conference as president, he still has confidence and trust in the future of the republic and we the people. I pray that his faith in us is justified.

Sandra Stubban of Stanton came away from Obamas news conference with a different impression:

The liberal media may have seen hope in Obamas final news conference as president. I saw proof, once again, of a man lacking in class.

His refusal to comment on the Democratic lawmakers who boycotted Trumps inauguration was, in and of itself, a comment on them. He should have urged them to attend as a sign of respect for our country. He should also show some class (as George W. Bush did) by refusing to comment on his successors presidency.

Obama turned out to be the great divider.

Downtown L.A. resident Morrie Markoff says Obama set a good example for Trump:

In the panoply of presidents during my long life of 103 years, the standards of conduct set by Obama and his wife Michelle have made me proud to be an American.

How can the new president make America great again? It would be an achievement if he can keep it the same.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
The central theme of President Donald Trumps inaugural address was America first, and, perversely, that may be very good news for Vladimir Putin and bad news for allies of the United States.

A new decree is going out across the world, Trump declared. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, he said. From this day forward it is going to be America first, America first.

Trumps vision, as detailed in his speech, is a dark one in which the country he now leads is besieged by drugs and gangs and crippled by bad schools and rusted factories. The United States has defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own, he said, and spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while our infrastructure slipped into decay. American factories have been shuttered and manufacturing sent overseas, Trump said, while the wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and redistributed across the world.

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1 / 51 la-1491523602-y7ephyarj1-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 51 la-1491368625-0bgh58ihw8-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los angeles Times) 6 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 51 Trump inspires millions to take to the streets -- to oppose him. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 51 Cartoon caption contest winner at the DENT conference in Sun Valley, Idaho: Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 51 Old radicals and big media descend on Selma (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 51 Horsey imagined the creation of the Ann Coulter phenomenon in this cartoon from 2007. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 51 This David Horsey drawing is a reconfiguration of a cartoon he first published in 2006. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 51 Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, should give Cliven Bundy a call. After Sterling loses his NBA franchise and the deadbeat Nevada rancher loses his cattle, the two old racists will both need a buddy. Maybe they can team up together and open an all-white rodeo. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 51 Besides sending a chill up the spine of the international community, Vladimir Putin has accomplished one other thing by seizing Crimea and threatening the rest of Ukraine: Putin has brought back the bear. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 51 The right-wing insurrection at the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev., has taken another weird turn with new revelations about the family history of Cliven Bundy. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 51 David Horsey / Los Angeles Times (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times)

The new president characterized it as an American carnage. The remedy he offered consisted of two rules: Buy American and hire American.

If it were just about economics, then the worst result of Trumps approach would be a trade war, not that such a thing would be pleasant or wise. But it carries deeper implications than that. The America first slogan is worrisome because it was first employed by fascist-sympathizing isolationists in the 1930s who thought Americans could tolerate the depredations and anti-democratic regimes of Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo and simply get on with business, protected by the moats of two oceans.

Trump justified his decree by saying, All countries should be free to pursue their self interest. To many, that makes perfect sense. Why shouldnt Americans put their interests ahead of the interests of others? What needs to be taken into account in answering that question is the fact that, since the end of the World War II, all the money spent abroad defending allies and aiding struggling countries in the developing world has served American interests very well. Yes, there were massive miscalculations  Vietnam and Iraq spring to mind  but, on balance, nearly eight decades of U.S. engagement, investment and leadership in international affairs has paid huge dividends, economically and politically.

So, there are a disturbing implications to Trumps words. Do they mean American resolve to defend the democracies of Europe and Asia will wither as we narrow our definition of national interest? And what would it mean if all countries are left free to pursue their narrow self interest?

It is easy to imagine what that means in the Kremlin: a return to a world where great powers divided up the globe and allowed each other a sphere of interest in which they could plunder smaller nations and abuse the rights of minority populations. This is precisely why Putin has been such a fan of Trump. He takes the new presidents words as a signal, a green light to expand Russias hegemony into the Baltic countries, Ukraine and beyond.

Is that what Trump means? The corollary to America first is, logically, Russia first in their sphere and China first in Asia. Will Poland and Germany and Japan and Korea be cut loose to defend themselves in a Trumpian world where it is every man for himself?

As the fledgling presidents staffers redecorated the Oval Office for their boss, it is reported they brought a bust of Winston Churchill out of storage. If Trumps foreign policy turns out to be what Putin hopes it to be, it might be more fitting to put Churchill back in the the closet and install a likeness of Neville Chamberlain instead.

David.Horsey@latimes.com

Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter
This new guy named Barack Obama was speaking forcefully, delivering one of his first speeches as an Illinois lawmaker with such eloquence that I turned up the volume on the squawk box that carried his voice from the Senate floor to my press room office one floor below.

Whos that? I asked the statehouse pundit who happened to be sitting on our dusty orange couch.

Barack Obama? Sounds like some kinda black militant, he said, and went back to gnawing on his soggy cigar.

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The year was 1997, and the Illinois Capitol was a place where newcomers got their labels shortly after arrival. After politely asking a man in the office to stop calling me baby, I was the man hater. An intern with Mexican parents was that Chicano chick. Obama was the latest black radical, based first on his name and then on his interest in criminal justice.

The son of a Kenyan man and a white woman born in Kansas, Obama knew a little something about being categorized, and he had other plans.

For the next 20 years, from my perch covering his career, I would watch people apply to him every label imaginable, from radical socialist to closet conservative, from naive preacher to scheming partisan, from angry African to black man in name only.

Mostly, though, he was a defier of the conventional ways of categorizing people in terms of race, color, creed and political beliefs. As he left office, he promised he wouldnt be the last black president, predicting that his successors would include a woman, a Latino and a Hindu  and even more incisively, presidents whose heritage defy shorthand.

Obama was longing for such a world when I first met him. One of his first efforts in office was a bill to discourage racial profiling by police officers.

Isnt this pretty much a partisan vote? I asked him in the halls of the Capitol one day.

Not if I can help it, he answered. After he met again and again with police and lawmakers of every stripe, the bill went on to win support not just from Democrats and lawmakers from elite districts but also from white suburbanites and conservatives from outside the Chicago area. It passed without a single vote of opposition.

What got attention was whites broad support. What Obama learned, though, was that if he could make his case, he could get people on all sides of an issue to come together.

When he preached that message at the Democratic National Convention in 2004, vaulting him to national recognition, it seemed from the response as if his fellow Democrats were willing to follow him to that promised land.

Whether they were right or wrong, it sure seemed like a good story. So I moved from Springfield, Ill., to Washington in 2006, when Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate, and soon after was assigned by the Chicago Tribune to follow Obamas historic candidacy for the White House. I wrote about his year-plus campaign and election, and eventually began writing about his presidency for all of the newspapers owned by the Tribunes parent company, including the Los Angeles Times.

Obamas passionate followers loved his vision of America as a land of opportunity for all, and he won the presidency partly because of how eloquently he challenged Americas dividing lines.

In office, Obama pushed back against established barriers. On foreign policy, that meant meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro. He plowed past Chinese government officials early skepticism of the women and black officials in his delegation until he and President Xi Jinping had forged mutual respect. They eventually negotiated a landmark carbon-reduction agreement.

In domestic matters, Obama tried to explain white America to black America and vice versa. Often, the backlash was brutal. He infuriated white officers when he suggested, during his first summer in office, that police acted stupidly in arresting a black Harvard professor suspected of breaking into what turned out to be his own home. Police and activists alike chafed at Obamas attempts to mediate during a memorial for dead police officers in Dallas last summer.

When Obama and I sat down together in the spring of 2015 at the annual dinner for the White House Correspondents Assn., during my term as the organizations president, I asked him why he waded into such knotty matters where people were unlikely to be moved. He looked at me with an almost confused smile, like he couldnt imagine what I was suggesting. One of his closest aides had his own theory in a private conversation we had shortly after.

He always thinks he can convince people, he said, if he can just get them to listen.

That didnt work out so well during the 2016 campaign for president. Obama exhorted Democrat Hillary Clintons shared ideals of equality and fairness and insisted her opponent, Donald Trump, was unqualified for the job. The election of Trump, promising an end to all the political correctness, came as a repudiation of Obamas core beliefs.

But there he was on Friday, leaving the Oval Office a final time, stumping for the same ideals. Just before he left Washington for a retreat in Palm Springs, he addressed supporters in an airport hangar. Many were tearful.

Obama told them to keep working.

This is not a period, he said. This is a comma in the continuing story of building America.

Obama isnt done, as evidenced by the forward-looking spin of his parting words.

Yes we did, he said. Yes we can.

christi.parsons@latimes.com

Twitter: @cparsons

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To the question of which Donald Trump would speak to America Friday  the dark Trump who spoke angrily at his partys convention or the more conciliatory Trump heard in the hours after his surprise election  the answer was soon clear.

Almost from its start, Trump used his inaugural speech from the grand platform of the U.S. Capitol to craft the same vision of a devastated, decayed America that he presented when he accepted his nomination in July. The nation, the new president said Friday, was a place of carnage.

He devoted little effort to reach out to the majority of voters who did not support him, or to those who did vote for him but remain wary of his dystopian views, his judgment or his temperament. The speech presented Donald Trump as he almost always has been: unfettered as he replaced a hope and change presidency with one that emphasized a country under siege from problems that he vowed to swiftly solve.

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Thematically, Trump was delivering a very similar argument to the one that Ronald Reagan had put forward 36 years earlier. Like Trump, Reagan critiqued the political establishment, announcing in his first inaugural address that government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.

But Reagan used far more elegant and, most important, more inclusive language. His was a less hard-edged appeal, and he made clear that his argument was with big government as a concept and not specifically the people arrayed around him on stage or those in the country whose support, or at least acquiescence, he would need in order to succeed.

Trumps pitch was far more emphatic and more divisively stated: Theres a war between Washington and ordinary Americans, he argued. And he placed himself  firmly, pointedly, angrily  with Americans.

Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another  but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the American people, Trump said.

For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.

The inaugural speech spoke to the hearts and emotions of the voters who had sided with Trump all along and who flocked to the National Mall to cheer him  people who have not felt any boost from the Obama presidency despite many indicators of economic growth in recent years, and have felt stiffed by Washington and politicians of all stripes.

His talk of the ills of gangs and drugs and a leaky border, of rusted-out factories and schools that leave students deprived of knowledge, were common refrains in speeches he made to those supporters all through the campaign. And on Friday he delivered them a promise.

This American carnage stops right here and stops right now, he said.

Yet even if his dismal description of America reflected precisely what his backers wanted to hear, there was more than a little to be skeptical about in Trumps words. As he cast Washington as the demon, he also portrayed it as a savior  at least under his leadership  capable of bringing back jobs, spending money on roads, bridges and airports and rebuilding with American hands.

Thats where Trump departs from Reagan, making what seemed at times to be an argument for a stronger government, one able to protect the blue-collar constituency that has given him such support.

Few in the Capitol appear to have fully signed on to that kind of shift in government. So how Trump will accomplish all of his goals remains in question.

One challenge for the new president is whether the larger pool of Americans he now represents can find a reason to believe in his message.

A more inclusive speech might have opened the door to added support. Mixing a strong appeal to conservative voters with sunny entreaties to others was Reagans key attribute, helping propel him to two successive terms. President George W. Bush likewise put an optimistic and inclusive face on Republicanism, and also won a second term.

Trump tried that approach in the early morning hours of Nov. 9 when he first claimed the presidency. Then he was the picture of conciliation, and far more humble than he appeared on Friday.

For those who have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, he said then, Im reaching out to you for your guidance and your help so that we can work together and unify our great country.

Since then, however, he has more often emphasized the divisive  extending fights with former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, civil rights leader John Lewis and a host of American companies that he has attacked via Twitter.

Even during Thursdays inaugural concert at the Lincoln Memorial, standing before a statue of the Republican president who persevered to unite an even more grievously divided nation, Trump recounted his victory with a defensiveness uncommon to the winner.

The polls started going up, up, up, but they didnt want to give us credit because they forgot about a lot of us, he said. On the campaign I called it the forgotten man and the forgotten woman. Well, youre not forgotten anymore  that I can tell you. Not forgotten anymore.

For more on politics 

A second challenge for Trump is finding allies. Implicit in his address Friday was the notion of the new president as a singular figure, unattached to, and indeed fighting, both major political parties. That perhaps fits into Trumps view of himself, but it suggests the potential of pitched wars ahead with both sides.

In attacking the political establishment, after all, he was clearly not singling out President Obama as the cause of the nations ills; he was firing as well at his fellow Republicans, who wholly control Capitol Hill, using the kind of scorn he often delivered during the campaign.

Trump softened that message a bit later in the day, complimenting former President Bill and Hillary Clinton at a luncheon with members of Congress and asking for bipartisan help. But those appeals may have been undermined by the tone of the days main speech, which had a much larger audience.

Trump as a man unto himself is the strategy that got him to the White House, helping to craft a sense of authenticity that none of his Republican primary rivals, nor Hillary Clinton, could match.

But his accomplishments will be limited without a strong alliance in Congress or a definitive broadening of his base of support, something he did not accomplish during his transition, polls show.

Trump spent his campaign telling America exactly what he believed. Much of the nations political establishment imagined that if he were elected  a possibility they thought was minimal  Trump would pivot, that he would soften the harsh tone and speak to a population larger than his most avid followers.

The Trump who spoke to the nation on Friday was precisely the Trump who won the presidency. And now he will find out if that is enough.

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Twitter: @cathleendecker

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Americas political divide split fully open on the streets of the nations capital Friday as Washington became a city of two peoples: The right gathered to celebrate Donald Trumps inauguration as president, and the left marshaled passionate and occasionally violent protests against him.

Republicans visiting from across America greeted the morning warmly, heading early to the National Mall to hear their champion speak.

As Todd Hutchens stood on the National Mall, wearing a red Make America great again hat, tears filled his blue eyes. With the nations changing demographics, the 55-year-old risk management specialist from Lakeland, Fla., never thought hed see another Republican president.

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Its hard to even put into words. Im really emotional about it, Hutchens said. The atmosphere, the energy thats here, just the hope and optimism of everybody around here.

When Trump appeared on the video screen, giving a thumbs-up, Hutchens gave one back, pumping his arm and smiling.

Yet beyond the metal barricades that ringed the ceremonies, the mood was much grimmer, and it would only grow darker as the day wore on. Thousands of left-leaning activists streamed into the city and large groups of them locked arms at security checkpoints, forcing Trump supporters to find other entrances.

It was a day of celebration and of chaos, ending with at least 217 arrests and six minor injuries to police officers as small groups of masked demonstrators smashed windows and set small fires around the city.

Throughout the night, they would continue to set trash cans and newspaper boxes alight; smoke spilled through intersections as nervous drivers and their often well-dressed passengers, apparently bound for the nights celebrations, motored through.

But most of those who showed up at rallies across Washington were only quietly heard. Eva Watler came from Nashville in a red hat embroidered with the words, Make racists afraid again.

We are regressing. Im upset for my black and brown friends, said Watler, 39.

Trump has drawn voices of opposition throughout the fractious campaign, but Fridays protests in the capital took on a more serious and occasionally menacing tone.

Many demonstrators brought protest signs lettered in Cyrillic, or bearing the word nyet, or depicting Trump as Russian President Vladimir Putins puppet  allusions to Russias alleged interference to support his election.

Even more protesters cried out against fascism, bearing defiant signs that said, Fighting Nazis is an American tradition and My WWII vet grandfather didnt vote for fascists  HE SHOT THEM.

Protesters represented a wide range of environmental, feminist or economic causes, many of them obviously planning to join a massive Womens March on Washington expected Saturday.

Aaron Harnly, 39, of Brooklyn, marched with a sign that said, simply, This is bad.

Im pretty lucky in life, Harnly said, expressing his thanks for having a good upbringing and education. Im just really, really, really worried about what this president is going to do with the many people who have luck running against them.

Some Trump supporters said they were uncomfortable with the protesters presence.

Zachary Stump, a high school junior from Carroll County, Md., wearing a camouflage-colored Trump hat, came for the inauguration but found the day overwhelming. He said he was expecting waves of Trump hats, but felt outnumbered by protesters.

It was kind of scary, really, he said. They were all chanting, and I didnt really feel all that safe with this Trump hat on. But now, hes finally inaugurated. Hes the president now. Im overwhelmed with joy.

Not everyone was bothered. Peggy ONeil of nearby Arlington, Va., turned 18 on Thursday, a day before the inauguration. She said she and a group of friends waited for over three hours to get into the National Mall and missed the speeches because protesters were blocking the entrance. But she was beaming anyway.

The night of the election, she and her grandmother had stayed up past midnight, cheering as the results poured in.

For me, this is so exciting, she said. Its such a historic moment. Im excited to see what hes going to do for our country.

The split-screen moments continued throughout the day. As Trump rode down the parade route in a limousine, several blocks away, an arsonist at 13th and K streets ignited another limousine, which had already been smashed by protesters.

Thick black smoke churned out of the vehicle, which had been sprayed with the words, We the people in gold paint.

At dinnertime, near the heart of the chaos, one young man burst into an Au Bon Pain restaurant and shouted an obscenity aimed at Trump, then darted away.

There was a brief moment of silence, then diners and employees picked up where they left off.

matt.pearce@latimes.com

@mattdpearce

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In Washington, D.C., revelers and protesters are marking the ascendance of a new president and the populist movement he says he has mobilized.

Some 1,600 miles away in San Antonio, thousands of psychologists from around the world are also marking the dawn of the Trump era by focusing their attention on the thought processes that prompt some people to resist and reject science. Matters for which there is a broad scientific consensus  including man-made climate change, the safety of childhood vaccines and Darwins theory of evolution  have been attacked as hoaxes and lies by senior members of the new administration.

Psychologists have come up with a name for this trend: the anti-enlightenment movement.

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To better understand it, these professional observers of human behavior will draw from a recent election campaign in which fake news exploded, conspiracy theories flourished and derision was heaped on elites of all kinds.

We were motivated by anxiety, said social psychologist Matthew Hornsey, who organized a symposium on the issue for this weekends annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.

The popular rejection of scientific thinking  and sometimes of facts that are plainly evident  didnt begin with the campaign that brought forth Donald Trumps presidency, Hornsey and others said. But if anyone doubted its existence before, they could do so no longer.

Were asking, What are these biases leading people to resist science? Where do they come from? How do they operate and what can be done about them? said University of Oregon social psychologist Troy H. Campbell, who will be speaking at the symposium.

Those questions wont be easy to answer. Psychologists will have to delve into the guts of human decision-making. They will dissect the ways in which we discount information  however well evidenced  that conflicts with what we want to believe about ourselves and the ways things work. They will examine the role of our social networks, and the cognitive shortcuts we take to interpret scientific conclusions we dont really understand. They will consider the role that declining trust plays in peoples decision to believe what theyre told.

People dont act like scientists, weighing up evidence in an even-handed way, said Hornsey, a professor of psychology at the University of Queensland in Australia. When someone wants to believe something  for whatever reason  then they act more like lawyers trying to prosecute what they already want to be true. And they selectively attend to and critique the evidence to be able to do that.

Social psychologists like Hornsey and Campbell are science nerds, but with a curious twist: They have a peculiarly keen interest in people.

You may have taken notice when that quiet guy in accounting shared an improbably dark theory about Hillary Clinton. Or marveled at the well-educated woman in your Zumba class who spouts ideas about medicine you know to be discredited. But then you go on with your life.

Social psychologists, by contrast, ponder those dark impulses and irrational beliefs  and the behavior they spawn.

They diagram the tangle of missed cues and crossed wires that is woven every time a person makes decisions with incomplete or imperfect information, in a context where she must guess other peoples motives.

People dont act like scientists, weighing up evidence in an even-handed way.  Matthew Hornsey, professor of psychology, University of Queensland

They come up with theories and test them on undergraduates, on strangers in the street, and on denizens of the internet.

Their science is young, and the universe they study  society  still seems chaotic, conforming to few recognized rules. But they are gleaning regularities. And where you shrug your shoulders at your neighbors confusing, erratic attitudes and behaviors, they have begun to discern some patterns.

So it came as no surprise to them that fake news would gain armies of adherents. They expected that although scientists are virtually unanimous on the existence and causes of climate change, disbelievers would take issue.

And when a disproportionate number of police shootings involved white cops and black victims, these psychologists offered an explanation for the phenomenon  implicit bias  that is more nuanced than outright racism.

In a paper to be presented at the symposium, Dan M. Kahan of Yale University asserts that ordinary people have always engaged in motivated reasoning when it comes to science  picking and choosing the facts that support their sense of who they are and the group to which they belong.

When lay people have felt that scientific conclusions superseded political or social affiliations, Kahan argues, it was because the cultural and social leaders they looked to shared a common sensibility about the publics best interests.

When that breaks down and leaders wield facts like weapons in a struggle for cultural supremacy, Kahan says, the result is a polluted science communication environment.

That would seem to describe the current situation. And that breakdown has made social psychologists feel an urgent need to communicate their findings to scientists, leaders and ordinary people befuddled by a resurgence of doubt over matters they thought settled.

We grew up in an era when it was just presumed that reason and evidence were the ways to understand important issues; not fear, vested interests, tradition or faith, Hornsey said. But the rise of climate skepticism and the anti-vaccination movement made us realize that these enlightenment values are under attack.

And the stakes, he added, are just too high to ignore. Anti-vaccination movements cost lives. Climate change skepticism slows the global response to the greatest social, economic and ecological threat of our time.

melissa.healy@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @LATMelissaHealy and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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On Trumps White House website, no mention of climate change

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Well, that was fast.

Scientists, environmentalists and other concerned citizens were quick to notice that there is no longer any mention of climate change on the new White House website.

Its a significant departure from how the site looked Friday morning, when President Obama was still in charge. His administration dedicated a page to the issue that began with the following quote from the now-former president:

Someday, our children, and our childrens children, will look at us in the eye and theyll ask us, did we do all that we could when we had the chance to deal with this problem and leave them a cleaner, safe, more stable world?

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That page is archived here.

It is not surprising that the Trump administration removed the former presidents policy pages from the White House website. The materials on the website are meant to be statements of the current administrations policies  not those of their predecessors.

Indeed, President Obamas team did the same thing when he was first sworn into office.

While the Trump version of the site does not offer an official position on climate change, it does have a section on what it calls the America First Energy Plan.

For too long, weve been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry, it states. President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule.

The statement goes on to spell out a commitment to embrace the shale oil and gas revolution (a reference to hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking) and to support clean coal.

Toward the bottom of the page is a reference to preserving natural resources.

Lastly, our need for energy must go hand-in-hand with responsible stewardship of the environment, the statement reads. Protecting clean air and clean water, conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority.

David Yarnold, president and chief executive of the National Audubon Society, was not reassured.

It will take a lot more than the stroke of a key to erase the effects of climate change, it will take a plan, Yarnold said in a statement. As with the healthcare millions of Americans depend on, we expect President Trump to have a science-based replacement in hand to make progress toward confronting the climate crisis threatening our birds and our communities.

Sam Adams, U.S. director of the World Resources Institute, agreed.

Its truly disturbing that one of the first actions by the Trump administration is to remove nearly all references to climate change from the White House website, he said in a statement. The websites lone climate reference is to eliminate the Climate Action Plan, which is a wholesale attack that flies in the face of common sense and would do harm to all Americans.

deborah.netburn@latimes.com

Do you love science? I do! Follow me @DeborahNetburn and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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Earth sets heat record in 2016  for the third year in a row

The last time the oceans got this warm, sea levels were 20 to 30 feet higher than they are today

Wildfires, sea level rise, coral bleaching: Climate change is already here
Burbank school officials are expected to approve a plan early next month detailing how Burbank Unified will spend more than $250,000 to better prepare high school students for college.

The College Readiness Block Grant was established to support Californias high school students, including subgroups, such as English language learners.

In order to tap into the grant funds, which total roughly $257,000, Burbank Unified was charged with creating a spending plan.

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A public hearing on the plan was held during a Burbank school board meeting on Thursday, and the board is expected to make its final consideration on Feb. 2.

As part of the plan, Burbank school officials expect to use the money to support students as they complete college requirements.

School officials would use a portion of the funds to administer the PSAT, a precursor to the SAT, to all 10th- and 11th-graders.

The students who need to improve their scores on the PSAT before taking the SAT will be able to apply for a tailored study plan to hopefully improve their score, according to a district report.

The district would also provide opportunities for English language learners to take core academic courses, including English, math, science and social studies, during the summer. Those classes would have aides who would support the students, according to the report.

A separate boot camp course during the summer would also be provided to English language learners who are new to Burbank Unified.

Another way the plan would support English learners involves providing part-time employees to work with students at Monterey High School, the districts continuation campus, and Community Day School, where students who have fallen behind on school credits can catch up, as those students improve their skills and earn credits to enroll in one of the districts two comprehensive high schools.

The plan also calls for sending all eighth-graders on a field trip to a California State University campus and all freshmen on a tour of a UC campus.

--

Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan
Laguna Beach and its coastal wilderness areas recently joined the ranks of Mount Vernon in Virginia and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco by gaining recognition as a Historic American Landscape.

The National Park Service, in partnership with the American Society of Landscape Architects, decided to give Laguna the designation, allowing it to join the ranks of more than 700 sites similarly honored across the United States, according to a news release from local advocates.

The distinction does not confer any special environmental protection but rather recognizes the area as part of the countrys heritage and development, in this case, Lagunas role in the early history of coastal towns in Orange County, according to the landscape societys website.

In addition, the documents gathered locally for submission to the park service for review  photographs, maps, painting reproductions and a historical narrative  will be housed in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and available for public viewing, giving Laguna national stature.

During the past few decades, the concept of historic preservation has grown beyond protecting a single building or urban district to include the historic landscape that provides the setting and context for a property, according to the landscape societys website, suggesting that preservation is the goal even when no mandate for such exists.

The American Society of Landscape Architects and National Park Service established the Historic American Landscape program in 2000.

Ann Christoph, a landscape architect and former Laguna Beach mayor, first heard of the honor in 2009, when a Cal Poly Pomona professor called her asking for nomination ideas.

Christoph told other groups, such as the South Laguna Civic Assn., about the landscape program, and about two years ago Lagunas push began in earnest when resident Ron Chilcote organized a committee to gather the supporting documents. It is known as the Committee for Preservation of the Laguna Legacy.

Im committed to anything that would explain to the world what this beautiful area is all about, said Chilcote, a member since 1975 of Laguna Greenbelt Inc., a grassroots organization that has worked to protect wildlife habitat in Orange County, including Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons wilderness parks.

This presence will serve not only present generations but acknowledge contributions of past generations.

The narrative, Christoph said, tells the story of how the landscape influenced the condition of the city and greenbelt today. It was inspired by the artists who came here.

Lagunas history, including isolation from other development, its role as an arts colony, and its leadership in environmental preservation all stem from the characteristics and disposition of the landscape itself, said the news release, from the Committee for Preservation of the Laguna Legacy.

Laguna Greenbelt members will discuss the recognition and unveil a book titled Laguna Beach and the Greenbelt: Celebrating a Treasured Historic American Landscape at the organizations annual meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Anns Drive. The meeting is open to the public.

Committee members, who are not all Laguna Greenbelt members, and their duties include Barbara Metzger, writer and editor; Ann Christoph, writer; Tom Lamb, graphic design, photography and collections; Mark Chamberlain, photography and collections; Eric Jessen, art history and collections; Verna Rollinger, Bob Borthwick and Harry Huggins, greenbelt history and mapping; Alison Terry, representative of the American Society of Landscape Architects, advised and coordinated submission of the materials to the National Park Service, according to the release.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce
A Huntington Beach man accused of murdering two women in a Westminster home while his family was outside pleaded not guilty Friday, prosecutors said.

Christopher Ken Ireland, 37, was charged this month with two counts of special-circumstances murder with possible sentencing enhancements for multiple murders, one felony count of arson of an inhabited property and one felony count of aggravated mayhem, according to the Orange County district attorneys office.

If convicted, he would face a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole.

Ireland, a real estate agent, is being held without bail.

Authorities said Ireland had been at a party on New Years Eve at the home of Yolanda Holtrey, 59.

Prosecutors allege that around 1:20 a.m. New Years Day, with his family waiting outside the home, Ireland killed Holtrey and her friend Michelle Luke, 49, of Huntington Beach by hitting them with a sharp instrument.

According to prosecutors, Ireland left and then returned around 3 a.m. to grab the womens bodies and put them in his vehicle. Authorities believe he then set fire to the house before dumping the bodies in a field near Bonita Canyon Drive and Ford Road in Newport Beach.

Ireland, who authorities said was going to help Holtrey sell her home, was linked to the slayings through neighborhood surveillance video, KNBC-TV/4 reported. He was arrested Jan. 2.

I dont know any Realtors that would kill their clients, Irelands wife, Samantha, told KNBC. Thats stupid  why would he do that?

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
Several local residents made the trip to Washington, D.C., to witness Fridays presidential inauguration. Here are some of their stories:

When Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee Martha Fluor and a group of 19 Orange County Girl Scouts started planning in April to attend the inauguration ceremony, they realized they could be witnessing the swearing-in of the nations first female president.

Novembers election proved otherwise, as voters elected Republican Donald Trump to the Oval Office instead of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Nevertheless, Fluor and seven other troop leaders chaperoning the girls, who range from sixth grade to high school, saw Fridays festivities as a memorable occasion as Trump was sworn in as the 45th president.

I still think its an experience, Fluor said. Its not about one party or the other but about the orderly transition of authority and power and how we do it democratically. Those are the opportunities we are focusing with the girls: what it means to be a citizen, how to be engaged in the process or engaging with civil discourse.

The chaperones and Girl Scouts departed from Orange County on a red-eye flight Wednesday night, landing in Washington on Thursday morning. Later that day they toured the Pentagon and the Smithsonian Institution.

They rose at 4:30 a.m. Friday to drive to Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and walk four miles to the National Mall.

National Guardsmen were stationed at various locations along the route, Fluor said in a text message.

At one location the group had to wait 45 minutes to move through a checkpoint.

We saw a lot of signs and Trump hats and shirts, Alexis Litvak, a 13-year-old Costa Mesa Middle School student, said by phone.

By 10:40 a.m., they found a grassy area near the Washington Monument and sat on blankets to watch the inauguration on a large television monitor.

Trump began his speech shortly after noon in Washington. As he repeatedly did during the campaign, Trump criticized government leaders over losses of U.S. jobs, decaying infrastructure, decline of the middle class and other issues.

January 20, 2017, will become the day the people become rulers of this nation again. Forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer, Trump said.

While he spoke, Fluor said in a text message: Among the cast of thousands, we are experiencing mixed reactions to President Trumps speech. Regardless of the positions, the vast majority are respectful and peaceful.

Fluor relayed some of the girls initial reactions to the speech: Cool, diverse, interesting, patriotic.

We all saw a different side of Trump than we saw during the election, said Gabriela Monge, 15, a Laguna Hills High School sophomore. His speech was well-written and more formal. I felt inspired.

The group saw some demonstrations with people holding signs, but nothing disruptive, Fluor said.

It was a marvelous experience, she said.

To go and see the inauguration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Alexis said. Its amazing to see how they do it. Before, I had not even seen the inauguration on TV.

The group planned to visit Mount Vernon and Arlington National Cemetery before flying home Sunday.

Third go-round for Costa Mesa councilman

The inauguration was the third that Costa Mesa City Councilman Jim Righeimer has attended. He previously witnessed both swearing-in ceremonies for George W. Bush.

Its a very festive attitude; people are just really excited here, Righeimer, a Republican, said in a phone interview from Washington. Obviously the people that are here are mostly all Trump supporters, so theyre really excited about having the new administration come in.

Righeimer said it was particularly striking to see the peaceful transition of power from one administration to another, especially since that doesnt happen in many other areas of the world.

Theres a lot of optimism here, Righeimer said. Well see if he sticks with his word and if he works to get everybody to come together. But clearly you can sense hes going to do what he thinks will move the country forward.

Its so wow

As he rode 11 hours by bus this week to Washington from Culver Military Academy in Indiana, Nicholas Kerr mentally prepared himself for Fridays inauguration.

The 16-year-old Newport Beach native and his polo pony were performing there with other members of the academys Black Horse Troop.

Its just now dawning on me what an experience this is  what an honor this is, the teenager said. Its amazing to be part of the action.

Nicholas had been practicing with his horse, Pardon Me, for three months, cantering, weaving in and out of complex maneuvers, trying to keep up with the fast pace while staying in formation. His 56-member mounted unit was appearing in the inauguration parade for the 17th time, dating to 1913.

Wow. Its so wow, Nicholas said.

For Michael Lawler, 63, a Newport Beach attorney specializing in estate planning who was attending his third inauguration, every time is an amazing time to remember.

He went to the first inaugurations of presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton and was finance director for Reagans inaugural ball committee. That connection helped him nab tickets to Fridays Trump inauguration, where he and his wife, Barbara, 59, would sit about 100 yards from the podium where the 45th president stood.

The couple also had a private meeting with John Roberts, chief justice of the Supreme Court.

In 1981, Lawler competed against Roberts to be clerk to former Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Roberts got the job.

All this excitement leading to the big day makes Washington the place to be, said Lawler, who squeezed in tourist stops, including a tour of the Trump winery in Charlottesville, Va.

The Lawlers danced at the Ambassadors Ball honoring the diplomatic corps and hosted by officials from Slovenia, the birth country of Trumps wife, Melania, the second first lady born outside the United States.

Daily Pilot staff writer Luke Money and Los Angeles Times staff writer Anh Do contributed to this report.

bryce.alderton@latimes.com

Twitter: @AldertonBryce

alexandra.chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
Fire may have destroyed the Huntington Valley Little Leagues score booth, bleachers and other equipment in Wardlow Park in November, but community spirit is already helping to ease the pain.

A field maintenance day is set for 1 p.m. Jan. 28 to restore the damaged parts in time for the spring season. Participants will put up new nets, replace and paint the backstop, do weeding in the outfield, put up fences and hang flags.

SoCal Honda Dealers will donate two new bleachers that will be installed during the maintenance day.

On Friday, the Honda group opened sign-ups for volunteers for the day through Facebook and Twitter pages.

Damage from the fire was estimated at $25,000.

Tim Stone, the leagues president, provided the Daily Pilot with security camera footage from a home near the park that appears to show a man setting fire to the scorekeeping booth at about 9:15 p.m. Nov. 13 at Wardlow Park, 19761 Magnolia St.

The video, which has been reviewed by Huntington Beach police, shows the man, who appears to be wearing a sweatshirt and shorts and carrying a backpack, kneeling and lighting a fire. Flames begin to spread up the front of the wooden booth as the man walks away.

Neighbors noticed the blaze around 10 p.m. and called firefighters. When Stone arrived shortly after, fire crews had just finished knocking down the flames, he said.

Stones three sons play in the league, which serves more than 750 youngsters in Huntington Beach.

From a kids perspective, you have a lot of questions, like why would anyone want to hurt the league? Stone said. Its almost like someone broke into their house and burglarized it  it was that kind of violation. My kids had nightmares.

But the outpouring of the community has been astounding, Stone added. Out of the fire rises the phoenix, so to speak.

Opening day for the leagues spring season is Feb. 25.

Staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.

alexandra.chan@latimes.com

Twitter: @AlexandraChan10
I have a new years challenge for Orange County employers and leaders: Make 2017 the year we stop reinforcing the caricature of millennials as an unmotivated, over-sensitive generation requiring participation trophies.

Instead, lets mentor them so they can achieve their potential.

There is no doubt that the cohort coming of age now is unlike any in living memory. But after 25 years teaching and leading college and university students, I can assure you that millennials are not a generation of indolent idealists uninspired to seize the reins of leadership.

They are, however, uninterested in achieving the goals set by previous generations as markers of success. As a president and CEO, then, it is my responsibility to understand the dynamics of a multigenerational workforce and to provide opportunities for employees of all generations to be innovative and grow professionally.

We glibly blame millennials for arriving on college campuses and in entry-level careers unprepared for the rigors of adulthood. But werent they raised under constant supervision and implicitly taught that showing up was good enough?

I am convinced that America isnt facing a workforce crisis; were experiencing a crisis of confidence. We protected millennials more than we prepared them. What they need now is mentoring, not mockery.

Across the nation, indeed throughout Orange County, the time-honored tradition of mentoring is vanishing. While college graduates may be confident theyre ready to succeed, hiring managers arent convinced  and this must change for the socioeconomic engine of Orange County to continue to operate at full throttle.

The 2016 Workforce-Skills Preparedness Report published by PayScale quantified the disparity. Although 87% of recent graduates responding to the survey said they feel well prepared to enter their field of professional study, only half of managers agreed with them.

The perception is that these graduates dont possess the requisite soft skills  attributes such as curiosity, grit, ownership, attention to detail, interpersonal communications or problem-solving proficiency  to lead or even contribute substantively to organizations.

Another study from the Economic Policy Institute revealed that underemployment was the reality for more than half of those who graduated in the past two years. If millennials are the future of the Orange County workforce, it is our responsibility and in our best interest to prepare them for it, and mentoring is the key.

There is a mentoring gap in America. One in three young adults have grown up without a mentor, says the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Since 2002, institutions have spearheaded National Mentoring Month every January.

At Vanguard University, we are witnesses to the incredible impact mentoring has on our students. We see students thrive in a 15 to 1 student-faculty ratio and through the generosity and foresight of Orange County business and community leaders who volunteer as mentors to our students through a range of university programs.

Mentoring is a critical component of our vision to cultivate curiosity, grit, ownership and other key soft skills, in addition to the academic excellence, character development and global perspective associated with a liberal arts education. Together, these hard and soft skills combine to form the seeds of greatness that each graduate carries with them into the future.

Our students dont flourish because these mentors pave pathways for them. Nor do their levels of confidence swell because professionals only praise their progress or commend their performance. These young adults benefit because they are being prepared to compete in the future workforce as well as in life.

The best mentors assume the difficult-yet-required role of critic: instructively pointing out what students still need to learn instead of complimenting them on what they know already. In this environment  as in life  people grow because theyve struggled to overcome shortcomings not merely because they possess innate talent. Hearing no is a formative part of getting to yes in life.

So I ask local employers and leaders to be a part of the solution this year. Help us build the workforce Orange County wants by being the mentor young adults need. National Mentoring Month offers resources to create mentoring programs and the more than two dozen colleges and universities in Orange County  Vanguard University included  could put your essential abilities to use.

MICHAEL J. BEALS is president of Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.
Anxiety is on the march, and schools are feeling it. While budgetary uncertainty is a constant in California, where schools are so dependent on fluctuating income tax revenues, current worries are broader and deeper.

They reach to Washington, D.C. and to speculation about a president who favors privatizing schools, who doesnt like the state standards (Californias version of the Common Core), and who threatens to disrupt the lives of many of our students and their families.

It feels almost irresponsible to encourage parents to keep calm and carry on, but insofar as their childrens daily lives are concerned, it may be the best approach.

Im reminded of the 1987 earthquake, when, after the shaking stopped, I walked our daughter to Mrs. Mauermans kindergarten class. I wasnt sure what Id find  whether school would be in session or the teacher at work.

But there she was, as dependable as ever, her students sitting on the rug in front of her, listening and responding to her cheery voice. School that day seemed the perfect place to be.

In the 30 years since our eldest started kindergarten, I dont recall a time when public education hasnt faced a significant challenge. PTAs and school boards have never lacked for issues, not because schools are failing  theyre not  but because public education is democratic and dynamic.

As populations and public opinions change, so do schools. Schools and their teachers are forever adjusting to new curricula, technology, policies and expectations for students.

Weve applauded reforms one year  like high school exit exams or Prop 98, the education funding floor that became more of a ceiling  and struggled with them later.

Parents and teachers across the state celebrated class-size reduction, then watched with disappointment and frustration as class sizes crept back up  even as many educators acknowledged that smaller class size alone hadnt been the hoped-for path to improved student achievement.

Weve worried about the problems of population growth  when half of Glendales elementary schools went year-round  only to encounter the even more vexing problem of decreasing enrollment and its negative effects on per-pupil funding and teachers jobs.

So given the volatility that exists outside the control of our schools, its worth doing what we can do in areas where we have influence, such as putting the brakes on ill-advised legislation in Sacramento. Im sure our newly installed state legislators would appreciate hearing from informed constituents as they weigh any current or future educational fixes for societys problems.

Just last week the L.A. Times reported on two proposed bills to "help teach Californians to think more critically about the news they read online. (Education legislation aims to combat the power of fake news, Jan. 13.)

Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) introduced AB 155 to require the development of curriculum standards for civic online reasoning. On the state Senate side, Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) proposed SB 135 to require the state board of education to develop a framework for a media literacy curriculum.

Though I share these legislators concerns about the rise of fake news, I wouldnt jump to putting a new law on the books to deal with the issue. Critical-thinking skills are already high on our schools agendas, and curriculum exists across a variety of subject areas to help students sort fact from fiction.

I understand the temptation to create new education requirements to benefit the public good. I have my own list of subjects I wish were taught more effectively in schools, including music, financial literacy, and more life-saving health information.

But theres opportunity enough within school districts to enhance learning without resorting to statewide legislation for every issue that hits the news. Lets not make education harder than it is.

And please, lets keep public education public.

--

JOYLENE WAGNER served on the Glendale Unified School Board from 2005 to 2013. Email her at jkate4400@aol.com.
Brazilian authorities on Friday were investigating a plane crash that killed the Supreme Court justice in charge of a major corruption case just weeks before he was scheduled to issue a ruling that could have revealed accusations against politicians in several Latin American countries.

The death of Justice Teori Zavascki, 68, in Thursdays crash is likely to delay, though not derail, the so-called Car Wash investigation, the largest corruption investigation in Brazils history. Investigators allege that inflated contracts with state oil giant Petrobras and other state-run companies yielded billions of dollars for bribes and election campaigns.

The small plane went down in heavy rains Thursday just off the coast of Paraty, a colonial town and popular coastal vacation spot about 155 miles west of Rio de Janeiro. Rescuers said Friday that they had recovered all five bodies from the crash  Zavascki, the pilot, a businessman, a woman who worked for the businessman, and her mother.

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Although the cause was unclear, many Brazilians voiced fears of foul play since Zavascki held such an important role in the corruption investigation, in which dozens of politicians and businessmen already have been jailed. Transparency International called for a full investigation into the crash, and federal police and the public prosecutor have opened probes alongside those of aviation authorities.

The planes voice recorder was found Friday and is being sent to an air force laboratory, the Brazilian air force said in a statement. The wreckage of the plane will also be analyzed.

The prosecutors office has already asked aviation authorities for documents about the planes maintenance and the cockpit recordings.

While the Car Wash probe  known as Lava Jato in Brazil  has been led by a team of prosecutors and Judge Sergio Moro in the southern city of Curitiba, Zavascki handled cases involving politicians. Under Brazilian law, only the Supreme Court can decide to charge or jail federal politicians.

Zavascki had been reviewing dozens of plea bargains of former and current executives of the Odebrecht construction company, which was one of the main players in the kickback scheme that prosecutors say yielded more than $2 billion in bribes over a decade.

The justice was expected to decide which of the Odebrecht plea bargains to validate by February, and his death will probably drag out that timeline. Validation would make them public, potentially implicating dozens of politicians in Brazil and several other countries where Odebrecht did business.

President Michel Temer, who could be one of those implicated in the plea bargains, is supposed to name Zavasckis successor, who would typically take over the deceased justices caseload.

However, the court itself could also decide to transfer Zavasckis cases to a sitting justice, and the countrys bar association encouraged the court to do so.

About 100 politicians and business executives have already been arrested or are under investigation in Brazil in the probe of alleged money laundering and other corruption. In addition to Temer, senior Cabinet members and close aides and allies of the president have been implicated in testimony from some of those arrested.
Each time Saameh Kajaan talks about food in the Syrian city of Aleppo, a true culinary zealot emerges.

The restaurateur is so serious about local dishes that along with his black, slicked-back hair, confident charisma and 40-year-old bulky frame, he could pass for a Hollywood-type mobster.

Our homes are all schools for learning how to cook, he said recently in a tone that belied his good nature. It comes from Aleppos air, its environment  the four seasons we have here.

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Kajaans devotion to traditional food has remained intense despite Aleppos transition in recent years from a booming metropolis to a symbol of suffering brought on by the battles between forces loyal to President Bashar Assad and opposition factions based in the citys eastern neighborhoods.

The nearly six-year conflict in Syria  which stayed mostly clear of Aleppo during the first year  has claimed more than 400,000 lives and caused millions of residents to flee their homes, in many cases making their way to other countries.

The devastation has been so great that outgoing United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in December said Aleppo had become a synonym for hell.

We have collectively failed the people of Syria, Ban told reporters in New York. Peace will only prevail when it is accompanied by compassion, justice and accountability for the abominable crimes we have seen.

Saameh Kajaan shows off a plate of kibbeh at his restaurant Atayeb, where he and his brother serve Aleppan feasts every day. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times )

All kinds of businesses and factories have been looted or destroyed in the heat of war, but some have managed to survive. Among those is Atayeb, the restaurant where Kajaan and his brother Ahmad, 44, serve up a sumptuous Aleppan feast every day.

The brothers take pride in the citys status before the war as arguably the food capital of the region. Its history includes invaders and inhabitants with varied roots who brought their influence to the (dinner) table.

Among the iconic dishes they offer are safarjaliyeh, where the tartness and sweetness of quince form the counterpoint to a simple tomato-based lamb stew; kibbeh labaniyah, one of 17 types of bulgur (cracked wheat) and minced lamb, this particular version dunked in a garlic-infused heavy yogurt; sindwanat, spheres of intestine stuffed with aromatic rice and meat cooked in traditional ghee. Customers pay a hefty $5 or $6 per meal.

Both Saameh and Ahmad, a taciturn, bespectacled wizard too engrossed in the kitchen to answer more than a few questions, attribute their gastronomic mastery to their mother.

We were five brothers. My father had died, and so we were all in the kitchen together: One person fries, another person chops.  It was a matter of making things easier for my mother, Saameh Kajaan said. Her taste in cooking is what she bequeathed us.

The two brothers opened Atayeb in Khaldiyeh, a neighborhood in northwest Aleppo that Saameh described as a one-time mecca for the lunch crowd of white-collar workers from all over the city.

However, when the fighting reached Aleppo, a year after it had spread elsewhere in the country, Khaldiyeh became a front line.

Atayeb remained open in the neighborhood until the end of 2013, but finally, the brothers had to move the business.

The buildings were on the ground. It was mass destruction, Saameh Kajaan said. But when we left Khaldiyeh, we didnt stop. We took two hours to set up in the new location and started work immediately.

The new Atayeb, a shabby-looking hole-in-the-wall in the commercial Muhafaza neighborhood, about two miles from the original location, can barely contain four drab wooden tables and a cash register. Those seeking a more refined ambiance can have their Atayeb-made meals served at the cafe next door.

But why give up a front-row seat to the alchemy taking place a few feet away?

Many Atayeb customers wait for their takeout orders, which make up the bulk of the business, while lingering outside the kitchen watching the meals being prepared.

Those who chat with Saameh Kajaan rarely resist ordering some of Atayebs side dishes, like fresh tabbouleh salad or fried kibbeh, with their meals. Some offer a quick nod of thanks before moving along with their bags of food.

Some of the meze dishes offered at Atayeb in Aleppo. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times )

At the kitchens entrance, workers Um Mahmoud and Um Ismail sit at a metal table, making quick work of a bowl of vine leaves. They place a handful of rice and meat in the center of a leaf before deftly rolling it to make cigar-like pieces of yabraa.

In the kitchen, other employees are no less industrious, preparing kibbeh, cutting up vegetables and chicken or keeping close watch over a bubbling vat of large meat chunks swimming amid bay leaves.

Throughout the kitchen, there is a heady aroma of ingredients. Its all the result of a process that begins before 8 in the morning, when Saameh Kajaan, the designated supplier, begins his shopping spree for ingredients facing war-related shortages. He approaches his task with puritanical exactitude.

I have no set menu. I go to the market.  What I like becomes my menu, Kajaan said, explaining that he feels no obligation to offer a dish if the ingredients are not up to standard.

He beckons for a small bowl of olive oil and a bucket of yogurt at the restaurant.

Taste this. I could get cheaper oil, but Im adding five drops to each plate of Hummus and make only 100 of them per day, he said. They better be good. I get it straight from a farm.

The same applies to the six sheep carcasses Atayeb requires every day. A butcher from the restaurant checks for color, age, amount of fat and whether the sheep has been vaccinated.

Some people would allow such ingredients in their restaurant. I dont, Kajaan said.

The Kajaans are constantly on the lookout for spices or techniques to improve the cooking process. Saameh Kajaan, for example, discovered after some research that kiwi fruit is a natural meat tenderizer.

At work one day, he brought out two plates piled with lahm bi ajeen, paper-thin meat pies that come either in a piquant Armenian version or a local variant that flavors the meat with pomegranate molasses.

Im serving a certain segment of population  those who know what tastes good, Kajaan said.

Before long, the meat pies were gone, as customers wasted little time in claiming them.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

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Lawyers of Julian Assange argued he may retreat from a pledge to face extradition to the US. The WikiLeaks founder announced on Twitter, last week, that he will renounce his self-imposed exile in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London should President Obama release Chelsea Manning who was imprisoned for 35 years for leaking documents relating to the Iraq War.

On Tuesday, President Obama overruled his secretary of defense to commute the sentence of the former Army soldier which led many to wonder whether that meant Assange was ready to surrender to the Department of Justice. Barry Pollack, who represents the WikiLeaks founder in the US, revealed that Assange sought for Manning's clemency and immediate release, which is short of what President Obama determined. No evidence was supplied to prove that Assange used the words "pardon" or "immediate" in relation to his extradition offer. However, Pollack said that Assange's message was clear throughout as he had previously pushed for Manning's pardon, the Associated Press reports.

The 45-year-old Australian computer programmer, who is the subject of an espionage investigation in America, has not been charged with any crime in the US but his legal team believes that it is probable he could have been charged "under seal", which means it has been kept secret from him. Another legal source close to Assange disclosed that he does not fully trust the CIA and FBI so in no way would he voluntarily go to the US or put himself in a position where there is great risk.

This is not the first time that Assange's declaration in relation to Manning haven't worked out as pronounced. Back in December 2010, it was reported that WikiLeaks failed to honor their pledge to help support Manning's legal defense fund. Thereafter, when the story was aired in the media, WikiLeaks then paid up but reduced its expected contribution from $50,000 to $20,000 and finally to $15,100
Switzerland expressed their stance on rejecting an alliance with U.K. against the European Union. Although the country is outside EU, Swiss foreign minister Didier Burkhalter said that they want an even closer ties with Britain but it will not go beyond the point of forming an anti-EU alliance, the Independent reports.





This was made following Theresa May's Brexit speech wherein the U.K. prime minister wanted a clean break from EU indicating her disapproval over a single market membership. Most of the businesses hoped that both, Switzerland and U.K., could work together to negotiate with EU over the terms of access to the single market while being able to restrict freedom of movement.

During his interviews with Swiss newspapers, Burkhalter said that the government already had a plan last June to adjust bilateral relations with U.K. He said that the Brexit decision opened up options and Switzerland will discuss ways of launching negotiation mandates with Britain. Furthermore, he told reporters that the goal is to have legal security as soon as possible.

Several Swiss business leaders aired out their concern over the negative impact of Brexit especially on leaving the European single market. Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann said that stable relations with U.K. were crucial for Switzerland's banking sector and pharmaceutical industry. Back in July, the Swiss Banker Association (SBA) proposed to work with U.K., Hong Kong and Singapore to form a so-called F4 alliance to better coordinate in areas such as regulation and market access.

Brexit supporters often cite Switzerland as a nation that flourished without being a member of the EU. Relations between the two are framed by a series of bilateral treaties that provide access to parts of the single market but does not include financial services. However, a 2014 referendum was made with majority of the Swiss voting to restrict immigration. Currently, negotiations were ceased as EU threatened that it will not be able to access the single market without allowing freedom of movement. The Swiss are anxious to strike a deal as it depends heavily on the EU for purposes of trade.
A South Korean court upheld the ruling against the government for breaking the law during the 1960s and 1970s by detaining prostitutes who catered to American soldiers and forcing them to undergo treatment for sexually-transmitted diseases.

In 2014, several surviving prostitutes filed a lawsuit against South Korea to reclaim human dignity and proper compensation. They claimed that the government played a role in creating and managing a broad network of prostitution in camp towns, called gijichon, where poor Korean women worked in bars and brothels frequented by American troops. In a landmark ruling, the women did not win the admission they want from the government nor the apology sought for. However, the court ruled South Korea illegally detained prostitutes for forced treatment and ordered it to pay $4,240 compensation to 57 plaintiffs for physical and psychological damage, the New York Times reports.

Judge Jeon Ji-Won stated this is a serious human rights violation and should never be repeated. Further, the prostitutes had been "comfort women" for the US military which goes a way back to the country's most delicate historical issues in World War II. During that time, women from Korea were forced into sexual servitude for Japan's imperial army. The plaintiffs argued that South Korea is a hypocrite to condemn Japan while not acknowledging its own role in ensuring that foreign soldiers had access to Korean prostitutes.

In addition, the plaintiffs testified that government officials called them "patriots" and urged them to earn more. Further, not only did South Korea sponsored classes for them to learn basic English and etiquette but the American military together with the government officials regularly raided clubs looking for women who were though to spread diseases. They would detain those women and force them to take medication until well. Clearly, prostitutes were treated not for themselves but for the soldiers.

The women kept quiet for decades partly because the military government enforced silence about issues that could lead detrimental to the alliance with the US. Also, South Korean society has an extremely negative view of prostitutes. Scholars who studied the issue discussed that South Korea was motivated by fear that the American military, who were stationed to provide defense against North Korea, would leave.
Jan 21, 2017, 5:45am ET

Mercedes-Maybach preparing first SUV

The GLS-based model will debut in about two years\' time.

Mercedes-Maybach's first-ever high-riding model is right around the corner, according to a recent report.

The yet-unnamed model will share its platform with the next Mercedes-Benz GLS. Australian website Motoring has learned it will receive a new look that will borrow a handful of styling cues from the electric Maybach 6 concept (pictured) shown during last year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

While the second-generation GLS will be available with three rows of seats, the Maybach-badged variant will offer space for just four or five passengers on two rows. The configuration will help designers give the SUV the generous amount of legroom that's prized by wealthy, chauffeur-driven buyers in China.

Power will be provided by a tweaked version of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine widely used in the Mercedes-AMG lineup. Motoring speculates Mercedes' twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 will be offered, too, though nothing is official at this point. Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive system will come standard regardless of how many cylinders are under the hood.

The first Mercedes-Maybach SUV will carry a base price of about $160,000 when it goes on sale in two years' time. It will fight in the same segment as the Bentley Bentayga, high-end versions of the Land Rover Range Rover, and the upcoming Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
The founders of Lafayette College named the school in Easton after Marquis de Lafayette, who was lauded as a Revolutionary War hero.

But what many do not know -- and what a new exhibit in New York City demonstrates -- is that Lafayette was a fervent abolitionist and advocate of freeing American slaves.

Olga Anna Duhl, co-curator (Courtesy photo)

"A True Friend of the Cause: Lafayette and the Antislavery Movement" is on display at the Grolier Club in New York City through Feb. 4. The exhibit was co-curated by Olga Anna Duhl, a professor of languages at Lafayette, and Diane Shaw, the college's director of special collections.

The free exhibit draws on the college's unique collections of books, manuscripts, paintings and other materials that offer an inside look at Lafayette's life as an early abolitionist, Duhl and Shaw said.

The 130-piece exhibit also uses artifacts on loan from Cornell University and the New York Historical Society.

"In America, Lafayette is perceived as a hero and less of a hero in France, but the hope is that this exhibit can bring together those two stories and demonstrate (Lafayette) as a man who enthusiastically worked to emancipate slaves throughout his life," Duhl said.

Duhl, whose background in French helped strengthen the exhibit, has been a member of the Grolier Club for several years. When the idea for a possible exhibit on Lafayette was raised, the Grolier Club, a heavy supporter of French culture, seemed like an ideal place for it, Duhl said.

Two years ago, Shaw and Duhl received word their proposal for the exhibit was approved, and the two worked tirelessly to pull together historical contents for it. More recently, Shaw and Duhl published a 75-page catalogue in reference to the exhibit, available for purchase at the club and at the college.

The exhibit is inside a large exhibition hall and includes 10 wall cases set up chronologically, Shaw said. Signs explain the significance of displayed artifacts, and an adjacent timeline details antislavery movements around the world during the time of Lafayette.

"A True Friend of the Cause" was recently featured in the New Yorker, Art Daily and other French cultural organizations. Shaw and Duhl said they have been overwhelmed with the amount of positive reception they've received. The two also expressed their gratitude for Lafayette College's support of the exhibit.

The exhibition was funded by Lafayette College's Friends of Skillman Library through a bequest from the estate of David B. Skillman Jr., Class of 1961. The exhibition catalogue was funded by a grant from the Grolier Club's Mary Young Fund.

Diane Shaw, co-curator (Courtesy photo)

The two hope the exhibit might also make the public aware of Lafayette College's rich collections of artifacts of high historical importance, tucked away on a tiny campus in the Lehigh Valley that he interestingly enough never stepped foot on.

"We were also quite touched when the president of the Grolier Club said there's rarely exhibits with this kind of intellectual content," Shaw said.

Although the exhibit is not traveling, there will be a roundtable discussion at the club on Tuesday, Jan. 24. It will examine the role of Marquis de Lafayette as an abolitionist from a historical point of view.

Shaw and Duhl will moderate the discussion featuring scholars Laura Auricchio, professor of art history at Parsons School of Design (The New School); Francois Furstenberg, professor of history at Johns Hopkins University; and John Stauffer, professor of English, American studies and African-American studies at Harvard University.

For more information, visit the club's website or contact Shaw at 610-330-5401.

The exhibition is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Ashleigh Albert is a freelance writer. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
A 19-year-old man awaiting trial on a handful of robbery charges is seeking $60,000 for an alleged slip and fall in Lehigh County Jail.

Christopher Betancourth is being held at the county jail in Allentown on $240,000 bail in five different cases involving robbery and firearms charges.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court, Betancourth claims he was injured last month, after slipping on an unknown liquid in a jail hallway as he was escorted while handcuffed from the showers.

Betancourth is suing the jail and staff, including new Corrections Director Mary Sabol, Warden Janine Donate and Corrections Officer Mark Jordan. Messages left for the director and warden asking about the suit were not immediately returned.

Betancourth says in the suit that the injury occurred the afternoon of Dec. 2, and that he was being returning to his cell in administrative segregation.

Betancourth slipped on a leak from an access panel and, since he was handcuffed, he could not break his fall, the suit says. Jordan, the officer walking Betancourth, "offered no relief" as he fell, according to the lawsuit.

Another inmate will testify it took staff two days to repair the leak, according to Betancourth.

Betancourth was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for X-rays and a "possible" hairline fracture, the suit says. Jail medical staff determined it was a bad sprain, according to the suit, and Betancourth was given a hand wrap and Tylenol.

Betancourth said he filed a grievance about his injury, which was later denied.

Betancourth is seeking $60,000 for his "pain, suffering and emotional distress." He also wants the jail to pay his legal costs in connection with the federal lawsuit, as well as his criminal court costs and fines.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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Toys 'R' Us is to take over the Highcross unit vacated when the Disney Store pulled out last weekend.

The toy and games shop is one of a number of new outlets set to open inside the Leicester shopping centre in the coming months, which will include a new travel agency, a fitted bedroom business and a new snack outlet.

It will be Leicester's second Toys R Us store, with the other just outside the inner ring road in St George's Retail Park.

The ground floor Disney Store in Highcross closed its doors last week despite more than 1,300 shoppers signing a petition to save it.

The company announced last month that the branch would cease trading in early January.

Talks between Highcross management and Disney also failed to reach an agreement that would see it stay.

A spokeswoman for Disney said the Disney Store portfolio was constantly being evaluated to ensure branches were in the right sites.

Highcross general manager Jo Tallack said Toys 'R' Us was a welcome addition to its selection of children's and lifestyle brands.

She said a branch of Barrhead Travel was also set to open in the coming months, offering holidays, cruises, city breaks, flights and hotel deals.

Bedroom furniture and home office specialists Sharps Bedrooms will also be coming to the centre, taking space on the lower mall near Debenhams.

It specialises in fitted bedrooms and wardrobes.

Another addition will be Mr Pretzels, which will sell sweet and savoury snacks in an outlet next to Soho Coffee on the lower mall.

Ms Tallack, said: "It's an exciting start to the year with four very different retailers confirmed to join us at Highcross.

"We continually work to ensure that our shoppers can enjoy the very best selection of brands when they visit Highcross and we look forward keeping up this momentum in 2017."

On January 6, Fenwick announced it was closing its iconic department store on the corner of Market Street and Belvoir Street, with the loss of nearly 100 full-time jobs.

It will cease trading in March.

A Fenwick spokesman said the traditional city centre retail area  a key part of Leicester's history  had seen much of its once thriving footfall diverted to Highcross and Fosse Park "which are served by modern, purpose-built car parks".

The company said other areas in the city, such as Gallowtree Gate and Granby Street, have been affected in the same way.

It added that the rise of online shopping had also affected trade for all retailers on the high street.
The Funeral Mass of former Councillor and community activist, Kathleen O'Brien has taken place this morning at SS Peter and Paul's Church, Portlaoise.

Huge crowds attended the Mass and Burial. Guards of Honour were provided by Laois County Council, the Fine Gael Party, St. Joseph's Accordion Band, the UN Veterans Association and Portlaoise Tidy Towns.

In his sermon, the Chief Celebrant Fr. Paddy Byrne spoke of Kathleen's O'Brien's full life. "She was ill, but she never was dying," he told the large congregation.

"She had a very keen sense and value of the people of Portlaoise. She was a public servant in the real sense of the word. She personified what the new politics is all about."

An instrumental member of St. Joseph's Accordion Band, Fr Paddy noted the band's moving tribute to Kathleen as her remains made their way to SS Peter and Paul's church from her home at Millview.

He also spoke of her work for Portlaoise Hospital. "She was the cornerstone in organising a meeting in St. Mary's Hall on the hospital six months ago. "Many of the parish team were in contact with her at the time and were doubting such a meeting would be possible.

"She was steadfast and resolute about it, and ended up chairing a very successful meeting about the fundamental right of the people of Laois and the midlands to maintain essential services in Portlaoise Hospital, and also that the A & E is such an important place in the life of the community.

"In memory of Kathleen O'Brien, let's be vociferous, and let's defend this fundamental service,and let the hospital continue to grow its essential services that are so very necessary," Fr Paddy implored.

Kathleen's son, Andrew thanked everyone who had attended the funeral. He thanked the Kitchen Choir for their music and the nursing staff of the Oncology Unit in Tullamore Hospital.

Noting her involvement with St. Joseph's Accordion Band, he recalled that the trips the band took, especially to places like Tennessee, were some of the best times of her life. He also thanked the UN Veterans Association, of which she was an associate member.

Though his parents were born in Portlaoise, they moved to Kilbarrack, Dublin in 1968, and were very involved in the community there.

When they returned to Portlaoise in the early 1980s, Kathleen worked for the then parish priest, Fr Gregory Brophy.

She first became ill with breast cancer in 1992. When she successfully recovered, she joined the Irish Cancer Society and became a counsellor, speaking to and offering support to other victims.

Of her political career, which encompassed the Town Council, Laois County Council and Peace Commissioner, Andrew noted that she was an activist, and she was closely allied with Willie Aird and the late Tom Keenan. She was proactively involved in the Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee.

When it came to Tidy Towns, one of the highlights for her was when the Portlaoise group was acknowledged nationally, and travelling to the Helix in Dublin with Jerry Lodge to receive the prize.

"She was a huge presence in the town, and she loved and lived every bit of it," Andrew said.

"She has left a mark. She gave of her time and service very generously and shared it, often without any regard to her own convenience or comfort."

Kathleen O'Brien is survived by her family, Fiona, Andrew and Damien, sister Geraldine, brother-in-law Declan, sister-in-law Marie, son-in-law John, daughter-in-law Joan, grandchildren Niamh, Neil, Darragh, Ronan and Liam, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of relatives and friends.
The founding committee of Colaiste Loch Gile, working since 2008, have announced that the Department of Education have sanctioned the opening of Aonad Loch Gile, an Irish language secondary education unit for boys and girls to open in the Mercy College, Sligo in September 2017.

Wednesday, January 25th, from 6.00-9.00pm in the Mercy College is the date for the Aonad and the Mercys own enrolment evening. Parents who have an interest in enrolling their children and those who have pre-enrolled are asked to attend that evening.

To ensure an offer of a place for you may pre-enrol by going to www.colaistelochgile.net , click the Pre-enrol button, fill in the spaces and press Send.

This is a new era for Irish language education in the North West as it will be the only Irish language option for parents whose children attend the five Gaelscoileanna in Sligo, Leitrim, and South Donegal. Pupils who did not attend a Gaelscoil will be very welcome to enrol and it is expected that the demand will be such that in the forthcoming years that an independent Gaelcholaiste will be established.

The founding committee would like to formally thank all the public representatives who made representations on their behalf in previous years. Your support was vital and truly appreciated.

They also wish to praise the efforts of The Mercy Colleges Principal, Colette OHagan, staff and Board of Management. From the first meeting they revealed a respect, an understanding and dedication to the concept of an Irish Language Unit. After witnessing the amount of preliminary work, dedication and ambition they have for this 'Aonad', the committee believe that a very bright future awaits all students who seize the opportunity to attend Mercy College's Aonad Loch Gile from next September, 2017.
May 2017 will be a significant month for the people of Knock and the Irish diaspora in New York as a historic trip to New York from Ireland West Airport will take place with Aer Lingus and Joe Walsh Tours.

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 are available to book through well known Irish Tour Operator, Joe Walsh Tours by calling 00353 1241 0800. There are a limited number of seat only packages available also.
Approximately 1.8m worth of funding under the European Unions PEACE IV Programme has been offered to Leitrim County Council.

The funding will be used to support a number of locally-based projects and initiatives that will promote positive relations between people from different communities and backgrounds.

It will result in an increase in the percentage of people who think relations between Protestants and Catholics have improved and an increased cultural awareness of minority ethnic communities.

Leitrim County Council will be responsible for the delivery of a PEACE Action Plan focused on three key areas: Children & Young People; Shared Spaces and Services and Building Positive Relations.

The support will be used in the delivery of local community initiatives for children and young people involving sports, arts, culture and language. It will help make public space in towns and villages more inclusive and facilitate programmes for shared space.

The funding will also be used to assist conflict resolution activities at a local level to encourage positive interaction between residents and groups from divided neighbourhoods.

Match-funding for this element of the PEACE IV Programme has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in Ireland.

An announcement of the total funding offered to all local authorities across Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland was recently endorsed by Ministers from both of these match-funding Government Departments.
You can help Epilepsy Ireland this February by donating a few hours of your time to support our annual Rose Week appeal (February 13th  19th). Epilepsy Ireland needs volunteers to sell roses throughout the country at shopping centres, schools, colleges and workplaces. Can you spare a few hours?

Rose appeals have been an important source of funding for Epilepsy Ireland since 1992 and the charity relies on volunteers to make the appeal a success. If you are interested please email Ashley at fundraising@epilepsy.ie or call 01 4557500 to volunteer as little as two hours of your time.

Other ways you can help:

Organise a coffee morning

Organise your own fundraiser

Sell Epilepsy Ireland Roses to friends and family

Ask your friends/ family to sell in their businesses, workplaces, school, college or club

Text your Rose Week donation

You can also support the Rose Appeal by texting the word ROSES to 50300. 100% of your 4 donation will go directly to Epilepsy Ireland. Some providers charge VAT which means that a minimum of 3.25 will go to Epilepsy Ireland.
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland is calling on supporters in Co Leitrim to Kiss Goodbye to MS from January 17 until February 14 and to help raise funds for MS research and essential services.

Supporters are asked to go red and to Wear, Dare and Share: to wear red or hold a red day, dare to get sponsored for an MS Ireland sky dive, and share with friends and family to spread the word. Please text SMOOCH to 50300 to donate 4 and nominate others to take part. For more information visit www.kissgoodbyetoms.ie

MS is the most common debilitating neurological condition affecting young adults in Ireland. Three times more women than men are diagnosed with MS. There is no cause or cure.

Help Kiss Goodbye to MS

WEAR

Raise funds and awareness by wearing something red for a day or hold a red day event at work or in the community. Put on your favourite red lipstick, pucker up and share a kiss on your social media platforms using the hashtag #kissgoodbyetoms. Dont forget to text SMOOCH to 50300 to donate 4 and nominate your friends and family to take part. If you dont fancy wearing red lipstick, any red item of clothing or accessory will do!



DARE

Dare yourself or someone else to do something out of your comfort zone and get sponsored for it. This year were daring people to do the MS sky dive! But sky dives arent for everyone so please feel free to do a different dare! http://kissgoodbyetoms.ie/dare /



SHARE

Amplify everything you do by sharing it with your communities on social media and beyond.
Remember how, last week, Jeremy Corbyns relaunch was such a runaway success. Not even Tony Blair in the early years could gather such positive headlines.

Ok, so maybe thats not quite how it happened. At least were now clear on their policy on freedom of movement. They love immigration and they hate it, depending on who they are talking to.

Labour has stepped up its attacks on the Lib Dems in the last couple of days, presumably because they have to fight two by-elections on 23rd February where the Leave vote will be split 3 ways and we are the only party offering any sort of opposition to the Tories.

But they couldnt quite manage it competently. The International Business Times was none too chuffed to find its video being used by Jeremy Corbyn, uncredited, to attack Tim Farron.

An IBTimes UK spokesperson said: While it is flattering to know that the Labour leader and his team watch International Business Times UK video and consume our content, we have not received any requests for use of this material. Standard protocol is to request permission from the content creator and/or to credit any use. It was something of a surprise therefore to see this video appear on Jeremy Corbyns verified Twitter account without its original IBT branding and edited to add sound effects. The Liberal Democrat press office, meanwhile, did respond to the tweet at the time. Later, a Liberal Democrat source said: Labour like their position on Article 50 is useless. Corbyn is toxic and they are just a shambles.

Then Keir Starmer, who is supposed to be the sensible one, had a go at the Lib Dems in the Guardian for not appealing to the whole country. How on earth Labour can claim to be on the side of those who voted Remain when they have just laid down to have their tummies tickled by the Tories is beyond me.

Tim Farrons response was pithy:

Labour are just failing, not speaking for leavers or remainers. Keir Starmer might attack me, but Labour are speaking for no one. They are doing nothing, saying nothing and just sitting there and offering to wave through article 50 for the Tories. Future generations will not forgive Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn for what they are doing. There are plenty of people who voted leave who do not want an extreme hard Brexit where Britain is dragged out of the single market  I speak for these people, too. Labours frontbench right now is less use than a chocolate fireguard.

* Newshound: bringing you the best Lib Dem commentary in print, on air or online.
So now we know what Brexit means. Other than the famous tautology, it means were out of the Union, out of the market, out of the travel area, out of the customs union, everything. To cut a long story very short, it means I feel lied to.

Far from governing in the interests of both Remain and Leave voters, this governments Brexit objectives leave pro-Europeans with no stake in the proceedings that will define this United Kingdom perhaps for the remaining duration of its existence. Worse, we are being asked to meekly unite behind the most trenchant version of the opposing viewpoint available.

A bitter enough pill for an individual to swallow, but in summarily rejecting any compromise at all, this government is also dismissing a substantial majority view formed in a nation backing European partnership.

Liberal Democrats in Scotland have been making a virtue out of being the only party in favour of two Unions, the only pro-EU, pro-UK party. Given the ascendant and hegemonic views of the SNP and the Tories, the probability of retaining both unions is low. Those parties hold power and will remain in power throughout the negotiations as no elections are due between then and now. By the time we get a chance to propose having cake and eating it to the electorate, it will be too late. There will be no cake.

A second European referendum is off the table, the government making it clear that it prefers no deal to one it doesnt like. So we must look to less perfect solutions.

Since June, I have been back and forth between my old and new homes, England and Scotland. A sense of division is becoming ever more pronounced. Likewise, the strategies that work to defend and advance liberalism are diverging. In England the strategy is to knuckle down and get on with the twenty year project of salvaging elements of Liberal England and rebuilding it.

Here in Scotland, much more can be salvaged. The social market economy is less degraded, with political momentum behind its defence that simply does not exist elsewhere. We must also recognise that second referendums can happen on more than one issue.

The party should continue to support the Scottish Governments initiative to negotiate some consolation prizes of Scottish access to elements of the European Project. Further, we should back that up with an idea about what happens if, as this Brexit strategy indicates, that negotiation goes nowhere.

Consider the vision expressed by May: Britain as a tax haven undercutting competition, undermining workers rights harming everyone but the very richest and seeing an acceptable future in signing up to whatever America First trade deal that Mr Trump might be willing to offer to keep Britain from cooperating further with Europe. This cheapens the Union between England and Scotland.

At the close of these negotiations, we Liberal Democrats must be prepared to stand by our principles, be they social democratic, liberal internationalist or simply the values of common decency. If this Brexit strategy is followed through to the conclusion of a hard right corporations deal, can we back an independent Scotland in Europe as a better alternative than Britain alone against the world?

* T J Marsden is a member of the Liberal Democrats originally from Peterborough but latterly based in Scotland
MOVES by US car manufacturer General Motors to expand its footprint at its Dooradoyle offices, which could lead to a further 100 jobs, have been described as a terrific vote of confidence by a council executive.

This follows Limerick city councillors decision on Monday to sanction proposals which could see the car giant, based in the council offices at County Hall in Dooradoyle, double the number of people it employs in Limerick to 200.

It was proposed to lease the third floor of the councils buildings to General Motors Ireland for a term of five years, with the firm having the option to extend for a further five years.

The Detroit company is in the middle of a recruitment drive in Limerick, and will pay 145,242 per year in respect of rent, insurance and service charges.

Councillors voted in favour of the proposal at the metropolitan district council meeting, which was held at Limerick City Gallery of Art, Pery Square.

Metropolitan mayor Cllr Michael Hourigan, who chaired the meeting, said: It is a very positive note because Limerick, by these large companies, is perceived as a good place to come, perceived as a place where workers will have a good quality of life, and where workers can get reasonable accommodation at a reasonable price.

It is incredible news for Limerick, as it says something about Limerick, a place where people want to come to set up their business. While Limerick City and County Council cannot really create jobs as such, we can create the atmosphere, we can create the location, we can create the sites. So, we have a huge responsibility to make Limerick a place where people will want to come, he told the Leader.

Speaking at the council meeting Cllr Daniel Butler added: I would like to welcome this. It means more jobs, and it has to be welcomed. And its a double-whammy because it means that we are getting revenue from General Motors.

Anti-Austerity Alliance councillor Cian Prendiville, however, raised concerns about parking availability for any new staff.

Cllr Joe Leddin said we should do everything we can to facilitate them, adding he did not consider parking to be a big issue.

Kieran Lehane, council manager in the metropolitan district said the move will encourage staff to spend more in the locality, adding that its a "terrific vote of confidence".

One of the worlds biggest companies, General Motors owns brands like Opel, Cadillac and Chevrolet among others.
METROPOLITAN councillors have this week voted in favour of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisations recent decision to take industrial action.

The motion was submitted by Anti-Austerity Alliance councillor Cian Prendiville at the monthly metropolitan district meeting held at the Limerick City Gallery of Art this week.

I dont think we can afford to sit on the fence, Cllr Prendiville said, or to equivocate between which side we are on in this battle, which the nurses are leading the way on. We have a problem in this country, which there are almost 100 vacancies in nursing in Limerick alone, between UHL and St Johns, and at the same time there are nurses qualifying just out the road at University of Limerick every year.

However, before it was to be discussed, metropolitan mayor Michael Hourigan took issue with the relevance of some motions, and asked council executive Kieran Lehane to advise on where some motions would be discussed.

A small row ensued between the AAA councillor and his fellow council colleagues when he was challenged on his submission. He argued that the motion was serious and relevant, as there were reportedly 100 nurse vacancies in the city. However, Cllr Daniel Butler expressed concern as the issue was an industrial relations matter.

Following minutes of disagreements, Cllr Prendiville was accused of making sarcastic remarks.

When Mayor Hourigan called for a vote on the motion, some of the 13 councillors expressed confusion over what they were voting for.

Mayor of Limerick City and County, Kieran OHanlon, sitting in the back row, said: Mayor, you are asking us for a show of hands, for and against, adding that they did not understand if they were voting for or against the nurses.

Council administrator Christy OConnor said that industrial relations cannot be discussed if it involves council employees. Cllr OHanlon then proposed for the motion to be discussed.
STAFF at a Limerick business have posthumously honoured a well-loved colleague with the title of employee of the year.

Former Fairview Rangers president Frank Garrard sadly passed away in November last, having worked at Bobby Byrnes pub and shop for 37 years.

Every two months, a member of staff is nominated for the award of employee of the month, with one of these six then winning the annual title.

Staff at the OConnell Avenue business had their annual Christmas night out in January, and there, it was unanimously decided Frank should be given the prize after he was named employee of the month in the course of the last year.

It is a fitting tribute to his years of service, and what he meant to staff here, said Robert Byrne, who manages the business.

His sister, Senator Maria Byrne added: It shows how highly thought of Frank was by the staff that they gave this honour to him.

Normally, the staff member who lands the award is given a voucher.

But in this case, having spoken to Franks sister Rita  who also works in Bobby Byrnes  it was decided to buy a cup engraved with his name.

Later this year, Fairview Rangers will hold an under-age tournament where players will compete for the Frank Garrard memorial trophy.
PLANS by Mr Binman to construct a waste facility at the citys edge were given the green light this week.

But Claire Keating, a representative of one of the groups who opposed the controversial scheme, say the group will appeal the determination to An Bord Pleanala.

Valcroft, trading as Mr Binman, has secured conditional planning permission to build the facility on a four-acre site on the Dock Road, close to the M7 exit.

The company has this week repeated the assertion that 100 jobs would be supported in the construction phrase, while the development could bring 30 permanent jobs.

We welcome the decision granted and look forward to commencing the development, thereby strengthening our business and having a positive impact on the local Limerick economy. This development will also enable us to provide an enhanced offering to our loyal customer base, said Joe Cleary, the companys sales and marketing director.

According to the proposals, up to 90,000 tonnes of waste could be handled yearly.

The company is seeking to build the plant in two stages.

Phase one will see a 1,180 square metre administration building, a civic amenity area and associated office, with the second part bringing a modular waste transfer building with a floor area of 5,102 square metres.

Almost 40 groups and individuals have lodged objections to the project, including the Brothers of Charity and residents associations in Grange, Inis Lua and Sli na Manach.

Their concerns centre around rodent control and odour problems which may emanate from the plant, which is at a key entry point into the city.

Councillor John Loftus said: It is a perfect breeding ground for rats, being so close to the city and river.

Residents have also expressed worry that Mr Binmans scheme, and another project which has caused opposition, Irish Cements proposal may be linked.

But in a statement, Mr Cleary categorically stated: This development is in no way connected with Irish Cements Limerick operation. Mr Binman does not have contractual arrangements to supply waste to its proposed facility.

Planners gave the scheme the green light with 24 conditions, including the payment of 257,740 to the council.
DESPITE being born in Hong Kong  one of the most densely populated urban centres in the world - Angela OMara took to the celebration of rural life, that is Limerick Show, like a duck to water.

She has retired after 25 years as show secretary. Her contribution was honoured at a special lunch attended by around 150 in the Woodlands House Hotel on Sunday.

Richard Kennedy, chairman, described Angela, as she is known to one and all, as a lady to her very fingertips.

That is the overriding feeling - if you think of a lady the first person you think of is Angela. She has been the voice, eyes and ears of Limerick Show for 25 years.

A lot of people had things to say on the day and there were some common threads - she is such a lovely person, so valuable to the show, her approach and dealings with everybody was considerate and she always treated people very well - that came across from everybody, said Richard.

The good news, he said, is that Angelas wisdom can still be tapped into.

We very much value her input - she may not be there on a full-time basis in the future but she is certainly with us in a voluntary capacity and available to us for advice. I have really depended on her. It is an end of an era, there is no question about it from that point of view but she will be on hand for advice for which we are very grateful, said Richard.

Limerick Show vice-president, Dicky Power shared stories about how Angela came to the county in the first place.

We all know her here as Angela OMara but she hasn't a drop of Irish blood in her veins - she was born in Hong Kong. Not an awful lot of people know that. Hong Kongs loss was Limerick and Limerick Shows gain, said Dicky.

Angela came to Limerick with her mother shortly after she left school to attend a religious function in the Jesuits on the Crescent. During that time she met her husband Mickey  one of the most eligible young men in Limerick as heir to OMaras Bacon Factory. They married and set up home. The rolling fields of County Limerick must have felt like a different planet to the high-rise blocks of Hong Kong.

Dicky and Angela became involved with Limerick Show around the same time. Dicky said she has a special way with people.

They used to come in to the office with some terrible issue and they would come out smiling, not necessarily having had their issue solved! She could solve any problem. She was always smiling, was hugely efficient but firm when she had to be.

There is so much of the show that goes on in her head and she was so involved in every part of it so I am delighted that she will be there as a mentor and to help out, said Dicky.

A collage of photographs from down through the years put together by members of the Limerick Show committee and a wonderful framed caricature were presented to Anglea.

She confesses to being overwhelmed by the whole day.

I never expected so many people to be there. It has been really my privilege to work with all those people who work on a voluntary basis  they are just extraordinary people and so many of them have become really good friends.

That is one of the joys of having been there so long - that I have such good friends, said Angela.

Humbling is how she described the lunch in Adare.

There are so many people who work so hard for the show and never get a mention. These are the unsung heroes of Limerick Show who work away quietly behind the scenes, said Angela.

The young people who worked in the office always had a wonderful bond with her, remarked Doreen Corridan, cattle chairperson.

When they came in during the summer they were really splendid. They took up the reins and did everything straight away, said Angela.

One of them even sang for her on the day. Killian Fitzgerald performed Michael Bubles Sway.

I just cant thank people enough for all their kindness, not only on Sunday, but all through the years as well. I was really very humbled, I ddnt expect anything like that, said Angela, who adds that if she is needed she will be there to help in any way I can.

See page 17 of Leader 2 for more photographs
A LITHUANIAN man shot in the head by a garda is still in University Hospital Limerick  six months after the incident.

Tomas Mikalajunas and Aurimas Petraska were stopped at a checkpoint between Ardagh and Shanagolden on June 28, 2016. It is understood the firearm was accidentally discharged.

Mr Mikalajunas said: I was driving home with my friend. I saw the police with their lights and I stopped. One of the guards was shouting and screaming. I put my hands up and I was shot.

He denied he was involved in any criminal activity. Mr Petraska has been charged in connection with a number of robberies in three counties.

Michael ODonnell, solicitor for Mr Mikalajunas and his wife Gintare Mikalajuniene, said they have told him what they are going through is a living hell.

They say there is no light at the end of the tunnel with regard to explanations as to why and how this has happened, said Mr ODonnell, who confirmed civil proceedings have been initiated in the matter.

A GSOC spokesperson told the Leader: This investigation is ongoing. I cannot comment on or confirm any details about the investigation.

Mr ODonnell said GSOC hasnt come back with any findings of developments to him or to his clients.

There is no indication of a timeline. The family want answers and they say GSOC havent been very proactive in contacting them or myself, said Mr ODonnell.

It is understood that GSOC officials have met with Mr Mikalajunas twice and that there has been no garda interview to date.

Mr ODonnell said the Lithuanian national remains in UHL but is nearing the stage when he can be discharged.

He still has a feeding tube through his nose. He is able to walk and get around. His prognosis thus far is that he is going to be permanently deaf in his right ear, his jaw is damaged, there is scarring, his face is disfigured and some muscles around the neck area have been badly damaged.

His financial situation is that he hasnt got anything. He will be attending consultants here for the next year to 18 months in relation to the injuries that were caused. In the next month he should be discharged but the problem is what is he going to be discharged to?

If he goes to Lithuania he will need funds to come back and forward for various appointments with consultants.

He will be applying, I suspect, for disability benefit and for local housing to put him up until such time as he is finished with his treatment, said Mr ODonnell.

He said there has been a huge toll on Mr Mikalajunas wife Gintare Mikalajuniene and their two daughters.

They are at the mercy of friends to accommodate them. She is travelling over every month to six weeks and they would like matters to be brought to conclusion, said Mr ODonnell.

In an interview with the Leader last October, Mrs Mikalajuniene said: Why has everything calmed down? Do they want to delete this event completely? Our whole life is turned upside down. Doctors can not say when and how he recovers.

I am very afraid that he will never be as he was before this terrible disaster. Maybe he cant or wont have the strength to work in his beloved job or live a full life for a 36-year-old man.

Im glad that my husband is alive, however, he will never be as he was, said Mrs Mikalajuniene, who adds that their financial situation is critical.

They both emphasise the excellent care he has received in UHL.

My family is very thankful to the doctors and nurses for saving my husbands life and the good care, said Mrs Mikalajuniene.
Jan 20, 2017, 2 PM

Free and other decorative labels such as these examples were not permitted on World War II soldiers mail under Post Office Department regulations. However, they were often used, and postal personnel seldom made a fuss over them.

These two examples of G.H. Sebenars Free labels were used on covers sent from Oklahoma and from a Navy station in Puerto Rico to the same person in Texas.

Army Staff Sgt. G.H. Sebenars Free labels, in the form of this sheetlet of 12 designs, were featured in a 1942 article in Colliers magazine. Some of the illustrations of the labels were cut out of the magazine and used on soldiers mail.

By John M. Hotchner

Free and other decorative labels on soldiers mail of World War II are not often seen, but there are many different examples that can be found.

Three examples are shown in the first illustration. The label on the first cover reads Hurry Up! This is from a SOLDIER. The second label bears the message, Postage FREE For Victory, and the third shows the Liberty Bell and is inscribed Let It Ring Forever. The first and third covers both bear Army censor markings.

Free labels were contrary to Post Office Department rules, which specified that the sender write the word Free in the upper-right corner. However, it seems that most post offices looked the other way when the labels were used.

Among the most sought-after these days are the labels produced by Army Staff Sgt. G.H. Sebenar, whose artistic endeavor had the distinction of being written up in an early 1942 issue of Colliers magazine, under the heading of Yankee Doodler.

Sebenars labels were never mass-produced, but the Colliers article, which showed one of the 12-design sheetlets in color received wide distribution.

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Many years ago, I showed the labels from the Colliers article in black-and-white (Linns, Oct. 23, 2000). They are pictured here in color, courtesy of Richard Sheaf.

Over the years Ive accumulated examples of eight of the 12 Sebenar labels on covers, and Ive received reports of many other covers.

All the reported examples are canceled between May 1942 and February 1944. They show a wide distribution consistent with what one would expect with a national magazine.

Covers are recorded sent from Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, and several U.S. Navy locations that are not stated in the cancels.

The two examples shown with this column were sent from Oklahoma and Puerto Rico. The picture side of the Puerto Rico postcard depicts the Governors Palace and old city walls in San Juan.

My sense is that these Sebenar labels do not have a huge following, as they are generally priced in the $15 range when found, but they are not often found!
Bill Clinton Didnt Look Too Happy During President Donald Trumps Inauguration Speech Bill Clinton didnt look too thrilled during President Donald Trumps inauguration speech in Washington, D.C., on Friday, January 20  watch his sad expressions here

His face says it all. Former POTUS Bill Clinton didnt look too thrilled during President Donald Trumps inauguration speech in Washington, D.C., on Friday, January 20. Watch his sad expressions in the video above!



PHOTOS: Bill and Hillary Clinton Through the Years

The 42nd president  who attended the inaugural festivities with his wife and Trumps Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton  did not crack a smile during the exCelebrity Apprentice hosts first oration as commander in chief.



PHOTOS: Presidential First Children Through the Years, From Alice Roosevelt to Sasha Obama

When Trump, 70, was introduced as the 45th president of the United States, Bill, who was standing in the crowd next to Hillary and former First Lady Michelle Obama, looked visibly tense and bit his lip. The former secretary of state, 69, and Obama, 52, also failed to smile, but did not look quite as solemn as Bill.

PHOTOS: Hillary Clintons A-List Supporters

The Clintons arrived at the Capitol for the real estate tycoons swearing-in ceremony at around 10:21 a.m. ET on Friday morning. Hillary  who beat Trump by nearly 3 million popular votes, with 65,844,954 to his 62,979,879  donned an all-white pantsuit for the historic ceremony. Jimmy Carter and former first couple George W. Bush and Laura Bush were also in attendance. However, George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara Bush, were unable to make it last-minute because of health issues.

Hillary took to Twitter on Friday, opening up about why she decided to partake in the celebration of Trumps presidency.



"I'm here today to honor our democracy & its enduring values," the former New York senator wrote. "I will never stop believing in our country & its future. #Inauguration"







Related Content:
A rare strain of bird flu recently surfaced in sick cats in New York.

Tests have confirmed that 386 cats housed in New York City's Animal Care Centers (ACC) were infected with the H7N2 strain of the influenza virus, The New York Times reported. One veterinarian who had prolonged exposure to the infected cats tested positive and recovered. At least two cats at the shelter died after being infected, one had the virus before it was admitted to an ACC shelter, the Times said.

"Anytime influenza does unusual things, scientists get interested," said Sandra Newbury, director of the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who assisted in identifying the virus strain that was infecting the ACC cats and managing their care. "This is the first time this virus has been detected and transmitted among cats." [6 Flu Vaccine Myths]

But it's not clear how these how the cats contracted the virus in the first place, Newbury told Live Science.

A virus mystery

The new virus first came to light after a deceased shelter cat tested positive for influenza A, Newbury said. Dr. Robin Brennen, the veterinary director of Animal Care Centers of NYC, which runs the shelter where the dead cat was found, contacted Newbury. It wasn't immediately clear which strain of influenza A the cat had, and the experts first suspected it to be the H3N2 strain, which is known to infect dogs.

But Newbury said this hunch was questioned because none of the shelter dogs were ill. Further testing, done through the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, revealed that the dead cat had been infected with H7N2, a strain of influenza A virus that has been known to infect birds. It is, therefore, a kind of "bird flu."

Many local and national animal and health agencies collaborated to quarantine and treat approximately 500 shelter cats, and to look for any continued risk to animal or human health, she said.

Cat flu, but not that "cat flu"

Although it's not common, cats have been known to come down with influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that cats with the flu usually experience only mild illness, showing such symptoms as sneezing, coughing, fever, low energy, loss of appetite and a discharge from the nose or eyes. Newbury said in a very rare instances, cats with the flu may develop pneumonia.

But influenza in cats shouldn't be confused with what people often casually call "cat flu." This term often refers to infections with other viruses, such as feline herpes or feline calicivirus, both of which can also cause respiratory infections.

As with humans, influenza virus infections in cats can be spread through the transfer of fluids from an infected cat's eyes, nose or mouth to the eyes, nose or mouth of another cat, according to the CDC. Newbury said this can happen through direct contact between the cats, through a cough or sneeze, or through what's called "fomite transmission," which means that the virus can be transferred from a sick cat to an object, and from that object to another cat.

The spread of the H7N2 virus among the shelter cats could have been a much bigger problem, she said. "In this case, since it is a new pathogen to cats and immunity usually develops with exposure, we would assume that very few cats have immunity to it. That means most cats would be susceptible to infection with the virus," Newbury said. [Flu Shot Facts & Side Effects (Updated for 2016-2017)]

The good news is that [] infections have been reported only in cats that were either housed at the ACC shelter, or were in direct contact with a cat that had been housed at the ACC, she said. Newbury stressed that it's unlikely for a cat to have influenza unless it was adopted from the ACC shelter between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15, 2016. No other animals in the shelter tested positive for the virus.

H7N2 threat to humans

People can pick up an H7N2 infection from cats, as shown by the ACC veterinarian who tested positive, likely through the same ways that the virus spreads from cat to cat, Newbury said. However, as of Dec., 22, 2016, of the more than 350 people who were in contact with the ACC cats and were screened for H7N2, only the one veterinarian tested positive, according to the NYC Health Department. This suggests that even people who are exposed to cats infected with the virus are unlikely to become ill, according to the CDC. The CDC reports there are two previously known cases of H7N2 in people, from 2002 and 2003, and in both cases there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against H7N2, but the CDC says, "There is a candidate vaccine virus (CVV) in the U.S. pandemic preparedness stockpile that could be provided to flu vaccine manufactures to mass produce a H7N2 flu vaccine in the case of an emergency."

Don't fret over Fluffy

Hearing about changes in the spread of influenza, particularly one with a reputation like bird flu, can be alarming. But Newbury advised against excessive concern in this case. "Most people should not be concerned that their cat has influenza," she said. "If your cat has clinical signs of respiratory disease, it is best to contact your veterinarian."

Original article on Live Science.
The administration of President Donald Trump has removed what was a climate change action page on the White House website.

Upon learning that President Donald Trump's new administration had removed the web page on climate change from the White House's site, climate scientists were dismayed, though not necessarily surprised.

"It is too sadly predictable," Michael Mann, a distinguished professor of meteorology at Pennsylvania State University, told Live Science. "Though I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt early on, Trump has now clearly telegraphed, with his public comments and his disastrous nominee[s] for key posts, his total disdain for efforts to avert catastrophic climate change."

When Trump took office today (Jan. 20), the White House's website, whitehouse.gov, underwent a major makeover, in which the page on climate change action that was set up by Barack Obama's administration (archived here) now reads, "The requested page "/energy/climate-change" could not be found." [The Year in Climate Change: 2016's Most Depressing Stories]

Perhaps in place of this climate change page, the Trump administration has set up a page describing the "America First Energy Plan." In the plan, the White House states, "President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule."

The new policy is "not really surprising," given Trump's past statements, but "it's disappointing," said Kevin Trenberth, a distinguished senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.

"It seems to be all about the need for energy and tapping all of the available sources without any regard to the effects of that on the environment or on the climate  and no regard, either, to really becoming more energy efficient," Trenberth told Live Science.

He called the policy "shortsighted."

"It doesn't take into account the nonrenewable nature of these resources," Trenberth said. "Just to say that you a have a lot of them doesn't really help."

The policy also states that the Trump administration is "committed to clean coal technology." But clean coal technology  which captures regulated pollutants released from burning coal  doesn't yet exist in the nation's electrical power sector, experts previously told Live Science.

Moreover, if such technology were developed, it would likely create a sense of complacency toward climate change, Pushker Kharecha, a climate scientist at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, told Live Science in October.

"In my opinion, the top priority of emission-reduction efforts should instead be switching to nonfossil energy sources (renewables and nuclear) by as much as possible and as quickly as possible," Kharecha said.

Other scientists, as well as celebrities, also weighed in on the disappearance of the climate change page.

Meteorologist Eric Holthaus tweeted "It begins. The first agenda item up on the new @whitehouse site is to 'eliminate ... the Climate Action Plan.'"

See more

Environmental writer and activist Bill McKibben tweeted, "Quick work--all reference to climate change has been scrubbed from WH website. Problem solved just like that!!!!!"

See more

Likewise, actor George Takei tweeted, "The White House removed its climate change web page. And the healthcare, civil rights and LGBT sections. Just thought you should know."

See more

Original article on Live Science.
(Reuters) - A Canadian court has rejected an attempt by Ecuadorian communities to enforce a judgment against Chevron Corp they obtained in their home country, saying the company's local subsidiary is not liable for the parent, Chevron said on Friday. The decision in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice came after the company last year persuaded a federal appeals court to block enforcement of the judgment in the United States, which it says was obtained through bribery and fraud. The rulings dealt a blow to some Ecuadorian communities and American lawyer Steven Donziger, who has spent more than two decades battling Chevron to hold it responsible for pollution in the Ecuadorean rain forest. Representatives of residents of Ecuador's Lago Agrio region were trying to force Chevron to pay for water and soil contamination caused from 1964 to 1992 by Texaco, which Chevron acquired in 2001. While not disputing that pollution occurred, Chevron has said Donziger and his associates went too far, including by arranging the ghostwriting of a key environmental report and bribing the presiding judge in Ecuador. A Canadian lawyer for the Ecuadorian communities did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Ethan Lou in Calgary, Alberta; editing by David Gregorio and Jonathan Oatis)
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WASHINGTON (AP)  In a global exclamation of defiance and solidarity, more than 1 million people rallied at women's marches in the nation's capital and cities around the world Saturday to send President Donald Trump an emphatic message on his first full day in office that they won't let his agenda go unchallenged.

Many of the women came wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president. Plenty of men joined in, too, contributing to surprising numbers everywhere from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles to Mexico City, Paris, Berlin, London, Prague and Sydney.

The Washington rally alone attracted over 500,000 people by the unofficial estimate of city officials  apparently more than Trump's inauguration drew on Friday.

The international outpouring served to underscore the degree to which Trump has unsettled people in both hemispheres.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack, and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America, and we are here to stay."

Turnout in the capital was so heavy that the designated march route alongside the National Mall was impassable. Protesters were told to make their way to the Ellipse near the White House by way of other streets, triggering a chaotic scene that snarled downtown Washington.

Around the world, women brandished signs with slogans such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love." They decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change. And they branded him a sexist, a bully, a bigot and more.

"We want a leader, not a creepy tweeter," some marchers chanted in Washington. Others: "Welcome to your first day, we will not go away!"

In Chicago, organizers canceled the march portion of their event for safety reasons after the overflow crowd reached an estimated 150,000. People made their way through the streets on their own anyway. In New York, well over 100,000 marched past Trump's home at glittering Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. More than 100,000 also gathered on Boston Common, and a similar number demonstrated in Los Angeles.

In Miami, real estate agent Regina Vasquez, 51, brought a sign saying "Repeal and Replace Trump."

"I believe that strength is in the numbers, and that we should all come out and not make Trump the new normal," she said.

All told, more than 600 "sister marches" were planned worldwide. Crowd estimates from police and organizers around the globe added up to more than a million.

"I feel very optimistic even though it's a miserable moment," said Madeline Schwartzman of New York City, who brought her twin 13-year-old daughters to the Washington rally. "I feel power."

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when "many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes."

"It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were," she said.

As the demonstrators rallied alongside the National Mall, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration, and later visited the CIA. As he traveled around town, his motorcade passed large groups of protesters that would have been hard to miss.

The Women's March on Washington appeared to accomplish the historic feat of drawing more people to protest the inauguration than the ceremony itself attracted.

It far surpassed the 60,000 people who protested the Vietnam War at Richard Nixon's inauguration in 1973. Before Saturday, that was thought to be the largest such demonstration in inaugural history.

The rallies were a peaceful counterpoint to the window-smashing unrest that unfolded on Friday when self-described anarchists tried to disrupt the inauguration. Police used pepper spray and stun grenades against the demonstrators. More than 200 people were arrested.

Marlita Gogan, who came to Washington from Houston for the inauguration, said police advised her family not to wear their "Make America Great Again Hats" as they walked through crowds of protesters while playing tourist on Saturday.

"I think it's very oppressive," she said of the march atmosphere. "They can have their day, but I don't get it."

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values."

The marches displayed a level of enthusiasm that Clinton herself was largely unable to generate during her campaign against Trump, when she won the popular vote but he outdistanced her in the electoral vote.

The hand-knit "pussyhats" worn by many women served as a message of female empowerment, inspired by Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals.

They "ain't for grabbing," actress Ashley Judd told the Washington crowd.

The marches were a magnet for A-list celebrities, unlike Trump's inauguration, which had a deficit of top performers.

Alicia Keys sang "Girl on Fire" for the Washington crowd. Madonna gave a fiery, profanity-laced address to the gathering. Cher, also in the nation's capital, said Trump's ascendance has people "more frightened maybe than they're ever been."

In Park City, Utah, it was Charlize Theron leading demonstrators in a chant of "Love, not hate, makes America great." Actresses Helen Mirren and Cynthia Nixon and Whoopi Goldberg joined the crowd of protesters in New York.

Tens of thousands of protesters squeezed into London's Trafalgar Square. In Paris, thousands rallied in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump" and "With our sisters in Washington." Hundreds gathered in Prague's Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, mockingly waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

In Sydney, thousands of Australians gathered in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.

___

Associated Press Writers Alanna Durkin Richer, Tami Abdollah, Juliet Linderman, Brian Witte, Matthew Barakat, and David Dishneau in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow Nancy Benac on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/nbenac

Follow Ben Nuckols at: https://twitter.com/@APBenNuckols
OTTAWA, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Canada's business competition watchdog said on Friday it had reached an agreement with Apple Inc and three major e-book publishers that will allow retailers to offer discounts to customers.

The Competition Bureau's investigation found that an arrangement between the publishers and Apple led to higher prices for Canadians.

The watchdog said it had entered into consent agreements with Apple, Lagardere SCA's Hachette, Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck GmbH's Macmillan and CBS Corp's Simon & Schuster that will let other retailers, including Amazon.com and Kobo, give discounts on e-books by those publishers.

The Competition Bureau, however, was unable to reach an agreement with a fourth publisher involved, News Corp's HarperCollins, and filed an application to order it to halt its alleged anti-competitive practices.

The U.S. Supreme Court last year declined to hear Apple's challenge to a court decision that it conspired with five publishers to increase e-book prices.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr, editing by G Crosse)
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Its been somewhat of an institution on Longfords Dublin Street for almost three decades, but after 28 years of trading, Butterfly Interiors & Fabrics will close its doors in 2017.

The one-stop-shop for dressmaking, sewing and haberdashery needs, Butterfly came out of its cocoon in the midst of a recession, steered by Teffia Park native Bairbre Keogh (nee OConnell).

Being a business owner was not always her plan, however.

A past pupil of St Josephs National School and the nearby Convent of Mercy, Bairbre went on to spend a year in England teaching. Two years at the Housing Department in Jervis Street in Dublin followed, after which Bairbre got engaged and returned home to Longford.

Married in 1976, it was little over a decade later, in 1989, that the idea for Butterfly Interiors & Fabrics came to fruition.

My husband at the time, Donald, lost his job. He was working in Hanlons Ambulance Factory and it closed, Bairbre recalled.

Though she had done some sewing and knitting in her spare time, and her late mother, Lily OConnell was gifted at sewing, the necessity was what drove Bairbre to open the shop.

It was like what does the town need?, you know? So I saw an opening for a shop like this, she explained.

Well, the shop that started wasnt exactly like it is now but there was an opening for something to do with sewing.

Through 28 years and two recessions, Butterfly Interiors & Fabrics kept moving and changing with the times, providing new services, fabrics and products as they came into demand.

We started off selling fabric for dressmakers and haberdashery and school supplies, Bairbre continued. We would have built our range of what we did up quite a bit.

We carry most of the essentials now. There was another shop in town doing all the craft things so I didnt really get into the craft end, I stayed with the basic sewing and dressmaking.

We supplied the schools over the years, Bairbre added. We had all the school children coming in several times a year, and a lot of the craft classes and people learning to sew have been in and out through the years.

We also branched out into curtains. We did some to begin with. At that time there wasnt ready-made curtains, they were all made-to-measure so we did a huge business in that.

From there we continued on with some soft furnishings. We would have done pelmets, tie-backs, cushions we sewed blinds over the years too, we had a great turnover in window blinds of all sorts.

In fact, Bairbre believes that Butterfly has great potential to keep moving with the times, and the property is available for lease or franchise, which opens the opportunity for an enthusiastic person to take the reins of this well-established company.

I would have loved if somebody had been interested to come in and take it on and bring it into the next decade, definitely. I would see great potential, which I think is very important.

There is great potential for new blood in here. My own family have done their own things, none of them were interested, but I do feel if the shop were to go online, which Im not prepared or equipped to do, the work is done here and the base is here and its a shame that theres nobody interested.

Laughing that she had gone into business as green as they come, Bairbre acknowledged that she learned plenty along the way and had some advice to share with budding entrepreneurs and business owners.

Business is tough, she admitted.

Theres a lot to be said for a secure salary or wage at the end of a week. Its not easy.

So anyone who would be thinking about going into any business, you need to be really focused.

Its with great regret that Bairbre is leaving Butterfly Interiors & Fabrics, and her fondest memories of the past 28 years are undoubtedly of the people she has met.

We have a great customer base. The kids who were coming in with their mammies to begin with are coming in now, she smiled.

I made great friends through here and in all the businesses Ive been dealing with - a lot of them from the very beginning.

Offering sincere gratitude to her loyal customers, Bairbre reserved special praise for those who worked in the store alongside her, in various different capacities.

Now, looking towards her future, Bairbre certainly wont forget her professional past, and its with a heavy heart and plenty of memories that she will close the doors for the final time this year.

It was more than just a shop, it was a home from home, Bairbre added fondly.

It was where the family came and it was a meeting place for my children and their friends and for my friends and family.

It was definitely more than just a shop.
Businesses throughout counties Roscommon, Longford and Leitrim are being subjected to crippling rates which is another nail in the coffin of trying to do business in rural Ireland- thats according to Fianna Fail TD for Roscommon/Galway Eugene Murphy.

Deputy Murphy pointed out that the annual rate of valuation or indicative multiplier for County Roscommon for 2018 is 0.25 which is somewhat similar to Dublin City Council which had a rate of 0.258 for 2017.

The Fianna Fail TD same that numerous business people had contacted him in the past week in relation to the matter and he noted that commercial rates were still too high in County Roscommon compared to neighbouring counties.

I was contacted this week by some businesses who actually had a reduction in their rates under this new system but the majority saw increases of between 400 to thousands in some cases. Some retailers and hoteliers in County Roscommon saw massive hikes in their rates payments while some pharmacies for example in the Carrick-on-Shannon area had increases in the region of 15,500, said Deputy Murphy.

The Fianna Fail TD said that businesses in Roscommon were paying higher levels of rates per square metre than many other counties and this must be urgently addressed.

The indicative rate for 2018 in Counties Roscommon and Longford is 0.25 while in County Leitrim its 0.23 but in County Westmeath for example its 0.20 where as in Dublin City Council the rate for 2017 was 0.258 which simply beggars belief- Many small to medium sized businesses throughout County Roscommon are already struggling to keep their heads above water and any additional overheads or increases in rates could cripple some business people- its difficult enough to be in business in rural Ireland without adding more obstacles to the mix, said Deputy Murphy.

Roscommon councillors will now have to try to ensure that there is a reduction in the rates when they strike the ratefor 2018.

The Fianna Fail TD said that officials from the Valuation Office would be attending the county council offices in Roscommon on Monday, January 30 and Leitrim on Monday, February 6 which would give business people to query their proposed valuation while he also pointed out that there is a helpline to all on 01 8171033.

Ratepayers who are dissatisfied with the Proposed Valuation Certificate may make representations to the valuation manager up to and including February 21. Final Valuation Certificates will be issued in September 2017 and will take effect from January 2018, said Deputy Murphy.





ALSO READ:



Burke urges Longford businesses to engage with Valuation Office over rate changes

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Labour TD for Longford-Westmeath, Willie Penrose, has described as 'exorbitant' recent property valuation certs issued in his constituency as part of the revaluation process for commercial rates.

Deputy Penrose, who raised the issue with the Taoiseach in the Dail this week, has called on the Government to honour its commitment to Rural Ireland and address the issue.

The Government made a clear commitment in the Programme for Government to advance economic development in Rural Ireland and ensure that no town or village is left behind.

And yet these proposed valuation certs are completely theoretical, desk-bound assessments which will wipe out and damage businesses and shops in rural villages and towns.

In my constituency of Longford- Westmeath, demands have been issued which will see a fivefold increase in rates. In my own village of Ballynacaragy, three business owners have told me they will go to the wall in 2018 as a result. In one business for example, rates went from 400 to 2,300.

What can be done to address this madness where one arm of the Government is acting contrary to the objectives of the other arm?

While I welcome the initiative being overseen by Minister Humphreys to put in place a grant system to enable dwellings and accommodation in villages and small towns to be refurbished and made available for habitation, what is the Taoiseach going to do offer relief in respect of the huge burden of rates?

The Government needs to follow through on its commitment in the Programme for Government and ensure businesses in Rural Ireland are protected.

ALSO READ:

Hikes in commercial rates another nail in the coffin for businesses in Longford and rural Ireland - Murphy

Furious Longford publican calls for business community to stand together and reject outrageous rate valuation extortion
While the operational tempo of jihadist groups based in Pakistan has decreased significantly, today served as a reminder of their capability to execute horrific attacks and remain a major threat to the Pakistani state.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an anti-Shia jihadist group with ties to al Qaeda, and the Shehryar Mehsud faction of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan are said to be responsible for todays bombing at a vegetable market in Parachinar, located in Pakistans tribal agency of Kurram. At least 25 people were killed and another 49 wounded in the blast, according to Dawn.

Dawn reported that LeJ sent a text message to reporters and claimed the attack was executed in conjunction with the Shehryar Mehsud Taliban faction:

In a text message sent to journalists, the proscribed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Alami claimed that it, along with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter Shehryar Mehsud group carried out the attack. However, the Sheheryar Mehsud group did not independently claim the bombing.

LeJs involvement with the bombing would come as no surprise. The group is well known for carrying out sectarian terror attacks against minority Shia, Ahmadis, Sufis, and Christians in Pakistan. The group has released videos of executions of captured Shia prisoners. Parachinar is a predominantly Shia area of Kurram.

However, the involvement of the Sheheryar Mehsud group, if true, is interesting. The Sheheryar Mehsud group, which is based in the neighboring tribal agency of North Waziristan, split from the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan (TTP) due to a leadership dispute with the TTPs emir, Mullah Fazlullah. In the announcement of the split, the group declared extortion, kidnapping for ransom, and bombing public places as Haram (forbidden by Islam), according to Pakistan Today.

Then again, the Taliban and other jihadist groups are well known for denouncing attacks on civilians, only to backtrack and slaughter them.

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.
During his last press briefing as Secretary of Defense on Jan. 19, Ash Carter discussed the recent airstrikes targeting two Islamic State camps in Libya. One Defense Department video, seen above, shows surveillance of fighters at one of the potential training camps.

Carter said the groups external plotters were among these fighters, claiming that they were connected to operations in Europe.

Initial estimates indicate that the air strikes killed more than 80 ISIL [Islamic State] fighters, many of whom had converged there after fleeing from local partner forces who had cleared Sirte last month with our help, Carter said. The jihadists were ejected from Sirte, formerly their North African stronghold, in December after months of fighting.

Importantly, Carter continued, these strikes were directed against some of ISILs external plotters, who were actively planning operations against our allies in Europe.

Carter was asked if the jihadis killed southwest of Sirte posed imminent threats to the West.

Well, they certainly are people who  were actively plotting operations in Europe, he responded. And [they] may also have been connected with some attacks that have already occurred in Europe.

The Defense Department has not identified the specific Islamic State operatives who were killed, or provided details concerning their ties to plots in Europe. But this isnt the first time the Pentagon has connected jihadists in Libya to the Islamic States external operations arm.

In Feb. 2016, the US military bombed a training camp near Sabratha. The Defense Department said Noureddine Chouchane, a Tunisian Islamic State facilitator also known as Sabir, was associated with the training camp. Chouchane was tied to the deadly Mar. 18, 2015 attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis and may have also played a part in the July 2015 shooting spree at a beach in Sousse, Tunisia. The Pentagon suggested that Chouchane could potentially be involved in planning external attacks on American interests in the region, in addition to recruiting new members for Abu Bakr al Baghdadis global operation and establishing bases in Libya. [See FDDs Long War Journal report, US airstrike targets Islamic State operative, training camp in Libya.]

The Pentagon released a series of videos from the airstrikes southwest of Sirte. In addition to the video included above, a second can be seen below. The short clips were first posted on the Defense Video Imagery Distribution Systems website.

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.
Fasten your seatbelt and rev up your engines for Mabuhay Germany 2017! The biggest German-Philippine event in the country returns to Bonifacio Global City with its showcase of German creativity and engineering. Get a taste of German trade and culture and enjoy a weekend of fun, food and live music for the whole family! Check it out on February 18-19, 2017 at Bonifacio High Street Central, BGC.

Mabuhay Germany awaits with sausages right from the grill, draft beer and other German delicacies.

For the first time, Mabuhay Germany 2017 will also feature a job fair, bringing together companies from all sectors with young job seekers in the country.

Companies from all sectors will present their high-quality services and stylish products made in Germany.
b2

WASHINGTON  On Wednesday evening, a pair of US Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers carried out air strikes against the Islamic State in Libya, US defense officials said on Thursday.

The Spirit of Pennsylvania and Spirit of Georgia, bombers attached to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, dropped more than 100 precision-guided munitions on two Islamic State camps approximately 28 miles southwest of Sirte.

When asked why the B-2, the world's most technologically-advanced strategic bomber was selected for this particular mission, which killed approximately 80 Islamic State fighters, US Air Force spokesman Col. Patrick Ryder said it gave "military commanders options."

"Because of it's range, because of it's payload capacity, it gives military commanders options. So in this particular case, carrying a GBU-38, a 500 pound JDAM, the B-2 can carry up to 80 of those," Ryder told reporters.

Additionally, the B-2, with a payload capacity of 40,000 pounds, is able to loiter for long periods of time, which gives it "persistence and flexibility if and when additional strikes are warranted," US Air Force spokesman Capt. Mark Graff said in a statement.

b2

The price tag of Wednesday's mission was colossal.

The pair of B-2s flew for 34 hours at an operating cost of approximately $130,000 per flight hour. That comes out to roughly $4.4 million a piece or $8.8 million for the duo. Additionally, there were roughly 15 aerial refueling aircraft involved in the mission, not to mention the cost of 100 JDAMs.

The B-2's last combat deployment was in March 2011 when three aircraft were used in Operation Odyssey Dawn over Libya. Currently, there are 20 B-2's in the US Air Force's inventory.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: America's B-2 stealth bomber is unlike any military aircraft in the world





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By Sandor Peto and Matteo Berlenga VERONA, Italy/BUDAPEST (Reuters) - At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured, after a bus carrying Hungarian students crashed and burst into flames in northern Italy, authorities said on Saturday. The bus went off the road near a highway exit close to Verona around midnight on Friday. The local highway police chief said it was carrying mostly teenage students, teachers and parents. The number of victims could rise to 18, "but certainly no more than that", the Hungarian consul in Italy, Judit Timaffy, told reporters in Verona. At least two of those hurt are in serious condition. "Many children among the victims of the accident in Verona, a bus catches fire on impact with a pillar," national police said on Twitter. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference that the teenagers were from a Budapest secondary school, returning from their annual ski camp in France. A spokesman for the minister told Reuters the school was the Szinyei Gimnazium. The Hungarian government declared Monday a day of national mourning. The official passenger list included 54 people, Gabor Toth, director of the school, told national news agency MTI. Thirty-six students, some former students, three teachers and the family of one of the teachers were on board, he said. Earlier, Szijjarto had said the exact number of passengers on board was unknown, but it was higher than the director of the school had known about. A physical education teacher, who suffered severe burns, returned to the bus several times to save other passengers and all of the survivors were "well taken care of", Timaffy said. Six adults are seriously injured and are being treated in two different hospitals in Verona, Hungarian national TV M1 reported. Of them, two men are in life-threatening condition, a spokesperson for the Hungarian national ambulance service said, speaking to M1. Survivors were staying in a hotel south of the city, the minister said. Local highway police chief Girolamo Lacquaniti told TV channel SKY TG24 that identifying the victims was still at an early stage and was advancing "with extreme difficulties." Magistrates and authorities from the highway police were meeting in Verona, with an afternoon press conference cancelled and not rescheduled. In Budapest, hundreds gathered outside the secondary school in city centre, with police having to close part of the street. UNCLEAR DYNAMICS Lacquaniti said the cause of the crash would be investigated: "We are not aware of other vehicles being involved, it seems to have gone off the road of its own accord." The bus had left France around 1630 to 1700 CET on Friday and the two drivers had a shift change approximately an hour before the accident, shortly before midnight, said Timaffy. She added that one of the survivors had told her that he had seen the driver "swerve from time to time". Both drivers were Hungarian, state news agency MTI wrote, quoting an unnamed employee of the bus provider, denying earlier press reports that one was French. The company employee added that the bus was from the German company Setra, had a capacity to seat up to 59 people, was in good condition and that the drivers were experienced. "There was a lot of black smoke coming out of the back of the bus," a Slovenian lorry driver who was driving behind the bus before it went off the road told SKY TG24. "With my prayers, I am with the families and friends shocked by the tragedy," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in a statement sent to MTI. Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni called Orban to express his condolences, the Hungarian government said on its website. (Reporting by Matteo Berlenga in Verona, Sandor Peto in Budapest, Giulia Segreti in Milan Additional reporting by Stefano Rellandini and Philip Pullella; writing by Isla Binnie and Giulia Segreti; editing by Larry King)
WASHINGTON D.C. -- More than 200 protesters of President Donald Trump's inauguration were arrested Friday following violent demonstrations and riots that erupted just blocks from the White House.

Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Peter Newsham told reporters at an evening news conference that 217 people had been arrested and charged with rioting in relation to violence that broke out near Franklin Square Park, the site of several protests.

Six MPD officers sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries resulting from the violence, including three who were struck in the head by flying objects, Newsham said. Police vehicles were also damaged, MPD reported.

Just over an hour before Trump was sworn-in as the 45th president of the United States, officers responded to reports of protesters engaging in acts of vandalism and property destruction.

The group of protesters "damaged vehicles, destroyed the property of multiple businesses, and ignited smaller isolated fires while armed with crowbars, hammers and asps," according to MPD. Washington D.C. police used pepper spray and other devices to control the situation.

A limousine near the park was also set on fire just before 4:30 p.m.

Protesters in downtown DC after President Donald J. Trump's inauguration. Posted by MassLive on Friday, January 20, 2017

Despite the violence that sprung up among some protesters, Newsham stressed that the majority of those who showed up in opposition to the new president did so peacefully.

Protesters, who gathered in Franklin Square Park with pink cat-eared hats, rainbow flags and anti-Trump signs, raised concerns about the new president's campaign trail comments regarding women, immigrants and minorities.

Some also questioned Trump's legitimacy as president, pointing to allegations that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in an effort to help the Republican win.
Air University (AU) Commander and President Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast hosted the annual Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors Appreciation Night held at the Maxwell Club here Tuesday.



The event recognized community members who volunteer as Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors (AGA) and the service they provide to international officers and their families attending AU schools and the International Officers School (IOS).





This is one of my favorite nights because it celebrates something so foundational to the human race that is worth a tabulating and reminding all of us why this is so powerful, Kwast said. The power of friendship; the power of loving each other in a way that transcends all cultures and transcends all civilizations is at the bedrock of hope for a peaceful world. Today, we celebrate families in this community, in the River Region, here in Montgomery, Alabama.





The AGA program began as a partnership between AU and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce during World War II as a way to better acclimate international students and their families to the surrounding community.





In 1977, the program expanded to include other outside organizations such as civic clubs, churches and any interested persons. This expansion led to the name being changed from the International Sponsor Program to the name that is recognized today.





Among the AGAs recognized were Roosevelt and Evelyn Maryland, who have been sponsoring international students since 1985, when he was stationed at Gunter Annex. Over the years and now retired, the Marylands have supported 50 IOS classes.





Evelyn said that being recognized is not whats important, but its the relationships they build with the students and how they become like family while they are here.





Thirteen Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors received recognition for their service.





However, only one was awarded the International Student Support Award.





Vicki Dendis was honored with the award for her support to the AU and IOS missions through organizing and training more than 40 volunteers for IOSs Spouses Orientation Program. She coordinated 33 presentations to IOS students and their families, led the monthly spouse coffee groups and formed a connect group through cooking and book clubs and other various activities.





Dendis said the recognition is very nice, but not required. She said it is enough to be able to have these friendships and to the love the families, but the honor is nice and she is very thankful for the recognition.





The International Officer School is grateful to our community volunteers who take on the role of Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors, said Col. Scott Rizer, IOS commandant. These volunteer sponsors shape our international families' perceptions of America and foster long-lasting friendships that help forge international partnerships and pave the way for future coalition endeavors."
Toulon (France) (AFP) - A French court on Friday ordered German safety certifier TUV to pay 60 million euros ($64 million) in compensation to 20,000 women who received defective breast implants that the group had approved.

TUV Rheinland was ordered to make a provisional payment of 3,000 euros to each plaintiff for certifying that implants made by French firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) met safety standards.

In the far-reaching health scandal, the devices were later found to contain substandard, industrial-grade silicone gel that was seven times cheaper than medical-grade silicone.

"The final amount will be determined after an assessment, but (TUV) is required to make a provisional payment of 3,000 euros" per person, said lawyer Laurent Gaudon, representing 7,000 women.

Another lawyer Olivier Aumaitre, representing some 13,000 women, praised the commercial court in the southern port of Toulon for a ruling he said was inevitable given "TUV's glaring negligence".

TUV's lawyer Cecile Derycke said the firm would appeal the latest ruling in a long-running saga.

The court "persists in ignoring very clear elements of the PIP dossier that establish that (TUV Rheinland) fulfilled its mission of a certifying body with diligence and full conformity with applicable regulations," she said in a statement.

The Toulon court in 2013 ordered TUV to pay 53 million euros to six foreign distributors of the implants as well as 1,600 users.

But an appeals court later overturned that decision, saying that TUV had fulfilled its obligations as a certifying body and could not be held responsible for failing to detect PIP's cover-up.

The company maintains it was never its job to check the actual implants, and their task was only to inspect the manufacturing process.

The court said that if TUV staff had carried out "the slightest unannounced inspection... the fraud would have been easily detected."

The scandal made global headlines in 2011, the year after doctors first noticed abnormally high rupture rates in the implants.

Story continues

Some 300,000 women in 65 countries, most in Latin America, are believed to have received the faulty implants.

PIP's founder, Jean-Claude Mas, was convicted of fraud and sentenced to four years in jail in 2013, confirmed on appeal in 2016.

- Toxicity ruled out -

Mas was ordered to pay a fine of 75,000 euros and was banned from working in the health sector or running a business.

He is appealing that ruling to a court of cassation.

Two other pending legal cases are pending against Mas, one for involuntary manslaughter -- the implants were suspected in several deaths from systemic toxicity -- and another linked to the financial implications of the scandal.

He always denied the implants posed any health risks.

In a setback for the plaintiffs, a scientific panel mandated by the European Commission concluded in May 2014 that the implants could not be linked to toxicity and users did not have to remove them as a precaution.

Thousands of women have had the implants removed, even though health officials in several countries have said they are not toxic and are not thought to increase the risk of breast cancer.
Members of Silicon Valley were relatively swift in their criticisms of President Trumps inauguration via social media. Source: Getty Images

America has a new a president in Donald Trump, and Silicon Valleys reaction to the inauguration of the countrys 45th president was unsurprisingly swift.

Thoughts on social media, particularly Twitter (TWTR), were far from positive, with members of the tech community expressing disdain for Trump overall, as well as displeasure with specific moments from the inauguration.

Michael Solana, vice president at Founders Fund, the San Francisco-based venture capital firm co-founded by billionaire investor and Trump transition team member Peter Thiel, sent out a Tweet mocking Trumps negative tone about the state of the nation.

former presidents, thank you for coming. you have really sucked.  Michael Solana (@micsolana) January 20, 2017

Meanwhile, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerbergs former speechwriter, Dex Torricke-Barton, seemed less than optimistic that Trump would improve the state of the country.

America is unstoppable says man who will do more than anyone else to stop it #Inauguration  Dex Torricke-Barton (@DexBarton) January 20, 2017

Barton made something of a splash in the tech industry last November when he quit his job as head of communications at Elon Musks SpaceX to focus on grassroots work to combat the rise of Trump.

For his part, Sam Altman, president of the respected startup incubator YCombinator, went a step further than sending out a critical tweet. The 31-year-old high-profile member of the technorati announced via Twitter he had spent the last several weeks building Track Trump, a website that promises to track whether Trump fulfills his stated goals for his first 100 days in office.

We will monitor what the admin does vs stated promises and try to ignore political theater as much as possible.  Sam Altman (@sama) January 20, 2017

But perhaps this tweet from tech media relations executive Brooke Hammerling summed things up best for many members of the tech community:

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Silicon Valleys reactions shouldnt come as much of a surprise. Historically speaking, many members of the tech community lean Democrat or Libertarian, albeit with a greater focus on social issues, with pro-immigration and pro-trade positions. Indeed, roughly 50% of the countrys unicorns  private companies with $1 billion-plus valuations  have at least one immigrant founder at the helm, according to a report this March from the National Foundation For American Policy.

Trump does have one very high-profile tech leader in his camp, though: Peter Thiel. One of Thiels college friends, Khosla Ventures partner and former Square COO Keith Rabois, refrained from directly weighing in on Trumps inauguration.

But Rabois did express his distaste for Obamacare, Obamas signature healthcare law, in a Twitter exchange while Trump was being sworn to office.

@danprimack no ObamaCare is a fraud, and a disaster, intellectually and morally.  Keith Rabois (@rabois) January 20, 2017

While Rabois was no fan of Obamacare, he didnt appear to be a big fan of Trump, either  as he donated $50,000 to a never Trump political action committee.



JP Mangalindan is a senior correspondent for Yahoo Finance covering the intersection of tech and business. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA--(Marketwired - January 20, 2017) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., reminds investors that they have until March 13, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO), if they purchased the Company's American Depository Receipts ("ADRs") between April 30, 2015 and October 27, 2016, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The action is pending in United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

What You May Do

If you purchased ADRs of Novo Nordisk and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com). If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by March 13, 2017.

About the Lawsuit

Novo Nordisk and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On August 5, 2016, the Company announced disappointing earnings for the 2016 second quarter. Then, on October 28, 2016, the Company disclosed that it was cutting its long-term profit growth by 50% and that it had received a Civil Investigative Demand from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York seeking information relating to contracts and business relationships concerning its insulin products.

On this news, the price of Novo Nordisk's ADRs plummeted.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.
By Emily Chow

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Reuters) - Palm oil is headed for 3,300 ringgit per tonne by March, sooner than forecast earlier, as stocks of the tropical oil remain tight. Prices will then fall nearly a quarter by June or July, said leading vegetable oils analyst Dorab Mistry on Saturday.

Benchmark palm oil prices are currently trading at their highest in more than four years as lingering dry weather effects from an El Nino weather event in 2015 are still cutting into production.

Palm oil closed 1 percent lower at 3,101 ringgit ($698) a tonne on Friday evening.

Mistry said prices would rise between now and early March, because of the weak inventories and low production, with soyoil filling in the gap between supply and demand.

"Soyoil must take market share from palm oil, otherwise palm oil stocks will decline to unimaginable levels. End-January stocks will be very tight," said Mistry, referring to Malaysian inventories.

Prices for the March soybean oil contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) have declined in the past month, narrowing their usual premium above palm oil prices.

Soyoil's spread over palm oil was around $82 on Friday evening, down from $150 in early December.

Mistry, director of Indian consumer goods company Godrej International, said, however, that palm prices would fall after March to 2,500 ringgit by June or July, higher than an earlier prediction of 2,400 ringgit.

His medium-term forecasts assume Brent crude oil prices in a range of $50-70 a barrel and two rate hikes by the Federal Reserve this year.

"The market will give a knee jerk reaction at the first signal of rising production - possibly in early or mid-March," said Mistry.

"Support for prices may come from a new U.S. biodiesel regime. That is the big unknown at present," Mistry said, explaining why he raised his mid-year price forecasts.

"Biodiesel (production) boosts CBOT soyoil futures, which then help palm futures," he said.

Palm oil output in 2017 from Indonesia, the world's largest producer, was also pegged at 33.5 million-34 million tonnes, up from the 33 million-33.5 million tonnes previously forecast.

Mistry said lauric oil prices would decline from the third quarter of 2017. He previously said the drop would take place by the second quarter this year.

($1 = 4.4430 ringgit) (Reporting by Emily Chow; Editing by Tom Hogue)
by Larry Dobrow , Featured Columnist, January 20, 2017

I dont care what the incoming heads of the EPA, CIA, FDA, NIH, NSA or Departments of Energy, State, Health and Human Services, Commerce, Education and Interior have to say on the matter: Science is A-OK in my book. It might even be real! I have great confidence that we will continue to turn to our scientists to help us navigate the most perilous waters in which we sea-fare. Nothing will change this, except maybe the appointment of several Real Housewives to positions of leadership within NASA.

It nonetheless feels like somewhat less than a coincidence that GE chose this particular week to unveil the latest episodes of Unimpossible Missions. The series, which debuted last year, takes the brands Star Trek-sounding credo (to push back the boundaries of whats possible) and brings it to life via the depiction of witchcraft er, I mean, scientific examination. The first seasons episodic slate included attempts to evaluate a snowballs chance in hell and to actually catch lightning in a bottle. There was no more on-point brand-booster programming in the video world last year.

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GE ups the ante in the two Unimpossible vids that debuted this week. In one, it fights fire with fire (spectacularly successfully, with nary a skin graft to be performed in its wake). In the other, it unrings a bell (fantastically, humanity-affirmingly successfully, per the still-sleeping baby positioned within the immediate gong radius).

The vids are ambitious in a way that most such explorations arent, too. GEs chosen bell is the renowned-for-its-foundation- shaking-loudness Ka Lay Wa Bell in Myanmar, as opposed to the one that Auntie Dee uses to summon dim cousin Henry for supper. While both clips plug the relevant GE technology (used in a subsea acoustic leak detector and a next-gen mammogram device, presumably among other things), they do so without dummyheading it down in the interest of cheap virality.

That, in fact, might be the greatest triumph of Unimpossible Missions. Most videos that seek to blind us with science adopt a jokey, punny tone that too often comes off as patronizing. Its the spoonful-of-sugar approach: This here brainy science will go down the hatch a whole lot smoother if administered with allusions to Bob The Builder and Saved by the Bell, etc. GE, on the other hand, proudly flashes its knowledge, throwing out concepts like destructive interference without over-explaining them for the halfwit set.

The production values are similarly a notch above what weve come to expect from such exercises. Yeah, GE can afford it, but still: Usually when a brand aspires to a degree of excellence within the video realm, its funny for the wrong reasons. Tacking Films onto a brands name (Sears Craftsman Films Presents: 21 Meditations on the Band Saw) isnt going to capture the imagination of the Cahiers du Cinema editorial board, you know? But when GE credits the Missions videos to its GE Theater arm, you dont scoff. Moral of this story: Spend the extra money to make these things look like something not-unimpossible to create on your MacBook Air.

Some part of me wishes GE would pay tribute to the legendary Ralph Wiggum and retitle the series  Unpossible Missions, but that would undercut the non-jokiness of the endeavor. Beyond that, this is one for the this-is-how-you-do-it file. By proudly wearing its brain on its sleeve, GE hits brand pay dirt.
by Barbara Lippert , Featured Columnist, January 20, 2017

I wanted to write a lighthearted column about the pomp and ceremony of Trumps Inauguration Day  you know, the clothes, the gaffes, the memes.

The night before, our president-to-be had even made a semi-self-deprecating joke. He said it would not bother him at all if it rained the next day, because then everyone can see that my hair is real.

And never mind the Blue Steel scowl that has become Melanias facial signature on Thursday, as she marched around in her black coat in her own private Idaho.

But for the inauguration, Melanias Tiffany-blue outfit was just right: simple, modern, geometric. It featured beautiful draping around the high neck, and her raised coif also stood up to the barometric pressure.

It was a lovely nod to Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy  on supermodel heels. First daughter Ivanka wore a similarly inspired asymmetrical long coat and pantsuit in white.

So did Hillary Clinton. White was the color of the Suffragettes, and Hillary had worn a white pant suit for her acceptance speech. Determined Hillary voters turned out by the droves in white pants suits on Nov. 7, so Ivanka was being quite shrewd in echoing the sentiment and having it both ways.

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Only Kellyanne Conway took one for the team, allowing herself to be the patriotic equivalent of Bjork at the Oscars. She wore a bright red, white and blue toy-soldier coat dress with brass cat buttons that she accessorized with a red hat, belt, shoes and purse, for a patriot Rockette effect.

She might have just tried wearing a swan around her neck.

But lets face it: presidential transitions between Democrats and Republicans, after hard-fought battles, are never fun. Thats what all the traditions are about. The ceremonial stuff makes it possible for people to be smiley with the ones they just eviscerated. Every inauguration morning theres church, coffee with the outgoing president and his wife at the White House, and then a very choreographed leave-taking to the inaugural through the North Portico.

Although Trump had invented that birther stuff (awkward!), the Obamas tried to make the handoff gracious and warm, just as the Bushes had done for them.

And then, to the inaugural address. Trump claimed to have written his speech himself, and even had the photo tweet to prove it: In a shot that looked straight out of a Kremlin-era P.R. move, we saw him in his blue suit and red tie sitting at the otherwise empty Concierge desk at Mar-aLago, blank writing pad in hand and capped Sharpie at the ready.

As for the speech, Trumps delivery, to the steady beat of rain, was good. But as soon as he started, I could feel the Steve Bannon-osity of the words and phrases, dropping like acid rain. Theres something about the way his senior advisor uses populist and nationalist threats and dog whistles that makes Rudy Giulianis speech at the RNC look temperate.

There was no mention of womens issues like sexual harassment or unequal pay  or health care for either gender, for that matter. (No mention of the LGBT community, either.)

But there was a ferocious attack on Washington and politicians who were all talk and no action, which I thought referred to President Obama  and worse, Rep. John Lewis, whom Trump had already skewered in a tweet using the same phrase.

The other surreal thing about this massive attack on Washington: Trump has just opened a super-luxury D.C. hotel to appeal to exactly the population he denounced in his speech.

He has promoted the place nonstop, and it was the site of several luncheons, meetings and balls for donors all weekend long. The idea that the President has such a major holding in his portfolio, which used to be a federal post office, is not exactly kosher, either. But that's the least of the worries for now in terms of hypocrisy.

Bannon uses phrases that boys in the 1950s might have liked, such as our glorious destiny. And he has two extremes: gratuitously violent or hokey. He writes of the wealth of the middle class ripped from our homes and redistributed all over the world. Ripped from our homes? Not our headlines or wombs?

Then there was an attempt at diversity, but it came military-style and with blood: Whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American flag.

By the way, on what planet do we have an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge?

When Bannon tries to get inclusive, he waxes corny, ungrammatical and stereotypical. Whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the wind-swept plains of Nebraska, Trump said, they [sic] look up at the same night sky. They fill their heart [sic] with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty creator.

Wow! He always sticks it to Detroit with urban sprawl. Way to help! And the wind-swept plains of Nebraska sport pretty much the same fast-food outlets and malls as Detroit, no?

Youll notice that while hes talking about a child being born, its not connected to a womans body in any way. Rather, the almighty creator has some sort of breathing apparatus, and the children are apparently born in mangers throughout the U.S. It saves massively on hospital costs.

Then the speech really gets nasty, in the American Carnage: The Apocalypse Tour part, which talks about a country ravaged with rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation.

But the worst thing that Steve Bannon does with his weird, violent, brand of nationalistic populism is his insistence on using the phrase America first. Its the only expression that Trump repeated twice in the speech  and, as we know, he likes to repeat himself. From this day forward, its only going to be America first.

The phrase has an anti-Semitic history, and this has come up many times in the Trump campaign already. But Bannon apparently likes it  so it sticks.

Well have to see if anyone cares about the massive disconnect  and misdirect, given his cabinet picks  of the speech. I was hoping Trump would stick to hair jokes.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, January 21, 2017

A minute into a live telecast of her address at the womens march in Washington, D.C., Madonna began dropping the F bomb, and it took two more minutes and as many more F bombs, before CNN cut her off to begin analyzing her message.

It took this horrific moment of darkness to wake us the fuck up, Madonna said seconds into the live telecast. It seems as if we have all fallen into a false sense of comfort. That justice would prevail and that goodness would win in the end. Well, good did not win this election. But good will win in the end. So what today means is that we are far from the end. Today marks the beginning of our story. The revolution starts here.

The fight for the right to be free -- to be who we are -- to be equal. Lets march together through this darkness and with each step, know that we are not afraid. That we are not alone. That we will not back down. That there is power in our unity. And that no opposing force stands a chance in the face of true solidarity. And to our detractors that insist that this march will never add up to anything, fuck you. Fuck you! It is the beginning of much needed change, she continued until CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin cut in.

Baldwin: Okay!

Madonna, audio fading out: ...change that will require sacrifice

Baldwin: Okay, were going to hold onto that, because some of the language used... its Madonna the one and only Material Girl up on stage... I spy Amy Schumer over her shoulder

(Pause)

Its a show of force with all these celebrities. We heard Donald Trump say, I dont need the celebrities, I won the election, but what do you make of her message?, Baldwin continued, turning to her CNN colleagues, who demurred from explicitly interpreting what Madonnas exact message was.

After retweeting a New York Times story about the lackluster turnout for Trumps inauguration parade vs. Obamas previous ones, the National Parks Service -- which is responsible for knowing how many people actually participated -- was reprimanded by the White House, had its Twitter account temporarily shut down, and forced to tweet an apology.

The episode was both ironic and symbolic, because the White House was saying it's not appropriate for federal employees to express themselves on Twitter.
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newly diagnosed HCC patients;

HCC patients receiving treatment who still had evidence of disease;

HCC patients who appeared to be cured after surgical treatment, including liver transplantation;

patients at risk for developing HCC because of other chronic liver diseases;

patients with other types of cancer, including some with liver metastases;

healthy volunteers.

"We have developed an assay capable of detecting a single cancer cell within a background of the tens of billions of cells that comprise whole blood," says Mark Kalinich of the MGH Cancer Center, co-lead author of the PNAS report. "Our test provides highly specific detection of cancer in patients with HCC, compared with healthy individuals and with those at high risk for developing the disease. These results hold promise for both the early detection of HCC and for the monitoring of treatment over time."Liver cancer, including HCC, is the second highest cause of cancer death in the world. HCC is particularly prevalent in developing countries, where its incidence is driven by infection with the hepatitis B virus, which now affects more than 248 million individuals. In developed countries, conditions like hepatitis C infection and alcohol abuse are also increasing the prevalence of HCC. Early diagnosis of the tumor can lead to five-year survival rates of from 50 to 80 percent, but once HCC has spread, survival drops to around 15 percent.Current blood-based strategies for detecting HCC, such as serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), have had poor results. New technologies enabling the isolation and analysis of CTCs have been valuable research tools and can help track treatment response, but the use of microscopy to identify and analyze CTCs required the time-consuming development of specific protocols for particular forms of cancer. While standard PCR is a technique for generating many copies of a specific nucleic acid segment of DNA, digital PCR allows much more precise measurement of the quantity of a given nucleic acid segment in a sample of CTCs.The research team developed their digital PCR assay by first identifying 10 specific RNA transcripts that were expressed in HCC cells but not in blood components. Using the CTC-iChip developed at the MGH Center for Engineering in Medicine, they assayed blood samples from six groups of individuals:Digital PCR analysis revealed significantly higher levels of the HCC-associated RNA transcripts in blood samples from patients with HCC than from those with other cancers, with chronic liver disease or healthy controls. Use of a CTC score based on the 9 RNA transcripts most significantly associated with HCC generated positive results for more than half of those with untreated HCC but only around 8 percent of healthy controls and 3 percent of those with other liver diseases. Around 28 percent of patients currently being treated had positive scores, and the percentage of positive scores among patients with no evidence of disease after treatment was similar to that of healthy controls.Follow up with a small group of patients produced evidence suggesting the potential of the CTC score to monitor treatment response. Scores remained high in two patients who had not been treated between blood draws, while the scores of two other patients dropped after surgical tumor removal. Another patient's score dropped precipitously after treatment with a checkpoint inhibitor and then showed significant further reduction after a radioembolization procedure that greatly reduced the size of the tumor.To determine whether CTC scoring could improve the inadequate results of AFP screening, the researchers used both methods to analyze blood samples from 15 newly diagnosed patients. In four of them, the presence of HCC was indicated by CTC score alone; AFP alone detected cancer that the CTC score did not in one patient, and the results of both tests were able to detect HCC in another five. Overall, either CTC score, AFP or both produced positive results in 67 percent of patients, missing the diagnosis in only one third.While previous studies combining AFP with more specific assays like ultrasound have improved diagnosis of at-risk patients, leading to a 37 percent drop in mortality, the authors note that ultrasound results can be compromised in patients with obesity or cirrhosis and that high-quality ultrasound may not be available in the developing countries where the risk of HCC is highest."Although there are major hurdles to global implementation of CTC-based digital PCR to screen for HCC, we believe they are surmountable," says Kalinich, who is an MD/ PhD candidate at Harvard Medical School. "With the blood stabilization techniques currently being developed in Mehmet Toner's lab at the Center for Engineering in Medicine, blood draws from anywhere in the world could be analyzed at central processing facilities, enabling the high throughput required for global screening efforts." He notes that further study is required to confirm the ability of this assay to detect HCC in a large-scale trial, expand the number of HCC-related RNA transcripts to further improve diagnostic accuracy, and determine whether this approach can help detect and monitor treatment for other forms of cancer.Source: Eurekalert
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The novel drug combination allows the rapidly emerging cancer therapies called immune checkpoint inhibitors to be incorporated into a transplant patient's cancer treatment regimen. This observation shows promise for people undergoing cancer therapy who have also had a kidney transplant.Dr. Jhaveri and Dr. Barnett observed during the treatment of a patient living with cancer who had a kidney transplant that the combination of steroids and sirolimus, an immunosuppressant that has anti-cancer properties, could prevent a patient's body from rejecting the organ during cancer treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.In the case that Drs. Jhaveri and Barnett outline in their Letter to the Editor, they observed the treatment of a 70 year-old Caucasian male who received a kidney transplant in 2010 and recently underwent treatment for small bowel cancer which had spread to the liver. The patient was given prednisone, a steroid, and an immunosuppressant (sirolimus) prior to incorporating an immune checkpoint inhibitor (nivolumab).The patient's kidney did not experience any rejection and the cancer regressed as well. In addition, the patient was able to receive the full benefit of this immunotherapy, which attacked the cancer cells without having an effect on the transplant organ. Eight months later, the patient is enjoying his day-to-day life and able to fight his cancer without any rejection of his transplanted kidney."In reviewing this patient's case, I think we might have found a novel strategy of using pre-emptive steroids and sirolimus to mitigate organ rejection in transplant patients receiving cancer treatment involving PD-1 inhibitors," said Dr. Jhaveri, associate chief of the Division of Kidney Diseases and Hypertension in Northwell Health's Department of Internal Medicine. "This letter highlights the use of a novel regimen and may give the patients with a kidney transplant and cancer hope of treating the cancer while keeping the kidney and thereby avoiding dialysis."Thomas McGinn, center head for the Feinstein Institute's Merinoff Center for Patient-Oriented Research and chair of Northwell Health's Department of Internal Medicine, said: "This work will be important as the use of these cancer agents increases. I commend the authors on a bold and innovative approach in management of a very tough clinical situation.""Important discoveries begin with a novel observation," said Kevin J. Tracey, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute. "I hope that the medical science community now will build on Dr. Jhaveri's discovery so that patients with cancer who must also undergo a kidney transplant can benefit."Source: Eurekalert
This Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, photo provided by the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office in Norristown, Pa., shows jewelry business owner Wasim Shazad of East Norriton Township, Pa. Prosecutors say Shazad sells jewelry out of three storefronts on Philadelphia's Jewelers Row, and he was arrested Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, on charges he allegedly fenced stolen jewelry from among more than $1.5 million in property burglarized between August 2015 and July 2016 from 15 high-end residences in three southeastern Pennsylvania counties, Chester County, Delaware County and Montgomery County. (Montgomery County District Attorney's Office via AP)

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- A business owner on Philadelphia's historic Jewelers Row was charged on Friday with fencing jewelry and other items stolen from luxury homes in the suburbs.

A burglary ring pilfered more than $1.5 million worth of expensive watches, jewelry, money and high-end purses in 15 thefts between August 2015 and July 2016, the Montgomery County district attorney's office said.

Wasim Shazad, of East Norriton, then used his storefronts on Jewelers Row, the nation's oldest diamond district, to buy and sell the stolen goods, prosecutors said.

Shazad was arraigned Friday on charges that include belonging to a corrupt organization and receiving stolen property. He was jailed on $250,000 bail. He couldn't be reached for comment while in custody, and online court records don't list an attorney who can comment on his behalf.

Four burglary suspects were first charged in July. Police said they operated in Montgomery, Chester and Delaware counties outside Philadelphia.

In one robbery, the crooks forced their way into a home, tied up the resident, threw a safe from a second-floor balcony and made off with $500,000 worth of jewelry and expensive handbags, court documents say.

Police said they identified Shazad as the burglars' fence through eyewitnesses, surveillance, undercover operations and a review of his finances.
So, on Tuesday, the airport authorities at the John F Kennedy International Airport found cocaine worth $70,000 concealed in what should originally have been a box of delicious Tastee Jamaica Beef Patties. The twelve packages were wrapped in duct-tape and the box was found on one of the travelers at the airport.

Source: AOL

Looks like that particular passenger was looking to get really high and just wanted some Mexican food to go along with is. Sigh. During the passengers customs exam, the airport authorities found a box of Tastee brand Jamaican beef patties. On close inspection they found that there wasn't any meat in those patties. What they found was a truckload of cocaine! Talk about a lucky bust!

Clearly, the authorities had no beef with that, pun intended.
There have been plenty of iPhone 8 rumours floating around the internet, for example, there are expected to be three versions of the next iPhone which is scheduled to launch later this year. Previous rumours suggested that there would be one 4.7-inch iPhone 8 and two 5.5-inch variants and one of these will also sport an OLED display.

The iPhone 8 will also come with a glass back and stainless steel chassis as suggested by previous claims. The handsets are expected to have a complete overhaul when it comes to the design and looks.

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However, latest reports suggest a new feature that was previously unknown. The new iPhones are expected to have wireless charging. Lite-on will be one of the suppliers that Apple is going to be using for wireless charging components.

Taiwan-based Lite-On Semiconductor, a maker of discrete and analogue IC components, has entered the supply chain for the next-generation iPhone 8 by providing GPP bridge rectifiers for the support of fast wireless charging, according to a recent Chinese-language Commercial Times report.

Lite-On Semi has reportedly obtained half of the orders for GPP bridge rectifiers that will be used in the wireless charger for the upcoming iPhones, the report cited industry sources as saying."

The new iPhone is expected to launch in September 2017 and we will keep reporting on new information about the handsets when we come across some more news.
By Ian Gilson, PhD, CFA



NASDAQ:SANW



On Jan. 19, 2017 S&W Seed (SANW) announced that it has started to scale up its sorghum operations to make hybrid seeds available for commercial sale. The company expects to mirror its sorghum (and, presumably its sunflower operations at a later date) to how it runs its alfalfa business.



Based on its royalty-based licensing agreements with its 12 partners, in 9 countries, the partners are currently increasing production of both hybrid grain and hybrid forage seed production in order to satisfy a significant level of demand.



We would anticipate revenue from the agreements in fiscal 2018.



The recent rains in California have had a significant impact on the drought conditions, with the areas considered to be under a drought dropping to half of what they were. This, and the passing of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation bill which was passed by the US Senate in late 2016, should encourage farmers to plant more crops in California. Although S&W Seed ability to grow and acquire seeds is not impacted by the water bill the improving climatic conditions should have a positive impact on demand for seeds.



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WASHINGTON (AP)  The Republican-led Senate, taking little time to fill two critical national security posts, overwhelmingly confirmed a pair of retired Marine generals tapped by President Donald Trump to run the Pentagon and secure America's borders.

A little more than an hour later, Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to James Mattis to be defense secretary and John Kelly to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Mattis had been confirmed by a 98-1 vote and Kelly 88-11.

Earlier in the day, during a luncheon following his inauguration, Trump said Mattis and Kelly were from "central casting," referring to their reputations as tough-talking, no-nonsense commanders.

"If I'm doing a movie, I'd pick you, Gen. Mattis," Trump said.

But Democrats succeeded in stalling until Monday action by the full Senate on Trump's pick for CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan. Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Patrick Leahy of Vermont objected to what they said was a "rushed confirmation" and demanded more time for Pompeo's nomination to be "vetted, questioned and debated."

Republicans scolded Democrats for an unnecessary delay, noting that the move left the spy agency leaderless over the weekend. Being lectured on the speed of nomination approvals didn't sit well with Democrats, who reminded GOP lawmakers that they flatly refused to consider President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee for 11 months.

In a statement issued by the White House, Trump said he was pleased with the Senate's confirmation votes and made clear he wanted more.

"I call on members of the Senate to fulfill their constitutional obligation and swiftly confirm the remainder of my highly qualified cabinet nominees, so that we can get to work on behalf of the American people without further delay," he said.

Congress had to pave the way for Mattis to serve. Lawmakers last week passed legislation that Trump signed shortly after being sworn in that granted Mattis a one-time exception from the law that bars former U.S. service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military. Mattis retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.

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Congress last allowed an exception to the law in 1950 for George Marshall, a former five-star Army general and secretary of state. Mattis replaces Ash Carter, who had been President Barack Obama's defense secretary since February 2015.

GOP lawmakers pushed for a speedy and smooth transition at the Pentagon to ensure Mattis would be fully in charge should a national security crisis erupt in the hours and days after Trump's inauguration. During his Jan. 12 confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis described a world in tumult and a U.S. military that is not robust enough to deal with all the threats the country faces.

Addressing the Defense Department after taking office, Mattis said "it's good to be back" and that he was confident all Pentagon personnel would do their part to serve the nation.

"Every action we take will be designed to ensure our military is ready to fight today and in the future," he said in a statement. "Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances. Further, we are devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, thereby earning the trust of Congress and the American people."

Mattis is highly regarded on Capitol Hill for his character and judgment  traits that many Democrats believe make the retired four-star officer an essential bulwark against Trump's propensity for bluster and impulsiveness.

During a military career than lasted four decades, Mattis served in numerous senior military positions, including commander of U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.

Kelly comes to the government's newest department with years of experience working with various Homeland Security agencies.

Among Kelly's likely first assignments will be executing Trump's plans for the fate of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, which has protected more than 750,000 young immigrants from deportation.

As the top officer at U.S. Southern Command, based in south Florida, Kelly routinely worked with the department to combat human trafficking networks and drug smuggling. The post included oversight of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Kelly clashed at times with the Obama administration, which pushed unsuccessfully to close the facility.

If Trump follows through on promises to toughen immigration enforcement, Kelly's agency will be responsible for buttressing the screening of immigrants permitted to enter the U.S. He'll also have to come up with the resources for locating and then deporting people living here illegally.

During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Kelly told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee that he's in favor of Trump's plan for a wall at the Mexican border. But he said a physical barrier alone won't be enough to secure the 2,000-mile frontier.

"Certainly it has to be a layered approach," Kelly said.

___

Associated Press writer Alicia A. Caldwell contributed to this report.

___

Follow Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner
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The U.S. Army on Friday ended a nearly 10-year long competition to supply the service with a new handgun. The Army awarded a contract valued at $580 million to Sig Sauer, a subsidiary of Germany's Luke & Ortmeier Gruppe with a subsidiary based in New Hampshire. American Outdoor Brands Corp. (AOBC), the holding company that owns Smith & Wesson, was among the four also-rans, along with FN America, Beretta and Glock.

The Army is replacing the Beretta M9 handgun that has been in service for the past 30 years with a modular handgun system (MHS) that includes interchangeable grip modules and can be adjusted for frame size and caliber by the operator.

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The Beretta M9 replaced the .45 caliber Colt 1911 model in 1985 and also replaced the .45 caliber round with a NATO-standard 9mm round. The Sig Sauer P320 MHS can use 9mm, .357SIG and .40S&W rounds. The Army has not indicated which round it selected, although Sig Sauer is reported to have submitted both the 9mm and .40 caliber round for consideration.

Smith & Wesson, along with FN America, were eliminated from the competition in December and the contract battle was down to Sig Sauer and Glock, which had entered its Glock 17 and Glock 19 models for consideration. According to a report at Military.com, Glock is expected to protest the decision.

ALSO READ: How Boeing Can Overcome Its Bull/Bear Case in 2017

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the Army plans to acquire 280,000 of the weapons, with a possible increase to as many as 500,000. The Army is also believed to be purchasing about 7,000 of the compact version of the weapon designed to fit smaller hand sizes.

One of the major goals of competition was to choose a pistol chambered for a more potent round than the current 9mm. Army acquisition executive Steffanie Easter said in a press release:

By maximizing full and open competition across our industry partners, we have optimized private sector advancements in handguns, ammunition and magazines, and the end result will ensure a decidedly superior weapon system for our warfighters.

Story continues

ALSO READ: Americas Most Hated Companies

Deliveries of the new handguns are expected to begin in 2018.

American Outdoor stock closed Friday at $20.13, down about 0.6% for the day, in a 52-week range of $20.02 to $22.21. The 12-month price target on the stock is $26.25.

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Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Amanatidis will participate in the 2nd Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM): "Mediterranean in Action: Youth for Stability and Development," which is being held on 23 and 24 January 2017, in Barcelona, under the auspices of the EU and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The meeting will be attended by the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, Spain, Egypt, Portugal, Tunisia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Slovenia, and Johannes Hahn, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy.

The central subject of the meeting is the further strengthening and acceleration of UfM actions, with the main goal of meeting the needs of youth in the Mediterranean region, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the context of his visit to Spain, Mr. Amanatidis will have a series of meetings with the heads of the Greek community of Barcelona and personnel of the "Iberia Graeca" Archaeological Foundation, and he will also visit the Greek Language Department in the region.
JOURNALIST: In recent months, intensive talks have been held between the involved sides. What is Athens pursuing?

N. KOTZIAS: We want a solution to the Cyprus issue. But what's the problem? The problem is the occupation of the northern portion of the island by the Turkish army. We need a solution that ensures maximum security for the Turkish Cypriots, but also provides the maximum possible security for the Greek Cypriots. Cyprus must be a sovereign state, a member of the EU and the UN. So the Turkish army will have to leave. Turkey will not be allowed to have any right of intervention. And the system of guarantor powers will have to be eliminated.

JOURNALIST: How can this happen? How can anyone guarantee the rights of both communities?

N. KOTZIAS: We are drawing up a treaty for a federal Cyprus. Both ethnic groups will have equal rights. The Turkish Cypriots will have their federal state or canton or whatever else you'd like to call it. They will be on their own and they will be able to manage their security, as they will have their own police. To this end, a federal police force will be created and will be comprised of 50% Turkish Cypriots and 50% Greek Cypriots. Beyond the federal police, there will be an international police force that will step in case that the federal police force proves inadequate.

JOURNALIST: How much flexibility can you show? How far can you move from your initial position? Because the other side, Turkey, says it will never withdraw from Cyprus.

N. KOTZIAS: If we want to resolve the problem, we have to do away with its causes. Otherwise, what are we talking about? The problem is the illegal occupation of the northern section of Cyprus. I hope Turkey will understand that it is also in its interest for the Cyprus problem to be resolved. Because so far Turkey is combining its desire to protect the Turkish Cypriots with its geopolitical aspirations in the region. But we want to resolve the Cyprus issue and not deal with Turkey's geopolitical strategy, which isn't the subject of the negotiations.

JOURNALIST: And the Turkish Cypriots? How can they feel secure?

N. KOTZIAS: The Turkish Cypriots will have full political equality. They will have a right to a veto on all of the important issues. And the High Court will be made up of four judges from each ethnic group. This is much greater equality than is usual in federal states.

JOURNALIST: We have already heard accusations regarding who is responsible for the lack of progress in the talks. In fact, your name has been mentioned.

N. KOTZIAS: We want to achieve a definitive solution of the Cyprus problem, and not create another problem. The problem is the occupation of Cyprus. We don't want there to be guarantor powers, and we don't want to be a guarantor power. The right to intervene in a third country violates international law and the UN resolutions. That is why I made a proposal: the concluding of a Peace, Cooperation and Security agreement. The three countries -- Turkey, Cyprus and Greece -- will be able to jointly confront threats like terrorism and organized crime.

JOURNALIST: And if Turkey insists on its rights as a guarantor power?

N. KOTZIAS: If we allow the system of guarantor powers, we will have committed a folly. In such a case, Russia could come and say, for example: "I want the right of intervention in the Baltic states to protect the Russian-speaking population." This will open Pandora's box. Moreover, what we need is a sovereign Cyprus. Otherwise, Turkey would be able -- through the system of guarantees -- to also have a say in European Union affairs.
By Jeff Mason and Warren Strobel LANGLEY, Va./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump tried to ease tensions with the CIA on Saturday, telling officers he had their back after he had leveled unprecedented criticism against spy agencies for their investigation into Russian hacking during the election. In his first official visit to a government agency as president, Trump - who had said U.S. intelligence tactics were reminiscent of Nazi Germany - sought to leave no doubt with officers that he supported their work. Even so, some analysts said it would take more than a quick visit for Trump to patch up relations with a community that he has denigrated. A large part of Trump's off-the-cuff remarks on Saturday were not related to the work of the CIA, at times sounding more like a campaign rally than an address to intelligence professionals. Trump made no mention of Russia during his remarks, which included praise for his nominee to head the Central Intelligence Agency, Mike Pompeo, a pledge to fight Islamic State and a rant against the media, which he said invented his feud with intelligence agencies. "Very, very few people could do the job you people do and I want you to know I am so behind you," Trump said, to cheers and loud applause from about 400 officers who packed the building's atrium to hear him speak. Ahead of his inauguration, Trump had harshly criticized intelligence officials after they concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed hackers to breach Democratic emails to try to boost Trump's presidential election campaign. He has since accepted those conclusions. Then, after leaks about an unsubstantiated dossier compiled by a private security firm suggesting Moscow had compromising information about him, Trump blamed intelligence agencies for using Nazi-like tactics - drawing a rebuke from outgoing CIA Director John Brennan. Trump has said he wants to try to work with Moscow to fight Islamic State militants and reduce stockpiles of nuclear weapons. He said reporters made up the tension between him and the CIA. "I have a running war with the media. They are among the most dishonest people on earth," Trump said. "They made it sound like I had a feud with the intelligence people." Trump also slammed media for showing images of "an empty field" from his inauguration on the National Mall while he claimed that the crowd "went all the way back to the Washington Monument." And he called out by name a reporter who had made an error in a White House press pool report. QUESTIONS ABOUT TRUMP While Trump has some support in the U.S. intelligence community, his criticism over the Russia issue eroded much of it. Within the 17-agency intelligence community, there are widely shared concerns about the qualifications and judgment of Trump, a businessman and television star who never before held public office. Some veteran analysts who have spent their careers studying foreign dictators and autocrats have said they are troubled by Trump's style, saying his negativity, egotism and appeals to nationalism are hallmarks of autocratic regimes. "Many people are asking whether we can serve under a president and national security adviser who've expressed such contempt for the intelligence community, and one photo opportunity drive-by on a Saturday is not going to change that," said a veteran officer now working at CIA headquarters after multiple assignments overseas, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Paul Pillar, a former top U.S. intelligence analyst on the Middle East, said Trump's digressions during the speech show that "even when he is in their own building he can't be bothered to focus on their work." Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives' intelligence committee, said Trump's speech in front of a memorial wall with stars representing CIA personnel killed in action was "little more than a perfunctory acknowledgment of their service and sacrifice." A PROMISE TO RETURN Trump had originally hoped to swear in Pompeo as his new CIA chief during the visit to the spy agency. But the Senate has not yet confirmed the Kansas Republican representative for the job. That vote is expected on Monday. Trump and Pompeo received briefings at the CIA headquarters before the president made remarks. Trump vowed he would return to speak with officers again. He said fighting Islamic State militants would be a priority for the agency, saying "radical Islamic terrorism" had to be eradicated. "We have not used the real abilities that we have. We've been restrained," Trump said. It was not immediately clear what he meant by restraints. During his campaign, Trump pledged to bring back the use of waterboarding, a simulated drowning technique that former President Barack Obama had banned as torture. But Pompeo and Trump's new defense secretary, James Mattis, have told Congress they would oppose a return to the interrogation technique. (Additional reporting by John Walcott; Writing by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Alistair Bell and Leslie Adler)
SEBEWAING  The recipe for the Village of Sebewaing's downtown redevelopment's recent accomplishment is self-promotion and close access to sugar.

Thumb Rum and Brew Company owner selected Sebewaing for his micro-distillery after several months of looking for a suitable location after a plan to develop the business in downtown Caro fell through.

"I've committed to Sebewaing to put my business there," stated entrepreneur Scott Romain, who attended a Jan. 3, council meeting with his father, David.

Although Romain was approached by several area communities trying to woo him to establish his business there, he selected Sebewaing because of its unique and personal approach.

"They came to me about their community ... kind of like a headhunter's approach after my plan for Caro fell apart. They were very friendly and welcoming," said Romain. "They are willing to work with me and sincere in their intent to help."

Sebewaing leaders hosted a community open house last November to showcase the various vacant businesses available for sale or rent. Romain, his father, and Brewmaster Andrew Glasgow attended the event.

While a community for the micro-distillery has been determined, the exact location has not.

"I'm leaving it up to the (village) council where it will be. They are the ones who make the laws and control the zoning so we are working together on this. I want their input," Romain said. "I'm doing the opposite of the way I tried to do it in Caro."

In preparation for his $1.2 million micro-distillery and restaurant business venture, Romain bought 119, 120 and 121 N. State St. locations in Caro, and is now looking to rent them because some of those on the Caro City Council at that time didn't support the business location for an operation involving alcohol production and some other concerns.

Since then, Romain has revised his business plan.

"I'm just going to do Thumb Rum and Brew in Sebewaing. The restaurant aspect might come later," he said.

Changing to just brewing cut the cost of his project from $1.2 million to about $600,000, and lowered the number of employees to about 10 rather than 30.

Michigan ranks fifth in microbreweries and micro-distilleries.

"It is still very early in the process, there are a lot of things that have to be done first before the business can start," Romain said.

He noted he is looking at using sugar from Michigan Sugar Company, which is about five blocks away from the downtown area, instead of the traditional molasses.

"I'm working with a chemist on that recipe," he said.

Village President Alexander Khoury says he is looking forward to when the micro-distillery is able to start.

"Getting a new business here is exciting" he said.

According to Romain and Carl Osentoski, who is the director for the economic development corporations in Huron and Sanilac counties, a community open house to show off several businesses at one time was a good approach.

"Their open house was well organized and showed what the community had to offer using a side-by-side comparison approach," said Osentoski, noting he will keep Sebewaing's open-house approach in mind when helping other communities with economic development. "Dave and his father looked at 11 different locations in Sebewaing during the open house."

Sebewaing's self-marketing approach also helps end a lot of speculation and rumors.

Osentoski explained when someone asks to look at a business or piece of property, speculation about development starts, but new business often doesn't develop.
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...
Hours after he was sworn in, retired Marine Gen. James arrived at the Pentagon Saturday for the first time as the nation's 26th Secretary of Defense.

Mattis, carrying two briefcases, stepped out of a black sport-utility vehicle and was greeted at noontime on the steps of the Pentagon's River Entrance by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, who served under Mattis as a regimental commander in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Neither Mattis nor Dunford made any comment as they quickly entered the building, but Mattis said in an earlier statement that "it's good to be back" after three years in retirement.

The historic moment of Mattis' arrival passed without fanfare. He was only the second defense secretary since World War II who needed a special waiver from Congress to accept the position.

Members of the military are barred by law from becoming defense secretary until they have been retired for at least seven years in the interests of preserving civilian control of the military. Mattis retired in 2013.

The House of Representatives and the Senate voted to grant Mattis the waiver and President Donald Trump signed it shortly after his inaugural address Friday, putting the former head of Central Command in the company of Gen. George C. Marshall, the Army chief of staff in World War II, as the only Defense Secretaries who needed special permission from Congress to take the job.

The Senate voted late Friday 98-1 to confirm Mattis as Defense Secretary. The lone dissenting vote was cast by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat who had praised Mattis military leadership but voted "no" on the issue of civilian control.

At the White House Friday night, Mattis was sworn in by new Vice President Mike Pence, making him the first of Trump's cabinet nominees to be cleared to begin work. Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly was sworn in as secretary of Homeland Security immediately after Mattis.

In his statement to the nearly three million Pentagon uniformed and civilian personnel, Mattis was typically blunt. While he has the watch at the department, "Every action we take will be designed to ensure our military is ready to fight today and in the future," Mattis said.

Mattis also returned to a message he stressed in his Senate confirmation hearing on the need to shore up alliances around the world and work in close coordination with the State Department to avoid conflict.

"Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances" while seeking to gain "full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense," he said.

Trump has hailed Mattis as the "real deal" in leadership and praised him again at the Armed Forces Ball Friday night after the inaugural, but the question remained on how well they will work together on defense.

Mattis has already staked out positions seemingly at odds with those of Trump. Mattis has warned against trusting Russian President Vladimir Putin while Trump has said he will seek cooperation. Trump has called NATO "obsolete" while Mattis backs current efforts to bolster the alliance.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
Let's talk about sex.

One of the most beautiful ways we love our spouses is through sexuality. It's also one of the most emotionally complicated.

Popular culture portrays it as simple, spontaneous and very uncomplicated, but I assure you most couples experience it differently.

Sex is actually one of the top three issues for which couples seek counseling. And the military lifestyle of chaotic schedules and long durations of separation doesn't help.

Despite your best intentions of picking up right where you left off, if you struggle with all of those interruptions to your sex life, you're in no way alone.

I recently sat down for a candid interview with Dr. Michael Sytsma, a clinician and certified sex therapist, for my Lifegiver Podcast. (Important note: This episode is for mature audiences only.)

The interview originally aired for InDependent's 2016 Military Spouse Wellness Summit, but I was able to run an extended version of our conversation. Dr. Sytsma is based out of Atlanta and serves post-affair couples as well as those experiencing sexual difficulty at his Institute, Building Intimate Marriages. I asked Dr. Sytsma about specific intimacy challenges that military couples face at home and during deployments.

Dr. Mike, as he's known, explained that couples sexually "imprint" on each other. If that concept gives you flashbacks to Jacob in the Twilight series, it may not be that far from the truth.

During sex, oxytocin, known as the connective hormone, releases in the body. It is actually the same hormone released during nursing that bonds a mother to her baby. He clarified that when your spouse is gone for long periods of time, you go through what's called "skin hunger," when the body is longing for the touch and the oxytocin to which it is accustomed. That concept explains why during deployment your skin can almost feel like it crawling for something as simple as a safe hug.

Other forms of connection, though, have also been found to release oxytocin, including looking into each other's eyes, holding each other and even hearing the other person's voice.

Dr. Mike encourages military couples to tap into some of these healthy habits that support connections during separations. Although you may not be able to hold hands, associating the sound of your spouse's voice with intimacy and safety will release some oxytocin, even though your body is still going through that skin hunger. Doing that also helps during reintegration when you are getting your groove back.

On the other extreme, Dr. Mike mentioned that he and those in his field have found an opposite result with non-connective habits like pornography. Pornography associates the release of oxytocin with false images and story lines rather than your spouse. Ultimately, this imprinting can interfere with sexual performance with your spouse, especially when life isn't playing out like a fantasy.

The bottom line is this: Be careful and mindful what you choose to imprint on. Aim for good communication, curiosity and intentionality, and you will be on a path to great and meaningful sex.

There is no doubt that healthy sexuality in marriage is a complicated venture. But I like to think that it is supposed to be. Something this vulnerable requires a heart to serve, permission to be selfish, willingness to forgive, a sense of humor and communication. Healthy sexuality is a balancing act that forces you to be vulnerable in order to stay connected.

If you are struggling in this area of your marriage, there is hope and plenty of resources that can help guide, bring healing and direction. Begin by listening to Dr. Mike's interview. All of the resources he mentions can be found here. The Lifegiver App is also free and has interviews from leading marriage experts, stories of success and marriage curriculum that can help you get started today.

Maybe now is a time to be proactive. Begin healthy conversations in your relationship if you need them. Look for a counselor or sex therapist to help you wade through the complicated waters of intimacy. Seek out the healing or forgiveness you need to be vulnerable again.

Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life

For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, subscribe to Military.com and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox.
women's march on washington

An estimated half a million people turned out for the Women's March on Washington in protest on President Donald Trump's first full day in office.

The march aims to bring together women across diverse backgrounds to send a bold message to the new administration that they will not be ignored or have their rights stomped on.

It began as a modest call to action on Facebook the night after Trump's election and has grown into what could be one of the larger political demonstrations ever staged in the US capital. While the event's organizers guessed 200,000 men and women would show, by late afternoon, organizers upped their estimate to 500,000 people, the Los Angeles Times reported.

People carried signs with calls for gender equality and anti-Trump statements, though the rally's organizers have insisted the demonstration is more pro-women than anti-Trump. Many sported pink knitted beanies called "pussy hats," a symbol of solidarity among the protestors.

women's march on washington

The day's star-studded speaker lineup included DC Mayor Muriel Bowser; California Congresswomen Kamala Harris and Maxine Walters; Amanda Nguyen, a rape survivor who helped push a bill of rights for sexual assult victims through Congress; and actress Ashley Judd, who brought down the house with a beat poem on what it means to be a "nasty woman."

Actress America Ferrara, star of the hit sitcom "Ugly Betty," kicked off the events with a forceful speech from the main stage area.

"Our opposition knows how to stick together. They are united in their objective to hold this country back. ... So we too must stand united," Ferrara said.

"If we, the millions of American who believe in a common decency, in a greater good, in justice for all  if we fall into a trap of separating ourselves by our causes and our labels, then we will weaken our fight and we will lose. But if we commit to what aligns us, if we stand together, steadfast and determined, then we stand a chance at saving the soul of our country," she said.

Story continues

America Ferrera at Women's March: "The president is not America...We are America, and we are here to stay." https://t.co/MIVYbJqJrQ pic.twitter.com/ACQ89PJJMv  ABC News (@ABC) January 21, 2017

Inclusivity was a central theme of the many speeches.

Rhea Suh, president of the non-profit environmental group the National Resources Defense Council, took the stage to remind attendees that they stronger when they stand as one.

"It was one woman in Hawaii who suggested that women should march at inauguration. And look at us now, 500,000 people strong," Suh said. "One woman turns into one march turns into an entire movement. That is a powerful thing. And it means as strong and as tough as this administration thinks it is, we will always be stronger."

women's march on washington

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem received some of the loudest cheers at the event. She spoke to the significance of women coming together in every US state and across six continents  in person  as opposed to voicing their opinions on social media.

"Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are. Sometimes pressing send is not enough," Steinem said, making a subtle dig at the Twitter-obsessed President Trump. "This unifies us with the many in the world who do not have electricity or computers ... but do have the same hopes, the same dreams."

"This is an outpouring of energy and true democracy like I have never seen in my very long life. It is wide in age, it is deep in diversity. And remember, the Constitution does not begin with "I, the President,' it begins with 'We, the people,'" Steinem said.

Gloria Steinem unchanged: always fighting for more, never settling for less. #WomensMarch https://t.co/TFczx767mi  Jeorge Cymon (@jeorgecymon) January 21, 2017

Filmmaker Michael Moore became one of the only men to give an address from the main stage. The "Fahrenheit 9/11" director lightened the mood with a brief Trump impression and an anecdote about his high school run for a seat on the school board, which he claimed made him the first teenager in his homestate of Michigan to serve public office.

He encouraged the crowds to run for public office and condemned the nomination of charter school advocate Betsy DeVos as secretary of education.

"I did this, you can do this. Who's going to run for office?" Moore asked, eliciting cheers.

Michael Moore: "We Are Here to Vow to End the Trump Carnage" #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/g3JgAI4KfN  Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 21, 2017

Meanwhile, more than 600 "sister marches" are organized in global cities, including Boston, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and as far as Sydney, Paris, Madrid, and Tokyo.

President Trump spent the day attending a National Prayer Service, an inaugural tradition, at the National Cathedral and giving a celebratory address at the CIA headquarters in Virginia. He told the audience they were his "No. 1 stop," because they were "really special amazing people."

The newly inaugurated president made no public remarks on the worldwide protests during his first full day in office.

NOW WATCH: Watch protesters and Trump supporters get into a fiery argument on the National Mall right after the new president was sworn in





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These are the questions that led me to my first hypnotherapy certification. After work, I started offering hypnotherapy sessions to friends and colleagues and watched in amazement as they lost weight, stopped biting their nails, overcame chronic anxiety, broke through fear of public speaking, and more. I was fascinated but not yet ready to throw away my career in corporate America for something most of the world still associated with clucking chickens.

Then I received the call that would change my life. At the time, my boyfriend's father was a UN peacekeeping ambassador in Syria. After an attack on his convoy, he had a stroke that paralyzed the left side of his body. A little more than two months later he was flown to the Rusk Institute in New York City; he hadn't moved the left side of his body at all during that time.

I visited him in the hospital to see if I could use my newly learned hypnotherapy skills to help improve his mood. During our first hypnotherapy session together, Alexandre broke through his paralysis and moved his left arm.

The best part of the story? Alexandre is now my father-in-law. I've been on a mission to make hypnosis mainstream ever since.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The mood was light and festive up and down the line of 285 bundled-up Michiganders waiting to board one of five charter buses parked in the rear of a Meijer parking lot on Friday, Jan. 20.

Many carried small bags with pillows and other overnight necessities inside. Some had signs with slogans like "Love is love" and "Black lives matter." Their enthusiasm for the endeavor on which they were about to embark was infectious.

That is, until a reporter mentioned the inauguration of President Donald Trump that occurred hours earlier.

Karisa Sprite was avoided even saying the new president's name aloud.

"I heard something on the radio and I had to shut it off immediately," Sprite said. "It makes me sad, because I don't think he represents our country well.

"I don't think he represents a lot of the people, including myself. And I think he is, quite frankly, an embarrassment. He's not a good person. He's not a good representative for a country as free as ours."

Sprite and 284 others boarded the five buses at the Meijer along 28th Street in Cascade Township. Shortly after 6 p.m. Friday, those buses began their long journey toward Washington D.C.

The buses, organized through Grand Rapids' Fountain Street Church, will carry the group of participants to the Women's March on Washington.

The event, originally billed as the Million Women March, is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21, the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

The protest event aims to "send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office," according to a Facebook event created for the march.

Meant to be an inclusive gathering for anyone who supports women's rights, organizers expect tens of thousands to meet between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and march from Independence Avenue and 3rd Street to the White House.

Though many in the crowd in Grand Rapids were women - several wearing pink knit hats to help chase away the chill in the air as they waited to board the buses - there were men in the line as well.

Jessica Kiwiet explained that, for her, the march is about much more than women's rights.

"I feel like, based on what we have seen so far, there are a lot of people who I'm concerned for, in making sure their rights are protected and making sure we don't go backwards in terms of the progress we have made with civil rights," Kiwiet said. "We have so much more progress we have to make; we can't afford to go backwards.

"It's way bigger than women."

Sprite echoed that sentiment, saying she is marching for everything from civil rights to the preservation of the healthcare reform achieved under President Barack Obama.

"My husband and I are both self-employed and get healthcare because of Obama," she said. "We are business owners. We employ people. We are not people that sit around and take from anybody. We're just trying to be able to care for our family."

Sprite did not carry a sign with her as she stepped onto the buses Friday night. But if she did?

"It would say 'Black lives matter,'" she said. "And 'Hate has no place here.'"

It's a word Louisa Norris also used to describe how she feels about many of the statements Trump made during his campaign.

"There was just so much hate, and I'm totally against that," Norris said. "I'm marching for peace. I want us to get along but, at the same time, I want us to be heard."

Many of those leaving Grand Rapids Friday said the change they're looking for cannot be accomplished in one day with one march.

But, Norris said, it's a start.

"I can't sit still anymore," she said. "I just have to do something."

Sprite agreed. She plans to continue work on all the other grassroots efforts with which she is involved, but feels excited to be a part of something so big and visual as Saturday's march.

"I was upset with the results of the election and I felt that I needed to do something," Sprite said. "You know, to just not sit around in a state of despair."

Fountain Street Church has a long history as a liberal voice among West Michigan's traditionally conservative religious community. In addition to organizing transportation for locals attending the march, the church also planned a local event to coincide with the national march.

Other marches and events are being held across the country to coincide with the main protest in Washington D.C.

Organizers in Michigan's state capital are hosting the Women's March on Lansing, scheduled to run from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the steps of the Michigan Capitol.

Another march is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Saturday in Ann Arbor, with marchers traveling from the federal building near 5th and Liberty to the University of Michigan Diag.

In Kalamazoo, a "sister march" is planned to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, with marchers meeting at the flagpoles near the center of Western Michigan University's campus. Sister marches are also planned in Detroit, Midland, Houghton and Marquette.

According to the Women's March website, there are 616 registered sister marches taking place nationwide, with over 1 million people expected to participate in addition to those taking part in the main march in the nation's Capitol.

Fountain Street Church is also hosting its local event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday inside its social hall at 24 Fountain St. NE in Grand Rapids.

The Apartment Lounge at 33 Sheldon Boulevard SE in Grand Rapids will also host an event in conjunction with Saturday's march, running from noon to 3 p.m.

Attending the event in our nation's capital this weekend? You can share your photos with us by filling out the short form below.
Grand Rapids Police

(MLive file photo)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids Police Department has issued a public safety warning that a dangerous drug is circulating around the city.

On Friday, Jan. 20, GRPD responded to five drug overdose incidents. In each case, Narcan was administered by first responders and all five victims were saved.

During the weekend of Jan. 13, GRPD responded to eight instances of overdose and one resulted in death. The remaining seven victims were administered Narcan.

Police suspect that Fentanyl or another type of synthetic opioid is responsible for an unusually high number of overdoses in the last two weeks.

Fentanyl can be 50 to 100 times as potent as morphine. It can be consumed alone or mixed with cocaine or heroin.

Users do not need a lot of Fentanyl to overdose. As little as the equivalent of a few grains of salt can be deadly due to the drug's rapid rate of absorption into the human body.

The GRPD Vice Unit is investigating each case in hopes of finding out where the drugs were obtained in order to prevent further overdoses.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Police are looking for two men who robbed a McDonald's restaurant on Leonard Street NW and fired a shot through a restaurant window.

The robbery happened just after midnight on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1100 Leonard St. NW.

Grand Rapids police said the two men entered the store wearing hooded sweatshirts and black face masks.

They took money and struck an employee with handgun. The worker's injuries were not considered serious, police said.

Police said the robbers fired at least one shot, striking one of the restaurant's windows, as they fled the scene.

No one was struck by any bullets.

Anyone with information about the robbery can call police at 456-3400 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345
Trudging through the muddied grass in front of Michigan's state Capitol building and hoisting witty signs, thousands of women, men and children met in Lansing Saturday to rally in solidarity with participants in the Women's March on Washington.

Billed as a sister event to the Women's March on Washington, organizers said the Lansing event was meant to be a "peaceful demonstration in opposition to the wave of hate crimes and violence and threats of official discrimination that have proliferated following the election." It's one of the dozens of similar marches scheduled throughout the country and world for Saturday, Jan. 21, the day after President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.

The rally featured a roster of speakers and performers, including Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer, who kicked off the speech lineup at the Lansing rally by calling on attendees to respect the office now held by President Donald Trump, but "fight the officeholder when he's wrong."

"Yesterday was tough, but today I'm feeling more hopeful than ever because of you," Whitmer told the crowd.

The crowd in Lansing was diverse, with men and women of all ages and races joining up in support.

Audrey Richmond of Troy said her biggest reason for coming to the Lansing event was to stand up against what she considers to be normalized hate.

"There's so many different issues being addressed by this march, but I think the most important part of it is to show that we're not just going to let things happen under our noses," she said. "We are here to hold our government officials accountable for their actions, and we're going to make our voices heard every step of the way."

Grand Ledge resident Michele Johnson donned a bear costume and held a sign that said "students can't 'bear' Betsy" for the march, referencing a comment U.S. Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos made about rural schools possibly needing guns to protect against grizzly bears during her recent U.S. Senate committee confirmation hearing.

Johnson said she has many concerns about the next four years, but said cabinet picks such as DeVos and Trump's stated positions on women's rights issues were some of the main reasons she is staying politically active.

"I can't believe that in 2017, women are still having to march for rights," she said.

But it wasn't just women who were rallying Saturday. Cameron Spencer, who is attending school in Kalamazoo but is originally from Flint, said he felt it was important to march to support the rights of his sister, friends and members of the LGBT community.

"If you're silent in times like this, you take the side of the oppressor, and that's messed up," he said. "It matters to be here and show what side you're on."

Michigan's presence in D.C.

Many Michigan residents also made the trek to Washington, D.C. for the official Women's March on Washington. The Associated Press reports at least 500,000 people are participating in the national march.

Groups from across the state left for D.C. late in the week with plans to attend the march Saturday, Jan. 21.

One Michigan woman who attended, Otsego resident Sandra Massingill, said she first demonstrated for women's rights in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was proud to do it again as a woman unaligned with any political party.

"I never burned my bra but I've always been adamantly opposed to 'it's a man's world' mentality," she said. "No matter who the president, representative, lawmaker may be, if women's rights aren't considered civil rights, then I'm pledged to remind them."

Several members of Michigan's Congressional delegation, including U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield and Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, greeted marchers from Michigan in Washington. Dingell was also planning to attend her local march in Ann Arbor later in the day.

Lawrence said prior to the march that she looked forward to joining the women's march "to support not only gender equality, but equality for all underrepresented and disenfranchised groups in this country."
Spirit Trails 1.jpg

A family bikes on the Clark Lake Spirit Trail in Columbia Township. The Village of Brooklyn could connect the trails to the village, connecting partially through a 100-acre, county-owned property.

(MLive File Photo)

BROOKLYN, MI - About 100 undeveloped acres of land just west of the village of Brooklyn could become the future site of a community center, skate park and county park.

Initial discussions started last fall about developing a county-owned piece of property near the Columbia Township offices, said Jackson County Parks Director Jeff Hovarter. County and Brooklyn-Irish Hill Chamber of Commerce officials met Friday morning for further discussion.

"A lot of this is conceptual. There's not a lot of meat on the bone, yet," Hovarter said. "But if you don't talk about it and start dreaming, you never have a plan. The goal right now is to develop some conceptual plans that at least are on paper."

The community center and skate park would potentially be financed by the village. The community center could host various events, including senior programs.

The county obtained the three empty parcels in Columbia Township off Jefferson Road/Marshall Street a few years ago through a tax reversion. Much of the property is wetland area, runs along the south side of Goose Creek and includes a pond.

The park space could serve as a trail connector between Brooklyn, Clark Lake's Spirit Trail and Lake Columbia.

"It has great potential as a nature preserve, walking trails, parking, playground, picnic shelter, maybe a small fishing dock," Hovarter said.

One of the village's objectives is to create additional trails for residents - a goal that could also be furthered through Dan Ross' recreational plans as part of the Old Irish Mill project.
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Live Oak High School alumnus Cesar Serrano, an undocumented immigrant since arriving with family members in 1992, recounted some of what he and others like him have faced due to their status.

Serrano acquired the proper paperwork through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an immigration policy that allowed him to attain a drivers license and work permits. However, he fears that might all change as Donald Trump takes office as President and holds true to his promise of a more stringent immigration enforcement.

I am afraid, said Serrano as he addressed a full room of local families, school district leaders, board of education trustees, teachers and faculty from throughout Morgan Hill Unified who gathered together Jan. 19 at P.A. Walsh Elementary School. I am afraid for what might happen.

Serrano was one of many guest speakers invited to the Day of Action community event organized by the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers in an effort to unite local residents and let it be known that Morgan Hill is still a safe place for all.

Im hopeful because were here today and have this event here today, continued Serrano, who was a 6-year-old boy when he crossed the border from his native Mexico into the United States. He then attended P.A. Walsh as well as Burnett Elementary, Martin Murphy Middle School and Live Oak High School.

Serrano told audience members to not forget about the same hope they had for themselves and their families when they made that courageous decision to leave their homes and everything behind for a chance at a better life in the America.

We did not let fear hold us back and we shouldnt do that now, he continued.

MHFT President Gemma Abels, the driving force behind the community gathering that brought out an array of organizations and agencies to provide resources and materials, could not hold back tears when she spoke of her parents immigrating to the U.S. from the Philippines in October 1966.

The Civil Rights movement had already started and they felt safe to bring their family here and not face discrimination, said Abels, who was Serranos English teacher years ago.

Superintendent Steve Betando and Board President Donna Ruebusch, who only two days earlier signed a Safe Schools For All resolution (passed unanimously by the school board) into the district bylaws, pledged to help immigrant families, and any MHUSD students who were in fear or felt bullied for whatever reason.

These are all our children. We will take all necessary steps and action to protect them and provide a positive learning environment, said Ruebusch, who recognized fellow trustee David Gerard for showing his support by being in attendance Thursday.

Betando wanted families to understand that the school district, faculty and staff will continue to support and welcome all students into their classrooms regardless of any changes in federal immigration policy. They will not assist in enforcement from U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents, and will not allow them to take action on school grounds, Betando added.

No matter where they come from, what they look like or what they believe, they are a part of our schools and our community, Betando said. We are an inclusive community, not a divisive one and this event shows them that.

Abels tasked herself to put on the Day of Action after hearing from many of her teachers that relayed messages of fear and uncertainty from a number of their students.

Teachers have been saying that students are scared what might happen to their families, said Abels, also noting that high school students were asking counselors if it was safe to apply to colleges and fill out financial aid paperwork since they were undocumented.

Abels wanted those students, as well as their families, to have access to resources that they may not have known about. So, she put the word out and was able to bring the following organizations to P.A. Walsh: SIREN (Services, Immigrant Rights, and Education Network); Asian Law Alliance; American Civil Liberties Union; Community Health Partnerships; South Valley Islamic Community; Interfaith Community of South Valley; LGBTQ Safe Space; Working Partnerships USA; South Bay Labor Council; and the Foothill Health Center, which provided free flu shots.

We felt it was important to come out to all the communities of Santa Clara County and show them that they are being supported, said Attorney Theodore Ko with the Asian Law Alliance.

Those who attended Thursdays event also had the opportunity to sign a pledge sheet and were issued an Inclusive badge in another show of support. Spanish-speaking audience members were given translation headphones so they could hear all the speakers words in their native language and share in the festivities.

Let the beauty of diversity make us better than we are, were words spoken in an interfaith prayer by Father Phil Cook of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, which is located adjacent to P.A. Walsh on Peak Avenue.

Mayor Steve Tate also informed audience members that the city council unanimously adopted a safe city resolution to make all its residents feel comfortable, included and protected. This comes days after it was made public that federal agents opened an ICE office in Morgan Hill.

Our local police will not be used for federal immigration enforcement, said Tate. I encourage all residents to maintain a high level of respect.
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.
Licenses are to be renewed annually by January 31st. If you obtain a dog after January 31st, you are required to license your dog immediately. A penalty equal to the cost of the dog license applies after 30 days of acquiring your pet. Unless confined in a registered kennel, dogs must wear their license tag at all times. All dogs discovered without a dog license tag are subject to impounding, sale, or destruction. No refunds are given on dog licenses.

If your dogs tag is lost, the County Auditor will issue a duplicate tag for $5.00 when provided with proof of licensing. Transferring the ownership of your dog to another person must be done through the Auditors Office and costs $5.00.

Ohio law requires dogs over 3 months of age to be licensed. The county is authorized to hold a licensed dog for up to 14 days after mailing a notice of its capture to the owner before it can either be humanely destroyed or adopted. Unlicensed dogs may be destroyed or adopted out after being held for 3 days.

A dog that is not wearing his/her license is held for only 3 days so make sure your dog has his/her license on!

Why License Your Dog? ITS THE LAW!

If your dog is ever missing, a dog license tag provides a quick and accurate way of notifying you if someone else finds your pet. It is also Ohio law that all dogs are licensed:

All dogs three months of age or older must be licensed. No dog shall be harbored, kept, or owned without displaying a valid registration tag. (The law applies regardless of whether the dog is kept inside or out.) ORC (Ohio Revised Code) 955.21

A penalty shall be assessed if dog license is not secured on or before January 31 st , or within 30 days after the dog becomes 3 months of age, or is brought from outside the state. ORC 955.01

, or within 30 days after the dog becomes 3 months of age, or is brought from outside the state. ORC 955.01 Certificates or registration and registration tags shall be valid only during the CALENDAR year in which they are issued and during the first thirty-one (31) days of the following calendar year. ORC 955.09

There are 4 methods to apply for/renew registration:

1. If you received a dog license reminder and want to renew by mail, correct all license information on the form, if necessary. You can make copies to add new dogs, if needed. Select fee, indicate whether your dog(s) has been spayed or neutered, and sign and date form. Mail the top half of form, check or money order made out to Montgomery County Dog License to the following address: MONTGOMERY COUNTY DOG LICENSE

PO BOX 972

DAYTON, OH 45422-1031 Include veterinarian certification for the spay/neuter fee exclusion, if necessary. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with your application and payment so that your tag(s) may be sent to you. 2. Apply/renew online and pay with a credit card, debit card or e-check. Your tag(s) will be sent to you. If you need a veterinarians certification for the spay/neuter fee exclusion, you must use the mail-in option or the 4 outposts listed in method no. 4. Three-year and permanent licenses are not available online. 3. Print a blank application and mail it and your check to the address on the application. Include veterinarian certification for the spay/neuter fee exclusion, if necessary. 4. Go to any of our outposts. If you have a spay/neuter fee exclusion and need to provide veterinarian certification, breed registry number, or hunting license number, you must go to the Auditors Licensing Office or the Animal Resource Center.
Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes []
New members inducted into Institute of ...
President Donald Trump spent his first night in the White House before his first full day in office.

Trump and Vice President Mike Pence attended the National Prayer Service at 10 a.m. The traditional gathering was held at the Washington National Cathedral. It marked the end of the official inaugural schedule.

The presidents first day was also met with more protests. Thousands of women descended on Washington for The Womens March on Washington. Its expected to be the weeks largest protest. A rally began at Capitol Hill at 10 a.m. followed by a march at 1:15 p.m.

Trumps inauguration festivities were met with several protests in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Hours after he was sworn in at the Capitol, protesters clashed with police. At least 217 people were arrested and six officers were injured.

Following his inauguration Friday, Trump made his first acts as president. Before attending three inaugural balls, he signed an executive order aimed at repealing former President Barack Obamas signature health care law, also known as Obamacare. The order notes that Trump plans a prompt repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus also issued a memorandum to agencies aimed at halting new regulations and ones that the Obama administration had implemented.
Covenant Health Plainview delivered a big hit to the chin of local hunger this week as hospital staff raised more than 6,200 items to donate to the Faith In Sharing House. This is the hospitals largest donation to FISH in the history of its annual food drive. FISH has spent decades feeding the hungry in Hale County and after the holidays the organization needed to replenish its depleted shelves. Using a Food Fight theme, departments within the hospital competed to see which could bring in the most items for the food bank. Though it was close, members of the Information Technology, Environmental Services, Supplies and Pharmacy (all located in the basement) won the food fight, bringing in 1,674 items. Covenant Health Plainviews Physical Therapy came in second, raising 1,286. Do donate to FISH, go by its offices at 504 Joliet or call 806-293-8008.
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Ciel Bergman, a Berkeley High School yell leader who once modeled for a Norman Rockwell painting, then later became an acclaimed postmodern landscape painter in Santa Barbara and Santa Fe, N.M., has died at 78.

Ms. Bergman, born Cheryl Maria Olsen, died last Sunday in a Pleasanton care center. The cause of death was lung cancer, said her daughter, Bridgit Koller.

She could move paint across a canvas like nobody else, said Ron Stevenson of R.B. Stevenson Gallery in La Jolla (San Diego County). The gallery had represented Ms. Bergman since a show called The Last Sunset of the 20th Century, for which she made a painting of nearly every Santa Fe sunset of 1999.

Her work is in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Oakland Museum of California, among others.

She was a painter of unique abstractions deeply felt and masterfully executed. A human response to the world of nature, said Peter Selz, professor emeritus for the History of Art department at UC Berkeley. The adjective beautiful, abhorred by most contemporary critics, identifies her work.

Once a registered nurse who worked in a hospital psychiatric ward, Ms. Bergman was a struggling single mom of two when she couldnt resist the pull of her art. In 1969, she entered a painting in the Jack London Invitational, an art contest in Oakland, and won first prize. This compelled her to enroll at the San Francisco Art Institute, where she earned her master of fine arts with honors in painting.

Upon graduation, she became a lecturer in painting and drawing at both UC Berkeley and California State University Hayward (now Cal State East Bay). In 1975, she got a SECA Award in painting from SFMOMA and was also featured in the 1975 Whitney Biennial, an exhibition of contemporary American art hosted every two years at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

As Ms. Bergman was gaining acclaim for her art she was hired, in 1976, for a full-time faculty position at UC Santa Barbara, where she taught for 18 years.

In 1982, she was included in the group show Fresh Paint  15 California Painters at SFMOMA.

Her most notorious show was called Sea of Clouds What Can I Do. Ms. Bergman had been appalled by all the litter on the beach, so she and her students went out and collected enough trash to fill seven garbage bins and installed it at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Art Forum.

She felt like we were killing the planet with all this trash, Koller said. That was the show that transitioned her into a stronger focus on the environment in her work.

On her 50th birthday, Ms. Bergman legally changed her name to Ciel (pronounced C.L.) Bergman to honor her maternal grandmother from Sweden.

While on the faculty at UC Santa Barbara, Ms. Bergman traveled to China, where she had an epiphany to only make paintings of beauty from that point on.

She had once visited New Mexico, to meet her hero, artist Georgia OKeeffe. Ms. Bergman fell in love with the raw landscape and eventually gave up her tenured position at UC Santa Barbara and bought 280 acres of high desert in the New Mexico wilderness.

She later moved to Santa Fe, where she was to remain until she became ill last year.

She was a very generous and loving person, a great friend and supportive of all artists, which is very refreshing, said Stevenson. Artists are usually about me, me, me.

Ms. Bergman spent most of her childhood in North Berkeley, where she attended Thousand Oaks Elementary and Garfield Junior High School. In 1956, she graduated from Berkeley High School where she was head varsity yell leader, which led to a brief stint as an art studio model.

While on a trip through New England with her mother, Evelyn Givant, they had a chance encounter with Rockwell. Givant bragged that her daughter had been a cheerleader and soon enough, Ms. Bergman was posing in his studio in Stockbridge, Mass.

She forgot all about it until she appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on Nov. 23, 1961. Ms. Bergman never framed the cover, never talked about it, and never used it to advance her position as an artist.

She was warm and enthusiastic about her surroundings, about beauty, about nature, said her sister, Janice Leiser of Piedmont. She painted things with great poignancy, and she loved life.

Ms. Bergman remained vibrant and active until May, when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Her final show was a pop-up exhibition at her Santa Fe studio in July. Her final drawings, a series of a dozen anatomical hearts, were completed in August. She has a show opening in Southern California in February, which will go on as planned.

I have strived to create work that is sensuous, luminous, alive with emotional heat, honest and transcendental, Ms. Bergman stated on her website, www.cielbergman.com. To pulse with heart, psyche and soul.

Ms. Bergmans marriage to Lynn Bowers, her high school sweetheart, ended in divorce in the 1960s. She never remarried.

She is survived by her partner, Dr. Edward Okun of Santa Fe, N.M.; a sister, Janice Leiser of Piedmont; daughter, Bridgit Koller of Pleasanton; son, Erik Bowers of Northridge (Los Angeles County); and five grandchildren. Services are pending.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SamWhitingSF Instagram: @sfchronicle_art
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Carrie James receives board certification in Family Law

Texas Board of Legal Specialization announced Carrie L. James received board certification in Family Law. James currently practices in Conroe, where she is part of Grady W. James Jr. P.C. with her husband, Grady James.

Board certification is a voluntary designation program certifying Texas attorneys in 22 specific areas of law. Board-certified attorneys must be licensed for at least five years, devote a required percentage of practice to a specialty area for at least three years, attend continuing education seminars, pass an evaluation by fellow lawyers and judges and pass a six-hour written examination.

"This program is important for the public and for attorneys in our state. We're focused on enhancing the quality of legal representation in an increasingly competitive marketplace. I've been involved with this program for more than 30 years and am continually impressed with TBS members' accomplishments," said David Dickson, chairman of the TBLS Board of Directors.

Carrie L. James is a 2009 graduate of South Texas College of Law Houston. Mrs. James has been a part of Grady W. James Jr. P.C. firm since 2006 as an intern and was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 2009.

To learn more about board certification or find a certified attorney or paralegal, visit www.tbls.org.

West Creek Apartments grand opening party

Partin Development and SunRidge Management Group announced the grand opening of West Creek Apartments, a unique luxury-living apartment community in Conroe.

There will be a grand-opening kickoff party from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Enjoy small bites and sweet treats, a gourmet coffee bar, exclusive tours of the community and a grand prize giveaway. In addition, the Conroe Chamber of Commerce will lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony to help celebrate the occasion.

West Creek Apartments is a 228-unit property, featuring one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes, located at 2211 Montgomery Park Blvd.

The upscale community offers a fitness facility, two resort-style pools with a cabana and sunning deck, California outdoor kitchen and resident retreat with media and cyber cafe. In addition, the community boasts a fenced dog park along with lush-green areas perfect for walks or picnics. Interior amenities include island kitchens outfitted with granite countertops, energy-star stainless steel appliances, faux wood flooring, designer tiled backsplashes, programmable digital thermostats and full-size washer and dryer sets in every apartment home.

"We're thrilled to be a part of Conroe's growth and provide the community with an upscale living experience," said Casey Wright, of SunRidge Management Group. "Our staff is eager to meet people here in the community and show them what home should be like."

Construction on West Creek Apartments completed in November 2016 and new residents are moving in daily.

For more information, stop by the leasing office or call 936-703-5340. Additional information about the community can be found at www.TheWestCreekApts.com.

Stewart joins Woodforest Financial Services

Thomas Stewart recently joined Woodforest Financial Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Woodforest Financial Group Inc. based in The Woodlands. Stewart will serve as vice president of the firm and lead the effort to help provide personalized and professional financial guidance to clients in the Conroe, Willis and Huntsville markets. He was also named as a financial adviser for Raymond James Financial Services.

Stewart has more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry and specializes in helping individuals and business owners achieve their financial objectives through the use of comprehensive investment planning and portfolio services. His interest in finance has been life-long; Thomas grew up wanting to follow in his father's footsteps and be a financial adviser after learning about investments at an early age.

"This addition to the Woodforest Financial Services team will play an integral part in the company's growth strategy and is aligned with Woodforest's commitment for serving our clients and these communities," stated Derrick Ragland, president of Commercial Banking at Woodforest National Bank.

Woodforest Financial Services Inc., an independent firm, is located at 1599 Lake Robbins Drive, Suite 200, in The Woodlands. For more information, call 832-375-2514.

Fracht a Rising Star

Adam R. Fracht, senior associate at Stibbs & Co. Attorneys, has been named a 2017 Texas Rising Star. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

"We are pleased to see Adam receive this well deserved recognition" Partner Stuart Lapp said. "Adam's hard work and practical advice are very much appreciated by our clients."

For more information about Stibbs & Co., call 281-367-2222 or visit www.stibbsco.com.

Greene named one of nation's top bank advisers

Frederick T. Greene has been named as one of Bank Investment Consultant magazine's Top 100 bank advisers for 2016, making this the second time he has been recognized on this list.

Greene is a 33-year veteran of the financial services industry and currently serves as executive vice president of Woodforest Financial Services Inc. He is also a Raymond James branch manager and financial adviser affiliated with the Financial Institutions Division of Raymond James Financial Services Inc.

"I have always taken my role as financial adviser very seriously and am, therefore, very honored to be included on this prestigious list, which considers many aspects of my investment services practice and represents a comprehensive analysis," Greene said.

He joins 29 financial advisers who are affiliated with Raymond James and honored on this prestigious list, compiled annually by Bank Investment Consultant. The magazine evaluated the honorees on six variables, including assets under management, production, asset growth, percentage of fee business, growth in production and production per assets.

John W. Houston, managing director of the Financial Institutions Division at Raymond James, stated, "Being named to the BIC Top 100 Bank Advisors list is a great achievement, and everyone at Raymond James congratulates Fred. Being included on this list is a testament to his dedication and success and is symbolic of the quality service provided by Fred and Woodforest Financial Services, Inc."

Woodforest Financial Services Inc., an independent firm, is located at 1599 Lake Robbins Drive, Suite 200, in The Woodlands.

Bunch speaks at The Woodlands EDP lunch

Nearly 120 partners and guests heard from Gordy Bunch, chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, with a special presentation, "The State of The Township," during The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership's Quarterly Partner Luncheon at The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center Jan. 10.

Bunch gave an overview of The Woodlands and reviewed the township's accomplishments, resources, law enforcement services, economic development investments, budget, property tax values and an update on The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For the past 11 years, the EDP has hosted its luncheons for partners in order to keep them informed of important issues facing businesses today.

Gil Staley, CEO of The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, said, "As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., it was beneficial to hear from our community's governing body, The Woodlands Township. The township plays a critical role in the success of economic development for our area by working together with the public and private sectors to create jobs and bring visitors and customers to our community."

Partners in attendance at the luncheon were Abercrombie & Associates, Amegy Bank of Texas, Bayside Printing Company, Inc., Black Forest Ventures, Bush Law Firm, Caldwell Companies, Calvetti Ferguson, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, CB&I, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, CHI St. Luke's The Woodlands Hospital, Efficient Wealth Management, Entergy Texas, First American Title, NCS, Frost Bank, Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc., Gilbane Building Company, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, Integrity Bank, Jones Walker, Linscomb & Williams, LJF Marketing, Lone Star College System, Lone Star Family Health Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands, Rob Eissler - The Schlueter Group, Sam Houston State University, Stibbs & Co., P.C. Attorneys, Stockdell-Stringer, LLC, Stream Data Centers, Soules Insurance Agency, Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, The Blair Law Firm, P.C., The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, The Woodlands Christian Academy, The Woodlands Township, Tough Law Firm, PLLC, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady's Office, Wells Fargo, Woodforest National Bank, Woodlands Relo Group and Wright Business Technologies, Inc.

The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the economic development of The Woodlands Area through the support of existing businesses and the recruitment of new businesses that can bring job opportunities and capital investment to the area. The EDP is a public/private partnership with 89 funding partners active in the organization. For further information on the EDP, log on to www.edpartnership.net or call 281 363-8130.

The Woodlands Home Remodeling among Best Of Houzz for service

Houzz Inc., the leading platform for home renovation and design, announced the community's picks for Best Of Houzz 2017, a homeowner-to-homeowner guide to the top home builders, architects, interior designers, landscape pros and other residential remodeling professionals on Houzz from cabinetry or roofing pros to painters.

Among the recipients is The Woodlands Home Remodeling, a family owned operation. Eusebio Marmol, a master carpenter and woodwork artist, started the business almost 60 years ago. His son, remodeler Marcelo Marmol, fell in love with the craft as a small child. Marcelo has been running the company for over a decade. They are joined by younger brother Jesus Marmol, whose expertise as project manager and client relation building skills is also intrinsic to their success in the industry.

Woodlands Home Remodeling is a division of American Wood Concepts. Formerly out of Southern California until the early 2000s, they have had designs featured in Coastal Living Magazine (Southern California) and Architectural Digest. For more information about their services, visit www.woodlandshomeremodeling.com, call 281-881-0062, email info@woodlandshomeremodeling.com or like them on Facebook www.facebook.com/pg/TheWoodlandsRemodeling.

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually for Design, Customer Service and Photography.
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H-E-B is consolidating its Austin corporate operations with the purchase of roughly 100,000 square feet of office space on Austins North Side.

H-E-B said Friday it purchased a 6-acre lot with two 2-story office buildings that will begin lodging 100 Austin-area employees in June, according to a news release.

The San Antonio-based supermarket chains regional presence is currently spread across several rented offices in the state capital, unlike centralized regional offices in Corpus Christi and McAllen.

This move will bring our entire Austin support team under one roof and allow us to work together as a stronger unit, enabling our team to keep up with the growth and demands of our dynamic region, Jeff Thomas, H-E-B senior vice president and general manager, said in a statement.

We will soon be celebrating an 80-year relationship with our Central Texas customers and we look forward to enhancing our support to our stores commitment to unparalleled customer service.

The company didnt disclose the purchase price for the 6-acre lot at 8100 Cameron Road, but Travis County Appraisal District records show the land was valued at almost $7.1 million in 2016.

The property has two buildings  one measuring 40,000 square feet, the other 60,000 square feet. An existing tenant is expected to stay in one of the buildings, H-E-B said.

H-E-B began renovating the property in August 2016, according to a Texas Department of License and Regulation filing. The company estimated it would spend about $3.6 million on renovations.

The company has a divisional office in Houston, a divisional office for Central Market in Dallas and a regional operations office in San Antonio in addition to its downtown headquarters.

jfechter@express-news.net
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

Now that Donald Trump has been sworn in as president, changes might be on the way for the tax code. But its unclear what will change and how much.

During the campaign, Trump brought his original tax plan more in line with House Speaker Paul Ryans A Better Way economic proposal. That should help the plan move through Congress more easily  but even though the same party controls the House, Senate and White House, its unlikely to pass as-is.

Its never a good idea to make tax moves before theres a law in place. However, it doesnt hurt to consider changes that might be on the horizon. Here are some steps you may want to take  or not take  once we know more.

Hold off on buying a house

One argument for buying a house is that owners can claim many expenses, notably mortgage loan interest and real estate tax payments, as itemized tax deductions. Under the Trump plan, these deductions might lose value.

Trump has proposed dramatic increases in the standard deduction, which around 70% of filers use. The amounts would increase from $6,350 to $15,000 for single taxpayers and from $12,700 to $30,000 for married couples filing jointly. For the roughly 30% of taxpayers who itemize, Schedule A deductions would be capped at $100,000 for single taxpayers and $200,000 for married joint filers. (Ryans plan proposes removing the option to write off property tax payments altogether.)

Homeowners who dont pay large amounts of mortgage interest or live in areas where property taxes are low might find Trumps larger standard deduction more than covers the housing costs they itemized  and it would make tax filing easier. But it would also make buying less tempting from a tax perspective. And homeowners who have large mortgages and expensive properties could lose money with a deductions cap and the loss of the real estate tax write-off.

The proposed changes could affect your decision to buy. They might also lower demand for homes and cause property values to fall  so consider waiting until theres clarity to house shop.

Delay charitable giving

Donations to IRS-approved nonprofits are tax deductible if you itemize. Higher-income taxpayers, however, might want to delay such charitable gifts in case Trumps proposed limit on itemized deductions becomes law.

And because Trump didnt mention keeping the deduction for charitable donations in his revised version of tax reform, the philanthropic community worries that he might think of it as an expendable tax loophole.

Cuts, caps and limitations on the deduction mean less money for charities and those they serve. That cant be what Mr. Trump intends, Sandra Swirski, executive director of the Alliance for Charitable Reform, said in a statement following the release of the revised tax plan. The charitable deduction is not a loophole, its a lifeline.

Reassess your investment strategy

The traditional financial advice that you should invest for the long haul will likely apply during the new administration. But you could pay higher capital gains taxes under the Trump tax plan.

Trump wants to keep the current 0%, 15% and 20% tax rates for long-term capital gains, which apply to profits from assets held for more than a year. However, his three ordinary income tax brackets will shift taxpayers into higher capital gains brackets.

The current capital gains tax rates look like this:

Current ordinary income tax bracket Long-term capital gains tax rate Single payers' affected income Married joint filers' affected income 10%, 15% 0% Up to $37,950 Up to $75,900 25%, 28%, 33%, 35% 15% $37,951 to $418,400 $75,901 to $470,700 39.6% 20% More than $418,400 More than $470,700

Higher-income investors also face the 3.8% Affordable Care Act surtax.

Under the Trump investment tax plan, the three capital gains rates would apply as follows:

Proposed ordinary income tax bracket Long-term capital gains tax rate Single payers' affected income Married joint filers' affected income 12% 0% Up to $37,500 Up to $75,000 25% 15% $37,501 to $112,500 $75,001 to $225,000 33% 20% More than $112,500 More than $225,000

(Trump would eliminate the head of household filing status, moving these taxpayers to the single status.)

Twenty percent is lower than Trumps proposed top ordinary income tax rate of 33%, but if you now pay 15% tax on long-term capital gains, the added 5% could be an unwelcome surprise.

However, if Ryan can convince the new president that A Better Way is indeed better, investors would be able to deduct 50% of their net capital gains, dividends, and interest income. This would mean tax rates of 6%, 12.5%, and 16.5% on such income, according to the speakers economic blueprint.

Wait

If Trumps proposal does pass, youll still need to know its effective date. Past tax law changes have taken effect either on the date the bill was signed, a specific date cited in the legislation or made retroactive to a past date, generally the start of the tax year in which the measure became law.

If youre planning on making any financial moves that might be affected by tax law changes, wait if you can. Acting too early could produce a costly tax bill.

The article How to Prep (or Not) for Trumps Proposed Tax Changes originally appeared on NerdWallet.
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Four admit assault in Colonie hotel

ALBANY  Four men accused of brutalizing their co-worker for hours last year in a Colonie hotel room admitted Friday to assault, Albany County prosecutors said.

Three West Virginia men  Shane McCallister, 29; Mark Skaggs, 33; and Michael Grimmett, 33  and Dallas Fox, 43, of North Carolina admitted to one count each of felony assault. Skaggs also pleaded guilty to a felony count of attempted assault.

The four admitted their crimes before acting Justice Roger D. McDonough in state Supreme Court.

McCallister, Fox and Grimmett face four years in state prison, while Skaggs faces six years.

For hours on June 5, the men restrained a fellow construction worker at the Days Inn on Airport Park Boulevard in Colonie, punching and kicking him multiple times. The victim also was cut multiple times with a knife, officials said.

He suffered broken bones and was bitten in the genitals. The victim was treated for his injuries at a local hospital.

The accused men and the victim all worked for Carlyle Construction of Bowersville, Ga., on a mausoleum at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, which owns the cemetery, said at the time of the incident that the firm was hired as a subcontractor.

The four are scheduled to be sentenced March 10.

Assistant District Attorney Dennis DiBari prosecuted the case.

 Tim O'Brien

Troy man sentenced in Albany drug case

ALBANY  A Troy man was sentenced Friday in state Supreme Court to seven years in prison on drug charges, District Attorney David Soares said.

Walter Rivers, 43, pleaded guilty Nov. 30 to felony criminal possession of a controlled substance.

State Police charged Rivers after he was stopped May 23, 2016, on I-787 in Albany with over a half-ounce of cocaine.

The guilty plea also satisfied charges that Rivers, while an inmate in the Albany County jail, smuggled contraband into the lockup from Sept. 29 to Oct. 12, the DA's Office said. Acting Supreme Court Justice Roger McDonough also sentenced Rivers to three years' post-release supervision.

 Staff report
KATHY MANLEY

Background: She was born in Schenectady, grew up in Guilderland and graduated from the University at Albany with a degree in math. She's a lawyer in Albany and lives in Grafton with her 14-year-old son, Gabriel.

Majoring in math is not the usual path toward your profession.

My father and his father were lawyers, but I always thought I didn't want to do that. I was interested in space exploration and studied physics at RPI. It was the 1980s, and I got active in Central America solidarity work.

I became more interested in activism and less in school, and left in my senior year. I changed my major to math and transferred to SUNY Albany. When I got my degree in 1988, I was in jail, having been arrested at Sen. D'Amato's office at the federal building in Albany. He had said he would vote against aid to the Contras, but voted for it. It was a small protest, just three of us, organized by Donna DeMaria. Another time, in 1986, I spent 30 days in the Albany County jail for an anti-Contra protest. Seeing who else was there taught me about the unfairness of the criminal justice system. I eventually thought being a lawyer might make sense for me after all.

I taught for several years at the Albany Free School, where my daughter, Diana, who's now 23, went for her whole school career, before I took that step and went to law school. I was at Albany Law in 1996-97. Then, instead of school, I became a lawyer through a clerkship for three years with Terry Kindlon and Laurie Shanks as supervising attorneys at their firm and was admitted to the bar in 2001. I stayed on at the firm, doing criminal defense, mainly appeals. I was out of activism for a while until I got involved with the case of Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain who were arrested in 2004 in an unfair sting operationwhere they didn't even realize anything they were doing could be considered illegal.

The judge was given a lot of false classified evidence and, based on that, he told the jury there were good reasons for targeting Yassin. This, along with the post-911 climate of fear of Muslims, made the jurors afraid to fully acquit the men. (Yassin was acquitted in 2006 of most of the counts) despite the lack of evidence. They were both sentenced to 15 years in 2007. In 2011 we learned they were saying Yassin was an Al Qaeda member named Mohamed Yassin, who was killed in 2010. Yassin's sentence is up in Oct. 2018.

You're one of the leaders of the Project Salaam.

It is a group that grew out of the Muslim Solidarity Committee and advocacy for Yassin and Mohammed as we realized other cases were also unjust. We've seen how the government goes after Muslim men in sting operations, setting up vulnerable people to say bad things on tape. We wanted to work with others on their cases.

What happened in our community was different than in some others where the people turned against the defendants. Here Yassin and Mohammed were well respected. People felt if the government could go after Yassin, it could go after anybody. Non-Muslims got involved.

Project Salaam got started in 2008 with the work of Jeanne Finley, Steve Downs and Lynne Jackson. We're part of the National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms and we advocate against pre-emptive prosecution. Our latest thing is a podcast called Terror Talk. We put up the first episode, which is about the beginning of the Albany case, at terrortalk.org

You're now working on another case with global reach.

In 2015 a colleague and I were invited to Pakistan to see if we could help a Muslim prisoner, Aafia Siddiqui, a brilliant woman who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Brandeis and is serving an unfair 86-year federal sentence in Texas. She was abducted with her three children off the streets of Karachi in 2003, by Pakistani authorities in collusion with the U.S., which suspected her of ties to terrorists. The case is a cause celebre in Pakistan, where she is known as the Daughter of the Nation and is respected for her goals to advance the educational system there, especially for girls. We met her sister and mother in Karachi and also met with government officials to try to get her sent back to Pakistan in a prisoner transfer. Two of her children reappeared years later, but the baby is presumed dead. She was likely tortured in black sites and reappeared in 2008 in Afghanistan, disheveled and confused. She was shot by U.S. soldiers, forcibly taken to the U.S. and convicted of attempted murder despite the lack of forensic evidence. Despite having no terrorism charges, her sentence included a "terrorism enhancement" making it essentially a life sentence even though she was the only one hurt in the incident. Now suffering physically and mentally, she is essentially incommunicado in solitary confinement. We filed a commutation petition for her and thousands of Pakistani schoolchildren wrote letters and made beautiful drawings in support of it. Recently a last-minute video appeal we made went viral in Pakistan. It's on Facebook

Is there a connection between your work for justice for Muslims and your own religious beliefs?

My parents were members of the Schenectady Unitarian church. I didn't go there often, but always liked that church and the one in Albany. I'm an agnostic. I believe in the search for justice and that it's worthwhile to do that work and to have hope. Right now it looks bad, but a lot of good people support those who are under attack. It's inspiring to see people in Albany coming together. Locally, 1,000 people have signed up for Inaugurate Resistance on Saturday, and the coalition against Islamophobia will be there.

 Rob Brill

KATHY MANLEY

Background: She was born in Schenectady, grew up in Guilderland and graduated from the University at Albany with a degree in math. She's a lawyer in Albany and lives in Grafton with her 14-year-old son, Gabriel.

Majoring in math is not the usual path toward your profession.

My father and his father were lawyers, but I always thought I didn't want to do that. I was interested in space exploration and studied physics at RPI. It was the 1980s, and I got active in Central America solidarity work. I changed my major to math, which seemed easier than physics. I became more interested in activism and less in school, and left in my senior year. I was involved in a lot of protests for peace and justice. I transferred to SUNY Albany. When I got my degree in 1988, I was in jail, having been arrested at Sen. D'Amato's office at the federal building in Albany. He had said he'd would vote against aid to the Contras, but voted for it. It was a small protest, just three of us, organized by Donna DeMaria. Another time, in 1986, I spent 30 days in the Albany County jail for an anti-Contra protest. Seeing who else was there taught me about the unfairness of the criminal justice system. I eventually thought being a lawyer might make sense for me after all.

I taught for several years at the Albany Free School, where my daughter, Diana, who's now 23, went for her whole school career, before I too that step and went to law school. I was at Albany Law in 1996-97. Then, then instead of school I became a lawyer through a clerkship for three years with supervising attorneys Terry Kindlon and Laurie Shanks, and was admitted to the bar in 2001, and stayed on at their firm doing criminal defense, mainly appeals. I was out of activism for a while until I got involved with the case of Yassin Aref and Mohammed Hossain who were arrested in 2004 in an unfair sting operation where they didn't even realize anything they were doing could be considered illegal. The judge was given a lot of false classified evidence (in 2011 we learned via FOIA that they were saying Yassin was an Al Qaeda member named Mohamed Yassin, who was killed in 2010) and based on that he told the jury that there were good reasons for targeting Yassin. This, along with the post-911 climate of fear of Muslims, made them afraid to fully acquit the men (Yassin was acquitted in 2006 of most of the counts) despite the lack of evidence. They were was sentenced to 15 years in 2007. Yassin's sentence is up in Oct. 2018.

You're one of the leaders of the Project Salaam.

It is a group that grew out of the Muslim Solidarity Committee and advocacy for Yassin and Mohammed as we realized other cases were also unjust. We've seen how the government goes after Muslim men in sting operations, setting up vulnerable people to say bad things on tape We wanted to work with others on them. What happened in our community was different than in some others where the people turned against the defendants. Here Yassin and Mohammed were well respected. People felt if the government could go after Yassin, it could go after anybody. Non-Muslims got involved. Project Salaam got started in 2008,. We're part of the National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms I'd been active before so I already was critical to some extent of the legal system, but I'd come to believe that lawyers wouldn't lie in court, that the criminal justice system had some level of fairness and due process. But when classified evidence is used in a case with no right to confront the accusers, even though Terry Kindlon was given security clearance, and the judge tells the jury as he did in the Albany case that the prosecution had good reason to go after the defendants, it was a learning experience about how bad things can get. Classified evidence judge saw; we still haven't seen; even though Terry Kindlon had security clearance; never saw it;

Our latest thing is a podcast at called Terror Talk. We just put up the first episode, which is about the beginning of the case, at terrortalk.org

Now you're involved in another case with global magnitude.

In 2015 a colleague and I were invited to Pakistan to see if we could help another Muslim prisoner, Aafia Siddiqui who is serving an unfair 86 year federal sentence in Texas. The case is a cause celebre in Pakistan, where she is known as the "Daughter of the Nation," and for her goals to advance the educational system there, especially for girls. She has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Brandeis. We met her sister and mother in Karachi, and also met with many government officials to try to get her sent back to Pakistan in a prisoner transfer. She was abducted with her three children off the streets of Karachi in 2003, by Pakistani authorities in collusion with the U.S., which suspected her of ties to terrorists. Two of her children reappeared years later, but the baby is presumed dead. She was likely tortured in black sites and reappeared in 2008 in Afghanistan, disheveled and confused. She was shot by U.S. soldiers, forcibly taken to the U.S. and convicted of attempted murder despite the lack of forensic evidence. Despite having no terrorism charges, her sentence included a "terrorism enhancement" making it essentially a life sentence even though she was the only one hurt in the incident. Now suffering physically and mentally, she is essentially incommunicado in solitary confinement. We filed a commutation petition for her and thousands of Pakistani schoolchildren wrote letters and made beautiful drawings in support of it. Recently a last minute video appeal we made went viral in Pakistan. It's a www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=aafia%20movementhttp://aafiamovement.com/background-of-case/

Is there a connection between your work for justice for Muslims and any religious beliefs of your own?

My parents were members of the Schenectady Unitarian church. I didn't go there often, but always liked that one and the one in Albany. I'm basically an agnostic. I'm somewhat spiritual. I believe in the search for justice, that it's worthwhile to do that work and to have hope. Right now it looks bad, but a lot of good people support those who are under attack. It's inspiring to see people in Albany coming together. Locally, 1,000 people have signed up Inaugurate Resistance on Saturday, and the coalition against Islamophobia is part of it.
As a candidate, Donald Trump vowed to build a wall to keep Mexicans out of the U.S. and to deport record numbers of immigrants. Now at the start of President Trump's administration, more than 800 religious congregations across the country have declared themselves sanctuaries to shield undocumented immigrants from deportation by federal authorities.

The sanctuary movement is responding to higher international laws, our divine laws and sacred texts that call on people to resist these proposals, said the Rev. Noel Andersen, national organizer for Church World Service.
The state Board of Examiners for Nursing on Wednesday disciplined three nurses, including one who dealt in anabolic steroids.

In the steroid case, the board fined RN Michael Mase of New Milford $3,000 and placed his license on probation for a year. He has said he started using steroids in connection with power lifting and that he bought them for his own use and to share with friends, records show.
Entergy Texas presented New Caney Independent School District with an award for the district's energy consumption savings during the New Caney ISD school board meeting Monday, Jan. 16, at Texan Drive Stadium.

The award recognized the district's energy consumption savings achieved as one of the participant school districts in an Entergy Solutions Energy Efficiency pilot program called Resource Management Services, which helps find cost-free solutions to improve energy efficiency.

"We were invited into the RMS program as a pilot program for Entergy," said Paul Batchelder Jr., New Caney ISD director of facilities and energy management. "We were one of three school districts selected in the state of Texas to be a part of that, mainly because of our efforts in energy conservation up to that point."

The New Caney ISD energy program has been around since 2010.

"Since that time, we've seen a 22 percent on-average, per-year reduction in utility costs, which yields anywhere between $600,000 and $800,000 in savings a year," Batchelder said. "When you add it all up, I believe we're approximately $65,000 short of $5 million. In a couple of months, we're going to roll over $5 million in utility costs avoided over the life of the program."

According to Batchelder, the district's involvement with the RMS program is a way to continue pushing New Caney ISD toward increased energy efficiency.

"I have a team of people who are constantly asking the same question: what are we doing to improve," Batchelder said. "It's about trying to stay involved with groups that will facilitate that conversation and that thought process. That's exactly what I'm trying to do, not just sit back and say, 'We're good at this percentage.' I always want to see if we can get a little bit better or save a little bit more."

Phillip Lanier with Entergy Texas commended Batchelder for his efforts to reduce energy consumption in the district in 2015-2016 through RMS. Lanier stated the energy savings were roughly equivalent to preventing the burning of 45,000 gallons of gasoline from the area's environment.

"We're very proud of what Paul has done in the district," Lanier said. "Thank you for taking this leadership in energy reduction."

For more information about New Caney ISD, visit www.newcaneyisd.org.
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The railroad is coming back to Tomball. Or at least it is in regards to a museum chronicling its importance to Tomball and Harris County's development.

The Tomball City Council has accepted a plan for the Texas Railroading Heritage Museum at Tomball, which allows the museum's organizer, the Gulf Coast Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Inc., to more aggressively explore funding options for the venue.

"Approval of the plan starts the clock ticking," said chapter vice president Tom Marsh. "With the approval we have 36 months to raise the funds and get the museum in the state that it will open."

The plan depicts a blueprint for the museum, featuring colorful vintage railroad train cars from Texas' past.

The museum will display a collection of two locomotives, six passenger cars, three freight cars, two cabooses, and hundreds of small artifacts.

The plan said the museum is for "leisure seekers and those with casual interest in trains; Texas and regional history buffs; and train enthusiasts," with the goal to showcase the museum's historic railroad equipment.

The museum aims to explore three primary themes: How railroads spurred growth in Texas and Harris County; how railroad technology evolved from past to present; and train travel then and now, using the physical trains to help recreate the feeling of being a passenger or railroad worker.

It features physical and electronic hands-on interactive displays, a locomotive simulator, touch-activated video screens, and virtual characters like the track worker, Pullman porter, and engineers on large screens to "talk" to patrons about railroad history and experiences.

Part of the museum's mission is the restoration and maintenance of historic railroad locomotives, cars, and artifacts preserved by chapter since the 1960's. It'll also document the railroad's integral influence in Tomball's growth, noting how the city was renamed from Peck to Tomball, after Thomas H. Ball, helped get the railroad routed through the city.

For its part, the city of Tomball will provide land for the museum adjacent to Tomball Railroad Depot, plaza and gazebo.

"Fundraising effort will start seriously with council approval," Marsh said at the council meeting, noting that it would be challenging to fund the museum.

"We're confident we can raise the money," he added.

He said the museum will draw from local, state, and federal grants for funding, as well as corporate donations, a donation program through membership, and gift opportunities like sponsorships and underwriting.

City Manager George Shackelford is excited the area's roots will be highlighted by the museum.

"The city of Tomball was founded on the railroad industry along with farming and oil," he said.

"The plans they have in the master plan will certainly tell the history of railroads in the region and when the railroad museum is completed, it will a destination point for many."

The project plan is divided into phased improvements with the first estimated at a $2.2 million cost.

It includes the installation of utilities, tracks, and switches. The second phase is for the development and installment of themed displays. The third includes construction of covered restoration and maintenance facilities.

"As a kid I enjoyed riding the train from Silverton to I think somewhere else up in Colorado, so I've got childhood memories," Councilman Derek Townsend Sr. said, "I wish you the best of luck guys, I really do."
UPPER THUMB  GreenStone Farm Credit Services is now accepting applications through Feb. 27 for its scholarship program. The cooperative will once again award up to $40,000 to incoming college freshmen pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field.

Students attending a four-year college program can earn a $2,000 scholarship, while $1,000 awards will go to selected students attending a two-year college program.

To qualify, applicants must reside within the association's territory, which includes Michigan and select counties in northeastern Wisconsin; must be a full-time high school graduating senior; have at least a 3.0 grade point average; and plan to study an agriculture-related field. In addition, applicants should demonstrate participation and leadership in school, community and agricultural activities. Complete details are available within the scholarship application found online AT www.greenstonefcs.com/memberbenefits/Pages/ScholarshipsCommunitySupport.aspx. "Since 2010, GreenStone has presented $140,000 in undergraduate college scholarships to students who plan to make a positive impact on the agricultural community," said Dave Armstrong, GreenStone president and CEO. "We know the future of our industry resides in the youth of today, and these scholarships are a powerful way for GreenStone to help students achieve their dream of higher education and become agriculture's next generation of leaders."

Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 27, and arrive at GreenStone's corporate office in East Lansing no later than March 6. Payment will be made after GreenStone receives a transcript identifying a successful completion of the first semester.

For complete scholarship guidelines and the application, visit www.greenstonefcs.com/memberbenefits/Pages/ScholarshipsCommunitySupport.aspx.
California plans to reduce oil-refinery emissions 20 percent by 2030, providing more details about its effort to impose the nation's strictest air-quality rules just as President Donald Trump takes office vowing to roll back federal climate policies.

The refinery rules announced Friday by the California Air Resources Board are part of its previously announced plan to cut overall emissions in California by 40 percent from 1990 levels. The agency also proposed continuing the state's cap-and-trade program beyond 2020.
Banjul, Gambia

Gambia's new president declared late Friday that "the rule of fear" had ended, while word emerged that longtime leader Yahya Jammeh was finally stepping aside under the threat of a regional military offensive.

In neighboring Senegal, where Adama Barrow has sought refuge after winning last month's presidential election, a government official confirmed that Jammeh had agreed to leave. But at the airport in Gambia's capital, Banjul, officials rolled up the red carpet leading to the plane that had signaled a possible departure.

Jammeh has refused to accept his loss to Barrow, who was inaugurated Thursday at Gambia's embassy in Senegal. The leaders of Guinea and Mauritania met with Jammeh on Friday to try to persuade him to cede power.

The Senegalese government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said final arrangements for the agreement with Jammeh were still being worked out.
Beirut

Russia signed a long-term agreement Friday to enlarge its military presence in Syria, more than doubling the space for warships in Russia's only Mediterranean port and securing rights to an air base that may be adding a second runway.

The agreement covers the port in Tartus and an air base near Latakia, which have been pivotal in Russian assistance to President Bashar Assad in fighting insurgents. It ensures Russia's ability to deploy forces in Syria for the next half-century.

News of the agreement came as Assad received what appeared to be another positive development  a Turkish official suggested publicly for the first time that Turkey would accept a peace deal in Syria's six-year war that would allow Assad to stay in power.

The remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, indicated that Turkey  Syria's northern neighbor and one of Assad's most implacable foes  had softened its position in the interest of finding a solution.

While Turkey's government later said Simsek's remarks had been misconstrued, it was clear he had said a settlement without Assad would be "not, you know, realistic."

Both developments came as Russia, Turkey and Iran prepared to convene Syrian peace talks in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, beginning Monday.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Latest on Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States (all times EST):

7:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump is using his first written statement as president to call on the Senate to confirm the rest of his nominees.

Trump says he is pleased that the Senate on Friday confirmed John Kelly to lead the Homeland Security Department and James Mattis at the head of the Defense Department. Trump is calling them "uniquely qualified leaders" who will start immediately to rebuild the military, defend the U.S. and secure its borders.

Trump says the Senate should fulfill its constitutional duty by swiftly confirming the rest of his nominees. He says they're highly qualified. Trump says he needs them confirmed so "we can get to work on behalf of the American people."

___

6:50 p.m.

The parade for newly sworn-in President Donald Trump is over, shifting the celebration to its third act  a trio of balls. Trump and first lady Melania are expected at all three.

Two balls will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The third, the "Salute to Our Armed Services Ball," will take place at the National Building Museum.

The celebrations come after Trump was sworn in as the nation's 45th president and the Senate confirmed his picks to lead the Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security.

___

6:30 p.m.

The District of Columbia police chief says 217 people have been arrested and charged with rioting and six officers suffered minor injuries during demonstrations against President Donald Trump.

Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham provided the update at a news conference Friday.

Meanwhile, protesters in downtown Washington linked arms, facing off from the police line and chanting, "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA."

Metropolitan police have deployed streams of pepper spray against demonstrators marching along the streets of the nation's capital  a disgruntled parallel to the ongoing inaugural parade.

___

6:25 p.m.

Donald Trump's hotel in Washington is tweeting a photo of flag-waving staffers welcoming the new president, and that's not sitting well with a prominent government ethics lawyer.

The tweet reads: "We are waiting for you Mr. President! Thank you!"

Former chief White House ethics lawyer Norm Eisen says the tweet "puts the lie" to Trump's vow that his company would avoid even the appearance of using the presidency to promote his business.

Trump made the pledge in a six-page "White Paper" released last week to avoid conflicts of interest. He promised his company would not take "any actions that actually exploit, or even could be perceived as exploiting, the Office of the Presidency."

The Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

___

6:15 p.m.

The Senate has voted convincingly to put a tough-talking retired Marine general in charge of overseeing President Donald Trump's pledge to crack down on illegal immigration.

Senators confirmed John Kelly's nomination to lead the Homeland Security Department, 88-11.

Among Kelly's likely first assignments will be executing Trump's plans for the fate of a program that has protected more than 750,000 young immigrants from deportation.

If Trump keeps his campaign promises, Kelly's agency will be responsible for strengthening the screening of immigrants permitted to enter the U.S. His department also will be charged with finding additional resources to locate and deport people living here illegally.

Kelly says he's in favor of a wall at the Mexican border, but he says a physical barrier alone isn't enough to secure the 2,000-mile frontier.

___

5:40 p.m.

A video on social media shows District of Columbia police pepper-spraying a group of protesters  including an elderly woman and a man on crutches, as well as those trying to help them to move out of the way.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department declined to immediately provide comment. It was unclear what happened just before the video began.

The video shows a woman screaming "my child" as she runs with her crying son in her arms. Others are hunched over or coughing as plumes of pink spray waft over hundreds of people in the street. Toward the end of the video, protesters appear to be breaking up cement blocks and some people are seen throwing objects toward police.

___

5:35 p.m.

The Republican-led Senate has voted to confirm James Mattis to be President Donald Trump's defense secretary.

Senators cleared the retired Marine general's nomination Friday.

New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who challenged the idea of a former military leader in a civilian job, voted "no." Republicans pushed for fast approval to ensure the post wouldn't be empty even for a brief amount of time after Trump's swearing-in.

Mattis will replace Ash Carter, who has been former President Barack Obama's defense secretary since February 2015.

Congress had to pave the way for Mattis to serve. Lawmakers last week passed legislation that Trump signed granting Mattis an exception from the law barring former service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the job.

Mattis retired from the Marine Corps in 2013.

___

5:30 p.m.

A group of protesters in downtown Washington jumped on the hood of a limousine, smashed its windows and then set it on fire, while hundreds of others waved signs and chanted slogans voicing their displeasure of their new president.

The protests came as President Donald Trump's inaugural parade continued blocks away.

Pockets of demonstrators broke out into screaming matches with Trump supporters. Police deployed flash bang grenades. Helicopters circled above, taking in the scene.

A line of police officers wearing riot gear watched demonstrators marching. The officers moved in once the limo was set afire to allow fire officials to extinguish the blaze. A pile of overturned newspaper boxes, trash cans and a tire were also set alight.

___

5:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and their wives are arriving at the reviewing stand near the White House to watch the inaugural parade.

Trump said the day was "unbelievable," as he and wife Melania made their way along the North Lawn to the stand on Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump also flashed a thumbs-up.

The first couple are surrounded in the enclosed stand by their family members.

___

5:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump twice got out of their vehicles to walk and wave to the crowd during their escorted trip from the Capitol to the White House.

They first walked for about a block before reaching the Trump International Hotel, where the crowds on both sides of the street were at their loudest. As the Trumps neared the hotel, agents urged the couple to get back into their sedan.

A large crowd of protesters had gathered on the opposite side of the street, while supporters and employees of the hotel cheered on the hotel side of the street.

Later, the Trumps exited their sedan with their children and grandchildren in tow. An announcer roared, "Welcome home, Mr. President."

___

5:05 p.m.

A watchdog group is asking the General Services Administration to determine whether President Donald Trump has violated his lease for the government-owned building that houses his luxury hotel a few blocks from the White House.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington issued the letter Friday shortly after Trump took the oath of office.

The 2013 lease Trump signed for the Old Post Office building specifically bars any "elected official of the Government of the United States" from benefiting. Trump announced earlier this month that he would hand over day-to-day control of his multibillion-dollar business empire to two of his sons, but there is no indication he has relinquished his ownership stake in the $200 million project.

A spokeswoman for the GSA declined to comment.

___

4:35 p.m.

At least one vehicle is on fire as protests escalate in downtown Washington.

A plume of thick black smoke is billowing from a vandalized limousine at the corner of K and 13th Streets Northwest. Riot police are working to remove people from the area, which is just a few blocks from President Donald Trump's inaugural parade route.

Police are using what appear to be flash bang grenades to help control the scene.

The activity follows a brief period of relative calm in the area.

___

4:25 p.m.

The leader of Taiwan's delegation to the U.S. presidential inauguration has dismissed China's strong objections to his attendance as "small-minded."

Former Premier Yu Shyi-kun (YOO SHEE-KOON) says: "It's hard to believe that a country with 5,000 years of history and its glorious background is so focused on this. It just shows how petty they are."

Yu was interviewed by The Associated Press after watching Trump's swearing-in. He says he had a good seat, directly in front of the ceremony at the Capitol.

The U.S. has no formal relations with self-governing Taiwan in deference to China, which claims the island as its own. However, the two maintain robust informal ties. China is concerned that President Donald Trump could seek to redefine relations between Beijing, Taipei and Washington.

___

4:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump has stepped out of his limousine to briefly walk along the inaugural parade route.

Trump was joined by the new first lady Melania Trump and their 10-year-old son, Barron.

The president rode in his official vehicle for the first portion of the parade and stepped out in front of FBI headquarters along Pennsylvania Avenue.

He got back in his vehicle just before the motorcade drove past his newly opened hotel in the Old Post Office building.

___

4:05 p.m.

President Donald Trump is making his way down Constitution Avenue with a military escort as his inauguration parade begins in Washington.

The president will review the parade from a viewing stand near the White House.

He and first lady Melania Trump are riding in the presidential limousine nicknamed "The Beast."

Trump is being cheered by supporters as his car passes.

Others are shouting "Media sucks" while a group of protesters chants, "Not my president, not my president."

___

3:50 p.m.

Military bands representing all the service branches are playing and marching outside the Capitol, signaling the start of the inaugural parade.

Police officers on motorcycles are following closely behind as the parade participants begin the slow trek down Constitution Avenue.

Hundreds of police officers have lined both sides of the street. Service members are also standing at attention on both sides.

There are only a few onlookers along the first couple of blocks but the crowds appear to grow as the parade approaches the National Mall.

___

3:15 p.m.

President Donald Trump  in brief remarks at his inaugural lunch at the Capitol  says he was honored that Hillary Clinton, his rival in the White House race, came to the event.

The bipartisan crowd of lawmakers and other dignitaries gave Clinton a standing ovation after Trump asked her to rise.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, sat with members of Trump's family at the event.

Trump ended by saying he has "a lot of respect for those two people."

Contrast that with some of his rhetoric during the campaign.

Back then, Trump repeatedly said Hillary Clinton deserved to be in jail because of her private email server issues. And Trump invited women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault to sit in the audience of one of the presidential debates.

___

3:10 p.m.

Far fewer people were at President Donald Trump's inauguration than attended President Barack Obama's first swearing-in eight years ago.

Photos of the National Mall from Obama's inauguration in January 2009 show a teeming crowd stretching from the West Front of the Capitol all the way to the Washington Monument.

Photos taken from the same position on Friday show large swaths of empty space on the Mall.

Thin crowds and semi-empty bleachers also dotted the inaugural parade route.

Hotels across the District of Columbia reported vacancies, a rarity for an event as large as a presidential inauguration.

And ridership on the Washington's Metro system didn't match that of recent inaugurations.

___

3:05 p.m.

Partisan rivalries in Washington appear to have eased for at least one meal.

President Donald Trump is dining with a group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the Capitol shortly after his inauguration.

Trump has spent much of the lunch in animated conversation with Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer, who's threatened to slow votes on some Cabinet nominees.

West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat, walked up to the head table at one point to join the conversation.

Trump's rival in the presidential election, Democrat Hillary Clinton, sat with Trump family members.

___

3 p.m.

The Washington Post is reporting that one of its video journalists was taken to the ground by police while recording video of the large protest going on in downtown Washington.

___

2:40 p.m.

The large Inauguration Day demonstration in downtown Washington is taking place at the edge of a zone where vehicles aren't allowed to drive Friday.

So motorists are getting caught in the confrontation between protesters and police.

Some are trying to turn around, but in at least one place, newspaper boxes and trash cans were overturned in the street and a fire set.

___

2:25 p.m.

District of Columbia police are using tear gas canisters in a confrontation with protesters in downtown Washington.

Some people are being treated for exposure to tear gas and some people are vomiting.

Police have blocked off both sides of the street. Protesters were throwing bricks and concrete at police. One protester wearing a mask smashed a bank window. And demonstrators have blocked streets with newspaper boxes.

Another protester was standing on a mailbox and waving a rainbow flag.

Police are in riot gear, and that includes helmets and body shields.

Protesters have blocked streets with newspaper boxes.

___

2:05 p.m.

Police in the nation's capital have again clashed with demonstrators  this time with a larger group than earlier in the day.

Well over 1,000 protesters are in the streets of downtown Washington for a confrontation with police. Authorities are again using pepper spray, and some demonstrators appear to have difficulty breathing.

Some in the crowd are throwing cups, water bottles and objects  including chunks of concrete. Some protesters have rolled large steel trash cans at police.

___

2 p.m.

Rick Perry the former Texas governor who's in line to be energy secretary  was seen chewing gum and blowing bubbles as a rabbi spoke during Donald Trump's inauguration.

That image has drawn lots of attention on social media.

It comes on the heels of Perry's comments at his confirmation hearing Thursday when he told Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., that he enjoyed meeting him at Franken's Senate office. And Perry then said: "I hope you are as much fun on that dais as you were on your couch."

Franken, a former comedian, paused for effect as Perry asked to rephrase. "Please," Franken said.

___

1:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump has arrived at the inaugural luncheon in Capitol  and he immediately walked to Hillary Clinton's table and shook the hand of the defeated Democratic nominee.

The menu features three courses and includes Maine lobster, Virginia beef and shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico.

Later, Republican and Democratic congressional leaders will give toasts.

___

1:45 p.m.

"Unbelievably humbling."

That's what President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, says after watching the inauguration not far from where the new president took the oath of office.

Lewandowski says this about Trump: "I knew a winner when I saw one. I don't think anybody realized how angry the country was with Washington."

___

1:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump has formally nominated his Cabinet.

Trump made his nominations official just after he took office. He signed a series of documents in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor.

The president distributed pens to congressional leaders according to whether they liked his choices. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for instance, received the pen that Trump used to nominate Elaine Chao, McConnell's wife, to be transportation secretary.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi jokingly objected to getting a pen used to nominate Tom Price to be health secretary. At that point, House Speaker Paul Ryan chimed in, "I'll take it."

After nominating Mike Pompeo to head the CIA, Trump said he'd heard Pompeo would be confirmed "momentarily."

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer piped up: "It depends what you mean by momentarily."

___

1:35 p.m.

Hillary Clinton is attending President Donald Trump's inaugural luncheon at the Capitol.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, posed for pictures with a bipartisan group of attendees. Republican Trump defeated Democrat Clinton in the November election.

Former President Jimmy Carter is also at the luncheon.

Also attending are members of Congress, Supreme Court justices and some of Trump's Cabinet picks.

___

1:33 p.m.

Far fewer riders used Washington's Metro system on Friday than for previous inaugurations.

As of 11 a.m., there were 193,000 trips taken, according to the transit service's Twitter account.

At the same hour eight years ago for President Barack Obama's first inaugural, there had been 513,000 trips. Four years later, there were 317,000 for Obama's second inauguration.

There were 197,000 at 11 a.m. in 2005 for President George W. Bush's second inauguration.

The Metro system also posted that only two parking lots at stations were more than 60 percent full.

___

1:30 p.m.

Donald Trump isn't wasting much time before signing some presidential paperwork.

Press secretary Sean Spicer says on Twitter that the new president is signing formal nominations for each of his Cabinet picks and other members of the new administration.

He's also signing a proclamation for a National Day of Patriotism and legislation that clears the way for retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to run the Pentagon, if confirmed by the Senate.

Trump signed the documents as he was surrounded by lawmakers and his family members, and he handed out ceremonial pens to members of Congress.

___

1:24 p.m.

Former President Barack Obama is thanking supporters before he departs for a vacation in California  saying that they "proved the power of hope."

Obama was joined by former first lady Michelle Obama at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. They took a helicopter there from the Capitol following President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremonies.

The outgoing president says he and his wife have sometimes been the "voice out front" but his push for changes in the country that began with his 2008 presidential campaign "has never been about us. It has always been about you."

___

1:20 p.m.

Police in the nation's capital says two officers were injured and some police cars were damaged by protesters.

Police say officers used pepper spray to subdue protesters who were damaging cars, setting fires and destroying the property of businesses.

Police say they made "numerous arrests" and that an unspecified number of demonstrators have been charged with rioting.
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Frio County officials said they didnt check the background of the 25-year-old consultant they hired to turn things around at their jail, which had been shut down by the state for failing to meet standards in 2015.

They contracted with Jordan Jericho Bautista-Gunter and his obscure Pflugerville firm, at $100,000 a month. The jail was reopened and he seemed to be improving things. A couple of months into the contract, though, he was accused of sexual harassment.

Then, in January 2016, Bautista-Gunter woke a former jail inmate in the middle of the night and  out on the mans porch  made him provide a urine sample. Pearsall police figured out that Bautista-Gunter was not a cop and charged him with impersonating one.

RELATED: SAPD's tips on how to spot a fake cop

And then, federal agents arrested him again, accusing him of transporting prisoners on commercial airliners around the country while carrying a gun.

On Friday, Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra sentenced Bautista-Gunter to 65 months in federal prison for being a prohibited person who possessed a firearm, and for illegally carrying a gun on a commercial airliner.

A prosecutor said Bautista-Gunter flew with prisoners 21 times. Federal officials did not indicate where the prisoners came from. Bautista-Gunters lawyer said he was doing it as a service for Hays County. Hays County officials could not be reached late Friday to confirm it.

RELATED: 3 SAPD officers allegedly duped women into sex with contract for fake investigation

Prosecutors tried to get a stiffer sentence by presenting testimony accusing Bautista-Gunter, now 26, of involvement in an alleged murder-for-hire plot for which he was never charged.

As it turns out, Bautista-Gunter has spent much of his life playing cop, records show. And he talked like a person who knew how to run a jail, said Frio County Attorney Joseph Sindon.

He said the right things, checked the right boxes, Sindon said. As much as everyone here feels pretty silly about this, we weren't the only ones he duped.

Read the whole story at ExpressNews.com or in Saturdays Express-News.

gcontreras@express-news.net

Twitter: @gmaninfedland
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Photos of a man sought in the robbery of a Schertz bank Friday afternoon were released hours after the incident by area police.

The man, believed to be in his 20s, told the teller he had a weapon during the robbery at about 2:03 p.m. at the Schertz Bank and Trust, 16852 Interstate 35 North, according to the Schertz Police Department.
When people hear someone mention San Antonio, they think of the Spurs, the River Walk and the Alamo.

No offense to those local treasures, but Travis Block wants to change that. He believes the city needs a new image.

Block dreams of the day when San Antonio is universally viewed as a science mecca.

And he is not alone. In November 2015, Block joined with a like-minded student, Milos Marinkovic, and two University of Texas Health Science Center faculty members  Teresa Evans and Linda McManus  to create San Antonio Science.

This started out as a graduate student initiative at the health science center, said Block, who has since earned a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and now works for StemBioSys, a San Antonio-based stem cell research company.

In addition to launching his research career, Block is serving as the first president of San Antonio Science.

We wanted San Antonio to be a city of science. We wanted science to be central to the identity of San Antonio, Block said this month at a reception belatedly celebrating the organizations first anniversary.

San Antonio already has the assets to become known as a center for scientific research and entrepreneurship. Block cited the health science center, other local universities, the Texas Biomedical Research Center, the San Antonio Military Medical Center and more.

In his blog on the San Antonio Science website, Block noted that San Antonio also is the city where the intravascular stent and the titanium rib were developed.

We were pioneers in bone marrow transplants. We developed treatments and vaccines for hepatitis  . Perhaps most exciting, in the last 20 years, two Nobel prize winners in chemistry have been graduates of Jefferson High School.

But the scientific achievements in the city remain underappreciated.

San Antonio Science is dedicated to changing the conversation and calling attention to the citys scientific assets and innovation. At the same time, the nonprofit is working to spread enthusiasm about science among K-12 students and the community at large. The second annual Science Fiesta is scheduled for April 9 at the Witte Museum. The nonprofit is working to inspire potential future scientists and reduce the intimidation factor of a rigorous science academic track.

Of course, science hasnt been totally unnoticed in the Alamo City. The San Antonio Economic Development Foundation touts a 2015 study sponsored by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce that estimated the economic impact of the bioscience and health care industry at between $28.4 billion and $37 billion. The industry paid $8.9 billion in salaries and employed more than 172,000 workers.

Still, the citys scientific research and educational community could use help attracting students who want to stay in San Antonio to work and do research  leading to more patents and spin-off companies that will stimulate the local economy and enhance the citys reputation.

We need a big leap. We really need to see concrete steps, said Marinkovic, a co-founder of San Antonio Science and a biomedical engineering Ph.D. candidate at UT Health San Antonio, as the health science center is now known.

How can the city make measurable progress toward being known as the home of science innovation?

The leaders of the fledgling nonprofit have a plan for that, too.

Were hoping to generate enough enthusiasm around science so that we can get support for a private-public science endowment, Block said.

The goal is is to raise $200 million for the endowment over the next three years.

That may seem like a tall order. But dont dismiss the idea. Block already is in discussions with potential contributors. And the payoff for San Antonio could be big.

The nonprofits founders are bringing plenty of brains and enthusiasm to the effort. And the momentum generated by the effort will bring attention to San Antonios already impressive science activity.

Telling the story of how far the city has come in the realm of science and how much potential remains has no downside.

And maybe Blocks dream will come true.

bdavidson@express-news.net
In the early morning of Oct. 29, 1968, Walt Rostow, special assistant for national security affairs, handed President Lyndon B. Johnson a memo from his brother, Eugene, who was undersecretary for political affairs.

It reported that close associates of Richard Nixon told prominent banker Alexander Sachs that the GOP presidential nominee was trying to frustrate the president by inciting Saigon to step up its demands to scuttle the peace talks in Paris.

It was true. For months, members of the Nixon campaign led by Anna Chennault, with collusion from John Mitchell and John Tower (and likely Spiro Agnew), contacted South Vietnamese government officials and promised a better deal from Nixon. They, along with Nixon, feared a breakthrough in Paris might throw the hotly contested election to Democratic presidential nominee Hubert Humphrey.

An angry Johnson responded by gathering information through National Security Council intercepts of South Vietnamese telegrams, and FBI surveillance and wiretaps of Chennault.

Soon, LBJ declared to Sen. Everett Dirksen, This is treason!

He personally challenged Nixon, so much so that Nixon called on Nov. 3 to deny the charges.

Not convinced, Johnson weighed whether to expose the Nixon campaigns duplicity.

Several factors shaped his deliberations. First, he had not campaigned for Humphrey and wanted to stay above the fray (following President Dwight D. Eisenhowers example in 1960). To change course invited charges of partisanship.

Second, he feared outing his intelligence sources and admitting he used the FBI and NSC to monitor U.S. citizens and allies.

Finally, he worried about provoking a constitutional crisis so early in a Nixon presidency when it appeared he would likely win. Without definitive proof of Nixons complicity, he feared what might result from an investigation.

In the end, Johnson failed to expose Nixon, and Nixon won by a very narrow margin, leading one South Vietnamese official proudly to crow, We helped elect an American president.

Afterward, LBJ had Rostow take all the materials. They were dubbed the X file. They remained secret until 1994.

Nixon, on the other hand, ordered the break-in of the Brookings Institute in 1971 after a staffer reported incorrectly that the organization had materials on the matter. Ultimately, Watergate buried the story, but it remained an early example of the employment of dirty tricks, in this case to win an election.

The question is: What does the Chennault affair help us understand today?

The answers are obvious. Johnsons fear of being seen as interfering in the election explains why it took time for the Obama administration to release the CIA and other intelligence agencies reports on Russian interference in the recent presidential election.

Obama worried about charges of partisanship. While obvious to many that the hacks and even fake news being generated only aided Donald Trump, to deliver such a bombshell would create a political minefield.

He also likely wanted to avoid revealing sources, both to protect them and prevent any speculation about how he obtained the information. He knew Hillary Clinton accusers U.S. Reps. Trey Gowdy and Jason Chaffetz would jump at the opportunity for another inquiry.

Finally, like Johnson, the White House probably feared creating a constitutional crisis for an administration even before it took office. Trump now enters having lost the popular vote by a significant margin and under the cloud of suspicion over foreign involvement to assist his victory. It was exactly the type of paralysis LBJ thought might unfold in 1969.

In the long term, this episode could resemble the Chennault affair. Nixons demand for the break-in of the Brookings Institute led to the creation of the White House Plumbers, and the rest is history.

Trump and his people likely will also circle the wagons, and the past shines light on what happens when that occurs.

Overall, the Obama decision might end like that of Johnson in allowing a crisis to develop that sets back the republic for years.

While LBJ did not live long enough to witness the embarrassing resignation of a president, Obama is young enough that his decision not to release the information in time will be judged for years.

Now, the question of external powers playing a role in shaping a presidential outcome remains the same: Who knew? Did collusion occur? How did it affect the results?

Both events just reinforce the idea: For all the things that change, they remain remarkably similar.

Kyle Longley is author of LBJs 1968: Power, Politics, and the Presidency in Americas Year of Upheaval.
I was saddened to read of Archbishop Emeritus Patrick Flores death and of his last years of poor health. I am not Catholic, but he has a special place in my heart.

I met Archbishop Flores in the 90s through my Catholic neighbor, Pat Sammis, when she received her graduate degree in the study of theology and her certification in Continuing Professional Education at Oblate. I recall how friendly and warm he was as he shook my hand, as though he had known me for years.

A few years later when I was helping set up lunches for the Womens House of Habitat for Humanity, my co-worker, Janet Beauch, and I found out that the woman who would live in the house we were building was a widow with four girls and they would attend the nearby Catholic church. As Janet and I visited restaurants in the area for lunch donations for the workers, we asked the church secretary if the church would provide a lunch since the house was for a family that would be attending their church. We never heard back, even after a couple more visits.

I decided to write Archbishop Flores. In the letter, I told him about the house and the family, and that I felt sure the church would like to make a lunch donation and meet this family. I also mentioned that I hoped he would be able to attend the house dedication.

Well, within a couple of days, Janet and I heard from the church  and not only did some church women bake dozens of cookies, but they personally delivered them and met all of us and the family, and, of course, took part in the later dedication by contributing more food.

Ever since then, I have had a special fondness and admiration for Archbishop Flores. He was special, one of a kind, a leader who made things happen, and a person who deeply cared for all people  and showed it by his warmth and his actions.

And though I did not see him at the dedication, I was told that he had been by earlier to have a good look around.

Miriam Oglesbee Ellison is a retired teacher and supporter of Habitat for Humanity. She also participates in an SAISD mentoring program through her church, University Presbyterian.
The best thing that happened to Donald Trump recently is that BuzzFeed published the raw Russia dossier about him.

It cant be pleasant for anyone to see his name associated with prostitutes and a bizarre sex act in print  the principle that all publicity is good publicity can be taken too far even for Donald Trump. But in the medias ongoing fight with Trump, BuzzFeeds incredible act of journalistic irresponsibility represented the press leading with its chin.

Trump thrives off media hostility, and the more hostile  and the less defensible  the better. It allows him to portray himself as the victim of a stilted establishment. It fires up his supporters. It keeps the debate on terrain that is familiar and favorable to him  whether or not he is being treated fairly  and allows him to adopt his preferred posture as a counterpuncher.

There are legitimate questions raised about how determined Trump has been to ignore evidence of Russias hacking operations prior to the election. BuzzFeed unintentionally did more to obscure and delegitimize these questions than Trump Tower could ever hope to. By publishing the uncorroborated dossier, BuzzFeed has associated the Russia issue with fantastical rumors and hearsay.

Its decision to post the document has to be considered another chapter in the ongoing saga of the media and Democrats losing their collective minds. If the election had gone the other way, it is hard to see BuzzFeed publishing a 35-page document containing unverified, lurid allegations about President-elect Hillary Clinton that it didnt consider credible. This was an anti-Trump decision, pure and simple.

It created a media firestorm, even though everyone should realize by now that media firestorms are Trumps thing. They have been literally since the day he got into the presidential race. They suck the oxygen away from everything except the transfixing melodrama surrounding Donald Trump. The question is always, How can he possibly escape this? And at the center of attention, vindicating his own honor and that of his supporters by proxy, he always does.

The paradox of the Trump phenomenon is that he may be ripping up sundry political norms, yet he benefits when his opponents and adversaries do the same. When Marco Rubio descended to Trumps level in the primaries and mocked the size of his hands, it hurt Rubio most. The Democrats have done themselves no favors by implicitly refusing to accept the election results after browbeating Trump for months to accept the results in advance. And if the press is going to lower its standards in response to Trump, it will diminish and discredit itself more than the president-elect.

For all that Trump complains about negative press coverage, he wants to be locked in a relationship of mutual antagonism with the media. It behooves those journalists who arent partisans and reflexive Trump haters to avoid getting caught up in this dynamic. If they genuinely want to be public-spirited checks on Trump, they shouldnt be more bitterly adversarial, but more responsible and fair.

This means taking a deep breath and not treating every Trump tweet as a major news story. It means covering Trump more as a normal president rather than as a constant clear and present danger to the republic. It means going out of the way to focus on substance rather than the controversy of the hour. It means a dose of modesty about how the media has lost the publics trust, in part because of their bias and self-importance.

None of this is a particularly tall order. Yet its unlikely to happen, even if it was encouraging that so many reporters opposed BuzzFeeds decision. The press and Trump will continue to be at war, although only one party to the hostilities truly knows what he is doing, and it shows.

comments.lowry@)nationalreview.com
One of the campaign promises of the Trump administration is to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, and Congress is working on precisely that. As with most legislation, the ACA has parts that are helpful and parts that are hurtful. Some of the good or bad of the law depends on whether or not you benefit from it.

The name of the legislation provides a clue to the objective: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. According to the authors of the legislation, patients were to be protected from the big, bad insurance companies. This is bogus, but there were two major complaints by the authors of the legislation:

1. Insurance companies imposed an underwriting technique on individual policies (not group policies sold to employers) called pre-existing condition limitations. The ACA removed this, which increased the price of insurance for everyone. Under the old law, if someone was going to purchase individual medical insurance as a protection from a future financial loss, that person would not be covered for certain previously existing medical issues.

An analogy: You cant get in a wreck prior to purchasing car insurance and then ask the automobile insurance company to pay you for an accident that occurred before the policy was in effect. It should be obvious why eliminating pre-existing condition limitations  as happened under the ACA  would not work on individual coverage unless one wants to pay extremely high rates.

2. The Democrats who designed the ACA felt insurance companies charged too much for too little coverage and made too much profit in the process. Their solution was to mandate a robust insurance plan that covered nearly everything. This forced people in the marketplace to abandon the purchase of what was characterized as low-end insurance policies. And Democrats limited the amount of money an insurance company made in profit and the amount it could spend on administrative expenses. And as it turns out, most insurance companies over the last 10 years have only made 3 percent to 5 percent net profit on average.

This is an unprecedented mandate in any case. This tactic should frighten everyone because your business could be next. When the federal government takes on the role of it-knows-best, seldom does it turn out well for the recipients of this wisdom. Health care premiums have increased, making the ACA anything but affordable.

Half of the country would like to see this piece of legislation scrapped. The remaining half are either receiving a premium subsidy or obtaining a real benefit by obtaining insurance for a pre-existing condition that otherwise would have cost that individual dearly.

There are those who like the idea of free health care and think somehow that the ACA will evolve into such.

What will a replacement look like, and will it reduce the cost of health care? One of President Donald Trumps ideas is to allow insurance companies to compete across state lines to make insurance more competitive. In many circumstances, competition will reduce costs and make things better. I oppose this for health insurance, however. Let me explain.

Health insurance companies already operate in multiple states if they want. United Healthcare, for instance, operates in all states in one or more of their product offerings. It contracts with more than a million physicians and 6,000 hospitals. Federalizing health care insurance companies will not make them more competitive.

The Constitution specifically created the federal government to be limited and small. Every time legislation attempts to transfer a part of commerce regulated by each individual state to the federal government, we diminish the states rights as guaranteed in the 10th Amendment. And I have seldom seen the benefit of one size fits all. To put it simply, this is a classic power grab by the federal government to centralize power over 20 percent of our economy.

And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but health care costs will continue to increase year after year. No politician, Republican or Democrat, will be able to reduce the cost.

All is not lost, however.

Trumps other idea is to reintroduce health savings accounts. HSAs are not insurance products per se; they help consumers with the out-of-pocket costs they are responsible for. If I were the HSA architect, I would recognize that the cost of health care will continue to rise, so I would make sure that consumers are adequately prepared financially to manage the increase.

Right now, HSAs have limited contribution levels with too many stipulations. Remove the maximum amount one can put into an HSA. Deductibles are likely to increase as a way of decreasing the rise in health care premiums. I would not make it conditional and would tie it to a qualified high-deductible health plan, or HDHP.

Unlimited contributions to the HSA will prepare consumers for the limited and excluded items under their insurance.

We should also continue to make the contributions tax-free and allow consumers to lower their gross taxable income by the amount of all contributions. Also allow employers to lower their taxable income for any matching contributions into the employees HSA.

Allow the consumer at age 65 to withdraw an amount of money out of the HSA, tax-free, for nonhealth care services. Allow consumers to accumulate an unlimited amount every year with no penalties if they do not spend a penny on health care costs. Allow consumers to leave to their beneficiaries, upon death, the amount of the HSA without any estate tax consequences. Allow the HSAs to be portable, and continue to attach it to consumers.

However, also have their employer-sponsored insurance product become portable. The health care exchanges already exist; thus, it would not be difficult to allow employees to select an insurance product off the exchange of their choosing as opposed to the employers selection.

This last suggestion  allowing health insurance products to be portable and attach to the employee as opposed to the employer  is crucial. Over time, the employer will no longer dictate to an employee that he or she must be with insurance company XYZ when the employee wants to be on the ABC plan. Insurance companies will think and act long term to keep the member healthy. They are likely to pay doctors more in the form of bonuses for improved outcomes of the member as opposed to limiting a doctors income to a straight fee-for-service model.

Creating a system that has as the objective long-term strategies to improve health, adequate financial savings to manage increased costs, and alignment of goals and objectives will go a long way in protecting the patient from financial harm when accessing health care services.

Lets keep the regulation at the state level and allow the federal government to act as a facilitator by expanding access and financial protection, not by creating restrictions that produce little to no value in a thriving marketplace. The health care marketplace will thrive if we allow a pathway for consumers to save money in a responsible manner and quit micromanaging every aspect of health care.

Dr. Alan M. Preston has been a professor for five years in San Antonio specializing in epidemiology, biostatistics and health care policy. Most of his career has been spent as a CEO for managed care companies and physician organizations.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks false assertion that people using bathrooms compliant with their birth gender will make things safer for everyone is totally flawed.

Gays and transgender males have been attacked and murdered by homophobic males for centuries.

So, if Patrick forces a male by birth attired as a female to use an all-male restroom, I guarantee you that his safety will be compromised.

Katherine Hesser

Be fair in scrutiny

Re: Trump concedes hacking; But angrily rejects claims of Moscow extortion bid, front page, Jan. 12:

This headline continues the railing about so-called hacking by the Russians, allegedly resulting in poor Hillary Clinton losing the election. It does not seem to matter whether the information was true or not, just that the Russians meddled in our election.

Too bad the media did not use that journalistic outrage to probe the awful things she was involved with, including, but not limited to, the Benghazi debacle and the Clinton Foundation, and the foul language she used to describe campaign staffers and members of Fox News. She might be from Illinois, but her language and demeanor are enough to make a New Yorker like Donald Trump blush!

Let us end the one-sided, moralistic outrage and report the news fairly, OK? And by the way, for someone with a net worth of more than $30 million, has Clinton been subject to the same type of scrutiny as you are leveling at Trump? If not, why not?

William Jones, New Braunfels

Ignoring the poor

Donald Trump will be our president for the next four years. I, like others, remain in disbelief and shock that he got elected with all the negative baggage he displayed before and after the election.

What has really bothered me is that the members of the GOP who stood for truth and were staunch defenders of our Constitution, our military and all that our country stands for are now hypnotized by Trump and his unacceptable antics. He is like the Pied Piper with his magical power leading them to the Promised Land.

The bad part about this whole election and its future consequences is that the Republican billionaires in power, including Trump, are looking out for themselves, their financial gains and their political futures. The needs of the poor, underprivileged, homeless and impoverished masses are not on the top of the list for the upcoming administration.

Adolfo S. Gomez

Russian connection

Why did Russia work so hard to get Donald Trump elected? And why was it so joyous when he won? Russia wanted the most incapable, the most dishonest, the most destructive, the most unlikable person to head this country.

And, by gosh, they got him.

Our country will remain great  not because of Trump but in spite of him.

Adios, Trump. ASAP, I hope.

Pat Allen, Spring Branch
ZIMBABWE has refused to buckle under pressure from the lesbian, gay, bise_xual, transgender and interse_x (LGBTI) community to accept their predisposition.

The local delegation led by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi is attending the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva.

Responding to enquiries by the LGBTI, Ziyambi said the countrys Constitution was clear about the practice and the government will not drift from what the people voted for in the 2015 referendum.

On se_xual diversity, the Constitution of Zimbabwe guides our laws on this subject. Se_xual diversity is, therefore, outlawed in Zimbabwe. The Constitution was voted for by 98% of the Zimbabwean population, Ziyambi said.

The International Lesbians Association (ILA), in conjunction with the TransResearch Education and Advocacy, Inters_ex Community of Zimbabwe and Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe maintain that while they concurred with the governments support to protect interse_x minors from non-consensual interse_x surgeries, it is their right to be included in the Zimbabwean community without discrimination.

An ILA representative said the government must reconsider its position on the issue of interse_x.

LGBTI persons continue to experience se_xual exclusion, discrimination and stigmatisation. We, therefore, urge the Government of Zimbabwe to decriminalise the same acts between consenting adults.

We urge Zimbabwe to reconsider its position and take all its effort to repeal discriminatory laws that discriminate based on gender and identity, ILA said.

Section 73 of the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act stipulates that any male person who, with the consent of another male person, knowingly performs with that other person ana_l se_xual intercourse, or any act involving physical contact other than ana_l se_xual intercourse shall be guilty of sod0my.

 NewsDay

Breaking News via Email
A coordinated media attack on Zimbabwe is underway, as Western and local private media have ratcheted negative stories about the country to frustrate President Mnangagwas re-engagement and investment prospects by painting Zimbabwe as having gone back to default of the lack of rule of law.

The Herald has learnt that two local dailies, traditionally sponsored by Western countries, are getting their editorial direction, including content such as photographs, from a Western embassy in Harare.

The media outlets have been in an overdrive to portray Zimbabwe as being in a state of lawless and repression since the ZCTU shutdown.

And, over the past week, Western media have upped the ante, with teams being sent to Harare to ramp up the negative stories with some deliberately cooking up stories.

A total of 37 new accreditations were processed for foreign media crews.

Sky News, a British broadcaster, stands accused of manufacturing the latest story about alleged beatings and lawlessness.

Watch video below

This, on the back of another British outlet ITV which had footage of brutalised women at a safe house.

Watch video below

Interestingly, Sky News is not one of those accredited to work in Zimbabwe.

Sky News John Sparks, Africa correspondent, claims that there are Daylight beatings instil public fear in lawless country.

Frightened civilians question what is happening to their nation, as members of the security services are given free rein, he narrates of an alleged incident in which a man is being beaten by men clad in police and army uniforms.

A third assailant is in civilian clothing.

The reporter says: Every time the man tried to get up, the policemen hit him on the head. There were two other people in attendance, assisting the policeman with the beating. A soldier in camouflage with a machine gun and a plain clothes security agent pitched in, slapping, punching and kicking the victim.

The police have since spoken on the matter, indicating investigations are underway.

But authorities are worried by the surreptitious news gathering by Sky News and company.

We have checked our records and we have not cleared anyone from Sky for accreditation, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said yesterday.

Normally that should happen before they are even allowed to come into the country. During the disturbances we cleared dozens of journalists but Sky News did not apply. Its strange why they chose not to obey the law because everyone else from British Media such as ITN, BBC, Financial Times did things the correct way and they never faced any problems. We even granted them interviews when they asked for same.

Mr Mangwana noted that Sky News had not sought comment from Government before they broadcast their allegations.

Their report was not balanced because they did not give the police or army a chance to respond  that is if they were in the country at all, he said.

He said it was ironic that Sky News talked about the rule of law in a report in which they are breaking Zimbabwes law.

When then we enforce our law against them some people will start crying foul claiming that we are being vindictive because of their reportage when in fact we are only asking for them to respect our law, warned Mr Mangwana.

 Herald

Breaking News via Email
Bakers Inn has led major bakeries in reducing bread prices by around $1 a loaf after the Government started supplying millers with cheaper wheat.

The National Bakers Association of Zimbabwe (NBAZ) chief executive Mr Ngoni Mazango confirmed the new prices in a Press statement yesterday and said Bakers Inn had already reduced the price.

The Government has supplied millers with subsidised wheat which by and large reduced the price of flour. In response to this development, Bakers Inn Bakeries has decided to extend the benefit to the consumer despite the escalating costs of other inputs like power, diesel, local and imported raw materials, he said.

Mr Ngoni Mazango said that the wholesale price of a loaf has been reduced from $14 to $13.

Bakers Inn as from Tuesday 29 October, 2019 reduced its wholesale price from $14 to $13. The recommended retail price is between $14 and $14,50. Consumers were having to pay as high as $15,75 in the last weeks. This price will hold for as long as Bakers Inn Bakeries have subsidised flour.

A survey carried out by The Herald yesterday at one of the countrys leading supermarket chains showed that the price of bread had decreased, but consumers were still opting for cheaper alternatives.

Said Harare resident Mrs Sarah Hamandishe: I dont know what is happening. I am no longer buying products that I used to buy. I am now buying only the cheapest products that fit into my budget.

 Herald

Breaking News via Email
Yves here. It is frustrating to see the Democrats dissipate energy on Russian stooge hysterics and fail to have a coherent approach for achieving their supposed aim of stymieing Trump. While only a small handful of Cabinet nominees in the modern era have failed to win confirmation, the hearings can still allow the opposition to set down some markers.

Mnuchin is one of Trumps worst picks by virtue of being a bog-standard bankster-loyal Rubinite on macroeconomic policy (strong dollar, budget hawk), having a been the CEO of an unusually predatory mortgage servicer, yet unlike other members of the Goldman partner club that have been up for the Treasury, lacking relevant experience.

From what I could infer, the Democrats left much fewer marks on Mnuchin than they did on most of the other Trump nominees. Some of that may be that they feel they cant object to Mnuchin saying that he will continue many of the Clinton-Obama finance-friendly policies, and Mnuchin is arguably no less qualified than the lackluster Jack Lew.

However, as Wolf recounts, Bob Menendez did get a few licks in on Mnuchins role at Sears, both as board member and investor, and how profitable asset stripping is putting taxpayers at risk in a pension restructuring.

By Wolf Richter, a San Francisco based executive, entrepreneur, start up specialist, and author, with extensive international work experience. Originally published at Wolf Street

You were a Director at Sears for 12 years where you had oversight over the administration and investment in the pension fund.

That Sears Holdings will file for bankruptcy appeared to be taken for granted in the confirmation hearings before the US Senate on Thursday. And when it does file, its going to get very complicated for Steven Mnuchin, the Trump administrations appointment for Treasury Secretary. But the most fascinating part, for us as a non-political finance and economics site, is the dissection of the whole Sears deal.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), as he proceeds with his questioning, lays out how Sears Holdings CEO Eddie Lampert, his hedge fund ESL, and some other entities have worked hard to get their hands on the real estate, while the pension fund, when Sears Holdings goes through bankruptcy, will be left behind as a sinkhole that taxpayers might be shanghaied into filling.

I postulated at the end of December that Sears Holdings will try to stay out of bankruptcy at least through July to avoid running afoul of fraudulent conveyance provisions in the bankruptcy code. But after that, all bets are off. So this might transpire pretty soon.

The office of Senator Menendez emailed me the transcript of the hearings on the Sears situation. Its posted below. The C-Span video clip (6 min) is at the bottom of the transcript:

Menendez: Thank you Mr. Chairman, youve heard a lot about pensions and I care about American workers and their pensions, and you served as director of Sears Holdings, which is the parent company of Sears and Kmart, for about 12 years, you served on the Finance Committee which was tasked with reviewing investment policies of the retirement plans of the Company and its subsidiaries, is that correct?

Mnuchin: That is correct

Menendez: And the Chairman and CEO of Sears Holdings is a gentleman named Eddie Lampert, who I understand is your former college roommate, correct?

Mnunchin: Yes and the benefit is hes actually here with us today.

Menendez: Okay, good. So youre also an investor in the hedge fund ESL Investments, which you are choosing not to divest yourself of as I understand from your disclosure. The hedge fund is also run by Mr. Lampert. You earned up to $26 million dollars from the hedge fund last year according to your disclosures. That same hedge fund currently holds 29% of its portfolio in Sears stock and Mr. Lampert himself effectively owns 49% of Sears stock according to public SEC filings. Is that all fair statements?

Mnuchin: I think actually Ive invested close to $26 million, I didnt make $26 million.

Menendez: Okay I wont equivocate with you. Now Sears has been performing poorly and, as a result, forced to sell assets to cover operating costs and to contribute to its pension fund. Interestingly, several of the most valuable assets have been sold in part to Mr. Lamperts hedge fund, including Lands End, Sears Canada, and most of Sears real estate.

The real estate was sold off to a different entity, whose largest shareholder is Mr. Lamperts hedge fund. And that seems to have resulted in a shareholder lawsuit according to SEC filings.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) initiated an agreement with Sears to protect the pension benefits of the more than 200,000 plan participants after the real estate deal and significant cut to pensioners health subsidies that occurred during your watch.

Unfortunately, the agreement with the PBGC puts the plans pensioners behind Mr. Lamperts hedge fund in the ability to get assets from Sears in any bankruptcy proceedings. Because of this, because Sears has received at least $800 million in secured loans from Mr. Lamperts hedge fund, some of them secured by Sears properties. The Sears pension fund currently faces a $2.1 Billion dollar funding obligation gap. Now I take these all from filings and public reports and I assume that that basically is a fair statement.

Mnuchin: That sounds about right but let me

Menendez: Are you aware that if you are confirmed as Treasury Secretary, you would become one of three board members of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation that has the power to either accept or deny a pension plan termination application, such as could occur with Sears bankruptcy, making the Federal Government cover Sears pension tab? Do you recognize that youre going to be part of that board?

Mnuchin: Yes

Menendez: You do? Now, so heres where my concern is and maybe you can elucidate it for me. You were a Director at Sears for 12 years where you had oversight over the administration and investment in the pension fund. That pension fund has been underfunded, its benefits were cut during the time period you were there, it now faces a $2.1 Billion funding obligation gap.

Sears has sold off some of the most valuable assets while youve been on the board. Your college roommates hedge fund has large interests in the properties sold, numerous secured loans with Sears and owns a controlling share of Sears stock shares. You earned up to $26 million last year from your shares in that hedge fund and youre refusing to divest yourself of the hedge fund.

Should Sears go bankrupt and you if confirmed as Treasury Secretary, are a PBGC director who would have a role in the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporations attempts, as an unsecured creditor, to recover $2 Billion for the unfunded liabilities in the Sears pension fund while simultaneously trying to not lose money in your hedge fund investments in Sears that you hold with your college roommate who is the CEO of Sears. How is it that youre going to do that?

Mnuchin: So let me just correct again because you said again that I made $26 million which I didnt, I invested 26 million, so I just want to make sure that the record stated that. Let me first say that my original involvement with Mr. Lampert was with Kmart coming out of bankruptcy. Where all the professionals thought that Kmart should be liquidated, and Mr. Lampert working for him saved tens of hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Sears when he bought it was already a failing issue and hes contributed, the companys contributed multi billion dollars to that pension fund which were pension issues beforehand. Im well aware of the pension issues and something that when I was on the board we were very cognizant of, very significant contributions. As it relates to your answer, obviously I will recuse myself in any way as it relates to being on the board if indeed there ever were an issue with Sears, whether I had an investment in ESL or I didnt have an investment in ESL, I would be concerned about any appearance of conflict. So I would recuse myself.

Menendez: Well well have to look at the consequences of any such recusal because there are 3 members of the board who get a vote and if you recuse yourself under those set of circumstance Im not sure that the remaining 2 can ultimately make a decision on such a case that involves 200,000 peoples pensions. So its a serious issue and I urge your attention to it in terms of thinking about how this very well may happen because those pensions were underfunded and now were going to have a set of circumstances at some point where were going to have to deal with it. So I bring it to your attention because I think its a serious challenge.

Mnuchin: Again I will work with the Ethics Office and the General Counsel to work through that, and again I would just comment that Sears inherited, when it was purchased, underfunded, and has contributed billions of dollars to this along the way. Thank you sir.

Menendez: It may have inherited it, but by the same token it continued to underfund it.

So, after years of disappointment, Sears doom-and-gloomers might finally approach the end of their long wait. Read Is the 2nd Half of 2017 when Sears Finally Kicks the Bucket?
Deutsche Bank sought an unusual provision in its $7.2 billion mortgage-bond settlement with the U.S. government, and seems to have won it: the bank can pay down part of its penalty by lending money to fund managers.

As part of the agreement, Germany's largest bank has to provide $4.1 billion of relief for mortgage borrowers. Other lenders that reached similar accords with the U.S. have also had consumer obligations, which they have usually met by easing terms on loans that they made, or that they bought.

Those banks often got credit for relief even if they no longer owned the mortgages or collected payments on them, and losses were borne by fund managers. That sparked criticism from consumer advocates who said that the borrower relief figures inflated the sense of pain that lenders truly bore in agreements over the subprime mortgage bonds that helped trigger the financial crisis a decade ago.

The Deutsche Bank deal seems to go one step further: it allows the German lender to finance other firms that buy nonperforming loans on the cheap and that restructure them for profit. That provision appears in two footnotes in the more than 110 pages of settlement documents, and says the bank will get credit for "financing arrangements" that it offers to other firms that can modify and make mortgages. Those firms may include private equity funds or mortgage payment collectors known as servicers.

New Provision

The lender sought that provision in part because it doesn't have retail mortgage operations in the U.S. to supply it with soured loans, and has a strained balance sheet that makes buying billions of dollars of home loans difficult. Other banks didn't have that language included in their agreements, including the Credit Suisse Group accord that the government released this week, according to a Bloomberg examination of major lenders' settlement documents. Representatives for the Justice Department and Deutsche Bank declined to comment.

Bloomberg first reported earlier this month that the Frankfurt-based lender, looking to cut the costs of its settlement, was considering how it could meet its relief obligations in unconventional ways. The bank has had discussions about possible firms to finance, a person with knowledge of the matter said at the time.

The provision in the agreement may allow Deutsche Bank to get credit for doing business as usual, said Julia Gordon, an executive vice president at the National Community Stabilization Trust, a Washington-based nonprofit that focuses on housing.

"The buyers the bank is financing should have to show that Deutsche Bank is helping them achieve better outcomes than they'd otherwise produce," Gordon said, referring to funds and servicers that buy home loans in government auctions.

The Deutsche Bank settlement is one of a flurry of mortgage-related cases that U.S. President Barack Obama's administration closed before he left office, including a settlement with Credit Suisse. Barclays opted for litigation instead of settling. Donald Trump was sworn in as president on Friday.

'Crisis Contributor'

Deutsche Bank is already getting an easier break than most other lenders by being allowed to count consumer relief for such a large portion of its settlement, said Mark Adelson, a consultant and former chief credit officer for bond rating firm S&P Global Ratings. Because consumer relief expenses aren't often borne directly by the bank, it's a lighter form of penalty than a fine, he added.

About 57% of the bank's agreement was relief, compared with around 31% for JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s $13 billion settlement announced in November 2013.

Deutsche Bank's final agreement was announced on Tuesday. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement then that "Deutsche Bank did not merely mislead investors" in its mortgage bonds, "it contributed directly to an international financial crisis."
President Donald Trump quickly assumed the mantle of the White House on Friday, making his first executive order one aimed at his predecessor's signature health care law and swearing-in members of his national security team to his Cabinet.

Hours after delivering a stinging rebuke of the political status quo in his inaugural address, Trump sat at the president's formal desk in the Oval Office as he signed the order that White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said was aimed at "minimizing the economic burden" of the "Obamacare" law.

The order notes that Trump intends to seek the "prompt repeal" of the law. But in the meantime, it allows the Health and Human Services Department and other federal agencies to delay implementing any piece of the law that might impose a "fiscal burden" on states, health care providers, families or individuals.

Moments later, Vice President Mike Pence administered the oath of office to Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, the first members of Trump's Cabinet to clear Senate confirmation.

"It's been a great day," Trump told press assembled for the signing of their commissions.

The swearing-in ceremonies came amid a hectic set of activity late Friday, before Trump was to attend three inaugural balls. As Trump signed the paperwork, the White House announced Priebus had sent a memorandum to agencies and departments outlining guidelines for slowing regulations.

Asked about his first day as president, Trump said, "It was busy but good  a beautiful day."

Although Trump campaigned on a detailed 18-point plan of things to do on Day One, he has since backed off some of his promised speed, downplaying the importance of a rapid-fire approach to complex issues that may involve negotiations with Congress or foreign leaders. Trump has said that he expects Monday to be the first big workday, his effective Day One.

On Friday, he switched between the official business of governing and the pageantry of his inauguration, making his first official moves as president in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor. Flanked by Pence and congressional leaders before his congressional luncheon, Trump praised each of his Cabinet nominees as he signed the papers formalizing their nominations. He also engaged in banter with his new congressional rivals, including Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

Trump also signed a proclamation declaring a national day of patriotism, according to a tweet from White House spokesman Sean Spicer.

Priebus' memo says that agencies shouldn't submit any regulations to be published in the Federal Register unless a Trump-selected agency head approves it. That appears to mean that some regulations that had been approved by President Barack Obama's administration would be halted. It also freezes any regulations that are already in the pipeline to be published and allows time for other pending regulations to be reviewed by Trump's administration.

The memo is similar to one that Obama's chief of staff issued the day Obama was inaugurated in 2009.

Before Mattis could be nominated, Trump had to sign a bill passed by Congress last week granting a one-time exception from federal law barring former U.S. service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years from holding the top Pentagon job. The restriction is meant to preserve civilian control of the military.

Mattis, 66, retired from the Marine Corps in 2013. Hours later, he was confirmed by the Senate as Trump watched his inaugural parade from a stand outside the White House. The Senate later confirmed retired Gen. John Kelly to lead the Homeland Security Department.

There were others signs his new government was up and running. Federal websites and agencies immediately began reflecting the transfer of power, and WhiteHouse.gov was revamped for Trump's policy priorities as pages about LGBT rights and the Obama administration's climate change plan were eliminated.

Shortly after Trump became president, the Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended the Obama administration's planned reduction of mortgage insurance premium rates, a move that had been intended to make buying a home more affordable.

More significant policy announcements are expected in the early days of the Trump administration.

Trump's spokesman has said the president intends to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, which he views as detrimental to U.S. businesses and workers. He has also promised to renegotiate the two-decades-old Clinton era North American Free Trade Agreement or withdraw from it.

Given Trump's opposition to Obama's immigration actions, he could also cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which has protected about 750,000 young immigrants from deportation. The program also offered those immigrants work permits.

Trump also faces an early choice of naming a Supreme Court justice to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. Trump has said he will announce a nominee in about two weeks.

Other issues poised to receive early action include energy, where Trump is likely to undo regulations on oil drilling and coal, and cybersecurity, where he has already said he will ask for a report on the strength of the nation's cyber defenses within 90 days of taking office.

Associated Press writer Alicia A. Caldwell contributed to this report.
Shortly after President Donald Trump was sworn into office Friday, his team introduced a revamped White House website that points to Chicagos violent crime.

During his inaugural speech, Trump bemoaned the nations violent crime but didnt explicitly mention the crisis in Chicago. The city was mentioned, though, on a section of the White House website titled Standing up for our law enforcement community.

There were thousands of shootings in Chicago last year, the site reads.

The page also points to Washington, D.C.s rising murder rate. Neither Chicago nor D.C. ranks in the top 20 nationwide for per-capita homicide rates, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Nevertheless, the revamped White House website promises that Trumps incoming administration will focus on law and order and warns against the dangerous anti-police atmosphere in America."

Our job is not to make life more comfortable for the rioter, the looter, or the violent disrupter, the site reads. Our job is to make life more comfortable for parents who want their kids to be able to walk the streets safely.

President Donald Trump will fight for the safety of every American, and especially those Americans who have not known safe neighborhoods for a very long time, the site reads.

Earlier this month, Trump sent a tweet outlining the citys staggering crime statistics, claiming Emanuel should seek federal help if local authorities cant handle the crisis.

Chicago murder rate is record setting - 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016, Trump tweeted. If mayor cant do it he must ask for Federal help!

Earlier this month, Trump sent a tweet outlining the citys staggering crime statistics, claiming Emanuel should seek federal help if local authorities cant handle the crisis.



Chicago murder rate is record setting - 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016, Trump tweeted. If mayor cant do it he must ask for Federal help!

While it wasn't a record, data made available by the Chicago Police Department shows 2016 was one of the most violent years in the city since the mid-90's.

Chicagos violence has become headline news in recent weeks following a damning 60 Minutes report earlier this month. Last week, the Department of Justice issued a report on the Chicago Police Department that found a pattern or practice of use of excessive force.

The report was commissioned in the wake of the police shooting of Chicago teen Laquan McDonald, who was killed by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke in October of 2014.

Over the course of his campaign, Trump repeatedly invoked Chicago as a symbol of urban despair. As a result, Chicagos City Council voted a week before the November election to remove a street sign honoring the Republican businessmans downtown skyscraper, a move that was supported by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
It was a long time coming, but notorious Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzman finally walked into an American courtroom Friday to face charges that he was the murderous architect of a three-decade-long web of violence, corruption and drug addiction in the United States.

As he was taken before a federal judge, prosecutors announced they were seeking a $14 billion forfeiture from Guzman, who arrived overnight after the sudden decision by Mexican authorities to grant his extradition to the United States.

Photos Give Inside Look at 'El Chapo' Extradition

"Today marks a milestone in our pursuit of Chapo Guzman,'' said Robert Capers, the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn. "He's a man known for a life of crime, violence, death and destruction, and now he'll have to answer for that.''

As boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel, Guzman presided over a syndicate that shipped tons of heroin and cocaine to the U.S., using tanker trucks, planes with secret landing strips, container ships, speedboats and even submarines, prosecutors said. Perhaps most famously, Guzman's cartel built elaborate tunnels under the U.S. border to transport drugs, according to Wifredo Ferrer, the U.S. attorney in Miami.

The cartel made billions of dollars in profits -- hence prosecutors' bid for a $14 billion forfeiture -- and employed hit men who carried out murders, kidnappings and acts of torture, according to prosecutors. The Sinaloa smugglers also helped fuel an epidemic of drug abuse in the U.S. in the 1980s and '90s, the prosecutors said.

Guzman was recaptured a year ago in Mexico after escaping from a maximum-security prison for a second time. The episode was highly embarrassing for President Enrique Pena Nieto's government, and Mexican officials were seen as eager to hand him off to the U.S.

By finally bringing their case in the Eastern District of New York, prosecutors chose that city over Chicago and other jurisdictions that have long hoped to put Guzman on trial.

After the tunneling into a maximum security prison which had to have the involvement of government officials, that was a huge embarrassment for the government of Mexico, said Thomas Shakeshaft, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago. There was still a chance that he was running the cartel behind bars, but this is a symbolic victory both for the government of Mexico, and the United States.

The Chicago case did carry a big plus, or perhaps more accurately, two of them. Two brothers, Pedro and Margarito Flores, who had been the prime distributors for Guzmans Sinoloa cartel in Chicago, had agreed to cooperate with authorities and would have been the chief witnesses in a Chicago trial. It isnt clear if the two will still be called in the New York case.

It took ten years to get Osama bin Laden, notes Shakeshaft, who spent years developing the Chicago prosecution. It took more than that to get to Chapo, but ultimately we did!

The Drug Enforcement Administration flew Guzman to New York from the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez on Thursday, hours before the inauguration of President Donald Trump, who has criticized Mexico for sending the U.S. "criminals and rapists'' and vowed to build a wall at the Mexican border.

When Guzman got off the plane, "as you looked into his eyes, you could see the surprise, you could see the shock, and to a certain extent, you could see the fear, as the realization kicked in that he's about to face American justice,'' said Angel Melendez, who leads U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's homeland security investigations in New York.

The U.S. has been trying to obtain custody of Guzman since he was first indicted in California in the early 1990s. Now in his late 50s, he faces the possibility of life in a U.S. prison.

Prosecutors had to agree to not seek the death penalty as a condition of the extradition. While he faces federal charges in several U.S. states, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn won the jockeying to get the case. The U.S. attorney's office there has substantial experience prosecuting international drug cartel cases and was once led by outgoing U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

After breaking out of prison the first time in 2001, Guzman spent more than a decade at large, becoming something of a folk legend among some Mexicans for his defiance of authorities. He was immortalized in ballads known as "narco-corridos."

Captured in 2014, Guzman then made an even more audacious escape, coolly stepping into a hole in the floor of his prison cell shower and whizzing to freedom on a motorcycle modified to run on tracks laid the length of the tunnel.

While on the run, he secretly met with actors Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo in a fall 2015 encounter that Penn later chronicled in Rolling Stone magazine.

In Penn's article, Guzman was unapologetic about his criminal activities, saying he had turned to drug trafficking at age 15 because it was "the only way to have money to buy food, to survive.''

The piece was published shortly after Mexican marines rearrested Guzman in a January 2016 shootout that killed five of his associates and wounded one marine.
President Donald Trump promised an unbelievable, perhaps record-setting turnout for his inauguration, but it appears he fell short of a record.

Photos taken from the same vantage point at roughly the same time during the inaugurations of Trump and Barack Obama show far fewer people on the National Mall on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. Subway ridership figures released Friday also show a drop between 2009 and 2017.

Various groups involved with the planning of Fridays ceremonies  the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Activities, the D.C. Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the U.S. Armed Forces Joint Task Force-National Capital Region  predicted 700,000 to 900,000 would attend Trumps swearing-in and parade.

His predecessor drew what was originally estimated to be a record 1.8 million people to the National Mall for his inauguration in 2009. That estimate was provided by Washington D.C. officials, though The Washington Post later questioned whether it was too high.

On Friday, ridership numbers from the Washington D.C. Metro showed a drop from the 2009 inaugural. As of 11 a.m. on Friday, it recorded 193,000 rides, compared to 513,000 at that time in 2009.

Meanwhile, an expert told The New York Times the crowd on the National Mall on Friday was about one-third the size of the crowd for Obama in 2009.

The Joint Congressional Committee for Inaugural Ceremonies distributed about 250,000 tickets for Trumps inauguration on Friday, 1,600 on platforms and 1,000 on bleachers, which it said was on par for previous ceremonies. But most people attending the festival watch from elsewhere.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange retreated from his pledge to accept extradition to the U.S. if Chelsea Manning was granted clemency, arguing Wednesday via his lawyers that what he was really asking for was an immediate pardon for the ex-Army analyst.

It was only last week that Assange raised eyebrows across the internet when he appeared to offer himself up as a kind of swap for Manning, the former private convicted of leaking the hundreds of thousands of documents that made WikiLeaks a household name.

"If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case," WikiLeaks said, apparently referring to the U.S. Department of Justice's continuing investigation into the radical transparency website.

But when Obama granted clemency to Manning on Tuesday, setting a May release date that lops almost 30 years off her sentence, Assange's lawyers said it wasn't enough.

"There's no question that what President Obama did is not what Assange was seeking," said Barry Pollack, who represents the WikiLeaks chief in the United States. "Mr. Assange was saying that Chelsea should never have been prosecuted, never have been sentenced to decades in prison, and should have been released immediately."

Melinda Taylor, who also represents Assange, agreed, saying in an email that clemency was "far short of what Mr. Assange asked for and what Ms. Manning deserved (which is to be pardoned and freed immediately)."

Neither supplied any evidence that Assange had used the words "immediate" or "pardon" in relation to his extradition offer, but Pollack said it was clear that was what Assange meant  noting that the Australian computer expert had previously pushed for Manning's pardon.

"Why would he be called for Manning's release in a few months from now?" Pollack said. "You can parse his tweets any way that you want to parse them. I think his position has been clear throughout."

Critics of Assange had a field day, accusing him of dishonesty or using Manning's case to win publicity. "Julian Assange Backpedals on Extradition Promise in Record Time," read one headline in tech website Gizmodo.

It's not the first time Assange's pronouncements in relation to Manning haven't quite worked out as advertised.

In December 2010, journalists revealed that WikiLeaks had failed to honor a pledge to help support Manning's legal defense fund. It was only after the story was aired in the media that WikiLeaks paid up, reducing its expected contribution from $50,000 to $20,000 and then finally to $15,100, according to press accounts at the time.

Even earlier, in June 2010, WikiLeaks said that claims "that we have been sent 260,000 classified US embassy cables are, as far as we can tell, incorrect."

Four months later, the site began publishing Manning's huge trove.
Hundreds of thousands of women and men, many wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president, poured into the nation's capital by bus, car and train Saturday for a march aimed at showing Donald Trump they won't be silent over the next four years.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the crowd in Washington. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay."

A massive turnout packed the entire route of the Women's March on Washington, preventing organizers from leading the formal march toward the White House. Instead of trekking en masse to the Ellipse by the White House as planned, the protesters were told to make their way there on their own by way of other streets.

The Washington, D.C., event was the largest of more than 600 "sister marches" planned across the country and around the world. Organizers estimated 3 million people would march worldwide, and city centers across the U.S. were flooded with people in rallies that lasted for hours.

Organizers of the march on Washington expected more than 500,000 people to attend the gathering, according to Deputy Mayor Kevin Donahue, more than double initial predictions.

The march attracted significant support from celebrities. Ferrara led the artists' contingent in Washington that included Scarlett Johansson, Katy Perry, Ashley Judd, Cher, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore. The performance lineup included Madonna, Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Samantha Ronson, the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the election, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values." And Democratic politicians spoke as well, including senators Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand and Tammy Duckworth.

There were early signs across Washington that Saturday's crowds could top those that gathered on Friday to watch Trump's swearing-in ceremony.

Metro subway stations and trains cars were overwhelmed with riders at many locations. Several sites had long lines wrapped around city blocks of marchers waiting to enter stations. Metro's Federal Triangle station, which initially planned to be stay closed throughout Saturday over safety concerns for the presidential inauguration, reversed that decision and reopened the station just after 9 a.m.

In New York, the demand for last-minute bus tickets sent Greyhound scrambling to add 18 extra buses to the 3:45 a.m. schedule, but the short notice meant some buses didn't get drivers on time. A Greyhound spokeswoman said the buses left by 6:30 a.m. and there were no further delays.

Many arrived wearing hand-knit "pussyhats," a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals, caught on tape in 2005 and first aired during the presidential campaign.

The marchers brandished signs with messages such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" and decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change.

March organizers said women are "hurting and scared" as the new president takes office and want a greater voice for women in political life.

"When women are more harshly criticized and when we speak up for equality, we need every woman and every man to speak up for us, too," Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who called herself a "chick mayor," told the crowd.

As the rally alongside the National Mall took shape, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration.

Outside on the streets of Washington, feminist leader Gloria Steinem described the worldwide mobilization as "the upside of the downside: This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life."

Plenty of men were part of the tableau, too.

In Washington, Joy Rodriguez, of Miami, arrived with her husband, William, and their two daughters, ages 12 and 10.

"I want to make sure their rights are not infringed on in these years coming up," Joy Rodriguez said.

Matt Carpenter, 51, came to D.C. from Boston with his 14-year-old daughter, Alexandra.

"I wanted to stand for my daughters and my wife and also for myself because we think that there are really bad things going on and everybody needs to own the democratic process at this point and make things better," Carpenter said.

Bruce Lobson, from Salisbury, Maryland, took the Greyhound from Baltimore to join his daughter for the march in Washington.

"I'm here to support women," Lobson said. "Out of deep concern for our democratic institution."

Vivian Posey, 70, from Hollywood, California, said she came to Washington because "it's important for women to take stand if we want leadership in this country to be more balanced."

"I hope that people who need to know about this are watching, and not dismissing it as so often women's rights have been dismissed," Posey said.

Rose Wurm, 64, a retired medical secretary from Bedford, Pennsylvania, boarded a Washington-bound bus in Hagerstown, Maryland, at 7 a.m. carrying two signs: one asking Trump to stop tweeting and one asking him to fix, not trash, the "Obamacare" health law.

"There are parts of it that do need change. It's something new, something unique that's not going to be perfect right out of the gate," she said.

Women and other groups were demonstrating across the nation and as far abroad as Myanmar and Australia.

The rallies were a peaceful counterpoint to the window-smashing unrest that unfolded on Friday when self-described anarchists tried to disrupt the inauguration. Police used pepper spray and stun grenades against demonstrators. More than 200 people were arrested.

But the Women's March on Washington didn't yield a single arrest, according to D.C. Homeland Security Director Christopher Geldart.

In Chicago, organizers canceled the march portion of their event for safety reasons after the overflow crowd reached an estimated 250,000. Demonstrators rallied near Grant Park instead.

Rosie Perez, Whoopi Goldberg, and Taylor Schilling of "Orange is the New Black" help kick off the Women's March in New York City Saturday. Organizers expect more than 65,000 people to march in support of women's equality and human rights.

Meanwhile, in California, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of downtown Los Angeles  organizers said it totalled 750,000  and several thousand more gathered in communities across the Bay Area.

The idea for the women's march took off after a number of women posted on social media in the hours after Trump's election about the need to mobilize. Hundreds of groups quickly joined the cause, pushing a wide range of causes, including abortion rights, gun control, climate change and immigrant rights.

While the march organizers' "mission and vision" statement never mentions Trump and stresses broad themes, including the message that "women's rights are human rights," the unifying factor among those turning out appeared to be a loathing for the new president and dismay that so much of the country voted for him.

Associated Press writers Nancy Benac, Ben Nuckols, Alanna Durkin Richer, Brian Witte and David Dishneau, and NBC Washington's Lexi Lexie Shapitl and Megan Yoder contributed to this report.
Unlike the clashes with police and vandalism in the nations capital on Inauguration Day, protestors in New Haven peacefully voiced their opposition to President Donald Trump, his positions on several issues and his cabinet selections.

This is just a peaceful demonstration to get all of the residents of the city of New Haven together, said Alderman Darryl Brackeen Jr.

After a rally outside City Hall, protestors began marching down Church Street in downtown New Haven.

Jennifer Hernandez from Wallingford did not watch President Trumps inaugural speech because she doesn't, want him to have any ratings today from me, at least, she said.

Hernandez told NBC Connecticut she is concerned with what he said after reading the transcript.

Very nationalistic, very fascist type rhetoric and very anti a diverse America, she said. But very pro-white male America, and I wont stand for that, thats not who we are.

While President Trump delivered his speech on the steps of the U.S. Capitol after swearing in, dozens gathered on the steps of City Hall in Milford for their own demonstration.

There are just too many things Trump and the republican agenda want to eliminate or harm, Wayne Theriault of Milford said.

Back in New Haven, the diverse group of demonstrators started gathering outside City Hall around 2 p.m. They rallied against President Trumps positions on issues such as immigration, womens rights and climate change.

Hes talking about rolling back all the progress weve made under Obama, Steve Winter of New Haven said. Installing, basically, an oil lobbyist as the head of the EPA.

Winter was collecting signatures for a petition to drop the Electoral College, pointing out Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly three million votes.
The final piece of the concourse at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford was placed on Friday at the stadium.

Construction crews with Whiting-Turner were seen using a crane to place the bridge, which connects left field to center field. It was a gaping hole left behind when the city fired the old developer.

Mayor Luke Bronin said Arch Insurance has committed to the deadline of finishing work on the stadium on time for its opening on April 13, about a year behind schedule.

Bronin said the city, Arch Insurance and Whiting-Turner Construction all have the same mission: to complete construction of the ballpark.

Were working well with both of those partners, you know weve got a good, strong partnership with both Whiting-Turner and with Arch and were doing everything we can to make sure progress continues well," said Bronin.

Bronin said that at this time, the city will not have to put more money into the stadium project, but that can always change.

When Arch Insurance took responsibility for this project, took responsibility for funding it, they are doing it with their own dollars. There is always the possibility of litigation beyond completion of this thing. Theres always a possibility that therell be litigation that goes on for a long time, said Bronin.

Bronin said his hope has always been to minimize taxpayer spending, especially on the stadium project.

NBC Connecticut reached out to Whiting-Turner Construction, Arch Insurance and the Hartford Yardgoats for comment.
As hundreds of thousands of women descend on Washington, D.C. for the National Womens March on Washington, Connecticut residents held a sister rally of their own in Hartford.

Connecticut residents gathered at the State Capitol Buildings north lawn to stand in solidarity with women across the nation. Organizers expected about 5,000 people to attend but police estimate the crowd was double that - around 10,000 people attended.

Planned for the day after President Donald Trump took office, the march stands for the idea that womens rights are human rights, no matter what race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, sexual identity, economic status, age or disability.

Participants wanted to represent a wide range of concepts including ending violence, reproductive rights, LGBTQIA rights, workers' rights, civil rights, disability rights, immigrant rights and environmental justice.

I think its very important for us to come out and represent a lot of concerns that are not being addressed by the new administration, said New Britain resident Victoria Harris Cloud.

Gov. Dannel Malloy threw his support behind the march and what it stands for, declaring Saturday Womens March on Washington Day in the state of Connecticut.

Governor Malloy has proclaimed today to be #WomensMarchOnWashington Day in the State of Connecticut. @womensmarchct #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/J9g77wYRO9  Governor Dan Malloy (Archived) (@GovMalloyOffice) January 21, 2017

This day is more than an expression of disappointment as some people will try to say it is. It is an expression of outrage at the direction some people would lead us in, Malloy said at the Hartford rally.

The governor went on to say that the peopel have an obligation to protect each other's rights. Another speaker asked the crowd to join together peacefully in the face of opposition.

Connecticut was also represented by an estimated 20,000 people who traveled down to Washington, D.C. for the national march.

Events were hosted all across the nation and in places as far as Australia and Antarctica. In Connecticut, there were also events in Stamford and East Haddam.
Danbury officials are looking into a video that appears to show a man holding a Trump sign verbally harassing students coming out of Danbury High School, according to Mayor Mark Boughton.

The mayor said school officials and police are investigating the incident after video surfaced on Twitter that appears to show a man in the parking lot holding a Trump sign and shouting at students.

"Youll be out of the country you [expletive] illegal," the man can be heard shouting.

According to Boughton, the man was there after 2 p.m. on Friday, when the high school becomes public space, and he was there to pick up a relative from school. There was also a physical fight between the man and the student, though the mayor said it appeared the student initiated the altercation.

It is unclear if the man will be charged with anything but the situation is under review.

This is just horrible behavior, the mayor said. The individual should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, should any laws have been broken. Horrendous.
Dallas police reported five arrests Friday as protesters marched hours after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

About 40-50 people were part of one demonstration that began at Lake Cliff Park and moved toward Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff. Along the way, they began completely blocking traffic, at which point police moved in to make two arrests.

The crowd then quickly retreated to the sidewalk.

Dallas police arrested a protester during a march Friday, Jan. 20, through North Oak Cliff.

A third person who was across the street at the time was arrested when she failed to comply with an officer's orders.

Two other arrests were also reported among the march, police said. Each of the five people will be charged with obstructing the road.

Following that confrontation the atmosphere mellowed and protesters made their way back to Lake Cliff Park.

Among the marchers was Dan Gardner, a former enlisted Marine, who said he was protesting because he sees Trump as a threat to the country.

"I'm just an average guy. I can't take away what he's going to do, but I can make sure to inspire enough people, so in 10 years we have people that we do want to see in office," Gardner said.

Meanwhile, a group called North Texas Resistance held a rally in Dealey Plaza and a march through a portion of downtown Dallas that drew more than 100 participants. The event went off without any incident.
It's the third inauguration for the Anne and Hank Paup of Fort Worth.

But for Hank Paup, this time, he had two reasons to be in Washington, D.C.



"It was kind of a last minute, spur of the moment thing," said Hank. "One of the reasons we wanted to be here is to support Rick Perry. Rick and I were in college together. We went to his confirmation hearing yesterday, which was very exciting for all of us."

Former Governor Rick Perry has been nominated for Secretary of Defense.

Besides attending the hearing, the Paups also attended the Texas inaugural ball, "Black Tie and Boots." They watched the inaugural parade from the Newseum.
With thunderous applause and some tears of joy, Denton County's Republican faithful gathered at the county's Republican headquarters Friday to watch the moment many of them have waited years for: their party's return to the White House.

Many in the standing-room only room said they were hopeful as Donald Trump was sworn in as 45th president of the United States.

"Trump is going to put America first and patriotism is back," said Trump supporter Jennifer Winmill.

Several of the attendees at the watch party said that despite the decisiveness of the election they're confident President Trump will be able to unite the country and stay tethered in his new role.

But you didn't have to look far Friday to find disagreement.

Less than five minutes up the road at the University of North Texas, students gathered on the Library Mall in protest of Trump's inauguration.

Many held signs and flags supporting immigrants and the LGBTQ community whom some fear will be at risk under the new administration after comments by the president during the election.

"Any bigotry, any hate, any form of it at all is not going to be tolerated what-so-ever," said recent graduate Stephanie Plancarte.

The president's inauguration was met with protests across the country, some that turned violent Friday.

Like the Denton County GOP, though, many others nationwide looked at the ceremony as the beginning of a new chapter.
Whether you attend a temple ceremony at midnight, or join a mooncake-sweet festivity, or watch a lion dance, or plan a meal around auspicious eats, the Lunar New Year has a way of bringing luck, joy, and hope for the days ahead to all.

Communities from Hong Kong to Seoul to New York to right here in Southern California will welcome The Year of the Rooster in the coming weeks.

The new year officially begins on Saturday, Jan. 28  that's a new moon night, you're correct, an event that heralds the start of the celebrations  but some spots will begin the shows, parades, and mooncake goodness ahead of the last Saturday in January.

And, of course, keep the reveleries going well past that date, too. To find your go-to glad-making merriment, and to honor a venerable holiday that's devoutly and joyously observed in places dotting the wide globe, look to...

The 118th Golden Dragon Parade: "Venerable" is certainly the word for this Chinatown spectacular, a popular, well-attended, and dance-filled to-do that can trace its beginnings to the very end of the 19th century. Floats, costumes, and those epic swirling dragons are hallmarks of this happy day. Saturday, Feb. 4

Monterey Park's Chinese New Year: The thing to know, ASAP, about this bustling bash of food, song, and more, is that it has been postponed for 2017. But only by a week. The former dates were Jan. 21 and 22, but, due to the rainstorm, the Lunar New Year Festival will happen on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29. Firecrackers open the fun first thing on Saturday.

The Original Farmers Market: The landmark clocktowered public market will team up with The Grove on Sunday, Jan. 29 for "...Korean cultural dances, Kung Fu martial arts demos, food demos..." and, of course, a few amazing dances (both lion and dragon). As with other public events at the historic attraction, attending is free.

Beverly Hills: The Saban Theatre is the place to be on Saturday, Jan. 21. It's now sold-out, but if you have your ticket you'll enjoy the "Charming Beijing" variety show as well as a host of "acrobatic and musical performances." Several hotels throughout the city are also featuring special Chinese New Year stay-over packages through the final day of February 2017.

Universal Studios Hollywood: The pomp and party-sweet fun rev up early at the theme park's Lunar New Year celebration. "Early" means Saturday, Jan. 21, and the events run through Sunday, Feb. 5. "Kung Fu Panda" characters are part of the goings-on, and there are Wishing Trees, too. For the full line-up of new year to-dos, click.

The Americana at Brand: The Glendale shopping destination had planned to mark the Lunar New Year a week before its official start, but, due to the wet weather, the revelry will now take place on Saturday, Feb. 4. Stilt walkers, a host of performances, a dragon dance, and classic eats galore (from K-Town Night Market vendors) are on the docket for the afternoon happening.
Residents in Southern California are bracing for the third and final expected winter storm as Friday's system brought heavy rain and high winds that toppled trees, downed power lines and flooded and closed streets.

A more powerful system is expected to hit the area on Sunday.

Friday's storm was expected to be the coldest but not the wettest of the three.

Fast-moving runoff from rain soaked hillsides made residents' lives miserable in Santa Clarita's Iron Canyon on Friday. Backyards and swimming pools were overrun by mud, and citizens dreading the next storm wave.

"We knew there was danger," said Joe Gunner, a resident. "But it's much worse than we anticipated it would be. Much worse."

Mud flowed from a Duarte hillside into a residential neighborhood, forcing its way around and through K-rails into the front yards of several homes.

"We're concerned," said Margaret Finlay, the city's mayor. "The mud flows are one thing. But if we get into mudslides? That's a whole 'nother story."

On Saturday, Los Angeles County Fire will patrol the area despite the break from the rain.

Five people were rescued from a homeless encampment in the Sepulveda Basin. One was reached by swift water rescue crew in a boat.

Fallen trees and downed power lines were reported throughout the region, with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power saying that about 10,000 of its customers had lost electrical service in various areas, including Van Nuys, where a tree took out wires and knocked out service to about 1,000 customers, including at Van Nuys Airport.

Stretches of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu and Pacific Palisades were closed by flooding and downed power lines and mud flowed onto the California Incline, closing that link between PCH and Santa Monica.

Flash flood warnings were issued for the Sand, Sage and Calgrove burn areas in northern Los Angeles County while residents of the waterfront Long Beach Peninsula were warned of storm surge danger amid high surf.

In Orange County, a flash flood watch was in force through the evening with warnings that thunderstorms could strike Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Yorba Linda and Mission Viejo.

Snow was piling up in some local mountain areas, with levels expected to fall to between 4,000 and 5,000 feet through Saturday morning, prompting officials at the sheriff's Palmdale Station to warn people of avalanche danger in the Wrightwood area.

Beverly White contributed to this report.
Presidents typically avoid facts and figures when delivering inaugural addresses, serving up a blend of broad platitudes and generalities to lay out a vision. President Donald Trump was no different in that regard.

But in his inaugural address, Trump portrayed the United States as a nation in decline, using rhetoric that did not always match reality:

Trump portrayed the U.S. as crime-ridden and promised to stop the American carnage. But the U.S. violent crime rate in 2015 was less than half what it was at its peak in 1991.

Trump promised to bring back our jobs. Manufacturing jobs have been on the decline for decades, but Trump inherits an overall economy that has gained jobs for a record 75 straight months and has an unemployment rate well below the historical norm.

He said he would get our people off of welfare and back to work. But the welfare rolls have declined under President Obama, and they have dropped precipitously since President Clinton signed legislation in 1996 instituting work requirements and time limits.

Trump promised to bring back our borders, blaming past politicians for refusing to defend our border. But the U.S. Border Patrol budget has tripled since 2001, and the number of border patrol agents has doubled. Southwest border apprehensions have dropped 75 percent from the peak in fiscal 2000.

Crime 'Carnage'

As he did so often on the campaign trail, Trump again painted a picture of a crime-ridden nation.

While Americans want safe neighborhoods for their families, Trump said, for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists, one in which the crime and the gangs and the drugs  have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.

This American carnage stops right here and stops right now, Trump said.

Although he spoke in general terms this time, Trump has often framed the issue by citing rising violent crime and murder rates  which focuses on a one-year uptick but ignores the long-term trend.

FBI data show the number of overall violent crimes in the U.S. increased by 3.9 percent from 2014 to 2015, and murder and nonnegligent manslaughter went up by 10.8 percent. While authorities are concerned about the one-year violent crime increase, as USA Today reported, the 2015 figure is still lower than in 2011, and 16.5 percent below the level nine years earlier.

As we have noted, the long-term trend nationwide is a decline, not only in murder rates, but for violent crime in general.

As this graph of violent crime rates for the nation shows, the rate has been on a decline since it peaked at 758.2 in 1991. It was less than half that, 372.6 in 2015. (The FBI describes its data as estimated, and it comes from the voluntary reports of local law enforcement agencies.)

The murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rate nationwide, at 4.9 in 2015, is less than half the peak of 10.2 in 1980.

On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly referenced a spike in murders in cities like Chicago. And indeed, several U.S. cities have seen an alarming spike. A New York Times story in May 2016 cited notable increases in murders in about two dozen cities in the first three months of the year compared to last year and a 9 percent increase nationwide. Criminology and statistics experts told us they cant discern a trend from such a small snapshot in time.

An analysis from the Brennan Center for Justice released on Sept. 19, concluded: Overall crime rates in 2016 are projected to be nearly the same as last year, with crime remaining at an all-time low. The analysis found that murder increased by 14 percent with just three cities  Baltimore, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.  responsible for half that increase. All told, 2015s murder rate was still near historic lows. The analysis said that the average person in a large urban area is safer walking on the street today than he or she would have been at almost any time in the past 30 years.

On Jan. 20, as revelers celebrated and protesters and disrupters clashed with police across the city, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.

'Bring Back Our Jobs'

Trump blamed other countries for destroying our jobs, and he promised that he would bring back our jobs. He did not name the countries or how the jobs were destroyed. But Trump regularly blamed Mexico and China during the campaign, citing the North American Free Trade Agreement and Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization. NAFTA took effect Jan. 1, 1994, and China entered the WTO Dec. 11, 2001.

It is true that U.S. manufacturing jobs have declined. The Bureau of Labor Statistics website provides data on manufacturing jobs dating to 1939. As of December, there were not quite 12.3 million manufacturing jobs  which is nearly 7.3 million jobs, or about 37 percent, fewer than the peak of more than 19.5 million jobs in June 1979.

However, not all the job losses can be attributed to trade deals, and some of those job losses were offset by job gains elsewhere in the U.S. economy.

For example, a 2015 report from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service called NAFTAs impact relatively modest. CRS said, In reality, NAFTA did not cause the huge job losses feared by the critics or the large economic gains predicted by supporters.

One factor in the job losses is automation, which improved U.S. productivity but reduced jobs. A Jan. 18 CRS report, U.S. Manufacturing in International Perspective, noted that U.S. manufacturers large investments in automation  have eliminated many routine assembly jobs; only two in five workers in U.S. manufacturing establishments are now directly engaged in production.

Overall, Trump inherits a job market that has steadily improved since hitting a post-recession low in 2010. As we wrote in What President Trump Inherits, the U.S. economy has gained jobs for 75 straight months (the longest streak on record), and the unemployment rate is 4.7 percent (far below the historical norm since 1948).

There were also more than 5.5 million job openings as of the last business day in November  double the number when Barack Obama took over as president in January 2009. BLS has been keeping track of job openings only since December 2000, but since that time the record high was in April 2016, when job openings topped 5.8 million.

The Obamas greet the Trumps at the White House on Jan. 20, 2017, the day of Donald Trumps inauguration and swearing in as president.

Poverty and Welfare

Trump spoke of mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, and he promised, We will get our people off of welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor.

On poverty, as we pointed out in What President Trump Inherits, there were 43.1 million Americans with incomes below the poverty line in 2015. Thats 3.1 million more living in poverty than in 2008, the year before Obama took office. The 13.5 percent poverty rate, which experienced its biggest one-year drop since 1968 last year, was still three-tenths of a percentage point above where it was in 2008. Poverty figures for 2016 wont be available until September.

Despite a rise in the number and rate of those living in poverty under Obama, the number on welfare declined, reflecting a long-term trend since then-President Bill Clinton signed welfare overhaul legislation in 1996. That legislation, which created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or TANF, to replace the Aid to Families With Dependent Children program, imposed time limits for cash assistance and work or work-related requirements for recipients to continue to receive welfare.

The average monthly number of individuals and families on TANF since fiscal year 1997 has declined by 75 percent and 69 percent, respectively. And the AFDC program provided cash assistance to even greater numbers in the years prior. The average monthly number of individuals receiving assistance in fiscal 1970 was 7.9 million. The figure for 2016 was 2.8 million.

Under Obama, the welfare rolls have declined as well. The average monthly number of individuals and families on TANF declined 27 percent and 26 percent, respectively, from fiscal year 2008 to 2016.

The number of people receiving food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, has been declining in recent years but is still up overall under Obamas tenure. As of October 2016, the most recent month on record, 43.2 million people were receiving SNAP benefits.

Thats up 35 percent from January 2009, when Obama was inaugurated, but down 9.6 percent from the record level in December 2012.

'Bring Back Our Borders'

During the campaign, Trump made immigration a central issue, and it was a topic he returned to in his inaugural address. The newly installed president blamed past politicians for refusing to defend our borders, promising to bring back our borders.

But the facts tell a different story.

Beginning with President George W. Bush and continuing under President Barack Obama, the U.S. Border Patrol budget went up 218 percent, from nearly $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2001 to $3.6 billion in FY2016.

Under Bush, the total number of Border Patrol agents more than doubled  increasing from 9,821 in fiscal year 2001 (which was the last budget signed by President Clinton) to 20,119 in fiscal year 2009, under funding levels signed by Bush. Under Obama, the number of agents peaked at 21,444, but declined to 19,828 by fiscal 2016. Even so, the number of border patrol agents have doubled since 2001.

While spending has gone up, apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border have gone down. In fact, the number of people apprehended while trying to enter the U.S. illegally from Mexico is one-quarter of what it was at its peak over a decade ago.

There were 408,870 apprehensions at the southwest border in fiscal year 2016, which was 75 percent below the peak number of 1,643,679 apprehended in FY2000.

FactCheck.org is a non-partisan non-profit organization that will hold candidates and key figures accountable during the 2016 presidential campaign. FactCheck.org will check facts of speeches, advertisements and more for NBC.
Sixteen people were killed when a bus crashed and caught fire in Italy while carrying Hungarian teenagers home from a school trip, authorities said Saturday.

Police commander Geralomo Lacquanita said the bus crashed and burst into flames just before midnight on the A4 highway near Verona as it returned from France, NBC News reported.

The bus was returning to Budapest with boys aged 15 to 17 along with parents and teachers.

Police say 16 badly burned bodies have been pulled from the wreckage.
In living rooms, cafes and offices, people across America watched Donald Trump become the nation's 45th president on Friday, with many eagerly anticipating the historic transition and others deeply fearing it.

Among them was a retired autoworker in Michigan who was awe-struck by the inauguration, another retiree from Kentucky who planned to counter protest in support of Trump and a Mexican immigrant in Phoenix worried about the future. Others avoided watching the ceremony altogether, underscoring America's deep political divide.

Here's what they had to say:

'WHAT A MOMENT'

Gary Krohn watched the proceedings at a Fraternal Order of Eagles chapter in Adrian, Michigan, an iced tea in front of him.

"This is history in the making right here," the 69-year-old General Motors retiree said as he watched dignitaries walking through the Capitol building with President Barack Obama on a TV affixed to a wall.

"These pictures are priceless," Krohn said.

Krohn said Trump wants to make "this country great again, not for himself, but for all Americans."

When Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts shook Trump's hand following the oath, Krohn slowly shook his head and said: "What a moment."

About a dozen people joined Krohn at the Eagles hall to watch, most of them sitting at the bar. Krohn and a fellow Trump supporter clapped enthusiastically during the ceremony.

Krohn, who was named for film star Gary Cooper and worked for GM for 30 years, said he is counting on Trump to fulfill his pledge to bring more jobs to America.

'REFORM, YES, LET'S DO IT'

Luis Padilla immigrated to the United States from Honduras 20 years ago. But the economy, not immigration, was his main reason for supporting Trump. Padilla, who is 50, said he respects Trump's business background.

"When he talks about (how) he's going to bring jobs, as a worker I like that because people need jobs," said Padilla, who graduated from college and lives and works as a school counselor in Broadway, Virginia.

On Friday, he roamed the National Mall with a broad smile on his face, wearing a red "Trump 2016" hat and a leather jacket with American-flag sleeves. He politely chatted with anti-Trump protesters and praised them for exercising their right to free speech.

Padilla said he also expects Trump to push for comprehensive immigration reform that benefits hard-working, law-abiding people.

"Reform, yes, let's do it," he said. "People who've been here for years, with no criminal background, they should be able to have something."

'MY COMMUNITY IS SCARED'

Claudia Faudoa watched nervously as Trump was sworn in, fidgeting and occasionally commenting on her worries.

Faudoa, a 44-year-old immigrant from Mexico who has been living in the United States without legal status for 23 years, is an organizer with the immigration advocacy group Promise Arizona. She watched the inauguration at the group's office in a Phoenix church.

She teared up as she spoke about her concerns over Trump's immigration positions, including a promise to dismantle the Obama administration program that provides protection to young people who lack legal status. As the mother of three U.S.-born children, Faudoa said she also worries about a similar program that would have benefited parents like her who lack legal status but have citizen children. That program has been on hold while it is challenged in court.

"My community is scared. We don't know what's going to happen. So we're going to defend and resist here," she said.

'A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL BE IGNORED AND HURT'

In an Oakland, California, living room, 42-year-old Melissa Crisp-Cooper watched Trump speak about bringing power back to the people and assuring them they will never be ignored again.

"I think a lot of people will be ignored and hurt," said Crisp-Cooper, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. She describes herself as an idealistic Bernie Sanders fan and talked back at the television frequently during Trump's 16-minute speech.

Crisp-Cooper does not feel like she's a part of Trump's America. She said she is "terrified" the country will slide back on progress it has made in rights for women, immigrants, gays and the disabled.

'I FEEL GOOD ABOUT AMERICA AGAIN'

Roy Nichols said Trump's victory has given him a new optimism about the country's future.

"I feel good about America again," Nichols said outside Union Station in Washington, D.C. The 64-year-old retiree from Paducah, Kentucky, traveled to Washington to be a counter protester supporting Trump and planned to be at Saturday's women's march as well.

He said his son had completed multiple military deployments to the Middle East, and he particularly admired Trump's hard-line stance against the Islamic State group.

"At least give him a chance," Nichols said.

'LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING PROUD TO BE AMERICAN AGAIN'

Trump wasn't Sue Moore's first or even second choice as the Republican Party's presidential nominee.

But during Trump's inauguration, the 57-year-old GOP activist chanted "We will make America great again!" She was surrounded by about 100 other people inside Pete's Greek Town Cafe in Denver who also enthusiastically chanted during Trump's inaugural address.

"He killed it. He knocked it out of the park," Moore said as others shouted and exchanged high-fives.

For Moore, a residential landlord, Trump's presidency marks a collective coming-out party of sorts: "We are not ashamed for being exceptional anymore," Moore said. "I'm looking forward to being proud to be American again. It's OK to be successful and to be proud of it. I'm tired of America having to apologize around the world."

Moore is a self-described "Ron Paul acolyte" who's socially liberal but fiscally conservative. She hopes that Trump can ease the nation's divisions by generating jobs and a stronger economy.

"Hopefully he'll create jobs, and everyone will jump on board," she said.

'IT'S REALLY HAPPENING'

Elisa Catrina Chavez skipped watching the inauguration and instead attended a concert and sing-along in Seattle. The concert was dubbed a "bed-in" after John Lennon and Yoko Ono's protest of the Vietnam War.

The 28-year-old artist who was born and raised in Texas described feeling ill on election night. While attending the concert, Trump's swearing-in lingered in her mind.

"I felt a little ill again thinking, it's really happening," she said.

Chavez is chiefly worried about the Affordable Care Act being repealed. For now, she's pinning her hopes on state politics, where she wants Democrats to retake the state Senate.

Associated Press journalists Jim Anderson in Denver; Janie Har in Oakland, California; Manuel Valdes in Seattle; Astrid Galvan in Phoenix; Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami; Barbara Rodriguez in Des Moines, Iowa; Mike Householder in Adrian, Michigan; Holly Ramer in Hooksett, New Hampshire; Alex Sanz in Johns Creek, Georgia; Brady McCombs in Salt Lake City; Jonthan Drew in Garner, North Carolina; Ivan Moreno in Brookfield, Wisconsin; and Alanna Durkin Richer, Ben Nuckols, Brian Witte and Alan Suderman in Washington, D.C.; contributed to this report.
Many of the pages on the White House's website were taken down Friday, shortly after Donald Trump's inauguration as president, including pages on LGBTQ rights, climate change and the Affordable Care Act.

However, those pages are still accessible online. Anything that was at WhiteHouse.gov under the Obama administration has been moved to ObamaWhiteHouse.gov. The plan to do so was announced earlier in the week.

Everything on the archived version of the Obama White House page is marked as "historical material" that's "frozen in time."

The new version of WhiteHouse.gov lists Trump and Mike Pence as president and vice president, and made no mention of LGBT or climate change Friday afternoon. A new page calling for an "America first energy plan," however, was live.

"For too long, weve been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry. President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule," the new page reads.

The Department of Labor's page on advancing LGBTQ rights in the work place appears to have been scrubbed from the department's website. The many pages that were once devoted to explaining and helping Americans sign up for the Affordable Care Act appear to have taken down.

Meanwhile, the first online petition of Trump's presidency appeared on whitehouse.gov shortly after his inauguration.

The petition calls for the White House to "Immediately release Donald Trump's full tax returns, with all information needed to verify emoluments clause compliance."

It had received more than 2,000 signatures hours after the inauguration.

NBC has reached out for comment to President Trump's team.
A group of people held a peaceful rally Friday in protest of Donald Trump's inauguration. No arrests were made.

The demonstration was planned by the Anti-Trump Action Committee. The march started at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami. Protesters walked in the middle of traffic as they marched along Biscayne Boulevard.

The demonstrators moved onto I-95 Northbound, causing traffic delays. At one point, Florida Highway Patrol troopers blocked the highway but protesters crossed the the police barrier and continued for a short distance before exiting I-95.

Some drivers were upset, but others didn't mind the wait. "No, I really think that Donald "Putin" needs to know what's going on in this country and there's an awful lot of people not happy with him," said one driver.

Miami Police said the group did not have proper permits to rally. Officials said they were not told in advance of the group's march route.

People of all ages participated in the rally, including 16-year-old Quinn Tucker. "I don't agree with what Trump says. And, I felt like I needed to do something about it," said Tucker.

A Women's Rally in South Florida will be held at Bayfront Park Saturday from 1-5 p.m. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend that rally, which coincides with more than 600 women's marches being held across the world.
Over ten thousand people converged on the streets of Downtown for the Women's Rally in South Florida.

More than 10,000 people attended the rally at the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Downtown Miami, which coincides with more than 600 women's marches being held across the world including the Women's March on Washington.

"It's very exciting women's voices and men's voices are being heard for the rights of all human beings," said Sunny Mclean women's rally supporter.

When the event reached it's capacity, demonstrators who were turned away began marching along the streets of Downtown Miami and eventually onto Interstate 95, causing traffic delays.

"This is awesome, we can't even go inside so we're standing on the street and raising our voice," Lavern Deer said.

The event is called the Women's Rally in South Florida. It was held Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Downtown Miami.

South Florida no stranger to demonstrations as they hosted this free and public massive rally where supporters of all ages shared the main message that women's rights are human rights.

"In the words of the new declaration of independence, that all men and women and queers and disabled people and immigrants and atheists and muslims and all y'all were created equal! That's why we are here," said rally supporter Kristen Wood.

The march comes a day after anti-Trump protesters peacefully marched in Downtown Miami on Friday. The demonstrators began their march at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami before eventually making their way onto I-95 Northbound, causing traffic delays.

For more information on the event or other marches around the world click here.
Every presidential inauguration is historic, and an opportunity to appreciate an essential component of the American experiment.

Students at Coral Gables High School spent the day watching Fridays inauguration.

"The most important thing is how great it is that we live in this great nation of ours where you have this peaceful transition of power," said Alina Yaniz, teacher.

But after a nasty, divisive campaign, some students in two AP History classes were visibly disturbed by the reality before them: Donald Trump is the 45th President of the United States.

"We came together and we made the decision to elect someone who ran his entire campaign based on racism and sexism and hate and I think that says a lot about us," said Venecia Castro, junior.

It's one thing to watch history unfold. It's another thing, the Miami-Dade Superintendent says, to watch it with a critical eye and really understand what's happening.

"That's exactly what we teach; we don't just teach the three R's of reading, writing, arithmetic. We teach the personal and civic adequacy and today is an example of that. We expect them to be smart, ask questions, have opinions," said Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

There were no cheers in the classroom, perhaps a reflection said one student, of Trump's failure to reach out to the majority who did not vote for him.

I don't believe what he says, he's a liar. I don't want Obama's legacy to be ruined by this man," said Roxy Rico, student.

However, Harrison Austin is hopeful.

He has the potential to be the voice for all the people, not restricted to a political party or affiliation," added Austin.

Hilda Delgado, an AP History student, disagrees with Trumps agenda.

I feel like Trump is changing a lot of things and not in a good way, normalizing things that used to be radical, said Delgado.

Despite the pessimism in the room, there was a hint of optimist from student Alexander Cobas.

"I think that Mr. Trump is going to bring us together by the end of his four years or eight years and if he doesn't, the American people can elect another way. That's the great thing about a democracy," said Cobas.

Some of the students expressed real fears of what the Trump Administration might do to them because of their immigration status, LGBT issues, and several kids are terrified that Trump will ignore climate change. The White House web site erased climate change references as soon as Trump was sworn in.
A Jersey City middle school student spends his time giving back to his community through a unique hobby: crocheting.

Jaheir Moore, 12, is an avid crocheter who donates his creations to area homeless shelters and neonatal intensive care units, his mother tells NBC 4 New York.

Moore first started crocheting after a friend told him about a crocheting class at the local YMCA, he told NBC 4. Two years later, hes donated dozens of hats, scarves and bags.

When asked how he got involved with the homeless shelters, Moore said he noticed "there's a lot of homeless people on the street and they look bitterly cold in this weather."

It takes him about 20 minutes to an hour to make each item, and he crochets every day after school.

Moores mother, Latia Lawrence, says he is a straight-A student. The sixth-grader says his favorite subjects are social studies and science, but he "loves school" and even says he loves doing homework.

Moore hopes to become a top designer someday.

He is currently gearing up for his first fashion show, where he's hoping to show off and even model some of his creations. The fashion show will be held on Feb. 25 at the Ukrainian Community Center in Jersey City.
The largest collegiate hackathon is getting underway on the University of Pennsylvania campus this weekend with a new focus on tackling one of the biggest public health issues in our region and America  the opioid crisis.

Its the eighth year the PennApps hackathon has drawn upwards of 2,000 student hackers from around the world to Philadelphia to code, compete for tens of thousands in prizes, attend workshops and more. Those who venture into the hackathons health care and behavior health track  virtual reality, digital security and civic hacking are also options  will team up to build software applications over the course of 56 hours that have a direct focus on aiding officials, people in recovery and other stakeholders working to address the rise in addiction and deaths related to opioid use.

The focus stems from a partnership between PennApps, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Quaker Peer Recovery, a recovery community at Penns School of Social Policy and Practice.

Robert Ashford, president of Quaker Peer Recovery, said the applications could come at the issue from any approach  including drawing on interagency data on opioid addictions, developing an API or overlay to bring that kind of information into electronic health record systems, or building out apps that help those in recovery navigate resources or stay accountable through things like self check-ins and social media networks for recovering addicts.

Ashford, an MSW candidate at Penn SP2, said geotargeting technology could also be used to push ads out to smartphone users in areas that have seen marked upticks in overdoses.

To read the full article, click here.

For more business news, visit Philadelphia Business Journal.
A gunman broke into a house in Chestnut Hill early Saturday and sexually assaulted a woman in front of her husband, police said.

The attack happened in the bedroom of a house on East Chestnut Hill Avenue about 4:30 a.m., according to investigators. The unidentified attacker entered the room, holding a handgun, and forced the woman out of the bed.

He ordered the woman's husband, who was sleeping in the bed, not to move while he sexually assaulted his wife, police said. At some point, the attacker put down the gun and the woman grabbed it, according to investigators. She tried to shoot it, but it didn't fire. Officials say it was actually a fake gun.

The woman's husband then called police to report a rape in progress. That's when the attacker fled the house. He took the couple's vehicle as well as wallets and a cell phone, police said.

The suspect is described as a black male, 18 to 25 years old, 5-foot-7, clean shaven and wearing a black hoodie and black pants. If you have any information on the incident, please call Philadelphia Police.
The wife of a murdered New Jersey man whose remains were found in plastic containers in a Burlington County town, and her brother, have been charged with desecrating the victim's remains.

Adrienne Smith, 43, of Bergenfield, New Jersey, and her 40-year-old brother, Orville Cousins, of the Bronx, New York, were charged Thursday, Bergen County Prosecutors said Friday.

The remains of Smith's husband, Randolph, were found on Jan. 12 in Burlington City. He had been dismembered, his remains placed in six plastic containers, prosecutors said.

Adrienne Smith reported her husband missing 10 days before his remains were discovered. Officials said Smith told them Randolph left their home Christmas night and never returned.

Investigators were able to track the purchase of materials used in the disposal of the husband's remains to Smith and Cousins, prosecutors said.

Cousins was arrested in New York on Jan. 15 and Smith in North Brunswick five days later.

Randolph Smith's murder remains under investigation. Officials said new charges in the case could be filed in the coming days.

Adrienne Smith is expected to be arraigned Saturday. Cousins is awaiting extradition to New Jersey. It's not clear if either has retained an attorney.
Newspapers around the world led with the news Saturday of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States and his bold declaration that "from this moment on it's going to be America first."

His vow made headlines from Denver and Dallas to the United Kingdom where it was featured on the front pages of both the Scotsman and the Guardian, which declared in a separate headline that "in pledging to put 'America first', Trump holds the world at his mercy."

"The president's inaugural address put the rest of the planet on notice on Friday that it would, from now on, have to deal with a United States that is far less willing to do things for other countries, buy their products or protect their borders," the article said.

Germany's Der Spiegel perhaps went further, declaring on its cover, "a New World Order." Featuring a billiards table that shows the United States as the cue ball about to break things up, the weekly magazine went with the headline "Trump's Game."

Der neue SPIEGEL ab sofort zum Download: https://t.co/IHtP9VNc7O pic.twitter.com/A6iIGiyLij  DER SPIEGEL (@DerSPIEGEL) January 20, 2017

The Times of London also described Trump's presidency as a "new era," while the Sydney Morning Herald said that the new president would now "unleash his shock and awe agenda."

Tomorrow's front page: Trump unveils a new era #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/e4SbAQQJvg  The Times (@thetimes) January 20, 2017

China's official Global Times newspaper said in a commentary that Trump had made a number of "lofty promises" but offered few details on how he intended to carry them out, The Associated Press reported.

Other governments that have had strained relationships with the Obama administration welcomed the change in Washington, including Turkey. The country's pro-government Daily Sabah went with a straightforward headline for Saturday's cover that said: "Turkey sees Trump as a force to correct USs misguided policy in fight against [ISIS]."

Turkey sees Trump as a force to correct USs misguided policy in fight against Daesh | Today's Front Pagehttps://t.co/8A8sUMdB3q pic.twitter.com/xjHQKsgjht  DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) January 21, 2017

Curtain rises on Trump presidency on Saturday's front page of @WinnipegNews #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/HDqMBCxOFY  Paul Samyn (@PaulSamyn) January 21, 2017
Although gloomy skies and chilly temperatures pressed on, San Diegans got a little bit of a break from the rain Saturday after two days of powerful storms swept the county, toppling trees and flooding some streets.

NBC 7s Kimi Evans said locals will see a little bit of a break in the rain Saturday  but keep those umbrellas handy, because this is calm before that third storm. Strong winds will persist throughout the day.

[G] Rain, Wind Descend on San Diego County

Were still talking about some very intense conditions with the wind however, the rain, we do get a little bit of a break from, said Evans.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), some weather warnings are still in effect for San Diego County, including a high wind warning active through 10 p.m. Saturday. Areas like Julian and Pine Valley could see west winds between 25 and 35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph. The winds will gradually decrease by Saturday evening.

The NWS says a winter storm warning will be in effect in San Diego County mountains from 4 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. Snow is expected in the mountains, becoming heavy at times, with evening snow showers Sunday evening through Monday. Visibility in the mountains will be tough; motorists should take precaution.

At San Diegos beaches, a high surf warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday. Surf between 8 and 12 feet is expected Saturday, with sets up to 16 feet through the afternoon. The NWS says surf is expected to subside Sunday through Tuesday  6 to 9 feet  with sets to 12 feet. High tide, at 4.8 feet, will be on Sunday at 5:20 a.m.; 5.1 feet at 5:59 a.m. Monday; 5.4 feet at 6:34 a.m. Tuesday.

The NWS says the high surf could lead to coastal flooding and beach erosion, as well as strong rip currents and dangerous swimming conditions.

Just after 1:30 p.m. Saturday, San Diego Lifeguards said the Mission Bay Jetty was difficult to navigate due to the high surf, but would remain open unless conditions worsened.

On Sunday and into Monday, the rain will roll in once again as the third in this series of winter storms hits San Diego County. NBC 7 meteorlogist Jodi Kodesh said Monday's storm should be the wettest of all, given how saturated the ground will be from the two prior storms. Check NBC 7s forecast here.

Evans said conditions are expected to be much drier by Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Friday, the second storm in this series pummeled the county, bringing heavy rainfall, wild wind and thunderstorm and flash flood warnings.

Tree down across 163 north has traffic at a crawl #NBC7 @nbcsandiego pic.twitter.com/ywfVNmsLn7  Omari Fleming (@OmariNBCSD) January 20, 2017

#Happeningnow Giant Eucalyptus Tree downed in Pioneer Park Mission Hills #NBC7 pic.twitter.com/nv626tXYyV  Dave Summers (@DaveSummersNBC7) January 20, 2017

Around San Diego, the storm caused trees to fall and block roadways and made for a challenging commute. Emergency crews were also called to several water rescues involving motorists and people caught in flood waters, including a rescue on University Avenue and Alamo Drive where several people became trapped in their cars amid flooding. The storm also caused dozens of power outages across the county.

Swift Water Rescue team rescued 2 people & a dog from flash flooding on University & Aragon in Rolando. #NBC7 @nbcsandiego pic.twitter.com/sHNXtuoBWJ  Omari Fleming (@OmariNBCSD) January 21, 2017

On Saturday, many locals worked to clean up the damage from Friday's storm as they braced for more rain on the horizon, including residents in hard-hit South Bay.

A powerful winter storm slammed San Diego County, including the South Bay, where many trees were knocked down and cars were damaged. NBC 7s Ramon Galindo takes a look at the aftermath in Bonita.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) sent a crew to help rescue a person clinging to a tree amid flooding on Avenida Del Rio and Camino De La Reina in Mission Valley:

#Breaking water rescue Avnda Del Rio & Cam De la Reina. #swiftwater crews just rescued 1 person clinging to a tree.  SDFD (@SDFD) January 21, 2017

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said there were a few road closures in place Saturday, as of 12 p.m., due to flooding. Those closures included:

 La Media at Airway in San Diego

 Avenida Del Rio at Riverwalk in the Mission Valley area

 26th Street at Pershing

 10818 San Diego Mission Rd.

 500 Camino De La Reina in Mission Valley

 5800 Ward Rd.

 1565 India St. in Little Italy

As of 1/21/17 12pm, road closures due to flooding: pic.twitter.com/Re14I6BWlR  San Diego Police Department (@SanDiegoPD) January 21, 2017

Make sure to download NBC 7s free news app. Weather alerts, like flood advisories warnings are issued through the app. There is also a local, interactive radar.
Amid strong winds and downpour, firefighters, lifeguards and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officials launched a search Friday at Buena Vista Creek in Carlsbad for a man that a witness reported seeing in the water.

Crews from several North County agencies  including the Oceanside, Vista and Carlsbad fire departments and Oceanside Lifeguards  rushed to Buena Vista Creek around 12:15 p.m. for the search and possible swift water rescue.

Vista firefighters responding to a water rescue at Burna Vista Creek. #NBC7 pic.twitter.com/ptOjpYPRss  Megan Tevrizian (@megantevrizian) January 20, 2017

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a helicopter around 2 p.m to the scene to assist ground crews in the search.

Witnesses told officials that they saw a man in the creek and then, suddenly, he was gone. Witnesses believed the man was still in the water, so they called authorities for help.

Crews began scouring the water in search of the possible victim but were unable to locate him, even with the help of infra-red cameras.

The USCG helicopter planned to conduct an aerial search during a half-hour window when the weather was expected to let up a little bit. But due to inclement weather, the chopper was unable to locate anyone.

Coast Guard, searching for man in creek. One driver says he saw a man struggling in water, but crews haven't been able to locate him. #NBC7 pic.twitter.com/eTxaS0xfgT  Megan Tevrizian (@megantevrizian) January 20, 2017

The operation came in the middle of Friday's powerful winter storm -- the second in a series of three storms pummeling San Diego County this weekend.

A battalion chief with the Oceanside Fire Department said crews were doing everything they could to find the man reportedly seen in the water including walking up and down creek and creating a perimeter around the water.

As of 2:20 p.m., there was still no sign of the man. USCG officials were unable to find him in their aerial search, so the operation was called off.

With the heavy, cold rain and wind, the battalion chief said the search conditions were miserable  the worst crews could endure during a rescue effort. The creek was also littered with debris from the storm.
The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia said they are continuing to evaluate the cases against approximately 230 people who were arrested on Inauguration Day in Washington.

A spokesman for the office said the accused were making their first appearances in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. News4's Scott MacFarlane reported 230 people have been charged with felony rioting.

Bill Miller, the public information officer for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said most of those arrested will face a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

The first group to face the judge were released and ordered back to court on Feb. 26. MacFarlane said the judge told them not to get arrested again in D.C.

As the suspects were released, a crowd outside D.C. Superior Court cheered, News4's Meagan Fitzgerald reported. And there was a familiar site for the suspects -- police lined up in riot gear.

The majority of Friday's protests were peaceful, but police clad in riot gear faced off against hundreds of demonstrators downtown near 12th and K streets, about six blocks from where Trump would soon hold his inaugural parade, D.C. police said.

While several peaceful demonstrations unfolded near the Captiol, about a mile away police gave chase to a group of about 300 protesters, who smashed windows of downtown businesses during a pre-inauguration march.

Police dressed in riot gear used pepper spray to quell the disturbance and eventually cordoned off the large crowd near Franklin Square. As protesters fled the scene, six officers suffered "minor injuries" in what Newsham called "coordinated attacks."
Massive crowds packed into D.C. Metro stations Saturday night as thousands of participants in the Women's March on Washington headed toward the White House and dispersed from the National Mall.

Metro urged people to consider waiting before riding to allow the crowds to ease. Fairfax County police also advised riders to follow police direction.

Metrorail has seen more riders on Saturday than it did for former President Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013, reports News4's Mark Segraves.

Be mindful of large crowds at the local Metro stops today as some make their way back from the #WomensMarch. Pls follow police direction. pic.twitter.com/iAxEU26Bqc  Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) January 21, 2017

Stations were packed and more than a dozen parking facilities were full before noon Saturday as hundreds of thousands of participants headed to downtown D.C. for the Women's March on Washington.

Trains briefly bypassed the L'Enfant Plaza station due to crowding. They began serving the station again shortly before 1:10 p.m. Officials recommended riders use other stations to get to the march, such as Gallery Place or Metro Center.

Photos of the Shady Grove Metro station currently. Hearing it's an hour wait to get on the train. O____o #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/YOaaQ41v1s  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 21, 2017

Posts on social media Saturday showed long lines of people waiting for access to Metro stations. Multiple people shared images and videos of the scene outside the Shady Grove, where Philip Lewis of the Huffington Post reported earlier Saturday that he was hearing riders were waiting an hour to board trains.

March organizers said they've increased turnout estimates to 500,000 participants, said D.C. Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Kevin Donahue. "Be patient & kind!" he posted on Twitter.

Many Metro stations were flooded with travelers trying to get into D.C. for the Womens March. News4s Adam Tuss reports.

It's been a busy day for Metro. Officials said 275,000 rides had been taken as of 11 a.m. "For comparison, that's more than 8 [times] a normal Sat[urday] & even busier than most weekdays," Metro posted on Twitter.

As of the same time on Friday, Inauguration Day, 193,000 trips had been taken.

Metro station personnel were making adjustments to try to accommodate the large crowds. At the Ballston and Stadium-Armory stations, would-be Metro riders were stopped before the escalators because too many people were already on the platform Saturday morning, reported News4's Adam Tuss, who said it "cannot be overstated how heavy the crowds are."

Metro stations are packed and more than a dozen parking facilities are already full Saturday morning as tens of thousands of participants headed to downtown D.C. for the Womens March on Washington. News4s Adam Tuss reports.

Melissa Zieve of Baltimore said she had to let the first two trains at Tenleytown pass by because they were too full. She was able to board a third train and rode to Union Station.

"I've never been on a subway in any city packed quite like that," Zieve said, but added that everyone was respectful and no one was pushing.

Parking facilities all stations in Fairfax County and several others are full, according to Metro officials and Fairfax County Police. Those are:

Orange, Silver, or Orange/Silver Lines:

East Falls Church

West Falls Church

Dunn Loring

Vienna

McLean

Tysons Corner

Greensboro

Spring Hill

Wiehle-Reston East

New Carrollton, lot 2 (lots 1 & 3 have limited capacity)

Green Line:

Greenbelt

Red Line:

Forest Glen

Fort Totten

Glenmont

Rhode Island Avenue

Rockville

Shady Grove, west/south (north has limited capacity)

As of 10 a.m., Metro was recommending the following stations with available parking: Branch Avenue, Grosvenor, Prince George's Plaza, Southern Avenue, Suitland, Twinbrook and White Flint.

Outside the filled Greenbelt and New Carrollton lots, drivers have been illegally parking on the shoulders of the ramps leading to the Metro stations, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Metro had initially planned to keep the Federal Triangle station closed throughout Saturday, but reversed their decision and reopened the station about 9:20 a.m.

Riders may also consider exiting at the Federal Center SW or Capitol South stations.

[NATL] Inauguration Weekend in Photos

Margaret Warpeha from Minnesota flew in Friday night and described her Metro experience as wonderful Saturday morning. She boarded at Silver Spring about 9 a.m. and said it wasn't too crowded.

Warpeha said she wanted to come to D.C. because she was "quite upset" about the election and didn't want to remain silent.

Outside Union Station, Lisa Legrand of Minneapolis said she flew into Philadelphia, drove to the Tenleytown station and rode the Metro downtown.

"It was really crowded" but had a very positive energy, Legrand said.

After event, Metro will be very crowded. Pls consider waiting/enjoying Downtown DC to allow crowds to ease. Pls retweet #wmata #womensmarch  Metro (@wmata) January 21, 2017
Hundreds of thousands gathered on the National Mall for the Women's March on Washington to say women will not be silent during President Donald Trump's presidency.

The mission statement of the Women's March on Washington says event participants are "hurting and scared" as Trump takes office and they want a greater voice for women in political life.

Dozens of activists, political leaders, film stars and musical artists took the stage in protest of the new president.

[NATL-DC] PHOTOS: Women's March on Washington Takes Over DC

Trump Can't Miss Marchers on Trip Home From CIA

On his way back from the CIA, President Donald Trump has gotten a first-hand look at the Women's March on Washington.

As the president's motorcade wound through downtown Washington, he passed by hundreds of demonstrators lining the streets.

Many were holding bright pink signs, and they screamed and chanted as he drove past them in the impossible-to-miss presidential limo. Thousands gathered on the Ellipse are also visible from the White House lawn.

Their roar was also clearly audible to passengers stepping out of the presidential motorcade and back into the White House.

[NATL-DC] PHOTOS: Signs Spotted at the Women's March on Washington

Demonstrators Block Traffic on Way to Ellipse

Seas of demonstrators blocked traffic as they walked from the National Mall to the Ellipse in front of the White House.

On one street, a police car trying to move got stuck in the crowd. Marchers surrounded a float that had several supporters of President Trump on board and chanted, "shame."

Other marchers shouted "black lives matter" and "my body, my choice" as they moved along Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White House.

On the other side of the Mall, rally-goers are headed home. The line to get on the escalator at the Judiciary Square Metro station is half a city block long.

Madonna: 'I've Thought a Lot About Blowing Up the White House'

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Yes, I have thought a lot about blowing up the White House  but I choose love, pop superstar Madonna said in an F-bomb-laden speech.

She took to the stage just as demonstrators were starting to head toward the Ellipse despite the formal march being called off due to the massive crowd.

It took "this horrific moment" of Donald Trump's inauguration as president to wake up the United States, she said.

Saturday's march means "that we are far from the end" and it is the start of a revolution to fight for the right to be free and equal, she said.

Like-minded Americans need to join together to make it "through this darkness" and show "we are not afraid, that we are not alone."

She followed her comments with a performance of "Express Yourself" and "Human Nature."

[NATL] From Antarctica to Europe: Women's Marches Around the World

Formal March Called Off; Demonstrators Still Encouraged to Head to Ellipse

Though the formal march toward the White House was canceled due to the massive turnout, organizers encouraged demonstrators to march on their own to the Ellipse in front of the White House.

The entire planned route filled with hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, said a D.C. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official isn't authorized to speak for the march.

People ended up marching in smaller groups and in all directions on many streets, News4's Julie Carey reported.

Alicia Keys Samples Maya Angelou

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Before singing her own hit Girl on Fire, Alicia Keys read from Maya Angelous poem Still I Rise.

Out of the huts of historys shame/I rise, she read. Up from a past thats rooted in pain/I rise./I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide/welling and swelling, I bear in the tide./Leaving behind nights of terror and fear/I rise./Into a daybreak thats wondrously clear/I rise./Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,/I am the dream and the hope of the slave./I rise.

She continued with Angelous theme, weaving the message of the march into her own rhymes.

Scarlett Johansson Touts Planned Parenthood

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Actress Scarlett Johansson shared a personal story about Planned Parenthood.

At 15, when she told her mother she noticed a change in her body, she asked if shed been to a gynecologist yet. She had. Living in New York City, she had visited a Planned Parenthood there.

Her clinician there offered her safe place and guidance without judgment, Johansson said.

Im sure there isnt one person here who has not been helped by Planned Parenthood directly or otherwise.

Planned Parenthood President: Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights

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Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards addressed Trump's platform to cut off funding to the organization, saying, For the majority of people in this country, Planned Parenthood is not the problem, were the solution.

"Reproductive rights are human rights, Richards said. You need to know that starting this week Congress is going to be moving quickly to try to pass restrictions of reproductive access and we cannot let them. You need to call your member of Congress, call your Senator, and say we will not go back."

She called the march a time to link arms for women's rights.

"One of us can be dismissed, two of us can be ignored, but together we are a movement and we are unstoppable," she said.

Trumps Motorcade Passes Demonstrators

President Donald Trump got a view of the demonstrators in town for the Women's March on Washington from the window of his limo as his motorcade passed several prominent groups of demonstrators as he returned to the White House from a prayer service.

As he crossed one intersection, cars honked loudly.

Some of the demonstrators held up signs that likened women's rights to human rights -- a nod to a famous speech that former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton gave in China as first lady.

Ashley Judd Recites Poem: I Am a Nasty Woman

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Actress Ashley Judd excited the crowd reading a poem written by a 19-year-old Tennessee woman, in which she describes how she is and isnt nasty.

"I'm not nasty like the combo of Trump and Pence being served up to me in my voting booth, she read. I'm nasty like the battles my grandmothers fought to get me into that voting booth. I'm nasty like the fight for wage equality."

More Take Metro to March Than Inauguration

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As of 11 a.m., about 275,000 people had taken Metrorail, compared with 193,000 trips taken by the same time on Inauguration Day, when the system opened an hour earlier at 4 a.m., the transit agency said.

Saturday's ridership figures were more than eight times a normal Saturday and busier than most weekdays.

Before the inauguration Friday morning, Metro subway officials said only two of its parking garages and lots were at more than 60 percent capacity. Many garages and lots at the ends of subway lines are at or near capacity Saturday.

In addition, some 1,800 buses were registered to park in the city. Greyhound reported adding more buses from New York. And a commuter rail system in Washington added five times its normal capacity to help deal with the crowds.

Michael Moore Vows to End Trump Carnage, Joins Planned Parenthood

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Filmmaker Michael Moore said he's at the Women's March on Washington to vow to end the Trump carnage.

Moore riffed on a phrase from Trump's inaugural address, in which he said he would stop the American carnage.

Moore urged attendees to call their members of Congress every day to protest Trump's policies.

We have to get busy, he said.

Those concerned about Trump should join organizations like Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union and environmental groups, Moore said. He said he joined Planned Parenthood on Saturday morning.

Bowser to Trump: Leave Us Alone

[[411411735, C]]

The best thing the federal government led by Trump can do is leave us alone, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said.

She said she's speaking at the Women's March on Washington on behalf of all female elected officials. Women are more harshly and unfairly criticized at every level of government, she said.

Bowser appeared at the rally wearing a pointy-eared pussyhat.

We need every woman and every man to speak up for us, she said.

In the era of President Trump, Americans must stand up for immigration rights and LGBT rights, Bowser said. They also must fight for climate protection and public education.

Gloria Steinem: Saturdays Worldwide Mobilization Is the Upside

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Feminist leader Gloria Steinem described Saturdays worldwide mobilization as the upside of the downside: This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life.

Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are, she told the crowd, labeling Trump an impossible president.

PHOTOS: 'United u0026 Empowered:' Here's What Women's March Participants Had to Say

America Ferrera: We Are Under Attack From Trump

Every single one of us is under attack by President Donald Trump, actress America Ferrera said at the start of the rally.

She said people are gathered in the capital and across the country to say to Trump, We refuse.

The Emmy Award winner and star of NBCs prime-time sitcom Superstore said the marchers refuse to give up their right to safe and legal abortions and reject demonizing of Muslims.

The U.S. won't ask LGBT Americans to go backward and won't go from a nation of immigrants to a nation of ignorance.

Charlie Brotman Welcomes Women's March to Washington

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Legendary announcer Charlie Brotman called all the women at the march "Charlie's angels" as the rally began Saturday morning.

A day after he didn't announce the inauguration for the first time since 1957, the 89-year-old welcomed the organizers of the Women's March to Washington.

Hillary Clinton Tweets Praise for Demonstrators

Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton tweeted praise for the demonstrators, thanking attendees for standing, speaking and marching for our values. It's as important as ever, she said.

Clinton also revived her campaign slogan, tweeting she believes we're always Stronger Together.

Clinton attended the inauguration Friday.
Demonstrations turned violent in the nation's capital as protesters clashed with police, damaged vehicles, destroyed property and set small fires in a chaotic confrontation blocks from Donald Trump's inauguration Friday. At least 217 people were arrested.

The majority of the day's protests were peaceful, but police clad in riot gear faced off against hundreds of demonstrators downtown near 12th and K streets, about six blocks from where Trump would soon hold his inaugural parade, D.C. police said.

A limousine at 13th and K streets NW became engulfed in flames as demonstrators protested in the area near President Trumps inauguration parade.

Police charged with batons, pepper spray and concussion grenades to disperse crowds. MPD Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham denied claims his agency used tear gas on demonstrators, telling NBC Washington, "We have not deployed tear gas."

The 217 people arrested have been charged with rioting, Newsham said.

Political divisions grew deeper and turned violent on the streets during President Trumps inauguration as protesters clashed with police. News4s Shomari Stone reports.

Later in the evening, a crowd surrounded a bonfire near 14th and K streets NW, burning newspapers and furniture. Some protesters sat in the middle of intersections to block traffic.

"We're here to protest out of compassion and to be here and to show that, you know, we're all in this together," protester Savannah Ingall told News4.

President Trump supporters and protesters screamed when they came face-to-face along 14th St.

Protests eventually died down and there appeared to be no incidents involving protesters outside of the three inaugural balls.

Protesters flooded D.C. for the inauguration Friday, and while the majority remained peaceful, some got violent. News4s Tracee Wilkins reports.

Before nightfall, a limousine was set on fire a few blocks away from where Trump made his way down Constitution Avenue with a military escort. The fire sent a plume of black smoke into the sky and Fox News crew SUV parked behind the limo also caught fire, officials tell NBC News.

While several peaceful demonstrations unfolded near the Captiol, about a mile away police gave chase to a group of about 300 protesters, who smashed windows of downtown businesses during a pre-inauguration march.

Police dressed in riot gear used pepper spray to quell the disturbance and eventually cordoned off the large crowd near Franklin Square. As protesters fled the scene, six officers suffered "minor injuries" in what Newsham called "coordinated attacks."

Several hours later, the crowd of protesters still at the scene had grown to about 1,000, The Associated Press reported. Some wore gas masks, and had arms chained together.

PHOTOS: Protesters Clash With Police on Inauguration Day in Downtown DC

During the height of the clash, some in the crowd threw newspaper boxes in an attempt to block police and smashed windows of cars, police cruisers and businesses in the area, including along K Street NW.

As officers tried to surround them, protesters hurled rocks and bottles at them. Flash-bang devices could be heard exploding, but it was not immediately clear whether protesters or officers had set them off.

By about 11:30 a.m., police had successfully surrounded about 20 to 30 protesters at the corner of 12th and L streets NW. Police brought in several transport vans and appeared to be preparing to make the first mass arrests of the day.

Protests turned violent in downtown D.C. on inauguration day.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the vandalism, saying at a news conference, "We will not tolerate the destruction of our neighborhoods and we absolutely will not tolerate violence against our police officers and the thousands who have joined us to help with the peaceful inauguration."

This raw video from the protests may contain graphic language.[[411356015, C]]

In a series of coordinated demonstrations designed to cut off spectator access, protesters blocked or caused bottlenecks in front of several security checkpoints outside the National Mall in the hours ahead of the swearing in.

Dozens of protesters lined up at the entrance to a seating area on the West Front of the Capitol, holding signs that said "Free Palestine" and "Let Freedom ring."

Some protesters turned to vandalism and violence just blocks away from the inaugural parade route. News4s Mark Segraves reports.

Some protesters wore orange jumpsuits with black hoods over their faces, showing their disapproval of the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

Another group of about 10 protesters tied themselves together to block an entrance for ticket holders at 10th and E streets NW. As they sat on the ground, a larger group cheered them on, chanting phrases such as, "We won't be silent."

Eventually, police used pepper spray after things got physical between protesters and supporters. News4's Mark Segraves said "you can taste the pepper spray in the air."

https://twitter.com/TraceeWilkins/status/822488997586989056

Ticket holders were allowed to make their way through the gate despite the protests. On the other side of the Capitol, things were quiet and orderly at a second gate.

No arrests were made in those incidents, Segraves reported.

Meanwhile, at Union Station, supporters and protesters arriving in the District were able to find some common ground.

Linwood Yarborough, a Trump supporter from South Carolina, spent some time Friday chatting with a man who traveled from California to protest the inauguration.

"I just think it is wonderful to see people pro and con. Freedom is great and we are so fortunate in this country that we can have freedom of speech and we can have a difference of opinion," Yarborough said. "But we should all come together as a nation and move forward, and I hope to see some of that."

In another exchange, a group of Trump supporters from Tennessee asked a protester from New York to take a picture with them. The group laughed and talked as the supporters gave a thumbs-up and the protester gave a thumbs-down.

Officials estimate that 800,000 to 900,000 people will attend Inauguration Day festivities, a celebration that takes over the city, closing roads and taxing the city's Metro transit system.

The ceremony began at about 11:30 a.m. ET with a musical prelude.

Just after noon, Trump took the oath of office, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Trump then delivered his inaugural address, calling for an "new vision" of "America first."

Stay with NBC Washington for more.

Daniel Barnes contributed to this report.
The suspect in the slayings of a police officer and a woman shot himself Friday after an hours-long standoff on a New Orleans bridge but is alive, a Louisiana state police spokesman said.

Trooper Dustin Dwight said the man identified as Sylvester Holt shot himself once in the chest Friday evening. Dwight said negotiators had been talking with Holt but he does not know what was said.

Holt was on a girder below and to the side of the bridge roadway when the shooting happened. Dwight said rescue workers were going down to get Holt. News outlets have reported that Holt has been brought back up.

The self-inflicted gunshot wound brought an end to a chaotic day that began with the early morning shooting death of Westwego Officer Michael Louviere, 26, and Simone Veal, 32, of Marrero.

According to witnesses, the shooter fired at Veal, then chased her car in his vehicle to an intersection where she hit a truck waiting at a light, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's spokesman John Fortunato said. Louviere, whose shift ended at 6 a.m. Friday, was on his way home after work when he spied the crash and stopped to help.

The man shot Louviere in the head, then ran around the car and shot Veal as she lay on the ground, Fortunato said. Fortunato didn't know whether she'd been hit in the earlier shooting.

Fortunato identified Holt as a person of interest and suspect in the double shooting.

As authorities searched for Holt, police shut the Mississippi River bridge from New Orleans' east bank to its west bank, causing traffic to back up for miles, because a man later identified as Holt was threatening to jump from it.

Helicopters circled the area as news crews and photographers watched intently.

Louviere was described as a dedicated family man with a strong work ethic; he was married and had a 1-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, Fortunato said.

According to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch, he was a rising star likely bound for a job at a larger agency.

"We knew we wouldn't have him for long. We just didn't know he would be gone this soon," Munch said.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, Louviere was a U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan, Munch said. He joined the department in July 2015 and "finished first in everything" in his police academy class of roughly 20 recruits, Munch said.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said earlier Friday that dozens of officers from multiple agencies were searching for Holt. Several women had taken out protective orders against him between 2012 and November 2016, the sheriff said.

He had also been arrested in September after being accused of rape. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her. Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7.

Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual.

Munch said he and a doctor broke the news to Louviere's wife at a hospital that her husband had died.

"That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do," the chief said.

The shooting happened outside Visitation of Our Lady School, Archdiocese of New Orleans spokeswoman Sarah Comiskey McDonald said. Veal did not work there, she said in an email. The school teaches pre-kindergarten through seventh grade.

Friday's shooting comes after a sharp increase last year in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty  including a pair of deadly ambushes in Louisiana and Texas.

On July 7, a sniper in Dallas killed five law enforcement officers and wounded nine others at the end of what had been a peaceful rally against police brutality. Less than two weeks later, a lone gunman shot and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in an attack outside a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convenience store.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested a man accused of fatally shooting an Orlando, Florida, police officer outside a Wal-Mart on Jan. 9.

Munch, Westwego's police chief, said Louviere helped patrol Baton Rouge after the deadly shootings in that city and helped patrol neighboring Denham Springs after August's historic flooding.

"Typical Michael," the chief said.

Associated Press staffers Michael Kunzelman in Baton Rouge and Rebecca Santana and Jonathan Bachmann in New Orleans contributed to this report.
Left-wing and Muslim activists urged Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a noisy protest to keep his promise of charting a foreign policy independent of America by staying away from Donald Trump who after he is sworn in as president on Friday.

The more than 200 protesters burned a U.S. flag near the U.S. Embassy in Manila and called for an end to the presence of American troops in the country. They held up signs, including one that read "Donald Trump don't mess with the Philippines."

The protesters said they find Trump more alarming than Barack Obama because of his offensive remarks against immigrants and Muslims.

"Obama sugar-coated imperialism but Trump has shown an in-your-face kind of imperialism," said protest leader Renato Reyes of the left-wing Bayan group, adding Duterte "should stick to his independent foreign policy."

Duterte blasted Obama for criticizing his deadly crackdown against illegal drugs but congratulated Trump in a phone call. He sent his national security adviser and press secretary to attend Trump's inauguration.

Troops prevented the activists from getting close to the U.S. Embassy's main gate.

In London, NBC News reported, protesters from the Bridges Not Walls group unfurled a banner on the city's iconic Tower Bridge reading: "Act now! Build bridges not walls," a reference to Trump's promise to build a wall on the Mexican border.

In Nigeria, a separatist group said 11 people were killed by Nigerian security forces during a demonstration in support of Trump's inauguration. Police denied there were any deaths.

Neither of the competing accounts could be independently verified.
President Donald Trump moved to repair his tumultuous relationship with America's spy agencies on his first full day in office, but his bridge-building visit to CIA headquarters Saturday quickly morphed into a platform for the new commander in chief to complain about media coverage of his inauguration, misstating the size of his crowd.

Standing in front of a memorial for fallen CIA agents, Trump assured intelligence officials, "I am so behind you." He made no mention of his repeated criticism of the intelligence agencies following the election, including his public challenges of their high-confidence assessment that Russia meddled in the White House race to help him win.

"There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and CIA than Donald Trump," he said, blaming any suggestion of a "feud" on the media.

Trump's decision to travel to CIA headquarters so quickly after taking office was seen as an attempt at a fresh start with the intelligence agencies he will now rely on for guidance as he makes weighty national security decisions. Following his private meeting with top CIA leaders, Trump said the U.S. had been "restrained" in its efforts to combat terrorism, calling the threat "a level of evil we haven't seen."

Trump's visit to the CIA took place as throngs of women, many of them wearing bright pink, pointy-eared hats, descended on the nation's capital and other cities around the world for marches organized to push back against the new president. Hundreds of protesters lined the motorcade route as Trump sped back to the White House, many screaming and chanting at the president.

The president appeared to be focused on settling scores with the media.

He defensively touted the crowd size for his swearing-in ceremony, inaccurately claiming that the throngs on the National Mall stretched "all the way back to the Washington Monument." Photos and video clearly showed the crowd stopping well short of the landmark.

His press secretary, Sean Spicer, continued the attack on the press at his first press briefing later Saturday.

Trump is a voracious consumer of news and highly sensitive to criticism. As a candidate, he repeatedly disparaged the media and individual journalists to the delight of his supporters, and his appearance at the CIA underscored that he would continue to do so as president.

He slammed a Time magazine reporter for incorrectly reporting Friday that Trump had moved a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. out of the Oval Office. But Trump followed with a misstatement of his own, saying the reporter had not corrected the mistake. In fact, the item was quickly retracted.

High-level CIA brass stood largely silent during Trump's remarks, though some of the roughly 400 other officers in attendance cheered on the president during his remarks.

California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, slammed Trump for using his CIA visit to squabble over media coverage.

"He will need to do more than use the agency memorial as a backdrop if he wants to earn the respect of the men and women who provide the best intelligence in the world,' Schiff said.

Former CIA Director John Brennan was "deeply saddened and angered" over the remarks, which Trump should be ashamed of, a representative told NBC News, calling it a "despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of CIA's Memorial Wall of Agency heroes."

The inaugural celebrations have been shadowed by reports that the CIA and other federal agencies are investigating Russian interference in the presidential election on behalf of Trump. McClatchy reported that the investigation included whether money from the Kremlin covertly aided Trump. The New York Times said agencies were examining intercepted communications and financial transactions between Russian officials and Trump's associates.

FBI Director James Comey has declined to confirm or describe the nature of the government's investigation, both during a congressional hearing and in closed-door meetings with members of Congress.

Officials said the crowd for the women's march in Washington could be more than half a million people, more than double expectations. The event appeared to have attracted more people than Trump's inauguration, based on figures from transportation officials.

During his remarks at the CIA, the president claimed the inaugural crowds topped 1 million people.

Saturday marked the end of three days of inaugural celebrations, with Trump and his family attending a national prayer service traditionally held for the new president. The president and his wife, Melania, and Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, sat in a front pew at Washington National Cathedral for the morning service.

The interfaith service is a tradition for new presidents and is hosted by the Episcopal parish. But the decision to hold a prayer session for Trump sparked debate among Episcopalians opposed to his policies.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington wrote in a blog post that while she shared "a sense of outrage at some of the president-elect's words and actions," she felt an obligation to welcome all people without qualification, especially those who disagree and need to find a way to work together.

Trump arrived at the cathedral mid-morning. The service included readings and prayers from Protestant, Jewish, Sikh, Mormon, Buddhist, Roman Catholic, Baha'i, Episcopal, Hindu and Native American leaders. But the program was remarkable for the large number of evangelicals participating, including two former presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention, the country's largest evangelical denomination. Several speakers had served as Trump advisers and supporters who spoke at the Republican National Convention.

The president's family joined him at the White House for his first weekend in office. His daughter Ivanka and her husband, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, were seen snapping photos Saturday on the Truman balcony with a young girl who appeared to be their daughter.

The Justice Department released a memo concluding the president's "special hiring authority" allows the New York real estate mogul to appoint Kushner to the administration and the move does not contravene federal anti-nepotism laws.

AP Religion writer Rachel Zoll and Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
Legions of women flooded parks, streets and city squares from Sydney to Paris to Philadelphia on Saturday, marching in solidarity as a show of empowerment and a stand against Donald Trump.

More than 600 "sister marches" were planned across the country and abroad in conjunction with the Women's March on Washington, which drew hundreds of thousands to the nation's capital a day after Trump became president of the United States.

Here's a look at some of the other rallies around the world:

PARIS

Several thousand people, including many American workers and students living in France, gathered in Paris for the Women's March.

Protesters marched in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading: "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump," ''With our sisters in Washington", "Women's rights are human rights".

Anne Tiracchia, from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, was on vacation in France where her son lives. She wrote in French "Let us resist the catastrophe" on a U.S. flag.

"It's important because Trump wants to destroy 50 years of progress, he wants to go back to smoke coming out of factories and women staying home and having babies," she said. "He won't change. He doesn't care. But we have to show we don't agree with him".

More than 40 feminist and anti-racist groups organized the Paris march.

SYDNEY

Demonstrators flooded a popular central Sydney park carrying placards with slogans including "Women of the world resist," ''Feminism is my trump card" and "Fight like a girl."

Organizer Mindy Freiband told the crowd hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.

"This is the beginning of something, not the end," she said.

Protester Alyssa Smith, who came with her husband and 2-year-old daughter, said she worried about the future after Trump's election. She said she didn't want her daughter growing up in the world "where hatred is commonplace, where people think it's OK to persecute minorities."

Charlotte Wilde said she shed tears watching Trump get sworn in. The 33-year-old said the businessman's rise to the presidency left her in a state of horror, and attending Saturday's rally was a way to feel empowered.

A plane was seen skywriting "TRUMP" over the rally.

Skywriting Australia owner Rob Vance said the sign was commissioned by Trump fans who wanted to remain anonymous.

YANGON, MYANMAR

Dozens attended a "solidarity picnic" in Yangon organized by Alyssa Paylor of Colorado and other U.S. expats.

"We're not able to have a march in this climate, so we wanted to just gather together in solidarity with our sisters and brothers marching in Washington and all across the world because of what we believe in," said Paylor, 26. She is in Myanmar working for an organization called Mote Oo Education for Curriculum Development.

Paylor said Trump's election and the United Kingdom's Brexit motivated people to get involved.

"I think these things have energized a lot of people and made many people, especially women, very angry about what they may have to deal with in the coming years," she said.

PRAGUE

Hundreds gathered in freezing weather in a busy city square in the Czech capital, waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin and holding banners that read "This is just the beginning," ''Kindness" and "Love."

"We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections," organizer Johanna Nejedlova said.

COPENHAGEN

In Copenhagen, march organizer Lesley-Ann Brown said: "Nationalist, racist and misogynistic trends are growing worldwide and threaten the most marginalized groups in our societies, including women, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community and people with disabilities."

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

At a rally in Concord, author Jodi Picoult told the crowd, "We in New Hampshire are not in the habit of going in reverse. We have the backs of those who are less fortunate  who may be struggling for health care, for environmental rights, for racial equality, for a fair wage, for justice.

"We are in this together. And we know that change does not come from the top down, but from the bottom up."
In her first weeks in Washington, Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire is emerging as a fierce critic of Republican President-elect Donald Trump's nominees to lead the federal education and health departments.

Hassan is using her experiences as a mother of a son with cerebral palsy and as a former governor to inform her questioning of Betsy DeVos, the Education Department nominee, and Georgia Rep. Tom Price, the nominee to lead the federal Health Department.

Hassan is questioning DeVos' familiarity with the federal law ensuring students with disabilities have access to equal education. She says some private schools that take vouchers skirt those requirements. And she's pressing Price on whether a replacement for the Affordable Care Act would continue to require insurance coverage of substance abuse treatment.
Today HomeStore, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 701 E. Dodge St., Fremont. The HomeStore sells donated items at discounted prices. Proceeds support the mission of Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont.

Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m., Keene Memorial Library auditorium, 1030 N. Broad St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous womens heart to heart group, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Back to the Basics, 2-4 p.m., Keene Memorial Librarys auditorium, Fremont. The event, which is open to the public, is being presented by Spinners Web, a Fremont area spinners and weavers guild. Members will be spinning wool and other fibers into yarn. Other demonstrations may include weaving, crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts using handspun and commercial yarns. Guests also can view the librarys spinning, weaving, knitting and other fiber arts books, which are on display and available for check-out. For more information, contact guild member Patty Wilson at 402-377-1150 (evenings) or pwilson0303@gmail.com.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous open meeting, 7:30 p.m., United Faith Church, 218 W. Gardiner St., Valley.

Narcotics Anonymous Lie Is Dead Group, 8 p.m., Care Corps, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Sunday

Alcoholics Anonymous Happy Sober Sunday Group, 9 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Seekers of Serenity Group, 10:30 a.m., Care Corps, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont.

Archbishop Bergan Catholic School music department spaghetti dinner, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Delaney Hall at St. Patricks Catholic Church, 3400 E. 16th St., Fremont. Takeout meals will be available. The cost is $3 for children ages 3-11, $8 for ages 12 and up, $27 for families and free for children 2 and under. Jars of the homemade spaghetti sauce can be purchased for $12. Proceeds from the dinner help fund the music departments trip it takes every three years.

The Dysart Family concert, 5 p.m., Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hooper. LeWain and Lorena Dysart will perform with their five children. The Dysart Family was nominated for Horizon Group of the Year in 2012. The concert is being hosted by the five combined Ambassador of Faith congregations. For more information, call Redeemer Lutheran Church at 402-654-3835.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous Point of Freedom Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Education Building, west of the church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Enter through the rear door.

Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday speaker, 7:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Monday

TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 850 N. Broad St., Fremont. Weigh-ins begin at 8 a.m. Visitors (preteens, teens and adults  male and female) are welcome. The first meeting is free. For more information, call Janet Bloemker at 402-721-8952.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

American Red Cross community blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fremont City Auditorium. To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call Marilyn Hammang at 402-721-6354 or Caryl Grorud at 402-721-4335.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

University of Nebraska-Lincolns leadership tour stop, noon, Js Steakhouse, 406 N. Main St., Fremont, and 2 p.m., Nielsen Community Center, 200 Anna Stalp Ave., West Point. Chancellor Ronnie Green, Executive Vice Chancellor Donde Plowman and Mike Boehm, Harlan Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Nebraska, will discuss the university, its achievements and its strategic goals with stakeholders throughout Nebraska. Everyone is invited. Registration to attend a tour event is available at http://go.unl.edu/unl2017.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.

Narcotics Anonymous basic text study, 6:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Education Building, west of the church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Enter through the rear door.

Relay For Life of Dodge County planning meeting, 6:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1544 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Anyone interested in being a part of the planning team is invited to attend. For more information, contact Stephanie Stephenson at 402-393-5800.

Adult Game Night, 7-8:30 p.m., Keene Memorial Librarys large meeting room, Fremont. This is a chance to meet new people, learn new games and socialize. Coffee and tea will be provided.

Celebrate Recovery, 7-9 p.m., Sanctuary Church, 1640 W. Military Ave., Fremont. Childcare is available.

Celebrate Recovery, 7 p.m., Fremont Church of the Nazarene, 960 Johnson Road.

Fibromyalgia Support Group, 7 p.m., Health Park Plaza Conference Room 5, Fremont.

Alcoholics Anonymous 12x12 meeting, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont.
A man fatally struck by a truck at a construction site has been identified as a Maine Turnpike employee who was picking up safety cones.

State police say Jeffrey Abbott was one of two people killed in separate crashes Friday.

They say the 53-year-old Saco resident had been in a Maine Turnpike Authority safety vehicle at the Portland construction site and had just left it to remove safety cones when he was hit by the truck.

Troopers say the truck's driver had struck two vehicles ahead of him after they slowed down for the construction. The truck then veered into the construction zone and hit Abbott.

No charges have been filed.

Separately, a man driving a dump truck was killed when his truck overturned along an unpaved road in Whitefield and hit a tree.
A group of Republican women in New Hampshire spent the day together celebrating the inauguration.

Some of the members of the Seacoast Republican Women say theyve been passionate Donald Trump fans from the beginning but others admit they didnt even vote for him. On Friday, they all felt the same excitement as Trump took the Oath of Office.

Yes, yes, yes, the women yelled as they stood up clapping.

Make no mistake about it, New Hampshire resident Donna Slack is proud Republican.

Cheers, she said. Christmas is back!

But she admits she wasnt always a fan of Trump.

I wish he wouldve calmed down about a lot of things along the way, Slack said.

She worried about his ability to be Presidential, but that changed Friday.

It gives me hope and he seemed very sincere and I absolutely hope thats true, Slack said.

She watched President Trumps inaugural address with fellow members of the organization at the Copper Lantern in North Hampton.

It was thrilling, absolutely thrilling, said Jo Horvath, President of Seacoast Republican Women.

They all say theyre optimistic about the future.

The inauguration is a unification and it should be and I think he hit it right on the nose, Horvath said.

For Karen Mason, getting behind Trump hasnt been easy.

He was not my last choice, I did not vote Republican, Mason said.

But on Friday, she says she was moved by the Presidents message of solidarity.

Because that was the first time I had heard those words from his mouth, Mason said.

This group of Granite Staters showing the world what it looks like to proudly support our President from this moment forward, regardless of the past.

I am very glad hes the president of the United States, Slack said. I believe what he says.

Many of these women will continue the celebration into Friday night at New Hampshires Inaugural Ball being held in Concord at 6:30 pm.

More than 150 guests are expected to attend.
A Pawtucket man has been charged with wounding his girlfriend's cat so severely that it had to be be put down.

Scott Baptista was arraigned Friday in Providence District Court on a charge of malicious injury to or killing of an animal. He posted $200 bail.

Baptista's girlfriend, Nicole Ricci, told WJAR-TV she returned home from work Wednesday and noticed her 2-year-old cat, Baby Girl, was acting strange. She said she left her cats with Baptista that day.

Ricci took the cat to a veterinarian, who found it had broken ribs, punctured lungs and infections. She said the cat had to be put down.

A phone number for Baptista could not be found Saturday. No one answered the phone at the public defender's office, which was assigned to represent Baptista.
A teenager was stabbed to death Friday in Everett, Massachusetts.

18-year-old Daquan Burrell was taken to Cambridge Health Alliance in Everett with stab wounds around 4:20 p.m. He was pronounced dead a short time later, according to the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office.

Police believe the teen was involved in an altercation on Springdale Avenue.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection to the incident. Jesse Olivier, an 18-year-old from Everett has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Another 17-year-old from Chelsea received the same charge as well as assault with a dangerous weapon.

Olivier is scheduled to appear in court on January 23.
Tens of thousands of protesters are expected in the nation's capital Saturday to take part in the Women's March on Washington.

"What I'm really looking forward to is proving everybody wrong who says that anti-Trump demonstrators are violent and chaotic and that we incite violence," said Winchester resident Kaitlin Conway. "We're actually the complete opposite."

The protesters' goal is to send a message to the new Donald Trump administration.

"The way he treats people, the tone he sets, he doesn't seem to be concerned with his conflicts of interests," said Kate Schoch of Lexington.

Many are fearful that President Trump will not be protective of women's rights, including family leave, access to abortion and equal pay.

"I'm not as worried about him as I am about his vice president and the general mood of the country that got him elected," said Meagan Thomas of Coventry, Connecticut.

Getting to Washington is just part of the experience. Thousands are heading down via Skedaddle, a relatively new Boston-based app that allows groups of people to coordinate bus transportation.

"Other travel apps get you around in the city, but Skedaddle gets you out of the city," said co-founder Brad Werntz. "We enable access to new experiences such as ski mountains, concerts, beaches."

Skedaddle says 11,000 people in several states are using the service for the Women's March, including about 2,000 people in Massachusetts.

For Conway, the nine hour bus trip is a journey she says is worth it.

"When I look back on my life, I want to say that I was on the right side of history," she said. "I want to be proud of who I was and what I did."
Spanish police have arrested a Russian programmer suspected of developing the Neverquest banking Trojan, a malware targeting financial institutions across the world.

The 32-year-old Russian citizen known as Lisov SV was arrested at the Barcelona airport, Spain's law enforcement agency Guardia Civil said on Friday.

The FBI had been working with Spanish authorities to track down the suspect through an international arrest warrant, according to a statement from the agency. The FBI, however, declined to comment on the man's arrest.

Neverquest is designed to steal username and password information from banking customers. Once it infects a PC, the malware can do this by injecting fake online forms into legitimate banking websites to log any information typed in. It can also take screenshots and video from the PC's desktop and steal any passwords stored locally.

Once the credentials are stolen, Neverquest can use the infected PC to secretly log back into the customer's online banking account. It can then access the victim's funds and transfer the money out.

In 2013, antivirus vendor Kaspersky Lab discovered the malware being advertised in black market forums. It's since been found preying on the banking sites of 100 to 200 financial institutions, and it has features built in making it hard for security researchers to track.

On Friday, Spanish authorities said the malware has resulted in financial losses from victims of about US$5 million. Lisov is suspected of creating NeverQuest and then using servers to administer the malware.

One such server contained files with millions of stolen login credentials from financial website accounts.

The arrested suspects full name is Stanislav Lisov, according to Russian news agency TASS, and he was arrested on Jan. 13. Russian diplomats have sent a request to Spanish authorities to learn more about the charges against Lisov.

If Lisov is indeed behind Neverquest, his arrest may stop or slow down the malware's spread. Last August, IBM Security said Neverquest was the most active financial malware in the world.
Fears that accelerating automation is going to eat its lion's share of jobs continue to plague corporate sectors. However, new research from McKinsey Global Institute may talk folks afflicted with automation phobias down from the ledge.

The research group says that although half of todays work activities could be automated, it may not happen until 2055. Or 2035. Or even 2075. Where the statistic falls along the S curve depends on various factors, such as breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and economic conditions, says Michael Chui, a McKinsey Global Institute partner and an author of the report. Chuiand other researchers analyzed 800 occupations and 2,000 job tasks.

The McKinsey report presents a sobering position at a time when researchers and news headlines suggest self-driving cars, merchandise and food delivery via drones and robots, humanoid concierges and a myriad of other technology innovations once considered pie-in-the-sky are going to replace most jobs.

Automation largely relegated to repeatable tasks

Automation can enable businesses to improve performance by reducing errors and improving quality and speed, achieving outcomes that surpass human capabilities. Automation will also boost productivity -- 0.8 to 1.4 percent annually for decades -- fortifying economic growth and helping to offset the reduction of working-age population in many countries, according to Chui. The actual impact on occupations is a tougher picture to paint.

[ Related: How to tackle change management in an era of automation ]

Chui says that only about 5 percent of total occupations will be fully automated and 60 percent of all jobs include 30 percent of activities that may be automated. But automation will largely augment rather than replace work tasks, streamlining certain activities that make up an entire position rather than duplicating entire occupations.

Activities most susceptible to automation are physical tasks in highly structured and predictable environments, as well as data collection and processing. Such predictable tasks, which account for 51 percent of activities in the U.S. economy, are most prevalent in manufacturing, accommodation and food service, and retail trade.

Machines and humans will complement each other to stimulate economic growth. It's a favorite sentiment of technology leaders such as IBM CEO Ginni Rometty who said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday that it's not "man or machine" but a symbiotic relationship in which machines complement humans.

Most workers who are displaced by automation will find other employment, which will require employees to learn new skills and align with transforming business processes. We're going to need everybody working plus the robots in order to have the economic growth that we need and so we will need to create new jobs, activities, etc., Chui says.

Here come the caveats, which fittingly, depend on people and machines. While McKinsey believes that half of all the activities people are paid to do could be automated using current technologies, Chui says that its hard to accurately predict automations rate, let alone its impact on the world.

[ Related: Automation, not cheap labor, is reshaping outsourcing ]

"People are going to make decisions that will cause things to happen more quickly or more slowly, which is what we wanted to reflect in our modeling," Chui says. "What will actually happen is going to be determined by the decisions that technologists, policymakers and business leaders make and we want to reflect that in our model."

AIs timeline adds uncertainty to automation

It's also impossible to anticipate breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, including natural language processing and machine learning capabilities, that may accelerate automation, as well as to what extent they will create new jobs.

Advances in natural language processing and machine learning produce a Cambrian crush of light AI technologies emerged in 2016. Chatbots have extended from messaging platforms to corporate IT departments while ecosystems are springing up around virtual assistants such as Amazon.com's Alexa. Roboadvisers, in which software assists with delivering financial advice, are increasingly becoming a standard offering in financial services.

As a result, Chui says that it is tough to estimate AIs potential as machines learn to process natural language more effectively. "It will unlock a lot of potential," Chui says.

But most corporate IT departments are just beginning to figure out how to incorporate AI to better serve customers, according to Forrester Research. Despite strong interest in investing in AI technologies, many enterprises dont understand how to apply AI to meet specific business objectives. Another hurdle: The talent pool is essentially the human capital management equivalent of a puddle, which means deploying AI in a business context is challenging.

[ Related: Companies consistently run into problems in automation efforts ]

Businesses are just beginning to jump on the bandwagon, writes Forrester analysts Rowan and Brandon Purcell, in a new report released Wednesday. Without a well-worn path to ROI, however, many organizations have difficulty justifying investment at this point.

Its a fair point. Capital One, Whirlpool and Wingstop are among the dozens of companys using Alexa to bolster customer service, but the impact the technology will have on their businesses is unclear. As Wingstop CIO Stacy Peterson told CIO.com, Alexa is largely a software service for tech-savvy consumers.

So what does this all mean for the CIO? Chui recommends that CIO's continue to expand their experimentation with AI and automation tools, which are rapidly becoming table stakes for business operations. "I think that's more true than its ever been going forward," Chui says.

This story, "Half of work activities could be automated by 2055 " was originally published by CIO .
Over the past two years, Google has pressured developers to patch security issues in more than 275,000 Android apps hosted on its official app store. In many cases this was done under the threat of blocking future updates to the insecure apps.

Since 2014, Google has been scanning apps published on Google Play for known vulnerabilities as part of its App Security Improvement (ASI) program. Whenever a known security issue is found in an application, the developer receives an alert via email and through the Google Play Developer Console.

When it started, the program only scanned apps for embedded Amazon Web Services (AWS) credentials, which was a common problem at the time. The exposure of AWS credentials can lead to serious compromises of the cloud servers used by apps to store user data and content.

Later that year, Google also started scanning for embedded Keystore files. These files typically contain cryptographic keys, both public and private, that are used to encrypt data or secure connections.

In the early days of the ASI program, developers only received notifications, but were under no pressure to do anything. That changed in 2015 when Google expanded the types of issues it scanned for and also started enforcing deadlines for fixing many of them.

The company provides detailed information on the flaws it detects along with guidance on how to fix them. However, developers who fail to resolve the problems within the timeframes provided by Google can lose the ability to release future updates for the affected apps through Google Play.

Google added checks for six new vulnerabilities in 2015, all of them with a patching deadline, and 17 in 2016, 12 of which had a time limit for fixes. These issues ranged from security flaws in third-party libraries, development frameworks and advertising SDKs to insecure implementations of Android Java classes and interfaces.

For example, developers who used the Supersonic SDK in their applications have until January 26 to upgrade the SDK to version 6.3.5 or newer. Older versions of this SDK expose sensitive functions through Javascript that are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Until April 2016, the Google Play App Security Improvement program helped developers patch 100,000 applications. Since then the number almost tripled, around 90,000 developers patching security issues in over 275,000 apps, said Rahul Mishra, Android security program manager in a blog post Thursday.
Shruthi HM By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: With an increasing number of digitally enabled services being linked to Aadhaar numbers, there has been a surge in Aadhaar enrolments over the past two months. In December, as many as 1.6 crore people enrolled across the country compared to 1.04 crore in November. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) officials foresee an average of 1.5 crore registrations continuing for the next six months.

According to UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey, 38.5 crore people have linked their Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts and 48 crore bank accounts have been linked to Aadhaar till now.

There is a decrease in the number of people who do not have Aadhaar numbers. Over the next six months, we will continue to see an average of 1.5 crore enrollments every month, after which it will decline. This is because a majority of the people would have secured their Aadhaar numbers by then, Pandey told Express. As many as 40,000 machines have been deployed with a capacity of 20 lakh registrations per day. This would be sufficient to manage the current number of enrollments, he added.

Last year, the finance ministry introduced the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 intended for delivery of subsidiaries by linking Aadhaar numbers.

Noting that a substantial number of Indians was enrolled under Aadhaar, Rishabh Bharadwaj, senior associate at Khaitan & Co, observed, The Watal Committee on Digital Payments has, among others, recommended promotion of Aadhaar-based e-KYC and paperless authentication, and full inter-operability of Aadhaar-based payments. If accepted by the central government, Aadhaar will result in more convenient and hassle-free KYC checks and transactions. This would eventually make Aadhaar indispensable and may also result in phasing out of the current modes of electronic payment.

While there are benefits in having a single number as an identity proof, its time that the government spoke about data privacy regulations, said Parminder Jeet Singh, executive director, ITforChange, who leads research on governance reform and Internet Governance.

Aadhaar is like having one smart card for all purposes instead of ten different ones. But privacy remains a question. I dont know why the government is not even discussing about privacy regulations. It also has to be ensured that the implementation is inclusive and reaches out to people in remote areas. Sometimes when systems become strong, their exclusions also become strong, he added.

Saket Modi, CEO and co-founder, Lucideus, IT Risk Assessment and Digital Security Services provider, held an optimistic view about the data management. Digital authentication is becoming a tremendously important concept considering that we are moving into a future where irrespective of industry, we will have to digitise.

As for privacy, he opined that the quantity of data is not a function of the risk of the data. Saying that it is massive and hence hackable is not true. Take the case of a 32 GB pen drive. If you cant hack into 10 GB, you cant hack into 30 GB. We cannot compare the virtual world in proportion with the physical world, in this case.

BENGALURU: With an increasing number of digitally enabled services being linked to Aadhaar numbers, there has been a surge in Aadhaar enrolments over the past two months. In December, as many as 1.6 crore people enrolled across the country compared to 1.04 crore in November. Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) officials foresee an average of 1.5 crore registrations continuing for the next six months. According to UIDAI CEO Ajay Bhushan Pandey, 38.5 crore people have linked their Aadhaar numbers to bank accounts and 48 crore bank accounts have been linked to Aadhaar till now. There is a decrease in the number of people who do not have Aadhaar numbers. Over the next six months, we will continue to see an average of 1.5 crore enrollments every month, after which it will decline. This is because a majority of the people would have secured their Aadhaar numbers by then, Pandey told Express. As many as 40,000 machines have been deployed with a capacity of 20 lakh registrations per day. This would be sufficient to manage the current number of enrollments, he added. Last year, the finance ministry introduced the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016 intended for delivery of subsidiaries by linking Aadhaar numbers. Noting that a substantial number of Indians was enrolled under Aadhaar, Rishabh Bharadwaj, senior associate at Khaitan & Co, observed, The Watal Committee on Digital Payments has, among others, recommended promotion of Aadhaar-based e-KYC and paperless authentication, and full inter-operability of Aadhaar-based payments. If accepted by the central government, Aadhaar will result in more convenient and hassle-free KYC checks and transactions. This would eventually make Aadhaar indispensable and may also result in phasing out of the current modes of electronic payment. While there are benefits in having a single number as an identity proof, its time that the government spoke about data privacy regulations, said Parminder Jeet Singh, executive director, ITforChange, who leads research on governance reform and Internet Governance. Aadhaar is like having one smart card for all purposes instead of ten different ones. But privacy remains a question. I dont know why the government is not even discussing about privacy regulations. It also has to be ensured that the implementation is inclusive and reaches out to people in remote areas. Sometimes when systems become strong, their exclusions also become strong, he added. Saket Modi, CEO and co-founder, Lucideus, IT Risk Assessment and Digital Security Services provider, held an optimistic view about the data management. Digital authentication is becoming a tremendously important concept considering that we are moving into a future where irrespective of industry, we will have to digitise. As for privacy, he opined that the quantity of data is not a function of the risk of the data. Saying that it is massive and hence hackable is not true. Take the case of a 32 GB pen drive. If you cant hack into 10 GB, you cant hack into 30 GB. We cannot compare the virtual world in proportion with the physical world, in this case.
Pres. Barack Obama promised hope, change and trans parity. What we witness is an angry, divided nation.

His first foreign action was to apologize for U.S. past behaviors to foreign nations like were the bad guys.

* He spent his first two years creating Obama Care that even its composers admitted it to be a disaster. Just pass it and well see whats in it later.

* His diplomacy in Iraq created the birth of ISIS that he claimed to be a J.V. team with no major threat to our freedom.

* Under his reign, 2,988 new government regulations were put in place and the majority of those regulations hindered job creators and the economy.

* Obama handcuffed border security and spent millions of taxpayer dollars re-locating illegals throughout the U.S. without notifying local state government.

* He declared students in public schools have rights and transgenders must now legally be treated as members of transgenders they identify with.

* Using U.S. tax dollars he tried to influence Israels election and when it failed he threw our best ally in the Middle East under the bus at the U.N. hearing over West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements.

* He falsely boasted his job creation. Ninety-four percent of those jobs were either temporary or contract-based.

* Forty-three percent of families in poverty, more on food stamps and wages are stagnant.

* Under his watch our national debt increased $9.3 trillion which is more than all presidents before him combined.

* Foreign agents have been hacking our government agencies since 2008 with little concern from the White House. Come 2016 elections the Democratic National Campaign Committee gets hacked and all hell breaks loose with sanctions put in place.

Pres. Obama, on 60 Minutes, said this country is better off after his eight years of leadership. He claims he was very effective in gaining public opinion.

Barack Obama is a very canny, savvy, well-educated person. Having never held a steady job or run a business he started, his political career is a community organizer in the city of Chicago.

He most likely will enter speaking engagements with financially having it made for the rest of his life.

Robert L. Warner

Fremont
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: All roads were leading to Marina on Friday as countless people thronged the sea front to join the momentous protest to lift the ban on Jallikattu.



The governments announcement of an ordinance, however, failed to cut ice with the protesters who remained defiant and asked for an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and a ban on PETA. They demanded a permanent solution for the bulls to charge from vadivasal (point from where bulls are released in Jallikattu).

DMK workers blocking an EMU train at Mambalam

railway station, in the city on Friday;



Students have taken a very bold step and we are all here to support them. I have grown up with this sport and want my children to experience it as well, said B Nandakumar, who had come with his wife and children.



Apart from relentless cry for the Chief Minister to address them, there were those who condemned Prime Minister Modi. Modi does not care about Tamil Nadu, said 37-year-old N Harna of Tondiarpet, who asked, He is only bothered about pleasing foreign companies. What prevents the Centre to resolve the issue? If they can do demonetisation, why not this?



The protest could easily have been mistaken for a carnival considering the revelry along slogan-chanting. Tamil culture and art were on display.

Sand art in support of jallikattu; 8. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam addressing media; 9. Muslims offering evening prayers at the Marina; 10. M K Stalin leading a protest | Ashwin prasath, d sampathkumar, p jawahar, martin louis & osho G K

Folk songs of Jallikattu and village life were sung. Some paraded their bulls to the hooting and cheers from the crowd. Further, one could get a glimpse of Silambattam and sand art. That wasnt all. Cars and vans had speakers blaring music to which people gleefully danced to, some even atop vehicles.



Vans passed by and flung water bottles and packets while those carrying food packets were stopped and let off only after all the food had been distributed. Though beach vendors had a good run for the last couple of days, most of them remained shut on Friday, leaving many to quench their thirst with soft drinks.



The camaraderie between people was heartwarming. Strangers helped each other out whether it was sharing water or helping an injured with first aid. People came in alone but went out with new friends.

It is wonderful to see so many people here, said Komalavally Kannan who had decided to stay for the night. I am so happy it is happening now. We are Tamilians and we want to bring back our culture, she added.

Many women were keen to stay overnight but hesitated because of bathroom facilities. Certain colleges in the area have let women use their bathrooms.

CHENNAI: All roads were leading to Marina on Friday as countless people thronged the sea front to join the momentous protest to lift the ban on Jallikattu. The governments announcement of an ordinance, however, failed to cut ice with the protesters who remained defiant and asked for an amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and a ban on PETA. They demanded a permanent solution for the bulls to charge from vadivasal (point from where bulls are released in Jallikattu). DMK workers blocking an EMU train at Mambalam railway station, in the city on Friday; Students have taken a very bold step and we are all here to support them. I have grown up with this sport and want my children to experience it as well, said B Nandakumar, who had come with his wife and children. Apart from relentless cry for the Chief Minister to address them, there were those who condemned Prime Minister Modi. Modi does not care about Tamil Nadu, said 37-year-old N Harna of Tondiarpet, who asked, He is only bothered about pleasing foreign companies. What prevents the Centre to resolve the issue? If they can do demonetisation, why not this? The protest could easily have been mistaken for a carnival considering the revelry along slogan-chanting. Tamil culture and art were on display. Sand art in support of jallikattu; 8. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam addressing media; 9. Muslims offering evening prayers at the Marina; 10. M K Stalin leading a protest | Ashwin prasath, d sampathkumar, p jawahar, martin louis & osho G K Folk songs of Jallikattu and village life were sung. Some paraded their bulls to the hooting and cheers from the crowd. Further, one could get a glimpse of Silambattam and sand art. That wasnt all. Cars and vans had speakers blaring music to which people gleefully danced to, some even atop vehicles. Vans passed by and flung water bottles and packets while those carrying food packets were stopped and let off only after all the food had been distributed. Though beach vendors had a good run for the last couple of days, most of them remained shut on Friday, leaving many to quench their thirst with soft drinks. The camaraderie between people was heartwarming. Strangers helped each other out whether it was sharing water or helping an injured with first aid. People came in alone but went out with new friends. It is wonderful to see so many people here, said Komalavally Kannan who had decided to stay for the night. I am so happy it is happening now. We are Tamilians and we want to bring back our culture, she added. Many women were keen to stay overnight but hesitated because of bathroom facilities. Certain colleges in the area have let women use their bathrooms.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: In 2008, when Suresh Rayudu Chitturi, the Vice-Chairman & CEO at Srinivasa Hatcheries, travelled to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a game reserve in Narok County, Kenya, with his family, he only focussed on the bounty of the wild. Cut to January 2017, he recalls how the Maasai tribals, a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, were using M-pesa app seven years ago and were comfortable doing cashless transcations.

If they can do, so can we, he says while adding that travel opens up minds and widens horizons. His travel escapades have taken him to almost all the continents of the world. Patience is the virtue when you travel. To click a picture that I am proud of even ten years later takes a lot of effort. For example, my wildlife pictures typically take a day or two to reach the exact spot, wait for daylight to come or fade, the animal to come out in the open and get active. But each time I got the shot right, I feel I have crossed a new milestone in life, he shares An avid traveller, this busy CEO says that exposure to other countries, faiths and cultures gives us a new perspective in life.

We promote vegetarianism in India. The Japanese relish every living thing on their platter. Their health and fitness is way better than us. We learn to question old beliefs and systems when we travel, he says while recommending that every- Demonetisation lessons from Maasai City-based business tycoon Suresh Chitturi opens up on why travel widens horizons and how new perspectives can come from the most unexpected sources one should check out at least one new place every three months.

His next is to Anartica in the last quarter of the year with his best buddies and their network of friends. His tips on travel: Avoid package tours. Any place that has a Facebook page means it has already been corrupted. Look for virgin spots to enjoy nature at its best. Dont hanker for Indian food when you travel abroad.

HYDERABAD: In 2008, when Suresh Rayudu Chitturi, the Vice-Chairman & CEO at Srinivasa Hatcheries, travelled to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a game reserve in Narok County, Kenya, with his family, he only focussed on the bounty of the wild. Cut to January 2017, he recalls how the Maasai tribals, a Nilotic ethnic group inhabiting southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, were using M-pesa app seven years ago and were comfortable doing cashless transcations. If they can do, so can we, he says while adding that travel opens up minds and widens horizons. His travel escapades have taken him to almost all the continents of the world. Patience is the virtue when you travel. To click a picture that I am proud of even ten years later takes a lot of effort. For example, my wildlife pictures typically take a day or two to reach the exact spot, wait for daylight to come or fade, the animal to come out in the open and get active. But each time I got the shot right, I feel I have crossed a new milestone in life, he shares An avid traveller, this busy CEO says that exposure to other countries, faiths and cultures gives us a new perspective in life. We promote vegetarianism in India. The Japanese relish every living thing on their platter. Their health and fitness is way better than us. We learn to question old beliefs and systems when we travel, he says while recommending that every- Demonetisation lessons from Maasai City-based business tycoon Suresh Chitturi opens up on why travel widens horizons and how new perspectives can come from the most unexpected sources one should check out at least one new place every three months. His next is to Anartica in the last quarter of the year with his best buddies and their network of friends. His tips on travel: Avoid package tours. Any place that has a Facebook page means it has already been corrupted. Look for virgin spots to enjoy nature at its best. Dont hanker for Indian food when you travel abroad.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad High Court on Friday upheld the judgment of the Special Court for NIA cases which convicted three persons who circulated fake Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

The bench of justices CV Nagarjuna Reddy and MSK Jaiswal dismissed the appeals filed by Mohammad Shafi, Masood Akthar Ansari and Shaik Akram.

The three convicts, along with 28 others, were charged with bringing in fake currency from neighbouring countries Pakistan and Bangladesh, and circulating the same in India.

According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the kingpins in Pakistan and Bangladesh conspired with some persons in Dubai and sent the fake currency from Bangalore to Delhi by parcels. From there the fake notes were circulated and used for funding terrorist activities.

NIA officials tracked the gang and arrested them and filed the charge sheet before the special court. The Pakistan and Bangladesh nationals are still at large.

The special court convicted the trio and sentenced them to five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 each. Aggrieved by the punishment, they moved the High Court.

After hearing the case, the bench upheld the punishments awarded by the lower court. The NIA proved the crime of circulating the fake currency but could not establish the conspiracy angle, the bench observed.

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad High Court on Friday upheld the judgment of the Special Court for NIA cases which convicted three persons who circulated fake Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. The bench of justices CV Nagarjuna Reddy and MSK Jaiswal dismissed the appeals filed by Mohammad Shafi, Masood Akthar Ansari and Shaik Akram. The three convicts, along with 28 others, were charged with bringing in fake currency from neighbouring countries Pakistan and Bangladesh, and circulating the same in India. According to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the kingpins in Pakistan and Bangladesh conspired with some persons in Dubai and sent the fake currency from Bangalore to Delhi by parcels. From there the fake notes were circulated and used for funding terrorist activities. NIA officials tracked the gang and arrested them and filed the charge sheet before the special court. The Pakistan and Bangladesh nationals are still at large. The special court convicted the trio and sentenced them to five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 each. Aggrieved by the punishment, they moved the High Court. After hearing the case, the bench upheld the punishments awarded by the lower court. The NIA proved the crime of circulating the fake currency but could not establish the conspiracy angle, the bench observed.
Sudarshan Purohit By

Express News Service

The place we come from determines who we are. Our roots stretch out from our immediate family, our home, out to our town, our community and its history. The Saga of Muziris, by Sethu (translated from the Malayalam Marupiravi, i.e. rebirth, by Prema Jayakumar), is a chronicle of a town in Kerala and how far down its roots really go.

Aravindam, our protagonist, is a native of Kerala, from a small town called Chendamangalam near Kochi. However, he is now settled in Mumbai and is steadily losing his connection with his hometown. Everything changes when an archaeologist friend of his invites him to come back home and visit the nearby excavation at Pattanamassumed to be the legendary port of Muziris on the Silk Route.

For Aravindam, this is like waking up from a coma. He meets friends at Chendamangalam, reawakens his memories of early years, and begins to absorb the legendary stories of Muziris.

His new understanding of history leads Aravindam to write a story of characters set in Muziris during its heyday. The intent is to reconcile himself with his roots. Convincing his family that roots matter, and even his childhood matters becomes a hard task.

Muziris, however, is only a trigger, not a destination. Sethu uses this starting point to talk of the various communities and connections that this tiny town has had over the centuries. There was the Paliyam Struggle, a social event against casteism. There were the Jews of Kerala, who came generations ago, but left for Israel when it was founded.

There are the Christians, struggling to adapt the cultural identity into their own unique flavour. And above all, there are the various cultural institutions: festivals, schools, vocations, the extended family, the mutating social strata, all seen through the eyes of Aravindam and his friends. Over the course of the book, through conversations, through the inner story that Aravindam writes, through the reactions of the people around Aravindam, Sethu chronicles the expansion of ones background. He talks of the reaching out of ones roots to new fertile territory, of the change in self-image that comes from a glorious past.

Over the course of the book, through conversations, through the inner story that Aravindam writes, through the reactions of the people around Aravindam, Sethu chronicles the expansion of ones background. He talks of the reaching out of ones roots to new fertile territory, of the change in self-image that comes from a glorious past.

The book does not have a simple storyline and that may frustrate some readers. The journey through the book is what matters here, not just the ending. The flow is deliberately random, leading us through Aravindams journey of learning and remembrance. The ending, too, is not the conventional oneI will not reveal it here, but it leaves one with hope and a sense that what is lost may be found again.

Prema Jayakumars translation is excellentthe language is smooth and flows well, but never lets us forget that this is an Indian talking. The few words judiciously left in the original Malayalam only add to the flavour. Jayakumar has been translating interesting Malayalam books for decades, and the experience shows.

The Saga of Muziris is an acquired taste, but one that lingers. It is likely to make you want to go back to your own roots. And maybe to the Wikipedia post on Muziris and the pepper trade.

The place we come from determines who we are. Our roots stretch out from our immediate family, our home, out to our town, our community and its history. The Saga of Muziris, by Sethu (translated from the Malayalam Marupiravi, i.e. rebirth, by Prema Jayakumar), is a chronicle of a town in Kerala and how far down its roots really go. Aravindam, our protagonist, is a native of Kerala, from a small town called Chendamangalam near Kochi. However, he is now settled in Mumbai and is steadily losing his connection with his hometown. Everything changes when an archaeologist friend of his invites him to come back home and visit the nearby excavation at Pattanamassumed to be the legendary port of Muziris on the Silk Route. For Aravindam, this is like waking up from a coma. He meets friends at Chendamangalam, reawakens his memories of early years, and begins to absorb the legendary stories of Muziris. His new understanding of history leads Aravindam to write a story of characters set in Muziris during its heyday. The intent is to reconcile himself with his roots. Convincing his family that roots matter, and even his childhood matters becomes a hard task. Muziris, however, is only a trigger, not a destination. Sethu uses this starting point to talk of the various communities and connections that this tiny town has had over the centuries. There was the Paliyam Struggle, a social event against casteism. There were the Jews of Kerala, who came generations ago, but left for Israel when it was founded. There are the Christians, struggling to adapt the cultural identity into their own unique flavour. And above all, there are the various cultural institutions: festivals, schools, vocations, the extended family, the mutating social strata, all seen through the eyes of Aravindam and his friends. Over the course of the book, through conversations, through the inner story that Aravindam writes, through the reactions of the people around Aravindam, Sethu chronicles the expansion of ones background. He talks of the reaching out of ones roots to new fertile territory, of the change in self-image that comes from a glorious past. Over the course of the book, through conversations, through the inner story that Aravindam writes, through the reactions of the people around Aravindam, Sethu chronicles the expansion of ones background. He talks of the reaching out of ones roots to new fertile territory, of the change in self-image that comes from a glorious past. The book does not have a simple storyline and that may frustrate some readers. The journey through the book is what matters here, not just the ending. The flow is deliberately random, leading us through Aravindams journey of learning and remembrance. The ending, too, is not the conventional oneI will not reveal it here, but it leaves one with hope and a sense that what is lost may be found again. Prema Jayakumars translation is excellentthe language is smooth and flows well, but never lets us forget that this is an Indian talking. The few words judiciously left in the original Malayalam only add to the flavour. Jayakumar has been translating interesting Malayalam books for decades, and the experience shows. The Saga of Muziris is an acquired taste, but one that lingers. It is likely to make you want to go back to your own roots. And maybe to the Wikipedia post on Muziris and the pepper trade.
Shevlin Sebastian By

A group of visitors crowded around Brazilian artist Meri Amanda Calero, as she pointed at her painting of an Indian holy man at the Durbar Hall Gallery, Kochi.

The oil on canvas showed a man, with an overflowing white beard and a thick moustache. The eyes and lips seemed to hint at a smile. A colourful orange turban adorned the head.

Caleros painting of a holy man

I met this man in Jaipur last year, she says. He was a wise and deeply spiritual man. But I dont know his name. We exchanged smiles and held hands. And I felt inspired enough to do a painting.

But her second work is completely different. It is the painting of her 15-year-old niece, Sabrina, who lives in Ecuador. In Sao Paulo, where Meri lives as a naturalised Brazilian, she earns her living as a cardiologist. But every now and then she returns to her home country of Ecuador to meet up with her family.

And Sabrina served as an inspiration.

The image is of a young girl, with rouge on her cheeks, sensual red lips, but with a distant look in her eyes, playing the mandolin. She is singing the pasillo, the national music of Ecuador, says Meri.

The songs are about heartbreaks and nostalgic memories.

Meri got the opportunity to take part in the Kochi exhibition after she met Malayali artist Manu at an art event in Delhi in 2015. I invited Meri to take part in our Worldwide Art Movement group exhibition, says Manu.

And Meri readily agreed.

On her first visit, she has a very high impression of Malayalis. They are happy, relaxed, and have a helping attitude, she says. In Kerala and India, a lot of importance is given to art and culture, unlike in Brazil.

Meri works on her art in the late evenings or early mornings, after her regular job. She says it is difficult to be a full-time artist in Brazil. Whenever I get a chance, I come to India, she says.

Her fascination with the country began when, as a teenager, in Quito, she saw an exhibition of Indian artists. The colours were so bright and attractive, says the 40-year-old. I wanted to immediately come to India.

But she could only do so in 2013. I feel very happy when I am in India, she says. This is my fifth visit. As an artist, it is a place that provides me with enormous inspiration.

However, Brazilian artists are looking westwards for guidance. In fact, the biggest influence on them is the American artist Morgan Weistling, says Meri. I tell them they should come to India, to become better artists.

A group of visitors crowded around Brazilian artist Meri Amanda Calero, as she pointed at her painting of an Indian holy man at the Durbar Hall Gallery, Kochi. The oil on canvas showed a man, with an overflowing white beard and a thick moustache. The eyes and lips seemed to hint at a smile. A colourful orange turban adorned the head. Caleros painting of a holy manI met this man in Jaipur last year, she says. He was a wise and deeply spiritual man. But I dont know his name. We exchanged smiles and held hands. And I felt inspired enough to do a painting. But her second work is completely different. It is the painting of her 15-year-old niece, Sabrina, who lives in Ecuador. In Sao Paulo, where Meri lives as a naturalised Brazilian, she earns her living as a cardiologist. But every now and then she returns to her home country of Ecuador to meet up with her family. And Sabrina served as an inspiration. The image is of a young girl, with rouge on her cheeks, sensual red lips, but with a distant look in her eyes, playing the mandolin. She is singing the pasillo, the national music of Ecuador, says Meri. The songs are about heartbreaks and nostalgic memories. Meri got the opportunity to take part in the Kochi exhibition after she met Malayali artist Manu at an art event in Delhi in 2015. I invited Meri to take part in our Worldwide Art Movement group exhibition, says Manu. And Meri readily agreed. On her first visit, she has a very high impression of Malayalis. They are happy, relaxed, and have a helping attitude, she says. In Kerala and India, a lot of importance is given to art and culture, unlike in Brazil. Meri works on her art in the late evenings or early mornings, after her regular job. She says it is difficult to be a full-time artist in Brazil. Whenever I get a chance, I come to India, she says. Her fascination with the country began when, as a teenager, in Quito, she saw an exhibition of Indian artists. The colours were so bright and attractive, says the 40-year-old. I wanted to immediately come to India. But she could only do so in 2013. I feel very happy when I am in India, she says. This is my fifth visit. As an artist, it is a place that provides me with enormous inspiration. However, Brazilian artists are looking westwards for guidance. In fact, the biggest influence on them is the American artist Morgan Weistling, says Meri. I tell them they should come to India, to become better artists.
G Parthasarathy By

During my years in Pakistan, I met a number of its four-star generals, including Generals Musa, Zia-ul-Haq, K M Arif, Mirza Aslam Beg, Jehangir Karamat and Pervez Musharraf. General Musa, who commanded the Pakistan army during the 1965 conflict, was a charming oldschool soldier. Zia and his successors were, however, schooled in Islamist rhetoric and firm believers in using low intensity conflict to bleed India with a thousand cuts.

The antipathy of all these generals was evident in the execution of their professional obligations of keeping a measure of tensions with India alive, primarily to justify their dominance over the countrys national life. But, at a personal level, they were pleasant to interact with and capable of pursuing their professional contacts with India and Indians, while performing their professional chores.

General Raheel Sharif, however, had other distinct personal characteristics. He was also a megalomaniac, whose personal hatred for India was intense, among other reasons, because his uncle and his brother, whom he worshipped, were killed in conflicts with India in 1965 and 1971.

His megalomania arose from his belief that he alone had the divine wisdom to control Pakistans foreign and security policies. He soon came a cropper, when he found that meeting President Ashraf Ghani, even before Pakistans prime minister, did not lead to rapprochement with Afghanistan, on the Pakistan armys terms. His hubris only increased when President Ghani called on him in Rawalpindi, before meeting PM Nawaz Sharif.

Gen Sharifs hostility to India got the better of reason. He objected to Nawaz Sharif visiting India, for the swearing in of PM Modi. His rhetoric against India on official occasions in Pakistan was vicious. Enhanced encouragement of the Lashkar-e-Taiba for its jihad in India was accompanied by bringing back the Jaish-e-Mohammed to a more active role in J&K and beyond, in India.

Within Pakistan, Gen Sharif commenced wide ranging military operations in Pashtun tribal areas, bordering Afghanistan, without government or parliamentary approval. His PR was good enough to win him public support for this military adventurism that fuelled his already bloated ego. Thus, stage was set for long-term insurgency across the Durand Line.

Gen Sharif predictably torpedoed any chance of improved relations with India after Modis visit to Lahore, by arranging for the Jaish-e-Mohammed attack on the Pathankot air base, while stepping up cross-border terrorism leading to the Uri attack. His actions prompted India to discard earlier restraint and send forces across the LoC in a surgical strike.

Despite his wondrous achievements, Gen Sharif has exposed himself and become a subject of public criticism within a month post retirement. A public announcement soon came that the Saudi government had appointed him as Commander of a Saudi Arabian-sponsored 39-member Islamic Military Alliance. Pakistans Parliament rejected membership of this alliance, primarily because major Shia dominated countriesnotably Iran, Iraq and Syrialooked at it as a sectarian grouping.

His preference for this grouping has been in the works since March 2016. He appears to have won Saudi backing after an acrimonious meeting with Iran President Hassan Rouhani during his official visit to Pakistan.

Gen Sharif has lost his earlier lustre in Pakistan. The national opposition to his taking up the Saudi offer has made it almost impossible for him to fulfil his post-retirement ambitions. He is now yet another careerist general, willing to go to lengths to satisfy his insatiable ego and indeed megalomania. In the process, he has revived sectarian divisions within Pakistan. The long-term impact of his excesses in Pakistan will emerge, sooner rather than later.

G Parthasarathy

dadpartha@gmail.com

During my years in Pakistan, I met a number of its four-star generals, including Generals Musa, Zia-ul-Haq, K M Arif, Mirza Aslam Beg, Jehangir Karamat and Pervez Musharraf. General Musa, who commanded the Pakistan army during the 1965 conflict, was a charming oldschool soldier. Zia and his successors were, however, schooled in Islamist rhetoric and firm believers in using low intensity conflict to bleed India with a thousand cuts. The antipathy of all these generals was evident in the execution of their professional obligations of keeping a measure of tensions with India alive, primarily to justify their dominance over the countrys national life. But, at a personal level, they were pleasant to interact with and capable of pursuing their professional contacts with India and Indians, while performing their professional chores. General Raheel Sharif, however, had other distinct personal characteristics. He was also a megalomaniac, whose personal hatred for India was intense, among other reasons, because his uncle and his brother, whom he worshipped, were killed in conflicts with India in 1965 and 1971. His megalomania arose from his belief that he alone had the divine wisdom to control Pakistans foreign and security policies. He soon came a cropper, when he found that meeting President Ashraf Ghani, even before Pakistans prime minister, did not lead to rapprochement with Afghanistan, on the Pakistan armys terms. His hubris only increased when President Ghani called on him in Rawalpindi, before meeting PM Nawaz Sharif. Gen Sharifs hostility to India got the better of reason. He objected to Nawaz Sharif visiting India, for the swearing in of PM Modi. His rhetoric against India on official occasions in Pakistan was vicious. Enhanced encouragement of the Lashkar-e-Taiba for its jihad in India was accompanied by bringing back the Jaish-e-Mohammed to a more active role in J&K and beyond, in India. Within Pakistan, Gen Sharif commenced wide ranging military operations in Pashtun tribal areas, bordering Afghanistan, without government or parliamentary approval. His PR was good enough to win him public support for this military adventurism that fuelled his already bloated ego. Thus, stage was set for long-term insurgency across the Durand Line. Gen Sharif predictably torpedoed any chance of improved relations with India after Modis visit to Lahore, by arranging for the Jaish-e-Mohammed attack on the Pathankot air base, while stepping up cross-border terrorism leading to the Uri attack. His actions prompted India to discard earlier restraint and send forces across the LoC in a surgical strike. Despite his wondrous achievements, Gen Sharif has exposed himself and become a subject of public criticism within a month post retirement. A public announcement soon came that the Saudi government had appointed him as Commander of a Saudi Arabian-sponsored 39-member Islamic Military Alliance. Pakistans Parliament rejected membership of this alliance, primarily because major Shia dominated countriesnotably Iran, Iraq and Syrialooked at it as a sectarian grouping. His preference for this grouping has been in the works since March 2016. He appears to have won Saudi backing after an acrimonious meeting with Iran President Hassan Rouhani during his official visit to Pakistan. Gen Sharif has lost his earlier lustre in Pakistan. The national opposition to his taking up the Saudi offer has made it almost impossible for him to fulfil his post-retirement ambitions. He is now yet another careerist general, willing to go to lengths to satisfy his insatiable ego and indeed megalomania. In the process, he has revived sectarian divisions within Pakistan. The long-term impact of his excesses in Pakistan will emerge, sooner rather than later. G Parthasarathy dadpartha@gmail.com
By Express News Service

JAIPUR: RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya stirred a controversy by questioning the caste-based reservation in jobs, just as his boss Mohan Bhagwat did in the run-up to Bihar elections. Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Friday, Vaidya said, The caste-based reservation should end.

Dr Ambedkar had said that such a reservation policy is not good for any country if it continues perpetually. This should end and time must come when everyone should get more job opportunities. Fellow RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabole immediately tried to control the damage. What Vaidya meant was that till there is discrimination against certain groups, and equal opportunity is not provided to all, caste-based reservation should continue, he said.

The impact of the statement, however, was felt at some levels. Hardik Patel of the the Patel agitation fame lashed out at Vaidya for his comments. Why RSS is trying to preach the nation? RSS is under illusion that it is running the country from Nagpur, he said in a tweet.

The statement, according to experts, could implode BJPs prospects in UP, politically the most critical State in the country. Incidentally, the controversy broke out on a day when the Congress had petitioned the EC that RSS was campaigning for the BJP and the expenditure made by them should be accounted.

RSS-BJPs anti Dalit agenda exposed. Caste and communal division is their DNA, tweeted Congress leader Randeep Surjewala. Vaidyas comments come at a time when the BJP is making desperate attempts to lure marginalised communities.

JAIPUR: RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya stirred a controversy by questioning the caste-based reservation in jobs, just as his boss Mohan Bhagwat did in the run-up to Bihar elections. Speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival on Friday, Vaidya said, The caste-based reservation should end. Dr Ambedkar had said that such a reservation policy is not good for any country if it continues perpetually. This should end and time must come when everyone should get more job opportunities. Fellow RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabole immediately tried to control the damage. What Vaidya meant was that till there is discrimination against certain groups, and equal opportunity is not provided to all, caste-based reservation should continue, he said. The impact of the statement, however, was felt at some levels. Hardik Patel of the the Patel agitation fame lashed out at Vaidya for his comments. Why RSS is trying to preach the nation? RSS is under illusion that it is running the country from Nagpur, he said in a tweet. The statement, according to experts, could implode BJPs prospects in UP, politically the most critical State in the country. Incidentally, the controversy broke out on a day when the Congress had petitioned the EC that RSS was campaigning for the BJP and the expenditure made by them should be accounted. RSS-BJPs anti Dalit agenda exposed. Caste and communal division is their DNA, tweeted Congress leader Randeep Surjewala. Vaidyas comments come at a time when the BJP is making desperate attempts to lure marginalised communities.
By Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: With 23 Congress rebel candidates in the fray for the assembly elections in Punjab and Sunday being the last day to withdraw nominations, state Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has asked the rebels to withdraw their nominations and make way for the party candidates or else face dire actions.

Amarinder warned the party would be forced to take strict action against the rebels that could include expulsion for life. He clarified party discipline would be maintained and the interests of the chosen candidates would be protected at all costs.It was important, he said, to set a precedent so that the party polity and propriety is not violated.

Amarinder, along with the AICC in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari, has has been partly successful in quashing the rebellion in most of the 20-odd constituencies where there have been issues in this regard.

Many rebel candidates have, in fact, agreed to withdraw their nominations, which they had filed independently after being denied the official party ticket. Amarinder has personally spoken and persuaded them to withdraw their nominations in the interest of the party by promising the party would take care of their interests once it comes to power.

Some have challenged the party surveys in which it is claiming that the candidate has been given a ticket as he or she has better chance to win there.

Party spokesman Nimisha Mehta, who is also a rebel candidate from Garhshankar, has not withdrawn and has maintained that she is still in the fray.

CHANDIGARH: With 23 Congress rebel candidates in the fray for the assembly elections in Punjab and Sunday being the last day to withdraw nominations, state Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has asked the rebels to withdraw their nominations and make way for the party candidates or else face dire actions. Amarinder warned the party would be forced to take strict action against the rebels that could include expulsion for life. He clarified party discipline would be maintained and the interests of the chosen candidates would be protected at all costs.It was important, he said, to set a precedent so that the party polity and propriety is not violated. Amarinder, along with the AICC in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari, has has been partly successful in quashing the rebellion in most of the 20-odd constituencies where there have been issues in this regard. Many rebel candidates have, in fact, agreed to withdraw their nominations, which they had filed independently after being denied the official party ticket. Amarinder has personally spoken and persuaded them to withdraw their nominations in the interest of the party by promising the party would take care of their interests once it comes to power. Some have challenged the party surveys in which it is claiming that the candidate has been given a ticket as he or she has better chance to win there. Party spokesman Nimisha Mehta, who is also a rebel candidate from Garhshankar, has not withdrawn and has maintained that she is still in the fray.
By PTI

AHMEDABAD: A special PMLA court today remanded Jignesh Bhajiawala, arrested in connection with alleged money-laundering post-demonetisation, to a five-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Judge AC Joshi remanded Bhajiawala to ED custody till January 25.

The ED had sought a 10-day remand, arguing that Bhajiawala was not cooperating in the probe to unearth the source of seized new currency notes of Rs 1.02 crore from his possession. Seeking his exclusive custody, the ED told the court that Bhajiawala, a Surat-based businessman, was avoiding questions and did not even accept the evidences shown to him during his statement-recording on January 18-19. The court, however, granted the ED five days of custody, while also allowing Bhajiawala's lawyer to remain present at a "visible but not audible" distance when he is questioned by the agency.

Post demonetisation, the Bhajiawala family had deposited Rs 3.62 crore in their bank accounts in cash and most of the deposit was made on November 10-11, the ED has alleged. "Jignesh is not revealing the source of the seized currency of Rs 1.02 crore," the ED told the court while seeking his remand. The CBI too has registered a case against Bhajiawala, along with his father Kishore Bhajiawala and others, in connection with a recovery of Rs 1.05 crore in new currency notes from his premises during raids conducted by the Income Tax department.

AHMEDABAD: A special PMLA court today remanded Jignesh Bhajiawala, arrested in connection with alleged money-laundering post-demonetisation, to a five-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Judge AC Joshi remanded Bhajiawala to ED custody till January 25. The ED had sought a 10-day remand, arguing that Bhajiawala was not cooperating in the probe to unearth the source of seized new currency notes of Rs 1.02 crore from his possession. Seeking his exclusive custody, the ED told the court that Bhajiawala, a Surat-based businessman, was avoiding questions and did not even accept the evidences shown to him during his statement-recording on January 18-19. The court, however, granted the ED five days of custody, while also allowing Bhajiawala's lawyer to remain present at a "visible but not audible" distance when he is questioned by the agency. Post demonetisation, the Bhajiawala family had deposited Rs 3.62 crore in their bank accounts in cash and most of the deposit was made on November 10-11, the ED has alleged. "Jignesh is not revealing the source of the seized currency of Rs 1.02 crore," the ED told the court while seeking his remand. The CBI too has registered a case against Bhajiawala, along with his father Kishore Bhajiawala and others, in connection with a recovery of Rs 1.05 crore in new currency notes from his premises during raids conducted by the Income Tax department.
By Express News Service

PATNA: Hours after successfully organising a statewide human chain billed to be the worlds longest, a beaming Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday claimed that more than three crore people participated in the unprecedented, historic event and that it is time other states took lessons from Bihar to launch prohibition.

Kumar, who himself formally inaugurated the human chain by sending colourful balloons up in the air at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, also stood for 45 minutes in the chain there, holding the hand of his alliance partners RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and state Congress chief Ashok Chaudhary.

While the government expected that more than two crore people would stand in the estimated 11,292-km human chain spread across the state, Kumar said more than three crore people came out onto the streets and stood holding hands.

The event commenced at 12:15 PM and ended at 1 PM. The sudden departure of the nagging winter chill and a sunny afternoon prompted people, mostly schoolchildren, to come out and form lines along all National Highways, State Highways and major interior roads in all of Bihars 38 districts.

More than three crore people spontaneously participated in this unprecedented, historic human chain, exceeding our expectations, to show their strong resolve in support of prohibition. The event was a grand success, said Kumar. Previous record-setting human chains like the one in Bangladesh and Nepal have been much smaller and they were in protest against something. This one is a positive human chain, in which the people displayed their unity in support for something that is good for society, he added.

It will have a strong impact. Other states that are staying off prohibition due to worries of loss of revenue should now learn from Bihar and take steps, said Kumar, who has earlier demanded implementation of prohibition nationwide.

The panoramic view created on the 3,000-km National Highways, 8,285-km State Highways and other rural roads was captured by two ISRO satellites especially roped in by the state government, four trainer helicopters and 20 drones, all fitted with cameras.

The statewide event remained incident free, except minor incidents of schoolchildren falling unconscious at four places and provided medical help promptly. The overwhelming bulk of participants in the human chain was schoolchildren above class V. In many places, more than 90 per cent of the participants were schoolchildren.

The Bihar governments education department was the nodal agency for this event, a pet project of the CM, and the departments order to schools to mandatorily send children for the programme earned a rebuke from Patna High Court on Thursday. So the government announced on Friday that participation of people of all ages was voluntary.

With such huge turnout of people, we have managed to achieve a world record, said the principal secretary of the education department, RK Mahajan, after the event came to a close at 1 PM. Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said the peoples participation in the human chain was voluntary.

A team from Limca Book of Records is already in Patna and engaged in assessing the event to include it in its list of world records, said officials.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said the event was successful and appealed to people to shun alcoholic drinks. The Opposition BJP leaders, who were assembled in the western town of Siwan for the state executive committee meeting, also formed a human chain in support of prohibition.

PATNA: Hours after successfully organising a statewide human chain billed to be the worlds longest, a beaming Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday claimed that more than three crore people participated in the unprecedented, historic event and that it is time other states took lessons from Bihar to launch prohibition. Kumar, who himself formally inaugurated the human chain by sending colourful balloons up in the air at the historic Gandhi Maidan in Patna, also stood for 45 minutes in the chain there, holding the hand of his alliance partners RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and state Congress chief Ashok Chaudhary. While the government expected that more than two crore people would stand in the estimated 11,292-km human chain spread across the state, Kumar said more than three crore people came out onto the streets and stood holding hands. The event commenced at 12:15 PM and ended at 1 PM. The sudden departure of the nagging winter chill and a sunny afternoon prompted people, mostly schoolchildren, to come out and form lines along all National Highways, State Highways and major interior roads in all of Bihars 38 districts. More than three crore people spontaneously participated in this unprecedented, historic human chain, exceeding our expectations, to show their strong resolve in support of prohibition. The event was a grand success, said Kumar. Previous record-setting human chains like the one in Bangladesh and Nepal have been much smaller and they were in protest against something. This one is a positive human chain, in which the people displayed their unity in support for something that is good for society, he added. It will have a strong impact. Other states that are staying off prohibition due to worries of loss of revenue should now learn from Bihar and take steps, said Kumar, who has earlier demanded implementation of prohibition nationwide. The panoramic view created on the 3,000-km National Highways, 8,285-km State Highways and other rural roads was captured by two ISRO satellites especially roped in by the state government, four trainer helicopters and 20 drones, all fitted with cameras. The statewide event remained incident free, except minor incidents of schoolchildren falling unconscious at four places and provided medical help promptly. The overwhelming bulk of participants in the human chain was schoolchildren above class V. In many places, more than 90 per cent of the participants were schoolchildren. The Bihar governments education department was the nodal agency for this event, a pet project of the CM, and the departments order to schools to mandatorily send children for the programme earned a rebuke from Patna High Court on Thursday. So the government announced on Friday that participation of people of all ages was voluntary. With such huge turnout of people, we have managed to achieve a world record, said the principal secretary of the education department, RK Mahajan, after the event came to a close at 1 PM. Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh said the peoples participation in the human chain was voluntary. A team from Limca Book of Records is already in Patna and engaged in assessing the event to include it in its list of world records, said officials. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said the event was successful and appealed to people to shun alcoholic drinks. The Opposition BJP leaders, who were assembled in the western town of Siwan for the state executive committee meeting, also formed a human chain in support of prohibition.
By Online Desk

Nearly four months after he crossed over the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan on Saturday repatriated Indian Army soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan via the Wagah border as a gesture of goodwill.

Chavan had traversed into the Pakistani territory on September 29 last year. The Indian Army contended that the soldier had deserted his post.

As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along the border, Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border on humanitarian grounds, a press release issued by the Pakistans Director General of Inter Services public relation Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

The Pakistan Army has alleged that Chavan deserted his post at LoC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders. He willfully crossed the LoC on Sept 29, 2016, and surrendered himself to the Pakistan army, it added.

The release of the Indian soldier is the first positive development between the two countries after 2016 saw verbal altercations on a regular basis.

Nearly four months after he crossed over the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan on Saturday repatriated Indian Army soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan via the Wagah border as a gesture of goodwill. Chavan had traversed into the Pakistani territory on September 29 last year. The Indian Army contended that the soldier had deserted his post. As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along the border, Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to the Indian authorities at the Wagah border on humanitarian grounds, a press release issued by the Pakistans Director General of Inter Services public relation Major General Asif Ghafoor said. The Pakistan Army has alleged that Chavan deserted his post at LoC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders. He willfully crossed the LoC on Sept 29, 2016, and surrendered himself to the Pakistan army, it added. The release of the Indian soldier is the first positive development between the two countries after 2016 saw verbal altercations on a regular basis.
Bindu Dalmia By

I did it my way. He sure did, as the Trump effect dictated the agenda for talking points at this power-summit, with the convention anticipating a tweet-avalanche from the US President rebuking the symbolism of what the Davos Club stood for: the shrine of an unequal edifice built on the spoils of globalisation. Its a world the capitalist-billionaire President belongs to, but now distances himself from, having risen on a populist narrative as messiah for the underclass.

Heads of state, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and top academicians descending on this quaint Alpine ski resort in private jetssipping champagne and schmoozing in freezing climes at -11degrees Celsiuscongregate here every year to dialogue on long-term solutions to the worlds problems. Trumps denunciation of the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a gathering of rootless elite with little concern for the common man sets the tone of times to come in the post-Trump era.



Clearly, globalisation is on the retreat, with the US, the propeller of global GDP, set to play a diminishing role and China seeking to grasp the baton in powering the lead. Essentially, as America turns inward, China turns outwards, and Xi Jinpings address, as the first serving Chinese President, at WEF, delivers that potent message. In Jinpings likening protectionism to locking oneself in a dark room, the paradox of Trump decrying an unequal world order, and the largest Communist country defending the merits of liberalisation, cannot be missed.



Raisina Dialogue with PM Modi in Delhi or Jinpings statements in Davos simultaneously echoed the same compelling case of a connected world for global progress, as the US turns protectionist; the UK lays out a road map for a hard Brexit, and Europe is bogged down by the string of elections in France, Germany and Italy where a populist leader may just win and opt for the path taken by America and Britain. That would make Trumps electoral victory sound more than a one-off isolated phenomenon, and that he is not the accidental President of the most powerful nation, but that public angst against economic inequality is rejecting incumbent leaders in favour of those who can deliver economic inclusion.



The league of nations now stands polarised on lines of anti- and pro-liberalisation lobbies, which compels India and China to take a responsible initiative in upholding an alternate bastion of consistency, yet sets them apart as competitors vying for the leadership vacuum the US leaves behind.

Fresh allocations of funds may not find their way East too soon before doing due diligence, as the pace of Chinas economy opening up is unknown and its functioning perceived as opaque. Will that make our policymakers strategise with a sense of urgency to make India the preferred head of a new economic order in the making?



The macro-effects of the USs intended watershed reforms could sink the world into a deeper depression. A more collaborative response to resolving the uncertainty in peoples lives is needed, as many would feel displaced as we enter the Fourth Wave of Industrialisation, making exports and free-flow of capital between borders an imperative for the growth of national GDPs, jobs and wages.

gdalmia73@gmail.com

I did it my way. He sure did, as the Trump effect dictated the agenda for talking points at this power-summit, with the convention anticipating a tweet-avalanche from the US President rebuking the symbolism of what the Davos Club stood for: the shrine of an unequal edifice built on the spoils of globalisation. Its a world the capitalist-billionaire President belongs to, but now distances himself from, having risen on a populist narrative as messiah for the underclass. Heads of state, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and top academicians descending on this quaint Alpine ski resort in private jetssipping champagne and schmoozing in freezing climes at -11degrees Celsiuscongregate here every year to dialogue on long-term solutions to the worlds problems. Trumps denunciation of the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a gathering of rootless elite with little concern for the common man sets the tone of times to come in the post-Trump era. Clearly, globalisation is on the retreat, with the US, the propeller of global GDP, set to play a diminishing role and China seeking to grasp the baton in powering the lead. Essentially, as America turns inward, China turns outwards, and Xi Jinpings address, as the first serving Chinese President, at WEF, delivers that potent message. In Jinpings likening protectionism to locking oneself in a dark room, the paradox of Trump decrying an unequal world order, and the largest Communist country defending the merits of liberalisation, cannot be missed. Raisina Dialogue with PM Modi in Delhi or Jinpings statements in Davos simultaneously echoed the same compelling case of a connected world for global progress, as the US turns protectionist; the UK lays out a road map for a hard Brexit, and Europe is bogged down by the string of elections in France, Germany and Italy where a populist leader may just win and opt for the path taken by America and Britain. That would make Trumps electoral victory sound more than a one-off isolated phenomenon, and that he is not the accidental President of the most powerful nation, but that public angst against economic inequality is rejecting incumbent leaders in favour of those who can deliver economic inclusion. The league of nations now stands polarised on lines of anti- and pro-liberalisation lobbies, which compels India and China to take a responsible initiative in upholding an alternate bastion of consistency, yet sets them apart as competitors vying for the leadership vacuum the US leaves behind. Fresh allocations of funds may not find their way East too soon before doing due diligence, as the pace of Chinas economy opening up is unknown and its functioning perceived as opaque. Will that make our policymakers strategise with a sense of urgency to make India the preferred head of a new economic order in the making? The macro-effects of the USs intended watershed reforms could sink the world into a deeper depression. A more collaborative response to resolving the uncertainty in peoples lives is needed, as many would feel displaced as we enter the Fourth Wave of Industrialisation, making exports and free-flow of capital between borders an imperative for the growth of national GDPs, jobs and wages. gdalmia73@gmail.com
Ritu Sharma By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The government has approved 16 residential schools for Muslim students, which will be modelled on the traditional Gurukuls; and the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are taking a lead in this. The newest Indian state of Telangana is taking proactive measures to avail benefit of the Centres scheme. The scheme is estimated to cost about Rs. 262 crore.

The scheme is part of the Centres plan to modernise the education for Muslims in the country. Sources in the Ministry of Minority Affairs said: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been very receptive of the scheme and have even identified the land for the Gurukuls. In fact the States want more than one Gurukuls to be set up. In Telangana, Muslims form 12.68 percent of the total population and in Andhra Pradesh they form 8.52 percent of the total population.

Apart from this the government has also announced to establish five universities of international standards to provide better traditional and modern education to students belonging to minority community.

A high level committee, comprising of Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia Talad Ahmad and Aligarh Muslim Universitys Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, has been constituted to look into the road map for the institutions, expected to be functional by 2018. So far four States have expressed interest and they include Haryana, Punjab, Telangana and Maharashtra. The states have to provide 100 acres of land for the institute.

And the committee will be deciding if the institutions will be deemed minority institutions, what percentage of students will be from minority communities among other things, sources added. The government has proposed to have 40 percent seats in these institutions reserved for girls. Education continues to remain a sore point for Muslim population in the country with high dropouts.

According to the 2006 Sachar Committee Report, one-fourth of Muslim children aged between 6-14 have either never attended school or are dropouts. A Parliamentary Panel has recently directed the Ministry of Minority Affairs has been directed to conduct a study to find the reasons behind the high drop-out rates.

NEW DELHI: The government has approved 16 residential schools for Muslim students, which will be modelled on the traditional Gurukuls; and the southern states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are taking a lead in this. The newest Indian state of Telangana is taking proactive measures to avail benefit of the Centres scheme. The scheme is estimated to cost about Rs. 262 crore. The scheme is part of the Centres plan to modernise the education for Muslims in the country. Sources in the Ministry of Minority Affairs said: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been very receptive of the scheme and have even identified the land for the Gurukuls. In fact the States want more than one Gurukuls to be set up. In Telangana, Muslims form 12.68 percent of the total population and in Andhra Pradesh they form 8.52 percent of the total population. Apart from this the government has also announced to establish five universities of international standards to provide better traditional and modern education to students belonging to minority community. A high level committee, comprising of Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia Talad Ahmad and Aligarh Muslim Universitys Vice Chancellor Lt Gen Zameer Uddin Shah, has been constituted to look into the road map for the institutions, expected to be functional by 2018. So far four States have expressed interest and they include Haryana, Punjab, Telangana and Maharashtra. The states have to provide 100 acres of land for the institute. And the committee will be deciding if the institutions will be deemed minority institutions, what percentage of students will be from minority communities among other things, sources added. The government has proposed to have 40 percent seats in these institutions reserved for girls. Education continues to remain a sore point for Muslim population in the country with high dropouts. According to the 2006 Sachar Committee Report, one-fourth of Muslim children aged between 6-14 have either never attended school or are dropouts. A Parliamentary Panel has recently directed the Ministry of Minority Affairs has been directed to conduct a study to find the reasons behind the high drop-out rates.
By Express News Service

SRIKAKULAM: Three miscreants were arrested and recovered 28 tolas of gold ornaments, announced superintendent of police J.Brahma Reddy here on Friday.

The ornaments were looted from Srikakulam, Pondur, Etcherla and Kotabommali. Addressing newsmen here on Friday, the SP said the accused had been identified as Alupana Amar (21) and Basava Shanmukha Rao, both residents of Kuppili village of Etcherla mandal and Gorisetti Praveen of Kancharapalem in Visakhapatnam.

The trio had criminal records and involved in robbery cases too, said the SP. They committed 11 offences. With the help of CC camera footage police detained Amar and later detained two other members based on Amars information.

SRIKAKULAM: Three miscreants were arrested and recovered 28 tolas of gold ornaments, announced superintendent of police J.Brahma Reddy here on Friday. The ornaments were looted from Srikakulam, Pondur, Etcherla and Kotabommali. Addressing newsmen here on Friday, the SP said the accused had been identified as Alupana Amar (21) and Basava Shanmukha Rao, both residents of Kuppili village of Etcherla mandal and Gorisetti Praveen of Kancharapalem in Visakhapatnam. The trio had criminal records and involved in robbery cases too, said the SP. They committed 11 offences. With the help of CC camera footage police detained Amar and later detained two other members based on Amars information.
By Express News Service

KANNUR: Belying the CPMs denial of involvement in the murder of a BJP supporter in Kannur on Wednesday, the Kerala police arrested six CPM workers on Saturday. Perennially trouble-prone, Kannur has been on edge since the stabbing of Santhosh, a local leader of the BJP, in Andaloor near Dharmadam in Thalassery.

Dharmadam is the Assembly constituency of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The six men arrested are: Rohin (31), Shamil MK (26), Rijesh K (27), P Ajesh (25), Midhun K (22, all of Andaloor) and P Prajul (25) of Playad.

The six CPM workers were taken into custody by a police posse led by the Thalassery circle inspector Pradeepan Kannipoyil less than two hours after the incident took place but the arrests were registered on Saturday, apparently after a proper investigation.

Santhosh, 53, contested as a BJP candidate in the last panchayat elections. The BJP shut down the town in protest against the murder on Thursday and alleged that the CPM was behind the attack. This allegation was refuted by the local CPM leadership.

While CPM leaders earlier claimed that the attack on Santosh was the fallout of a property dispute between his relatives, police said it was due to some political rivalry.

The murder is said to be in retaliation to an attack by alleged RSS workers on some Student Federation of India [SFI] students who had gone on an excursion earlier. Santosh was attacked on January 18 at around 11 pm inside his house and had 21 injuries, mostly to the hands and legs. His wife and children were away at the time of the incident.

BJP leaders including the partys Kerala president Kummanam Rajasekharan refused to accept the Central governments offer Y category security cover following the series of killings of BJP workers in Kannur.

In their meeting with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday, they demanded that a special team be set up to probe all the recent murder cases in Kannur. The leaders asked Pinarayi Vijayan minister to visit Kannur and call an all-party meeting to request the recurrence of such murders in the town.

The police are yet to arrest two more suspects, including Vaishnav and Neethul, who are absconding.

According to the police, the recent attack on a former student of Brennen College and Student Federation of India activists was the motive behind the murder of Santhosh.

KANNUR: Belying the CPMs denial of involvement in the murder of a BJP supporter in Kannur on Wednesday, the Kerala police arrested six CPM workers on Saturday. Perennially trouble-prone, Kannur has been on edge since the stabbing of Santhosh, a local leader of the BJP, in Andaloor near Dharmadam in Thalassery. Dharmadam is the Assembly constituency of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The six men arrested are: Rohin (31), Shamil MK (26), Rijesh K (27), P Ajesh (25), Midhun K (22, all of Andaloor) and P Prajul (25) of Playad. The six CPM workers were taken into custody by a police posse led by the Thalassery circle inspector Pradeepan Kannipoyil less than two hours after the incident took place but the arrests were registered on Saturday, apparently after a proper investigation. Santhosh, 53, contested as a BJP candidate in the last panchayat elections. The BJP shut down the town in protest against the murder on Thursday and alleged that the CPM was behind the attack. This allegation was refuted by the local CPM leadership. While CPM leaders earlier claimed that the attack on Santosh was the fallout of a property dispute between his relatives, police said it was due to some political rivalry. The murder is said to be in retaliation to an attack by alleged RSS workers on some Student Federation of India [SFI] students who had gone on an excursion earlier. Santosh was attacked on January 18 at around 11 pm inside his house and had 21 injuries, mostly to the hands and legs. His wife and children were away at the time of the incident. BJP leaders including the partys Kerala president Kummanam Rajasekharan refused to accept the Central governments offer Y category security cover following the series of killings of BJP workers in Kannur. In their meeting with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday, they demanded that a special team be set up to probe all the recent murder cases in Kannur. The leaders asked Pinarayi Vijayan minister to visit Kannur and call an all-party meeting to request the recurrence of such murders in the town. The police are yet to arrest two more suspects, including Vaishnav and Neethul, who are absconding. According to the police, the recent attack on a former student of Brennen College and Student Federation of India activists was the motive behind the murder of Santhosh.
By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of people today took part in the special prayer service and candlelight vigil at the St Mary's Cathedral here for Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Keralite priest who was kidnapped in war-torn Yemen last year by suspected Islamic State militants.

The prayers and vigil were held as per the call of CBCI President Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the head of the Syro Malankara church. Special prayers will be held tomorrow at all the churches under the dioceses, church sources said.

The 55-year-old Salesian priest, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted in March 2016, had in December last made an emotive plea in a video message to the Indian government and the Church for earnest efforts to free him.

The priest, who was abducted when IS fighters stormed the Old People's Home in the port city of Aden on March 4, had made a desperate prayer to the Indian President, Prime Minister as well as Pope Francis and the Christian community across the globe to work together for his release. "If I were a European, I would have been taken more seriously by the authorities and people and (they) would have got me released. "I am a priest from India and perhaps, therefore, I am not considered of much value. "I am sad about this," he had said haltingly, pointing out that a French woman, reportedly kidnapped in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, had been freed.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hundreds of people today took part in the special prayer service and candlelight vigil at the St Mary's Cathedral here for Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Keralite priest who was kidnapped in war-torn Yemen last year by suspected Islamic State militants. The prayers and vigil were held as per the call of CBCI President Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the head of the Syro Malankara church. Special prayers will be held tomorrow at all the churches under the dioceses, church sources said. The 55-year-old Salesian priest, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted in March 2016, had in December last made an emotive plea in a video message to the Indian government and the Church for earnest efforts to free him. The priest, who was abducted when IS fighters stormed the Old People's Home in the port city of Aden on March 4, had made a desperate prayer to the Indian President, Prime Minister as well as Pope Francis and the Christian community across the globe to work together for his release. "If I were a European, I would have been taken more seriously by the authorities and people and (they) would have got me released. "I am a priest from India and perhaps, therefore, I am not considered of much value. "I am sad about this," he had said haltingly, pointing out that a French woman, reportedly kidnapped in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, had been freed.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Having completed the probe into the multi-crore nursing recruitment scam, CBI is awaiting a nod from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to prosecute the Protector of Emigrants (PoE) in Cochin, who is accused in four cases related to the scam. CBI had requested the MEA to issue prosecution sanction against PoE L Adolphus in March 2016 for filing a chargesheet against him, said a CBI officer, preferring anonymity.

The MEA is yet to take a call on the request even after 10 months. The procedure normally takes two-three months. Investigations are almost complete, said the officer. Owing to the delay, CBI chargesheeted Adolphus in one of the related cases in December, 2016, without prosecution sanction against him.

CBI had registered four cases related to the scam in 2015, following revelations that recruitment agencies charged Rs 19.5 lakhs, instead of Rs 19,500, as service charge from nurses recruited to Ministry of Health, Kuwait. Though informed about the irregularity, Adolphus did not take any action. He was arraigned as an accused in the four cases and arrested.

The recent chargesheet was filed against Adolphus and JK International Manpower Consultants, one of the agencies that committed the irregularity. CBI submitted a petition in the CBI Court stating that they had approached the Ministry concerned for prosecution sanction against Adolphus, but it had not been issued.

KOCHI: Having completed the probe into the multi-crore nursing recruitment scam, CBI is awaiting a nod from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to prosecute the Protector of Emigrants (PoE) in Cochin, who is accused in four cases related to the scam. CBI had requested the MEA to issue prosecution sanction against PoE L Adolphus in March 2016 for filing a chargesheet against him, said a CBI officer, preferring anonymity. The MEA is yet to take a call on the request even after 10 months. The procedure normally takes two-three months. Investigations are almost complete, said the officer. Owing to the delay, CBI chargesheeted Adolphus in one of the related cases in December, 2016, without prosecution sanction against him. CBI had registered four cases related to the scam in 2015, following revelations that recruitment agencies charged Rs 19.5 lakhs, instead of Rs 19,500, as service charge from nurses recruited to Ministry of Health, Kuwait. Though informed about the irregularity, Adolphus did not take any action. He was arraigned as an accused in the four cases and arrested. The recent chargesheet was filed against Adolphus and JK International Manpower Consultants, one of the agencies that committed the irregularity. CBI submitted a petition in the CBI Court stating that they had approached the Ministry concerned for prosecution sanction against Adolphus, but it had not been issued.
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: The State Election Commission (SEC) today put on hold panchayat polls in Chitrokonda block of Malkangiri district because of the looming threat of Maoists. There will be no elections as scheduled in 18 gram panchayats and two Zilla Parishad zones of the block.

The SEC decided to put panchayat polls on hold on the basis of the joint report by Malkangiri district collector and superintendent of police. "After receiving the joint report from the district collector and SP, the SEC decided to put on hold polls in the block," a release from the Commission said. The joint report recommended that elections to Chitrakonda-1 and Chitrakonda-II Zilla Parishad seats in the Chitrakonda should be postponed taking into consideration the safety of the candidates, voters and officials engaged in poll duty.

The SEC maintained that in panchayats of the block where more than one nominees have filed nomination papers for the post of panchayat samiti member, sarpanch and ward member, election will be held later as per the final list of candidates.

Where there are one candidate for the post of panchayat samiti member, sarpanch and ward member, the list of those who have won election uncontested will be published later.

However, in places where no candidates have filed their nomination papers for these posts, the poll process has been cancelled, the release said. There was constant threat from the Maoists to the locals not to participate in the poll process and five election officials and a village chief were abducted from the cut-off area in Maoist-hit Malkangiri district on January 13.

Following Maoist threats, Sabitri Khemudu was the lone panchayat poll candidate who had filed nomination for samiti member post in the Gajalmamudi panchayat. She withdrew her nomination paper today.

BHUBANESWAR: The State Election Commission (SEC) today put on hold panchayat polls in Chitrokonda block of Malkangiri district because of the looming threat of Maoists. There will be no elections as scheduled in 18 gram panchayats and two Zilla Parishad zones of the block. The SEC decided to put panchayat polls on hold on the basis of the joint report by Malkangiri district collector and superintendent of police. "After receiving the joint report from the district collector and SP, the SEC decided to put on hold polls in the block," a release from the Commission said. The joint report recommended that elections to Chitrakonda-1 and Chitrakonda-II Zilla Parishad seats in the Chitrakonda should be postponed taking into consideration the safety of the candidates, voters and officials engaged in poll duty. The SEC maintained that in panchayats of the block where more than one nominees have filed nomination papers for the post of panchayat samiti member, sarpanch and ward member, election will be held later as per the final list of candidates. Where there are one candidate for the post of panchayat samiti member, sarpanch and ward member, the list of those who have won election uncontested will be published later. However, in places where no candidates have filed their nomination papers for these posts, the poll process has been cancelled, the release said. There was constant threat from the Maoists to the locals not to participate in the poll process and five election officials and a village chief were abducted from the cut-off area in Maoist-hit Malkangiri district on January 13. Following Maoist threats, Sabitri Khemudu was the lone panchayat poll candidate who had filed nomination for samiti member post in the Gajalmamudi panchayat. She withdrew her nomination paper today.
K Ezhilarasan By

Express News Service

CUDDALORE : If ban PETA is the catchword of the ongoing pro-jallikattu protests, Takkaru Takkaru may perhaps be called its anthem. Composed by homegrown Tamil rapper Aadhi, famously known as Hip-Hop Tamizha, the 12-minute theme song Takkaru Takkaru now lends new vocabulary to the chic youth lexicon of young Tamizhans and Tamizhachis, who have hit the streets to protect native breeds of bulls.

The song, which recorded a whopping five million views in six months on YouTube, has not only made an instant connect with youngsters but also become an inevitable feature of all pro-jallikattu protests with young protestors even advancing their arguments using the easy to remember lyrics, which largely calls the jallikattu ban a corporate ploy.

Protestors continuing agitation unmindful of the

darkness

Arvind, an ITI student from Cuddalore, says, I have watched the video. It explains the conspiracy behind the ban on jallikattu. Corporates want to erase the Tamil identity. Ithu matta pathina prechana ila, un natta pathina prechana da (This is not an issue of bulls but your nation), screams a handlebar moustache sporting Aadhi, adding pep to the video. Many of my friends have this video in their mobile phones.

During the protests in Cuddalore and Neyveli Township, youth have been singing the song in chorus. At Cuddalore protest venue, a youth was seen carrying the portrait of Hip-Hop Tamizha, with the slogan Meesaiya Murukku - PETAva Norukku.

The words Meesaiya Murukku (Flaunt your Moustache) are also found in the lyrics of Takkaru Takkaru and is incidentally the title of Hip-Hop Tamizhas upcoming directorial debut movie in Tamil.

Ram Dhileep, a young protestor, says, I got an urge to do something to protect jallikattu and native bull breeds after I saw the video a few months ago. Though I had heard about jallikattu through other sources earlier, the Hip-Hop Tamizha video inspired me to do something. The song is being played on the speakers at the protests venues.

Meme creators on Facebook have also been glorifying Hip-Hop Tamizha as a hero by posting various materials on him and fetching thousands of likes. Many youth, who speak at the protest venues, have also been using the points put forth by these meme creators and most slogans have been sourced from social networking sites.

Many modern Tamil youth, who rely mostly on Facebook and WhatsApp, praise Hip-Hop Tamizha Aathi as the modern Bharathiyar. Aathi has managed to get astonishing number of internet followers. The protest too, at first, was called for by the memes creators. This is the protest largely fueled by internet, said a techie, who is following the developments keenly.

The protests that have spread across the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu have turned into a carnival. Youth and elderly alike can be seen waving placards with artistic slogans. The protestors believe that they are in the right and its only time before the powers that be would relent and give them what they deserve.

CUDDALORE : If ban PETA is the catchword of the ongoing pro-jallikattu protests, Takkaru Takkaru may perhaps be called its anthem. Composed by homegrown Tamil rapper Aadhi, famously known as Hip-Hop Tamizha, the 12-minute theme song Takkaru Takkaru now lends new vocabulary to the chic youth lexicon of young Tamizhans and Tamizhachis, who have hit the streets to protect native breeds of bulls. The song, which recorded a whopping five million views in six months on YouTube, has not only made an instant connect with youngsters but also become an inevitable feature of all pro-jallikattu protests with young protestors even advancing their arguments using the easy to remember lyrics, which largely calls the jallikattu ban a corporate ploy. Protestors continuing agitation unmindful of the darknessArvind, an ITI student from Cuddalore, says, I have watched the video. It explains the conspiracy behind the ban on jallikattu. Corporates want to erase the Tamil identity. Ithu matta pathina prechana ila, un natta pathina prechana da (This is not an issue of bulls but your nation), screams a handlebar moustache sporting Aadhi, adding pep to the video. Many of my friends have this video in their mobile phones. During the protests in Cuddalore and Neyveli Township, youth have been singing the song in chorus. At Cuddalore protest venue, a youth was seen carrying the portrait of Hip-Hop Tamizha, with the slogan Meesaiya Murukku - PETAva Norukku. The words Meesaiya Murukku (Flaunt your Moustache) are also found in the lyrics of Takkaru Takkaru and is incidentally the title of Hip-Hop Tamizhas upcoming directorial debut movie in Tamil. Ram Dhileep, a young protestor, says, I got an urge to do something to protect jallikattu and native bull breeds after I saw the video a few months ago. Though I had heard about jallikattu through other sources earlier, the Hip-Hop Tamizha video inspired me to do something. The song is being played on the speakers at the protests venues. Meme creators on Facebook have also been glorifying Hip-Hop Tamizha as a hero by posting various materials on him and fetching thousands of likes. Many youth, who speak at the protest venues, have also been using the points put forth by these meme creators and most slogans have been sourced from social networking sites. Many modern Tamil youth, who rely mostly on Facebook and WhatsApp, praise Hip-Hop Tamizha Aathi as the modern Bharathiyar. Aathi has managed to get astonishing number of internet followers. The protest too, at first, was called for by the memes creators. This is the protest largely fueled by internet, said a techie, who is following the developments keenly. The protests that have spread across the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu have turned into a carnival. Youth and elderly alike can be seen waving placards with artistic slogans. The protestors believe that they are in the right and its only time before the powers that be would relent and give them what they deserve.
By PTI

COIMBATORE: A human chain, comprising people from all walks of life was formed here today, seeking to stop Kerala government's reported move to build a check dam across Bhavani river, saying it would affect irrigation and drinking water availability in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode Districts.

Those in the chain formed in Gandhipuram area, comprising leaders of some political parties, farmers' associations and trader's bodies, raised slogans against the move General Secretary of Thanthai Peiyar Dravida Kazhakam K Ramakrishnan, who headed the chain, alleged Kerala had already started work on the dam.

If built, it would lead to acute water shortage, both irrigation and drinking, in the three districts and nearly five lakh acres would become barren, he said. Former DMK minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and Kongunadu Jananayaka Katchi founder-convenor G K Nagaraj were among those who participated, police said. The participants raised slogans against the Kerala government and warned that supply of vegetables,eggs and other essential commodities to that state, which was dependent on Tamil Nadu for it, would be stopped.

COIMBATORE: A human chain, comprising people from all walks of life was formed here today, seeking to stop Kerala government's reported move to build a check dam across Bhavani river, saying it would affect irrigation and drinking water availability in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode Districts. Those in the chain formed in Gandhipuram area, comprising leaders of some political parties, farmers' associations and trader's bodies, raised slogans against the move General Secretary of Thanthai Peiyar Dravida Kazhakam K Ramakrishnan, who headed the chain, alleged Kerala had already started work on the dam. If built, it would lead to acute water shortage, both irrigation and drinking, in the three districts and nearly five lakh acres would become barren, he said. Former DMK minister Pongalur N Palanisamy and Kongunadu Jananayaka Katchi founder-convenor G K Nagaraj were among those who participated, police said. The participants raised slogans against the Kerala government and warned that supply of vegetables,eggs and other essential commodities to that state, which was dependent on Tamil Nadu for it, would be stopped.
By PTI

CHENNAI: The pro-jallikattu protests continued for the fifth day today across Tamil Nadu with the youth and students continuing to stay put at the venues, including the Marina, the epicentre of the statewide stir, here.

The entire area in and around Marina was abuzz with hordes of men, women and children shouting slogans, seeking nod for the bull-taming sport.

Jallikattu supporters also staged rail blockade at Madurai even as train services continued to remain affected due to the ongoing stir.

The Southern Railway announced the cancellation of some trains besides diversion of others.

The Centre, moving swiftly, yesterday cleared a draft ordinance to allow jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had yesterday said an ordinance to allow jallikattu would be in place in a day or two and legal steps would be taken to tackle any "obstacles" that come its way.

The state government would undertake all legal measures to handle related issues and remove any obstacles legally to facilitate the conduct of jallikattu, he had stated.

Protests demanding lifting of jallikattu ban were also held at Alanganallur, the hub of the jallikattu event in Madurai district, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Kanyakumari and other parts of south Tamil Nadu, police said.

Some youths also squatted on the rail tracks in Madurai and talks between the protesters and railway and police officials were held. Train services were cancelled.

In Salem junction also the protesters squatted on rail tracks.

In Alanganallur, protesters demanded promulgation of ordinances by the Centre and state to hold the bull taming sport. They also demanded the removal of bulls from the Performing Animals category.

According to reports from Theni district, a group of people conducted cockfight, which is also banned, as part of their protests. Cockfights were a part of Tamil culture and the basic right of people, they said.

In Rameswaram, fishermen decided to boycott fishing till the ban on Jallikattu was lifted.

CHENNAI: The pro-jallikattu protests continued for the fifth day today across Tamil Nadu with the youth and students continuing to stay put at the venues, including the Marina, the epicentre of the statewide stir, here. The entire area in and around Marina was abuzz with hordes of men, women and children shouting slogans, seeking nod for the bull-taming sport. Jallikattu supporters also staged rail blockade at Madurai even as train services continued to remain affected due to the ongoing stir. The Southern Railway announced the cancellation of some trains besides diversion of others. The Centre, moving swiftly, yesterday cleared a draft ordinance to allow jallikattu, paving the way for Tamil Nadu to promulgate it to end the widespread protests. Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had yesterday said an ordinance to allow jallikattu would be in place in a day or two and legal steps would be taken to tackle any "obstacles" that come its way. The state government would undertake all legal measures to handle related issues and remove any obstacles legally to facilitate the conduct of jallikattu, he had stated. Protests demanding lifting of jallikattu ban were also held at Alanganallur, the hub of the jallikattu event in Madurai district, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Kanyakumari and other parts of south Tamil Nadu, police said. Some youths also squatted on the rail tracks in Madurai and talks between the protesters and railway and police officials were held. Train services were cancelled. In Salem junction also the protesters squatted on rail tracks. In Alanganallur, protesters demanded promulgation of ordinances by the Centre and state to hold the bull taming sport. They also demanded the removal of bulls from the Performing Animals category. According to reports from Theni district, a group of people conducted cockfight, which is also banned, as part of their protests. Cockfights were a part of Tamil culture and the basic right of people, they said. In Rameswaram, fishermen decided to boycott fishing till the ban on Jallikattu was lifted.
By PTI

CHENNAI: The main opposition DMK and other parties, including PMK, welcomed the state government's ordinance that has paved the way for holding jallikattu even as they praised the students' stir describing it as 'revolutionary'. Animals rights group PETA, on the other hand, said it will study the ordinance.

Winding up a day-long fast here, DMK working chief M K Stalin said, "Our goal is jallikattu must be held. The feelings of Tamils should be respected and our culture should be guarded and that is why we welcome the ordinance at once".

However, ordinance alone was not enough, he said. Stalin, also the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said "bulls should be removed from the performing animals list and an amendment should be done for it (indicating that the Centre should do it) and that alone can be the permanent solution." "Not only for this year, in any year, there should be no ban for jallikattu," he said. "Central government should take back its notification (that banned jallikattu) and pave the way for jallikattu using bulls," he said. Stalin compared the agitation of students at Marina beach to the anti-Hindi stir spearheaded by students in 1965 and hailed the demonstration as "historic" which, he said, will go down in the pages of history as "Marina Revolution." He extended his "greetings and congratulations" to the students for their 'historic' stir.

He said breach of conditions laid down by the Supreme Court during the AIADMK regime was the reason for the ban on jallikattu. Welcoming the ordinance, PMK chief Ramadoss, however, said it did not "appear to be a permanent solution." "To provide permanent legal protection for jallikattu," he said "Tamil Nadu government should continue to urge the Centre to remove bulls from the list of animals banned to perform by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. I urge the Centre to bring an amendment Bill and pass it in the upcoming Parliamentary session," he said. MDMK chief Vaiko too hailed the students for their protest and said it led to the ordinance being promulgated and praised the Marina stir as "Marina revolution."

BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan, in a tweet, said, "Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Thank you for bringing out the ordinance on #jallikattu. We Tamilians are grateful for ur support to save our culture." Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan thanked Modi and his party chief Amit Shah for the ordinance. PETA said, "We await a draft of the new ordinance and shall study it.

Of course the judgement of the Honble Supreme Court of India is still pending and the matter remains sub-judice." Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's quote on the importance of good treatment of animals, it said, PETA India believes that one day all "bloodsports" worldwide will be relegated to the history books, even if that day is not today."

CHENNAI: The main opposition DMK and other parties, including PMK, welcomed the state government's ordinance that has paved the way for holding jallikattu even as they praised the students' stir describing it as 'revolutionary'. Animals rights group PETA, on the other hand, said it will study the ordinance. Winding up a day-long fast here, DMK working chief M K Stalin said, "Our goal is jallikattu must be held. The feelings of Tamils should be respected and our culture should be guarded and that is why we welcome the ordinance at once". However, ordinance alone was not enough, he said. Stalin, also the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, said "bulls should be removed from the performing animals list and an amendment should be done for it (indicating that the Centre should do it) and that alone can be the permanent solution." "Not only for this year, in any year, there should be no ban for jallikattu," he said. "Central government should take back its notification (that banned jallikattu) and pave the way for jallikattu using bulls," he said. Stalin compared the agitation of students at Marina beach to the anti-Hindi stir spearheaded by students in 1965 and hailed the demonstration as "historic" which, he said, will go down in the pages of history as "Marina Revolution." He extended his "greetings and congratulations" to the students for their 'historic' stir. He said breach of conditions laid down by the Supreme Court during the AIADMK regime was the reason for the ban on jallikattu. Welcoming the ordinance, PMK chief Ramadoss, however, said it did not "appear to be a permanent solution." "To provide permanent legal protection for jallikattu," he said "Tamil Nadu government should continue to urge the Centre to remove bulls from the list of animals banned to perform by amending the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. I urge the Centre to bring an amendment Bill and pass it in the upcoming Parliamentary session," he said. MDMK chief Vaiko too hailed the students for their protest and said it led to the ordinance being promulgated and praised the Marina stir as "Marina revolution." BJP Tamil Nadu unit president Tamilisai Soundararajan, in a tweet, said, "Hon'ble PM @narendramodi Thank you for bringing out the ordinance on #jallikattu. We Tamilians are grateful for ur support to save our culture." Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan thanked Modi and his party chief Amit Shah for the ordinance. PETA said, "We await a draft of the new ordinance and shall study it. Of course the judgement of the Honble Supreme Court of India is still pending and the matter remains sub-judice." Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's quote on the importance of good treatment of animals, it said, PETA India believes that one day all "bloodsports" worldwide will be relegated to the history books, even if that day is not today."
BANJUL: Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave.

"I believe it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed," Jammeh said in a brief statement on state television. He promised that "all the issues we currently face will be resolved peacefully."

He did not give details on any deal that was struck, and it was not immediately clear when Adama Barrow, who beat Jammeh in last month's election, would return from neighbouring Senegal to take power.

But the speech signalled an end to the political crisis that has seen this tiny West African nation caught between two men claiming to be in charge. Late Friday, Barrow declared that "the rule of fear" in Gambia had ended.

Shortly before Jammeh's address, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz told reporters that a deal had been reached and that Jammeh would leave the country. He and Guinean President Alpha Conde had handled the talks.

A State House official close to the situation said Jammeh would leave within three days, possibly on Saturday with Conde, who was spending the night in Gambia's capital, Banjul. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak about the situation to press.

The famously mercurial Jammeh at first shocked Gambians by conceding his election loss to Barrow, but with the possibility of prosecution hanging over him for human rights abuses alleged during his 22 years in power, he decided to change his mind. Barrow was inaugurated Thursday at Gambia's embassy in Senegal because of concerns for his safety.

The defeated Gambian leader, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, has been holed up this week in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as his security forces abandoned him and he dissolved his Cabinet.

Defense forces chief Ousmane Badjie on Friday told The Associated Press that Gambia's security services now support Barrow and would not oppose the regional force that was ready to move against Jammeh if he refused to step down.

"You cannot push us to war for an issue we can solve politically," Badjie said. "We don't see any reason to fight."

The force, including tanks, had rolled into Gambia without facing any resistance, said Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS. At least 20 military vehicles were seen Friday at the border town of Karang.

The force included troops from Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Mali, and they moved in after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council to support the regional efforts.

Fearing violence, about 45,000 people have fled Gambia for Senegal, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

Jammeh earlier had agreed to step down but demanded amnesty for any crimes he may have committed while in power and wanted to stay in Gambia, in his home village of Kanilai, de Souza said Friday. Those demands were not acceptable to ECOWAS, he added.

In his address early Saturday, Jammeh expressed "infinite gratitude to all Gambians" and said not a single person had been killed during the political crisis. "Our decision today was not dictated by anything else but by you, the supreme interest of our Gambian people, and our dear country."

Even before Jammeh's address, some of Gambia's diplomatic missions began switching their allegiance to Barrow, while a growing number of African nations announced they no longer recognized Jammeh.

"We embrace and support the new president Adama Barrow," said Almamy Kassama, an official at the Gambian mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in an email.

Banjul remained peaceful as the political crisis played out. Senegalese radio station RFM reported 30 Gambian soldiers had crossed into Senegal to join the regional forces.

Soldiers at checkpoints in Banjul appeared relaxed Friday, with one telling visitors, "Welcome to the smiling coast."

Late Friday, Barrow addressed members of Gambia's diaspora and urged them to return home and rebuild their lives. "I wish to congratulate all of you and welcome you to the new Gambia," he said.

BANJUL: Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave. "I believe it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed," Jammeh said in a brief statement on state television. He promised that "all the issues we currently face will be resolved peacefully." He did not give details on any deal that was struck, and it was not immediately clear when Adama Barrow, who beat Jammeh in last month's election, would return from neighbouring Senegal to take power. But the speech signalled an end to the political crisis that has seen this tiny West African nation caught between two men claiming to be in charge. Late Friday, Barrow declared that "the rule of fear" in Gambia had ended. Shortly before Jammeh's address, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz told reporters that a deal had been reached and that Jammeh would leave the country. He and Guinean President Alpha Conde had handled the talks. A State House official close to the situation said Jammeh would leave within three days, possibly on Saturday with Conde, who was spending the night in Gambia's capital, Banjul. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak about the situation to press. The famously mercurial Jammeh at first shocked Gambians by conceding his election loss to Barrow, but with the possibility of prosecution hanging over him for human rights abuses alleged during his 22 years in power, he decided to change his mind. Barrow was inaugurated Thursday at Gambia's embassy in Senegal because of concerns for his safety. The defeated Gambian leader, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, has been holed up this week in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as his security forces abandoned him and he dissolved his Cabinet. Defense forces chief Ousmane Badjie on Friday told The Associated Press that Gambia's security services now support Barrow and would not oppose the regional force that was ready to move against Jammeh if he refused to step down. "You cannot push us to war for an issue we can solve politically," Badjie said. "We don't see any reason to fight." The force, including tanks, had rolled into Gambia without facing any resistance, said Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS. At least 20 military vehicles were seen Friday at the border town of Karang. The force included troops from Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Mali, and they moved in after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council to support the regional efforts. Fearing violence, about 45,000 people have fled Gambia for Senegal, according to the U.N. refugee agency. Jammeh earlier had agreed to step down but demanded amnesty for any crimes he may have committed while in power and wanted to stay in Gambia, in his home village of Kanilai, de Souza said Friday. Those demands were not acceptable to ECOWAS, he added. In his address early Saturday, Jammeh expressed "infinite gratitude to all Gambians" and said not a single person had been killed during the political crisis. "Our decision today was not dictated by anything else but by you, the supreme interest of our Gambian people, and our dear country." Even before Jammeh's address, some of Gambia's diplomatic missions began switching their allegiance to Barrow, while a growing number of African nations announced they no longer recognized Jammeh. "We embrace and support the new president Adama Barrow," said Almamy Kassama, an official at the Gambian mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in an email. Banjul remained peaceful as the political crisis played out. Senegalese radio station RFM reported 30 Gambian soldiers had crossed into Senegal to join the regional forces. Soldiers at checkpoints in Banjul appeared relaxed Friday, with one telling visitors, "Welcome to the smiling coast." Late Friday, Barrow addressed members of Gambia's diaspora and urged them to return home and rebuild their lives. "I wish to congratulate all of you and welcome you to the new Gambia," he said.
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: Wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president, hundreds of thousands of women massed in the nation's capital and cities around the globe Saturday to send Donald Trump an emphatic message that they won't let his agenda go unchallenged over the next four years.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay."

The women brandished signs with messages such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" and decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change. The message reverberated at demonstrations around the globe, from Paris and Berlin to Sydney and beyond.

There were early signs that the crowds in Washington could top those that gathered for Trump's inauguration on Friday. City officials said organizers of the Women's March on Washington more than doubled their turnout estimate to 500,000 as crowds began swelling and subways into the city became clogged with participants.

It wasn't just a Washington phenomenon and it wasn't just women: More than 600 "sister marches" were planned across the country and around the world, and plenty of men were part of the tableau, too. Organizers estimated 3 million would march worldwide.

As the rally alongside the National Mall took shape, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration.

Outside on the streets of Washington, feminist leader Gloria Steinem described the worldwide mobilization as "the upside of the downside: This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life."

"Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are," she told the Washington crowd, labeling Trump an "impossible president."

In Paris, thousands marched in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading: "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump" and "With our sisters in Washington."

At a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, author Jodi Picoult said: "We in New Hampshire are not in the habit of going in reverse. We have the backs of those who are less fortunate  who may be struggling for health care, for environmental rights, for racial equality, for a fair wage, for justice."

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values."

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when "many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes."

"It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were," she said.

Rose Wurm, 64, a retired medical secretary from Bedford, Pennsylvania, boarded a Washington-bound bus in Hagerstown, Maryland, at 7 a.m. carrying two signs: one asking Trump to stop tweeting, and one asking him to fix, not trash, the Obamacare health law.

"There are parts of it that do need change. It's something new, something unique that's not going to be perfect right out of the gate," she said.

Many wore hand-knit "pussyhats"  a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals.

The march attracted significant support from celebrities. Ferrera led the artists' contingent, and those scheduled to speak in Washington included Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore. The promised performance lineup included Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Samantha Ronson, the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Cher, Katy Perry and Julianne Moore all were expected to attend.

In Prague, hundreds gathered in Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin and holding banners that read "This is just the beginning," ''Kindness" and "Love."

"We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections," said organizer Johanna Nejedlova.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, march organizer Lesley-Ann Brown said: "Nationalist, racist and misogynistic trends are growing worldwide and threaten the most marginalized groups in our societies including women, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community and people with disabilities."

In Sydney, thousands of Australians marched in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.

The idea for the women's march took off after a number of women posted on social media in the hours after Trump's election about the need to mobilize. Hundreds of groups quickly joined the cause, pushing a wide range of causes, including abortion rights, gun control, climate change and immigrant rights.

While the march organizers' "mission and vision" statement never mentions Trump and stresses broad themes, including the message that "women's rights are human rights," the unifying factor among those turning out appeared to be a loathing for the new president and dismay that so much of the country voted for him.

Friday's unrest during the inauguration led police to use pepper spray and stun grenades to prevent the chaos from spilling into Trump's formal procession and the evening balls. About a mile from the National Mall, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed the windows of downtown businesses, including a Starbucks, a Bank of America and a McDonald's, as they denounced capitalism and Trump.

WASHINGTON: Wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president, hundreds of thousands of women massed in the nation's capital and cities around the globe Saturday to send Donald Trump an emphatic message that they won't let his agenda go unchallenged over the next four years. "We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay." The women brandished signs with messages such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" and decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change. The message reverberated at demonstrations around the globe, from Paris and Berlin to Sydney and beyond. There were early signs that the crowds in Washington could top those that gathered for Trump's inauguration on Friday. City officials said organizers of the Women's March on Washington more than doubled their turnout estimate to 500,000 as crowds began swelling and subways into the city became clogged with participants. It wasn't just a Washington phenomenon and it wasn't just women: More than 600 "sister marches" were planned across the country and around the world, and plenty of men were part of the tableau, too. Organizers estimated 3 million would march worldwide. As the rally alongside the National Mall took shape, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration. Outside on the streets of Washington, feminist leader Gloria Steinem described the worldwide mobilization as "the upside of the downside: This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life." "Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are," she told the Washington crowd, labeling Trump an "impossible president." In Paris, thousands marched in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading: "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump" and "With our sisters in Washington." At a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, author Jodi Picoult said: "We in New Hampshire are not in the habit of going in reverse. We have the backs of those who are less fortunate  who may be struggling for health care, for environmental rights, for racial equality, for a fair wage, for justice." Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values." Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when "many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes." "It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were," she said. Rose Wurm, 64, a retired medical secretary from Bedford, Pennsylvania, boarded a Washington-bound bus in Hagerstown, Maryland, at 7 a.m. carrying two signs: one asking Trump to stop tweeting, and one asking him to fix, not trash, the Obamacare health law. "There are parts of it that do need change. It's something new, something unique that's not going to be perfect right out of the gate," she said. Many wore hand-knit "pussyhats"  a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals. The march attracted significant support from celebrities. Ferrera led the artists' contingent, and those scheduled to speak in Washington included Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore. The promised performance lineup included Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Samantha Ronson, the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Cher, Katy Perry and Julianne Moore all were expected to attend. In Prague, hundreds gathered in Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin and holding banners that read "This is just the beginning," ''Kindness" and "Love." "We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections," said organizer Johanna Nejedlova. In Copenhagen, Denmark, march organizer Lesley-Ann Brown said: "Nationalist, racist and misogynistic trends are growing worldwide and threaten the most marginalized groups in our societies including women, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community and people with disabilities." In Sydney, thousands of Australians marched in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems. The idea for the women's march took off after a number of women posted on social media in the hours after Trump's election about the need to mobilize. Hundreds of groups quickly joined the cause, pushing a wide range of causes, including abortion rights, gun control, climate change and immigrant rights. While the march organizers' "mission and vision" statement never mentions Trump and stresses broad themes, including the message that "women's rights are human rights," the unifying factor among those turning out appeared to be a loathing for the new president and dismay that so much of the country voted for him. Friday's unrest during the inauguration led police to use pepper spray and stun grenades to prevent the chaos from spilling into Trump's formal procession and the evening balls. About a mile from the National Mall, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed the windows of downtown businesses, including a Starbucks, a Bank of America and a McDonald's, as they denounced capitalism and Trump.
By Associated Press

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration in comments broadcast Saturday, but warned that differences will remain.

Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with state Rossiya television that it would be an "illusion" to expect that U.S.-Russian relations would be completely free of disagreements.

"Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue," Peskov said. He added that Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.

Trump has promised to mend ties with Moscow badly strained over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections, and his victory has elated Russian political elites.

Peskov, however, pointed at the challenges posed by the intricacy of nuclear arms control, the complexity of the situation in Syria and other issues.

While Russia supports prospective nuclear arms cuts, they should be proportional and not upset the nuclear parity between Russia and the U.S., which "plays a critical role in ensuring global stability and security," Peskov said.

He noted that different composition of Russian and U.S. nuclear forces is a factor that needs to be carefully considered in negotiations.

Asked to comment on Trump's recent interview with the Times of London in which he indicated that he could end sanctions imposed on Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal, Peskov said that the two issues are hard to link.

Peskov emphasized the U.S. role in settling the nearly six-year conflict in Syria, where Trump has offered to pool efforts with Russia in fighting the Islamic State group.

"It's quite obvious that it's impossible to constructively solve the Syrian problem without the U.S. participation," he said.

Russia already has invited Trump's administration to attend talks between Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan capital Monday. Russia brokered the talks together with Turkey and Iran, but Tehran has opposed the U.S. involvement in them.

"There are certain disagreements between Moscow and Tehran on this subject," Peskov said, noting that the Syrian issue "is too complex to have a full harmony in approaches." ''Any deals there are unlikely, there are too many parties involved," he added.

Turning to the Ukrainian crisis, which has driven Russia's relations with the West to post-Cold War lows, Peskov criticized Barack Obama's administration for an "unconstructive" approach and voiced hope that Trump's administration would revise it.

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration in comments broadcast Saturday, but warned that differences will remain. Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with state Rossiya television that it would be an "illusion" to expect that U.S.-Russian relations would be completely free of disagreements. "Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue," Peskov said. He added that Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him. Trump has promised to mend ties with Moscow badly strained over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections, and his victory has elated Russian political elites. Peskov, however, pointed at the challenges posed by the intricacy of nuclear arms control, the complexity of the situation in Syria and other issues. While Russia supports prospective nuclear arms cuts, they should be proportional and not upset the nuclear parity between Russia and the U.S., which "plays a critical role in ensuring global stability and security," Peskov said. He noted that different composition of Russian and U.S. nuclear forces is a factor that needs to be carefully considered in negotiations. Asked to comment on Trump's recent interview with the Times of London in which he indicated that he could end sanctions imposed on Russia in the aftermath of the 2014 annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal, Peskov said that the two issues are hard to link. Peskov emphasized the U.S. role in settling the nearly six-year conflict in Syria, where Trump has offered to pool efforts with Russia in fighting the Islamic State group. "It's quite obvious that it's impossible to constructively solve the Syrian problem without the U.S. participation," he said. Russia already has invited Trump's administration to attend talks between Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan capital Monday. Russia brokered the talks together with Turkey and Iran, but Tehran has opposed the U.S. involvement in them. "There are certain disagreements between Moscow and Tehran on this subject," Peskov said, noting that the Syrian issue "is too complex to have a full harmony in approaches." ''Any deals there are unlikely, there are too many parties involved," he added. Turning to the Ukrainian crisis, which has driven Russia's relations with the West to post-Cold War lows, Peskov criticized Barack Obama's administration for an "unconstructive" approach and voiced hope that Trump's administration would revise it.
Express News Service

COLOMBO: An epitome of simplicity and piety, Mother Teresa went about barefoot even in the biting cold of Beijing, recalled A.Natarajan, Indias Consul General in Jaffna, while speaking at a talk given by the Mothers biographer, Navin Chawla, in Jaffna on Friday.

Reminiscing on his encounter with Mother Teresa in December 1995 at Beijing, where he was an officer in the Indian High Commission, Natarajan said that she had refused to stay in a five star hotel and preferred to be put up in a ordinary womens hostel. And at the end of her visit, when Natarajan went to the hostel at 4 am to take her to the airport to catch the flight back to India, she emerged from the room barefooted when the temperature even inside was well below zero. The room she had occupied was uncarpeted and freezing, but that had made no difference whatsoever to the Mother.

A couple of more surprises awaited Natarajan. The Mother declined to take the lift and also politely refused to accept any help to carry her luggage. She walked down four floors lugging two bags.

Navin Chawla, former Indian Election Commissioner, and a long time associate of Mother Teresa, said in his talk on secularism, that Mother Teresa was truly secular despite being a Christian missionary. Though a devout Catholic, she agreed to accept him, a Hindu, as her official biographer because she believed that religiosity transcended human divisions, Chawla said.

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R.Sampanthan, who also spoke, emphasized the need for enshrining secularism in Sri Lankas new constitution. Since 1972, Sri Lankas constitutions have said that Buddhism shall occupy the foremost place in the country.

A large and distinguished gathering, including a number of clergymen and sisters from Mother Teresas institutions in the Northern Province, attended the lecture.

COLOMBO: An epitome of simplicity and piety, Mother Teresa went about barefoot even in the biting cold of Beijing, recalled A.Natarajan, Indias Consul General in Jaffna, while speaking at a talk given by the Mothers biographer, Navin Chawla, in Jaffna on Friday. Reminiscing on his encounter with Mother Teresa in December 1995 at Beijing, where he was an officer in the Indian High Commission, Natarajan said that she had refused to stay in a five star hotel and preferred to be put up in a ordinary womens hostel. And at the end of her visit, when Natarajan went to the hostel at 4 am to take her to the airport to catch the flight back to India, she emerged from the room barefooted when the temperature even inside was well below zero. The room she had occupied was uncarpeted and freezing, but that had made no difference whatsoever to the Mother. A couple of more surprises awaited Natarajan. The Mother declined to take the lift and also politely refused to accept any help to carry her luggage. She walked down four floors lugging two bags. Navin Chawla, former Indian Election Commissioner, and a long time associate of Mother Teresa, said in his talk on secularism, that Mother Teresa was truly secular despite being a Christian missionary. Though a devout Catholic, she agreed to accept him, a Hindu, as her official biographer because she believed that religiosity transcended human divisions, Chawla said. The leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R.Sampanthan, who also spoke, emphasized the need for enshrining secularism in Sri Lankas new constitution. Since 1972, Sri Lankas constitutions have said that Buddhism shall occupy the foremost place in the country. A large and distinguished gathering, including a number of clergymen and sisters from Mother Teresas institutions in the Northern Province, attended the lecture.
By Associated Press

LAHORE: A bomb exploded Saturday in a market in a northwest tribal region that borders Afghanistan, killing 22 people and wounding at least 50, officials said.

Dr. Sabir Hussain at the main hospital in Parachinar, the capital of Pakistan's Kurram tribal region, said two more wounded victims died in the hospital, increasing the death toll.

Shahid Khan, an assistant tribal administrator, said the explosion took place when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop. He said the attack was being investigated.

Lashker-e-Jhangvi, a banned sectarian militant group that has attacked minority Shiites Muslims in the past, claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing took place in a predominantly Shiite area of Kurram, which has seen attack by Sunni militants who have hideouts there. Shiites are a minority in Pakistan.

"That was our combined work with Shahryar group of Mahsud Taliban," Ali Sufyan, a spokesman for the banned group, wrote in a text message to an AP reporter.

Kurram has been the scene of increased militant activities in recent years and the Army carried out a massive operation against extremists in the region but they still have the capacity to strike.

Khan said some of the wounded were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Hospitals in tribal regions and rural areas of Pakistan typically are not equipped to handle such emergencies.

Khan said the number of wounded increased but they include those who sustained minor injuries. He also said the death the toll had increased to 22.

Ashiq Hussain, who was lightly wounded, was being treated in Parachinar hospital. He said he was among the people purchasing fruits and vegetables loaded on a van when the explosion took place. "There was a big bang and I saw a dark cloud of smoke and dust before passing out," he said.

Ashiq Hussain said he saw bleeding bodies and severed limbs and heard cries when he came back to his senses. "I was just bleeding from my leg," he said. "Thank God I am alive."

Initially, seven people were brought dead from the vegetable market blast site and more than 60 wounded, according to Dr. Hussain. Thirteen of the critically wounded died earlier while being treated, he said.

Shiite leader Faqir Hussain said all the bodies were brought to a Shiite mosque.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television that the remnants of militant groups targeted by security forces were trying to show their existence by such attacks.

"Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces and the remaining will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them," he said.

LAHORE: A bomb exploded Saturday in a market in a northwest tribal region that borders Afghanistan, killing 22 people and wounding at least 50, officials said. Dr. Sabir Hussain at the main hospital in Parachinar, the capital of Pakistan's Kurram tribal region, said two more wounded victims died in the hospital, increasing the death toll. Shahid Khan, an assistant tribal administrator, said the explosion took place when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop. He said the attack was being investigated. Lashker-e-Jhangvi, a banned sectarian militant group that has attacked minority Shiites Muslims in the past, claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing took place in a predominantly Shiite area of Kurram, which has seen attack by Sunni militants who have hideouts there. Shiites are a minority in Pakistan. "That was our combined work with Shahryar group of Mahsud Taliban," Ali Sufyan, a spokesman for the banned group, wrote in a text message to an AP reporter. Kurram has been the scene of increased militant activities in recent years and the Army carried out a massive operation against extremists in the region but they still have the capacity to strike. Khan said some of the wounded were airlifted to hospitals in Peshawar, the capital of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Hospitals in tribal regions and rural areas of Pakistan typically are not equipped to handle such emergencies. Khan said the number of wounded increased but they include those who sustained minor injuries. He also said the death the toll had increased to 22. Ashiq Hussain, who was lightly wounded, was being treated in Parachinar hospital. He said he was among the people purchasing fruits and vegetables loaded on a van when the explosion took place. "There was a big bang and I saw a dark cloud of smoke and dust before passing out," he said. Ashiq Hussain said he saw bleeding bodies and severed limbs and heard cries when he came back to his senses. "I was just bleeding from my leg," he said. "Thank God I am alive." Initially, seven people were brought dead from the vegetable market blast site and more than 60 wounded, according to Dr. Hussain. Thirteen of the critically wounded died earlier while being treated, he said. Shiite leader Faqir Hussain said all the bodies were brought to a Shiite mosque. Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, the provincial governor, told local Geo television that the remnants of militant groups targeted by security forces were trying to show their existence by such attacks. "Terrorists largely eliminated by our security forces and the remaining will soon meet their fate if we all together rise against them," he said.
By AFP

PARIS: France's minister for women's rights said Friday she found it "surprising and shocking" that controversial Franco-Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski was chosen to preside over France's equivalent of the Oscars.

The award-winning director of "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" has been wanted in the US for almost four decades for the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles.

The decision to honour him at France's annual Cesars ceremony has infuriated women's groups, with many taking to social media to call for a boycott of the televised show.

Minister Laurence Rossignol told France Culture radio she found it "surprising and shocking that a rape case counts for little in the life of a man".

The choice of 83-year-old Polanski to head the Cesars jury showed "an indifference with regard to the acts of which he is accused" and "a sort of banalisation of rape," she said.

A petition calling for him to be removed as president of the 42nd Cesars, to take place in Paris on February 24, had garnered over 42,000 signatures by Friday.

The French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques however praised the director as an "insatiable aesthete".

Polanski was accused of drugging Samantha Gailey before raping her at a friend's house in Los Angeles in 1977.

He pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor, or statutory rape, as part of a plea bargain, but later fled to France.

Polanski said he was convinced that US authorities would scrap the plea deal and hand him a hefty prison sentence.

He was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 on a US extradition request and spent 10 months under house arrest before Bern rejected the US order.

The US then asked Poland to extradite him in January 2015, but a Krakow court rejected the demand in October, with the country's supreme court backing the decision two months later.

PARIS: France's minister for women's rights said Friday she found it "surprising and shocking" that controversial Franco-Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski was chosen to preside over France's equivalent of the Oscars. The award-winning director of "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby" has been wanted in the US for almost four decades for the rape of a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles. The decision to honour him at France's annual Cesars ceremony has infuriated women's groups, with many taking to social media to call for a boycott of the televised show. Minister Laurence Rossignol told France Culture radio she found it "surprising and shocking that a rape case counts for little in the life of a man". The choice of 83-year-old Polanski to head the Cesars jury showed "an indifference with regard to the acts of which he is accused" and "a sort of banalisation of rape," she said. A petition calling for him to be removed as president of the 42nd Cesars, to take place in Paris on February 24, had garnered over 42,000 signatures by Friday. The French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques however praised the director as an "insatiable aesthete". Polanski was accused of drugging Samantha Gailey before raping her at a friend's house in Los Angeles in 1977. He pleaded guilty to having unlawful sex with a minor, or statutory rape, as part of a plea bargain, but later fled to France. Polanski said he was convinced that US authorities would scrap the plea deal and hand him a hefty prison sentence. He was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 on a US extradition request and spent 10 months under house arrest before Bern rejected the US order. The US then asked Poland to extradite him in January 2015, but a Krakow court rejected the demand in October, with the country's supreme court backing the decision two months later.
By Associated Press

GRETNA: A man accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and a police officer was in critical condition after ending an hours long standoff by shooting himself in the chest, the sheriff of a New Orleans suburb said Friday.

During the hours when Sylvester Holt, 32, was threatening to jump from New Orleans' bridge over the Mississippi River, he admitted shooting Simone Veal and Westwego Officer Michael Louviere, both of whom lived in Marrero, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said.

"He indicated he had a pretty good idea they were dead," the sheriff said at a news conference Friday night.

Trooper Dustin Dwight said Holt was taken to University Medical Center, the area's Level 1 trauma center, after shooting himself once in the chest.

If Holt survives, he will face first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Veal, 32, and Louviere, 26, plus a charge of feticide, Normand said.

The late evening press conference capped a tumultuous day that began with a frantic 911 call from Veal to authorities saying that she'd just been shot and ended with the shooting suspect fleeing to the busy New Orleans bridge, holding traffic captive while he negotiated with police for hours before shooting himself.

Normand said Holt, who was later identified as the shooter, had previously been romantically involved with Veal and had recently found out the woman was pregnant with a new boyfriend's child.

Holt went Friday morning to Veal's house and an altercation ensued during which he shot her several times.

Holt then looked for Veal's boyfriend as the woman fled in a car with Holt eventually catching up to her.

"Witnesses said Sylvester Holt was ramming his truck into Simone's car and firing shots into the car" before the vehicles stopped at the intersection where Louviere found them, Normand said.

The officer had just gotten off duty and was on his way home when he pulled over to help. Veal's car was significantly damaged and she was on the ground, Normand said.

Holt shot then shot Louviere in the head as well, Normand said, praising the officer.

"He was doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time," Normand said.

Holt later fled the scene, and an intense manhunt ensued. Authorities later spotted Holt on a bridge spanning New Orleans' east and west banks. Louisiana State Police spokeswoman Melissa Matey says authorities spent hours negotiating with Holt.

"All those attempts failed. At approximately 5:30 Holt shot himself in the chest," she said.

This was not Holt's first run-in with the law. He was the subject of restraining orders obtained by several women since 2012, Normand said.

And he'd also been arrested in September after being accused of rape. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her. Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7.

Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual.

Louviere, a first-year officer who had led his recruit class, may have spoken to Holt before Holt pulled a gun, Normand said.

Louviere is survived by his wife, and their daughter, 4, and son, 1.

According to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch, he had served with the Marines in Afghanistan and was a rising star likely bound for a job at a larger agency.

"We knew we wouldn't have him for long. We just didn't know he would be gone this soon," Munch said.

Munch said he and a doctor broke the news to Louviere's wife at a hospital that her husband had died.

"That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do," the chief said.

Friday's shooting comes after a sharp increase last year in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty  including a pair of deadly ambushes in Louisiana and Texas.

On July 7, a sniper in Dallas killed five law enforcement officers and wounded nine others at the end of what had been a peaceful rally against police brutality. Less than two weeks later, a lone gunman shot and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in an attack outside a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convenience store.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested a man accused of fatally shooting an Orlando, Florida, police officer outside a Wal-Mart on Jan. 9.

Munch, Westwego's police chief, said Louviere helped patrol Baton Rouge after the deadly shootings in that city and helped patrol neighboring Denham Springs after August's historic flooding.

"Typical Michael," the chief said.

GRETNA: A man accused of killing his pregnant ex-girlfriend and a police officer was in critical condition after ending an hours long standoff by shooting himself in the chest, the sheriff of a New Orleans suburb said Friday. During the hours when Sylvester Holt, 32, was threatening to jump from New Orleans' bridge over the Mississippi River, he admitted shooting Simone Veal and Westwego Officer Michael Louviere, both of whom lived in Marrero, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said. "He indicated he had a pretty good idea they were dead," the sheriff said at a news conference Friday night. Trooper Dustin Dwight said Holt was taken to University Medical Center, the area's Level 1 trauma center, after shooting himself once in the chest. If Holt survives, he will face first-degree murder charges in the deaths of Veal, 32, and Louviere, 26, plus a charge of feticide, Normand said. The late evening press conference capped a tumultuous day that began with a frantic 911 call from Veal to authorities saying that she'd just been shot and ended with the shooting suspect fleeing to the busy New Orleans bridge, holding traffic captive while he negotiated with police for hours before shooting himself. Normand said Holt, who was later identified as the shooter, had previously been romantically involved with Veal and had recently found out the woman was pregnant with a new boyfriend's child. Holt went Friday morning to Veal's house and an altercation ensued during which he shot her several times. Holt then looked for Veal's boyfriend as the woman fled in a car with Holt eventually catching up to her. "Witnesses said Sylvester Holt was ramming his truck into Simone's car and firing shots into the car" before the vehicles stopped at the intersection where Louviere found them, Normand said. The officer had just gotten off duty and was on his way home when he pulled over to help. Veal's car was significantly damaged and she was on the ground, Normand said. Holt shot then shot Louviere in the head as well, Normand said, praising the officer. "He was doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time," Normand said. Holt later fled the scene, and an intense manhunt ensued. Authorities later spotted Holt on a bridge spanning New Orleans' east and west banks. Louisiana State Police spokeswoman Melissa Matey says authorities spent hours negotiating with Holt. "All those attempts failed. At approximately 5:30 Holt shot himself in the chest," she said. This was not Holt's first run-in with the law. He was the subject of restraining orders obtained by several women since 2012, Normand said. And he'd also been arrested in September after being accused of rape. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her. Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7. Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual. Louviere, a first-year officer who had led his recruit class, may have spoken to Holt before Holt pulled a gun, Normand said. Louviere is survived by his wife, and their daughter, 4, and son, 1. According to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch, he had served with the Marines in Afghanistan and was a rising star likely bound for a job at a larger agency. "We knew we wouldn't have him for long. We just didn't know he would be gone this soon," Munch said. Munch said he and a doctor broke the news to Louviere's wife at a hospital that her husband had died. "That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do," the chief said. Friday's shooting comes after a sharp increase last year in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty  including a pair of deadly ambushes in Louisiana and Texas. On July 7, a sniper in Dallas killed five law enforcement officers and wounded nine others at the end of what had been a peaceful rally against police brutality. Less than two weeks later, a lone gunman shot and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in an attack outside a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convenience store. On Wednesday, authorities arrested a man accused of fatally shooting an Orlando, Florida, police officer outside a Wal-Mart on Jan. 9. Munch, Westwego's police chief, said Louviere helped patrol Baton Rouge after the deadly shootings in that city and helped patrol neighboring Denham Springs after August's historic flooding. "Typical Michael," the chief said.
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump plans to make a visit to the CIA Saturday, his spokesman said, in what was certain to be a politically charged event after his bitter feud with the US intelligence agency.

"@POTUS to visit @CIA this afternoon. Event is over capacity at 300+ Excited to thank the men and women of the intelligence community," spokesman Sean Spicer said in a tweet.

The new president was moving quickly on his first full day in office to confront the simmering tensions left by US intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the US elections to try to tip the outcome in Trump's favor.

Mike Pompeo, Trump's pick to lead the CIA, has not yet been confirmed by the US Senate.

A 52-year-old Republican lawmaker, Pompeo is considered a foreign policy hawk and was an ardent opponent of former president Barack Obama's administration.

Outgoing CIA director John Brennan, who took umbrage at Trump's attacks on the intelligence agency, warned last Sunday he needed to be more "disciplined" in his public comments.

"I don't think he has a full appreciation of Russian capabilities, Russia's intentions and actions," Brennan said of Trump on Fox News Sunday.

Trump, likening US intelligence to Nazis, suggested Brennan himself may have leaked an unsubstantiated report that the Russians had gathered damaging salacious personal information about him.

The intelligence agencies had given both Trump and Obama a summary of the dossier, which later was published in full by BuzzFeed.

Brennan said the US intelligence chiefs considered it their responsibility to make Trump aware that it was in circulation.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump plans to make a visit to the CIA Saturday, his spokesman said, in what was certain to be a politically charged event after his bitter feud with the US intelligence agency. "@POTUS to visit @CIA this afternoon. Event is over capacity at 300+ Excited to thank the men and women of the intelligence community," spokesman Sean Spicer said in a tweet. The new president was moving quickly on his first full day in office to confront the simmering tensions left by US intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the US elections to try to tip the outcome in Trump's favor. Mike Pompeo, Trump's pick to lead the CIA, has not yet been confirmed by the US Senate. A 52-year-old Republican lawmaker, Pompeo is considered a foreign policy hawk and was an ardent opponent of former president Barack Obama's administration. Outgoing CIA director John Brennan, who took umbrage at Trump's attacks on the intelligence agency, warned last Sunday he needed to be more "disciplined" in his public comments. "I don't think he has a full appreciation of Russian capabilities, Russia's intentions and actions," Brennan said of Trump on Fox News Sunday. Trump, likening US intelligence to Nazis, suggested Brennan himself may have leaked an unsubstantiated report that the Russians had gathered damaging salacious personal information about him. The intelligence agencies had given both Trump and Obama a summary of the dossier, which later was published in full by BuzzFeed. Brennan said the US intelligence chiefs considered it their responsibility to make Trump aware that it was in circulation.
By AFP

WASHINGTON: A US strike has killed more than 100 Al-Qaeda fighters at a training camp in northwestern Syria, the Pentagon said Friday.

The air strike occurred Thursday at a camp in Idlib province that had been operational since 2013, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said.

"The removal of this training camp disrupts training operations and discourages hardline Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with Al-Qaeda on the battlefield," Davis said.

US plane and drone strikes have killed more than 150 Qaeda fighters since January 1, Davis said, including Mohammad Habib Boussadoun al-Tunisi, an "external operations leader" in Syria.

"These strikes, conducted in quick succession, degrade al-Qaeda's capabilities, weaken their resolve and cause confusion in their ranks," Davis said.

A US-led coalition is striking Islamic State group targets in Syria. But it has also hit Qaeda leaders and operatives from other groups including the Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, which has renamed itself Fatah al-Sham.

WASHINGTON: A US strike has killed more than 100 Al-Qaeda fighters at a training camp in northwestern Syria, the Pentagon said Friday. The air strike occurred Thursday at a camp in Idlib province that had been operational since 2013, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said. "The removal of this training camp disrupts training operations and discourages hardline Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with Al-Qaeda on the battlefield," Davis said. US plane and drone strikes have killed more than 150 Qaeda fighters since January 1, Davis said, including Mohammad Habib Boussadoun al-Tunisi, an "external operations leader" in Syria. "These strikes, conducted in quick succession, degrade al-Qaeda's capabilities, weaken their resolve and cause confusion in their ranks," Davis said. A US-led coalition is striking Islamic State group targets in Syria. But it has also hit Qaeda leaders and operatives from other groups including the Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, which has renamed itself Fatah al-Sham.
By AFP

WASHINGTON: Masked, black-clad protesters carrying anarchist flags smashed windows, lit fires and scuffled with riot police Friday in downtown Washington, blocks from the parade in honour of newly sworn-in President Donald Trump.

Washington police arrested at least 217 people for acts of vandalism committed on the fringe of peaceful citywide demonstrations against Trump's inauguration.

Just before the parade started, clashes broke out between 400 to 500 stone-throwing protesters and riot police, who responded with tear gas -- the second violent flare-up in the space of a few hours.

As Trump's motorcade wound its way up Pennsylvania Avenue in the parade to the White House, protesters just a few blocks away set a parked limousine on fire after smashing its windows.

An AFP reporter saw National Guardsmen donning helmets and bullet-proof vests, as protesters blocked traffic and set trash cans ablaze -- chanting "Not my president" and "We resist President Trump."

City police chief Peter Newsham said at least 217 people were arrested and would be held overnight before appearing in front of a judge.

"The charge is rioting," he told reporters.

"Our intention going into this event was to make zero arrests, and unfortunately they forced our hand."

Meanwhile, prominent white supremacist Richard Spencer was sucker-punched in the street while giving an interview to journalists, according to footage of the incident circulating online.

"No serious damage," Spencer said on Twitter. "I can take a punch."

As the 70-year-old Trump, his supporters and top dignitaries gathered on the National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony, throngs of his opponents also converged on the US capital.

Most of the noisy protests -- including those by an array of anti-racist, anti-war, feminist, LGBT, pro-immigration and marijuana legalization groups -- were peaceful.

But the protesters were intent on being heard -- massing at the city's Navy Memorial Plaza, along the parade route, and letting out a deafening roar as the presidential limousine known as "The Beast" drove by.

"Not my president!" they yelled, as the pro-Trump crowd in bleachers across the street chanted "USA!"

Protesters along the route waved banners reading: "Try to deserve this office," "Obama cares, Trump scares," or "Make America Sane Again."

Another group unfurled a giant banner reading "Shame" outside the Trump Hotel -- right near the spot where the president briefly stepped out of his limo to walk the parade route.

- 'No fascist USA!' -

Newsham attributed the sporadic outbreaks of violence to "a small group that wanted to disrupt the inauguration."

"We have significant damage in a number of blocks in our city," he said, while adding: "It's a very, very small percentage of those folks who came here to peacefully assemble in our city."

Black-clad groups with anarchist and anti-fascist banners could be seen moving quickly on the outskirts of the main protests.

Marchers, some red-eyed from pepper spray, chanted: "No deportation, no KKK, no fascist USA!"

Several demonstrators were carrying batons and other weapons, police said, while at least one protester was hurt and was seen receiving treatment for a head wound.

The front windows of some businesses including a Starbucks and a Bank of America were smashed to pieces.

The majority of protests in the city were peaceful -- whether people came to register anger, dissent or dismay at Trump's election victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Some insults were thrown as groups of Trump supporters passed by protests en route to hail their hero, but the two sides kept largely apart.

- 'Not the nation we want' -

Protesters said they feared Trump would be an extremist president, taking a hardline approach on everything from immigration to gutting public services.

John Zangas, a longtime Washington resident, said it felt like the city was "under siege" given the number of police on the streets.

"This should be a momentous occasion, not one where flash-bang (noise grenades) and tear gas are deployed against citizens," Zangas said.

Demonstrations were not limited to the nation's capital, with protestors taking to the streets in cities including Chicago, New York and Atlanta.

Thousands clogged downtown Chicago to march in front of the city's highrise condo-hotel bearing Trump's name. The protest stayed mostly peaceful, with police reporting a minor skirmish that resulted in two arrests.

Julie Vogl, 54, voiced concern over the president's calls to ban Muslim's from entering the country and deport undocumented immigrants.

"I hope he proves me terribly wrong," she said. "We don't believe in what he said."

"It's not the nation we want."

WASHINGTON: Masked, black-clad protesters carrying anarchist flags smashed windows, lit fires and scuffled with riot police Friday in downtown Washington, blocks from the parade in honour of newly sworn-in President Donald Trump. Washington police arrested at least 217 people for acts of vandalism committed on the fringe of peaceful citywide demonstrations against Trump's inauguration. Just before the parade started, clashes broke out between 400 to 500 stone-throwing protesters and riot police, who responded with tear gas -- the second violent flare-up in the space of a few hours. As Trump's motorcade wound its way up Pennsylvania Avenue in the parade to the White House, protesters just a few blocks away set a parked limousine on fire after smashing its windows. An AFP reporter saw National Guardsmen donning helmets and bullet-proof vests, as protesters blocked traffic and set trash cans ablaze -- chanting "Not my president" and "We resist President Trump." City police chief Peter Newsham said at least 217 people were arrested and would be held overnight before appearing in front of a judge. "The charge is rioting," he told reporters. "Our intention going into this event was to make zero arrests, and unfortunately they forced our hand." Meanwhile, prominent white supremacist Richard Spencer was sucker-punched in the street while giving an interview to journalists, according to footage of the incident circulating online. "No serious damage," Spencer said on Twitter. "I can take a punch." As the 70-year-old Trump, his supporters and top dignitaries gathered on the National Mall for the swearing-in ceremony, throngs of his opponents also converged on the US capital. Most of the noisy protests -- including those by an array of anti-racist, anti-war, feminist, LGBT, pro-immigration and marijuana legalization groups -- were peaceful. But the protesters were intent on being heard -- massing at the city's Navy Memorial Plaza, along the parade route, and letting out a deafening roar as the presidential limousine known as "The Beast" drove by. "Not my president!" they yelled, as the pro-Trump crowd in bleachers across the street chanted "USA!" Protesters along the route waved banners reading: "Try to deserve this office," "Obama cares, Trump scares," or "Make America Sane Again." Another group unfurled a giant banner reading "Shame" outside the Trump Hotel -- right near the spot where the president briefly stepped out of his limo to walk the parade route. - 'No fascist USA!' - Newsham attributed the sporadic outbreaks of violence to "a small group that wanted to disrupt the inauguration." "We have significant damage in a number of blocks in our city," he said, while adding: "It's a very, very small percentage of those folks who came here to peacefully assemble in our city." Black-clad groups with anarchist and anti-fascist banners could be seen moving quickly on the outskirts of the main protests. Marchers, some red-eyed from pepper spray, chanted: "No deportation, no KKK, no fascist USA!" Several demonstrators were carrying batons and other weapons, police said, while at least one protester was hurt and was seen receiving treatment for a head wound. The front windows of some businesses including a Starbucks and a Bank of America were smashed to pieces. The majority of protests in the city were peaceful -- whether people came to register anger, dissent or dismay at Trump's election victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Some insults were thrown as groups of Trump supporters passed by protests en route to hail their hero, but the two sides kept largely apart. - 'Not the nation we want' - Protesters said they feared Trump would be an extremist president, taking a hardline approach on everything from immigration to gutting public services. John Zangas, a longtime Washington resident, said it felt like the city was "under siege" given the number of police on the streets. "This should be a momentous occasion, not one where flash-bang (noise grenades) and tear gas are deployed against citizens," Zangas said. Demonstrations were not limited to the nation's capital, with protestors taking to the streets in cities including Chicago, New York and Atlanta. Thousands clogged downtown Chicago to march in front of the city's highrise condo-hotel bearing Trump's name. The protest stayed mostly peaceful, with police reporting a minor skirmish that resulted in two arrests. Julie Vogl, 54, voiced concern over the president's calls to ban Muslim's from entering the country and deport undocumented immigrants. "I hope he proves me terribly wrong," she said. "We don't believe in what he said." "It's not the nation we want."
By Associated Press

President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy, but offered no specifics about America's place in the world.

The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs.

"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

A look at some reactions from around the world:

SPEECH RESONATES IN MEXICO

Perhaps no country was watching the speech more closely than Mexico. Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States.

So Trump's talk of "protect(ing) our borders," ''America first" and "buy American and hire American" had particular resonance in America's southern neighbour.

Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for "the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and protectionist speech we just heard. Unity against that useless wall, against deportations, against the blockade of investment."

"The challenge is enormous. ... We demand the federal government leave aside tepidity, that it tackle with absolute firmness and dignity the new relationship with the United States," Anaya said.

The United States is by far Mexico's largest commercial partner, buying some 80 percent of its $532 billion in exports in 2015. Mexico is the second-largest market for U.S. exports.

"At least the word 'Mexico' was not heard in the speech. Nevertheless one can expect the United States to launch a hyper-protectionist project," said Ilan Semo Groman, a researcher at Iberoamericana University.

If Trump truly moves to block or drive away U.S. investment in Mexico, Semo said Mexico should focus its commercial efforts on other countries.

"There are very clear possibilities," Semo said.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent three tweets after Trump's inaugural speech Friday:

 "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility."

 "We will establish a respectful dialogue with the government of President @realDonaldTrump, to Mexico's benefit."

 "Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States."

CONCERN IN TOKYO

Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.

Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.

"Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing."

Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.

"Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said.

Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions.

"In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said.

CHINA BRACES FOR TROUBLE AHEAD

A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.

The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order.

"Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said.

The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead."

The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."

TAIWAN TWEETS

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership."

Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election.

He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.

SOUTH KOREANS PUT SECURITY FIRST, WORRY ABOUT ALLIANCE, TRADE

Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.

"I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S."

In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons.

There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries.

"There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out."

In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.

INDIANS FRET ABOUT IMMIGRATION PROSPECTS

Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.

"It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.

Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?"

Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper.

"Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.

President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy, but offered no specifics about America's place in the world. The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs. "This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first." A look at some reactions from around the world: SPEECH RESONATES IN MEXICO Perhaps no country was watching the speech more closely than Mexico. Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States. So Trump's talk of "protect(ing) our borders," ''America first" and "buy American and hire American" had particular resonance in America's southern neighbour. Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for "the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and protectionist speech we just heard. Unity against that useless wall, against deportations, against the blockade of investment." "The challenge is enormous. ... We demand the federal government leave aside tepidity, that it tackle with absolute firmness and dignity the new relationship with the United States," Anaya said. The United States is by far Mexico's largest commercial partner, buying some 80 percent of its $532 billion in exports in 2015. Mexico is the second-largest market for U.S. exports. "At least the word 'Mexico' was not heard in the speech. Nevertheless one can expect the United States to launch a hyper-protectionist project," said Ilan Semo Groman, a researcher at Iberoamericana University. If Trump truly moves to block or drive away U.S. investment in Mexico, Semo said Mexico should focus its commercial efforts on other countries. "There are very clear possibilities," Semo said. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent three tweets after Trump's inaugural speech Friday:  "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility."  "We will establish a respectful dialogue with the government of President @realDonaldTrump, to Mexico's benefit."  "Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States." CONCERN IN TOKYO Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world. Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say. "Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing." Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership. "Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said. Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said. In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions. "In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said. CHINA BRACES FOR TROUBLE AHEAD A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions. The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order. "Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said. The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead." The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China." TAIWAN TWEETS Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership." Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election. He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives. SOUTH KOREANS PUT SECURITY FIRST, WORRY ABOUT ALLIANCE, TRADE Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China. "I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S." In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons. There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries. "There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out." In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development. INDIANS FRET ABOUT IMMIGRATION PROSPECTS Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem. "It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year. Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?" Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper. "Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.
By Associated Press

BANJUL: Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh and his family headed into political exile on Saturday night, ending a 22-year reign of fear and a post-election political standoff that threatened to provoke a regional military intervention when he clung to power.

As he mounted the stairs to the plane, he turned to the crowd, kissed his Quran and waved one last time to supporters, including soldiers who cried at his departure.

The flight came almost 24 hours after he announced on state television he was ceding power in response to mounting international pressure calling for his ouster. The incoming president, Adama Barrow, told The Associated Press earlier Saturday that Jammeh would fly to Guinea, though that might not be his final destination.

Though tens of thousands of Gambians had fled the country during his rule, Jammeh supporters flocked to the airport to see him walk the red carpet to his plane. Women shouted: "Don't go! Don't go!"

Barrow defeated Jammeh in the December elections, but Jammeh contested the results as calls grew for him to be prosecuted for alleged abuses during his time in power. A regional force had been poised to force out Jammeh if last-ditch diplomatic efforts failed.

The situation became so tense that Barrow had to be inaugurated in neighboring Senegal at the Gambian Embassy. He said Saturday he would return to Gambia once it is "clear" and a security sweep is completed.

Jammeh's announcement ended ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

"We believe he'll go to Guinea, but we are yet to confirm 100 percent, but that's what we believe," Barrow told the AP.

In the Guinean capital, Conakry, the security minister was at the airport with jeeps full of well-armed military personnel, witnesses said. However, a special plane also landed from Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, with only a crew and no passengers, suggesting that could be Jammeh's final destination. Equatorial Guinea, unlike Guinea, is not a state party to the International Criminal Court.

The new Gambian president told the AP he had not yet been given the communique that should spell out the terms of Jammeh's departure. "What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," he said.

As Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than two decades in power, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led the famously mercurial Jammeh to challenge the December election results, just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Barrow.

Jammeh once vowed to rule for a billion years. His agreement to step down has brought an end to the political crisis in this nation of 1.9 million, which has promoted itself to European tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa."

Critics of Jammeh insisted he should not be given any kind of amnesty.

"Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities," said Jeggan Bahoum of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia.

An online petition urged that Jammeh not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested. Barrow, though, cautioned that was premature.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," Barrow told the AP. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, had been holed up in recent days in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, had pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into Gambia on Thursday. The force moved in after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

Jammeh's announcement to relinquish power is a good first step, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa.

"For the Gambia to truly move on, President Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing. In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994," Smith wrote by email.

BANJUL: Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh and his family headed into political exile on Saturday night, ending a 22-year reign of fear and a post-election political standoff that threatened to provoke a regional military intervention when he clung to power. As he mounted the stairs to the plane, he turned to the crowd, kissed his Quran and waved one last time to supporters, including soldiers who cried at his departure. The flight came almost 24 hours after he announced on state television he was ceding power in response to mounting international pressure calling for his ouster. The incoming president, Adama Barrow, told The Associated Press earlier Saturday that Jammeh would fly to Guinea, though that might not be his final destination. Though tens of thousands of Gambians had fled the country during his rule, Jammeh supporters flocked to the airport to see him walk the red carpet to his plane. Women shouted: "Don't go! Don't go!" Barrow defeated Jammeh in the December elections, but Jammeh contested the results as calls grew for him to be prosecuted for alleged abuses during his time in power. A regional force had been poised to force out Jammeh if last-ditch diplomatic efforts failed. The situation became so tense that Barrow had to be inaugurated in neighboring Senegal at the Gambian Embassy. He said Saturday he would return to Gambia once it is "clear" and a security sweep is completed. Jammeh's announcement ended ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania. "We believe he'll go to Guinea, but we are yet to confirm 100 percent, but that's what we believe," Barrow told the AP. In the Guinean capital, Conakry, the security minister was at the airport with jeeps full of well-armed military personnel, witnesses said. However, a special plane also landed from Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, with only a crew and no passengers, suggesting that could be Jammeh's final destination. Equatorial Guinea, unlike Guinea, is not a state party to the International Criminal Court. The new Gambian president told the AP he had not yet been given the communique that should spell out the terms of Jammeh's departure. "What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," he said. As Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than two decades in power, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents. It was those concerns about prosecution that led the famously mercurial Jammeh to challenge the December election results, just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Barrow. Jammeh once vowed to rule for a billion years. His agreement to step down has brought an end to the political crisis in this nation of 1.9 million, which has promoted itself to European tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa." Critics of Jammeh insisted he should not be given any kind of amnesty. "Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities," said Jeggan Bahoum of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia. An online petition urged that Jammeh not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested. Barrow, though, cautioned that was premature. "We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," Barrow told the AP. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together." Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, had been holed up in recent days in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members. The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, had pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into Gambia on Thursday. The force moved in after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council supporting the regional efforts. Jammeh's announcement to relinquish power is a good first step, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa. "For the Gambia to truly move on, President Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing. In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994," Smith wrote by email.
One injured in TMCP's group tussle in Calcutta University campus

Kolkata, Jan 19 : A student was reportedly injured during a clash between two rival groups of Trinamool Congress(TMC)'s student wing, Trinamool Chhtra Parishad (TMCP), at Calcutta University (CU)'s College Street campus in central Kolkata on Thursday.





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According to reports, TMCPs state general secretary Jaya Dutta allegedly went to the campus along with a large number of outsiders.After the student-leader left the campus, her companions engaged in a scuffle with the followers of TMCPs former general secretary Ashok Rudra inside the university premise, leaving one student hurt.Denying the incident of a group clash, TMCP general secretary Jaya Dutta told IBNS, I went to meet the Vice-Chancellor (VC) to demand a free, fair and violence-free students union election in the university.No outsider went there with me and I dont know what exactly happened after I left the campus, Jaya Dutta added.However, the interim VC of CU, Ashutosh Ghosh, told IBNS, We will appeal to the administration to arrange sufficient security in the campus until the students union election process ends.I have directed our security not to allow anyone inside the campus without valid identity card, Ghosh added.(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)File image.
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Tata Memorial Centre to host a three-day conference aimed to drive opinion and implementable action in providing universal healthcare in India

Mumbai, Jan 20 : In honour of its platinum jubilee year (2016-2017), Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, will host a first of its kind conference themed Healthcare: A Commodity or Basic Human Need? from Jan 27 to 29.





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The conference will serve as a platform to bring together a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including leading health economists, policy planners, heads of pharmaceutical companies, administrators, clinicians, patient advocates, epidemiologists and regulators, in the hope of evolving a suitable healthcare model that provides cost-effective solutions for the developing and developed world. The conference is co-hosted by the Ministry of Health Family Welfare, Tata Trusts and Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.Addressing the media at a pre-event briefing, Dr. Sudeep Gupta, Deputy Director, ACTREC, TMC, outlined the agenda of the conference and what the media could look forward to, over the three days. Further elaborating on the genesis and the uniqueness of the conference, Dr. Rajendra Badwe, Director, Tata Memorial Centre, explained, In India, accessibility and affordability in healthcare are the two major challenges. This conference will provide the ideal platform for the key decision makers and stakeholders to weigh in on these issues. We need to identify universal solutions and take our cues from existing small and large-scale healthcare systems to evolve our own model for India. Dr. C. S. Pramesh, Professor and Chief, Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, TMC, further stressed on the urgent need for a healthcare system that takes into account the diversity and disparity in the country. Nihal Kaviratne, Founder, St Jude India ChildCare Centres, said, Despite the many advancements we have made in health and technology, we are still faced with the harsh reality that thousands of people across the country have no access to affordable health services. It is imperative that the Government and other stakeholders come together to discuss how to address these gaps, ensure last mile delivery of healthcare and take us a step closer towards universal health coverage.When asked about the conference, JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare commented, It is crucial for us to have the involvement and commitment of every stakeholder in the country, for India to be able to meet the WHOs goal of universal health coverage by 2030. I believe a conference of this scale and magnitude will provide us with a unique opportunity for all stakeholders and influencers to convene and arrive at possible solutions to meet our 2030 goal.K VishV Viswanath, Professor, Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, added, We are pleased to co-host a conference of this stature on such a consequential issue along with the Tata Memorial Centre. The conference theme and the impressive speaker line-up demonstrates the urgency of addressing the burden of cancer in India. The outcome of such a conference has implications for the entire nation and will give us implementable health solutions to take us closer to universal healthcare coverage.
Jammu Kashmir Legislative Council passes resolution for return of Kashmiri Pandits

Srinagar, (Jammu and Kashmir), , Jan. 20 : The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution for the respectable return of Kashmiri Pandits to Jammu and Kashmir.





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On the 27th anniversary of exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution for their return to the Kashmir Valley.National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.He also said all political parties should rise above politics and pass a resolution to create an atmosphere for their return.The ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits was an event that occurred in the early 1990s when most of the Pandit families were forced to flee from Kashmir Valley due to the outbreak of terrorism.An estimated one to eight lakh Pandits fled from Kashmir at that time.
ISLAMABAD -- The Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan has staged a major overnight battlefield assault in a southern province, killing at least 16 police personnel and capturing two outposts.

A local security official told VOA on January 20 the fighting erupted in the district of Maiwand in Kandahar, saying Afghan forces also inflicted heavy casualties on the Taliban in ensuing clashes.

He said the assailants also seized three U.S.-made military vehicles, commonly known as Humvees. The official requested anonymity.

A provincial police spokesman, Zia Durrani, told VOA 27 Taliban fighters, including four key commanders, were killed.

A provincial government spokesman, Samim Khpolwak, confirmed the fighting but declined to discuss further details.

Kandahar is known as the birthplace of the Taliban. It was the de facto capital of Afghanistan when the insurgent group ruled most of the country before its ouster from power in late 2001 by a U.S.-led military coalition.

Most of the districts in neighboring Helmand, the largest of all the 34 Afghan provinces, are under the control of the Taliban and fighting also is under way in nearby Uruzgan Province.

Afghan security forces suffered unprecedented casualties in the 2016 fighting season, and U.S. military commanders anticipate more insurgent violence this year.

The insidious combination of corruption and poor leadership is the root cause of this problem, said John Sopko, the U.S. special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction, or SIGAR.

He made the remarks last week while announcing his list of key security challenges facing the new U.S. administration as it inherits Americas second-longest war after Vietnam.

No winter lull

Since the withdrawal of U.S.-led international forces more than two years ago, there has been no lull in the Afghan fighting. Harsh winters and heavy snowfall in previous years would force Taliban fighters to retreat to their traditional sanctuaries in neighboring Pakistan to rest and regroup before returning to the battlefield for the summer fighting.

The spring offensive/winter lull is an outdated concept now, the main reason being that the Taliban hold large swaths of territory year-round and so the fighting continues, said Ted Callahan, a Western security expert based in northeastern Afghanistan.

The Taliban have captured about 10 percent of Afghan territory since with the withdrawal of most international forces two years ago. The Afghan government controls two-thirds of the population while the rest is strongly contested, according to the latest U.S. military assessments.

The territorial control offers the insurgents more of a revenue base they can use to sustain themselves through the winter, mainly in terms of food and shelter, but also in terms of munitions captured from Afghan forces, Callahan told VOA.

They [the Taliban] can easily keep their momentum going throughout the winter, and so you no longer see Taliban commanders go back to Pakistan for the winter as they often did in the past, and then they'd come back in the spring to kick off the spring offensive, he observed.

'Compromised system'



In the detailed report that Sopko released last week, he cited leadership and corruption as among the biggest challenges facing the Afghan National Defense and Security Force, or ANDSF.

Afghan commanders often pocket the paychecks of ghost soldiers for whom the U.S. is paying the salary. The number of ghost soldiers is not insignificant, it likely reaches into the tens of thousands of soldiers and police, he noted.

Citing credible information, Sopko said some Afghan commanders are not going on patrols or are not coming to the assistance of other units when they are in trouble because they want to preserve fuel that they later sell in open markets.

Multiple credible sources have told SIGAR staff in Afghanistan that a significant portion, perhaps as much as 50 percent, of U.S.-purchased fuel is siphoned off at various stages of this compromised system, he said.

In his report, Sopko agreed with the U.S. military assessment that the Afghan government controls roughly 64 percent of the countrys territory.

Afghan Defense Ministry officials strongly disputed most of SIGAR's findings, however, saying the government, with the help of foreign partners, has made progress in addressing corruption and issues related to ANDSF leadership.

They insist ANDSF's improved capacity and sacrifices prevented the Taliban from capturing any major population center in Afghanistan in 2016, and they assert they now are better prepared to battle the insurgency this year.

-- Written by Ayaz Gul for Voice Of America
Most outstanding trait of presidency its ability to question, discuss and debate every dogma, says President

New Delhi, Jan 20 : President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the Bicentenary celebrations of Presidency University on Friday in Kolkata.





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Speaking on the occasion, the President said the Presidency University is not merely a collection of buildings or an expression of language.The University stands for advancement, progress, thinking and questioning. The early students of the Hindu school from which the College and later the University emerged were known for their liberal thoughts, ideas, and philosophy as well as opposition to all prejudice.The President said the Presidency College gave birth to and nurtured generations of students who went on to influence and change the course of our countrys history.What is most remarkable is that this institution which was established primarily to educate the lower bureaucracy of the colonial rulers, went on to not only question and reform everything archaic, but also emerged as the hot bed of ant colonial ideas and actions.The President said established as a place for liberal, scientific and secular education based on western ideas of nationalism, this College became the institutional as well as intellectual manifestation of Bengali renaissance. Although Presidency continuously upheld academic excellence, its most outstanding trait lay in its ability to question, discuss and debate every established dogma. Be it socio-religious beliefs, political construct or ideological tenets, Presidency as an institution always dwelt upon the thesis and the anti thesis before arriving at the synthesis, that suited our nation the most.The President said as a great institution of modern world, Presidencys biggest achievement has been its ability to inculcate a love for learning. Not just learning that is contained within the scope of the text books and syllabus, but knowledge that is acquired by plunging into the depths of subjects.It is this eternal pursuit that produced luminaries such as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Anandaram Barooah in literature. S N Bose, M N Saha, P C Mahalnobish, Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri, Shyamal Sengupta and Ashoke Sen in the field of basic Science. Amartya Sen and Sukhamoy Chakraborty in the field of economics and alumnus such as Dr Rajendra Prasad (The President of India), Muhammed Ali of Bogra (Prime Minister of Pakistan) and Abu Sayeed Chowdhury (The President of Bangladesh). The President said he was happy that this rich tradition is continuing and expressed the hope that it will continue to flourish.The President said students should not become mere salesman for commercial products but should contribute to research, innovation and enhancement of knowledge.He expressed concern over the fact that none from an Indian University has won the Nobel Prize since Sir CV Raman and few Indian universities find a place in the top of international ranking of Universities.He said as Visitor of 126 Central Institutions, he has been asking institutions of higher learning to focus on research and innovation as well as improving their international rankings.He concluded calling upon Presidency University to become the number one university of the country and to get a top position in international rankings.Image:twitter.com/RashtrapatiBhvn
Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati, Kiren Rijiju inaugurate the Digidhan Mela

New Delhi, Jan 20 : Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati and Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Digidhan Mela (Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi-Dhan Vyapar Yojana Programme) organized at Itanagar on Friday.





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The mela is being organised with an aim to enable citizens and merchants to familiarize and adopt real time digital transactions.Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati appealed to all the stakeholders to support in the digitalization of the economy.He also said that through digitalization we can ensure the transparency in the transactions and Union Government is willing to work with state government for the better future of the citizens.On the occasion, Kiren Rijiju said that the government has organized Digidhan Melas all over India to educate the people about digitalization.He appreciated the Itanagar administration, banks and various Government Departments for organising and showcasing digital initiatives and facilities to the common man. The people should come forward and utilize the benefits of Dighidhan Mela, he added.To sensitize the citizens on cashless transactions, the Government Departments and Banks put-up their stalls and explained the options available for digital payments at DigiDhan Mela.They also assisted the visitors in downloading and installing various Mobile Apps for digital payments and helping in doing digital transaction. On the occasion, the people also participated in the learning of installing and using various digital payment systems for carrying out digital transactions.Image: twitter.com/Ashok_Gajapathi
White House posts one last image encapsulating Obama's eight-year legacy

Washington D.C. [United States], Jan. 20 : Despite the inauguration ceremony for incoming president, Donald J. Trump in full swing, the White House posted one last powerful image and thanked the world for the support towards the Barack Obama Government for the past eight years.





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The picture dates back to March 7, 2015 as the First Family joined the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, for the 50th anniversary of the marches from Selma to Montgomery."Yes we can. Yes we did. Thank you for being a part of the past eight years," the tweet read with the image below it.Outgoing President Barack Obama took to Twitter to say his last words as President saying it's been the honour of his life to serve America."You made me a better leader and a better man. I won't stop; I'll be right there with you as a citizen, inspired by your voices of truth and justice, good humor, and love. I'm still asking you to believe - not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I believe in change because I believe in you," he said in a series of tweets.
Donald Trump takes oath as 45th US President

Washington, Jan 20 : Writing a new chapter in the pages of US politics, Donald Trump on Friday took oath as the President of the the country and promised to work along with the citizens to determine the course of the country and the world for the coming years.





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Together we will determine the course of our country and the world for many many years, Trump said in his first presidential address after taking oath.We are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it to you (people), he said.Former President Barack Obama was present at the event.Earlier, Obama had greeted Trump as they arrived at the White House, media reports said.Trump took oath as the 45th president of the United States.The White House tweeted: Its official. Our 45th president has taken the oath of office we couldnt be more excited! Congratulations to @POTUS Trump #Inauguration.Trump won the Presidential election last year.Image: TV grab
Narendra Modi congratulates Donald Trump

New Delhi, Jan 20 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Donald Trump as he took oath as the President of the USA.





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Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on assuming office as US President. Best wishes in leading USA to greater achievements in the coming years, Modi tweeted.Strength of the India-USA strategic partnership lies in our shared values and common interests, he said.Modi said he is looking forward to work with the US President.Looking forward to working with President @realDonaldTrump to further deepen India-US ties realise the full potential of our cooperation, he said.
Reservation controversy: Lalu says BJP will face Bihar-like defeat in UP polls

Patna, Jan 20 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Friday mounted heavy attacks on RSS for advocating for ending the current caste-based reservation policy saying the move would prove costlier for the BJP in the UP assembly elections.





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Indias most populous state goes to polls next month.Reservation is a constitutional right, and not a gift provided by the casteist organization like RSS. Weaker sections of the society know how to keep under control the forces trying to snatch reservation, Prasad told the media on Friday.Subtly warning Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its fallout, Prasad said they should now be ready for poll disaster.We defeated the BJP badly in Bihar assembly elections but they failed to take lesson. Now, the remaining lessons will be taught in UP polls, he declared.The RJD chief was reacting to observations by RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya who at a literature festival in Jaipur advocated for abolishing reservation system saying this has failed to yield desired results all these years.Almost similar remarks by the RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Bihar polls eve last year had cost the BJP dear as saffron party was able to win only 53 seats out of states total 243. Now, similar observation by another RSS official is likely to damage the BJPs poll prospects again.Major secular parties like Congress, JD-U, RJD and SP have already begun making this a major poll issue finding in it a God-sent political opportunity.http://thebiharpost.com
Post Opposition's outrage, EC announces media blackout at PM Modi's Commander's Conference

New Delhi , Jan. 20 : In the wake of the massive opposition being raised to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Combined Commander's Conference in Dehradun stating it is an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to take political advantage, the Election Commission on Friday said the visit would not be a public meeting, adding that no media briefing or announcement shall be made.





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The response by the poll panel came after Congress' accusation against Prime Minister Modi of taking undue political advantage from the upcoming Conference.The Commission also said that holding the Conference at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, is subjected to strict observance of following conditions."The official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting; No media briefing, media interaction, press release or announcement in connection with serving soldier or ex-servicemen which may affect the electorate in five poll going states including Uttarakhand shall be made," a statement read.In a press conference held in Dehradun yesterday, Chief Minister Harish Rawat told reporters that the Prime Minister was attempting to breach the Election Commission's directive by using such meetings for political gains.Rawat said it was strange the commanders' conference 2016, was being held now and that too in a poll-bound state.The Chief Minister further said if the Prime Minister wants to hold such meetings, it should be held in places like Pathankot or Uri or in Jammu and Kashmir or any other operational area.Rawat said the Congress was not against holding the conference in Uttarakhand, but only about its timing.
Taiwan President congratulates Trump after being sworn in as 45th U.S. President

Washington D.C. [United States], Jan. 21 : Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has congratulated Donald Trump after he was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday, a move which is likely to infuriate China.





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"Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership," Tsai tweeted.Trump had angered China last year when he accepted a phone call from President Tsai Ing-wen.The call was thought to be the first between the leader of the island and the US President since ties between the United State and Taiwan were severed in 1979, at Beijing's behest.The US closed its embassy in Taiwan - a democratically-ruled island which China considers a breakaway province - in the late 1970s following the historic rapprochement between Beijing and Washington that stemmed from Richard Nixon's 1972 trip to China.Since then the US has adhered to the 'one China' principle which officially considers the independently governed island part of the Chinese mainland.
UN-backed disaster risk reduction guidelines to help tackle hunger in Latin America

New York, Jan 21 : The United Nations and the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have together crafted a blueprint for making the agriculture, food and nutritional security sectors more disaster-proof so the region can tackle hunger in a sustainable manner.





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This transition cannot be achieved without the development of sectoral measures for disaster risk management involving technologies, productive practices and sustainable use of natural resources, as well as considerable changes in terms of governance, legislation, policies and public and private investment, said Jorge Meza, chief forestry officer of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).Entitled Guidelines and Recommendations for the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Agricultural and Food and Nutrition Security Sector: Latin America and the Caribbean, the document is a guide for such a transition, which was envisioned by the 15-year Framework the most risk-focused international plan ever on curbing the impact of natural and human-induced hazards adopted in March 2015.The guidelines, crafted by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), FAO and the Organization of American States, also aim to support the implementation of a roadmap set down by the 33-nation Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the CELAC Plan for Food Security, Nutrition and Hunger Eradication 2025.More than 34 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean still suffer from hunger, with the majority of them concentrated in the countryside.Millions of producers in the regions poorest rural areas are family subsistence farmers and at very high risk, given that the impact of disasters goes beyond the momentary loss of income or opportunities and directly impacts food security and survival.Therefore, the effect of disasters on the sector and the consequences of climate change not only endanger development gains in rural territories of Latin America and the Caribbean, but also the very food and nutritional security of its entire population. They also undermine the ability of the region to cope in a context where global population growth is driving an expected 60-per cent increase in food demand by 2050.Momentum on the issue has also been built thanks to last years 34th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, hosted by Mexico, which focused attention on the need to boost disaster risk reduction efforts in the sector. This May, Mexico is also set to host the 2017 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.Photo: FAO photoSource: www.justearthnews.com
UN agriculture chief calls for stronger water management, improved access for small farmers

New York, Jan 21 : The head of the United Nations agricultural agency on Friday urged the international community to promote more efficient use of water and to take steps to secure water access, especially for poor family farmers.





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Addressing the annual Global Forum for Food and Agriculture now underway in Berlin, the Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Jos Graziano da Silva, said that growing water scarcity is one of the leading challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Agriculture and food systems bring all of these global goals together and provide opportunities for a transformational change, Graziano da Silva told participants at the Summit, being held this year around the theme of water and agriculture.One of the 17 SDGs aims to improve water access for all people, and water is a theme of other goals related to poverty, hunger and malnutrition, and climate change.In his speech, Graziano de Silva noted that as the world population is expected to exceed nine billion by 2050, and with millions of family farmers already lacking access to freshwater, conflicts over water resources will increase.It is time to act. Improved management of natural resources translates into better livelihoods now and in the future, the FAO Director-General urged.Last December, the UN agency he heads launched a global framework for coping with water scarcity in agriculture. It aims to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes for sustainable use of water in farming.Photo: FAO/Giulio NapolitanoSource: www.justearthnews.com
PM Modi wishes Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya on Statehood Day

New Delhi, Jan 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday wished people of Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya on the ocassion of Statehood Day.





(Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667616384 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/india-news.php  (Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667616384 173O212O198O32)

Greetings to the people of Manipur on their Statehood Day. I hope Manipur will remain blessed with joy and prosperity, Modi tweeted.On their Statehood Day, I convey my best wishes to the people of Tripura and pray for the states all-round growth, he said.Statehood Day greetings to the people of Meghalaya. My best wishes for the development journey of the state, Modi said.
CLARION -- After spending more than a decade in Australia, Jill Howarth moved back to Iowa with her family and started a natural skin care company near Clarion.

The idea for CocoRoo began while Howarth was in Australia and blossomed into a start-up with an online shop.

Were all natural, chemical-free and certified organic, Howarth said. We use the best products.

She created a cold-pressed sweet almond oil coffee scrub, the first coffee scrub in a tube, according to Howarth.

Cold pressed is the best for your skin, Howarth said.

CocoRoo uses cold-pressed organic coconut oil, macadamia nut oil and almond oil in its products.

I had been using coconut oil for years for homemade products, Howarth said. My husbands background is financial so this is what we decided to do.

Howarth graduated from Belmond-Klemme in 1999 then moved on to Colorado State University. She met her husband, James, when she studied abroad in Australia for college 16 years ago.

Living in Australia, Howarth was exposed to more natural ingredients.

I was trying to live a more chemical-free lifestyle, Howarth said.

Howarth started looking at labels on products she purchased. The first ingredient listed for skin care is often water.

I thought, Im paying a lot of money for water, she said. So I started thinking about it more in Australia. They didnt have a lot of preservatives and food coloring in their foods, unlike the U.S.

After a while, the Howarths decided to move to Lake Cornelia, near Clarion, where she decided to start her business.

I grew up here, Howarth said. Always felt like Id come back.

Howarth wanted their 5-year-old daughter, Grace, to experience small-town life.

I wanted her to experience Iowa as well, I mean, the community in Iowa is so nice, she said. Shed never experienced snow.

Howarth created her skin care formulas, found a manufacturer in Omaha and a tube supplier in Pennsylvania.

CocoRoo began pre-sales in September. It officially had product in stock in December.

With a small business, you realize everything takes longer, Howarth said, laughing.

For now, CocoRoo is selling through retailers and direct to customers online at cocoroobody.com. It also is making sales calls to smaller stores throughout North Iowa.

The Howarths have high hopes for their business.

Our long-term hopes are to go national distribution one day, Howarth said. Were very lucky that our manufacturer has the ability to grow with us.

Howarth said her family is happy to have her back in the country and has been supportive of their business venture.
Gambia: Jemmeh decides to relinquish presidency

Banjul, Jan 21 : Following hours of dialogue with African mediators, former Gambian President Yahya Jemmeh has finally decided to relinquish his post, media reports said.





(Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667616387 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667616387 173O212O198O32)

Jemmeh ruled the African nation for 22 years and threatened to not leave office following his defeat in Decembers elections.He cited irregularities in the elections for his stance.Jemmeh was defeated by property developer Adama Barrow, in what is considered by pundits to be the biggest political upset in African politics.I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians, he told state TV.I promise before Allah and the entire nation that all the issues we currently face will be resolved peacefully, he added.Yahya Jemmeh is expected to leave Gambia, as per Mauritian President, who said that a deal was struck.Earlier, fearing the outbreak of violence, thousands of Gambians had fled the nation and moved to Senegal.Senegal, along with several other African nations have also deployed its troops in Gambia.Image: Google Maps
Kim Kardashian bids goodbye to Obama, post photos of Kanye, North with Obama

Washington D.C. [USA], Jan. 21 : Looks like Kim Kardashian is sad to see Barack Obama bidding adieu to the people as President of The United States of America.





(Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667616388 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/hollywood-news.php  (Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667616388 173O212O198O32)

To show love and respect to the outgoing President, 'The Keeping Up With the Kardashians' star wrote a blog post on her website for Obama.The 36-year-old posted a series of pictures of Obama with her husband Kanye West, daughter North during a visit to the White House and wished him a politician farewell.The message that she wrote along with the photos was, "Thank you for leading our country," and "You will be missed."In one of the photographs, Kardashian was seen candidly talking to Obama, whom she met on numerous occasions throughout his eight-year term.Meanwhile, Kim's sister Khloe Kardashian also took to social media after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States and posted a photo of former first lady Michelle Obama fixing Barack's tie and wrote, "I'm asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change?-?but in yours." Terribly sad to see you go but honored I was able to watch firsthand. I hope our history books will do you justice."However, 'The life of Palbo' artist met President Trump just days after the rapper was released from the hospital after suffering a mental breakdown last month.
Bihar: World's longest human chain against alcoholism

Patna, Jan 21 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): More than 20 million people came out on the street on Saturday joining hands together to form the world's longest human chain against alcoholism in Bihar.





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The participants included schoolchildren, college students, teachers, leaders, officials and common men.Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar led the landmark event at Patnas Gandhi Maidan.He was joined by RJD chief Lalu Prasad, son Tejashwi Yadav, education minister Ashok Chaudhary and scores of officials and others.I thank the masses for the massive support to this campaign against alcoholism. The support has laid the foundation of a great social change, the chief minister said in his message. He hoped Bihar would display similar unity in future as well.The event, spread across 11,292 km, was filmed by ISRO satellites, trainer aircrafts, choppers and drone cameras.Till now, the world record for the longest human chain involving five million people was held by Bangladesh. It was formed on 11 December, 2004 along 1050-km (652.4 miles) route from Teknaf to Tentulia.Almost all parties except for Jitan Ram Manjhis Hindustani Awam Morcha and Pappu Yadavs jan Adhukar Party (JAP) lent their support to the human chain programme of the Bihar Government.thebiharpost.com
OSAGE | Excitement was found at the Mitchell County 4-H Award Night held at the Cedar River Complex, Osage, Sunday, Nov. 20, with over 300 4-H members and families in attendance. Presiding over the event were the 2016-2017 County Council members.

Award highlights from the evening included the following.

Tracy Scharper, Osage, was initiated as the Mitchell County Honorary 4-H member. Tracy had been the County Youth Coordinator for 13 years in Mitchell County and played a huge part in the success of the 4-H program. The initiation was performed by the Rocky Ramblers 4-H club.

Banner 4-H Club Certificates were presented to four clubs - Rocky Ramblers, St. Ansgar Believers, Stacyville Shooting Stars and the West Lincoln Blues. Participation in 4-H activities, completion of the year's work and service to the community are a few of the items contributing to a club's score to qualify as a Banner 4-H Club.

Community Service Awards sponsored by the 4-H & Youth Committee were presented to the following clubs - Jenkins Sunshine, Osage High Towers, Rocky Ramblers, St. Ansgar Believers, Stacyville Shooting Stars and the West Lincoln Blues.

A total of 79 Junior Achievement awards and 129 intermediate and senior project awards were presented. These awards were presented by Kari Schwarting and Doug Krabbe, representing the Mitchell County 4-H Foundation. Members of the Mitchell County 4-H Record Book Task Force evaluated award application and materials. They were Audrey Christensen, Deanna Eastman, Lisa Emerson, Karla Jenssen, Kirk & Linda Phelps, Carol Mack and Marlene Weis.

Overall Senior 4-H Achievement Awards were received by the following 4-Hers were:

Ak-Sar-Ben: Adam Koch and Julia Ringhofer, both of Osage.

Agriculture: Alexia Franzen, Riceville; Jacob Metli, Mason City and Sarah Phelps, St. Ansgar.

Citizenship: Hanna Mullenbach and Julia Ringhofer, both of Osage.

4-H Experience: Alexia Franzen, Osage; Gillian Johanns, Osage and Sarah Phelps, St. Ansgar.

Leadership: Gillian Johanns, Adam Koch and Hanna Mullenbach, all of Osage.

Three Mitchell County 4-H members were announced as winners of the annual all-expense paid North Iowa Chicago Youth Award Trip. Lindsay Hemann, Gillian Johanns and Claire Sullivan all of Osage received the award sponsored by the Mitchell County 4-H Foundation and the Mitchell County 4-H & Youth Committee. Winners will travel to Chicago with other North Iowa 4-Hers over the Thanksgiving weekend.

AWARD OF THE 4-H CLOVER

Mitchell County 4-H leaders and 4-H & Youth Committee members were honored for their years of service to the 4-H program. The 4-H "Award of the Clover" is given to volunteers for each five years of service. Donors for the award include the Iowa 4-H Foundation and the Iowa State University Extension Service.

Recipients of the award this year included: 5 Years  Val Berge, Todd Miller, Jamie Schallock and Kari Schwarting; 10 Years  Mike Gerds, Brenda Johanns, Shari Klaes and Michelle Uthe; and 20 Years  Brian Juenger.

Cindy Klaes, Mitchell County Extension Council secretary, presented the awards.

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS NAMED

Hanna Mullenbach and Garrett Maakestad, both of Osage, were awarded the American Youth Foundations National Leadership Award in recognition of personal integrity, balanced living and potential for leadership.

In addition to a Certificate of Recognition, Matthew and Kayla received a copy of Mr. Danforth's inspirational book, I Dare You! Over 7,000 schools, 4-H programs and other organizations take part in this National Leadership Award program each year.

Sponsors for the Mitchell County 4-H Award event included the Mitchell County Farm Bureau, the Mitchell County Cattlemen, the Mitchell County Fair Board and the Mitchell County 4-H Foundation & Youth Committee. Donations were also given by Caseys General Stores and Subway.
Pakistan hands over Indian soldier

Islamabad, Jan 21 : Pakistan has handed over an Indian soldier, who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control in September last year,at the Wagah Border on Saturday, officials confirmed.





(Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667615727 173O212O198O32) https://www.newkerala.com/world-news.php  (Posted on 21 January 2017, 1667615727 173O212O198O32)

He has been identified as Sep Chandu Babulal Chavan.Sep Chandu Babulal Chavan crossed over to Pak Occupied Kashmir from own Krishna Ghati sector on 29 Sep 16. In order to ensure his release the matter was taken up with Pakistani Military authorities through the existing Hotline and scheduled DGMO level talks. His presence was acknowledged by Pakistan on 07 Oct 16, read a government statement.The matter has been continuously raised in scheduled DGMO level talks since then. The issue was also taken up diplomatically through our High Commission in Pakistan and Ministry of External Affairs, he said.Today (21 Jan 17) at 1PM, we finally got confirmation by Pakistan Military Authorities that Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan would be handed over to Indian Authorities at Wagah at 3 PM Indian time. The Jawan was finally handed over to our representatives at Wagah Crossing Point at approx 3:45 PM, it said.
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3 Newport County teams are one win from playing for a title

The playoffs are underway, and there are teams still alive, while others have been eliminated.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Windy with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Higher wind gusts possible..

Tonight

Windy with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Higher wind gusts possible.
GARNER | The IF:Gathering, an event that seeks to gather, equip and unleash women to live out Gods calling in their lives, is returning to Garner in March.

IF:Garner, which includes a simulcast of this year's IF:Gathering event in Austin, Texas, as well as fellowship, music, and food, is Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4, at the GHV High School Auditorium.

Registration begins at 6 p.m. Friday, with the event to take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The gathering continues from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, preceded by coffee and muffins from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Lunch is provided with a gluten-free option.

This event is open to women of all ages. Those from different denominations and those without a church background are welcome.

Visit www.ifgathering.com/localgatherings/ifgarner to register. This event costs $10, plus at least a $1 donation to IF:Gathering. Financial assistance is available.

Contact Mary Graham at 641-512-6589 or email her m4grahamcracker@yahoo.com for more information about IF:Garner or to donate to the event.
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Ray Chambers, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Health in Agenda 2030 and for Malaria, today announced the launch of the End Malaria Council, a group of influential public and private sector leaders who aim to ensure malaria eradication remains a top global priority.

"The next chapter of the fight against malaria starts now," said Gates, who co-authored a report with Chambers in 2015 called Aspiration to Action: What will it take to end malaria? "For the first time in history, we have a roadmap to a world without malaria - where no one has to die from a mosquito bite ever again. With renewed focus, innovation and new commitments of leadership and funding, we can be the generation to end malaria once and for all."

The launch of the End Malaria Council comes just a month after the release of the World Health Organization's 2016 World Malaria Report, which showed remarkable progress in reducing cases and deaths from malaria since 2000, but also underscored the urgent need for global leadership, new funding and innovation to stay on track to meet targets.

Members of the End Malaria Council will work in collaboration with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership and other key partners to help countries and regions achieve their malaria control and elimination goals. Members of this unique group will use their voices and networks to support the work already underway by malaria field workers, scientists and experts by focusing on three areas: building political will, mobilizing resources and supporting the development of new tools to find, prevent and treat malaria.

The Council has nine founding members, a group of whom met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland to discuss strategies for filling critical financing gaps in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The End Malaria Council will grow to represent all of the key malaria-endemic regions. Inaugural members include:

Thanks to strong leadership, smart investments and the hard work of the public and private sectors, the world has cut malaria deaths in half since 2000, saving more than 6 million lives from the disease. Malaria-related deaths are at an all-time low, especially among children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. This can be largely attributed to the unprecedented delivery of more than 500 million insecticide-treated bed nets over the last three years, along with significant expansion of diagnosis and treatment.

But malaria preys on the rural poor and the young, still killing a child every two minutes. It stunts productivity, burdens families with health care costs, limits educational achievement and slows overall economic growth.

"We have reached a critical juncture in the malaria fight," said Chambers. "To end this disease we need a creative approach to financing - one that combines continued support from donor countries with new approaches to expand commitments, particularly from countries affected by malaria."

Ending malaria is within reach, but the next few years are critical. Success requires maintaining the progress to date, achieving control in endemic countries and accelerating to elimination where possible. Leaders in Africa and Asia have adopted ambitious elimination agendas for their regions, and countries are working hard to achieve the reductions in cases and deaths to meet the bold goals.

"Ending malaria was once an impossible dream," said H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, who lost a brother to malaria when he was a child and made malaria a key priority while in office. "It is now within our reach. It will take strong leadership and serious financial commitments, but I believe we can make history and end this brutal disease once and for all."
Indian Motorcycle, Americas first motorcycle company, has introduced the newest and edgiest members of the Indian Chief range- Indian Springfield and Indian Chieftain Dark Horse in Bengaluru.Named after the birthplace of Indian Motorcycle, the Springfield offers classic styling blended with modern technology for a purists take on both touring comfort and urban versatility.However, the Chieftain Dark Horse offers a ton of matte black, a flicker of chrome, and a wealth of features to roll as one of the most aggressive American-made V-twin touring bikes on the market.The two bespoke Indian baggers were unveiled by Mr Pankaj Dubey, CEO & Director, Eicher Polaris Pvt Ltd and Country Head & Managing Director, Polaris India Pvt Ltd along with Mr Anil Shankar, President and CEO, Exquisite Moto LLP.Powered by the Thunder Stroke 111 engine, the Springfield delivers 138.9 Nm @ 2600 rpm of torque to conquer any highway in any weather. Its unique new chassis was designed to handle a wide load range, featuring cartridge forks and an air adjustable rear shock with 11.43 cm of travel for safely transporting up to 241.7 kg.Touring comfort can be further enhanced with a full line of accessories including a tall and low windshield, heated driver and passenger seats, soft lowers, a 64.3 Litres accessory trunk and heated grips to keep riders comfortable in cool temperatures.Yet in minutes its quick-release windscreen and saddlebags can be removed creating a classically styled, high performance cruiser. The split seat, featuring a unique stitch and stud pattern, can likewise be trimmed down to create a tight and low solo look, giving the Springfield a truly customizable personality.Powered by the Thunder Stroke 111 engine and built upon the same highly lauded chassis and suspension as the Chieftain, the edgy new Chieftain Dark Horse comes from the factory outfitted with a solo seat and short, tinted power windscreen, yet maintains its spacious hard bags, ABS, electronic cruise control, integrated premium audio system and remote key fob with keyless ignition.To amplify the Dark Horse family attributes, not only are the fenders, fairing, fuel tank and bags blacked out, the iconic Indian Motorcycle headdress, forks, mirrors, handlebars and switch cubes, turn signals, tank console, engine and airbox cover, lower controls, floorboards and taillight housing are also blacked out.
Suzuki Motorcycle India has said it will export its made in India flagship motorcycle 'Gixxer' to the Japanese market.It is for the first time that a model manufactured by Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) is being exported to Japan where its parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) is based.The company has already dispatched the first consignment for the Japanese shores. "We are already exporting Gixxer to other countries like Latin America and some surrounding countries.The export of made in India vehicles to Japan denotes the high quality benchmarks established by SMIPL and its expanding global role," SMIPL Managing Director Satoshi Uchida said in a statement.Exporting the Gixxer to Japan would also mean showcasing the advanced technology and superior quality standards within the competitive price range that have been developed by SMIPL in India, he added."We are confident that the Gixxer will be well accepted by Japanese consumer as well," Uchida said. The Gixxer is powered by a 155cc, single cylinder, air cooled engine with a five-speed gearbox.
Bengaluru: Going against outsourcing will make America lose jobs, not create more, Nasscom president R Chandrashekar has said, reacting to newly sworn-in US President Donald Trumps inauguration speech that hinted at reining in outsourcing of services.



Speaking to News18, Chandrashekar pointed out that the US has a shortage in skills and Trump wants to create jobs. "The Indian IT industry helps the US on both fronts. So going against outsourcing will make US lose jobs not create jobs. When he says 'Buy American, Hire American', I'm sure he doesn't mean to 'Make America Less Efficient', because protectionism will hurt not just the Indian economy but also the American economy."



The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) is a non-profit global trade body of over 2,000 IT and ITeS Companies that has grown over the years into a significant lobby group on policy for the sector.



The reaction was to Trumps reiteration that he would focus on bringing jobs back to the US by ensuring lesser companies are shipped offshore.



IT honcho and former HR head at Infosys TV Mohandas Pai, who is also chairman of venture capital firm Aarin Capital, concurred with Chandrashekar.



"It is not possible to reverse globalisation. India is not Trump's enemy, China is. (Prime Minister) Modi should get along well with the Trump administration. The number of visas may go down, but there will be more offshore work," Pai said, speaking to News18 in Kolkata. He said he remained optimistic about Indians working in the US and job losses will be marginal.



A Nasscom delegation will also visit the US in the next couple of months and meet with US policymakers, legislators and the new administration  one of the goals would be to enlighten them on how rigorous protectionism is not in America's interests and will actually lead to loss of jobs.


I assure protesting students that a law will be brought in, which would be permanent: Tamil Nadu CM Panneerselvam on #Jallikattu pic.twitter.com/o9zPF74ZSz  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

Massive crowd at Chennai's Marina Beach, people continue to gather in support of the bull taming sport #Jallikattu pic.twitter.com/hMh840lyTb  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

We have also formed 17 medical teams to screen the bulls, 20 medical teams for people participating: Madurai DM,KV Raghava Rao #Jallikattu pic.twitter.com/hEEELyGbOl  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday approved an Ordinance on Jallikattu, paving the way for the bull-taming sport to be held in the southern state.Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support, will inaugurate Jallikattu at Madurais Alanganallur, famous for conducting the rural sport, at 10 am.In other areas, ministers from the respective regions will inaugurate the sport at 11 am, Panneerselvam said."I urge the youths, students and the general public to make Jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," he said.As the state-wide protests, including at the Marina Beach, entered the fifth day, Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by Tamil Nadu was received on Friday night."The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act) has been obtained from Governor also," he said, adding, "our dream to conduct Jallikattu this year has come true."He said a draft Bill to replace the ordinance and amend the PCA Act paving the way for holding Jallikattu without any hindrance will be introduced and adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assembly's session which begins on January 23.Tamil Nadu Education Minister K Pandiarajan has told CNN-News18 that the state is also exploring legal options to ban the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). We will also work towards banning PETA. Thats the other commitment we have made and we will work towards it. We are exploring all legal options. We dont want to take any step that gets struck down in the court of law... As our general secretary Chinamma (AIADMK chief VK Sasikala) has committed, it will happen, Pandiarajan said.Many students who gathered at the Marina Beach here said they would wait for Jallikattu to officially commence before they start dispersing.Several people across the state welcomed the decision, saying Jallikattu was part of Tamil culture and steps should be taken immediately to make it a permanent feature.Against the backdrop of the sport being held based on directions of the Supreme Court, the central government had notified bulls under section 22 of the PCA Act, 1960.It prohibited training and exhibiting bulls as performing animals and following that in 2014 Supreme Court altogether banned the sport.The apex court had also struck down the 2009 Act of Tamil Nadu government regulating Jallikattu holding it repugnant to the PCA Act 1960.Tamil Nadu had been knocking on the doors of the apex court and filed a review petition against the ban which was also dismissed by the top court in December last.In 2015, AIADMK MPs had spoken in Parliament batting for an amendment by the Centre to allow Jallikattu. However, since that was not done, then CM Jayalalithaa had urged promulgation of an Ordinance on December 22, 2015 to allow the sport.Following such efforts, the Centre had issued a notification on January 7, 2016 allowing Jallikattu which was subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court.(With PTI inputs)
Islamabad: Pakistan's two parliamentary committees in rare joint resolution asked India to immediately suspend work on two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir and agree on the constitution of an arbitration court to resolve the water dispute.



National Assembly's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Water and Power held a joint sitting in Islamabad yesterday to discuss water issues with India.



A joint resolution unanimously adopted in the meeting asked India to halt the construction work, Dawn reported. The resolution also called upon the World Bank to constitute a court of arbitration to adjudicate on issues raised by Pakistan against India's ongoing construction of Kishanganga and Ratle hydro projects.



It said that under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), it is the responsibility of the World Bank to play its role without further delay.



Until the World Bank constitutes the court of arbitration, it must persuade India to put an immediate halt to ongoing construction of the Ratle dam till the issue is resolved, read the joint resolution adopted unanimously by both the government and opposition members of the committees.



The construction of dams on the western rivers by India has brought the two countries at loggerheads and Pakistan has engaged the World Bank, a facilitator of the IWT, to stop India from going ahead with the construction.



The committees were briefed on the agenda Indian threat on the Indus Waters Treaty and to chart out a course of action for Pakistan. The meeting was co-chaired by Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Muhammad Arshad Khan Leghari, members of the parliament and the chairmen of the two committees.



Briefing the committees, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said all options were available with Pakistan in case India violated the IWT.



"We will not let India violate the treaty," Chaudhry said, adding that Pakistan had already engaged the World Bank to look into the issue as guarantor.



"We have already requested the World Bank to appoint chairman of the arbitration court," he said.



The secretary said Islamabad would defend its right at any cost. New Delhi, he alleged, was using delaying tactics while "we want to resolve the issue at the earliest".



Pakistan has serious reservations over an Indian move to construct 45 to 60 dams on the western rivers, he said.



Water and Power Secretary Younus Dagha said Pakistan was challenging the construction of Kishanganga and Ratle projects in the court of international arbitration. He, however, said India had not as yet started work on Ratle project.



Former foreign minister and Tehrik-i-Insaf leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the water dispute with India had reached such alarming proportions that it could even dwarf the Kashmir issue. He suggested the government to evolve a clear roadmap, assuring his party's support on the issue.












#FLASH Pak handed over Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan, who inadvertently crossed the LoC on 29 Sep 2016, to Indian authorities at 1430 hrs.  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

Thankful to GoI;indebted to MoS Defence Subhash Bhamre ji & others for their efforts to bring him back-Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan's brother pic.twitter.com/T47a9Wz4cD  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

In a goodwill gesture, after months of tense ties, Pakistan on Saturday returned to India soldier Chandu Chavan who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control last year.Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre told CNN News18 that Chavan, a soldier with the Rashtriya Rifles in Kashmir, was released to the Indian authorities at the Wagah Border at 2:30pm.We got information only last week that Pakistan plans to release Chandu Chavan. Chandu is in Indian territory with Indian officials, Bhamre said.Chavan had on September 29 inadvertently crossed over to the other side of the LoC following which Pakistan had been informed by the DGMO on the hotline. Soon after the news broke, Chavans grandmother Lila Chindha Patil had died of shock.His brother Bhushan on Saturday said his family was not informed of Chandus release by the Indian Army but got to know about it from Pakistan Army spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor's tweet. I am thankful to the Government of India and indebted to MoS Defence Subhash Bhamre ji and others for their efforts in bringing my brother back, he said.According to a statement by ISPR, the Pakistan Armys media wing, Chavan, stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, "deserted his post at the LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders"."He wilfully crossed LOC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," IANS quoted ISPR as saying the Pakistan Army's media wing claimed.It claimed that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LOC and WB (International Border, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wahga Border on humanitarian grounds."
MASON CITY | Local police agencies will be honored next week with a special display at a cooperative for Mason City artists.

Several artists provided artwork featuring their interpretations of the theme, the thin blue line, for the display at Art on the Plaza, 11 Federal Ave.

Mason City artist Peggy Cornick, who created pieces for the show, says the display is a way to give back to local law enforcement officers.

"They are so not recognized for what they do," said Cornick, a potter.

Representatives from the Mason City Police Department and Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office will choose one of the pieces to keep for their agencies.

Mediums include silk painting, basket weaving, pottery, glass art and jewelry.

Artists were free to interpret the theme any way they chose.

"I am blown away by the very good things that the different artists made," said glass artist Chris White-Rozendaal, who also participated. "You don't have any idea what anybody's going to take from it, but everybody used their own artistic flair and there's some really cool stuff."

The public can view the display during Art on the Plaza's regular hours, noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Art on the Plaza is an artist-run cooperative that opened about a year ago.

It displays pieces created by a number of artists who also work at the gallery, but also shows artwork submitted by the public.

The gallery is juried, which means artwork that is displayed must first be approved by an artist or panel of artists.
Kolkata: Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants on Saturday were sentenced to death on charge of sedition by a court in Bongaon in West Bengal.



Two among the three militants are reportedly Pakistani nationals. All three were convicted under section 121 and 121A of the IPC which deals with punishment for conspiring to wage war against the Union of India.



The BSF had arrested a group of four suspected militants from the land border at Petrapole in Bengal on 4 April, 2007 while they were trying to sneak in from Bangladesh. They were then handed over to the state CID.



Investigations revealed that two of the militants, Md. Yunus and Md. Abdullah, were Pakistani nationals. The other two  Muzaffar Ahmed Rathore hailed from Kashmir and Sheikh Sameer was a resident of Maharashtra. Police said, Yunus, the senior-most member of the group, is also a fidayeen militant.



The squad members travelled from Karachi and met in Dhaka from where they took the land route in their attempt to sneak into India with forged documents.



The CID had recovered large cache of explosives after interrogating the squad members.



Narco analysis tests were also performed on them. It was revealed that all four were trained at Lashkar camps in Pakistan and had planned to attack defence establishments in Kashmir.



They were found to have received training in automatic rifles, grenades and assembling IEDs.



In the middle of the trial in 2014, Sameer escaped the clutches of the investigators when he jumped from a moving train in Chhattisgarh during his transit to Maharashtra where he was being taken for production before a court. He remains at large ever since.



All three convicted militants would appeal before a higher court against the death penalty.
Patna: Senior Bihar cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officers don't seem to be enjoying the postings in the state and are instead opting for central deputation, suggests the state home department website.



According to figures, the state is dealing with a severe dearth of senior police officers and that is the reason law and order situation is taking a hit.



The website figures state that out of 18 sanctioned posts of ADG rank, 11 officers are under central deputation. Similarly, there are 10 DG rank posts and of these 4 officers are on deputation; of the 35 IG ranks posts sanctioned in the state, 13 officers are on central deputation.



However, the Bihar DGP PK Thakur contradicts the notion that IPS officers are not interested in serving the state.



"The police officers are sent to central deputation according to rules. DG and ADG rank officers are deputed for 7 years, while IG and SP rank officers are sent to central deputation for 5 and 4 years respectively. Bihar police has able officers and there is no shortage of them," said Thakur.



Despite DGP Tahkur's positive view of the force, many officers are burdened with additional charge of different departments.



According to police sources, many IPS officers are busy making arrangements for their central deputation.



Former Bihar DGP Ashish Ranjan argues that every state government has to send its officers to central deputation and the permission for this is given by chief minister of the state.



"First, the officer willing for deputation posting sends his application to DGP and after this it goes to CM who decides on the application," said Ranjan.



According to the ex-DGP Ranjan, most of the IPS officers who opt for deputation are those whose children are studying outside the state or their wives are posted there.



Ranjan also says that it is not appropriate to say that officers are going for deputation due to Nitish Kumar-led Mahagathbandhan government.
The prospect of a pre-poll alliance in Uttar Pradesh between the Samajwadi Party and Congress seemed all but over after Congress did not show interest in the 99 seats offered by the SP; but with Sonia Gandhi stepping in there still is some hope.According to sources, Akhilesh Yadav and Congress poll strategist Prashant Kishor have begun seat sharing talks.Sources in the Samajwadi Party said the Congress was offered 99 seats, but the latter wanted the number increased to 110. The SP had earlier offered the Congress 141 seats, but scaled it down to 121 after the Election Commission decided the cycle symbol dispute in favour of Chief Minster Akhilesh Yadav, who agreed to give some of the seats to candidates favoured by his father Mulayam, sources said.Sources added that the Congress had asked for 100-120 seats but was reluctant to accommodate Ajit Singhs Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) within this quota. It asked the SP for more seats, but the ruling party, which is opposed to a tie-up with the RLD, refused. The last straw apparently was the announcement of the Samajwadi Partys first list of candidates, including for the Congress bastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli.The 403-seat Uttar Pradesh assembly heads to seven-phase elections on February 11.The news is almost true... It (talks) are almost on the verge of breaking. Congress wanted to have the upper hand We tried our best, said Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Aggarwal. Confirming the seat-sharing hurdle, Agarwal said: We told them that we can't contest in less than 300 seats, but Congress was adamant as if they are a very influential party in Uttar Pradesh.Congresss state president Raj Babbar, however, said talks were on. His party colleague Ghulam Nabi Azad asked reporters to wait for Sunday morning for a final word on the alliance.(With agency inputs)
Chennai: As her party led government ensured conduct of jallikattu by issuing an ordinance, AIADMK General Secretary V K Sasikala on Saturday claimed that she had directed the party and the government to make sustained efforts for the conduct of the bull taming sport.



The AIADMK government's continuous efforts in the lines of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the 'dignified' protests taken forward by young men and women had "reclaimed the bravery sport for us," she said.



"I consider Tamils' rights and sentiments as (my) two eyes. That is why I had earlier issued a statement in support of the students and young protesters. I made the government keep up sustained efforts for conduct of jallikattu," she said.



Following this, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while the party MPs had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, she said.



Sasikala also thanked Modi for "understanding the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and having supported" the state government's efforts to ensure conduct of jallikattu.



The AIADM general secretary said she was following the slogan "I am because of the people, I am for the people" by Jayalalithaa while the government was following the path laid down by the late Chief Minister.



"I wish to assure one and all that both myself and this government will work together for the rights and welfare of the Tamil race," she said in a statement.



Sasikala also appealed to the agitating youth to withdraw their stir since they had the "responsibility" of carrying on with their education and other routine activities.



She also likened their protests to the Philippines' 'People Power' revolution and extended her greetings to the Tamil youth for carrying out dignified protests, bereft of any untoward incidents.



Such protests had proved that the Tamil race was 'mature' and that its people were 'selfless', she added.



Sasikala also recalled the sustained efforts by Jayalalithaa in ensuring jallikattu was held in the state.
New Delhi: A proposed, potentially game-changing alliance between Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) is now hanging on a thread posing serious questions over the negotiation skills of both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi as well as the ambitions of the new doyen of SP, Akhilesh Yadav.



The alliance, whose inevitability was much publicised by both the Congress and SP leadership while the faction feud for SP was going on has now reached a deadlock and could be squarely blamed on the inability of both parties to grasp fast-changing political situations.



SP leaders told News18 that now that Akhilesh has got the SP lock, stock and barrel, it would be the Congress that would benefit more from the tie-up.



As for Congress, comparisons are inevitable with Sonia Gandhi who had beaten all odds to reach out to unlikely allies like DMK and stitched a formidable alliance in UPA that went on to rule New Delhi for a decade.



Those in the know say that as long as Congress was ok with 100 seats  including a certain share to be apportioned to Ajit Singhs RLD whose writ is limited to 3 districts  things were fine.



But the talks reached a deadlock when Congress negotiators pushed the envelope too far and asked for more seats so that after accommodating RLD Congress could be left with at least 100 for itself.



Sources said SP was miffed as Congress chose bureaucrats like Dhiraj Srivastava, a Rajasthan cadre officer and in-charge of grievance cell of Rae Bareli and Amethi, to carry on the negotiations instead of deputing senior leaders who understand the nuances of political deal-making.



A shocked Congress watched as SP released seats for 5 phases, including in the Gandhi family pocket boroughs of Amethi and Rae Bareli.



With Congress continuing to be a marginal player in the state  a point that Mayawati asserted in her press conference on Saturday  if the alliance breaks it will make the partys prospects bleaker. It certainly doesn't augur well for the leadership of Rahul, and more importantly, Priyanka, who has been at the forefront of the UP negotiations.



The UP assembly polls is seen by many as a test-dose for the 2019 General Elections, and the inability of Rahul and Priyanka to stitch together a seemingly-natural alliance would be embarrassing to the party.




Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao has okayed an Ordinance that lifts the ban on Jallikattu, the ruling AIADMK said, adding that the bull-taming sport will be inaugurated by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam in Madurai at 10am tomorrow.

However, protesters gathered at Chennais Marina Beach and other parts of the state for the fifth straight day refused to abandon post, demanding a permanent solution.

The bill to replace the Ordinance will be tabled in the Assembly on January 23 when the session begins, the party tweeted.

As it happened:

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
New Delhi: As the possibility of a Bihar-style Grand Alliance in UP looks increasingly unlikely, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) on Saturday released its second list of candidates for the upcoming UP assembly polls next month.



This comes just a day after the party had declared that it had the support of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars JD (U) and that they would contest on all 403 assembly seats in the state.



On Friday, the party had announced candidates from mostly its strongholds in western UP, including Baghpat, Baraut, Chhaprauli, Loni and Modinagar. On Saturday, too, most of the seats announced were in western UP, many of which have sitting RLD MLAs.



While the party had won nine seats in the 2012 assembly polls, it drew a blank in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as its core voter base  the Jats of western UP  had flocked to the BJP. RLD was hoping to win back support of the Jats, many of whom are dissatisfied with the BJP, but those hopes seemed dashed after UP CM Akhilesh Yadav sprung a surprise and unilaterally declared 209 candidates for the first three phases on Friday.



RLD had reacted sharply as the SP shut the door on a potential alliance. RLD General Secretary Trilok Tyagi said, We will contest in all 403 seats in the state. The SP spoke to us and then went away. If Akhilesh doesn't want to be CM then what can we do? They (SP) are doing this under pressure from BJP. They are siding with the communal forces and we will not let that happen. Mulayam was right when he said some in his party are scared of CBI. At this stage, we cant say if we will go with Congress if their talks fail too.


Sources say an alliance between the Congress and Samajwadi Party is unlikely as talks have failed between the two.

Reports of a breakdown in talks comes a day before Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is to release the SPs election manifesto.

In further setback to the ruling party, Mulayam Singh Yadav loyalist Ambika Chaudhary crossed over to Mayawatis BSP, berating Akhilesh for the shameful treatment of his father.

As it happened.

Read all the Latest News , Breaking News , watch Top Videos and Live TV here.
WASHINGTON  Mason City High School students who witnessed the inauguration of President Donald Trump Friday said it was an experience they'll never forget.

High school history teacher John Lee made the arrangements to bring the students to Washington, accompanied by him and five other adults.

One student, Brad Lorence, said, "It was a unique experience just being there. It's nothing like watching it on TV. It's all very historical."

Pausing for a moment to put it in perspective, he said, "Someday I'll be able to tell my grandkids I saw the 45th president of the United States inaugurated."

Another student, Emily Balluff said, "The experience of watching him getting sworn in was amazing. There were some supporters near us who shouted and cheered at Republicans who spoke and booed Democrats  and that was a little distracting. But other than that, it was fantastic."

She said one of the things she'll remember about the event was the exuberance of the thousand of people in attendance. "It was empowering. It was energizing," she said.

Lee said some of the students were interviewed by television crews from Korea and Venezuela.

"We got in our spot at about 8 o'clock in the morning and the swearing-in didn't start until noon. So in that respect it was a long morning," said Lee. "But the music started at about 9:30 and that helped. And we have pretty creative kids who know how to pass the time, and that helped too."

By mid-afternoon Friday, the Mason City contingent was busy sightseeing. They will fly home Sunday night and arrive in Mason City early Monday morning.
New Delhi: Days after veteran Congress leader Narayan Dutt Tiwari met BJP President Amit Shah, his son Rohit Shekhar Tiwari on Saturday asserted that their options are open as there has been "no response" from the party since the meeting.



"Kahani abhi baki hai. (Story is not over yet). Our options are open," Rohit told PTI.



The meeting on Wednesday had set off speculation that BJP may field Rohit, who had accompanied his father, from Uttarakhand, which goes to polls on February 15, but absence of any clear assurance from Shah and his team since have dampened the mood in the Tiwari family.



"There has been no response from BJP since we met Shah. We are confounded. We want to play a role in the campaign. My father is a big name in Uttarakhand and also Uttar Pradesh.



Whoever he blesses on a dais will be the winner. "Our options are still open. Our political options are open. I hope BJP clarifies soon," Rohit told PTI, adding that they had not joined the party.



Rohit, who had accompanied his father, said he wanted to contest from Lalkuan constituency in Uttarakhand and claimed that BJP leaders in their interactions with him had given "some kind of assurance that if you are willing to join (BJP), we will give you ticket".



BJP had announced its candidate from the seat on January 16.



Indicating that he is weighing options outside BJP, he said his family will definitely play a big role in the campaign whatever be the response of the saffron party.



Rohit said he will soon address a press conference in either Delhi, Dehradun or Lucknow on their future course.



Though BJP is yet to announce its candidates from some seats in Utarakhand and his name is doing the rounds as one of the probables, he said there was no time left for him toprepare to contest from other seats as he had worked on Lalkuan after getting assurance from leaders there.



The 91-year-old former Uttarakhand chief minister is himself not politically active much but wants his son to start his political innings from the hill state. His meeting with Shah was construed by many as a step in this regard.



It was also seen as a boost to the party's prospects in the state due to the stature Tiwari enjoys there because of his vast administrative experience.



Rohit also heaped praise on Samajwadi Party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and noted that his father had written to Mulayam Singh Yadav to let his son take over the party's mantle following the bitter feud in the clan.


Facebook on Friday lifted its "unexplained" 20-hour ban on Russian television network RT for posting content on its Facebook page, and Dataminr Twitter news-discovery service soon followed to also revoke its ban -- hours before Donald Trump's inauguration as US President.According to a report in RT.com, Dataminr did not to provide any official explanation for the decision to revoke the ban.Social networking giant Facebook, facing criticism for allegedly spreading fake news that favoured Trump and "racial bias" in hate speech censorship, banned RT (formerly Russia Today) from posting content on its page on Thursday. The ban was supposed to last until Saturday (10.55 pm Moscow time).RT was live during outgoing US President Barack Obama's final press conference when a Facebook bot notification interrupted RT's live stream.The ban was revoked on Friday morning."RT's right to share such content as live streams, images and videos with its over four million followers on its Facebook page were restored. The ban was put in place shortly after RT's broadcast of Barack Obama's final press conference as president," RT said in a report.Within hours, Dataminr, which monitors Twitter content, also revoked its ban.Asked why it had imposed a ban in the first place, Dataminr referred to a "review of how we work with government agencies"."Per our November 30, 2016 notice to you, Dataminr is electing not to renew the Renewal Term. As such, your agreement ended on December 31, 2016," Dataminr's legal team was quoted as saying.Dataminr transforms the Twitter stream and other public datasets into alerts. It is used by media and other organisations to track tweets for news.The Facebook bot that interrupted RT's live stream stated that rights to the content had been claimed by Current Time TV, a project of Radio Liberty in collaboration with the Voice of America."Radio Liberty is an independent corporation, financed by the US Congress," the report said.Current Time TV denied any complaint against the Russian media outlet and said that the channel did not send any complaints regarding RT or any other organisations in connection with the live feed.On Thursday, 77 advocacy groups wrote a letter to the social media giant asking it to be more transparent about its censorship decisions.In the open letter, the advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), asked Facebook to be more transparent about its censorship decisions and sought a report that compiles data on the company's censorship decisions.
Peshawar: A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded vegetable market in minority Shias dominated Parachinar in northwest Pakistan's restive Kurram tribal agency, killing at least 25 people and injuring 50 others.



The blast - claimed by Tehrik-i-Taliban - occurred at the market inside Eidgah Bazaar in Parachinar, the administrative headquarters of the agency near the Afghan border.



Citing the political administration in Kurram agency, Geo TV said that at least 25 people were killed in the blast.



However, in a brief statement the military said that 20 people have been killed in the attack.



Initial report suggests that explosives kept in a vegetable crate exploded during auction of the vegetables, officials said.

The injured were shifted to Parachinar headquarters hospital where there is a shortage of doctors and medical facilities. At least 10 patients were said to be in critical condition.



A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the improvised explosive device (IED) blast took place at 08:50 AM in the vegetable market.



"Army and FC Quick Response officials have reached the blast site and cordoned off the area. Army helicopters have been flown in for medical evacuation of the injured," it said.



Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan condemned the attack and ordered a detailed report regarding the incident.



Muttahida Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, a Shia political organisation, announced three days of mourning over the blast.



According to officials, the death toll is expected to rise as the market was crowded due to early morning rush.



Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Umer Khurasani has claimed responsibility for the blast. He said the blast was to avenge the killing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi chief Asif Chotu.



Asif, who was on Pakistan's most wanted terrorist list and carried a bounty of Rs 3,000,000 on his head, was killed along with three aides in an encounter near Lahore on Tuesday.



He was directly involved in killing over 100 citizens of Pakistan in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Indirectly, he was involved in killing of over 200 people.



LeJ was founded in 1996 as a militant offshoot of Sipah-i-Sahaba, a Sunni sectarian group that emerged in the mid-1980s. LeJ has claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of civilians, mostly minority Shia Muslims.



Opposition Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the blast and said that "in order to defeat terrorism people will have to support the PPP."



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan said that attack on unarmed civilians is not acceptable. "The terrorists should be tried and the victims be given justice," he said.



Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khatakk and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the attack.



Parachinar has a sizeable Shia population and in the past the minority community was targeted through bombings.



In December 2015, a similar blast at the Eidgah Market killed 25 people and injured 70 others.



Kurram is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces and at one point was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border. It has witnessed scores of attacks.
Penne: Emergency workers on Saturday pulled four more survivors from the ruins of an Italian hotel buried under an avalanche three days ago, after the "miracle" rescue of a woman and four children on Friday.



Two women and a man were pulled out around 3:00 am (0200 GMT) and another man was extracted soon after dawn from the ruins of the Rigopiano hotel in the mountains of central Italy.



The latest operations bring to 11 the total number of survivors of the disaster, including two hotel guests who were outside the building when the avalanche struck on Wednesday evening.



Four bodies have been recovered so far, leaving at least 12 people and possibly up to 20 unaccounted for. It is not certain how many people were at the hotel at the time of the avalanche.



Scores of mountain police, firefighters and other emergency personnel have worked painstakingly since the first rescuers battled through a snowstorm to reach the hotel early on Thursday.



Progress has been agonisingly slow, with rescuers wary of triggering further movements in the snow piled up on top of the masonry.



But with many internal rooms apparently intact, there are hopes that other survivors may yet be found.



It emerged Saturday that all four of the children who were in the hotel had survived because they were all together in a games room at the time of the avalanche.



An entire family of four was among the survivors.
Washington: Donald Trump was sworn-in as the 45th President of the US, ushering in a new era that he vowed would shatter the established order and reverse a national decline he deemed as an "American carnage".



"I will fight for you with every breath in my body, and I will never, ever let you down," Trump told hundreds of thousands of rain-soaked admirers and onlookers on Friday in a 16-minute Inaugural Address from the West Front of the Capitol here.



"America will start winning again, winning like never before. We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams," the New York Times reported citing Trump as saying.



"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," Trump said



He arrived at the White House for the first time as President just before 5 p.m., following a day of tradition marking the power shift in the nation's capital.



In a ceremony on the flag-draped West Front earlier on Friday, Trump placed his left hand on a family Bible and another that belonged to former President Abraham Lincoln and promised to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.



As light rain began to fall on a crowd stretching toward the Washington Monument, Trump took the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts with the new First Lady, Melania, CNN reported.



At age 70, Trump became the oldest president sworn in for the first time and the first born in New York since Franklin D. Roosevelt.



"From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, from this day forward, it's going to be only 'America first! America first!'"



And he told Americans listening to the address: "You will never be ignored again."



Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter attended the ceremony. Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in the November election, was also in the audience.



Before the swearing-in, Trump and his family attended a private church service at St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the church of the Presidents.



The Obamas greeted Trump and the new First Lady at the North Portico of the White House before hosting them for tea, CNN reported.



Obama wrote a letter to Trump and left it on the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, as outgoing presidents typically do for their successors. As Obama left the Oval Office for the final time, he was asked whether he had any words for the American people.



"Thank you," Obama responded.



Trump attended a joint congressional inaugural luncheon in the Capitol before heading back to the White House.



Halfway along Pennsylvania Avenue, Trump's vehicle stopped and the new first couple walked hand-in-hand past the cheering crowds.



After taking office, the US Senate confirmed two cabinet nominations - James N. Mattis as defence secretary and John F. Kelly as secretary of homeland security - but Democrats temporarily held up Mike Pompeo's confirmation as CIA director, an announcement expected later on Monday, The New York Times said.



Trump did not waste any time and issued orders freezing new regulations from recent weeks and ordering agencies to "ease the burden" of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the Obamacare during the transition from repealing to replacing the law.



Meanwhile, there were protests in Washington D.C. which led to the arrest of 217 demonstrators with 6 policemen injured. Violence broke out as the demonstrators smashed shop windows and burned a limousine.



Anti-Trump protests also took place in New York, Berlin, London and Berlin.



The day came to an end with three inaugural balls.



The first was the Liberty Ball held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre that was attended by supporters who donated to the inauguration or purchased tickets, the New York Times reported.



The First Couple made their entry amid applause. Melania was dressed in an ivory evening gown by designer Herve Pierre with a white ruffle cascading down the front while Trump was in a tuxedo and bow-tie.



The couple then shared their first dance as the White House's new tenants to Frank Sinatra's "My Way".



Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, as well as the couples' children joined them on the stage, The Washington Post reported.



Minutes later, they repeated the ritual at the Freedom Ball. There, Trump addressed the crowd, declaring "We will not be taken advantage of anymore" and even asking the audience "should I keep the Twitter going? It's a way of bypassing dishonest media."



The last was the Armed Services Ball, had a video call with US troops located in Afghanistan's Bagram Airbase.



The airbase personnel took turns congratulating Trump on his victory.



Melania Trump also addressed the crowd. "Thank you all for your service," she said. "I'm honoured to be your First Lady. We will win. And we will make America great again."



The First Couple danced to a rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." Then, per tradition, they danced with service members.










Over 200 protesters were arrested as brick-throwing vandals torched a vehicle and damaged half- dozen stores after a series of protests marring Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony gave way to violent street clashes here in the US.Six police officers were also injured and at least two police officers and another person in downtown Washington were taken to hospital after run-ins with protesters, Fire spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.A large number of protesters had gathered in the national capital since early morning on Friday to voice their anger and hold demonstrations against what they alleged were the divisive policies of the new Trump administration.A limousine was later set aflame as Trump rode a short distance away in his inaugural parade. Police in riot gear used pepper spray and concussion grenades to halt the rampage near the US Capitol where Trump was inaugurated.Officers responded by launching smoke and flash-bang devices, which could be heard from blocks away, into the street to disperse the crowds.At least 217 protesters were arrested, the CNN report said.Earlier, police had to use pepper spray to disperse people who had gathered outside the National Press Club, against what they called "the Alt-Reich," a reference to new administrations's allegedly divisive, sexist and racist policies.Washington Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Lt Sean Conboy said they have arrested people for "vandalism and destruction of property."One of the protesters burned a Trump hat, according to NBC News. "Impeach the predatory president," read one of two messages projected onto a building's faade.Anti-Trump signs and banners were seen even as thousands of his supporters made their way to the US Capitol on Friday."They are white supremacist fascists," a volunteer Desba Rojas was quoted as saying by The Los Angeles Times.Rojas said her goal was "to stop them from getting into office, and if they get into office, sopping them before they can consolidate" power.A large number of left protesters under the banner of DisruptJ20 planned a march towards the inauguration venue and display anti-Trump sign along the parade route. So did another antiwar and anti-racism group.
President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy, but offered no specifics about America's place in the world.The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs."This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."A look at some reactions from around the world:Like many in the Afghan capital of Kabul, restaurant owner Mohammad Nahim watched the presidential inauguration ceremonies but was disappointed to not hear any mention of Afghanistan."Trump did not mention a word about Afghanistan in his speech and the salaries of the Afghan army and police are paid by the U.S.," he said. He added that if the U.S. stops helping Afghanistan, "our country will again become a sanctuary to terrorists. I hope Trump will not forget Afghanistan."Mohammed Kasim Zazi, a shopkeeper whose home is in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, where the feared Haqqani network is prominent, said he expected Trump to stay focused on Afghanistan."Trump said he will finish the terrorists in the world and that has to mean that Afghanistan will remain in the sights of the U.S." said Zazi.Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say."Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing."Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership."Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said.Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry."These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said.In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions."In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said.A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order."Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said.The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead."The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership."Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election.He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China."I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S."In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons.There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries."There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out."In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem."It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?"Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper."Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.
A bogus check cashed in Richmond this week has prompted the Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority to set up a new bank account.

The check is one of at least three fraudulent checks LRHA has learned of this week, totaling about $3,000 altogether.

We have no idea how many others could be presented, LRHA Executive Director Dawn Fagan told the authoritys board of commissioners during its monthly meeting Thursday.

Fagan said LRHA was contacted Wednesday by a Richmond credit union with questions about a suspicious check drawn on one of the housing authoritys bank accounts. The check, for the amount of about $1,289, was determined to be fraudulent.

The check had been cashed, but the funds were not drawn from LRHAs bank account.

Thanks to a sharp teller, the signatures on the check you could tell were clearly computer-generated, Fagan said.

She said LRHAS bank, SunTrust Bank, knows of two additional bogus checks in existence, for the amounts of $900 each. The $900 checks have not been drawn out of the authoritys account.

We have no idea how many others could be presented, Fagan told the board.

With little discussion,the LRHA board of commissioners authorized the opening of a new bank account at the meeting.

After the meeting, Fagan said LRHA moved all of its money out of the affected bank account Thursday into a newly created account.

For now, the affected account has been left open to allow nine outstanding checks issued by LRHA to clear, after which time the account will be closed. Fagan said LRHA will not be charged overdraft fees for the nine authorized checks.

Fagan said LRHA does not know the person to whom the fraudulent check was made payable. A bank representative from SunTrust spoke to the credit union, and it appears the woman who cashed the check said she received it from a person she found through Craigslist and for whom she cleans houses, Fagan said.

On Friday, Fagan said LRHA has not contacted the police, but SunTrust and the Richmond credit union has.

The check number of the fraudulent check was not in order with checks that previously had been issued by LRHA. According to Fagan, the check number was about 300 to 400 checks higher in the series of the checks that have been issued by the authority.

Each issued check must have signatures from two authorized signers.

The apparently computer-generated signatures on the bogus check appear to reflect the checks creator had seen LRHAs checks and know some of the people that are here, Fagan said.

Fagan said after the meeting a similar situation involving bogus checks occurred about one or two years ago. At that time, two or three fraudulent checks made to look like a corporate payroll check were drawn from a LRHA account.

In that incident, LRHA reported the fraudulent activity to the banks fraud department, and the money was returned to LRHAs account. Fagan did not recall the amount of the bogus checks but said the combined amount was less than Wednesdays fraudulent check.

In response to that earlier incident, LRHA implemented a product called Positive Pay to that account, which requires LRHA to upload a file to the bank notifying it of what checks have been issued and their amounts. If a check is presented that is not on file, it would be rejected.

After the meeting, Fagan said SunTrust is set to visit the agency in the next couple of weeks to meet with LRHAs new finance manager and to potentially discuss instituting the Positive Pay product on the new account and any other safeguards.
Donuts with Dads is more than just a snack in a classroom  its a way to get parents involved.

A total of 126 dads or other family members turned out Friday morning for a Donuts with Dads event at Paul Munro Elementary School, where dads and other family joined students in their classroom for donuts and activities.

For kids, its a good time in the classroom with their dad. For the school division, its a chance to get parents in the classroom and involved in their childs education at an early age.

Education is not just what happens in the classroom. A lot of it is what kids take home and conversations parents have with them about their day, Paul Munro counselor Joel Dechant said.

The emphasis on dads comes as a way to get them involved in a hands-on way with education.

Traditionally, when there is a school event, we get a lot of moms that come, Dechant said.

In addition to sharing a donut with their child, those who came participated in a variety of classroom activities such as helping with art projects, playing games and reading to students.

Fred Morris, father of first-grader Cayden Morris, left work to come spend some time with his daughter at school and enjoy a donut with her in the classroom.

I told my job: Ive got to go see my daughter; Ill be back, Morris said.

For students who didnt have a dad at the event Friday, members of the Lynchburg Police and Fire Departments were on hand to serve as a surrogate and share donuts and conversation with kids.

Its important to know that people care, LPD Officer K.T. Swisher said.

For Lynchburg City Schools, programs like Donuts with Dads  and its counterpart, Muffins with Moms  are a chance to bring families into the classroom and get them involved at the school.

All schools in the division host Donuts with Dads and Muffins with Moms events annually.

I believe parental involvement helps create the bridge between the home and the school, so some of the same messages at home and school can be reinforced, particularly around the importance of education and working hard and doing your best, LCS Superintendent Scott Brabrand said.

Brabrand added it was a way to bring the home into the school and get the two to work together.

Another way Paul Munro is trying to get dads involved is through the Watch D.O.G.S. program launched in the fall that brings dads in for a day to volunteer in their childs classroom.

A nationwide volunteer program, Watch D.O.G.S. stands for Dads of Great Students.

The Watch D.O.G.S. program is really about bringing more male role models into schools, Brabrand said.

Male role models are rare in Virginia classrooms, where only 17 percent of teachers are male, the lowest percentage in the nation, according to the National Education Associations May report, Rankings & Estimates: Ranking of the States 2015 and Estimates of School Statistics 2016.

Both Donuts with Dads and the Watch D.O.G.S. program are grant-funded.

Dechant used Fridays face time with dads to pitch the Watch D.O.G.S. program to potential volunteers. He said 29 dads signed up to participate, and others took materials home.

I just want to make an open invitation for every dad to come in, Dechant said.

The Watch D.O.G.S. program is currently at Paul Munro, Sandusky Elementary and Sheffield Elementary schools. The program also is in Bedford County Public Schools at Thomas Jefferson, Moneta, Boonsboro and Forest elementary schools.

Other parental engagement strategies for the division include back-to-school events at the start of the fall semester; community workshops for parents, such as internet safety programs being offered in January and February; and individual school programming.
RICEVILLE  Mentors in the Bridges Mentoring program are caring volunteers from the communities served by the Osage, Riceville and St. Ansgar school districts.

Rhonda Boyle, Riceville, is one of those caring mentors, who works at Riceville Community Schools.

Although she had heard about Bridges Mentoring a few years ago, Boyle found herself busy with family.

However, she recently moved to Riceville and having more free time, I thought it would be fun to help some little person, who just needed a friend or another grandma in their life.

Bridges was pointed out to me and I was very impressed with how they matched up mentors and mentees, she said.

Mentors must satisfactorily pass a screening process, provide references, allow a home visit and complete required training.

After training is successfully completed, a mentor is matched with a mentee based upon age, personality and interests. After the initial meeting, mentors are free to meet with their mentee at whatever time works for their mentees family.

This is Boyles first time to be a mentor, and even though it has just been a few months, she said, she is loving it.

The experience has always been very positive for both myself and my friend, said Boyle. We are building a great relationship that I hope lasts for years.

A mentor commits to spending as little as an hour a week, establishing a relationship that encourages a positive lifestyle and being dependable.

Staff are available to provide support to mentors and mentee families throughout the year. Bridges Mentoring also plans groups and community events as well as coordinates mentoring-related trainings throughout the year.

My friend loves to go to the movies and come to my house to play, said Boyle. One time we baked cookies and took them to friends around town. She thought that was so much fun.

We have visited the pumpkin patch in Osage. She got to drive the horses. Mabel made her feel so special that day. We also work on homework and school projects as well as other things.

Boyle said she would encourage anyone to give being a mentor a try.

Its just four hours a month, she said. The time I spend with my little friend makes me feel very good about myself. I know I am making a difference in her life, for a few hours anyway.

It takes a village to raise a child and there are many kids who need some love and guidance.

Jim Cross is the editor of the Mitchell County Press-News, another Lee Enterprises newspaper.
Two Bedford County men pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in federal court this week related to an alleged broader drug trafficking scheme.

Ivan Rodriguez Chavez, 35, of Forest, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute specified quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of those crimes.

Brent Michael Hutchins, 27, of Goode, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute specified quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while being an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance.

The pleas were entered in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg Wednesday.

According to a Justice Department news release, federal prosecutor Kari Munro presented evidence in court showing between April 2015 and April 2016, Chavez acted as the main source of supply for his co-defendants and others, including Hutchins, in a methamphetamine ring operating throughout Bedford and Campbell counties.

Chavez was traveling frequently to North Carolina to obtain large quantities of the drugs, which then would be sold for his co-defendants personal use as well as redistribution to end users, according to Munro, special assistant U.S. attorney.

Six illegally possessed firearms, 100 grams of cocaine and more than 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine can be traced to alleged conspiracy members, according to the news release.

It was not immediately clear how many people are involved in the alleged conspiracy.

Chavezs attorney in the federal public defenders office in Roanoke could not be reached for comment. Hutchins lawyer, Killis Howard, of Lynchburg, said he had no comment prior to his clients sentencing.

Sentencing is set for both co-defendants April 25.
Thumbs up to the emergency responders who were first on the scene of a deadly house fire in the Town of Bedford on Tuesday.

Officer Josh Peltier was on early morning patrol when a call went out over the radio about a reported house fire at 708 Grove St. Peltier was the first person on the scene and immediately leapt into action. A small group of people was gathered on the lawn of the house, and a woman was screaming, My babies, my babies!

Thats when Peltier rushed into the house and quickly saw the feet of a person at the top of the stairs. He got the young girl out and then rushed back inside, where he managed to get an older male to safety. There still more people inside, but the smoke and heat were getting more intense.

Thats when Sgt. Levi Poole and firefighters with the Bedford Fire Department arrived on the scene. They managed to get a second child, whom they found limp and barely breathing, to safety. They pushed back inside for the third child, a 4-year-old girl  sadly, she later died on the way to a Roanoke hospital.

Three lives were saved that morning, though, in a matter of minutes: a father, who suffered severe burns, and two girls, ages 6 and 11.

The heroism of Peltier, Poole and all the firefighters who responded cant be understated. Each put his own life in harms way to save an unknown, innocent life.

We in Central Virginia are fortunate we live among such heroes.

* * *

Thumbs up to Bob Kibler of Evington who donated 21 acres of woodland to Lynchburg Colleges Claytor Nature Study Center in Bedford County.

The land is located on the northern border of the 470-acre nature center in the Peaksville area of Bedford County. its never been touched by development and teeming with a number of rare flora and fauna, according to Gregory Eaton, director of the Claytor center.

Professors and students from Lynchburg College have been conducting environmental studies at the Claytor center for more than two decades. The Kibler donation gives them some new study opportunities not found on the existing property. Kibler, by the way, is a friend of Boyd Claytor, who gave the original land donation that formed the Claytor center; a graduate of LC, Kibler earned his undergraduate and graduate business degrees from the school.

Said LC President Ken Garren, We are grateful to Mr. Kibler for this gift, stemming from out mutual love for conservation and nature.
Revisit the founding of the JSA and foreshadow its future in The New Golden Age #1 preview

And see what lies ahead in the future of the DC Universe
MASON CITY  The preliminary $39 million North Iowa Area Community College budget for the upcoming fiscal year assumes no increase in state aid.

Gov. Terry Branstad's three-year state funding proposal for community colleges would require NIACC to cut a total of $687,830 over that time period.

NIACC officials don't know exactly how that will affect funding for the fiscal year beginning July 1, because the state Legislature hasn't voted on the community college allocation yet.

The NIACC board of directors hasn't voted yet on a tuition increase for the 2017-18 academic year, but the preliminary budget assumes that increase will be 7 percent, the same hike approved for 2016-17.

NIACC also is facing a need to make up a shortfall in state money for the current fiscal year as part of Branstad's budget-balancing proposal to cut the state community colleges' funding by $8.7 million.

If the Legislature approves the plan, NIACC will have to make up $436,000 seven months into the budget year.

This will have a "compounding effect," said NIACC President Steve Schulz during the college board's monthly meeting Thursday.

However, he said, it would be difficult to tack on an additional fee for spring semester tuition at this point.

Schulz noted there's a trend of putting decreases in state funding for colleges on the backs of the students through tuition increases.

"That's concerning to all of us," he said.

Schulz said he has been in contact with legislators representing North Iowa.

"I feel they are supportive of us," he said.

Schulz is hopeful the Legislature will take action soon on community college funding.

Kathy Grove, vice president for administrative services at NIACC, said the preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year assumes expenses across the board, including salaries, will increase 2.5 percent and enrollment will decline by a little more than 2 percent.

The proposed property tax levy rate is 71.9 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation, a slight decrease from the current levy of nearly 72.1 cents.

Grove said individual levies fluctuated higher and lower, resulting in an overall decrease.

The college is continuing to levy for early retirements from previous years, according to Grove. Rates for property and workers' compensation insurance have remained fairly stable, while the unemployment insurance rate has dropped slightly, she said.

A public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Feb. 16 in the board room in the NIACC Administration Building.
More than just a season

For Hinds, her plan is to remain on stage for as long as she could especially with the example of McCartha Calypso Rose Linda Sandy-Lewis second global wind.

Her plans at longevity is evidenced by the fact that she has released songs constantly over her 20-year career in the music industry. This year is no different for the 46-year-old. She has three offerings for Carnival 2017, High, Fete Chaser and Basic. These add to an enviable discography.

Speaking to Newsday, Hinds said, I am following in Roses footsteps. She is an absolute trailblazer and an inspirationShe is ageless and she connects with whoever and whatever audience she is performing for. She makes a connection and I am not looking to leave the stage no time soon, you know. What accounts for longevity in a business that is often as volatile as the people from which it comes, Hinds said it is a driving force. She said many artistes such as Rose and Machel Montano who has had longevity were very driven.

She added many artistes feared becoming irrelevant to society.

Asked if she had the fear of losing popularity or public relevance, Hinds said, Every artiste has that. Any artiste that tells you that they dont, lies. Be it in the soca arena or international. Do they still like me? Do they still like my music? When I step up on a stage do they still want to see me? That is why a lot of us are so driventhose who have longevity.

They are driven. Machel is driven, Destra is driven, Bunji is driven. You are driven by wanting to top yourself each time. Soca is Hinds passion. Doing work that is fun and something a lot of people never get the chance to do throughout their lifetimes.

I do feel very blessed, every day, to do what I truly love.

Because you love it, you put everything into it and you stay connected with the public, the people, with whats happening with the musical landscape.

You have to be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. That is kind of what helps you to stay relevant, she said.

Going the extra mile, Hinds said, is central to breaking that monotony and to not becoming stagnant in the industry. She said she never wanted to be in a space, where I am kind of there but not really. One mechanism Hinds employs to stay relevant is working with younger artistes. She coupled with fellow Barbadian artiste Marz Ville (Omar Mc Quilkin) on the remake of his current song, Bang Bim.

She believes that being in the company of youthful energy is the way to ensure that newness is kept throughout ones career.

Hinds plans to work with a number of Trinidadian artistes and has made contact with some of them. Grammy winner Angela Hunte is among those she has plans to work with. Furthering a film career is also something that she has future plans to work on. For fans of the soca queen a remix of her hits with an EDM (electronic dance music) beat is also in the works.

But going forward, Hinds plans to have her sound/song grace the ears of the Caribbean and the world.
THA Validation Bill passed

Thirty seven MPs including from the 15 UNC voted in favour.

No one abstained or voted against. During a brief debate, Opposition MPs expressed concern about Attorney General Faris Al Rawi and Minister within the Ministry of the Attorney General Sturt Young blaming the President and Presidency for lapses that led to the validation bill being laid in the HOR yesterday, and to the Senate today for validation of the THA elections.

Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie said the THA Act was violated because the number of days required by the law between the dissolution of the THA and elections was not strictly observed. He said, It was not a huge error, mistakes happen and they can be explained and forgiven.

However, he said, the real problem was the manner in which the error has been presented and laying the blame at the feet of the President and the Presidency. According to the Standing Orders of the Parliament, he said, it was our of order.

While the election date would have been recommended by the Chief Secretary, Tewarie said, the Chief Secretary would have held informal consultations with the Prime Minister on the date. What bothered him, he said, was the attempt to be smart. If the Attorney General had come to the Parliament and say there had been an error having missed this by a day, and Government would like the Opposition to support the Bill, there would have been no concerns.

Instead, Al Rawi comes and spend one hour making a convoluted argument that defy all logic, and Young coming after to say they were there to correct what was an error that had nothing to do with what they did, or anyone on that side. Meanwhile, Naparima MP Rodney Charles said that Government was only made aware of the error by Tobagonian Hochoy Charles, and that, We are here to validate Governments incompetence. Wrapping up the debate, Al Rawi insisted the letter from the Office of the President admitted that an error was made. Dispelling claims by Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Charles and Tewarie that the Prime Minister was responsible for the THA elections date, Al Rawi said, the constitution made it clear that the Prime Minister has the prerogative to call the general elections, but in the case of the THA, the Chief Secretary consults with the President, who considers a view and invites the Elections and Boundaries Commission via a writ.

He challenged Persad- Bissessar to say whether she had consulted with the THA when that body had held elections during her tenure as Prime Minister.

Her response, What difference does it make? brought laugher to the House.

Al Rawi also contended that Persad-Bissessar missed a similar deadline with local government elections, but there was no issue.
Kamla: Extraordinary PNM incompetence

However Persad-Bissessar said she found Al-Rawis explanation about the reason for the sitting to be out of this world. She accused Al-Rawi of trying to remove the egg from his face, by claiming the mistake was one made by the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) and the Office of the President.Saying that she has been involved in the selection of five election dates during her tenure as prime minister, Persad- Bissessar said the President does not determine election dates in TT. As she recalled that former prime minister Patrick Manning (deceased) often used to talk about having the election date in his back pocket, Persad-Bissessar quipped, The election date is determined by the Prime Minister.

Saying she was cooking at home when she received the summons for yesterdays sitting, Persad-Bissessar wondered why an extraordinary sitting could not have been held to deal with rising murders in TT or with giving internal self government to Tobago.

She questioned whether this was a case of lawmaker becoming lawbreaker. Referring to the recently passed Marriage Bill being converted from special majority to simple majority legislation, Persad-Bissessar asked Al-Rawi what kind of majority was needed to pass the THA Validation Bill. After calling on Al-Rawi to apologise to the country, Persad-Bissessar said while the United National Congress (UNC) is totally out of Mondays THA election, she was advising Tobagonians to, vote anybody except the PNM.

On a lighter note, Persad- Bissessar praised Finance Minister Colm Imbert as a brilliant man and claimed the Government was running on the brain power of the Member for Diego Martin North/East (Imbert). Imbert looked on with amusement as Persad- Bissessar claimed he told her he was large and in charge. Opposition MPs laughed when Persad-Bissessar quipped she would only agree with the idea of Imbert being, in charge.
Cops: Mice man marked for death

Police investigators believe persons were aware that George had to report to the Maracas St Joseph Police station weekly as a condition of his bail and his movements were carefully monitored. With regard to Ali, police believe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yesterday, work resumed at the Maracas St Joseph Police Station but officers on duty said the incident on Thursday left them traumatised.

President of the Police Social Welfare Association Inspector Michael Seales said the executive of his Association will be meeting with the officers who were on duty on Thursday when the station was shot at and PC Lalchan grazed in the head. Yesterday, a manhunt continued for six men believed to have been involved in the shooting of George and Ali and the attempted murder of PC Lalchan. Residents have told police that they fear reprisal killings will follow as Mice Mans associates seek to take revenge.

On Thursday at 3.30 pm, George and Ali was on their way to the Maracas Bay Police station to sign a book at the station as a condition of Georges bail when they were ambushed by persons in two vehicles, who rammed a vehicle driven by Ali, forcing it off the road. After killing both men, the gunmen proceeded to fire at the Maracas St Joseph police station which resulted in PC Lalchan being grazed in the head. The officer was released from hospital yesterday.

Yesterday, Head of Northern Division Senior Superintendent McDonald Jacob said that an operational meeting was held and a decision taken to increase the manpower strength at the Maracas St Joseph Police Station as well as some other stations. He said if it means placing sentry guards at the station, then this will be done. The divisional head assured residents of Maracas St Joseph and other areas in the Northern Division that patrols have been increased and surveillance work beefed-up in a bid to deal with crime.
Wife, children bid farewell to murdered man

Mohammed, 40, and his common- law wife Luenda Anthony, 29, were killed in an attack at their home in Guapo shortly after midnight last Tuesday.

They were both shot in their bed as they slept at their home in Limefield Road, Cochrane Village. Mohammed was shot twice in the head while Anthony was shot once to the head.

Mohammeds sister Josanne John who delivered the eulogy said Mohammed was lovingly called Jai as he was a huge fan of former Chutney Monarch Rikki Jai. John said Mohammed fell in love with Kelly Mc Dowell in 2003 and the marriage produced three lovely children. He loved his kids and his family unconditionally, John said, adding that he also loved playing loud music and would construct his own music box which he would bring out on special occasions. She also gave an account of her childhood days with her brother saying he loved going fishing and she also developed a love for this art.

Minister Carol Hackshaw who conducted the service said that such horrible crimes are happening at ones doorstep and people should now turn to Jesus for mercy and blessings.

She noted that no harm can come to those who have the glory of God within them. Tell the Prime Minister and the police and the army that the only answer to the crime in Trinidad and Tobago is God, she said. She gave an account of a King who was faced with a huge battle with others who had a better army than him. This King called on all his people to observe a fast and prayer. He called on everyone to do worship unto the Lord.

In the end, the powerful forces against him turned around and left, she said, adding that as a nation we must to pray for the redemption of those involved in crime.

Anthony will be laid to rest on Monday following a funeral service at Elite Funeral Home in Point Fortin. She was the mother of a nine-year-old girl.
MASON CITY | The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of North Central Iowa will hear a presentation on the book, "The Collapse of Parenting," Sunday.

The service is 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Community Kitchen.

In "The Collapse of Parenting," physician, psychologist, and author Leonard Sax presents data documenting a dramatic decline in the achievement and psychological health of American children.

Sax argues that rising levels of obesity, depression, and anxiety among young people  as well as the explosion in prescribing psychiatric medications to kids  can all be traced to parents letting their kids call the shots.
Trump: 'I'll Very, Very, Very

Probably Do It Again'
FOREST CITY | Charles Edward Erding, 74, of Forest City, Iowa, passed away on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, his mothers birthday, at St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester, Minnesota, after a long fight with cancer.

There will be no services at this time. His family will instead be focused on healing our broken hearts. Our intention is to plan a memorial service in the spring. We look forward to honoring his memory once some of the shattered feelings have settled and were ready to do it with a cocktail, some laughs, and in the lighthearted manner he so loved.

Charles was born in rural Allamakee County, Iowa, on July 10, 1942. He graduated from Waukon High School and joined the Air Force after graduation. His service to his country was a great source of pride for him throughout his life and until his last breath.

Charles was married to Marilyn Erding for 19 years. He loved her with his complete heart and soul and she was the Center of his Universe to his last day. My brother and I thank you, Marilyn, from the bottom of our hearts for everything you did for and meant to our dad. You have our undying gratitude, and respect for, your place in his life. We see it as a real privilege to have been able to spend his last few days with him. We are both honored and humbled at your generosity and we thank you.

We share our grief with his living sisters, affectionately and lovingly thought about, as The Aunts. Donna Smith (New York), Dianne Wolfe (Iowa), and Kay Barry (California) we adore each and every one of you and I know he did, too.

Charles worked in many roles throughout his life but he treasured most his time with family, friends and watching nature unfold. He could usually be found keeping track of his birds, working in his yard, counting the cattle next door, and working with wood in his shop.

He enjoyed travel and was particularly fond of Civil War sites, National Parks and any place he could sit back and watch people do what they do. He fondly remembered and shared pictures of trips to the Great Wall of China, Austria and his familys original home in Erding, Germany.

Charles is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his sisters, Donna Smith, Dianne Wolfe, and Kay Barry; his children, Lisa Wickham (Paul) and Lyle Erding, as well as his grandsons, Nick Peterschmidt (Walcott, IA) and Tony Wickham (Davenport, IA); stepchildren, Bill (Nancy) Buehler, Susan (Toshi) Tawara; step grandchildren, Katherine Weseloh, Leah and Elijah Buehler, Mark, Caitlin and Alex Tawara. To other family and friends too numerous to mention here, please know that you each had a special place in his heart and made his life better.

Charles is preceded in death by his father, Firmin Erding, mother, Marguerite Erding, and a sister, Dorothy Ann. We have no doubt that his departure by 7:15 p.m. gave him ample time to make last call for Happy Hour with Grandma for her birthday.

On behalf of myself and our family, our thanks to each and every one of you who played a bit part in this mans life. To our dad, Charles Edward Erding, our undying love and devotion to a life well lived by a man well loved.

Arrangements are with Cataldo Schott Funeral Home in Forest City. 641-585-2685

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.cataldoschottfh.com
CLEAR LAKE  The guys at the bar at the Clear Lake VFW provided a running commentary as they sipped their drinks and watched the inauguration of President Donald Trump on the television screen in front of them.

The mood of the patrons ranged from laughing to wincing as the Friday pre-inaugural festivities took place.

Mike Conner recalled Trumps television show, The Apprentice.

He cant tell Mike Pence 'youre fired.' It doesnt work that way, he said.

His buddy at the bar, Jim Poley, saw Trump on the TV screen and said with a laugh, His hairs holding up pretty well  but nobody better get near him with a match.

Then the conversation turned serious. Poley said he has been a Trump supporter from the time he announced his candidacy. Hes a businessman, said Poley. Thats what we need right now.

You know how many trillions of dollars this country is in debt? Trump likes shaking things up a bit and it worked. I hope he keeps shaking things up.

Conner took note of the somber look on Trumps face prior to his taking the oath of office.

He looks like hes realizing the big burden hes about to take on, said Conner. Hes bitten off a big mouthful, but I think he can do it.

Chase Baumgartner of Clear Lake was not as confident as the others about the new president.

I have mixed emotions, he said. Its going to be different with him in there  a lot different.

None of the patrons seemed too interested in the speeches and festivities prior to Trump being sworn in.

When New York Sen. Chuck Schumer got up to speak, one of them said, Nobody came to hear him. Get on with it.

William Symonds of Mason City watched the inauguration on YouTube.

I thought that, even though President Trump wanted a more unified America, his inaugural address was extremely divisive, Symonds said.

Symonds, who was a Bernie Sanders supporter, felt Trump took shots at former congressmen, presidents and other government employees.

It was very unbecoming for a president, especially for an inaugural address, Symonds said.

But Symonds hopes Trump will be successful.

Wishing that he would fail is hoping for my own destruction as well, which doesnt help anyone, Symonds said. My hopes are that Americans can be and live out Iowa Nice.

Nolan Crawford, 20, of Charles City, a student at North Iowa Area Community College, watched the inauguration on one of the TVs in the Activity Center on campus.

He said he hopes there now will be healing in the country after the divisive election of 2016.

I think it was a pretty chaotic election compared to the others I have seen in my lifetime, he said, noting people were very passionate about the candidates and there were bad things being said.

Crawford hopes that for the next four years, liberals and conservatives will just come together and be Americans.

We are all Americans and need to stand together against the rest of the world, he said.

Toni Noah, 73, a retiree from Charles City, did not watch the swearing-in, but watched the inaugural address and the parade on TV at home.

She said work needs to be done so all of our people who consider themselves Americans have an opportunity to be fully involved in the things this country has to offer.

Noah said she is concerned that under the new administration we will lose the progress we have made toward being a welcoming beacon for the rest of the world.
Al Gore is back. Variety reports 11 years after the former vice president's Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth first warned about the dangers of climate change, An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power premiered during the opening night of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The new film takes an even more detailed look at the effects of climate change, Business Insider reports. According to Vulture, the new film is "less like a horror show and more like a tragedy" due to the fact that some of Gore's predictions in the first film ended up coming trueas evidenced by flooding in New York City during Hurricane Sandynot to mention a climate change-denier being tapped to head the EPA.

But while An Inconvenient Sequel can be bleakhighlights include flooding in Miami, air pollution in China, and melting glaciers in Greenlandthere's also optimism. Gore visits Georgetown, Texas, where the Republican mayor is committing the town to 100% renewable energy because, of all things, it's cheaper. "We are going to win this," Gore told the audience after his film's premiere Thursday, adding, "This story has many chapters yet to unfold." Gore, who received a standing ovation from many in attendance, describes the election of Donald Trump, whom he visited with at Trump Tower, as just another hurdle to clear in the fight against climate change. (Read more Al Gore stories.)
Police say a South Carolina high school student accused of throwing a paper airplane that struck a teacher in the eye could end up in jail for up to a month, the AP reports. According to the South Strand News reports that Georgetown County sheriff's deputies arrested the 17-year-old student at Andrews High School. Teacher Edward McIver told deputies that he was upset after getting hit by the airplane because he recently had had eye surgery. He also told police he and the student had had previous confrontations over the student's behavior, and that "something needs to be done." The student was charged with third-degree assault and battery and was released from jail on bond. (Read more paper airplane stories.)
Inauguration Day did not go well for prominent white nationalist Richard Spencer. He was speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation near Donald Trump's inauguration about his Pepe the Frog pin and whether or not he is a neo-Nazi when a masked person ran up and punched him in the face before fleeing. "It was absolutely terrible," Spencer told CNN hours later. "I've certainly never had this happen beforea sucker punch in broad daylight." Spencer, who was filmed shouting "Hail Trump" as people gave Nazi salutes at an "alt-right" event in November, says he is now considering getting security, USA Today reports. He says he called 911 after the punch and is going to file a police report over the "totally unacceptable" incident.

Police say many of Friday's protests across the capital remained peaceful, but at least 217 people were arrested for rioting after confrontations downtown. Pepper spray and concussion grenades were used against protesters during sporadic clashes. "They began to destroy property, throw objects at people, through windows. A large percentage of this small group was armed with crowbars and hammers," interim police chief, Peter Newsham tells the AP. There were no major incidents involving the inaugural balls, NBC reports, though a limousine at the edge of the secure zone was set on fire before nightfall, sending a plume of smoke into the sky. Officials say the limo fire also ignited a Fox News SUV. (Read more Richard Spencer stories.)
On Thursday evening, an Air Force B-52 bomber and two armed drones hit an al-Qaeda training camp in Syria with 14 bombs and missiles, killing more than 100 fighters, according to the Pentagon. USA Today reports it was the final known counterterrorism operation carried out by the Obama administration, and the Telegraph calls it the last "major" airstrike under President Obama. The Pentagon announced the airstrike Friday, the New York Times reports. US officials say they have a "high level" of confidence that no civilians were killed in the airstrike.

The Shaykh Sulayman Training Camp in Idlib near Syria's border with Turkey had been operating since 2013. In the wake of the airstrike, the group that operated the camp, formerly known as the Nusra Front, said they had broken with al-Qaeda and were involved in operations against Syrian President Assad. The Pentagon disagrees. A Pentagon spokesperson says the airstrike "disrupts training operations and discourages hard-line Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with al-Qaeda." (Read more airstrike stories.)
On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump on Saturday berated the media over its coverage of his inauguration, and turned a bridge-building first visit to CIA headquarters into an airing of grievances about "dishonest" journalists. But it was Trump who spread inaccuracies about the size of the crowds at his swearing in, reports AP. Standing in front of a memorial for fallen CIA agents, Trump assured intelligence officials, "I am so behind you." He made no mention of his repeated criticism of the intelligence agencies following the election, including his public challenges of their high-confidence assessment that Russia meddled in the White House race to help him win. "There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and CIA than Donald Trump," he said, blaming any suggestion of a "feud" on the media.

Trump defensively touted the crowd size for his swearing-in ceremony, wrongly claiming that the throngs on the National Mall stretched "all the way back to the Washington Monument." Photos and video clearly showed the crowd stopping well short of the landmark. During his remarks at the CIA, the president claimed the inaugural crowds topped 1 million people, offering no evidence. Suggestions that weak enthusiasm accompanied his inauguration clearly irked the new president. Shortly after his remarks, he dispatched his press secretary, Sean Spicer, to the White House briefing room to aggressively reinforce the message. "There's been a lot of talk in the media about holding Donald Trump accountable. And I'm here to tell you that it goes two ways. We're going to hold the press accountable as well," Spicer said at the White House. (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against StoneMor Partners L.P. (StoneMor or the Company) (NYSE:STON) and certain of its officers. The class action, filed in United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and docketed under 16-cv-06275, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons or entities who purchased or otherwise acquired StoneMor securities between January 19, 2012 and October 27, 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 StoneMor securities during the Class Period, you have until January 20, 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]

StoneMor together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates cemeteries in the United States. It operates through two segments, Cemetery Operations and Funeral Homes.

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: (1) that the Company's reported non-GAAP financial metrics were materially misleading and concealed the truth about the Company's actual financial condition; and (2) that the primary purpose of the Company's regular debt and equity offerings were to pay distributions to unitholders rather than to pay down indebtedness under the Company's revolving credit facility as publicly stated. As a result, StoneMor's statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.

On September 2, 2016, StoneMor announced that it would restate its financials to correct various errors.

On October 27, 2016, after the market closed, the Company issued a press release announcing a quarterly cash distribution of $0.33 per common unit for the third quarter of 2016  a 50% reduction over the previous quarter (the October 27 Press Release).

On this news, StoneMors share price fell $11.08, or 44.64%, to close at $13.74 on October 28, 2016.

On November 9, 2016, StoneMor announced the need to amend its Form 10-K for [the] fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and its Forms 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2016 and March 31, 2016.

On this news, StoneMors share price fell $0.46, or 5.09%, to close at $8.57 on November 9, 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
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc., a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AJRD), began the New Year by successfully supporting the launch of the Lockheed Martin-built third Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous satellite (GEO Flight 3) for the U.S. Air Force. The mission, which is designed for early-warning missile detection, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion systems on the Atlas V include the RL10C-1 upper-stage engine, six helium pressurization tanks, and 12 Centaur upper-stage Reaction Control System thrusters (RCS); also, Aerojet Rocketdyne provided 18 monopropellant hydrazine thrusters on the GEO Flight 3 satellite.



Its an honor to know our propulsion systems helped place another critical satellite into orbit in support of our nations defense  one that will provide key capabilities in the areas of missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness, said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake.

Aerojet Rocketdyne's RL10C-1 upper-stage engine ignited after separation of the first stage to place the payload into orbit, helped by the Centaur RCS thrusters and pressurization tanks. The RL10C-1 delivers 22,890 pounds of thrust to power the Atlas V upper stage, using cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants.

The RL10C-1 was developed from the RL10 family of upper-stage engines, which have accumulated one of the most impressive track records of accomplishments in the history of space propulsion. More than 475 RL10 engines have supported launches over the last 50 years, playing a vital role in placing military, government and commercial satellites into orbit, and powering scientific space-probes on every interplanetary mission in our solar system.

Aerojet Rocketdyne provides 12 MR-106 monopropellant hydrazine thrusters in four modules on the Atlas V Centaur upper-stage which provide roll, pitch and yaw control, as well as settling burns. The GEO Flight 3 satellite has 18 monopropellant hydrazine thrusters onboard: 12 MR-103G 0.2-lbf thrusters and six MR-106L 5-lbf thrusters. Once separated from the launch vehicle, the 18 thrusters on the GEO Flight 3 satellite provide stationkeeping, three-axis control and de-spinning of the reaction wheels throughout the mission. They also provide attitude control during orbit-raising, as well as the impulse needed for final decommissioning of the satellite.

ARDE, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne based in New Jersey, provided the pressure vessels on the first and second stages of the launch vehicle.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for SBIRS, which includes a combination of satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit, hosted payloads in Highly Elliptical Orbit, and ground hardware and software. The data provided by SBIRS is designed to enhance the U.S. militarys ability to detect missile launches, support ballistic missile defense, expand technical intelligence gathering and bolster battlespace awareness.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.






New Delhi:

With the grand finale inching closer, popular reality show Bigg Boss 10 is becoming intriguing with every passing day.

From surprising eliminations to hard-hitting tasks, BB is making sure to bring some or the other twists with every episode.

After declaring the top three finalists of the show, Bigg Boss has now come up with a lucrative offer for the housemates.

According to the media reports, BB has allowed the housemates to walk out of the house and call it quits, but there is a major condition.

Reportedly, the constants have to sacrifice 50 percent of the prize money.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 10 | I will always be indebted to 'Bigg Boss' for making my marriage ceremony special: Monalisa

Yes! Amongst the remaining contestants on BB10, whosoever wants to leave the show can walk out witha half of the prize money.

This is indeed a mega offer for the contestants.

So far, Lopamudra Raut, Manveer Gurjar and Manu Punjabi have beome the top three finalists of the Bigg Boss 10, whereas Bani J and Rohan Mehra will be seen fighting to make it to the finale.

Considering such a big offer lying ahead, we wonder if any of the housemates will take up the opportunity to walk out of the house or will each one of them fight for the Bigg Boss 10 winner's trophy
Mumbai:

Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen has confirmed that she is on the judging panel of 65th edition of the pageant.

The 41-year-old model-turned-actress was crowned Miss Universe in Manila in 1994 and she said she is excited as well as overwhelmed to return to the pageant 23 years later.

"Getting ready with a dancing heart! I am so excited, emotional and looking forward to returning home to the #Philippines after #23years... it's where it all began #manila1994 #missuniverse1994," Sushmita posted on Instagram.

"Life comes a full circle, from winning Miss Universe, to having owned its Indian Franchise to now returning back to #Manila this time as a judge at the 65th Miss Universe pageant!! To all my #filipino friends who have been graciously asking...I can now confirm...yes! I am coming! Mahal Kita Philippines see you sooooooon."

A

Roshmitha Harimurthy will represent India at the Miss Universe pageant this year to be held on January 30.

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New Delhi:

Sushant Singh Rajput has turned 32 today and his brithday celebrations has once again brought the actor's love life in the headlines.

Interestingly, the 'Kai Po Che' actor was spotted celebrating his special with his rumoured girlfriend Kriti Sanon.

Yes! The rumoured couple was seen having a gala time along with their friends at SSR's birthday bash.

Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who too was a part of the bash, shared a sneak peak from the birthday party on her Instagram account, where she is seen posing with birthday boy Sushant, Kriti and Huma Qureshi.

"This is what a surprise birthday party photo looks like. Birthday boy @itsSSR surrounded by all the women... Madness. Fun," Preity captioned the picture.A

A photo posted by Preity Zinta (@realpz) on Jan 21, 2017 at 12:14am PST

A

Rajput also shared a collage of his birthday celebration on Instagram.

Big big thanks @rohiniyer for one of the best nights ever.:) Love you a lot.aiai Happy birthday Me.Y A photo posted by Sushant Singh Rajput (@sushantsinghrajput) on Jan 20, 2017 at 10:01pm PST

#Forever27 aYi A photo posted by Krishna Shroff (@kishushroff) on Jan 21, 2017 at 12:32am PST

Besides these birthday celebrations, Kriti even wished SSR on micro-blogging site Twitter in the most adorable way.

Sanon wrote, "Happiest Birthday Sush!!May ur smile always reach ur eyes as all u dream of comes true!Wish u lots of happiness, love & icecreams".

Happiest Birthday Sush!!May ur smile always reach ur eyes as all u dream of comes true!Wish u lots of happiness, love & icecreamsYY@itsSSR a Kriti Sanon (@kritisanon) January 21, 2017

Notably, reports of Kriti and Sushant dating each other have been doing the rounds for a while now.

While the two have always maintained 'just friends' stance, it was reported that Kriti was one of the reasons behind Sushant's break-up with his long-time girlfriend Ankita Lokhande.

On the work front, Sushant Singh Rajput and Ankita Lokhande will soon be sharing the screen space in their upcoming movie 'Raabta'.





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Kolkata :

Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, including two Pakistani nationals arrested by BSF in 2007 from the Indo-Bangladesh border at Petrapole, have been sentenced to death by a court in Bongaon in West Bengals North 24-Parganas district in a case of waging war against the government.

Pakistani militants Mohammed Younus and Abdullah and an Indian, Muzaffar Ahmed Rathod, were sentenced to death by judge Binay Kumar Pathak of Bongaon fast track court-1.

The three have been booked under IPC Sections 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging, or attempting to wage war) and 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war against the Government of India), CID DIG (Operations) Nishad Pervej told.

Abdullah and Younus are residents of Pakistans Karachi and Haripur respectively, while Rathod hailed from Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag.

They were arrested by BSF while trying to enter India through its international border with Bangladesh at Petrapole on April 4, 2007.

They had a plan to attack army camps in Jammu and Kashmir, but before they could proceed with their plan they were caught by BSF and handed over to Bangaon police station, he said.

The probe found that all the four were well-trained in using AK-47 rifle, hand grenades and manufacturing bombs.

Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem alias Sameer from Maharashtra, another LeT militant who was also arrested along with them, had managed to flee in 2013 when he was being taken to Mumbai.

During investigation, it was found that Abdullah was a teacher while Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem was an engineer by profession. They were involved in an incident of bomb blast in Mumbai.

The three underwent polygraph tests, narco tests and brain mapping during the probe conducted by the state CID, he said.

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Morigaon:

A junior engineer in Assam's Nagaon district was allegedly made to apologise by touching the feet of a BJP MLA for removing the legislator's car blocking the road to the office, a BDO official said.



The action recorded in camera of a TV news channels and in front of eyewitnesses showed Jayanta Das, of Kothiatoli Development Block touching Raha constituency MLA Dimbeswar Das' feet in the Block Development Office (BDO), the official said.



The MLA had gone on a sudden inspection of the office on Thursday and the JE, on duty, finding Das' car blocking the road to the office, got it removed from there, sources said.



This angered Das' supporters and they reported the matter to him, they said.



The BJP MLA was seen in the video-clip scolding the engineer, who then touched Das' feet in apology. Das, however, denied before the media later that the JE touched his feet in apology.

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New Delhi:

In an irony of fate, 65-year-old Ramarati Devi, who is battling a brain tumour and needs immediate surgery, has been given a date as early as February 20, 2020 by doctors at AIIMS citing unavailability of beds.

A native of Bihars Chhapra district, Devi was referred to the neurosurgery department of the institute by doctors at a government hospital in Patna.

Her farmer son Gulab Thakur says: Doctors at AIIMS have said a surgery is needed but given a date of February 20, 2020 citing unavailability of beds.

It will be too late... my mother will die. I am a poor man. I do not have money for a surgery at a private hospital.

A despondent Thakur has been making rounds of the hospital in a hope get an early date.

He says her mother is suffering from a severe headache, frequent memory loss and weakness and with each passing day, her pain is becoming more unbearable.

The hospital authorities claim the huge patient load comes in the way of speedy treatment.

The rush of patients is more than what our doctors can handle. We usually give dates on the basis of severity and seriousness of condition.

Sometimes, the waiting list is long. A surgery is accorded priority if something is very urgent, says Dr B SSharma, HOD of the neurosurgery department, AIIMS.

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New Delhi:

To safeguard women in Delhi, a special task force has been constituted on Saturday. The chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women has also been included in the special task force.

The Lieutenant Governor will be chairperson of the special task force. A total of 17 members will be there in task force. The task force will conduct meeting in every 15 days.

The special task force will be empowered to review the decisions of Delhi Police and other departments.

Almost for around a year, the Delhi Commission for Women fought for special task force with Home Ministry and Lieutenant Governor.

Earlier, the special task force made in the leadership of Central Home Secretary was dissolved in 2016. The special task force was constituted at the time of Nirbhaya rape case.

DCW chief had raised the issue of special task force in the meeting with the newly appointed L-G Anil Baijal.

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New Delhi:

The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday censured Aam Aadmi Chief (AAP) and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his bribe remarks at a rally in Goa ahead of assembly elections in the state.

The EC had earlier issued a notice to Kejriwal for purportedly promoting bribery at a rally earlier this month by saying that voters in Goa should accept money from the BJP and Congress but cast their vote to AAP.

Addressing the people of Benaulim, Kejriwal said, "If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as your own money. But when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of the AAP candidate."

While issuing the notice, the EC said that prima facie, Mr Kejriwals statements violated the model code which came into effect in Goa on January 6. It also said that Kejriwals remarks amount to "abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery".

AAP has fielded former Inspector General of Prisons Elvis Gomes as their Chief Ministerial face in Goa, which goes to polls on February 4.

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Lucknow/New Delhi:

Uncertainty clouded prospect of an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress in UP after the states ruling party on Friday announced a list of candidates for 210 seats, including nine currently held by Congress, which called the action unfortunate.



The announcement of the list of SP nominees followed Tuesdays statements by UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and senior Congress leader in-charge of the state Ghulam Nabi Azad indicating a pre-poll tie-up was a foregone conclusion.



As the SP released the list of candidates, who included Shivpal Yadav, the estranged uncle of Akhilesh, and fielded nominees for seats represented by the Congress in the assembly, its vice president Kiramoy Nanda said the party was yet to get a positive response from Congress on the alliance issue.

Read | SPs announcement of seats held by Congress unfortunate, says Ajay Maken



He said SP was prepared for an alliance with Congress, for which it could spare 85 of the states 403 seats and not more. Nanda made it clear that though his party favoured a pre-poll pact with Congress, it had to be on our own terms.Samajwadi Party, which is not on the same page with Congress on the issue of inclusion of RLD, said if that party wanted to defeat BJP, it should accept SPs formula of seat-sharing.



Under this formula, SP would give those seats to Congress on which its candidate were in first place or seats where SP was at third, fourth or fifth spots, SP National Vice President Kironmay Nanda told reporters here after SP released its list of 191 candidates.



Thus, Congress will get 54 seats. But if it (Congress) talks seriously, we can also give them 25-30 additional seats. The maximum seats we can give to them will be 85, he said.

Read | Samajwadi Party releases list of 191 candidates; Shivpal Yadav gets ticket, Atique Ahmed dumped



Noting that the main objective of SP was to defeat BJP in the Assembly polls, he said, For this, we are trying for alliance with Congress but till now we have not got any positive response from them.



When it was pointed out that in Fridays list SP has fielded candidates on various seats on which Congress candidates had won 2012 polls, Nanda said, If alliance takes place, SP will withdraw its candidates from those seats.



Sources said RLD wanted more seats than what SP was ready to part with.



Congress reportedly offered some 20 seats to RLD chief Ajit Singhs son Jayant Choudhary, who is in touch with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.



According to insiders, Singh has said he will not accept less than 30 seats and was now contemplating going with some other parties like JD(U).



To a query on tie-up with RLD, Nanda said, There was no talk with RLD on alliance.



When asked whether it has become difficult to forge alliance with Congress now, he said, It will be too early to say so. We still want an alliance with Congress but on our own conditions. Poll process has already started and SP cannot wait for a long time.



In Delhi, senior Congress spokesman Ajay Maken termed as unfortunate the SPs decision to declare its candidates for seats held by Congress but parried questions about whether an alliance between the two parties would materialise.



Maken said,This alliance was concluded earlier with none other than SP National President Akhilesh Yadav and leaders of the Congress and now again we are getting in touch with Akhilesh Yadav because it was with him that the alliance earlier was concluded.



It is unfortunate...technical details which were agreed upon and concluded upon between Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders should be honoured.



The SP has been ruling out inclusion of Ajit Singhs RLD in the alliance despite his party having some influence in Western Uttar Pradesh. Congress, however, wanted its inclusion and was planning to give some seats from its quota to RLD.

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New Delhi:

Midnight celebration in Chennai started after government gave nod to Jallikattu ordinance late on Friday evening. Thousand of protestors at Chennai marina beach torched their mobile phone to mark the Jallikattu ordinance. The ordinance now awaits the final nod of Tamil Nadu's Governor Vidyasagar Rao.

After the ordinance got the Centre government nod, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said that "We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people."

"Central Government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu & will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress," PM added.

Midnight celebrations in Chennai after Central Govt gave nod to #Jallikatu ordinance pic.twitter.com/hFXjB34oJv  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

On Friday, government okayed Jallikattu ordinance paving the way for Tamil Nadu government to promulgate it .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently gave assurance to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, who arrived in the national capital on Thursday to meet the PM.

Jallikattu Ordinance

Ministries of Home, Law and Environment vetted the state's draft ordinance and cleared the amendment that will denotify the bull from the list of "performing animals".This will ensure that provisions of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will not apply to the bull.

Now what lies next

After the central government nod, now the ordinance has already been forwarded to the Tamil Nadu governor. Tamil Nadu Cabinet is expected to meet on Saturday morning to clear the ordinance and recommend it to the Governor Vidyasagar Rao for promulgation.Rao, who is also Governor of Maharashtra, is reaching Chennai today.

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NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., reminds investors that they have until March 20, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Dollar General Corporation (NYSE:DG), if they purchased the Companys securities between March 10, 2016 and November 30, 2016, inclusive (the Class Period). The action is pending in United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

What You May Do

If you purchased securities of Dollar General and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com). If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by March 20, 2017.

About the Lawsuit

Dollar General and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On August 25, 2016, Dollar General announced disappointing second quarter 2016 financial and operational results caused by a reduction in both SNAP participation rates and benefit levels.

Then, on December 1, 2016, Dollar General announced third quarter 2016 financial and operational results that included a reduction in same-store sales. The Company cited reductions in SNAP benefits as a major contributor of the disappointing results, and admitted that the benefit reductions affect [ ] about 56% of our store base.

On this news, the price of Dollar Generals shares plummeted.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.




Chennai:

Tamil Nadu Governor in charge Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday promulgated ordinance for conducting Jallikattu in the state. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam will inaugurate Jallikattu at Alanganallur at 10am on Sunday, while all state ministers will inaugurate the bull-taming sport in their respective districts at 11am.

Tamil Nadu Governor has approved the jallikattu ordinance and the bull taming sport will be held at Alaganallur in Madurai and other parts of the state on Sunday, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam announced.

I urge the youths, students and the general public to make the jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers, he said.

Here are the highlights:

#I thank PM for this; after a long gap the people of TN will be celebrating Jallikattu. Congratulate everyone, says Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan

#This ordinance has been brought in with the support of Centre, PM continously supported our cause: Tamil Nadu CM



#Since ordinance will last for 6 months, in coming assembly session will formulate new law so Jallikattu takes place without hindrance: TN CM



#TN govt has successfully put an ordinance to lift the Jallikattu ban: Tamil Nadu CM



#This matter could still go to the SC, & we could get an adverse decision from SC, for those who're agitation against decision: Salman Khurshid

ALSO READ | Who said what after governor clears Jallikattu ordinance

#This will not resolve the problem, there has to be a long term solution: Salman Khurshid, Congress



#On behalf of Government and people of TN, thank you for your support in enabling Jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu once again: TN CM to PM

#Ordinance promulgated today by TN Govt, Jallikattu is to be conducted with customary fervour with all necessary safeguards: TN CM to PM



#TN Governor V Rao approves Jallikattu ordinance says CM Panneerselvam. Sasikala Natarajan thanks PM for ensuring conduct of Jallikattu



People continue to flock to Chennai's Marina Beach in support of the bull taming sport #Jallikattu. pic.twitter.com/laWtDIXiCb  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

#The Bill to replace today's Ordinance on Jallikattu will be tabled in State Assembly on January 23 when the first Assembly session begins



#Tamil Nadu State Ministers will inaugurate Jallikattu in their respective districts tomorrow at 11 AM



#TN CM O Panneerselvam to inaugurate Jallikattu at Alanganallur at 10 AM tomorrow



#People in Bengaluru take to the streets to show support for Jallikattu, raise 'We want Jallikattu' slogans

#Tamil Nadu Governor Vidya Sagar Rao gives his concurrence for the emergency ordinance to hold Jallikattu: AIADMK

Vidyasagar Rao, who holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu, reached Chennai on Saturday in the backdrop of the Centre clearing the state governments proposal to promulgate an ordinance to hold Jallikattu, the bull-taming sport banned by Supreme Court.

Rao, currently the Governor of Maharashtra, holds additional charge of Tamil Nadu after K Rosaiahs tenure ended in August last year.

The TN government had proposed to issue an ordinance to allow Jallikattu.

Since the subject falls in the concurrent list of the Constitution, it is mandatory to get a nod from the Centre.

ALSO READ | Jallikattu row: Actor Suriya send legal notice to PETA, demands unconditional apology

As the state-wide protests including at the Marina beach by tens of thousands of protesters entered the fifth day, Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by Tamil Nadu was received last night.

The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act) has been obtained from Govenor also, he said, adding, our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true.

He said a draft Bill to replace the ordinance and amend the PCA Act paving the way for holding jallikattu without any hindrance will be introduced and adopted in the Tamil Nadu Assemblys session which begins on January 23.

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Delhi:

After being censured by Election Commission for his bribe remarks at rally in Goa, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday decided to fight against it in the court.

Kejriwal said that Election Commission's order against him is completely wrong. He supported the argument by saying that lower court gave order in his favour which Election Commission ignored. Arvind Kejriwal said that he will challenge EC's latest order in court.

Earlier in the day, the Election Commission (EC) on Saturday censured Aam Aadmi Chief (AAP) and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his bribe remarks at a rally in Goa ahead of assembly elections in the state.

EC order agnst me completely wrong. Lower court gave order in my favor. EC ignored court's order. Will challenge EC's latest order in court a Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 21, 2017

The EC had earlier issued a notice to Kejriwal for purportedly promoting bribery at a rally earlier this month by saying that voters in Goa should accept money from the BJP and Congress but cast their vote to AAP.

Addressing the people of Benaulim, Kejriwal said, "If Congress or BJP candidates offer money, do not refuse it. Accept it as your own money. But when it comes to voting, press the button against the name of the AAP candidate."

While issuing the notice, the EC said that prima facie, Mr Kejriwalas statements violated the model code which came into effect in Goa on January 6. It also said that Kejriwalas remarks amount to "abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery".A

With PTI inputs

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New Delhi:

Pakistan on Saturday handed over Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chohan, who accidently crossed the LoC on 29 September 2016, to Indian authorities at 1430 hrs.

Earlier, Pakistan had agreed to return Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on September 29, last year.

It was sais that the soldier will enter India via Wagah Border, Punjab at 3PM, an official statement said, "He will be debriefed and a special medical check-up will be carried out," it added.

Indian Government has been making continuous efforts to get him back ever since he crossed the LoC soon after the surgical strike on terror camps along Pakistans border.



The government recently approached Pakistans foreign ministry over missing soldier Chavans release. Indian Army soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan belongs to 37 Rashtriya Rifles.

Read | Who is Chandu Babulal Chavan



Earlier, Indian DGMO, Ranbir Singh had talked to his Pakistani counterpart for the return of Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan but all Pak authorities were reluctant to respond.



The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had kept away from Chavans case, allowing the army to handle the situation.



Indian government and the Army had claimed that the soldier had no role in the surgical strikes that took hours before his crossing. It added that such crossings by civilians and soldiers were not uncommon.



A 37 Rashtriya Rifles sepoy, Chavan was posted in the Mendhar sector in J&K when he was reported missing hours after the surgical strikes.



On October 2, defence minister Manohar Parrikar had said that a well-established mechanism through the DGMO had been activated to seek Chohans release. He had also said that since the situation was tense, it would take some time to bring him back.



Newsnation Campaign:



Newsnation had a launched a campaign to give impetus to efforts made for Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavans safe return.

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Ludhiana:

In a horrific incident, a 15-year-old boy has allegedly killed his eight-year-old schoolmate and chopped off his body into pieces in Ludhiana, police said on Saturday.



The victim, Deepu, and the accused -- who landed in the police net -- were studying in the same school and belonged to adjoining villages in Uttar Pradesh.



During the preliminary investigations, the juvenile accused revealed that he took Deepu to his migrant house in Sheikh colony on Sua road on the pretext of flying a kite last week, deputy commissioner of police Bhupinder Singh said.



He then strangulated the victim and chopped off his body into six pieces. He packed his body in two gunny bags and threw in a vacant plot at Dugri road.



The accused removed the heart from the body and threw the organ inside the premises of his school, the officer said.



The accused told the police that he had a grudge against the school and wanted to defame the institution. The family of the accused told the police that he was fond of eating fresh flesh of animals and on several occasions, chew his own skin, the officer said.



He said that investigations of this "sensitive case" were under progress. The weapon used in the crime was also recovered.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) on Saturday in Dehradun amid objections by the Congress that BJP may use the event to influence former and serving defence personnel to gain an upper hand in the five poll-bound states.

However, the defence ministry received a go-ahead by the Election Commission to organise the event with 'certain conditions'.

The day-long conference at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) will be attended by all army commanders and their equivalents from the Air Force and the Navy.

This will be the first CCC for the three military chiefs since taking over as head of their services last year.

In a letter to the defence secretary, the commission said it has "no objection" to holding the conference at IMA. It said the dignitaries attending the conference should "observe certain conditions".

"The official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting...no media briefing, media interaction, press release, announcement in connection with serving soldiers or ex -servicemen, which may affect the voters in five poll going states, including Uttarakhand, should be made," it said asking the defence secretary to ensure compliance.

Top commanders of the three forces and senior officers of the government will attend the conference to discuss the security scenario of the country and decide upon future course of action. It is usually held every year and inaugurated by the PM.

(With inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi:

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will release Bhartiya Janata Partys manifesto for Punjab Assembly elections in Jalandhar on Sunday. The Finance Minister will release manifesto in presence of BJP Punjab unit president Vijay Sampla.

Arun Jaitley has been touring Punjab for upcoming Assembly elections.

Earlier in the day, Arun Jaitley addressed a public rally in Amritsar. Prior to the rally, Jaitley also addressed media in Amritsar.

We are confident of doing extremely well in this election; visualise that we'll bring in a continued era of development in the state, said Arun Jaitley in Punjab.

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Bhubaneswar:

Trinamool Congress MP Sudip Bandopadhaya, who was arrested in connection with the Rose Valley chitfund scam, was admitted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack on Friday as he complained of chest pain during his stay at the Special Jail at Jharpada in Bhubaneswar.

Sudip, lodged at the jail hospital, was first taken to the state-run Capital Hospital in the morning. However, the attending doctors advised to shift him to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, a jail staff said.

Bandopadhaya, who has been lodged at th e Special jail, continued to stay at the jail hospital since January 12 along with another TMC MP Tapas Pal.

Sudip Bandopadhyaya was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days from January 12 as his bail petition was rejected by the CBI designated court here.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the chit fund scam, had arrested the four-time Lok Sabha member from Kolkata on January 3. Sudip's TMC MLA wife Nayna Bandyopadhyay, had pleaded the court to allow her husband to stay in jail hospital due to his health condition.

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Los Angeles:

Scientists have been making efforts to find out if life thrives in any planet other than our Earth. While making these efforts, astronomers have managed to find that an exoplanet, named Wolf 1061, which is located around 14 light years away from Earth. The Wolf 1061 is present within the habitable zone, the area where liquid water could exist on the surface of the celestial body.

Biologists, physicists, filmmakers and philosophers have been puzzled by the question whether Earthlings are alone in the universe.

While carrying out the research an astronomer at San Francisco State University in the US named Stephen Kane laid his focus of searching "habitable zones," regions where water could exist in a liquid state on the surface of the planet in the presence of sufficient atmospheric pressure.

"The Wolf 1061 system is important because it is so close and that gives other opportunities to do follow-up studies to see if it does indeed have life," Kane said.

A habitable zone on a planetary system was examined by Kane and his team. However, the proximity of Wolf 1061 to Earth was not only an attractive subject for Kane and his team.

Researchers said a rocky planet called Wolf 1061c is one of the three known planets in the system and it is entirely within the habitable zone.

Researchers managed to measure the star around which the planet orbits in order to gain a clearer picture of the existence of life there.

Kane said when scientists look out for planets that could sustain life, they basically look for a planet having nearly identical properties to Earth.

Simply put, the planet cant be too close or too far from its parent star. A planet thats too close would be too hot like Earths twin Venus. If its too far, it may be too cold and any water would freeze, which is what happens on Mars, Kane noted.

In order to sustain life, the planet, just like Earth, would have to exist in a sweet pot which is often referred to as the "Goldilocks zone" where conditions are just perfect for life.

Kane said the planet cannot be too far or too close to its parent star. If it is too close, it would be too hot. Similarly, if it is too far, it will be too cold and would freeze water, what exactly happens on Mars.

Conversely, a "runaway greenhouse effect" can take place when planets warm and the heat gets trapped in the atmosphere, what exactly happens on Venus.

According to NASA, scientists believe that Venus was once home to oceans, but because of its proximity the Sun, it became too warm that all the water evaporated.

Since water vapour is extremely effective in trapping in heat, it made the surface of the planet even hotter. The surface temperature on Venus now reaches around 471 degrees Celsius.

"It is close enough to the star where it is looking suspiciously like a runaway greenhouse," said Kane.

As Wolf 1061c is closer to the inner edge of the habitable zone, possibility is that the planet has an atmosphere more similar to Venus.

Kane and his team also found that unlike Earth, which witnesses climate changes due to the slow variations on its orbit around the Sun, Wolf 1061cs orbit changes at a much faster rate. It may mean that the climate there could be quite chaotic.

Kane said life is possible on Wolf 1061c under one possibility - the short time scales over which Wolf 1061cs orbit changes could be enough that it could actually cool the planet off.

But fully understanding whats happening on the planets surface will take more research, he added.The findings are forthcoming in the Astrophysical Journal in a paper titled Characterization of the Wolf 1061 Planetary System.

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Beirut:

A car bomb blast killed at least seven civilians at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor told.

The Britain-based group said the dead included a family of four, with the father, mother and two children killed in the blast on the outskirts of the Rukban camp.

It said other civilians had been injured and the toll could rise because several were in serious condition.

Jordans official Petra news agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians according to the United Nations.

The source said 14 wounded people had been taken to a clinic in the border area for treatment, adding that no decision had been taken yet on whether they would be transported to Jordanian hospitals.

The source added that there were no Jordanian casualties.

Jordan closed its nearby border in June 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven Jordanian soldiers.

Officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the border a closed military zone.

The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying hellish conditions for those seeking refuge there.

Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million.

In August, King Abdullah II said his country was doing its utmost to help refugees from Syria.

However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part, he said.

More than four million Syrians have fled their country since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, which has killed more than 310,000 people.

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China:

The Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed on Friday in the presence of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Karachi. The consortium comprises Chinese Financial Futures Exchange Company Ltd (lead bidders), Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and two local partners Pak-ChinaInvestment Company and Habib Bank Ltd, Dawn reported.

A consortium led by Chinese firms has signed a strategic agreement to acquire 40 per cent equity of Pakistan Stock Exchange for USD 85 million, in a move aimed at mobilising funds for the USD 46-billion CPEC project and facilitating China's entry into the Pakistani capital market.

It had won by placing the highest bid of 28 rupees a share for 320 million shares at a price consideration of Rs 8.96billion (USD 85 mn) when the stake was put forth in December.

The PSX also plans to launch infrastructure bonds which would be predominantly be used for the USD 46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, that passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Speaking on the occasion, Dar said the government had set up a 'Pakistan Development Fund' aimed at financing the infrastructure development projects in the country.

"We would soon be coming to the Pakistan Stock Exchange(PSX) to mobilise funds," he said, adding the InternationalFinance Corporation and others had indicated their interest in participating in the Fund. Dar said the strategic deal with the Chinese consortium was a "dream come true" for him.

Besides being the best market in Asia and fifth best among global bourses in 2016 on the basis of returns, the PSX had after the divestment graduated to 'regional market', he said. He expressed the hope that the decision by the Chinese consortium to venture into Pakistan's capital market would bring benefits to both sides.

"Divestment will result in institutional shareholding, experienced ownership and good governance for PSX which will translate into organised and robust development of the exchange," he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said the occasion marked a new step in all-round cooperation between the two countries. "It is a win-win situation for both sides, "the ambassador said and added that the partnership would assist in investment financing and generate credit for CPEC.

"It comes at a significant moment when we are pushing forward CPEC to deepen cooperation and sustainable development in China-Pakistan all-weather friendship."

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kg05 wrote:

Many people argue that tobacco advertising plays a crucial role in causing teen-agers to start or continue smoking. In Norway, however, where there has been a ban on tobacco advertising since 1975, smoking is at least as prevalent among teen-agers as it is in countries that do not ban such advertising.



Which of the following statements draws the most reliable conclusion from the information above?



(A) Tobacco advertising cannot be the only factor that affects the prevalence of smoking among teenagers.

(B) Advertising does not play a role in causing teenagers to start or continue smoking.\

(C) Banning tobacco advertising does not reduce the consumption of tobacco.

(D) More teen-agers smoke if they are not exposed to tobacco advertising than if they are.

(E) Most teen-agers who smoked in 1975 did not stop when the ban on tobacco advertising was implemented.



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Premises:Tobacco advertising plays a crucial role in causing teen-agers to start or continue smoking.In Norway, tobacco adv is banned since 1975, but smoking is at least as prevalent among teen-agers as it is in countries that do not banConclusion?Note that the premises talk about smoking among teenagers.(A) Tobacco advertising cannot be the only factor that affects the prevalence of smoking among teenagers.In Norway, tobacco advertising was stopped decades ago but teenagers of today still smoke as much as they do in other countries. So other factors are responsible for start of smoking among teenagers today. Advertising cannot be the only factor.This is the answer.(B) Advertising does not play a role in causing teenagers to start or continue smoking.This we cannot conclude. It is possible that advertising plays a role but other factors play a role too. Perhaps advertising ban did reduce smoking among teenagers but availability of cigarettes through vending machines is a factor and increased smoking among teenagers. There could be many reasons why teenager smoking is same in Norway as other countries despite the ban.(C) Banning tobacco advertising does not reduce the consumption of tobacco.This statement is just too wide to be relevant in our context. We are talking about smoking among teenagers. Banning advertising could have impact on adults even if it doesn't on teenagers.(D) More teen-agers smoke if they are not exposed to tobacco advertising than if they are.The argument does not imply this at all. We know that at least as many smoke. Do more smoke? We don't know.(E) Most teen-agers who smoked in 1975 did not stop when the ban on tobacco advertising was implemented.We are talking about the teenagers of today. Teenagers of 1975 would be adults now.Answer (A)_________________
Washington:

In his first official business inside the Oval Office, US President Donald Trump signed documents pertaining to Affordable Care Act, limit the economic burden of Obamacare health law, which provides universal health care to American.



New US president Donald Trumps first day in the office started hectic as James Mattis was sworn in as the Defense Secretary and John Kelly took oath as the Secretary of Homeland Security.



Trumps move, before a busy evening of attending three inaugural presidential balls, came after the Senate voted 98-1 confirming Mattis and 88-11 in favour of Kelly.



Soon thereafter, Gen (retd) Mattis was sworn in as the new Defense Secretary of the United States by the Vice President Mike Pence and John Kelly took oath as the Secretary of Homeland Security.



It was busy, but good. A beautiful day, Trump told a group of White House reporters soon after he signed the first documents inside the Oval Office of the White House.



The executive orders pertaining to Affordable Care Act, which was the signature health care program of his predecessor Barack Obama, directs US Government departments and agencies to minimise the economic impact of Obamacare.

US president Trump had made is clear that he will repeal the Obamacare once he takes oath soon after winning the elections.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Washington :

More than 100 militants were killed in airstrikes by the US warplanes at an al-Qaida training camp in Syria, the Pentagon has said.

A Pentagon spokesperson, Navy Capt Jeff Davis, said the camp in Idlib province had been active since at least 2013.

"The removal of this training camp disrupts training operations and discourages hard-line Islamist and Syrian opposition groups from joining or cooperating with al Qaeda on the battlefield," Davis said.

The Syria strike was carried out by one B-52 bomber and an undisclosed number of US aerial drones.

It happened at about noon Washington time on Thursday, less than 24 hours after a combination of B-2 stealth bombers and drones struck two military camps in a remote part of Libya, killing 80 to 90 Islamic State militants.

Obama specifically authorised the Libya strike. It was not immediately clear whether the Syria strike required his direct approval.

The militants killed in the Syria attack were described by one defense official as "core" al Qaeda members, among a number who had moved to Syria early last year to establish a foothold.

The official distinguished these militants from members of the group formerly known as the Nusra Front, which is an al Qaeda affiliate in Syria.

Davis said Thursday's attack capped a string of successful strikes against al Qaeda this month. He said the strikes have killed more than 150 members of the group since January 1.

They include Mohammad Habib Boussadoun al-Tunisi, an external operations leader, killed last Tuesday, he said.

"These strikes, conducted in quick succession, degrade al-Qaida's capabilities, weaken their resolve, and cause confusion in their ranks," Davis said.

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It was the straw that broke the camel's back for Liz Heyer, chief executive of Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust.

Miss Heyer was just days away from discovering whether she would be sacked following the trust's dismal zero star performance in last year's NHS ratings when another scandal came to light.

The Commission For Health Improvement (CHI) an independent body that monitors clinical care in the NHS had decided to call an investigation after it uncovered a backlog of 2,700 patients waiting for ultrasound tests at Chase Farm Hospital in Enfield. Although all of the patients affected were from the Enfield rather than Barnet area, Miss Heyer resigned from her 101,000-a-year job as head of the trust, quoting a "major system failure for which I accept full responsibility".

What will worry many patients is that without the CHI investigation, we would never have known the extent of the trust's problems. It was unable to shed any light this week on how such a backlog could have gone unnoticed for so long, saying that was for a CHI investigation to establish the facts later this year.

What is more worrying is that the CHI is also looking into a similar backlog of 800 people waiting for ultrasounds that was built up two years ago.

"It is shocking news it's an awful event," admitted Mike Ward, the trust's medical director. "We accept that there was a failure in our systems that allowed this to happen. It is quite vague at the moment, I do not think I can provide you with any more detail at this stage. Obviously the purpose of the CHI investigation is to identify exactly how this happened."

A consultant radiologist at the trust, who was in charge of the ultrasound service, has been suspended and the General Medical Council's Fitness to Practice Directorate notified. The trust would not reveal his name but said he had never worked at Barnet Hospital.

Mr Ward said the backlog came to light in September 2001, but no-one made sure that the number of appointments was increased to deal with it. "We were aware that the number of ultrasound requests received through the trusts has been constantly increasing over the course of the last three years. We didn't seem to register the same sort of pressure with our appointments," he said.

The trust drew up an action plan and all but 400 of the full 3,500 patients have now had their tests. The others will be seen by the end of the month.

"I can categorically say that all the requests for investigations were looked at and designated as non-urgent," said Mr Ward. "I am not in a position to say with total confidence that nothing was missed but we are undergoing a comprehensive review of all these results as they come through and no serious conditions have been missed so far."

The question now is whether the public can have real confidence that other services at the hospital are performing as badly. The episode has done nothing to allay fears that the trust has become an unmanageable organisation. In last September's NHS ratings it was one of only 12 trusts in England and the only one in Greater London to receive zero stars. It was deemed to be 'under-achieving' in two of the nine core target areas waiting times for breast cancer patients and the number of operations cancelled on the day.

It was also 'significantly under-achieving' in a further two outpatient waits and keeping to its agreed budget. A combination of the ratings and the ultrasound backlog prompted this week's decision by Health Secretary Alan Milburn to franchise the trust to NHS managers with a "proven track record".

In the meantime acting chief executive Paul O'Connor, formerly director of operations at King's College Hospitals NHS Trust, has taken charge.

"I don't think the trust has ever been run properly certainly within my living memory," said Dr Jonathan Lubin, of the Derwent Medical Centre, Derwent Crescent, North Finchley, who has been a GP since 1989.

"It is difficult to know why. I think they have got a lot of problems because there doesn't seem to be enough money. Whether that is because they are using it badly or because there isn't enough I am not sure."

Elizabeth Manero, former chairman of Barnet Community Health Council (CHC), believes Barnet Hospital's merger with Chase Farm three years ago is partly to blame for the crisis. The received wisdom in the NHS at the time was that hospital trusts had to get bigger to offer a wider range of services.

"The CHC's position is that the merger was a mistake. Maybe [the ultrasound backlog] was a symptom of that. If managers are worried about their department and what job they are going to do then the nuts and bolts are going to get neglected it's common sense," said Mrs Manero, now chair of London Health Link, the umbrella group for the capital's CHCs.

"It is not a coincidence that another trust which got zero stars Epsom and St Helier was also a trust that merged. Patient issues inevitably get pushed out because you create a very large, complex organisation."

Hendon MP Andrew Dismore also questioned the merger. "Do we need to de-merge the two hospitals? For example, would Barnet be better merging with the Royal Free or Northwick Park? Does that better reflect its catchment area?

"I am certainly not putting that forward as a proposition but it is a question that anybody coming in with a fresh broom should be asking."

Whatever the future for Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust, there has been little sympathy for the departing Miss Heyer.

Brian Coleman, the Tory Greater London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden, described her resignation as "good riddance to bad rubbish".

Philippa Curran, vice-chair of Barnet's Local Medical Committee, said: "One has to recognise her dedication to her job and the hugely challenging agenda she faced.

"But when evidence like that is produced in one organisation you have to accept that the service is unacceptable."
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DANBURY - The Bridgeport Dioceses 16-month study of under-enrolled and financially struggling Catholic elementary schools is expected to bring changes in as little as two weeks.

In Danbury and neighboring Brookfield, the solution is probably not to shut schools, but to change the way they are managed and to invest in them, Bridgeport Bishop Frank Caggiano said last week.

Some of these demographic and financial challenges transcend the ability of one school to overcome them, so a number of these schools have to look to work together, the bishop said.

Caggiano could decide as soon as February what to do about diocesan schools here and in two other regions of Fairfield County - Stamford and the Shelton-Monroe area.

The changes could include consolidating schools into a single academy, perhaps with multiple campuses, following successful models in Greenwich, Norwalk and Bridgeport.

Catholic elementary school enrollment in Fairfield County has dropped from 7,770 students in 2009 to 6,400 students today.

The declining enrollment is a function of competition from public schools, the cost of Catholic school tuition, and a decrease in young families participating in parish life and its taking its toll on diocesan finances. It has cost the diocese $21 million to cover school budget deficits since it took over the management of parochial schools in 2000.

But the diocese has more in mind than saving money.

However we reshuffle the cards, we are still planning on educating the same number of students, said diocese spokesman Brian Wallace. And the systems and resources we put in place will put us in a position to grow.

The possibility that some Fairfield County Catholic schools might close or consolidate is causing anxiety in some parishes.

Registration is way down - you cant deny that, said Fred Visconti, the chairman of the Parish Council at Saint Peter Church in downtown Danbury and a member of the City Council. But we would hope that any major decision about the school would be done by the parish itself.

The bishop responded that everyone involved in studying solutions is on the same side.

Catholic education needs to be preserved and needs to have the resources to innovate in a changing world, Caggiano said. My goal is to get back to full enrollment in all our schools. We have about 3,000 empty seats.

The diocese has 9,000 students and 1,000 faculty in 31 schools from Bethel to Wilton. But its the 25 elementary schools that have been under review.

Danbury and Brookfield together have a total of 890 students in four Catholic elementary schools, all of which are losing money, the diocese said. The average tuition of $6,400 doesnt cover the $7,300 that it costs to educate each child.

Even so, the dioceses per-pupil spending is considerably lower than the $12,700 Danbury public schools spend per student, and the $15,400 state average for public schools.

The dioceses five high schools, on the other hand, give reason for hope, Caggiano said. Catholic high school enrollment in Fairfield County is up by 75 students since 2009.

Danburys Immaculate High School, for example, has seen a 24 percent jump in enrollment in the last four years, to 470 students. The school expects to enroll 500 students in the fall.

The high schools are doing their own strategic planning - and Immaculate is going through a renaissance, which is wonderful, Caggiano said. What the high schools are doing, I want to do on the elementary level.

The bishop plans to speak with parents during a Jan. 30 meeting in Danbury before making his final decision.

In Danbury, I dont anticipate significant change, but schools still have issues to deal with, Caggiano said. In other regions, there may be more significant change.

In Stamford, for example, the bishop is weighing a proposal that would create one elementary school out of four schools with a combined enrollment of less than 600.

The future

The challenges facing Catholic schools come at a time of increasing budgetary and demographic pressure on public schools.

Many of Western Connecticuts public school districts are feeling the effects of decreasing enrollment, and the billion-dollar fiscal crisis in Hartford means less state aid is coming their way.

Cities such as Danbury are the exception to the decreasing enrollment trend, with annual enrollment growth as high as 2.5 percent in some of its public elementary schools.

But steady population growth in Danbury is not translating into parochial school enrollment, the diocese said.

Enrollment numbers at the four Catholic elementary schools being studied in Danbury are:

Saint Gregory the Great School - 209

Saint Joseph School - 255

Saint Peters School - 249

Saint Joseph School (Brookfield) - 177

Catholic elementary schools are struggling not only because of competition from quality public schools and the diminished numbers of young adults with active faith lives in Fairfield County.

The model that many Catholic schools were founded on, when they were built by immigrants and staffed by nuns, is outdated, the diocese said. Todays Catholic schools are staffed by lay teachers with masters degrees, and can no longer afford to charge parents a nominal tuition.

In response, the diocese has set up working groups in Danbury, Shelton and Stamford to study ways to stabilize and even increase enrollment.

A Danbury parent with three children in Catholic school said she trusts the diocese to do the right thing.

I do feel that the bishop is going to do what is best for us, and that his desire is for all children who want to have a Catholic education to have one, said Kate Gibowitz, a homeroom parent coordinator at Saint Joseph School in Danbury. (I)t absolutely starts with the parents to instill a sense of faith in children, but I do like the fact that the reinforcement comes on a daily basis in a Catholic school environment.

Once the bishop makes his decision about the shape Catholic schools will take in Danbury, Shelton and Stamford, parents can expect to hear more about an investment initiative launched by Caggiano called the Education Foundation. The foundations purpose is to enhance the diocesan scholarship fund, to establish a professional development program for teachers and to update technology and curriculum in classrooms.

This is what it means to be good stewards of the faith, Caggiano said. There is a financial piece to it of course, but we also need to engage in strategic planning so that we can be faithful to our mission and meet the changing needs of our world.

rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342
NEWTOWN - The mother of a boy who was slain in the Sandy Hook massacre believes the tragedy could have been prevented if Adam Lanza had understood the power of love.

Lanza is the 20-year-old who killed his mother and then shot his way into Sandy Hook School, killing 20-first-graders and six educators before turning a gun on himself.

The whole tragedy started with an angry thought in Adam Lanzas head, said Scarlett Lewis, who founded the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement after her son was killed in 2012.

(Lanza) was horrifically bullied, and we know that he was isolated, Lewis said Social and emotional learning could have changed that angry thought into a loving thought.

Lewis nonprofit is promoting the third annual Social and Emotional Learning Awareness Week in February, with the help of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other supporters, to teach the importance of courage, gratitude, forgiveness and compassion in education and mental health.

At the same time her Choose Love Movement is gearing up for the launch of a nationwide school-based enrichment program to help students be more resilient and compassionate.

The program, which will be offered free to schools, is designed help students gain better self-control and make responsible decisions by improving their self-awareness and their social skills.

Our goal is to change the culture of the schools, Lewis said. We know from decades of research that social and emotional learning reduces bullying, increases connections and decreases isolation.

The program is already being tested in Connecticut and three other states, Lewis said. The plan is to collect feedback from Stamfords Rippowam Middle School and the other pilot schools in Arkansas, New Mexico and Hawaii. The nonprofit team will make adjustments in the summer, in preparation for a nationwide launch in the fall.

The program is available at the website www.jesselewischooselove.org.

The main thing about our program is its free, Lewis says. It teaches kids to love themselves and to love others.

The Social and Emotional Learning Awareness Week and the Choose Love Enrichment Program are part of a larger network of programs and projects that have sprung from foundations launched in response to the Sandy Hook massacre.

One of the highest-profile groups is Sandy Hook Promise, which has taken big steps forward in recent months in its effort to prevent gun violence. The group has launched a $23 million campaign to train millions in its prevention programs, and to launch a nationwide reporting hotline for red-flag behavior, among other initiatives.

Sandy Hook Promise has also received nationwide attention for two school-based programs that work with peer support. Start With Hello is a program to combat chronic isolation. Say Something is a program that teaches students to tell a trusted adult if they see red-flag behavior at school or online.

Lewis said the Choose Love Enrichment Program is already showing promising signs.

It is in about 200 classrooms right now and we are getting incredible anecdotal feedback, she said. We heard from one senior in high school who said learning this formula saved his life.

rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342
The biggest leap in decades in diagnosing prostate cancer has been made using new scanning equipment, say doctors and campaigners. Using advanced MRI nearly doubles the number of aggressive tumors that are caught. And the trial on 576 men, published in the Lancet, showed more than a quarter could be spared invasive biopsies, which can lead to severe side-effects.

The NHS is already reviewing whether the scans can be introduced widely.

Using MP-MRI to triage men might allow 27% of patients avoid a primary biopsy and diagnosis of 5% fewer clinically insignificant cancers. If subsequent TRUS-biopsies were directed by MP-MRI findings, up to 18% more cases of clinically significant cancer might be detected compared with the standard pathway of TRUS-biopsy for all. MP-MRI, used as a triage test before first prostate biopsy, could reduce unnecessary biopsies by a quarter. MP-MRI can also reduce over-diagnosis of clinically insignificant prostate cancer and improve detection of clinically significant cancer.

93% of aggressive cancers were detected by using the MRI scan to guide the biopsy compared with just 48% when the biopsy was done at random.

Dr Ahmed, who works at University College London Hospitals, told the BBC News website: This is a significant step-change in the way we diagnose prostate cancer.

We have to look at the long-term survival, but in my opinion by improving the detection of important cancers that are currently missed we could see a considerable impact.

But that will need to be evaluated in future studies, and we may have to wait 10 to 15 years.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in British men, and yet testing for it is far from perfect.

If men have high prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood, they go for a biopsy.

Twelve needles then take random samples from the whole of the prostate.

It can miss a cancer that is there, fail to spot whether it is aggressive, and cause side-effects including bleeding, serious infections and erectile dysfunction.

Taking a random biopsy from the breast would not be accepted, but we accept that in prostate, said Dr Hashim Ahmed, a consultant and one of the researchers.

Around 100,000 to 120,000 men go through this every year in the UK.

Scanning

The trial, at 11 hospitals in the UK, used multi-parametric MRI on men with high PSA levels.

It showed 27% of the men did not need a biopsy at all.

Lancet  Diagnostic accuracy of multi-parametric MRI and TRUS biopsy in prostate cancer (PROMIS): a paired validating confirmatory study
DARPA has created the Multi-Azimuth DefenseFast Intercept Round Engagement System (MAD-FIRES) program to design and develop technologies associated with a medium-caliber guided projectile It will combine the guidance, precision and accuracy generally afforded by missiles with the speed, rapid-fire capability and large ammunition capacity afforded by bullets.

MAD-FIRES aims to advance the state-of-the-art in defensive gun systems by creating a new, low-cost technological foundation for guided, gun-launched projectiles. Specifically, MAD-FIRES aims to incorporate enhanced ammunition rounds able to alter their flight path in real time to stay on target, and a capacity to continuously target, track and engage multiple fast-approaching targets simultaneously and re-engage any targets that survive initial engagement.

Envisioned benefits of MAD-FIRES for future systems include:

Improved real-time defense against evolving air and surface combat threats, facilitated by:

Extreme precision

An ability to defend against greater numbers of simultaneous and diverse attacks

Decreased per-engagement costs by a factor of 10 or more

Potential future applicability to air and ground platforms

Smarter munitions are needed to cope with smaller threats against US naval ships, such as small motorboats and drones. Attacks by unmanned vehicles, missiles, small planes, fast in-shore attack craft and other platforms pose a perennial, evolving and potentially lethal threat to ships and other maritime vessels. The escalating risks posed by these ever-morphing threats demand that vessels have access to defensive capabilities at the leading edge of air and surface combat technologies. In particular, current close-range gun systems would greatly benefit from an ability to engage multiple and diverse targets coming from a range of directions and do so rapidly and with high precision.

Raytheon already has excalibur shells. They are guided by external fins that pop out after firing and it claims they achieve around 2 meters (6.5 feet) of accuracy with a range of 50km (31 miles). The company already has a smaller version for naval use under development that might be useful for this contract.

DARPA wants to keep costs low enough for mass deployment but accurate enough to be useful against smaller targets.



SOURCES- DARPA, Register UK
Gambias former president, Yahya Jammeh will now leave Banjul on Saturday with President Alpha Conde of Guinea, to begin a new life in exile.

This followed Fridays final peace move by Conde and Mauritanias President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.The two West African leaders traveled to Banjul to persuade the long-ruling Jammeh to leave peacefully before West African forces pounced on him.In a statement issued on state TV Friday night, Jammeh announced that he was stepping down, a superfluous announcement as he was already no more the leader, having been denied recognition by the world.All indications are that Jammeh will be going into exile in Guinea.A senior adviser to new President Adama Barrow said talks to finalize the exile deal were holding up his exit.I can assure you that he has agreed to leave, Mai Ahmad Fatty, Barrows special advisor, told Reuters in Senegals capital Dakar. He could not say where Jammeh would go into exile.President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow had earlier confirmed Yahya Jammehs stepping down.Barrow, on his Twitter handle on Friday, @adama_barrow said: I would like to inform you that Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down.He is scheduled to depart Gambia today. #NewGambia.Barrow on Thursday took the oath of office as Gambias new president.He was sworn-in about 5 p.m. Senegalese time at the Gambian High Commission in Dakar, Senegal.Barrow succeeded Yahya Jammeh, who lost in the Dec. 1 presidential election and refused to vacate office when his term expired midnight on Thursday.Gambias Chief of Defence, Ousman Badjie, on Friday pledged loyalty to President Barrow.West African troops that crossed from neighboring Senegal into Gambia to help unseat Jammeh would be welcomed with a cup of tea, said Badjie.ECOWAS armies halted Operation Restore Democracy aimed at installing the countrys new president, Adama Barrow, on Thursday so regional leaders could make one last attempt to convince long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh to step aside.In Dakar, the Nigerian force Commander, Operation Restore Democracy, Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, said the ECOWAS forces would not let down their guard, in spite of negotiations for the former Gambian president, Alhaji Yahaya Jammeh to leave office.He said the troops are awaiting briefing by the political leaders.Yusuf made the statement while briefing journalists in Dakar, on Friday.Even if he quits we are not letting down our guard, our mandate is to restore peace in Gambia.We have been on standby, and the troops are still on a very high alert, depending on the outcome of political negotiations.We are not letting down our guard; our mandate is to restore democracy in Gambia, Yusuf said.Yusuf added that the mandate given to them was to restore peace and nothing else.He promised to carry out his responsibilities professionally while waiting for a further directive from the political masters.Jammeh, in power since a 1994 coup, initially conceded defeat to Barrow following a Dec. 1 election before back-tracking, saying the vote was flawed.
President of The Gambia, Mr. Adama Barrow, has confirmed that defeated former President Yayah Jammeh has agreed to step down.Barrow, yesterday, wrote on his Facebook page, BarrowOfficial: I would like to inform you that Yaya Jammeh agreed to relinquish power and leave the country.He is scheduled to depart Gambia today #NewGambia.He earlier wrote thanking Senegalese President Macky Sall: Thank you once again President @Macky_Sall for hosting me and my family. He added: I must also express profound gratitude to ECOWAS, AU, the Security Council of the UN and all nations who stood by us.Am taking this opportunity to thank the entire electorate of the #Gambia and Gambians in the Diaspora.Gambias Chief of Defence, Ousman Badgie, had said yesterday said there is not going to be any war or any fighting as talks to convince Yahya Jammeh to cease power continues.The Gambian Army Chief assured that the West African leaders would continue to make a final attempt to convince Yahya Jammeh to cede power.Its a political misunderstanding; it is going to be solved politically, not militarily.Security is guaranteed 100 per cent, the army chief adds, inviting thousands of Gambians who fled their country in fear of violence to return.You cannot push us to war for an issue we can solve politically, Badjie said. We dont see any reason to fight.West African troops that crossed from neighbouring Senegal into Gambia to help unseat Jammeh would be welcomed with a cup of tea, saidThe Gambias defense forces pledged their allegiance yesterday to the new President, Adama Barrow, while the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania tried to persuade Jammeh to cede power in the West African nation.The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) military force awaited orders to roll into the capital and force Jammeh from the office he held for 22 years. Barrow, who was elected president last month, was sworn in Thursday at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal and the United Nations (UN) Security Council voted unanimously to approve the regional military intervention.A Gambian Presidential aircraft was seen parked on the tarmac of Banjuls airport yesterday.The leaders of Guinea and Mauritania had arrived in Gambias capital in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to get Jammeh to cede power to Barrow.Badjie told The Associated Press that Gambias security services all support Barrow and would not fight the regional force that was poised to push out Jammeh if talks failed.With his security forces abandoning him and his cabinet dissolved, Jammeh was increasingly isolated as the last-minute talks continued at his official residence in the capital, Banjul, with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.The West African regional force, including tanks, moved in during the evening without facing any resistance, said Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of ECOWAS.At least 20 military vehicles were seen yesterday at the border town of Karang. They included troops from Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Mali, and they moved in after Barrows inauguration and the U.N. vote.Guinean President Alpha Conde arrived in Banjul with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. Mauritania has been mentioned as a possible home in exile for Jammeh. After a first round of talks, they broke for Friday prayers and resumed. Conde would offer Jammeh the chance to step down peacefully, de Souza said.Jammeh has the choice of going with President Alpha Conde, he said, but if that fails, we will bring him by force or by will.He had agreed to step down, but demanded amnesty for any crimes he may have committed during his 22 years in power and wanted to stay in Gambia, in his home village of Kanilai, de Souza said. Those demands are not acceptable to ECOWAS, he added.Jammehs continued presence in Gambia would create disturbances to public order and terrorist movements, said de Souza. ECOWAS wants Barrow to take power in Gambia without any security threats, said de Souza.At a news conference in Nouakchott before leaving for Gambia, Abdel Aziz said he would never understand why Jammeh backed off from his initial pledge to accept defeat and step down, Mauritanian state media reported.In his inaugural speech, which took place under heavy security, Barrow urged Jammeh to respect the will of the people and step aside. He also called for Gambias armed forces to stay in their barracks.Some of Gambias diplomatic missions have begun switching their allegiance.We embrace and support the new president Adama Barrow, said Almamy Kassama, an official at the Gambian mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in an email.The U.S. supported the regional forces intervention and was in touch with officials in Senegal, said State Department spokesman John Kirby, adding that he didnt have tactical information, but obviously, its very, very tense. Senegalese radio station RFM reported 30 Gambian soldiers had crossed into Senegal to fight alongside the regional forces.I think the Gambian military would know its outnumbered, said Maggie Dwyer, an expert on West African armed forces at the University of Edinburgh. Gambias military has very little combat experience. This would be a very difficult situation for them.She estimated it had 2,400 troops at most, plus fewer than 1,000 paramilitary forces.My guess is a very small number would actually put their life on the line for Jammeh, though some could stand by him to get the same deal he might receive to avoid prosecution, Dwyer said.Soldiers at checkpoints in Banjul appeared relaxed, with one telling visitors, Welcome to the smiling coast.Other nations have begun stepping away from Jammeh, with the African Union saying the continental body no longer recognizes him.About 45,000 people have fled Gambia for Senegal, fearing violence, according to the Senegalese government and the U.N. refugee agency.About two-thirds are children accompanied by women, the U.N. said.Only about a few thousand international tourists are believed to still be in Gambia, and efforts continued to evacuate them.
US President Donald Trump brands himself as a dealmaker but arguably, the most significant American deal struck in the past 40 years since Camp David, was the Iran Nuclear Agreement by former President Barack Obama. Achieving with a sweep of the pen what years of debilitating sanctions never accomplished, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA, stilled Irans uranium enrichment programme and reduced its nuclear stockpile.

Yet Trump has called it the worst deal ever negotiated and vowed to tear it up. Trumps electoral bluster against the Iran deal could be diffused by workaday reality. He remains positive toward Moscow  and President Vladimir Putins most significant ally in the Syrian war theatre is Iran. What is more, Iran is actively fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which Trump really hates.

Significantly, the hardest-nosed, anti-deal hawks  including Newt Gingrich and Rudy Giuliani  failed to secure seats in Trumps cabinet. Instead, newly appointed Defense Secretary General James Mattis has stated that to scupper it would sully Washingtons trustworthy image, and isolate the US, as allies in the European Union and United Nations would be unlikely to follow suit.

Yet, Trump may still see compelling reasons to rip it up. First, he, like Hillary Clinton, is much more favourable towards Israel than Obama was, and Israel is starkly anti-Iran and hates the JCPOA.

Second, the prospects for US business in Iran remain slim, while opportunities with Saudi Arabia and other conservative Arab regimes are vibrant. As Riyadh is embroiled in its own soft war with Iran, while anxious to maintain cosy relations with Washington, encouraging Trump to rip up the deal is a Kingdom goal.

Third, the deals future is vulnerable not only in Washington but also in Iran, where hardliners never strongly supported it, and where a political standoff between reformers and hawks is taking shape in the run-up to the presidential elections of April 2017. This uncertainty has been exacerbated by the death of pragmatist reformer Hashemi Rafsanjani, which has left President Hassan Rouhani fighting for his future, and the deal.

The consequences of scrapping the JCPOA would be dire  Irans nuclear re-activation, a possible regional nuclear race and an escalation of conflict in the neighbourhood.

Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, has hinted that Iran could regain most of its enrichment capability within a year and a half.

Tehran, however, would have to decide whether it, too, would rip up the deal and lose its economic windfall. If Irans hardliners prevail and it backs out of the JCPOA, business deals with the EU would abruptly be cut off. The oil and gas industries  the biggest beneficiaries of post-sanctions investment  would shrink, plunging Iran into a new recession, dashing the hopes of its vast youth population, prompting possible domestic unrest and likely clampdowns.

With the prospect of closer US-Iran relations no longer containing Saudi ire against Iran, the chances of growing conflict between these two Gulf powers could be expected to rise, an unprecedented situation in modern regional history, as until now, they have never allowed their simmering mistrust and Sunni-Shia competition to boil over into outright war.

Finally, a cancelled deal would mean no more inspections of Irans nuclear programme. This combined with an Iranian missile programme that is expanding rapidly, makes a toxic combination, one that could attract an Israeli corrective attack with Trump support, immediately broadening the turmoil in the Syria-Iraq theatre into a wider and highly militarised regional war.

The JCPOA is a compromise that has worked. Getting more guarantees for the US would mean forcing Iran to accept more concessions, which its hardliners wont do. Though Trump may be a great deal maker, Obamas Iran deal is about as good as it gets.

Roxane Farmanfarmaian is an affiliated lecturer in international relations of the Middle East and North Africa at University of Cambridge. This article was originally published in Al Jazeera.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
Twinkas, another Ponzi scheme similar to the troubled MMM, has started trending with memberships in different categories.According to the scheme, www.twinkas.com, Twinkas said it was created to promote the greatest good, with a particular emphasis on helping man and the environment.It said that it had successfully revised all technical and logical issues about the front-end and has provided mobile numbers to help facilitate the money exchange process.We are gradually restoring our CRM Modules (Live Chat, Ticket, Mobile Calls) to enable us get in touch with you regularly.We have switched to STRICT MODE. Meaning zero tolerance. Hence, we will not entertain any form of uncanny behaviour from sponsors/downlines.Twinkas has rolled out some conditions, including the warning that prospective investors must keep their mobile phones open most of the times and be online in order to succeed. If a sponsors mobile is switched off or not answering calls for about 6 Hours, Twinkas will have that account blocked. If a sponsor fails to activate his/her referral after receiving payment, Twinkas will have that account and subsequent accounts connected to your bank and mobile number blocked. You are advised to have an online banking Application on your mobile phone to help facilitate the process. Mobile numbers will be displayed on your dashboard. Please save them and do not receive any call from other lines claiming to have emanated from Twinkas.He warned investors against pestering any of the numbers for trivial Issues.These numbers should be called only in the cases of emergency, hacked accounts or other serious Twinkas related issues.Use the Live Support and the Ticketing System (Still in View) for only serious Twinkas Issues also. We know those working hard for Twinkas, your reward will be a surprise!.According to the website, Twinkas Classic now has 198,985; Professional with117,290; Twinkas Premium has 117,147 members; the Ultimate with 170,322 members; has zero members under the Vetreran category.Any amount invested in each of the categories would attract double the amount after one month maturity.Under Classic, members are expected to invest N5,000 with V10,000 return Investment; and subscribers on the Professional platform would invest N10,000 and with N20,000 Return.Under the Premium level of N20,000 investment, investors would get N40,000;Ultimate with contribution of N50,000 attracts N100,000 return.The Veteran scheme is N100,000 investment with a return of N200,000 but no one has yet to invest on the platform.Concerned citizens and financial institutions had warned against participation in these Ponzi scheme because they are fraud.Many Nigerians were warned against investing in MMM few months before it became distress and had yet to fully pick up.Nigerians have been warned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to deposit money in any institution that is not insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).The bank through its the acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, warned especially on the trending MMM Nigeria community.Okoroafor said: At times like this when the economy has suffered some decline, Nigerians should be very careful with those they deal with. Any institution that is not licensed by the CBN to accept deposits should not be given money to keep under any guise.We can vouch for the banking system. The deposit money banks are the only licensed institutions to take deposits. If you need to deposit money in any form, go to any of the deposit money banks and put your money, you can buy fixed income instruments or invest in stocks.These people always come with very interesting propositions. These are fraudsters who are just out there to collect peoples money and run away as soon as they hit their target. There is no insurance because the NDIC does not even protect them against such risks when they occur.He said there is a new Ponzi scheme called MMM that is spreading like wildfire and a lot of young school leavers have already signed on to this scheme, which the promoters are marketing as a mutual fundMMM offers its participants 30 per cent growth rate per month for each and every donation they make into the system MMM belongs to the community, its sustainability depends on the activities of the people that make up the MMM Nigeria community, that is me and you and other MMM Nigeria participants,Typically, what promoters of such pyramid scheme do is that they offer rates far beyond what is obtainable in commercial banks. This would always attract a lot of people who would always rush in to stake their funds.But, those who join the scheme late would always be the ones to lose their shirts as they would have been convinced by those that joined earlier to invest huge amounts of money.
Read his article below...

President Muhammadu Buhari wants to intervene in The Gambia to prevent a breakdown of law and order which will lead to a humanitarian crisis. The Gambia has a population of 1.8 million people, while Kaduna has a population of 6 million people of which over 2 million of those are in Southern Kaduna.



Till date, the only person who has died in The Gambia is President elect Barrow's son, Habibu Barrow, who was bitten by a dog. But in Southern Kaduna, hundreds of people have bitten the dust.

If in truth President Buhari really wants to prevent a humanitarian crisis, the place he should be visiting and intervening in is Southern Kaduna before The Gambia.

And the penchant of the President to delegate pressing domestic problems to his subordinates while personally addressing foreign challenges of lower priority is on the increase.

I have chosen to empathize with the Buhari administration over the deaths of Internally Displaced Persons and international aid workers at the Rann IDP camp in Borno state by a bomb mistakenly dropped on the camp by a Nigerian Air Force Jet, but for the life of me I cannot understand why the President, who heavily criticized former President Jonathan's handling of the Boko Haram crisis, elected to delegate his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and some ministers to visit the victims and survivors of the Rann disaster to offer condolences and supposed support.

And to the Borno state governor who cheekily said there was progress because in his words there was no "blame game" as would have happened in the previous administration of Jonathan, I would just say, wake up and smell the coffee. I can see no excuse for this faux pas except the Borno state Governor is sarcastically trying to call out the Buhari government for its over indulgence in blaming previous administrations.

If it was possible, the Buhari administration would have taken out a registered trade mark on the phrase 'blame game'. Never in the history of Nigeria, and perhaps contemporary Africa, has an administration invested so much of its focus and time on blame gaming as the Buhari government. So Governor Shettima would have to pull more fallacious words out of his mischievous magical hat of illusions to be able to pin such a false accusation on the Jonathan Government.

It may be necessary to remind Governor Shettima that the Jonathan he so likes to blame visited Borno more than once as President during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. Has President Buhari even bothered to drop by? That is how much the President thinks of him!

But in all this, we still must give God the glory that the mistake by the air force did not occur while Oby Ezekwesili and Lai Mohammed were combing Sambisa forest in search of the missing Chibok girls.

And let me speak directly to the President. President Muhammadu Buhari, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, don't you think you owe it as a duty to be in Rann at this very moment to personally comfort victims and survivors of the unfortunate mistaken bombing by our Armed Forces?

This is more so when some of the dead include qualified doctors who left their countries, homes and profitable businesses to volunteer through Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross.

If those foreigners could leave their countries to go to Rann, sir, you can leave Aso Rock to go there. This bombing is not your fault, but if you fail to visit Rann where lives have been lost, you will send a very wrong message particularly as you just visited The Gambia where no lives have been lost accidentally or deliberately due to Yahya Jammeh's actions.

Why President Buhari Ran(n) to Gambia and ran away from Rann would continue to be a mystery for a while. But the truth still remains that you do not focus on putting out the fire in your neighbor's tiny hut when your own massive estate is on fire.

In Nigeria's history no President has engaged in foreign travels like President Muhammadu Buhari yet never before has foreign investment dried up in Nigeria as it is today.

So bad has the situation degenerated to that Reuters, in a piece by Paul Carsten and his colleagues published on January 18, 2017 detailed how President Buhari's globetrotting efforts to secure foreign loans have hit a brick wall.

The article cited failure to present a coherent economic recovery program as the reason why foreign donors are wary of trusting the Buhari administration with their hard earned money.

In fact, the article posited that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been forced to work with a "consultancy" to patch together a policy document that it hopes would be acceptable to foreign lenders.

Now, Nigerians can understand why I questioned the wisdom in the appointment of a polytechnic graduate by President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria's finance minister at a time when we should be putting our best foot forward. The finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, attended the University of East London. The problem is not that this university is one of the worst universities in the United Kingdom today. The issue is that the 'university' was actually a polytechnic at the time Kemi Adeosun attended it and was only upgraded to university status in 1992! If you Google this university, you will find that it's graduates are one of the least likely to get a job on the strength of their degree of any university in the United Kingdom.

I guess the guidance and counseling department of the University of East London should by now have found a fix for this problem-if you cannot find U.K. employment with your UEL degree, just relocate to Nigeria. Chances are you would be made a cabinet minister!

The funniest thing is that when President Buhari ran against then President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003 one of his prominent campaign posters had the promise and I quote "what we will not do-spend 110 days in a year globetrotting". As I write this and as you read it, President Muhammadu Buhari has globe-trotted all the way to London. In fact, by his first anniversary as President on May 29, 2016, President Buhari had made 30 foreign trips with very little by way of returns to the country from them. So much for his promises. Would the President be man enough to apologize to former President Obasanjo who was the subject of his particular criticism in 2003? Your guess is as good as mine!

So my advise to the President is that he should spend less time blaming past administrations especially as he is now more guilty than them of the things he accused them of.

I give this advise because I am aware that each time President Muhammadu Buhari blames previous administrations, what foreign and domestic investors see is a leader who loves the perks and privilege of his office but hates the responsibility attached to it. They see a ruler who likes to bask in the glory of his predecessors achievements like the Abuja-Kaduna rail and the Treasury Single Account, yet refuses to give them any credit. And they will not invest their money in a country whose leader focuses on blaming instead of leading. Blame is the cause of the Naira losing value not falling oil price. An economy can survive a price crash but it cannot survive a crash in leadership.

Now, on to other matters. Two weeks ago I commended the President for fulfilling at least one of his campaign promises. By this I meant the promise to pay 5,000 to the poorest Nigerians. Again I commend the President. However, since I gave my commendation I have gotten some feedback.

It would seem that many Nigerians are not impressed by the 5,000 handout from the APC led Federal Government because they are already on their own fulfilling President Buhari's campaign promise of one meal per day because food is too costly and kerosene to cook it is too expensive!

If you are still talking of gas then you must be a super elite because the price of gas has skyrocketed beyond belief! From a price of 1,800 for a 12.5kg cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) under former President Jonathan the price is now 4,200 under President Buhari and rising.

Under former President Jonathan, Nigeria had many fast rising political, business music and acting stars but under President Buhari the only thing that is fast rising is the price of food, electric, gas, petrol, kerosene and dollars! What a fast rising government!

And it seems Nigerians also misunderstood the President's promise to make 1 equal to $1. It was perhaps a typo. The printer probably forgot three zeros. He may have meant make 1000 equal to $1!

And the President's promise to be fair to all Nigerians is now sounding hollow although the fault is not entirely his. State governments have their own fair share in the blame although one could argue that they took their cue from the President's body language especially after his famous '97% versus 5%' speech at the United States Institute for Peace in July of 2015.

Today (Wednesday 18th of January, 2017), the police brought Joachim, the man who named his dog Buhari, to court for prosecution. This is the same police that has not yet prosecuted any of the killers of hundreds of Southern Kaduna people. This is the same police that last week released the suspected killers of Mrs. Elisha, the RCCG pastor killed in Kubwa. We are not even talking of the suspected beheaders of evangelist Bridget Agbahime who were acquitted in Kano two months ago. As I always say, welcome to the new and improved Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari!

In the new and improved Nigeria, you are more likely to be prosecuted if you misname a dog and if you steal or kill cattle than if you kill or behead a Christian Evangelist or pastor.

This is even as a Governor admits to paying self admitted foreign killers of Nigerian citizens with tax payer funds to induce them not to kill again. Again I say, welcome to the new and improved Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari!
The Catholic Church in Nigeria has again cried out over the abduction of its priest, Gabriel Oyaka, who was kidnapped along Okene-Lokoja r...

The Catholic Church in Nigeria has again cried out over the abduction of its priest, Gabriel Oyaka, who was kidnapped along Okene-Lokoja road in September, 2015.Mr. Oyaka, a priest from the Holy Ghost congregation of the church, was abducted after he left the house of the congregation in Katampe extension, an Abuja suburb, on transit to Onitsha, Anambra State, on September 7, 2015.Addressing journalists on Mr. Oyakas abduction, leaders of the church from the Holy Ghost congregation in Abuja said on Thursday that they were still hopeful that the priest would return to the church.The Catholic Bishop of Abuja archdiocese, John Onaiyekan, who spoke on behalf of the church leaders, lamented the failure of security agencies to secure the victims release. He stressed that the problem of insecurity in Nigeria leaves much to be expected from security operatives.On the 7th of September, 2015, Father Gabriel Oyaka left the house of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost located at Katampe Extension, Abuja, on transit to Onitsha, Anambra State. However, Father Gabriel never arrived at his destination, and nothing was heard from him. Upon investigation by the Nigerian Police Force, it was reported that his car was found intact by the roadside, with his cell phone in the car, but he was nowhere to be found. His car was then moved to the police station in Okene, Kogi State.We mark 7th of September as the day of his disappearance, and it is a sad remembrance for the Holy Ghost Fathers of the Province of Nigeria North West  and indeed the entire Roman Catholic Church.However, our longing for his return to us has remained undaunted. It is the resilience of our collective spirit that motivates us to convene this press conference.Speaking during an earlier an interview, Mr. Onaiyekan said during the past year, the church experienced many cases of abduction of catholic priests, but added that most of those kidnapped were released; except for two.The vast majority of the priests who were kidnapped were released. We presently have the case of one priest who was kidnapped over a year ago, which we have no information about. And the kidnappers have never called for any ransom.We also have the case of the vicar general of Otukpo who was kidnapped, he died in their hands and they dumped his body in the bush. But about three or four weeks later, his body was found.Mr. Onaiyekan said a lot needs to be done by security operatives to ensure the protection of lives and property in Nigeria.He said although the church had announced shortly after the kidnap that a Catholic priest was abducted; a press conference on the said kidnap became necessary, given the worrisome silence of the kidnappers who abducted the priest.He called on Nigerians to pray for Mr. Oyaka and all other abductees held by kidnappers, across Nigeria, as well as for the peace of the country.
A fresh calamity almost hit the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp Rann, Borno State, on Thursday night, 48 hours after its accid...

About hundred Boko Haram fighters, fully armed, sought to overrun the camp but were repelled by soldiers, witnesses said.The battle raged for about four hours, leaving 15 of the invaders dead, according to the commanding Officer of 3 Batallion of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Patrick Omoke.Omoke, who briefed the Chief of Army Staff, who was on a working visit to the area yesterday, said one of the Boko Haram terrorists was captured alive by the troops.He also disclosed that the insurgents came in two hilux vehicles at about 5pm and were engaged for more than 30 minutes.He said that one Hilux vehicle was seized from the terrorists while they fled with another one.Omoke said interrogations revealed that the captured suspect speaks Shuwa Arab, the main language of the people of the area.Some of the Boko Haram terrorists killed were discovered to have been dressed with IEDs to their bodies.Gen Buratai, while interacting with the troops, said he was in Rann for an operational visit to understand the challenges the troops were facing with a view to improving on them.Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) whose members have been assisting in treating the IDPs especially victims of Tuesdays accidental bombing said yesterday that the death toll in the incident had reached 90.Most of the victims were women and children.An agency report yesterday said the Boko Haram botched attack occurred as aid workers were trying to help bombing victims.This incident happened just an hour after a (Doctors Without Borders) rescue helicopter left the town and has a traumatizing effect on everyone in Rann, one aid worker was quoted as saying.The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, was due at Rann yesterday.The town is the headquarters of Kalabalge Local Government Area.The Air Force has launched an investigation into the accident.Doctors Without Borders said yesterday that around 90 people were killed when a Nigerian air force plane circled twice and dropped two bombs in the middle of the town of Rann, adding that the death toll could still rise further.It cited consistent reports from residents and community leaders that as many as 170 people were killed.This figure needs to be confirmed, it said in a statement.The victims of this horrifying event deserve a transparent account of what happened and the circumstances in which this attack took place, MSF General Director Bruno Jochum said.Humanitarian workers were distributing food to between 20,000 and 40,000 people living in makeshift shelters at the camp when the bombing occurred.MSFs Jochum said civilians were paying the price of a merciless conflict between the government and Boko Haram, the jihadist group that wants to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria.One aid worker, who asked not to be identified, described the incident as horrifying and a huge setback to humanitarian work in the northeast.We cant understand why we were targetedSome of the survivors of Tuesdays accidental bombing at Rann are still wondering why they were targeted by the Air Force jet that bombed the camp where they queued up for food.Abubakar Shehu, one of the victims who lay with fractured arms and legs at the Surgical Ward of ICRC in Borno Specialist Hospital could not figure out why the camp was attacked.I cannot say that this was a deliberate attack on us, but I cannot still understand why this happened.Whatever it is, I have accepted my fate as a Muslim.Ya Kolo, a relation of one of the victims receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, believes that the victims should have justice and adequate compensation from the Federal Government.Those who did this must pay for it. The Federal Government must see that the victims are adequately compensated, he said.A woman, who identified herself simply as Aisha, was seen seated beside her three-year-old son who was affected by the air strike.It was observed that many children, some without their parents, were being brought into the emergency unit of the hospital while some others were stabilised in the surgical ward.Some of the relatives, mostly women, who sat outside the hospital ward, were not interested in speaking with the reporter.Four days after the attack, Sani Adamu was yet to hear from her parents who live in Rann.He said: For the past four days, I have been visiting this hospital to get information about my parents, but up till this moment, I cannot determine whether they are dead or alive, Sani said.Like Sani, Hamsatu Adamu and many other persons were waiting to know about their relatives who live in Rann.Because we cannot travel to Kala/Balge to find out about the situation, we are always coming here to find out from the people that are brought in, to see if we can see any of our relatives or find out whether they are dead or alive, Hamsatu informed.
Special Assistant to the governor of Ekiti State on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has described the Economic and F...

Special Assistant to the governor of Ekiti State on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has described the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the headquarters of corruption in Nigeria.He said if there is anyone that should be urgently prosecuted, it is Ibrahim Magu who was indicted by the DSS and still operating illegally as the EFCC Acting Chairman despite his rejection by the Senate.Olayinka, who was reacting to a protest in Abuja against Governor Ayodele Fayose, said it was shameful that instead of labouring on how to better the lives of suffering Nigerians, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the EFCC were busy sponsoring a N1,500-per-protester protest against Governor Fayose.Describing the so-called protest as petty, useless and and an afterthought, the governors spokesperson said: It is obvious that Fayoses emergence as Chairman of PDP Governors Forum has unsettled the APC cabal because they fear that he is capable of using the platform against President Muhammadu Buharis second term ambition.Ridiculously, in their desperation and fear of the unknown, EFCC shamelessly turned itself to the mouthpiece of the protesters by issuing press statement on their behalfLess than 50 paid protesters came to the EFCC and the next thing to be seen was a press statement signed by EFCC Head of Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren. Isnt this ridiculous?Is EFCC spokesperson also the mouthpiece of the so-called protesters?May be EFCC operatives, including Magu, should have joined the protest so that Nigerians will know that it was EFCC that protested and the media will be able to use appropriate headline like EFCC stages protest against Fayose. Shame!If they are having headache because of Governor Fayoses rising profile, especially his emergence as Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, their headache will soon turn to migraine that will be difficult to cure.Insisting that the EFCC must first remove the timber in its eyes before attempting to remove the toothpicks in other peoples, Olayinka said: Magu who was indicted of corruption by the DSS and other functionaries of the Buharis APC government must be prosecuted first.He reminded Governor Fayoses detractors that he is a sitting and well rooted governor that cannot be prosecuted, saying: Those whose only daily business is to run after Peter Ayodele Fayose should just keep their gun powder dry and wait till 2018.
Several Nigerian participants in the ponzi scheme, MMM, are losing patience with it, a week after resumption of service and promise to ...

Although unconfirmed reports have it that few participants had been paid ,however thousands of others whose applications were yet to be attended to have been venting their anger on the brains behind the scheme for the frustration in accessing their funds.They rage,curse and threaten unrestrained on the MMM Help platform after unsuccessful attempts to get response to their many inquiries on the status of their investment.Typical of the threat message is this seen yesterday on the MMM website: .One Hayat Mohammed said: .Harrison Ita Etim posted: !Owhotemu Maryjane said: From Santos Maemi came this:  while Christopher Chinedu said: A top guider of the scheme, Bode Wilson, while explaining the reason for delayed payment, said that the number of people requesting for payment was higher than the number providing help., Wilson said.A lawyer, Femi Oyeniyi, warned that participants in the scheme may not be able to recover any money lost in the scheme because of the anonymity the business is shrouded with.Oyeniyi said: .A broadcaster,Carol Oladeinde, said: Martins Okafor, a participant investor in Awka still believes in the scheme.He told newsmen that those who have not received any payment were those who have not been matched for payments, especially those invested shortly before the break.Another investor, Miss Blessing Nwankwo, was also optimistic that her investment would not be lostShe said she was willing to forfeit N10,000 of the N20,000 she invested, adding that she had no regrets whatsoever.Mrs. Chiamaka Udu, a participant in Port Harcourt, said:  We thank God that we are able to be alive to see today.
Gambian strongman Yahya Jammeh yesterday agreed to step down and leave the country, a spokesperson to President Adama Barrow said.

Gambian strongman Yahya Jammeh yesterday agreed to step down and leave the country, a spokesperson to President Adama Barrow said.Barrow made the announcement on Twitter, after hours of talks aimed at persuading Jammeh to recognise the result of the presidential election.West African nations led by Nigeria have deployed troops in The Gambia threatening to drive him out of office by force.Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received briefing on the situation in Banjul from government officials yesterday soon after his return from Ibadan where he had gone on an official trip.He is acting for President Muhammadu Buhari, who is on a 10-day medical vacation in the United Kingdom .The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the VP , Laolu Akande, said on his Twitter handle yesterday that : VP Osinbajo on return to Abuja received update and briefings on the situation in Gambia and briefings from a number of cabinet ministers.Barrow has been in neighbouring Senegal for days. He was sworn-in in the Gambian embassy there on Thursday.His legitimacy as president has been recognised internationally, after he won last months elections.Jammehs deadline to cede power to Barrow lapsed several times as West African troops moved into the nation in a bid to force his removal.Hours before, Gambias army chief abandoned the embattled longtime leader, saying his forces would not fight against a military operation to remove him, as regional leaders led a last ditch effort to convince him to flee into exile.The defection of General Ousman Badjie, who had previously stood by Jammeh, removed what was perhaps the former coup leaders last remaining pillar of support, potentially raising the likelihood of a peaceful solution to the political impasse.While Barrows election victory last month and inauguration on Thursday were celebrated by many across the tiny nation of less than 2 million people, support for Jammeh remained strong among some Gambians, who opposed the military intervention.Hours before Jammeh agreed to quit yesterday Gambians had taken to social media, particularly the Twitter which had recorded more than 200,000 tweets in praise of Nigeria, Senegal and ECOWAS.The new President, Mr Adama Barrow, took to twitter thanking the people of the Gambia and the world.
Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of womens rights protests to mark President Donald Trumps first fu...

Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of womens rights protests to mark President Donald Trumps first full day in office.In the capital, where the largest march was held, ridership on the metro network stood at 275,000 at 11 am, almost 50 percent higher than the same time for Trumps inauguration a day earlier, the WMATA transport authority said.According to Washingtons deputy mayor Kevin Donahue, organizers upped their initial turnout estimate from 200,000 to half a million people faced with the flood of protesters who were continuing to pour into the capitals streets.Huge sister protests were taking place in cities including Boston, New York, Denver and Chicago where police said the event was changed from a march to a rally due to the large crowd on hand.
The Coordinator of the National Youths Corps Service, NYSC, Sokoto State, Musa Abubakar, has advocated the increment of the monthly allowa...

The Coordinator of the National Youths Corps Service, NYSC, Sokoto State, Musa Abubakar, has advocated the increment of the monthly allowances to corps members in the country.The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Mr. Abubakar spoke in Sokoto on Friday shortly after paying a courtesy call on the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar III.The coordinator and his management team met the sultan behind closed doors, alongside other senior councillors.The present allowance of N19,800 to each corps member per month is no longer enough considering the prevailing economic situation in the country.I will not make any specific suggestions in this direction, but I strongly support increasing it immediately, Mr. Abubakar said.The coordinator further suggested the review of the monthly allowances paid to the corps members anytime the national minimum wage is reviewed in the country.He also kicked against calls for the scrapping of the scheme, saying that it bolsters national unity, curbs poverty and youth restiveness.Mr. Abubakar said that he was at the palace of the sultan to pay homage and seek his royal blessings.The sultan is a national father and he is a symbol of national unity.He has also assured us of his sustained support to ensure the success of the scheme, he said.Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Abdulkadir, has assured the NYSC officials of sustained support and adequate security.Speaking while receiving the NYSC coordinator at the Police Headquarters, on Friday, Mr. Abdulkadir averred: The command owes it a duty to ensure that the scheme succeeds.We will continue to accord priority to the security of corps members across the state, he added.Earlier, the coordinator had assured that the scheme would do everything humanly possible to sustain cordial relationship between it and the command.According to him, the police is a critical stakeholder in the NYSC scheme and this relationship will be further galvanised.
As friends and colleagues converged on the Oriental Hotel in Lagos on Thursday to congratulate and bid Amina Mohammed farewell, the celebr...

As friends and colleagues converged on the Oriental Hotel in Lagos on Thursday to congratulate and bid Amina Mohammed farewell, the celebrant looked full of life and drained all at once.Mohammed is leaving the job as Minister for Environment in Nigeria to take up a role as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.Thursday's congratulatory dinner left the pretty Mohammed with bags of emotions so mixed, she told Pulse she was overwhelmed by it all."I am really overwhelmed. Because I feel like I really love to work. It feels like an out of body experience", she said of the evening's occasion.Everyone who took the stage earlier, had eulogised her so much, Mohammed could have been forgiven for blushing as a battery of photo-journalists and Reporters laid in wait for her at the entrance of the hallway.When Mohammed if she'd be missing her job as Nigeria's environment minister and if she thinks she'd be missed back in Abuja."Government is a continuum", she offered. "Everything that we do in government is aimed at building institutions. You are judged by what happens after you leave. I am very convinced that my co-pilot, the minister of State, is going to carry the ministry to greater heights."We can do many many things to help fulfill the President's agenda," Mohammed said.Choosing between Nigeria and the United Nations was probably one of the most difficult decisions of my life", Mohammed told newsmen.Amina is however certain that Nigeria is in good hands. She also feels that the land of her birth has a lot to offer the world."We have many challenges here too. We all needed to serve in this administration because we need to make a difference..to move from where we are.And to be called to the global arena is an immense situation and honour. But Im a humanist. Every day of my work involves communities, involves people. I am going to a different level and hope that I can make the same difference".Mohammed announced that as she leaves for the UN, she'll be taking Nigeria along with her."I am going to the UN with Nigeria, Africa and the world", she said with a characteristic grin.
Malia Obama has landed an internship with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Malia Obama has landed an internship with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.The 18-year-old, whos soon to be the former first daughter of the United States, will start her position with the Oscar-winning producer in February before heading to Harvard in September.Notedly, this isnt the first time Malia is stepping into Hollywood. In 2015, Malia worked as an intern in New York on Lena Dunhams HBO series Girls.She was a production assistant for Halle Berrys CBS show Extant in 2014. She also interned at an unnamed fashion house.Weinstein has credits in films like Shakespeare in Love, The Kings Speech, and Pulp Fiction.The Obamas are reportedly friends with Weinstein and his wife, Georgia Chapman. In 2013 the President thanked the two for their friendship and support.In 2013, the president thanked the two for their friendship and support.
A rally organised by separatist groups, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign S...

A rally organised by separatist groups, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra MASSOB), to celebrate the new US President Donald Trump turned bloody in Port Harcourt yesterday.The organisers of the event claimed that 11 people were killed.However the police denied any death.Police spokesman in Rivers State, Nnamdi Omoni, dismissed the death claim as false, saying the police only used tear gas.Many of the protesters who carried photographs of Trump and waved Biafra, American and Russian flags, are believed to have been brought in from the commercial city of Aba in nearby Abia State.The protest caused traffic congestion on many roads in the city.As they marched through Aba Road towards Mile One in the Rivers State capital, they ran into some soldiers who asked them to disband.The protesters tried to wave aside the disband order but the soldiers insisted that the rally must stop immediately.A few shots rang out and there was pandemonium among the protesters who scampered for safety.The marchers said they were solidarising with Trump because according to them, the new US president loves Biafra and will support their bid for Biafra nation.Shop owners in the area quickly shut down and took to their heels.IPOB in a statement yesterday claimed that 11 of the protesters were shot dead.Spokesman for the group Emma Powerful, alleged that 27 other people had bullet wounds while 57 people were arrested.The dead bodies of the people killed were carried by the Nigerian soldiers, he said, asking the international community to prevail on the Nigerian soldiers to bring back the bodies.He added: Right now, we are being chased by the Nigeria security agencies and they are going round looking and arresting anybody suspected to be IPOB members.But we are not relenting in our support and solidarity with Mr Trump.However, a security source said: I saw the press release circulated by IPOB that 11 of their members were killed. It is not true.The information is misleading and should be ignored by members of the public.Only one person was killed, and that happened at about 10 am along Okporo Road, by Artillery junction, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.The incident occurred when joint security operatives shot at the advancing demonstrating youths in an attempt to disperse them.The deceased and those injured were carried away by security men.Also speaking on the rally,the Director of Information, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in the State, Mr. Anuken Anthony, said: Over 70 supporters of MASSOB and IPOB have been arrested and about 15 of them are in pains due to bullet wounds.Our members have taken some of them to the hospital. We are praying that nothing should happen to any of them.Our support for Donald Trump cannot be stopped by military intimidation and harassment.One of the protesters, Benson Paul, who got injured, told The Nation that he was just dancing during the rally, and when the marchers got to St. John Junction, we saw soldiers asking us to go back. We told them that we were marching in solidarity with Donald Trumps inauguration, but they refused to allow us go our way.We cannot continue to be slaves in our country, and some of us tried to push through the barricade mounted by the soldiers. They began to manhandle and brutalise us.Look at my head and my back.They used their guns to hit me.We want our own country.Another victim, Mr. Onyema Njoku, alleged that the soldiers broke one of his legs with gun.He threatened to go to court to seek redress.His words: IPOB followed due process to ensure that this rally took place today (yesterday). Some people protested for President Buhari in Abuja yet nobody shot them.Today, we are carrying out a peaceful rally and the police, the military are shooting at us.One of the soldiers caught me while I was trying to run away. He descended on me until he broke my leg.As Im sitting down here, I cannot walk. Im waiting for my friends to take me to the hospital.I will get better. I know it is part of the sacrifice for freedom.Spokesman for the 2 Brigade Command of the Army in Port Harcourt, Lt. Sokoya, could not be reached for reaction at press time.
A court in Scotland on Friday sentenced a Nigerian man to life in prison after finding him guilty of raping and killing a sex worker in Fe...

A court in Scotland on Friday sentenced a Nigerian man to life in prison after finding him guilty of raping and killing a sex worker in February 2016, Scottish press reported.Bala Chinda, a 26-year-old son of a Nigerian diplomat, murdered Nkechi McGraa by asphyxiation at an apartment in Union Terrace, Aberdeen, Scotlands Press and Journal reported.The reports said Mr. Chinda approached Ms. McGraa, a 37-year-old mother of one and commercial sex worker, for her service the night before the incident on February 11, 2016.A violent rage broke out between the two when Mr. Chinda could not pay for Ms. McGraas service the next day, which led to her death after being beaten and suffocated, according to court proceedings.Mr. Chinda then fled the scene of the incident, destroying all evidence that could link him with the fatal attack.His victims body, half naked, was found the next day on February 12 by neighbours, the paper said.Although Mr. Chinda, whose father is said to be attached to Nigerian embassy in Beijing, China, denied the charges, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the murder and sentenced him to life with a minimum of 18 years behind bars.The presiding judge, Lord Beckett, confronted Mr. Chinda with his offences shortly before sentencing him and thanked the prosecutors for doing a thorough job to secure a conviction.You raped a woman and made her undergo sexual intercourse without the protection of a condom, Mr. Beckett said. You then murdered her, by smothering her with a pillow, and strangling her, probably using her scarf.You then sought to hide evidence which would link you to her.You might have got away with this but for the excellent police work which led to your detection, arrest and conviction, he added.Scottish press described Ms. McGraa as a Nigerian.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday began duty as acting President of Nigeria.





Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday began duty as acting President of Nigeria.He received update and briefings from service chiefs on the situation in The Gambia.The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a short statement.He said the Vice-President also received briefings from some ministers.Vice-President Osinbajo on return to Abuja received update and briefings on the situation in Gambia and also briefings from a number of cabinet ministers, he wrote.Osinbajo had on Thursday night returned to the country after cutting short his trip to Davos, Switzerland where he led Nigerias delegation to this years World Economic Forum.He had travelled to Ibadan, Oyo State Capital on Friday morning.
The Oyo and Osun state governments have paid N250 million each to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to end the cris...

The Oyo and Osun state governments have paid N250 million each to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to end the crisis rocking the institution.A source said: Yes, both states have paid the amount as promised and the sum is now in the kitty of the university.LAUTECH students have been at home for eight months due to the industrial action by all categories of workers in the institution.The crisis peaked last week when LAUTECH students protested to the Office of the Governor of Oyo State in Ibadan, the state capital.While addressing them, the governor promised that owner states would contribute a sum of N250 million each to get back workers to their duty posts and build on it afterwards.Governor Abiola Ajimobi said the sum would enable the institution pay some salaries and reopen for academic activities before end of this month.Reacting, the President of the Students Union Government of the institution, Olatunde Bakare, commended the two governors, saying it was a way forward.According to him, the sum, though not up to exactly what is needed to clear salary arrears for two months, would help kick-start the process of implementing the short term solution to the crisis.Bakare said once the short term solution is implemented, it would pave the way for the medium and long term solution the financial problem plaguing LAUTECH. He promised to confirm the payment.
Scores of protesters under the aegis of Patriotic Mothers Without Borders, yesterday stormed the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and...

Scores of protesters under the aegis of Patriotic Mothers Without Borders, yesterday stormed the Abuja headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) , demanding the arrest, investigation and prosecution of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State over his involvement in the alleged $2.1 billion arms deal scandal.Chanting Fayose must go, the women numbering about 300 carried placards and banners with inscriptions like EFCC must prosecute Fayose; Corruption is Corruption;Fayose is being tormented by the blood of innocent Nigerians slaughtered by Boko Haram.The convener of the group, Nnenna Jideofor, accused Fayose of stealing part of funds meant to equip the military in the fight against terrorism.While presenting its petition to Umar Mohammed, Deputy Director Operations, Abuja, Jideofor expressed discontent at the ruling of Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Ekiti, ordering the EFCC to de-freeze Fayoses Zenith Bank account, which the EFCC had earlier frozen.She said: The gravity of the crime does not permit that we wait indefinitely for Fayose to leave office; he would have finished spending his share of the loot by then, and he has all the time to destroy evidence.As mothers, we beg the EFCC to as a matter of urgency, investigate how much Fayose gave lawmakers of Ekiti State House of Assembly who we believe have lost their souls to an overlord.We therefore represent Nigerians whose opinions get in our homes on daily basis in our natural capacity as mothers. The reality is that people are unanimous in desiring that the anti-graft agencies must not lose the anti-graft war. This is why there are deep running concerns in the land that the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been caged but we do not want to believe this. We do not want to accept that the EFCC is merely making show of fighting corruption.Several developments contributed to the spread of this impression among Nigerians but our strong belief is that EFCCs inability to do anything about the Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, publicly known beyond every shadow of doubt to have been a key suspect in the theft of money meant for purchasing weapons to fight Boko Haram terrorists, is the leading cause.The Ekiti State governor and his accomplices have blood on their hands in addition to stealing public funds. They took part in stealing the money meant for buying arms to fight Boko Haram.The crippling of the militarys fighting capabilities as a result of this has made some women widows and children orphaned.What Nigerians are saying is that the EFCC can lose its cases against others that took part in the theft if the arms money simply on account that Fayose is being treated as one who is above the law thereby providing his collaborator with the excuse that the Ekiti state governor cannot be walking free as a direct beneficiary while they get punished as partakers.His collaborators, former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Iyiola Omisore, and others have returned some money. The gravity of this crime does not permit that we wait indefinitely for Fayose to leave office.He would have finished spending his share of the loot by then. Besides, this implies the EFCC would not have any exhibit on him again  he had all the time to destroy evidence and clean his track while terrorists continue to kill Nigerians because of his action.The Ekiti State governor has now added criminality to brigandage as he diverting the states money to questionable NGOs and other shady groups to organize protests that favour his agenda in other states. This is not just unacceptable and immoral but also criminal as has no right to disburse his states money to his cronies under the guise of NGOs or CSOs. Our belief is that more of this will happen if the EFCC does not immediately step in to put an end to this infraction.Sometimes last year, the EFCC did the right thing when it froze Fayoses account with Zenith Bank even though some court ruling later unfroze the account.The EFCC must again help Nigerians to test the law by immediately whisking Fayose before competent court after his arrest for being part of those that instigated the arms purchase scandal. We do not see how the immunity granted him by the constitution was meant to protect governors from criminal liability especially where the case of theft is involved.Responding, Mohammed assured the mothers with borders that the agency takes all petitions seriously, and that of the women would be given adequate attention.We are not selective in our operations, and every petition received is thoroughly investigated, no matter how highly placed the person is.About N1.299 billion of the sum was allegedly flown in a chartered aircraft to Fayose by a former Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Musiliu Obanikoro.The cash was part of about N4.745billion paid into Obanikoros company, Sylva Mcnamara by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for Ekiti governorship poll in 2014.The slush funds had been traced by EFCC to Obanikoro, Fayose, three firms and a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Otunba Iyiola Omisore.
Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, Ambassador Adegboyega Ariyo, has expressed optimism that the new United States President D...

Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Australia, Ambassador Adegboyega Ariyo, has expressed optimism that the new United States President Donald Trump will help return the nations stolen funds stashed away in some Western countries.Ariyo spoke yesterday as a guest speaker at Diplomatic Dialogue, an intellectual discourse organised by the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).The discourse was entitled: Donald Trumps Ascension to American Presidency: Implications for Nigeria, Africa and the World.Ariyo, who also served as Nigerian High Commissioner to Namibia and Head of Diplomatic Corps to the Southern African country, said there are some positives the Trump Presidency portends for Nigeria and other African countries, contrary to fears being expressed in some quarters.The ex-envoy said if Trump carries out his threat to send many Africans back to their home countries, many Nigerian professionals and intellectuals who have abandoned their homeland in search of the proverbial Golden Fleece will help develop their country.But Ariyo explained that Trump may not carry out many of the threats he issued during the American presidential election campaign because he has to carry along some institutions like the Congress, the Pentagon, the intelligence community along before taking decisions.He noted that some of Trumps advisers who have African background like a Nigerian he appointed, Bayo Ogunlesi, would mellow him down in taking decisions that affect the continent.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, two-time minister of finance in Nigeria, says Donald Trump will give Africa the chance to shape its own destiny.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, two-time minister of finance in Nigeria, says Donald Trump will give Africa the chance to shape its own destiny.Speaking in an interview with BBC on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Okonjo-Iweala said Africa may not be priority for the Trump presidency, but there is no need to despair.There are two schools of thoughts, but one very interesting one, to which I subscribe is that maybe Africa is not top of the agenda for the incoming government, therefore, that could really provide a chance for Africa to craft its own narratives, she said.To make it known that African countries are really much more interested in taking charge of their own destiny and trying to find ways to do it.Look, people in developing countries are not just sitting, waiting for people to bring aid, we now have a changing dynamics, particularly with our young people.If you look at the millenials, they are asking a different question; they want to know how they can really use what is here to catalyse the change that is needed to make developing countries, who are already contributing quite substantially to global growth to do even more.On the second school of thought, she said there are also those who are a little bit worried, that the continent may not get the attention it needs on the global stage.And say what you may, if you look at 2030, 2050, Africa cannot be left behind, because the implication for the rest of the world are just too enormous. In terms of the demographics, the potential market it presents.On climate change, the development economist said nobody will like to see America walk away from this very important global issue, but at the same time, you look at what other kinds of leadership would also step forward.The private sector could take the lead in this; I am saying that we need not despair, the private sector realises that this is important and here to stay, and they have to do something about it.Okonjo-Iweala said there are three major challenges the world is facing today: reigniting global growth, combating climate change and meeting the sustainable development goals (SDGs).The former World Bank vice-president, who put necessary estimates at $90 trillion, said all three challenges can be solved via financing of sustainable infrastructure.
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Adrienne Smith, 43, of Bergenfield, and Orville Cousins, 40, of Bronx, N.Y. (Police photos)

BERGENFIELD -- The wife of a Bergen County man reported missing earlier this month and her brother have been charged after man's remains were found in six plastic containers in Burlington County, authorities said.

Adrienne Smith, 43, of Bergenfield, and Orville Cousins, 40, of Bronx, N.Y., are charged only with desecrating Randolph Smith's body, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said Friday evening.

An investigation into Randolph Smith's apparent killing was ongoing Friday and further charges may be added, the prosecutor's office said.

Randolph Smith's remains were found in Burlington City on Jan. 12. The office did not say where exactly they were found.

The Bergen prosecutor's office said Adrienne Smith reported her husband missing to Bergenfield police on Jan. 2.

Detectives learned through interviews that Randolph Smith was last seen at the couple's Morgan Street home on or about Christmas evening. Adrienne Smith said her husband left the residence and was not heard from again.

After Burlington City police found the remains, Bergen and Burlington county detectives teamed up and learned that Cousins and his sister bought materials on Dec. 26 that were used in the desecration.

The Bergen prosecutor's office did not say what the materials were, but that some were later found in the couple's home.

Investigators arrested Cousins in New York on Sunday, Jan. 15. They arrested Smith Thursday at a relatives home in North Brunswick. Smith is also charged with hindering apprehension.

The Bergen prosecutor's office described Smith as a surgical technician, and Cousins as single and unemployed.

Cousins was being held in New York Friday awaiting an extradition to New Jersey hearing, and Smith was at the Bergen County Jail. She was scheduled to appear in Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court Saturday.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
As Lidl is set to debut in the United States this year, Cumberland County is looking forward to the German supermarket opening up in the area.

Lidl, a German-based supermarket chain, plans on opening its first United States locations no later than 2018. (Submitted photo) (Guido Frigo)

Lidl locations were approved in Vineland, Millville and Upper Deerfield. The stores represent more than a new place to shop but also more jobs and ratables, according to officials.

Construction started on the Vineland location, which will be on West Landis Avenue near Wal-Mart and Shop Rite.

According to Sandy Forosisky, economic development director for Vineland, Lidl opening up on that part of the city shows West Landis Avenue's continued growth.

"I'm excited for the west side of Landis Avenue," she said. "We always thought that was going to be the next commercial corridor when Wal-Mart opened in 2008 but the recession slowed it down. We see now, with Capital Bank and the Taco Bell and Wal-Mart and the Shop Rite and now Lidl ... we see west of Delsea Drive on Landis Avenue as our next commercial corridor."

Despite Lidl opening up next to two giant stores, Foroskisky doesn't see it as a problem of competition but instead a signifier of the commercial strength of the corridor.

In Upper Deerfield Township, the supermarket will be located on Bridgeton Pike near Carll's Corner, where Motel 77 now stands.

"It's in the right area of the township, it's in the commercial area," said Mayor Jim Crilley. "We welcome any businesses that come into that area because they seem to feed each other and grow."

Lidl will fill a void left by the closing of an Acme supermarket in the summer.

In Millville, Lidl will be built near Wal-Mart.

"When they came before the planning board it was a very well thought out plan, it will be a benefit to the city and it will be more jobs," said Commissioner Lynne Porreca Compari.

Lidl is eyeing 100 locations in America for store openings, according to Reuters. Lidl operates 10,000 stores in 26 countries across Europe and have 230,000 employees.

Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- A JetBlue flight from Newark Liberty International Airport bound for the Dominican Republic was diverted to Fort Lauderdale after a note referencing a bomb was discovered in the plane's restroom, officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the Airbus A321 aircraft landed safely at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

No explosives were found after the Broward County Sheriff's Office bomb squad searched the plane around 3:20 p.m., according to agency spokeswoman Gina Carter.

"Out of an abundance of caution, JetBlue flight 893 from Newark Liberty International Airport to Santiago, Dominican Republic, is diverting to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after a security report," the airline said in a statement.

The FAA and JetBlue referred further questions to the Florida airport and law enforcement authorities. The FBI was aware of the incident, a spokesman for the bureau's Miami office said.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
BAYONNE -- A 25-year tax abatement for a controversial development planned for uptown Bayonne was abruptly introduced at the end of Wednesday's City Council meeting.

The abatement for a 10-story, mixed-use project slated to be built at the former site of Resnick's hardware store at 46th Street and Broadway was the last add-on item on the council's agenda.

At the end of the council meeting, city Law Director John Coffey II informed City Clerk Robert Sloan of the measure, which will not be up for a final vote until next month's council meeting.

"I have the mayor's letter requesting that this be done, and the ordinance and application attached," Coffey told Sloan.

Sloan noted that he would have to draw up a resolution for the ordinance in order for the council to introduce it, and the council subsequently called a brief recess for that purpose.

After the council reconvened, Third Ward Councilman Gary La Pelusa Sr. spoke forcefully against the last-minute nature of the ordinance's introduction before casting the sole vote against it.

"I have no details about anything about the financial agreement. I know this is an introduction, but normally I get something in advance. I don't even have the resolution in front of me," he said.

In August 2015, La Pelusa, in whose ward the project is located, was the sole council member to vote against a redevelopment plan tailored for the project. He again opposed the project as a member of the audience at an April 2016 city Planning Board meeting.

Asked to respond to La Pelusa's concerns about the abatement's last-minute introduction, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis stressed that the measure was only introduced, not passed.

"He has 30 days to go over it," the mayor said. "I don't see where there's a problem."

La Pelusa said on Friday that he would never vote for any measure that he has no information about, even if that measure is only up for introduction.

Meanwhile, Council President Sharon Nadrowski pointed out that La Pelusa last year proposed a hiring freeze at the last minute at a council meeting.

She said she doesn't understand how he could have expected his colleagues to have approved the freeze at that time without them being given advance notice, if his position is that council members should have information beforehand about every item they vote on.

La Pelusa fired back that he "at least had the decency to provide paperwork with the written resolution on it" and gave copies of it to the rest of the council members during that meeting.

He added that there was "dialogue" at that meeting as well, unlike Wednesday's meeting, and that Nadrowski could have tabled introducing the abatement just as council members had done with his proposed freeze.

On another front, the council voted unanimously on Wednesday to pass a different abatement that was introduced at last month's meeting: a 30-year abatement for New Brunswick-based developer Boraie Development for a project slated for a portion of the city's former Military Ocean Terminal called Bayonne Bay East.

Officials told The Jersey Journal the council agenda mistakenly referred to the property in question as "Harbor Station South" instead of "Bayonne Bay East." A copy of the abatement itself wasn't immediately available.

Boraie Development plans to develop "not less than 500 residential units and up to 850 residential units, common areas, up to 10,000 square feet of retail space and associated common areas, amenities and facilities," the approved resolution read.

Tax abatements, which are designed to incentivize development that wouldn't occur otherwise, benefit developers by allowing them to pay less than they would under conventional taxes for a certain period of time.

In long-term abatements, instead of paying property tax -- which would be divvied up among the local school district, the municipality and the county -- the developer makes payments in lieu of taxes of which 95 percent go to the municipality and 5 percent go to the county.

By sidelining schools and the county, an abatement allows a developer to pay less money and a municipality to get more money. While a tax-abated property can potentially increase the school tax burden, the increased revenue to the city decreases the municipal tax burden.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
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Felix A. Torres, 23, of Jersey City appeared today in Central Judicial Processing via video link from the Hudson County jail in Kearny on Jan. 21, 2017 on the charges of aggravated assault and weapons offenses. Jonathan Lin | The Jersey Journal

JERSEY CITY -- A 23-year-old city man accused of shooting another man has been released from the Hudson County jail in Kearny under conditions set by the state's new bail reform law.

Felix A. Torres of Jewett Avenue appeared today in Central Judicial Processing via video link from the jail on charges of aggravated assault and weapons offenses dating from Jan. 6 in the area of Kensington and West Side avenues.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor William Specht told CJP Judge Margaret Marley during the hearing that it isn't clear if Torres targeted anyone in the shooting or if the victim happened to be in the direction of the gunfire.

The victim's medical condition was not stated during the court proceeding and couldn't be immediately obtained.

On a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being the highest level of risk, Torres scored a 3 for both his risk of failing to appear at future court hearings and his risk of committing a new crime, according to a public safety assessment read aloud by Marley.

The assessment is based on factors including age, criminal record, the nature of the current charges, number of past instances of failing to appear and whether the defendant has previously been incarcerated for 14 days or more.

Torres does not have any open warrants but has a felony conviction from last year for child abuse or neglect, Marley said.

He was released on the condition that he report to pre-trial services at the Hudson County Administration Building at 595 Newark Ave. on Monday, and from that point forward, report to pre-trial services once a month by telephone and in person.

Marley also ordered that he have no contact with the alleged victim in the case and that he not possess any weapons. His next court date in the matter is slated for March 16 before Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
LAWRENCE -- Allegations of inappropriate contact between two male students are under investigation at Notre Dame High School, authorities confirmed Friday.

Police said they could not divulge many details of the investigation because no charges have been filed, and the incidents involves juveniles, Lawrence police spokesman Lt. Joseph Amodio said.

Police were called to the school Jan. 11 by the victim in the case, Amodio said.

Amodio said the allegations comprise conduct that had allegedly been going on before Jan. 11, and has elements of offensive touching and possible criminal sexual contact.

Detectives have since taken statements from people involved and are working with the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office on possible charges.

Prosecutor's office spokeswoman, Casey DeBlasio, confirmed the office is working with Lawrence police on a case involving "allegations of inappropriate contact" at the school.

The school did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Adrienne Smith (left) and Orville Cousins are accused of desecrating the body of Smith's dead husband

((Police photos))

HACKENSACK -- A woman accused of desecrating her husband's body after his remains were found in six different plastic containers remained in jail on Saturday as attorneys argued in court over whether she should be released.

In court for her first appearance on Saturday, Adrienne Smith, 43, of Bergenfield, faces charges of chopping up the body of her late husband, Randolph Smith, whose remains were found in Burlington County earlier this week. Her brother, Orville Cousins, 40, of Bronx, N.Y., is charged with the same offense.

In arguing for her release, Smith's attorney said she is the mother of four children and insisted she is not a flight risk.

But Assistant Bergen County Prosecutor Danielle Grootenboer argued Smith should remain behind bars.

Smith works full time as an operating room technician, handing surgeons their tools, putting on their gloves and getting them ready for surgery, her attorney said.

The judge set Wednesday as Smith's next court appearance.

Authorities found Randolph Smith's remains in Burlington City on Jan. 12, ten days after Adrienne Smith reported her husband missing. Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Adrienne Smith had previously told authorities that she last saw her husband at their Morgan Street home around Christmas evening and that he left and never returned, authorities said.

Detectives from Bergen and Burlington counties investigated the incident after the remains were found and they said they discovered that Smith and Cousins had bought materials that were used in the desecration. Some of those materials were later found at Smith's home, authorities have said.

Police arrested Cousins in New York on Sunday and he is being held awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman
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Take Em Down protest of Trump inauguration draws hundreds to downtown New Orleans
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.
Trumps Defective Industrial Policy

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CAMBRIDGE  US President-elect Donald Trump has yet to take office, but his brand of flawed industrial policy has been on full display since his surprise win in November.

Within weeks of the election, Trump had already claimed a victory. Through a mix of inducements and intimidation, he prevailed on the heating and cooling firm Carrier to keep some of its operations in Indiana, saving around 1,000 American jobs. Touring the Carrier plant subsequently, he warned other US firms that he would impose stiff tariffs on them if they moved plants overseas and shipped products back home.

His Twitter account has produced a stream of commentary in the same vein. He has taken credit for Fords decision keep a Lincoln plant in Kentucky, rather than move it to Mexico. He has threatened General Motors with import tariffs if it continues to import Chevrolet Cruzes from Mexico instead of making them in the United States.

Trump has also hounded defense contractors for cost overruns, berating the aerospace giants Boeing and Lockheed Martin on separate occasions for producing planes that are too expensive.

Trumps policy style represents a sharp break from that of his predecessors. It is highly personalized and temperamental. It relies on threats and bullying. It is prone to boasting, exaggeration, and lies about actual successes. It is a type of public spectacle, staged on Twitter.

And it is deeply corrosive of democratic norms.

Economists tend to advocate an arms-length relationship between government and business.



Public officials are supposed to insulate themselves from private firms, lest they be corrupted and engage in favoritism. This is a prized principle in the US  but one that is more often breached than observed. An obvious example is the undeniable influence over US government policy exercised by finance moguls during the last three decades.

Yet close business-government interactions also lie behind many of Americas successes. The history of US economic development is one of pragmatic partnerships and collaboration between the public and private sector, rather than arms-length relationships and rigid rules.

As historically minded economists and policy analysts such as Michael Lind, Stephen Cohen, and Brad DeLong have reminded us, the US is heir to a Hamiltonian tradition in which the federal government provides the investment, infrastructure, finance, and other support that private enterprise needs.

US technological innovation owes as much to specific government programs, such as loan assistance or government purchases as it does to American entrepreneurs and inventors ingenuity. As Harvard Business School professor Josh Lerner notes, some of the most dynamic technology companies in the US, including Apple and Intel, received financial support from the government before going public. The electric carmaker Tesla was a beneficiary of the same public loan guarantee program as Solyndra, the solar cell company that went bust in 2011 in a spectacular public collapse.

As the Solyndra example illustrates, many public initiatives fail. But the ultimate test is whether the social return on the portfolio as a whole is positive, taking successes together with the flops. Such broad evaluations tend to be rare. But one analysis found that US programs to boost energy efficiency had produced positive net benefits. Interestingly, the bulk of the benefits were attributable to three relatively modest projects.

Sociologists Fred Block and Matthew Keller have provided perhaps the best analysis of the US developmental state  a reality that they say the reigning market-fundamentalist ideology has obscured. Block and Keller describe how a decentralized network of publicly funded laboratories and an alphabet soup of financing initiatives, such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, work with private firms and help them commercialize their products. They and their colleagues have documented the extensive role of both federal and state governments in supporting the collaborative networks on which innovation rests  whether in biotech, green technologies, or nanotech.

Such industrial policies, based on close collaboration and coordination between the public and private sectors, have of course been the hallmark of East Asian economic policymaking. It is difficult to imagine Chinas transformation into a manufacturing powerhouse  and the attendant success of its export-oriented model  without the Chinese governments helping and guiding hand. It is ironic that the same people who extol Chinese gains from globalization are often alarmed that a US administration may copy the Chinese approach and explicitly endorse industrial policies.

Unlike China, of course, the US purports to be a democracy. And industrial policy in a democracy requires transparency, accountability, and institutionalization. The relationship between the government and private firms has to be calibrated carefully. Government agencies need to be close enough to private enterprises to elicit the requisite information about the technological and market realities on the ground. For example, what are the fundamental reasons for the loss of manufacturing jobs in, say, automobile production, and how can the government help, if at all? But they cannot get so close to private firms that they end up in companies pocket, or, at the other extreme, simply order them around.

And that is where industrial policy a la Trump fails to pass the test. On one hand, his appointments to key economic positions indicate he has little intention of severing government ties to Wall Street and big finance. On the other hand, his policymaking-by-tweet suggests he doesnt have much interest in building the institutionalized dialogue, with all the required safeguards, that sound industrial policy requires.

This means that we can expect the Trump administrations industrial policy to vacillate between cronyism and bullying. That may benefit some; but it will do little good for the overwhelming majority of American workers or the economy as a whole.
Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Some early morning breaks in the overcast, otherwise cloudy. High 82F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low around 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.

Tomorrow

Thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 78F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall may reach one inch.
The listing real estate broker might have inside access to key facts, either from talking to the seller or walking around the house and property. Exactly how much of this information must the broker pass on to prospective home buyers?

As a home seller, one of your important obligations is (according to the law of most states) to advise buyers concerning the physical condition of the property and related concerns (such as environmental hazards or neighborhood nuisances). You might be legally required to fill out a disclosure form concerning the property, which will in all likelihood be created by your state's real estate commission.

Some sellers mistakenly try to hide issues in an effort to keep the home price up, like a foundation that's crumbling, walls full of dry rot, or neighbors whose goats regularly leap the fence and destroy the landscaping. There are many reasons not to hide such things, however: You risk buyers becoming angry. If they discover the problems during a preclosing inspection, they might push back hard, and negotiate the price down. If they discover the problems after closing, they could sue you.

Consider also that you, as the seller, are not the sole source of information for prospective home buyers. The broker might have inside access to key facts as well, either from talking to you, from historical experience of your house's transfer between owners, or from walking around the house and property, observing with expert eyes. Exactly how much of this information must the broker pass on to prospective buyers? And will the broker need to fill out a separate form for this?

What Law Governs Real Estate Brokers' Disclosure Obligations

Just as state law sets forth your disclosure obligations as a home seller, it might also address the issue of what brokers know (or have learned and observed) and should pass on to buyers. The relevant rules are typically found in state statutes or administrative regulations governing real estate transactions or real estate agents' professional conduct. Separate fraud statutes might also prohibit brokers from lying or making misrepresentations to buyers in the course of a home sale.

In no state are disclosure expectations of brokers as high as those upon sellers. In particular, the broker is never required to independently investigate and determine whether a seller's disclosures are accurate, or to perform separate investigations of the property. And brokers rarely have to fill out a standard, comprehensive form. After all, they haven't lived in the home.

(California is a notable exception. Real estate brokers there must fill out an Agent Inspection Disclosure form.)

What Most States' Laws Require of Real Estate Brokers Regarding Home Disclosures

Despite the fact that they aren't usually given a detailed form to fill out, expectations placed upon real estate brokers can be quite broad.

In Arizona, for example, the state Real Estate Department requires brokers to "disclose in writing to all other parties any information ... that materially or adversely affects the consideration to be paid by any party to the transaction, including: ... Any material defect existing in the property being transferred" or the "existence of a lien or encumbrance on the property...." (See  R4-28-1101 of the Arizona Administrative Code.)

An Oklahoma listing broker must make sure the home seller's disclosure statement and any amendments to it are available to any potential homebuyer before the seller accepts the buyer's offer to purchase, as well as disclose to the purchaser any known defects in the property that were not mentioned in the disclosure statement. (See 60 Okla. Stat.  836(A-B).)

In Washington State, the broker must disclose "material" physical defects of a property, but only those that the broker actually knows about and that would not be apparent or readily ascertainable to the buyer. (See Revised Code of Washington, 18.86.010, 18.86.030.)

As you can see from these examples, state laws tend to regard brokers disclosures as a backup for what the home seller might have forgotten, failed to mention, or become blind to after years of living in the house.

Remember that not every state requires seller disclosures, however. Your broker or state real estate commission should be able to tell you more about specific disclosure obligations where your home is.

Are There Limits on What a Real Estate Broker Will Disclose to Buyers?

Your listing agent has a fiduciary duty to protect your interests, and the laws do not seek to interfere with that. So, for example, if you were to tell your broker that you were willing to lower your price if pushed, the broker should not reveal that to the buyer.

Also, some states laws expressly exclude certain information from broker disclosure requirements.

In Illinois, for instance, the listing broker need not convey information about:

an occupant of the property who is infected with HIV or any other medical condition

an occurrence on the property that did not affect its physical condition

an occurrence on neighboring property that does not affect the physical condition of the property to be sold, and

a physical condition on neighboring property that does not reduce the value of the property to be sold. (See 225 ILCS 454/15-20.)

And in Colorado, the seller's broker need not tell buyers about deaths that occurred on the property, nor about any facts or suspicions regarding circumstances that might psychologically impact or stigmatize the property. (See C.R.S.  12-61-804 (2)).

Again, check with your real estate broker or state commission on real estate for details. As a seller, it is important to know what your broker must tell buyers, so that you can properly advise the broker and avoid liability for misrepresentation or failure to disclose.
A Council Bluffs mother is facing charges after she abandoned her 12-year-old son at the side of the road because he threw a tantrum and she didnt want to be late for work, police said.

Shameka King, 33, is accused of child endangerment and abandonment of a dependent person. Her preliminary hearing was Friday and her arraignment is set for Feb. 20.

According to the police report, an officer was dispatched to the westbound on-ramp for I-80 on Sept. 2 in reference to a boy walking alongside the ramp at 6:30 a.m.

The officer said the boy was walking towards the American Inn, 2717 S. 24th St. In the parking lot, the officer asked the boy what he was doing. The boy told police he lived at the hotel with his mother, King, and said his mom was at work.

The officer asked the boy why he was alone. The 12-year-old told authorities he had been in an argument with his mother over which shoes and socks he wanted to wear that morning.

On their way to drop him off at school in Omaha, the boy threw a temper tantrum at the intersection near the on-ramp and got out of the car.

King realized her son was throwing a tantrum and said she did not have time for it. King took off westbound on I-80 into Omaha, the police report reads.

The boy ran after the car at the on-ramp, thinking his mom was bluffing. King kept driving, so the boy walked back to his home at the hotel, police said.

The boy, who didnt have a phone, money for food or a key to get back into his hotel room, told police he would wait until his mother came home from work.

The officer got Kings phone number from her son and called her.

King told the officer the same story the boy told, while downplaying the seriousness of leaving her son alongside the road, police said.

What am I supposed to do? Be late to work? King told police.

The officer told King he would be taking the boy into protective custody and would consider filing a warrant for child endangerment on her.

However, King called the officer back shortly after at 6:45 a.m. and told a different story, stating the boy had run off before getting in the car in the parking lot, and that she had called 911 when it happened.

At 6:50 a.m., dispatch received a call from King who wanted to report her son had run away from her that morning.

It was apparent that King was attempting to call in after the fact to protect herself from any criminal charges, the report reads.
An Omaha man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison on federal drug charges.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge James Gritzner sentenced Broc T. Waltermeyer, 44, to 196 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Waltermeyer was arrested after an investigation by area law enforcement found he was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine in the Council Bluffs-Omaha metro area from July 2015 through November 2015.

During that time, the defendant distributed over two kilograms of methamphetamine, which was obtained in Omaha and transported to Pottawattamie County, where it was sold, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

The investigation was conducted by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force, Omaha Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Waltermeyer pleaded guilty in federal court on April 29, 2016. His prison term will be followed by five years of supervised release.

 News Editor Mike Brownlee can be reached at (712) 325-5732 or by email
A Nebraska man would not go quietly into that good night  nor did he go quietly into a patrol car or a jail cell, according to police.

The man, of Papillion, Nebraska, is charged with assaulting two police officers on Jan. 10.

The man is charged with two counts of assault on an officer, interference with official acts and first-degree harassment.

He is currently being held at the Pottawattamie County Jail on $5,000 bond.

At his preliminary hearing Friday, he pleaded not guilty. His jury trial was set for Feb. 7.

According to the police report, officers responded to Jennie Edmundson Hospital late Jan. 10 for an out of control man in the emergency room.

A nurse told officers the man was at the hospital to have a cast set for a fractured wrist. As medical staff attempted to help the man, he became combative, verbally assaulting staff, police said.

As an officer attempted to arrest the man for disorderly conduct, the man took a swing at the officer and continued to fight even after being handcuffed and subdued.

On their way to jail, the man began to smash his head on the safety glass in the officers car until his head began to bleed while telling the officer how he was going to murder him in multiple ways, according to the report.

While trying to get the man out of the car at the jail, the man allegedly mule kicked an officer in the stomach.

The officer then struck the man in the face, causing the suspect to stop kicking and fighting long enough to secure him, police said.

Police said the officer who was kicked had most of the blow absorbed by his ballistic vest, but was still in pain.

(The man) was still yelling and violent, when he was left in the care of jail staff, the police report reads.

The officer said he was later contacted by the mans girlfriend who stated that he had been on a meth binge for three days, and he is out of his mind.
As Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, a number of southwest Iowa residents looked on.

The family of Sarah Root, a Council Bluffs woman killed almost a year ago by a suspected drunk driver who fled the country, watched as Trump took the oath of office and then gave his inaugural address.

The inauguration was just fantastic. Everyone was so full of hope and joy, said Michelle Root, Sarahs mother. Its just unbelievable to be here.

Sarah Root died almost a year ago from injuries suffered in a two-vehicle wreck in Omaha. Roots family and friends have led a crusade to find the man driving the other vehicle that night, while also fighting for stiffer immigration laws.

Roots vehicle was struck by a truck driven by Honduran national Edwin Mejia, who was 19 years old, according to the Omaha Police Department. Mejia didnt have a valid drivers license, and a blood draw showed Mejia had a blood-alcohol level of .241, more than three times the legal limit.

The Roots became outspoken critics of immigration policy and illegal immigration in the country and found an ally in Trump early in the campaign.

The family met with then-candidate Trump during his stops in the metro area. Trump mentioned Sarah Root during his Republican National Convention speech.

And the Trump team made sure the Roots  Michelle, her sister Marsha Craft, Sarahs father Scott and Sarahs brother Scott Jr.  were there Friday. Family friend Ryan McDermott also attended with the Roots.

Its bittersweet. Id much rather be sitting on the couch with my daughter, said Scott Root Sr. But it was an honor to be here.

Michelle added about the president: Were still representing Sarah. Keeping him honest and keeping him going, Michelle Root said of the president.

He hasnt forgotten about us since he got elected. He brought us out here. Hes a man of his word, she said.

Michelle Root said she enjoyed Trumps speech.

I thought it was wonderful, thought he did a great job, she said. He hit everything that he needed to hit and everything hes stated throughout his campaign.

McDermott said it was the thrill of a lifetime.

Its something Ive never experienced before and to see Mr. Trump up there is something I will never forget, said the 2015 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs. And, to be with the Sarah Root family, it was extra special.

McDermott is currently a junior at Dordt College in Sioux Center.

It was a surreal feeling knowing that he knew Sarahs story, McDermott said. Its cool to see that man president, seeing the man who supported Sarah the most. It gives Sarahs family hope that this may not happen to any other family. Theres no doubt in my mind that Mr. Trump will sign that law if it comes to his desk.

McDermott and the Root family arrived at the scene between 7:30 and 8 a.m., he said. They were standing up near the front, just off to the side. It started to rain when Trump took his oath, but only for five or so minutes, McDermott said.

It was historical  thats for sure, he said.

Michelle Root said she hopes the next four years bring secure borders and more jobs to the country.

The family is staying with a friend in Washington D.C. and planned to attend the inaugural ball Friday night. Theyll head home to Council Bluffs on Sunday.

Michelle Root said the experience has been wonderful.

It gives you hope again, she said. And makes you believe in our president, our congressmen, our senators. Gives us hope that theyll listen to the American people and do what shouldve been done a long time ago. Make things right. Make our economy prosper and make us safe.

Scott Root said the family will continue to promote Sarahs Law, which was introduced in the House of Representatives and would stiffen requirements for the holding of arrested undocumented immigrants.

Were just going to keep doing what we do. It wont change our outcome. But if Sarahs Law is passed, people wont have to suffer the same fate, Scott Root said.

Dawn Conrad, secretary of the Pottawattamie County Republicans, attended her first presidential inauguration and had a similar feeling.

It was fabulous, absolutely amazing, she said, while watching on the afternoon parade on her hotel room television.

Trump gave what Conrad thought was a perfect speech.

I think his most important message was putting America first and the American people first, she said.

In the area where Conrad was standing was a silent protester, she said.

He was not noisy or disruptive; he just had his fist in the air, Conrad said.

The day saw a handful of disruptions and protests, with building and car windows busted out. D.C. Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham told CNN the majority  thousands of people  were peaceful, compared to the hundreds that were violent.

After Trump delivered his speech, Christopher Haijsman of McClelland was one of 83 Air Force Academy cadets who marched in the inauguration parade. Haijsman, a cadet first class and Treynor High School graduate, marched the 1.7 mile route from the Capitol to the White House.

I am excited for this once-in-a-lifetime event, Haijsman said in a release before the inauguration. It will make a great addition to my Air Force Academy memories.
Donald Trump was sworn in and gave his speech this morning. Now the streets are on fire, and an ethics watchdog group has already filed complaints with the government about him, regarding his conflicts of interest. With things going so well, I now understand why he wanted to make Monday his first official day on the job.

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) announced in a press release that they filed two complaints against the hours-old Trump administration. One was over the fact that Trump could be violating the terms of the lease he was given for the Old Post Office, which is now the Trump International Hotel. In the complaint, CREW asks the General Services Administration to find Trump in violation of the lease terms which state that "[no] elected official of the Government of the United States...shall be admitted to any share or part of this Lease, or to any benefit that may arise therefrom."

According to the CREW complaint, there's been no evidence so far that Trump is no longer in charge of Trump Post Office LLC, the LLC that owns the lease for the hotel. And, since as the complaint helpfully points out, the fact that Trump is now the president of the United States makes him a government official. The complaint is asking the GSA to notify Trump Old Post Office LLC that it is in violation of the lease, and to initiate the possible revocation of the property.

In the other complaint, CREW is alleging that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is refusing to answer their Freedom of Information Law request to share any emails the incoming administration sent the NOAA asking to name employees who were doing work on climate change. According to the complaints, CREW sent the FOIA request on December 16th, and other than a same day confirmation they got the letter and an agreement to waive the fee associated with the request on January 4th, the NOAA has otherwise not responded.

In addition to the specific complaints, CREW executive director Noah Bookbinder released a statement in which he alleged that Trump is in violation of the Constitution's emoluments clause, although no one knows "just to what extent this violation goesbecause he is the first person elected to the presidency in decades to fail to clear the ethical bar of Richard Nixon and release his tax returns, much of his foreign business has remained secret."

Meanwhile, ProPublica reports that ten days after announcing that he would relinquish leadership and management of the Trump Organization and place it in a family trust by inauguration day, there is no evidence of Trump having filed the paperwork to do so. Trump is "not doing what they said they would do, Richard Painter, the chief ethics lawyer for President George W. Bush, tells ProPublica. And even that was completely inadequate.
On the rainy Friday evening following Donald Trumps inauguration, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Lower Manhattan to speak out against Trump and promote the cause of socialism. The demonstration - organized by Socialist Alternative, Democratic Socialists of America, and a host of other ideologically-aligned groups - was one of several events held nationally aimed at uniting grassroots factions of the left in resistance to the Trump administration.

This march began at Foley Square, with short speeches delivered by a diverse ensemble of anti-gentrification activists, students, socialist organizers, and a city housing policy analyst. Their stated goals included the solidarity and protection of workers, preservation of sanctuary cities, creation of single-payer health care system, an end to mass incarceration, and the recognition of rights of women, Muslims, the LGBTQ community, and all other persecuted minorities.

The fact that the majority of these demands have now become politically unthinkable, on the federal level at least, was not lost on the protesters. Its a moment of total demoralization in some ways, said Trevor Stark, a lecturer and postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University. I just hope the anger can be tipped into positive organizing, and that the strands that started with Bernie can move forward beyond the person.

After Foley Square, as the marchers moved south on Broadway toward the Trump building at 40 Wall Street, many in the crowd discussed their personal fears of a Trump presidency. It's a scary mirror image of other fascists that have taken power, said Shanley Mitchell, a senior at the New School studying political science and integrative design. She said she was particularly concerned with Trumps plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which her mother is currently enrolled in. I dont know if I fully identify as a socialist, Mitchell added, but I think there are some socialist values that are needed right now for sure.

Other protesters argued that viewing President Trump in the context of an unprecedented fascistic threat was inaccurate. According to Zishun Ning, a freelance videographer, Democratic politicians like Mayor Bill de Blasio were no better. [De Blasios] affordable housing plan has destroyed communities of color across the city - look at East Harlem, Chinatown, East New York, Ning said. Hes trying to use the election for his own image, but in the end they're two sides of the same coin.

One obvious next step, according to some protesters, is a coordinated effort to put more socialist leaders on local ballots. In America, if you can win elections youre real and if you cant, youre not, said Paul Swartz, an educator at the New York Historical Society. Swartz, a former volunteer for Dennis Kucinich, Anthony Weiner, and Bernie Sanders, recently joined the DSA after learning that the group planned to form an electoral committee to run candidates for office. Some people are still squeamish around the socialist label, which strikes me as crazy in the wake of Bernie, he added. If we can win now, we should capitalize.

While Swartz was one of many Sanders supporters in attendance, the protest also featured representatives both more and less radical than the ostensibly socialist senator. Some carried anarchist flags and dressed in the media-captivating black bloc uniform; others sported pro-Clinton pins and Im Still With Her signage.

The range of allegiances made for some oddly paired chants - shouts of Love Trumps Hate followed calls to Eat the Rich and Fuck All Presidents- and the occasional moment of tension. An organizer with a megaphone on the steps of Federal Hall was shouted down by some protesters who felt he was being coercive. Later in the evening, as the marchers trekked from Wall Street toward Union Square, two women engaged in a heated argument about whether it was appropriate to fraternize with police.

Conflicting outlooks and internecine ideological arguments aren't a new phenomenon in any broad protest movement, especially one focused on a man so broadly detestable as Donald Trump. But according to Dan Kroops, a member of Socialist Alternative who helped organized the event, Trumps election has made unity among progressive-minded New Yorkers more necessary than ever.

New Yorkers braved the rain and cold to stand together, Kroops said. It was a radical grassroots march and we will continue to work together under the slogan: an injury to one is an injury to all.

According to the NYPD, 6 men and 3 women were arrested at the march, and all of them were charged with disorderly conduct.
Young people of today care for the world they live in

We have all been there. We have all needed a helping hand. I am a needy person. (Just ask the nurses at Linden Court.)

Giving makes you feel good  just imagine how it makes the person on the other end feel. When I give, it tells the recipient I care.

Giving is a choice. Its a win-win situation. People need and want to ask for help. In this community, they will more than likely receive help. West- central Nebraska is very giving. Think back in history. The Canteen was an awesome example.

I see givers every day. At Christmas time, gifts were provided by people in the community. Gifts of flowers and goodies often show up unexpected.

Once a week, St. Pats kids come and give of their time. Residents enjoy getting to know some of the young people in the community.

Just today, as I was writing this column, two North Platte high school students showed up at my door and asked if they could visit with me.

They were curious about my thoughts and perceptions of the 21st century.

We want to know what the world was like before we were born, Haley McKain said. She jotted down my answers. (This took me back 50 years when I was a reporter for the Bulldogger.)

Brett Folk continued the questions. I was impressed that they wanted to know the world through my eyes.

Both students were polite and eager to hear my opinion. They were willing to receive advice and seemed to genuinely care about the world. They asked what had changed the most in the world since I was born. They wanted to know what I thought about the role of women in todays society.

It was obvious that the world is in good hands with young people like Brett and Haley. They have already learned what you can glean from those older. The experience and wisdom of my generation can help them make that better world.

They care and respect older generations. Their questions could have been answered by mail or even on the phone, but they chose to personally come to my room and ask me.

As they left, Brett said,  I will bring you a paper when it comes out.

Giving and caring goes hand and hand with how people communicate with one another. These two students communicated by caring about my opinion, and it felt good that they wanted to know how I felt about todays world.

Caring can be as simple as sharing a conversation with someone. I hope they walked away with more than the words on the paper, because I sure did.
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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.
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NEW YORK  In a scene U.S. authorities had dreamed of for decades, Mexican drug lord and escape artist Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was hauled into an American courtroom Friday and then taken away to an ultra-secure jail that has held some of the world's most dangerous terrorists and mobsters.

Holding his unshackled hands behind his back, a dazed-looking Guzman quietly entered a not-guilty plea to drug trafficking and other charges at a Brooklyn courthouse ringed by squad cars, officers with assault rifles, and bomb-sniffing dogs.

"He's a man known for a life of crime, violence, death and destruction, and now he'll have to answer for that," Robert Capers, the U.S. attorney in Brooklyn, said at a news conference.

The court appearance came hours after Guzman's Thursday night extradition from Mexico, where he had become something of a folk hero for two brazen prison escapes.

Guzman, who is in his 50s, was ordered held without bail in a special Manhattan jail unit where other high-risk inmates  including Mafia boss John Gotti and several close associates of Osama bin Laden  spent their time awaiting trial.

"It is difficult to imagine another person with a greater risk of fleeing prosecution," prosecutors wrote in court papers.

Prosecutors described Guzman as the murderous overseer of a three-decade campaign of smuggling, brutality and corruption that made his Sinaloa cartel a fortune while fueling an epidemic of cocaine abuse and related violence in the U.S. in the 1980s and '90s.

Guzman faces the possibility of life in prison. To get Mexico to hand him over, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. They are also demanding he forfeit $14 billion in assets.

Outside court, Guzman defense attorney Michael Schneider said: "I haven't seen any evidence that indicates to me that Mr. Guzman's done anything wrong." He also said he would look into whether his client was extradited properly to New York.

The U.S. has been trying to get custody of Guzman since he was first indicted in California in the early 1990s.

American authorities finally got their wish on the eve of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration, though it was not clear if the timing of the extradition was intended as a sign of respect to the Republican or some kind of slap, perhaps an effort to let outgoing President Barack Obama take the credit.

When Guzman got off a plane in New York, "as you looked into his eyes, you could see the surprise, you could see the shock, and to a certain extent, you could see the fear, as the realization kicked in that he's about to face American justice," said Angel Melendez, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

While Guzman faces federal charges in several U.S. states, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn won the jockeying to get the case. The U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn has substantial experience prosecuting international drug cartel cases and was once led by outgoing U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

New York City also boasts one of the most secure lockups in the United States, the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan. The drab-looking building is protected by steel barricades that can stop up to 7 1/2 tons of speeding truck, and the area is watched by cameras capable of reading a newspaper a block away.

The jail's inmates have included Ramzi Yousef, who was the architect of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and Ponzi king Bernard Madoff.

In the special high-security wing for the riskiest inmates, around a dozen prisoners spend 23 hours a day in roughly 20-by-12-foot cells, prohibited from communicating with one another. Meals are eaten in cells, and exercise is in a recreation area specifically for these inmates.

Only a limited number of carefully vetted jailers would be allowed access to an inmate with Guzman's wealth and potential to corrupt people, said Catherine Linaweaver, a former Metropolitan Correction Center warden who retired in 2014.

The special unit's strict confinement drew criticism from the human rights group Amnesty International in 2011.

The jail saw an audacious escape attempt in 1982, when two armed people in a hijacked sightseeing helicopter tried to pluck an inmate off a roof. Four years earlier, three prisoners broke out by cutting through window bars.

Guzman, whose nickname means "Shorty," presided over a syndicate that funneled tons of cocaine from South America into the U.S. via tunnels, tanker trucks, planes, container ships, speedboats and even submarines, prosecutors said.

Initially arrested in 1993, he broke out of a maximum-security Mexican prison in 2001, apparently in a laundry cart, and became a folk legend among some Mexicans, immortalized in song.

He was caught in 2014 but escaped again, this time through a hole in his prison cell shower. A specially rigged motorcycle on rails whisked him to freedom through a mile-long tunnel. He was recaptured in a January 2016 shootout that killed five associates.

____

Associated Press writers Verena Dobnik, Larry Neumeister and Jake Pearson contributed to this report.
The City of Gary is doing a rebranding campaign after long struggling with an image problem.

Gary was the second largest city in the state after Indianapolis in 1960 but is now no longer the largest in Lake County. It was infamously the murder capital during the 1990s until its population dropped below the 100,000 threshold the Federal Bureau of Investigation uses when tracking homicides in large cities. The city has been called scary Gary and a lot worse by out-of-towners and even unsympathetic locals.

It's often called the Steel City, but the steel industry isn't what it used to be in the days when Gary Works employed 30,000 and steelworkers had boats and other trappings of comfortable middle class lifestyle. Various civic slogans like City of the Century, Magic City, City of the Move never stuck or really captured the public imagination.

So the city of about 80,000 residents on Lake Michigan is now looking for a new slogan to "best communicate positive growth" as part of the rebranding campaign.

Options are Gary on the Shores of Opportunity, City in Motion, and Built for Opportunity.

Gary is inviting members of the public to weigh in on which slogan they like best. It's specifically seeking input from current and former residents, city employees, and people who own businesses within the city.

In the rebranding, the city hopes to positively stress assets like its lakefront, Marquette Park, transportation infrastructure and proximity to Chicago.

Online voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday.

To vote, visit http://cog2017slogan.questionpro.com/.
PORTAGE  Portage Township Schools' Teen Court program is one of 200 programs in the state to receive recognition recently.

The program received the Indiana Department of Education's Promising Practices designation.

Portage High School principal Max Gill told the School Board this past week that Teen Court "is a great example of restorative justice, restorative practices."

Sandra Porter-Phillips has run the program in Portage for the last five years, but has been involved in the initiative for 26 years.

Students, ages 10-18, who get in trouble for theft, tardies, behavior and other issues are referred to the program and must face a jury of their peers, which determines their punishment.

"It teaches them they are responsible for their own actions," said Porter-Phillips, adding restorative circles have recently been added to the program.

Restorative circles, she said, takes the students with the worst behavior and has them meet with her once a week in a group discussion.

Since its beginning in Portage, some 400 students have gone through Teen Court, which is also considered an alternative to suspension. Parent involvement is also a part of the program.

In addition, Porter-Phillips has been selected to make a presentation on the program at the National Youth at Risk summit this spring in Savannah, Georgia.
MICHIGAN CITY  A 27-year-old man is being held on a $20,000 cash bond after police say he tossed a stolen handgun during a foot chase Wednesday with police.

Shane Robinson, of Michigan City, faces charges of being a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm, a level 4 felony, and resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor.

Robinson was previously wanted for intimidation, domestic battery, invasion of privacy, trespassing and resisting law enforcement, LaPorte County Sheriff Sgt. Andy Hynek said in a news release.

Detective Michael Oberle with the LaPorte County Drug Task Force, who knew Robinson was wanted, observed him getting into a vehicle at 10:50 p.m. in the 1200 block of Franklin Street, according to the news release.

Another officer conducted a traffic stop on Robinson in the area of 11th and Manhattan streets, where police say Robinson fled on foot and police chased him into a backyard where he was apprehended.

Hynek said police also recovered a handgun found near Robinson during his arrest. The firearm was reported stolen out of Fulton County, Hynek said.

Robinson is scheduled to appear Tuesday in LaPorte County Superior Court.
VALPARAISO  Police said they broke up a highly coordinated effort of smuggling the drug Suboxone into the Porter County Jail in the form of tiny sublingual sheets that were sold for up to $100 each among inmates.

The crackdown, which came as a result of word from a confidential informant, has resulted in three arrests.

One of those charged, William Merriweather Jr., 46, of South Bend, is scheduled to stand trial this week before Porter Superior Court Judge Bill Alexa on a felony count of dealing a controlled substance.

Aaron Myers, 36, with an address of the jail, is charged with a felony count of aiding in the dealing of a controlled substance, according to court records.

Randall Madaras, 26, of the jail, also is charged with a felony count of aiding in the dealing of a controlled substance, according to court records.

The case came to light in mid-October when police were informed of the scheme, according to Porter County Police Sgt. Jamie Erow.

The way it worked is that the tiny sheets of the drug, which are similar in appearance to the Listerine-brand breath strips, were smuggled into the jail concealed inside the bindings of books and cut into greeting cards, she said.

Family and friends would then purchase the Suboxone on behalf of inmates by depositing money into the commissary funds of inmates selling the drug, Erow said.

Suboxone is a drug used to treat opiate addiction.

A 32-year-old LaPorte woman was arrested in December at the jail on accusations of attempting to smuggle in the same sublingual form of the drug by hiding it within the binding of a book.

Amber Malstaff is charged with a felony count of trafficking with an inmate.

The Westville Correctional Facility reported that it had caught the mother of one of its inmates attempting to smuggle the same form of Suboxone into the prison Jan. 14.

Polly Smart, of Huntington, Indiana, was caught with 50 small strips believed to be Suboxone in sealed packages, officials said.

She faces felony counts of attempted trafficking with an inmate and possession of Suboxone.

The Lake County Jail has not had any similar problems with Suboxone, according to sheriff's department spokesman Mark Back.

"The sheriff employs two full-time officers who screen every piece of mail received or sent from the Lake County Jail," he said.

A spokesman for the LaPorte County Jail could not be reached to comment on whether they have discovered problems with the sublingual drug.

Merriweather, who is representing himself at trial next week without an attorney's assistance, had multiple deposits from the families of other inmates in his commissary fund, according to court records. The fund is used by inmates to purchase personal and other items.

Reviewing video and telephone recordings at the jail, police lay out in the court records one example of what they say was a drug sale from Oct. 9.

An inmate calls a family member, who confirms that $10 has been deposited with Merriweather, according to court files. The inmate says he will need an additional $15 "to be able to do anything."

The inmate calls over Madaras and informs him the full deposit has been made, according to police. Madaras then goes to the door separating his cell block from another, talks to Merriweather and Myers, who are in the other cell block, and Merriweather calls to confirm the money has been deposited into his commissary fund.

Merriweather and Meyers then go to Merriweather's cell to retrieve something and Meyers hands something to Madaras, who delivers it to the inmate who arranged for the deposit.

Police said they searched Merriweather's possessions at the jail on Oct. 19 and found 12 sheets of Suboxone inside a Tootsie Pop candy bag. Merriweather is accused of cutting the $100 sheets in quarters and selling each section for $25.
INDIANAPOLIS  Retiring Indiana Supreme Court Justice Robert Rucker has no specific person in mind to replace him later this year on the state's highest court.

But Rucker said Thursday that he favors both "diversity" and "independence of thought" in judicial selection, and hopes his successor will be well-qualified and have "some amount of life experience that gives voice at a table where oftentimes voices are not heard."

The longest-serving current justice and sole African-American on the five-member Supreme Court confirmed Wednesday that he plans to leave the bench sometime this spring, after hearing one of his final oral arguments March 9 at his alma mater, Gary Roosevelt High School.

Applications now are available for any Indiana resident who has been a licensed attorney for at least 10 years, or a judge in the state for at least five years, to fill the anticipated vacancy.

The deadline to submit the comprehensive application and required paperwork to the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission is March 3.

The seven-member commission, which is led by Chief Justice Loretta Rush, who lived in Munster as a child, then will review the applications and interview qualified candidates.

Following a second round of finalist interviews, the commission must recommend three candidates to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb who selects one to become the new Supreme Court justice.

Hoosier voters get to ratify or reject the governor's choice after the justice has served two years on the court.

An Indiana Supreme Court justice earns $169,264.94 a year.

Rucker said he strongly supports Indiana's merit selection process for new justices, because he believes it "keeps the extremes from making it through."

"That process eliminates the outliers, so you get what I like to call a group of raging centrists on the court. Neither left, nor right, even though obviously appointed by governors of the party that they're aligned with, but you don't get the ideological tinge," Rucker said.

"It doesn't mean that you don't have very strong views ... but I have never had a conversation around that table (in the justices' conference room) that centered around politics."

Rucker has served on the Supreme Court since 1999 and prior to that was an Indiana Court of Appeals judge for eight years.

He is the only remaining justice to have been appointed by a Democratic governor.
Police said they arrived at the bank, 1501 S. Court St., at 12:51 a.m. and discovered the ATM was pulled over using chains and a truck.
LAPORTE  It's enjoyed strong support but the Maple City Grand Prix is in financial jeopardy.

An appeal for more sponsors is underway to try and bring the race back to Stone Lake in LaPorte for a fifth year.

"We need some help to fund the race. It's been a real challenge to pay the bills," said Jack Arnett, executive director of the LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The LCCVB is a major financial sponsor of the race, held late May to early June. The race has run as much as $90,000 in red ink, he said.

There is optimism for saving the race because last year alone, the debt fell to just $30,000, the result of cutting expenses and adding more sponsors, after coordination for the event shifted from the LCCVB to Thaddeus Cutler, the city's downtown coordinator and Brett Binversie, director of the LaPorte Civic Auditorium.

Much of the savings was from the USF1 circuit lowering its more than $100,000 cost of providing the racers, said Cutler.

"They love coming to LaPorte every year. They love how the community embraces them and cheers them on. They feel like rock stars," Cutler said.

A contract must be signed in about a month to have the race this year, and it won't happen unless the funding gap is narrowed enough.

"We need to judge if there's a level of support in the community financially for this race," said Arnett. By mid-February, he expects, the future of the race will be decided.

About 15,000 people showed up last year for the race at Stone Lake, downtown block party and other activities related to the weekend event that provides more than one million dollars of local economic impact.

Turnout was about 7,000 higher the year before despite rain and fog throughout much of the qualifying rounds and the actual race.

More than 40 tunnel boats traveling up to 140 miles per hour with the ability to turn on the dime took part in last year's competition.

Drivers in the USF1 series have come from as far away as Canada and Seattle to take part in the competition.

Since word about the race being in trouble started leaking out, there have been rumblings from people who enjoy the race wanting it to come back.

"If that's the case, we can build on what they did last year and maybe have the race. I think that's a distinct possibility. We just need more folks to step up," Arnett said.
VALPARAISO  The Indiana Department Department of Natural Resources will hold a hearing Tuesday on proposed treatment of gypsy moths.

Gypsy moth is an invasive insect that feeds on the foliage of hundreds of species of trees and shrubs, but it prefers oak trees, according to the DNR. Trees can be completely defoliated by feeding caterpillars. Several successive years of infestation can kill trees.

"Gypsy moth can be an expensive, messy problem for homeowners and, when out of control, can cause extensive damage to U.S. forests," according to the DNR.

The hearing will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Valparaiso Public Library, 103 Jefferson St.

A second hearing will be held at the library at 6 p.m. Feb. 2.
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HONOLULU  Crammed into a dome with one bathroom, six scientists will spend eight months munching on mostly freeze-dried foods  with a rare treat of Spam  and have only their small sleeping quarters to retreat to for solace.

The simulated stay on Mars with a carefully selected crew of researchers embarked on a mission Thursday to gain insight into the psychological toll a similar real-life voyage would have on astronauts. It's part of a NASA-funded human-behavior experiment that could help the space agency send humans to the red planet in the next 20 years.

The man-made dome that the four men and two women call home is outfitted with futuristic white walls and an elevated sleeping platform on the world's largest active volcano in Hawaii. The vinyl-covered shelter spans 1,200 square feet, or about the size of a small, two-bedroom house.

A video released by the group shows the six scientists in matching red polo shirts arriving and entering the dome to farewell handshakes from program associates.

Except for the presence of the white van that brought the group, the scene was reminiscent of the red planet  the dome set in a barren, rock-strewn and reddish landscape with distant hills giving the feel of a wind-swept and forbidding environment.

"I'm looking forward to building relationships with my crew," said mission commander James Bevington, a space scientist. "I fully anticipate coming out with five new best friends."

They will have no physical contact with people in the outside world and will work with a 20-minute delay in communications with their support crew  the time it would take for an email to reach Earth from Mars.

The project will study the psychological difficulties with living in isolated, confined conditions for an extended period.

NASA hopes to send humans to an asteroid in the 2020s and Mars by the 2030s.

"We're hoping to figure out how best to select individual astronauts, how to compose a crew and how to support that crew on long-duration space missions," said principal investigator Kim Binsted, a University of Hawaii science professor.

The team members include engineers, a computer scientist, a doctoral candidate and a biomedical expert. They were selected from 700 applicants subjected to personality tests, background checks and extensive interviews.

"When I started, my biggest fear was that we were going to be that crew that turned out like Biosphere 2, which wasn't a very pretty picture," Bevington said.

The experimental greenhouse-like habitat in Arizona became a debacle in the 1990s. It housed different ecosystems and a crew of eight to try to understand what would be needed for humans to live on other planets. The participants were supposed to grow their own food and recycle their air inside the sealed glass space.

But the experiment soon spiraled out of control, with the carbon dioxide level rising dangerously and plants and animals dying. The crew members grew hungry and squabbled so badly that by the time they emerged two years later, some of them weren't speaking to each other.

The University of Hawaii operates the dome, called Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, or HI-SEAS, and NASA has dedicated more than $2 million to the various stages of the project.

Scientists previously lived in the dome for two other long-term NASA-funded stays  one of them lasting a year, the other eight months  to study food requirements and crew cohesion.

A number of other Mars simulation projects exist around the world, but one of the chief advantages of the Hawaii experiment is the rugged, Mars-like landscape, on a rocky, red plain below the summit of the world's largest active volcano, the Big Island's Mauna Loa.

The dome has a kitchen, laboratory and bathroom, plus small sleeping quarters for each member. Unlike Biosphere 2, it won't be airtight.

To maintain the crew's sense of isolation, bundles of food, including some canned goods and snacks, will be dropped off a distance from the dome, and the team members will send a robot to retrieve them.

The participants will not be confined but will wear spacesuits whenever they step outside for geological expeditions, mapping studies or other tasks.

They will wear instruments measuring their moods and proximity to other team members and use virtual reality devices to simulate familiar and comforting surroundings.

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Follow Hawaii correspondent Caleb Jones on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalebAP . See more of his work here: https://apnews.com/search/Caleb%20Jones%20Hawaii .

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This version corrects that NASA has funded over $2 million for the entire project, not for this stage.
WASHINGTON (AP)  In a global exclamation of defiance and solidarity, more than 1 million people rallied at women's marches in the nation's capital and cities around the world Saturday to send President Donald Trump an emphatic message on his first full day in office that they won't let his agenda go unchallenged.

"Welcome to your first day, we will not go away!" marchers in Washington chanted.

Many of the women came wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president. Plenty of men joined in, too, contributing to surprising numbers everywhere from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles to Mexico City, Paris, Berlin, London, Prague and Sydney.

The Washington rally alone attracted over 500,000 people according to city officials  apparently more than Trump's inauguration drew on Friday. It was easily one of the biggest demonstrations in the city's history, and as night fell, not a single arrest was reported.

The international outpouring served to underscore the degree to which Trump has unsettled people in both hemispheres.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack, and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America, and we are here to stay."

Turnout in the capital was so heavy that the designated march route alongside the National Mall was impassable. Protesters were told to make their way to the Ellipse near the White House by way of other streets, triggering a chaotic scene that snarled downtown Washington. Long after the program had ended, groups of demonstrators were still marching and chanting in different parts of the city.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer had no comment on the march except to note that there were no firm numbers for turnout because the National Park Service no longer provides crowd estimates.

Around the world, women brandished signs with slogans such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love." They decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change. And they branded him a sexist, a bully, a bigot and more.

"We want a leader, not a creepy tweeter," some marchers chanted in Washington.

In Chicago, organizers canceled the march portion of their event for safety reasons because of an overflow crowd that reached an estimated 250,000. People made their way through the streets on their own anyway. In New York, well over 100,000 marched past Trump's home at glittering Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. More than 100,000 also gathered on Boston Common, and a similar number demonstrated in Los Angeles.

In Miami, real estate agent Regina Vasquez, 51, brought a sign saying "Repeal and Replace Trump."

"I believe that strength is in the numbers, and that we should all come out and not make Trump the new normal," she said.

All told, more than 600 "sister marches" were planned worldwide. Crowd estimates from police and organizers around the globe added up to well over a million.

"I feel very optimistic even though it's a miserable moment," said Madeline Schwartzman of New York City, who brought her twin 13-year-old daughters to the Washington rally. "I feel power."

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when "many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes."

"It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were," she said.

As the demonstrators rallied alongside the National Mall, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration, and later visited the CIA. As he traveled around town, his motorcade passed large groups of protesters that would have been hard to miss.

The Women's March on Washington appeared to accomplish the historic feat of drawing more people to protest the inauguration than the ceremony itself attracted.

It far surpassed the 60,000 people who protested the Vietnam War at Richard Nixon's inauguration in 1973. Before Saturday, that was thought to be the largest such demonstration in inaugural history.

Christopher Geldart, Washington's homeland security director, said the crowd exceeded the 500,000 that organizers told city officials to expect. The largest-ever demonstration in Washington, according to National Park Service crowd estimates, was an anti-Vietnam protest in 1969 that drew 600,000.

The Million Man March in 1995 drew 400,000, according to the park service, which no longer estimates crowd sizes, in part because the organizers of that event accused the agency of lowballing the number and threatened to sue.

The Washington rally was a peaceful counterpoint to the window-smashing unrest that unfolded on Friday when self-described anarchists tried to disrupt the inauguration. Police used pepper spray and stun grenades against the demonstrators. More than 200 people were arrested.

Marlita Gogan, who came to Washington from Houston for the inauguration, said police advised her family not to wear their "Make America Great Again Hats" as they walked through crowds of protesters while playing tourist on Saturday.

"I think it's very oppressive," she said of the march atmosphere. "They can have their day, but I don't get it."

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values."

The marches displayed a level of enthusiasm that Clinton herself was largely unable to generate during her campaign against Trump, when she won the popular vote but was outdistanced in the Electoral College that decides the White House.

The hand-knit "pussyhats" worn by many women served as a message of female empowerment, inspired by Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals. They "ain't for grabbing," actress Ashley Judd told the Washington crowd.

The marches were a magnet for A-list celebrities, unlike Trump's inauguration, which had a deficit of top performers.

Alicia Keys sang "Girl on Fire" for the Washington crowd. Madonna gave a fiery, profanity-laced address to the gathering. Cher, also in the nation's capital, said Trump's ascendance has people "more frightened maybe than they've ever been."

In Park City, Utah, it was Charlize Theron leading demonstrators in a chant of "Love, not hate, makes America great." Actresses Helen Mirren and Cynthia Nixon and Whoopi Goldberg joined the crowd of protesters in New York.

Tens of thousands of protesters squeezed into London's Trafalgar Square. In Paris, thousands rallied in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump" and "With our sisters in Washington." Hundreds gathered in Prague's Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, mockingly waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

In Sydney, thousands of Australians gathered in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.
GRETNA, La.  An official says the suspect in the deaths of a police officer and a woman he had stopped to help has died.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's spokesman John Fortunato said Saturday that Sylvester Holt died late Friday at University Hospital in New Orleans.

Authorities say the 32-year-old Holt shot himself in the chest Friday evening after threatening for hours to jump off a New Orleans bridge spanning the Mississippi River.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said that, during talks with authorities on the bridge, Holt admitted shooting the 26-year-old officer and a 32-year-old woman Holt had been romantically involved with. Normand said Holt had recently found out she was pregnant with her new boyfriend.

The sheriff said the officer had stopped to help the woman on his way home from work when Holt shot him in the head.
HOUSTON  Doctors removed former President George H.W. Bush's breathing tube on Friday and he was breathing well on his own at a Houston hospital, his spokesman said.

The tube was inserted Wednesday while the 92-year-old former president was being treated for pneumonia. Bush remains in intensive care at Houston Methodist Hospital but is comfortable, family spokesman Jim McGrath said.

"He was extubated this morning, and is breathing well on his own with minimal supplemental oxygen," McGrath said. "President Bush is comfortable and watching inauguration coverage together with Mrs. Bush, their son Neil and daughter-in-law Maria."

Former first lady Barbara Bush also remained hospitalized Friday for treatment of bronchitis, but she's feeling better and "focusing on spending time with her husband," McGrath said. The 91-year-old is expected to remain in the hospital over the weekend as a precaution.

Their son, former President George W. Bush, offered thanks on Instagram on Thursday for all the messages "of love and support for Mother and Dad."

"Your prayers are working: 41 and Mom are doing much better today and fighting on," he said in his first public comments about their illnesses.

The younger Bush and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush, were at President Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday.

Trump and former President Bill Clinton have sent their well wishes earlier this week via Twitter, and Barack Obama offered similar thoughts earlier this week at his farewell presidential news conference.

The Bushes were married Jan. 6, 1945, and their 72-year marriage is the longest of any presidential couple in American history.
TEHRAN, Iran  Rescue teams in the Iranian capital worked through the night and into the day Friday to try and reach firefighters and other victims believed to be under the rubble of a commercial building that collapsed in Tehran the previous day.

Iranian officials have yet to offer definitive casualty figures for the disaster. Iran's state-run Press TV reported on Thursday that 30 firefighters had been killed, without elaborating.

Later Thursday, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said more than 20 firefighters had been killed and promised further updates. Ghalibaf also said there were no civilians inside the building at the time of the collapse, though witnesses said people had slipped through a police cordon to try and save their valuables inside the burning building.

On Friday, authorities said an injured firefighter died at a local hospital. No survivors or bodies have been pulled out of the rubble so far.

The disaster had stunned many Iranians and triggered an outpouring of grief across Tehran.

Iran's government announced that Saturday would be a day of mourning for the nation following the incident that "claimed lives of several people and brave firefighters," according to a statement carried by the official IRNA news agency.

Jalal Maleki, spokesman of the Tehran Fire Department, told state TV that along with firefighters who are believed to be under the rubble, "we assume that there are some other people."

Iranian media said Behnam Mirzakhani, one of the firefighters hospitalized in Tehran, died Friday from his injuries sustained in the building's collapse.

A total of 84 people had been reported injured, but only five remained hospitalized, said Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the country's emergency department.

The disaster at the 17-story Plasco building, inadvertently shown live on state television that was reporting from the site after the building was engulfed in a fire on Thursday morning, came after authorities said they repeatedly warned tenants about blocking stairwells with fabric from cramped garment workshops on its upper floors.

The high-rise was home to more than 500 garment and clothing shops, their offices and warehouses, and was full of chemical materials, authorities said. The blaze and the subsequent collapse stunned the city and firefighters and others openly wept on the streets, holding each other for support. Dozens of people lined up to donate blood.

Smoke was still seen rising occasionally from the ruins on Friday.

"The smoke is a sign of continuation of the fire under the rubble," Saeed Sharifizadegan, head of Tehran's fire department.

Workers were digging several tunnels from buildings next door to reach the basement of the collapsed building. Teams of rescue dogs were also at the site.

Amir Mohammadi, a retired teacher who lives in a nearby neighborhood, said he couldn't sleep the entire night out of worry.

"How can I go to bed, all those who trapped are like my sons," he said. "Maybe some of them were my students."

Ghasem Rahmani, 63, who owned a shop in the building, stood at Lalehzar junction, a nearby intersection. "Until the collapse I was worrying about my belongings," he said. "Now I am worrying about our sons there."

Authorities described the building, built more than five decades ago, as having a weak structure. Thursday's fire was the worst in Tehran since a 2005 blaze at a historic mosque killed 59 worshippers and injured nearly 200 others.

By nightfall Friday, scores of Iranians held candlelit vigils outside many Tehran fire stations and in other cities and towns across Iran.

___

Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.
FARINDOLA, Italy  After two days huddled in freezing cold, tons of snow surrounding them in the wreckage of the avalanche-demolished hotel, survivors greeted their rescuers Friday as "angels." Among the 10 people pulled out alive was a plucky 6-year-old who just wanted her favorite cookies.

But for the loved ones of at least 16 others believed still trapped in the doomed mountain resort, the agonizing wait to learn their relatives' fate dragged on.

Cheers of "Bravo! Bravo!" rang out early Friday as the first survivors were pulled from the debris, boosting spirits two days after the massive snow slide buried some 30 people. Four children were among those found alive.

"Today is a day of hope. There's a miracle under way," declared Ilario Lacchetta, mayor of the tiny town of Farindola, where the hotel is located.

The rescues buoyed spirits after four bodies were discovered earlier in the rubble of the luxury Hotel Rigopiano, 180 kilometers (112 miles) northeast of Rome, where the avalanche dumped 16 feet (5 meters) of snow on top of the resort Wednesday.

Relatives of the missing rushed from the rescue operations center in the mountains to the seaside hospital where the survivors were taken for treatment in hopes that their loved ones were among the lucky few to be found.

First word of the survivors came around 11 a.m. when a boy wearing blue snow pants and a matching ski jacket emerged through a tunnel dug in the snow more than 42 hours after the avalanche struck.

It was Gianfilippo Parete, the 8-year-old son of Giampiero Parete, a chef vacationing at the resort who was outside the hotel when the deluge of snow hit and first sounded the alarm by calling his boss.

Emergency crews mussed the boy's hair in celebration. "Bravo! Bravo!" they cheered.

Next to emerge was the boy's mother, Adriana Vranceanu, 43, wearing red snow pants and appearing alert as she told rescuers that her 6-year-old daughter, Ludovica, was still trapped inside. Mother and son were taken by stretcher to a helicopter for the ride out.

They were then reunited with Parete at a hospital in the coastal town of Pescara, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration but otherwise in good health, hospital officials said.

"They had heavy clothes," said Dr. Tullio Spina, director of the hospital's intensive care and anesthesia unit. "They had ski caps to cover themselves. They remained away from the snow and cold, they were always inside the structure. That's why the hypothermia wasn't severe."

Little Ludovica was rescued several hours later and upon emerging asked for cookies: Ringos, an Italian version of Oreos, said Quintino Marcella, the restaurant owner who rallied the rescue after getting the phone call from her father.

Some 30 people were believed trapped inside the hotel in the Gran Sasso mountain range when the avalanche hit after days of winter storms that dumped up to three meters (nearly 10 feet) of snow in some places. The region was also rocked by four earthquakes on Wednesday, though it was not clear if they set off the avalanche.

As the rescue work continued, relatives of the missing gathered anxiously at the Pescara hospital waiting for word of their loved ones.

"I just hope that my niece and her boyfriend will make it out of there," said Melissa Riccardo. "We came to see if she was here."

A few erupted in frustration at an evening news conference.

"The only news I have has been from the internet. They haven't given me anything direct," said Domenico Angelozzi, awaiting news of his sister and brother-in-law.

The number of survivors found and extracted evolved over the course of the day.

Marco Bini, a member of a police squad participating in the rescue, said the team opened a hole in the hotel roof Thursday night but "heard nothing." Still, the persisted, following a floor plan of the hotel until they found signs of life.

Upon seeing their rescuers, the survivors "called them angels," he said.

"They weren't in a lot of space" but it was enough to survive, an area probably protected by the snow, Bini told Italian state TV.

Late Friday, civil protection chief Fabrizio Cari said a total of 10 people had been found alive: Five who had been extracted, including four children. Rescuers were working to remove the rest, he said.

"A beautiful feeling. Wonderful. I can't describe it!" marveled Simona Di Carlo, aunt of Edoardo Di Carlo, after hearing word that he was among the survivors. "But I would like to see him."

Rescue crews said one group of survivors was found in the hotel's kitchen area in an air pocket that formed when reinforced cement walls partially resisted the avalanche's violent power.

"It's probable that they realized the risk and took protective measures," firefighter Giuseppe Romano said.

Those being rescued were in remarkably good condition, rescue workers said. Titi Postiglione, operations chief of the civil protection agency, said survivors would help rescuers try to locate others trapped in the hotel.

Prosecutors opened a manslaughter investigation into the tragedy and were looking into whether the avalanche threat was taken seriously enough, and whether the hotel should have been evacuated earlier given the heavy snowfall and forecasts.

"That hotel, in that historic moment, should it have been open?" prosecutor Christina Tedeschini was quoted by the ANSA news agency as saying. "If the people wanted to leave, what prevented them from doing so?"

Parete, the survivor who sounded the alarm, said the guests had all checked out and were waiting for the road to be cleared so they could evacuate. But the snowplow never arrived and the avalanche hit around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

In addition, pleas for a rescue team initially went unheeded by Italian authorities. Marcella, Parete's boss, said his call to the Pescara prefect's office was rebuffed because the hotel had informed it a few hours earlier that all was OK there.

He persisted with other emergency responders and eventually someone took his information seriously and mobilized the rescue some two hours later.

Tedeschini said the delay was "a relevant theme that we will look into."

The operation has also been hampered by fears of triggering new avalanches and building collapses onto possible survivors trapped in the rubble.

Workers have been clearing a seven-kilometer (5.5-mile) road to bring in heavier equipment, but the mountain road can handle only one-way traffic and is covered with snow and fallen trees and rocks.

Days of heavy snowfall had knocked out electricity and phone lines in many central Italian towns and hamlets, and the hotel phones went down early Wednesday, just as the first of the four powerful earthquakes struck.

The force of the massive snow slide collapsed one wing of the hotel and rotated another off its foundation, pushing it downhill.

An Alpine rescue team was the first to arrive at the hotel on cross-country skis after a seven-kilometer journey that took two hours. They found Parete and Fabio Salzetta, a hotel maintenance worker, in a car in the resort's parking lot.

Parete was taken to a hospital while Salzetta stayed behind to help rescuers identify where guests might be buried and how crews could enter the buildings.

The mountainous region of central Italy has been struck by a series of quakes since August that destroyed homes and historic centers in dozens of towns and hamlets. A deadly quake in August killed nearly 300 people. No one died in strong aftershocks in the region in October, largely because towns had already been evacuated.

___

Barry reported from Pescara. AP writer Nicole Winfield contributed from Rome.
As Donald Trump was sworn into office Friday, some New York City Democrats treated Friday like it was just another day at work. Zack Fink filed the following report.

In the days leading up to the election, most New York Democrats were predicting a big win for Hillary Clinton. On Friday, the cold reality set in.

Jamie Rubin is a cabinet member of Governor Andrew Cuomo. On Friday, he traveled to a community center in Brooklyn to present highlights of the governor's budget, which he did at exactly the same time Donald Trump was giving his inaugural address.

"I think it's hard to say Democrats aren't disappointed," Rubin said. "But I think most people, like the governor, are very pragmatic. We have a lot of work that needs to get done at the state level, and that's true whether there is a Republican in the White House or a Democrat as there has been for the last eight years. We are keeping our heads down and doing our work."

For newly elected Assembly Democrat Yuh-Line Niou, it was a different kind of day. After a late lunch with Jessica Lappin of the Downtown Alliance, she headed back to her Lower Manhattan office to prepare for Saturday's Women's March in Washington. She didn't watch the inauguaration either.

"I haven't looked at the TV or my Twitter. And so one of the things I've been trying to focus on is that my constituents are taken care of and that they have access to me," she said.

For City Council member Corey Johnson, it was just another day at the office, albeit a depressing one.

"Well, today is mourning in America. With a 'U,' with an 'OU,'" Johnson said. "Today is a difficult day for Democrats, progressives, liberals, New Yorkers. And we need to continue to work, organize, fight and resist."

Many Democrats say a variation of the same thing, that they are just now gearing up to fight the Trump administration. But given that Trump hasn't been president very long, it's tough to say what exactly that fight will be. Trump said a lot during the campaign and a lot after he got elected, and not all of it was consistent.
Thousands of people show their solidarity Saturday with the Women's March on Washington in a sister demonstration in New York City to protest the new president  right by his Midtown home.

"Everything's kind of in shambles right now, and it shouldn't be like that," one protestor said. "A lot of people's rights are not being heard."

The march's goals are similar to that of the Women's March on Washington, focusing on social justice, civil rights, equality, religion, and women's rights in the wake of a Trump administration, which officially began Friday.

The marchers left from Dag Hammarskjold Plaza near the United Nations earlier in the day and made their way almost right in front of Trump Tower.

They were expected to march right in front of the president's home, but police stopped them and cordoned off the street at 55th St.

Protestors then made a turn, went up Madison Ave. and made their way to East 57th St. to effectively surround the area near the tower on 5th Ave.

There was no traffic going up and down the street between East 57th St. to about a block past East 55th St.

NY1 was originally told about 76,000 people were expected in the city's march, but police on-scene said they believe there are many more people. However, no arrests have been seen, as the march has appeared peaceful.

"I think we're sending a message that we're powerful, we're worthy, and we're not just going to sit by idly while rights get taken away," a protestor said. "We're going to have each other's backs.

"New York is here. We're supporting people in the country who may feel oppressed or frightened by some of the statements coming from Donald Trump," said protestor Vanessa Moss.

Corey Ayala is one of those fearful of what a Trump presidency means for women's rights.

The 45th president and many Republicans, who now control the House of Representatives and the Senate, have threatened to defund Planned Parenthood.

Had it not been for the non-profit health organization, Ayala might not be here today.

"I feel very strongly about not defunding Planned Parenthood, because I have been personally touched by needing the service by not having healthcare," Ayala said. "I actually went in and was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and so through that I was able to get the help I needed and get on-track with my health and have two beautiful daughters."

Those daughters, marched with their mother and in solidarity with so many others for not only women's rights, but equal rights for everyone.

"I identify as LGBTQ and mixed, so there's a lot at stake here for us," Alex Fagundez said. "It's powerful for me to be here with my sister and mother."

And they were far from the only family marching. Chris Henze brought his nine-year-old daughter for a sort of lesson in civics.

"I'm really glad I was part of it," she said.

"It's what makes America powerful and great is that we're willing to disagree and that we're willing to show it and that we're allowed to," Henze said. "So it's a really important thing to teach my daughter."

Thousands of people had gathered at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza before the march began, with celebrities and public officials, including the city's first lady Chirlane McCray, rallying the crowd.

Protestors were expected to march from the plaza around noon, but people had to wait for the OK to move forward.

It appeared that the huge numbers of people slowed down the beginning of the march.

People were supposed to march in waves, with registered groups heading out to Trump Tower first.

Instead, some began to get agitated, with some attendees chanting "Let's march, let's march!"

Many Hillary Clinton supporters are in the marching crowd, along with men.

Cynthia Nixon, Rosie Perez, and Whoopi Goldberg were among the celebrities attending.

People from outside the city, including from New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, have come to march with New Yorkers, intending to send a message to the new administration.

"We've had these issues for years and years and years, and I've always said we need to get out in the streets and be heard," said a protestor at the plaza.



"Don't take away my ACA!" some protestors chanted, referring to the beginning of the dismantling of the Affordable Care Act.
Protesters in New York City and Washington, D.C. joined with demonstrators in other cities Saturday to march against President Trump one day after his inauguration.

Estimates of the crowd in the nation's captial were in the hundreds of thousands as the protest there swelled beyond its expected size.

"I think we're sending a message that we're powerful, we're worthy, and we're not just going to sit by idly while rights get taken away," one protestor said. "We're going to have each other's backs."

Seas of people blocked traffic as they marched from the National Mall. On one street, a police car trying to move got stuck in the crowd. Marchers surrounded a float that had several supporters of President Trump on board and chanted, "Shame."

Other marchers shouted, "Black lives matter" and "My body, my choice," as they moved along Pennsylvania Ave. towards the White House.

Organizers say the peaceful march aimed to promote equality, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, and religion in the wake of a Trump administration, which officially began Friday.

The march's main goal was to call for a greater female influence on the political world. They were also protesting the administration's plans to defund Planned Parenthood.

There were early signs across Washington that Saturday's crowds could top those that gathered Friday to watch President Donald Trump's inauguration.

The march's National Park Service permit initially estimated a turnout of 200,000, but the District of Columbia's homeland security chief had predicted turnout would be higher.

Marchers said they were upset by what they have heard from Trump, including his stances on women, immigration, and the environment.

"I'm horrified by the disrespect for what our country stands for, the lies and the flagrant disregard for truth that this administration has shown itself willing to propagate," one protestor said.

"I am basically against everything Trump has said in his campaign: hateful speech against immigrants, women, Muslims, LGBT people," said another.



The Women's March on Washington did not have a main organization to credit as its founder. Instead, it grew out of some Facebook posts from women who were deeply upset by Trump's election win and felt they needed to do something to respond.

"It's been so friendly, so peaceful, just people hugging each other and laughing and celebrating," said one protester. "Hopefully the powers that be will listen."

"The administration has been running over a majority of the American people," said another. "They do not have a mandate, but they are acting as though they do."President Trump got a view of the protesters from the window of his limo.

Trump's motorcade was on its way back to the White House from a prayer service when he passed several prominent groups of protesters.

As he crossed one intersection, cars started honking loudly.

Some of the protesters held up signs that likened women's rights to human rights. It's a nod to a famous speech that former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton gave in China as first lady.

Other signs read, "We stand with Planned Parenthood."

Among those expected to attend were America Ferrera, Katy Perry, Cher, Gloria Steinem, Chelsea Handler, Julianne Moore, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Schumer, Olivia Wilde, Debra Messing, and Zendaya.

In the afternoon, Madonna used several obscenities during a speech at the march to emphasize her opposition to Trump. Her comments were carried live on cable television.

Madonna said like-minded Americans need to join together to make it "through this darkness" and show that "we are not afraid, that we are not alone."

Thousands are participated in a sister march in New York City that passed by the president's New York home.

Protesters in the Women's March on New York City left from an area near the United Nations earlier in the day and made their way to Trump Tower.

They were planning to march right in front of the president's home, but police stopped them and cordoned off the street at 55th St.

Protestors then made a turn, went up Madison Ave. and made their way to East 57th St. to effectively surround the area near the tower on 5th Ave.

There was no traffic going up and down the street between East 57th St. to about a block past East 55th St.

NY1 was originally told about 76,000 people were expected in the city's march, but police on-scene said they believe there are many more people.

Some people in the crowd said the fight for equal rights for women hits home for them.

"I feel very strongly about not defunding Planned Parenthood, because I have been personally touched by needing the service by not having healthcare," one woman protestor said. "I actually went in and was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and so through that I was able to get the help I needed and get on-track with my health and have two beautiful daughters."

Thousands of people had gathered near the meeting point near the United Nations before the march began, with celebrities and public officials rallying the crowd.

Protestors were expected to march from the plaza around noon, but people had to wait for the OK to move forward.

It appeared that the huge numbers of people slowed down the beginning of the march.

People were supposed to march in waves, with registered groups heading out to Trump Tower first.

Instead, some began to get agitated, with some attendees chanting "Let's march, let's march!"

Many Hillary Clinton supporters were in the marching crowd, along with men. Cynthia Nixon, Rosie Perez, and Whoopi Goldberg were among the celebrities attending.

People from outside the city, including from New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, came to march with New Yorkers, intending to send a message to the new administration.

"We've had these issues for years and years and years, and I've always said we need to get out in the streets and be heard," said a protestor at the plaza.



"Don't take away my ACA!" some protestors chanted, referring to the beginning of the dismantling of the Affordable Care Act.

Getting to the Women's March on Washington and its sister events around the country has proved to be a challenge.

Before Trump's inauguration Friday morning, Metro subway officials said only two of its parking garages and lots were at more than 60 percent capacity.

Saturday, many garages and lots at the ends of subway lines were at or near capacity.

In New York, Greyhound had to scramble to get extra buses and drivers for the 3:45 a.m. departure to Washington after a crush of last-minute ticket purchases.

A spokeswoman said they ended up with a total of 18 extra buses, and some could not leave until 6:30 a.m. because there weren't enough drivers on site.

So many people have turned out for the Women's March in Chicago that organizers have cancelled their plans to march through the city's downtown.

Instead, they plan to extend the ongoing rally on the city's lakefront.

Organizers say far more people than they were initially expecting are at the demonstration in Grant Park along Lake Michigan, and overflow areas are being used.

They say the planned march through downtown Chicago had to be canceled due to public safety concerns, but that the rally has been extended until 12:30 p.m. Central time.

Protesters are still arriving at the rally, many with signs critical of Trump.

Officials in Chicago added trains to their Saturday morning schedule in anticipation of higher-than-usual ridership, but passengers are still reporting standing-room-only trains and crowded platforms.

Some trains were so full they were bypassing scheduled stops.

Thousands are gathered in spots around the world for related Women's Marches.

A couple hundred people rallied in the Czech capital of Prague on Saturday in support of the march.

In Wenceslas Square in freezing conditions, they waved the portraits of President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, as well banners that read: "This is just the beginning."

"We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections," organizer Johanna Nejedlova said.

Similar rallies unfolded in London, Berlin, Rome and other cities.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, protesters in the march's trademark pink woolen hats met outside the U.S. Embassy. "An alternative to the growing hatred must be created," participant Sherin Khankan said.
SANTA ANA  A Huntington Beach man pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges that he killed two women at a New Years Eve party and then set fire to one of the victims homes to hide evidence, authorities said.

Christopher Ken Ireland, a 37-year-old real estate agent, is accused of killing Yolanda Holtrey, 59, of Westminster, and her friend, Michelle Luke, 49, of Huntington Beach and then dumping their bodies in brush near the Newport Hills Shopping Center.

Ireland, being held without bail, faces charges of murder, arson and aggravated mayhem, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office.

Authorities said Ireland, acquainted with both victims, attended a New Years Eve party at Holtreys home in Westminster. At about 1:20 a.m., while his family waited outside, he is accused of killing Holtrey and Luke by hitting them multiple times with a sharp object.

He then left the home but returned at about 3 a.m. with lining in the trunk of his car, prosecutors said. He dragged the victims bodies into the trunk and then drove to a dead-end road in Newport Beach, they said, where he dumped them in a lot.

Prosecutors said he then returned to Holtreys home and sparked a fire. Authorities launched an investigation after firefighters noticed blood on some furniture and accelerants at the scene, prosecutors said.

The victims bodies were found on the morning of Jan. 2 and Ireland was arrested later that day.

Contact the writer: kpuente@ocregister.com
BEIRUT  Russia signed a long-term agreement Friday to greatly enlarge its military presence in Syria, more than doubling the space for warships in Russias only Mediterranean port and securing rights to an air base that may already be adding a second runway.

The agreement covers the port in Tartus and an air base near Latakia, which have been pivotal in Russian assistance to President Bashar Assad of Syria in fighting an array of insurgents. It ensures Russias ability to deploy forces in Syria for the next half-century and perhaps beyond.

News of the agreement came as Assad received what appeared to be another positive development: A Turkish official suggested publicly for the first time that Turkey would accept a peace deal in Syrias six-year war that would allow Assad to stay in power.

The remarks by the official, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, indicated that Turkey  Syrias northern neighbor and one of Assads most implacable foes  had softened its position in the interest of finding a solution.

While Turkeys government later said that Simseks remarks had been misconstrued, it was clear that he had said a settlement without Assad would be not, you know, realistic.

Both developments came as Russia, Turkey and Iran prepared to convene Syrian peace talks in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on Monday.

For the first time, it looked likely that the main Syrian opposition, along with many other factions, would sit down with Assads government for peace talks. The last effort at such negotiations was held by the United Nations in Geneva in February, and it collapsed in days.

The new Russian military agreement with Syria provides for an expansion of Russias Tartus naval base on the Syrian coast under a 49-year lease that could automatically renew for a further 25 years, according to Tass, the Russian news agency.

Tass said the expansion would provide simultaneous berthing for up to 11 warships, including nuclear-powered vessels, more than doubling its known capacity there.

Tass reported that the agreement also provided for a similar long-term commitment for the Russians to use the Khmeimim Air Base in the Latakia area, which the Russians built in 2015 as they mobilized to help Assads forces.

There were news reports that the Russians were building a second runway at the air base.

The military agreement came despite Russias announcement this month that it was drawing down its forces in Syria after successes by the Assad government against Syrian rebels, which were achieved with much help from the Russians.

The rebels were ousted from their strongholds in Aleppo, once Syrias largest city, late last year, partly because of Russian air support.

The Russian-Syrian agreement came as momentum grew among dissidents to join the peace talks in Astana, although it was a foregone conclusion that any deal from those negotiations would be rejected by jihadis. At least 14 rebel factions are participating.

At the Turkish governments insistence, however, Kurdish groups fighting the Islamic State in the east of the country and backed by the United States were not invited. Turkeys government has accused those Kurdish groups of affiliations with militant Kurdish separatists in Turkey.

Simseks remarks were made at a World Economic Forum session titled Syria and Iraq: Ending the Conflict. He suggested Turkey would accept continued rule by Assad.

As far as our position on Assad is concerned, Simsek said, we think that the suffering of the Syrian people and the tragedies, clearly the blame is squarely on Assad.

But we have to be pragmatic, realistic, he said. The facts on the ground have changed dramatically, and so Turkey can no longer insist on, you know, a settlement without Assad, and its not, you know, realistic. We just have to work with what we have.

Hours later, Simseks office in Ankara issued a statement saying news accounts had distorted Simseks remarks and tried to create the perception that our deputy PM said, Turkey cannot insist anymore on an agreement without Assad. But a review of the videotape of the session left no doubt that that was what he had said.

The Astana talks are the outcome of a Russian-brokered cease-fire throughout Syria that began at the end of December. It has been widely observed except in areas where extreme jihadi factions prevail  but with many accusations of breaches elsewhere as well.

The priority for us is to put an end to human tragedy, human suffering in Syria and Iraq, Simsek said in Davos. The process is to make sure we translate the current lull into a more lasting cease-fire and then talk about more mundane stuff of settling the conflict.

Russia is the lead host of the talks in the Kazakh capital, with support from Turkey and Iran. Over the last week, Turkey and Russia have also invited the United States and the U.N. to attend the Astana negotiations.
AUSTIN, Texas  The Texas Supreme Court will decide whether the husbands and wives of gay city employees in Houston deserve spousal benefits, a surprising and rare about-face spurred by pressure from Gov. Greg Abbott and dozens of other top Republicans.

No city employee  whether heterosexual or homosexual  has a fundamental right to receive employee benefits for his or her spouse, reads the lawsuit against Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. It is perfectly constitutional for the government to offer benefits or subsidies to some married couples while withholding those benefits from others.

Last September, Texas justices declined to hear the case, just months after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. But Jack Pidgeon and Larry Hicks, a pastor and CPA from Houston, asked the court to reconsider, arguing that legalizing gay marriage does not mean cities must require the spouses of LGBT city employees to get the same benefits extended to heterosexual husbands and wives.

Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton agreed, writing a friend of the court brief that argued extending spousal benefits is separate from legalizing marriage for same-sex couples.

The U.S. Supreme Courts judgment does not include a command that public employers like the City of Houston take steps beyond recognizing same-sex marriage, Abbott, Patrick and Paxton wrote. Steps like subsidizing same-sex marriages (through the allocation of employee benefits) on the same terms as traditional marriages.

The GOP leaders filed their brief in late October. Earlier that month, dozens of state lawmakers and religious leaders also urged the court to reconsider its decision.

The court will hear oral arguments in the case March 1.

The case dates to 2013, when Pidgeon and Hicks sued former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, the citys first openly gay mayor. Relying on a legal opinion from the city attorney, Parker decided to extend spousal benefits to gay couples, even though an amendment to the city charter banned the practice in 2001.

While their ruling will be narrow  it will apply only to city employees in Houston  the decision will either reinforce the rights of gay Americans or chip away at their victory in gaining the right to marry.

In their last brief, lawyers for Houston argue that denying the same benefits to gay couples that you extend to heterosexual couples is unconstitutional. They added that while Abbott, Patrick and Paxton claim spousal benefits shouldnt be guaranteed to government employees, the state of Texas has extended this right to state employees since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015.

No lower Texas court has ruled on whether Houstons policy directive violated the law, they wrote. Much of petitioners motion for rehearing is an exercise in knocking down strawmen on issues unrelated to this case.
On Saturday evening, hunkered down inside the lobby of Washingtons Trump International Hotel, California Republican Committee Chairman Jim Brulte plotted how to get out.

All Brulte wanted to do was go to dinner at the Peking Gourmet Inn in Falls Church, Va., 14 miles away. But Pennsylvania Avenue, where both the White House and the Trump Hotel sit, was blocked by protesters.

Earlier in the day, protesters gleefully had booed and flipped Brulte the bird when he opened his second-floor window.

It adds to the excitement, Brulte said. I love the tolerant left.

His dinner plan became this: Walk 4 miles through the protesters, and Uber the last 10. Brulte is 6-foot-4 and not afraid to maneuver through liberals.

Its the beauty of America, Brulte said. Yesterday, people were excited. Today, people who are not so happy own the streets.

Last week, Brulte attended his fifth presidential inauguration. He remembers 1984, when it was so cold the swearing-in of Ronald Reagan had to be done indoors and the parade was canceled.

He had been staying in the Trump Hotel since Monday and attending meetings of the Republican National Committee. He was in the audience Wednesday night for the concert where Lee Greenwood, Toby Keith and 3 Doors Down performed. He sat across from dozens of midshipmen from the Navy.

I loved the music and the patriotic theme, he said. The midshipmen were loving it.

He woke up early Friday morning.

I was able to see the Capitol and the inauguration platform, Brulte said. The sun was coming up in the East. Its a new day here and new day in America.

He had to walk 6 miles all the way around the Capitol building to get to his seat at the inauguration. It was the best seat he ever had for the event.

Im going to remember how happy I am weve turned a page, Brulte said. People whose vision of America is fundamentally different than mine are no longer in charge.

Brulte raved about the interior of the Trump Hotel. He worked out Saturday in the expansive gym. He described the bar, which features rows of brass P.O. boxes, recalling the buildings days as a working post office.

The most stunning feature is the lobby, he said, which is flanked with a huge American flag. The lobby is eight stories of open air topped by steel girders and a glass ceiling.

He laughed when he thought about what Hillary Clinton might say about that glass ceiling.

Contact the writer: ksharon@scng.com
HOUSTON  Doctors removed President George H.W. Bushs breathing tube on Friday and he was breathing well on his own at a Houston hospital, his spokesman said.

The tube was inserted Wednesday while the 92-year-old former president was being treated for pneumonia. Bush remains in intensive care at Houston Methodist Hospital but is comfortable, family spokesman Jim McGrath said.

He was extubated this morning, and is breathing well on his own with minimal supplemental oxygen, McGrath said. President Bush is comfortable and watching inauguration coverage together with Mrs. Bush, their son Neil and daughter-in-law Maria.

Former first lady Barbara Bush also remained hospitalized Friday for treatment of bronchitis, but shes feeling better and focusing on spending time with her husband, McGrath said. The 91-year-old is expected to remain in the hospital over the weekend as a precaution.

Their son, President George W. Bush, offered thanks on Instagram on Thursday for all the messages of love and support for Mother and Dad.

Your prayers are working: 41 and Mom are doing much better today and fighting on, he said in his first public comments about their illnesses.

The younger Bush and his wife, former first lady Laura Bush, were at President Donald Trumps inauguration on Friday.

Trump and President Bill Clinton have sent their well wishes earlier this week via Twitter, and Barack Obama offered similar thoughts earlier this week at his farewell presidential news conference.

The Bushes were married Jan. 6, 1945, and their 72-year marriage is the longest of any presidential couple in American history.
With the vast ocean as a setting, a colossal whale as a character and more than 130 chapters to the storyline, it is a risky venture to adapt Herman Melvilles infamously long novel Moby-Dick; or, The Whale to the stage. But much like hunting for a solo creature in the sea, director David Catlin looks to achieve the impossible.

I was drawn to this story on so many levels, but the challenges it entails made me want to adapt it even more, Catlin said.

How do you put something this large onstage? The sensation of drowning, and bounding across billows on a ship; the theater is the only place where you could do that, and that challenge became a thrill.

Produced by Chicagos Lookingglass Theatre Company, the stage adaptation of the 1851 American novel is presented at South Coast Repertory through Feb. 19.

The Tony Award-winning company is known for its use of acrobatics and harnesses. The cast of Moby Dick will include circus-trained artists and aerialists, making the story come to life both onstage and in the air.

The flying and acrobatics help to accommodate the massive storytelling the large production demands, said Catlin. The stage is framed by arches that suggest the curved ribs of a whale or the hold of a ship, and the floor and rafters are filled with interlocking ropes, cables and wires, with blue silk that represents the water.

We took advantage to choreograph from the traditional stage into the air in the vertical space, to create a sense of being under the water, said Catlin. We wanted a sense of boats rocking through space or sailors being pulled down by mermaids to their doom, and weve been able to do that with the ropes and the rigging that we have.

Melvilles story tells the tragic and  at times  comedic tale of the madman Captain Ahab and his crew, who embark on a vengeful search for a white whale. The story is narrated by the character Ishmael, who joins the crew aboard the Pequod whaling ship.

The cast includes Kelley Abell, Jamie Abelson, Walter Owen Briggs, Cordelia Dewdney, Christopher Donahue, Micah Figueroa, Anthony Fleming III, Kasey Foster, Raymond Fox and Javen Ulambayar. All the actors make their SCR debut with this production.

Catlin said the cast does a brilliant job of not only depicting the larger-than-life characters, but using stage tools to create the illusion of the storys elements, including the ocean and the ships.

As for the iconic whale, Catlin said he does not want to reveal exactly how Moby Dick is portrayed, but he hopes the audience will appreciate the symbolic representation of it, which includes the books theme of fate.

It is a bit of a surprise, but through movements, sound effects and choreography, we create the whale, said Catlin, There is a stagecraft to give the audience a sense of what the crew felt like.  There is even a moment when Moby Dick breaches over our heads, then disappears into the water.

Catlins inspiration behind adapting the novel came from a collaboration he had in 2011 with two Chicago-based theaters: Blair Thomas and Company, which uses puppetry in its productions, and The House Theatre of Chicago. After Thomas received a grant from the Boeing Co., the three theater companies began the collaboration.

We would meet at this little pie shop in Chicago five to six weeks, eat pie, discuss the book, pollinate energy and exchange ideas to create three distinct productions, said Catlin. Shawn Pfautsch of the House Theater in Chicago did a modern telling of the story, while Blair did a puppetry production, and we brought ours in the air.

Catlin said it felt like it took longer to adapt the novel than it took Melville to write it, because he meticulously read through and chose the excerpts he felt were most vital for theater. The dialogue is inspired by Melville but rewritten for the stage as well.

The production also features music, with songs that score the action and the actors singing some of the dialogue to express their emotions. Catlin said he hopes fans of the novel will appreciate his interpretation of Melvilles words.

I will take pieces from the descriptions of the sea from one chapter and reorder to another chapter. There may be some purists that cringe, but I hope they see it more as a dramatic medium rather than a literary one; theres a little transformation that must happen to give it dramatic integrity.

Though the story is known for its heavy themes such as fate and free will, life and death, heaven and hell, Catlin said, he hopes the audience will also see the lightheartedness behind it as well.

When we think of Moby Dick, we often think of the book we didnt want to read in school, but its actually very funny and thought-provoking, said Catlin. Bringing it to theater is really a communal experience, where we can create the impossible.

Contact the writer: jmoe@scng.com
If fiscal warnings were fuel, the bullet train might already be zipping up and down California, from Los Angeles to the Bay Area.

Well, except for the little matter of track, and that hundreds of miles of it must be laid before the high-speed rail project can begin running.

The latest fiscal warning comes from a December risk analysis by the Federal Railroad Administration, which includes these tidbits:

 Californias High-Speed Rail Authority still lacks 25 percent of the parcels needed for the first section of the project  29 miles from Madera to Fresno  after five years of trying to buy property.

 The authority still needs to acquire just over half of the parcels needed for the 118 miles to be constructed in the Central Valley.

 The Central Valley part of the project alone could cost upwards of 50 percent more than was budgeted for it. And the feds suggest the Central Valley track wont be completed until 2024, seven years behind schedule.

The federal analysis, labeled a confidential-draft deliberative document for internal use only, was not meant to be public but was obtained by the Los Angeles Times. Disclosure of the report raised eyebrows in Sacramento and Washington. Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, chair of the House rail subcommittee, said he would call for hearings and an audit.

The authority quickly sent a letter to the Legislature stating that the Times story misuses deliberative information to suggest cost overruns, delays and potential lapses of funds that are not borne out by facts. The letter refers to a plan approved by the authoritys board in December that estimates the cost of the Central Valley project at $7.8 billion  higher than original $6.35 billion budget, but lower than the $9.5 billion to $10 billion range found in the federal analysis.

Hopefully, the authoritys estimate is right. But the range in the federal analysis does not include work like electrical wiring or signaling systems that the state estimate includes, so theres quite a discrepancy. Yes, the federal report is deliberative, but its enough to give observers pause.

Unfortunately, Gov. Jerry Brown is not likely to give up on the bullet train, his pet project, though its fate will be uncertain after he leaves office in two years. Meantime, at minimum two things should happen in Sacramento:

 The Joint Legislative Audit Committee should grant Sen. Andy Vidaks request to authorize the California state auditor to initiate an audit of the rail authority. Vidak, R-Fresno, saw a similar request rejected last year.

 The Legislature should again pass Assemblyman Jim Pattersons bill to increase transparency and legislative oversight of the rail authority, but this time Brown should sign it. Last year, Pattersons AB 2847 was vetoed by Brown; Patterson has said he intends to reintroduce it.
In December 1958, Jacob Javits, a freshman senator from New York, wrote an essay for Esquire magazine about racial progress in this country. Set four decades into the future  a United Nations summit in San Francisco in the year 1999, to be precise  Javits piece sketched out a scenario leading to an African-American president:

The keynote address the U.N. delegates were most anxious to hear was by the head of the host countrys delegation, an African-American secretary of state about to resign and run for president. Although he was the first member of his minority group actively to seek a place on either major partys national ticket, politicians and pollsters thought this highly regarded American Negro had a good chance of winning the presidential or vice-presidential nomination, he wrote, and going on to win the election.

Stepping out of his futuristic scenario, Javits, a Jewish liberal Republican, added, I also believe that racial and religious prejudices will be eradicated so thoroughly that minority group persons  Catholic, Jewish, or other  will be able to run for high office without any special handicap; they will run on their merits as racial equals with white Protestants.

His predictions came true, of course, some of them sooner than he expected. Less than two years after he wrote those words, a Roman Catholic Democrat was elected president. In 1967, Louis B. Stokes became the first African-American mayor of a major American city. Old taboos fell left and right, even some that Javits didnt mention. In 1980, a divorced Republican won the White House. In 1984 and 2008, women were on the ticket; in 2000, a devout Jew was chosen as a vice presidential running mate. As for Javits mythical black secretary-of-state-turned-presidential-candidate, that description fit Colin Powell pretty well. Although Powell didnt take over the State Department until 2001 (to be succeeded by Condoleezza Rice), in 1996 and again in 1999, he was urged to run for president, but declined.

Barack Hussein Obama did not shrink from the test. Although hed been in the Senate only two years and had never been a governor or a general, he believed America was ready for a person of color in the White House  and that he was the herald. In 2008, he proved that his hope and his audacity, to use two of his favorite words, were well placed.

Evaluating the legacy of the 44th U.S. president begins with this accomplishment. It is not nothing. It is very much something. And though Obamas assessment of his countrymen was prescient and affecting, it didnt happen on its own. He led us to a place we wanted to go.

But what about his record once in office? Thats a harder question to answer. Historians judge presidents not only by how they did in office  but on the performance of subsequent presidents as well. So, in that sense, we have an incomplete picture of Obamas performance. Voters, by contrast, tend to seek traits in the next president that they found missing in the outgoing chief executive. A libertine Bill Clinton gives way to a happily married square. George W. Bush, whose favorite painting depicted a cowboy rushing headlong over a hill  not even knowing what lies on the other side  turns the Oval Office over to a cerebral law professor opposed to the war in Iraq and temperamentally not given to decisive action.

The replacement of Barack Obama with Donald Trump defies such tidy analysis. As the 2016 general election unfolded between two historically unpopular candidates, Obamas own job approval rating steadily increased. It was as though a majority of Americans found themselves thinking, What was so bad about him anyway?

Those who voted for Trump would have no trouble answering that question. But even Americans who would vote for Obama a third time know that the record of the last eight years has been uneven.

Obama came to office amid a financial meltdown on Wall Street and a national economy that was shedding 700,000 jobs a month. Action was needed. Did it have to be an $832 billion stimulus bill? Obama and his defenders insist that it staved off a second Great Depression. That claim is unknowable. If true, Barack Obama was a better financial steward than Franklin Roosevelt. If not, it came at a steep cost for the future: The national debt doubled while Obama was in office. That debt will have to be paid.

His signature domestic policy achievement was also a mixed bag. The Affordable Care Act succeeded at insuring millions of Americans. The exact number ranges from 10 million (Bloomberg News health care expert Megan McArdle) to 20 million (the Department of Health and Human Services) to 30 million (White House press secretary Josh Earnest).

Earnest number is obviously too high, but even if McArdle is right, thats a lot of people, and many of them are the working poor  of all races  who benefited from the Medicaid expansion features of Obamacare. This can only help these families, and help the country.

And yet: Obamas famous promise, If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor, was untrue  and the president should have known it when he sold the Affordable Care Act to Congress. Health care premiums rose, and the law specifically burdened small-business owners, who are a primary creator of new jobs in this country. Fixing this flawed, but beneficial, law is a mess that Obama has left to his successor.

In foreign policy, it was a tough eight years for America. Obama inherited a mess in Iraq, but made things worse by the abrupt way he withdrew U.S. troops there. Afghanistan is still a quagmire. Libya, where he wanted to lead from behind, is a failed state. The administration undercut Israel during its last days with no real explanation how this could help the cause of Mideast peace.

Obamas reluctance to engage in Syria was taken as an invitation by Vladimir Putin to reinvolve Russia in the Middle East, a development that can hardly end well. And Obama essentially restarted the Cold War over Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee, while doing little as Putin took over Crimea and tried to dismantle Ukraine.

The saving grace of the administrations diplomacy may be the Iran nuclear deal  but only if it helps reintegrate Iran back into the family of nations. If not, the U.S. will have acquiesced to a virulently anti-Semitic theocracy becoming a nuclear power while unfreezing billions of dollars the mullahs can use to underwrite terrorism. Its a gamble.

Provided he really goes away  and hes dropped hints of operating a rival court in Washington  I will miss the 44th president. I thought of this an hour after he became former President Barack Obama. It wasnt the brief remarks he made to his staff at Joint Base Andrews, or the fact that he did all he could to help Donald Trumps transition, or even that he was graceful enough to tell Trump, Good job, after his successors inaugural address.

It was when he began singing as the military band played the national anthem at Andrews. It reminded me of the day he sang, a capella, Amazing Grace at Mother Emanuel after the murder of nine Christians in that historic black church in Charleston, S.C. Grace is what we need now, and grace is amazing.

Carl M. Cannon is executive editor and Washington Bureau chief of RealClearPolitics.

Also by Carl M. Cannon:

From Reagans mouth to Trumps, Obamas ears

Challenging the duopoly

2016 politics in one word  sad

Jeff Sessions, Keith Ellison  case studies in character assassination

The age of disinformation: How to stave off fake news

Donald Trump not afraid to buck status quo on foreign affairs
In 2011, when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill closing a series of pension-boosting loopholes in California, he offered a comment that should have been anything but controversial.

Pensions are intended to provide retirement stability for time actually worked, Brown said.

Time actually worked is the key part of the quote. Thats because one of the reforms Brown signed into law did away with a practice known as airtime purchases, in which public workers in California were able to boost their pensions by purchasing an additional five years of service time without having to actually work for those years.

In California, like in most other states and cities where defined-benefit pensions are offered to government employees, a workers pension is based on a formula that takes into account the workers final salary (sometimes an average of his or her salary over the last five years or so) and the amount of time they worked in the public sector. Play around with either of those two numbers and an employee can end up with a much larger pension than the rules suggest he or she should. And when they are state employees, taxpayers get the bill.

Theres no shortage of stories about public workers spiking their pensions by boosting that first figure, their final salary, but in California it was possible, until 2011, to artificially inflate the second figure, too. With an airtime purchase, an employee could work until age 60 but retire with a pension based on a formula that assumed he or she had worked until age 65.

Unions didnt share Browns opinion that pensions should reflect time actually worked, and sued the state in an effort to maintain the sweet pension perk. They pointed to a longstanding set of court precedents  collectively known as the California Rule  that prohibit state and local governments from reducing pension promises to current workers.

Its been five years since Brown signed those reforms into law, but last month the Third Division of the First District Court of Appeals unanimously agreed that the state was within its authority to end airtime purchases, the Orange County Register reported.

While plaintiffs may believe they have been disadvantaged by these amendments, the law is quite clear that they are entitled only to a reasonable pension, not one providing fixed or definite benefits immune from modification or elimination by the governing body, the appeals court ruled.

The ruling comes on the heels of an August ruling from the same court that tossed out a union-backed challenge to pension changes imposed on public workers in Marin County. The county decided to stop allowing workers to cash-in unused vacation days, sick days and other benefits in exchange for a larger pension payout  also a form of spiking.

In that case, the court ruled that pension benefits can be reduced if they are determined to be unreasonable. An appeal is heading to the California Supreme Court later this spring, in what could be a major blow to public-sector unions in California  and an important signal to courts in other states. Increasingly, it looks like courts will be the final arbiter of what a reasonable pension is. If the ruling holds, it would be a significant step toward helping cities and states get out from under the crushing debt of future pension bills.

The fight over Browns prohibition on airtime purchases demonstrates how the tide is turning against public workers and the unions that represent them. Perks like that are rarely available to private-sector workers. Go ahead and ask your company to make five years worth of its contributions to your 401(k) without you having to actually work those five years and see what happens. Unions have been gaming the pension system for years without much resistance. Brown was only pressured into finally closing that loophole because the states pension fund was in such dire straits.

The fact that unions challenged that reform at all seems tone-deaf, but they would surely argue that they are only sticking up for their members best interests. The important detail here is that some courts are no longer going along with it.

Eric Boehm is a reporter at Reason magazine and Reason.com.
I grew up listening to the stories of my mothers childhood in Vietnam: the adventures, the dangers and the elegance of a lost world.

So begins An: To Eat, and as you sit back in Proustian languor to thumb through this big, heavy, handsomely illustrated book, you begin to feel somewhat gastronomically shamed by the imaginative variety of herbs, spices and seasonings that accompany the preparation of staples like fish, beef and pork dishes created by Helene An and her late mother-in-law, Diana, and its steady themes of freshness, balance and simplicity. Before long, however, you realize with deepening shock that this book is about a lot more than cooking.

An: To Eat mainly consists of the menus youll find in Ans two upscale Crustacean restaurants in Beverly Hills and San Francisco, Thanh-Long (also in San Francisco), Tiato in Santa Monica and most recently, AnQi in South Coast Plaza.

To call it Vietnamese cuisine is a bit of a misnomer; there are Chinese elements from years of invasion and occupation; French influences from the long colonial period when the region was referred to as French Indochina; classical dishes from the centuries when Vietnam was a monarchy with a large, leisurely and refined aristocratic class; and some of Helenes own touches as an exile living in America and desperate for a taste of the life she once knew.

Narrated by Helene and written by her next-to-youngest daughter, Jacqueline, An: To Eat makes no assumptions about the culinary sophistication of the reader. Whatever you have in the kitchen by way of pots and pans and cutting utensils makes a good enough start toward the oven-roasted lemongrass chicken, caramelized black cod and spicy chicken and shrimp ramen in cognac XO sauce, among others, depicted in Evan Sungs vivid and artful photographs, which could qualify for an exhibit. And you get to eat this stuff!

There are Old World dishes like slow-roasted pork with ginger balsamic glaze, and crispy turmeric fish with fresh dill. There are comfort foods like beef stew with Vietnamese spices and, when youre really sunk in the blues, a lotus soup with pork concocted to lift your most miserable mood. Theres an everyday gourmet section, a bistronomy section; and chapters devoted to sides and desserts; broths, sauces, dressing and special ingredients; and drinks  youll need to clear floor space for a lie-down after a few blasts of lavender mojitos or deconstructed White Russian with Vietnamese coffee martinis.

Above all, the book reminds us, food is not grub and dining is not eating on the run off a plastic or TV tray. Dress a little. Put flowers and cloth napkins on the table. A meal with others is a form of communion. These notes are an evocation of the rites and tradition experienced by powerful old families to whom cultivation in society, politics and the arts a requirement of the good life. And all, in Helene Ans experience, periodically shattered by war.

Writes Jacqueline An: My mother was born into this fairy tale world of wealth, privilege and power. Her family, the Trans, were well-known scholars and counselors with a family history that traces back over 500 years through 22 generations of high achievers 

The first, she reports, is Tran Xis successful effort to expand Vietnams territorial boundaries. The most illustrious, Tran Lulu Hue, earned imperial appointment as Viceroy of Tonkin and ambassador; the office of governor stayed in the family for two more generations. But the tranquil life Helene knew was shadowed from the start.

She was born in a bomb shelter, as was her daughter Elizabeth. The World War II Japanese forces had invaded Vietnam. The French did the same later, to reclaim their colonial holdings. Ho Chi Minhs rebel Viet Minh forces periodically attacked the ruling class, first in the name of national, then Soviet-aided communist, liberation. In 1955, at age 11, she had to flee the north on short notice. Her father was tied to a post and about to be killed when villagers intervened.

In 1975, with the fall of Saigon imminent, a friend showed up to warn Helene that she had an hour to get to the airport and out of the country. Her husband, Dan, an air force pilot, was assumed missing in action in the Philippines, leaving her with three young children. Her parents begged her to get them out. Helenes words: I cant take one more invasion, my father said. I never was able to do it. They died in the 80s.

This is perhaps her most bitter memory. You can feel it behind her megawatt smile, a weight on her petite frame. Shed been a political activist at home, someone who used her privilege to help bring literacy to Vietnams indigenous people. To leave it all behind now was like facing, in Caitlin Thomas memorable phrase, a leftover life to kill.

But Diana An was a resourceful, determined woman. On an earlier trip to the U.S., before the family assets were frozen (everyone assumed the American-led coalition would win the war), she bought an Italian restaurant near Sunset Beach, a scruffy area in San Francisco. It was strictly on a whim, but once the family was airlifted to California and left to fend for itself, a one-bedroom apartment became home to seven people.

They made do through an 18-hour day. Helene and Dan worked several jobs. As time went by Helene, still homesick and weary of heavy Italian sauces, began making a spare garlic noodle dish to feed nostalgia as well as appetite, and put it on the menu. Diners took notice. It has become a signature dish.

As it turns out, her lifelong reputation as a picky eater masked a sensory precocity in taste, as sensitive hearing might prefigure a great musician, or visual acuity a painter or photographer. She and her late mother-in-law, Diana, improvised new entrees out of traditional cuisine, not exactly Vietnamese, not exactly anything, really, but a variety of dishes featuring balance and freshness; you could taste each ingredient, but no one part overwhelmed the whole. The Italian restaurant was reconceived as Thanh-Long, one of Californias first Vietnamese restaurants. A brilliant new life was born.

All the An girls  Monique, Hannah, Jacqueline, Catherine and Elizabeth  studied to go into other fields but came back to the restaurant business (Tiato is exclusively Catherines). Elizabeth, who doesnt like cooking and accounting, has used her career in fashion and marketing to come up with the extraordinary interior designs of the An restaurants. The Beverly Hills Crustacean is noted for its 90-foot glass-covered stream with koi fish undulating through the middle of the restaurant. AnQi is more sleekly modern, with room dividers made of hanging silk, nylon matted curtains and a glass fashion runway. The first thing I look for, Elizabeth says, is the wow factor.

Chances are that somewhere late along the course of your meal, the kitchen will send out its own wow factor, a bowl of Helenes garlic noodles.

I wont go back and I cant talk about it, she says of the new Vietnam. Even if you dont know the legend, the gentle immediacy of the dish still soothes what weve all felt at one time or another: the pain of memory.
From the Beginning, California promised much. While yet barely a name on the map, it entered American awareness as a symbol of renewal. It was a final frontier: of geography and of expectation.

 Kevin Starr, Americans and the California Dream, 1850-1915 (1973)

In a way, now rare and almost archaic, Kevin Starr, who died last week at age 76, believed in the possibilities of California, not just as an economy or a center for innovation, but also as precursor of a new way of life. His lifes work focused on the broadest view of our state  not just the literary lions and industrial moguls but also the farmworkers, the plain folks from the Midwest, the grasping suburbanites who did so much to shape and define the state.

His California was not just movie stars, tech moguls, radical academics, talentless celebrities and equally woeful party hacks who dominate the upper echelons. A native San Franciscan, who grew up in a contentious working-class Irish family and never forgot his roots, Kevins California was centered on providing, as he said in a recent interview with Boom California magazine, a better life for ordinary people. The diverging fortunes of our people  with many in semi-permanent poverty while others enjoy unprecedented bounty  disturbed him profoundly, and, in his last years, darkened his perspective on the state.

Over recent years, Kevin was increasingly distraught by what he saw as the growing divide between the very wealthy and the very poor, as well as the waning of the middle class that now so characterizes the state. He saw San Francisco changing from the diverse city of his youth, made up of largely ethnic neighborhoods, to a hipster monoculture. With typical humor, he labeled his hometown as essentially a Disneyland for restaurants, a playground with little place for raising middle-class families. California has, indeed, changed over the decades, but not always in a good way.

Kevin Starrs California

Kevin Starr represented another, more congenial California, one where people could still disagree on issues, but work for common goods. He was, as his wife Sheila told the New York Times, largely a man of the 1950s, a creature of consensus seekers. He served as state librarian under governors Pete Wilson, Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. A conservative-leaning centrist Democrat, he did not fit comfortably in a state that has drifted from a vibrant two-party culture to a dominant progressive monoculture with little more than a Republican rump.

In todays hyperpartisan environment, the Golden State must either be a dystopia (the conservative view) or an emerging paradise on earth (the common progressive mantra). Starr, as a fair-minded historian, saw both realities  not only today but through time. In his multipart California Dream series, Starr both confronted reaction against ethnic change and celebrated the process of integration, whether for Latinos, Asians or Anglo Okies, whose unique presence, outside of their descendants, is all but lost in contemporary California.

But what most separated Kevins view of California from many others were his humanity and empathy with the aspirations of the states middle- and working-class families. Many intellectuals denounce suburbs as racist and exclusionary, as well as environmentally and culturally damaging. Starr saw in them something else  what author D.J. Waldie has described as Holy Land  in places like Lakewood, the Bay Area suburbs and Orange County. To him, these were not only places of opportunity, but also landscapes of a reborn more intimate America, home to an expanding middle class.

The last great California intellectual

More than anything, Kevin was a California patriot. He always longed for a party of California that would cut through the partisan shackles that now constrain the state. But his California focus was not that shared by the current secessionists, who, distressed by President-elect Donald Trump, now want to create their own progressive kingdom that, through regulation and ideological intimidation, would flush our residue of all-too-American deplorable elements to the other side of the Sierra Nevada.

Kevins embrace of humanity came firmly from his strong Catholic beliefs. Jerry Browns Catholicism, and that of some other parishioners, has morphed into a neodruid Gaia worship, conditional at best, and capable of support for such things as abortion and the right to die. Kevin and his wife Sheila remained loyal Catholics, and adhered to the churchs ideals, both intellectually and as proud grandparents of seven.

Starr loved all of California  not just hip L.A., but also the Central Valley, Salinas and all the many wondrous places in between. His affection reflected the best Catholic and California traditions. He was far from judgmental but maintained a historians interest in understanding human weaknesses and strengths. He loved our diversity, but understood that, to be successful and just, a society needs to hold to some common ideals and respect those who live differently.

Requiescat in pace, Kevin. We can hope that California may still earn the love, and achieve the promise, that you cast its way.

Joel Kotkin is the R.C. Hobbs Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures at Chapman University in Orange and executive director of the Houston-based Center for Opportunity Urbanism (www.opportunityurbanism.org).
They wore pink hats and called themselves nasty. They carried signs, some clever, some angry and some profane.

Tweet Women With Respect. We Shall Over-comb. Hate Does Not Make America Great.

They gathered, marched, screamed and sang in Washington D.C., Chicago, Boston, Denver, Portland, Los Angeles and big cities and small towns across America. Marches were held in some 60 countries around the world. There was even a protest march in Paradise Harbor, Antartica.

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Never has a U.S. presidential inauguration inspired so much protest. President Donald Trump spent his first full day in office with more than a million people in the streets of America to oppose his stances on health care, the environment, immigration, international relations and myraid issues.

The protesters were mostly women, angered by Trumps history of what were widely considered misogynistic comments and tweets and reports that he would defund Planned Parenthood and other programs.

The biggest crowd Saturday was in Washington D.C., where the number of protesters  an estimated 500,000  grew so big, they couldnt march on the planned route to the White House. Organizers of the event had applied for a permit for a crowd of 200,000. They turned out to be quite wrong.

Madonna sang Respect Yourself and surprised television audiences by yelling the F-word. More than once. Actress Ashley Judd recited an angry poem. Director Michael Moore implored people to call their Congressmen.

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem, 82, who was among the first speakers, looked out over the huge crowd and exulted, This is the upside of the downside. This is an outpouring of democracy like Ive never seen in my very long life.

Washington D.C. police reported no arrests Saturday. More than 200 protesters were arrested on Inauguration Day.

L.A. STORIES

In Los Angeles, crowd estimates were difficult to confirm and varied widely, from 100,000 according to emergency management officials to as many as 750,000, according to organizers. Marchers, who included celebrities such as Jane Fonda and Miley Cyrus, walked from Pershing Square to City Hall. Crowd estimates from cities around the world were difficult to confirm.

Womens March Los Angeles was among dozens of similar events in Southern California, including marches in Santa Ana, Riverside, Pasadena and Ontario. The local protests were coordinated with the massive march on Washington, where organizers said they would send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office and to the world that womens rights are human rights.

People heading to the Los Angeles march filled trains to the point that even after new trains were added, hundreds of riders waited hours to get on board.

Ariella Fiore, 44, of Van Nuys took Metro to Pershing Square, and held up a sign that said, no I am not ovary-reacting.

Fiore, who described herself as bisexual and Latina, said it was important that she take part.

In the last few months, Ive felt kind of helpless and I wanted to come down here to be with people who felt the way I did, she said.

One sign in Los Angeles read, Our rights are not up for grabs, neither are we, a reference to Trumps explicit remarks about women on a video released before the November election. It also was the origin of the pointy-eared pink hats worn in protest on Saturday.

Friends Lyn Henley and Debra Silbar, both of Topanga Canyon, and Mogan Coffey of Santa Barbara came dressed as women from the suffrage movement.

This is what we do we do as Americans, Silbar said. This is our patriotic duty to stand up and say there are certain freedoms that are important to us.

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O.C. MARCHES

Throngs of people  perhaps up to 20,000, by an unofficial count  marched in Santa Ana along Fourth Street and past the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.

The peaceful event drew families, like Birana Danis, 33, of Los Alamitos, who brought her 10-year-old daughter Amber and her 12-year-old son, Austin.

I want my children to see that its not OK to treat people like Donald Trump treats people, she said.

Mo Langley, a 50-year-old surf instructor from Laguna Hills, likened the demonstrations to protests in the 1960s.

Can you believe this is Orange County right now? she said. Its a beautiful thing to see.

Hundreds of protesters also attended a rally in Laguna Beach. Several hundred people  one organizer said he counted 652  answered an online call to action, parading up and down the sidewalks of San Clementes Avenida Del Mar.

Many Republicans didnt like what they saw on Saturday.

Deborah Pauly, a GOP central committee member who hosted an inaurugal ball called The DeploraBall in Newport Beach on Friday night, said the protests were too emotional.

Its really sad when I see other women overreacting and acting emotionally instead of using their brains, Pauly said. Use your brain. Thats really what it boils down to. Theyre using emotionalism instead of intellect and fact.

Tina Vandivier, 67, of Dana Point, who worked for the Trump campaign in Orange County, said she found Saturdays womens marches across the nation confusing.

I didnt quite understand what they were marching for, she said. Women today have rights and weve come a long way. I dont think they had a clear message.

Vandivier said she believes Trump will work for the welfare of all Americans, including women.

I dont think he is a misogynist, she said. He employs a lot of women. Nothing he said during the campaign really offended me.

John Bentley, an antique store owner who lives in Orange and voted for Trump, watched the marching and wondered, Are they going to do this for the next four years?

He laughed. I dont think they can.

MORE PROTESTS

A loud, peaceful crowd of more than 4,000 people packed Riversides Main Street mall and marched through the streets of downtown.

Violet Balu, a 59-year-old Temecula resident, said shed never been to a political march before. She carried a pink and white sign featuring the Statue of Liberty with the slogan, Make America Compassionate.

Theres been a lot of discussion about taking away programs that help humanity and Im terrified that a lot of people are going to suffer, she said.

More than 500 women, men and children amassed on the steps of Pasadena City Hall to raise their voices and their protest signs for a little over an hour Saturday morning before trekking to Los Angeles via the Metro Gold Line to join an even larger protest that assembled there.

What an incredible sight I see before me: hundreds of women marching for their rights, Congresswoman Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, told the crowd. Its so incredible, and to think about whats happening all across this country.

In Ontario, about 200 people marched from Ontario City Hall to the Euclid Avenue median at F Street. The event was called Inland Resistance: United Against the Trump Agenda.

The groups in Ontario, as elsewhere, included members of the LGBTQ community, Muslims, environmentalists and others. Mary Valdemar of San Bernardino said she attended three political rallies Saturday.

She said the Inland Empire has a number of problems that includes government corruption cases, air quality issues, a shortage of jobs and other concerns.

If people dont stand and use their voice and hold politicians accountable then its going to spread to the point of no return, she said.

Thanks for standing, speaking & marching for our values @womensmarch. Important as ever. I truly believe were always Stronger Together.  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 21, 2017

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The protests trended on Twitter for most of Saturday. Trumps Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, who he once called a nasty woman, tweeted her gratitude to the marchers: Thanks for standing, speaking & marching for our values @womensmarch. Important as ever. I truly believe were always Stronger Together.

More:

Live coverage: Womens March Los Angeles and other protests

There are too many marchers for L.A.s trains to carry

Womens March demonstrators raise their voices in Pasadena

Womens march draws crowd to downtown Riverside

Thousands of Southern Californians will stride into womens marches

Women descend en masse on D.C. to push back against new president

Deepa Bharath, Fred Swegles, Nathan Percy, Alicia Robinson, Monica Rodriguez, Brian Day and the Washington Post contributed to this report.
Hundreds of demonstrators in Santa Ana and Irvine denounced newly inaugurated President Donald Trump Friday evening, with some peacefully holding candles and advocating unity  and others chanting expletive-laced chants against the business mogul, blocking streets and forcing armored police vehicles to come in to try to disperse the crowd.

The protests were small versions of the unrest that swept across the country on Friday, from San Francisco to the nations Capitol, with manying fearing the policies of the 45th president will match his campaign rhetoric, which those who oppose Trumps ascendancy to the highest elected office in in the United States have described as divisive, discriminatory and a danger to human rights.

Orange County, known as a traditionally Republican stronghold, is becoming increasingly blue and in November, voted Democrat for the first time since the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression.

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On Bristol Street and McFadden Avenue in Santa Ana, a crowd of demonstrators that grew to about 200 devolved from an anti-Trump rally to one that vented anger at the police, who patrolled the demonstration in riot gear. Many of the protesters were young people, who covered their faces with bandanas and chanted angry slogans while crossing the intersections.

Hes a racist and is totally negating civil rights, said Sharon Tipton, who described herself as a middle-aged woman from the suburbs. With all the hatemongering, we have to look out for each other.

The demonstrators main concerns echoed those from previous rallies from last summer, when appearances by then-candidate Trump at rallies in Anaheim and Costa Mesa sparked massive protests that nearly turned into riots: worries about what will happen to the rights of undocumented workers, those in the LGBT community, Muslim-Americans and African-Americans.

In Santa Ana especially, the parents of these kids are impacted, said Gaby Hernandez, a frequent participant and organizer of political rallies in Santa Ana. Theyre Mexican and undocumented.

The polices main goal was keeping the demonstrators from marching downtown, a popular place for people to get dinner and drinks on a Friday night, said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department.

The crowd eventually blocked the intersection. Around 8:30 p.m., officers in riot great  with batons, helmets and rifles that shoot rubber bullets  and armored cars moved into the intersection to disperse the crowd. They also blocked sidewalks where demonstrators stood.

At about 9 p.m., police announced that the gathering was an unlawful assembly and ordered those gathered there to disperse.

The protesters had mostly cleared the area, except for a few stragglers, by 9:45 p.m. Around 30 officers remained at the scene, however.

Bertagna said a few people were throwing rocks and bottles at officers on Edinger near Mater Dei High School around 10:15 p.m. There were no reports of injuries and as of 10 p.m., no one had been arrested.

COURTHOUSE VIGIL

A few hours ealerier, a quieter demonstration took place at the Old Orange County Courthouse.

There, mourning was the theme  and a common refrain, with demonstrators saying Trumps election symbolizes the death of progress.

About 70 people, undeterred by rain, held candles and offered unity as they come to terms with a president who some fear will undo the work of former President Barack Obama.

This really is a mourning because theres a death of human rights and progressive ideas, said demonstrator Citlalli Anahuac of Anaheim.

Several people spoke to the crowd, encouraging them to stay united in the face of the struggles they say will arise now that hate is normalized, alluding to Trumps campaign rhetoric.

They held signs reading, Not My President and Empathy Compassion. Taunts  We love Trump!  came from the occasional motorist.

A vigil is held when someone is sick or dying or in danger, said organizer Christian Larsen, 33, of Tustin. Here its not a person whos in danger but our human rights.

UC IRVINE RALLY

In the afternoon, more than 200 protesters against the new president marched and chanted at UC Irvine on Friday afternoon.

Im here because I love my country and I feel democracy is under attack, said Elijah Sanchez, 20, a UCI political science and history student.

Many protesters said they feared the new presidents immigration policies. Some oppose Trump because they view him and the new vice president as anti-black, anti-gay and a throw-back to an era where discrimination was acceptable.

Weve time-warped to the 1950s, said Stephany Lira, 19, a biology major from South Gate.

The loud rally included a few tense moments when one student, wearing a ski mask, challenged the protesters: These people are anti-white.

Several of the protesters, meanwhile, wore bandannas across their faces, and students on both side of the political spectrum repeatedly pulled out their phones to record one other.

But the two-plus hour event  organized in part by the United Auto Workers Local 2865 that represents teaching assistants and other student employees  remained peaceful.

No Trump, No KKK, no fascist USA some chanted in singsong.

Other chants, with stronger language, rang out. A sign included an expletive referring to Amerikkka.

Im all for peaceful protesting, said Tustin resident Bill Mings, but to just get up and scream and yell with language and bad behavior, it makes it easy for people to dismiss them as weirdos.

Contact the writer: 714-796-6979 or chaire@scng.com
President Trump has nominated former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue to be his secretary of agriculture. Perdue held the states top job from 2003 to 2011 and is currently the CEO of Perdue Partners, specializing in the export of U.S. agricultural commodities.

If youre looking for someone to run the USDA, a bureaucracy with nearly 100,000 employees, 29 agencies, 4,500 locations, a $140 billion budget and a mission that includes promoting agriculture production to help feed the world, that would seem to be excellent experience.

Not everybody thinks so.

A group called Friends of the Earth, with offices in Washington, D.C., and Berkeley, sent out a news release criticizing Perdue as a career politician and agribusiness CEO more concerned about the profits of big agribusiness and trade than the interests of farmers, workers and consumers.

If its not immediately clear to you how agribusiness harms the rest of us, the details can be found on the Friends of the Earth website.

For decades, United States food and farming policy, corporate power and agricultural science have been directed toward a narrow goal: producing as many calories as possible as cheaply as possible, the website explains.

If the group thinks abundant food production at a low cost is a narrow goal, whats its broader goal?

Friends of the Earth wants an equitable food system for all, in which responsible technology uses human ingenuity for the publics best interest and not to generate new commercial products that benefit corporate bottom lines at the expense of people and the planet.

But human ingenuity isnt rainwater that falls from the sky for everyone to use. Innovation is the product of years of study and hard work by specific individuals who are solving problems for profit. In a free country, where individual rights and private property are protected, human ingenuity overcomes all kinds of challenges.

In a collectivist country, where individuals dont have rights, human ingenuity tends to stay home and not bother. Collectivism is the belief that everything produced really belongs to everybody, and the governments job is to distribute it fairly.

Nowhere is the failure of this philosophy more evident than in agriculture. The worst famines have happened in countries living under collectivism.

Tens of millions of people starved to death in communist China between 1958 and 1962 after Mao Zedong collectivized farmland.

In the 1990s, as many as 3 million people died from starvation in communist North Korea.

Seven million people died in a famine in the Soviet Union in the early 1930s after Josef Stalin forcibly collectivized 75 percent of the farms in the Ukraine. That was the second of three major famines in the Soviet Union between 1921 and 1947.

People are starving in the socialist paradise of Venezuela, and in Zimbabwe, which once was a breadbasket, a land reform policy that confiscated and redistributed the property of white farmers in 2000 led to economic collapse and widespread starvation.

The people of the United States should be proud that our political system allows human ingenuity to prosper. We should be proud that we have agribusiness and trade instead of famines, and that the goal of producing as many calories as possible as cheaply as possible enables American farmers to feed the world.

If thats not in the public interest, its hard to imagine what would be.

Susan Shelley is a columnist for the Southern California News Group. Reach her at Susan@SusanShelley.com and follow her on Twitter: @Susan_Shelley.
BEIRUT  Islamic State militants have destroyed parts of the second-century Roman amphitheater and an iconic monument known as the Tetrapylon in Syrias historic town of Palmyra, the government and experts said Friday.

It was the extremist groups latest attack on world heritage, an act that the U.N. cultural agency called a war crime. A Syrian government official said he feared for the remaining antiquities in Palmyra, which Islamic State recaptured last month.

The U.N. Security Council strongly condemned the ongoing barbaric attacks by the militant group in Syria, including the destruction of cultural heritage such as parts of the Roman Theater in Palmyra.

Also on Friday, Turkeys military said Islamic State killed five Turkish soldiers and wounded nine in a bomb attack in northern Syria.

Turkey is leading Syrian opposition fighters in an offensive against the Islamic State-held town of al-Bab in the Aleppo province, a push that has been bogged down since mid-November. Since its military intervention, Turkey has lost 54 soldiers in Syria, most of them in the al-Bab offensive.

After suffering several setbacks in Syria, Islamic State has gone on the offensive reclaiming ancient Palmyra in December and launching an attack on a government-held city and military air base in Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria.

On Friday, the state news agency SANA said seven civilians were killed when Islamic State shelled a residential area in the city of Deir el-Zour.

However, Islamic State remains under pressure in northern Syria from Turkey and U.S-backed Kurdish forces, as well as in neighboring Iraq where Iraqi troops backed by the U.S.-led coalition are fighting to retake the city of Mosul from the militants.

Palmyra, a UNESCO world heritage site that once linked Persia, India, China with the Roman empire and the Mediterranean area, has already seen destruction at the hands of the Islamic State group. The ancient town first fell to Islamic State militants in May 2015, when they held it for 10 months. During that time, Islamic State damaged a number of its relics and eventually emptied it of most of its residents, causing an international outcry.

Palmyra fell again to the group last month, only nine months after a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive was hailed as a significant victory for Damascus.

On Friday, Maamoun Abdulkarim, the head of Syrias antiquities department, said reports of the recent destruction first trickled out of the Islamic State-held town late in December. But satellite images of the damage only became available late Thursday, confirming the destruction.

Abdulkarim said militants have destroyed the facade of the second-century theater, along with the Roman-era Tetrapylon  a set of four monuments with four columns each standing at the center of the colonnaded road leading to the theater.

Satellite imagery obtained by the Boston-based American Schools of Oriental Research, or ASOR, show extensive damage to the Tetrapylon. DigitalGlobe satellite imagery also shows damage to the theater facade.

ASOR said the damage was likely caused by intentional destruction from Islamic State, but the organization was unable to verify the exact cause.

Islamic State extremists have destroyed ancient sites across their self-styled Islamic caliphate in Syria and Iraq, perceiving them as monuments to idolatry.

UNESCOs director-general, Irina Bokova, said the new destruction in Palmyra amounted to a war crime.

The Tetrapylon was an architectural symbol of the spirit of the encounter and openness of Palmyra  and this is also one of the reasons why it has been destroyed, she said in a statement.

Abdulkarim told The Associated Press that only two of the 16 columns of the Tetrapylon remain standing.

The Palmyra Tetrapylon, characterized by its four plinths that are not connected overhead, had only one original ancient column, said Abdulkarim. The 15 other columns were modelled after the ancient one and installed by Palmyras 81-year old distinguished antiquities scholar Khaled al-Asaad, who was killed by Islamic State militants when they were controlling the town the last time. The militants hung his body from a Roman column.

It was not immediately clear if the original column survived the destruction, Abdulkarim said.

ASOR said new stone debris was scattered across the center stage from damage to the stage backdrop that is also the facade of the theater.

During their first stay in Palmyra, Islamic State destroyed ancient temples  including the Temple of Bel, which dated back to A.D. 32, and the Temple of Baalshamin, a structure of stone blocks several stories high and fronted by six towering columns. The group also used the theater for public killings and posted chilling videos of the slayings.

The militants also blew up the Arch of Triumph, built between A.D. 193 and A.D. 211.

Spokesman for Russian President Dmitry Peskov said Syrian troops are continuing their efforts to take back Palmyra. Peskov called the new destruction barbaric, saying that it is a real tragedy for the historic heritage.

On Friday, Syrias state news agency said government forces and allied troops have clashed with Islamic State militants south of Palmyra, part of a new week-old offensive to reclaim the city.

Abdulkarim said he fears for what remains of the citys ancient relics.

When Palmyra fell for the second time, we shed tears because we expected this terror, he said. Now we are destined to see more terror if (Islamic State control of Palmyra) continues.

Palmyra, with its 2,000-year-old towering Roman colonnades and priceless artifacts, was affectionately referred to by Syrians as the Bride of the Desert.

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 neighboring Iraq. Located 155 miles east of Damascus, the city was once home to 65,000 people before the Syrian civil war began.

However, most Palmyra residents did not return after it was retaken by the government. Activists estimate the city is now home to a few hundred families. Many residents tried to flee as Islamic State recaptured the city in December.

On Thursday, reports emerged that the militant group killed 12 captives it held in Palmyra, some of them beheaded in the Roman theater.
WASHINGTON  The Senate confirmed the first of President Trumps Cabinet nominees Friday evening, his picks for two major national security posts, but the rest may have to wait days or weeks before they can officially join the new administration.

Retired Gen. James Mattis, Trumps pick to head the Department of Defense, won confirmation on a 98-1 vote shortly after 5 p.m., hours after Trump took the oath of office at the Capitol. Retired Gen. John F. Kelly, his choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security, was subsequently confirmed 88-11.

Both former Marine Corps generals were well known to senators and earned bipartisan support as their nominations headed to the Senate floor. Mattis was previously in charge of U.S. Central Command, with responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, while Kelly led U.S. Southern Command. Perhaps more critically, both showed a willingness to break with new presidents controversial campaign positions during their confirmation hearings last week, on matters including the likelihood of building a wall on the border with Mexico and the importance of countering the Kremlin to preserve the hegemony of NATO.

While Democrats were ready to endorse Trumps generals, they are withholding support from almost all of Trumps other Cabinet nominees, threatening to slow-walk proceedings on the floor if the president-elect doesnt force his picks to go back to the committees and answer more questions. But it is unclear whether they will be able to persuade any Republicans to join them in opposition, and Democrats cannot ultimately reject any of the nominees without GOP allies.

If there was ever a group of Cabinet nominees that cry out for rigorous scrutiny, its this one, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said Thursday, calling Trumps Cabinet a swamp full of billionaires beset with conflicts and ethical issues as far as the eye can see.

A early tiff emerged Friday over the nomination of Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., selected to serve as CIA director. Several Democratic senators raised objections to proceeding with Pompeos confirmation without an extended floor debate, even though they could not block an up-or-down vote.

This is about whether the Senate is going to be a rubber stamp and whether the senate is in effect going to abdicate its responsibilities to do oversight, said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., a senior member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Schumer asked the Trump transition Thursday to keep sitting CIA Director John Brennan in place until a final vote Monday  much as President Obama kept former CIA Director Michael V. Hayden in place for three weeks after his own inauguration. The request was not granted: Brennan, who has sharply criticized Trumps recent comments on the U.S. intelligence community, left Friday upon Trumps inauguration.

In an sign that Pompeo will ultimately be confirmed, the Senate advanced his nomination Friday on an 89-8 procedural vote.

Other nominees could wait much longer than Pompeo: Democrats are prepared to delay at least eight other nominees until they are able to register their complaints, either in another round of committee questions or on the floor.

Those nominees include attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions, who faces deep skepticism over his civil rights views and record; Education nominee Betsy DeVos, who underwent aggressive questioning from Democrats Tuesday over her views on education policy and showed a tenuous grasp of some key issues; Health and Human Services nominee Tom Price, a Georgia congressman who is accused of using his legislative post to help companies he had invested in; and Mick Mulvaney, Trumps pick for the Office of Management and Budget, who admitted failing to pay taxes for a domestic employee for four years.

Another nominee who has inspired controversy is State Department nominee Rex Tillerson, the former chief executive of oil giant Exxon Mobil. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is expected to vote on his nomination Monday, but it is not clear that Tillerson will win the support of a majority of members. Democrats are all but uniformly opposed to his nomination, and Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio has criticized Tillerson sharply for his stance on Russias involvement in Syria and countering human rights violations around the world.

Democrats have also signaled serious doubts about Treasury nominee Steven Mnuchin, grilling the billionaire investor Thursday about his six-year tenure running a mortgage bank after the 2008 economic crisis, as well as his failure to initially disclose hundreds of millions of dollars of personal assets to the Senate Finance Committee.

Andrew Puzder, Trumps pick to lead the Labor Department, is under close scrutiny for his record as chief executive of a major fast-food chain  including his stance against minimum-wage increases and federal worker protections  and will face senators on Feb. 2. And Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, underwent hours of hostile questioning Wednesday from Democrats concerned about his views on climate change and his record of repeatedly suing the agency he is looking to run.
LONDON Inspired by the Womens March on Washington, people in cities around the world hit the streets on Saturday to show solidarity with Americans and to promote human rights and gender equality in their own countries.

While the march in Washington was forecast to draw about 200,000 people, organizers said other marches dotted around the United States  and indeed the world  could collectively draw crowds 10 times that figure. Organizers said they want to send a bold message to President Donald Trump on his first full day in office that womens rights are worth defending.

Trumps campaign was colored by sexist remarks, allegations of sexual assault and lewd comments about women that Trump dismissed as locker room talk. Many women voted for Trump, including the majority of white women.

Some organizers have tried to play down the marches as anti-Trump and instead emphasize messages of unity.

Its an opportunity to come together, to grieve and then to turn that around to celebrate unity, said Kimberly Espinal, one of the organizers of the London rally that kicked off at noon local time.

On a cold and sunny winters day, the crowd in London was large and lively. Demonstrators held colorful placards reading Our voices together cant be silenced and, in apparent reference to Trump, Even Voldemort was better.

Protesters gathered first outside the U.S. Embassy, and planned to wind their way through central London en route to Trafalgar Square. Among those expected to demonstrate was London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

As a feminist in City Hall I fully support the fight for gender equality, Khan said in a statement. Its wrong that in 2017 someones life chances and fundamental rights are still dependent on their gender.

Marina Knight, a 43-year-old executive assistant, was marching Saturday with her 9-year-old daughter, Phoebe, and with two other moms and their daughters

This is her first march  its the first time we felt it was vital to march, Knight said, referring to her daughter. I feel the rights we take for granted could go backwards and we owe it to our daughters and the next generation to fix this somehow.

There were sister marches taking place in more than 70 countries spread across the continents  including the Antarctic, where a march has been penciled in onboard an expedition ship. The largest rally outside of the United States was expected in London, where according to a Facebook group, about 37,000 were planning to attend, and more than 35,000 were mulling it over.

People across Europe and the world are campaigning because Donald Trumps campaign has normalized misogynistic and sexist ideas, said Catherine Riley, a spokeswoman for the Womens Equality Party, a political party in Britain that has taken a leading role in organizing the rally.

In Paris, thousands of women and men marched through the citys grand boulevards in a rejection of the new American president that was organized by a network of French and American feminist organizations.

We are mobilizing as the new president of the United States prepares to apply the violently sexist, lesbophobic, homophobic, xenophobic and racist ideology that he defended during his campaign, read the events Facebook page, which also listed more than 4,000 attendees.

But for Marie Allibert, one of the organizers, the message of the march was not entirely to condemn the words and actions of President Trump.

Its more about womens rights, human rights, she said. During the campaign there were lots of misogynist, racist and hateful messages, and thats what were standing up against.

Besides, she added, France itself has its own presidential elections looming in April and May, a contest that many have interpreted as a potential next chapter in populist upheaval. Marine le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front party, is climbing in the polls, and close behind her is the more centrist conservative Francois Fillon, whose opposition to abortion has outraged many women voters.

Theres a parallel between the situation in the U.S. and the situation in France, Allibert said. We have two major candidates that we feminist organizations think are a direct threat to womens rights.

It is perhaps remarkable that so many foreigners are marching in demonstrations related to the inauguration of a U.S. president.

But organizers said that interest was almost immediate.

The day after the U.S. election, a plan was hatched to march on Washington. Within hours, the American organizers started fielding requests from people in other countries who couldnt make it to Washington but wanted to take part.

In first 24 hours, people from London, Norway, Australia, Canada, Switzerland got in touch saying, Hey, wed also love to have a march in our country, can you create our own Facebook page for that? said Breanne Butler, a chef from New York and one of the events global organizers.

She noted that each march has its own dynamic, and demonstrators will be pushing different messages. In many South American countries, gender violence is at the top of the list, she said. In Tokyo, one of the issues they are campaigning for about is the right to education.

New Zealand and Australia were among the first countries in the world where women took to the streets.

Despite it being summer in the Southern Hemisphere, some people were spotted in Wellington wearing knitted pink pussyhats  the cat theme referencing Trumps lewd remarks in a 2005 video.

In Sydney, demonstrators were met with a surprise when they looked up to see the word Trump emblazoned in the sky. Supporters of Trump reportedly paid to have the presidents name written in the air, prompting jeers from the crowd.

People ask: Why here? Why Sydney? This isnt your issue, Kate Taylor, co-founder of the march on Sydney said in a brief interview during that rally. But it is. Misogyny and bigotry are global issues.

The Washington Posts Griff Witte in London and James McAuley in Paris contributed to this report.
Turns out overdraft fees are still big moneymakers for some banks. So much so that the former CEO of a midsized bank named his boat after the fee.

Thats only one of the ways that bank employees celebrated the money they made from overdraft charges, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau against TCF National Bank.

The governments consumer watchdog alleges that lofty sales goals drove the Minnesota-based bank to mislead hundreds of thousands of consumers into signing up for overdraft services. Consumers typically face overdraft charges of about $35 when they use their debit cards to spend more money than they have in their accounts. Federal rules put in place after the financial crisis prohibit banks from charging the fees on debit purchases or ATM withdrawals unless consumers opt in to the program. But the consumer bureau alleges that TCF violated those rules.

The agency said the bank made it seem as if overdraft services were mandatory for new customers by presenting them at the same time that customers were asked about mandatory services they had to agree to if they wanted to open an account. The move doubled the rate at which consumers were opting in to the service, according to the bureau.

Federal rules also required banks to ask existing customers if they wanted to opt in to overdraft services. But the agency says TCF used vague language to have existing customers agree to overdraft services.

At one point in 2014, some 66 percent of TCF customers had opted in to overdraft charges, about three times as much as other banks, according to the bureau.

Branch employees were given various incentives to encourage customers to sign up for overdraft fees, according to the lawsuit.

The bank, which has about 360 branches in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, and South Dakota, denies the charges, adding that it received only 341 complaints from 2.6 million customers about opting in to overdraft services between 2010 and 2015.

The lawsuit is in line with recent efforts from the bureau to crack down on robust sales goals they say can lead to unnecessary costs for consumers.
Authorities in western Iowa searched fruitlessly much of the day Friday for a missing 15-year-old girl who was in a vehicle with four others that plunged into the Boyer River.

After dark, she had still not been found and personnel were asked to return this morning.

Crawford County Sheriff James Steinkuehler said the effort now is focused on recovery, not rescue.

The Crawford County Sheriffs Office said deputies reported to an accident around 3 a.m. Thursday in rural Crawford County after a vehicle left a crop field and entered the river.

Authorities were told that five people were in the vehicle. The Sheriffs Office said four people were rescued from the river and taken to Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison for treatment of possible hypothermia. Their names have not been released.

A teenage girl, however, was missing and was thought to have disappeared in the river, the Sheriffs Office said.

A search Thursday and Friday by the Sheriffs Office, the Iowa State Patrol, the Denison Fire Department and Denison Municipal Utilities failed to find the girl.

Dive teams from Carroll County, the Denison Fire Department and the Plymouth County Sheriffs Office also were called in to help with the search.

Denison is about 120 miles northeast of Council Bluffs.
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States Friday, taking the helm of a deeply divided nation and putting Republicans in control of the White House for the first time in eight years.

The billionaire businessman and former reality television star has pledged an era of profound change, energizing his supporters with promises to wipe away predecessor Barack Obama's signature achievements and to restore America to a lost position of strength. But Trump's call for restrictive immigration measures and his caustic campaign rhetoric about women and minorities have infuriated other millions of Americans. He assumes office as one of the most unpopular incoming presidents in modern history.

The pomp and pageantry of the inaugural celebrations were also shadowed by questions about Trump's ties to Russia, which U.S. intelligence agencies have determined worked to tip the 2016 election to help the Republican win.

Trump's inauguration drew crowds to the nation's capital to witness the history. It repelled others. More than 60 House Democrats refused to attend his swearing in ceremony in the shadow of the Capitol dome. One Democrat who did sit among the dignitaries was Hillary Clinton, Trump's vanquished campaign rival who was widely expected by both parties to be the one taking the oath of office.

Instead, it was Trump placing his hand on two Bibles, one used by his family and another used for President Abraham Lincoln's inauguration. At 70, Trump is the oldest person to be sworn in as president, marking a generational step backward after two terms for Obama, one of the youngest presidents to serve as commander in chief.

This article contains a running list of updates from Friday's inauguration festivities. Updates have finished as of 4:30 p.m.

* * * * *

'Unbelievable' first day for Trump as inaugural parade winds down

President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and their wives are arriving at the reviewing stand near the White House to watch the inaugural parade.

Trump said the day was "unbelievable," as he and wife Melania made their way along the North Lawn to the stand on Pennsylvania Avenue. Trump also flashed a thumbs-up.

The first couple are surrounded in the enclosed stand by their family members.

* * * * *

Iowa Air Force cadet marches in Inauguration Parade

WASHINGTON - Cadet 1st Class Christopher Haijsman of McClelland, Iowa, was among those representing the Air Force Academy in Fridays Presidential Inauguration Parade.

It was a really good opportunity for us to get out there and experience D.C. but also get out here showcase the Air Force Academy, Haijsman said afterward.

The graduate of Treynor High School and his fellow cadets marched in formation between other Air Force elements as spectators waved and cheered them along the nearly 2-mile route from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.

Haijsman, 22, said that because he came from a small farming community, it was a unique experience to be part of something so big.

It was really awe-inspiring, he said.

* * * * *

Inauguration protests escalate in D.C.

At least one vehicle is on fire as protests escalate in downtown Washington.

A plume of thick black smoke is billowing from a vandalized limousine at the corner of K and 13th Streets Northwest. Riot police are working to remove people from the area, which is just a few blocks from President Donald Trump's inaugural parade route.

Police are using what appear to be flash bang grenades to help control the scene.

The activity follows a brief period of relative calm in the area.

* * * * *

Motorcade trip starts inaugural parade

President Donald Trump is making his way down Constitution Avenue with a military escort as his inauguration parade begins in Washington.

The president will review the parade from a viewing stand near the White House.

He and first lady Melania Trump are riding in the presidential limousine nicknamed "The Beast."

Trump is being cheered by supporters as his car passes.

Others are shouting "Media sucks" while a group of protesters chants, "Not my president, not my president."

* * * * *

Lincolnite 'been on the Trump train since Day 1'

WASHINGTON -- Debby Brehm was on cloud nine as she watched the inaugural parade roll by on Pennsylvania Avenue on Friday.

It took an early morning wake-up call to get to the Capitol and then a long wait to hear President Donald Trumps inaugural address.

But the commercial real estate developer from Lincoln was still determined to see the parade. And she gave up her seat in the bleachers to get a closer street-level look at the musicians going by.

Ive been on the Trump train since Day 1, Brehm said as band after band marched past. I would not have missed this for the world. Ive been crazy about him from Day 1 so I wanted to take in every bit of this.  Joseph Morton

* * * * *

Trump honored Clinton came to inaugural lunch

President Donald Trump  in brief remarks at his inaugural lunch at the Capitol  says he was honored that Hillary Clinton, his rival in the White House race, came to the event.

The bipartisan crowd of lawmakers and other dignitaries gave Clinton a standing ovation after Trump asked her to rise.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, sat with members of Trump's family at the event.

Trump ended by saying he has "a lot of respect for those two people."

Contrast that with some of his rhetoric during the campaign.

Back then, Trump repeatedly said Hillary Clinton deserved to be in jail because of her private email server issues. And Trump invited women who had accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault to sit in the audience of one of the presidential debates.

* * * * *

President Trump formally nominates Cabinet

Trump made his nominations official just after he took office. He signed a series of documents in an ornate room steps from the Senate floor.

The president distributed pens to congressional leaders according to whether they liked his choices. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for instance, received the pen that Trump used to nominate Elaine Chao, McConnell's wife, to be transportation secretary.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi jokingly objected to getting a pen used to nominate Tom Price to be health secretary. At that point, House Speaker Paul Ryan chimed in, "I'll take it."

After nominating Mike Pompeo to head the CIA, Trump said he'd heard Pompeo would be confirmed "momentarily."

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer piped up: "It depends what you mean by momentarily."

* * * * *

Fewer people at Trump inauguration than Obama's in 2008

Far fewer people were at President Donald Trump's inauguration than attended President Barack Obama's first swearing-in eight years ago.

Photos of the National Mall from Obama's inauguration in January 2009 show a teeming crowd stretching from the West Front of the Capitol all the way to the Washington Monument.

Photos taken from the same position on Friday show large swaths of empty space on the Mall.

Thin crowds and semi-empty bleachers also dotted the inaugural parade route.

Hotels across the District of Columbia reported vacancies, a rarity for an event as large as a presidential inauguration.

And ridership on the Washington's Metro system didn't match that of recent inaugurations.

* * * * *

Just moments after President Donald Trump took the oath of office Friday, the official White House website was transformed into a set of policy pledges that offered the broad contours of the Trump administration's top priorities  a list that included fierce support for law enforcement, an immediate elimination of the White House's policy page on climate page and a notable absence of any directives involving President Obama's Affordable Care Act.

"Our job is not to make life more comfortable for the rioter, the looter, or the violent disrupter," reads the law and order section, which calls for "more law enforcement" and "more effective policing." "Our job is to make life more comfortable for parents who want their kids to be able to walk the streets safely. Or the senior citizen waiting for a bus. Or the young child walking home from school."

The issues page of Trump's White House offers no new plans or policies but rather a rehash of many of his most prominent campaign promises -- a signal to the nation that Trump, more pragmatic than ideological, plans to implement at least the key guideposts of his campaign vision.

His policies include plans to both withdraw from and renegotiate major trade deals, grow the nation's military and increase cyber-security capabilities, build a wall at the nation's southern border and deport undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes.

Strikingly absent from the six issues the website highlights -- and from his speech Friday -- was anything on repealing or replacing Obamacare. The issue was a defining feature of his campaign, and aides have signaled he may begin the process of undoing the law in a series of executive actions he hopes to sign in the early days of his presidency.

* * * * *

Police make arrests after chaotic protests near Capitol

Police deployed pepper spray and made numerous arrests in a chaotic confrontation blocks from Donald Trump's inauguration Friday as protesters registered their rage against the new president.

Spirited demonstrations unfolded peacefully at various security checkpoints near the Capitol as police helped ticket-holders get through to the inaugural ceremony. Signs read, "Resist Trump Climate Justice Now," ''Let Freedom Ring," ''Free Palestine."

But at one point, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed the windows of downtown businesses including a Starbucks, Bank of America and McDonald's as they denounced capitalism and Trump. Police in riot gear used pepper spray from large canisters and eventually cordoned off the protesters.

Police said in a statement that the group damaged vehicles, destroyed property and set small fires while armed with crowbars and hammers. Police said "numerous" people were arrested and charged with rioting.

The confrontation happened about an hour before Trump was sworn in and began giving his inaugural address at the Capitol.

Later in the day, police again clashed with demonstrators  this time with a larger group.

More than 1,000 protesters gathered in downtown Washington for a confrontation with police. Authorities are again used pepper spray to control the crowd.

Some in the crowd were throwing cups, water bottles and objects  including chunks of concrete. Some protesters rolled large steel trash cans at police.

* * * * *

Word from the pope

Pope Francis has congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration and urged the new U.S. president to show concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need who "stand before our door."

Francis says in a message that he's praying Trump's decisions will be guided by the "rich spiritual and ethical values" that have shaped America's history.

The pope also offers these words: "Under your leadership, may America's stature continue to be measured above all by its concern for the poor, the outcast and those in need."

* * * * *

Business as usual at Nebraska Capitol

LINCOLN  The Nebraska Legislature conducted floor debate on proposed rule changes as the hour of Donald Trumps inauguration ceremony approached.

Lawmakers did not go into recess for the inauguration, but some did leave the floor to watch the new president take the oath of office from the senators-only lounge behind the main chamber.  Joe Duggan

* * * * *

Nebraskans head for D.C. to protest

NEAR IOWA CITY  When President Donald Trump was being sworn into office Friday, a busload of Nebraska women heading to Washington, D.C., for a march the next day did not pay attention.

Some slept, four hours into an 18-hour journey. Some chatted. And some were glued to their phones watching live coverage of protesters already gathered in Washington.

One woman, 53-year-old Kay Siebler, stared at the pink hat she was knitting for the march  a marker of protest of the new president. She said Trump's election put her in such despair that the knitting  and this upcoming march  pull her back from "the precipice."

"I thought there has got to be something I can do to make me feel better," she said. "I need to be in the company of a lot of cohorts and compassionate women."

There were only two men on the bus: the driver and Omaha engineer . He had come to accompany his wife, Christi, who said she saw this jouney as an antidote to her post-election despair.

"We feel like we have to do something," Pete Bradley said.

Audrey Holbeck, a 16-year-old Central High junior, was reading a book as Chief Justice John Roberts read Trump the oath of office. It's a novel called "An Ember in the Ashes."  Erin Grace

* * * * *

Inaugural address highlights

12:22 p.m.: President Donald Trump says in his inauguration speech that an America united is an America that's "totally unstoppable."

Trump says Americans must speak their minds openly and disagree honestly, but they must always pursue solidarity.

Trump says Americans need not fear  they're protected by military and law enforcement personnel.

But most importantly, he says, "we will be protected by God."

* * * * *

12:18 p.m.: President Donald Trump says that when Americans open their heart to patriotism, "there is no room for prejudice."

Trump is repeating a campaign promise to eradicate "radical Islam." He says he'll rebuild America's roads, bridges, airports and railways by following "two simple rules: buy American and hire American."

Trump is promising to seek friendship with all nations by reinforcing existing alliances and forming new ones.

* * * * *

12:15 p.m.: In his inauguration speech, President Donald Trump is repeating the dark vision and the list of the country's woes that he hit on during the campaign.

Trump describes closed factories as "tombstones" that dot the county and says the federal government has spent billions defending "other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own."

The Republican president says the U.S. "will confront hardships but we will get the job done."

He says the oath of office he just took "is an oath of allegiance to all Americans" and said that the country will share "one glorious destiny."

* * * * *

12:12 p.m.: Trump says that he will govern the country by putting America first.

Trump is saying in his first speech as president that "from this day forward, a new vision will govern our hand" and that "from this day forward it's going to be only America first."

Trump says that every decision he makes, on issues from trade to taxes to immigration and foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and families.

He says "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries" taking American jobs.

Trump says that under his leadership, America "will start winning like never before."

* * * * *

12:11 p.m.: Trump says Americans came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement "the likes of which the world has never seen before."

Trump says the United States exists to serve its citizens.

He says Americans want great schools, safe neighborhoods and good jobs.

But he says too many people face a different reality: rusted-out factories, a bad education system, crime, gangs and drugs.

Trump says the "carnage stops right here and right now."

* * * * *

12:10 p.m.: Trump is declaring his victory a victory for working people.

Trump says in his inauguration speech: "Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another," but "transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you, the people"

Trump says that, for too long, too few have had power and the people have paid the price.

He says: "Washington flourished but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed."

He says, "That all changes starting right here and right now."

Trump is also thanking former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama for their "gracious" aid through the transition.

* * * *

12:09 p.m.: Trump says change starts "right here and right now."

The new president is using his inaugural address to say it doesn't matter which party controls the government. He says that what matters is "whether our government is controlled by the people."

Trump says the forgotten men and women of the country "will be forgotten no longer."

* * * * *

12:05 p.m.: Trump is beginning his inaugural address by saying that "together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come."

He says Americans have "joined a great national effort to build our country and restore its promise for all people."

It began to rain in Washington as Trump started speaking.

Trump also thanked all of the past presidents in attendance, including former campaign foes Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

* * * * *

Mike Pence sworn in

11:55 a.m.: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath of office.

President-elect Donald Trump chose Pence, the former governor of Indiana, as his running mate last summer.

* * * * *

Up next for Obamas

Hundreds of people who worked for President Barack Obama arrived at Andrews Air Force Base to hear some final parting words from the soon-to-be ex-president.

Hours before Obama was to speak, former White House and administration staffers are gathering in a hangar where a small stage with a lone American flag was set up for him.

Obama and his wife, Michelle, are leaving the Capitol by military helicopter after witnessing Donald Trump's swearing-in, and they're being flown to the base in Maryland just outside Washington.

The Obamas will vacation in Palm Springs, California.

* * * * *

Ride to Capitol

Following the path of inaugurations past, Donald Trump and Barack Obama rode together to the U.S. Capitol Friday as the real estate mogul and reality TV star who upended American politics prepared to be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. His ascent puts Republicans in control of the White House for the first time in eight years.

"It all begins today!" Trump tweeted at daybreak, before attending a morning church service with his family. "THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES - THE WORK BEGINS!"

At midmorning, Trump and his wife, Melania, stopped by the White House for the traditional private meeting of outgoing and incoming presidents and their spouses. Posing for photos on the North Portico, the couples exchanged hugs as Barack Obama chatted about the demands of protocol.

* * * * *

New @POTUS in town

At about 9 a.m. on the day that President Obama prepared to become a former president, the official @POTUS Twitter account was still tweeting on his behalf.

But @POTUS belongs to whoever is President of the United States. And as President Trump takes office, that means Trump gets @POTUS, along with its 13.7 million followers. If you're following President Barack Obama on Twitter on the @POTUS account, you'll be following President Trump too, unless you manually unfollow.

One thing President Trump doesn't inherit? The archive of Obama's tweets. As part of the "digital transition" plan laid out by the Obama White House shortly before the election, the incoming administration starts with a clean slate.

The same is true for the @WhiteHouse, @FLOTUS, @PressSec, and @VP accounts, which will be turned over and wiped clean of tweets, a fresh start for the new administration. They'll follow a similar plan for the official White House accounts on other social media platforms, like Instagram and Facebook.

* * * * *

Crowds on the National Mall  where people without tickets can watch the inauguration  are growing steadily.

But less than two hours before the swearing-in, there are still wide swaths of empty space. There are strong suggestions that the crowds will not match President Barack Obama's first inaugural eight years ago.

Some people were prevented by security barriers from getting closer to the Capitol despite having plenty of space in front of them.

The grass on the Mall was protected by white plastic and there were some muddy spots amid intermittent rain.

* * * * *

'Tremendous celebration'

Roger Moorman of Omaha and his wife, Kathleen, were watching from the north standing section.

He said he's been to one other inauguration -- George W Bush's in 2005.

"I just think it's a tremendous celebration of the transfer of power," he said.

The 2005 experience was chillier  but dry.

They were both prepared for Friday with ponchos.

"Unless it's a downpour, we're going to be great," said Moorman, a sales director at NRG Media.  Joseph Morton

* * * * *

A view from the Capitol

Trump supporters ignore protesters

Most of the Donald Trump backers who are walking to the inauguration past Union Station in Washington are trying to ignore protesters outside the train station.

Then there's Doug Rahm, who engaged in a lengthy and sometimes profane yelling match with protesters.

"Get a job," Rahm said. "Stop crying snowflakes, Trump won."

Rahm  who's from Philadelphia and does high-rise restorations, is with Bikers for Trump. He says the protesters should get behind the new president.

He says, "This is unite America day."

* * * * *

Clinton arrives at inauguration

Hillary Clinton has arrived for the inauguration of the man who defeated her in a bitter presidential contest.

Clinton is at the Capitol with her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Trump and Clinton were last face to face at a charity dinner in New York in October.

The Democratic nominee and former secretary of state waved to reporters when she arrived for the ceremony on Friday morning, but she's not answering questions.

Trump viciously attacked Clinton throughout the campaign and his pledge to incarcerate her led to "Lock her up!" chants becoming a staple at his rallies.

After the election, Trump appeared to back off that threat.

* * * * *

Obama leaves note for Trump

President Barack Obama has left a letter for his successor in the Oval Office before departing the White House  as is the tradition from one president to the next.

The White House is providing no details about what Obama conveyed to Donald Trump.

Obama campaigned vigorously against Trump. But the president and president-elect have had regular phone conversations since the election, with the president offering guidance and advice.

* * * * *

Obamas welcome Trumps to White House

President Barack Obama and the first lady Michelle Obama are welcoming President-elect Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, to the White House.

The Obamas have greeted the Trumps at the grand North Portico, the column-lined entrance facing Pennsylvania Avenue.

Obama told Trump that it was good to see him. They exchanged pleasantries, and Melania Trump brought a gift for Michelle Obama.

Melania Trump initially reached to shake Michelle Obama's hand, but the first lady instead gave her a hug.

The families will have coffee and tea at a reception that's closed to the media.

* * * * *

Long trip to Washington

Nate Slater, 28, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, and two friends drove 20 hours to Washington to see the inauguration.

Slater said he was excited to see Trump take the oath. This is his first trip to the nation's capital.

"I figured I might as well see D.C. during the inauguration," he said.

They initially had trouble getting tickets, but eventually found some through a Kentucky lawmaker's office.

Friday morning, the trio walked onto the lawn in front of the Capitol just as the sky started spitting rain with hours to go before the ceremony.

Getting through security was easy. "We thought it would be a lot busier," Slater said.  Joseph Morton

*****

'Hes got a great plan, I think'

For Kevin Brown of Spencer, Iowa, Friday's inauguration will be his first.

Every time they have one, I take the day off of work and watch it on television, he said. Ive never actually been out here for it.

The party secretary for the Clay County Republicans, Brown said hes a history buff who wanted to witness this big moment, although he had other reasons as well.

I did some work for the (Republican National Committee) during the campaign and wanted to come out and just bask in the victory, I guess, he said.

He said hes bothered by the protesters in town this week and hopes that people can come together in the coming years.

"Hes got a great plan, I think, Brown said of Donald Trump. I think his agenda is top-notch, but if people arent going to get on board and come together as a nation were not going to get very much accomplished.  Joseph Morton

* * * * *

'If I can wait out eight years of Obama I can wait out D.C. traffic'

Midlanders in town for Donald Trumps big day are finding out that getting around the nations capital during an inauguration isnt easy.

But they were largely shrugging off the problems in their excitement.

If I can wait out eight years of Obama I can wait out D.C. traffic, said Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann. Because the D.C. traffics not going to get better. The United States is.

Kaufmann said the last time he saw Trump, during the president-elects thank you tour, Trump told him Im not going to forget what you people did for me.

Kaufmann said that fondness for Iowa should help the state keep its first-in-the-nation status and protect its ethanol industry.

Hes excited for the policies that Trump will bring.

I think were finally going to concentrate on what matters most, and that is unleashing the economic and entrepreneurial spirit of this country. If we do that, Donald Trump will have delivered, he said.

Kaufmann was less enthused about the ball that he was planning to attend.

I have the rhythm of a very, very ill elephant, he said.  Joseph Morton

* * * * *

'Rain, snow, sleet or hail, were going to be there at noon'

Midlanders out for the inauguration were keeping one eye on the forecast, but Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, said that no inclement weather could keep him away.

It wont even matter  rain, snow, sleet or hail, were going to be there at noon and the Constitution and the rule of law will prevail, King said.  Joseph Morton

* * * * *

'Were actively opposed to his inauguration, but were just here to be witnesses'

Not everyone standing on the west front of the Capitol will be cheering Donald Trump at noon Friday.

Matt Sutton and Calli Johnson drove out together from Omaha with a different attitude.

Were pretty liberal people and just wanted to show people that there are more than conservatives out in the middle of Nebraska, Sutton said.

They said they have no plans to protest, although theyre happy to promote the potential for clean energy to anyone whod like to talk to them.

Were environmentalists so were actively opposed to his inauguration, but were just here to be witnesses, Sutton said.

Noah Steinauer, 20, and Chris Halbohn, 23, jumped at the opportunity to come to Washington after they saw on Sen. Deb Fischers social media accounts that inauguration tickets were available.

The two Omaha natives  and Trump voters  are both studying at Tulane University in New Orleans and flew up for the occasion.

They found an energy in the air when they arrived.

Days like this hold nothing but positivity, Halbohn said. You can only be optimistic on such a historic and civic day for our country. You really cant beat being in our nations capital with so many people standing out on the National Mall, waving flags and everybody in good spirits.  Joseph Morton
The Senate confirmed James Mattis as Defense secretary and John Kelly to run the Homeland Security Department as Democrats balked at Republicans' demand to also install the CIA director on President Donald Trump's first day in office.

The Senate voted 98-1 for Mattis and 88-11 for Kelly while Trump's inaugural parade was proceeding from the Capitol to the White House on a damp evening in Washington. Republicans backed off threats to work through the weekend to break the logjam over the nomination of Representative Mike Pompeo to run the CIA, scheduling a vote for Monday.

"We live in dangerous times," Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said on the Senate floor. He said before the votes that confirming Mattis and Kelly was "not enough" to get Trump's national security team in place.

Schumer said Trump's Cabinet of millionaires and conservative choices required additional scrutiny and debate. While he said Democrats were willing to begin debate on Pompeo's nomination, a trio of Democrats announced they wanted an extended debate.

"It makes no sense to leave the post open -- not for another week, not for another day, not for another hour," McConnell said. "America's enemies will not pause in plotting, planning and training because the Democrats refuse to vote."

John Cornyn, the No. 2 Senate Republican, said Democrats were acting like a "sore loser" by threatening to delay confirmations.

"I think we ought to be prepared to push back and push back hard to confirm more nominees," said Cornyn, of Texas. "And in the end, it's really just a question of fair play. We confirmed seven Obama nominees on Jan. 20, 2009, and this just strikes me as having all the attributes of a sore loser."

But Democrats dismissed the idea outright -- neither man has received a vote in committee yet.

"Absolutely not going to happen," said Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Tillerson, who recently stepped down as CEO of ExxonMobil, hasn't won the backing of Republican Marco Rubio of Florida, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, who said he's still reviewing Tillerson's answers to written questions he received Thursday. The committee is scheduled to vote Monday on his nomination.

Cornyn also said Democrats should allow confirmations of nominees who he says aren't controversial -- Elaine Chao at Transportation, Nikki Haley at the United Nations, and Ben Carson at Housing and Urban Development. And he wants his fellow Texan, former Governor Rick Perry, confirmed as Energy secretary.

Republican senators had earlier said they were willing to stay late in an all-out effort to confirm nominees during the inaugural festivities. But they ended up backing off those threats, agreeing to reconvene on Monday to debate Pompeo's nomination.

Three Democrats - Ron Wyden of Oregon, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut - issued a joint statement saying they wanted a full debate on Pompeo's nomination. They said their constituents didn't want them to be a "rubber stamp" for nominees.

"No CIA director in history has ever been confirmed on Inauguration Day," they wrote. "The importance of the position of CIA director, especially in these dangerous times, demands that the nomination be thoroughly vetted, questioned and debated."
3 Lashkar operatives sent to gallows by West Bengal court

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Kolkata, Jan 21: A court in West Bengal has sentenced to death three Lashkar-e-Tayiba operatives. Among those sentenced are two Pakistani nationals. The trial court in Bongaon held them guilty of waging war against the state.

The operatives were arrested on April 4, 2007 along with another LeT member Sheikh Sameer from Maharashtra by the Border Security Force when they were trying to cross the Indo-Bangla border illegally.

Sameer managed to escape in Chhattisgarh when he was being taken to Maharashtra to be produced in a Mumbai Court.

Mohammad Yunus, and Abdullah Khan, both originally from Karachi, belonged to the LeT suicide squad and had also planned a suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir. They were convicted under Section 121 IPC, waging a war against the state.

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Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 19:42 [IST]
6 CPM workers arrested for Kerala BJP leaders murder

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

In a major breakthrough, the Kerala police have arrested six persons in connection with the murder of a BJP leader. According to the police, the six persons alleged to be CPM workers were picked up in Talassery after investigations suggested their link to the murder which seems to be politically motivated.

The police is still ascertaining the exact role played by the suspects, but add that the six were part of a conspiracy to murder the BJP leader. "Investigations are on and more details will emerge soon," the officer also added. The officer added that the murder could have been a result of a clash between the ABVP and the SFI workers at the Brennan College in Thalassery during the Vivekanand Jayanthi celebrations.

[Kerala BJP worker's murder: Party slams govt, calls for shutdown in state tomorrow]

On Wednesday, M C Santhosh was hacked to death at 11 pm at Dharmadom. His wife and children were away when the incident took place. It is alleged that the assailants reached his home at 11 pm and attacked him. Santhosh was rushed to hospital by his friends, but died of excessive bleeding.

OneIndia News
Uttar Pradesh: Alliance with SP fails as Congress demands 120 seats

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 21: There has been no breakthrough in the talks between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress is now demanding 120 seats on which it wants to contest the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Chief Minister of UP, Akhilesh Yadav is however ready to offer just 99.

Akhilesh who is set to release the party's manifesto on Sunday will also release the list of more candidates soon. His priority would be to announce the list rather than wait for the formation of an alliance as time is running out. The nominations for the first phase ends on January 24.

On Saturday, Akhilesh held back channel talks with Congress leaders. However there was no breakthrough. Rahul Gandhi also held talks with his sister Priyanka Gandhi over the issue. Congress leaders would be rushing to Lucknow to make one last ditch attempt to iron out the differences and form an alliance with the SP.

The SP's Naresh Agarwal said that they told the Congress that they could not contest in less than 300 seats. The Congress was however adamant as if they are a very influential party, he also said. He also said that the Congress was adamant on 120 seats. The Congress party's leader Ghulam Nabi Azad however said that things would be clear by Sunday.

OneIndia News
BJP West Bengal vice president sent to jail on charges of cheating

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Kolkata, Jan 21: The BJP's West Bengal unit Vice President Jayprakash Majumdar, arrested for allegedly taking money from School Service Commission candidates by promising them jobs, was on Saturday sent to jail till February 3.

Majumdar spent six days in police custody after his arrest on January 14. The judge at Bidhannagar court also rejected a bail plea moved by the defence counsel. During the hearing the prosecution did not plead for any more police remand for Majumdar, and prayed that he be sent to jail.

The prosecution also pleaded for slapping charges under two more sections of the Indian Penal Code - 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent) and 120b (Punishment of criminal conspiracy).

Earlier, Majumdar was booked under section 420 (cheating), section 406 (criminal breach of trust) and section 506 (threat to cause death or grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code.

The BJP leader was arrested at the Bidhannagar North police station after seven hours of intense grilling following a complaint by Arup Ratan Roy that Majumdar had taken Rs 7.20 lakh in two tranches promising to get jobs for the SSC candidates by moving the Supreme Court.

IANS
Can Supreme Court strike down Jallikattu ordinance? This is what the law says

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 21:The Centre took the ordinance route to allow Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. The Jallikattu matter is pending in the Supreme Court and on Friday the Centre requested the top court to keep in abeyance for a week its verdict.

[Also Read: What the Jallikattu draft ordinance states]

The same was granted and the centre went ahead and cleared the draft ordinance.

Once the President of India promulgates an ordinance, it becomes an Act and remains valid for a period of six weeks until Parliament passes the bill.

There is bound to be a legal challenge to the ordinance in the wake of the matter pending in the SC. The centre will place the ordinance before the SC before the final verdict is delivered. What are the powers of the SC in such a case? Can it strike down an ordinance? Let us find out.

Can Supreme Court strike down an ordinance?

In the RC Cooper vs. Union of India case of 1970 the apex court held that an ordinance can be challenged on the ground that immediate action was not required and the same had been passed only to by-pass a debate and discussion in the legislature.

In the AK Roy vs Union of India case of 1982, the SC was examining the Constitutional validity of the National Security Ordinance of 1980 which dealt with preventive detention in certain cases.

In this matter the apex court observed that the President's Ordinance is not beyond the scope of judicial review. The SC, however, stopped at that as there was not enough evidence before it and by the time the ordinance had been replaced by an Act.

The SC, however, pointed out the need to exercise judicial review over the President's decision only when there was substantial ground to challenge the decision. It cannot be challenged at every casual and passing challenge, the SC added.

In the 1985 case of T Venkata Reddy vs the State of Andhra Pradesh, the SC while deliberating on an ordinance said that the ordinance making power of the President and the Governor was a legislative power, comparable to the legislative power of Parliament and state legislatures respectively.

This implies that the motives behind the exercise of this power cannot be questioned, just as is the case with legislation by the Parliament and state legislatures.

In the DC Wadhwa vs State of Bihar case of 1987, the SC argued that if ordinance making was made a usual practice, creating an 'Ordinance raj' the courts could strike down re-promulgated Ordinances.

In this context one would also need to look at the clauses introduced in the 38th and 44th amendment to the Constitution. In the 38th amendment, a new clause 4 in Article 123 was inserted.

It was stated that the President's satisfaction while promulgating an ordinance was final and cannot be questioned in any court on any ground.

However, in 1978 clause 4 was deleted in the 44th amendment and this re-opened the possibility of judicial review of an ordinance.

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Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 9:36 [IST]
Cannibal-shocker! Ludhiana teen kills minor and drank his blood

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

Ludhiana, Jan 21: The police on Saturday arrested a 16-year-old boy from Ludhiana for murdering a 9-year-old, Deepu, chopping his body into six pieces, eating the flesh and then drinking the blood. The incident came into the light after Deepu went missing. After examining the CCTV footage it was found that Deepu was last seen along with the accused.

Later, the police detained the accused who confessed that he killed the boy on Jan 17 to eat victim's flesh.

Ludhiana(Punjab): 16 year old boy murders 9 year old minor,chops his body into pieces. He has been detained by Police pic.twitter.com/I0Bc9v4Jv1  ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

The police said that the accused took Deepu to his home on January 17 on the pretext of giving him some kite string. He later strangled Deepu and cut his body into pieces, before putting them in a sack and dumping them. The accused further told the police that he removed the victim's heart from his body and threw it on the premises of his school with an intention to bring a bad name to the school.

After speaking to the parents of the accused, the police came to know that he was fond of eating raw chicken and also eat his own skin at times.

It is learnt that the accused had earlier made a similar call to the police station claiming his school management had held a student hostage who would be murdered. The police immediately rushed to the school and found that it was a hoax call. They left after warning the teenager, who was also rebuked by the school staff members. The accused then murdered Deepu to avenge the insult.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhupinder Singh also said the accused had planned to demand ransom from Deepu's family, but the victim family said that they did not receive any ransom call.

The police have recovered Deepu's decapitated body and also seized the weapon used for committing this heinous crime.

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Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 14:04 [IST]
Congress to release its Goa manifesto on Jan 23

India

oi-PTI

Panaji, Jan 21: The Congress will release its Goa election manifesto on January 23 at the hands of senior party leader and MP Jyotiraditya Scindia. The election manifesto for Goa State Legislative Assembly polls would be released by our leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on January 23," All India Congress Committee Secretary Girish Chodankar told on Saturday.

The party which is contesting in 37 out of 40 assembly constituencies in Goa had began an exercise to get inputs from the people before drafting the manifesto, he said.

The manifesto committee was constituted after inviting suggestions from public in writing and also through social media. It is completely people centric," he said. Though details of the manifesto are kept under wraps, Chodankar hinted that issues like ban on Casinos, Special Status to Goa, Special commission for minority people and employment generation would figure in it.

The party had in October last year released a strongly-worded chargesheet against the BJP government charging it for the MoI (medium of instruction) mess, iron ore mining closure, failure to finalise the Regional Plan and shifting of off-shore casinos out of river Mandovi and creating unemployment. Chodankar recalled that the chargesheet had nailed the Laxmikant Parsekar government on over 25 different counts.

PTI
EC censures Kejriwal for model code violation

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

The Election Commission has censured Aam Aadmi Party Chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for violation of model code of conduct during his election rally in Goa. The order, dated January 20, rejected Arvind Kejriwal's reply to the Election Commission's notice and held him guilty of violating the model code of conduct in poll-bound Goa.

Kejriwal, however, took to social media to declare that the EC's order against him was wrong and said that he would appeal against it in a court.

EC order agnst me completely wrong. Lower court gave order in my favor. EC ignored court's order. Will challenge EC's latest order in court  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 21, 2017

Kejriwal in a rally in Goa on January 8 had asked voters to accept Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 5,000 from the BJP in exchange for votes. The statement that he meant as a joke on demonetisation certainly didn't amuse the EC. In his reply to the commission's notice, Kejriwal did not deny making such statements but said that he neither offered bribe nor enticed the electors to accept any money from any person.

He had also said that there was nothing in his statement that would amount to abetment of an offence of bribery. The EC, however, rejected his reply. In its order, the election commission has mentioned that his statements came under the ambit of abetting bribery and thus was a violation the model code of conduct since it.
Vaishali Takkar suicide: Her e-gadgets to be probed; hunt for the harasser is on

Indore-Patna derailment was revenge for surgical strikes, claims ISI man

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Even as investigations move ahead into the terror link to the train derailment cases in India, the Nepal handler working for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence has told the police that the motive was revenge. Earlier this week the Bihar police had arrested three persons on the suspicion that they had a hand in the derailment of the Indore-Patna Express in which 150 passengers were killed.

A team of the National Investigation Agency which is questioning the arrested trio Umashankar Patel, Motilal Paswan and Mukesh Yadav has picked up evidence of an ISI hand. However, the NIA officer points out that these are early days and they would need to work further to establish a link.

Meanwhile, the Nepal police who have questioned the Nepal based operative Mujhahir Ansari have shared details with the Indian agencies. According to his interrogation report, the plot was hatched after the surgical strikes carried out by India in September 2016.

Ansari also tells the Nepal police that they were instructed by their module boss Shamshul Huda to avenge the strikes. Following this a plan was hatched. The first target was meant to be a train passing on the railway track at Ghorasan near Motihari. However, this plan for October 1 failed after the villagers detected the pressure cooker bomb on the tracks.

After a failed first attempt, they decided to target the Indore-Patna Express. This time around they removed the fish plates on the tracks thus causing the derailment the accused persons also told the police.

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Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 11:33 [IST]
ISI's train terror shows how intact its network is

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

It may be early days to conclude whether there was a terror link to the derailment of the November, 2016 Patna-Indore Express. However, if the probe establishes that there was an ISI link, then it is an extremely worrying sign as it only suggests that the spy agency's network is intact.

The investigations suggest that the handler, Shamsul Huda, is in Dubai. He gets in touch with his men in Nepal who in turned call their stooges in Bihar. The plan is hatched without catching anyone's attention, and is executed.

ISI network lives

The Dubai-Nepal-India connection is not new. It is probably one of the oldest ISI routes. The Dawood syndicate which gives orders out of Dubai uses handlers in Nepal to get the work done in India. The fake currency racket too used the same route after orders came from Dubai.

The Nepal route has been the most preferred for criminals and terrorists. The ISI directs its operatives to land in Nepal after an operation before they are picked up and transported to Pakistan.

Investigations show that this gang which is alleged to have carried out the train derailment was part of the same network that dealt with fake currency.

It was the same boss in Dubai who would instruct his stooges in Nepal, who in turn would their gang in Bihar to circulate fake currency. Clearly, this shows that the network is not just intact, but the fake currency gang is also capable of carrying out a terror attack with ease.

The other aspect that needs to be looked into is that the three persons arrested in Bihar are Hindus. There is no religious tilt to the case and investigations suggest that each of these persons got paid Rs 50,000 to get the job done. The ISI has not only managed to keep its network intact, but also cut across religious and sectarian lines.

Intelligence Bureau officials say that the Nepal operations of the ISI continue to remain intact. It is not doubt worrisome and Nepal would need to do more to wipe out such elements from its soil.

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Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 13:51 [IST]
Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth!

Jallikattu ordinance will be valid for six weeks

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 21: The Centre on Friday cleared the last legal hurdle for the conduct of Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu by issuing a draft ordinance. The ordinance will now have to be promulgated by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee following which it becomes an Act.

[Also Read: What the Jallikattu draft ordinance states]

However, this ordinance will be valid only for a period of six weeks. It would have to be passed by Parliament for it to retain its validity. The President can re-promulgate it, but the Supreme Court says that this cannot be an endless exercise as Parliament takes the final call on the issue.

How is an ordinance promulgated?

An ordinance is an executive order which is issued by the President under Article 213 of the Indian Constitution. An ordinance holds the same force as an Act passed by Parliament.

An ordinance can be passed only when both the Houses of Parliament are not in session. It is looked as a last resort and not as a tool to replace the power of Parliament. An ordinance route is taken only on issues that require immediate consideration.

The ordinance issued is valid only for six weeks from the date of it being issued until the next session of Parliament starts. When Parliament meets, it can either pass the ordinance or reject it.

If Parliament rejects it, it can be re-promulgated by the President. There is no limit on the number of times an ordinance can be re-issued. However, a SC ruling states that this cannot be an endless exercise without getting the vote in Parliament.

The President, however, reserves the right to withdraw an ordinance. Once an ordinance is promulgated, it has to be introduced as a bill in Parliament. Once both the Houses pass the bill it becomes an Act.

In the event of just one house passing the bill and the other sits on it, a joint session can be called to vote for the bill. However, this is not possible in the case of a Money bill as the Rajya Sabha cannot disapprove it.

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Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 8:48 [IST]
Modi to attend Combined Commanders conference in Dehradun today

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Dehradun, Jan 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Saturday to inaugurate the Combined Commanders Conference, an official said. The Prime Minister earlier reached the Indian Military Academy (IMA) campus from the Jolly Grant airport in a special Indian Air Force (IAF) chopper.

Modi would be in the hill state for over six hours, the official said. The military conference was being attended by the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy chiefs, besides the National Security Advisor and other experts in the field of security and defence.

The Prime Minister laid a wreath at Shaheed Smarak (Martyrs Memorial) at IMA after which he crossed over the Chatwood Square where he was accorded the traditional salute by the three armed forces. He then drove to the Khetrapal Auditorium where he will address the conference. Before this he met the family members of the cadets at the Vikram Batra mess.

IANS
Nitish Kumar: Over 3 crore support liquor ban by forming human chain in Bihar

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Patna, Jan 21: Hundreds of thousands of people across Bihar formed a human chain on Saturday to support the state government's prohibition policy, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claiming participation of more than three crore people in the record endeavour.

Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, and leaders of the Congress and opposition BJP participated in the human chain.

"More than three crore people participated in forming the chain that stretched for 11,400 km; it is more than expected. Huge participation of people made it clear that they support prohibition," a visibly upbeat Nitish Kumar told the media here.

He said participation of women in large numbers was remarkable. "At several places, I was informed by officials, people made double human chains due to gathering of more people." Bihar Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh claimed the "world's longest human chain of over 11,000 km" was formed from 12.15 p.m. to 1 p.m. The previous record is of a 1,050 km human chain in Bangladesh in early 2000.

MPs, MLAs, party workers of both the ruling Grand Alliance of Janata Dal-United, RJD and the Congress as well as opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Lok Janshakti Party held each other's hands to express support for prohibition.

Three satellites, including one foreign and two of Indian Space Research Organisation, four aircraft, two helicopters and 40 drones were used to obtain images of the human chain, officials said. According to officials, hundreds of people stood in queues to form a map of Bihar at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

A picture of a liquor bottle with a cross sign was drawn in the middle of the map to give the message against alcohol consumption. Nearly 20 million people were expected to join hands across the state for the chain, the officials added. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar imposed the liquor ban in the state on April 5, 2016.

IANS
Pakistan hands over Indian soldier, who strayed across LoC last year

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia

New Delhi, Jan 21: Pakistan on Saturday handed over Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chohan, who inadvertently crossed the LoC last year, to Indian authorities at the Wagah border at 02:30 pm.

In a statement by the Pakistani military claimed that the Indian soldier willfully came to Pakistan due to his grievances of maltreatment by his superiors and surrendered himself to the Pakistani military.

"As a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along the LoC and working boudary, Sepoy Chandu Babulal has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah on humanitarian grounds," an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said.

Chavan, 23, hails from Bohivir village in north Maharashtra's Dhule district, which happens to be within the Lok Sabha constituency of Bhamre.

Serving the Indian Army's 37th Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, Chavan had unknowingly crossed into Pakistani territory with a weapon September 30 last year and was capture by their troops near Mankote. After hearing the news of his capture, his aged grandmother suffered a heart attack and died a few days later. Bhamre said since then, he has been in regular touch with his family who are his constituents.

OneIndia News (with inputs from agencies)
Cabinet approves MoU between India, Denmark in field of Water Resources Development and Management

For beneficiaries of EWS flat a gift from PM Modi like none other

PM Modi hands over keys of 3024 EWS flats to beneficiaries under slum rehab plan

PM Modi's special message to Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya on statehood day

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Jan 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted the three northeastern states of Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya on their statehood day.

In a series of tweets, PM Modi said, "Statehood Day greetings to the people of Meghalaya. My best wishes for the development journey of the state."

"On their Statehood Day, I convey my best wishes to the people of Tripura and pray for the state's all-round growth.

"Greetings to the people of Manipur on their Statehood Day. I hope Manipur will remain blessed with joy and prosperity," Modi said.

Under the North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya attained statehood on January 21, 1972.

IANS
Release of Indian soldier brings cheer to family and friends

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Dhule, Jan 21: Indian Army sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan's kin and residents of his native village Bohivir in northern Maharashtra were overjoyed on his release on Saturday by Pakistan. His family thanked authorities for securing his safe return.

Scores of villagers came out into the streets to greet the Chavan family, who were overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, laughing and crying at the same time. Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said: "We are extremely grateful to the government for securing his safe release. We shall remain indebted to (Minister of State for Defence) Subhash Bhamre for all his help in ensuring his return home."

"It is unbelievable and the news is still sinking in. We are so happy... for us, its like all festivals -- Diwali, Holi -- coming together simultaneously and we shall celebrate when he comes home after such a long time," his married sister Rupali Patil said wiping away tears of joy. Pakistan defence and border authorities on Saturday released Chavan -- who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control in September 2015 -- and handed him over to Indian authorities at the Wagah-Attari Joint Check Post, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said.

Chavan, 23, of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army after he inadvertently crossed the LoC in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, just hours after the Indian forces carried out surgical strikes on September 29 across the LoC to destroy terrorist launch pads. After hearing of the news of Chavan's capture, his aged grandmother suffered a heart attack and died a few days later.

Bhamre -- who represents Dhule constituency where Chavan's village is -- maintained regular touch with his family all these months. At a function in Mumbai 10 days ago, Bhamre had indicated the possibility of securing Chavan's early release from Pakistan though he did not specify any time-frame.

IANS
Sonia Gandhi intervenes to revive alliance talks with SP

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Jan 21: As the parleys between the Congress and the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh appeared to collapse over seat-sharing, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday intervened and spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on the phone.

Congress leaders meanwhile were quite hopeful on the talks, as was reflected in their comments to the media. With the SP refusing to budge from its offer of around 100 seats and the Congress not agreeing to anything below 120, leaders in both camps had thrown up their hands that the prospects of the electoral tie-up were almost over.

Congress sources said Sonia's intervention will surely boost the alliance prospects. "Everything will be clear by tomorrow (Sunday) morning. The Congress might agree on 100-103 seats. Both the parties know they need each other in Uttar Pradesh polls."

Earlier, talking about the alliance, senior SP leader Naresh Agrawal said: "The alliance is almost over. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) was offering Congress 100 seats but they were not agreeing to anything less than 120 seats." "We told them we can't fight in less than 300 seats but the Congress was adamant as if they are a very influential party in the state," he added.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in charge of UP Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "You'll get to know everything by tomorow (Sunday) morning." Congress state President Raj Babbar said during the day: "The talks will go on." Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too are reported to be working on "some possibilities".

The Gandhi family scion is said to be furious at the "slight and disrespect" shown to the Congress by the SP leadership.

Earlier, the sources said that the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) had decided to go it alone in the first and second phases of the seven-phase assembly elections in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.

IANS
The moment was awkward; I really didn't want to be there anymore. I was sitting at the bar next to my friend when he made the comment, People just dont know how to disagree anymore. Just before the awkward moment, I had been arguing with him and had withdrawn quickly from the conversation.

I have noticed this trend to withdraw from disagreement consistently among my friends and family. If we disagree, especially on issues of substance like politics and faith, then the temptation is to withdraw. Sometimes this withdrawal is to a place of reclusiveness, but increasingly this withdrawal tends to be to places where people do not differ in opinion from us. Our nation has become so polarized that we tend to withdraw even to social media, or even news sources where we don't have to experience disagreement.

We go to places that are familiar to us when we are uncomfortable. Disagreement is uncomfortable because the person disagreeing with us has a different understanding than we have. They may see something we see as foundational to our understanding of the world as untrue. It takes courage to walk into these conversations with a mind open to hearing facts and alternative ideas that might change your mind. Changing our minds opens us to a lot of shame, shame at the chance of being wrong.

Author and social work researcher Brene Brown states that Americans are statistically afraid of two things: shame and vulnerability. Those two emotions are what you need experience to disagree with someone. If we are deathly afraid of these two realities, then learning to live and grow together into community will continue to challenge us.

There is a story from Christian scripture I use to remember that even Jesus had to find courage to face vulnerability and shame. The story is found in Mark 7:24-29. Jesus meets a Greek woman who has come to beg him to heal her daughter. The story is striking because Jesus responds by saying, The children have to be fed first. It isnt right to take the childrens bread and toss it to the dogs. Jesus insults this woman who has come desperately seeking to find hope for her daughter, by calling her a dog. The women responds, Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the childrens crumbs. In this moment she does not lash out, or throw an insult back. In that moment she stays vulnerable and lives through the shame, and says God even feeds the ones who have to eat the crumbs. We dont often imagine Jesus being verbally demeaning and violent to another, but it happens here. Jesus responds to the womens comments by healing the womans daughter. I think it took incredible courage for the woman to make her statement and it took Jesus living through his shame to admit he was wrong.

Mary Daly, a theologian and scholar says, Courage is like  its a habitus, a habit, a virtue: You get it by courageous acts. Its like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn to courage by couraging. I think it takes courage to disagree well and I believe we are going to have find this courage as people of faith living in a nation during this tumultuous time. We are going to have to practice being people of good couraging.

Today is the Womens March on Washington and in turn the Womens March on Montana. A crowd of brave women is gathering at our Capitol to state clearly that we can be a nation that disagrees, but we have to disagree with respect for one another. Additionally, we have to live together in a nation that Martin Luther King Jr. helped us dream of over 53 years ago from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. They are marching through shame and vulnerability to respectfully disagree. They are modeling for us all the need for us to be courageous and to disagree.

And out of respect for the women marching today, I am going to do what most men dont do, admit that I have been wrong. My friend at the bar, who reminded me that we are not good at disagreeing in this country, was right. We need to find the courage to disagree and as people of faith, and leaders of faith, we need to invite our elected leaders to do the same.

Tyler Amundson is a pastor at St. Paul's United Methodist Church and serves the Helena area United Methodist congregations. His primary area of ministry is working to reach young adults, and to assist the congregations in serving their community. Tyler is a native of Helena and is thankful to be serving under the Big Sky.
UP elections: Priyanka steps in as SP-Congress alliance derails

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 21: It may be a while before Uttar Pradesh gets to witness Priyanka Gandhi campaigning for a Samajwadi Party-Congress combine. Priyanka is being sent as an emissary to meet with Akhilesh Yadav, in a bid to strike a deal between the two parties for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections 2017.

[Also Read: Dimple 'bhabhi' Yadav: The glue that keeps SP together]

While Ghulam Nabi Azad had on Tuesday announced a pact with the SP, there was a twist to the tale when the list of 210 candidates was announced on Friday. The SP's list included nine seats that were held by the Congress and this has angered the grand old party.

The Congress has been blaming the SP for the breakdown in talks. The Congress says that Akhilesh went back on his word while announcing the list of candidates. While there is anger in the Congress ranks, the party still does not want to let go off the alliance. It is still willing to talk peace and strike a deal with the SP.

The Congress confirmed that Priyanka would be part of the talks with the SP. She has been roped in to strike peace and ensure that the pact goes through. The Congress has been demanding 100 seats, but the SP is ready to give out 85 only.

The SP's Kiramoy Nanda said that they were yet to get any positive response from the Congress on the issue of an alliance. The SP is prepared for an alliance, but could spare only 85 of the 403 seats, Nanda added.

He explained that the Congress would get those seats where the party was in the first place or in those constituencies where the SP stood at third, fourth and fifth spots.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 7:37 [IST]
Mamata likely to visit Chennai for WB Governor's family function

West Bengal to launch more electric, CNG buses to reduce air pollution

Schoolgirls in Purulia get self-defence training to fight eve-teasers

Man rapes 8-year-old to use her blood for removing obstacles to his marriage

WB: Business meet defies demonetisation; attracts huge investment

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Kolkata, Jan 21: The two-day Bengal Global Business Summit organised by the state government has received investment proposals worth Rs 2,35,290 crore, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in Kolkata on Saturday.

Addressing delegates on the concluding day of the meet, Banerjee said the manufacturing sector netted investment commitment of Rs 61,765 crore.

Among other major sectors, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises attracted business proposals of Rs 50,710 crore, urban development got Rs 46,600 crore and transport Rs 38,801 crore.

"Despite demonetisaiton, a sum of Rs 2,35,290 crore has been committed during the summit," Banerjee said.

She said the state received over Rs 4.93 lakh crore of investment proposals during the previous two summits in 2015 and 2016.

"Out of that, already over 40 percent has been implemented," Banerjee said.

IANS


For beneficiaries of EWS flat a gift from PM Modi like none other

We will fulfil cultural aspirations of Tamil people: PM Modi

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that he is very proud of the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. Modi added that all efforts are being made to fulfill the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.

[Also Read: What the Jallikattu draft ordinance states]

"The Union Government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu. We will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress," the PM added.

The PM took to his Twitter handle to make these statements. The PM was making a reference to Jallikattu or the bull-taming sport.

The PM during a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Paneerselvam earlier this week had assured that his government would support any effort taken by the state government.

A day after the meeting a draft ordinance to allow Jallikattu was prepared by the state government and given to the Centre. The same was cleared by the Centre and now will be placed before the President of India Pranab Mukerjee, who would need to promulgate the ordinance.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 8:20 [IST]
Donald Trump Era: Indian Americans celebrate at a gala event

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Jan 21: Indian Americans gathered for the presidential gala in Washington to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the US.

The gala, which was attended by a hundred Indian Americans, took place at the Grand Ballroom of the central Mayflower hotel in Washington and was organised by the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council and National Committee of Asian American Republicans, American Bazaar online reported on Friday.

The event was attended by the ambassadors of several countries, including the Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna.

"This is a great celebration of Asian success," said Sarna, speaking on the occasion. "I am very happy that Indian Americans are part of the successful large Asian community."

"It was a grand success," Virginia Republican Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the organisers of the event, told the American Bazaar.

"We were able to create a platform for the Asian American and Pacific Islanders community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration."

Ahluwalia added that by showing up in good numbers, the Indian American community has showed their desire for "the US-India relationship to be on the front and centre for the next administration."

Top diplomats from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore attended the gala.

Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Barbara Comstack, Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph DLG Torres as well as a number of Republican leaders from various Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities.

"The [Trump] administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries," Royce said. "We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship."

The California Republican is the chairman of the House Foreign Relations committee and one of the most staunchly pro-India voices in the US Congress.

Indian American Republicans who were present included Californian KV Kumar, Floridian Harry Walia and Puneet Ahluwalia. All the three are members of Trump-Pence campaign's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee.

However, the fourth Indian American member of the panel, Shalabh Kumar, did not attend the gala.

The formal part of the ball began with a rendition of the US national anthem. Indian food and Bollywood dance were other highlights of the event.

IANS
Hindu, Sikh prayers to seek divine blessing for Donald Trump

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Jan 21: Universal Hindu and Sikh prayers were offered at the interfaith service in the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday to invoke divine blessings for new President Donald Trump and the nation.

Hindu priest Narayanachar Digalakote prayed in Sanskrit for the government leaders in the first part of the service when prayers were said for those who govern.

Jesse Singh, the founder of American Sikhs for Trump, recited in Punjabi a prayer said by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh master, in the segment of prayers for the people.

Singh who was dressed in a suit and wore a dark turban, translated the invocation that was for unity, binding the common bonds of all and equality.

Expanding on it, he added prayers for the most vulnerable in society and for those who perform the dangerous and dirty jobs for the well being of all.

"Bless all whose lives closely linked with ours," he prayed.

Wearing a saffron shawl and religious markings on his forehead, Digalakote recited a 'shloka' or hymn to invoke divine blessings for those who govern, in the first part of the ceremony of prayers for leaders.

Unlike Singh, the Jewish rabbis and the Muslim imam, who provided translations of their prayers and religious texts, the priest of the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, a Washington suburb, walked away after his rote recitation, leaving the congregants without an idea of what the prayer was about.

Nicknamed the "White House Priest", Digalakote has participated in Deepavali celebrations at the White House under Barack Obama.

While most of the Christian prayers at the service were focused on Christianity, the Hindu and Sikh prayers were ecumenical, addressed to a common deity. For the first time for either the Democratic or Republican parties, a Sikh prayer was said at the opening of the second day's session at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last year.

Harmeet Dhillon, the Vice Chairperson of the California State Republican Party, opened the second night of the Republican National Convention by reciting the 'ardaas' or prayer. Trump has reached out to the American Hindu community, addressing a rally held by them last October, where he said he would be their friend in the White House.

After his election, Trump called out to the Hindus in the audience at a "Thank-You" rally in Florida. Trump's son Eric visited a Hindu temple in Orlando, Florida, in the final days before the November election and his wife, Lara, visited a temple in Chantilly, Virginia, to celebrate Deepavali.

IANS
Donald Trump greets Barack Obama:

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2017

The Obamas departure:

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump talk with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama during a departure ceremony on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.PTI

As Donald Trump waits to step out:

President-elect Donald Trump waits to step out onto the portico for his Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.PTI

Swearing-in Ceremony of the 45th US President:

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump and his family looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration.PTI

Trump before Presidential inauguration:

President-elect Donald Trump pumps his fist as he arrives for his Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.PTI

Donald trump inaugural address:

President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.PTI

Donald Trump signs first bill and actions as president:

President Donald Trump is joined by the Congressional leadership and his family as he formally signs his cabinet nominations into law, in the President's Room of the Senate, at the Capitol in Washington. PTI

Hundreds boo President Trump's motorcade:

The Presidential motorcade drives on Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol for the Inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington.PTI
Indian stakeholders optimistic about India-US ties after Trump takes over

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, Jan 21: With Donald Trump taking over the reins of the US, industry stakeholders in India and the government feel that the fears of protectionism and curbs on H1B visas will remain, but that the US will continue its financial and technological collaboration with India.

"We believe that US will continue to support global growth with financial and technological collaborations and investments," Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa told IANS.

"We hope to build strong relationship between two dynamic democracies for the mutual benefit of the two biggest economies for the well being and prosperity of its people," Lavasa added.

"The focus of the new regime in the US is clear and they will be looking inwards. Not much of globalisation is expected. They will have the preference and support to their own people which is natural. Indian Industries have to reinvent itself. Indian industries have to take the opportunity in terms of goods and services, investing in the US," Sunil Kanoria, President, Assocham and Vice Chairman Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited told IANS.

"Apprehensions over possible negative impact on India's IT industry is nothing but exaggeration. Indian IT professionals are known world over for their expertise in providing affordable IT products and solutions and the same has been acknowledged globally," D.S. Rawat, Secretary General of industry chamber Assocham, told IANS.

However, industry chamber Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said Indian industry is very optimistic about the incoming administration under President Trump and future of India-US relations under the incoming new US administration.

"The optimism about President Trump stems from the fact that he promises major tax cuts and reforms, which may instil the US back on a 3-4 per cent growth path, reviving not only the US economy but boosting the global economy," the chamber added.

State Bank of India chief economist Soumya Kanti Ghosh felt that the US will go for some sort of fiscal expansion - through increased infrastructure spending or tax cuts - which will lead to some capital outflow from India.

"If the US goes for fiscal expansion then countries like India will be at a disadvantage because there will be capital outflow from India," Ghosh told IANS.

"Protectionist trend is another thing that India is fearful about. It could harm the developing economies more than the developed economies. It could be a drag on the developing economies. Lower growth in India-US trade could be problematic for India," he added.

Ghosh, however, said the true impact of Trump becoming the 45th President of the US needs to be assessed after the initial 100 days as his policies unfold because the impact on India could be both positive and negative.

The worst fear is the effect on Indian IT industry in terms of curbs on H1B visas as promised by Trump. The stakeholders, however, felt that the issue has always been there and the apprehension could turn out to be an exaggeration.

"H1B visa is a bowl of contention. The issue is there for a long time. It is just getting more attention now because the US President has specifically mentioned it. But we should not give too much attention to it," Ghosh said.

R. Chandrashekhar, President, Nasscom, said the Indian IT industry looks forward to working with the Trump Administration and the new Congress on issues of great importance.

"Our members provide critical services to thousands of companies, government agencies, non-profits and others across America. Indian IT companies work with 75 per cent of the Fortune 500 firms and help meet the needs of US businesses for skilled IT solutions to innovate, open new markets and expand operations, and thereby create thousands of jobs for Americans," Chandrashekhar told IANS.

Indian IT firms have also significantly invested across the US. A survey found 84 of 100 Indian companies plan to invest in the US over the next five years, building on a presence in all the 50 states already.

"Contrary to some mis-perceptions and political rhetoric, the Indian IT sector has long contributed to the US economy in more ways than one. Besides making the US firms more efficient and competitive, the Indian IT industry has helped them develop new technologies and new products over the years, benefiting their customers and the American job growth," B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, former Chairman, Nasscom told IANS.

With the rhetoric of Trump fading into the past, Reddy said that the US administration would take a balanced approach to high-skilled visas and the contribution of India's IT sector to its economy.

Nidhi Goyal, Managing Director-Tax and Regulatory Affairs, Protiviti, told IANS: "Indians working abroad on H1B visa may not get extension to continue working in the US as its own citizens will be given preference over non-US citizens." Experts feel the equity markets will react strongly.

"President Trump's remark 'Buy American, Hire American' is extremely disturbing. Protectionist nationalism is bad for global economy, global trade and markets. Stock markets will view this negatively," V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas, told IANS.

IANS
Islamic State's 'hair-raising' warning against US President Donald Trump

International

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, Jan 21: During his swearing-in ceremony speech on Friday, the 45th US President Donald Trump sent a strong warning to the dreaded terrorist group--Islamic State. As a part of his 'top' foreign policy goal, Trump (70) wants to 'defeat' Islamic terrorism from its roots.

Minutes after the presidential address, several social media groups--having IS and al-Qaeda affiliations--decided to react to Trump's 'cautionary note'.

In fact, it was Rita Katz, executive director and founder of SITE Intelligence Group, a non-governmental counterterrorism organisation based in Maryland, US, who brought to notice about what these pro-terrorist groups had to say about Trump's 'warning'.

"Both the AQ and the IS supporters calling Trump's vow to eradicate Islamic terrorism as more fuel to the West's war against Islam," tweeted Katz.

She added that online supporters of terrorism stated that the IS was prepared to turn Trump's hair 'grey'.

The reaction from pro-IS and AQ groups indicate that terrorists want to give the new American president some tough time. However, they didn't reveal anything about their plans to cause worries to the Trump's administration.

Trump has always maintained a tough stand against Islamic terrorism. Earlier, he said that he would bomb the s**** out of the IS.

The IS, on its part looks desperate, after it has lost nearly a quarter of its territory in Iraq and Syria last year.

While the shrinking of the IS' primary territorial base is a good news, there is also a likelihood of rise in attacks in various European cities, orchestrated by the terrorist outfit.

Of late, the IS, on several occasions said that the group has plans to attack various European and American cities. The Paris and Nice attacks are examples of the IS' plans to kill people across the West.

According to figures, since the IS declared its plans to create its own Caliphate, the terrorist organisation has conducted and inspired more than 140 attacks in 29 countries, other than in Iraq and Syria. According to CNN, these attacks have claimed at least 2,043 lives.

OneIndia News
James Mattis resigns as US Defence Secretary; Cities differences with Trump as reason

Meet 'Mad Dog' James Mattis, the new US Defence Secretary

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Jan 21: James Mattis, US President Donald Trump's pick for Defence Secretary, was easily confirmed by the Senate on Friday.

In an overwhelming vote, Mattis became the first confirmed member of Trump's cabinet, hours after Trump was sworn in as the 45th US President, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, Trump signed a waiver legislation after his inauguration to clear a legal barrier for Mattis to take office.

Under the US law, a former service member is barred from running the Pentagon less than seven years after retirement from military. Mattis only retired in 2013 as the Commander of the US Central Command. Trump signed the measure to grant Mattis an one-time exception.

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-3 on January 12 to approve Mattis' nomination, moving the vote onto the Senate floor. The committee also easily passed a waiver exempting Mattis from the law that could prevent him from becoming the Pentagon chief.

At the hearing, Mattis took a clear anti-Russia stance during the hearing, describing Moscow as a "principle threat" to US security, a position notably different from Trump.

The United States should also check Russia's growing influence in the Arctic region, Mattis said.

Mattis also chose to distance from Trump on other key issues, including the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, which Trump said should shrink, and on the Iranian nuclear agreement, which Trump threatened to scrap.

IANS
Ukraine grain deal: UN says shipments are still going out

Rest of the world except Russia welcomes Donald Trump with caution

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Jan 21: Russian officials tweeted some of the most celebratory messages on Donald Trump's inauguration, as world leaders and people around the globe reacted to his taking over as the 45th US President.

There were celebrations at some places, while many others took over the streets and spoke of uncertainties, fears and their disgust for US' new leader.

Russians by far were the most effusive in their welcome of the new US Commander in chief, with one senator calling January 20 "a defining moment in history".

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a Facebook post: "In a world of many things can happen, except one: President Obama can't say anything anymore about Russia."

There were reports of Russians partying on Friday night to celebrate Trump - and what they see as the start of a new, friendlier era with the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration in comments broadcast on Saturday, but warned that differences will remain.

A Women's March in Brussels, Belgium, triggered criticism of Trump's offensive comments about women and alleged cases of sexual harassment.

Katrine Steinfeld, a Norwegian-Hungarian who works for gender equality, said she fears that Trump's election as the President of the US will legitimise the ill treatment of women.

"His behaviour creates legitimacy for attitudes that is not appropriate and that is a threat for women," she said.

Cuba's state media paid little attention to the inauguration. Granma, the official communist party newspaper, on Friday ran articles on birth statistics, a new and experimental strain of cigar tobacco, but made no mention of Trump's swearing-in.

During the presidential campaign, Trump pledged to reverse Obama's policies on Cuba if Havana did not make concessions on human rights and religious freedom.

China watched one of its toughest critics assume the presidency, marking the start of what could be a more contentious bilateral relationship between the world's two largest economies.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, before the inauguration, stressed on constructive relations between the two countries to "propel further development of China-US ties at a new staring point".

"We would like to join hands with the new US administration to uphold the principles of non-confrontation, non-conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," CNN quoted Chunying as saying on Friday.

During his inauguration address, Trump took a populist tone, saying: "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs."

Though he did not mention China by name, the Republican President vowed to be tougher on the country by renegotiating trade agreements and has even proposed imposing tariffs on Chinese imports.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated Trump on Twitter, in a move likely to draw objections from Beijing, which is already angry with a protocol-breaking phone call a month ago between the two leaders.

"Congratulations Trump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship and partnership," Tsai tweeted.

The new President received a warm congratulations from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Looking forward to working with President Trump to further deepen India-US ties and realise the full potential of our cooperation," Modi tweeted.

Mukherjee in a tweet said India looked forward to an early "opportunity of welcoming the President and First Lady Melania Trump".

In the Iranian capital city of Tehran, there was little love for the 45th President at the Grand Mosalla, a complex of religious halls and other facilities, as people gathered for their usual Friday prayers, according to CNN.

Instead, people ripped the US for its policies towards Iran and its role in Syria.

The main topic on the minds of many of the people present was the future of the nuclear agreement between Iran, the US and other world powers in July 2015.

Trump has called the agreement a bad deal, and said he wanted to renegotiate it.

Even before Trump's inauguration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent him a welcome tweet.

"Congrats to my friend Trump. Look forward to working closely with you to make the alliance between Israel and the US stronger than ever."

Netanyahu had earlier made it clear that he was ready to work with Trump, especially as the relationship with former President Barack Obama deteriorated rapidly in its final weeks.

Israeli leaders are already expecting Trump to follow through on one of his biggest campaign promises -- to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

A woman in Japan's Tokyo held a sign supporting Obama during a Friday

march organised by Democrats Abroad of Japan.

Hundreds of people -- mostly American expatriates, but also a few Japanese citizens -- marched in Tokyo to highlight the need to fight for women rights as well as immigration policies.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe extended his "heartfelt congratulations" to the new President.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto congratulated the new leader and expressed a desire to strengthen the relationship between the countries.

But Former President Vicente Fox, an outspoken critic of Trump's pledge to have Mexico pay for a border wall, kept up his long-running taunting of Trump.

"Speaking of allegiance, Trump? Speaking of greatness? America was already great and succesful, then you happened," Fox tweeted.

Carrying signs that said "Make America human again" and "Love trumps hate," protesters in Mexico City chanted "Get out Trump".

Palestinian leaders offered few statements after the inauguration, but their primary concern echoed the mood on the streets as thousands on Thursday demonstrated across the West Bank, protesting the potential move of the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Demonstrators held up pictures of Trump and waved Palestinian flags.

The new US President drew a message of congratulations from Britain's Foreign Minister.

"Congratulations to Trump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK-US bond," Boris Johnson tweeted.

Pope Francis in the Vatican City prayed for the new leader, the pontiff told Trump in a letter on Friday.

"...I offer you my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that almighty god will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office," the Pope wrote.

In Germany, Trump's criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as German trade and the European Union, has caused alarm among officials.

"This day really marks a celebration of American democracy and usually people here look at Washington with admiration, but I think this time it's different," said Niels Annen, foreign affairs spokesman for the center-left SPD party, a coalition partner in the government.

Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement congratulating Trump.

IANS
The Montana Department of Justice spoke in opposition to all three privacy-related bills introduced to the House Judiciary Committee on Friday, stating the laws would make it difficult and in some cases impossible for the agency to do its job.

Rep. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, introduced the legislation and acknowledged he was willing to amend the bills and work with the committee and opponents to find a compromise.

House Bill 147 would require a search warrant before the government could access any electronic device with the exception of voluntary consent or an emergency situation. Riley v. California, a U.S. Supreme Court case, affirmed that law enforcement cant search cell phones without a warrant, but Zolnikov said he introduced the bill to include other devices such as a fitbit or smart watch.

The bill received support from the ACLU but was opposed by the Department of Justice and Mark Murphy from the Montana County Attorneys Association.

Assistant Attorney General Chad Parker said the bill would require the use of search warrants and would keep law enforcement from using investigative subpoenas. He said the bill does nothing to protect a persons privacy.

A search warrant is the most invasive way of searching an object or place, Parker said.

SK Rossi, director of advocacy and public policy at the ACLU, said the subpoena process puts the burden on a person or a third party to explain why the government shouldnt have access to information, but a warrant puts that responsibility on the government.

Dwayne Williams, administrator for the Motor Carrier Services Division, said an electronic device to track drivers' hours will be tied to the engine of all commercial vehicles by December. When a truck is undergoing a safety inspection, they must turn over their logs. Williams said a search warrant requirement could complicate the process. If they dont comply, Williams said the state could lose federal grants.

While the logs could still be turned over voluntarily without a search warrant, Zolnikov said he was open to an amendment to exempt commercial vehicles with a device to track hours.

At the end of lengthy testimony and committee questions, Zolnikov said the concerns of opponents didnt relate to his bill for the most part, and urged the committee to pass the legislation to help Montanans understand their privacy rights.

There is no clearly articulated standard that can be identified, he said. Our job is to clarify and make sure the Constitution is being followed, which is what Im trying to do with this legislation.

House Bill 148 would require the government to get a search warrant in order to obtain communications from a third party provider like Verizon or Gmail. The bill would also allow the government to delay notifying a customer under investigation for up to a year. A court is to grant that delay if they have reason to believe the person is a flight risk, would destroy evidence, would intimidate a victim or witness or would jeopardize the investigation. The bill has a provision to allow law enforcement to further delay notification. Zolnikov said he was willing to alter the length of time the government could delay notification if the committee felt strongly about it.

The bill requires customers to be notified that their information was obtained by the government after the delay period.

If information was obtained and there was an investigation going on about me, information would be obtained through a third party, so I would never know it, Zolnikov said.

The representative presented his last bill, House Bill 149, which would prevent the government from using license plate scanners, which are often secured to bridges, stop lights and parking areas. Zolnikov said the cameras take pictures of license plates and the people inside the vehicles. He said the DEA has been keeping track of this information without notifying the public and without limits on how long it can store the data.

Brian Lockerby, division administrator of Criminal Investigation for the DOJ, said the scanners are important in tracking criminals, especially in an amber alert situation.

When a child is abducted or grandchild or someone you represent, youre going to want us to use every tool available to find that person because seconds and minutes matter, he said.

Zolnikov said he understands that law enforcement uses the scanners to catch criminals and expected to work with them to amend the bill.
Trump's twitter account gets more than five million followers

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Jan 20: Within few hours of Donald Trump becoming the 45th President of the United States, his official presidential twitter account attracted more than five million followers. As of today afternoon, the 45th President of the United States was not following anyone and had only one tweet in his account. In his maiden tweet, Trump gave Facebook link of his live inaugural speech.

Till early this morning, the official twitter account of the President of the United States was handled by Barack Obama, who passed on the baton to Trump exactly at noon. All the tweets of Obama in his capacity as the US President has now been archived under a new account @POTUS44. At the time of archiving, Obama's official twitter account had 13.9 million followers.

This is far less than the 80.9 million followers on his personal account. POTUS44 account is now being maintained by National Archives and Records Administration. The brief introduction of Trump on his official twitter account says that 45th President of the United States is "working on behalf of the American people to make our country great again." Tweets may be archived, it says.

Trump, of late has generated lots of news and controversies from the series of tweets he writes every day, and mostly early in the morning. His personal twitter account @realdonaldtrump has 20.7 million followers. He has written 34,300 tweets after joining this social media in March 2009. On his personal account, he follows 42 accounts mostly those of his family members, Trump organisations, a few journalist and Republican leaders.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who joined the micro blogging site in January 2009 -- less than three months before Trump  has 26.5 million followers. He has tweeted  13,800 times -- far less than that of Trump. The twitter account of the Prime Minister of India has 15.6 million followers and has 13,700 tweets.

PTI
Trump to eliminate Obama's Climate Action Plan: White House website

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Jan 21: Shortly after US President Donald Trump was sworn into office on Friday, the newly updated White House website said the new administration will eliminate the Climate Action Plan, the centrepiece of former President Barack Obama's climate legacy that aims to cut carbon emissions from power plants.

"For too long, we've been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry," the website said in a page titled "An America First Energy Plan", Xinhua news agency reported.

"President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the US rule." It claimed that lifting these restrictions will "greatly help American workers, increasing wages by more than $30 billion over the next seven years."

The rest of the webpage did not mention climate change any more. Trump has called climate change a "hoax" and has threatened to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement that took effect last year.

Trump's energy plan said that the US has "vast untapped domestic energy reserves" valued at $50 trillion in total, and that the country "must take advantage of "the revenues from energy production to rebuild our roads, schools, bridges and public infrastructure."

The plan also vowed to revive America's coal industry. In addition, the Trump administration pledged to work with the country's Gulf allies to develop "a positive energy relationship" as part of its anti-terrorism strategy, it said.

The new-look White House website carried a set of policy pledges that offered the broad contours of the Trump administration's top priorities. The list includes fierce support for law enforcement bordering on vigilantism and the notable absence of any directives involving President Obama's Affordable Care Act, said the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Our job is not to make life more comfortable for the rioter, the looter, or the violent disrupter," reads the law and order section, which calls for "more law enforcement" and "more effective policing". "Our job is to make life more comfortable for parents who want their kids to be able to walk the streets safely. Or the senior citizen waiting for a bus. Or the young child walking home from school," it reads.

The issues page of Trump's White House website offers no new plans or policies but rather a rehash of many of his most prominent campaign promises -- a signal to the nation that Trump, more pragmatic than ideological, plans to implement at least the key guideposts of his campaign vision, says SMH.

His policies include plans to both withdraw from and renegotiate major trade deals, grow the nation's military and increase cyber-security capabilities, build a wall at the nation's southern border and deport undocumented immigrants who have committed violent crimes.

IANS
US: Oval Office gets a makeover, courtesy Donald Trump

International

oi-PTI

Washington, Jan 21: US President Donald Trump has given a makeover to the Oval Office within hours of moving in to the White House as he reinstalled a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and introduced some other changes.

The bust was removed to outside the Treaty Room in the private residence of the White House from the Oval Office in 2009 under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama. The move had sparked conservative ire early in Obama's administration.

Trump, however, has retained the bust of Martin Luther King Jr, brought to the Oval Office by Obama. This was one of the most notable changes as a group of White House pool reporters entered the Oval Office for Trump to make his first few signatures on documents and an executive order.

New White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tweeted a picture of the bust of Martin Luther King Jr after some media reports and a White House pool report incorrectly mentioned that it has been removed.

The report was quickly corrected. "(This is) a reminder of the media danger of tweet first check facts later," Spicer tweeted. Inside the Oval Office, Trump is also using the famous Resolute desk, an 1,880 gift from Queen Victoria and first used in the Oval by John F Kennedy.

It is now being used by its Seventh President. According to a White House pool report, the drapes in the Oval Office have been replaced. This morning they were crimson. Now they are gold. Additionally, a bust of Teddy Roosevelt is in one of the bookshelves.

Some of the artwork have also been swapped. According to a CNN report, some paintings have also been replaced by Trump, including two by the door by Edward Hopper.

Trump has held onto "The Avenue in the Rain," by the American impressionist Childe Hassam, from Obama's Oval Office, and the back wall still hangs a painting of George Washington above the fireplace. The Swedish Ivy on the mantlepiece is also retained, the news channel said.

Notably, there was a lot of flake for Obama when he replaced bust of Churchill with that of Martin Luther King Jr.

"There are only so many tables where you can put busts - otherwise it starts looking a little cluttered," Obama had said at London news conference last April.

"And I thought it was appropriate, and I suspect most people here in the United Kingdom might agree, that as the first African American President, it might be appropriate to have a bust of Dr Martin Luther King in my office to remind me of all the hard work of a lot of people who would somehow allow me to have the privilege of holding this office," he had said then.

PTI
Women to protest against Donald Trump's agenda

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Jan 21: A day after Donald Trump's inauguration, tens of thousands of women are to descend on Washington for the Women's March to protest his agenda and rhetoric and demand their voices be heard by the new administration.

Buses and planes of protesters arrived in the nation's capital on Friday night and on Saturday morning. The Women's March on Washington features speakers, celebrity appearances and a protest walk along the National Mall.

On Friday, planeloads of women, many toting signs or wearing "pussy hats" (meant to recall - and reclaim - the infamous x-rated reference in Trump's videotaped brag about being able to grab women by their genitals without their consent) flooded into the nation's capitol in preparation for the festivities, reported vox.com.

The women participating have plenty to complain about - from his admitted sexual misconduct, to the many sexual assault allegations against him that he's denied, to the serious threats to women's health and reproductive rights that experts expect based on his threatened defunding of Planned Parenthood and appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices, said vox.

Some of the protesters see the march as a sharp repudiation of Trump's history of offensive and misogynistic comments before he entered presidential politics. Several hundred marches are planned around the US and world.

One Friday night in Brussels women gathered with candles for a "Lights for Rights" rally to show opposition to Trump. The march comes a day after the nation's capital was rocked by violent protests against Trump, with activists smashing windows, setting vehicles on fire and fighting with police.

Leaders and activists from hundreds of left-leaning groups are joining the march, including the NAACP, Planned Parenthood, the American Federation of Teachers, as well as pro-immigrant and pro-environment groups. The march has also drawn thousands of women from different backgrounds who simply hope to show their solidarity against Trump.

IANS
Worldwide protest rallies against Donald Trump

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

Washington, Jan 21: Protesters in the US and around the world joined marches on Saturday to raise awareness of women's rights and other civil rights they fear could be under threat under Donald Trump's presidency.

The key focus of the day was the Women's March on Washington, which organisers said could attract a quarter of a million participants, CNN reported. But there were also hundreds of "sister marches" planned around the US, with some of the biggest expected in Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

And women and men in cities around the world -- including Sydney, Berlin, London, Paris and Cape Town, South Africa -- are also marching in solidarity and in opposition to the values they think Trump represents. Chants from the crowd included "women united will never be defeated" and "when women's rights are under attack, what do we do, stand up, fight back." Some carried banners with messages such as "Girl Power vs. Trump Tower" and "Dump the Trump."

A group of about 30 Trump supporters also held a rally in Sydney. The police restrained some of them, blocking them from entering the same area as the anti-Trump protest group. Marchers in Cape Town carried banners with slogans such as "climate change is a women's issue" and "so over mediocre men running things." Other African nations to stage women's march events included Ghana and Malawi.

Big crowds turned out on Saturday in dozens of cities across Europe, with marchers including men, women and children. Protesters who gathered outside one of Rome's most famous structures, the Pantheon, carried signs such as "Yes we must" and "Women's rights are human rights."

Demonstrators also took to the streets of Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and other cities in Germany. Katy Rea, who was at the march in Berlin, told CNN: "There are around 1,000 people. Lots of families, children. Very friendly atmosphere. Some police are present, but it's tame and relaxed."

Marches were also planned in cities up and down Britain, from London to Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. In London, large crowds joined a march starting outside the US Embassy and ending with a rally in the city's historic Trafalgar Square. Women's rights were not the only issue on the agenda, with placards also bearing slogans to do with Brexit, nuclear weapons, workers' rights and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan -- who before the US presidential election told CNN that Trump's views of Islam were "ignorant" -- posted a tweet encouraging Londoners to join the march and "show how much we value the rights every woman should have." In Paris, demonstrators gathered near the iconic Eiffel Tower before marching through the streets waving flags and banners.

Protesters in Barcelona, Spain, chanted "we will not be silent" and "my body, my choice" as they marched. On Friday night, a crowd of predominantly female protesters gathered in Brussels, Belgium, to denounce sexism and protest against Trump. The Women's March on Washington comes on the heels of a slew of protests there on Inauguration Day.

The march, which began with a modest Facebook call in the aftermath of the November election, has grown into what could be one of the larger political demonstrations ever seen in the US capital, CNN said.

Many of those taking part are concerned about Trump's agenda, his past remarks that appeared to demean women and allegations against him of sexual misconduct -- which he has denied.

IANS
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BILLINGS -- In his last week at the helm of Montana State University Billings, Chancellor Mark Nook said that the school's handling of challenges, particularly with the budget, will set his successor up on solid footing.

Nook will take over as president of the University of Northern Iowa starting Feb. 1, after nearly three years at MSUB. His tenure was punctuated by looming budget cuts that began shortly after he stepped on campus.

"It was clear the enrollments had been down, and so the budget's going to be impacted by that," Nook said Wednesday. "And I think part of it is the way that I work, that I wasn't going to come in and say, 'This is what we're going to cut.'"

Nook was hired after an academic year that saw a $900,000 budget deficit. That fall, he and other administrators began building a biennial budget that included $4.4 million in cuts.

Enrollment at the university dropped 19 percent from 2006 to 2016.

In response, Nook preached not only recruitment but a focus on retention, a word he repeated throughout. While still implementing cuts this year, the current budget calls for a $760,000 transfer into those programs.

With a master's degree in astrophysics and a Ph.D. in astronomy, Nook said he tried to instill a data-driven approach to budgetary challenges.

During that time, Nook said that he approached the situation by being open about the issue at hand before moving forward. As a result, he said Billings has become a bigger supporter.

"Our relationships with the public, the community, have tightened," he said. "We've really reached out to our business partners and our community partners, the social organizations around town."

The most recent data from last fall showed a slight increase in freshman retention.

The future of MSUB

While enrollment was down again last fall, MSUB is looking to turn the corner with some new initiatives. Last year, the Montana University System Board of Regents approved an RN to BSN program for nursing students at City College to complete a four-year degree at the main campus.

There's also a renewed marketing and outreach effort for the Yellowstone Science and Allied Health Building. Its construction is predicated on raising $5 million to match $10 million approved by the Montana Legislature four years ago.

Since that approval, fundraising has stalled and the project price tag continues to increase. The MSUB Foundation, headed by Bill Kennedy, is handling that effort.

University administrators have pointed to the building project as a boon to MSUB's image and academic offerings. But the effort has been overseen by many people.

MSUB has had three chancellors since 2010. Ron Larsen, most recently an associate provost at Montana State University in Bozeman, will assume the interim chancellor role next week.

As classes resumed for the spring semester Wednesday, Larsen was meeting with Nook and Provost Robert Hoar. University Relations Director Aaron Clingingsmith said the process is going smoothly.

Looking forward to seeing how Ron (Larsen) makes that transition and moves into the chancellor role, he said.

In addition to turnover at the top of MSUB, there have been three provosts since 2011 and three MSUB Foundation presidents since 2013.

While enrollment declines have been a symptom at the school, some have pointed to the Montana University System structure as a cause.

It's set up so that all universities are tiered beneath the two flagships: The University of Montana in Missoula and MSU in Bozeman. MSUB reports to the Bozeman campus in the chain of command.

One idea has been to release MSUB from that role to give it more autonomy.

To this notion, Nook said he's worked in three university systems, and all structures bring challenges. He said the formation and approval of the RN to BSN program was accomplished in part by working "closely" with MSU President Waded Cruzado.

I dont neccessarily see that its problematic with the structure that Montana has," Nook said. "I think it's really important that people embrace whatever the structure is going to be and figure out how to make that really work for the entire health of higher education in the state of Montana.

Moving forward, a committee will form to identify candidates for the next permanent chancellor. That process will involve officials from both MSU and MSUB.

Nook said he'll leave it to the next chancellor to outline a plan for the university, but he expects his retention goal of 65 percent of students by 2019 to stick around.

I think this is just a really great opportunity for someone to take an institution that has probably hit the bottom of its enrollment and is going to start to grow again," he said. "And a community that is ready to help it grow and move in the right direction.
KETCHEM, Kacie M., age 24, passed away December 14, 2016. Services celebrating the life of Kacie Mae Ketchum will be 1:00 p.m., Sunday, January 22, 2017 at Liberty Baptist Church, 210 Sierra Road West, Helena, MT. Because of Kacie's love of animals, we ask that in lieu of flowers that you please make donations to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Kacie.

MALENSEK, Camille, age 91 of East Helena, passed away January 13, 2017. A Funeral Liturgy will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 23rd at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. 6th Ave., with a reception to immediately follow the service at the Funeral Home. Burial will follow the reception at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. Memorials in Camilles name may be sent to St. Peters Cancer Treatment Center c/o St. Peters Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601, Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Algeria Shrine Temple, PO Box 4879, Helena, MT 59604 or Hospice of St. Peters Hospital c/o St. Peters Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Camille.
by  Graham Pierrepoint



January 20th, 2017 will be a day that goes down in history for a variety of reasons, and most of those will likely be as a result of Donald Trump, the former Apprentice guru and real estate mogul, becoming the 45th President of the United States of America. Trumps Inauguration Day was one which was apparently marked by less crowds than some may have seen on previous inaugurations, but the new Presidents words were followed and dissected by people from all over the world. His first speech was characteristically bombastic and echoed moments from his controversial campaign trail  with many who watched his speech remarking that the new Commander in Chief had spoken in a very nationalistic manner, while he chided politicians of old for their alleged mistreatment of parts of US culture and its citizens. Its a speech that, again, divided many, but perhaps surprised even less.

The new Presidents first act, it would appear, is to re-evaluate and re-organise the way that administration looks at energy and climate change  as the White House website was emblazoned with a post from Trump that explained how he wished to cut burdensome regulations on our energy industry, and to remove harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the US rule. The Climate Action Plan was initially set up during Barack Obamas tenure in 2013, acting as a plan for tackling the US responsibilities on curbing harmful emissions and the countrys contribution to environmental damage. Out with the old, and in the with the new  and it certainly seems that Trump is keen to remove a number of Obamas landmark policies as soon as possible. The announcement that he intends to repeal such acts will likely not go down well with those actively campaigning to ensure that the environment is better protected  and possibly even by nations more closely invested in action plans. However, it will remain to be seen exactly how Trump intends to re-evaluate and re-organise the US energy strategy.

Trumps environmental policy, however, is clearly documented  that he intends to ensure that clean air and water must be protected, and that conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how the new President will roll out a changeover in energy and climate policy  another reason among many why the next four years will likely be spent with the world watching to see what America intends to do next.
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I'm scared

Dear Mr. Trump,

Speaking as a well-educated mother, wife and teacher- Im scared. Im scared of what you represent in our country. Im scared of your promises, because they do not embody what I feel makes our country so great. Im scared that people are using your election as an excuse to spew hate- because your words and actions have shown them that it is okay. Im scared about how your decisions will affect the many students I teach and love. My children and students minds are so impressionable at this age that I pray you set a good example and keep their well-being in mindIm scared you wont. Im scared for my fellow Americans who feel threatened by you because they are not in your definition of American.

Even though Im scared, I will pray for you. Ill pray that you make decisions for our country with all of us in mind, not just the top percent. I pray that my fears will be replaced with respect for you. Ill pray for your success, because our country depends on it. Ill pray Im wrong about you-but until you show me otherwise Ill continue to be scared.

 Katie Peaslee, Butte

Montanans beside you

Dear President Trump,

I want to wish you all the best. We know Obama left you a mess but we Montanans will be beside you. God bless you and your family.

 Candace George, Billings

Praying for you

Dear President Elect Donald Trump,

I want you to know that while I didn't vote for you (I voted for your Vice President as a write-in candidate), I will support you as the President of OUR United States. I emphasize 'our' because you now represent all American citizens, as a nation, in dealings with the world.

I will be praying for you and all those whom you choose to help lead and administrate our Country. My prayer is that all of you do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I also pray that if errors or mistakes are made by you or members of your administration, that they are openly admitted and resolved in a transparent manner. As a Christian, I know no one is perfect and forgiveness is offered to all those who honestly ask. Please do all you can to refrain from party politics in your decision making and truly look out for the interests of all the citizens of this nation, regardless of creed, color or nationality. Make decisions as if they will be the last you make before you pass from this world and meet your maker. Never forget you are loved simply because God created you as He created all of us. We are all equal before God and will, someday, be held accountable for the love we have shown our fellow man. And as I will pray for you, your family and your administration, I also request that you pray for me and my family. May the Lord bless you and bless your presidential leadership and administrative team at all levels of government. Thank you for this opportunity not only to write to you but to advise that I will be praying for you.

 Dan Morgan, Missoula

Fix welfare

Please get these people off welfare make them work and get drug screened. More financial help for daycare assistance for the working class people and the elderly. Food stamps should only buy veggies, dairy, some meats not junk food and steak. We believe in you Donald Trump.

 Sonya Hance, Glendive

Den of thieves

And he taught, saying to them:

"... My house shall be called the house of prayer to all nations ... But you have made it a den of thieves."

 John O'Brien, Butte

Wishing you well

Dear Honorable President Elect Trump,

Thank you so much for continuing on through the mud and muck of Liberal bombardment of their toxic road block attempts to smear your attempt to make America Great Again. Like myself and many other millions that not blindly voted you in, wish you well in your term(s) to come. While draining the swamps of our current crooked government best wishes on making our country No.#1 again.

 Leonard Rawson, Butte

We trust you

Dear Mr. Trump,

Congratulations on winning the bid to be our next president of United States. There is no greater responsibility for any one individual then the task ahead of you. We trust you and look forward to watching you make America great again in the years to come. God bless you and God bless the United States of America.

 Brian Burns, Lolo

Not my president

When you mocked the disabled reporter I was watching. When you boasted about grabbing women by the -----, I was listening. When you boasted that you "know more than the Generals" I shook my head in disgust. When you dishonored John McCain and the Gold Star parents I thought you couldn't sink any lower. And now that you continue your lies and backtrack on promise after promise that you used to suck in the hopeless and uninformed, with Putin patting you on the back, I can only hope for impeachment. #notmypresident

 Janet Sharin, Billings

Keep it up

Keep doing what you are doing. As far as Russia goes, "Keep your friends close keep your enemies closer."

 Reba Sept, Circle

You are a usurper

Mr. Trump,

You are not my president, you are a usurper that was able to obtain the presidency through the help of Putin. You do not represent my country, your beliefs and values undermine everything that America stands for. I will spend the next four years living my life, raising my family. Hopefully you will not cause too much damage to our country.

P.S. This is as polite as you'll get from me.

 Lori Silk, Butte

Congratulations

Congratulations on your victory. We hope that you will be able to fulfill most of your campaign promises. We are realistic enough to know you can not fulfill all of them but at least we are headed in the right direction.

 Patricia Barringer, Whitehall

With you from the start

Dear President-elect Trump,

This opportunity to contact you is provided by the Helena Independent Record. I decided to take advantage of the opportunity because at age 84 I am struggling with learning to Tweet!

I have been strongly with you from the startthe only other candidate I encouraged was Dr. Ben Carson because I felt secure in the fact that he would have an impressive handle on how to handle Obamacare and I continue to feel he can be very helpful in this effort.

We should be very thankful that you won the election with considerably less expenditure than your opponents. For years I have been appalled at the unbridled spending on political electionsmoney which otherwise could be used more effectively to assist those in needincluding the poor, the veterans, the elderly and the list can go on and on. We need to get out of the big money winning elections and base our choices on the unfettered ability to make choices and lead.

I have continued to be amazed at your stamina, drive and knowledge of much of what is necessary to know. And I am impressed with your ability to understand the plight of the American people. This Im certain comes from your intent listening to their cries for help. I have prayed to God to provide you with the Wisdom and the Words to do the big job you have ahead. You seem to have the same attitude that my father hada vacation is what you take when you cant take what you have been taking. Work hard when youre working and play hard when youre playing. A short three-day break can and will work wonders.

Good luck with your presidency and effective leadership.

Sincerely,

 Robert E. Wynia M.D.

Consult with experts

Mr. Trump:

If you must Tweet, please consult with experts and Think before doing so. Do not rely on Ideologues for your sources of information. Talk to Americans like an adult. Do everything to prevent a backslide in America e.g. insure: health care for all; respect for each individual regardless of gender, origin, or religion; and income security for all who have contributed throughout their lives to Social Security.

 Dianna Porter, Butte

Something to be proud of

Thank you for giving so much of your personal life to save our country. You and the people you are bringing in will give us the people of the United States a better life something to be proud of again. You sir are the person we all have been waiting for God Bless you and your family.

 Katherine Ishmael, Park City

Remember retired seniors

Dear President elect,

I implore you to consider all of us retired seniors and cancer survivors not to reduce or eliminate our critically needed Medicare and Medicaid services! Our sustained quality of life would no longer exist with cuts in our current levels of benefit!

I also beg you to consider the 20 million beneficiaries of the current A.C.A. and to not eliminate the desperately needed benefits they currently receive. If you and the GOP can improve on the current A.C.A. by all means do so....but please do not simply get rid of it without improvement for those whose lives are critically dependent on it!

I hope you will honor the promises to made in regard to the above issues. Don't forget about the most vulnerable, through no vault of their own. Best of luck, you are taking on the most difficult task in the entire world! I hope you are up for it Mr. President elect!

 Richard Torkildson, Clancy

Not now, not ever

The spawn of your thoughts is hate. Here is but one consequence: "Richard Spencer gains notoriety for white nationalism, aims to grow movement." You, Mr. Trump, will never be my president. Not now. Not ever.

 Tim Horan, Helena

Make it simple

I have been a rancher for 60 years. When you do your income tax reform make it simple. If you want to stimulate small businesses and agriculture eliminate the inheritance tax. We spend a large share of our income on lawyers, accountants, and then the next years the rules are changed and process starts all over again. In 1960 our income taxes were about four pages. There are so many today I haven't counted them.

Please eliminate the "The Waters of the USA", without water rights we will be out of business.

 Don Burnham, Helena

Proud to vote for you

I am glad to say I voted and prayed you would be our next president . Our town is very depressed and would like to see some job growth, any help to bring jobs to Butte. I am also hoping to get some tax breaks on income tax. I live on fixed income and pay way too many taxes.

God bless and proud to say I voted for you.

 Janis Quam, Butte

Voice of morality

Thank you for all your efforts, willingness and sacrifices you have made and will give and make in the future for our country and citizens. I think the country may be able to hear the voice of the non socialist now!!!

Please look after voice of morality, put God back in to our schools, legislation and states' powers please as best you can. Please allow things like Vidangel to exist and let real freedoms be our choice in morality in as much as you can. Thank you again for your service.

 Rise Cooley, Whitehall

Integrity, honesty, transparency

Mr. President,

It will take an administration of integrity, honesty and transparency to regain the trust of our nation.

I look forward to an administration that operates within the bounds of our Constitution. My priorities include, but are not limited to a Justice Department that enforces the law as it is presently written, a Department of Defense that is funded, equipped and trained to fight and win if/when called on. Our homeland defense should be empowered to enforce the law and protect our borders. Environmental protection needs to be restructured and refocused to serve the needs of the people while protecting our environment. The VA needs a serious shakeup, it does not exist to serve itself, but rather to serve our veterans.

You are our president, make those changes happen that you promised in your campaign --- we have your six!

 Tim Roberts, Helena

Outlaw Super PACs

President Trump,

In this election, you and Bernie Sanders proved that it is not necessary to take huge contributions (bribes) from special interests in order to run viable national campaigns. Please work to outlaw super PACS and huge contributions from all sources so that once again "We, the People" will not be "outshouted" by big money special interests.

 Bob Balhiser, Helena

Last but not least ...

Show us your tax returns, divest yourself completely of your business interests, do not appoint any Goldman Sachs billionaires to your cabinet, get your intelligence briefings and believe them, disavow the white supremacists who cheered your election, keep the ACA, don't defund Planned Parenthood, accept the reality of climate change and work to save out planet while there is still time, appoint a moderate to the Supreme Court, increase taxes on the ultra wealthy, keep Dodd-Frank, and last but not least, stop tweeting.

 Patricia Christian, Helena

Prove us wrong

Mr. Trump,

As one of the 65 million-plus Americans who voted against you, I would like to convey this message to you: PROVE US WRONG! Prove that you actually hold your office in esteem, enough to stop embarrassing our nation with your uneducated and careless tweets. Prove that you ran for office for America instead of yourself by disentangling yourself from all of your international, personal, family and US business enterprises. Prove that you are a loyal patriot by cutting your ties with foreign enemies and organized crime. Prove that you care about the precious natural treasures we have in Montana including two national parks, a multitude of state and county parks, clean air and water, and access for all to our public lands. Prove that you value our lives by giving all of us, even our poorest residents access to health care. Prove that you value education by adequately funding public schools and colleges to assure that our children have a promising future. And prove that you understand the importance of our role in the world by learning your job and taking it seriously.

 Colleen Grass, Helena

May your steps be guided

Dear President Trump,

As you walk down the streets of America, to the halls of the White House, In our Republic of The United States, with the Constitution in hand, may your steps be guided by the Holy Spirit of the great God. For the fight of evil vs. good, will be contained, in the truth, as you submit that fact to the nation. The light you bring can not fail, in trust and truth. May God bless you on your journey, with protection of its people. Thank you for this opportunity for speaking.

 Cleo Violette, Anaconda

Take care of poor

Take care of the nation's poor. That may be the only way to redeem your soul.

 David Ferguson, Butte

Keep Affordable Care Act

I am 64 years old with three different types of arthritis and degenerative disease in my spine. I have worked for 40 years and was able to retire in 2015. I could no longer give 110% to my job so decided it would be best for them and me if I retired.

ACA and the supplement I get has helped me to be able to afford my medications and therapy so I can stay at home and be productive and take care of myself. I ask that ACA is not repealed before something better can be implemented at the same time.

I did not vote for you and do not agree with a lot of the things that you have said, but I am praying for you and your presidency, that you will be able to do all the things you talked about and that you will be healthy and happy in this role. I want you to do a great job and to be successful because when you are successful, the country is. Thank you for your time and God Bless.

 Marjorie Gilbert, Helena

Stop demeaning others

Please, please, please stop the demeaning statements about others. You are now the President. Time to take the high road when you are criticized. It comes with the territory and handling it with grace would do a lot to increase your credibility. Concentrate on your plans and listen to both your supporters and opponents so that the best decisions can be made for our country.

 Carolyn Boyd, Bozeman

Temps fall, stocks rise

THANK YOU for putting your personal interests, family, and financial empire on hold to lead this nation. I am one of the Thankful ones, half of the nation are the unthankful ones! I wish you the best of success!

PS---It is COLD here in Montana this winter and it is my belief that now that you are President the temperatures will fall and the stock prices will rise!

Another thing I noticed here was that this year everyone said Merry Christmas in the stores. It brought me back to Christmases past.

 Rebecca Spencer, Billings

Ecstatic that you won

Dear Mr. President Trump,

My family is ecstatic that your are our new President, we are so looking forward to the Jobs you are bringing back to America. We pray Godly guidence and protection for you in your new adventure of being America's Great Leader!

God Bless and Keep you President Trump.

 Kathy and Terry Everhard, Helena

Concern for country

I find it hard to believe that I am really doing this but I feel I must share some of my thoughts and my deep concern.

Donald, I have been on this planet longer than you and this is the first time I am experiencing concern and high anxiety about the security of our country and the world conditions. I hope you are able to resolve some of the conflicts you are and will face as you move forward. I sincerely hope you find it in yourself to begin to put the interest of our country and your supporters first and to recognize that all events are not directed toward you personally. I am personally offended when I am told I am stupid for believing that Russia hacked us. I am not opposed to a productive relationship with them, but like dealing with children or pets we must show them what is appropriate and what limits we expect.

I pray that God will protect us and that you will recognize what is best for those who voted for you and what will make our country strong, safe and secure.

 JoAnn Cote, Missoula
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How can you tell? Charles Hugh Smith has a good take on getting to the question and it just isn't that simple, or is it? He sheds a perspective on what many refer to as the "Shadow Government or "Hidden Hand" and other attempts to place blame. There has been a coup of representative government here in the US with reverberating effects across the globe on citizens' Treasure, Commons and Inalienable Rights.



Deep State Rising: The Mainstreaming of the Shadow Government ...

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Krugman is a vocal neo liberal, the CIA is vocally neocon: two sides of the same coin .

This leaves us with the question if it can be wrested back by citizens and how would that happen? As very intelligent people try to understand and implement bottom up, term limits, political contracts with their citizens and the list goes on. Why don't these approaches have any success?

Smith delves into what is a murky world for the past 40 years and has been writing about it for the past 10 years.

"Suddenly everybody is referring to the Deep State, typically without offering much of a definition. The general definition is the unelected government that continues making and implementing policy regardless of who is in elected office."

We equate the Armed Forces as part and particle of the MIC which is not entirely true. Only the Generals who become spokes persons (lobbyist) for the MIC which is only one of the profit-making arms of the deep state. The others are the elected state, the shadow state, the national security state, the public private state and the institutions of propaganda.

"Rather than being the bad guys, as per the usual Liberal world-view, the Armed Forces may well play a key role in reducing the utterly toxic influence of neocon-neoliberals within the Deep State".

For the past few years, Mr. Smith has been suggesting there is a profound split in the Deep State that is not just about power or ideology, but about the nature and future of National Security:

"In other words, what policies and priorities are actually weakening or threatening the long-term security of the United States?" He proposes "that there are progressive elements within the sprawling Deep State that view the dominant neocon-neoliberal agenda of the past 24 years as a disaster for the long-term security of the U.S. and its global interests (a.k.a. the Imperial Project)."

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From The Nation

Donald Trump is assuming the presidency without a mandate from the people -- and this fact drives him crazy. For the tens of millions of Americans preparing to oppose his administration and its draconian policies, this is not merely a salient detail; it's an essential tool of resistance.

From the beginning of his presidential quest, Trump has sought to project strength. He has refused to apologize, compromise, respect a free and questioning press, or heed the advice of ethics watchdogs. This ego-driven inflexibility is a constant of Trumpism. Yet Trump is not strong. He and his aides recognize this fact, fear this fact, and push back against it with a desperation that illustrates their vulnerability.

When Trump isn't tweeting about Alec Baldwin's devastating portrayals of him on Saturday Night Live or ripping Meryl Streep for daring to dissent, he keeps claiming that he won the 2016 election "easily" and that the results verify the existence of a great "movement" in support of his presidency. This is false.

Fifty-four percent of Americans who cast a ballot in 2016 backed someone other than Trump. He trailed Hillary Clinton by almost 3 million votes -- an unprecedented figure in the history of presidential elections. Trump only prevailed because of an Electoral College that was established more than two centuries ago as a vehicle to thwart rather than confirm the will of the people. Many of his electoral votes came from states in which the persistent assaults by the GOP on voting rights cast a cloud over the results. And Trump's congressional collaborators have no more of a mandate than their leader. Republicans lost seats in the Senate and House in 2016, as majorities of voters nationwide opted for alternatives to the congressional candidates running on Trump's ticket.

These are the facts that Trump and his allies seek to deny, responding angrily whenever their claim to absolute power is challenged. When Congressman John Lewis announced that he wouldn't attend Trump's inauguration ceremonies because he doesn't see "this president-elect as a legitimate president," Trump went ballistic. He attacked Lewis so personally, so viciously, so absurdly -- tweeting that the civil-rights icon is "all talk talk talk-no action or results" and wrongly claiming that his district is "in horrible shape and falling apart" -- that more than 25 percent of Democratic House members joined Lewis in his planned boycott.

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Remember the media fury when President Obama sent more troops into Iraq and Afghanistan, and incinerated US citizens and a wedding party in Pakistan -- or was it Yemen? And the shock when the Obama Pentagon was bombing seven countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East? And the outrage when he started deploying US troops and hardware to the Russian border his last month in office, remember? Remember how the National Mall, from the Lincoln Memorial to the halls of Congress, was teeming with hundreds of thousands of anti-war protesters?

Neither do I.

But on the cusp of the Trump Abyss to some, Trump Era to others, the Left, my Left - if it still exists - the Right, the disenfranchised, women, labor activists, even disgruntled voters willing to call out Putin for allegedly stealing the 2016 election, are just a few examples of the demographic broadcloth hoping to disrupt Presidential Inauguration events by lining boulevards and blocking streets from coast to coast. Nearly 900,000 expected in DC alone. Undoubtedly, media coverage of this Inaugural frenzy, along with the festivities and arrests, should rival Super Bowl 51.

Washington, DC protest organizer, actress America Ferrera, said, "Since the election, so many fear that their voices will go unheard. As artists, women, and most importantly dedicated Americans, it is critical that we stand together in solidarity for the protection, dignity and rights of our communities."

In addition, a A-list of partisan celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson, Amy Schumer, Robert de Niro, Alec Baldwin and Michael Moore will be joining in anti-Trump protests, possibly emboldened by Meryl Streep's Golden Globe speech earlier this month. Who can forget?

One phrase Streep turned after accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award hit a nerve. "Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose" We need the principled press to hold power to account, to call them on the carpet for every outrage." My own knee-jerk reaction to this misguided celebrity bubble comment was "Where have you been, Meryl, on Terror Tuesdays?" You know, the weekly Obama counterterrorism "lotto" when the "winner", in let's say Waziristan, with or without family present, was condemned to Death by Drone. Didn't you ever even wince a little when you heard that "your guy" carried a CIA kill list in his back pocket?

And while we're at it, when was there ever outrage during Obama's two terms of military interventionism? His approval ratings are still soaring in spite of even more air attacks and drone strikes this week. Why the tacit approval even now? Tonight the anti-war movement, dismissed by apologists, neoliberals and fauxgressives for the last eight years while their Laureate was in the Oval Office, is clamoring to join a burgeoning, long-overdue resistance, in force. What makes me think, at least hope, the streets will be teeming again in greater numbers when the Trump bombs fall?

See you there.
From Institute For New Economic Thinking

Any effort to replace the Affordable Care Act will be confronted by the same structural imbalances in the health care economy that the legislation's authors faced



President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law in 2010.

(Image by Photo credit: White House) Details DMCA



The Affordable Care Act (ACA), which President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress have vowed to repeal, was crafted to overcome two basic problems in the provision of healthcare in the United States. First, the costs are incredibly skewed, with just 10 percent of patients accounting for almost two thirds of the nation's healthcare spending. The other problem is asymmetric information: Patients have far more knowledge about the state of their own health than insurers do. This means that the people with the largest costs are the ones most likely to sign up for insurance. These two problems make it impossible to get to universal coverage under a purely market-based system.

The problem with the skewing of healthcare costs is that while most people's health spending is relatively limited, it remains very expensive to provide care for the costliest 10 percent. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services projects that per capita spending on healthcare in the US will average $10,800 in 2017. But the cost for the most expensive 10 percent of patients will average $54,000 per person, compared to an average of just $6,000 for everyone else. The cost for the healthiest 50 percent of patients averages under $700 per person.

Covering the least costly 90 percent of patients is manageable, but the cost of covering the least healthy 10 percent is exorbitant. Very few people could afford to pay $54,000 a year for an individual insurance policy. Furthermore, if insurers were to set their premiums in accordance with overall averages, they could anticipate a skewed patient pool. The more healthy half of the population, with average costs of less than $700 a year, would either limit their insurance to catastrophic plans that only cover very expensive medical care, or go without insurance altogether.

This would leave insurers with a less healthy pool of patients, the treatment costs for which would drive them to raise their premiums. This leads to a death spiral of rising premiums and fewer insurees or, alternatively, a situation where insurers deny coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions. Either way, the people who most need insurance will be unable to get it.

The ACA gets around this problem by requiring that everyone buy insurance -- a mandate that allows people with serious health problems to get insurance at a reasonably affordable price. Since many people cannot afford an insurance policy even if it's based on average costs, the ACA also provided subsidies to low and moderate income people. It pays for the subsidies primarily through a tax on the wealthiest households, those with incomes over $200,000.

Thus far, the ACA has actually worked better than expected in most respects. The number of uninsured actually dropped somewhat more than had been projected, despite the fact that a number of states controlled by Republican governors and/or legislatures opted not to expand Medicaid as had been required in the measure passed by Congress. The cost of the program has also been less than projected as healthcare cost growth has slowed sharply in recent years. The ACA likely contributed to slower cost growth, although that slowdown preceded the ACA, so other factors are clearly involved.

Insofar as the ACA has run into problems, those have been attributable to too few healthy people in the healthcare exchanges, and too little competition among insurers. Many commentators have wrongly blamed the problem in the exchanges on a failure of young healthy people to sign up for insurance. This is not the cause of the problem, since more people are getting insured than had been projected. The reason fewer healthy people are showing up on the exchanges is that fewer employers dropped insurance than had been projected. The problem this creates for the exchanges is that people who get insurance through an employer mostly work at full-time jobs, and people who are able to work at full-time jobs are healthier than the population as whole. By continuing to provide insurance for their workers despite the ACA, employers are effectively keeping healthy people out of the exchanges.

The other problem with the exchanges has been limited competition, as many insurers have dropped out after the first few years. The loss of competition has meant higher prices. This could have been addressed in part by offering a public plan through Medicare or Medicaid, as President Obama had originally proposed. Obama dropped this part of the plan in the face of opposition from the insurance industry, but reinstating it would increase competition in the exchanges.

At this point it is not clear what the Republicans envision as a replacement for the ACA if they go through with their plans to repeal the program. Most immediately, repeal would mean a large tax cut for the country's wealthiest households, since it would eliminate the taxes that were put in place to pay for the subsidies. A report from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimated that the 400 richest households would get a tax cut averaging $7 million a year. CBO puts the total tax savings to the wealthy from eliminating these ACA taxes at $35 billion a year over the next decade.

The repeal of the ACA would also end the labor-market benefits of Obamacare. With workers no longer dependent on employers for insurance, there has been a jump of 2.4 million in the number of people choosing to work part-time. These new part-timers have been disproportionately young parents and workers slightly too young to qualify for Medicare.

One way to make insurance more affordable would be to reduce the costs of the healthcare system as a whole. Americans pay twice as much per person as people in other wealthy countries, with few obvious benefits in terms of outcomes. But such cost cutting would mean reducing the incomes of drug companies, doctors, and insurance companies -- the big winners under the current system. It seems unlikely the Republicans will go this route. They are more likely to restore a version of the pre-ACA situation, in which many more people are uninsured and most workers know that their insurance is only as secure as their job.
Lets tear down Central School and put up a new building. Thats what the school board wants to do. I believe that this is a bad idea. It is the wrong thing to do.

One week ago, I attended a wonderful, informative assemblage at the Montana Historical Society. Three speakers made presentations on how Central School could be remodeled (rehabilitated, restored, and made earthquake proof) so that it could be put back into use within a year. The cost to do this remodeling was actually less than what demolition and new construction would cost. When we discuss building a new school, we often forget about tearing down the old school and hauling the materials away. Demolition is a big cost that would not be needed if Central School was remodeled and restored.

If the old Central School had been remodeled and put back into use three years ago, the kids would have a good, neighborhood school right now, and they would not have to be bussed across town. And we wouldnt need to spend money on any more studies and reports. Lets get off the dime and rehabilitate Central, so that these kids have a neighborhood school that they can use.

Chuck Ruzicka

Helena
From Paul Craig Roberts Website

President Trump's brief inaugural speech was a declaration of war against the entirety of the American Ruling Establishment. All of it.

Trump made it abundantly clear that Americans' enemies are right here at home: globalists, neoliberal economists, neoconservatives and other unilateralists accustomed to imposing the US on the world and involving us in endless and expensive wars, politicians who serve the Ruling Establishment rather than the American people, indeed, the entire canopy of private interests that have run America into the ground while getting rich in the process.

If truth can be said, President Trump has declared a war far more dangerous to himself than if he had declared war against Russia or China.

The interest groups designated by Trump as The Enemy are well entrenched and accustomed to being in charge. Their powerful networks are still in place. Although there are Republican majorities in the House and Senate, most of those in Congress are answerable to the ruling interest groups that provide their campaign funds and not to the American people or to the President. The military/security complex, offshoring corporations, Wall Street and the banks are not going to roll over for Trump. And neither is the presstitute media, which is owned by the interest groups whose power Trump challenges.

Trump made it clear that he stands for every American, black, brown, and white. Little doubt his declaration of inclusiveness will be ignored by the haters on the left who will continue to call him a racist just as the $50 per hour paid protesters are doing as I write.

Indeed, black leadership, for example, is enculturated into the victimization role from which it would be hard for them to escape. How do you pull together people who all their lives have been taught that whites are racists and that they are the victims of racists?

Can it be done? I was just on a program briefly with Press TV in which we were supposed to provide analysis of Trump's inaugural speech. The other commentator was a black American in Washington, DC. Trump's inclusiveness speech made no impression on him, and the show host was only interested in showing the hired protesters as a way of discrediting America. So many people have an economic interest in speaking in behalf of victims that inclusiveness puts them out of jobs and causes.

So along with the globalists, the CIA, the offshoring corporations, the armaments industries, the NATO establishment in Europe, and foreign politicians accustomed to being well paid for supporting Washington's interventionist foreign policy, Trump will have arrayed against him the leaders of the victimized peoples, the blacks, the Hispanics, the feminists, the illegals, the homosexuals and trans-gendered. This long list, of course, includes the white liberals as well, as they are convinced that flyover America is the habitat of white racists, misogynists, homophobes, and gun nuts. As far as they are concerned, this 84% of geographical US should be quarantined or interred.

In other words, does enough good will remain in the population to enable a President to unite the 16% America haters with the 84% America lovers?

Consider the forces that Trump has against him:

Black and Hispanic leaders need victimization, because it is what elevates them to power and income. They will turn a jaundiced eye toward Trump's inclusiveness. Inclusiveness is good for blacks and Hispanics, but not for their leaders.

The executives and shareholders of global corporations are enriched by the off-shored jobs that Trump says he will bring home. If the jobs come home, their profits, performance bonuses, and capital gains will go away. But the economic security of the American population will return.

The military/security complex has a 1,000 billion annual budget dependent on "the Russian threat" that Trump says he is going to replace with normalized relations. Trump's assassination cannot be ruled out.

Many Europeans owe their prestige, power, and incomes to the NATO that Trump has called into question.

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From Consortium News

There is a growing grassroots movement for humane immigration reform. And now those forces that had organized to pressure Barack Obama over the last eight years are turning their attentions to Donald Trump.

I spoke with Jesus Guzman, the Director of the Graton Day Labor Center, one of the original dreamers who went to Washington and stood by Obama when the President signed an executive order giving temporary protections to undocumented students. The program is now in grave danger of being dropped by Trump, who has promised to be tough on the undocumented.

I spoke to Guzman, an honor student at the University of California at Berkeley, at the Graton Day Labor Center, about 60 miles north of San Francisco. Some call the region wine country because the lands are rolling with colorful and scenic vineyards. But others call it farmworker country because undocumented farmworkers -- who do the bulk of the work, the hardest kind of work and get paid the least for it -- are the secret to the agricultural industry that is making the City of Santa Rosa and the surrounding area rich.

Dennis Bernstein: Why don't you begin by just saying a little bit about your thoughts as we move into the age of Trump? What's going on in your mind, in your family? How is it... just in the macro, how is it affecting your life?

Jesus Guzman: Hi Dennis, thank you for having me on again. I think my reaction, and the reaction that a lot of the workers have been sharing -- and really an opportunity that we had [on January 10th] to share -- was that very question, of what are we expecting in a Trump administration? And I think we've really had some very sobering discussions over the last few weeks since the election, about what's possible. And there's a real difference between what's possible, and probable.

But, I think many of the workers -- day laborers, domestic workers, farm workers, my family included -- are looking at this incoming administration and realizing there's a lot to draw on from Arizona with SB 1070 , with California Prop. 187. " And that is to say that ... we've been fighting anti-immigrant policies for a long time.

There's some very real threats that we face, and so I think our reaction has been to draw on our experiences of the past, on those battles that we've had, and looking at some opportunities for us to be better organized, and better prepared to weather the storm that is to come.

DB: And let me just ask you something about the confirmation hearings [that] have begun for Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III, to be the next attorney general, the highest law enforcement officer in the land. This man has never found a civil right that he loves. He has spent a lifetime persecuting black people, as a U.S. attorney in Alabama.

[Black] people would have their churches burned down, and his people would show up and be there to "investigate" one, why they burned down their own churches, and were they in a conspiracy for voter fraud. So, I'm wondering if you're thinking about this at that level.

JG: Yeah. Absolutely. It seems very apropos that [on January 10th] the workers made their statement of intent, in terms of how we'll be organizing and what are some of the different strategies that we'll be deploying in the days to come. That it comes on the same day as the confirmation hearings of Senator Jeff Sessions... some of the concerns that we have about him ... as attorney general, really come down in terms of enforcement of day labor centers, worker centers, immigrant rights organizations. But specifically workers centers and day laborers centers have really been targeted by anti-immigrant groups. One example, again in Arizona SB 1070, the fifth section of that bill explicitly calls out day laborers, and makes it illegal the hiring of workers on the corner, out on street corners.

So, we've, for a long time, had a target on our back by various immigrant groups. Day laborers are some of the most visible immigrants, and we can't... as Pablo Alvarado, Executive Director of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, has said, day laborers are in public, by definition. We can't hide in the shadow. You can't hide. We're in the public, standing, looking for work. And so ...because of that, we're very concerned about what an Attorney General Jeff Sessions might do... to come down on workers centers, on street corners... and that type of enforcement.

DB: Now, you had a meeting [at Graton Day Labor Center on January 10th], a very important meeting. Tell us a little bit about who was at the meeting, and some of the highlights, what did you find moving?

JG: Well, the workers have been having these internal discussions since the election, to really get a sense of... well, several things. One, to have a chance to air their concerns, their fears, and what's to come in a Trump administration, but also a chance to get our bearings, to organize. So then for today [to] have a chance to put out a statement on some different areas that the workers are wanting to mobilize and organize around and use that as an opportunity to invite allies, and community members and local elected officials to join us in those efforts.

And some of those [concerns] that the workers shared were around ... whether it's sanctuary policies locally, that make sure that there isn't cooperation between ICE [Immigration and Custom Enforcement] and the use of any city services or resources, towards that end. And really looking, on a state level, at something like the Values Act [ SB54, California Values Act ] that ... Kevin de Leon [Senate President Pro-Tempore of California] is moving. I think there are some real opportunities, both locally and statewide, to make sure that our government here, state and locally, that there's no resources, no services that go towards the end of persecuting our own communities.

And, beyond that, as well, I think the workers are organizing through neighborhood defense committees, to move legal funds... whether it's from foundations or from public financing, to make sure that the very tax payer money that our membership, and the immigrant community, puts into the local economy, also comes back in these funds to help defend the very people that support these city services.

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From Counterpunch

Thirty-five Democrats in the House have sent a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch urging her to appoint an independent Special Counsel because Donald Trump "has repeatedly engaged in actions constituting unauthorized foreign policy in violation of the Logan Act."

Dating back to 1799, the law has resulted in a grand total of one indictment (during Thomas Jefferson's presidency) and no conviction. But the Logan Act remains a convenient statute to brandish against disruptors of foreign-policy orthodoxies.

The Jan. 12 letter -- relying on an arcane and wobbly relic of a law -- is an example of opportunism that isn't even opportune. Worse, it's an effort to spur Justice Department action that would establish a dangerous precedent.

When the letter charges that "in several cases Mr. Trump's actions directly contravene and undermine official positions of the United States government," the complaint rings hollow. In our lifetimes, countless private citizens -- and quite a few members of Congress -- have sought to contravene and undermine official U.S. positions. Often that has been for the better.

The members of Congress who signed the letter should know that. Many are ostensibly aligned with the kind of dissent that has been -- and will be -- essential to pull this country away from disastrous wars overseas. More than half of the letter's signers -- 19 of the 35 -- are in the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

It should be obvious that the Logan Act is antithetical to free speech and other vital liberties. The law provides for up to three years in prison for "any citizen of the United States" who -- without authorization from the U.S. government -- "directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government," with intent to influence that government "in relation to disputes or controversies with the United States."

Steve Vladeck, a professor of law at the University of Texas, points out that the First and Fifth Amendments "do not look too kindly on either content-based restrictions on speech (which the Logan Act clearly is), or criminal laws that do not clearly articulate the line between lawful and unlawful conduct (which the Logan Act may well not do)."

In recent decades, the specter of the Logan Act has been used to threaten legislators who went outside an administration's policy boundaries. In 1975, Sens. George McGovern and John Sparkman faced accusations that they'd violated the Act by going to Havana and talking with Cuban officials. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan said that Jesse Jackson's efforts in Cuba and Nicaragua may have violated the Logan Act.

Later in the 1980s, Reagan's National Security Council considered invoking the Logan Act to stop House Speaker Jim Wright's involvement in negotiations between the Sandinista government and the Contra forces that the CIA made possible in Nicaragua. Twenty years later, in 2007, another House speaker -- Nancy Pelosi -- faced accusations that she'd run afoul of the Logan Act by going to Damascus and negotiating with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

Now, it's sad to see dozens of Democrats trying to throw the Logan Act at Trump when there are so many crucial matters to address -- healthcare, civil rights, environmental protection, social programs and much more. While a multitude of legitimate and profound issues are at hand -- with an urgent need to concentrate on blocking the GOP's legislative agenda -- the letter clamoring for a Logan Act investigation of Trump is an instance of counterproductive partisan zeal run amuck.

The idea that a U.S. citizen -- whether Donald Trump, Jesse Jackson or anyone else -- does not have a right to dialogue with officials of foreign governments is pernicious and undemocratic. We should assert that right, no matter who is in the Oval Office.

While some members of Congress are indignant that Trump's actions "directly contravene and undermine official positions of the United States government," the history of U.S. foreign policy warns against automatic deference to official U.S. positions. Citizens have often been wise when they sought to contravene and undermine the U.S. government's positions.

Today, entrenched forces in Washington remain committed to foreign policies more in line with what Martin Luther King Jr. called "the madness of militarism" than the statecraft of real diplomacy. Citizens should push back against officials at either end of Pennsylvania Avenue who cite the Logan Act as an argument for conformity or use it as a tool for intimidation.
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121

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Don Brown, Founder, the International Wireless Industry Consortium (IWPC)
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Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen said Friday that some student test data submitted to the U.S. Department of Education weeks before she took office were falsified and out of compliance  assertions her predecessor says are misconstrued.

They did not meet state and federal reporting standards and misrepresented student proficiency, Arntzen said, noting she shared the discovery with the Board of Public Education earlier in the day. It was reported that all Montana (high school juniors) were proficient.

Denise Juneau, who was superintendent for eight years before Arntzen took office this month, said she was never contacted and could have clarified the situation to Arntzen, who she said was jumping to conclusions.

Arntzen told the Board of Public Education that her office had recently uncovered that the state's decision two years ago to drop standardized testing of high school juniors in favor of offering the ACT college admission test was noncompliant with federal and state proficiency standards.

Eric Feaver, president of the state teachers union, said the fact the ACT did not meet federal standards was not new. He said, and Lee Newspapers has previously reported, that the board and education advocates were all in agreement to move forward with ACT testing despite being noncompliant.

"It's a good way to deflect attention from her inability to decide what she's going to do with Graduation Matters," he said.

Montana is one of a handful of states seeking to take advantage of a federal education law that allows them to replace standardized tests in high schools with recognized college entrance exams, like the ACT and SAT, so long as they can make a successful case for the switch in a peer-review process.

Juneau has argued the ACT helps families make better choices about college readiness while reducing the amount of over-testing in schools. The tests are funded by a grant from the Montana University System's GEAR UP program.

The ACT grades test-takers on a numerical scale, while federal and state standards require student proficiency be reported with categories such as improficient, novice, proficient and advanced proficient.

Arntzen said Montana received a one-year waiver to deviate from federal reporting standards with the understanding that in the future ACT scores would be converted to compliant proficiency categories. She said her office has been unable to find any documentation that the previous administration sought to convert scores or sought to extend that waiver to cover this year. In reporting statistics to the U.S. Department of Education, Arntzen said the section of the online form about high school juniors testing proficiency had been filled out with level 3. Her office could not find documentation to show that information was accurate and did not know why it contained dishonest information.

When Arntzen reported the discrepancy to the federal education officials, she said an unnamed staffer had been surprised to receive a proficiency report in December from Montana at all because it is known the state has not required those students to do standardized testing. Arntzen said the false reporting hurt the integrity of Montana. She said the discrepancy had been reported to her new chief legal counsel by a whistleblower.

It was a reckless decision two years in the making, Arntzen said. Federal funding for our Montana schools is at risk.

Asked by reporters whether federal officials had raised the specter of lost funding, she said no. Rather, she said it was a broad characterization on her part that any misreported information could lead to the extreme measure of lost funding.

Federal education officials did not return a request for comment.

Juneau said she doubted federal officials would pull funding for the state for noncompliance since it has known about the ACT use for years, and knew it would be discussed in an upcoming February peer review process, which other states have used to receive federal permission for administering the ACT in lieu of standardized tests. She said the online federal reporting form could not be submitted with blank fields but also limited the entry to single-digit figures. ACT scores range up to 36.

It only allowed us to put in numbers one way  We put three across the board. Thats an issue with the federal reporting system. We go back and forth with the feds a lot about forms, she said, downplaying any characterization that federal officials would see the entry as malicious. They know we were using ACT and were one of the states looking to move forward with that.

She noted that details of the ACT results have been released to the press and the public each year it has been used.

Arntzen said it was unacceptable to falsify information to streamline a federal form and said Juneaus team should have sought permission in advance not to complete that portion of the form, or notified federal officials about the placeholder entry.

Its no excuse, she said.

She also said her office could not find any materials prepared for the February peer review on the matter of using the ACT to comply with federal standards, but would work to keep that promise to Montanas juniors that the test will continue to be provided free. The grant funding the tests expires at the end of 2018.

Arntzen said she wishes to make this issue transparent to the public as she begins to correct the problem.

Arntzen took office earlier this month, the first Republican to hold the post in decades. Democrat Denise Juneau had been superintendent for eight years.

This office has been run one way for 30 years, she said, describing her election as proof voters wanted change. Two weeks into this job Im seeing misinformation at the highest levels of the previous administration.

Juneau, meanwhile, says Arntzen is learning as she goes. Juneau said she has offered to help with the transition, but has not gotten a call.

"My hope is she gets better, figures out the work of the agency, and doesn't just jump to conclusions," Juneau said.

Billings Gazette reporter Matt Hoffman contributed to this report.
From Smirking Chimp

President-elect Donald Trump is selecting nominees to run his government. It's no secret that I have deep reservations about the policy views of many of these nominees. I will vote against some of them.

But before we can debate and vote on whether these nominees' policy positions make them suitable to run important parts of our government, it is critical that each nominee follows basic ethics rules to ensure that they will act for the benefit of all the American people and not simply to boost their bank accounts.

The Republican-led Congress wants to brush off these ethics requirements as a mere inconvenience. Failing that, they are willing to intimidate the public servants charged with implementing the rules. If they succeed, the Republican-led Congress will erode public confidence in our democracy and set the new administration up for scandal and failure.

It is illegal for any Cabinet member to participate in a government matter that will "affect his own financial interest" or those of his or her family members, or any organization with whom he or she is affiliated. The reason this law exists is obvious: Without it, federal officials might be tempted to pursue their own interests rather than those of the American people, throwing into question the motives behind every move they make.

That is why Republicans and Democrats have embraced these restrictions. The procedures and precedents to enforce them have been followed by generations of American presidents and their Cabinets. Background checks ensure that nominees are free of criminal problems or debilitating foreign connections. Tax returns and financial disclosures reveal potentially damaging information that may undermine fitness to serve. Ethics agreements provide each Cabinet member a detailed, binding and personalized plan for disentangling from any personal and financial conflicts that could create even the appearance of self-dealing while in office.

But Republicans have ignored these safeguards. Betsy DeVos, the billionaire nominated to run the Department of Education despite having virtually no education experience, has not completed her financial disclosures or her ethics agreement. Despite Democrats' numerous attempts to postpone proceedings until these essential documents are provided, Republicans went ahead with DeVos's hearing Tuesday. Without the necessary information, we were unable to fully question the nominee about her many potential conflicts of interest. We were unable to say with confidence that DeVos will put the American people first. And after depriving the American public of even the most basic information on the nominee, Republicans further undercut a thoughtful examination by cutting the hearing short despite several senators pressing to ask additional questions.

When President Obama's nominees were presented to Congress, then-Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) demanded that nominees meet these safeguards -- and they did, no matter who they were or what they had done in the past.

These requirements are even more important today, when Trump's nominees have complex financial histories, deep business ties and billions of dollars invested in the industries they will soon oversee. Complete compliance with the law might require weeks of hard work to identify and root out the many financial conflicts of a Cabinet whose members are collectively worth more than a third of all Americans combined. Difficult, yes -- but that is no excuse to ignore them.

The problem starts at the top. The president-elect has thrown out decades of precedent by refusing to release his tax returns or disentangle himself from his business connections. Now his Republican allies in Congress seem content to permit Cabinet nominees to do the same.

Republicans have threatened to jam through confirmation hearings despite incomplete FBI background checks, missing financial disclosures, refusals to produce tax returns and incomplete ethics agreements. When the head of the nonpartisan Office of Government Ethics said his office was under "pressure to cut corners and ignore conflicts of interest" to meet these rushed timelines and criticized the adequacy of the president-elect's plans for his own businesses, House Republicans finally decided to launch an inquiry into -- wait for it -- the Office of Government Ethics. Evidently Republicans don't like an "aggressive stance" on ethics issues.

Intimidating and bullying ethics officials into ignoring their legal responsibilities corrodes our democracy. It also leads to shoddy ethics agreements, which could leave Cabinet members with unresolved conflicts of interest that might affect their official actions.

Casting aside the nominees' ethical obligations puts everyone at risk -- even the nominees. Ethics agreements provide a clear line for executive branch employees between what is illegal and what is not. Conflicts can arise for even the most innocent of government officials. Respecting the process protects nominees from investigation and prosecution.

This problem is not theoretical. Lester Crawford, Food and Drug Administration administrator under President George W. Bush, resigned after only two months on the job and pleaded guilty to conflict of interest charges after failing to report ownership of stock in food and drug companies regulated by the agency. President Reagan's attorney general, Edwin Meese, was plagued by conflicts of interest, resigning in 1988 after years of investigations into one scandal after another that distracted the nation's top law enforcement officer. Over the years, many government officials have been caught up in such scandals. These rules exist to prevent such incidents.

Congress must take these ethical requirements seriously. No Cabinet member should receive a hearing before his or her background checks, financial disclosures and ethics agreements are finished and senators have had time to review them. Nominees should be forthcoming and transparent. If those hearings have occurred, nominees who have not completed their ethics reviews should return for another round of questions after that information is made available. Senators should be thorough in their assessment and questioning of nominees. And financial conflicts with official duties must be eliminated.

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Research Delivers Insight into Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Market

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Transparency Market Research presents this most up-to-date research on "Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Market (Viagra, Cialis, Levitra/Staxyn, Stendra/Spedra, Zydena, MUSE, Mvix and Helleva) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019"Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain satisfactory erection of penis during sexual intercourse. It is usually an age related condition but can also be triggered by psychological factors. It may occur due to various reasons such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle and administration of certain drugs such as antidepressants, psychotropic drugs, antihypertensive and recreational drugs. Presently, oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE 5) commonly form the first line of treatment prescribed by doctors for ED. These include drugs namely, Viagra (sildenafil citrate), Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra/Staxyn (vardenafil), Stendra/Spedra (avanafil) and Zydena (udenafil). The demand for erectile dysfunction drugs is high and is continuously rising as it caters to the needs of the growing elderly population and the high incidence rates of chronic disorders comprising hypertension, renal diseases and diabetes, neurological disorders and hormonal insufficiencies.Erectile dysfunction drugs market is expected to witness a decline across the globe, by the end of the forecast period, i.e. by 2019, due to patent expiration of the key revenue generating drug Viagra outside the U.S. in 2013. In addition, Cialis (tadalafil) by Eli Lilly & Co. and Levitra (vardenafil) by Bayer AG are also scheduled to lose their patent exclusivities during the forecast period. The loss of patent and marketing exclusivity will lead to a drastic reduction in revenues and in turn provide an opportunity to generic manufacturers to launch their own versions of these brands. Moreover, low success rate of novel drug formulations owing to weak pipeline development will also account for the downturn of the overall erectile dysfunction drugs market.Pfizers Viagra was the largest revenue generator in 2012, in the total market, owing to its foremost presence in the pharmaceutical market for erectile dysfunction treatment. Viagra has maintained its blockbuster status till date, recording billion dollar sales every year for Pfizer, Inc. The primary competitors on the market for Viagra are Cialis (tadalafil) by Eli Lilly & Co. and Levitra (vardenafil) by Bayer AG.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Companies mentioned in the research reportPlayers in the market will tap on the opportunity of novel molecule combinations and innovative drug delivery techniques. The most established companies in the global erectile dysfunction drugs market are Bayer AG, Apricus Biosciences, Dong-A Pharmaceutical, Meda Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly And Company, Pfizer, Vivus, and S.K. Chemicals.Major geographies analyzed under this research report are:EuropeNorth AmericaAsia-PacificRest of the WorldThis report gives you access to decisive data such as:Market growth driversFactors limiting market growthCurrent market trendsMarket structureMarket projections for the coming yearsKey highlights of this reportOverview of key market forces propelling and restraining market growthUp-to-date analyses of market trends and technological improvementsPin-point analyses of market competition dynamics to offer you a competitive edgeAn analysis of strategies of major competitorsAn array of graphics and SWOT analysis of major industry segmentsDetailed analyses of industry trendsA well-defined technological growth map with an impact-analysisOffers a clear understanding of the competitive landscape and key product segmentsDownload Exclusive Brochure of This Report :About UsTransparency 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.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
White Biotechnology Market : Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024

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Transparency Market Research presents this most up-to-date research on "White Biotechnology Market (Product - Biochemical, Biofuel, Biomaterial, Bioproduct; Application - Food & Feed, Pharmaceuticals, Pulp & Paper, Textile, Energy; Feedstock - Grains & Starch Crops, Agricultural Residues, Food Waste, Forestry Material, and Animal) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024"Applications across Energy Industry to Offer Favorable ReturnsApplication-wise, the energy segment is presently the largest contributor to the global white biotechnology market. In 2015, the segment accounted for a share of over 32% of the global market, which is expected to rise moderately by 2024. The pharmaceutical industry is the second-largest application area, accounting for a nearly 29% share in the global market in 2015. The energy segment held the most prominent position in the global white biotechnology market owing to the increased demand for bioenergy in developed economies.The increased ease of application of white biotechnology has also made it more easily replaceable across applications that prominently used non-renewable energy sources. Additionally, the increased awareness regarding the cleaner nature of white biotechnology products have also increased their adoption across the energy industry in the past few years. Over the period between 2016 and 2024, the segment is expected to retain its dominance and expand at a healthy 4.8% CAGR.The white biotechnology market has been segmented based on product, application, feedstock, and region. Based on product, the market has been segmented into biochemical, biofuel, biomaterial, and bioproduct. In terms of application, the market has been categorized into food & feed, pharmaceuticals, pulp & paper, textile, energy, and others. Based on feedstock, the market has been segmented into grains & starch crops, agricultural residues, food waste, forestry material, animal by-product, energy crops, and urban & suburban waste.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Government Initiatives Aimed at Raising Awareness and Increasing Usage to Fuel Global White Biotechnology MarketThe vast environment-related benefits linked with the use of white biotechnology products across a number of application areas has led to the increased focus on the fields development from industries as well as government bodies in the past few years. Most governments have either already allocated or are in the process of allocating substantial budgets for the implementation of white biotechnology technology in the industrial sector. Focus has also improved on attempts for increasing the production of biofuel, one of the most notable products of the field of white biotechnology, with the aim of reducing dependence on oil and gas imports, especially in countries with no or very sparse oil reserves. Strict emission norms are also compelling industries to adopt white biotechnology across an increasing number of application areas.These factors are expected to have a significant impact on the overall development of the global white biotechnology market in the next few years. At the same time, the market is also expected to benefit from rapid technological developments in the field of production of white biotechnology products, making them cheaper and competitively priced as compared to conventional alternatives, such as, for instance, fossil fuels.Declining Fertility of Agricultural Lands and Unevenness in Feedstock Supply to Hinder Markets GrowthTo exploit the opportunity of the rising demand for bio-crops to its fullest, the trend of increased usage of fertilizers and pesticides with the view of improving yield has gained prominence in the past few years. The irresponsible use of fertilizers has stripped agricultural lands of their fertility to a huge extent. This issue is expected to have a direct impact on the overall production of bio-crops, the central determinants of the overall development of the white biotechnology market, hindering the overall growth prospects of the global market to a large extent.Nevertheless, the fact that less productive lands could be used for the production of biofuel crops will enable the market get sustained gains in the next few years. Transparency Market Research estimates that the global white biotechnology market, which had a valuation of US$178.1 bn in 2015, will expand at a healthy CAGR of 4.5% over the period between 2016 and 2024 and rise to a valuation of US$262.3 bn by 2024.Among the key product varieties available in the global white biotechnology market, the segment of biofuel dominated, accounting for a significant 38.16% share in 2015. The segments of biochemical and biomaterial held nearly 30% and 18% share in the global market, respectively, in the same year.Geography-wise, North America stood as a leading market, accounting for a share of over 35% in the global market in terms of revenue. In terms of application, the energy industry emerged the one with the most promising returns and accounted for a share of nearly 33% share in the markets overall revenues in 2015.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :About UsTransparency 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.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
E-Prescribing Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019

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Transparency Market Research presents this most up-to-date research on "E-Prescribing Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019"Globally, the E-Prescribing market is witnessing significant growth led by various government programs to implement E-Prescribing systems in order to improve quality of healthcare and reduce medication errors. The E-Prescribing system is used in various applications including preparation of complete medication list, data security checks, complete information of formulary and patient historical data. These advanced features of E-Prescribing are some of the key driving factors for the market. Additionally, improved healthcare infrastructure has increased the demand for E-Prescribing system. Moreover, implementation of electronic healthcare records with E-Prescribing system holds immense potential for the growth of the market. The global E-Prescribing market was valued at USD 250.2 million in 2013 and is likely to grow at a CAGR of 23.5% from 2013 to 2019 to reach USD 887.8 million by 2019.The report provides in-depth analysis and estimation of the E-Prescribing market from 2014 to 2019, considering 2013 as the base year for calculation. Additionally, data pertaining to current E-Prescribing market dynamics including market drivers, restraints, trends and recent developments have been provided in the report. The global E-Prescribing market is categorized based on product type, components, delivery mode, usage mode, end users and geography. The product type segmentation is further sub-segmented into integrated and stand-alone system. The component segment comprises software, hardware and services. The delivery mode segmentation is further sub-segmented into web-based, on-premise/licensed and cloud-based. The usage mode segmentation comprises PC-based and hand-held device. The end users segment is further sub-segmented into hospital and office-based physician.Under geographic analysis, the report identifies and analyses the E-Prescribing market size and forecast for Europe, North America, Asia and Rest of the World (RoW). Major players operating in the E-Prescribing market are Henry Schein, Inc., Cerner Corporation, Allscripts, Emdeon and athenahealth, Inc. These key market players have been profiled based on attributes such as company overview, recent developments, growth strategies, sustainability and financial overview.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Key segments of the Global E-prescription MarketGlobal E-prescription Market, by Product TypeIntegrated systemStand-alone systemGlobal E-prescription Market, by ComponentSoftwareHardwareServicesGlobal E-prescription Market, by Delivery ModeWeb-basedOn-premise/licensedCloud-basedGlobal E-prescription Market, by usage modeHand-held devicePC-basedGlobal E-prescription Market, by end userHospitalOffice-based physicianThe global e-prescription market provides solutions that enhance the efficiency of medical practice. E-prescription systems improve not only the rate of delivering medical attention, but can also improve the overall quality of healthcare and help maintain accurate drug utilization systems.The global e-prescription market can also help with the co-pay data, displaying dispensers and other providers with data on total drug coverage, and formulary alternatives.One of the major restraints on the global e-prescription market is the non-availability of integrated networks and connectivity. This proves to be a major hindrance to the global e-prescription market and prevents it from being successfully introduced in the related countries.Other restraints currently affecting the global e-prescription market are the high cost of operation, the absence of high-speed broadband services in developing nations, the absence of skilled labor for operating e-prescription systems, and the absence of laws and regulations that protect patient privacy.From a regional perspective, the global e-prescription market has largely benefitted from the activities in Europe. This region held the largest share of the global e-prescription market for 2012. Large-scale implementation of e-prescription systems was possible in Europe through the efforts of eHealth projects, including European Patient Smart Open Services and Schleswig-Holstein Health Initiative. On the other hand, the fastest growth rate in the global e-prescription market is currently held by North America due to a rapidly developing regional healthcare infrastructure.The report sheds light on the developments in the Asia Pacific e-prescription market, which is using these systems at an increasing rate, thanks to the rapid development of the healthcare infrastructure. There is a growing number of rural and urban clinics, primary healthcare services, and urban healthcare centers, aiding a faster rate of adoption of e-prescription solutions and other healthcare IT technologies.Key players in the global e-prescription market are eClinicalWorks, DrFirst, Practice Fusion, Inc., HealthFusion, Inc., Athenahealth, Inc., Henry Schein, Inc., and Cerner Corporation.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :About UsTransparency 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.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Recent Report Covers Upcoming Opportunities in Array Instruments Market (Technologies DNA Microarrays)

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Transparency Market Research presents this most up-to-date research on "Array Instruments Market (Technologies DNA Microarrays, Protein Microarrays, Cellular Microarrays, Tissue Microarrays End Users Research and Development Laboratories, Clinical Diagnostic Labs, Agriculture Research Centers, Forensic Centers, Veterinary Laboratories) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2020"Microarray is a collection of microscopic spots of DNA, RNA, oligonucleotides, proteins, peptides, cells, tissues and other compounds which are attached to a solid substrate. Other microarray platforms include use of microscopic beads. With the help of array instruments, these microarrays are used to measure gene expression levels simultaneously in a single reaction and also genotype multiple regions of genome. The global array instruments market is driven by the large number of patients awaiting diagnosis of the exact type of cancer, metabolic diseases, and post natal diseases along with the research on the causes and treatment for such diseases. Disease diagnosis and detection has been the most critical and beneficial microarray application for the diagnosis and prognosis of different types of diseases, majorly cancer.At present, a broad range of microarray technologies are available in the market for research purpose. DNA microarray is the most traditional and widely accepted technology in the microarray field. Thus, it accounts for the largest share, in the total market, owing to improved accuracy and precision and wide acceptance by the end users. The advent of DNA microarray has accelerated the process of gene expression, disease diagnosis, drug discovery and SNP analysis. Protein microarray which is the second largest and the fastest growing technology is very effective in identifying protein-protein interactions, substrates of protein kinases and activities of proteins. Due to high throughput, high resolution and sensitivity, protein microarray is extensively used in proteomics for protein expression profiling. Gene expression is the largest application market followed by the drug discovery and diagnosis market. High cost associated with the instruments and need for expertise leads to decreased adoption of microarray technology, particularly in developing countries. Moreover, increase in awareness for disease diagnosis and introduction of cheaper instruments and reagents will together aid in maintaining the growing of microarray technologies.Browse Global Strategic Business Report: :Cellular microarray and tissue microarray technologies are currently in nascent stage and have their own limitations. The major factors that limit the use of tissue microarray are tissue heterogeneity and high cost. Expensive nature of array instruments limits the use in general practice in several countries. Hence, researchers are working on constructing cost effective tissue microarrays. Certain drawbacks with the use of cellular microarray are related to sensitivity. Moreover, there is further need for development of automated image analysis and data acquisition.Geographically, North America dominates the global microarray instruments market. Large proportion of technological advancement first is introduced in the U.S. since majority of the prime market players are domiciled in North America. Europe accounts for second position in the total market. Rising incidences of cancers and autoimmune diseases drive the demand for diagnosis and treatment of such diseases in the region. Simplification of analysis process, increased market consolidation, and cost containment of instruments and reagents will result in rapid adoption of research in microarrays field in the emerging markets. Developing countries in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa would contribute to the growth of the global array instruments market. Advancement in technology leading to better specificity and sensitivity coupled with low cost and robustness would increase the demand for research using microarrays, which would boost the market growth.The leading players in the market for microarray instruments are Affymetrix, Inc., Illumina, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Molecular Devices, ArrayIt Corporation, ThermoFischer Scientific and others which include Bio-Rad Laboratories, ArrayJet, and Sigma Aldrich. Greater benefits are expected to be achieved by various companies with huge investments in automation of systems with improved analysis in the near future.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :About UsTransparency 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.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
In keeping with the Portland Art Museum's goal of "bringing the world to Oregon," as director Brian Ferriso puts it, the museum on Saturday opens an exhibit of more than 50 bronzes by Auguste Rodin, considered one of the greatest sculptors in history.

The exhibit dovetails with this year's international commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the French artist's death (social media hashtag: #Rodin100). To bring the show to Portland, Ferriso leveraged a connection with Judith Sobol, executive director of the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, which oversees one of the world's largest Rodin collections.

At a press preview Thursday, Ferriso described the exhibit thus: "He has captured in sculpture and in bronze the pain, the pleasure, everything about our human journey." (Note to the easily discomfited and to parents: Rodin also captured everything about our human anatomy.)

Here are 12 things to know before you go to the exhibit.

1. Rodin is significant not only for his sculpture but also for his position in the pantheon of Western art. "He links us to modernism," Ferriso said. "This artist really helps us move from antiquity, classical sculpture, to modernism ... through movement, through emotions."

2. "Notice the profiles of the pieces and how the profiles pick up the profiles of the nearby pieces," Sobol said. "Rodin, when he sculpted, said that he always approached a figure through its multiple profiles."

3. Look for replication, a modern touch. "Arms that are here, you'll see on other figures. Legs that are there, you'll see on other figures. You will see a small piece that has three female figures in it dancing, and if you look carefully they're all the same figure," Sobol said.

4. Rodin replicated pieces not just for art's sake but also to create buzz and to advance his career, Sobol said. "In many ways you might call him the Jeff Koons of his day or ... the Andy Warhol," she said. "He was into fame."

5. "The Hand of God," which is in the exhibit, was the piece that started it all for B. Gerald "Bernie" Cantor, who saw it in marble at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and decided he would own it someday, Sobol said. His Rodin collection ultimately numbered 750 pieces. (He was the Cantor in Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial services firm that lost 658 employees in the 2001 World Trade Center attack.)

6. Another notable piece is a spinoff of one of Rodin's best-known sculptures, "The Burghers of Calais." In 1347, while England and France were at war, six leaders, or burghers, of the French city of Calais surrendered to the English king in exchange for their city's survival. The sculptor portrayed the youngest burgher, Jean de Fiennes, "at this moment where he's equivocating, where he's agreed to make this sacrifice but is maybe having second thoughts," said Dawson Carr, the museum's Janet and Richard Geary Curator of European Art. "(Rodin) creates this awesome, beautiful tension in this figure and it could represent any one of us, any human, at a crossroads in life, up against a tough decision."

7. Rodin takes the ancient Greek sculptural element known as a caryatid - a standing, draped female figure that serves as a support - and turns it into a crouching, "fallen" caryatid. As with other Rodin pieces, the two caryatids in the exhibit are both freestanding pieces and part of a larger sculpture, in their case "The Gates of Hell."

8. One gallery in the exhibit is devoted to the male form and includes a sculpture of St. John the Baptist. "Rodin captures here the raw-boned spirituality of this saint, in this absolutely wonderful pose," Carr said.

9. Another gallery celebrates the female figure. "Some of the treatments of the female form are among the most extraordinary ever created," Carr said. He cited in particular "Damned Women," which explores lesbian themes, and "Iris, Messenger of the Gods," who unabashedly, and nakedly, flaunts her energies.

10. The final gallery features portraiture. "Portraiture is at the heart of Rodin's oeuvre," Carr said. One bust depicts Rodin's father, who Carr said was "hugely supportive of his son's desire to become a sculptor." Other subjects include painter Claude Lorrain and authors Honore de Balzac and Victor Hugo.

11. The Portland Art Museum has three Rodins of its own; one, "La Defense/The Call to Arms," has been placed with the Cantor Foundation pieces. "People are going to be able to understand the sculptures by Rodin that we do have in a much more complete way" after seeing the exhibit, Carr said.

12. The museum has partnered with Portland 3D Printing Lab to create three-dimensional prints of Rodin pieces, in varying sizes and colors, for museum-goers to play with.

***

"Rodin: The Human Experience"

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Jan. 21-April 16.

Where: Portland Art Museum, 1219 S.W. Park Ave.

Tickets: $17-$20, free for ages 17 and under, portlandartmuseum.org or 503-226-2811. Admission is free to all from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month.
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HomeAway founder Brian Sharples poses at the company's Austin, Texas, headquarters on Friday, Nov. 10, 2006.

(AP Photo/Jack Plunkett/file)

The vacation rental website HomeAway filed a pair of lawsuits against the city of Portland this week, opening a new round in its battle with the city over hotel taxes.

HomeAway, which helps match travelers with homeowners with rooms for rent, has been at loggerheads with the city for years over whether it should have to collect lodging taxes on behalf of its users.

The latest suits attempt to block the city from enforcing various parts of its ordinances against HomeAway, including the lodging tax collection.

The lawsuits argue Portland doesn't have the authority to impose lodging taxes on the company and various regulations on the vacation rental industry.

"HomeAway has sought to open lines of communication with city officials," the company said in a statement. "Unfortunately, those requests have gone largely unanswered. We welcome the opportunity to explore a policy solution that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders and is evenly applied to all platforms."

The city sued the company for $2.5 million in 2015 over alleged violations of its vacation rental laws. Portland legalized short-term rentals in private homes in 2014, requiring homeowners to undergo an inspection and secure a permit. A permanent resident must also live in the home at least nine months of the year.

The city also required sites that facilitate the rentals, like HomeAway, to start collecting the transient lodging taxes typically paid by traditional hotels. The city expected to collect $1.2 million a year, which the City Council agreed to put toward affordable housing.

The city in 2015 slapped HomeAway with a $326,500 fine for failing to collect the taxes. The city's revenue bureau said it would continue to assess fines until the company complies by the city's rules.

HomeAway argued at the time that it wasn't like competitor Airbnb, which handles all payments for its users and is therefore in a better position to collect the lodging taxes. HomeAway said many of its users don't accept online payments, and those that do use HomeAway Payments, which HomeAway described as a separate company.

The city then sued HomeAway for $2.5 million, but its case highlighted some shortcomings in its code, including various references that didn't appear to address intermediary websites. The lawsuit was initially dismissed, but an amended complaint is still pending.

The Portland City Council passed various revisions to its code in December to address those shortcomings. Those revisions went into effect Friday, prompting HomeAway's latest lawsuits.

The lawsuit filed Thursday in Multnomah County Circuit Court argues that Portland doesn't have the authority under its charter or state law to levy lodging taxes against HomeAway.

Another lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. Circuit Court in Portland argues the city's requirements to register the names and addresses of individuals posting their homes for rental prohibits free speech and commerce online. It also said the city's ordinance violated its customers' rights because it doesn't give "affected customer the opportunity to obtain review by a neutral decision maker."

Portland attorneys declined to comment.

HomeAway is a subsidiary of the travel company Expedia, which is based in Bellevue, Washington. It also owns the vacation rental website VRBO, which has also faced fines from the city.

-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus

Jessica Floum contributed to this report. It has been updated to include a statement from HomeAway.
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1 / 30 U. S. Senator Ron Wyden makes an enthusiastic entrance to the welcoming crowd. Members of Oregon's congressional delegation speak against changes to the nation's health care system proposed by Republicans and the incoming Donald Trump administration.

(John Rudoff/For The Oregonian)

By Elizabeth Hovde

That the Affordable Care Act is now relied on and used by millions of Americans totally changes how opponents should approach the imperfect health care law. Snatching it away, as President Donald Trump proposes, would be completely irresponsible and destabilize the marketplace, families and individuals.

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, joined by Reps. Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Kurt Schrader and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler held a rally in Portland last Sunday to defend the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. I'm glad they're keeping the issue in local headlines and on constituents' radars. It was finally a local political happening I could support. The numerous citizen marches, protests and rallies since Nov. 9, bemoaning everything and anything the new president says, does or believes, have been frustrating. There is much to be concerned about. No argument there. But I'd argue that the majority of protests today are unfocused, lazy, feel-good forms of activism that society would be better off without. They further divide.

President Trump is making himself an easy target for every type of protest, of course. So far, his ideas and decisions -- or how he presents them -- are often irresponsible, rushed or lacking empathy. He's an oratorical nightmare, a deficiency that's especially noticeable coming after the eloquent Barack Obama, who could have me nodding along with parts of a speech even when I thought he was dead wrong on an issue. Trump has a disturbing pattern of mistreating and insulting others, and he's tweeting away the respect that the office of the presidency deserves.

The benefit-of-the-doubt I have been trying to give a candidate I didn't support has expired. Now I need some hope and change I can believe in.

Trump's chest-thumping about health care is not giving me that hope.

A big concern of mine is that years of Obamacare mean many more people are relying on government-assisted health insurance. The number of insured people the ACA gets credit for is hotly debated; Let's leave it at between 10 million and 20 million. A Congressional Budget Office report released last week estimates 18 million would lose insurance if Obamacare is partially repealed, as proposed.

Regardless of the number of millions, and putting aside how many Americans qualified for Medicaid with or without

Obamacare, a lot of people have now arranged their work and budgets around the provision of free or subsidized care. Some have even left their privately funded insurance plans to take advantage of ACA tax subsidies offered them.

Gradual change -- if any -- is what leaders should be seeking. I'd like to see employer mandates done away with. It's a mistake to distance patients from insurance decision-making loops and costs. And the ACA is not sustainable, given our current tax and budget realities. Getting rid of the individual mandate would worsen the situation. But access to health care is as much of or more of a societal need than even K-12 education. You wouldn't try to strip away the public education the nation relies on and believes in overnight.

"Repeal and replace is a bloody complicated exercise," Brian Fortune, president of the Farragut Square Group, a health-care consulting firm, said in a story on CNN.com titled, "Repealing Obamacare: Trump says fast, Congress says slow." Big waves in the insurance market will likely have a lot of people gasping for air.

At the minimum, politicians need to ensure there are no gaps in coverage for people who are currently subsidized if they have to leave health plans. Some wouldn't have even switched to a plan in jeopardy were it not for the ACA.

While prioritizing this issue is most welcome, lawmakers and citizens should resist the less-than-helpful, preach-to-the-choir rhetoric that will fail to gain common ground. That concerned me about the recent rally.

"Today we take the gloves off," Wyden said. "We take the gloves off, to say 'hands off,' to those working to hollow out the anti-cancer preventative services provided to women at Planned Parenthood. No way! No way!"

Really?

Sigh. Let's stick to other points made that day. As Merkley noted, close to 400,000 people have gained access to healthcare in Oregon. Get this discussion slowed down and don't fire up opponents to want to throw the baby out with controversial Planned Parenthood bathwater. Us vs. Them treatment is the same thing that got Trump elected.

Critics of the Affordable Care Act are right to point out that, in some cases, the law has increased premiums and compromised choice. They need to be assured that finding solutions to those consequences is important to lawmakers. All of us, opponents and proponents of the law -- and many in-betweeners -- should be stressing that Obamacare needs to be tweaked or changed responsibly, not Trumpcated.

Elizabeth Hovde's column appears on the fourth Sunday of the month.
More than 2,000 people from across Montana are planning to meet in Helena Jan. 21 to march to the Capitol in solidarity with the Womens March on Washington.

Organizers said the event, which begins at noon, originally aimed to gather 500 people, but a divisive election has people boarding buses and arranging carpools to attend the march. Women, men and their families are marching in an attempt to bring awareness to all marginalized populations, they said.

The event was sparked by an incoming presidential administration whose rhetoric has threatened women, immigrants, people with disabilities and Muslims, organizers said.

Deb ONeill, one of the organizers, said the event is not a protest, but aims to make the incoming administration aware that Americans will hold their government accountable for any human rights violations.

We need to work with this next administration. Its clear who our next president is and we need to move forward, she said. We want to make sure rights are protected and not taking advantage of the disenfranchised in any way.

The march falls on the day after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Thousands of women are expected to march in Washington the same day as the Helena event. The organizers of the national protest emphasized creating conversations regarding the plight of minorities and immigrant women.

As a result, some white women said they dont feel included in the national march. ONeill pointed out Montana's lack of diversity, but noted the statewide march also aims to bring attention to marginalized groups.

In Montana, there will be a particular focus on Native Americans. Native Americans and Alaska Natives make up the largest minority in the state with 6.6 percent of the total population, according to 2015 census data. Native American speakers will include tribal leaders and a representative from Standing Rock. The Montana Racial Equity Project will also speak at the event.

It started as a womens march but it has grown to so much more, she said. We want to make it clear that everyone is invited.

Montana's First Lady Lisa Bullock and representatives from organizations such as the ACLU, YWCA and Montana Human Rights Network are set to address the Helena attendees. The Montana Womens Chorus and Native American drummers will participate and perform.

People will line up at 11:30 a.m. on 8th Avenue between Roberts and Sanders streets and march to the Capitol steps at noon. Organizers suggest people park in the mall parking lot.
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Hundreds participated in the Portland Women March Against Hate in December. The authors believe the feminist movement needs a broader understanding how each woman experiences oppression uniquely.

(Allan Brettman/Staff)

By Andrea Paluso and Lisa Frack

Today, one day after the inauguration of Donald Trump, thousands of Oregon women and other feminists will take to the streets in peaceful protest of the hate, racism and misogyny that fueled his campaign. Marches are happening across the globe, uniting women's voices in opposition to oppression and in favor of equal rights for all. It's an historic day that demonstrates the depth and intensity of resistance we hope will continue throughout Trump's presidency.

The planning of these marches has been a subject of great discussion. The Oregon march, like the national march, started as an idea among a few white women who were looking for a way to protest the new administration. Given the magnitude of opposition to Trump, their idea quickly grew into something much bigger. They hoped that these larger gatherings would be a place for all women to come together in solidarity against a common threat. However, this good intention was unlikely to be realized given the historic and ongoing ways in which marginalized women of color, indigenous women, Muslim women, trans women, queer women, immigrant women and women with disabilities are so rarely invited into leadership roles when the conversation is convened by white women.

This failure to include all voices from the beginning is what caused groups like the Portland branch of the NAACP to not support the event, and for groups like ours to make plans to follow suit if actions were not taken to change course. To be clear, these conversations about feminism and inclusion are important and overdue. They represent the hard work of welcoming, listening, and partnering respectfully with people whose lives are different than our own.

Following the NAACP's departure, the Portland march experienced a positive change of leadership. The march has since taken steps toward broad inclusiveness and is now being led by a person of color. But the problem of white women excluding more marginalized women -- whether by intention or lack of understanding -- is as old as the feminist movement itself. White women have long centered our own liberation over the liberation of all women, resulting in greater inequity among women (by race, gender identity, immigration status) than exists between white women and white men.

Truth is, women who are not straight, white and cisgendered face greater threats and oppression than those who are. Not acknowledging this is a form of racism. The families of historically marginalized women risk being torn apart by state-sanctioned violence. Their body autonomy is not just threatened by diminished access to reproductive health care, but through greater experiences of criminalization and draconian immigration and deportation policies. Economic opportunity has never been as available to more marginalized women as it has for white women.

Oppression at the intersections of race, gender, sexual orientation, or immigration status is more insidious and will require greater devotion from more of us to dismantle. As white women, we need to work harder to recognize the role we've played and continue to play in reinforcing oppression in various systems and spaces. Patriarchy, for example, is upheld not just by men, but by women, too.

Share your opinion

Submit your essay of 500 words or less to commentary@oregonlive.com. Please include your email and phone number for verification.

How inspiring that we have this moment to stand by and for each other -- today and for the long haul. What our feminist movement will need to achieve its goal of equal rights for all women and marginalized people everywhere is a broader understanding of and emphasis on how every woman experiences oppression uniquely. To truly move our country forward requires white women's feminism and activism to include and center experiences that are not our own. An authentic women's movement cannot focus only on those things experienced by all of us; we must focus on things that impact any one of us.

This work will not end on Jan. 21. The Women's March is instead another beginning, a powerful opportunity to get it right for every woman. We hope you will help in all the ways you can to build the most robust and inclusive women's movement we can. The one that all women need and deserve.

Andrea Paluso is executive director of Family Forward Action. Lisa Frack is president of the National Organization of Women, Oregon Chapter.
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Wayne Faulk

(Steve Duin)

As the snow piled up last week and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler begged us to be vigilant about our most vulnerable neighbors, people began calling me about Wayne Faulk.

He is a gentle 72-year-old, ferociously attached to the 40-acre Oregon City farm where he has lived most of his life. In the years since his parents died, he has made almost daily two-mile walks from that farm to the Redland Store, often picking up cans so he can afford soda pop or a packet of lunchmeat.

But after Kenneth Stewart, a Clackamas County circuit judge pro tem, assigned him a limited guardian and conservator in October, Faulk vanished from that daily routine.

Because Faulk has for years expressed so much anxiety about leaving the farm, many of his friends and neighbors were frantic.

When someone spotted him at the Best Western Rivershore Hotel in Oregon City, 10 people showed up just before Thanksgiving, hoping to talk to Faulk and his caregivers.

That didn't sit well with Ann Yela, the new guardian.

When Bob Norton later asked Yela if his family could host Faulk at their home for Christmas dinner, he said, "We were told, 'Oh, no, we can't do that. For his safety.'

The Faulk family farm, where Wayne has lived since the age of 5.

"The secrecy and hostility is the first red flag," says Norton, who works for Clackamas Fire District No. 1. "If everything is on the up-and-up, why wouldn't they allow folks to see him and visit him? Why are we seen as a threat?"

Looking for answers, the Redland community called me. They called me because I wrote about Yela's firm, Farley Piazza LLC, five years ago in the horrendous case involving a veteran named Ben Alfano.

They called me because they received little help from Yela or anyone with the county.

It took most of a snow-bound week to track Faulk down at Deerfield Village, an assisted-living center in Milwaukie.

The visit was made possible by attorney Eric Kearney, Faulk's court-appointed advocate in fighting to maintain his independence.

On Wednesday afternoon, Wayne said he is miserable living in his lonely room at the end of the hall.

The hallway leading to Wayne Faulk's room at Deerfield Village.

"I don't like a place like this, where you do nothing but watch TV," Faulk says. "Just because I'm 72, I shouldn't be stuck here. I want to be home on the farm. I'd like to be out working. Since 1954, I've been raking leaves on the place."

Faulk is developmentally disabled, and too often influenced by the loudest voice in his ear. When his mother died in 1999, his father set up a trust to ensure that Wayne could live out his life on the South Potter Road farm.

Since 2012, Wayne's sister-in-law, Linda, has served as trustee over those funds, even managing the $1,900 Wayne receives each month from Social Security and his late father's worker's compensation benefits.

Wayne often complained to the neighbors that far too little of that money ever arrived to fund his purchases at the Redland Store or keep the farm in good repair.

Two of those neighbors are Jack Dunn and Rosemarie Henley. After Wayne gave them power of attorney, and they assumed control of his disability payments, Linda Faulk petitioned the court to saddle Wayne with a guardian and conservator.

Several Christmas cards, at least, followed Wayne to his room at Milwaukie's Deerfield Village.

Kearney doesn't believe Wayne needs a guardian. Neither does Marcie Ingledue, executive director of The ARC Oregon, a Salem non-profit that works with the elderly and the disabled.

"After meeting with him," Ingledue told me, "we felt he could definitely live independently with the proper support in place."

In October, the court reached a different conclusion. But Stewart also mandated that Yela could not move Wayne off the farm without the court's approval, barring a medical emergency.

The judge also ordered the guardian to "facilitate contact with Wayne Faulk, his family, and members of his community."

Through her attorney, Yela promptly filed restraining orders against Henley and Dunn, who were providing many of his meals. Those protective orders have not yet been served.

As Wayne's attorney argued in court, "A move from his home would be devastating to the health and well-being of Mr. Faulk." Yet after Wayne needed a brief hospital stay for a leg injury, Yela moved him off the farm.

When Sandy Ortega, Bridget Probst and other Redland neighbors could find nothing in the court file approving that move, they sent out a search party looking for the man who had, on numerous occasions, begged them for help.

When I called Yela, she said she had no comment. She eventually informed the court that the farm requires repairs to ensure Wayne's safety.

"It's my job to be skeptical of everyone who is not my client," Kearney says, but he believes Yela is "making good faith efforts to get Wayne back into that house."

For now, he's still parked at Deerfield Village. On Tuesday, a caregiver brought Wayne back to the Redland Cafe for the first time in two months. Bob Norton and other community members rushed to see him.

"I'm a famous man," Wayne tells me.

That's true. He hasn't been cruelly abandoned, like so many of the elderly. But it's a cruel irony that those who care for him, and those who are paid to guard over him, can't find a way to work together to comfort the man.

-- Steve Duin

stephen.b.duin@gmail.com
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Marion County Deputy Kelly James Fredinburg (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities have arrested a man in the Mexican state of Puebla who is wanted in the traffic collision deaths of Marion County Deputy Kelly Fredinburg and another man in 2007, according to the Oregon State Police.

"It has been nearly 10 years since the tragic loss of Deputy Kelly Fredinburg," Marion County Sheriff Jason Myers said in a news release issued Saturday. "While no one has ever given up hope that the individual responsible for this tragedy would be apprehended, it has been an emotional, trying and difficult journey to reach this point."

Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio in 2007

Fredinburg, then 33, had worked for the Marion County Sheriff's Office a year earlier after working six years for the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Alfredo De Jesus Ascencio, 29, is believed to have been the driver of a vehicle that collided head-on with Fredinburg's patrol car at about 11:30 p.m. June 16, 2007 on Oregon Highway 99E north of Gervais and south of Woodburn.

Fredinburg was heading southbound in his marked patrol car using emergency lights and siren. Two northbound vehicles were moving to the shoulder to yield when a third northbound car, a white 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, crossed into the southbound lane, hitting Fredinburg's patrol car head-on, police said.

De Jesus Ascencio, then 20, was treated for critical injuries at OHSU Hospital. One of two passengers, Oscar Ascencio Amaya, 19, died the day after the crash at OHSU Hospital. A third man in the De Jesus Ascencio vehicle, who was 24, went to Salem Hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.

De Jesus Ascencio was indicted a month after the crash on two counts of criminally negligent homicide. He is believed to have fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution around the time of the indictment, a state police news release says.

Oregon authorities then embarked on a nearly decade-long process pursuing De Jesus Ascencio.

In 2010, Oregon prosecutors sought to have Mexican authorities prosecute De Jesus Ascencio in that country. Limitations of the extradition treaty between the U.S. and Mexico prevented prosecution in the U.S., the state police said.

Oregon State Police investigators traveled to Mexico to file paperwork "in front of the Procurador General de la Republica (PGR), which is the equivalent of the Attorney General's Office in the U.S.," the state police news release says, "and presented them with all police reports translated into Spanish.

"The case went to a Mexican federal judge for review. In 2011, OSP learned that the judge had approved the Article 4 paperwork and a warrant was issue for De Jesus Ascencio's arrest. Since that time, OSP, the Marion County District Attorney's Office, the Marion County Sheriff's Office and FBI have collaborated in efforts in locating De Jesus Ascencio."

The news release says the International Criminal Police Organization, also known as Interpol, along with FBI agents working in Mexico and Salem found De Jesus Ascencio in Puebla, about 80 miles southeast of Mexico City.

Mexican authorities arrested De Jesus Ascencio this week, Capt. Bill Fugate of the Oregon State Police said Saturday. Fugate said state and county officials, who heard about the arrest Friday, expect to know more in the coming days about the prosecution of De Jesus Ascencio.

"It's a relief to us," said Fugate, who said authorities had planned a publicity push about the case with its 10-year anniversary approaching. "It's a step toward justice."

--Allan Brettman

503-294-5900

@allanbrettman
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.
BILLINGS  Barry Beach on Friday denied that he failed to comply with the conditions of his probation by violating a protection order in November.

District Court Judge Katherine Bidegaray presided over a revocation hearing in Wolf Point. Beach, represented by Billings lawyer Jack Sands, denied that he had violated a condition of his probation. Beach will appear again near the end of February when Bidegaray will determine whether or not Beach's suspended sentence will be revoked.

The revocation petition was filed in the 15th District Court, which includes Roosevelt County, where Beach was sentenced for deliberate homicide for the 1979 beating death of 17-year-old Kim Nees.

Gov. Steve Bullock granted Beach clemency in November 2015 after he had served more than 30 years in prison for the murder. Since November 2015, Beach has been serving a 10-year suspended sentence. A revocation could send him back to prison.

A woman filed for a protection order against Beach on Oct. 28, saying that she was the mother of a child she had with Beach during his brief release from prison in 2011. In filing for the protection order, she said Beach had repeatedly contacted her to have a relationship, which the woman did not want.

The protection order was granted. The woman later told police that on Nov. 5, Beach had parked outside of her home and followed them to other locations. A GPS monitoring unit attached to Beach as part of his probation backed up those claims, according to court documents.

This served as the basis for prosecutors' petition for revocation. The order of protection against Beach was dismissed in December.

If the suspended sentence is revoked, the state is "recommending that he be sent back to prison," said Justice Department spokesman Eric Sell. That recommendation is in line with a probation officer's referral that he be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Beach has long maintained his innocence in Nees' death. In his clemency order, Bullock cited Beach's good behavior while in prison and the fact that he was 17 at the time of the murder.
HAVANA  An American team of academics is racing to preserve millions of Cuban historical documents before they are lost to the elements and poor storage conditions.

Many of the documents shed light on the slave trade, an integral part of Cuba's colonial history that was intertwined with that of the United States.

David Lafevor, a history professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, and his brother Matthew, a geography professor at the University of Alabama, have worked since 2005 to make computer copies of millions of documents mouldering in damp storage spaces on the island.

Their latest project is a partnership between the British Library Foundation and Vanderbilt University to capture almost 2 million documents in digital form, a treasure trove stretching back to the mid-16th century of documents about early island life and the slave trade.

David Lafevor said there is nothing like Cuba's documentary record in the U.S.

Though no less ruthless when it came to slavery than the Anglos to the north, the Spanish recognized the "personhood" of slaves once they were baptized into the Catholic Church. Their births, marital status, national origin and deaths were all duly recorded in the town records and stored in church archives, leaving a historical record of blacks and their lives far more detailed than that in the U.S.

Churches became the repository of much of this history because of their central role in island life and because church officials were painstaking documentarians who often were the most educated in their communities, David Lafevor said in an interview.

"The documents are not only pertinent to the Catholic Church because the church was often the most substantial building in town, so other documents were kept there as well," he said.

For instance, while digitizing some documents in the town of Colon, a slave trading post in colonial days that is about 175 kilometers (about 110 miles) east of Havana, Lafevor discovered that a nearby town was founded by former American slaves who had fled Spanish-ruled Florida on the mainland.

The town, Ceiba Mocha, was once known as Ceiba Mocha de la Nueva St. Augustine, a reference to the city that was the capital of Spanish Florida in the 18th century. None of the town's residents were aware of its origins.

Cuba's Catholic Church has played a major role in the preservation project, granting access to church archives around the island and assisting in identifying important documents.

Church officials like Deacon Felix Knight of the colonial Santo Espirito Church in Old Havana, tucked away in a warren of narrow lanes in the city's colonial heart, work with the academics to find and preserve old documents.

"These books reflect life, aspects of the sacramental life of blacks, obviously of whites also," Knight said. "The important thing is to preserve as many of them as possible."

It is especially important to preserve the history of the Afro-Cuban community, whose history has not been well documented in Cuba, he added.

Slavery wasn't outlawed in Cuba until 1886, and American slavers had used the island as a trans-shipment point for African slaves destined for U.S. slave markets in the South.

"We are working ... to maintain and recover that which is irreplaceable, a legacy. It's a patrimony, a way of seeing that is very personal," Knight said, holding a book from 1674 that contains records of black births, marriages, deaths and civil status.

The process of digitizing the papers can be painstaking. Each ancient volume is carefully removed from storage and placed on a black cloth used for background. Then each page is slowly opened and photographed. An average book can contain hundreds of pages, all in various conditions of preservation, the writing faded from age and the elements.

The leather-bound volumes are remarkably resistant to decay, considering that many are stored in wooden cabinets in places with little climate control. Knight said churches were built in the colonial era to maximize air flow in the heavy tropical climate. High ceilings and thick walls kept the interiors of the churches cool and dry, helping to preserve the paper and leather-bound records.

Cheaper travel and more choices for accommodations have made the recovery project easier, Lafevor said, referring to a normalization process begun by the Obama administration two years ago. The Tennessee-based team can now fly directly to the island from the U.S., avoiding expensive third-country travel. But even more important, Lafevor said, the growth of "casa particulares," the private homes that rent rooms to visitors, gives them more and cheaper choices for places to stay, allowing them to work for a month at a time.

Lafevor said no one knows how many millions of documents exist in storage, nor how many have been lost to storms, pirate attacks, war and civil unrest, but the project seeks to preserve as many as possible before more are lost to history. He said the current project will run until 2018 and hopes to digitize almost 2 million documents in four cities around the island.

Still, he cautioned, the project is only a small step toward preserving a vibrant historical record, with millions of more documents spanning 500 years left to preserve around the island.
DECATUR  Olivia Swords was on the opposite side of the reflecting pool outside the U.S. Capitol building Friday as Donald Trump was sworn into office as president.

It's an experience Olivia, an eighth-grader at Dennis School, will likely never forget. She was close enough to see the people come out and watch the inauguration ceremony on large screens set up for a better look of what was happening on the Capitol steps.

It was a good view, Olivia said in a phone interview afterward. It was packed full in our section. It was not really like something I had seen before.

Olivia was one of a number of people from the Decatur area who braved the weather and protesters to witness history as Trump became the 45th president of the United States.

Olivia is in Washington, D.C., this week as a part of a small Illinois 4-H group that includes four students and two chaperones.

While she likes Trump, the trip was being planned even before the outcome of the election in November was known.

Either way, I would have enjoyed it, said Olivia, who is president of the Dennis student council.

Olivia said the experience has been fantastic, especially being able to be so close to the inauguration.

It was an inspiring thing to see, she said. It makes me proud to be an American. An indescribable feeling came over me to see it up close.

Olivia has aspirations to become an Illinois Supreme Court justice. The group, which arrived Tuesday in Washington, has visited the U.S. Supreme Court, Smithsonian museums, National Archives and Newseum. Olivia described it as amazing.

Olivia's mom, Liz Swords, said she's been texting the family all week and was proud to show off her inauguration ticket. Liz Swords said it was something she and her husband, Tim, wanted to let their daughter experience on her own.

It's the experience of a lifetime, Liz Swords said. She's been very interested in politics and the whole process. We want to raise her with an open mind.

Liz Swords said the trip has included meetings with speakers including White House staff and ambassadors.

While Olivia Swords got her first taste of Washington, D.C., Friday marked a return for Chaplain Steve Holden.

Holden and his son, Matt, were in attendance Friday for their second-ever inauguration, though their first since George W. Bush's inauguration in 2005.

As he took the Metro to the city and walked through the city to his spot on the National Mall, Steve Holden could not believe the amount of civility he encountered through the morning.

We were on the lawn, and the crowd was fantastic, he said. All races and nationalities were there getting along, and so many schoolkids and their families were there to take in the event.

As he watched and listened to Trump's speech, Holden said he was encouraged for the future of the country.

"So much of the reports lately have been whether (Trump) can do the things he promised or not, and he focused on all the things he campaigned on during his speech," Holden said. "I dont think it was overbearing; it was much a this is what I came to do.'

"The man speaks from his heart  he knew what he wanted to say."
The African Childrens Choir will perform at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Jan, 29, at Midland Nazarene, 5700 Jefferson Ave. The program features childrens songs, traditional spirituals and Gospel favorites. Concerts are free and open to all. A freewill offering is taken at the performance to support African Childrens Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.

Music for Life (The parent organization for The African Childrens Choir) works in seven African countries such as, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. MFL has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs during its history.
LINWOOD (AP)  A Michigan cheesemaker that turns heads with its larger-than-life statue of a milk cow at its shop entrance is making a big patriotic gesture.

A storm toppled Williams Cheese Companys sign and U.S. flag in 2012, so owner Mike H. Williams resolved to replace the 6-by-10-foot flag at the store. The Bay City Times reports crews this week raised one thats 10 times that size.
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Gary Skory, director of the Midland County Historical Society, recently presented Wish You Were Here: A Postcard History of Midland to the John Alden Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Skorys interest in postcards began when he first moved to Midland and could not find a postcard to send to his family. He now has 1,400 historical Midland area postcards at the Doan History Center dating from 1903-2011. Skory used postcard images to demonstrate the history and the many changes in Midland over the years. Historically, postcards became very popular at the turn of the century.
Wednesday, Jan. 18

8:35 a.m.  A detective received a referral from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding suspicious contact between two children.

12:43 p.m.  A deputy spoke with the parents of a girl who was threatened by another student, age 15, while she was at school. The girls parents were given advice with how to deal with the situation, and spoke with school administrators who are addressing the incident.

2:18 p.m.  A Larkin Township man reported he received a text message regarding drugs on a new phone with a new phone number. The message originated in Saginaw, and the information was turned over to BAYANET.

5:40 p.m.  A Mount Pleasant man, 23, was arrested in Geneva Township for driving while his license was suspended. He was cited for speeding and driving without insurance. A report requesting a charge of allowing a suspended person to drive against a 25-year-old Warren Township woman is being sent to the prosecutor.

8:26 p.m.  An Oakland man, 32, went to the Law Enforcement Center to take responsibility for leaving the scene of a crash. He was arrested on an Oakland County warrant.
Air Mobility Command Airmen helped mark a major milestone by enabling the delivery of Marine F-35B Lightning II aircraft to Japan, Jan. 18.

The transfer of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, marks the first permanent international deployment of the joint strike fighter. Four KC-10 Extenders from Travis Air Force Base, California, and Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, New Jersey, participated in the operation. The teamwork ensured the effective international deployment of the F-35Bs, providing the right effects at the right place and time.

"The arrival of the F-35B embodies our commitment to the defense of Japan and the regional-security of the Pacific, said Maj. Gen. Russell Sanborn, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general. We are bringing the most advanced technology to the Pacific to respond to the wide range of missions we take part in and provide greater support to our regional allies.

Aerial refueling aircraft enable worldwide missions through force extension, making combat operations and partner nation support possible.

"One of the Indo-Asia-Pacific theater challenges is the tyranny of distance," said Maj. Gen. Mark Dillon, Pacific Air Forces vice commander. "U.S. Pacific Command spans 51 percent of the globe and over 80 percent is ocean. This makes rapid global mobility absolutely vital to our daily operations. Whether it's refueling U.S. Marine Corps 5th generation fighter aircraft, resupplying National Science Foundation teams in Antarctica, or moving patients via aeromedical airlift, PACAF and the entire joint team in the USPACOM theater regularly rely on our partners in Air Mobility Command - and they deliver every time."

The 618th AOC here, planned the critical aerial refueling support carried out by KC-10 Extender crews from Travis and JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

While the mission was being executed, Maj. Ken Morris, 618th AOC global operations director for air refueling operations provided command and control for the KC-10s, ensuring the safe delivery of the Marine F35Bs.

We oversee the execution of aerial refueling missions happening throughout the world said Morris. Theres no room for error in our line of work, we have to make sure the mission is successful by putting the tanker at the right place, at the right time to connect with the receiver.

In 2016 AMC Airmen flew more than 42,000 aerial refueling sorties, transferring 1.2 billion Lbs. of fuel to over 128,000 receivers.

Air refueling aircraft are the backbone of Global Reach, increasing coalition and U.S. aircrafts range while mid-flight. AMC Airmen utilize these aircraft while working around-the-clock to execute Rapid Global Mobility and enable global reach.
In order to provide rapid crisis response around the Indo-Asia-Pacific theater to sustain the fight tonight motto, the 35th Fighter Wings F-16 Fighting Falcons must practice their global reach as if its a real-world scenario.



With a load of mission essential weapons strapped on each wing, fuel is sometimes minimized--to an extent.



This is where the KC-135 Stratotanker comes in to showcase its art of in-flight refueling. Since Misawa is not home to any tankers, pilots rely on active duty and Air National Guard units to provide the support pilots need.



We are here to support the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons, said Master Sgt. Eric Jones, boom operator assigned to the 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard. Wherever these jets take-off from, they are loaded with weapons and cannot hold too much fuel. That is why we are here to refuel them during flight, which increases the amount of training or combat experience they [can] endure.



Jones and his fellow Guardsmen practiced with both squadrons at Misawa over the last two weeks, accomplishing both the pilots and refuelers training requirements.



After formal training and air-to-air refueling qualification, pilots typically perform these missions every six-months, staying proficient and capable, said Lt. Col. Ryan Ley, the 35th Fighter Wing chief of safety. When larger movements arise and need tanker support, like Red Flag or missions in Korea, it is important having everyone qualified to avoid personnel restrictions.



If this requirement is neglected, Ley explained it could cause dangerous situations during training or in-combat scenarios. If pilots are not proficient in refueling, it could cause them to land in obscure or enemy territory.



From the tankers perspective, they receive training to improve their aerial refueling skills.



When we have 16 jets waiting to be refueled during training flights, we, as boom operators, become very proficient at what we do, Jones said. When the time comes to do it for real-world operations, we know what we are doing and there are no hiccups in theater.



The 35th FW joins a tanker unit every three months, providing quality air-to-air refueling training.



Tanking is absolutely important to the mission at Misawa because it gets us where we need to go, said Ley. The F-16 is very limited on fuel and it allows us to increase our training and combat capabilities without landing our jet.
Destiny, Acacia, Lively, River -- baby names recently given to defenseless infants. Where did they come from? Who knows?

Maybe parents put too much pressure on themselves trying to come up with the perfect name. Sure, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but new names matter. It is difficult to imagine Marion Mitchell Morrison as the quintessential cowboy, but John Wayne is perfect.

Names are also important in the Bible and sometimes peoples names changed. Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah when God promises they will be progenitors of a nation. Their first son is named Isaac, which means "he laughs" because the parents laugh when God tells them they will finally have a child while in their 90s.

Jesus did not call one of his disciples by his birth name Simon. Jesus called him Peter, the Rock, long before Dwayne Johnson ever used the name.

New parents Mary and Joseph named their baby Jesus because an angel told Joseph to!

Joseph consistently got out of the way to make room for God to do God's work in his life. He allows God to add to him, rather than trying to force his own will, even when God's plans completely alter the course of his life.

We need to be more like Joseph, someone in whom the presence of God grows.

The Egyptian root of Mary's name means "beloved" or "cherished." In Hebrew, miryam, from which "Mary" comes, means "rebellion." That may sound cute as the name of an infant, but hardly the name you want for a child in their terrible 2s or teens.

The name Jesus means "he saves" or "he will save us." Because he was thought to be God.

Oh, Jesus' last name is not "Christ." Christ is a title, the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word Messiah. He was probably known as Jesus of Nazareth. Or as Jesus bar Joseph -- that is, Jesus son of Joseph. Or, Jesus the tekton, Jesus the handyman or carpenter.

Perhaps Immanuel could have been his middle name -- something like Jesus Immanuel bar Joseph -- though middle names were very uncommon.

This title is an important one for us to remember. God was with us in the person of Jesus 2,000 years ago, and God is with us in our lives today. In the midst of our joys and sorrows, we need to remember Immanuel -- God is with us.
NORMAL  Minda Woith is closing her specialty organic shop, Oops! in Normal, to move and be closer to family.

Woith and her husband Gary opened Oops!  an acronym for outstanding organic products specialties  in 2007 at 1520 E. College Ave., Suite H.

The store sells natural bath products, pottery, clothing, jewelry, kitchen accessories and home decor.

Her husband, an artist who created many of the items sold in the store, died recently and Woith said it changed everything.

Since my entire family is in northern Illinois, I am closing Oops! in Normal and moving north, said Woith, adding that slowing business also pushed her to close. If Im going to be this far away from my loved ones, then there has to be a good financial reason to do so and it just did not happen in Normal.

Woith said the shop will close some time in the next few months.

She said she intends to open another store similar to Oops! in the Rockford area with her daughter sometime in the spring.

Many items will be sold up to 50 percent off until inventory runs out and store hours will remain the same.
NORMAL  A small number of Illinois State University students gathered in two rooms at Bone Student Center to watch the inauguration of Donald Trump as president, and several expressed cautious hope for what will happen in the new administration.

Television screens were set up in Prairie Room-South and Prairie Room-Center for students to watch the inauguration as part of ISU's American Democracy Project, but fewer than a dozen students took part.

Sophomore Torrey Saxton of Alton, a physics major, said after Trump's 15-minute inaugural address, I'm just hoping that people will not look for the bad and will strive to be positive.

Saxton noted that Trump's supporters will expect results quickly from all the new president promised during the campaign.

I'm hopeful he is able to work with Congress to accomplish things for all Americans, not just for those who voted for him, said Saxton.

Austin Bertschy of Peoria, a senior in political science who leads the campus College Republicans group, said he liked Trump's call for unity and is hopeful and optimistic about Trump's ability to get things done.

His favorite parts of Trump's address were when he said, When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice and, Whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.

Junior Will Kay, a political science major from Geneva wearing a Bernie Sanders shirt, said Trump's inauguration speech was pretty much what I expected, following themes from the campaign.

Kay said he liked Trump's pledge to return power to the people of this country. But I don't think it will happen.

He is more optimistic that bipartisan agreement can be found to enact an infrastructure construction plan.

Abby Luchtenburg, a senior in speech pathology from Geneva, said: I'm hopeful. He's our president now. If he wins, America wins. If he loses, we all lose.

She is interested in seeing how he holds to his promises.

There are a lot of things I know he said he would do in the first 100 days, said Luchtenburg. I'm interested to see how it goes, how it all pans out.

Both Kay and Bertschy expressed hope that young people who got excited about their candidates during the campaign will remain involved in politics.

We need more people to be civically engaged, said Bertschy. That's how our democratic republic works.

Greater civic engagement by students is one of the goals of American Democracy Project, a cooperative effort by students, faculty and staff to promote constructive civic involvement while students are on campus and after they graduate, according to John Davenport, ISU dean of students.
NORMAL  If the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. were still alive, he would give former President Barack Obama a very complicated report card and challenge President Donald Trump to be better than he would otherwise be, according to the keynote speaker at Friday's annual King cultural dinner at Illinois State University.

Marc Lamont Hill, an author, activist, professor and television commentator, said King would have seen the symbolic value of Obama's election as a marker of the nation's racial maturity and he would trumpet his victories on issues such as health care, the Iraq war and marriage equality. But King would have been disappointed by U.S. actions related to Somalia, Yemen, Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to Hill.

Speaking to students and the news media before the dinner, Hill, distinguished professor of African American studies at Morehouse College, Atlanta, Ga., said he wasn't necessarily disappointed by Trump's inaugural speech Friday because disappointment implies expectations.

I was hoping to be surprised and I was sad that I wasn't, said Hill, host of BET News and VH1 Live and a political contributor to CNN.

The speech was a missed opportunity to lift the nation's spirit, he said.

The speech did very little to unite the people. It did very little to inspire, said Hill.

Instead, Hill said, each reference by Trump to how things would change and how the the carnage would stop was a jab at Obama.

It was OK to jab Obama during the campaign, Hill said, but at the moment that he's standing behind you, it's time to unite.

Hill said it must have been difficult for Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, to be present at the inauguration with her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

She displayed dignity. She displayed respect for the process, said Hill, adding that he would like to have seen Trump display the same dignity and respect.

Hill said the rise of white nationalism during the Obama administration and the Trump campaign came at a time when factory closings, terrorism and changing demographics were raising anxiety among white people.

When Trump and his supporters talk of making America great again, said Hill, he wants to know which era they were talking about: before the voting rights act or before laws against discrimination in public accommodations?

It may have been great for those wearing those silly hats,  but not so much if you were brown, said Hill.

Asked about differences between protests in the 1960s and today, Hill said, There was a sense in 1963 when the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee were leading protests, that nonviolence was our philosophy.

Today's participants in the Black Lives Matter movement see nonviolence as a tactic and a strategy but not the only one, he said. As an example of the difference, he pointed to protesters in Ferguson, Mo., throwing tear gas canisters back at police.

I think the spirit is the same. I think the courage is the same, said Hill. It plays out in different ways.
BLOOMINGTON  Human services agencies in McLean County, already hurting because of state funding delays, got more bad news Friday as United Way of McLean County revealed its annual fundraising campaign remains in trouble.

United Way President David Taylor told The Pantagraph that "a little over $1.5 million" has been raised in the campaign that supports 64 human services programs operated by 32 organizations. The campaign began Aug. 19.

The previous year's campaign raised $3,533,444  the lowest United Way campaign number in years.

"It's incredibly disappointing," said Lisa Pieper of Children's Home & Aid, whose Scott Early Learning Center and Crisis Nursery get funding from United Way. "We find ourselves without a state budget and United Way funding is coming in short so this couldn't have come at a worse time."

"It's very disheartening and will cause a shift in how we budget and plan," said Karen Bruning of Heartland Head Start. "We need to look to United Way and community leaders to get this campaign back to where it has been historically."

"We are anxious about changes in funding, not only to PATH (Providing Access To Help) but to all the valuable services in McLean County," added Karen Zangerle of PATH.

But campaign co-Chairman Sean Fagan said "We're not done."

Money continues to come in and the traditional end-of-the-campaign celebration, scheduled for Feb. 9, instead is being called a "thank you reception," Taylor said.

United Way is transitioning to collecting money all year rather than focusing on a traditional fall-winter fundraising campaign, he said.

Younger donors are less likely to get involved in once-a-year workplace campaigns in which they fill out pledge forms, and are more likely to donate online whenever they wish, Taylor said. United Way needs to be a part of that change, while retaining fall-winter workplace campaigns, he said.

Taylor hopes that, by spring, a United Way strategic planning group will have thoughts on "how to better share our message with the community."

When Taylor, Fagan and campaign co-Chairwoman Mary Strack discussed campaign woes in December, Taylor said a second appeal would be made later. But he conceded Friday that won't happen because "we need to adapt to the new realities."

About 36,000 people in McLean County benefit from programs supported by United Way, Taylor said. But he didn't say Friday how many people have donated to this year's campaign and how many workplace campaigns have been conducted.

"We've had a lot of them," said Strack, owner of the Bloomington-Normal Jimmy John's franchise. "Some are up. Some are down. Some are ongoing."

Some workplaces have shifted their focus from an annual United Way campaign to giving campaigns in which employees can support the charity of their choice.

Some donors who don't select United Way may not realize the agency supports a plethora of all-local human services providers and applications are vetted by volunteers who make sure money is allocated wisely, said Peter Rankaitis of Project Oz, whose school-based program receives United Way money.

Missy Dundov of State Farm said, "Over the past five years, State Farm and its associates have contributed almost $50 million through charitable giving within McLean County. We are extremely proud of our employees' continued dedication to charitable giving and supporting their communities.

"Our employees, agents and customers come from all walks of life, with differing viewpoints on a variety of topics," Dundov continued. "We recognize their desire to contribute to organizations which represent their voices and we work hard to help that happen.

"This community benefits tremendously from the United Way and other not-for-profit organizations," she continued. "We recognize that 2016 has been a difficult year financially for many organizations in Illinois."
Hold your breath. Our elected state officials may be inching toward an end to the budget impasse that has devastated the State of Illinois. Or not.

Its possible, I suppose, that unyielding Mike Madigan, freshly elected to his 17th term as super-speaker, is finally hearing what loyal minions have been trying to tell him, pointing to their eyebrows: Illinois citizens have had it up to here. Even lawmakers who are well liked at home are starting to feel a mite insecure in their jobs.

With good reason. Its been about two years since Illinois has had a real budget, with every legislator and, of course, Gov. Bruce Rauner responsible for the ship of state taking on more water every day.

With no hand on the budget tiller, theyre spending 13 percent more than what the state is receiving in revenue while vendors and service providers not-so-patiently await $11 billion due them.

That backlog of bills comes to $857 for every man, woman and child who lives in Illinois  a burden shared by fewer and fewer people. Illinois, you see, had a net loss of 37,508 residents in 2016, the biggest decline of any state. Its like every last citizen of Clinton, Streator, Pontiac and Paxton packed up and said See ya later to the Land of Lincoln.

Is there any facet of our society left undamaged by this political dysfunction? The fiscal belts of social service agencies have been tightened, tightened again, and tightened some more. The business community is Prozac-anxious, finding it difficult to find direction. Education at every level has been harmed. The pension system is in deep trouble and Illinois credit rating is lower than any other states.

These are giant problems with long tails. Shame on us for letting it happen.

Maybe the multi-layered fix put on the table last week by Senate leadership (with our own two senators in more prominent leadership positions) is reason for hope. So too, perhaps, the aggressive economic reforms sketched out by Madigan. Glory be, there was even a bit of bi-partisanship kum by yahing going on  until Republicans launched a round of censorious robocalls to constituents of House Democrats who had voted to re-elect the speaker.

No one but Madigan knows whether hell permit some true movement toward a functional budget, or whether the Rauner-Madigan standoff is destined to continue.

We do know Rauner has invested a lot of political capital and his own cash in his effort to reshape state government. But since he became governor, the pension shortfall has increased 24 percent, the accumulation of unpaid bills has more than doubled, and he has yet to formally propose a truly balanced budget.

One wonders how much this successful businessmans lack of progress in Springfield can be attributed to the fact the governorship is his first elective office.

But, hey! Lets try to stay positive, even though a cauldron of skepticism, suspicion and political nastiness foams just under the surface.

And lets keep reminding local lawmakers, inclined to say theyre powerless in ending the stalemate, that theyve kicked the can down the road so many times that its unrecognizable. What a sorry state of affairs for our State of Illinois.

This and that

Well miss Illinois native Michelle Obama as first ladythe adjective that best describes her is authenticWell also miss retired Normal city manager Dave Anderson, whos relocating (as in departing Illinois) to Arkansas to be close to familythe park on East College is named for him The number of people getting on and off at the local Amtrak station fell 11 percent in the latest 12-month reporting period, blamed largely on reduced service resulting from ongoing high-speed track constructionthe Twin Cities stop is still easily the second-busiest in Illinois, behind Chicago.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) lately made some significant changes in their funds. This has led to Mission Australia removing six mental health workers in North Tasmania from their job.

NDIS has started providing support for those Australians who suffer from disabilities. Along with the concerned individuals, their families and caretakers or guardians are also being helped. However, as money came from Commonwealth to NDIS, it has been directed away from Mission Australia.

The six workers were fired from the Commonwealth program titled Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHaMS). According to ABC News, this program operates under Mission Australia in Tasmania's north.

Some assurance came in the words of Denise Brazendale, the regional leader of the organization, who informed that the affected people will soon be provided other services, which were being currently looked for. However, despite looking for various parties who Denise could refer the workers too, the attempts were mostly in vain. This was because in the northern area there are not many services that are suitable for the participants of PHaMS.

The Department of Social Services in collaboration with NDIS is working to help out the people losing their jobs due to the transition in money allocation. The pace, however, is slow and only 8 out of the 90 affected PHaMS clients have been attended to yet.

The issue is also of eligibility as not everyone is fit to receive help from the agency, as per NDIS. This is where the federal government has decided to help by ensuring that people who are eligible for services by NDIS are cared by the government.

Until the government comes up with a long-term solution, new services are being contacted to help the workers who lost their jobs. To further inspect the case, a Senate inquiry will conduct an investigation to resolve the matters.
A 31-year-old mom has given birth to two babies in a span of 10 months. Kimberley Smylie from New Zealand has been trying to get pregnant with her husband Jason for six years.

The couple tried to conceive both naturally and through IVF but only had success with the latter treatment in 2015. The couple said that it had been their last shot at IVF and if nothing came out of it then they would have to give up on the idea of having children for good.

Kimberley, thankfully, gave birth to a baby boy they named Jack on Jan. 16, 2016. He was born premature at 35 weeks following a difficult pregnancy for the mother.

A surprise, however, came soon after Jack was born because Kimberley found out she was pregnant again. This time the baby was conceived naturally.

"The midwife told us you can get pregnant naturally after IVF," Kimberley said, according to Daily Mail. "But after years of trying we thought we couldn't conceive so we weren't worried about using contraception," she added.

On the 29th week of her second pregnancy, however, Kimberley started leaking water and thus was placed under hospital care for careful monitoring for a few more weeks. She and her husband eventually welcomed Sam on Nov. 25, 2016, just 10 months after Jack was born.

"There was meant to be a year between them, Sam's due date was Jan, 21, 2017, but he came early," the mom said, according to Stuff New Zealand. NICU staffers at a Christchurch hospital were astonished at the turn of events.

"We'd been there only ten months prior, so there were a few surprised faces to see us back again so soon," Jason said. It looks like their two babies, however, are doing fine and healthy despite the circumstances of their birth.

Meanwhile, to have more time with her babies Kimberley decided to quit her job and start a home business. She also created The Modern Mummy Lifestyle on Facebook to document the baby's development.
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Last month Patently Apple posted a report titled "Sharp's Terry Gou Deliberately Drops Samsung as a Customer & Sends Samsung into a Panic." The report noted that "Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry and Japanese subsidiary Sharp aim to take a huge leap in TV sales in 2018. In fact their goal is to double sales and in order to be able to do that Hon Hai has decided to tell Samsung that they have no interest in supplying LCD panels to them for TVs next year (2017). That news has sent Samsung into a panic and is now trying to strike a deal with rival LG." It was reported weeks later that Samsung was in talks with LG. Today we learn that Samsung is now suing Sharp for dropping them as customers.

A Korean report today states that "Samsung Electronics South Korea's tech giant, has filed a request for international arbitration against Sharp Corp. of Japan and two other panel makers, seeking US$492 million in compensation that it claims to be suffering from due to their halting of LCD panel supply.

According to the sources, Samsung has filed the request with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) demanding that they resume panel supply or compensate the loss.

Sharp, taken over by Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., said earlier it would stop supplying LCD panels to the world's largest TV maker Samsung.

Samsung, which receives an average of 4 to 5 million LCD panels every year from Sharp, has been in negotiation with other LCD suppliers such as LG Display Co. to reduce any impact on its business.

The prices of LCD panels soared during the latter half of 2016 with demand for LCD panels during the first half of 2017 expected to be above the level expected for the usual off season, the sources said."

Patently Apple's December report had noted that "Hon Hai Chairman Terry Gou has said that his company, working with Sharp, will be able to beat Samsung. Since Gou's sense of rivalry against the South Korean electronics giant is well known, Taiwan's news media have reported Sakai Display's decision as a possible 'declaration of war' against Samsung by the Foxconn group." Sakai Display is owned by Foxconn / Sharp.

So Samsung's striking out against Foxconn/Sharp is probably putting a smile on Terry Gou's face today knowing that his strike against Samsung has caused them maximum grief. Maybe it's just me, but I think that this recent news may also be putting a smile on some Apple fan faces today as they cheer on Apple's number one supplier.

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 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, was sworn in yesterday as noted in our cover graphic, and we wish him Godspeed.

Before being sworn in we learned of his meeting with Silicon Valley's elite last December to ensure that their concerns were heard before any negotiations begin with new trade deals with China. We also learned that SoftBank Chief Executive Masayoshi Son met with Trump to announce a plan to invest $50 billion in the U.S. along with Foxconn. Alibaba met with Trump about creating one million jobs and LG is preparing a plan to open a plant in the U.S.

Out of Davos this week Cisco's CEO Chuck Robins talked positively about Trump and the meeting held last month other tech executives. "It was an incredibly constructive meeting," Robbins said. "And I think everyone that walked in that room put behind them whatever their political views were during the election."

Robins added that "I came out, from a business perspective, very optimistic about what it might mean for global business. Because the US and the global economy are so intertwined that you can't impact them independent of each other. So I think the changes that are being contemplated will not only be good for the US but will also be good for the global economy."

Yesterday another story broke out of South Korea about the Trump effect on businesses. While the report repeated the news of LG and Samsung working on plans for U.S. plants of one kind or another by closing their plants in Mexico, they also revealed that Hyundai Motor Group, the world's fifth-largest automaker, said earlier this week that it may consider building additional production facilities, while announcing that it will invest a total of 3.6 trillion won ($3.1 billion) in the United States over the next five years.

They also noted that earlier this month, Japan's Toyota also announced its plan to make a $10 billion capital investment in the United States over the next five years and the U.S. automakers General Motors and Ford Motor also followed suit.

President Donald Trump is off to a good start in terms of business and so far responsible CEO's who have actually met with Trump have said that he'll be good for U.S. business. The one-time tax holiday of 10% for bringing profits home to the U.S. alone will benefit all tech companies including Apple with $230 billion and Cisco with $60 billion parked overseas because the taxes are currently too high to bring home. Cook said in 2015 that bringing profits back to the United States would cost him 40%, noting, "I don't think that's a reasonable thing to do."

While President Trump is firing on all cylinders for business with some high profile tech companies lining up to do business right out of the gate, there are some dark clouds ahead that will test the new administration.

A serious report was published earlier this month stemming from the Obama administration that the U.S. semiconductor sector will face risks from China. That's a situation that Trump is inheriting. Obama had already begun to move against China by blocking the sales of Germany's Aixtron to the Chinese.

A government report stated that "We found that Chinese policies are distorting markets in ways that undermine innovation, subtract from U.S. market share, and put U.S. national security at risk."

In another report yesterday we learn that "The new Trump administration has already lined up the first shots in a clash of trade titans. Calling China "the most protectionist country" among major U.S. trading partners, Wilbur Ross, Donald Trump's choice to run the Commerce Department, on Wednesday signaled new tariffs for Chinese steel and aluminum industries dumping their products in the U.S. at artificially low prices.

That gave U.S. steel stocks a one-day boost. But if the protectionist rhetoric and actions continue to ratchet higher, U.S. companies with a big China presence, such as Apple, General Motors and Boeing could get caught in the crossfire."

So interesting times are ahead no doubt for the tech industry and that's what Silicon Valley's meeting with Trump in December was all about. Understand each other and listening to their concerns over work visas, trade problems with China and creating jobs at home.

But for a day, it's just right to stop the political noise and wish the new U.S. President well and wish him Godspeed.

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.
And I find it distasteful. Sorry, but I do. This is, above all, an anti-Trump march. Its organizers say that this is a march for human rights but fundamentally this is not about social justice generically but a march specifically aimed at voicing opposition to Trump for the things hes said in the past and the things hes expected to do in the future, however realistic those fears are.

So, fine, a march in Washington D.C. makes sense. Marches in large cities across the United States make sense. But sister marches abroad, not so much.

Heres the list of locations of such marches  from Tblisi, Georgia, to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Hanoi, Vietnam. Some are clearly organized by American expats; in other cases, its less clear. Some are not marches but gatherings of various kinds, or even a picnic in Yangon, Myanmar, where a march would be illegal. Many post a generic mission statement:

We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families  recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country. The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us  women, immigrants of all statuses, those with diverse religious faiths particularly Muslim, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, the economically impoverished and survivors of sexual assault. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear. In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers is too great to ignore. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. The Womens March will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that womens rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

Mic posted various pictures and these are all clearly anti-Trump, not just generically supportive of social justice. A woman in Paris holds up a sign that says Not My President  is she American? French? A woman in Buenos Aires has a similar sign, and a flag-design bandana. In Berlin, women hold up pictures of the image of a woman in an American flag-hijab. (Remember when flag clothing was considered disrespectful?) Same sign in Athens, along with Hands off my (cat picture).

So, look, I get that if the United States had truly elected the next Hitler, it would be entirely appropriate for outsiders to take notice. But everything Ive read seems to at this point be focusing on defending Planned Parenthood. And consider the regimes in other parts of the world who actually violate human rights every day. How many rallies against Assad have you seen occurring, well, anywhere?

As it is, it feels like people in other countries are butting in on our electoral politics. Am I glad that Trump is our president? No. If we had a presidential primary system that wasnt, in many states, constructed in a winner-take-all fashion, wed be in a very different situation. But the idea of people in other countries thinking that its their business how we run our country, absent any actual human rights violations, doesnt sit well with me. In the end, it feels like its really voicing an anti-Americanism thats found its voice as anti-Trumpism.
Donald John Trump, our new president if you havent heard, isnt particularly good at conveying his religious values, or, even basic knowledge of the religion he professes. He has tried to put money into a communion plate and once referred to communion as taking my little wine and my little cracker. Once, when asked what was his favorite verse from scripture all he could come up with an eye for an eye, perhaps an accurate summation of a part of his personality, but not where most would go when asked that question. He has freely admitted he rarely attends church, basically only Christmas and Easter.

So, it might be surprising that he does indeed have a religion. He says he is a Presbyterian. And in his childhood the family belonged to the First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, Queens. In fact there is a picture floating around of the young Donald Trump with his confirmation class. So, he is right in that sense, he is a Presbyterian, if not one who belongs to a congregation. But, that does not in fact point to his real religion.

From his early teen years he was raised in the Marble Collegiate Church in Manhattan. The minister throughout his youth, who officiated at his first marriage, and whom he continues to cite on occasion, was the Reverend Norman Vincent Peale. Dr Peale was, of course, the author of the continuous best seller The Power of Positive Thinking. As a preacher he emphasized an up-by-your-boot-straps approach to life and that one could succeed in life through visualizing success, often with specific meditative disciplines.

Daniel Burke, CNNs religion editor, tells us Dr Peale, the preacher the forming Donald Trump listened closely to, was also an enthusiastic champion of the free market, writing columns such as, Let the Church Speak Up for Capitalism. His parables were often about businessmen who had bulldozed their way to the top, not Samaritans who crossed the street to help a stranger. It seems Mr Trump was an eager acolyte of this part of Dr Peales I hasten to add more complicated message.

And, then theres today. Mr Burke cites how Some years ago, after services at her Florida megachurch, Paula White received a call from Donald Trump. At the time, Whites star was rising. She co-pastored a Tampa megachurch with 25,000 members and hosted a show broadcast on Christian television. White says Trump told her he was a fan from afar and quoted three of her recent sermons back to her. So, Mr Trump may not go to church much, but he watches church services on television. And, he has favorites.

The Reverend White is a full on Prosperity Gospel preacher. Wikipedia tells us that Prosperity Gospel, also called the Health and Wealth Gospel, and the Gospel of Success, is a religious belief among some Christians, who hold that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase ones material wealth. The Prosperity Gospel has a complicated history and draws upon diverse sources. And, while Dr Peale was not precisely a proponent of what has come to be called the Prosperity Gospel, he does seem to have opened the door wide for young Donald Trump to walk through.

Its teachings are condemned by many more traditional Christians, well, and many in the progressive and liberal wings of the tradition as well. Conservative Christians frequently denounce it as a heresy. Not that that means a lot to me personally. But, what they mean when they say that is how the Prosperity Gospel is so materialistic that it substitutes money for God. Thats where the liberals see a problem, as well.

And this is Mr Trumps religion. Tom Gjelten writing for NPRs All Things Considered tells us how Mr Trump currently surrounds himself with prosperity preachers. And then offers us as evidence some quotes from the president about Paula White (a tremendous person, tremendous woman), Mark Burns (I dont know if youve watched him on television) and Darrell Scott (phenomenal guy).

White, Burns, and Scott carry the Prosperity Gospel all the way to its logical conclusions, identifying sin with poverty, and salvation with prosperity. And, by prosperity, we mean health and wealth. Here and now. In this world. If you have it, you deserve it, you have earned it, and so God has poured blessings on you. Proof of the pudding.

And, of course, if youre not wealthy, if youre not healthy

This man ran a political campaign telling the poor and dispossessed that he was here to support them. His religion suggests otherwise.

You want a scriptural image for this religion? Go to Exodus 32. Think Golden Calf.

This isnt rocket science. The god of the new president is the Golden Calf.

And whatever his words, as we go forward I believe were going to see policies that follow his deeply felt beliefs. If he does otherwise will be the surprise.
Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar whose penchant for political grandstanding is legendary, thanked the people of Bihar for pulling off one of the biggest feats of his political life when a reported 2.5 crore people of the state formed what is being described as the 'world's longest human chain ever' across the state that is poised to find a place in the Limca World Record Book.

{gallery}newsimages2017/jan/012117{/gallery}The 45-minute long affair began at 12:15 pm at Patna's Gandhi Maidan where Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chowdhary, Bihar Legislative Council Chairperson Awadhesh Narayan Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav and many others kicked off the much-hyped event by releasing colorful balloons to signify support for prohibition and the launching of a new crusade by the Chief Minister, that is, to make Bihar an 'addiction-free' state.

At Gandhi Maidan, the Chief Minister, the RJD leader and others held hands to form a map of Bihar. Inside the picture was a bottle of liquor with a diagonal crossed line in it to indicate a ban on alcoholic drinks in the state.

According to an official estimate, more than 3 crore people took part in today's mega event covering nearly 11,000 kilometers.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, not eager to be blamed for going against a just social cause like prohibition, though reluctantly, also joined the human chain in Siwan where they have gathered to attend the two-day state executive committee meeting.

"We participated because we were asked to do so by the party high command," said party state President Mangal Pandey.

The event was also criticized as a colossal waste of time, money, and efforts by Communist Party of India (ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya who accused the Chief Minister of using force to inflate the number by threatening to take punitive measures against those who chose not to join the human chain.

Bhattacharya also accused Kumar of abusing the entire state machinery to gain political mileage.

Unperturbed by the criticisms, the Chief Minister, calling the event 'highly successful', said that history was made today when more than three crore people joined hands to send out the message of the ill-effects of alcohol and other forms of addiction.

"It was a beautiful sight to behold as hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life and religion joined hands on the 11,400-kilometer route across the state for which I congratulate the people of Bihar. Despite the fact that some people are consumed by their desire to put Bihar in a bad limelight, Biharis have proven themselves as very tenacious who don't quit once they make up their mind to attain something," the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, reports of nearly a hundred young schoolchildren were reported to have fainted during the program throughout the state. At least two deaths were also attributed to the government-enforced human chain on Saturday.
President Rouhani visits site of collapsed high-rise in downtown Tehran

01/21/17

Source: Press TV

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has visited the site of the collapsed Plasco high-rise in downtown Tehran to inspect the ongoing search and rescue operation there. Speaking to reporters on Saturday morning, Rouhani stressed that the search and rescue operation should continue until all those trapped under the rubble are saved.



by Nazanin Jamshidi, Shahrvand daily





Up to 30 people, all of them most likely firefighters, are believed trapped under the rubble of the building, which caught fire early on Thursday and came down hours later.



Rescuers have been using life detection devices to locate possible survivors, and, some reports say there may still be some survivors.



Search and rescue operations

(photo by Mehr News Agency)



"We are very concerned for those who have been trapped under the rubble," said President Rouhani. "We hope we will have some survivors."



"This can be a lesson and a warning for all the officials to provide more safety for all citizens. This is a civil right of all people," he said.



Rouhani also expressed condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the incident and praised the firefighters and rescue teams for putting their lives at risk to rescue others.





by Jamal Rahmati, Etemad daily



He underlined the need to take the necessary measures to compensate business owners and workers who used to work at the building, which served as a trade center, for their material loss and the loss of their income in the run-up to the Persian New Year.



There were 600 business units and clothing production workshops in Plasco, most of which did not have insurance coverage. Nearly 3,000 people have lost their jobs as a result of the building's total destruction.

Need for renovation work

The Plasco building was Iran's oldest high-rise. Rising 17 stories above the ground, it had been built in the early 1960s and was the country's tallest building at the time of construction.





Source: Iranian daily Ghanoon

Read coverage by Ghanoon (part1, part2, part3), Shargh and Shahrvand dailies



Rouhani also touched on the need for "comprehensive plans" to renovate old structures across the country and said, "We can get entrepreneurs, investors, and banks onboard to help renovate these buildings... The plan is underway and it needs to be precipitated."



The Iranian president was accompanied in the visit by several ministers, advisers, and other senior officials.
Val Verde school officials have begun screening applications for a vacant school board seat but arent saying how many people applied or who they are.

The five-member board lost a member after trustee Michael Vargas was elected mayor of Perris in November. On Dec. 6, the first meeting after the election, the board voted to appoint a replacement instead of having an election. Vargas resigned Dec. 13.

The deadline to apply for the seat was Wednesday. An ad hoc committee made up of school board President Julio Gonzales, trustee Shelly Yarbrough and district staff members will screen the applications at a meeting Tuesday and select the finalists, who will be voted upon by the school board Feb. 3, Assistant Superintendent Juan Cabral said.

The committees meeting will not be open to the public, he said. Because the committee includes only two school board members, it is not subject to the states open-meeting law that requires public access to meetings with a majority of an elected body, Cabral said.

The finalists names and background information, such as their resumes, will be released Wednesday, Cabral said. He declined a request this week by The Press-Enterprise to provide copies of the applications or say how many the district received.

He said the committee wanted to screen the applicants first to see if they meet residency requirements. Cabral added that those who filed applications had no expectation that it would be a public record.

However, an open government advocate said Friday that, under the California Public Records Act, the burden is on the district to legally justify why a public record should be withheld.

If theyre already saying theyre going to release the information, theres no valid reason under the Public Records Act not to release it now, said David Snyder, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition, of which The Press-Enterprise is a member.

Some areas of the law about disclosure of job applications are unclear, Snyder said. But he said school board members are people in positions of authority and therefore their information is more subject to disclosure.

The bottom line, I think, as to basic resume type of information, the school board doesnt have much of a leg to stand on if they are saying they dont have to release it at all, Snyder said.

Cabral did not cite the districts legal reasons for delaying the release of the applications. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Gonzales, Yarbrough and trustee Marla Kirkland also could not be reached Friday.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9558 orighori@scng.comTwitter: @ImranGhori1
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. NNW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. NNW winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Heavy rain that fell trees, flooded streets and knocked down power lines spurred public safety officials to issue calls for caution in the Lake Elsinore area.

In an alert, the Riverside County Sheriffs Lake Elsinore station encouraged people to avoid driving in the area unless it was absolutely necessary. The alert came as people from across the area took to social media Friday afternoon, with pictures of the rainfalls damage.

In a Facebook post, Wildomar City Councilwoman Bridgette Moore noted that Baxter Road was closed at Monte Vista Drive in her city because a tree had fallen into some power lines there.

The CHP was summoned around 2 p.m. to the area of Grand Avenue and Vail Street near Lake Elsinore after a powerline fell and caught fire, said California Highway Patrol Officer Bill Strom.

In an email sent out around 2:30 p.m., California Department of Transportation spokeswoman Terri Kasinga wrote that a portion of the Ortega Highway near the Lookout Roadhouse had been blocked by a fallen tree. It wasnt immediately known when the tree would be cleared.

Just after 3 p.m., the Riverside County Sheriffs Department received a report that a tree had fallen onto a Chevy truck on Machado and Monterey streets in the city, said Riverside County Sheriffs Deputy Mike Vasquez.

He said the driver of the truck was not injured, but that the area around the intersection was closed off as city workers tried to break the tree up.

In other social media postings, people noted that there was flooding on Nichols Street in Lake Elsinore and at Temescal Canyon Road and Lake Street north of the city.

This is a developing story. Check back for additional details.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9693, agroves@scng.com or @AlexDGroves on Twitter.
Jennifer Aluizo might have been homeless, but thanks to the assistance from the Assistance League of Temecula Valley she is now a college senior at Cal State San Marcos.

Three of our programs stepped in to provide new school clothes, said Electra Demos, past president and current board member, and Aluizo attended financial literacy seminars put on by the Assistance Leagues Operation Shades.

The Assistance League is an all-volunteer organization of 250 members that offers eight philanthropic programs, such as scholarships to students and teachers, services to foster youth, providing teddy bears to children in hospitals, financial literacy courses and ensuring that local children have the clothing they need to attend school.

In addition, the organization partners with nonprofit groups to provide needed items and services when there is a shortfall.

According to Demos, the organization is committed to its home region, which covers Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore and Wildomar.

Members work together to identify, develop and administer the philanthropic programs they believe that the region needs. Member volunteers then give more than 34,000 hours annually to serve and fund those programs.

Through the efforts of Assistance League, we provided more than half a million dollars in program services to our communities last year, said Demos, who also noted that none of the services provided is offered by other organizations.

The Assistance League is funded through grants and sponsorships  including a recent grant from The Community Impact Fund at The Community Foundation.

The organizations 18,000-square-foot thrift shop, though, is its main source of revenue.

Volunteer members sort donations, place merchandise on the sales floor, promote the sale of goods and staff the thrift shop counter six hours a day, six days a week.

Demos stated that the shop is more like a department store than your average thrift shop  an effort that requires a huge volunteer force.

We feel we have just scratched the surface as far as the need in our community, Demos said. But we can only expand services if we have more money and more membership.

Community members who have an interest in joining and volunteering can find out more at the upcoming VIP Wine & Cheese Membership Information Night. The event will takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. March 7 at the Assistance League headquarters in Temecula.

Demos hopes more of the community will consider joining and investigating the possibilities for volunteering. Many of the members, such as Demos, are retired teachers with a desire to help children, but the organization assists the community in many different ways.

We dont have a required number of volunteer hours, Demos said. We just expect that when people join, they join where they are needed and where their passion lies.

Information: assistanceleague.org/temecula-valley or 951-694-8018.

The Community Foundations mission is to strengthen Inland Southern California via philanthropy.

Contact the writer: community@pressenterprise.com
Education leaders are worried about what may happen not only under President Donald Trumps administration but under the direction of his nominee for secretary of education, Betsy DeVos.

During DeVos Senate hearing this week, some senators celebrated her but others seemed to cringe, particularly on some higher education issues.

DeVos not only lacks any government service on her resume but also has no actual experience in the realm she soon may be overseeing. DeVos does have experience as an activist. She has been speaking out on education issues for years. She is chairwoman of the American Federation for Children, a group that promotes expanding charter schools and voucher programs. DeVos primarily has been engaged in that effort in her home state of Michigan.

Stephen Henderson, an editorial writer for the Detroit Free Press, has covered DeVos for years. In a Dec. 3 editorial, he wrote, DeVos isnt an educator, or an education leader. Shes not an expert in pedagogy or curriculum or school governance. In fact, she has no relevant credentials or experience for a job setting standards and guiding dollars for the nations public schools. She is, in essence, a lobbyist.

Her devotion to broadening school choice apparently hasnt provided her with much knowledge about many of the important programs she would be tasked with overseeing at the Department of Education. In fact, at her confirmation hearing this week, she appeared to be lacking in, well, education.

DeVos did not seem to have a handle on some basic questions, such as whether testing of K-12 students should assess proficiency or improvement, a major topic of debate among educators in recent years. She also did not seem to understand that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was a federal mandate guaranteeing educational services for disabled students, not a choice for states to determine.

Her answers to questions affecting higher education were also troubling to the senators who questioned her.

DeVos would not commit to continuing the regulations for addressing campus sexual assault put in place by President Barack Obama. She also failed to say if she would enforce the current gainful employment regulations aimed at making for-profit colleges more accountable. And she seemed to have limited knowledge about student loan debt.

So what can those in higher education hope for if DeVos is indeed confirmed?

Because she said very little policywise and because most of her activism has been focused on K-12 education, its really hard to know what changes might take place.

But her reluctance to commit to keeping pressure on schools when it comes dealing with sexual assault through the enforcement of Title IX regulations does not bode well for those targeted by such attacks.

DeVos unwillingness to say she would enforce gainful employment regulations  along with the record of her boss in running Trump University  would seem to suggest less oversight of for-profit colleges.

How much that will matter in a practical sense is hard to tell because the industry has declined as the economy recovered. Department of Education statistics show enrollment at for-profit schools dropped 13-23 percent from 2011 to 2013, depending upon the type of school, with enrollment at four-year, for-profit institutions dropping the most.

And though DeVos seems to think student loan debt is a problem, she appears to be ill-informed on the issue. When she stated that student loan debt had increased 980 percent in the past eight years, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., corrected her, saying the figure was actually 118 percent.

Though DeVos may have turned in the worst performance so far by a Trump nominee, it seems likely that she will be passed anyway  not unlike an under-performing student being pushed to the next grade. Perhaps shell get the message and at least start hitting the books.

Contact the writer: mmuckenfuss@scng.com or 951-368-9595
If Inland residents want face-to-face attention from a U.S. senators staff, theyll have to drive to Los Angeles.

Unlike her predecessor, newly elected Sen. Kamala Harris, who took office this month, will not maintain a district office in Riverside. Retired Sen. Barbara Boxer kept an office on 10th Street in downtown Riverside.

The decision means neither Harris nor Californias other senator, fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein, will have an office in the Inland Empire, home to more than 4 million people and one of the states fastest-growing regions.

I was disappointed to hear the news that Sen. Harris is not going to have an office (in the Inland Empire), said Paul Granillo, president and CEO of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, a regional advocate.

The 4.5 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties need to be able to have close contact with their elected officials. From the perspective of IEEP, we look forward to helping Sen. Harris appreciate (the Inland Empires) size and economic importance to the state and nation.

No reason was given for the decision.

But Tyrone Gayle, a Harris spokesman, issued a statement saying, Sen. Kamala Harris and her office are committed to serving the needs of Inland Empire families and ensuring they receive quality and efficient constituent services. Thats why Sen. Harris will have an assistant field representative dedicated to the Inland Empire based in her Los Angeles office.

Harris, a former California attorney general who cruised to victory in November, will have offices in Washington, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno and San Diego, according to her official website.

The offices allow constituents to get in-person help obtaining federal services or addressing other matters. Constituents also can call the senators offices or use the website to contact her staff.

Members of the Inland delegation to the House of Representatives also maintain district offices throughout the region.

The Inland Empire is more politically conservative than other parts of California, but Democrats have made gains in the region in recent elections.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 or jhorseman@scng.com
California employers scaled back their hiring in December with just 3,700 jobs added, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The Inland areas jobless rate fell to 5.2 in December from 5.5 in November.

The statewide hiring total was significantly fewer than the 13,600 jobs that were added the previous month, but the states unemployment rate dipped to 5.2 percent compared with 5.3 percent in November and 5.9 percent a year earlier.

The Golden State saw a year-over-year gain of 332,500 jobs added at a rate of 2 percent. That was down from the annual increase of 377,200 jobs that were added in November at a rate of 2.3 percent.

You really cant put too much weight on one month, said Kimberly Ritter-Martinez, an economist with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. And you have to consider that we are in an economic cycle where we dont need to be adding as many jobs as we did when we were digging our way out of a recession.

The Inland Empire outpaced L.A. County in December with a bump of 9,600 new jobs, but that was well below the regions previous monthly increase of new 22,400 jobs.

The biggest employment increases came in trade, transportation and utilities (4,800), leisure and hospitality (4,000) and government (1,900). The construction sector shed 1,700 jobs, accounting for the biggest single loss.

But not everyone in that industry is complaining.

Weve been very, very busy, said Damian Vasquez, president of Sunrise Concrete in Rancho Cucamonga. It hasnt slowed for us at all. We do a lot of concrete, artificial turf and landscaping  things of that nature.

The two-county region saw a year-over-year employment gain of 40,800 jobs in December, outpacing Novembers annual increase of 34,100 jobs. The Inland jobless rate dropped to 5.2 percent in December from a revised 5.5 percent in November and 5.9 percent a year earlier, the EDD reported.

Ritter-Martinez said one of Southern Californias biggest problems is the types of jobs that are being added.

Were continuing to outpace the nation as a whole in job growth but a lot of those jobs are in leisure and hospitality and health care and many of them dont pay that well, she said.

Ritter-Martinez said she supports President Donald Trumps plan to pump more money into upgrading the nations infrastructure.

Im on board with that because we need to upgrade our roads, airports, bridges and other infrastructure, she said.

Contact the writer: kvsmith@scng.com or @SGVNBiz on Twitter
Highlights of President Donald Trumps first full day on the job.

Stick with pressenterprise.com for updates throughout the day.

6 p.m.

President Donald Trump will meet with his first foreign leader as president on Friday: British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer says Trump has also scheduled a meeting with Mexican Prime Minister Enrique Pea Nieto later this month.

Related: President Trump plans daily action to make good on campaign promises

The two are scheduled to meet on Jan. 31 to discuss trade, immigration and security.

Trump has proposed building a wall along the southern border and insists that Mexico will pay for it.

Trump and Pea Nieto met in Mexico City during Trumps campaign.

Spicer also says Trump spoke on Saturday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and plans to set up meetings in the coming days.



5:15 p.m.

Nielsen estimates that 31 million viewers watched TV coverage of President Donald Trumps inauguration.

Thats better than Barack Obamas second inauguration but well short of his first.

Related: President Trump plans daily action to make good on campaign promises

The most-watched inauguration since 1969 was President Ronald Reagans first oath-taking in 1981, which was seen by 41.8 million people.

The audience total measures continuous coverage by 12 broadcast and cable networks.

In 2013, 20.6 million viewed Obamas second inauguration. His first inauguration, in 2009, was seen by 37.8 million people.

For Trumps big day, NBC was the most-watched broadcast network with 5.8 million viewers, followed by ABC with 4.9 million and CBS with4.6 million.

On cable, Fox News Channel was far ahead, with 8.43 million viewers. CNN had 2.46 million and MSNBC had 1.35 million.

Related: Trump praises the CIA, bristles over inaugural crowd counts



4:45 p.m.

President Donald Trumps grown children, who all spent his first night in office sleeping at the White House, have reveled in the first 24 hours of their fathers term, and they have enthusiastically documented it on social media.

Donald Trump Jr. posted video of his wife bowling in the White Houses basement alley while Ivanka Trump shared a photo of her family riding in a presidential limousine for the inaugural parade.

The children were a constant presence at the presidents side during the inaugural festivities.

Photos: President Donald Trumps inauguration balls



4:25 p.m.

President Donald Trump is accusing the news media of lying about the size of the crowd that attended his inauguration.

Addressing employees at CIA headquarters in Virginia, Trump wrongly said the crowd had stretched all the way to the Washington Monument in the middle of the National Mall.

Photos taken of the Mall on Friday showed large swaths of empty space compared to Barack Obamas inauguration eight years ago.

Trump says the inauguration crowd looked to be about a million and a half people. The National Park Service doesnt provide an official estimate, but such a figure is highly dubious. Other events that filled more of the Mall have not drawn a crowd of that size.

He says the news media will pay a big price for what he claims was dishonesty.

Related: Riverside pastor Greg Laurie prays at prayer service for President Trump



3:20 p.m.

President Donald Trump is telling CIA employees whose work he has publicly doubted that no one feels stronger about the intelligence community than he does.

Trump is addressing about 400 CIA employees at their headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on his first full day in office.

Trump told the workers that they are really special and amazing people and that I am so behind you.

The meeting follows Trumps repeated and sharp public criticism of U.S. intelligence agencies before and after the election. He challenged and at times belittled their conclusions that Russia attempted to influence the election to help him win the White House.



2:45 p.m.

An online petition seeking the release of President Donald Trumps full tax returns has garnered more than enough signatures to merit a White House response.

The petition was created on Inauguration Day and had more than 135,000 signatures by midday Saturday. Under rules established by former President Barack Obama, a petition needs 100,000 signatures within 30 days to get a response. Its unclear whether Trumps White House will respond.

The petition says the public must be aware of unprecedented economic conflicts by the administration, including documentation related to foreign influences and financial interests that could put Trump in violation of parts of the Constitution.

Trump has refused to release the tax returns until the IRS completes an audit. He also says journalists are the only people interested in seeing them.



2 p.m.

President Donald Trump has arrived at CIA headquarters in Virginia, where hell speak to intelligence agency workers.

The visit from the new president could be awkward.

During the campaign and after he was elected, Trump repeatedly voiced skepticism about findings by U.S. intelligence agencies  including conclusions that Russia attempted to influence the election to help him win the White House.

Trump is expected to address a group of about 300 people at the headquarters in Langley, Virginia.



1:10 p.m.

Israels president has congratulated President Donald Trump on his inauguration and invited him to Jerusalem.

Reuven Rivlin sent a letter Saturday, at the end of the Jewish Sabbath, and thanked Trump for being a longstanding friend of Israel.

Israel made great efforts to refrain from taking sides in the election. But after repeated clashes with ex-President Barack Obama, Israels nationalist right has high expectations for Trump.

Trumps chosen ambassador to Israel has close ties to Jewish West Bank settlements, as does the foundation run by the family of Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Tax records show Trump himself also donated money to a Jewish seminary located in a settlement.



12:30 p.m.

President Donald Trump has had some trouble with his spelling.

Trump tweeted Saturday that I am honered to serve you, the great American People, as your 45th President of the United States! He misspelled honored by swapping in an e for an o.

The president posted the incorrectly spelled tweet at 11:57 a.m. Twelve minutes later, it was deleted and the message was re-posted, this time with the correct spelling.

Trump posted the incorrect tweet from his original (at)realdonaldtrump account, not his new (at)POTUS handle. He then posted the same message, with a photo, from the new account.

The deletion raises questions about whether a deleted Trump tweet would run afoul of the Presidential Records Act, which requires the preservation of presidential communications.



11:25 a.m.

The State Department says the American ambassador to Kazakhstan will represent the United States at international talks on Syria set for Monday in the Kazakh capital.

The talks are being sponsored by Russia and Turkey. The invitation for the U.S. to be an observer came from Russias ambassador in Washington in a telephone call with Michael Flynn, the new White House national security adviser.

That call took place on Dec. 29  the same day the Obama administration levied sanctions on Russia in relation for election-related hacking in the 2016 White House campaign.

The talks are seen as a prelude to a new round of U.N.-led negotiations in Geneva next month between the Syrian government and the opposition.

The U.S. envoy in Kazakhstan is George Krol, a career foreign service officer.

The State Departments acting spokesman, Mark Toner, says a U.S. delegation isnt attending because of the presidential inauguration and the immediate demands of the transition between the Obama and Trump administrations.



10:45 a.m.

President Donald Trump is opening his first full day in office by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

Trump entered the cathedral holding hands with his wife, Melania, and took his place in the first pew alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Trump smiled and nodded to those who passed him during the procession.

The cathedral has for years hosted a prayer service for the new president. But keeping the tradition has sparked debate this year among Episcopalians opposed to Trumps policies.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington wrote in a blog post that she shared a sense of outrage at some of the president-elects words and actions but also felt an obligation to welcome all people.



10:40 a.m.

The Justice Department says federal anti-nepotism laws do not prevent President Donald Trump from appointing his son-in-law to his administration.

The decision clears the way for Jared Kushner to take a post as a senior adviser.

Kushner is married to Trumps daughter Ivanka and became one of his closest advisers later in the campaign.

The Justice Department released a memo to the White House counsel Friday concluding that the presidents special hiring authority allows him to make the appointment to the West Wing staff.

Federal anti-nepotism laws prevent relatives from being appointed to government positions. The Trump transition team argued the laws apply to federal agencies, not White House posts.



10:10 a.m.

The Interior Department has suspended its Twitter activity.

This, after a bureau of the department  the National Park Service  retweeted a pair of posts Friday that appeared unsympathetic to President Donald Trump.

The first noted that the crowd for Trump was far smaller than the one that turned out for Barack Obamas inauguration in 2009.

The second pointed out that webpages about some issues, including climate change, had been removed from the White House site.

A spokesman for the National Park Service, Tom Crosson, said Saturday the retweets were inconsistent with the agencys approach to engaging the public.

The spokesman says the Interior Departments account will resume tweeting over the weekend.



8:30 a.m.

Britains prime minister says shes confident President Donald Trump understands the strategic value of the NATO alliance.

Theresa May tells the Financial Times that Trump recognized the importance and significance of NATO.

The new U.S. president has alarmed European allies by suggesting NATO may be obsolete. Hes said alliance members must pay more for their defense and not rely so much on U.S. military contributions.

May also says she believes Britain can work out a new trade deal with the U.S.

The prime minister expects to meet Trump in Washington soon.



7:35 a.m.

Its the first full day in office for President Donald Trump  after his first night in the White House.

And first up on his schedule: a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.

For years, the cathedral has hosted such a service for the new president. But this year, some in the largely liberal congregation have objected to hosting it this year.

Bishop Mariann Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has written in blog post that she shares a sense of outrage at some of the president-elects words and actions  but that she feels an obligation to welcome all people without qualification.

Later Saturday, Trump is expected to visit the CIA. Trump has been critical of intelligence officials for their assertions about Russian election hacking and about leaks about his briefings in the weeks before he was sworn in.



6:10 a.m.

The Kremlin is hoping for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trumps administration, but also warning that differences will remain.

President Vladimir Putins spokesman tells Russian state television that it would be an illusion to expect that U.S.-Russian relations would be free of disagreements.

Dmitry Peskov notes the intricacy of nuclear arms control and the complexity of the situation in Syria among other challenges.

Trumps victory has elated Russian political elites amid bitter tensions with Washington over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections.

Peskov says successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue.

He says Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.

http://photos.dailynews.com/2017/01/photos-donald-trump-inauguration-presidential-inaugural-balls/#1
A loud but peaceful crowd of more than 4,000 people packed Riversides Main Street mall and marched through the streets of downtown Saturday morning, Jan. 21, to support equality and womens rights and to protest the new presidents words and actions.

The womens march was one of hundreds taking place Saturday around the U.S., including Washington D.C., and in dozens of other countries. Other Inland rallies were in San Bernardino and Ontario, while a march in Los Angeles drew well over 100,000 people, Los Angeles police reported.

Related: What San Bernardino, Ontario marchers against Trump had to say

Wearing pink hats, scarves and other items, carrying hand-made signs with slogans, and chanting about equality and democracy, marchers in Riverside expressed concern about health care, abortion rights, the environment and the treatment of immigrants.

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To me this is not a protest against (President Donald) Trump specifically, said Nicole Cloeren, a 43-year-old Riverside resident. For me its about  celebrating the inclusion of difference.

Other than a few Mission Inn guests briefly yelling, Trump! Trump! Trump! when the march passed by, no counter-protesters or hecklers were evident along the route, which wound down Mission Inn Avenue, Lemon Street and University Avenue before coming back to the mall for a short rally.

Photos: Inland rallies against Trump

Some Trump supporters think the protests are much ado about nothing.

I think they have every right to get out there and march, Murrieta resident and Trump voter Faye Wons, 76, said by phone, but she doesnt agree with all the issues marchers are raising.

Wons said Congress should find a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, before repealing it. But she called concerns about the loss of abortion rights bogus, saying she doesnt believe abortion is going away but she doesnt want her tax dollars to pay for it.

Though she didnt vote for former President Barack Obama, Wons said, she paid him the respect due to the office and she wishes people would do the same for Trump.

Related: Storm diverts Obamas plane from Palm Springs to Riverside-area base

The crowd that spilled off the mall and into the streets of Riverside included women of all ages as well as men, families with children, people of African American, Latino and Asian descent, women in headscarves and at least one man wearing a clerical collar.

Many people wore knitted pink cat-ear hats, which are a specific protest against Trumps comments  caught on tape  in which he bragged about grabbing womens private parts.

The signs they carried and the slogans they shouted reflected the diversity of the marchers and the breadth of their concerns, from posters that read, My body is not a political issue and simply Peace, to the chant, Black lives matter.

Victor Meza II, a 19-year-old UC Riverside student, said he was drawn to the march by many issues. Im Mexican, so I have family members that Im worried about. Im bisexual, so Im worried about the LGBT community.

For some, worries about President Trump and his administration were great enough to move them march for the first time.

Related: Trumps first full day includes a prayer, a CIA visit, a controversy

Violet Balu, a 59-year-old Temecula resident, said shed never been to a political march before. She carried a pink and white sign featuring the Statue of Liberty with the slogan, Make America Compassionate.

Theres been a lot of discussion about taking away programs that help humanity and Im terrified that a lot of people are going to suffer, she said.

Murrieta resident Kelly Parsons, 34, said that as a parent and special education teacher, shes worried about the future of public education under Trumps education secretary nominee, Betsy DeVos, who has supported charter schools.

Parsons said her message to the president would be that America is a diverse nation and that I hope he hears all of us.

Related: Riverside pastor Greg Laurie prays at prayer service for President Trump

Speakers at the march gave short remarks on education, immigration, the environment, political activism and other topics, with several urging people to sign petitions to support legislation they favor, call their elected representatives and take other steps to urge change.

One poignant moment buoyed by the energy of the march was when one of the final speakers, Marcela Ramirez, a Fontana resident who represents students on the UC Board of Regents, received a proposal from her girlfriend. The crowd erupted in cheers when she said yes.

It felt like a really special day of love across the world, Lissa Stapleton, 36, who teaches deaf studies at Cal State Northridge, said later on why she chose that moment to pop the question.

Event organizers were thrilled with the turnout.

We thought if a couple hundred people showed up wed be happy, said Eleanor Kalnin, a Riverside resident who emceed the event.

Elected officials including Rep. Mark Takano, D-Riverside; state Assembly members Jose Medina and Eloise Reyes; Riverside Community College District trustees Mary Figueroa and Bill Hedrick; and Riverside City Councilman Andy Melendrez attended the event.

Riverside police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback said the march was well organized, peaceful and didnt encounter any problems.

Some said they felt energized by the march and are looking ahead to how else they can make their voices heard. Riverside organizers created www.riseupcalifornia.com, a website intended as a resource for activists with various concerns to learn about and support each others causes.

Maca Gomez, a 21-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, said her hope is that people will continue to gather  (and) continue to resist whenever the administration does something they dont like, because thats democracy.

Marches also took place in Hemet, where the Democrats of Hemet-San Jacinto said more than 100 people attended, and Santa Ana, which reportedly drew about 20,000 peaceful participants. About 80 people rallied outside the San Bernardino City Unified School District and another 200 gathered in Ontario.

Live Coverage: Womens March in Riverside and other Donald Trump protests

Massive crowd gathers for Womens March Los Angeles

Tens of thousands expected at womens marches across Southern California

Hundreds of thousands of women around the world decry Trump

Contact the writer: 951-368-9461 or arobinson@scng.comTwitter: @arobinson_pe
A change in how school districts are funded in California is having a big effect at the Temecula Valley Unified School District, which is facing a $14 million deficit.

And thats a best-case scenario.

The change  adopted a few years ago to help districts that educate a high percentage of low-income or homeless students, foster youth and non-English speaking children  has affected districts like Temecula Valley and Orange County districts such as Irvine and Saddleback, which dont have a high number of those students.

As a result, their funding on a per-pupil basis has taken a hit, which has forced the districts to come up with innovative ways to keep their budgets balanced.

Our goal is not to place blame anywhere, but simply to help our community understand our current funding challenge, said Laura Boss, district spokeswoman. We will continue to be a high achieving district despite our current funding challenges.

In some places, that task is helped along by nonprofit foundations that cover the expenses for certain types of programs, such as arts classes. But Temecula doesnt have an extensive nonprofit network, which puts the onus on the district board to come up with a budget solution.

The issue came to the forefront late last year when the district announced the $14 million number  with $17 million as a worst-case scenario  and put forth plans to cut $7 million in spending in the 2017-18 fiscal year and another $7 million in the 2018-19 year.

The news came as a shock to parents who moved here, in part, because of the high-ranked school system. Some have posted their concern on social media forums, specifically mentioning fears over layoffs.

Boss said the district has not discussed that option.

Our goal is to utilize attrition, i.e. retirements, and not backfill those positions where possible, she wrote in an email.

The district  which also is facing increased outlays for teacher retirement accounts, higher special education costs and decreasing enrollment  has not yet announced how it plans to achieve the savings, which has prompted some questions from the Temecula Valley Educators Association, the local teachers union.

What will be TVUSD be cutting or eliminating to meet TVEA somewhere halfway in the road? asked union spokesman Jeff Kingsberg during this weeks school board meeting. At the same gathering, the union formerly announced its intention to start negotiating a new contract.

Some of the cost-cutting ideas that have been discussed so far include expanding class sizes in some grade levels and limiting teacher raises to cost-of-living adjustments, which used to be a given in teacher contracts.

More information is expected to be shared on Monday during a special budget workshop, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the district headquarters.

We are committed to finding solutions to meet our current fiscal challenges and feel confident that we will be able to address these while maintaining academic excellence for our students and preserving commitments to employees, Boss said. There are decisions that will have to be made. Due to the current funding model and increasing costs, we cant continue to operate at the same level without reducing costs.

In response to questions about how Orange County districts have been handling these same challenges, Kingsberg said he would be reaching out to union reps there to see if there were some good ideas that could be transplanted here.

Contact the writer: @PE_Claverie or 951-368-9698.
Menifee residents Sandra Clements-Owens and her husband, Jimmy Owens, visited the regional animal shelter in Wildomar this month to pay license fees for their 11-year-old dog.

They couldnt resist taking a peek at the adoptable canines in Southwest Communities Regional Animal Shelter. They wound up taking home two 4-month-old litter mates whom they named Fred and Barney.

They stole our hearts, Clements-Owens said of the mixed-breed dogs.

A little over two weeks later, theyre nursing two sick puppies back to health and have a veterinarians bill for $3,876.52.

After having the dogs neutered, We picked them up from our vet at 12:45 p.m. on Monday  and they were in the animal hospital being diagnosed with parvovirus Wednesday morning at 9:40 a.m., Clements-Owens said.

Doctors were able to save the pets  not always the case with canine parvovirus, a highly contagious viral infection that often kills puppies, younger dogs and unvaccinated dogs.

Yet the family wonders why the animals were adopted out in the first place if there was a possibility the dogs were not well.

My thing is if thats something that could happen, they should have kept them for a certain amount of time  10 days maybe, Clements-Owens said in an interview while the dogs were still in treatment.

Its not like cancer. Its something they could have dealt with, and now Im $3,000 into it, and I cant not take care of them.

The shelters policy, however, is sternly outlined in the adoption contract.

It includes a release of financial responsibility and acknowledgment of possible exposure to infection, with an emphasis on parvovirus and its exorbitant treatment costs: I am aware that Animal Friends of the Valleys CANNOT help with ANY medical expense.

Another clause warns of the risks of adopting puppies under 1 year old, including their extreme vulnerability to parvo.

Its not a nice contract, but its specifically written so (potential adopters) understand this is serious, said board President Tammi Boyd of the nonprofit Animal Friends of the Valleys, which operates the shelter. The disease is serious. Its not a joke, and there could be some major expenses.

All dogs entering the shelter are tested for parvovirus and vaccinated against it.

Its a crummy disease, said Dr. Laura Paris, a veterinarian at the shelters off-site spay and neuter clinic in Lake Elsinore.

Its a virus of the intestinal tract, she said. It destroys the intestinal lining, and the animals wind up bleeding and having dehydration and inflammation. Some dogs, if theyre able to stay hydrated in the hospital on IV fluid  they can recover. But I would say its about 50-50 at best whether they live or whether they die.

But, Paris said, it takes about a week for the immunization to take effect, and it takes up to two weeks for the virus to develop and cause symptoms.

They were only there (at the shelter) for about six days, so its unlikely that they got the parvovirus at the shelter, but we dont know, she said. From what I understand, those puppies werent showing any signs of parvo.

Upset over the course of events, Clements-Owens directed frustration at the shelter.

We just want a better policy and maybe a little assistance, she said.

Boyd emphasized that the shelters staff is well-educated on the symptoms of parvovirus because of its prevalence and deadliness. An animal that appears to be ill is placed on a 10-day hold, she said. However, the puppies chosen by the Owens couple looked well, said Boyd, who remembers them.

I actually saw the puppies at the shelter on Jan. 7, and the only way I remember those puppies was because of how cute they were, she said. In our care, the puppies didnt test positive for parvovirus and they did not appear to be ill. We didnt purposely adopt out sick animals.

The Owenses could have turned the animals back to the shelter, or taken them to the Animal Friends partnering veterinarian at a lower cost.

While not changing its policy, Animal Friends board has agreed to waive the adoption fees and provide a couple of grants for neutering costs, which provided some fiscal relief.

Meanwhile, the siblings were released from the hospital last week to the care of their Menifee owners, who will need to keep them quarantined from other dogs for a month.

When asked how Fred and Barney were doing, Clements-Owens said, Theyre almost $3,900 better.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@scng.com
As Donald Trump became the nations 45th president, a rising crescendo of applause roared through the open, wooden double doors of the Grand Parisian Ballroom at Riversides historic Mission Inn on Friday morning, Jan. 20.

Inside, about 100 Trump supporters from across Southern California had gathered to watch the inauguration on television at a private party, while partaking in a buffet-style champagne breakfast.

I feel safer already, said Redlands resident Victoria Hargrave, 63, who serves as coordinator for the conservative group Redlands Townhall.

Steve Klein, a Hemet resident who said he served as a Marine in Vietnam and whose son narrowly survived a suicide bomb attack in Iraq a few years ago, was enthusiastic.

Im just excited, Klein said. What Im seeing here is all about America and I love it. It appears to me that he is reuniting America.

RELATED: How the Inland Empire cheered, protested the inauguration

Linda Hazelton, who was San Bernardino County coordinator for the Trump campaign, said curbing illegal immigration was a key reason she backed the now-president.

My dad immigrated from Mexico, Hazelton said. He got his citizenship the right way.

Several party goers said they like Trumps support for the military, law enforcement and businesses.

He can make tons of great changes, said Hannah Guzman, and give a lot of Americans back their jobs.

Hazelton said the military is in bad shape and really needs a boost. Did she mean to suggest now-former President Obama weakened the military?

Weakened it? she asked. He practically destroyed it.

Kate Robles, 48, was visiting from Springfield, Mo., said shes most excited about the prospect of an economic shot in the arm.

He is a man who understands the free market, and the free market has been under attack, Robles said. Im in the mortgage industry and we are so over regulated. If we could just have the boot lifted a little bit off of our neck, a lot of people would benefit.

Some said they hope that as Trump takes the helm, some societal attitudes in the bitterly divided country will change too.

Hargrave, of Redlands, said she feels that conservatives have been under steady attack by liberals in recent years and she hopes that will ease, at least a little.

I would like to see people on the left trying to meet us halfway instead of trying to ridicule us all the time, Hargrave said.

Still others said they hoped attitudes toward the country overall will change.

I dont have a problem with immigrants, Turner said. I love people of different nationalities and ethnicities. I just want people to be respectful of the opportunities this country offers.

Some indicated that they took the Trump campaign slogan of Make America Great Again not to mean rolling back the clock on civil rights, but returning to an attitude of civility and respect.

That, said Norene Green, a 71-year-old Redlands resident, was what prevailed when she grew up.

We were patriotic. We respected the flag. We respected the military, she said.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9699 or ddowney@scng.comTwitter: PE_DavidDowney
Former President Barack Obama tried to leave Washington, D.C., for the warmth of Palm Springs on Friday, but his first visit as a private citizen didnt quite go as planned.

Neither did the weather.

The chilly storm moving through California shut down access to Palm Springs International Airport, where the Obama family had planned to land Friday afternoon. Shortly before 5 p.m., they were diverted to Riversides March Air Reserve Base, about 55 miles west.

Base spokeswoman Linda Welz confirmed that the former presidents plane would land at the base at about 5:15 p.m. It would be a little bit of a challenge, she said, because the base had lost power due to the storm.

The plane, no longer called Air Force One because Obama is no longer president, landed smoothly around 5:45 p.m. much to the delight of a large crowd that began gathering near the base entrance soon after learning the plane was coming to Riverside.

Special Air Mission 29,000 touched down smoothly and taxied as spectators ran to the fence for a better view.

Theres the president! a father said to his young daughter.

Cassandra Robinson of Perris brought her three grandchildren. She was watching the inauguration coverage on TV when she heard the Obamas plane was being diverted to March.

Oh my God! Thats right near me! she remembered thinking.

The Obamas left March in a motorcade of police cars, SUVs and other vehicles around 7 p.m. The nations 44th president was expected to head to Palm Springs with his family.

The scene at the base entrance on Cactus Avenue resembled the arrival of a teen idol or Hollywood starlet.

As the motorcade passed, people chanted, O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma! It seemed as though everyone had a cell phone camera lifted to capture the event.

Brenda Atkinson, a Riverside native who lives four miles away in the Woodcrest area near Riverside, said the flight brought back memories of previous presidential flights to March. She remembers Ronald Reagan landing there.

More people waited for a glimpse of the Obamas at nearby March Field Air Museum near Van Buren Boulevard.

A line of vehicles was parked on both sides of Van Buren Boulevard leading up to the museum. Onlookers in winter coats and rain gear peered past the fence hoping for a glimpse of the familiar blue-and-white jetliner.

Earlier Friday, about 100 people had gathered near Palm Springs International Airport, hoping to see Obama.

They waited in the pouring rain, and some even spotted the ex-presidents plane at one point, but Obama and his family never landed.

Crowds had gathered in Palm Springs along Airport Center Drive and Kirk Douglas Way, holding signs that read, Still My President, and Thank You My President!

Many said they were grateful for their health coverage that Obama made possible, and for his stance on LGBTQ rights.

Keith Casebolt and his husband held American and rainbow flags as they waited for the plane to land.

He was such a wonderful example for a father and president, Casebolt said. We wanted him to know how thankful we were.

Peter Robinson and Deb Gardner, of Colorado, were on a road trip and decided to stop at Palm Springs to see the former president land.

Health care is an important issue for the husband and wife, and they were thankful for being covered under Obamacare.

Well miss him incredibly, Gardner said. Weve lucked out in the last eight years.

Yasmin Espinoza and her mother Celia Morales also braved the weather to give the Obamas a farewell.

Thanking them very much for all the things they have done for us, especially Obamacare, Espinoza said.

We appreciate it. We love them and we support them, Espinoza said.

Staff Writers Alejandra Molina, David Downey, Jeff Horseman, Mark Muckenfuss, Johnny Bender and Brian Rokos contributed to this report.

RELATED

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President Akufo-Addos nominee for the Minister for Finance position, Ken Ofori-Atta, has dismissed suggestions that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) governments plans to review taxes in the country are regressive.

According to him, although the government intends to widen the tax net to ensure that many more people who previously did not pay taxes do so, the situation will not engender inequality. Speaking at his vetting at Parliament House in Accra, Ken Ofori-Atta said the responsibility of paying taxes must be encouraged among all Ghanaians. I dont consider these taxes to be regressive or aimed at the poor to make them worse off, he said. He noted that the NPP government will not undertake any activity that will worsen the situation of the poor in the country. As a party, Ive seen keen interest in education and national health, and I will not presume that the underlying trigger for this is to make them worse off. I think the issue of paying taxes is something that we all have to do as citizens, and it is important that we all recognize the importance of it.

NPP to cut taxes

The NPP government has indicated it will cut down some taxes introduced under the previous NDC administration, claiming it was a lazy way of raising money for the economy. Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia heavily criticized the NDC government for the numerous taxes, while on various election 2016 campaign platforms, promising that an NPP government will remove some of the taxes. He mentioned that the NPP government will reduce corporate taxes from 25% to 20%, abolish the special import levy, abolish 17.5% VAT on imported medicines, abolish the 17.5% VAT on financial services, and remove the 17.5% VAT on domestic airlines ticket among others.

About Ken Ofori-Atta

Mr. Ofori-Atta, co-founder of Databank was born in 1959 at Kyebi in the Eastern Region. Ken had his education at Achimota School, and proceeded to have a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Columbia University (1984) and an MBA from the Yale University School of Management in 1988. Ken founded Databank with Daniel Ofori-Atta, Keli Gadzekpo and Torgbui Afede in 1990. Ken serves as a director for numerous companies and member and some boards too. He is a Director for Enterprise Group Ltd and Trust Bank Ltd of The Gambia of which he is Chairman. He is a Director at the International Bank of Liberia and is also a Board Member of the Acumen Fund. Ken is a fellow of the Aspen Institute, and was adjudged as the 2nd most respected C.E.O in Ghana. Ken is a Donaldson Fellow at Yale University and a recipient of the John Jay Award from Columbia University. Ken is married to Dr. Angela Ofori-Atta, a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Ghana Medical School.

Source: citifmonline.com









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The newly sworn-president of Gambia, Adama Barrow took the oath of office on Thursday, January 19, at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal.



The ceremony was administered by Sheriff Tambadou, the president of the Gambian Bar Association. The new Gambian president is married to two wives, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow and Sarjo Mballow-Barrow and has four children. Both wives are from the Fula ethnic group.



Habibu Barrow, his eight-year-old son, died after being bitten by a dog on January 15, 2017. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, the first wife, when her husband won the elections said she was more than happy and lost for words in congratulating the Gambian people, who have spoken and made the right choice by choosing Adama Barrow as the president of the third Republic.



Sarjo Mballow-Barrow, the 2nd wife, also thanked and commended the Gambian people for her husbands victory. She said her husbands winning was for all and sundry, because in the end The Gambia belongs to all.

Photos below:









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Striking state attorneys will be returning to work on Monday, January 23, the Attorney General-nominee, Gloria Akuffo, has indicated.



During her vetting for the office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice position, Ms. Akuffo revealed that President Nana Akufo-Addo had intervened in the impasse between the Association of State Attorneys and government.

The President himself has intervened in the matter and has succeeded in persuading them to go back to work. I spoke with their national president and she assured me they will be reporting, God willing, on Monday, she stated.

Ms. Akuffo also noted that there will be a further meeting with the state attorneys on Tuesday, January 24, despite the consensus seemingly being arrived at.

She explained that, it [the Tuesday meeting] will come on because we have to look for not only immediate and medium term solutions but also long-term solutions. This will require the intervention of all the stakeholders; the attorneys, and it has to do with money, so maybe the fair wages commission and Ministry of Finance.

I will work very hard on bringing an amicable solution to the matter, Ms. Akuffo further assured.

The Association of State Attorneys declared a strike in October 2016, in protest of governments failure to meet its demand for improved conditions of service.

Several efforts to get them to return to work have proved futile.

The Attorney-Generals office described the strike as illegal, and further directed the State Attorneys to return to work by Tuesday, January 3, 2017, or be considered as having vacated post.

The Association of State Attorneys, however, insisted their strike is legal, noting that it was pursuant to a statutory notice under Section 159 (b) of Act 651.

The attorneys also blamed the National Labour Commission for the impasse, explaining that the Commission should have gone to the High Court to compel government to improve their conditions of service.

The reliefs that were being sought by State Attorneys are:

Payments of correct harmonized salaries to state attorneys.

Sustainable pension scheme

Free official vehicles

Research allowance

Housing facilities or allowance

Free healthcare

Payment of outstanding leap, clothing and fuel

Payment of outstanding promotion salary arrears

Logistic support, machinery, equipment and tools

And illegal revision of conditions of service for state attorneys

Source: citifmonline









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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has urged Ghana to preserve space for food production demand because of the increasing impact of Climate Change on agriculture.



Ms Jenna Tajchman-Trofim, the Agriculture Development Officer, Office of Economic Growth, USAID Ghana, said spatial planning was key for generating and applying information to design, monitor, and manage conservation sites.



It was also important for fisheries management, disaster reduction and other investments to increase the resilience of fishing families and sustain food production.



She said the USAID's Climate Change and Development Strategy guided their work of helping countries transition to lasting climate-resilient and low-emission economic development.



She said the USAID sought to reduce the need for costly Climate Change adaptation solution, saved lives and properties and to ensure sustainable fishing as a way of life.



Speaking at the 68th Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana, Ms Tajchman-Trofim said the objectives of the USAID's change strategy were adaptation, integration and mitigation.



She said adaptation helped countries and communities prepare for and adapt to Climate Change, whereas the integration factored in Climate Change knowledge into all the Agency's programmes.



She noted that mitigation helped countries slow or curb carbon emissions, while spurring growth and development through clean energy and sustainable landscapes.



Ms Tajchman-Trofim said the Agency was using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the Coastal Hazards and Climate Adaptation in Sustainable Fisheries Management Project in 77 communities, in the Western Region.



She said fisherfolks engaged in fish processing needed access to the storefront to conduct their livelihoods, hence the need to preserve Ghana's coastal lines.



"Moderate Sea level rise, salt water intrusion, effects on fisheries, changes in coastal region crops, and multiple impacts of coastal erosion and flooding are major threats to life and property in coastal areas," she stated.



"Forest and wetlands need to be preserved to mitigate the impacts of climate change."



Dr Donald Robadue Junior, Coastal Management Informatics, the University of Rhodes Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, called for spatial planning for vulnerable coastal communities in Ghana.



The 68th Annual New Year School and Conference is on the theme: "Promoting National Development through Agriculture Modernisation: The Role of ICT."



The aim of this year's School and Conference is to create the platform for passionate discussions on how ICT could be integrated into agriculture to modernise the sector for sustainable national development.



It is being organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education, University of Ghana, under the auspices of the MTN, Eximbank Ghana, and The Kosmos Innovation Centre.

Source: GNA









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The inauguration of Donald J. Trump occurrs in Washington today and a Ghanaian bishop was on hand to lead the all important prayer service ahead of the ceremony.





Nicholas Duncan-Williams, founder and head pastor of the Action Chapel Ministry, was on hand to lead prayers involving the incoming Commander-in-chief.



Donald Trump and wife Melania, as well as vice President Mike Pence and his family can all be seen in a photo tweeted by Pence, with the Archbishop in a pulpit leading the prayers.We begin this historic and humbling day as we do every day, with a moment of reflection and prayer Pences tweet read.









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Senior Minister-designate Yaw Osafo Maafo somewhat put paid to claims that he, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, sought to raise a loan for the then Kufuor government from a lender that allegedly had a barbering shop as its offices.



The nominee also addressed some "mischievous" newspaper reports published by the Daily Dispatch, which were raised by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, when he (Maafo) appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee.



The Senior Minister-designate was the first to be vetted on Friday by the committee.



During the proceedings, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa made reference to what Mr. Osafo Maafo described as frivolous propaganda allegations that he (Osafo) supervised two major financial scandals.



He questioned Mr. Osafo Maafo's role in the CNT/CI loan and MacMillan debacle under the erstwhile Kufour regime.



In a quick riposte to the North Tongu MP, Mr. Osafo Maafo silenced the MP suggesting that he was too young to understand the details of the two issues at the time.



"I think you were too young at the time to understand the issue," he stated.



He was later made to retract his comment to Mr. Okudzeto Ablakwa, which was considered unparliamentary, and apologized to him.



Few details about the two issues are that Osafo Maafo at the time of Kufour government secured a 300 million dollar loan from the CNT Construction Investment Ltd. (CNTCI Ltd) to undertake some infrastructural projects but the loan was described as fraudulent by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).



In 2005, he was also accused of using fraudulent means to sole source a US $ 27 million deal to Macmillan Company to provide text books for the Ghana Education Service (GES).



Mr. Osafo Maafo stated that he never made purchase of a single book from Macmillan neither did he engage in any act of fraud regarding the issue.



He strongly held that he has a reputation and therefore will never smear it with any scandalous activity.



whether under Yaw Osafo Maafo as a Minister, we bought a single book from Macmillan; No, we did not. Because I found out there were intrigues to create problem in the whole industry and I prefer to keep my honourSo, I refused to carry out the tender and we didnt buy anything from Macmillan.



People pretend to be mischievous and engage in demonization on things which are frivolous. It is frivolousUp till today; I never bought a single book from Macmillan under such arrangements," he stressed.



He discounted the claims, referring to them as a "mere propaganda which worked for them (the NDC) because once you carry out that headline, people will speak on it from angles in the newspapers and it tends to stick. But no book was ever bought from Macmillan. So, that alone, was spurious and not right.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Senior Minister-designate, Yaw Osafo-Maafo yesterday demonstrated high composure and competence in answering a barrage of questions fired at him by members of the Appointments Committee of Parliament to their admiration.



The Senior Minister-designate defused the controversy surrounding his position as the Senior Minister, telling the committee that he would be coordinating, particularly the ministries that have direct impact on the economy in an effort to quickly transform the economy with his rich experience as former Minister of Finance and banker.



He explained that his role would not conflict with that of the Chief of Staff, who would also oversee the day-to-day running of the presidency.



He told the committee that the Akufo-Addo-led government had decided to review all the last-minute appointments entered into by President John Mahamas administration, just after the December 7 general elections and before the handing over to the current administration.



According to him, those actions were not in line with the Transition Act.



He said the government would also definitely review the IMF programme that the past government adopted to fall in line with the new economic policies and objectives of the present government, adding that after such review the programme would be sent to parliament for approval.



Mr Osafo-Maafo said it would also be unthinkable for the government to pay off all debts of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG)  as demanded by the Millennium Compact Agreement  and allow an outsider or a foreign concern to come and take over the running of the company.



It would not be fair for the government to pay off the total debt of ECG and allow an outsider to come and run such an important public company, he said, stressing that Ghanaians would be made to run the ECG on behalf of government if it (government) was to pay off the debt.



Mr Osafo-Maafo noted that because of the huge debt portfolio left by the past government and the consequent huge re-payment agreement, the Akufo-Addo government would continue to borrow in a humane manner in order to finance the servicing of the huge debt left by the past government and to change the debt profile of the country.



When he was asked how the government was going to stabilize the economy and also provide jobs for the teeming unemployed as indicated in the manifesto of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Osafo-Maafo said the first major challenge is to block all the loopholes in revenue collection and also be disciplined in expenditure.



Teachers Alawa



According to him, the economy is fundamentally strong with about 26 million population and therefore, finding means of maximizing revenue and cutting down on expenditure would help grow the economy.



He said for instance, budget deficit to GDP growth under the NDC administration was 7% and that if the current government is able to reduce that by even one percent, that money could be used to pay for the allowances of teacher and nursing trainees  whose allowances make up of just 0.1% of GDP.



Mr Osafo-Maafo said for jobs to be created the Akufo-Addo government would create the enabling environment for the private sector to grow by way of making the country business friendly.



He said the government would also critically look at the land tenure system, the rent laws and how businesses could easily be registered to help build the environment for them to thrive.



He said in the public sector too, the government would see to the capitalization of most the collapsed industries or those affected by lack of capital in order for these companies to stand on their feet again and create employment opportunities.



The Senior Minister-designate further answered questions on how to reduce housing deficit in the country and also debunked a vile propaganda that he had said somewhere in the Eastern Region that only people from the five regions that provide the countrys resources should be made to lead the country.



Kan Dapaah



After Osafo-Maafos vetting, the Minister-designate for National Security, Albert Kan Dapaah, was vetted in camera because of the sensitive nature of his ministry; but a petition filed by a member of the public was thrown at him to answer.



The petitioner had maintained that one John King had informed him (Kan Dapaah), who was then the Minister of the Interior in 2005, that there was a ship carrying cocaine to Ghana, but the minister was dismissive and irritated about such an information.



In response, the Minister-designate parried the allegation and said at the time of the said information, he was not the Minister for Interior.



He said the incident happened on May 3 and he became the minister two days later on May 5.



He added that he disagreed with the said petitioner over the role of the Ministry of the Interior in such illicit drug matters because according to him, it was the duty of NACOB to handle such matters.



He said as Interior Minister his supervisory role over NACOB was only administrative and had no hand in the operational activities of the Board.



According to him, King raised strong and passionate points on the subject and he also defended his decisions and actions in a similar fashion.



He did not understand how his response would be described by the agent as dismissive and irritated.



Kan Dapaah quoted portions of the wikileaks which had given him credit for fighting drugs in the country. His vetting was later held in camera as planned.



Leakages



Finance Minister-designate, Kenneth Ofori-Atta, has given the fullest assurance that the Nana Akufo-Addo government would raise the necessary revenue to fulfill the campaign promises of the NPP and to improve the standard of living of Ghanaians.



According to him, leakages in Ghanas financial sector alone amount to some 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).



He also quoted an Auditor Generals report which indicated that an amount of GH6 billion is lost through misappropriation of funds in the public sector.



The minister-designate said even from leakages alone, there is an incredible amount we can save to fulfill the promises.



On how to raise $275 million for the one million dollars, one constituency policy, the Mr Ofori-Atta said 15% of the countrys revenue is spent on capital expenditure and that that amount could be reallocated to cater for the $275 million.



On the Zongo development project, Finance Minister-designate said an amount of $50 million would be put into a development fund to begin the process of sharing the countrys resources equitably.



All citizens deserve a minimum thresh hold of development, he stated.



As at press time, the committee was still vetting the Finance Minister-designate, after which it would vet the Defence Minister-designate, Dominic Nitiwul.



The Ministers-designate for Interior and Attorney General and Justice, Ambrose Dery and Gloria Akuffo, respectively, will appear before the committee today.







Source: Daily Guide









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As Melbourne continues to mourn following yesterdays fatal car rampage on the Bourke Street Mall, Victoria Police have confirmed that a three-month-old baby boy injured in the attack has died in hospital.

The tragic news brings the death toll to five. A ten-year-old girl, a man aged 25, a 32-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were also killed when a driver deliberately mounted the pavement and sped at pedestrians.

Police say that the accused driver, 26-year-old Dimitrios Gargasoulas, remains in hospital, where he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and will be interviewed later this weekend.

Gargasoulas had been due to appear in court yesterday for an unrelated matter, and police say he has yet to be charged in connection with the attack that has so far killed five.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton told media today that:

Surgery is still occurring. We still havent been able to be in a position to interview and charge that offender [but] thats still our intention. Through the course of the weekend we will be looking to try and get that opportunity to step in and interview and charge that offender.

Tributes from seemingly every corner of the Melbourne community have flowed in since the attack, and the Bourke Street Mall has become a makeshift shrine for those whose lives were taken.

Source: ABC News / Victoria Police.

Photo: Wayne Taylor / Getty.
Christ its getting hard to keep up with news on Sydneys lockout laws.

First, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione lodged what looked to be a rather undemocratic Supreme Court application on Thursday afternoon to stop a Keep Sydney Open protest. The application cited safety concerns and a lack of event insurance, security or traffic planning (yknow, all things youd expect from radicals) for the 5,000-7,000 strong rally planned two days later at Kings Cross.

Then, the NSW Department of Justice revealed the first three bars to be approved for 30 minute extensions to the laws yesterday morning.

Mere hours later, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of old mate Scipione, issuing a prohibition order that forced KSO to hastily cancel the rally and made us question how the hell police can shut down a protest that quickly and easily.

To top it all off, a completely separate group organised a 1,000 strong Occupy Kings Cross event for tonight, which, other than being smaller, would appear to be indistinguishable from KSOs banned rally.

Now, a day since the court ruling, KSO have announced that theyre planning an even bigger, better, funner rally for Saturday, February 18th, as well as concern that the court ruling could have massive implications for the future of political assembly in NSW.

The group stressed that protesters have never before been expected to provide public toilets, evacuation plans, risk management assessments, traffic management plans or police officers; these, they argue, have always been the responsibility of police when public assembly protocols are triggered.

And so, considering the courts ruling throws these expectations into question, the new rally will have an added freedom-of-speech element:

We will be rallying at a crucial time, with a new premier coming into power we need to send a message that this issue is not going anywhere. Our campaign will continue to be the thorn in the side of any government who continues to devastate the communities of our city with draconian, anti-business, anti-culture lockout laws. Secondly, this time were not just protesting to draw attention to the lockouts, but were fighting for our very right as citizens of NSW to gather on the streets and express ourselves politically.

The location of the event is currently TBA, but, considering KSOs entirely responsible decision to respect the original court ruling, theyd have to completely change track to hold it at Kings Cross.

Unless, of course, they plan to supply toilets and risk management assessments.

Source: Supplied.

Photo: Facebook / Keep Sydney Open.
The death toll from yesterdays horrific vehicle attack in the Melbourne CBD currently stands at four, but Victorias Police Commissioner says there are grave fears this number could still rise.

In a statement to the media this morning, Graham Ashton said:

Obviously, the hospitals are still working on those critically injured people, but we do have fears  grave fears  for the health of at least two or three of those that are in that critical condition. It may be the death toll death  numbers of people killed  may still increase beyond four.

It it understood that, of more than 20 people hospitalised after yesterdays incident, a number of patients remain in critical condition in both the Royal Melbourne Hospital and The Alfred Hospital

A 10-year-old girl, a 25-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman died at the scene yesterday, after a car slammed into pedestrians on Bourke Street. A 33-year-old man later died in hospital.

Police have yet to question the alleged driver of the vehicle, 26-year-old Dimitrious Gargasoulas, who was due to appear in court yesterday on an unrelated matter.

He is currently recovering in hospital after receiving a gunshot to the arm, and Homicide Squad investigators say that they plan to speak with him as soon as possible. Speaking to media, Vic Police said:

Thats still our intention. Through the course of the weekend we will be looking to try and get that opportunity to step in and interview and charge that offender. We will be seeking him to be remanded and to face a court date.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews stressed to citizens that there is nothing from a security perspective to stop them from enjoying sporting events like the Australian Open and cricked at the MCG this weekend.

Source: News Corp.

Photo: Andalou Agency / Getty.
Protesters march, in support of the Women's March on Washington, in Toronto on Saturday, January 21, 2017. Protests are being held across Canada today in support of the Women's March on Washington. Organizers say 30 events in all have been organized across Canada, including Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2016 file photo, a Chinese man holds up a Chinese newspaper with the front page photo of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and the headline "Outsider counter attack" at a newsstand in Beijing, China. China views a Trump presidency with less trepidation. Citizens of China's capital Beijing on Saturday are expressing doubts about U.S. President Donald Trump's ability to steer the U.S. economy and manage China-American relations. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less.
Fabu, Madisons former poet laureate, is a consultant in African-American culture and arts. She writes a monthly column for The Capital Times. fabu@artistfabu.com
Bike details:

One lucky winner will receive a custom Pearl Izumi Trans-Cascadia kit!

Sponsors:

About the Trans-Cascadia Promoters:

The Trans-Cascadia team is back at it again, but this time there are more opportunities to win! They are giving away another fully customized Santa Cruz - Shimano XTR dream bike of your choice, a 2017 Trans-Cascadia entry , and a custom kit to three lucky winners!Byron Cleary's mother-in-law, Paola Kendrick, was the winner of the first raffle and he was lucky enough to receive the prize! "It sounded like a good joke! I did not even know she made a donation. The only thing greater than Paola's sense of humor is her kindness," he says of hearing that he would get to pick out his dream bike. He chose the Santa Cruz Hightower. "I am really stoked to have a bike with so much range. My current bikes feel really single purpose. I'm looking forward to flipping the chip and rolling some 27.5 wheels on it!"Included in the prize was $3000 to be donated to a trail advocacy group of the winner's choice. Byron selected the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. "Building trails in California is difficult with regards to our surplus of ill-informed politicians and environmentalists. We have a bunch of Sweco bench cut trails in state and country parks, but the guys and girls at Sierra Buttes Trails Stewardship have been out there hand cutting a network of fantastic single track year after year. And they do it in a humble, respectable, and inclusive manner."Greg Williams, the Executive Director to the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is looking forward to putting this donation to use, "Byron's money will be spent helping the mountain communities of Downieville and Quincy by employing our professional and locally hired Trail Crew to do what they do best - build sweet Sierra singletrack for multiple user groups!" Greg and an amazing group of caring volunteers, friends, and families are full of passion for the Lost Sierra region's trails and forested lands. "We were incredibly proud to be chosen by Byron as his favourite non-profit. I guess we are doing things right in his eyes! We look forward to making dirt magic happen on behalf of Byron's donation and also look forward to building a new trail in Lost Sierra."As with the first contest, each $10 donation increases your chance of winning, but this time there will be three winners! All proceeds will benefit the trail advocacy efforts of the Trans-Cascadia team. Donations can be made until February 28, 2017 at midnight and the winners will be announced on March 1st, 2017! DONATE HERE! Custom frame by Santa Cruz - Nomad, Bronson and High Tower option - You Choose!Shimano XTR Di2 components, 9020 crankset, XTR Trail brakesPUSH Industries Custom 11/6 shock tuned to your weight and riding styleChris King HS, BB, and HubsPRO Carbon Tharsis 800mm BarPRO Tharsis Di2 Trail Stem 35-55mm stem optionsPRO GripsPRO Turnix Ti SaddleFOX 36 Float Factory Series ForkFOX Transfer 150mm Infinite Adjust Hydraulic Seat PostENVE M70 HV HoopsMaxxis TiresShimano, Santa Cruz, MODUS Sport Group, PRO, Chris King, Pearl Izumi, FOX Shox, ENVE, PUSH, evo, SMITH, Travel Oregon, Clif Bar, Stiegl, Clif Family Winery, Stumptown, The U.S. Forest Service, DAKINE, OBRA, and Oregon Adventures.MODUS Sport Group  MODUS Sport Group understands that mountain biking is more than just a sport, its a way to grow an appreciation for the world that we live in, we feel that this is critically important and we understand that it takes effort and work to ensure this experience for the generations of riders to come. As Trails Stewards, we hope our work will open up new areas of riding and contribute to maintaining current trials in order to create lasting and sustainable riding areas that will be ridden and enjoyed for years to come. For more information on the Modus Sport Group. @chriskingbuzz / @foxracingshox / @ENVE
JUNEAU  Gabriel Joseph Brandl tearfully apologized to the family of Holly Nehls shortly before being sentenced to spend the next seven years in prison.

I am sorry from the bottom of my heart, Brandl said, while facing those who came to support Holly Nehls in a Dodge County courtroom Friday.

Brandl, 30, helped 41-year-old Holly Nehls inject the heroin that led to her death on May 31 and then attempted to hide her body to avoid criminal charges.

For the rest of my life I will regret this, Brandl said. I take full responsibility. I injected Holly with heroin.

Brandl said he plans to use his time in prison to grow and heal and wants to help other addicts after he leaves prison.

Dodge County Judge Brian Pfitzinger sentenced Brandl to seven years of initial incarceration and 13 years of an extended sentence. As part of Brandls extended sentence he must give a presentation about causing Nehls death every May 31. He may not have contact with the Nehls family. He must pay court costs and $6,745 in restitution.

Pfitzinger said during sentencing that Brandl must have known that there were alternatives to allowing Nehls to die after driving around with her in a distressed situation for 10 hours.

There is not a heroin addict on the planet who does not know about Narcan, Pfitzinger said.

Even with all the deaths being contributed to heroin and all the pain, Pfitzinger said there appears to be no end to those attracted to the drug.

This is not an unusual situation, Pfitzinger said. It has become way too usual.

If nothing comes from this, I hope everyone here remembers this pain, Pfitzinger said. I hope they do whatever they can to let others know if it is talking at the pulpit or at the water cooler or talking to their neighbors. I hope you remember this pain and share it with as many people as you can.

Pfitzinger said the system does not have the answer to fix the problem of heroin in society.

The system cant figure it out, Pfitzinger said. Its doing all that it can, but it is not enough.

About 40 people came to support Brandl with three giving testimony on his behalf including his mother, Theresa Brandl, the Rev. Frederick Smith and a longtime friend, Erica Niemann

I am really, really sorry for what happened to Holly, Theresa Brandl said. We have prayed for your family for comfort.

Theresa Brandl described her son as caring and willing to listen to others. She said he battled depression and used his love of music and art to cope. She said her son became addicted to heroin.

I never understood how deep his addiction was, Theresa Brandl said. I never knew.

Brandl entered a no contest plea to first-degree reckless homicide/deliver drugs and was found guilty on Nov. 1.

Also charged in the case are Terence Jannke, 49, Watertown, and Jason Twaite, 32, Watertown. Their cases remain open.

Jannke allegedly provided the heroin to Brandl that he injected into Nehls, which caused her death. Jannke is charged with first-degree reckless homicide, maintaining a drug trafficking place as a party to a crime and possession of heroin with intent to deliver.

Twaite is charged with maintaining a drug trafficking place as a party to a crime and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On May 31, officers were called to Watertown Regional Medical Center to investigate the death of Nehls, whose body had been brought to the hospital earlier that day.

Officers learned that Brandl had brought Nehls body to the hospital at approximately 10:30 a.m. The criminal complaint states that Brandl told officers Nehls had died of a heroin overdose. Hospital staff informed officers that Nehls was dead upon arrival.

Brandl was interviewed by officers and, according to the complaint, identified Jannke as providing the heroin that killed Nehls.

Brandl told officers he reluctantly helped Nehls inject the heroin and gave her half a dose. He said that about 10 minutes after the injection Nehls was out of it.

Brandl said they stayed at the park for about 45 minutes before Nehls became unconscious. He told officers he threw water in her face and slapped her to try to rouse her, but eventually put her in the car where she was snoring and unresponsive. Brandl said he and Jannke drove around for awhile.

Brandl alleged that he told Jannke they should take Nehls to a hospital but that Jannke convinced him that she would snap out of it soon. Brandl claimed that Jannke drove them around for three hours before they returned to Jannkes residence to do more heroin, leaving Nehls in the car.

Brandl said he returned to the vehicle 20 minutes later and Nehls was still snoring. Brandl told officers he went to Walmart when he noticed that Nehls was no longer breathing. He told officers he tried to give her CPR, but she was already dead.

Brandl said he believed it was between midnight and 1 a.m. when Nehls died. He told officers he went back to Jannkes home and told him Nehls was dead. Jannke told Brandl not to mention his name since he had given them the heroin. Brandl allegedly told officers that Jannke took Nehls phone and deleted his contact information and text messages.

According to the complaint, Brandl told officers he went to Oak Hill Cemetery to think about what to do and decided to take Nehls to the hospital.

Brandl told officers he drove to the hospital but didnt have the courage to go in. He then went to Moravian Cemetery where he again contemplated what to do. Eventually Brandl drove back to Watertown Regional Medical Center and went inside to tell staff that Nehls body was in his car.

According to his timeline, Brandl waited approximately 10 hours to take Nehls to the hospital after he believed her to be deceased.
Image: Westwego PD Facebook page

Westwego, LA, police officer Michael Louviere was shot in the head and killed while stopping to help an injured woman, who also died, in Marrero Friday morning. He was a U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan before joining the police force in July 2015, according to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch.

"This was a cold-blooded murder," Munch added, reports the Times-Picayune.

According to Munch, Louviere ended his shift at 6 a.m. Friday and was headed home on Ames Boulevard when he came across a traffic accident near the intersection of Barataria Boulevard. He was in full uniform when he was shot, Munch said.

The injured woman, now identified as Holt's pregnant wife Simone Veal, called police at 6:30 a.m. to say she had been shot, reports WGNO. A domestic incident had reportedly resulted in her being shot, and while driving away she ended up hitting another car, where Louviere stopped to help with the traffic accident, reports WVUE.

As Officer Louviere tended to the injured woman, a male subject approached him from behind and shot him in the back of the head, killing him, reports ODMP.org.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand named Sylvester Holt, 32, as a person of interest in the shooting. He reportedly fled the scene on foot. After multiple agencies searched for him, a man who may be Holt was reportedly found threatening to jump from the Crescent City Connection bridge in New Orleans.

Officer Louviere was 26. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.
The Trump Administration is committed to reducing violent crime. In 2015, homicides increased by 17% in Americas fifty largest cities. Thats the largest increase in 25 years. In our nations capital, killings have risen by 50 percent. There were thousands of shootings in Chicago last year alone.

Our country needs more law enforcement, more community engagement, and more effective policing.

Our job is not to make life more comfortable for the rioter, the looter, or the violent disrupter. Our job is to make life more comfortable for parents who want their kids to be able to walk the streets safely. Or the senior citizen waiting for a bus. Or the young child walking home from school.

Supporting law enforcement means supporting our citizens ability to protect themselves. We will uphold Americans Second Amendment rights at every level of our judicial system.

President Trump is committed to building a border wall to stop illegal immigration, to stop the gangs and the violence, and to stop the drugs from pouring into our communities. He is dedicated to enforcing our border laws, ending sanctuary cities, and stemming the tide of lawlessness associated with illegal immigration.

Supporting law enforcement also means deporting illegal aliens with violent criminal records who have remained within our borders.

It is the first duty of government to keep the innocent safe, and President Donald Trump will fight for the safety of every American, and especially those Americans who have not known safe neighborhoods for a very long time.
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Trump is inflicting more damage on the American people during his first day in office as the White House has announced that President Trump has signed an executive order on Obamacare.

The AP reported:

BREAKING: Spokesman: Trump signs executive order ordering federal agencies to ease burden of Affordable Care Act.  The Associated Press (@AP) January 21, 2017

Here is the text of Trumps Obamacare executive order:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. It is the policy of my Administration to seek the prompt repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended (the Act). In the meantime, pending such repeal, it is imperative for the executive branch to ensure that the law is being efficiently implemented, take all actions consistent with law to minimize the unwarranted economic and regulatory burdens of the Act, and prepare to afford the States more flexibility and control to create a more free and open healthcare market.

Sec. 2. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) and the heads of all other executive departments and agencies (agencies) with authorities and responsibilities under the Act shall exercise all authority and discretion available to them to waive, defer, grant exemptions from, or delay the implementation of any provision or requirement of the Act that would impose a fiscal burden on any State or a cost, fee, tax, penalty, or regulatory burden on individuals, families, healthcare providers, health insurers, patients, recipients of healthcare services, purchasers of health insurance, or makers of medical devices, products, or medications.

Sec. 3. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Secretary and the heads of all other executive departments and agencies with authorities and responsibilities under the Act, shall exercise all authority and discretion available to them to provide greater flexibility to States and cooperate with them in implementing healthcare programs.

Sec. 4. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the head of each department or agency with responsibilities relating to healthcare or health insurance shall encourage the development of a free and open market in interstate commerce for the offering of healthcare services and health insurance, with the goal of achieving and preserving maximum options for patients and consumers.

Sec. 5. To the extent that carrying out the directives in this order would require revision of regulations issued through notice-and-comment rulemaking, the heads of agencies shall comply with the Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable statutes in considering or promulgating such regulatory revisions.

No one should take this executive order as a harmless bureaucratic move. Make no mistake, Trump just signed an executive order that weakened and undermined the healthcare of millions of Americans.

Trumps executive order has dismantled the regulations and underminded Obamacare. This is next step in repealing the law and taking healthcare away from 30 million Americans.
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Remember when the Hollywood Reporter revealed that Donald Trumps campaign had hired actors to attend Trumps announcement event held at Trump Tower on June 16 and Donald Trumps team denied this? Im sure you will be shocked to learn that its true. Yes, an FEC document confirmed it.

The Trump campaign wont get in trouble for this, the FEC concluded, but yes they used a casting agency called The Extra Mile to pay extras to attend Donald Trumps announcement. Heres the highlights from the FEC doc:

SUBJECT: The complaint alleged that the Committee paid actors to attend Trumps candidacy announcement but failed to disclose payments to the actors or the companies that allegedly hired them, or to report a debt or obligations to Gotham, one of the companies involved with running the announcement event. Consequently, Gotham and Extra Mile, the other company allegedly involved with hiring the actors, may have made and Trump and the Committee may have accepted prohibited or excessive contributions. Trump was a 2016 candidate for United States President. DISPOSITION: The Commission exercised its prosecutorial discretion and dismissed the allegation that the Committee failed to report debt to Gotham, in light of the relatively modest amount at issue. The Commission closed the file in connection with the remaining allegations.

 We believe that the service at issue here  assembling a crowd of attendees for a candidacy announcement  provided a benefit to the Trump campaign In this matter, the available information indicates that the Committee, retained Gotham as an event consultant, and Gotham, in turn, subcontracted with Extra Mile to provide extra administrative support at Trumps announcement, including the provision of at least some of the rally crowd.  Extra Mile issued a casting call e-mail for actors to wear t-shirts and carry signs and help cheer [Trump] in support of his announcement in exchange for a payment of S50.

Also noted in the papers is further indication of efforts to make the crowd look bigger, Another press report indicated that campaign staff also persuaded tourists in the area to be part of the crowd.

Yes, the Extra Mile is a casting agency. They get background actors, known as extras, work. Extra Mile is an ideal resource for casting directors and producers looking to book background actors in feature films, television, commercials, music videos, industrials, promotional videos and print jobs.

So the real point here is President Donald Trump had to pay extras to attend his announcement event. The Cleveland RNC was not a huge event. But in between at his rallies, Trump had what seemed often like a lot of support. Today at the inauguration, it was so sparsely attended it caught the notice of all journalists.

Donald Trumps crowd size was one-seventh of President Obamas crowd size in 2009. Dan Gross provided the numbers: Trump 2017: 250,000, Obama 2013: 1,000,000, Obama 2009: 1,800,000.

Donald Trump only drew 250,000 people to D.C. today and he had to pay people to attend his announcement event. So where did all of the people from his rallies go?
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As Friday Fox Follies collates this weeks shenanigans and tomfoolery, Emperor Trump prepares to place his left hand on Abraham Lincolns bible to take the oath of office. If there really is a God, this is when lightening would strike. Its an oath he will vitiate the instant hes finished, but youll never hear that on Fox because weve now had 20 years of presidents to judge what FAIR & BALANCED really means. To recap:

The William J. Clinton Years (1996-2000)

As Ken Starr investigated the non-existent Whitewater scandal before moving onto semen-stained dresses, Fox News couldnt wait to detail every salacious anti-Clinton story, true or not;

As Ken Starr investigated the non-existent Whitewater scandal before moving onto semen-stained dresses, Fox News couldnt wait to detail every salacious anti-Clinton story, true or not; The George W. Bush Years (2001-2008)

No media outlet  unless it was the NYT  did more to promote Dubyas wars than the Fox News Channel. It also supported regime change in Iraq. Finding criticism of Bush was harder than finding an atheist in a FOX hole;

No media outlet  unless it was the NYT  did more to promote Dubyas wars than the Fox News Channel. It also supported regime change in Iraq. Finding criticism of Bush was harder than finding an atheist in a FOX hole; The Barack H. Obama Years (2009-2017)

From terrorist fist bumps; to falsely claiming Obama was a secret Muslim educated in a madrassas; to giving Emperor Trump a platform to launch his Pissadential campaign, with his Birther Bullcrap; one would be hard pressed to find positive stories about the first Black POTUS, but thats not racist at all. In addition: Fox promoted every Benghazi and Reich Wing talking points, many already debunked, as it worked hard to de-legitimize Obamas presidency;

From terrorist fist bumps; to falsely claiming Obama was a secret Muslim educated in a madrassas; to giving Emperor Trump a platform to launch his Pissadential campaign, with his Birther Bullcrap; one would be hard pressed to find positive stories about the first Black POTUS, but thats not racist at all. In addition: Fox promoted every Benghazi and Reich Wing talking points, many already debunked, as it worked hard to de-legitimize Obamas presidency; The Emperor Trump Years (from Birtherism-Whenever)

Its no secret that Emperor Trump is personal friends with former Fox CEO (and sexual predator) Roger Ailes; and milkshakin buddy (and sexual predator) Bill OReilly; and openly racist Sean Hannity; and useful idiot Geraldo Rivera; and those Foxy Friends on Fox and Friends, where he called into the Curvy Couch for years. But theres no effin way that would influence its coverage, amirite? Since November Fox has normalized Emperor Trumps love connection with Vlad the Impaler Putin, while laughingly dismissing any possibility that Russian jiggery-pokery might have had any effect on the election. And, today, either Fox News wet its pants, or it was raining in Washington.

Fox News is prepared to help Emperor Trump gaslight the entire country.

Donald Trump: Fox [News] Has

Treated Us Very Well, I Have To Say

TRUMP: You know, we picked up hundreds of thousands and millions of Republicans. Not only did we do great in the election, you remember, we cannot get to 270? They were right, we got to 306.



You cannot get  I know CNN, I was watching. I was watching all of them, in all fairness. All of them, the main networks, the cable networks, although Fox has treated us very well, I have to say. Very well, very well. Very well  now, when I say well, I  well, I mean fairly, but they were saying you cannot get to 270. I went to Maine four times for one vote, and I got it, but I didnt need it.

Fake news indeed. Need more proof of the Fox2Trump2Tweet2Fox closed loop pipeline?

First Franklin Graham (who shilled for Trump during the election even though he never officially endorsed) appeared on Fox & Fiends [sic]: to baselessly claim It Wasnt Donald Trump Who Divided This Nation. Soon afterwards Emperor Trump tweets it:

"It wasn't Donald Trump that divided this country, this country has been divided for a long time!" Stated today by Reverend Franklin Graham.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2017

That tweet gets read on Fox News more than once. Oh! Lookie here: Graham is reading a Bible passage at the inauguration, giving Fox a new way to praise the Lord.

Meanwhile, no single Fox News program did more to normalize Emperor Trump than Fox and Friends. And the newest Foxy Friend, the least curious blonde among a bevy of blondes, had a softball interview with the Emperor elect. It started with a gushing ass-kiss, lacked any follow-up questions, and allowed him to lie on matters that have already been debunked. No less an authority on the job of president says:

President Obamas Final Message To The Press:

You Cant Be Sycophants For Those In Power

Tell it to Fox. Heres that interview. [WARNING: May be detrimental to diabetics. Check with your doctor.]:

FAKE NEWS INDEED: Alex Jones On Trump: Its Like Alex Jones Is The President  Jim Hoft Announces That Trump Will Allow The Gateway Pundit To Have A Correspondent In The White House  Donald Trump Wants An Army Of Jeff Gannon Shills In The White House Press Briefing Room  A Final Reminder: Heres Who Owns the Trump Presidency and Who Will Get the Blame/Praise

As much as I would prefer not to promote a fake news site, one of the more interesting stories came out of Breitbart. Naturally, they were using it to make fun of MLH, but still

Marc Lamont Hill Tells of Behind-the-Scenes

Collusion, Racist Pastries at the Fox News Channel

We have to understand the interconnectiveness of our struggle, Hill said. I used to work at Fox News. I was the visiting team. Nevertheless, I would be on TV  on Fox & Friends at 6 a.m. Id be back on at 9 a.m. and noon and 10 p.m. Before, I would do OReilly at 8. Over the course of the day, I would realize theyre giving me the same arguments, same talking points, same fake statistics: 105 percent of black people are on welfare.



They were having meetings, he continued. And they would meet on the fifth floor at 11 oclock on Monday. I was never invited to the meeting. They would send me to the fourth floor. No, seriously Marc  the fourth floor. There are bagels down there, pastries. Youll love it.



Hill went on to describe the racist pastries on the fourth floor as lovely.



I dont know what they put in them  teardrops of poor people, he said to laughter. Whatever it is, its good.

Now, thats comedy.

KILLING LOGIC: Lets not forget serial fabulist Bill OReilly [who] sticks up for Old School in next book:

Publisher Henry Holt told The Associated Press on Wednesday the book is scheduled for March 28.



Holt says Old School asks readers whether theyre on team Old School or Team Snowflake. Old School means can-do spirit and principles. Snow Flake means whining about safe spaces and trigger warnings.

In other Loofah-related news:

A Judge Kicked Our Lawyer Out of

Court for Trying to Unseal Bill

OReillys Lawsuit Against His Ex-Wife

Fox News, where OReillys evening show has aired for the past two decades, has filed at least five lawsuits in the past eight years after being denied access to government records, according to the federal lawsuit database PACER. When it comes to the legal issues of its own employees, however, the channel tends to come down on the side of secrecy. Most recently, attorneys for Fox have petitioned courts to dismiss sexual harassment lawsuits against former CEO Roger Ailes and move the disputes to private arbitration proceedings. OReilly himself sought a gag order to prevent McPhilmy from discussing their custody dispute with the press. (An appellate court denied his request on procedural grounds in August 2015; its unclear whether he successfully obtained one in the trial court in Nassau County.)



Fox News took a slightly different tack with an internal sexual harassment complaint lodged against OReilly last year. As several outlets reported earlier this week, that complaintin the form of a letter sent to the channel by lawyers representing an employee named Juliet Huddynever resulted in a public lawsuit. Instead, Fox quietly settled with Huddy for a high six figures. The letter eventually made its way to the website LawNewz.com, which reported the settlement on Monday.

Then theres: In masterstroke, Fox Newss Bill OReilly portrays Donald Trump as victim of hatred  Bill OReilly: Donald Trump Must Use Twitter To Defend Himself From National Media  OReilly: Powerful Forces Like the Media Have Committed to Destroying Trump  Bill OReillys New Years resolution: No more fanatical ideologues on The Factor  Bill OReilly: Efforts to Delegitimize Donald Trump Border on Sedition

Do you believe that this whole movement to delegitimize Donald Trump is anti-American? Would you say its that bad? the OReilly Factor host pointedly asked his guest Dennis Miller.



Id say its a bowel movement, joked Miller.



These people want to delegitimize the whole election, the whole presidency, and I think it borders on sedition, OReilly argued.

Maybe thats why Bill OReilly to interview Donald Trump during Super Bowl pre-game show. Unless its a tradition.





PASSAGES: When The Five launched, this prognosticator famously predicted:

Bottom line: The Five is a horrible excuse for a debate show and just bad television over all. While it may have benefited from chalkboards, its simply too many people talking over one another; too much trying to top each other; too much volume; and too much heat without nearly enough light. However, when you look at Fox News programming overall, it fits right in. I dont know how long The Five will survive, bit I predict its not long for this world.

Mea culpa. Its a ratings juggernaut. However, along the way, left-leaning punching bag Bob Beckel was treated abysmally. The station canned him after a serious back operation. However, everything old is new again! Big Bad Bob Beckels back, babies!!!

Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

Welcome back, you big galloot.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Headly Westerfield recently has attacked Emperor Trump in Merkin Ceptionalism  An Experiment In Democrazy and Not My President  Not Even My Country. While he boycotted the urineauguration, he still watched it for research.
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A Spirit Airline flight attendant gives a rocking shout out to the nasty women on board who are heading to the Womens March on Washington, including a perfect ending, Watch out for your fellow sisters. Just remember, we dont take no ish from no man.

Portrait, commercial, and editorial photographer Flor Blake shared a video she shot on a Spirit Airlines flight full of women going to the March on Washington:

Love a nasty woman flight attendant  Starting our wknd of amazing women because we can't give up! @SpiritAirlines #WomensMarchOnWashington pic.twitter.com/bWj89inKtJ  Flor Blake (@FlorBlake) January 20, 2017

It didnt take the Trump administration long to show women what we already knew; yes, they hold women and our safety in contempt and thats why the Violence Against Women Act was one of many pages (including those on LGBTQ, civil rights, and more) to be erased from the White House website on inauguration day.

Unsurprisingly, the Violence Against Women Act is one of many pages to disappear from the White House website https://t.co/8BBqAkCA6q  Jeremy Slevin (@jeremyslevin) January 20, 2017

The spirit of the women who are going to the March on Washington is a one that will help save this country. Piece by piece, person by person, we will resist the incoming attempts to roll back protections for citizens and we will do as President Obama taught us  believe in hope enough that we work hard for change.

Dont take no ish from no man ladies.



Image: Twitter, Flor Blake
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Former President Barack Obama returned to Twitter under his old handle and got more retweets than any inauguration day tweet from President Trump in 18 minutes.

Obama tweeted:

Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then well get back to work.  Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 20, 2017

Here was Trumps most popular tweet about his inaugural address:

January 20th 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2017

Trumps most popular tweet from his inaugural address got 110K likes in over 3 hours. Obama surpassed Trump in a matter of minutes. Barack Obama may have left the White House, but he isnt going anywhere.

Obama remains the most popular politician in the United States of America. Trump may temporarily occupy the White House, but it is Obama who owns the hearts of the majority of the people.

Trump offers up a lot of empty talk about the people, but if Twitter is any indication, the people are still standing with Obama.
MADISON - Nathan Elbaum passed away on Jan. 18, 2017. He was born in Warsaw, Poland, on Aug. 19, 1929, into a close and loving family. Neither his father, Leon, and mother, Justine Elbaum, survived the World War II. Nathan was 10 when the war began in Poland. He lived in the Warsaw Ghetto with his family until 1943 when his building was set aflame by the German soldiers. He, with his grandfather, and his two brothers, were gathered at Umshlagplatz and taken to Maidonik. When offered the chance to go to another camp, Nathan chose to be transferred to Auschwitz-Birkinau. He convinced his older brother, Marcel, to go with him, thus saving their lives, since the Jews in Maidonik were liquidated shortly thereafter. He spent 16 months in Birkinau before being transferred to a series of camps. He was finally liberated in a sub-camp of Matthausen near Linz.

Upon liberation, he "took" a bicycle and left with two Greek prisoners (with whom he had no common language). He found an empty apartment to spend his first night. He ended up in Linz the next day, where a member of the Jewish Brigade eventually found him and convinced him to join them in Italy to recover and train to go to what would eventually become Israel. While in Italy, he lived in a facility in the mountains not far from Bergamo. Through contacts with an uncle in Brazil he located his family in Paris. On being invited to join his uncle in Paris, he left Italy and travelled to Paris where he lived for six years. While in Paris, he became a regular at the public libraries, learned impeccable French, taught himself to swim, and indulged in what would be a life-long passion for cinema, history, and literature.

While in Paris, he discovered that his brother was still alive, and also made contact with his paternal uncle who encouraged him to come to New York. Shortly after arriving in New York, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he was in basic training during the waning days of the Korean conflict. Due to his language skills, he was sent to be in the occupation forces in Germany. He became a U.S. Citizen in Frankfurt am Main.

Returning from his tour of duty, he chose to go to California, where he enrolled as a student at Santa Monica City College and continued to earn a B.A. from UCLA. He then spent a year studying languages at the University of Mexico before returning to New York.

His career in public assistance started in New York City where he met his wife, Louise. They enjoyed the vitality of the City and Nathan's natural vivacious nature led them on many adventures. Nathan was particularly proud that he participated in the March on Washington in August 1963. He was always attentive to the basic humanity of all people, always interested in the lives that people led and interested in exploring new places.

Nathan did not care to be labelled as a "survivor" because he thought that made people prejudge him. Most people knew Nathan as an intellect, a kind person, a great father, and a wonderful friend. His memory will be cherished by his immediate family-Louise, Mike, and Philip-by the good friends and neighbors who have enjoyed many sessions talking about books with him, even by the staff at restaurants and stores he frequented who enjoyed his unflagging interest in their lives. We will miss his garrulousness. His kindness, and the optimism with which he faced many of life's challenges.

His family would like to thank the many friends and neighbors who have helped make Nathan comfortable as he approached the end of his life. Special thanks go to Dr. Elizabeth Trowbridge and Carl Silverman, to Agrace HospiceCare, to our neighbors Drs. Rob and Kari Hegeman and Cindy Ofstead and Taylor Elkins and their families, and to Francie Saposnik and Jewish Social Services for caring and organizing beyond the call of duty.

Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com.
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Trumps inauguration is set to go down as one of the biggest flops in presidential history, as the president-elect is going to met with a tiny crowd and empty stands at his inaugural parade.

Video from NBCs Katy Tur of the parade route from the Capitol to the White House:

Parade route from Capital to WH. Entire stands empty. Crowd thin. pic.twitter.com/7AcpJkBO8O  Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) January 20, 2017

This is the kind of reception that a president gets when he comes into office with a 37% approval rating while having lost the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.

The scary part is that Inauguration Day is supposed to be one of the high points of a presidents popularity with the American people. If Trump cant be popular or draw a crowd on the day he takes office, it is only a matter of time until Trump sets records for disapproval.

The trend line for presidents isnt that they get more popular once they are in office. Donald Trump isnt even getting a honeymoon. The majority of the American people are rejecting Putins attempt at a shotgun wedding against the will of democracy and leaving Trump standing alone at the political altar.

Update 4PM: As parade is about to start, heres a pic from Betsy Kline:

Parade about to start up in here pic.twitter.com/yYV7HhJ2n3  Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) January 20, 2017
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The following is a PoliticusUSA editorial by co-publisher Sarah Jones.

Instead of ignoring the throngs of people protesting Donald Trump, the media is paying attention. And thats great. But as seems inevitable, instead of acknowledging that this is a grassroots movement from the core of the Democratic Party, theyve decided this is the new Tea Party.

The Tea Party was instigated and funded by big money.

The people coming together to speak out for civil liberties and equal rights for all are not funded by some corporation, and they are not new. They are the soul of the Democratic Party, of the liberals who are the heart of the Democratic Party.

Are they radicals like the Tea Party? No. They are getting radical because being polite didnt work. They are getting radical because that is what you do when your rights are under assault. They are getting radical because they have nothing left to lose now, no need to be polite to appeal to a middle, because they arent in power in any branch in the government.

Thats freeing. Its horrific and its also freeing. So the soul of the Democratic Party is roaring to life because Donald Trump and the Republican Party are destroying and undermining the rights for which liberals worked long and hard.

Liberals will not go down without a fight. This is the fight. This is the beginning of the fight.

The media should get out more, because these people were always here. They felt this way last year, they felt this way the year before, but there wasnt an all out assault on their rights and values. Now there is.

An assault taking us back decades and more.

This is not the new Tea Party. This is a passionate movement of real Americans based on real issues. The Tea Party was organized against progress, based on lies like Death Panels. They helped build the Republican Party into a clownshow of extremists that gave them Donald Trump.

The Democratic platform is more popular across the United States. Hillary Clinton got more votes than Donald Trump.

This is not the new Tea Party, this is a movement that represents the majority of the country who value equal rights and wont stand by as human rights are attacked. That is a real thing, its actually happening, it is nothing like being afraid of socialized medicine when in fact Obamacare was not socialized medicine.

This movement is actually about the heart of America. It is about who we are. And not everyone who shares these values identifies as a Democrat, but of course there is no other party for them now. This movement isnt new. The passion and the values have been there  its just that before, they were making progress through compromise and now they are working to protect that progress from violent attacks, because real peoples lives are at stake.

No one was going to be killed by Obamas ACA, contrary to what the Tea Party claimed. But people are really going to die if Obamacare is repealed or messed with, as Trump already did Friday evening.

This is real. There is a difference.

The protesters arent speaking out about things that the Democratic Party doesnt already have in its platform. They are simply getting loud about those preexisting values.

This is mainstream America. This is not an extremist faction of the Democratic Party. And therein lies the huge difference between this movement and the Tea Party. If people dont recognize this passion and these values, it might be time to get out more.

Why didnt we see this kind of passion before? Maybe it took losing everything they valued to motivate them.

But this fight was already decided. This election was a blip, made possible by a perfect storm. Progress is always a struggle. The Love Army is here.
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President Donald Trump drew an estimated 250,000 people for his inaugural, which is way down from the numbers President Barack Obama drew in 2009 and 2013.

But it gets even more troubling for the new president. According to new estimates shared by Washingtons deputy mayor for public safety and justice based on estimates from the organizers of the march, the turnout for the Womens March has been upgraded from to 500,000 people.

This is not only double the original estimate, but it is also double the crowd Trump drew to his inaugural celebrations. Half a million women are estimated to be marching for womens rights and in protest of Donald Trumps anti-women policies, rhetoric, and actions.

Per @womensmarch organizers, they're increasing today's turnout estimates to 500,000 participants. Be patient & kind! #WomensMarch  Deputy Mayor Donahue (@SafeDC) January 21, 2017

Briget Bowman, a Senate reorter at Roll Call, tweeted a picture of women streaming toward march:

Rivers of people streaming towards the #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/rj4BZ4Wemk  Bridget Bowman (@bridgetbhc) January 21, 2017

The Womens March on the National Mall is a protest against Donald Trump for all of the assaults on womens freedom, safety, and rights that he represents. The march is not just for women, as men from all different backgrounds and ethnicities are marching in support as well.

Marchers have raised concerns over Trumps promise to repeal Obamacare and build a wall, in addition to many other policy stances of the new president, proving Hillary Clinton correct when she said that womens rights were human rights.

Image: Screen cap from CBS livestream
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.
Berkeley County, dating back to 1682, just 12 years after English settlers landed at nearby Charles Towne, is drenched in history, with Revolutionary War battles, a secret weapon developed during the Civil War, a man-made canal connecting two rivers and a lake built during the Great Depression. With much of the county protected in the Francis Marion National Forest, outdoor activites include hikes along the Palmetto Trail, boating and fishing on Lake Moultrie and numerous attractions such as the nature preserve Cypress Gardens, where numerous Hollywood films have been made. The county is now tapping into its assets to boost its tourism industry. Read moreBerkeley taps into battlefields, boating and butterflies to boost budding tourism business
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Toward the end of 2015, my family got a holiday card from The Taylor-Feldman family, complete with family photo and updates on family members. The Taylor in question is state Rep. Chris Taylor, whose district includes the East Side Madison neighborhood my family calls home.

A few days later I found a similar holiday card from Rep. Cory Masons family, addressed to someone else, on my desk. It contained the same kinds of information as the Taylor card.

All of which brings me to how important an attractive smile is to winning elective office.

On Thursday, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission against John Humphries  a Republican-backed candidate for state superintendent of public instruction  because he accepted $300 worth of teeth whitening as an in-kind campaign donation from a dentist.

Humphries campaign said the dentist is a friend who offered to perform the procedure because, as The Associated Press reported, she said Humphries would need white teeth on the campaign trail.

Humphries personally reimbursed the dentist for the procedure after the AP started asking questions. But to me, his newly brilliant smile seems as much a campaign expense as those Taylor and Mason holiday cards, which were similarly paid for with donor dollars.

In a politics- and image-obsessed era when politicians are celebrities (and sometimes vice versa), good teeth are as crucial as a closet-full of well-fitting suits. Can you imagine how much harder it would have been for this countrys first black president to win office if he had a smile like Austin Powers?

Back in 2015, I wasnt willing to accept such a loosey-goosey view of the states campaign finance laws. After all, Taylors and Masons cards werent sent during an election year, contained little information about their political positions and didnt ask for my vote. I had assumed Taylor sent us her card because one of her children is buddies with one of ours, and because our families occasionally run in the same social circles.

Taylor, though, told me lots of politicians use campaign dollars to send out their holiday cards, and the head of the former Government Accountability Board, Kevin Kennedy, backed her up.

Kennedy on Friday had a similarly sympathetic take on Humphries teeth-whitening donation. He compared it to holiday cards or diction lessons or wardrobe improvements  all of which arguably go toward efforts by politicians to connect with or look good to voters. Unlike a nose job, teeth whitening is also a temporary benefit, he said.

Humphries disclosed the teeth whitening donation on his campaign finance forms. Such disclosure is important, Kennedy said, because it starts a conversation about the use of campaign dollars.

If theres any difference between Humphries teeth whitening and Taylors and Masons holiday cards, it would be if the dental work was funded by a corporation  i.e., the dentists office  as the DPW alleges. State law bars candidates from accepting corporate donations.

In the meantime, Humphries dentist is correct: If you want to win, youve got to give voters what they want.
The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' report on summary courts in South Carolina finds that defendants often are not advised o

Summary courts study

The following courts in Charleston County were monitored as part of the study. It's not clear how many cases were observed in each courtroom or what, if any, problems were identified in particular venues:

Charleston Municipal

East Cooper Magistrate

Folly Beach Municipal

North Area 1 Magistrate

North Charleston Municipal

Mount Pleasant Municipal

West Ashley Area Magistrate

Some key findings of the study included:
As parts of South Carolina continue to struggle with the effects of one of the strongest, costliest American storms on record, some automakers appear poised to destabilize one of the most important and effective public safety tools being used in the states recovery efforts. Read moreCommentary: Hurricane Ian a reminder of the importance of AM car radios
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Nearly 13 percent of registered voters in South Carolina have already cast ballots for the 2022 general election after the state opened up no excuse early voting to all for the first time. More than 438,000 votes were in as of the end of Thursday, which was the 10th day of early voting, according to statistics from the South Carolina Election Commission. Read more13% in SC have already cast ballots with new early voting
DETROIT  Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group aims to sell a well-equipped five-passenger SUV in the U.S. for about the price of a compact car by the end of this decade.

Automakers from China have talked in the past about selling cars in the U.S. only to run into reality  such as a lack of dealerships to sell them or subpar quality by U.S. standards. But a top Guangzhou official said Monday that the company is already laying the groundwork to begin sales here no later than in 2019.

Guangzhou, known as GAC, unveiled three new vehicles earlier this month at the annual auto show in Detroit: a plug-in hybrid concept car called EnSpirit, the five-seat gas-powered GS7 SUV, and the electric GE3 SUV. The company also displayed a sedan.

GAC wants to start sales in the U.S. no later than in 2019, and is working on setting up a dealer network, building a U.S. research center this year, and complying with stricter U.S. safety regulations, Director and General Manager Yu Jun said through an interpreter.

The GX7 SUV, with a leather interior, touch screen and automatic transmission, would cost from $15,000 to $18,000 in the U.S. at present, Yu said, about the same as a base model Chevrolet Cruze compact car. By comparison, the five-seat Toyota RAV4 small SUV starts around $25,000.

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GAC now sells about 380,000 vehicles per year in China, a relatively small number in the world's largest auto market of about 22 million annual sales. It sells few cars outside of China. By comparison, General Motors and its Chinese affiliates sold 2.7 million vehicles in China in the first nine months of 2016.

Yu said GAC expects to expand from seven models currently on sale to over 20 by 2020, including eight electric or gas-electric hybrid models. Some would be designed just for the U.S. market, he added.

Although the company said at a news conference that it could be selling SUVs in the U.S. as early as next year, Yu said 2019 was more a realistic target. "We absolutely need to ensure that our products meet all the requirements of the U.S. market," he said.

Other foreign automakers have announced plans to sell in the U.S., only to be stymied by the lack of a dealership network, a reputation for low quality and an inability to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards. But Yu said GAC has plans to handle all the obstacles.

The state-owned company could create its own subsidiary to set up a dealer network, join with existing dealer networks, work a deal with Chinese partner Fiat Chrysler, or join with an independent investor, Yu said. The U.S. research center would be set up to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards, he said.

Yu said GAC already is winning awards for quality in China and is building a good reputation there.

The company may also have to deal with border taxes threatened by the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, but Yu called that a short-term problem. Eventually the company plans to build vehicles in the U.S., he said.

Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia started in the U.S. with low-quality entry-level models that were priced lower than competitors. As quality got better, prices rose and they became bigger players. But Yu said GAC won't sell an entry-level model in the U.S.

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"We will stick with our high positioning even within the U.S. market because that positioning brought us success in the Chinese market," he said.

GAC sells passenger cars in China under Trumpchi and Gonow brands, SUVs under Changfeng and buses under GAC. It also has the Everys and Hino brands. The company also is the Chinese assembler for Fiat as well as Japanese brands, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, and Toyota.

GAC is in the middle of the pack in sales among Chinese domestic automakers
Small businesses are hoping to see some high-profile Obama administration regulations scrapped after Donald Trump takes office, with rules affecting overtime, sick leave and the environment among those that may be taken off the books.

Complying with federal, state and local regulations affects companies of all sizes but can be especially tough for small businesses because they have less revenue to absorb labor, paperwork and other costs related to regulations.

Businesses with fewer than 50 workers paid an average of $11,724 per employee to comply with federal regulations, compared with less than $10,000 for companies of all sizes, a 2014 report released by the National Association of Manufacturers found. Manufacturers with fewer than 50 workers paid an average of $34,671 per worker, while manufacturers of all sizes averaged $19,564.

Federal regulations were cited as the most burdensome kind by 58 percent of owners in a survey released Wednesday by the National Small Business Association advocacy group. Twenty-three percent cited state regulations, and 12 percent said local rules. Seven percent did not identify a source.

Vince Pappas estimates he spends about 10 hours per week studying the regulations his Baltimore-based company, Stone Steel Corp., must comply with and deciding how to minimize the impact. Pappas went from owning a fleet of trucks to leasing to now shipping his steel through trucking companies.

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"It is way too cumbersome, too much reporting," he says.

A number of small business groups anticipate fewer rules and more lenient enforcement of existing ones under Trump and the Republican-led Congress. Here's a look at what they expect for some of the regulations that took effect during the Obama years:

OVERTIME

Small business groups opposed the Obama administration's plan to make 4.2 million salaried workers eligible for overtime, which a federal appeals court blocked implementation of just before it was to take effect Dec. 1. The government is appealing the injunction, which came in a lawsuit brought by 21 states.

The rule would have immediately doubled the threshold at which workers would be exempt from overtime, to $47,476 from $23,660. But some small businesses already had given or promised salaried managers raises to bring their pay above the threshold or shifted workers to hourly pay and limited their hours to contain overtime costs.

Trump was quoted by the news website Circa during the election campaign as saying he hoped small businesses would be exempt. If the courts don't strike down the rule, the Labor Department under Trump could restructure the law, perhaps phasing in the increase with time, says Karen Kerrigan, president of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.

"The business community was on board for a reasonable approach" to a change in overtime regulations, she says.

CLEAN WATER

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Farming groups and small business advocates hope a wetlands rule won't survive. It broadly defines the bodies of water including wetlands that must be protected under the Clean Water Act. Critics contend it gives the government too much leeway in restricting what private landowners can do.

"It typically affects someone where they want to do something different with their land, like adding a parking lot or adding an extension of a building," says Todd McCracken, president of the National Small Business Association.

Business owners could learn only when they try to get a building permit that they're prohibited from moving forward with a project because the property is part of a wetland. The rule also makes the process to get building permits longer and more expensive, according to the industry group American Water Works Association.

It has been tied up in the federal court system in a case that may be heard this year. But even if the rule survives, there's likely to be little support for it in the government. Trump's nominee for head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, filed suit against it in his position as Oklahoma attorney general.

There's bipartisan support to change the rule  senators who introduced legislation to rework it in the last Congress included Democrats Heidi Heitkamp, of North Dakota, and Joe Manchin, of West Virginia.

CLEAN AIR

Small business groups expect the Environmental Protection Agency's rules on emissions from coal-fired power plants to be eliminated. The Supreme Court stopped the rules from taking effect while they are the subject of federal lawsuits brought by states and businesses. Trump, who has vowed to bring jobs back to the coal industry, could issue an order nullifying the rules. Congress also can act.

Opponents of the rules say they will hurt the many small businesses in the coal industry, including those that supply equipment or services to big mining companies. If the rule stands, it would mean the eventual phase-out of many of the nation's 1,300 coal-fired power plants.

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The case is before a federal appeals court. Congress likely will wait to see how it is resolved before acting, says Karen Harned, executive director of the small business legal center of the National Federation of Independent Business.

EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS

Under executive orders from President Barack Obama, companies that have government contracts or subcontracts must provide employees with up to eight days of paid sick leave per year and pay them at least $10.10 per hour for work done on the contract. Trump will have the power to rescind those orders.

Small businesses also want changes in rulings by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board, says McCracken. While those agencies operate independently of the executive branch, he noted as vacancies occur in each, Trump could shift policy with more conservative appointments.

One NLRB ruling small businesses oppose is on what's called a joint employer. It says franchisors such as McDonald's and companies that subcontract work to other businesses are considered joint employers with the other parties. Small business owners including franchisees contend the ruling, which is before a federal appeals court, takes away their control of their companies.

Because the NLRB is independent, if the rule is allowed to stand, Congress would be where the joint employer standard could be changed, says Kerrigan.
Alex Gore grew up in Rochester, and is a 2003 graduate of Century High School. He now lives in Longmont, Colo., which has a weird Rochester connection.

"I told my parents I was moving to Longmont and figured they'd never heard of it," Gore said. "And my dad (who worked at IBM) said, 'Oh, there is an IBM plant out there. I used to go there all the time,' so that's my little connection to Rochester while I'm out here."

Gore and his business partner, Lance Cayko, met up at North Dakota State University, where they went to school, and at the beginning they were fierce competitors, but eventually joined forces.

"Both of us wanted to be the best in the class," Gore said, "But by our third year, when we were doing projects as groups, he was leading one and I was leading one, and both of us were complaining about our groups. By the end of it, we decided, 'Why don't we just team up instead of compete, and then we will be happy.'"

Since then, they've accomplished quite a bit, including starting their own firm, co-authoring a book and building award-winning tiny homes. Their tiny home Atlas was recently featured again on HGTVs "Tiny House." The recent feature had a new storyline, because Gore isn't living in it.

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"We put it in as a tiny house hotel," Gore said. "People can come and rent it and stay in it and all that."

Atlas just won an international award, the 2016 Architizer A+ Architechure Small Living Award .

The tiny home started as a solution to a friend's problem, but turned into a business.

"When we landed our first big project we wanted to celebrate and called one of our friends, Blake (from college)," Gore said. "He was complaining about his job and we said, 'Well, do you have any money?' He said he had about $20,000 or so, and we said great! We'll build you a tiny house, and you love to write, so you can just travel around America and write and then you can stop complaining about your life."

So we designed this tiny house and in a couple months, we said, 'OK, let's do this,' and he said, 'Guys, I never agreed to this.'" Gore said. "So we left it out there on the web, but didn't do anything with it." Until the HGTV producers called them.

"They told us they wanted to feature us and it is a really cool design, no one else is doing anything like it," Gore said. "We decided to build it (the house), and it took us about two months to build, which was a crazy scramble. It was really cool because it was a transforming tiny house, the deck folds down, an awning folds up, it collects its own water and has solar panels. It's only three materials: glass, steel and wood."

Gore and Cayko co-authored a book, " The Creativity Code: Your Guide To: Architechure, Design, & Discovering Your Inner DaVinci ."

"Our firm was expanding at this time and the students that were coming to us were just no good," Gore said. "They had 2D line drawings and didn't know much, so we went to the university here (the University of Colorado Boulder) and asked if we could help out the students, and they asked us if we wanted to teach. Basically what we did was bring everything out into the open. A lot of people think what they do is special, so they try to hold something back and yry to not give out their secrets. We decided if we are going to teach these kids, we might as well give them 'the whole farm.'"

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To learn more about Gore's projects, see his websites, F9productions.com and Atlastinyhouse.com, or find " The Creativity Code" on Amazon .
The city of Dresden, the capital of the state of Saxony in Germany, conjures up a litany of visions of historic reference.

Of late, the horrific bombings at the end of World War II often crowd out centuries of others. But if you can set aside that part of history, a trip into the richness of the city's grand past or into present day life at the cherished Jewel Box on the Elbe River, will feed your spirit. Dresden rose from its WWII ashes as the true Renaissance city that it is: alive, flourishing and a cultural hub for the planet.

This year marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. When I visited Dresden, I had no idea that the Great Reformer Martin Luther had preached there two times and, much like tourists, had traveled throughout the state of Saxony. The Frauenkirch, or Church of Our Lady, the largest Protestant church in Germany, looms over the old city and holds its own in the Baroque skyline. A statue of Luther greets visitors near the front entrance.

Our guide talked about Luther's presence and how it exerted an influence on the first links between Dresden and the U.S. As early as the 18th century, Lutheran congregations were settling in Pennsylvania. Reportedly the second-largest Lutheran church in the United States, the Missouri Synod, was founded by the Dresden Stephanists,

Historic ties

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Over the centuries, a relationship and a series of historical events have linked the state of Saxony and its capital city of Dresden with the U.S. Dresden's reputation for artistic and cultural excellence made it an interesting destination for American visitors.

American magazines of the 19th century described Dresden as "their favorite German city" and the "most attractive city in Germany in which to take up permanent residence."

Before the world wars, the Baroque beauty's musical history, opera and art galleries, plus its close proximity to Switzerland, attracted many American visitors. Many visited and many stayed.

There was a self-proclaimed "Anglo-American colony" that began in the middle 1800s. The 1,000 members built their own church, opened an American school, published newspapers and were active in the life of the city. With Americans visiting and relocating to Dresden, their presence helped to give the city an international reputation, which it enjoys again today.

Also in the 19th century, millions of Germans emigrated to the U.S., including 100,000 from the state of Saxony. A railway station and small suburb by the name of "Amerika" is a reminder of the emigrants that departed from the region, seeking their promise and fortune on this side of the Atlantic.

At that time, Dresden also featured prominently on the itineraries of globetrotting Americans. Authors Washington Irving and James F. Cooper spent time in Dresden, as did members of the Roosevelt family.

In 1873, Theodore Roosevelt, who would become the 26th U.S. president, went to Dresden as a 14-year-old student. He and his siblings boarded with the Minckwitz family in Ostra-Allee, where they learned to speak German. His parents reportedly chose Dresden as a summer residence because of its location and educational benefits. Plus, the Roosevelts had relatives in Dresden.

Dresden today

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Culturally rich, there are upwards of 50 museums, 60 art galleries and more than 36 theaters in the capital. There are galleries that display contemporary art from the 19th into the 21st centuries. For more than 450 years, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, the oldest and second largest museum association in Germany, has preserved masterpieces in the historical Green Vault and the New Green Vault, where treasures of the Wettins and the Old Masters' Picture Gallery with Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" are kept.

During warmer months, festivals and fairs open the streets and the Elbe to events. Nothing seems more special than the International Dixieland Festival.

For eight days and seven nights, the capital of Saxony becomes Swingin' Dresden and draws nearly 500,000 jazz fans to the city. It is Germany's oldest and Europe's biggest jazz festival.

One of the highlights is the riverboat shuffle on the Elbe, when the world's oldest and largest fleet of paddle-steamers becomes a floating stage and festival-goers are invited to step aboard. The grand finale is a lively Dixieland parade through the city center, not far from Luther's statue.

The parade ends with a farewell jazz session, much like musical festivals do in the U.S. Although Germans dance an impressive Second Line to Louis Armstrong's Saint Louis Blues, it does take an American back to see it performed by costumed interpreters in white curly wigs and royal court dress.
A UW-Madison student accused of sexual assault, stalking and harassment of 10 women was ordered to stand trial Friday after a preliminary hearing.

Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn also denied a motion by lawyers for Alec R. Cook, 20, to dismiss two stalking charges, along with one disorderly conduct count and a fourth-degree sexual assault charge.

After nearly three hours of testimony from three police detectives, who each recounted their interviews with alleged victims, Bailey-Rihn found there was probable cause Cook had committed felonies. Under state law, state Assistant Attorneys General Michelle Viste and Audrey Skwierawski were not required to provide direct testimony from six of the women, the subjects of felony charges against Cook, because hearsay is allowed at preliminary hearings.

Preliminary hearings are not required to establish probable cause for misdemeanor charges.

Cook, of Edina, Minnesota, faces 21 criminal charges. They include three counts of third-degree sexual assault, seven counts of second-degree sexual assault, two counts of strangulation, two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of stalking, two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault and three counts of disorderly conduct.

A document stating the charges prosecutors intend to take to trial will be filed at a later date. Cook will formally enter pleas to the charges once theyre filed and an arraignment is scheduled.

Some of the women allege they were involved with Cook in what started as consensual kissing or sexual activity, but Cook took it much further than they wanted it to go. One woman told police Cook choked her with his hands five times during sex, four times after she had told him to stop doing that.

Other women said Cook stared at them or engaged in otherwise creepy behavior in classes or at other campus-area buildings, causing them to be fearful of him to the point where at least one of them contemplated leaving UW-Madison.

Cook was initially arrested in October for sexual assault, but as word of his arrest got out through news and social media, other women stepped forward to say they had also had encounters with Cook.

Cooks lawyers, Jessa Nicholson Goetz and Chris Van Wagner, pressed Madison police detectives Tracie Jokala and Grant Humerickhouse for details about how sexual encounters with Cook went from initially consensual acts to nonconsensual acts. But the scope of the questions they could ask were limited by rules that govern preliminary hearings in which the judge is to assess the plausibility of the testimony, not the credibility of witnesses.

UW-Madison police Detective Carol Ann Kashishian testified about the two stalking cases, one involving a business school classmate of Cook, the other about a student who said Cook stared at her many times over a period of months as she tried to study at a campus library, even after she told him to stop.
There's good news for the travel industry this year: Surveys predict that more Americans will be traveling in 2017, and they will be spending more money.

And there is a wide variety of destinations that they are looking forward to travel to.

Choice Hotels, a leading chain, surveyed 1,070 adults who plan on one or more leisure trips in 2017 and said that Americans plan to increase their travel spending.

Patrick Pacious, Choice's president and CEO, told Travel Weekly that "even though Americans are busier than ever, our survey reinforces that travel matters. People are willing to spend significantly more than last year to explore new places."

So where is everyone going?

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Domestically, reports giant Travel Leaders Group agency, advance bookings indicate that Orlando, the hotbed of theme parks, is the most popular destination. The Zika virus is having little effect on Florida bookings, the agency says, and Miami continues to be another one of the leaders in the Top 10.

Other Top 10 destinations include Maui, in Hawaii, at No. 2, followed by New York City, Las Vegas, a cruise to Alaska, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Miami.

What about overseas travel?

Here's what Travel Leaders reports: "The Brexit-effect is still positively impacting travel to London, which moves up in the standings to No. 3, just behind Caribbean cruises and Cancun, Mexico.

Other top destinations include Dublin, Havana, Jerusalem, Mexico City, Reykjavik, Sydney and Paris.

The nation's tour operators have another survey. Members of that organization say that Cuba is sthe most popular destination this year.

Their leader, CEO Terry Dale, says "It's interesting to see Cuba grab that top spot from Italy on the hot destinations list, as it also clinched No. 1 on the top emerging destinations list for 2017. This only validates Cuba's popularity and the growing demand among U.S. travelers. Nearly a third of our members anticipate that the easing of U.S.-Cuba sanctions will help increase their annual revenue.

Back to Travel Leaders. Their survey also notes several "Up and Coming" destinations in various places in the world.

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In Europe, these destinations are Iceland, Croatia and Portugal. In the Pacific, New Zealand, Tahiti and Bora Bora are popular; in Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Seychelles are listed, while Panama, Peru and the Galapagos Islands are cited in Central/South America.

So, you'd better pack your bags. There are lots of choices.

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Las Vegas tops attendance  again

Las Vegas continues to break attendance records, seemingly every year.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has reported that the region drew 600,000 more visitors last year  a total of 42.9 million  than the 42.3 million tallied in 2015. The agency said it hopes to top 43 million visitors in 2017.

In addition to hosting millions of leisure visitors, officials say Las Vegas drew a record 6.3 million conventioneers last year. The region counts some 150,000 hotel rooms, which are booked near capacity most of the year.
One hundred seventeen tiny bars of soap. Eleven sewing kits. Nine shoeshine cloths.

We rode the elevator to the third floor. A sign on the wall displayed two arrows  left for rooms 301 to 314, right for rooms 315 to 328.

We turned left.

Room 307 was in a good spot  midway between the elevator and the ice machine.

Steven inserted the key card into the slot on the door and the light turned green.

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I shifted the suitcase I was carrying and pushed the door open with my elbow. Nice  very nice.

Fifteen shower caps. Fifty-two bottles of shampoo. Eleven little vials of cologne.

The room was tastefully decorated in tans and browns. The beds were piled high with pillows, and the whole place smelled of pine-scented cleaner and new carpeting. The air conditioner was set at a comfortable temperature, and was quiet enough that I knew it wouldn't keep me awake. A laminated card on the counter next to the TV told me they had HBO. If my friends could see me now 

I pulled the curtains open; on the other side of the parking lot a walking path circled a small park.

A swing set, a slide and a see-saw sat unused on the playground. Two picnic tables waited in the shelter of a covered pavilion, and a fountain gurgled in the middle of a manmade pond; we were in the transition zone where the city turned into the suburbs.

Steven called out from the bathroom: "Mom, Dad, come see this!"

Six tubes of lip balm. Fourteen combs. Fifty-eight single-serve packets of coffee  36 regular and 22 decaf.

I let the curtains fall back into place and we all gathered in the bathroom.

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"Look at that!" Steven said, pointing to the corner of the vanity; under the wall-mounted hair dryer was a wicker basket overflowing with the kind of stuff we've been collecting from our hotel stays for years. We've got a bottle of shampoo with a label printed in French; a sewing kit with instructions in Spanish; a bar of soap in a wrapper that reads "Welcome To Des Moines."

Eight disposable razors. Sixty-three bottles of conditioner. Thirty-eight packets of non-dairy creamer.

Tucked into the back of the wicker basket was a card that assured us that the hotel wanted our stay to be pleasant, and that if we had forgotten any personal care item  and it listed a dozen of them  we should dial "0" for the front desk, and they would provide that item without charge.

I heard Steven on the phone: "Hi, this is room 307. We forgot a toothbrush  no, that's fine, I'll come down and get it " and he was out the door 

Forty-one bottles of skin lotion. Twenty-seven plastic coffee stirrers. Nine packets of shaving cream.

Some people buy T-shirts, others collect miniature spoons, post cards or coffee mugs.

We save the goodies from our hotel rooms.

It started with a bar of lemon-scented soap that smelled too good to leave behind, and has grown over the years to become an impressive accumulation and a post-vacation tradition: items acquired on our travels are arranged on the kitchen table when we get home, and if it's been a particularly memorable trip we'll take a picture for the photo album: "This is us at the Eiffel Tower" and "Four soaps and a shower cap from Paris". They have a way of keeping the vacation alive, even after the trip is over:

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Carla: "I used some of the soap we got on our trip to France. Do I smell French?"

Dan: "Oui!"

I probably get more enjoyment out of a bottle of "skin lotion with aloe" and a packet of "Columbian Supreme Breakfast Blend" than I should.

But as Laura Ingalls Wilder said, "Be happy with simple pleasures."

I'll bet she had a whole drawer full of shower caps.
WINONA  A man accused of slapping a 4-year-old several times in the face has been sentenced to two years of probation and jail time already served.

Anthony Xavier Glubka, 21, of Winona, pleaded guilty in November to one count of gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child.

He was sentenced Wednesday in Winona County District Court to 180 days in jail, with credit for 19 days already served. The remaining 161 days were stayed for two years. Glubka must also complete a chemical dependency evaluation / treatment and a mental health evaluation, in addition to 40 hours of community work service.

The investigation began Sept. 13, when a woman told police she'd left her daughter with Glubka the day before while she looked at an apartment. When she got home, she noticed "scratches and bruises on both sides of the victim's face, covering the entirety of both cheeks," the complaint says.

When the woman asked the child what happened, the girl reportedly answered, "Anthony spanked me in the face," because she was crying.

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Glubka initially told authorities the marks were "obviously from me rough-housing and getting too carried away," then said he accidentally hit the child's face with his hand during a pillow fight.

When the officer asked about the bruises on the other side of the victim's face, Glubka said the girl was screaming in his ear, and he didn't know what came over him, court documents say. He allegedly said he'd take full accountability for his actions, adding that he "lost it for a minute" and he feels terrible, the reports say.

Glubka admitted the initial slap was a hard backhand, and was a little excessive, the complaint says.
WASHINGTON  Minnesotans made the trek to witness history on Friday, traveling to the nation's capital for the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

For a group of Minnesota teens who traveled with a delegation of 4-H representatives to the event, seeing it all live was an experience they won't soon forget.

"One thing that's really crazy is you don't see the crowd reactions that are happening (when you watch) on TV," said Rachael Nunemacher, 19, a University of Minnesota student from St. Charles. "We were able to watch the parade, see the figures on stage."

For Nunemacher, she will never forget the inauguration, especially the moment when our new vice president was sworn in.

"I officially turned 19 as Mike Pence was being sworn in as vice president," she said.

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There were 45 youths ages 14-19 representing 31 Minnesota counties on the trip, as well as adult volunteers and 4-H staff members. The group did not just see the inauguration. The trip included a visit to the Newseum, guest speakers and trips around the nation's capital to see monuments.

Brian McNeill, who works in the 4-H regional office in Morris and served as one of the adult guides for the Minnesota group, said the 4-H contingent from Minnesota had fun learning from government officials and the history found in D.C.

"We have some really great kids out here," he said. "They particularly learned from this experience. Minnesota needs to be proud of the kids they sent out for this."

"I learned a lot from the Newseum," said Faribault High School senior Kyra Flom. "It took you through everything the press has to do with the branches of government. We're one of the few countries with freedom of the press."

Flom, 18, said her group was right behind the Capitol Reflecting Pool, which lies about a quarter mile from where the inauguration took place, and agreed that being there live made the event special.

"A once-in-a-lifetime thing," she said. "It was awesome to see the reactions of the people."

The 4-H group did more than just witness the inauguration. Erica Dettinger, a Lourdes High School senior, said she learned a lot on the trip.

"It's been incredible," said Dettinger, 17, of Rochester. "I definitely think I appreciated the speakers they had for us. They all held positions in the White House."

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Despite the rain and chilly weather during the inauguration, Dettinger said the live experience made the trip worthwhile. "The energy of the crowd is insane. It's really fun to be a part of it," she said. "I've had an interest in politics. It's rejuvenating. Every time you turn around, you're learning something new."

Paul Kruger, who traveled to D.C. with his son, Paul Jr., to show his support for Trump, said he liked the inaugural address Trump gave after taking the oath of office.

"President Trump gave a really nice speech after the oath, and everyone was hooting and hollering," he said. "It was fun."

The Wabasha farmer who supported Trump from the moment the New York billionaire entered the race said, in typical Trump fashion, the speech was direct and honest.

"When Trump talks, he tells you the truth," Kruger said. "That's what got him elected. Whether it's good or bad, there's nothing false about Don Trump."

Similar to the 4-H teens, Kruger said seeing an inauguration live made the experience meaningful. "When you see the people and see President Trump take his oath, it's special."

As for the crowd, Kruger felt at home surrounded by fellow Trump supporters. "It's fun to see and fun to be around," he said. "My son and I will never forget this. It was wonderful, a celebration of the country."
Resoundant, a Mayo Clinic imaging technology firm, is growing steadily as its Rochester-made system is being added to more and more MRI machines.

"Most major medical centers around the world have one of these devices in use now," said Resoundant CEO and Mayo Clinic researcher Dr. Dick Ehman. "We have about 800 systems out there now, with 300 of them in the U.S. That's just a tiny fraction of the potential market."

There are an estimated 20,000 to 21,000 MRI machines in use in the world.

Resoundant, wholly owned by Mayo Clinic and 12 inventors, makes a paddle-like imaging device and software that works with traditional magnetic resonance image scanners to scan organs by using sound waves. That's a process called magnetic resonance elastography.

The devices are made in Rochester by Benchmark Electronics. The three top makers of MRI machines  Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers  have partnered with Resoundant to offer the Mayo Clinic-branded devices as an add-on to their machines.

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The cost to outfit an MRI machine with a Resoundant system ranges from an estimated $75,000 to $125,000, according to Ehman.

It's primarily used to scan livers, though research is underway to use it to scan brains and other things. While Ehman says the brain research is exciting, Resoundant is known most for scanning livers.

The MRE waves are used to judge the "stiffness" of a liver. Previously, the main way to discover that was to do a very invasive biopsy procedure.

Ehman says many doctors are using Resoundant to diagnose nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a condition that people with fatty liver disease can develop.

"It's turning into a huge health care problem. One in three Americans actually have fatty liver disease," he said. "Drug companies are investing heavily now in treatments for this condition because it is so important. Making this diagnosis is going to be increasingly important in the future."

That bodes well for Resoundant's future. It also explains the growing interest in the company from larger players in the health care field. Ehman says candidly that "a number of companies" have proposed buying Resoundant.

"We're not doing that at this time," he said. "We have such a good thing going.  We're a small company, but we're doing good things."

Other firms based on Mayo Clinic research typically have chosen to grow in the Twin Cities or elsewhere in the country. Resoundant's leaders are proud it is a Rochester company, and they'd like it to remain that way, if possible. Contributing to the local startup "ecosystem" is something they want to do.

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The company recently moved into a larger office on the second floor of the Premier Bank building at 421 First Ave. SW., when it outgrew its space in the Mayo Clinic Business Accelerator. Resoundant has five employees; four are in the Rochester office, and one is based in Brussels, Belgium. The firm also contracts eight Mayo Clinic employees, including Ehman.

That contract also means the company is financing related research at Mayo Clinic.

"Resoundant is now investing about $1 million a year in advancing this technology in my laboratory," Ehman said.

While the economic outlook for the company is positive, that's not what makes its inventor most happy.

"There is a tremendous satisfaction to having something that you have been involved in inventing being routinely used in caring for patients around the world," he said.
PRESTON  A group of area veterans has taken the first step in establishing a veterans home in Fillmore County.

Rep. Greg Davids, a Republican from Preston, introduced a bill seeking $10 million from the state to help fund a 140-bed facility in Fillmore County.

"You've got the first step, which is my bill to pass," Davids said. "I need to get some legislation at the federal level. It's not an easy deal. I think it's worth pursuing."

If supported at the state and federal level, the home would serve veterans within a 75-mile radius, including northeast Iowa, and western Wisconsin.

"It's not an overnight deal, it's for the long haul," Davids said.

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The bill asks for the state to "provide the necessary operating costs for the veterans home in excess of any revenue and federal funding for the home that may be required to continue the operation of the home and care for Minnesota veterans."

Closest home is in Hastings

There is no state veterans home in Southeast Minnesota. The closest is in Hastings, Davids said.

In 2013, Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, pushed to convert the former Samaritan Bethany Heights nursing home in Rochester into a 120-bed veterans home.

Several factors killed the proposal, including a federal law that prohibits any new veterans home within 100 minutes travel time from one of the state's five existing facilities.

The next step for the Fillmore County initiative would be to request a hearing from the Veterans Affairs Committee. Davids then would make the case for his constituents.

Various Fillmore County groups have expressed interest in bringing a veterans home into the region.

"The need's there," Davids said. "There's an aging veterans population, and we have a commitment. We got to take care of those who are taking care of us."

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Veterans make up 7 percent of Minnesota's population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. About 51,000 veterans live within 75 miles of Fillmore County.

Fillmore County's involvement

For more than a year, discussion circulated throughout the county on whether a veterans home could be built in the area. Don Gildner, a Preston veteran and co-chairman of the Veterans Committee, is hopeful that there is enough support.

Spring Valley and Preston officials have met and expressed an interest in having a veterans home.

"The response was very, very favorable," Gildner said. "Our goal is to start reaching out to other towns to show support for it.

"We're in a real need in this corner of the state," he said. "We'd love to have it at Fillmore County, and as a veteran, I'd love to see one here  there's no other veterans home remotely close to us."

But the road ahead is long.

"We look at it as a challenge, if you don't put your best foot forward, nothing happens," Gildner said. "We keep working forward, until something comes along and tells us it's possible."
WASHINGTON  Behind in the polls in late October, Donald Trump ventured to Gettysburg, Pa., to give American voters a "contract" detailing what he would achieve during his first day in office. Beneath a list of 18 major actions was the flourish of Trump's familiar signature and a blank space for voters to sign.

But as Trump became president on Friday, it remains hazy as to which actions he immediately will take.

The list included several items likely to fire up Republican voters but backed up by scant policy. It includes "begin removing the more than 2 million criminal illegal immigrants" and "cancel every unconstitutional executive action ... by President Obama." Trump already has backed down from one pledge to label China a currency manipulator, recently saying he first would like to speak with the Chinese leadership.

A look at 10 of the key promises Trump made for his first day as president:

 Introduce a constitutional amendment for congressional term limits.

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 Freeze hiring for the federal government to reduce payrolls, although the military, public safety and public health agencies would be exempt.

 Ban White House and congressional officials from becoming lobbyists for five years after they leave the government.

 Announce plans to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico or withdraw from the deal.

 Formally withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

 Lift restrictions on mining coal and drilling for oil and natural gas.

 Remove any Obama-era roadblocks to energy projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline.

 Cancel U.S. payments to U.N. climate change programs and redirect the money to U.S. water and environmental infrastructure.

 Stop all federal funding to "sanctuary cities," places where local officials don't arrest or detain immigrants living in the country illegally for federal authorities.

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 Suspend immigration from regions associated with terrorism where vetting is difficult.
It was the night Matt Stricker turned 28 when what was once considered a long-shot campaign turned into the election of billionaire Donald Trump as president of the United States.

I cried, Stricker said of that night, Nov. 8. Heartbroken is how his wife, Emma, 31, described her feelings about the new president, who was sworn into office on Friday.

The couple supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the April Democratic primary and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the general election. Theyre raising their 14-year-old daughter in the conservative stronghold of Waukesha, where Matt Stricker said they sometimes feel like aliens, never more so than on the night Trump won.

On Friday, the couple traveled to Madison to join a couple hundred others to protest the incoming administration. The protest, which began at UW-Madisons Library Mall, snaked through Downtown and ended up at the State Street steps of the Capitol, was organized by the local chapter of the national group Socialist Alternative.

Chanting Dump Trump, Not our president and Hey hey, ho ho, rape culture has got to go, the protesters marched through fog and a light mist while, half a country away, Trump watched a very different parade from a viewing stand near the White House.

I think its important to stand up for democracy and to remember that Trumps actions are not OK, Matt Stricker said.

Referring to Trumps promise to drain the swamp, Stricker said Trump has instead stacked his administration with campaign donors or other longtime Washington, D.C., insiders.

The protest, he said, is to remind ourselves and everyone else that were not going to sit idly by as he fills the Cabinet with worthless people who arent going to do anything for the rest of us.

Holding a sign that read, Make America Kind Again, Emma Stricker said protesters sought to express opposition to comments Trump has made about women and plans to create a registry for Muslim residents and eliminate a program that protects the children of immigrants who came to the country illegally.

I think its very important to show solidarity with the groups Trumps going to be attacking, said UW-Madison philosophy and sociology major John Kinney, a sophomore, who helped organize the protest. When you have the president of the United States saying something like that, these groups are going to feel like the system has turned against them.
This is what yesterdays protests against the Trump inauguration looked like:

The protesters also set a limousine on fire and threw concrete blocks at police officers, yelling put the pigs in the ground.

None of this is surprising. This is what leftist protestersread, criminalsalways do. And yet, how did the Associated Press characterize the demonstrators just hours before they started smashing windows and attacking policemen? Protesters make their mark on Trumps inauguration.

Calling out Donald Trump on climate change, race, his treatment of women and more, protesters pitching diverse causes but united against the incoming president demonstrated in the early hours of Inauguration Day, intent on making their mark as Trump prepared to take office.

Calling out implies that they have a point.

Spirited demonstrations

Spirited! See video above.

unfolded at various security checkpoints near the Capitol as police in riot gear helped ticket-holders get through to the inaugural ceremony. Signs read Resist Trump Climate Justice Now, Let Freedom Ring, Free Palestine.

All sentiments with which the AP agrees.

The DisruptJ20 coalition, named after the date of the inauguration, had promised that people participating in its actions in Washington would attempt to shut down the celebrations, risking arrest when necessary.

Can you imagine the tone with which the AP would have written about demonstrators who called out Barack Obama and attempted to shut down his inaugural in 2009? I cant, actually. Of course, no such thing happened.

At one checkpoint, protesters wore orange jumpsuits with black hoods over their faces to represent prisoners in U.S. detention at Guantanamo Bay. Eleanor Goldfield, who helped organize the Disrupt J20 protest, said protesters wanted to show Trump and his misguided, misinformed or just plain dangerous supporters that they wont be silent. Black Lives Matter and feminist groups also made their voices heard.

The AP thinks all of this is swell. Its reporters and editors generally agree with the protesters, as they describe them.

Along the parade route, the ANSWER Coalition anti-war group planned demonstrations at two locations.

ANSWER is not anti-war, it is pro-Communist. It is never described accurately in the press.

The AP assures us that the demonstrations unfolding in D.C. are an American tradition:

Jim Bendat, an expert on inaugural history, said significant protests surrounding Inauguration Day go back at least to 1913, when suffragettes marched down Pennsylvania Avenue.

The criminals you see in the video are just like the suffragettes.

Richard Nixons first and second inaugurations drew memorable protests, he said, with demonstrators at the second inauguration angry about the Vietnam War. During President George W. Bushs 2001 inauguration, demonstrators along the parade route turned their backs as the president passed by and others held signs like Hail to the thief, suggesting Bush had stolen the election from Democrat Al Gore. At least one egg thrown from the crowd hit the presidential limousine. In 2005, demonstrators disrupted Bushs inaugural address.

Do you notice a pattern here?

Bendat said its to be expected that after such a contentious election, demonstrators will come to Washington to express their opinions. Thats part of democracy, too, he said.

Attempting to shut down an inaugural is not part of democracy. But leftist violence is always whitewashed by liberal news outlets like the Associated Press.

After the fact, the AP updated its report on the spirited, American-as-apple-pie demonstrators to acknowledge fires, bricks and smashed windows by protesters registering their rage against the new president.
Omaha attorney Dave Begley covered the presidential candidates for us Iowa and Nebraska over the past two years. Today he recalls Donald Trumps 2015 stop in Sioux City, Iowa, and looks back:

It has been a long and strange trip for President Donald J. Trump from the first time I saw him at Sioux City West high school on October 18, 2015 to his inauguration on January 20, 2017. I can write with confidence that he is the same man whom I first saw on that day but he has grown greatly and improved. That result, I submit, is from his hard work meeting people from all over the country, including those from the windswept plains of Nebraska.

One thing is clear to me that few are able to admit: he has a genius for connecting with average people who are not the typical Republican voter. My long conversation with meat packer Janet Jackson in Sioux City that day convinced me that Trump had a chance.

Trump is also a political genius. He came up with the slogan Make America Great Again by himself. He didnt have to pay consultants six figures to conduct focus groups and polls in order to come up with a tag line. During the campaign he used the phrase drain the swamp and he initially didnt like it. But the crowds loved it; he adapted and he then adopted it as a principal campaign theme.

Our new president campaigned relentlessly throughout the country. There he met the people who he spoke of in his Inaugural Address, The forgotten men and women of our country [who] are forgotten no more. The America First and populist themes are not by any means typical Republican rhetoric but Trump was never a typical Republican candidate.

On the night of the Iowa caucus, I attended the vote for Carter Lake: the bluest of all the blue collar areas of Pottawattamie County. The photo I snapped of the woman in a Trump knit stocking hat captured, I thought, Trumps appeal to an enthusiastic nontraditional Republican voter. President Trump won that caucus with 47 percent of the vote and in the general election he won Pottawattamie county with 57 percent of the vote. Blue collar voters outside the big cities proved instrumental to his success in the general election.

I was agnostic about the candidates when the campaign started but I was clear in my own mind about one thing: Hillary Clinton would be a disaster. My initial reluctance about Trump was based primarily on his high negatives and, as I asked in December 2015: Are the media sandbagging the public on Trumps past with the idea of springing the news on the public after he wins the nomination? What kind of dirt is the Clinton campaign and MSM going to dish on him later? The fact that Trump could overcome the Billy Bush tape speaks loudly to the strength of his appeal.

The other part of his speech that made me so optimistic was his emphasis on action. We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action   constantly complaining but never doing anything about it. The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.

That kind of talk echoes the wordly wisdom of the Jesuit Baltasar Gracian, who wrote: Distinguish the man of words from the man of deeds. To retain their worth, words must be backed up with deeds and Words and deeds make a perfect man.Words are wise, deeds are mighty.

President Trump is already off to a great start as his Cabinet nominations are stellar. Now the tough work begins but one would be foolish to bet against him and his team of all-stars.
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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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The Progression of Howard Sterns Career As A Media Personality And Why He Divorced His First Wife Howard Stern is a legendary American radio host, who has also done some notable work as an actor, producer, author, as well as photographer. The radio personality achieved worldwide fame as a result of his self-titled radio program, The Howard Stern Show. As a professional radio personality, he has worked in different radio stations. Since 2006, ...

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Amanda Balionis Rise Through the Ranks of Sportscasting and the Identity of Her Boyfriend Amanda Balionis is an American sportscaster currently working as a golf broadcaster for CBS Sports. Among so many of her works in the field of sports reporting, Amandas PGA Tour coverage seems to be the most popular so far. She covered the Super Bowl working with CBS Sports social media team in Atlanta, where she ...

Dissecting Charles Paynes Sexual Allegations, Its After Effects and More About His Wife Charles Payne had a respectable career as an analyst on Wall Street before he made the transition to television and became a contributor and later a host on Fox. In that time, his expertise has come under scrutiny, and he has been at the center of at least one major controversy. The major controversy in question ...

Erik Asla And Tryra Banks Split: Everything You Need To Know Tyra Banks and Erik Asla have called it quits! The couple, who began dating in 2013 and have a son named York Banks Asla, has decided to end what everybody taught was the perfect relationship. Neither person has come out to give a reason for the breakup, but what is obvious right now is that ...

What to Note About Dr Terry Dubrows Qualifications, TV Works and Marriage to Heather Kent In the realm of people that we expect to see regularly on our screens, medical doctors are closer to the bottom of the list. Aside from the fact that their work has little correlation with TV, they are presumably too busy to pursue life as TV personalities. Yet, a few of them have usurped this ...

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When it comes to determining K-12 education policy for Wisconsin, our elected state legislators should always have the final say. Shockingly, this may not be happening.

In December 2015, the U.S. Congress  in a rare bipartisan vote  approved the Every Student Succeeds Act to replace No Child Left Behind as federal law for education. ESSA is massive, totaling more than 1,000 pages with hundreds more in regulations.

States must submit a state plan to the U.S. Department of Education that specifies how they will comply with the new law. The plan will determine significant policy issues for public schools (including charters), such as updating our report card, creating new academic standards, and identifying ineffective teachers. In other words, the state plan will impact nearly every student and teacher in our state.

But Wisconsin parents may be surprised to learn those policy decisions are not being made by the Legislature or Gov. Scott Walker. Rather, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers and his Department of Public Instruction will have the final say.

For example, ESSA requires Wisconsin to choose how to intervene in low-performing public schools. Options for intervention include changing school governance, converting the school to a charter school, or removing the school from the jurisdiction of the district.

As it stands, Evers has done little to intervene in failing schools even though he has the authority to do so. Given the grave importance of this matter, why is the scope of decisions like this coming from a bureaucratic state agency rather than the peoples representatives?

If past is prologue, this is a bad idea.

In 2010, Evers adopted the Common Core standards for public schools. Common Core was a debacle, drawing complaints from lawmakers, parents and advocacy groups across the ideological spectrum such as the tea party and teachers unions. DPIs implementation of the Badger Exam, aligned to the Common Core, was millions over budget, and parts of the exam were not ready for students.

This is why some states are taking a more collaborative approach to the ESSA state plan. In Kentucky, a bill would direct the states education agency to report to the legislature how ESSA is being implemented. In Louisiana, Hawaii and Alabama, governors from both political parties are convening groups responsible for drafting the state plan. The Colorado legislature has a committee studying ESSA.

But in Wisconsin, Evers wants to be the sole authority. He formed an ESSA in Equity Stakeholders Council for input. But the council is advisory only.

DPI claimed legislative leaders are in the loop about ESSA, but the chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, R-Fond du Lac, told Wisconsin Watchdog that DPI has not consulted with him. Federal law requires meaningful consultation with the state legislature and the governor when developing the ESSA state plan. Youd think the chair of the Education Committee might be worth chatting with.

There is another way. If the Legislature wishes to play a more active role in the ESSA process, nothing in federal law, state law, or the Wisconsin Constitution prohibits the Legislature from doing so. It simply must assert its vested constitutional legislative power.

ESSA gives states an opportunity to improve the education status quo, giving more children access to higher-quality schools. Whether Wisconsin achieves that end likely hinges on who writes the policy.
The Pleasantville Center on the Black Horse Pike, anchored by Kmart and the Asia Supermarket, is bustling daily. But with the loss of Kmart, Mayor Jesse Tweedle said finding the right tenant to fill the location will be the key to the shopping centers success.

You have to be really smart about the new tenants. It has to be something thats feasible in this area, he said.

Kmart announced it will close 78 stores, including its Pleasantville and Rio Grande locations, adding to the inventory of strip mall vacancies in the area.

Developer Harvey Rosenblatt of P3RE properties in Jackson Township, Ocean County, said its important to take the time to get it right.

Kmart closing stores in Pleasantville and Middle Township Kmarts owner said Wednesday it will close stores in Pleasantville and Middle Township at th

Rosenblatt purchased Smithville Square in March 2016 and has been working to fill the plazas 40,000-square-foot anchor store, which previously housed grocers such as Foodtown and Incollingos.

He said that while Smithville Squares 56,000-square-feet of smaller storefronts are nearly 80 percent full, finding the right fit for the anchor is much harder.

He said a previous owner put a wall down the middle of the anchor store to try to find a tenant, but that failed as well.

He said they are seeking another grocer, but stores such as Lidl and Aldi, which are developing new locations in the region, have too small a footprint. Meanwhile, stores like ShopRite are much more expansive.

Its failed in the past, and if its going to be a grocer it has to be someone that is well established and can compete with whoevers local, Rosenblatt said.

For Pleasantville, Kmarts closing is a social loss, but also one of aesthetics. Tweedle said.

CRDA spending mission turned from neighborhoods to casino attractions ATLANTIC CITY  Inside an unfinished Revel Casino Hotel in 2011, Gov. Chris Christie declare

Theres always concern when you have an empty building thats been around for years, he said.

Tweedle said he doesnt want to see the Pleasantville Center suffer the same fate as the Cardiff Power Center on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township.

Thats a ghost town, and its a shame, too, because it was thriving, he said. Its reflective of the economy.

The Cardiff center is one of the more glaring examples of empty strip malls in South Jersey. Formerly home to a 60,600-square-foot Pathmark supermarket  which closed in 2012  now all thats left are a Big Lots and Forman Mills. Tweedle said the void has a negative implication for the municipality.

You dont want those kind of negative appearances to be right there on the forefront. Its something that were all going through in the municipalities, he said.

How much are homes selling for near you? Transactions are from county property records. Settlement dates are listed; deed filings may be delayed. Location may reflect address of selle

Egg Harbor Township Mayor James Sonny McCullough said filling vacancies in large commercial properties is important for the township and its taxpayers.

It increases the ratable base, which helps the general taxpayers, he said.

McCullough cited Tanger Outlets The Walk in Atlantic City as a deterrent for redevelopment of struggling strip malls.

It was a tremendous competition when youre getting free land and tax relief and all kinds of economic incentives. All the big-box stores and the outlets, instead of coming to where the population is, they are going to Atlantic City, he said.

McCullough said EHT has a five-year tax-abatement program for any new business building in the township.

Egg Harbor Township is getting some new development in the form of a 250,000-square-foot shopping center anchored by a 188,500-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter at Fire Road and the Black Horse Pike. McCullough said he hopes that will be good for all businesses by drawing customers to the area.

Rosenblatt said the loss of anchor stores is not something unique to South Jersey.

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Its across the board. In the retail world of today, you just see big boxes shuttering as opposed to opening. Arguably a lot of it has to do with the dynamics that the internet has brought to the playing field of retail, he said.

One of the biggest challenges in rural South Jersey is the lack of foot traffic, especially when the big-box stores close.

For what its worth, its certainly better for me holding off to get the right retailer in there, Rosenblatt said. Were talking to the right retailers. Were focusing in on the uses that we think can work and will work based on the demographics.
For homeowners with champagne taste and a beer budget  and isnt that most of us?  its time to take another look at tile. Whereas a full kitchen remodel might set you back a few years of savings, a smart minirehab might involve only painting cabinets, replacing appliances and installing a stunning tile backsplash or flooring. Tile is an easier splurge, says designer Kelly Emerson of Marylands Aidan Design. Tile is hundreds of dollars; very rarely is it thousands of dollars.

And thankfully, tile trends tend to hang around for a while, so you can feel good about getting your moneys worth. Today, they reflect larger design trends  such as graphic patterns  as well as advanced technology, which is letting individual tiles get bigger and thinner without compromising their strength. We spoke with Emerson, Samantha Klickna of Case Design/Remodeling and DeeDee Gundberg, director of product development for Ann Sacks, to determine which trends are worth following.

The wood look

Wood planks are trending because they are durable, maintenance-free alternatives to wood, Klickna says. They add depth and dimension to any space. They also give you the opportunity to have a wood effect in a wet area: bathrooms.

Emerson likes the Weathered Wood Field Tile in a large hex ($7.41 per square foot, architecturalceramics.com). With a wood look, Emerson says, you can choose a matte or a polish to change the vibe of the tile. It might have a rustic appearance, but if you select a polished finish and apply it to a wall, it becomes a very polished look.

There are many varieties of woodlike finishes available today. The Tile Shops 8-by-24-inch Fronda Perla Faux Wood Floor Tile ($4.99 per square foot, tile shop.com) has a rustic look. Designers are laying these linearly, as well as in herringbone and chevron patterns.

Larger hex tiles

Gundberg has been watching tile companies come out with larger sizes of the classic hexagon shape each year. At first, 16 by 16 inches was the new, bigger size. Then it was 18 by 18 or 24 by 24, she says. Recently, she has seen tile as big as 45 by 45. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Much of this is driven by technological advances, which allow for thinner, larger tile.

Traditional hex tile is beautiful but replicable. Popham Designs Hex Artichoke ($29 per square foot, annsacks.com), however, is at once funky, modern, retro, graphic and classy.

Saigon Hexagon by Artistic Tile is Emersons pick for a fun, large hexagonal tile ($11 per square foot, artistictile.com). Its inspired by the French Provincial style and comes in three patterns and three muted colors.

Cement

There is a general trend toward organic materials in the design industry, Gundberg says. Included in that is oxidized metals, chunky ceramics, textiles, natural woods  and, in a big way, cement tile. This is purely about the aesthetic and the materiality of concrete, she says.

If you choose a patterned tile with as much spontaneity as Cement Tile Shops Patchwork Random ($22.20 per square foot, cementtileshop.com), let it be the life of a rooms party, Klickna says. Everything else becomes a backdrop.

Cle Tile, based in Sausalito, California, is known for its artisanal encaustic cement tiles as well as its collaborations with designers. The 8-by-8-inch Star Bright in Kelly green ($14.49 per square foot, cletile.com) marries traditional and modern. Look at the space as a whole and make sure that youre not going overboard on color and pattern, Klickna advises. Its OK to be bold with one or two of your selections, but it has to be in moderation.

Subway with a twist

Subway tiles are as classic as you get. But homeowners and designers are getting adventurous, choosing long, exaggerated sizes or colored tiles. Who said subway tile needs to be plain white? asks Gundberg. Theyre arranging tiles vertically or in a chevron or herringbone pattern. Theyre even choosing contrasting grout, something that used to be a no-no but that Gundberg is seeing more often. Grout is becoming more and more an integral part of design, she says. Subway tile comes at all price points, too  from simple, white porcelain styles for $2 or $3 a square foot to high-end glass or hand-glazed styles. Arrange a simple, budget-friendly option in a herringbone pattern with contrasting grout to give it a higher-end look.

Undulating and surface-textured ceramics will never go out of style, Emerson says. She likes Pratt & Larsons Textured Field tile ($37.50 per square foot, prattandlarson.com).

Waterworks Grove Brickworks tile has pinholes and irregular surfaces that complement darker grout, a tack Aidan Design took in a kitchen project (from $23 per square foot, waterworks.com).

Shades of blue

Blue as a color is back, instead of white, cream, gray and metallic, which is really what weve seen for the last five years, Gundberg says. To see blue is really nice. Everything from deep navy to blue-greens such as peacock is trending, largely because with ceramics, you can get such intense, beautiful color.

Klickna and Emerson use Walker Zangers Cafe tiles (from $9.85 per square foot, walkerzanger.com)  which come in three field sizes, four trim sizes and eight colors  in their projects. The tile is handmade for the L.A. company.

Tile is something that the homeowner can appreciate and something that a guest can appreciate. It brings warmth into a space, Emerson says. Merola Tiles Hybrid Blue ($5.60 per square foot, homedepot.com), at 7 by 23 inches, has a bold, geometric pattern in muted colors.

Bold patterns

What makes a room exciting is when you walk into it and see something completely different and unexpected, Gundberg says. You expect your furniture to be the statement, or the paint color, but you dont as often see decorative, stunning tile as the center of the room. When its done in the right way, its really effective. And nothing stands out more than a bold pattern. Gundberg is primarily seeing big, bold patterns inspired by Moroccan and French designs moving from backsplash mosaics to the floor. Kitchen floors are huge for pattern.

Grow House Grows Otomi 8-by-8-inch tiles are made by mixing Portland cement, marble powder and natural pigments into a mold ($18.50 per square foot, growhousegrow.com).

Moroccan patterns can be found at high and low prices. Overstocks Amlo Circle Handmade Cement and Granite Floor and Wall Tile is $104.99 for a pack of 12 8-by-8-inch tiles (about $20 per square foot, overstock.com).
Depending on who you ask, Atlantic Citys punk scene is either coming back or on the decline. One thing that is certain  punk never dies.

It cant be killed. Punks are like cockroaches, joked Johnny Hurden, vocalist and guitarist for the Atlantic City-based punk band No Comply. You just gotta look for it, its not in your face anymore like it used to be.

In the back room of a local tattoo shop, No Comply vocalist and guitarist Jim Chivalette, drummer Rob Albert, bassist Jay Ramirez and Hurden talk about whats on the horizon for punk.

I think its going to come back big time. I feel like a lot of dub step, electronic music is being pushed down peoples throats, Hurden said. Especially kids.

Erik Fischetti, who No Comply jokes is the bands unofficial member and the force behind Atlantic City Crust Instagram, said the citys patchwork of beaches, casinos, urban life and tourism influences the citys unique punk sound and culture.

Its a culture unlike anywhere else Fischetti said. Its a product of their environment and a different style than most bands youll hear.

In Atlantic City, punk has been a way of pushing back at the decadence of casino club scenes.

To the punk rock community, as far as you could get away from (cover bands and lounge acts) the better you were and happier you were, said Brandon Smith, guitarist and vocalist of the Brandon Smith Band who grew up in Rio Grande and has been playing in the South Jersey punk scene since he was 10 years old.

In the chasm caused by the collapse of the citys casinos, bands like No Comply and Fischetti say theyve watched their parents lose their jobs and drugs grip the lives of their friends. Hurden said they all live off of the casinos, one way or another.

Local punk has a lot to push against, but the scene has its struggles.

Both Smith and No Comply embrace the DIY punk ethic, which Smith said gives him more autonomy and creative control over producing his own music. But DIY also means footing your own bill.

Chivalette said the founder of the former 1787 Collective, Paul Brown, carried the scene on his back for years.

Brown would often use his own money to put on shows. Faced with waning support from showgoers, who would at times balk at cover charges that help bands, Brown lost faith in the scene.

Bands would start doing really well in this area, I would put them on shows and foster their creativity, he said. It was getting more and more difficult to get bands to stick around. From bands just being tardy, to simply cancelling shows, to breaking up, no matter what anybody says  in my opinion  a good foundation of a local music scene is the local bands.

Brown is no stranger to marketing. The 33-year-old works for Good Time Tricycle, which organizes Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival, among others, and had been producing punk shows in the city since he was 15.

1787 booked primarily at the Boneyard, one of the few, if not only, venues left in the city where music like punk can thrive.

It was impossible to sustain a culture when there was only one venue doing things, he said, noting that the lack of venues, organization and excitement from showgoers can be a volatile mixture.

It wasnt always that way. Brown said at one time Atlantic Citys independent music scene, even extending outside the city, was rivaling Asbury Parks.

In spite of what might seem like doom-and-gloom prospects, Brown is optimistic Stockton Universitys new campus will bring young college students to the city who will want to get out of their dorms to check out new music. He wants to see coffee shops, book shops, record stores and new venues popping up in the city.

I dont want there to be one venue in Atlantic City to carry the weight on their shoulders, and when its not doing phenomenally, everyone is like, Oh, the scene is dead! he said.

Noranne Thompson, co-owner of NorStep Productions, primarily promotes and books shows out of the Boneyard. In the past few months, she said theyve been booking more punk shows.

Its something I really enjoy. The energy is amazing  its beautiful, she said. Theres definitely people who are very supportive, who come out to almost every show. Its not as great as it should be, or could be, but were working on that.

Brown still has an undying love for the entire culture. He even had a bit of an itch to come back and said theres a possibility he could put on one big show a month.

When you grow up and mature in that world of independent music  it sticks with you forever no matter how far you pull away from it, he said.

Brown thinks kids need to start playing in bands, especially if they suck.

Some of the best punk bands sucked at music, but people loved them because thats the culture, he said. Brown also thinks the slactivist generation needs to step away from their computers and stop focusing so much on social media, unless its to spread the word about a show.

Smith said hed like to see punk going back to being more personal, instead of just posting on Facebook.

It would be great if there was an Atlantic City renaissance, it sounds really poetic, Hurden said. I hope it happens.

As punk and politics are often intertwined, Hurden said there will always be people trying to express themselves creatively in the face of oppression.

Theres plenty to look forward to in the future.

Chivalette said with a smile: I hope Donald gives us some good writing material.
Florences most iconic dish is, without a doubt, bistecca alla fiorentina: an enormous porterhouse steak, minimally seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled and served bloody rare.

Its a showstopper. But its not for everyone, or for every occasion.

Less well-known, but just as worthy, are the simple roasts served in the citys cozy trattorias, in family-run restaurants in the countryside and in home kitchens throughout the Italian region of Tuscany.

During a visit to Florence last summer, I was reminded of just how appealing a roast  beef, pork, veal  can be, thinly sliced and adorned only with pan drippings. My jet-lagged family and I followed my friend Emiko Davies on a hot day in late July as she ducked through a doorway beneath a green-and-white-striped awning. Davies, a longtime resident of the city and author of the cookbook Florentine: The True Cuisine of Florence, was taking us to Trattoria Mario, one of her favorite spots for traditional Florentine food.

Although it was barely lunchtime, the place was already packed with a mix of locals and intrepid tourists sitting elbow to elbow at communal tables. The menu, handwritten (in Italian only) on butcher paper and taped to the wall, listed the days selections. Seeing that we werent quite ready to face a bloody bistecca, Davies instead ordered several platters of sliced roasts to share, plus traditional sides of roasted potatoes and stewed cannellini beans.

The food, like the trattoria itself, was no-frills: no special sauces, no fancy garnishes, no clever twists on classics. But, also like Marios, it was genuine and really, really good. Especially those roasts, all juicy and tender and succulent  just what you want a good roast to be. We polished them off.

A few days later, another roast stole the show. This one, a turkey breast, was the centerpiece of a luncheon prepared by my friend Giulia Scarpaleggia, a food writer who shares recipes and snippets of life in the Tuscan countryside on her blog, Juls Kitchen. She served it sliced and cold, with a tonnato (tuna and mayonnaise) sauce on the side. Even without the dollop of sauce, the turkey was tender and rich, with meaty flavor.

Weeks after we had returned home and gone back to our usual habit of grilling steaks and chops, I was still thinking about those roasts. With winter in full swing, I decided it was time to crack the code on how to make them.

Simply prepared roasts have a long history in Tuscan cuisine. Arista di maiale, a bone-in pork loin roast seasoned simply with herbs, garlic and white wine, dates to at least the 15th century, when it was served at an assembly of bishops in Florence. Rosbiffe, the Italian adaptation of roast beef, is a more recent import, arriving in the 1800s with a large British expatriate community that settled in Florence. Pellegrino Artusi, author of the famous 19th century cookbook La scienza in cucina e larte di mangiar bene (Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well), lived in Florence for most of his life and devoted an entire chapter to roasts. Roasting preserves the nutritional qualities of meat better than any other method of cooking, and the meat is also easier to digest, Artusi wrote.

The success of a roast depends on the quality of the meat, says Andrea Falaschi, Davies butcher in San Miniato, near Florence. Our recipes arent complicated, he says. Simplicity is our strength. Its the beauty of our cuisine. But we start with the best primary ingredients.

Florence is famous for its Chianina beef, says Davies, which comes from an ancient breed of cattle raised in Tuscany and in parts of Umbria, Lazio and Abruzzo. Davies, who tested recipes for her book in her native Australia, says she used Berkshire pork.

As for rosbiffe, it is possible to buy U.S.-raised Chianina beef, but it is not easy to find at retail markets. Grass-fed beef, which is available at many farmers markets and supermarkets, makes a good substitute. It is leaner and not as buttery-soft as typical beef raised on grain, with a more pronounced beefy flavor. Because of its leanness, it is best cooked slowly at a moderately low temperature.

Dave Burton, a butcher at the Organic Butcher of McLean, offers an alternative for those willing to splurge a bit: Wagyu roast beef. Derived from a Japanese cattle breed, Wagyu is richly marbled with fat. However, the whole-muscle cuts typically used for roast beef, such as top round and eye round, are not as fatty. Wagyu eye of round makes an especially good roast beef, Burton says, because it gives a typically lean cut, one thats prone to dryness, just enough fat to ensure a good roast. At $12.99 a pound, it isnt cheap, but it is certainly less costly than prime rib or tenderloin.

Veal is more complicated; it is more expensive and less popular in the States than in Italy. Italian veal is older  more like young beef  and is rosier in color and tastier than the young milk-fed veal sold here. Many Americans are put off by the poor, cramped conditions in which veal calves are raised. But it is getting easier to find humanely raised veal that is more like what is sold in Italy. The Organic Butcher of McLean carries it, but it is prohibitively expensive: about $29 a pound for top round. I found a good substitute for about $10 less per pound at Arrowine and Cheese in Arlington. The wine, cheese and charcuterie shop carries a limited selection of meats from high-end producer DArtagnan, including a petite (21/4-pound) chuck roast already bound in mesh.

If you are not tired of turkey, try roasting a boneless turkey breast. Scarpaleggias turkey roast sold me on this less-expensive alternative to veal or pork. You can buy a butterflied boneless breast to roll and tie yourself, or look for one that it is already tied in mesh; some Whole Foods Markets stock them on the weekends (best to call in advance). Once youve chosen your roast, follow a few simple steps (see sidebar below), and within a couple of hours youll have a beautiful Tuscan-style roast at your table. All thats left is to open a bottle of Chianti.

Marchetti is the author of Preserving Italy: Canning, Curing, Infusing and Bottling Italian Flavors and Traditions (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016).
Two New Jersey congressmen have introduced legislation to allow towns to paint strips of blue on roads to honor police after regulators said the tributes crossed the line of federal safety rules.

Reps. Leonard Lance, R-7th, and Bill Pascrell, D-9th, introduced legislation Tuesday to permit the blue lines that have sprung up in towns in the state and elsewhere. More than 100 police officers were killed in the line of duty nationally last year.

The U.S. Department of Transportations Federal Highway Administration responded Dec. 8 to a letter sent by Somerset County Engineer Matthew Loper, who requested clarification on compliance with the blue lines.

The administration said filing the space between the yellow line with blue paint does not comply with standards.

We appreciate and understand the efforts by local governments and others that convey support for law-enforcement officers, FHA spokesman Neil Gaffney said. However, the yellow lines down the center of a road are meant to control traffic, and modification of that marking could cause confusion, accidents and fatalities. Our number one priority is the safety of all drivers.

Avalon and Ocean City painted blue lines on main streets in November.

Avalon painted the blue line in the center of the double yellow line on Avalon Boulevard and circled a traffic island and 30th Street between Ocean Drive and Dune Drive, near the boroughs Public Safety Complex.

In Ocean City, Central Avenue was painted with the blue line in front of the city police station.

Noting 135 police officers were killed in the line of duty last year, Pascrell and Lance said communities should be able to honor law enforcement without the federal governments telling them no.

State transportation officials said they are unaware if the blue lines have contributed to accidents or traffic issues.

Any driver who gets confused by the color of the line is a confused driver, James Pasco, executive director of the Washington-based Fraternal Order of Police said. Its a lot safer to have a blue line in the middle of the street than it is for police officers to get shot at.

Press Staff Writer Lauren Carroll contributed to this report.
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.




- Settlement ends all existing claims between ResMed and BMC/3B Medical

- BMC and 3B will pay royalties to ResMed

- ResMed makes one-time payment to 3B to resolve Florida litigation

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ResMed (NYSE:RMD), BMC (Beijing, China) and 3B Medical (Winter Haven, Florida) today announced they have agreed on a global settlement of all litigation between the parties. BMC and 3B will be permitted to sell their existing products in exchange for royalty payments to ResMed, and ResMed will make a one-time settlement payment to 3B to close the Florida litigation between the two parties. The settlement did not include an admission of liability or wrongdoing by any party.

The five-year agreement between the three companies resolves all pending litigation before the U.S. International Trade Commission, lawsuits pending in district court in Florida and California, foreign litigation in China and Germany, and validity challenges pending in various patent offices around the world.

"We are pleased to bring our litigation with BMC and 3B to a resolution and to have our intellectual property and patents recognized through this settlement," said David Pendarvis, ResMed's Global General Counsel. "For 28 years, ResMed has stood strong in its commitment to innovate and develop products and solutions that exceed the needs of our HME customers and the patients we serve together. This agreement allows us to continue the important work we are doing for the patients and providers who count on us to provide the best products for treating the world's most serious respiratory conditions. And it allows us to avoid the distraction and ongoing expense of continued litigation."

"We are equally pleased to bring global litigation with ResMed to a resolution. The settlement allows 3B Medical to innovate and provide alternative solutions to the sleep-disordered breathing marketplace," said Alex Lucio, Executive Vice President of 3B Medical.

"BMC continues to develop its own portfolio of intellectual property as one of the global manufacturers in the sleep-disordered breathing market. We continue to fund research and development and bring new products to market. This agreement brings a very long battle with ResMed to a final conclusion and allows all of our companies to focus on developing great products to service the needs of our patients," said James Xu, General Manager of BMC Medical.

About ResMed

ResMed (NYSE:RMD) changes lives with award-winning medical devices and cutting-edge cloud-based software applications that better diagnose, treat and manage sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic diseases. ResMed is a global leader in connected care, with more than 2 million patients remotely monitored every day. Our 5,000-strong team is committed to creating the world's best tech-driven medical device company  improving quality of life, reducing the impact of chronic disease, and saving healthcare costs in more than 100 countries.

ResMed.com | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

About BMC Medical/3B

3B/BMC is a global leader in the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of medical products for the diagnosis, treatment and management of sleep disordered breathing.

ResMed

BMC/3B For Media For Investors For Media Alison Graves Agnes Lee Rebecca Velazquez O: 858-836-6789 O: 858-836-5971 O: 863-226-6285 news@resmed.com investorrelations@resmed.com RVelazquez@3Bproducts.com

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SOURCE ResMed Inc.
HENDERSON, Nev., Jan. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of Teamsters Local 631 who work at Rinker Hydro Conduit which is owned by CEMEX have been on strike since November 15, 2016.

Both sides returned to the negotiating table in mid-December to resume contract talks. After weeks of negotiation sessions, the two sides remained far apart on terms of a new agreement. Late last week the gap between the two sides began to narrow but an agreement could not be reached. Union representatives and Company representatives began conversations on Thursday January 19, 2017 that continued late into the night of Friday January 20, 2017. The two sides reached an agreement early morning, Saturday January 21, 2017.

"We are happy that both sides could finally come to an agreement this morning," said Teamsters Local 631 Principle Officer Tommy Blitsch. "Our members have stayed 100% united over the past ten weeks which shows not only their commitment to each other but their commitment to secure a fair contract for themselves and their families." "Not one single Union member crossed the picket line during this ten-week strike. In my nearly twenty-five years of Union Membership I have never seen a group like this, they stood united for such a long period of time I am truly proud of each and every one of them," said Blitsch.

Terms and conditions of the new collective bargaining agreement will not be disclosed until the members vote early next week. Picket lines will remain in place until the contract is ratified by the members.

Contact: Tommy Blitsch

Secretary Treasurer/CEO

(702) 659-4333

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 631
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
Berlin, Jan 19 : Rajkummar Rao-starrer "Newton" by Amit V. Masurkar and "Loktak Lairembee" (Lady of the Lake) by Manipur's Haobam Paban Kumar are in the line-up of the 47th Berlinale Forum, which is a section of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.

The Berlinale Forum is showing 43 films in its main programme, 29 of which are as world premieres and 10 as international premieres, read a post shared on Wednesday on the official site of the forum.

Soon after the announcement, Rajkummar tweeted: "So happy to share that our film 'Newton' will have its world premiere at Berlin international film festival."

The film will have a red carpet premiere with its cast and crew on February 10, during the opening weekend of the festival.

"Newton" is a sharp political black comedy that takes place on an election day in central India. Rajkummar plays Newton, a rookie clerk on election duty in a conflict-ridden jungle of Chhattisgarh, who tries his best to conduct free and fair voting despite the apathy of security forces and the looming fear of an attack by Maoist rebels.

The film also stars Anjali Patil, Pankaj Tripathi and Raghubir Yadav. Produced by Manish Mundra, it will be screened in the International Forum of New Cinema, a section of the Berlinale featuring avant-garde, experimental works, political reportage and yet-to-be-discovered cinematic landscapes.

Masurkar, who has co-written and directed "Newton", said in a statement: "We are all excited to have a grand premiere of 'Newton' in Berlin. Newton is a political film with a generous helping of quirky, dark humour which reflects the absurdity of the world we live in. We're sure it will resonate with audiences at home and abroad."

Founder of Drishyam Films and the producer of "Newton", Mundra said: "'Newton' stands true to our vision of telling powerful stories that are rooted in our culture yet universal in their appeal."

Kumar's film "Loktak Lairembee" (Lady of the Lake), on the other hand, has been screened at various Indian film fests, including the prestigious International Film Festival of India. It had its world premiere in South Korea at the Busan International Film Festival.

The list includes films from Germany, Argentina, France, Israel, US, Japan, Phillipines, Canada and more.
Kolkata, Jan 19 : In the shadow of demonetisation and a violent anti-land acquisition protest in Bhangar, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government is to inaugurate the third edition of its annual two-day business summit on Friday that will see participation from 25 countries.

The authorities are yet to formally announce any list of Indian business captains who would grace the Bengal Global Business Summit, to be inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee.

In an effort to shed the state's investor-wary image and woo much-needed business capital, the state government had reached out to various parts of the country and even foreign countries in the lead up to the event, being held in the sprawling Milan Mela ground.

Russia, China, South Korea, Norway, Germany, Poland, the UAE, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore are among the overseas nations to be represented at the mega business gathering - the first after Banerjee's Trinamool Congress won a second successive term in office by sweeping the assembly polls last year.

The August 31 Supreme Court verdict ordering the return of farmland to the peasants from whom it had been taken for the Tata Motors' Nano project by the erstwhile Left Front government is another monumental development that happened in 2016.

According to state Finance, Commerce and Industries Minister Amit Mitra, there would be at least 3,000 delegates at the plenary session, including a strong presence from countries where manufacturing units are really strong.

In order to ensure a strong foreign imprint, the state government organised a series of interactive sessions last September on business opportunities in Bengal at Germany's Dusseldorf, Munich and Stuttgart.

Teams had also fanned out to China and Japan last October, and Italy in November. A Chinese delegation also came to Bengal in September.

In a departure from the previous two years, key central government figures, most notably Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, would be skipping the summit.

While Jaitley's absence is being linked to his preoccupation with the February 1 budget, the deteriorating relations between the BJP-led central government and the state's Trinamool Congress regime could be a prime reason.

In a desperate attempt to turn things around in terms of investment in Bengal, Chief Minister Banerjee, who has been vocal against the central government's decision to recall Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes, has appealed to industrialists time and again to infuse money in the eastern state, to meet the huge demands for jobs. Banerjee also frequently tom-toms the state as a zone of "industrial peace" where not a "single manday" is lost due to industrial disputes.

However, such claims may have lost some sheen in view of the trouble earlier this week in South 24 Parganas district's Bhangar, where two lives were lost following violent clashes between villagers and the police over the state government's bid to acquire 16 acres of farmland for a power grid project.

The protesting villagers stoned policemen, torched their vehicles, dug roads and felled trees to stop their entry into the villages, in a virtual re-run of events of 2006-2008 when the state was on the boil following intense anti-farmland acquisition stirs.

The fresh chapter of the summit would focus on boosting start-ups in the state. Earlier, Mitra said the state was working with IIM Calcutta and iSpirit, an NGO associated with start-ups, so that the state could help home-grown start-ups to take off.

The state government has identified 11 priority areas for attracting investment, such as transport, civil aviation, mining, power, medium and small-scale enterprises, IT and ITeS and infrastructure.

The sessions would include sector-wise discussions to project the possibilities and potential of Bengal in front of investors.

"We hope the summit will fetch a good amount of investments' proposals this year. The only flip side is the depressed mood of local and domestic industries since the Centre's decision to recall notes," an official said.

According to the state government, the 2015 summit had fetched investment proposals to the tune of Rs 2.43 lakh crore and the 2016 edition received over Rs 2.5 lakh crore of investment proposals.
New Delhi, Jan 19 : The central government on Thursday cleared six foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals worth Rs 1,186.50 crore.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the government approved the six FDI proposals on the basis of recommendations received from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).

"Based on the recommendations of FIPB in its 242nd meeting held on 29th December 2016, the government has approved six FDI proposals," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry disclosed that proposals of Recipharm Participation B.V. Netherlands, A. Menarini India Private and Boehringer Ingelheim India among others were approved.

However, six proposals including those from Gland Pharma, Flag Telecom Singapore and Crest Premedia Solutions were deferred.

The government rejected three proposals from Tandberg Technology India, AMP Solar India and Bashundhara Paper Mills India.

The overall FDI inflows into India increased by 30 per cent to $21.62 billion during the first half of 2016-17 as compared to the same period during the last fiscal year.

The FDI inflows into the country grew by 29 per cent to $40 billion in 2015-16, as compared to $30.94 billion in the previous financial year.
Melbourne/Sydney, Jan 20 : A man is in custody after a car intentionally hit several pedestrians in Melbourne on Friday, killing three people and severely injuring up to 20.

A maroon coloured sedan was being pursued by the police in Melbourne's central business district (CBD) when the vehicle entered a pedestrian-only section of the famous Bourke Street shopping mall, driving erratically along the popular strip.

Victoria Police said that the incident was not related to terrorism, Xinhua news agency reported.

Rebecca Russo, a witness to the chase, said she saw three people hit by the car as it sped through the mall.

"We were just standing on Bourke Street, and we heard a bit of a crash coming from the mall. I saw a maroon car driving up the pedestrian path on the Flinders Street side," Russo told Fairfax Media on Friday.

"People were running out of the way, they were going very, very fast. I saw him hit a few people. I saw bodies flying into the air."

Ambulance Victoria confirmed that 20 people were being treated after the incident with four of those being children.

Images shot by a helicopter over the CBD showed the wrecked vehicle in the wake of the incident with part of a child's pram on the bonnet with unconfirmed reports that a three-year-old child in the pram was dragged up to 100 metres by the car.

There were unconfirmed reports on Friday afternoon that shots were fired as the chase unfolded.

The police said the incident was related to a stabbing in the south-eastern suburb of Windsor at 2 a.m. on Friday morning.

The victim of the stabbing remained in hospital in a critical condition on Friday.

Bill Shorten, leader of Australia's Federal Opposition, wrote on the social media "Horrific scenes in Melbourne this afternoon. Hearts go out to all those who've been hurt,"

The incident occurred as thousands of tourists were in Melbourne for the Australian Open.
Lucknow, Jan 20 : Claiming that he was "unaware" of any parleys on an alliance between the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, UPCC chief Raj Babbar on Friday said there will be "no alliance at the cost of honour and respect of party workers".

The yesteryear's Bollywood actor made light of the release by SP of two lists of 209 candidates, including on nine seats with sitting Congress legislators, saying "every party is within its rights to do so".

"I have come here to sign Form B of my party's candidates," he told media persons here.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) President said his party is a votary of an alliance with "like-minded smaller groups like the Peace Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal".

Earlier on Friday, the Samajwadi Party released within a period of few hours its first and second lists of 209 candidates for the assembly elections.

The alliance talks between the two parties hit turbulence in the evening when the SP released the names of party candidates for nine seats where Congress won in the 2012 assembly polls.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has already declined to a tie-up with Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal, upsetting the state Congress leaders.

As for SP Vice-President Kironmoy Nanda's statement that the Congress deserved not more than 54 seats, Babbar said: "The Congress deserves the love of the people."

The Congress is asking for 100-plus seats, something which the SP is now reluctant to give.

SP mentor Mulayam Singh Yadav is dead against any tie-up with the Congress but a group in the ruling dispensation is advocating it to ensure that the Muslim vote is not divided.

State Congress leaders are miffed over the attitude of SP counterparts and do not want to play second fiddle to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Raj Babbar especially shares cold relationship with the SP, specially the Yadav clan.

While he began his political innings in the SP many years ago, he had a bitter fallout as he defeated Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav, in a Lok Sabha by-poll from Firozabad as a Congress candidate.

The wounds are still fresh in the minds of the SP leadership, insiders say.

With Akhilesh in full command of his party and his detractors falling in line, he is now learnt to be in a mood to play hard ball with the Congress.

"If things do not work out, we will say we tried our best for the alliance but we are willing to go alone as well," said a SP strategist close to the Chief Minister.

Elections to the 403-member Uttar Pradesh assembly will be held in seven phases from February 15 to March 8. The counting of votes will be taken up on March 11.
Washington, Jan 21 : James Mattis, US President Donald Trump's pick for Defence Secretary, was easily confirmed by the Senate on Friday.

In an overwhelming vote, Mattis became the first confirmed member of Trump's cabinet, hours after Trump was sworn in as the 45th US President, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier, Trump signed a waiver legislation after his inauguration to clear a legal barrier for Mattis to take office.

Under the US law, a former service member is barred from running the Pentagon less than seven years after retirement from military. Mattis only retired in 2013 as the Commander of the US Central Command. Trump signed the measure to grant Mattis an one-time exception.

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-3 on January 12 to approve Mattis' nomination, moving the vote onto the Senate floor. The committee also easily passed a waiver exempting Mattis from the law that could prevent him from becoming the Pentagon chief.

At the hearing, Mattis took a clear anti-Russia stance during the hearing, describing Moscow as a "principle threat" to US security, a position notably different from Trump.

The United States should also check Russia's growing influence in the Arctic region, Mattis said.

Mattis also chose to distance from Trump on other key issues, including the role of NATO, which Trump said should shrink, and on the Iranian nuclear agreement, which Trump threatened to scrap.
Washington, Jan 21 : Six police officers were injured and 217 protesters arrested after they smashed windows, damaged cars and threw rocks at security personnel near US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Friday in Washington D.C.

At least two police officers and one other person were taken to the hospital for undetermined injuries after run-ins with protesters, D.C. Fire Spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.

After the swearing-in ceremony, demonstrators near 12th and K streets threw rocks and bottles at police, who were clad in riot gear and attempting to disperse the crowd.

A large number of police were on scene and used smoke and flash-bang devices to try to scatter the protesters.

Acting D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told CNN that there were several hundred protesters who were confronting police, while he praised the thousands of other demonstrators who behaved in a peaceful fashion to get their point across.

"We have been pointing out all along that this is a very isolated incident and by and large everything is going peacefully and a lot of folks have come to the city to enjoy this historic day, not only the Capitol but walking all around the city," Newsham said.

Throughout Friday, demonstrators, some wearing masks and dressed in black, shattered building windows, vandalized police cars and other vehicles, setting some on fire -- including a limousine -- and toppled news kiosks.

"Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property," the police said.

Protester Lysander Reid-Powell, a 20-year-old student from New Mexico told CNN: "I think Donald Trump is a fascist, and it's very easy for people, especially people who are in pain, to slip into fascism."

At one checkpoint, about 50 protesters sat down in the street in an attempt to block Trump supporters from entering a secure area to watch the swearing-in ceremony and speech.

Not far away, a group of immigration backers staged a "pop up" protest near another check point.

"We're here to take a stand against the ideas that Trump spouted throughout the course of this campaign -- sexism, Islamophobia, his bigotry and nationalism," said protester Jed Holtz, from New York City.

There also were anti-Trump protests around the world, including London, Hong Kong and Berlin -- where demonstrators held a sign that read, "Walls divide", CNN reported.

In the West Bank, Palestinians protested against Israeli settlements and Trump's plan to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

In New York, seven people were arrested at a demonstration outside of Trump Tower, according to the New York Police Department.

On Saturday, the Women's March on Washington could attract a quarter million participants, organisers said.

"We're really trying to set a tone of resistance for the coming years," Lacy MacAuley, a DisruptJ20 organizer, told CNN.

"Donald Trump represents a shift in our politics in a dangerous, harmful, exclusionary direction. We oppose those policies of hate."

According to Department of Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson, as many as 900,000 spectators were slated to attend inaugural ceremonies.
New Delhi, Jan 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday greeted the three northeastern states of Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya on their statehood day.

In a series of tweets Modi said: "Statehood Day greetings to the people of Meghalaya. My best wishes for the development journey of the state."

"On their Statehood Day, I convey my best wishes to the people of Tripura and pray for the state's all-round growth.

"Greetings to the people of Manipur on their Statehood Day. I hope Manipur will remain blessed with joy and prosperity," Modi said.

Under the North-Eastern Areas (Re-organisation) Act, 1971, Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya attained statehood on January 21, 1972.
Washington, Jan 21 : Several Indian-Americans gathered for a gala here to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th US President, an event skipped by many from the community, with Shalabh Kumar, a key member of the President's panel on Asia-Pacific affairs, also conspicuous by his absence.

At least a hundred Indian-Americans attended the gala that took place at the Grand Ballroom of the central Mayflower hotel in Washington on Friday, American Bazaar online reported.

Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna and his counterparts from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore were also present.

"This is a great celebration of Asian success," Sarna said at the event, largely attended by Republican crowd.

"I am very happy that Indian-Americans are part of the successful large Asian community."

Virginia Republican Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the organisers of the event, told the American Bazaar that it was "a grand success".

"We were able to create a platform for the AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islanders) community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration."

Ahluwalia added that by showing up in good numbers, the Indian-American community has showed their desire for "the US-India relationship to be on the front and centre for the next administration".

Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Barbara Comstack, Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph DLG Torres as well as a number of Republican leaders from various Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities.

"The (Trump) administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries," said Royce, the California Republican known to be one of the most staunchly pro-India voices in the US Congress.

"We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship," said the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee.

Indian-American Republicans who were present included Californian K.V. Kumar, Floridian Harry Walia and Ahluwalia who along with Shalabh Kumar form Trump-Pence campaign's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee.

Shalabh Kumar was, however, not present.

The formal part of the ball began with a rendition of the US national anthem. Indian food and Bollywood dance were other highlights of the event.
Washington, Jan 21 : Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, attended three official inaugural balls on Friday night following his swearing-in as the 45th President of the US.

The first was the Liberty Ball held at the was attended by supporters who donated to the inauguration or purchased tickets, the New York Times reported.

The First Couple made their entry amid applause. Melania was dressed in an ivory evening gown by designer Herve Pierre with a white ruffle cascading down the front while Trump was in a tuxedo and bow-tie.

On stage, Trump said they had managed to win despite widespread doubt.

"We did it," he said, exchanging a smile with his wife.

"We began this journey and they said we didn't have a chance but I knew we would win," Efe news reported citing the President as saying.

The couple then shared their first dance as the White House's new tenants to Frank Sinatra's "My Way".

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, as well as the couples' children joined them on the stage. Nine pairs in all swayed about by the song's end, the Washington Post reported.

Minutes later, they repeated the ritual at the Freedom Ball. There, Trump addressed the crowd, declaring "We will not be taken advantage of anymore" and even asking the audience "should I keep the Twitter going? It's a way of bypassing dishonest media."

After the dance, Trump pumped his fist to lead the crowd in a chant of "USA!"

Liberty Ball was followed by the Freedom Ball also held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre.

The last was the Armed Services Ball, at the National Building Museum, had a restricted audience of only active duty and reserve military members, wounded veterans, emergency medical workers and Medal of Honour recipients.

The President addressed the crowd, saying, "you're amazing people, and I like you for a lot of reasons."

"And I also like the fact you all voted for me, right? You all voted for me," he said.

Here, Trump had a video call with US troops located in Afghanistan's Bagram Airbase.

The airbase personnel took turns congratulating Trump on his victory.

Melania Trump also addressed the crowd. "Thank you all for your service," she said. "I'm honoured to be our First Lady. We will win. And we will make America great again."

The First Couple danced to a rendition of "I Will Always Love You." Then, per tradition, they danced with service members.

Since 1809, inaugurations of US presidents have been accompanied by these traditional dances, becoming one of the biggest social galas for political leaders across the country.
New Delhi, Jan 21 : Five time National Award-winning filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar says his dream to visit Berlin is finally coming true as his Manipuri film "Loktak Lairembee" (Lady of the Lake) will get its European premiere in the German city next month.

The 71-minute-long film tells the story of a depressed fisherman, Tomba, whose life changes when he finds a gun.

After travelling to different fests, including the Busan International Film Festival and the Jio MAMI 18th Mumbai Film Festival, the feature film is in the line-up of the 47th Berlinale Forum, which is a section of the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.

Sharing his excitement, Kumar, who was honoured with a special jury award at the Pune International Film Festival on Thursday, told IANS over the phone from Pune: "It was always a dream to go to Berlin. I am really happy about it, but I also need to have a good opening at the festival. I have five screenings from February 11 to 15."

"I want more people to know about my film. It's my first feature film, but I have been making documentaries for a while now."

Was the process to get his regional film screened in Europe difficult?

"I got the opportunity through Film Bazaar in 2015. I hadn't even completed the film that time. I met the people from the Berlin film fest in 2016 again. I had finished the film in October 2016. I was waiting for its European premiere and things worked out," he said.

Film Bazaar, a platform created and organised to encourage collaboration between South Asian and international and film communities, is organised annually alongside International Film Festival of India in Goa.

What is he hoping from the fest in Germany?

"Maybe, I will be able to sell my film. I am looking for a good distributor. I am hoping things work in my favour and I get money for my next project. The Indian government is also supporting with promotion and publicity funds. I have applied for it (government grant to promote his film at international fests)," said the filmmaker, known for documentaries like "AFSPA 1958" and "Phum Shang".

It has been to various film galas, but is yet to hit the screens in India.

"I need to finish the fest circle first and then only I will release it in India. Taking it to different places is also part of the publicity. More people will watch it if it travels to more places. Reviews by experts will help me too," said Kumar.

"I am also looking at online distribution," added the alumnus of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata.

His movies are deeply rooted in his home state Manipur. Why not other subjects?

"My stories come from daily happenings in Manipur. I started making films to tell our stories. My aim was to connect with mainland India through films. I guess since I come from a small place, it is natural to tell our own stories. It's an easy way to communicate. Cinema has always been a means of communication for me," said the nephew of popular Manipuri writer-director-actor Ratan Thiyam.

"He (Ratan Thiyam) is my maternal uncle. Whenever I do a film, I show it to him first," he added.

His next project titled "Joseph's Son" also revolves around the northeastern state.

"It is about ethnic divide. This is a big problem in the entire northeast today. There are so many small groups in the region. Earlier, we used to think diversity is helpful and is good. But now, somehow it is creating a lot of problems for people to live together."

"It is based on Sudhir Naoroibam's story. It is about Kuki and Naga clash."

(Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in )
New Delhi : Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Vietnam on September 2-3, 2016. The visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister after 15 years. Twelve agreements were signed during the visit which included cooperation in outer space, UN peacekeeping, avoidance of double-taxation, cyber security, information technology, information on white shipping and contract for procurement of offshore patrol vessels.

Further, based on the strong relations which have been vindicated during the last 44 years of diplomatic relations and nine years of strategic partnership, both the countries agreed to elevate their current level of strategic partnership to a higher level. The relationship would be upgraded to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which Vietnam currently enjoys with Russia and China.

This is pertinent as it gives an official stamp to the mutual trust exhibited in our training and day-to-day dealings. With regard to the defence issue, there is no doubt that both the countries respect the recent Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the South China Sea and they agree to the freedom of navigation on the high seas.

To further strengthen the defence relationship, Prime Minister Modi extended a $500 million Line of Credit for purchase of defence equipment. The list of equipment to be procured is not exactly known but there is a high probability it could be frigates, submarines or the BrahMos missile. Vietnam during the visit signed a contract with L&T for purchase of four Offshore Patrol Vessels.

In addition, Prime Minister Modi announced a grant of $5 million for the construction of an Army Software Park at the Telecommunications University in Nha Trang. Further to assist surveillance, there will be cooperation in downloading images from outer space to provide real-time picture of activities in Vietnam's area of interest.

Economic issues formed an important aspect of the visit. Enhancing bilateral economic engagement is a strategic objective. Both the countries would do their utmost to increase the bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2020. This would need immense efforts but can be achieved if both the countries enhance their business interactions and diversify their range of commercial activities. Further, there must be increased two-way investment especially by private investors of both countries.

Prime Minister Modi especially sought contractual facilitation of Tata's Soc Tranh 1320 MW plant at the earliest. Both the countries would do their best to enhance exploration of oil and gas in the new blocks allotted for exploration. Connectivity between both the countries needs to be optimised. There is need for direct non-stop flights, dedicated shipping, and land connectivity to be optimised. This would automatically strengthen economic relations between the two countries.

It was indeed creditable that both the countries exhibited the highest degree of cooperation in regional and international forums. Prime Minister Modi was grateful to Vietnam for consistently supporting India's candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed Security Council. It was further decided that India would support Vietnam's candidature for non-permanent seat for the term 2020-2021 and Vietnam would similarly support India's candidature for the same in 2021-2022. Overall, India and Vietnam relations moved to a higher trajectory during the visit.

India and Vietnam enjoy strong strategic relations which emerged with the First Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence being signed in 1994, the formal Defence Protocol in 2000 and the Strategic Partnership in 2007. Ever since, we have an annual Strategic Defence Dialogue with the Indian Defence Secretary representing India. Considering the intensity of the bilateral relations, the upgradation of these talks to the Ministerial levels would commence.

The Cam Ranh Bay has been often described as one of the jewels of Vietnam. The long protective seaward peninsula, natural inner and outer harbours form what many believe to be possibly the best deep water sea port facility in the entire world. There is also an air force base with excellent runways for state-of-the-art aircraft. The usage of these facilities by the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force would help India strengthen its strategic partnership and enable us to undertake actions to protect our assets in the South China Sea. The area is being quietly considered between the two countries.

Based on Vietnam's requirements, India could provide Dornier surveillance aircraft, mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), upgraded T-72 tanks and indigenously manufactured artillery equipment once the same has proved trials and a few old ships of the Indian Navy. Vietnam is currently procuring Offshore Patrol Vessels with the line of credit offered.

Vietnam is impressed with India's missile development and is keen to purchase the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos which could be used on land and sea. The issue merits serious consideration as there are no objections from the foreign joint developer. Vietnam is also keen that opportunity be accorded to train their scientists in missile technology and running of nuclear reactors.

Vietnam admires the professional training of the Indian armed forces and looks forward to assistance in training in the following areas:

Conversion training for SU-30 pilots of the Peoples Vietnam Air Force by the Indian Air Force

Submarine crew training of the Peoples Vietnam Navy by the Indian Navy

Training in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare with the Indian Army

Training in English languageVietnamese President Tran Dai Quang as also the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc were frank in strengthening defence relations with India. Vietnam would like to cooperate in the field of training as also gaining knowledge in the field of rocketry and missiles. It would be in India's interest to cultivate Vietnam and cooperate in strategic aspects to dissuade China from undertaking a misadventure.

Vietnam is looking for cooperation with India in areas of outer space. It has already launched two satellites and is planning its own navigation satellites. Cooperation with India would be mutually beneficial to both the countries. India is also setting up receiving stations to enable Vietnam receive downloads from Indian Reconnaissance Satellites on the areas bound by the South China Sea.

Vietnam, along with Japan, forms the two pillars of India's Act East Policy and New Delhi's partnership with Hanoi in the strategic domain is important to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region. The Modi government in India is accelerating measures to further strengthen the bonds of friendship. This would lead to better stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

(Major General P.K. Chakravorty (retd) is an Indian Army veteran who served as Defence Attache at the Indian Embassy in Hanoi. The views expressed are personal. The article is in special arrangement with South Asia Monitor/www.southasiamonitor.org)
San Francisco, Jan 21 : Days after the US government filed a lawsuit against global chip manufacturer Qualcomm of forcing Apple to use its chips in exchange for lower licensing fees, the Cupertino-based tech giant has sued Qualcomm for nearly $1 billion over royalties.

According to a CNET report, in a lawsuit on Friday, Apple alleged the wireless chipmaker didn't give fair licensing terms for its processor technology.

"Apple also said Qualcomm sought to punish it for cooperating in a South Korean investigation into Qualcomm's licensing practices by withholding a $1 billion rebate," the report added.

"For many years Qualcomm has unfairly insisted on charging royalties for technologies they have nothing to do with," Apple said in a statement.

"The more Apple innovates with unique features such as TouchID, advanced displays, and cameras, to name just a few, the more money Qualcomm collects for no reason and the more expensive it becomes for Apple to fund these innovations," the CNET report added, quoting the statement.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm called Apple allegations "baseless."

"Apple has intentionally mischaracterised our agreements and negotiations, as well as the enormity and value of the technology we have invented, contributed and shared with all mobile device makers through our licensing programme," Don Rosenberg, Qualcomm Executive Vice President and General Counsel, said in a statement:

"Apple has been actively encouraging regulatory attacks on Qualcomm's business in various jurisdictions around the world, as reflected in the recent [South Korean Fair Trade Commission] decision and FTC complaint, by misrepresenting facts and withholding information," Rosenberg added.

Apple designs the processors in iPhones and iPads but buys chips from Qualcomm to connect to 4G LTE and other cellular networks.

Earlier this week, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused Qualcomm of maintaining a monopoly over chips for cellular phones through a "no license, no chips" policy under which it will supply its baseband processors only on the condition that cell phone manufacturers agree to Qualcomm's preferred license terms.

That policy imposed "onerous" supply and patent-licensing terms to extract high royalties from cell phone makers and weaken competitors, the commission said.

"Qualcomm recognised that any competitor that won Apple's business would become stronger, and used exclusivity to prevent Apple from working with and improving the effectiveness of Qualcomm's competitors," the FTC statement said.

"Despite its commitment to license standard-essential patents on FRAND terms, Qualcomm has consistently refused to license those patents to competing suppliers of baseband processors," it added.

Fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms (FRAND) denote a voluntary licensing commitment that standards organisations request from the owner of an intellectual property right (usually a patent) that may become, essential to practice a technical standard.

Qualcomm refuted FTC's charges, saying that the lawsuit was based on "flawed legal theory."

"Qualcomm has never withheld or threatened to withhold chip supply in order to obtain agreement to unfair or unreasonable licensing terms. The FTC's allegation to the contrary -- the central thesis of the complaint -- is wrong," the company was quoted as saying in a CNET report.
Washington, Jan 21 : Donald Trump was sworn-in as the 45th President of the US, ushering in a new era that he vowed would shatter the established order and reverse a national decline he deemed as an "American carnage".

"I will fight for you with every breath in my body, and I will never, ever let you down," Trump told hundreds of thousands of rain-soaked admirers and onlookers on Friday in a 16-minute Inaugural Address from the West Front of the Capitol here.

"America will start winning again, winning like never before. We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams," the New York Times reported citing Trump as saying.

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," Trump said He arrived at the White House for the first time as President just before 5 p.m., following a day of tradition marking the power shift in the nation's capital.

In a ceremony on the flag-draped West Front earlier on Friday, Trump placed his left hand on a family Bible and another that belonged to former President Abraham Lincoln and promised to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

As light rain began to fall on a crowd stretching toward the Washington Monument, Trump took the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts with the new First Lady, Melania, CNN reported.

At age 70, Trump became the oldest president sworn in for the first time and the first born in New York since Franklin D. Roosevelt.

"From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, from this day forward, it's going to be only 'America first! America first!'"

And he told Americans listening to the address: "You will never be ignored again."

Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter attended the ceremony. Hillary Clinton, whom Trump defeated in the November election, was also in the audience.

Before the swearing-in, Trump and his family attended a private church service at St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the church of the Presidents.

The Obamas greeted Trump and the new First Lady at the North Portico of the White House before hosting them for tea, CNN reported.

Obama wrote a letter to Trump and left it on the Resolute desk in the Oval Office, as outgoing presidents typically do for their successors. As Obama left the Oval Office for the final time, he was asked whether he had any words for the American people.

"Thank you," Obama responded.

Trump attended a joint congressional inaugural luncheon in the Capitol before heading back to the White House.

Halfway along Pennsylvania Avenue, Trump's vehicle stopped and the new first couple walked hand-in-hand past the cheering crowds.

After taking office, the US Senate confirmed two cabinet nominations - James N. Mattis as defence secretary and John F. Kelly as secretary of homeland security - but Democrats temporarily held up Mike Pompeo's confirmation as CIA director, an announcement expected later on Monday, The New York Times said.

Trump did not waste any time and issued orders freezing new regulations from recent weeks and ordering agencies to "ease the burden" of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or the Obamacare during the transition from repealing to replacing the law.

Meanwhile, there were protests in Washington D.C. which led to the arrest of 217 demonstrators with 6 policemen injured. Violence broke out as the demonstrators smashed shop windows and burned a limousine.

Anti-Trump protests also took place in New York, Berlin, London and Berlin.

The day came to an end with three inaugural balls.

The first was the Liberty Ball held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Centre that was attended by supporters who donated to the inauguration or purchased tickets, the New York Times reported.

The First Couple made their entry amid applause. Melania was dressed in an ivory evening gown by designer Herve Pierre with a white ruffle cascading down the front while Trump was in a tuxedo and bow-tie.

The couple then shared their first dance as the White House's new tenants to Frank Sinatra's "My Way".

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, as well as the couples' children joined them on the stage, The Washington Post reported.

Minutes later, they repeated the ritual at the Freedom Ball. There, Trump addressed the crowd, declaring "We will not be taken advantage of anymore" and even asking the audience "should I keep the Twitter going? It's a way of bypassing dishonest media."

The last was the Armed Services Ball, had a video call with US troops located in Afghanistan's Bagram Airbase.

The airbase personnel took turns congratulating Trump on his victory.

Melania Trump also addressed the crowd. "Thank you all for your service," she said. "I'm honoured to be your First Lady. We will win. And we will make America great again."

The First Couple danced to a rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You." Then, per tradition, they danced with service members.
Patna, Jan 21 : Hundreds of thousands of people across Bihar on Saturday, including men, women and children, formed a human chain in support of the state government's prohibition policy.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his major ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, the Congress, and even opposition BJP leaders participated in the human chain.

Bihar Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh claimed that they were forming "the world's longest human chain of over 11,000 km" to support prohibition of liquor in the state.

Three satellites, including one foreign and two of Indian Space Research Organisation, four aircraft, two helicopters and 40 drones would be used obtain images of the human chain, officials said.

Nearly 20 million people were expected to join hands across the state from 12.15 p.m. to 1 p.m., the officials added.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar imposed the liquor ban in the state on April 5, 2016.
Panaji, Jan 21 : After the okra (also known as ladyfinger) free poll symbol, a torch has now begun to rankle the AAP in Goa, especially after a candidate in Panaji assembly constituency, which is seeing a keen triangular contest, was allotted the symbol.

Speaking to IANS, AAP spokesperson Dinesh Vaghela said that a complaint had been filed with the Election Commission seeking the dropping of the torch symbol allotted to Atanasio Monserrate's United Goans party because of its similarity in appearance to the broom.

"We have complained to the Election Commission. Voters keen on casting ballot in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party may confuse our symbol, the broom, with the torch," Vaghela said.

The Panaji legislative assembly constituency seat is expected to see a three-way contest between Valmiki Naik of the AAP, Atanasio Monserrate of the United Goans party and Ketan Bhatikar of the Goa Suraksha Manch, which is backed by former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Subhash Velingkar.

Earlier this month, the AAP's Delhi leaders had objected to the use of another free poll symbol, the okra, claiming it was similar in appearance to the broom.

"After the 2013 elections, the AAP had complained to the EC that due to the similarity in symbols between AAP's broom and the torch, voters were being misled, the EC had removed the symbol from the 'Free list'. The AAP has complained to the CEC regarding the use of the same symbol in Panaji," Vaghela also said.
Rome, Jan 21 : At least 16 people were killed and 39 others injured on Saturday in a bus accident in the city of Verona, according to rescue officials.

The victims were mostly young Hungarians returning home after a trip to France, Efe news reported.

Italian news agency Ansa said a number of the pupils, who were mainly boys aged between 14 and 18, were thrown out of the vehicle when it collided with a pylon.
Seoul, Jan 21 : The US has urged South Korea to arrest the brother of former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, sources inSeoul's justice ministry revealed on Saturday.

Washington asked Seoul to arrest Ban Ki-Sang, younger sibling of Ban Ki-moon, after the US Attorney General's Office indicted him last week for the attempted bribery of an official from the Middle East in connection with a real estate deal.

The justice ministry has begun to process the request and examine applicable laws, a senior Seoul official told Yonhap News Agency.

Ban's brother, an executive in the South Korean firm Keangnam, was reportedly entrusted by the company with selling a high-rise building in Vietnam, Landmark 72, for $800 million.

He reportedly hired his son (and Ban's nephew) Joo Hyun Bahn, a broker in New York, to secure the deal.

The US attorney general's office claims that, through an intermediary, the father-son duo agreed to a $2.5 million bribe (of which they advanced around $500,000), for the official responsible for acquiring the property through a sovereign wealth fund, Efe news reported.

While Bahn was arrested last week in New Jersey, Ban Ki-sang is considered a fugitive by authorities. He faces a variety of charges that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

Through a statement by his spokesperson, Ban Ki-moon declared he had no knowledge of the case and hoped the procedures would be "carried out strictly and transparently" to address any concerns.

The case could pose a serious threat to the older Ban's political aspirations, particularly after he has stepped up public activities in recent weeks as part of what is perceived as a preliminary election campaign before he announces his candidature for the country's top post.

However, Ban is yet to confirm if he will contest the election, at a time the country is in the throes of a major corruption scandal that led the Parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye last year.
Mexico City, Jan 21 : As many as 91 Cuban migrants were repatriated by Mexican authorities after the US ended its "wet foot, dry foot" policy that allowed Cubans to become permanent resident of the US a year after entering the country.

The 71 men and 20 women, who were sent to Havana on Friday morning, were found in an illegal status in Mexico, the USA Today cited the National Immigration Institute as saying on Friday.

It was the first deportation by the country since a repeal of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which was implemented in 1995 and allowed Cubans touching US soil to claim permanent residency in the country.

According to the policy, any Cubans caught at sea between their country and the US were sent back.

The law was eliminated earlier this month by then President Barack Obama as part of the normalisation of diplomatic ties between Havana and Washington.

According to the USA Today, the Cuban government had accepted the return of the migrants.

Earlier, the Mexican government would give Cubans arriving on its southern border a 20-day transit visa to reach the US border. But the 91 migrants held at a detention centre in Tapachula were instead repatriated to their homeland.

Cuba's willingness to accept the migrants is another sign of the normalising of immigration rules between Cuba, the US and other Latin American countries, said William LeoGrande from American University.

The co-author of 'Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana' also said: "The problem is hundreds, if not thousands, of Cubans were stranded somewhere in Southern and Central America when Obama changed the policy."

Last year, Colombia adopted emergency measures against illegal migration, including plans to deport thousands of migrants and reinforce its borders, in response to the flood of Cubans illegally crossing its borders.

Cuban officials have long denounced the policy, saying it incentivises people to leave the island nation.

The new policy forces Cubans to apply for visas in their home country, like other hopeful migrants, or face deportation if they enter illegally. About 20,000 US visas are awarded in Cuba each year.

Overall, 56,406 Cubans entered the US via ports of entry in fiscal year 2016, more than double the number who arrived in 2014.
Islamabad, Jan 21 : Pakistan on Saturday said it was returning in a "goodwill gesture" Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan, who inadvertently crossed the LoC in September last year.

According to an ISPR statement, Sepoy Chavan, stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, "deserted his post at the LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders".

"He wilfully crossed LOC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," the Pakistan Army's media wing said.

It said that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LOC and WB (International Border, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wahga Border on humanitarian grounds."

Chavan, 22, was posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles at Mendhar, Jammu and Kashmir and on September 29, just hours after the Indian Army's surgical strikes had "inadvertently crossed LoC" to the Pakistan side.

His grandmother suffered a cardiac arrest and died after the family was informed that he was captured by the Pakistan Army.

India had been in regular touch with Pakistan for the release of Chavan.
Washington, Jan 21 : As Michelle and Barack Obama left the White House with the highest ratings ever, they unveiled The Obama Foundation, that aims to facilitate projects "all over the city, the country and the world".

In a video, the Obamas asked viewers to help shape the Foundation by contributing suggestions via the site's "Your Voice" section.

"After eight years in the White House, Michelle and I now rejoin all of you as private citizens," Obama said. "We want to thank you once again from the bottom of our hearts for giving us the incredible privilege of serving this country that we love."

The new website, Obama.org. was created by the Obama Foundation, which is overseeing the creation of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, and its stated mission is to provide a forum for those looking to work with the Center to improve the lives of American citizens.

"The center will be based on the South Side of Chicago, but it will have projects all over the city, the country, and the world," said Obama in the site's announcement video. "More than a library or a museum, it will be a living, working center for citizenship. That's why we want to hear from you."

On Thursday, hundreds of supporters gathered in Washington, D.C. to pay tribute to the outgoing commander in chief at an event titled Thanks Obama. Fans also used social media to honour Obama and his legacy, including his landmark health care legislation and his support of same-sex marriage.

As Obama passed the torch to Donald Trump, The Harris Poll took a final look at America's feelings towards his time in office. For the first time since August 2009, just over half of Americans rate Barack Obama as President positively.

According to the poll, 51 per cent of adults say that Obama as President was doing an excellent or pretty good job overall. This new rating was significantly higher than the 44 per cent who felt positively in September/October of 2016, the last time this question was asked, said the Santa Monica Observer.

On Thursday, a rousing crowd pleaded for more at the last public platform from the 44th US President as he joked: "Michelle and I have milked this farewell to far". Now everyone wants to know what would the most popular couple of the last decade wish to do next.

Obama was back on his original twitter handle @BarackObama, where he is described as "Dad, husband, President, citizen".

His first tweet on the handle minutes before the smooth 'power transfer' he promised to his successor, read: "Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we'll get back to work. "

He also uploaded a quick video detailing a bit of the future plans of the Obama Foundation. "In the meantime, I want to hear what you're thinking about the road ahead. So share your ideas with me..."

"We want to thank u again from the bottom of our heart for giving us the privilege to serving you and this country that we love," Obama said.

He said he wished to share what they were upto next.

Sitting beside him, the former First lady Michelle said: "First we are going to take a little break..We are finally going to get some sleep and get some time to be with our family...and just be still for a little while."

The Obamas are in Palm Springs, California, for a vacation, they plan to continue living in Washington while their younger daughter Sasha completes secondary school.

So they said they might not be as much online as people were used to seeing them.

On the old original twitter handle that Obama joined in 2007, he also said: "We want to invite you to a project we are excited about to work on, help us."

They asked people to check out the website for the future presidential site.

Michelle said: "Send us your hopes, beliefs, ideas about what we can achieve together...tell us about the young leaders, companies and organisation that inspire you. This will be your presidential centre just as much as ours so we want you to tell us what we should be thinking about as we get to work."

Obama added: "It will take all of us -- you and your ideas to make it a reality."

He said: "We have said many times before, through democracy is a project that is bigger than any one of us, anyone person, president or government."

"Its a job for all of us which require every day's sustained effort from all of us."

"The work of perfecting our union is never finished. We look forward to joining you as our fellow citizens," Obama said.

They signed off with the promise to see all soon!
Amritsar, Jan 21 : Pakistan on Saturday released Indian Army soldier, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who had inadvertently crossed the LoC and was in the captivity of the neighbouring country since September last year.

Pakistan defence and border authorities handed over Chavan at the Wagah-Attari joint check post to Indian border guards on Saturday, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said here.

He was handed over to Army authorities after his return to India.

Chavan, 22, of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was taken into custody by Pakistan Army after he inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir in September last year.

The incident took place just hours after the Indian forces carried out surgical strikes on September 29 inside Pakistani territory to destroy terrorist launch pads.

The Pakistan Army in a statement earlier said that Chavan had "deserted his post at the LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders".

"He wilfully crossed LOC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," the Pakistan Army's media wing said.

It said that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LOC and WB (International Border, Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wahga Border on humanitarian grounds."

India had been in regular touch with Pakistan for the release of Chavan.
Kolkata, Jan 21st : President Pranab Mukherjee reminded the youth of India last day, again perhaps, that the top innovative minds in the country should be for research and innovation, and not to maximize the sales of some multi-national companies. The president was speaking at the bicentenary celebration of the Presidency University, Kolkata.

It is not enough for students to pass exams with high grades and take up professions of their choice. For building the India of our dreams, we need to focus on an environment where the youth can speak their minds and have the confidence to look for ground-breaking, creative solutions, he said.

Admitting that the IITs and NITs of the country are top-brass institutions, he quizzed the audience on why such top minds of the country need to then go the multinational companies and turn simply into some professional.

Our IITs are the best technological institutions in the world...But what purpose are we serving by selling our top brains to the multinational organizations to promote and advance their sales proceeds? Do we seriously request an IIT graduate to advance in sales... of detergents, soaps or some commercial product like that? Or we could have their talents and energies devoted to the laboratories. They must be engaged in innovative research."

The Presidency university, celebrating its 200th anniversary has a huge list of notable alumni to its credit including two presidents and one Prime minister of the country, several Nobel laureates and even an Oscar winner, Satyajit Ray.

The President urged the university to keep its tradition of always being No.1 and to take a vow that they will never be pushed to a second position. The technocrat further praised the fire of the youth the campus always kept alight, since pre-independence times.

This institution, which was established primarily to educate the lower bureaucracy of the colonial rulers, went on to not only question and reform everything archaic, but also emerge as the hotbed of anti-colonial ideas and action.

To keep abreast this sort of value to the country, he re-emphasized the importance of research and innovation and sidelined the current avalanche phenomenon of graduates simply putting up with jobs.

He noted how C.V Raman was the last scientist from India to achieve a Nobel prize for a work done in an Indian university, that too back in 1930.

Amartya Sen, Har Govind Khurana, every one of them products of Indian universities. If they can get Nobel prize by working in foreign universities as scholars and teachers, then why cant we create that ambiance in our universities? he asked.

He observed that India required innovative ideas and solutions to its multifarious problems with core research happening in serious institutions.

"While addressing the convocation of one IIT, I asked the director what the intake and campus requirement were. He said 100 per cent plus. Then I asked what is your ranking in the first 200 world class universities? He said no place. That struck me, the President said.
Lucknow, Jan 21 : On Thursday, 61 school children aged between 4-11 years were packed in a 45-seater bus to take them to school on a foggy morning. Midway, the bus driver went on to the wrong side of the road and rammed into a sand-laden truck coming from the opposite side.

A dozen innocent lives were cruelly cut short at the hands of a casual and speeding driver, never to make it to the school, which should not have been open in first place due to the state government's orders as the cold wave intensified in the state. The drivers of both vehicles also died in the mishap and more than half-a-dozen children are battling for their lives in medical facilities in neighbouring Aligarh.

A bevy of political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, UP Governor Ram Naik, Chief Ninister Akhilesh Yadav and state BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya have expressed condolences, the state police has promised a crack down on errant schoolbus drivers and managements but nothing will apparently change. The past record sadly gives rise to such cynicism.

Data available with the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) for 2015 puts UP on the top of the chart of road accidents around schools, largely involving schoolchildren. Of the 5,278 deaths nationally in the country, UP alone accounts for a shopping 763, followed by 619 in Tamil Nadu. Of these, 449 died in similar mishaps in urban areas and cities.

Of these, 80 per cent were school children. The authorities here blame rash driving, poor traffic management, unlicensed drivers and irresponsible and callous behaviour of the school managements. Nationally, 378 school children perished in 2015 in accidents involving school buses. Of the 1,600-plus injured in such accidents, 1,352 were school children.

In UP, the major towns where such accidents take place include Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Allahabad, Meerut and Varanasi. Of these maximum deaths have taken place in Kanpur (96) followed by Agra (51). Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Daljeet Chowdhary candidly admits of problems and calls for a "collective responsibility mechanism" which should go beyond "knee-jerk reactions in the aftermath of such tragedies".

"I personally feel that systems should work round the year, sadly they don't but we are jolted by the Etah incident and have rolled out a serious drive to check the worthiness of all school vehicles, licences of bus drivers and other aspects" the high-ranking police officer told IANS.

A communication has been sent to management of all schools to look into these issues on high priority.A Kudrat-un-Nisha Salmani, a concerned mother in Lucknow says she is very worried at the reckless driving of school buses but has left it to fate as her two children go to a Gomtinagar school every day.

"We do not have out own vehicle so are left with no choice but to depend on these dangerous school buses" she said wryly. Hopefully the stakeholders in the school bus plying wake up from their endless slumber and more innocent lives are not lost!

(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in)A
Gurugram, Jan 21 : Rocky Mittal, the Publicity Adviser to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has been removed from the post with immediate effect, an official said on Saturday.

The move comes after Mittal said here on Thursday that Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is honest but surrounded by a few corrupt bureaucrats and that he will expose them in his songs.

"I do not know the reason for Mittal's sacking, but he has been removed from his post," CM's Media Adviser Amit Arya told IANS.

Mittal, a fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sang songs in the latter's praise in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

He addressed a press conference in Gurugram on Thursday and levelled corruption charges against some senior state bureaucrats without naming anyone.

Mittal, who was appointed Publicity Adviser nearly four months ago, said a few senior Indian Administrative Service officers on 'cream posts' during the previous Congress rule were trying to mislead Khattar for their vested interests.

"Khattar is honest and innocent but such bureaucrats will not be successful in their mission. I am preparing a list of senior officers who have a bad image and will name them publicly," Mittal had told IANS after the press conference.

Reached for comments on his removal, Mittal said: "My fight is against corruption, I have done nothing wrong. Though I did not get any official information, but I have vacated my office in Chandigarh's secretariat and surrendered my official car."
Washington, Jan 21 : As the clock struck the noon hour, Donald Trump with his left hand on Abraham Lincoln's bible, raised his right hand to take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the American constitution.

With that act, the destiny of the world's oldest democracy fell into the hands of the man who had pulled off a stunning victory in the US presidential election with a pledge to "Make America Great Again".

Even as he thanked Barack Obama, the first black occupant of the White House, for the historic "orderly and peaceful transfer of power", the rank outsider took swipes at the entire political class for what he called "American carnage."

"For too long, Washington had flourished and politicians prospered, while the people had borne the cost," he thundered with four of his predecessors -- Obama, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George Bush -- looking on.

It "will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer"," promised the ever combative billionaire with an uncharacteristic poetic flourish.

"We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world" -- but "from this moment on, it's going to be America First", he said, serving notice on foes and friends alike.

Pundits were left scratching their heads whether "America First" coupled with his vow to "Make America Great Again" portended America as an isolationist or a highly engaged superpower.

"This is your day. This is your celebration," the mogul told an estimated 900,000 people filling the expanse of the National Mall in front of the Capitol under an overcast sky and millions watching around the country.

But not everyone was celebrating. As many as 70 Democratic lawmakers stayed away from the inauguration after his tiff with Democratic civil rights icon John Lewis, who had called the Trump presidency "illegitimate" over allegations of Russian interference to help him.

Instead of backing down, the mogul extended his criticism of Lewis of "all talk and no action" to politicians of all hues. Trump never mentioned his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during the inaugural address, but thanked her and Bill Clinton for attending his inauguration despite their bitter election fight when he labeled her "crooked Hillary". "I have a lot of respect for those two people," the newly minted President said after leading a standing ovation at a Congressional luncheon.

But the Centre for American Progress Action Fund headed by Neera Tanden, a top desi Clinton aide, has launched a "Resist campaign" against what it called the excesses of the Trump administration.

Carrying signs reading "Not my president", "No Islamophobia" and "Black Lives Matter", among others, hundreds of noisy demonstrators taunted Trump supporters along the inauguration parade route.

Police used stun grenades and pepper spray as some self-described "anarchists" dressed in black and wearing masks turned violent and smashed windows of businesses, set a limousine on fire and threw stones at the cops. Over 200 people were arrested for rioting.

Over 200,000 more protesters are descending on Washington for a Women's March on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Obama who flew off into history after graciously saying "Good job" to his staff, made it clear that unlike his predecessor Bush, he would be back soon to save his legacy.

"This is not a period; this is a comma in the continuing story," he told members of his staff before departing for vacation in California from Joint Base Andrews.

And hours after telling Americans "The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action," Trump picked up his executive pen to roll back Obama's signature healthcare law and order a regulatory freeze at all government agencies and departments.

Then, at their first inaugural ball of the night, Trump and the new First Lady Melania danced to Frank Sinatra's "My Way" after telling the crowd, "We did it" -- a very appropriate song for the man who ran a very unconventional campaign his way all the way.

But the Manhattan mogul who heralded his inauguration in typical fashion with an early morning tweet -- "It all begins today! The Movement Continues - The Work Begins!" -- had to trade in his android phone as he gained the Oval Office.

As Trump lost the phone and gained the executive pen, the question was whether the tweeter-in-chief turned commander-in-chief or the presidency would be the same again!

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)
Lucknow, Jan 21 : The fate of the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls continued to hang in balance on Saturday, even as Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azaad and a special emissary of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were holding talks with the SP to thrash out issues.

SP leaders remained unmoved on Congress demands for more seats.

Chief Minister and national president of the SP Akhilesh Yadav is to release his party's manifesto on Sunday, spokesman Rajendra Chowdhary said. Earlier it was supposed to be happening at a joint event of the Congress and SP.

Samajwadi Party's Maharastra state unit leader Abu Aazmi also said the SP had given enough space to the Congress and that before seeking more seats, the Congress should look at its "haisiyat" (real situation). Independent legislator from Kunda in Pratapgarh Raghuraj Pratao Singh aka Raja Bhaiyya also said that the SP should go it alone.

After meeting the SP mentor Mulayam Singh Yadav, Raja Bhaiyya, who is a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav cabinet, advocated that the SP should go it alone in the polls and expressed confidence that the party was in a position to form the next government on its own. "I am very confident that the SP under Akhilesh Yadav will romp home again and that there was no need to enter into an alliance with Congress," he said.

The statements are being seen as an indication that the SP leadership was not very keen to tie up with the Congress though initially the first step was taken by it only. Akhilesh Yadav, then battling power centres in his party, had said a tie up with Congress would mean 300 plus seats for the combine.

On Friday however things changed dramatically when the Samajwadi Party went ahead unilaterally and declared 208 candidates that included names for seats where the Congress had won in 2012 assembly polls. Amid protests from the Congress, the SP leader made it clear that they had accommodated enough and there was no possibility of giving them more leg space.

Sources in the Congress camp however continue to be optimistic about the alliance taking shape soon.
Shimla, Jan 21 : The hills of Himachal Pradesh might experience more rain and snowfall in the coming week, a weather official said here on Saturday.

"There are chances of heavy rainfall and snowfall at some places in the state from January 24 to 25," an official in the meteorological department told IANS.

He said the western disturbances -- storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region -- are likely to be active again in the region.

The Met department's forecast has brought cheer to the state's hospitality industry.

Most of the prominent tourist towns like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Kalpa, Dalhousie and Manali are likely to have light to moderate spells of snowfall, the official added.

Shimla, known for the imperial grandeur of buildings that were once institutions of power when it was the summer capital of British India, is still under a snow cover after the last spell of snowfall on January 16.

Areas near Shimla like Kufri and Narkanda and the popular tourist resort of Manali also remained covered under a thick blanket of snow.

Keylong, the district headquarter town of Lahaul and Spiti, was the coldest in the state at a minimum temperature of minus 12.1 degrees Celsius.

Kalpa in Kinnaur district saw a low of minus two degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature was minus one degree in Manali and seven degrees in Dharamsala.

The minimum temperature in state capital Shimla was 6.4 degrees Celsius, while the maximum was 12 degrees. It saw overcast skies throughout the day.
Gurugram, Jan 21 : Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice A. K. Mittal on Saturday said here that Gurugram will get an International Arbitration Centre (IAC) soon.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently given its consent for the country's second IAC in Gurugram to provide a platform for business houses to negotiate commercial disputes, Mittal said.

The proposal to set up the centre has been sent to the Haryana government, he said along with Justice Suryakant Sharma.

After the establishment of the centre, multinational companies can resolve their disputes in India rather than going to Singapore, Dubai or London.

He said disputes may be first taken to the centre and its verdicts can be later challenged in the courts if the petitioner is dissatisfied with the centre's decision.

Justice Mittal and Justice Sharma, who were here for the 'bhoomi poojan' ceremony of the 'Tower of Justice', said the Haryana government gave a positive response and was keen to set up the centre.

Two justice towers having eight and seven floors will be constructed here at an estimated cost of Rs 133 crore.

Last year, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated India's first International Arbitration Centre in Mumbai.
Chennai, Jan 21 : A day after the Central government gave its nod, the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday cleared an ordinance to enable the holding of popular bull-taming sport Jallikattu in the state.

The ordinance was signed by the Governor Ch VidyaSagar Rao. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act will be amended through this ordinance.

Thousands of students and youths have been staging protest demonstrations on Marina Beach and at other parts of the state to demand holding of Jallikattu.

Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said that all the hurdles were cleared to hold Jallikattu through the Ordinance.

"As a follow up to the meeting with Prime Minister on January 19, to enable the conduct of Jallikattu, the Government of Tamil Nadu issued an Ordinance after obtaining the necessary prior instructions of the President of India as envisaged under Article 213 of the Constitution," Panneerselvam said in a statement.

He said the Ordinance was promulgated on Saturday by the government and Jallikattu would be held all over the state with all necessary safeguards.

Panneerselvam said the act will be passed in the coming Assembly session on January 23.

He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping get the ordinance within a day.
Jaipur, Jan 21 : The Guardian's Jonathan Shainin has termed the Brexit vote "the biggest splash in a wave of populism" And why not, if you consider that British historian, author and commentator Timothy Garton Ash, the morning after the vote, noted: "Britain cannot leave Europe any more than Piccadilly Circus can leave London."

"Europe is where we are, and where we will remain. Britain has always been a European country, its fate inextricably intertwined with that of the continent, and it always will be. But it is leaving the European Union. Why," he wondered.

In a well-attended session on Saturday at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), leading writers on either side of the debate -- Garton Ash himself, A.N. Wilson, Andrew Roberts, Linda Colley and Surjit Bhalla compared Brexit notes with moderator Jonathan Shainin.

"Brexit is athe most divisive issue in Britain," according to Shainin, and that was all too evident in this panel at the JLF. Last June, 17 million Britons voted to leave the European Union, and 16 million voted to stay evoking Shainin's "biggest splash" moniker, which he suggested "started in India in 2014" with Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister.

He first turned to historian Andrew Roberts, who has described Brexit as "more impressive than the French Revolution". Why so? "Because no one died," Roberts said. "I believe democracy in the UK was being undermined by the EU, especially by the European Commission, which is unelected. There was a democratic deficit."

"Now, we have taken back control of our laws and borders. We may make mistakes, but at least they are our mistakes," Roberts contended.

Garton Ash, meanwhile, described Brexit as "the biggest defeat of my European life". He said that the EU created a better life for Europeans than ever in their history, particularly by ensuring peace.

"The Brexiters are naive utopians. They think that if Europe is once again a collection of independent nations, they will just trade peacefully. It's never happened in the past. And if there is a war on the continent, the UK will be dragged back in," Roberts immediately disagreed, arguing that what had ensured peace in Europe since World War II was NATO and not the EU.

Wilson thought it was a mistake to dismiss the Brexit vote as irrational populism.

"The prime reason was economic. If you're a bricklayer or a plasterer in the UK, your wages have stagnated over the last 25 years because we have imported cheap labour from Eastern Europe. If you speak to people outside London, they felt utterly rejected by the political class," said Wilson.

Economist Surjit Bhalla thought globalization and the rise of Asian economies had undermined incomes in the West, leading to a backlash. "It's inevitable, and leaving the EU won't change that for Britain."

Historian Linda Colley thought the vote arose from a long-standing "Euroscepticism in Britain".

"The UK was not invaded during World War II. While continental Europe welcomed the EU as a fresh start, the UK didn't have the same feeling," said Colley.

Ash pointed out that the Leave win was not inevitable. "There were many different reasons why it happened -- a weak Leader of Opposition, a relentlessly anti-European campaign by the press. If one of these things hadn't happened, Brexit wouldn't have happened."

Roberts agreed: "It could have gone either way. The Remain campaign created a lot of hyperbole about all the bad things that would happen if the UK voted leave."

"President Obama also said the UK would be at the back of the queue for trade deals with the US, which led to an upswing of support for Leave. The Leave campaign was much better run than the Remain campaign, which committed mistake after mistake."

There were also critiques of the honesty of both campaigns.

Roberts criticised the UK Treasury's fearful estimates of the effects of Brexit on household incomes, while Ash criticised the Leave campaign's "big lie" that the UK gives 350 million pounds a week to the EU and could spend that money on the NHS (National Health Service).

What are the national and global repercussions of the vote?

Roberts suggested that it has given the UK control of its own immigration policy, which might mean the country can choose more skilled immigrants from India and other Commonwealth countries.

Wilson, meanwhile, said: "The really terrifying repercussion is what will happen in France and across the continent, where extreme right parties like France National are strong. They're basically neo-Nazis. And President (Vladimir) Putin will be very cheered by the vote. Will NATO stand up to him if he marches in to Estonia?"

Colley warned that the vote could lead to the break-up of the UK, noting that Scotland and Northern Ireland both voted to stay.

(Saket Suman is in Jaipur at the invitation of Teamwork arts. He can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Jan 21 : With Donald Trump taking over the reins of the US, industry stakeholders in India and the government feel that the fears of protectionism and curbs on H1B visas will remain, but that the US will continue its financial and technological collaboration with India.

"We believe that US will continue to support global growth with financial and technological collaborations and investments," Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa told IANS.

"We hope to build strong relationship between two dynamic democracies for the mutual benefit of the two biggest economies for the well being and prosperity of its people," Lavasa added.

Nevertheless, industry body Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) pointed out that the focus of the new US regime would be "inwards".

"Not much of globalisation is expected. They will have the preference and support to their own people which is natural. Indian industries have to reinvent themselves. Indian industries have to take the opportunity in terms of goods and services, investing in the US," Sunil Kanoria, President, Assocham and Vice Chairman, Srei Infrastructure Finance Limited told IANS.

"Apprehensions over possible negative impact on India's IT industry is nothing but exaggeration. Indian IT professionals are known the world over for their expertise in providing affordable IT products and solutions and the same has been acknowledged globally," D.S. Rawat, Secretary General of Assocham, told IANS.

However, industry chamber Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) said Indian industry is very optimistic about the incoming administration under President Trump and the future of India-US relations under the new US administration.

"The optimism about President Trump stems from the fact that he promises major tax cuts and reforms, which may instil the US back on a 3-4 per cent growth path, reviving not only the US economy but boosting the global economy," the chamber added.

Another leading industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) hoped that "enormous mutual complementarities" between the two countries economies are fully leveraged.

"Business has always been at the forefront of this bilateral relationship and has helped strengthen the strategic imperative," Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII was quoted as saying in a statement.

"As President Trump begins to implement his America First vision, we hope that the enormous mutual complementarities between our two economies are fully leveraged."

"Indian companies are very much a part of the fabric of America and they stand ready to work with President Trump going forward," Banerjee added.

State Bank of India chief economist Soumya Kanti Ghosh felt that the US will go for some sort of fiscal expansion - through increased infrastructure spending or tax cuts - which will lead to some capital outflow from India.

"If the US goes for fiscal expansion then countries like India will be at a disadvantage because there will be capital outflow from India," Ghosh told IANS.

"Protectionist trend is another thing that India is fearful about. It could harm the developing economies more than the developed economies. It could be a drag on the developing economies. Lower growth in India-US trade could be problematic for India," he added.

Ghosh, however, said the true impact of Trump becoming the 45th President of the US needs to be assessed after the initial 100 days as his policies unfold because the impact on India could be both positive and negative.

The worst fear is the effect on Indian IT industry in terms of curbs on H1B visas as promised by Trump. The stakeholders, however, felt that the issue has always been there and the apprehension could turn out to be an exaggeration.

"H1B visa is a bone of contention. The issue is there for a long time. It is just getting more attention now because the US President has specifically mentioned it. But we should not give too much attention to it," Ghosh said.

R. Chandrashekhar, President, Nasscom, said the Indian IT industry looks forward to working with the Trump administration and the new Congress on issues of great importance.

"Our members provide critical services to thousands of companies, government agencies, non-profits and others across America. Indian IT companies work with 75 per cent of the Fortune 500 firms and help meet the needs of US businesses for skilled IT solutions to innovate, open new markets and expand operations, and thereby create thousands of jobs for Americans," Chandrashekhar told IANS.

Indian IT firms have also significantly invested across the US. A survey found 84 of 100 Indian companies plan to invest in the US over the next five years, building on a presence in all the 50 states already.

"Contrary to some mis-perceptions and political rhetoric, the Indian IT sector has long contributed to the US economy in more ways than one. Besides making the US firms more efficient and competitive, the Indian IT industry has helped them develop new technologies and new products over the years, benefiting their customers and the American job growth," B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, former Chairman, Nasscom told IANS.

With the rhetoric of Trump fading into the past, Reddy said that the US administration would take a balanced approach to high-skilled visas and the contribution of India's IT sector to its economy.

Nidhi Goyal, Managing Director-Tax and Regulatory Affairs, Protiviti, told IANS: "Indians working abroad on H1B visa may not get extension to continue working in the US as its own citizens will be given preference over non-US citizens."

Experts feel the equity markets will react strongly.

"President Trump's remark 'Buy American, Hire American' is extremely disturbing. Protectionist nationalism is bad for global economy, global trade and markets. Stock markets will view this negatively," V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas, told IANS.
Islamabad, Jan 21 : A blast in a busy market killed at least 21 people, including two minors, on Saturday in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region, in an attack jointly claimed by the Pakistani Taliban and a branch of the sectarian militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, officials said.

The blast occurred in Parachinar area's Eidgah Market in Kurram Agency as people shopped for vegetables. Over 50 were also injured in the remotely controled attack, police said.

Hours after the incident, the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the blast in an emailed statement to media outlets.

The group said the attack was revenge of the killing of Asif Chuto, chief of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militant organisation, who was killed along with three others in an encounter with police in Punjab province earlier this week.

The other outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi said the two groups coordinated the attack together.

A senior security official claimed the explosion was caused by a remote control bomb, which went off at 8.50 a.m, during peak hours of business in the area. The official added that it was too early to draw conclusions.

The death toll was expected to rise as several of the injured were in critical condition, a hospital official said.

An eyewitness saw bodies strewn around the market and wounded persons crying for help.

"There was no ambulance, and people had to carry the injured in private vehicles to the hospital," he said.

This was the fourth attack in recent years in Parachinar's Eidgah Market. According to a local administration official, 2016 was relatively peaceful in the area, however, this incident was going to cast a shadow of doubt regarding peace in the area.

A statement from Pakistan Army's Inter-Service Public Relations confirmed 20 casualties and 30 injuries. Some of the injured were airlifted to Kohat and Peshawar, read the statement.

"There was a loud bang and a thick layer of smoke," eyewitnesses recalled.

An eyewitness said he saw children soaked in blood after the bomb exploded. The official list of the those killed and injured displayed outside the agency headquarter hospital in Parachinar included names of two minors, who were killed in the incident.

Expressing grief over the loss of life, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed concerned authorities to provide best medical treatment to the injured. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan while condemning the blast ordered a detailed report regarding the incident.

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa directed authorities for quick evacuation and best medical treatment of the injured.

Kurram Agency is one of the most sensitive tribal areas as it borders three Afghan provinces. At one point it was one of the key routes for militant movement across the border.
Kolkata, Jan 21 : Three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants, including two Pakistani citizens, were sentenced to death by a West Bengal sub-divisional court on Saturday for plotting subversive strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.

The three, alongside another Indian LeT operative, were caught at the Indo-Bangladesh border in Petrapole of North 24 Parganas district while trying to sneak into India in 2007.

However, one of the Indian ultras fled while being taken to Mumbai for investigation.

The Additional District and Sessions Judge of Bangaon sub-divisional fast track court 1 Binoy Kumar Pathak gave the death sentence to Mohammed Younis and Mohammed Abdullah - both residents of Karachi - and Indian citizen Mohammed Muzaffar Ahmed for waging war against India.

The court last Monday pronounced them as guilty under sections 121 (Waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against India), 121 A (Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 121).

Ahmed is from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir.

Another LeT operative Sheikh Naeem alias Samir, hailing from Aurangabad in Maharashtra, fled from police custody in 2013 and has been since absconding.

The four terrorists had gone to Dhaka and hatched a conspiracy at the Moon hotel to cause destructions in India.

They were arrested in April 2007, by Border Security Force personnel and handed over to The Criminal Investigation Department of West Bengal police.
Jaipur, Jan 21 : British historian, author and commentator Timothy Garton Ash is regarded among the best in the field and in a session on free speech here at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) contented that is the future depends on India.

For that to come true, he said, the terrible legacy of the Raj, the sedition law, must be re-looked at.

In conversation with Salil Tripathi, the chair of the writers-in-prison committee of PEN International, by drawing on his acclaimed new book "Free Speech: Ten Principles for a Connected World," Ash argued that India is a "swing state" for the future of global free speech.

How should we deal with hate speech? How should we respond to the giant American internet platforms? What about religion? And Edward Snowden? On answers to all these questions and more, India can have a decisive impact, he said.

"Free speech is the oxygen of all freedoms. It is the freedom that makes all other freedoms possible. All over the world a 'game of thrones' is going on as to who will control, have a say over our free speech. The big dogs and cats are competing against each other but more dangerous is the coming together of the two," he said.

Garton termed the establishments of powerful countries like the US, the UK, Russia, China and India among others, the Big Dogs. They have made repeated attempts to suppress the free speech of their Mice," the common people.

Whether through "the rubber paragraph" of limited restrictions that can be stretched as per the will of the government or through several censors imposed directly or indirectly on the Mice, there has always been a fear of free speech being curtailed, explained Ash.

And then, not to forget are the Big Cats, the big-time internet players like Facebook and Google, who store excess information of citizens. They are fast turning into a parallel world, the reputed panelist noted.

"If Facebook was to become a country, it would be the largest in the world. Imagine Google, even larger. They probably have more information about you than perhaps your government," he guessed.

Drawing on a lifetime of writing about dictatorships and dissidents, Ash argued that in this connected world that he called a cosmopolis, the way to combine freedom and diversity is more, but also better, free speech.

"Across all cultural divides, we must strive to agree on how we disagree," he said.

So how does the role of India fit into all of this? How can India be a global leader in this aspect, or rather, what lessons can India offer to the rest of the world?

"India's role is very crucial not just because it is large, super powerful, a vibrant democracy but also because inside India this struggle has already been going on. Like nowhere else in the world, people in india have a deep sense of belief in free speech. It is not a new factor in India."

"Added to it is a liberal constitution and a vibrant press. So I think all the struggles for free speech is already going on in India," he contended.

Moderator Tripathi reminded him of several instances in the recent past when there have been attempts to throttle freedom of speech and the right to dissent in India.

Ash replied: "In the last few years, I think India has been moving in the wrong direction. Indirect control of the media and the spinning of the stories are prevalent and is dangerous."

"The sedition law is a terrible legacy of the Raj, which has been used to suppress freedom of speech. It must be re-looked at. Then, you have the government playing the national interest card. But all of these also mean that freedom of speech is very well contested in India."

Asking the people to debate and discus issues instead of burning houses and banning books, he said: "There is a great amount of work to be done. We need to hold the establishments, both the Big Cats and the Big Dogs accountable. And when we disagree, it is not required to burn houses, ban books or lead protests. We should all rather discus in a robust way."

In his new book, he proposes a framework for civilised conflict in a world where we are all becoming neighbors with vivid examples, from his personal experience of China's Orwellian censorship apparatus to the controversy around Charlie Hebdo to a very English court case involving food writer Nigella Lawson.

The noted advocate of free speech concluded his session by saying that the powerful have always been scared of free speech because it is the "power of the powerless."

Saket Suman is in Jaipur at the invitation of Teamwork arts. He can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in)
Chennai, Jan 21 : Rejecting the Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to facilitate Jallikattu, people holding protests here in support of the bull-taming sport demanded a "permanent" and not temporary solution.

The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday issued the ordinance to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to hold Jallikattu, which was banned by the Supreme Court in May 2014.

Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam will flag off the event at Alanganallur in Madurai district, famous for the sport, on Sunday.

However the protesting youths were clearly not impressed.

"The ordinance is valid only for six months. We want a permanent solution, whereby the central government amends the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act," a protester told IANS.

At Alanganallur, where the youth protest first began on January 16, similar views were expressed by the protesters.

"People are fighting for a permanent solution. Doesn't the government know that? The ordinance is just to make the protesters disperse," a protester said in Alanganallur.

The protesters made clear their intentions to continue with their protest and also requested fellow protesters not to distribute sweets and celebrate the government's decision.
New Delhi, Jan 21 : As the Tamil Nadu Governor signed an ordinance to pave the way for holding of Jallikattu, constitutional experts on Saturday said the government was within its rights to issue the ordinance but it could be struck down if it undercuts the Supreme Court verdict.

The top court's judgment dated May 7, 2014, said the rights guaranteed to the bulls under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, could not be taken away or curtailed.

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed not to pronounce its verdict on Jallikattu for one week in the wake of large scale protests in Tamil Nadu against the ban on the bull-taming sport.

The experts IANS spoke to said issuance of the ordinance was part of legislative powers and it could be issued in case of urgency.

Subhash Kashyap, former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, said there should not be any difficulty for the state government to bring an ordinance to ensure Jallikattu "as the legislative power is not suspended in case a matter is sub judice".

Another expert P.D.T. Achary, another former Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, said the ordinance will change the situation before the Supreme Court.

"The Supreme Court banned Jallikattu on the basis of provisions in the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals Act. If legislature has amended the Act and taken the bulls out (of the performing animals list), then the (earlier provisions of) law become infructuous," Achary said.

The experts maintained that the apex court can examine the validity of the ordinance, if someone challenges it on the ground of it being in conflict with the central law -- the PCA Act.

"The ordinance is subject to judicial scrutiny. The court will decide if it is ultra vires or intra vires," Kashyap said.

Achary said that the Supreme Court can always strike down an ordinance if it is found to be "against the Constitution or out of the jurisdiction of Parliament".

These experts said the court cannot take up the ordinance for review suo motu.

Senior lawyer Anand Grover said one can challenge an ordinance in court.

"It depends on what kind of ordinance (has been promulgated). If it is trying to undercut the judgment without changing the underlying basis then it will be unconstitutional," Grover said.
Patna, Jan 21 : Hundreds of thousands of people across Bihar formed a human chain on Saturday to support the state government's prohibition policy, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar claiming participation of more than three crore people in the record endeavour.

Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, and leaders of the Congress and opposition BJP participated in the human chain.

"More than three crore people participated in forming the chain that stretched for 11,400 km; it is more than expected. Huge participation of people made it clear that they support prohibition," a visibly upbeat Nitish Kumar told the media here.

He said participation of women in large numbers was remarkable. "At several places, I was informed by officials, people made double human chains due to gathering of more people."

Bihar Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh claimed the "world's longest human chain of over 11,000 km" was formed from 12.15 p.m. to 1 p.m. The previous record is of a 1,050 km human chain in Bangladesh in early 2000.

MPs, MLAs, party workers of both the ruling Grand Alliance of Janata Dal-United, RJD and the Congress as well as opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and Lok Janshakti Party held each other's hands to express support for prohibition.

Three satellites, including one foreign and two of Indian Space Research Organisation, four aircraft, two helicopters and 40 drones were used to obtain images of the human chain, officials said.

According to officials, hundreds of people stood in queues to form a map of Bihar at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna.

A picture of a liquor bottle with a cross sign was drawn in the middle of the map to give the message against alcohol consumption.

Nearly 20 million people were expected to join hands across the state for the chain, the officials added.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar imposed the liquor ban in the state on April 5, 2016.
Lucknow, Jan 21 : Prospects of an alliance between the Congress and the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh appeared set for collapse even before taking off. With the SP refusing to budge from its offer of 90-odd seats and the Congress not ready for anything below 120, sources in both camps conceded that an electoral tie up was more or less over!

Senior SP leader and Rajya Sabha member Naresh Agarwal also averred that the current situation meant that the alliance would not take place. Party vice-president Kironmoy Nanda had through the day dropped enough hints of all not being well between the two parties.

"We have offered them whatever best was possible, now the call is theirs," Nanda said in a reference to the reported offer of 90 seats from Chief Minister and SP national president Akhilesh Yadav. Senior Congress leaders sent by the high command from New Delhi also privately admitted to "things not going the right way".

Considering the BJP as common enemy which needed to be stopped at any cost, sources in the Congress however say "last minute efforts were underway to salvage the situation".

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi as his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are reported to be working on "some possibilities". The Gandhi scion is said to be furious at the "slight and disrespect" shown to the Congress by the SP leadership.

What apparently has cut the Congress leadership deep is the unilateral announcement of ten candidates by the SP on Friday for seats held by the Congress lawmakers in the 2012 state assembly elections. These seats are Shamli, Swar, Gangoh, Bilaspur, Hapur, Syana, Khurja, Kidwainagar, Mathura and Deoband.

UPCC chief Raj Babbar and many others are dead against tying up with the SP. Citing the ruling party as both "unpopular and undependable", state Congress leaders are making a case of 'ekla chalo' (go it alone) for the party, with alliances with small regional parties like Peace Party.

With both parties eyeing the crucial 19 per cent Muslim vote in the state, things apparently are stuck at this level as well, a leader privy to the discussions told IANS.

The SP is also fielding candidates in the Gandhi strongholds of Amethi and Rae Bareli, which the Congress wants "un-interfered with". The Congress Central Election Committee (CEC), leaders said they have decided to go it alone in the first and second phase of polls.

The development is likely to divide the minority benefit and give the advantage to the BJP, which is eyeing power in the state after a gap of 14 years. The Muslims vote strategically to keep the BJP out of power and go with the party most likely to defeat the saffron camp. However, electoral history also shows that a divided opposition has always helped the BJP in a big way.

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Saturday also hit out at the Congress' bid to align with the SP for the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, terming it a reflection of its political bankruptcy.

She accused Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav of conniving with his son and termed the Yadav family feud a "drama".

"Mulayam Singh with his son Akhilesh, has been engaged in a drama with the sole aim to divert the people's attention from the failure of the Akhilesh government," Mayawati told media persons here, referring to the 'war' between Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh that had led to speculations of a split in the party.

Mayawati also had a go at the Congress saying the party was on "life support" in the state.

Uttar Pradesh will see seven-phased polls, from February 11 to March 8, for its 403 seats.

(Mohit Dubey can be reached at mohit.d@ians.in)
New Delhi, Jan 21 : Slamming the RSS and the BJP for remarks made by an RSS leader on reservations, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Dilip Pandey on Saturday said his party will not allow their anti-Dalit and anti-backward classes mentality to succeed.

"Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh spokesperson Manmohan Vaidya's statement to end reservation represents an anti-Dalit and anti-backward class mentality of the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party," Pandey said at a press conference here.

"This has exposed the thinking of the RSS and BJP towards the Dalit community," Pandey added.

"The so-called progressive minds of the RSS are not eliminating caste but ending the reservation for Dalits has become their top priority."

Vaidya, head of the RSS Communications Department, said at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) on Friday that no reservation should continue for long and the reason for the poor socio-economic status of the Muslims is that a vast majority of them belong to economically backward states.

Vaidya and RSS Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale were participating in a discussion on "Of Saffron and the Sangh", at the JLF.

Pandey referred to Union Minister of State General V.K. Singh's statement in the past, wherein he had allegedly compared Dalits to dogs.

The AAP leader said that the RSS and the BJP as well as people associated with them are not only against reservation for Dalits, but also their ideology and thinking was against the downtrodden.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said he would not let the "anti-Dalit" RSS and BJP end reservations at any cost.

"The RSS has repeated today (Friday) that it is against reservation. The BJP, RSS and Akalis are anti-Dalit. We won't let them end reservation at any cost," Kejriwal tweeted.
Jaipur, Jan 21 : New US President Donald Trump is certain to move the American economy towards protectionism but it is a moot point how much he will be able to reshape it given existing international commitments and institutional constraints, says leading South Korean development economist Ha-Joon Chang.

"He (Trump) will push the US economy to some form of protectionism. But I really wonder how much he can change."

"There is more rhetoric than substance to Trump's words... The US, under Trump, cannot break its existing obligations. He is authoritarian but he is not someone like (South Korean dictator) Gen Park and there are institutional constraints in the US," Chang, a reader in the Political Economy of Development at Cambridge, told IANS on the sidelines of the Jaipur Literature Festival here on Saturday.

"The US is a member of the World Trade Organisation, has free trade agreements with Mexico, Canada, South Korea and Australia and cannot renege on or break its obligations "Even renegotiating the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Area) will take two to three years at least. And what if he is only a one term President. Even if he is re-elected, it will be difficult to do all he has said," he said.

"If he raises tariffs, the American corporations will be up in arms. 35 per cent tariffs will mean that Nike shoes and I-phones will be costlier by 35 per cent. He can't do it," said Chang.

He noted that Trump has some plans to reshape the US Constitution but said this will also take time and the way it is framed, there will be obstacles at every point, though Trump also enjoys a Congressional majority which makes him the strongest President since Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Trump's "barks are louder than his bites," quipped Chang.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
Panaji, Jan 21 : A regional party candidate in Goa on Saturday raked up Jallikattu as a poll issue by asking people of his constituency in South Goa if they were willing to rise like Jallukattu fans in Tamil Nadu to legalise traditional bull fights in Goa.

"Are you all ready to rise like people in Tamil Nadu? Are you willing to do it in order to legalise dhirio. We should be making our own laws," outgoing MLA and Goa Forward candidate for the Fatorda assembly constituency said at a corner meeting late on Saturday.

Although a banned sport, traditional bull fights or dhirios was an "open secret" in Goa, with several such fights organised in the coastal open areas and paddy fields.

Jallikattu, a banned sport which involves chasing of bulls, has evoked protests stretching over several days in Tamil Nadu, which has resulted in the government promulgating an ordinance to bypass the ban on it.
Guwahati, Jan 21 : Two days after courting widespread criticism, Assam Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Saturday clarified he had made a statement on legendary Ahom General Lachit Borphukan and his valiant victory over the Mughals just to draw a simile of triumph of a national hero over foreign invaders.

"...I made the comment in cognisance of our secular fabric and without any prejudice to any particular faith," a Raj Bhavan statement quoting him said on Saturday.

The Governor expressed displeasure over news in a section of media over the political mudslinging following his comment and dragging of the Raj Bhavan into it.

He referred to a Supreme Court judgment in 1995 which said: "Hindutva is always a way of life which stands for the welfare of mankind."

"Like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Lachit Borphukan was also a crafty and fierce General who refused to let the Mughals rule the state. But very little has been spoken about this legendary Ahom General. It is high time we remember and value this great warrior and give him the respect he truly deserves. I, without any invitation, went to Lachit Maidam to pay tributes to this great hero. It is the Raj Bhavan which has tried to pay obeisance to this great hero and popularise him in the national arena," Purohit said.

"It is very unfortunate on the part of a dignified person like the former Chief Minister to make comments without verifying veracity of my statements. My only objective as Governor of Assam is to stimulate and expedite development of the state and make it an ideal place for all sections of people," he added.
Amman, Jan 21 : An explosion occurred at the Al Rukban refugee camp on the border between Jordan and Syria on Saturday, the state-run Petra news agency reported, citing a source in the Jordan Armed Forces.

A total of 14 Syrians who were injured in the blast were allowed to enter Jordan, Petra news agency said.

An officer in the Jordan Armed Forces said a booby trapped car was exploded at the Rukban camp.

The source ruled out the possibility that Jordanians were hurt in the blast as Jordanian relief workers who distribute aid to the refugees are not present regularly at the camp.
New Delhi, Jan 21 : A New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) employee committed suicide by consuming poison here alleging harassment by his senior officers, police said on Saturday.

Harpal Singh, 57, consumed poison at his residence in Sarojini Nagar on Friday and visited a nearby hospital in his own car where he died during treatment.

A suicide note recovered from Singh's possession accused some of his seniors of harassing him.

"Singh himself drove his car to reach the hospital. He fell down as soon as he stepped down from his car. During treatment he died in the hospital. A small note without signature or name was recovered from his possession," Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal said.

The official said a case has been registered in the matter.
Washington, Jan 21 : Universal Hindu and Sikh prayers were offered at the interfaith service in the Washington National Cathedral on Saturday to invoke divine blessings for new President Donald Trump and the nation.

Hindu priest Narayanachar Digalakote prayed in Sanskrit for the government leaders in the first part of the service when prayers were said for those who govern.

Jesse Singh, the founder of American Sikhs for Trump, recited in Punjabi a prayer said by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh master, in the segment of prayers for the people.

Singh who was dressed in a suit and wore a dark turban, translated the invocation that was for unity, binding the common bonds of all and equality.

Expanding on it, he added prayers for the most vulnerable in society and for those who perform the dangerous and dirty jobs for the well being of all.

"Bless all whose lives closely linked with ours," he prayed.

Wearing a saffron shawl and religious markings on his forehead, Digalakote recited a 'shloka' or hymn to invoke divine blessings for those who govern, in the first part of the ceremony of prayers for leaders.

Unlike Singh, the Jewish rabbis and the Muslim imam, who provided translations of their prayers and religious texts, the priest of the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, a Washington suburb, walked away after his rote recitation, leaving the congregants without an idea of what the prayer was about.

Nicknamed the "White House Priest", Digalakote has participated in Deepavali celebrations at the White House under Barack Obama.

While most of the Christian prayers at the service were focused on Christianity, the Hindu and Sikh prayers were ecumenical, addressed to a common deity.

For the first time for either the Democratic or Republican parties, a Sikh prayer was said at the opening of the second day's session at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last year.

Harmeet Dhillon, the Vice Chairperson of the California State Republican Party, opened the second night of the Republican National Convention by reciting the 'ardaas' or prayer.

Trump has reached out to the American Hindu community, addressing a rally held by them last October, where he said he would be their friend in the White House.

After his election, Trump called out to the Hindus in the audience at a "Thank-You" rally in Florida.

Trump's son Eric visited a Hindu temple in Orlando, Florida, in the final days before the November election and his wife, Lara, visited a temple in Chantilly, Virginia, to celebrate Deepavali.
New Delhi, Jan 21 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Joint General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale on Saturday said the organisation wanted "reservation be implemented entirely".

The RSS clarification comes in the wake of back-to-back controversial remarks by its leader Manmohan Vaidya and later by his father and RSS ideologue M.G. Vaidya.

Hosabale termed M.G. Vaidya's remarks as his "personal opinion" and distanced the RSS from his comment, which was made in Nagpur on Saturday. The senior Vaidya is said to have suggested for the setting up of a committee to analyse the quota demand.

"Attempts are being made to create a controversy over RSS opinion on reservation. We strongly object to it. I had clarified the Sangh's position on reservation during the Jaipur Literature Festival and also at a press conference that followed. M.G. Vaidya's remarks at Nagpur today (Saturday) are his personal opinion and the RSS does not agree with it.

"The Sangh's opinion is very clear that the constitutionally provided reservation for the Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Other Backward Castes should continue. It is still needed and it should be implemented entirely. This is the authorised view of the RSS," Hosabale said in a video statement.

Earlier, releasing a press statement, RSS All India Prachar Pramukh Manmohan Vaidya clarified his earlier comment, saying: "The RSS is of the opinion to continue caste- based reservation provided in the Constitution for SCs, STs and OBCs. Reservation (for SC/ST/OBC) shall continue till the time caste-based discrimination remains in practice in the Hindu society."

The clarification came after opposition parties slammed the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party over Vaidya's remarks on reservation during the Jaipur Literature Festival on Friday.

Manmohan Vaidya, head of the RSS Communications Department, had sparked off a row saying that no reservation should continue for long and the reason for the poor socio-economic status of the Muslims is that a vast majority of them belong to economically backward states.

"It has been widely held that no reservation should continue for too long as it begins to be taken for granted," Vaidya had said.
New Delhi, Jan 21 : As the parleys between the Congress and the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh appeared to collapse over seat-sharing, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday intervened and spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on the phone.

Congress leaders meanwhile were quite hopeful on the talks, as was reflected in their comments to the media.

With the SP refusing to budge from its offer of around 100 seats and the Congress not agreeing to anything below 120, leaders in both camps had thrown up their hands that the prospects of the electoral tie-up were almost over.

Congress sources said Sonia's intervention will surely boost the alliance prospects. "Everything will be clear by tomorrow (Sunday) morning. The Congress might agree on 100-103 seats. Both the parties know they need each other in Uttar Pradesh polls."

Earlier, talking about the alliance, senior SP leader Naresh Agrawal said: "The alliance is almost over. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) was offering Congress 100 seats but they were not agreeing to anything less than 120 seats."

"We told them we can't fight in less than 300 seats but the Congress was adamant as if they are a very influential party in the state," he added.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary in charge of UP Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "You'll get to know everything by tomorow (Sunday) morning."

Congress state President Raj Babbar said during the day: "The talks will go on."

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too are reported to be working on "some possibilities".

The Gandhi family scion is said to be furious at the "slight and disrespect" shown to the Congress by the SP leadership.

Earlier, the sources said that the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC) had decided to go it alone in the first and second phases of the seven-phase assembly elections in the politically crucial Uttar Pradesh.
Jaipur, Jan 21 : The US connection with Afghanistan and Central Asia is not a 20th century development but dates from century before it when a most singular man became the first of his countrymen, or even the first westerner for that matter, to travel through interior Asia, participate in Afghan power politics, go on to serve Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his descendants and observe the fall of the Sikh empire.

But the reason that the life and the career of Alexander Houghton Campbell Gardner (1785-1877) is not known widely because it is seems so "outrageously improbable", says acclaimed British historian John Keay who has written the first comprehensive biography of this American soldier of fortune who ended his days as a landlord in Jammu and Kashmir under the Dogra rulers.

It has been thought to be part of fantasy literature than serious history and some earlier historians dismissed Gardner as a "plagiarist, fantacist, liar and scoundrel", he said at a session titled "The Tartan Turban: A Scots-American at Ranjit Singh's Court" during the Jaipur Literature Festival's third day on Saturday.

Keay, who said he had come across the story of Gardnet -- known in his Asian stint as Gordana Khan and who never returned home -- earlier on but restrained himself from mentioning it in his earlier works, as it had raised doubts in his mind.

"The story was too good to ignore but it seemed dodgy; so I left it out," he said, adding that the term "maverick" seemed specially coined for the colonel (as he was appointed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh).

However, Keay said he returned to the topic when he was approached by a new Sikh-run publishing house to revisit the life of Gardner -- a striking figure clad in a tartan suit and turban, with a flowing beard, 14 wounds, including a hole in his neck which necessitated wearing iron forceps whenever he had to eat or drink something - and his role and account of the fall of Ranjit Singh's kingdom within a decade of the Maharaja's death in 1839.

Speaking about the book for the first time to any audience, Keay noted that he was more inclined to believe Gardner's story when research found out that the latter part of his life in Lahore was so well authenticated in contemporary sources that one could view the earlier improbable and less-detailed part more favourably.

This covered Gardner's service with Habibullah Khan, nephew of Emir Dost Mohammed Khan, (a desire for whose ouster led to the ill-advised and ill-fortunate British expedition in 1842), his marrying an Afghan princess and siring a son (both killed soon), his flight across the Hindu Kush, Pamirs and the Karakoram to reach Turkestan and Tibet, visiting Ladakh and Kashmir, and eventually ending up in the service of Ranjit Singh, whose artillery he managed.

Gardner's services were later transferred to the Chief Minister Dhian Singh, a Hindu Dogra (and elder brother of Maharaja Gulab Singh, who would buy Kashmir from the British), and after the British finally took over Punjab, he had to relocate to Kashmir where he was granted an estate, said Keay.

It was here much later that Gardner came to the attention of British officials again and told his story, which had both supporters and opponents, he added.

On doubts whether Gardner, who claimed to be born in Wisconsin, was really an American, Keay said that if he had been a British deserter as some of his detractors claim, then the British administration in India would have never let him live in peace. Also Gardner was visited by Americans, including a nephew of famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who would have caught on if he was not one of their countrymen.

(Vikas Datta can be contacted at vikas.d@ians.in)
My passion is to advocate on behalf of people with mental health conditions.

Pierce Mental Health Advocacy, LLC

Owner of Pierce Mental Health Advocacy, Emily Pierce, is currently consulting patients and public speaking in the New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut areas. Pierce is willing to traveling outside those areas. Getting the right mental health care can be costly, time consuming, and confusing. Thats why she founded Pierce Mental Health Advocacy to advocate and protect those whose rights have been violated, help to access care and advocate for mental health treatment when necessary, educate higher education institutions on student mental health and give a unique perspective to organizations and hospitals providing mental health care. She draws from personal experience in the New York mental health care system where she was required to become an advocate for herself, which inspired her to help others by fighting for their rights as well.

About Pierce Mental Health Advocacy

Pierce Mental Health Advocacy offers personalized help to navigate the complex healthcare system. We work with clients on treatment strategies, we educate the mental health system, we advocate for patient rights and we offer our expertise through consultation. Our lived experience, extensive knowledge of the mental health system, employment and education in the area of mental health qualifies us to fight stigma on a public platform. Our confidence in our proven success and positive experiences with past clients make us great public speakers who can educate people from all walks of life.

We show people how to access resources for themselves or their loved ones, and we assist clients in communicating with treatment providers to ensure they are receiving the care they need. If you or someone you love feels their rights have been violated, there are many different ways we can advocate on your behalf. We also help Hospitals, clinics and institutions tailor their programs to the clients they serve, and assist in improving quality, health and safety issues. Pierce Mental Health Advocacy serves both those who seek mental health care and those who provide it. We offer complimentary 30-minute consultations, and for an additional charge, public speaking, treatment strategies, and patient advocacy. For more information, please visit http://www.piercementalhealth.com
Synbiosis, a long-established, expert manufacturer of automated microbiological systems, is pleased to announce its ProcScan inhibition zone measurement system is being used together with its SynStats statistical analysis software at specialist Dutch veterinary pharmaceutical firm, Produlab Pharma to accurately and reproducibly assess the quality of veterinary antibiotics.

Microbiologists at Produlab Pharma are using the ProcScan automated system to generate images of inhibition zones around antibiotics on large (240 mm x 240 mm) antibiotic susceptibility testing plates. The images are scanned directly into software, which automatically measures zone sizes and these values are transferred into SynStats statistical software. This rapidly analyses the results to provide standard curve and potency data. Using ProcScan in combination with SynStats is helping microbiologists at Produlab Pharma to precisely assess the efficacy of existing and re-engineered antibiotics to treat diseases such as mastitis in cattle.

Dave van Reusel, Microbiologist at Produlab Pharma commented: We used to measure inhibition zones manually with callipers and then record the results on the computer. It would take us 30 minutes to analyse one plate and after this we had no image of our plates to refer to so there was no proof of our results to look at later.

Dave added: We chose the ProcScan because it is the only system that can image large antibiotic susceptibility testing plates and measure inhibition zones in a 6 x 6 grid. Before we had the ProcScan, it would require hours to analyse a run of 20-30 assay plates. Now it takes a fraction of the time and we can record raw plate images to provide evidence for clients or regulators to assess when they need to.

Data integrity is currently a hot issue across the pharmaceutical industry, stated Kate George, Senior Divisional Manager at Synbiosis. Scientists at Produlab Pharma are demonstrating that ProcScan and SynStats is a must have combination for quality assurance laboratories where generating accurate, consistent and more importantly, archived raw and analysed data of any antibiotics potency are critical requirements.
All County Suncoast Property Management has earned the home service industrys coveted Angies List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2016.

This achievement is particularly significant as Angies List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2016. More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angies List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers, said Angies List Founder Angie Hicks. Only a fraction of the property management companies in Southern Pinellas County were able to do it.

Angies List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an A rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angies List, pass a background check and abide by Angies List operational guidelines.

After 26 years in business, we pride ourselves in providing outstanding customer service, says, Sandra Ferrera, owner of All County.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angies List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For more than 21 years, Angies List restricted access to its verified reviews to consumers who paid membership fees. When the company removed that barrier, some companies worried that the new, non-paying members would not be as engaged as members of the past. Experience has shown, however, that these newly added members are just as engaged  across all age groups  as prior members. Also, because the company continues to adhere to its review verification process, there has been no degradation of review quality.

The biggest change at Angies List is that we are connecting even more consumers to high quality service professionals, Hicks said. And thats good for everyone.
New Kensington Vanguard VP Zach Sams looks forward to expanding the company's Lone Star Division. We're excited that Zach has come on board in a leadership role within our Lone Star Division." - Brian Cooper, KV Co-Chief Executive Officer

Kensington Vanguard National Land Services (KV), one of the largest independent, full-service national title insurance agencies in the country, is pleased to announce the hiring of a new executive vice president for its Lone Star division in Dallas: Zach Sams. As a highly-experienced title insurance industry veteran, Sams will be focused on the Companys expansion initiatives in the booming DFW market.

We're excited that Zach has come on board in a leadership role within our Lone Star division, said Brian Cooper, Co-Chief Executive Officer at KV. His entrepreneurialism, energy, professionalism and stellar reputation in the marketplace make him a great fit for the position.

From Fidelity National Title Company, where he grew in his career for several years, to KV as of November, Sams looks forward to his future with the Company. The transition from VP of Sales and Marketing at Fidelity to EVP is going smoothly, he said. While hes still managing people, and maintaining a focus on client relations, he is heavily concentrated on expanding and growing KVs footprint here in Dallas.

Were on a roll, Sams said. Weve already opened a new location in Dallas and have multiple conversations going for new offices in several locations in and around the DFW metroplex.

Recruiting and supporting KVs growing local team will be areas to which Sams will add tremendous value, Cooper said. From his years of industry experience, Sams understands the needs of escrow officers and business development folks in the DFW market. In Coopers words, The Company is expanding our local platform where professionals can perform and grow while enjoying the ride.

Zach is off to a great start, said Jennifer Maxwell, a Dallas-based National Commercial Underwriter & Branch Manager at KV. We couldnt be happier that he has joined KV.
The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces around 70 times, from late Friday night to early Saturday morning.

January 21, 2017, 10:00 Azerbaijan violates ceasefire over 70 times at night

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 21, ARTSAKHPRESS: During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired more than 800 shots toward the Armenian position-holders, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Defense Army informed. Azerbaijani side also used mine throwers in the north-eastern direction of the contact line.

But the NKR Defense Army vanguard units are in full control over the frontline, and they continue confidently maintaining their military positions.
Bravo TVs Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ) star and relationship expert, author and public speaker, Siggy Flicker, was the guest of honor at a special VIP Boca Raton event on January 19th, where she gave an intimate talk about men and relationships, and signed copies of her new book, Write Your Own Fairy Tale. Becky Roberts-Davis, who is a prominent beauty blogger, TV and radio personality BeckyInBoca hosted the event, which took place at the Hyatt Place Downtown Boca, and was attended by over 250 guests and members of the press.

Leading hair science expert and hair restoration specialist, Alan J. Bauman, M.D., was a featured sponsor of the event. Dr. Bauman brought and shared some of the current trends in cosmetic hair, eyelash and eyebrow procedures, as well as the latest hair beauty and scalp health services options for men and women. In addition to being a nationally recognized expert on hair science and hair loss, Dr. Bauman regularly pioneers new treatments, from low level laser therapy to the PRP Vampire hair growth treatment and prostaglandin analogs. Over the years, hes treated a number of celebrities, reality stars and professional athletes at his Boca Raton clinic, Bauman Medical Hair Transplant and Hair Loss Treatment Center, which is now the largest and most comprehensive treatment facility in the world for hair and scalp health.

I was honored when Becky invited me to be part of this special event, Dr. Bauman said. It was a pleasure to reconnect with Siggy and catch up. My wife Karen and I have known Siggy since she was a full time resident of Boca Raton years ago. The event was also a great opportunity to raise awareness about some of the latest treatments available to help women achieve healthier, fuller hair and renew their self-confidence in their appearance.

Dr. Baumans sponsorship included an educational display at the VIP cocktail party, where he offered information about hair and scalp treatments, like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for hair regrowth and Scalp Makeover for optimizing the beauty of the hair. He also shared samples from some of the products he recommends, including his own BaumanMD hair and scalp care line.

It was such a pleasure to have Dr. Bauman participate in this event, said Becky Roberts-Davis. Guests were able to see some of the new treatments and products that can help not only your hair look beautiful but also help you feel younger, healthier and more confident  something every woman wants.

The event was timely, as millions of women and men are working on their New Years resolutions to improve their health and appearance. This special evening event had something for everyone, Dr. Bauman added. Siggy offered guests some great advice on dating and relationships and Becky put together a stellar lineup of local cosmetic physicians and beauty experts to educate and engage guests.

View photos from the event at http://hai.rs/beckyinbocaeventphotos

To learn more about Dr. Bauman and Bauman Medical visit http://www.baumanmedical.com or call 1-877-BAUMAN-9 or 561-394-0024.

About Dr. Alan J. Bauman:

Alan J. Bauman, M.D. is the founder and chief medical officer of the Bauman Medical Hair Transplant and Hair Loss Treatment Center in Boca Raton, FL. At more than 11,000 square feet, his clinic is the worlds largest stand-alone treatment center dedicated exclusively to treating hair loss in both men and women. Dr. Bauman has been a full-time hair transplant surgeon who since 1997 has treated over 17,000 patients and performed over 7,000 hair transplant procedures.

Dr. Bauman was recently once again voted #2 among the top U.S. Hair Restoration Physicians by the esteemed Aesthetic Everything Network, an annual review process that evaluates doctors medical education, training, professional affiliations, experience, expert source status with the national media, disciplinary histories, as well as medical peer and patient feedback.

Dr. Bauman is one of approximately 100 physicians worldwide to achieve board certification from the esteemed American and International Board of Hair Restoration Surgery (ABHRS). He is a Fellow of the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (FISHRS), an accepted member of the International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS), recommended by the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), a member of the Pantene Hair Research Institute and an active lecturer and physician faculty member for numerous medical organizations.

Dr. Bauman received his M.D. degree from New York Medical College and surgical residency training at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and Beth Israel Medical Center in New York before specializing exclusively in hair transplantation more than twenty years ago. As an award-winning philanthropist and founder of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Bauman Philanthropic Foundation, Dr. Bauman is also the proud recipient of the 2015 Guardian Angel award presented at Wigs and Wishes by the founder of Friends Are By Your Side, Mr. Martino Cartier. Dr. Bauman also received the Small Business Leader Award presented to him by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce thanks in part to his community support and active social contributions and involvement. Dr. Bauman has appeared in print, radio and television as a medical expert and successful early-adopter of the most advanced technologies in the treatment of hair loss. Appearances, interviews and profiles include the Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, Extra, Access Hollywood and Dateline NBC among other TV appearances. Newspaper and Magazine articles and feature stories include The New York Times, Newsweek, Cosmo, Vogue, Allure, O  The Oprah Magazine and Mens Health among others.
Nova Oculus Partners has forged another key alliance in our ongoing endeavors to bring to market a pioneering medical device for the treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

The companys chief operating officer, Walter ORourke, has signed an engagement contract with Emergo, a global regulatory consultancy that helps companies like ours secure government approvals for their medical devices. ORourke says Emergo will play a key role for licensing the Nova Oculus device and our patented micro-current therapy in Japan, Australia, Britain and the European Union, Argentina, Colombia and Cuba.

We have undertaken an extremely aggressive certification program and Emergo is key to meeting our goals, said ORourke. This is an ideal structure for us because it gives management the ability to control costs and manage market priorities as we expand globally.

ORourke says Canada will be the initial focus for the joint Nova Oculus/Emergo undertaking. Working with our Canadian subsidiary, Emergo is performing an in-house audit of the work done by the Nova Oculus development team in accordance with ISO (International Organization of Standardization) criteria. That will set the stage for a third-party audit of our devices development process that is sanctioned by the ISO. Emergo will also assist in identifying a company to conduct that audit, relative to cost, timing and that firms international credibility.

In addition, Emergo will assist Nova Oculus in obtaining a Medical Device License from the Canadian government. Canada has a globally recognized regulatory review process and its also a meaningful commercial opportunity for us, ORourke said. Once we commercialize in Canada, Emergo will then assist us in registering our products with regulatory authorities in multiple other international markets.

Emergo CEO Rene van de Zande says complying with complex regulations in multiple markets can be daunting for companies developing innovative medical devices and seeking opportunities internationally. They quickly come to realize weve become their in-house regulatory resource, he said.

Emergo is based in Austin, Texas, and has offices staffed with local regulatory professionals in Canada and 24 other countries that serve 95 percent of the global marketplace for medical devices. In addition to regulatory strategies and device registrations, the services they offer include quality management system compliance, clinical trial consulting, and in-country regulatory representation.

Van de Zande, who founded Emergo in 1997, holds masters and post-graduate degrees from Radboud University in the Netherlands, and Johns Hopkins University School of International Studies. Emergos client base includes more than 2,800 medical device and in-vitro device companies in 55 countries around the world.

It is estimated that more than 40 million people in the U.S., Canada, Britain, the EU, Japan and Australia are afflicted with AMD, and are either blind or at risk for becoming blind. According to the companys calculations, as many as four million of those could be treated by the Nova Oculus device within the first five years after commercialization.

About Nova Oculus Partners:

Nova Oculus Partners, LLC was formed to develop, manufacture, and lease to medical professionals an electrotherapeutic medical device to treat visual disease, providing a pulsed micro-current output delivered to the retina by way of a closed eyelid. This treatment method can help mitigate the effects of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

The Nova Oculus companys pulsed micro-current therapy represents a new, non-invasive treatment for all forms of macular degeneration. The device output signal is structured to provide a range and pattern of frequencies to stimulate the desired physiologic response at the retinal level. This low current has been shown by studies to stimulate the production of the active transport enzyme, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which facilitates the movement of nutrition from the blood to the cell.

According to recent studies, this treatment improves permeability of the blood vessel membranes and cells, allows better oxygen and nutrition delivery to the cells, metabolism, and removal of by-products from the cells. Through these mechanisms, pulsed micro-current therapy improves retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) efficiency and in so doing may restore and/or improve retinal function.

For more information contact:

Walter O'Rourke,

Chief Operating Officer

647-204-3477
China Oats Manufacturer Seamild Led by Pious Buddhist Owner Aiming at Continuous Business Expansion

Seamild, the largest manufacturer of oats in China, is now aiming at global business expansion, riding on the futuristic vision of its owner and founder. As Oat is recognized globally as one of the healthiest cereals, XieQingkui, the founder of Seamild, strongly recommends oat to everybody he knows personally as he believes it is a move to sow the seed of good karma. Buddhism spirit featuring benevolence and sacrifice are the guiding principles of the founder of Seamild who is a devout Buddhist.

Twenty years ago, XieQingkui got influenced by the Buddhist compassion that benefits all mortal beings, and chose oat as his lifelong career, dreaming of promoting public health and forming ties with all living beings through the quality oat food by Seamild, his oat business.

The power of faith enables Seamild to focus on oat health business for more than two decades. Seamild has already established long-term cooperation with CBH, a company with 80 years history, as well as many scientific institutions to form industry chain from breeding, planting to product research, with raw materials of oat imported from Australia and advanced oats processing equipment and facility imported from Europe. Their oatmeal manufacturing base, which is the largest in its kind, has already been built up on the southern and northern part of China.

With a global vision, in 2012, Seamild forged partnership with J.M. Smucker, a famous American company with a history of 116 years, and further moves forward for the broad-spectrum growth of the oat industry in China. To date, tens and thousands of families and hundreds of millions of customers in China have got a taste of Seamilds quality and healthy oat food. Hence, XieQingkui is crowned as the father of oat in China.

Every year, XieQingkui visits four Buddhist holy mountains, absorbing the power of faith from the Buddhism spirits, wisdom, compassion, aspiration and practice, and consolidating Seamilds oat dream to promote public health. As XieQingkui says, Seamild resembles a farmer. Over the past 20 years, we only do one thing that is paying exclusive attention to healthy food made of oat. We are convinced that only devotion can promote the healthy oat industry to the best.
Some of the marchers say they want to create a "Tea Party on the Left" but I have to wonder how many of these newly visible marchers actually voted at some polling place on Nov. 8, 2016?

On Saturday, tens of thousands of women marched to in general vent their anger at President Trump. I have to say "in general" because the specifics of their anger are a little vague in what appeared to be a CNN-sponsored show.

The First Amendment gives all of us the right to demonstrate for or against anything we want to. Many conservatives now started to become more active in Tea Party marches in 2009.

The marchers were mostly white, but election data shows that Trump won 53 percent of white women who actually voted on Nov. 8.

So who are these marchers? They appear to be mostly the most solid Hillary Clinton diehard voters who were older white college-educated elites but they were not a majority of women who voted.

Many elitists love to be vocal and visible as part of being fashionable, but at the same time many elitists seem to think that routine political work at the precinct level is beneath them so they do not wind up as precinct captains or field workers. Marching with friends can be fun but it is not necessarily a tactic that leads to long-term effective political activism for a specific goal.

After 2009 the Tea Party developed some factions and it is reasonable to expect that the pink hats will also fracture over time. There were many legitimate reasons for Republicans to be critical of bad behavior and comments by Donald Trump before Nov. 8.

Being president does not absolve anyone from criticism be it former Presidents Carter, Clinton, Bush 41 or 43 or President Obama. President Trump will get more than his share of critics thanks to the slant of the media.

But from now on as president, he deserves to be judged on his actual deeds in office rather than careless tweets before he entered office.
A debate continues within our country as to whether women should serve in the military in positions of combat duty as opposed to nursing and clerical work. Conversations continue as to what positions and specific assignments might be included as standard for women and whether the government should automatically include women in the draft process.

The issue first arose in 1945 when Congress was poised to do something previously unthinkable: draft women. There was a pressing need for this change, because the intense Normandy invasion and other WW II military offensives had produced enormous casualty figures. Our Army medical resources were strained to the breaking point, creating an acute shortage of nurses which was said to be jeopardizing the care given to our wounded men.

This prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to use his State of the Union Address on January 6, 1945, to paint a grim picture of the crisis and take the unprecedented step of conscripting women into the military. The army, he said, needed 18,000 more nurses to bring the Army Nurse Corps to a strength of 60,000.

It is important to understand the uniqueness of this specific time in history. World War II was all consuming to our people, the military, and officials, as it personally touched and therefore impacted every one of their lives in some way. The thought of wounded soldiers being unable to receive immediate care due to a severe shortage of nurses was unthinkable and thus received support it might not have had in less urgent times.

The Senate Military Affairs Committee approved a conscription bill on March 28, 1945, and sent it to the full Senate. The publicity surrounding the draft debate spurred enlistments. In the week after Roosevelts address, 4,000 nurses applied for army dutytwice the number for the last two months of 1944. Soon thereafter the war seemed to be coming to an end, and thus the issue became less important and less discussed.

May, 1981: Case of Rostker v. Goldberg

Fast forward to May, 1981, the war had been over for decades and Americans were now engrossed in their civilian lives but the Supreme Court was now considering whether to compel women to be drafted in the case of Rostker v. Goldberg. At the time Phyllis Schlafly, founder of Eagle Forum, and an ally of hers in Congress, Rep. Billy Lee Evans (D-GA), were strongly opposed to the legislation introduced in the 97th Congress, Session 1, H.R. 2791 (Woman's Draft Exemption Act). They threatened to withdraw jurisdiction from the courts if needed to prevent women from being drafted. The following month a divided Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not compel drafting women, based on the then-existing exclusion of women from combat.

It may be of interest to note that Democrat President Jimmy Carter approved drafting women for the military.

Obama Administration opens military to draft of women

Nearly thirty-five years later the Obama Administration removed the exclusion of women from combat, and some now argue that the Constitution requires that the Selective Service registration apply to women just as it does to men.

In December of 2015, Barack Obama's Defense Secretary Ashton Carter reversed centuries of U.S. military tradition with this historic announcement that all military occupational specialties would now be open to women.

Women will be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soldiers into combat," he stated, provided that the women can meet the same physical and professional standards as men. They'll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force and parajumpers previously open only to men."

Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, who was alone among the service chiefs in opposing the total integration of women into the force, was absent from Ashton Carter's announcement at a Pentagon briefing.

Senator McCain slips in proposal draft for women

Following this change of military tradition, during a closed-door meeting in May of 2016 and without prior notice, Republican Armed Service Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) proposed legislation as an amendment extending the draft to women into the National Defense Authorization Act (a key piece of military funding legislation) to force 18 to 26 year-old women to register with Selective Service for a possible future draft and to further establish a commission on National Service to explore other options for co-ed conscription. The legislation was meant to be a milestone in women's equality for the military.

Although House Republicans were successful in stripping the House bill of the provision found in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to include Americas young women in a national military draft, the Draft our Daughters provision remained in the Senates version of the NDAA.

On November 1, 2016, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a $602 billion defense bill that included an amendment that would require women to register for the draft (known as Selective Service) for the first time in American history.

However, this did not happen without energizing the opposition. In December of 2016 conservatives secured an important victory. 17 Senate conservatives signed a letter, championed by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE), advocating opposition to any defense bill that included the Draft our Daughters provision. The provision was ultimately removed during conference negotiations, marking an important win for the conservatives.

On December 23, 2016, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act, a compromised version which called for a commission to study two related issues: Whether women should be included in Selective Service and whether the Selective Service system itself should be abolished.

President Obama is the first president, since President Jimmy Carter, to endorse universal draft registration for women when they turn 18.

The question now being asked is what impact the election of Donald Trump might have on this issue. Will it influence the discussion within the Commission and/or will their recommendations be compatible with those of Republicans who now dominate the House and Senate? The issue may soon be decided, but history indicates it never seems to be permanently settled. Hopefully, the Commission will enact a wait and see policy, because it is far easier to enact a policy than it is to reverse it once in place.

Part 2 will explain some of the points most likely being discussed by the Commission, which will give readers more insight into the opinions of each side.
If scary headlines inspire some to stay put, they have the opposite effect on travel icon Rick Steves. We gain understanding when we travel, he says. So now, when people say, Have a safe trip, I get a bit belligerent. I say, Have a safe stay at home. PW caught up with the writer and editor, who has been guiding Americans across Europe since 1976 and now publishes his books with Avalon Travel. (His most recent, Rick Steves Best of Europe, was published January 3.) We spoke with Steves about travel during times of uncertainty.

How is your audience feeling these days?

People are so rattled by terrorism. The fear is worse now because of the commercial news. I talk about this during speaking tours: Back in the old days, when Walter Cronkite said, Thats the way it is, thats the way it was. But you cannot give the news today without wanting to make a profit, which means you need to amp it up, bloody it up, crisis it up. Naive and less sophisticated consumers of news gobble it up and think that the world is more dangerous than it is. They travel and vote and consume with that fear, and, pretty soon, those people are all staying at home.

But Ive spent four months a year of the last 30 years exploring Europe, and there is no edginess in Europeno nervousness. We took 40,000 people on our tours last year, and we had a blast. The sad irony is that the edginess is coming from people who think the world is falling apart, and those are the people who will bring danger to our country. Im all for national security, and the most valuable thing we can do for national security is to travel. The best souvenir is to come home with a better understanding and a broader perspective. Then travel becomes a force for peace.

How does this relate to your longtime TV sign-off: Keep on travelin ?

I was just in Chicago, giving a talk, and someone said, Do you think its safe to go to Europe? I said, You live in Chicago! Of course its safe! A thousand people get killed on [American] streets every month. Meanwhile, 12 million Americans went to Europe last year, and 12 million came home. Get a grip, America! Statistically, the world is safer now for travel than at any point in our lifetimes. If everyone had to travel before they voted, wed be in a different situation right now. Its become [perceived as] elite to enjoy visiting a foreign culture, but thats just the cry of very frightened people.

What are they most worried about?

People are rattled by the refugee problem. Its a tragic situation for the millions of people whove had to leave their homelands. The astute and practical attitude should be, Lets find a way, policy- and military-wise, to help promote stability in failed countries. But theres no intersection between refugees and your travel dreams. We asked the 800 groups that we took to Europe last year, Has anyone had a problem with refugees? The answer was no. The loved ones at home are saying, How could you possibly be in Greece when all of these desperate people are washing ashore? From a compassion point of view, it does matter, but from a your-vacation point of view, its not an issue.

So what are the trends youre seeing in European travel?

Whether the reaction of the buying public is legitimate or not, people are buying less Paris. France is not as hot as countries that are considered safer. Whats remarkable to me is how popular Ireland and Scotland are. Still, Im not a journalist, looking for a timely hook. Europe is my beat; I want to cover it from top to bottom. Hot destinations dont really matter. If I said that Portugal is the best value, but you wanted to see your relatives in Norway, then Norway is where your value is.

What will be your focus in the coming year?

My job is to travel, make mistakes, and take careful notes so that people can learn from my experience and enjoy their trips. Americans have such little vacation [time], we need to know how to use every minute smartlyand that gets back to the nitty-gritty value of guidebooks. People often ask about budget trips; it occurs to me that budget travel might be about getting more out of a destination, rather than spending less there. You can bump up the value of an experience by being prepared and looking at the context. So we need to provide different ways for people to consume information. Its a huge responsibility to put your name on a guidebook, and Im determined to keep my focus. For example, Iceland is a popular destinationmy staff would love for me to do a book on Iceland. But I dont have a passion for it, which means that I wont do such a good job. But I always spend time in Italy [a new pocket guide on Italys Cinque Terre is out in June) and I am really, really excited about [updates to] our Belgium book [out in May]; I want to make it up-to-date and cutting-edge and worth its position. And thats how I see my market: I dont need to encourage people who already see the world as their playground. For me, Europe is the wading pool for world exploration.

Return to the main feature.
Welcome to our new roundup of the best-reviewed self-published titles from the past month. We kick things off with historical fiction, a fantasy adventure, a memoir of the AIDS epidemic, and a psychedelic tale about Abe Lincoln.

 Isabella and the Tale of the Unanswered Question

Linda Whittaker

Plot: This YA-style fantasy follows the adventures of 11-year-old Isabella as she ventures to a place where animals speak and dangers lurk.

PWs Takeaway: Whittaker delivers wisdom with style in this brilliant examination of the consequences of choices, and readers may begin to question their own deepest secrets and dreams.

Comparable Titles: Chronicles of Narnia; Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Sample Line: Long ago in a forgotten land and forgotten time lived a little girl in a forgotten village.

Read the review.

 Forest Child

Heather Day Gilbert

Plot: In this second book in her Vikings of the New World Saga, Gilbert focuses on Freydis, the daughter of Eirik the Red, and the expedition she led with two Icelandic traders to Vinland.

PWs Takeaway: Gilbert deftly fleshes out Freydiss struggle while remaining true to the historical record.... Gilbert crafts an engaging story depicting timeless human struggles with faith, love, loyalty, and leadership.

Comparable Titles: The Far Traveler; Viking: The Green Land

Sample Line: But there will be no redemption for me. I will become the most unmerciful of murderers. I accept my fate.

Read the review.

The Sea Is Quiet Tonight

Michael H. Ward

Plot: An intimate memoir of the early days of the AIDS epidemic.

PWs Takeaway: Ward never hesitates when peering into the abyss of this traumatic time.... A courageous and necessary addition to the canon of AIDS literature.

Comparable Titles: Borrowed Time; Body Counts

Read the review.

Abe Lincoln on Acid

Brian Anthony & Bill Walker

Plot: The immortal ex-president battles J. Edgar Hoover during the Summer of Love.

PWs Takeaway: Readers will delight in this fun, frivolous indulgence.

Comparable Titles: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies; Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Read the review.

Painted Trillium

Robert Brandt

Plot: A portrait of the struggles of a young woman living in Union-occupied Tennessee during the Civil War.

PWs Takeaway: Brandt explores the complexities of the Civil War, handling war, race, and gender with brutal honesty.

Comparable Titles: Cold Mountain; The March

Read the review.
How can we empathize with a character who has no ability to feel? Its a question you may ask yourself while reading The Vanirim, T.J. Slees fantasy novel and the winner of the BookLife Prize in Fiction. Surely its the kind of question that Slee (who declines to give his real name or any identifying information, other than hes living in Denmark) might have worried would one day be asked about him.

The incognito author says he left his previous post in counterterrorism to save his emotional sentience. I got out because I found myself becoming an emotional dead zone, Slee says. That person I was becoming, that is who I channel when I write about Tully McIntyre [The Vanirims central character], and I am still fighting to not be him.

Cooking with Genre

Part of what makes McIntyre and his supporting cast so intriguing is the fantastical world around them. There are ancient Nordic gods, a post-apocalyptic-future setting, and concepts of mind reading and human reprogramming. But youve also got, at the core, a fast-paced crime thriller.

Slee says the first draft of The Vanirim wasnt a sci-fi fantasy novel. It was a crime noir serial murder story.

Last year when I decided to publish it, I dragged it out into the light and I realized it was a three-legged dog. I had the idea for the main character and the supporting story, but the rest was just an orthodox crime novel. It was missing something, Slee says.

The Danes call it pift: that little something that makes your recipe different. I remembered a lesson from a master chef in a writing class who challenged us to take something we wrote in one genre, and rewrite it in another. So I thought to myself, okay, what if you gave your crime noir story a sci-fi/fantasy angle?

To rewrite ones entire novel in a different genre sounds like a complicated, even overwhelming, task. But, for Slee, who maintains a master chef way of thinking, it was an experiment in trusting his instinctsand his tools. I approach writing like I approach cooking: take a whole lot of ingredients you dont always see in the same recipe, throw them together, and see what happens, Slee says.

Clearly, the experiment worked, and Slee is continuing the Midgard Cycle. The sequel to The Vanirim is among his many writing projects for 2017. Im a bit of a workaholic, and Scandinavia is a place with long, dark winter nights ideal for writing, he says.

Slee doesnt reveal what it is, but he says he has a day job that pays the bills. Any proceeds from books he donates straight to charity. After winning the BookLife Prize in Fiction, he instructed BookLife and Publishers Weekly to donate the $5,000 writing stipend directly to Doctors Without Borders.

I walk with a limp from all the shit I carry on my shoulder, Slee says. When I check out of here, I want to have balanced my account. The writing itself isnt redemptive, but I hope the result will be one day.

Slee also says hes writing and publishing for love, not money. But this doesnt mean that hes without the ambition to build his brand. Slee is nursing a bigger dream.

Giving Back

I want to be a catalyst in making it easy for all authors to give a little back, no matter how big or small, Slee says. Ive literally just had an idea for a concept I call #readerzero. The pitch is this: what fiction fan wouldnt like to be the first person in the world to read a new J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, or Dan Brown book? The concept is simple: writers auction/raffle the opportunity to be #readerzero, the first person in the world to read the first edition of their upcoming novel, before it is even sent to reviewers. Winners sign an NDA and get two weeks to read the book before it is sent out as an ARC. Profits from the auction/raffle go to the charity of the writers choice. Slee is building on the idea on a Facebook page and plans to test it out with the sequel to The Vanirim.

For now, Slee will continue to self-publish (hes had a heck of a debut year, after all), but if the right agent or publisher were to come along, one who could help build his readership meaningfully, Slee would sign on. I dont expect my own fund-raising efforts alone will make the big difference, he says. But to find ways to collaborate with others, Ill need to build a big mailing list!

Nicole Audrey Spector is writer whose work has appeared in the Atlantic, the New Yorker, and Vice.
Postapocalyptic Thriller Goes to Sourcebooks

Grace Menary-Winefield of Sourcebooks acquired North American rights to The End of the World Running Club by Adrian J. Walker in a deal negotiated with Rae Shirvington, a rights agent with EBury Publishing UK, a division of Penguin Random House. The book is a postapocalyptic thriller set in the wake of a devastating asteroid strike, according to Sourcebooks, and centers on a man, Edgar Hill, whose best hope is to run 550 miles before his family is evacuated to safety. In addition to this deal, Lysa Williams of Blackstone acquired audio rights to the book at auction. Sourcebooks plans to publish the novel in fall 2017.

Tor Takes Sequel to Bonnie and Clyde Novel

Bess Cozby of Tor/Forge bought world English rights to Being Bonnie, a historical novel by Jenni L. Walsh, in a deal brokered by Stacey Glick of Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret. The novel is a sequel to Walshs debut novel Becoming Bonnie, which was acquired in 2015 by Tor and is set to be published in spring of this year. Becoming Bonnie tells the story of how a young Bonnelyn Parker became half of the world-famous crime duo Bonnie and Clyde. The new book, according to Glick, comprises the dark final chapter of their romance, and, like the first book, will touch on the Roaring Twenties and days of Prohibition. Being Bonnie is set to be published in summer 2018.

Starks Brings Bloody Graphic Novel to Oni

In a world rights deal, Eric Reid of WME sold Kill Them All, a graphic novel by Kyle Starks, to Charlie Chu of Oni Press, a comics and graphic novel publisher. Oni describes the book as a love letter to 90s action movies and stars a betrayed murderess out for revenge and a hard-drinking ex-cop who wants his job back. The protagonists, the publisher adds, must fight their way through fifteen flights [of stairs containing] criminals, assassins, drug lords, murderers, and even accountants, and kill them all. Oni Press also recently tapped Starks to write the publishers comic series Rick and Morty. Kill Them All is set to be published in fall 2017.

Grand Central Nabs Paranormal Romance Series

Leah Hultenschmidt, editorial director at Grand Central Forever, acquired world English rights to Shifter Rogues, a new paranormal romance series by Celia Kyle, in a three-book deal arranged by Holly Root of Waxman Leavell Literary. According to Root, the series centers on the members of a special ops team who use their unique skillsboth as shifters and [as] highly skilled covert operativesto assure the safety of civilians at any cost. The author has previously self-published several sci-fi and paranormal romance series on Amazon. The first Shifter Rogues book will be published digitally in summer 2017 by Grand Central Forever and in print in spring 2018.

Skyhorse Attracts Wildlife Guide for Homeowners

In a deal brokered by Jennifer Unter of the Unter Agency, Skyhorses Jay Cassell acquired world rights to Josh VanBrakles Attracting Wildlife to Your Backyard: 101 Ways to Make Your Property a Happier Home for Creatures Great and Small. Unter calls the book an effective how-to on protecting U.S. wildlife and inspiring landowners to take action on their properties to benefit animals. The author is a forester based in upstate New York. Attracting Wildlife to Your Backyard is set to be published in fall 2017.
Whether this is the best of times or the worst of times depends on your point of view. But after the recent presidential election, this could be an auspicious time for books on some of the social problems that were central to the candidates campaigns and still loom as the Trump era begins.

Faith groups historically have made addressing such problems as racism and poverty central to their mission. Christians in particular, from both the progressive and conservative ends of the spectrum, strive to follow the command of Jesus by welcoming the stranger, feeding the hungry, protecting the vulnerableand publishing books to encourage and guide activism.

Among publishers with 2017 books on these key issues is Chalice Press, the denominational publisher of the progressive Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As political power passes to the right, Chalice publisher Brad Lyons says: Progressive Christians now have the sense of urgency that the evangelical church has had for a long time. Conservative Christians built their movement through a variety of media, and book publishing has been a key part of that. Now its the progressives turn.

Robert Hosack, executive editor of the evangelical Baker Publishing Group, points to change on the conservative side: For too long American evangelicals perpetuated a version of the gospel that emphasized a personal relationship with Jesus. This left evangelical churches lagging on some of the crucial social issues of the 20th century. Now younger evangelicals in particular are turning their gaze outward, and Hosack says that faith-based houses have an obligation to correct what the standard gospel narrative became to focus on bringing Christian principles to righting societys wrongs. As for the outcome of the election, Hosack says, The audience that looks for resources to inform and facilitate their service will always be looking for such books, regardless of the Caesar who is reigning.

Truth in Black and White

Some hailed Obamas presidency as evidence of a postracial America, but police shootings of unarmed black men and the eruption of unrest that followed revealed a harder truth. Chalice adds to its long history of publishing on the subject with Stakes Is High: Race, Faith, and Hope for America (Feb.), by pastor, activist, and community leader Michael W. Waters, which Lyons says takes a gritty look at the many social issues entangled in race and racism.

Baker Books tackles racism in two new titles about the life and work of civil rights activist John M. Perkins. In his memoir, Dream with Me: Race, Love, and the Struggle We Must Win (Jan.), Perkins tells of his own work in the movement and urges the contemporary church to lead the nation away from racism and bigotry toward love and reconciliation. In Do All Lives Matter? The Issues We Can No Longer Ignore and the Solutions We All Long For (Feb.), Perkins and coauthor Wayne Gordon help readers understand the current crisis over race relations and offer practical strategies to overcome it.

Abingdon, denominational publisher of the United Methodist Church, also has long published books about racism, many of them by clergy taking up the cause of racial reconciliation. Constance Stella, senior acquisitions and development editor, says, Our Christianity calls us to emulate Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions, and we want our work to reflect that imperative. Our task is to help Christian leaders help others to live out our faith. Abingdons Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community (Jan.), by Methodist pastor F. Willis Johnson, urges ministers to fearlessly confront the issue. Johnson writes from ground zero: he currently pastors Wellspring Church in Ferguson, Mo. Also from Abingdon is Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism (Feb.). Retired Methodist bishop Will Willimon uses as a jumping-off point the 1947 sermon delivered by pastor Hawley Lynn after the last lynching in Greenville, S.C. Willimon wants pastors of white, mainline Protestant churches to combat racial violence from the pulpit.

Authors also call churches to look beyond the pews and have an impact where they live. Organizing Church: Grassroots Practices for Empowering Change in Your Congregation, Your Community, and Our World (Chalice, Mar.), by pastor Tim Conder and university professor Dan Rhodes, offers principles of community organizing for congregations.

For evangelical publisher InterVarsity Press, engagement in social justice, racial reconciliation, peacemaking, and community development are just as important to our religious expression as talking about our beliefs, says Helen Lee, formerly acquisitions editor and now marketing director. The recent election has uncovered racial tensions and misunderstandings that have simmered under the surface, in part because those in the majority culture have not fully engaged with issues of privilege, power, and identity. White Americans often dont grasp the advantages conferred by their race.

In The Myth of Equality: Uncovering the Roots of Injustice and Privilege (IVP, June), pastor, educator, and social entrepreneur Ken Wytsma examines the origins and benefits of privilege, which has become a watchword since recent racial violence hit the headlines. Wytsma founded the Justice Conference to teach principles of biblical justice. White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White by Daniel Hill (IVP, Sept.), pastor of a multiethnic church in Chicago, helps readers understand the cultural and personal dynamics of being white, she says.

Race and Place: How Urban Geography Shapes the Journey to Reconciliation by David Leong (IVP, Feb.) examines how geography matters, opening our eyes to the physical challenges and literal roadblocks to achieving true reconciliation, says Lee. Also from IVP, The Power of Proximity: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action by Michelle Ferrigno Warren (July) encourages the privileged to step outside their bubbles and into the worlds of those who struggle for justice.

It is often said the most segregated places in America are its churches, and for Christians a deeper understanding of others can begin with opening the church doors to people who are not like them. Technicolor: Inspiring Your Church to Embrace Multicultural Ministry by pastor Mark Hearn comes in June from B&H Publishing, the trade arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Hearns Duluth, Ga., church has welcomed members from different ethnic groups and other countries. How to Be a Multicultural Church by Douglas Brouwer (Eerdmans, June) brings home lessons the Presbyterian pastor learned while ministering in a multiethnic, multiracial, multicultural church in one of Europes largest cities.

Racism often breeds violence, and in Reset the Heart: Unlearning Violence, Relearning Hope (Abingdon, May), seminary professor Mai-Anh Le Tran shows how to educate for justice and against entrenched injustice. Executing God: The Death Penalty and Our Spiritual Apathy by Jeff Hood (Chalice, Apr.) urges Christians to take a stand against the institutionalized violence that is disproportionately imposed on people of color. Hood is a Baptist pastor, theologian, and activist in Texas, the state with the highest number of executions every year since 1976, according to Amnesty International.

Strangers Not Welcome

Immigration was a pressing issue even before the election, and new books approach it from a religious point of view. Just Immigration: American Policy in Christian Perspective (Eerdmans, May), by political science professor Mark Amstutz, shows how Catholics, evangelicals, and mainline Protestants bring biblical teachings to the issues; he argues for solutions rooted in Christian political thought.

Global Migration: Whats Happening, Why, and a Just Response (Anselm Academic, Aug.), by Elizabeth W. Collier and Charles R. Strain of Catholic Relief Services, examines immigration through the lens of Catholic social teachings.

In All the Agents and Saints: Dispatches from the U.S. Borderlands (Univ. of North Carolina, July), travel writer and university professor Stephanie Elizondo Griest returns to her native South Texas, which has been devastated by drug wars and bifurcated by an 18-foot steel wall to prevent the undocumented migrants from crossing over into what was once their nations land. Elizondo Griest found northern parallels in the struggles of Mohawk people living on the border of New York and Canada who also are in conflict with the U.S. Border Patrol as they try to return to their ancestral lands.

The Persistence of Poverty

Advancing technology promises continuous progress on many fronts, but one problem never goes away. Always with Us: What Jesus Really Said about the Poor by Liz Theoharis (Eerdmans, April) examines how Jesuss words the poor you will always have with you (Matthew 26:11) have been used to justify inequality and blame its victims. Theoharis argues the passage should be seen as a biblical mandate to end poverty.

Engaging Globalization: The Poor, Christian Mission, and Our Hyperconnected World (Baker Academic, Aug.), by seminary professor Bryant L. Myers, analyzes globalization and offers ways for Christians to address poverty around the world.

Love Let Go: Radical Generosity for the Real World by Laura Sumner Truax and Amalya Campbell (Eerdmans, Mar.) tells how LaSalle Street Church in Chicago gave $160,000 to church members$500 eachwith instructions to use it to do good. Truax and Campbell examine how the experiment in generosity affected the church and the members, who gifted others and were themselves transformed.

Many in poverty end up with no place to live. Welcome Homeless (W, Mar.) is by Alan Graham, founder of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, which provides homes and delivers food to homeless people in Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans, Nashville, and other cities. Graham also is developing and building Community First! Village, a planned community that will provide affordable housing and support to the disabled and chronically homeless in Austin.

Is there an ultimate solution to the problems that vex humanity? In one of President Obamas last speeches in office he summarized the cure for societys ills: love. Mending the Divides: Creative Love in a Conflicted World by Jon Huckins and Jer Swigert (IVP, Sept.) also reminds readers to confront conflict from a place of love, becoming the peacemakers Jesus calls Christians to be.
On Dec. 1, 2016, the European Commission announced it is submitting a proposal to pass legislation that would empower individual countries in the European Union to offer reduced value-added tax (VAT) on electronic publications, particularly e-books.

This is the latest and possibly penultimate step in a long process of introducing competitive tax rates for e-books, which are currently taxed at or near the standard VAT rate in most countries across Europe, which is often twice as much or more as for print books. For the proposal to take effect, it needs to be approved unanimously by each of the 28 ministers who sit on the Economic and Financial Affairs Council. A vote is expected to take place sometime this year.

We are rejoicing about this excellent move, as we have been lobbying for this for many years, said Fran Dubruill, director of the European and International Booksellers Federation. And we see no reason for the ministers to object, as even if the legislation is passed, it does not oblige countries to lower VAT rates on e-books. The move has already been supported by several European governments, including those of France, Germany, Italy, and Poland, among others.

Currently in the E.U., only Denmark and Bulgaria dont discount VAT on print books. Hungary has the highest e-books VAT rate at 27%, while most countries hover around 20%25%. Several countries, starting with France in 2010 and followed by Luxembourg, Italy, and Spain, have tried to lower VAT on e-books to put it on par with VAT on print; in all instances, the reductions were challenged by the European Court and the rates reverted back to the higher numbers.

The hope is that a lower VAT on e-books can boost the overall European book market, which has seen declines in print sales over the past several years. Unlike the situation in the U.S., in most E.U. countries the losses in print sales have not been offset by new revenue generated from e-books. Outside of the U.K. and Ireland, where the VAT rate on e-books is set at zero due to a preexisting exception, the market share of e-books relative to all books remains in the single digits in all E.U. nations.

The low rate of e-book adoption can be attributed to several factors, some of which are country specific. In Sweden, for example, where e-books account for less than 1% of the trade market and carry a 25% VAT, readers are gravitating toward alternatives to outright ownership, among them subscription services such as Storytel (which this year purchased Danish e-book subscription service Mofibo) and e-book borrowing from libraries.

This initiative has been long overdue, said Ronald Schild, CEO of MVB Marketing- und Verlagsservice des Buchhandels, which is the technical and digital subsidiary of the German Publishers and Booksellers Association. It is just incomprehensible why digital books should be taxed differently to physical books. E-books and their readers have been punished for almost 10 years by higher VAT rates. I am personally very happy that common sense has prevailed.

Jens Klingelhoefer, managing director of Bookwire, a leading European e-book aggregator and distributor, echoed Schild:The industry in Europe has been waiting for this decision for a long time now. The political will to align VAT for e-books to the reduced VAT for print books has been there all the time in the German government; only the E.U. VAT Directive was holding Germany, France, and some other countries back from reducing VAT for digital books.

Klingelhoefer added that he believes the move will indeed spark more interest in e-books overall, from consumers and publishers. Today digital sales and profitability are heavily impacted by lower prices and higher VATa double impact, he said. So an equal VAT will help to improve profit margins as well as allow more competitive pricing. Independent publishers especially will benefit from the reduced VAT, as their digital pricing is usually more customer and market driven compared to the pricing of traditional big publishing groups. Consequently, this will help publishers to cope better with the digital transformation and increase their efforts to shift from a print to a multichannel and multiformat economy.

That sentiment is echoed in Spain by Javier Celaya, director of Dosdoce, a Madrid-based consultancy that studies the digital publishing market. The European Commissions move to change VAT law to allow a lower rate for e-books is good news for everyone in the publishing worldreaders, authors, distributors, retailers, and publishersbecause it will foster digital sales across Europe, Celaya said. In Spain, the e-book VAT rate is currently 21%, while print books carry a 4% VAT rate, and a natural outcome of lowering VAT will make e-books more competitive. According to Celaya, the EC has gone so far as to predict that if member states lower their e-book VAT rates, e-books sales will grow to 20% of total sales by 2021.

Asked whether lower VAT would have the unintended consequence of profiting the largest and most dominant players in the market such as Amazon and Apple, the Dubruill demurred. Between 70% and 87% of booksellers in Europe have e-books for sale to their customers, so in this regard we believe the benefits will be quite democratic, she said.
For many travelers, the best view of a city is found at street level. Sidewalk culture takes visitors beyond the usual tourist experience and closer to that of a local.

The idea of the backpacker is more about a mindset than an age, says Georgina Dee at DK. Late last year, the publisher launched DK Eyewitness Audio Walks, an app that offers five curated tours for those who buy print versions of DKs London or New York guides. The tours aim for a true insiders view, leading visitors to less-explored sites amid the big attractions, and offering local lore and preferred stops for a beverage or meal.

Theres always the big question in travel about how traditional publishers get into the digital mindset, Dee says. I didnt want to invest in a facsimile of what you get in the book. Instead, we wanted to give the consumer something with a nice, conversational tone that they can take with them.

Another view of a famously walkable metropolis can be found in Magnetic City: An Amblers Companion to New York (Random/Spiegel & Grau, Apr.), written by New York magazine architecture critic Justin Davidson. The book includes a series of essays that capture the evolution of the city; it also details walking tours of several key neighborhoods across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx (including Sugar Hill and the South Bronx, which the New York Times named one of its 52 places to go in 2017).

In June, The Streets of Paris by Susan Cahill (St. Martins Griffin) invites readers to imagine themselves in the City of Light through the experiences and routines of well-known locals such as Marie Curie, Edith Piaf, the novelist Colette, and 19 others. Each chapter includes a For the Traveler section, which provides a detailed walk that is similar to one that the chapters subject might have taken.

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Some titles focus less on a specific destination than on the motivations and methods behind getting there. These books merge travel with self-help, offering strategies for upgrading ones downtime.

In March, Clarkson Potter will publish the slim, stowable How to Pack, by a former consultant and career traveler, Hitha Palepu, who writes that she has always packed for the person I wanted to be. Taking a page from Marie Kondos The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, the book tackles one of those things that everyone wishes they could do better, says senior editor Amanda Englander.

She calls out the books sample packing list section as one of its best features; it includes hypothetical travel scenarios such as a wedding weekend, a five-day business trip to Chicago, and a 10-day visit up and down the East Coast. Road-testing the tips, however, has not always brought the editor what Tidying author Marie Kondo might describe as joy: You are never supposed to bring more than three pairs of shoes, no matter what, Englander says. I am not adapting to this so well.

Taking joy as its central theme, The Happy Traveler: Unpacking the Secrets of Better Vacations (Oxford Univ., June) is written by Jaime Kurtz, an associate professor of psychology at James Madison University whose research on happiness has received mainstream media attention from outlets including NPR and the Today show.

Allowing that travel is an area that doesnt seem to need science, Oxford senior editor Abby Gross says that there is a danger of taking really miserable trips in which we invest a lot of money and time. To combat this, Kurtz offers strategies to help travelers make the most out of every hour away. For example, in a section on managing technology, Kurtz advocates experiencing new thingssuch as taking a moment to truly see a gorgeous vistain real time, rather than viewing it through a smartphone screen with a goal of seeing it again later.

In the past, youd take a couple rolls of film on a trip and come home and relive the experience, Gross says. So set limits: take one picture per experience.

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CHICAGO  "After school was the worst time," says Eric Robinson.

At 15, Eric was one of thousands of homeless young people living on their own in the Chicago area. He entered Niles Central High School in Skokie each morning with the other students. But at night?

"I would call a bunch of people and try to find a place to stay, or sometimes I didn't call anybody," he said. "I would sit up all night. I would just sit there and worry about myself and wait until the next day of school."

Joy Cheng, a social worker at Niles Central, said his story is not all that unusual.

"What makes this story unusual is Eric."

Now 18, Eric he recently became a graduate of the French Pastry School in Chicago. He accepted a diploma from a pair of grinning French chefs while relatives and friends wept discreet tears of joy in the background.

Eric and his siblings, Tevin and Helen, spent time in foster care before being raised by their mother, Denise, a nurse's aide who moved the family to Skokie for suburban schools.

While making ends meet was always a challenge, Eric remembers it as a happy time. His mom would come home from work around the time he got out of school and cook dinner. "Then stuff started to change," Eric said.

The older children struggled and his mom had an unhealthy relationship with a partner.

All three Robinson kids attended Niles Central, a therapeutic school for students who can't handle a standard high school environment.

"Every one of our students has an unstable home situation," says Elizabeth Dribin, who taught Eric math and English. "Truthfully, I think the biggest turnaround was when he went homeless."

In the summer between his sophomore and junior years, Eric's mother needed a hip replacement, his siblings were spinning out of control and, after losing their housing, the family was forced to double up with family on Chicago's South Side.

"Eric, he was determined not to come," said his mother. "He wanted to finish school in Skokie." She said Friends and relatives urged her to "just make him come," but she didn't want things to go that far.

Eric promised to go to school every day and a friend said he could stay at his house. Mother and son parted ways; his only remaining link was their daily phone contact.

But the promise of a bed at his friend's house soon fell through, leaving him searching for a safe place to sleep. The school he had been determined not to leave was, in the end, his saving grace. He attended Niles Central faithfully  which is why students and staff began to notice he was wearing the same clothes every day. And not showering regularly.

He kept quiet until confronted by a teacher.

"As soon as I opened up," he says, "people would be helping me because they wanted to. They seen what a good person I was, and how every day I came to school and showed that I wanted to better myself. That showed me I had to keep moving on, because they trusted me with their hearts."

He said that care gave him more determination to keep going. Teachers remember him trying to mentor other students who became homeless.

"We've seen kids in all kinds of situations" said Dribin. "But he's one of a kind. He can see the good in everybody, and he's put things into perspective for a lot of the staff here. He has changed my life in so many ways.

"They say it takes a village to raise a kid," she said. "This is really a case where you can see that village coming together for Eric."

Teachers started checking each day on whether Eric had a place to stay for the night. Each morning, they had the school van pick him up wherever he happened to be. They gave him sneakers, made sure he got haircuts, kept his cellphone service up.

"I didn't ask for it," Eric said. "Pretty much the whole school watched over me and took care of me."

When Eric mentioned he was looking for a summer dishwashing job, a social work intern had a better idea. She knew chefs Jacquy Pfeiffer and Sebastien Cannone, founders of the French Pastry School, and asked if they would help set Eric up with a dishwashing post at a good restaurant.

"When we heard what he was going through," said Pfeiffer, "we were like, 'We're taking this kid on board. We're creating an internship, so in the summer he doesn't get in trouble or whatever.'

"He was overwhelmed by all of this," said Pfeiffer. "He didn't know how to react, and I said, 'Just come, see if pastry is for you, then go back and finish high school, and maybe we'll meet again.'"

When Eric returned to Niles Central for his senior year, he again was staying with friends. But he had something new to think about.

"He had imagined something better for himself," says Cheng. "The internship really opened his eyes to really a whole other world that he had no experience with. It really expanded his world enormously."

When spring rolled around, Pfeiffer and Cannone enrolled Eric in the French Pastry School's Art of Pastry program. With their help, a student loan and Cheng's dogged scholarship application work, Eric met the $23,700 tuition for the six-month program. The father of a former student subsidized his living expenses, a fellow student took him on as a roommate and Pfeiffer, a partner at artisan bakery La Fournette, got him a part-time job.

"He had to learn everything," said Pfeiffer. "But I told everyone, 'Be patient with him  he's just a kid.'"

Week by week, he learned a chemistry lab's worth of ingredients and new techniques. He also discovered new favorites  like macaroons which he brought to his mother, so she could have a taste of his new life.

"They are so good," she said.

Eric now has a full-time job. In his free time, he practices tempering chocolate and making pastry, and is determined to one day master his pastry-school nemesis, cake decorating.

"My original goal was to own a bakery of my own one day," he said. "But for now I want to work at the bakery and just learn more for a few years."

Cheng, Dribin and the rest of the staff at Niles Central won't forget him any time soon.

"Eric is a big deal at our school," says Dribin, "the kid we talk about when we have high hopes for another kid: 'Maybe he could be like Eric ... '"
MOLINE  The Wilson Middle School 8th Grade Concert Choir has been working hard in preparation of a prestigious gig.

The 68 students directed by Ben Holmes will perform Jan. 27 at the annual Illinois Music Educators Association Conference, in the Waterhouse Ballroom in Peoria. They are the only choir from this region of the state performing.

"I think it's a huge deal -- it's huge for the district, huge for the program," Mr. Holmes said.

"It's an opportunity that very likely won't happen again for these students in their school career," he said of the students. "They are very dedicated and very outgoing and willing to put in the work.

"The goal of having these ensembles perform is, it's a professional development conference," Mr. Holmes said of IMEA, which he's attended for 10 years. "It allows teachers to see what's going on across the state and allows us to see what programs are doing, what music they're doing."

Mr. Holmes said he was inspired to have his students apply because of the choir he saw at last year's conference.

"After listening to them, I felt like this is an opportunity I thought these students could obtain," said Mr. Holmes, who previously was choir director four years at Orion Middle and High Schools. "And they had to work really hard for it. The application process and the extra rehearsals  to do that is a lot for 7th graders."

Last year's 7th grade choir had to record two selections for the IMEA's consideration. On Jan. 27, they will sing eight pieces from memory  including ones in Latin, Zambian and a language from Kenya. Wilson has nine music ensembles, including four choirs.

Wilson Principal Robert Beem told the IMEA the schools "extremely talented director" Holmes, works tirelessly with students, "bringing to you an ensemble that consistently performs beyond their years.

"This hard working and dedicated group of young vocalists will inspire you with their love of music and passion for performing," Mr. Beem said.

The students are excited to play in Peoria.

"I think it's a step up for our school and it just puts us on the map, and it's a first, so it's neat," said Madison Lodico. "I think we've made a lot of progress from starting in 6th grade.

"Mr. Holmes has only been with us two years," she said. He's really helped the choir take a step up. He puts in a lot of dedication and time. Our voices are still changing, and we just have more time to make progress."

Ms. Lodico said she enjoys the energy of the choir.

"Once we start singing, it just feels like we're together and it's empowering," she said. "I have choir first period, so it's nice. When I start the day, I'm kind of drowsy, but by the time I get out, I feel energized."

The 8th grade group has had extra rehearsals at 7:15 a.m. this month. The choir usually meets at 8 a.m.

"I like getting to sing with my friends, and performing's always fun," said Janey Locander. "I like the songs a lot we get to perform."

She said her favorite is "How Can I Keep From Singing?" "I like the lyrics; it's uplifting," she said.

"When I'm in a bad mood, I come to choir and it just makes me feel good," Jamari Young said. "I just love how we can all get together and sing."

The group will rehearse at 7 a.m. Jan 27 before taking a bus to Peoria. After they perform they'll get pizza, which the kids are looking forward to. They also appreciate the diversity of their repertoire.

"We don't just sing the music, we understand the context behind it," Ms. Locander said. "We make sure we can feel the song, as well as understand the words.

"We have to be precise and confident," she added, noting she's excited about joining choir next year at Moline High. "Having three years of choir helps."
Quad City Arts, a local arts agency, is offering two opportunities: the Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program and Arts Dollar$ grants.

The 2017 Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program for youth 15-21 will run June 12 to July 14. Opportunities include a graphic design installation in downtown Rock Island, improv comedy in downtown Rock Island, sculpture in Bettendorf and mural painting in Davenport.

Participants work on group projects under the supervision of a professional artist and receive a stipend for their work. Full attendance is mandatory for participation.

To complete an application, including an essay and a letter of recommendation, visit quadcityarts.com/programs/metro-arts/. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 15.

Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an audition or interview, which will be scheduled by each projects lead artist. Notification for interviews will begin in early March. For updates on applications and interviews, visit quadcityarts.com/programs/metro-arts/.

Since the summer of 2000, Metro Arts has provided area youth with paid summer apprenticeships in various arts disciplines. The five-week long program provides opportunities for youth and enhances the community through the arts.

For more details, email info@quadcityarts.com or call 309-793-1213.

Quad City Arts also is accepting applications for Arts Dollar$ grants for the 2017 cycle from artists, K-12 schools and non-profit organizations partnering with artists. All art forms are eligible.

Arts Dollar$ grants support artists and arts programming with an emphasis on community engagement. Non-profit organizations and K-12 schools may apply for up to $5,000; individual artists may apply for up to $1,500.

Applications from nonprofit organizations and K-12 schools must include payment to eligible artists for artistic work and matching support (may be in-kind). The deadline for applications is Jan. 31. Recipients will be notified by March 1.

To apply online, visit quadcityarts.com./programs/arts-dollars-grants/.

During the 2016 grant cycle, Quad City Arts awarded 25 grants totaling more than $88,000. Funding for Arts Dollar$ is provided by The Hubbell-Waterman Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, John Deere and the Doris and Victor Day Foundation.
From the first flurries of franchises in January through the last gasp at Oscar-qualifying runs in December, there will be, conservatively, around 300 films released in 2017. Here are some we are excited to see in the year to come.

"John Wick: Chapter Two" (Feb. 10)

Keanu Reeves plays the shadowy title figure, who kicks off a revenge spree after Russian thugs kill his dog. And, yes, that is pretty much what "John Wick" is.

"Get Out" (Feb. 24)

Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), an African American man, and his white girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) pay a weekend visit to her family in the suburbs, where he discovers insidious shenanigans targeting the black residents of her very idyllic, very Caucasian hometown.

"Beauty and the Beast" (March 14)

Lets be real  a live-action "Beauty and the Beast" with full-on musical soliloquies is a bold idea. The cast reads like it came straight out of the Internets dream journal.

"The Fate of the Furious" (April 14)

After emotionally eulogizing their beloved late co-star Paul Walker in 2015s seventh "Fast and Furious" installment, the high-octane saga of this multicultural new-millennium familia drifts into soapy high-action drama with a shocking twist.

"Alien: Covenant" (May 19)

It hasnt always been easy being a fan of the "Alien" franchise. Now, the crew of a colony ship, en route to a distant planet, finds what they at first think is an undiscovered paradise, only to realize that it is inhabited  surprise!  by the titular monstrous xenomorphs.

"Wonder Woman" (June 2)

In the oversaturated market of bros in capes, its high time a woman punched her mighty fist through the countless waves of male-centric superhero movies. The daughter of a god, Wonder Woman is a warrior who carries her sword in the back of a ballgown and deflects bullets with her bracelets.

"Spider-Man: Homecoming" (July 7)

"Homecoming" finds Peter Parker (Spiderman) in high school navigating the whims and whimsies of an adolescent life  bullies, homework, girls, supervillains  while dealing with the extracurricular responsibilities that come with being "Avengers"-adjacent.

"Dunkirk" (July 21)

The 1940 Dunkirk rescue turned what Winston Churchill called a "colossal military disaster" into a "miracle of deliverance." Shooting with both Imax and 65mm film cameras, expect this film to capture every inch of the rescues horror and triumph.

"The Dark Tower" (July 28)

Idris Elba is Roland Deschain, a lone gunslinger-knight on a quest to save his world by reaching the titular spire that stands at the nexus of time and space. Matthew McConaughey goes evil as the Man in Black, a power-hungry sorcerer with his own nefarious designs on harnessing the towers potential.

"Blade Runner 2049" (Oct. 6)

Set three decades after the events of the original film, "Blade Runner 2049" centers on a young LAPD blade runner (Ryan Gosling) who uncovers a secret that leads him on a quest to find Deckard, who has been missing for 30 years.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.  Morgan Wilson marched into her first meeting with advisers at Tidewater Community College toting a resume and a list of well-thought-out questions.

Michele Barnes, coordinator of support services for TCC-Virginia Beach, could see Wilson was prepared to make the leap from high school.

One other thing jumped out at Barnes -- Wilson was years younger than typical college students.

"From the first day walking in the door you could tell this was not the ordinary 13-year-old girl," Barnes said.

Wilson, now 15, graduated in December 2016 with a 4.0 grade-point average. She has earned 64 credits and been accepted to Old Dominion University, which has a leadership program she likes.

She doesn't think of herself as out of the ordinary, though. Just ambitious.

"I've always wanted to go ahead and do things very quickly," said Wilson, who lives with her family in Virginia Beach. Erin Wilson, her mother, said Morgan has always been in a hurry. At 6 months old, she let go of a coffee table one day and started walking, her mother said.

Wilson also began reading young. She started home-schooling in fifth grade, and needed only about three years to whip through middle and high school requirements.

"She is just somebody who has an amazing work ethic," Erin Wilson said.

Wilson's parents, Erin and David, liked how the school staff reacted to her.

"They treated her like any other student coming in," Erin Wilson said. "They never judged her on her age."

Still, mom and dad weren't sure exactly what to expect when their daughter began. They wanted to ease her in, and insisted she take only four courses her first semester. They also helped her map out due dates and assignments.

When Wilson looked around in her first classes, she said she felt like a spy, because her age difference stood out. She quickly got comfortable, though. Hardly anyone asked about her age. And she liked the diversity at TCC.

While it has plenty of 18- and 19-year-olds right out of traditional high schools, it also has older adults seeking their first degree, people looking to switch careers -- and youngsters like Wilson.

With an outgoing, affable personality and a tendency to befriend other people who might be "outliers," she found a spot in the college community. That outreach is what her parents are most proud of.

"You're not trying to raise a report card," Erin Wilson said. "You're trying to raise a person."

After a straight-A first semester, her parents realized they could let her handle things more on her own.

Wilson came in ready, Barnes said. But she has become more independent.

In many ways, Wilson is an ordinary college student. She likes to travel and read Harry Potter. When her favorite television shows are on  she's a big "Doctor Who" fan  she sometimes has to force herself away from the screen.

"I am still young," she said.

Morgan doesn't plan to begin at a four-year college until fall 2017. That will give her a few months to pick a school; she wants to earn scholarship money and is looking at ODU and other public in-state colleges.

The time off also will help her as she seeks another important goal  earning her driver's license. She will turn 16 in January.

Life beyond college is still up in the air. Wilson knows she wants to travel, and her dream right now is to work in publishing in Europe. Barnes could see Wilson becoming a professor, though. Or doing some form of public speaking, possibly in a government leadership role.

"I see her doing whatever her heart desires," Barnes said.
CHICAGO (AP)  An expanded background-checks policy has led the University of Illinois to withdraw 11 job offers across its three campuses over the past year.

The university board approved the expanded policy November 2015, The News-Gazette (http://bit.ly/2jfldo8 ) reported. From then until October 2016, the university has conducted nearly 12,000 background checks.

The university had about 80,000 job applicants in that period. Background checks aren't conducted for every applicant, only after a job offer has been made and accepted.

Trustee Patrick Fitzgerald said among the cases of applicants turned down were candidates who would have had contact with children in their jobs and had been convicted on child endangerment or weapons charges.

"We're talking about nontrivial issues," Fitzgerald said.

Nine of the applicants turned down were in Chicago, while the other two were at the Urbana campus. University officials said only one of those was for a potential faculty member, and the rest were civil service or other positions.

The total cost of the background checks is about $456,500, with the average ranging from $25 for employees at the university system level to $41 at Urbana.

Some positions require a more extensive check, said Jami Painter, assistant vice president for human relations. The university's vendor, The General Information Services, based in South Carolina, goes back seven years. But checking out a candidate who has moved in that period, or resides outside Illinois, will cost more, Painter said.

Trustee Jill Smart said taxpayers might see the price tag as too high for a system that caught only a few cases, but she said that missing just one would be even more costly.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Some Rock Island County Republicans enjoyed inauguration festivities Friday and applauded new President Donald Trump, county chairman Bill Bloom said.

"We're having a great time out here," Mr. Bloom said. He and his wife, Ruth, are staying on the same hotel floor as Sheri Diekman, of East Moline, and Laura Evans, of Taylor Ridge, both party activists and Trump supporters. Among other local Republicans attending the inauguration was John Adkins, of Silvis.

Festivities have included a reception for Illinois Democrats, the Heartland Ball for Midwesterners on Thursday night and Friday night's Freedom Ball.

Mr. Bloom praised President Trump's inaugural address and said the crowd was "very excited, very pumped up.

"He's pretty direct, pretty blunt," Mr. Bloom said. "I have a feeling the federal government is going to find itself with a different kind of president than the previous administration."

Told that many Democrats blasted the speech for being dark and negative, Mr. Bloom said it's a matter of perspective.

"What they saw as negative was an implied rebuke of the previous administration," Mr. Bloom said.

Mr. Trump, he said, "graciously greeted the ex-presidents in attendance. Then he launched into how things are going to change.

"If you were fine with the past administration's policies, then I can see where you think it was negative," Mr. Bloom said.

He praised President Trump for using the term "radical Islamic terrorism" in his speech, with a pledge to eradicate it.

"The U.S. government isn't going to nibble around the edges of that anymore," Mr. Bloom said.

"He (President Barack Obama) would never even use the term, probably fearful of offending all Muslims," Mr. Bloom said. "I don't think Donald Trump sees it that way. He doesn't mean all Muslims are terrorists."

In September, former President Barack Obama said he refused to use the term because "there's no religious rationale that would justify in any way any of the things that they do."

Mr. Bloom also praised President Trump for citing "the need for better jobs, more manufacturing in the U.S. again, and that's what people are looking for." Mr. Bloom said he believes changes will occur promptly.

"The federal government may go into shock with the speed at which things will change," he said.

"The federal government normally moves at the speed of a super tanker and takes miles and miles to turn itself around," Mr. Bloom said "He's (President Trump's) going to move at the speed of a speed boat."
WASHINGTON, D.C.  President Donald Trump's inaugural address Friday contained negativity and divisiveness, according to U.S. Reps. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, and Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa City.

Both, however, said they will seek to work with the new administration to strengthen the middle class in Illinois and Iowa.

Rep. Bustos said she was on the platform with the new president and "had a pretty good view of how different people saw" the inauguration and speech.

"I felt like his view of America and my view of America are very, very different," she said. "He just has this very negative outlook: crime and gangs and drugs.

"He views our country as a third world country," Rep. Bustos said. "And he has an isolationist view, which is very alarming."

In November, President Trump carried her 17th Congressional District while she won re-election by 20 percentage points.

"Donald Trump spoke to a lot of people who feel left behind," she said. "That's a call to action for all of us in public service."

She said she'll be addressing that call in her new party leadership role as co-chair of Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, helping to shape the party's outreach and messaging.

Rep. Loebsack sounded similar tones in a statement released after President Trump's address.

"While one speech ideally does not make a presidency, I had hoped Mr. Trump would have spoken less from a place of darkness and would have done more to reach out to those concerned about the tone he has used throughout the past year," he said.

"Nonetheless, I remain committed to standing up for Iowans, no matter who the president is," Rep. Loebsack said. "We must continue to listen to those who struggle on many levels, particularly the middle class and those struggling to get into the middle class.

"Now is the time to leave the campaign behind and work to move our nation forward, said. Rep. Loebsack, who plans to participate today with his daughter in the Women's March on Washington.

Rep. Bustos said she was "enthusiastic" at President Trump's comments about bringing back manufacturing jobs and building roads, bridges and infrastructure. But she also said she is a bit skeptical and will be working to hold him accountable.

"He's been talking about those things, but he outsources his own products to 12 different countries," Rep. Bustos said.

She said she looked inside a "Make America Great Again" hat and saw that it was made in China. That's a metaphor for the difficulties the new president presents, she said.

"Today, he's the president of the United States," Rep. Bustos said. "The promises he's made -- today, it's all real."

She said she would be all ears if President Trump wants to help with "shoring up manufacturing." But if he "wants to vilify entire groups of people and divide us, that's when he'll have a fight on his hands."

That fight also applies, she said, to the day President Trump "tries to take away health insurance from 20 million Americans" benefiting from the Affordable Care Act.

She said she favors a much more open approach to President Trump than former President Barack Obama received from Republican leaders.

"I think we have to figure out where we can now work together," Rep. Bustos said. "I'm hoping for better days ahead.

"I don't think the American public is going to put up with government shutdown and fighting and no action," she said, adding similar political stalemates in Springfield were "reprehensible."
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The suspect in the slayings of a police officer and a woman shot himself Friday after an hours-long standoff on a New Orleans bridge but is alive, a Louisiana state police spokesman said.

Trooper Dustin Dwight said the man identified as Sylvester Holt shot himself once in the chest Friday evening. Dwight said negotiators had been talking with Holt but he does not know what was said.

Holt was on a girder below and to the side of the bridge roadway when the shooting happened. Dwight said rescue workers were going down to get Holt. News outlets have reported that Holt has been brought back up.

The self-inflicted gunshot wound brought an end to a chaotic day that began with the early morning shooting death of Westwego Officer Michael Louviere, 26, and Simone Veal, 32, of Marrero.

According to witnesses, the shooter fired at Veal, then chased her car in his vehicle to an intersection where she hit a truck waiting at a light, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's spokesman John Fortunato said. Louviere, whose shift ended at 6 a.m. Friday, was on his way home after work when he spied the crash and stopped to help.

The man shot Louviere in the head, then ran around the car and shot Veal as she lay on the ground, Fortunato said. Fortunato didn't know whether she'd been hit in the earlier shooting.

Fortunato identified Holt as a person of interest and suspect in the double shooting.

As authorities searched for Holt, police shut the Mississippi River bridge from New Orleans' east bank to its west bank, causing traffic to back up for miles, because a man later identified as Holt was threatening to jump from it.

Helicopters circled the area as news crews and photographers watched intently.

Louviere was described as a dedicated family man with a strong work ethic; he was married and had a 1-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter, Fortunato said.

According to Westwego Police Chief Dwayne Munch, he was a rising star likely bound for a job at a larger agency.

"We knew we wouldn't have him for long. We just didn't know he would be gone this soon," Munch said.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, Louviere was a U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan, Munch said. He joined the department in July 2015 and "finished first in everything" in his police academy class of roughly 20 recruits, Munch said.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said earlier Friday that dozens of officers from multiple agencies were searching for Holt. Several women had taken out protective orders against him between 2012 and November 2016, the sheriff said.

He had also been arrested in September after being accused of rape. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her. Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7.

Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual.

Munch said he and a doctor broke the news to Louviere's wife at a hospital that her husband had died.

"That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do," the chief said.

The shooting happened outside Visitation of Our Lady School, Archdiocese of New Orleans spokeswoman Sarah Comiskey McDonald said. Veal did not work there, she said in an email. The school teaches pre-kindergarten through seventh grade.

Friday's shooting comes after a sharp increase last year in the number of police officers killed in the line of duty  including a pair of deadly ambushes in Louisiana and Texas.

On July 7, a sniper in Dallas killed five law enforcement officers and wounded nine others at the end of what had been a peaceful rally against police brutality. Less than two weeks later, a lone gunman shot and killed three law enforcement officers and wounded three others in an attack outside a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, convenience store.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested a man accused of fatally shooting an Orlando, Florida, police officer outside a Wal-Mart on Jan. 9.

Munch, Westwego's police chief, said Louviere helped patrol Baton Rouge after the deadly shootings in that city and helped patrol neighboring Denham Springs after August's historic flooding.

"Typical Michael," the chief said.
MOLINE  Haitian resiliency amazes the island residents' Quad-Cities' friends.

"How do they rebuild time after time, and stay so upbeat?" asked Friends of the People of Haiti president Luann Polissaint. "They are the most resilient and hopeful people I've ever known."

From Feb. 7-13, her organization is returning to a church and school in Trouin, Haiti, a mountain village about 36 miles outside the capital city of Port-au-Prince, in another mission trip. Members will gather from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at Culeman's Hall at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1307 17th Ave., Moline, for a packing party to prepare for the trip.

"At this time, the greatest need is for construction materials," Ms. Polissaint said. Hurricane Matthew washed away many fields and animals, while blowing away most of the tin roofs used on structures.

"We will focus our efforts on repairing houses  replacing the corrugated tin roofing, as well as pouring concrete floors and shoring up foundations," she said.

Haiti also suffered major earthquake damage in 2010.

Ms. Polissaint and her colleague, Marlene Shattuck, recently returned from Haiti, where they assessed conditions. While the damage was less than expected, repairs remain needed, Ms. Polissaint said.

Cash donations are preferred to cover corrugated tin-roof sheets, bags of cement, truck loads of sand, 2-by-4s and two pounds of nails. Donations may be sent to Hannah Reschke, 1530 33rd St., Rock Island, IL 61201.

Donations will help buy construction supplies in Haiti to save transportation costs, she said. It also will boost the Haitian economy.

People also may sign up for the "Sponsor-A-Child" program for $140 per year and buy $20 "Lumin-Aids" portable lighting devices.

"And we ask for prayers for our team and all those who make it work," Ms. Polissaint said. "We need and appreciate the help of the community."
The Middle East is filled with physical evidence that prove the stories of the Bible are true. The more science learns, the more physical evidence sides with Christianity, while atheists rely on blind faith to support their beliefs.

Science has determined that for our universe to exist by chance, there must be 10 to the 120th power other universes, called the multiverse. This requires there to be more universes than there are atoms in our known universe. In a million generations from now, the universe we live in will be the only universe mankind will ever know. It will only be by blind faith that atheists will believe there are any others.

Students should ask educators to provide physical evidence to support the theory of the multiverse. They will not because there is no evidence.

At the other end of the spectrum is abiogenesis, life being created from non-life.

The more science learns about the complexity of life, it becomes clear life could never come into existence by chance. When atheistic scientist Richard Dawkins was asked where life came from, understanding the mathematical implications of abiogenesis, he said, life came from outside our solar system. This was actually an excellent answer since he knows that it did not occur by chance on earth.

Students have been taught that Christianity is for ignorant people when the truth is the opposite, atheism requires blind faith that has no answers and is responsible for our decline in moral values that has devastated our culture.

Paul David Swinford,

Geneseo
Telefonica has launched Movistar Play in Ecuador, finalising expansion plans that have brought the over-the-top (OTT) service to eight Latin American countries in the past year.

The move has been brought forward, as it was initially scheduled for December, and Ecuador follows Uruguay, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Nicaragua, Argentina, Chile and Brazil in getting access to the streaming platform Targeting a mobile and multi-screen audience, Movistar Play will work on computers, iOS, Android and Windows tablets and smartphones and, initially, also for some Samsung and LG smart TV models. It also supports Google Chromecast and Apple TV.Each account, which will be bundled with a Movistar phone subscription, will allow up to five registered devices and two simultaneous streams.The regular video-on-demand (VOD) catalogue will be available for a monthly subscription of $6.50 in Ecuador, and premium pay-per-view titles will cost $1.99 or $3.99 each, depending on their original premiere date.At this stage, the telco has not unveiled any further plans to take the platform to more territories.
The drama arm of the UKs leading pay-TV channel, Sky Atlantic, has announced the commission of two Sky original productions.

The first on the slate is Gone from World Productions, the company behind the Line of Duty series. Directed by BAFTA winner Nick Murphy, it was created and written by Lennie James who also starred in the first series of the award-winning drama. James, who wrote award-winning drama Storm Damage, also stars in the series with BAFTA winner Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster, Scott & Bailey) and Stephen Graham (This is England, Boardwalk Empire). Set in a South East London housing estate, Gone is the story of a man facing the stark and painful reality that the very worst thing happening to someone he loves could be the best thing that has ever happened to him.Gone is produced by World Productions , the maker of RTS award-winning and BAFTA-nominated Line of Duty. Executive producers for the series are Simon Heath and Jessica Sykes for World Productions. International distribution is to be handled by Sky Vision.The Tunnel: Vengeance marks the third and final instalment of the crime thriller with Clemence Poesy and the International Emmy award-winning Stephen Dillane. The six-part final instalment has been penned by lead writer Emilia Di Girolamo finale and brings together Poesy with her British counterpart (Dillane) and is set in a Europe amid hysteria around a refugee crisis, the increasing threat and horror of terrorism and with far-right groups growing in power.Commenting on the commissions, Sky head of drama Anne Mensah said: Im really excited about these two brilliant dramas coming exclusively to Sky Atlantic. The multi-talented Lennie James has mixed a gripping mystery with utterly unique characters. Gone exemplifies the originality we aim for on Sky Atlantic. In The Tunnel: Vengeance we return to our incomparable English and French detective duo, Karl and Elise, examining questions which politically couldnt be more pertinent.The Tunnel: Vengeance is produced by Kudos , the maker of BAFTA award-winning Broadchurch, and is executive produced by Manda Levin and Karen Wilson for Kudos. The producer is Toby Welch, and the series will be directed by Anders Engstrom and Giles Bannier. International distribution is to be handled by Endemol Shine International.
During the early morning hours of 22 January 1944, troops of the Fifth Army swarmed ashore on a fifteen-mile stretch of Italian beach near the prewar resort towns of Anzio and Nettuno. The landings were carried out so flawlessly and German resistance was so light that British and American units gained their first day's objectives by noon, moving three to four miles inland by nightfall. The ease of the landing and the swift advance were noted by one paratrooper of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, who recalled that D-day at Anzio was sunny and warm, making it very hard to believe that a war was going on and that he was in the middle of it.

The location of the Allied landings, thirty miles south of Rome and fifty-five miles northwest of the main line of resistance running from Minturno on the Tyrrhenian Sea to Ortona on the Adriatic, surprised local German commanders, who had been assured by their superiors that an amphibious assault would not take place during January or February. Thus when the landing occurred the Germans were unprepared to react offensively. Within a week, however, as Allied troops consolidated their positions and prepared to break out of the beachhead, the Germans gathered troops to eliminate what Adolf Hitler called the "Anzio abscess." The next four months would see some of the most savage fighting of World War II.
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In its first session of the year the Student Government Association at the University of Georgia met with two directors of Auxiliary Services to hear about the changes in store for the university in the coming semester.
Upon request, the press office for U.S. Rep. Jody Hice (R-Georgia) has released a statement on Hice's proposed House Resolution 586.

The resolution, nicknamed the Sanctity of Human Life Act, defines human life as beginning at fertilization, "defending the inalienable right to life protected by the Constitution," according to the statement.
Imagine a world where you can travel anywhere with a blink of an eye or stand on the edge of
On Jan. 20, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.

Trump will assume what many refer to as the highest office in the land, joining the likes of presidents who have come before him. The inauguration will be another important step in the nations history.
Unhappy PAC asks Urjit Patel to give written answers on note ban.

Amit Agnihotri reports.

Unsatisfied with Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel's responses to specific queries on demonetisation, Parliament's Public Accounts Committee asked him to furnish written replies to the concerns expressed by members within two weeks and appear before the panel again.

Dr Patel, along with RBI Deputy Governor R Gandhi and other senior functionaries, appeared before the PAC for oral evidence on 'Review of Monetary Policy.'

The governor did not give specific answers on who initiated the note ban, how much cash had come back into the banks and when the cash supply situation would normalise, sources said.

During the four hour-long meeting, Opposition members asked Dr Patel questions on the dent in the economy, job losses and the loss of over 100 lives allegedly caused by demonetisation.

"He (Dr Patel) said there may be problems, but we will overcome them," said a member on the panel.

The RBI governor said the central bank was in touch with the service providers of some online payment platforms to reduce transaction cost.

When a member pointed out that the deposits in cooperative banks shot up around six times within days of the note ban, Dr Patel said the RBI was looking into the matter.

To have further clarity on the impact of the note ban, the PAC has also asked Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and Financial Services Secretary Anjuly Chib Duggal to appear before it on February 20.

Also, more than 72 days after demonetisation, the RBI, in a written answer to queries raised earlier, said it still did not know the exact number of junked currency notes that were in circulation and it is still reconciling the number of notes that were deposited back.

'The exact number of specified bank notes withdrawn from circulation is being worked out,' the central bank said.

Earlier this week, Dr Patel had told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance that new currency notes to the tune of Rs 9.2 lakh crore had been introduced into the system after the removal of the old notes.

When a member wanted facilities for NRIs to deposit their old notes at embassies, citing a pact with Nepal, Dr Patel said he would look into it.

The PAC was informed by the RBI that the matter related to demonetisation was under discussion between the government and the RBI for 'some months', following which the proposal was placed before the RBI's central board on November 8 for consideration.

The board recommended the proposal to the government.

The board meeting was attended by Governor Patel, Deputy Governors Gandhi and S S Mundra, and five directors -- Nachiket Mor, Bharat N Doshi, Sudhir Mankad, Shaktikanta Das and Anjuly Chib Duggal.

Sources said Director N S Vishwanathan did not attend the meeting as he stayed back in Mumbai for "strategic reasons" to brief the bankers first hand immediately after the decision on demonetisation was taken.

Another director, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, was abroad at the time of the meeting.

Defending the cash withdrawal limits imposed after the note ban on November 8, the RBI governor said, "The ceiling on withdrawal was determined on the basis of availability, past utilisation pattern and considering the needs of the common people so that hardships are minimum."

The government has increased the cash withdrawal limit from ATMs to Rs 10,000 per day but has not changed the cap of Rs 24,000 from banks per week.

In between, it has changed the limits a number of times, as well as relaxations given on payments through scrapped currency notes.

In his written reply, Dr Patel pointed out that, in the past, people were withdrawing Rs 12,000 or Rs 13,000 per week, and Rs 50,000 per month, on an average.

"He (Dr Patel) said the benefits of the note ban will come in the medium and long terms," said another PAC member.

As Opposition members lobbed queries at Dr Patel, Bharatiya Janata Party members praised him for demonetisation and maintaining secrecy in the matter.

This provoked an Opposition member to jokingly remark that the House should pass a vote of thanks to the RBI chief.

As soon as the meeting began, PAC Chairman K V Thomas, a Congress MP, made a statement on demonetisation, prompting protests from BJP members, including Bhupender Yadav, Kirit Somaiya and Nishikant Dubey.

Citing the amendment in the RBI Act in 2016, they said any question put to Dr Patel must be in context of the central bank's monetary policy and not outside it.

After a long debate, the panel agreed that questions on demonetisation could be asked, but only in the context of monetary policy.

It is learnt that Dr Patel said the cash flow position had largely improved in the country.

To questions on the impact of demonetisation on growth, Dr Patel said there might be impact in the short run, but in the mid and long terms the move was beneficial for the economy.
Other countries need not be worried by Trump putting America first, says B S Raghavan.

'That is what the imperative duty is of everyone heading his country's government: To put his own country first, and make it great.'

'That is what Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Theresa May, Angela Merkel, Shinzo Abe and all the democratically elected heads of governments, with the interest of their people at heart, are doing.'

If US President Donald John Trump's inaugural address, delivered from the steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC, to fellow Americans while reaching out, for the first time perhaps in such an address, to 'the people of the world', had come from anyone else, say, from Franklin Delano Roosevelt or Theodore Roosevelt, John F Kennedy or Ronald Reagan, it would have earned hallelujahs as a remarkably rousing speech.

His ringing words to 'make America strong again... wealthy again... proud again... safe again...' capped by his signature slogan, 'And, yes, together, we will make America great again' would have put Americans on top of the world.

His guarantee of action on a wide front to 'bring back our jobs... our borders... our wealth... our dreams' and 'build new roads and highways and bridges and airports and tunnels and railways' and get people off welfare and back to work rebuilding the country 'with American hands and American labour' would have resonated with every single American, coast to coast.

His hailing the day as one invested with 'special meaning,' that marked the transfer of power 'not merely... from one administration to another or from one party to another, but from Washington, DC and giving it back to you, the people,' making them 'the rulers of this nation again,' would have sent the spirits of the entire lot of Americans soaring sky high.

They would have lapped up every word of his denunciation of 'a small group in (the) nation's capital (reaping) the rewards of government while the people have born the cost' and his knock out punch: 'Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.'

'Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs and, while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.'

Unfortunately, though, in view of the baggage of odium that Donald Trump carries, all his lofty pronouncements might well be harshly judged as hollow bombast.

The start of his presidency is mired in a miasma of malodorous forebodings, some even doubting his mental stability.

Many take him to be dubious and untrustworthy, with a lot of explaining to do in regard to conflicts of interest, business deals, tax returns and allegations touching upon his personal character and the company he keeps.

He, on his part, has certainly revelled in driving up the wall normally sedate, politically correct elitist establishmentarian liberals with his provocative, and occasionally crude and unthinking, statements.

They are further upset to see him bent on inducting into the higher echelons of the government persons who, they feel, are trouble makers and ignoramuses, unsuited to the positions assigned to them.

The least that can be said of him is that he comes through as quirky and quixotic and that will undoubtedly make for an interesting, if not exciting, first term, unlike any in living memory.

Inevitably, given the open society that the US is, his assumption of office has sparked off protests.

In fact, the number of protesters converging on Washington on Inauguration Day is said to be almost the same as those attending the oath taking ceremony.

With all this, I was struck by a few things when I watched the inauguration. The first was Trump's forceful and fluent delivery with pregnant pauses in between significant passages to let the effect sink in.

To a life-long student of the art and science of effective communication like me, it all looked impressively extemporaneous, for there was no tell-tale evidence of any teleprompter.

I was also deeply impressed by the presence with their spouses of all the living former Presidents, except the senior George Bush and Barbara Bush, both of whom were ill and in no position to travel.

The camera panned onto their faces when he was making a direct and blunt attack on what had gone before him and showed them to be keeping their cool, while pleasantly listening to him.

Trump too did not omit to acknowledge at the very beginning of his speech his gratitude to President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout the transition. He said they had been 'magnificent.'

Indian politicians of opposing parties would have boycotted the function in the first place, or, if they had deigned to attend, would have staged a noisy walkout at those kinds of critical statements.

It would come as an unbelievable surprise to them to be told that Barack Obama's immediate predecessor, the junior George Bush, who belonged to the Republican Party, had publicly undertaken not to come up with any comments on any of the policies and decisions of Obama's Democratic party administration throughout the eight years he was in office, and Obama too has pledged to do the same.

There is a message that I wish to send the Americans hoping that they would heed. It is when everyone is losing his head, that one should keep one's own.

Trump is now their President and is the living symbol of the US.

As Barack Obama said soon after Trump was declared elected, the American people would need to 'root for' Trump's success, for 'if he succeeds, America as a whole succeeds.'

They must keep an open mind and give Trump the time and the chance to prove himself.

They should judge him by the goals and objectives that he has set for the US, and not by his sometimes boisterous braggadocio during the campaign and thereafter.

After all, disruption of the status quo in order to strike out on a new path is quite a laudable goal, provided it contributes to the larger good of the nation.

Nor need other countries be worried by Trump putting America first.

That is what the imperative duty is of everyone heading his country's government: To put his own country first, and make it great.

That is what Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Theresa May, Angela Merkel, Shinzo Abe and all the rest of the democratically elected heads of governments, with the interest of their people at heart, are doing.

One can be sure that once in office, Trump will take a balanced, holistic view of any issue or course of action he would be dealing with.

Each President has his own style, and there is no need to be frightened in advance at the mere prospect of his style being different.

B S Raghavan, besides being a retired Indian Administrative Service Officer, was a US Congressional Fellow during Lyndon B Johnson's presidency, when Bill Clinton also was an aide on Capitol Hill, Washington DC.

He has had extensive diplomatic dealings having been the chairman of three UN committees, policy adviser to the UN (FAO) and leader of India's delegation to meetings of most international organisations.

IMAGE: President Donald J Trump delivers his inaugural address. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
'The disquiet in the Sangh is, of course, over demonetisation.'

'But more than that, it is about the growing centralisation in the running of the government and party,' says Aditi Phadnis.

There's no two ways about it. Narendra Modi has to win Uttar Pradesh.

If the Bharatiya Janata Party cannot form a government, it must at least emerge as the single-largest party.

It has to. It must.

Because if it doesn't, the knives will be out in the Sangh Parivar for two people: The party president and the prime minister. And the preparations have already begun.

But first, the best case scenario. The thinking in the BJP is: For the first time, the party has managed to transcend caste and religion in UP by the demonetisation move.

It is now just class. That the poor have been inconvenienced is undeniable. But they are completely under Narendra Modi's spell and believe that he is going after the wealthy and the entitled with a vigour never seen before.

A BJP leader said with enthusiasm and considerable delight: "Gareeb ko lagta hai, hamari ek aankh phooti lekin Modi ney amir ki dono phod dee (the poor are telling us, we've lost only one eye. But by demonetisation Modi has blinded the rich in both eyes)."

True, Mayawati has the support of the Dalits (which the BJP doesn't) and there is sympathy for Akhilesh Yadav because of family travails (which the BJP doesn't). But it is the BJP which has the advantage because the Muslim vote is split between the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Modi's persona is larger than life and represents the suraksha kavach (safety armour) that is preventing BJP leaders from being blamed for demonetisation.

"People were frustrated because they did not have access to cash. But have you heard of a single BJP MLA or leader, who was beaten up? People are excusing Modi and by extension, those who represent the kamal ka phool (lotus)," BJP leaders offer by way of evidence.

They say that the 2017-2018 Union Budget will see some income tax sops, which will square the circle of the class war Modi has launched.

But what if the party is wrong?

What if it is just a mute spectator as someone else is called by the governor to take oath after March 11?

What happens then?

All indications are that not only does the Sangh Parivar expect that, but it is also waiting for it to happen and is preparing to say, 'I told you so.'

First, consider the attacks on the government and the quarters they are coming from.

Rahul Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and P Chidambaram? Well, that's to be expected. But the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, which bitterly criticised the NITI Aayog last week? (Why the NITI Aayog, which is, relatively speaking, blameless in the current circumstances?)

And what about the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, which has warned that if the government tries to disinvest the Janpath Hotel, it will launch a dharna outside the residence of the minister of state for finance, Arjun Ram Meghwal, every day -- because he lives right next to Janpath Hotel?

The Bharatiya Krishak Samaj (BKS, the national-level apex body of farmers) and the BJP Kisan Morcha continue to vigorously oppose genetically modified (transgenic) crops and are lobbying state governments to back its stand.

Madhya Pradesh has already taken steps in this direction. Environment Minister Anil Dave has said he is technology agnostic when it comes to the origin of seeds and has promised the government will protect farmers.

He is only echoing Prakash Javadekar before him. That is not what the BKS and Kisan Morcha expect from a government they feel they helped put in power.

If the BJP manages to form the government in UP or emerges as the single largest party, then all these organisations will have to slink back into the shadows.

But if the BJP is not number one, then the Sangh will be within its rights to say this cannot continue.

This will have ramifications not just for those who are leading the party, but also in the choice of the next President of India.

A discussion about where rebellion should/could be prompted (from within the council of ministers) is already on.

The last meeting between the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Modi took place in October. Most expected a chief minister for UP to be named after Vijayadashami. That didn't happen.

Now the most important leaders in the Sangh -- Bhaiyyaji Joshi, Krishna Gopal and Dattatreya Hosabale -- are expecting a meeting with Modi.

The disquiet in the Sangh is, of course, over demonetisation. But more than that, it is about the growing and inexorable centralisation in the running of the government and party.

The repeated refrain is no consultation, no respect for the organisation.

As a second-term party president, Amit Shah, is bound by the BJP constitution to ensure that at least 25 per cent of the party's critical core -- office-bearers and the executive -- is new.

That hasn't happened. There is no new team. There is no new executive.

Worse, there appears to be no communication with the Sangh.

That's how it stands. A soothsayer told Julius Caesar: 'Beware the Ides of March.' Caesar was dismissive: 'He is a dreamer. Let us leave him.'

Shakespeare is worth revisiting.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah on the campaign trail.
Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao has approved the Jallikattu ordinance and the bull taming sport will be held at Alaganallur in Madurai and other parts of the state on Sunday, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam announced on Saturday.

The CM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support to Jallikattu, an emotive issue which triggered mass protests across the state.

On behalf of the government and people of Tamil Nadu, I thank you for all your support and assistance in enabling Jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu once again during the Pongal season, upholding the culture and tradition of the people of Tamil Nadu, he wrote to Modi in a letter.

The chief minister will inaugurate Jallikattu at Alanganallur, famous for conducting the rural sport, at 10 am.

In other areas, ministers from the respective regions will inaugurate the sport at 11 am, Panneerselvam said.

I urge the youths, students and the general public to make the Jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers, he said.

As the state-wide protests including at the Marina beach here by tens of thousands of protesters entered the fifth day, Panneerselvam said the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 by Tamil Nadu was received on Friday night.

The assent for the ordinance (amending the PCA Act) has been obtained from Governor also, he said, adding, Our dream to conduct Jallikattu this year has come true.

He said a draft Bill to replace the ordinance and amend the PCA Act paving the way for holding Jallikattu without any hindrance will be introduced and adopted in the Tamil Nadu assemblys session which begins on January 23.

Jallikattu is to be conducted with customary fervour all over the state with all the necessary safeguards, the CM said.

Earlier in the day, Modi said all efforts were being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu.

We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people, he tweeted.

Many students who gathered at the Marina Beach here said they would wait for Jallikattu to officially commence before they start dispersing.

Several people across the state welcomed the decision, saying Jallikattu was part of Tamil culture and steps should be taken immediately to make it a permanent feature.

We want an assurance from the Central government that it would amend the PCA Act in the upcoming session of Parliament if the Supreme Court quashes the ordinance sometime later, said Anbumani Ramadoss, who is Pattali Makkal Katchi youth wing president and son of party president S Ramadoss.

I requested the President to look into the issue and provide a solution in favour of the interests of Tamil Nadu, its people and culture, he told reporters in New Delhi.

Panneerselvam said the PM was responsible for the approval of several central government departments and President Pranab Mukherjee in a single day.

He also lauded the students, youths and the general public for their absolutely peaceful protests in the matter without causing any law and order issues.

Answering a question on the criticism against the state government on the Jallikattu issue, the chief minister later told reporters that such criticisms are common in public life.

Recalling the long battle in courts on the Jallikattu issue, Panneerselvam in a statement said ever since 2006, the sport had come across several barriers.

Against the backdrop of the sport being held based on directions of the Supreme Court, the central government had notified bulls under section 22 of the PCA Act, 1960.

It prohibited training and exhibiting bulls as performing animals and following that in 2014 Supreme Court altogether banned the sport.

The apex court had also struck down the 2009 Act of Tamil Nadu government regulating Jallikattu holding it repugnant to the PCA Act 1960.

Panneerselvam said late Jayalalithaa had made continuous efforts to hold Jallikattu and cited her giving a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 demanding legal measures to conduct the sport.

Tamil Nadu had been knocking on the doors of the apex court and filed a review petition against the ban which was also dismissed by the top court in December last.

In 2015, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MPs had spoken in Parliament batting for an amendment by the Centre to allow Jallikattu.

However, since that was not done, Jayalalithaa had urged promulgation of an ordinance on December 22, 2015 to allow the sport.

Following such efforts, the Centre had issued a notification on January 7, 2016 allowing Jallikattu which was subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court.

Jallikattu supporters during the day staged rail blockade at Madurai even as train services continued to remain affected due to the ongoing stir.

The Southern Railway announced cancellation of some trains besides diversion of others.

Meanwhile, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary V K Sasikala claimed that she had directed the party and the government to make sustained efforts for the conduct of the bull taming sport.

The AIADMK governments continuous efforts in the lines of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and the dignified protests taken forward by young men and women had reclaimed the bravery sport for us, she said.

I consider Tamils rights and sentiments as (my) two eyes. That is why I had earlier issued a statement in support of the students and young protesters. I made the government keep up sustained efforts for conduct of Jallikattu, she said.

Sasikala also thanked Modi for understanding the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and having supported the state governments efforts to ensure conduct of Jallikattu.

The AIADMK general secretary said she was following the slogan I am because of the people, I am for the people by Jayalalithaa while the government was following the path laid down by the late chief minister.

I wish to assure one and all that both myself and this government will work together for the rights and welfare of the Tamil race (sic), she said in a statement.

Sasikala also appealed to the agitating youth to withdraw their stir since they had the responsibility of carrying on wit their education and other routine activities.

She also likened their protests to the Philippines People Power revolution and extended her greetings to the Tamil youth for carrying out dignified protests, bereft of any untoward incidents.

Such protests had proved that the Tamil race was mature and that its people were selfless, she added.

Sasikala also recalled the sustained efforts by Jayalalithaa in ensuring Jallikattu was held in the state.

Photograph: PTI Photo
Pakistan on Saturday handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control hours after the armys surgical strike in September last year.

Chandu Babulal Chavan, 22, returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border.

The Border Security Force handed him over to the Army which took him to an undisclosed location.

Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the boundary in Kashmir hours after Indias surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC.

Chavans brother Bhushan Chavan, who is also a soldier, said he is thankful to the army for its effort.

I am thankful to DGMO (director general of military operations) and army for the efforts they have made. I am never going to forget this. I am also a soldier and will continue to do my duty with full honesty till my last breath, he said.

I am grateful to the villagers and everybody who prayed for not just my brother but for a soldier of this country, Bhushan said.

Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother had died of shock following the news of his capture by Pakistani troops. Chavan will be first medically examined by the team of army doctors, said an official posted at Attari.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said his ministry and the DGMO had been constantly trying their level best to secure the release of the jawan who was in Pakistans custody after he inadvertently crossed the LoC.

He said the soldier will be able to return home after the army completes due procedure.

The External Affairs Ministry was also involved. All efforts were made to secure the release of the soldier and the result is that he has been released today, the minister said.

Our DGMO was in touch with his Pakistani counterpart. Last week we were told that he will be released soon, he said.

Pakistani army issued a statement early in the day announcing the handing over of the Indian soldier. It said that the soldier had deserted his post across the LoC due to grievances against his commanders and has been convinced to return home.

Pak Army returning Indian sldr (soldier) to India as goodwill (sic), Pakistans Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet.

In a separate statement, Pakistans foreign ministry said, The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary.

Despite Indian belligerence, Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security.

Meanwhile in Pune, Chandu Chavans family said that as he is now released, the ashes of his grandmother can finally be immersed in a river.

Chandus grandmother had died of shock after he was captured by the Pakistani forces.

My grandmother died of heart attack after hearing the news of Chandus capture by Pakistan. We had decided that until he returned her ashes will not be immersed in river. That day has now come, said Bhushan.

Preparations had started in the village to give Chandu a grand welcome and crackers were being burst, he said.

I received a call from Subhash Bhamre and he informed us about Chandus release, Bhushan said.

Bhushan had also written to the human rights organisations in Pakistan, seeking help to secure his brothers release, he said.

I even tweeted to Pakistans ambassador at United Nations and sought her help, he said.
Possible US envoy says India must get assurance against China, reports Ajai Shukla.

As President Donald Trump's administration and policies take shape, Ashley Tellis, whom the Washington Post identifies as America's likely next ambassador to New Delhi, has urged America's new president to continue former Presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama's policies towards Asia, and India in particular.

Writing in the publication Asia Policy, Dr Tellis has recommended that Trump should '(take) the existing threats of Pakistan-supported terrorism against India more seriously, (develop) a considered strategy for aiding India in coping with Chinese assertiveness, and (persist) with the existing US policy of eschewing mediation on the thorny Indo-Pakistani dispute over Jammu and Kashmir.'

New Delhi is concerned that the Trump administration might back track substantially on Obama's 'rebalance to Asia', reducing the salience of India in US foreign policy.

While campaigning, Trump had indicated he would reduce America's superpower role of maintaining global order, allow US military intervention only to tackle direct threats to the US homeland, make military allies pick up a larger share of the bill for their own defence and reject multilateral trade pacts like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a key component of Obama's economic strategy in Asia.

As in New Delhi, there is concern in capitals across the Indo-Asia-Pacific about whether America's 45th president will leave the region on its own in dealing with a rising, aggressive China.

Dr Tellis, one of America's most highly regarded strategists, warns the incoming administration: 'An Asia in which the United States ceases by choice to behave like a preponderant power is an Asia that will inevitably become a victim of Chinese hegemony.'

'In such circumstances, there are fewer reasons for India to seek a special strategic relation with the United States, as the partnership would not support New Delhi in coping with the threats posed by Beijings continuing ascendancy.'

President Bush, Tellis says, devised the policy of supporting India without expecting reciprocity from New Delhi, an approach that Obama has continued.

'It was anchored in the presumption that helping India expand in power and prosperity served the highest geopolitical interests of the United States in Asia and globally -- namely, maintaining a balance of power that advantaged the liberal democracies,' he writes.

'Accordingly, it justified acts of extraordinary US generosity toward India, even if specific policies emanating from New Delhi did not always dovetail with Washingtons preferences.'

This 'calculated altruism whereby Washington continually seeks to bolster India's national capabilities without any expectations of direct recompense,' he points out, 'includes the US-India civil nuclear cooperation agreement, support for a permanent US Security Council seat for India, championing India's membership of global non-proliferation regimes and relaxed access to defence and dual-use technology.'

Such initiatives would reap success, says Dr Tellis 'only if the larger architectonic foundations of the bilateral relationship -- centered on boosting New Delhi's power -- are fundamentally preserved, not because they happen to be favourable to India, but more importantly because they serve larger US grand strategic interests in Asia and beyond.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama at their eigth meeting in Laos in two years, September 2016.
The alliance between the Congress and the Samajwadi Party failed to take place on Saturday over the matter of seat distribution, as the former was demanding more seats than the latter for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agrawal said Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav was offering 100 seats, but the Congress was not ready for less than 120 seats.

The chief minister offered 100 seats to Congress, but they were not ready for less than 120 seats. We told the Congress that we have 234 sitting MLAs and we need to give them tickets as well, and since there are a few others as well, there is no chance of us fighting on less than 300 seats, Agrawal said.

Taking a dig at the Congress, he further said the party was demanding more seats as if it were influential in Uttar Pradesh.

But the Congress was rigid on their demand as if they have are a great source of influence in the region and Uttar Pradesh cannot run without them, he said.

The Samajwadi Party leader further blamed the Congress for breaking the alliance and said this development will give a big boost to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

We gave it our all to ensure that this alliance is forged, but could not do anything because of Congress rigidity, he added.

According to sources, the main bone of contention between the two parties emerged when the Congress wanted more seats in Rae Bareli and Amethi constituencies, the stronghold of the Gandhi family, whereas the Samajwadi Party was unwilling to field their failed candidates on the same.

However, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the final announcement on alliance will be made on Sunday.
Several Indian-Americans from across the country attended a presidential gala in Washington to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.

The gala organised by the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council and National Committee of Asian American Republicans on Friday was attended by ambassadors from several Asian countries including the Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna.

This is a great celebration of Asian success. I am very happy that Indian-Americans are part of the successful large Asian community, Sarna said in his brief address at the celebrations.

Noting that he has a personal experience in how Indian-Americans play a role in strengthening India-US ties, Sarna said the Asian-American community plays a major role in strengthening relationship with their home countries.

Top diplomats from South Korea, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka also spoke on the occasion.

The new administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries. We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship, said Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee in his brief address.

Mukesh Aghi, president of the US India Business Council said there is tremendous potential in India-US business ties.

The new goal is to increase the bilateral trade to $500 billion (Rs 33 lakh crore) per annum.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and his son Barron attend the Inaugural Parade in Washington. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters
United States President Donald Trump has given a makeover to the Oval Office within hours of moving in to the White House as he reinstalled a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and introduced some other changes.

The bust was removed to outside the Treaty Room in the private residence of the White House from the Oval Office in 2009 under Trumps predecessor Barack Obama. The move had sparked conservative ire early in Obamas administration.

Trump, however, has retained the bust of Martin Luther King Jr, brought to the Oval Office by Obama.

This was one of the most notable changes as a group of White House pool reporters entered the Oval Office for Trump to make his first few signatures on documents and an executive order.

New White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tweeted a picture of the bust of Martin Luther King Jr after some media reports and a White House pool report incorrectly mentioned that it has been removed. The report was quickly corrected.

(This is) a reminder of the media danger of tweet first check facts later, Spicer tweeted.

Inside the Oval Office, Trump is also using the famous Resolute desk, an 1,880 gift from Queen Victoria and first used in the Oval by John F Kennedy. It is now being used by its seventh president.

According to a White House pool report, the drapes in the Oval Office have been replaced. This morning they were crimson. Now they are gold.

Additionally, a bust of Teddy Roosevelt is in one of the bookshelves. Some of the artwork have also been swapped.

According to a CNN report, some paintings have also been replaced by Trump, including two by the door by Edward Hopper.

Trump has held onto The Avenue in the Rain, by the American impressionist Childe Hassam, from Obamas Oval Office, and the back wall still hangs a painting of George Washington above the fireplace.

The Swedish Ivy on the mantlepiece is also retained, the news channel said.

Notably, there was a lot of flak for Obama when he replaced bust of Churchill with that of Martin Luther King Jr.

There are only so many tables where you can put busts -- otherwise it starts looking a little cluttered, Obama had said at London news conference last April.

And I thought it was appropriate, and I suspect most people here in the United Kingdom might agree, that as the first African American President, it might be appropriate to have a bust of Dr Martin Luther King in my office to remind me of all the hard work of a lot of people who would somehow allow me to have the privilege of holding this office, he had said then.

Image: US President Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Paul Ryan as he is joined by the Congressional leadership and his family while he formally signs his cabinet nominations into law, in the President's Room of the Senate, at the Capitol, following his swearing-in. Photograph: J Scott Applewhite/Pool/Reuters
Observing that amazing things have happened over the last 10 years, the former US President Barack Obama on Friday said that all this could be accomplished because of the hope and believe that his country had in him.

Image: Former US President Barack Obama waves from a Marine One helicopter as newly-elected United States President Donald Trump walks with wife Melania Trump back to the Capitol Building after Trump is sworn in at the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Photograph: John Angelillo/Pool/Reuters

"As I said in 2004, it wasn't blind optimism that drove you to do all this work, it wasn't naivete, it wasn't willful ignorance to all the challenges that America faces. It was hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty," Obama said minutes before boarding the Air Force One for last time, as is customary for former presidents after demitting office.

Roughly 1,800 people, many of whom had served in the Obama administration, were waiting for him as Obama landed at the Andrews Air Force Base on a military helicopter from the US Capitol after he handed over the baton to Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States.

The attendees included many senior members of Obama's White House staff, such as Denis McDonough, Valerie Jarrett, Susan Rice, Neil Eggleston, Jeff Zients, Megan Smith, Jen Psaki, Shailagh Murray and Josh Earnest, who had his son perched on his shoulders.

Recalling the time when he began his journey, Obama said he "did so with an abiding faith in the American people and their ability, our ability to join together and change the country in ways that would make life better for our kids and our grandkids".

Image: Obama embraces a staff member before boarding Special Air Mission 28000, a Boeing 747 which serves as Air Force One, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Obama said the change didn't happen from the top down but from the bottom up.

"All of you came together and you decided to believe. You knocked on doors, made phone calls, talked to your parents who didn't know how to pronounce Barack Obama," he said.

Meanwhile, Obama's were headed to California for a vacation. They would soon return to Washington DC, where the former first family plan to stay in a rented house for their youngest daughter to complete her schooling.

"You proved the power of hope, and throughout this process, Michelle and we've just been your front men and women. We have been the face, sometimes the voice, out front on the TV screen or in front of the microphone," Obama said.

"But this has never been about us; it has always been about you. And all the amazing things that happened over these last 10 years are really just a testament to you in the same way that when we talk about our amazing military and our men and women in uniform, the military's not a thing, it's a group of committed patriots willing to sacrifice everything on our behalf," he said.

Image: Obama and his wife, Michelle, walk to board Special Air Mission 28000, a Boeing 747 which serves as Air Force One, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

"This is just a, this is just a, little pit stop. This is, uh, this is not a period, this is a comma, in the continuing story of building America," he said to laughter, searching for the appropriate words.

"We have got cool hardware, as cool as the machines as weapons and satellites are, ultimately it comes down to remarkable people, some of them a lot closer to Malia's age than mine or Michelle's. Well, the same thing's true for our democracy," he said.

The former president and First Lady then walked through a line of their supporters, formers aides, colleagues and friends, hugging and greeting them as they bid an emotional farewell to their former leader.

Several of Obama's aides brought their young children, who were playfully greeted by Obama.

The former First Couple were then escorted by military personnel to a red carpet that lead up to the US air plane. Obama held Michelle hands as he walked along the red carpet, surrounded by military guards saluting their former Commander-in-Chief.

AS the Obamas reached the plane's door, they stopped and turned around, smiling and waving goodbye, to the people gathered at the air force base and symbolically to Washington.
11,292 km. 20 million (Nitish Kumar says 30 million) Biharis. 45 minutes.

IMAGE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar along with Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav and others at the human chain in support of prohibition at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, January 21. Photograph: PTI Photo

The people of Bihar made history on Saturday by forming the 'world's longest human chain' in support of prohibition and de-addiction in the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Yadav and his two sons -- Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav and Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav -- joined the human chain at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, where the main function was held.

The 45 minute-long human chain started at 12:15 pm when Nitish Kumar floated colourful balloons, and ended at 1 pm.

The chief minister joined hands with Lalu Prasad on one side and state assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary on the other to begin the chain of people to express support for prohibition.

Legislative Council Chairman Awdesh Narayan Singh, state Congress president and Minister Ashok Choudhary, Nationalist Congress Party General Secretary Tariq Anwar, MP, ministers and legislators held each other's hand at the beginning of the chain, which branched to different directions to stretch across Bihar.

IMAGE: Children form the human chain in Patna. Photograph: M I Khan

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, which lent support to the human chain, joined the queue in Siwan, where the BJP's two-day state executive committee meeting began on Saturday.

BJP leaders Sushil Kumar Modi, Union Minister of State Ramkripal Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar assembly Prem Kumar, party national spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain and Janardan Singh Sigriwal, the party MP from Maharajganj, joined the human chain in Siwan, north Bihar.

IMAGE: Nitish Kumar meets children forming the human chain. Photograph: PTI Photo

The CM, Lalu and other leaders stood in line to form a map of Bihar at the Gandhi Maidan.

A picture of liquor bottle with a cross sign was drawn in the middle of the map to give the message against alcohol.

Nearly 20 million Biharis, including large numbers of school and college students and women, took part in the human chain.

A team from the Limca Book of Records was in Patna to take note of the 'world record' that was being created.

Bihar was written in the middle of the map so that a clear picture of the event was captured by an Indian Space Research Organisation satellite, drones and helicopters.

IMAGE: The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, and others take part in the human chain in Bodh Gaya. Photograph: PTI Photo

Five satellites, Indian and foreign, captured the unique spectacle of men, women and children of all ages in colourful dress, holding hands for the cause.

Besides, four trainer aircraft, two helicopters and over 40 drones were deployed to capture the human chain.

The human chain is estimated to have covered a distance of 11,292 km.

The previous record for the world's longest human chain is 1,050 km, which was formed in Bangladesh in 2004.

"It was beyond expectation," Nitish Kumar said, adding, "As per reports reaching from across the state, more than three crore (over 30 million) citizens participated in the human chain programme."

IMAGE: Security personnel provides water to a child standing in the human chain in Patna. Photograph: M I Khan

The 'unexpected' rush of participants resulted in an increase in the distance on the determined route of the human chain to 11,400 km, the chief minister said.

Initially, it was estimated that more than 20 million Biharis would participate in the human chain over a distance of 11,292 km.

"Bihar's population at present would be between 11 to 12 crore (110 million to 120 million) and out of this more than 3 crore coming on the streets to form a human chain clearly shows that the people of Bihar have taken a vow against liquor," the CM said.

Asked if the state government would stake a claim to the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest human chain in the world, Nitish Kumar said, "Why shall we make any claim? If Guinness book has to remain Guinness book, it itself will take notice of this congregation of people."

Choudhary, whose education department organised the human chain programme, told reporters that it was the biggest social congregation of people in the country after Independence.

Photograph: M I Khan

Bihar has witnessed a complete ban on alcohol since April 2016.

Tabishi Sinha, a student of the DAV BSEB school in Patna, hailed the event to express a strong resolve against liquor.

"It's historic that students have sent a loud and clear message of 'no' to alcohol," said Tabishi, whose school stood at the stretch from the chief minister's house to the J D women's college.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Ayesha Sayeed, a student of Notre Dame school, who stood in line near the Kurji More in Patna, felt, "we are becoming part of a great social revolution."

Women formed the bulk of the human chain in Patna and elsewhere.

The BJP, which had decided to participate in the human chain programme, said it was against liquor, but would continue to raise its voice against stringent clauses in the new excise law like the arrest of all adults in the event of recovery of a liquor bottle in a house, a community fine and seizure of the premises if even an empty liquor bottle was found.

IMAGE: Women in the human chain in Patna. Photograph: M I Khan

The Nitish Kumar government imposed a total ban on liquor in the state on April 5 last year.

Since then, more than 16,000 people have been arrested on charges of either consuming or transporting liquor in the state.

Media reports suggest that the BJP, which has been vocal against the liquor law, came out in support of it after Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar on prohibition at the Prakash Parva event in Patna on January 5.

Talking to reporters while standing in the human chain in Siwan, Sushil Kumar Modi, the former deputy chief minister, said, "We have always stood in support of the liquor ban. It's due to pressure created by the BJP that the state government clamped a total ban on alcohol."

Last week, Sushil Modi said, the Bihar government announced it would shut all manufacturing units of liquor in the state from the next financial year only because of BJP pressure.

'To ensure participation of students in the human chain,' Sushil Modi later tweeted, 'coercion was used as a result of which 12 students fainted during the event in different parts of the state.'

He also slammed the state government for 'shoddy' arrangements for the event, claiming that an ambulance was not present at some venues, while officials in some hospitals were found to be negligent.

'Two children fell in a pond,' he said, without identifying the place.

The state government, Sushil Modi, said, had failed to keep its assurance given to the Patna high court about foolproof security and medical arrangements and not to apply force for participation in the event.

'Using lakhs of children for hours for the sake of creating a record is unfortunate,' the BJP leader said.

Photograph: PTI Photo

The 11,292-km human chain covered national highways, state highways and branch roads within districts in Bihar.

While national highways and state highways form 3,007 km of the human chain, sub-routes extended the chain by 8,285 km.

Additional reportage: M I Khan in Patna
What Im not sure about is whether Papua New Guinean men would be up to it.

On the face of it this seems like a good idea. One of the surprising things about the womens anthology is the extension of the hand of friendship and cooperation by many of the writers to their men folk.

HIDDEN between the many accolades and comments coming in the wake of the publication of Rasmii Bells anthology of womens writing, My Walk to Equality, there has been a low level murmur about the possibilities for a mens anthology.

The womens anthology was an entirely voluntary enterprise. None of the organisers, editors or writers expected or received any form of payment except for the satisfaction of having their say and seeing their names in print.

This approach is consistent with the view of women as giving creatures. Men, on the other hand, are generally takers.

Would Papua New Guinean men, with their head-of-family, main-provider and bread-winner attitudes do something like contribute to an anthology free of charge or any expectation of recognition and status?

I know that many such men exist; we see many of them writing for PNG Attitude but what about beyond that? Many of the writers contributing to the womens anthology were new to us. Would new men come out of the woodwork in the same way?

One of the largest groups of women we didnt really hear from were the traditionalists who still believe in the innate superiority of men. The reason for this is that those women are typically located in the villages without access to the internet.

Not so with the men. Many of the male traditionalists are active in public life and on social media. A significant cabal of them occupy the Haus Tambaran, for instance.

Would their views echo too loudly in a mens anthology and nullify its intent?

And what about a suitable theme for a mens anthology. Would a conciliatory theme attract derision from male writers?

There are certainly men who could handle such a theme. One who springs to mind is Emmanuel Peni, who is currently piloting the Crocodile Prize. His novel, Sibona, is one of the best feminist expositions in Papua New Guinea I have read in a long time.

Would you get writers like Manu contributing or would you get a whole bunch of platitudinous stuff? You know, my mother was wonderful, she could carry two hundred tons of kaukau and firewood in one bilum load, dont tell me I dont appreciate women!

I thought a great theme for a mens anthology would be My walk to equality, but thats already been taken. What else is there? How I stopped beating my wife and found happiness, I just realised that my daughter is a lot smarter than me.

Seriously though, there must be a theme worth exploring. What being a man in modern PNG means. The male identity crisis in PNG. Perhaps the readers could suggest something.

Then all thats needed is an editor committed to doing the hard work. Im sure Rashmii would offer all the advice and encouragement required.
A look back on all of our reporting of the Delphi murders since 2017

crime
Hong Kong's media last year "gave up its last defenses," making editorial independence in the city a thing of the past, an international press freedom group has said in an annual report.



Media outlets in the former British colony, which was promised the maintenance of its traditional rights and freedoms for 50 years after the 1997 handover to China, "utterly gave up" on any stance independent of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, the International Federation of Journalists said on Friday.



"Not only did it end up as the Mainlands official mouthpiece, but it also took the initiative to patch together lies for the [Chinese] authorities," the report said.



The report comes after a U.S. congressional body said Hong Kong has seen continual erosion of the freedoms and autonomy it was promised by Beijing under the terms of the handover treaty.



"As a result, it is no longer the Fourth Estate, safeguarding justice, but a propaganda tool of the authorities," the IFJ report said, citing "special interviews" granted with detained Hong Kong booksellers held in custody by Chinese police for selling banned political books to mail-order customers across the internal border in mainland China.



Slamming the Hong Kong media for running "confessions" from the booksellers and detained legal assistant Zhao Wei, the group said it was clear who was behind their "access."



"The interviews were tightly controlled and the journalists did not report on the detainees whereabouts or physical condition," it said.



"The outlets willingness to act as propaganda mouthpieces showed they had surrendered their responsibility to report honestly and defend the publics right to know."

China tightens grip on media



In mainland China, the government issued a slew of new regulations aimed at tightening controls over foreign-owned media and publishing services, making government approval for content a condition of access to the Chinese market.



"Foreign companies and joint ventures are forbidden to publish information online that would harm national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, disclose state secrets, endanger social morality or national cultural tradition," the group said.



Meanwhile, the limited diversity that was once on offer in China's media industry was drastically curtailed during 2016, after President Xi Jinping visited top media institutions, calling on all media to work on behalf of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.



"The authorities took over, suspended or shut down several prestigious mainland media outlets that had provided a special space for discussion of sensitive topics, including liberalization and reform," the IFJ report said.



"Through a combination of online controls and offline police actions, they also stifled discussion online and silenced a group of opinion-leading bloggers known as Big Vs," it said.



Beijing also appeared more willing than in previous years to take action against foreign journalists if they reported on sensitive topics.



Ursula Gauthier, Beijing correspondent for French news magazine LObs, was forced to leave China after being accused of "offending" the Chinese people after she suggested that repressive policies in Xinjiang may be linked to a string of violent attacks in recent years.

'Very worrying 2016'



IFJ Asia-Pacific spokeswoman Serenade Woo said 2016 was a "very worrying" year for journalism in China.



"One [Causeway Bay bookseller] was actually kidnapped by Chinese agents operating in Hong Kong," Woo said.



She also hit out at Hong Kong media outlets for collaborating with Chinese officials.



"We believe that cooperation with the Chinese authorities is a serious betrayal of professional conduct and erodes confidence in the power of the media to carry out independent monitoring," she said.



Meanwhile, Mabel Au, director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, said the Hong Kong government had become much less transparent, excluding online media from traditional press briefings.



"It is most unfortunate that the Hong Kong government does not accredit some Hong Kong media for government briefings, and doesn't notify them," Au said.



"The Hong Kong government is lagging behind ... This constitutes an obstacle to freedom of the press," she said.



According to Bruce Lui, senior journalism lecturer at Hong Kong's Baptist University, controls on the media by the Chinese government are likely to get still tighter.



"The entire [Chinese] internet is now under government control," Lui said. "The space for freedom of expression has narrowed significantly."



"Where we used to see comments on social events or news on social media or news sites, things have gotten much quieter online," he said.

"Many of the more outspoken people have been silenced."



Reported by Lee Lai for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Ding Wenqi for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.
More than 70 academics and writers have penned an open letter calling on the head of China's Supreme People's Court to resign, citing his refusal to acknowledge the principle of judicial independence.



"The only job of a judicial official is to safeguard the law, which should be held sacred," the letter said.



"As the head of the Supreme Court, Zhou Qiang has refused to accept the universal principle of judicial independence, however, labeling it a 'Western' idea," the letter said.



"This challenges the universal consensus that is shared by all of humanity," it said. "This has created ideological confusion."



"Such a supreme court chief has to go, or risk making a mockery of Chinese law, and ... undermining public confidence in the rule of law."



The chorus of criticism, which includes that of prominent Chinese legal scholars, follows reports in the state-controlled media quoting Zhou as saying that judicial independence is "an erroneous Western ideal."



Zhou had been seen as a reformer keen on limiting the influence of government officials on local courts.



Seven taboos of Xi

But he was recently quoted as telling top judges to "unsheathe their swords" in defense against words and actions that run counter to the ruling Chinese Communist Party's central tenets.



Judicial independence was named as one of seven "taboos" in an internal party ideological directive issued in 2013, shortly after President Xi Jinping took power.



Other "taboos" included press freedom, civil society, citizens' rights, the historical mistakes of the Chinese Communist Party and talking about the financial and political elite.



The letter has garnered more than 70 signatures since it was published on Wednesday, signatory Mao Yushi told RFA on Friday.



"The judiciary must be independent," Mao said. "It can't be subject to external interference; judges must be free to act according to their own consciences."



"This is common sense; it doesn't need any specialist knowledge to understand."



"How can the courts uphold justice if they are subject to external influence?"

Integrity battered



Mao said the integrity of the Supreme Court had taken a battering with the indictment of former vice president Xi Xiaoming for taking bribes.



Prosecutors have also accused Xi of having taken 39 million yuan (U.S.$5.7 million) in stock in a tech company for using his influence to help get the firm listed on a Shenzhen stock market.



"First, investigations reveal that the vice president is corrupt, and now we have a president who doesn't believe in judicial independence," Mao said.



"I think it would help the rule of law in China for everyone to get together and ask him to step down."



Hangzhou-based writer Zan Aizong said judicial independence is enshrined in the constitution of the People's Republic of China.



"[Courts] are forbidden to allow interference from corporations, non-government groups or government agencies and departments," Zan said.



"[Zhou Qiang] has repudiated the notion of judicial independence, saying it is a Western idea," he said. "He has no respect for the constitution, which he is distorting, even trampling underfoot."



Reported by Goh Fung for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Xiao An for the Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.
Laoss rice production has fallen short of government targets for the second year running due to natural disasters and a seed shortage, dealing a potential blow to the Southeast Asian nations ambition of becoming a rice exporter.

It produced 2.70 million tons of rice in 2012, 10,000 tons short of the official goal, according to official figures.

The figure marks a decline in total rice production for the second year in a row.

An agriculture official said Laos had missed the 2012 target because the country lacks seed to distribute to farmers and farmers are uninformed about the best cultivation methods.

Laos was not able to produce enough rice to meet the target because of a lack of seed, and in particular because farmers do not understand how to use the seed correctly, which reduces the quality of the rice yield, he told RFAs Lao Service, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Floods were another factor, mostly in the low-lying areas along Mekong River, he said.

Most of the countrys rice comes from the lowland areas, which can support cultivation during both the wet and dry seasons, while upland areas rely on irrigation.

Export plans

Laos is aiming to produce 4.2 million tons of rice by 2015 and turn itself into a rice exporter alongside its neighbors.

Population growth has triggered greater demand in recent years for the staple grain in Southeast Asian and world markets, creating the possibility for Laos to export rice within the region.

Last year, it announced plans to join neighboring Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, and Thailand in establishing a rice exporting cooperative aimed at gaining leverage on the international rice market.

A report by the Asian Development Bank predicted Laos will be able to shift its status from rice importer to a minor rice exporter over the next decade if it can maintain current grain production and consumption growth rates.

But the U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that Laos faces considerable constraints for future rice production, including limited arable land suitable for rice cultivation, a vastly underdeveloped irrigation capacity, and extreme underfunding for agricultural crop extension programs.

Paddy land

In order to raise the growth, Laos has plans to devote more land to rice cultivation, raising the current 821,000 hectares to over 1 million hectares.

A majority of Laoss agricultural land is devoted to the crop, with an average rice production capacity of 1.76 tons per hectare.

But large swathes of rice paddy land are also being turned over to property development, sparking concern that better management of agricultural land is needed to protect the countrys food security, the Vientiane Times newspaper reported Thursday.

Although last years 2.7 million tons of rice produced fell short of target, it came closer to the mark than the year before.

In 2011, which saw severe floods and droughts, Laos produced 2.9 million tons of rice out of a targeted 3.64 million, according to official figures.

In 2010, it produced 3.26 million tons out of a targeted 3.3 million.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Somnet Inthapannha. Written in English by Rachel Vandenbrink.
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Activists in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union took part in "sister marches" joining numerous global protests against newly-inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump. (RFE/RL's Balkan and Georgian Services, and Current Time TV)
Afghanistan's first all-girl orchestra performed a concert in front of world leaders at the closing of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20.

The group of 30 musicians aged 13 to 20, known as Zohra, performed parts of Beethoven's 9th Symphony as well as popular Afghan pieces like Watan Jan (meaning "Dear Homeland").

After playing at the Davos summit attended by world leaders and corporate titans, the group will perform in Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, and Weimar in Germany.

Zohra was the idea of a young female student at Afghanistan's only music academy. She approached the school's director Ahmad Naser Sarmast and suggested it.

Starting an all-girl band is not easy in Afghanistan, where conservative religious groups frown upon girls playing music in public. The Taliban banned music when it ruled from 1996 to 2001.

However, Sarmast said he believes in women's rights and helped bring the group he called a "beacon of hope" together.

Sarmast and the musicians have had to endure death threats and other harassment for breaking religious taboos but he credited "positive changes that have accumulated in the last 13 years" under U.S. and NATO occupation for making the breakthrough possible.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, and Reuters


Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has expressed hope that the United States would continue its support for the Afghan government after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly spoke with U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan after his inauguration.

"I want to congratulate the U.S. president on behalf of myself, the Afghan government, and the people of Afghanistan," Abdullah said on January 21 at an event aimed at raising $550 million in humanitarian international aid for his country.

Trump spoke by video link with American troops stationed at a base north of Kabul, while attending a post-inauguration ball in Washington on January 20.

"I'm with you all the way... we're going to do it together," he told the troops. "The courage that you show is incredible."

It is unclear whether Trump will continue the billions of dollars a year that the United States provides to Afghanistan in military and development aid.

The new U.S. president has also not commented on the future of some 9,000 American troops deployed in Afghanistan.

Based on reporting by Reuters


The head of Afghanistan's High Peace Council -- a government panel tasked with negotiating an end to the country's conflict with the Taliban  has died at the age of 84.

Abdul Khabir Ochqun, the deputy head of the council, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that Council Chief Pir Saye Ahmed Gailani died at a hospital in Kabul at 7:45 p.m. local time in Kabul on January 21 as a result of an illness.



Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is expected to appoint Gailani's replacement. However it was not immediately clear who Gailani's successor would be.

Gailani rose to prominence during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s as a resistance leader and the founder of the National Islamic Front of Afghanistan -- one of seven U.S.-backed groups that fought against the Soviet invaders.

Gailani had been a strong proponent of peace talks between the government in Kabul and Taliban militants.

The previous head of Afghanistan's High Peace Council, former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani, was assassinated by a suicide bomber in 2011.

With reporting by AP
A top Sunni cleric in Iran has called for an immediate referendum with the presence of international observers to "change policies based on the wishes of the people."

In his Friday Prayers sermon on November 4 in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan, Molavi Abdulhamid Ismaeelzah asked the Qom seminary and the country's authorities to listen to the voices of the people who have been protesting for the past 50 days.

The cleric, who is known across the country as Molavi Abdolhamid, has previously called on the countrys rulers to respond to the demands of the protesters.

There has been no comment from the Iranian government on his call for a referendum.

The cleric, regarded as a spiritual leader for Irans Sunni Muslim population, is the director of main Sunni seminary in Iran. He is a vocal critic of the Iranian government and has been under pressure for his comments against the Islamic republic.

Earlier this month in his Friday Prayers sermon, he said senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were "responsible" for the killings in Zahedan on September 30.



At the same time, people in different cities of Sistan and Baluchistan Province demonstrated in the streets for the fifth consecutive week after the September 30 massacre in Zahedan.



According to the videos published on social media on November 4, the security forces shot directly at protesters in the city of Khash, near Zahedan.



Reports also indicate clashes and shooting at protesters in some other cities of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, including Saravan, Zahedan, and Iranshahr.

It was not possible to independently verify the social media posts and the reports of violence at protests across Iran.



Gatherings took place on November 3 in the cities of Tehran, Tabriz, Shiraz, Rasht, and many other cities of Kurdistan Province in western Iran.



According to the videos published on social media, in the central Iranian city of Arak hundreds of mourners gathered at the grave of Mehrshad Shahidinejad, a 19-year-old aspiring chef who reportedly was killed after being arrested during a protest.



Reports also indicate that on November 3 in the city of Isfahan state security forces fired tear gas as mourners gathered at the grave of Mahsa Mougoei, an 18-year-old woman who was killed on September 22 during the nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.



At least one woman was shot in Isfahan on November 3, a video published on Twitter indicates. The woman is shown on the ground with blood on her face, apparently shot in the head. The video also shows people trying to revive her. Theres no report about her condition.



In the southern Iranian city of Shiraz, security agents prevented the memorial of late RFE/RL journalist Reza Haghighatnejad. People who had gone to the location of the ceremony protested the security agents' move, chanting slogans in memory of Haghighatnejad and in protest of the government.



Iranian authorities secretly buried Haghighatnejad on October 30 at a location near Shiraz after seizing his body upon repatriation to Iran, angering his family.



Meanwhile, domestic and international reactions to the suppression of protesters in Iran continue.



Iranian wrestling legend and Olympic gold medalist Rasoul Khadem addressed President Ebrahim Raisi on his Instagram account and criticized him for suppressing the protests.



Also, more than 100 professors at Tehran University protested the October 29 attack on the university in a statement describing the attack of the security forces on the students as "barbaric." The statement says the continuation of security approaches and actions such as the "terrible attack" of the plainclothes security forces on the university is disastrous.



The signatories said that all detained students should be released unconditionally.



The antigovernment protests have been met by a harsh crackdown that the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights says has killed at least 277 people, including 40 children.



The Iranian government has not taken responsibility for the killing of protesters and in most cases has attributed their deaths to reasons such as suicide, illness, and accidents.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda
U.S. Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl sought a dismissal of desertion charges against him, saying he cannot get a fair trial now that Donald Trump, who has called him a traitor, is president.

Bergdahl's lawyers submitted a motion to dismiss the case on January 20, the day Trump took his oath of office.

Bergdahl spent five years as a prisoner of the Taliban in Afghanistan after walking off his post. He was freed in a controversial prisoner exchange in 2014 and later charged with desertion and endangerment of U.S. troops.

The court martial is scheduled to begin on April 28.

In seeking to dismiss the case, Bergdahl's lawyers submitted as evidence a 28-minute video showing Trump repeatedly calling Bergdahl "a no-good traitor" during various presidential campaign appearances, and suggesting the soldier should be shot or dropped from an airplane into Afghanistan.

"President Trump has made it impossible for Sergeant Bergdahl to obtain a fair trial," the motion before a military court in North Carolina said.

"By not repudiating them, President Trump has brought his earlier statements with him into the White House," it said.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters


Reports have emerged about young Chechen women who met North Caucasus militants online and traveled to Syria to join them.

In one case, an 18-year-old woman "married" her virtual boyfriend, a 25-year-old resident of Kabardino-Balkaria, before heading out to join him in Syria.

A similar phenomenon is also happening in Tajikistan, according to a report by RFE/RL's Tajik Service, Radio Ozodi.

Radio Ozodi spoke to a 20-year-old Tajik woman named as Manzura (her name has been changed to protect her identity) from the city of Kulob, who described how she had started to chat to a young man she met on the Russian social-networking site Odnoklassniki.

Manzura talked to the young man, who went under the name Firuzi Mujohid ("jihadi fighter"), every day, but he would not tell her his exact location. Firuzi would only say that he was "in a country that is like paradise," Manzura recalls.

After some time, Firuzi admitted to Manzura that he was in Syria and that he was "waging jihad" there.

Firuzi invited Manzura to join him so that she could "find a path to paradise," a chat-up line that in this case was likely a euphemism for joining the Islamic State (IS) group and becoming a "jihadi bride," the wife of a militant.

"During our chats, he asked for my details so he could buy me a ticket to come to him," Manzura told Radio Ozodi.

At this point, as things seemed to be getting serious, Manzura asked Firuzi to tell her his real name. Manzura's young admirer turned out to be Umar from Dushanbe.

Firuzi/Umar sent Manzura some photographs of himself that had been taken before he went to Syria and some other snaps showing him in Syria posing under an IS flag. Trust was growing between the young pair.

But while Umar was a militant fighting in Syria, his Internet dating style appears to have been fairly standard. When Manzura didn't log into Odnoklassniki for a while, Umar invited another girl -- a 21-year-old from his hometown, Dushanbe -- to join him in Syria.

The budding friendship between Manzura and Umar came to an abrupt halt when the "other woman" flew to Syria and apparently married her prize. Umar's new bride took down her husband's Odnoklassniki page and warned Manzura to stop communicating with her spouse.

But even after his marriage, Umar was not deterred from attempting to pursue his romance with Manzura.

"Even after that, this man proposed that I come to Syria and become his second wife," Manzura says.

Was Umar an IS "honey trap" who was recruiting young Tajik women to come to Syria and join the militants? Manzura thinks her young man might have used his courtship skills to recruit other women.

Tajik psychologist Zarina Kendzhaeva tells Radio Ozodi that extremists are recruiting girls who have "lost hope and meaning in life." "Basically, they quickly believe what they are told and do not have their own clear opinions. They think that this is the only way out for them," Kendzhaeva says.

But is IS just targeting weaker, vulnerable women? There is evidence to suggest that some of the Tajik women who have been recruited by IS to join the militants in Syria are not those who have "lost hope" but are well-educated young professionals. These young women are likely targeted deliberately.

In late February, the Tajik authorities prevented 25-year-old Shahnoza Bozorzoda from traveling to Syria. Bozorzoda was not a "hopeless" young woman but a medical student from suburban Dushanbe. Like Manzura, Bozorzoda had decided to go to Syria after she met a militant, Sabzkadam, on the Internet, in her case via Facebook.

Bozorzoda and her militant friend continued their online relationship via the instant-messaging apps WhatsApp and Viber, according to the Tajik authorities.

The method that Sabzkadam reportedly used to woo Bozorzoda appears to differ somewhat from that used by Umar to attract Manzura.

Sabzkadam seems to have tried to appeal to Bozorzoda's sense of justice and duty, sending her various photographs and videos of the war in Syria. These had a "psychological impact" on her, a spokesman for Tajikistan's Interior Ministry said. Sabzkadam also told her about the "path of jihad."

When Sabzkadam later wired Bozorzoda some money, she dropped out of medical school and flew to Turkey. She was stopped before she managed to cross into Syria, however.

While Umar appears to have been searching for a Tajik wife when he targeted Manzura, Sabzkadam likely targeted a medical student for a reason: the IS group needs medics to treat its wounded and sick militants. Both IS and other militant groups in Syria have called on women with medical qualifications and skills to come out and join them.

Although Bozorzoda was stopped before entering Syria, if she had joined IS she would not have been the only female medic to have done so. "Bird of Jannah," a Malaysian woman who writes an online diary about her experiences being the wife of an IS militant, is a doctor who practiced medicine in Malaysia before joining IS in Syria.

It is not known exactly how many Tajiks have gone to Syria to fight alongside militants. Edward Lemon of the University of Exeter, who tracks Tajik militants in Syria and Iraq, estimates that between 100 and 200 Tajiks are fighting in Syria.

Most of those are with the IS group, he believes.

-- Joanna Paraszczuk
Thousands of people gathered in Pristina on January 21 in a demonstration calling for France to release Kosovo's former prime minister -- who was being held there on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia.

Former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, a Kosovo Albanian wartime guerrilla commander, was arrested in Paris on January 4 under the international warrant.

Belgrade is asking for Haradinaj's extradition for trial on allegations of atrocities committed against civilians in Kosovo during its 1998-1999 war.

Haradinaj has been released on bail by a French court pending a ruling on Belgrade's extradition request but he must remain in France to await the court ruling.

He had been arrested on a Serbian warrant in 2015 in Slovenia for alleged war crimes but was released a day later.

Haradinaj has been acquitted of war crimes twice by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) at The Hague.

He was elected Kosovo's prime minister in 2004 but resigned after 100 days in power to surrender to the United Nations tribunal.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Thousands of protesters have demonstrated on the streets of Moldova's capital, demanding that the government resign and calling for early elections.

The government building in Chisinau was encircled by a heavy police presence on April 24 that Moldova's Interior Ministry said would be sufficient to ensure public order during the protest, which was organized by the pro-European Dignity and Truth party.

The protesters claim Moldova's government is under the influence of a politically connected business class that dictates policy.

Moldova has been mired in political turmoil over the past year.

The parliament last month announced that the country will hold a presidential election on October 30, the first time the electorate will directly choose the impoverished ex-Soviet state's head of state since 2001.

Earlier in March, a court ruled in favor of having direct national elections to choose a president rather than a vote in parliament -- a concession to protesters who had demonstrated for months against the political elite.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Moldovan Service, AP, and Reuters
In July 1941, thousands of Jews were forced to move into a ghetto in Chisinau, the capital of present-day Moldova. Today, the history of that era is not well known to the people who live there. This film by Eugenia Pogor of RFE/RL's Moldovan Service seeks to reveal the fates of some of those who lived in the Chisinau Ghetto and their memories of the inhumane experiences they endured there.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and RFE/RL's Moldovan Service

The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin told German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a telephone conversation on March 31 that measures were needed to remove the "blockade" on Moldova's breakaway Transdniester region.Putin made a similar claim of a Transdniester "blockade" in a telephone call with U.S. President Barack Obama on March 28.Moldova, the United States, and the European Union all dismiss the Russian claim.The mainly Russian-speaking Transdniester declared independence from Moldova in 1990.The two sides fought a brief war in 1992 that ended when the Russian military intervened on the side of Transdniester.Transdniester's independence is not recognized by any country.Russia still has some 1,400 troops in Transdniester.There has been growing concern of a possible Russian incursion across Ukraine to occupy Transdniester.Moscow repeatedly alleged that Russians were being persecuted in Crimea before Russian troops and "self-defense" forces occupied the peninsula ahead of a referendum on secession and union with Russia.U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland, in the Moldovan capital on March 30,"to support Moldovan border security efforts...on top of money that we have been providing for a number of years to support nonproliferation objectives and security objectives on the borders.""This is not a blockade by any means," Nuland added, saying that "commerce and trade is continuing...."The head of the European Union delegation to Moldova, Pirkka Tapiola, said his staff met last week with representatives of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) and that he could say with certainty that there was no blockade, according to
Over the past five years, Iranian officials and state media have touted the "indigenous" ingenuity in the Islamic republic's mass-produced Mohajer-6 combat drone, which Russia has deployed in its war against Ukraine.

But a new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, has found that electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 are far from homegrown.



The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of such technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes  dual-use technology.

The presence of these components in the Mohajer-6 does not mean their producers are in violation of U.S. or EU sanctions, and RFE/RL does not have evidence that this is the case.

The investigation also found Mohajer-6 components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm that said it was "very sorry" that its products were being used in war.

At least one major foreign-produced component of the Mohajer-6 has previously been identified by reporters in a Mohajer-6 recovered from the battlefield by the Ukrainian military: an engine made by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products.

But Ukrainian intelligence assesses that the Iranian combat drone contains components from nearly three dozen different technology companies based in North America, the EU, Japan, and Taiwan, the Schemes investigation has found. A majority of these companies are based in the United States.



A Schemes reporter who personally inspected the foreign-made drone parts identified components produced by at least 15 of these manufacturers.

These include parts made by the U.S. technology firm Texas Instruments, which said in a statement that it does not sell into Russia or Iran and complies with applicable laws and regulations.

To identify these components, Schemes reporters examined parts of the Mohajer-6 drone that the Ukrainian military shot down over the Black Sea near the Mykolayiv region coastal town of Ochakiv. They also reviewed Ukrainian intelligence records on the sources of these components.

The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China.

Both Western officials and experts on illicit technology transfers say Iran has built a broad, global procurement network using front companies and other proxies in third countries to obtain dual-use technology from the United States and the EU.

"Exporters will look at the request coming from the [United Arab Emirates] or another third country, and they'll think that they're selling to an end user based there, when really the end user is in Iran," Daniel Salisbury, a senior research fellow with the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told RFE/RL.

In September, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions specifically targeting Iranian companies that Washington links to the production and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia for deployment in its war on Ukraine. Fighting rages with no sign of an end more than eight months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked invasion on February 24.

"Non-Iranian, non-Russian entities should also exercise great caution to avoid supporting either the development of Iranian UAVs or their transfer, or sale of any military equipment to Russia for use against Ukraine," U.S. Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement announcing the sanctions.

Chinese Cameras, California Chips

Development of the Mohajer-6, the latest model in a series of drones Tehran has used since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, began in 2017, while mass production began the following year. During a ceremony commemorating the Islamic Revolution, then-Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said that the new tactical drone could perform surveillance, reconnaissance, as well as help destroy targets.

Hatami extolled what he described as the drones domestic design, a portrayal echoed in later reports by Iranian media.

"The homegrown drone was made through cooperation among the army, Defense Ministry, and Quds Aviation Industries," the English-language Tehran Times quoted an Iranian military official as saying in July 2019.

The dismantling of the Mohajer-6 drone recovered by the Ukrainian military shows that the UAV is packed with foreign components.

One of these parts is a bright-orange real-time mini-camera produced by the Hong Kong-based company RunCam Technology. Documents seen by Schemes show that Ukrainian intelligence has also identified RunCam as the producer of the camera, which likely assists in remote guidance of the drone.

Founded in 2013, RunCam is involved in the development and production of so-called "first-person-view" real-time cameras. "Our users are our friends," the company's website states. The site says that RunCam has two authorized Iranian dealers.

Reached by Schemes for comment about the use of its camera in the Iranian drone deployed by Russia in its war on Ukraine, RunCam said in an e-mailed response: "We are very sorry to know that RunCam's products were used in warfare. RunCam is specialized in producing products for model aircraft hobby. We never contact any customer related to military."

The provenance of the Mohajer-6 drone-s thermal-imaging camera is more difficult to determine. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment reviewed by Schemes indicates it could be the Ventus Hot model produced by Sierra-Olympic Technologies, based in the U.S. state of Oregon, but that it also resembles a cheaper analog available for sale by the Chinese company Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology.

Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology said in an e-mailed statement that the company did not "have any business with Iran," because "it will affect our business." The company said it specializes in marine services and is not involved in manufacturing. It also said that it did not have a single successful order for its online advertisement of the thermal-imaging camera resembling the one recovered from the Iranian drone.

Sierra-Olympic Technologies did not respond to a request for comment on the possible use of its thermal-imaging cameras in Iranian combat drones in time for publication.

Microchips recovered from the drone also featured the logos of the California-based company Linear Technology Corporation and its parent company, the Massachusetts-based semiconductor company Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). ADI did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment on the possible use of its technology in the Iranian combat drone.

Schemes reporters also observed among the components of the Iranian drone a voltage step-down converter produced by Texas Instruments. The company said in an e-mailed statement that it "does not sell into Russia, Belarus, or Iran."

"TI complies with applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we operate, and does not support or condone the use of our products in applications they weren't designed for," Texas Instruments said.

Schemes reporters also saw several components produced by the California-based technology manufacturer Xilinx, whose parent company is the multinational semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), also based in California.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, one of these Xilinx components was integrated into a video data-link module located in the wing of the Mohajer-6 that helped carry out attack missions.

"This module transmits information from the board to the missile head. That is, guidance for the missile. With the help of this module, it was possible to guide the missile to the target," a Ukrainian military intelligence representative told Schemes.

AMD did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

'No Authorization'

Previous media reports about the components of the Mohajer-6 drone, including by CNN, have shown evidence that its engine was produced by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, whose parent company is the Quebec-based Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP).

The Canadian company responded to the reports on October 21, saying in a statement that it "has not authorized and has not given any authorization to its distributors to supply military UAV manufacturers in Iran or Russia."

"As soon as we were made aware of this situation, we started an investigation to determine the source of the engines," BRP said. .

But Schemes reporters found that the authorized Rotax distributor listed on the Austrian manufacturer's website advertised itself as a Rotax aircraft engines distributor for Iran as recently as December 2020.

The distributor, the Italian company Luciano Sorlini S.p.a., has posted multiple magazine advertisements on its websites in which it describes itself as a Rotax distributor for numerous countries. Prior to January 2021, Iran was listed among these countries.

The Rotax website also lists a Tehran-based company -- MahtaWing -- as an official service center for its engines. The company, known in Persian as Mahtabal, conducts repairs of Rotax engines, including the Rotax 912 iS, the engine that was found in the Mohajer-6 combat drone recovered in Ukraine.

BRP said in an e-mailed statement on November 4 that while Luciano Sorlini S.p.a. is the appointed distributor of Rotax aircraft engines in Iran, "since 2019, no Rotax engines have been sold in Iran, and we will not sell any engines to Iran moving forward."

The Canadian company said it had "internal controls" that "significantly" restrict the sale of its products for military purposes.

"For example, the sale of any BRP product to operators with any military activity in Iran, Turkey, and Russia is strictly prohibited," BRP said. "We conduct our business in compliance with all EU, Canadian, and U.S. applicable regulations."

BRP described the Iranian company MahtaWing as a "local service center" that "offers maintenance services for previously sold aircraft engines."

Shahriar Siami of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report.
Pakistan said on January 21 that it has released an Indian soldier who strayed into Pakistani territory in the disputed Kashmir region.

The soldier, identified as Chandu Babulal Chohan, allegedly deserted his post on India's side of the Line of Control, which divides Kashmir, and crossed into Pakistani-administered territory on September 29.

India said it had carried out surgical strikes in Pakistani territory on the same day in retaliation for a militant raid on an Indian army base that killed 19 soldiers.

Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry said Chohan was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border on what Islamabad described as "humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility" at the Line of Control.

Tensions across the long-disputed Himalayan boundary reached dangerous levels last September after India blamed Pakistani militants for an assault on an army base assault that killed dozens, including civilians.

Based on reporting by AFP and Dawn.com


The death toll from a bomb explosion on January 21 at a market in a mainly Shi'ite area of Pakistan's northwestern tribal belt has risen to 21.

The explosion took place in Parachinar city, the capital of the Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border, when the market was crowded with retailers buying fruits and vegetables from a wholesale shop, officials said.

The head of Parachinar headquarters hospital, Doctor Mumtaz told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that 78 people were injured in the blast. Fourteen of them are in a critical condition and have been airlifted to a hospital in Peshawar.

The blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) hidden in a vegetable box.

The Kurram district is known for sectarian clashes between Sunnis and Shi'a, who make up around 20 percent of Pakistan's population of 200 million.



Several militant groups have claimed responsibility for the attack in e-mails sent to Radio Mashaal.

A spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban -- the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) -- and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Alami said the two groups coordinated the attack together.

Two splinter groups of the TTP have also claimed responsibility for the attack.
A chocolate maker owned by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced on January 20 that it is planning to shut its factory in Russia for "economic and political reasons" and lay off 700 workers.

The move came after a barrage of criticism in Kyiv questioning why Poroshenko, who made his fortune with his Roshen candy empire, was maintaining business activities in Russia while the two nations are in armed conflict.

Roshen said that it will halt production at its factory in Lipetsk and let go 700 workers. It said output has been falling there because of Russian market restrictions and "pressure" by local authorities that the company said stemmed from Moscow.

Poroshenko last year put his confectionery empire in a trust, saying that it was too difficult to sell the asset during the deep economic downturn engulfing both Russia and Ukraine.

Relations between the two ex-Soviet neighbors broke off after Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and provided backing for pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine imposed sanctions on Moscow for its aggression and Moscow banned Ukrainian imports, including Roshen candy, in retaliation.

Even so, President Vladimir Putin said last fall said that Roshen was welcome to keep operating in Russia.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP


The December 4 State Duma elections in Russia are not the only voting that is on the Kremlin's mind these days. Moscow has taken an active interest in the recent presidential poll in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia and in the vote coming up next month to elect a president in Moldova's de facto independent region of Transdniester.The two cases have some intriguing parallels. Both regions are heavily supported financially and politically by Moscow. In both cases, entrenched ruling elites have enriched themselves by skimming off much of Russia's aid to their regions.South Ossetia has been headed by Eduard Kokoity since 2001. Although he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, he has been laboring to install a handpicked successor. In Transdniester, Igor Smirnov has held the reins since 1990 and is now seeking a fifth term. The Kremlin has made no secret of the fact that it would like to see a younger leader take over from the 70-year-old Smirnov.But there are also crucial differences. In South Ossetia, everyone is pro-Russian in the final analysis and Moscow has considerably more leeway for imposing its solutions. Independent South Ossetian journalist Timur Tskhovrebov says Moscow should be pushing for political development in the region instead of backing one favorite or another.He says that if Moscow doesn't work for "the development of democratic, honest elections," it's "just going to get more of the same. By putting all their hopes into Kokoity, they got a little fiefdom and now they are paying for that. The same will happen with [pro-Moscow candidate Anatoly] Bibilov. Bibilov has never been a politician. He has always just been a manager."Bibilov, the region's minister of emergency situations, gained about 25 percent of the vote in the first round of South Ossetia's election on November 13 and will face former Education Minister Alla Dzhioyeva in a second round in two weeks.In Transdniester, Moscow is eager to demonstrate to the West some progress toward a resolution of the long-standing conflict, and Smirnov, who insists on independence for his region or, at least, for union with Russia, has come to be seen as an obstacle.Political analyst Grigory Volovoi, who is based in Transdniester's capital, Tiraspol, says Moscow's main goal in the region is to be able to promote its own settlement agenda. "I think it's important that Russia wants to have a more flexible, more loyal politician to settle the Transdniester problem," he says. "They need a Transdniester that will consider all the negotiation processes as a part of the solution to the issues that Russia is putting in front of Moldova and Transdniester."Last year, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel signed a memorandum on the creation of a joint EU-Russia commission on security issues. That memorandum also specifically named Transdniester as a conflict that could and should be resolved in short order. Linking the two issues has increased the pressure on Moscow to show progress."Changing the leadership [in Transdniester] is a tool with which Moscow can show that it can regulate a conflict in a modern, civilized way, without military intervention," RFE/RL Russian Service commentator Vadim Dubnov says. "There is the formula 5+2 -- the work of this standing forum basically only interests Russia. Because Russia needs to show an example of its influence in the world -- maybe not a very significant example, but one that is right on the border of the European Union nevertheless."The formal 5+2 talks on the Transdniester conflict include three mediating powers -- Russia, Ukraine, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) -- and two observers -- the United States and the European Union -- in addition to the two conflicting sides. Chisinau and Tiraspol agreed in September to resume the talks, which had been stalled since early 2006.As a result, Moscow has been increasing the pressure against Smirnov. Russia's Audit Chamber has been probing the alleged misuse of funds intended for Transdniester and prosecutors have raided a firm headed by Smirnov's son. Smirnov's daughter was recently barred from running for the Russian Duma on the A Just Russia party list. Last month, Russian presidential chief of staff Sergei Naryshkin publicly urged Smirnov to withdraw from the race and endorsed Transdniester parliament speaker Anatoly Kaminsky to replace him.RFE/RL's Dubnov says the problem with all these long-standing conflicts is that the leadership becomes invested in the status quo, stuck in a dead end. "It seems as if everything could somehow be settled, that some sort of formula could be found. But nothing came of it," he says."Because, as it turned out, only Moscow really wanted it. The situation isn't a problem for Chisinau, and it certainly isn't one for Transdniester," Dubnov adds. "Smirnov really has only one problem -- that the conflict might somehow be resolved. Sooner or later the leaders of such places end up in a dead-end situation, just like Kokoity did."So far, Dubnov says, Smirnov has continued to stubbornly hang on, insisting to voters that Moscow opposes him because it wants to see Transdniester once again a de facto part of Moldova. He recently proposed holding a referendum on unification with Ukraine, in a move that observers see as a bid to gain a new patron in Kyiv.But in the cases of both South Ossetia and Transdniester, the political dynamic is more complex than simply the notion that the Kremlin is backing one candidate against an entrenched leader. Oleg Kusov, an analyst for RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus, says he thinks there has been no fundamental decision at the highest levels of the Russian government regarding the South Ossetian election."I'm not sure that the Kremlin, at the highest levels, is really very concerned about South Ossetia -- they have enough of their own problems now," Kusov says. "And so, there are some people within the [Russian] presidential administration who are pushing one or another candidate, but observers think Bibilov has the best chance; he has more administrative resources."There are, of course, those forces in Moscow that were backing Dzhambolat Tedeyev -- otherwise he wouldn't have been so radical or risky in his actions," he continues. "But to what extent they are managed from a single center, I wouldn't hazard a guess. Most likely, it is a matter of separate, competing political groups within the presidential administration who are all pushing their own candidates. We aren't talking about politicians, but about bureaucrats."In Transdniester, Oazu Nantoi, head of the Moldovan Association of Political Scientists, also sees ambiguities. "Igor Smirnov, as before, has the support of -- is relying on the support of -- the so-called state security minister, [Vladimir] Antifeyev. I assume that the state security minister -- who is an officer in the Russian secret service -- doesn't give in to sentiment and is not playing games."While not recognizing Transdniester's elections or endorsing any candidate, the Moldovan government is cautiously optimistic about the prospect of having a new interlocutor in Tiraspol. Eugen Carpov, deputy prime minister for the reunification of Transdniester, tells RFE/RL's Moldovan Service that it is important to get beyond the legacy of the 1992 war that led to the region's separation. He notes that the political elites in Chisinau have changed since the era of former Communist President Vladimir Voronin."Today in the Republic of Moldova, we have totally new political elites in the government, in parliament, and in all our structures," Carpov says. "We no longer have people living with the phobias of war, of enemies, and with thinking it is necessary to protect certain interests through armed methods."written on the basis of reporting by RFE/RL's Moldovan and Russian services. RFE/RL's Echo of the Caucasus also contributed
The U.S. State Department says it will not send a delegation from Washington to attend Syria peace talks due to start in Astana on January 23, but the United States will be represented by the U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan.

The statement from Washington on January 21 came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump took a formal oath of office.

Many of Trump's nominations for cabinet and ambassadorial posts have yet to be confirmed by the U.S. lawmakers, including the top U.S. diplomatic post of Secretary of State.

The current U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan, George Krol, was appointed to that post by former President Barack Obama in early 2015.

Krol previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan and to Belarus.

Krol also formerly worked as the director of the State Department's Office of Russian Affairs, and held diplomatic posts in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv, Minsk, Warsaw, and New Delhi.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on January 20 that Moscow hoped Trump would send a Middle East expert to the Astana talks, which are sponsored by Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

The United Nations Security Council on January 20 expressed support for the peace talks in Astana, but stressed that the effort must not serve to sideline UN-led negotiations.

The UN is sending its Syria envoy, Staffan de Mistura, to the talks.

UN Security Council Council president Olof Skoog, a diplomat from Sweden, said on January 20 that the Astana talks could help shore up a cease-fire and "represent an important stepping stone coming back to UN-led talks in Geneva thereafter."

Western powers have for weeks questioned the purpose of the Astana talks and raised concerns that they could complicate ongoing processes aimed at ending the nearly six-year war in Syria.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and Interfax
The photograph shared on social media shows a fresh-faced, clean-shaven young man. He is smiling. Three gold medals hang around his neck. A second photograph shows a bearded militant clad in military fatigues. He is carrying a gun.

The man in the first photograph is named Alan Chekranov, and he is (or, more accurately, was) Tajikistan's three-time national champion in mixed martial arts and a university student. The man in the second picture is Abu Muhammad al-Tajiki, a Tajik Islamic State militant who was recently killed in a U.S.-led air strike near Kirkuk in Iraq.

It is hard to believe, but Alan Chekranov and Abu Muhammad al-Tajiki are the same person. How did a promising young martial artist and student transform into an Islamic State (IS) militant in such a short time?

From Chekranov To Al-Tajiki

Reports that a notorious Tajik militant had been killed in Iraq emerged on social media earlier this month, after a series U.S.-led air strikes against IS hit near Kirkuk. Four Tajiks were killed, but the one who gained most attention was 21-year-old Abu Muhammad al-Tajiki, or al-Tochiki, who had become known after appearing in videos where he talked about "jihad" in Syria.

Russian-language social media came alive with speculation about the transformation of Chekranov to al-Tajiki.

According to RFE/RL's Tajik service, Radio Ozodi, Chekranov was born in 1993 in the Shahrtuz region in southwestern Tajikistan. His mother, Maria Chekranova, was an Ossetian and his father was a Tajik named Umar. Chekranov had been registered in official documents under his mother's maiden name.

In 2010, Chekranov graduated from School No. 4 in the Shahrtuz district and went on to study at the Tajik-Russian Slavic University.

Things seemed to go wrong for Chekranov, however; in 2012, he was expelled from the university for absenteeism and he went to Russia to work.

Radicalized In Russia?

A photograph purportedly of Chekranov shows the young man posing in Moscow's Red Square, his left index finger raised, a common sign used by militants to mean "one," an attestation of belief in tawhid, or monotheism. In his right hand, Chekranov holds what appears to be a pistol. The photograph is undated, but if it is indeed of Chekranov, then it must have been taken in 2012, since according to Radio Ozodi the young man spent just one year in Russia. During his time in that country, Chekranov fell in with a group of young men from the North Caucasus and through them, according to Radio Ozodi, he went to Iraq in 2013.

It is not clear when Chekranov -- who renamed and reinvented himself as Abu Muhammad al-Tajiki -- joined IS, but his comrades reported that before his death he was fighting against the Kurdish peshmerga near Kirkuk in Iraq.

Was Chekranov radicalized in Russia -- as has been the case with other young men and women from Central Asia who have gone to that country as foreign labor migrants -- or was he already interested in radical Islam before he was thrown out of his university?

There are no clear answers to that question, but Radio Ozodi's interviews with the young Tajik's former associates in Tajikistan suggest that Chekranov might have been radicalized in Moscow.

Radio Ozodi spoke by telephone with Chekranov's friend, Sharfor Tagoev, who said that he last saw the young man at the start of 2013, when he returned to Tajikistan after a year in Russia.

"Before, he used to go to training all the time and he only talked about mixed martial arts. But when he came back from Russia, he had a little beard, and he used different words. He looked disappointed and said that he wasn't going to go back to being a [labor] migrant and he was going back to the Slavic University to continue his studies. But later we found out he'd left for Russia," Tagoev said.

Why Would A University Student Join IS?

In his native Shahrutz region, Chekranov was known as a sportsman and as the son of "Umar the Bearded," Radio Ozodi discovered.

There appeared to be widespread disbelief among those who had known the successful young man that he would join IS.

Those who knew Chekranov said that they could not imagine why a student of the prestigious Tajik-Russian Slavic University would end up going to Iraq with an extremist group.

Local representatives of the Religious Affairs Department, whose duties involve working with young people to prevent radicalization, said they had not even been aware Chekranov was in Iraq until news of his death there emerged.

A local journalist, Adolat Saifulloeva, visited Chekranov's parents and reported that the family had learned -- either via the Internet or from the authorities -- that the young man had been killed. The family was in mourning and did not want to speak to reporters.

When Saifulloeva visited the family home, Chekranov's sister Sabina emerged and refused the journalist entry, saying that her parents did not want to see anyone.

Chekranov's second sister, Shahnoza, told the reporter that her brother was still alive and was in Iran.

The principal of Chekranov's former high school said that the authorities had taken all of the school's files relating to the former student, but said that she did not know the young man personally.

Tajiks In Syria And Iraq

It is not known how many Tajik nationals are fighting in Syria and Iraq. Official figures, according to Radio Ozodi, put the number at 300. According to Edward Lemon, who tracks Tajik fighters in Syria, there is online evidence of just 67 fighters, though there are likely to be more unreported Tajiks in Syria and Iraq.

According to Radio Ozodi, many of the Tajik militants fighting in the Middle East traveled to Syria and Iraq via Russia, where they had been working as labor migrants. As in Chekranov's case, the authorities only find out that these labor migrants had gone to Syria or Iraq after news of their deaths is reported on social media.

The director of the Shahrutz region's Religious Affairs Department, Alikhon Mulloev, told Radio Ozodi that there are several young men from the region in Syria but he was not authorized to disclose their names.

-- Joanna Paraszczuk
With Tajikistan facing one of its harshest winters in recent years, forest rangers in southern Khatlon Province are working overtime to save trees.

"Winter came early to Tajikistan this time, we had the first snow in October," says Qurbonnazar Mirzoev, chief forest ranger in the Danghara district of the southwestern Khatlon province. "People have since run out of the coal and firewood they had stocked for winter. Now they are turning to forests to cut trees."

To stop them, he says, rangers are working rotating shifts, around the clock, as part of "Operation Firewood."

Over the past half-century, Tajikistan has lost nearly 70 percent of its woodland, according to the Forest Protection Agency. Since the 1990s alone, nearly 700,000 hectares of forestland have been cut down.

The country has tried to restore forests by planting new trees, but their efforts face a major threat in the form of warmth-seeking citizens.

"In the past four months, we opened 145 civil lawsuits against offenders, most of whom were caught cutting down pistachio trees," says Quvatali Nazirov, head of Khatlons forest-protection branch. "They paid more than $2,200 in fines in total."

It might seem like a small measure in the grand scheme of things, but the authorities say every little bit helps when it comes to saving the forests.

Infrastructure Lacking

Wood, coal, and dung are traditional sources of heating fuel in much of Tajikistan, particularly in rural areas. Electricity is rationed during winter months, infrastructure is lacking for the delivery of imported natural gas, and coal is prohibitively expensive for many.

Local experts estimate that an average rural family in Tajikistan requires about $30 worth of coal a month, a hefty amount in a country where the average monthly salary is around $150.

All of these factors leave many to look to trees for a solution.

"In the past we used gas and electricity stoves for cooking, and coal for heating homes," says Gulmoh, a Khatlon housewife who declined to give her full name. "We havent used natural gas for some 25 years now."

Gulmoh says that, beginning in early summer, she starts stocking up on firewood, coal, and dried animal waste for winter, but that during harsh winters like this one heating sources are quickly used up.

In an effort to provide relief, she notes, electricity rationing was cut in December, which is "better than in past years." On January 14, electricity rationing -- which is imposed to deal with electricity shortfalls -- was lifted altogether.

But Gulmoh believes unfettered access to electricity is the long-term solution, saying it would "save both people and forests."

Many Tajiks hope they will get unlimited electricity power by 2020, President Emomali Rahmon's goal for the country to achieve energy-independence once the construction of long-anticipated and contentious hydropower plants is completed.

Increased Policing

But in the meantime, forest protection agencies say they just can't sit and wait for the country to be deforested.

Aside from increased policing and the imposition of fines for firewood collection, the agency has also focused on people's use of fir trees for decorative purposes during New Year's festivities. The authorities have urged people to use plastic fir trees and have deployed special units to forests across the country to prevent people from cutting down real firs.

Tajikistan currently has 1.3 million hectares of forest, according to State Forest Protection Agency head Madibron Saidzoda. That compares to about 2 million hectares in the early 1990s, he adds.

But the problem didn't begin with independence. Saidzoda points out that deforestation began during the Soviet '70s, when mountain-dwellers were compelled to move to valleys and the construction of towns, roads, and other infrastructure cut into forestland.

The government's plan is to restore forest by planting new trees, but the process will take decades to show results and the annual returns will be modest.

"The goal currently is to restore two hectares a year," Saidzoda says.

Written by Farangis Najibullah with reporting by RFE/RL Tajik Service correspondent Mumin Ahmadi.
Six imams in Tajikistan have been arrested on suspicion of being members of banned extremist groups.

The prosecutor's office in the northern region of Sughd told RFE/RL on April 5 that the imams were arrested last month.

The office did not name the banned groups the imams were allegedly members of.

If they are found guilty, the imams could face up to five years in jail and hefty fines.

No more details were available.

Since January 2015, dozens of people have been jailed in Tajikistan for being members of the banned Islamic group, Jamaat Ansarullah, which Tajik authorities believe is linked to the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) militant group.

The IMU has ties to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and some members have declared allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group in the Middle East.

Tajik authorities have said that some 1,000 Tajik nationals are fighting alongside IS militants in Syria and Iraq.
A group of Tajik militants who claim to be fighting with the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria has posted a new video in which it threatens to transfer its activities from the Middle East and fight in Tajikistan, RFE/RL's Tajik Service, Radio Ozodi, has reported.

The 16-minute video was shared on the Russian-language Odnoklassniki social network on March 19 and shows a group of 16 masked militants, most of whom appear to be Tajiks. It is not possible to independently verify the date or the exact location in which the video was shot.

Tajikistan's security authorities have yet to comment on the video, Radio Ozodi reported.

One masked militant said that the video was the militants' final address from Syria and Iraq and that their next video could be filmed "from the mountains of Tavildara in central Tajikistan, or the Tajik capital, Dushanbe -- or even from the Kremlin."

One of the men in the video appears to be a notorious Tajik militant, known as Nusrat Nazarov or Abu Kholodi Kulobi, who says he is 38 years old and hails from the village of Charmagon in the Kulob district of Tajikistan. Nazarov claims to be now living in a suburb of Raqqa, an IS stronghold in Syria.

Nazarov addressed the Tajik government and pro-government religious leaders, saying that they would be "held accountable" for actions carried out against militants in the Central Asian state.

In a recent interview with Radio Ozodi, Nazarov said that his goal is to introduce Shari'ah law throughout the world, including among Native Americans.

Nazarov has also claimed that there are as many as 2,000 Tajiks fighting in IS, and that around 500 have been killed, figures that are almost certainly highly exaggerated.

The State Committee for the National Security of Tajikistan said in November that as many as 300 Tajiks have gone to join the fighting in Syria and Iraq. Edward Lemon from the U.K.'s University of Exeter, who researches and tracks Tajik militants in Iraq and Syria, has found evidence of over 60 documented Tajiks in Syria.

Would IS Send Its Tajiks To Fight In Tajikistan?

Nazarov's boasts that he and his fellow IS militants will soon be fighting to impose their version of Shari'ah law in Tajikistan is also likely hyperbole.

There is no evidence that the IS leadership in Syria and Iraq is planning to send militants home to fight for the group.

A video released by Tajik IS militants in January explained that several Tajiks had asked permission from IS's senior leadership to wage "jihad" in Tajikistan with the extremist group Jamaat Ansarullah, but had been refused.

The militant in that video, who gave his nom de guerre as Abu Umariyon, said that IS commander Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi told the Tajik group that they would "have to wait."

That the IS leadership is not keen to allow its militants to leave Syria and Iraq and fight elsewhere is not surprising. IS cannot afford to risk losing its rank-and-file militants as it faces ongoing military pressure and sustained losses in both Syria and Iraq. In Syria, the militants have taken heavy losses from the U.S.-led coalition and Kurdish militias, while forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are also targeting IS militants. IS in Iraq is facing air strikes from the United States and its allies, as well as ground assaults and opposition from the Kurdish peshmerga and Iran-backed Shi'ite militias.

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan said on March 21 that IS had been weakened in Iraq and Syria.

IS Is Expanding

Though IS is reluctant to allow its militants to leave for "jihad" elsewhere, as the group comes under increased military pressure in Syria and Iraq its leadership has welcomed the expansion of its influence into new parts of the world.

The IS leadership has purportedly accepted the pledges of allegiance made to it by militant groups outside of Syria and Iraq. In November, IS leader Baghdadi issued an audio recording accepting pledges of allegiance from groups in "The Haramayn [Saudi Arabia], Yemen, Egypt, Libya and Algeria."

This month, IS accepted a pledge of allegiance from the Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram.

In another sign of the increasing military pressure IS is facing, the group has released a number of videos calling on Western Muslims to carry out attacks on their home soil -- but only if they are unable to join IS in Syria and Iraq.

Indeed, CIA chief Brennan noted that -- even though IS has been weakened in Syria and Iraq -- the group's reach is extending beyond Iraq and Syria and that it will take a combined and extended international effort over the next decade to repel the threat.

-- Joanna Paraszczuk
Tajikistan has issued an international arrest warrant for a top Tajik police commander who joined the Islamic State (IS) group.

The Prosecutor-General's Office said on June 3 that Colonel Gulmuro Halimov is wanted for crimes including high treason and illegal participation in military actions abroad.

"Acting for mercenary means, he joined the international terrorist organization calling itself Islamic State," the statement said.

It added that Halimov has been "used as an actor" in a "video spectacle" aimed to justify the IS group's "monstrous crimes."

Halimov, the commander of the Tajik Interior Ministry's Special Forces, known as OMON, disappeared in April.

On May 27, a video posted online showed him brandishing a sniper rifle and threatening to bring holy war to Russia and the United States.

He singled out Tajikistan's crackdown on Islamic dress and limitations on public prayer as reasons for his radicalization.

With reporting by Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump said he'll probably continue to use Twitter. At the Freedom Ball in Washington on January 20, he said the social media platform was an effective way of communicating directly with the public. (AP)
But there are signs this may be changing, at least when it comes to students. A blog post last year documented international student commencements in Australia for the Pacific and PNG between 2002 and 2016.

The tiny number of Papua New Guineans is particularly egregious even by Pacific standards. There are more people of Samoan descent in Australia than there are of PNG descent.

MANY people have commented on the stubbornly low number of Pacific islanders coming to Australia.

The numbers from the Pacific are stagnant, except for PNG, where student commencements grew from 2,800 in 2002 to 7,600 in 2015.

This post dives into this growth in PNG student enrolments.

Three categories dominate PNG student migration to Australia: higher education, vocational education (VET) and school students.

The other two visa categories  for English language intensive courses for overseas students and non-award visas for people studying courses which do not lead to a formal qualification  only make up a very small proportion of PNG students in Australia.

Commencements into higher education, vocational education and schools have all shown strong growth since 2002.

Vocational education commencements grew nearly tenfold to 3,500 in 2012. The next largest category is of children studying at primary and secondary schools, which has grown solidly though less dramatically reaching 2,500 in 2015. 1,700 PNG students started higher education studies in Australia in 2015.

This student mix makes PNG an outlier. While PNG higher education and vocational commencements are equal to just 0.2% and 0.4% of all Australian commencements respectively, PNG school commencements accounted for 2.6% of all school migrants in Australia for 2015.

For a country with a small Australian diaspora and low rates of overall emigration, PNG really stands out.

It has the highest proportion of school students to all international students when looking at all 80 countries with 1,000 student commencements or more in 2015.

This proportion, 34%, is ten times higher than the average for all countries. In October 2016 (the most recent month for which data is available), PNG was the seventh largest source of overseas school enrolments in Australia.

School student migration from other Pacific countries, though not on the increase, is also unusually dominant.

The Solomon Islands had almost 600 total commencements in 2015, 33% of whom were school students. Nauru and Tonga had school student proportions of 64% and 26% respectively for 2015 but only had 113 and 92 total commencements compared to over 7,500 in PNG.

According to the PNG Aid Portfolio Performance Report there were 1,160 PNG students supported by the Australia Awards program in 2015-16. However these are overwhelmingly for higher education, not for school students, so what we are seeing in the PNG numbers is a private sector phenomenon.

Given the costs involved, the relatively large and growing number of primary and secondary school international students from PNG reflects a demand for school education from wealthier PNG citizens who are clearly unhappy at the local education opportunities for their children.

And now, many more have the ability to pay as well  though given PNGs current economic woes, how long that will last remains an open question.

On the one hand, the relatively high and growing number of PNG students attending school in Australia can be looked at as an indictment of poor schooling standards in PNG, and high levels of inequality. Other developing countries focus much more on sending post-school students overseas.

But there are also positives. For those who believe that PNG has suffered from a lack of international mobility and falling education standards, the growing number of students, of all types, coming to Australia is a positive development.

And for those who bemoan weakening people-to-people links between the two countries, this data suggests a generational change, and that a growing number of young Papua New Guineans will have Australian connections, and vice versa.

Henry Sherrell is a Research Officer at the Development Policy Centre. Stephen Howes is the Centres Director
Turkey's deputy prime minister said it is no longer "realistic" to insist on a solution to the Syrian conflict that excludes President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey, which is co-sponsoring Syrian peace talks with Russia that begin in Astana on January 23, has previously acknowledged that Assad remains an important actor in Syria.

But Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek's remarks on January 20 were the first to express Ankara's willingness to negotiate a peace deal that does not include his ouster.

"As far as our position on Assad is concerned, we think that the suffering of Syrian people and tragedies, clearly the blame is squarely on Assad. But we have to be pragmatic, realistic," Simsek told the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

"The facts on the ground have changed dramatically, so Turkey can no longer insist on a settlement without Assad. It is not realistic," he said in an apparent reference to Assad's takeover of Syria's largest city, Aleppo, last month.

Turkey is the main backer of Sunni opposition forces which have battled Assad since the civil war started in 2011.

It was not clear whether Simsek's remarks herald a new willingness by those rebel groups to also back off their longstanding insistence that Assad must go as part of any peace deal.

Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters


Turkmen officials have closed the border with Kazakhstan for five days in line with increased security measures.

"Turkmenistan has bolstered border security, which is why access of foreign citizens arriving in the republic...has been suspended for five days," said a statement by officials from Kazakhstan's western Mangistau region.

It added that the two countries have agreed that Kazakh citizens who live in the Mangistau region could visit nearby Turkmen regions visa-free for up to five days.

Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan share a 413-kilometer-long border.

It is unclear if the closure by Ashgabat is related to a pair of deadly attacks on police stations in Kazakhstan that officials have blamed on radical Muslims.

Based on reporting by Interfax
KYIV -- Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to continue providing his crisis-stricken country with political and military assistance, urging Trump to continue sanctions against Russia to deter "further escalation" of the war in eastern Ukraine by the Kremlin.



In an exclusive interview with RFE/RL on January 21, a day after Trump's inauguration, Poltorak said it is "very important for Ukraine to have the political backing of the United States" and for Trump to "keep sanctions imposed against Russia in place, as this is one of the major aspects that is deterring any further escalation on the part of President [Vladimir] Putin."

Poltorak said lifting sanctions would send a dangerous signal to Russia and other countries that violate international law -- possibly bringing "chaos to the world" -- because it suggests they will likely face minimal consequences for future illegalities.



He suggested that Russia would be enticed to seize more Ukrainian territory or even invade a NATO-member country.

Trump, who has spoken admiringly of Putin, told The Wall Street Journal recently that he plans to keep the sanctions in place "at least a period of time," but suggested he would consider lifting them if Russia helps the United States fight terrorists.



The Obama administration first imposed sanctions against Russia after it invaded and illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula in 2014.

Obama hit Moscow with more sanctions in January in response to Russia's alleged hacking during the U.S. election.



"If you get along and if Russia is really helping us, why would anybody have sanctions if somebody's doing some really great things? Trump told The Wall Street Journal.

Poroshenko Hopeful



Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 20, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he remains "hopeful to continue fruitful Ukraine-USA cooperation and expect Transatlantic unity."



Eighteen countries have provided Ukraine with military-related assistance.

Poltorak said most foreign assistance has come from the United States, Britain, Canada, and Lithuania in the form of military training and military equipment.

Washington's assistance has included more than $1.3 billion in assistance, including the cost of training and equipment, since 2014.

Only Lithuania has provided Ukraine with small arms and ammunition, Poltorak said.



While it remains to be seen whether Trump will continue supporting Ukraine, other allies have promised their continued support.

Britains Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said in Kyiv on January 20 that Britain "stands firm" with Ukraine and would continue training its military.



More than 9,750 people have been killed in Ukraines fight against Russia-backed separatists in the country's eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, according to the United Nations.

Russia denies supporting the separatists with money, weapons, and soldiers despite an overwhelming amount of evidence.

U.S. Assistance 'Critical'



A peace deal meant to end the conflict, known as the Minsk accord, has been violated on an almost daily basis since a second version of it was agreed in February 2015.

Security monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documented more than 300,000 cease-fire violations in 2016, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug told RFE/RL last week.



Poltorak told RFE/RL the only way to end the conflict is through political and diplomatic means, "but these means are only possible if [Ukraine] will have a powerful army."



He said significant progress has been made since early 2014 in modernizing Ukraine's 250,000 -strong armed forces.

The country had just 5,000 to 6,000 combat-ready troops when the conflict broke out in 2014.

Ukraine also has been producing new tanks and refurbishing old ones, as well as producing its own unmanned fighting vehicles and aerial drones.



Still, Poltorak said, U.S. assistance  especially assistance with troop training  was critical for Ukraine.



"Unfortunately, we cannot influence whatever decisions [Trump] might take or not take" in regard to U.S. assistance for Ukraine, Poltorak said.



Regardless, Poltorak said, "we will protect our own country to the very end."

"What I can be sure of is that Putin and his forces wont have an easy walk around the territory of Ukraine," Poltorak concluded.
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Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to streets in cities across the world on January 21 to show solidarity with a Washington, D.C., protest dubbed the "Women's March" against newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump.

At the main demonstration in Washington, large crowds of women and men poured into the downtown area by bus, train, and car from across the country.

Many marchers wore bright pink hats as they gathered to listen to speakers at the event.

One speaker told the crowd that 500,000 people gathered for the Washington event, although that claim was not independently confirmed.

The Associated Press reported that, by early afternoon in Washington, crowds had packed the entire route of the planned march -- preventing organizers from leading a journey on foot to the White House.

March organizers, however, said that the procession would still go ahead.

With police and Secret Service personnel standing by, protesters eventually made it to about a block from the White House, held back by metal barriers. By early evening, D.C. police said there had been no march-related arrests.

As demonstrators rallied alongside the National Mall, Trump began his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

On Trump's way back to the White House, his motorcade passed several large groups of protesters that he would have been hard-pressed to miss.

The pop star Madonna made a surprise appearance at the Washington protest, performing two songs and describing Trump's inauguration as "this horrific moment."

During her speech and performance, which were carried live on cable television, Madonna used several obscenities to emphasize her opposition to Trump.

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore expressed amazement at the size of the crowd.

Moore then urged demonstrators to make telephone calls to their representatives in Congress on a daily basis as part of a "new daily routine."

'Women Won't Back Down'

Feminist activist Gloria Steinem warned demonstrators about the possibility of a "Twitter finger becoming a trigger finger" -- a reference to Trump's activity on the social network and her concerns that the United States could become involved in fresh military conflicts under Trump's presidency.

Steinem also relayed a message from so-called "sister" marches in Germany, saying demonstrators there had sent the message: "We in Berlin know that walls don't work" -- a reference to the Berlin Wall of the Cold War-era and Trump's campaign pledge to build a wall along the entire southern U.S. border with Mexico.

Washington resident and protest marcher Sheil Tolbert told RFE/RL on January 21: "Women won't back down. That's why we are here."

The flood of demonstrators coming into and out of the U.S. capital overwhelmed Washington's Metro transport system, with 597,000 riders reported by 4 p.m. local time on January 21.

At the same time on January 20 for Trump's inauguration, there were 368,000 trips recorded.

Organizers initially said they expected 200,000 people to attend their Washington march, which began at 10 a.m. local time, and more than 2 million to attend protests worldwide.

PHOTO GALLERY: Women Of The World March Against Trump



They said they want their voices to be heard by Trump's administration on his first full day in office following his January 20 inauguration.

"The Women's March on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world, that women's rights are human rights," they said on the womensmarch.com website. "We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us."

Besides promoting equal rights for women, the marchers also said they want to defend marginalized groups -- including people of color, ethnic and religious minorities, people with disabilities, and the LGBT community.

The first protests on January 21 began in Australia and New Zealand, with several thousand women and men marching in Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington, and Auckland.

With rallies planned in 673 locations around the world, marchers also came out in London, Prague, Dublin, Amsterdam, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo, and other cities.

Organizers urged those participating to protest peacefully.

"Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people," they said.

Women's March Sydney co-founder Mindy Freiband told protesters in Australia's largest city: "Hatred, hate speech, bigotry, discrimination, prejudicial policies -- these are not American problems, these are global problems,"

'Grassroots Movement'

In London, organizers called for an international day of solidarity and said more than 100,000 demonstrators joined the demonstration there -- although there was no independent confirmation of that estimate.

"The U.S. election proved a catalyst for a grassroots movement of women to assert the positive values that the politics of fear denies," they said. "We, the organizers of the London march, call on people of all genders to march in London as part of an international day of action in solidarity."

In Paris, several thousand people gathered at the Eiffel Tower as part of the protest.

WATCH: Activists In Tbilisi, Pristina, And Prague Join Global Marches

Police in Switzerland said 2,000 marchers joined the demonstration in Geneva, more than the 1,000 that had been expected by Geneva protest organizer Karen Olson.

Olson, who was also working as a global coordinator for the demonstrations, said organizers wanted to "create a platform for everyone who agrees that women's rights are human rights and that we must be vigilant to protect the human rights and civil rights" within a "climate of uncertainty created by the rise of populism around the world that is acting as a vehicle for racism, sexism, bigotry, xenophobia, nationalism, and isolationism."

Olson said the "key values" of the demonstrators are "equality, diversity, and inclusion with a focus on the cross-cutting issue of climate which affects us all."

She said Geneva demonstrators "understood that the old formula 'Think Global, Act Local' [has] now [been] updated to 'Mobilize Global, Organize Local'."

In Moscow, organizers also staged a solidarity march for January 21.

They said on the actionnetwork.org website that the Moscow march was a local event for those unable to travel to Washington, D.C. to show their solidarity.

With reporting by RFE/RL correspondent Carl Schreck in Washington, Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa
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The Henrico County Fire Marshals Office cited carelessly discarded smoking materials as the cause of the Glen Allen house fire that claimed the lives of two Richmond educators and injured two others on New Years Eve.

The blaze was ruled accidental, according to the fire marshals office, which released its findings Friday.

John C. Lane, 76, and Janet M. Hall-Lane, 60, were killed in the fire. John Lanes son and grandson were injured after jumping from the second story when a smoke alarm alerted them to the flames.

Janet Hall-Lane was the assistant principal at Bellevue Elementary, according to the schools website. John Lane was a principal at the former Mosby Middle School, now Martin Luther King Jr. Middle.

A release on the fire marshals report offered few other details about the fire. A spokesperson for the department did not immediately respond to follow-up questions.

The Henrico Fire Department stressed the importance of smoke alarms in its statement.

Your chances of surviving a house fire doubles when smoke alarms are present, the statement said. Alarms should be replaced if theyre over 10 years old, should have batteries changed every spring and fall, and should be cleaned and tested monthly. Henrico Fire will make available alarms to those who cannot otherwise afford them. The two survivors of this fire stated that the smoke alarms woke them from their sleep.
WASHINGTON

Barack Obama did not go out quietly. His unquiet final acts were, in part, overshadowed by a successor who refused to come in quietly and, in part, by Obamas own endless, sentimental farewell tour. But there was nothing nostalgic or sentimental about Obamas last acts. Two of them were simply shocking.

Perhaps we should have known. At the 2015 White House correspondents dinner, he joked about whether he had a bucket list: Well, I have something that rhymes with bucket list.

Turns out, he wasnt kidding. Commuting the sentence of Chelsea Manning, one of the great traitors of our time, is finger-in-the-eye willfulness. Obama took 28 years off the sentence of a soldier who stole and then released through WikiLeaks almost half a million military reports plus another quarter-million State Department documents.

The cables were embarrassing; the military secrets were almost certainly deadly. They jeopardized the lives not just of American soldiers on two active fronts  Iraq and Afghanistan  but of locals who were, at great peril, secretly aiding and abetting us. After Mannings documents release, the Taliban went on a killing spree (according to intelligence sources quoted by Fox News) of those who fit the description of individuals working with the United States.

Moreover, we will be involved in many shadowy conflicts throughout the world. Locals will have to choose between us or our enemies. Would you choose a side that is so forgiving of a leaker who betrays her country  and you?

Even the word leaker is misleading. Leak makes it sound like a piece of information a whistleblower gives Woodward and Bernstein to expose misdeeds in high office. This was nothing of the sort. It was the indiscriminate dumping of a mountain of national security secrets certain to bring harm to American troops, allies and interests.

Obama considered Mannings 35-year sentence excessive. On the contrary. It was lenient. Manning could have been  and in previous ages, might well have been  hanged for such treason. Now she walks after seven years.

What makes this commutation so spectacularly in-your-face is its hypocrisy. Here is a president who spent weeks banging the drums over the harm inflicted by WikiLeaks with its release of stolen materials and emails during the election campaign. He demanded a report immediately. He imposed sanctions on Russia. He preened about the sanctity of the American political process.

Over what? What exactly was released? A campaign chairmans private emails and Democratic National Committee chatter, i.e., campaign gossip, backbiting, indiscretions and cynicism. The usual stuff, embarrassing but not dangerous. No national security secrets, no classified material, no exposure of anyone to harm, just to ridicule and opprobrium.

The other last-minute Obama bombshell occurred four weeks earlier when, for the first time in nearly a half-century, the United States abandoned Israel on a crucial Security Council resolution, allowing the passage of a condemnation that will plague both Israel and its citizens for years to come.

After eight years of reassurance, Obama seized the chance  free of political accountability for himself and his potential Democratic successor  to do permanent damage to Israel. (The U.S. has no power to reverse the Security Council resolution.)

Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. who went on to be a great Democratic senator, once argued passionately that in the anti-American, anti-democratic swamp of the U.N., America should act unwaveringly in opposition and never give in to the jackals. Obama joined the jackals.

Why? To curry favor with the international left? After all, Obama leaves office as a relatively young man of 55. His next chapter could very well be as a leader on the international stage, perhaps at the U.N. (secretary-general?) or some transnational (ostensibly) human rights organization. What better demonstration of bona fides than a gratuitous attack on Israel? Or the about-face on Manning and WikiLeaks? Or the freeing of a still unrepentant Puerto Rican terrorist, Oscar Lopez Rivera, also pulled off with three days remaining in his presidency.

A more likely explanation, however, is that these are acts not of calculation but of authenticity.

This is Obama being Obama. He leaves office as he came in: a man of the left, but possessing the intelligence and discipline to suppress his more radical instincts. As of Nov. 9, 2016, suppression was no longer necessary.

Weve just gotten a glimpse of his real self. From now on, we shall see much more of it.
At a glance, buildings exude permanence. Architectural landscapes tend to change over time, though, as our needs shift. Often, those shifts are emblematic of larger societal changes. Eight years ago, for example, developers finished converting Tobacco Rows warehouses, relics of Richmonds once-booming downtown tobacco industry, into loft-style apartments and condominiums, to meet a growing demand for urban living.

A more radical transformation is taking place with Libbie Mill-Midtown, an urban, mixed-use development in western Henrico County that will include town homes, condos, apartments and restaurants, as well as retail and office space.

Until 2007, the approximately 80-acre site, located near the intersection of Staples Mill and Bethlehem roads, was home to a suburban apartment complex that had been built in the 1940s to meet pent-up housing demands after World War II. Now, its getting repurposed to meet demand for an urban style of living that allows residents to live, work and play in a relatively small footprint.

The development is approved for up to 994 for-sale homes and 1,096 apartments. It also is projected to have approximately 200,000 square feet of commercial space.

By almost any measure, Libbie Mill-Midtown when built out will be the largest revitalization project in Henrico County, said S. Mark Strickler, the countys director of community revitalization.

One detail beyond its sheer size sets the redevelopment project apart, though. The same company that built the apartments back in the 1940s is developing the sites new incarnation, too.

The late Nathan Gumenick, founder of Richmond-based Gumenick Properties, acquired the site in the late 1940s, said Skip Nash, Gumenicks vice president of property management. Nathan built several apartment communities to help meet the increased demand for housing resulting from the return of veterans following World War II. At that time, suburban growth already had begun to shift westward, and the property was ideally located to benefit from that movement.

Flash forward 60 years. Gumenick Properties, which still owned the property, saw an opportunity for a new use for the site, and in 2007 it asked the county to rezone it. Following the countys zoning approval, the last of the existing apartments were vacated and demolished.

The demolition of the apartments provided us with a large blank canvas upon which we could design a community using current best practices for creating an urban, mixed-use development, said Shane Finnegan, Gumenicks vice president of construction.

Construction on Libbie Mill-Midtown began in July 2013. Gumenick is overseeing all construction operations on the project.

Among the companys other developments are Monument Square and Grayson Hill in western Henrico.

Residential construction in Libbie Mill-Midtown will advance in phases. The first phase, currently underway, includes town homes and condos located near the developments Libbie Avenue entrance. So far, 34 homes are either complete or in progress.

Town home sizes will range from 1,300 to 2,400 square feet, with prices starting at $285,900. The condos will range from 1,500 to 2,400 square feet, with prices starting at $319,900.

In addition, work on a 494,000-square-foot, apartment-and-retail building began last summer near the developments Staples Mill Road entrance. It should wrap up next year.

Amenities in Libbie Mill-Midtown include the 60,000-square-foot Libbie Mill Public Library, built on a 3-acre parcel Gumenick donated to the county; Libbie Lake, with a performance amphitheater; and a walking trail along Jordans Branch, which runs along the developments southern boundary.

Home sales have been strong, thanks in part to the developments location, Finnegan said. In addition to nearby shops and restaurants, the community has easy access to Interstate 64.

The western end of the county has changed dramatically in the last 70 years. The county got its first stoplight in 1958, at the intersection of Monument and Libbie avenues. Today, 18,000 cars travel on Staples Mill Road each day. When its finished, Libbie Mill-Midtown will be another benchmark for the countys transformation.

Henrico County has been urbanizing for a number of years, and the Libbie Mill-Midtown mixed-use development is an excellent example of how that trend is continuing, Strickler said.

_______________
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
WASHINGTON  Barrie Buck of Lynchburg, who owns an auto repair shop with 15 employees, had never attended a presidential inauguration, but on Friday he packed a ham sandwich and rode an Amtrak train to Washington to see President Donald Trumps inauguration from the National Mall.

Virginians from across the state headed to Washington to praise or decry the inauguration of the nations 45th president.

Its not been an easy time the last few years, Buck said of running a small business.

Of the inauguration: Its a small thing but I wanted my presence to be known.

He said he initially found Trump, a Republican, to be an abrasive New Yorker and wasnt sure what he thought of him.

The more I see of him the more impressed I am, he said. Im very hopeful and praying that he can do what he wants to do.

nnn

Jesse Dize of Kilmarnock, on Virginias Northern Neck, said he was among a group of about 30 veterans with the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Associations North Carolina chapter who marched in the inaugural parade. He said they towed to Washington from North Carolina several helicopters which were part of the procession. Dize was a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War and taught math at a middle school in Lancaster County.

Dize said he considers himself a lifelong conservative, but not necessarily a Republican. He said he considered President Barack Obama a failed president because, Dize said, he drew down troops in Afghanistan and Iraq and used government to require people to buy health insurance.

Of Trumps ascendancy to the presidency, he said, I love it. 

nnn

Trump supporters John Crawford, a retired police officer, and his wife, Michele Crawford, watched on a large monitor on the National Mall as Trump, then still the president-elect, and his wife, Melania, met Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House before 10 a.m.

The Crawfords live in Woodbridge, in Prince William County.

I feel rejuvenation from being here, Michele Crawford said. To be here is an honor and a privilege. And rain or shine we were going to come.

John Crawford said he hoped the peaceful transfer of power would help America be more united.

I am proud to be an American, he said, as the Lee Greenwood song with that lyric played from large speakers.

nnn

State Sens. Richard Black, R-Loudoun and John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, missed Fridays brief floor session in the General Assembly in order to attend the inauguration.

Two of the four GOP hopefuls for governor  Ed Gillespie and Corey Stewart  tweeted that they also were in Washington for the presidents swearing-in.

nnn

Andrew Crockett and his mother, Mona Crockett, flew to the inaugural from western Texas.

Andrew, a CPA who does volunteer missionary work, said he planned to go regardless of who won. He supported Democrat Hillary Clinton; his mother voted for Republican Trump.

He was not a politician, Mona Crockett said. But he needs to get a grip on his mouth. Im thinking when hes actually president hes going to straighten up somewhat.

And there are plenty of checks and balances from local to state to federal, Andrew said.

nnn

Chris Mills of Loudoun County waited in the non-ticketed area of the Mall with his father-in-law, Steve Pancio and Pancios son, Shane, both of Olean, N.Y.

I think its a critical time for our country, Steve Pancio said. He said he wants to give Trump a chance after the national debt jumped under Obama while the labor market struggled.

nnn

Crowds on the Mall ahead of Trumps swearing in appeared more sparse than when Obama first took the oath of office in 2008.

Outside Union Station, a protest on behalf of the working class shouted anti-Trump chants.

At a checkpoint that opened at 6:30, a total of 1,000 people had passed through by 8:15.

Sarko Sarkodie, a native Virginian recently transplanted to Washington for work, was protesting at an action tied to the Black Lives Matter movement. Sarkodie, who goes to shows at The National in Richmond, said there was a feeling of anxiety-driven excitement at the prospect of Trump and the coalition thats forming against him.

Beyond the security checkpoints by the Navy Memorial, U.S. Army veteran and 8th grade science teacher Mark Daugherty of Chantilly in Fairfax County stood with a sign that read A peaceful transition of power requires us to respect those who we disagree with.

Im terrified the direction the country might be heading under Trump, Daugherty said, citing his disappointment with Trumps Cabinet nominees.

By 8:30 a light drizzle had begun and the atmosphere near the protest was relatively calm as speakers took turns rallying the crowd.

nnn

Virginia supporters and opponents of the new president rose early to head to the inauguration. More than 20 people lined the platform to ride the 5:42 a.m. train from Manassas into Washington.

Dan Taylor, an IT worker in the intelligence community, and Paula Taylor, an accountant for the nonprofit PMMI, had plans for a breakfast at Charlie Palmer Steak DC before heading to the festivities.

The couple live in Manassas, but were on their way to their first inauguration in part because of the joy and encouragement they feel about the new president.

Were going in the right direction now, Dan Taylor said, adding that the Republicans Supreme Court nominations will be paramount.

Taylor, donning a tie printed with the Tabasco logo in a nod to his Louisiana roots, said he became a full-fledged Trump supporter after the first Republican primary debate.

The train into Washington was roomy, with bright-eyed Trump supporters from Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and West Virginia strewn among unflappable commuters.
Cullen Patricia McGee July 12, 1924 January 19, 2017 Patricia McGee Cullen, 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 19, 2017 in Naples, Fla. with her family by her side. Pat was born in Memphis, Tenn. on July 12, 1924 to the late Patrick Callahan and Greta Mowrer (nee Larimer). They soon moved to Ebensburg, Pa. where she spent her childhood surrounded by her grandparents, Lester and Izora Larimer, and many aunts and uncles. Prior to high school, she moved to Roaring Spring, Pa. where she graduated high school in 1942. She later attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. On January 4, 1947 she married her high school sweetheart, Donald Hileman McGee (deceased). In 1950, they moved to Wilmington, Del. where for more than 30 years, Pat managed Donald's successful pediatric practice. She was an avid duplicate bridge player  a Gold Life Master and the first woman President of the Delaware Unit of the American Contract Bridge League. She continued to play competitive duplicate bridge throughout her life. Her other interests included genealogy, history (especially the Civil War), and coin collecting. She was the first woman president of the Wilmington Coin Club. Pat will be missed tremendously by her family and friends. She was a generous and supportive mother and grandmother, a thoughtful and welcoming hostess, with a lively wit and boundless energy. She loved hosting her family and friends for holidays, birthdays, and other occasions where playing cards and other games were mandatory activities for all ages. Pat was preceded in death by her first husband of nearly 50 years, Donald Hileman McGee, and second husband of 12 years, John Darby Cullen. She is survived by son Donald McGee (Sue); daughter Ann McGee Green (Barry); daughter Beth McGee (Ann); grandchildren DJ McGee, Jamie Alers (Jose), Joshua Green and Meredith Green; sister Jo Klotz; brother Robert Dunkelberger (Shirley); and many beloved nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be at 1 p.m. held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1502 West 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806, co-officiated by son-in-law Reverend Barry Green. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Avow Hospice Naples, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, United Church of Christ in Naples, FL or to the PURE/Special Needs Program at Bonsack Baptist Church, Roanoke, VA. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.fullernaples.com
WOOD Blanche Revere Pratt April 16, 1925 January 19, 2017 On Thursday, January 19, 2017, Blanche Revere Pratt Wood slipped from the bonds of this earth and is now in the loving embrace of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born on April 16, 1925, in Floyd, Va. to George E. and Ursula Pratt. She married the love of her life, Harless Lincoln Wood, on December 22, 1949. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She took great pride in her sons, Gary and Noel, and later loved spending time with her granddaughter, Kaitlyn, and great-grandson, Carter. Throughout her life, she had a strong work ethic. She began working at the Canning Factory in Floyd when she was only 14 years old. After her sons began school, she worked for many years for National Park Concessions at Mabry Mill and Rocky Knob Cabins where she enjoyed working with many special friends and meeting many travelers along the Blue Ridge Parkway. She was a strong Christian lady; she joined Harris Chapel United Methodist Church in 1935 and held the honor of being the church's oldest member. She assisted with many church projects and served as church treasurer for many years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Harless; sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Joe Belcher; and brothers and sisters-in-laws, George "Junior" and Ardena Pratt, and Shirley and Lydia Pratt. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Karen Linenkugel Wood, and Noel and Rhonda Catron Wood, all of Floyd, Va.; one granddaughter and spouse, Kaitlyn and Scott Loghry; and one great-grandson, Carter Alan Loghry, of Port Angeles, Washington; two sisters-in-law, Claudine Wood, of Meadows of Dan, and Lillian Belcher, of Woolwine; many nieces and nephews; and lifelong special friends and neighbors, Evona Helms and Lavoy Bray. The family extends sincere appreciation to Blanche's many family and friends, as well as the dedicated caregivers and neighbors at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Hillsville and Heritage HallLaurel Meadows in Laurel Fork. The funeral service will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2017, at 3 p.m. at Harris Chapel United Methodist Church, 3711 Conner Grove Road, Willis, Virginia. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the church. Interment will be at Mountain View United Methodist Church Cemetery, 3639 Mountain View Road, Meadows of Dan, Virginia. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is in charge of the arrangements, and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Mountain View United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Richard Wood, 441 Busted Rock Road, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120, or the Pratt Family Cemetery, c/o Joel Pratt, 1011 Emmanuel Road, SW, Floyd, VA 24091.
This is going to be a very long, boring post about my day yesterday. I am posting a recipe at the end, so you can skip down to that if you'd like ;)Well, it's only been a few days of consciously working on changing my eating habits again, but so far, so good. I have no idea if it's working, because I have no scale right now; but I'm eating on my regular schedule, and I'm tracking my calories.Yesterday, nothing seemed to be going right, and I was very busy, so it was a stressful day. I had therapy from 10-11 yesterday, and the office is about 25 minutes north. Then, I had to go take a class at the Red Cross to renew my CPR/First Aid certification--all the way in Ann Arbor (another 30 minutes past my therapist's office). That part was no big deal, because it didn't start until 1:30.The kids had a half-day of school. After I dropped them off at school, I headed straight to the rec center and ran my scheduled four miles. (Let me stop here and just say, running four miles on an indoor track (12 laps per mile) is SO BORING. Don't complain about a treadmill until you've tried running tiny laps.) My pace was 10:08, but I forgot my heart rate monitor again!After my run, I came home, took a shower and ate breakfast. Right as I was walking out the door, my dad called and asked if he could pick up the kids from school. That worked out great, because of their half day. So, I told him that school dismisses at 10:35, and I that I'd call the school so they could let the kids know, and it was all set.I got in the car, and realized I had no gas and no money, so I had to go to the ATM and gas station. Meanwhile, I had already been late getting out the door because I was on the phone with my dad. I was feeling stressed. While I was in line at the ATM, I was trying to look up the phone number to the middle school, and I couldn't find it. I found numbers for all the other schools in the district, but not the middle school.I called Jerry on his cell at work, and told him I didn't have time to keep looking for it, and could he please just call the school and let them know my dad was picking up the kids? He called back and said that it was all set, school would be dismissed at 11:20. When the kids were in elementary school, the early dismissal time was 11:20; but middle school has always been 10:35. I reminded him of this, and he said that the school even reminded him that dismissal was at 11:20. I didn't feel good about that, but I said okay, please let my dad know.Later, I would get a text from Eli telling me that he didn't see my text about the ride home until after he and Noah had gotten on the bus and were on their way home (they have to keep their phones off at school, so there is a delay when I text him). And school had let out at 10:35! I was mad that the school didn't tell them that their grandpa was picking them up; and that they told Jerry the wrong pick-up time.Then I started thinking about it... and I asked Jerry if maybe he called the elementary school instead of the middle school. He double checked the numbers, and sure enough, that's what he did! The person in the office probably recognized their names and didn't even realize they didn't go to school there anymore. So, the school told Jerry the correct time, but it was the wrong school! ;) Thankfully, my dad got the kids from the bus stop, and all was good.Meanwhile, I had a pretty tough session of therapy. The first 40 minutes were typical, but then I brought something up that's been going on lately with my depression, and I had a really hard time even talking about it. C (my therapist) actually kept me there over my allotted hour to talk about it. I did feel better when I left there, though (I always do). She gave me some exercises to work on for the next couple of weeks.From therapy, I headed up to Ann Arbor. Since I had time to kill, I decided to take the back roads because it's more scenic than I-94 (if you drive I-94, you know what I mean). It was great, until I came across a train that was at a dead stop across the road. So, I just rerouted and made my way to I-94 anyway.When I was making my way toward the Red Cross, I was looking for a place to grab some lunch. Then I noticed a TCBY (frozen yogurt) and I decided to have that. Not an ideal lunch, but we don't have frozen yogurt places near my house, so I very rarely get it. The last time I ate it was probably a year ago! Anyway, I didn't realize TCBY was self-serve, which is dangerous for me (back in the day, when I went to college up there, TCBY was not self-serve and they didn't have all those toppings--so I figured I'd get a small yogurt with strawberries or something).I decided to try not to be heavy-handed with the toppings, and to get more yogurt than anything else. I used the smallest cup size, and got mostly vanilla yogurt with a little chocolate on top. Then a small sprinkle of cookie dough bites, a couple of chunks of Reese's Cups, about a teaspoon of crushed Kit Kat, and a small squeeze of hot fudge.Of course, I wanted to totally load it up... but once I started eating it, I realized it was actually a really good ratio. Since I've had a bit of an aversion to sweets lately (it's so weird!) I think having minimal toppings made it taste really good. And here is a shocker--I actually picked off the Reese's Cups chunks after I took a small bite of one, because I didn't like the peanut butter as a sweet! I have no idea what is going on with my taste buds, but over the last few months, I have not liked peanut butter much and I'm just no that into rich dessert. I never thought I'd see the day.Anyway, I counted it as 600 calories, which is probably an overestimate, but I guessed my best on My Fitness Pal. Even with the high calorie lunch, my calories were only at about 1400 yesterday! I didn't plan that, but the dinner I made ended up being very low in calories.I've been kind of obsessed with bagged coleslaw mix lately (it's just shredded cabbage and carrots). It started when I tried making " Egg roll in a bowl ". That turned out really good, but had way too much soy sauce, so it was very salty; but, I liked the texture, and cabbage is my favorite vegetable. So, I started playing with it and adding it to other things as well. Surprisingly, my whole family loves it, too!Yesterday, I made the filling for P.F. Chang's lettuce wraps and then instead of eating it in lettuce wraps, I added a whole bag of the coleslaw mix and we ate it out of bowls. Everyone kept exclaiming how good it was, even my kids!I have no idea what to call this, so I'm just going to call it what it is: Ground Turkey and Cabbage with Spicy Peanut Sauce . (The link will take you to the recipe that I wrote up)This isn'tspicy--Noah despises anything with spice, so I have to use it lightly, but he actually really enjoyed this. I would suggest adding more Sriracha if you like it spicy :) (It's kind of funny--peanut butter in sweets has been grossing me out, but when eaten with cabbage and ground turkey(!) I actually really liked it).Now, I've been going through recipes and seeing what I can add a bag of coleslaw mix to. I've always added it to stir-frys, but I never thought to add it to other skillet meals. It's a great (low calorie) way to bulk up meals.Well, this post was super long, and even more boring than it was long, so I'll end it now. Hopefully, you still have time left to your weekend after reading this thing ;)
Cabinet confirms Government's support to army, popular forces





SANA'A, Jan. 21 (Saba)  The Cabinet on Saturday confirmed the National Salvation Government's support through all available means to the army and popular forces in the battle of defending Yemeni people's sovereignty and dignity.



During its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Aziz bin Habtoor, the cabinet discussed the government's role in supporting the steadfastness of front lines.



The meeting reviewed the heroic performance and legendary steadfastness of the army and popular forces in confronting the Saudi-aggression and its mercenaries in fighting fronts.



The cabinet listened to reports presented by Defense and Interior Ministers on the situations in the fighting fronts and the high readiness of the army and popular forces to face any new schemes by the aggression.



The cabinet valued the big popular support to the army and popular forces during the last period, stressing the importance of continuing and enhancing this role in order to defeat the aggression and foil its plans aimed to destroy Yemen.



The cabinet emphasized on providing all aspects of support and care to the martyrs' families, in addition to treating the wounded until recovering.



In the meeting, the cabinet approved to form a committee in charge of putting policies and executive procedures for the government's program.



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[21/January/2017]
The two-day Bengal Global Business Summit organised by the state government has received investment proposals worth Rs 2,35,290 crore, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced here on Saturday.

Addressing delegates on the concluding day of the meet, Banerjee said the manufacturing sector netted investment commitment of Rs 61,765 crore.

Among other major sectors, MSME attracted business proposals of Rs 50,710 crore, urban development got Rs 46,600 crore and transport Rs 38,801 crore.

"Despite demonetisation, a sum of Rs 2,35,290 crore has been committed during the summit," Banerjee said.

"This figure, at this juncture, in this situation is enough," Banerjee said.

She said during the previous two summits in 2015 and 2016 the state received over Rs 4.93 lakh crore of investment proposals, of which over 40 percent are in the implementation stage.

"Out of that, already over 40 percent has been implemented. It takes time to implement the projects," she said.

In the third edition of the summit, Chinese delegation committed investments of Rs 27, 200 crore for building up elevated mass rapid transit while Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state-run West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation for setting up a green city.

Banerjee said Norway showed interest in the maritime sector while the delegation from Italy expressed their keenness for projects in leather and manufacturing categories.

She also said the Chinese delegation evinced interest in infrastructure and manufacturing while delegates from Japan were keen on participating in a drinking water project.

Terming the summit as "super successful", Banerjee once again urged the industrialists to invest in Bengal.

"If you invest in Bengal, you can develop industries in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and north eastern states. You can also develop industries in Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore which are not far way from Bengal."
The central government on Friday evening gave its nod to the Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to enable holding of Jallikattu, as the southern state saw continued massive protests in support of the bull-taming sport.

Officials in New Delhi said the Home Ministry cleared the ordinance after the Law Ministry nod to the draft ordinance of the Tamil Nadu government.



They said the Centre's concurrence paved the way for the promulgation of the ordinance in Tamil Nadu.



Amid massive protests demanding the holding of Jallikattu in his state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam told reporters in the national capital earlier on Friday that his government will promulgate the ordinance for facilitating Jallikattu.



The Chief Minister said the state government had drafted an amendment to some provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and sent it to the central government.



He said the ordinance will be promulgated after Governor C.H. Vidyasagar Rao approves it, following which Jallikattu can be held in the state.



Though the Chief Minister urged the demonstrators to withdraw their protests, the swarming mass of youths at Chennai's Marina Beach and in Madurai declared they will end their demonstration only after the sport is held.



"We will call off the protest only after Jallikattu is held in Tamil Nadu. The measure announced by the Chief Minister seems to be a stop-gap arrangement. The permanent solution is that the central government by a notification remove bulls from the list of performing animals given in The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act," said a protester.

Even several hours after Panneerselvam's announcement, the number of protesters at Marina beach continued to swell.



In several localities groups of youths carrying placards assembled while beating drums.



Many young people, including couples with children in tow, gathered at the Marina Beach.



" Jallikattu is Tamil Nadu's identity and pride. We want Jallikattu," Venkatesh, employed in a private company, told IANS while moving towards Marina with his family.



His daughter and son were carrying a "We want Jallikattu" placard.



"The student protest is the culmination of the stand taken by the central government on various issues concerning Tamil Nadu, like the Cauvery river water sharing, attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, Jallikattu," R. Arul, Secretary, Pasumai Thayagam, a non-government organisation (NGO), told IANS.



Meanwhile, the DMK held protests on rail tracks in Tamil Nadu and its Working President M.K. Stalin was detained by police for some time.



In some districts schools were also closed while shops downed their shutters across the state in support of Jallikattu.



The Supreme Court in May 2014 banned Jallikattu, saying that bulls cannot be used as performing animals including bullock-cart races.



Since then, people have been urging the central government to take steps to allow the sport.



On Friday, the Supreme Court agreed not to pronounce its verdict on Jallikattu for one week in the wake of large scale protests in Tamil Nadu.



A bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra agreed to put the pronouncement on hold on a plea by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi who told the court that "cultural passions" were running high in the state.



The apex court had in 2016 reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions by animal rights activist and organisations challenging a January 7, 2016, government notification taking out bulls from the list of animals that cannot be exhibited or used for fights or races.



The notification was then stayed by the top court a week after its issuance.



The court was informed that both the Centre and Tamil Nadu were in touch and some measures were being taken to tackle the situation that surfaced in light of the harvest festival of Pongal in which the ancient animal sport has special significance.
Several Indian-Americans gathered for a gala here to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th US President, an event skipped by many from the community, with Shalabh Kumar, a key member of the President's panel on Asia-Pacific affairs, also conspicuous by his absence.

At least a hundred Indian-Americans attended the gala that took place at the Grand Ballroom of the central Mayflower hotel in Washington on Friday, American Bazaar online reported.

Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna and his counterparts from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore were also present.

"This is a great celebration of Asian success," Sarna said at the event, largely attended by Republican crowd.

"I am very happy that Indian-Americans are part of the successful large Asian community."

Virginia Republican Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the organisers of the event, told the American Bazaar that it was "a grand success".

"We were able to create a platform for the AAPI (Asian-American and Pacific Islanders) community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration."

Ahluwalia added that by showing up in good numbers, the Indian-American community has showed their desire for "the US-India relationship to be on the front and centre for the next administration".

Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Barbara Comstack, Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph DLG Torres as well as a number of Republican leaders from various Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities.

"The (Trump) administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries," said Royce, the California Republican known to be one of the most staunchly pro-India voices in the US Congress.

"We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship," said the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee.

Indian-American Republicans who were present included Californian K.V. Kumar, Floridian Harry Walia and Ahluwalia who along with Shalabh Kumar form Trump-Pence campaign's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee.

Shalabh Kumar was, however, not present.

The formal part of the ball began with a rendition of the US national anthem. Indian food and Bollywood dance were other highlights of the event.
At least 16 people were killed and 39 others injured on Saturday in a bus accident in the city of Verona, according to rescue officials.

The victims were mostly young Hungarians returning home after a trip to France, Efe news reported.

Italian news agency Ansa said a number of the pupils, who were mainly boys aged between 14 and 18, were thrown out of the vehicle when it collided with a pylon.
So there we have it. The moment the world has been waiting for  or in some cases dreading - has finally arrived.

And with much fanfare and aplomb yesterday, a man whose ability to hold what is arguably the most powerful political position in the world had come under so much scrutiny and criticism is today officially the President of the United States of America.

With the inauguration of Donald John Trump as the 45th President of the United States, a new era has started. And whether we support him, agree with his views or prescribe to his school thoughts that is irrelevant from now onwards.

The fact is Trump has arrived, he has taken his oath to make America great again and he is here to stay.

Whats important to remember is that what he decides to do with the most powerful nation in the world for the next few years will have an impact on all of us, which means his arrival is something we must accept and live with.

Indeed, his reign as the new President of the land of the free and home of the brave begins now and this is when what he says and what he does really matters.

You see, during the past few years, he has done what he needed to do to secure the Presidency. Call his approach unorthodox and some of his methodologies crazy but it did the job for him.

He is here as the President and he deserves a chance to live out his dream for America, just like past presidents had. And if we were to believe in the scriptures that all authorities are divine and from God, the question weve got to ask it why is there so much resistance against Trump.

There are many reasons. But from the Pacific standpoint, one of the most worrying factors about Trump becoming President is his attitude towards Global warming and climate change. This is no longer a secret. Everyone knows what Trump has been saying about the climate change and that is extremely worrying. Come to think of it this is an area where he will be harshly judged by from the international community  including Pacific islands.

But thats probably the least of Trumps concerns for now.

Living thousands of miles away from the sinking small island developing states, he will have a lot more pressing issues on his mind.

And his inauguration address clearly reflected this. If anything Trump has already signaled that this is an era where America will do whats best for America first. True to his word about prioritising matters that are more important to Americans, Trump doesnt look like he is going to stray from it.

We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people. Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for years to come, Trump said yesterday (see speech page 15).

We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done. Every four years, we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power, and we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent.

Todays ceremony, however, has very special meaning.

Because today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another -- but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the American People.

Now who doesnt want to be empowered like that? Who wouldnt feel inspired and proud to be American with such remarks?

But his most telling comment was yet to come.

Listen to him: For too long, a small group in our nations Capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished -- but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered -- but the jobs left, and the factories closed.

The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nations capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

That all changes -- starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you.

There is absolutely no doubt about it. President Trump has landed and from here onwards, we will certainly be watching and following his progress very carefully.

We wish Trump and his administration all the best.

In the meantime, have a peaceful Sunday Samoa, God bless!
Dear Editor,

Re: P.M understands business quite well

Whilst youre swimming around in that beautiful sea of facts, I wish to also jump in and join you in the enabling environment that was created from 2000 onwards which resulted in this massive growth in Tourism.

The statistics show that the number of visitors (including tourists) to Samoa rose exponentially over that time period. Samoas GDP was regularly recording huge growth of 5-6% annually until the tsunami and the global financial crisis hit in 2008-2009.

Four key things happened:

1) The Companies Act 2001 created sole-person companies which allowed more smaller businesses to enter the tourism market (eg: Beach Fale operations). Youll notice that Beach Fale accomodation practically exploded after 2001 as opposed to pre-2000 when there was hardly any around.

2) The joint deal with Virgin Australia created Polynesian Blue which offered (at that time) lower cost airfares in line with the Budget Airline business model the venture followed (at that time). This made airfares cheaper and people flocked to fly the airline. Especially newer tourists on a budget. This has since changed ever since Virgin Australia did the dirty deal with Air New Zealand a few years ago but the numbers of tourists has been steady and is now bouncing back to pre-2009 levels. 2016 was the best year in a decade. Dont forget that the Samoan Government still owns 49% of Virgin Samoa (and previously, Polynesian Blue). Grey Investment Group owns 2%. So Samoa in total has owned 51% of this venture ever since 2005 and every single year, the airline has recorded a profit.

3) The deregulation of the telecommunications industry allowed competition into the Samoan market. Digicel came in and revolutionised telecommunications in Samoa. Prices were slashed. Samoatel was then privatised as the next step and Bluesky entered the market. We now have genuine competition between Digicel and Bluesky and 90% of Samoans have cell phones. The effect on tourism was indirect but quite important. Digicel and Bluesky added their financial investment into infrastructure that supports tourism eg: extending the cellphone coverage to 95% of Samoa. Manu Samoa has been funded almost exclusively by either Digicel or Bluesky for over a decade now. That money has allowed Manu Samoa to front the world and promote Samoa - especially the world champion 7s team in 2010. SIFA has also been another cash cow for Manu Samoa. So thanks to Digicel, Bluesky and SIFA, Manu Samoa has continued to promote Samoa overseas. It has always been either SIFA.WS or DIGICEL or BLUESKY on their playing jerseys as the major sponsor.

4) Grey Investment Group has had massive influence in the tourism industry and the government has fully supported anything the Grey Empire has required. They wanted casino licences, they got it. Has the world fallen apart? No. However, Sheraton has now seen fit to enter the Samoan market because they are comfortable that Samoa is a good place to do business and because of the belief that they have in the Grey Investment Group. Lamana Investment Group also entered the market on government support. The mostly Samoan consortium that owns Return to Paradise resort in Lefaga also had full government support. Sheraton coming into Samoa is a massive massive deal for Samoa. The worldwide resources of the Starwood Group is a massive bonus for the tourism industry.

So thanks Stui. Your administration has done good. It has created a superb enabling environment for investment to flow in and allow the tourism industry to grow. Never has there been so many hotels, motels, and beach accomodation providers in Samoan history. Never have the numbers of tourists to Samoa ever been at such high levels.

Now, with further investment in the airport and the fibre optic cable coming to Samoa this year as well as the Apia waterfront development, we look forward to more growth. So much growth that I am reminded of that famous song: love is all around us.

PS Jeffrey
To be honest, the weather is the least of our worries. Expect the unexpected is the given (and best) travel advice for anyone visiting Papua New Guinea. Its a country thats casual about a few things, from plane timetables to customs regulations to automatic weapons.

He sniffs the air in the same casual manner with which he hangs the rifle on his shoulder. Will it rain? he replies. It depends on the weather.

DO you think it will rain tonight? I ask Joseph, the man with the gun. He looks up, beyond the mist clinging to the valley, doing its damnedest to conceal the river-ridden jungle that is to be our home for the next few days.

Its never been an easy place to visit. Two weeks by the pool, this is not. But head away from the capital, Port Moresby, to travel deep into the jungles and youll find PNG one of the most fascinating places on the planet.

The problem is the best spots are also the most inaccessible; roads are not exactly forthcoming, hotels are poor, travelling is tricky. With a little thought, though, the solution is obvious. Employ the method that the local tribes have known about for centuries and get on a boat.

Sepik Spirit is a small, comfortable vessel that chugs up and down the Karawari River, a tributary of the Sepik in the countrys north, allowing you a way into villages and landscapes that cant be reached by other means.

Step ashore and witness a culture and a daily life that is utterly different from anything you know.

Back on board, youll eat well, thanks to the ships excellent chefs; theres beer and wine (though, ironically given the name, no spirits); and the nine two-berth cabins all have picture windows, so you can watch this extraordinary land pass by from the comfort of your bed. And it is extraordinary.

There are more than 800 languages in PNG. Its rich in plant and birdlife; orchids and birds of paradise are abundant. Germany, Britain and Australia have all laid claim to parts of the coast over the years, but the lush interior was only reached by outsiders in the 1930s.

What these pioneers found were a million people who believed the explorers to be ghosts. They feared the dead had turned white and come back to haunt them.

They had no knowledge of a modern world beyond the trees, and even now theyre still there, hunting with bows and arrows and stone axes, fearing the demons that come out of the jungle at night, and being entirely suspicious of the outsider who arrives in the day.

The chief welcomes you, says Alfonso, my translator and guide, as I am offered sago bread, which tastes like a grey flat nothing of mulched tree pulp, because thats what it is.

I dont wish to offend. Even so, I turn down the offer of a drink. Drinks in these remote villages can take the form of an initiation ceremony in which a teenage boys genitals are cut with bamboo while he imbibes a beverage made from betel nut mixed with ginger and blood from his father.

Thats a cocktail you certainly wont find at a resort pool bar.

Next morning, I wake as the sunshine burns the mist off the valley, as if to uncover more of its secrets. Come, Alfonso says, it is time to meet the mud men.

Away from the boat, in the highlands province of Chimbu, I find myself sitting in a clearing, while men with dirt-painted torsos, their faces obscured by demon masks made of clay, perform a ritualistic dance telling of the old ways, when creatures would come from the mountains at night to take their children.

They still passionately believe in these monsters and I begin to as well when they top off their impressive blur of semi-naked rhythmic, sinewy movement and sacred chanting with the mock sacrifice of a child.

Afterwards, as I thank my hosts and make to leave, the village witch doctor beckons me over, muttering his spells as he bids me stare into his bag of bones. Alfonso says, as if sensing my disquiet, It is his pig-bone bag. For herbs. For his magic. He says not to believe everything you read.

Today, this sounds crazy. Dead-pig magic belongs to a different time. Yet somehow, if you immerse yourself in PNG, it all makes sense.

As recently as 2013, Britain had a Sorcery Act, which allowed an accusation of black magic to be used as a defence for murder. Though time has moved on and youll be safe with the guides and the guards, old beliefs and customs hold sway.

Out here, disputes are still solved by the beating of bamboo on ancestral spirit drums, whose ghosts decide whether two tribes will go to war. And they eat crocodiles.

In this regard, the tribespeople are keen to show me the ropes. And not only the ropes, but the spears, the paddles and the dugout canoes. We cast off late at night on the Sepik, the water reflecting the Milky Way (light pollution is not an issue).

Our mission: to hunt crocodiles, which are killed for their meat and valuable skins. That said, the sound a skull-speared crocodile makes when being dragged on to a boat is something you dont forget. But the village will eat. That is survival.

Yet the crocodile is also revered, particularly among the Kaningara tribe of the Blackwater River. Here, in the murky tributaries of the Sepik, for boys to become men, they are led into spirit houses and, over the course of weeks, the markings of the sacred crocodile are cut ritualistically into their skin.

The scars last forever, making generations of men with crocodile flesh. In a land filled with the spiritual art of masks, totems and carvings, its the ultimate exhibit.

If your idea of a holiday is adventure, if you want to step back in time into a world where painted men gather in huts to make peace with the spirits and women fish on the river banks, their babies clamped to their bosoms, get in early before the tourism dollar turns it all into a theme park.

The river, oblivious, passes by just as time has passed these people by, overlooked by a modern world that has neglected to realise theyre here.

Get on the boat, go find them. Expect the unexpected.

Jon Holmes is a British broadcaster, comedian and writer whose latest book is A Portrait of an Idiot as a Young Man (Orion). He was a guest of Papua New Guinea Tourism and Trans Niugini Tours.
The father of a woman who claims to be carrying the marks of Jesus Christs suffering has been stripped off his roles by the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa (C.C.C.S).

Reverend Opapo Soanai, who currently looks after the Siufaga C.C.C.S parish, confirmed the decision during an interview with the Sunday Samoan.

But he has questioned the conflicting reasons offered by different officials of the church as to why he has been stood down.

Theyre giving me conflicting reasons, Rev. Soanai said. On Monday, Senara called to inform me that I had been stripped of all my duties. I asked him why and he said its because of the statues of Mary and Jesus inside our church."

So our congregation has written to them. I will not leave because of this."

For your information, the Churchs Constitution dictates that if a Pastor sins, the Elder of the Pulega should summon him. If the sin is proven, then he should be summoned by the Elders of the Matagaluega and then eventually the Elders Committee.

In my case, this is the first case where I havent been summoned by the Pulega, or by the Matagaluega, not even the Elders Committee and yet I have been penalised. So our parish has written to them to express that the manner in which this decision has been made is unloving and communist-like.

Rev. Soanai said the second reason offered for his dismissal, as he was informed by the Secretary of the Elders Committee, is that he has disobeyed orders.

So I asked, what order have I disobeyed? They said I was disobedient when I went to take my daughter to Rome. They said I shouldve just taken her there and come back right away.

Rev. Soanai denies that he had been disobedient.

I told them I was going to be back after the 18th December which is what I did. I came back on the 20th but I got stuck in New Zealand when my flight was delayed. I was here before Christmas. I only found when I arrived that I had been relieved of my duties and thats why weve written to them. We want to know why.

Rev. Soanai protested his innocence saying he has done nothing wrong.

There is no clause of the Church Constitution that I have violated. I was initially reluctant to talk about this but its because I now have two conflicting stories about what theyve done to me that I want to know the truth.

Asked if his daughters decision to convert to Catholicism has anything to do with what has happened, Rev. Soanai said he has always respected the church he took an oath to serve.

The truth is I have the utmost respect for the Elders Committee. For your information, when they stopped me on 28th August from helping my daughter asking that I let her go on her own, I obeyed because I respected them."

Up until now, there were seven revelations in Rome, and three this year, I havent spoken about anything. The first message in Rome was about the Chairman of the Church but I havent said anything. I cannot discuss that with you. We will wait until Toa returns, you will find out eventually everything that happened in Rome.

Rev. Soanai said the decision by the church has taken him by surprise, especially after a meeting he had with representatives of the Matagaluega Aana, Lefaga, Alofi and Manono on 4 January 2017 where he was assured that nothing would happen to him.

Ive been mistreated for something Im not sure what it is.

Told that perhaps the leadership of the church is unhappy about the emphasis on the statues of Mary and Jesus placed in their church since his daughter started to receive messages, Rev. Soanai said that could possibly be the case.

But they cannot stand him down for something like that.

I havent done anything wrong. I havent committed adultery, I havent used any of the churchs money and I havent been caught drunk.

In the Church Constitution, there is nothing in there against statues of Mary and Jesus.

If you look at all the churches, there are images of Jesus and Mary everywhere. Those are statues too.

Rev. Soanai added that he did not acquire the statues himself.

See, I didnt get those statues myself. They were brought over as a present and our church membership are fearful to reject it because they are of Jesus and Mary. If it was of anything else, then they mightve considered rejecting it.

There is a history to the statues.

When the statues were brought over, Toa received a message which said if anyone rejects them, they will suffer forever

So what we are saying is that if they want to remove it, they can come and do it themselves but we cant because we received the translated message in Hebrew.

This translation came from the Malua Theological College where the Hebrew language is taught.

Our congregation will not stop anyone who wants to remove them but we are fearful because we are aware of what the translation of the message from the Hebrew language said.

As for his daughter Toa, Rev. Soanai said she remains in Rome to await the outcome of an investigation carried out by Catholic officials to confirm her stigmata claims.

My hope is that the investigation will be of higher standard to prove this thing.

But what will he do next?

I dont mind if they strip me off my roles and responsibilities. But they cannot stop me from talking about the truth. If I lose my duties and appointments because of the statue of Mary and Jesus, Id be very happy (because I stood for something I believe in).

It was not possible to get an official comment from the church at press time.

Father pays price for daughters mission

Last year, Rev. Soanais daughter, Toaipuapua Opapo Patrick, claimed to be carrying the marks of Jesus Christs suffering. Rev. Soanai has been a strong supporter of his daughter who has since converted to Catholicism. He accompanied her to Rome recently where her stigmata claims are being investigated.Speaking to the Samoa Observer last year, Toa said converting to the Catholic faith is the only way she can continue her mission from God.

I am a messenger and I want to continue the work that I have been sent to do, she said.

I know the majority of the people misunderstand almost everything I say, they twist it. But being chosen by God as a messenger is something I did not ask for. He chooses whoever he wants as a messenger.

Toa said she could not wait for the leadership of the C.C.C.S to make up their minds about accepting her and most importantly the messages she was receiving from God.

We dont have that much time to prepare and get things done because God gave us this mission to complete right on time, she said. So we dont want to just sit around and wait for everyone to agree. We wanted to continue our mission and I feel this is the only way.

She added that while she continues to be fully supportive of her parents' work as Church Ministers of the C.C.C.S, some recent developments have left her with no choice but to become a Catholic.

The elders of the church (C.C.C.S) are trying to stop us from spreading the messages and my father was instructed to distant himself from whats going on with me, she said. He was told to remove the statues from inside the church.
A couple residing in Fagamalo, Savaii, have issued a warning to all members of the public.

As victims of what they claim as an immigration scam run by a woman in Taufusi whose name is withheld for now, the couple who spoke to the Sunday Samoan on the condition of anonymity, said they dont want anyone else to fall in the same trap they did.

They claim to have been hoodwinked of close to $20,000 in fees for a trip to Australia that has yet to happen.

The soon to be married couple, an Australian man and Samoan woman, consulted the woman to help with immigration visa for the Samoan woman to travel to Australia.

The Australian man has been working and living in Savaii for two years where he met and fell in love with his wife who is from Fagamalo. The woman soon fell pregnant and the couple decided make plans to have the child in Australia.

The trouble is they needed a visa so they came to Upolu in September last year.

It was hard for us to keep coming from Savaii and pay for accommodation and all that sort of stuff. In September, we were given her name and someone said we should go and see her, the man said.

Thats how we met her. We compiled most of the information and she said she was going to get the airfares and the statutory declarations, which was $150."

The airfares were $5,800 and that was the first amount of money we were tricked into giving her. She said it will be heaps better if you give them two return airfares already."

So we just thought this womans been recommended by a family friend, shes going to help us from going back to and forth from Savaii all the time. Thats why we decided to use her."

When she convinced us to give her the airfare money, we were supposed to give it to a woman from Polynesian Airline but she rang up pretending to be this woman from Polynesian Airline."

As soon as we gave her the airfare money, we couldnt get a hold of her for a week and we tried emailing and phoning and no answer.

Things got worse.

Then we got a response from the High Commission stating that the tourist visa had been denied because the extra information had not been submitted within seven days."

Yet we compiled that in the first two days and she said she submitted it to TT Services, a visa applications center for Australian visas. We were going to put the information in ourselves and but she said she would take care of it.

When the tourist visa was denied, the couple opted to apply for a permanent visa.

The fee for the permanent visa is normally over $13,000 but we gave her $14,000 for all the expenses. We found out she didnt apply for the visa."

After we submitted the first tourist visa, we had stopped working."

When we put in the second visa, she told us that they requested pay slips and confirmation of employment which we didnt want to do since we stopped working."

So she convinced us to put in a fake pay slip to say that my partner was still working. We protested that but she convinced us to do it. She said, the immigration agent is my friend shes the only one who sees it.

Well they checked up on it and because of those two fraudulent documents, the application was denied.

What has really angered the couples that the woman now has a black mark on her name in terms of travel.

Once you get denied a visa for suspect documents, titled 4020 Clause which was put on my partners name, she cant apply for a visa for three years."

She was going to use that as an excuse for why the permanent visa wouldnt be finished and you cant refund the application fee. She knows all this very well because she used to have an agency. "

Weve been to the Police and the High Commission and they know we were the victims of a scam and thats the reason my partner has a mark on her name.

Looking back on the situation, the couple admitted they were naive.

We were getting frustrated the whole time because it was going on so long."

The police said shes a very smart and she strung us along for a long time. Looking back on it now, we were very stupid."

We were under the impression that she was a friend of the family and looking out for our best interest but she had us set up from the very start. It wasnt until that we said enough is enough and we went to the police and provided key pieces of evidence to prove that she lied to use from the very start.

Now the soon expecting couple have to come up with new plans.

The babys due in April and weve just applied for a medical treatment visa to go to Australia and have the baby."

We should hopefully be getting a decision soon. All the evidence weve submitted were hoping will allow us to stay in Australia and apply for the partner visa while in Australia and hopefully thats our best case scenario.

The other option is they may approve the medical treatment or have the baby but we have to come back to Samoa and apply for the partner visa."

Or if they deny the medical treatment visa and dont remove the mark from her name, we will have to stay for another three years and apply for another visa."

We want this woman exposed because shes been charged before our case and has two current cases apart from ours. We think its the tip of the iceberg as well.

I think shes defrauding a lot of people and we want to warn everyone.

The accused woman was contacted for a comment but she declined.

She said the matter is with the Police.
Tourists flock from around the world to catch a glimpse of beautiful Samoa.

But for one tourist couple from Spain, Ivan and Maria Ruiz, their time here will always be remembered for a very sad experience.

As the pair were returning from a lovely evening spent at tourist hotspot, To Sua Trench, they were involved in an accident with an Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C) vehicle.

Now accidents happen. They accept that.

But what started out as another car accident soon turned into a nightmare which resulted in the overnight imprisonment of the Spanish man.

According to Mr. Ruiz, he was driving on the left lane of the road at a moderate speed before he was confronted by what he claimed to be a speeding E.P.C vehicle. But that was only the beginning of their troubles.

At the Lalomanu Police Station, Mr. Ruiz said he was immediately victimized when he was asked to sign an official accident report claiming him as the guilty party. He wouldnt.

I tried to avoid the collision and I turned the steering wheel and ended up on the right (lane). The police said I was dangerous because I was driving on the right, which is not correct. This is why I did not want to sign, he explained.

The police said that I was recklessly driving, which is not true. What I did is I steered the wheel to the right to avoid a collision. I didnt invade the opposite lane to drive on the right, I was steering fast to avoid a collision."

Had I steered to the left, I would have gotten a full frontal collision, so I decided to steer to the right.

The accident happened at around 5pm.

We stayed there until 11. The whole time they were trying to get me to settle and sign and agree that I was reckless and dangerously driving. I told them Im not signing it. They told me I should pay for the repairs and I said, no let me talk to the lawyers. Mr. Ruiz was later transferred to the Apia Police station.

Afraid, distressed and concerned, especially since they are not acquainted with the laws of Samoa, Mr. Ruiz said he still does not understand why he was held overnight.

This is something that I dont get here. If the E.P.C pressed charges against us, I dont know why they put me into custody overnight.

I dont know about common law so Im not sure what is the procedure. This is strange for me, I dont quite understand. "

Maybe, and this is my feeling, that the police in Lalomanu said I was driving dangerously. This is an offence. I guess this is the reason."

Since I was not signing the declaration that I was guilty and it was not my fault he said, Okay Ill take you to Apia and theyll solve the problem. But this is just my feeling.

While Mr. Ruiz was in custody, his wife Maria Ruiz, got in contact with the Honorary Spanish Consulate, Fepuleai Patrick Fepuleai. A lawyer by profession, Fepuleai also provided them with legal advice.

In the morning, I paid them $3,300 and they withdrew the charges.

According to Mr. Ruiz, he was told he had two options. To continue to protest his innocence and fight the charges of pay up and leave.

As soon as I paid the money they got me out of the police station and that was it.

For Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz, they said they worked out it was better to pay the money.

The thing is that the Police wanted me to stay until Tuesday but we are flying today to Fiji, then Auckland and then Chile. So I said okay fine this is the best way to solve the situation I pay the tala and that was it."

I still say that it was not my fault. They were invading my part of the lane because they were going at high speed into the curb, so they just appeared in front of me and what I did was steer to the right to avoid a frontal collision.

Mr. Ruiz said his treatment at the Apia Police Station was humane and they were much better to deal with then the police in Lalomanu.

The people at the Apia police station were quite nice. The normal police were checking in every one hour or so and saying, How Are you feeling? And I said, no, Im fine. They allowed me out to see my wife because she was nervous most of the time. I was getting support from them.

Mr. Ruiz added that if he were a resident and this accident occurred he would have pursued legal action against E.P.C.

I wouldve said listen, you didnt have insurance and you guys were driving on the left side. There is no way you can tell me this is right.

This is not the way. You can say the other stuff but none of us have the assurance that the other party is right and no witnesses, just the driver, the other guy sitting on the truck and my wife and me.

The couple has now put the incident behind them.

Asked if this incident has skewed their view of Samoa, he said: The view of Samoa is fine. I finished a traditional tattoo last night.

I went with Peter Suluape and hes a magnificent guy. And all the people I met here are fantastic. The only problem I see is that in rural areas not areas not close to the city, they do what they want."

This not only happens in Samoa but everywhere in the world. I dont blame Samoan people, it is the attitude of people that are in the middle of nowhere and think the area that they are managing is theirs."

The rest of the Samoan people we dealt with were fantastic.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president, hundreds of thousands of women took to the streets in the nation's capital and cities around the world Saturday to send Donald Trump an emphatic message that they won't let his agenda go unchallenged over the next four years.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack, and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America, and we are here to stay."

The turnout in the capital was so big that crowds packed the entire march route, preventing organizers from leading a formal trek toward the White House. Likewise, in Chicago, organizers canceled the march portion of their event for safety reasons after the overflow crowd reached an estimated 150,000.

The women brandished signs with slogans such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" and decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, gay rights, diversity and climate change. Their message reverberated at demonstrations around the globe, from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles to Paris, Berlin, London, Prague, Sydney and beyond.

Boston professor Garland Waller, 66, part of the Washington mobilization, said she was "devastated" after the election and had to take action. "I don't know what to do to make a difference anymore, and this feels like a first step," she said.

Saskia Coenen Snyder, a teacher at the University of South Carolina who came to a rally in Columbia, said: "I'm not sure we could have picked a more irresponsible, misogynistic and dangerous man to be president."

Officials said the crowd in Washington could be more than half a million people, more than double expectations. The event appeared to have attracted more people than Trump's inauguration on Friday, based on figures from transportation officials.

More than 600 "sister marches" were planned around the world, and plenty of men were part of the tableau, too. Organizers estimated 3 million people would march worldwide.

Seventy-one-year-old Allan Parachini, who traveled from Hawaii to the Washington march, called it "the most impressive crowd I've seen since Woodstock."

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when "many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes."

"It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were," she said.

As the demonstrators rallied alongside the National Mall, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration, and later visited the CIA. As he traveled around town, his motorcade passed large groups of protesters that would have been hard to miss.

Marlita Gogan, who came to Washington from Houston for the inauguration, said police advised her family not to wear their "Make America Great Again Hats" as they walked through crowds of protesters while playing tourist on Saturday.

"I think it's very oppressive," she said of the march atmosphere. "They can have their day, but I don't get it."

On the streets, feminist leader Gloria Steinem described the worldwide mobilization as "the upside of the downside: This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life."

"Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are," she told the crowd, labeling Trump an "impossible president."

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values."

The marches displayed a level of enthusiasm that Clinton herself was largely unable to generate during her campaign against Trump, when she won the popular vote but he outdistanced her in the electoral vote.

At rallies around the world, many participants wore hand-knit "pussyhats"  a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals.

They "ain't for grabbing," actress Ashley Judd told the Washington crowd.

The marches were a magnet for A-list celebrities, unlike Trump's inauguration, which had a deficit of top performers.

Cher, in the nation's capital, said Trump's ascendance has people "more frightened maybe than they're ever been." In Park City, Utah, it was Charlize Theron leading demonstrators in a chant of "Love, not hate, makes America great." In New York, actresses Helen Mirren and Cynthia Nixon and Whoopi Goldberg joined a crowd of protesters marching to Trump's local home.

Tens of thousands of protesters squeezed into London's Trafalgar Square. In Paris, thousands rallied in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump" and "With our sisters in Washington." Hundreds gathered in Prague's Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, mockingly waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin.

"We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections," said organizer Johanna Nejedlova.

In Sydney, thousands of Australians gathered in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.

The rallies were a peaceful counterpoint to the window-smashing unrest that unfolded on Friday when self-described anarchists tried to disrupt the inauguration. Police used pepper spray and stun grenades against demonstrators. More than 200 people were arrested.
Those who braved Fridays weather to hear San Diego Symphonys evening concert  repeated Sunday at 2 p.m. in Jacobs Music Centers Copley Symphony Hall  received confirmation that great masterpieces often come in small packages.

Sundays weather forecast may be dire, but even thunder and lightning will not overpower the quietly radiant artistry to be heard when two of the orchestras own virtuosos  English horn principal Andrea Overturf and principal trumpet Micah Wilkinson  join the orchestras strings and guest conductor Cristian Macelaru in Aaron Coplands Quiet City.

As this months exploration of American music draws to a close, this concert  aptly titled LA/NY  started down here on the western edge and then vaulted clear across the country to the other.

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Igor Stravinskys Symphony in Three Movements led off. Wait. American music, Los Angeles, Stravinsky? There are connections. This work was the first Stravinsky completed after emigrating to America in 1945. Settling among Los Angeles refugee colony of writers and musicians that included Thomas Mann and Arnold Schoenberg, he was eager to write for films. In fact, the Symphony in Three Movements used music Stravinsky had worked on (since 1942) for eventually unrealized film projects.

This is, nonetheless, elegantly crafted music, and the orchestra gave it a meticulous, energetic performance. Macelaru is young and the distance he has traveled as an artist  he made a point of completing violin studies at the highest level before embarking on a conducting career  is evident in his podium presence. His conducting is clear, steady and completely at the service of both the music and the players. Self-display is absent. In many ways, the opening work was his best work of the evening, even if it lacked a sense of conviction, or a strong interpretive vision.

John Adams City Noir closed the concerts first half. Composed for Gustavo Dudamels first concert as the Los Angeles Philharmonics music director in 2009, City Noir is a huge puddle of music that spreads out in all directions. It starts loud, gets louder, makes furious gestures toward being an imaginary 1940s B-movie score, and finally becomes a runaway car chase during which the vehicles break down somewhere in the far reaches of Mulholland Drive.

Perhaps the composer makes sense of it when he conducts it. Macelaru had his hands full  and his head in the score  just to make sure everyone finished together, and its frenetic aimlessness poisoned the playing with shrillness and desperation. One thing almost saved it: saxophonist Timothy McAllister, whose blazing stand-up-and-let-loose solos evoked the cool swing of the great jazz-inflected film scores of the late 1940s and 50s.

And then came beauty, Aaron Coplands Quiet City. Wilkinson is a wizard, the peer in technical skill and beautiful sound of the greatest trumpet virtuosos of the past (and I do not hesitate to include the Chicago Symphonys legendary Adolph Herseth in that group). Wilkinson possesses the sensibility that, above the notes and the sound, it must have: a suavely executed swing that summoned an entire sleeping city in a few phrases.

Leonard Bernsteins Symphonic Dances from West Side Story is dangerous music for orchestras and conductors alike. Adrenaline pumps and sentiment surges; without control, its hard to make it mean something. Macelaru either didnt understand or couldnt find its swing  an almost-indefinable quality that you dont miss until its not there  or sensuality. In a slashing, over-propelled performance, clotted textures and untidy attacks turned it into a dancing corpse.

San Diego Symphony, with conductor Cristian Macelaru

When: 8 p.m. Saturday (sold out), 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Jacobs Music Centers Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown.

Tickets: $20-$96, Friday and Sunday; Saturday is sold out

Phone: (619) 235-0804

Online: sandiegosymphony.org

Overton is a freelance writer.
At the center of his foreign policy vision, Donald Trump has put America First, a phrase with an anti-Semitic and isolationist history going back to the years before the U.S. entry into World War II.

Trump started using the slogan in the later months of his campaign, and despite requests from the Anti-Defamation League that he drop it, he stuck with it.

Friday, he embraced the words as a unifying theme for his inaugural address.

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From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, Trump said on the Capitol steps. From this day forward, its going to be only America First. America First.

Those same words galvanized a mass populist movement against U.S. entry into the war in Europe, even as the German army rolled through France and Belgium in the spring of 1940.

A broad-based coalition of politicians and business leaders on the right and left came together as the America First Committee to oppose President Franklin D. Roosevelts support for France and Great Britain. The movement grew to more than 800,000 members.

While the America First Committee attracted a wide array of support, the movement was marred by anti-Semitic and pro-fascist rhetoric. Its highest profile spokesman, Charles Lindbergh, blamed American Jews for pushing the country into war.

The British and the Jewish races, he said at a rally in September 1941, for reasons which are not American, wish to involve us in the war.

The greatest danger Jews posed to the U.S. lies in their large ownership and influence in our motion pictures, our press, our radio, and our government, Lindbergh said.

It is unclear if Trump is bothered by the ugly history of the phrase. What is clear is that he is determined to make the words his own. He has used them to sell his promises to impose trade barriers, keep manufacturing jobs inside the U.S. and restrict illegal and legal immigration.

Inauguration Day live updates: American carnage stops here and now, Trump says 

Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families, Trump said in Fridays inaugural speech.

We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs, he said.

It is such a toxic phrase with such a putrid history, said Susan Dunn, professor of humanities at Williams College and an expert in American political history, in an interview.

Lindbergh and other prominent members of the America First organization believed democracy was in decline and that fascism represented a new future, Dunn said.

Those words carry an enormous weight, said Lynne Olson, author of Those Angry Days, a book about the clash between Lindbergh and Roosevelt over entering the war.

That time was strikingly familiar to now, Olson said. There was an enormous amount of economic and social turmoil in the country, anti-Semitism rose dramatically as well as general nativism and populism.

Shortly after Trump took the oath of office, White House aides posted a 500-word description of Trumps approach to the world titled America First Foreign Policy.

The world must know that we do not go abroad in search of enemies, that we are always happy when old enemies become friends, and when old friends become allies, the statement read. It added that defeating radical Islamic terror groups will be the highest priority, and that Trumps administration would add ships to the Navy and build the Air Force back up to Cold War levels.

Trump also plans to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and renegotiate the terms of NAFTA with Canada and Mexico.

Trump appears to have first tried out the phrase America First during an interview with the New York Times in March, when he was asked if he was taking an isolationist, America First approach to foreign policy.

Not isolationist, Im not isolationist, but I am America First. So I like the expression. Im America First, Trump said at the time. We have been disrespected, mocked and ripped off for many, many years by people that were smarter, shrewder, tougher, he added.

Twitter: @ByBrianBennett

brian.bennett@latimes.com

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In one of his first official actions, President Trump signed an executive order late Friday that directed federal agencies to use their authority to relieve individual Americans, businesses, state governments and others from burdens placed on them by the Affordable Care Act.

The Trump administration and its Republican allies in Congress billed the order as a first step in their push to repeal Obamacare.

So, does this mean the new president has scrapped the 2010 healthcare law on Day One, as he once promised he would do? Or is this just more talk from the new president?

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As with everything about Obamacare, its complicated.

Heres what Trumps order did, and what it didnt do.

Has Obamacare been repealed?

In a word, no.

The healthcare law was a huge piece of legislation that included scores of legal requirements and provided hundreds of billions of dollars in assistance to help extend health coverage to millions of Americans.

All that can only be repealed by another law, which would require an act of Congress, not just an executive order from the president.

That is why congressional Republicans are debating how to craft a new law that could supplant all or part of the one President Obama signed in 2010.

Which burdens is Trump talking about?

The biggest one is probably the requirement that Americans either have health insurance or pay a tax penalty.

This stipulation, the so-called insurance mandate, has always been the most unpopular part of Obamacare. But it is written in law, so the Trump administration cannot simply scrap it.

The law gives the administration discretion about how to enforce the penalty and how many exemptions can be granted for people who claim hardships, such as an inability to find an affordable health insurance plan.

The Obama administration was relatively forgiving about enforcing the penalty, already. But the new administration could conceivably loosen the rules even further so fewer Americans have to pay.

The Trump administration could also give states much more flexibility to reshape their Medicaid programs, which cover about 70 million low-income Americans. Such flexibility already exists in Obamacare.

Many Republican governors have sought permission, for example, to require poor adults on Medicaid to seek work.

Would loosening requirements effectively destroy Obamacare, even if it is not repealed?

It could, but probably not right away.

The insurance requirement is considered critical to maintaining health insurance markets because it encourages healthier people to sign up for coverage. And healthier people offset the cost of sicker people. And that, in turn, keeps premiums in check.

If the requirement is loosened, as the Trump administration appears to be contemplating, that system could begin to collapse. That would send premiums skyrocketing even more than they did last year for some people who bought insurance on Obamacare marketplaces.

The enrollment period for 2017 coverage is almost over, so that may not happen right away.

But unless Republicans come up with an alternative way to get younger, healthier people to buy health insurance, any move by the Trump administration to weaken the insurance requirement could destabilize insurance markets and prompt insurers to seek much higher rates for next year or stop selling coverage.

Republicans are very worried about being blamed for such a collapse, which could cause millions of Americans to lose health insurance.

What does this order mean for an Obamacare replacement?

Thats not clear.

Republican lawmakers have been struggling with how to fulfill their pledge to repeal the healthcare law, replace it with something else and preserve coverage for the more than 20 million people who rely on it.

To do this, they will have to design a path to transition from the current Obamacare system to whatever they come up with.

Key to this is preventing the current system from collapsing.

If Trump isnt careful, he could hasten such a collapse, by, for example, scaling back the insurance requirement too much.

noam.levey@latimes.com

@noamlevey

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Confirmed just Friday afternoon, new Defense Secretary James Mattis wasted no time in dispatching a letter to the American troops and civilians who now work for him.

The recently retired Marine general  who needed a congressional waiver to serve in the civilian role  stuck with his signature plain-spoken style. Its good to be back, he began.

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Federal statute requires a seven-year gap between military service and the Pentagons top job. Mattis retired in 2013. The last time a waiver was used was for Gen. George Marshall in the early 1950s.

Heres the text of the short letter, which advises that Mattis is devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense.

The retired four-star ends the memo in a battlefield-style tone: MATTIS SENDS, it says.

Message to the Department of Defense from Secretary of Defense James Mattis

***

Its good to be back and Im grateful to serve alongside you as Secretary of Defense.Together with the Intelligence Community we are the sentinels and guardians of our nation. We need only look to you, the uniformed and civilian members of the Department and your families, to see the fundamental unity of our country. You represent an America committed to the common good; an America that is never complacent about defending its freedoms; and an America that remains a steady beacon of hope for all mankind.Every action we take will be designed to ensure our military is ready to fight today and in the future. Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances. Further, we are devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, thereby earning the trust of Congress and the American people.I am confident you will do your part. I pledge to you Ill do my best as your Secretary.

MATTIS SENDS

Welcome to The Intel, a blog examining the hot military news of the day

Military Videos  On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France  at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal

President Donald Trump talks with Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis in the reviewing stand for Trumps inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Ave. outside the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. First lady Melania Trump is at right. (Andrew Harnik / AP )

jen.steele@sduniontribune.com

Facebook: U-T Military

Twitter: @jensteeley
In a 1,400-word inauguration speech Friday, President Donald Trump mentioned his plans for the U.S.military just a few times.

But heres what he signaled.

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1. U.S. troop buildup: We have subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military.

Trump outlined his plan for a larger military in a September speech in Philadelphia.

He called for an Army of 540,000 soldiers, up from 475,000 in uniform at that time.

Welcome to The Intel, a blog examining the hot military news of the day

The drawdown since the official end of the U.S. ground campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan has shrunk the Army to its smallest size since the end of World War II.

Trump has outlined a 350-ship Navy, up from todays 274. (The Navys long-range shipbuilding program was already working toward a fleet of 308 vessels by the next few years, and last month the sea service unveiled an upgraded plan for 355.)

The new president has also called for 36 Marine Corp battalions, up from 24, and 1,200 Air Force fighter jets, an increase of more than 80 planes.

To pay for this, Trump has mentioned ending the budget cap for defense spending. He also has gestured toward government cuts.

I will ask Congress to fully offset the costs of increased military spending. In the process, we will make government leaner and more responsive to the public, he said in September.

2. New foreign policy?: Weve defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own and spent trillions of dollars overseas while Americas infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay. And, We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world  but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first.

Given Trumps past criticisms of NATO, its possible these statements signal more of a go-it-alone policy.

In September, Trump said he will request that all NATO nations promptly pay their bills, which many are not doing right now and that more meet the minimum in defense spending.

The now-president has also called on allies Germany, Japan and South Korea and also on Saudi Arabia to pay more for the tremendous security we provide them.

President Donald Trump talks with Defense Secretary-designate James Mattis in the reviewing stand for Trumps inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. (Andrew Harnik / AP)

3. Radical Islamic terrorism is the only enemy mentioned: We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones  and unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth.

Trump didnt say the words Russia, China or North Korea in his speech  despite Russias 2014 takeover of Crimea and North Koreas recent threat to test long-range missiles that could reach the United States with nuclear weapons.

As a candidate, Trump said if elected he would ask his generals for a plan within 30 days to defeat and destroy the Islamic State, or ISIS.

Famously, Trump has claimed to have a personal plan against ISIS that he didnt want to reveal in order to keep the strategic upper hand.

Military Videos  On Now D-Day paratrooper from Coronado jumps again in France  at age 96 On Now Remembering war's fallen, one name at a time On Now In Ramona, an airplane and an aviator provide living lessons on World War II 1:43 On Now Video: Navy's newest vessel sails into San Diego and a new future in surface warfare On Now Video: U.S. Navy files homicide charges over warship collisions On Now Stopping Marine hazing On Now Video: U.S. Navy Air Crew Grounded After Creating Vulgar Sky Drawing On Now Navy says Asia Pacific ship collisions were avoidable On Now Hundreds of recruits get sick at Marine boot camp On Now Cutler Dawson Talks Navy Federal

jen.steele@sduniontribune.com

Facebook: U-T Military

Twitter: @jensteeley
Six months after Californias strict vaccine law took effect, a measles outbreak has infected 20 people, most of them in Los Angeles County, prompting a search for others who may have been exposed to the highly contagious virus.

Most of the patients live in western areas of the county, including L.A.s Westside, the Santa Monica Mountains and the San Fernando Valley. Santa Barbara and Ventura counties each reported one case.

At least 15 of the 18 L.A. County patients either knew one another or had a clear social connection, said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, interim health officer for the L.A. County Department of Public Health. None of the 18 could provide proof of vaccination, he said.

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Gunzenhauser said the first person was diagnosed in early December, followed by 16 cases in the last three weeks of 2016, and then one more case last week.

Im hopeful that were getting to the end of this, he said.

Hershy Z. Ten, a rabbi who runs Jewish healthcare foundation Bikur Cholim in L.A.s Beverly Grove neighborhood, said county health officials told him a measles outbreak was affecting the countys Orthodox Jewish community. He convened a panel last week to discuss steps that Jewish day schools and synagogues could take to stem the outbreak and ensure unvaccinated children are immunized.

Measles is very, very serious, he said. Those children are at risk and they put other children at risk.

A measles outbreak that began at Disneyland in 2014 infected 145 people across the United States, as well as dozens in Canada and Mexico. It led to the passage of a law in California requiring all children to be vaccinated unless a doctor provides a medical exemption. The law took effect in July.

California is now one of three states that forbid children from opting out of vaccines because of religious or personal beliefs.

Health experts say the outbreak reveals the degree to which immunity against the disease has eroded  a problem the new law will probably improve but not completely fix.

It really speaks to what were so concerned about, which is parents making their decisions not to vaccinate their kids, and they can bring their kids into any setting and then contaminate everyone, said Dr. Robert Adler, a pediatrician at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. If an infected person walks into a room, the virus can stay there for two hours after the person leaves, ready to infect someone. And its dangerous  15 people die every hour worldwide from measles, according to the World Health Organization.

To try to stop the spread of the virus in Southern California, L.A. County health workers spent the last several weeks chasing down people who might have been exposed. Infected people develop a rash that can take weeks to show up, but they can transmit the virus to others before that.

Gunzenhauser said county health workers interviewed each infected person to find out everywhere they went during the four days before and after they developed a rash.

Then they tried to figure out who might have been at those locations. If someone went to an emergency room, for instance, they asked the hospital for a list of patients there that day.

The county ultimately identified more than 2,000 people who may have come into contact with a measles patient, and discovered that about 10% of them hadnt been vaccinated against the disease. Half of those who werent protected were given a vaccination or other treatment to prevent them from getting measles, he said.

Gunzenhauser said the outbreak was contained to a group of people who shared a social circle, which made it easier to track down who might have come into contact with the virus.

It is a little bit unusual, but its fortunate, he said. If this is a Disneyland thing or if this happened at Staples Center  that would be problematic for us.

However, that doesnt mean people in other parts of the county are safe from the highly contagious virus, he said.

Measles just isnt that way, he said. They couldve driven and lets say they stopped at a gas station  somebody couldve gotten exposed.

Though the states new law, known as SB 277, makes vaccinations mandatory, schools are only required to check childrens immunization statuses when they hit kindergarten or seventh grade. That means that a child who went unvaccinated upon entering kindergarten in fall 2015 because his parents opted out could have continued in first grade this past fall  still without vaccines.

It was sort of a phase-in, so by the time over the next seven years, six years, we will eventually get to a point where every child is required [to be vaccinated], but its going to take some time for us to get there, said Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), a physician who wrote the legislation. It wont happen right away.

Children are supposed to receive two vaccines to protect against measles before they start kindergarten.

A bigger concern, Pan said, are the thousands of Californians whove already finished their schooling and never received immunizations. The UC system has said it will require vaccines for all new enrollees, but most young adults wont encounter another vaccination checkpoint once they leave high school.

You have critical masses of people who never got caught up on their immunizations, Pan said. Weve been accumulating an ever-growing number  and that becomes the basis and source of outbreaks.

That fear appears to be borne out in the most recent cluster of measles cases. Of the 18 cases in L.A. County, the biggest share were people in their 20s, though ages ranged from young children to older adults, Gunzenhauser said.

Adler, with Childrens Hospital, said some parents dont vaccinate their kids because they believe theyll be protected by herd immunity  the idea that if a certain percentage of people are vaccinated everyone will be safe from illness. But measles is so contagious that between 96% and 99% of people need to be immunized to establish herd immunity.

The state Health Department reported that in the 2015-16 school year, 94.5% of kindergartners had been vaccinated against measles.

There are kids whove only had the one vaccine or none, Adler said. Its pretty disturbing.

soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com

Twitter: @skarlamangla

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Rain didnt dampen the spirits of the 400 or so Donald Trump well-wishers who gathered at Fairbanks Ranch Country Club to watch Fridays televised inauguration.

There were red, white and blue balloons, explosions of confetti, life-sized Donald Trump cardboard figures and even a guest masquerading in a Trump mask circulating among the guests.

The Rancho Santa Fe crowd included a few politicians  county Supervisor Bill Horn, San Diego City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf and former Congressman Brian Bilbray  but was mostly just supporters dressed in Republican red and celebrating what they describe as a new beginning.

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Sam Hardage, past chair of the county GOP, displays a bottle of Trump Winery sparkling blanc de blanc that he and wife, Vivian, shipped in for their inaugural brunch celebration. (Diane Bell/UT )

Vivian and Sam Hardage had flown in Trump sparkling wine from the new presidents winery in Virginia for added (Tr)umph to their tablemates presidential toasts.

Some attendees were Trump cheerleaders, others were supporters harboring wait-and-see attitudes. But one theme seemed to resonate with all  hope  and the inaugural talk slogan, America first.

Hope and unity were the messages Zapf took away, along with appreciation that Trump stressed three areas high on her agenda: safe neighborhoods, good schools and jobs.

We have a lot of problems. Being divisive doesnt solve these problems, she said.

While anti-Trump protests were taking place elsewhere, this little publicized event was remarkably free from naysayers.

Red, white and blue were dominant colors as predominantly RepublicanTrump swearing-in watchers eyed various TV monitors placed around the room at Fairbanks Country Club in Rancho Santa Fe. (Diane Bell/UT )

Karolyn Dorsee, one of the champagne brunch organizers, lamented she hadnt chosen a larger venue as the sold-out breakfast grew to encompass numerous host groups: Women for Trump San Diego, Freedom Frontline, RSF Republican Women Federated, New Majority San Diego, the Lincoln Club, S.D. Young Republicans, Grow Elect (a Hispanic GOP group) and the county Republican Party.

The gathering included a sprinkling of military veterans, labor representatives and, in the front row, high-profile trial attorney Vincent Bartolotta and his wife, Judy, prominent Democrats.

The non-elephant in the room? That would be trial attorney Vincent Bartolotta and his wife, Judy, both Democrats observing Trumps televised swearing-in at a predominantly GOP event. (Diane Bell/UT )

I came out of respect for the office of the President of the United States, explained Bartolotta. Everybody in this country should support whomever we elect as our president and give them every opportunity to be successful. If Trump is wrong, we learned our lesson, and we can change things at the next election.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, was cheered after he popped up on the rooms Jumbotron and promised San Diegans: America is great again. Before he (Trump) goes to tonights festivities, he plans on repealing countless executive orders of the Obama Administration.

Standing next to Issa at the Capitol was Duncan Hunter, S.D. congressman from 1981 to 2009. His son, sitting Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, also addressed the San Diego group via Jumbotron.

As to when Congress would begin acting on the new presidents agenda to produce more jobs and dismantle Obamacare, he said, Weve already started. This is about pomp and circumstance, and thats fine, Hunter said of the ceremony, adding that they are eager to get to work.

Sam Hardage applauded Trumps speech for resonating with Americans. Clearly what he said set the tone for a change in direction which is going to occur starting today. Trump said what needs to be said. He was dead on.

Hardage praised Trumps energy: He only sleeps, like three hours a day. Hes a very unusual man in this very unusual time that we find ourselves.

While someone described Fridays swearing-in speech as more political campaign talk than inaugural address, Horn characterized it as vintage Trump. Thats whats on his mind.  It was short and to the point. I liked it.

While Horn fears the new presidents avowed war on gangs and drugs will be a challenge, I hope he does what he says he will do.

Brian Bilbray, former U.S. Representative from San Diego, defended Donald Trumps right to speak his mind. (Diane Bell/UT )

Bilbray opined that Trumps opponents underestimated the new president and his ability to make America great again. Then he added: Can he drain the swamp? The first thing he needs to do is clear out the gators.

Foreign service: For some, Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a day off work. For others, it was a day of service.

As they have for the past eight years, 10 county congregations representing various faiths organized volunteers in a Balboa Park clean-up Monday morning.

Ahmed Hussein took part in the 9th annual MLK Day of Interfaith Service, in which volunteers honored the spirit of Martin Luther King by doing community service projects at Balboa Park. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/UT )

This year, however, joining them in picking up trash, hauling brush and spreading mulch was a chief judge from Iraq, a CEO from Hungary, a police officer from Sudan, the head of the Bahrain Bar Association and other foreigners.

Seems the San Diego Diplomacy Council added park clean-up to its agenda for visiting guests of the State Department. They included judges, law enforcement officials and CEOs from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere.

Natalie Maroun, the Diplomacy Councils program director, explained that volunteer work, surprisingly, is not so common in other parts of the world. Its important to have them work alongside Americans, she said, to graft that spirit of volunteerism thats so strong in the U.S.

In past years, the visitors have cooked breakfast in Ocean Beach for the homeless, met with foreign refugees and joined beach clean-up drives. Surely, the diversity on Mondays park clean-up workers would have made Martin Luther King Jr. smile.

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

diane.bell@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1518

Twitter: dianebellSD

Facebook: dianebell.news
Back in the good old salad days of 2006, a hundred readers helped me determine the Seven Wonders of North County.

The Man-, not the God-, made kind.

The top vote-getter, of course, was Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, the gorgeous California model home thats the reigning adobe king of North County religious destinations. Its located, naturally, on Mission (what else?) Avenue in Oceanside.

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The runner-up (followed by the Wild Animal Park, the Lilac Road overcrossing, Highway 101, the Self-Realization Fellowship, and the Oceanside Pier) was a starry-eyed nominee that looks down upon North County from its aerie atop Palomar Mountain.

The Palomar Observatory, a cutting-edge instrument of astronomy since it was dedicated in 1948, was for 20 years before that eye-opening day a painstaking work in progress.

In 1928, George Ellery Hale, the founder of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, secured funding for his visionary project from the Rockefeller Foundation: A 200-inch telescope that would dwarf any other in the world, an endeavor that many science historians refer to as the moon shot of the 30s and 40s.

It was, however, something of a star-crossed endeavor.

In 1934, a 20-ton mirror cast by a New York foundry was delivered by special train to Caltech in Pasadena. (A first attempt cracked in cooling.)

For the next 13 years, with the notable exception of the war years, workmen ground and polished the slab into a near-perfect parabolic sculpture valued at $600,000 that, when finally finished, reduced the 20-ton slab by more than 5 tons. Its estimated the expert crafting required 180,000 man hours.

Meanwhile, the problem of getting the $600,000 mirror from Caltech to its home atop Palomar was solved in the mid-1930s with the construction of a winding mountain road eventually dubbed the Highway to the Stars.

In late November 1947, the finished mirror was loaded onto an 18-wheel vehicle that, on the first day, made its way with a police convoy from Pasadena to Escondido, reaching a top speed of 15 mph.

After spending the night in the Hidden Valley, the caravan crawled through Valley Center and up to the domed home that had been waiting for its crucial component for years.

Heres how San Diego Union reporter Howard Welty, coincidentally one of my journalist fathers best friends, led his Nov. 19 story, datelined Mt. Palomar:

Safely completing a ticklish 160-mile trip by trailer from Pasadena, Palomar Observatorys 200-inch mirror arrived here late this morning  inching over the last miles of twisting mountain road in heavy mist, bursts of hail and flurries of sleet.

Tonight, mans most ambitious astronomical undertaking  to peer a billion light-years into space from this mile-high mountain 64 miles northeast of San Diego  is only a step from fulfillment.

Down in Valley Center, the passage of the mirror through town had been the biggest show in the universe.

Whats now known as Valley Center Road was packed with looky-loos gawking at the mind-bending cargo. (Palomar would remain the worlds largest working telescope in the world until 1993.)

In the great American tradition of hitching commercial wagons to shooting stars, Highway to the Stars Via Valley Center signs sprang up from Palomar through Valley Center.

According to the Valley Center History Museum, The name  caught on and eventually appeared on maps. Retail merchants began using that phrase as their street address, and continued the practice well into the 1950s.

Over time, some of the official County signs were removed for road widening; others were taken by souvenir hunters. Today, the sign exists only in historic photographs.

To honor the 70th anniversary of the passage, the museum is proposing that a series of throwback Highway to the Stars signs be installed along Valley Center Road, museum historian Bob Lerner informs me. The Valley Center Community Planning Group has given its blessing. A request has been sent to the county Department of Public Works.

This should be a no-brainer.

The brown historic signs commemorating the original routes of Highway 101 and 395 are grace notes in the symphony thats North County.

For heavens sake, why not make similar music with the Highway to the Stars

The Big Eye, as the observatory was called in the 40s, is still wide open, a bona fide wonder.

Why not let Valley Center once again enjoy, as it did for more than a decade, a little of Palomars star quality.

logan.jenkins@sduniontribune.com
A week after District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis announced she would not seek another term in 2018, the labor union representing prosecutors and its political action committee are ready to endorse her successor.

An agenda for a joint board meeting Tuesday night between the San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association and San Diegans Against Crime  the influential PAC for the union  lists Endorsement  2018 District Attorney Election as the fourth item of business.

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Dumanis is listed as a speaker, just before the endorsement item, according to a copy of the agenda obtained by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

There are no openly declared candidates for the race to replace Dumanis.

Dumanis has said her preferred successor is Chief Deputy District Attorney Summer Stephan, and that has led to wide speculation in and outside the office that Stephan may get the backing of the union and PAC at the meeting.

That would give her a huge advantage in the upcoming election  and as a potential interim DA if Dumanis retires before her term expires. In that case, the county Board of Supervisors would appoint a successor, and the backing of the office and union could weigh in Stephans favor.

Steve Walter, the president of the union, declined to discuss whether the organization would make an endorsement Tuesday, or why the group was even discussing the matter at such an early stage.

Im not prepared to talk about this until after we have the meeting, he said. Its premature to talk about what we are going to do.

Deputy District Attorney Jim Koerber, who heads the board of the PAC, did not respond to several messages seeking comment.

Stephan also declined to discuss the matter when contacted this week. She did not say whether she had asked for the endorsement of the organizations, or if she would attend.

Im going to defer any answers to the San Diego Deputy District Attorneys Association President Steve Walter since this is their meeting and their agenda so more appropriate for the President to answer any questions, she said via email.

Political consultant John Dadian said an endorsement from the union not only would show Stephan has the backing of the office, but also could scare off any potential candidates who would consider a bid.

The DAs association is not the largest union in the county but it is the most prestigious, Dadian said. That endorsement is crucial.

Clearly, if the association endorses Summer Stephan this early, and Bonnie Dumanis resigns and there is an appointment, it puts the Board of Supervisors in a tough spot, he said. It would be unusual for them not to appoint Summer with this endorsement in her pocket.

Retired prosecutor Greg Walden, who spent 33 years in the office before retiring last year, said an endorsement is premature.

It doesnt make any sense to me to be doing it this early, Walden said. Why would you even consider endorsing anyone until you know who the pool of people are who may be putting their hat in the ring?

Dumaniss plans have been the subject of speculation in legal and political circles for months. She said in October she was unsure if she would run for a fifth term in 2018.

In December, she quietly told division chiefs at a meeting that she didnt know when she would retire, but she had a succession plan worked out.

In an email from a division chief summarizing her statements, obtained by the Union-Tribune, she said she wanted Stephan to replace her and Chief Deputy David Greenberg to assume the No. 2 position in the office as the Assistant District Attorney, a job now held by longtime Dumanis aide Jesse Rodriguez.

Then on Tuesday, Dumanis officially told her staff in an email that she would not seek re-election in 2018. She did not say what her future plans were, however, or whether she would complete her current term.

While vague on her future plans, political insiders have speculated that Dumanis could be considering a run for a seat on the county Board of Supervisors, to replace outgoing Supervisor Ron Roberts. That race would also be held in 2018.

Twitter: @gregmoran

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com
Satellite charter schools serving thousands of students locally and statewide in mini campuses set up in malls and office parks are now scrambling to join the districts that have fought to evict them.

The new spirit of cooperation was forced after the state Supreme Court let stand a ruling that charters cannot populate their county with branch-campuses outside the district that authorized them.

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The result has been celebrated as a victory for school districts embroiled in costly litigation with charters that have moved in to serve students and assume the state attendance funds that accompany them.

A blow for charter schools, the high courts lack of intervention means they face big changes to comply with the law by petitioning districts to take them in, seeking waivers from the state, or closing.

The California Charter Schools Association said it is deeply disappointed by the high court. Nevertheless, the advocacy organization has started advising charters on how to comply with the law and minimize the negative and immediate impact as a result of the uncertainty from the decision on charter school students and families.

Although a charter could simply close any satellite campuses, which are officially called resource centers, the charter association has recommended they seek a new charter agreement from the school district where the resource centers are located to avoid having students and families travel longer distances to continue attending the schools.

Although some charters are in talks to do just that, others are looking to buy time.

The Julian Charter School, where thousands of students are enrolled in resource centers in districts around the county, has applied for a waiver with the State Board of Education that would give it two years to comply with the current interpretation of the law, said Executive Director Jennifer Cauzza.

She said immediately shutting down satellite centers would be irresponsible. Additional time is needed, in part, because our leases have no out clauses  which will be a waste of tax payer dollars.

The San Diego Unified, Grossmont and Sweetwater Union High School districts have sued the Julian Union Elementary School District and Julian Charter School over the resource centers. The districts have said they are unable ensure academic or financial oversight at the satellite centers they did not authorize.

Julian Union is among several small East County districts that have approved the controversial charter arrangements that generate funds under deals that barely cost them students.

More than 3,000 students attend the Julian and Diego Valley charters authorized by the Julian Union district to operate satellite campuses throughout the county. Julian, which enrolls less than 400 local students within its district, received nearly $800,000 in revenue from the charters in the 2014-15 year, when its total revenue was $6.2 million.

San Diego Unifieds chief attorney Andra Donovan said the high courts lack of intervention effectively ends the practice of private corporate operators using public dollars to buy authorization from small, cash strapped districts for the purpose of operating with minimal oversight and no transparency.

It restores local control over education and ensures that only quality charters which are truly accountable to the public will continue to exist, Donovan said.

Without comment, the California Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a petition for review filed by a Northern California charter. That means the October 17 decision by the 3rd District Court of Appeal stands.

The appellate ruling overturned a lower court decision in a lawsuit filed by the Anderson Union High School District near Redding claiming a charter illegally opened a satellite campus in its jurisdiction.

The court case at hand involves non-classroom-based charters, which offer a hybrid education that typically combines independent-study with classroom instruction. Students use satellite campuses to check in with tutors, take tests and participate in instruction at varying rates of frequency  weekly or several times a week.

In 2008, 72,459 California students attended such non-classroom based charters, a figure that nearly doubled to 141,752 last year. Some 40,000 students in California are estimated to be attending satellite charters affected by the lawsuit.

Scott Patterson, deputy superintendent of business services for the Grossmont district, called the high courts denial gratifying.

We hope this puts to rest the issue facing districts like GUHSD right now of charters operating within our boundaries without authority, Patterson said.

But Cauzza said she hopes the courts will rule in Julian Charters favor in the lawsuit filed by San Diego Unified and Grossmont  based on the merits and not the Northern California appellate ruling.

Large charter networks have other options when it comes to complying with the law.

Charter organizations with schools in multiple counties could redistribute management of their campuses because charters are allowed to operate satellite centers in adjacent counties under the law. The San Diego-based Altus Institute operates several charters  including Audeo, Audeo II, and the Charter School of San Diego  and their resource centers in several counties.

New legislation could change the law and allow charters to continue the practice of operating resource centers outside their authorizing districts within their county.

Charters are publicly funded schools that are independently operated and free of state and local education rules in exchange for a promise to raise student achievement with innovative means.

As the California Charter School Act turns 25 this year , the independent campuses have become increasing popular with families who want flexibility and an alternative to a traditional education.

About 20 percent of San Diego Unified students have transferred to charters, with the district projecting that figure to hit 30 percent in a decade  largely due to growth of independent-study charters.

To compete, San Diego Unified and other districts have expanded online programs that make use of technology and online classes.

San Diego has served as a hot bed of charter growth among non-classroom based charters, eliciting turf wars with districts.

Steve Van Zant was convicted of a felony violation of the Political Reform Act last year for abusing his position as superintendent of the Mountain Empire Union School District.

Under his leadership, Mountain Empire approved 13 charters (all but one were non-classroom-based) to operate in other districts between 2008 and 2013, with some of them going on to hire his EdHive charter consulting business. In addition, he personally received stipends equivalent to 5 percent of the districts charter revenue under his employment contract negotiated with the school board.

maureen.magee@sduniontribune.com

Twitter:@MaureenMagee
San Diego will join nine other locations around the country in a coordinated effort to test self-driving cars, local transportation officials announced Friday.

The region was chosen from 60 applicants by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a so-called proving ground for the new technology.

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Officials selected San Diego because of its global reputation as a high-tech hub and extensive highway system, according to officials with the San Diego Association of Governments, which applied to the federal government for the designation along with Caltrans and the city of Chula Vista.

This is great news for the San Diego region, said county Supervisor Ron Roberts, chairman of SANDAG. We are at the start of a new transportation era, and its tremendously exciting for our region to be part of a national initiative to foster innovations and best practices that will enable the safe deployment of driverless vehicles.

Officials have called for using the regions system of carpool and bus lanes, especially Interstate 15, the South Bay Expressway and surface streets in Chula Vista.

Several private businesses issued letters in support of San Diegos bid, including Qualcomm, Faraday Future and Toyota.

All these 10 proving grounds will share information not only with each other but with automakers and their suppliers, said Ray Traynor, director of operations at SANDAG. This is an essential step to bring (autonomous vehicles) to market.

Its still unclear whether the program will include access to future federal grants, Traynor said.

Federal transpoartion official organized the campaign to share information between regional governments and the private sector in order to test vehicles under a wide range of conditions and develop universal safety standards. Some of the other agencies participating include North Carolina Turnpike Authority, University of Wisconsin-Madison and the city of Pittsburgh.

SANDAG projected in its most recent transportation plan that driverless vehicles will likely start replacing conventional cars by 2025, reducing traffic, improving safety and increasing fuel efficiency. Autonomous vehicles are also seen as a boon for the elderly and disabled who cant currently drive.

The new technology could also have implications for the economy. Self-driving vehicles could eliminate a number of jobs, from bus drivers to those working for ride-sharing companies.

Anticipation of such technology has also complicated the longstanding debate about investing in public transit. Some SANDAG members have argued repeatedly that self-driving cars will increase the need for expanding highway infrastructure over rail and other public transportation projects.

Twitter: @jemersmith

Phone: (619) 293-2234

Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com
Part of the regions bureaucracy to combat homelessness just got a bit simpler.

The bulky, tongue-twisting Regional Continuum of Care Council is no more.

The councils governance board agreed Thursday to merge with, and assume the name of, the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless.

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires communities that receive federal funds for homeless programs to have a continuum of care composed of nonprofits, government representatives and public housing agencies.

The task force is best known for organizing the annual count of homeless people, which is required by HUD and scheduled for next Friday.

The two boards agreed last year to fold into one, with the smaller task force board disbanding to be replaced by the larger governance board.

Technically, an attorney going over the fine points of the action explained at the meeting, the boards were not merging. Rather, the council governance goard was assuming the role of the task force board, he said.

Were now officially not the RCCC anymore, but the RTFH, said council Chairman Rick Gentry, president and CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission, following the vote. We are now merged, despite the fact thats not the proper word.

The Regional Continuum of Care Council formed in 1998 and the task force formed in 1984 as the San Diego Mayors Task Force on the Homeless. It has been an independent nonprofit since 2004.

As a tax-exempt nonprofit, the task force has been eligible to apply for grants not available to the council, which was an unincorporated board.

Besides that benefit, the merger is seen as a way of unifying the countywide effort to help the homeless while operating more efficiently and with more transparency.

Also at Thursdays meeting, Regional Task Force on the Homeless Executive Director Dolores Diaz announced that a record-high 1,600 people have volunteered to participate in the Jan. 27 point-in-time count. Of those, 638 are county employees, she said.

Volunteers for the 4 a.m. count still are needed in Oceanside, Lakeside, Rancho Bernardo and Poway, she said. People can sign up for the count at https://rtfh.volunteerhub.com/events/index.

Diaz also announced that the Sacramento firm Focus Strategies has been selected to help the task force create a three-year plan to reduce homelessness.

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
Marchers rallied downtown in the rain. Others later gathered to the south at Chicano Park, sheltered by the overpass. Up north in Escondido, a group moved a prayer vigil inside, away from the elements.

The troublesome weather did not stop events planned across the county Friday to commemorate the inauguration of President Donald Trump, but not in celebratory way.

Instead, the participants promised to fight and work against policies they feared, or at least hope for better. Those sentiments will continue Saturday with the local Womens March in downtown San Diego and San Marcos, coordinated with the big march in Washington, D.C., and others across the country.

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We are hoping to show our elected representatives we are paying attention, said Jackie Strong of the San Diego Alliance for Justice, which organized the downtown protest. Were really here to show broad support across the left.

From a Friday morning rally at City College, the demonstrators marched down the city streets to the federal building on Broadway around noon.

The crowd began to swell from the initial dozens. Wearing rain gear and walking under umbrellas, they marched north toward San Diego High School and then west to the federal building. The crowd expanded again, by hundreds, as the protesters merged with a second group of marchers.

The protest was designed to be a forum against misogyny, Islamophobia, discrimination against people with disabilities, racism, and xenophobia and bigotry. Democrats and some Republicans accused Trump of such transgressions during his 2016 campaign and transition into the White House.

In addition to the list of domestic social grievances, some in the crowd expressed concern over Trumps appreciation of Russian President Valdimir Putin.

Trump admires Putin, Putin admires Trump, said Tom McCammon from North Park.

Ari Honavar, an artist and poet, said it reminded her of the Iranian Revolution. She lived in Iran before she came to the United States.

The outsider promised more freedom. He promised that we would have more jobs. So we put in this outsider, she said.

But the government began to stifle dissent, and civil rights were eroded, and women became second-class citizens, she said. And people who tried to object or stand up for the vulnerable were also targeted.

I lived through the new normal and I dont want to do it again, she said.

Nearly 500 people said on the Alliance Facebook page that they planned to attend, and another 1,000 said they were interested in going. But Strong said Friday morning that she suspected suspected rain kept the crowd down.

With Trump now in the White House, events like Fridays at City College and downtown will be more common, organizers said.

They can expect us to ride in the saddle and fight back, the Rev. Shane Harris of the National Action Network, told the crowd at City College.

We will not be Trumped, protesters chanted.

About 100 people rallied Friday night at Chicano Park in Barrio Logan.

Jim Van Matre of San Diego was concerned about Trumps pledge to build a wall along the entire border with Mexico and his threat to deport unauthorized immigrants.

He expressed concern about Trumps Cabinet appointments and added the president was unpredictable and has shifted politically in the past.

From what weve seen so far its unacceptable the direction hell take the country, he said.

In Escondido on Friday evening, about 25 people responded gathering in a City Hall conference room to hear thoughts and prayers from denominations that included Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Bahai faith.

Organized by Escondido Together as Hopes for Our Future, the event was about a vision of the country that is being taken away, said the Rev. Meg Decker of Trinity Episcopal Church.

Its not just Trump, she said. There are many people who are saying there are people who dont belong, whos voices dont count. We cant afford to let that happen to anyone. The ideals of this country are better than that.

A Franciscan sister read a prayer that had been written exclusively for the event by San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy.

We pray for President Donald Trump, that he will govern with wisdom, passion and fidelity for all people, read part of the bishops prayer.

Staff writer Gary Warth contributed to this story.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1841
Themes of diversity and human rights dominated the San Diego Womens March, where as many as 40,000 people walked in a show of post-inaugural solidarity with participants at hundreds of related events across the United States and around the world.

I march because black lives matter, climate change is real and no men in Washington are going to tell me what to do with my body, said state Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, who spoke to the massive crowd gathered in downtown San Diego.

While clearly a reaction to the election of Donald Trump, the event was not aimed directly at the nations new president. Instead, it was in support of issues like respect for women, access to health care, reproductive rights, race and gender equality, and immigrants rights, all of which were points of contention in the presidential campaigns.

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I am so proud of our city, said event organizer Sarah Dolgen-Shaftel.

She said San Diego police told her more than 30,000 people attended the event. A police supervisor said later Saturday afternoon the official crowd estimate was between 30,000 and 40,000  easily larger than the 22,000 indicated by online responses a day before the event. Organizers and police said afterward the march went off without a hitch.

Everyone was patient and considerate, Dolgen-Shaftel said. We had a completely peaceful march.

A few speakers did take shots at the new president. Maria Nieto Senour, a San Diego Community College District board member and San Diego State University staff member, in her brief remarks called the new president a nightmare.

He is appointing foxes to guard our precious hen houses, Senour said, and she urged people to stand up for the environment, education and human rights before more damage is done.

One marcher carried a sign that said Trump Lies Matter.

Participants met at the San Diego Civic Center, with many filling up surrounding streets. After talks that began at 10 a.m.  in on and off rain  they marched in a sea of pink along the 1-mile route on Broadway and then Harbor Drive to the County Administration Center.

The peaceful and enthusiastic crowd was made of up men and women of all ages and included plenty of children.

Along the way, participants chanted slogans like Womens rights are human rights. A few sang folk songs, but many just chatted cheerfully with one another as they strolled along. Signs varied from handmade to professionally printed, and from the serious  Only yes means yes  to the more creative  Our rights are not up for grabs and Free Melania.

No hecklers or counter-demonstrators appeared along the route.

Coincidentally, the fifth annual San Diego Walk for Life sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego also was held Saturday morning. Some of the people walking along Sixth Avenue to the Womens March made a brief detour to join the anti-abortion event at Balboa Park, and for a time the two events proceeded peacefully side-by-side, said diocese spokeswoman Aida Bustos.

1 / 23 Samantha Cross was one of the thousands who participated in the San Diego Womens March that started at Civic Center Plaza in Downtown San Diego and finished at the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 23 Isabella Parcel was one of the thousands who participated in the San Diego Womens March that started at Civic Center Plaza in Downtown San Diego and finished at the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 23 Wendy Lange stood on the steps to the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 23 The San Diego Womens March heads down Broadway on the way to the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 5 / 23 Some of the thousands who attended the San Diego Womens March arrive at the San Diego County Administration Center where the march ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 23 Pam Eskue was one of the thousands who participated in the San Diego Womens March. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 23 A rally was held at the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 23 A rally was held at the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 23 Jeffrey Baum was one of the thousands who participated in the San Diego Womens March. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 23 Bill Hagey was one of the thousands who participated in the San Diego Womens March. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 11 / 23 The San Diego Womens March heads down Broadway on the way to the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 23 Thousands participated in the San Diego Womens March that started at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall and finished at the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 13 / 23 The San Diego Womens March heads down Broadway on the way to the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 23 A rally was held at the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 15 / 23 A rally was held at the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 23 A rally was held at the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 17 / 23 Charvet Ciraolo and Rhonda Anderson hold signs with artistic depictions of Muslim and Latina women during the San Diego Womens March which began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall and ended at the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 18 / 23 Some of the thousands who attended the San Diego Womens March arrive at the San Diego County Administration Center where the march ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 19 / 23 Thousands participated in the San Diego Womens March that started at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall and finished at the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 20 / 23 Thousands participated in the San Diego Womens March that started at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall and finished at the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 21 / 23 Some of those participating in the San Diego Womens March got fired up listening to the speeches before the march began at Civic Center Plaza and headed to the San Diego County Administration Center. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 22 / 23 A rally was held at the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune) 23 / 23 A rally was held at the San Diego County Administration Center where the San Diego Womens March ended. It began at Civic Center Plaza next to San Diego City Hall. (Howard Lipin / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The globe-circling demonstrations are some of the largest in recent history, rivaling the anti-war protests of the 1970s. Womens March organizers have made it clear, however, that their event is not a protest, but a demonstration of support for civil rights, and especially for women.

North County residents held a separate Womens March Saturday that began at San Marcos City Hall and ended at Palomar College, drawing an estimated 3,000 people.

Thousands join Womens March in San Marcos 

Marchers filled in every open cement and grass spot and spilled into the parking lot. Some watched from atop the four-story parking garage and draped banners over the edge.

The turnout was so large that instead of walking on sidewalks along Mission Avenue  a main thoroughfare in San Marcos  as was planned and permitted, people flooded the street, shutting down half of the traffic lanes.

In Los Angeles  where the scheduled speakers included Mayor Eric Garcetti, former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other elected officials  organizers put the crowd size at 750,000, although police merely said it was well past 100,000, according to the Los Angeles Times. San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose also got large crowds.

The Womens March in Washington, D.C., the main event, drew an estimated 1 million participants, organizers said. The Associated Press reported that the crowd there packed the entire march route, preventing organizers from leading the formal march to the White House.

In San Diego and San Marcos, participants marched for different reasons.

 Rita Moreno, 56, a nurse who lives in San Diego, brought a cardboard cutout of the late Princess Diana with her to the march. She stuck a sign on the princess that said Be Strong.

She fought for what is right, Moreno said, noting the princess then-controversial work to raise awareness of AIDS as an example. I brought her to remind people to continue to be as strong as you can when others try to hold you down.

She said she hoped people would see the princess image and feel inspired by her legacy of embracing people who are different and showing compassion for those who struggled.

At an event like this, its perfect to bring her out to remind people of suffering and challenge, and that everyone deserves fair treatment, Moreno said.

 Sam Bybee, 36, of San Diego said he came to the march to support his girlfriend, his mom, his niece and everyone whos not me  a white, privileged male.

Bybee said being around thousands upon thousands of people demonstrating respect for their fellow humans made him feel better after a divisive election.

I feel less alone for sure, he said. We have a good community around us, so thats some solace.

 At 80, Sharon Watson says she has never protested, certainly never marched for or against anything. Born in Indiana and raised on a farm there, she is a Christian and a Democrat who has at least once voted for a Republican as president. She said she has never feared the moral compass of any president, no matter the party.

But the election of Trump has left her heavy-hearted ever since he won and led her to lace up her tennis shoes Saturday morning and march in San Marcos.

This man is despicable, Watson said. He is unfit  mentally and emotionally  for this office, period.

She and her daughter, who live in Carlsbad, held a hand-drawn sign that read, Sorry World. Were working on it!

 Shianne Montgomery of Lemon Grove said she turned 18 on inauguration day  too late to vote for her preferred candidate, Hillary Clinton. She said not having a voice in the election made her feel helpless, and a little betrayed.

I feel like people didnt listen to us younger people who had no vote and no say, Montgomery said. As a woman, I felt powerless, and because of my age.

The march was an opportunity to have a voice in government, and it felt good to participate.

Were just kids; we cant do anything, Montgomery said. But we can do this. Im really happy.

 Mary Ann Perri, 68, a retired teacher who lives part-time in San Diego, said marching for womens rights on Saturday felt much different than it did when she marched for the cause in the 1970s.

We were young and the world was ahead of us, Perri said. We werent looking back, we were looking forward.

She and others who marched in the 1970s were fighting to smash the glass ceiling, Perri said. She thought she was about to see that glass shatter in November, but now she doubts it will happen in her lifetime.

We had everything to gain, and now we have everything to lose, Perri said. We have to fight for it.

 Steph Salazar, 26, a special-needs therapist in San Diego, said he felt it was especially important now to show support for the rights of women, minorities and the LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual) community. He said its a scary time for minorities, especially for those in less-tolerant parts of the country.

Im gay, and here in California I know Im safe and protected, he said. I dont know thats true for the rest of the country.

He said part of the reason he marched was to show solidarity and support for human rights in general, but ultimately, its just one march.

Its a start, but its not enough, Salazar said. I think a lot of people think, Wow, Ive done something, Im doing this. But there are 365 days in the year, and theres so much we can do.

The Womens March was the brainchild of a retired attorney who lives in Hawaii, a grandmother of four, who proposed the event on Facebook the day after Trumps election, and the idea quickly took off.

philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @phildiehl
Regarding Donald Trump sworn in as 45th president (Jan. 20): Our children are watching, the whole world is watching. Its time to stand up and start the recall process now.

Our children are watching and asking, Werent we taught to treat our neighbors kindly, not to be bullies and that we should all practice the Golden Rule? Our country is asking, Is it not unethical and illegal for our intelligence community to issue public, personal opinions at critical moments to sway the votes as the country is facing its most important presidential election in history?

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Letters and commentary policy

The U-T welcomes and encourages community dialogue on important public matters. Please visit this page for more details on our letters and commentaries policy.

E-mail letters@sduniontribune.com

Mail: Andrew Kleske, Reader Outreach Editor San Diego Union-Tribune P.O. Box 120191 San Diego, CA 92112-0191.

You can also leave a comment below

Our military is wondering, When a foreign power, Russia, invades, are we supposed to protect our sovereignty? Women are wondering, What happened to the voices of the women who spoke out against Trumps reported sexual assaults? The whole world is watching and saying, The time is now to recall and stop the madness before Trump puts an end to all of the U.S.

Enrique Morones

Downtown

Since President Barack Obama was elected eight years ago, the liberal media have become the media mafia, with Obama as the anti-American godfather. Fortunately for the United States, theres Fox News and a new sheriff in town named Donald Trump  and his all-American posse.

Donald Trump was just sworn in as the 45th president of the United States. He will be working tirelessly to give America back to the people who will govern themselves as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Ruinous rule by former President Obama and the liberal elite is over. President Trump, his administrative posse and the Republican Congress will protect and defend America against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Indeed, there is a new sheriff in town, backed by our Constitution. America will be reformed, recover, prosper and be great again for all of us.

Daniel B. Jeffs

Carlsbad

The press must remain vigilant. With an incoming administration that has a deep disdain for the media, and seems to revel in their failures, they need to be careful not to be played by planted stories.

The press must dig deep for the truth. This can be a turning point for journalists after eight years of failing to dig into complicated issues. There was a failure by the press in its coverage of the primaries and the election. It is clear that the incoming administration wishes to control the media. They cannot allow that to happen.

The media seems to foam at the mouth at every detail about the incoming administration and the truth can be lost in a mad dash to report every seemingly shocking message that comes from it. The press must remain vigilant and strategic in its reporting.

Jason Dorman

Ocean Beach

Regarding Vargas to boycott Trumps inauguration, hold prayer service (Jan. 18): Rep. Juan Vargas and other political representatives refused to attend the presidential inauguration as some form of political posturing and/or protest.

Such behavior is pulling our country apart rather than together. One only needs to see protester violence to understand.

Those who claim to represent their constituency, which includes the Trump supporters, owe the office of the president the respect it deserves. Even Hillary Clinton had the moral character to attend. To be a true leader, you first need to act like one.

Mark Blakey

Bonita

Shame on Rep. Juan Vargas. The American people have spoken and Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States. For him and other Democratic members of Congress to boycott the inauguration is outrageous. This is not a Republican event. This is not a Democratic event. It is an American event and a time-honored tradition of the peaceful transfer of power that many of our countrymen have fought and died to protect.

George Morgan

Coronado

To Juan Vargas and all the others of those who are supposed to represent us in Washington: Shame on you. You were elected to represent all of your constituents, not just a select few.

You should have been at the inauguration, doing your elected, paid-for duty, representing all of us in Washington and showing you are willing to do what our new president wants to do, work to unite us and bring all of us together, not divide us.

Mary Helvie

Chula Vista

While watching the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday morning, I had thoughts.

I hoped that the president-elect and vice president-elect did not and do not view the tomb as dedicated to only white, American-born, heterosexual, Christian males.

I believe it is dedicated to any and all who have given the last full measure of devotion to the protection of our country and its ideals.

Hopefully, we will become a country that believes in the inclusion of all its inhabitants.

Ron Newell

University City

Every father, husband, brother and son who voted for Trump, after hearing the recording of him admitting what he would do to women, shame on them.

Edward Cruz

El Cajon

Barack Obama came to town to bring people together, to show compassion for those too poor or too sick to help themselves, to keep us from killing ourselves around the country and across the globe, and to regain responsible stewardship of our beautiful planet. He wept at the senseless deaths of children. As a man of peace, he opposed war and sought diplomatic solutions to seemingly intractable problems.

Watching the recent television series on the legacy of President Barack Obama, I couldnt help noticing the needless suffering I saw him endure. It made me think of the parallel between his life and the passion of other great men and women who have walked this Earth.

President Obama is leaving us a message of hope. We would do well to heed his words and his example.

John C. ONeal

La Jolla

Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook.
The Poway Unified School District Board of Education will be conducting its first round of in-person interviews with the finalist superintendent candidates on Monday.

This will be the first of several interview sessions, intended to whittle down the board members top picks to the new superintendent. These interviews are taking place off-site, as recommended by the search firm Ray and Associates, for confidentiality reasons.

Board President Michelle OConnor-Ratcliff said that the board was a little surprised, but so pleased by the quality of the candidates presented to them by search firm at a closed-session meeting on Thursday.

OConnor-Ratcliff said that 91 people completed applications for the position from all across the country. Of those 91 applicants, 11 finalists were presented to the board members on Thursday for them to review.

She said due to confidentiality agreements, she couldnt say the exact number the board selected from those 11, but that they had narrowed the pool.

The top 11 hail from California, Minnesota, Texas, Tennessee and Arizona, said OConnor-Ratcliff.

The board was able to review the application of each candidate, along with a screening done by the search firm that includes background and reference checks and academic background. Each candidate also provided a short introduction video.

The timeline originally put forth by the search firm said the new superintendent would be hired by late January or early February, though OConnor-Ratcliff said on Jan. 17 that this seemed ambitious now. She said Friday that she anticipated several more in-person interviews with the final candidates at special off-site closed-session meetings before the board members made their decision.

Email: news@pomeradonews.com
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP)  Good leadership skills wont be enough for Bolivian officers seeking promotion to the rank of captain in any branch of the South American nations military. They must now add ideological schooling.

President Evo Morales inaugurated the Anti-Imperialist Command School on Wednesday outside the eastern city of Santa Cruz

The academy had previously trained soldiers for U.N. peacekeeping missions. Now, it will aim to counter U.S. political and military influence, a mission that opposition leaders called an illegitimate political tainting of the armed forces by Bolivias first indigenous president.

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The school will not, at least initially, train officers from allied leftist nations as the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who died in 2013, initially proposed.

We want to build anti-colonial and anti-capitalist thinking with this school that binds the armed forces to social movements and counteracts the influence of the School of the Americas that always saw the indigenous as internal enemies, Morales told a crowd that included the defense ministers of Venezuela and Nicaragua.

Some Latin American officers trained at the U.S.-based School of the Americas went on to commit atrocities under 20th century military dictatorships. In 2000, the academy at Fort Benning, Georgia, was renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.

Morales, who expelled the U.S. ambassador and counter-narcotics agents in 2008, accused Washington of encouraging congressional coups such as the impending impeachment trial of suspended President Dilma Rousseff in Brazil. He also said the U.S promotes global terrorism through military interventions, citing the rise of the Islamic State group as an example.

The Santa Cruz academy was initially inaugurated in 2011 as the ALBA School after the now-weakened regional alliance that includes Venezuela, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Cuba.

Morales invitation to that event of then-Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi provoked an uproar in neighboring Argentina, where judicial authorities have accused Vahidi of a role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center that killed 85 people.

The re-inaugurated school carries the name of Gen. Juan Jose Torres, a leftist who was Bolivias de facto president in 1970 and who expelled the Peace Corps for allegedly sterilizing indigenous women.

A semester-long course required for advancement to captain is being taught by the Argentine Marxist intellectual Atilio Boron, Deputy Defense Minister Reymi Ferreira said.
MARSEILLES, France (AP)  Fires whipped by high winds ravaged swaths of southern France and Portugal on Wednesday, killing at least four people, burning scores of homes and forcing the evacuation of thousands, including tourists.

In France, multiple fires formed a column marching toward the Mediterranean port city of Marseille. Hundreds of miles away, a fire swept overnight into Funchal, the capital of Portugals Madeira Islands, killing three elderly people and leaving more than 300 with minor burns and smoke inhalation. A forest watchman was killed on the mainland during the night when one of more than 100 blazes engulfed the caravan he was sleeping in 150 kilometers (95 miles) north of Lisbon.

Two people were reported injured, one seriously, as the fire in southern France moved toward Marseille, firefighters said, and 20 to 25 homes were burned. At least 2,700 hectares (6,670 acres) of land were devastated. Four firefighters were injured, three seriously, battling a separate blaze in the nearby Herault region  brought under control like a fire in an industrial area outside Marseille that stocks oil and petrochemicals.

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The Marseille airport rerouted incoming flights to make way for firefighting aircraft, while officials in Marseille, Frances second-largest city, were bracing for flames that risked lapping at its doors, and the airport warned flights risk delays or cancellations Thursday.

Thick layers of ochre-colored smoke dimmed the afternoon skies of sun-drenched Marseille, while black plumes rose above Vitrolles and Pennes-Mirabeau.

It was a scene really like the end of the world, Caroline Vidal, a Vitrolles resident told iTele TV, describing the scene as she fled her home to her grandmothers house and saw people running on the highway to escape.

Assistant Prefect Yves Rousset, asked at a pre-dawn meeting with reporters in Marseille, whether the fire might reach Frances second-largest city overnight, said, We can never say there will be no risk, but were doing everything so it doesnt. Firefighting aircraft were restarting duty at daybreak, while the battle continued on the ground.

Firefighters in both countries battled multiple blazes fanned by high winds and fed by brush in a hot, dry summer, considered fire season in both countries. A full 186 wildfires were counted Wednesday on Portugals mainland.

But the blazes were exceptionally powerful in both countries, roaring through Madeira and southern France at the height of the tourist season  a mainstay of the economy of Madeira islands, off northwest Africa.

Portugals National Civil Protection Service reported 14 major wildfires burning out of control in mainland Portugal where almost 4,500 firefighters were in action in a massive operation, supported by 28 water-dumping aircraft and 1,300 vehicles. Desperate, the government requested help from other European Union countries.

The Madeira fire forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents and tourists in the islands. Residents described chaotic nighttime scenes, with people fleeing the flames by car at high speed on the wrong side of the road.

Miguel Albuquerque, head of Madeiras regional government, told reporters the three local victims died in their burned homes early Wednesday as the wildfire hit the coastal city in the dark. He said two other people were seriously hurt and one person went missing. At least 37 houses and a five-star hotel had burned down.

In southern France, more than 1,000 people were evacuated in several towns, notably Vitrolles, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Marseille where some homes were burned down, and in nearby Pennes-Mirabeau.

The fire is progressing. Its progressing fast, Deputy Marseille Mayor Julien Ruas said on BFM-TV. He said firewalls had been set up on the corridor leading toward the city, but if the fire passed those it will move toward the northern neighborhoods of Marseille.

The fire is extremely powerful, fast, explosive, and continues burning everything in its path, firefighters said in a statement from a temporary headquarters set up in Vitrolles.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, visiting firemen in several locations, said 1,800 firefighters were mobilized to fight the blazes. Some 400 police officers were helping towns secure homes and firefighting aircraft, from Canadairs to Trackers, were mobilized.

The origins of the French fires, which started in Rognac, north of Vitrolles, were unknown.

The Madeira blaze broke out Monday and firefighters said the islands steep hills and dense woodland made it hard to reach the flames. Albuquerque, the regional government chief, said officials suspect that fire was started deliberately and police have made two arrests.

___

Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal; Ganley reported from Paris.
TIRANA, Albania (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday pushed Albania to enact a major package of judicial and legislative reforms, backed by U.S. money that also is intended to help the Balkan nation take in Iranian refugees from Iraq.

Kerry, returning to the United States from a four-day trip to Germany, made a brief stop in Albanias capital to urge the government and opposition parties to support the package now pending in parliament. Kerry said the reforms represent a significant step forward in Albanias bid to join the European Union.

The changes include the creation of an anti-corruption court and prosecutors office as well as a national investigative body similar to the FBI in the United States. The U.S. has provided $20 million in assistance to support the reforms and $5 million more is budgeted this year.

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U.S. officials traveling with Kerry said that while the reforms are needed for their own sake as well as E.U. membership, they also were key to Albanias fulfilling a commitment to relocate thousands of members of the exiled Iranian Mujahedeen-e-Khalq opposition group.

Saddam Hussein had welcomed the Iranian group into Iraq in the 1980s, but Iraqs current Shiite-led government considers their presence illegal. The group lost what had been its home for decades, Camp Ashraf north of Baghdad, and was moved to a former U.S. base in the Iraqi capital.

Over the past 18 months, Albania has taken in about 1,000 members of the group and has committed to taking 2,000 more.

Neither Kerry nor any of the Albanian officials mentioned the relocations.

After meeting Kerry, Albanian President Bujar Nishani said he had assured Kerry of Albanias determination against organized crime and corruption.

Prime Minister Edi Rama said he expected the reforms to be adopted next month.

I am very confident we shall do that and with the United States of America on our side there is optimism for success, Rama said.

The package is the latest effort to clean up what was once one of Europes most dysfunctional governments. In December, Albanias parliament approved legislation barring people with criminal records from holding public office or most civil service jobs. The new legislation gave three months to people currently in office or in most civil service jobs who have a criminal record to resign. After that they will be dismissed.

Kerry praised Albania for its efforts so far, but reminded Rama and his government that more must be done.

In the end, only Albanians can enact the right laws and insist on their effective implementation, he said. Fighting corruption is hard but necessary work  and it is vital to Albanias economic future and its ability to become one with Europe.

While in Tirana, Kerry also thanked Albania for its contributions to the fight against the Islamic State group, saying the majority Muslim country was a leader in countering violent extremism.

___

Llazar Semini contributed to this report.
BEIRUT (AP)  Lebanese troops detained 103 Syrians for illegal entry into the country in a security sweep Tuesday, a day after a series of deadly bombings struck a village near the Syrian border, the military said.

The government warned of a mounting challenge in tiny Lebanon, which abuts the war-torn Syria, underlining the magnitude of Mondays attack that saw nine bombings, eight of them from suicide attackers, strike in the small Christian village of Qaa.

The attack on the Lebanese national security and the unfamiliar manner in which it was executed usher in a new kind of phase in the states confrontation with the dark forces of terrorism, a Cabinet statement said.

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The bombings triggered fear and panic among Qaas residents and a deepening sense of foreboding in Lebanon, which has grappled for over five years with spillovers from Syrias civil war.

Tuesday was declared a national day of mourning and authorities postponed funerals for the five people killed in Mondays bombings, citing security reasons. A major religious event scheduled in the capital, Beirut, by the militant Hezbollah group was also postponed.

Also citing security concerns, the ministry of culture postponed the opening of the Bacchus Temple, part of the famed ruins of Baalbek. A troupe of Syrian actors roaming the Bekaa Valley with a performance about refugee woes postponed its tour. A limited curfew was imposed in Qaa and the surrounding area.

The army said it carried out security raids in six areas in the Baalbek region, which has many informal Syrian refugee settlements. It said nine motorcycles and two vehicles were confiscated and two Lebanese were arrested with illegal weapons.

Mondays explosions, four in the early morning and five at night, killed five people and wounded nearly 30 in Qaa. Later in the day, two bombers blew themselves up outside the village church as people gathered for funerals of those killed earlier Monday.

The army said one of the suicide bombers detonated his explosives as he was chased by troops, while the other blew himself up near a military post when guards fired at him. No one was killed but the two blasts wounded 13 people. Minister of Interior Nouhad Machnouk said initial investigations indicate most of the bombers were from inside Syria and not refugees. He didnt elaborate.

Private Lebanese OTV aired what it said was footage from security cameras in Qaa, purporting to show a young man involved in the attack. The footage shows the young man with a backpack heading to a gathering outside the church, apparently to blow himself up.

Qaa and the nearby Ras Baalbek are the only two villages with a Christian majority in the predominantly Shiite Hermel region, where the Shiite Hezbollah group holds sway. The group has sent thousands of its fighters to Syria to bolster President Bashar Assads forces against the predominantly Sunni rebels trying to topple him.

Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV blamed Mondays attack on the Islamic State group. Al-Mustaqbal daily, which is owned by Hezbollahs rival group, suggested the army was the target of the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Sunni extremists have carried out several attacks in the border area since Syrias conflict began in March 2011, leading the Christians of Qaa to set up self-defense units for their village.
The third and largest storm to hit San Diego County in less than a week will move ashore Sunday, dropping heavy rain on saturated hills and whipping up potentially damaging winds while dusting the mountains with snow.

The National Weather Service says the coast will get 1 to 2 inches of rain, while 2 to 3 inches will fall across inland valleys and foothills, and even higher levels in the mountains, where heavy snow is expected on the peaks.

The system will arrive early Sunday and strike hardest in the afternoon and evening. But rain is expected to fall off and on until early Tuesday.

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Forecasters say the new storm could cause flash flooding across the county and possibly generate mudslides. The system also will produce heavy runoff in the San Diego River and could produce more flooding near Fashion Valley mall in Mission Valley.

The water was still high and moving fast in the area of Avenida del Rio and Camino de la Reina on Saturday, where a swift water crew of lifeguards and firefighters had to rescue a man clinging to a tree, Amador said.

We are asking the public to adhere to all safety signals, said San Diego Fire-Rescue Capt. Joe Amador. Dont cross barricades or drive into flooded areas. Just slow down if you are on the road. Better yet, he said, just stay home if you can.

He said fire-rescue crews responded to 27 calls for rescues in a three-hour period on Friday.

In Oceanside on Friday afternoon, firefighters scoured both sides of Buena Creek near El Camino Real, looking for a man reported to be clinging to bushes in the rushing water. Crews, aided by a Coast Guard helicopter, called an end to the search as the weather worsened. A fire official said the man might have gotten out on his own, unseen, or may have been swept away to his death.

The county, which has been in a prolonged drought, is getting a major soaking in a short period of time.

During the 72 hour period ending at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Julian and Lake Cuyamaca had record rainfall of almost 6 inches, and Descanso was at 5.34 inches. Several other communities  Ramona, La Mesa, and Alpine, to name a few  received more than 3 inches.

San Diego International Airport recorded 1.30 inches, pushing its seasonal total to 7.26 inches, which is almost 3 inches above normal. Forecasters say the city could be at nearly 10 inches of rain by Tuesday. Thats the amount that San Diego receives in an entire year.

Richard Minnich, an earth sciences professor at UC Riverside, said he wouldnt be surprised if San Diego hits 15 inches by the time the season ends.

The past few days have also been notable for the winds.

On Friday, the winds gust to more than 50 mph at the coast to 60 mph or more in the foothills to almost 100 mph on the mountain peaks.

The winds toppled trees, some of which fell on power lines. SDG&E said outages hit more than 36,000 customers on Friday.

The winds also knocked down a large eucalyptus tree at UC San Diego, damaging five vehicles near the student center. And in Vista, a large tree toppled onto a home on Alta Vista Drive.

Sunday could bring another round of trouble; winds are expected to gust 30 to 40 mph at the coast, and they could hit 80 mph on mountain peaks, the weather service said.

The National Guard will be helping National City residents to fill sand bags from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at the southeast corner of Kimball Park, immediately north of the Boys and Girls Club on D Avenue.

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Winds hit extraordinary levels on Friday

Sample rainfall figures for 72-hour period ending 11 a.m. Saturday:

Julian: 5.97

Lake Cuyamaca: 5.69

Descanso: 5.34

Mt. Woodson: 4.88

Skyline Ranch: 4.00

Bonsall: 3.66

Alpine: 3.44

Ramona: 3.35

Escondido: 3.13

La Mesa: 3.09

Lake Wohlford: 3.07

Valley Center: 2.82

Lakeside: 2.55

Kearny Mesa: 2.34

Montgomery Field: 2.04

Carlsbad: 2.01

Chula Vista: 1.97

San Diego International Airport: 1.30

Twitter: @grobbins

gary.robbins@sduniontribune.com
Im not sure how describe exactly how stunning Lake Atitlan, Guatemala is. A lake of unknown depths, deep clear sapphire blue, surrounded by volcanoes so steep that is seems impossible that anyone lives there. PERFECT summer days and cool nights at 5000 feet. The warm air from the Pacific rises up from the west forming fairy tale clouds.

World renowned Lake Atitlan is as beautiful as they say. Even more so. I really didnt picture it correctly at all.

And a poor segue but heres a bit more oversharingI picked up a stomach bug somewhere on my trip and wasnt feeling all that great for some of my time on the lake. So I only saw 2 of the 10-15 villages around the lake. But what I saw was absolutely gorgeous and here it is.

If you are coming in from Guatemala City or Antigua, you are going to be dropped off at the hub of the lake, Panajchel or Pana.

Many describe the town as touristy  and, well1. I am a tourist and 2. That usually means lots of restaurants, hotel options and shopping. It was my home base and I spent all four nights at a fantastic bed and breakfast. But Ill get to that later. Heres a look at Pana. It is the only town that has supermarkets, ATM machines (none worked for me) and nightlife. You can certainly choose a smaller village  some dont even have a guest house  but I liked Pana for the convenience. Its the hub of transport to the other villages. The main road, Calle Santander, is LINED with stalls. They have many of the beautiful handmade crafts, fabrics and embroidery found at the other markets  and the prices here are great too. There is also a younger selection of mass producedmodernized things. Geared towards the traveling crowd.

Many of the restaurants were marketed for the international, granola crowd. Lots of vegan, chia, soy, organic items listed. I was surprisedbut heywhy not?

Even a large well stocked health food store.

The view down by the docks was just stunning. Back towards the shore line at sunset.

And out to the mountains.

I couldnt get enough of these ducks that are EVERYWHERE on the lake.

Pana also happened to have the very best cup of coffee that I had in Guatemala. A place called Cafe Loco  owned by 2 young uber hip Korean barristas  almost like mad coffee scientists. So good  and served in glass measuring cups to continue the laboratory feel.

The very first village I visited was San Antonio. A tiny TINY town on the side of a volcano where almost all the residents wear gorgeous blue. And the way to get there is to hop on the back of the pick up trucks that run back and forth. Q5 or less than $1US for the 20 minute steep, twisting ride.

San Antonio is best known for the gorgeous hand painted stoneware.

The view from the church.

I walked down to the water. Leg muscles in this area must be STRONG. The way is insanely steep.

And bought two mugs for just about $5US for the pair.

Young ladies painting.

And those up by the market.

The very next day I headed out on one of the transit boats to the town of San Marcos. I had heard that this village is mystical and wanted to find out exactly what that means. The boat ride was breathtaking. The view is really hard to believe.

And the walkway into the lower village area is beautiful

There are tons of signs for yoga, ashrams, workshops and meditation .I walked into the first cafe and someone was in the lotus pose mediating just inside the door. I had to make my way around him to order a cup of coffee. No one thought that was odd.

Everywhere I looked there were shirtless, barefooted Europeans guys wearing harem pants and beadsor American women with dread locks, glazed eyes and multiple piercingspeople that seemed to be there for weeks, months or probably even years trying to find themselves.

There were signs up EVERYWHERE for activities like these

Investment $900!?!?! How does one get a scholarship to the International School for Magicians of Love?

RootFlute.com? I think I may be in the wrong spot.

I hopped a boat back and settled into my yurt for a nap. Thats rightMY YURT!

I found Jennas River Bed and Breakfast and fell in love with the yurt.

A deep deep bathtub and a loft spacea tv and a huge bed with tons of blankets and a big down comforter. I was snug as a bug while sleeping but when the temperatures dipped into the low 40s at nightI decided to move inside the B&B to a warmer room.

She served gorgeous breakfasts in the morning  fresh bread and homemade jams.

4 nights on the lake and I was ready to make my way back to Belize. I took a shuttle back from Panajchel to Guatemala City (about 4 hours) and instead of taking the overnight bus back to Flores ($55US), I dug deep into my pocket book and took a flight. For $110US, and 40 minutes instead of 10 hours, it was well worth it.

While distances dont look terribly long in Guatemala, the winding roads through the mountains are very slow going.

Hasta la Vista GuatemalaI had a great time. And I will most certainly be back. The crafts, the prices and the landscape are too beautiful and too close to Belize to stay away for this long again.

For a more comprehensive look at the villages around Lake Atitlan, check out this guide by uber-travel blogger Adventurous Kate.
Ever wonder where the cravings for pizza and burgers after a night of drinking and partying come from?

Live Science reported that a study published in the journal Nature Communications explains why drunken people love to indulge in fast food. While previous studies say that alcohol calories suppress the brain's appetite signals, beer drinkers still go through the overeating condition called "the aperitif effect" to end the long night.

To solve this mystery, a team of researchers at London's Francis Crick Institute conducted a mice study dubbed as the "alcoholic weekend experiment." Although they observed the effects on rodents, Drexel University College of Medicine's neurobiology assistant professor Jessica R. Barson, who was not involved in the study, pointed out that the researchers looked at the same neurons both humans and mice have.

For the study, the researchers injected same amounts of alcohol to a group of mice for three days. To see the contrast, they injected saline solution for three days, three days prior to alcohol injections. The animal subjects were also given access to equal amounts of water and food for the whole duration.

While the team observed the rodents' brain activities during the experiment, they discovered that the alcohol injections activated the Agrp neurons, which are responsible for inducing feeding behaviors. These neurons were not influenced by saline injections.

Furthermore, the mice stopped overeating when the researchers artificially obstructed the neural activity.

On why drunken people binge on greasy food, research team member Gary Wittert, head of the School of Medicine at Adelaide University, explained the preference.

He told ABC News: "There are lots of pathways involved in regulating particular food choices and I think that it's quite feasible and believable and probable that there are pathways that also involve selections of particular kinds of foods, whether they're more salty foods or whether they're more sugary foods or whether they're more fatty foods, which I think is particularly the case here."
Since the recent explosion that happened on Wednesday at 1:20 p.m. of the Bogoslof Volcano, the Alaska Volcano Observatory says that it had already recorded about 20 explosives.

Bogoslof's recent explosion that happened on Wednesday sent up an ash cloud about 31,000 feet high. It prompted the ninth red aviation warning of AVO that it had issued for the volcano since December, according to WHIO.

Thus, the geophysicist at AVO, Dave Schneider, said that the eruption last Wednesday was preceded by a series of smaller events previously in the week. He added that, "It's safe to say the explosive activity has been variable. This was one of the larger events over the past few weeks."

According to Schneider, the ash cloud is not the highest that the volcano had produced during its eruption. As it is, some of the previous ash clouds measures up to 35,000 feet. Thus, the differences could happen due to the atmospheric conditions than the explosion itself.

However, KTUU.com reported that the ash clouds do pose some threats to the nearby boats and air traffic. But the wind forecast revealed that the fallout is unlikely not to affect the Dutch Harbor and Unalaska. Schneider added that, "So far we've been lucky. The clouds have been moving the ash mostly into the Bering Sea, not Unalaska or Dutch Harbor."

As follows, Schneider mentioned that if the long-running eruptions continue, it would be difficult to predict when the volcano will finally settle down. The eruptions of Bogoslof have already lasted for weeks and sometimes even months. Also, due to the volcanic activity, it has completely reshaped the coastline of the island. It is a process that would continue to take place.

Schneider shared that, "We had new data showing that the coastline continues to evolve and that was from before the event today. So we'll see what happens after this one."

Schneider suggests that the scientists are looking into the possibility that the vent of the volcano that is currently located underwater, might eventually separate from the ocean during this eruption. If that happens, the ash clouds from the future events tend to travel further.
A new research found that people with severe mental illness are less likely to be screened for HIV, compared to the general population. The researchers added that they are at higher risk for infection of the AIDS-causing virus.

The study that was published on Jan. 17 in the journal Psychiatric Services. It includes nearly 57,000 Medicaid patients in California. The participants are ages between 18 and 67. The study participants were all taking medications to treat major depression with psychosis, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The study revealed that less than 7 percent of them have been tested for HIV. The researchers compared it to the 5 percent of the state's general population in 2011.

The Health Day reported that the study authors said the result of their study suggests a missed opportunity to treat HIV infection early in people with severe mental illness. The study first author at the University of California, San Francisco's department of psychiatry, Dr. Christina Mangurian, said that, "This is a missed prevention opportunity to detect HIV early in the course of illness. People with severe mental illness have higher rates of unsafe behaviors that put them at risk for HIV infection."

Mangurian explained in a university news release that the risky behavior may include having unprotected sex with HIV-positive partners and partners of unknown HIV status, an episode of sexual violence and injecting drugs. "Previous studies have found that people with severe mental illness die up to 25 years earlier than the general population."

Mangurian suggested that most of those deaths came from early heart disease. However, HIV and other infectious diseases also add up to earlier death among the people with severe mental illness. She said that, "Effective treatments are widely available and people with severe mental illness appear to comply with antiretroviral therapies at rates similar to other groups. We believe that annual HIV testing should be strongly considered by public mental health administrators," according to Medical Xpress.
As Donald J. Trump ascended the steps of the US Capitol on Friday morning in anticipation of taking the oath of office and becoming the 45th president of the United States, protestors locked themselves arm-to-arm, forming human blockades of several entrances into the inauguration grounds.

Others marched through downtown Washington, smashing windows, setting cars alight, and clashing with lines of police, who used pepper spray and concussion grenades to clear intersections and contain the demonstrators.

The actions mark the beginning of what will be two days of mass protest in Washington  as well as across the country and the world  against the newly inaugurated Trump administration and represent what might be the dawn of a significant uptick in public opposition to the president's agenda.

A frequent refrain among media pundits, elected officials, and some academics says protests allow the public a moment of cathartic release  a chance to blow off some bottled-up frustration  but yield little, if anything, in the way of real world change.

Not so fast, according to Daniel Q. Gillion, an associate professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania.

RELATED: Women's Marches Greet Trump Inauguration With Defiant Solidarity

In a 2012 paper published in the Journal of Politics, Gillion argues that public protests held on the local level served as cues for public politicians of constituent unrest, which led to discernible shifts in how they voted in Congress.

Gillion was concerned specifically with political campaigns that sought to improve conditions for minority communities and how their efforts were reflected in roll-call votes in the US House of Representatives between 1961 and 1995.

"The district-level cues reflect a direct link between citizens' political preferences and congressional leaders' votes," he wrote. "The occurrence of one minority protest event is unlikely to have any influence on government behavior. But as the information provided through citizen's protest behavior accumulates, so does the impact it has on Congress."

Public protests influenced representatives of both political parties. Republican members of the House, Gillion found, became four percent more supportive and Democrats became eight percent more liberal in response to frequent demonstrations.

"There is a common notion that congressional representatives who are elected from heavily populated majority-minority districts do all that they can to address minority issues, regardless of whether protest actions are occurring in their districts," Gillion wrote. "This simply is not true."

Public protest, in other words, pushed even a sympathetic elected official to agitate more aggressively for action on civil rights issues. When people take to the streets, their actions are often described as a perversion or failure of democratic processes. But Gillion sees public protest as crucial to holding public officials accountable, especially on the local level where politicians are most vulnerable to constituent sentiments.

"Citizens are sometimes moved by events and political disappointments in ways that cannot be measured by the passivity of public opinion polls or delayed for an election cycle," he wrote. "In such events, people are compelled to act, and political protest is the avenue through which they can express their most urgent concerns. In doing so, their protest behavior becomes another vehicle by which they communicate to the government."

RELATED: Standing Rock Protesters Excited but Skeptical About Victory

But, there's a current, albeit less academic, indicator that elected officials are acutely aware of the impact of public protest.

Republican legislatures in five states have offered proposals to ban them, according to an article in The Intercept. If passed, the bills could lead to heavy fines and even long prison terms for anyone who participates in non-violent civil disobedience, as many people have done recently in response to police shootings and the construction of fossil fuel infrastructure, like the Dakota Access Pipeline.

In North Dakota, for example, Republicans seek to allow motorists to run over protesters blocking a highway  a potentially lethal action  as long as it was done accidentally.

"This trend of anti-protest legislation dressed up as 'obstruction' bills is deeply troubling," Lee Rowland, a senior staff attorney at the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Intercept. "A law that would allow the state to charge a protester $10,000 for stepping in the wrong place, or encourage a driver to get away with manslaughter because the victim was protesting, is about one thing: chilling protest."

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Disenchanted with the out-of-date curriculum of traditional college, Jeremy Rossmann dropped out of MIT. Within a few years, he and co-founder Ashu Desai, started The Make School, a college replacement program for founders and developers.

"Our core philosophy is if you teach the same thing two years in a row, it's got to be wrong because computer science as a field and software engineering as a discipline is moving so fast," said Rossmann.

Instead of tests, there's project-based work. Instead of tuition upfront, there's a debt-free model charged to students only once they find employment after graduation. The Make School also claims to bring its students better access to top tech company functions, networking, and guidance as they shape their career.

Classes focus on developing desirable qualities and capabilities as expressed by current hiring managers in Silicon Valley. Beyond programming classes, subjects also include nutrition, health, writing, and exercise - tools to succeed in a professional life.

"And then some more general life skills, communication, empathy, understanding the history of tech and then a big segment on ethics. So Uber, what do we think? Airbnb, where do we stand? Is it okay to start a company in that way? Is it beneficial for society? Are the laws out of date? How does this all work behind the scenes?" Rossmann continued.

In September 2015, The Make School began its first academic year with nearly 30 full-time students in the founding class. Some students are fresh out of high school, some have left their colleges to pursue education here instead. They all live together in dorm-like housing in San Francisco, and though they may also be carrying fake IDs, it's not to sneak into bars for fun like their university-counterparts. It's usually to be able to hear a tech company founder speak at a networking event, or meet other contacts in the industry for a job.

Not everyone is on board with the new program, including some parents, who prefer their children still attend traditional, name-recognized universities. To which Rossmann responds, "When LinkedIn and Lyft and these companies with tens of millions of dollars of funding are all committing contractually to coming and recruit here, and they don't come to the school where your child is studying, that means something."
The title of the exhibition is spelled out in lowercase letters. Its an affectation, of course, but it also communicates that diane arbus: in the beginning focuses on the formative years of the woman who would become an uppercase icon of photography, Diane Arbus.

The exhibition, opening Saturday, Jan. 21, at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts Pritzker Center for Photography, comprises more than 100 images from 1956, when Arbus broke from her working partnership with her husband, Allan, to 1962, the year she began making the large-format images for which she became better known.

Arbus had been shooting off and on since the early 40s. She and Allan, later to become familiar for his recurring role as a psychiatrist on MASH, were working as fashion photographers when Arbus began studying with Lisette Model and decided to pursue her photography on her own. While working with her husband, Diane was in charge of finding locations and art-directing the shoot, with Allan doing the actual photography.

The images in the SFMOMA exhibition, which was organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, may not look exactly like what we have come to know as a Diane Arbus photograph, but they show the creative roots of her later artistry.

Viewing the early work of a well-known artist has its own rewards, and thats the intention of In the Beginning. The subject matter includes street photography; portraits; fleeting, grainy images from television screens; and several photographs of societys outsiders  drag queens, little people, clowns, a contortionist from Huberts Museum in New York  and often, people whom she would refer to as her freaks.

Some of the images have never been displayed before, and many were discovered only after her death. Were told that almost half of the images Arbus printed in her lifetime were produced in this seven-year period. Many of the images were made with a 35mm camera, enabling us to see how her vision as an artist evolved once she began using a Rolleiflex.

SFMOMA has also installed an accompanying exhibition of photographers Arbus admired and/or knew when she was working in New York: Garry Winogrand, William Klein, Lee Friedlander, Weegee, Walker Evans, Robert Frank and others.

The title of the exhibition is taken from Arbus herself, who, in 1957, said, I am full of a sense of promise, like I often have, the feeling of always being at the beginning.

David Wiegand is an assistant managing editor and the TV critic of The San Francisco Chronicle and co-host of The Do List every Friday morning at 6:22 and 8:22 on KQED FM, 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento. Follow him on Facebook. Email: dwiegand@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @WaitWhat_TV

Diane Arbus: In the Beginning, Saturday, Jan. 21, through April 30, Pritzker Center for Photography, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday-Tuesday, and until 9 p.m. Thursday. Closed Wednesday. (415) 357-4000. www.sfmoma.org
It may be too early to plug in the projector, but theres hope on Ocean Avenue that the historic El Rey Theatre could soon be ready for a sequel.

After occupying the El Rey for 39 years, A Place for Jesus, a Pentecostal church, has vacated the building, bolstering a longtime neighborhood dream that the neglected icon could be reborn as a community arts center or theater.

This week the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted to initiate the designation of the 1931 movie palace as a city landmark, a six-month process that will make it eligible for state and federal tax credits and other incentives.

While the Streamline Moderne theater has long been a shoo-in for landmark status, California law stipulates that a building serving as a church cannot be designated as historic unless the church agrees to the designation, which A Place for Jesus never did. The theater is now owned by two Marin investment groups.

John King/The Chronicle

The news comes as Ocean Avenue has attracted a wave of investment over the past five years, including a Whole Foods and four new apartment complexes totaling more than 300 units. Yet stretches of the retail thoroughfare have languished, especially on the western end of the strip where El Rey is located.

A restored and active El Rey is really the final piece needed for Ocean Avenues revitalization, said Alexander Mullaney, a neighborhood resident who publishes the Ingleside-Excelsior Light newspaper and had worked for the theaters preservation. I dont want to speak too soon, but it feels that everythings on track to make that happen.

Opened in 1931, the 1,800-seat El Rey was designed by Timothy Pflueger, whose firm was behind landmarks such as the Castro Theatre, the Paramount Theatre in Oakland and the Pacific Telephone Building at 140 New Montgomery St. in San Francisco. A Chronicle account of its opening described the El Reys Spanish Colonial Revival style as richly decorative, with a gallery of mirrors adorning the lobby.

For decades the theaters tower  visible from Mount Davidson to Merced Heights  provided a beacon in the often fogbound neighborhoods of Ingleside Terraces, Mount Davidson Manor and Balboa Terrace. The theater was also the birthplace of the Gap, which occupied the buildings retail space when the clothing company got started in 1967.

The theater closed in 1977 and was bought by the Voice of the Pentecost, which also operated a small school there. In December 2015, the El Rey changed hands again, sold in a trustee sale on the steps of City Hall for $1.06 million. The seller was the Stanford Federal Credit Union, which had foreclosed on the property after the church defaulted on a loan. The buyer was a joint venture between Ricci Ventures and Green Point Land Co., both Marin investment groups.

Plans for the building are not yet firm. Project architect John Goldman said the overriding goal is to restore the tower and theater to their original splendor. He said the owners would like to lease it to a theater group and have reached out to San Francisco State University and City College of San Francisco, both nearby. Neither institution has expressed interest to date.

Goldman described himself as a longtime Pflueger buff and former board member of the Art Deco Society of California. He said the owners have to figure out a way to make the venture profitable, but that they are committed to rehabbing its historic fabric.

If anyone is worried about my respecting the building  dont be, he said. I love the building. The owners love the building. And were going to do right by the building. My goal is to figure out how to restore it.

Most of the buildings original detailing has survived, although the structure is in bad shape, he said. There is water damage around the stage, spalling plaster in the auditorium, water stains in the lobby. The church really let it go, he said.

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But historic restoration can be expensive, and the owners will want it to make a profit. There are four retail spaces that can be leased out. There are also two parking lots in the rear of the building, which the owners have talked with the city about developing for housing.

Tim Frye, historic preservation officer for the city Planning Department, emphasized that any new structures built on the property would have to be consistent with the U.S. secretary of the interiors standards for the treatment of historic properties. Anything built would also have to step down to the residential neighborhood to the rear, which has a 40-foot height limit. And the site is sloped, which could make construction challenging.

We have had good conversations, Frye said. This really is the anchor of the neighborhood  visibly, of course, but also because its also this incredible historic resource. It could be a powerful catalyst to start revitalizing that strip that has languished for quite a bit of time.

At the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Daniel Weaver, executive director of the Ocean Avenue Association, said the new ownership, along with the step toward landmark status, represents a long overdue fresh start for the El Rey.

Its been nothing but downhill since the day it stopped being a movie theater and started being a church, Weaver said.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen
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Thousands of protesters, many clad in purple, linked arms from one end of the Golden Gate Bridge to the other on Friday to oppose the inauguration of a president soundly rejected by California voters.

So many people were gathering on the east sidewalk of the bridge that authorities announced that, for reasons of safety, they would allow only 3,000 to stand on the bridge itself. Any extra protesters would be invited to stand on the north and south entrances to the bridge.

I wanted to do something the day of the inauguration, to show my displeasure and gather with folks of like mind to show we still have some power, said Helen Muscolo, 60, from Martinez.

Called Bridge Together Golden Gate, the event was described as the first-ever linking of arms on the bridge. Organizers said it was a performance piece but participants said it was a good old-fashioned protest.

Its all about this visceral reaction to whats happening today, said protester Jody Webster, of Pacifica. Its a unifying event.

There were few protest signs, because bridge authorities said they could wind up being traffic hazards. But there was singing, chanting and hollering. The crowd wore purple  a symbolic mixture of colors representing blue and red states.

One participant did sneak onto the bridge with a small sign proclaiming exclusivity and respect for all.

Shortly after 11 a.m., the crowd began holding hands in small clusters while organizers tried to persuade them to, instead, start walking north and form a single line all the way across the bridge. It was the first bridge hand-holding, so organizers seemed a bit unsure how to proceed.

Volunteers with megaphones urged the crowd at the south end of the bridge to keep sliding down toward the north end. Other volunteers led the crowd in chants of, We are watching! We are listening! We are the resistance!

Its a non-political event but Im an anti-Trump person, said hand holder Judy Piccini, 68, of San Francisco. I fully support the idea of inclusiveness and I fear that, in the future, we wont have enough of it.

Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanantuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
Gloomy weather and patches of rain werent enough to keep roughly 1,000 people from marching through San Francisco on Friday evening, streaming down Market Street after gathering in United Nations Plaza to protest the inauguration of President Trump.

The rally began at around 5 p.m., with people gathering and chanting. Many of the chants had been modified for the occasion, such as Trump says get back, we say fight back. An hour or so later, the march began, heading toward the heart of the Castro neighborhood.

Participants included John Bournique, 40, an attorney who said it was his first protest since 2002. A number of causes had piqued his interests over the years since, he said, but not enough to hit the streets.

The difference now? Theres this thing, the constitution, the lawyer said, adding that Trump, in his mind, pays it little mind.

Carrying a distorted drawing of President Trump with con artist scrawled above his misshapen head, Bournique said he worries about San Francisco, a sanctuary city, losing federal funding for sticking to its liberal convictions.

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For others in the crowd, the demonstration marked the end of a day of marching and protesting around the Bay Area.

Susan Solomon, executive vice president of the union United Educators of San Francisco, said she spent the morning marching the citys streets and planned to carry on through the evening and on Saturday as well.

Im a little tired, but tired and energized at the same time, she said. Trump and his agenda are creating fear among our families and students. We want to show them that we will stand with them and protect them.

Catherine Jones, 69, lives in Berkeley and said she came to the rally as a form of peaceful protest against what she sees as a worldwide turn to more extreme leaders.

It is such an important day for the world, I thought I should add something in my small way, she said while holding a sign she painted of the Statue of Liberty. It read: January 20, 2017 is a day to weep and organize.

Before the march began, Donny Deleon, his husband, David Swanson, and his niece, Andrea Deleon, huddled in the entryway of a nearby building as they awaited more family members.

Donny Deleon, 57, said his family emigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines decades ago and that he served in the U.S. Navy in the 1980s.

As an immigrant and veteran, Deleon said he had been angered and dismayed by Trumps comments about people coming to the U.S. from other countries, his distrust of the American intelligence community and his praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The one positive, the family said, is that since Trumps surprise election they have become more politically involved, including deciding to march Friday and over the weekend.

This is the most vocal Ive been, said Andrea Deleon, 31. This is my way of celebrating this day by celebrating all of these people.

Her uncle added, And to put him on notice. He needs to listen to the people.

The San Francisco rally was organized by ANSWER SF, a local branch of a national progressive coalition.

Earlier Friday, there were protests in a number of locations in San Francisco, including a march through the Financial District. Protestors stopped traffic on Market Street and blocked the Caltrain tracks at 16th and Mississippi streets.

Through Friday afternoon, there had been 29 arrests related to these incidents, city police said.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer John King contributed to this report.

Cynthia Dizikes is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cdizikes@sfchronicle.com, mbodley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @CDizikes , @michael_bodley
SACRAMENTO  Republican lawmakers are calling for audits and congressional hearings to examine the states $64 billion high-speed rail project, saying they are concerned about a report that the cost of the system could significantly increase.

The calls come amid uncertainty over whether the new Trump administration and Republican-majority Congress will stop the flow of federal dollars for the project. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican from California, renewed calls this month for Gov. Jerry Brown to pull the plug on this boondoggle.

Republicans in the California Legislature are calling for a state audit and more oversight.

Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock (Stanislaus County), called for congressional hearings and an audit to examine the project after a federal risk analysis warned that the high-speed rail budget could end up being billions short of what will be needed to complete the first portion of the project in the Central Valley.

The Los Angeles Times first reported on the confidential report from the Federal Railroad Administration, which said the 118-mile segment from Merced to Shafter, in Kern County, could cost around $10 billion instead of the $7.5 billion its currently budgeted for. The report fueled concerns from critics, who argue that the Central Valley is supposed to be the easiest portion of the project and that cost increases there will not bode well for the total cost of the rail system.

High Speed Rail Authority Chairman Dan Richard said the project is not headed toward cost overruns and that risk analysis reports are used to ensure projects make necessary adjustments to not go over budget.

The states high-speed rail broke ground in 2015, some seven years after California voted to build the system using nearly $10 billion in bond money. The 2008 bond was supposed to cover a third of the projects cost, with the remaining cost of the project  then projected to total $32 billion  coming from federal grants and private investors. The system is now projected to cost $64 billion to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco.

To date the rail authority has spent $2.7 billion in state and federal dollars on the project. Under the Obama administration, the federal government committed $3.3 billion to the states bullet train.

With the new administration, I dont think there is much hope for getting more federal funding, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, told The Chronicle on Thursday.

Still, rail authority officials said they will push for nearly $3 billion in additional federal funding, but added that the first leg of the project  from the Bakersfield area into San Jose  can survive without the added federal aid as long as cap-and-trade funding remains. But, the future of that pot of money also is not certain.

Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press

Richard said if lawmakers follow through with calls for congressional hearings, Well be there.

There is $3.3 billion of federal money in this, so Congress has every right to have hearings on this, Richard said.

He added that he isnt sure the hearings are needed.

I dont know of a public infrastructure project anywhere in America that is as transparent as this one is, Richard said.

Richard disputed claims by rail critics, who used the federal report as proof the project is over-budget. Richard said the federal report was a risk analysis and not a forecast of actual costs.

I dont care what you call it, said Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, a longtime critic of the project. I dont care what term you use. The authority continues to do what it has from the beginning, which is to deny the obvious. They say there is nothing here, look away.

Gov. Brown vetoed a bill by Patterson last year that would have increased legislative oversight of the high-speed rail. Patterson is authoring the bill again this year.

The authority is nowhere near having the money to complete this, Patterson said. The biggest problem I have is where is the money to complete it, to connect it?

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Much of the state funding for the high-speed rail is from Californias cap-and-trade program.

Cap and trade is a tenet of Californias climate change policies, requiring companies to buy permits for excess greenhouse gases they emit as a way to promote efficiency and create revenue for the state to invest in clean air solutions. A quarter of cap-and-trade money is reserved for High Speed Rail, which netted the authority $1.2 billion over the past four years.

Cap and trade, however, faces a legal challenge over whether the original legislation authorizing it needed to be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature, instead of the simple majority vote it received. The years-long case will be heard in the Third District Court of Appeals in Sacramento on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Brown asked the Legislature to pass an urgency bill this year with a two-thirds voting threshold that extends the cap-and-trade program beyond its current expiration in 2020.

Trains are expected to be operational by 2025 on the first 250-mile leg from Bakersfield to San Jose. By then, officials said, Caltrain will be completely electrified and, using those tracks, the rail will immediately be able to connect to San Francisco.

Melody Gutierrez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mgutierrez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MelodyGutierrez
Many Bay Area authors will join the hundreds of millions of protesters expected to attend the Womens March on Washington and other protests closer to home.

Those who will rally in the nations capital on Saturday, the day after Donald Trumps inauguration, include fiction writer Karen Joy Fowler, poet Brenda Hillman, and novelist and memoirist Ayelet Waldman.

We are in the midst of a democracy-imperiling constitutional crisis, Waldman wrote in an email, adding that she will bring her daughters with her. The traditional protections of the separation of powers have been eviscerated. We have only two protections left: the press and the people. As this administration works to destroy our free press, we the people must take to the streets, loudly. Anything short of constant, enraged outcry is normalization and capitulation. I march because I will not collaborate with fascism.

Fellow Berkeley author Zoe FitzGerald Carter, author of the memoir Imperfect Endings, left Thursday for the nations capital.

I grew up in D.C. being taken to civil rights and peace marches by my parents, she wrote, and from the moment Trump was elected I knew Id be back in D.C. marching. The fact that hes moving into my hometown feels especially personal.

Beyond that, she added, my reasons for going are twofold: to express my deep dismay that this buffoonish character with no moral center or intellect somehow got himself elected president and  secondly  to be a body on the ground. Numbers count, and its important to show the rest of the world that millions of us are as horrified and disgusted by Trump as they are.

Also at the march will be Allyson Hobbs, associate professor of American history at Stanford and author of A Chosen Exile: A History of Racial Passing in American Life.

My colleague Estelle Freedman and I have organized over 100 students to travel to D.C. with the help of generous donations from alums and an incredible amount of work on the part of the students, she said. We are not an official Stanford group but rather Stanford Community Marchers.

In his farewell address, Hobbs said, President Obama urged us to lace up our shoes, and thats exactly what we are doing. After the election, I wanted to do something, to be active, to stand up for the respect and dignity for all women, for racial justice, immigrant rights, religious freedom, LGBTQ rights, and for the vulnerable members of our society. I am thrilled that the march has given my students and me this opportunity.

Leslie Lindell

Other Bay Area authors marching in Washington will include Lucy Jane Blesdoe, Wendy MacNaughton, Bridget Quinn, Elizabeth Rosner, Joan Ryan, Lalita Tademy, Jane Vandenburgh and Heather Young.

In the Bay Area, countless writers will take to the streets in sister marches in Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose.

Chronicle file photo

Im marching [in Oakland] because a country is not a really, really huge business, said Oaklands Mary Roach, author, most recently, of Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War. Leaders of nations must care about the people in those nations. They must have compassion and dignity and equilibrium. We are about to become Trumps big-box store, and we all need to do whatever we can do.

The Oakland novelist Carolina De Robertis said she will march in her city with her wife. (The Oakland march begins at 10 a.m. at Madison Park.)

Those of us who are writers know that words are power, but acts of physical protest are crucial and a form of language, too, she said. I want to see the streets of our nations cities flooded with people, flooded with those who hold progressive values dear, so that we can show those who are watching across the globe that, despite whats happening to institutional power in this country, we are strong, we are still the majority, and were here to stay.

The novelist Amy Tan will march in San Francisco  rain or shine, she said. How could I not? I am a woman. My books are about resilient women, mothers who tell their daughters to never accept what people hand you as your circumstances. What a great, good thing that women  and men  will march to show we will resist all who try to violate our Constitution and take away our civil liberties. Trump is not my president.

Katherine Ellison, author of The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes You Smarter, will speak at the San Francisco rally, which begins in Civic Center at 3 p.m.

Im an author and mom, not an activist per se, Ellison wrote, but in reviewing my research to write my speech Ive been amazed  not for the first time  to see how many times throughout history women and mothers have organized when they recognized threats to their children.

Were now facing some new and powerful threats to future generations  including the affordability of health care, womens right to decide if they want to be mothers, and the safety of our planet.

Edan Lepucki, author of the novel California  and the forthcoming Woman No. 17  will march in Oakland with her husband and 5-year-old son and 14-month-old daughter.

I see this as a way to remind myself of the beautiful America I love, she wrote, that its still here, that we are still here. We are also going to the protest for my son, who has never before attended a march or protest, and feels anxious about Donald Trump. I want him to know that we are not alone, and I want him to feel energized and excited by what he sees. He has planned his own sign, which will read FIGHT FOR LOVE.

Lori Ostlund (the novel After the Parade and story collection The Bigness of the World) will attend the San Francisco march and possibly the Oakland one as well.

As a woman and a member of the LGBTQ community, she said, I feel particularly compelled to be at Saturdays march, but I look forward to marching with people from all communities.

david matheson

Author Carol Edgarian, also the co-founder, editor and publisher of Narrative Magazine, will be at the San Francisco rally with her youngest daughter.

Were marching for love, she wrote. For the love of my immigrant grandparents (and immigrants everywhere), for our distressed planet, for our daughters (and sons) and their right to have fair access to health care, and for the love of our country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty. Im marching to protest ignorance and to praise the goodness that connects us all. Im marching because a vibrant democracy demands that we be active, vigilant, nuanced, transparent, kind. Im marching to cleanse the palate of this rage, fear and crude-mindedness, and to claim our better language. Im marching because I cannot sit a minute longer.

Michelle Richmond (The Marriage Pact, Golden State) said shell join a rally at Courthouse Square in Redwood City.

Nationalistic movements, she wrote, often begin on a wave of personality-worshiping populism and end with brutality, suppression of free speech, and a nations downfall. We are getting too close for comfort to such an outcome.

Among the other authors who will attend protests in the Bay Area are Abigail Adams biographer Edith Gelles, fiction writers Melanie Gideon, Beth Nguyen, Aimee Phan and Ethel Rohan, and poets Heather June Gibbons and Rachel Richardson.

One author viewed the marches more skeptically.

Fowzia Karimi

I am of two minds about marching on Saturday and marches overall, wrote novelist Micheline Aharonian Marcom, who teaches at Mills College. For one, I think they matter in terms of people seeing each other and feeling good that our numbers are large, we are a group, and in solidarity over the issue at hand. I marched many times against the immoral, unwarranted invasion and war in Iraq.

However, she added, I am also of the mind set that marches dont seem to change anything, as it did nothing to stop the Iraq War (which has caused so much suffering and led to current instability, etc. in the Middle East), and Ive been thinking a lot since November about the artist and writer as provocateur via what I think of as art-actions: directed, deliberate artist events and pieces with clear goals to disrupt accepted narratives and, as Emerson exhorted us, tell the truth truly.

I dont want to discourage anyone from marching, Marcom said. Its important and sends a strong message to Washington and the new administration  marches were important, as one tool, I think, during the civil rights era. I just think, as did the organizers of that movement headed by Dr. King: we are going to need to act up with clear goals and strategies in place as well.

John McMurtrie is The San Francisco Chronicles book editor. Email: jmcmurtrie@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @McMurtrieSF
The dancing was divine, the dinner delicious; the after-party dessert display ... oh, you find another D-word to use. Colleagues describe the dance (Allan Ulrich), the fashions (Tony Bravo and Carolyne Zinko), the party (Beth Spotswood). But Im sure I wasnt the only one in the crowd at the Ever Magical San Francisco Ballet Opening Night Gala on Thursday, Jan. 19, to have been most moved by the moment before the performance began. This sure wasnt a political evening, but with the inauguration of a new administration in Washington, D.C., only a few hours away, voices singing The Star-Spangled Banner  an opening-night tradition  sounded particularly vigorous.

Surely there, in the Opera House, home of the brave refers to the courage of those who year after year gird their loins (in Spanx), spackle their eyelids and sally forth to Van Ness Avenue, even when its raining. And surely there, in the Opera House, Oh, say can you see refers to the myriad photo possibilities of an evening where professional photographers pile up in a scrum with smartphone-toting amateurs.

Oh say, we could see, and we could be seen as well. There were photo ops outside on the staircase at City Hall, photos on the green carpet inside the lobby, photo stands near the rotunda where guests could pose for black-and-white shots, and seconds later, admire themselves more when the photos land in their smartphones. (In the future, perhaps when America is great again, some event planner for the next Ballet, Symphony or Opera gala will reset things in their natural order: Performers doing their thing in the lobby before dinner, or perhaps on the sidewalk outside, while the main part of the show is guests parading their outfits across the stage.)

For the record, the magic-inspired decor was by Riccardo Benavides; the food by McCalls. The dance, of course, was by the San Francisco Ballet corps, and the hottest number was the world premiere of The Chairman Dances, with music composed by John Adams and choreography by Benjamin Millepied, who was on hand. This was of special interest because Millepieds wife is Natalie Portman, who some ardent movie star fans hoped would show up. Nope; she was too pregnant, it was said.

My favorite moments of the evening were about valor.

So first, a purple heart to board chair Carl Pascarella, whose welcoming remarks ended with the hearty Have a great evening, Ill see you all at the after-party. And exactly where the comma is in that quote, the Opera House curtain descended in front of him, cutting off his last few words as he looked up in quizzical surprise. (Pascarella laughed when asked, during intermission, whether hed been hacked by the Russians.)

And heres to the gent who walked through the after-party with a safety pin attached to the lapel of his tuxedo  the current shorthand for saying Ive got your back to those whose civil liberties may be threatened. When, in one corner of City Halls South Light Court, he came across a red-gowned damsel in distress over her fallen hem, he put chivalry before politics, unpinned it and handed it to the lady to use in repair.

Giving comfort to the afflicted is an admirable goal, perhaps not often accomplished at one of these gala parties; giving a safety pin to the afflicted is heroic.

Novelist Robert Mailer Anderson, one of the participants in Litquakes No Shadow Without Light: Writers Respond to Trump event on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Main Branch of the San Francisco Public Library, says it was standing room only. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian T.J. Stiles gave an astute historical perspective of America working toward a more perfect union from its slave roots, and outgoing San Francisco poet laureate Alejandro Murguia read from his prose poem You will know the Devil when you meet Him. (Remember when the Devil comes for your country  he wont be sporting a pointy tail or pitchfork. Hell no. He will appear in a fancy suit and lathered in expensive cologne to hide the stink of Sulphur.)

After his reading, according to the librarys spokeswoman, Michelle Jeffers, the poet said he was channeling Jimi Hendrix and lit on fire the paper on which his poem was written.

I almost had a heart attack, said Jeffers, because we are so sensitive to having even a candle lit ... There were ashes on the stage, but I cleaned them up.

Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik

Public Eavesdropping

You are upset about people saying youre sensitive, but I dont think you are actually sensitive.
At Fridays inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, in-coming first lady Melania Trump wore Ralph Lauren.

Earlier in the week, it was reported by Womens Wear Daily that Mrs. Trump would be dressed by two different designers for the inauguration festivities on Friday: American Ralph Lauren and German designer Karl Lagerfeld. For the morning ceremony, Mrs. Trump chose Lauren: Her powder-blue cashmere dress and mock-turtleneck bolero jacket with matching gloves was reminiscent of mid 20th century fashion, a more conservative era for fashion often invoked by Mr. Trumps Republican party as a golden bygone time. Many fashion critics saw the ensemble as a reference to first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who also wore powder blue to her husband John F. Kennedys inauguration in 1960. (Lagerfeld is expected to design Mrs. Trumps gown for the inauguration ball.)

The choice of Lauren is a nod to tradition: Mrs. Trump is the fifth first lady Lauren has dressed, and it is perhaps also an attempt to recompose her public image as both more sartorially American (Mrs. Trump was born in Slovenia) and supportive of the American fashion industry. During the presidential campaign, Mrs. Trump veered from the established tradition of candidates and their spouses  to support U.S.-designed fashion  by wearing primarily European labels, especially Italian houses Gucci and Fendi (for which Lagerfeld designs). The Gucci pussy bow blouse Mrs. Trump wore to the second presidential debate following the revelation of a recording of her husband using the word p---- was one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the campaign.

The New York-based Ralph Lauren brand is known for using classic American imagery in its collections and storytelling, including American West and Native American motifs. During the presidential campaign Lauren was strongly identified with Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, whom he designed several custom looks for. Mrs. Trump wore an off-the-rack white Ralph Lauren jumpsuit on election night.

Mrs. Trumps relationship with the American fashion industry has been complicated. Several fashion designers have expressed displeasure over the election of Donald Trump and have stated that they will not dress Mrs. Trump, including industry powerhouses Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Phillip Lim and French designer Sophie Theallet.

Designer Tom Ford was criticized for his decision not to dress Mrs. Trump by Donald Trump on Fox News earlier this week; he said that Mrs. Trump doesnt like Tom Ford, doesnt like his designs. Mrs. Trumps former career as a model has been highlighted on the newly revamped White House website, which also includes links to her QVC jewelry line, Melania Timepieces & Jewelry even amid ongoing controversy about the Trump familys business entanglements. Social media voices have already been critical of Lauren for dressing Mrs. Trump.

Secretary Clinton also wore Lauren to the inauguration, choosing a white pantsuit, a signature for her during the campaign via the Clinton supporting Facebook group Pantsuit Nation. Clintons use of white clothing during the campaign was a nod to the womens suffrage movement that was also co-opted by her supporters, and is expected to be a fashion theme among protesters at the Womens Marches across American on Saturday.

Trumps daughters Ivanka and Tiffany also chose white: Ivanka, a white Oscar de la Renta pantsuit, and Tiffany, a white double-breasted jacket over trousers. Outgoing first lady Michelle Obama, a much-lauded fashion plate during her years in the White House, wore a belted red dress and matching coat.

Perhaps the most unusual fashion choice belonged to Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, who wore a red, white and blue $3600 Gucci coat with feline face applique buttons she called Trump Revolutionary Wear. According to e-retailer Net-a-Porters notes on the coat, Gucci designer Alessandro Michele was inspired by the city of London in his design. She completed the look with a red bucket-cloche hat, which quickly became a much-mocked internet meme comparing her to both a marching band leader and British childrens book character Paddington Bear.

President Trump has long favored Italian label Brioni although it is unknown who made his navy inauguration suit, worn with his signature long red necktie.

Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com
WASHINGTON  Pledging an America first policy, Donald Trump took the oath of office Friday as the nations 45th president, vowing to restore prosperity to a disaffected working class that he said was long ago abandoned by a political establishment that flourished as jobs left and factories closed.

Jan. 20, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again, Trump declared. The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now. You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before.

During a forceful, 16-minute speech, strikingly populist and nationalistic, the new president discarded the conciliatory tones common after a deeply divisive election, giving scant nod to the majority of voters who did not support him, or to the vanquished political foes who sat behind him.

As a crowd well below the levels of recent inaugurations watched and listened in the rain on the National Mall, Trump, a 70-year-old wealthy businessman with no previous government experience, attacked the Washington establishment with naked prose, an implicit assault on the records of the four former presidents and current elected officials who sat behind him.

For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost, Trump said. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nations capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

That all changes starting right here and right now because this moment is your moment, it belongs to you. ... This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

Setting a high and quantifiable bar for his presidency, Trump said, We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth and we will bring back our dreams. He vowed to rebuild bridges, roads, tunnels, airports and railways, following two simple rules: buy American and hire American.

Stanford University historian David Kennedy said he was struck by the nostalgic tone of Trumps speech, the tone of restoration and yearning for a prior epoch in American history that in my opinion is simply unretrievable.

Casting aside the unifying role of U.S. leadership in the world dating back seven decades to the end of World War II, Trump issued a message to every foreign capital that from this day forward, its going to be only America first, America first.

Trump declared that the United States has defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own, and spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while Americas infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay. From now on, he said, the United States would lead by example, and not seek to impose our way of life on anyone.

Richard Abrams, professor emeritus of political science at UC Berkeley, said the America first slogan has long been associated with pro-fascist sentiment in America dating to the 1930s and early 1940s. Even if Trump doesnt know its history, the people around him surely do, Abrams said. Trump, he said, has taken that on as his own.

Kennedy, agreeing that the America first slogan has deep historical resonance, said he was struck by Trumps lack of sophisticated historic understanding, and why the longed-for period of sustained economic growth and shared prosperity and American global hegemony in the post-World War II quarter century is just not coming back.

That era, he said, was a result of a set of historical circumstances that cannot be replicated.

Trumps speech was deliberately short. Transition aides had said it was largely written by Trump, with advice from top aides, including Steve Bannon and Kellyanne Conway. Trump read from a teleprompter and did not veer off script, as he was prone to do during the campaign.

At the end he raised his fist in the air as he repeated his campaign slogan, promising to make America great again.

Trump has set a high bar for success among the voters who elected him, said Bill Galston, an expert in governance at the Brookings Institution in Washington. Hes promised to change the fundamental trajectory of their lives, Galson said. Thats the promise they hear, and thats the promise that he said hell do his best to achieve.

From the White House tea hosted by President and Michelle Obama to the presence of all but one of the five living presidents on the Capitols West Front balcony, each ritual of the inaugural ceremony is crafted to symbolize the peaceful transfer of power that is a hallmark of American democracy.

Former President George H.W. Bush was unable to attend for health reasons. In attendance were Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, but none was more striking than the presence of Hillary Clinton, dressed in white and joined by her husband, the former president. Defeated by Trump for the presidency despite her 2.8-million-vote victory in the popular vote, Hillary Clinton was a spectator at an inaugural she had hoped would be her own as the nations first female president.

Only a week ago Trump had tweeted that Clinton was guilty as hell for using a private email server as secretary of state, and he did not extend an olive branch to her during his address. But he did in the congressional luncheon that followed, saying how honored he was that the Clintons attended. Theres nothing more I can say, because I have a lot of respect for those two people, he said.

Earlier in the day, Supreme Court Justice John Roberts administered the oath of office. As he was sworn in, Trump held his left hand on two Bibles, Abraham Lincolns and a Bible given to him by his mother. First lady Melania Trump, tall and elegant in blue, and Trumps five children and son-in-law Jared Kushner looked on.

Trump takes office with record low approval ratings for a new president. Post-election divisions remained plainly on display Friday. As many as 50 House Democrats stayed away in protest, including nearly a third of Californias Democratic delegation. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi was gracious in greeting Trump at the congressional luncheon, but during the swearing-in ceremony, she and other Democrats wore blue buttons that signified their support for the Affordable Care Act, Obamas signature achievement that Republicans have moved to dismantle.

Trump did reach out to minorities, many of whom felt alienated by his campaign, saying that a renewed sense of national pride will heal the countrys divisions. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, he said, recalling the old wisdom our soldiers will never forget, that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.

Robert Smith, a political scientist at San Francisco State University, said Trumps description of inner-city poverty painted a bleak portrait of African Americans that may not resonate with them.

He used the words carnage and crime and gangs, Smith said. I would think one would want, as Lincoln said, to look to the better angels of our nature and say something that was more uplifting. Most blacks rejected his characterization of the black community in the campaign because he painted an undifferentiated picture of just chaos and disaster.

Shortly after the inauguration, the new White House website went live. All mention of climate change was removed, and a promise was made to halt Obamas Climate Action Plan.

The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT rights group, said the new administration also had removed all mentions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from the website as well as a report advancing LGBT workplace rights from the Department of Labor website.

Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @carolynlochhead
Three Auburnians who traveled to the nation's capital for the Women's March on Washington all agreed: The crowd was massive.

An estimated 500,000 people attended the Washington march  one of nearly 700 held throughout the world. "Sister marches" were scheduled on every continent. Locally, thousands gathered at marches in Seneca Falls and Syracuse.

Seneca Falls march held in solidarity with gatherings in D.C., elsewhere SENECA FALLS  Leah Ntuala was out at the Women's March in Seneca Falls armed with a nervous smile and a long purple scarf with a cross and ot

Auburn City Councilor Debby McCormick, who helped organize a bus for 55 people to attend Saturday's march in Washington, said it was an amazing experience.

"When you get to the place, it kind of grew," she said by phone. "At some points, even on the Metro coming out, it was like a sea of people. It was just heads and signs."

A group of central New York teachers also made the trip for the march in Washington. The group included two Auburn educators  Amy Doyle, a seventh grade teacher at Auburn Junior High School, and Jennifer Ringwood, who serves as a substitute teacher in the district.

Based on the signs displayed at the march, Doyle said people had various concerns about the direction of the country under new President Donald Trump, whose inauguration ceremony was held one day before the Women's March on Washington.

"Some of the signs were about education. Some were about climate change. Some were about health care ... But I think that all of us just felt that we wanted (Trump) to know that we are paying attention and we want Congress to know that we're paying attention and that we'll be voting in 2018," Doyle said.

Doyle also noted how nice the crowd was at Saturday's march. There were some violent moments Friday during the inauguration festivities when protesters damaged property and clashed with police.

It was a much different tone at the women's march, according to Doyle.

"There was so much love at this march," she said. "There were so many packed in and they were kind to each other. They were helping each other."

Ringwood called the march "empowering and inspirational."

"It was amazing to be around so many diverse men and women  different ethnicities, different religions, different cultures, different sexual preferences," she said. "Everyone just worked together and helped each other and communicated."

The local marchers disagreed with the view of the United States described in Trump's inaugural address.

During his remarks, Trump described the "American carnage" that's resulted from poverty, a flawed education system and the impact of crime and street gangs. He also pledged to "make America great again"  a slogan he often used on the presidential campaign trail.

"It's a shame that, for a president, we have a man that has such a cynical outlook on humanity because that's not what we saw today," Ringwood said. "We saw people that were going out of their way to be kind to each other, to be considerate. People are just sharing stories and their dreams in hopes that we can pull through the next four years."
The question my 9-year-old grandson brought home from school just after the election was all the evidence I needed that the members of my vibrant, multiracial family have become canaries in Donald Trumps toxic new America. We are foremost a family, in law and in fact; that we are also a multiracial family had been merely a footnote  until Trump.

I dont mean to suggest that our individual backgrounds are immaterial. We and an increasing number of other families in this country are nourished by the emotional resiliency our varied heritages give us. And yet the most meaningful differences among us are the variations of personality, generation and social experience, not externally imposed distinctions of ethnicity or religion.

Tragically, during his presidential campaign Trump pandered to vulnerable and fearful constituencies by legitimizing what divides us as a people rather than what unites us.

To my grandparents, being Jewish, though not necessarily practicing Judaism, was a defining fact, shaped by the world they grew up in. They were refugees from the pogroms and insidious daily humiliations that made life in Poland intolerable. The world they were raised in defined and treated them by only one measure: Jewish or not-Jewish.

During World War II, my grandparents, by then proud American citizens, were forced again  this time by the slaughter of relatives in Europe  to see themselves first as others saw them: the Jews, rather than the Americans.

The story of the Jews has been to live peacefully in various countries for hundreds of years until the hammer suddenly and brutally fell and they were forced into exile again  if they were lucky. The pain my grandparents had experienced was indelible, and their subsequent wariness was reinforced by that historical pattern. Even in the great melting pot of America, they felt compelled to identify themselves primarily as Jews.

My grandparents experience, however, was not that of my generation. I grew up in a largely Protestant community with only periodic and unintentional reminders that we were somehow different.

I have never perceived Jewishness as a burden. I am a secular, non-practicing Jew, and though I value my cultural antecedents, in daily life the identity issue has seemed inconsequential. My wife and I are of different religious backgrounds, but neither of us is observant.

I had assumed, without intense scrutiny, that my childhood assumptions as a Jew in America would somehow carry over to my children and grandchildren. That two of my children are multiracial was another of those facts that seemed worthy of occasional note  its important for children to understand and feel pride in their (now our) cultural roots  but we defined ourselves as a family, not by racial or religious subcategories; nor, by and large, did the society we live in categorize us by such distinctions  until Trump.

After the election, my youngest grandson came home from school and asked my daughter whether, because they were both part Mexican, they would have to move to Mexico and leave Daddy behind.

I was heartbroken. Our 9-year-old grandson had learned that, in Trumps America, our family could be broken down into component parts: one part this race, one part that, with frightening real-world implications. It was a way of thinking that my grandparents had to take for granted, literally for their survival, but that I thought my family had outgrown.

In Trumps America, race and religion suddenly matter far more as social metrics. A significant portion of the presidents supporters are openly xenophobic and racist  tendencies he celebrated with thuggish taunts at his rallies and in his tweets.

In such an atmosphere, we are encouraged to consider our heritages as dominant characteristics. Is it possible that my people could again be forced to leave the country that we had come to regard as home? I have learned from Jewish friends that I am not the only one to entertain such once-unthinkable fears.

My familys proud diversity has always been a source of strength. We are now compelled to consider the implications of the hyphens we thought we had outgrown.

Like her father and her son, my daughter has thought of our countrymen as fundamentally good people. In her words, Thats what Ive always believed, although I watched a bit of that goodness fade  when my youngest child came home from school with his disturbing question.

President Trump indirectly poisoned my impressionable grandson with the virus of suspicion and racial distinction. It led my grandson, if only momentarily, to divide his parents  both American citizens going back generations  into make-believe racial categories, American and Other.

Whatever he may do now that he is president, Trump has already begun to warp our sensibilities. The threat of deportation is obvious and intolerable, but the poisoning of minds  so that even children are taught to divide their family members into racial boxes  can alienate us from each other more effectively than walls and immigration police. That is the sense in which families like mine have already become Trumps canaries. And lest we forget, families are microcosms of nations and of the family of nations.

Children absorb cultural norms by osmosis, including Trumps notions of a racialized America in a racialized world. As president, his rhetoric will be even more influential in shaping cultural norms. It is cause for alarm.

I ask all the good-hearted citizens of this multicultural nation to unite in calling out the presidents damaging normalization of racialized rhetoric and to teach our children that there will never be a hyphen in Mommy or Daddy or grandson.

Peter Y. Sussman is a Berkeley journalist and author. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters.
Anyone who has turned on a computer or cell phone in the past year has encountered the enticement of a fake news article. Boxes of marked ballots discovered in an Ohio warehouse before the election unveil a plot by the Hillary Clintons campaign! Pope Francis just endorsed Donald Trump for president! Clinton is about to be indicted!

None of those stories was true. Yet each generated significant clicks and shares.

Such is the state of knowledge in a digital age where people are drawing it from a common well that can be so readily poisoned for profit or political gain. Gone are the days when most Americans rely on a trusted source for information. News comes to them, in a torrent, unfiltered and often simply untrue.

First, a definition: Fake news is not reporting that is merely selective or mistaken in its facts, or colored by ideological bias. It involves stories that pop up on a Google search, Facebook page or other online setting that are pure fabrication.

Fake news reached unprecedented heights  or depths, really  with the 2016 election. One motive, obviously, was the partisan dissemination of disinformation about a candidate. The other is more old-fashioned craven: money. The New York Times recently identified a new college graduate, Cameron Harris, who concocted the Ohio ballot-box-stuffing tale for an abandoned Web address he bought for $5, ChristianTimesNewspaper.com. His story was shared with 6 million people, and his investment in misinformation quickly returned thousands in dividends from ads Google had placed on his site.

So how do we end this scourge?

Google has attempted to do its part by vowing to withhold ads from sites with fabricated stories  a move that reportedly deprived Harris of a six-figure payday for the sale of his Web domain he bought for $5. Facebook has pledged an experiment as referee of the truth by independently fact checking stories its users flag as potential fake news. Disputed articles will fall lower in news feeds. The test will begin in Germany, which has an election on the horizon.

Facebooks move, while laudable, is not without risk. Some purveyors of fake news might regard a disputed tag as a badge of honor. Some users who dont like the disclosure or angle of an authentic news story will flag it as fake news. The project could easily become an overwhelming fact-checking nightmare.

Then there is the option of making Americans more media-savvy.

No fewer than three bills have been introduced in the California Legislature to embed such sensibility in the classroom.

The flood of information thats coming in makes it difficult to differentiate between reputable news sources and false and misleading claims, said state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, whose SB135 would add media literacy training to social sciences standards from first through 12th grades. Dodd explained that critical-thinking skills already are part of the state curriculum, but it has not kept up with the digital age. He emphasized that the bill is not prescriptive of what to do or how to do it, leaving the details to the state Board of Education to approve.

Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, has an even more direct antidote to the disinformation of 2016. His Pravda Act of 2017, not yet formally introduced, would require the state board to come up with plans to ensure that students know about the Russian interference in the election.

The important thing to me is: Winners usually get to write the history, Levine said. Weve had President-elect Donald Trump talk about his landslide victory. That is not the case ... he is already attempting to rewrite history. Students of history need to know the truth.

The truth. Perhaps the greatest danger of the fake-news phenomenon is not that so many people are gullible to its enticement, whether out of ignorance or partisan blinders. It is that commentators and leaders  starting with the new president of the United States  are so eager to cry fake news at anything that counters their interest or challenges their worldview.

I work in a profession where fabrication of a quote or a fact is not just a firing offense, it is a career ender. As it should be. Real journalists do make mistakes, but they acknowledge them, and they correct them in a public way. This proliferation of fake news, and the attempts to conflate it with the genuine, dogged pursuit of reality, is a challenge and an opportunity to journalists who are committed to fairness and accuracy.

John Diaz is The San Francisco Chronicles editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnDiazChron

Lessons in reality

California legislators have introduced three bills in response to controversies related to fake news:

AB155

Author: Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles

Quote

When fake news is repeated, it becomes difficult for the public to discern whats real. These attempts to mislead readers pose a direct threat to our democracy.

What it does: Requires the state Board of Education to adopt curriculum standards and frameworks for high school and middle school that incorporate civic online reasoning, defined as the ability to judge the credibility and quality of information found in Internet Web sites, including social media.

Pravda Act of 2017

Author: Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael

Quote

Textbooks approved in our state are used throughout the country. Through this legislation, we can make sure students in California and across the Untied States receive accurate information about the 2016 presidential election.

What it does: Requires the state Board of Education to develop a curriculum to teach students about Russian interference in the 2016 election. Its working title is the Pravda Act of 2017. Pravda is the Russian word for truth.

SB135

Author: state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa

Quote

By giving students the proper tools to analyze the media they consume, we can empower them to make informed decisions.

What it does: Adds media literacy training to social sciences classes for first through 12th grades. The bill noted that a recent Stanford University study showed that 82 percent of middle school students struggled to distinguish advertisements from news stories.
MEXICO CITY  Rocio and her daughter, Lesslie, had never attended a protest before. But on Friday afternoon they stood in front of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City carrying a sign that read: Donald Trump: Youre disgusting. You sow hate.

They were among hundreds of Mexican protesters outside the embassy, angry over the election of President Trump. Many of the demonstrators have family in the United States, where there are 11.7 million Mexican immigrants, an estimated 5.8 million without papers.

The relationship between the two countries is facing its biggest strain in decades with the presidency of Trump, whose campaign promises included building a wall along the border to keep out Mexicans and promising to deport millions of criminal immigrants.

In Mexico City, reactions to Trumps presidency varied. One taxi driver compared him to Hitler. Others were more optimistic.

When he was on the campaign, he was telling people what they wanted to hear. Its impossible he will do them all, said Jose Tame, a businessman who lives in Mexico but travels regularly to the United States. Eight years ago people were saying Obama was going to be a disaster. I just want to wait and see, because we dont know yet.

But by and large, Mexicans seemed worried about what Trumps presidency would mean for their friends and family living in the United States, as well as for the Mexican economy. The peso plunged around 18 percent after Trumps victory, although it rose slightly on Friday.

Trump didnt mention Mexico by name in his inauguration speech, but declared: From this day forward, its going to be only America first, America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

Marco Ugarte/Associated Press

The protest in front of the U.S. Embassy was a sea of red and yellow, the colors of the left-leaning Mexican Workers Party, which organized the rally. Demonstrators railed against Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, who welcomed Trump in Mexico City during the campaign. But they saved most of their fire for Trump, warning that he is a threat to world peace and to the planet.

We are going to defend our land. We are not going to let you impose your politics of misery on our country, proclaimed one speaker on a bullhorn in front of the U.S. Embassy. Another said the United States is a country that exploits our resources and denies civil and political rights.

Rocio and her daughter said they have no political affiliation. Rocio said they love the United States and have family living all over the country, from Minnesota to California. Some are documented; others arent. But on Friday, Rocio wasnt thinking about them. She was worried about her two sons, who live in Texas.

Rocio hasnt seen them in eight years, since they were 16 and 17, when she and her daughter left the country under the threat of deportation. Her sons are now Dreamers, part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, a federal program for people who entered the U.S. as children and were undocumented.

When Trump won, they called crying because they were scared and didnt know what was going to happen, said Rocio, who didnt want to give her last name because she fears her two sons will be deported. As a mother, I suffer for them. She said she was at the protest because I want them to feel they are not alone.

Rocios story isnt unusual among Mexicans. She moved to the United States 16 years ago with her daughter, then 2, and two sons, who were 8 and 9. Her husband lived in the United States and arranged for a smuggler to bring them across the border. Rocio sold everything she owned, and with her kids in tow, crossed the Rio Grande.

Her husband didnt come to retrieve them, however, and Rocio and the children made their way to Brownsville, Texas. Members of a local church helped them find a place to live and get established until Rocio could find employment. She got three jobs.

Emily Green/San Francisco Chronicle

At 4 a.m. she worked putting ads in the local newspaper. At 7 a.m. she went to work at a Mexican restaurant. At 3 p.m. she picked up her daughter. And at 7 p.m. she went to work cleaning a Wells Fargo. Her two boys, then in school, helped out at the restaurant and also earned money by walking the neighbors dogs.

Then, after eight years in the country, an immigration agent who frequented the restaurant asked Rocio if she had papers. She said no. The agent told her, Oh Rocio, you have to go. And if not, we are going to do our job.

Rocio packed up her things, said goodbye to her friends, and left. She planned to bring her sons with her, but they resisted.

They said, No Mami. We have lived here since we were kids. We have friends here. What are we going to do there? Rocio said.

She and her daughter left and never returned. Rocio said she is still paying taxes on a piece of land she purchased in the hope that she could one day return.

My hope is that one day our family could have papers so we could visit each other, hug each other, she said, tears streaming down her face. All these years we have been making progress, but with this man  Trump  its a big step backward.

Its very sad, she said. We love the United States, but unfortunately this person is sowing hate all over the world.

Emily Green is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @emilytgreen
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WASHINGTON  For supporters of President Trump, like William Keshishyan, who live in blue states like California, there was a special kind of vindication in standing on the Capitols west lawn watching him take the oath of office Friday.

There werent many vocal Trump supporters at the University of Southern California, where Keshishyan is studying real estate development. Or in California for that matter, where 61 percent of voters backed Hillary Clinton in November. Repping Trump in Los Angeles meant fielding a lot of grudges, a lot of people rolling their eyes at you, saying What are you doing?

But despite the drizzly 38-degree day Friday, Keshishyan felt uplifted as he looked around him at people wearing red Make America Great Again caps. It was very reassuring. It felt kind of like I felt on Nov. 8, except with a lot more people, Keshishyan said.

Aside from greeting Trump with chants of U-S-A! U-S-A!, the people on the west lawn watching Trump become the nations 45th president didnt sound much like the folks who attended his raucous campaign rallies. Instead, they gave off a more reverential vibe.

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

True, there were scattered boos during Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumers speech  and chants of Hey-yay-yay, Good-bye! when they felt the New Yorker was going on a bit long for a Democrat at a Republican inaugural. There were also boos when images of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders flashed on the big screens that flanked the main stage. But the Obamas received polite applause when announced.

But there was stone-cold silence when Trump took the oath.

It was almost like being in church there, said Janette Reynolds, a part-time San Franciscan who watched from a seated area. It felt very stoic, instead of people yelling, Trump! Trump! Trump! as they do at rallies.

Reynolds hopes that more measured tone will continue, and tamp down some of the lingering harsh feelings from one of the most divisive campaigns in recent memory. Several of her Facebook friends have unfriended her in recent months after learning of her support for the president.

Living in San Francisco, I have lots of liberal friends. I may disagree with them over politics, but I wouldnt end our friendship over that.

The crowd paid rapt attention. Trumps more populist, isolationist lines  From this moment on, its going to be America First  got the loudest applause. And many appreciated how he framed his speech early by saying, We are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people.

That really hit it right there. Were taking back our political system, said James Wright, a truck driver from Philadelphia, where a lot of my friends are Democrats. Wright said he occasionally votes for Democrats, but like the majority of Pennsylvania voters who backed Trump, he felt the wealthy real estate developer spoke to his frustration with government.

It wasnt all about the ceremony, though.

Friday was especially rewarding for West Walker, a 59-year-old Tracy middle-school teacher who was one of the earliest grassroots organizers for Trump in California. Walker said that many Trump supporters initially didnt want to express their support for the candidate on social media, fearful of the repercussions at work or in their communities.

So we formed a private Facebook group, he said Friday, where people felt they could talk freely. The group bloomed to more than 30,000 people talking online and became the core of Trumps support in California.

Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Seeing all those like-minded people standing together today felt amazing, said Walker, who is the chairman of Californians for Trump, a group organized largely through social media channels.

It was also about 48 hours of partying for many who came to Washington. More than 100 Californians partied at the All American Ball Thursday night, and a similar number were headed to the Freedom Ball Friday to revel in Trumps victory. They will be joined by Trump supporters from other blue states, who described similar feelings of redemption Friday, a moment when their faith in the most unpopular major party presidential candidate in modern history was rewarded.

I work in Brooklyn  Brooklyn  and nobody there (where Clinton had her campaign headquarters) was for Trump, said Mary Polanco, a 44-year-old police sergeant who lives in Queens. I cant wear my Trump stuff around anywhere. But, as we were driving down here today, I was getting excited about being here. About being around all of these other people.

Anita Gallegos and Armando Sanchez of New Mexico noticed few other brown or black faces in the crowd Friday.

Our friends kept asking us: Why are you going to that thing? said Sanchez, who voted for the Libertarian candidate, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, in the presidential race. He shrugged. Going to an inauguration was kind of a bucket list thing for me, he said.

Gallegos was somewhat encouraged that Trump sounded more somber Friday.

He didnt say as many crazy things as he usually does, she said. Well see if he keeps that up. I hope he does.

Dale Raines, an African American Trump supporter from Miami, said more blacks will start supporting Trump once he starts bringing jobs to the inner city. Then theyll come around.

In contrast to the good feelings floating around the Capitol, the vibe wasnt as mellow across the rest of Washington, as protests sparked among the estimated 200,000 anti-Trump activists in town. Washington police said 217 people were arrested and accused of rioting, and six officers suffered minor injuries. Anti-Trump activists held signs calling him a fascist and a racist, while others carried around giant cardboard hands extending the middle finger.

Near 13th and K streets, which was near some of the confrontations between police and demonstrators, a vendor sold Trump shirts at deep discounts to the demonstrators, who lit them on fire in the middle of the street.

Two for $15, the vendor shouted. Theyre cheap to burn.

Nearby, Berkeley resident Heather Grey watched her fellow demonstrators swirl around her. She traveled to Washington to show her support for the Affordable Care Act, which enabled her to keep her health insurance even after she lost the job she held for 30 years.

Its empowering, she said, to be around all of these people.

A few blocks away in McPherson Square where several hundred activists were gathering to listen to music and speakers, Megan Meyer held a sign that read #Woke #Peace #Hindsight2020.

She traveled from Kentucky, taking time off from her floor-refurbishing business, to figure out what to do next. Its hard for her to have faith because I dont believe Trump will address our environmental issues, he appointed a billionaire Cabinet.

So what happens on Monday?

So we all have to come together  Black Lives Matter, environmental people, everybody, she said, and figure out the next step together, she said.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
It may be too early to plug in the projector, but theres hope on Ocean Avenue that the historic El Rey Theatre could soon be ready for a sequel.

After occupying the El Rey for 39 years, A Place for Jesus, a Pentecostal church, has vacated the building, bolstering a longtime neighborhood dream that the neglected icon could be reborn as a community arts center or theater.

This week the San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted to initiate the designation of the 1931 movie palace as a city landmark, a six-month process that will make it eligible for state and federal tax credits and other incentives.

While the Streamline Moderne theater has long been a shoo-in for landmark status, California law stipulates that a building serving as a church cannot be designated as historic unless the church agrees to the designation, which A Place for Jesus never did. The theater is now owned by two Marin investment groups.

John King/The Chronicle

The news comes as Ocean Avenue has attracted a wave of investment over the past five years, including a Whole Foods and four new apartment complexes totaling more than 300 units. Yet stretches of the retail thoroughfare have languished, especially on the western end of the strip where El Rey is located.

A restored and active El Rey is really the final piece needed for Ocean Avenues revitalization, said Alexander Mullaney, a neighborhood resident who publishes the Ingleside-Excelsior Light newspaper and had worked for the theaters preservation. I dont want to speak too soon, but it feels that everythings on track to make that happen.

Opened in 1931, the 1,800-seat El Rey was designed by Timothy Pflueger, whose firm was behind landmarks such as the Castro Theatre, the Paramount Theatre in Oakland and the Pacific Telephone Building at 140 New Montgomery St. in San Francisco. A Chronicle account of its opening described the El Reys Spanish Colonial Revival style as richly decorative, with a gallery of mirrors adorning the lobby.

For decades the theaters tower  visible from Mount Davidson to Merced Heights  provided a beacon in the often fogbound neighborhoods of Ingleside Terraces, Mount Davidson Manor and Balboa Terrace. The theater was also the birthplace of the Gap, which occupied the buildings retail space when the clothing company got started in 1967.

The theater closed in 1977 and was bought by the Voice of the Pentecost, which also operated a small school there. In December 2015, the El Rey changed hands again, sold in a trustee sale on the steps of City Hall for $1.06 million. The seller was the Stanford Federal Credit Union, which had foreclosed on the property after the church defaulted on a loan. The buyer was a joint venture between Ricci Ventures and Green Point Land Co., both Marin investment groups.

Plans for the building are not yet firm. Project architect John Goldman said the overriding goal is to restore the tower and theater to their original splendor. He said the owners would like to lease it to a theater group and have reached out to San Francisco State University and City College of San Francisco, both nearby. Neither institution has expressed interest to date.

Goldman described himself as a longtime Pflueger buff and former board member of the Art Deco Society of California. He said the owners have to figure out a way to make the venture profitable, but that they are committed to rehabbing its historic fabric.

If anyone is worried about my respecting the building  dont be, he said. I love the building. The owners love the building. And were going to do right by the building. My goal is to figure out how to restore it.

Most of the buildings original detailing has survived, although the structure is in bad shape, he said. There is water damage around the stage, spalling plaster in the auditorium, water stains in the lobby. The church really let it go, he said.

But historic restoration can be expensive, and the owners will want it to make a profit. There are four retail spaces that can be leased out. There are also two parking lots in the rear of the building, which the owners have talked with the city about developing for housing.

Tim Frye, historic preservation officer for the city Planning Department, emphasized that any new structures built on the property would have to be consistent with the U.S. secretary of the interiors standards for the treatment of historic properties. Anything built would also have to step down to the residential neighborhood to the rear, which has a 40-foot height limit. And the site is sloped, which could make construction challenging.

We have had good conversations, Frye said. This really is the anchor of the neighborhood  visibly, of course, but also because its also this incredible historic resource. It could be a powerful catalyst to start revitalizing that strip that has languished for quite a bit of time.

At the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Daniel Weaver, executive director of the Ocean Avenue Association, said the new ownership, along with the step toward landmark status, represents a long overdue fresh start for the El Rey.

Its been nothing but downhill since the day it stopped being a movie theater and started being a church, Weaver said.

J.K. Dineen is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jdineen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfjkdineen
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

When your checking account reaches zero, you may be safe or sorry depending on whether you have to pay overdraft fees. While these fees are common, a government watchdog says one bank may have gone too far in pushing them to its customers.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing Minnesota-based TCF Bank, accusing it of misleading customers into signing up for costly overdraft services.

TCF Bank designed its application process to obscure the fees and make [overdraft protection] seem mandatory for new customers to open an account, the consumer watchdog said in a news release on Thursday. The agency also claims that TCF Bank opted existing customers into their overdraft service with a loose definition of consent.

TCF rejected the claims in a statement, saying, We believe that at all times our overdraft protection program complied with the letter and spirit of all applicable laws and regulations, and that we treated our customers fairly.

TCF Bank operates 341 retail branches in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, Arizona and South Dakota.

You can protect yourself from overdraft fees at your bank, but the language can get a little tricky. Heres what you need to know to avoid them.

 MORE: Overdraft fees: What banks charge

How overdraft services work

Overdraft protection kicks in when your bank account doesnt have enough money to cover transactions. It includes two services that sound similar but differ greatly in cost.

With overdraft coverage, in exchange for a fee, a bank or credit union pays a transaction with its money when your checking account doesnt have enough cash to cover it. This also may be known as overdraft courtesy.

When the bank fronts you the money, overdraft fees can be charged multiple times in a single day. The median overdraft fee is $34, according to the CFPB.

Transactions eligible for overdraft protection coverage are ATM withdrawals, debit card purchases, checks and online bill payments.

With overdraft transfers, an institution pulls your money from a linked account and puts it in your checking account to cover transactions. Some banks do this for free; others charge $10 or $12, but it varies by institution.

 MORE: How overdraft transfers work

What opting in really means

A bank or credit union cant charge overdraft fees on ATM and most debit card transactions unless you affirmatively opt in to the service, according to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010. According to the CFPB, accounts that are opted in are three times as likely to have more than 10 overdrafts per year than accounts that are not opted in.

If you dont opt in, the institution doesnt cover purchases that would overdraft your bank account, and your transaction is declined. If youre in an overdraft program, you can opt out, or cancel it.

Adding another wrinkle, you may still be charged for bounced checks and other transactions such as online bill payments. These costs  known as nonsufficient funds fees  can be charged regardless of whether you have overdraft protection.

How to minimize overdraft fees

Even the most careful customers account may run low occasionally. Minimize the fees by taking the following steps:

Set up electronic alerts: Get phone or email notifications when your balance is running low.

Get phone or email notifications when your balance is running low. Add a cash cushion: Keep extra padding in your checking account to avoid overdrafting.

Keep extra padding in your checking account to avoid overdrafting. Dont opt in: Purchases will be declined when you dont have enough money, but you wont incur overdraft fees, either. If you already have overdraft coverage, you can still opt out.

Purchases will be declined when you dont have enough money, but you wont incur overdraft fees, either. If you already have overdraft coverage, you can still opt out. Create a safety net: Link your savings account or a line of credit to your checking account for cheaper or free overdraft transfers.

Link your savings account or a line of credit to your checking account for cheaper or free overdraft transfers. Shop around: Do you overdraft frequently? Switch to a bank or credit union that offers free overdraft services.

If youre still confused, ask as many questions as possible until you understand your banks terms. By taking the necessary precautions, you can prevent your $6 fast-food debit swipe from turning into $34 or more in fees.

Melissa Lambarena is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: mlambarena@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @LissaLambarena

The article What TCF Bank Suit Means for You: Defend Against Overdraft Fees originally appeared on NerdWallet.
The 2015-16 California Dungeness and rock crab fishery, which was postponed more than four months, has been officially declared a disaster by the federal government.

But for Bay Area commercial crab fishermen who weathered through the unprecedented events, the ruling was a long time coming.

I was kind of shocked it took a long time to get that declaration, said Larry Collins of the San Francisco Community Fishing Association. The wheels of government grind slowly.

The declaration was requested by Alaska Gov. Bill Walker following last years low pink salmon harvests in Kodiak, Prince William Sound, Chignik and lower Cook Inlet. Outgoing U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker made the declaration official Wednesday, in the final days of the Obama administration.

Last year, Dungeness crab season  which normally brings in $60 million a year  was delayed more than four months because of the presence in domoic acid, a naturally occurring neurotoxin, in the crabs. The delay cost fishers an estimated $49 million.

The 2016-17 commercial Dungeness crab fishery opened on much of the Northern California coastline, including the Bay Area, as scheduled on Nov. 15.

In a statement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials said the fisheries experienced sudden and unexpected large decreases in fish stock biomass or loss of access due to unusual ocean and climate conditions.

The 2016 Californias Yurok Tribe Klamath River Chinook salmon fishery was also included in the disaster declaration, along with several salmon and crab fisheries in Washington.

The path from declaration to actual funding allocation is likely to be a lengthy process, said David Bitts, president of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermens Associations. He remembers when a Republican Congress helped facilitate appropriations for the salmon disasters of 2005 and 2008.

I think all (California) crabbers should be eligible, he said.

Last years failed Crab Emergency Disaster Assistance Act  a bill by Reps. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, and Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael  could provide more than $138 million in disaster relief if its approved this year after a reintroduction.

This is just the beginning of the work Congress has to do and the individual states have to do, Collins said. You have to get everybody together to figure out the fairest way to make allocations.

Justin Phillips is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email jphillips@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JustMrPhillips
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(Editors note: This article has been updated in response to communications from Milo Yiannopoulos's representatives.)

A planned speech by controversial Breitbart.com editor Milo Yiannopoulos was delayed Friday evening before a man in the crowd outside the University of Washington venue was shot in the abdomen.

Two people who turned themselves in to UW police following the shooting were released Saturday.

"Following investigation of the details surrounding the incident, and in consultation with the prosecuting attorneys office, the suspects were released pending further investigation," a UW Police Department spokesperson said in a statement. "No suspects remain outstanding."

The investigation is expected to continue in coming days.

Harborview Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg said Saturday morning that the 34-year-old victim remained in critical condition in the Seattle hospital's intensive care unit.

After the shooting, the university urged people to avoid that area of campus near Red Square, which had seen a large police presence much of the night. By 11 p.m., all but a few stragglers had left the large plaza.

More for you Breitbart editor to speak at UW on Inauguration Day

The shooting and accompanying violence outside the Yiannopoulos event marred what had been a long day of largely peaceful protest in the streets of Seattle.

Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O'Toole told a late-night press conference that there had been "no arrests, no serious injuries, very little use of force by police and several successful demonstrations of free speech" before the UW incident.

"Seattle has a long, proud tradition of speaking up and speaking out, but we will not tolerate violence of any kind, against any person," Mayor Ed Murray said in a written statement Friday night. "Thousands of Seattleites, including myself, will speak up and march peacefully throughout this weekend."

The shooting came almost an hour after officials stopped allowing entry to people with tickets for the Kane Hall lecture by Yiannopoulos, a public figure beloved by the "alt-right" and white nationalist movement, who has been banned from Twitter for harassment. The event had been oversold, as Yiannopoulos's supporters and detractors scrambled to pack the speech.

Jenny Kefauver, a representative for Yiannopoulos at CapitalHQ, reached out to seattlepi.com on Saturday, stating that "Milo has always denounced the alt-right."

While Yiannopoulos has publicly denounced parts of the "alt-right"  a white nationalist movement  he is also often credited with promoting the movement's agenda in his controversial writings and speaking tours.

Hundreds of ticket holders were lined up for hours before the scheduled start of the event, which was coordinated by the UW College Republicans. As more self-described pro-peace and anti-fascist protesters flooded Red Square over time, occasional clashes broke out among the different camps.

Outside the event, UW graduate student and Trump supporter James Penna said he had hoped to get in to see Yiannopoulos. Penna, 24, said he isn't a fan but looked forward to confronting the provocateur.

"I was denied something I was looking forward to," Penna said.

"I don't like Milo," he continued, "but I wanted to interrogate him."

Yiannopoulos eventually put on his presentation, finishing up around 9:15 p.m., but the half-full crowd that watched him was asked to remain inside while the protesters outside were given a chance to disperse.

The crowd outside was dotted with a mix of red "Make America Great Again" caps and black-hooded, masked individuals affiliated with the "anti-fascist" detractors of Trump and Yiannopoulos.

Those gathered in Red Square represented a juxtaposition of ideologies, alternately chanting "USA" and "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA." Signs read, "Celebrate patriarchy" and "Smash gay nationalism - queers fight back." At one point, opposing camps chanted a call and response of "Black lives matter" and "Blue lives matter." Each side called the other fascists.

The ticket-holding crowd appeared mostly male and occasionally traded barbs with protesters, saying things like "Get a job" and "Get back in the kitchen." Detractors were mostly peaceful, but Seattle police tweeted that several objects, from paint-filled balloons to bricks, were being thrown into the crowd and at officers.

UW campus police were being assisted by Seattle cops at the event.

Fans of Yiannopoulos said they liked him not necessarily for any policy ideas, but because of his brash and offensive statements and his role as an entertainer.

UW freshman Christopher Newell, wearing a Make America Great Again cap, said he liked his anti-political correctness stance and called him a "provocateur."

Newell said that political debate and the exchange of ideas are repressed on college campuses.

"Hate speech is just a silly myth," he said of Yiannopoulos's offensive statements. "Even if a view is hateful, it should still be allowed."

Senior Truman Plaisted agreed.

"I like that he's offensive for the sake of being offensive," Plaisted said, also wearing a Make America Great Again cap, as well as a "Token's Lives Matter" T-shirt. Plaisted does not particularly like Trump but is a fan of Yiannopoulos.

He said he liked that Yiannopoulos was less about politics and more about outrageous style.

"He's hilarious," he said.

His friend, junior student Will Shanahan, said Yiannopoulos is an entertainer and intentionally angers people to get attention.

"He's more of a populist than anything," Shanahan said. "He's not a true conservative."

His role of entertainer is what irks Chris Vance, opponent to U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in 2016 and former chairman of the Washington State Republican Party.

""The Republican Party is not a protest movement," Vance said in a phone conversation with seattlepi.com Thursday evening. "It shouldn't be about being outrageous and insulting and pulling stunts.

"This guy is profane and disrespectful and outrageous," he added of Yiannopoulos. "It's all a show."

Anti-Trump and anti-Yiannopoulos protesters gradually streamed into Red Square and managed to link arms to block off ticket holders' entry into the event after only a few dozen were admitted. From there, after police blocked off entry entirely, a tense standoff ensued, at times peaceful but with a few physical scuffles breaking out at the gate.

Competing chants erupted of "Shut it down" and "Let us in."

The socialist-backed march that traveled from Westlake Center via Capitol Hill joined the UW gathering about 8:25 p.m., not long before the shooting occurred. Police allowed the crowd to remain after the shooting, even as the shooter remained at large. Ultimately, protesters outnumbered pro-Yiannopoulus attendees as they scattered over time.

Yiannopoulos' planned joint appearance with notorious pharmaceutical investor Martin Shkreli was cancelled last week at the University of California at Davis after protesters prevented it.

Bad weather prompted the cancellation of another Yiannopoulos speech at Washington State University, scheduled for Thursday night.

Seattlepi.com's Genna Martin and Levi Pulkkinen contributed reporting to this story, which includes information from The Associated Press.
Patriotism came in a shade of pale blue cashmere and matching suede gloves. Glamour -- and a hint of globalism -- came in white crepe and silk gazar.

Because this presidential election was so terribly fraught, even the subject of fashion became a matter of political debate, moral outrage and pained circumspection. It was, of course, incoming first lady Melania Trump who was at the center of all this angst and indignation because her inaugural attire -in all its possibilities - is expected to set the tone for the day and, perhaps, introduce the mythology that will come to define this administration for years to come. A host of designers announced preemptively that they would not dress her, or associate themselves with her, because they did not want to lend their support to her husband's administration, of which she is a representative. Other designers said creating a wardrobe for her was a matter of patriotic duty. And many were simply quietly sorting out their thinking.

Ultimately, for the historic swearing-in ceremony, Melania Trump chose a sky-blue, Ralph Lauren Collection cropped, cutaway jacket and a mock turtleneck dress. And for the inaugural balls, she chose a strapless, white column gown with a single fluttering ruffle floating down her torso and a narrow red silk ribbon at the waist. It was a collaboration between the first lady and French-born designer Herve Pierre.

And just like that, the controversy shifted from a boil to barely a simmer.

The first lady chose wisely. With Lauren, she selected a designer whose place in history is already secure. This inaugural ensemble will be a footnote in his professional story, not the essence of it. But more important, Lauren is a designer whose entire aesthetic is rooted in a kind of glorious, soft-focus Americana. He even donated $13 million to save and protect the flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner" and to educate the public about its history. In 2014, he was presented with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for his patriotism, entrepreneurship and philanthropy during a ceremony at the National Museum of American History.

Lauren has accommodated both Democrats and Republicans, most recently serving as Hillary Clinton's most reliable clothier during the campaign. To witness her rival being sworn in as the 45th president, Clinton turned once again to Lauren, choosing a white, jewel-neck suit and a cream-colored cashmere coat. And on a personal note, Lauren's son, David, is married to Lauren Bush - niece of George W. Bush.

Ralph Lauren is possibly the most bipartisan American designer working today.

"The Presidential Inauguration is a time for the United States to look our best to the world. It was important to us to uphold and celebrate the tradition of creating iconic American style for this moment," read a statement from the company.

For the inaugural balls, her choice was more daring. But it also seemed like a bit of an olive branch after so much talk of closed borders and nationalism. Pierre was born in France and spent 14 years in the atelier at Carolina Herrera before leaving last year. Before that, he worked at Oscar de la Renta. Pierre earned his U.S. citizenship in the fall of 2016. The style of the gown was restrained, classic and, in particular, recalled the work that Pierre did while at Herrera.

The silhouette of Melania Trump's daytime coat has been compared to that worn by Jackie Kennedy, but it is also a silhouette that is classic and sophisticated. It was a perfect color, serving as a gentle spot of light on a drizzling, dreary day. It also gracefully referenced our nation's flag without transforming Melania Trump into one. (In contrast, presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway wore a red, white and blue Gucci coat with rows of medallions, a bright red hat and red leather gloves. The ensemble looked precisely like a costume, but more than that, it made one wonder whether she considers patriotism a competitive sport.)

A fashion historian once noted that the inaugural ballgown is akin to a wedding dress. It is a bit anachronistic as a gesture but still compelling in its significance. As far back as 1889, the inaugural gown was political. President Benjamin Harrison wanted his constituents to buy American, and so the dress of his wife, Caroline, was a trifecta of Americana: the silk was designed in Indiana, the fabric woven in upstate New York and the dress itself made in the Big Apple. In 1977, Rosalynn Carter's vintage gown - one pulled from her own closet -underscored Jimmy Carter's message of frugality and homespun style. He was, after all, "Jimmy," not James. Jackie Kennedy's French-inspired (but American-made) fashion signaled worldly savoir-faire. And Michelle Obama's inaugural wardrobe, in both 2009 and 2013, spoke of diversity, inclusiveness and the country's creative economy.

At the Capitol and at the balls, Melania Trump looked polished and poised and very much like herself. She has not been seen very often since the election, or even during the campaign. But the day's styles were in keeping with what the public has come to expect thus far: clean lines, body-conscious style, luxury. The ensembles reflected the formality of the occasions and quietly offered up shades of hopefulness and light on a day that was also filled with violent protests and sorrowful disbelief.

One wishes that President Trump had exuded as much grace, but then that is not his style. And so, during the day his suit jacket flopped open; his pants were too long. And the tie. The bright-red tie hung down to its usual position, far below the reaches of his belt.

The eye couldn't help but to shift from the first couple to their family, specifically to daughter Ivanka: blonde, tall and gleaming. To watch her father deliver his inaugural address, she wore a white trouser suit from Oscar de la Renta and her three little ones -- Arabella, Joseph and Theodore -- were all dressed in Oscar de la Renta Childrens. For the inaugural balls, Ivanka wore a gold, glittering princess-style gown from Carolina Herrera.

The president's eldest daughter chronicled her inaugural activities on Twitter, posting a series of images that were as glossy as fashion advertisements. When the Trump clan arrived in Washington on Thursday, Ivanka gave her nearly 2.3 million Instagram followers an image that spoke directly to her personal brand -- Women Who Work. There she was striding off a military jet at Joint Base Andrews wearing a work-appropriate, bold green ruffle-front coat and dress from Oscar de la Renta. She carried baby Theodore on her hip, while guiding daughter Arabella with her other hand.

Melania Trump stepped off the plane and into the whirlwind of transformation dressed in a cadet-style overcoat by with its rows of black buttons marching along her torso. (Its designer, Norisol Ferrari, told Women's Wear Daily that her biological father is a wounded veteran.) The first lady walked and stood - and stood - in a pair of sleek black pumps with limousine heels. For much of the public, it was the first glimpse of her since the day after the election when she had strolled with her husband through the Capitol. She was wearing black then, too.

The couple accepted greetings from well-wishers on the tarmac, and then they were off - first to a luncheon with transition officials and incoming staff and then to a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Despite it being another overcast day, she wore large black sunglasses in the manner of so many boldface names who try to hide in plain sight with the help of a pair of designer aviators.

On Friday, there were no sunglasses. No more anonymity. There was no more hiding.



(c) 2017, The Washington Post
On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump visited the Central Intelligence Agency's headquarters to express his gratitude for the intelligence community, which he had repeatedly railed against and recently likened to Nazis.

What Trump delivered Saturday was a campaign-style, stream-of-consciousness airing of grievances - at the Senate for delaying confirmation of his nominees; at critics for questioning whether he is smart and vigorous; and at journalists, whom he called "the most dishonest human beings on earth" and accused of lying about the size of his inauguration crowd.

Trump claimed falsely that the crowd for his swearing-in stretched down the National Mall to the Washington Monument and totaled more than 1 million people. It did not. Trump accused television networks of showing "an empty field" and reporting that he drew just 250,000 people to witness Friday's ceremony.

"It looked like a million, a million and a half people," Trump said, falsely claiming that his crowd "went all the way back to the Washington Monument."

During his 2009 inaugural address, President Barack Obama's crowd extended that far, and photos from that day show a crowd clearly much larger than the one that showed up for Trump.

"It's a lie," Trump said of the crowd estimates for Friday's event. "We caught [the media]. We caught them in a beauty."

Trump also misrepresented what happened to the weather during his swearing in. He said he felt a few drops of rain as he started delivering his address, but then, "God looked down and, and he said we're not going to let it rain on your speech.. . .The truth is it stopped immediately."

Light rain continued to fall through the first few minutes of the speech - and VIP's at the dais took out ponchos, including former president George W. Bush - and then quit. Trump said there was a downpour right after he finished, which did not occur.

Speaking from the lobby of CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, before a wall of stars honoring intelligence officers who died in service, Trump declared, "I have a running war with the media. They are among the most dishonest human beings on earth, right?"

The audience that included about 400 intelligence officers as well as some of Trump's White House aides applauded in approval. At one point, Trump claimed that most of the people in the room had voted for him.

"They sort of made it sound like I had a feud with the intelligence community," Trump said. "I just want to let you know, the reason you're the number one stop is it is exactly the opposite."

In fact, Trump repeatedly vilified the intelligence community throughout much of his transition in an attempt to push back against what he saw as politically charged conclusions by the CIA and other agencies about Russia's hacking of Democratic Party emails to interfere with the 2016 election.

Trump has taken particular issue with the CIA's determination that Moscow intervened not only to disrupt this country's election, but to help Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

At a Jan. 11 news conference, Trump accused U.S. intelligence officials of being behind a Nazi-like smear campaign against him. He has put quotation marks around the word "intelligence" in referring to such officials. And last weekend, for instance, Trump attacked CIA Director John Brennan - who resigned Friday at the conclusion of President Obama's term - in a pair of tweets, suggesting he was "the leaker of Fake News."

Trump journeyed to Langley on Saturday - his first in what aides said would be a series of visits to federal departments and agencies - to show his solidarity with career intelligence officials.

"There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and the CIA than Donald Trump," Trump said. "There is nobody."

He added, "I am so behind you. I know maybe sometimes you haven't gotten the backing that you've wanted and you're going to get so much backing. Maybe you're going to say, 'Please, don't give us so much backing. Mr. President, please, we don't need so much backing.'"

Trump vowed to lead the fight against the Islamic State, a rallying cry for intelligence officers: "We've been fighting these wars for longer than any wars we've ever fought. We have not used the real abilities that we have. We've been restrained. We have to get rid of ISIS."

He added, "Radical Islamic terrorism - and I said it yesterday - has to be eradicated, just off the face of the earth. This is evil."

Trump delved into the Iraq war, saying: "I wasn't a fan of Iraq. I didn't want to go into Iraq." His statement was at odds with comments he made during a 2002 interview with radio shock jock Howard Sten.

Trump also asserted his oft-stated belief that the United States bungled its exit from the country by not taking Iraq's oil. "If we kept the oil, we wouldn't have had ISIS in the first place," Trump reasoned, saying that was how the Islamic State terrorist group made its money.

Trump praised his nominee for CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., who has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, a process that was delayed Friday by objections from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

"You will be getting a total star," Trump said of Pompeo. "This is a gem."

He also asked CIA officers to applaud his national security adviser, former lieutenant general Michael Flynn, who is a controversial figure within the intelligence community.

From there, Trump delved into a series of personal grievances. He claimed to "know a lot about West Point" and said his uncle was a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"I'm a person that very strongly believes in academics," Trump said. "They say, 'Is Donald Trump an intellectual?' Trust me. I'm, like, a smart person."

Trump, who at 70 is the oldest man sworn-in for his first term as president, went on to say that he feels like a young man: "I feel like I'm 30, -35, 39. Somebody said, 'Are you young?' I said, 'I think I'm young.' "

(c) 2017, The Washington Post
HOLLISTER, Calif.  Pacheco Creek in Hollister began flooding homes along Lovers Lane and San Felipe Road Friday afternoon as water levels rose to 13.47 feet and the levee broke for the second time in two weeks.

The creek overflowed its banks on the north side at 12:50 p.m. Friday and mandatory evacuations ensued for Lovers Lane and San Felipe Road residents, Kevin O'Neill of the San Benito Office of Emergency Services said. Firefighters went door-to-door to see if any residents needed to be rescued.

Emergency crews completed 21 swift water rescues and deployed rescue boats. No injuries were reported.

The same neighborhood flooded two weeks ago when a winter storm caused the levee to break in the middle of the night. Dozens of residents had to be rescued from their homes on boats, cows and horses huddled on higher ground, and houses were left underwater on Jan. 11.

Emergency crews discovered a 75-foot-wide break in the levee in the Jan. 11 flood's aftermath. Rushing flood water was so powerful that it had knocked down trees and created huge piles of debris.

One resident said it looked like a "hurricane" had blown through. Debris from the creekbed built up water pressure and diverted water out of the creek and toward homes.

Pacheco Creek's flood stage is 12 feet.

San Benito County crews raced against time to plug the broken levee and clear the creekbed of debris piles before the next round of rain.

But Friday's storm overwhelmed the levee again, and there are now two spots where the levee is broken.

There was not enough time or resources to repair even the first levee break, Louie Valdez of the Office of Emergency Services said.

The county is "very disappointed" that the state did not send additional resources to help Hollister before Friday's storm hit, Valdez said.

Without help from the state, "it was too dangerous and impossible in that short period of time," for the county, Valdez said. Hollister received "no help what-so-ever" from the state, he said.

And more significant rainfall is on the way.

The National Weather Service Monterey Bay issued a flash flood watch and a high wind watch for Saturday night and Sunday morning.

"A third in a series of strong storms is expected to produce periods of moderate to heavy rain Saturday night through Sunday morning. This additional rain, on already saturated soils, will likely lead to flash flooding of streams and rivers, as well as in local urban areas," the NWS reported.

"Rainfall amounts from 0.75 inches to 1.5 inches are possible at lower elevations, with 2-4 inches across higher terrain," the NWS reported.

The new cold front is forecast to have wind gusts as high as 40-50 miles per hour.

Temporary shelter for Lovers Lane residents was set up in cooperation with American Red Cross at the Veterans Hall at San Benito Street and 7th Street.

Small pets can be taken to the Animal Shelter at 1331 South Street. Large and small livestock and poultry can be taken to Bolado Park Fairgrounds at 9000 Airline Highway.

This breaking news story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on KSBW
Protestors returned to the streets of downtown Oakland Friday evening in a show of opposition to the inauguration of President Trump. Flanking them was a large contingent of police officers, deployed to keep trouble-seekers from getting out of hand.

Several hundred people gathered at Frank Ogawa Plaza outside City Hall at dusk, and then set off marching and chanting. After going down Broadway and through Chinatown, they ended up back at the plaza by 7:30 p.m., with lines of police in riot gear seeking to keep them contained.

The heavy police presence was intended to prevent the destruction and looting that occurred on election night in November after Trumps unexpected victory. But the tactics caused some of the protestors to focus their anger on police as well as the new president, with such chants as Move, pigs, get out of the way.

Though tense, the rally and march dwindled to only a handful of people by 8 p.m. There was one arrest, according to police, when a protestor tried to block officers who were on motorcycles.

Earlier in the day, a group of students and others that marched five miles from UC Berkeley to downtown Oakland carried signs demanding equal rights for women, gays and Latinos, and banners that said Readying for Resistance. The march united that group with one that had been demonstrating in Oakland starting in the morning.

At their peak, thousands gathered in the plaza in front of Oakland City Hall and UC Berkeleys bustling Sproul Plaza.

Were the generation that can end racism and sexism, said eighth grader Trinity Wallace, 14, of Park Day School, one of the Oakland protesters. But we have to cooperate and be kind to each other, in order to stop Donald Trump.

Her classmate, Rachel Itsekson, 14, said she was protesting because the new president says the most misogynistic and racist things. Protester Janaki Sullivan, 32, of El Cerrito, carried a sign that said she would not go quietly back to the 1950s.

We will stand strong against (Trump), Sullivan said.

At UC Berkeley, about 1,500 gathered for the anti-Trump rally. Protest leaders hollered Trump Must Go and other chants through bullhorns while other students handed out No racists or rapists in the White House leaflets.

A handful of students sitting in a Berkeley College Republicans tent played recordings of Trumps inaugural address and of a band playing Hail to the Chief. A small group of protesters confronted the Republicans and tried to get them to turn off the presidential anthem, but the music continued.

Senior Imara Shabir of the Muslim Students Association, speaking over the din, told the crowd she felt ashamed to be an American with Trump as president.

This was not what my senior year was supposed to be, she said.

The university students, many in Nasty Woman hats, were joined by a large group of teenagers from nearby Berkeley High, who had walked out of class. One of the students, a senior who gave his name as Angelo, said that leaving class means we will not stand for hate in our society.

After awhile, the crowd began marching south toward Oakland. They stopped at a Carls Jr. restaurant to protest the appointment by Trump of its CEO, Andrew Puzder, to be labor secretary and Puzders opposition to increasing the minimum wage to $15.

Boo! We demand a living wage, David McCleary, president of a union representing Cal graduate students, told the crowd.

In East Oakland, about 400 students at Bridges Academy elementary school marched 12 blocks down International Boulevard as Trump said in his inaugural address that mothers and children (are) trapped in poverty in our inner cities (and our) education system... leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge.

Third-grade teacher Mia Kleven said Trumps words didnt sound accurate to her.

We have a really beautiful, vibrant community in Oakland, she said. Students are proud. Students are overcoming challenges with grace.

The kids and their teachers chanted Love trumps hate, sang We Shall Overcome and stomped enthusiastically in every rain puddle they could find.

Transitional kindergarten teacher Bernadette Zermeno said her students were seeking to show our president that we want love and compassion, because this is our land, too.
By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Jan 21 (PTI) As many as 368 distribution transformers were damaged in Kashmir during the five-month-long unrest last year, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was informed today.

In a written reply to a question of National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi in the Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who also holds the power portfolio, said 368 distribution transformers were damaged during the unrest.

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All damaged transformers were repaired at a cost of Rs 156.26 lakh and subsequently reinstalled, he said. PTI AB NSD

--- ENDS ---
Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th president of the United States was met with celebration by some, but for many  not only in the U.S. but across the world  the event was met with protest.

From Washington D.C. to Tokyo and many places in between, protesters took to the streets to show their disapproval of Trump, his policies and the direction they believe the U.S. would go under his leadership.
I step out of my guesthouse the first bright and humid morning in Paramaribo, still holding Suriname as a fantasy formed by alluring snapshots and brief descriptions, like an Internet date I am meeting for the first time.

First impressions call to mind previous encounters. The sight of a roti bread shop housed in a white colonial building conjures the memory - if not quite the manic energy - of New Delhi. The sound of Afro-Caribbean music beating out of a Chinese-owned DVD store - New York, perhaps. I am on the northern fringe of South America, but nobody is speaking Spanish. This is unique. I continue to walk.

Handsome, 18th century brick-and-clapboard Dutch Colonial townhouses with balconied facades, preserved as a World Heritage site, line narrow streets freshly stained from a tropical shower. I emerge from the capital's historic downtown onto the Waterkant, an esplanade with food stalls along the muddy Suriname River, where Indian families eat Javanese bami noodles and Creole men sip their first of many Parbo beers under the shade of weeping tamarind trees. The heat is rising.

Down the street, merchants, hustlers and loiterers drift between the neon-lit casinos and gold exchanges that surround the boisterous Central Market. Inside, broad women in colorful African head wraps use long Chinese string beans to shoo flies off displays of bananas, rambutans, and medicinal barks.

I pass a dark-skinned Creole man with a shiny set of gold teeth who is selling cups of shaved ice with an array of flavored syrups. His wooden pushcart is festooned with - among other random items - plastic pink roses, Surinamese and Chinese flags, a framed poster of Orlando Bloom's elfin character in "Lord of the Rings," and the words "Snoop-Dog Bless!" scrawled in red paint.

The ices taste OK, but are better as a metaphor. Suriname - a nation smaller than Washington state, much of it uninhabited jungle - is home to 480,000 people who speak more than 15 languages.

Dutch is the official one - the tongue of lawyers and ministers, and friends who consider themselves educated - but if this cart's decorations are any reflection of where most Surinamers currently look to in the world, Holland is conspicuously absent. English is also widely spoken, beamed with "American Idol" into thousands of living rooms each week. But the lingua franca is Sranan Tongo - a hybrid of English, Dutch, Portuguese and West African words that best reflects the Babel that Suriname came to be.

A wealth of ethnicities

Much of that story is a familiar colonial tale. Natives encountered strange Europeans (first the British, then the Dutch, who gave the Brits Suriname in exchange for Manhattan, thus ending in 1667 the Second Anglo-Dutch War). The colonialists imported slaves (from Africa) and indentured servants (Indians, Chinese, Indonesians). Independence was eventually achieved (in 1975), and power struggles followed (20 years of them, give or take).

But the denouement is unique. Descendents of all these multiethnic settlers still remain - Arawak and Carib Indians inhabit the coast, Maroons live in inland jungle communities founded by the escaped slaves, and pasty Dutch tourists pedal bicycles around the capital - to form an ethos of ethnic tolerance of which Surinamers proudly boast.

From the Central Market I stroll up Jodenbreestraat to reach a symbol of this remarkable pluralism. Neve Shalom, a wooden synagogue built in 1835, occupies a plot of land next to a towering, modern mosque, the largest in the greater Caribbean. Stately white columns give the synagogue the appearance of an antebellum mansion in the tropical sun.

Caretaking a tiny, adjacent museum, 61-year-old Lilly Duym represents the legacy of the Sephardic Jews who sailed from Portuguese Brazil in the 1660s, fleeing intolerance, to establish sugarcane plantations up the Suriname River.

(One day I took a guided boat trip to see Jodensavanne, their once-thriving colony, though all that remains are stone tombstones etched with names like "da Costa" and the original synagogue's brick foundation. Imagination must construct the rest: the Sabbath worshipers mouthing prayers over a din of cicadas still audible today, the breeze shaking guavas off trees into the hands of playing children.)

Lilly receives me warmly, then launches into a veiled call for help. One of the oldest existing Jewish communities in the Americas, she tells me, today a dwindling diaspora of around 125 people, is becoming a historic relic. Another old synagogue a few blocks away is now an Internet cafe and computer repair store; its ritual objects occupy a glass display case in an Israeli museum.

To Lilly I seem to represent the Jewish world that barely recognizes Suriname's existence. She invites me to a Passover seder to be held later in the week, where I can mingle with more of the community.

"They'll be nice girls there!" she adds as I leave, proving that Jewish grandmothers are an international breed.

For all of its polyglot flavor, Paramaribo, surprisingly, lacks spice. By 5 p.m. weekdays and for much of the weekend, the greater downtown merely whispers. Sightseeing in the city is practically limited to Fort Zeelandia, a 17th century brick fortress built by the British on the bank of the Suriname River that also houses a small cultural museum, and aging sugarcane plantation homes in the Commewijne district on the opposite side. Suriname may be one of the few countries in the world without a single movie theater.

I discover some action early one Sunday morning at Independence Square, the country's administrative heart, which is flanked by 200-year-old brick ministry buildings and the white Presidential Palace.

A few dozen men holding birdcages are gathered in the grassy oval plaza. A tiny songbird is a Surinamese man's best friend, a tender bond rooted not in male sensitivity but in an economic reality - a well-trained bird commands a street value of several hundred dollars. Every morning, men across the country can be seen ritually hanging birdcages in front of their homes; many also take them to work. A few admit that their fidelity to these birds, upon which they shower both attention and wages, does cause some marital angst.

Jewish settlers' legacy

Every Sunday, they hold competitions. It must say something about the temperament of a country when its men gather recreationally to encourage birds to out-chirp one another rather than, say, stage cockfights. On the grass, cages hang from metal posts planted 10 feet apart; beside them stand judges, with strained looks on their faces and chalk poised, striking notches on chalkboards after every squeak or whistle a bird makes. Basically, the bird with the least stage fright wins. To loosen any inhibitions, owners present their male competitor with an enticing female just before show time. This seems to work.

Two days later I am in the sanctuary of Neve Shalom, not a songbird in sight, but still singing. The floor is sandy, a feature typical of Caribbean synagogues that harks back to the Inquisition era when Jews had to pray furtively. The pews are a dark mahogany, arranged behind white columns around the perimeter of the space, underneath a balcony where women traditionally sat. Brass chandeliers dangle over the middle of the floor, where three men are leading prayers from a raised, carved wood bema. The simple but elegant decor as well as the atmosphere, reverent but hardly orthodox, reminds me of a New England Quaker meeting house.

The 70 faces around me - colored dark brown to white - reveal the story of Suriname's four-century-old Jewish heritage, as well centuries of intermarriage. The legacy of the early Jewish settlers, though having a modest presence today, is deeply embedded into modern-day culture. Sranan Tongo includes words of Hebrew origin, like treef (forbidden food); the unofficial national dish, pom - a baked casserole made with a local root vegetable and chicken - that was introduced by Jews.

Could have been Jersey

I had wished that the seder dinner would feature some of these old Jewish recipes, but when we sit down at banquet tables in an adjacent building after the service, it seems that the food is standard communal Jewish meal fare, down to the Manischewitz. I might as well have been in a suburban New Jersey Jewish Community Center.

I sit beside a family of Dutch and Spanish background, an Israeli who is in the country on business, and an American Peace Corps volunteer, who is stationed in a Maroon village an hour from the city, where he teaches English. He tells me that he discovered that some Maroons there still light candles on Friday nights and observe Jewish mourning customs, unwittingly inherited from their ancestors' Jewish masters. (The scene here - a ritual meal celebrating the Jews' exodus from Egyptian bondage, in a country settled by Jews also fleeing persecution, who then promptly became slave owners - has a tinge of irony.)

We sing a few familiar Passover songs after the meal, and by 11 p.m. the crowd begins to thin. I say goodbye to Lilly and her family before walking outside into the humid night. Chandeliers from the synagogue's sanctuary next door still glow softly behind high windows. I walk toward home down the middle of the still and quiet street, past stately mahogany trees that throw pools of shadow across the uneven pavement. A few stray cats cruise along the sidewalk and two night watchmen lounge at their posts, a faint hum of music drifting from the portable radios beside them.
BEIRUT  Islamic State militants have destroyed parts of the second-century Roman amphitheater and an iconic monument known as the Tetrapylon in Syrias historic town of Palmyra, the government and experts said Friday.

It was the extremist groups latest attack on world heritage, an act that the U.N. cultural agency called a war crime. A Syrian government official said he feared for the remaining antiquities in Palmyra, which IS recaptured last month.

Also on Friday, Turkeys military said Islamic State killed five Turkish soldiers and wounded nine in a bomb attack in northern Syria.

Turkey is leading Syrian opposition fighters in an offensive against the Islamic State-held town of al-Bab in the Aleppo province, a push that has been bogged down since mid-November. Since its military intervention, Turkey has lost 54 soldiers in Syria, most of them in the al-Bab offensive.

After suffering several setbacks in Syria, Islamic State has gone on the offensive reclaiming ancient Palmyra in December and launching an attack on a government-held city and military air base in Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria.

On Friday, the state news agency SANA said seven civilians were killed when Islamic State shelled a residential area in the city of Deir el-Zour.

However, the militant group remains under pressure in northern Syria from Turkey and U.S-backed Kurdish forces, as well as in neighboring Iraq where Iraqi troops backed by the U.S.-led coalition is fighting to retake the city of Mosul from the militants.

Palmyra, a UNESCO world heritage site that once linked Persia, India, China with the Roman empire and the Mediterranean area, has already seen destruction at the hands of the Islamic State. The ancient town first fell to Islamic State militants in May 2015, when they held it for 10 months. During that time, the militants damaged a number of its relics and eventually emptied it of most of its residents, causing an international outcry.

Palmyra fell again to the group last month, only nine months after a Russian-backed Syrian government offensive was hailed as a significant victory for Damascus.

On Friday, Maamoun Abdulkarim, the head of Syrias antiquities department, said reports of the recent destruction first trickled out of Palmyra late in December. But satellite images of the damage only became available late Thursday, confirming the destruction.

Abdulkarim said militants have destroyed the facade of the second-century theater, along with the Roman-era Tetrapylon  a set of four monuments with four columns each standing at the center of the colonnaded road leading to the theater.

Satellite imagery obtained by the Boston-based American Schools of Oriental Research, or ASOR, show extensive damage to the Tetrapylon. DigitalGlobe satellite imagery also shows damage to the theater facade.

ASOR said the damage was likely caused by intentional destruction from Islamic State, but the organization was unable to verify the exact cause.

Islamic State extremists have destroyed ancient sites across their self-styled Islamic caliphate in Syria and Iraq, perceiving them as monuments to idolatry.

UNESCOs director-general, Irina Bokova, said the new destruction in Palmyra amounted to a war crime.

The Tetrapylon was an architectural symbol of the spirit of the encounter and openness of Palmyra - and this is also one of the reasons why it has been destroyed, she said in a statement.

Abdulkarim said only two of the 16 columns of the Tetrapylon remain standing.

Sarah El Deeb is an Associated Press writer.
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Chicago. Oklahoma City. London. Los Angeles.

Across the globe, cities big and small saw throngs of women, men and children take to the streets Saturday in a show of unity and support for womens rights. The swarms of marchers came together in the sunshine and rain to rally against sexism, racism and hatred and to protest President Trump.

The crowds were so large that some U.S. cities ground to a halt as demonstrators overwhelmed streets, train stations and parks. The more than 600 sister marches were held in conjunction with the Womens March on Washington a day after Trumps inauguration.

In Los Angeles, Nazik Hasan was among the tens of thousands of demonstrators who filled downtown streets, waving posters and gay pride flags and chanting in English and Spanish. The 29-year-old attorney carried a sign that read, Immigrants and refugees are America.

If immigrants rights are violated and womens rights are violated, Ill be directly affected, she said. Our fulfillment of the American dream doesnt take away from anyone elses.

Los Angeles police said well over 100,000 people packed several closed blocks.

In Chicago, scores of protesters spilled into the streets after organizers canceled the citys march for safety reasons because of a larger-than-expected turnout. The overflow crowd reached an estimated 250,000 people.

Demonstrator Dorothy DeCarlo, 69, burned her bra for womens rights in college 50 years ago and said it was shameful Saturdays marches and rallies were even necessary. I thought we took the bruises. I thought it was over, she said.

Across the Atlantic in London, Samantha Moyo looked out at the tens of thousands of marchers sardined into Trafalgar Square with a look of contentment.

The 30-year-old, originally from Zimbabwe, was overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, and its determination to challenge Trumps worldview.

Im a black, immigrant bisexual woman, and the fact that women all over the world are standing up for what they believe in, and that I was invited to be on the front line, feels like a huge privilege, she said.

In Paris, thousands of women and men marched through the citys grand boulevards in a rejection of the new American president.

We are mobilizing as the new president of the United States prepares to apply the violently sexist, lesbophobic, homophobic, xenophobic and racist ideology that he defended during his campaign, read the events Facebook page.

But for Marie Allibert, one of the organizers, the message of the march was not entirely to condemn the words and actions of Trump.

Its more about womens rights, human rights, she said. During the campaign there were lots of misogynist, racist and hateful messages, and thats what were standing up against.

New Zealand and Australia were among the first countries in the world where women took to the streets.

Despite it being summer in the Southern Hemisphere, some people were spotted in Wellington wearing knitted pink pussyhats, the cat theme referencing Trumps lewd remarks in a 2005 video.

The Washington Post contributed to this report.

Sara Burnett and Gregory Katz are Associated Press writers.
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KOBLENZ, Germany  Declaring that 2017 will be the year of the awakening of the people of continental Europe, French far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen joined fellow nationalists Saturday at a conference in Germany in a show of populist confidence as Europe faces a series of high-stakes national elections.

Populist parties have been surging in polls in Europe, and the mood of the leaders was celebratory as they came together in support of each other, the day after Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president following a campaign buoyed by anti-establishment and protectionist themes.

Yesterday, a new America. Today  hello Koblenz  a new Europe! Dutch anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders said as he opened his speech under heavy security in the German city on the banks of the Rhine River.

The people of the West are awakening. They are throwing off the yoke of political correctness, he said. This year will be the year of the people ... the year of liberation, the year of the patriotic spring.

Wilders anti-Islam Party of Freedom could win the largest percentage of votes in the March 15 Dutch parliamentary election. Le Pen, head of the far-right National Front, is among the top contenders in Frances April-May presidential vote. And in September, Frauke Petrys Alternative for Germany party hopes to enter the German parliament in that countrys national election, riding high on anti-immigrant sentiment that rejects German Chancellor Angela Merkels welcoming policy toward refugees.

The meeting of the Europe of Nations and Freedom group in the European Parliament also featured Matteo Salvini of Italys conservative Northern League and Harald Vilimsky, the general secretary of Austrias right-wing Freedom Party, which last year narrowly failed to win the countrys presidency.

Just as Donald Trump in America shows the way out of a dead end, with new prospects  including for (resolving) international conflicts, we want to do that in the coming months and years for Europe, Petry told reporters.

We are experiencing the end of one world and the birth of another, Le Pen said in her address to the conference. We are experiencing the return of nation-states.

She denounced the 28-nation European Union as a force of sterilization, and assailed Merkel for allowing in large numbers of migrants.

The first real blow to the old order was last Junes British vote to leave the EU, Le Pen said  followed closely by Trumps election.

His position on Europe is clear, Le Pen said. He will not support a system of oppression of the people.

Left-wing demonstrators protested outside the hall shouting slogans like No border, no nation, stop deportation.

Geir Moulson is an Associated Press writer.
1 Pedestrians killed: A man with a history of mental health and drug abuse issues drove into a street crowded with pedestrians in Australias second-largest city Friday, killing at least four people, including a child, and injuring around 15 others, police said. The chaos began in the early afternoon, after a man was seen driving in erratic circles in the middle of a major intersection in downtown Melbourne. The driver then turned onto the Bourke Street Mall, a pedestrian-only road, deliberately mowing people down before continuing onto a sidewalk and hitting several others, police said. Police shot the driver and arrested him at the scene. The 26-year-old man was being treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries. Officials have not released his name and said there is no further threat to the public.

2 Afghan bombing: An Afghan government official says two people, including a police commander, have been killed in an explosion in the countrys north after a sticky bomb was attached to the commanders car. Local spokesman Munir Ahmed Farhad says the bomb went off on Friday in Balkh province as the car entered a stadium where the popular ancient sport of Buzkashi is played. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban insurgents operate in the area, which has also been the scene of feuding among local warlords. Buzkashi is an ancient Central Asian sport in which horse-mounted players fight to move a headless goat from one end of the field to the other. In Afghanistan, its often played on Friday, the weekly holiday.
On behalf of the members of the Zonta Club of Auburn we wish to thank the many people and organizations who made 2016 such an outstanding year for our club. Additionally, we are extremely appreciative to so many for their support and generosity during the recent holiday season.

For the last few years, our annual December gala has focused on supporting grandparents who are raising their grandchildren  an unfortunately rising trend. The donations, the attendance and the enthusiasm for this fundraiser continues to be extraordinary. On a cold evening, over the course of just a few hours, we raised more than $2,500 that is going right back into our community. Members of our Z-Club also raised some money to support their upcoming community service projects.

We are also grateful to the Auburn Rescue Mission for identifying the families for us and then ensuring that their needs were meet. And, as always the folks at the Springside Inn treated us to a scrumptious meal in a delightful setting.

Again, thank you all for ensuring that no one goes without.
Aditya being a single father fought for one year to adopt Avnish, a baby boy with down syndrome when the entire system was against him.

After setting a shining example himself, Aditya Tiwari now runs a support group for parents with mentally challenged children.

"All I wanted was to adopt a mentally challenged child, what I got for 18 months was mental, emotional and financial trauma. I first saw Avnish, now my son, during a visit to an orphanage in Indore in 2014. The authorities told me he wasn't adopted because he was 'mental'.

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It is unfortunate people still describe disorders such as Down's Syndrome like this. I instantly decided I wanted to give the child a home. But adoption was far from easy, I was a single man and 27 years old. I was told the five-month-old child was being given up for international adoption.

I later realised it was a racket; they hadn't registered the child in government records, which is mandatory. I decided to fight this. In the next one year, I made over 30 trips from Pune to Bhopal, wrote numerous letters to everyone, from the prime minister and the women and child welfare minister to the Madhya Pradesh government. People laughed at me, saying I was either impotent or that this was my biological child outside marriage.

Things changed when Maneka Gandhi visited the orphanage. After that, they reviewed my case and I was allowed to adopt the boy. I later found out he had been abandoned by his affluent Bhopal-based parents. It is a pity people see children with challenges as a liability; the mindset needs to change.

This experience has sensitised me further. When I got married last July, instead of inviting family and friends, I organised a feast and gifts for 10,000 underprivileged people, food for animals from shelters, strays and the zoo."

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WASHINGTON  U.S. warplanes bombed an al Qaeda training camp in Syria, killing more than 100 militants, marking the second major U.S. counterterrorism strike in the final hours of Barack Obamas presidency, a defense official said Friday.

The Syria strike was carried out by one B-52 bomber and an undisclosed number of U.S. aerial drones, the official said. The official, who was not authorized to publicly announce the operation and so spoke on condition of anonymity, said it happened at about noon Washington time on Thursday, less than 24 hours after a combination of B-2 stealth bombers and drones struck two military camps in a remote part of Libya, killing 80 to 90 Islamic State militants.
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Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Minister of State for finance and corporate affairs, during an interview shares how being born to an illiterate Dalit weaver has actually never created obstacles in anything he wanted to do.

Married at 13, this son of an illiterate Dalit weaver defied all odds to become a successful civil servant. He then entered politics with the BJP, won elections with minimal money power, and is now Union MoS for finance and corporate affairs.

"When I first decided to take the plunge into electoral politics in 2009, nobody even remotely thought I would win. Candidates from the ruling party of the state always won the seat and the Congress was in power in Rajasthan then. They even coined a slogan: 'Pehle actor, ab collector' (actor Dharmendra was the BJP candidate in Bikaner before me). Voters were told a suit-wearing civil servant working in an air-conditioned office would not understand their problems."

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Photo: Purusottam Diwakar

"I started wearing the Rajasthani dhoti-kurta, avoided travelling in AC cars and always talked in the local dialect. I did not have the money to fight polls; the party offered help but I made a conscious decision-I would not distribute money or liquor. I was a popular administrator and people also knew me through my Bhavna Meghwal trust, which offered scholarships to poor students and organised community marriages. I did not make tall promises. When the results were declared, I was among the four winning candidates from the 25 fielded by my party, the BJP, in Rajasthan."

"But winning was just the beginning. I wanted to create a permanent institutional structure through which I could serve the people of my constituency. I began a Sansad Sewa Kendra where anyone in my constituency could file a complaint-which is digitised-and track its status online. I don't think we need a lot of money to be in politics. I spent Rs 5 lakh from my savings in the 2009 elections and Rs 8 lakh in 2014. I don't take bribes nor do I splurge on buying votes or favours. Yes, I was born to an illiterate Dalit weaver, but my caste identity never created obstacles in anything I wanted to do", as told to Kaushik Deka.

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Bhubaneswar, Jan 20 (PTI) TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhaya, who was arrested in connection with Rose Valley chitfund scam, was today admitted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack as he complained of chest pain during his stay at the Special Jail at Jharpada here.

Sudip, lodged at the jail hospital, was first taken to the state-run Capital Hospital here in the morning.

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However, the attending doctors advised to shift him to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, a jail staff said.

Bandopadhaya, who has been lodged at the Special jail, continued to stay at the jail hospital since January 12 along with another TMC MP Tapas Pal.

Sudip Bandopadhyaya was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days from January 12 as his bail petition was rejected by the CBI designated court here.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the chit fund scam, had arrested the four-time Lok Sabha member from Kolkata on January 3.

Sudips TMC MLA wife Nayna Bandyopadhyay, had pleaded the court to allow her husband to stay in jail hospital due to his health condition. PTI AAM SBN SRY

--- ENDS ---
NEW DELHI: Chinese handset maker Xiaomi is keen on bringing to India more of its ecosystem products that are available in his home market as it looks to further increase its revenue here.



The company, which crossed the USD 1 billion revenue mark in India last year, also launched Redmi Note 4 smartphone starting at 9,999.



"This year, we are looking at what more ecosystem products we can introduce in India. We are exploring the market and seeing if there is a need (for the products)," Xiaomi India head Manu Jain told PTI.



Currently, apart from smartphones, Xiaomi sells products like air purifiers, fitness bands, VR headsets and power banks in India.



Xiaomi has invested in over 50 companies that design and manufacture products beyond its three core product categories -- smartphones, smart TVs and smart routers -- that forms the 'Mi Ecosystem'.



These include products like smart electric rice cooker, smart suitcase, Ninebot (hoverboard), smart scales and drones, among others, in its portfolio.



In India, Xiaomi had last year led a USD 25 million funding round in Hungama.



Talking about the Redmi Note 4, Jain said the company "hopes to sell double the volume" of the device's predeccesor, Redmi Note 3.



The new handset -- launched in three variants -- feature 5.5-inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor (octa-core 2.0 GHz), 4,100 mAh battery, 13MP rear and 5MP front cameras.



The three variants -- 2GB RAM/32GB memory, 3GB RAM/32GB memory and 4GB RAM/64GB memory -- are priced at 9,999, 10,999 and 12,999, respectively.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A New Jersey man, now 60, allegedly sodomized an 8-year-old female relative several times in a South Beach home a few years ago, according to an indictment and a law enforcement source.

Luis Figueroa-Acuna pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Friday in state Supreme Court, St. George.

The indictment alleges the defendant sexually abused the victim at least three times between November, 2012, and October, 2013.

Figueroa-Acuna was in his late 50s then.

The alleged victim was 8, said a law enforcement source with knowledge of the case.

The defendant is charged with multiple felony counts of criminal sexual act, which was formerly classified as sodomy, and sexual abuse.

He's also accused of misdemeanor counts of sexual abuse and endangering a child's welfare.

Reached by phone, Figueroa-Acuna's lawyer, Milton H. Florez, denied the accusations.

"The allegations are unfounded," he said. "The charges are fabricated, and we have every intention of fighting them."

A conference date was set for Feb. 21.

The defendant is being held in lieu of $150,000 bond or $50,000 cash bail.
P1 121 p1 121

NYPD officers can be heard chasing a robbery suspect in Port Richmond early Friday morning. (Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein)

(Irving Silverstein)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Emergency radio transmissions depict an early morning foot pursuit between NYPD officers in the 121st Precinct and a suspect in Port Richmond.

In the audio clip, you can hear officers being called to the 200 block of Charles Avenue after a 49-year-old man was assaulted and threatened with a knife, according to a spokesman for the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

The suspect removed approximately $150 from the victim, according to the spokesman.

When officers arrived at the scene, the suspect fled.

In the audio clip you can hear one officer yell, "He's running in the backyard! He's running in the backyard!"

The officer sounds to be out of breath as he is chasing after the suspect, "towards Post Avenue."

A second officer requests aviation assistance, as well as the setup of a perimeter, to help look for the suspect.

"We got the guy in custody," can be heard moments later.

"Is there anybody else?" one officer asks.

"No," the second officer responds.

Christian Espinal, 18, was taken into custody in front of a residence on Albion Place and later charged with robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.

Officers recovered the knife used in the incident.

You can listen to the audio clip posted to YouTube here:
vertetis.jpg

Virginia Vertetis, a former fourth-grade teacher in Wharton who is accused of murder in the shooting death of retired New York City police officer Patrick Gilhuley of Staten Island, appears in court on July 7, 2015, with her attorney Edward Bilinkas for a status hearing. Vertetis claims she acted in self-defense in the shooting which took place at her home in Mount Olive. (Robert Sciarrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

Patrick Gilhuley was slain on March 3, 2014, in his girlfriend Virginia Vertetis' New Jersey home when he tried to break up with her, allege prosecutors.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A trial is set to start next month for a former New Jersey school teacher accused of slaying her boyfriend - a retired cop from Staten Island - in her home three years ago, according to a published report on www.dailyrecord.com.

Virginia Vertetis, 54, is expected to call Dr. Cyril Wecht, a well-known forensic pathologist, as an expert witness on her behalf at the trial, set to start with jury selection on Feb. 21, the report said.

Wecht, who has consulted on the deaths of President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, Elvis Presley and others, will opine about wounds and marks on the defendant's body, as well as on the March 3, 2014 crime scene, said the report.

Vertetis maintains she shot Gilhuley, 51, in self-defense with a gun he had left in her Mount Olive home, according to previously published reports.

Prosecutors allege Vertetis shot Gilhuley when he tried to break up with her.

Gilhuley served 20 years in the New York City Housing Police and later the NYPD.

He had lived in Annadale and New Springville while on Staten Island.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Women are marching in New York.

Women are marching in Washington.

Women are marching around the world -- all for the same thing: Women's rights

Millions of people across the country are joining marches on Saturday to raise awareness of women's rights on the day after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the U.S.

The focus of Saturday is the Women's March on Washington. The mission is to "send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that 'women's rights are human rights.'"

Hundreds of "sister" marches are being held in other big cities in the U.S. including Boston, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

And marches are being held around the world, including Sydney, Berlin, Toyko, Vancouver, London, Paris and Cape Town, South Africa.

"The energy here at the Women's March on Washington is electric," said Staten Islander Allison Galdorisi, who is marching in Washington, D.C. "I didn't serve in the military, but I am so proud to be marching with our brave veterans of all wars."

Here are some photos of the Woman's March in several cities across the country through the eyes of social media posts:
Ajay Kumar Munot built 90 homes for the homeless in Aurangabad's Lasur town and donated them on the occasion of his daughter's wedding. During an interview Munot talks about how he chose the families.

On the occasion of his daughter Shreya's wedding in December last year, he built 90 homes at an approximate Rs 80 lakh for the homeless in Aurangabad's Lasur town and donated them.

"In September last year, while planning my daughter's wedding, I suddenly felt I should do something for the less privileged. We had made all the bookings for the wedding, but somewhere I felt I wanted the less fortunate to be a part of this special celebration. My brother Prashant Bamb, the local MLA, suggested that I donate homes to the shelterless since that's a cause few people take up."

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"I wondered how I would be able to accomplish this within two-and-a-half months as the wedding was planned for December 12. Bamb assured all help. So we procured land and laid the foundation stone on October 2. The next day, we started work and finished 90 homes within the stipulated period. I had seen so many people-daily wagers, labourers, domestic workers-who had spent a lifetime toiling but failed to secure a roof over their heads. "

"I surveyed and selected 90 such families. I had only two conditions-since I am a Jain, I only wanted beneficiaries who do not eat meat; secondly, they should not drink alcohol. The homes we built are 12 feet by 20 feet and have a room and a kitchen. After the wedding, I got my daughter Shreya to hand over the house keys to these people and take their blessings." -As told to Aditi Pai

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Staten island Ferry homeless are being shown the door

Those who live and work in St. George see the increase in the number of homeless people, particularly at the St. George Ferry Terminal. (Bill Lyons/ Staten Island Advance)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- With significant projects on the North Shore -- such as the New York Wheel and Empire Outlets -- in full swing, it is expected that tourists from around the world will consider St. George a destination hot spot. But some are wondering if the growing issue of homelessness will hamper the potential for the community's revival.

Borough President James Oddo hosted a meeting in December with various city agencies and businesses and discussed the issue, noting that the problem of homelessness on the North Shore is "more visible than it has been in recent years."

Nicholas Siclari, chairman of Community Board 1, which includes the St. George community, said he has seen the homeless problem continue to grow each year.

"I don't believe eight years ago it was that much of an issue," said Siclari, a former St. George resident. "Most of the homeless population in St. George seem to stay at the ferry terminal, or in areas nearby...once the weather gets cold, the majority go inside the Staten Island ferry terminal."

Staten Islanders already living in shelters make up less than 3 percent of the record-breaking 60,000 in the city's system overall. After a Stapleton homeless shelter for addicts closed this past summer, there are now just two city-run shelters on Staten Island with room for only 129 people.

"What we learned is that while scores of homeless individuals have been identified, it takes case workers some time to get them in the pipeline to housing," Oddo said.

Since March, the NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS) has increased the number of outreach workers to 21 in hopes of addressing the issue.

Yet despite daily outreaches that are conducted by DHS, in which workers attempt to engage homeless individuals, establish trust and discuss indoor shelter and additional services available, it takes the agency approximately one year to move a homeless individual from the street to permanent housing.

HOMELESS HOVER



Those in business at the St. George Ferry Terminal express concern that the growing number of homeless hanging around their businesses will deter regular customers, as well as tourists visiting the New York Wheel and Empire Outlets.

"We are going to have more people coming (to the ferry terminal) from halfway around the the world...How does Staten Island look to them?" said Steven Williams, a bartender at the River Dock Cafe inside the terminal.

He said that the cafe is happy to provide a homeless person with a drink or cup of soup. However, he does worry about the impact on customers when a homeless person approaches them for money while they are enjoying a meal.

"From a business standpoint, we want our customers to be comfortable," he said.

Melissa Megron, a waitress at River Dock Cafe, says that often a customer's view of the waterfront will take a backseat to the view of a homeless person causing a scene outside.

The benches along the waterfront at the ferry are just a stone's throw from the restaurant's outdoor eating area.

"They can do whatever they want outside," said Williams. "It's public property."

Megron also encounters the homeless outside the terminal, as she walks to her car parked along Richmond Terrace after working a night shift.

She said that on more than one occasion she's been approached by homeless people -- mostly "regulars" she sees often -- and has even been screamed at with requests for money.

"I'm scared. I call my husband. I have him stay on the phone until I get to my car," she said, adding that she feels fortunate to usually work a day shift.

One business owner, whose storefront inside the ferry terminal is open 24 hours daily, said that despite police presence, his employees do not want to work the night shift.

"Those hours especially we have to worry about the homeless people coming up and trying to steal," said the owner, who declined to give his name. "I've even seen them sell drugs here at night."

Employees at the Wateredge Cafe, also in the terminal, said that homeless people will "pick out stuff and then ask customers in line to buy it."

"They keep troubling them for money. It happens here every day. And customers get annoyed," the cafe employee said.

ST. GEORGE STOREFRONTS

Business owners along Richmond Terrace and Bay Street said they also have problems with homeless panhandling and sometimes getting agitated with customers.

"Some of the homeless are nice but some of them are violent and they come in and demand things," said Biarlin Estevez, who works at M & K Spanish Restaurant at 56 Richmond Terrace, across from the site of Empire Outlets. "It's bad for business."

SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS

The borough president noted that the vast majority of homeless we see in our borough are Staten Islanders who don't want to leave their hometown.

"Many check in with family intermittently and they do not wish to leave the borough," Oddo said.

DHS said it is currently working to implement a "borough approach" to providing shelter by increasing capacity across the five boroughs so that homeless men and women can stay in their hometown communities close to jobs, schools and support systems.

The city has an open-ended request for proposals for new shelters. All proposals are then reviewed by DHS, a spokesperson said.

The last time the city opened a homeless shelter on Staten Island was in December 2011 under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"In addition to increasing prevention to avoid homelessness in the first place, which is our top priority, we're certainly interested in opening additional shelter space for Staten Islanders," Steve Banks, the social services commissioner in charge of addressing the city's homelessness crisis, said in November.

North Shore Councilwoman Debi Rose said that the root of the homelessness issue must continue to be addressed.

"The most effective way to solve homelessness is to prevent it before people end up in shelters or on the streets," Rose said, "which is why I support raising the minimum wage, boosting our housing supply, enacting rent-supplement programs, supporting veterans' services, improving mental health care and providing civil legal services to renters facing eviction."
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Just hours after he was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at repealing part of the Affordable Care Act. (AP Photo)

UPDATE: A quote from Rep. Daniel Donovan in an earlier version of the story incorrectly stated there is only one insurance provider on the NY Healthcare Exchange.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Just hours after he was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at repealing part of the Affordable Care Act.

Trump wasted no time in signing the executive order that seeks to roll back parts of the Affordable Care Act -- a move that opponents say could leave 18 million Americans without healthcare.

The order says Trump is demanding a "prompt repeal" of former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. The order allows the Health and Human Services Department and other federal agencies to delay enacting parts of healthcare law that might impose fiscal burdens on states, health care providers, and businesses.

"This order will ease the burdens of Obamacare. It is asking agencies to take a look to see what financial burdens -- like the penalty for not having health insurance -- exist," said Rep. Daniel Donovan.

"He's asking agencies to take a look within the law -- within Obamacare, what still exists right now -- to see where the financial burdens are, and how we can eliminate those financial burdens for individuals and businesses, he added.

Trump's order also seeks to sell insurance polices across state lines, said Donovan.

STATEN ISLANDERS FEAR LOSING THEIR HEALTHCARE

Julienne Verdi, a St. George-based attorney and young mother, fears she will be without healthcare due to Trump's executive order. With a rare autoimmune condition that affects her spine, heart and joints, she fears it will be unaffordable for her to buy her medications, which costs $4,000 a month without health insurance.

"I am one of the thousands of Staten Islanders who have healthcare through the Affordable Healthcare Act. I am terrified for the future, and what this is going to mean for our family," said Verdi, founder of Move Forward Staten Island, a group -- now 150 strong -- formed the day after the presidential election in November to bring awareness to social justice issues.

"The medication I take lessons my symptoms significantly. It allows me to be the mom I want to be. I am able to play on the floor with my son and take him to the park," said Verdi, whose son is 18-months-old.

And it's not just those who rely on heath insurance made possible by the Affordable Care Act, who are upset about Trump's executive order.

"This affects 57,000 Staten Islanders. Do I need to say anything more?" said Teresa Caliari, a Bulls Head resident and neighborhood team leader for Organizing for Action, Staten Island for Change.

"It's upsetting because we are going back not forward. Healthcare is a right, and this is something that we established. I can't comprehend how in good conscious you can take this away from people," she added.

Both women were part of a group of more than 90 people who gathered near Rep. Daniel Donovan's office in New Dorp Thursday night for a candle light vigil to protest the planned repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

STATEN ISLANDERS IN FAVOR OF TRUMP'S ORDER

Many local business owners said they were in favor of Trump's decision to work on Obamacare as his first order of business in office.

"It couldn't have been soon enough," said Sal Sottile, owner of the St. George-based Sottile Security International. "I feel the current Affordable Health Care plan is unaffordable for employers as well as families. Medical providers are collapsing under the weight of the program. I embrace a change with the potential for a better working program for all."

Said George Passariello, partner at The Von Agency, based in St. George, "I hate the idea that people are saying Trump is "repealing" Obamacare because that indicates that his intentions is to shut down healthcare and start from scratch. I don't think that's realistic. It's going to be a gradual process and, hopefully, at the end of the process, our healthcare system will be better than the current version. Rome wasn't built in a day. History will remember Obamacare as the foundation on which our future Health Care system will be built. My only hope is that we get a better public option every citizen deserves Healthcare

Said Brian McGowan, commercial Real estate salesperson at the St. George-based Casandra Properties, "As an independent salesperson and a newlywed who will be starting a family, healthcare is important to me. Unfortunately, I have not seen the positive effects of Obamacare. ...We definitely need to improve our healthcare system. I hope that Congress will use the Affordable Care Act as a guide for a better system."

MEDICAL PROVIDERS WEIGH IN

Some in the medical profession see this as an opportunity to improve healthcare.

"There is certainly opportunity to make positive change. Certainly allowing purchase of healthcare across state lines can potentially increase competition and lower cost of purchasing coverage," said Dr. Steven Acker of Elite Dental of Staten Island.

"From a consumer point of view keeping good provisions of the Affordable Care Act, such as pre existing condition non-exclusion and no lifetime maximum, is a protection that we need both as individuals and business owners. The potential consequences of eliminating these parts of the act can be catastrophic to any of us. ... Let's encourage our legislators and our president to compromise, keep what protects us and eliminate the burden of cost in the proper places," he added.

Said John Zafaranloo, a general practice physician based in Dongan Hills: "In my experience on the front line as an internist dealing with the Affordable Care Act, I've seen patients burdened with higher deductibles, rising costs of premiums, and with less physicians accepting their insurance because of lowered reimbursements."

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) Lt Governor Anil Baijal today inspected Bhalaswa landfill site, overburdened with citys waste, and stressed efficient solid waste management strategies to address the problem.

The site, overburdened with waste and resultant fires, has also been a source of air pollution.

He also directed the agencies concerned to work in coordination with Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

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The Lt Governor was accompanied by all the three Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, Secretary (Power), Secretary to Lt Governor, officers of the Lt Governors Secretariat and the agencies concerned.

"LG emphasized that there is an urgent need for immediate intervention at the landfill site and directed the Municipal Corporation to use modern technologies to resolve the problem at the earliest," stated a statement issued by the LG office.

Located in north-west Delhi, Bhalswa landfill site is spread over 21 acres and was commissioned in 1994. It receives about 2,700 tonnes of garbage per day.

Baijal will be taking a review meeting early next week regarding measures to be taken for proper solid waste management in the city, including the issue of Bhalswa landfill site with officers and agencies concerned.

The garbage collected from four zones under the corporation?s jurisdiction ? City, Sadar Paharganj, Narela and Karol Bagh ? is dumped at Bhalswa.

Yesterday, Baijal visited Police Headquarters and stressed on the need to connect with youth and community for effective policing and to ensure the safety of woman and children.

Recently, he also visited DDA Headquarters and directed officers of the agency to go for online services. PTI BUN RCJ

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The officer had asked the lawmaker's driver to remove his car from the entrance of an official building in Nagaon district, which led to an altercation between the two. The driver reported the incident to the lawmaker, who allegedly rebuked the officer and demanded an apology.

By Indrajit Kundu: The new BJP government in Assam has landed itself in controversy after one of its MLA was seen forcing a public servant to "touch his feet" and apologise!

The officer's fault? He had asked the lawmaker's driver to remove his car from the entrance of an official building in Nagaon district.

In a mobile video that has been widely shared on social media, a junior government engineer working in the district is seen touching the feet of BJP legislator Dimbeswar Das to apologise for his "offence". The MLA from Raha was reportedly visiting the Kothiatoli panchayat in his constituency on Thursday to inaugurate a programme under the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme.

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Apparently, the lawmaker's car was parked right in front of the entrance to the venue where the event was being held. The officer, identified as Jayanta Das had asked the lawmaker's driver to remove the car and park it elsewhere following which there was an argument between the two.

The driver then reported the incident to the lawmaker who allegedly rebuked the officer and demanded an apology. However, on his part Dimbeswar Das has claimed that the engineer did it on his own without any coercion.

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Female nominees and recipients for Order of Australia honours this Australia Day are the highest they've been in five years, as the council for the awards battles to increase the rate of women being recognised.

Women have consistently been under-represented in the awards since the inception of the honours in 1975, with an average nomination rate at less than 30 per cent. However this year, the recipient rate for women in the awards on January 26 is up by almost five per cent on the average from the past five years, and nominations have also increased.

Order of Australia honours need more women to be nominated. Credit:Melanie Russell

The recipient rate for women this Australia Day is at 34.7 per cent, up from 30.3 per cent in 2016.

The female nomination rate has increased to 32.9 per cent, up from 31.1 per cent in the Australia Day ceremony last year.
The majority of students at the ACT's tertiary institutions finish bachelor degrees within six years, new federal government data showed.

But while the Australian National University and Australian Catholic University recorded rates of completion above the national average, the University of Canberra had slightly lower figures.

The Australian National University recorded an 81 per cent completion rate of bachelor degrees within six years of commencement. Credit:Louie Douvis

Within six years of starting a bachelor degree, 81 per cent of domestic students from ANU, 65.5 per cent from the University of Canberra and 69.5 per cent from ACU had completed their studies between 2009 and 2014.

The national average rate of completion was 66.7 per cent.
Forget trying to access the NBN, some residents in Theodore haven't even got dial-up yet.

A small pocket of households nestled beneath Tuggeranong hill have been told to wait for the NBN rollout in 2019 until they're able to access the internet at home.

Cassie and her partner Daniel Jeffery recently bought their home in Theodore and can not get the internet to their home. Credit:Elesa Kurtz

For first home buyers Cassie and her partner Daniel Jeffery, the situation has been a huge disappointment.

The couple is planning a wedding but have to access the internet at work or at their parents' place to get online.
Addressing a rally in Goa, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had told the gathering that it was okay to take money from the BJP and Congress but vote for the Aam Aadmi Party.

By India Today Web Desk: Acting on a complaint lodged by the BJP, the Election Commission has censured Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal for his bribery remarks at a poll rally in Goa.

Kejriwal had reportedly told the voters to take money from the BJP and the Congress but vote for Aam Aadmi Party in the assembly elections.

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The Election Commission had earlier issued notice to Kejriwal and after hearing his side, the poll panel found the AAP convener of violating the model code of conduct.

READ| Goa Assembly elections: Kejriwal accuses BJP of offering bribe to voters

Responding to the Election Commission action, Kejriwal said that he would challenged the poll panel's order in the court.

"The Election Commission order against me is completely wrong. Lower court gave order in my favor. The Election Commission ignored court's order. I will challenge the Election Commission's latest order in court," Kejriwal said.

Election Commission's notice to Arvind Kejriwal on January 16. Election Commission's notice to Arvind Kejriwal on January 16.

The poll panel said that Kejriwal's Goa speech violated the model code of conduct, which came into force on January 4.

The Election Commission held that Kejriwal's statement amounted to 'abetting and promoting electoral offence of bribery'.

The Congress had also taken objection to Kejriwal's bribery remark and demanded the Election Commission to take strict action against the Delhi CM.

ALSO WATCH:

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The ugly and violent protests in Washington that met the inauguration of America's 45th president do not bode well for Donald Trump's presidency.

It is a stark reminder that while the president claims to speak for all American people, he has alienated, vilified and angered a great number of his fellow citizens.

And the combative rhetoric delivered in his first address after being sworn in gives the world a glimpse of what is in store during his reign in the White House.

Within hours of President Trump being sworn in he had already begun to gut Obamacare and all references to climate change vanished from the official White House website. Border protection has become the issue of the day.

The world watches on and knows this is only the beginning of what could be a divisive and confrontational reign that some experts warn could threaten world order.
In any case, it is reasoned, the checks and balances built into American democracy  the constitution, the judiciary, the rule of law, the will of the people  all will curb Trump's authoritarian tendencies.

Once the gravity of the office and its responsibilities sinks in, a humbled Trump will modify both his speech and his behaviour, this theory goes. That New Year's Twitter post ? ("Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!") Not petulant but a playful poke. A bit of fun before he has to get really serious, which is after the inauguration.

President-elect Donald Trump has signalled disdain for the political and legal systems that are supposed to keep him in check. Credit:AP

Throughout the rancorous campaign, and especially since, those who fear the worst have hoped that the pragmatic reality of a Trump presidency will be different from the blustery rhetoric. They hope he won't, after all, run the government as a Trump Inc. machine of crony deal-making energised by self-interest and payback against his enemies.

His cabinet picks of like-minded anti-government billionaires, climate-change deniers, anti-Muslimists and hawkish generals do not augur well.

Optimism is needed. But is it justified?

It is reported from Washington that he will start quickly on an "aggressive" agenda of undoing Barack Obama's executive orders, such as in health care policy, winding back regulation and renegotiating key trade deals. Other priorities for his first 100 days in office are said to include an infrastructure plan, building a wall at the Mexico border, tackling visa overstays and expanding production of domestic energy sources.

The new President might follow the path of his pick to run the energy department, Rick Perry, who at his confirmation hearing expressed regret that he had called for the department to be abolished in 2012 when he was campaigning for the presidency. But prior to his inauguration Trump has signalled more clearly than any presidential candidate in history his disdain for exactly the political and legal systems that are now supposed to keep him in check. He has threatened go after hostile media outlets by changing libel laws and launch investigations into his political foes, which his critics see as a potential abuses of his executive powers. The Republican Party which has supported him thus far is now unlikely to put obstacles to prevent him overreaching for fear of handing victory to their Democratic opponents in Congress, at primary challenges and at the next election. 

The checks and balances of the constitution and the legal system are not foolproof either. They are not abstract mechanisms outside the political process which kick in reliably when things start going wrong, as much of the commentary seems to assume. They depend heavily on office-holders respecting institutional norms and traditions. If his Attorney-General refused to investigate a political opponent, Trump could replace him. If Pentagon generals refused to carry out his orders, he could move down the chain of command until compliant officers were found.
I have worked in Melbourne's nightlife as a photographer for over six years. When you're tucked in bed, I'm on my way to work, and when you're up and traipsing to Sunday brunch, I'm a bleary-eyed mess heading home. In hundreds of weekends documenting the nightclub circuit, I've seen my share of bad pills, panic attacks and overdoses.

The story, while tragic, is not new. Every few months, a new and dangerous drug invades the nightclub scene with distressing effect. Media pundits and civilians alike go on to decry the disaster: what could we have done? Why did they take the drugs if they didn't know what was in them? Why take drugs at all?

Last weekend, a batch of ecstasy pills began circulating the Chapel Street nightclub district. These pills were laced with a combination of the drugs MDMA and GHB, and saw three dead with more than 20 hospitalised. Emergency departments flooded as unknown chemicals sent revellers into collapse.

The prohibition of pills, like those consumed last weekend, ensures that drug users never know what they're truly taking. There are no regulations in the criminal economy. These drugs are brewed in kitchen sinks, filled with cheap toxins, and then sold at prices vastly higher than the cost of production. It's a lucrative business with devastating results.

As nightlife workers, we have a duty of care to the people in our venue. We also know that if someone is going to take criminalised drugs, you won't be able to stop them. And given their illegality, it's often too deep into the negative side effects when we're told of what they've taken, because patrons are too scared to speak up, whether due to fear for their reputations or of legal reprisal. Of the 20 or so reports from last weekend, there's no telling how many more stories went untold.

Partygoers fear punishment from the law, believing their confession will see them shoved onto the street or sent to the police station. This leaves frightened revellers seeing no avenue for aid, trapped in throbbing crowds, concerned for their safety and their lives.

The creation of environments where patrons feel comfortable disclosing their use is key. A sensible approach floated by many is the idea of on-premises pill testing  or better, provision of self-testing kits. When revellers choose to take illicit drugs, these kits filter out bad batches by educating patrons on their contents, thus limiting the risk of hospitalisation  or worse. Many believe, however, that venues introducing testing kits might somehow encourage drug use.

Yet unsafe substances causing hazardous states creates a liability for venues. They want to avoid crisis for their customers and their friends. Drugs also reduce money spent at the bar on alcohol  a substance made less dangerous through legalisation and regulation  so the idea of kit testing endorsing the consumption of drugs runs contrary to their interests.
Sarah Mullins was sitting in science class when her ears pricked up. An opportunity to visit NASA Mission control was available, and she could not apply quickly enough to be part of the program.

Upon hearing of her successful application, Sarah, 16, said that she felt "really, really excited about the opportunity" especially with the fierce competition for places across the country. Some of her Queenwood classmates missed out.

Sarah Mullins, a student at Queenwood, went to NASA. Credit:Ben Rushton

Sarah, along with 24 girls from other NSW schools, has now returned from NASA, inspired to pursue her passion for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

The two-week trip in December to the Houston Association for Space and Science Education included VIP tours of the NASA Mission Control facilities and first-hand access to space technology workshops as well as meetings with several astronauts.
A group of Donald Trump supporters emblazoned their delight at his inauguration across the Sydney skyline on Saturday, paying a skywriting company to write the new President's name among the clouds.

The letters T-R-U-M-P appeared in the sky just as thousands of women took to the CBD streets to protest against the Trump presidency.

Pilot Rob Vance etched out the new President's name twice from 12.30pm. He said those who commissioned the stunt wished to remain anonymous as they feared a backlash.

"They were Trump supporters," Mr Vance, of Skywriting Australia, said. "I can tell you that.
Glenn King, head of the Premier's Implementation Unit Credit:www.nsw.ipaa.org.au "These Premier's priorities, when people reflect back I'm sure people will talk about the infrastructure. But my hope is they look back at these priorities and think well this is something we're going to continue because we know the good that they have achieved," he told Canberra's hard-bitten press gallery in late November. "My hope is the next governments, whenever they come, they do exactly the same thing." Blair Comley is NSW's top public servant Few noted at the time what appeared to be Baird paying particular attention to his legacy. This week's abrupt departure has left NSW government insiders with a burning question.

What now of the PIU? "All of this dies and fades away into bureaucracy unless the premier is personally invested in it" a member of Baird's inner circle confided this week. Clive Mathieson, former editor of The Australian and top adviser to Mike Baird. Credit:Mags King "If you lose focus at the top, you can forget about this. Ultimately it will be up to the new premier to see whether it continues." Baird singled out 12 target areas for the PIU  a dramatic sharpening of focus from the 321 targets he'd inherited after taking over as premier. Those dozen priority areas were in health (especially wait times in emergency departments), youth homelessness, faster housing approvals, job creation, infrastructure, domestic violence, childhood obesity, child protection (reducing the number of high risk children who went in and out of care), litter reduction, greater public sector diversity, improved government services, and education.

In each, there were clear targets set with specific deadlines. In education, for instance, he announced the government would trial a program in 153 schools to lift the proportion of NSW students in the top two NAPLAN bands by 8 per cent by 2019. Baird had pinched the PIU idea from former British prime minister Tony Blair who'd decided his first term had been "wasted" (to use Baird's words) and wanted to achieve more in his second. Blair brought in trusted education adviser, Michael Barber, to set up and run what became known as the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit. It was effective enough to inspire a number of other governments around the world to copy the idea, although Baird's been the only leader to pick it up in Australia. London-based Barber calls the approach "deliverology". The daily grind of government bogs leaders down, he told Fairfax Media. Better to choose a few key areas, set very specific targets ,and drive measurable progress there through small, high-powered, data-driven teams working across government.

For a do-er like Baird,a former investment banker, the idea was hugely attractive. "What gets measured gets done," Baird told the Press Club He had to invest his own time and energy. There would be monthly updates, and several times a year "deep dives"  such as the domestic violence meeting  to see whether the approach was making a difference. "To me that's power," he said. "If you can get these priorities right at a premier's desk, a cabinet table, all the way down to a school desk, well it's working." Insiders say some progress is being made. The PIU's fresh take on hospital data revealed that putting discharge doctors on at weekends would reduce the backlog of hospital beds facing emergency departments on Mondays and Tuesdays. And that many elderly patients in hospital were taking up beds much longer than they needed to because of laggardly decisions over guardianship issues. Social challenges are much tougher. "On domestic violence we are miles off track  it's a shocker", an insider admitted.
When Bernard Gore stepped out of his family's Woollahra apartment on January 6, he planned to walk to Bondi Junction to do a bit of shopping. But the 71-year-old never made it.

Mr Gore, also known by his nickname "Butch", was visiting from Tasmania when he left his family's apartment on Ocean Street at 12.30pm. An hour later, when he failed to meet a relative as planned, his family reported him missing. He has not been seen since.

Bernard Gore was last seen wearing a grey skivvy and red flannelette shirt on Ocean Street, Woollahra.

Superintendent Brad Hodder, from Rose Bay police, said concerns for Mr Gore's welfare were growing.

"We have investigated a number of sightings of Mr Gore but to no avail and would still appeal to people to contact police as soon as they think they have seen him," he said.
In his decades in the police force, Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Mark Henney has never been confronted with such a baffling case.

How could a quiet, single man, with little interaction beyond his family and his work as a McDonald's restaurant manager, meet with such a brutal death?

Darren Galea, in a photo alongside an orchid at his father's home, lived a quiet life and had few social connections. Credit:Geoff Jones

On January 16, 2014, 34-year-old Darren Galea left work about 4.30pm. He stopped at a flower shop to buy some orchid bulbs, his only hobby.

At home in his small South Wentworthville bungalow, he laid his uniform on the back of a chair.
More used to marching penguins, it was a different kind of movement that swept across one of the most remote places on the planet in recent hours.

The protests against Donald Trump's rise to the US presidency have reached faraway shores, with a Women's March held in Paradise Bay in Antarctica.

A group on an expedition ship to the frozen continent have joined millions around the world to stage their own protest march - with gentoo penguins out in force to support them.

Californian data analytics and market researcher Linda Zunas, 42, organised the march and told The Independent she was motivated by Mr Trump's approach to environmental policies.
Three people have died in a tragic day on Queensland roads.

Two people were killed in a horror two-car crash in Logan on Saturday afternoon, which happened on the Mount Lindesay Highway in South Maclean.

A car and motorbike collided on the Bruce Highway near Mackay, killing the 40-year-old male rider and forcing the closure of one lane. Credit:7 News Queensland

The head-on accident involving a hatchback and sedan took place just before 2pm near the intersection with Camp Cable Road.

Two female passengers in the sedan, 21-year-old and 52-year-old women from Sunnybank Hills, were declared dead at the scene.
The alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress for Uttar Pradesh assembly elections is almost over. The two parties reportedly could not agree to a seat-sharing arrangement.

By Kumar Vikrant Singh, Mausami Singh: Even before the formal announcement of an alliance between Congress and Samajwadi Party could be made, the two are heading towards a break up.

The Congress high command is said to be extremely unhappy with the way UP Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav is treating the grand old party.

Meanwhile, both parties have hinted that the alliance is almost over in Uttar Pradesh. Congress sources said that there would be no alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

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READ| Uttar Pradesh Grand Alliance: Sticking points between Samajwadi Party, Congress over sharing of seats

However, the UP Congress chief Raj Babbar denied that talks are over. "There are no hindrances in talks," Raj Babbar said when asked about SP-Congress alliance.

But, Congress' UP in-charge Gulam Nabi Azad was more realistic. "The status of alliance will be clear by tomorrow morning," Azad said.

On the other hand, SP leader Naresh Agarwal said the talks for an alliance with the Congress have broken down.

AKHILESH SHIFTING GOALPOST

According to Congress sources, Akhilesh had agreed to give 142 seats in Uttar Pradesh to the party. But, that was before the Election Commission ruled in his favour.

Akhilesh had even agreed on a written accord between SP and the Congress. But, after the Election Commission decided in his favour, Akhilesh Yadav scaled down the seat offer to 121 citing some internal political compulsions.

The Congress sources said that the party agreed to the curtailed share for giving a tough fight to the BJP in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

But, when Congress said yes to 121 seats, Akhilesh again lowered the benchmark to 100 seats.

WATCH:

Akhilesh purportedly told the Congress leaders that he had to 'adjust 38 candidates of Mulayam Singh Yadav'. Akhilesh also argued that since RLD was now out of the equation, Congress should be content with 100 seats in the state.

This could be the reason for parting ways for the two parties.

Poll strategist Prashant Kishor has briefed the Congress high command about his talks with the SP president.

READ| How Akhilesh Yadav may retain power in UP riding the Samajwadi cycle

CONGRESS WORKING ON PLAN-B

Reacting to Akhilesh Yadav's floating condition for the pre-poll alliance, Congress has given an ultimatum to the Samajwadi Party to give it 110 seats failing which there would be no coalition in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress sources said that the party was working on Plan-B and it has already cleared almost 140 candidates for the UP assembly polls.

Congress general secretary Gulam Nabi Azad today held a meeting of the screening committee, which was attended by Ashok Gehlot, Sushmita Devi, Deepak Babaria and UP Congress president Raj Babbar at the Congress war-room in New Delhi.

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The meeting of the screening committee came amid hectic parleys between Congress UP in-charge Gulam Nabi Azad and Akhilesh Yadav. This makes it clear that the Congress wants to have a plan-B if the two parties don't arrive at an agreeable seat sharing arrangement.

READ| Uttar Pradesh election: Shivpal Yadav figures in Samajwadi Party's list of 191 candidates

STILL SOME HOPE FOR TIE-UP

On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party released its second list reportedly out of frustration arising out of stalemate in the talks for an alliance with the Congress.

Both the SP and Congress understand that it is an uphill task for the grand old party to field its candidates on all 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, there are whispers in the Congress circle that Congress president Sonia Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has taken the reins in her hand in deciding the issue of alliance with the Samajwadi Party.

It is understood that the two critical issues are in the way of forming an alliance- one is the number of seats and the second is who will filed candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli. Congress wants its own candidates.

--- ENDS ---

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In the State Library of Queensland is a room only a handful of library staff have access to.

It is called the Rare and Restricted Room and it houses some of the State Library's most valuable publications, including an 1848 edition of John Gould's Birds of Australia.

Queensland literature co-ordinator for the State Library, Joan Bruce, with some formerly banned books. Credit:Robert Shakespeare

On a shelf somewhere within that room is the library's smallest "collection"  a group of just 11 books, all of which are banned from public access.

"We've reduced the collection to books that are actually illegal to provide to members of the public," said Joan Bruce, Queensland literature co-ordinator at the State Library of Queensland.
The bushfires at Coolum have again been deemed a threat, with police declaring an emergent situation at 2pm on Saturday.

The boundaries of the declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act encompass Yandina-Coolum Road at the intersections with Quanda Road and Arcoona Road, to Doona Bridge Road, Verrierdale Road, Dean Road, Eumundi Noosa Road and Emu Mountain Road to the Sunshine Motorway.

EARLIER

Coolum residents have remained on edge overnight after emergency services revoked an emergency situation on Friday night before reinstating it in the early hours of Saturday then revoking it again on Saturday morning.
"It's devastated not just her own classmates but all the girls that knew her in the school, the entire school body and the entire Jewish community.

"It really has hit very hard."

The Australian Jewish News named the victim of the ramming attack on Saturday night. The Age understands it was the family's wish not to run a picture of Thalia until Sabbath had ended. That period has now passed.

A leader in Melbourne's Jewish community said: "The community is in shock and devastated by this loss. We are praying for the little girl's mother and sister and for the other victims."

A crowdfunding page has been set up by Avi Yemini aiming to raise money for the family.
Victoria's controversial bail laws could be set for a shake-up in the wake of Friday's Bourke Street attack.

With the death toll expected to rise, it is understood Premier Daniel Andrews has convened a special cabinet sub-committee meeting on Sunday to discuss the tragedy.

The meeting is expected to discuss why the driver was freed on bail, against the wishes of police, the week before he embarked on his rampage.

"Victorians are angry today  and I'm angry too," said Mr Andrews. "We want answers, and all of us can be confident that our government will honour the memory of those who died here with whatever change, with whatever resources, with whatever reform is required."
11.30am

Police follow the car along tram tracks in Clarendon Street, near City Road, in South Melbourne, according to News Corp Australia. A witness, Chris Kaias, told News Corp: "He was going fast, quite fast. Everybody turned to watch this car fly down the tram tracks". Police then attempt to arrest him at a South Wharf intersection, but he escapes.

11.45am

The car is spotted weaving through traffic on Williamstown Road in Yarraville, and according to reports police pulled back from trying to intercept the driver in Yarraville due to safety concerns.

According to other media reports, Mr Gargasoulas was sitting in the car in the western suburbs when a passerby comes up to him and asks if he's okay. He is alleged to have replied: "Armageddon is coming, the end of the world is going to come today. Watch the news."



(Unknown Time)

The woman he's allegedly holding hostage escapes from the car near the Bolte Bridge.



Before 1.30pm

Police call off the pursuit as the car enters the CBD, fearing it's too dangerous to ram the vehicle.
Labor Leader Mark McGowan has "counselled" his Environment spokesman Chris Tallentire after he broke party policy.

On Thursday Mr Tallentire told the media that the Labor Party would look at removing the Environment Minister's ability to personally approve projects and instead hand over responsibility to an independent umpire.

The stygofauna at Yeelirrie is unique to the area, due to its isolated evolution. Credit:Australian Geographic

He was speaking days after Environment Minister Albert Jacob approved a Goldfields uranium mine after the Environmental Protection Authority had knocked back the scheme.

But on Friday Mark McGowan stepped into the controversy and told Chris Tallentire he had spoken out of turn and had broken party policy.
He's America's new first boy. Barron Trump didn't have to take an oath, or deliver national address, but the youngest son of President Donald Trump attracted plenty of air time during the inauguration day coverage on Saturday (AEST).

As his father was sworn into office, young Barron couldn't hold it in. He yawned, the way most schoolkids do when asked to stand on ceremony. Most children would get away with it. Not 'Little Donald'. A tight shot of his mouth was beamed (and tweeted) across the globe.

It's a sign of things to come for the 10-year-old who joins an exclusive club of 'first children', the young offspring of Presidents who reside in the White House with their parents.
One of the most prominent American white nationalists was punched in the face during a live TV interview with the ABC on Friday, shortly after Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC.

Richard Spencer gained an international profile when he led an alt-right conference in calls of "Hail Trump, hail victory" while members of the crowd made Nazi salutes, in footage that made waves in November.

The Southern Poverty Law Centre, which monitors hate groups in the US, has referred to Mr Spencer as "a suit-and-tie version of the white supremacists of old".
A mysterious Skittles spill on a rural highway in the United States is taking another twist, with Mars Inc saying it doesn't know why the discarded candy might have been headed to become cattle feed.

The case began when a Wisconsin sheriff posted on Facebook this week that "hundreds of thousands of Skittles" had been found spilled on a highway. Later, he updated the post to say the sweets had fallen off a truck on its way to be cattle feed.

Only red Skittles had spilled out, and Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt joked in the post that it would be difficult to "Taste the Rainbow" in its entirety. The incident gained attention after CNN wrote about it, citing a report from a local affiliate.
Washington: Donald Trump's ascent to the White House has been met with a tidal wave of peaceful protest across the country, with hundreds of thousands flooding Washington, DC, and huge crowds in other cities across the United States and the world expressing anger, disgust and defiance at the new President and demanding equal rights for all.

The Women's March on Washington, DC, the largest march to take place on Saturday, inundated the national capital, with huge crowds spilling from the designated rally area to the south of the Capitol, sprawling across the National Mall and into surrounding streets, and jamming the underground Metro service. News network MSNBC estimated half a million people were at the Washington march by 1pm, though organisers later put the figure around 1 million people. No official city figures for the march were made available.

Soon after lunchtime, the protest moved from the National Mall and surrounding area and began to march through the city, bringing large parts of the downtown area to a standstill with the crowd stretching for about 1.6 kilometres, according to Reuters.

Women and men, young and old, marched with placards hoisted above their heads bearing slogans like "My body my choice", "No Muslim registry", "Small hands off our public schools", "Make America think again", "We shall overcomb" and "If my kid can't get away with saying things like that, neither should you".
The Lt. Governor Anil Baijal congratulated the young brave hearts of India for their courageous acts and felt that more such role models are needed in our society.

By Kapil Sharma: Delhi's Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal felicitated children who have been conferred the National Bravery Award 2016 at a function held at the Raj Niwas. 4 girls out of the 25 winners have been given the award posthumously. Of the 25 children, 12 are girls and 13 are boys.

The Lt. Governor congratulated the young brave hearts of India for their courageous acts and felt that more such role models are needed in our society. He also exhorted the selected children to encourage others to follow their example.He blessed the brave children and wished them all success for a bright future. He noted that these children demonstrated true selfless service which inspires us all.

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He paid a special tribute to those children who dedicated their young lives while saving others and prayed that courage be bestowed on their families to bear the irreparable loss.

The National Bravery Awards give recognition to the children who distinguish themselves by performing outstanding deeds of bravery and meritorious service.

HERE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NATIONAL BRAVERY AWARDS 2016: The Bharat Award was conferred posthumously to Late Km. Tarh Peeju of Arunanchal Pradesh who displayed heroic courage and sacrificed her life while saving two of her friends when they were being swept away by the strong undercurrent. The Geeta Chopra Award was conferred on Km. Tejasweeta Pradhan and Km. Shivani Gond of West Bengal jointly who helped the police and an organisation in uncovering an international sex racket leading to the arrest of the mastermind. The Sanjay Chopra Award was given to Master Sumit Mamagain of Uttarakhand who displayed outstanding bravery in saving his cousin when a leopard attacked him. Late Km. Roluahpuii of Mizoram was given the Bapu Gaidhani Award posthumously for her timely and valorous act in saving two of her schoolmates when they were drowning in 18 feet deep river. Master Tushar Verma of Chhattisgarh was presented Bapu Gaidhani Award for exhibiting dauntless valour and sense of duty for dousing fire when a neighbours house caught fire, Tushar Verma tried to douse the flames, risking his own life, three cows and two bulls were rescued with his effort. Late Km. H. Lalhriatpuii of Mizoram was given Bapu Gaidhani Award posthumously. Other recipients of the award are- Km. Neelam Dhruv of Chattisgarh, Master Sonu Mali of Rajasthan, Master Mohan Shetty of Odisha, Km. Siya Vamansa Khode of Karnataka, Master Thanghilmang Lunkim of Nagaland, Master Praful Sharma of Himachal Pradesh, Master Tankeswar Pegu of Assam, Master Moirangthem Sadananda Singh of Manipur, Master Adithyan M.P. Pillai of Kerala, Km. Anshika Pandey of Uttarpradesh, Master Binil Manjaly of Kerala, Km. Akshita Sharma and Master Akshit Sharma of New Delhi jointly, Master Akhil K. Shibu of Kerala, Master Naman of New Delhi, Km. Nisha Dilip Patil of Maharashtra, Km. Badarunnisa K.P. of Kerala, Late Km. Payal Devi of Jammu and Kashmir.

Also read: Delhi Govt felicitates National bravery awards winners

Also read: Baijal felicitates bravery award winners

--- ENDS ---
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, January 19th the Town Hall meeting organized by the Community Police Officer Felix Richards was held at the Milton Peters College. Many invited residents of these neighborhoods for unknown reasons did not show up for the meeting. The residents that attended this meeting were given a detailed explanation of the present situation on crime in the areas and tips given on how to jointly prevent and combat crime and criminal activities. A Whatsapp Chat group was also set up for these residents. Also present during this meeting were the Prime Minister the honorable William Marlin and the Minister of VROMI the honorable Christopher Emmanuel. The meeting was very informative and another meeting will be scheduled in the near future.

KPSM Press Release
Oveedia renews partnership with Leonardo Worldwide

LAS VEGAS, NV  (Marketwired)  01/20/17  (OTC PINK: PNOW), parent Company of the Central American-Caribbean Online Travel Agency (OTA) , announced today that the Company has renewed their partnership with , the travel industrys most trusted and extensive visual media syndication network in the world.

This news, while not surprising to us, demonstrates our continued commitment to maintain an operational booking platform, while we prepare for the ultimate launch of Oveedias next iteration, meant to focus solely on the Central American-Caribbean region of the world, stated Melvin Pereira, President and CEO of Pure Hospitality Solutions, Inc. With an extensive client list, including TripAdvisor and Travelocity to name a few, Leonardos database of over 1.5 million visual media files makes the company the most trusted provider of media content to the tourism industry. The relationship with Leonardo is not cheap, and considering we deliberately do not focus marketing dollars in the U.S., the relationship is not yet profitable. However, being aligned with such a company remains crucial to ensure an overall success within the OTA marketplace.

Management suggests, while impressive that a small company like Oveedia can afford to work with an industry leader like Leonardo, they are only one piece of the puzzle, continued Pereira.

We also continue to be well-aligned with industry-leader , which adds more than 125,000 hotels, 400 airlines, 16 cruise lines and 25 car rental agencies to our platform. For clarity, at this moment, although we have the ability to book all of these services with just a flick of the switch, we remain focused primarily on hotels. Whereby, even when we release the next iteration, nearly all of our focus will be on .

Pereira concluded, The bottom line is, 2017 is lining-up to be a very good year for Pure Hospitality Solutions. Whether its by continuing and expanding our partnerships with current vendors, such as Sabre and Leonardo, or, by beginning new partnerships with some very special companies, we are extremely excited for what this year has to offer for our shareholders!

For more information about Oveedia, please visit .

PURE provides proprietary technology, marketing solutions and branding services to hotel operators and condominium owners. The Companys vision is to build competitive operations in the areas of (i) online marketing and hotel internet booking engine services, (ii) hotel branding and, (iii) own, operate and in some instances develop, boutique hotels under the new, by PURE brand. PURE is the creator of , the online travel hub.

Safe Harbor Statements in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements about plans and expectations regarding products and opportunities, demand and acceptance of new or existing products, capital resources and future financial results are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the Companys actual results in future periods to differ materially from those expressed. These uncertainties and risks include changing consumer preferences, lack of success of new products, loss of the Companys customers, competition and other factors discussed from time to time in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
New Year, Second Chance: 5miles Debuts Give Things a Second Chance Ad Campaign, Contest

DALLAS, TX  (Marketwired)  01/20/17 

, one of the leading mobile marketplaces in the U.S., is starting the new year with a brand-new digital ad campaign about giving unused items a second chance. The series of live-action and animated takes viewers through different scenarios of used or neglected items, both large and small, that buyers repurpose in new and creative ways.

A spin on the old adage, One mans trash is another mans treasure, the campaign entitled, Give Things a Second Chance, will debut first in Dallas-Fort Worth. Kicking it off is a social media contest inviting North Texans to share photos of their own DIY projects with 5miles on (#secondchancecontest).

Our marketplace is full of crafty projects, where people have taken old, unused items and transformed them into something new and beautiful, Ruben Avendano, 5miles Marketing Manager, said. This is a chance for 5miles users to showcase their creativity and, in turn, for us to recognize them as well as spotlight cool items they may have listed for sale on 5miles.

For the Second Chance transformation contest, which will accept submissions through Feb. 26, entrants must post original materials on social media platforms in accordance to 5miles rules: . At the contests conclusion, 5miles will select one winner to receive a grand prize of $300 that can be spent on the marketplace. No purchase is necessary to enter the contest.

One of the most-downloaded shopping apps for Android and iOS devices, 5miles has grown into a community of 10 million users all across the U.S. The app is the first of its kind to offer a full-category, hyper-local marketplace experience, offering easy access to secondhand goods as well as services, housing, and jobs: real listings from real people in real time  all within five miles.

For more information about 5miles, visit . For contest rules and other details, visit .

5miles is a free, hyper-local mobile marketplace, one of the fastest-growing shopping apps in the United States. It is the first app of its kind to include local deals and events, and services, housing and jobs, in addition to listings for original and second-hand items. Launched in 2015, the app has set itself apart with an easy-to-use mobile interface, identity verification capability (for added safety and security), and a truly local curation of offerings. In two years of operation, 5miles has enabled users to buy and sell $4+ billion in goods and services. Ranked a top 10 shopping app for Android users, 5miles also has a growing iOS adoption rate. Learn more at .

App Store:

Google Play:

Media Contact:

Mark Brinkerhoff

Phone: (817) 681-5739

Email:
By Kumar Kunal: The demonetisation exercise announced by the Central government on November 8 last year may leave the Delhi government high and dry just ahead of the budget season. Data exclusively procured by India Today reveals that Delhi's already poor revenue collection nosedived during the month of December, compared to the last fiscal year.The demonetisation exercise announced by the Central government on November 8 last year may leave the Delhi government high and dry just ahead of the budget season. Data exclusively procured by India Today reveals that Delhi's already poor revenue collection nosedived during the month of December, compared to the last fiscal year.

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The overall reduction in revenue collection during December 2016 in comparison to December 2015 was almost 16 per cent.

Furthermore, there are no signs that the situation will improve in the coming months of current 2016-17 fiscal year. The budget speech made by Delhi's deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, revenue target of `36,525 crore was set for the different revenue-generating departments.

Even before the demonetisation exercise started, it was clear that the departments were going to miss the set target by a fair amount.

But, the low revenue generation for the month of December was particularly a shocker, sending the entire government into a huddle.

Also read | Modi trying to cripple Delhi government: AAP

Just a few days ago, top Delhi government officials met to discuss the government's fiscal health. A decision was taken to revise the revenue target for the second time this fiscal year, this time by over `3,5000 crore.

The previous target, revised in the month of November, was `32,950 crore against the target of `36,525 crore set in Manish Sisodia's budget speech. If December 2015 is any trend, it could be difficult for the government to even match the `30,225 crore that was earned last year, as until December 2016, the revenue generated is only `22,460 crore.

Shocking figures

The biggest loss was seen in the collection of stamps and registration fees, which include land revenue as well. Under this head, the revenue target was `4,000 crore for the entire financial year, but only `2,497 crore was earned until December 2016.

Last month, only `252.58 crore revenue came in the coffers of the Delhi government. Compared to December 2015, when `480.45 crore in revenue was generated, December 2016 saw a loss of 47.43 per cent.

What is really making the government tense is the drop in the Value Added Tax (VAT) collection. The VAT is the biggest source of revenue for the Delhi government.Also read | Kejriwal accuses Jung of spying on Delhi government on behalf of PMO

This year, government set an ambitious target of `24,500 Crore, but, with only three months of the financial year remaining, has collected only `15,100 crore in VAT. In the month of December, only `1543 crore has come to government, while during the same month, last financial year, the VAT revenue was `1,745 crore. The loss, in the months after demonetisation was announced, was almost `200 crore, that is 11.54 per cent. Other sources of revenue like the excise tax and taxes on vehicle registrations also saw a drop in December 2016, though marginally.

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The excise and vehicle registration taxes both saw a 1 per cent drop compared to the December of 2015. As the Delhi government is going to start the preparation for the budget of next year, this kind of trend is quite disturbing.

Also read | Delhi government gets cracking on cleaning, beautifying pond

--- ENDS ---
Mex Express Grill blends authenticity, value and speed

Mex Express Grill recently opened in the spot that was occupied by a long-time neighborhood tavern in South Bend.
JORDAN  Amy Valentine's eyes widened as she addressed the assembly of 3-year-olds before her at prekindergarten class at Jordan-Elbridge Middle School Thursday morning.

"Hello, boys and girls," Valentine said. "You all did a fantastic job of putting your things away!"

A couple minutes later, Valentine explained to the children that she was going to put her fist against her hip while saying "Hip, hip!" and then raise her hand when she said "Hooray!" She demonstrated, and the group did the same.

The Jordan-Elbridge Central School District and the Auburn Enlarged City School District were two of 25 districts that were announced in November as recipients of a total of $10.4 million from the state in an effort to extend pre-K services to 3-year-old children.

District Superintendent James Froio said the grant award given by the state was $7,000 per child, and is paid for by student enrollment. The state gave the district $510,912, based on the program's 72-student maximum. It will continue to receive the grant on an annual basis indefinitely.

Jordan-Elbridge's program started Jan. 17, while Auburn's kicked off Monday. Jordan-Elbridge Middle School Principal David Shafer said the district hurried to modify a part of the school for it.

"We literally had eight weeks to do this, and we used all our own people to do it," Schafer said.

Froio said the wing the program is run in  which includes several lockers adorned with children's book titles like "Where the Wild Things Are" on them, plus other facilities  was originally built in 1928. There are two classrooms with one teacher and an aide each, plus a roaming aide.

Froio said the program has several benefits for the 32 children attending, including lessons regarding socialization, teamwork, knowing things are fun and other fundamental elements of the human experience that they will use for the rest of their lives.

"It's such a great opportunity to socialize in an awesome environment with fantastic people," Froio said.

Froio said he noticed massive differences in how Jordan-Elbridge's newest students behaved on the first day of the program and how they acted on the following day, saying that they already began assembling in lines and forming in circles on the carpet in the classroom when they hadn't previously.

Froio praised the patience and skill of Valentine and the other certified instructor, Abby Hartwell, admiring their appreciation for what they do.

"They love it, they just love it, and they are super excited to be there," Froio said.

Auburn's Director of Early Learning Kelly Garback said six agencies, including the YMCA and the E. John Gavras Center, will be hosting the programs for 3-year-olds. The district was given $820,384 for the program, according to the state's website.

The program is open for 125 children, and the only agency that is still taking children is the Gavras center.

"The response of the enrollment from the community and families has been phenomenal," Garback said. "It just shows the significant need we have in our community for programs like this."
In Sydney, Australia's biggest city, about 3,000 people - men and women gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the US consulate downtown, while organisers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne.

"Feminism is my Trump card" and "Fight like a girl," were among the placards held aloft by the protesters in Sydney.

"We're not marching as an anti-Trump movement per se, we're marching to protest the hate speech, the hateful rhetoric, the misogyny, the bigotry, the xenophobia and we want to present a united voice with women around the globe," said an organiser Mindy Freiband.

Many of the protesters in Sydney and Melbourne wore pink hats, that activists referred to as their "pussyhats".

The emergence of a 2005 tape in which Trump spoke of women in a demeaning way sparked widespread outrage and was one of the low points of his election campaign. In the tape he was heard saying: "Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything."

In New Zealand, there were marches in four cities, involving around 2,000 people.

Elsewhere in Asia, hundreds of people joined protests in Tokyo, including many American expatriates.

"Trump presidency gets my blood boiling. Everything we value could be gone. It's time to speak your mind and concerns and to do our best to salvage the values we cherish in America," said Bill Scholer, an art teacher.

And in Manila on Friday about 200 demonstrators from a Philippine nationalist group rallied for about an hour against Trump outside the US embassy in Manila.

Some held up signs demanding U.S. troops leave the Philippines while others set fire to a paper US flag bearing a picture of Trump's face.

Worldwide some 673 "sister marches" are planned for Saturday, in addition to a protest in Washington DC, according to the organisers' website which says more than two million marchers are expected.

In Washington DC, at Trump's inauguration back-clad activists, who were not related to the womens' marches, threw rocks and bottles at police in Washington as Trump was sworn in as President.

Although protests in the United States are common at inaugurations, in living memory only the inauguration of Richard Nixon in 1968 - as the United States fought an unpopular war in Vietnam - has drawn such a strong reaction worldwide.

In Sydney, many were worried about that Trump's politics and his attitude towards women and minorities could spread.
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Paris (France), January 21, 2017 (SPS) - Western Sahara people's legitimate representative Frente POLISARIO has filed a complaint with the Regional Customs Department of Rouen, France, against the shipping of marine oil imported illegally from Western Sahara.

In the complaint, the POLISARIO's solicitor, lawyer Gilles Devers, told the head of the French Customs that the case seriously undermines law and order, as there is a violation of Saharawi people's right to benefit of their own natural resources combined with the denial of the principles set by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)'s ruling of 21 December 2016.

The lawyer said that considering the strategic issues underway and the public impact of the CJEU's decision, it is difficult to believe that the other economic operators were unaware of the applicable law," calling for investigations with those behind Key Bay tankers' shipping.

The Key Bay was shipping, a few days ago, a cargo of marine oil from El Aaiun, the occupied capital of Western Sahara.

The Court of Justice of the European Union, in its decision of 21 December 2016, banned importation of products relating to illegal exploitation of Western Sahara's natural resources.

Devers recalled that Western Sahara people have been struggling, since 1975, against illegal Moroccan occupation.

He stressed that the Saharawi people are living under Moroccan economic discrimination and are subject to serious violations of their basic rights.

Europe Ecology delegation at the European Parliament, for its part, has requested from the French Customs to examine relevant import documents to declare the cargo shipped from El Aaiun is illegally imported.SPS

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After starting a fire at an anti-Trump protest in Washington DC, a young boy went on camera to say "screw our president,".

By India Today Web Desk: Donald Trump is now the brand-new president of the United States. But even a day before his swearing, thousands of Americans took to the streets in New York, Washington DC, and other cities on Thursday night to protest against him taking over the Oval Office.

Amid such a rebelling crowd in Washington, a young boy made quite an image for himself.

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Upon being questioned by channel Fox News about a fire that had been put out during the protest near him, young Conner made a confession on camera that made him famous in minutes.

Also read: Indian Americans celebrate as Trump becomes President "My name's Conner and I actually kinda started this fire," said the boy. When the reporter asked why he did so, this is what he had to say.

"Because I felt like it... I'm just saying, screw our president."

Now, now, Conner, we understand your sentiments, but where are your manners!

Also read: Did US President Trump copy his inauguration speech from not 1 BUT 3 films!?

Watch the video of Conner's cheeky interview here.

--- ENDS ---
STAMFORD  A Florida man has been accused of stealing nearly $34,000 from city residents by taking their new debit cards from their mailboxes, police said.

Evens Rosemond, 37, of Miami, faces numerous charges for his role in a criminal group believed to operate out of the Dominican Republic, authorities said.

Investigator Michael Stempien, of the Stamford Police Department, said in the arrest affidavit the leader of the ring calls Bank of America using valid customers accounts and requests new debit cards and PINs be sent to those customers home addresses in the U.S.

Other members of the organization, which police said include Rosemond, then intercept the packages.

Although Bank of America mails the new card and PIN in separate envelopes, both are mailed at the same time, allowing the suspects to steal both straight out of the customers mailboxes, Stempien wrote.

Once the suspects have the new card, they cash as much money as they can, police said.

Stamford police joined the ongoing Bank of America investigation last March, after seven Stamford residents had their cards stolen. A combined $33,700 were stolen from those victims, according to the affidavit.

Although Stamford police had images of a suspect withdrawing money from those cards that same week, they didnt identify the man until Wilton police caught a driver stealing envelopes from a mailbox in their town two months later, authorities said.

Stempien said that mans mugshot was consistent with the ATM photos Stamford police had of their suspect. The man, later identified as Rosemond, admitted to Wilton police he removed several credit cards from mailboxes in Stamford, according to the affidavit.

Police charged Rosemond with 57 counts of illegal use of credit card, seven counts of credit card theft, five counts each of second-degree identity theft and third-degree larceny, two counts of third-degree identity theft, and one count each of second- and fourth-degree larceny and first-degree identity theft.

Hes being held on $50,000 bond.

noliveira@stamfordadvocate.com
Within hours of moving in to the White House, US President Donald Trump reinstalled a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and introduced some other changes.

President Donald Trump signs his first executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Photo: AP)

By Press Trust of India: US President Donald Trump has given a makeover to the Oval Office within hours of moving in to the White House as he reinstalled a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and introduced some other changes.

The bust was removed to outside the Treaty Room in the private residence of the White House from the Oval Office in 2009 under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama's presidency. The move had sparked conservative ire early in Obama's administration.

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Trump, however, has retained the bust of Martin Luther King Jr, brought to the Oval Office by Obama.

This was one of the most notable changes as a group of White House pool reporters entered the Oval Office for Trump to make his first few signatures on documents and an executive order.

ALSO READ | Trump era begins now: World will closely watch how he handles these five issues

New White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tweeted a picture of the bust of Martin Luther King Jr after some media reports and a White House pool report incorrectly mentioned that it has been removed. The report was quickly corrected.

"(This is) a reminder of the media danger of tweet first check facts later," Spicer tweeted.

Inside the Oval Office, Trump is also using the famous Resolute desk, an 1,880 gift from Queen Victoria and first used in the Oval by John F Kennedy. It is now being used by its seventh President.

ALSO READ | From eradicating Islamic terrorism to making America great again: 10 quotes from US President Donald Trump's speech

According to a White House pool report, the drapes in the Oval Office have been replaced. This morning they were crimson. Now they are gold.

Additionally, a bust of Teddy Roosevelt is in one of the bookshelves. Some of the artwork have also been swapped.

According to a CNN report, some paintings have also been replaced by Trump, including two by the door by Edward Hopper.

Trump has held onto "The Avenue in the Rain," by the American impressionist Childe Hassam, from Obama's Oval Office, and the back wall still hangs a painting of George Washington above the fireplace.

ALSO READ | Buy American, hire American, make America great again, says US President Donald Trump

The Swedish Ivy on the mantlepiece is also retained, the news channel said.

Notably, there was a lot of flake for Obama when he replaced bust of Churchill with that of Martin Luther King Jr.

"There are only so many tables where you can put busts - otherwise it starts looking a little cluttered," Obama had said at London news conference last April.

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"And I thought it was appropriate, and I suspect most people here in the United Kingdom might agree, that as the first African American President, it might be appropriate to have a bust of Dr Martin Luther King in my office to remind me of all the hard work of a lot of people who would somehow allow me to have the privilege of holding this office," he had said then.

ALSO READ | Meet the new US First Family

--- ENDS ---
F ive police officers were injured as rioting broke out when police shut down an illegal rave in south-east London.

Gangs of revellers wreaked havoc as police officers were targeted while trying to shut down the illegal music event inside a disused bank in Deptford on Friday night.

Police said officers were punched in the head, spat at and burnt with cigarettes when a large crowd rushed forward and attacked them in Deptford High Street.

Scotland Yard said police were called to reports of revellers trying to enter the disused bank at about 10.30pm to set up the illegal rave.

Riot: Police at the scene in Deptford

The event was shut down but rioting broke out around three hours later when a mob of people hoping to get into the rave attacked police at the scene.

Two men and a woman were arrested as police fought to bring the mob under control.

Police officers from the Lewisham borough posted about their ordeal on Twitter just hours after they were attacked.

Yet again, @MPSLewisham officers have been attacked for doing their jobs. At least five officers have been assaulted tonight in Deptford, officers said.

Officers were attempting to prevent an illegal rave in Deptford High Street when a large crowd rushed and assaulted officers.

No-one was badly injured. The assaults range from being punched in the head, spat at in the face and cigarettes in the face.

They later added: No-one should expect to come home from work having been spat at, punched or abused.

Images emerged on social media of a swarm of emergency services vehicles at the scene in the early hours of the morning.

Maxwell Valentino shared a picture of police vehicles lining the street shortly before 2am.

Rowan Fox tweeted: There appear to be riot police and dogs on Deptford High Street. Anyone know whats going on?

The three people who were arrested in connection with the incident remained in custody at a south London police station, police said on Saturday morning.

A Met Police spokesman said: Police were called at around 10.30pm on Friday, January 20, to Deptford High Street to reports of a number of people entering a disused bank.

Officers attended the location and established that an unlicensed music event was due to take place. Steps were taken to prevent this from going ahead.

At around 1.30am on Saturday, January 21, there was an outbreak of disorder, and a number of people became violent towards police.

Five officers sustained injuries, none of whom required hospital treatment.

Two males and a female were arrested in connection with the incident. They have been taken to a south London police station where they remain in custody.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
A self-proclaimed devil-worshipper who locked a teenager in his flat and raped her in a prolonged and harrowing attack has been jailed for nine years.

Pedro Evangelou, from Islington, took the 19-year-old back to his flat after meeting her in a nightclub in Angel.

He then raped and sexually assaulted her - keeping her locked in his home until she managed to escape by calling for help through a window.

Evangelou, 42, had gone to the Slimelight nightclub on June 4 on his Harley Davidson motorbike and told police he had taken an extra helmet in case he met someone.

In the early hours of the following morning, Evangelou  who describes himself as a Luciferian  drove the victim back to his flat on Pembroke Street, which has a room devoted to Satan.

Nightclub: Evangelou met his victim at Slimelight club on Torrens Street, Islington / Google maps

To prevent his terrified victim from escaping Evangelou put a plank of wood across a door to lock it.

After the horrific assault the woman found a window and mouthed help, phone police to a passing member of the public. She then managed to escape and ran out onto the street where police and bystanders helped her.

Evangelou was arrested at the scene.

He claimed throughout his interview, and the trial, that the sexual activity was consensual but he was found guilty of rape and sexual assault in November.

He was sentenced on Friday, 20 January to nine years for rape and one year in prison for sexual assault. The sentences will run concurrently.

Detective Constable Stuart Douglas said: "The victim in this case was subjected to a prolonged and harrowing sexual assault.

Her distress was obvious to those members of the public who saw her. I am grateful for the assistance of those members of the public and, most importantly, the victim."

Detective Inspector Neil Rawlinson, added: I would encourage anyone who has been assaulted by Evangelou or anyone else to contact the police in the knowledge that they will be listened to and not judged."

The jury was unable to reach a verdict on further charges of rape and sexual assault and these two counts will lie on file.
A 16-year-old girl who went missing after telling her mother she had been robbed on a day trip to London has been found, police said.

Schoolgirl Morgan Williams, who turned 16 in December, was missing for 11 days after she was last seen when she spent the day in Elephant and Castle with her friends on January 9.

Her mother Tania Findlay, 34, said Morgan had called her to ask for a lift home from the train station in High Wycombe, where she was due to arrive that evening.

But her daughter did not turn up, and was not heard from again for 24 hours - at which point she sent her mother a message saying she had been robbed in Camberwell and was staying with a friend.

Morgan Williams (left) with her mother Tania Findlay / Handout

The teenager, who is studying for her GCSEs, was then spotted on CCTV outside the Birthdays bar in Dalston at about 8.45pm two days later.

Her family and police carried out a desperate 11-day search until Morgan was located on Thursday, January 19.

Her mother, a project manager, told the Standard her daughter was found by police in Croydon and that she was now safe and well at home.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: A teenage girl who was missing from High Wycombe has been found safe.

Morgan Williams, aged 16, who was missing since Monday January 9 has been.

We would like to thank the public and the media for sharing the appeal to help to locate her."
A university student stabbed to death near Wembley Stadium has been named by police.

Djodjo Nsaka, 19, a business studies student from Streatham, was attacked in the early hours of Friday morning.

A post mortem has found that Mr Nsaka, who studied at Middlesex University, died from a single stab wound to the chest, Scotland Yard said.

He is believed to be the first teenager murdered on the streets of London this year.

Police were called to Fulton Road at around 1.15am on Friday following reports that a man had been assaulted.

Officers and London Ambulance Service fought to save Mr Nsaka but he died at the scene shortly afterwards.

An inquest into his death was yet to be set. A 20-year-old man was also treated for minor injuries.

The road, which is a few hundred yards from the stadium, was closed while forensic officers scoured the scene.

Scotland Yard said that a man in his 20s, who had been arrested on suspicion of murder, has been released with no further action.

Detectives from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command are leading the investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
M urder police are investigating after a man was stabbed to death at a home in a quiet residential street in south London.

Police were called to reports of a disturbance in Drakefield Road in Tooting  where properties are valued at more than 1million  shortly after 3am on Saturday.

Officers found a man suffering from stab injuries inside the property near Tooting Bec tube station.

Police performed first aid on the man, believed to be in 20s, before paramedics arrived and rushed him hospital.

He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A Met Police spokesman said: Enquiries continue to establish the man's identity.

Next of kin are yet to be informed.

A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

A 17-year-old girl was also taken to hospital suffering stab injuries to her hands.

Her condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

A second man, aged 29 years, was also taken to hospital suffering from stab injuries.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He has since been discharged from hospital and remains in custody at a south London police station.

The three people are believed to be known to each other.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4868 or via 101. They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
F reezing fog could hit London as the cold weather continues into next week, the Met Office has warned.

West and north London are most likely to be affected by adverse conditions, with the fog struggling to clear during the day in cold areas.

It could create potentially hazardous driving conditions during rush-hour on Monday and Tuesday morning.

Mark Wilson, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "There's going to be one or two fog patches tonight but it's tomorrow night that we are looking at quite a high risk of some really dense fog patches."

More freezing fog could also set in on Tuesday morning.

London Fog: 29 December 2016 1 /16 London Fog: 29 December 2016 River: A person walks their bike by the River Lea in London after a night of freezing fog and sub-zero temperatures across the southern parts of UK David Mirzoeff/PA Bright: A dog walker crosses Blackheath in south east London Dominic Lipinski/PA Steamy: Fog and mist rising around Hampton Pool this morning @HamptonPool Vivid: London fog across the rooftops @konradc12 Fetch: Two people throw a ball for a dog near the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park, south east London, after a night of freezing fog and sub-zero temperatures across the southern parts of UK Dominic Lipinski/PA Sunrise: A man walks his dog through fog as the sun rises over Clapham Common Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Golden: A man walks across Blackheath in south east London. Dominic Lipinski/PA Icy: A cyclist rides across a frosty Blackheath in south east London Dominic Lipinski/PA Mist: People row along the River Lea in London David Mirzoeff/PA South-east London: A pedestrian is shrouded in mist as they walk across a frosty Blackheath Dominic Lipinski/PA Clear sky: A woman walks her dog across Blackheath in south east London Dominic Lipinski/PA Foggy: A cyclist rides across Blackheath in south east London after a night of freezing fog and sub-zero temperatures across the southern parts of UK Dominic Lipinski/PA

Mr Wilson added: "Both mornings we could see some impact on rush-hour traffic, if we do see those very dense fog patches."

A low of minus 8.1C was recorded in South Farnborough, Hampshire, on Friday night while much of England saw temperatures fall to between minus 5C and minus 7C, the Met Office said.
T housands of activists gathered outside the US Embassy to march on London in celebration of womens rights, diversity and equality.

Womens March on London was planned in solidarity with a similar demonstration taking place in Washington - and the rest of the world - in the wake of Donald Trumps election victory.

Organisers announced that 100,000 people took part in the huge event, which went from Grosvenor Square to a rally in Trafalgar Square.

Protesters swarmed into central London for the start of the demonstration just after midday - many wielding homemade signs with slogans referring to gender equality or President Trump.

Placards read "dump Trump", "reject hate, reclaim politics" and "no to racism, no to Trump".

Protest: Amazing images show a packed Trafalgar Square / PA

Some arrived in dressed in cat ears in a pointed reference to President Trumps infamous grab em by the p***y comments.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and his wife Saadiya were in Trafalgar Square while celebrities including ex-England rugby captain Chris Robshaw and Iron Man 3 actress Rebecca Hall were spotted among the throngs of people.

Trafalgar Square: Protesters packed out central London

Hall said she joined the march because she is half American and half English, and said if she had been on the other side of her pond she would have joined the Washington DC demonstration.

Protest: The march was in support of equality and diversity

She added: "Yesterday was a confusing day and a sad day - I was sad to see Obama leave ... We do not know what the Government is going to be like."

Labour MP Harriet Harman was joined on the march by friend and American-British playwright Bonnie Greer.

Women's march: Protesters gathered at a rally in Trafalgar Square

Referring to outgoing US president Barack Obama, Ms Harman said: "It's just a shame they have a two-term limit, isn't it?"

Ms Greer warned that Mr Trump's presidency was "not a joke", adding: "This is for real and I think this march demonstrates that London understands that."

Dump Trump: The march went through central London / Getty Images

The organisers said the march was "for the protection of our fundamental rights and for the safeguarding of freedoms threatened by recent political events".

"We unite and stand together for the dignity and equality of all peoples, for the safety and health of our planet and for the strength of our vibrant and diverse communities," the event page said.

They called for "an international day of action in solidarity" on the day President Trump takes over the Oval Office.

Women's March London 2017 1 /22 Women's March London 2017 Activists marched through London in support of equality Activists marched through London in support of equality Activists marched through London in support of equality Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality PA Activists marched through London in support of equality PA Activists marched through London in support of equality PA Activists marched through London in support of equality PA Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images Activists marched through London in support of equality Getty Images

Asked why she was marching today, Yoga teacher Arendall Piercey told the Standard: It is incomprehensible that we are even in this position in 2017. And we cant keep living in an apathetic society.

We have the means to fight for our rights on behalf of people around the world  so its our duty to.

I hope the march today lets Trump know that he cannot continue bullying everyone who is not white and male.

Holding a sign saying "my p***y is not up for grabs", Kim McInally said she had travelled from Brighton for the demonstration.

The 32-year-old said: "Yesterday was seen as the official start of fascism coming back."

Protest: A Women's March banner is displayed outside The US Embassy / Getty Images

She claimed "human rights and human equality is getting pushed further and further down the list".

Marches are also happening in other UK cities including Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast, Liverpool and Cardiff, with thousands expected to attend.
T heresa May has said she is "confident" of striking a trade deal with the United States despite Donald Trump's "America first" strategy.

The Prime Minister moved to deal with concerns about the new president's apparently nationalist approach and said she would hold "very frank" talks with him when she visits Washington DC.

Officially Mrs May is expected to visit the controversial commander-in-chief in the spring and a Number 10 source has dismissed as "speculation" reports that she will travel to the US as soon as next week.

In his inaugural address, Mr Trump sparked concerns in Britain about the prospect of reaching a quick free trade agreement with the US to offset any Brexit-related economic hit.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk along the inauguration day parade rout / AP

The president promised that "every decision on trade... will be made to benefit American workers and American families" and Labour MPs were swift to question what it meant for the UK.

But in an interview with the Financial Times, Mrs May said: "I'm confident we can look at areas even in advance of being able to sign a formal trade deal.

"Perhaps we could look at barriers to trade at the moment and remove some of those barriers to open up that new trading relationship."

US president Donald Trump vows to put America first

On a visit to Burma, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson backed the PM, saying he was "very optimistic" about striking a trade deal but insisting "it's got to work for the UK as well".

"I think that the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line for a new trade deal and obviously that's extremely exciting and important," he told reporters.

On Friday, Mr Trump again provoked worries about his commitment to Nato at a time when Russia is showing increasing aggression.

Donald Trump Inauguration Day - In pictures 1 /44 Donald Trump Inauguration Day - In pictures Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States AP US President Barack Obama (right) and First Lady Michelle Obama (left) welcome Preisdent-elect Donald Trump (second right) and his wife Melania to the White House in Washington Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images President Barack Obama stands at right as first lady Michelle Obama hugs President-elect Donald Trump at the White House in Washington Evan Vucci/AP The presidential motorcade drives down Pennsylvania Ave towards the U.S. Capitol in Washington Joe Raedle/Getty Images Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waves as she arrives with her husband former President Bill Clinton Rick Wilking/Reuters People gather on the National Mall prior to the inauguration Patrick Smith/Getty Images Donald Trump's children Ivanka Trump (L), Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump Jr, and Eric Trump arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington lex Wong/Getty Images US President Barack Obama (right) and First Lady Michelle Obama (second left) welcome Preisdent-elect Donald Trump (left) and his wife Melania (second right) to the White House in Washington Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the seats on the West Front of the US Capitol several hours before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, Vanessa Trump and Jared Kushner arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Drew Angerer/Getty Images Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Bryan Woolston/Reuters People begin to gfill in the National Mall a short time before Donald J. Trump is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA Supporters and protesters turn out for the Inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump in Washington Theo Wargo/Getty Images A man walks a dog in a Donald Trump costume carrying a doll depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin holding an US flag as they head to join a demonstration at the US embassy in central London Hayoung Jeon/EPA President Elect Donald Trump's children Barron Trump (L), Tiffany Trump and Eric Trump arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Joe Raedle/Getty Images President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet President-elect Donald Trump at the White House in Washington Evan Vucci/AP Former US President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter arrive for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Demonstrators march on the street near a security checkpoint inaugural entrance Jose Luis Magana/AP Former US Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne arrive at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/EPA Demonstrators chant near a security checkpoint entrance to the inauguration, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration Jose Luis Magana/AP US Senator Ted Cruz arrives for the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the US Capitol in Washington Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images Former US President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush arrive John Angelillo/EPA The statue of Civil War General and former US President Ulysses S. Grant faces the Washington Monument and the crowd gathering for the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Carlos Barria/Reuters A military helicopter lands at the US Capitol Rob Carr/AFP/Getty Images Protesters attack a man trying to pass at an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Bryan Woolston/Reuters President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrives for a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington Alex Brandon/AP Protesters chain themselves to an entry point prior at the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington Bryan Woolston/Reuters Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his wife Karen, arrives for a church service at St. John's Episcopal Church across from the White House in Washington Alex Brandon/AP The sun begins to rise behind the Capitol dome several hours before Donald J. Trump takes the oath of office as the 45th President of the United States in Washington Andrew GombartAFP/Getty Images Protesters move toward an entry point prior at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump Bryan Woolston/Reuters The early morning sun lights up the Washington Monument as people gather on the National Mall prior to the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Protesters chain themselves to an entry point Bryan Woolston/Reuters US Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden leave the White House for the final time as the nation prepares for the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in Washington Kevin Dietsch/EPA

The president complained that the US had "subsidised the armies of other countries" and "defended other nations' borders while refusing to defend our own".

Baltic nations, which fear Russian incursion as Vladimir Putin masses troops on their borders, will hope Mr Trump was simply urging other Nato members to boost their defence spending rather than signalling a desire to leave the alliance of mutual protection.

Mrs May said she was sure the new president "recognises the importance and significance of Nato".

Boris Johnson congratulates Donald Trump after inauguration and hopes for 'strong bond

The PM also moved to emphasise the value of the EU for collective defence and security, following Mr Trump's suggestion in an interview earlier this week that he would welcome the break-up of the union.

The president described the EU as a "vehicle for Germany" and predicted "others will leave".

But Mrs May said: "I'm also confident the USA will recognise the importance of the co-operation we have in Europe to ensure our collective defence and collective security."

Anti-Trump: Protests are planned around the world today / Lucy Young

Addressing accusations of racism and misogyny against Mr Trump, Mrs May made clear she found some of his comments "unacceptable", including his suggestion that his fame allowed him to "do anything" to women, such as "grabbing them by the pussy".

As tens of thousands of protesters prepared to join women's marches against the Trump presidency in London and around the world, Mrs May said: "The whole point about a (special relationship) with the US is that we can sit down and be very frank with each other about what we think."

The PM distanced herself from suggestions she and Mr Trump could mirror the Reagan-Thatcher relationship of the 1980s, saying she does not want to "emulate" models from the past but stressing she is confident they can have a "very special relationship".


"This is a great celebration of Asian success," said the Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, who was present at the presidential gala.

President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, points to members of the crowd as they walk in his inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Ave, outside the White House in Washington. (Photo: AP)

By Indo-Asian News Service: Indian Americans gathered for the presidential gala to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the US.

The gala, which was attended by a hundred Indian Americans, took place at the Grand Ballroom of the central Mayflower hotel in Washington and was organised by the Asian Pacific American Advisory Council and National Committee of Asian American Republicans, American Bazaar online reported on Friday.

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The event was attended by the ambassadors of several countries, including the Indian ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna.

"This is a great celebration of Asian success," said Sarna, speaking on the occasion. "I am very happy that Indian Americans are part of the successful large Asian community."

ALSO READ | 7 Modi-isms in US President Donald Trump's inaugural speech

"It was a grand success," Virginia Republican Puneet Ahluwalia, one of the organisers of the event, told the American Bazaar.

"We were able to create a platform for the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders) community to come together and celebrate the Trump election. The gala also made a strong statement that we are very much part of the American mainstream and will play an effective role in the next administration," he added.

Ahluwalia added that by showing up in good numbers, the Indian American community has made showed their desire for "the US-India relationship to be on the front and centre for the next administration."

Top diplomats from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, South Korea and Singapore attended the gala.

ALSO READ | The real live updates: All the funniest tweets from Trump's inauguration

Dozens of dignitaries attended the event, including Congressman Ed Royce, chairman of the powerful Foreign Relations Committee, Representative Barbara Comstack, Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Governor Ralph DLG Torres as well as a number of Republican leaders from various Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities.

"The [Trump] administration is looking to increase its relationship with the Asian countries," Royce said. "We should reach out to our friends in Asia. We will work to further and deepen this relationship."

The California Republican is the chairman of the House Foreign Relations committee and one of the most staunchly pro-India voices in the US Congress.

ALSO READ | Washington protests turn violent as Donald Trump assumes presidency

Indian American Republicans who were present included Californian K.V. Kumar, Floridian Harry Walia and Puneet Ahluwalia. All the three are members of Trump-Pence campaign's Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee.

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However, the fourth Indian American member of the panel, Shalabh Kumar, did not attend the gala.

The formal part of the ball began with a rendition of the US national anthem. Indian food and Bollywood dance were other highlights of the event.

ALSO READ | 'Will give power back to people': Full transcript of President Trump's inaugural speech

--- ENDS ---
P resident Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump capped off an historic day with a whistle-stop tour of three inaugural balls across Washington DC.

The 45th President of the United States thanked his supporters during a heady night of celebration and told them: We are not playing games. The work begins.

From the White House, Mr Trump appeared at the first of the evening's celebratory events, the Liberty Ball, with his wife Melania, now First Lady, at his side.

He told the crowd how much he had enjoyed his first day as commander in chief.

Donald Trump attends inaugural balls across Washington 1 /26 Donald Trump attends inaugural balls across Washington US President Donald Trump dances with First Lady Melania Trump EPA US President Donald Trump dances with First Lady Melania Trump surrounded by their family EPA President Donald Trump, left, dances with Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Catherine Cartmell AP President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump as they dance at the The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington AP President Donald Trump gives thumbs up with first lady Melania Trump with service members nearby, at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington AP President Donald Trump stands with Army Staff Sgt. Jose A. Medina at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington AP President Donald Trump turns to look at others on stage at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington AP President Donald Trump dances with first lady Melania Trump at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball AP Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner dance at the Freedom Inaugural Ball Getty Images US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump dance during the Salute to Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball AFP/Getty Images US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump give a speech during the Salute to Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball AFP/Getty Images First Lady Melania Trump dances with Army Staff Sgt. Jose A. Medina at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball AP President Donald J. Trump gives a thumbs up AP President Donald J. Trump speaks before dancing with first lady Melania Trump AP President Donald J. Trump waves as he leaves The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball AP Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence prepare to cut a cake with a sword at the Salute to Our Armed Forces inaugural ball REUTERS President Donald Trump dances with first lady Melania Trump at The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball AP President Donald Trump speaks at the Salute to Our Armed Forces inaugural ball during inauguration festivites in Washington REUTERS The Trump family attend the Freedom Inaugural Ball in Washington EPA The Trump family attended the Freedom Inaugural Ball Getty Images

"People that weren't so nice to me were saying that we did a really good job today," he said. "It's like God was looking down on us."

The President's ambition was even evident in the choice of song for the first dance with the First Lady - Frank Sinatra's My Way.

The couple were joined on stage by their family, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Susan.

President Trump is joined on stage by his family / EPA

At the next stop, the Freedom Ball, Mr Trump asked the crowd playfully whether he should "keep the Twitter going?" The crowd roared in apparent approval.

Mr Trump, who was given a second, POTUS Twitter account on Friday, said his all-hours tweeting to his more than 20 million followers was "a way of bypassing dishonest media."

Mrs Trump stood by his side in an elegant ivory column gown designed by Herve Pierre, former creative director of Carolina Herrera.

"Now," the president added, "the fun begins."

President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump as they dance at the The Salute To Our Armed Services Inaugural Ball in Washington / AP

At the Trumps' final stop, the "Salute to Our Armed Services Ball," the evening began with a solemn prayer and a moment of silence in honor of soldiers killed in the line of duty.

Tony Orlando was introduced to the crowd as "America's most loved and enduring entertainer." When Texas musician Josh Weathers took the stage, on the other hand, he quipped: "I know that nobody in this room knows who I am."

Upon arrival, the Trumps danced to "I Will Always Love You," with Mrs Trump singing along and smiling.

Ivanka Trump and husband Jared Kushner dance at the Freedom Inaugural Ball / Getty Images

The couple then separated to dance with service members.

Mrs Trump also spoke, delighting the crowd when she told them: "I'm honored to be your first lady. We will fight, we will win, and we will make America great again."

But away from the jubilation in the ballrooms there were ugly scenes as thousands of anti-Trump protesters took to the streets in the American capital and across the US to vent their anger.

And Mr Trump's first full day in office is expected to see 200,000 people join a women's march in Washington, with similar events planned in cities around the world including London.
A t least four people have been killed after a tornado ripped through Mississippi, leaving a trail of destroyed homes in its wake.

Roofs were torn from homes and churches, and trees blown down when a tornado hit southern Mississippi early on Saturday morning.

Four people died after the twister blew through the city and surrounding area, Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict said.

More than 40 firefighters from across Mississippi have been brought in to search for the dead and injured.

The tornado ripped through Forrest County on Saturday / AP

Authorities are yet to release the names of the four people who died but, according to Mail Online, Monica McCarty, of Hattiesburg, said her father and son died in the tornado that swept through the area overnight.

She said her son was crushed to death while in bed at her mother's house where he lived and her father died in the same trailer park where she and her boyfriend live.

She said of her son: "They couldn't get him out of the house. They said he was laying in the bed."

Monica McCarthy said her son and father died / AP

Mayor Johnny DuPree has signed an emergency declaration for the city, which reported "significant injuries" and structural damage.

Greg Flynn, of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said "massive damage" was reported across a three-county area that was struck by a tornado at around 4am.
N ewspapers across the globe reacted to Donald Trumps inauguration with striking front pages on the first day of his presidency.

The 45th president of the United States was sworn into office on Friday and launched into a radical pledge to end American carnage and put his nations interests ahead of others.

The Republican began his four-year term by signing his first executive orders in the Oval Office before attending a series of inaugural balls across Washington with his family.

The worlds newspapers gave their take on the inauguration with Mr Trumps face splashed across the front pages on Saturday morning.

New leader: An arrangement of British newspapers show US President Donald Trump on the front pages the day after his inauguration / Getty Images

The Washington Post ran with the headline: Trump takes power: New president vows to end American carnage.

The New York Post quoted Mr Trumps inaugural speech in which he promised to return power back to American voters. It said: Power to you, the people.

Frances Le Figaro featured the billionaire businessman on the cover of its magazine edition, writing: What if he did the job? before outlining the assets of an unpredictable president.

In the UK, The Independent took a far less optimistic approach with a headline on its frontpage which said: So help us God: What President Trump means for America and the world.

The Daily Mail newspaper ran with the headline I swear to be the Peoples President with a picture of Mr Trump taking the oath of office, while the Daily Mirrors front page read: Trumps war on the world.

The Times ran with the headline Trump unveils a new era.

The newspaper's wrap cover featured a picture of Mr Trump stood beside new First Lady Melania shortly after he took the oath of office and the words: "In God we trust".

Others including the Daily Telegraph and The Guardian referred to elements of his inaugural speech such as his pledge to put America first and end American carnage.

German weekly magazine Der Spiegel dedicated its cover to Mr Trump but with an image of a game of pool made up of several countries flags and Russian president Vladimir Putins portrait.

The headline read: The new world order  Trumps game.

Also in Germany, Hamburgs daily newspaper the Hamburger Morgenpost featured the mogul with his fist raised and quoted from his inaugural speech: America first! America first!
M ore than 200 people were arrested in Washington DC after violent protests opposing Donald Trumps presidency erupted in the American capital.

Thousands of anti-Trump demonstrators took to the streets on the day of the Presidents inauguration ceremony  smashing windows of shops and cars.

Hundreds were arrested as police threw smoke grenades and fired tear gas to clear protesters close to the inaugural parade route, some of whom had thrown bricks at the officers.

A limousine was set alight outside the Washington Post's office, while an American flag was thrown on a fire which had been started by demonstrators.

Anti-Trump protests 1 /25 Anti-Trump protests Protesters burn trash on the road at K Street Northwest outside the offices of The Washington Post REUTERS Seattle Police officers dressed in protective gear stand outside Kane Hall on the University of Washington campus AP A group of demonstrators protest against the inauguration of US President Donald J. Trump in Mexico City, Mexico EPA A protester is treated after being pepper sprayed by police at the University of Washington REUTERS Protesters outside the offices of The Washington Post REUTERS Police deploy a chemical irritant and flash bang grenades at the intersection of Southwest Morrison and 5th Avenue as a crowd marches through the streets of Portland AP Protesters march through downtown Athens, Georgia AP Police fire smoke grenades to disperse protesters in Washington DC AP A police officer holds zipties to restrain people during the protest AFP/Getty Images A line of protesters confronts police AP Smoke bombs were hurled at police officers during protests on the parade route AP Police prepare to launch concussion and pepper grenades during clashes with protesters in downtown Washington AP Lines of police officers fill Pennsylvania Avenue in preparation for the inaugural parade EPA Police officers provide security as they wait for the Presidential Inauguration Parade AFP/Getty Images A demonstrator is arrested by police AFP/Getty Images Police officers pepper spray a group of protesters AFP/Getty Images A police officer carrying pepper spray is pictured during a protest before the parade AFP/Getty Images Heavily armoured police officers stand guard on the parade route AFP/Getty Images Police officers fire pepper spray at protesters AP

Scuffles also broke out when protesters blocked routes into Mr Trump's inauguration ceremony before he took the oath.

Washington DC police chief Peter Newsham said 217 arrests had been made and six officers were injured during the violence, including three who were hit in the head by flying objects.

There were also reports of disorder at a protest in Chicago after large crowds gathered near the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

Antu-Trump demonstration: Protesters outside the office of The Washington Post / REUTERS

Tens of thousands of women are due to march on Washington today - including celebrities Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson and Amy Schumer  as part of an event to promote women's rights in the wake of the US election result.

A similar event taking place in London is expected to see thousands march from the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square to Trafalgar Square.

Others are planned in places across America including Los Angeles and Park City, Utah.

Protest: Police deployed tear gas / AP

The Washington march organisers said: "The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonised, and threatened many of us.

"The women's march on Washington will send a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights."

Many of the women in Washington will be wearing pink knitted hats with cat ears - a reference to comments made by Mr Trump in a 2005 leaked video in which he bragged about grabbing women's genitals.

Protesters: Demonstrators clashed with police / AP

Former Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman said she will take part in the Washington march with her two daughters, her sister and her niece.

She told the Press Association: "I feel that the election was somewhat of a feminist issue. I feel like the best of us was bested by not the best of them."

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera, who is helping organise the Washington protest, and Oscar-winning actress Patricia Arquette will also take part in the event.

Protest: More than 200 were arrested / AP

A crowd of around 5,000 people including women, men and children took to the streets of Sydney and gathered in the city's Hyde Park on Saturday, according to reports.

The demonstrators carried placards with anti-Trump slogans which read "Feminism is my Trump card" and "Princesses against patriarchy".

Organiser Mindy Freiband, a US citizen now living in Australia, told The Guardian they were expected more than 3,000 people to join the demonstration.

Meanwhile more than 1,000 people reportedly gathered outside the US consulate in Auckland, New Zealand. Several protesters shouted "dump Trump" as they moved on through the city, the New Zealand Herald reported.


P rotesters have built a cardboard wall outside the US embassy in Mexico City, with an effigy of Donald Trump on top which was pulled down and set on fire.

The demonstration was in protest at the Presidents plans to build a wall between the two countries, which Mr Trump has vowed will go ahead.

During the election campaign he described Mexican migrants as rapists and murderers, sparking outrage in the neighbouring country.

The action in the Mexican capital came as hundreds of thousands of women took part in anti-Trump marches around the world.

A pinata representing Donald Trump is broken during a protest in Mexico City / AFP/Getty Images

Thousands gathered outside the US Embassy to march on London, while half a million people have attended a march in Washington.

On Friday Mexico's president, Enrique Pena Nieto, congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as he sought a respectful dialogue with the Trump administration.

He has previously likened Mr Trump's rise to that of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
H undreds of thousands of protesters have descended on Washington to march against Donald Trumps presidency.

An estimate for the turnout at the Women's March on Washington stands half a million - more than double initial predictions.

The rally is one of more than 600 expected across the world on the president's first full day in office.

In the US capital, women brandished signs with messages such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love", decrying Mr Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change.

Many arrived wearing hand-knit pink "pussyhats" - a message of female empowerment aimed at Mr Trump's demeaning comments about women.

Protesters rally against Donald Trump in Washington / Getty Images

The aim of the march is to highlight women's rights, which protesters believe is under threat from the new administration.

It is belived the crowds could end up topping those that gathered for Trump's inauguration on Friday.

Women's marches around the world 1 /17 Women's marches around the world Outside the U.S. Embassy on Pariser Platz beside Brandenburg Gate, Berlin REUTERS Thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney EPA Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March in Macau Getty Images Protesters take part in the Women's March in Paris, France REUTERS Protesters take part in the Women's March in Paris, France REUTERS American citizens take part in the Women's March in front of the US Consulate in Florence, Italy EPA Protesters pose for a photograph as they take part in the Women's March on Dublin REUTERS A woman holds a cartoon depicting Donald Trump during the Women's March rally in Barcelona AP Protesters gather for the Women's March on Philadelphia AP Protesters gather during the Women's March on Washington Getty Images Women shout slogans as they take part in the #IWillGoOut rally, to show solidarity with the Women's March in Washington, along a street in Bengaluru, India, REUTERS A protester outside the American Embassy in London PA Protesters carrying placards take part in a Women's March in Stockholm, Sweden AP

Actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd: "We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war.

"Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America.

We are America and we are here to stay."

Celebrities Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Schumer and Patricia Arquette were also expected to be among the demonstrators at the event.

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Rena Wilson, from North Carolina, said she hopes the women can send Trump a message that they're "not going anywhere."

Joy Rodriguez, of Miami, arrived with her husband, William, and their two daughters, ages 12 and 10.

She said: "I want to make sure their rights are not infringed on in these years coming up."

March organisers said women are "hurting and scared" as the new president takes office and want a greater voice for women in political life.

"In the spirit of democracy and honoring the champions of human rights, dignity and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore," their mission statement says.

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Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton praised those attending the march.

She thanked attendees on Twitter for "standing, speaking and marching for our values", adding this is as "important as ever".

The idea for the women's march took off after a number of women posted on social media in the hours after Trump's election about the need to mobilize.

Hundreds of groups quickly joined the cause, pushing a wide range of causes, including abortion rights, gun control, climate change and immigrant rights.

Additional reporting by Press Association
"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay."

By AP: Wearing pink, pointy-eared "pussyhats" to mock the new president, hundreds of thousands of women massed in the nation's capital and cities around the globe Saturday to send Donald Trump an emphatic message that they won't let his agenda go unchallenged over the next four years.

"We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war," actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. "Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America. ... We are America and we are here to stay."

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WOMEN WON'T BACK DOWN

The women brandished signs with messages such as "Women won't back down" and "Less fear more love" and decried Trump's stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change. The message reverberated at demonstrations around the globe, from Paris and Berlin to Sydney and beyond.

There were early signs that the crowds in Washington could top those that gathered for Trump's inauguration on Friday. City officials said organizers of the Women's March on Washington more than doubled their turnout estimate to 500,000 as crowds began swelling and subways into the city became clogged with participants.

WATCH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INAUGURAL SPEECH HERE

SISTER MARCHES

It wasn't just a Washington phenomenon and it wasn't just women: More than 600 "sister marches" were planned across the country and around the world, and plenty of men were part of the tableau, too. Organizers estimated 3 million would march worldwide.

As the rally alongside the National Mall took shape, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration.

Outside on the streets of Washington, feminist leader Gloria Steinem described the worldwide mobilization as "the upside of the downside: This is an outpouring of energy and democracy like I have never seen in my very long life."

"Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are," she told the Washington crowd, labeling Trump an "impossible president."

In Paris, thousands marched in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading: "We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump" and "With our sisters in Washington."

At a rally in Concord, New Hampshire, author Jodi Picoult said: "We in New Hampshire are not in the habit of going in reverse. We have the backs of those who are less fortunate who may be struggling for health care, for environmental rights, for racial equality, for a fair wage, for justice."

Also Read: Russians celebrate Trump's presidency while other countries express caution

HILLARY CLINTON THANKS PARTICIPANTS

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for "standing, speaking and marching for our values."

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Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when "many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes."

"It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were," she said.

Rose Wurm, 64, a retired medical secretary from Bedford, Pennsylvania, boarded a Washington-bound bus in Hagerstown, Maryland, at 7 a.m. carrying two signs: one asking Trump to stop tweeting, and one asking him to fix, not trash, the Obamacare health law.

"There are parts of it that do need change. It's something new, something unique that's not going to be perfect right out of the gate," she said.

Many wore hand-knit "pussyhats" a message of female empowerment aimed squarely at Trump's crude boast about grabbing women's genitals.

WHAT HAPPENED

The march attracted significant support from celebrities. Ferrera led the artists' contingent, and those scheduled to speak in Washington included Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Judd, Melissa Harris-Perry and Michael Moore. The promised performance lineup included Janelle Monae, Maxwell, Samantha Ronson, the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Cher, Katy Perry and Julianne Moore all were expected to attend.

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In Prague, hundreds gathered in Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, waving portraits of Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin and holding banners that read "This is just the beginning," ''Kindness" and "Love."

"We are worried about the way some politicians talk, especially during the American elections," said organizer Johanna Nejedlova.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, march organizer Lesley-Ann Brown said: "Nationalist, racist and misogynistic trends are growing worldwide and threaten the most marginalized groups in our societies including women, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, the LGBT community and people with disabilities."

In Sydney, thousands of Australians marched in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America's problems.

All about Obamacare as Donald Trump orders to cut its roots

Donald Trump expressed hopes for better US-Pakistan relations, says envoy

HOW IT ALL STARTED

The idea for the women's march took off after a number of women posted on social media in the hours after Trump's election about the need to mobilize. Hundreds of groups quickly joined the cause, pushing a wide range of causes, including abortion rights, gun control, climate change and immigrant rights.

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While the march organizers' "mission and vision" statement never mentions Trump and stresses broad themes, including the message that "women's rights are human rights," the unifying factor among those turning out appeared to be a loathing for the new president and dismay that so much of the country voted for him.

Friday's unrest during the inauguration led police to use pepper spray and stun grenades to prevent the chaos from spilling into Trump's formal procession and the evening balls. About a mile from the National Mall, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed the windows of downtown businesses, including a Starbucks, a Bank of America and a McDonald's, as they denounced capitalism and Trump.

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It appears there will be a tough fight for incumbent BJP MLA Siddharth Kuncolinkar as strong independent MLA Babush Monserrat has filed his candidature against Kuncolinkar.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Panaji constituency in Goa has drawn everyone's attention ahead of the State Assembly polls. It was a cake walk for the BJP in Panaji for the last 25 years, but, this time it appears there will be a tough fight for incumbent BJP MLA Siddharth Kuncolinkar as strong independent MLA Babush Monserrat has filed his candidature against Kuncolinkar.

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When former Goa CM Manohar Parrikar became the defence minister, his close aide Siddharth Kuncolinkar contested the by-polls in 2015. Although he continued Parrikar's legacy but people in the city faced a number of problems- absence of a garbage treatment plant and lack of parking spaces being the biggest.

"We are confident that traditional voters of BJP will continue to support us. We have done a lot of work from water lines to drainage system to construction of new roads. We will continue with more such work after winning," Siddharth Kuncolinkar said.

ALSO READ | Goa Assemly election: Five men who matter

Independent MLA Babush Monserrat, who is contesting election from Panaji constituency for the first time, criticised the BJP government for not doing anything for the development of the city. Monserrat had rattled BJP in the last Panjim Municipal Corporation election by winning 17 seats. He has now taken this challenge to contest from Panaji and leave his secured seat of Taleigao to his wife Jennifer.

"Parrikar has not done anything for the people of Panaji. There is lot of scope to work for them and we will work. I am confident that this time BJP is not going to win in the Panaji constituency," said Babush Monserrat.

It would now be interesting to see whether Babush will win the Panaji seat or will the incumbent MLA Siddharth restrict Babush from taking over.

ALSO READ | BJP releases list of 29 candidates for Goa Assembly polls

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Paras Loomba and his core team comprising energy access leader Jaideep Bansal, 28; homestays leader Gaganpreet Singh, 30; project manager Tsering Dorjey, 35; and programme coordinator Stanzin, 26, conduct leadership expeditions to provide energy access to remote Himalayan communities. So far, they have managed to electrify 25 villages in the area.

"When I first landed in Ladakh in 2013, I knew no one. All I had was a dream to do something in the Himalayas. Initially, Ven. (Venerable) Sangahsena, founder of the Mahabodhi Meditation Centre near Leh gave me permission to set up a digital education base for his school. But my focus soon shifted to providing remote, off-the-grid villages access to energy.

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We started with surveying such villages and setting up solar-powered micro grids there. Most of these villages are hard to reach, located at a trek distance of about five to seven days from the nearest motorable road. The region also gets cut off from the outside world for almost six months because of heavy snowfall.

To identify the right villages and survey them meant travelling to these areas. It was exhausting, physically as well as mentally. It was also imperative to maintain and monitor these remote grid infrastructures. To overcome these difficulties, our team put together a local team of electricians, surveyors and programme managers.

This not only generated local employment but also infused in the people a sense of a 'mission' to serve their community. We liaise with local village councillors who facilitate village mobilisation as it is very important that communities be acquainted with how they can suitably benefit from technology.

After two or three villages in Ladakh got electrified, word of our initiative spread. We have now electrified 25 villages in the Leh and Kargil areas with the support of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. We have also set up solar micro grids in remote villages which have no cellular connectivity. Our organisation, Global Himalayan Expedition, has also designed quality custom LED lights and appliances for these villages to help them even in winters and harsh climates."

-As told to Sukant Deepak

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Jan 21 (PTI) In a setback to Indian travellers, Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, has withdrawn the visa-free facility for Indians who will have to complete a pre-arrival registration from Monday.

"The Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals will be implemented on January 23. The online service for Pre-arrival Registration for Indian Nationals is now open," the Hong Kong immigration department said in an announcement on its official website.

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"Indian nationals must apply for and successfully complete pre-arrival registration online before they can visit or transit the HKSAR visa-free (if seeking to enter the HKSAR during transit). Pre-arrival registration is not required for Indian nationals in direct transit by air and not leaving the airport transit area," it said.

A notice on the Indian Consulate in Hong Kong said Indian passport holders without the Pre-Arrival Registration Slip, except those belonging to any of the exempted categories, would not be allowed to board a conveyance bound for Hong Kong.

A Pre-Arrival Registration is normally valid for a six- month period or until the expiry date of the Indian passport linked to it, whichever is earlier, it said.

This is a major set back for over half a million Indians who visit the former British colony for business, trade and holidays.

Till now Hong Kong has permitted Indians to enter with valid passport for a period up to 14 days without a visa. But the facility has been withdrawn despite representations from India ostensibly on the ground that the number of Indian asylum seekers was on the rise, official sources told PTI here.

Indian officials refute that saying a small number of asylum seekers from over half million visitors cannot be an excuse to scrap the longstanding facility which also benefited Hong Kong as most of them were high spending tourists contributing to the economy of the former British colony.

There is also concern whether the move is being brought about by Hong Kong due to pressure from China. PTI KJV PMS

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We, the citizens of America, have a new president. On Friday, Donald Trump became our 45th president.

Some Americans are excited, others are angry, but as our new President said in his inauguration speech, Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for years to come.

A number of times, Trump spoke of unity.

We are one nation, and their pain is our pain, he said. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home and one glorious destiny.

After the carnage of this election, it is hard to believe these words can be true. It is hard to believe our divided nation could ever come together again, but that is what we must do.

It is time for all to let the past slide into a distant memory and focus our attention on the future. We learn from the past, but can not linger there, if we do it will destroy our future. Our can be future of greatness or we could widen the divide. Pit Democrat against Republican, white against black, rich against poor or we could reach out across the aisle, take the hand of those who are not like us, those who disagree with us but they are still our brothers and sisters.

It is time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget, Trump said. That whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American flag.

Trump got my vote, but was not the one I thought would be taking the oath. Nor was he my first, second, third or even fourth choice among the Republican candidates, but he is now our leader. Like or dislike him, he deserves a chance.

We look at a leader who we disagree with and fear takes over. Instead of remembering that we have checks and balances in our government, we let fear paint a picture of pending doom.

I remember eight years ago, I feared the direction our country was going. I was concerned about the future and saw doom on the horizon.

Eight years later, though I disagreed with much of what President Barack Obama did, he did not destroy America. We can debate the good and bad his leadership brought. He, like all leaders, has had successes and failures. His legacy, I will leave to the history writers, but for Republicans, we survived.

Democrats, you too will survive the next four, maybe more, years. In fact, you might find, at times, our new president is more of a Democrat than a Republican. He hasnt been a strong fan of either party.

What truly matters, he said, is not which party controls government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.

He is right.

Each of us, whether Republican or Democrat, white, black or brown, man or woman, rich or poor, needs to get involved and stay involved in politics. We must not take a backseat and complain, but move into the front seat and try to help drive this nation into the future.

Together, we can make America great again and it doesnt start in Washington D.C. It starts in your hometown, your city council and school board. It starts with you staying informed, writing your elected officials at the local, state and national level. It also starts with you running for office or helping someone you believe in run for office.

It also means speaking with those who disagree with you and listening to those you disagree with, and I mean truly listening. Giving them a chance and hopefully, they will give you a chance.

Unity doesnt mean we have to all agree, but it does mean we have to respect one another. Work together and remember that whether we are from the inner city or the windswept plains of Nebraska, we are Americans.

Finally, Trump said, we must think big and dream even bigger.

My dream is we actually work across party lines, working together to move this nation forward. My dream, for Americas sake, is for President Trump to succeed.
LINCOLN  Nebraskans have purchased more than 5,000 of the new mountain lion specialty license plates.

Revenue from the cougar plates has generated nearly $28,100 for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions wildlife conservation education fund, said Jim Douglas, commission director.

We expect that count will grow, he said Friday during a commission meeting in Lincoln.

A fiscal analysis predicted last year that the plates could raise about $20,000.

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles charges $40 extra for mountain lion plates adorned with custom messages, or $5 more for regular letter-and-number combinations. The commission receives $30 of the fee for personalize plates, and the entire $5 surcharge for standard alpha-numeric plates.

The plates feature an artistic rendering of a mountain lion. Douglas said the commission provided the design for the plates.

Former State Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont suggested the idea of a cougar plate in 2014. State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, an opponent of cougar hunting, sponsored the bill creating the specialty plate last year.

Although no senators voted against the license plate bill, Game and Parks testified against it at a public hearing. The commission said a plate featuring a more popular species, such as a sandhill crane, could raise more money for conservation. Most cattle ranchers see cougars as a threat to their livestock. Others view cougars as a threat to rural Nebraskans.

The mountain lion plates became available in October.

Nebraska hunters killed four big cats in 2014, the only hunting season for mountain lions so far. The commission has delayed setting another season until wildlife biologists can get a more accurate idea of the cougar population.

Two new license plate designs are available this month. They are a breast cancer awareness plate and a new standard plate with a design featuring the iconic Sower statue atop the State Capitol, celebrating Nebraskas 150th anniversary of statehood.
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.
Apple Inc. filed a $1 billion lawsuit against supplier Qualcomm Inc. on Friday, days after the U.S. government filed a lawsuit that accused the chipmaker of resorting to anticompetitive tactics to maintain a monopoly over key semiconductors in mobile phones.

Qualcomm is a major supplier to both Apple and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. for "modem" chips that connect phones to wireless networks. The two companies together accounted for 40 percent of Qualcomm's $23.5 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year.

In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Apple accused Qualcomm of overcharging for chips and refusing to pay some $1 billion in promised rebates. Apple said in its complaint that Qualcomm withheld the rebates because of Apple's discussions with South Korea's antitrust regulator, the Korea Fair Trade Commission.

"If that were not enough, Qualcomm then attempted to extort Apple into changing its responses and providing false information to the KFTC in exchange for Qualcomm's release of those payments to Apple. Apple refused," Apple said in its lawsuit.

Qualcomm did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Qualcomm has patents for chips which include standard essential patents, a term used to describe technology that is required to be licensed broadly and on "reasonable" terms.

In its lawsuit, Apple accused Qualcomm of refusing to license the technology to other manufacturers to prevent them from making the chips.

It also accused Qualcomm of selling chips while requiring Apple to pay a separate licensing fee for the same chips, in a "no license, no chip" policy.

In addition, Qualcomm pressured network carriers to not sell or support Apple devices made with Intel chipsets Apple said.

The KFTC fined Qualcomm $854 million in December for what it called unfair patent licensing practices.

In February 2015, Qualcomm paid a $975 million fine in China, while the European Union in December 2015 accused it of abusing its market power to thwart rivals.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Qualcomm, saying the San Diego-based company used its dominant position as a supplier of certain phone chips to impose "onerous" supply and licensing terms on cellphone manufacturers. Qualcomm said it would contest the FTC complaint.

Qualcomm was the sole supplier of modem chips for Apple's phones until the release of the iPhone 7 in September. Intel Corp supplied about half of the modem chips for the newest models, said Stacy Rasgon, a senior analyst at Bernstein Research.

Apple made the move around the same time that Samsung, which had switched to using its own internal chips for its Galaxy S6 phones, returned to Qualcomm for the Galaxy S7.

Qualcomm "has been able to manage through (the Apple contract loss) pretty well because they got back Samsung at the same time," Rasgon said.

Apple is known for seeking multiple suppliers to keep prices down, said Jim Morrison, vice president of technical intelligence for TechInsights, which tears down devices to analyze their parts.
The Soloist, a book (2008) and movie (2009), is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless African-American man who made music near a statue of Beethoven. He and Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez became friends.

Ayers had studied double bass on a full scholarship at the Juilliard School  until his schizophrenia stopped him.

Lopez approached Adam Crane  then with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, now vice president for external affairs at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra  about getting Ayers into an orchestra rehearsal. Crane welcomed Ayers and introduced him to some philharmonic musicians, including violinist Vijay Gupta, who gave Ayers violin lessons. He also began reaching out to shelters and then, with Crane, founded Street Symphony in 2011.

Street Symphony brings live music to the homeless and incarcerated, including critically acclaimed performances of Handels Messiah. Gupta, a TED senior fellow, will talk about his work Tuesday at Washington Universitys Graham Chapel.

In the beginning, Adam and I just wanted to meet more people like Nathaniel, Gupta says. Weve met hundreds, if not thousands, of Nathaniels, people who are experiencing homelessness in Skid Row, who are incarcerated in the LA County jails, experiencing substance abuse and addiction or mental illness.

The original plan didnt include a not-for-profit corporation; Guptas idea was to give a one-off concert.

I got a lot of my LA Phil colleagues together, and I kind of bribed them with lunch and beer if theyd be willing to go to this place in Skid Row and play some music for the clients of the Department of Mental Health, he says.

That was in November 2010. Soon after, Gupta gave his first TED talk, about Ayers.

Afterward, somebody walked up to me, and said, Look, this isnt the end of your project; this is the beginning of your project. I didnt know what the hell this person was talking about, but it turned out to be true.

Gupta and his colleagues reached out to more venues. Some people turned them away: I think in a sense it sounded too good to be true. We were going to come and bring LA Phil players to play for free at a hospice or a jail or a chemotherapy ward? People didnt understand why we would want to do that.

Hed take his violin with him when he went to make his offers. I would give a talk at a hospice, and say, Could I just walk around a ward and play? In a sense, it was a kind of musical offering, and thats how Street Symphony started. We wanted to give what we knew was the power of great music.

Doing that work, Gupta says, has changed his idea of what it means to be an artist and a citizen. He believes artists are being called to action, to speak truth to power, to really tell the stories that are not being heard  and, in doing so, to humanize the experiences of people who are suffering, who are experiencing pain and ostracization and neglect for most of their lives. That pain can go back generations.

Although Street Symphony now has a roster of 60 professional and student musicians performing jazz, choral and other varieties of music, instrumental classical remains at its heart. Its always well-received.

The fact that were playing music that is 300, 400 years old is not just because we are committed to doing something really, really well, Gupta says. Its about how were still telling the same stories. Were still playing Bach and Beethoven because they told the stories of what we experience now  of pain, of loss, of joy  and theyre lessons that we can learn from.

Much of their work is done at the Los Angeles County jail system, which Gupta points out is one of the largest in the world. Of 20,000 inmates, 10,000 have been diagnosed with some form of mental illness.

He says that he and his colleagues were nervous when they first started performing in jails and Skid Row. Without the bright lights and pressure to be perfect, they began feeling safer and connecting with their audiences.

That actually is the key to why we become musicians and artists in the first place, I believe, Gupta says. We go in to connect. Through our conservatory training, through the orchestral training, with the pressure that it takes for us to succeed, sometimes we forget that.

Gupta doesnt plan to tell his audience what should be done here; Los Angeles and St. Louis are very different. Besides, he observes, the SLSO is already doing a lot of that kind of outreach, in hospitals, chemotherapy centers and in prisons.

Heres a group of players and musicians that are dedicated to serving their community outside the concert hall, he says. And thats where Street Symphony started.

Crane, whos an active member of Street Symphonys board of directors, notes that the SLSOs performances in hospitals and other parts of the community have been going on for years. Director of community programs Maureen Byrne recently started a pilot program at Missouri Eastern Regional Correctional Center, a medium-security facility in Pacific.

Were testing the waters, Crane says. You have to build relationships.

Performances at area homeless shelters could also be coming, he says. We certainly have a homeless community in St. Louis. Were trying to model some programs on what we have in Los Angeles. Were going to talk to people when Vijays here and see what the possibilities are.

In both cases, the musicians dont just perform; they also talk to their audiences and encourage interaction.

In the orchestral world, Gupta says, we talk about outreach a lot. I have a problem with that word, because it seems to say that we are the great musicians, and we are reaching out to give something to you, a reasonable act of charity. Thats all well and good, but the extra step were trying to take is to exchange stories.

Ultimately, Crane says, the goal is to raise awareness about conditions  like incarceration and homelessness  and make a human connection through the power of music.

Gupta says hes excited to visit St. Louis. Adam is a force of nature, and he opened the door for us in LA that crafted this organization. He made that possible. Hopefully, this visit to St. Louis plants some seeds of collaboration. I dont know what that looks like, but I do know that the musicians in St. Louis are world-class musicians and world-class people. I do know there are a lot of great possibilities.
By Press Trust of India: Melbourne, Jan 21 (PTI) Ancient poop of some of the huge and astonishing creatures that once roamed Australia indicates the primary cause of their extinction around 45,000 years ago was likely a result of humans, not climate change, a new study has found.

Led by Monash University in Australia and the University of Colorado Boulder in the US, researchers used information from a sediment core drilled in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southwest Australia to help reconstruct past climate and ecosystems on the continent.

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The core contains chronological layers of material blown and washed into the ocean, including dust, pollen, ash and spores from a fungus called Sporormiella that thrived on the dung of plant-eating mammals, said CU Boulder Professor Gifford Miller.

Miller, who participated in the study led by Sander van der Kaars of Monash University, said the sediment core allowed scientists to look back in time, in this case more than 150,000 years, spanning Earths last full glacial cycle.

Fungal spores from plant-eating mammal dung were abundant in the sediment core layers from 150,000 years ago to about 45,000 years ago, when they went into a nosedive, said Miller.

"The abundance of these spores is good evidence for a lot of large mammals on the southwestern Australian landscape up until about 45,000 years ago," he said.

"Then, in a window of time lasting just a few thousand years, the megafauna population collapsed," Miller said.

The Australian collection of megafauna some 50,000 years ago included 1,000-pound kangaroos, two-tonne wombats, 25-foot-long lizards, 400-pound flightless birds, 300-pound marsupial lions and Volkswagen-sized tortoises.

More than 85 per cent of Australias mammals, birds and reptiles weighing over 100 pounds went extinct shortly after the arrival of the first humans, said Miller.

The ocean sediment core showed the southwest is one of the few regions on the Australian continent that had dense forests both 45,000 years ago and today, making it a hotbed for biodiversity, said Miller.

"Its a region with some of the earliest evidence of humans on the continent, and where we would expect a lot of animals to have lived," he said.

"Because of the density of trees and shrubs, it could have been one of their last holdouts some 45,000 years ago. There is no evidence of significant climate change during the time of the megafauna extinction," he said.

Scientists have been debating the causes of the Australian megafauna extinctions for decades.

Some claim the animals could not have survived changes in climate, including a shift 70,000 years ago when much of the southwestern Australia landscape went from a wooded eucalyptus tree environment to an arid, sparsely vegetated landscape.

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Others have suggested the animals were hunted to extinction by Australias earliest immigrants who had colonised most of the continent by 50,000 years ago, or a combination of overhunting and climate change, said Miller.

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications. PTI SAR SAR

--- ENDS ---
LOS ANGELES  With more than 40 panels in two days, the cable portion of the Television Critics Association winter press tour was nothing if not informative.

Ill share much more in the coming weeks and months, but here are some highlights of panels on returning and new shows.

Thats killer chicken

Breaking Bad fans who thought theyd seen the last of Gus Fring when the mob boss was blown half to bits in Season 4 can prepare for a potentially scary reunion. An empty chair left onstage when AMC talked Season 3 of Better Call Saul was soon filled by Giancarlo Esposito, last seen coolly adjusting his tie before Gus collapsed, dead.

Because Better Call Saul is a prequel, dedicated to showing how hapless lawyer Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) evolved into the Saul Goodman of Breaking Bad, dead isnt dead. Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks), also killed off in the original, is a major character in the prequel. Drug kingpin Tuco and wheelchair-bound Uncle Hector have also turned up.

But the heart of Better Call Saul (back April 10) remains the journey of Saul Goodman.

How does a guy who is so decent ... become Saul Goodman? co-creator Peter Gould asks. For the first two seasons, it seems almost an insoluble problem.

Adds co-creator Vince Gilligan: Quite frankly, we thought it was going to be easier to write when we started. Its a show in your head where you know what the end goal is, the end character, Saul Goodman. Every season is inching the ball down the field. Its inching closer and closer. Sometimes baby steps, sometimes large leaps.

Gould agrees. This season, as it progressed, I started to understand it a little bit better. I think we all started to understand it a little bit better. Of course youll see that it takes a lot of pressure to turn a lump of coal into a diamond, and it turns out a hell of a lot of pressure to turn a good man or at least a decent man like Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman.

AMC had already won TV critics hearts. As Esposito emerged, waiters passed out boxes of Los Pollos Hermanos spicy chicken. Its the best in the world, Esposito reminded everyone, in a Breaking Bad tag line.

Texas with

an Irish twist

Also due on AMC is The Son (April 8), a Western drama (based on the Philipp Meyer novel) starring Pierce Brosnan in his first series role since Remington Steele.Every episode of The Son, about three generations of the McCullough family settling the West, will be simulcast on Sundance TV, a channel under the AMC umbrella. Jacob Lofland plays a younger version of the Brosnan character; Sydney Lucas, nominated for a Tony Award as young Allison in Fun Home, also stars.

Brosnan has an accent in The Son that isnt 100 percent Texas.

As an Irishman playing Eli McCullough, I gave myself the grace to let the Irish burr come in from time to time, Brosnan says. For me, it was more important to connect to the emotionality of the man and the circumstances around him.

Fargo won over

new cast members

Fargo creator Noah Hawley was sick and couldnt be quizzed about Season 3, but there was news nonetheless. Season 3 started shooting this month in frozen Canada, with a return targeted for April.

Filling in for Hawley were executive producer Warren Littlefield and cast members Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Carrie Coon, Michael Stuhlbarg and David Thewlis.

McGregor, cast to play brothers, hadnt watched either previous season before getting a feeler from FX. I started watching Episode 1 of Season 1. And I watched to the end of Season 2 almost in a week. I was pretty grabbed by it, obsessed by it, and here we are.

Coon, a fan favorite from The Leftovers on HBO, thought what a terrible idea when she heard that Fargo would become a TV series. And then I saw Season 1, and I loved it. And I saw Season 2, and I loved it even more. And now I cant believe Im sitting here.

Winstead offered a ditto.

Fargo is one of my favorite movies, she said. I sort of stubbornly didnt quite watch the first season right away because I kept hearing it was great and I felt really wrong about being nervous and stupid for being wrong. When Hawley called to ask her to join Season 3, I just said yes before I knew what the role was or what the story was about or anything. I just felt really, really lucky for the opportunity to be a part of something so special.

Just before the Fargo panel, Joel and Ethan Coen, who made the original movie but have been involved with the TV series only to the extent of signing off on it, announced that they would make their first television project, a Western.

Asked what he would tell them, Littlefield said, I dont think the Coen brothers need any advice from me, but Im sure ... it will be wonderfully dark and wildly entertaining, and it will be for me, it will be a must see because its the Coens.

A new look

at New Edition

The New Edition Story is a tell-all with a twist. The three-night, six-hour miniseries, airing Tuesday through Thursday on BET, recruited the members of the 1980s Boston boy band not just to sign off on the project but also to contribute and serve as producers.

New Edition is credited with paving the way for boy bands such as New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and NSync. The group originally included Bobby Brown (played by Woody McClain), who was voted out in 1985 and went on to solo success.

We were so fortunate to be able to have them there when we were preparing and prepping for the movie, says Elijah Kelly, who plays Ricky Bell. Every day in rehearsal, somebody would be there. Some days, everybody would be there. The most invigorating part was them getting up in their older age and doing all the choreography in front of us. They were looking back at us, like, what yall young boys about to do?

About those dance moves: It was pretty intense, says Luke James, who plays Johnny Gill. Not only did we have to learn the choreography, we also had to embody each members mannerisms.

A three-week boot camp really just brought us together, Kelly adds. It helped us get closer to becoming guys really embodying the time, and everything about New Edition.

Outsiders makes

WGN an insider

Outsiders, beginning its second season at 8 p.m. Tuesday on WGN America, has helped to boost the networks ratings at a time when most cable networks are suffering declines, president and general manager Matt Cherniss says. WGN America added two original dramas, Outsiders and Underground (returning March 8) in 2016 and saw viewership grow 16 percent, Cherniss says.

The new season of Outsiders, which boasts Paul Giamatti as an executive producer, taps into the struggles of the blue-collar class, the tensions between corporate America and small-town America, and the question of what it means to live free in todays world, Cherniss says. (Actually, few collars of any color are seen in Outsiders, the story of mountain isolationists in the Appalachians of Kentucky, taking on a coal mining company that wants their land.)

The show is very rich in thematic ideas, like family and technology versus human interaction and going off the grid, and the environment versus business, executive producer Peter Tolan says. Oddly enough, a number of news events fall directly into what weve created. ... Sometimes, I guess, you just get lucky, or if thats luck, Im not sure what else to call it.

TV critic Gail Pennington is home from the TCA winter press tour in Los Angeles. See her previous reports at stltoday.com/tubetalk.
Its been around 75 years, but names have changed just enough to confuse us a wee bit.

For you, it may be Pats, or Pats Tavern, or Pats Bar & Grill. Then again, you might refer to it as McDermotts, or even possibly McDermotts Fine Foods.

But now its back to the name it used in 1942, when the bar opened at the corner of Oakland and Tamm avenues in the Dogtown neighborhood of south St. Louis:

That was my dad, Pat Connolly, said Teresa Connolly, an owner and all-around task-doer who gives her job title as bus grandma.

Connolly said she remembers growing up at the tavern, especially in the summer when she would burn off youthful energy in a playground across the street and then head to the bar for lunch.

It was a big bar for the neighborhood, that and OSheas, she said of the other Irish tavern in Dogtown, which then became Burkes Place and now is Seamus McDaniels.

When asked if she ever spent time there, Connolly smiled wide and said, Oh, no. OSheas was our big rival.

But it didnt take long before mixed signals began to surface regarding the name of Connollys family business.

She explained that it was officially named The Pat Connolly Tavern. But a Griesedieck Bros. brewery wall sign that was painted shortly after it opened labeled it Pats Tavern.

And then at some point, we got a Budweiser sign that called it Pats Bar & Grill, and were not quite sure why, Connolly said with a que sera, sera shrug she used again when noting that no one seems to remember exactly when in 1942 her father opened the bar.

Connolly does remember that the bar featured a bowling machine and a pinball machine, and also jukebox extensions at every booth.

You could sit right at your table and pick out your songs on the jukebox, she said.

In the 1940s and 1950s, one of the main bartenders was Tom McDermott, who bought the operation in 1960. (The Connollys, however, have always owned the building.)

So it became McDermotts, but the Pats Bar & Grill sign stayed, Connolly said. And then at some point, Tom added a sign that said McDermotts Fine Foods.

In 1980, the Connollys returned to the business in earnest when Teresas husband, Paul Jovanovich, bought the bar operation back, said Joe Jovanovich, a current owner and son of Paul and Teresa.

It should be noted here that few pairings in Dogtown are more natural than one between the Connollys and the Jovanovichs. Both families have lived in the neighborhood since the 1920s.

My dad had been a bartender at several places around town, including the popular Walter Mittys in Clayton in the 1970s, Joe Jovanovich said.

So the bar returned to being called Pats.

Teresa Connolly, who had a career as a French teacher at Mehlville and McCluer North high schools, said Jack Buck was a regular customer.

But he was not the most famous to ever dine there.

One time, Paul Newman came in with some executives from the (Anheuser-Busch) brewery. They sat in the back corner table, Connolly said.

Our customers complained later because the waitresses and cooks put everyone elses orders on hold and worked on his, Connolly said.

And one of the waitresses grabbed his water glass and took it home, she added.

Joe Jovanich said that to commemorate the bars 75th anniversary, he commissioned local artist Craig Downs to create a mural that now flows along a retaining wall on the bars east side. Downs also re-created the old Griesedieck mural on the building several years ago.

And weve got a few other tricks up our sleeves for our anniversary, and especially for St. Patricks Day, he said.

But Jovanovich does not foresee any name changes.

After having grandly confused people over the years, he said, were going to stick with the original.
The U.S. Catholic hierarchy was one of the staunchest foes of the Affordable Care Act, nearly derailing its passage in 2010 over concern about abortion funding and exacting a political toll that helped doom abortion-opposing Democrats who backed the law while boosting Republican efforts to take control of Congress.

But faced with the prospect of the GOPs following through on pledges to repeal the health care reform, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is changing its tune. On Wednesday, the USCCB released a letter warning Congress not to overturn the law without providing an immediate replacement to provide continuing coverage for the millions who have been insured under the law.

We recognize that the law has brought about important gains in coverage, and those gains should be protected, Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Fla., chairman of the USCCBs Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, wrote to House and Senate members.

He said the bishops would examine proposals to amend or replace the ACA but said that for now that a repeal of key provisions of the Affordable Care Act ought not be undertaken without the concurrent passage of a replacement plan that ensures access to adequate health care for the millions of people who now rely upon it for their wellbeing.

For those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder, he said, a repeal would prove particularly devastating.

The letter comes in the midst of an increasingly fierce debate in the Republican-controlled Congress over how and even whether to repeal the law  a hallmark GOP talking point over the last six years.

Donald Trump has vowed to repeal the health care law as one of his first acts as president.

The laws critics have been stymied by the fact that the law, like Obama, is proving to be more popular than ever. About 20 million Americans rely on it, and premiums would skyrocket for millions of others if the law is repealed.

In addition, while pledging to repeal the law, Trump and Republicans have not agreed on anything to replace it, prompting questions about whether it will be repealed.

The USCCBs letter was also sent the same day that the Senate began hearings on Trumps nomination of Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., one of the ACAs sharpest critics, to head the Department of Health and Human Services, which would oversee health care policy.

A number of progressive religious leaders and organizations that have urged Republicans to preserve or improve the health care law. The addition of the USCCB to that camp is striking.

While the Catholic Church teaches that universal, affordable health care is a human right  a teaching cited by Dewane in his letter  the American bishops had earlier issued dire warnings that the law would lead to an unprecedented expansion of taxpayer funding of abortion.

Catholic Democrats in Congress at the time introduced provisions to prevent that from happening  over the objections of Republicans  but the USCCB ultimately sided with the GOP in deciding it was better to try to kill the entire bill.

The law passed, and the abortion funding fears did not come to pass. But as a result of the backlash, abortion-opposing Democrats were swept out of office months later, depriving the USCCB of a key bloc of congressional support for the bishops agenda.

The hierarchy then focused on the administrations subsequent contraception mandate for employers, which angered the bishops as an infringement of religious freedom. That issue became the focus of much of the bishops lobbying in recent years.

Trump could undo that mandate and provide other funding and conscience protections, as the USCCB would like, without repealing the health care law.

Last week at a conference in Washington, two prominent churchmen and other Catholic leaders seemed to signal the churchs pivot toward opposition to outright repeal.

At the conference at Catholic University of America, just north of Capitol Hill, Boston Cardinal Sean OMalley called affordable health care foundational and warned government leaders that they had a moral obligation not to deprive people of health insurance.
OKAWVILLE, Ill.  The Rev. Steven F. Poole is a rank-and-file priest with his own demons, including a history of theft and a rocky relationship with church hierarchy.

Now the troubled priest has broken from tradition by calling out his boss and openly accusing a fellow priest of sexually abusing him as a 14-year-old boy.

Echoing the core complaints of sex abuse scandals that have shaken the church, Poole alleges that the leader of the Belleville Diocese has mishandled and disregarded his complaint, allowing the now retired priest to continue in good standing.

This is difficult because I truly do believe in the sacred bond between a bishop and his priests as co-workers in the vineyard of the Lord, Poole, 48, wrote in an email last year to Bishop Edward Braxton, who oversees all the Roman Catholic churches in Southern Illinois.

I realize that my words will probably make no difference to you based upon prior experience. However, it is important for me to set this out to attempt to clear my conscience.

The five-page letter, along with additional correspondence obtained by the Post-Dispatch, chronicles an effort by Poole over multiple years to trigger action by the diocese.

The diocese, in turn, says in a written statement sent to the newspaper Thursday that it has thoroughly and properly responded to Pooles allegations. Braxton declined to respond to a request for comment.

The diocese said its internal review board and office of child protection as well as state authorities reviewed this situation on numerous occasions.

Several steps were originally taken under Bishop [Wilton] Gregory and more recently under Bishop Braxton. As always, the first and most important consideration is to insure the protection of minors. The Bishop must also be aware of and concerned with the health and well-being of the individuals involved; those considerations must remain confidential.

The accused priest  the Rev. Albert Gene Kreher  acknowledged in an interview this week that his behavior with Poole was inappropriate when Poole was a teenager, but said there was nothing sexual about the situation. He has never faced criminal charges or a civil lawsuit.

I have had a lot of youth in my life but none needed to feel threatened, Kreher, 78, said by telephone. I thought I was being a good pastor trying to serve as a role model. If my erotic inclinations were turned loose they would not be directed toward young people.

In hindsight, Kreher said, Poole needed somebody else to help him as a struggling boy.

Poole needed a psychologist, professional help, which I am not, Kreher said.

A 2010 letter Kreher wrote to Poole offered a different, less specific apology.

I acknowledge that parts of my relationship with you were very inappropriate and then to be repeated over a long period of time only adds to the shame, he wrote, according to a copy of the letter. I am sorry that I didnt offer my apology a long time ago and regret the possibility that things I did a long time ago contribute to your present difficulties.

Asked about the apology letter, Kreher said: The Bishop [Braxton] was telling me in part what to write. So I could not tell you what parts ended up in the letter itself.

Asked about the reference to shame, he said: That part I really dont remember because it was not a shameful relationship.

I kept it secret

Poole described his side of the story and current struggles in a long interview this week.

He said Kreher befriended him in the early 1980s, when he was 14 and his parents were struggling to stay together. Poole said he became an altar boy and helped cut the grass at St. George Church in New Baden, where Poole grew up, 30 minutes east of St. Louis on Interstate 64.

Poole said he eventually started spending weekends with the priest, sleeping naked with him in the rectory and while on camping trips.

He would hold me, Poole said. He would fondle me, kiss me and rub his genitals on me. He would tell me he loved me while he was doing those things. I was a boy, looking for a father figure.

He said the relationship confused him. After about a year and a half, Poole said, he drifted away from Kreher.

I began to want to hang around kids my own age, Poole said. The priest became very jealous. He said I was being disloyal. I withdrew from his bed. I couldnt take it anymore.

I was ashamed, he added. I kept it secret for years and years and years.

Poole said he reported the alleged abuse to another priest in the early 1990s and didnt immediately hear anything back about it.

While in college, he decided to pursue the priesthood.

In spite of him, I still wanted to be a priest, Poole said.

In 1997, one year after being ordained, Poole said, he received a call from the vicar general asking about the old allegations.

I minimalized it and really denied the allegations, Poole said, adding that he was caught off guard by the call. It scared me because it brought up a lot of bad memories and I wasnt psychologically prepared to deal with it yet. I probably should have.

Though he works in the same diocese, he said he hadnt spoken to Kreher since his mothers funeral in 2000. His mother, a devout Catholic, had been very close to Kreher and often had him over for meals.

Now at 48, Poole says he is about the same age as Kreher was when their relationship began.

I am a middle-aged pastor today, Poole said. Sleeping with a 14-year-old boy is not what a pastor does.

A lot of shame

Pooles career as a priest started to implode after his mother died of cancer 17 years ago. He said he took care of her in her final months.

Not long after her death, he was sentenced to probation and 100 hours of community service for stealing a large antique sign from an art gallery in Ladue in the middle of the afternoon. He also told police that hed made up a story about a stranger trying to attack and rob him at a church in Breese.

In 2010, he was accused of stealing butter and switching a bar code tag on a mattress at Walmart. In 2011, he was arrested for taking an antique ashtray, the same year he was in detox for addiction to a prescription medication.

I know people might say this is psychobabble, Poole said. I am not blaming my problems and laying them at the foot of what happened to me as a kid, but I think that had something to do with it. I was really confused at that stage and I was very vulnerable  an adult priest that I trusted used me and that turned into a lot of shame.

Poole said parts of his abuse story started to come out during years of therapy and counseling. He said he told Braxton specifically about the alleged abuse in a private meeting on Easter in 2010.

Poole said he was disheartened by Braxtons response, which he said wasnt apologetic. Instead, he said, Braxton placed some of the burden of reconciliation on Poole by suggesting that he possibly sit down and confront his alleged abuser face to face.

The following month, Poole received the apology letter from Kreher which began: I have delayed far too long to deal with something critical for both of us. I need to apologize very deeply for my commissions and omissions from years ago. Whatever my intentions, I did not do right by you.

Investigated and resolved

More recently, Poole has been struggling with Braxton over how to best handle two churches hes been responsible for since 2014: St. Barbaras in Okawville, and St. Anthonys, in tiny Lively Grove.

In a recent letter to Braxton, Poole mentioned disagreements on how to handle what seemed to be some financial irregularities and practices at both parishes that came to Pooles attention.

Poole wrote that the bishop wasnt supporting him while some lay leaders at St. Anthonys had grown vocal about not wanting Pooles services as a priest. He also said parish leaders had rejected his efforts to have St. Anthonys partner with St. Barbaras.

The rural parishes, and many other parishes in the diocese, face the reality of having fewer priests these days to staff remote congregations. Many resist attempts to merge.

The difficulties have reached the point where I have received threats of physical harm, wrote Poole, wondering why his request to be reassigned wasnt honored.

Poole told Braxton in the letter that his inaction paralleled the handling of the old sex abuse claims.

Braxton responded in a March 17, 2016, letter to Poole: I remember well the very serious matter we discussed in my Residence six years ago. Contrary to your statement, your allegations were reported to the Review Board, thoroughly investigated and resolved. I do not see the parallel between that experience and the very serious difficulties you are now experiencing in both of the parishes that I have entrusted to your pastoral care.

The bishop asked Poole to schedule a new meeting with him.

Poole said he didnt do it based on advice from an independent church lawyer from out of state.

Under investigation

Poole said his therapist asked for permission to report the old sex abuse claims to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services last year. That report spurred a complaint filed in New Baden last month.

The whole matter remains under investigation, so I am not going into detail, said Scott Meinhardt, the police chief. We are trying to investigate something that occurred 35 years ago. There are a lot of different factors at play.

Also late last year, Poole contacted the Boy Scouts. He told them that he was troubled to see that Kreher was still listed as the chaplain for the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. The Boy Scouts took swift action.

When we did learn of the allegations in 2016, we took action to preclude him from any further participation in the scouting program, said Christine Rasure, spokeswoman for the Greater St. Louis Area Council of Boy Scouts.

Asked by telephone about the chaplain position, Kreher said hed been working with only adult scout leaders. He said he resigned from his Scout commitments in recent months.

I felt like I wasnt serving them well to begin with, the priest said. For a long time, I felt that. It was a good time because I since have spent several days in the hospital.

While in the hospital, he said, representatives of Children and Family Services visited him about the nonsense from the old claims by Poole.

But Poole said he remained tormented from their relationship decades ago.

He is steadfast in demanding that his diocese  and his bishop  set the record straight: I am trying to move on in my life from being a victim to a survivor.
ST. LOUIS  Dozens of people marched downtown around Washington Avenue Friday evening in a peaceful protest against President Donald Trump.

About as many police officers were out along with the protesters, with bike patrol units keeping protesters to the sidewalks and patrol cars following.

Emily Davis said she was protesting Trump's "rhetoric of hate." She wore a shirt that read A time comes when silence is betrayal and that time is now.

It's really important to do everything in my power to protest against the hate now in the highest office in the country, she said. As a white person I have to take responsibility because it's white people who historically have been the oppressors of people of color, and now we've endorsed white supremacy with Trump.

Dhoruba Shakur, an activist who protested regularly in Ferguson in 2014, ironically wore a "Make America Great Again" hat  a trademark of Trump supporters  and carried an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle strapped around his back. Shakur, 26, said he has a permit for the gun.

Shakur said he was out to express his First and Second Amendment rights and to show distaste for Trump.

He's not for the people, Shakur said. "We need someone who walks and speaks in righteousness."

He said he carried the gun to make sure nobody infringes on my First Amendment rights.

Sometimes police get forceful and harm people, he said. I carry it to make sure I'm not one of those harmed.

"If it's a lawful arrest I'll walk away peacefully, no problem  but I have a right by law to carry and a right to defend myself from those that would infringe on that right.

The police response to the protest was "overdone," but the protest went without incident, Shakur said.

Police Chief Sam Dotson said it was not the first time police had encountered an armed protester.

That's now the law in our state, and while I wish it wasn't, he has the right to carry," he said. "It's our job to make sure he has the right as long as it's done peacefully and isn't a threat to safety."

Dotson said the protest had gone without incident. Several passing pedestrians thanked the police for their service.

I think the officers have done a good job doing everything they can to allow (the protesters) to have their voice heard, Dotson said. We're just here to make sure things are safe.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  A former Missouri State University student who said he was the victim of a so-called knockout game attack outside a fraternity party in 2010 has been awarded $1.63 million in damages, though he is likely to collect only $630,000.

The lawyers representing Trevor Godfrey, 25, said in a news release that the Omicron Kappa chapter of Omega Psi Phi didnt do enough to create a safe environment at the party before Godfrey was struck from behind and knocked unconscious, the Springfield News-Leader reported.

The Omicron Kappa chapter was the sole defendant after Omega Psi Phi and several individuals were dismissed from the suit before the case went to trial last week. Godfreys attorney, Steve Garner, said $1 million in punitive damages wasnt covered by the fraternitys insurance and couldnt be collected, though insurance covers the $630,000 in actual damages.

MSU has great rules to protect those who attend fraternity and sorority parties and those who come in contact with the party. In fact, I cannot imagine any rules that are better, Garner wrote in an email. This was an instance where the rules were not followed and there was no security to monitor this party. I have nothing negative to say about this fraternity.

Hal Meltzer, an attorney for the Omicron Kappa chapter, didnt immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press.

Springfield police said that no charges had been filed and that the case was closed. A Springfield police report said people attending the party reported that they didnt see or know anything. A responding officer wrote in the report that besides finding Godfrey bloodied and very disoriented, another person reported that he also had been struck in the head.

MSU President Clif Smart said around the time of the attack that the administration had done everything it could to help find out who the assailant is but was unsuccessful.
"We've never had a deputy actually get robbed. We've never had anyone this bold. This again, we're in St. Louis. ... This scares me," Betts said.
UNIVERSITY CITY  Police here say a man found fatally shoot in his home on Thursday was targeted and that robbery might have been the motive.

The victim was identified as Demetrius Cook, 33. He was found dead about 1:30 p.m. by officers sent to check on him at his residence in the 1300 block of Sheridan Drive.

Police said there was no forced entry into the residence and that witnesses had seen two people leaving the home.

Police had only sketchy descriptions of those people. Both were black males, 5 foot 6 inches to 5 foot 10 inches tall. One was in a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants. The other was in all black clothing.

Police ask anyone with information about Cook's death to call the University City Police Department at 314-725-2211, Ext. 8010 or Crime Stoppers at 866-371-8477.
The IAF is looking forward to getting new arms and equipments.

By Ajit Kumar Dubey: Learning lessons from experience of its Garud commandos during the Pathankot airbase attack, the Indian Air Force has started moving towards providing better protection its Special Forces against terrorist bullets in close quarter combat.

In order to give them enhanced firepower, the Air Force is also seeking to buy new assault rifles for special forces.

"Learning our lessons from the attack, we are planning to buy advanced bullet proof jackets for our special forces which can provide protection against 7.62mm bullets fired from AK-47 and other assault rifles used by terrorists," an IAF officer told Mail Today here.

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During the attack, an IAF commando Corporal Gursevak Singh had lost his life as he got hit by bullets in thighs and suffered injuries from grenade explosion as well, the officer said. Till now, the IAF is using the bulky jackets which are not very effective against bullets fired from close ranges and are too heavy as they can hinder the movement of commandos during encounters with terrorists. Another Garud officer Squadron leader Dwivedi had been injured in the attack where the Garuds faced their first actual encounter with terrorists and as part of the steps taken after the encounter, it was realised that the troops had to be provided better protection.

Also read | NIA hires IAF aircraft to fly documents on terror funding from Kashmir to Lucknow

Officials said the Garuds had earlier also tried to procure jackets but the move did not yield any result as the jackets on offer were found to be wanting and could not meet the standards desired by the force.

The IAF has also plans of expanding the size of its Garud forces as they are getting experience in anti-naxal duties and getting specialised training with foreign countries.

Around 1,000 more troops have been sought by the IAF from the government as it plans to provide better security to its air bases.

The Garud commandos use the Tavor assault rifles imported from Israel and will get more of them in near future as the case for its procurement is under process. Right after the Pathankot attack, the Air Force had moved in a proposal to raise the fortification of its 54 air bases around the country.

Also read | 36 Rafale jets not enough, India needs 200-250 to maintain combat edge: IAF chief Arup Raha

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EAST ST. LOUIS  The seemingly innocent computer clicks of teenagers "liking" a product on Facebook has touched off a legal fight over whether the social networking giant can allow those clicks to drive advertising.

St. Louis law firm Korein Tillery sued Facebook this week in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, claiming minors' names and pictures are being used for advertising and marketing without parental approval. The suit, seeking class action status, is similar to at least two others filed against Facebook in other states.

The lawsuit names as plaintiffis Melissa Dawes and Jennifer DeYong, two Madison County mothers who the firm says are upset about Facebook exploiting their children for corporate interests.

Facebook has become fertile ground for advertisers hoping to connect with young people but also has faced increasing questions about protecting its users' privacy and personal information.

The site has harnessed its power by allowing its 500 million active users to endorse companies, products and services that advertise on the site.

All users are able to click a "like" button on a company's Facebook page, which is then announced to the users' friends via the "news feed." The user's name and profile picture is then visible to friends who visit the company's Facebook page.

Teens, like adults, are also able to "like" various advertisements and Facebook pages, ranging from designer jeans to the latest Lady Gaga album.

The issue the lawsuit poses is whether those teens' parents need to sign off before their kids' "likes" are used to drive business.

Facebook scoffed at the suit on Thursday.

"We believe this suit is completely without merit, and we will fight it vigorously," said Andrew Noyes, a Facebook spokesman.

Similar suits have been filed in New York and California.

Asked what damage has been done because of the advertising, Steven Katz, an attorney with Korein Tillery, said it is "the invasion of privacy for commercial interests."

Dawes and DeYong could not be reached for comment. Katz declined to discuss his clients, saying they wanted to protect their privacy.

Korein Tillery has a history of big-money class action suits, including a $10 billion trial verdict against Philip Morris in 2003.

Facebook declares to users when they register that "your name and profile picture may be associated with commercial, sponsored, or related content (such as a brand you like) served or enhanced by us. You give us permission to use your name and profile picture in connection with that content, subject to the limits you place."

Users have to OK the non-negotiable statement to register.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday states that minors lack the capacity to consent and agree to such terms. The suit estimates that more than 14 million U.S. residents younger than 18 are Facebook users.

Aaron M. Zigler, another Korein Tillery lawyer, said parental approval is critical.

"A 16-year-old can't get a tattoo," he said, "or get a credit card."

Marc Rotenberg, executive director for Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center, said the suit poses a "fascinating case."

The inability to use a person's name or likeness for commercial purposes without their consent "is one of the most well-established privacy claims in the United States," said Rotenberg, who also teaches information privacy law at Georgetown University. "It's not at all clear that Facebook can assume it has the right to make use of a minor child's image for its own commercial benefit."

Such lawsuits date back to 1905, when the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that a man's right to privacy was violated when an insurance company used his picture in a newspaper ad without his permission.

"Regarding Facebook, the company has always pushed the envelope on the use of its users' images for commercial purposes," Rotenberg said.
BELLEVILLE  New St. Clair County Circuit Judge Ronald Duebbert made false and unauthorized statements about a murder suspect who once lived in the judges home, according to a prosecutors complaint.

St. Clair County States Attorney Brendan Kelly made the allegation in a letter to the state Judicial Inquiry Board in Chicago. The letter, dated Jan. 7, alleges Duebbert violated rules of judicial conduct during an investigation of the murder on Dec. 30 of Carl Silas, 28, in an apartment just east of Belleville.

Four days later, David E. Fields, 20, of East St. Louis, was charged in the murder. Fields, a felon, had lived for a time at Duebberts home in Belleville.

Kellys office disclosed his letter through a Freedom of Information request. It alleges that Duebbert revealed unauthorized information to reporters before Fields was arrested. The letter does not recommend action by the judicial board.

Kelly has stepped away from the murder case and asked that it be investigated by another state agency, the States Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor in Springfield. Its director, Patrick Delfino, confirmed that the agency was the special prosecutor.

He and Kelly declined to comment further Friday, and Duebbert could not be reached.

The area Major Case Squad investigated Silas murder at the request of St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson. The squad has recommended that Duebbert be charged with obstruction of justice.

Duebbert, a Republican, defeated incumbent Circuit Judge John Baricevic in the Nov. 8 election and became a judge on Dec. 5. Because of the Fields case, he has been restricted to administrative duties.

In December 2013, Fields was charged with battery of a pregnant student at Belleville East High School. He pleaded guilty in 2015 before Baricevic and was paroled last Oct. 24. Duebbert told the Belleville News-Democrat that Fields lived in his home until Dec. 2.

Duebbert told the newspaper on the day of the Silas murder that he met Fields in 2013 in a chance encounter outside his law office. After Fields was paroled, Duebbert said, he let him live at his home to give him time to find a permanent residence and a job and regain custody of his child.
ST. LOUIS  More than 50 of the young engineers who designed and built the Mercury spacecraft 50 years ago gathered at Boeing headquarters today to be honored for achievement in electrical engineering.

Technically, the honor is called the Milestone Award in Electrical Engineering and Computing from an international group called the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

The association has bestowed the award in the past for such achievements as Thomas Edison's research, Benjamin Franklin's work with lightning and the British mathematicians who broke the Nazi Germany Enigma code during World War II.

"Not a bad list to join," said Moshe Kam, president of the engineers association.

The Mercury alumni and their families were honored at Boeing's headquarters at the complex next to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of the Boeing Defense group, praised them for setting a "strong foundation on which America's space program continues to grow and thrive."

The old McDonnell Aircraft Corp., now part of Boeing, won the federal contract on Jan. 12, 1959, to build the nation's first space capsules. The core of about 500 engineers and more than 12,000 production workers eventually produced 20 Mercury capsules.

The first Mercury capsule carried Alan Shepard into a suborbital flight on May 5, 1961.

The assembly today keyed on the orbital flight of John Glenn, who flew a Mercury capsule three times around the earth on Feb. 20, 1962.

After the ceremony, the retired engineers lunched on toasted ravioli and made small talk about old times. Some of them took another look at the mockup of a Mercury capsule in the Boeing museum.

"Every ;time I look at this I wonder how we ever talked any of those guys into one," said Ed Klein, 85, an engineer for 45 years at Boeing.

Many of the engineers later worked on the two-astronaut Gemini capsule, which McDonnell also built.

For more on this story, read Saturday's Post-Dispatch or return to STLtoday.com.
SAN FRANCISCO  When Goodwin Liu joined the seven-member California Supreme Court in 2011, he became its fourth sitting member of Asian descent. The number is remarkable.

The other state supreme courts in the U.S. combined have a handful of Asian-American justices. And Asian-American representation on other state courts, the federal bench and among the countrys top prosecutors is similarly scant.

Those findings emerged from a new study by Liu and law students at Yale University that provides a portrait of Asian-Americans in the legal profession. The conclusion: They are well-represented among the nations attorneys but still missing from some of the highest posts.

They have a foot in the door in virtually every sector of the legal profession, Liu said during a recent interview. The question now is how wide that doors going to swing open for them.

For Liu, the study is personal. His parents were doctors who came to the U.S. in the late 1960s from Taiwan. Nothing in his childhood was a conduit for a legal career. His parents encouraged him to study math and science. He didnt know any attorneys growing up and almost became a doctor.

Liu said the difference for him was mentorship. He had two Asian-American leaders as role models: U.S. Rep. Bob Matsui and former Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh.

Liu became a law professor and associate dean at the University of California, Berkeley, before President Barack Obama nominated him in 2010 for a prestigious federal appeals court seat.

His name was even mentioned as a potential U.S. Supreme Court candidate, but Republicans derailed his nomination to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. They called him a liberal ideologue and took exception to his outspoken opposition to Samuel Alitos 2006 appointment to the high court.

Liu withdrew his name. Soon afterward, California Gov. Jerry Brown swore him in for a seat on the state Supreme Court.

Liu said the Asian-American representation on the California high court does not carry through to lower courts in the state. As of 2015, only two of 97 appellate court judges were Asian-American. The California Supreme Court now has three Asian-American justices after one of those of Asian descent retired in 2014.

People may have certain perceptions of what a judge should look like, and Asian-Americans being fairly new to this field are bursting that mold, Liu said.

Asians are the nations fastest-growing racial group and make up more than 5 percent of the population. They make up an even larger percentage of law school students, with a significant number graduating from top institutions.

But Liu said their ranks in leadership positions are disconcerting, seen in some of the numbers the study compiled.

 Three of the 94 U.S. attorneys and four of the countrys nearly 2,500 elected state prosecutors were Asian-American.

 There were 26 active Asian-American judges among more than 850 federal judicial positions. Two percent of almost 10,300 state trial and appellate court judges who were surveyed were Asian-American.

 Asian-Americans were the largest minority group at major law firms but had the highest attrition rates and lowest ratio of partners to associates among all racial groups.

Now we understand whats happening, said Charles Huang, a California prosecutor who co-founded the National Asian Pacific Islander Prosecutors Association. We dont know whats causing it, but we know what the empirical results are.

The study surveyed more than 600 Asian-American lawyers, and their responses pointed to factors that may serve as barriers.

A relatively small percentage had a parent who was a lawyer. Those who expressed a desire to change their careers said getting a job as a judge or prosecutor was low on the list.

More than 80 percent reported experiencing implicit bias in the workplace. Many respondents said Asian-American attorneys were considered hard-working and responsible, but far fewer said the legal profession associated them with empathy, creativity or assertiveness.

Liu encourages law students to develop their confidence and identity through public speaking and break from what came before them.

Liu said he still struggles with how people might perceive him as an Asian-American judge.

I think for people who feel like they are going into places that are unfamiliar to them and who defy what perhaps is conventional expectation, you always feel like youre an impostor, he said. Theres always that feeling like, Oh, one day theyre going to find me out.
WASHINGTON  The streetlights were still lit early Friday morning when a throng of Black Lives Matter activists descended on a security checkpoint.

It was the dawn of a day of celebration and protest in the capitol, as Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States.

For a brief time, the pomp and ceremony televised to millions overwhelmed the countrys partisan divisions as Republicans and Democrats gathered on the west front of the Capitol for the peaceful transition of power. But outside the security cordons, a different scene took hold.

About three blocks from where Trump would later take the oath of office, a crowd chanted and waved signs as Rob Ferrell, 30, snapped shut a heavy-duty padlock, chaining himself and three others across an inauguration entrance. More people linked arms and blocked everyone  Trump supporters, journalists and men in dress uniform  from crossing the intersection.

Police watched with hands in their pockets as the group doubled, then tripled in size. Authorities had known this was coming; the protesters had issued a press release. After nearly three hours, the demonstrators unchained themselves, declared victory and said they were going home in the interest of their own safety. The checkpoint re-opened by 11 a.m., an hour before Trump took the oath of office.

The call has been to be ungovernable, Janaya Khan, 29, an organizer of the protest, shouted into a megaphone as the chains rattled to the ground. She appealed to feminists, socialists, communists and other groups to find common cause: Coalitions arent meant to be permanent. Sometimes theyre fragile and temporary, but we need to build them. We need to find each other in this movement.

Trump supporters scoffed at the protesters, referring to them as misguided youths.

One of the supporters was Bryan Thomas, 48, a motorcycle mechanic whose name was stitched onto his pale-blue work shirt and whose chest pocket carried both an American flag and a pack of Marlboro Red cigarettes. He said Trumps white nationalist supporters had given an unfair reputation to people like him. And, he said, Black Lives Matter activists tend to treat all Trump voters as stereotypes.

If the demonstrators were truly concerned about black lives, he said, they should put their energy toward cutting Chicagos homicide rate.

Brian Teichman, 53, a union electrician from Pennsylvania, accused the protesters of acting privileged: I drive 180 miles down here at night, spend $300 on a hotel room, and ... now Im standing here and I got all these college kids, probably never work a f day in their life, sittin there telling me I cant [use the entrance].

Later, metropolitan police deployed streams of pepper spray against demonstrators marching along the streets  a disgruntled parallel to the afternoon inaugural parade. Protesters linked arms and chanted, No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA.

The District of Columbia police chief said 217 people had been arrested and charged with rioting and six officers suffered minor injuries during anti-Trump demonstrations Friday.

By evening, dozens of protesters were being corralled by police, creating gridlock that stopped several limousines and other vehicles carrying people dressed in formal wear to the inaugural balls at the Washington Convention Center. Some men in tuxedos and women in gowns and high heels chose to walk the several blocks instead of waiting in traffic.

Earlier in the day, violence drew a rebuke from Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., who tweeted that Nothing is more unAmerican than protesters that are not peaceful. Disgusting.

Although environmental activists blocking an entrance chanted a line from the campaign of Hillary Clinton, Love trumps hate, few people spared a thought for the defeated Democrat  except to wonder what mightve been if Trump had faced someone else.

The scene had an aura of absurdity at times. Demonstrators gathered near Capitol Hill for what they called the Festival of Resistance. Three women protested on stilts. A group shouldered an inflatable elephant emblazoned with the word Racism. As roving bands of protesters swelled back and forth, religious proselytizers intermingled. A billboard-size seek the Living Jesus sign greeted people leaving the inaugural ceremony, below which stood a man holding a tiny Trump  1 percent sign.

One protester, Nancy Anderson, 29, a University of Missouri graduate, said she had come here because doing nothing under a Trump presidency was not an acceptable alternative.

We cant be silent, she said. A lot of us got real complacent.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Donald Trump made clear Friday that, as Americas 45th president, he will be every bit as defiant, blunt and hostile to the traditional American power structure as he was on the campaign trail. Trumps voters signaled they wanted a massive shakeup in Washington, and Trump left no doubt thats what he has in mind.

Trump delivered exactly the kind of simplistic, populist message that resonated with the American working class on Nov. 8. The inaugural speech was alternately inspirational yet frightening, hopeful yet apocalyptic.

He decried the American carnage of rusting factories, jobs drifting overseas, and urban streets menaced by drugs, gangs and crime. And he restated his promise to yank power away from the Washington elite and give it back to the American people.

With four of his five living predecessors sitting a few feet away  along with inaugural emcee Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and the majority of Congress  Trump dismissed just about any progress those elected leaders combined efforts might have accomplished during the past four decades.

Instead, the new president declared brashly, For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. ... Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed. He blamed policies that dispensed trillions and trillions of dollars in American military aid overseas while the infrastructure decayed at home.

Apparently referring to the Washington elite and its big-moneyed supporters, Trump declared, The establishment protected itself but not the people. Then he warned ominously: That changes, right here, right now. ... From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, its going to be only America First.

Contradictions abounded. He pledged to replenish what he described as a depleted U.S. military, and to wipe out radical Islamic terrorism even while his speech decried lavish military expenditures abroad and ignored the very real and urgent national security concerns that required them.

While appearing to level his sharpest criticisms at corporate elitists and pledging to return power to the people, Trump made no reference to the billionaires who dominate his nominated Cabinet  including one who profited from mortgage foreclosures that forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.

And, having implicitly insulted his predecessors and Congress, he then retreated to the Capitols Statuary Hall, where he joked and dined with them as violent protests erupted on the streets outside.

Sadly lacking in Trumps speech was much acknowledgment of Americas leadership role in the world or a conciliatory outreach to his critics.

Throughout the ceremonies, Blunt did Missouri proud. It was he, not Trump, who emphasized that the inauguration was not a celebration of victory but a celebration of democracy. Trumps message conveyed exactly the opposite.
AUBURN  Auburn native Sean McLeod has worn many hats throughout his career. The internationally known producer, choreographer, composer and businessman has traveled the world for his work, winning several coveted awards over the last 25 to 30 years. But there was one award, he said, that means more than most, and he won it Friday night in his hometown.

On Friday, Jan. 20, McLeod was one of 10 musicians inducted into Auburn High School's brand new Music Hall of Fame. He was also one of nearly 100 current students and alumni to perform at the high school's first-ever Alumni Music Gala.

"It really feels historical," McLeod said, smiling. "I've gotten national awards and things of that nature, but this really ranks among the highest of them because it's from my hometown. ... And being able to hang out with folks that I performed with back in high school, there's something very uniquely special about this."

The alumni concert was the so-called "brain child" of high school chorus director Douglas McCall who wanted to host a fundraiser for seven Auburn students hoping to tour Europe with American Music Abroad this summer. However, McCall said it turned out to be much more.

"This event is, first and foremost, a celebration of music in the community," he said.

The celebration began with a multi-generational music choir of 80 students and 10 alumni who came together to sing a song that McLeod composed more than 20 years ago: "Come on Harriet."

"I'm really honored that out of all the music they could have selected, somehow they chose the music that I wrote," McLeod said. "So this is also about paying homage to Harriet Tubman and the new park and the history of her combat to make a difference."

Still, McLeod said there was a third thing for him to celebrate as he was able to share the stage with his daughter, Devon.

"There's something special about being able to share this moment with my daughter, my family, but also my extended family  my classmates that have come back and people that have graduated before me and after me," he said.

"My father talks all the time about how he wouldn't be where he is today without the foundation of Auburn High School," Devon added, noting she was part of the multi-generational choir as a 2013 graduate of AHS. "To see them honor him for the things that he has done makes me really proud. It's really something special."

In addition to McLeod, three educators, two alumni and four community members became the first inductees of the school's Music Hall of Fame, most of whom were there to thank the school and the city for helping in their success.

"This is a special place," said Dr. Stephen Gage, a former band director at AHS. "If I've had career success ... I owe a lot of it to Auburn."
The 2003-batch Haryana cadre IAS officer's scheme for subsidised pre-cooked hot meals feeds 1,500 migrant labourers in Chandigarh every evening.

"Some months back, we wondered what we could do to improve the lot of the nearly 20,000 labourers in Chandigarh. Most are from the villages of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and they work as rickshaw pullers or industrial labour. They live in the city's slums and clearly had trouble getting access to cheap, clean, nutritious food.

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We drew up a business plan for a subsidised tiffin service, tapping into CSR funds from corporates and government oil firms. Setting up the infrastructure-building the kitchen in Sector 11 of Karuna Sadan, the headquarters of the Red Cross Society in Chandigarh, buying the chapati machines and atta-kneading machines-and arranging for rolling funds to pay the 20 workers who run the kitchen took some time.

A trial run of 200 food packets that we distributed in slums instilled confidence. The Annapurna Akshaypatra Yojana was inaugurated by Punjab Governor V.P. Singh Badnore on January 2. Every day, five trucks drive into the migrant labour colonies or industrial areas between 6 and 9 pm and sell 1,500 food packets. The food is foil-wrapped and each meal comprises six chapatis, 120 grams of vegetables and a slice of pickle for Rs 10.

There's a reason the food is not free. We want to maintain the dignity of the workers by not giving out free food and also ensure that the scheme is self-sustaining. It's early days yet, but the scheme's success has given us confidence to dream big. We have the capacity for 10,000 meals a day and will scale up to that gradually over the next six months. We are especially proud the scheme didn't take a break even when rains lashed the city-our clientele waited for our food.

We have laid the groundwork for this scheme to outlast my tenure. It will be administered by the DC under the district Red Cross, which he runs."

-As told to Sandeep Unnithan

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I took my children into the voting booth with me and later my grandchildren so they could learn the procedure and why it is so important.
Raids were carried out by I-T sleuths at 16 locations in Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali, Boisar and Ulhasnagar. These jewellers are those who have deposited more than Rs 1 crore after November 8.

By Mustafa Shaikh: Gold sold after demonetisation was shown as back dated sales. To escape the wrath of Directorate of Income Tax (I-T: Intelligence and Criminal Investigation), jewellers declaring money under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana which allows you to provides an opportunity for Black money holders to disclose income in the form of cash with a penalty totaling in all to 49.9 per cent of the declared income.

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Raids were carried out by I-T sleuths at 16 locations in Thane, Kalyan, Dombivali, Boisar and Ulhasnagar. These jewellers are those who have deposited more than Rs 1 crore after November 8.

A list of 16 shops was prepared after which raids were carried out.

Also read: I-T raids on Jain Cooperative Bank, startling information emerges

Giving an outline of the investigations R K Yadav, Joint Director, I-T (Thane) said that Rs 7-8 crores has been declared under the scheme by few jewellers after the raids. "Declaring under the scheme doesn't mean that we will not analyse their accounts. Work is underway to study the accounts to make sure that illegitimate transactions during demonetisation are brought to books."

Just after demonetisation demand for gold saw a surge with people buying gold for cash at high rates. This money was later deposited in the banks as back dated sales. Enormous checks were brought in place by government but it was too late as all the jewellery shops had sold most of their stocks.

Also read: Demonetisation puzzle: How will PM's black money scheme work after Dec 30?

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SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc., a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AJRD), began the New Year by successfully supporting the launch of the Lockheed Martin-built third Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous satellite (GEO Flight 3) for the U.S. Air Force. The mission, which is designed for early-warning missile detection, was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion systems on the Atlas V include the RL10C-1 upper-stage engine, six helium pressurization tanks, and 12 Centaur upper-stage Reaction Control System thrusters (RCS); also, Aerojet Rocketdyne provided 18 monopropellant hydrazine thrusters on the GEO Flight 3 satellite.

Its an honor to know our propulsion systems helped place another critical satellite into orbit in support of our nations defense  one that will provide key capabilities in the areas of missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness, said Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and President Eileen Drake.

Aerojet Rocketdyne's RL10C-1 upper-stage engine ignited after separation of the first stage to place the payload into orbit, helped by the Centaur RCS thrusters and pressurization tanks. The RL10C-1 delivers 22,890 pounds of thrust to power the Atlas V upper stage, using cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants.

The RL10C-1 was developed from the RL10 family of upper-stage engines, which have accumulated one of the most impressive track records of accomplishments in the history of space propulsion. More than 475 RL10 engines have supported launches over the last 50 years, playing a vital role in placing military, government and commercial satellites into orbit, and powering scientific space-probes on every interplanetary mission in our solar system.

Aerojet Rocketdyne provides 12 MR-106 monopropellant hydrazine thrusters in four modules on the Atlas V Centaur upper-stage which provide roll, pitch and yaw control, as well as settling burns. The GEO Flight 3 satellite has 18 monopropellant hydrazine thrusters onboard: 12 MR-103G 0.2-lbf thrusters and six MR-106L 5-lbf thrusters. Once separated from the launch vehicle, the 18 thrusters on the GEO Flight 3 satellite provide stationkeeping, three-axis control and de-spinning of the reaction wheels throughout the mission. They also provide attitude control during orbit-raising, as well as the impulse needed for final decommissioning of the satellite.

ARDE, a subsidiary of Aerojet Rocketdyne based in New Jersey, provided the pressure vessels on the first and second stages of the launch vehicle.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for SBIRS, which includes a combination of satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit, hosted payloads in Highly Elliptical Orbit, and ground hardware and software. The data provided by SBIRS is designed to enhance the U.S. militarys ability to detect missile launches, support ballistic missile defense, expand technical intelligence gathering and bolster battlespace awareness.

Aerojet Rocketdyne is an innovative company delivering solutions that create value for its customers in the aerospace and defense markets. The company is a world-recognized aerospace and defense leader that provides propulsion and energetics to the space, missile defense and strategic systems, tactical systems and armaments areas, in support of domestic and international markets. Additional information about Aerojet Rocketdyne can be obtained by visiting our websites at www.Rocket.com and www.AerojetRocketdyne.com.

Source: Aerojet Rocketdyne, Inc.
VANCOUVER, BC -- (Marketwired) -- 01/20/17 -- THC BioMed Intl Ltd. ("THC" or the "Company") (CSE: THC) (CSE: THC.CN) (CNSX: THC) (OTCQB: THCBF) (FRANKFURT: TFHC) announces that due to a request from Trans-Medica Ltd. ("Trans-Medica") in September 2016, it agreed to re-categorize, from income to subscription funds, an amount of money that had previously been received by THC from Trans-Medica. As a result, THC will restate its annual financial statements for the year ended July 31, 2016 and the financial quarters ended April and October 2016. While the $250,000 was initially received by THC pursuant to an invoice for services rendered and categorized as income, Trans-Medica contacted THC in the fall of 2016 to say that it had intended the funds to be used as subscription funds for shares at $0.25 each. Since the written agreement between the parties -- previously announced in press releases filed on May 14, 2015 and July 15, 2015 -- had allowed for that possibility, THC agreed in September 2016 to convert the amount into shares at $0.25. That price was available to the Issuer for the issuance of shares pursuant to CSE policy at the time. As a result, the Issuer will restate its financial statements to reflect that the money received was for subscription funds received in advance and not regular income.

"While this change results in our financial statements showing a greater loss, it is simply the result of the reclassification of the funds and the corresponding issuance of shares. There was no change to the actual amount of money received by THC," said Hee Jung Chun, CFO of THC, "The reclassification came after the publication of the financial statements for April Q3 and the July year end that are being restated. The subsequent quarter will be restated as well to reflect the change. While we are constantly testing and improving our procedures for internal controls, we are confident that they are effective. These restatements are the result of the discussions with Trans-Medica and our agreement to accept the funds as subscription funds."

About THC:

THC is licensed under Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations ("ACMPR") for the cultivation, production and sale of cannabis for medical purposes in the form of dried or fresh product, oil and starting materials. THC also conducts research & development of the products and services related to cannabis for medical purposes. Authorized purchasers can make product orders through www.thcbiomed.com.

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business of THC. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the management of THC. Although THC believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because THC can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. THC disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

NEITHER THE CSE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

President and CEO:John MillerTHC Biomed Intl Ltd. T: 1-844-THCMEDS E: [email protected]

Source: THC Biomed Intl Ltd.
Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth of Mauritius addresses the 71st United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., September 23, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

By Jean Paul Arouff

PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - The 86-year-old prime minister of Mauritius said on Saturday that he would resign on Jan. 23 and hand power to his son, who is the current finance minister.

Anerood Jugnauth, who has presided over steady economic growth, said in a televised speech he would continue to serve in government in another, unspecified capacity.

"The time has come for the country to have a young leadership that represents the future," he said. "I ask the population to support Pravind Jugnauth as it did for me."

A veteran politician, Anerood Jugnauth was appointed prime minister in December 2014 after Lepep, an alliance of three political parties, won three-quarter of the seats in parliament.

In December, one of the three parties quit the coalition after a row with government over a bill regarding prosecutions, but the remaining two-party alliance still enjoys a parliamentary majority.

Pravind Jugnauth, 55, is expected to be named prime minister early next week.

Famed for its white sand beaches and luxury spas, the Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius is diversifying its economy away from sugar, textiles and tourism into offshore banking, business outsourcing, luxury real estate and medical tourism.

(writing by Katharine Houreld, editing by Larry King)
"We are extremely grateful to the government for securing his safe release. We shall remain indebted to (Minister of State for Defence) Subhash Bhamre for all his help in ensuring his return home," said Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said.

Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chauhan being received by Border Security Force personnel after he was handed over to them by Pakistan Rangers at Attari border on Saturday. Chauhan had inadvertently corssed the Line of Control on September 29th, 2016 from J

By Indo-Asian News Service: Indian Army sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan's kin and residents of his native village Bohivir in northern Maharashtra were overjoyed on his release today by Pakistan. His family thanked authorities for securing his safe return.

Scores of villagers came out into the streets to greet the Chavan family, who were overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, laughing and crying at the same time.

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Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said, "We are extremely grateful to the government for securing his safe release. We shall remain indebted to (Minister of State for Defence) Subhash Bhamre for all his help in ensuring his return home."

"It is unbelievable and the news is still sinking in. We are so happy for us, its like all festivals Diwali, Holi coming together simultaneously and we shall celebrate when he comes home after such a long time," his married sister Rupali Patil said wiping away tears of joy.

Also read: Pakistan returns Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan as goodwill gesture

Pakistan defence and border authorities on Saturday released Chavan who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control in September 2015 and handed him over to Indian authorities at the Wagah-Attari Joint Check Post, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said.

Chavan, 23, of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army after he inadvertently crossed the LoC in the Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, just hours after the Indian forces carried out surgical strikes on September 29 across the LoC to destroy terrorist launch pads.

After hearing of the news of Chavan's capture, his aged grandmother suffered a heart attack and died a few days later.

Bhamre who represents Dhule constituency where Chavan's village is maintained regular touch with his family all these months.

At a function in Mumbai 10 days ago, Bhamre had indicated the possibility of securing Chavan's early release from Pakistan though he did not specify any time-frame.

Also read: Now that Chandu is back, grandmothers ashes can be immersed

--- ENDS ---
By Johan Sennero

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - The leader of Sweden's Moderate party called on the center-right opposition to unite to bring down the minority coalition government with help from the Sweden Democrats, a sign the anti-immigration party could be starting to lose its pariah status.

Mainstream politicians have so far refused to have anything to do with the Sweden Democrat party after they first won seats in parliament in 2010. The party was called "racist" by Moderate leader Anna Kinberg Batra only six months ago.

But in a U-turn she said the Moderates would now be prepared to work with the party in parliament and would be prepared to take power with passive support from the Sweden Democrats.

"In questions where there are the conditions for agreement, I do not think we should exclude building a majority with the Sweden Democrats," Batra told reporters.

However, she ruled out forming a formal coalition with the Sweden Democrats or including them in preparing an joint opposition Alliance budget.

"But again, I do not want to begin talks on forming a government ... or budget negotiations," she said.

Two members of the four-party Alliance rejected Batra's call to bring down the center-left coalition by uniting behind an alternative budget proposition in September.

"We want to change the government but not with support from the Sweden Democrats," Annie Loof, leader of Alliance member the Centre party said.

"Tomorrow Donald Trump is sworn in as president, yesterday Britain's prime minister said there would be a 'hard Brexit'. In times like these, we need security, stability and leadership."

DIVISIONS WIDENED

The smallest Alliance party, Christian Democrats, said it supported the proposal from the Moderates.

A wave of populism across Europe, sparked in part by growing worries about immigration, has boosted support for the Sweden Democrats, who won around 13 percent of the vote in 2014.

Mainstream parties have so far refused to have anything to do with the Sweden Democrats, but neither the center left nor center right can form a majority government without them.

Their popularity has widened divisions in the Alliance between those on the right, who want to reach out a hand and secure a parliamentary majority and those who see the party as untouchable. The Moderates have been bleeding voters to the Sweden Democrats in recent polls.

"With the Moderates and the Alliance doing badly they may need to shake things up, and this should be seen in this perspective," said Jonas Hinnfors, political scientist at Gothenburg University.

With the Centre and Liberal parties against any form of cooperation with the Sweden Democrats, the Alliance could face a rupture less than three years after losing power.

"If they can't agree on that question, I will think that will make it hard to form an agreement on a government," said Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Akesson, who wants closer cooperation with the Moderates.

A poll published in daily Aftonbladet showed the Sweden Democrats backed by around 21.5 percent of voters despite tougher immigration rules which have slashed the number of asylum applications from a record in 2015.

They have overtaken the Moderates as the second largest party, according to the poll, trailing only the Social Democrats.

(Reporting by Johan Sennero and Simon Johnson; Editing by Niklas Pollard and Alison Williams)
By Pracha Hariraksapitak and Aukkarapon Niyomyat

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's junta is setting up a reconciliation panel of generals and experts to find common ground between political factions ahead of elections, the general named to lead the body said on Friday.

But critics questioned how neutral the panel would be given decades of military involvement in politics.

The army overthrew Thailand's last elected prime minister in 2014, saying it had intervened to end street protests and years of political turmoil. It has promised to restore democracy to the Southeast Asian country.

General Chaichan Changmongkol, appointed by the junta to lead the panel, told reporters it would include the head of the armed forces, army specialists and civilian experts.

"We will spend three months listening to the views of every side and on every subject whether it is politics, reforms or education," said Chaichan, who is permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defense.

The panel would then come up with an agreement that all sides would sign to ensure a peaceful transition, he said.

Thailand's political divide is broadly between a traditionalist elite, centered on Bangkok, and the less prosperous parts of the country, which largely backed populist governments before the most recent coup.

Both Thailand's main political parties said they were open to reconciliation if it was done fairly.

"The reconciliation process must be neutral, must be fair and must be according to the law," said former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose was overthrown in the last coup.

The army has repeatedly postponed elections in the past in the name of reforms to bring about reconciliation. The army had initially promised an election this year, but a delay until 2018 is widely expected.

Critics say the generals are working to ensure their political influence after elections, including drafting a constitution that enshrines military power at the expense of political parties.

Kan Yuenyong, executive director of the Siam Intelligence Unit think-tank, told Reuters that reconciliation by an army-led panel would be hard.

"If they were sincere they would admit that they have been part of the problem and appoint a neutral panel," he said.

Since helping to overthrow an absolute monarchy in what was then Siam in 1932, the military has staged 19 coups, 12 of them successful, and has provided 12 of its 29 prime ministers in that time.

The junta dismissed suggestions that it should also sign any reconciliation agreement and agree not to stage more coups.

"The majority of soldiers do not want to seize power. Having power isn't everything," Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters. "The citizens supported this coup because we restored stability."

(Writing by Cod Satrusayang; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Randy Fabi)
Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Department of Energy, meets with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. January 4, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

By Timothy Gardner and Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rick Perry, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to run the U.S. Energy Department, said during a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday that global warming caused by humans is real, but that efforts to combat it should not cost American jobs.

The comment marks a shift for the former Texas governor, who had previously called the science behind climate change "unsettled" and a "contrived, phony mess." It also clashes with Trump's statements during his campaign for the White House that global warming is a hoax meant to weaken U.S. business.

"I believe the climate is changing. I believe some of it is naturally occurring, but some of it is also caused by man-made activity. The question is how do we address it in a thoughtful way that doesnt compromise economic growth, the affordability of energy or American jobs," Perry said.

Perry's 3-1/2-hour hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources was one of the shortest and least contentious in a long list of sessions to vet Trump Cabinet nominees since last week. The committee has not yet scheduled its vote on Perry's nomination.

As energy secretary, Perry, 66, would oversee a substantial chunk of Trump's energy portfolio. He would lead a vast scientific research operation credited with helping trigger a U.S. drilling boom and advancements in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology, and would also be in charge of maintaining the United States' nuclear weapons arsenal.

Trump, who will be sworn in as president on Friday, has promised to bolster the U.S. oil, gas and coal industries, in part by undoing federal regulations curbing carbon dioxide emissions. He has also suggested pulling America out of a global climate change pact signed in Paris in 2015, calling it expensive for U.S. industry.

He sees Perry, who was governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015 and whose nomination has the support of the energy sector, as someone who can help usher in jobs growth.

Perry added during his hearing that he regrets having previously called for the department's elimination - a proposal he made during his failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

That proposal, which has become known as his "oops" moment, came during a presidential candidate debate when he could not initially remember all of the three Cabinet-level departments he wanted to eliminate: Commerce, Education and Energy.

"After being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination," he said in his opening remarks.

"PROTECT" THE SCIENTISTS

Democrats on the committee expressed worry that Perry would weaken the Energy Department's functions and potentially target its army of scientists focused on climate research.

Perry sought to assuage them.

"I am going to protect the men and women of the scientific community from anyone who would attack them, he said in response to a question from Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington state about whether he would cut the department's climate science budget.

When pressed on whether there would be budget or staff cuts to key research programs at the department, Perry said: "I will be an advocate (for the programs) ... but Im not sure Im going to be 1,000 percent successful."

He distanced himself from a questionnaire the Trump transition team sent to the department in December demanding names and publications of employees who had worked on climate issues. After an uproar by critics who said it amounted to a witch hunt, the team disavowed the survey.

"I didnt approve it. I dont approve of it. I dont need that information," Perry said.

Perry said much of his focus running the department would be on renewing the U.S. nuclear weapons arsenal. More than half of the department's $32.5 billion budget goes to maintaining nuclear weapons and cleaning up nuclear waste.

"As a former Air Force pilot during the days of the Cold War, I understand the deterrent value of our nuclear weapons systems, and the vital role they play in keeping the peace, he said.

Perry said he was generally supportive of a state's right to block the siting of nuclear waste dumps, like Yucca Mountain in Nevada, but fell short of ruling out the federal government's power to impose them over state objections in some cases.

Nuclear waste disposal is one of the top hurdles to growth in the U.S. nuclear power industry.

Department leadership under Perry would represent a pivot from being run by learned scientists to a person who is known for close ties to energy interests.

The current energy secretary, Ernest Moniz, is a nuclear physicist who led technical negotiations in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, while the previous head, Steven Chu, is a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. Perry recently resigned from the board of directors of Energy Transfer Partners LP, the company building the Dakota Access Pipeline opposed by Native Americans and environmentalists.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Leslie Adler, Alistair Bell and Jonathan Oatis)
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than 80 Islamic State militants, some of whom were believed to be plotting attacks in Europe, died in U.S. air strikes on camps outside the group's former North African stronghold of Sirte in Libya, the United States said on Thursday.

"These strikes were directed against some of ISIL's external plotters," U.S Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a Pentagon briefing, using an acronym for Islamic State, the Syria- and Iraq-based militant group.

"They certainly are people who ... were actively plotting operations in Europe, and may also have been connected with some attacks that have already occurred in Europe," Carter said.

The U.S. attack on Wednesday night was led by two B-2 bombers, which took off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to carry out a 30-hour round-trip bombing run. They dropped about 100 precision-guided munitions on the camps.

The attack took place 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Sirte, targeting fighters fleeing Libyan forces clearing them from Sirte with support from U.S. air strikes.

Libyan forces finished retaking the city in early December after a nearly seven-month battle in a major blow to Islamic State that left the group without any territory in Libya.

Still, Libyan officials say hundreds of militants may have escaped before the battle or in its early stages, and local Islamic State leaders have spoken of trying to regroup outside the city.

A statement from Libya's U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli said the strikes were "preemptive steps to foil attempts" by Islamic State to stage new attacks on Sirte as well as other areas of the country.

The strikes appeared to be intended to shore up the GNA and protect recent gains in oil production from possible militant attacks, said Geoff Porter, head of North Africa Risk Consulting.

The GNA has received strong backing from the outgoing U.S. administration but has struggled to win support inside Libya or reverse the chaos that developed after rebels overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 with help from NATO.

It's unclear whether Donald Trump, who takes office as U.S. president on Friday, might seek to alter U.S. policy in Libya.

The United States carried out nearly 500 air strikes against Islamic State targets in Sirte between August and December. It had previously carried out several isolated strikes against militant targets elsewhere in Libya.

The jihadist group took over Sirte in early 2015, turning it into its most important base outside the Middle East and attracting large numbers of foreign fighters to the city. It imposed its ultra-hardline rule on residents and extended its control along about 155 miles (250 km) of Libya's Mediterranean coastline.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington, Ahmed Elumami in Tripoli and Aidan Lewis in Tunis; Editing by Janet Lawrence and James Dalgleish)
Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said the Pakistan Army held the defence of Saudi Arabia at par with its own.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement issued on Friday, Gen Bajwa said this while talking to the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Abdullah Marzouk Al-Zahrani, who called on him at the General Headquarters.

According to the statement, issues of bilateral relations including defence and training cooperation were the focus of discussion between the two sides.

The army chief reassured the ambassador that the Pakistan Army regarded the defence of Saudi Arabia in the same way as Pakistans.

Gen Bajwa, who became the army chief in November last year, had gone on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia in December.

In his meeting with Saudi deputy crown prince and defence minister Muhammad bin Salman, the army chief had reiterated Pakistans commitment to the security and protection of the holy mosques and also the territorial integrity of the kingdom.

The defence minister had reassured Gen Bajwa that his country supported peace and stability in Pakistan in every way.

The army chief had also called on Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

They acknowledged that both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were vital players in regional stability with significant responsibility towards the entire Muslim ummah.

The Saudi king and Gen Bawja emphasised the need to continue working to eliminate the menace of terrorism and reinforce the mechanism to roll back extremism with even greater vigour.

He had also met Chief of General Staff of Saudi Forces Gen Abdul Rehman bin Saleh Al Bunyan and discussed military-to-military relations, defence cooperation and regional security situation.
Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chohan, who was earlier reported captured from the Line of Control (LoC) on September 29, 2016, was returned to India on Saturday.

A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the soldier was "convinced to return to his own country" after he deserted his post "due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders".

According to the press release, Chohan had been stationed in Indian-held Kashmir. He had "wilfully crossed the LoC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to the Pakistan Army," the press release said.

The soldier will be "handed over to Indian authorities at Wahga border on humanitarian grounds," the press release added.

As confusion ensued after the soldier's 'desertion' on Sep 29, 2016, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Dr Maleeha Lodhi, while talking to Al Jazeera, had said that Pakistan Army had "captured an Indian soldier who was trying to enter into Pakistani territory.

Lodhi, however, had denied that there had been any surgical strike inside the territory of Pakistan on the same day, as claimed by the Indian forces.

Pakistan Army had also reported killing several Indian soldiers on the same day during a firing incident across the LoC.

An Indian army official based in New Delhi had said, It is confirmed one soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles with weapons has inadvertently crossed over to the Pakistan side of the Line of Control.

Avoiding connecting the capture to the firing incident along the LoC on the same day, the Indian official had said such incidents of people including civilians crossing the frontier by mistake have happened in the past from both sides.

Pakistan has been informed [of the soldier's crossing] through the DGMO on hotline, India's ANI News had quoted Indian Army sources at the time.

Pak Army returning Indian sldr #Chandu Babulal Chohan to India as goodwill. He deserted to Pak on 29 Sep 16 on grievances against his comds. pic.twitter.com/YtOkh7WZE0  Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 21, 2017

Avoiding connecting the capture to the Sep 29 firing incident, he said such incidents of people including civilians crossing the frontier by mistake have happened in the past from both sides.

The officer built a case in favour of India, he added that those who strayed are returned.

Pakistan has been informed [of the soldier's crossing] through the DGMO on hotline, ANI News had quoted Indian Army sources at the time.
The First Daughters and the ex-Presidential candidate dazzled in shades of white on Inauguration Day.

Ivanka, Tiffany and Hillary all donned shades of white at the Inaugural event. Photo: Reuters

By India Today Web Desk: While Donald and Melania Trump were the focus of the swearing-in ceremony at the Inauguration Day events--along with Barack and Michelle Obama--there were three powerful women who dazzled the world in white.

Yes, we're referring to Ivanka and Tiffany Trump (the First Daughters), and ex-Presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton. All three of them stood out in shades of white an the event which was clearly all about the blues and the reds.

Bill and Hillary Clinton arrive at the venue of the Inauguration. Photo: Reuters

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"I'm here today to honor our democracy and its enduring values. I will never stop believing in our country and its future," Hillary tweeted before attending the event in a white Ralph Lauren pantsuit. The ex-First Lady regularly wears pantsuits, which clearly represent both minimalism and functionality.

Also read: These pictures of Hillary Clinton prove that she's always been a trendsetter

Tiffany Trump talks to her brother, Barron, with Ivanka following behind. Photo: Reuters

Ivanka, who's quite the fashionista, also donned white on this occasion--but with a difference. Her Oscar de la Renta pantsuit had an asymmetrical jacket with a ruffled coattail. Her sister Tiffany appeared in a full-length, double-breasted coat with matching gloves and contrasting boots.

Hillary and Bill Clinton, being greeted by the Trump daughters. Photo: Reuters

Some reports have speculated that the Trump sisters copied what is prominently Hillary's signature style, but there might be another angle to their white outfits.

Donald Trump takes his oath as the 45th American President, while his family watches on. Photo: Reuters Donald Trump takes his oath as the 45th American President, while his family watches on. Photo: Reuters

In the early twentieth century, white was one of the colours used by the women of the suffragette movement. It's the universal colour that represents purity, and the suffragettes used it to symbolically counter the insults thrown at them during protests.

What Ivanka, Tiffany and Hillary wore at the Inauguration Day event is quite the nod at women who are pushing for equal rights across the world. It's also a cause that has the potential to unite women, despite political differences.

--- ENDS ---
Ankara can no longer insist on finding ways to peace in Syria without Syrian President Bashar Assad being involved, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek announced, calling a scenario without Assad unrealistic.

The facts on the ground have changed dramatically, so Turkey can no longer insist on a settlement without Assad, its not realistic, Simsek said on Friday.

Speaking in a panel discussion on Syria and Iraq at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Simsek suggested that facts on the ground have changed dramatically in Syria. Though previously opposed to the Syrian leader, Ankara has to be pragmatic, realistic, he added.

The deputy prime minister still blamed Assad for the suffering of the Syrian people, but expressed high hopes they might end soon with the Syrian peace talks scheduled for next week.

Aiming to end the nearly six-year war in Syria, the international meeting hosted by Turkey, Russia, and Iran will take place in the Kazakhstan capital, Astana.

On Wednesday, Moscow and Ankara carried out their first joint military operation against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in the Syrian province of Aleppo. In the operation coordinated with the Syrian government, Russian and Turkish planes targeted dozens of terrorist positions. Based on initial results, the joint effort has proved successful, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

According to the Russian military, a nationwide Syrian ceasefire, which was brokered by Moscow and Ankara and endorsed by the UN Security Council in late December, is being largely observed. Russian and Turkish forces have been jointly monitoring the ceasefire, and have reported fewer violations, the Russian ministry said, adding that the current situation in Syria creates favorable conditions for upcoming talks in Astana.

On Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed to the media that Moscow had also invited the US to take part in the upcoming talks on Syria.

The United Nations will also be present at the talks, with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura heading its delegation, the UN has confirmed. The organization accepted the invitation extended to de Mistura by Iran, Russia and Turkey, citing "the complexity and importance of the issues likely to be raised in Astana."

"The Secretary-General [Antonio Guterres] is looking forward to the Astana meeting being a positive step," a UN statement added.

Meanwhile, the Syrian president said the peace talks will focus on achieving a ceasefire and allowing rebel groups to reach "reconciliation" deals with the government. Assad added that he hoped the meeting in Astana would be a platform to discuss "everything" with opposition groups.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that all efforts were being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people and that the government was fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu.

By India Today Web Desk: AIADMK today warned the Centre that if it continues to "ignore" the regional aspirations and interests of people of Tamil Nadu then it will have dangerous implications.

A day after the Centre cleared an ordinance on jallikattu, AIADMK MPs of both the Houses met President Pranab Mukherjee.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that all efforts were being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people and that the government was fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu.

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HERE ARE THE UPDATES:

DMK was in power for a long time, why didn't they take this matter up, they have failed in this, which is why we are at this juncture: Thambidurai

Issue of jallikattu was in concurrent list and therefore Amma had stressed the need to solve it but Centre omitted our request: M Thambidurai

Main purpose is to protect culture of Tamil Nadu: Thambidurai

We strongly believe by today evening the ordinance on Jallikattu will come into effect: AIADMK leader M Thambidurai

Delhi: AIADMK MPs leave President's House after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee over #Jallikattu ordinance issue pic.twitter.com/qjF4KFHZYw ANI (@ANI_news) January 21, 2017

The central government on Friday gave its nod to the Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to enable holding of jallikattu, as the state witnessed massive protests in support of the sport.

The Centre's move came as Tamil Nadu was brought to a standstill due to massive protests by students and other sections demanding immediate staging of the traditional sport in Alanganallur, epicentre of jallikattu, and other places.

The protesters have said they would not withdraw the agitation until the event is held.

Also read: Proud of rich culture of Tamil Nadu, government committed to state's progress: Modi on jallikattu

--- ENDS ---
Challenges in the skilled worker shortage in construction sector View(s):

The most common lament in the construction sector always is the continued impact of the skilled worker shortage.

Construction managers are constantly looking for skilled labour professionals but that for them is the most challenging, they say. These workers, namely masons, tillers, painters, carpenters, bar-benders, welders, plumbers, riggers, etc are hard to come by in the industry.

Many jobs remain vacant for weeks resulting in construction project delays and whats significant is that despite todays high unemployment rate, skilled workers are in high demand in the construction staffing market where construction companies are struggling to find workers at all levels to properly staff their teams.

How all this started was when the end of the 3 decades-long civil war in 2009 gave way to a record boom in infrastructure development, resulting in the construction industry growing by 39.3 per cent in 2012 against 12 per cent growth in 2009. This rise in construction activities in the country has led to demands for a larger, more skilled and more productive labour workforce to deliver projects of increasing scale and complexity, within the expected standards of quality and timelines. The overwhelming, number one issue is access to skilled labour, an engineer said.

The construction industry is not only in buildings. It involves many other types of work aside from the building process, such as painting, landscaping, electrical supply, telecommunications, plastering and paving, etc.

All these types of work make up one industry, but each of them involves distinctive exposure and also is exposed to health hazards that deter those aspiring to enter this sector, an industry analyst said. Poor industry image, tough working conditions, and the industrys perceived poor safety record also have contributed to the decline in the number of people willing to enter and remain in the industry, the analyst added.

Construction workers are exposed to a wide variety of health hazards at work. The exposure differs from job to job, agrees a CEO of a construction firm.

The total value of work undertaken by the local contractors has increased from about Rs. 15 billion in 1995 to over Rs. 200 billion in 2015. According the Economic and Social Statistics of Sri Lanka 2015 published by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka the percentage of the labour force in construction has risen from 7.2 per cent to 8.4 per cent.

Yet despite this rise in the construction labour force compared to the total labour force in Sri Lanka, a relative increase in skilled craftspeople has not occurred, the CEO said.

The scarcity of skilled labour and the increasing construction demand is driving up build-out costs and prolonging project schedules, he said.

Some builders are guaranteeing 10 or 12 hours of overtime a week for electricians, dry wall installers, carpenters, sheet metal workers and others for the duration of a project. Some are even putting skilled workers on the permanent payroll as high-paid staff members in order to keep busy construction crews fully manned. Mega Kularatne, Director Maga Engineering Ltd agrees that in his company this is done.

During a recent survey conducted, most of the contractors and consultants interviewed identified the inadequate number of trained personnel coming out from training institutions and joining the labour market as the number one factor for the shortage of skilled labour.

In Sri Lanka the training of construction industry craftsmen is mostly carried out by several training institutions, which belong to the public and private sector. The public sector training institutions are the Vocational Training Authority (VTA), National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET), and the Institute of Construction Training and Development (ICTAD). These training institutions have claimed that the problem is not the capacity of the institutions to provide training (which is able to accommodate up to 10,000 craftsmen and technicians) but their inability to attract youth for the training programmes available.
First full, flight to Mattala View(s):

Mattala airport may not be lonely, after all. On Friday, budget carrier FlyDubai, the only foreign airline to use this southern airport, flew in a full complement of passengers  108  for a special occasion.

The group from Dubai was attending a wedding reception at the Shangri-La Hambantota Resort and Spa. According to FlyDubai local agent, Jetwing Travels Director Sunil Peiris, this is the first direct flight to Mattala from any part of the world. Mattala was also a stopover en route to Colombo. However on Friday the flight from Dubai was only to Mattala and an additional flight from FlyDubais 4-times-daily flight to Colombo, he said.

The airline will similarly operate a special charter next week for the group to return to Dubai.
Microsofts Mystery Shopper set to weed out fakes, counterfeits View(s):

(Beware) You may be part of a software counterfeiting without knowing it states a new ad campaign by Microsoft Sri Lanka to create awareness on fakes and counterfeits.

The ad, which has run in several newspaper over the past three weeks in all three languages, also alerts retailers of computers, laptops or hand held devices that a Microsoft Mystery Shopper will be visiting these stores.

Our mystery shopper will visit your store to observe whether you are doing the right thing by your customers protecting them from cyber criminals and the law, the ad said.

The local Microsoft office when asked under what laws Microsoft would be acting if stores are found selling fake or counterfeit Microsoft products, said: Sri Lanka has very strong laws to protect intellectual property as part of its plans to attract FDIs to the country. The applicable law overall is the Intellectual Property Act and for registered companies, The Companies Act as well where directors and senior managers become liable Microsoft will only refer observations to the relevant authorities for their investigation and action as appropriate.

Responding to questions from the Business Times, Microsoft said in a statement that the Microsoft mystery shopper campaign is part of an ongoing initiative to educate both the dealers and the consumers about the benefits of using licensed software on their PCs and laptops.

Part of the mystery shopper initiative is to first observe retail operations and assess the manner in which Microsoft software is sold enabling us to better educate reseller sales teams to communicate the correct information regarding Microsoft software and products. The feedback gathered from the mystery shopper exercise helps Microsoft identify possible training needs among the front line staff and also put in place reward schemes for those who have made the initiative to effectively communicate the need for genuine software, it said.

The negative feedback is taken seriously and actioned by educating partners on the laws pertaining to pirated software and equipping them with the relevant knowledge to carry out their sales in a legal and ethical manner, the company said.

It said the campaign has been an ongoing initiative for the past decade and also allowed law enforcement officials to crack down on the unauthorised distribution of software.

The campaign is part of the South East Asia New Market Plan and was initiated by

Sri Lanka.
Tamil Nadu Governor Vidhya Sagar Rao has paved the way for holding jallikattu tomorrow by giving his concurrence for the emergency Ordinance after it was cleared by the Centre yesterday.

By Pramod Madhav: It is kind of victory for the protesters on the Marina beach in Chennai as Tamil Nadu Governor has given concurrence for the emergency Ordinance paving way to hold the jallikattu tomorrow.

But, before this became clear, the ruling AIADMK added to the confusion over jallikattu Ordinance by first tweeting about Tamil Nadu Governor Vidhya Sagar Rao's concurrence and then deleting its own tweet.

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Vidhya Sagar Rao, who is also the Governor of Maharasthra and arrived Chennai earlier today, gave his concurrence for the emergency Ordinance negating the Supreme Court's order banning the bull-taming sport in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, noting that the Ordinance will last for six months, said that the upcoming assembly session will formulate and pass a new law so that jallikattu can take place without any hindrance. The assembly section has been called for January 23.

TAMIL NADU CM THANKS PM MODI

Panneerselvam, who will inaugurate jallikattu at Alanganallur in Tamil Nadu's Madurai district, at 10 am tomorrow, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support on the jallikattu issue. "On behalf of the government and people of Tamil Nadu, I thank you for all your support and assistance in enabling jallikattu to be held in Tamil Nadu once again during the Pongal season, upholding the culture and tradition of the people of Tamil Nadu," the chief minister wrote to PM Modi in a letter.

JALLIKATTU ORDINANCE: THINGS TO KNOW A Supreme Court ruling of 2014 on the plea of animal right activists banned the bull-taming traditional sport of Tamil Nadu, jallikattu. As a review petition is being heard by the Supreme Court, protests erupted in Tamil Nadu. Thousands of protesters is on the streets in various parts of Tamil Nadu. A number of celebrities have extended their support to the protest and called the apex court imposed ban an over-reaction by judiciary. Under growing pressure, the Tamil Nadu government proposed to promulgate the Ordinance. After getting clearance from the Centre, the Governor has given his consent. Earlier, the Centre moved swiftly yesterday to clear the draft Ordinance by the Tamil Nadu government. Ordinance, being a subject in the concurrent list of the Constitution, required prior approval of the President for Tamil Nadu to go ahead and promulgate it. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday seeking Centre's help in dealing with the popular protest in the state against the Supreme Court order. Jallikattu is traditional bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu and held as part of Pongal celebrations. The supporters of Jallikattu say that this event is part of the Tamil Nadu culture for over 2,500 years.

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More demand for lower to mid range apartments  analysts By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera Cooling apartment market this year View(s): View(s):

Anyone in Colombo is reminded daily of the giant scope of development in progress, as cranes line empty spaces throughout the city.

The real estate economy is showing swift development with many luxurious residential and commercial developments on the agenda in Colombo and suburbs. Colombos skyline has seen major transformations in commercial and residential construction projects in the past 10 years, but industry analysts warn that this trend may slightly drop in 2017 amidst a cooling apartment market.

In the past, the country was an attractive destination for local and foreign real estate investments. Demand for apartments has exceeded or matched supply for the past several years amid strong signs of economic growth after the war and a broad shift in the housing market in favour of outright purchases against renting, data shows.

The demand for property kept growing at a healthy rate at the time and the return that was made on investments here was extraordinary, according to many in the business. But now many question investing in property in Sri Lanka amidst the current economic conditions.

As it stands, many builders and realtors disagree. Lamudi Managing Director, Jafar Jafarov says that the real estate market in Colombo throughout the years since the end of war, has seen a growth.

However we can also observe an increase in demand especially for investment in apartments. The reason behind this is that people are much more interested in investing in properties that would guarantee them a fixed annual yield. Thus investing in such luxurious apartments is a better solution and a trend that is currently rising in Sri Lanka due to its strong returns, he told the Business Times.

According to him the demand for apartments will continue to grow further. The striking success of Lamudis previous Expo which was held last September showed us that people are strongly interested in purchasing and renting out apartments due to its conveniences. However success depends on the amount of research and the capability a developer has to match the demand and the requirements of the market.

He also added that paying attention to details such as the size of the apartment, number of bedrooms, price and location is exceedingly important when delivering a better product.

When discussing commercial properties, he observed that customers look for flexibility. Most small scale businesses and start-ups are unable to lock in a huge capital for a longer period of time right away. You need to have options that let customers carry out their businesses with an initial advance payment for a smaller period of time like three or six months. This will encourage small scale businesses to rent out or purchase commercial properties within the city limits.

Analysts say that high end apartments could well take a hit this year, but the mid to lower end ones may not see the cooling affect that much. Thats because those buying the last two categories want to be either closer to Colombo or in the suburbs and they can afford these apartments, an analyst said.
Parliamentary Budget Office soon By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):

Sri Lankas Parliament will soon set up a Parliamentary Budget Office for the first time since the countrys independence to provide independent analysis on the state of the nations finances.

Necessary legislation is now being finalised for the setting up of an Independent Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) and it will be presented in Parliament shortly to monitor the budget without depending on the Finance Ministry for details, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF), TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran told the Business Times.

The PBOs advice will be independent, objective and non-partisan and open to other committees and parliamentarians and action will be taken to make it freely accessible to the public, he added.

The office will work with academics, think tanks, consulting firms and external experts to provide authoritative budget analysis.

Mr. Sumanthiran expressed the belief that they would be able to set up the PBO, after enacting the necessary legislation, in time to monitor the 2018 budget in November.

The role of parliamentarians in setting the budget and its implementation had expanded over a period of time. Parliament requires an independent source of information to improve their participation in budget preparation, he pointed out adding that PBO will fulfill this need.

The COPF report on Assessment of the Fiscal, Financial and Economic Assumptions of the Budget 2017 was presented to Parliament during the committee stage budget debate but it was not debated by MPs due to time constraints, he said.

He noted that no action has been taken on recommendations and observations made in the report as it was not taken up for debate in Parliament.

The COPF had found that the draft Budget Estimates 2017 presented to Parliament do not tally with the actual figures used by the Finance Ministry and there were discrepancies in figures with over and under estimates in revenue targets.

The 2017 Budget has over-estimated the tax revenue making the task of tax collection authorities challenging and in this context the government should consider additional measures if planned revenue didnt come in, the COPF warned.

Finance Ministry has given a set of figures to COPF on November 2 which was not the basis on which the Finance Minister presented the 2017 Budget, he said, adding that another set of figures was given on November 12.

The COPF report was based on that new set of figures, which are not published as yet, he pointed out.

These matters could be rectified with the setting up of the PBO, he said, noting that it will provide transparency and accountability, to enhance credibility and also to improve the budget process.
Let us be wise and virtuous View(s):

The feelings and the activities of people vary from person to person. In some instances, those activities are good and virtuous. In other instances, they are bad, vicious or evil. To mitigate the harsher effects of the variance, we need to discipline our tongues and bodies and minds.

We understand good and evil as the cause of happiness and sorrow.

In the past, Sri Lankans  both men and women  chewed betel. Chunam was an additive to a chew of betel. This chunam was kept separately. The chunam  container was called a Killotey and this led to a popular adage, which says there is a little chunam in every persons chunam-container. In each person, there is both good and bad.

There is a force that protects people of all nationalities and faiths. People need to understand that there is no happiness or sorrow outside of this force. There is a saying that each person must be self-critical before criticising others.

To develop a country, both the rulers and citizens need to be sincerely committed to development. Is it possible, for those, who cannot help their own parents and their own family to help their country? They cannot. What has happened to the reputation Sri Lanka had as a land where most people were disciplined, serene and civilized?

Prior to the rule of the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British, Indian powers such as the Cholans ruled some areas of Sri Lanka. Despite all that, we were able to preserve our indigenous virtues and our culture.

Sri Lanka was reputed as a land where people of various races and religions lived in harmony. This is my view: Modern science has been able to promote various skills; yet, at the back of some of these, schemese, there is deception or make-believe and less of truth.

These days one of the main topics is lesbian and gay passion. There are many strategies and many tricks adopted by those who attempt to achieve their aims, to hide their weaknesses and their incapacities.

Some western countries have allowed dangerous mentally sick persons to roam about freely. This has not occurred in Sri Lanka yet.

But, a problematic situation has already dawned upon our nation, where people keep their mouth and eyes shut.

In India, some superstars have been allowed to roam free, displaying publicly their weaknesses that had been kept hidden. Should we allow the same to happen in our country?

A saying that prevailed in the past was, When the signs appear to be bad, take the girl into the house.

Some are trying to bring back an era, changing that advice. In all ethnic groups and religions, the people need arise and stop this danger.

Just as humans, animals also have eyes, noses, tongues and bodies. These doors of perception are controlled by the mind. When the mind is weakened, the activities of bodily organs get distorted. There is a doctrine to restrain the mind. Such doctrine is contained in religion and philosophy.

In todays world, there are many religious beliefs. But, those who actually follow the teachings of those religions are few. Many people cover up this shortcoming through falsehoods. But, the time has come for us to renew our awareness that life is impermanent.

It is time that the drum-beating done in the name of religious doctrine is stopped. The time has come for us to act responsibly, do our duty and behave in a virtuous manner.

Our leaders and people should get together and act according to a code of ethics that will bring about humility, simplicity and contentment.

India is working towards lasting development due because peoples movements are working powerfully and selflessly. They call it Hartal  the unified will of the people. Often what we have in Sri Lanka today are protests by hired people with empty slogans. Such false shows should be stopped.

We will die one day. But when that happens we should make it possible for those who are going to be born in the future to have ample opportunities to lead a good life.

The European rulers, who conquered the world, exiled some people from their countries. Some who were exiled from Europe were sent away to Arabia. Those who were born in Arabia are now taking steps to take revenge from Europe for that act.

When those exiled from England by Queen Elizabeth the First, were getting ready to go to Australia, Australia staged a Hartal (strike). This is often not talked about.

England is not yet fully reconciled with Ireland. I remember how the Irish people exploded bombs in Londons Marble Arch in the 1970s when I was living there.

Fortunately, the bombs exploded late at night! Christianity and Islam have had similarities and some links. Today, suicide bombers are terrorising the world. Even the Muslims cannot control and restrain these groups.

An old adage asserts that those who take up arms will die by arms. The power of weapons, created to bring about destruction can be negated only through patience, tolerance, kindness and compassion. This can be brought about by overcoming desire, craving and attachment. This doctrine is contained only in Buddhism.

In this small country, where the sacred and eternal word of the Supreme Buddha dominates, wise people must move away from those who are Buddhists only by name. Wise people must assemble with one mind, patiently and with far-sightedness and obey the philosophic observation made by Maestro Guttila, who confessed that he in his old age cannot perform music as deftly as in earlier times. Wise men should not get engaged in tasks they cannot perform. They must exercise their wisdom and must do what they can and what they must with circumspection.

Those who approve this view should add more thoughts to this idea. Once they do that, they can present this philosophy to the world. The spread of this idea should not be converted into a raucous unseemly demonstration, but to a restrained, disciplined calm Hartal in the admirable Indian model.

We need to be wise. By spreading these serene and restrained thoughts, please help bring about the dawn of a secure, prosperous and virtuous future for this country, enabling the birth of a good generation of people, possessing a land fit to grow up in. Please send your observations to: Relief Service, Gangaramaya, 61 Sri Jinaratana Road, Colombo 02.

I am 74 now. I may be able to live a few more years. We worked hard to offer this country something good, positive and beneficial. Some may not see it that way. I feel today in our country we do not have enough people to encourage us to strive and implement useful programmes for the wellbeing of our country.

My earnest wish is this: May wisdom, determination and courage dawn upon us to enable us to do our best. Please make up your mind not to go into the darkness from light.

May you, all the members of your family, your friends and relations, be healthy, wise, prosperous and happy in this New Year. May Unity reign supreme.

Please make a determination to lead a life as good husbands and wives within good families. With this will come happiness, solutions to problems relating to family unity, village development and the progress of our noble land.

What should the future be? Punishment for a crime and not forgiveness should be the solution. Abide by the law. What is going to be the future of our motherland, if those in the profession of law cannot protect the law, doctors are wanting in loving kindness and compassion and those who preach righteousness, are bereft of loving kindness and compassion?

We must think of the future of our Mother Land.

May all beings be happy and well!
Poverty elimination: Rhetoric and policy imperatives View(s):

The Government declared 2017 as the year of poverty alleviation and President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a special committee to work for the eradication of poverty in the country. Sri Lanka is expected to be poverty free by 2020.

The elimination of poverty has been a popular promise among political leaders in Sri Lanka. Despite their repeated promises, resolutions and committees for eliminating poverty, poverty persists.

SAARC resolution

President Premadasa moved a resolution at the SAARC Summit in Colombo in 1990 to banish poverty in South Asia. Yet nearly three decades later, South Asia has the highest number of the poor despite rapid economic growth.

Effective economic and social policies

The rhetoric on poverty elimination must be translated into effective economic and social policies that ensure growth with equity. Redistributive income policies and much higher revenue collection are also needed to reduce poverty and income inequality. The rhetoric on poverty elimination has not been adequately backed up by policies that mitigate poverty.

Challenging task

Reducing poverty and income inequality remain demanding challenges. President Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to eliminate poverty in two years. This is unrealisable. At most what could be expected is the reduction of poverty to a minimum extent. For this to be achieved rapid economic growth must be achieved by strategies that benefit the poor.

Global experience

The global experience provides useful insights on how poverty and inequality could be reduced.

Even though poverty is still a significant feature of many economies the world over, income poverty has been reduced in many countries in recent decades. Economic growth and pro poor economic and social policies have been responsible for this achievement.

China and India

Chinas poverty level of 84 per cent in 1981 was reduced drastically to 18 per cent by 2010. Indias poverty of 60 per cent in 1981 was reduced to 33 per cent in 2010. These reductions in poverty have been achieved mainly by rapid economic growth. Although the decline in poverty has been impressive in India, a third of her population is in poverty. Social and economic structures and the nature of economic growth account for this high incidence of poverty. Poverty continues to decline and is perhaps around one fourth of her population now. Much the same applies to China but her reduction of poverty has been better owing to better education and health and more equitable land tenure conditions.

East and South East Asia

East and South East Asia reduced poverty in tandem with economic growth as they complemented their growth strategy with interventionist economic policies that benefitted the poor. The fast track economic growth provided increasing urban and industrial employment and the governments fiscal capacity enabled expenditures that benefitted the poor in rural areas. Employment and incomes increased in regions where poverty was high.

Latin American experience

Latin America decreased poverty and inequality with rapid economic growth and well-designed interventionist policies, increased expenditure especially on higher education, stronger FDI and increase in tax revenues. Strengthening access to quality education was pivotal in Latin America that already has relatively high educational spending but poor outcomes. Raising tax revenues has contributed to declining poverty and inequality as higher revenues provide more space to finance well-targeted redistributive policies. However the region has the most unequal income distribution in the world.

Lessons and policy implications

These experiences provide useful lessons and policy implications for poverty reduction and for mitigating income inequality. Most important is the need to achieve rapid economic growth that has been the driver for reducing poverty in all countries. The Chinese and Indian experiences, the development experience of East and South East Asia and of Latin America, provide ample evidence of this.

What these experiences imply is that economic growth while reducing poverty does not ensure its elimination. The initial conditions of land ownership, education and health and social stratification have an important bearing on the impact of growth on poverty. Interventionist policies that redistribute resources or entitlements have an important impact on the extent of poverty reduction that is achieved.

Education

Improvements in literacy and education reduce poverty and inequality of incomes. Improving access of low-income families to education has been an efficient means for boosting equality of opportunity and lowering income inequality. The impact is not confined to the immediate generation but has intergenerational impacts.

In fact much of the social and economic improvement in Sri Lanka was due to free primary, secondary and tertiary education. There has been significant social mobility owing to this policy. What was lacking was an improvement in the quality of education, especially at secondary and tertiary levels.

Inadequate revenue

Much of the explanation for this failure was the limitation of revenues for such expenditure. Public expenditure on education and health is very important. Therefore government revenues must be adequate to enable the fiscal space for such expenditure. Higher government revenue is essential to poverty alleviation through education.

Tax revenue

The manner of raising tax revenue is important in reducing poverty and inequality. Progressive income tax systems, including recurrent property taxes, high taxes on luxury expenditure of the affluent, who are notorious for evading taxes, capital gains taxes and death duties would enable better income distribution by reducing incomes of the rich and enabling policy interventions that enhance the entitlements of the poor.

Policy imperatives

Three policy thrusts are needed to reduce poverty. First, economic policies should be conducive for investment and rapid economic growth and the strategy of economic development should be more pro-poor oriented and focused on areas of development, such as in agriculture that would benefit the poor. Reforms in land policies, improvements in rural infrastructure, marketing of agricultural produce are needed. The government has taken some meaningful steps in this direction. But much more requires to be done.

Second, there must be much higher expenditure on social infrastructure. Investment in education, health and other welfare measures must be increased substantially. The glaring lack of basic facilities such as water, sanitary conditions and roads that have been revealed by the Gam Udawa program requires an effective government program to provide basic conditions.

Third, funds expended on social welfare must be better targeted to reach the deserving. Most welfare measures do not reach the intended beneficiaries. The highly politicised administration of Samurdhi is poorly targeted. Reforming welfare measures to ensure that the poorest obtain relief is vital for alleviating poverty.

Bottom-line

What is needed is not repetitive rhetoric on the elimination of poverty, nor high level committees, nor fresh studies. What is needed is a clear commitment to pursue policies that improve the entitlements of the poor. Governments credibility in poverty reduction would be enhanced by curtailment of excessive and wasteful government expenditure like tax free expensive vehicles.
This beggars opera and Maliks frolics View(s):

There is an old African saying (I think it originated in the Kikuyu tribe though there are variants of it) that when elephants fight it is the grass that is trampled. It is simple enough to understand. When beasts the size of pachyderms fight it is the small animals inadvertently caught up in the tussle and the grass on which they fight that suffer the most.

Those engaged in the current gladiatorial contests are not the four-legged kind that gave rise to the African proverb. They are two-legged politicians vying for power and influence over their colleagues in the same party whose symbol is the elephant. In doing so they have no compunctions about slating each other publicly via the media which become the fall guy when the guns are turned on the self-same politicians.

While these big beasts are easily identifiable because of their public dog fights, there are those from the private sector who have inveigled themselves into political office through an old boys network of no proven ability and have injected into the system an arrogant culture of corporate secrecy that systematically undermines the democratic governance the people were promised at election time.

Though the dog-bites-dog public drama might be more amusing to a people who have little to celebrate as the pledges promised them seem like a mirage in the Gulf desert where Minister Susil Premajayantha was the other day trying to oil the palm of the Iranians with promises to pay overdue bills  or perhaps palm the oil  the more insidious for the nation are those who have crept in without the approval of the people and are invidiously planning to grab more power and territory for themselves than the acres they are liberally leasing out to foreigners and dubious investors.

But first to the latest beggars opera. The other day Ravi Karunanayake was chosen as the most noteworthy finance minister in the Asia-Pacific region by the London-based Bankers magazine. If further proof was necessary not to place too much trust in bankers here was clear evidence. Out in this part of the world bankers are fast earning a reputation as lowly as that of politicians and estate agents for hoodwinking the people.

The Bankers magazine seemed to think that the great Ravi Karunanayake was astute enough to twist the arm of the IMF and get away with the cash  a big loan I mean. Anybody who could do that deserves an accolade, so the bankers thought. After all here in one of the foremost financial centres of the world, bankers were only paying themselves huge bonuses out of customers money. Politicians do the same, some of it officially like when the Wickremesinghe UNP doles out public money to the elected and selected while preaching about burdensome fiscal deficits. Some call this daylight robbery but that is another story.

Anyway this great IMF negotiation surely considered the other way round. It is the IMF that lays down conditions. No acceptance, no tranche big or small. Was Ravi Karunanayakes tax regime including enhanced VAT one of his parlour games or proposed by the IMF as a necessary condition for the loan to meet the countrys fiscal deficit? I dont know what Christine Legarde would have said in the Gallic tongue  perhaps merde, merde, merde so appropriate for the occasion. If one asked the Chinese they would have said kowtow or no chow chow.

Somebody or the other told me that Karunanayake  another from that scam and scram school of learning where the jobs for the boys slogan has been elevated to the jobs for the old boys motto  had been delirious over the Bankers magazine selection. Whether true or not I really dont know but he is said to have told somebody that he is the only finance minister in the world with a CIMA qualification.

Now I do not believe that. No, no not that he has not got a CIMA certificate to show the doubting Thomass of the world. Why I clearly remember how the foreign minister of the J.R. Jayewardene government A.C.S (All Countries Seen) Hamid did a Houdini act in parliament by pulling out of his brief case the Senior School Certificate of a female who had been posted as a diplomat to our London High Commission, to prove to sceptics that she was indeed an educated person. But at least she had a certificate of sorts. How many of those posted to the London mission or other capitals today could boast of one.

What is more I know an MP who has passed the GCE O level. It only goes to show that there are educated persons among our parliamentarians and they should not be chided for their lack of knowledge of the quantum theory or Keatss Ode to a nightingale, though other nightingales they probably know.

The aforesaid Mr. Karunanayake proposed the other day that foreigners who bring in US$300,000 would be given temporary resident permits so they could live here an enjoy Sri Lankas political comedies, tragedies and farces all for free and pay more for a bottle of katta sambol than they pay in London. They could enjoy whatever dramatic genre that takes their fancy and surely there is much to choose from if you throw in the scams, the tender-benders and the money-making on the side which should lawfully appear in the asset declarations of some of the worthies that claim to be rulers.

Before you could say Avant Garde this cleverest finance minister of the Asia-Pacific region who uttered his soothing words and had the foreign sahabs scrambling to get here with packed bags despite a messy airport, his cabinet colleague who dispenses justice  or dispenses with justice as some critics say  rushed in like a bull in a china shop damning the finance chap for sloppy thinking.

The reference to china shop is not without point seeing that the Chinese will be setting up shop nearly everywhere if you believe the nostrums of the Wickremesinghe-Samarawickrama combine, and the use of chop sticks will be taught in all state-run schools starting with the duos alma mater.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe claimed that $300,000 as proposed by Karunanayake was really peanuts (sometimes called monkey nuts) resulting in beggars taking up residence in Sri Lanka. What is more, he said, terrorists and drug peddlers would find refuge in Sri Lanka.

There is a point in that. After all we have enough drug peddlers living here permanently and if you are not too particular you might even run into some politicians who know a thing or two about drugs and I dont mean the kind dispensed at Osu Sala.

As for terrorists I thought they were going out not coming in, if you believe the Justice Minister. He said in parliament not too long ago that 32 Sri Lankan Muslims had gone to Syria to join ISIS, considered by many to be a vicious terrorist group. His statement was shot down in flames. It was flatly denied by the Security Council (the Sri Lankan one not the one at the UN in New York) and the cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne who can teach the UN a thing or two about issuing statements. So much for the peoples confidence and faith in the remarks of Justice Minister Rajapakshe and his assessment of policies of other ministers who he openly criticises without putting his own house in order.

If Rajapakshe was embarrassed by this public demolition of his claim he showed no signs of it. He continues undeterred and unashamedly now chiding Karunanayake for not bringing it up at cabinet. Had Karunanayake done so, he Rajapakshe would have chewed the cabinet memorandum and its author like chewing the cud. After that extraordinary interlude which beggars (not the ones planning to come) belief people began to ask why Rajapakshe the Intrepid did he not wait until it came up before cabinet instead of emulating the bull in the china shop?

The public also wants to know whether this is a put up job and Rajapakshe is being used as hit man to shoot down the proposal even before it can be discussed at cabinet. If this is such an attempt whose ploy is it?

Rajapakshe claimed that $300,000 amounts to Rs.45 million which is what is paid for a luxury vehicle or two perches of land in Colombo. Ministers and MPs are better acquainted with the price of luxury vehicles for which they get duty-free permits at the expense of the public.

Justice Minister Rajapakshe also probably knows more about land prices in Colombo. Those of the moneyed-class, some even with illicit money accumulated over the years who dabble in land for residential and commercial purposes, would know these values unlike most Sri Lankans who find such astronomical prices as unreachable as the stars that shine in the night sky.

While Rajapakshe engages in megaphone criticism of his own colleagues, Samarawickrama works behind the scenes, silently and subtly to grant concessions to so-called investors undermining the very rules and regulations laid down by institutions that are specifically mandated to deal with investment issues such as the BOI in order to provide a level playing field. A case in point is the whole stinking business of the Horana tyre factory if media reports can be believed.

This is why the likes of Samarawickrama want to bring all the economic policy-making including matters concerning international trade within the ambit of the so-called Development Bill so that they could control all critical issues dealing with the economy apparently shutting the Sirisena-led SLFP out of the loop while making their decisions non-justiciable.

The recent case of leasing out BOI land at below the prices set down by the Board of Investment in Horana for the tyre factory mentioned above is bound to rebound on the UNP like the still unresolved bond sale issue eventually bringing the entire government into public opprobrium.

If what is said in some media websites is true then the very man that pro-yahapalanaya worthies said before and after the elections is a front man for Mahinda Rajapaksa who actually owns the Dubai Marriot Hotel seems to have now won the confidence of his critics like other business types engaged in political long jumping have done.

If all that is now said is true Nanda Lokuwithana, the so-called front man has found a point-man in Malik Samarawickrama who is ready to brush aside the BOI rules laid down by the current administration of the institution led by Upul Jayasuriya.

Is this not the same Samarawickrama that entered into a pact with a US lobbying firm to sell Sri Lanka on the eve of a change of administration in the US when a new White House team was still in the making? Seems like Samarawickrama is following closely in the steps of Sajin Vass Gunawardena and Nivard Cabraal who had no hesitation is doling out state funds to hire US lobbying firms.

If this is a development strategy of Samarawickrama the minister of development strategy and international trade, and more are in the offing then only divine intervention might save this country. Why does the Wickremesinghe-Smarawickrama-Samaraweera troika want a US firm to sell Sri Lanka when we are doing the job very well on our own?
A Night of Australian Music View(s):

Two of Australias leading classical musicians- Slava Grigoryan and Sharon Draper will come alive at the Bishops College Auditorium at 7.00pm on January 24, 2017 in a free concert to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Australia-Sri Lanka bilateral relations,

Slava Grigoryan is a world famous classical guitarist, and his current album Bach: Cello Suites Volume 1 has held the top spot on Australias classical album charts for more than nine weeks, the longest running number one by any Australian artiste. Slavas many awards include Young Australian of the Year for the Arts in 1998, the Mo award for Instrumentalist of the Year in 2001 and 2005, and the ARIA for Best Classical Album in 2002 and 2003. Slava has been the Artistic Director of the Adelaide International Guitar Festival since 2010.

Sharon Draper has been the cellist with the Australian String Quartet since 2013, and has toured extensively with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. Whilst studying in Berlin in 2012, Sharon toured with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Spira Mirabilis Chamber Orchestra. As a member of the ASQ, Sharon is lucky to play a 1734 Guadagnini cello, generously on loan to her by the Nigerian Arts Foundation.

Concert passes are free but limited. Passes can be collected from the Australian High Commission, 21 R G Senanayake Mawatha(Gregorys Rd).Last minute passes may be available from 5.00pm on the day, at the concert venue.

The 70th Anniversary is a partnership between the Australian and Sri Lankan Governments. The Anniversary will feature a range of activities in Australia and Sri Lanka in 2017, focusing on commerce, art, photography, sport, film and literature.
Aloko Udapadi An effort to capture a dramatic and disturbing period of Lankan history By Susitha Fernando View(s): View(s):

Debut direction of Chathra Weeraman with co-direction by Baratha Hettiarachchi, film Aloko Udapadi (Light Arose) is an attempt to depict yet another historical character, King Walagamba. The film is now being screened at cinemas around the country.

While the main story of Valagambahis kingship, rebellion by a Brahmin Tissa or Theeha and invasion of seven Chola or Tamil leaders from South India occupies the main plot, starting the writing down of 84,000-part dispensation of the Buddha or the tripitakaya-the three parts of the Buddhas doctrine are presented as a subplot.

Scripted by Saman Weeraman, the film is a commendable effort to rewrite and recreate one of the most dramatic and disturbing periods of Sri Lankas history. Even though the main historical storyline is distracted by the characters like Brahamin Theehas wife who according to the film betrays her own husband to a South Indian king and subsequently plays a crucial role to divide seven Tamil kings to kill each other, the historical story is kept intact as much as possible. The script gives the foremost place to highlight the patriotism, valour and bravery of Valagamba and his army comprising ordinary village folk. This undermines the much more important role played by monks to transfer Tripitakaya from oral to written tradition.

With regard to acting, the character of Valagamba (played by Uddika Premaratne) lacks the required stature. Uddika a talented actor seemed not to have been best used or that was not the character for him. However the rest of cast do a satisfactory job with Roshan Ravindra playing the scheemy Theeha Brahmin, his ambitious wife Menaka Peiris and Buddadhasa Vithanachchi as usual portraying Ven. Kupikkalatissa thera who gives protection to the king hunted by his enemies. Dharshan Dharmaraj who plays Dhatheeya the last surviving Tamil king who confronts Valagama is best suited for the role and displays the necessary cruelty and brutality that his role requires.

The art direction by Sunil Wijerathne and costume design by Kumara Karawdeniya have added the colour and impact that the historical story required.

Major flop of Aloka Udapadi is lack of action specially in the battle scenes. This had been a major problem in most of the historical films that were made over the recent past. These films are made as massive and gigantic productions with hundreds and hundreds in the cast and extras. Some of the battle and fighting scenes are still in the primary stages with lack of training and competence. We live in an age where most filmgoers have witnessed the real fighting in Hollywood films like Gladiator and Troy or even in Bollywood films like Asoka. Its a tragedy that Sri Lankan filmmakers are trying to show what they cannot properly enact.

The film is mainly made by a young group most of whom are trained abroad and trying their skills for the first time. Music director Milinda Tennakone is one such and at some points it sounds like that music is overused and over played.

The rest of the cast is played by Dilhani Ekanayake, Nirosha Thalagala, Nihal Fernando, Kapila Sigera, Dilip Manohara, Cletus Mendis, Janak Premalal, W. Jayasiri, Sammu Kashun, Dineth de Silva, Ajith Kumara, Rajasinghe Loluwagoda, Sirisena Pallewatta and child stars Mauli Metheesha and Nayana Manjujitha.

Aloka Udapadi is produced by Thusitha Wijayasena.
Lest we forget: Memories in motion By Kaveesha Fernando Winners of the best animated short film at the Agenda 14 Short Film Festival held at the BMICH recently talk about their short film on the 83 riots View(s): View(s):

Its night. Everything is silent. Outside, an owl hoots while a cat prowls around. A man awakes from a nightmare and shouts out the word baldiya. He travels back in time and we learn that he was part of the mob that killed Tamils during the 83 riots. The mob had identified the Tamil citizens through their pronunciation of the Sinhala word baldiya, which Tamils are more likely to pronounce as vaaldiya. This is the memory that haunts him still.

This is the plot of a short film by Irushi Tennekoon, Sumedha Kelegama and Sumudu Athukorala which won the award for the best animated short film at the Agenda 14 Short Film Festival held at the BMICH on December 11, 2016.

The man is representative of the Sinhalese. What we are trying to say through this is that the 83 riots still haunt the Sinhala race although it isnt publicly mourned or acknowledged, explains Irushi.The aim of the film is to raise awareness about the 83 riots so that the public is able to understand the lessons which can be learnt from it.

Sumedha feels that the most important lesson which can be learnt from the riots is the fact that people can easily be manipulated. Its very easy to trigger people, he says, adding that Donald Trumps election as US President is another example of this. Trump tapped into the fear of the people and although they didnt publicly acknowledge their support for him they all ended up voting for him secretly. Racism is like this, he explains, highlighting the fact that even in Sri Lanka people might be provoked by the actions of racists and they also might find an opportunity to act although they remain silent in public. The team feels that it is the duty of artists, activists and other interested parties to build awareness and prevent similar uprisings in the future.

Sumudu has made films before but this is the first time that Irushi and Sumedha have created a short film. Sumudus short film Hole in the Wall won the best short film at the same film festival in 2014. The film has been made using stop motion animation, where physical objects are placed in frames and moved between frames. When the sequence of images is rapidly played back, it creates the illusion of movement which is used in films and cartoons.

Irushi, a childrens book illustrator, had posted short videos using stop motion animation which had given Sumudu the idea of making a film. He and his co-worker Sumedha (both architects) then collaborated to make the film. They drew and cut out the characters, painted them and took picture after picture to create the final film.

A low budget, or no-budget film as Irushi laughingly calls it, they had made the film with equipment they had at home, spending only Rs. 50 on tissue paper. The film was assembled on her iPhone using a stop motion app, with the help of Chintaka Prabhath, who edited the film and helped the team add sound effects.

So, what plans do they have for the future? The trio hope to make a documentary and highlight other social issues as well.

Meanwhile they are looking forward to the film being screened here and abroad and particularly to seeing how audiences will respond.
Putting his adventures down in words Young thespian Biman Wimalaratne shares with Purnima Pilapitiya the thinking behind his debut piece of writing View(s): View(s):

It took Biman Wimalaratne his first day of writing and exactly three sentences to visualize the title for his debut book.

The first time authors curiously titled Shakespeare on Cocaine was first introduced to potential readers at the Cockerel Fringe Festival in Galle recently. For the young actor turned writer, Shakespeare on Cocaine was a project that took a long time in the making and is for all the people we meet along the way Biman quotes, from somewhere in the middle of the book.

More familiar with exposing his vulnerability on stage, Bimans initiation into writing came with the scenes he used to scribble while acting at his alma mater St. Thomas College and later at the Actors Centre, Australia. Before joining the prestigious performing arts company (whose alumni include Hugh Jackman) Bimans initial plan, studying engineering, finance and economy at the University of Sydney, also found the artistic undergrad producing equally creative essays, the closest he admits he has ever come to creative writing.

Bimans jump from imagining scenes and dialogue to a full length book was at the request of others, he tells us. Inspired by a dream he had while living in Sydney, Biman found himself trekking from Sri Lanka to France and Peru, an experience which would offer the future writer a direction for his still unconscious calling.

His favourite memory from his trip would have been another persons nightmare  with Biman losing his passport, wallet and going off the radar for a month. The misadventure, or adventure, as he describes, would find the traveller doing odd jobs such as selling sandwiches to tourists by the road who would tell him you should write a book.

I started writing because people told me to, he shares candidly, and started scribbling his thoughts soon after.

Bimans collection of stories would travel with him to Australia for a wedding where he compiled it and gave to a couple he had met during his South American escapade. As Biman explains his journey its not difficult to imagine him through the pages of a Paolo Coelho book. Incidentally, Bimans recent reads range from books on leadership, Buddhism, the Quran and biographies. The Alchemist which put Coelho on the map is also on his list, but I wanted to live it, he says.

The writing process is one he does out of love. Beyond the enigmatic, psychedelic cover and the obvious eyebrow raising title, the book itself is simple and reflects his social responsibility as a writer. You have to disturb the system, but I dont want to be controversial, he adds.

These days, Biman is putting the finishing touches on his own spin on philosophy. Its where the book got its curious name. Along with Bimans guide to enlightenment, Shakespeare on Cocaine is a nod to the Bards most iconic, skull clasping, existential question to be or not to be. The underlying theme for what Biman hopes will take his readers on an adventure and a journey to happiness.

Interested editors, publishers and curious readers can find out more about Shakespeare on Cocaine via email to bimanw@gmail.com
Red butterfly flies to India View(s):

Rathu Samanala Hinayak- Red Butterfly Dream directed by young filmmaker Priayntha Kaluarachchi has been selected to represent Sri Lanka at two film festival in India. The debut direction of Priyantha will be screening in the competitive sections of 9th Bengalaru international film festival while it will be screening at Trissur international film festival in Kerala.Earlier the film screened at the All Lights India Film Festival and the 17th Asiatica Rome Film Festival.

Set in the post war Sri Lanka, the film revolves around Samantha and Ajith who shares a room in a flat close to Colombo. Ajith is a contract killer with connections to the underworld. His friend Samantha and an uncle hold an ancient script which states that a treasure can be attained by sacrificing a virgin with four birthmarks lined in her neck. Samantha meets a young Tamil girl with four birth marks placed accordingly on her neck.
The central government on Friday gave its nod to the Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to enable holding of jallikattu, as the state witnessed massive protests in support of the sport.

By India Today Web Desk: A day after the Centre cleared an ordinance on jallikattu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that all efforts were being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people and that the government was fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu.

We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2017

Central Government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu & will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2017

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The central government on Friday gave its nod to the Tamil Nadu government's ordinance to enable holding of jallikattu, as the state witnessed massive protests in support of the sport.

The Centre's move came as Tamil Nadu was brought to a standstill due to massive protests by students and other sections demanding immediate staging of the traditional sport in Alanganallur, epicentre of jallikattu, and other places.

The protesters have said they would not withdraw the agitation until the event is held.

AIADMK MPs of both the Houses will meet President Pranab Mukherjee today at 2 pm.

Also read: Jallikattu: MHA clears Tamil Nadu government's Ordinance, sent to President

Watch the video

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Retro Hits View(s):

Retro Hits, an evening of Retro style music with Annesley and Super Chimes will be held at the Bishops College Auditorium, Colombo on Friday, the 27th January from 7.00 pm onwards.

Retro Hits is presentation of Fantigo Events together with Rotaract Club of Kandy in aid of developing Pattiyagama Maha Vidyalaya, Deltota, Kandy as a community project of the Club.

Legendary musician Annesley Malawana who successfully completed 50 years in the Sri Lankan music industry will join hands with Mariazelle Gunathilake, Corrine Almeida and Priyantha Fernando to bring back to the golden era of Sri Lankan music at Retro Hits with Annesley and Super Chimes.

This is the first phase of our charity projects for the year 2017 and looking for the support towards the needy by simply being a part of the audience as this will help a person in need. We at Rotaract Club of Kandy request everyone to join hands with us to fulfil our gesture towards the needy school children said Ruban, the Secretary for the Rotaract Club of Kandy.

Christian will be the master of ceremony at this Retro Night.

The Gold FM has joined hands as the electronic media partner and tickets.lk as the online ticket partner for this worthy cause.





For tickets contact 0776610852 / 0776610706
Sharing their African adventure View(s):

Today,(January 22) is the final day of The Wild : A visual adventure celebrating the inhabitants of the African savannah  an exhibition of photographs by two childhood friends Amrit Rajaratnam and Shanik de Silva at the Lionel Wendt Gallery. The Wild, is the first exhibition for both and is on from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

For Amrit and Shanik, this is their way of bringing their passion for the wild to a wider audience.

Exploring the wild and capturing it on film is a love they both share in the midst of their busy lives. Amrit is Managing Director of Maitland and Knox Pvt Ltd, the managing agents of The Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala and The Havelock Place Bungalow and Shanik is Managing Director of Water Mart Systems Pvt Ltd.
Speculo 2017: National Art Festival View(s):

SriLankan Airlines inviting the countrys talented youth to artistically elaborate their perspective on the Airline, unveils its ultimate creativity inspiring endeavour, Speculo 2017.

This painting and visual art competition brings together artists across the country, ranging from school children, university students, amateur and professional artists. Held under two categories, the art competition will be open for entries till February 20, 2017.

The theme of the competition will be MySriLankan perspective. The school category is open for students between the ages of 16-18 years and all their entries should be certified by either the principal or the teacher in charge of art of their respective schools.

Open category is for any art enthusiast who intends to showcase his/her artistic abilities. For both categories, the size of the painting should be 1824 (inches) and one competitor could submit only one entry using any medium of their preference, which has not been sent to any other competition before.

Under the veteran category, artists are invited to forward their creations of visual arts within the size of 22 ft-10 ft. The theme for the Veteran category will be The pulse of the National Airline, carrying the Nations pride higher in the sky.

The winners of each category will be selected by an independent panel of judges and will be awarded valuable prizes and air tickets. Additionally, ten awards judges choice awards will be presented.

Speculo 2017 National Painting and Visual Art Exhibition will be held at J.D.A. Perera Gallery on February 24, 25 and 26, 2017 for the viewing pleasure of the general public and art enthusiasts.

The paintings could be sent to, Speculo 2017, Marketing Department, SriLankan Airlines, Level 21, East Tower, World Trade Centre, Colombo1 or handed over to the SriLankan Airlines Sales Offices islandwide.

For more information call -710211448, 0710211329, 0710211423 or 0197331424.
Touching souls through dance By Purnima Pilapitiya View(s): View(s):

When Nilan Maligaspe, chief choreographer of Arpeggio Creative Dance Academy (ACDA) went on an 8 day visit to Patiala, India he didnt know that the foreshadowing visit would be one of the most moving experiences of his life. Along with four of his senior students Pradeep Gunaratne, Amila Adushan, Chaturi Perera and Chamith Veeraba, Nilans visit to Patiala came by invitation of Col. Karaminder Singh (Retd.), the secretary of the Society for Welfare of the handicapped who he met in 2014 in Ladakh,India at a performance of the ACDA. Interested in Nilans style of teaching, Col. Singh extended an invitation for the choreographer and a few of his students to perform at the Golden Jubilee of the Patiala School for the Deaf and the Patiala School for the Blind. Managed by the Society for Welfare of the Handicapped, the troupe performed at the Satrangi festival as a part of the anniversary celebrations.

During their stay the troupe not only performed at the festival which attracted participants from all over India, but also conducted workshops for teachers and students.

Having persuaded Nilan to perform an emotional dance number, the choreographer was encouraged to conduct workshops for the teachers of several schools on the style of emotional dance. Nilan has been experimenting with the art form, creating syllabuses that would specially benefit deaf students. Together with the use of sign language and specialized movements, his workshops for the staff he feels, will also help in their teaching methods.

The enthusiasm toward this new style of dancing and learning hopes to find Nilan back again in India in the coming future. He is grateful to the India Sri Lanka Foundation, the High Commission of India and the Society for Welfare of the Handicapped, for the opportunity.

Since his inspiring visit, Nilan and ACDAs vision for nurturing dance is readily progressing. This month finds the choreographer preparing for a workshop for local teachers of deaf and blind students as well. Before we teach the children we need to teach their teachers he explains.
CEB engineers oppose China power plant in Htota View(s):

By Namini Wijedasa

China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), the company that built the coal-power plant in Norochcholai, has proposed to set up a liquefied natural gas (LNG) power station in Hambantota as a Government-to-Government project. But Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) engineers have opposed the idea saying there is no provision in the countrys Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP) for an LNG plant in Hambantota. They also reject any suggestion an LNG plant for Hambantota should be included in the LTGEP when it is revised by April 2017.

How can politicians or businessmen do planning of electricity generation and transmission, a spokesman for the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union (CEBEU) said. It is a professional job which should be done by qualified and trained energy planners. If the Government does not trust in the capabilities of CEB planner, it can even hire qualified professionals from other countries.

In a letter to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM), Wang Ludong, CMEC representative, has observed that the parties were moving to the very concrete stage, namely the negotiation of the MOA [Memorandum of Agreement] for developing the LNG plant. The company has even submitted a pre-feasibility report.

It is envisaged that the project will have two phases and be a Build, Operate and Own (BOO) venture. Phase I will see the construction of an LNG receiving terminal lwhere the gas arrives in tankersand a 400 megawatt combined cycle power plant. Phase II will see the expansion of the receiving terminal and the addition of another 600MW combined cycle plant.

CMEC has justified the project by pointing, among other things, to Sri Lankas strategic plan to develop the South with Hambantota as the centre. The proposal also envisages the construction of a natural gas pipeline between Hambantota and Colombo, something CMEC says it is ready to come forward for on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis.

The idea is for the LNG plant to provide electricity for the Special Economic Zone that Sri Lanka and China hope to set up in Hambantota. The extra power generated is to be sold to the CEB. The draft MOA says: CEB and the Power Plant JV will enter into a power purchase agreement (the PPA) under which the Power Plant JV will, in return for a tolling charge, produce electricity for CEB with the fuel gas supplied by CEB through CEYPETCO. The PPA shall have an initial term of no less than 30 years subject to extension on terms to be agreed.

The CEB engineers objected to this. When we discussed this with the Prime Minister two months ago, he said the plant would be constructed to cater to the Chinese industrial zone which is under discussion, a senior CEBEU member said. He said it is a merchant plantthat is, we have to pay for fuel (running) cost only if they have additional electricity to sell after providing main power to their own industry.

But CMEC has clearly told CEB officials its plant proposal is to sell power to CEB and it is a normal IPP (Independent Power Producer) so that we have to pay for its investment (fixed charge) plus fuel (running) cost, he said. Also, when we discussed this with the PM, the idea was for there to be an industrial zone close to the harbour with the power plant on the adjacent land, so that lengthy transmission lines are not required, he continued. But we have now realised that the industrial zone will be scattered around the Hambantota and Moneragala district. Only the CEB has the ability or licence to provide power to these industries. Therefore, this merchant plant scenario is no longer valid.

The prevailing legal situation does not allow the CEB to accommodate an LNG plant at Hambantota, CEB Chairman Anura Wijepala said. Under the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, to implement a project it must be in the Long-Term Electricity Generation Plan, he explained. At the moment, the plan which is valid from 2015 through 2034 does not have a 400MW LNG power plant at Hambantota.

But our plan is being revised to cover the next 15-20 years, he continued. The revision is being done on least-cost generation basis so all candidate plants are under consideration. I dont know whether it will include a plant of this scale at Hambantota. The Government has already called tenders for a 300MW LNG plant at Kerawalapitiya and several more are planned in the same area.
Horana Tyre BOI project rolls on despite concerns raised by President By Namini Wijedasa Sirisena raises questions over special concessions to Lokuwithana; company explains reasons for nominal rent View(s): View(s):

Controversial businessman Nandana Lokuwithana has begun clearing the land in Horana where he proposes to set up a tyre factory, even before the lease agreement with the Board of Investment (BOI) is signed.

Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena has sent a note via the Prime Ministers office to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) flagging some concerns regarding the project. It points to the losses the BOI will incur in leasing out 100 acres to Mr. Lokuwithanas Rigid Tyre Corporation (Pvt) Ltd at a fraction of the investment agencys floor price for the land. It also observes that other investors have been allocated land at higher prices and underscores the importance of a level-playing field.

Contrary to reports, however, President Sirisena has not suspended the project nor called for it to be halted. Skills Development Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said he had directly confirmed this with the President. No such thing has happened, he told the Sunday Times. The President said that such a decision should be taken by the BOI and that any questions should be directed to it.

Mr. Lokuwithana proposes to set up a tyre factory in the BOIs Wagawatte Industrial Zone (WIZ) with a US$ 75 million investment. Rigid Tyre will use technology from Marangoni of Italy under a partnership agreement signed in September.

There will be no joint venture company and the full financial contribution will be from Mr. Lokuwithana, who bought the Ceylon Steel Corporation (CSC) in 2009 and has business interests in Dubai. Around 3,000 jobs have been promised (although official papers have placed the number closer to 1,000).

However, the deal that the Government  through the Development Strategies Ministry  is negotiating for Mr. Lokuwithana has raised serious questions. Among other things, it will grant him a 99-year lease on 100 acres of land for an annual rent of just 100 rupees an acre. The BOIs prevailing policy is to limit leases to 50 years.

The company will receive an income tax holiday of 12 years after which a preferential rate of 15 percent will be levied, despite the BOIs powers to grant such concessions being suspended in April 2016. The CCEM has also sanctioned a massive discount on the lease premium owed for the Wagawatte property. Instead of paying the amount estimated by the BOI, Mr. Lokuwithana is getting the land at rates calculated by the Governments Valuation Department.

The tycoon will, thus, deposit just Rs. 170 million upfront as a lease premium and a nominal rent of Rs. 10,000 a year. The BOI charges a premium of US$ 40,000 (Rs. 6 million) an acre for a 50-year lease of WIZ land. The annual ground rent per acre at WIZ is US$ 3,850 (around Rs 578,000).

Questions have also been raised in some quarters over the source of Mr. Lokuwithanas funds, particularly as he was known to be a vanguard of the previous regime and because he figures in the Panama Papers released by the International Consortium of International Journalists (ICIJ)  leaked documents detailing financial and attorney-client information for thousands of offshore entities.

Representatives for the CSC claimed this week that they were clearing the Wagawatte property on permission granted by the BOI. They also said Mr. Lokuwithanas finances were clean, that they had been channelled through reputed banks and that he ran eight successful companies in Dubai. These included a catering service and a construction firm that has carried out building projects for the Emirates Government and Emirati royalty.

The relevant BOI property in Wagawatte lay unused for 18 years before it was identified for the tyre factory, continued Taya F Diaz, the companys Head of Communications. Around 35 acres of it is marshland while another section is rocky. It requires micro-piling for the land to be usable. The company will spend its own funds for this, as well as in the provision of water, electricity and an internal road network.

The BOI had no money or resources, an estimated Rs. 450 to 500 million, to develop this land the way and investor would want, said Mr. Diaz, explaining that this was why the administration had agreed to lease it out at rates determined by the Government Valuer. He also said the annual rental was meant to be nominal. He produced a photocopy of a cheque for Rs. 170 million that CSC had made out to the BOI as the lease premium.

Mr. Diaz said his employer would never deny his closeness with the previous regime. He always says, I shared their vision, he said. But he also claimed that Mr. Lokuwithana had first met Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former President, in 2008-09.

On January 5, a foundation stone was laid for the factory with the attendance of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and several other ministers. The date for the ceremony was decided by the Presidents office while all promotional material had also passed through his staff.
Monks petition on eve of bond debate in House View(s):

A Buddhist monk appointed by the Finance Ministry to the Lanka Hospitals (Apollo) Board of Directors has filed a fundamental rights (FR) petition challenging the report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) on the bond issue  just days before Parliament debates the matter.

The petitioner, Ven Thiniyawala Palitha Thera, is claiming that the COPE report is littered with inconsistencies and/or contradictions and/or misrepresentations which, he says, makes certain findings and/or statements in the COPE report unsafe, and/or prejudiced and/or biased He claims it is therefore a violation and infringement of his fundamental rights.

The Parliament debate on the Central Bank bond issue is scheduled to start on Tuesday. Ajith P Perera, a UNP member of COPE, is on record saying that the party does not intend to postpone or avoid the debate. With Ven Palitha Theras FR petition before the Supreme Court, however, there could be an attempt to scuttle it on the grounds that the matter is sub judice, political analysts say.

The respondents in Ven Palitha Theras petition are all 26 members of COPE; the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; CBSL Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy; the CBSLs Treasury Bond Tender Committee chairman P Samarasiri; the CBSLs Public Debt Departmentthe Superintendent and Registrar; the Auditor General; and the Attorney General.

Acting through the law firm Paul Ratnayeke Associates, Ven Palitha Theras petition harks back to the pre-2015 private placement system and challenges the losses incurred. He contends that there is an ex facie contradiction, inconsistency, misrepresentative and distorted position maintained in the COPE report.

The petition draws attention to paragraph 4.2 of the COPE report on the use of the Public Debt Departments Operations Manual in respect of implementing policy decisions for the issue of bonds by CBSL. It states that the relevant section and the entirety of the COPE report do not indicate with any acceptable degree of certainty whether the CBSL or the CBSLs Monetary Board has properly, lawfully and in terms of proper Central Bank procedure authorised and sanctioned the use of direct or private placement in the issue of Treasury Bonds to primary dealers (non-captive sources) during the period 2008-2015.

The monks petition further states that paragraph 4.2 of the COPE report has not satisfactorily met the aspirations of the general public, including the petitioner, as, read in its entirety, it does not even remotely and unambiguously inform the reader whether the Central Bank had properly and lawfully authorised the issue of Treasury Bonds to primary dealers viz the direct or private placement method during 2008-2015.

Attention is also drawn to paragraph 6.1 (without the footnotes) titled Estimated loss if the bond issue had been limited to Rs 1 billion. The petition observes that, on a plain reading of this section, it has been suggested and implied that as the bond issue of February 27, 2015, had not been limited to Rs 1 billion, the Government and the country had suffered an estimated loss of Rs 889,358,050.

But when reading the paragraph with footnotes, there are contradictions, the petition states. It claims the reader is, inter alia, not made aware as to whether the supposed estimated loss is a reliable figure; and whether it has been calculated on the basis or within the context that the direct or private placement method is the correct process. It further states that neither paragraph 6.1 nor the COPE report indicates with any acceptable degree of certainty whether the stated estimated loss has been calculated viz the use of a reliable and proper method.

Referring to paragraph 6.2titled Loss incurred as a result of exceeding Rs. 2.608 billion recommended by the Public Debt Management Committee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka the petition again questions the reliability of the figures and whether they have been calculated on the basis and within the context that the direct or private placement method is the correct process.

Citing glaring contradictions and/or inconsistencies and/or misrepresentations contained in the COPE report, the petition says the COPE members have not fulfilled their duties and obligations to the petitioner and other people of Sri Lanka.

The monk-petitioner, who is the chief incumbent of the Nalandaraamaya temple in Kotte, has sought leave to proceed and a declaration that his fundamental rights have been infringed. He also requests the Court to make an order or declaration that any express or implied finding and statement and suggestion in the COPE report that the direct or private placement method in the issue of Treasury Bonds by the CBSL has been properly and lawfully and correctly used between January 2009 and the date of the COPE report is wrongful.

He also asks for an order or declaration that, as at the time of the Treasury Bond auctions of February 27, 2015, and of March 29, 2016, the proper and lawful process and method as regards to the issue of Treasury Bonds was the auction process or method and not the direct or private placement process or method.

(Full text of the plaint)
Presidential concerns ignored, no brakes on tyre empire View(s):

Business tycoon Nandana Lokuwithana started clearing the 100-acre plot in the Wagawatte Industrial Zone in Horana this week, despite still not signing the lease agreement for the land with the Board of Investment. Mr. Lokuwithana proposes to set up a tyre factory there with a US$ 75 million investment. However, the deal being negotiated for him by the Development Strategies Ministry has raised serious questions. Among other things, he is being allotted the sprawling property at rates determined by the Government Valuer.

The rates are a fraction of what the BOI charges for land in that zone. President Maithripala Sirisena has also expressed concern regarding the project to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management, but work goes on, regardless.

Pic by Indika Handuwala.
Private power augments dwindling hydropower as drought worsens By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s):

As Sri Lanka enters a period of prolonged drought, the strain on the countrys electricity grid continues to mount. Authorities, alarmed at the rapidly worsening situation, announced a variety of measures throughout the past week, aimed at conserving electricity and connecting more power to the national grid.

With the capacity of hydropower reservoirs at 32.8%, and water levels at all of its reservoirs below 50%, the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment this week stressed that providing water for drinking and for farmers to protect their crops, would take precedence over releasing water for electricity generation.

Sri Lankas current peak hour electricity demand is about 2300 Megawatts (MW). If the drought conditions worsen, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) expects a shortfall of 600-700 MW. As such, the CEB has already gone ahead with plans to purchase emergency power for the national grid. Accordingly, tender for the purchase of 60 Megawatts (MW) of emergency power was awarded this week at a cost of Rs 28 per unit. Secretary to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Dr Suren Batagoda told the Sunday Times that the Government was happy with the outcome, as the cost was lower than that of a unit of electricity generated by existing private power plants such as Kelanitissa.

Additionally, the CEB will restart purchasing power from three private power plants whose agreements had been allowed to expire. One of them, the 25MW ACE power plant in Matara, will start generating electricity for the national grid early next week, following the renewal of its agreement for a year. The 100 MW Heladanavi plant in Puttalam, meanwhile, will be connected to the national grid from April, while the agreement with the 100 MW ACE Power plant in Embilipitiya, which was due to expire this April, has been extended by another year.

The Government is also expecting about 300 MW from a self-generation scheme by bulk supply customers such as factories. About 100 MW have already come, Dr. Batagoda observed.

The Secretary further revealed that the Government is considering purchasing a 200 MW barge mounted power plant within the next two months, as an additional cushion against power shortages. We are considering it, as the price of such power plants, currently in the world market, is low, Dr. Batagoda elaborated.

While measures to purchase emergency power and renew agreements with power plants are taking place, several steps aimed at energy conservation are also being put in place, while appeals have been made to the private sector and the public for their cooperation.

President Maithripala Sirisena underscored the urgency of the matter on Friday (20), when he requested private business establishments to switch off their lights used for promotion and decorative purposes, to save energy, until the drought situation eases. The President pointed out that a significant amount of power could be saved, if this was done.

The Government has also requested urban councils to switch on their street lamps one hour later than the current time of 5.30 pm, to save electricity. This followed closely on the heels of another decision to issue a circular limiting the minimum temperature of air-conditioning (AC) units in Government offices to 26 Degrees Celsius. Dr. Batagoda told the Sunday Times that this was done as AC units account for some 60% of power consumed at Government and private offices. If we can reduce the usage of the ACs and keep them to such a temperature, we can save up to 50 MW. Thats why we are requesting offices to do this at least for the next three months.

Phasing out energy-sapping incandescent bulbs is another step under active consideration. Dr. Batagoda revealed that, according to CEB estimates, these bulbs waste 95% of electricity supplied. Though the majority of the population have shifted to LED and CFL bulbs, it is estimated that about 20% of the population in the country were still using incandescent bulbs. We will be appealing to households still using those bulbs to switch off as many of those lights as they can, the Ministry Secretary stated. The CEB is hoping to bring down 1 million LED bulbs and distribute them among those using incandescent bulbs, free of charge if necessary. The aim is to exchange the LED bulbs for incandescent ones, removing them completely from the power sector.

The situation, however, continues to be extremely delicate, given the electricity grids over-reliance on thermal power, particularly the breakdown-prone Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai. Unit 1 of the plant, which had been out of action since last October, was reconnected to the national grid last Sunday (15). While the unit has a capacity of 300 MW, CEB officials stated that it was currently being operated at 50%, while engineers make further technical adjustments. The unit is expected to be fully operational by early next week.

Thermal power (coal and oil) currently generates 85% of the countrys electricity needs. The Government insists there is no chance of island-wide powercuts. CEB engineers though, say such a scenario is inevitable if Lakvijaya was to suddenly lose two of its three units, resulting in the national grid losing 600 MW. Power outages can also be expected if the 300 MW Kerawalapitiya plant and one unit at Lakvijaya plant are knocked out. At present, we simply dont have the water to generate hydropower to meet such a shortfall, CEB Engineers Union President Athula Wanniarachchi, disclosed.

According to Mr Wanniarachchi, purchasing emergency power, coupled with additional fuel costs, would cost the State as much as Rs 50 billion for just six months. He claimed these funds could have been saved if the Government had properly implemented the CEBs Long Term Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP).

The Rs 50 billion cost wont be paid by the Government. The cost would ultimately be passed onto the consumer through higher electricity tariffs, indirect taxes or by slashing funds to some other sector such as Health or Education, he opined.
Project to develop 152 acres around Beira Lake to begin next month By Damith Wickremasekara View(s): View(s):

Initial preparations for the development of 152 acres around the Beira Lake with mixed development projects and hotels, will get off the ground next month, Megapolis and Western Development Ministry Secretary Nihal Rupasinghe said.

Mr. Rupasinghe said the project will begin by clearing the waterways by blocking illegal water outlets and sewerage lines into the lake. In addition, around 800 families, including those living on unauthorised lands will be relocated.

The families will be provided housing in high-rise flats to come up close to the location.

Mr. Rupasinghe said the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has been directed to stop the disposal of waste material and seal the unauthorised sewerage lines, including all outlets from the National Hospital, within two-years, by setting up treatment plants.

Of the 152 acres to be developed, 95 acres belong to state institutions such as the Ports Authority, Urban Development Authority and the Railways, while the rest belongs to private institutions. The private companies will be offered the opportunity of selecting a project in accordance with the concept to develop the area.

Lands will be offered to investors on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) or on lease for 99 years, 50 years or 33 years.

The project is an initiative of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who studied similar projects in Singapore and sought the assistance of Singaporean experts to design the project.

One of the highlights of the project will be a Sri Lankan Eye in the Beira lake, constructed on similar lines of the London Eye a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London.
Tamil Nadu CM O Panneerselvam is set to inaugurate jallikattu today in Alanganallur after an Ordinance allowing the bull-taming sport was cleared by the state governor. However, villagers, demanding a permanent solution, say they won't let the CM inaugurate the event.

By Revathi Rajeevan: Even as Tamil Nadu gears up to organise jallikattu today, residents of Alanganallur in Madurai have vowed to continue their protest. Alanganallur is the same village where Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam is scheduled to inaugurate the banned bull-taming sport at 10 am today.

The villagers, not happy with the Ordinance that was cleared by Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday, are demanding a more permanent solution to the issue. The Ordinance allowing jallikattu will stay in effect for only six months. CM Panneerselvam has promised that the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly session will pass a new law that will allow jallikattu to be held permanently without any hindrance.

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'WON'T ALLOW CM TO ENTER'

On Saturday, protesters prevented the Madurai district collector and SP from entering the village. The two officials had reached Alanganallur to make arrangements for today's inauguration.

The locals say they won't hold jallikattu today and have even vowed not to let Chief Minister Panneerselvam enter their village today. 'We cannot protest like this every time we want to hold jallikattu which is why we are asking for a permanent solution,' is the common refrain among the locals.

A neighbouring village, Avaniapuram, also plans to boycott today's jallikattu celebrations with the locals issuing calls for citizens of the Madurai district to join them in their continuing protests.

Also read: Jallikattu: After AR Rahman, music maestro Ilayaraja also extends support

STATE GEARS UP FOR JALLIKATTU

Tamil Nadu has seen nearly a week of massive, state-wide protests over demands that jallikattu, banned by the Supreme Court in 2014, be legalised. Several celebrities and personalities came out in support of the protesters and Chennai particularly captured the imagination of the country after protesters spent multiple days and nights at the Marina beach.

The impasse finally seemed to have neared an end with Governor Rao's go-ahead for the jallikattu ordinance paving the way to hold the centuries-old bull-taming sport.

Following this, the Tamil Nadu state machinery moved quickly to announce that CM Panneerselvam will inaugurate jallikattu in Alanganallur on Sunday at 10 am. Other state ministers are expected to inaugurate the sport in their respective districts at 11 am.

Also read: Jallikattu Ordinance gets TN Governor's concurrence, CM Panneerselvam will inaugurate event

Also watch: Jallikattu: Protests to continue till permanent Ordinance is in place

--- ENDS ---
Situation critical: One million cry for water to drink By Anushiya Sathisraja View(s): View(s):

An estimated one million Sri Lankans are staring in the face of disaster as once again drought threatens their lives across the island. Farmers are accusing irrigation and agriculture officials of being unprepared for what is an annual occurrence.

In some areas of the island, violence is being feared over access to drinking water.

Some rain is expected in March, but whole communities are helpless.

Communities in Monaragala, Kalutara, Ampara, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and Hambantota are facing severe shortages of water to drink.

In Polonnaruwa, officials have imposed restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people at water tanks to prevent potential conflicts from boiling into violence.

Giritale farmer Prassanna Gamage in the Polonnaruwa district, laments: This is what we go through, after flooding, there is drought. We are dying of thirst.

He accuses officials of not taking advance measures to mitigate the effects of the drought and not being prepared.

He said the drought has continued to occur over the 30 years that he could recall and with varying intensity.

It is a daily struggle for his children. They wake up early to wash themselves at the tank before leaving for school, he says. There is no water even for our basic sanitary needs.

Temperatures in most areas in Batticaloa have risen to 38 degrees Celsius during the past week, Jaffna farmer, N Sivadas, points out.

Anthony Norbert, professor at the University of Colombos Department of Geography, told the Sunday Times, that January and February were known to be the hottest months of the year and the current dry spell was a sign that the drought will continue in the future.

Usually there are rains in November and December, sometimes even causing floods. But there has been no rain, he said.

Increases in temperatures, changes in the monsoon pattern, rising sea levels, increased intensity of extreme weather events including tropical cyclones and floods are some of the natural hazards that are expected. Sri Lanka could also experience heat waves and coastal erosion, he said.

There is lack of awareness about climate change impacts on livelihood among farmers and local government, especially those who are engaged in water management and agriculture extension, Prof Norbet said.

The Disaster Management Center says 645,847 people in nine provinces of Sri Lanka are badly affected by the drought, but estimates are that nearly a million are suffering.

In the Eastern Province, Batticaloa district is struggling although scattered rains. More than 300,000 people are badly affected. In Kaththankudy, 69,530 people are affected, Manmunai south (43,125), Eravur (31,445) and in Manumunai west (24,550) people are in the grip of the drought.

Batticaloa District Secretary Mrs. P A S M Charles said a shortage of drinking water was the main problem. Water tankers are being used to provide water and 3,000-4,000-litre water tanks had been set up in public and religious places and replenished every three days, she said.

Mrs Charles said small tanks and irrigation canals in the area were being renovated and deepened so they could hold more rain water.

Dry rations are being distributed to the needy. Officials are estimating the damage to the crop to determine compensation.

DMC statistics reveal that, Jaffna district is the second worst hit with 95,000 people affected. In Chankanal, 31,300 people are affected, Sandilipay (17,514) and Karainagar (10,544).

Assistant Director of Jaffna DMC, S. Ravi, said 80 percent of the water is used for agriculture.

Government agencies must also be willing to work with civil society and local communities because there are competing demands for water.

In southern Hambantota, 14,000 people are suffering from the drought. Hambantota DMC team Assistant Director, K K M Ravindra, said although drinking water was being supplied every day, agricultural activities were badly hit.

Water levels in rivers and streams have fallen at an alarming rate.

Irrigation Department Director-General, S S L Weerasinghe said small-scale farmers were suffering as small tanks had dried up. He warns that if the rains do not fall in the next two weeks, the situation could worsen.

Reservoirs that will provide water for the next growing season beginning in March, need to be at least half filled by then.

Mismanagement of water is a widespread problem across Asia and Pacific, exacerbated by rapid economic growth, industrialisation, and over exploitation of resources, he said.

Minor tanks have almost completely dried up while the water levels of major tanks are receding fast, said Irrigation Department Director (Water Management) Janaki Meegastenna.

In Ampara, where there are eight major reservoirs, water levels are critical.

The situation is the same in Hambantota, where there are 11 major tanks. In Badagiriya and Yodawewa in Hambantota water levels are down to 3 per cent of capacity.

In Nuwara Wewa in Anuradhapura the water levels have receded to 9 per cent of capacity, Tissa Wewa in Hambantota (1.03 per cent), Deberewewa (0.96 per cent), Deduru Oya (22 per cent) and Giants Tank Mannar (2.22 per cent).

The head of the Department of Meteorology, Lalith Chandrapala, said extreme weather had become more common in recent years.

There have been heavy downpours over brief periods and lengthy periods of drought.

Although Sri Lanka will not suffer direct effects of El Nino there is a possibility of experiencing indirect effects such as heavy rains in the coming second inter-monsoon starting in March or severe drought from October next year, he said.

Drastic drop in Maha harvest in drought-hit Moneragala District By Sumanasiri Gunathilaka  Moneragala Correspondent Authorities concede that only 35% of the harvest targeted for the 2016/2017 Maha season has been achieved in the Moneragala District, due to the prevailing drought. Many tanks in the District have already run dry, while some 23,000 farmer families have been severely affected by crop failure. Adding to their woes is the shortage of drinking water in the region. The water levels in most of the main rivers and waterways in the District have fallen by as much as 60%. While authorities had planned to cultivate 38,003 hectares of paddy during the 2016/17 Maha season, only 20,936 hectares have been cultivated due to the drought. This years expected paddy harvest is 87,933 metric tonnes. However, given the dry spell, the harvest may fall to as low as 41,854 metric tonnes. Other crops including corn, chilli, big onions, red onions, green gram and fruits have all been badly hit as well, and may not even provide half the expected harvest, according to District officials. Moneragala District Secretary Sriyani Padmakulasuriya informed the District Coordinating Committee Meeting on January 13 that, just 31% of the paddy cultivation target has been achieved this season. Even then, a successful harvest cannot be expected from more than half of the cultivated lands, she conceded. Meanwhile, 80 Grama Niladhari areas, of a total of 319 in the District, are severely hit by shortages in potable water, which continues to increase by the day, she added. In view of this situation, authorities are taking steps to distribute drinking water through the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, with the assistance of Pradeshiya Sabhas.

Drinking water sources polluted by illegal sand mining at MuruthanaIllegal sand mining on the banks of Ma Oya during the drought season at Muruthana, a village in Negombo is leading to a pollution of drinking water sources villagers in the area claim.As a result of excessive sand mining, and digging of clay for brick making at the village, a village located 100 metres away from the Ma Oya, wells in the area have been contaminated with muddy water. The situation is so bad residents have now to purchase bottled water for consumption. We have been making bricks for over a long period of time, but never faced a scarcity of water, villagers said. But certain businessmen have begun to use large backhoes. Some of them have dug pits which are nearly 55 feet deep. Recently two school children died after falling into one of these pits. We filed a case which was taken up in Negombo. Court ordered the pits be refilled, but the order has not been complied with said Mrs A.P.A. Fernando, a resident in the village. None of the officials from the Geological Department have taken any action either. It is alleged they have received bribes she claimed.
Special exposition of the Tooth Relic planned for International Vesak Day By L.B. Senaratne View(s): View(s):

The possibility of holding a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic for the benefit of the 550- strong international delegation which will be arriving in Kandy on 14 May to commemorate International Vesak Day declared by the United Nations is being explored.

The two Maha Vihares -Asgiri and Malwatte- indicated that there could be a possibility for a special exposition , but with the concurrence of the three custodians of the Sri Dalda Malgawa, has also to be obtained.

A meeting to discuss the modalities of the upcoming event following the declaration of the International Vesak Week was held at the Maha Maluwa -the forecourt of the Sri Dalada Maligawa. One of the main topics was the organising of a mass meeting for nearly 2,000 Buddhists. This number would include 550 foreign delegates whose number would include members of the Sangha.

The organisers anticipate arrangements being made to hold a special perahera which would grace the occassion. The perahera would include tuskers, and several traditional dances. The details regarding the holding of the perahera are expected to be worked out by the Diyawadana Nilame in conjunction with the two Maha Nayakas.

A meeting to draw up plans for the hosting of such an event was held at the Kandy Secretariat under the chairmanship of the District Secretary K.M.B. Hitisekera, the Secretary General of the Asgiri Maha Vihare Venerable Panditha Medagama Dhammananda Thera, and the Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Pradeep Dela also participated.

A number of sub-committees were appointed to work out details of the function. But the ultimate decision of whether or not to hold the perahera, is the prerogative of the Diyawadana Nilame.

The international delegation would initially meet in Colombo and subsequently travel to Kandy by train and would be officially welcomed enroute by various groups and then escorted to Kandy.

The 2,000-delegate meeting is expected to commence at the Maha Maluwa at 3.00 pm and the perahera is scheduled to be held the same night.

Alms to the Maha Sangha will be provided from the Janadhipathi Mandiraya.

Another meeting to finalise arrangements will be held a month before the event at the Dalada Maligawa.
Swaying in the water: A new species By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Prof. Deepthi Yakandawala talks about a breakthrough in her research on the popular water plant, Kekatiya View(s): View(s):

She would tuck up her pants and wade barefoot into the mud of numerous tanks (wewas) dotting the Polonnaruwa district in search of the abundant Kekatiya (Aponogeton) trying to decipher whether the usual description both in Sri Lanka and the world of a particular species fit the image.

Kekatiya, a group of freshwater plants, had piqued her curiosity when she spotted these plants in the Kaudulla National Park in 2010. As these plants just didnt fit the descriptions given in the literature for Sri Lanka Aponogetons, Prof. Deepthi Yakandawala of the Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya took a specimen back to Peradeniya and set about covering the whole island to get the full picture of Kekatiya.

It was far away from Kaudulla in the Dry Zone that she stumbled on the unexpected in the Kalutara district in the Wet Zone.

Aponogeton dassanayakei, a new species endemic to Sri Lanka (occurring only in this country), swaying this way and that on tiny ripples whipped up by a gentle wind on the Meegama ganga, a tributary of the Bentota river.

Launching an undergraduate research project with her student Chapa Manawaduge, later they had extended the study with funding from a university research grant of the Peradeniya University. On the field, in the collection of specimens they were helped by Priyadharshana of their department.

Referring to what makes Aponogeton dassanayakei different, Prof. Yakandawala explains simply that mal pipena netten, malak neme enne, aluth pelayak. (What appears from the stem which is supposed to have flowers is not flowers but a new plant).

It is thereafter that she delves deep into the botanical details of the new species that they discovered during a three-year study and which was spotlighted in Phytotaxa, a reputed international journal.

The attention-grabbing character of this new Aponogeton species is its ability of vegetative propagation, where some members propagate through the formation of young plantlets/propagules at the tip of a long axis known as proliferous peduncles. This is a rare character that has never been recorded previously for any Sri Lankan Aponogeton, says Prof. Yakandawala, pointing out that it has been reported only in two other species in the world.

They are A. proliferous, an Australian species with yellow-flowered inflorescences and A. undulates, an Asian species with white-flowered inflorescences. However, this new species found in Sri Lanka is very different to A. undulates, she reiterates.

This brings the number of the Aponogeton species described so far in Sri Lanka to six including four endemics.

The other three endemics are Aponogeton rigidifolius found in the Wet Zone areas of Kottawa and Kaneliya; Aponogeton jacobsenii restricted to Horton Plains; and the recent addition before the latest, Aponogeton kannangarae found at Morningside in the Sinharaja Rainforest.

The other two species, meanwhile, are Aponogeton crispus and Aponogeton natans which are native to the island and occur in the Dry Zone. Natives mean that these plants have been living on the island landmass since its origin and, therefore, they occur in neighbouring countries as well.

The A. dassanayakei study considered samples from all over the country and evaluated more than 60 morphological characters as well as molecular characters (DNA). Both morphological and molecular evidence verify the identity of this plant as a new Aponogeton species, says Prof. Yakandawala.

Despite its small size, Sri Lanka has great biodiversity. There are over 370 aquatic or wetland plant species of which 12% are endemic. There are a few remarkable endemic aquatic plant species that are of ornamental value and they include Atiudayan (Cryptocoryne),Ketala(Lagenandra) and Kekatiya (Aponogeton), she says.

She waxes eloquent on Kekatiya  the inflorescences and tubers of all species are edible and seem to be a popular source of food among local people. Traditionally, these have also been used in ayurvedic medicine as a diuretic, diluent and cholagogue and also in the treatment of acute and chronic cystitis, rheumatism, gonorrhoea and strangury. These plants are also known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-diabetic activities. They are important aquatic ornamental plants and have brought in considerable foreign exchange.

The endemic Aponogeton species, meanwhile, provide favourable habitats for endemic aquatic fauna, says Prof. Yakandawala, warning that contemporary observations reveal a high possibility of some Aponogeton species becoming extinct from the wild.

Lamenting that one of the biggest drawbacks in conserving the biodiversity of the country is the lack of knowledge about what we actually have, she stresses that Aponogeton species may become extinct in the wild due to habitat destruction and over-exploitation.

Relevant sustainable measures to conserve these plants are essential, urges Prof. Yakandawala.

New find named after eminent plant taxonomist The new species which is found in Kalutara, Gampaha and Colombo districts has been named Aponogeton dassanayakei Manawaduge &Yakandawala, after the eminent plant taxonomist Prof. M.D. Dassanayake. It is as tribute to Prof. Dassanayake who was the General Editor of A Revised Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon (Vols. IXV) that the research paper on Aponogeton dassanayakei was published in September last year to coincide with his 95th birthday which was on the 17th. Having had to forego the opportunity of entering Medical School at the tender age of 17, due to the inability of his family to meet the costs, young Dassanayake instead read for a science degree at the Ceylon University College and later University of Ceylon. He was in the first batch of three students reading for the Botany Special Degree. Later funded by the University of Ceylon, he read for his MA at the University of Cambridge and PhD from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. After serving for more than four decades in the university system of Sri Lanka, he was awarded the status of Emeritus Professor by the University of Peradeniya in 1989.

Rectifying a feature lost in translationThe initial curiosity of Prof. Deepthi Yakandawala has also been laid to rest. Even though Aponogeton natans has been described in Sri Lanka and elsewhere in the world as a plant with both floating and submerged leaves, it only has leaves floating on the water, Prof. Yakandawala and student Chapa Manawaduge have ascertained. It is likely that the misconception of submerged leaves in A. natans was propagated by a misinterpretation of the Latin description provided by Krause & Engler (1906) when translating into English, says Prof. Yakandawala. This finding has also been published as a separate research article in Phytotaxa.
Accessibility to cancer pain relief drugs and the international drug control treaties View(s):

By Dr. Dayanath Jayasuriya P.C.

In the Sunday Times of 8 January 2017 Dr. Mihitha Ariyapperuma raised a number of interesting and pertinent points in a letter under the title Medications to manage pain and other symptoms should be accessible to doctors in Sri Lanka. He recounted several close relatives of his who were terminally ill without the benefit of pain killers. As a young law student I myself witnessed my grandfather suffering from immense pain due to terminal cancer even after surgery.

In the mid-80s, the World Health Oragnizations Cancer Unit estimated that globally some 3.5 million cancer patients were needlessly suffering from pain due to difficulties in accessing pain killers. Dr. Stjernsward, the head of the Cancer Unit at that time, commissioned me to undertake some country visits to identify constraints in prescribing pain killers. This was followed by a questionnaire that was administered to all WHO member states. These studies highlighted that due to the misinterpretation of the international drug control treaties (the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances), countries were either reluctant to import the necessary pain killers or imposed unduly stringent regulations. In the Philippines, for instance, a doctor who prescribed a controlled substance for a patient was required to preserve the counterfoil of the prescription for a period of several years; if it was lost or misplaced he or she was liable to be imprisoned and struck off from the roll of eligible practitioners. Thus, many cancer specialists in Metro Manila simply refrained from obtaining the specially printed prescription pads for use. The WHO issued a booklet which provided what was called the pain relief drugs prescription ladder  starting with simple over-the-counter pain relief drugs it provided guidance on the different stages to introduce more potent pain killers. It soon became a widely sought after publication.

As controlled drugs, which included the potent pain killers, came under the purview of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), it was decided in 1989 to undertake a more in-depth study. I was one of the two co-authors of the draft INCB report entitled Demand for and the Supply of Opiates for Medical and Scientific Needs. This led to WHO World Health Assembly and United Nations Economic and Social Council resolutions reaffirming that the Conventions provide for a delicate balance between legitimate use on the one hand and misuse or abuse on the other and that these Conventions are not an impediment to the health-care systems importing/manufacturing and using needed quantities of opiates.

In 1995 INCB decided to follow-up on the implementation of the 1989 recommendations. Whilst over 60 countries had set up national cancer control programmes with emphasis on pain management, the majority of countries reported impediments. Among the common impediments mentioned were the following: concern over addiction to opiates; restrictive domestic laws; insufficient trained health-care workers; reluctance to prescribe due to concerns with legal sanctions; concerns about storage and theft or diversion; cost; lack of coordination for quantification of needs (annually approved by INCB); and, absence of national guidelines.

Since then some countries have made significant progress by updating domestic laws and training health-care workers. The creation of acute pain control teams who play a key role in meeting patient needs and assisting in preparing estimates of annually required drugs has been a particularly useful approach.

Freedom from pain is a ubiquitous slogan used by national cancer control programmes and patient associations. Freedom from pain is one of the dimensions of the Right to health. For this right to become a reality, countries need to make a concerted effort to formulate appropriate laws; sensitise the medical profession; quantify annually needed amounts of opiates; allocate financial resources to cover the cost of import or manufacture; and identify best practices in patient care and drug storage and administration. Terminally sick cancer patients should be able to live (and die) with dignity without needlessly having to suffer from pain.

(The writer was a member of the World Health Organisation expert panel on cancer, Geneva 1987-1990.)
Lanka mourns death of economics guru View(s):

Prof. A.D. V. de S Indrarathna, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Colombo, and the President of the Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA), was Guru to many leading economists in Sri Lanka, not only in academia, but also in the industry, bureaucracy as well as in policy making, a group of economists said on Saturday (yesterday).

Prof. Indrarathne passed away at the age of 84 and the funeral took place in Colombo yesterday. The Sri Lanka Association for Political Economy (SLAPE), in a statement, said that Prof. Indrarathna took immense pain to develop the teaching of economics, particularly in Sinhala medium at universities, during a period when many were sceptical about the capabilities of our mother tongue to become the medium of instruction in higher education, and his contribution towards it was remarkable. His famous book Mila Nyaaya stands as evidence to his contributions in this regard. Many students coming from deep rural corners in Sri Lanka rose on the ladder of academic progress thanks to his excellent teaching abilities.

SLAPE said Prof. Indrarathna founded the Department of Economics of the University of Colombo. It was because of his sheer strength and commitment that Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA) and its Journal achieved their respective heights and recognition.

He also has served the professionalism in Sri Lanka by functioning as President of the Organisation of Professional Associations. He was also a patriot professional who endured to make the Sri Lankan economy strong, independent and self-sufficient. He never was dogmatic and thus did not get carried away by different tides of ideological extremes. He was an active member of the National Economic Council and his contributions were always with the ultimate objective of national interest.

The highest tribute payable to late Prof. Indrarathna would be to persevere and erect the Sri Lankan economy back in the up-right position, SLAPE said joining academics and professionals in the field of Economics, and also with those forces which assign policy priority to upholding the interests of our national economy, in expressing their sympathies to family, friends and colleagues of the late eminent economist.
Minimising preventable deaths; critical care education is crucial View(s):

By Dr. Chula Goonasekera

he impetus for the evolution of medicine in the world has always been the quest to improve patient survival and outcomes. In keeping with this paradigm, it is essential for a country to be on par with the rest of the world regarding recognition of its health care service and training. For example, cardiologists are preferred to general physicians in the event of a cardiac ailment. If a child is ill, we prefer a paediatrician and if its a neonate, a neonatologist to offer best advice and therapy. Imagine in this 21st century if we had no oncologists? Patients with cancer will have no hope for survival and our level of care would be at rock bottom in the world. Similarly, if we are critically ill, we need a critical care specialist. Sadly, we are yet to commence a full time critical care specialist training program in this country. Despite repeated requests by the Ministry of Health, the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine is yet to launch a dedicated critical care specialist training pathway that was promised in 2011 following the initiation of a diploma program. Further training of the critical care diploma holders has been blocked. Why are we so frightened of promoting critical care expert education? It will only lead to better cost effective health care and survival of more critically ill patients who would have otherwise perished. This article explains what critical care involves, and what we are losing as a country with this inexcusable delay in promoting the training and recruitment of full-time critical care specialists in our hospitals. Just think about the number of lives we could save, for example, due to dengue or after road trauma?

What is Critical Care Medicine?

Critical care medicine (CCM) is a modern independent speciality that has evolved from what was termed intensive care in the 20th century. Today, the role of critical care specialists is not limited to the confines of the intensive care units. They are now actively engaged across the board in hospitals in identifying clinically deteriorating patients through early warning by scoring systems long before they need intensive care. They initiate early corrective therapies that are appropriate to avert the need for admission to intensive care. Thus, they play a significant preventative role in managing critical illness. Early detection and averting deterioration is the most effective form of critical care therapy to ensure best outcomes. Critical care specialists are highly trained, like any other specialist such as a cardiologist, orthopaedic surgeon or an anaesthetist. Their main goal of therapy is to improve survival of patients, minimise their need for admission to intensive care and minimise the duration of stay in intensive care through safe, effective and efficient supportive care without aggravating organ damage. Therefore, the focus is patient centred and geared to fulfil the needs of the patient at the earliest opportunity and ensure their return to normal life with no residual damage. Critical care specialists work with critically ill patients, in collaboration with multiple specialists everywhere in the hospital.

Critical care medicine embodies more than a collection of treatments. It is a health care delivery process demanding especially skilled health care providers (critical care specialist doctors and nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and so on) within an organizational framework that titrates often conflicting treatments, minimises potential treatment errors, and promotes the safe and efficient application of appropriate and timely care.

What is critical illness?

In a normal healthy state, we can compensate for injury or illness using our enormous reserve capacity. For example, if we hold our breath for one minute, it will not have any lasting effect on most of us, and we would just carry on as if nothing has happened. For a critically ill patient, this is no joke. Holding breath or losing breath for one minute could kill him or her instantly as he or she has no compensatory mechanism. A patient with heart failure needing continuous supportive medication would similarly succumb to the inevitable predicament of death if the infusions were blocked or disconnected for even a few seconds. Therefore, critically ill patients need very close continuous monitoring, with alarms to alert staff instantly if something goes wrong. The rectification of these issues should be instant. Therefore, there is a need for especially trained nurses and doctors to be resident at the bed side all the time, both day and night in critical care areas. Doctors and nurses with basic qualifications may not be able to expedite this standard of care needed to save lives. Thus, both nurses and doctors need additional competence based comprehensive training before managing critically ill patients. If we dont have this degree of competence available at the bedside, its none other but patients who would suffer sometimes at the cost of their own lives. Losing a breadwinner of a family this way from a preventable cause is a tragedy, an unbearable loss to the family and the country. That is why we need to ensure that critical care services are improved to the highest possible standard in this country.

Critical illness arises when organ injury (whatever the cause), leads to organ failure. If we do not support the failing organ function, the situation turns lethal. For example, if our lungs are failing, we need to keep the patient oxygenated until this function recovers. If we cannot support lung function until recovery the result is inevitable death. Thus, critical care medicine is the bridge that maintains life in these grim circumstances of illness.

Losing confidence and trust

Despite modern advances in medicine, we are yet to install a dedicated training program to produce specialists to lead our critical care services. In the world, specialities have developed to enhance service to patients and improve outcomes. Sadly, this development path has taken a bumpy ride in Sri Lanka, since improving patient care and outcomes in critical care does not appear to have been the overriding goal in our establishment. A training path for this purpose was designed in 2008 by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Colombo, the sole institution responsible for postgraduate medical training in this country, but this came to a halt halfway, with no further progress for the last eight years. The result is a gradual build-up of no confidence and distrust amongst our patients including that of our own politicians, doctors and nurses. This is reflected by the increasing number of our patients (including doctors) needing critical care opting to receive this modality of care, in our neighbouring countries like India, Singapore or even the more distant shores of the west at an exorbitant cost. Even the media is now openly seeking financial assistance and raising the necessary funds to assist patients receive such care abroad. Instead, what we should be doing is diverting our efforts to motivate our health care leaders, educators and government to promote standards of health care through training and the provision of facilities. The reasons for the lack of such safe and advanced treatment in this country should be explored and rectified. Recent mass protests against unexplained deaths in our hospitals should be considered as early warning signs of mounting mistrust amongst the public on our medical services. Sadly, innocent doctors and other health care workers have become targets of public anger and frustration. Regrettably, deaths of some of our eminent public leaders in our hospitals have also been the subject media critique in the recent past.

The duty

Today, in the developed world, critical care specialists undergo an independent comprehensive training program, including in our neighbouring country India. It is a specialty that is fundamental to support all other specialties to successfully implement their advanced therapies and therefore an essential catalyst to promote speciality advancement in this country. For example, there is no point embarking on a heart or liver transplant in this country if the critical care set-up is not up to the standard to deal with the supportive care they need. We need critical care specialist nurses and doctors all-round the country to help us save lives that would otherwise be sadly lost prematurely.

Critical care specialists should be committed fulltime to the critical care services and not overlook this whilst catering full-time to a major specialty such as anaesthesia or internal medicine. We must move away from this outdated model of practice prevalent in this country. Hybrid models such as these that place little emphasis on accountability and responsibility have introduced a dampening effect upon our advancement in medicine and this is already evident. The Ministry of Health should take the lead in creating critical care specialist cadre positions, at least in our regional hospitals with immediate effect so that a critical care service scenario can develop. Critical care specialists should dedicate their services full time to critical care and not be doing other specialty work such as anaesthesia full-time and hope moonlight visits to the intensive care unit are sufficient to improve patient outcomes. Our current intensive care mortality rates exceed 30% and sadly this is twofold higher than the norm. Thus, as many as 2/3rd of the deaths may be preventable. The excuses are aplenty in not wanting to evolve forward. However, two national institutions have a duty of care to achieve this milestone, i.e. the Ministry of Health and the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine as after all its the people who fund these institutions.

Acknowledgement: Mahes Salgado, the Head English Language Teaching Unit, University of Peradeniya

(The writer is a consultant anaesthetist based in London.)

email cgoonase@sltnet.lk
Schools have been asked not to allow strangers into their premises. A core security group, including officials from the Army, police and other security and intelligence agencies, also took stock of the security situation.

By Ashwini Kumar: A high alert was sounded in Jammu city and surrounding areas today, with officials asking public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the increased security arrangements. The alert has been announced keeping in view the forth coming Republic Day celebrations and check-posts and frisking points have been established in Jammu as well as rural areas to ensure security.

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Jammu Police has urged the public to co-operate with the police at nakas and frisking points and believe that the intensified security arrangements is a form of police harassment.

SCHOOLS ASKED NOT TO ALLOW STRANGERS

SSP (Jammu) Dr Sunil Gupta said schools in Jammu district have been asked not to allow strangers in their premises and educate students about taking relevant precautions. Gupta added that the general public should take basic preventive actions like not touching abandoned objects and should inform the police if they come across any suspicious objects, people or elements.

"Be alert while traveling in passenger vehicles, in crowded areas like bus stands, railway stations, shopping complexes, hospitals etc," the official said.

Gupta also said all SHOs and those incharge of police posts have been directed to remain present in their respective jurisdiction round the clock.

Also read: Jammu and Kashmir: 3 Hizbul terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Pahalgam

CORE SECURITY GROUP TAKES STOCK

Meanwhile, a core group security meeting held at Nagrota today took stock of the prevailing security measures south of the Pir Panjal in Jammu in the run up to Republic Day. The meeting was co-chaired by the General Officer Commanding 16 (White Knight) Corps, Lt Gen AK Sharma and Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dr SP Vaid. The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner (Jammu) Dr Pawan Kotwal, IG Police (Jammu Zone), IG BSF and IG CRPF among other top officials from the Army, police and other security and intelligence agencies.

A detailed joint strategy was chalked out by the agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region and ensure incident-free Republic day.

'ARMY READY TO FACE CHALLENGES'

Lt Gen AK Sharma said the Army and its various formations deployed south of Pir Panjal have been pro-actively involved in maintaining peace and communal harmony in the region in complete synergy with civil administration. He also emphasized that the Army is ready to face any challenges whether on the Line of Control or in the hinterland, and is prepared in all respects to assist the civil administration.

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Lt Gen AK Sharma and Dr SP Vaid commended the high levels of synergy in operations exhibited by all agencies in recent times. They encouraged all present to meet the security challenges and work towards enhancing confidence amongst the people. They further emphasised the requirement to be vigilant, alive and responsive to any developing security situation and ensure a peaceful and conducive environment in the region.

Also read: NIA expands wings; gets offices in Jammu, Raipur

--- ENDS ---
The Government has been slammed for its decision to appeal an Environment Court ruling made last year which followed in the wake of the 2011 Rena disaster.

In December 2016 the court ruled New Zealands regional councils would be able to use the Resource Management Act to protect native species by controlling fishing-related activities.

But its reported the Ministry for Primary Industries will now challenge the Environment Court ruling in the High Court.

Last year the Motiti Rohe Moana Trust, backed by Forest & Bird, sought a rahui (temporary closure over the reef under the Fisheries Act, to depleted fish stocks and taonga species to recover from the damage caused by the Rena grounding.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council believed it did not have power to prevent fishing around the reef, however, the Environment Court ruled it did.

Green Party environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage says the decision to challenge what was hailed as a landmark decision shows the Governments more interested in plundering the environment than protecting.

National appears determined to stop local communities protecting their own big blue backyard. Obviously National prioritises plundering the marine environment over protecting it.

The Rena grounding had a major impact on the Otaiti (Astrolabe) Reef. The reef needs time to recover and a rest from fishing pressure but MPI appears determined to prevent that.

Eugenie says if the MPI wont use its powers to protect the Otaiti Reef or other significant marine areas from fishing pressure, then hapu, iwi and community organisations should be able to ask their regional councils to use the RMA and regional coastal plans for help.

Now having failed the local community, MPI wants to block off that option too.

Forest & Bird spokesperson Geoff Keey says to date, the National Government has failed to reign in the plunder of New Zealands marine environment.

He says from illegal fishing practices and out of control by-catch issues, to oil exploration and seismic testing, the Government has failed in nearly every aspect of marine protection.

The Environment Court offered our oceans some hope last year, by confirming that regional councils can regulate fishing and marine activity to protect New Zealands underwater ecosystems.

Geoff says the Governments decision to appeal the Environment Court ruling will be disappointing to anyone who values a healthy ocean, and many regional councils who could have used the decision to balance commercial and environmental interests on the sea.

Given that the Government is frequently seen to promote fishing and mineral interests at the expense of our oceans, it is perhaps not surprising they are opposed to this court ruling.

Forest and Bird was a party to the original application by the Motiti Rohe Moana Trust, and we are considering our legal options in relation to this appeal.

The Original Environment Court decision can be found here.



The Rena. File Photo.
The information has made way through the intellignece sources of the nation.

By Atir Khan: In the run up to Republic Day celebrations followed by Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Rajnath Singh and BJP President Amit Shah face threat from Maoists and several other quarters.

Top intelligence sources said inputs have been received according to which leaders of the front organisations of the CPI(Maoist) have urged their central leadership to target the election rallies of the Prime Minister, union home minister Rajnath Singh and BJP President Amit Shah.

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Sources said central intelligence agencies have carried out a special briefing to Special Protection Group in this regard, to apprise them of possible threat perceptions to the PM ahead of Republic Day and Assembly elections.

Since the top leaders will be visiting various places for the election campaigning, Maoist cadres have urged the leadership to target them during their campaign for Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. They have further suggested to carry out serial IED blasts in Eastern UP by deploying 'suitable cadres' from outside, while promising to provide assistance to carrying out the task.

Also read | PM Modi wants a week-long Republic Day-like Independence Day

In a note purportedly issued by Andhra Pradesh State Committee of the CPI (Maoist), the Prime Minister and Andhra Pradesh chief minister were held responsible for killing of Maoist cadres. The note had threatened to carry out attacks on CM and his son.

In the wake of killing of 30 cadres of the CPI (Maoist) by security forces in District Malkangiri, Odisha last year, similar notes and audio statements have been issued by the outfit in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where in the central and the state governments have been blamed for the deaths. Most of them have criticised the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha for using the security forces for the benefit of corporate sector and threatened to carry out attacks on leaders of BJP, TDP, and BJD.

Other than threats from Maoists, the Prime Minister faces threats high degree of threats from several other quarters ahead of Republic Day. such as home grown and foreign Islamic terror groups, Sikh militant organisations etc.

--- ENDS ---
Hundreds of people have wandered back through time to the days of knights and maidens, Romans, Vikings and barbarians in Tauranga today.

The Tauranga Medieval Faire is back for its fourth year and is delighting the crowd down at Southey Field at Tauranga Boys College on Devonport Road, until 4pm.

One of the participants in todays faire is a gladiator named Decebalus, an elderly nobleman who took the name of his king who was killed by the Romans in 124AD.

Decebalus is actually David Layzell from West Auckland, a science and maths relief teacher at Massey High School and Liston College.

David, 70, was also a former pupil of Tauranga Boys College from 1960-64 and says its quite an emotional thing to back at the school again.

We adored our teachers, one of our teachers was Gordon Stuckey who was a second lieutenant at Monte Casino leading the New Zealanders in 1942 or 1943 in the assault on the monastery.

Todays faire is a lot of fun. I also do renaissance long sword as well.



West Aucklands David Layzell



A.K.A. Decebalus.

Speaking to SunLive earlier this week co-organiser Andria Goodliffe says entry is free, although there will be traders stalls to barter at, along with medieval activities.

We have miniature siege artillery, which should be quite interesting, and the archery range for people to have a go. You might even get to shoot a knight, if theyre brave enough

Today the faires main events take place, including a play, beard competition, and re-enactment of the Battle of Grathe Heath.

There will be plenty of free activities too, including dancing, listening to live music, watching activities on the village green, and perusing/buying some of the goods from the market traders, including chainmail.

For more details check out the 2017 New Zealand Medieval Faire on Facebook or visit www.taupomedievalfaire.webs.com



Idunna and Jorkell, queen and chieftain of the Asatru Barbarians tribe.



Blyth (Gaelic for Wolf) of the Asatru Barbarians tribe.



Argent Lords Ibsen and Ghast



Natasha Wall from Martinborough
A great crowd has turned out for the Classics of the Sky Tauranga City Airshow which is on at the Tauranga City Airport today.

Returning for its second year, the show features a ton of amazing planes such as the Royal New Zealand Air Force Strikemaster jet trainers, plus a number of super motorbikes, dragsters and hot rods.

And theres still plenty of time to get in on the action with the airshow scheduled to wrap up at 8pm.

The 2016 afternoon and evening event was so successful we opted to hold the show annually, alternating headline aircraft and an associated event, say the Tauranga City Airshow organisers.

If youre planning on heading down, why not take a picnic, or if you cant be bothered, you can purchase food and drink on site.

Classic Flyers will also have a bar available to purchase alcohol but eventgoers are not permitted to bring their own alcohol on site.

There is plenty of free parking available on site, with public access in Seawind Lane via the airport end of Jean Batten Drive.

The Classics of the Sky Tauranga City Airshow is taking place at Tauranga Airport on Jean Batten Drive in Mount Maunganui until 8pm.

Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for children, with discounts available for TECT cardholders when purchased from the Classic Flyers gift shop. Tickets also available online at: www.eventfinda.co.nz.

For more information visit: www.tcas.co.nz
Judging by the number of fire service call outs, the Western Bay of Plenty escaped most of the impact of last nights storm.

Mount Maunganui fire fighters were called to a power pole down in Lachlan Avenue Mount Maunganui this morning. About 700 Te Puke households awoke without power today, and at 9.20am Greerton fire fighters have been called to a tree over SH36 Pyes Pa road near the Oropi intersection.

Powerco states the power is expected to be restored in Te Puke at about 10am.

Fire fighters in Thames and Te Aroha were also called out to deal with weather related incidents this morning, but Auckland took the brunt of last nights blow. Fire fighters across Auckland recorded 160 calls between 8.30pm and 1.30am.

They were dealing with power lines, trees, trampolines and a variety of loose debris, says NZ Fire Service northern communications centre shift manager Colin Underdown.

Most of it was all in Auckland overnight, there were a couple in Thames this morning, one in Te Aroha this morning.

Its been relatively quiet by comparison. Three or four as opposed to a couple of hundred overnight in Auckland. That was all up to about 7pm through to 8.30am. The big rush was from 8.30pm to 1.30am.

And on daylight there were more calls as people became able to see the damage outside, says Colin.

The fire service wasnt notified of any injuries.

The weather front that brought rain and wind across the North Island last night is expected to blow away today as the northerly winds back around to the west.

The Metservice has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain for today for parts of the South Island, Mount Taranaki, the ranges of the Eastern Bay of Plenty and the Tararua range.

And for severe Northwest gales for Wairarapa, Wellington and the Marlborough sounds today and severe southwest gales for coastal Otago and Banks Peninsula later today and early Monday.

A deep low is forecast to cross the South Island today bringing strong winds and rain to much of the country.

Further heavy rain is forecast for northern Buller and western Nelson through to late this afternoon, also about eastern Otago, Mt Taranaki and the Tararua Range through to early Monday morning, with 50 to 100mm expected in these areas on top of what has already fallen.

People in these areas are advised to watch out for rapidly rising rivers and streams and possible slips and surface flooding. Note, the rain is expected to ease in all other areas later this morning or afternoon.

Gales are expected over much of the country with the passage of the deep low. Severe north to northwest gales with gusts around 120 km/h are expected about Wairarapa, Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds today with severe south to southwest gales expected about coastal parts of Otago and Banks Peninsula late today and early Monday. Winds of this strength can cause damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures and make driving hazardous.
In 1980, Ann Patras decided it was time to do something different with her life, and so she rounded up her family and headed to Zambia.

Initially on a two-year contact, the family eventually left Zambia in 1989, moving down to South Africa where they lived for 22 years.

Originally from Burton upon Trent, Ann has a penchant to take awkward, near disastrous or embarrassing situations, and make them funny.

For some odd reason there seems to have been quite a few of these in her life, and they have become the basis for a trilogy of books.

Always a keen letter writer, Ann often entertained her friends with tales of various adventures and calamities, and she was constantly nagged to write a book about her life in Africa.

The first in the series, 'Into Africa with 3 Kids, 13 Crates and a Husband', was released in 2015, and it describes the family's first year as expats in Africa.

She has recently released the second in the series, 'More Into Africa with 3 Kids, some Dogs and a Husband'.

The book is full of tales of their rather bizarre lifestyle over a three-year period, when they invariably seem to find themselves in some sort of pickle.

Her books are neither travelogues nor indepth looks at African culture. They are about a family who moved to Zambia with no idea of what was ahead.

The 67-year-old author now lives in Alhaurin el Grande, and she is currently working on the final installment of her trilogy of books about Zambia.

Ann reveals that her writing routine is absurdly haphazard, following no set time, duration or location. However, she prefers to write outside.

"You'll find me sitting at a weird tiled table, trying to ignore the attentions of our two big dogs, the yapping of neighbours' hounds or the distractions of a husband," Ann says with a hint of humour.

Her source material was the carbon copies of letters she had written to family and friends while living in Zambia.

She is forever grateful that her legal training disciplined her in the routine of taking copies of all correspondence.

Were it not for those copy letters, she says she would never have remembered many of the crazy incidents which happened to them.

"Sometimes the contents of the letters have me chuckling to the point of utter distraction, as I am reminded of some silly incident or naive remark. But they do still provide me with essential material," Ann explains.

The first book in the trilogy has been a best-seller on Amazon and she is hoping that the new one will do the same. In the meantime, she'll be keeping busy with the next one.

"My second book continues with tales of incidents in our rather unusual lifestyle, most of which have been accredited by my readers as being very funny," Ann says with a smile.

Ann will be launching her second book at the Cafe Boulevard in La Cala de Mijas, from 6.30pm on Thursday 26 January.
Professors at Cambridge University offered him the Modern History Chair, but with the same courtesy with which the proposal was made, Gerald Brenan told them that he had never been to the university and that his only wish was to return to Malaga, to the place which he had portrayed and revealed as if it were a map in The Spanish Labyrinth, which he wrote in 1943.

Three years after that book was published, Brenan wrote what Carlos Pranger, his executor, calls a 'pamphlet', a spin-off of that book, also in English, in which he delved even further into the Spanish labyrinth and even suggested a way of overcoming the Franco problem.

"In The Spanish Scene, he explained that if the dictator were eliminated there would be another bloodbath, and said that the political future of our country would be a constitutional monarchy," says Carlos, adding that the text also refers to a "moderate socialist party" which would favour modernisation and make Spain equal to the rest of Europe. "He wrote all that in 1946, nearly 30 years before it actually happened," he explains.

Although Gerald Brenan used to describe his everyday life in letters to friends, these have not yet been published

This 'pamphlet', which was commissioned by a foundation and originally published by the Bureau of Current Affairs, is now being produced in Spanish thanks to a translation which Carlos Pranger has done to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of Gerald Brenan, which was on 19 January.

The house in which Brenan used to live in Churriana, now a foundation, is publishing 'La escena espanola' with the support of Malaga city council. It shows not only the author's knowledge of Spain, but also his ability to understand the soul of the society of the time and the Spanish political scene.

The original text was published at a time when the UN Security Council was concerned about the situation regarding the Franco regime and the country was the subject of international debate. It was in that context that Brenan was commissioned to produce this portrait of Spain, and it is an informative and expert view of the country.

The publication of 'La escena espanola' coincides with a new edition of The Spanish Labyrinth in Spanish, published by Planeta, which is being presented today, Friday 20 January, at the Casa Gerald Brenan in Churriana. Silvia Grijalba, the director of the writer's former residence, says he was fully aware of the future of Spanish politics, describing Spain as the country of "patria chica" because of the strength of regional and municipal feelings compared with those for the State.

Gerald Brenan at home

That view of nationalism and the prediction of the end of Franco did not cause problems for the writer with the regime. At least, no more than the difficulties they placed in his path when he wanted to return after the civil war.

"He had to negotiate his return. He even had to meet the Spanish ambassador in London to try to persuade the regime," explains Carlos Pranger. Brenan's return on 7 January 1953 must have seemed like a gift from the Three Kings. "Once he was back in Churriana, they left him alone," says Carlos, who is sure that there is plenty more yet to be discovered in the legacy of the British hispanist.

Stories and aphorisms feature among these previously unseen writings, but it is Brenan's correspondence about which there is the least knowledge.

"He used to write to his friends, tell them what had been happening, and he loved gossip," says Carlos. After returning to Malaga, Gerald Brenan became an important figure in the up-and-coming Costa del Sol, and frequently hosted foreigners who were visiting Spain.

Virginia and Leonard Wolf, Ernest Hemingway, Bruce Chatwin, Lytton Strachey, Carmen Laforet and Paul Bowles used to visit him and some of them wrote about it, such as Bowles, who said that anyone who wants to get to know the Costa del Sol should knock at Gerald Brenan's door.

However, it was not only the famous who went in search of this well-known author: he also became popular with people in their 20s from the 'beat' generation who were looking for freedom on the Malaga coast.

"He regained his own lost youth by being in contact with laid-back young people. Poets and musicians used to visit him and breathed new life into him," says Carlos, who recommends that people visit the Casa Gerald Brenan in Churriana for themselves to see the collection of private photos of this entertaining yet private writer.
By Press Trust of India: Mathura, Jan 21 (PTI) The North Central Railway has declared cash awards to the railway station here and its employees for ensuring smooth operation of trains and sanitation.

"The General Manager North Central Railway Arun Saxena yesterday rewarded Rs 5,000 each for sanitation and for ensuring smooth operation of trains to the Mathura Railway Station," Station Director N

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P Singh said.

A reward of Rs 10,000 was also declared for excellent maintenance of the driver-guard lobby, he said.

Sriram Meena was also awarded for issuing950 tickets in a single day during his eight hour duty, Singh said.

"A group award of Rs 5,000 was also declared for train operation at Ajhai station on the Mathura Kosi line. Reward for Lal Babu Rai of gate No. 538 was declared for excellent knowledge in rail operation system," he added. PTI CORR ANB

--- ENDS ---
Harish Sadani, co-founder of Men Against Violence and Abuse, talks about his experience of reaching out to 80,000 young men and getting them to re-examine masculinity.

Harish Sadani has reached out to 80,000 young men and 20,000 young women through his landmark initiative, getting them to re-examine masculinity and question patriarchy through workshops, plays, camps and poetry sessions.

"I was volunteering at a women's rights organisation as a young man when I realised how small a part men seemed to play in the discourse on gender equality. Men would be ostracised, their faces blackened. Was this the way ahead, I wondered. Doesn't a person belonging to the 'oppressor' class/caste/gender have a role in the class/caste/gender struggle? Changing a man's perspective is just as important as the empowerment of women, and they need not be mutually exclusive agendas. If we want to reach a truly gender equitable stage, the important thing would be to engage with young boys and men on issues of gender-based violence and discrimination and to deconstruct and redefine masculinity. Talk of a need for a change in the male mindset was, and continues to be, rampant; but how would you do that without engagement with the male community?"

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Photo: Danesh Jassawala

"Born and raised in a chawl (community housing) in Mumbai, I often observed abuse and oppression against the women in the neighbourhood. I lived in a large joint family, which included an extremely sensitive father and three paternal aunts, who played a huge role in shaping my perspective on women. Doing the household chores would earn me nicknames-sissy, girlish-but I never took it personally. Instead, I remember thinking they were teasing me because they believed what women did at home was not respectable and had no value."

"In 1993, I co-founded Men Against Violence and Abuse. I found that in both urban and rural areas, adolescent boys and young men are desperately in need of a safe platform to express themselves regarding problems that give rise to violent behaviour, including those related to sexuality. There is no institutional mechanism that deals with sex or sexuality education. The Maharashtra government's outright rejection of the NCERT's sex education guidelines and the legislators' vote to ban the subject in 2007 ensured this. While sex education talks about anatomy and reproduction, sexuality is a wider term that includes peer pressure, consent, dissent, healthy, respectful relationships. We must engage with young boys and men to bring these out in discussions."

"In 2006, the Health and Population Innovation Fellowship from Population Council, India, enabled my pilot project, allowing me to work intensively with 33 boys across six colleges in Pune. Over the years, I have taken the initiative to nine newer districts of Maharashtra through collaborations and partnerships with colleges, universities, youth bodies and grassroots voluntary organisations."

"The aim is to dissect the existing model of masculinity, followed by a gradual process of redefining it. Of course, not all young men are as perceptive, but the goal is to show them the larger picture. We introduce ideas of gender sensitivity through various ways-our online blog, street plays, film festivals, radio plays, wall newspapers, residential camps, poetry sessions. Around 700 youth mentors of mine have, in the past decade, reached out to lakhs of adolescent boys and young men across Maharashtra, spreading messages on upholding women's right to safety and dignity."

"There have been many challenges-inadequate funds to continue programmes for boys, periodic threats by so-called custodians of culture and men's rights groups and so on. I have also been battling male stereotypes at a personal level. Sometimes, the challenges come from female feminists who think the fight for gender equality is a domain reserved for women. But what of the men who need to be liberated from the shackles of patriarchy?", as told to Moeena Halim.

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Jan 21 (PTI) Union Minister of Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh today said he has urged all the ministries concerned to increase the usage of steel in governments infrastructure and construction projects.

"The Steel Ministry is exploring new avenues for usage of steel like steel bridges, containers, water tanks and crash barriers. Recently, I have also urged all concerned ministries to use India-made steel for government projects," Singh said here.

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He was speaking at the first meeting of the National Steel Consumers Council here. The council advises government on matters relating to supply, availability, quality and the market trends of iron and steel.

The meeting was attended by representatives of various ministries, several industry associations, producers and consumers of iron & steel industry, house builders and related industries, industry experts and steel makers, including SAIL, RINL and Tata Steel etc.

This meeting provided a platform to discuss the domestic steel industry scenario, the global steel trends, and benefits of using steel and on how to boost the domestic steel consumption. India has become the third largest steel producer in the world, while the domestic steel consumption remains at only 60 kgs per capita.

There has been continued thrust from the Ministry of Steel to boost the domestic steel consumption by exploring the versatile steel uses.

"The ministry has sought reduction in import duty on both coking coal and nickel -- vital components of steel making -- a move that may revive the sector in the forthcoming Union Budget," Singh said.

He also said that his ministry has prepared the draft policy-- the National Steel Policy (NSP) 2017-- to ensure that the sector follows a sustainable path of development in respect of augmenting capacity to 300 MT by 2030-31 in environment-friendly manner, mineral conservation, quality of steel products, use of technology and indigenous R&D efforts, so that the country can, over time, reach the global efficiency benchmarks.

The National Steel Policy 2017 (NSP 2017) is an effort to steer the industry to achieve its future potential and strategy to deal with various impediments like high input cost, availability of raw materials, dependency on imports and financial stress. PTI AP NP SDM

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Whatever your opinion of the man, and despite the allegations of Russia's involvement, Donald Trump is the 45th President of the United states. But throughout his campaign, the Republican made a number of statements that have worried tech fans.

Apart from Twitter, Trump doesn't seem to care much for the internet and has called for tighter controls and regulations, which are often euphemisms for government spying. He also wants to bring iPhone manufacturing back to the US, which could see the price of the handsets increase, and has threatened a trade war with China. There's also the matter of that Muslim registry.

For this Weekend Open Forum, we're asking what effect you think Trump's Presidency will have on tech users and companies. Are you planning on being more cautious with your online activities now he's president? Will his policies see the price of goods drastically increase, or maybe even decrease? Could he give the US tech economy a boost?

Whatever your thoughts on Trump and his policies, let us know in the comments below.
"To restore science to its rightful place."

This was one of President Barack Obama's many promises at his first inaugural address back in 2009. True to his word, the POTUS supported various scientific efforts throughout his eight-year presidency.

Obama's Legacy In Science

Obama spearheaded a trio of major medical research projects: the BRAIN Initiative in 2013, the Precision Medicine Initiative in 2015, and the Cancer Moonshot in 2016, drawing mixed reactions from critics.

He is dubbed as the first American president to get published in prestigious academic journals while in office, with a total of 13 articles to date. His latest one about the irreversible momentum of clean energy was published recently in Science.

The U.S. under Obama's leadership played a pivotal role in the Paris climate agreement, helping at least 195 countries across the world to reach a global consensus in hopes of actively reducing carbon pollution and its detrimental effects on human health and the environment.

Obama also pledged $3 billion worth of financial support to the Green Climate Fund, an international organization that helps developing countries transition to technologies free from carbon emission.

New DOE Guideline To Protect Scientists From Political Interests

Amid growing concerns of impending budget cuts and a possible 180-degree shift in focus and priorities once President-elect Donald Trump moves into the White House, the Obama administration has made a last-ditch effort to make sure none of this happens, at least not any time soon.

"DOE officials should not and will not ask scientists to tailor their work to any particular conclusion," Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz stated. Moniz released the revised guidelines from the Department of Energy (DOE) on Jan. 11 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

The more stringent guidelines give researchers the freedom to talk about their personal opinions on science and policy issues in public, provided that they specify they are not speaking on behalf of the government. Researchers are expected to advise their higher-ups before appearing for media interviews or publishing their findings, but these, however, are not subject for approval.

Obama vs Trump On Climate Change

In December 2016, Trump's transition team reportedly sent a questionnaire asking the agency to name employees who were involved in climate change-related activities  the DOE refused to comply.

A vocal anti-climate change proponent, Trump believes climate change is a hoax and an economic sabotage from China. He has also threatened to quit the Paris climate deal.

Obama, on the other hand, made a final push for climate change and urged officials to put politics aside during his farewell address to the nation on Jan. 10.

"We've led the world to an agreement that has the promise to save this planet. But without bolder action, our children won't have time to debate the existence of climate change. They'll be busy dealing with its effects. More environmental disasters, more economic disruptions. Waves of climate refugees seeking sanctuary," he said.

"We can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem," Obama continued. "But to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations, it betrays the essential spirit of this country  the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our founders."

Watch the full video of Obama's final speech as POTUS:

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The incident took place in English School in Santacruz east under Vakola Police jurisdiction. All the students are from 7th class.

By Saurabh Vaktania: In a very shocking incident seven school students including three girls of Mumbai got injured in dare play during school hours. The students started cutting themselves with pencil sharpner blade and injured themselves in a dare that who can cut own maximum times.

The incident took place in English School in Santacruz east under Vakola Police jurisdiction ame of the school withheld to protect identity f All the students are from 7th class. The school has now issued an urgent notification and planning to educate the students on ill effects of dangerous dares.

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The incident took place during the school hours after the lecture was over the students had two lectures off. One of the student in the class removed blade from the pencil sharpener and told his friends that he would slit his arm but he wont be in any pain.

Also read: Uttar Pradesh: 14, including 13 schoolchildren, killed as bus, truck collide in Etah

He started bleeding while his friends just watched. Now the student dared his other friends watching accepting the dare another student with the same blade slit his arm several times and he later dared the other friend.

This passing of dared continued till four boy students laterwards the girls also came into action. One of the girl took the blade and slit her arm over 40 times. All the students were bleeding profusely but they did not tell anyone. The girl was badly injured they applied running water and hide it through clothes and handkerchiefs.

When students came back to their home all of them watched videos on internet to learn the cuts that it can be harmful or would they face any infection. Next day the students came to school with bandages. The school authorities felt something amiss and questioned all of them after which the incident came to light. No police complaint was made in the matter.

Students were given strong warning. All childrens are now going through medical treatment.

Also read:

Bengaluru: Northeast student critically injured in suspected racial attack

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The Google Pixel and the Samsung Galaxy S7 are top-notch Android-powered devices that are vying with each other to rein supreme in the hotly-contested smartphone space.

Both the Galaxy S7 and the Pixel are equipped with great camera capabilities and battery support. The two phablets also house a fingerprint scanner, which increases the device's security.

Here is a comparison of both the Android smartphones to help you ascertain, which is the better buy.

Display

The Google Pixel has a 5-inch FHD AMOLED display, with a screen to body ratio of 68.88 percent while the Galaxy S7 has a 5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED display. The latter has a screen to body ratio of 72.30 percent.

The Google Pixel has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, while the Galaxy S7 has a screen resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. Both the devices have an Oleophobic coating, as well as scratch-proof Corning Gorilla Glass 4.

The Galaxy S7 touts a pixel density of 576 ppi, whereas the Pixel has 441 ppi by comparison.

While the screen size of the two smartphones is on even keel, the Samsung smartphone has an edge when it comes to resolution.

Processor And RAM

The Pixel is powered by a quad-core Qualcomm snapdragon 821 CPU (2 x 2.15 GHz and 2 x 1.6 GHz), whereas the U.S. variant of the Galaxy S7 operates on a quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor (2 x 2.15 GHz and 2 x1.6 GHz).

Both the handsets have 4 GB of RAM.

Storage

The Samsung Galaxy S7's U.S. version comes with on-board storage of 32 GB, expandable up to 256 GB. The Google Pixel, on the other hand, comes in two variants - a 32 GB model and a 128 GB model. There is no provision for accommodating an external SD card in the Google Pixel.

In this department too the Samsung smartphone betters the Google offering.

Camera

The Google Pixel has a 12.3-megapixel primary camera with Dual LED flash and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The Galaxy S7, on the other hand, has a 12-megapixel primary camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel secondary camera.

The Pixel's camera supports autofocus, OIS, geo-tagging and HDR recording. The Galaxy S7 also supports OIS, autofocus, RAW image capture, HDR recording mode and Panorama. Both the phones feature video calling facilities.

Battery

Talking about the battery backup of the two phones, the Google Pixel has a non-replaceable Li-Ion 2770 mAh battery, while the Samsung Galaxy S7 has a non-replaceable 3000 mAh Li-Ion battery.

The Google Pixel supports a talk time of 26 hours (on 3G). The Galaxy S7 supports 28 hours (on 2G) per the company's claims.

The Google Pixel also offers support for fast charging, which means that in just 15 minutes of charging, your Pixel can offer 7 hours of usage. The Galaxy S7 offers Adaptive Fast Charging which ensures upto 50 percent charge in 30 minutes.

Operating System

While the Google Pixel comes with Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box, the Galaxy S7 came pre-loaded with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which is currently being updated to Android 7.0 Nougat.

Additional Features

Both the Google Pixel and Galaxy S7 are equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes, compasses and barometers. The Pixel has service lights and haptic feedback for notifying users, while the Galaxy S7 allows haptic feedback, music ringtones and MP3 files for notifications.

Both the smartphones are equipped with a fingerprint scanner, which is embedded in the home button on the Samsung smartphone and the rear on the Pixel. However, unlike the Google smartphone which has an IP53 rating, the Galaxy S7 is water resistant (IP68 certified).

Price

The unlocked Google Pixel is priced at $649 (32 GB) and $749 (128 GB) and can be purchased from its online store. The Samsung Galaxy S7 will make your pockets lighter by $669.99.

Both the phones are neck-to-neck in specs, however, the Google Pixel is the clear choice for those who want to click a crystal clear selfie or take breath-taking photographs. That said, customers looking for some extra storage space will lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S7.

It ultimately boils down to consumer preference as to which smartphone of the two is the better buy.

Photo: Maurizio Pesce | Flickr

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
As feminism has empowered women to become the best version of themselves, many Hollywood stars and other famous people have started to encourage their counterparts with different practices to achieve this goal. Recently, Gwyneth Paltrow's website, Goop, started selling jade eggs for women's vaginas.

The website is created to be the ultimate beauty guide, according to the Goop editors, and Paltrow created her own online lifestyle magazine in an attempt to help women everywhere achieve their true potential.

Jade Eggs, A Practice For Empowering Women

However, while the jade eggs are not the first controversial product on the website, the Goop readers started to seriously document it, hence the massive editorial space dedicated to the news of jade eggs.

"Yoni eggs, once the strictly guarded secret of Chinese concubines and royalty in antiquity, harness the power of energy work, crystal healing, and a Kegel-like physical practice. Jade eggs' power to cleanse and clear make them ideal for detox, too," mentions the product description on Goop.

The website also features an interview with the jade egg guru Shiva Rose, where the health activist promotes the benefits of wearing a jade egg.

"The word for our womb, yoni, translates as 'sacred place', and it is a sacred place-it's where many women access their intuition, their power, and their wisdom. It's this inner sanctum that we can access when it's not in use creating life. I see it as a place to celebrate ourselves as sexual, powerful beings, or as mothers, not a place to carry negative or un-dealt-with emotions," Rose noted.

The egg is also supposed to enhance women's sexuality, and make them feel and be perceived as more attractive and appealing to the opposite sex.

Jade Eggs Are Unhealthy

However, while many women have turned to ancient practices to access their inner beauty, scientific opinions tend to strongly disagree, saying that not only does it fail to bring any benefits, but it could also produce infections of the womb.

"For one, this is a porous rock you're putting in there, not medical-grade silicon, and who knows what bacteria can lodge in those nooks and crannies. Then there's also this magical belief that putting something inside you can do something to your aura or chi," noted Jen Gunter, San Francisco OB/GYN.

According to Gunter, who is specialized in pelvic floor disorders and infectious disease, it isn't fair that Paltrow promotes pseudoscientific mysticism, as it is medically flawed to use these practices, and not be aware of the health issues they pose, especially since the readers don't always question the information they are presented.

The open letter Gunter addressed to Paltrow on her website doesn't just dismiss the jade eggs, but also its use for women empowerment.

"Nothing says female empowerment more than the only reason to do this is for your man! And then the claim that they can balance hormones is, quite simply, biologically impossible. Pelvic floor exercises can help with incontinence and even give stronger orgasms for some women, but they cannot change hormones. As for female energy? I'm a gynecologist and I don't know what that is," quotes Gunter's letter.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Samsung is set to reveal on Jan. 23 the results of its investigation into what caused the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones to catch fire and explode.

According to a source, Samsung has pinpointed the batteries of the device as the reason behind the explosions, with the hardware and software of the smartphone not involved in the controversial defect of the Galaxy Note 7.

A new report from the Wall Street Journal, however, provides more detail on the results of the investigation by Samsung in advance of the company's official announcement next week.

Irregular Size, Manufacturing Problems Caused Galaxy Note 7 Battery Defects

According to the Wall Street Journal, the results of the investigation by Samsung found that some of the batteries manufactured for the Galaxy Note 7 were irregularly sized, and so they did not fit correctly into the space reserved for them within the smartphone. This resulted in overheating and the batteries exploding. In addition to irregular sizes, some of the batteries also ran into certain manufacturing problems, though the report did not specify what exactly these issues were.

Samsung used two kinds of batteries for the Galaxy Note 7, with one kind manufactured by its Samsung SDI affiliate and the other produced by Amperex Technology. Samsung initially thought that the defective batteries were coming from Samsung SDI, as the irregular sizes were discovered in preliminary investigations. However, after they decided to stop using Samsung SDI batteries on the Galaxy Note 7 and switched to the Chinese battery maker as its sole supplier after the initial recall program for the smartphone, the increase in production then led to manufacturing problems that resulted in the second recall program.

The findings were finalized after Samsung worked with at least three quality-control and supply-chain analysis companies in the investigation.

What Now For Samsung?

According to the report, Samsung is implementing a more detailed testing method for its products to prevent another debacle like what it suffered through for the Galaxy Note 7. The improved regimen will increase inspection levels and quality assurances, and has received positive responses when it was presented to authorities in Washington.

It was also previously reported that Samsung will make sure that the Galaxy S8 will not suffer the same fate as the Galaxy Note 7 by utilizing thermal pipes within the upcoming flagship smartphone to distribute rising temperatures across the body of the smartphone and prevent overheating.

This is the same technology that LG will be using in its own upcoming flagship device, the LG G6, which the company has promised to be safe from overheating issues.

LG's pushing of the safety credentials of the LG G6 is a new trend in the smartphone industry, as manufacturers promise consumers that they will not have to worry about their devices suddenly exploding and catching fire.

The stigma left behind by the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco is real, and it remains to be seen whether Samsung will be able to recover from the controversy and attract customers to its brand once again through the Galaxy S8.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The extinction of the Australian megafauna and its cause has been the topic of debate for quite some time.

According to a new study, the megafauna, which became extinct nearly 45,000 years ago, vanished not because of climatic changes  as previously believed  but because of human hunting.

"The debate over megafaunal extinction causes has consistently been between climate and humans. Having eliminated climate as the primary cause of extinction, we turn to consideration of human causation, of which hunting is most favoured as extinction driver," notes the abstract of the research.

The cause for the extinction of the Australian megafauna, which comprises quite a few creatures, has been attributed to climate shift. The landscape in southwestern Australia changed from arid to a woody one nearly 70,000 years ago. Some believe that the animals were unable to adapt and therefore died.

The other school of thought is that early immigrants hunted the megafauna when they colonized Australia. Researchers also believe that it could be a combination of both the theories.

The Findings Of The Research

The research, which was led by the Monash University in Victoria, Australia, and the University of Colorado Boulder, used data from a sediment core in the Indian Ocean. This information aided the team in recreating the older climatic conditions of the continent.

There were chronological layers of a brown-colored material, which were washed into the ocean. It also contained dust, ash, spores, and pollen from a fungus dubbed Sporormiella.

Professor Gifford Miller, who was part of the research team, shared that the Sporormiella fungus grows on the waste of plant-eating mammals.

Miller further added that the sediment core allowed the researchers to travel back in time. In this case, it took them back 15,000 years.

"The abundance of these spores is good evidence for a lot of large mammals on the southwestern Australian landscape up until about 45,000 years ago," said Miller.

Australian Megafauna

The giant kangaroo with a body weight of up to 529 pounds walked instead of hopped, alongside with the 4,000-pound wombats and a 6.56-feet-tall bird, which have all become extinct.

Miller also scrutinized the burned eggshells of the 400-pound bird Genyornis in 2016, which further asserts that human hunters were the main reason behind the disappearance of the megafuana.

It has always been a debatable issue whether human hunting or climate change are to be cited as possible reasons for the extinction of the Australian megafauna. The study led by the two universities has finally proven that the demise started due to instances of human overkilling and not because of adverse climatic conditions.

The study has been published in the journal Nature Communication on Jan. 20.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A hot selfie app called Meitu turns users into anime characters, but its popularity has also sparked some scrutiny into its data collection practices.

As Meitu became viral, it drew a great deal of attention and it didn't take long before it went under the microscope and its practices started being questioned. The internet was abuzz with reports that Meitu compromises user privacy, collecting way more data than it should.

Meitu Denies Allegations Of Selling User Data

The Meitu selfie app requires a questionable number of permissions, including access to one's phone number and location, and permission to run automatically at startup. On iOS, meanwhile, the app even checks which carrier's network is in use, and whether the device is jailbroken or not.

That's quite an amount of detail Meitu is collecting, which automatically made everyone suspicious regarding the app's real purpose.

However, Meitu claims that while it does indeed collect a lot of data, it's not selling it. The real reason for the extensive data collection is apparently the fact that Meitu has its headquarters in China, where tracking services from app stores such as Google Play and Apple's App Store are banned.

As a workaround, Meitu uses a mix of in-house and third-party data systems - not to profit from the collected user data, but to ensure that the user data it collects is consistent.

"Furthermore, the data collected is sent securely, using multilayer encryption to servers equipped with advanced firewall, IDS and IPS protection to block external attacks," a Meitu spokesperson tells CNET.

What's With All The Meitu Permissions?

The company also explains some details about Meitu's data collection practices, such as why it asks for certain information. On iOS, Meitu doesn't require any permissions that it's not allowed to require based on Apple's terms and guidelines for developers. It asks for carrier details so it can better handle geo-based features and ad placements, and enquires about jailbreaks because it's using a software development kit from Chinese app WeChat to share content, and the SDK requires jailbreak detection.

According to the company spokesperson who spoke to CNET, the permissions not only ensure proper ad tracking, but also protect against illegal API usage.

When it comes to the permissions it requires on Android, the company explains that Google Play is blocked in China, which means that Meitu can't offer push notifications. To solve this matter, Meitu relies on a third-party notification service that requires the app to run at startup.

Launching a global version of Meitu with Google Play services is not an option because Meitu is based in China, where it doesn't have access to push notifications and tracking services.

All in all, Meitu doesn't deny that it asks for a lot of permissions, but it's pointing the finger at China's restrictions as the root cause for the extensive data collection. On the bright side, Meitu says it's not selling user data. On the downside, don't hold your breath for an international Meitu version that would snoop less.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Siddhant Shah, a heritage architect, made the country's first 'museum braille book' for City Palace Museum, Jaipur. During an interview, he talks about helping cultural organisations become accessible to the differently-abled.

A heritage architect who helps cultural organisations become accessible to the differently abled, Siddhant Shah made the country's first 'museum braille book' for City Palace Museum, Jaipur. These books don't just give written information, but also explain everything with tactile images.

"The journey of making things accessible for others has got me into many inaccessible situations-from museums not being ready to meet, to blind schools not wanting to participate. Two years ago, post returning from Greece after my MA in Heritage Management, I won the Ethos-Saint Gobain Scholarship to do research and create disabled-friendly prototypes for museums. I wrote to various organisations, but most e-mails went unanswered."

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"There were times I faced outright rejection-like being told, 'Hamare yahaan andhe lule log nahin aate hain (Blind and handicapped people do not come to our museums).' This was especially hurtful, because my mother is partially sighted. For six months, I struggled to find a host museum. This is despite the fact that I had the financial aid and it was the museum that would benefit. Most 'didn't feel the need for any research or prototyping to be done'."

Photo: Sandeep Sahdev

"After much effort, I got support from organisations like the National Museum and DAG Modern in New Delhi and MSMS II museum in City Palace in Jaipur. But there were also trust issues and resistance from blind schools and other NGOs. Reality hit me when one of the blind school teachers bluntly said that they were not going to send their children: 'You'll call them there, give them something to eat, shoot pictures and then send them back.'"

I have learned that with persistence you can make a difference. Along with my team, I have been able to make the Serendipity Arts Festival in Goa accessible to the visually impaired, created tactile miniature paintings and photographs at the MSMS II museum and have started Disability Access outreach programmes at Delhi Art Gallery. I guess the biggest achievement is that educational institutes like Amity University and Pearl Design Academy have asked me to train their students."

-As told to Sukant Deepak

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 20 (PTI) At a time when it is battling financial crunch, NDMC today proposed life insurance cover for its 500 former and present councillors, doubling the ward development fund and driver service for its municipal representatives.

The revised budget proposals for 2016-17 and budget estimates for 2017-18 were presented by North Delhi Municipal Corporations Standing Committee Chairman Pravesh Wahi in the House today.

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As per the chairmans proposal, each councillor is to get a driver, the NDMC said.

"Rs 6 lakh for next financial year have been earmarked to provide life insurance coverage of 500 former and present councillors," the budget proposal says.

The civic body has also proposed a hike in the councillor development fund from Rs 52 crore to Rs 104 crore, including Rs 10 lakh for developing two open gyms in each ward.

The proposals would now come up for discussion in the NDMC House.

The budget has also proposed increase in insurance cover from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh, for municipal schools children.

"This scheme is dedicated to about 3.5 lakh students studying in municipal schools of NDMC," Wahi said.

BJP-led NDMC has 104 councillors and they are likely to get an even competition from rival parties in the civic polls due early this year.

"Group insurance cover of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 would be provided to those rickshaw-pullers who register themselves with the corporation," it further proposed. PTI KND TIR

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The Venezuelan government will increase cooperation with Colombia's military and police forces to face transnational crimes caused by drug trafficking, announced Friday by the Minister of... | Read More
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) An assistant sanitary inspector of New Delhi Municipal Council died in a hospital here, with his family claiming that he had committed suicide as he was being "harassed by his seniors" in office.

A note has been recovered from the deceased, Harpal Singh (58), in which it was written "no one should bow to injustice" but it bore no name or signature, police said.

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Yesterday, Singh drove to a hospital from his office in in south Delhis Sarojini Nagar and fell on th ground as soon as he stepped out of the car. Police was informed around 5.30 PM and he died during treatment, a senior police officer said.

Post-mortem was conducted and the body handed over to the family. Viscera and gastric lavage of deceased have been preserved for investigation," the officer said.

Meanwhile, Singhs family alleged, "He was being harassed by his seniors. They sometimes used to give him work that did not even come under his purview. He had talked about resigning due to harassment but we never thought he would take such an extreme step."

The deceaseds nephew said, "My uncle was due for promotion in three months. We dont know why he was being targeted. He had been in NDMC for the last 30 years."

He claimed that Harpal wrote the note at the hospital and it needs to be probed whether he drove the car himself or someone left him there in his own car.

When contacted, NDMC officials refused to comment on the issue saying, "Let the police investigation take its course." PTI SLB GJS NSD

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By Press Trust of India: Los Angeles, Jan 21 (PTI) Scientists have developed a new method for medical testing which may lead to faster diagnosis of HIV, Lyme disease, syphilis, rotavirus and other infectious conditions.

Researchers at University of Central Florida (UCF) in the US combined cutting-edge nanoscience with a magnetic phenomenon discovered more than 170 years ago to create the method for speedy medical tests.

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"I see no reason why a variation of this technique could not be in every hospital throughout the world," said Shawn Putnam, an assistant professor at UCF.

The discovery, if commercialised, could lead to faster test results for HIV, Lyme disease, syphilis, rotavirus and other infectious conditions, researchers said.

At the core of the research are nanoparticles - tiny particles that are one-billionth of a meter, they said.

The team coated nanoparticles with the antibody to BSA, or bovine serum albumin, which is commonly used as the basis of a variety of diagnostic tests.

By mixing the nanoparticles in a test solution - such as one used for a blood test - the BSA proteins preferentially bind with the antibodies that coat the nanoparticles, like a lock and key.

That reaction was already well known. However, Putnams team came up with a novel way of measuring the quantity of proteins present.

He used nanoparticles with an iron core and applied a magnetic field to the solution, causing the particles to align in a particular formation.

As proteins bind to the antibody-coated particles, the rotation of the particles becomes sluggish, which is easy to detect with laser optics.

The interaction of a magnetic field and light is known as Faraday rotation, a principle discovered by scientist Michael Faraday in 1845. Putnam adapted it for biological use.

"Its an old theory, but no one has actually applied this aspect of it," he said.

Other antigens and their unique antibodies could be substituted for the BSA protein used in the research, allowing medical tests for a wide array of infectious diseases.

The proof of concept shows the method could be used to produce biochemical immunology test results in as little as 15 minutes, compared to several hours for ELISA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which is currently a standard approach for biomolecule detection.

The research was published in the journal Small. PTI SAR SAR

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Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome is searching for someone to serve as her chief administrative officer, a key position that has been among the most demanding and most visible in local government under previous administrations.

The city-parish posted an ad on its website this week saying it began accepting applications for the position on Jan. 17 and will continue to be accepted until the job is filled. Broome has said former Mayor-President Kip Holden's Chief Administrative Officer, William Daniel, will continue to hold the job until she hires his replacement.

The job description posted online asks that the next person to hold the position have at least a bachelor's degree in business, public administration or a related field, along with five years of administrative experience. It lists a salary range of $89,748 to $149,155. Daniel earned $139,824 in 2016, according to the city-parish's salary database.

+5 BR mayor-elect Sharon Weston Broome launches search to replace police chief, CAO Mayor-President-Elect Sharon Weston Broome said Thursday that she has started searching for replacements for two longtime fixtures of outgoing Mayor-President Kip Holden's administration.

Daniel ran day-to-day operations of city-parish government, negotiated policy with the Metro Council and frequently stood in for Holden when the former mayor was unavailable. The job description for Daniel's replacement is relatively vague, saying the CAO "performs highly responsible professional work," and that it includes supervising professional and clerical employees.

People can apply by sending their resumes to cao@brgov.com, or bu mailing them to the Department of Human Resources with an attention line for "CAO resume" at P.O. Box 1471, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

Mayor Broome: 'Our lives should be dedicated to pleasing God'

Mayor Broome opened up about her deep Christian faith in a radio interview this week with State Sen. Regina Barrow, her close friend and mentor.

Throughout the interview, Barrow fawned over Broome's short time in office, telling her how much she loved her inauguration ceremony and how excited she was about Broome's 18 days at the helm of City Hall. She said Broome has always kept Christ at the center of her life.

"I am a firm believer that at the end of the day, it's not about the titles that we have, it's not about necessarily the positions that we hold, but it is our accountability to the Lord, especially those of us who are believers," said Broome, a Democrat.

"At the end of the day I do know that our lives should be dedicated to pleasing God in what we do," Broome said.

The new mayor-president said she's thankful that enough people embraced her message of unifying Baton Rouge to elect her to office. And she asked for continued prayers, repeating that the people who prayed her into office now need to pray her through it.

Barrow said people should do more than simply pray for Broome, and asked how people can get involved in helping the new mayor-president. Broome said people should reach out to her office and also look at their sphere of influence and think about what type of work might best suit them.

"Prayer is good and prayer is powerful," Broome said. "And faith without works is dead, and so we've got to be involved."

School system still adjusting staff in aftermath of flood

In a move that signals a possible future merger of Claiborne and Howell Park elementary schools, the principal at Claiborne has been put in charge of leading the faculty and students of both schools.

Howell Park is one of the 10 Baton Rouge public schools that flooded in August.

Students from the school were moved on to Claiborne's campus immediately after the flooding, but Claiborne's principal, Rochelle Anderson, wasn't put in charge of both schools until shortly before Christmas break.

That's when Howell Park's principal, Rochelle Washington, was reassigned to principal on assignment at the East Baton Rouge Parish school systems Professional Development Center.

Howell Park has been repaired since the flood but the school system last month temporarily moved Brookstown Middle School students into the campus at 6125 Winbourne Ave while Howell Park students remained at the Claiborne campus, 4700 Denham St.

When asked why Washington was moved from her position, Adonica Duggan, a spokeswoman for the school system, said having one leader should mean more cohesion.

"Those two schools will be on the same campus for an extended period of time," Duggan said. "Because of that, we felt it important to allow them to feel as united as possible during this transition period."

She said Anderson will continue to run both schools through the end of the current school year and decide then whether its been effective.

Duggan didn't rule out the possibility of a merger of Claiborne and Howell Park elementary schools.

A merger is not off the table, but there are a lot of considerations and discussions to be had around that, Duggan said.

Duggan said the School Board will likely discuss the idea of a merger as part of larger discussion about how to operate more efficiently and how to match schools up with the current demographics of Baton Rouge.

Howell Park is an F-rated school with about 250 students and its school performance score has declined for the past two years. Claiborne is a D-rated school with almost 600 students, and it improved by 7.3 points last year.

Advocate staff writers Andrea Gallo and Charles Lussier contributed to this article.
Public defender Alex D. Chapman Jr. talks about the recent Department of Justice report regarding the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department and the Ville Platte Police Department conduct in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution Thursday, December 29, 2016, at his office in Ville Platte, La.
Spill data I have examined suggest there is little environmental risk from the Bayou Bridge Pipeline.
Several videos shared to social media show District of Columbia police pepper-spraying a group of protesters near Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department declined to immediately provide comment. It was unclear what happened just before the video began.

Trouble seeing video above? Click here.

One video shows a woman screaming "my child" as she runs with her crying son in her arms. Others are hunched over or coughing as plumes of pink spray waft over hundreds of people in the street. Toward the end of the video, protesters appear to be breaking up cement blocks and some people are seen throwing objects toward police.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met PM Modi over the Ordinance concerning jallikattu, however the PM refused to meet AIADMK MPs. It seems party general secretary VK Sasikala has been sidelined this time.

By Pramod Madhav: As Tamil Nadu succumbed to the peaceful protest in Marina Beach by the youths, CM O Panneerselvam rushed to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested an Ordinance.

While PM Modi expressed his inability to help as the case is still pending in the court, he assured full support for a state initiated ordinance. Even after the meeting Panneerselvam stayed back in Delhi discussed with legal experts and decided to bring in a draft copy of an Ordinance to present before the President.

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Interestingly, this time Panneerselvam's action seemed more autonomous and did not see the involvement of AIADMK general secretary V K Sasikala. As Panneerselvam's team created the draft, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accepted the draft and with a 'few minor changes' sent it to Home Affairs for President's disposal.

SASIKALA SIDELINED

Now, as VK Sasikala's part has been diminished to a great extent, party officials claim that the party MPs were immediately asked to meet with PM Modi on behalf of VK Sasikala to bring her back into the picture.

Unfortunately, Modi denied to meet them and this has reportedly not gone well with the AIADMK camp. After Modi denied to meet AIADMK MPs, they under the leadership of Thambidurai met the President and placed VK Sasikala's request in front him.

After the meeting, Thambidurai met the media where he made it clear that AIADMK is not happy with Prime Minister Narendra Modi not giving time to meet them.

"All our efforts go in vain as prime minister does not want to meet us. Even during Cauvery issue and Tamil fishermen issue we were unable to meet him," lamented Thambidurai.

Unfortunately, Panneerselvam had no problem meeting PM Modi who even assured that Center will back Tamil Nadu government in any way to conduct jallikattu. The prime minister's decision to meet Panneerselvam and not the MPs of AIADMK gives a broad picture as to who BJP gives importance to in Tamil Nadu, expressed a senior party leader.

Also read:

Jallikattu ordinance: AIADMK MPs meet President Pranab Mukherjee

Proud of rich culture of Tamil Nadu, government committed to state's progress: Modi on jallikattu

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By late morning Saturday, the crowds had started to gather. They were predominantly women, young and old. Most carried signs.
Growing up, I used to wish that I was a boy. My femininity felt like a handicap and I never quite made peace with the fact that I had missed out in the gender stakes. Of course as a young girl I had no understanding of patriarchy or misogyny and was unable to put words to the deep shame I felt about being female. No one actually said to me that men were more valued than women but the message echoed loud and clear through the hills and valleys of Jerusalem.

It took me a while to realise that things were very different in Australia. At the time I had moved here to study theology and to my astonishment the lecturers seemed to value my opinion and those of my female classmates just as much, if not more, than the males in the class. I also started to notice a lot of underhanded comments about men and how incompetent they were. Most accusations were said in jest and no one seemed to take offence. As I spent more time with Aussies, I realised that this mocking of males and highlighting their stupidity was rife in all aspects of society. What intrigued me the most was that no one seemed to care or even notice that it was taking place.

You sexy, silver-tongued devil. Credit:Chris Brignell

Since I had always got along with guys so easily and in many ways identified with the way they interacted socially I found myself feeling more and more uncomfortable with how they were treated here. This, of course, only intensified when a couple of years later I gave birth to a son and got a front-row seat to how Australian society shapes young men.

Fast forward almost 20 years and I find myself wading through the murky waters of online dating. As I trawl through the endless profiles of eligible men in my age bracket I can feel my heart sinking deeper and deeper. How can my manscape possibly be so damn grim? Endless men wearing sunnies and holding a bottle of beer as a prop fill my screen. Each one of them is "down to earth", easy going, loves his footy team and will make sure they mention every country they have set foot in. Very rarely do I stumble across someone brave enough to have ventured beyond the beige template. It's such a breath of fresh air to read about a man who has broken free from a culture that stifles men's self expression and vulnerability. I want to applaud him for his efforts because I know that even for myself that step was difficult to make. Unlike my male friends, when I made the conscious decision to become more vulnerable I could do so with the support of women around me. Unfortunately that's not the case for most men. Our society is still wired to see vulnerability as weakness and the fear of rejection in men is so real that making those first few tweaks can feel too daunting to risk.
Donald Trump is not renowned as an orator. Although speech-making has been a potent tool of past US presidents  his predecessor one of the most compelling  the mish-mash of "America first" jingoism Mr Trump has presented at his inauguration ceremony in Washington hardly amounts to a cogent agenda to guide his term in office.

But whether capable of delivering fine words or not, any leader must be judged on the quality of their record. Mr Trump has proved shrewd in the business of enriching himself, yet in politics disingenuously wraps himself in the garb of an outsider. He has campaigned on division. He has inflamed base prejudice rather than appeal to compassion.

President-elect Donald Trump arrives on the West Front of the Capitol in Washington for his inauguration. Credit:AP

A true reactionary, Mr Trump has defined himself almost exclusively by opposition, fostering resentment about the policies and practices of Barack Obama as well as fellow Republicans. He pledged to "rebuild our country and restore its promise", refusing to acknowledge the considerable achievements to undo the economic and reputation damage of the Bush years. Bereft of realistic solutions, Mr Trump makes repeated homilies to "make America great again", protection and patriotism, but has previously targeted African-Americans, migrants, Muslims, women, the disabled and others for ridicule.

There is no disputing the political potency of Mr Trump's rambling message: he won the election, albeit by a margin far less than he has willingly conceded, having lost the popular vote to his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. For all the talk of the Trump revolution, it is important to bear in mind how many Americans rejected his approach and would see politics done differently.
We are one human family on a tiny planet in a vast universe. Is it not our destiny to be a sign of hope to the rest of the human family that it is possible for diversity to flourish on Earth? We have all we need to fulfil this destiny: relative political and social stability; a strong economy; media and religious freedom; a separation of powers; a flourishing artistic community and so much more. Of course there are issues. Like the Church's need for renewal in the light of the royal commission; Islam's struggle with a minority of extremists; and the unfinished matter of reconciliation which always aches in our national soul on Australia Day. But all these issues are manageable with leadership marked by courage, imagination and compassion. Bishop Philip Huggins, Richmond THE FORUM Lock away the violent I wasn't surprised the man arrested for killing and maiming people in the Bourke Street mall had "an extensive history of family violence", and yet he was free. This is similar to the man who killed people in Sydney's Lindt cafe.

Why does it take members of the public to be hurt before family violence perpetrators are locked up? Locking them up when they are violent towards their partners and breaching intervention orders would not just save the women who are routinely killed every single week by such men, it would also save innocent members of the public from such carnage. Let's start viewing these people as what they are, domestic terrorists, and treat them the same way we treat other terrorists, by arresting and incarcerating them before they kill. Kelly Muldoon, St Kilda The looming doom? Donald Trump's inauguration speech highlights that it is going to be a case of either his way or the highway. Maybe the "take no prisoners" strategy achieves results in his corporate activities, but it is hardly a way to administer the free world. Let's hope that George Soros, who has worked for a more open and integrated Europe post-World War II was right when he recently deemed Trump's presidency was doomed.

Damien Peters, Brighton Shooting from the lip In his inauguration speech, President Trump promised that the "American carnage" of "the crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealised potential" would stop "right here and right now". Funny (not!) how he forgot to mention the carnage and the tens of thousands of lives lost annually due to firearm-related violence. I guess we can't expect any changes to "the right to keep and bear arms". Bronwen Bryant, St Kilda West Now that's payback

What a clever "shoe on the other foot" letter to a member of Federal Parliament (Editorial, 15/1). A template Centrelink debt recovery letter transposed to the attention of the profligate minister of the day. And let's face it, almost every day, there is a new story about politicians' latest spending transgressions, courtesy of the public purse. Bravo. A public interest job well done. John Fitzsimmons, Mornington Rattle of a tin ear If anything screams out that politicians have a tin ear, it is the announcement that the government is to extend the Centrelink funds recovery program to pensioners and people with disabilities. Despite the data matching system being patently flawed, the minister is adamant no changes will be implemented to the scheme. One can only hope that this lemming-like determination from the Coalition presages a single term. Ramesh Rajan, Camberwell

Debt of a salesman Mr Turnbull has not been up to the task of tackling the "distrust of traditional politics and pessimism" and "widespread resentment of the rich and powerful" revealed by the recent Ipsos survey. And the Coalition's purge to recoup alleged overpayments from welfare recipients and pensioners will not reduce this distrust or resentment. Like the "robo-debt" campaign, the PM might find himself the target of a performance-debt campaign. Brendan O'Farrell, Brunswick Who's the Boss here? What is the financial connection Julie Bishop has with the Hugo Boss organisation? In particular, when she wears its outfits does she buy them, wear them on a like-or-return basis, model them at exclusive sporting events and buy them more cheaply  or are they a gift? And surely, as Foreign Minister, she received sufficient notification of the visit by Japan's Prime Minister to allow her to cancel a pre-arranged polo appearance with more than 24 hours' notice.

Margaret Harrison, Clifton Hill A familial gripe Politicians complain about not spending time with their families. Surely becoming an MP is a "lifestyle choice"  and one that comes with a very high salary. Nola Price, Mornington By what authority?

In 1997, at the age of 33, Catch the Fire Ministries pastor and Sri Lankan-born and bred Danny Nalliah moved to Australia with his wife and children. He now leads the call of the Rise Up Australia party to "keep Australia Australian". By what logic, and with what authority, does he feel entitled to make such a call? Who is he to say who can and cannot be an Australian? He must be grateful the party he leads did not exist when he migrated. Pauline Hopkins, Beaconsfield Suckling sickening I am indebted to your Traveller feature ("Slick pig spit on a stick", 15/1) for explaining that the term "suckling pig" or "sucking pig" refers to the age of the baby pig  taken from its mother at age two to six weeks to provide roast meat. While that "wee piggy" was in Tonga, a similar "delicacy" is served here. I can't think of anything more tasteless than a little piglet being wrested from its mother, simply to titillate the taste buds of well-fed Australians. Joan Reilly, Surrey Hills

Precious talk On a train recently sat two boys, about nine years old, engrossed in conversation. They were alive and animated; acknowledging the other and enjoying life. Across the aisle were boys of about 12. They were also having a good time, but with a difference. Their eyes were focused on their mobiles. There was conversation, but the interaction revolved around the phones and whatever held their attention. There was almost a competitive edge to their conversation. The younger boys were talking about themselves and their experiences; the older ones were talking about other people's experiences. It is sobering that in a few years the two younger boys are going to cross the aisle, as will the nature of their conversations. They may get caught up in "nomophobia" (Comment, 15/1). Interacting through technology means people become players rather than participants. It will be a great pity if the quality of their childhood conversations is lost by the time they reach 12.

Peter Brown, Briar Hill Don't hang up The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association does not "reject claims" of health effects; it relies on expert advice regarding mobile phone safety. The WHO currently says: "A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects have been established." Industry partially funded the Interphone project through the International Union against Cancer. Researchers received funds under agreements that guaranteed complete independence. In Australia, the mobile telecommunications industry supports research on health and safety through a hypothecated levy, amounting to about $1 million a year, on annual licence fees. The National Health and Medical Research Council allocates the funds; industry has no input into the funding allocation or the research. About $15 million has been contributed to research since the levy began in 1996.

AMTA agrees with authorities who recommend that people can easily reduce their exposure to mobile phone radio signals by limiting call length or using "hands-free" devices. Chris Althaus, CEO, AMTA Space cowboys It is disappointing the Education Department is allowing early learning centres to be built with no outdoor play spaces ("In praise of nature's way", 15/1). How are future generations going to protect our natural environment when they have no experience of it? Children learn to love and care for the environment when they are in it. They need to climb trees and splash in puddles, not look at murals of trees and clouds painted on a wall. When children are dressed appropriately, outdoor play is rarely disrupted by Melbourne's "extreme weather conditions".
Police have been shot at twice in south-east Queensland overnight, with Commissioner Ian Stewart describing it as a "very disturbing trend".

Officers shot a man who was armed with a gun in a Gold Coast apartment building early on Sunday morning, after he ambushed them in the basement.

Police have shot a man in the legs, after he approached them in a Surfers Paradise building and opened fire. Credit:7 News Queensland - Twitter

The shooting took place at the building on the corner of Cypress and Ferny Avenue in Surfers Paradise about 1.30am, after police responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle in the basement.

A police spokeswoman said the man, believed to be 26 years old, approached police before drawing a gun and opening fire. The two responding officers returned fire and wounded the man in the legs.
A dive boat skipper who suffered several bites from a shark while diving in far north Queensland on Saturday was stranded on a remote island for hours as bad weather hampered rescue efforts.

The 55-year-old man was scuba diving dozens of kilometres east of Murray Island in the Torres Strait when he was mauled about noon.

A diver has been attacked while swimming off a remote island near the Great Barrier Reef. Credit:Jason South

Paramedics were alerted about 12.40pm, and fellow divers administered first aid until the dive boat arrived at Murray Island about five hours later.

Queensland Ambulance Service supervisor for far north Queensland Kirk Binnington said the man's injuries suggested he was the victim of a particularly aggressive shark attack.
"Watching it with trained eyes, although it was really busy and looked chaotic, it was absolutely beautifully performed. It was almost like an orchestra," he said.

"The larger the orchestra, the more potential there is of making an error, but the greater the music, the greater the sound, and I think that's what we were doing. They just did an awesome job."

His staff were at the forefront of treating those injured in the Bourke Street attack after a maroon sedan allegedly driven by Dimitrious "Jimmy" Gargasoulas mowed down pedestrians in the CBD, yet they knew very little about what had gone on.

It wasn't until hours later when Prof Braitberg realised the police shooting and the injured pedestrians were linked. That meant an accused killer was among the injured.

Prof Braitberg said staff are trained to deal with such scenarios. He thought of the Port Arthur Massacre and how the victims and the shooter were sent to the same hospital. Or hospitals in Israel, when terrorists and their victims are often treated by the same people.
It was just a small bunch of white roses on top of Bourke Street's Public Purse. A gentle sign that not all was well with Melbourne this Saturday.

The art installation is a favourite landmark, a meeting place, especially if you are new to the city. A place to perch right in front of H&M and Bardot clothing stores, usually a haunt of teenage girls.

On most weekends in January, the CBD, swollen with tourists, would just be starting to come alive at 8am. People would be gathering on the steps of the stately GPO building.



Instead an eerie silence now enveloped the empty streets following the horrific events on Bourke Street on Friday.
It was the central plank of Daniel Andrews' election pitch: to make Victoria "the Education State".

But two years after he came to office, new research suggests most voters don't really know what the slogan means  and many believe the government could do a lot more to improve the public education system.

Credit:Joe Armao

As students prepare to return to class this month, an Essential Research poll has found only one third of Victorians have heard of Labor's schools agenda, let alone the catch-all phrase the government uses to represent its multibillion-dollar investment in schools.

According to the poll, about 66 per cent of Victorians have either never heard about "the Education State" or aren't sure what it means, suggesting the government has work to do convincing people that its flagship policy is more than just a three-word slogan on a number plate.
Washington: Under leaden Washington skies on Friday, Donald Trump was sworn-in as the 45th president of the US, an incredible personal achievement for a man with no public service experience who broke all conventions and seemingly took great delight in thumbing his nose at every political and cultural taboo.

In an inauguration speech that read more as a declaration of war than an appeal for the country to unite behind him, Trump signalled a dramatic and unpredictable shift in Washington and the world.

Before a crowd the size of which will irk him  it was perhaps only half that which greeted his predecessor in 2009  Trump spoke darkly of today's USA, almost as a failed state in which he promised to turn the lights back on.

"This American carnage stops right here and it stops right now," he claimed in a 16- minute speech which observers deemed unique for its departure from traditional messages that acknowledged the power and strength of American institutions and which invariably stressed unity after polarising election campaigns.
By Press Trust of India: Bhubaneswar, Jan 21 (PTI) The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) today ordered a probe over a report that a patient with sores on his body was forced to languish on the floor of Cuttacks SCB Medical College without treatment.

Taking a sou-motu cognisance of the report, OHRC Acting Chairperson Justice B K Mishra asked the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central division, and Superintendent of the medical college to enquire into the case.

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According to the report, the unknown person with sores on his body was brought from Angul Bus Stand to the Casualty Out-door of the medical college but he was languishing on the floor without treatment.

"Let a copy of the relevant press clipping be sent to the Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Central Division, and the Superintendent, SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack who are to cause an enquiry into the matter as published in the newspaper and submit their respective reports as to the action taken in providing treatment to the said person within one week," the OHRC order said. PTI AAM NN CPS

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Sixteen people were killed and about 40 were injured when a bus carrying Hungarian students burst into flames on a highway in northern Italy, police and the fire service said on Saturday.

The number of victims could rise to 18, "but certainly no more than that", the Hungarian consul in Italy Judit Timaffy told reporters in the city of Verona.

The bus went off the road near a highway exit close to Verona overnight. The local highway police chief said it was carrying mostly teenage students, teachers and parents.

"Many children among the victims of the accident in Verona, a bus catches fire on impact with a pillar," national police said on Twitter.
By Press Trust of India: Beijing, Jan 21 (PTI) One person was killed and 12 others were reported missing today when a Chinese fishing vessel capsized in East China Sea.

Chinas navy has rushed two frigates and a drone to conduct search operations.

The Chinese fishing boat, Liaoda Zhongyu 15126, that had 13 crew on board sank yesterday, the Chinese Navy said.

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Frigates Suzhou and Jian arrived in the area and began their search after the Donghai Fleet received requests for assistance from the maritime rescue center in Jiangsu Province.

A military drone was also dispatched, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

So far, only one body has been recovered and the rest of the crew remain unaccounted for, it said. PTI KJV UZM

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Donald Trump may announce his bid for the White House in the coming weeks (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)Former President Donald Trump is considering announcing a third White House bid this month He is calling his confidants to discuss possible scenarios to try
The Wolfers Tiara, worn by Queen Mathilde of the Belgians

[Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images ]

The Belgians may not have extensive jewel vaults, but there are tiaras in the royal familys possession that are reserved primarily for queens. The main one is the Nine Provinces Tiara, but there are a few more tiaras that have also only been worn by queens. Today, lets have a look at one that was created by a Belgian jeweler, the Wolfers Tiara.

Queen Fabiola wears the tiara during King Baudouins Silver Jubilee celebrations

[AFP/Getty Images ]

This piece was one of Queen Fabiolas wedding presents. It was given to her on behalf of the brokers and jewelers of the diamond industry in Antwerp. The diamond tiara, which can also be worn as a necklace, was crafted on their behalf by Wolfers, a company that had been making jewelry in Belgium for more than a century. The piece is small but versatile, and its not lacking in glitter, as its packed with more than 200 diamonds.

Queen Fabiola wears the tiara as a necklace

[AFP/Getty Images ]

Fabiola wore the tiara regularly during her queenship, sometimes as a diadem, and sometimes as a necklace. She often wore the piece as a necklace while wearing either the Spanish tiara or the Nine Provinces, or alone, as she does in the photograph above. While the tiara looks rather small nestled in Fabiolas voluminous bouffant, as a necklace, it provides substantial sparkle.

Queen Fabiola (with President Mitterand) wears the tiara at a state dinner in Paris, November 1992

[JOEL ROBINE/AFP/Getty Images ]

Fabiolas husband, King Baudouin, died in 1993; after his death, this necklace/tiara and many of her more elaborate jewels were worn seldomly, if at all. We learned shortly after Fabiolas death earlier this month that she had donated all of her possessions to Hulpfonds van de Koningin, a charity that she founded after becoming Belgiums queen. But, as it turns out, the Wolfers Tiara was not one of those possessions.

Queen Mathilde wears the tiara at an official dinner in Poland, October 2015

[Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images ]

In October 2015, Queen Mathilde, wife of Fabiolas nephew, King Philippe, wore the tiara in public for the first time. We knew that Fabiola had privately distributed some of her jewelry to family members before her death, and its clear that she reserved some of the grandest pieces for Mathilde. The reemergence of the Wolfers Tiara has given many of us hope that Fabiolas biggest tiara, the Spanish Wedding Gift, may be hidden away in Mathildes jewelry collection, too.
Early Friday afternoon, thousands flooded the streets of downtown Washington, D.C., to peacefully resist the nascent Trump administration. A small group of others wanted to riot.

And they sure did trybreakings windows, and burning a trash can, newspaper vending machine, and even a limoprovoking riot police to retaliate with chemical spray and flash-bang grenades. Over 200 demonstrators got arrested and six officers were injured, according to local police.

While the vast majority of the marches and demonstrations to protest the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Friday went off without incident, some of these protesters attempted to set up ad hoc barricades near the intersection of K and 12th Streets Northwest, and hurled objects such as rocks, plastic bottles, and pieces of cement block towards police. Employing black-bloc tactics, where individuals wear black and often cover their faces, the more antagonistic and anarchist elements of the anti-Trump gathering faced off against a wide row of police.

The cops responded by firing off flash bangs and pepper spray in attempts to disperse the crowd, sending many of them retreating towards Franklin Square. Protesters chanted such popular slogans as No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA and the more succinct Fuck Trump. Interim DC Police Chief Peter Newsham told reporters that it was just a small group, maybe a couple hundred, causing the chaos, and that literally thousands of others were peacefully demonstrating.

Were here to send a very clear message on Day 1, Dana Markey, a 24-year-old part-time activist who identified as a Bernie Sanders supporter, told The Daily Beast. Were here to stand up for our Muslim-American brothers and sisters, our Mexican-American brothers and sisters, and all the other [groups] who are going to be directly threatened by Trumps authoritarianism.

Elsewhere, demonstrators organized drum circles, blocked off intersections, held up creative placards like IM NOT A SIGN GUY BUT GEEZ and FUCK YOUR WALL, and, of course, strongly emphasized that Trump is still Not My President.

Earlier in the day, various pockets of protesters (joining from different groups, some more radical, some more familiar liberal or left-wing fare) marched throughout the downtown area outside the inaugurations heavily guarded perimeter. Many demonstrated for Black Lives Matter, others argued against capitalism, and many chanted for womens, immigrants, and minorities rights. Several small groups linked arms to create human barriers in attempts to block Trump supporters and attendees from entering the several inauguration checkpoints erected in the city. Seated in a row in front of the checkpoint near E street and 10th NW, the human wall shouted at Trump fans trying to enter, labelling them fascists, Putin lovers, and snowflakes. Several people literally leapt over the protesters heads to get passed, as police tried to keep the peace.

Fridays events came less than 24 hours after a heated protest took place outside the National Press Club on Thursday night where alt-right and Trump acolytes gathered for a dance party they dubbed the Deploraball.

Around a half-hour before the event was set to begin, anti-fascist activistsparticularly the organization Refuse Fascism and protesters in town for marches during the inauguration weekendhuddled on 14th Street outside the Press Club. They held signs referring to the tuxedoed guests as Alt-Reich and stationed an inflatable elephant with the word Racism right in front of the building.

The two days of protest underscored the historic unpopularity of the new president in the United States, and served as a precursor to the Womens March on Washington scheduled for Saturday, which is expected to be massive.

Some Trump supporters, who roamed the protests on Friday afternoon, surveyed the scene after leaving the National Mall, said that they thought the protesters were well within their rights, but, predictably, did not perceive it as being productive.

We really were impressed with the inaugural speech and now were impressed with peoples right to protest, this is kinda cool, Steve Parker, a 60-year-old financial adviser from Georgia, told The Daily Beast. Were here because we want to be out amongst themwere not going to start anything. But were going to support Trump.

Parker said that while he was sitting at a nearby Five Guys, people (to whom he referred as sore losers) gave him and his son the finger. One guy mooned them as they ate, according to his son.

They told us to accept Obama and we did, Parker said. And I respected the whole office of the president. But now, they dont want to accept what just happened. And thats ok.

And, perhaps, they never will.
As Bill Maher joked earlier in the week , this year he got Donald Trump for his birthday.

Yes, Friday, January 20th marked both the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States and the Real Time hosts 61st birthday. He was not exactly in the mood to celebrate when his show returned to the air for the first time since the week of the 2016 election .

With a new theme song, new opening credits and a brand new set, Maher took the stage and made one more joke about getting Trump for his birthday. It made sense, he said, because, What does every kid want for his birthday? A clown!

It happened. It really happened, Maher said. We Americans have a new leader: Vladimir Putin. While some Trump fans are calling this election a reckoning, Maher agreed, adding, I reckon were all fucked.

Instead of raise your right hand, he joked that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts told Trump to raise your right pussy-grabber. And despite promises from the Trump transition team, Maher didnt find the inauguration classy or uplifting and unifying, but rather, joyless and ugly and divisive. If there was a theme, he said it was, Once you go black, you can go back. Mic drop!

Amid all the hoopla, Maher reminded viewers that Trump was inaugurated as the FBI and five other agencies are reportedly probing ties between his campaign and the Kremlin . For the record, Maher said, I do not believe our new President Donald Trump paid Russian prostitutes to pee on him. After a pause, he added, I believe they did it, I just dont believe he paid them!

Following a chat about the predator-in-chief with the most gorgeous old lady in the world, Jane Fonda, Maher welcomed his panel for the night. And on this night, he decided he didnt need any Trump supporters with him.

Things didnt really heat up until he brought on his mid-show guest, Keith Olbermann, who has clearly been itching to get back on TV to talk politics. Comparing the inauguration to a coup d'etat by a Russian puppet, Olbermann urged those who oppose Trump to fight everything he does at all costs.

Olbermann confirmed that he agrees with Congressman John Lewis , saying I am on that page, because hes not a legitimate president. And he went even further: We were invaded, he said, adding, just because theres not blood on the streets doesnt change that fact. While Maher was not willing to call Trump a Russian puppet, he did say, Hes acting exactly like a man who they do have a pee tape of.

Maher also had a message to Bill and Hillary Clinton, who graciously showed up at the inauguration despite everything theyve been through over the past two years: Thank you for 30 years of service, and now I never want to see either of you ever again. He marveled at the fact that the Democratic candidate showed her face in public after Trump and his followers threatened to put her in jail.

For his final New Rule of the night, Maher implored liberals to stop calling Trump voters idiots and fools and instead call them what they are: fucking drug addicts. Then he said something he never thought hed have to say: Kids, dont do heroin, its a gateway to being a Republican.
As he approached the lectern, the sky creaked open. Raindrops began to fall, lightly at first, a mere suggestion of a shower, and then, as he unhinged his jaw to speak, a mild storm.

If it had been written as satire, it wouldve been bad, but it was honestly raining and dreary on the day that Donald John Trump placed his hand on the same Bible touched by Abraham Lincoln to become the 45th president of the United States of America.

It was nineteen months ago, on June 16, 2015, that he announced he was running for the office.

We need somebody that can take the brand of the United States and make it great again, he said then. You know, all of my life, Ive heard that a truly successful person, a really, really successful person and even modestly successful cannot run for public office. Just cant happen. And yet thats the kind of mindset that you need to make this country great again. So ladies and gentlemen, I am officially running for president of the United States, and we are going to make our country great again. It can happen. Our country has tremendous potential. We have tremendous people.

In that time, he repeatedly defied expectations, conventional wisdom and democratic norms, first capitalizing on a fractured Republican Party to win the nomination, and then capitalizing on a weak Democratic nominee to capture the presidency. This, despite sky-high disapproval numbers and losing the popular vote by more than two million.

He was unorthodox, but effective, the perfect man for the perfect storm of 2016. And now, thanks to that, Mr. Trump has come to Washington.

The day began at St. Johns Church, across from the White House. Then-President-elect Trumpa nonreligious man who admitted during the campaign that hed never asked God for forgivenessattended services with his family, then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence and his family and 300 other worshippers.

Trump walked somberly into the church, dressed in his usual attire of a dark suit, bright red tie and dark overcoat. He was accompanied by his third wife, Melania, who channeled Jackie Kennedy in a sky blue frock with matching gloves and stilettos.

Rev. Robert Jeffress, a Southern Baptist from the 12,000-member First Baptist Church in Dallas, presided over the service, according to CNN. Jeffress, who campaigned for Trump and sometimes appears on Fox News, is best known for labeling Mormonism a cult and begging Christians not to vote for Mitt Romney in 2012. But as CNN reported, thats not his only colorful opinion. He also believes Islam is from the pit of hell, the Catholic Churchs marketing is the genius of Satan, and the antichrist was aided by Barack Obama. Press was not admitted to the service, and details about the content of Jeffress sermon were not provided upon request to the Inaugural Committee.

From church, the Trumps stepped out of a black car at the White House, where Barack and Michelle Obama greeted them outside the door in their capacity as president and first lady. Melania extended her hand to shake Michelles, but the she instead wrapped her in a hug. Melania then presented her with a gift from Tiffany, which neither Michelle nor the president seemed to know what to do with. Michelle uneasily handed it to the president, who left the three of them outside while he walked into the White House to put it in an undisclosed location. They all then ventured inside for coffee and tea, another event without media access.

From there, the Trumps boarded The Beast (no relation) the presidential limousine so named for its substantial armor. Until then, Trump had traveled in his own vehicles (and his own airplanes), and the with acted as another reminder that after today, everything would be different. They traveled, with the Obamas, to the Capitol, where crowds had already gathered for the inauguration ceremony.

In Section 1, just below the lectern around which the powerful assembled, the media and the ticket-holding members of the public sat shoulder-to-shoulder. Throughout the campaign, Trump had cast the press as not just his enemy but the enemy of the honest Americans who supported him. But here, sitting on the black folding chairs and gazing up at the Capitol and the presidential seal, the pride of those honest Americans eclipsed any ill will. They smiled and greeted reporters. They hooted and cheered for Trump.

The speech itself was grim. President Trump is no different than candidate Trump, and he took artistic liberties in painting a portrait of the United States as a country of decaying cities and horrible schools just barely clinging to life.

Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation, an education system flush with cash but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge. And the crime, and the gangs, and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential, he said. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

This felt self-serving, as though he was mentally preparing to sell any minor improvement or even just a lateral change brought about by his policies as monumental shifts in the quality of life in this country.

We will face challenges, we will confront hardships, but we will get the job done, he said. Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people.

After his speech, there was the national anthem, performed by Jackie Evancho, a teenage contestant on Americas Got Talent. Then the Trumps departed to a luncheon in the Capitol while the Obamas left for vacation in California. As their helicopter flew overhead while the crowd streamed out onto the street, some Trump supporters shouted impolite goodbyes.

By then the rain had temporarily cleared, but Rev. Franklin Graham had told President Trump not to worry about the weather. Mr. President, in the Bible rain is a sign of Gods blessing, he said, and it started to rain, Mr. President, when you came to the platform.
After saying goodbye to President Obama as his conservative pundit alter ego the night before, Stephen Colbert was back to being himself Friday night. And the Late Show host seemed genuinely terrified about the dark vision President Donald Trump laid out in his inaugural address earlier in the day.

So, thats it, Donald Trump is president, Colbert said in his monologue. He knows the launch codes. And he hasnt tweeted them yet, so, so far, so good, he added, crossing his fingers.

The only nice things Colbert had to say about Trumps speech was that it was short and began on a gracious note, when he said thank you to the world. And the world said, hey man, do not pin this on us! We didnt vote, the host joked.

When Trump said that we are leaving gridlock in the past and looking only to the future, Colbert explained that what he really meant was, So dont ask me about my tax returns ever again, OK?

And then, like Lincoln huffing paint thinner, this stirring orator invoked an inspiring picture of the country he now leads, Colbert said, showing clip after clip of the new president describing the country he will lead as a crime-infested land of American carnage.

We get it! Colbert shouted. We get it, the country is a turd storm! You said that during the campaign, you can stop now. He knows he won, right? Putin must have told him.

Colbert also commented on Trumps decision to talk about how much the former president sucks while Obama and Joe Biden had to sit behind him, as helpless as a damp Russian mattress.

Earlier in Fridays episode, Colbert began with a cold open in which Americans solemnly replaced framed photos of President Obama with pictures of Trump hawking steaks, along with images of Vladimir Putin and finally: a horses ass.
Some Democrats want to delay the confirmation vote for President Donald Trumps pick to lead the CIA, after Rep. Mike Pompeo left the door open to returning to harsh interrogation techniques, and collecting massive amounts of American data.

In newly released written answers to lawmakers queries, the Kansas Republican says if confirmed, hell ask if the CIA feels current interrogation techniques are producing resultsand if not, hell consider asking for changes. He also says if CIA officers tell him that recent legal limits on data collection, passed after the Snowden leaks, are making it harder for them to do their jobs, hell recommend changes there too.

The answer on interrogating detainees appears to be Pompeos third position on the matter in as many years. In 2014, he spoke up in favor of harsh interrogation. In his confirmation hearing, he said hed never ask his officers do something like that. Now, in his written answers, hes holding the door ajar for re-introducing the controversial methods.

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Harsh interrogation of detaineesalong with the collection of Americans data even if they arent involved in a crimeare legislative third rails for Democrats, but are unlikely to derail Pompeos eventual confirmation with a full Senate vote scheduled for Monday. But they mark the start of battles to come, as the Trump administration seeks to roll back legislation his supporters say has tied their hands in the fight against terrorists.

The delay of the CIA vote and others drew a rebuke from President Trump, who called on members of the Senate to fulfill their constitutional obligation and swiftly confirm the remainder of my highly qualified cabinet nominees, in a statement after his Defense and Homeland Security chiefs were sworn in Friday evening.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), the Senate intelligence committee chairman piled on, aiming his ire at an unnamed senator for delaying a Friday vote to confirm Pompeo. This will leave the CIA without a permanent director in a period of heightened threats to the United States and our interests abroad, he said, adding that Pompeos vote would proceed on Monday. (Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer from New York asked the Trump administration to keep CIA chief John Brennan on for the weekend until Pompeo could be confirmed, but the new administration refused, Schumers spokesman Matt House emailed to The Daily Beast on Friday.)

President Trump said Pompeo was his only pick for the job, in remarks as he visited CIA headquarters at Langley on Saturday. He also accused the dishonest media for making it seem like he was feuding with the intelligence community, putting distance between himself and his comments since winning the election, when he blamed intelligence chiefs for allegedly leaking the unflattering and unverified private intelligence report that claimed Russian agents had gathered kompromat  compromising material  on him.

I think it was disgraceful, disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there, Trump said in his first press conference as president election, adding that it was something Nazi Germany would do.

On Saturday, he told the 400 or so CIA officers assembled before the memorial wall for fallen officers that hes with you 1000 percent, adding that probably everybody in this room voted for me ... because were all on the same wavelength.

Three senators put tough questions to the Trump nomineeformer intelligence committee chair California Democrat Dianne Feinstein, Maine Independent Angus King, and Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden.

Feinstein asked if Pompeo thought waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques used by CIA personnel like stress positions, forced nudity, slamming detainees into walls or slapping and hitting them constitute torture.

At his confirmation hearing, Pompeo had said he would absolutely not comply with an order from Trump to resume the use of harsh interrogation techniques like waterboarding, considered torture under international law.

Moreover, I cant imagine that I would be asked that, the Kansas lawmaker said. Past CIA directors have said their officers would never agree to return to the Bush-era interrogation program, because though they were told what they were doing was legal at the time, some of those involved were investigated by the Obama Justice Department and are still fighting legal action by human rights and other activist groups.

In his written answers to the Senate Intelligence Committee, however, Pompeo now says hell consult with CIA experts as to whether the methods in the U.S. Army Field Manualthe standard that now governs all federal agenciesare sufficient. Or as he puts it, hell ask them if the manual is an impediment to gathering vital intelligence to protect the country. If the answer is yes, he says he may work with legal experts and congressional oversees to make changesthough he stressed hed make sure those changes stay within the law.

The field manual is up for review next year.

He left open the possibility that the army field manual could be changed, said Laura Pitter, a legal expert at Human Rights Watch. The group is calling for senators to reject Pompeos nomination. He was not unequivocal about disavowing torture in the future. Coupled with his expressed support of enhanced interrogation techniques in the past, it leaves open the possibility that he would be open to the CIA carrying out these practices again in the future.

James Mitchell, a civilian contractor for the CIA who interrogated  and waterboarded  9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), argues that going beyond the Army Field Manual makes sense with a small handful of hardened terrorists.

Rapport building didnt work on KSM, Mitchell told The Daily Beast in an interview Saturday. Mitchell argues in his book about the program  as former CIA chiefs like ret. Gen. David Petraeus have argued before him  that lawmakers should help the CIA formulate legal techniques somewhere between waterboarding and the army field manual to be used in a ticking time bomb situation, so that CIA field teams dont have to.

The point I would make to the president in a situation where you have credible intelligence that there is going to be another attack, and you have that person in custody, you have to be able to go beyond the manual, said Mitchell, who is still being sued by the ACLU for taking part in the interrogation program. Are we going to stand around a big old smoking hole and congratulate ourselves for our moral high ground?

Thats a point of view Pompeo is likely to take seriously. In 2014, Pompeo had denounced the end of the interrogation program. President Obama has continually refused to take the war on radical Islamic terrorism seriouslyfrom ending our interrogation program in 2009 to trying to close Guantanamo Bay, he said in a statement.

Pompeo has similarly argued against the Obama administrations rollback of the collection of Americans metadata, in a response to the leaks of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. In a January 2016 Wall Street Journal op-ed he co-authored, Pompeo called on Congress to bring back the collection of all metadata, and to combine it with publicly available financial and lifestyle date in a comprehensive, searchable database.

While he told senators in the hearing that he knows thats illegaland he voted for the current law that trimmed NSAs collection of such recordshed recommend changes to that policy if CIA officers tell him their work is being hampered by current law.

If agency officials inform me they believe the current programs and legal framework are insufficient to protect the country, I would make appropriate recommendations for any needed changes to laws and regulations, he writes, in a response to a question from Wyden.

The answers are deeply disappointing to the point of being evasive, said Human Rights Watch surveillance researcher Sarah St. Vincent. They suggest that even though he voted for the USA Freedom Act (which curtailed NSA collection of U.S. metadata), he has every intention of pressing the US government to re-adopt mass surveillance.

Wyden also pressed Pompeo on whether hed be open to receiving mass amounts of metadata from a foreign government on U.S. persons. Pompeo had carefully said in the hearing that he wouldnt ask for it, but not that he would reject it if offered.

Wyden is concerned that Pompeo is open to receiving large amounts of data that would be an end run around the 4th Amendment, as that may include not only metadata but actual content (like recorded phone calls or emails), St. Vincent said.

While the Kansas Republicans answers have troubled some Democrats, the former member of the House Intelligence Committee has been welcomed at the CIA, where insiders say initial meetings have gone well.

One answer that may somewhat mollify his Democratic detractors: Pompeos newfound understanding of WikiLeaks role in Russias campaign to influence the U.S. election. Back in July, the lawmaker tweeted that hacked Democratic National Commitee emails posted by the group were proof that the fix was in from Pres. Obama on down.

Since then, the Intelligence Community has released its assessment that Russia was responsible for breaking into the DNCs email system, and for providing those documents to WikiLeaks. In his written statement, Pompeo said the tweet was not meant as an endorsement of WikiLeaks or its practices, but rather remarked on the content of the material now in the public domain.

The tweet was sent in reference to political issues in the middle of a hard-fought campaign, he added. Based on additional briefings and information, including the reports released by the Intelligence Community, I now have a much deeper understanding of WikiLeaks and its harmful activities.

This story was updated 01/21/17 to add President Trump's visit to the CIA on Saturday, comment from former CIA contractor James Mitchell, and to add that foreign intelligence agencies may share content as well as metadata with U.S. intelligence agencies.
My partner and I met in an elevator in Mike Pences home state.

I had to work fast. The Kinsey Institute is only three stories high. But that first shy conversationSo, youre here studying sex, too?became dinner which became a wild summer moving from Bloomington rental to Bloomington rental until our money ran out and we had to go back to our homes, hundreds of miles apart.

We wanted to go back to Indiana, but Pences 2015 religious freedom law made it seem like a bad time for two queer young women to be getting into the Hoosier spirit.

She moved into my apartment in Georgia a year later. We were still living there when the state was one signature away from legalizing anti-LGBT discrimination. We werent thrilled about that, of course, but we loved the chicken and the pickles and the people. Atlanta is still the best place in the country to be gay or bi or queer or trans, and Id share a biscuit with anyone who wants to debate me.

Now, we live in a swing state that went for Trump this time around and, like many LGBT Americans, we were scared after the election in a way that transcended party politics. The new administration is stacked with figures that pose an unprecedented threat to LGBT rights: our right to work, our right to marry, even our right to use the bathroom.

But Im not afraid anymore. I will be queer in Trumps America.

Like many other LGBT people, we call ourselves queer because its a quick way to tell people that its none of their business who we sleep withbut spoiler alert: Its each other and only each other. And the beauty of queerness is that it is irrepressible, like a spring rushing up to fill the cracks in the earth. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming kids will continue to be born at the same unstoppable pace in every state, red or blue, and to every household, religious or not.

Queerness isnt invited; it just shows up. It doesnt check who you voted for before knocking on your dooror even whos voting for you: Dick Cheneys daughter is lesbian, Florida congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinens son is transgender, and former Arizona representative Matt Salmon has a gay son. All of these Republican politicians with LGBT children have had to grapple with queerness one way or another because there is no getting around it.

Because so-called Real America has always been and will always be a queer country.

You can try to deny it, you can pass legislation against it, and, at the absolute cruelest, you can torture yourself or your children with conversion therapy to try to cure it, but queerness will never go away.

And neither will we.

When I reflect on my life with my partner, I try to block out all our memories of New York, which I loathe, or San Francisco, where a simple hamburger can somehow run you $20. These are LGBT oases, sure, but they are exhausting and brutal places to visit, let alone live.

Instead, I think about the moments weve shared in the so-called Real America that elected Donald Trump: driving north on I-65 past a windmill farm that would send the president on a Twitter tirade; kayaking on a turquoise river in Hernando County, Florida, which broke 60-30 for Trump; or slamming down an enormous plate of bacon cheese fries in the middle of the night at an East Tennessee dinerand only paying $7 for the privilege.

I think about cramming our butts into the same creaky Cracker Barrel rocking chair, or sipping coffee while the Chattahoochee crawls past our favorite bench, or finding the only gay bar in a small town.

This is our America as much as anyone elses. There is no way to un-queer it. And I refuse to hide.

The word queer itself, as literary scholar Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick famously wrote in an explanation of the terms etymology, means across.

Queer is a continuing moment, movement, motive, she added, recurrent [and] eddying.

Queerness crosses sexual boundaries and gender binaries. It is always in motion because to stop moving is to surrender to the people who want to box you inthe people who want to check your birth certificate at the bathroom door or who want to know who you sleep with before giving you medical treatment. My partner and I wont stop moving because others cant afford to be targets right now: We are citizens, we have jobs, we have health insurance, and we are loved by supportive family members, many of them Republicans.

Over the next four years, legislation will come and legislation will go. And things might get very bad indeed for LGBT people before they start to get better. But in the long view, trying to suppress our spirit or ignore our existence is a fools errand.

Over 7 percent of millennials now self-identify as LGBT, driving up the overall estimate of LGBT Americans to 4 percent of the population. The next generation is more openly queerand more accepting of queernessthan any generation that has come before.

We will always be here and we will always be queerwhether you get used to it or not.

There was no way my partner and I could have foreseen how the next four years would unfold when we had our innocent elevator meet cute, ripped straight out of a rom-com. But thats not a first meeting story were willing to give up. We will tell it over dinner until we die at tables in Utah and New York, Texas and California, Tennessee and D.C.

We have a red-state love story, full of sunsets over Trump country and long drives through places that many of our peers would fly over. It is our story and, whatever happens to our rights and whoever the president may be, we will keep living it. Because it isnt always the powerful who write history. History is written by those who didnt quit.
The death of Nat Hentoff at 91 on Jan. 7 was, to me, one final act of defiance.

According to his son Nicholas, Hentoff left us in the company of that which he loved dearlysurrounded by family, listening to Billie Holiday recordings.

And I suppose that Hentoff, who wrote with as much passion and insight about the Constitution as he did about Holidays music, simply refused to stick around to see Donald Trump take the presidential oath of office.

I imagined Hentoff whispering something like: I fought against the Vietnam War. I spoke out during the Reagan administration, against George W. Bushs Iraq invasion, and in defense of true liberalism and the Bill of Rights. This fight is yours.

As an author, journalist, jazz critic, and civil libertarian, Hentoffs intensity was matched by his productivity and range. He inspired me early on through his voluminous essays and books. And I was lucky. I got to know the man, who, by then, had a weathered face bordered by greying hair and beard, his piercing eyes softened only by his easy smile. Hentoff was a mentor and a guiding force for me, professionally and personally. I ended up following Hentoffs lead, straddling unlikely mastheads through my workThe Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, and Truthdig, for instanceand finding jazz a particularly good vehicle through which to address social justice. After the 2005 flood in New Orleans resulting from the levee failures after Hurricane Katrina, when I described to him the extent of injustice and inequity surrounding that situation, Hentoff told me, You have to do something, and you cant do nothing. Thus followed a decade of my own reporting, supporting in part by funding Hentoff helped me find. Hentoff even helped me reconcile myself with the religion from which Id strayed, Judaism.

The most resonant voice in the pages of his book At the Jazz Band Ball: Sixty Years on the Jazz Scene is that of the chazanthe cantor in the Orthodox Jewish synagogue Hentoff attended while growing up in Boston. Its not that Hentoff was particularly observant (he called himself a Jewish atheist in the book). But in shul, he found a captivating voice that provoked both visceral and intellectual responses that turned his head around, and that lasted a lifetime.

The passionate, mesmerizing, often improvisatory singing of the chazan, he wrote, sounded at times as if he were arguing with God. At 11, when Hentoff heard music blaring from a record store that made me shout aloud in pleasure it was clarinetist Artie Shaws Nightmare. Regardless of whether or not that particular keening A-minor melody of Shaws was based on a cantorial theme (Hentoff wrote that it was), a deeper connection with the music he would come to love and documentjazzwas thus forged. The cantors soul cry of human promise, transcendence and vulnerability was the same element Hentoff would home in on within the music of, say, Charles Mingus, the depth of his witnessing to the human condition an unbroken link for Hentoff to the blues at jazzs base.

Hentoff said he was an itinerant subversive from the start. Growing up in a then predominantly Jewish Roxbury neighborhood within an otherwise largely anti-Semitic Boston, he grew defiantly individual and developed a strong sense of social justice while still quite young. In his memoir, Boston Boy, he recalled his defining moment of rebellion at age 12eating a large salami sandwich on Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of fasting and atonement, while sitting on his familys porch. He enjoyed not so much that awful sandwich as the experience of rebellion, combined with the knowledge of how it felt to be an outcast.

Nathan Irving Hentoff was born in Boston on June 10, 1925, the son of Simon and Lena Katzenberg Hentoff. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Russia, and the tough Roxbury section that was his home was a vortex of political debate among Socialists, anarchists, Communists, Trotskyites, and other revolutionaries. He learned early how to rebel. He channeled his sensibilities into what he used to call his day jobreporting on keeping the Bill of Rights alive, reflected most prominently through his 50-year tenure as a columnist for The Village Voice and via many of his books. He also developed an early love and appreciation for jazza music he would come to write about as a life force.

Within jazzs community, Hentoff found fellow itinerant subversives, including Duke Ellington, Lester Young, Jo Jones, and Paul Desmond. These were my teachers, Hentoff once told me, people who took risks every single night. While a student at Boston Latin High School, Hentoff spent most of his free time at jazz clubs like the Savoy Cafe. He befriended Ellington and others, including, later on, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.

Hentoff lived through a good chunk of jazzs history, including its heyday within American popular culture. He got into radio in Boston while still a teenager, and did broadcasts from jazz clubs such as the Savoy and George Weins Storyville, where he got to know many musicians, and sometimes interviewed them on-air. From the start, he was interested in the musics context as well as its content. He moved to New York to work as an editor for Down Beat magazine, which back then appealed to a much broader readership than it does today. In 1957, together with critic Whitney Balliett, he cast The Sound of Jazz, a landmark CBS program that brought the likes of Billie Holiday and Lester Young and more generally the sounds and attitudes of jazz into American living rooms; Hentoff called making that show the most important thing Ive ever done. He wrote liner notes to groundbreaking recordings, including John Coltranes Expressions and Miles Daviss Sketches of Spain. As A&R director of Candid Record, he was responsible for a long list of important and unexpected albums, including We Insist! Max Roachs Freedom Now Suite, which still stands as one of the most overtly political of jazz classics.

Among Hentoffs many books is 1955s Hear Me Talkin to Ya: The Story of Jazz as Told by the Men Who Made It, which he edited with Nat Shapiro. It was a seminal work of oral history relating to jazz. The reason Nat Shapiro and I did that, Hentoff told me, was that, at the time, there was a widely held beliefreally a myththat jazz musicians are inarticulate by and large, except on their horns. There was a sense among a number of the listeners that all you have to do is pick up your horn, and you blow. And we had the idea that you could have a book where the musicians told their stories, in part to show that they could tell their stories.

Hentoff was neither the first nor the last jazz lover to exalt the music as both metaphor and laboratory for whatever we mean when we speak of an American experiment. Ralph Ellison expressed all that with more literary distinction and greater connection to the context of African-American arts. But if Ken Burnss 19-hour PBS series Jazz in 2000 offered something of a caricature of jazz as the symbol of American values and virtues, Hentoffs body of writings has come closest to painting an honest working portrait of the idea.

I recall interviewing Hentoff years ago, when Antonin Scalia was still on the Supreme Court, about the type of jazz pedagogy Ken Burns promoted. Well, for one thing, John Marshallwho was the first, and in some ways, the most powerful Supreme Court justice in the beginning of the 19th centurysaid that the Constitution is a living document, Hentoff said. And unlike Scalia, who keeps an 18th century dictionary to find out what the framers had in mind, jazz is the same. Sidney Bechet, in that very good memoir of his, said, You cant hold the music back. And that means that you cant categorize or fix anything in the music in terms of saying, Only this is jazz, and this isnt jazz. And the same thing goes for the evolving Bill of Rights. You cant talk about the fourth amendment right to privacy only in terms of what the framers said. They didnt know about wiretaps, let along telephones.

Among the many diverse honors bestowed upon Hentofffrom, among other organizations, the Guggenheim Foundation, The American Bar Association, the National Press Association, and the American Library Associationwas his designation in 2004 as one of six Jazz Masters by the National Endowment for the Arts, the first non-musician to win the honor.

And yet one of Hentoffs endearing qualitiesone missing in most music critics and political commentators todaywas real humility. At one point in At the Jazz Band Ball, Hentoff wrote of sometimes feeling fraudulent for lack of technical knowledge about, say, chord substitutions. That feeling grew more intense when his daughter, at the time a budding musician, asked, How can you dare affect the income of a musician when you give him bad reviews since you cant say technically what you think hes doing wrong? In his book, Hentoff cut to an encounter with the arranger and bandleader Gil Evans. Ive been reading you for years, Evans told him, so I know what you listen to and how you listen. I also know musicians who can tell technically everything thats going on in a performance, but they dont get into where this music is coming from inside the musicianthe story he wants to tell. You can do that some of the time. Stop worrying.

Hentoff either stopped worrying, or went ahead anyway. Without discounting the value of or need for such critical analysis based on musical knowledgehow could he?he argued for the narrative of jazz as a succession of stories of men and women who have shaped and lived the music.

Ive always had the sense when I was writing, Hentoff once told me, especially when I was doing liner notes, of asking myself, What can I say that will be of use to someone in another generation? When I do liner notes, I interview the musicians. When I did notes for Coltrane, wed always go through the same ritual. Id call up and Id say that the record company just gave me this. And hed say, I wish you wouldnt write the notes because if the music doesnt speak for itself, whats the point? And John was a very kind man, so Id say, John, its a gig. So then we went on.

And so Ill gowell go onemboldened by Hentoffs grandest ideas and deepest commitments, but not past the point of questioning ourselves. Maybe well channel just enough of his itinerant subversive.

On the eve of the inauguration, standing onstage at Manhattans Symphony Space as master of ceremonies for a Musicians Against Fascism concert, I invoked Hentoffs legacyhis commitment to truths we hold self-evident in both musical declarations, and the Declaration of Independence; his understanding that a sense of community is essential to creative music and effective activism. While dozens of musicians played on for more than three hours, and when I spoke of the dangers posed by this new administration and of complacency in the face of such threats, I felt his spirit present. I believe hes with me now, demanding more.
By Press Trust of India: Attari, Jan 21 (PTI) Pakistan today handed over to India its soldier who had inadvertently crossed the LoC hours after the armys surgical strike in September last year.

Chandu Babulal Chavan, 22, returned through the land transit route of Attari-Wagah border.

The BSF handed him over to the Army which took him to an undisclosed location.

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Chavan, posted with 37 Rashtriya Rifles, had mistakenly crossed the boundary in Kashmir hours after Indias surgical strikes on terrorist bases across the LoC.

Chavans brother Bhushan Chavan, who is also a soldier, said he is thankful to the army for its effort.

"I am thankful to DGMO and army for the efforts they have made. I am never going to forget this. I am also a soldier and will continue to do my duty with full honesty till my last breath," he said.

"I am grateful to the villagers and everybody who prayed for not just my brother but for a soldier of this country," Bhushan said.

Chavan belongs to Borvihir village in Dhule district of Maharashtra. His grandmother had died of shock following the news of his capture by Pakistani troops. MORE PTI CORR CHS AKA RB RT

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When Jessica Williams and I meet up in Park City, where her breakout new film The Incredible Jessica James will close the Sundance Film Festival, we give each other that look. The heavy sigh. The sad shoulder slump.

I know, she says. At the same time Williams was riding high off the first two screenings of the film, her biggest project since her work as the first black woman hired as a correspondent on Jon Stewarts The Daily Show, Donald Trump had literally just finished delivering his inauguration speech.

Today was pretty booty city, Williams, who will be among the speakers Saturday morning at Sundances satellite Womens March led by Chelsea Handler, says. So lets just celebrate the magic of film. Because oh my god. Oh my god.

As in: oh my god, can you believe whats happening? But also: oh my god, theres so much joy to be had.

The film was written for her by writer-director Jim Strouse, who told press, I think Jessica is a unicorn, a phrase used to describe Williamss charactera struggling New York City playwright balancing romance and self-love, in the movie. In its early review, Variety said, Some people are born to be movie stars, and The Incredible Jessica James successfully makes the case for leading lady Jessica Williams.

So, yes, there was occasion for joy.

Introducing the film to the first screening audience Thursday night, Williams even set the tone for the specific kind of joy.

This is really important to me, she said. I just got my braids redone and my edges laid for this screening. If youre white and you dont understand what I said, find the nearest cocoa person and ask them to elaborate. This is Sundance, you guys should open up your minds.

Asked to elaborate the next afternoon, she laughs. I knew there was gonna be a bunch of photos and I was trying to be fancy. But then she gets serious, even apologizing midway through her earnestness for being a cheeseball.

Sundance, this year, Im really excited about because it seems very diverse, she says. The pics are fucking awesome. And I think thats the beauty of film. Sometimes it can say something really beautiful that you wouldnt necessarily be able to engage with immediately in your day-to-day.

The Incredible Jessica James is, at heart, an indie romcom about a struggling artist. But its way more transgressive than that. A wildly entertaining showcase for Williamss explosive screen presence, confidence, and point of view, it is an indie romcom about a struggling artist who is a black woman.

Thats a thing. She knows it, too. Her film and films like it that are premiering at Sundance this year, theyre special. Its special for these stories to be told now, at a time when everyone is in a tailspin.

Now more than ever its really important to hear diverse voices, she says.

She mentions her podcast 2 Dope Queens, which she hosts with fellow comedian Phoebe Robinson, a very purposeful respite and platform. We give women, people of color, and members of the LGBT community opportunities to do stand-up and do comedy, just because we think theyre really funny, she says. And comedy is a straight, white, male-driven world.

Williams knows about opportunity. In 2012, she became the youngest correspondent ever hired on The Daily Show. She was also a black woman, who wore her braids, her womanhood, and her blackness on a show that had never spotlighted that before.

When Stewart announced he was leaving the desk, Williams was a fan favorite candidate to replace him. There was even a petition. Williams, in response, seized her own agency. She shot down all talk. She left the show last summer after striking her own development deal with Comedy Central.

Her own voice. Her own opportunity. And, now, her own film playing to raucous audience responses at Sundance.

Williams and Strauss had worked together before on the film People Places Things, which played two years ago at Sundance. Strausss biggest regret from that project: that Williams wasnt in it more. Someone needs to write her a movie, he thought. Then: maybe that someone should be me.

Both Williams and Strauss live in Brooklyn, and would meet up to pitch and massage ideas until they developed Jessica James. Strauss listened to 2 Dope Queens religiously and had watched The Daily Show, shocking Williams with the specificity with which he nailed her voice.

When we meet Jessica James, shes on a Tinder date. Shes fresh from a break up. But, as she specifies in the opening line of the movie, I think its really dangerous to seek personal fulfillment through romantic relationships. She then launches the most vicious skewering of her dates Tinder behavior that has yet to be committed to film, rising from the ashes of her sick burns to stage an epic dance party in her Bushwick apartment.

So what makes Jessica James so incredible?

I think its her being just so unapologetically herself, Williams says. What makes her incredible is that she makes sure she honors herself first. That romance is not her only thing.

How much of that reflects Williamss own personality, and how much of it is aspirational?

Just in my day-to-day, something like self-confidence and self-love is not a destination I just arrive at, she says. Its more of a journey. Where Monday Ill feel shitty about my body and Tuesday Ill feel like the hottest bitch in the world, you know? I think it just ebbs and flows.

Theres a scene in The Incredible Jessica James where Jessica is on a date with a character played by Chris ODowd named Boone. Thinking that Jessica is a walking suit of armor and the human manifestation of self-confidence, he is shocked to learn that she is actually really insecure.

Youd be shocked to learn that Williams is much the same way.

I think theres this myth of the strong black woman that exists, where we cant be these penetrable characters, she says. People are so layered and complicated and dynamic. Like, yeah, this is a character that Im playing. But there are shades of me that are insecure a lot of times.

It comes back to what we were saying about how important it is to show diverse voices, she continues. I think Jessica James in inherently diverse because I am black. The character is black. And shes a woman. Shes diverse. I think the story isnt complicated, but I think that she, just from being who she is, is telling a new story.

Williams is just 27. She was 24 when she was hired for The Daily Show. That wasand remainsincredibly young to be the kind of public figure whose words are internalized by and influential to a demographic not used to seeing a young black woman on their screens being unapologetically herself.

I suddenly realize, Oh, this is a major platform, she says, remembering the responses that began pouring in after her first few Daily Show segments. So I need to make sure that Im not just speaking to say words. And also that Im saying things that Im deeply convicted in, that Im using my platform to tell my truth.

Because if people are listening to you and you have the honor of being somebody that people watch, she continues, then I should respect them and honor them by trying to make sure that I am forthright with my convictions and what I believe.

Now, of all timesthis inauguration weekend, this Womens March, this festival celebrating diverse voicesits a statement of values that rings, well, incredible.
My most Wayne memory of Wayne Barrett is a conversation he had with an intern of his in what was probably the early 1990s. Waynes interns at The Village Voice were this parade of young strivers, many of whom today are great investigative journalists in their own rightTim OBrien, Jesse Drucker, others.

This one was named Sarah Smith. I dont know whats become of her; hard to Google a name like Sarah Smith. Anyway, one day Wayne came into the office in the late afternoon, as was his wont. He worked at home most of the time, out in Windsor Terrace, and came into the Voice only a couple times a week to pick up documents or whatever he needed in those pre-email days.

He worked those interns hard, and of course there were a lot of jokes along those lines, Slavedriver Wayne and so on. He had given Sarah a long list of things to dopeople to call, documents to collect, whatever else. He asked for a progress report. Shed run into brick wall after brick wall. She started in on an explanationso and so wasnt there, shed called him six times, the clerks at the courthouse were totally unhelpful, whatever it was. But it was obvious from her narrative that shed been working like a dog.

She finished. Wayne took the measure of her words for several seconds as he looked down toward the floor before he fixed his eyes up at her and said: So in other words, you accomplished nothing.

One was always a little afraid of Wayne, and one certainly did not want to disappoint him. I felt this way, and I was his colleague, not his intern. I was never half the reporter he was. I had my sources, sure, but I didnt have his sources, by a long shot, and frankly I didnt have anywhere near his reportorial energy. Then again hardly anyone did. He would follow a trail until it was absolutely positively 1000 percent clear that it was dark. Hed go knock on anyones door. He went onceprobably more than onceto interview someone, and I mean a hostile interview, in their hospital bed. Relentless doesnt begin to him justice.

Id call him two or three times a week, just to check in, see what he was doing, see if he had any suggestions for what I should do. Those phone calls could turn into vast soliloquies on a persons history going back to the 1960s, who they were close to, who theyd fallen out with; a graduate-level class in New York political history.

I also loved the way hed work himself up in those calls as he started to talk about what he suspected some politician was really up to, or someones latest galling act of hypocrisy. The greatest conversation I had with him along those lines happened in 1998. We werent colleagues anymoreId gone to New York magazinebut we still talked.

As his excellent New York Times obituary by Sam Roberts noted, one of Waynes more memorable scoops was his discovery in 1998 that Senator Al DAmato, then facing a tough (and ultimately successful) challenge from Chuck Schumer, had missed a large number of votes as a Nassau County executive when he first ran for Senate in 1980. DAmatos oppo team had discovered that Schumer had missed a bunch of House vote during the 1998 Senate race, and DAmato pounced on it, and for some reason it resonated. Missed votes was all DAmato said, and it looked like it was going to save him.

So Im talking to Wayne. Actually, Waynes talking to me. You didnt get a lot of words in on most of those calls. DAmatos attacks are outrageous. Doesnt everybody who runs for Senate miss votes like this? Of course they do! And Schumer, whatever else you want to say about him, the guys a total workhorse. But they all miss these votes. In fact, I wonder if Alfonse missed votes when he was first running. Yeah! Tomasky, Im gonna go look that up!

Bam, down went the phone. Out Wayne shot to the Nassau County whatever office. The next week, he published the scoop that sent Al DAmato into retirement.

Now. This matter of Trump. Wayne was onto him a quarter-century ago. His book, The Deals and the Downfall, is rich with evidence that one wishes Americans had seen before they voted. Over the course of the past year and a half, I was thrilled to see Wayne finally getting the national attention his work had so long deserved, to see Washington learning what New York had learned ages ago about his investigative prowess. And he was sick while all this was happening. Sick, but still producing scoops, for The Daily Beast, among others. But like everyone else, I figured Waynes vast mental hard drive of Trump knowledge wouldnt matter after November 8.

Many friends have remarked that maybe on some level, he checked out the day he did, January 19, because he couldnt bear the thought of seeing that man become president. Maybe. But thats not really the Wayne I knew. I think its far more likely that Wayne had a list of 20 Trump stories he was working on and couldnt wait to get out there. His dear friend Tom Robbins, also one of New Yorks great investigative reporters, tweeted the night Wayne passed: On the drive to the hospital where he breathed his last, Wayne Barrett was still doing interviews for a big, tough story on Donald Trump. The lossfor the opposition, for journalism, for the countryis just devastating.

For all his intensity, Wayne could laugh. Not least at himself. Thats a measure of a persons humanity, a big measureis he capable of seeing himself as others see him and laughing about it? I remember one Christmastime. Wayne was telling me and LynNell Hancock, another excellent old Voice colleague who now teaches at Columbia, about a trip he took to Macys to buy his wife, Fran, a new winter coat.

The idea of Wayne shopping isamusing. So hes telling me and LynNell about browsing the coat racks. A certain style of wool coat caught his eye. It came in a range of colors. And the weird thing, he said, was that the black one was one price, while the green one was half that price. It was unbelievable, Tomasky. The exact same coat! No, Wayne, LynNell said. Its not the exact same coat. Its green! Oh, so thats it. And he laughed heartily at his poor grasp of the principles of fashion commerce. Wayne probably walked around a place like Macys wondering who got the elevator contract and whether it was rigged.

And that admonishment of Sarah Smith? It only took a few seconds for him to realize he was being a little too Wayne, and he laughed.

He is totally irreplaceable.

UPDATE: Within an hour of this being posted Saturday morning, Sarah Smith got in touch. She left journalism but in the appropriate Barrett spirit shes been a trouble-making lawyer for many years, currently working with victims of domestic violence in Reno, Nevada. When she worked in Bronx Family Court, she became known for the frequent admonition from one judge to Sit down, Ms. Smith!
Nike Cuts Ties With Kyrie Irving Over Hate Speech

JUST DID IT

The brand has suspended its relationship with Irving and will no longer release the Kyrie 8.
Taliban militants have been active around Parachinar in the past, and the town has also suffered sectarian tension between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims.

By Reuters: An explosion in a busy vegetable market killed at least 21 people today in Pakistan's remote northwestern tribal region, an official said.

About 40 others were wounded in the blast in Kurram region, near the border with Afghanistan, said Sajid Hussain Turi, member of the National Assembly from the region.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED "We received 21 bodies of the local tribal people killed in the blast," Turi said, adding that there would be a mass funeral and then a demonstration over the attack. Reports differed on the cause of the explosion. Turi said a homemade bomb had been planted in a pile of tomatoes and exploded as people gathered in the market in Parachinar, Kurram's main town. Taliban militants have been active around Parachinar in the past, and the town has also suffered sectarian tension between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims. Another Kurram official, Sabzali Khan, said early reports had suggested that a suicide bomber was responsible for the blast. An eyewitness, Ashiq Hussain, said he saw bodies strewn around the market and wounded people crying out for help. "There was no ambulance, and people had to carry the injured in cars and private pickup trucks to the hospital," said Hussain. A statement from Pakistan's military said army helicopters had been dispatched to evacuate the wounded.

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Also read: At least 30 killed, over 70 injured in Kabul twin blasts

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The Indian soldier, who had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on September 29 last year, returned to India via the Wagah border checkpost.

By India Today Web Desk: In what it calls a goodwill gesture, Pakistan Army has returned Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan to India.

The Indian soldier had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control on September 29 last year.

Pakistan Army, however, claimed that he deserted his post following maltreatment of the commanders. It also claimed that Chandu was captured on the day of the surgical strikes by India. The soldier was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border checkpost.

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PAKISTAN: CHAVAN 'SURRENDERED' TO PAK ARMY

"Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, an Indian Army soldier, deserted his post at LoC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders. He willfully crossed LoC on 29 September, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," a press statement from Pakistsan's Inter-Services Public Relations reads.

A press release from Pakistan's foreign ministry further adds, "The decision of the government of Pakistan to return the Indian soldier is based on humanitarian grounds and the commitment to ensure peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary. Despite Indian belligerence, Pakistan believes in peaceful neighbourhood and rejects all actions aimed at undermining regional peace and security."

Also read: Efforts on to secure release of captured Indian soldier in Pakistan: Manohar Parrikar

Earlier, MoS Defence, Subhash Bhamre had expressed hope on Thursday that Chandu Chavan would return home safely.

"The very next day after the surgical strikes, Chandu had inadvertently crossed the LoC to Pakistani side. The government, the DGMO and MEA are in contact with Pakistan since then through proper channel. Initial response from Pakistan was not positive but the latest response inspires hope," Bhamre had said.

Chandu is a soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles and hails from Maharashtra's Dhule, which is incidentally the Lok Sabha constituency of Bhamre.

Watch: Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chavan, who crossed LoC after surgical strike, returns home

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AK's Gin the latest release from Arbikie

Arbikie is launching its latest gin, AK's Gin, on January 24, in time for Burns Night. The new release is named after the father of Arbikie owners Iain, John and David, Alexander Kirkwood Stirling.

AKS Gin is distilled using honey and wheat farmed at Arbikie along with black pepper, mace and cardamom. The Stirlings acknowledge the importance bees play in pollinating crops with recent figures suggesting they are worth 1.8 billion to the UK agriculture industry each year. With wild bees under threat Arbikie plan to install its own hives to produce the required honey as well as pollinating the surrounding land. Coupled with growing its own juniper, Arbikie places sustainability at the heart of its business.

Distillery manager Christian Perez comments: We chose our Viscount variety of wheat because it gave us a beautiful, buttery character. Coupled with our fresh honey, AKs Gin is incredibly smooth lending itself to a great gin and tonic and an amazing base spirit for cocktails.

With Burns Night fast approaching Arbikie was keen to launch its tribute to their farming father when one of the worlds most famous farmers sons, Robert Burns is celebrated across the globe.

Director John Stirling adds: Were delighted that AKs Gin can be enjoyed as part of the Burns Night celebrations. Our Dad is an inspiration to us and we wanted to create a gin that reflected his character and our familys farming roots. Hes farmed all his life and is proud that we are distilling using our familys own crops and is keen that we share that unique provenance with our Arbikie customers on-going.

Arbikie places value on its field-to-bottle provenance as it grow its ingredients on the estate to ensure traceability. The Viscount variety of wheat used in AKs comes from the Deils Knapp field, which you can see from the distillery. In 2014, it created the first Scottish Potato Vodka, then launched Kirstys Gin using locally-foraged botanicals followed by Chilli Vodka distilled using fresh chillies and most recently Strawberry Vodka using home-grown strawberries.

21 January 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editorial assistant
By Adila Matra: For forty years, an artist dedicated himself to watercolours. He, in spite of the great difficulties the medium is known for, went on journeys and copied wonderful landscapes on to paper. Paresh Maity's long time affair with watercolours materialises as an exhibition titled 'World of Watercolours' at Lalit Kala Akademi. "I have been painting with watercolours - those tiny tubes you used to get - since the age of 10, when I was just getting into the field of art," says the 50 something painter in his trademark beret and colourful scarf. "Watercolor is the most difficult and oldest medium in the field of painting as there are many limitations. The size of the art work is a big challenge specially when done on a large scale. The application has to be timed and finished before the colour dries," he adds.

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Also read: If female bodies offend you, this 20-year-old's artwork is not for you

Yet, Maity sticks to the medium. There are pictures of him painting on a houseboat in the backwaters of Alappuzha and sitting cross legged on the courtyard of Bolgatty Palace in Kochi, painting the palace itself. Apart from the show that will exhibit his work in watercolours from the age of 10, Maity will also release a book by the same name, with around 300 watercolour works spanning 40 years. "From my home town Tamluk, a small village in West Bengal and other parts of India to China, Japan, England, and Venice, the book covers the landscapes of everywhere I have ever been," he says.

St Paul's Cathedral from one of Maity's travels around the world. Photo: Mail Today

Poet Gulzar who has written a foreword for his book says, "He comes across as a great traveller and his works remind me of coalmines and Potato Eaters of Van Gogh in Oil. Even his paintings of European landscapes carry the feeling of past and history. Paresh has a mood of nostalgia, which travels with him."

Says Kishore Singh, who has also written in the book, "Here is an artist whose art extends beyond known dimensions of art as he straddles countries and continents, for the breaking dawn knows no boundaries, it acknowledges no manmade barriers."

One of the early works featuring Maity's village in West Bengal. Photo: Mail Today

- 'World of Watercolours: Paresh Maity' is on from January 28 to February 17 at Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan Timing; 11 am to 7 pm. The exhibition will shift to Art Alive Gallery, S-221, Panchsheel Park from February 20 to March 31.

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January 7, 1927 - January 18, 2017

Harry Michael Coyle, 90, entered the presence of his Savior on January 18, 2017. He was born on January 7, 1927 in Johnstown, PA to Foster H. and Ruth Enid Michael Coyle. Graduating from Richland Township, PA schools, Harry briefly enlisted in the Army, then won an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1950. He earned a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering in 1956 from MIT and a PhD in 1963 from the University of Texas at Austin.

Harry met the love of his life, Josephine (Jo-Jo) Oefinger on a blind date in Washington, DC in 1954. It was love at first sight. Among other things, Harry told her, "Your eyes are like limpid pools and I could drown in them." The star-struck couple married on March 26, 1955. Their love story lasted through 56 years of marriage at her death in 2011, and until this day.

Colonel Coyle actively served his country in the Army Corps of Engineers for 12 years: in Alaska after graduation from West Point; at Ft. Belvoir, VA (where his daughter, Debbie, was born in 1956); in a deployment to Korea in 1957 (during which daughter, Jenifer, was born in San Antonio); and on faculty at West Point (where son, Michael, was born in 1960). He then served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves while earning his PhD in Austin, where son, Pat, was born in 1963. Ultimately, he attained the rank of Colonel in 1973 and retired in 1987.

With his PhD in hand, Dr. Coyle took a job at Texas A&M University in the Civil Engineering Department in 1964, and moved the family to Bryan, Texas. A popular faculty member, he energetically served his Aggie colleagues and students until his retirement in 1987.

It was in the BCS community that Harry's commitment and desire to serve his Lord blossomed. He and Jo-Jo became founding members of Grace Bible Church, where Harry served many years on the Board of Elders, eventually becoming an Elder Emeritus. For 50 years at Grace, he shared his deep faith and knowledge of the Bible with hundreds of students and many adults through small group teaching and one on one mentoring. Harry and Jo-Jo founded the Adopt An Aggie program at Grace, patterned after West Point's adopt a plebe program. Known as a prayer warrior, Harry spent hours a day lifting up the needs of others, and he helped spread the Gospel of Christ throughout the world via financial and prayerful support of many missionaries. He continued to disciple, support and inspire others until his death. Having loved his friends and family well, Harry Coyle will be missed by all until we are reunited with him in Glory.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Jo-Jo, and his dear son Michael. Harry is survived by daughter Debbie Barry (and her children Julia and Andrew) of Belmont, MA; daughter Jenifer Purvis and husband Karl (and their children Kelsey and fiancee Scott Lorg, and Matthew and wife Morgan) of Berryton, KS; daughter-in-law Beth Gibson Coyle Faris of Boerne, TX and her daughters Christen (and husband Jacob) Kennington and Lauren (and husband Christopher) Orgeron of Houston, TX; son Patrick Coyle and wife Jeanne (and their children Katie, David and Lexie) of Bryan, TX ; and sister Lucretia Ann Cucciardo of Tampa, FL, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Beloved great-grandchildren are Micah and Claire Orgeron, and Riley and Reagan Kennington.

A visitation will be held from 6:30  8:30 PM on Sunday, January 22, 2017 at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan. A celebration of Harry's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2017 at Grace Bible Church, 700 Anderson Street, College Station. Memorial gifts may be given to Grace Bible Church Missionary House, 700 Anderson Street, College Station TX 77840; or Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 W. 26th St., Bryan, TX 77803.

Please visit Colonel Coyle's tribute page at www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share memories and stories.
December 29, 1922 - January 17, 2017

Rev. Andrew R. Heskett, 94, of Hannibal, Mo. passed away at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at Willow Care Center in Hannibal.

In accordance to Mr. Heskett's wishes there will be no services held. The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel in Hannibal, Mo.

Andrew was born on December 29, 1922, in Ratio, Phillips County, Ark. the son of Joe Thomas, Sr. and Willie Adell (Davis) Heskett.

Andy grew up like any farmer's son in the 1920's, but always had a thirst for education. He was the first of his family to finish high school and was instrumental in seeing that some of his siblings did (which was really something for that day). In the fall of 1941 Andy left home with a suitcase the size of a weekender (which contained all his clothes) and $50.00 to his name to work his way through college.

He first entered Ouachita Baptist College; but later transferred to Arkansas State Teachers College. He tells of the semester that he held seven part time jobs to support himself. He graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College in 1945 with a BA Degree, he had a major in History and a minor in English. He had earned a major in Bible at Ouachita before transferring to ASTC. He took his first pastorate in September of 1942, and was not without full time work until he left Central Baptist Church in January of 1969. He held pastorates while in school and while teaching three years, earning enough to enter Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. in the fall of 1948, where he earned a BD degree in 1951. He continued the next year at SBTS working on the Master of Theological Degree.

Andy married Bennie Jean Appling in December of 1948 in their home church in West Helena, Ark. To that union two children were born: Richard Wayne Heskett in 1957 and wife Daisy of Bryan, Tx. and Monica Jean Heskett in 1960 of Hannibal, Mo. Bennie Jean preceded him in death. He later married Karen (Ketsenburg) Cole on September 5, 1981 at Alameda Navel Base in Oakland, Ca. She preceded him in death on September 5, 2015. Other survivors include one brother, Joe Heskett, Jr. and wife Peggy of Stockton, CA.

In addition to his parents and wives, Mr. Heskett was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond, Leon, Dalton, and Phillip and three sisters, Darce, Nell, and Sarah.

Andy's educational pursuits led him to pastor churches in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas. His last was for seven years at Central Baptist Church in Bryan, Tx., where they averaged over 500 in Sunday School. The morning worship service was broadcasted on radio. He enjoyed organizing and working with a large number of foreign students at Texas A&M. He also had the honor of working as Chaplain of Bryan's Police Department with 42 officers. He was active in the local Baptist Association, the Texas Baptist Association, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Upon moving to California in 1969, he was first involved in the floor covering business with his brothers, Leon and then Joe. Later he taught professional sales seminars for Turner Enterprises throughout the U.S. He later obtained a real estate salesman's license and later a broker's license and sold real estate for eleven years.

In February of 1981 Andy obtained a California floor covering license and moved to Vallejo to start a floor covering business for his son, Rick. He named the business Monrick Carpets. In 1986 he joined Glenn Fuller and organized Fuller Floors. Later in 1988 he became sole owner of Fuller Floors until he retired in 1993 and moved to Hannibal, Mo.

One of Andy's favorite quotes is by Mark Twain: "Age is a matter of the mind and if you don't mind it doesn't matter."

Memorial contribution may be made to the Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis, Tennessee, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel, 2619 St. Mary's Ave. Hannibal, Mo. 63401.

Online condolences may be made to the family on Andy's memorial page at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com.
By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: Is Indian Railway only for those abled commuters who could walk on their own feet ? Why Prime Minister Office (PMO) could not give an assurance to a disabled person (on wheelchair) of safe and secured railways services in India, instead passing the buck?

Off late, the PMO ignored the "open letter" written by Virali Modi, a US Citizen living with an OCI in Mumbai. Virali had written a personal letter (also tweeted) to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu seeking efficient mode of public transport for disabled people in India.

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Since last 10 years, Virali had been living her life on wheelchair. In the age of 13, she had Malaria, which remained untreated. She went into coma and was paralysed neck down. She moved back to Mumbai in 2008 for the treatment.Also read | Indian Railways to sell swadeshi goods to raise funds

Railway Budget is round the corner. Knowing and experiencing herself how people with physical disabilities face a lot of problems while using public transport, Virali had penned a letter, dated January 3, 2017, to PM and Railway Minister bringing to their notice the plight of the differently-abled.

Giving an example how she was badly treated by railway porters during few occasion, Virali in her letter demanded that the government should take notice of these issues and "Make India accessible so that other people don't have to face the embarrassment of being manhandled while countless people watch, like I did."

On January 11, 2017, Virali received an email reply from the PMO saying the status of her grievances has been "closed" and it has been forwarded to "the External Affairs Ministry" with a reason that "this case does not pertain to the Ministry i.e. PMO".

India Today has accessed the copy of reply sent by PMO to Virali, who is currently in United States (US). Till now, there has been no response from the External Affairs Ministry nor the Railway Minister to Virali.

The reply given by PMO.

Also read | Indian Railways' high speed rail project to get foreign boost

While speaking to Indiatoday.in from US, Virali said, "I was shocked and devastated. It clearly states that the PMO had received my message and they transferred it to External Affairs, why? Did they not read it at all? Of course External Affairs was going to say that my message does not pertain to that specific ministry. I also e-mailed Mr. Prabhu's office and had not gotten any reply. Why is that? Why is my query not answered?"

She added, "I feel the PM should have directed my query to the correct ministry. I wanted directly to talk to Mr. Prabhu or PM (if possible), especially in terms of transportation and the infrastructure in India, as well as society and how disability is perceived."

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An open letter

Virali had penned her personal experiences in India to Suresh Prabhu narrating how she had been treated by porters at few railway stations, and this could be the ground situations at many railway stations till today, with disabled female commuters.

Virali had written saying, "Dear Mr Prabhu, I have concerns, sir. I'm a disabled US citizen living with an OCI in Mumbai, India. When I first came to India, I had to travel via train to Delhi. It was my first experience traveling as a disabled woman in India. I was extremely excited and worried at the same time because I knew that India wasn't fully wheelchair accessible, like the US."

She continued, "Upon reaching the train station, where the ramps were broken and bumpy, I finally reached the platform from where I was to board my train. I kept looking around thinking that there would be a ramp to board the train, but there wasn't. I had to be physically carried inside the compartment into my seat, all while being groped by a porter. This has happened three separate times. I was groped and sexually assaulted by porters because there aren't any ramps or lifts to get into a train safely."

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Also read | Indian Railways to adopt corporate restructuring in station management

This incident took place between the years 2008-2014 . "I've been reluctant to travel in trains because like any other woman, I do not like being groped by grown men. I do not like being taken advantage of. It's ashame that this happens in our day and age. It's also pointless to file a complaint because I have no proof of the groping except my scarred mentality", Virali wrote.

In late 2016, The Disability Rights bill/movement was passed, creating immense joy among the population. "Isn't it our right to use 'public' transportation? Why should we spend X number of money in traveling via plane when we can easily travel in a train, if made accessible?", Virali pointed out.

In the end, Virali requested to Prabhu, "Sir, give us our rights back. We are fully entitled to use the trains provided by our government. This also includes the public trains that run locally throughout Mumbai and in other metropolitan cities."

According to the 2011 Census, the number of disabled in India stands at 2.68 crore. However, the official count of disabled in India is on rise and going by conservative estimates, the figure could be between 70-100 million.Also read | Railways now offers Rs 10 lakh insurance cover for train travel

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Besides security, accessibility for those with any kind of disabilities is still not mandatory in all buildings and transportation mode in India.

"We also have the right to live our lives. We also have the right to travel the country. Not all people can afford air travel. A train is easier and cheaper. So why aren't we accommodated for?", Virali questioned Prabhu in her letter which still remain unanswered.

Like Virali, millions of disabled commuters in India are hopeful that railway minister might announce some positive measures in his rail budget to bring cheerful smile on their face.

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Priya Prakash founded HealthSetGo, an NGO, to help schools achieve global standards of health monitoring of their students.

"I head India's largest health organisation for schools that aims to create the country's largest network of healthy schools and inculcate lifelong healthy behaviour in children. Despite the fact that the country is on its way to becoming the diabetes capital of the world, we still shy away from talking about health in classrooms. I want to bring Indian schools at par with the growth monitoring of students that is done at the school level in other countries".

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Through HealthSetGo's flagship product, CARE, we've been able to standardise and automate annual health assessments at member schools by bringing in doctors to comprehensively assess the child's health and deliver online, easy-to-understand reports to parents. In fact, our organisation even follows up after the assessment to ensure that the parent has taken corrective measures.

Photo: Sandeep Sahdev

Thanks to our innovative student-teacher-driven health activities every month, based on the World Health Organisation Health Days, we create a lively ecosystem in which the conversation about health stays alive. We have tie-ups with 16 hospitals, 90 doctors and 35 clinics across the country. We have already impacted the lives of more than 20,000 children across India.

Being a young entrepreneur, more so when you are a woman, can sometimes be tough as people seldom take you seriously. You have to put in an extra effort to convince them that you can deliver and are capable of handling things responsibly. One has to prove herself constantly, almost every day.

Determination and persistent hard work have been my companions ever since I established HealthSetGo two years ago. Believing that a sizeable number of people are open to new ideas and novel methods of implementation, I have found a niche which is willing to listen to-and work on-my ideas". As told to Sukant Deepak

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Live updates: Friday's high school football playoffs

It's officially time for the Iowa high school football state quarterfinals. Follow along here for live score updates and analysis.
Approximately 2 crore people are believed to have participated in this mega event which took place simultaneously in all the 38 districts between 12:15 pm to 1 pm. The main was held at Patna's Gandhi Maidan where apart from Nitish and Lalu, Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Chowdhary, Ministers in the govt and legislators from JDU, RJD and Congress supporting the move.

"We have formed the longest human chain in support of prohibition and I thank the people of the state for actively participating in the event. Though this event Bihar has sent out a message to the world regarding prohibition", said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Lalu too appeared enthusiastic about the event and said that tine had cone to impose prohibition across the country.

"We are joining hands here in support of prohibition and we want that now nationwide prohibition should be enforced", said Lalu Prasad, RJD chief.

11292 km is the length of the human chain as claimed by Bihar government.

The entire event was captured aerially with help of five ISRO satellites and 38 drone cameras, one in each district.

School children who were present at Gandhi Maidan in support of prohibition maintained that despite prohibition in the state, liquor was freely available in many places and they wanted to ensure that prohibition is imposed strictly.

"We are standing here in support of prohibition and participating in human chain formation. In our area liquor is still available and therefore we want prohibition to be strongly enforced", said a school girl from Patna.

Through human chain people expressed their sentiments in favour of prohibition. Human chain has been successful event organized in excellent manner.

Almost 3 crore people have participated in human chain against expected 2 crore. Length of human chain was 11400 km. This was a positive human chain for a good cause.

Other big human chains have been in Bangladesh and Nepal earlier where human chain was formed to protest.

Other states should also impose prohibition and not worry about revenue losses.
Currently Reading

The State Graduates Last Class of LPNs
By Press Trust of India: Lucknow/New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) Prospects of forming of an alliance between Samajwadi Party and Congress for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls appeared to have run into rough weather, with both parties today hardening their stance over sharing of seats.

Senior SP leader Naresh Agarwal said the possibility of an alliance was "almost over" and blamed the "stubborn" attitude of Congress for the deadlock.

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"The Chief Minister (Akhilesh Yadav) had made an offer of 100 seats to the Congress but they are asking for 120 seats. We told them that we have 234 sitting legislators and there are some others who will also contest. So we need at least 300 seats for ourselves.

"But they became very stubborn as if they command a huge influence in UP and that without them UP will not be able to survive," said Agarwal, Rajya Sabha member considered close to Akhilesh, who is also the SP president.

Uttar Pradesh Assembly has 403 seats.

According to Agarwal, Akhilesh had made it clear that SP cannot give more than 100 seats and "the Congress leaders then informed us that in such a case, there cannot be an alliance."

Asked whether scope of further talks still exists, he said the "possibility has virtually dwindled." "I will blame Congress for this...they have helped the BJP. However, we made every effort to forge an alliance but they have been very stubborn..." he said.

On the other hand, Congress Central Election Committee met in Delhi and finalised candidates for 140 seats which will go to polls in the first two phases. However, the party did not declare these candidates, leaving scope for possible alliance for which talks were still underway. "We had a meeting of CEC for first and second phase," Congress general secretary and incharge of Uttar Pradesh Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters, adding partys candidates for 140 seats were finalised in this meeting. Asked if the allinace with SP was on or over, he said, "Let us see, You will know by tomorrow morning when the announcement is made." UP Congress chief Raj Babbar claimed that the party will fight the first two phases of elections in Uttar Pradesh with full strength. Keeping the suspense over the proposed alliance with the SP, Babbar said, "There are no roadblocks in the talks." Sources add that while SP does not want to give more than 100 seats, the Congress which initially put forth the demand of 150 seats under the alliance, has scaled down considerably but is not ready to accept the figure SP is adamant on. Congress is also learnt to be demanding that its candidates should be fielded in Amethi and Rae Bareli segments of the Lok Sabha constituencies represented by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

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Congress is also keen to include Ajit Singh-led RLD in the alliance, which the Samajwadi Party is not keen on.

SP has maintained that it will have no truck with RLD and if Congress wanted, it could give its share of seats to Ajit Singhs party. PTI SAB SKC RB NAB AKK AKK

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NORWALK  Norwalk Hospital has been granted an additional three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission in Echocardiography in the areas of Adult Transthoracic and Adult Transesophageal.

This latest accreditation awarded to Norwalk Hospital demonstrates the facility's ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in echocardiography.
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WILTON  Local author Anthony LoFrisco will tell tales about food and family at the Wilton Historical Society on Friday, Feb. 24, from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

LoFrisco, author of The LoFrisco Family Cookbook: How Josie Brought Sicily to Brooklyn, will share stories about his mother Josie, who emigrated from Sicily and raised her family in the Dyker Heights section of Brooklyn, and related anecdotes about growing up in Brooklyn. LoFriscos passion for cooking grew from watching his mother turn simple ingredients into Italian classics, infusing her recipes of lasagna, chicken cacciatore and other favorites with love.
By Press Trust of India: Chandigarh, Jan 21 (PTI) In view of the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath in New Delhi on January 26 and its full dress rehearsal on January 23, heavy vehicles except those carrying milk, fruits, vegetables and other essential items, will not be allowed to enter Delhi through district Gurugram.

While stating this here today, a spokesman of Haryana Police said the restriction on plying of heavy vehicles would remain enforced from 8.30 PM tomorrow to 12.30 PM on January 23 and from 8.30 PM on January 25 to 12.30 PM on January 26.

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He said a written communication to this effect has been sent to Superintendents of Police of Rewari, Nuh and Jhajjar, and Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Faridabad.

They have been directed not to allow heavy vehicles to enter district Gurugram and divert traffic through other routes or get vehicles parked by identifying a proper place.

He said the Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Gurugram held a meeting with transporters and urged them to cooperate following these directions. PTI CHS KIS

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Today the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya in a scathing tweet hit out at Raees without naming SRK and batted for Kaabil.

By Anindya Banerjee: It is expected to be the clash of the titans, Shah Rukh Khan starrer Raees on one hand and on the other Hrithik Roshan starrer Kaabil. But trouble already seems to be mounting on the former.

Today, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya in a scathing tweet hit out at Raees without naming SRK and batted for Kaabil.

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Vijayvargiya tweeted, "The Raees that couldn't be of its own country is of no good. On another side we should support Kaabil that is patriotic".

The tweet though did not name Shah Rukh Khan or Raees the movie, but in the indirect tweet the BJP leader has made his point abundantly clear. SRK first ran into trouble when he spoke about the 'atmosphere of intolerance' in the country.

BJP leader's post slamming Raees. (Photo via @KailashOnline)

On his 50th birthday he said, "religious intolerance and not being secular, is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot".

SRK'S TAKE ON GROWING INTOLERANCE

While talking to India Today, he said, "There is intolerance, there is extreme intolerance. I think, there is growing intolerance."

Raees has become the centre of controversies all the more because of Pakistan actor Mahira Khan's presence in it. It is well known how he went and met Raj Thackeray to placate him to ensure a smooth release of the film. But this strong stand by one most influential BJP leader is definitely not good news for him.

Raees has been one film whose teaser had released in 2014, trailer in 2016 and the film finally managed to get its release date on January 2017, making it among the first few films to release this year. The film is now staring at an uncertain future.

This is not the first time Khan has been at the receiving end of Kailash Vijayvargiya's remarks. In 2015, in a series of tweets he lashed out at the star.

"Shah Rukh Khan lives in India, but his heart is in Pakistan. His films make crores here but he finds India intolerant," tweeted Vijayvargiya.

He had also tweeted back then, "When many died in Bombay in 1993, where was Shah Rukh Khan? When 26/11 attacks took place in Mumbai, where was Shah Rukh?", a reaction to Shah Rukh Khan's remark that there is much intolerance in the country.

He later retracted those comments but the relationship between the two is well known. And so far the BJP not distancing itself from Vijayvargiya's tweet, one can assume the tacit approval he has of the organisation. So when Kaabil vs Raees takes centre stage, Raees will not only have to battle it in the theatres but also outside.

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Also read:

Raees: Shah Rukh Khan meets cobbler fan, is gifted handcrafted shoes

Raees-Kaabil to clash on Jan 25. Rakesh Roshan makes box office prediction

Raees: BJP spokesperson against SRK meeting Thackeray, says not MNS's job to control outrage

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Spending some leisure time at the Department of Motor Vehicles a few days ago, I overheard two men talking: Did you hear about all those women going to Washington this week? one asked. His pal waved away his friends concern with a reassuring reply, Not all of them. Just the smart ones.

Its true that a lot of smart women  and men  are heading to D.C. this week. But they arent going to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump, who took office with the lowest approval ratings of any recent president. Instead, hundreds of thousands of citizens are convening to make the point that womens rights are human rights. Theyre gathering to encourage conversations about justice and equity and to raise awareness about the wisest approaches to our countrys future.

The new president might not be interested in wisdom, which means that we, the people, must be.

Trump doesnt seem to want smart people around him. Even Trump hangers-on who appear smart, like Monica Crowley with her Ph.D. from Columbia University, turn out not to be all that bright. Remember what the Wizard of Oz told the Scarecrow: I cant give you a brain, but I can give you a diploma.

Just as the lack of a high school diploma doesnt mean youre stupid, the possession of a Ph.D. doesnt mean youre smart, especially if you lifted whole sections of your dissertation without attribution the way Crowley apparently did. (Maybe Melania taught Monica to plagiarize. I bet theres a lot we can all learn from Melania.) And yet there are indeed differences between smart and stupid, between informed and ignorant and between wise and ridiculous.

Look, Im not worried about whether people in the new administration will have a piece of paper issued by an Ivy League institution or not. Im worried about the carefully groomed and artfully constructed celebration of ignorance I regard as part of Donald Trumps administration. In my old Brooklyn neighborhood, there used to be a joke saying, If youre so smart, why aint you rich? but now we should be asking If youre so rich, why arent you smart?

Being articulate, capable of logical reasoning and able to use language constructively is not an affectation. Using your language clearly and effectively is not showing off. Life is not a game of Scrabble where youre awarded points for big words, but language is how we communicate.

Actually, Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway might disagree about the need for language. Conway wants us not to go by what comes out of his mouth but instead to look at whats in his heart.

You know who did think it was important for American citizens to be well-informed, arguing that the very fabric of our nations life depended on it? Thomas Jefferson (Trump can Google him). In 1820, Jefferson wrote, I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves: and if we think them not enlightened enough ... The remedy is not to take (power) away from them, but to inform their discretion by education.

Why isnt it good enough simply to Google Thomas Jefferson? Because having access to information is different from understanding a subject. Education, whether it comes from a school, university or library, is portable property. You cant just make up knowledge all by yourself. There are foundations upon which enlightened judgments are based. Or put it this way: Life is not a black pair of pants, and the accumulated wisdom of civilization is not lint. You dont just sit around and pick up it up from unchecked sources.

Its essential to refine what Jefferson calls discretion because the decisions of the American electorate need to be based on more than individual tastes. This country was founded on values better than ruthless ambition, histrionic opportunism and a passion for golden things.

This inaugural week, especially, we should remind ourselves that Americans are not merely the consumers of government: Those who lead our country derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. (That last part is Jefferson, too.)

Those marching on Washington are reminding us that we are more than ourselves: We are The People.
On Saturday, thousands of women are expected to gather in Washington, D.C., and cities across the nation for the Womens March on Washington.

Event organizers have said the march is not a protest but a gathering to promote womens equality and defend other marginalized groups.

But the marchs purpose  the day following Donald Trumps inauguration is transparent: to counterbalance the views, real and perceived, espoused by the new president.

Through his words and actions, Trump has given women many reasons for concern, some that I share and some that seem blatantly alarmist and silly.

But even if I felt compelled to wrangle my two young daughters (no easy task) and join a sisterhood of women marching together to promote womens equality (a cause that sounds laudable), I would find myself unwelcome.

Why?

Because I am pro-life, and in the world of modern, progressive feminism, that makes me and the millions of women like me persona non grata.

This week, march organizers removed the New Wave Feminists, a Texas-based pro-life group, from the list of partner organizations on its website.

A statement from the march explained how the group had been granted partnership status in error, and assured other member groups (including sponsors like Planned Parenthood and NARAL) and marchers that the marchs pro-abortion principles meant that only those who hold such a belief should consider themselves welcome.

We look forward to marching on behalf of individuals who share the view that women deserve the right to make their own reproductive decisions, i.e. people who support abortion.

Perhaps Im splitting hairs, but it seems bad form to plan a march for the equality of all women if you mean only those women who think as you do.

Should one assume that if she thinks otherwise, she in not only uninvited, but unequal?

The truth is this is really the Progressive Womens March on Washington, and like most things on the left these days, hysterics abound.

But excluding pro-life women was not the first controversy for the march.

The New York Times reported in early January that comments by some march organizers and attendees  some accusing white women and older women of ignoring racism before the era of Trump and chiding them to check your privilege  have alienated other marchers, causing many to rethink their participation.

One disenchanted would-be marcher told the Times, This is a womens march ... Why is it now about, White women dont understand black women?

March organizers say this sort of dialogue, where women of different backgrounds, experiences and beliefs explore and address how their intersecting identities compound their oppression, is the ultimate purpose of the march.

Indeed, the guiding principles of the march declare that its members practice empathy with the intent to learn about the intersecting identities of each other.

Thats a lovely goal, even if it forces participants to engage in uncomfortable conversations.

The principles also state: We will suspend our first judgment and do our best to lead without ego.

This is also a commendable value.

But it seems so lofty that not even the event organizers are able to stand by it.

Why else would they have excluded a group of women who believe that a movement based on human dignity and justice must include the rights of the unborn?

And why is such a belief so threatening that judgment will not be suspended for those who hold it?

If the women organizing Saturdays event are really interested in initiating difficult but necessary dialogues between women, there are few issues that would benefit more from some listening, empathy and understanding than abortion.

But like so many movements on the progressive left, it would seem this womens march is based on high ideals its leaders have no intention of upholding.
There were celebrations at some places, while many others took over the streets and spoke of uncertainties, fears and their disgust for US' new leader.

People watch the presidential inauguration ceremony for Donald Trump in a network and party location in Moscow

By Indo-Asian News Service: Russian officials tweeted some of the most celebratory messages on Donald Trump's inauguration, as world leaders and people around the globe reacted to his taking over as the 45th US President.

There were celebrations at some places, while many others took over the streets and spoke of uncertainties, fears and their disgust for US' new leader.

HOW RUSSIA REACTED TO TRUMP

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Russians by far were the most effusive in their welcome of the new US Commander in chief, with one senator calling January 20 "a defining moment in history".

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a Facebook post: "In a world of many things can happen, except one: President Obama can't say anything anymore about Russia."

There were reports of Russians partying on Friday night to celebrate Trump - and what they see as the start of a new, friendlier era with the United States.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration in comments broadcast on Saturday, but warned that differences will remain.

WATCH US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S INAUGURAL SPEECH HERE

WOMEN'S MARCH

A Women's March in Brussels, Belgium, triggered criticism of Trump's offensive comments about women and alleged cases of sexual harassment.

Katrine Steinfeld, a Norwegian-Hungarian who works for gender equality, said she fears that Trump's election as the President of the US will legitimise the ill treatment of women.

"His behaviour creates legitimacy for attitudes that is not appropriate and that is a threat for women," she said.OTHER COUNTRIES REACT

Cuba's state media paid little attention to the inauguration. Granma, the official communist party newspaper, on Friday ran articles on birth statistics, a new and experimental strain of cigar tobacco, but made no mention of Trump's swearing-in. During the presidential campaign, Trump pledged to reverse Obama's policies on Cuba if Havana did not make concessions on human rights and religious freedom.

China watched one of its toughest critics assume the presidency, marking the start of what could be a more contentious bilateral relationship between the world's two largest economies. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, before the inauguration, stressed on constructive relations between the two countries to "propel further development of China-US ties at a new staring point". "We would like to join hands with the new US administration to uphold the principles of non-confrontation, non-conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," CNN quoted Chunying as saying on Friday. During his inauguration address, Trump took a populist tone, saying: "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs." Though he did not mention China by name, the Republican President vowed to be tougher on the country by renegotiating trade agreements and has even proposed imposing tariffs on Chinese imports.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen congratulated Trump on Twitter, in a move likely to draw objections from Beijing, which is already angry with a protocol-breaking phone call a month ago between the two leaders. "Congratulations Trump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship and partnership," Tsai tweeted.

The new President received a warm congratulations from Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Looking forward to working with President Trump to further deepen India-US ties and realise the full potential of our cooperation," Modi tweeted. Mukherjee in a tweet said India looked forward to an early "opportunity of welcoming the President and First Lady Melania Trump".

In the Iranian capital city of Tehran, there was little love for the 45th President at the Grand Mosalla, a complex of religious halls and other facilities, as people gathered for their usual Friday prayers, according to CNN. Instead, people ripped the US for its policies towards Iran and its role in Syria. The main topic on the minds of many of the people present was the future of the nuclear agreement between Iran, the US and other world powers in July 2015. Trump has called the agreement a bad deal, and said he wanted to renegotiate it.

Even before Trump's inauguration, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent him a welcome tweet. "Congrats to my friend Trump. Look forward to working closely with you to make the alliance between Israel and the US stronger than ever." Netanyahu had earlier made it clear that he was ready to work with Trump, especially as the relationship with former President Barack Obama deteriorated rapidly in its final weeks. Israeli leaders are already expecting Trump to follow through on one of his biggest campaign promises -- to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

A woman in Japan's Tokyo held a sign supporting Obama during a Friday march organised by Democrats Abroad of Japan. Hundreds of people -- mostly American expatriates, but also a few Japanese citizens -- marched in Tokyo to highlight the need to fight for women rights as well as immigration policies. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe extended his "heartfelt congratulations" to the new President.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto congratulated the new leader and expressed a desire to strengthen the relationship between the countries. But Former President Vicente Fox, an outspoken critic of Trump's pledge to have Mexico pay for a border wall, kept up his long-running taunting of Trump. "Speaking of allegiance, Trump? Speaking of greatness? America was already great and succesful, then you happened," Fox tweeted. Carrying signs that said "Make America human again" and "Love trumps hate," protesters in Mexico City chanted "Get out Trump".

Palestinian leaders offered few statements after the inauguration, but their primary concern echoed the mood on the streets as thousands on Thursday demonstrated across the West Bank, protesting the potential move of the US embassy to Jerusalem. Demonstrators held up pictures of Trump and waved Palestinian flags.

The new US President drew a message of congratulations from Britain's Foreign Minister. "Congratulations to Trump @POTUS on his presidential inauguration day. Look forward to continuing strong UK-US bond," Boris Johnson tweeted.

Pope Francis in the Vatican City prayed for the new leader, the pontiff told Trump in a letter on Friday. "...I offer you my cordial good wishes and the assurance of my prayers that almighty god will grant you wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high office," the Pope wrote.

In Germany, Trump's criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as German trade and the European Union, has caused alarm among officials. "This day really marks a celebration of American democracy and usually people here look at Washington with admiration, but I think this time it's different," said Niels Annen, foreign affairs spokesman for the center-left SPD party, a coalition partner in the government.

Canadian Prime minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement congratulating Trump.

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All about Obamacare as Donald Trump orders to cut its roots

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Linkedin David Jay Green (The Jakarta Post) San Francisco  Sat, January 21, 2017

Conflict in the South China Sea has a long history. For decades, with varying degrees of intensity, some of the countries bordering the Sea have squabbled over ownership of the small islands and reefs, over control of passage or for the fishery and energy resources.

These disputes have intensified over the past decade and the risks to the region are rising. While the new administration in Manila has made cooperative overtures to the Chinese authorities, the new administration in Washington appears to be threatening a more interventionist approach.

Continued tension, fueled either in the region or from without poses real dangers to all. East Asian economies are highly interdependent and vulnerable to shocks that could come from an interruption to trade.

Real conflict in the South China Sea could wreck havoc across East Asia, especially for China. Although its huge size suggests that it could survive trade interruptions better than its smaller neighbors this misreads the situation.

China has come to rely upon market-based institutions and has progressively opened its border to capital flows: it is increasingly vulnerable to shocks. Conflict in the South China Sea could mean for China what the 1997/1998 Asian financial crisis meant for Southeast Asian nations.

A resolution of the South China Sea disputes is unlikely to come soon or in any simple fashion. What is important is to reduce the tension, to reduce the incidence of violence. This is important to Indonesia.

Although formally the government does not consider that it is a disputant, without a settlement Indonesia could easily find itself suffering collateral damage if regional trade implodes.

How to defuse this situation? One path is to encourage countries to see their cross-Sea neighbors as development partners not just as competitors.

Indonesia has had experience in this through its participation in regional initiatives that work to expand cross-border opportunities for investment and growth.

The Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore  Growth Triangle (IMSGT) is an example. The IMS-GT has had a considerable impact on the Indonesian islands near Singapore, providing employment to hundreds of thousands of people.

While not perfect, it has encouraged the three countries to see each other as partners not just rivals. The IMS-GT has not eliminated tension between the participating countries. Regional cooperation is not a magic solution for the disputes that governments find themselves in. But this type of initiative can discourage conflict by enhancing the gains from cooperation.

These initiatives give reason and room for government leaders to look past frictions and to search for solutions other than in conflict.

What would a South China Sea regional economic development program look like? From the ongoing efforts, we can distill some lessons learned for a new initiative.

Provide clear and substantial economic benefits by raising the potential for trade and cross-border investment. Indonesia, for instance, can take this opportunity to consider how to encourage Chinese foreign direct investment in the poorer, less developed islands.

While trade promotion and growth enhancement are the highest priority, the goals of the initiative cannot be limited to this. The region faces many challenges that can only really be addressed cooperatively. The fishery resources, for instance, are under tremendous pressure and require cooperative efforts to sustain.

Ensure that the program results in infrastructure investment  infrastructure that improves connectivity.

The lack of infrastructure has stymied growth in many parts of archipelagic Southeast Asia.

Ensure that business investment will flow. The business community must be brought into the planning and execution of any new initiative.

Hold in abeyance territorial claims to the seas and the resources, and jointly harvest, in a sustainable fashion, the resources, utilizing the revenues for common development, especially in coastal areas. The Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping expressed these sentiments more than three decades ago.

Obtain multilateral support for administering the regional project. Impartial technical support is crucial.

Indonesia could take the leadership in such an initiative. The country has considerable experience in regional cooperation efforts; and it has an interest in resolving the South China Sea disputes  there is a real role for Indonesia to play in encouraging a peaceful South China Sea.

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Linkedin Kavi Chongkittavorn (The Jakarta Post) Bangkok  Sat, January 21, 2017

New United States President Donald Trump must be fantastically happy with a wonderful ASEAN because it is the only great regional organization that has no military might and has not been at war. The problem is, he might not know about the grouping at all.

Here is a six-point dossier on the 50-year old ASEAN and its top secrets.

First, ASEAN is not too weak and is not too strong as a regional organization. It was established in 1967 out of a desire to prevent conflicts and wars and to promote peace and stability.

After three days of sportshirt diplomacy in Bang Saen in August five decades ago, as former Philippine president Fidel Ramos described it, the foreign ministers from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore signed the Bangkok Declaration.

This 752-word document, excluding their long names, has saved the region from the scourges of many potential wars.

Like the European Union, ASEAN should be a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in the coming decade, given its long and impressive stretch of peace and stability. Well, the US has one less region to worry about.

Second, ASEAN members talk a lot among themselves. Outsiders often describe the regional grouping as a talk shop.

Indeed, it is. But that is nothing to be ashamed of. Those talks have not been in vain as they have effectively prevented wars and promoted cooperation. There would be less talks in the future, meaning fewer meetings, if the current ASEAN chairmanship, the Philippines, has its way.

Manila wants to streamline ASEAN meetings. On an average day, at least two or three meetings are being held. That makes it approximately 1,200 annually. Last year, Laos cut it down to less than 1,000 meetings.

The ASEAN members discuss and consult a lot until they reach a consensus  very few organizations have that kind of perseverance. It is an open secret that sometimes when ASEAN members agree they do so not because they thought it was the best solution but rather it was the lowest denominator that all members would accept.

In Indonesia, it is called musyawarah or the art of bringing everybody together to make decisions by consensus rather than choosing winners and losers, which has helped ASEAN to survive without any exit from the 10-member grouping. ASEAN seldom says you are fired because it prefers to say you are hired  to be inclusive and people-centered.

Third, ASEAN has a long standing tradition  it does not promise what it cannot deliver. It is a bit different from Trumps style of leadership. Say it out loud first and then follow-up on those promises.

In ASEAN, action speaks louder than words  that is the reason the regional grouping has so many action plans. For the ASEAN Vision 2025, a total of 571 action plans have been identified for the next 10 years. That explains why ASEAN goes slow before any decision is reached.

They have to be sure all promises could be delivered. Failure is not an option. Quite often, outsiders do not understand the ASEAN way of handling challenges, whether they are disruptive or longstanding issues. In short, slow but sure is a preferred approach.

Fourth, ASEAN is not a military alliance akin to the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). So, ASEAN is not taking any advantage of the US and it is an important US strategic partnership  a pillar of the US rebalancing policy. It is not a military burden to the advance of American greatness or poses any threat to the US.

ASEAN uses non-violent means to resolve conflicts as well as its goodwill to connect major powers.

Former secretary general of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, often described ASEAN as a fulcrum for all major powers to meet and get engaged. ASEAN prefers security cooperation rather than forming military alliances.

Many ASEAN-led security dialogue platforms are designed to increase mutual confidence and promote preventive measures. Now both foreign and defense ministers have their own ministerial level forums  the ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting Plus  to meet annually with their dialogue partners.

Fifth, ASEAN is good for Trumps America, as it has created jobs both in blue and red states. The US trade with ASEAN has already created 500,000 jobs for American people.

ASEAN is the fourth largest trade of the US worth about US$226 billion in 2015. And the US companies are the biggest beneficiaries of the grouping s prosperity and modern lifestyle.

More and more US companies want to invest in ASEAN, not stay away. In 2014, they pumped in nearly $25 billion. With economies of new ASEAN members such as Vietnam and Myanmar growing, investment opportunity will augment even more.

As a group, ASEAN is Asias third-largest economy after China and Japan and the seventhlargest in the world with a combined GDP of $2.4 trillion. By 2030, it could be the fourth largest in the world.

Today, ASEAN has a total population of 646,352,702 people and over 65 percent are under 35 years old.

Under the Obama administration, the US has been cleverly engaged in winning hearts and minds of the ASEAN youngsters.

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative is an inexpensive program to promote the networking of people-to-people ties that will keep ASEAN-US ties in the hands of future generation.

Sixth, each year ASEAN hosts one of the worlds most important leader-only security forum, known as the East Asia Summit (EAS). Leaders from ASEAN and dialogue partners, including the US, China, Russia, Japan and India will to the capital of ASEAN chair to forge common positions on critical global issues such as epidemics, terrorism and climate change. This forum is gradually become more dynamic and interactive, which could in the future transform into a new regional architecture.

If Trump decides not to attend the EAS at the Clark Airbase (he can easily find an excuse given his caliber) during his first year of presidency, it would be a big loss to US security interests.

Other participants are eager as always to inject their ideas and energy into the emerging security framework.

---------------

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.

This article appeared on The Nation newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin Masajeng Rahmiasri (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017 09:56 2113 9b519824cb3263083aedb70a0bc239a1 1 Art & Culture australian-indonesian-film-festival,film-festival,film,#film,#festival Free

Amid its lineup of Australian films, the second Australian-Indonesian Film Festival (FSAI) is scheduled to feature three Indonesian films.

The films are Sokola Rimba (2013) by Riri Riza, What They Dont Talk About when They Talk About Love (2013) by Mouly Surya and Following Diana (Sendiri Diana Sendiri, 2015) by Kamila Andini. The three directors all graduated from Australian universities.

Their works represent the Indonesian contemporary and thriving film scene, said Alison Purnell, councellor at the Advocacy and Outreach Section of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

Apart from the aforementioned films, the festival will also feature highlight film Lion. The Golden Globe-nominated film, based on the real life of Saroo Brierley will make its Indonesian premiere in the festival. Brierley is scheduled to attend the Jakarta screening on Sunday.

Other Australian films scheduled to be screened in the festival include Girl Asleep, Looking for Grace, Spear, Satellite Boy and The Ravens.

(Read also: Japanese drama 'Oshin' still relevant for younger generation: Actress)

This year, the festival also features its first short film competition. Six films have been chosen from about 300 applications. The titles are Nunggu Teka (Waiting to Arrive) by Mahesa Sadega, Deadline by Firdian Mahyuzar, Ibu dan Anak Perempuannya (A Mother and A Daughter) by Happy Salma, Its a Match! By Nadya Ratu Santoso, Ojo Sok-Sokan (Bragging Off) by Mustafa and an animation film titled Outgrowth by Jason Kiantoro.

Kamila Andini, participating Indonesian film director who is also on the panel of judges said the judging criteria included storyline, aesthetics, personality and novelty. The winning entry, which will be announced on Jan. 29, will be screened in the Melbourne International Film Festival in August.

Paul Grigson, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia said the festival was held because film was a shared interest between Australia and Indonesia. Australians and Indonesians share a love of film as a way of expressing their hopes, dreams and challenges, he said during a press conference in South Jakarta, Tuesday.

Both countries have dynamic industries and a wealth of creative talent, he added.

The event will be held at XXI Senayan City, South Jakarta from Jan. 26-29, at XXI Trans Studio, Makassar from Jan. 28-29 and at XXI Sutos, Surabaya from Feb. 4-5.

Free tickets for the festival can be obtained at FSAI2017.eventbrite.com. (asw)
Founder of money.co.uk Chris Morling has been named Britains best boss because of the lavish workplace he has crafted and benefits he provides for his employees.

In the workplace described by the Mirror as "a Grade II-listed castle that has undergone a 3 million [US$3.7 million] renovation", Morling built a playground office for the staff, treated them to luxury vacations and provided them with free beer. In addition to that, employees are handed out bonuses of above 45 percent their annual salary, given the freedom to a private cinema and free breakfasts.

Morling expressed that his goal was to establish the best place to work, and that looking after the teams welfare was paramount, as they were his most valuable asset.

(Read also: CEO showers 800 employees with lavish Caribbean cruise)

According to tempo.co, in the span of seven years, the firms workforce has grew from a staff of seven to 50. At the start of this 14-month-project, each employee was inquired to find out what was still lacking at their office. Morling addressed the many preferences of his staff, "Some people want to stand while they work, some people to work alone. Ultimately it boils down to creating a space where you feel comfortable."

Interior designer and television personality Lawrence Llewelyn-Bowen was recruited for his project because Morling thought that he could think outside the box and steer clear from the monotonic, industrial structure of regular modern offices. The office is also facilitated with a PS4 games console, flat screen TVs and a Sonos sound system.

Morling believes that once employees know that they are truly appreciated and that their opinions are valued, they will feel empowered to work, in which their productivity becomes limitless. (mra/kes)
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Linkedin Lim Jeong-yeo (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) South Korea  Sat, January 21, 2017

Actors Kim Tae-hee and Jung Ji-hoon (Rain) chose to have a modest ceremony for their wedding that took place on Thursday afternoon.

Rather than the usual five-star hotels celebrities pick for their nuptials, Kim and Jung held theirs at Gaheo-dong Catheral in Jongno-gu, Seoul, following their Catholic convictions.

At the ceremony, what caught the eyes of the 50 or so attendees was Kims wedding gown.

Again, rather than an extravagant dress from a high-end brand, Kim donned a piece designed by her own stylist.

(Read also: Rain and Kim Tae-hee exchange wedding vows)

Kim and Jung held theirs at Gaheo-dong Catheral in Jongno-gu, Seoul, following their Catholic convictions.(Rain Company via The Korea Herald/File)

The long-sleeved white dress was embroidered with flowers and cut short at the knees. Her veil was short, simply falling to the middle of her back.



A person who claimed knowledge of Kim and Jungs wedding said that, Kim Tae-hee personally offered her own ideas for the design. The stylist bought the material specially and made the dress.



Kim graduated from the Seoul National University with a diploma in fashion studies.

This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
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Linkedin Seth Borenstein (Associated Press) Washington  Sat, January 21, 2017

Gorillas, monkeys, lemurs and other primates are in danger of becoming extinct, and scientists say it's our fault that our closest living relatives are in trouble, a new international study warns.

About 60 percent of the more than 500 primate species are "now threatened with extinction" and 3 out of 4 primate species have shrinking populations, according to a study published in Wednesday's journal Science Advances.

While scientists had tracked dwindling numbers of individuals and groups of primates in forests around the world, this is the first big-picture look. The result was "a bigger wake-up call" than previously thought, said researcher Paul Garber of the University of Illinois.

"The outlook is not very good," said Garber, who recently returned from the jungles of Brazil studying marmosets.

The decline has been blamed on human activities including hunting, mining and oil drilling. Logging, ranching and farming have also destroyed precious habitat in Africa, Asia and South America.

(Read also: Premiere of 'A Dog's Purpose' canceled amid treatment issue)

Primates, which include apes, monkeys and humans, have forward-facing eyes and grasping ability that set them apart from other mammals. Scientists study them to learn about human behavior and evolution.

Much of the problems faced by primates are recent. For example, the Grauer's gorilla dropped from a population of 17,000 in 1995 to just about 3,800 now, mostly from bushmeat hunting and mineral mining, the study found.

There are only about 14,000 Sumatran orangutans left in the world. The Hainan gibbon in China is down to just 25 individuals, while 22 out of the 26 primate species in China are endangered, Garber said.

About 94 percent of the lemur species in the world are endangered, especially in Madagascar, which is one of hardest-hit places for primate population loss.

"We need to look at (population losses) almost as signals. They're telling us something about our future," Garber said. "This is a critical world problem."

While there's hope that some species can be protected, many will disappear in the coming decades, said co-author Eduardo Fernandez-Duque of Yale University.

Emory University primate expert Frans de Waal called the work "very detailed and timely and unfortunately correct."

"Primate populations are clearly moving in the wrong direction," said de Waal, who wasn't part of the study
By Press Trust of India: Jammu, Jan 21 (PTI) Ahead of the Republic Day, a need for high level of vigilance was underscored at a meeting of top officials of army, paramilitary forces and state police and administration which reviewed the security situation of Jammu region where the states main function will take place.

The meeting of the Core Group of Security was held at Nagrota to take stock of the prevailing security measures in Jammu Region in the run up to the Republic Day,Defence spokesman said here.

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The meeting was co-chaired by Commander of Jammu-based 16 Corps Lt Gen A K Sharma and Director General of state police S P Vaid and was attended by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal as also IG Police Jammu Zone, IG BSF, IG CRPF and senior officials of intelligence agencies, the spokesman said.

A joint strategy was chalked out in great detail by all agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region and ensureincident free Republic day where Governor N N Vohra will supervise the parade and take salute. They emphasized the need for high level of vigiliance and "remaining alive and responsive to any developing security situation" while ensuring a peaceful and conducive environment in the region, the spokesman said.

Lt Gen Sharma said the Army and its various formations deployed south of PirPanjal have been pro-actively involved in maintaining peace and communal harmony in the region in complete synergy with civil administration, he said.

He also emphasized that the Army wasalways ready to face any challenges whether on the Line of Control or in hinterland and were prepared in all respects toassist the civil administration.

Lt Gen Sharma and Vaid appreciated the highlevels of synergy in operations exhibited by all agencies in recent times. They encouraged all present to meet the security challenges and work towards enhancing confidence among the people. PTI AB AKK

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

The Attorney General's Office announced Friday it stopped the investigation into alleged graft in a contract between a state-owned enterprise and Grand Indonesia complex near Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Jakarta.

Ask the Supreme Audit [BPK], dont ask us. They were the ones who said [there was the potential for state losses]. We concluded that it was only a violation of civil law, Attorney General H. M. Prasetyo said as quoted by Antara news agency on Friday.

He said his office concluded the case was not a corruption crime and therefore he handed over the follow-up to the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Ministry. He said the ministry could file a civil lawsuit to revise the contract.

We have sent the ministry a letter; we said if the contract was not settled properly, there was a potential for state losses, Prasetyo went on.

(Read also: Natour-Grand Indonesia deal could case state losses: BPK)

The case related to the management of state land, on which Grand Indonesia shopping center, Hotel Indonesia Kempinsky and BCA building stand.

The state entrusted the land to state-owned enterprise PT Hotel Indonesia Natour, which in 2002 signed a contract with PT Cipta Karya Bumi Indah to build on the land under the build-operate-transfer scheme, signed in 2004.

The contract said the agreement covered Grand Indonesia mall and the hotel. But Cipta, through its subsidiary PT Grand Indonesia, subcontracted the land to build Bank Central Asia (BCA) building and Kempinsky Apartment.

Both now have assets on the state land and they are not included in the build-operate-transfer agreement. (evi)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

Jakarta deputy gubernatorial candidate Sylviana Murni claims there was an error in a police summons instructing her to go to the National Police's Criminal Investigation Departments (Bareskrim) on Friday in regard to a graft case involving social aid funds.

"The summons was about the management of social aid from the Jakarta administration [to the Jakarta Scout Movement]. However, this is not about social aid but a grant," she said after being questioned by Bareskrim, which is currently based at the ombudsman building in South Jakarta.

On Wednesday, Bareskrim summoned Sylviana, the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, to be questioned as a witness in a social aid corruption case in relation to the Jakarta Scout Movement in 2014 and 2015.

Sylviana, who is the Jakarta Scout chairwoman for 2013-2018, said the police had it wrong in the summons because according to a gubernatorial decree signed by former Jakarta governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in 2014, the funds earmarked by the administration for the Jakarta Scout Movement were to be a grant, not social aid.

She went on to say the scouts had received a Rp 6.8 billion (US$505,952) grant from the administration.

She admitted that some activities were not implemented for various reasons in 2014 and the scouts returned some of the funds to the administration. "We have evidence that they returned about Rp 801 million to the administration."
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Linkedin Moses Ompusunggu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21 2017

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is delving into the possibility it should also slap bribery suspect Emirsyah Satar, the former president director of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, with money laundering charges.

KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah said while the agency was now focusing on investigating the bribery case involving Emirsyah, it appeared likely he would be charged under the Money Laundering Law if evidence showed any effort by the suspect to disguise the source of his wealth or to conceal his illicit assets.

Emirsyah, now serving as CEO of the Lippo Groups online retailer mataharimall.com, was declared a suspect on Thursday for allegedly accepting bribes in the form of money and things worth about US$2 million from the prominent United Kingdom engineering firm, Rolls-Royce Holdings.

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Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

A former president director of state-owned airline Garuda Indonesia, Emirsyah Satar, who has been named a suspect in alleged bribery related to the procurement of aircraft engines from UK company Rolls Royce, has denied involvement in the alleged crime.

Emirsyah told The Jakarta Post on Friday that he had never been involved in any type of corruption or accepted bribes when he was leading the country's biggest airline.

"Now that I have been named a suspect, it's the authority of the KPK (Corruption Eradication Commission). I will respect the legal process and cooperate with investigators to uphold justice in this matter," Emirsyah said in a text message.

The KPK has accused Emirsyah of accepting bribes amounting to 1.2 million euros (US$1.28 million) and $180,000 as well as "things" valued at $2 million through a middleman named Sutikno Soedarjo, who has also been named a suspect.

(Read also: Anti graft body may detain ex-Garuda Indonesia CEO on Rolls Royce deals)

KPK chairman Agus Rahardjo announced on Thursday that Emirsyah had been involved in cross-border corruption.

It is reported that Emirsyah's case is part of a long list of bribery activities Rolls Royce has carried out in numerous countries, including Indonesia, China, India, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand over a period of 25 years to secure contracts in those countries.

Emirsyah's case is the first cross-border corruption case involving an Indonesian and therefore the first cross-border case the KPK has ever handled.

Agus said the alleged bribery was uncovered through collaboration with the UKs Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) of Singapore. (jun)
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Linkedin Indra Budiara and Corry Elyda (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21 2017

Hardisiswan, who is the head of the Central Jakarta Firefighter Agency, was at home on Thursday at 6 a.m. when an officer from his office called and told him that a large fire was engulfing Senen Market.

Oh, its happening again, Hardisiswan said to himself, recalling a fire that engulfed the market for three days in 2014. By the time he arrived on the scene that Thursday morning, the fire had burned down hundreds of kiosks in the markets Block I and Block II.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

The government plans to revise 20 regulations pertaining to logistics in the planned 15th economic stimulus package.

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the regulations would mainly address capital, non-tax state revenue and dwell activities in domestic logistics.

We are still reviewing the regulations, he said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.

Earlier, Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution said the 15th economic stimulus package would aim to ease domestic logistical activities and reduce dwell time in seaports.

(Read also: Government advised to formulate logistics master plan to cut costs)

Among the reforms is the improvement of data processing through the Indonesia National Single Window (INSW).

As the government prepares the regulations, business players recently demanded changes to the rules governing the transportation and logistics sectors, including those pertaining to non-state revenue and participation of the private sector.

Indonesia has one of the highest logistics costs in Southeast Asia, standing at 26 percent in comparison to its gross domestic product (GDP).

The marked costs have eroded the competitiveness of local firms in international trade activities.

The government has vowed to lower the costs to 19 percent in the next few years. (lnd)
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Linkedin Haeril Halim, Rizal Harahap and Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Sat, January 21, 2017

January is not over yet, but two regencies in Riau province have already declared emergency alert statuses to tackle any potential forest fires, which could get out of control when the weather gets drier in upcoming months.

The decision made by Rokan Hulu regency and Dumai city to raise their alert statuses, which would allow the central government to send aid to the regions, has been lauded by government officials in Jakarta.

Indonesia has learned the hard way that failing to act as fast as possible to address forest fires would cost it dearly. In 2015, massive forest fires ravaged Sumatra and Kalimantan and caused diplomatic tensions as cities in Malaysia and Singapore, were covered by smoky haze for weeks.

With the weather in 2017 expected to be drier than in 2016, the country could not afford to risk another disaster.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has called on other fire-prone regions in Sumatra and Kalimantan to follow the initiatives of Rokan and Dumai before the dry season starts in late January and runs until the end of March, the period hot spots could quickly turn into fires if treated late.

A break from fires is expected to take place between April and May this year when rain pours down on the country, but threats of fire could recur from June to late October in haze-producing regions like Sumatra, Riau and Kalimantan, said BNPT spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

By setting emergency standby statuses early, regions could ask for aid from the central government to tackle very small fires to prevent them from growing bigger when the dry season begins.

Sutopo said that the BNPB had improved its early warning system to detect the emergence of hot spots across the country and had asked the Regional Mitigation Agencies (BPBD) to prepare artificial rain as an anticipatory move ahead of the dry season.

We have instructed the BPBDs to urge local administrations to declare emergency alert statuses before it is too late to do so. It is a good move that Rokan and Dumai took the initiative. We hope that other regions follow suit. Next week, there will be a meeting at the State Palace to discuss preparations to prevent forest fires, Sutopo told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

(Read also: Forest, land fires reappear in Riau)

Sutopo said that the BNPB could directly send helicopters to regions that had declared emergency alert statuses as an early anticipation to prevent forest fires.

The head of the Rokan Hulu BPBD, Aceng Herdiana, said that the status was effective from Jan. 16 to May 31. He said in the last 10 days hot spots detected in a number of districts were identified to be forest and land fires.

Thats why the regency administration considers it necessary to declare the emergency siaga alert status, Aceng said.

The Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had also been routinely reporting that the rainfall in a number of regions in Riau would be very limited until April 2017, he said.

Such indicators, he said, had to be watched, because it meant that the potential for fire in several fireprone districts was increasing.

Riau BPBD head Edwar Sanger said that he expected the Riau provincial administration would also soon declare a standby emergency status as an early measure to prevent hot spots from expanding.

The objective is to maintain the situation. The haze-free achievement made by Riau in 2016 has to be maintained this year, he said.

He said the emergency alert status on the provincial level would be announced on Monday during a meeting led by Riau Governor Arsyadjuliandi Rachman.

Meanwhile, the Environment and Forestry Ministrys fire mitigation director Raffles Brotestes Panjaitan said the alert status was declared when the fires were still under control and it would only be raised to emergency status when fires became massive.

Raffles added that the status could be raised quickly, unlike in 2015 when some regional governments were too late raising their alert statuses, resulting in late responses.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

The Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), 15 Legal Aid Institutes (LBH) and the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) issued statements over the weekend in protest of the South Sulawesi Police's ban on a transgender sporting and cultural event in Soppeng regency.

The event involved about 600 transgender people or waria and bissu (a gender-neutral identity of Bugis tradition) from 22 areas in South Sulawesi.

The legal and feminist organizations protested the polices action, calling it a violation of the rights of the waria and bissu community in South Sulawesi.

In a statement on Friday, the YLBHI and 15 LBHs said the event was actually a regular one in Soppeng and had received the approval of the Soppeng regent and councillors.

(Read also: Police ban transgender cultural event in South Sulawesi)

The legal organizations said the South Sulawesi Police had violated the right to assemble, freedom of expression and the right to participate in cultural and arts events stipulated in the Constitution and the 2005 laws on economic, social and cultural rights and on civil rights.

The police should not give an excuse to not issue the permit, the statement said.

Komnas Perempuan issued a statement on Saturday in protest of the police ban, calling on the police to uphold their Constitutional mandate to protect and serve the public.

The women activists said the event was a lawful activity, guaranteed in 12 articles of the Constitution.

The event was not an unlawful activity, it didnt disrupt public order and there was no reason for the police to not allow the event to go on, the statement said. (evi)
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Linkedin Farida Susanty and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

As the country with the worlds largest Muslim population, Indonesia has seen the minor pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, the umrah, grow into a lucrative business with seemingly endless demand. A long waiting list for the haj is among the main drivers.

For Muslims, they will surely choose haj over umrah if they can because the fifth pillar of Islam is mandatory for any Muslim so long as he or she is physically fit and financially able to do it. Meanwhile, umrah is a non-compulsory pilgrimage that can be performed throughout the year.

However, the problem is that millions of Indonesian Muslims want to perform haj, while the annual quota set by the Saudi Arabian government for Indonesia is only 231,000 people. Thus, a Muslim who applies for haj today will find his or her boarding schedule set for a decade later.

Rachmah Fitrie Inayah, 26, a housewife in Depok, West Java, found one of the greatest deals two years ago to go on umrah for just Rp 10 million (US$744.49). She said the haj was too expensive at that time, aside from the long waiting list.

The only requirement was that she had to wait at least a year, which she agreed to. I had some extra money as I was just recently married and there was a promotional [umrah] package, she told

The Jakarta Post recently. Rachmah ended up going two years later, in February 2016, along with her husband and her parents-in-law.

The agent only asked for an extra Rp 1 million per person due to foreign exchange volatility over the two years.

This affordable umrah package, which according to the Association of Haj and Umrah Private Operators (Himpuh) made up 60 percent of the visits, is an incentive for the business to soar. An average of 650,000 Indonesians go on umrah each year, creating a business worth an estimated US$1 billion annually.

Data from the Religious Affairs Ministry shows a 63.6 percent jump in the number of umrah pilgrims to 818,000 last year, from only 500,000 in 2012.

It [the umrah business] really depends on peoples purchasing power. With weakening purchasing power, the tendency is for [tour agents] to sell it as low as Rp 16.5 million, Indonesian Himpuh secretary-general Muharram Ahmad explained.

He stated that the lowest price for umrah should be $1,650. However, currently there are no regulations from the Religious Affairs Ministry on the minimum price for an umrah package. This often leads to unfortunate incidents such as stranded pilgrims or broken promises.

Rachmah is one such unfortunate pilgrim. As she arrived in Mecca with the low-cost umrah package, some adjustments were stipulated. She had to stay with three random women during her stay at the hotel.

We had one bus; we did not go to other extra cities, she said, referring to other umrah packages that usually include a tour to Istanbul, Turkey, or Cairo, Egypt.

However, she said she enjoyed it anyway because she was not as unfortunate as others. Himpuh has recorded that around 11,000 Indonesians were victims of scams between mid-October 2015 and early October 2016 and failed to go on umrah as a result. Within the past two months, at least 900 people have not been able to return home from Mecca due to ticket fraud as a result of low-cost umrah packages.

The ministry has encouraged people to use the mobile app Umrah Cerdas (Smart Umrah), which enables them to check the legality of a travel agency. However, it has yet to create stricter regulations to prevent travel agents from selling umrah packages at below $1,650.

Alsha Tour and Travel, for example, offers $1,380 per person for its promotional package. Established in 2014, it has flown 4,000 people to date. In the last two months of 2016, it delivered 1,500 people, with 500 of them taking the $1,380 package.

The secret, according to the firms operational director M. Hanafi, is in direct purchasing for airline tickets and large bookings for hotel room. We buy directly from the airlines and also seal contracts with the hotel. So we buy in bulk and this makes it cheaper, he said.

Another travel agent, Sulthanan Nashira Wisata, offers a promo package tagged at $1,190 per person by using the same law of big numbers. It now sees 80 percent of its business come from this package.
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

Jumping on the bandwagon of local cell phone production, newly-founded cooperative Koperasi Digital Indonesia Mandiri (KDIM) on Friday started the production of a locally built smartphone under the brand of Digicoop.

The smartphone is set to bolster the domestic cell phone market currently dominated by big players, especially foreign manufacturers.

The initial model comes with a 4.7 inch-screen, a 1.5 Ghz quadcore processor, 1 GB of RAM, two cameras, two SIM card slots and 4G LTE compatibility.

Unlike commercially distributed phones, this smartphone can only be obtained by becoming a member of the cooperative via its website, after which one needs to pay Rp 100,000 (US$7.48) per month for one year. Delivery occurs after two month of subscription.

KDIM chairman Henry Kasyfi Soemartono said the cooperative would produce 5,000 units in the initial phase, with pre-orders currently running at 1,500 units.

Henry further said the basic idea of the cooperative was to maximize peoples power to create a strong local information technology business.

A cooperative is the ideal format for crowdfunding in Indonesia, said Henry during the event to kick off production. It is neutral and everybody has the same say. It also provides benefits to its members.

KDIM was set up in June last year by the Associations of Indonesian Internet Providers (APJII) and Indonesian Information and Telecommunications Society (Mastel).

It aims to bring the cooperative format to Indonesias information technology (IT) business currently saturated by giants.

The cell phone is the result of collaboration with a team of experts from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and is made in the factory of electronics manufacturer PT VS Technology in Cikarang, West Java.

Indonesia has seen its domestic phone industry rise in recent years, with some manufacturers, like Polytron, already running local factories.

Communications and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara, who was present during the event, said the economic model of a cooperative could be a solution for the IT business, including the ride-sharing business based on mobile phone applications.

The Uber and Grab Car drivers need entities to operate, while both companies have yet to register as transportation companies. So, weve suggested that they form cooperatives for the drivers, he said.

(Read also: Indonesian buyers undeterred by exploding Samsung smartphones)

Rudiantara said the government would support the development of KDIM, such as by facilitating synergy with cooperatives for ride-sharing.

Henry said KDIM had ambitions beyond smartphone-making, namely to buy a satellite and run an internet provider business. To do this, members interested in participating in the satellite purchase could deposit Rp 5 million and in return access internet for free for a lifetime.

We need to find at least 500,000 people who want to participate, so that we can buy a satellite for the people, Henry said, adding that a satellite would cost between $200 million to 250 million.

The plan would materialize in the next three years as preparations were still underway, he added.

Based on the latest APJII survey, Indonesia has 132.6 million internet users, the highest number in Southeast Asia and the fourth-highest globally. Half of its more than 260 million population still cannot access the Internet.

KDIM digital equipment head Teguh Prasetya said KDIM was preparing for designs for middle and high-end models. In the meantime, the cooperative tried to increase its local content, including applications, from 20.2 percent at present to 30 percent by the end of this year.
The strongest effect of the 7th pay commission will be on the aggregate demand in the Indian economy, which is likely to witness a huge push in terms of creation of jobs and revenue generation.

By Prabhash K Dutta: In order to keep the exchequer healthy to fund implementation of the seventh pay commission recommendations, the Finance Ministry has asked government departments to avoid last minute spending rush in the final quarter of the fiscal.

The Finance Ministry has categorically told them to ensure that they don't exceed their respective budget allocations. It said that the departments would not get additional grants as the government had to bear the burden of the implementation of the seventh pay commission.

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Incidentally, the Finance Ministry made an exception for the MNREGA expenditure while it conveyed its message to other ministries during a discussion on the revised estimates for the current fiscal year.

READ| 7th pay commission: This is why Modi government not giving hike to 47 lakh employees

SO, WHAT WILL CHANGE WITH 7TH PAY COMMISSION The full implementation of the 7th pay commission's recommendations will bring an average 23.5 per cent raise in their income for about one crore central government employees and pensioners. The implementation of the CPC recommendations will bring more cash- digital or physical- in the hands of salaried people, who will trigger higher consumption, in turn. More money in large number of family is likely to push demand for cars and houses, as many bankers expect. This will revive the slightly sluggish lending sector. With more money in hand is expected to push higher consumer demand for durable goods, which will give impetus to industrial sector leading to creation of more jobs. The past experience of implementation of pay commission's recommendations suggests that automobile sector and companies dealing in consumer durables and FMCGs get huge push and are the primary beneficiaries. With more expenditure by the large number of salaried people and their dependents will lead to higher revenue for the government. More money also means increased savings, which have been the biggest strength of the middle class economy of the country. More demand for consumer goods will also push inflation but given the fact that the prices have been under the check for better part of the past two years, this new trend should not trouble the citizenry and worry the government. In anticipation of the positive impact of the seventh pay commission, the RBI has been asking the banks to lower the interest rates. So, auto, car and home loans may become cheaper once the government announces to give the allowances to its 47 lakh employees and about 53 lakh pensioners once the model code conduct is lifted after the assembly elections in five states. A combination of higher discretionary income and lower interest rates is good for real estate sector, which has been gasping for fresh lease of breath. Higher consumption and demand are likely to create more jobs in the country in various sectors- particularly manufacturing. Clearly, the strongest effect of the 7th pay commission will be on the aggregate demand in the Indian economy.

ALSO READ|

7th pay commission: How Akhilesh, Harish Rawat outwitted PM Modi in poll-bound states

7th Pay Commission: In election year, Gujarat announces hike up to 124% for fixed-pay employees

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Kupang  Sat, January 21 2017

The Kupang city administration in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is preparing for a dengue fever outbreak as the illness has killed one child under five years of age and hospitalized eight others over the past two weeks.

Kupang Health Agency head Ary Wijana told The Jakarta Post that his team had deployed more officers to 52 subdistricts in six districts across the city to monitor all areas.

In response to the fatality, Ary said his team had visited the area where the victim had lived to conduct a fumigating operation in an effort to contain the spread of mosquitoes and their larvae.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has sharply criticized some of its members who reportedly met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in the Jewish state on Wednesday.

"MUI deplores the meeting on behalf of anything. They [the members] should have understood the stance of MUI and Indonesia regarding Palestine," MUI foreign affairs chairman Muhyidin Junaidi told Tribunnews.com on Friday.

Muhyidin said the people who met with the Israelis were members of the female and family empowerment division at the MUI. He said further that their meeting with the Israeli president did not represent the views or values of the MUI.

(Read also: Jakarta asked to back Palestine in Pacific region)

A press statement published on the website of the Israel Foreign Affairs Ministry shows a picture of seven executive members of the MUI posing with Rivlin.

The statement, entitled "President Rivlin meets Muslim leaders from Indonesia", said Rivlin hoped the two countries would eventually cooperate with one another in the future.

The group reportedly attended the meeting following an invitation from the Israeli president.

Indonesia, as a majority-Muslim nation, has never established bilateral relations with Israel. Indonesia has become a strong critic of Israels so-called occupation of Palestine.

Indonesia does not have a representative in Israel and it used to ban its citizens from traveling to the Middle Eastern country.

Calls for the two countries to develop formal relations have been widely opposed by members of the House of Representatives. (Saf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

The police said Friday they had arrested the person who allegedly hoisted an Indonesian red-and-white flag emblazoned with Arabic script and two crossed swords during a recent hard-line Muslim rally.

The man, identified only as NF, was arrested last night, said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Raden Prabowo Argo Yuwono.

"We arrested him in Pasar Minggu [South Jakarta]. He is from Klender in East Jakarta," Raden said as quoted by kompas.com, adding that investigators also seized the flag in question and the motorcycle used to carry the flag.

NF will be charged with defaming State symbols. He could be imprisoned for up to five years if found guilty of violating a 2009 law on State symbols, flags and the national language.

Photos and videos of a man hoisting the flag stamped with Arabic script and two crossed swords recently went viral on social media. The incident was said to have happened during an Islam Defenders Front (FPI) rally on Monday.

The FPI argued that in August 2013, the band Metallica visited Indonesia and showed an Indonesian flag with "Metallica, Solo-Indonesia" written on it, and that this too constituted a violation of the same law.

(Read also: Noose tightens around FPI leader)

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, whose hometown is Surakarta, or Solo, attended the concert in Jakarta as Jakarta governor. (saf)
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Linkedin Fadli (The Jakarta Post) Batam  Sat, January 21 2017

Amid concerns that the change of leadership in the United States will potentially cause conflict in the South China Sea, the National Police have decided to raise the status of the Riau Islands Police, which will double the number of personnel in the province closest to the disputed waters.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian officially upped the status of the Riau Islands Police from type B to type A, which means the number of officers will rise from the current 5,000 to 12,000, the standard number of an A-status police force. Its facilities will also be upgraded.

A type-B provincial police force is led by a one-star police general while a type-A is led by a two-star general.

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Linkedin Severianus Endi (The Jakarta Post) Pontianak  Sat, January 21 2017

Pontianak welcomed missing activist-cum-poet Wiji Thukul back to the city as the capital city of West Kalimantan screened the newly released movie about the poet, titled Istirahatlah Kata-Kata (Solo, Solitude).

Pontianak takes center stage in the movie, as most of the scenes were shot there. In 1996, Wiji fled from his hometown of Surakarta, Central Java, to Pontianak as he was being hunted by the authoritarian New Order regime for his poems that were considered to be provocative. The movie tells the story of the period in which he was in hiding.

It depicts the activists loneliness, isolation and fear of getting caught by the authorities in Pontianak, while depending on his friends generosity to stay alive. He hid in the city for about eight months, moving from place to place and living under the fake name Paul.

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Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang  Sat, January 21, 2017

A culinary event named the Pork Festival, to be held at the Sri Ratu Supermarket in Semarang on Jan. 23 to 29, has undergone a name change to the Imlek Culinary Festival following protests from Islamic groups.

Chinese New Year, locally known as Imlek, falls on Jan. 28.

The Islamic groups met with the festivals committee at the Semarang Police to discuss the event.

The Pork Festival bothers us Muslims in Semarang. Thats why we want the committee to cancel the festival and focus on the Imlek celebration. The event will still have pork stalls but they have to be closed off from the public eye, Danang Ansoru, spokesperson of the Semarang Islam Congregation Forum (FUIS) said Friday evening.

Danang said they had asked the committee to stand guard at the stalls to prevent Muslims from entering, but the request had been denied.

The committee head of the festival, Firdaus Adinegoro, confirmed the name change. The event is still on, we just changed the name, he said.

A FUIS statement issued on Jan. 20 in relation to the event was signed by several organizations, including Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, Muhammadiyah Youth, Indonesian Muslim Students Action (KAMMI), Indonesian Muslim Lecturers and Muhammadiyah.

FUIS demanded the police not issue permits for events that may spark public concern.

Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr. Abiyoso Seno Aji said the pork festival was legal and did not violate the law. He said he would be firm against people who attempted to disrupt the event. (evi)
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Linkedin Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Minister Rini Soemarno said the ministry should not have been the sole decisionmaker in national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia's procurement of aircraft engines from the United Kingdoms Rolls Royce.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) recently named the airlines former president director, Emirsyah Satar, a suspect in a bribery case pertaining to the procurement of aircraft engines from the British company.

Rini said as a publicly listed company since 2011, procurement plans for Garuda must obtain approval from its board of commissioners.

(Read also: Emirsyah Satars case not related with corporate activities: Garuda)

If there is a big amount of money involved [in the procurement], majority shareholders should give approval through an extraordinary shareholders meeting, she said after a meeting at the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister on Friday evening.

As the majority shareholder in a state-owned company, the government should always check whether such a procurement plan complies with good corporate governance (GCG) principles, Rini added.

However, Rini claimed she did not have any knowledge of the procurement process during Emirsyahs tenure as Garudas chief executive from 2009 to 2012, as she was only appointed SOE minister in 2014 under President Joko Jokowi Widodo administration.

Between 2009 and 2011, the position was held by Mustafa Abubakar, who was later replaced by Dahlan Iskan, currently a suspect in a graft case revolving around the sale of the assets of an East Java province-owned company. (lnd)
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Linkedin Safrin La Batu (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 21, 2017

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) will question three witnesses in connection to a bribery case pertaining to the procurement of aircraft engines from British company Rolls Royce, after naming ex-Garuda Indonesia president director Emirsyah Satar and businessman Sutikno Soedarjo suspects in the case.

"The witnesses allegedly know, hear or even took part in the event [the alleged bribery]," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said on Friday, refusing to elaborate further on the witnesses alleged connection to the bribery case.

The witnesses have been identified as Hadinoto Soedigno, Agus Wahjudo and Sallyawati Rahardja. The antigraft body has issued travel bans on the suspects and the three witnesses.

Febri said the KPK issued the travel bans because its investigators needed to extract more information from them to look further into the bribery case.

"We plan to question the witnesses next week or sometime near the end of January," Febri said.

Investigators have searched five addresses in Jakarta and seized documents, bank information and electronic devices believed to contain materials that will help them in the investigation.

Emirsyah is suspected of accepting bribes amounting to 1.2 million euros (US$1.28) and $180,000, as well as items equal to $2 million in connection to the procurement of aircraft engines from Rolls Royce while holding the position of president director with the national flag carrier..

Meanwhile, Sutikno, of the Singapore-based Connaught International Pte. Ltd, has been accused of functioning as a broker to pass on the bribes from Rolls Royce. (jun)
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Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Surakarta  Sat, January 21 2017

The United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph Donovan Jr. visited Surakarta, Central Java, on Thursday to learn more about Islamic education at a pesantren (Islamic boarding school).

Donovan arrived at the Pondok Pesantren Modern Assalam Pabelan (PPMI) on Thursday morning and gave a speech to about 1,000 students.

He said it was his first work visit outside of Jakarta after presenting his credentials to President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Jan. 12.

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Linkedin Jalelah Abu Bakr (The Straits Times/Asia News Network) Singapore  Sat, January 21, 2017

Singapore's efforts to attract tourists from China's inner cities have reaped rewards, with arrivals from China up by 36 per cent from January to November last year, compared to the same period in 2015.

China has now overtaken Indonesia as the number one market for arrivals to Singapore.

There were over 2.6 million visitors from China from January to November last year, followed by over 2.5 million from Indonesia, and over a million from Malaysia.

Presenting the numbers at a regional tourism forum on Wednesday (Jan 18) executive director of marketing capability at Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Oliver Chong described the rise as "phenomenal".

"This market has been doing really well, good growth in terms of the middle class. So I think that people are more prepared to travel but at the same time it's also due to us expanding our presence, our marketing activities into tier 2 China cities," he said.

(Read also: Singaporeans hold world's second-most 'powerful' passport)

In the first half of last year alone, compared to the same period the year before, there was a 70 per cent increase in tourists from "tier 2" China cities like Kunming, Wuhan and Fuzhou.

The STB is also now looking at "tier 3" cities, Mr Chong told reporters ahead of the AseanTourism Forum held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

STB hopes to attract tourists from the tier 3 cities through travel agents, on whom they rely heavily to make their holiday decisions.

"China's potential is huge. It's going to be there for us to unlock. The question is how we want to do that better," said Mr Chong, adding that there are four regional offices in China, which work with travel industry in China to raise awareness of Singapore's leisure offerings like dining venues, shopping options.

The increase in Chinese tourists contributed to a boost in the overall international visitor numbers.

Numbers rose 7.9 per cent for the first 11 months of last year, compared to the same period in 2015. The rise surpassed STB's conservative forecast of zero to 3 per cent year-on-year increase in international arrivals.

This article appeared on The Straits Times newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
By Press Trust of India: Washington, Jan 21 (PTI) Social media and internet reports can be used to reliably forecast infectious disease outbreaks, especially when data is scarce, a new study has found.

"Our study offers proof of concept that publicly available online reports released in real-time by ministries of health, local surveillance systems, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and authoritative media outlets are useful to identify key information on exposure and transmission patterns during epidemic emergencies," researchers said.

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"Our Internet-based findings on exposure patterns are in good agreement with those derived from traditional epidemiological surveillance data, which can be available after considerable delays," they said.

Mathematical models forecasting disease transmission are often used to guide public health control strategies, but they can be difficult to formulate during the early stages of an outbreak when accurate data are scarce, according to the researchers from the Georgia State University in the US.

"In the absence of detailed epidemiological information rapidly available from traditional surveillance systems, alternative data streams are worth exploring to gain a reliable understanding of disease dynamics in the early stages of an outbreak," they said.

To test the reliability of alternative data streams, researchers tracked and analysed reports from public health authorities and reputable media outlets posted via social media or their websites during the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in South Korea.

Researchers used the reports to collect data on the viruses exposure patterns and transmission chains.

They also noted the West African Ebola outbreak was a particularly interesting case study because early data were limited to basic weekly case counts at the country level.

They were able to use internet reports describing Ebola cases in the three hardest hit countries - Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia - to glean detailed stories about cases arising in clusters within families or through funerals or hospital exposure.

"Our analysis of the temporal variation in exposure patterns provides useful information to assess the impact of control measures and behaviour changes during epidemics," they said.

The findings are published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. PTI MHN SAR MHN

--- ENDS ---
The official declaration of a coalition between the two biggies is yet to come.

By Varun Bidhuri, Rajat Rai: UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday declared his first list of 209 candidates for the assembly polls next month amid speculation of a probable coalition with the Congress making rounds in the political circles.

However, the list cooled down all the talk as Akhilesh named nine candidates from seats that have sitting Congress MLAs which shows that the two parties have failed to reach a consensus on a seat sharing formula.

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While the first list declared in the afternoon has candidates from 191 seats of the first three phases of polls, the second list of 18 candidates declared in the evening was for fifth phase. Later in the evening, the names of two candidates were put on hold and four were changed.

However, there is still hope for Congress that an alliance can be formed and this was just Akhilesh playing hard ball to show that the alliance will be on his terms. The UP CM has not declared the list of candidates who will contest on seats in the fourth phase as this phase covers districts like Congress bastions of Amethi and Rae Bareli.

Also read | UP Assembly election: This is BJP's new mantra to counter Akhilesh Yadav

The Congress called it "unfortunate" that SP announced candidates for seats that it holds and admitted it has put their proposed partnership for the elections into question. The party said senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad would talk to Akhilesh Yadav. "I will be able to talk about the SP alliance once Ghulam Nabi meets Akhilesh Yadav," said Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken.

"We have said that this alliance was concluded with Akhilesh. Now we will have to call him again. It's unfortunate that seats of nine sitting MLAs are taken away... any agreement should be honoured," he added.

Maken's comments came after top Congress leaders held emergency meetings in Delhi to discuss whether and how to salvage the partnership with Akhilesh Yadav. While Rahul Gandhi, Congress Vice President met his sister Priyanka at his home, other senior party leaders held a separate meeting. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar called on Akhilesh on Friday evening.

"UP Congress chief Raj Babbar had to leave for Delhi from Lucknow, but later Raj Babbar cancelled his return to Delhi and decided to stay in Lucknow to meet senior SP leaders. The Congress core committee had organized an emergency meeting at 6.30 pm on Friday, to discuss the alliance with SP," said a source.

Samajwadi Party's national VP Kiranmoy Nanda also said that a coalition has still not been ruled out. "We had been offering 54 seats from day one of the talks and are also ready to give 20-25 more seats. Let them (Congress) come up with a list. We are ready to give then a total of 80-84 seats," Nanda said.

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Also read | Uttar Pradesh election: Next, Akhilesh Yadav to lead Grand Alliance, Cong to contest 100 seats

--- ENDS ---
in that he was covered by his father's health insurance, provided by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - better known as Obamacare. The now former-president's best known policy insured Duncan could undergo the aggressive regime of chemotherapy he required without having to worry about medical costs. And although the system has its flaws, it is almost certain that without it, Duncan would not have lived to see Obama's successor take office. So it is easy to understand the concern felt by Duncan and his family as they face the prospect of a Republican-controlled government intent on destroying anything associated with Obama's presidency. One of Donald Trump's many brash campaign pledges was to repeal the landmark health care act on which Duncans life depends, but like so many others, the DeLoach family never thought he would be elected. The apparently likely prospect of a Clinton win insured little time was spent worrying on what a Trump presidency would be like, and a lot of time scoffing at what an awful, awful guy he is.Now the improbable has become reality, and no one seems more surprised than the star of the show himself. Recall the expression on Donald Trumps face upon meeting President Obama the day after the election? This is a man still coming to terms with the fact that he will now have to put his dumb pledges into effect. More delighted than surprised are the Republicans now calling the shots in both Houses of Congress, who realise what a useful (if volatile) idiot they have in the new leader of the free world. Most of them share Trumpsto dump Obamacare, cut taxes for the wealthy, and insure the political system remains unreformed, but it will be them, and not the Prez, who make these desires a reality. Trump wont need much help in repealing each of Obamas 32 executive orders, one of which removed the threat of deportation for millions of undocumented migrants. But both he and Congress may have a difficult time building the infamous wall across the southern US border, something Trump insists Mexico will pay for. Whether he succeeds in this ambition or not, it is already clear his America will be defined by lenience and indulgence for the wealthy and demonization and destabilisation for the poor and unhealthy, whether they are already citizens or aspire to be ones. On the world stage, we can expect Trump to show disregard to international problems such as climate change, institutions such as NATO and the EU, and countries such as China and the Arab states. His general incuriosity about the Middle East, and his shameful inability to tell the difference between an economic migrant and a refugee, suggests the victims of the Syria quagmire will not find an ally in the new President of the United States. Although adopting isolationism, a policy not practised by the US since Pearl Harbour, may in fact please a war-weary public at home, it may only embolden other powers, such as Vladimir Putins increasingly imperialist Russia, to meddle in areas in which he does not belong. That said, the one thing which may define Trumps presidency is what wont get done, rather than what will. It seems likely that the many problems facing America at the moment, such as gun violence, lack of stable jobs and a worrying rise of racism, will be allowed to deteriorate under Trumps watch rather than be tackled. This is all speculation at this stage, of course, and America is renowned for its capacity to surprise, but it seems fair to say that the presidency of a man who has spent his life treating people like fast-food meals, to be used for a purpose and then hastily discarded, will not be a pretty one. The irony is that people such as Duncan DeLoach, who is nothing in the eyes of the man with Obamacare in his sights, actually understands something about power which Trump himself does not. Sometimes, in certain positions of great influence, you really do have control over life and death.
Julian Assange has said he stands by his offer to go to the US now that Chelsea Manning is being given clemency.

Speaking from the Ecuadorian embassy in London through Twitters Periscope, the WikiLeaks founder said there would be many discussions on his future before Manning leaves prison in May.

Back in September, Assange indicated he would agree to extradition if Manning, a former intelligence analyst who said she had passed on government and military documents to raise awareness about the impact of war, was freed:

If Obama grants Manning clemency, Assange will agree to US prison in exchange  despite its clear unlawfulness https://t.co/MZU30S3Eia  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) September 15, 2016

A statement WikiLeaks reiterated last week:

If Obama grants Manning clemency Assange will agree to US extradition despite clear unconstitutionality of DoJ case https://t.co/MZU30SlfGK  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 12, 2017

With Barack Obama using his final days in the White House to allow high-profile whistleblower Manning to be freed nearly 30 years early, Twitter users mostly had one question:

@wikileaks Will Assange keep his promise and extrodite himself to the US now manning has been freed? #askWL  J Ve (@VeHasComeToo) January 19, 2017

Much love to you Julian <3 are="" you="" really="" agreeing="" to="" extradition="" after="" manning="" s="" clemency="" what="" terms="" would="" they="" have="" agree="" a="" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AskWL?src=hash" data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AskWL?src=hash">#AskWL  Dawn Holliday (@DawnUnicorn) January 19, 2017

#askwl Why no window wave? Will you agree to extradition?  KaraLeigh (@kdurbano2) January 19, 2017

Responding to the queries, Assange said: I stand by everything I said, including the offer to go to the United States if Chelsea Mannings sentence was commuted. It is not going to be commuted until May  we can have many discussions to that point.

I have always been willing to go to the United States provided my rights are respected.

Assange said there has been a seven-year-long attempt to build a prosecution against him and WikiLeaks in the US, and his name is on several warrants and subpoenas.

As of this year it is active and ongoing, he said.

He added if it took him going to the US to flush out the case being prepared against him, or to drop it, then we are looking at that.

BREAKING: @POTUS commutes the vast majority of Chelsea Manning's 35-year sentence for leaking Army documents, which will end May 17, 2017. pic.twitter.com/sGODp5GOon  Fox News (@FoxNews) January 17, 2017

Assange welcomed Obamas decision to free Manning, after she was jailed for handing over classified documents to the anti-secrecy organisation.

The outgoing US president used his final hours in the White House to allow Manning to go free nearly 30 years early.

Assange also said the UKs Crown Prosecution Service had refused to confirm or deny whether there was an extradition request from the US.

Just moments before the conference, WikiLeaks tweeted the response lEspresso journalist Stefania Maurizi received through Freedom of Information request:

UK refuses to confirm or deny whether it has already received US extradition request for Assange https://t.co/qsxe2iRgNi pic.twitter.com/wSBAjzbpTa  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) January 19, 2017

Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian embassy since the summer of 2012 for fear of being extradited to the US.

He was interviewed in the embassy in November in the presence of prosecutors from Sweden, where he faces a sex allegation.

He denies the claims, but insists he faces extradition to the United States for questioning over the activities of WikiLeaks if he leaves the embassy.
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By Press Trust of India: Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 21 (PTI) Hundreds of people today took part in the special prayer service and candlelight vigil at the St Marys Cathedral here for Father Tom Uzhunnalil, a Keralite priest who was kidnapped in war-torn Yemen last year by suspected Islamic State militants.

The prayers and vigil were held as per the call of CBCI President Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, the head of the Syro Malankara church.

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Special prayers will be held tomorrow at all the churches under the dioceses, church sources said.

The 55-year-old Salesian priest, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted in March 2016, had in December last made an emotive plea in a video message to the Indian government and the Church for earnest efforts to free him.

The priest, who was abducted when IS fighters stormed the Old Peoples Home in the port city of Aden on March 4, had made a desperate prayer to the Indian President, Prime Minister as well as Pope Francis and the Christian community across the globe to work together for his release.

"If I were a European, I would have been taken more seriously by the authorities and people and (they) would have got me released.

"I am a priest from India and perhaps, therefore, I am not considered of much value.

"I am sad about this," he had said haltingly, pointing out that a French woman, reportedly kidnapped in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, had been freed. PTI UD ROH RC

--- ENDS ---
The rebellious Arifa Jan tirelessly fights disdain from society and resistance from family to pursue her passion in one of Srinagar's most violent areas, Nawa Kadal. Not only is she reviving a failing craft, namda weaving, but also providing much-needed employment.

"I secretly got myself a form for the craft management and entrepreneurship course at the Craft Development Institute. This is because no one here allows you to get into the field of crafts. Yes, the crafts of Kashmir are famous, but if you are educated in the field, you are looked upon as a thief."

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Photo: Abid Bhat

"When I completed my course, I was given the project to revive Namda. There is a hierarchy associated with crafts in Kashmir. Namda falls in the lowest category. But I decided to do the project as a challenge. It's a dying craft. During my research, the Namda and Wagoo artisans would tell me, 'Hamari betiyon se koi shaadi nahin karta; kehte hain hum Wagoo wale hain (Nobody marries our daughters. They say we are Wagoo artisans).' The wages have not changed in the past 50 years. I spent a year roaming the secretariat in Srinagar to get space to set up my unit, without success. I listened to everyone. I would cry. Stop. Then get back to work. Inshallah, I know the path I've chosen comes with a lot of obstacles. We started with five artisans. Today, we have 25."

"The conflict in Kashmir has never been as bad as it was last year. Day and night, I would accompany my father. There was stone-pelting and I knew it was dangerous, but work had to go on. I went into depression last year, but sailed through eventually. My family thought no one would marry me because of this. I would listen to them. It would upset me for an hour or two, and then I would get back to work. In Kashmir, no one supports artisans. I will", as told to Asmita Bakshi.

--- ENDS ---
Fake monk arrested in Phuket Town

PHUKET: Police have arrested a man in Phuket Town who was impersonating a monk in an effort to solicit donations from the public.



By Yutthawat Lekmak

Saturday 21 January 2017, 04:03PM

The Phuket Volunteer Defense Corps (VDC) was informed at yesterday morning (Jan 20) that a man who was dressed as a monk was walking around the Phuket Fresh Market collecting money from people.

Mr Jiradet Burarak, deputy of Phuket Volunteer Defense Corps (VDC) together with officers from Phuket Provincial Office of Buddhism and the Phuket police went to the market to apprehend the man after a tip off from Phra Kru Metta Pirom, Abbot of Wat Mongkol Nimit in Phuket Town.

The suspect refused to tell officers his name or show a monk's certificate and was subsequently arrested and a search of his bag revealed Buddhist amulets and several B20 banknotes (Worth approximately B1000).

Officers confirmed that the man, whom they did not name, was not a monk and had previously been arrested several times for the same offense. He is now facing charges of impersonating a monk.
Getting social in 2017

As we enter the new year of 2017, its more important than ever to build and implement cohesive social media strategy for your business.



By Daniel Villota

Saturday 21 January 2017, 03:00PM

A budget for social media video and photo is essential in 2017.

Here are five things your business should be doing in the social media arena this year:



1. Engaging photography and video

Every company needs to essentially become a media company. Social media is about story telling, and the best way to do that is through compelling photos and videos.

In this coming year, video in particular will play a major roll for marketers. However, you dont need to hire an expensive movie production team to develop good quality video content or a top photographer that can produce beautiful photos for a cover of a magazine.

The best way to develop content is to document whats happening a with your business in a creative and fun way. There are plenty of photographers out there who can help you capture great images and develop videos that wont break your bank account.

2. Pay to play the game

The power of social media platforms, especially Facebook and Instagram, is in the fact that they already know so much about us  its actually quite scary.

They know where we live, our age, interests, if we are travelling and a lot more. But from a business perspective, this info will help you find the right target audience and deliver the content to the people that really matter.

We have seen that a budget of B6,000 to B10,000 per month for a local business will definitely bring results and will bring you business locally  if you are targeting abroad, the budgets will need to be much higher.

Do not use the Boost a post option that Facebook gives you. This is Facebook making it easier for you to advertise. However, the problem with this function is that you cant target your audience as accurately as you need to.

3. Be consistent across platforms

Consistency is one of the keys factors to succeed with your social media strategy  telling your brands story in an effective way will need to be constant branding across several social platforms.

This messages will consist of your businesss attributes, unique selling points and the core values of your brand. There are several tools out there that will help you plan and schedule your social media updates in advance.

4. Reply to every comment on social

We see a lot of business posting and doing their best on social, but it is really sad when they are not engaging with their fans, or even acknowledging them.

If someone cares enough to write a comment or review about your company, the least you could do is reply to them. This goes for every comment, not just the ones that could bring you business.

Remember that the aim of social media is to create a relationship with your potential clients. You will need to nurture that relationship  you cant just treat social media as a short-term sales solution, it has to be a long-term investment.





5. Have a mobile responsive website

Yes, having a mobile responsive website needs to be a part of your social media plan for 2017! Why? People will get excited about your brand on social, but at the end of the day most of the business transactions will happen on your website.

If your clients need to find more info about your company, such as pricing, reviews, contact details and so on, more than likely they will go to your website to find it.

Keep these recommendations in mind for marketing your business on social media in 2017!

Daniel Villota is the Managing Director of E-Media Asia, the number one social media consulting agency in Southern Thailand. He can be contacted at daniel@e-media.asia or visit www.e-media.asia
Job opening in Austria: part-time hermit

AUSTRIA: There are no neighbours and the views are stunning, and if you can live without heating, running water, electricity and internet, then why not apply for a job as a hermit?

landreligion

By AFP

Saturday 21 January 2017, 05:00PM

A cow grazes in a field in Saalfelden, near the Austrian city of Salzburg. Photo: Alexander Klein/AFP

Such is the position that Saalfelden near Salzburg in Austria is seeking to fill, inhabiting alone one of central Europes last hermitages, built into a cliff above the town.

Since its creation 350 years ago, the Saalfelden hermitage was inhabited every year. But we dont have a successor to the last hermit, local priest Alois Moser said.

According to a job description, the successful candidate should have a connection to Christian belief and be at peace with themselves at 1,400 metres above sea level.

Dont expect complete solitude, however. The hermitage gets a steady stream of visitors coming to enjoy the view, to pray and to talk, cautions the advert on Saalfeldens website.

The applicants need to know that the Saalfelden hermit does not lead a lonely life. Many people come and want to confide in someone. He has to be there for them, Moser said.

The previous hermit, former priest and psychotherapist Thomas Fieglmueller, returned to Vienna after just one season  the hermitage is only open from April to November  to write.

Life in the hermits cell is spartan but the nature is very beautiful. I met lots of nice people and had good conversations, he told the Salzburger Nachrichten daily.

But there was also criticism from apparently arch-conservative Catholics because I didnt have a cowl or a beard... Maybe I was the wrong person, Fieglmueller said.

And another thing to bear in mind for those applying  by post only, no emails  in time for the March 15 deadline: the job is unpaid.

We have already had several enquiries, but no formal candidates so far, Moser said.
Nakhon Si Thammarat residents warned of floods

The hard-hit municipality of Nakhon Si Thammarat was braced for more flooding yesterday (Jan 21) from heavy runoff from the Bantad mountain range. Other districts and provinces along the range were also at risk.



By Bangkok Post

Saturday 21 January 2017, 11:29AM

Motorcyclists drive through floodwater in Muang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Friday. Photo: Bangkok Post

Water from the Bantad mountain range surges into Khlong Na Noi in Na Yong district of Trang province on Friday Jan 21. Photo: Bangkok Post

The southern provinces have been pounded by more unseasonal downpours for the past three days, following a brief respite from earlier deluges that caused widespread damage from Jan 1-10.

Residents of Ban Khiriwong in Lan Saka district of Nakhon Si Thammarat moved to high ground after seeing signs of forest runoff in Klong Thadee, which passes through the village from the mountain range.

Wikran Tuadao, chief of the Promlok Waterfall National Park, located in the mountains in Prommakhiri district, yesterday alerted provincial officials about massive runoff.

Authorities said the runoff was moving towards Muang district in Nakhon Si Thammarat and provincial governor Chamreon Thippayapongsathada yesterday warned residents in all districts to watch out for forest runoff until today.

Nakhon Si Thammarat held a clean-up day in the rain yesterday, an event that was followed by a new flash-flood alert.

Forest runoff from the Bantad range was also seen in Phatthalung and Trang provinces, turning some small streams into raging torrents, as steady rain persisted.

Sungai Kolok in Narathiwat was also at risk, and people along the Kolok River were growing concerned as the water level of was rising rapidly, said Governor Sitthichai Sakda.

The Meteorological Department said yesterday that heavy rain was possible in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat until next Wednesday.

The southern flooding has claimed 80 lives since Jan 1 and four people remain missing, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department.

Damage to property has been estimated at B25 billion or more but the latest storms are certain to inflate that figure.
Navy torpedoes appeal for Phuket beach sun loungers to return

PHUKET: The appeal by Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup to allow sun loungers in a restricted area on Patong Beach has been torpedoed by provincial authorities with a resounding, No.

tourismpatongmilitarycorruptioneconomics

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

Saturday 21 January 2017, 09:00AM

Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsups call to repeal the sun lounger ban has been sunk by provincial authorities. Photo: The Phuket News / file

They are banned. Sun loungers are not allowed on any beach in Phuket, a resolute Phuket Vice Governor Snith Sriwihok told The Phuket News this week.

If the authorities will not allow sun or sand loungers, then they should at least clearly write the beach rules denoting what is  and what isnt allowed  in the 10% zones at all Phuket beaches, Mayor Chalermluck told a meeting at Provincial Hall last Thursday (Jan 12).

The vendors created these sand loungers for the tourists. If the tourists did not ask for them, the operators would not have made them, she said.

I request that the provincial authorities give 10% (of the beach area) to allow operators to provide beach chairs and umbrellas, she added. (See story here.)

Mayor Chalermlucks call for provincial authorities to allow sun loungers with umbrellas back on at least part of Patong Beach came after the Royal Thai Navy on Dec 23 ordered vendors at the beach to remove sand loungers  sun beds sculpted from the beach sand itself  as the Navy had deemed the creative sun beds to be in breach of the beach-management rules.

The Navy then issued a slew of orders to vendors at all beaches where the 10% rule apply, with a deadline of Jan 15 to comply.

On Tuesday (Jan 17), V/Gov Snith met with leading officials for Kata-Karon, as well as Navy officers and local police.

One issue was that the 10% zones still had not been marked out at Kata or Karon beaches, which V/Gov Snith ordered be done as a priority.

He also called on police to enforce the beach-management rules.

After today, I repeat, officials and police must take action against the people who do not want to follow the rules, he said.

For their first offence, give them a warning. For their second, arrest and fine them, and record their details. For their third offence, arrest, fine, record their details and seize the offending property.

For their fourth offence, prosecute them, V/Gov Snith ordered.
Taiwanese food industry burgeons as jail food starts to take off

TAIWAN: If it were not for the locked doors, knives chained to the table and uniformed staff, the food factory inside Taoyuan women's prison would resemble any commercial kitchen.

crimehealth

By AFP

Saturday 21 January 2017, 10:00AM

Prisoners pack candy at a correctional facility in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan. Photo: Sam Yeh/AFP

Inmates wearing masks and hair nets mix cocoa powder to make chocolate, or chop cabbage to marinate for kimchi.

They are part of a burgeoning food industry in Taiwan -- artisan snacks, made behind bars.

The additive-free delicacies made by prison inmates have gained a loyal public following, and generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Demand is driven by quality and affordability after a string of food safety scandals has made Taiwan consumers extra vigilant.

Last year sales revenue reached more than Tw$500 million (B558mn), with money going towards victim compensation, improvement of facilities and a wage for inmates.

Some prisoners, like 39-year-old Chen, had little culinary experience before joining the production line in Taoyuan, in the north of the island.

The prison rolls out a wide range of snacks, from sweets to fermented tofu.

Im happy to learn some useful skills, Chen said.

I didnt know how to use a kitchen knife properly before as my mother always cooked for me and I didnt need to go into the kitchen.

Ive learnt that it looks simple to make food, but its actually quite complicated.

Inmates near release or parole can apply for the programme and are prioritised. Long-term prisoners who are judged to have behaved well or have relevant experience can also apply.

The range of jail-made food bought from prisons across Taiwan includes local favourites such as pineapple cake and peanut brittle, as well as soy sauce and free-range chicken.

What started in 2006 as a smaller programme designed to teach inmates practical skills and raise funds for prison facilities has now been rolled out to all of Taiwans adult jails.

More than 50 prisons make around 300 types of product which can be ordered by the public by phone, online or by fax, or bought direct from prison offices.

We use good ingredients and we do not use additives or over-process food to make profits, said Chiu Hung-chi, Deputy Chief of the Agency of Corrections.

Our foods are natural, high quality and inexpensive, he added.

It is a winning sales pitch to a public wary after big-name companies were found to have adulterated their products with banned chemicals or recycled gutter oil to lower costs, which led to massive recalls of food items in recent years.

Shoppers at a food fair in central Taichung city organised by the agency were quick to vouch for made-in-prison food.

Ive been buying food made by inmates regularly for more than a year. They are organic, good quality and relatively cheap. I also rally my friends to place orders together, said businesswoman Wang Lung-feng, who drove nearly two hours from southern Tainan city to the fair, which lasted four days and drew thousands of visitors.

Ms Wang spent over Tw$10,000 (B11,168) on noodles, chicken, soy sauce and snacks.

I think the programme is very meaningful. The inmates are learning some skills that can help them find work and readjust to society, she said.

Inmates earn an average monthly labour allowance of around Tw$2,000-3,000 (B2,233-B3,350). Some responsible for top-selling items, such as soy sauce made in a prison in southern Pingtung county, can make 10 times the average pay during peak holiday seasons, according to Mr Chiu.

Besides producing their own brand of food, some prisons make soaps and handicrafts, or take orders from local factories to manufacture garments, paper bags and accessories.

Inmate Chen said she hopes to launch her own small food business after her release.

My mother loves to cook and she cooks well. She said as long as I am not afraid of hard work she will work with me to start our small food business.

I hope to combine my mothers cooking with what Ive learnt to create better food.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Jan 21 (PTI) A special task force (STF) for women that will review decisions taken by the city police and other departments regarding their safety in the national capital has been reconstituted, Delhi Commission for Women today said.

The STF, headed by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, will have as its members, Delhi Chief Secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner, Chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women, Principal Secretary, Home Department (Delhi), among others.

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The meeting of the force will be held every 15 days, the DCW said in a statement.

The womens panel said the STF has been formed in response to the notice issued by the High Court to the LG on a DCW petition seeking response as to why no committee on women safety was set up.

"The task force will review decisions taken by the Delhi Police and other departments regarding women safety in the Capital," DCW said.

The Delhi Commission for Women had been appealing to the Home Minister and the then Lt Governor for long time in this regard, it said, adding, in 2016, the STF formed under the chairpersonship of the Union Home Secretary, was "disbanded".

"The STF was formed during the time of the Nirbhaya rape (case) and was chaired by the Home Secretary... The Home Department of the Delhi government issued orders for the reconstitution of the Special Task Force on January 17 after getting the LGs assent," the DCW said.

The other STF members would be -- Divisional Commissioner, Revenue, Transport Commissioner, Delhi, Police Commissioner, Special (Traffic), Special Commissioner of Delhi Police, Women Safety, Chairperson of the NDMC, Commissioners of all three municipal corporations (East, West, South), Excise Commissioner, Delhi, Secretary, Women and Child Development Department (Delhi), Secretary, Social Welfare Department and a member from the Union Home Ministry - Union Territory Division, the statement said.

Also, any other suitable person may be made a member of the task force, as may be considered necessary, it added.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal said, "Along with this STF there should also be a high-level committee on womens security which should have representatives not only from Delhi Police and the DCW, but also peoples representatives from central government and Delhi government, and should take concrete decisions." PTI KND KUN

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Here is a story about how Studio Coppre came into being and helped keep the work of copper artisans alive.

An IT evangelist, he made a small but definitive start towards transforming the lives of women copper artisans by encouraging them to adopt new designs and identifying new markets for them.

"The idea of doing something for the artisan community came to my wife Uma and me when we were engaged in a year-long intervention in Srinagar on the Talent Valley project of our company Global Talent Track. To our horror, we discovered that most children of Kashmiri carpet-makers were choosing other vocations and the fine art or 'taleem' of carpet-making could possibly not survive two generations. Further research showed that this was true of many artistic endeavours in India.

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After supporting a few individual artisans for a couple of years, we got an opportunity to invest in Studio Coppre and help four highly energetic and passionate young women grow their enterprise and not only keep the work of copper artisans alive but also substantially enhance the quality of their work and increase their earnings.

The initial challenges were many-how to get the artisans to accept new, and in some cases, non-traditional designs that would have appeal for a larger audience, how to get them to automate part of their work to ensure consistency, and most importantly, how to respond to an agency that promised to help them sell more but would impose certain design and manufacturing standards on them.

Investment in a truly high quality team for design, operations and marketing ensured that the confidence in the artisan community was slowly built. By working with them in a spirit of collaboration and true partnership of equals, the artisans started to rally around the enterprise and even participated enthusiastically in design thinking and looking at innovative new ideas for the use of copper, both for decorative and utility purposes. The 5F World Consortium consists of us and some friends and we have invested Rs 50 lakh in this venture.

The road ahead will be difficult as we attempt to widen the artisan community base, deepen their understanding of process standardisation and design quality, embrace automation where possible and keep the core enterprise profitable so that it can grow. The plan is to continue to add designs, introduce low cost automation and spread the copper community across and beyond Maharashtra. We will then start looking at other metals and other home improvement products as well."

-As told to MG Arun

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How many people have already voted absentee in South Dakota ahead of Election Day?
In a notice dated January 20, 2017, the actor's advocate R Vijay Anand said that Suriya had reiterated his commitment and support for the bull taming sport on several occasions in the past and there was no need for him to indulge in "cheap publicity."

By Press Trust of India: Tamil star Suriya has issued a legal notice to animal rights advocacy group PETA for its claim that the actor was supporting Jallikattu to promote his upcoming movie "Si3", saying this has caused "mental stress" to him and asked the NGO to apologise or face legal proceedings.

In a notice dated January 20, 2017, the actor's advocate R Vijay Anand said that Suriya had reiterated his commitment and support for the bull taming sport on several occasions in the past and there was no need for him to indulge in "cheap publicity."

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WHAT THE LAWYER SAID

The notice was issued to PETA India, its India CEO Poorva Joshipura and two other office-bearers.

The "mischievous and slanderous comments" has lowered my client's reputation, Anand said in the notice, alleging that they were made with "malafide intention and ulterior motive knowing fully well that it is untrue."

It has also caused "mental agony and stress" to him and his family members and his fans, he said.

"My client voiced his opinion on an issue which is identified with Tamil culture, pride and tradition for almost 300 years and as a Tamilian he is fully entitled to do so," Anand said.

He urged PETA India, Joshipura and the two others to issue an "unconditional apology" in writing to Suriya within seven days of receipt of the notice and release the same to media, "failing which, my client shall be constrained to initiate appropriate legal proceedings against you," he warned.

Suriya had earlier lambasted PETA India for its opposition to Jallikattu, saying it was "paradoxical to see those aiding extinction of native breeds talk about cruelty to animals in the bull-taming sport".

Also Read

All you need to know about Jallikattu

Jallikattu ordinance: AIADMK MPs meet President Pranab Mukherjee

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Jan 21 (PTI) Sushant Singh Rajput had a blast with Kriti Sanon, Preity Zinta, Sanjay Leela Bhasali and among others, as the actor turned 31 today.

Zinta shared the sneak peek from Sushants birthday bash on Instagram.

"This is what a surprise birthday party photo looks like. Birthday boy @itsSSR surrounded by all the women... Madness. Fun," she captioned the picture, featuring herself along with Sanon and Sushant.

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Taking to Twitter, Sanon, who has been romantically linked with Sushant since they started filming their upcoming romantic drama "Raabta", wished him a "happiest birthday".

"Happiest Birthday Sush!! May ur smile always reach ur eyes as all u dream of comes true! Wish you lots of happiness, love and ice-creams @itsSSR."

To which the actor replied, "Ice-creams ohh yes... Thanks a lot sweetheart..."

Other Bollywood stars like Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, Huma Qureshi and Shekar Kapoor give their blessings to the "Kai Po Che" star.

Johar tweeted, "Happy birthday @itsSSR!!!! Shine on!!! Sending you tons of love and happiness... Big hug."

"Wishing the talented @itsSSR a very Happy Birthday!! Looking forward to seeing more of your amazing work," Anil Kapoor posted.

Huma wrote, "Happy birthday @itsSSR... May all your dreams come true... Stay happy stay cray cray... May you always take the road less travelled."

"Guess what, Sushant had a birthday party and I was not invited! No worries. Love u anyways and was there in spirit. Happy Birthday superstar," Shekhar Kapoor tweeted.

Jacqueline Fernandez wrote, "Happy birthday @itsSSR!!! Look, the Internet loves you. They made you this." PTI SSN SSN

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After much flak for the worsened condition of the national capital, CPCB has come up with suggestions.

By Baishali Adak: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is looking forward to constructing a 'tall' office building which would soar over crowded Delhi and help it in monitoring the city's wind patterns and ambient air quality levels accurately. They board also asked for fresh and the most modern equipment besides access to satellite data.

Currently, the apex pollution monitoring body operates from an office in Karkardooma, east Delhi, called 'Parivesh Bhavan,' which lies in one of the most congested areas of the city. There are several educational institutions, office complexes, towering malls, restaurants, dhabas and elevated Metro stations in its vicinity.

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CPCB's old and un-calibrated pollution monitoring machines have also come in for much criticism.

Scientists say this 'tall' building is a much-needed facility in view of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) issuing a notification for a 'graded pollution response action plan' which would be implemented pan-NCR (National Capital Region).

To enforce the plan, CPCB will have to generate an average Particulate Matter 10 (PM 10) and PM 2.5 figure for the whole region daily. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials will assist them.

For this, an unhindered air flow is required, said officials. A senior CPCB scientist said, "We call this the 'Comprehensive Integrated Monitoring System' which would serve as a 'nerve centre' or a 'command centre' of all departments to help implement the 'graded pollution response plan."

Meanwhile, EPCA conducted a meeting of senior officials of Delhi and neighbouring states to rollout the 'graded pollution response plan' on Friday. With the air quality falling under 'very poor' category, EPCA said measures like ban on garbage burning have been enforced.

Also read | CPCB promises clear air to residents living near railway stations

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Aside from facing the challenge of attempting to build a company from the ground up, many entrepreneurs have little prior experience in the business world. Even when they have an incredibly awesome idea, complex problems arise, such as managing the young enterprise, handling finances and hiring employees on a budget. Mistakes and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand. Therefore, even with meticulous planning, you are bound to go wrong. Some will make you a better entrepreneur while others will flat out ruin your business. Knowing which ones to avoid beforehand can save you a lot of time, money, and heartache. Be sure to not add your start-up to tales of disaster. Here are some start-up mistakes to avoid at all cost:

The business entity concept: The very first thing to keep in mind while working on your start-up is to keep your personal and professional life separate. A successful entrepreneur knows how to keep it balance.

Thinking money solves everything: Struggling entrepreneurs often think that if they can just raise another round of financing, their problems will be solved. But it doesnt work like that. If your business model isn't sound, throwing money at it is not going to work. You have to fix the problem first, and then raise the money. Doing it the other way will only get you in more trouble.

Dont be afraid to fail: The biggest mistake you can make is to be afraid of failure. How you pick up after failure and learn from your mistakes is the key to great success. Change the mindset. You didn't failyou ran an experiment that will improve your next business. Although it hurts a little bit each time, now you've learned something, and you can apply that lesson to move forward and make your business better.

Ignoring your customers: When you have a solid business plan that looks good on paper, it's easy to get carried away with implementing your idea that you forget the most crucial part of your business  your customers. Start-ups that make this mistake usually end up with unfavourable results since customers are the backbone of every company. So, if you want to stay out of the list of start-ups that fail, you need to put as much focus on meeting the needs of your target as you do with implementing your ideas.

Framing a sound business plan: Having a solid business plan plays a vital role in determining future success. A business plan, after all, serves to guide the start-up in the right direction by answering the following questions like  What is the purpose of the company? Who are the potential customers? What are the mission and values? What's the direction desired for the company? Who are the company's competitors and what are they doing? How can the company measure success? In other words, a sound business plan determines every aspect of the start-up. And whenever the company is stuck or a new venture is to be launched, refer to the business plan. There's no need to go creating a business plan in as formal a manner as someone would in business school. But having a business plan is recommended since it will help determine the company's direction over the long term.

Not paying for expertise: The biggest mistake an entrepreneur can make (and most do) is to believe that, just because they are an expert at what they do, they have what it takes to run their own business. Find an expert whose job is to know exactly what you need to do.

Handling money incorrectly: When it comes to start-ups, having money is much a big deal and it needs proper handling. One of the biggest mistakes is spending too much, which may occur when a business owner or founder becomes overly eager and hires a ton of people. At first, the entrepreneur may believe all the new employees are needed.

But this will just mean burning through the start-up's finances faster. To avoid this, hire only those truly needed and take staffing up step by step.

A founder may be tempted to blow through a lot of cash pretty quickly, spending on unnecessary expenses. Instead of these funds going to good use, they're just wasted. As an entrepreneur, its easy to fall in love with your business idea and fail to fully understand or appreciate the economics. To avoid mistakes in your planning and launch, entrepreneurs must start off with a clear profit and loss, and cash flow plan that details what your business metrics need to be in order to survive in the short term and succeed in the long term.

Without proper management and use of its finances, a new business may never set sail. Be sure that someone good with numbers can help out with this.

The writer is Chief Executive Officer and Director, Wishbells, New Delhi
A consortium led by Chinese firms has signed a strategic agreement to acquire 40 per cent equity of Pakistan Stock Exchange for $85 million, in a move aimed at mobilising funds for the $46-billion CPEC project and facilitating China's entry into the Pakistani capital market.

The Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) was signed on Friday in the presence of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Karachi.

The consortium comprises Chinese Financial Futures Exchange Company Ltd (lead bidders), Shanghai Stock Exchange, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, and two local partners Pak-China Investment Company and Habib Bank Ltd, Dawn reported.

It had won by placing the highest bid of 28 rupees a share for 320 million shares at a price consideration of Rs.8.96 billion ($85 mn) when the stake was put forth in December.

The PSX also plans to launch infrastructure bonds which would be predominantly be used for the $46-billion China- Pakistan Economic Corridor project, that passes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Speaking on the occasion, Dar said the government had set up a 'Pakistan Development Fund' aimed at financing the infrastructure development projects in the country.

"We would soon be coming to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to mobilise funds," he said, adding the International Finance Corporation and others had indicated their interest in participating in the Fund.

Dar said the strategic deal with the Chinese consortium was a "dream come true" for him. Besides being the best market in Asia and fifth best among global bourses in 2016 on the basis of returns, the PSX had after the divestment graduated to 'regional market', he said.

He expressed the hope that the decision by the Chinese consortium to venture into Pakistan's capital market would bring benefits to both sides.

"Divestment will result in institutional shareholding, experienced ownership and good governance for PSX which will translate into organised and robust development of the exchange," he said.

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said the occasion marked a new step in all-round cooperation between the two countries. "It is a win-win situation for both sides," the ambassador said and added that the partnership would assist in investment financing and generate credit for CPEC.

"It comes at a significant moment when we are pushing forward CPEC to deepen cooperation and sustainable development in China-Pakistan all-weather friendship."
In his first visit to Delhi Police headquarters after assuming office, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday stressed on the need to connect with youth and community for effective policing and to ensure the safety of woman and children.

During his discussion with senior officers, he observed that modern day policing is a challenging and a complex task in a mega city like Delhi and therefore, police must technologically upgrade itself on the one hand and build strong relations with the community on the other.

He directed officers to engage with youth and the community in a big way. "The youth have to be partners in our policing approach," he said.

He also stressed on "concept-based" policing and directed officers to look into the pattern of crime and trends.

He also took a round of the Central Police Command Room  C4i and the Police Control Room.
Haryana government on Saturday issued stern warning against any violence during the agitation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation for Jat community.

The chief minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar said if the peaceful atmosphere is vitiated due to the agitation, the government would deal it with strictness.

The Director General of Police (DGP) KP Singh too said today that if anyone is found indulged in any illegal activity or causing loss to public property, action would be initiated against him.

Singh said that in a democratic set up, every person has the right to express his views, but the democratic set up also has some limitations for expression of views, which should be followed.

CM Khattar also stated that All Bharatiya Jat Arakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS) president Yashpal Malik was not doing any good by directly or indirectly politicizing the issue of Jat reservation.

Yashpal Malik should not politicize the issue of Jat reservation, added Chief Minister when he was asked about opposition by Jat leader Yashpal Malik against the BJP in states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

Khattar appealed to the people to maintain peace and do not participate in any kind of agitation which is politically motivated.

He said that it was not right to participate in such agitations.

Politicizing such agitations is condemnable and this cant do any good.

As far as Jat reservation was concerned, the state government has enacted a law and now the issue is with the court, he said.

Earlier on Friday, Yashpal Malik accompanied by few others announced to oppose the BJP in the Assembly elections in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. At a Press conference, Malik also announced to resume agitation in 19 districts of Haryana from January 29.

He sought that the criminal cases against the arrested persons during the Jat agitation last year should be withdrawn. Compensation be given to the injured persons during the agitation and the Jat community be given the OBC status at Centre.

He said that Jats would start agitation in peaceful manner in 19 districts of the state except Panchkula, Mewat and Gurgaon from January 29, till their demands were met.
Three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including two Pakistani nationals, were sentenced to death by the Bongaon Court in West Bengal on Saturday.

The militants were sentenced to death on charges of carrying ammunitions and trying to cross over illegally to India.

The convicts are Mohammed Yunus, Mohammed Abdullah and Mohammed Muzaffar Ahmed and they were arrested from Bongaon border in 2007.

While Yunus and Abdullah are originally from Karachi, Muzaffar is from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir. They were held guilty by the court on January 19 after the trial.

Huge quantities of explosives apart from fake documents were recovered from them.
The recently concluded 22nd International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram had an interesting screening programme curated under the title Gender-Bender with six films from USA, India, Chile-Argentina and Lithuania.. The term gender-bender is often misunderstood, misinterpreted or misrepresented specially in cinema. In dictionary parlance, gender-bender stands for a function at which the gender roles are reversed, or manipulated in various ways. It also refers to a person who explores the boundaries of gender roles, or outright denies their existence.

The Gender Bender section at the festival covered all these areas and threw up a rainbow-hued prism of blurred sexual and gender identities through different stories. The films were also included in other screening sections such as International Competition and World Cinema. It was curated by John Badalu, an Ashoka Fellow and an Indonesian from Jakarta. Badalu recalls that the very first film about homosexualitywas The Dickinson Experimental Sound and Film (1895) directed by William Kennedy Dickinson that showed two men dancing. But the first film that reflected a sympathetic portrayal of homosexuals was Germanys Richard Oswalds Different from the Others. The Nazis burnt all prints of the film in 1933.

Tamara, directed by Elia K. Schneider, an American-Venezuelian-Israeli filmmaker, writer and theatre director, is an adaptation from the real life story of Tamara Adrian, Venezuelas first transgender politician. He grows up to become a successful lawyer and academic and gets married and has children. But the desire to be honest with his feelings makes him opt for sex reassignment surgery to become Tamara. When the Venezuelan state refuses to accept this new identity, she turns political activist bringing her legal education and experience in her struggle for LGBT and womens rights. She is finally elected to the Venezuelian Congress and is currently working towards proposed political reforms.

Among films in the gender-bender section was  Front Cover, an English-Mandarin film directed by Ray Yeung which evolves into a romantic drama between two men, a gay Chinese-American celebrity fashion stylist and an actor who arrives from Beijing in the US who gradually fall in love with each other but are faced with the constant struggle with the medias discovery of the actors alternate sexual orientation.

Love was the only Indian entry. Directed by Sudhanshu Saira filled with twists and turns in the relationships between and among Jai, a Wall Street deal maker who comes to Mumbai for two days of fun, Sahil, a music producer who joins him and Alex, Sahils boyfriend who turns up with a companion and what happens next.

Something Must Break, a Swedish film directed by Ester Martin Bergmark is an unusual story of two men, the androgynous Sebastian and easy-going Andreas who insists that he is not gay. But he falls in love with the self-abusive Sebastian who wants to be a woman and they elope defying social conventions.

Spanish film Rara directed by Pepa San Martin is about a 13-year-old girl caught between her separated parents. She lives with her mother, younger sister and her mothers new partner, also a woman. The film offers the audience an insight into the perceptions of teenagers towards homosexuality.

Quick Change directed by Eduardo W. Roy Junior is based in the Phillipines and was filmed in real locations with a hand-held camera. Doriina a middle-aged transgender, walks the tightrope between the struggles of her own identity and her illegal business in injecting substances into the bodies of transgender girls to beautify them. The film explores the lives of the transgender community in Manila and how their survival is dependent on their looks.

Lithuanian film The Summer of Sangaile unfolds the story of coming-of-age of two young teenage girls. Directed by Alante Kavaite, it is the story of a relationship between Sangaile who is an introvert obsessed with stunt planes and Auste, impulsive and bubbling with excitement and the two, pulled towards each other, bring effective changes in one another.

All these films shed light on the constant struggle of the protagonists to come to terms with their sexuality, to sustain the relationships they develop against social prejudice and ostracism and the need to be recognised and accepted by the so-called mainstream society.
A team of central government officials arrived in Chennai on Saturday to assess the drought situation in Tamil Nadu following a plea by the state government, official sources said.

The team is expected to visit drought-hit areas and discuss the situation with senior state officials, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIDMK) sources said.

Chief Minister O Panneerselvam had on January 16 urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to depute a central team to study the extensive damage caused to agriculture crops and to take stock of the drinking water scarcity in Tamil Nadu.

The state government had urged the Centre to sanction Rs.39,565 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund towards mitigation measures.
Pakistan on Saturday released Indian Army soldier Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan, who had "inadvertently" crossed the LoC in September last year. Chavan was handed over to Indian authorities at the Wagah-Attari joint check post, a Border Security Force (BSF) official confirmed in Amritsar.

Chavan was handed over to Army authorities after his return to India, he said.

Sepoy Chavan's kin and residents of his native village Bohivir in northern Maharashtra were overjoyed on his release. His family thanked authorities for securing his safe return.

Chavan, 22, of 37 Rashtriya Rifles, was taken into custody by Pakistan Army after he "inadvertently" crossed the Line of Control (LoC) from Krishna Ghati sector in Jammu and Kashmir on September 29 last year.

Pakistan Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor said in a statement that Chavan "deserted his post at the LOC due to his grievances of maltreatment against his commanders".

"He wilfully crossed LOC on September 29, 2016 and surrendered himself to Pakistan Army," he said.

He added that "as a gesture of goodwill and in continuation of our efforts to maintain peace and tranquility along LoC and IB (International Border), Sepoy Chandu Babulal Chavan has been convinced to return to his own country and will be handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah Border on humanitarian grounds."

The incident took place just hours after the Indian forces carried out surgical strikes on September 29 across the Line of Control to destroy terrorist launch pads.

The Indian Army said that they had got confirmation by Pakistan military authorities that Chavan would be handed over at 3 p.m. and the soldier was finally handed over.

"Sep Chandu Babulal Chavan crossed over to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir from own Krishna Ghati sector on September 29. In order to ensure his release the matter was taken up with Pakistani Military authorities through the existing hotline and scheduled DGMO level talks," the army statement said.

In Chavan's native village, scores of villagers came out into the streets to greet his family, who were overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events, laughing and crying at the same time.

Chavan's elder brother Bhushan said: "We are extremely grateful to the government for securing his safe release. We shall remain indebted to (Minister of State for Defence) Subhash Bhamre for all his help in ensuring his return home."

"It is unbelievable and the news is still sinking in. We are so happy for us, its like all festivals  Diwali, Holi  coming together simultaneously and we shall celebrate when he comes home after such a long time," his married sister Rupali Patil said wiping away tears of joy.

After hearing the news of Chavan's capture, his aged grandmother suffered a heart attack and died a few days later.

Indian Army sources said that Chavan will go through a medical check up and will be subsequently debriefed.

They said that since the soldier was coming from a "hostile nation", the army will have to check for any radicalisation that might have happened.

Debriefing will help know what the soldier might have been subjected to, sources added.

The surgical strikes in September last year came in the wake of an attack on an Indian army base near the town of Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18. Nineteen Indian soldiers died in the attack, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-backed militants, a claim flatly denied by Islamabad.
Nepal's Teriya Magar, who entered the dancing reality show show as wild card contestant, has won the ninth season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

By India Today Web Desk: Three years after winning DID Little Masters Season 3, Nepal's Teriya Magar, who entered Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9 as wild card contestant has won the show, beating choreographer Salman Yusuff Khan and actor Shantanu Maheshwari. Fourteen-year-old Teriya has been impressing judges with her dancing prowess ever since she entered the show.

While her semi-final performance was marvellous, she even bettered herself in the finale performance, in the presence of Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan and judges Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Ganesh Hegde. Hrithik was so impressed with her performance that he expressed his desire to dance with her in his upcoming Bollywood movie.

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Also read: Jhalak Dikhla Jaa grand finale: All you want to know about the last episode

This is not the first reality TV win for Teriya. She earlier won the third season of DID Little Masters at the age of 11.

The finale episode was super-entertaining with Hrithik sharing interesting anecdotes from his Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham days, where he worked with his good friend and director Karan Johar. Hrithik also crooned to Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahaan especially for Karan on host Maniesh Paul's request. Karan too will sing You are My Soniya to Duggu.

A heartiest congratulations to the little wonder Teriya Magar for winning Jhalak! Hope you bring many more trophies.

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Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Saturday termed the ongoing tussle in the Samajwadi Party (SP) an effort to divert attention from Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadavs failures.

Targeting SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati said: He (Mulayam) made his brother Shivpal a scapegoat to divert attention from son Akhileshs failures.

Taking on another rival the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is witnessing resurgence in the poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Maywati said the minorities should vote as a group for the BSP.

Minorities should vote for BSP to check BJP," she said.

Minorities in UP, especially Muslims have been traditional SP voters but with the BJP wooing Hindus, the BSP is going all out to portray itself as a stable alternative to the faction ridden SP.

(With inputs from agencies)
Uncertainty clouded prospect of an alliance between the Samajwadi Party and Congress in UP after the state's ruling party on Friday announced a list of candidates for 210 seats, including nine currently held by Congress, which called the action "unfortunate".

The announcement of the list of SP nominees followed Tuesday's statements by UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and senior Congress leader in-charge of the state Ghulam Nabi Azad indicating a pre-poll tie-up was a foregone conclusion.

As the SP released the list of candidates, who included Shivpal Yadav, the estranged uncle of Akhilesh, and fielded nominees for seats represented by the Congress in the assembly, its vice president Kiramoy Nanda said the party was yet to get a "positive response" from Congress on the alliance issue.

He said SP was prepared for an alliance with Congress, for which it could spare 85 of the state's 403 seats and not more. Nanda made it clear that though his party favoured a pre-poll pact with Congress, it had to be on "our own terms".

Samajwadi Party, which is not on the same page with Congress on the issue of inclusion of RLD, said if that party wanted to defeat BJP, it should accept SP's formula of seat-sharing.

"Under this formula, SP would give those seats to Congress on which its candidate were in first place or seats where SP was at third, fourth or fifth spots," SP National Vice President Kironmay Nanda told reporters here after SP released its list of 191 candidates.

"Thus, Congress will get 54 seats. But if it (Congress) talks seriously, we can also give them 25-30 additional seats.

The maximum seats we can give to them will be 85," he said.

Noting that the main objective of SP was to defeat BJP in the Assembly polls, he said, "For this, we are trying for alliance with Congress but till now we have not got any positive response from them."

When it was pointed out that in today's list SP has fielded candidates on various seats on which Congress candidates had won 2012 polls, Nanda said, "If alliance takes place, SP will withdraw its candidates from those seats."

Sources said RLD wanted more seats than what SP was ready to part with.

Congress reportedly offered some 20 seats to RLD chief Ajit Singh's son Jayant Choudhary, who is in touch with party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

According to insiders, Singh has said he will not accept less than 30 seats and was now contemplating going with some other parties like JD(U).

To a query on tie-up with RLD, Nanda said, "There was no talk with RLD on alliance."

When asked whether it has become difficult to forge alliance with Congress now, he said, "It will be too early to say so. We still want an alliance with Congress but on our own conditions. Poll process has already started and SP cannot wait for a long time."

In Delhi, senior Congress spokesman Ajay Maken termed as "unfortunate" the SP's decision to declare its candidates for seats held by Congress but parried questions about whether an alliance between the two parties would materialise.

Maken said,"This alliance was concluded earlier with none other than SP National President Akhilesh Yadav and leaders of the Congress and now again we are getting in touch with Akhilesh Yadav because it was with him that the alliance earlier was concluded.

"It is unfortunatetechnical details which were agreed upon and concluded upon between Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leaders should be honoured."

The SP has been ruling out inclusion of Ajit Singh's RLD in the alliance despite his party having some influence in Western Uttar Pradesh. Congress, however, wanted its inclusion and was planning to give some seats from its quota to RLD.
New Delhis rejection of the uncalled for advice from Beijing about the inviolability of international obligations in the aftermath of Indias testing of the Agni V missile is yet another example of the stiffening of Indias attitude towards China.

There was no need for Beijing to express the hope that India would abide by UN Security Council rules on missiles and safeguard South Asias strategic balance. It is odd for China, which is flouting an international tribunals directive on South China Sea, to offer gratuitous sermons on rules and regulations. India has reminded its pesky neighbour, therefore, that it complies with all applicable international obligations and hopes that the others will do the same. The dig at China is obvious.

What has apparently bothered the latter is not only that the nuclear-capable Agni 5 can target the whole of China, but also that Indias military prowess is now reaching proportions which are a far cry from what they were in 1962 when China decided to teach India a lesson, as Deng Xiaoping said.

True, China is still well ahead of India as a military power. But it has realised that India is no longer a pushover. For Beijing, therefore, the presence of a fairly strong military power in what it considers its backyard is bound to puncture its Middle Kingdom pretensions.

Up until now, China has been dismissive about the objections to its expansionist designs by East Asian countries like Japan or the Philippines or even Vietnam even if China found Vietnam to be a formidable adversary when it also tried to teach it a lesson in 1979.

But, now, with India acquiring an impressive nuclear arsenal and also developing a mentality which shuns excessive prudence as before, China has no option but to act with greater restraint, especially when Indias relations with Japan and Vietnam have become all the more cordial because of the realisation on their parts of the need to put up a united front vis-a-vis China.

Although India has said that its intercontinental missiles are not directed at any country, it is no secret that only China at present answers to the description of being unfriendly and even hostile.

So does Pakistan, which is why it is Chinas all-weather friend and a useful ally in the event of a confrontation with India. China and Pakistan are the only two countries with which India has gone to war since attaining independence.

But war is nowadays avoided by most countries because the emphasis in international relations is shifting to trade and commerce for the sake of boosting economic growth.

Not surprisingly, China has stressed the importance of maintaining strategic balance and stability in South Asia in the context of Agni V and also spoken of itself as Indias partner and not a rival.

The emphasis on stability underlines Chinas realisation that for all the clandestine military assistance that it gives to Pakistan, the latter will never be able to match Indias strategic strength either in the economic or the military field.

China is also aware that only stability in the region can ensure the success of the economic corridor that it is building through Pakistan, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It also passes through Baloochistan, which is why China has been concerned about Indias support for the anti-Pakistan Balooch rebels. Any sign of destabilisation caused by the upsurge of Balooch militancy or unease in Pakistan about Indias military capabilities cannot be conducive to the flourishing of economic activity which the corridor promises.

The aid and abetment of terrorism by Pakistan is another unsettling factor. It remains to be seen whether Indias growing military prowess persuades China to advise Pakistan against persisting with its proxy war against India, especially when the surgical strikes by the Indian army last September showed that New Delhis patience is not limitless.

Since Agni V will be followed by Agni VI, which will have multiple warheads, it is clear that a new strategic scenario is evolving in South and East Asia. As a major defence partner of the US, India has acquired a position which cannot but cause considerable unease in China.

For the first time, there is now some kind of a balance in Sino-Indian relations where no one can claim to be unquestionably the foremost power. Therefore, it is not goodwill alone which has made China express the hope that it looks for better relations with India in 2017 since the main theme of China-India relations remains friendship and cooperation, as a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson has said.

China has also invited India to join the proposed alliance of countries ranging from Pakistan to Iran and Russia which Islamabad is trying to set up as a kind of a larger SAARC after the failure of the SAARC summit in Islamabad last September because of Indias refusal to participate in protest against the Pakistani instigation of terror in India.

At the same time, the decision by China, Russia and Pakistan to exclude a selected few Taliban militants in Afghanistan from UN sanctions shows that the Great Game of trying to outwit one another is not over.
A 1981 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Amarendra Khatua has had several important assignments during his 35-year-long diplomatic career. Considered a quiet but immensely focused diplomat, Khatua has held trade and economic positions in various Indian missions and served in different capacities in key divisions at the MEA. He has also served in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Planning Commission and Ministry of Industry. He assumed charge as Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), in September last year. Prior to this appointment, he was Dean, Foreign Service Institute, and Ambassador of India to Argentina. He has also served as special envoy to South Sudan and Sudan to broker peace between the two countries.

In this interview to Ashok Tuteja, Khatua talks about his role in the prestigious ICCR assignment and how he proposes to project India's 'soft power' image abroad.

Q: You have taken charge of the ICCR recently. What are your priorities in this new assignment?

A: My priorities include streamlining the process through which we facilitate, promote and export our soft power footprints to the global arena through bilateral and multilateral diplomatic and cultural exchanges. Establishing regular, better and delivery-based coordination with the territorial divisions of the Ministry of External Affairs, like ministries and departments of the Government of India, especially with the Ministries of Culture, HRD, Ayush, Tourism and Commerce, with our missions abroad and foreign missions in New Delhi is also a priority engagement area.

Q: What is your vision of the ICCR as a vehicle to promote Indias cultural ties with other friendly nations?

A: Both the Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister lay emphasis on developing unique and universal cultural modules of India based on our age old tradition, civilisation, literature, crafts, practices and performing arts and carrying them in systematic and planned ways to the world and especially to the Diaspora countries. Inclusion of yoga, Ayurveda, Diaspora linkage and festivals of India coinciding with visits and landmark commemorations can promote our cultural ties with the world.

Q: How do you look at the role of cultural diplomacy in promoting diplomatic relations?

A: Diplomacy today is all-encompassing. Cultural diplomacy promotes visible people-to-people contact and opens up avenues which can lead to commercial, consular and political gains through indirect yet impressive ways. Cultural diplomacy promotes tourism, projects folk and traditional diversities and stirs Diaspora activities and participation. Be it performing arts, or Bollywood or theatre or Ram Leela or Sanskrit, using the potent tools of Indian tradition and culture to reach out to the world generates interest, acceptance and recognition and helps in promoting better bilateral relations with countries. For Diaspora countries, cultural diplomacy is a must for continuity and greater exchanges.

Q: Which are the countries with whom you propose to have partnerships in the field of culture in the coming months?

A: Based on celebration of years of establishment of diplomatic relationship and commemorating special events, we plan days and weeks of culture or festivals in India or outside India. In the coming months major events are being planned with and by countries including France, UK, Israel, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Belarus, Iran, Spain and Mexico.

Q: Are there any specific plans for Indias neighbourhood?

A: At present we are organising a number of major events in Nepal which includes projection of folk dance and arts of North East, jazz and rock music, academic seminars and meets and classical performing arts shows. A festival of Kashmir was recently organised in Nepal. On continuing basis we are sending and receiving troupes from Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In fact all these countries will be hosting Indian cultural troupes during the celebration of Republic Day in 2017. Five Indian authors will also be participating in the Karachi Literary Festival this year.

Q: Could you please identify the countries where we currently have India Cultural Centres? How many more India Cultural Centres are proposed to be opened this year and where?

A: India has 37 cultural centres abroad in 35 countries namely Afghanistan, Australia, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, Fiji, Germany, Guyana, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Tajikistan, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Establishment of Cultural Centres in Paris and Washington is under active consideration. India proposes to open a few more cultural centres.

Q: How do you propose to project Indias soft power image?

A: Indias soft power image will be projected by covering the foreign students studying under ICCR scholarships as a constituency of goodwill in those countries. A monitoring and e-portal based initiative called Arrival-to- Alumni is being introduced to help us in this regard. Follow up action linked to inbound and outbound cultural troupes are being taken to foster continuity. Instead of teaching yoga, we are now sending teachers to teach yoga, Vedas and Sanskrit. Instead of sending professors, we are now deputing experienced secondary school teachers to teach Hindi in centres abroad. Strengthening our centres and their activities abroad are being processed. Chairs are being set up with care and due selection of professors with ability and expertise is being done by an experts panel of vice chancellors. ICCR is working closely with Ministry of Culture to execute Festivals of India and with Ayush, ITPO, Tourism Ministry, etc., to promote specialised forms of traditional knowledge and cultural promotion activities.

Q: What are your plans to propagate Yoga and Ayurveda?

A: Selection of teachers to teach yoga, Sanskrit and Vedas has commenced. Centres are being strengthened to support Indias yoga penetration initiative globally. Introduction of Ayurveda chairs to promote Ayurveda and its pharmacopeia in a number of countries has taken place. Our effort to promote Ayurveda in South East Asia has been a success. Plans to promote both through institutions, universities, research institutions and at mass level promotional events are being set afoot.

Q: The ICCR has also taken steps to promote Sanskrit by instituting an award which was given to the Princess of Thailand last year. Will we see any other initiatives by the ICCR this year to promote other Indian languages?

A: Promotion of Bhojpuri in Mauritius, promotion of Hindi learning among Diaspora children, promotion of Sanskrit in UK school system, etc., are some of the projects to promote Indian languages abroad. ICCR assists a number of Diaspora bodies to promote Indian languages, to organise workshops, for publication activities, etc.

Q: What role do you perceive for the Indian Diaspora in projecting Indias image abroad?

A: Each of the members of Indian Diaspora is an ambassador for Indian cultural mores. ICCR makes conscious and planned efforts to involve them in knowing India, participating and learning Indian culture and performing arts, furthering their knowledge.
Bhangar in Bengals South 24-Parganas district has once again set its face against the development model of the State a decade after the government of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had proposed a two-wheeler factory there with Indonesias Selim group as the investor. In terms of the scale of violence and peoples disapproval, it might be a mite far-fetched to draw a parallel between this weeks mayhem and the upsurge in Nandigram (March and November 2007), which drove the narrative faster towards the eclipse of the Left Front government than to a Special Economic Zone. Ergo, the violent protests against the acquisition of agricultural land are both the same and different. Locals of Bhangar are up in arms over the acquisition of eleven acres for the Rs.300-crore sub-station of the Power Grid Corporation of India, a project that would have increased availability of electricity. The fact that it has come a cropper at the threshold conveys a lesson to planners ~ even a small tract can ignite the peoples fury if acquisition affects livelihood. In the net, Bhangar has emitted an ominous signal on the eve of the Bengal Global Business Summit in Kolkata though it is quite another story that the projects trumpeted last January are yet to take off. The praxis of the agitprop is not dissimilar ~ police vehicles set on fire, roads dug up to snap connectivity, and security forces barred from entering the volatile area. The allegation of Maoist penetration is thus far unsubstantiated.

It redounds to the credit of the Chief Minister that she has almost immediately proposed the relocation of the power grid. This has been couched in the assurance that no land will be acquired if people dont want to give away land. The stance is starkly different from the previous administrations bullheadedness in pursuit of a Panglossian agenda in Singur and Nandigram. Yet the Bhangar peasantry is far from mollified, insisting that Mamata Banerjee must visit the area. It is somewhat puzzling that the violence has occurred after the project was placed in abeyance last week when the government was confronted with the demands of the peasantry for higher compensation.

Whatever the advantages of market economy ~ as Amartya Sen once had occasion to remind the CPI-M leaders ~ the flare-up in Bhangar marks the failure of this seemingly rational concept of economic development. This is the bitter irony of the proposed land acquisition in the fertile tract of South 24-Parganas. Not least because the eleven acres were sought to be acquired through direct purchase by the public sector company. Bhangar demonstrates that direct purchase cannot ipso facto address the attendant problems of land acquisition. Public acceptance or the lack of it remains the bottom-line of West Bengals land-industry paradigm, irrespective of whether state intervention or market forces determine the terms of engagement.
Thousands of hectares of farmland are expected to be affected by a lack of irrigation this dry season as provinces are suffering funding shortages for the repair of irrigation systems.

This year there are as many as 453 irrigation systems that require repair with the total cost estimated at about 142.5 billion kip, according to the Irrigation Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Head of the departments Irrigation Management Division, Mr Amphay Phannoulak, told Vientiane Times yesterday the department had submitted a repair proposal to the government via the ministry to seek funding.

Higher authorities have said financing will be channelled directly to the provinces so they can repair the irrigation systems under their responsibility, Mr Amphay said.

But local departments are expected to experience particularly slow approval of funding since administrative changes came into effect this year. These include the fact that the government moved the start of the fiscal year from October to January, which means budget approval will be made later.

In addition, budget approval needs to be passed by provincial councils, a departure from previous practice.

Head of the Vientiane Irrigation Division, Mr Saykham Phengkhammy, told Vientiane Timesthat his division had not yet received any budget to repair irrigation systems because the Vientiane Peoples Council was still in session, even though dry season planting had already begun.

What we can do is to encourage farm operators and farmers to contribute to the repair work, he said, adding that it was beyond their capacity to repair large-scale irrigation systems.

In light of the problem, Mr Saykham said Vientiane might be unable to meet its target to plant dry season rice and other crops on 19,000 hectares.

We might only be able to plant out 17,000 hectares. If funding was available and irrigation systems running at full capacity, we might be able to achieve this ambitious target, he said. Director of the Agriculture and Forestry Department in Champassak province, Mr Padith Vatnalatsamy, said his department had also not yet received the budget for 2017, which included irrigation repair. He added that crop growing would inevitably be affected by a lack of irrigated water.
British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson on Saturday lauded talks with Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, which he said included positive exchanges on economic reforms and human rights in the Southeast Asian country.

Johnson met Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi on Friday night, as part of his two-day visit to Myanmar, Efe News reported.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, the British Foreign Secretary said that the pair had held "very positive talks on British support for economic reforms, trade and human rights", including the situation in Myanmar's troubled Rakhine state.

Britain's Foreign Office had previously expressed concern over the persecution of the Rohingya minority group in the western state.

The UN estimates that some 66,000 members of the predominantly Muslim community have fled to Bangladesh since October amid a military crackdown, which included accounts of rape, arson and killings.

As part of the trip, Johnson was also scheduled to meet the Rakhine State Advisory Commission and other NGOs in Yangon, as well as visiting the country's famous Shwedagon Pagoda.

On Saturday, Johnson visited Myanmar's largest healthcare institution, Yangon General Hospital, where he had a tour of the facility and met staff, according to reports.
Raising banner to "Join them", over 2000 protesters gathered outside the US Embassy in London to express solidarity with their American counterparts against the swearing-in of Donald J Trump as the 45th US President, and thousands others rally against him in different cities worldwide.

The protesters accused Trump of being a threat to minorities and urged people to stand up to sexism, racism, homophobia and bigotry at the "Stand Up to Racism" demonstration near the US Embassy.

Coinciding with the protests in the US, around 1500 people also attended similar rallies in Glasgow and another 500 in Manchester. Over 200 protests are expected to take place around the globe in cities, including Brussels, Berlin, Rome, Madrid, Toronto, Sydney and San Diego.

Meanwhile a Womens March also took place in Central London on Saturday afternoon as part of an international campaign on the first full day of Trump's presidency. The organisers of the protest aim to highlight women's rights, which they perceive to be under threat from the new US administration. The women marchers said they wanted to voice concerns over issues including racial and gender equality, affordable healthcare, abortion rights and voting rights.

Other simultaneous demonstrations were planned in Liverpool, Belfast and Cardiff, as well as Leeds, Southampton and York.

Earlier, on Friday, hundreds of protesters marched from the foot of North Bridge to the US consulate in Edinburgh. Several protesters were seen carrying banners that read, Love Trumps Hate, No to racism, no to Trump and Hey Donald, I hope you step on a lego.

While hundreds of similar protests are being organised across the globe outside of the US, the largest demonstration so far has been in Sydney, Australia, where more than 3,000 protesters carrying placards with anti-Trump slogans took to the streets before gathering in city's Hyde Park.

Notwithstanding the protests in the UK, its Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated newly elected US President Trump on taking office, saying, "We are both committed to advancing the special relationship between our two countries and working together for the prosperity and security of people on both sides of the Atlantic".

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is also scheduled to join the Women's March. Khan said he was proud to march alongside women and men from London and around the world to show how much we value the rights every woman should have.
By Press Trust of India: Cuttack, Jan 21 (PTI) Continuing his partys tirade against the Centre, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay today accused BJP of being behind the recent CBI arrests of TMC leaders in West Bengal over chit fund scam.

"BJP is doing this (arrests of TMC leaders) aiming to finish Mamata Banerjee and TMC in West Bengal," Sudip, undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and hospital here, told the media.

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When repeatedly asked about possible involvement of any BJP MP in the chit fund scam, Sudip refused to comment over it saying that he did not know till date on what charges the CBI has arrested him.

"I have no idea as to how much (money) I have taken from the Rose Valley Company," the TMC leader, who is the partys chief whip in Lok Sabha said.

He was arrested by the CBI on January 4 from Kolkata for his alleged involvement in the Rs 15,000 crore Rose Valley chit fund scam.

While remanded in judicial custody, the 63-year-old leader fell sick for an ailment he was suffering for last two years and was shifted here late last evening for a check up and better treatment.

Sudip, who is undergoing treatment in central ICU of the hospital, is stated to be suffering from pancreas and heart ailments.

"A team of doctors from the hospital are now attending to the patient and his condition is stated to be normal. A bulletin about the status of his vital organs would be made available only after analysing his reports," Hospital Superintendent Prof PC Rath said, adding a private hospital had advised him a health check-up once in three weeks. PTI COR SKN SUS IKA

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"For too long, Americans have been forced to accept trade deals that put the interests of insiders and the Washington elite over the hard-working men and women of this country," it said.

By Reuters: The new US administration of President Donald Trump said on Friday its trade strategy to protect American jobs would start with withdrawal from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact.

A White House statement issued soon after Trump's inauguration said the United States would also "crack down on those nations that violate trade agreements and harm American workers in the process."

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COMMITTED TO RENEGOTIATE ANOTHER TRADE DEAL

The statement said Trump was committed to renegotiating another trade deal, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was signed in 1994 by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"For too long, Americans have been forced to accept trade deals that put the interests of insiders and the Washington elite over the hard-working men and women of this country," it said.

"As a result, blue-collar towns and cities have watched their factories close and good-paying jobs move overseas, while Americans face a mounting trade deficit and a devastated manufacturing base."

Also read | Trump era begins now: World will closely watch how he handles these five issues

The statement said "tough and fair agreements" on trade could be used to grow the US economy and return millions of jobs to America.

"This strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers."

If NAFTA partners refused to give American workers a fair deal in a renegotiated agreement, "the President will give notice of the United States' intent to withdraw from NAFTA," the statement added.

TPP HAS PLAYED PIVOTAL ROLE

The TPP, which the United States signed but has not ratified, had been the main economic pillar of the Obama administration's "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region in the face of a fast-rising China.

Proponents of the pact have expressed concerns that abandoning the project, which took years to negotiate, could further strengthen China's economic hand in the region at the expense of the United States.

Australia's position that a change of heart remains possible in the US and that the trade deal can proceed, is unchanged despite the White House statement, Damon Hunt spokesman for the Australian prime minister, told Reuters on Saturday.

Also read | Trump, in Oval Office, signs first order on Obamacare Trump has criticised China's trade practices and threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese imports.

The Chinese government said on Thursday that China and the United States could resolve any trade disputes through talks, while a Chinese newspaper warned that US business could be targets for retaliation in any trade war ushered in by Trump.

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Trump has sparked worries in Japan and the rest of the Asia-Pacific with his opposition to the TPP and his campaign demands for allies to pay more for their security.

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Patnaik's close aides say that to understand him, one has to understand his empathy

By Pratul Sharma/Photos Sanjay Ahlawat
Swaraj India on Saturday took on the AAP government in Delhi over its claims on improving the education system in the capital, accusing the Kejriwal regime of not fulfilling the promises it had made in its manifesto and making false claims about the work done in the sector.

Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav accused the Delhi government of making tall claims in the field of education, which included doubling the budget for the sector.

Yadav said that the Delhi government's claim that it had more than doubled the education budget, raising it by 106 per cent, in its first budget, was a myth. He said only the budget's planned component had been hiked to Rs 4,570 crore from the previous year's Rs 2,219 crore, which is an increase of 106 per cent. So, the actual planned expenditure on education in Delhi went up by 37 per cent, he said.

Swaraj India, as part of its Jawaab Do, Hisaab Do campaigna precursor to its campaign for the coming municipal polls in the capitalraised questions based on the AAP's education manifesto for the Delhi Assembly elections, charging the Kejriwal government with not fulfilling any of the promises.

Where are all the new schools? Yadav asked, pointing out that AAP had promised to build 500 new schools. In 2014-15, there were 1,007 schools run by the Delhi government, and by the end of 2015-16, there were 1,011, he said.

Only four new schools were constructed in the entire year. This is much lower than what the previous government managed in each of the last four years, he said.

As for colleges, Swaraj India claims that Delhi had one college less at the end of 2015-16, whereas the AAP had promised building 20 new colleges.

Amongst the other points raised by the party are that the enrolment in Delhi government schools fell by 28,000, and of the 42,827 seats in the private schools under the quota meant for economically backward sections, as many as 24,372 were unoccupied.

It also claimed that the government gave only three loans of Rs 3.15 lakh under its higher education and skill guarantee scheme, but made an expenditure of Rs 30 lakh to advertise the scheme.

Swaraj India also charged the AAP with reneging on its promise of abolition of contractual employment of teachers, saying 44 per cent of the teaching positions in Delhi government schools are either vacant or serviced by temporary teachers. It has also raised strong objection to the authoritarian manner in which the government has been dealing with the concerns of guest teachers. The government has gone to the extent of dismissing the teachers who raised their demands before the education minister, Yadav said.
By Mail Today Bureau: Four women ministers are part of the delegation that will accompany UAE crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during his visit to New Delhi as the chief guest for the 68th Republic Day celebrations.

These ministers are: Minister of state for happiness Ohood Al Roumi, cabinet member and minister of state for tolerance Sheikha Lubna, minister of state for youth Shamma int Suhail and minister of community development Najla bint Mohammad.

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The strong female presence in the delegation indicates that the Emirates administration is keen to bolster its image as one that encourages women participation in public offices.

Each of the ministers holds a meritorious profile. While Al Roumi is a management and economics professional with vast experience in government policy, Shamma Al Mazrui is masters in public policy from the University of Oxford. She is also the first UAE Rhodes scholar.

Sheikha Lubna is the first woman in the Emirates to hold a ministerial position and holds a degree in computer science from California State University. She is also a member of the governing board at reputed Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.Also read | Landfill sites biggest worry for Republic Day flypast jets Lubna is credited with ushering the Emirates into a period of unprecedented philanthropy. The oil-rich country contributed $5.4 billion (`36,8064 crore) to foreign nations in 2013, a steep climb from the $1.6 billion (`10,905 crore) donated in 2012.

Among her first acts as minister for tolerance, Lubna led a diplomatic trip to visit with Pope Francis and other dignitaries in June.

Najla bint Mohammad received her education in IT from UAE University and management administration from the London Business School.

The embassy website also mentions that "through a series of public and private sector initiatives, women are playing an increasingly stronger role in business, military and government" in United Arab Emirates.

A number of strategic and economic agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, including the 'comprehensive strategic partnership agreement' to strengthen the diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Also read | Indigenous jet Tejas to fly past Rajpath for first time this Republic Day

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TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who was arrested in connection with Rose Valley chit fund scam, was admitted at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack after he complained of chest pain during his stay at the special jail at Jharpada.

Sudip, lodged at the jail hospital, was first taken to the state-run Capital Hospital in the morning.

However, the attending doctors advised to shift him to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, a jail staff said.

Bandyopadhyay, who has been lodged at the special jail, had been admitted at the jail hospital since January 12 along with another TMC MP Tapas Pal.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days from January 12 as his bail petition was rejected by the CBI court .

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the chit fund scam, had arrested the four-time Lok Sabha member from Kolkata on January 3.

Sudip's TMC MLA wife, Nayna Bandyopadhyay, had pleaded the court to allow her husband to stay in jail hospital owing to his health condition.
The Election Commission has censured Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for his speech in Goa where he allegedly asked voters to take bribes from everyone, but vote for his party.

The poll panel said Kejriwal had violated the model code of conduct and promoted the offence of bribery to the electors during a public meeting at Mapusa on January 8.

Kejriwal in his representation before the commission had said that he neither offered any bribe nor had enticed the electors. However, the commission did not find his reply convincing.

The commission in its order issued on Saturday said, ...you have called upon the electors not only to refuse to accept this time Rs 5000 but ask for Rs 10000 when BJP workers come to distribute money in election time, citing price hike and to take new currency notes.

These statements fall within the ambit of abatment of offence of bribery as defined in the section 171 B of IPC and thus violation of Model Code of Conduct, it said.

The panel also reminded Kejriwal that even during the Delhi Assembly elections in 2015, it had warned him to to be careful in future for any repeat violation of the model code of conduct.

The commission expressed its anguish that Kejriwal as the chief minister of Delhi and a star campaigner of the AAP was expected to conduct in an exemplary manner in election campaigns, yet he violated the orders.

You may also note that in case of similar violation of model code of conduct in future, the Commission shall take stern action against you and your party, using all powers available to it, the order stated.
The Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance in Uttar Pradesh is under cloud due to fast changing political events in the state. The main impediment is the differences in seat sharing between the two partieswhile the Congress has asked for around 120 seats, the SP is not willing to part with more than 100.

However, sources claim that amidst huge uncertainty hovering over the alliance, Priyanka Vadra, has made a last minute intervention to save the deal. It has been reliably learnt that Priyanka, who seems to be very serious about the pact, had sent an emissary to SP President and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to give a final shape to the alliance as soon as possible. Akhilesh has not responded to Priyankas emissary till the filing of this report.

Sources in SP said that Akhilesh would finalise his stand late on Saturday night or Sunday and would give a final reply to the Congress.

Even the Congress leaders hinted about Priyanks intervention to save the alliance.

The first list of candidates announced by the SP has put the prospects of alliance into rough weather. Speculations about the possible tie-up between the two parties has been flying thick and fast ever since Akhilesh took over the control of the Samajwadi Party unseating his father Mulayam Singh Yadav from the national president's post.

Congress leader Ajay Makan said, Our talks with the SP are still on; our leaders are in touch.

The SP has announced its own candidates in many constituencies where the Congress was winner, which jolted the prospects of the alliance.

There is also a general feeling among both the camps that the ego of the top leaders of both the parties are proving a stumbling block. While Akhilesh wants Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi to come to Lucknow and announce the alliance, the Congress wants that Akhilesh should come to Delhi and announce the alliance there along with Rahul.

Whatever be the fate of the pact, Akhileshs move has put the Congress on back foot in the state for the time being.
R&AW, India's premier intelligence agency, made a bold statement of its own liberalism on Saturday by hosting eminent intellectual Pratap Bhanu Mehta to make a bold speech which was highly critical of rightism and ultra-nationalism.

Image source: via Commons

Liberal democracy is facing an unprecedented crisis of legitimacy, said Mehta, giving the 11th R.N. Kao Memorial Lecture, instituted in memory of the agency's legendary founder. All across the world, populist and ultra-nationalist governments are coming to power.

Mehta, who is currently heading the prominent thinktank Centre for Policy Research, also pointed out, in response to a question, that disinformation has been found to be a more effective tool in the hands of rightist forces than even censorship of the Emergency kind.

According to Mehta, in the tussle between the right to privacy and the increasing tendency of the state to surveillance, the latter is getting the upper hand. In fact, the citizen is even willing to sacrifice more and more of his own privacy.

Mehta also pointed out that instead of seeing a minimal state, we are witnessing a phenomenon of the state controlling more and more things.

It is for the first time ....that the power and authority of all intermediate institutions within and outside the state, from legislatures to the media, from NGOs to professional bodies, is under threat. This creates the conditions for populist democracy, a democracy founded on a suspicion of all representative institutions. It is a democracy with a will to simplicity: great deference to leaders who claim to embody the will of people. It is characterised by a political style that is nationalist, centralising, authoritarians and conspiratorial.

Mehta was also critical of the bureaucracy which has lost its capacity to be impartial.

In the early stages of the globalisation,we believed that state was getting minimal and would get embedded in the markets. But today, we find and demand the state to increasingly control the markets.

The function was presided over by the R&AW chief A.K. Dhasmana, and attended by a specially invited audience of senior officers of the government, serving intelligence and police officers, and prominent intellectuals.
Six police officers were injured and 217 protesters arrested after they smashed windows, damaged cars and threw rocks at security personnel near US President Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Friday in Washington D.C.



At least two police officers and one other person were taken to the hospital for undetermined injuries after run-ins with protesters, D.C. Fire Spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.



After the swearing-in ceremony, demonstrators near 12th and K streets threw rocks and bottles at police, who were clad in riot gear and attempting to disperse the crowd.



A large number of police were on scene and used smoke and flash-bang devices to try to scatter the protesters.



Acting D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told CNN that there were several hundred protesters who were confronting police, while he praised the thousands of other demonstrators who behaved in a peaceful fashion to get their point across.



"We have been pointing out all along that this is a very isolated incident and by and large everything is going peacefully and a lot of folks have come to the city to enjoy this historic day, not only the Capitol but walking all around the city," Newsham said.



Throughout Friday, demonstrators, some wearing masks and dressed in black, shattered building windows, vandalized police cars and other vehicles, setting some on fire -- including a limousine -- and toppled news kiosks.



"Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property," the police said.



Protester Lysander Reid-Powell, a 20-year-old student from New Mexico told CNN: "I think Donald Trump is a fascist, and it's very easy for people, especially people who are in pain, to slip into fascism."



At one checkpoint, about 50 protesters sat down in the street in an attempt to block Trump supporters from entering a secure area to watch the swearing-in ceremony and speech.



Not far away, a group of immigration backers staged a "pop up" protest near another check point.



"We're here to take a stand against the ideas that Trump spouted throughout the course of this campaign -- sexism, Islamophobia, his bigotry and nationalism," said protester Jed Holtz, from New York City.



There also were anti-Trump protests around the world, including London, Hong Kong and Berlin -- where demonstrators held a sign that read, "Walls divide", CNN reported.



In the West Bank, Palestinians protested against Israeli settlements and Trump's plan to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.



In New York, seven people were arrested at a demonstration outside of Trump Tower, according to the New York Police Department.



On Saturday, the Women's March on Washington could attract a quarter million participants, organisers said.



"We're really trying to set a tone of resistance for the coming years," Lacy MacAuley, a DisruptJ20 organizer, told CNN.



"Donald Trump represents a shift in our politics in a dangerous, harmful, exclusionary direction. We oppose those policies of hate."



According to Department of Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson, as many as 900,000 spectators were slated to attend inaugural ceremonies.




Whatever side of political spectrum you identify with, there is no denying that Donald Trump's inaugural address while swearing-in as the 45th president of the United States was one of the darker speeches  in sharp contrast with his predecessor Obama's 'hope, change' slogan.

Trump touched on a lot of topics  putting America first, ending Islamic terrorism, transferring power back to the people and so on.

Here's how Twitter reacted to the speech:

Trump and Bane. Who knew?

Donald Trump accidentally quoted Bain, the Batman villain, during his Inaugural speech. pic.twitter.com/NC3RyPJipZ  UberFacts (@UberFacts) January 20, 2017

Say hello to a new Bush meme.

That sounds about right.

The George W. Bush reaction cam during Trump's inauguration speech was lit pic.twitter.com/x33V19MLTn  Max Tani (@maxwelltani) January 20, 2017

The final act of resistance.

This woman flipped off Trump during his first speech as president https://t.co/GBrYVh4qTJ pic.twitter.com/teZaSxfZjh  BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) January 21, 2017

Why not make it a drinking game?

Trump's speech notable for death and decay imagery: blood, carnage, tombstones. Welcome to dystopia. pic.twitter.com/3A4BA3MCR8  Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) January 20, 2017

No comments.

I just read an early Hitler speech (1933). Then I read a transcript of Trump's inauguration speech. Hitler comes off as moderate.  Iyad el-Baghdadi (@iyad_elbaghdadi) January 20, 2017

Message received?

Donald Trump's speech was not an inaugural address. It was a primal scream aimed at Washington, D.C.  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) January 20, 2017

The Daily Show host weighs in.

I think maybe Trump did write his own speech.  Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) January 20, 2017

Fingers crossed.

I hope Kanye interrupts Donald Trump's speech  Chad Stubbs (@ChadStubbs_) January 20, 2017

 

My biggest worry today is Trump accidentally takes the original Russian text of his #inauguration speech.  Darth Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) January 20, 2017

Michelle Obama pulls off the ultimate 'disapproving mother' look, goes viral.
By Press Trust of India: from Feb New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) As many as 43 unserved airports in the country are expected to have flight operations from next month in a phased manner with the AAI receiving 43 initial proposals from 11 bidders for 190 routes under the regional air connectivity scheme UDAN.

The governments ambitious UDAN (Ude Desh Ke Aam Naagrik) scheme, under which fares have been capped at Rs 2,500 for a one-hour flight, aims at boosting air connectivity to and from unserved and under-served airports and making flying more affordable.

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Making the announcement here today, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said that the "game changer" and "step change" UDAN scheme would boost the national and regional aviation in the country.

"Based on the first phase of bidding for airports, the UDAN scheme is going to be a game changer, as it will increase the total number of operational airports in the country to 118 from 75 now," Sinha said.

He said the government hopes to have the first flight under UDAN in February as several airports like in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and Cooch Behar (West Bengal) are "ready to go".

The bids for the routes would be finalised by February 3, he said.

In all, 11 bidders have come forward to connect 30 airports which are currently operational, 12 which are underserved and 43 where not a single flight lands, according to the Civil Aviation Ministry.

In all, 55 airports, which have either no operations or limited operations, would have regular flights now, Sinha said.

"We believe the first RCS flight can take off some time in February itself because there are 12 underserved airports as well. These airports have flight service and will only be adding flights to them," he said.

Airports such as Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jalgaon and Cooch Behar, and Pant Nagar are some of the airports which are "ready to go" now and just need operators to launch flights, Sinha said, adding, "we will expect that these airports start getting utilised almost immediately as soon as the operator is there."

Sinha, however, declined to give details of the bidders, saying, "we are inviting counter bids at this stage and once the counter bids come, the bidders may change, the routes may change as well."

"This is just the first round and as other rounds are in progress we will massively expand our aviation network," he said its also a great outcome for the large national airlines as they would have more traffic coming into important hub airports.

According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, Maharashtra has the highest number of unserved airports at 19, followed by Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh at 11 each.

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Similarly, West Bengal and Karnataka have seven such airports each which do not have one single flight operations.

Unserved airports are the one where there is no flight operations whereas the underserved airports have been catagorised as the ones which have three or less flight per week.

While the deadline for submitting initial proposals ended on January 16, the counter bids for them can be submitted till February 1. After that, the routes would be awarded to bidders who quote the lowest Viability Gap Funding (VGF) requirement against the routes.

Under UDAN, the participating airlines would be extended VGF -- that would be jointly funded by the Centre and the state government concerned.

Towards VGF, the government has started charging Rs 8,500 levy per departure of flights on major routes. However, airlines have challenged the charging of levy in the court.

He said the Government has already received "some of the funds" in the RCS and that Government is expecting cooperation from other airlines to participate in that.

Sinha said the civil aviation Ministry and AAI have already signed MoUs with 15 state governments for the implementation of the RCS scheme while three more states are in discussion for the same.

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On the issue of levy, Sinha said the Ministry is in discussions with the airlines over the issue, adding that, "we have sought their support as it (UDAN) is in the interest of all, including the consumers and airlines."

UDAN, which would be in place for 10 years, was launched in October 2016 and seeks to provide connectivity to unserved and under-served regions through revival of existing air strips and airports. PTI IAS RAM GSN GSN

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In the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the percentage of women exercising their voting rights was 23 per cent and in 2017 judging by the fervour among the womenfolk to be a part of the state's decision-making process the percentage is all set to increase.

By Siraj Qureshi: While India became independent 70 years ago, the biggest symbol of democracy - free and fair elections, have seen very little participation of the female half of the Indian populace. New political stories are written in every election, but the women of India have not shown a strong desire to become a part of this story.

However, as young India is taking over the reins, this mentality of the womenfolk is also starting to change and they are expressing their opinion on the country's governance and even stepping into the political arena.

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In the 2012 UP assembly elections, the percentage of women exercising their voting rights was 23 per cent and in 2017, the percentage is all set to increase, judging by the fervour among the females of the state to become a part of the state's decision-making process. It is clear that female votes will play a very important role in deciding every candidate's fate in the coming elections.

CHANGE DUE TO AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS

This change has come partly because of the awareness campaigns run through the urban and rural areas about the purpose and need of voting. Women were made aware of the fact that only through the exercise of this important right, could they demand their personal liberties and rights.

Taking a look at the 2007 assembly polls in UP, 35 per cent women voters exercised their right on the 9 assembly seats of Agra. Out of these, the lowest voting percentage of 25.26 per cent was seen on the Agra (South) seat while Fatehabad saw the highest percentage at 48.34 per cent.

The picture did not change even in the 2012 assembly elections and on every polling booth women could be seen queued up to cast their vote, irrespective of their faith or age. In those elections, Agra saw 58.41 percent women voting for their candidate. Again, Agra (South) ranked the lowest at 55.28 percent while Fatehabad ranked highest at 67.19 percent.

Senior citizen Rama Shanker Sharma told India Today that outlook of women has changed drastically in today's India and now they are more aware of their rights and are demanding equality with men. Several female candidates from simple family backgrounds can be seen contesting elections now, while earlier politics was limited mainly to the women from the upper strata of the society.

He said that it was expected that during these elections, a number of women candidates will contest the elections from Agra and they were even canvassing, but suddenly the political parties decided to drop them and chose others to represent them which was quite disheartening both for the women who were in the political arena and the female voters.

BETI BACHAO, BETI PADHAO

He said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was publicizing the 'Beti Bachao - Beti Padhao' campaign so that women could become educated and masters of their own destiny, but until political parties started giving them adequate representation according to their numbers, women will not be able to get the rights they are fighting for.

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A senior administrative official told India Today that at present there are 187181 registered female voters on Etmadpur seat, 192188 on Agra (Cantonment), 157479 on Agra (South), 178846 on Agra (North), 175839 on Agra (Rural), 153947 on Fatehpur Sikri, 140644 on Kheragarh, 134088 on Fatehabad and 143428 female voters on Bah seat, which was a significant number and had all the potential to turn the tide of any election.

Also read:

India Today survey: Women voters in UP in favour of Akhilesh Yadav as chief minister

Tamil Nadu elections: How women voters played decisive role in Jaya's win

Uttar Pradesh Grand Alliance: Sticking points between Samajwadi Party, Congress over sharing of seats

Uttar Pradesh Assembly election: With just 24 seats in bargain, Ajit Singh's RLD pulls out of Grand Alliance

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Jan 21 (PTI) Over 200 protesters were arrested as brick-throwing vandals torched a vehicle and damaged half- dozen stores after a series of protests marring Donald Trumps inauguration ceremony gave way to violent street clashes here in the US.

Six police officers were also injured and at least two police officers and another person in downtown Washington were taken to hospital after run-ins with protesters, Fire spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN.

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A large number of protesters had gathered in the national capital since early morning yesterday to voice their anger and hold demonstrations against what they alleged were the divisive policies of the new Trump administration.

A limousine was later set aflame as Trump rode a short distance away in his inaugural parade. Police in riot gear used pepper spray and concussion grenades to halt the rampage near the US Capitol ? where Trump was inaugurated.

Officers responded by launching smoke and flash-bang devices, which could be heard from blocks away, into the street to disperse the crowds.

At least 217 protesters were arrested, the CNN report said.

Earlier, police had to use pepper spray to disperse people who had gathered outside the National Press Club, against what they called "the Alt-Reich," a reference to new administration ss allegedly divisive, sexist and racist policies.

Washington Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Lt Sean Conboy said they have arrested people for "vandalism and destruction of property."

One of the protesters burned a Trump hat, according to NBC News. "Impeach the predatory president," read one of two messages projected onto a buildings faAade.

Anti-Trump signs and banners were seen even as thousands of his supporters made their way to the US Capitol yesterday.

"They are white supremacist fascists," a volunteer Desba Rojas was quoted as saying by The Los Angeles Times.

Rojas said her goal was "to stop them from getting into office, and if they get into office, sopping them before they can consolidate" power.

A large number of left protesters under the banner of DisruptJ20 planned a march towards the inauguration venue and display anti-Trump sign along the parade route. So did another antiwar and anti-racism group. PTI LKJ ZH SUA ABH

--- ENDS ---
First, they close our branches, 900 of them over the past two years.

Indeed, banking group CYBG has just announced it is axing 79 of its 249 Clydesdale and Yorkshire branches, which makes you wonder why on earth it has put itself in the running to buy 300 Williams & Glyn outlets from Royal Bank of Scotland. Merely to shut them down while acquiring 1.8million new personal customers and 250,000 small businesses? Methinks so.

Then, these nasty banks urge us to bank online without putting in place adequate security measures to ensure our accounts are safe from hackers (think Tesco Bank).

Charges: Some banks are keen to charge us for withdrawing cash from their hole in the walls

For those loyal customers unwilling to risk banking online, the banks point them in the direction of the nearest cash machine or the local post office where basic banking transactions can be carried out for free.

Fair enough but the Post Office, quite bizarrely, responds by taking an axe to its network  37 Crown branches have just been earmarked for closure, on top of 93 that were identified as surplus to requirement last year. As if that was not enough to raise your banking hackles, it now appears some of the banks are keen to charge us for withdrawing cash from their hole in the walls.

We will learn more this week when representatives from the banks meet to discuss the issue. Maybe it will all blow over  I hope so. After all, we have been here before. Seventeen years ago, most banks charged customers a disloyalty fee every time they used a rivals cash machine (honourable exceptions included Nationwide Building Society).

Others, namely Barclays, threatened to levy a fee every time a non-customer used one of its machines. Some bank customers would then have faced paying two sets of charges.

Thankfully, common sense prevailed. Helped by vociferous campaigning by The Mail on Sunday, legal threats made towards Barclays by Nationwide, and a bit of bullying from the Government, the charges were dropped. This left only independent cash machine operators levying fees on withdrawals from selected ATMs.

If the banks attempt to re-introduce cash machine charges  or start axing ATMs  mark my words, we will vent our spleen like never before.

EE brand ambassador: Kevin Bacon is famous for roles in films such as Footloose (pictured)

I would love to know what Kevin Bacons take is on Ofcoms 2.7million fining of phone operator EE for overcharging customers.

The actor, famous for roles in films such as Footloose and Mystic River, has long fronted EEs advertising campaign. I found the adverts vaguely interesting to begin with but over time they have become so grating that I will not sit down to watch a film at a cinema before I am certain all the adverts have rolled. Even Britney Spearss appearance in an EE advert last summer failed to stir me.

I would hope Mr Bacon is as disgusted as I am by the dastardly way EE (now owned by BT) has behaved towards its customers. Certainly, EE has been footloose when acting in the best interests of customers.

Charging customers for using a customer services number they thought was free is bad enough although EE did have the good grace to issue refunds promptly.

Far worse was overcharging more than 32,000 customers who rang its customer services number while roaming within the EU  and then deciding not to refund most of them. Instead, it made a donation to charity.

Although EE has now made refunds to most overcharged customers, nearly 7,000 (out of pocket to the tune of 60,000) have yet to be traced.

Ofcoms fine is welcome although the episode reinforces the view that customer service standards across swathes of consumer-facing industries remain lamentable. For buyers of financial products, websites such as fairerfinance can help identify customer-friendly providers (sadly, its analysis does not extend to mobile phone providers).

Customers can also have their say on which companies provide good or bad service by voting in the customer service awards organised by monthly finance magazine Moneywise.

Now in its ninth year, the awards are the most comprehensive of their kind. You can vote here.

If you can spare the time, do cast your vote. Only by exposing bad customer service, while praising those which deliver service par excellence, will companies wake up to the fact that quality customer service should be a given, not a rare occurrence.

Maybe Mr Bacon could say as much in his next EE advert. That is, after apologising for the latest EE debacle.
The Prime Ministers speech on Brexit last week brought some clarity, but only on things that were already obvious. On the details of how Brexit will take shape and what the eventual new agreement with Europe will look like, we are still very much in the dark.

Britain, Theresa May declared, will leave the single market. This came as a surprise to some, but it is hard to see why.

The vast majority of people understood that to be at the core of what leaving the EU would mean even before the referendum. The signals from Mays Government since June have always indicated that leaving the single market was all but inevitable.

Speech: Theresa May declared that Britain will leave the single market

As for the other key issues involved in Brexit, we remain without details.

On immigration the PM and her Chancellor Philip Hammond made emollient noises last week citing the economic benefits migration has brought. Some business leaders, notably the pro-Brexit (but not anti-immigration) boss of Next Lord Wolfson, have expressed relief.

But we are still dealing with mood music rather than any clear facts. How much EU immigration will be allowed and whether EU citizens will continue to get preferential rights to work in the UK is unclear and will be the subject of negotiation with the rest of the EU.

As for our future trade relations with Europe, we still have little idea of what shape this will take, mainly because it will depend on what the 27 other member states agree after negotiation.

One blue-chip boss told me last week that sorting this detail would be crucial. Too much paperwork at the border, he said, could be immensely damaging.

Adding just a few hours to how long it takes a lorry to pass either way through customs would play havoc with supplies to British manufacturers and retailers and with British exporters.

Work: Whether EU citizens will continue to get preferential rights to work in the UK is unclear

We do not know what shape the new custom arrangement will take.

Then there was the rhetoric of threat brandished by May and Hammond. Both warned last week that unless we get a good deal with the EU, we could walk away and use our tax system as a competitive tool to face down Europe.

In other words, cut corporate taxes to attract global business. Whether or not this bellicose approach is good diplomacy, there have to be doubts about whether this would be the right response.

The PM has rightly highlighted the disenchantment many people feel with a version of globalisation that allows corporations and the international elite to benefit from a borderless world.

Embracing this form of globalisation  cutting business tax aggressively to attract more Googles and Apples  would fly in the face of the public mood of recent years as well as Mays own rhetoric. It is also surely not what most people who voted from Brexit were aiming for.
Right signals: Satellite specialist Inmarsat is among fund manager Simon Gergels leading holdings

Investment trust Merchants remains one of the industrys most popular vehicles among investors searching for high and growing income.

With a yield of more than five per cent, it offers a more attractive income than most other UK equity income oriented funds, which average 3.6 per cent. It has also managed to increase its payouts for 34 years running.

Last week, its board announced a small rise in next months quarterly dividend. Provided there are no nasty surprises before April, when it will confirm the final dividend payment for the current financial year, it means that 34 will become 35.

Understandably, longstanding manager Simon Gergel is proud of the trusts impressive record.

It is our focus, he says. We are income seekers and we make no apology for buying shares that provide the high yield we require. Its why so many private investors hold the trust.

Its biggest investors are those who have bought shares through fund platforms Alliance and Hargreaves Lansdown and via stockbroker Brewin Dolphin.

Gergel, who works for asset manager Allianz Global Investors, is unfazed by Prime Minister Theresa Mays vow last week to take Britain out of the European single market. He says that if the economy is hit by the march towards Brexit, he believes the make-up of the trusts portfolio will shield it from the worst effects.

The trust is more than 60 per cent exposed to FTSE 100 firms, he says. Most of these are not dependent on the UK economy. They derive most of their earnings abroad. So they should be protected from any fallout.

Merchants has stakes in 44 companies. Its biggest holdings are in businesses renowned for being dividend friendly, such as oil giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell and bank HSBC. But it also has positions in firms that are normally off the radar of income-seeking fund managers. Among its top ten holdings are exhibitions organiser UBM and satellite specialist Inmarsat.

UBM is a super business, says Gergel. It does not absorb vast amounts of capital, it gets paid in advance and its exhibitions have longevity, getting bigger every year. The high barriers to entry mean its cash flow is not threatened by competitors.

Dividend friendly: Merchants has stakes in 44 companies, including BP and HSBC

Among the companys longest running exhibitions is the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, one of Asias top fine jewellery events. Inmarsat, he says, is booming on the back of strong demand for satellites from the marine and aviation industries and governments worldwide.

Though Merchants income record is beyond reproach, its relative overall performance is a little disappointing. Over the past one and three years, it has underperformed its benchmark, the FTSE 100 Index. In the past year, it returned 22 per cent against the Footsies 28 per cent.

Gergels retort is to point to the trusts outperformance over the past five years and, of course, the higher yield Merchants offers  5.1 per cent compared with the Footsies 3.6 per cent. From next month, the trust will use the FTSE All-Share Index as its benchmark, reflecting its increasing exposure to stocks outside the FTSE 100.

Two additional features should reassure investors contemplating Merchants as a home for their money. One is the trusts low ongoing charge of 0.58 per cent. The other is just under a years worth of income in reserve, which can be drawn upon if the trust at any stage has to top up payments to shareholders in order to keep the growing dividend record heading towards 40 years.
The billionaire owners of retail brands such as Fortnum & Mason, Heals and Primark gave millions of pounds to good causes last year thanks to record dividend payouts.

Wittington Investments, an investment arm of the Weston family, paid out 109million according to its latest accounts, with another payment of 47million coming after the end of the financial year.

Just under 80 per cent will go to The Garfield Weston Foundation which supports around 1,500 causes in health, education, youth and the environment, including the Salvation Army, Bletchley Park Trust and Demelza childrens hospice.

Department store: Fortnum & Mason in London

Accounts just filed show pre-tax profits of 1.1billion in the year to September 17, 2016, up from 727million the previous year. Sales were 13.6million, up from 12.9million.

Wittington also owns the Grand Hotel Brighton as well as property in and around London.

Guy Weston, grandson of the Associated British Foods groups founder, said in notes to the accounts that the decision to leave the EU had had some immediate impact on ABFs results because of currency effects.

But he said the longer term impact would only become apparent as details emerged of how the exit will be engineered.

He added that the company was formulating plans to take advantage of the changing landscape and to mitigate risk.

The Foundation was set up in 1958 by Willard Garfield Weston, a Canadian who moved to the UK in 1932 and started Associated British Foods, now a 13.4billion turnover group of retail, agriculture and grocery businesses.
The car industry will unveil its best manufacturing figures for 44 years this week  including soaring exports  but news of the boom may be overshadowed by fresh warnings of the threat from Brexit.

Mike Hawes, head of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, will appear before MPs this week and is widely expected to deliver a dire warning of the threat faced by the industry.

However, one critic has warned that the automotive industry is at risk of talking itself into a crisis. You cannot keep talking the industry down like this, said Garel Rhys, professor of motor industry economics and director for automotive industry research at Cardiff Business School.

On the move: Many expensive marques such as Rolls-Royce are exported to countries outside the EU

The SMMT urged the Government to stay in the single market after the Brexit vote  an option ruled out by the Prime Minister last week.

The industry is now keen to secure a customs deal with Europe that would save it from billions of pounds in tariffs on cars exported to the Continent.

If tariffs are imposed it will have a huge impact on the industry, said Helen Foord, at Vauxhalls parent company General Motors.

Were talking hundreds of millions of pounds in an industry not known for huge profits. We could be at a huge competitive disadvantage.

Figures due this week will show that Britain produced more than 1.7million cars last year, the highest total since 1972.

But with 80 per cent sold as exports, the Brexit vote means nothing is being taken for granted. Foord said: Those figures are from before Brexit. Remember we havent had Brexit yet.

Last week, Hawes said not having a tariff-free agreement in place would jeopardise investment, growth and consumer choice. He added: Achieving this will not be easy and we must, at all costs, avoid a cliff-edge, and reversion to World Trade Organisation tariffs, which would threaten the viability of the industry.

The SMMT has estimated that the cost of taking the UK out of the single market would add 1,500 to the cost of buying a car in the UK, and a 10 per cent tariff on imports would cost the industry 2.7billion a year.

The car industry will unveil its best manufacturing figures for 44 years this week

Lower pound and high productivity will help UK carmakers beat Brexit

But while the car industry raises the alarm, some observers say this could do more harm than good and it should not talk itself down.

Prof Rhys, an expert from Cardiff Business School, who last year produced a report for the Government on the impact of Brexit on Nissans Sunderland plant, warned: Loose talk can cost jobs.

According to Prof Rhys, 650,000 jobs rely on Nissans presence in the UK. Its decision to build the X-Trail and Qashqai in Sunderland was seen as a vote of confidence and a sign of its belief in Government assurances that Brexit would not hurt Nissans competitiveness.

But just two days ago in Davos, Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said the group would re-examine its investment strategy once the terms of Brexit become clear. He told reporters: When the package comes, you will have to re-evaluate the situation, and ask will the competitiveness of your plant be preserved?

Were going to have to make decisions on investment within the next two to three years. So the faster the Brexit results come, the better.

Prof Rhys argued that the lower exchange rate for the pound and high productivity of UK car manufacturers would mean tariffs should not be an insurmountable problem.

You should be able to cover the effects, he said. Plus if Donald Trump decides European Union tariffs are too onerous, the UK will have preferred nation status.

Many cars produced in Britain, such as Bentley, Rolls-Royce, McLaren and Aston Martin, are exported outside the EU anyway to the US or Asia, he said.

We export 80 per cent of production and import 85 per cent of the cars we drive, he said.

The British-owned manufacturers are all enjoying record years. Because we make expensive, upmarket cars we are far removed from competition with cheaper imports from the rest of the world.

So far there are not many in the industry who share his confidence.

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British firms owe close to 2.6billion in overdue VAT, as they continue to struggle to find cash to meet tax deadlines, online business finance supermarket Funding Options has warned.

At the same time, low confidence levels in 2016 may have cost thousands of new jobs.

Funding Options chief executive, Conrad Ford, said the overdue VAT figure had remained stubbornly high over the past few years despite growth in the economy. It rose from 2.55billion in 2014-15 to 2.59billion in 2015-16.

VAT bill: British firms owe close to 2.6billion in overdue VAT

Revenue & Customs has the power to award late payment penalties and to seize assets.

Ford said: The ongoing fallout from Brexit could hamper small firms further, particularly for those that export products outside the UK as the fall in sterling affects exchange rates.

Paying a VAT bill late is not necessarily a sign that a firm is doing badly. If a business is doing well but is not being paid on time, it might not have the cash to pay the VAT bill.

The boss of holiday camp operator Butlins has urged the Government to reduce VAT in the tourism sector to make it cheaper for people to holiday in the UK. According to Dermot King, VAT across the tourism industry should be cut from 20 per cent to 5 per cent.

Meanwhile, low levels of confidence in 2016 could have cost the UK 2.2billion in investment and 249,000 jobs, according to research from business consultancy Newable. Its figures suggest that, had confidence been at the same level as the long-term average  between 1972 and 2015  the UK would have enjoyed a better business year.

Newables Gross Domestic Confidence report, in partnership with the Centre for Economic and Business Research, has revealed a sharp fall in confidence last summer following the Brexit vote.

There was a 65 per cent correlation between business confidence and employment growth, though with a delay of two quarters. There was a 56 per cent correlation between business confidence and business investment, with a two-quarter lag.

Newable said confidence played a significant role in other factors such as determining business-to-business and research and development spending.

Newable chief executive Chris Manson said: Intuitively, we know that confidence underpins commerce. It is what keeps us buying, suppliers supplying, funders financing and employees working. If firms arent feeling confident, we arent creating jobs or attracting investment. Moving forward into 2017, it is essential that not only the private sector supports confidence  there is a huge role for the Government to play in helping to reduce uncertainty and install confidence.

However, Emma Jones, founder of small business support group Enterprise Nation, which will on Wednesday announce its trade missions for 2017, said: We saw more than 2,500 enthusiastic new entrepreneurs come to our three StartUp 2017 events last week. It demonstrates unequivocally that the appetite to start a business in this post-Brexit, Trump-era, unpredictable world is still incredibly high.

Similarly, the desire to build and grow a business, with all the complexity that uncertainty and new regulation bring, also shows no signs of abating. Theres no doubt that the advice we give needs to be sensitive to this. For example, those that have had to absorb extra costs as a result of the pounds fall may need help renegotiating supplier contracts, refinancing to bridge the gap or introductions to currency brokers that can do a better deal for them.

She added: We also think focusing on export is key. Were about to launch our 2017 Go Global programme of five export missions to trading hot spots designed to incorporate up-to-the-minute advice for small companies.
Seedrs, the crowdfunding site backed by star fund manager Neil Woodford, has partnered with Chinas InteBridge Venture Capital to co-host the UK division of a start-up competition supported by the Shenzhen Government.

The China Innovation and Entrepreneurship International Competition UK division will take place in London on March 28.

There will also be competitions in the US, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, India and Germany. Ten UK winners will be flown to Shenzhen in April to compete for 100,000.

Support: Seedrs is backed by star fund manager Neil Woodford

Twenty entrepreneurs in each location will be selected to pitch their business for prizes in the national round. Visit icit.seedrs.com.
MBABANE  It was a case of jumping from the pot to the fire for an architect and builder who was imprisoned for rape in South Africa and returned to the country, where he got arrested for murder.



However, Bheki Kunene (26) of Makholokholo alleged that the murder occurred in 2011 while he was serving a sentence of eight years imprisonment in the neighbouring country.



Kunene was arrested after spending over a year in the country upon being released on parole after he was convicted by the Lukwatini Magistrates Court. He was released in September 2015 due to good behaviour.

He alleged that the rape charge stemmed from an incident in which his South African girlfriend, who had an affair with another man, reported him to the police for rape in that country.



Kunene alleged that this happened after his lovers boyfriend discovered that he and his lover had a love affair.

The veracity of these allegations is still to be tested in court. Kunene is represented by Xolani Mthethwa of Bhembe Attorneys.



In his application for bail in the High Court, Kunene submitted that he was handed over through the Department of Home Affairs at Ngwenya Border Gate, where he was allegedly screened and found to be not on the Swazi police wanted list.



He said his mother at Makholokholo informed him upon his return that police had been to the homestead to look for him while he was imprisoned in South Africa.



Kunene said he did not bother to go to the police to find out why they were looking for him because he underwent screening at the border and was certified clean.
MBABANE  Had vampires existed, the Ministry of Health would be after them following the theft of blood units at the Swaziland National Blood Transfusion Service.



A total of about 100 blood units mysteriously disappeared at the blood bank and the matter has been reported to the Ministry of Health for investigation. The Health Ministry has even recommended in a report that the case of the missing blood be reported to the police and the culprits be brought to justice.



The motive behind the theft of the blood samples remains a strange one. However, acts of sabotage are suspected as the staff at the unit is said to be a divided one. Indeed, some of the interviewed workers confirmed to be a divided lot.



Some were opposed to the certain procedures put in place in collecting blood from donors. They allege that some of their colleagues, for over a year, having been reporting for work only to sit around and do nothing while other were meant to report for duty at 7am. Some employees accused management of deliberately violating procedures, something, which they claim to have reported to Director of Health Services Dr Vusi Magagula.



Two weeks ago, the unit was reported to be collecting blood donations from inmates at His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) institutions, something which put to question the validity of consent from the prisoners. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on donations blood donations consent was key in receiving blood donations. The exercise was said to be an ongoing one. HMCS general commissioner said they have opened doors for the Health Ministry to collect as much blood as needed from inmates in the various Correctional institutions.
MBABANE - It seems lighting has struck twice at the same place as murder suspect Themba Masimula has been suspended as pastor.



Masimula is also a teacher by profession and is currently on suspension from work. His suspension as a pastor was announced yesterday in court by Pat Nxumalo, who is the leader of United Pentecostal Church of Swaziland.



Bishop Nxumalo said the decision to suspend Masimula was taken by the Board of the church.

The Board has taken a decision to suspend him from ministering the Word of God pending finalisation of his criminal case, said Nxumalo.

He was ministering the Word of God at the Nkhaba branch.



Nxumalo disclosed this during his appearance before Judge Sipho Nkosi, who had summoned him to clarify a few things pertaining to Masimulas behaviour as one of the pastors of the church.



During his submissions, Nxumalo painted a picture of a problematic man in Masimula. He also told the court that the elders of the church once sat down the suspect to discuss the way he handled himself but that seemingly did not yield any results.



Discuss



He informed the court as pastors in the church they have a WhatsApp group where they discuss issues related to the church. Instead of using the group chat for constructive dismissal, Nxumalo alleged that on different occasions Masimula used the platform to launch scathing attacks on them. This includes accusing the church of not respecting Swazi culture. Nxumalo said he responded and disagreed with him.



He said Masimula was offended and again launched yet another attack on the pastors, accusing them of many things.
Lethumusa Ndlovu.

LOBAMBA  Relatives of Lethumusa Ndlovu, a 16-year old boy who died while attending the Incwala last month, are demanding answers from both the traditional authorities and police.



This comes after the police and soldiers, in a very strange setting, allegedly prevented the family from viewing Lethumusas corpse ahead of his burial.

He is said to have drowned after going for a swim with other warriors from KaLuhleko Royal Kraal when he joined others in cutting Lusekwane.

What further irks the family is that on top of allegedly being prevented from viewing the whole lifeless body of their son, they were forbidden from either touching or bathing it.



This, they said, makes them suspicious about the manner in which their son was said to have died.

donated

Also, they find it strange that police brought Lethumusas body already in a coffin which they claimed had been donated by traditional authorities.



The boy was laid to rest at his mothers place at Mbelebeleni outside Hlatikhulu town centre three weeks ago.

And that was after family were restricted to viewing only the face of the body.

Lethumusa is said to have disappeared and was later found dead inside a stream around Lobamba.



However, his relatives denied claims from police and traditional leaders that he died as result of drowning.

His mother Ruth Khumalo, though confirming that she lost her son, was reluctant to disclose further details on the matter.

Who has told you about this matter? I have lost my son. Please go and write that I have said no comment. The child is mine, she said while walking away.
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By Patrick Donachie

Gov. Andrew Cuomos 2018 budget for education includes a call for Mayor Bill de Blasio to retain mayoral control over New York Citys schools for the next three years.

The acknowledgement was included in Cuomos 2018 Executive Budget, which includes a $1 billion increase in education aid throughout the state. Total state and local spending levels exceed $60 billion, according to the budget, and education remains the largest portion of state spending.

Cuomo also proposed a three-year extension of mayoral control last year, though de Blasio only got a one-year extension in 2016 for the second year in a row. Mayoral control, which places greater accountability for the citys public schools on the mayor, was initiated in 2002 under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Legislature initially granted Bloomberg seven years of control, with a six-year extension in 2009.

De Blasio wanted a seven-year extension in 2015, but only got one year from the Legislature and the process repeated itself in 2016. The decision means there will be another protracted struggle between the mayor and the Legislature as to who should control city schools this year.

Cuomos budget also increased support for new expanding charter schools located in privately leased space in New York City, which has been a point of contention between the de Blasio administration and charter school administrators and advocates like Success Academy CEO Eva Moskowitz.
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By Patrick Donachie

A man fatally shot himself after holding three people hostage inside his Laurelton home late Wednesday evening, according to the NYPD.

At about 11:30 p.m., police from the 105th Precinct responded to reports of an armed and barricaded emotionally disturbed person, police said. The commanding officer of the 105th Precinct said the man, who was identified as Sukele Lewis in published accounts, was holding a female and two younger individuals hostage at gunpoint. The home was located near the corner of 135th Avenue and 227th Street.

The New York Post identified two of the victims as Edwidge Desgraves, his wife, and her son, Justin Marshall, 17. While police were talking to Lewis, police were able to rescue the three hostages, according to the commanding officer. The Desgraves had been stabbed several times on her head and upper body and Justine, who was rescued, had a stab wound on his upper back, he said. The last hostage was an infant, who was unharmed.

The two stabbing victims were taken to Jamaica Hospital and were listed in stable condition.

Police spoke to the man for close to two hours, but he shot himself in the head and was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Washington

Tim Lighthall, a contractor from Fort Plain, drove his truck all night with his son Dylan, 15, his uncle and his uncle's preacher to be at President Donald Trump's Inauguration by daybreak.

The crew pulled into Washington at 1:30 a.m and tried  unsuccessfully  to get some sleep parked in front of the garage where they would stow the vehicle.

After that, they walked for 3 hours and went through countless checkpoints to witness Trump taking the oath of office to become the nation's 45th president.

Was it worth it?

"I got everything I came for," he said afterward. "It brought tears to my eyes. My son said it was the best thing he'd ever been to."

Lighthall and his crew were among the hundreds of New York Republicans who trekked to Washington for the 58th presidential inauguration since the city's namesake, George Washington, took the oath of office in Lower Manhattan in 1789.

In his address after taking the oath from Chief Justice John Roberts, the new president promised the crowd and millions of TV viewers that "Yes, together we will make America great again.''

Trump painted a bleak picture of America as a nation besieged by deteriorating inner cities, crime and drug abuse, closed factories and failing schools.

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now,'' he said, with no mention of the Democratic view that President Barack Obama brought the nation out of the Great Recession and the economy created 11.3 million jobs on his watch.

Trump waved to the crowd of supporters who had chanted "USA, USA, USA'' and "Trump, Trump, Trump."

"It was just so inspiring to be there in that historic setting,'' said Rep. John Faso of Kinderhook, who earlier this month took his own oath of office as a freshman GOP House member. "All the members, Republican and Democrat, felt the same way. We felt the same sense of awe and inspiration at the peaceful transfer of power."

Protesters did their best to put their mark on the day, setting fire to a vehicle in downtown Washington and smashing windows of a Starbucks and McDonald's as police chased them with canisters of pepper spray. More than 200 arrests were reported.

Apart from confrontations, the day proved to be a feel-good moment for the state's Republican attendees, who partied Thursday at a gala after a welcoming breakfast hosted by state party Chairman Edward Cox.

Rank-and-file Trump voters had their moments too.

"It was a once in a lifetime experience,'' said Tyler Bell, 18, who rode a bus all night with about 30 LeMoyne College students, arriving at 6:30 a.m. to attend the Inauguration.

"I got to see Washington for the first time. I got to see a Republican in the White House the first time I voted. It actually got me thinking about going into politics, how ordinary people can make a difference," Bell said.

Among Democrats, the only lawmaker to have a speaking role at the ceremony was Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer.

"I stand here today confident in this great country for one reason: You, the American people,'' Schumer said, steering clear of any direct criticism of Trump even though he is likely to be the president's congressional disrupter-in-chief.

Regardless of race, income level or sexual orientation, "we are all exceptional in our commonly held yet fierce devotion to our country, and in our willingness to sacrifice our time, energy and even our lives to making it a more perfect union.''

Faso expressed skepticism over a hard-line anti-trade policy, noting that commerce with Canada is an integral part of the North Country's economy and undergirds 600,000 American jobs.

"We need to be wary of throwing the baby out with the bath water,'' he said.

dan@hearstdc.com
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Halfmoon

State Police say they smashed a gang that scammed Lowes stores in upstate New York and Massachusetts out of more than $140,000 by returning shoplifted merchandise.

Five Capital Region people face charges for the alleged thefts, which occurred in the last several months and involved stores including Halfmoon, Rome, Utica, Norwich, and Springfield, Mass.

Arraigned this week in Halfmoon Town Court after being arrested Monday were:

Samuel J. Gilbert, 31, of Schenectady, on three counts each of third- and four-degree degree criminal possession of stolen property. Police said he faces more charges elsewhere. Bail was set at $20,000.

Thomas P. Dashnaw, 46, of Schenectady, on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He also faces more charges elsewhere. He was jailed without bail.

Sarah C. Travis, 21, of Clifton Park, on two counts of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and a count of criminal possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $10,000.

Also arraigned Monday in Town Court after arrests made Jan. 11 were:

Domiyon J. Taylor, 32, of Schenectady, on two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He also faces charges elsewhere. Taylor was jailed without bail.

Michael W. McCullough, 53, of Amsterdam, on three counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. Bail was set at $7,500.

Police said the suspects would walk out of stores with shopping carts loaded with expensive items then return the goods later to the Halfmoon store for gift cards.

Police determined that three other potential suspects were being unwittingly used by the gang for their identifications to help return the merchandise. They were not charged.

Surveillance at the stores was conducted by the State Police and Lowes loss prevention staffers. The investigation is continuing and more arrests are possible, police said.

bnearing@timesunion.com  518-454-5094  @Bnearing10
Saratoga Springs

The city's Charter Review Commission has decided that a "council manager" form of government will go before voters this spring.

The panel last week voted 14-0 to offer voters a chance to replace the current system of five independent commissioners, each elected and responsible for specific aspects of city government, with the council-manager setup. That would feature an elected city council that works with an appointed city manager who oversees all city departments.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, the commission will discuss the issue, including the role of a mayor under a council-manager government, as well as finance provisions, and the role of the city attorney and recreation commission.

Voters will consider the potential change in a referendum scheduled on May 30. If voters accept the change, the new government would start in 2019. If voters reject the change, the current commission government  a century old  will remain in place.

"When we interviewed city managers from Corning and Batavia, I was impressed with their long-term vision for infrastructure improvements, technology and economic growth," commission member Beth Wurtmann said in a statement. "A strategic 10-year plan under a skilled city manager is what Saratoga Springs needs to stay abreast with 21st century demands."

Under the proposed change, an elected council would oversee general administration, policy and budgets, as well as name a city manager responsible for day-to-day administrative operations.

"The city manager is forced to squeeze out the waste and inefficiency or lose his job. In Canandaigua, the city council and mayor told the city manager to keep costs down," said Bob Turner, commission chairman.

Several members also agreed that a council manager government could reduce city expenses and taxes. "I think the city would save money by hiring one professional city manager instead of five deputy commissioners," said commission member Rob Kuczynski.

"A council-manager structure would reduce political pressures and in-fighting by having the City Council represent the will of the people and the city manager administer the daily operations of the city," commission member B.K. Keramati said.

Under the current government, voters elect a mayor and four individual commissioners who each oversee areas including finance, accounts, public safety and public works. They have both legislative and executive authority.

"I was on the City Center Parking Garage Task Force in 2001 and saw the plan fall apart due to jurisdictional and political turf conflicts between commissioners," said committee member Gordon Boyd. "It is 16 years later and we still have no garage. Now, we are competing with at least 30 other cities nationwide to retain Ayco. I am worried that the five silos of the commission form of government inhibit the ability to act quickly."

bnearing@timesunion.com  518-454-5094  @Bnearing10
One of the most anticipated vehicles to come to the motors market is coming to Tipperary for a sneak preview from February 9-11th at Ryan Motor Power in Clonmel.

The much-awaited SKODA KODIAQ will be making its way to Ryan Motor Power SKODA in Clonmel, for a special preview from Thursday, 9th to Saturday, 11th February.

The KODIAQ will be the first large 7-seat SUV offered by SKODA and offers an impressive combination of powerful design, generous space, great functionality, state-of-the art assistance systems and innovative connectivity solutions.

Speaking about the upcoming preview event, Ronan Power, Dealer Principal from Ryan Motor Power SKODA, Powerstown, Clonmel, Co. Tipperarysaid:Its rare that we see such excitment about a new car but the buzz around the arrival of the new KODIAQ already has been unbelievable. Were really delighted to be able to offer the people of Tipperary the chance to get up close and personal with the KODIAQ in advance of its launch to the Irish market in March and Im quite certain they will be impressed. Were looking forward to welcoming customers new and old to our showrooms between February 9th and 11th and will be delighted to give them in-showroom demonstrations of all the cars fantastic features.

The KODIAQ offers a spacious interior and possesses the largest boot within its class with a volume of up to 2,065 litres. The KODIAQ also includes over thirty simply clever features that offer practical and convenient assistance to everyday life, such as split folding and length-adjustable rear seats as standard, the optional third row of seats, door-edge protection, electric child safety locks and the much-loved Superb model feature of SKODA umbrellas fitted to the front door pockets from the mid-spec Ambition model.
[January 20, 2017] Dish Network Hit With $20 Million Verdict In Class Action Telemarketing Lawsuit

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- After a five-day trial, a Greensboro, North Carolina jury handed down a $20.5 million verdict in an unprecedented class action trial against Dish Network. The class, led by class representative Dr. Thomas Krakauer of Bahama, North Carolina, alleged Dish was liable for more than 51,000 telemarketing calls placed by a defunct DISH dealer to persons whose telephone numbers were on the National Do Not Call Registry. The jury found DISH liable for all calls, and awarded $400 per violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. "This case has always been about enforcing the Do Not Call law and protecting people from nuisance telemarketing calls," said Dr. Krakauer. "I am thrilled with the jury's verdict, and thrilled we were able to win this enforcement action." The trial team was led by Brian A. Glasser (Washington, D.C.) and John W. Barrett (Charleston, West Virginia) of Bailey & Glasser, LLP, a 57-lawyer firm headquartered in Charleston, WV. Other key trial team members were Matthew McCue of Massachusetts, Matthew Norris of Raleigh, N.C., and Ryan Donovan of Bailey & Glasser. Completing the team were Edward A. Broderick and Anthony Paronich of Broderick & Paronich in Boston, and John Roddy of Bailey & Glasser's Boston office.



"We won this case through the testimony of DISH witnesses themselves," Glasser said. Glasser argued in court that DISH's order entry retailer program was a corporate shell game, developed so DISH could have all the benefits of illegal telemarketing  the customers  but shoulder none of the responsibility for violating the law. "We believe this is the first and only jury trial for a certified class of consumers alleging Do Not Call violations," said Barrett. "This was a strength-in-numbers case, one we could only bring as a class action, where we tried 51,000 claims in a single, five-day trial. We're particularly pleased with the message this verdict sends about the importance of the Do Not Call laws, the most popular consumer protection law in U.S. history."

More than 220 million Americans have opted out of receiving home telemarketing calls by registering their telephone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. The registry was established through the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, which was enacted in 1991 and regulates live, prerecorded and "robocall" telemarketing. The case was presided over by U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles of the Middle District of North Carolina. Peter Bicks, Elyse Echtmann, and John Ewald of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in New York represented DISH. Founded by Ben Bailey and Brian Glasser in 1999 in Charleston, West Virginia, Bailey & Glasser LLP has grown to include 57 lawyers, with offices in nine states and the District of Columbia. The firm's complex litigation practice focuses on high-stakes commercial litigation; class actions for consumers, insureds, investors, and retirement plan participants; catastrophic injury and defective product cases; antitrust; and whistleblower lawsuits. The firm has extensive experience in energy law, and litigates energy cases in trial courts, bankruptcy courts, regulatory agencies, and appellate courts. It has a major corporate practice, and handles business matters ranging from assisting Chinese investors in acquiring US assets, to IPOs, to the negotiation and execution of billions of dollars in commercial transactions. Contact: John Barrett

(304) 345-6555

[email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dish-network-hit-with-20-million-verdict-in-class-action-telemarketing-lawsuit-300394325.html SOURCE Bailey & Glasser, LLP

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He stated that relations between the US and Iran remain polarised but because Western reporters are rarely allowed access, the debate on Iran is often reduced to a battle between moderates and hardliners.

However, there is no such thing as a moderate in the Iranian Regime. The moderates currently in charge of the Regime, have executed over 3,000 people in just three years, routinely sentenced minor offenders to corporal punishments and sentenced a whistle-blower (who revealed the Regimes campaign to eradicate their political opposition by killing 30,000 political prisoners in just a few months) to 21- years in jail.

He notes that, in fact, the Iranian Regimes courtship of the US was not an act of moderation but a calculated act to increase inequality within Iran and ensure that the middle and upper classes benefitted from the lifting of sanctions, while the poor remained downtrodden.

Schewe said: Even if [Trump] does not significantly alter the status quo in U.S. and Western diplomacy with Iran, many countervailing factors prevent such a simplification of Iranian politics Perhaps the most significant new actor is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which placed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the presidency and has secured Iranian influence in Syria during its civil war.

Schewe advises looking to the past, in order to predict the future. He notes that following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, there was a spree of social movements led by the workers but these were crushed by Rafsanjani and current president Hassan Rouhani. When the Regime leaders feel threatened, they lash out at the most disenfranchised in society.

Iran needs a democratic government and the only group who can deliver that is the Iranian Resistance and now, while the Regime is unstable, may be the best time to act.
[January 20, 2017] More Than 500 Students and Governor Scott Rally for School Choice at the State House

Hundreds of students from schools around the state will head to the State House to show the strength of support for school choice in Vermont, alongside Governor Scott and Kevin Chavous, a leading education reform advocate. On Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at 12:00pm more than 500 supporters will gather at the Capitol Plaza. Students from all over the state will represent what school choice has offered them to legislators and other state leaders. A speaking program featuring Governor Phil Scott and school choice advocate Kevin Chavous will begin at 12:15pm. The goal of the event is to demonstrate the strong support for increasing the educational opportunities available to Vermont students and celebrate the great schools that many have already chosen. The celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature more than 21,000 events acoss the country.



"With much of the nation and Vermont's attention turned to school choice in recent days, there's no better time to show just how much Vermonters support protecting the school choice we have and expanding it," said Brad Ferland of EdWatch Vermont. "We look forward to gathering with families from across Vermont in a unified celebration of opportunity in education." "As the first state in the nation to have a school choice program, we have a lot to be proud of during National School Choice Week," said Asher Crispe of Vermont Future Now. "We hope to highlight how important school choice has been and continues to be to educating the next generation."

The event is organized by EdWatch Vermont, Ethan Allen Institute, Vermont Future Now, Vermont Independent School Association, and Vermont Home Education Network. Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170120005684/en/

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Parents and Lawmakers to Discuss School Choice in Connecticut

Dozens of parent advocates and state legislators will attend a joint event in Hartford with customized information sessions about school choice for each group during National School Choice Week.

On Monday, Jan. 23, 2017, at 10 a.m., parents and state legislators will attend side-by-side sessions about school choice at the Mark Twain House. These sessions will be followed by a joint lunch featuring keynote speaker Oklahoma State Rep. Jason Nelson, an experienced education reformer.

Parents will attend a training led by local advocate Gwen Samuels that will cover how to advocate on behalf their children. State legislators will attend a policy disussion led by Dr. Martin Lueken, a national expert on school funding formulas, and Dr. Ben Scafidi, an expert on school choice.







The event will feature guest appearances from Connecticut lawmakers including Sen. Len Fasano, Sen. Art Linares and Rep. Gail Lavielle.

Event partners include the Yankee Institute for Public Policy, EdChoice and Connecticut Parents Union.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170120005694/en/
CMCS E 180 Head Start to Help Parents Pick Kindergarten

The CMCS E. 180th Head Start program will help connect parents to the best Kindergarten programs for their current preschool children during a community outreach event that coincides with National School Choice Week 2017 - the nation's largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education.

The event begins at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 24 at the school, located at 899 East 180th Street in the Bronx. School leaders will help parents with the Kindergarten registration process in an initiative meant to start the K-12 educational conversation early.

CMCS E. 180th is a Head Start program for low-income 3 and 4 year olds.

The goal of the event is to celebrate great education choices in New York and raise awareness among parents about school choice. The celebration is timed to coincide with National Schol Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature more than 21,000 events across the country.







"The school celebrates this event to ensure that the parents have registered their children for Kindergarten. We also want to celebrate that our three year olds will continue with the school for next year. National School Choice Week is the perfectly timed opportunity," said Paula Belli, education director at the school.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling. You can learn more by visiting www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

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Research Triangle Charter Celebrates School Choice Week

The community is invited to learn more about the tuition-free educational options available at Research Triangle Charter Academy at its enrollment information night that coincides with National School Choice Week 2017 - the nation's largest-ever celebration of opportunity in education.

The enrollment information session will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24 at the school, located at 2418 Ellis Road in Durham. Families are welcome to tour the school, meet the principal and ask questions about the school's curriculum.

Research Triangle Charter Academy is a public charter school, serving 668 students in grades K - 8.

The goal of the event is to celebrate great education choices in North Carolina and raise awareness among parents about school choice. The celebration is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature more than 21,000 events across the country.







"Participating in National School Choice Week is a great opportunity for us to do something new and innovative for our organization," said Marva Pittman, the 3 - 5 grade dean.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling. You can learn more by visiting www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

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[January 20, 2017] Colorado BioScience Association Welcomes Nationally Recognized Thought Leaders to Address State's Medical Device Industry

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) highlights how changes in federal policy and major shifts in healthcare will impact the state's thriving medical device industry as part of the annual CBSA Medical Device Symposium. Medical device sector policy discussions will cover the opportunities presented by proposed regulatory relief, corporate tax reform and the possible full repeal of the medical device excise tax under the new administration. Additionally, speakers and panelists discussing national healthcare trends, IP portfolio protections and the importance of partnering make up the agenda for the symposium, scheduled for Tuesday, January 24th at the Omni Interlocken Resort in Broomfield. Highlights of the CBSA Medical Device Symposium, sponsored by Snell & Wilmer Law Offices, include: Federal policy preview by Clayton Hall, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Medical Device Manufacturing Association

New national data and insights on the medtech sector from John Babitt, EY Medical Technology Leader for the Americas

Panel discussion: Protecting Your IP Portfolio

Panel discussion: Leveraging Partnerships for Success



April Giles, President & CEO of CBSA, says: "CBSA is proud to bring nationally recognized industry leaders to engage with Colorado companies and provide insights to support our sector's success in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape."

Supporting sponsors of the symposium include: Snell & Wilmer, EY, and Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority. The conference will be held from 1-5:30 p.m. at the Omni Interlocken Resort, 500 Interlocken Boulevard, in Broomfield. Registration is $50 for CBSA members and $100 for non-members. Connect with CBSA: Twitter (News - Alert) @COBioscience, Facebook and LinkedIn About the Colorado BioScience Association Colorado BioScience Association champions life science. We serve as the hub of Colorado's thriving bioscience sector by connecting innovators to funding, infrastructure, research and talent. From promising young companies to established corporations and institutions, we provide opportunities for networking, education and professional development. We grow the bioscience workforce and lead business expansion policies to advance the industry in our state. CBSA represents more than 350 member organizations, including biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostic, ag bio and mobile digital health companies, research and academic institutions and service providers. Learn more about us at http://www.cobioscience.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170120005665/en/

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[January 20, 2017] Francisco Partners Completes the Sale of Source Photonics to Redview Capital and Asia-IO

Source (News - Alert) Photonics, a leading provider of optical components and modules, today announced that Francisco Partners has completed the sale of the company to a private equity consortium led by Redview Capital and Asia-IO, with participation from investors including TR Capital, Axiom Asia and Aberdeen (News - Alert) Asset Management. Source Photonics is a global provider of communications and data connectivity components and modules in next-generation datacenters, mobile and fixed-line networks. Source Photonics was originally acquired by Francisco Partners in October 2010 as a carve-out from MRV Communications (News - Alert). Following the acquisition, Francisco Partners recruited CEO Doug Wright to join the company in May 2013. "It has been a pleasure to work with Doug and the talented management team at Source Photonics," said Andrew Kowal, Partner at Francisco Partners. "The Source Photonics team made tremendous strides in transforming the company into a leader in its served markets, while delivering best in class operational performance. We believe they are very well positioned for the future and wish them continued success." "Francisco Partners was an excellent partner in our transformation at Source Photonics," said Doug Wright, Source Photonics Chief Executive Officer. "FP provided the strategic support and resources to enable the company to execute on our plan and invest in new technologies. These investments helped us strengthen our product offerings, optimize our operational capabilities, and enter new markets." Doug Wright continued, "We now have the building blocks in place to acelerate our growth in the global optical communications market and we look forward to working with Redview Capital and Asia-IO as we continue to execute on our strategic plan."



"Source Photonics' technology and capabilities for next-generation datacenters and access networks provide a strong foundation for continued share gain, product diversification, and market expansion," said Jin Yi, Executive Director at Redview Capital and a member of the board of directors. "Source Photonics is an exciting case of cross-border mid-cap technology buyout. We look forward to supporting the Source Photonics management team as they enter the next phase of continued growth and investment," said Denis Tse, Managing Partner at Asia-IO and a member of the board of directors.

Evercore and CITIC Securities served as financial advisors to Source Photonics. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. About Source Photonics Source Photonics is a leading provider of innovative and reliable optical communications technology that enables communications and connectivity in datacenters, metro, and access networks. We invent next-generation solutions to provide customers with enabling technologies to support the rapidly increasing demands of cloud infrastructure, wireless communications, routing, and fiber-to-the-premises worldwide. Source Photonics is headquartered in West Hills, California, with manufacturing facilities, R&D, and sales offices worldwide About Francisco Partners Francisco Partners is a leading global private equity firm, which specializes in investments in technology businesses. Since its launch over 16 years ago, Francisco Partners has raised over $10 billion in capital and invested in more than 175 technology companies, making it one of the most active and longstanding investors in the technology industry. The firm invests in opportunities where the firm's deep sectoral knowledge and operational expertise can help companies realize their full potential. About Redview Capital Redview Capital is one of the two parallel new funds set up by Mr. Jianming Yu in January 2016. Redview Capital focuses on traditional growth capital, on investments in New Materials, Clean Energy, Consumer, and Advanced Manufacturing in China. The other new fund, Advantech (News - Alert) Capital, focuses on innovation-driven growth capital, on investments in TMT, E-services, and Healthcare sectors in China. Mr. Yu is also Co-Founder and Managing Partner of New Horizon Capital. About Asia-IO Asia-IO specializes in implementing customized Asia/Asia-nexus private equity direct investment programs for large institutional and corporate investors. Asia-IO is headquartered in Hong Kong. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170120005692/en/

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[January 21, 2017] Temple University Selects Ex Libris Alma

CHICAGO, Jan. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is pleased to announce that Temple University has chosen the Ex Libris Alma library management service to replace an Innovative Millennium library system. Temple University chose the Ex Libris solutions as a best-in-class implementation to complement the school's next-generation central library, due to open in the fall of 2018. There are now 35 members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) who have opted for the Alma solution. Alma will enable each of the Temple University libraries to eliminate the overhead and costs of on-premises system administration. With the cloud-based, multitenant Alma architecture, new software versions will be updated automatically when they become available and the update process will not incur any system downtime. These are critical features for the planned state-of-the-art library. Additional factors in Temple's choice include the extensive Ex Libris developer community and Alma's full integration with the automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) that the groundbreaking new library will employ. Alma's robust API capabilities will facilitate the integration of secondary systems as they are added. Furthermore, Alma's business intelligence features and analytics component will enable Temple librarians to create reports without any specal technological training.



"After considering a range of options, we saw that Alma is the best fit for our new library," explained David Lacy, director of library technology and knowledge management services at Temple University. "We anticipate a productive collaboration with Ex Libris, which has a proven record as a technology leader, to create library services of the highest quality." "Temple University will be a valuable addition to the Alma community," commented Eric Hines, president of Ex Libris North America. "Temple's forward-looking library administration and staff will undoubtedly contribute to Alma development through participation in the active user community."

About Temple University Temple University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was founded in 1884. Temple has seven campuses in Pennsylvania, as well as campuses in Rome, Tokyo, Singapore, and London. Temple is among the nation's greatest providers of professional education (in law, medicine, podiatry, pharmacy, dentistry, and architecture), preparing the largest body of professional practitioners in Pennsylvania. Temple University is an ARL member and has 13 library locations. With over 4.5 million bibliographic records, the libraries serve more than 40,000 students. For more information, visit Temple University's website at http://www.temple.edu/. About Ex Libris Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, is a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education. Offering SaaS solutions for the management and discovery of the full spectrum of library and scholarly materials, as well as mobile campus solutions driving student engagement and success, Ex Libris serves thousands of customers in 90 countries. For more information about Ex Libris, see our website, and join us on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/temple-university-selects-ex-libris-alma-300393988.html SOURCE ProQuest

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Harmony School of Advancement to Host STEM & International Festival during School Choice Week

Harmony School of Advancement invites the community to attend its annual STEM and International Festival that is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week 2017.

The event begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 21 at the school, located at 3171 N. Sam Houston Parkway West in Houston. The annual STEM and International Festival features student science projects, experiments and demonstrations. The International Festival portion features food and cultural exhibits from Canada, France, India, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Turkey and Vietnam.

Sandy Barton, Vice President of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce will be speaking at the event.

Harmony School of Advancement is a public charter school serving 605 students in grades 9 - 12.

Th goal of the event is to celebrate great education choices in Texas and raise awareness among parents about school choice. The celebration is timed to take place right before National School Choice Week (January 22-28, 2017), which will feature more than 21,000 events across the country.







"National School Choice Week is the perfect platform to celebrate our students and school families. We fully support choices in education in the Houston area," said Barbara Swift (News - Alert), campus outreach coordinator.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. Through more than 21,000 independently planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises public awareness of all types of educational choices available to children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private schools, and homeschooling. You can learn more by visiting www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

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He made these remarks during his farewell speech on January 19, at the C Street Lobby.

He said: One of the things that I am very proud of is the effort we made [to get 3,000 members of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK)] out of Camp Liberty and to places where they are safe and their lives are saved from being attacked regularly, as they were. I thank Jonathan Winer, our special envoy, and others for that kind of effort. Its been enormous.

In September, following the successful relocation of dissidents, Kerry told the good news to the Daily Press Briefing at the White House.

He said: We live in a turbulent era and too often there are one challenge or another about conflict that, unfortunately, doesnt bring good news. But I believe its important to note a very important humanitarian accomplishment from late last week The last 280 members of the exiled Iranian opposition group, MEK, were moved out of Camp Liberty in Iraq.

He also praised the country of Albania who took in the refugees and thanked the other governments who had helped to move the MEK members to safety.

While in exile, the Iranian opposition group were subjected to constant attacks from the Iranian Regime and their Iraqi proxies. The camp had been shelled on many occasions, killing and injuring hundreds of people.
By Elizabeth Shogren on 11 January 2017 for High Country News -

Image above: Blackfeet sacred land in the

170121saceedBadger - Two Medicine River area. From ( http://grist.org/article/oil-and-gas-leases-canceled-on-blackfeet-sacred-land-in-montana/ ).

This story was originally published by High Country News and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.

.

SUBHEAD: Blackfeet Tribe swayed the Interior Department to cancel the leases in Badger-Two Medicine River area .Wednesday morning, as John Murray drove north from his home on the Badger-Two Medicine River to his job as the historic preservation officer for the Blackfeet Tribe, the mountains glowed red. His wife, who drove with him, commented on their beauty.Murray, 69, noted with deep satisfaction that for the first time in more than 30 years, there are no more oil and gas leases up there.For thousands of years, the area was home to the Blackfeet, and Murray has spent decades fighting a collection of oil and gas leases sold for $1 an acre by the Reagan administration without consulting the tribe. On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell canceled the last two leases in the area known as Badger-Two Medicine, which now is part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest The cancellation of the final two leases in the rich cultural and natural Badger-Two Medicine Area will ensure it is protected for future generations, Jewell said in a statement.The landscape just outside of Glacier National Park where the prairies meet the mountains is sacred to the Blackfeet. This area is like a church to our people, Harry Barnes, chair of the Blackfeet Nation Tribal Business Council, said in a statement. Weve lived for 30 years under the threat that it might be industrialized, and were extremely grateful that this cloud is finally lifted.Anthropological studies have found hundreds of artifacts in the area, but its the landscape itself that is most treasured by the Blackfeet, Murray says.That landscape also is extremely important to conservation groups because it provides crucial habitat for grizzlies, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and the other fauna that roam between Glacier, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and the Blackfeet Reservation.Hunting and fishing groups laud the area as unmatched for elk hunting and wild trout fishing. But conservationists who worked to preserve it say it was the Blackfeet that swayed the Interior Department to cancel the leases.The decision comes as the Obama administration has sided with tribes in other recent decisions.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers early last month suspended an easement necessary to finish the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, pending a deeper environmental assessment and consultation with the tribe. On Dec. 28, President Obama created two national monuments after intense campaigns by Native Americans: Bears Ears in Utah and Gold Butte in Nevada.The hard-fought victory for Badger-Two Medicine comes at a time Murray sees as a renaissance for the Blackfeet people. The tribe also negotiated an important water settlement with state government, which Congress finally approved last month.Now that the leases have been canceled, the tribe is looking forward. Our next move is to be more proactive in what happens in the Badger-Two Medicine, Murray says. Specifically, the tribe is advocating for the Lewis and Clark National Forest to stop allowing cattle grazing and instead reintroduce buffalo In November, Interior announced that Devon Energy had agreed to the cancellation of its 15 leases in the Badger-Two Medicine region. But another company, Solonex LLC, is fighting the earlier cancellation of its lease in the same area. That dispute, which is currently in front of a federal court, tempered the celebration of the Blackfeets long-awaited victory.Michael Jamison, Glacier program manager for the National Park Conservation Association, first protested the leases as a college student some 30 years ago. Through the years, he has learned from Blackfeet elders why the landscape is so important to them.Their future success as a people is rooted in hanging on to who they are culturally, Jamison said. They need something firm underfoot if theyre going to succeed in stepping into the future.
Apple sued Qualcomm in a San Diego federal court for $1 billion for allegedly charging unfair royalties for technologies used in the iPhone.

The suit came shortly after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a case accusing Qualcomm of monopolistic practices. According to the FTC, the manufacturer used the ubiquity of its products to extort smartphone-makers and prevent any potential competitors from threatening its business. Qualcomm said the FTC "still lacked basic information about the industry and was instead relying on inaccurate information and presumptions."

But now Apple has lent support to the FTC's claims. As the company said in a statement to CNBC:

Qualcomm built its business on older, legacy, standards but reinforces its dominance through exclusionary tactics and excessive royalties. Despite being just one of over a dozen companies who contributed to basic cellular standards, Qualcomm insists on charging Apple at least five times more in payments than all the other cellular patent licensors we have agreements with combined. [...] To protect this business scheme Qualcomm has taken increasingly radical steps, most recently withholding nearly $1B in payments from Apple as retaliation for responding truthfully to law enforcement agencies investigating them.

At issue is the popularity of Qualcomm's baseband processors--components used to control any connections to wireless networks--in mobile phones. One estimate said in February 2016 that Qualcomm's components represented 65% of the LTE baseband market. None of its competitors even approach that level of prominence (Samsung is the only one that even reaches the double digits) and that puts Qualcomm in a position of considerable leverage.

Qualcomm executive vice president and general counsel Dan Rosenberg responded to Apple's claims:

While we are still in the process of reviewing the complaint in detail, it is quite clear that Apple's claims are baseless. Apple has intentionally mischaracterized our agreements and negotiations, as well as the enormity and value of the technology we have invented, contributed and shared with all mobile device makers through our licensing program. Apple has been actively encouraging regulatory attacks on Qualcomm's business in various jurisdictions around the world, as reflected in the recent KFTC decision and FTC complaint, by misrepresenting facts and withholding information. We welcome the opportunity to have these meritless claims heard in court where we will be entitled to full discovery of Apple's practices and a robust examination of the merits.

Apple did not respond to our request for comment. But it's clear that the company means business--filing a $1 billion suit in a federal court typically indicates some degree of seriousness--and so does the FTC. Once these cases head to court, it will be easier to tell if Qualcomm is a wrongly maligned company whose products happen to be popular or if it truly has negatively affected the smartphone market so it could line its own metaphorical pockets.
"The most symbolic but impactful and far reaching action President Trump can take, would be to express regret over his years of headlining the baseless, but bothersome, birther movement. Communicating a sincere mea culpa, contrary to popular belief, is not an act of timidity, but rather a sign of toughness. True strength comes from a willingness to display humility."

Money line from the latest update from Kansas City's top ranking elected official . . .Read the whole thing here ore after the jump . . .At noon on Friday, January 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. According to polling data, President Trump will become the least liked incoming President in modern times. With thundering internal fuss, I went to the west front of the U.S. Capitol to witness the uniquely American transition of power. In doing so, I will disappoint friends, supporters and even some family members. They, like me, believe that President Trump is benumbed to the hurtful things he has said. Nevertheless, I attended the inauguration. Although it is antithetical to my biblical training, I do, in fact, feel weary in my well doing. My apology Paul.Many of my congressional colleagues, including one inimitable John Robert Lewis, for a variety of sound reasons, chose not to attend the ceremonial induction of Mr. Trump into the single most powerful position on Earth. Rather than focusing his twilight tweets on Mr. Lewis, my suggestion is that President Trump work on reconciliation with those whom he has so regrettably alienated.The most symbolic but impactful and far reaching action President Trump can take, would be to express regret over his years of headlining the baseless, but bothersome, birther movement. Communicating a sincere mea culpa, contrary to popular belief, is not an act of timidity, but rather a sign of toughness. True strength comes from a willingness to display humility.For certain, an unwatered down apology is one of the most uncomfortable things required of those who chose to live in polite society. Apologies are even more difficult when it is required of people in power. Yet, a heartfelt apology falling from the lips of the man who has been voted to lead the free world is exactly what the nation needs to begin the re-stitching of a torn relationship between President Trump and many in this country whom he has offended. An apology would begin to heal that hurt. An apology from President Trump would not serve as just a nice political move. It would put on display humility. It would be a way of demonstrating respect for former President Barack Obama who was wronged by the birther movement.Perhaps, more importantly, an apology from the Head of State may denuclearize the toxic atmosphere created when President Trump and others launched a bold and unsavory attempt to delegitimize the nations first African American President. An apology will not fix everything that has been broken over the past few years, but if done wholeheartedly, it can humanize President Trump in ways that we can only imagine.President Trump, if I am wrongheadedly pushing you to apologize, do it anyway. As you have said to Black America, What do you have to lose?##########You decide . . .
CHECK THE TKC TOP FIVE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE KANSAS CITY LADY PROTESTERS AGAINST TRUMP!!!

Isn't This Protest Just Doubling Down On Hillary Clinton Presidential Defeat???

Count The Money: The March Also Serves As An EPIC Fundraiser For Controversial And Democratic Party Aligned Greater Kansas City Women's Political Caucus

Jackson County Legislative Chair Crystal Williams Comeback Despite Missouri Democratic Party Chaos She Created???

What About So Many Women Who Support President Trump???

Will Marching Women Identity Politics Spurn Support From Like-Minded Men???

Today, a mass demonstration ofalso enjoysAccordingly, here's an alternative view contrary to so much mainstream media talking point coverage . . .While blind support of political ladies is encouraging, our blog community stands for analytical consideration and critical thinking in order to clarify perspectives and create greater understand.And so, to start the conversation, here are some concerns . . .At the end of the day and despite popular vote dominance, Hillary Clinton was defeated. Herstrategy focused on women's rights, breaking the glass ceiling and standing against allegations of Trump misogyny . . . The electoral college and millions of Americansthose ideas because of Hillary Clinton's divisive leadership and this march seems to be reinforcing thisselling proposition.When they say it's not about the money . . . It's about the money. It's always about the money.This is an important fact that is not being reported by local MSM and speaks to the Democratic Party organization behind the scenes andthe so-called grassroots uprising that is being touted.Women are dying and being sexually assaulted at the Jackson County Jail while this political hack has said virtuallyabout the horrific injustice. Instead, Kansas City's worst elected official uses gender identity politics as a weapon against any questions or adversaries who question her overallThe antics of Crystal Williams wasted tens of thousands of dollars during the Missouri Presidential election cycle wherein Democrats wereby the GOP and lost all statewide offices.Like it or not, about. So, when we talk about listening to the voices of women . . . It's important to realize that a great many women stand behind Trump and his "America First" agenda.In the final analysis . . . The "women's march" threatens to turn a great many men away simply because the title does not invite a diverse coalition and instead speaks to exclusivity and a narrow view of all those who support human rights beyond mere demographic or partisan lines.And so . . .Whilst. . . Reality contradicts today's political talking points and respectful but firm questions we're thrusting forth repeatedly serve to penetrate the gash of mere partisan cheerleading in order to dig deeper and ultimately plant a seed of true equality for every resident of Kansas City and this nation.
Greek Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos is bracing for a Eurogroup summit on Thursday where he is expected to present a set of concessions on thorny issues that have stalled bailout negotiations in a bid to restart the review so the prospects for debt relief and inclusion in the European Central Banks quantitative easing program return to the table.

It remains unclear exactly what Tsakalotos will propose to his peers, though the issues holding up the talks relate to fiscal forecasts, energy and labor relations. With the International Monetary Fund pressing for additional cuts to pensions and a further lowering of the tax-free threshold, Tsakalotos will come under pressure for initiatives in those areas too.

The IMF has yet to determine whether it will join Greeces third international bailout. Until last week, the government had indicated that the bailout could progress without the Funds involvement.

But, since Germanys powerful Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble made it clear that Berlin would not accept the withdrawal of the IMF, Athens has stopped the tough talk. Facing elections in the fall, Schaeuble is keen to ensure that Greece does not become a domestic problem for him.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras meanwhile must achieve a tricky balancing act: endorsing the necessary reforms to ensure Greek bailout talks resume while keeping a lid on discontent with the ranks of his leftist SYRIZA.

Already some radical factions within SYRIZA have reacted negatively to the prospect of further austerity. The Group of 53, to which Tsakalotos belongs, has expressed misgivings while it remains unclear how many MPs would seriously consider destabilizing the government by voting down new measures in Parliament. The growing unease has refueled speculation about the prospect of another round of snap polls.

According to sources, Athens wants to chop up negotiations with creditors to limit the political cost. The plan would be for talks to resume over the coming week, focusing on the final measures that are necessary to conclude the current bailout review. Talks on a midterm program, which were supposed to take place in parallel, would be postponed.

Read more here.

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Farmers in the northern Greek regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace threatened over the weekend to renew protest action against the leftist-led governments painful measures.

Farmers in the northern Greek regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace threatened over the weekend to renew protest action against the leftist-led governments painful measures.

It so happened that farmers and fishermen were the first to be targeted by the measures which have already gone into effect, but the protests and the battles have to be waged by society as a whole, said a statement by the farmers, who are resisting a hike in taxes and social security contributions.

There was no reaction from the government.

Last year, a lengthy blockade by Greek farmers on the countrys border with Bulgaria threatened to disrupt relations between the two Balkan neighbors.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
It took Thessaloniki seven decades to restore its memories, recognize its mistakes, and, above all, to apologize for a piece of its history that was silently buried under the foundations of its university

It took Thessaloniki seven decades to restore its memories, recognize its mistakes, and, above all, to apologize for a piece of its history that was silently buried under the foundations of its university. Three years ago, the citys mayor, Yiannis Boutaris, erected a monument in a corner of the campus as a reminder that this was the spot where, for 500 years, the citys once-large community of Sephardic Jews honored their dead. Then, the mayor spoke of the undue delay in breaking the silence and beginning to talk about the dark moments of the citys history.

It was one of the slow but steady steps toward the target set by the mayors office. The culmination of it all is the creation of the Holocaust Museum and Educational Center in the area of the old railway station, where the beginning of the end was written for the Jewish population of Thessaloniki.

The move came from an idea belonging to the president of the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki, David Saltiel. Boutaris adopted it and used his international contacts to promote it. The municipality and the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki (JCT) worked together methodically, and now, almost three years later with funding secured, the goal is in sight.

A six-floor circular building dominated by metal and glass and spread across 7,000 square meters will rise over the next three years, standing symbolically in the place where the death trains began transporting 55,000 Greek Jews from Thessaloniki, decimating a multicultural, multi-religious and prosperous city. The foundation stone of the Holocaust Museum will be laid at the end of 2017 in 5 acres supplied by Gaiaose SA. If all goes well, Thessaloniki will inaugurate its new museum before the end of 2019.

Funding

The project has a budget of approximately 22 million euros, 10 million of which will come from the German government (5 million in 2017 and 5 million in 2018). The rest will be covered by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and other bodies (Jewish communities and figures). Two architects, one in Tel Aviv and one in Berlin, are working on the final plans. An international institute for the Holocaust Museum of Thessaloniki will soon be set up, based in Brussels, and a nonprofit organization in Greece will be established for the management of the construction and the initiation of the project.

From the first moment of the project, the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki established a cooperation framework to provide 20 years of experience and expertise in both the creation and the operation of the Holocaust Museum, particularly when it comes to education.

What happened in Thessaloniki during the Holocaust is part of both local and European history, which we need to teach to young people especially to combat anti-Semitism, racism and all forms of discrimination that unfortunately are once again rising to the surface around the world, said the director of the Shoah Memorial in Paris, Jacques Fredj, at the signing of the agreement in January 2016.

For JCT chief Saltiel, it will not be just the voice of millions of Jews who were deported, humiliated and murdered. It will be the voice of the Greek Jews and their long history in the city, which is the story of Thessaloniki itself. Beyond its educational character, the communitys intention is to document the history of worship items and beyond. They are stored at the Jewish Museum on Aghios Minas Street, which will operate in parallel as a small museum in the heart of the city.

For enrichment, says Saltiel, they will look for items from the descendants of Thessaloniki Jews, especially those who immigrated to Palestine in the 1930s to work in the ports of Haifa and Jaffa. Objects from Thessaloniki are in museums in Poland, and Saltiel says the authorities are indicating their intent to return them to us. Of utmost importance are the historical records of the JCT (100,000 documents) stored in Moscow. Their repatriation will shed light on the lives of Thessalonikis Sephardic Jews before the Holocaust.

Unknown chapter

What happened in Thessaloniki is a chapter of the Holocaust which is completely unknown to the world, says Boutaris. With the Holocaust Museum, he believes that Thessaloniki, apart from the obvious benefits of tourism and raising the citys profile, will become a symbol to promote tolerance and fight racism. For this reason, he said, I insisted on the parallel operation of a training center. Only in this way will we be able to have a greater awareness of what this crime means and why it should not be repeated.

Thessaloniki, like Warsaw and Krakow, is seen as an important historical place for Jews everywhere, but much more so for Sephardic Jews, a largely unknown and neglected community. This dimension is also noted by Giorgos Antoniou, professor of contemporary history on the newly established Jewish Studies course at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The Holocaust Museum, beyond the tragedy of the Greek Jews, beyond the tragedy of Thessalonikis Jews, represents the tragedy of the Sephardic Jews. The difference between this museum and those in the US and Israel is that it is located in the place where the crime was committed. It will rightfully be put on the map with the worlds leading Jewish history museums. In educational terms it will act as the umbrella for the research and teaching that has blossomed in recent years at universities and other institutions.

Evangelos Hekimoglu, the curator of the Jewish Museum, sees it as a living organism, underlining the political and academic aspect. Twenty years ago, he says, apart from a generation of survivors, three people were involved in [researching] the Holocaust: Polychronis Enepekides, Rena Molho and Albertos Nar. The progress made over the past seven years in research on the Holocaust (social, political, economic, ideological), is enormous. However, the fruits of these efforts will fade on their own. Only a coordinated effort for the dissemination of these efforts can be translated into the education system for future generations. This role has to be played by a new, modern Holocaust museum.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Two attacks took place in Turkey on the same day, both in Constantinople

Two attacks took place in Turkey on the same day, both in Constantinople. One was against the police Headquarters while the second one was against the local offices of President Erdogans political party Justice and Development Partys(AKP) on Friday.

In both attacks the assailants used LAW anti-tank rockets. It is said that two people were involved in the attack.

The first target was the police headquarters in the Fatih district of Istanbul, and hours later the AKPs branch office in the Sutluce neighborhood of Eyup district was hit.

AK Party Provincial head Selim Temurci pointed to the involvement of ultra-left Revolutionary Peoples Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Port Services Corporation (PSC) has agreed the terms of a deal with the government to continue the operation and management of Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat for an additional year beyond the expiry of the current licence on December 31, said a report.



The announcement came in a filing to the Capital Market Authority (CMA) yesterday (December 28), added the Oman Daily Observer report.



It follows a meeting convened at the corporations headquarters in Muscat yesterday to discuss the terms of an agreement whereby PSC would rescind its recent decision to go into liquidation and continue to operate the port during 2017, it said.



Citing resolutions adopted at the meeting, the corporation said the Ministry of Transport and Communications acceded to its terms and conditions for running the port for an additional period of 12 months through to December 31, 2017.



These terms have been set out in the Corporations letter to Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, dated December 25, 2016, added the report.
A pair of police officers were injured and 95 protesters arrested after they smashed windows, damaged cars and threw rocks at police near Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony on Friday in Washington, D.C.



Two DC police officers and one other person were taken to the hospital for undetermined injuries after run-ins with protesters, DC Fire Spokesman Vito Maggiolo told CNN. The injuries are non-life threatening.



After the swearing-in ceremony, demonstrators near 12th and K streets threw rocks and bottles at police, who were clad in riot gear and attempting to disperse the crowd. A large number of police were on scene and used smoke and flash-bang devices to try to scatter the protesters.



Acting DC Police Chief Peter Newsham told CNN that there were several hundred protestors who were confronting police, while he praised the thousands of other demonstrators who were acting in a peaceful fashion to get their point across.



"We have been pointing out all along that this is a very isolated incident and by and large everything is going peacefully and a lot of folks have come to the city to enjoy this historic day, not only the Capitol but walking all around the city," Newsham said.



Protesters "acting in a concerted effort engaged in acts of vandalism and several instances of destruction of property," the DC police said in an earlier statement. "More specifically, the group damaged vehicles, destroyed the property of multiple businesses, and ignited smaller isolated fires while armed with crowbars, hammers, and asps."



Police said there had been 95 arrests as of 2 p.m.



"Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property," police said.



Earlier, a few blocks from the White House, building windows along the street were shattered, police cars and other vehicles damaged and newspaper stands toppled. One business owner told CNN there might have been as many as several hundred protesters who swept through the area, some dressed in black.



At one point, police used pepper spray as a group of protesters, many of them wearing masks, ran down 13th Street.'



"I think Donald Trump is a fascist, and it's very easy for people, especially people who are in pain, to slip into fascism," said protester Lysander Reid-Powell, a 20-year-old student from New Mexico.



At one checkpoint, about 50 protesters sat down in the street in an attempt to block Trump supporters from entering a secure area to watch the swearing-in ceremony and speech. Not far away, a group of immigration backers staged a "pop up" protest near another check point.



"We're here to take a stand against the ideas that Trump spouted throughout the course of this campaign -- sexism, Islamophobia, his bigotry and nationalism," said protester Jed Holtz, from New York City.



In a series of coordinated demonstrations designed to cut off spectator access, protesters blocked or caused bottlenecks in front of at least a half dozen security checkpoints outside the National Mall in the hours ahead of the swearing in.



Three women were chained together at the neck on 10th Street, and more than 150 demonstrators organized by the DisruptJ20 coalition surrounded an entrance near the Canadian embassy.



"This checkpoint is closed," they chanted, forcing Trump supporters to turn back and walk along Indiana Avenue in search of a clearer path.



As Trump was being sworn in, a half-dozen protesters, each wearing a letter of the word "Resist," stood up from just behind the VIP area and began to recite the preamble of the US Constitution as Trump recited the oath of office at noon on Friday.



"The only source of light on this miserable day is the massive, multi-racial, multi-generational progressive resistance movement led by women and people of color that's already emerging to confront Donald Trump's agenda of hate and growing stronger every single day," said Democracy for America Executive Director Charles Chamberlain.



Demonstrations elsewhere



There also were anti-Trump protests around the world, including in London, Hong Kong and Berlin -- where demonstrators held a sign that read, "Walls divide."



In the West Bank, Palestinians protested against Israeli settlements and Trump's plan to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.



In New York, seven people were arrested at a demonstration outside of Trump Tower, according to the New York Police Department.



On Thursday night in Washington, protesters gathered on 14th Street outside the National Press Club to demonstrate against "DeploraBall," an event organized by some of Trump's most fervent supporters. The name riffs off the campaign description of some Trump backers by his defeated opponent, Hillary Clinton, as a "basket of deplorables."



As attendees -- some of whom were clad in suits and red hats, others dressed in gowns -- entered the event, demonstrators chanted "Shame" and "Nazis go home" behind a phalanx of police. Some held signs that read "No Alt Reich" and "No Nazi USA."



On Saturday, the Women's March on Washington could attract a quarter million participants, potentially making it one of the larger political rallies the city has seen.



"We're really trying to set a tone of resistance for the coming years," Lacy MacAuley, a DisruptJ20 organizer, told CNN. "Donald Trump represents a shift in our politics in a dangerous, harmful, exclusionary direction. We oppose those policies of hate."



According to Department of Homeland Security chief Jeh Johnson, as many as 900,000 spectators may attend inaugural ceremonies.



Johnson told reporters last week that 28,000 security personnel from dozens of agencies, including local and out of town police officers, will be fanned out across the city on Inauguration Day and into the weekend.



Organizers of the march, which begins near Capitol Hill at 10 a.m. ET, now say internal divisions, many of them stemming from a divisive Democratic primary fight, are being put aside in the name of solidarity.



"We have already proven that Hillary and Bernie Sanders supporters can work together against fascism, xenophobia, and racism," Linda Sarsour, a Palestinian-American Muslim activist from Brooklyn, told CNN.



The march, which began with a modest Facebook call in the aftermath of the election, has grown in to what could be one of the larger political demonstrations in DC.



There are more than 600 "sister marches" now planned around the country and fundraising for the event has largely come in chunks of $20 and $30 online donations.



"It really reminds me of the Sanders campaign," Sarsour said. "A very grassroots, very grass-powered movement."


The global packaged food market is expected to reach $2.2 trillion by 2020 mainly driven by the demand from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) market and Asia-Pacific region, said a report released ahead of a key industry event in Dubai UAE.



The Gulfood 2017 is the worlds largest food and hospitality show, which runs at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from February 26 to March 2.



The 22nd edition of the event will see the most significant representation of leading food and beverages (F&B) brands in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, said the event organisers.



More than 140 major international food and beverage producers will come together at the new Power Brands segment at Gulfood 2017.



Power Brands is one of eight dedicated segments now housed within Gulfood to ensure buyers can navigate the expansive show more effectively. The other sectors are: Beverages; Dairy; Fats & Oils; Health, Wellness & Free-From; Pulses, Grains & Cereals; Meat & Poultry; and World Food.



Represented by a contingent of major food industry heavyweights including Unilever, Nestle, Del Monte and Iffco, the throng of leading F&B brands will go on display at the top industry event.



Commenting on the influx of world-class food producers and distributors at the show, James George, analyst, Euromonitor International, said: "Manufacturers and distributors alike are looking at the Mena as one of the key growth regions. This is mainly fuelled by a handful of markets particularly the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt."



Through new entrants or brand expansion, many brands will look to capitalise on the growth potential that these regions offer with significant investments across the region. The need for quality products and services will continue to rise as a growing population drive increased demand in the food and beverages sector, remarked George.



Capitalising on this growth curve, the new Power Brands segment at Gulfood will connect regional buyers with international producers and distributors of both high-end and household name food and beverage brands in one place, it added.



Heloise Buzet, the head of marketing (Mena) at Del Monte (UAE), said: "2017 is a special year for Del Monte as we are celebrating our 125-year anniversary. We have come a long way, focusing always on quality, product innovation and freshness."



"During these years, Del Monte kept its promise by serving a meaningful cause - the health of its consumers - and providing nutritious, convenient and affordable fresh products," remarked Buzet.



For us, Gulfood and the new Power Brands segment in particular is an amazing opportunity to do business. As a truly global event, we are able to examine trends while increasing our trade networks to export on an even more significant scale, she added.



Furthermore, Fonterra - the worlds largest exporter of dairy products - is set to debut at Gulfood with its eyes firmly set on Mena region growth.



Built on the expertise and heritage of New Zealand dairy farming, Fonterra is behind brands known and loved by millions of people in more than 140 countries, said Santiago Aon, the general manager for Fonterra Middle East.

"We have supported the growth in dairy consumption across the Middle East and Africa for more than 40 years and we are focused on future investment and growth in this important region," noted Aon.



Gulfood is a great opportunity for us to showcase our high-quality NZMP ingredients and Anchor Food Professionals products. We are keen to engage with customers to better understand and meet their evolving needs, he added.



Products being featured in the Power Brands segment at Gulfood 2017 include elite brands distributed regionally by La Marquise International, a specialist department of regional sector heavyweight Buhaleeba Groups Foodservice Division, and Spanish food and beverage leader MVF Select.



La Marquise, who recorded a 25 per cent increase in sales in 2016, will use Gulfood 2017 to promote a range of speciality products including Saffron Syrup by 1883 Maison Routin.



Our Gulfood stand will be interactive and engaging because we want our visitors to feel like theyre not at an exhibition, but in a bar with 1883 Maison Routin, or in a coffee shop with Pellini or a gourmet store with IRCA, Palais du Chef and MEC3.



MVF Select, which markets its products as perfect for the most discerning palates, is looking to its fifth Gulfood showing to introduce Spherification Products, a natural health product of fruit and honey, as well as its star performers - original Organic Caviar and Halal Meats and Pate (deer and ostrich).



Yamila Tawfik, MVF Selects International Business Manager, said the region was a very important market for the group.



Its the connection between Europe and Asia and offers great potential as a fast-growing market in high gastronomic products, he added.



The F&B purveyors are among 140 headline names lining up for Gulfoods first Power Brands feature.



Trixie LohMirmand, senior VP (Exhibitions & Events Management) at DWTC, said: "With more than 5,000 exhibitors, Gulfood is the perfect springboard for major distribution players who are looking to demonstrate their innovative products and solutions to international retailers."



"The show will provide a unique experience for buyers sourcing a full spectrum of boutique and household name brands," noted LohMirmand.



Following unprecedented demand for space, the new Power Brands platform will read like a Whos Who of the F&B world, reflecting the growing need for quality products and services in this region, she added.-TradeArabia News Service
Two terror suspects blew themselves up on Saturday during a firefight with security forces in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah and two others were arrested in another operation, said a report.



Security forces raided a suspected terrorist hideout used for making explosive belts and other devices in a southern district of Jeddah, reported Arab News, citing a spokesman for the the interior ministry.



Two men holed up inside the premises shot at security forces, who returned fire, according to the statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.



The suspects refused to surrender and blew themselves up by detonating their explosive belts, it said, confirming an earlier statement by Jeddah authorities.



The interior ministry spokesman also said that a third suspect was arrested on Saturday in a security operation targeting another Jeddah neighborhood.



The suspect, a Saudi national, is believed to have had links to the two men who blew themselves up, said the report.



He was arrested along with a Pakistani women whom he identified as his wife, the spokesman said.



Pictures posted on Twitter showed a fire at the site of the shootout.



Earlier this month, security forces shot and killed two suspected jihadists including an explosive belt maker during a police operation in the north of Riyadh. Both were Saudi citizens, it added.


UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has announced four additional weekly flights on the popular Abu Dhabi  Male route, increasing frequency to the idyllic Maldives to 11 services a week between July 1 and September 17.



The capacity increase will cater to high demand during the peak summer season. The announcement comes as the Abu Dhabi-based airline completed five years of operations to the Maldives.



Etihad Airways launched its daily scheduled flights between the capital cities of the UAE and the Maldives on November 1, 2011, said a statement from Etihad.



The summer expansion will be supported by a two-class A320 aircraft operating the route, with 16 Business and 120 Economy seats, it stated.



These additional flights will operate on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between July 1 and September 17, it stated.



Flight No EY 260 will take off from Abu Dhabi at 12.55 midnight and land in Male at 6.20 early morning, while on return, Flight No 261 will depart Male at 7.40pm and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 11pm.



Over the past five years, Etihad Airways has carried more than 450,000 passengers on the route, with the majority travelling to the Maldives from Abu Dhabi, the GCC and key European markets.



The Maldives is the ultimate honeymoon and leisure destination, with Male being the gateway to the premium leisure destination. Etihad Airways is a key contributor to the Maldivian economy, supporting the vibrant tourism and fishing industries.



The extra flights will provide more options for local passengers travelling between Abu Dhabi and Male with an early morning arrival into the Maldives islands, said the UAE national carrier.



Overall connectivity to and from key destinations in the GCC and Europe will increase and, new two-way connectivity will be established from markets such as Edinburgh, Jeddah, Madrid, Moscow and Zurich, it added.-TradeaArabia News Service
The best time to go on a safari is at any time as tropical climates dominate countries with the most inviting natural reserves. This year is an excellent time to head out for safaris especially in Africa's natural kingdoms awaiting travelers' binoculars for in-depth observations and occasional close-ups akin to supervised wild meet-and-greets.

Travelers can decide to take a short flight or the scenic route through dirt roads to reach Zambia's Liuwa Plains National Park. Located in the western part of the region, the photogenic sights of Liuwa Plains make it an amazing backdrop for the frequently passing lions, zebras and rare avian wildlife -- everyone who seem to know when cameras are taking photographs as they pause conveniently for observation. Stay in the nearby luxury villas near the plains -- which can be costly with an $845 nightly price tag.

When travelers say Zimbabwe, one automatically retreats to the thought of an amazing wildlife photo reminiscent of Disney's "Lion King." Zimbabwe has long since modernized everything, allowing them to protect their wildlife better. A private preserve near the Zambezi River in the form of Matetsi River Lodge features 4x4 rides across amazing views of the river -- the background for elephants, zebras, panthers and other safari beauties travelers may encounter.

Dreamworks knew well their animated "Madagascar" film would boost safari visits into the northeastern part of the region despite its exorbitant price of $21,416 per person. According to CNN, Miavana is accessible only through a transport helicopter to arrive in a well-maintained and preserved sanctuary of both land and sea life.

Family travels focused on education and an amazing experience should always put South Africa's "The Ant's Nest" in their list. Inclusive of a pool, amenities include "game drives" that showcase the rare breed of rhinos, felines and deers even -- with all trips supervised by professional safari guides.

According to The Telegraph, Pumulani is quite expensive but probably not as expensive as Madgascar's Miavana. Expect to spend at least $1000 per person but also expect to see some otters, hundreds of avian wildlife and experience amazing sundown cruises.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Just for the sheer fun of it, a creative way to make an itinerary for prodigious travelers is to alphabetize the bucket list of capitals worth visiting. The following first cities featured in this article share a distance of at least several thousand miles from each other. Hence, tourists can choose between Athens, Apia or Asuncion as their next vacation destination.

Athens

Looking for reasons to visit Athens, the first city of Greece, is a no-brainer. The rich heritage cultivated in this part of the world is arguably unrivaled. It wasn't called 'the Cradle of Western Civilization' by mere accident. But apart from visiting the Parthenon, Acropolis and the Ancient Agora, visitors also travel to Athens for nightlife.

In fact, Athens has one of the most flamboyant nightlife scenes in Europe. Classier open-air bistros and commercial establishments are located around Syntagma Square.

Apia

Anyone looking for a distant island sabbatical should visit Apia, the capital city of Samoa. This place is one of the best scenes for underwater adventures in the Pacific. Apart from relaxing at one its several beaches, this city is home to Samoa Cultural Village - an authentic indigenous community open to visitors all year round.

As a predominantly Catholic nation, Apia also has a number of beautiful churches. Curiously, the 19th Century novelist Robert Louis Stevenson spent his last days in a village called Vailima - where the Louis Stevenson Museum now stands.

Asuncion

Among several places in South America, perhaps the capital city of Paraguay is deemed one of the most low-key tourist destinations. Despite the stereotypes associated with this region, many would still visit Asuncion because it is one of the few places in South America that is virtually free of violent crimes.

Apart from being an 'under-the-radar' site, Asuncion is notoriously cheap. In fact, any visitor can thrive in this part of the world for as little as $20 a day!

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
With the debut of the new route from Tangier to Kenitra and an elevation of the current route from Kenitra to Casablanca, Africa's first high-speed train comes to Morocco for an initial speed test. The Casablanca-Tangier high-speed rail line is set to be opened to public use in 2018.

The newest TGV French-made trains is expected to reach a speed of 200 miles per hour, the fastest among any other trains currently operational in Africa. The cost of this project already reached $2 billion and is subsidized by different countries including France, Morocco, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, CNN reports.

The current travel time from Tangier to Casablanca is almost four hours. However, a ride with the new high-speed travel train will only take a matter of two hours to reach the other end of the rail line.

The port of Tangier in Morocco is an entry point for land or sea-based carriages and vehicles Mediterranean countries including Italy and Spain. As of the moment, the developers are yet to announce the exact date in 2018 when these trains will be officially open for use. But ONCF, a national rail operator in Morocco, says that once the high-speed trains begin its operations, six million passengers are expected to be accommodated for the next year.

Despite the negative claims of the entities opposing the high-speed train project, the government of Morocco and King Mohammed VI still anticipate that the launching of this new route will bring prosperity and boost the reputation of their country. The government also stresses that despite the attention given to the high-speed train project, they are still exerting efforts to entice foreign investors and ncrease the business opportunities in the country.

In an exclusive interview with Le Monde, the Director General of National Rail Operator ONCF, Rabie Khlie, said: "We will run trains intended for Moroccans and thus adapted to the purchasing power of Moroccans. The ONCF business model is based on the French model in which trains are heavily subsidized. If the number of passengers does not materialize in two to three years, the government will have to provide subsidies."

With this project, the Moroccan government also looks forward to encouraging more investments and opportunities in regions along the route from Tangier to Kenitra and Kenitra to Casablanca. Regardless of the oppositions to the project, the launching of this new route to Morocco is practically impossible to halt.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 20

The city police have arrested three persons in connection with seizure of 100 boxes of liquor containing 1,200 bottles from a mini goods carrier from Bhai Manjh Singh Road here last evening.

Those arrested were identified as Gurinder Pal Singh, Sukhbir Singh and Nirlep Singh. They were booked under relevant sections of the Excise Act as they failed to produce any documents regarding the purchase of liquor.

The seizure was made after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders spotted the vehicle roaming in the area in a suspicious manner. They intercepted the good carrier and immediately sounded an alert to the police and Deputy Commissioner-cum-district electoral officer Basant Garg. A police team headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (South) Prabhjot Singh Virk and returning officer of the area concerned reached the spot.

Gurinderpal, who driving the mini truck, could not produce any documents for carrying 100 boxes of liquor.

According to sources the consignment was loaded from the Majitha Road bypass area and was to be delivered in Rayya. Parking of the vehicle on the Bhai Manjh Singh road raised suspicion. Deputy Commissioner of Police Gagan Ajit Singh said the accused were booked by the police as they could not produce any documents to support their claims. He said further investigation was underway to find out owner of the consignment. The accused were produced in the court and remanded to police custody.

On the other hand AAP leaders alleged that the liquor was to woo voters during upcoming poll. However, police officials said they were yet to ascertain the purpose of carrying liquor without any papers.
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 21

A number of leaders who rebelled and filed their nominations earlier today opted to retract to contest the polls.

Most of the rebels were mostly from the Congress in three constituencies of Mansa district.

In Mansa, Gurpreet Kaur Gagowal who contested the 2012 elections unsuccessfully withdrew her nominations. She is the daughter-in-law of three-time former and late MLA Sher Singh Gagowal from Mansa and it is learnt that Raninder Singh Tikku, son of Captain Amarinder Singh went to Gurpreet Kaur Gagowal to convince her to withdraw.

Gurpreet Kaur (43), a runner-up from Mansa in the 2012 assembly elections, bagged 36.65 per cent of the vote share (54409 votes) but lost to SAD (B)-BJP candidate Prem Kumar Mittal who got 37.53 per cent of the vote share.

Similarly, Gurpreet Singh Vicky, Youth Congress leader, who recently burnt the Congress flag and its symbols in protest after the Mansa assembly ticket was announced to Manoj Bansal, also withdrew his nominations as an Independent candidate.

Manoj Bansal alias Manju Bala is the wife of former Budhlada MLA Mangat Rai Bansal who was convicted by a CBI court three year back in a case related to paddy scam.

Similarly, in the Budhlada segment, Satpal Singh Moolewala, who ended up as the runner-up as a Congress candidate, polled 45,056 votes (32.9 per cent vote share) but lost to Chitan Singh Smao of SAD (B) who got 37.63 per cent vote share (51,504 votes). Satpal Singh Moolewala had earlier filed his nomination as an Independent but today withdrew his nomination.

Its noteworthy that Captain Amarinder Singh has warned the rebels in the party to either quit the Congress or withdraw their nominations.

In Mansa, there are eight candidates in the fray whereas in Sardulgarh, there are a total of nine candidates in the fray while in Budhlada, around 10 total candidates are in the fray for he 2017 polls.

In Rampura segment of Bathinda district, there are a total of 14 candidates in the fray including 10 Independents. A total of 21 candidates had filled the forms of which six were rejected in scrutiny whereas one had withdrawn.
Charu Chhibber

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20

With its focus on rolling out several ambitions ventures under the smart city project, including environmental centres, installation of 5,000 CCTV cameras, integrated traffic management and better citizen service delivery through e-governance, the Chandigarh Administration perhaps has forgotten about its government schools, many of which lack even basic facilities like classrooms and benches for students.

One such school Government Middle School, Raipur Kalan. With an enrolment of over 550 students and 19 staff members, the school is not only benchless but even lacks adequate classrooms.

The students sit on the floor, braving the vagaries of weather. Not only that, more than half of the students sit outside as there is acute shortage of classrooms. Classes are suspended when it rains and there is no playground.

For a school that has black rectangles painted on the insides of its boundary walls to serve as blackboards, having computers is a distant dream that the authorities dont even dare to visualise. Lack of fencing on the boundary walls compromises the security of the children.

The only saving grace perhaps is chairs for teachers and a room for the school head.

A visit to the school reveals rows of students lined up in the corridor right opposite the main gate, attending their class on mats. A tin shed acts as a roof.

Few others are lined up on the left side under a make-shift shed, which has been covered with thick fabric to save children from the harsh winter chill. In summers, the fabric goes, and the children sweat it out under the temporary set up without a fan.

The school has six rooms. The toilets are in poor condition. There is no playground. Students manage to squeeze in the tiny space on to the right of the main entrance to play little games, a space that they happily share with teachers who want to soak up the winter sun during free time. There is no library and almost no extracurricular activities are held in the school.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20

City Mayor Asha Jaswal has ordered a probe into the water contamination in Sector 18-C.

A fault was detected in the water supply line in Sector 18-C by MC officials late this evening and repaired.

The Mayor also visited Sector 18-C today, which falls in Ward No. 17, represented by her, to take stock of the water problem and meet patients, who got infected during the past three days.

The Mayor, along with a team of senior officers of the MCs public health division, reached Sector 18 this afternoon. She ordered the officers concerned to lift water samples and get these checked at the earliest.

She also visited local residents and called teams of doctors from the GMSH, Sector 16, and provided medical help to the affected citizens.

Foreign particles entered leaking water line

According to MC officials, the fault was detected at the dead end of a water supply line behind Shiv Misthan Bhandar, Sector 18-C. A senior MC official said there was leakage in the line and due to it, foreign particles entered the line and got mixed with the drinking water, which reached the houses. The fault had been detected and repaired, he said.

How it all started

At 8.30 pm on January 18, area residents informed the area Junior Engineer regarding smell in the drinking water. The next day, MC officials contacted residents at 6.30 am. They informed senior officials about the contaminated water and immediately water tankers were arranged for the area. Initially, MC officials observed that there was a blockage in a sewer line and a manhole. The MC staff arranged machines and cleaned the manhole and the sewer line. As people continued to complain about water contamination, the MC checked all water supply lines of the affected area on Friday and detected the fault and repaired it.

Mineral water bottles distributed: Mayor

The MC has started supplying water through tankers in the area. Mineral water bottles are also distributed among the affected people. I have ordered a probe into the water contamination and asked MC and health officials to inspect each and every house and ensure the supply of safe drinking water.  Asha Jaswal, Mayor

The MC has detected a fault in Sector 18-C and repaired it. Water samples have been sent for testing to a laboratory at the Sector 39 waterworks. There was no mixing of sewage water. The water supply has been restored and there is no need to panic.  NP Sharma, MC Chief Engineer

Area residents started facing problems on January 18 night. My daughter also had a stomach problem. The issue was highlighted before the Mayor and MC officials, who sent teams to solve the problem.  Sanjay Puri, a resident of Sector 18-C
Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20

For the second consecutive day, the safai karamcharis did not lift garbage from the city today. As there was no lifting of garbage, the garbage processing plant has not received any garbage since yesterday for processing. Around 500 tonnes of garbage has piled up in the city.

RD Sharma, in-charge of the garbage processing plant, said on an average they receive 250 tonnes of garbage for processing daily, but from two days - January 19 and 20 - they have not received even a single truck of garbage for processing.

The safai karamcharis also not cleaned city roads today and continued their protest outside the Medical Officer Health (MOH) garage in the Industrial Area, Phase I. The protesters did not let any garbage-lifting vehicle to move out and lift garbage from the city.

Union president Shyam Lal Ghawri said MC officials were not accepting their key demand of employment of family members of the deceased workers on compassionate grounds. They held number of meetings with MC officials, but till date they were not ready to accept their demands.

There are 4,000 safai karamcharis (regular and contractual) who have stopped cleaning the city roads and lifting the garbage during the strike.

Key demands of the union are filling of vacant 650 posts, regularisation of daily wagers, employment of family members of the deceased workers on compassionate grounds and promotion of literate sanitation workers to the post of clerks.

Meanwhile, MC Joint Commissioner Manoj Khatri could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
Chandigarh, January 21

The complaints received by the Haryana Government concerning irregularities in grant of change of land use (CLU) to four petrol pumps in Gurugram are being investigated again and action will be taken on receipt of a complete report.

This was stated by Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar while replying to questions of mediapersons after Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar held a meeting with representatives of the Sant Samaj for celebration of the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh here today.

Khullar said the initial report received in the issue of petrol pumps had revealed that high tension wires passed above these petrol pumps. However, it was not clear in the report whether high tension wires existed when occupation certificates were issued to a few of these petrol pumps.

Also, the report did not mention who the guilty officials were who had not mentioned in their report that high tension wires existed on the spot. He said there were a few cases wherein overhead high tension wires were not installed when the CLU was issued, but were installed later.

Apart from this, in a few cases, the occupation certificate was issued after installation of overhead high tension wires. The statements ofofficials concerned were still awaited.

Asked to comment on action to be taken against officials found guilty during the Jat reservation agitation, Khullar said there were separate files of such officials which were being studied. Decisions would be taken in each case separately, he added.  TNS
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 21

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said that Yashpal Malik was not doing any good by directly or indirectly politicising the issue of Jat reservation.

The chief minister, who was interacting with mediapersons here today, was asked about opposition by Jat leader Yashpal Malik against the BJP in the forthcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand.

The chief minister appealed to the people to maintain peace and not participate in any kind of agitation which was politically motivated. He said as far as Jat reservation was concerned, the state government had enacted a law and now the issue was with the court.

In reply to a question concerning how to deal with the Jat reservation agitation, the Chief Minister Manohar Lak Khattar said the government would respond if the matter was taken up in a peaceful manner, but if peaceful atmosphere was vitiated, the state government would deal with it.

On being asked about the recommendations of the Prakash Singh Committee, he said the government would consider only those recommendations that were worth considering and would act as it would deem fit.

DGP reviews police preparedness

Panipat: Director General of Police (DGP) Dr KP Singh today visited the Police Lines to review the preparedness amid threat by Jats to renew stir. The DGP directed all the police officials to maintain social harmony, adding no one would be allowed to break the law. Superintendent of Police Rahul Sharma said twelve companies of the police were being trained in riot combat. He said companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) had also been requisitioned. The DGP was accompanied by DC Dr Chander Shekhar Khare, Superintendent of Police Rahul Sharma, Karnal SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa, and DSPs. The All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti had announced to start dharnas across the state from January 29. TNS
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 21

Travelling on the Ambala-Jagadhri road, traffic comes to a standstill as cars come to a halt with commuters disembarking from vehicles with timepieces in their hands. The clocks are to be offered at the Dargah Nau Gaza Peer by those hoping to tame the vagaries of time.

But for the Punjab and Haryana High Court, all this would have changed with the issuance of notice for removal of the structure on PWD and national highway land. Taking up a petition filed in the matter against the state and other respondents by Paramdham Nau Gaza Peer Baba through counsel Sameer Sachdeva, the High Court has not only issued notice of motion, but also ordered maintenance of status quo on the spot.

Justice MMS Bedi asked the respondents to apprise the court of legal provisions under which steps were being taken to remove the encroachment or take possession. A report on the status of the land under construction as per revenue record was also called for.

Taking up the matter, Justice Bedi observed that the perusal of an order indicated that an Executive Engineer had informed the Ambala District Magistrate that the construction was to be removed.

The communication came following a complaint by Sanjeev Kumar alleging illegal construction by the petitioner and the Trust opposite the BSNL telephone exchange on PWD land.

The District Magistrate, in turn, deputed the Naraingarh Block Development and Panchayat Officer as Duty Magistrate to maintain law and order for removal of illegal encroachment made by Dargah Nau Gaza Peer on the spot.

Justice Bedi went on to observe that the petitioner had earlier been issued a notice for removal of the structure on PWD and national highway land with a threat to remove the same.

Before parting with the order, Justice Bedi asserted: Without expression of any opinion regarding the nature of the land or any enforceable right vested in the petitioner, it is sufficient to observe here that there is imminent threat to the removal of the construction without following the rules of natural justice and adopting the specific procedure for arriving at a conclusion regarding the construction of the petitioner being illegal encroachment and right of the authorities to dispossess the petitioner without granting an opportunity of hearing.
Tribune News Service

Ahmedgarh, January 21

Members of various regional units of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) are asking candidates, announced by various political parties, to incorporate their demands in the poll manifesto in forthcoming Assembly elections.

In the memorandum being submitted to various parties, they want that clinics, hospitals and nursing homes in private sector should be regularised, violence and vandalism against doctors should be prevented.

Dr Sunit Hind, an office- bearer of Ahmedgarh Unit of Indian Medical Association, said delegations of doctors had presented signed copies of memoranda to almost all candidates contesting Assembly elections from Amargarh, Malerkotla, Payal, Raikot and Gill constituencies of region falling under Ludhiana and Sangrur districts.

The organisation demanded that small nursing homes, hospitals and clinics should be regularised and harassment of owners of these hospitals should be stopped with immediate effect.

It was also urged that a rapid response team of police force should be constituted for immediate response. The members also asked for strict action persons who would target doctors or vandalise medical centres.
Chennai, January 21

Tamil Nadu Governor Vidyasagar Rao on Saturday sanctioned an ordinance that will allow bull-taming sport Jallikattu to be played in Tamil Nadu, a development that comes after five days of protests in the state.

Jallikattu events will be held in the state on Sunday, with Chief Minister O Paneerselvam inaugurating one in Madurai's Alanganallur, a major centre for the sport.

In other areas, ministers from the respective regions will inaugurate the sport at 11 am, Panneerselvam said. "Our dream to conduct jallikattu this year has come true."

"I urge the youths, students and the general public to make the jallikattu events across Tamil Nadu a grand success by participating in large numbers," he said.

Tamil Nadu government has said it would table a Bill to replace the ordinance in the assembly session that begins on Monday.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

After protests for the rural bull-taming sport escalated in several parts of Tamil Nadu on Friday, the central government cleared a proposed ordinance by the state government.

President Pranab Mukherjee signed his approval on the ordinance on Friday evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet earlier in the day: "We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people".





We are very proud of the rich culture of Tamil Nadu. All efforts are being made to fulfil the cultural aspirations of Tamil people.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 21, 2017

Modi said the central government is fully committed to the progress of Tamil Nadu and will always work to ensure the state scales new avenues of progress.

Massive protests at Chennais Marina Beach and other parts of the state for lifting a Supreme Court ban on Jallikattu have drawn several thousands, many of them youngsters.

Protesters have also been demanding a ban on People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, an animal rights NGO that was among the organisations that moved the court for the ban.  PTI
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, January 21

BSP national president Mayawati on Saturday urged people of the five poll-bound states to teach the BJP and its ideologue RSS a lesson so that it stops making unconstitutional and shameful threats of doing away with reservation for Dalits, tribals and OBCs.

Mayawati was reacting to RSS spokesperson Manmohan Vaidyas statement in Jaipur on Friday where he said that caste-based quotas were not supposes to be permanent.

Speaking to the media, Mayawati said it was most important to check the BJP in Uttar Pradesh else, its morale would go sky high and it may consider bringing in a parliamentary legislation tinkering with reservation or making it ineffective in some-other way.

Sharing her partys views on the current political scenario in Uttar Pradesh, she said her advice to the beleaguered Congress was to contest on its own along with the support of smaller parties rather than depending on the Samajwadi party, which she claimed was hand-in-glove with the BJP.

I see that the Congress has not learnt any lesson from Bihar where the SP had similarly ditched the mahagatbandhan at the last minute to give the BJP an advantage, said the BSP leader.

She said the recent Yadav-family drama played out in the Samajwadi party was the senior patriarchs game plan to cut brother Shivpal to size, counter the anti-incumbency of son Akhilesh and smoothly hand over the party organisation to him.

Presenting the BSP as the strongest bet to rein in the BJP in UP, Mayawati reiterated that people, especially the Muslims, should not waste their vote by siding with the SP, which was responsible for more than 500 communal incidents, the Dadri incident and poor law and order resulting in the Bulandshahr gang rape and Mathuras Jawahar Bagh incident.

She also warned that the SP was facing corrosive factionalism with loyalists of both Mulayam and Akhilesh sections likely to be cancelling each other out in the polls.

Meanwhile, in a major setback to the ruling Samajwadi party one of its senior most members and Mulayam loyalist Ambika Chadhury joined the BSP.

Chaudhary dramatically walked into BSP office while Mayawati was addressing the media to announce that he had shifted his loyalties towards the BSP because of the feud in the SP camp.

A seasoned orator and SP campaigner Chaudhury said that the manner in which chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had undermined the authority of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav as party's national president has not gone down well with the party workers and he was personally anguished by it.

Close to the Mulayam and Shivpal camp, CM Yadav had sidelined Chaudhury by dropping him from his ministry. His name did not figure in the list of candidates, which Akhilesh had released earlier.

Promising him the same respect and stature that he enjoyed in the SP, Mayawati said that many SP leaders were in touch with her.

She also announced that Chaudhury would contest from his seat in Phephna, Ballia district. It means that Abhiram Singh, the BSP candidate earlier announced from Phephna would be dropped.
Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 21

Donald J Trump stuck to his stripes and rhetoric in his inaugural address after taking oath as the 45th President of the United States. Those who had hoped that Trump the President would be more moderate as compared to Trump the presidential candidate, were in for a disappointment.

There was but one clear message coming out of his address. Trump intends to stick to the campaign promises, whether it is on immigration, fighting radical Islam or on getting American jobs back home.

For President Trump, globalisation hasnt worked for America and he intends to turn the nation and its policies inward. Protectionism is likely to soon replace globalisation in the foreign policy jargon of the new US President.

From this day forward, its going to be only America first, he stated clearly. Trumps Buy American, hire American slogan is likely to translate into closing of the American borders and hearts to foreign trade and people.

He also made it clear that this new America has no desire to go about re-making the world in its vision. We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, he said, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow, he said. This would mark a dramatic shift in the American foreign policy since the days of Woodrow Wilson who then had advocated it as a part of American duty to promote democracy and its institutions around the world.

We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs, President Trump spelled out. For India, the significant part is regarding jobs. With Trump at the helm, the immigration policies are likely to see a change and that could impact thousands of Indian workers who go to the US on a H1B visa every year. On a broader spectrum, it could set in motion policies that would it more difficult for immigrants to get work permits and American citizenship, in the long run.

American doors have been partially closed by Trump who feels his first duty is to the Americans in Nevada and Iowa where factories have shut down and jobs gone abroad.

For India, the one sound byte that could have positive repercussions was Trumps declaration of war on radical Islam. India that has been going hoarse, asking the world to deal with Pakistan that harbours terrorist organisations, could take heart at this statement. We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones, and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth, he declared. Pakistan has cause for concern, though.
[January 20, 2017] Cryptocurrency Enabled ChronoBank Blockchain Platform Prepares to Launch LaborX Exchange

SYDNEY, Jan. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The blockchain platform utilizing time-based cryptocurrency for short-term labor hire market, ChronoBank is soon launching its LaborX crypto-exchange. The platform, backed by Australia's leading labor hire company Edway Group Limited is set to disrupt the recruitment sector the same way as Uber and UpWork did for taxi and freelancing services respectively. The ChronoBank blockchain initiative creates decentralized mechanisms for the employers to access and rank prospective employees. The solution offered by ChronoBank eliminates the role of intermediaries in recruitment industry who usually charge huge fees to introduce suitable employees to businesses seeking to fill vacancies. While such practice has become a norm in long-term appointments, it becomes prohibitively expensive for contract and freelance work. With LaborX exchange, employers can directly hire workforce without having to go through all the usual hassles which have currently become the industry standard. LaborX exchange is built on Ethereum smart contracts platform, enabling workers and businesses to connect on a peer-to-peer basis. The inbuilt decentralized reputation system on LaborX will allow employees to be rewarded in line with their talent and experience instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. ChronoBank and Smart Contracts The LaborX exchange is built on Ethereum's ground-breaking smart contracts capabilities. The ChronoBank team has already completed a significant portion of the critical work on LaborX even before the completion of the platform's crowd sale. The progress so far with LaborX exchange includes the development of rewards contract that handles automatic payment of dividends to token-holders and the exchange contract that allows trading between different token types. The exchange contract code has already been implemented within the GUI of ChronoWallet, enabling users to view offered rates and execute quick and easy trades. It is also possible to see the number of Labour Hour (LH) tokens that needs to be transferred in fiat equivalents and switch between different currencies.



ChronoBank platform has entered the second month of its ICO offering, successfully raising around 1200 BTCs alongside significant investment in other cryptocurrencies (LTC, ETH, ETC, WAVES, and NEM). The project has also received venture capital funding of $1.1 million from AXL Strategic Partners and backed by Edway, a major labor hire organization based in Australia. Interested investors can still take part in the ICO currently available on the platform's website. About ChronoBank

ChronoBank is an ambitious and wide-ranging blockchain project aimed at disrupting the HR/recruitment/finance industries in a way similar to that of Uber in taxi business and UpWork in freelancing. The project has Edway Group Ltd, a leading Australian industrial training, and labor supply company as one of its founders. Learn more about ChronoBank at  https://chronobank.io

ChronoBank on YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTo65YisnLqmbDcCoWyktnQ

Learn more about Edway Group Ltd here  http://edwaygroup.com.au Media Contact Contact Name: Alexander Rugaev

Contact Email: [email protected]

Location: Sydney, Australia ChronoBank.io is the source of this content. Virtual currency is not legal tender, is not backed by the government, and accounts and value balances are not subject to consumer protections. This press release is for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an offer to invest. Related Links Bitcoin PR Buzz ChronoBank Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp3u6G1VIjY 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/cryptocurrency-enabled-chronobank-blockchain-platform-prepares-to-launch-laborx-exchange-300394394.html SOURCE ChronoBank

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Jitendra K Shrivastava

Tribune News Service

Patna, January 21

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated a human chain at Gandhi Maidan here on Saturday.

Nitish Kumar, accompanied by RJD chief Lalu Prasad and opposition leaders, formed the human chain in Patna.

The chain, said to be one of longest human chains, was formed in support of the prohibition across the state.

The chain is for social change and does not have a political motive, the JD-U claimed.

Patna district magistrate Sanjay Aggrawal said, People appear enthusiastic to be part of the chain which supports prohibition in the state.
Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 20

Posing a fresh challenge to India, one or two Chinese submarines are now permanently sailing in the Indian Ocean, testing New Delhis abilities to keep an eye on under-sea threats.

The Navy has flagged the matter to the government about the continuous presence of Chinese submarines, floating either in the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal. Though the subs are in international waters, the visits are no more sporadic in nature.

For the past one year or more, submarines of the People Liberation Army Navy are constantly noticed, Navy has told the government. The worlds busiest sea lane of communication runs from the west of India and passes through the Bay of Bengal. Chinas trade moves on these routes and so does Indias and Japans, among others.

With submarine technology becoming more sophisticated, tracking these under-sea vessels is a challenge. China has 61 submarines, including nine nuclear-powered, allowing longer endurance. At present, China is just testing waters and there is no aggressive posturing, sources said.

A submarine, under-sea, can pin down six-seven warships just by instilling the fear of unknown and track ship movements. The Navys most potent ability to track submarines is the Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. Eight are in the fleet and another four are on order. The aircraft have the ability to quickly search a wide area of water.

Such is the threat that the Navy wants even the planned 100-odd naval utility copters to carry an anti-submarine weapon. The Kalvari class diesel-electric submarines have ASW suites. The Kalvari and Khanderi, the first two of the subs, will be commissioned within this year.

A new set of ASW-capable helicopters are on the anvil. An ASW helicopter with its sea-dunking sonars is a favoured platform for detecting a submarine as an over flying copter itself cannot be found or targeted by a submarine. The ASW-capable Kamov 28 copters are being modernised, sensors upgraded and the copters will undergo a technical overhaul to enhance the copters life.
New Delhi, January 21

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has censured Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for violating the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct, warning him of stern action in case of similar violations.

"Election Commission hereby censures you (Kejriwal) for violating the provisions of MCC and expects you shall be more circumspect in your public utterances during election time," said the order issued by EC to Kejriwal.

The order further reads: "You (Kejriwal) may also note that in case of similar violation of MCC in future the Commission will take stern action against you and your party, using all powers available to it including action under Para 16 A of the election symbols (Reservation and Allotment) order 1968." Kejriwal has been alleged of violating the MCC by "deliberately and intentionally" instigating the public to take bribe for voting in Goa assembly elections.

In his four speeches at various rallies in Goa last weekend, Kejriwal had said that people should not just accept Rs 5,000, but demand Rs 10,000 from politicians keen on offering money, but vote for his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Following the complaint by the BJP, the EC had issued notice to Kejriwal on January 16 seeking a reply by January 19.

Though Kejriwal replied through his attorney Kailash Gahlot, the EC said that it is not satisfied with the reply, stating that the reply was not at all "convincing".

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal however called ECs order "illegal, unconstitutional and wrong" and said he would contest the order.

"I don't understand what the Election Commission is up to. It can't stop the bribery, money is being given and taken all around (charo taraf jam ke paisa chal raha hai)," he said.

"The commission wants to say that don't do what Kejriwal is saying  take their money but vote for me. Election Commission wants to say that vote for only those from whom you are taking the money," he said, after addressing a corner meeting in Shiroda Assembly constituency in Goa.

"I am just telling people that if Congress and BJP give you money, take it but vote for me. Where is the corruption in this? If I had said take money from me and vote for me, then it would have amounted to corruption. I have given a written reply to the EC."

He said the commission had made a similar rebuke during the Delhi elections, but a corut had rejected its contention of occruption.

"I think the EC should make it its slogan, 'don't give vote to those who pay you, give vote to those who don't pay you'. ECI should take some big artist like Aamir Khan to spread the message that don't give vote to those who give you the money," Kejriwal added. PTI/ IANS
Jaipur: A medical aspirant allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling hook at her hostel room in Kota on Thursday night. Tanya Rana, 20, a resident of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, was preparing for NEET at LN Institute for Medical Entrance in Kota. No suicide note has been recovered and the reason behind the extreme step is yet to be ascertained, the police said. The body, after postmortem, was handed over to her father who came from Delhi on Friday evening. OC
New Delhi, January 21

Chances of alliance between Samajwadi party and the Congress appeared dim on Saturday as agreement continues to evade them over seat distribution less than a month before the state casts its ballot.

Samajwadi Partys Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Agarwal said that Congress wanted 120 seats, but the SP refused to give them more than 100.

We told the Congress that we have 234 sitting MLAs and we need to give them tickets as well, and since there are a few others as well, there is no chance of us fighting on less than 300 seats, Uttam said, blaming the breakdown on the Congresss obstinacy.

But the Congress was rigid on their demand as if they have are a great source of influence in the region and Uttar Pradesh cannot run without them, he said, adding that the development was likely to benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

We gave it our all to ensure that this alliance is forged, but could not do anything because of Congress' rigidity, he said.

Sources claimed the primary sticking point between the two parties were seats in

Rae Bareli and Amethi  two traditionally Congress bastions and parliamentary constituencies of the Gandhi family.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will release the party's manifesto in Lucknow on Sunday. TNS/ Agencies
Kolkata, January 21

Three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including two Pakistani nationals arrested by BSF in 2007 from the Indo-Bangladesh border at Petrapole, were on Saturday sentenced to death by a court in Bongaon in West Bengal's North 24-Parganas district in a case of waging war against the government.

Pakistani militants Mohammed Younus and Abdullah and an Indian, Muzaffar Ahmed Rathod, were sentenced to death by judge Binay Kumar Pathak of Bongaon fast track court-1.

The three have been booked under IPCs Sections 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging, or attempting to wage war) and 122 (collecting arms with intention of waging war against the Government of India), CID DIG (Operations) Nishad Pervej told PTI.

Abdullah and Younus are residents of Pakistan's Karachi and Haripur respectively, while Rathod hailed from Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag.

They were arrested by BSF while trying to enter India through its international border with Bangladesh at Petrapole on April 4, 2007.

"They had a plan to attack army camps in Jammu and Kashmir, but before they could proceed with their plan they were caught by BSF and handed over to Bangaon police station," he said.

The probe found that all the four were well-trained in using AK-47 rifle, hand grenades and manufacturing bombs.

Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem alias Sameer from Maharashtra, another LeT militant who was also arrested along with them, had managed to flee in 2013 when he was being taken to Mumbai.

During investigation, it was found that Abdullah was a teacher while Sheikh Abdullah Nayeem was an engineer by profession. They were involved in an incident of bomb blast in Mumbai.

The three underwent polygraph tests, narco tests and brain mapping during the probe conducted by the state CID, he said.  PTI
Sanjay Bumbroo and Surinder Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, January 21

Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday asked the rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations and support the party candidates, thus paving the way for the party to form government in the state.

Amarinder said the rebel candidates who toed the party line would be suitably rewarded, or the party would be forced to take strict action against them, which could include expulsion for life.

Replying to a query on the allegation by Navjot Singh Sidhu about the Badals promoting their transport companies, Singh said he would form a special investigating team to look into the reasons behind the losses in the Punjab transport department.

Later, addressing a rally organised by Congress candidate Gurpreet Singh, Amarinder blamed the Badals for the drug menace in the state.

Amarinder said he had filed his nomination from Lambi to teach the Badals a lesson. He said atrocities on Dalits had increased manifold in the state. He said 12,824 cases of atrocities against Dalits had been registered in the past 10 years while only 651 cases had been registered during his tenure.

Meanwhile, senior Akali leaders Kanwar Rajeshpal Singh Lalli and Parvinder Singh Sal, along with their supporters, joined the Congress.
Manish Sirhindi

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 20

A local court today ordered Rs 49-lakh compensation for Kirpal Singh, a key witness in the Jaswant Singh Khalra kidnapping and murder case, who was framed in a false rape case but was acquitted in 2007.

The court of Sukhwinder Singh, Civil Judge, Senior Division, asked the then Punjab IG Rajinder Singh, current IG Paramraj Singh Umranangal, then Sub-Inspectors Sarabjit Singh Cheema, Jaipal Singh and Shamsher Singh Guddu, journalist Parveen Komal and a woman complainant, Gurmeet Kaur alias Monika, to pay Rs 7 lakh each to Kirpal.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

A neighbour of human rights activist Khalra, Kirpal had filed a suit against the seven persons seeking Rs 50 lakh as compensation on account of malicious prosecution he faced at their behest.

The court said: It has been found that Kirpal is entitled to damages from the police officials, the complainant and the witness on account of malicious prosecution faced by him at their hands. Kirpal suffered mental tension, torture, agony, harassment and irreparable loss. All accused should pay him Rs 7 lakh each, totaling Rs 49 lakh, within two months.

Kirpal was booked by the Patiala police on July 28, 2003, on a rape complaint filed by Gurmeet Kaur and Parveen Komal. Kirpal said the case had been slapped to prevent him from appearing in court in connection with the Khalra case, but despite all pressure he got his statements recorded in the court.

He was acquitted of the rape charge on December 22, 2007. The state filed an appeal in the High Court, which was also dismissed.

Khalra had been involved in a campaign to highlight the plight of those who disappeared after being arrested during the 1980s and early 1990s. On September 6, 1995, he disappeared.

Many, including Kirpal, had seen him being picked up by Punjab Police in Amritsar.
Raj Sadosh

Abohar, January 20

The Doda family and local units of SAD today expressed their willingness to back BJP candidate from Abohar Arun Narang. This development comes after Narang, district president Vishnu Bhagwan Delu and SAD circle president Ashok Ahuja reportedly met liquor baron Shiv Lal Doda in the district court complex on Wednesday.

Shiv Lal Doda is the main accused in the Bhim Tank murder case.

Doda had contested the 2012 Assembly election as an Independent and had pushed the BJP to the third position.

He got 45,825 votes as most SAD and BJP activists rallied around him to defeat Congress heavyweight Sunil Jakhar, but they did not succeed. BJP candidate Vijay Luxmi Bhadoo could not even get 10,000 votes and lost the security deposit.

Narang, escorted by activists, today went to the liquor barons office complex and formally requested Shiv Lals brother Avinash, SAD circle president Ashok Ahuja and other activists to help in the election campaign.

Then, they jointly addressed a press conference. Avinash claimed that his brother Shiv Lal had given his consent to support the BJP.

Later, Avinash Doda, Ashok Ahuja and local SAD leaders went to the BJP poll campaign office on Gaushala Road where they were welcomed by Narang, Delu and other leaders.

Justifying the decision taken by the liquor baron and his SAD supporters, the visiting leaders said their one-point programme was to prevent Sunil Jakhar from winning his fourth consecutive term.
Abhilasha Ojha

A visit to Santiniketan, which was Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagores attempt at redefining education and art in India, is like visiting a wonderland. When the leaves on the lush green trees  several of them planted by Tagore himself  sway to the morning breeze, it is easy to imagine that they are telling us the story of the bygone decades, of the land that was barren, arid and infertile when Tagore had first visited in the early 1900s. How he transformed this humble place is a remarkable story in itself. It is a story of his vision and his attempt at understanding nationalism that would include culture, art, aesthetics and education to empower Indians and allow them to shape their skills and expose their minds to world culture.

The best way to reach Santiniketan is to take a train from Kolkata to Bolpur, the town in Birbhum district where Santiniketan is situated. The journey takes approximately three hours, allowing one to thoroughly soak in the feel of Santiniketan. In the train there are musicians seeking alms while singing Rabindra Sangeet, vendors selling fruit, jhaalmudi, kulhad wali chai (tea in earthen pots) and leather knick-knacks The journeys energy is infectious and carries on when you reach Santiniketan, approximately 2km from Bolpur station.

While a visit to Upasana Ghar and Tagores heritage complex, which houses several smaller residences (some of them designed by the Nobel Laureate himself), is a must, it is important to understand Santiniketan through its art.

Credited for shaping some of the most important Indian modern masters, including Nandalal Bose, Benodebehari Mukherjee, Ramkinkar Baij and, of course, Rabindranath Tagore, the artistic vigour of Santiniketan lies in walking around Kala Bhavana, the fine arts department of Santiniketan. Spend time looking at the murals made by Mukherjee (his work is powerful in that he was a visually impaired artist, but continued reinventing himself despite his disability) and soak in the enigma of some of the most iconic public sculptures done by Baij that focused on the Santhal tribals.

Considered the first modern sculptor of Indian art, Baijs sculptures are spread luxuriously on the campus of Kala Bhavana, invoking a sense of wonder and awe. There are others too: Black House (Kalo Bari) built in 1934, which was planned by Nandalal Bose, Surendranath Kar and Ramkinkar Baij; the black and white mural on the facade of the Design Department building in Kala Bhavana was made on top of another mural done by KG Subramanyan in the early 1990s. Similarly, theres Silpa Sadan in Sriniketan, which was Tagore and Boses effort to create a resurgence of crafts that were always a part of Bengals rural life and economy.

The art at Santiniketan is a glimpse into what we know as Indian art today. The aim back then was to reject Abanindranath Tagores Bengal Revivalism and find art in the midst of nature, in everyday life, capturing vignettes of episodes of the Santhal tribals, their mannerisms, and their lives. While in Santiniketan, dont miss Mukherjees richly constructed mural in China  or Cheena  Bhavanaa where the artist has showcased Natir Puja, structured like a Japanese screen, knitting together vignettes of campus life juxtaposed into a gestalt, which uses suggestion and innuendo. Then theres the monumental 1947 mural at the Hindi Bhavanaa. Based on the lives of medieval Indian saints, this is hailed as one of the most ambitious murals of modern India. Eighty feet in length, spanning the upper half of a room and running across its three walls, it presents a dazzling vision of the Indian past, complete with teeming figures, with variously poised bodies and gestures to achieve a pulsating rhythm. Over a scrumptious breakfast of luchi-bhaaji (bread and curry), it is worth taking a tour of Boner Pukur Danga and other Santhal villages. Please bear in mind that the tribals dont always like people taking their photographs. Respect their privacy while enjoying a glimpse of how they go about their day-to-day living.

For those of us from bustling Indian metros, it is a luxury to appreciate the slow-paced, quiet life of Santiniketan that brims with history, intellectualism and culture.
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Nonika Singh

She kicks off her stilettos, off goes the pre-bridal attire. She dons her night pyjamas and dances away to glory on her sangeet night unmindful of the guests who are surprised but not aghast.

Yet another pretty bride has the gall to do a solo dance performance on her mehndi ceremony. And this one fearless lass simply tops them all. On the D-day itself, soon after the pheras, she trades her wedding lehenga for a more comfortable pair of jeans and t-shirt, that too in a colour forbidden for the newly wed  the ominous black. Thats not all. Soon she takes to the stage with a drink in her hand and grooves snazzy and sassy to some peppy beats.

If indeed you must be candid, be candid beautifully, says Khalil Gibran.

Coy brides are so 1990s, remarked Ileana dcruz while laying down eight commandments in a promotional campaign for the new-age brides. And guess what, the bold and the beautiful next gen brides are not following anyone; they are only busy laying down their own set of rules.

Move over the ghoonghat-clad demure and diffident dulhan, who was as weighed down by her wedding dress as the weight of tradition. Todays bride is neither blushing nor coy. Nor is she merely fiddling with her toes as family takes charge. Twinkle toes, she is out there in every which way organising her wedding, looking into details and not just merely selecting her trousseau.

Prachi Mahajan, who tied the nuptial knot a year ago, took months to collect empty bottles that were to be part of the wedding decoration that she had envisaged in her mind. From menu to decor, she not merely had a say in all arrangements, rather planned the occasions to the minutest details. Today she wouldnt advise brides to be wedding planners for the most important day in their lives. But yes one advice she gives is  have as much fun as possible.

Ashima Kapoor, yet another Bride 2.0, agrees. She enjoyed the festivities that lasted for days at stretch to the brim. Sure she had the current fad of the bachelorette bash to anoint the end of bachelorhood. But her carefree spirit was not confined to the singles party alone. She was in her element at all nights and days that followed. To begin with, her decision to go solo for dance choreography didnt go down well with her parents. Their refrain and reserve followed the typical log kya kahenge  But she countered with kuchh to log kahenge. Besides, her brother and his wife stood behind her rock solid. As she danced with gay abandon to Mera saiyaan superstar, her in-laws, too, didnt raise eyebrows. Rather her sister-in-laws were a wee bit envious. Wistfully they wished; if only they had the same dare and chutzpah too.

Only more brides are not just longing but being who they are. Laveena Soni Sharma, too, followed her heart: she danced, drank and simply rocked on the day which she thinks is most important for the brides.

Shubina Sood, too, was not bound by inhibitions. She wore black for the cocktail party and white for her engagement. A make-up artist, who has over the years watched brides up, close and personal, she can sense a huge change in their demeanour. Yes, a few brides might still be stressed out on the D-day but most, she shares, are chilled out. Indeed, brides who have the gumption to drive in riding a bullet or following the custom of gurchari, normally reserved for grooms, are still an oddity. But a confident self-assured bride, willing to let her hair down, is no longer a rarity. Thinking out of the box and being unusual is their USP.

So Pradhi Moudgil, who will be getting married next month, intends to arrive in a decked up auto-rickshaw. Even her pre-wedding shoot was designed in a novel fashion (underwater pictures) to add to the memory bank. Expectedly, she has no intention of letting the wedding day pass in a jiffy either.

Moreover, its not just the bold and fearless bride brigade which is echoing Times are a changin. The social guardians, who normally would curl up their lips at the slightest provocation, too, are shedding their reservations and becoming more open-minded. When Prachi decided to ditch her bridal attire and quickly take to stage even those who would as a rule scoff at such (mis)demeanours were appreciative of her social bravado.

Sociologists pin down the increasing acceptance of new social behaviour as yet another step forward in a womans right to freedom. It is indeed a reflection of their yearning to break free of conventions. Though marriage is seen as a sacrament and a time when traditions are reinforced in many ways, this slight dose of liberalism could set the pace of expectations and role play later in life.

Breaking a tradition or two can certainly send out signals in line with their feminist beliefs. Or perhaps not! Clearly, for a society in a flux, this could be just surface deep rebellion, a knee-jerk response of assertion and independence.

As Sucheta Singh, research faculty, Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Panjab University, Chandigarh, feels, It could well be a charade or a show off of strength.

But for these free-spirited girls to be included in their own marriage as participants is merely an acknowledgment of their identity as independent thinking and intelligent beings. They know their minds and refuse point blank as Prachi puts it, to be just pretty dolls. On their red letter day, they are ready to shake a leg, eat, drink (if they so wish) and be merry.

Those who dont approve can take a walk Girls just want to have fun. Walking the altar or under the sun, when the wedding day is done, they just want to look back with a smile and happy memories. Since please all is a formula that never ever works ,please thyself is the mantra they are following with gusto and cheer.

Demure no more

Where are the shy brides? I am yet to come across one, says Angad Sodhi, a wedding photographer whose assignments take him from one exotic wedding destination to other. From pre-bridal shoots to the marriage ceremonies the brides not only put on their best face forward but also their candid selves. Why only the other day he got a call from a newly wed to shoot her honeymoon in the Maldives. Interestingly, it is mostly girls who commission him for wedding shoots. In a selfie-obsessed world, he views this new phenomenon as an extension of vanity and the fact that all of us are living our lives through pictures.

Dressing up for the D-day

Well aware that an increasing number of brides are getting edgy and experimental, bridal couture is in spin. Low-cut blouses, evening gowns are now a staple in bridal wear. Though black is still not beautiful for the wedding night for brides, they are choosing an offbeat colour palette. Laveena Soni Sharma opted for a green bridal dress for she wanted to look different.
Pankaj Garg

Many heads of states visit the Golden Temple every year. The visit of Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani in December was one of them. However, for those who watched the visit closely, it was a defining moment in the history of the subcontinent.

In the 18th century, the then ruler of Afghanistan, Ahmed Shah Abdali aka Durrani, raided Punjab seven times in a span of 17 years between 1748 and 1767. He plundered and looted the region mercilessly. There had been invasions before  by Mohammed Ghori, Timur Lane and Nadir Shah  but Abdalis persistent attacks were the most devastating.

After Nadir Shah from Persia (Iran) was done with the ransacking of Delhi in 1739, he was holding a durbar at the Red Fort. The then Nizam of Hyderabad, Asifjah-I, was also present there. The Nizam was an expert in physiognomy (assessment of a persons character or personality from the outer appearance, especially the face). He saw a young man standing in the court and told Nadir Shah that he would become a king one day. Nadir Shah was already impressed with the courage and bravery of that young man. He looked at him and after thinking for a while, took out his dagger. He called the young man near his throne. Everyone present there was expecting some honour to be bestowed on the young soldier. However, Nadir Shah cut a part of the young mans ear with his dagger and remarked: When you become king, your ear will remind you of me! This young soldier was Ahmed Shah Abdali. He was 17 years old when he accompanied Nadir Shah as a young lieutenant on the invasion.

Abdali was promoted to the personal security staff of Nadir Shah. After Nadir Shah was murdered in 1747, Abdali declared himself as king of Afghanistan. No wonder he treacherously used his experience of expedition to India with Nadir Shah and invaded Hindustan. His atrocities and plunders remain unparalleled in contemporary history. He looted masses, raped and kidnapped women and massacred thousands. In 1757, he damaged the Golden Temple and filled the holy pool with the blood of cows. In 1762, he massacred 25,000 civilians in a single day, which came to be known as Bada Ghalughara. Such was the terror of Abdali at that time that a saying by Waris Shah became quite popular. Many of us have heard it too:

Khade peeta lahe da, Baki Ahmed Shahe da

(Whatever you eat is yours, the rest belongs to Ahmed Shah)

The time for change had come. In the next three decades, the center of power changed with the rise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839). Maharaja and his able generals established a vast empire from Delhi to Kashmir and Tibet to Afghanistan. It was for the first time that Khyber Pass was controlled from Hindustan. This pass was the only route for the invasion to happen from the North. The maharajas general, who made this victory possible and then administered the Afghan region, was none other than Hari Singh Nalwa (1791-1837). Nalwas performance as an administrator and a military commander in the North West Frontier region has remained unmatched even till date. Two centuries on, Britain, Pakistan, Russia and America have been unsuccessful in effecting law and order in this region and could not match the brilliance of general Nalwa.

There was a saying which became popular in Afghanistan at that time and many Afghans still say it when a small child is troubling or not listening: Khufta waashid Hari aayad (Child be quiet, otherwise Hari will come). It was a debt paid back well in time, certainly.

Two and a half centuries back, the then king of Afghanistan filled the holy sanctum of Golden Temple with blood. Our moment of reckoning came in December when the present head of Afghanistan visited the Golden Temple barefoot and knelt before Guru Granth Sahib.
By K. Natwar Singh

NIRAD C Chaudhuri died in Oxford on August 1, 1999, at the age of 101. I knew Nirad Babu for over 40 years. He was not an easy man to make friends with. He could be cantankerous, outrageously outspoken, a bad listener. But he was a very great writer. He wrote better English than Jawaharlal Nehru did. If I were asked to name five non-fiction books in the 20th century, The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian would be one of them. It appeared in the summer of 1951 and created a sensation. Overnight the unknown Indian became the known Indian.

On the opening page of my copy of the American edition of the autobiography, Nirad Babu wrote: Anybody can make history. Only a great man can write it. A Passage to England (a dig at EM Forster), he wrote on my copy. The conversation of the old and young ends generally with contempt or pity on either side, said the great Dr. Johnson, but I do not agree, for I have enjoyed Natwars conversation, and I hope Natwar, too, even though less than half my age, has enjoyed mine.

Nirad Babu was a great admirer of that arch-imperialist Rudyard Kipling, whom I loathed. I was out-and-out a Forster fan. Nirad Chaudhuri could not stand Forster. Nevertheless he asked me to write to Forster asking him if he would see Nirad C Chaudhuri. They did meet in Cambridge. We had endless arguments on the merits and demerits of Kipling and Forster, but failed to convert each other.

In 1978 June issue of the Illustrated Weekly of India, N.C.C wrote: On the whole I should be reconciled to my ill-fame. But a recent comment on me in this paper by my young friend Kunwar Natwar Singh ji has given me the idea of delivering a sermon on the subject. He wrote, His reputation as an Anglophile is his doing, but he is a better Indian than most of usThis is very handsome of Kunwar Sahib, and I in my turn would say to him: To support me is more patriotic than becoming a champion of EM Forster.

I replied a few weeks later in the same paper that, It is better to be a champion of Forster than be a cheerleader for Kipling.

Why have I chosen to write on Nirad C Chaudhuri? Last week I finished reading Chaudhuris Scholar Extraordinary: The Life of Professor the Rf. Hon Friedrich, Max Muller P.C. Max Muller did more than any other Sanskrit scholar has done to promote the knowledge of Indian thought in the West.

IF drastic steps are not taken immediately, the capital of India will come to a standstill. Delhi has more motor vehicles than Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata put together. Each month tens of thousands of cars, buses, trucks and three wheelers are added. Even Lutyens New Delhi is now subject to horrendous traffic jams. Not so long ago, it took half-an-hour to reach Gurgoan from Delhi. Now at peak hours, it takes nothing short of two hours. Ambulances, carrying seriously sick patients get stuck in traffic indefinitely. In New Delhi there is another menace called: PM ki route lagi hai. All roads are blocked for at least 20 minutes. In London traffic is not held up even for the Queen or the Prime Minister. Queens motorcade consists of three vehicles. In Delhi the motorcades of the President and the Prime Minister consist of 15 vehicles. This is entirely unnecessary and a menace. Do not these VVIPs realize that they are causing immense inconvenience to tens of thousands of people?

Four other cities have similar traffic nightmares, Mexico City, Cairo, Lagos and Jakarta. We are in good company.

LAST Sunday my son Jagat Singh, MLA, visited our ancestral village of Juagina in Bharatpur district. With a population of 10,000, it is the largest village in Rajasthan. We were invited to a popular village function. Hundreds of people were sitting on the ground in freezing weather, waiting for us. I said I would speak only for five minutes as it was getting dark. A howl went up: We have been waiting to hear you for three hours. Speak as long as you would like. I did. Not a man left the meeting. What patience, what capacity for putting up with discomfort.

I left the Indian Foreign Service in 1984. I had four-and-a-half years left in the service. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and I were walking down the staircase in South Block. I said: Madam, in a day or two I will be leaving for Bharatpur. My first priority would be to acquire a khadi outfit -- kurta, Jawahar jacket etc. Her response was immortal, Now that you are joining politics, a thicker skin would be more useful.
Amit Khajuria in Jammu

While the Valley and the rest of Jammu and Kashmir grappled with a dry weather and weighed its adverse consequences, suddenly the snowflakes appeared covering the whole landscape with a white blanket. The state believes its prayers have been answered.

Mubarak, sheen mubarak (greetings for snowfall)  Kashmir was abuzz with winter bonhomie. Enthusiasts started posting pictures on social media and children tried their hand at making snowman and playing snowballs. This is something that they had been missing for several winters: snowfall eluded them during chillian kalan  the severest period of Kashmir winter. The snowfall beginning Dec 20 is a good omen for agriculture, orchards and rivers.

This years snowfall has a special meaning; it has revived hopes of good tourist footfalls, which suffered a violent jolt in July last year following turmoil post Burhan Wanis killing. All that the Valley had gained during the first few months of the last year  arrival of 11 lakh tourists  was washed away by violent protests.

The arrival of tourists, though small in number, tour operators hope for a better life. Stunningly beautiful pictures of snow-covered places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar, Sanasar, Patnitop and Bhaderwah on social media and broadcast by the electronic media have transformed the physical image of the state. Streets are full of welcoming snow as boats rest in frozen lakes with tourists reveling in snowfall in Patnitop and Sanasar.

Patnitop  a tourist resort on Jammu-Srinagar Highway about 110 km from the winter capital of Jammu, and also known as mini-Gulmarg saw crowds of tourists thronging the hill station. Tourists enjoyed every moment of wading through snow and falling snow flakes  a dream come true for many coming from the plains. I have never seen anything like this before, says Parveen Cheema, a businesswoman from Amritsar. She had intended to go to Kashmir but road blockage caused by the snowfall on the highway forced her to stay at Patnitop. On her return, she found this as a unique experience.

Sanasar, about 20 km from Patnitop, is a mesmerizing journey with deodar and snowballs reflecting on the windscreens of cars. These scenes they had seen only in western movies.

The tourism department is working 24x7. It has planned snow carnivals in Gulmarg and Patnitop. We are quite hopeful that the carnivals would attract tourists. This is a rare opportunity, and we are going to seize it to tell the world how we are equal to Switzerland in natural beauty, exults Visheesh Mahajan, joint director tourism, Jammu. He is currently involved in organizing the snow carnival at Patnitop. Gulmarg is also making huge preparations for the snow carnival, due January 25, the same day when it would be organized at Patnitop. Secretary Tourism Farooq Shah is busy visiting places to ensure maximum tourists return to the Valley.

The tourists, however, have a problem of connectivity. The traffic is disrupted at several places and air traffic is erratic and highly expensive. The government should make some arrangements for a hassle-free connectivity for tourists, otherwise the hope of the revival of the tourism would not translate into as big a reality as it should be, says Mushtaq Chaya, a leading hotelier of Kashmir who has a chain of hotels in Jammu, Katra, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Tangmarg.
Purnima Sharma

Having long enjoyed its position as the only (recognisable) local cheese, the paneer now has competition  as several new indigenous varieties of cheese are making their presence felt on the foodie smorgasbord. With the Indian gourmet turning adventurous  not just to enjoy international flavours but also to partake of new local experiences  the variety of desi cheese, from Kalimpong to Kutch, is enjoying a never-before favour with them, says Sabyasachi aka chef Saby, a food creator par excellence.

India is not known for its cheese  like the way many European countries are. But things are likely to change, what with the interesting array that has sprung up, says the chef-mentor, who has been using a variety of local fare, including the Manali mozzarella and cheese, from Kutch, Kalimpong, Pondicherry and Kodaikanal in his food preparations. The cheese platter I create using these is greatly relished, smiles Saby. And what makes it worthwhile is that people are responding to these preparations in a big way, he adds remembering how the mascarpone (Indian) cheese he was making at Olive restaurant was so popular. It gives you a sense of pride because something so tasty and healthy has been made in your own country, he says.

Conceding that some people may sometimes feel that this local fare may not be as good as the classical stuff from Europe, but what they need to realise is that these cheeses also have their own quintessential character (in the sense that these are unripe and dont have animal rennet that helps in cheese maturation) in them.

The Indian-flavoured cheese has been the calling card of Mussoories Prakash Store for more than 70 years now  from the time a young Jawaharlal Nehru would stop by to pick up cheese and jam whenever he visited the hill station. Today, the stores coveted Mussoorie cheese has a market across the country.

Its not just old-timers and connoisseurs of indigenous cuisine who ask for it, but even youngsters who want to try it out, says the second-generation owner of the store, Anil Prakash, whose parents were both experts in the art of making cheddar cheese. Talking about the essential flavour of his cheese, he says, It mostly comes from the local milk and the vegetarian rennet (enzyme used to coagulate the milk) we use. Few cheesemakers have the advantage that we, the ones in the hills, have, says Prakash, referring to his organic milk and the natural way the cheese is allowed to mature from one-and-half months to a year.

Yet another popular variety of indigenous cheese that is finding its way to the gourmets platter, courtesy the efforts of Chris Zandee, is the kalari cheese. Working with the Gujjars and Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir, the Dutchman, who landed in Pahalgam in 2007, was determined to bring this staple food into the mainstream.

Initially, even the locals werent open to the idea, he says. Thats because no one thought it was hygienic enough, given the living conditions of its makers.

But once Zandee started supervising kalari production according to hygienic norms, things started looking up. Made from water-buffalo and cow milk, the kalari, says Zandee, which is more like the mozzarella since its a soft and stretched cheese is finding markets across India. Its getting shipped directly to five-star hotels and food-lovers homes. Retail shops still seem to be wary of Indian cheese, feels Zandee.

Even at this pace, his companys sales have zoomed up by about 200 to 300 per cent since they started. I guess whats also helped is that this is a lean, low-fat content cheese that can also be eaten raw or grilled, with salads, he adds.

Indigenous cheese that comes from the hills is both interesting and unusual in taste, asserts Aditya Raghavan, a Mumbai-based cheese consultant.

In 2013, having gained some experience at cheese farms in Canada, Raghavan bid adieu to academics and returned home to a country that could easily be the No.1 producer and consumer of milk. Once here, he realised that making cheese was not a great skill set among its people.

Now, with more than nine clients, including small farms in Kochy and Bengaluru, who want to add value to their goat milk, the physicist-turned-agronomists main job is to help them make western style cheddar, brie and feta cheeses, among others, with local ingredients. However, he asserts that Indias cheese platter contains a lot more varieties. Raghavan is talking not just about kalari, but also the churpi  both soft and hard varieties  that comes from different Himalayan pockets, including areas of Sikkim; the Kalimpong cheese made of cow and yak milk from areas around Darjeeling, bandel that originates from the eponymous village that was once a Portuguese colony near Kolkata; and topli nu paneer, a Parsi delicacy, among others.

With these indigenous varieties of cheese slowly making their presence felt, Raghavan says greater efforts are needed by foodies to create awareness about them. I keep writing about these in my blogs to get people excited enough to start connecting cheese with brands other than Amul or the ones coming from Europe, he says, hoping that chefs start creating attractive recipes around these too.

Chef Saby agrees, These cheeses were not planned to be table food but were created to be used mostly in cooking. While he enjoys working with kalari, Raghavan enjoys the versatility of the churpi. I am not talking of the hard one that is also called doodh supari because of its hard exterior but the soft variety, he says and goes on to mention how people in the North-East often use it to make a chutney that tastes really cool with momos. Even a stir-fry topped with churpi is great, he smiles. The bandel variety, according to him, has a long shelf-life but is extremely salty. So, it makes for good salad dressing. Chefs like Namit Chandra use it for their salad platters, informs Raghavan, whose personal favourite is the kalari he that uses to make a fondue or having it simply by melting it over toast.

The jelly-like topli nu paneer, although relished by the Parsis, is still to find favour with other communities. It needs to be played around with, says Raghavan giving the example of chef Thomas Zacharias of The Bombay Canteen, who uses topli nu paneer to garnish his maa-ki-dal.

Bangalore-based Manu Chandra, chef partner, Toast & Tonic, has been using indigenous chhenna and Bangalore mozzarella cheese for more than a decade.

The piece would be incomplete without a mention of camel cheese that is now being promoted by a Rajasthan-based NGO. Anne Bruntse, who recently held a camel cheese-making workshop in Delhi, said camel cheese would help combat health problems like diabetes, autism and ulcers. Although it is not yet produced in a big way, its production needs to be given a boost and recipes created, adds the Kenya-based Danish agronomist.
Tribune News Service & agencies

Dehradun, January 21

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Combined Commanders Conference at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun today. The annual conference was held in Dehradun as part of Modis wish to organise it outside the national capital.

The Prime Minister along with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and top commanders of the three services met and reportedly took stock of the security challenges before the country. The issues that are likely to have come up for discussion are the surgical strike, situation on the LoC, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the internal security situation in the northeast and China.

Modi reached the Jolly Grant airport in Dehadun from Delhi around 9 am. Governor KK Paul received and welcomed him at the airport. Some BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, were also there to welcome thim. From, the airport the Prime Minister headed to the IMA.

The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the IMA martyrs memorial and later crossed over the Chatwood Square where he was accorded the traditional salute by the three armed forces. He then drove to the Khetrapal Auditorium where he addressed the conference.

Modi also met the family members of the cadets at the Vikram Batra mess. This was the first conference for all the three service chiefs who took over last year. As many as 47 delegates were present. The Prime Minister interacted with the parents of some of the Gentlemen cadets. He later left for Delhi around 4 pm. The entire stretch near the IMA was made a zero traffic zone.

The conference was supposed to be held close to the China border in the northeast late last year but it did not take place.

The conference began with a presentation by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, who is Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee. His presentation was followed by those by the IAF and Army chiefs.

Unlike previous years, the government did not issue any press release or statement. The Election Commission in an order yesterday had said that the Prime Ministers official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting, media briefing or interaction, and no press statement released or announcement made in connection with serving soldiers or ex-servicemen, which may effect voters in the five election-bound states, including Uttarakhand.

The Congress had complained to the Commission that the BJP may use the event to influence retired and serving defence personnel to gain an upper hand in the elections.
BEIRUT, January 21

A bomb blast struck the Rakban refugee camp in Syria near the border with Jordan on Saturday, causing injuries and deaths, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor.

The camp is home to refugees and to rebel groups that fight both President Bashar al-Assad and the jihadist Islamic State movement, and was targeted by bombings last year.  Reuters
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday, succeeding Barack Obama and telling a bitterly divided country he will pursue America First policies at home and abroad.

As scattered protests erupted elsewhere in Washington, Trump raised his right hand and put his left on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln and repeated a 35-word oath of office from the US Constitution, with US Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Afterward, he stretched his arms wide and hugged his wife, Melania, and other members of his family. Then he turned around to a podium and delivered his inaugural address. This moment is your moment, it belongs to you, Trump told a large crowd that had earlier booed Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader in the US Senate. Revisiting themes from his improbable campaign victory, Trump, 70, said his presidency would aim to help struggling middle-class families, build up the US military and strengthen US borders.

We are transferring power from Washington DC and giving it back to you, he said.

From this day forward a new vision will govern our land, Trump said. From this day forward it's going to be only America First.

Mike Pence was sworn-in as the Vice-President. He took the oath of office before Trump. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate whom Trump defeated on November 8, attended the ceremony with her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Former Presidents George W Bush and Jimmy Carter were also present with their wives. Bush's father, former President George HW Bush, 92, was in Houston recovering from pneumonia.

The transition from a Democratic President to a Republican took place on the West Front of the domed US Capitol before a crowd of former presidents, dignitaries and hundreds of thousands of people on the grounds of the National Mall.

Away from the Capitol, masked activists ran through the streets smashing windows at a restaurant and a coffee shop. They carried black anarchist flags and signs that said: Join the resistance, fight back now.

Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, began the day attending a prayer service at St John's Episcopal Church near the White House.  Reuters

The time for empty talk is over and time for action has arrived. I will fight for you with every breath in my body  and I will never, ever let you down. America will start winning again, winning like never before. We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.  Donald Trump, US President
Washington, January 21

Barack and Michelle Obama have said they opened a foundation to facilitate projects "all over the city, the country and the world" in their first message on his personal Twitter account as they exited the White House.

"Hi everybody! Back to the original handle. Is this thing still on? Michelle and I are off on a quick vacation, then we'll get back to work," Obama wrote.

"In the meantime, I want to hear what you're thinking about the road ahead. So share your ideas with me here," Obama tweeted.

He also tweeted a link to the website obama.org, where he and Michelle had recorded a video message about what comes next for them.

"After eight years in the White House, Michelle and I now rejoin all of you as private citizens," Obama said.

"We want to thank you once again from the bottom of hearts for giving us the incredible privilege of serving this country that we love," he said.

Michelle continued: "First, we're going to take a little break. We're finally going to get some sleep and take some time to be with our family, and just be still for a little bit".

Obama yesterday handed over the baton to next US President Donald Trump.  PTI
ANKARA, January 21

Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for more than 400 people, including soldiers and security officers, in 48 provinces across the country following July's failed coup, broadcaster Haberturk said on Saturday.

They were being sought on suspicion of using Bylock, an encrypted smartphone messaging app that the government says was used by the network of Fethullah Gulen who is alleged by Ankara to have orchestrated the attempted coup, Haberturk reported.

Gulen, a US-based cleric who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied the charge and condemned the coup.

In a post-coup crackdown, Turkey has jailed some 40,000 people pending trial and has suspended or dismissed more than 100,000 from the military, judiciary and public services.

Among the suspects were 123 soldiers from the navy and 187 security officers, Haberturk said. It said 12 people had been detained so far in operations centred in Ankara and Istanbul.

Separately, authorities detained five people in relation to attacks with rocket launchers on Friday by unidentified assailants on Istanbul's police headquarters and an office of the ruling AK Party, broadcaster CNN Turk said.

NATO member Turkey has been hit by bombings and shootings in the past year, on top of July's failed coup, in which soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power.  Reuters
DSNY Mack Granite dump trucks, loaded with sand, were positioned at Trump Tower following now-President Donald Trump's election in November. Security was expensive. TV screen shots by Tom Berg

The inauguration is over and Donald Trump is now our president. But before we see how his administration plays out, lets acknowledge that trucks played a role in keeping him and everyone else there safe during the inauguration ceremonies, as they did from the time of his election on Nov. 8. TV news shows certainly did, and reporters repeatedly noted the presence of trucks as part of security measures surrounding the events.

Authorities placed heavy vehicles in blocking positions at many intersections in The District (as Washingtonians call their city), sealing off streets leading to the front of the Capitol building. In New York City, police got Sanitation Department trucks parked in front of Trump Tower in New York City (not to mention those and others blocking vehicular access to Times Square on New Years Eve).

In Washington, military and civilian trucks helped close a large swath of the city, according to news reports Ive seen. In NYC, they were DSNY Mack Granites with dump bodies filled with sand to add mass. Reporters began referring to them as sand trucks. Later, DSNY added more massive-looking trash collection trucks  Mack LEs toting Heil packer bodies, as most NYC garbage trucks are. But I doubt they carried sand.

Mack LE trash trucks were added to a wide perimeter around Times Square on New Year's Eve. Try driving through that, ISIS!

Trucks as barriers to terrorism  specifically, against other trucks used as weapons of mass destruction  seem a great idea to me. A terrorist (a.k.a. ISIS soldier) is not going to drive a medium-duty delivery truck into a crowd, as the guy did in Nice, France, last summer, if there are big, heavy trucks in his way. And he wont get past hulking rigs even with a tractor-trailer, as did the guy in Berlin, just before Christmas.

Of course, while parked, those security trucks are out of normal service, which is inconvenient to the agency that owns them, like DSNY. Id solve that by sending them back to work and calling up the National Guard and Army Reserve, which have fleets of trucks stationed at armories and reserve centers across America. Theyre mostly idle between drill periods, so Id put them on blocking duty.

Military heavy transport trailer might look menacing to civilians, but it'd do a great job of deterrence.

Guard and Reserve units have some beefy cargo carriers, and some tractor-trailers set up to haul heavy equipment and armored vehicles. One such rig would do the blocking work of several straight trucks, it seems to me. Load the trailers with armed tracked vehicles, and were talking deterrence and productivity.

As a former soldier, I like Army trucks. But some civilians feel uneasy about the sight of military stuff. Well then, lets apply vinyl panels decorated with God Bless America, Peace and Goodwill to All, Merry Christmas, and other greetings and decorations appropriate to the occasion and season  maybe even cartoons of Santa Claus, Spider Man, Bambi, Toy Story characters and so forth. Happy, friendly stuff -- except to a terrorist.

Wait  advocates of technology say that it wont be long before a rogue truck can be stopped by remote control, especially if its owner knows it's been stolen. But that delivery truck in France was rented. No one knew its driver was up to no good until it began running over people. The stolen rig in Berlin might've been stopped, but the electronic mechanisms weren't in place.

Technology could get better. Imagine police officers are standing by at a large gathering with controllers that would zap any oncoming Evil on Wheels. And that they recognize early enough that the driver of an approaching truck is malevolent and not just a good Joe delivering pasta or beer or souvenir t-shirts. However, even if the cops' electronic beam shuts down the engine right now, a trucks momentum can carry it far enough to do some damage. Triggering electronically controlled brakes, which few trucks have today, might be too late if explosives with detonators are aboard.

Brute force is often the answer to security problems. And carefully positioned roadblocks on wheels  trucks and tractor-trailers  can do the anti-terrorism job fine, it seems to me, and well into a technology-rich future.
One of todays most pressing environmental issues is the dwindling sea ice, the result of man-made global warming. In turn, the thinning Arctic ice has created new opportunities for oil companies to exploit the environment through offshore drilling. Previously, I wrote briefly about Shells expedition to the Arctic and strongly encouraged all my readers to sign the petition to put a stop to this catastrophe towards nature.

When I found out that President Obama had banned all offshore drilling in the Arctic until 2022, I was delighted. Despite being on his final leg as the President of the USA, he continues to work passionately for others and passed this important ruling on Arctic oil drilling. The ban is not permanent, but it gives us more time to find new sustainable energy alternatives. It also gives the planet a chance to heal.

As a Buddhist monk, I am not interested in politics. However, I am always happy to hear of actions that benefit others and I have great gratitude for President Obamas decision to help our environment heal.

Ive reposted the article below along with a few videos about the Arctic. Ive always felt it is important to keep ourselves informed especially with issues concerning the world. We all live on the same planet, thus we all share the responsibility to protect it. I hope everyone develops a deep state of mindfulness in relations to our environment and realizes that with every action we take, it leaves a reaction, whether good or bad.

Tsem Rinpoche

President Obama Has Banned All Offshore Oil Drilling In Arctic

With dark forces marshaling to move into the White House and tear apart Obamas environmental legacy, hes making sure that in the last few weeks of his Presidency that he can do all he can to protect it. His latest announcement is a rather substantial one  he has effectively banned offshore oil drilling in the ecologically sensitive Arctic until at least 2022.

The five-year-long program prevents any companies from extracting oil in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, and puts a hold on any drilling expansion in the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans. Drilling will still be permitted in parts of the Gulf of Mexico, which means that this locale will be the only place that the US is significantly engaging in oil exploration.

Given the unique and challenging Arctic environment and industrys declining interest in the area, forgoing lease sales in the Arctic is the right path forward, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell said, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

This is a huge win for environmentalists, but it even makes sense on a purely economic level. Oil prices are in decline and renewable energy is becoming far cheaper. Market forces, let alone policy, will ensure that the future relies less on fossil fuels and more on low-carbon energy sources.

Under Obama, generally due to fluctuating market prices, oil production has risen, even as imports from other nations have fallen sharply. Reducing oil consumption is a key part of Obamas Clean Power Plan (CPP), and this new action is partly designed to fulfill that target.

However, the CPP has been stayed by the Supreme Court, and it is likely to be abandoned under the incoming Trump administration. Many at this point are therefore greeting this new news with pessimism. After all, wont Trump simply scrap the new offshore drilling restrictions too?

Well, he might want to, but it may be more difficult to achieve than he thinks.

Obamas rescinding of permission for any more offshore drilling took effect immediately. Any reversal cannot legally be achieved straight away, and would likely take several years to unwind. Additionally, if the price of oil continues to remain at record-low values, then the industry simply doesnt have an economic incentive to want to drill in the Arctic.

As for the CPP, it may not actually be active, but its already met its targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2024 and curbing coal use by 2030. This is all thanks, again, to market forces determining that fossil fuels are on their way out and low-carbon energy sources are in.

If Trump continues to attempt to swim against this tide, hell find that itll cost the US far more than it does today.

Do watch these short videos to learn more about Arctic oil drilling

Obama Administration Bans Arctic Drilling Until 2022

Or view the video on the server at:

https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/oil-drilling-01.mp4

Why Big Oil takes Huge Risks in the Arctic

Or view the video on the server at:

https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/oil-drilling-02.mp4

Older Arctic Sea Ice Disappearing

Or view the video on the server at:

https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/oil-drilling-03.mp4



Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 13 of the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987, allowance is made for fair dealing for purposes such as non-profit research, private study, criticism, review or the reporting of current events. The Operator and author(s) of TsemRinpoche.com, a not-for-profit blog, do not claim ownership on the intellectual property rights of the contents, images and/or videos reproduced in this article. Any subsisting intellectual property rights shall belong to the legal owner of the contents, images and/or videos.
PAWHUSKA  Flipping through a stack of historical postcards at a flea market in White Cloud, a small town in the northeast corner of Kansas, Raymond Red Corn stopped cold when he noticed a black-and-white photograph of several men wearing traditional Osage garb.

The date, written on the back of the card, was 1933. The men were standing in front of a Fox Movietone truck, parked near a bandstand that Red Corn recognized as the one that used to stand in the middle of downtown Pawhuska.

And his father was in the photo.

He worked as an extra in a Western that was shot there, Red Corn says. They made him ride bareback for two days, and he wasnt used to that. My mother says he walked bow-legged for a week.

Red Corn bought the postcard, and it became one of the most treasured pieces in his vast collection of historical photos from the early days of Osage County.

Buying and swapping and hunting down collectible photos for more than 30 years, Red Corn has accumulated approximately 1,000 pictures  many of them printed as personalized postcards, which were hugely popular in the early 1900s.

If you took a family photograph with your Brownie camera, you could go to the local photographer and he could print it on a postcard, and then you send it off to whoever. It was a way of sharing photos, explains Red Corn, the assistant chief for the Osage Nation. It was the original Instagram.

Now they are historical artifacts. Red Corns collection includes hundreds of portraits of Osage Indians, some wearing elaborate traditional outfits, others relaxing in the shade of wikiup shelters, offering a unique look at life in Pawhuska in the late 1800s and early 1900s  the twilight of the frontier era. Some document the evolution of Pawhuska itself, with, for example, a farmhouse sitting where the Pioneer Woman Mercantile now stands. And a later photo shows the Mercantile building under construction in 1908.

But this one, Red Corn says, pointing to an aged photo of a nondescript general store, really makes my heart flutter.

Its the first store in Pawhuska, and in fact the first building of any kind except for the Bureau of Indian Affairs office. Red Corn dates it to before 1874, just a few years after the Osage tribe came to the area.

If you collect Pawhuska, this is the Holy Grail, he says. This is within 10 years of the end of the Civil War. Thats rare in Oklahoma, period. Here? Its one of a kind.

What if anything ever happened to that photo? Or to Red Corns entire collection?

The thought was beginning to haunt him.

Fires. Tornadoes. Floods. You never know whats going to happen, he says. And it would all be lost. All of this history, gone.

So Red Corn decided to donate the collection to the Osage Nation Museum, which opened in 1938 and is now the oldest tribal-owned museum in the country. The museum is undergoing a major renovation to bring its conservation standards up to state-of-the-art, with new climate controls, fire suppression systems and LED lighting to keep artifacts from yellowing.

Theyre all going to be very safe here, says curator Hallie Winter. And theyre going to be available for researchers to study and to use for a long, long time.

For now, while the museum is closed for renovations, the staff is busy cataloging and digitizing the photographs, then some will go on display Feb. 23 as part of a larger exhibit called Enduring Images.

What I would really like to see happen, Red Corn says, is for people to come in and recognize their family members and loved ones in some of these photos, the way he recognized his own father in one of the postcards.

So many of them are unidentified, he says. But I think once the public gets to see them, well find out a lot more about these people.

michael.overall @tulsaworld.com

Twitter: @MichaelOverall2
The West Indies are not going to Australia just to make up numbers, but aim for a Test series win.
ABC broadcasts the Australian of the Year Awards from Parliament House Canberra on Wednesday night, hosted by Jeremy Fernandez and Myf Warhurst.

ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie said, The ABC is the source for national stories and conversations, including the Australian of the Year Awards, one of the nations highest honours. Australians turn to the ABC for such events and I invite them to do so again this year.

The Australian of the Year Awards celebrate the many ways ordinary people can create extraordinary change, by featuring leading citizens who are role models for us, and through their own contribution are endeavouring to create a better Australia.

Highlights of the ABC broadcast will include red carpet arrivals, inspiring stories about the exceptional group of highly-respected Australians in the running for Awards as well as exciting performances by The Choir of Hard Knocks with Urthboy, Chris Tamwoy, Dewayne Everettsmith and Kira Puru. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will officially announce our 2017 Australians of the Year.

The 32 national finalists for Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Australias Local Hero and Australian of the Year were drawn from more than 3,000 individuals nominated by the public and have been recognised as State and Territory Award recipients.

Chairman of the National Australia Day Council, Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG, said the Australian of the Year Awards are an opportunity for us all to celebrate and recognise the achievements and contributions of outstanding Australians.

The Awards allow us to reflect on what it means to be Australian and the many ways in which ordinary people inspire and unite us, Mr Roberts-Smith said. This years finalists are a wonderfully diverse and hardworking group of leaders, who represent Australians from all walks of life.

19:30: Red Carpet and welcome from hosts Jeremy Fernandez and Myf Warhurst

19:37: Prime Ministers Address

19:41: Prime Minister announces 2017 Young Australian of the Year

20:00: Prime Minister announces 2017 Senior Australian of the Year

20:27: Prime Minister announces 2017 Australias Local Hero

20:48: Prime Minister announces 2017 Australian of the Year

Wednesday January 25 at 7.30pm AEDT on ABC.

Simulcast Live on ABC iview, ABC News 24, ABC TV Facebook and ABC TV YouTube.
The election of 2016 proved that America wants change. We will vigorously debate exactly what change is needed and how best to accomplish it, but as social workers we know that part of that change includes social justice for all and the need for improvements in the human condition in our country. That is why we, the University of Maryland School of Social Work and its faculty, wish to remind our longstanding and newly elected officials of our commitment to helping you succeed in protecting the most vulnerable in our society and addressing the most critical social issues of our time.

The National Association of Social Workers Preamble in its Code of Ethics makes it clear, The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of ALL people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. These are goals all Americans can, and fundamentally do, endorse.

As social workers, we value many things that most Americans embrace for the betterment of our country:

Social Justice: Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, racism, and other forms of social injustice.

Diversity and the Dignity and Worth of All People: Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic, racial, and gender diversity. Social workers promote clients and constituents socially responsible self-determination.

Importance of Human Relationships: Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change.

Integrity: Social workers are continually aware of the professions mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards, and practice in a manner consistent with them.

While our expectations for the next four years vary widely, one thing is certain: the problems of society and in our communities, still need to be addressed more effectively. Clearly Americans do not want to live in a society with high levels of mental health problems, suicide, underemployment, opioid addiction, homelessness, and inequity, to name a few of our challenges. Our profession offers many skills to our nation and we seek to serve all in need.

We at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, our students, faculty, and 14,000 strong alumni stand willing and able to assist any and all who wish to ensure that our country offers great opportunities to all and for all.

Sincerely yours,

Dean Richard Barth, Faculty Chair Karen Hopkins, and the Faculty and Staff
Understanding language is one of the most difficult things that your brain does, because language is complex and learning or speaking a foreign language is like giving your brain a good workout.

This is supported by a new study that suggests that bilingual people have stronger and more efficient brains compared to those who only speak one language. This is the reason why the brains of people who speak more than one language are better at buffering your brain against aging and dementia.

The researchers from the University of Montreal conducted a study to find the difference between the elderly people who are monolingual versus those who are bilingual, Daily Mail reported. They discovered that years of learning and speaking more than one language changes how the brain carries out tasks that require focus and concentration on a certain piece of information without being distracted.

This means that the monolingual brain requires multiple brain regions to perform a task while bilingual brains were more efficient.

In another study by the researchers from Northwestern University, in Illinois, and the University of Houston, it was found that bilingual speakers have brains that work better in filtering unnecessary words compared to monolinguals and it means that their brains work harder and more efficiently in completing the same mental tasks, Time reported.

The study used a so-called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to look at what's called coactivation and inhibition in the brain. Coactivation refers to the ability of a person to have both languages simultaneously active in the brain and inhibition means a person can select a correct language while listening to it or hearing more than one at a time.

This study made the researchers to come to a conclusion that indeed, being bilingual is a constant brain exercise.
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Betsy De Vos as his secretary of education. It was an unexpected nomination as some people were supportive about it and some were also skeptical.

This is because her track records when it comes to education are not clear except that she is a philanthropist. The only thing that's clear now is her stance on school choice in K-12 education according to Think Progress. She has been a huge supporter of for-profit charter schools and stood in favor of the expansion of vouchers for students to be able to attend private schools. But beyond that, there is still a mystery about her running of the Department of Education. Below are a few things you need to know about DeVos.

1. In her Senate hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) brought up an important issue concerning her 2016 campaign: Free tuition fee for college, and she did not make here opinion on this issue clear, reported USA Today College. When answering to the question, she said that it is an interesting question but nothing in this life is free anymore. She added that they can try to work on making higher education more affordable to those who would like to pursue it.

2. DeVos, being a billionaire, is a huge prolific republican donor because she has spent over $5 just for political contributions in the last 5 years alone.

3. DeVos supports vouchers that would help lower-income students in their tuition for private schools including religious schools. $12,000 are going to be given to these students who will be eligible for the vouchers.

4. DeVos' nomination as a secretary of education is being questioned because of the fact that she never attended a public school, and not even her children.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations wants everyone to be vigilant regarding fraud and theft. And they issue the same warning to college and university job hunters. According to students, a scam that is specifically targeting college or university graduates has been reported.

They describe the scam to be fake advertisements and can be difficult to spot. But the agency says that there are red flags that anyone can look out for.

The FBI says that if college students are not careful, instead of getting a job, they may get swindled, as reported by ABC Action News. These scams look like legitimate advertisements and they are sent to the students' official university email and are even posted on the school's job boards.

Scammers are able to find victims from these places and many more because students would think of heading there first. The platform feels legitimate and official. Plus, going to these places would seem like it is a lot safer. And each time a red flag is found, the scams are getting harder to spot.

Paul Vitchock, the supervisory special agent from the FBI, says that these scammers are creating ads that look believable.

How would students spot the red flag? The red flag comes after a user makes contact with the would-be employer. It starts with the "employer" writing a check and telling the student to keep a portion of the money as the salary and will instruct victims to wire the remaining amount to a client. Sounds alright until the check bounces, as reported by Wand TV.

In 2016, the University of Tampa was able to stop 30 scam advertisements on the official job board. But after every take-down, a new one pops up somewhere and these are pretty hard to spot because the scammers are getting creative.

The FBI warns that if it feels wrong, it may be wrong. Watch the TV News Clip below for the exclusive on this issue:
"Rick and Morty" Season 3 rumored March air date is untrue and baseless for there are no official announcements made by Adult Swim or the show's co-runners Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. With no new episodes looming, fans can get a different kind of treat with a "Rick and Morty" story in a special issue comic book from Oni Press.

"Rick and Morty" Season 3 has been highly anticipated following the success of the first two seasons of the popular sci-fi comedy. It is not surprising that there have been numerous speculations that were often unverified and baseless including the latest rumor saying it will air in March.

Harmon has previously stated that they may manage a 2016 release, but that did not happen. Many fans expressed their disappointment and dismay when Jan. 9 brought no "Rick and Morty" Season 3.

Mr. Poopy Butthole's predictions of an April debut may most likely come true, but again this may not come to pass according to iDigital Times. However, there is a new and different kind of treat for fans to devour while waiting for the "Rick and Morty" Season 3 debut.

Oni Press just announced the inclusion of a "Rick and Morty" story in the Free Comic Book Day event.There will be a "Rick and Morty" special issue comic book that will include numerous vignettes even including the very first comics' arc, the first part of "The Wubba Lubba Dub Dub of Wall Street" according to Inverse.

There will also be features of the Pocket Mortys-themed story, which is based on Adult Swim's popular mobile game. The special issue aims to reintroduce fans to the current comic book world of "Rick and Morty," separate from the show in Adult Swim.

Other noteworthy news about "Rick and Morty" Season 3 can be gathered from Adult Swim's two sneak peek releases. Rick will find himself breaking free from prison to continue his adventures with Morty.

Moreover, a Redittor going by the name TheRealDyson has made an interesting fan theory about "Rick and Morty" and "Gravity Falls" sharing the same universe. "Rick and Morty" co-showrunner Roiland and "Gravity Falls" creator Alex Hirsch are good friends and have admitted to inserting hints and Easter eggs connecting their shows.

This further fueled speculation that "Rick and Morty" Season 3 may feature a crossover of characters from both shows. As of now, this remains part of the wish list of fans regarding future episodes of "Rick and Morty" for what many are eager to know first is when the show officially airs.
For-profit colleges appeal to many students, with all the perks that it brings. Many for-profit institutions offer degrees that are offered in traditional universities, but with the added convenience of online, at-your-own-pace study. Others offer working degrees or certificates that can be acquired in faster time compared to traditional college. This and many other things appeal to many who apply in these schools.

What many students don't know, however, is that not all for-profit universities are actually helpful in their pursuit of building a great career. Some of them have students who don't graduate but are loaded with debt.

Sandy Baum, senior fellow at the Income and Benefits Policy Center at the Urban Institute, told PBS News that on average, people who go to for-profit institutions are more likely to borrow and not be able to repay their loans.

Danielle Lopez, who made student loans to study at the Art Institute of New York, is proof of the problem. She says the school promised her a lot, like helping her get a job after studying, but claims the school didn't fulfill it. She only ended up with $25,000 in debt and a problem in finding a job.

To help you avoid making unnecessary student loans in relation to studying at for-profit colleges, here are some tips from CBS.

Consider community colleges instead of a for-profit program

Community colleges offer hundreds of courses at a lower cost compared to other institutions. Some of these colleges offer aid without the need for loans.

Check post-graduate earnings of students

Look into the average income students from each school receive. According to the Education Department, community college graduates earn more than graduates of for-profit schools.

Check average debt load of students

Compare the average debt a student has after graduating. Colleges that graduate students with lower student debt amounts should be your choice.

Check if the college meets gainful employment standards.

Colleges that graduate students with higher incomes are a better choice compared to colleges that produce low-income or unemployed graduates. Check if the government has flagged a college for underperforming, and avoid applying there.
IOS 10.1 jailbreak is out but the crowds are still waiting for a stable tool from Pangu.

Pangu has always been silent about any jailbreaking tool development. The only news that the community has heard of the jailbreak was when the Chinese hacking team demoed the vulnerability in Apple's latest public firmware - which didn't exactly hint at a jailbreak release.

However, this gives a clue that Pangu is actually working on the particular iOS version - picking up the flaws before finally releasing a stable iOS 10 jailbreak to public.

Meanwhile, the crowds have been quite dissatisfied with Luca Todesco's jailbreak masterpiece because it still needs a lot of patches. Yalu jailbreak is currently not on its best version and users aren't encouraged to install.

Will there be any legit iOS 10.2 jailbreak soon?

Stefan Esser has been popularly known in the jailbreaking community and his surprising tweet was on Dec. 21 when he said that the iOS 10.2 jailbreak is coming soon. Forbes has learned from Esser that Pangu could refuse to release any update on any iOS 10.2 jailbreak behind-the-scene given the huge attention that crowds have given to the unstable Yalu tool.

There has been a lot of drama with the release of Todesco's tool. 1reddrop has learned that the iOS 10.1 jailbreak beta version currently works on iPhone 7 series, iPhone 6 series, iPhone SE and iPad Pro. However, given the stability issue, Pangu's iOS 10.2.1 jailbreak is highly expected at the moment. So far, the team has never failed iPhone users.

There is no exact timeframe on Pangu jailbreak release date and the team seems to remain tight-lipped but iCrackUriDevice has been stating a few times that the likelihood is still great.
Welcome, Neighbor!

Thank you for sharing my journey with me. It's a bumpy ride, but hopefully you'll find it worthwhile! To reach out to me, send me an e-mail at jamesbradfordpate@yahoo.com.


Donald Trump is sworn in as 45th President of the United States on Jan 20, 2017 at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. (Mark RALSTON / AFP)

Hundreds of thousands of people stood in the rain-splattered National Mall to see the 70-year-old Republican billionaire take the oath of office and deliver a stridently populist and at times angry call-to-arms.

"From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land," Trump said, promising an end to business-as-usual in Washington. "From this moment on, it's going to be only America First."

"Today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, DC. And giving it back to you, the people."

"Together we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And, yes, together, we will make America great again," Trump said.

President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP)

Just moments before, the 70-year-old Republican billionaire placed his left hand on a bible used by Abraham Lincoln and recited the 35-word oath spoken since George Washington.

Trump's inauguration caps the improbable rise to power of the Manhattan real estate mogul, who had never before held elected office, served in the government or the armed forces.

This was far from the typical optimistic inaugural address that tries to brook political divides and lift Americans' gaze up to the horizon.

Trump painted parts of America as a dystopian hell, with mothers trapped in poverty and "rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape."

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," he said.

It was a deliberate and striking contrast from the uplifting message of outgoing president Barack Obama, who was among the dignitaries in attendance.

Obama and his wife Michelle departed the Capitol by helicopter moments after the swearing-in ceremony, turning a page on eight years of Democratic leadership in the White House.

US President Barack Obama (R) greets President-elect Donald Trump as he arrives at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, before his swearing-in ceremony. (Mandel NGAN/AFP)

At a Congressional luncheon afterward, Trump led a standing ovation for his defeated rival Hillary Clinton, saying he was "honored" that she and former president Bill Clinton attended his inauguration.

SPORADIC VIOLENCE

When Trump descended the escalators of his glitzy New York tower in June 2015, his run for office was dismissed and even mocked.

His supporters, many shunned by friends for supporting a man who has been labeled a racist and bigot by his critics, will now become power players in the White House and footsoldiers a monumental battle of ideas.

His message to them was one of vindication: "The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer. Everyone is listening to you now."

In the primaries, Trump dominated a crowded Republican presidential field with smash-mouth rhetoric and star power. He rode that same wave of anti-elite sentiment to victory over Clinton in the November election.

For Trump's critics, there was disbelief that a man who 19 months ago hosted "The Apprentice" is now leader of the free world.

A short distance from the route of Trump's inaugural parade, there were demonstrations throughout the morning - marred by isolated outbreaks of violence on their fringe.

After Trump spoke, 400 to 500 protesters smashed storefronts and hurled missiles at riot police, who responded with tear gas. More than 90 people were arrested.

Demonstrators hold signs before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, DC. (ZACH GIBSON/AFP)

Most of the demonstrations in the city were peaceful however - whether people came to register anger, dissent or dismay at Trump's election. A bigger anti-Trump rally is planned for Saturday.

Public interest lawyer Renee Steinhagen, 61, came down from New York to join the protests.

"I'm doing this to express resistance to the change that await us," she said. "This administration seems more extreme than any other. This is a simple act of resistance. It's better than staying at home."

He arrives to the White House with a 37 per cent approval rating, the lowest on record, according to a CBS News poll.

'RADICAL ISLAMIC TERRORISM'

Trump quickly got to work, signing a waiver for former general James Mattis to become the civilian head of the Department of Defence.

He also signed a proclamation for a "national day of patriotism."

For the next few weeks his team plans a series of daily executive orders to roll back Obama's agenda.

Trump has also vowed to re-examine long-running alliances with Europe and in Asia.

"For many decades we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry, subsidised the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military," he said.

"We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."
The managing director of the International Monetary Fund urged global policymakers to stop inflation from becoming a runaway train at a time of extraordinary economic turmoil. The IMFs Kristalina Georgieva noted that the world economy has been hit by one shock after another  the coronavirus pandemic, Russias invasion of Ukraine and a resurgence of inflation. But reining in rising prices should take priority, she said. If we do not restore price stability, we will undermine prospects for growth, she said. The Federal Reserve and other central banks have been raising interest rates to tame inflation. Georgieva acknowledged that the higher borrowing costs would pinch economic growth, but she urged policymakers to show restraint in spending money to ease the pain.
President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP)

Chief Justice Roberts, President Carter, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, fellow Americans, and people of the world: thank you.

We, the citizens of America, are now joined in a great national effort to rebuild our country and to restore its promise for all of our people.

Together, we will determine the course of America and the world for years to come.

We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done.

Every four years, we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power, and we are grateful to President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition. They have been magnificent. Thank you.

Today's ceremony, however, has very special meaning. Because today we are not merely transferring power from one administration to another, or from one party to another - but we are transferring power from Washington, DC and giving it back to you, the American people.

For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.

Washington flourished - but the people did not share in its wealth.

Politicians prospered - but the jobs left, and the factories closed.

The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country.

Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nation's capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land.

That all changes - starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment: it belongs to you.

It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America.

This is your day. This is your celebration.

And this, the United States of America, is your country.

What truly matters is not which party controls our government, but whether our government is controlled by the people.

January 20th, 2017 will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.

Everyone is listening to you now.

You came by the tens of millions to become part of a historic movement the likes of which the world has never seen before.

At the centre of this movement is a crucial conviction: that a nation exists to serve its citizens.

Americans want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families, and good jobs for themselves.

These are the just and reasonable demands of a righteous public.

But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exists: Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system, flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential.

This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

We are one nation - and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams; and their success will be our success. We share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny.

The oath of office I take today is an oath of allegiance to all Americans.

For many decades, we've enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry;

Subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military;

We've defended other nation's borders while refusing to defend our own;

And spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

We've made other countries rich while the wealth, strength, and confidence of our country has disappeared over the horizon.

One by one, the factories shuttered and left our shores, with not even a thought about the millions upon millions of American workers left behind.

The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed across the entire world.

But that is the past. And now we are looking only to the future.

We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital, and in every hall of power.

From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land.

From this moment on, it's going to be only America First. America First.

Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.

I will fight for you with every breath in my body - and I will never, ever let you down.

America will start winning again, winning like never before.

We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth. And we will bring back our dreams.

We will build new roads, and highways, and bridges, and airports, and tunnels, and railways all across our wonderful nation.

We will get our people off of welfare and back to work -- rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor.

We will follow two simple rules: Buy American and Hire American.

We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world - but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first.

We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example for everyone to follow.

We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones - and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth.

At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other.

When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.

The Bible tells us, "how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity."

We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.

When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.

There should be no fear - we are protected, and we will always be protected.

We will be protected by the great men and women of our military and law enforcement and, most importantly, we will be protected by God.

Finally, we must think big and dream even bigger.

In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving.

We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action - constantly complaining but never doing anything about it.

The time for empty talk is over.

Now arrives the hour of action.

Do not let anyone tell you it cannot be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America.

We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again.

We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the Earth from the miseries of disease, and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow.

A new national pride will stir our souls, lift our sights, and heal our divisions.

It is time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget: that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots, we all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American flag.

And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams, and they are infused with the breath of life by the same almighty Creator.

So to all Americans, in every city near and far, small and large, from mountain to mountain, and from ocean to ocean, hear these words:

You will never be ignored again.

Your voice, your hopes, and your dreams, will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way.

Together, We will make America strong again.

We will make America wealthy again.

We will make America proud again.

We will make America safe again.

And, yes, together, we will make America great again. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.
The local telecommunications market is the scene of fierce 3G competition

The prime minister last week gave in-principle approval to FPT Group and FPT Telecom being strategic investors of EVN Telecom.

EVN Telecom will this month announce its strategic investors after its negotiations with FPT and its affiliate FPT Telecom are finalised.

An EVN Telecom source revealed that the stake to be sold to FPT and FPT Telecom would be more than 50 per cent.

FPT Telecom was already licenced to be a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) and is piloting LTE TDD technology.

Mobile business is what we want in our business portfolio and we are enthusiastic in our negotiations with partners. Our investment capital will be 10-times the amount we previously planned to invest in EVN Telecom, said FPT deputy general director Phan Duc Trung Trung.

FPT previously planned to invest VND400 billion ($21 million) in EVN Telecom as the former wanted to use the latters facility to provide mobile service.

The upcoming involvement of FPT and FPT Telecom in EVN Telecom means there would be no chance for foreign entities to be the mobile operators strategic partners.

Previously, EVN Telecom, which is expected to be the first mobile operator to be equitised in Vietnam, announced its plan to sell a 30 per cent stake to a foreign strategic investor. Details of the plan were not revealed then, except that the strategic investor would be a Singaporean or Malaysian firm.

EVN Telecom then also said the foreign strategic investors name would be made public after the company completed its equitisation process in September, this year.

Meanwhile, MobiFones long-awaited equitisation has seen many delays. The company was converted into a one-member company in early July and is still waiting for new government directions. The company planned to sell a 30 per cent stake to investors, including 15 per cent to strategic partners.

Viettel Telecom does not have a clear equitisation plan, as it is trying to complete a restructuring proposal by expanding into other business segments such as mobile handset production.

The long-awaited VinaPhone equitisation is still distant, as VNPT Groups restructuring proposal has not yet been approved by the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Traditional square cakes will be made at the event.

The event is an annual gathering hosted by the Dinh Lang Viet (Vietnamese Communal House) Group, a Hanoi-based community of people keen on preserving ancient values of communal houses.

The event will include a ceremony to erect cay neu, a tall bamboo tree in the communal houses yard. The bamboo pole is stripped of its leaves except for a tuft on top so that it can be wrapped or decorated with red paper for good luck. Bows, arrows, bells and gongs are hung on the treetop with the hope that all the bad luck of the past year is chased away and everyone has a happy New Year.

A traditional worship ceremony will be held, along with events featuring the art of drawing calligraphy and folk singing.

Both men and women participating in the gathering are encouraged to wear the traditional long dress.

The event is set to take place in Cong Hoa commune, Quoc Oai district, some 20km to the west of Hanois centre, between 8am and 5.30pm on January 22.
The event was held in conjunction with the national Women's March, as dozens of smaller protests popped up around the country to coincide with the Women's March in Washington, D.C.
The Omnipotent Owl  Why Are We Drawn to This Ancient Symbol of Wisdom?

Like a great sage, an owl sits stock-still, seeing everything, but saying nothing. When she takes action, it is swift and precise. These bold characteristics have earned the owl both respect and fear among humans; yet any great big eyes set into a fluffy body is sure to have broad
Former Vice President Al Gore said that while he wouldn't divulge specifics about his December conversation with Donald Trump, it wasn't the last conversation.

Speaking to a packed auditorium in Park City following the premiere of the climate change documentary An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,'' which kicked off the 33rd Sundance Film Festival Thursday, Gore said that he's seen a lot of people who started out as climate deniers change over time.



Whether he will or not remains to be seen, Gore said of Trump, whose inauguration as president was Friday. Trump has decried climate change as a hoax. Gore also noted that two days after that meeting he appointed someone to the EPA who I don't think should be heading the EPA.

But this story has many chapters to unfold here, Gore said.

Gore remains hopeful

An Inconvenient Sequel, which comes 10 years after An Inconvenient Truth, follows Gore through a year in his life as he tries to effect change through education  whether it's private individuals or world leaders. Gore travels from the changing Jakobshavn Glacier to the flooded streets of Miami to connect the dots of how global warming is impacting the world in real ways.



At one point, Gore even says that every night on the evening news is like walking through the Book of Revelations.



And yet Gore remains hopeful. The film, directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, makes sure to intersperse dire power point slides illustrating how the world is getting hotter with ones showing the progress in solar energy use. He also shows the solidly republican town of Georgetown, Texas which has made enormous strides in embracing renewable energy because of its cost efficiency.

Redford introduces film

Gore, on stage, said that he had just flown in from Davos, Switzerland, where he saw business leaders and heads of state at the World Economic Forum treating climate change as their top priority as well.



Sundance founder Robert Redford introduced the film, noting that Gore has been a very good friend for many years.



A few years ago, there was a moment when politics and the Supreme Court was not very kind to Al, Redford said. I think what they did drove him away from politics, but it drove him toward film and I think that's to our benefit ... he could work both sides of the street, so to speak, and he has and he's done it beautifully.

'We have to do more'

Paramount Pictures has already acquired ``An Inconvenient Sequel'' for a July 28 release.

We want this movie to recruit others, Gore said. Every single one of us, we have to do more.

The Sundance Film Festival runs through Jan. 29.
When Burkina Faso swore in its first new president in decades last month, many people hoped the democratic transition would pave the way to an era of progress. Now a deadly raid by al-Qaida militants has shaken that optimism.

Thirty people were killed when gunmen struck a restaurant and hotel in the capital Ouagadougou on Friday, exposing a days-old government to a critical security challenge that risks derailing its pledge to transform the economy of one of the poorest nations on earth.

Mass protests in October 2014 drove out former President Blaise Compaore, who had ruled for nearly three decades after taking power in a 1987 coup. Following a year of transition, Roch Marc Christian Kabore won an election to become leader.

Kabore promised to improve access to water, health care and education, and signaled a break from the past last week by naming a cabinet packed with ministers with no ties to Compaore.

Timing not random

But those ministers had not even been sworn in when the al-Qaida fighters killed citizens of several countries including six Canadians at the Cappuccino cafe and Splendid Hotel, two Ouagadougou establishments popular with foreigners.

"The timing is not random," said Cynthia Ohayon, an analyst with the International Crisis Group. "We are at a moment of political fragility because the country is coming out of a transition after 27 years and the new government is just starting to get to work."

Compaore's departure has left Burkina's security apparatus in disarray.

Having taken power in a coup himself, Compaore sought to prevent his own overthrow by pouring resources into the elite presidential guard.

However the unit, the best equipped and trained in the army, was disbanded last year after it mounted an unsuccessful coup against the transitional government in September.

Compaore's fall also disrupted discreet links his security officials had established with militant and rebel groups in the region that could perhaps have served to warn the authorities of the attack or even prevent it, according to Ohayon.

While neighboring Mali has been subject to a growing campaign of militant assaults in the past year including one on a hotel in the capital in November  until last week Burkina Faso had been spared a major attack.

High stakes

Kabore and his ministers have taken to the airwaves to reassure the public, investors and potential tourists that the government can face down the threat facing Burkina Faso, one of a belt of French-speaking countries in the Sahel, south of the Sahara.

"All security measures have been taken to make Burkina Faso peaceful," Foreign Minister Alpha Barry told ambassadors Tuesday at a specially-convened meeting.

Security Minister Simon Compaore was even more direct: "We want to reassure everyone who lives on Burkinabe soil that foreigners can continue to come to our country, to invest in our country and live here."

In the days to come, France is set to play an important security role both in terms of investigating the attack and using its intelligence network to track potential threats.

Burkina's former colonial master has around 200 special forces based in Ouagadougou as part of a regional operation against Islamist insurgents. Some of them participated in the counter-attack that killed three of Friday's attackers.

"Everything depends on the effort by the government after this attack to reassure our international partners and the friends of the country to continue to come here," said Idrissa Nassa, chief executive of Coris Bank, a leading lender in Burkina Faso.

"If the government can limit it to just one attack, then I think the climate of fear will dissipate quite quickly and things will go back to normal," he added.

The stakes are high. Kabore campaigned on promises to revive the economic and social fortunes of a landlocked country that produces gold and cotton but remains impoverished.

Political uncertainty has slowed an economy already hurt by a fall in global gold prices, but one senior security official said the attack would put security at the top of the public agenda.

Revolutionary spirit

Former President Thomas Sankara, who was murdered in the 1987 coup that brought Compaore to power, remains a hero in the country that he named Burkina Faso  meaning "The land of the upstanding people"  and his image is plastered on walls around Ouagadougou.

Sankara himself took power in a coup in 1983 and pursued a philosophy of Marxism and pan-Africanism that led him to be called "Africa's Che Guevara." Many African intellectuals view him as a visionary.

Adama Ouedraogo, who teaches philosophy at a high school in the capital, said Sankara's revolutionary spirit was shown in the 2014 uprising and would now help the country overcome the militant threat.

"The Burkinabe people are proud to be able to give their contribution to the government," he said. "I think the Burkinabe people are prepared to contribute to develop their country."
Chadian troops have played a decisive if at times problematic role in at least two African conflicts in the past few years; northern Mali and the Central African Republic. Some analysts say they may be the region's best hope to turn the tide against Boko Haram, but others are more cautious. The issue has become a hot topic as African leaders prepare to set-up a 7,500 troop regional force to fight the militants.



Chad is taking the fight to Boko Haram in Cameroon and in Nigerian towns along the border.



Analysts say Chad could tip the balance against Boko Haram, but caution not to expect Chadian troops to stay for the long haul.



Central Africa Director for the International Crisis Group, Thierry Vircoulon, says Chad wants a blitz operation like a strong punch, "fast and hard." He says that is evident in the large number of troops and aerial support the country has deployed. He says the Chadian army runs into logistical trouble with longer deployments. In northern Mali, he says, Chad was seen struggling to resupply and pay soldiers.



This is the third time in two years the Chadian army has rushed to the rescue of its neighbors. The two others interventions, Mali and the Central African Republic, had wildly different outcomes.



Chad withdrew from Mali in a blaze of glory, having played a decisive role in retaking the north and crippling AQIM terrorists during the first three months of the French-led intervention in 2013. A year later, Chadian troops pulled out of the CAR amid a hail of accusations they had been too cozy with Seleka rebels and that they fired on civilians. They were even accused of firing on fellow African Union troops.



Analysts say the risk of indiscipline is all the more reason Chad may want to keep this operation short.



Good fighters but no so good at stabilization

Central Africa expert at the Paris-based National Center for Scientific Research Roland Marchal says Chadian soldiers are good fighters. As the French military says, they are warriors. They are very good in battle. They are not so good at what comes next  stabilization, notes Marchal.



Chad President Idris Deby has pumped the countrys oil wealth into the military. People cheered as Chadian troops rolled into Cameroon awash in vehicles and weaponry.



President Deby said simply that Chad "cannot remain indifferent to the threat of Boko Haram.



Many see in Debys decision an implicit displeasure with the Nigerian military, which has lost key towns and vast swathes of territory to the militant Islamist group since 2013. Boko Haram has become a regional menace launching attacks in Cameroon and threatening trade routes to Ndjamena.



Nigeria insists this is a joint effort and it is still running the show, but analysts are skeptical.



Analyst Yan St. Pierre runs the Berlin-based security firm MOSECON. He says theres another question to consider when gauging Chads potential impact, not just how long but how far.



How deep within Nigerian territory will Chadian troops be allowed to go? And how deep is Chad willing to go? Is there more of a containment approach right now? Saying 'OK, we will just make sure the borders to Cameroon, to Niger, to Chad, that Boko Haram is contained within Nigeria, says St. Pierre.



MOSECON tracks the Boko Haram insurgency closely. St. Pierre says it appears the group has pulled much of its force away from the borders, but still out of easy range for the Nigerian military.
Women in major cities around the world demonstrated in solidarity with marchers in Washington who rallied Saturday en masse, a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president.

Like the demonstration in the U.S. capital, many of the global protests were sparked by concern about women's rights, civil rights and environmental issues as Trump begins his term.

In Japan, hundreds of mostly American expatriates marched through Tokyo neighborhoods Friday, chanting slogans and carrying signs advocating love and compassion.

In Australia on Saturday, thousands of protesters marched past the American consulate in Sydney to challenge what rally organizers called the "hateful rhetoric" of the new U.S. president, accusing Trump of "normalizing sexism and racism."

"I am outraged when I look at the appointments of the Cabinet members. I mean, this is really stupidity taking over the world. This has global implications," said one female participant.

An estimated 80,000 people rallied in London at the American Embassy and marched to Trafalgar Square.

In Berlin, women held posters in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in one of seven rallies across Germany.

Protests were held in several other European cities, including Paris, Budapest, Amsterdam and The Hague.

Cape Town, South Africa, participated with a gathering in the city's Gardens neighborhood for what was billed as Sisters March Against Trump.

"There's no difference between women who are in the U.S. and here," Rachael Mwikali, who helped organize a march in Nairobi, told the Reuters news service.

Other African countries where demonstrations were planned included Nigeria, Malawi and Madagascar.

Marches were scheduled to take place on every continent, including Antarctica, where "eco-minded visitors on an expedition ship" planned to march onboard the ship while off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula.

According to the website of the Women's March on Washington, nearly 700 "sister marches" with an estimated 2 million participants were scheduled.
Around 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed when the jihadists attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria, two days after the air force accidentally killed dozens of people there, local and military officials said.

On Tuesday, the air force said it had bombed Rann in Borno state, epicentre of Boko Haram's seven-year-long attempt to create an Islamic caliphate in the northeast.

Boko Haram fighters then attacked Rann -- home to thousands of people displaced by the jihadists' insurgency -- using two jeeps on Thursday night, residents said.

"We battled them for almost 30 minutes," Lieutenant Colonel Igwe Omoke, commander of the 3rd battalion based in Rann, told Reuters on Friday during a visit organized by the army.

"We suddenly saw residents running towards the battalion headquarters and we quickly mobilized troops," he said.

A Reuters reporter saw six dead Boko Haram fighters lying in front of the army base in Rann where many ramshackle huts had been destroyed by the air strike. The attackers had come from nearby Cameroon, less than 10 kilometers away, officers said.

The air strike killed more than 200 people, more than the up to 170 reported dead by aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) on Friday, a local official said.

"People have suffered enough. We buried more than 200 people," said Babagana Malarima, head of the local government in Rann. "The military should compensate our people."

Other residents asked by Reuters put the death toll at around 180 or fewer. The army has refused to say how many were killed.

The Boko Haram insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million to flee their homes.

The Nigerian army, backed up by neighbours, have retaken most areas held by the group. But the jihadists still operate in the area of Rann, slipping over the porous Cameroon border after attacks.

The militant group has stepped up attacks and suicide bombings in the past few weeks as the end of the rainy season facilitates movement in the bush.

The group split in two last year, with one faction led by Abubakar Shekau from the Sambisa forest and the other, allied to Islamic State and led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, based in the Lake Chad region.
A powerful bomb ripped through a market area in northwestern Pakistan Saturday, killing at least 22 people and wounding more than 50 others.

The early morning blast occurred in Parachinar, the administrative center of the Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border.

Officials said an initial probe suggested a remotely controlled explosive device hidden in a sack was detonated at a time the market was crowded with shoppers.

Rescue workers and a local lawmaker, Sajid Hussain Turi, told reporters the death toll was likely to increase because many people were seriously wounded.

Pakistan army helicopters were engaged to help civilian authorities transport injured people from the remote border region to hospitals in Peshawar.

A spokesman for the anti-state Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for what he said was a suicide attack to avenge killings of its jailed members in allegedly fake police encounters.

Kurram is part of Pakistans seven semi-autonomous federally administered tribal districts, mostly located near the border with Afghanistan.

The tribal belt has long served as a shelter for local and foreign militants, but officials say recent massive army-led anti-militancy operations have largely cleared the area.
Fire engulfed a popular nightclub in the Romanian capital Saturday, sending 38 people to hospitals for treatment including one who was seriously injured. No deaths were reported.



The fire erupted in the early hours at the upmarket Bamboo nightclub, which was burned to the ground.



Some people suffered from smoke intoxication, while others were injured as they reportedly leapt from the upper level of the lakeside club to escape the flames.





There was no word on the cause of the fire. There were unconfirmed reports that people were smoking at the club, which is illegal. Prosecutors have opened an inquiry.



About 20 ambulances rushed to the scene as revelers ran outside. Bogdan Oprita, coordinator of the capitals ambulance service, said most of the injured were suffering from smoke intoxication. Others who rushed outside without picking up their coats suffered hypothermia in the -12 Celsius (10 Fahrenheit) cold.



Senior emergency situations official Raed Arafat said one person was seriously injured and that almost half of the injured went to hospitals on their own. About half a dozen remained hospitalized.



In October 2015, 64 people died at a fire at a nightclub in Bucharest the worst fire in the countrys history.



Bamboo has several clubs in Romania, and one in Miami, Florida. It first opened in Bucharest in 2002 and was rebuilt after it was destroyed by a fire in 2005.
Rival Libyan leaders met Saturday in Cairo with diplomats from seven neighboring states to discuss forming a new government acceptable to all parties. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry told journalists that further talks would take place in Algeria next week.

Diplomatic talks between rival Libyan leaders and representatives of Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, Algeria, Chad, Niger and Mali ended Saturday with an agreement to hold further discussions next week in Algeria.



Behind-the-scenes meetings between key players in the Libya negotiations, including army general Khalifa Hafter, also have been taking place. Hafter, who commands Libyan military forces in the eastern part of the country, is opposed by political figures close to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, who coordinated the talks, stressed that Cairo was waiting for the new Trump administration to gain its bearings before discussing the Libya situation and other regional issues:

He said Egypt is waiting for new U.S. officials to be in place in order to come up with a common position to deal with chronic regional problems, including Libya.



Egypt and most of the six other regional states present at the gathering have been calling for the lifting of the U.N. arms embargo placed on the military under the command of General Hafter.

Foreign Minister Shoukri argued that General Hafters forces are the countrys national army and that the U.N. embargo should be lifted so that it can carry out its duties.



U.N. special envoy for Libya Martin Kobler, who was also at the talks, told Arab media he thinks General Hafter should play a role in any solution to the Libyan conflict. Hafter, who is supported by the Libyan parliament in Tobruk, is opposed by a number of Islamist figures in the unity government of Fayez al-Saraj.



Libyan political analyst Abdel Wahab Laytan told Arab media he thinks rival Libyan leaders who attended the Cairo talks agreed on the need for a compromise.



He said most Libyan leaders are eager to put an end to the current political impasse in the country, but they disagreed over the details of a compromise.



Fayez al-Sarajs government, which has had friction with other political factions in the capital, Tripoli, has yet to be officially approved by the parliament in Tobruk.



U.N. envoy Kobler stressed that he hoped that 2017 would be the year of resolution for the Libyan conflict, and not just a time for more talks.



Algerias representative to the talks indicated that most of Libyas neighbors would like to see greater stability in the country to put a stop to terrorism originating in Libya, as well as illegal migration.
Several Canadians traveling to attend either the inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States or a march planned for Saturday in Washington, D.C., were turned away at the border by U.S. officials.

Relations between Canada and the United States are under scrutiny following the election of Trump, who has vowed to put "America first" and renegotiate a trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.

"It seems to me that they just weren't interested in having us in the country for the inauguration," said Sasha Dyck, a 34-year-old nurse from Montreal.

Dyck was carpooling with five other Canadians and two French nationals Thursday. They were held for two hours at the Lacolle border crossing where they were searched, made to unlock their mobile phones and ultimately denied entry.

"I hope it doesn't represent a closing down or a firming up of the border, or of mentalities south of the border," Dyck said, adding that he was high-fived by U.S. border officials when he traveled south for Barack Obama's inauguration.

Joseph Decunha, a 20-year-old physics student at McGill University in Montreal, was also turned back at the Lacolle crossing between Quebec and New York state after being asked specifically if he, his partner and a friend supported or opposed Trump.

"We were forthcoming and explained we were quite vehemently anti-[Trump]," he said.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in an emailed statement that it was not at liberty to discuss individual cases.

In Montreal, a small group of protesters outside the U.S. consulate burned an American flag and an effigy of Trump, images by news photographers posted on Twitter showed. A handful of protesters showed up at midday to protest outside the U.S. consulate in Toronto. More protests were planned for later in the day in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa.

Turnout was expected to be larger at marches across Canada that will coincide with the Women's March on Washington on Saturday, with 26,000 people registered to attend events in 31 locations.
It is hard to believe the spring semester is already upon us. The start of a new semester is one of the most energizing and rewarding times at Lake Land College. There is an air of excitement on campus as students return to continue their studies. The start of a new semester is also a wonderful time to pause and take stock of Lake Lands tremendous impact on its communities over its 50-year history.

Not only have communities embraced the mission of Lake Land College over the past five decades, they have welcomed the college as a partner in so many positive ways. Lake Land has become the preferred higher education pathway for district residents. Each August thousands of new students begin their educational journey and in May thousands more graduate with the goal of transferring to a four-year university or beginning their careers in their local communities. Some students even begin their careers before graduation. Take, for instance, Mattoon High School graduate Trey Overton, who is majoring in Computer Aided Design. Mid-way through his program, while seeking an internship opportunity, Treys talents were recognized and he was offered several jobs. Not only has Trey begun a promising career with a local employer, but he is continuing his studies and will soon complete his degree.

Trey and all of our Workforce Ready degree and certificate program students gain valuable hands-on training within their coursework that equips them with the skills to be successful in the local workforce. This provides an economic boost to our regions economy by providing a well-trained workforce that is ready to contribute to a companys bottom line.

Recently, the magazine Community College Week recognized Lake Land College for its excellence in graduating students with certificates. In these short-term programs such as cosmetology, practical nursing, industrial maintenance, dental assisting, EMS-basic, public safety telecommunicator, medical coding, horticulture, welding, automotive, programmable logic controllers and crop production, students complete programs in one to three semesters and are prepared for a life-sustaining career.

In addition to meeting rigorous academic standards, many of our students achieve their academic goals while balancing family, work and community commitments. Autumn Fain, an accounting program student originally from Casey, was one of those outstanding students. She received Lake Lands Non-Traditional Student of the Year Award in 2013 and went on to transfer to Eastern Illinois University in Charleston where she completed a business degree with a double major in accounting and finance. Autumn is now working in her dream job as a finance analyst at State Farm Corporate in Bloomington and will be sitting for the final section of the CPA exam in February.

Autumn is just one of our many successful alumni who are making a difference in their workplace and communities. Each year we induct members into our Distinguished Alumni Society. The Class of 2016 included these successful members of One Laker Nation: Matthew Cekander, Effingham, CPA and firm partner, Doehring, Winders & Co. LLP; Renee Fonner, Hindsboro, on air talent/promotions director, Cromwell Group of Mattoon; Kerry J. (Lawson) Fearn, Charleston, formerly of Neoga, president and CEO, Area Educational Credit Union; Craig Greeson, Hanover Park, formerly of Neoga, product manager -- industrial business unit, Littelfuse, Inc.; and Kristopher Van Sickle, Woodstock, Ga., formerly of Newman, administrative officer, U.S. Secret Service, Carter Protective Division.

The personal and professional success achieved by these individuals is a strong representation of the tens of thousands of Lake Land graduates making a difference throughout our communities.

When asked about their experiences at Lake Land College, our alumni often cite the professional and knowledgeable faculty and staff as having the most positive impact on their paths to success. On a daily basis, I hear stories about how an instructor or a staff member touched a students life in a positive and profound way. Those moments of genuine connection with a student are what make our roles as educators so rewarding. But there is also satisfaction found in recognition of our work by professional peers. Lake Land is home to many distinguished, and recognized, faculty. For instance, Cheryl Beam, nursing instructor/director of nursing, was selected to participate as an item writer for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX); Dustin Heuerman, criminal justice instructor, was appointed to the Illinois Community College Board; Marcy Satterwhite, business instructor/program coordinator, desktop publishing/graphic design, was named Outstanding Post-secondary Teacher of the Year at the Illinois Business Education Association Conference; Kathy Black, division chair business/business instructor, was named Outstanding Administrator of the Year at the Illinois Business Education Association Conference; and Mike Rudibaugh, geography/earth science instructor, was named the Illinois Community College Faculty Association Instructor of the Year.

So many of you have a Lake Land College story to share -- a family member, a friend, an employee you know has turned to us to launch a degree, overcome a challenge or begin a new career. Lake Land College is the starting point for a new life for thousands of people each year; the resource for hundreds of businesses that call our towns home; and the link to accomplishment for countless alumni who move on to success.

It is my pleasure to share these stories with you as a reminder that Lake Land College is here for you! It has been an honor to serve as your community college for the past 50 years and we look forward to being a part of your future in our next 50 years.
South Korean prosecutors Saturday arrested President Park Geun-hyes culture minister and her former top presidential adviser over allegations that they blacklisted artists critical of the government.



Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun and ex-presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon allegedly drew up the list of thousands of artists and cultural figures to be excluded from government funding programs. Three other top former officials have been arrested over the allegation.



The blacklist allegation surfaced as authorities widened their investigations into the political scandal that led to Parks impeachment in Parliament last month. The Constitutional Court is holding a trial before ruling on whether to formally end Parks presidency or restore her authority.

Cho resigned hours after she was arrested, and the prime minister, who has the powers of the president since Park was impeached, accepted it.

Park has faced criticism that she tried to curb free speech and labor rights as president. Her governments alleged backlist reportedly included film director Park Chan-wook and poet Ko Un, who is often considered a contender for the Nobel prize in literature.



Prosecutors accuse Park of colluding with a longtime confidante to extort tens of millions of dollars from businesses and letting her meddle in state affairs. The confidante, Choi Soon-sil, and several of Parks former presidential advisers have been arrested.



In a setback to prosecutors investigation, a Seoul court Thursday disapproved the arrest of Lee Jae-yong, the de-facto leader of Samsung Group, which donated the largest portion of the money to two nonprofit foundations controlled by Choi. Prosecutors believed the Samsung money amounted to a bribe, but the court said there was not enough justification to arrest Lee.


The death toll from an accidental Nigerian airstrike on a refugee camp in the town of Rann has risen to around 90 people, and could be as high as 170, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said in a statement on Friday.

Tuesday's strike on the northeastern town in Borno state, which had Boko Haram militants as its target, has led to an investigation by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The inquiry's report is due to be submitted no later than Feb. 2.

The aid group, also known as Doctors Without Borders, said the higher figure of 170 comes from reports from residents and community leaders.

Explanation needed

This figure needs to be confirmed, said Bruno Jochum, MSF General Director, in the statement. "The victims of this horrifying event deserve a transparent account of what happened and the circumstances in which this attack took place.

Borno is the epicenter of Boko Haram's seven-year-long attempt to create an Islamic caliphate in the northeast. The insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and forced some two million to flee their homes, many of whom have moved to camps for internally displaced people.

Military compound nearby

A Nigerian air force plane circled twice and dropped two bombs in the middle of the town of Rann, which hosts thousands of internally displaced people," MSF said.

At the time of the attack, an aid distribution was taking place.

On Thursday, Human Rights Watch said the strike had destroyed 35 structures, and hit 100 meters from what appears to be a Nigerian military compound, raising questions about why precautions were not taken to avoid harming civilians.
The United Nations has launched a two-year, multi-million-dollar appeal to help one-quarter-million people in the tiny East African country of Djibouti recover from several years of persistent, recurring drought. The U.N. seeks $74 million for 2014 to break out of the countrys ongoing cycle of crises.



Two weeks ago, two Somali suicide bombers blew themselves up along with a Turkish man in a cafe frequented by foreigners in Djiboutis capital city. The international media devoted little coverage to the story, underlining how overlooked and neglected this tiny country in the Horn of Africa is by the rest of the world.



This is a major problem for nearly one-quarter of Djiboutis population of 850,000 - some 250,000 people who are seriously affected by more than four years of consecutive drought.



U.N. Resident Coordinator in Djibouti Robert Watkins is in Geneva to get international donors to pay attention to their plight and to support plans to help them emerge from this crisis.



He says malnutrition rates have increased to 18 percent, which exceeds the emergency threshold of 15 percent. In some areas, he says malnutrition is as high as 26 percent and the rate of chronic malnutrition is 30 percent. In addition, he says 60 percent of the rural population is suffering from malaria and diarrheal diseases.



It is still a very traditional, nomadic population and the livestock has been very dramatically affected by the drought, with stocks continuing to go down," he said "It is a drought deficit that has accumulated over the last four years and it is also resulting in a huge exodus of people living in rural areas to the capital city. The population has almost tripled in the capital city. Now, 85 percent of the population is now living in the capital city.



Watkins says the citys facilities are overwhelmed by this huge rural influx as well as by the large numbers of mainly Ethiopian migrants that transit through Djibouti on their way to Yemen. Most of the migrants use Yemen as a portal to reach other countries in the Middle East.



Last year, about 100,000 migrants arrived in Djibouti. Watkins says many of them are in desperate condition and in need of medical care. He says this puts great pressure on the countrys limited medical resources.



Djiboutis economy grew by five percent last year, but most of the population does not benefit from that growth. The countrys income mainly comes from renting out military bases to the United States and France and from large investments for expanding the ports and building a railroad to Ethiopia.



U.N. Coordinator Watkins tells VOA the two-year strategic plan goes beyond food and health care humanitarian projects. He says it deals with more developmental projects. The aim is to address the root causes so people will be better equipped to tackle the effects of drought.



The biggest issue facing Djibouti today is the lack of water," he said. "People depend on water for their livelihoods, essentially for their livestock So, we are doing a lot of projects and so there is less waste of water.



Nearly half of Djiboutis population is unemployed. Watkins says the strategic plan will try to address this problem in various ways. For one, the U.N. will try to reconstitute the livestock, which has been lost. But, equally important, he says is to find alternative ways for people to make a living. He says training people in the skills needed to work in the ports is one of the plans being developed.
Donald Trump, sworn in Friday as the 45th U.S. president, used his inaugural address to tell the nation that he was going to put America and American workers first.

From this day forward, its going to be only America first, Trump said. The phrase echoed rhetoric he used during his successful presidential campaign. I will never ever let you down. America will start winning, winning like never before.

Congressional leaders and former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter were among those who attended the inauguration, held at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Several hundred thousand people also gathered on the National Mall to watch Trump take the oath of office.

Watch: Trump Era Begins With Promise of Change

Similar to language used during his campaign, the new president said American workers had been devastated through bad trade agreements that had been reached through previous administrations.

This American carnage stops right here and stops right now, Trump said. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

Power to the people

He also said Fridays inauguration marked a major, major watermark in American history, that power had been transferred, not only from one party to another, but from Washington to the people.

Watch: Highlights from Donald Trump's Inaugural Speech

For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have bore the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. ... That all changes starting right here and right now, Trump told the crowd.

He said he will invoke a new vision for America, one where workers abandoned by shuttered factories and diminished economic fortunes will not be forgotten.

This moment is your moment, it belongs to you, Trump said. The people become the rulers of this nation again.

A light rain fell as the 70-year-old Trump, the oldest-ever elected U.S. chief executive, finished his speech, waving to the crowd.

In echoes from his long campaign for the White House, the Republican Trump painted a bleak picture in his inaugural address of workers who have been left behind in the worlds largest economy, buffeted by global economic changes they have been powerless to overcome.

These were voters who gave him the edge in key states, U.S. political analysts say, and handed him an unexpected win in the November election over Democrat Hillary Clinton, who watched from a nearby seat at the U.S. Capitol as he became the American leader.

Watch: Trump Supporters on Why They Think He'll be a Great President

Message of jobs

Trump vowed to restore jobs lost to overseas ventures, while boosting U.S. employment with reconstruction of the countrys deteriorating roads, bridges and other infrastructure.

So to all Americans, hear these words, he said. You will never be ignored again.

A short time later, as congressional leaders played host to Trump at a lavish luncheon at the Capitol, protests against him erupted in parts of downtown Washington several blocks from the inaugural parade route. Rock-throwing demonstrators clashed with police, who said more than 200 of the protesters had been arrested by early Friday evening.

At the close of the congressional luncheon, Trump gave brief remarks and surprised many by saying he was very, very honored that president Bill Clinton and secretary of state Hillary Clinton were there. He asked the Clintons to stand up and said he has a lot of respect for them.

He did not mention his Democratic opponent during his inauguration speech, after often referring to her as Crooked Hillary on the campaign trail.

Professor Jack Rakove of Stanford University told VOA that what he thought was most interesting about Trumps speech is that it was a repudiation of all of the former presidents and congressional leaders sitting behind him  including many of his fellow Republicans.

Hes basically telling his vision to the American people, lets say, at least Trump voters, that they have been let down or neglected or even betrayed by the governing class thats been living in Washington and profiting off living there while the rest of the country, its inner cities are rotting, and factories are rusting and jobs have been lost and the borders are being overrun, Rakove said.

But all you people living here, lets say between Dulles Airport and the National Mall, youve been doing OK, he added. Youve prospered as politicians and youve let the rest of us down. So that implicitly or really blatantly includes President Obama and Vice President (Joe) Biden, but I think it also includes [Republican Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell and [Republican House Speaker] Paul Ryan and everybody else up there whos been holding office.

Looking to the future

Rakove said he will be watching to see how well Trump represents the Republican Party he now heads, pointing out that he holds very different positions on free trade and other issues from other Republicans.

The Stanford University history professor also told VOA he thought the speech was forcefully delivered, but that Trump failed to reach out to Americans who did not vote for him.

I think in the end he was appealing to his own voters. I dont think African-Americans are going to be convinced by many of his arguments about whats going on in the cities, Rakove said.

During his inaugural address, Trump touched only briefly on U.S. foreign policy, saying that America would seek friendship with the world while recognizing that countries abroad had a right to govern themselves as they see fit. He made clear that from now on, it will be only America first.

He said the United States would not seek to impose its will on others, but would shine for everyone to follow. Trump did not mention U.S. leadership, NATO, any of the U.S. allies or any of the global alliances the U.S. has been a part of for decades.

Trump, however, renewed his frequent vow to attack radical Islamic terrorism, saying he would eradicate [it] completely from the face of the Earth.

He took the traditional, time-honored oath, swearing as past presidents have, to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Trump replaces Obama, who served two terms in the White House.

Watch: President Trump Sees Former President Obama's Departure

Obamas depart

After the ceremony, Obama and his wife, Michelle, flew to Joint Base Andrews, where he spoke to supporters. He said Americans had proved the power of hope over the past eight years. He and his wife and their two daughters departed later for a vacation in Palm Springs, California  for the last time on what had been Air Force One; for the day called Executive One.

Obama reached out to Americans using his original Twitter account, @BarackObama, promising he and Michelle would get back to work after their vacation.

Watch: President Trump, Family Walking the Parade

Parade and inaugural balls

Late in the day, President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, their young son, Barron, and the adult Trump children and their spouses and children watched the inaugural parade from the viewing stand at the White House. The new first couple attended three inaugural balls in the evening.

Late Friday, Trump signed his first executive order, directing federal agencies to ease regulations associated with Obamas sweeping health care law.

Trump also formally signed the commissions of his newly confirmed Defense Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly.

Trump joked with Democratic Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer that he was sure the Senate would confirm all of his nominees.

Also in attendance for the inauguration were thousands of protesters, most of whom were peaceful. But a small number of rioters set a limousine on fire and created chaos not far from the White House in downtown Washington.

About 200,000 are expected to participate in the Womens March on Washington Saturday.

Protesters seen as worrisome

Max Abrahms of Northwestern University told VOA the unusually high number of protesters in cities across America worries him.

I fear that some of them will be violent, and so I think there is a really Zeitgeist right now for confrontation in the United States, with some nontrivial violent segments of those protesters, Abrahms added. Of course the vast majority are not violent, but many of the protesters I do worry about. And so I think that the next few days I will be playing very close attention, really hoping things go smoothly.

He pointed out that Trump did not win the majority of the popular votes in the United States, and he said many minorities view Trump as not representing their interests.

The throng on the National Mall was large, but not nearly as big as when Obama first took office in 2009.

Many of those who witnessed Trumps assumption of power wore hats with his trademark campaign slogan, Make America Great Again, cheering loudly when he officially became president.

VOA reporter Jim Malone contributed to this report.
Hundreds of Eritrean refugees demonstrated Friday in front of the African Union headquarters demanding the regional organization push for democratic reforms in their home country. President Isaias Afewerki has been in power for 22 years, Eritreas only president since independence, and has been accused of suppressing dissent in the one-party state.



More than 400 protesters shouted and held banners accusing long-time Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki of being a dictator.



Tedros, a 36-year-old refugee, fled Eritrea with his family 6 months ago. He paid $10,000 to cross the border illegally. He is one of the organizers of the protest.



We demonstrate today to support the report of the UN-mandated commission on human rights in Eritrea. We support the report, he said. We cant speak. We cant write. We cant believe whatever we want in religion.

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry released a report Wednesday on Eritreas human rights situation. Despite U.N. investigators being denied entry to the country, the 500-page report warned that the Eritrean situation can no longer be ignored.



The report highlights widespread and systematic human rights violations under Afewerki, who has been in power since 1993 when Eritrea gained its independence from Ethiopia.



Refugee demands



The refugees here want the African Union to take action.



Henok, 31, has been in Ethiopia for four years. He hopes that one day he can go back to the family he left behind. But he said life is too difficult for him in Eritrea right now.



Especially guys like me, people like me from 18 years old, we are soldiers, unlimited time. We can do nothing, even if we are a married man, he noted.

There are more than a 100,000 Eritreans in Ethiopia. It is estimated that 200 people cross the Ethiopian-Eritrean border every single day.

Luam, 24, was caught the first time she tried to leave, and for that she had to spend three years in jail. Undeterred, she tried and succeeded a second time.



Luam said she wants to pursue her singing career. She felt repressed at home so she wanted to leave Eritrea to sing and live her dreams.



About 5,000 Eritreans flee the small country in the Horn of Africa every month trying their luck in neighboring countries such as Ethiopia. But many also try the often deadly crossing of the Mediterranean Sea by boat to make it to Europe.



Eritreans seeking asylum in Europe are the second-largest group after those coming from war-torn Syria.
Five years after a triumphant electoral sweep that returned it to power for the first time in a decade, France's ruling Socialist Party is weak, deeply unpopular and ideologically divided ahead of the first round Sunday of presidential primaries. Some even warn it risks implosion.

Voters are seeking other faces and parties after a leftist tenure that saw three major terrorist attacks, record unemployment and the fallout of Europe's migrant crisis, which left its mark on the streets of Paris and in Calais' now-dismantled Jungle camp.

The far-right National Front party is widely expected to dominate the first round of presidential elections in April, reflecting a wider populist backlash in Europe and the U.S., where President Donald Trump took office Friday.

"There's a distrust, a dearth of support for the left for a number of reasons," said analyst Jean Petaux of Sciences Po Bordeaux University. "Some believe it betrayed its leftist ideals, others that it didn't go far enough in enacting reforms."

Hollande steps aside

So unpopular is President Francois Hollande that he announced last month he would not seek reelection.Those on the ballot for the two-round leftist primaries  the runoff is February 29  include former Prime Minister Manuel Valls, three former ministers and three members from other leftist parties.

While the vote aims to select a leftist standard-bearer, any French voter can participate for the price of just over $2. The conservatives held their own vote last November, electing former Prime Minister Francois Fillon by a wide margin.

Other popular politicians have opted out of the primaries, including far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon and Emmanuel Macron, Hollande's ex-protege and economy minister who is surging in the polls.

In debates, the candidates have clashed on such issues as social charges and immigration. Valls defends the government's migrant policy, even though it has taken in just 5,000 asylum seekers since 2015  far fewer than the 30,000 it promised to accept.

Other leftist candidates have called for more generous policies, with ex-minister Benoit Hamon calling for a humanitarian visa for asylum-seekers.

Liberal policies

Their positions stand in sharp contrast to those of France's two current front-runners: Fillon, who wants to establish immigration quotas, and far-right leader Marine Le Pen, whose anti-immigrant, anti-Europe, protectionist discourse is resonating among many voters.

Terrorism is another top issue, with France's state of emergency extended through the presidential and June legislative elections to follow.

The far right has slammed the government for being soft on terror, while rights groups have criticized new measures it has adopted, such as wider leeway for house arrests and searches, as overly tough and discriminatory.

Both Fillon and Le Pen also emphasize France's Christian roots and raise alarm at the overt manifestation of Islam through veils and the controversial burkini, an issue that has divided the left.

"When you ask people about their voting priorities, many will say the economy and unemployment, but very soon you get to the issue of national security," said Paris-based analyst Bruno Cautres. "It's going to reward candidates that have taken tough positions on it. You can see that with Francois Fillon, and also with Marine Le Pen."

Valls is taking a hard line on both immigration and national security, defending the government's record that included trying to strip dual nationals convicted of terrorism of their citizenship  a proposal that eventually was dropped.

Dim prospects

While Valls is expected to win the first round of voting, analysts predict he will lose the runoff to a more left-leaning candidate, either Hamon or flamboyant former Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg, both fans of U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

Yet most believe the winner stands little chance of making it to the presidential runoff in May, much less winning it.

Instead, polls point to conservative Fillon, or possibly even Macron, who is running as an independent, prevailing against the far-right's Le Pen.

Hollande's presidency has been "an immense waste," lamented the leftist mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, in an interview with Le Monde newspaper, saying it had led the left "to a state of absolute confusion."

Analyst Petaux believes history will judge Hollande more kindly. Still, if the Socialists lose power this year, as expected, he believes the party will be forced to reflect and rebuild.

"The party needs to work on transforming itself, a bit like under Tony Blair with New Labor," Petaux said of the former U.K. prime minister, who helped to salvage and rebrand his battered party in the 1990s. "There we saw a real ideological revolution."
French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen declared Saturday that 2017 will be the "year of the awakening of the people of continental Europe'' as she joined fellow nationalist leaders in Germany at the beginning of a year of high-stakes national elections.



Le Pen was joined by the Netherlands' Geert Wilders, Matteo Salvini of Italy's Northern League and Frauke Petry of the four-year-old Alternative for Germany at the gathering of the Europe of Nations and Freedom group in the European Parliament.



The mood among delegates was celebratory a day after Donald Trump was sworn in as U.S. president, following a campaign buoyed by anti-establishment and protectionist themes.



Wilders' anti-Islam Party of Freedom could win the largest percentage of votes in the March 15 Dutch parliamentary election. Le Pen is among top contenders in France's April-May presidential vote. And in September, Petry's party hopes to enter the German parliament.



"We are experiencing the end of one world and the birth of another,'' Le Pen said. "We are experiencing the return of nation-states.''



The first "real blow to the old order'' was last June's British vote to leave the European Union, she said - followed closely by Trump's election. The new U.S. president, she said, "will not support a system of oppression'' in Europe.



Last year saw the awakening of Anglo-Saxon countries, she said, and "2017, I am sure, will be the year of the awakening of the people of continental Europe.''



She denounced the EU as "a force of sterilization,'' and assailed German Chancellor Angela Merkel - whose name was booed loudly - for allowing in large numbers of migrants.



"Everyone sees that this migration policy is a daily disaster,'' Le Pen said.



Organizers billed Saturday's meeting, held in a conference hall on the banks of the Rhine river under heavy security, as bringing together "the top politicians of the new Europe.''



Left-wing protesters staged a sit-in outside the hall shouting slogans like "no border, no nation, stop deportation.''



Not far away, demonstrators from the global AVAAZ activist group placed statues of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin, among others, in front of the city's landmark statue of German Kaiser Wilhelm.



AVAAZ organizer Pascal Vollenweider said the statues of the dictators were meant to send a "strong message'' to the nationalist politicians meeting that "global citizens are rejecting their old dangerous ideas.''



"They are not fascists in jackboots, it's a different type of fascism, of course, but if you look at the ideas ... it's very dangerous, and we have to face it: these guys are carrying old, dangerous fascist ideas,'' he said.



Marcus Pretzell, Alternative for Germany's European lawmaker and Petry's husband, denied accreditation to German public broadcasters and several other German outlets. Public broadcaster ARD has said it was refused access for "not meeting journalistic standards in its past reporting on the party,'' a claim it has rejected.



Pretzell opened the congress lamenting the current state of the European Union, its passport-free travel zone and the euro. He praised Trump's opposition to trade agreements such as a planned EU-U.S. trade deal, and said that "we have a problem with political Islam.''



"Who would still want to become a member of the European Union of their own free will?'' he asked.



"We have to turn back some steps that have gone too far,'' he said. "The solution is sitting in this room.''
Newly-elected Gambian President Adama Barrow posted on Twitter Saturday that he will return to his homeland and assume power now that defeated leader Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down and leave the country.

Jammeh, who is expected to leave for Guinea within hours, agreed Friday to peacefully hand over power to Barrow, who is waiting in neighboring Senegal for safety reasons.

Jammeh's departure ends a political standoff that pushed Gambia to the brink of a military intervention by West African forces. The regional forces have been in Gambia for about a week because of Jammeh's refusal to concede defeat in last months presidential poll.

Jammeh's decision brings to a close a reign that started 22 years ago when he seized power in a coup. His authoritarian government had a reputation for torturing and killing perceived opponents to suppress dissent.

The former Gambian president negotiated Friday with the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania before agreeing to step down. Sources close to the talks said they discussed where Jammeh would live and whether he would be granted amnesty for alleged crimes committed during his reign.

Barrow, a property developer, led an opposition coalition few political observers thought would win. "The rule of fear has been banished from Gambia for good," Barrow said Friday in Dakar after it became clear Jammeh would cede power.
Troops from a regionwide military force moved Sunday into Gambia's capital, Banjul, where they were greeted by cheering throngs, hours after defeated leader Yahya Jammeh fled into exile.

The regional force is expected to clear the way for the return of the country's newly elected President Adama Barrow, who earlier took refuge in nearby Senegal when Jammeh refused to leave office. Barrow was sworn in Thursday at a ceremony in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

No time frame had been announced by late Sunday for Barrow's return, but a spokesman told reporters it would be "as soon as possible." Marcel Alain de Souza said parts of Gambia's security forces needed to be "immobilized" ahead of Barrow's return.

A second spokesman told reporters in Banjul that the capital would be inspected Monday to determine whether security is adequate for Barrow's safe return to the country of 1.5 million residents.

U.S. reaction

The U.S. State Department welcomed "the ongoing peaceful transition of power in Gambia," and congratulated Barrow on his inauguration. Acting spokesman Mark Toner also praised "the restraint shown by the Gambian people over the past weeks," as Jammeh struggled unsuccessfully to maintain his grip on power.

Top aide cites looted bank accounts

Separately on Sunday, a top adviser to Barrow, speaking in Senegal, alleged that Jammeh looted government bank accounts in the last days of his rule.

Mai Ahmad Fatty told reporters the coffers in his tiny nation are, in his words, "virtually empty." He said the finance ministry and Gambia's Central Bank had confirmed that more than $11 million went missing in the past two weeks alone.

Fatty also said he confirmed that a cargo plane from Chad had moved luxury goods, including an unknown number of vehicles, out of the country on Jammeh's behalf in the final hours of his rule.

By late Sunday, Jammeh was reported in Equatorial Guinea, which is not a member of the regional security grouping that spearheaded the planned intervention.

Barrow promises change

Barrow reaffirmed Sunday his plans to establish a truth and reconciliation commission to shed light on widely alleged human rights abuses during Jammeh's rule, which began in 1994 when he seized power in a bloodless coup. Human rights activists have alleged those abuses included arbitrary detentions, torture and the killings of some opponents.

"Twenty-two years is a long time. People need to know the truth," he told VOA in an interview Sunday from the Senegalese capital.

The president said he has rejected proposals that would have allowed Jammeh to remain in Gambia after stepping down. Without addressing security or political issues arising from Jammeh's continued presence in the country, Barrow said the new government could not guarantee Jammeh's safety if he stayed.

He also said he will not retain Jammeh's Cabinet ministers and will work to improve the professionalism of Gambian security forces and the army.

Departure sparked celebrations in Banjul

Early last week, Jammeh declared a national state of emergency in a last-ditch effort to hold on to power. He dissolved his Cabinet while the National Assembly extended his term of office by three months.

But by Friday, as pressure mounted, he was negotiating with the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania before agreeing to step down. Sources said the talks centered on where Jammeh would live and whether he would be granted amnesty for alleged crimes committed during his rule.

Barrow, a property developer, celebrated as it became clear on Friday that Jammeh's departure was imminent.

"The rule of fear has been banished from Gambia for good," Barrow said in Dakar as he prepared to return to his homeland.

Jubilant Gambians took to the streets of the capital Sunday as the West African military force entered the capital and took control of the presidential palace, the seat of power during Jammeh's two decade authoritarian rule.
Former President George H.W. Bush is recovering well from pneumonia but will remain in the intensive care unit at the Texas hospital where he has spent the last week, a spokesman said in a statement.

Barbara Bush, his wife, was also taken to the Houston Methodist Hospital this week with bronchitis but may be well enough to be discharged on Sunday, the statement said.

"Following another good night's rest, President and Mrs. Bush have both continued to improve over the past 24 hours," Jim McGrath, the spokesman, said in his statement.

"President Bush is breathing well without any mechanical assistance, his spirits are high, and he is looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule."

Bush, who at 92 is the nation's oldest living ex-president, was invited to attend Friday's inauguration of his fellow Republican Donald Trump as president. He ended up watching the proceedings from his hospital room and sent Trump, whom he did not endorse as a candidate, a letter of support, McGrath said.

He was the only living former president who did not attend the inauguration in Washington. His son George W. Bush, another former president, attended the ceremony.

Another one of his sons, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, ran unsuccessfully against Trump last year for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

The elder Bushes marked their 72nd wedding anniversary on January 6.
Guinea authorities have implemented a quarantine this week aimed at finally ending the spread of Ebola in the country's coastal region, the one area where the virus continues to claim lives.

Three towns were quarantined in the Forecariah district, where the Ebola outbreak has persisted for more than a year.

Mohamed Camara, who's coordinating Forecariah's fight against Ebola, said the quarantine was implemented after residents of Dixinn Bouramaya, Kolota and Tamaranci voluntarily agreed to stay at home for 21 days.

The government and its partners agreed to supply food and free medicine, along with surveillance of people's movements, Camara said.

Authorities have also warned that anyone hiding Ebola patients will be arrested and put on trial.

A small number of Ebola cases remain in both Guinea and Sierra Leone, though the disease has disappeared from neighboring Liberia.

Guinea's first large quarantine

This is the first time the Guinean government has quarantined a large area since the regional outbreak began in December 2013.

International partners say the coastal region is the only part of Guinea where the Ebola virus has not been contained.

However, several people who came in contact with Ebola are reported to have fled the region. Most are said to have gone to the capital, Conakry. Searches are under way to track them down.

Six new cases of Ebola have just been reported in the commune of Matam in Conakry. Hospital sources say all six people contracted the virus through a woman who fled Forecariah and later died in the capital.

Authorities are expected to register people in all neighborhoods to ensure that everybody stays comfortably at home until 21 days have passed.

After the quarantine's imposition, the mood in the town of Forecariah was joyful. Residents said of the quarantine stops the spread of Ebola in the region, the stigmatization they face will be over.

In a previous version of this story, international relief official Robert Olivier was incorrectly identified as a spokesman for the relief organization Doctors Without Borders. VOA regrets the error.
Israel's leader has recorded a conciliatory message to the people of Iran, saying, "We are your friend, not your enemy."

In a video uploaded to his Facebook page Saturday, Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the people of Iran in English, with Farsi subtitles.

Netanyahu said he will soon discuss with U.S. President Donald Trump how to counter the threat of an Iranian regime that calls for Israel's destruction, but that he distinguishes between the regime and the people.

"You have a proud history. You have a rich culture. Tragically, you are shackled by a theocratic tyranny," he said.

Israel regards Iran as its most dangerous adversary because of its nuclear program, development of long-range missiles and continued support for militant groups.

Netanyahu considers a nuclear-armed Iran a threat to his country's very existence.
A bus carrying Hungarian school students crashed in northern Italy overnight and burst into flames, killing 16 of the young passengers, Italian media reported Saturday.

The bus was carrying mostly boys from Hungary between the ages of 14 and 18 when it struck a barrier and caught fire on a motorway near Verona shortly before midnight.

Police said 16 badly burned bodies had been pulled from the wreckage. No other vehicles were involved and it was not clear why the bus went off the road, crashing into the barriers.

At least 54 passengers, including adults accompanying the students, and two drivers were aboard. Thirty-nine of them were injured and were taken to various hospitals in Verona.

The bus came from France and was passing through Italy to return to Budapest, Hungary, according to emergency workers cited in the reports.


Thousands of people protested Saturday in the Kosovo capital of Pristina to urge France to release their former prime minister who was detained there on a Serbian arrest warrant.

The protesters -- mostly opposition party members and former guerrilla fighters of the 1998-1999 war for independence from Serbia -- consider Ramush Haradinaj's detention illegal.

Haradinaj, also a former guerrilla commander, was released by a French court, but he must stay in France under judicial supervision, pending a decision on whether to extradite him to Serbia.

Kosovo considers Haradinaj's detention a political move from Belgrade, given that he has been twice cleared of war crimes charges by a U.N. tribunal.

Fatmir Limaj of the opposition Initiative for Kosovo party also said at the protest that Pristina should cancel talks with Belgrade brokered by the European Union to normalize their relations. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has not recognized the move.

Haradinaj hailed the protest Saturday in his Facebook page.

"I understand your great unsparing support, all around the world, as a support for Kosovo's freedom and existence," he wrote.

Haradinaj's detention in early January and Serbia's effort days later to send a nationalist train to Kosovo's northern Mitrovica region, where most of its Serb ethnic minority lives, have sparked a bilateral crisis and concern from the EU and the United States.

The train, with the slogan "Kosovo is Serbia" and decorated in the colors of the Serbian flag and with Christian Orthodox symbols, was turned back from the border with Kosovo.

Next week, the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia are expected to meet in Brussels, invited by the EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini.

Serbia, backed by Russia, has sought to maintain influence in Kosovo. NATO-led troops have controlled Kosovo's territory since a three-month air war in 1999 to stop a bloody Serbian crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists.
A look at more than 50 years of marches in Washington, by the numbers:

1995  Organized and hosted by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, an estimated 850,000 to 1 million* African-American men came together for the Million Man March to rally for unity and revitalization of African-American communities.

2000  More than 750,000 people gathered on the mall for the Million Mom March, which sought tighter gun control.

2013  About 650,000 people participated in the March for Life, a rally protesting abortion.

1997  More than 650,000 people filled the mall for the Promise Keepers march for evangelical Christian men.

2004  An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 people attended the March for Women's Lives, which supported women's rights and reproductive rights.

2004  An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 people marched on the National Mall rallying for women's reproductive rights.

1969  More than 500,000 people marched on Washington to protest U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

1993  About 300,000 people turned out for the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation.

1981  About 260,000 people gathered for the Solidarity March, which was held in response to then-President Ronald Reagan's firing of 12,000 air traffic controllers who had gone on strike.

1963  Between 200,000 and 300,000 people gathered in Washington to rally in support of civil and economic rights for African-Americans and other disenfranchised groups. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his now-legendary "I Have a Dream" speech.

*Crowd sizes for protests on the National Mall used to be estimated by the National Park Service. But after estimates for the Million Man March proved controversial, the service stopped offering attendance figures.
Secretary of Defense James Mattis, newly confirmed as the first member of President Donald Trump's Cabinet and sworn into office, posted a welcoming message to all Defense Department staff and troops around the world as one of his first acts Friday.

The message from the retired Marine Corps general, as published on the Defense Department's website, said:

"It's good to be back and I'm grateful to serve alongside you as secretary of defense.

"Together with the intelligence community we are the sentinels and guardians of our nation. We need only look to you, the uniformed and civilian members of the department and your families, to see the fundamental unity of our country. You represent an America committed to the common good; an America that is never complacent about defending its freedoms; and an America that remains a steady beacon of hope for all mankind.

"Every action we take will be designed to ensure our military is ready to fight today and in the future. Recognizing that no nation is secure without friends, we will work with the State Department to strengthen our alliances. Further, we are devoted to gaining full value from every taxpayer dollar spent on defense, thereby earning the trust of Congress and the American people.

"I am confident you will do your part. I pledge to you I'll do my best as your Secretary."
New U.S. first lady Melania Trump channeled style icon Jacqueline Kennedy on Friday but the Inauguration Day fashion headlines were stolen by a military-style coat worn by one of her husband's aides.

Trump, 46, the White House's first former model, chose American designer Ralph Lauren's baby blue cropped jacket with cowl neckline and matching dress for the swearing-in ceremony in Washington.

But the outfit grabbing most attention was the patriotic red hat with red, white and blue coat with brass buttons worn by Kellyanne Conway, senior aide to President Donald Trump.

The $3,600 double-breasted Gucci coat evoked the American Revolution era and took social media by storm with ridicule, memes and comparisons ranging from Paddington Bear to Napoleon and a nutcracker.

Conway described it "Trump revolutionary wear" in an interview with NBC television. The satirical Daily Show commented on Twitter that Conway was "dressed as the era Trump wants to take America back to."

Style website Racked, however, complimented Conway as "the most high-fashion person in Washington" on Friday.

By contrast, Melania Trump's outfit, worn with long matching gloves, stiletto shoes, and her long hair swept up in a loose bun, had a 1960s vibe.

The outfit, like other presidential inauguration dresses, will later be sent to the Smithsonian Museum.

Fashion magazine Elle said Melania's choice "takes a very literal page" from Kennedy's inaugural look in 1961.

"It's a look that, overall, is very safe, if a bit costume-y (dye-to-match pumps!). As our first reality TV president enters office, this is a family that is undeniably aware of what works on TV, and this look is very on-the-nose, Jackie Kennedy-inspired, 'presidential,'" wrote Elle's Leah Chernikoff.

Melania Trump's Inauguration Day outfit had been the cause of much speculation after Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs and other leading designers said publicly they would not dress the 5-feet-11-inch (1.8-m) former model for her big day because they opposed her husband and his policies.

Lauren and his eponymous corporation became synonymous with American style through his preppy line of Polo shirts, casual slacks and shorts in the 1970s.

The company's Facebook page filled on Friday with both praise and dismay at his decision to dress Trump for the swearing-in ceremony in Washington, D.C.

He also designed the signature pantsuits worn by Trump's rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton, both during the 2016 election campaign and Friday.

Elsewhere, white was the dominant color.

Ivanka Trump, who has her own fashion line, donned a white pantsuit with an asymmetrical cut that was designed by Oscar de la Renta. Clinton went for a cream coat over a more traditional pantsuit, and Tiffany Trump wore a white double-breasted coast over a white dress.

Melania Trump began her career as a teen model in her native Slovenia and has been featured on the cover of magazines like Vogue and GQ.

The Trump ladies will don formal gowns for the inaugural ball in Washington on Friday evening.

On social media, Americans were abuzz about the day's fashions. "Who wore it better: Kellyanne Conway or Paddington Bear?" wrote Michael Hopper, one of those ridiculing her outfit on Twitter.

Peggy Feigenbaum expressed outrage at Ralph Lauren for dressing Melania Trump on the company's Facebook page.

"You are now history...How could you dress HER?!!!!!! Done with you and ashamed of you," she wrote.
The commander of police forces in Somalia's Middle Shebelle region was killed Saturday in a grenade attack at police headquarters in Jowhar town, officials told VOA.

Major Khalif Abdulle Arfaye was fatally wounded in the blast, which left two other people wounded.

Police station chief Mohamed Siyad Ali told VOA's Somali service that the commander had succumbed to his injuries after arriving at the town's hospital.

"Just before 7 p.m. a grenade was hurled at the station. The commander sustained serious injuries. I took him to the hospital, where he died," Ali told VOA Somali.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but Ali said he suspected al-Shabab militants had carried out the attack.

"He was targeted and attacked because of the responsibility he had, it's clear," Ali said.

Ali said the assailant or assailants had fled the scene, and that a manhunt was underway.

Johwar is 90 kilometers north of Mogadishu and is a town surrounded by farmland.
A banner reading Build bridges not walls was draped across London's Tower Bridge as part of several protests in Europe and Asia on Friday against the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president.

Soon after sunrise, activists on the bridge, with its two Gothic-style towers, held up pink letters reading Act now! while others beside parliament unfurled banners saying Migrants welcome here.

There were also demonstrations in Japan, the Philippines and Belgium, where hundreds of people held a minute's silence, lighting candles in Friday evening's bitter cold and holding signs defending women's rights.

In the Scottish capital, banners on Edinburgh's North Bridge read Women rise up and There is no Planet B  a reference to Trump's perceived lack of interest in combating climate change.

Later, after the inauguration ceremony, several hundred people gathered outside the U.S. embassy in London, chanting and singing protest songs.

I'm deeply, deeply saddened and embarrassed, said one of them, Kim Grey, 40, from Texas. I'm here because I think the majority of Americans who didn't vote for him need to see the solidarity around the world ... that he's unfit, he's unacceptable.

Trump opponents were angered by his comments during last year's election campaign about women, illegal immigrants and Muslims, and his pledges to build a wall on the Mexican border.

In Tokyo, several hundred people, most of them expatriate Americans, marched along a downtown street holding electric candles or placards reading Love Trumps Hate and Women's Rights Are Human Rights.

In the Philippines, about 200 demonstrators from a Philippine nationalist group rallied for about an hour outside the U.S. embassy in Manila.

Some held up signs demanding U.S. troops leave the Philippines while others set fire to a paper U.S. flag bearing a picture of Trump's face.

At the rally in Brussels, people held up signs saying Proud to be a Pussy and We will fight Like a Girl.

I have a wife and three daughters; I have a vested interest in the equality of women, said Protestant pastor Murray Frick, 62. I am afraid of a big step backward in terms of dehumanizing groups of people ... about my home country losing its moral compass.

Julie Chasin, a 42-year-old teacher originally from New York who has lived in London for a decade, joined the Tower Bridge protest.

Yes, Donald Trump is president, but he still needs to protect everybody's rights, said Chasin, a Democrat. It's scary. I hope he's kept in check. I hope everyone who is telling me not to worry, and saying that we have a strong system of checks and balances, I hope that it's true.

WATCH: People Across the Globe Speak Out Against Trump

Supporters celebrate

Trump's supporters, who admire his experience in business and see him as an outsider who will take a fresh approach to politics, were also marking his inauguration in London.

Some 200 of them gathered under the gaze of a life-sized cardboard figure of Trump to celebrate at an exclusive club near the Ritz hotel.

As he completed the oath, the room broke into a standing ovation complete with high-five celebrations. I was expecting him to win, said businessman David Pattinson. It was the same with Brexit in how the polls got it wrong.

In Moscow, Russians hoping Trump will usher in a new era of detente welcomed his inauguration. Russian nationalists held an all-night party at what used to be the main Soviet-era post office in Moscow.

Sellers of traditional matryoshka nesting dolls have added Trump dolls to their popular lineup of items carved in the likeness of President Vladimir Putin, Bolshevik revolutionary Vladimir Lenin, ex-President Mikhail Gorbachev and Josef Stalin.

And craftsmen in the city of Zlatoust, east of Moscow, have released a limited series of silver and gold commemorative coins, engraved with In Trump We Trust  an allusion to the phrase on U.S. banknotes In God We Trust.

In Nigeria, more than a thousand supporters of a southern secessionist movement took to the streets to welcome Trump, hoping he will end what they see as the Islamization of the West African nation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman voiced hope for a constructive dialogue with President Donald Trump's administration in comments broadcast Saturday, but warned that differences will remain.



Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with state Rossiya television that it would be an illusion to expect that U.S.-Russian relations would be completely free of disagreements.



Successful development of bilateral ties will depend on our ability to solve these differences through dialogue, Peskov said. He added that Putin will call Trump soon to congratulate him.



Trump has promised to mend ties with Moscow badly strained over the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. elections, and his victory has elated Russian political elites.



Peskov, however, pointed at the challenges posed by the intricacy of nuclear arms control, the complexity of the situation in Syria and other issues.



While Russia supports prospective nuclear arms cuts, they should be proportional and not upset the nuclear parity between Russia and the U.S., which plays a critical role in ensuring global stability and security, Peskov said.



He noted that different composition of Russian and U.S. nuclear forces is a factor that needs to be carefully considered in negotiations.



Asked to comment on Trump's recent interview with the Times of London in which he indicated that he could end sanctions imposed on Russia imposed after the 2014 annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal, Peskov said the two issues are hard to link.



Peskov emphasized the U.S. role in settling the nearly six-year conflict in Syria, where Trump has offered to pool efforts with Russia in fighting the Islamic State group.



It's quite obvious that it's impossible to constructively solve the Syrian problem without the U.S. participation, he said.



Russia already has invited Trump's administration to attend talks between Syrian government and opposition groups in Kazakhstan capital Monday. Russia brokered the talks together with Turkey and Iran, but Tehran has opposed the U.S. involvement in them.



There are certain disagreements between Moscow and Tehran on this subject, Peskov said, adding that the Syrian issue is too complex to have a full harmony in approaches.



Any deals there are unlikely, there are too many parties involved, he added.



Turning to the Ukrainian crisis, which has driven Russia's relations with the West to post-Cold War lows, Peskov criticized Barack Obama's administration for an unconstructive approach and voiced hope that Trump's administration would revise it.
The U.N. Security Council said Friday that it looked forward to talks on Syria in Kazakhstan as "an important step" ahead of the resumption of U.N.-led talks between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva next month.

A council statement, after a closed-door briefing by U.N. political chief Jeffrey Feltman, urged all parties to respect the cease-fire, which excludes al-Qaida-linked militants and the Islamic State group. Both the government and rebels have carried out attacks despite the truce, which has been in place since December 30.

Council members "welcomed and supported the efforts of Russia and Turkey to end violence, establish a cease-fire and jump-start a U.N.-led political process."

The talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, start Monday, and council members welcomed that meeting as a prelude to a new round of intra-Syria talks in Geneva on February 8, led by U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura.

Sweden's U.N. Ambassador Olof Skoog, the current council president, said the statement supported by all 15 members addressed concerns that Astana might become a new path to deal with the Syria crisis by making very clear that Monday's talks "represent an important steppingstone coming back to U.N.-led talks in Geneva."

He said council members expected conditions for the cease-fire and respect for the truce to be discussed in Astana "and hopefully boosted."

The council statement also reiterated calls "to allow humanitarian agencies rapid, safe and unhindered access throughout Syria."

Members also strongly condemned "the ongoing barbaric terrorist acts" by the Islamic State extremist group in Syria, "including the destruction of cultural heritage such as parts of the Roman Theater in Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site."

The government and experts said Friday that the militants had destroyed parts of the second-century Roman amphitheater in their latest attack on world heritage, an act the U.N. cultural agency called a "war crime."
U.S. President Donald Trump ended his first day in office by talking with soldiers in Afghanistan via satellite. The newly installed president was at the last of three inaugural balls when he talked with the soldiers who offered their congratulations to Trump.

He told the soldiers they could ask him anything, but the young soldiers offered only their congratulations as they passed the microphone among themselves. Trump repeatedly joked that he liked their questions.

Later, at the same ball celebrating his inauguration, Trump danced to the tune of I Will Always Love You with his wife, Melania, who wore an elegant ivory gown.

Watch: Supporters Celebrate Trump at Presidential Inaugural Balls

Earlier, at the second ball, he asked the attendees whether he should keep the Twitter going? The crowd roared their approval, prompting Trump to respond that tweeting is a way of bypassing dishonest media.

At the first ball, the 70-year-old president and his wife danced to the song My Way. They were later joined by Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, along with members of their families.
President Donald Trump, who has sharply criticized the U.S. intelligence community, told workers at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on Saturday, "I am so behind you."

Trump delivered remarks at the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia, on Saturday, his first full day as U.S. president. "I know maybe sometimes you haven't gotten the backing that you wanted and you're going to get so much backing. Maybe you're going to say, please don't give us so much backing,'" said the newly sworn-in leader, prompting laughter.

CIA officials said about 400 CIA staff members were present for the president's remarks.

WATCH: Trump's remarks at CIA headquarters

Trump made clear the fight against Islamic State will be a top priority and that his administration will ramp up America's approach.

"We've been fighting these wars for longer than any wars we've ever fought, he said. We have not used the real abilities that we have, we've been restrained. We have to get rid of ISIS, have to get rid of ISIS. We have no choice."

ISIS is an acronym for Islamic State.

Olive branch

The presidents visit was an apparent bid to mend fences and meet with top security officials, according to analysts.

"It's kind of an olive branch for the intelligence community," said Aki Peritz, a former CIA counterterrorism analyst and coauthor of Find, Fix, Finish: Inside the Counterterrorism Campaigns That Killed bin Laden and Devastated Al Qaeda.

Intelligence officials have argued that Trump's disparaging remarks about spy agencies and their work has hurt staff morale.

"The CIA employees are all pretty smart people, they're professionals, they're well-educated," said Peritz. "One kumbaya speech is not going to really change their grave concerns that they're having with the current president."

Trump also used the occasion to berate the media for what he said was unfair reporting about the size of the crowd at his inauguration, and claimed he saw a million or a million-and-a-half people  far more than anyone has reported.

Former CIA Director John Brennan was scathing in his assessment of Trump's CIA appearance. Nick Shapiro, Brennan's former aide, released a statement that said "Brennan is deeply saddened and angered at Donald Trump's despicable display of self-aggrandizement in front of CIA's Memorial Wall of Agency heroes. Brennan says Trump should be ashamed of himself."

For months, Trump refused to side with CIA and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conclusions that Russia hacked the Democratic National Convention in a bid to meddle in U.S. elections, in part to boost his chance of winning.

It was not until a January 11 press conference that Trump conceded "I think it was Russia" who carried out the DNC hacking, but later added it may have also been someone else, including China.

The new U.S. president has continued to reject claims Moscow carried out the attacks to undermine his former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and to help propel him in the White House.

He has also repeatedly noted the agencies' previous errors and suggested the U.S. intelligence community may have leaked an unsubstantiated report that Russia has compromising information about him.

During his remarks Saturday, Trump said the reason for his stop is his "long-running war with the media," whom he said "made it sound like I had a feud with the intelligence community."

Total star nominated to lead

Trump's CIA visit comes after congressional Democrats succeeded in stalling until Monday Senate consideration of Trump's choice for CIA director, Representative Mike Pompeo. Republican lawmakers denounced the delay and noted that it leaves the spy agency leaderless over the weekend.

Trump hailed Pompeo, telling CIA staff his nominee is the clear choice for the job.

"You will be getting a total star. You're going to be getting a total gem," he said.

Another former CIA official questioned why the president visited the agency on a weekend. Typically, such visits are made during the week when the greatest number of workers are present. Often, a receiving line is also formed to greet staff members.

"There's a real effort orchestrated so that it is a morale-boosting visit," said Carmen Medina, former CIA Deputy Director of Intelligence.

"It's conceivable that it could be about some sort of national security and intelligence issue, that either the president has requested a briefing or the intelligence community has suggested he receive a briefing," she said.

Before his visit to the CIA, the newly-installed president  along with his family and Vice President Mike Pence and Pence's wife, Karen  attended a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral.

Early Saturday, Trump took to Twitter to express gratitude to the American people for participating in Friday's inauguration activities and to thank the news media for the generally favorable reviews of his inauguration speech.
The Turkish parliament has approved a constitutional reform package that would strengthen the powers of the presidency and could keep President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in office until 2029. A national referendum for final approval of the bill will be held in several months.

The lawmakers voted in favor of the bill early Saturday with 339 supporting and 142 opposing it. The legislation needed at least 330 votes in the 550-member parliament for the bill to be put to a public vote. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) enjoys a parliamentary majority.

The bill would expand the parameters for the president to declare a state of emergency, which Turkey has been under following the failed coup in July. Since the coup attempt, more than 100,000 civil servants have been dismissed for their alleged ties to Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric the government blames for the revolt.

Turkey has suffered a number of attacks by insurgents in the past year. Ruling party officials say the president needs to increase powers to counteract the growing security threats.

Critics say the new laws would give too much power to Erdogan and his increasing authoritarianism.

Metgin Feyzioglu told the French news agency the reform package is reminiscent of ancient Turkey.

This new system is not unknown to us because we have been ruled for 600 years in this way. It has a name, which is sultanate.
The United Nations appealed Saturday for $550 million in humanitarian assistance in 2017 to meet the needs of Afghans affected by conflict, or natural disasters, and for those returning home from neighboring countries.

The assistance will reach an estimated 5.7 million most vulnerable and marginalized people in Afghanistan, said U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator, Mark Bowden, while launching the appeal in Kabul.

He noted that an estimated one million Afghans have returned home from neighboring Pakistan and Iran in the last year, while more than 600,000 people fled their homes internally due to conflict.



Large-scale migration



With the exception of Syria, he observed, there have been no other movements of people of this scale elsewhere in the world.

While the movement of people has created exceptional levels of need, we cannot ignore the fact the civilians continue to be the most affected by conflict, with women and children being most at risk, Bowden noted.

Swedish ambassador to Kabul Anders Sjoberg praised the service of aid workers under extremely challenging conditions in Afghanistan, though he admitted the humanitarian effort has largely failed.

Let us also acknowledge that we've been doing this work in Afghanistan for too long. This is a failure in itself. Humanitarian aid is not short-term anymore, it has, unfortunately, become a Band-aid for the unresolved conflict, Sjoberg said.

He underscored the need to not allow humanitarian aid to contribute to cementing the conflict and called for investing more efforts into finding an early solution to the Afghan war.

Lives at risk

Sjoberg said the current scope of need in Afghanistan calls upon the humanitarian community to deliver increased levels of assistance to ensure the lives of many Afghans are not endangered.

Bowden projected that 9.3 million people, about one-third of the population, in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance in 2017. That's a 13-percent increase from last year.

The U.N. humanitarian agency says persistent underlying poverty and widespread violence continue to disrupt access to basic health care in Afghanistan, where roughly 40 percent of the population is out of reach of the national health service, and an estimated one million children suffer from acute malnourishment.
The United States said Saturday it will not send a delegation to preliminary Syrian peace talks next week in the Kazakh capital, Astana, and will instead send a leading diplomatic observer.

Citing demands of the U.S. presidential transition, the State Department said U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan George Krol will attend the talks, which were organized without U.S. input by Syrian ally Russia, as well as Turkey and Iran.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said his government is ready to "discuss everything" at the talks, which begin Monday, while rebel factions say they will limit their focus to enforcement of an ongoing truce and humanitarian issues. Rebels have also made it clear they will not yet enter into negotiations on a political solution to the crisis.

Further complicating peace efforts, the dominant al-Qaida-linked militancy Fatah al-Sham, which will not participate in the talks, called them a "conspiracy." A jihadist statement Saturday equated attendance by rebel groups at the talks to acknowledging the legitimacy of the Assad government, which rebels have battled to oust since 2011.

Earlier this week, Fatah al-Sham turned on another powerful Islamist group, Ahrar al-Sham, in Idlib province. That attack came after merger talks between the militant organizations failed.

Bomb blast rips Syrian refugee camp

In other developments, monitors from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights say a car bomb struck a Syrian refugee camp Saturday near the Jordanian border, killing at least six people and wounding more than a dozen others.

A local activist told the observatory the blast came from a small truck carrying blankets, and said the explosion was detonated by remote control.

The Rukban camp, home to tens of thousands of refugees as well as some opposition fighters, is located in a remote desert area near territory held by Islamic State extremists.

An IS attack in October targeted a checkpoint at the sprawling camp, killing three people. Separately, six Jordanian border guards were killed nearby in July.
U.S. authorities are entitled to search the mobile devices of Canadians seeking to cross the border, a spokesman for Ralph Goodale, Canada's public safety minister, said on Saturday.

Several Canadians traveling to attend Friday's inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States or Saturday's protest march in Washington were turned away at the border earlier this week. One group was held for two hours and made to unlock and hand over their mobile phones for inspection before ultimately being denied entry.

"When entering another country, including Canada, it has always been the case that goods accompanying a traveler may be searched to verify admissibility," Scott Bardsley, the minister's press secretary, said in an emailed statement.

"Every country is sovereign and able to make its own rules to admit people and goods to manage its immigration framework, health and safety," he added.

Relations between Canada and the United States are under scrutiny following the election of Trump, who has vowed to put "America first" and renegotiate a trade agreement with Mexico and Canada.
A progressive ethics watchdog group is questioning U.S. President Donald Trump's business ethics. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, said in a statement that Trump's ethical standards have been sketchy in some areas.

"He just swore on the Bible to 'preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States," but by continuing to accept payments from foreign governments, he has already failed, the statement said, adding "We do not yet know just to what extent this violation goes - because he is the first person elected to the presidency in decades to fail to clear the ethical bar of Richard Nixon and release his tax returns, much of his foreign business has remained secret."

Trump said recently he is creating a trust in which his two adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, along with one of his Trump Organization executives, will run his global business interests. The plan falls short, however, of demands that he sell all his holdings and place his wealth in a blind trust in which he would have no idea how his money is invested.

Ethics officials who worked for president Barack Obama and his predecessor president George W. Bush have said that anything short of placing Trump's extensive assets in a blind trust would leave him open to repeated questions whether actions he takes as president would benefit his financial interests.

CREW also said Trump appears to be in violation of his lease on the historic Old Post Office building in Washington - site of the Trump International Hotel - because "the lease bars elected government officials from receiving any benefits that may arise from the lease."

CREW Executive Director Noah Bookbinder said about Trump's Old Post Office deal, "We know Trump likes to renegotiate contracts for better deals. If that happened here, it will be the President negotiating against the government he leads."

The group said it filed a complaint on the issue with a government office Friday. Neither that office nor the Trump administration has yet responded to the complaint.

On another front, CREW said it has filed a suit against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for failing to turn over information about possible questionnaires from Trump's transition team seeking the names of the people working on climate change.

"We know that NOAA received our request, but have not heard anything since. The law is simple, they have to respond," Bookbinder said. "If they have information about the Trump team's search for climate scientists, Americans deserve to know; and if they don't a simple 'no' would suffice, but there's no reason to withhold that information."
The Women's March on Washington has been forced to re-route due a much larger than expected turnout. A sea of pink hats stretches in all directions from the stage at the intersection of Third Street and Independence Avenue - not far from the U.S. Capitol - where a rally is ending. Crowds are packed shoulder to shoulder all along the intended parade route, forcing organizers to ask people to follow an alternate route.





Organizers said they were expecting a half-million people to participate in the march, which will end at the White House.



Larger than expected crowds were reported in other cities as well.

In Chicago, a formal march was called off after 150,000 people turned out, seven times more than expected.

In Los Angeles, subway trains were packed to capacity with demonstrators heading for the protest site at the citys downtown Pershing Square, according to the Los Angeles Times. The newspaper quoted one woman as saying she waited almost an hour before being able to squeeze onto a train.





In New York, NBC News said a crowd of 60,000 and growing was flooding the upscale Fifth Avenue shopping district shortly after noon.

Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, estimated the crowd there between 45,000 and 60,000, according to that citys StarTribune newspaper, while a CBS News affiliate in Boston reported that tens of thousands of people were descending on the central Boston Common for a rally there as of midday.

An estimated 10,000 people turned out in Atlanta, according to reporters for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, while the website Denverite said the crowd in Denver, Colorado, took up a city block.



A Thursday evening anti-Trump rally outside the new presidents eponymous Trump Tower in New York City, which featured some of the same speakers as the Washington rally, drew an estimated 25,000 people, according to the Huffington Post website.

Women's March on Washington

Looking at the large crowd in D.C. Saturday, filmmaker Michael Moore said that whatever the march was intended to accomplish, "we've already accomplished it."

"Sometimes we must put our bodies where our beliefs are," feminist icon Gloria Steinem told the crowd. "Sometimes pressing 'send' is not enough."

WATCH: Gloria Steinem addresses protesters

"We are America," Latina actress America Ferrera declared earlier in the rally. "We will not go from a nation of immigrants to a nation of ignorance."

The march comes a day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump and is intended to protest the new president's policies and advocate for women's rights.

"I want to be able to support you," movie star Scarlett Johansson said, "but first, I ask that you support me" and all women.

WATCH: Scarlett Johansson's comments to the crowd



In many cases, it took ingenuity to get to the march. City buses and subway trains were clogged and in some cases, subway stops had to be closed.

By 11 a.m., 275,000 people had taken the subway. At the same time on inauguration day, ridership was 193,000. Washington officials said 1,800 buses from outside had registered to park in the city Saturday, which could mean nearly 100,000 people came into the city just by bus.

In his inaugural speech Friday, Trump pledged to lead a government that represented the wishes of all Americans.



We are not merely transferring power from one administration to another or from one party to another, but we are transferring power from Washington, D.C. and giving it back to you, the people, he said, adding that the day belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America. This is your day. This is your celebration. And this, the United States of America, is your country.



The protesters who gathered for Saturdays march, however, were not persuaded.



In the crowd

The Bize Mamas of Kansas City, Missouri, couldnt all attend. So they sent two members to the march.

The group consists of female small-business owners who are busy raising young children. Kelly Porter, a specialty wallpaper designer, says the women in the group were dumbfounded at the election.

Porter and fellow Bize Mama Dominique Davison engaged in a discussion with Trump supporters on Inauguration Day to understand how they think.

This is what our freedom is about," Porter said of her attendance at Saturday's march. "Im standing up for issues important to me.

Shes also hoping the women attending the rally will stick with the active role they are playing here today and continue to be active.











Maggie Klein, of Oakton, Virginia, saw a march posting on Facebook and knew she had to go. What he (Trump) does and says is not the way I raised my kids," she said.

Klein was joined by her teenage children and husband, Stephen.

We just have to keep getting the other point of view out there, Stephen Klein said.

Sending a message

Organizers of the march on Washington say they want to send a message to Trump on his first full day in office that womens rights are human rights. Demonstrators say they are calling for racial and gender equality, affordable health care and abortion rights -- issues they say are under threat in a Trump presidency.



Other issues motivating the participants are ending violence against women, environmental justice, and protecting the rights of workers, people with disabilities, immigrants and the LGBTQ community.









But pro-life groups say they have been excluded from the march.

"Groups that support abortion access have taken over what should have been a march about a lot of other issues," Michele Hendrickson, regional director for@Students4LifeHQ, told VOA as her group was gathering outside the U.S. Supreme Court, prior to joining the march.

"It's not a women's march because women are not monolithic. In fact, tens of millions of women are pro-life," Catherine Glenn Foster said.

Her company, Stanton Healthcare, had been made a march partner but was later rejected because of its pro-life stance.

In Photos: Women's March
The World Health Organization began large-scale testing of an experimental Ebola vaccine in Guinea on Saturday.

Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO assistant director-general, told The Associated Press that the agency intended to "vaccinate for this trial up to 10,000 people, maybe more."

"But also the manufacturers are producing much more vaccine right now, so that if the vaccine is proven to be efficacious, there could be millions of doses available later in the year," she said.

The vaccine was developed by the Canadian government about 10 years ago, but little more was done with it then because there was no demand for it at that time.

The health agency's vaccination strategy in Guinea aims to create a buffer zone around future Ebola cases to prevent its further spread.
Hundreds of thousands of people at the National Mall in Washington looked on Friday as Donald Trump became the 45th U.S. president, and a far larger audience around the country and throughout the world witnessed the event through live broadcasts. VOA reporters talked to people around the globe who said they are looking at the transition of American power with a mix of admiration and apprehension.

Russia

In Moscow, a Russian Army-brand clothing store flashed Trumps image on an electronic billboard and offered discounts to American citizens. On the streets, reactions were mixed.

We hope that relations between our Russia and America will improve, that theyll find a common language in relation to Syria, that they will find a common language to get rid of what is going on there, said Lidiya Voronova, a retiree.

A young editor at a newspaper who gave his name only as Sergey said Trump is quite a controversial president in the history of the United States, but I hope he will gain the trust of Americans.

Trumps inaugural address signaled a new America first policy for the country:

For many decades, weve enriched foreign industry at the expense of American industry; subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military; weve defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own, he declared at the U.S. Capitol.

Mexico

That attitude has unnerved some in Mexico, where the respected weekly magazine Proceso warns, The war is coming.

Jose Luis Lopez Aguirre, a media expert at the Pan American University in Mexico City, says Trumps use of Twitter and other social media to proclaim his views has widened divisions in America.

He [Trump] is creating a community that is very adept at his aggressive, confrontational speech that tries to polarize American society, Aguirre said, adding, Because not everything he says is true.

His university colleague, communication specialist Maria Lopez Gutierrez, has a different point of view: I think that this possible threat of Trump has been greatly exaggerated.  We should be waiting, we are dedicated to communication, to give reality and not just the show.

Watch related video report

West Africa

In West Africa, VOA spoke with residents of both Nigeria and Niger, who for the most part seemed encouraged by the new administration.

Muhammad Uba Musa of Maiduguri, Nigeria, said, Americans have so much to write about Barack Obamas administration. We are praying for him  [and] also praying for President Donald Trump to succeed in his government.

Alhaji Bello Musa of Birnin Konni in Niger also was hopeful: Despite President Trumps heated campaign in the past year  our prayers to him are that he should try to unify the world.  We also hope hell help Third World nations reach their potential.

Umma Issaka of the same region in Niger was more cautious: Donald Trumps statement [that he may] ban Muslims from entering the country, is our major problem. ... Most importantly, one cannot distinguish between Muslims and Christians; the relationship between the two has a long history, which has been since the era of the prophets. He should be very careful with his words as a leader of a great nation.

Afghanistan

In Afghanistans capital, Kabul, Abdul Hadi Arez, a retired attorney, says he believes that Trump will face some grave challenges in foreign policy. Over the past 30 years, Afghanistan has been torn apart in a regional proxy war, he said, and this trend has become even more pronounced recently, Because we see Russia, China and Iran interfering in Afghanistan against the U.S.

Emran Khan, a student in Kabul, is concerned that with the arrival of the new president, Afghanistan will lose the aid we receive. He hopes the United States will not shift away from efforts to eliminate the Taliban, because U.S. commitment is necessary for our security.

South Korea

We have been hearing about [Trumps] America First policies since his campaign, and his extreme attitude makes us worry about what the future holds, said Choi Seowoo, 22, who works at a finance company in Seoul.

However, I am hopeful  or at least I want to believe  that rather than simply abandoning the traditional U.S.-South Korea alliance, President Trump will open a new chapter in the alliance by making it into a more modern relationship that fits the ever-volatile global society and politics.

North Korea

A 50-year-old North Korean defector who lives in Chicago, and asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, told VOA he hopes Trump revitalizes the nations economy, so that people here can have a better life.

And along with strengthening U.S. national security to protect Americans, the defector added, he should increase pressure on Pyongyang by slapping tougher sanctions against North Korea.

Another defector, 50-year-old Kim Chang Ho of Los Angeles, said, There are scores of North Korean defectors who have arrived here through third countries, and they do not have legal status. ... I wish the U.S. would give them a chance to settle here permanently.

Other nations

The inauguration attracted people of many different nationalities to Washington, both visitors and those who now live here permanently.

Nem Chhoeung is a Cambodian who lives in Clayton, Georgia. He told VOA he is very happy because in our country we rarely see this kind of event. He felt honored and privileged to be in the U.S. capital to watch the transition from one U.S. president to another.

Sen Son, a Buddhist monk who now lives in Stone Mountain, Georgia, shared the same joyous feeling of witnessing history.

For me, as a Buddhist monk living in this country, I am happy to be participating in this event. This does not mean that I support [Trump], but I am enjoying this inauguration.

Yehuda Glick, a visiting Jewish rabbi who also is a member of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, told VOA he strongly hopes and prays  thats what Im here for, to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States.


President Donald Trump says Americans should strive to work together in order to create jobs and fight against adversaries.

In a speech delivered soon after he was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on Friday, Trump said, Together we will determine the course of America and the world for many, many years to come. We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done.

He said the American people should be pleased that power has been transferred from Washington DC to the people.

For too long, a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost. Washington flourished, but the people did not share in its wealth. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left. And the factories closed.

The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories. Their triumphs have not been your triumphs. And while they celebrated in our nations capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. That all changes starting right here and right now. Because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you.

It belongs to everyone gathered here today and everyone watching all across America. This is your day. This is your celebration. And this, the United States of America, is your country. What truly matters is not which party controls our government but whether our government is controlled by the people. January 20th, 2017 will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again.

He said at the center of this movement is a crucial conviction that a nation exists to serve its citizens and want great schools for their children, safe neighborhoods for their families and good jobs for themselves.

These are just and reasonable demands of righteous people and a righteous public. But for too many of our citizens, a different reality exist. Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation, an education system flushed with cash but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge.

And the crime, and the gangs, and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

Mr. Trump said for decades America has enriched foreign industries at the expense of American industries, subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of the countrys military.

We defended other nations borders while refusing to defend our own. And spent trillions and trillions of dollars overseas while America's infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

We've made other countries rich while the wealth, strength, and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon. One by one, the factories shuttered and left our shores with not even a thought about the millions and millions of American workers that were left behind.

The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world.

He said America will become great again as per his campaign slogan during the tense November presidential election in which he defeated former secretary of state and first lady, Hillary Clinton.

The president noted that what has happened to America is a thing of the past. We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it's going to be only America first - America first.

Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.

Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength. I will fight for you with every breath in my body. And I will never, ever let you down. America will start winning again, winning like never before.

He pleaded to bring back lost jobs, protect the nations borders, ensure that Americans create a lot of wealth and bring back their dreams.

 We will get our people off of welfare and back to work rebuilding our country with American hands and American labor. We will follow two simple rules - buy American and hire American.

Mr. Trump said the USA will seek friendship and goodwill with other nations with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first.

We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone but rather to let it shine as an example. We will shine for everyone to follow. We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones. And unite the civilized world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth.

At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.

He said the nation will be able to achieve all these goals if people are united. The Bible tells us how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity. We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreement honestly but always pursue solidarity. When America is united, America is totally unstoppable.

He said there was need for action than mere talk.  We must think big and dream even bigger. In America, we understand that a nation is only living as long as it is striving. We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action, constantly complaining but never doing anything about it. The time for empty talk is over. Now arrives the hour of action.

Do not allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done. No challenge can match the heart and fight and spirit of America. We will not fail. Our country will thrive and prosper again. We stand at the birth of a new millennium, ready to unlock the mysteries of space, to free the earth from the miseries of disease and to harness the energies, industries and technologies of tomorrow.

He said a new national pride will stir Americans, lift their sights and heal some divisions. Its time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget - that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.

We all enjoy the same glorious freedoms, and we all salute the same great American flag. And whether a child is born in the urban sprawl of Detroit or the windswept plains of Nebraska, they look up at the same night sky, they fill their heart with the same dreams and they are infused with the breath of life by the same Almighty Creator.

He said Americans in villagers, towns and cities should define the American destiny.

Your voice, your hopes and your dreams will define our American destiny. And your courage and goodness and love will forever guide us along the way. Together, we will make America strong again. We will make America wealthy again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And yes, together, we will make America great again ...

He thanked former president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, for their great aid during the power transition process. They have been magnificent.

The U.S president did not make direct reference to building a wall like what he promised when he campaigned for election in the November presidential election. He recently noted that he will ask Congress to pay for a wall to be constructed on the Mexican border. Initially he wanted Mexico to pay for the wall.
About 200 anti-Donald Trump supporters were arrested soon after the swearing in of Americas business mogul as the 45th president of the country on Friday.

The protesters had running battles with the police near Capitol Hill, Washington DC, where Mr. Trump took over from former president Barack Obama, who had completed his two terms in office.

Local police said they arrested 217 people.

The protesters claim that Mr. Trump does not respect women and represent the majority of Americans. In a leaked video in the run up to the U.S presidential election last November, Mr.Trump appeared to have said some unpalatable things about women.

The president defeated the Democrats candidate, Hillary Clinton, who was widely tipped to win the poll.
Time for a hard-core reality check. In this weeks episode, our Sleepy Hollow crew faces two big revelations: Diana finally learns that her daughter is a Witness to the Apocalypse, while Crane experiences the hair-pulling torture that is landing a decent studio apartment in a major American city.

I was assured a walk-in closet, Crane tells stock character Sketchy Landlord as we open on his wretched real-estate hunt. (I so wanted him to make like Carrie Bradshaw and mention that the apartment also smelled like takeout  wait, he eats some takeout later! Coincidence?) Crane is reassured by Jake, who has apparently taken it upon himself to help, that it is an edge neighborhood soon to run amok with cupcake joints and record stores. Jenny joins in on the bougie ribbing, swearing that shed never noticed Cranes hipster vibe before. How is that possible? Yes, the beard, but also  his name is Ichabod.

Anyway, lets stop right here for a quick brainstorm. What if, moving forward, Sleepy Hollow realigned its characters into a Scooby Gang threesome with just Crane, Jenny, and Jake? Dont you feel like they have the most chemistry so far? Isnt forcing an Abbie copycat in the form of Diana pretty weaksauce? If you have to keep reinventing the show, then actually reinvent it, dont just replicate it.

The real question Im getting at is, isnt Jake just the best? I think Im developing a platonic crush on Jake. (P.S. Jenny should totally follow my lead, but more about that later.) I pretty much live to see Jerry MacKinnon deliver his lines these days, and I dare say not a one disappoints. Hes like the half-nerd, half-lothario of my dreams. Congrats, Sleepy Hollow! I still dont forgive you for Abbies demise, but you knocked it out of the park when you created this guy.

While Cranes busy signing the lease, Diana sees Molly has drawn a sketch of some spooky trees, which she finds suspicious because her daughter usually draws people. Diana soon summons Crane to help crack her latest inexplicable case: an assassination attempt on the president by  the Headless Horseman! (Im full of asides this week, but heres one more: The president is a black woman. No matter how much I may chide Sleepy Hollow for its numerous and baffling foibles, its commitment to racial normalization is commendable and impressive.) Just in case you werent sure it was the Headless Horseman who was posing as a cop  as well as a person with an actual head  one of the officers who was on the scene later spells it out in videotaped testimony: But this horseman, he was headless, right? Crane insists that it was indeed the same HH hes been tussling with for centuries and that nothing will deter him from his goal. As Crane further explains his HH backstory to Diana, we cue up the flashback montage: August Corbin! Abbie! Classical music! Crane uttering ye olde turns of phrase like soulless blaggard!

Just like forever, our Scooby Gang gets to sleuthing in their musty library, determining that HH seeks Madame Presidents head. (You know, literally.) They consider how HH seemed to stop in his tracks during the assassination attempt and surmise that it may have something to do with the glyphs, runes, and whatnot installed in D.C.s subterranean tunnels, or that it may have something to do with Benjamin Banneker. The Banneker discussion finally leads Crane to confess that he is  [insert gasp here]  a time traveler?!

Heres the thing about this purportedly big reveal, which the show has been building up for a few episodes now: I dont care. Its not new information for us, and for those characters who just found out, its not information thats gonna alter their arc on the show. Nobodys gonna quit the Scooby Gang in protest over this. Sure, Diana acts like she might do that, but that scene where she hauls Crane into another room to privately yell at him wound up really rubbing me the wrong way. Janina Gavankars delivery felt weirdly demonstrative, and it certainly wasnt helped by wooden buddy-cop cliches like, You and me. Outside. Now! (Silly but accurate: It reminded me of when Tyra Banks would performatively chew out an ANTM contestant back in the day and her subtext was all, Look at how angry you are making me be at you!) Diana is the new Abbie, so shes obviously not going to quit, which means that scene feels like waiting out a kids temper tantrum. I know Im on a huge Jake kick, but the only worthwhile part of that scene is watching his full-body reaction when Jenny finally tells everyone that Crane is technically 265 years old. (Anyone up for making some Jake GIFs, come to think about it?)

After that, Jenny, Jake, and Alex head underground while Crane heads into a lengthy reminiscence about that one time he totally met Banneker. This sequence was a bit too slow and drawn-out for my taste, but otherwise I really liked Cranes well-acted meeting of the minds with Banneker. (Kudos to you, Edwin Hodge!) I also got more of my favorite new thing  Jake! You know your runes, he tells Jenny, trying to get all sidle-up-y with her. You keep eyeballing me like that, youll lose an eye, she snaps back. Am I shipping? Am I a #Jakenny shipper now? I know hes no Joe, but even Joe was too dweeby for Jenny and that worked!

This all ties back to Mwah-ha-halcolm Dreyfus, who owns a leather folio containing some of Bannekers D.C. designs, which include information on the supernaturally powered (though technically nonexistent) J Street. Here, we get yet another needlessly languid scene while Jeremy Davies lets seething sarcasm drip slowly from his lips like hes trying to dangle a loogie in some poor kids face. Would you be a dear and go fetch that? he asks his demon-eyed assistant about the folio. He later tells Crane and Diana, I sold my soul to the devil at age 25, except then he insists hes totally kidding. (Dibs on finding out that hes not.) After Diana and Crane leave with the folio, Dreyfuss goon asks Captain Expositiontype questions about what they may be up to and what their plans might be. Its all a big snooze.

As always, the episodes climax comes when Crane and his partner play Capture the Big Bad. This go-round, their machinations involve trapping HH (whos looking incredibly T-1000 in his cop costume) behind a movable brick wall that looks like it came from a small-town haunted house. While the above-ground footage of this face-off is pretty ho-hum  its mostly just Diana waiting for the wall to open, plus Crane and HH in their usual standoff postures  things are more exciting down below as Jake and Jenny figure out their hieroglyphics shtick in the nick of time. Roaches check in, end up buying a timeshare, Jake jokes, which is a bad joke but I dont care because I love him.

We end on several kickers. One, Diana realizes Molly is the second Witness after stringing together the clues about Abbie, Jenny, and the four white trees. Two, Dreyfus finds his own way into the tunnel, confronts HH, and suggests they join forces. Three, a wad of black goo mysteriously oozes out of the boot located in Cranes not-walk-in closet and flings itself onto his face. The first we knew was coming, the second is unexpected but not totally surprising, and the third  wuh huh?! I have no idea whats up there, but Im definitely intrigued. Hmm, I wonder what Jake thinks of that cliffhanger 

Favorite Crane-isms:
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Despite the fact that there have been five Terminator movies, there hasnt really been a good one since Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 1991. According to Deadline, James Cameron is looking to hand-hold a new  and allegedly final  installment of his landmark franchise into existence, and he is reportedly in early talks with Deadpool director Tim Miller to helm it. Cameron had no involvement with the Terminator movies Rise of the Machines, Salvation, or Genisys, and he didnt contribute to the Fox TV series The Sarah Connor Chronicles, either. The director sold the rights to the brand before the first movie even came out and it has changed hands various times since then, but as Deadline reports, those rights revert back to Cameron in 2019. In the meantime, producer David Ellison is funding an exploratory effort through his Skydance banner, which includes reaching out to science-fiction authors for help fleshing out a story. When Cameron directs a movie, he writes it too, but it sounds like hes assuming more of a guardian-angel role this time around. If a new Terminator does rise, it would be incredibly satisfying to see an actually good movie close out the franchise, but considering how things go in Hollywood now, a successful new Terminator likely wouldnt be the last one by a long shot.
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Fans of the shortlived early 2000s TNT series Witchblade starring Yancy Butler wont be surprised to see the concept up for potential resurrection. Everyone else will have to fall in love with the sentient alien superweapon known as the Witchblade on their own time. According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Vampire Diaries showrunner Caroline Dries and CSI writer and producer Carol Mendelsohn are currently developing a pilot based on the Marc Silvestri Top Cow Productions comic-book series for NBC. The source material has also been used as the basis of an anime, a manga series, and a novel. The drama will follow the adventures of San Francisco detective Sara Pezzini who, while on the search for a serial killer, discovers the power of the Witchblade, an alien artifact that gives its user supernatural crime-fighting abilities. THR points out that Witchblade is NBCs first foray back into the superhero genre since it canceled Constantine, based on the DC Comics series of the same name, after one season in 2015.
Womens March protesters with Princess Leia signs. Photo: Karen Brill

As Womens March protesters gather in boggling numbers in cities across the country, some are taking inspiration from an iconic onscreen rebel, Princess Leia Organa. The general and rebellion leader has been popping up across documentation of the marches, with protesters channeling Carrie Fishers beloved role in signs, baked goods, and fiercely efficient attitudes. The testaments come as Star Wars account of a fascist regime and the ensuing rebellion takes on a new significance in the age of President Trump. Slogans on the Leia-themed designs include a womans place is in the resistance and we are the resistance. See a collection of Womens March protesters with their dogged leader below.

Best signs are about Princess Leia #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/n9dw2cS3Fq  Gianluca Mezzofiore (@GianlucaMezzo) January 21, 2017
Alan Northcutt said he has repeatedly heard from other people that he should give President Donald Trump a chance.

This man nominates a white supremacist as his chief strategist. So if thats his strategy, well hes had his chance and hes blown it already, the Waco Friends of Peace/Climate director said. This nonsense about a kinder gentler Trump, its nonsense. We have to start out on day one opposing his dangerous policies.

More than 250 people gathered Friday evening in downtown Waco on the day of Trumps inauguration as the 45th president of the United States to protest his policy proposals and administration selections.

The event  which included music and cookies  was sponsored by the Waco Friends of Peace/Climate, the Baylor Democrats, InterWaco, Stonewall Democrats of Central Texas and the North East Riverside Neighborhood Association. Handmade signs colored the crowd, some reading Make America Kind Again, Keep Your Tiny Hands off my Rights, If I were to remain silent, I would be guilty of complicity, and Sorry for the inconvenience we are trying to change the world.

Music from Venus Envy, Tea Aguilar, Stumblin Jaxon and others filled Heritage Square along with speeches and poetry.

The groups organized the event because of deep concerns about Trumps lack of qualifications, racism, xenophobia, misogyny, dishonesty, conflicts of interest and attacks on freedom of speech and on freedom of the press, according to the event description.

We believe his agenda endangers our country on many issues: climate change, nuclear proliferation, civil rights, immigrant rights, womens rights, LGBTQ rights, minimum wage, economic inequality, health care, public education and net neutrality, the description states.

Waco attorney David Schleicher told the crowd they were brought together by their love of country, the planet and fellow humans. The event continued an American tradition that dates back to 1853: protesting on Inauguration Day.

I want to thank you for showing the extra dose it takes to protest where you live and work, Schleicher said. If Trumps words and deeds seem to you abnormal, know that you are one of plenty, who will not shut up, give up, nor look away from today all the way until 2020.

To those who question the point of protesting after someone has been elected to office, Kristen Monae Mouton said theres never a time she will just accept misogyny, racism and xenophobia. She never wants to accept a world that constantly dehumanizes people or a president who allows his supporters to do the same, said Mouton, the Baylor University NAACP political action committee chair and Diverse Verses vice president.

Voting for Trump was an act of racism, she said. Even if you your self dont consider yourself racist, you let that go to the back burner. You said that wasnt a big enough thing for you to not vote for someone, that wasnt as important as economics or any of the other things you vote for.

Black Poets Society President Saddiq Granger said he hopes the event helps connect organizations in the area, so when theres a threat to one community, it becomes a threat to all communities. Granger said he hopes to learn as he goes and hopes others are inspired to become more engaged.

We have four years at least. Its time to work, he said.

Northcutt said he considered traveling to Washington, D.C., to protest but felt it was important for Waco to have the opportunity to share its voice. He said he has lived in the city more than 30 years and has seen the growth of progressives and liberal groups in the area.

A lot of people may be progressive but in this town they are even afraid to say so, Northcutt said. So this is awesome that all of you have come out and been willing to do this and state your beliefs very publicly. I think its a good solidarity move for everyone here.
With Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the head of the Texas Senate, making school choice one of his top priorities, school vouchers may be one of the hottest topics in the 85th Legislature, and proponents say the vouchers are all about giving parents and children more opportunities.

But outgoing Waco Independent School District Superintendent Bonny Cain is spelling out exactly what school vouchers could mean for McLennan Countys largest school district.

Vouchers give public money to families who want to send their children to religious or other private schools. Waco ISD gets about $5,079 per student, and if 100 students leave with help from vouchers, the district would lose $507,900  a significant amount of money, even for a district Wacos size, with more than 15,000 students, Cain said. She is retiring at the end of the school year.

It would pull students away from public schools and consequently cost the district much-needed monies since state and federal funds public schools receive are based on attendance, she said.

Between December and now, Cain, Waco ISD school board members and other area superintendents have been outspoken against school vouchers, stating lawmakers should focus on transformational, top-to-bottom school funding reforms before considering moves that would take students and money away from public schools.

Cain said part of the discussion will depend on how the state defines school choice and how private schools getting public money would be held accountable.

Unlike public schools, who are required to accept every child in the attendance zone, voucher-receiving schools can say no to students they dont want who may be special ed, bilingual, students with discipline histories, students who historically have done poorly in school, etc., Cain said. If a school can decline to accept a child, then it is the voucher school that has the opportunity to choose, not the parent.

Public schools are often compared directly to schools of choice, but the comparison is unfair if private, charter or voucher schools can be selective in enrolling students and arent held to the same accountability standards as public schools, she said.

Selective enrollment also leaves room for discrimination based on religion, the special needs of the student, students from poverty, homeless students and more, she said. More than 80 percent of Waco ISD students are economically disadvantaged.

There are fixed costs in educating students that dont necessarily go away when a student leaves the district, including the cost of keeping a school open, bus transportation and even the cost of keeping teachers, Cain said.

Costs not offset

Going from 22 to 21 students in a classroom does not reduce our overall cost, but funding for the individual student does go away, so all costs are not offset, she said.

The Waco, Midway and China Spring school boards approved resolutions four years ago opposing vouchers and any other measure that would take public money away from public schools and move it to private schools. School district officials, even then, said vouchers shouldnt be part of the conversation until public school funding is reformed.

Cain said the only difference between the 2013 and 2017 push is that more leaders at the state and federal level are in favor of measures that would send public money to private schools.

Even Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trumps nominee for secretary of education, has advocated for school choice.

DeVos served until November as chairwoman of the American Federation for Children, a group that advocates for school choice.

Cain said vouchers wont solve any issues facing public schools.

A bottom-line question is, if state legislators feel vouchers are great and the way to go, why not cancel public schools entirely and mail every parent a check for $5,079 each August for each school-age child the parent has?

When you answer that question then you know the necessity of public schools. If public schools are a necessity, they need to be fully funded on an equal basis and supported by the state legislators.

Cain said she would rather see lawmakers use their time to cut unfunded mandates, including identifying preschool students for prekindergarten programs, personal graduation plans for middle and high school students, coordinated school health programs, class size limits and more. The state requires these programs but doesnt provide the money needed to implement them, she said.

So we have to take those dollars from our general fund, which reduces the general fund that goes to funding the education programming, hiring teachers, etc. Cain said. I am not saying all unfunded mandates are unworthy of our doing, but if it is so important for the state that the mandate is made a requirement, why is it not important enough to fund?
A string of unfortunate circumstances continued to add up for a Waco family earlier this week. A fire destroyed their home and sent the homeowners 85-year-old mother to the a Dallas hospital, where she remains in critical condition, the family said Friday.

You know, weve had a lot of bad luck in the last few years, so I am just asking for a break, Edward Calderon said. I would give the shirt off my back to someone, anyone, if they asked. And I mean, we dont have much, but I will take care of anyone I can.

On Tuesday, the house near the intersection of North 17th Street and Homan Avenue where the family of six has lived for the last 19 years caught fire. Fire and heavy smoke damaged much of the front portion of the home after an electric heater used to keep neighborhood cats warm sparked the blaze, Edward Calderons wife, Jennifer Calderon, said.

I just heard a popping, like an electrical popping, and I looked out and it was like a surge of energy, Jennifer Calderon said. I looked out the window, and flames just started flying up the wall, hit the roof of the porch and it all happened so fast.

Heat lamp

Jennifer Calderon said she started keeping an electric heat lamp on in a wooden box on her front porch for neighborhood cats to keep warm after a recent cold spell Waco fell into. At the time of the fire, she and her husband were home, along with Edward Calderons mother, Dorothy Calderon, who was in a back room.

Jennifer came beating on the door, screaming that the house was on fire. So I got up, yelled to help get my mom out and I went to get the water hose, but it was so bad I couldnt get close, Edward Calderon said. The hose wasnt doing anything, so I threw it down and tried to get my mom out. I opened the door, heard her hollering, tried to go in, but when I got about five or six feet in, the heat and smoke was so bad.

Within minutes, fire crews arrived and helped pull Dorothy Calderon out of the house. She was taken to a local hospital, then to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, where she remains in critical condition, her family said.

Burns are mainly on her face and a little her hands, Edward Calderon said. Burns are on about 13 percent of her body, but I just know it could have been a lot worse.

Edward and Jennifer Calderons daughter, Brandi Calderon, 18, a Waco High School senior, helped her family go through items in the home Friday. Brandi Calderons older brother, Brandon Calderon, 22, and his fiancee, Amber Jones, 22, were living in a converted garage apartment toward the back of the property, where firefighters were able to rescue some family pets, although several cats died.

Neither structure has working electricity, and the city tagged both as uninhabitable.

About two years ago, a stolen car hit the familys house, significantly damaging the exterior wall and a bathroom. The family completed renovations to the bathroom late last year before Edward Calderons left hand was seriously injured in a workplace accident.

My dad is now on workmans (compensation), but its not going to be enough, Brandi Calderon said. Last night, when we were in Dallas visiting my grandma, someone broke into one of my dads vehicles and stole change and other stuff inside.

Community support

Friends of the family created a GoFundMe page with a goal of $20,000. Edward Calderon said his family does not have homeowners insurance, and he appreciates the community support.

We just need a break. That is all we need, he said.

Updates about the family and donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/ambers-house-fire-relief.

We just need to keep a positive attitude and give it everything we go, because we cant give up. This is our empire, Jennifer Calderon said.
Texas legislators are considering a bill local leaders oppose that would further limit how much counties and municipal entities can raise property tax rates without voter approval.

Among a list of other changes, the measure would require taxing entities receive voter approval for any tax rate increase of 4 percent or more. The law it would replace gives residents the option to file a petition requiring voter approval for rate increases of 8 percent or more.

Advocates describe the bill as a way to put the burden on elected officials to prove the need for tax-rate hikes to voters. But, McLennan County leaders feel the bill would limit local control and prevent municipalities from ever lowering taxes. Several say the states school finance system leads to high property taxes, not unchecked local elected officials.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick formed the Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief in November 2015, and committee Chairman Sen. Paul Bettencourt and members Sen. Brandon Creighton, Sen. Kelly Hancock and Sen. Van Taylor are listed as authors of the bill. They are all Republicans.

Waco Mayor Kyle Deaver said the bill has been on city leaders radar, and he hopes the state decides against limiting local control.

No one is closer to voters than leaders who serve at the local level, Deaver said. If residents are unhappy with the direction of the city, they have the opportunity to change that during each election, he said.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Jones said the property tax problem is driven by the states school finance formula, not the county.

If the Legislature wants to give property tax relief, they need to increase the state share of education funding, Jones said. The state has not increased its share substantially in a long time.

Residents now have to collect signatures from a percentage of the population to trigger a referendum on tax-rate increases of 8 percent or more. The bill would cut the increase that triggers a vote to 4 percent and do away with the petition requirement. The votes would also have to be held in November, when more prominent races boost voter turnout.

The bill includes a long list of other changes to appraisal and tax laws aimed at easing the property tax burden. It would establish an advisory board in the state Comptrollers Office to oversee local tax offices and appraisal offices; require appraisal board members to be elected officials in the county; increase the minimum value from $500 to $2,500 for taxable personal property used to generate income; and make changes to procedures for challenging and reviewing appraised property values.

While McLennan County is in good financial shape to meet challenges the changes would bring, the bill could hurt smaller counties, Precinct 4 Commissioner Ben Perry said.

If a smaller county faced a $5 million hickey, the area would never be able to raise that money with the cap, Perry said.

The lieutenant governor was dead serious about it. I think this is one of the things that hes going to pursue, he said.

The bill appears to have strong support behind it, County Judge Scott Felton said. He has expressed his concern to state lawmakers who represent the area, including Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, Felton said.

Birdwell has remained neutral on the bill, and it has not come before any committee he serves on or the full Senate.

I am broadly supportive of providing substantive property tax relief to all Texans, and fortunately, I enjoy positive working relationships with the city and county leaders in Senate District 22, relationships which will facilitate important discussions about if and how this legislation would best serve our shared constituents, Birdwell said.

The Texas Municipal League also has denounced the proposal as a direct assault on public safety, economic development and transportation that will produce no noticeable tax reduction for homeowners.

The largest budget item for every city in Texas is public safety  police, fire fighting and emergency medical services, Bennett Sandlin, Texas Municipal League executive director, said in a statement. Politicians cant proclaim their support for first responders and then turn around and vote to restrict the funding that pays for the salaries, equipment, vehicles, health insurance and pensions of the men and women who protect our communities.

Testimony

The bill comes after the select committee on tax reform heard almost 50 hours of testimony over 11 months, largely from taxpayers discussing property tax bills rising faster than their ability to pay, said Bettencourt, a Republican who represents Northwest Houston, including Spring, Tomball and Cypress.

Texas taxpayers have been facing property tax bills that are increasing 2.5 to 3 times faster than median household income, said Bettencourt, the CEO of Bettencourt Tax Advisors, LLC, a tax consulting company in Houston. Throughout Texas, in hearing after hearing, the select committee heard the same message loud and clear: Texans are asking for and deserve property tax relief. Whether it was homeowners testifying that they are unable to keep up with their property tax bills, small business owners seeing their hard-earned profits go out the window, or even big businesses testifying that they are locating new plants and taking jobs out of Texas due to high property taxes, they are all saying that property taxes are rising too fast in Texas.

A committee report on the bill states that, instead of residents having to petition to vote to keep taxes from increasing, local officials should need to make the case to residents on why the rate should be increased. The burden of proof should rest on local officials, the report states.

Local taxing entities often deflect taxpayers who are upset about rising tax bills by telling them that the tax rate has remained unchanged, the increase in their tax bill is due entirely to the increase in their appraised value, and they should speak to the appraisal district about their value, the committee report states. Appraisal districts typically respond that appraisal districts are bound by the state constitution to appraise properties at market value, and that the property owners tax bill is determined by the property tax rate, which is set by local taxing units.

Because those local taxing units did not increase the tax rate and thus claim they did not increase taxes, property owners are left with no one to hold accountable. In many cases, the property tax rates approved by local elected officials was in excess of the units effective tax rate and occasionally even the rollback rate.

The effective rate refers to a new tax rate that would generate the same revenue as an entity collected in the preceding year, and the rollback rate refers to the 8 percent increase that triggers the option for voter approval.

Sandlin said the bill is misdirected. Cities are not the cause of high property taxes, he said.

Cities get only 16 percent of the property taxes paid by Texans while 55 percent is levied by school districts. Legislators dont want to deal with the real cause of high property taxes  the school finance system  because the Legislature depends on rising school property taxes to balance the state budget, he said.
While some might still be reeling from the holiday season that just passed, be it from spending too much or eating too much, a 23-year-old Robinson man is already planning for the giving season 11 months in advance. Inspired by his Christian faith and his father, a former paramedic, Dustin Ulmer is trying to collect 1,000 or more new or gently used stuffed animals by Thanksgiving. He plans to donate the animals to local first responders who then could give them to children during emergency calls.

Ulmer has already collected 483 stuffed animals as of Thursday, and he has dropped off about 100 of them for the Waco Police Department and about 35 for the Hewitt Police Department, he said.

I think its important to give back to the community, and my dad was a paramedic-firefighter 20 years ago, and he always tells me its important to give back to the community and first responders because they give back to us on a daily basis, Ulmer said. Its just another way I can give back to the community.

Goal by Thanksgiving

He chose the 1,000-toy goal for Thanksgiving because first responders see an uptick in calls for service during the holiday season, he said.

While Waco police spokesman Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton didnt directly confirm that the police department responds to more calls during the holidays, he said Waco officers do a lot to give back during that time of year, even in the smallest of ways, including giving a stuffed animal to a child in need.

Helping out a kid that directly also helps officers, he said.

We just see so much bad, that when we can do something good and positive for people like that, it helps us, Swanton said. It helps our hearts heal and reminds us were in a service-oriented profession.

Stuffed animals can offer a child a little comfort and help build bonds of trust, he said.

At a time when police departments across the country are often under scrutiny by the public, officers want children to know theyre there to protect and serve more than anything, Swanton said.

Dealing with fear, mistrust

Officers even encounter more simple situations of fear or distrust when parents see an officer in a public setting, point to them and tell their children things like, If you dont behave, were going to put you in jail, instead of encouraging them to smile and wave, Swanton said.

Because of this, Waco police often keep stuffed animals on hand or in the trunks of patrol cars in case they come across a lost child in a crowd or store. They also use the toys to break the ice when offering victim services to children, he said.

That is just so important for us today in law enforcement to do that with our children, or future leaders of tomorrow, Swanton said.

Ulmer said he remembers hearing heartbreaking stories of children in need on the rare occasions when his father was willing to open up about his line of work. And while he said he hasnt experienced a situation when hes needed the kind of comfort these stuffed animals can offer in emergency situations, he has experienced significant loss.

I went through a shed fire when I was a kid. It destroyed some of my baby stuff, but that was about it, Ulmer said. I didnt lose everything, and the stuff we do have, its in my room on my dresser. I havent lost everything, but I do know what its like to lose some stuff.

Drop-off locations

Hes using social media to drive his donations and posting fliers throughout the Waco area. He also has set up five drop-off locations throughout the area. The locations include the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 6008 in Hewitt, 725 Sun Valley Blvd.; Hewitts public safety building at Ritchie Road near Hewitt Drive; Michelles Bling & Glamour Boutique in Robinson, 635 N. Robinson Dr.; 3 Spoons Yogurt at the Central Texas Marketplace in Waco; and Sun Country Bikes in Temple, 1719 W. Ave. M.

Michelle Arms, the owner of Michelles Bling & Glamour Boutique, said the stuffed animal drive is a good idea, and she cant wait to see how many toys come in between now and Thanksgiving.

Its great, and I think kids would really love to have one, especially if theyre in a type of situation like that, a crisis situation. I think it would help, Arms said. Ive never been in that situation, but I have a friend who has, and that probably wouldve been something they couldve dealt with a little bit easier. I just love how people just open up in the community and help out.

Ulmer said the support he has already gotten has been encouraging.

Im happy. If Waco can come together and do this, then we can come together and do a whole lot more, Ulmer said about the turnout so far. People go through hard times in life, especially kids. When theyre removed from a house or a fire destroys their house or if theyre even in a wreck or minor fender-bender, theyre upset about it. Its important we give back to the kids and really show them we do care about them.
He flabbergasts the Human Race

By gliding on the waters face

With ease, celerity and grace;

But if he ever stopped to think

Of how he did it, he would sink.

 Hilaire Belloc, on the waterbeetle

Leaving aside the missing element of grace and the improbability of his ever stopping to think, Donald Trump is the waterbeetle of politics. His feral cunning in manipulating the masses and the media is, like the waterbeetles facility, instinctive. The 72 days of transition demonstrated a stylistic seamlessness with his 511 days of campaigning, which indicates that the 1,461 days of his term will be as novel as his campaign was.

Its theme was often a pronoun without an antecedent, his admirers explaining their admiration by saying that he tells it like it is. Fortunately, a theme of his transition has been a verbal shrug: Oh, never mind.

He won by stoking resentments that his blue-collar base harbors about the felt condescension of elites. He has, however, transitioned with ease away from the most vivid commitments that made his crowds roar (prosecuting Hillary Clinton, making Mexico pay for the wall, banning Muslims from entering the country, deporting 11 million illegal immigrants within two years, restoring torture because it works, etc.). He shows an interesting disinclination to disguise his condescension toward those he effortlessly caused to roar by giving verbal prompts that he has now abandoned.

Candidate Trump intimated a foreign policy less reliant on military measures than the policies of some recent presidential predecessors. But the most riveting moment of the transition received less attention than did Trumps tweet snit about Meryl Streep. The moment was when Rex Tillerson, Trumps designated secretary of state, told the Senate that Chinas policy of building and militarizing islands in the South China Sea is akin to Russias taking of Crimea and that America should tell China that your access to those islands also is not going to be allowed. China might not quietly accept this U.S. Navy blockading of the islands.

Tillerson might be right: China is directly challenging the fundamental U.S. interest in freedom of the seas. And Lord Curzons reported axiom for diplomacy is often correct: Know your own mind and make sure the other fellow knows it, too. But combined with Trumps tweeted promise to prevent North Korea from making good on its vow to test a ballistic missile capable of reaching the continental United States (It wont happen!), Tillersons statement indicates that the Trump administration might soon be militarily active.

A Trump campaign pledge that has survived the transition is his promise to revive manufacturing by imposing protectionism. Michael Froman, Barack Obamas trade representative, notes that 95 percent of consumers, 80 percent of purchasing power and the fastest-growing markets for our products are outside the United States, so if other nations reciprocate U.S. protectionist measures, there could be an outflow of manufacturing from the U.S.

The World Economic Forum that convened in Davos, Switzerland, concluded Friday just as the Trump presidency began. It has been well said that Davos is where billionaires tell millionaires what the middle class feels. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended. He is advocating a Chinese alternative to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the U.S. initiative that probably was dying before Trumps election killed it. The Communist leader offered an almost Thatcherite defense of free trade, which Americas president-elect opposes.

The Washington Examiners Tim Carney reports that Trumps choice to be commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross  a registered Democrat till nine days into the transition  favors a U.S. industrial policy whereby government would decide which industries are we going to really promote  the so-called industries of the future. Ross confidence in governments clairvoyance and planning dexterity might reflect the fact that, as Carney reports, he has done well by buying steel and textile companies that then profited from tariffs on steel imports and from textile import quotas.

As transitioning gives way to governing, Trump will continue to flabbergast. The past really is prologue, so we have been warned.

George Will is also a commentator on Fox News.
Two days before the inauguration of President Donald Trump, MSNBCs indomitable Chris Matthews asked Trump surrogate Steve Cortes about the political wisdom of Trumps tweet-storm condemning civil rights icon John Lewis, which only further aggravated racial tensions. Cortes explained that, whatever else, Trump voters relish Trumps combativeness:

The reason people rallied to his fierceness [on the 2016 campaign trail] is because we have a rigged crony system right now which works very well for the people over in Davos [site of moneyed elites gathered for the World Economic Forum], it works very well for Washington, D.C., he said. Its not working for Dayton, its not working for Waco, Texas.

Fair point. Well take that as an invitation from President Trump to highlight at least some of whats important in Waco, Texas, assuming hes really interested:

 Poverty remains a massive problem for nearly a third of us, maybe more. Were not just talking about homeless people but folks who have jobs, yet remain one paycheck from economic ruin, including getting bounced from their lodgings. To the surprise of very few economists, trickle-down economics have failed millions of Americans. What else do you have up your sleeve, Mr. President? Is it time to talk of raising the minimum wage? How about some form of job subsidies? Can you use your considerable clout to shame employers into doing better by their employees?

 Given the reports of backlogged claims snarling the Waco Veteran Affairs Regional Office a few years ago or the bungled rollout of the Affordable Care Act, our folks dont so much detest the federal government as governmental inefficiency, red tape and incompetence. Improve accountability by rank-and-file staff in a dysfunctional civil-service environment and youll begin to improve governmental efficiency, maybe even to the level of your hotels and casinos.

 Republican Congressman Bill Flores earnest discussion with leaders in our construction, hospitality and high-tech industries regarding their heavy reliance on illegal immigrant labor justifies major reforms that expedite legal immigration and ensure efficient use of work visas for targeted industries. Even Flores conservative followers see justice in doing right by the Dreamers. And any wall should be high-tech and virtual. Texans are funny about property rights. They should be respected  even if they have land on the Texas-Mexico line.

 Think twice about breaking your campaign promise to Americans not to touch their Social Security and Medicare, including some chatter about signing whatever House Speaker Paul Ryan sends your way. Our folks labor under the idea theyve actually paid into federal trusts. We learned this first-hand when we tried to justify the governments not allotting cost-of-living raises one year. Ouch!

 Championing coal might have won you votes in West Virginia, but in ultra-conservative Central Texas, folks still frown on coal-fired power plants in close proximity. Such sentiments prompted even conservative state Rep. Charles Doc Anderson to inveigh against a proposal to permit nine such power plants within 50 miles of McLennan County a decade ago  his finest hour. Most of us want clean air, clean water.

 Those of us who want the best for Baylor University appreciate the importance of Title IX protections to safeguard students from sexual aggression in all its horrid reforms, some of which have now hobbled this great university. But Republicans are right to be concerned about federal overreach in some of the guidelines, especially when they compromise due-process rights and turn academic settings into courtrooms.

You assure the masses you have not forgotten them. Well be watching.
A frame wrapped with fluorescent orange fabric taken from life jackets worn by refugees who made their way from the Middle East and Africa to Greece surrounds a triangular painting hanging on the wall at the Lux Center for the Arts.

In the center of the brightly colored, highly detailed gouache, an angel holds up a sun with one hand and with the other grasps the hand of a rescue worker carrying a child up a rocky beach. On the other side of the angel, a man is being carried to safety.

Boats filled with refugees float in the background, while, even farther back Godzilla stands hip-deep in the water.

Dew of Eos is the latest painting by Jave Yoshimoto and the centerpiece of The Broken World, his Lux exhibition.

Yoshimoto, who was born in Japan to Chinese parents and immigrated to the U.S. at a young age and is now an assistant professor of art at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is best known locally for Baptism of Concrete Estuary, a 30-foot long scroll depicting the aftermath of the tsunami and earthquake that devastated Japan in 2011.

The scroll, shown at Iron Tail Gallery in 2015, is back in The Broken World along with about a half-dozen related pieces, some which are being shown in Lincoln for the first time. Those pieces connected Yoshimoto to his Japanese heritage while a previous series, Godzilla Invading U.S., explored his struggles as an Asian American.

Dew of Eos, and two other new paintings that are the heart of the Lux show, take Yoshimotos looks at tragedy -- and his artwork -- to a new, more powerful level.

Last year, Yoshimoto traveled to Greece, where he volunteered on Lesvos Island, helping refugees land and providing them dry clothes and hot meals. That experience, Yoshimoto has written, had to be translated into his art.

I have a huge responsibility, he wrote in a Facebook post. I have an opportunity to do something, to create some form of art or communication tool to reach out to people, to plead to their humanity for kindness. So many people are suffering and (it) gives me a heavy heart. I feel completely useless and helpless. It's surreal to be able to witness this with my own two eyes, and share the roads that they're taking a path on. I am honored and sad to be sharing their stories. Perhaps by retelling and sharing their tales, I can save my own humanity.

Created in the same style as the scroll and the related paintings, the new works find Yoshimotos work moving forward in striking new ways.

That starts with the frame of Dew of Eos, made at Iron Tail, which incorporates fabric from life jackets that Yoshimoto brought back from Greece -- as powerful a use of a found object as I can remember.

In Incandescent Metatonia, an even more detail-filled depiction of the refugee rescue, with two ships teeming with refugees and a giant Godzilla in the background, Yoshimoto incorporates social media into the art.

Scattered across the painting are Instagram frames of boats, rescuers and, sadly, a little boy face down on the beach that cut the image into pieces while exploring the distance of today's detached observation, take-a-picture culture.

And, across the bottom of Dew of Eos are the icons from the Facebook Like button -- thumbs up, smiley face, etc. -- another commentary on the facile involvement of social media culture, particularly troubling with the refugee crisis and other humanitarian disasters.

The third piece is Sea of Loss, a simple, but heartbreaking gouache of a boat capsized onto its side, sinking into the sea.

That image, Im guessing, will turn up in another more detailed painting as Yoshimoto continues the deeply felt, powerful and important Refugee series that is getting one of its first showings in "The Broken World.
ADOT reports no closures of major highways in the region due to heavy snow or accidents, although both I-40 and I-17 are ice-covered.

Many neighborhood streets in Flagstaff and outlying areas remain undeliverable for Daily Sun carriers. If a newspaper does not arrive this morning, it will be delivered Sunday.

Skies will clear in Flagstaff today, although winds of 22 mph with gusts to 33 mph will create dangerous wind chills. At 8 a.m., the temperature in Flagstaff stood at 24 degrees with a wind chill of minus 4 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

The Weather Service reports 22 inches of snow have fallen at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport since Thursday night, 29 inches in Forest Lakes.

Following is the detailed forecast for Flagstaff through Monday night, when up to another foot of snow is predicted:

Today

Snow, mainly before 11am. High near 30. West southwest wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. West wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday

A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. West southwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night

Snow showers. Low around 28. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 14 to 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Monday

Snow showers. High near 32. Breezy, with a west southwest wind around 26 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Monday Night

Snow showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Tuesday

A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 27.

Tuesday Night

A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 5.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 28.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 10.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 29.

6:45 a.m. update: 22 inches of snow on the ground, a foot more due on Monday

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport had 22 inches of snow on the ground early Saturday morning, with another 3 to 4 inches due by midday, according to the National Weather Service.

A weather spotter south of Williams reported 24 inches, while the Weather Service office in Bellemont recorded 17.9 inches since the flakes started falling Thursday night.

Forest Lakes and other communities along the eastern Mogollon Rim could see up to 8 inches of additional snow before the storm front moves out of northern Arizona by Saturday night.

With heavy snow overnight, Daily Sun deliveries may be delayed through the morning. In the event your carrier cannot make a delivery, the newspaper will be delivered the following day. This applies to the delivery of the Arizona Republic and other Gannett products as well.

Winds today in Flagstaff will blow at 22 mph, with gusts to 33 mph.

Sunday will see a break in the stormy weather before a third system moves in Sunday night through Monday night, with the forecast calling for between 8 and 14 inches of snow in Flagstaff.

Skies will finally clear Tuesday, bringing overnight lows in the single digits at midweek as the snow cover sheds daytime heat at night. Highs in Flagstaff will not climb above freezing all week.

Friday 6 p.m.: Second storm to bring 12 to 18 more inches of snow to Flagstaff overnight

CORINA VANEK

Sun Staff Reporter

Heavy snow accumulations will bring hazardous driving conditions to northern Arizona throughout the weekend.

By Friday afternoon, about eight inches of snow had accumulated in the Flagstaff area, with Williams topping out at 13.5 inches.

According to the National Weather Service, a second winter storm was scheduled to hit Flagstaff Friday afternoon, bringing with it between 12 and 18 inches of snow between 11 a.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday. A third front could bring another foot by the end of Monday.

Wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph will also bring blowing snow.

This is a dangerous storm  only travel if absolutely necessary, the Weather Service said on its website.

The National Weather Service also issued a winter storm warning for elevations above 5,500 feet, which will expire in Flagstaff at noon on Saturday. The National Weather Service warned snow could fall between one and two inches per hour Friday night and Saturday morning.

According to the Weather Service website, precipitation is expected to taper off Saturday afternoon, and dry weather is expected Saturday evening before a third storm is scheduled to hit late Sunday and into Monday.

As of Friday afternoon, the Weather Service reported it had lowered the chance of precipitation slightly for Sunday, but expected heavy rain and snow to come with the third storm, most likely Monday. Snow totals for Flagstaff from this storm could amount to another 9 to 12 inches.

The Flagstaff Unified School District, along with most area charter schools, canceled classes Friday, and NAU and CCC sent students and employees home by mid-afternoon.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to 18 slide-offs, seven non-injury collisions and two collisions with minor injuries Thursday night. By Friday afternoon DPS spokesman Bart Graves said the department had responded to four slide-offs.

The Flagstaff Police Department reported it had responded to 49 crashes between Thursday morning and Friday afternoon, mostly due to drivers driving faster than appropriate for the road conditions. FPD posted a reminder to Facebook stating the posted speed limit is appropriate for ideal weather and lighting conditions, and said drivers should expect to drive more slowly than the posted speed limit in hazardous weather.
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There will be those who will say Melbourne will never be the same after a man wanted over a near fatal stabbing allegedly drove his stolen sedan through the heart of the city to kill and injure as many people as possible.

And those who say we will change have short memories.

As the Bourke Street Mall and surrounds turn from a crime scene to public space, people will come  at first to grieve, place flowers or simply stickybeak. And then the city workers will return for they will have no choice.

Many will require counselling, for the number of witnesses to the carnage (police have already taken hundreds of statements with many more lodging reports through Crime Stoppers) is unprecedented.
Britain's Prince William is to give up his job as an air ambulance helicopter pilot to focus on carrying out official duties on behalf of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth full-time, his office said on Friday.

William, 34, the second-in-line to the throne, will also base his family in London rather than their current home in Norfolk, eastern England.

Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive to attend the morning Christmas Day service at St Mark's Church in Englefield, England, Sunday December 25, 2016. Credit:Andrew Matthews

"Following on from my time in the military, I have had experiences in this job I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and that will add a valuable perspective to my royal work for decades to come," William said in a statement.

William served in Britain's armed forces from 2006 until 2013, working latterly as a search and rescue helicopter pilot. He then launched a new career as an air ambulance helicopter pilot with the East Anglia Air Ambulance near his home.
A man identified as Dimitrious 'Jimmy' Gargasoulas allegedly drove a car through a crowd of pedestrians on Bourke Street, killing four people and injuring at least 30 others.

Among the four people killed were a 10-year-old girl, a 25-year-old man, a 33-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman. There are fears the death toll will rise.

A three-month-old baby girl who was rushed to hospital by police officers is among seven people with life-threatening injuries.

Three people are in a critical condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and three are in a critical condition at The Alfred.

A 32-year-old Indian woman who had been living in Australia with her husband and child is among those fighting for her life.

The mother, who works as an integration developer, is now in a critical condition at The Alfred with fractures to her neck and abdomen. The injuries are near her spinal cord.

Mr Gargasoulas, 26, is in hospital after being shot in the arm by police. He is expected to be charged on Saturday.

Mr Gargasoulas is accused of stabbing his brother, Angelo, in his mother's public housing flat in Windsor on Friday morning. Police said he has a history of family violence, as well as mental health and drug problems.

On Wednesday night, Mr Gargasoulas allegedly attacked 76-year-old Gavin Wilson, who lives at his mother's housing commission flats, and demanded the keys to his car.

Mr Gargasoulas tried to trash a St Kilda Bar after being denied entry to the venue the night before he allegedly went on the rampage.

The 26-year-old, who is a father to a number of children, had been posting angry comments on social media this week about God, war and police.

The Coroner has launched a forensic investigation into the incident as Victoria's controversial bail laws could be set for a shake-up.

Police said the incident was not terror-related.
The thought of being investigated for prostate cancer terrified Paul Davies. About a year ago, Mr Davies was told to see a urologist about a high PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.

He was horrified. Having watched a friend go through a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, he knew it could involve painful biopsies that carry an infection risk, and surgery that might lead to incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

Paul Davies was relieved when an MRI showed his enlarged prostate could be treated with medication. Credit:Simon Schluter

The Melbourne business owner also knew that there was a history of men being "overdiagnosed" with cancers that were so slow growing they were never going to cause harm.

"It's scary ... You want to get the best test done but you don't want to do things that are unnecessary," he said.
AURORA  A packed courtroom watched Friday as an Aurora man got 45 to 50 years in prison for a murder-for-hire plot to kill his wife, a plan thwarted by law enforcement after the first would-be killer backed out and Robert Honken went searching for a second.

This was the ultimate act of domestic violence, Hamilton County District Judge Rachel Daugherty told Honken, two months after she found him guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder for what sounds like a made-for-TV movie script.

Investigators say Honken, 38, exchanged more than 600 texts with Derrick Shirley between Jan. 16 and Feb. 16, 2016, to plan the killing, bought a .22-caliber rifle and paid Shirley $400. When Shirley backed out, Honken sought out a second man who he found on the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry and tried to get him to do it.

But the plot was foiled when that man told law enforcement.

On Feb. 29, Honken met with a Nebraska State Patrol investigator posing as a hit man and told him he wanted his wife gone and to make it look like a robbery. He gave the fake hit man a $500 down payment, then was arrested as he left the meeting.

When people get angry, Daugherty said in court Friday, they sometimes make rash decisions and later regret them.

Thats not what happened here, she said.

Robert Honken's desperation to end Bethany Honkens life was clear, the judge said. Most horrific, she said, was a text he sent Shirley telling him not to forget the zip ties to tie up his children before he shot their mother.

She told him she was treating this the same as if Bethany Honken had been murdered, because if it was up to you, she would have been.

Honken said he's been diagnosed with bipolar manic depression since his arrest, and now he believes he had been masking it with pain pills, sleeping pills and alcohol.

And, he said, he has grown in his faith in the past year and thanks God that his plans didn't go further than they did.

I ask the people of Aurora  to forgive me for the blight Ive put on this community, he said.

Defense attorney Charles Brewster described Robert Honken as a deeply religious man who wasnt thinking right.

Things just spun out of control, he said.

Brewster said Honken believed, in his twisted head, that he was protecting his sons, and now he is genuinely sorry and remorseful.

He didnt directly ask the judge for probation, but said Honken was a law-abiding member of society before this, has been a model jail inmate and won't get the support he needs for mental health issues in prison.

Benjamin Dennis of the Hamilton County Attorneys office said Robert Honken painted himself as the victim, blaming alcohol and pills, even his wife because she wanted to separate from him.

But Honken made the decision to commit the crime not once but twice, he said, and he was calculated and methodical, buying burner phones and deleting texts.

Ultimately, a thorough investigation prevented a murder here, Dennis said, but Honkens actions devastated a family and frightened a small, tight-knit community.

Honken will be eligible for parole after serving 22 years.

In December, Daugherty sentenced Shirley to 16 to 20 years for his role in the crime.
Beirut: A car bomb on Saturday killed at least four people and critically injured a number of others at the Rakban refugee camp in Syria near the border with Jordan, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring organisation.

The camp is home to refugees and also to rebel groups, including the Jaish al-Ashair, which fight both President Bashar al-Assad and the jihadist Islamic State movement, and was targeted by bombings last year.

More than 75,000 people live in Rakban. Millions of Syrians have fled their homes during the civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands since it began in 2011.

Attacks last year targeted a Jaish al-Ashair checkpoint in the camp in October, killing three people and a military post nearby in July, killing six Jordanian border guards.

Rakban is located in a desert area of the long border between Syria and Jordan, near to territory held by Islamic State, which regards the Syrian and Jordanian governments and other rebel groups as its enemies.
Brady Corporation manufactures and supplies identification solutions (IDS) and workplace safety (WPS) products to identify and protect premises, products, and people in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, IDS and WPS. The IDS segment offers materials, printing systems, RFID, and bar code scanners for product identification, brand protection labeling, work in process labeling, finished product identification, and industrial track and trace applications; safety signs, floor-marking tapes, pipe markers, labeling systems, spill control products, lockout/tagout device, and software and services for safety compliance auditing, procedure writing, and training; and hand-held printers, wire markers, sleeves, and tags for wire identification. Its products also comprise name tags, badges, lanyards, rigid card printing systems, and access control software for people identification; and wristbands, labels, printing systems, and other products for tracking and improving the safety of patients. This segment serves industrial and electronic manufacturing, healthcare, chemical, oil, gas, automotive, aerospace, governments, mass transit, electrical contractors, education, leisure and entertainment, telecommunications, and other industries through distributors, direct sales force, and digital channels. The WPS segment provides workplace safety, identification, and compliance products, such as safety and compliance signs, tags, labels, and markings; informational signage and markings; asset tracking labels; facility safety and personal protection equipment; first-aid products; and labor law and other compliance posters for process, government, education, construction, and utilities industries, as well as manufacturers through catalog and digital channels. It also offers stock and custom identification products; and sells related resale products. Brady Corporation was incorporated in 1914 and is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The following companies are subsidiares of Pfizer: AH Robins LLC, AHP Holdings B.V., AHP Manufacturing B.V., Agouron Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alacer, Alpharma Holdings LLC, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC, Alpharma Specialty Pharma LLC, Alpharma USHP LLC, American Food Industries LLC, Anacor Pharmaceuticals, Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc., Angiosyn, Array BioPharma, Ayerst-Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, BIND Therapeutics Inc., BINESA 2002 S.L., Bamboo Therapeutics, Bamboo Therapeutics Inc., Baxter International - Marketed Vaccines, BioRexis, Bioren, Bioren LLC, Blue Whale Re Ltd., C.E. Commercial Holdings C.V., C.E. Commercial Investments C.V., C.P. Pharmaceuticals International C.V., CICL Corporation, COC I Corporation, Catapult Genetics, Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, Coley Pharmaceutical Group, Coley Pharmaceutical Group Inc., Continental Pharma Inc., Covx, Covx Technologies Ireland Limited, Cyanamid Inter-American Corporation, Cyanamid de Argentina S.A., Cyanamid de Colombia S.A., Distribuidora Mercantil Centro Americana S.A., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc., Esperion LUV Development Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Excaliard Pharmaceuticals Inc., Farminova Produtos Farmaceuticos de Inovacao Lda., Farmogene Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Ferrosan A/S, Ferrosan International A/S, Ferrosan S.R.L., FoldRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Foldrx Pharmaceuticals, Fort Dodge Manufatura Ltda., G. D. Searle & Co. Limited, G. D. Searle International Capital LLC, G. D. Searle LLC, GI Europe Inc., GI Japan Inc., GenTrac Inc., Genetics Institute LLC, Greenstone LLC, Haptogen Limited, Hospira, Hospira (China) Enterprise Management Co. Ltd., Hospira Adelaide Pty Ltd, Hospira Aseptic Services Limited, Hospira Australia Pty Ltd, Hospira Benelux BVBA, Hospira Chile Limitada, Hospira Deutschland GmbH, Hospira Enterprises B.V., Hospira France SAS, Hospira Healthcare B.V., Hospira Healthcare Corporation, Hospira Healthcare India Private Limited, Hospira Holdings (S.A.) Pty Ltd, Hospira Inc., Hospira Invicta S.A., Hospira Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, Hospira Ireland Sales Limited, Hospira Japan G.K., Hospira Limited, Hospira Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Hospira NZ Limited, Hospira Nordic AB, Hospira Philippines Inc., Hospira Portugal LDA, Hospira Produtos Hospitalares Ltda., Hospira Pte. Ltd., Hospira Pty Limited, Hospira Puerto Rico LLC, Hospira Singapore Pte Ltd, Hospira UK Limited, Hospira Worldwide LLC, Hospira Zagreb d.o.o., ICAgen, Idun Pharmaceuticals, Industrial Santa Agape S.A., InnoPharma, InnoPharma Inc., International Affiliated Corporation LLC, JMI-Daniels Pharmaceuticals Inc., John Wyeth & Brother Limited, Kiinteisto oy Espoon Pellavaniementie 14, King Pharmaceuticals Holdings LLC, King Pharmaceuticals LLC, King Pharmaceuticals Research and Development LLC, Korea Pharma Holding Company Limited, Laboratoires Pfizer S.A., Laboratorios Parke Davis S.L., Laboratorios Pfizer Ltda., Laboratorios Wyeth LLC, Laboratorios Wyeth S.A., Laboratorios Pfizer Lda., MTG Divestitures LLC, Mayne Pharma IP Holdings (Euro) Pty Ltd, Medivation, Medivation Field Solutions LLC, Medivation LLC, Medivation Neurology LLC, Medivation Prostate Therapeutics LLC, Medivation Services LLC, Medivation Technologies LLC, Meridian Medical Technologies Inc., Meridian Medical Technologies Limited, Monarch Pharmaceuticals LLC, Neusentis Limited, NextWave Pharmaceuticals, NextWave Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, P-D Co. LLC, PAH USA IN8 LLC, PF Americas Holding C.V., PF Asia Manufacturing B.V., PF PR Holdings C.V., PF PRISM C.V., PF PRISM Holdings S.a.r.l., PF Prism S.a.r.l., PFE Holdings G.K., PFE PHAC Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Pfizer Holdings 1 LLC, PFE Wyeth Holdings LLC, PFE Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) LLC, PHILCO Holdings S.a r.l., PHIVCO Corp., PHIVCO Holdco S.a r.l., PHIVCO Luxembourg S.a r.l., PN Mexico LLC, PT. Pfizer Parke Davis, Parke Davis & Company LLC, Parke Davis Limited, Parke Davis Productos Farmaceuticos Lda, Parke-Davis Manufacturing Corp., Parkedale Pharmaceuticals Inc., Peak Enterprises LLC, Pfizer, Pfizer (China) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Pfizer (Perth) Pty Limited, Pfizer (Thailand) Limited, Pfizer (Wuhan) Research and Development Co. Ltd., Pfizer AB, Pfizer AG, Pfizer AS, Pfizer Africa & Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Veterinarian Products & Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer Anti-Infectives AB, Pfizer ApS, Pfizer Asia Manufacturing Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Asia Pacific Pte Ltd., Pfizer Atlantic Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Australia Holdings B.V., Pfizer Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Pfizer Australia Investments Pty. Ltd., Pfizer Australia Pty Limited, Pfizer B.V., Pfizer BH D.o.o., Pfizer Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer Biofarmaceutica Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Pfizer Biologics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd, Pfizer Biologics Ireland Holdings Limited, Pfizer Biotech Corporation, Pfizer Bolivia S.A., Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer CentreSource Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Chile S.A., Pfizer Cia. Ltda., Pfizer Colombia Spinco I LLC, Pfizer Commercial Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Commercial Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Commercial TRAE Trading Kft., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare AB, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare GmbH, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Ltd., Pfizer Consumer Manufacturing Italy S.r.l., Pfizer Corporation, Pfizer Corporation Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Pfizer Croatia d.o.o., Pfizer Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Development LP, Pfizer Development Services (UK) Limited, Pfizer Domestic Ventures Limited, Pfizer Dominicana S.R.L, Pfizer ESP Pty Ltd, Pfizer East India B.V., Pfizer Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer Egypt S.A.E., Pfizer Enterprise Holdings B.V., Pfizer Enterprises LLC, Pfizer Enterprises SARL, Pfizer Europe Finance B.V., Pfizer Export B.V., Pfizer Export Company, Pfizer Export Holding Company B.V, Pfizer Finance Share Service (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Financial Services N.V./S.A., Pfizer France International Investments, Pfizer Free Zone Panama S. de R.L., Pfizer GEP S.L., Pfizer Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer Global Supply Japan Inc., Pfizer Global Trading, Pfizer Group Luxembourg Sarl, Pfizer Gulf FZ-LLC, Pfizer H.C.P. Corporation, Pfizer HK Service Company Limited, Pfizer Health AB, Pfizer Health Solutions Inc., Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Pfizer Hellas A.E., Pfizer Himalaya Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Holding France, Pfizer Holding Ventures, Pfizer Holdings Corporation, Pfizer Holdings Europe Unlimited Company, Pfizer Holdings G.K., Pfizer Holdings International Corporation, Pfizer Holdings International Luxembourg (PHIL) Sarl, Pfizer Holdings North America SARL, Pfizer Hungary Holdings TRAE Kft., Pfizer Inc., Pfizer Innovations AB, Pfizer Innovations LLC, Pfizer Innovative Supply Point International BVBA, Pfizer International LLC, Pfizer International Markets Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer International Operations, Pfizer International S. de R.L., Pfizer International Trading (Shanghai) Limited, Pfizer Investment Capital Unlimited Company, Pfizer Investment Co. Ltd., Pfizer Investment Holdings S.a.r.l., Pfizer Ireland Investments Limited, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 1 LLC, Pfizer Ireland PFE Holding 2 LLC, Pfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Ireland Ventures Unlimited Company, Pfizer Italia S.r.l., Pfizer Italy Group Holding S.r.l., Pfizer Japan Inc., Pfizer LLC, Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Limited, Pfizer Laboratories Limited, Pfizer Laboratories PFE (Pty) Ltd, Pfizer Leasing Ireland Limited, Pfizer Leasing UK Limited, Pfizer Limitada, Pfizer Limited, Pfizer Luxco Holdings SARL, Pfizer Luxembourg Global Holdings S.a r.l., Pfizer Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer MAP Holding Inc., Pfizer Manufacturing Austria G.m.b.H., Pfizer Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland GmbH, Pfizer Manufacturing Deutschland Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, Pfizer Manufacturing Holdings LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Manufacturing LLC, Pfizer Manufacturing Services, Pfizer Medical Technology Group (Belgium) N.V., Pfizer Medicamentos Genericos e Participacoes Ltda., Pfizer Mexico Luxco SARL, Pfizer Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pfizer Middle East for Pharmaceuticals Animal Health and Chemicals S.A.E., Pfizer New Zealand Limited, Pfizer Norge AS, Pfizer North American Holdings Inc., Pfizer OTC B.V., Pfizer Overseas LLC, Pfizer Oy, Pfizer PFE ApS, Pfizer PFE AsiaPac Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Australia Pty Ltd, Pfizer PFE B.V., Pfizer PFE Baltic Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Belgium SPRL, Pfizer PFE Brazil Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE CIA. Ltda., Pfizer PFE Chile Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Colombia Holding Corp., Pfizer PFE Colombia S.A.S, Pfizer PFE Commercial Holdings LLC, Pfizer PFE Croatia Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Eastern Investments B.V., Pfizer PFE Finland Oy, Pfizer PFE France, Pfizer PFE Global Holdings B.V., Pfizer PFE Ireland Pharmaceuticals Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco 2 S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Italy Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Pfizer PFE Limited, Pfizer PFE Luxembourg S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Mexico Holding 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE Netherlands Holding 1 C.V., Pfizer PFE New Zealand, Pfizer PFE New Zealand Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Norway Holding S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE PILSA Holdco S.a r.l., Pfizer PFE Peru Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Peru S.R.L., Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Holding LLC, Pfizer PFE Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer PFE Private Limited, Pfizer PFE S.R.L, Pfizer PFE Service Company Holding Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer PFE Singapore Holding B.V., Pfizer PFE Singapore Pte. Ltd., Pfizer PFE Spain B.V., Pfizer PFE Spain Holding S.L., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding 2 S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Sweden Holding S.a.r.l., Pfizer PFE Switzerland GmbH, Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 1 B.V., Pfizer PFE Turkey Holding 2 B.V., Pfizer PFE UK Holding 4 LP, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 1 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 2 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 3 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 4 LLC, Pfizer PFE US Holdings 5 LLC, Pfizer PFE spol. s r.o., Pfizer PFE Ilaclar Anonim Sirketi, Pfizer Pakistan Limited, Pfizer Parke Davis (Thailand) Ltd., Pfizer Parke Davis Inc., Pfizer Parke Davis Sdn. Bhd., Pfizer Pharm Algerie, Pfizer Pharma GmbH, Pfizer Pharma PFE GmbH, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceutical Trading Limited Liability Company (a/k/a Pfizer Kft. or Pfizer LLC), Pfizer Pharmaceuticals B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Global B.V., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Israel Ltd., Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Korea Limited, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals LLC, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Pfizer Pigments Inc., Pfizer Polska Sp. z.o.o., Pfizer Private Limited, Pfizer Production LLC, Pfizer Products Inc., Pfizer Products India Private Limited, Pfizer Research (NC) Inc., Pfizer Romania SRL, Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A., Pfizer S.A. (Belgium), Pfizer S.A. de C.V., Pfizer S.A.S., Pfizer S.G.P.S. Lda., Pfizer S.L., Pfizer S.R.L., Pfizer SRB d.o.o., Pfizer Saidal Manufacturing, Pfizer Sante Familiale, Pfizer Saudi Limited, Pfizer Seiyaku K.K., Pfizer Service Company BVBA, Pfizer Service Company Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Services 1, Pfizer Services LLC, Pfizer Shared Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Shareholdings Intermediate SARL, Pfizer Singapore Holding Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Singapore Trading Pte. Ltd., Pfizer Spain Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Pfizer Specialties Limited, Pfizer Strategic Investment Holdings LLC, Pfizer Sweden Partnership KB, Pfizer TRAE Holdings Kft., Pfizer Trading Polska sp.z.o.o., Pfizer Transactions Ireland Unlimited Company, Pfizer Transactions LLC, Pfizer Transactions Luxembourg SARL, Pfizer Transport LLC, Pfizer Ukraine LLC, Pfizer Vaccines LLC, Pfizer Venezuela S.A., Pfizer Venture Investments LLC, Pfizer Ventures LLC, Pfizer Worldwide Services Unlimited Company, Pfizer Zona Franca S.A., Pfizer spol. s r.o., Pharmacia, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn S.A. de C.V., Pharmacia Brasil Ltda., Pharmacia Hepar LLC, Pharmacia Holding AB, Pharmacia Inter-American LLC, Pharmacia International B.V., Pharmacia LLC, Pharmacia Limited, Pharmacia Nostrum S.A., Pharmacia South Africa (Pty) Ltd, PowderJect Research Limited, PowderMed, Purepac Pharmaceutical Holdings LLC, Redvax, Renrall LLC, Rinat Neuroscience, Rinat Neuroscience Corp., Roerig Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Roerig S.A., Sao Cristovao Participacoes Ltda., Searle Laboratorios Lda., Serenex, Servicios P&U S. de R.L. de C.V., Shiley LLC, Sinergis Farma-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Site Realty Inc., Solinor LLC, Sugen LLC, Tabor LLC, The Pfizer Incubator LLC, Therachon, Thiakis Limited, Treerly Health Co. Ltd, US Oral Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd, Upjohn Laboratorios Lda., Vesteralens Naturprodukter A/S, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AB, Vesteralens Naturprodukter AS, Vesteralens Naturprodukter OY, Vicuron Holdings LLC, Vinci Farma S.A., W-L LLC, Warner Lambert, Warner Lambert Ilac Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Warner Lambert del Uruguay S.A., Warner-Lambert (Thailand) Limited, Warner-Lambert Company AG, Warner-Lambert Company LLC, Warner-Lambert Guatemala Sociedad Anonima, Warner-Lambert S.A., Whitehall International Inc., Whitehall Laboratories Inc., Wyeth (Thailand) Ltd., Wyeth AB, Wyeth Australia Pty. Limited, Wyeth Ayerst Inc., Wyeth Ayerst S.a r.l., Wyeth Biopharma, Wyeth Canada ULC, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare LLC, Wyeth Europa Limited, Wyeth Farma S.A., Wyeth Holdings LLC, Wyeth Industria Farmaceutica Ltda., Wyeth KFT., Wyeth LLC, Wyeth Lederle S.r.l., Wyeth Lederle Vaccines S.A., Wyeth Pakistan Limited, Wyeth Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Company, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals FZ-LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals LLC, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Limited, Wyeth Puerto Rico Inc., Wyeth S.A.S, Wyeth Subsidiary Illinois Corporation, Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH, Wyeth Whitehall SARL, Wyeth-Ayerst (Asia) Limited, Wyeth-Ayerst International LLC, and Wyeth-Ayerst Promotions Limited.

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Motorola Solutions, Inc. provides mission critical communications and analytics in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation, and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Its land mobile radio communications and video security and access control devices include two-way portable and vehicle-mounted radios, fixed and mobile video cameras, and accessories; radio network core and central processing software, base stations, consoles, and repeaters; and video analytics, network video management hardware and software, and access control solutions. The Software and Services segment provides repair, technical support, and hardware maintenance services. This segment also offers monitoring, software updates, and cybersecurity services; and public safety and enterprise command center software, unified communications applications, and video software solutions through on-premise and as a service. It serves government, public safety, and commercial customers. The company was formerly known as Motorola, Inc. and changed its name to Motorola Solutions, Inc. in January 2011. Motorola Solutions, Inc. was founded in 1928 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
ResMed Inc. develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets medical devices and cloud-based software applications for the healthcare markets. The company operates in two segments, Sleep and Respiratory Care, and Software as a Service. It offers various products and solutions for a range of respiratory disorders, including technologies to be applied in medical and consumer products, ventilation devices, diagnostic products, mask systems for use in the hospital and home, headgear and other accessories, dental devices, and cloud-based software informatics solutions to manage patient outcomes, as well as provides customer and business processes. The company also provides AirView, a cloud-based system that enables remote monitoring and changing of patients' device settings; myAir, a personalized therapy management application for patients with sleep apnea that provides support, education, and troubleshooting tools for increased patient engagement and improved compliance; U-Sleep, a compliance monitoring solution that enables home medical equipment (HME)to streamline their sleep programs; connectivity module and propeller solutions; and Propeller portal. It offers out-of-hospital software solution, such as Brightree business management software and service solutions to providers of HME, pharmacy, home infusion, orthotics, and prosthetics services; MatrixCare care management and related ancillary solutions to senior living, skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, home care, and hospice organizations, as well as related accountable care organizations; and HEALTHCAREfirst that offers electronic health record, software, billing and coding services, and analytics for home health and hospice agencies. The company markets its products primarily to sleep clinics, home healthcare dealers, and hospitals through a network of distributors and direct sales force in approximately 140 countries. ResMed Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.
Many conservatives who once found Donald Trump unpalatable have come around to accept him. Most famously, Mitt Romney once excoriated Trump as dishonest, a phony, a fraud, and condemned his bullying, greed, showing off and misogyny. After the presidential election, however, Romney praised Trump (I look forward to the coming administration) and hoped to work for him.

This change of heart has not been limited to job applicants. The president-elects many qualities that conservatives once condemned have disappeared down a memory hole, to the point that recalling them is akin to making rude noises during a prayer service.

Instead, Republicans are in a mood of optimism, even ecstasy, celebrating Trumps unconventionality and holding him up as the only candidate who could have defeated the despised Hillary Clinton. As House Speaker Paul Ryan put it, Trump heard a voice out in this country that no one else heard, enabling him to accomplish the most incredible political feat Ryan has ever witnessed.

Since the election, I am glad to see Trump has recognized that, as an outsider to Washington, he needs cabinet members (with the inexplicable exception of the secretary of state) who know the ropes. I am even more pleased with Trumps many appointees ready to forward a conservative agenda, especially ones ready to disagree with the boss.

James Mattis will end social experimentation with the military and return to its war-making mission. Jeff Sessions will consistently apply the rule of law. Steven Mnuchin will simplify the tax code. Tom Price will undo Obamacare. Betsy DeVos will focus on the interests of students rather than of teachers and bureaucrats. Andy Puzder will prune back regulations obstructing job growth. John Kelly will secure the borders. David Friedman will revive U.S.-Israel relations.

But two giant caveats remain, both pertaining to character.

First, what Trump gives, he can take away. As an egomaniac with enormous political latitude and no consistent ideology, he could, for any or no reason, sack these worthy cabinet members and replace them with technocrats. Worse, he can freely discard his current conservative orientation.

His chief strategist, Steve Bannon, once boasted that were going to build an entirely new political movement. Its everything related to jobs. The conservatives are going to go crazy. Trump himself has warned that nothing he has specified so far commits him: Anything I say right now  Im not the president  everything is a suggestion.  Im always flexible on issues.

Second, much depends on whether the office of the presidency tames Trump or he continues with his old ways. The qualities that appalled so many Americans remain and, indeed, have been massively vindicated. Trump reached the ultimate prize by staying true to himself; also, 70-year-olds tend not to change much. Its entirely possible he will continue to attack individuals and companies, obsess over grievances, insult the press, make flamboyantly reckless or false statements, display defiant ignorance, engage in dubious business practices, resort to bravado litigiousness and pursue wildly inconsistent policies.

At best, Trump will be to Barack Obama what Ronald Reagan was to Jimmy Carter, the leader of a national renewal of optimism and strength. At worst, his personal flaws will lead to social tensions, domestic disturbances, economic upheavals and war. I am agnostic, having no clue where the country is heading. For me, America now resembles a monarchy whose incompetent but predictable king has died, and a rowdy, volatile son takes over.

As Trump becomes president, I wish him the best, for his sake and ours. I shall applaud when he does well (conversing with the president of Taiwan, thereby breaking with decades of moldy precedent) and condemn when he does badly (his reckless and bizarre conversation with the prime minister of Pakistan). I will aid his administration as best I can while keeping my distance from it, neither being part of it nor ever apologizing for it.

Trumps appointments have earned him a conservatives good will, but his character flaws prompt skepticism and worry. Let him now prove that he is worthy of the extraordinary position he now occupies.
PNM Resources, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides electricity and electric services in the United States. It operates through Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) and Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP) segments. The PNM segment engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The segment generates electricity using coal, natural gas and oil, nuclear fuel, solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources. As of December 31, 2021, this segment had owned or leased facilities with a total net generation capacity of 2,168 megawatts; and owned 3,426 miles of electric transmission lines, 5,751 miles of distribution overhead lines, 5,765 miles of underground distribution lines, and 250 substations. The segment also owns and leases communication, office and other equipment, office space, vehicles, and real estate. The TNMP segment provides regulated transmission and distribution services. As of December 31, 2021, the segment owned 983 miles of overhead electric transmission lines, 7,297 miles of overhead distribution lines, 1,408 miles of underground distribution lines, and 113 substations. The segment also owns and leases vehicles, service facilities, and office locations throughout its service territory. The company serves approximately 806,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers and end-users of electricity in New Mexico and Texas. PNM Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1882 and is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Jan. 19, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 19, 2017 | 02:18 PM | PADUCAH, KY

Join WKCTC's Service Learning and Hispanic Culture Club and Starfish Orphan Ministry as they team together to host the "Share the Love Charity Auction" on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7 pm at the Grand Lodge on 5th.



All proceeds from the auction will benefit the WKCTC Service Learning Trip to El Salvador, in conjunction with Starfish Orphan Ministry.



Valentine's Day will be fast approaching, so it's an opportunity to place bids on some wonderful items for your true love, such as:



Weekend getaways

Fully-planned parties

Sports memorabilia

Prom packages

Custom-catered events

Themed baskets

Spa packages... and more!



Ticket prices range from sponsorship of a table for $300 (includes 8 event tickets, company logo on the table sign, and a listing in all promotional materials); individual tickets in advance for $20 each, or tickets at the door for $30 each.



The Grand Lodge is located at 121 North 5th Street in Paducah. Doors open at 6:30 pm, cocktail hour and silent auction begin at 7 pm. The live auction begins at 8 pm.



The event is sponsored by: Starfish Orphan Ministry; WKCTC Hispanic Culture Club; WKCTC Diversity & Inclusion Committee; WKCTC Service Learning
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 20, 2017 | 08:45 PM | PADUCAH, KY





A man has been charged with murdering his aunt, after she was found dead earlier this month at her McCracken County home.McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden says 48-year-old Edwin Ricky Hawes II called 911 shortly before noon on Jan. 9, saying he had found his aunt, 75-year-old Fredrika Harpole unresponsive near the back door of her home in the 500 block of Lovelaceville-Florence Station Road East.Investigators arrived to find the home had been partially ransacked.An autopsy revealed Harpole died as a result of multiple blows to the head from what deputies believe to be a hammer.Detectives said they questioned Hawes and learned he had not been truthful with them in previous statements. The investigation also reportedly revealed that Hawes has been involved in illegal prescription drug trafficking, and that Harpole had said she thought Hawes was stealing from her.Detectives arrested Hawes Wednesday afternoon, charging him with trafficking in Hydrocodone. He was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence late Friday afternoon. Deputies say they found the murder weapon and clothing Hawes was reportedly wearing during the assault in rural southern McCracken County, after he told them where to look.Hayden says his agency was assisted by the McCracken County Commonwealth Attorneys Office, McCracken County Coroners Office, the Kentucky State Police Crime Lab, and the Paducah Police Department.

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By WestKyStar & Marshall County Humane Society Staff Jan. 20, 2017 | 05:04 AM | BENTON, KY

Organizers are planning a silent auction lasting until 6:15 pm and a live auction to begin at 6:45 pm. There will be many items to bid on for both auctions.



Tickets may be purchased before the event at the Humane Society or from any Board Member. You may also buy a ticket at the door the night of the event. For more information, email the Humane Society at mchumanesociety@yahoo.com.



This event is sponsored by: Arkema, Century 21 Land of Lakes Laurie Osborne, CFSB, Moors Resort & Marina, Richard Reed State Farm, Wacker, Waffle House, Life Associates and Parkway Chrysler.



The Humane Society of Marshall County is a 501c3 organization, which runs solely on fundraisers, grants and donations.



The Humane Society of Marshall County will host it biggest fundraiser of the year, an Italian Paws-ta dinner they are calling Sweetie Paws. The dinner takes place on Saturday, Feb. 4th from 4:30-7:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Benton.
Supporters of the beer stores in Whiteclay, Nebraska, claim that nothing has changed since they were issued a liquor license ("Folks: End Whiteclay and problem spreads," Jan. 6). The evidence says otherwise.

One of the grocery stores burned down in 2016 ("Native-owned store burns in Whiteclay," July 27, 2016). The sheriff is on record saying he needed more deputies to patrol Whiteclay. The chairmen of the Sheridan County Commissioners told a legislative session in the fall ("Big-time Whiteclay beer fight setting up," Nov. 2, 2016) that the county absolutely didn't have adequate law enforcement.

In November 2015, a business owner told Gov. Pete Ricketts that things were getting violent in Whiteclay. The governor appointed a task force that included the county attorney, the mayor of Rushville, two beer store owners, business owners, a local pastor and eight other residents. The task force's No. 1 recommendation was the need for more law enforcement.

If that was not enough, in August last year Sherry Wounded Foot was beat unconscious and died three weeks later when taken off life support ("Son waits for news on death in Whiteclay," Sept. 11). The case is still under investigation, costing the county more tax dollars.

Things have become consistently worse in Whiteclay, and the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission was not only within its authority to ask for the long form (license renewal), it had the responsibility to do so. Unfortunately, Sheridan County commissioners chose to ignore the facts.

It is clear that the stores in Whiteclay don't have the infrastructure that is required by statute to operate. So, if the customers can go elsewhere to get their liquor, the beer stores can go to a town where the basic statutory requirements are already established.

Alan Jacobsen, Lincoln
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By The Associated Press

Jan. 21, 2017 | LOUISVILLE, KY

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2017 | 08:51 AM | LOUISVILLE, KY

A report says utility representatives and state regulators revised and weakened a proposal to regulate the storage of hazardous coal ash near Kentucky power plants before allowing the public to comment.



WFPL-FM reports that a September 2015 draft of regulations was extensive, but many of the specifics had been removed by the time the proposal was submitted to the Legislative Research Commission in October 2016. The station reports records show state regulators met at least four times that year with utility representatives to discuss the regulations.



Kentucky Resources Council environmental attorney Tom FitzGerald said such one-sided input from industry is unprecedented in recent years.



Energy and Environment Cabinet spokesman John Mura defended the process, saying it's common to have informal discussions about proposed regulations with affected industries. He said the proposal was revised again after getting public comments in November.




I have been deeply saddened and concerned to see our entire Nebraska Congressional delegation vote in recent days to start the process to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Our delegates voted for the start of the repeal process without providing any detail on how or when they will eventually change our health care system. Rather, they appear to support a repeal and delay approach, where the ACA would be repealed but how it would be replaced would be decided later ("Fischer pledges thoughtful repeal," Jan. 13).

It boggles the mind that our delegation would support such an irresponsible and negligent course on a life-or-death issue. I acknowledge the ACA is not without its problems but it has allowed people with pre-existing conditions to get coverage. It has created the lowest uninsured rate in history. It has saved lives and it is an actual plan.

If there are better ideas for our health care system they should be presented, vetted and publicly weighed. In the absence of a real proposal for changing the ACA, I have to question whether our leaders want to improve our health care system or score political points. If there is a better way, lets see it.

Jordan Milliken, Lincoln
By the time 16 students filed into Room 339 at Lincoln High School Friday, Donald J. Trump had already been sworn in as the 45th U.S. president.

The students -- from Iraq and Guatemala and refugee camps in Thailand -- are in the civics class for English Language Learners, and so teacher Lindy Tinarwo taped the ceremony for them.

On the whiteboard shed written the objective for the day: We will know how power is passed from one president to another in the United States.

Tinarwo told them she knew many of them had strong feelings about the election, but the inauguration was a symbol of the peaceful transition of power, an important part of U.S democracy.

They watched -- no fidgeting, no talking, pencils motionless -- as the U.S. chief justice swore in the new president.

In the back of the room, a student from a refugee camp sat with her hands over her mouth.

Trump's speech evoked little emotion, a few head shakes, few questions.

Fahad Naif, who came to Lincoln from Iraq in December to join other Yazidis who fled persecution by ISIS in their country, clapped when Trump promised to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism.

In some of her other ELL classes, Tinarwo said, students who feared being deported had questions about Trump's comments about borders and America being first.

In this class, Yousif Saadi from Iraq had just one: "He said, 'Make America strong again.' We are weak now? We are strong already."
Flagstaff Republicans were impressed, Democrats depressed.

And the citys top two elected officials didnt even watch or listen to President Donald Trumps inaugural address Friday.

I was out working in my community, reassuring those who were publicly ridiculed, attacked, demeaned and devalued by our incoming president during the campaign that they are and always will be welcomed in the city of Flagstaff, wrote Mayor Coral Evans in a text message.

And Vice Mayor Jamie Whelan?

I just couldnt turn on the TV, she said.

Republicans, however, were glued to the tube.

I liked that he said what truly matters is not which party controls the government, but that the government is controlled by the people, because Im getting a little tired of the parties, said Joy Staveley, the first vice chair of the Coconino County Republican Party. Im sure thats easier said than done, because the people wont agree on everything, but I liked that he said that.

Merle Henderson, president of the Flagstaff Tea Party, heard a similar theme, saying he liked that Trump said the power in the country will be coming back to the people, and that he wants to see the country more unified than in recent years.

I think hes going to pull the country together, Henderson said.

But some local Democrats heard a different message.

Generally I thought it was a divisive speech. I thought it was more of a campaign speech, said Patrice Horstman, who was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton during the election and traveled as a delegate for Clinton to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia over the summer.

I really thought this could have been an opportunity for outreach and extension of an olive branch and I didn't hear it or see it, Horstman said.

Similarly, Coconino County Democratic Party Chair Nathan Jones said Trumps references to drug use and gangs sounded more like something that would come from the campaign trail than the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

Judy Sall, a former president of the Flagstaff Republican Women, said Trumps speech reflected a theme he has used throughout the campaign, which is to reduce the power of the federal government.

We are tired of having the government try to fix everything, she said.

Henderson said he would have liked to have heard Trump talk more about draining the swamp, which has been the phrase Trump has used to refer to career politicians and lobbyists. And he wanted more from Trump on education, such as adding stronger American history lessons at the middle and high school level.

But Horstman took issue with Trumps language that a small group in our nation's capital has reaped the rewards of government. The statement ignores strides the Obama administration made in reducing the number of people without health insurance, new rights that were given to members of the LGBTQ community and the opportunities provided to undocumented immigrants brought to this country as young children, Horstman said.

It is very clear that what government has done is bring rights, opportunity, inclusion, social and economic justice, judicial justice back to the American people, she said. If (Trump) wants something different, then where do we go?

Trumps emphasis on an America First policy stance caused Jones some concern.

That phrase has some troubling historical origins and I can only hope its not intended to be the kind of isolationist view that has proven itself to be on the wrong side of history time and again, he said, mentioning as one example the America First Committee that opposed U.S. entry into World War II.

It has an origin related to a viewpoint of non-intervention and seeing other parts of the world as being on their own, Jones said.

But Staveley said Trumps love of country was obvious in his speech, and said she liked the part in his speech when he said, When you open your heart to patriotism there is no room for prejudice.

She said she believes Trump truly wants to help people, especially inner cities and the less fortunate.

I thought it was a really wonderful inaugural, Staveley said. Im hoping the other side will be reasonable instead of obstructionist.

Staveley said she was impressed by Barack and Michelle Obamas respectful and congenial demeanor at the inauguration, and said she would like to see everyone behave that way.
RAYMOND -- Before the 11:45 lunch rush came in on beef stroganoff day, 24-year-old Ding-A-Ling bartender Vanessa Cox pretty much had the place to herself.

The owner was in the office, the cook was in the kitchen and President Donald Trump was delivering his inaugural address at high volume on the largest televisions in the Ding.

Pretty sure the only reason its on is because of me, said Cox, who voted in her first presidential election last year, choosing the winner. My cooks back in the kitchen, blaring music.

Were all really good friends. You put your politics aside and work together.

Cox said Trumps hard-line position on immigration appeals to her, and she's glad he'll get to pick the next Supreme Court justice.

Four years ago, she said, she paid little attention to politics.

"(Now) I eat, sleep and breathe politics, she said. I get off work, go home and read the news until I go to bed.

On Friday, the ABC-TV broadcast of the inauguration played on the bar's TVs. During the campaign, Cox said, shed put Fox News on one TV and MSNBC on another, so my customers cant complain either way ....

As customers started to arrive, one voice rose over the play-by-play.

"Can I put something else on here?" he asked.

"You wanna watch cartoons?" Cox asked in response.

"I was only joking," he said.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Seated on a bar stool in Manhattans West Village, Hattie Peze orders a glass of red wine as she flips through photos of mermaid-tail-shaped blankets. (The drink is on the house  her hedge-funder husband owns the place.)

The entrepreneur lights up when she shows off the bright, fuzzy novelties, leaning forward excitedly in a black-and-blue Diane von Furstenberg dress. She calls herself the chief mermaid enthusiast.

In less than five months, Peze, 35, built a multimillion-dollar business hawking mermaid blankets. Launched in fall 2015, Blankie Tails sold about 136,000 before its first Christmas. You might say it was a fairy-tail success story.

Then a company called Allstar Marketing Group came along. The as seen on TV operation behind infomercial products such as Snuggie blankets started its own mermaid business. It bought the URL for a website and sought to trademark Snuggie Tails in April. By July, they were on the market: mermaid blankets in eye-popping colours and patterns. Another company and numerous crafters on Etsy were also hot on Pezes trail.

So far, her tiny operation has hauled in almost US$16 million but has also been forced to wage intellectual-property battles against larger rivals.

You can work your butt off and have a great idea, Peze said, but I dont care how hard you work: life isnt always fair.

Last year, Blankie Tails protested Allstars effort to register Snuggie Tails with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Allstar filed a counterclaim saying Pezes own trademark was merely descriptive and Snuggie Tails wouldnt be confused with it, given Allstars product incorporates the famous Snuggie mark.

Peze also sued the competitor in federal court for trademark infringement and unfair competition, only to voluntarily dismiss her complaint a few months later. Around the same time, another mermaid blanket product called Magic Tails appeared; Blankie Tails said it sent a cease-and-desist letter to owner Ontel Products, which did not respond to requests for comment.

In the online marketplaces run by Amazon.com and Alibaba, Blankie Tails has been calling out what it sees as knockoffs, many made in China (where Pezes own product is made). She frequently requests takedowns of products believed to be counterfeit.

Despite some celebrity Blankie Tail sightings, Peze laments that shoppers are mistaking other brands for the real thing. She estimates that during peak gifting season her company is losing as much as US$90,000 a day.

Peze may be the mermaid queen, but shes really a David fighting various Goliaths. Allstar alone is estimated to bring in tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars a year and sells dozens of different gizmos.

Nonetheless, the owner of Blankie Tails demanded in her lawsuit that Allstar pay up profits, attorneys fees and punitive damages.

This was not Allstars first trip to court on trademark issues: Laughing Rabbit Inc., an Oregon-based flashlight maker, sued it for patent and trademark infringement in 2010 over LED flashlights. Allstar said it settled the case; Laughing Rabbit didnt return a request for comment.

JetNet, a company that makes the meat-netting product RoastWrap, sued in 2012 for trademark infringement after Allstar released the competing product Wrapnroast. The case was discontinued, both sides said.

As for Blankie Tails, it decided to drop its lawsuit against Allstar. The two parties have entered settlement negotiations with regard to the trademark issue.

 Bloomberg News
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Amouna Alhassan arrived in Canada last February with her husband, five kids and no English. She also couldnt read or write in her first language, Arabic.

Now the Syrian refugee says she speaks enough English to safely get around Winnipeg by herself on the bus, go grocery shopping and is confident their life in Canada will be a success.

Thats thanks in part to a unique set-up she and a small group of Syrian moms in the North End have with a volunteer who comes to them twice a week for conversational English classes.

I try to make the topic very meaningful and personal so its relevant to them and the lives of their children, instructor Val Schellenberg said in an interview before one of the classes, where two three-year-olds are colouring and chattering in Arabic away from the adults who are focused on English.

Theyre at Rania Ahmads home on Dufferin Avenue. Photos clipped from the Free Press are spread out on the coffee table. Schellenberg gets a discussion going on a topic thats always timely in Manitoba  the weather.

On this Tuesday  the first day of above-normal temperatures in weeks, the photos remind them of the recent blizzard and the hurdles they now have to climb.

I dont like snowbanks, said Rabah Alfreij, as her three-year-old son Mohammad Nour climbs on her lap to look at the pictures.

Summer is good, said hostess Ranias husband, Fadel Ahmad. The womens husbands take part in the class and say theyre keen to have enough English under their belts to get to work and set down roots. I want to buy (a) house, said Amounas husband Kamal Alhassan. He already has his drivers licence  and his first speeding ticket. In a school zone, he said sheepishly.

I want good English and (to be a) driver, said his wife, Amouna, who is expecting their sixth child this spring. The women and their spouses talked about what theyre learning in the formal English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes they attend at different locations downtown. Rabah Alfreij said she was preparing for a test on Thursday about introductions and invitations.

Amouna, who hasnt stopped smiling since she arrived at the conversational English class, said she enjoys this informal setting more because its more fun.

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Volunteer instructor Val Schellenberg, centre, teaches conversational English classes twice a week.

We interpret together and help each other, she said through an interpreter. At the beginning it was hard for me, she said. Now its fine. Her husband, Kamal, who is one of the most conversant of the parents, says hes enjoying the opportunity to learn.

I enjoy language. I like to learn English.

The Alhassans and the other parents in the close-knit group have all gone through enormous upheaval and stress, yet all of them want to be there learning, Schellenberg said.

Theyre very eager to learn and theyre very thankful to Canada, she said. At Thanksgiving, we did a thing about what are you thankful for, she said. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada were common responses, as well as education, Schellenberg said. Theyre very appreciative of what teachers do here, said the retired EAL expert, who drives twice a week to the North End from her home in St. Vital to help them.

In June, she retired as the Hanover School Divisions curriculum support teacher for EAL. She was looking for volunteer opportunities and heard about the Syrian refugee moms in the North End needing help with their conversational English from the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Supporting Organizations. In August, she jumped in to help.

At that time, their English skills were very limited, Schellenberg said. They just dont have opportunities to talk with English speakers  particularly the moms, who are at home with little kids. Their levels of literacy varied  some had never learned to read or write in their first language, Arabic. Two of the participants had never written their name in Arabic and were very proud they could write their name in English.

The families arrived as government assisted refugees during a cold snap last winter. Unlike privately sponsored refugees, they had no family, friends or connections here to look out for them. They first met in temporary housing downtown provided by Welcome Place. The four families moved into a housing complex on Dufferin Avenue in the North End.

Schellenberg is enjoying her time there with them, hearing their conversation skills improve and getting to know them.

These are lovely, lovely families  each and every one of them, she said. Theyre fully embracing and thankful for everything. They have high hopes. They have big ambitions for themselves and their children.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS From left: Kamal Alhassan, his daughter, Rimus, and wife, Amouna, learn english as a family.

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS From left: Mohammad Nour and Rimus Alhassan play as their parents take English conversation classes with Val Schellenberg.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The best police work looks like nothing at all and is always soon forgotten.

That line, from Phillip Kerrs 2013 novel A Man Without Breath, carries a lot of truth for Winnipeg police officer Kevin Birkett. He quotes it often.

The 54-year-old constable started his career on Main Street in 1985 and returned to the beat in December 2014. The kind of police work he does isnt sexy; no headlines, no high-speed chases. From Monday to Friday he works at community-building. Its a lot of listening, mostly.

Its just after nine on an unseasonably warm November morning outside the Bell Hotel. Birkett is reminiscing about a bouncer named Evelyn who used to work there, back before it was home to a quaint lunch bistro.

She had hands like an offensive lineman, he says.

The Main Street Birkett returned to is not the same Main Street he left. Social agencies have replaced the bars that used to line the strip.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Const. Kevin Birkett has been walking the beat since 1985.

In the case of the New Occidental Hotel  the last of the old-time bucket-of-blood bars, as a former bouncer called it  thats literally true; the notorious establishment at the corner of Logan Avenue and Main is now Red Road Lodge, a transitional house for vulnerable people.

When I started walking the beat in May of 85, Main Street had all the hotels and beverage rooms, so it was a little wilder, Birkett says. Now, it seems to be more of a ground zero for transiency. One thing Ive discovered is all the great people employed at the various agencies, and the volunteers. I never really appreciated them. I always had an idea  Im a people person anyway  but when youre boots on the ground, youre exposed to it a bit more. You get more of a sense of what goes on.

Birkett is a large, friendly man, and people are drawn to him. He exchanges familiar hellos with everyone who passes, supplying anecdotes about the folks he now knows well. He often stops and chats. Remember to take your medication, Jerry, he gently reminds one man.

Unfortunately, I cant remember everyones name, and it bothers me that I cant remember all the nice peoples names, he says. I try to. I write them down in the back of my book.

Everyone is on a first-name basis with Birkett, though. Hey Kevin, a woman calls out to him as we walk along, Gimme a smoke! On the day we go out, Birkett has a (non-job-related) black eye. Its a hot topic. You should see the other guy, he says, laughing. Birkett is a real dad, not just a teller of dad jokes; his two kids are in their late teens.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kevin Birkett with some men on Main Street.

I believe in being nice to people, he says. Some people dont give you that chance. But when opportunities present themselves  and they usually do  I like to be nice. I think thats what I am.

Building trust, particularly with a vulnerable population that doesnt always trust authority or law enforcement, takes time. Its gradual exposure to me and seeing what I do and how I do it. You show people that youre there. Some of them, their fear (of police) might be experienced-based. A lot of them have said, I was an asshole to police, but youre different. You listen to me. Or, I dont like police, but I like you  that kind of thing.

You dont take the mound and pitch your best game every time, he continues. And sometimes that leaves a lasting impression. Sometimes an impression is tempered with time and experiences.

We walk down Henry Avenue, where people are gathered outside the Salvation Army. A lot of lost souls, Birkett says, surveying the scene. Me and St. Jude, I think we work in concert with each other.

St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Birkett: 'I believe in being nice to people.'

Lets go to the Cross, Birkett suggests, mid-morning. Hes referring to Our Place/Chez Nous, the drop-in centre on Main Street operated by the St. Charles Catholic Parish, but everyone calls it the Cross.

About 30 people are drinking coffee and sitting on couches made homey by the afghans knitted by church ladies. Birkett introduces me to Sister Johanna Jonker  Sister Jo  who shows me around. Shes a kind-faced woman who gives great hugs.

An older couple, two volunteers, are playing Neil Diamonds Sweet Caroline on acoustic guitar. People seem relaxed. People just fit in here, Jonker says.

Fragments of conversation float above the music. I havent spoken to my mom in 35 years 

 Eleven years clean, and Im proud of myself.

A man asks to pray with Sister Jo; his daughter recently overdosed. There are many ways in which Chez Nous offers warm respite from the streets.

Despite the arrival of social agencies on Main Street, Birkett says crime is more violent now. In the 1980s, he says, there was an unspoken code of ethics on the street; one-on-one fighting, an eye for an eye. Theres something different now. You get more five-on-one, and the prevalence of weapons. Youd meet some pretty tough people back then, just one on one. People dont have that toughness anymore  you have to have a weapon or five friends.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Birkett speaks with Caroline who frequents the area on Main Street near Henry Avenue.

Birkett says sometimes having a cop walk the beat is like smoke and mirrors. If someone is going to do something, theyll wait until you walk by. But I think it helps reassure people. People tell me it makes a difference. I like to think it does.

Chris Tascona, the executive chef at Lunch Bell Bistro, thinks so, too.

Its a good thing, he says of having Birkett walking the area. It keeps him in contact with the community. He has direct observation. It provides a linkage between the police and the public. I cant think of any negatives about that.

Birkett is among Tasconas regulars.

Hes outgoing, hes friendly, hes approachable, Tascona says. Even if youre misbehaving, hes civil and and restrained in his response. Ive seen him making arrests on the street, and hes got an easygoing way about him.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Police often make arrests and Kevin Birkett will help if he's available.

Birkett isnt naive, especially when it comes to public drinking and solvent abuse. People are going to be huffing, theyre going to be drinking, and theyre going to do it somewhere, he says. I think people have an understanding that I know theyre going to do it, so they do it with discretion.

They know if they dont, life will catch up to them.

Whether Birkett decides to ticket someone is a judgment call he has to make dozens of times a day.

I know I dont meet everyones expectations, he says. Thats the trouble with policing. You can only do what you can, when you can, if you can.

He points to a high volume of calls about panhandlers at Higgins and Main as an example.

Im not going to give someone, passively standing on the side with their hand out, a ticket for $500 when I know theyre not going to pay or be held accountable for. Its the ones who are aggressive  who are walking into the street and stopping traffic  who I focus on because I can actually do something about it.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Our Place Chez Nous Drop in Center Inc., also known as The Cross.

Many a time Ive thought, Ugh, maybe I should have given that person a ticket. Ive also thought, Maybe I shouldnt have given somebody a ticket. You could have 100 scenarios the same but 100 different police officers, and therell be a twist on each of them.

  

Main Street has changed, and so has Birketts job. It used to be a two-man beat  days, evenings, nights, he says. Now its just him, on weekdays. He has no immediate plans to retire  I have no marketable skills that Im aware of  and he doesnt know whether the Winnipeg Police Service will replace him when he does.

People have been (on Main Street) on and off over the years, he says. They keep reinventing the wheel. Policing has to adjust. As much as boots on the ground are still a staple in many cities, like New York  that was a big change in how it improved  a department has to live within its means. You end up reconfiguring. A lot of guys end up in cruiser cars because you have to go fire to fire to fire to put them out, so to speak.

Boots on the ground doesnt address that. But I think (it) always works. Youre just there more.

Const. Rejeanne Caron, the Winnipeg police downtown safety co-ordinator, says having a cop walk the beat on Main Street has always been a priority.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Kevin Birkett. talks to The Cross staff Sister Johanna Jonker.

Theres always been a huge benefit to it, she says. Visibility is No. 1. It gives people a sense of safety to have this presence of police. People view that has a crime deterrent.

Walking a beat affords an officer a different perspective, allowing them to see and hear more than they would be able to in a cruiser, she says. I call it surround-sound policing, she says.

Walking a beat also affords access. A cruiser car cant fit down, say, a narrow walkway. And having a beat cop who develops trust within the community can help with crime-solving, as well.

People are more likely to offer community intelligence or information (to their beat cop) that they wouldnt necessarily call 911 or the non-emergency line with, she says.

Birkett says he always has a police officers eye when hes working his day-to-day, but when hes off duty, hes off duty. I dont take it home. Sometimes my kids will ask me what I did during the day. I might think about it. Sometimes I wake up at three in the morning and think, I should have done that, or, maybe I should have done this differently.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Birkett often get calls from officers in the area.

So, what makes a good beat cop?

You have to be a good listener, he says, responding immediately. Some of my colleagues are too quick to interrupt, and Ive been guilty of that myself. Youve got to sit back and listen, but youve got to be firm.

Processing what he hears is also a challenge.

When you see people with emotional issues, youve got to be strong, Birkett says. Its all you can do to not break down a bit yourself, but theyre looking for strength. Youre the shoulder.

Ive had more blood and tears spilled on me in 32 years than a lot of people. You do what you can. If only you could do more for them, but being somebody to talk to is sometimes all they need.

jen.zoratti@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @JenZoratti
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/01/2017 (2114 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On the morning of the Donald Trump presidential inauguration, the U.S. governments representative in Manitoba had calming words for the provinces business community.

Christopher Gunning, principal officer of the U.S. Consulate in Winnipeg, said it is business as usual regardless of the feeling of instability that may exist with the arrival of an administration seemingly unlike others in Washington.

I know that is not a sexy message, and its probably not what you want to hear, but that is the reality, Gunning said to a breakfast crowd of Manitoba business leaders Friday morning. I can come up with a huge number of stats, but it all boils down to the fact that these two economies are too closely integrated for us to freak out. Freaking out is the last thing we want to be doing.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Principal officer with the U.S. Consulate in Winnipeg Christopher Gunning spoke at the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce breakfast this morning.

Gunning said there was plenty of hand-wringing at the time of the George W. Bush and Barack Obama inaugurations in 2000 and 2008, respectively, but likely most dont remember those occasions now.

He emphasized the Trump administration will be business-focused. He noted Manitoba also has a business-oriented government with Brian Pallisters Conservatives and Manitoba businesses would be wise to strike while the iron is hot in terms of developing its business connections with the U.S.

Noting his governments goal to grow the Manitoba economy, Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen said he strongly believes there will be opportunities for local business.

I think the first thing to recognize is that Manitoba is a trading province, our economy relies on trade, Cullen said. The U.S. is our biggest partner both on import and exports. The new government (in the U.S.) looks to be focused on business, and we, as the government of Manitoba, are focused on business.

So despite an arguably more widespread sense of unease with this new administration, Cullen said there is no reason not to be optimistic.

When there is change there is always a certain degree of uncertainty, no matter what country you are in, Cullen said. But we have an ongoing relationship with the U.S. I do not see that relationship changing.

Trade patterns back and forth between Manitoba and the U.S. have remained stable for the past five years, with total two-way trade volumes rising from $20.2 billion in 2011 to $25.8 billion in 2015. Manitoba imports more than it exports to the U.S., and that trade imbalance has remained between $6 billion and $7.9 billion over that span.

While there was plenty of rhetoric during the Trump campaign about NAFTA  Trump said NAFTA is the worst trade deal maybe ever signed anywhere, but certainly ever signed in this country  business leaders believe the trade deal works for both countries and, even if it is reviewed, it wont be revoked.

Chuck Davidson, president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, said if there is an overhaul of NAFTA, there may be opportunities to strengthen it and fix inadequacies.

These long-term trade agreements are just as strong with the U.S. as they are with Canada, he said. In terms of the relationship between Canada and the U.S., there is work to be done on the federal and provincial levels to make sure those relationships remain strong and that it will be business as usual. That will be critical.

But Davidson is not concerned about any significant step up in trade barriers that would impact Manitobas manufacturers and agricultural companies or other exporters.

Who is their main trade partner? Thats us, Davidson said. Are they willing to jeopardize that because of presidential rhetoric, or are they going want to continue on with business as usual?

Gunning, who is married to a Manitoba woman and whose children were born here, said the nimbleness of the Manitoba business community will be well-suited to capitalize on opportunities. First and foremost, we need to relax, he said. There will be rough patches, there will be choppy points, but dont forget the relationship between Canada and the U.S. is not only fundamental, it is transcendental in terms of how the two economies function There is no country, no business community that is better positioned to work with the new administration than Manitoba and Canada.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

No continues to be no.

In court documents related to a civil suit against the province, the Progressive Conservative government firmly said it will not pay Omnitrax  the Denver-based operator of the Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill  a single, red cent for operating losses the company says it was promised by the former NDP government.

Premier Brian Pallister has been consistent in resisting the temptation to use taxpayer money to placate Omnitrax, even after the company decided last spring to close its port during the grain season and curtail freight service on its railway.

He held firm once again after the NDP Opposition accused him of turning his back on the north. He remained unswayed.

Does the province actually owe Omnitrax any money? Its hard to say, although the lawsuit has less to do with past debts and more to do with the fact Omnitrax would prefer if someone  government or private sector, it doesnt really matter  would pay them to go away.

What are the Manitoba assets of Omnitrax worth? The company has been tight-lipped about what value it is attaching to the moribund rail line and port, but there have been rumours it is measured in tens of millions of dollars. It is unlikely anyone will pay them that much, but in the private-sector world, theres usually no harm in opening with an outrageous number.

The port and railway can be valued in two ways. Once you consider the cost of maintaining and operating it and the lack of revenue it generates, these assets have a negative value. Of course, that is only one perspective.

On a strategic and political basis, the port and railway are quite valuable. Together, they represent a critical transportation link for the entire northern region of the port. That makes the railway, in particular, a lifeline for northerners and a top-of-mind political issue for provincial governments.

Add it all together and its time to look an arrangement  perhaps some sort of Crown corporation, where government would have some control over the cost of maintenance and operation.

The mere suggestion that government acquire the port and railway will be greeted as heresy in many corners, not least of them the current premiers office. However, its important to realize that even while these assets were owned by a private company, the federal and provincial governments were still pumping in hundreds of millions of dollars to keep them afloat.

The theory back in 1997 when Omnitrax acquired the railway from Canadian National and the port from the federal government was a keen private-sector eye would generate extra business, keep a lid on operating costs and make these assets profitable.

That dream was never truly realized  and not because Omnitrax didnt give it a good try. The grain industry in Canada decided some years ago it did not want to use Churchill for exports, preferring to push all western crops through Vancouver and Thunder Bay. Churchill makes good geographic and economic sense for farmers in Manitoba and parts of Saskatchewan, but the big grain companies preferred to go another way.

Its time for all parties to agree the private-sector experiment fell short of expectations and move quickly to a new approach. An approach where government views the operation for what it really is: a public-transportation asset that is no different than a highway in southern Manitoba.

Omnitrax has signed a memorandum of understanding with a consortium of First Nations to sell the port and railway. But the First Nations will need government support to complete the purchase, so this is not an effective solution.

The future of the port is really quite uncertain. Without a steady flow of grain, it really has no reason for being. The railway, on the other hand, is an important public asset the Pallister government must pry from Omnitraxs grasp to ensure its future operation. This would likely have to be done by turning the railway into some sort of Crown corporation.

For a government facing a significant fiscal shortfall, that is going to be tough to pull off. However, if we view the railway like a highway, we can see the rationale.

The railway, like a highway, is a critical transportation link that is directly connected to the social and economic well-being of the people it serves. The railway does not serve nearly as many people nor carry as much freight as, say, Highway 75. However, it is just as important to the expansive northern region. It might even be a more cost-effective asset in the long run.

The province is a partner in the construction of two roads in remote regions: the east side all-season road and the so-called Freedom Road to Shoal Lake First Nation in Ontario, right near the source of Winnipegs drinking water. In fact, if the province were to crunch the numbers, they would likely find the cost of maintaining a railway in the north is a lot less expensive than building an all-season road from The Pas to Churchill.

Pallister has been firm and fierce in rejecting Omnitraxs efforts to get paid for its money-draining assets. The premier needs to summon some of that same ferocity now to find a solution that keeps the railway alive. The fate of the entire north depends on it.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @danlett
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Here we go. No one knows how this will turn out, but we do know that an unhinged playboy with a not-so-smartphone has plopped himself down in a soft chair behind a big desk in the Oval Office.

The move from former United States president Barack Obama to President Donald Trump is a tectonic shift in human history, bigger than Trumps dramatics or the fate of Obamas policies. And much bigger than the chorus of critics self-righteously exclaiming how unthinkably unthinkable it all is.

Recall Obamas speech in Chicago the night he won the election in 2008. The energy was historic. America was aglow with possibility, and the world took a deep, calming breath.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO Former U.S. president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama greet President Donald Trump and Melania Trump at the White House.

The most prominent minority in the most prominent nation had achieved symbolic equal footing. Black people mattered. The metaphorical slave was standing tall.

Even the place once called the dark continent could bask in the fringes of the glow.

When Obama put his black hand on Abraham Lincolns inaugural Bible, it was one of those moments, such as the end of apartheid, when one dared believe history could heal, differences could be overcome and the collective best in us would rise.

Then recall, if you can, the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. Obama travelled somewhat reluctantly to Oslo to accept an award for what the world hoped he would do.

But by 2013, when Obama told the crowd at the memorial for South Africas former president Nelson Mandela that the anti-apartheid revolutionary spoke to whats best inside us, it was clear to the world Obama would not join the ranks of the moral giants of history  people who led us past our differences by, as Obama said in South Africa, drawing out the largeness of spirit somewhere inside ourselves.

Obama delivered a highly fitting speech, but no one spoke about a passing of a torch. His Nobel Prize now stands as a reminder of hopes unmet. The only more vivid reminder is Trump himself.

Trumps success is Obamas failure. After eight years of Obama  who started off saying, We come to proclaim an end to petty grievances  America is more eager to build walls than bridges.

Of course, it is entirely unfair to fault a person for not becoming the next Mandela. After all, he did become the first African-American to attain one of the highest offices on earth.

And he did succeed in some ways  economic recovery, health coverage for millions more people, killing Osama bin Laden (if killing is success) and some very fine speeches.

But he did not fundamentally alter the complexion of America. He did not rise above politics. And he did not fix politics.

It is not all his fault, of course. The hopes were unrealistic.

But such was the sense of inevitability in Chicago that night in 2008.

No one thought then that racially tinged police violence would plague Obamas final year. No one anticipated the Tea Party or an eventual backlash that would make the Tea Party look tepid.

In a 2015 interview with the New York Times, Ray LaHood  the only Republican appointed to Obamas original cabinet  shed some light. Though a bipartisan spirit was supposed to distinguish the Obama presidency, LaHood  who served four years under Obama  said despite sincere intentions, the president quickly gave up on this and retreated to a small group of partisan advisers.

This is not to blame Obama for Trump. Trump must take responsibility for himself.

But it is worth considering the dangers of partisanship, just as liberals now double down on their partisan invective.

Obama reassured his people the sun will continue to rise each morning. He knows as well as anyone Trump is unlikely to deliver on his critics worst fears, just as he is unlikely to deliver on his supporters boldest expectations.

Paradoxically, perhaps the similarities between Trump and Obama are as instructive as the differences.

The gist of Obamas inauguration speech was that Americans needed to pull together to retain greatness. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on earth, he boasted. He spoke about reaffirming the greatness of America.

Entitlement to greatness is a political constant in the U.S. That greatness is closely linked to military firepower and material prosperity.

Neither Trumps ostentation nor Obamas not-so-noble drone warfare are in any way un-American.

And while Americas ambition, confidence and diversity hold lessons for the rest of humanity, its preoccupation with prosperity and greatness (and reality TV) stand in some tension with the pursuit of moral heights. The narrative of ascendancy doesnt necessarily bring out the best in people.

In some sense, Obama tried to marry Martin Luther King Jr.s dream of healing division with the American dream of individual opportunity to strive for lots of stuff. It didnt work.

Will Braun lives on a Manitoba farm near the U.S. border.
When the city of Lincoln was platted in 1867, the east edge was set at 17th Street. As the city grew, Lincolns most prosperous businessmen began building homes around the Capitol and to the east, with some properties as large as quarter or even half blocks in size. One of the earliest subdivisions was Lavenders Addition, 25 square blocks running from 17th to 25th and J to N Streets. Here, an interesting fracas broke out featuring one of Lincolns earliest and most successful businessmen.

James F. Lansing was born in 1840 or 1842, married Emma Oliver, moved to Lincoln in 1872 and immediately bought three lots on the southwest corner of 17th and K streets. Within a year he had established a real estate/loan agency/insurance office above Tingleys Drug Store near the southwest corner of 10th and O streets and built a large house at 1739 K St. in the middle of lots 1 and 2 of Block 1 in Lavenders Addition, leaving his third lot to the west as open lawn.

In 1891, Lansing and his brother-in-law Henry Oliver razed two houses and Whipples Milk Depot, which Lansing had built in the 1870s on the southwest corner of 13th and P streets, and erected the palatial Lansing Theater, which cost $110,000 and seated more than 2,000.

In 1895, Lansing and Oliver became embroiled in a lawsuit that erupted after Oliver physical assaulted Lansing, ending with Lansing and his attorneys, L.C. Burr and Roscoe Pound, being arrested. Oliver ended up with the theater, which he renamed the Oliver, later the Liberty and finally the Varsity.

J.H. Gottlieb Wessel was born in Germany in 1847, married and moved to Omaha in 1882. In 1901, Wessel purchased lot 4 just west of Lansings empty lot and built a home for his family, which ultimately counted 14 children (although another source says there were only 10).

In April 1902, the relationship between the two neighbors took on a spirited, nearly violent, confrontation with two disparate stories unfolding. About the only undisputed part was that when Wessel had his property line surveyed, he found that Lansing had erected a board fence that impinged on Wessels property by 3 feet, 7 inches. Lansing firmly refused to remove the fence, and Wessels sons then took it down and built their own on what they claimed was the correct property line.

Lansing retaliated by tearing down the new Wessel fence, whereupon Mrs. Wessel, her sons, Herman and Fitz, and Mrs. Lansing emerged on the scene. Tempers flared, James Lansing shouted at Mrs. Wessel with vile and indecent language, then grabbed a board from the fence and assaulted Mrs. Wessel leaving her so badly bruised that she was unable to attend her household duties. Ratcheting the encounter up a notch, Herman Wessel ran to the house and grabbed a shotgun, ran back outside and fired into the air to quiet the action. Someone called the police.

The Lansing report was considerably modified. After 29 years of peaceful occupation of his property, Lansing reported that the Wessel boys tore down his fence, substituting their own whereupon he began removing theirs. Shouting ensued. While Lansing continued to tear down the new fence one board accidentally hit Mrs. Wessel in the arm. Both Fritz and Herman then rushed into their house and both returned with shotguns. One shot was fired, barely missing Lansings head while the other son aimed more carefully but was unable to fire when Mrs. Lansing threw her skirt over the gun preventing him from pulling the trigger.

It seems almost impossible to now sort out the exact details but Wessel subsequently hired attorney John Bishop to represent his sons, and Mrs. Wessel sued Lansing for $5,000 resulting in only a $5 fine levied against Lansing for his verbal assault on her. Three years later, attorney Bishop sued Wessel for not paying him for the sons defense.

The Wessel family moved to Omaha a short time later, their house purchased by James Boswell a grocer/dry goods merchant with a store on the south side of O Street. The Lansing family remained at 1739 K until James died in November 1910. On his death, it was said that he had made more big deals than any other man in his line [and had] erected a business building in every block from Ninth Street to 14th Street, including his three-story personal office at 14th and O streets. He was also once said to be worth over $1 million.

About 1917, both houses were razed and replaced by the extant Algonquin and Colonial Apartments each now a century old and no longer on the extreme eastern edge of Lincoln.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/01/2017 (2114 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the news business, our work is often plunged in sadness. The events that seize and shake our communities are not often harmless, and so news must often tell the story of families hurt or struggling, or simply left behind.

For me, the hardest stories to encounter  as a writer and a citizen  have always been the missing.

When people vanish, they leave holes in the lives of those around them. A mothers phone that no longer buzzes with texts from her daughter; a bedroom where their work clothes gather dust; an ache, a waiting, a horrible pause.

Stubbornly, I believe media can help. Over the years, when I have covered stories of missing people, I have held strong to the belief that putting light on them can make a difference; if it brings just one person home, it is enough.

But eventually, news of a given missing person slows to a trickle. When nothing changes and nothing is new, the rest of the world moves on to other topics. Media must, too. But the families of the missing, of course, never really do.

Sometimes, when there are no updates, people can assume the missing were found. (And sometimes, that is true.)

But what do we do when someone stays missing, and there is nothing more to say about the situation?

At least we can keep their names and images alive  hoping when hope is all there is that continuing to tell these stories will lead to a confirmed sighting or jog some memory. Hoping it will uncover some key to their fate.

With that in mind, here are the folks who vanished in Winnipeg last year who we are still searching for in 2017.

On paper, they dont share much in common. They are of different backgrounds, ages and places. They entered the news in different circumstances, except for the one that is most important: they all vanished and stayed missing.

Christine Wood

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Hundreds of volunteers showed up last November to help in the ground search for College Beliveau teacher Kevin Dilk after he went missing.

On Aug. 19, 2016, the 21-year-old left the Polo Park-area hotel where she was staying with her parents, who were in town from Bunibonibee First Nation for a medical appointment. Her parents havent had any contact with her since.

So ever since she went missing, George and Melinda Wood have spent long nights combing the city, driving up and down streets where they hope she might be seen. So far, they have found no trace of her and no solid leads.

After spending the holidays at home in Oxford House with their three sons and four grandchildren, the Woods have recently returned to Winnipeg to resume the search. Despite early reports of sightings, none have been confirmed.

Christine is 5-6, and when she went missing she had dyed red hair. One of the most notable features, friends and family said, is a chipped front tooth  her upper left lateral incisor. She had broken the tooth not too long before she went missing. Friends told the Free Press it was quite noticeable when she smiled.

More on Christine Wood

Searching to end the heartbreak

Christine Wood, missing since Aug. 19, spotted three times

Agony the same only different

Zhimin Maggie Liu

Winnipeg Police

In 2014, Maggie Liu moved to Winnipeg with her husband, Podge Dimagiba. The couple had met in Hong Kong and came to Canada to build a life together. For Liu, a talented graphic designer, the future must have seemed bright.

But once in Winnipeg, Liu wrestled with depression. An introvert, she struggled to make friends in Canada and seldom left the house without her husband.

Still, she was making plans for the future: shortly before she went missing she invited her mother, Chang Guiying, to come visit Winnipeg for the Chinese New Year.

That visit never happened. On Oct. 30, 2016, Maggie Liu disappeared. According to Lius husband, she must have left their River Heights home while he was sleeping. She is tiny, just 5-0, and was wearing a thin jacket.

So far, extensive search efforts by the Winnipeg police and volunteer groups have found no trace of her.

More on Maggie Liu

Search expands for woman who went missing

Kevin Dilk

facebook

At around 5 a.m. on Nov. 23, Kevin Dilk was at his St. Boniface home in his pyjamas. His wife saw him in his office when she left for work that morning. By the time the couples two adult children woke up at 8 a.m., Dilk was gone.

On most days, he would have simply been headed to College Beliveau where he works as a teacher. But he never showed up.

When he didnt come home that evening, his family assumed he was staying late to prepare for the next days report cards and parent meetings. But when he was still absent the next morning, they realized something was wrong.

None of this makes sense, his sister told the Free Press later, about his disappearance. Dilk, she said, was always the rock of the family; at a birthday party just days before he went missing, he seemed his normal jovial self.

So far, little is known for certain about where Dilk may have gone. The Bear Clan received a report he may have been spotted walking on Des Meurons a day after he was reported missing; but that potential sighting is unconfirmed.

Its not known for sure what he was wearing when he went missing. He stands about 5-9, with silver hair.

As of Jan. 12, the family wrote on the official Finding Kevin Dilk Facebook page there were no new updates.

More on Kevin Dilk

None of this makes sense: Family of missing St. Boniface teacher clings to hope

Hundreds search for missing teacher

SUPPLIED PHOTO Kevin Dilk, 50, was last seen Nov. 23.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 21/01/2017 (2113 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

No matter where they stand on a US$3.8-billion pipeline that would funnel oil through their state, North Dakota legislators have grown weary of a year of protests that have brought international scrutiny and a mounting police bill.

So theyve drafted legislation in response to whats happening near the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. One bill would make it illegal for adults to wear masks. Another would let the state sue the federal government for the cost of policing the pipeline protests.

Now, a legislator wants to give motorists a pass if they happen to hit one of the protesters.

JAMES MACPHERSON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Protesters against the construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline block a highway in near Cannon Ball, N.D., on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016. North Dakota House Bill 1203 would extend protection for drivers who accidentally injure or kill a person obstructing traffic on a public road or highway.

House Bill 1203 was sponsored by state Rep. Keith Kempenich, the owner of a trucking company. It would extend protection for drivers who accidentally injure or kill a person obstructing traffic on a public road or highway.

Kempenich, a Republican, told the Washington Post hes in favour of the pipeline and the economic benefit it would bring to his state, but he wants to see it done right.

As the powers that be parse out the details, he said his bill is aimed at the aggressive tactics of some protesters who swarm passing vehicles and block traffic to get their message heard.

This bill is not about oil. We ranch. Were conservationists, too, he said. But theres a line between protesting and terrorism, and what were dealing with was terrorism out there. (Drivers) who were legally doing their business or just going home, and all of a sudden theyre in a situation they dont want to be in.

One distraught driver in particular caught Kempenichs attention  his 72-year-old mother-in-law. She was driving on Highway 1806 when she found herself swarmed by protesters, chanting, holding signs and, she told her legislator son-in-law, jumping in front of her car.

Thats where Kempenich got the idea for the legislation. He stressed that he is not trying to legalize vehicular manslaughter in the state of North Dakota. Drivers still have to do all they can to avoid protesters.

But the law says protesters have to do their part as well to stay on sidewalks and road shoulders. If they dont, Kempenich told the Post, the law should favour law-abiding motorists.

The First Amendment gives people the right of freedom to assemble peacefully, but it also gives the right for people to ignore that protest, he said.

LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, a protest organizer, told The Associated Press the legislation is a product of people not communicating.

I have never seen so many people frightened in all my life, she said of the anti-protest bills. My recommendation for the legislature would be to pray harder. I think people are living on rumour and gossip more than they do the truth.

For a year, a coalition of native American tribes and environmentalists have protested the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other native Americans believe the project, which would carry oil from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point in Illinois, threatens drinking water and native American cultural sites, the AP reports. Texas-based developer Energy Transfer Partners disputes that.

The protesters have created a camp in North Dakota adjacent to the Standing Rock reservation and about 1.6 kilometres from where the pipeline is planned to cross the Missouri River.

Protesters also built a roadblock on Highway 1806, preventing people from passing by for months. Law enforcement agencies built their own checkpoint, reports Bismark, N.D., NBC affiliate KFYR.

In December, the Army Corps of Engineers denied a permit for the section of the pipeline that would go under the Missouri River, but U.S President Donald Trump has said he supports the completion of the pipeline, which means protests could go on indefinitely.

 Washington Post
Minnesota is taking yet another stab at solving the taxation issues for those traveling to Wisconsin to work.

Its a plan that doesnt involve Wisconsin, after years of failed negotiations between the two states over tax reciprocity.

Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, has put out a reimbursement plan to pay Minnesotans back the taxes they have removed by a higher tax rate in Wisconsin.

This is Davids second time introducing this legislation, which was included in the 2016 session tax bill that received bipartisan approval in the Legislature but was vetoed by the governor.

Davids said the proposal would simply reimburse Minnesotans to offset higher Wisconsin income taxes.

The predicted cost of the bill would be about $8.6 million in its first year, come from the states general fund, and be distributed by the Department of Revenue much like a tax return.

While the process would still require workers to file two tax returns, it would not add new forms to the process, Davids said.

The process has been a long and frustrating one since former Gov. Tim Pawlenty ended reciprocity with Wisconsin in 2009, following years of haggling over payments and timing.

Wisconsin had been late with payments for taxes totaling over $100 million, and since that time they have been unable to come to an agreement to reinstate the arrangement.

We would negotiate  we could never get it done with Wisconsin, Davids said.

Of the around 80,000 workers traveling between the states, around 56,000 are Wisconsin residents who work in Minnesota and 24,000 Minnesotans who work in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin would actually come out ahead, Davids said. Youd think theyd want it, too.

Davids noted that the matter of tax reciprocity was even more pressing in areas like southeast Minnesota, where one of the main business hubs was across the river in La Crosse.

If they can pass the measure this year, it would put to rest several years of failed discussions.

Wisconsin eased the tension in 2011 when it paid Minnesota $59.7 million. In 2015, the last year they tried to negotiate a new deal, a Minnesota demand for a $6 million payment to recoup what it projected would be lost tax dollars in a new deal was a deal-breaker.

Wisconsin had made concessions, agreeing to pay Minnesota quarterly estimates instead of after tax season, and cooperating in studies released in 2013 about the numbers of residents crossing state lines for work and potential amounts due.

Davids, who nearly succeeded in passing a measure in 2011 and proposed dropping $1 million from the demands in 2014, include a provision to remove the entire $6 million stipulation in the tax bill in 2015.

At that time, he said there was bipartisan support for finding a new deal with Wisconsin.

This will kind of flush Wisconsin out to see if theyre serious, Davids said in 2015, which they havent been to this point, in my opinion.

His opinion, he said, has not changed since.
Winona County Board of Commissioners and county department heads participated in a wide-ranging and frank discussion of the counties needs with local legislators Friday, concentrating on highlighting the drastic need for funding and infrastructure from the state.

Reps. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, and Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, with Sens. Mike Goggin, R-Red Wing, and Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, were also present, along with representation from the Association of Minnesota Counties. Commissioner Greg Olson was not present.

One of the great and continuous complaints out of the county, which the commissioners made clear, was the need for relief from unfunded or underfunded mandated programs.

Commissioner Jim Pomeroy told the legislators the state doesnt make up the full cost for its initiatives when theyre run through county government, especially in health and human services.

Pomeroy pointed out that the out-of-home placement by itself totaled 10 to 12 percent of the countys tax levy.

What we find is that more and more of the excess costs are basically falling on our property taxpayers, Pomeroy said. Its not a good situation where were the buffer between what the state will pay and what services cost.

Other programs including the sex offender rehabilitation, criminal transportation and rehabilitation programming, and even things like the new buffer laws were pinpointed by commissioners as drains on their budget that were not within their control.

Commissioner Steve Jacob said the increase in need has not been addressed either, when increasing mental health and criminal justice tasks are transferred to the counties.

Not only have the costs of the services increase, but the amount of people demanding the service has increased, Jacob said. Feel free to take it back.

While county officials acknowledged that there were funding sources, namely grants, provided by the state, they said they came with hidden costs.

Multiple commissioners said that while a grant could provide funding for additional staff or programming to address costs, if it stops at any point that the county would be put in the position of firing that staff or discontinuing the service if they dont front the costs themselves.

County administrator Ken Fritz said that was in addition to the staff time spent working to get the grants.

Theyre great opportunities, dont get me wrong, Fritz said. But when you look at the whole system  youre running around a lot to chase the money.

Other worries of the county include the looming need for a new jail facility, and the requirements that go with it, along with the costs of technology, road and bridge construction and maintenance, and the number of water-specific regulation the county deals with.

Jacob said that he counted 19 different organizations, regulatory bodies, boards and other entities dealing with water, all competing for grant dollars and requiring staff and time.

Commissioners noted that the One Watershed, One Plan was then implemented, as well as the buffer laws for waterways.

Something else needs to be given up, Jacob said. Were being mired down in administrative bureaucracy.

The solutions that most of the parties saw were either more funding, less requirements or a combination of the both.

Matt Hilgart, analyst for the Association of Minnesota Counties, lobbied legislators to increase funding through county program aid, which they say would help with both the mandated costs and provide some relief from property tax increases.

Hilgart said the group is helping create a bill to introduce to the Legislature that would help change the allocation formula for the county program aid, as well as add $25 to $40 million to the $205 million, which it has remained at since being created in 2005.

The bill so far has the support of 86 of the 87 counties, as well as legislatures including Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, and Miller.

Theres direct property tax relief that our organization is one hundred percent in support of, Hilgart said.

The county program aid was a consolidation of several different funding sources, which county association maintains has lost some of its effectiveness because of problems with the distribution formula, including its focus on countys net tax capacity which disproportionally decreases rural counties allocations.

For the legislators part, they mostly listened and asked questions.

They were more confident that a tax reform bill would be passed this year, potentially bigger than last years proposed bill, but were unanimous that new taxes, including the gas tax, would likely not be passed as a way to alleviate counties financial burdens.
On Saturday, people from Winona and across the country, and world, plan to don specially-knitted hats as a testament to and for woman everywhere standing up for their right to be heard.

Gaby Peterson, an owner of Yarnology in downtown Winona, said they ran out of the official pink yarn for the hats around Christmas time.

Theres been a lot of hats made in the last month, she said. Its cool, because you wouldnt think knitting could be used to make a political statement.

Collette Hyman, who has made a few of the hats and is participating in the nationwide march on Saturday, bought the last bundle of pink yarn at Yarnology and said she looks forward to marching this weekend.

Hyman said the hats represent a humorous, yet political, way for woman to speak up and speak out.

Its a humorous response to the way in which the new occupant of the White House talks about women, she said. I am marching because I see the direction of the nation as having a direct impact on our community locally.

She added that its important to recognize the contributions women have made to society through the ages, and to maintain vigilance in the fight for civil rights and womens rights.

Peterson is not attending any marches Saturday, but she made a few hats for friends and relatives, and said people are still consistently coming into the store asking about hats.
Joanne Bland, who marched beside Martin Luther King Jr. at a time when the Civil Rights Movement still burned hot in the south, will speak about her lifelong struggle for racial equality Monday at Winona State University.

I want people to feel empowerment, said Bland, who will present Hollywoods Myths and Realities of the Civil Rights Movement at 7 p.m. in Kryzsko Commons East Hall. I want them to feel the same power to affect change that we did in the 1960s. They can do it now in 2017.

Bland was 11 years old in 1965, when people in her hometown of Selma, Alabama, gathered in support of their right to vote and in defiance of those who sought to segregate black from white.

On March 7, what came to be known as Bloody Sunday, as many as 600 peaceful protesters began a turbulent march from Selma to the state capital of Montgomery, 50 miles to the east.

Joanne Bland is believed to have been the youngest among them.

My grandmother was the leading force in getting us involved, she said. She kept saying how this wasnt right and that wasnt right, how one day things would change.I grew up sitting at the feet of history-makers.Several times she met King, who would go out of his way to talk with children, and would always given them peppermints before he left, she said.Far from a young bystander in the age of Jim Crow, Bland herself was arrested a documented 13 times by the time she was 11.Bland said the United States progress toward racial equal can be attributed to the dedication of those early protesters. A week after the marchers left Selma, President Lyndon Johnson presented a bill to Congress that would pass that summer as the Voting Rights Act.Weve come a long, long way in the United States, she said.But that prideful reflection is balanced, Bland said, against the understanding that complete equality has not been achieved.

She cites the recent presidential election  the replacing of the countrys first African-American president with a man who once questioned that presidents citizenship  as evidence there is even more marching to do.

Movements are like jigsaw puzzles, she said. Everybody has their piece. Mine is teaching the lessons of the past, so our children can see where weve been as a nation, and so they can learn from what we did right and what we did wrong.As an African-American, this is nothing new, she said. Racism has always been there. What bothers me is the blatant racism, people with the nerve to treat me or talk to me however they want.Theyre trying to turn back the clock. But Im not going back.
On Friday, nearly 300 community leaders gathered at Riverport Suites banquet facilities for the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition event. The theme was Building a Legacy that Matters.

Retiring 2016 board chair Patrick Marek reported to attendees that the state of the local chamber is strong. Membership is at an all-time high, events and programs are attracting record attendance, and the organization ended the year with its strongest financial performance in more than a decade.

Incoming 2017 board chair Barb Breza shared the priorities for the year, including new programs to forward workforce development efforts through the chambers Business Education Network, continued commitment to further grow the impacts of the Winona Main Street initiative, and a new focus for the chambers Young Professional Network. Further, the chambers Economic Development Committee will place a priority on forwarding initiatives to address local housing issues.

The Chamber honored three inductees into the Honorary Lifetime Chamber Member club; Rod Nelson, recently retired CEO of Merchants Financial Group; Judy Bodway, recently retired Winona city manager; and Terri McManemy, recently retired former owner of babybean in downtown Winona.

The Chamber surprised long-time volunteer Dave Jensen, Farmers Insurance agent, with the 2016 Volunteer of the Year Award.

The annual dessert auction broke all past performances and set a new record, raising more than $10,000. The proceeds will be dedicated to the new REACH initiative to help high school students reach their full potential.

REACH, with its elective classes and exposure to area businesses, is designed to prepare students for career and college readiness after graduation from high school. The REACH program is an initiative of the chambers Business Education Committee. It is supported the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Winona Area Public Schools, Winona State Universitys College of Business, Minnesota State Southeast and Saint Marys University.
A spicy showdown is shaping up in downtown Baraboo.

Bug Tussel Wireless and Con Amici Wine Bar will team up Tuesday to sponsor the first-ever Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser for the Baraboo Food Pantry. Set to unfold at Con Amici, the contest will settle the age-old debate of noodles versus no noodles, and decide once and for all who has the best chili in town.

While she wont be judging during the contest, Con Amici owner Laura Hamdan-Krause said shell have her hands full deciding which wines to pair with different bowls of chili.

Since chili is usually spicy, I was thinking a sweeter white would be good to help cut the spice, she said. But my husband disagrees, and he thinks a robust, dry red would be better, so were on completely different ends of the spectrum.

Regardless of white or red, Hamdan-Krause was quick to add that beer will be available as well for the more traditional beer-chili combination.

The cost to enter a crock pot in the contest is $10, and proceeds will benefit the Food Pantry. Those with subpar chili recipes can also participate by bringing a nonperishable food item or a monetary donation for a chance to judge the homemade chilis during a blind taste test.

Votes will be tallied at the end of the night, and the chili champion will take home a $50 gas card.

Bug Tussel Wireless sales manager Renee Greenland helped organize the event, and said the idea behind the chili cook-off is to start a fundraiser that will bring donations to the Food Pantry after its busy holiday season.

We realized that after the holidays the donations to food pantries tend to go down quite a bit, so we wanted to put together an event that could generate some donations for the Food Pantry, she said.

Greenland said half a dozen chili aficionados already have registered for the contest, and she hopes to double that number by Tuesday.

A little bit of competition is always good to get people excited, Greenland said.

Those interested in competing should call 608-402-2848 to reserve a spot in the contest. The $10 donation can be made during the event.

Greenland said she expects the fundraiser will generate several hundred dollars worth of monetary and food donations.

Were getting together with other members of the community for a good cause, she said. I think its going to be a lot of fun.
Animal welfare organizations are raising the alarm at proposed rules announced by the District of Columbia Housing Authority that would govern pet ownership in public housing.

For more than 10 years the agency has prohibited pet ownership wholesale in public housing projects. Critics have long argued that this is an illegal restriction on low-income people who rely on government assistance. As the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals argues, federal law guarantees residents of public housing the right to own a pet.

In response to the society and the Humane Rescue Alliances argument that the current restrictions are illegal, the agency unveiled new rules that would allow pet ownership in public housing, but with restrictions. Residents are allowed to own up to two pets, but no animals  including dogs  may weigh more than 40 pounds or be taller than 15 inches.

The animal rescue groups argue the limits are unacceptable and are running campaigns to change the proposed rules.

The Humane Rescue Alliance says that the height and weight limit eliminates the overwhelming majority of animals (80 percent) in Humane Rescue Alliance adoptions centers, therefore prohibiting DCHA residents from taking advantage of low cost adoption fees offered by organizations like ours.

If the limits stand, the welfare organizations say low-income residents will turn disproportionately to breeders rather than adoption centers, which does little to alleviate the overwhelming need in the district for adoptive parents. Adoption centers also spay and neuter pets for prospective parents, which means that an adoption is a better option for low-income residents, as the associated costs are lower.

As with the nationwide proposed tobacco ban in public housing, this is another example of nannies using their power  and the power of government purse strings  to limit certain life choices that could be made by low-income people in need of public housing. Many policies are left up to individual buildings and their managers, and imposing these universal restrictions severely limits the choices available to low-income residents.

The animal rescue groups have encouraged their members to write to the Office of the General Counsel to protest the restrictions.
GIRLPowR, the nonprofit organization that Julie Reager of Lincoln started nearly three years ago to empower girls, is growing. Its expanding in Kumaica, Nicaragua, where Reager once served in the Peace Corps and returned in 2013 to start GIRLPowR. And its expanding right here in Lincoln.

But as might be expected in a developing country with a lack of infrastructure, resources and with communication barriers, the programs expansion in Nicaragua hasnt come without some challenges.

Time does not work the same way in a developing country as it does in the United States, Reager said. Things can take longer to accomplish.

As an example, during her third trip of the year to Nicaragua in early December, Reager took Kumaica GIRLPowR members on their first professional development field trip to visit with women who work in various occupations. As planned, the girls met with the director of a hospital, a physician, a nurse, a journalist, the director of an agricultural cooperative, even a government official  all women.

But they didnt plan to meet with police.

They took us to the Ministry of Family government office, where we were questioned a long time, Reager said. The GIRLPowR participants ranged in age from 14 to 21, so the police were mainly concerned with the minors in our group. Even though we had consent forms signed by parents and identification, we were detained for half a day.

Later, Reager learned from the tour driver that the questioning likely resulted from the fact that Nicaraguas national election occurred less than a month before GIRLPowRs field trip. Government officials were making sure the group wasnt trying to create an uprising or meddle with political affairs.

The next time we plan a trip for the girls, well coordinate ahead of time with the Ministry of Family, Reager said.

Still, the girls learned a lot on that three-day field trip, she added. It raised their awareness of more possibilities for their career paths. The girls learned about professions they already knew about such as doctors, teachers and lawyers, but they also learned about careers they had not considered, such as journalism, local government and public administration.

In the capital, Managua, the GIRLPowR group met with a journalist who shared her story about being raised in a poor home, and they learned how she overcame her fears and obstacles to become a journalist and eventually a supervisor at La Prensa, the largest and most reputable newspaper in Nicaragua.

Along the way, the girls experienced many memorable firsts  like watching a movie in a theater and visiting an ocean beach.

School uniforms and backpacks

As with all of her trips to Nicaragua, Reager brought 20-plus school uniforms and backpacks, along with other school supplies  all in two suitcases.

Im getting better at packing, she quipped.

All of the backpacks and many of the school supplies were donated during GIRLPowRs Back to School items drive in Lincoln last fall.

Out of the nine girls who graduated from secondary (high) school in Kumaica, five were GIRLPowR participants and received college scholarships from the mayors office, Reager said. Overall, GIRLPowR serves 62 percent of girls attending primary or secondary school in South Kumaica. In North Kumaica, its 74 percent.

Even though some of the girls in Kumaica are not in GIRLPowR, they are learning from other girls who are, and theyre seeing those older girls graduate and move on to careers. The impact is huge in this small rural community.

I truly believe that without GIRLPowR, some girls wouldnt have made graduating a priority, she added. Some parents wouldnt have understood the importance of and long-term impact of receiving an education, and the girls would have been pulled out of school to work in coffee-picking season, or to do domestic work in the home and care for younger siblings.

As we all know, a lack of education leads to more teenage pregnancies and larger families to care for with limited vocational opportunities for earning income, and that feeds into the cycle of poverty.

Growing programs in Lincoln

Locally, GIRLPowR began partnering last year with Community Learning Centers (CLC) and Lincoln Public Schools to provide an after-school girls program at Arnold Elementary School. This summer, GIRLPowR will continue its third-annual girls camp at Airpark Recreation Center in partnership with Lincoln Parks and Recreation and expand to include an all-day, week-long camp in the Airpark neighborhood. In its first two summers, camp sessions were 1.5 to 2 hours per day, two to three times a week.

Last fall, GIRLPowR also started an after-school program for Belmont Elementary School students in partnership with CLC.

In 2017, I hope to expand GIRLPowR to at least one more after-school program and one community center program in Lincoln, she said.

GIRLPowRs third annual Round the World fundraising event last November at Nebraska Globals Barnyard in the Haymarket district raised nearly $11,000, surpassing its $10,000 goal. After the event, GIRLPowR received another $3,000 gift from a donors employer, the Hemera Foundation.

The fundraising covers a substantial amount of GIRLPowRs budget for 2017, said Reager, who left her job at Lincolns Friendship Home after 10 years in 2013 to start GIRLPowR in Nicaragua.

So far, Reager has contributed her full-time effort as GIRLPowRs executive director without compensation. And while she finds her role immensely satisfying, Someday I would like a paycheck  even a small one, she mused.

Developing new curriculum

Reager said she is especially excited to begin partnering with a Womens History class at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) this semester, taught by Dr. Meghan Winchell and the service-learning program, to help develop a new curriculum for GIRLPowR programs in both Lincoln and Nicaragua.

Currently our programs are based on a mix of publicly available curricula, lesson plans and activity guides we developed, Reager said.

Each of 30 NWU students will spend 20 hours researching 20 resources, Reager said. She envisions the curriculum including civic engagement, self-esteem building, health topics, relational aggression, leadership capacity and more.

The students will also observe a GIRLPowR group session and evaluate it. After the students develop lesson plan drafts, Reager and Winchell will evaluate them and make suggestions for changes.

Next, lesson plans will have a trial run with a girls group and be evaluated and tweaked. The NWU students final curriculum presentations will be made in class with Reager, GIRLPowR board members and a group facilitator in attendance. The students names will be listed among those who contribute to developing the new curriculum.

Thats a big focus for 2017, Reager said. My goal is to have a working curriculum document by the end of the year, enabling us to operate our programs better and more efficiently.

Future goals

In five years, Reager hopes to grow GIRLPowR programs locally and globally, including expanding to other parts of the United States and the world to reach thousands of girls.

I envision a lot of growth taking off after we finalize and validate the formal curriculum, she said. Then we can expand into new locations to recruit and train facilitators to carry out the GIRLPowR program and mission consistently.

How to help

For details about how funding helps girls served by GIRLPowR, to make a donation or to volunteer, see girlpowr.org or email juliereagerdirector@gmail.com.
Items are listed under the day of the event only, running as space permits prior to the event. To submit items, call 745-3511, email jcutsforth@capitalnewspapers.com or visit www.portagedailyregister.com . Include name and phone number.

TODAY

Concert: 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Series concert, Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., Portage. North Country Drifters will perform classic country and western swing. Reserved tickets on sale online, over the phone or at the office. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets will also be available at the door. Sponsored by Pointon Heating and Air Conditioning.

Griefshare: 10 a.m. to noon, support group for individuals suffering from the loss of loved one(s), Portage United Methodist Church, 1804 New Pinery Road, Portage. Call Laurie at 608-450-1081 or Jen at 608-345-8928 or visit www.griefshare.org for more information. Snowball Shoot: 10 a.m. Merrimac Conservation Rod and Gun Club, Merrimac. Religion class: 5 p.m. Deliverance ministry classes with Pastor Dale Smalley, Outreach Bible Church, 235 Northridge Drive, Portage. All welcome. SUNDAY, JAN. 22 Mackenzie Center Snowshoe and Hike: This event has been cancelled. Zumba: 5:30 p.m. Rusch Elementary School, Portage. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or 4dreamers@frontier.com.

MONDAY, JAN. 23

Clinic: 8 a.m. to noon, Columbia County Public Health Walk-In Clinic, Columbia County Division of Health, 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Use door No. 4. Bring childs immunization record. Visit

Clinic: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Marquette County Immunization Clinic, Marquette County Health and Human Services Building, 428 Underwood Ave., Montello. Bring childs immunization record. Parents must accompany all children under 18 years of age. If this is not possible, call the Marquette County Health Department at 608-297-3135 prior to the clinic.

Food pantry: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Second Harvest mobile food pantry, St. Marys Catholic Church, 318 S. Main St., Pardeeville. Do not line up before 3 p.m. Bring boxes, bags, wagons, etc., to carry food. Volunteers are needed by calling Cindy at 742-7687.

Fundraiser: Portage Family Skatepark Project fundraiser at Papa Murphys Pizza, 2936 New Pinery Road, Portage. Mention the PFSP and 10 percent of your purchase will benefit the PFSP.

Jewelry and Gift Item Sale: noon to 5 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. More than 1,000 unique products for men, women and children. Great values on fashion and seasonal accessories, jewelry, gadgets, gifts and more.

Zumba/Zumba Toning: 6 p.m. Harrisville. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or

TUESDAY, JAN. 24

Free back pain and sciatica workshop: 6 p.m. New Life Physical Therapy, 2639 New Pinery Road, Portage. Call 742-9356 to register your spot in the workshop. Space is limited.

Genealogy Researchers: 1 to 3 p.m. Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Eleanor Brinsko, founder of Carlon Genealogical Services, Sun Prairie, will present How to Organize Your Genealogical Information. Her presentation will provide samples and ideas on how to organize your genealogical finds that you have accumulated. Digital and non-digital techniques will be discussed in her presentation.

Jewelry and Gift Item Sale: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. More than 1,000 unique products for men, women and children. Great values on fashion and seasonal accessories, jewelry, gadgets, gifts and more. Name brand, top quality products at values up to 80 percent below retail.

Library event: 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time for children ages 3 to 5 (younger siblings welcome), Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Story Time is 30 to 40 minutes and focuses on books, songs, movement and other learning experiences. This week the theme is E is for Elephant. Registration is recommended to ensure enough supplies and can be done by calling the Childrens Department at 742-4959 ext. 211 or online at

Library event: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Block Party for ages 4 through 12 (children 4 through 6 years must have an adult present in the room during the program), Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. This week builders will be faced with two themes (to make up for the cancelled program): one color design and the ice cube challenge. Registration is recommended but not required. For more information, call 742-4959 ext. 211.

Writing group: 9:30 a.m. Pauquette Wordcrafters, Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. All writers welcome.

Zumba Toning: 4:30 p.m. Woodridge Primary School, Portage. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 25

Bingo: 5:30 p.m. 131 Restaurant, North Main Street, Pardeeville. Bingo will be played every Wednesday, except the first one of the month.

Clinic: 8 a.m. to noon, Columbia County Public Health Walk-In Clinic, Columbia County Division of Health, 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Use door No. 4. Bring childs immunization record. Visit

Endeavor Sharing Supper: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Endeavor Elementary School, Endeavor. Come help us celebrate our third anniversary. A free meal will be served. Informational booths and free blood pressure checks will be available. Kids Corner will have activities for children. This months supper is sponsored by Trecek Automative and the food is being prepared by the Hitching Post.

Free blood pressure screenings: 1 to 5 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. No appointment necessary. Call 745-6405 for more information. Do not eat, smoke, drink caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes prior.

Fundraiser: 4 to 9 p.m. fundraiser for Carol Heisz, B&B Hitching Post, West Wisconsin Street, Portage. Dinner buffet for $9.99. All proceeds will benefit Carol and her family.

Jewelry and Gift Item Sale: noon to 5 p.m. Divine Savior Healthcare, 2817 New Pinery Road, Portage. More than 1,000 unique products for men, women and children. Great values on fashion and seasonal accessories, jewelry, gadgets, gifts and more. Name brand, top quality products at values up to 80 percent below retail.

Library event: 10 a.m. Preschool Story Time for children ages 3 to 5 (younger siblings welcome), Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Story Time is 30 to 40 minutes and focuses on books, songs, movement and other learning experiences. This week the theme is E is for Elephant. Registration is recommended to ensure enough supplies and can be done by calling the Childrens Department at 742-4959 ext. 211 or online at

Portage Womens Civic League: 9 a.m. Board meeting, Clubhouse, West Edgewater Street, Portage.

St. Vincent de Paul free medical clinic: 9 a.m. to noon. Wilz Drugs lower level, 140 E. Cook St., Portage. No appointments needed. Information needed is name, date of birth and a contact number. A chiropractor is available from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays. A foot clinic is available every week. The clinic can do exams and prescribe medications. Physical therapist available. Discounted medications are available at Wilz and Walmart. Call Bonny Oestreich, RN, at 608-234-0159 for information.

Zumba/Zumba Toning: 5 p.m. Montello. $5 drop in fee. Contact Tami at 608-346-3971 or

Zumba: 5:30 p.m. 1208 Northport Road (the former Freedom Carpeting building). This is a $5 drop-in class. For more information, contact Deb at

THURSDAY, JAN. 26

DJMACK00001@yahoo.com or Rena at 697-6713.

Blood drive: Portage Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. United Methodist Church, 1804 New Pinery Road, Portage. Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit www.

redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required.

Brown Bag Lunch Series: noon, Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., Portage. Join Janet Price as she remembers The Little Golden Books that figured prominently in many of our childhoods. Brown Bags are generally held the fourth Thursday of each month at noon. The cost is $5 at the door. Bring a lunch if you wish. Student groups welcome; call for group pricing. This event is sponsored by Ellen Schieber.

Museum: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Portage World War II Museum, 119 E. Cook St., Portage. Free tours for veterans every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tours take 2 1/2 hours. For information, call 608-697-3690.

FRIDAY, JAN. 27

Euchre Card Party: Portage Presbyterian Church, 120 W. Pleasant St., Portage. Luncheon at 6 p.m., and cards at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 for food, cards and prizes. This is a benefit to support the Yakutat Presbyterian Church in Yakutat, Alaska. Public welcome. A donation to the food pantry would be appreciated.

Library event: 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Pre-K Klub for children ages 4 to 6, Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater St., Portage. Pre-K Klub is for children enrolled in a prekindergarten program or home schooled (it is not intended for preschoolers attending weekly library story times) and is a STEM-based program. Each month a different component is featured: science, technology, engineering or math with a hands-on activity and an accompanying story. For January, we will explore our five senses using the book My Five Senses by Aliki, and using our senses to taste, touch, see, hear and smell every day items. Registration is required and can be done in person at the Childrens Desk, by calling the Childrens Department at 742-4959 ext. 211 or registering online at www.portagelibrary.us.

Seniors Bowling Social: 1 p.m. Fireball Lanes, 817 E. Wisconsin St., Portage. Cost is $6 and includes three games of bowling and shoe rental.

Unique Singles: 5 p.m. Pizza Ranch, New Pinery Road, Portage. All single men and women older than age 50 welcome. The group is strictly social with no dues or officers.
About 100 champions of a Reedsburg Boys and Girls Club met for socializing and a progress update Jan. 20.

Guests packed the Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce for the clubs Friendraiser, an event to thank those who have supported the cause so far. The evening included silent auctions to further benefit the club, which would provide enrichment activities, homework help and wellness opportunities for area youth.

The gathering is just a sample of the many residents, businesses and groups that have offered their time and money to help start a Reedsburg club, said Karen DeSanto, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West-Central Wisconsin.

Its a fun night with some of the supporters that have already come on board, she said.

Efforts to start a Reedsburg club have been jaw-dropping and amazing, DeSanto said. Talks of a club began during the summer of 2016 and the initiative had solid momentum by fall. Organizers had hoped to raise $75,000 by the years end to qualify for a donation from the Carrig Family Foundation. They surpassed it, bringing in around $80,000. As a result the Carrigs provided an additional $75,000.

So far the effort has generated around $170,000, DeSanto said.

Next steps include creating a charter, forming a local board, picking a name, posting a sign and starting renovations on the location. The club is set to open at the former hardware store across from the Reedsburg Police Department. A soft opening is expected this fall with the start of school.

The club is also pushing toward another grant from the Carrigs. If donors give $75,000 the Carrigs will match it again this year.

Everything is going so well that summer programming may be an option in the future. DeSanto said it wont happen this summer but stakeholders are looking at ways to offer some, at least on a limited basis, the following year or later.

April McDonough, a stylist at All About You in Reedsburg, was one of the many attendees on Friday night. She said she wanted to learn more about the club so she decided to get involved.

Nichole Mick, the owner of All About You, grew up in Reedsburg and was excited to find out about a potential club. It happened so quickly, she said.

Both women said they have children so they understand the value of having a club.

Arline Beagan, a board member at the Baraboo club, is elated to see a site popping up near her rural Reedsburg home. She said she loves volunteering and often leads sessions with Baraboo kids. Art with Ms. Arline is a fulfilling time, she said, because the children get to exercise their creativity.

Every town should have a Boys and Girls Club, she said.

For more information, including contacts for how to get involved, visit www.bgcwcw.org. Donations can be made at any Associated Bank location; indicate that the gift is for the Reedsburg Boys and Girls Club.
Raising a child is a challenge most people take on earlier in their lives. But some people take it on in their golden years, based on circumstances out of their control.

To help grandparents who are thrust back into the role of parenting, the Sauk County Aging and Disability Resource Center has stared a support group in Sauk City.

Held monthly at the Sauk Prairie Community Center, the hour-long sessions focus on problem-solving, networking and topic-themed discussions related to being a caregiver, said Marina Wittman.

Parenting all over again is difficult, she said. I dont think anyone expects to raise their children and then 20 years later raise their childrens children. That in itself can be a challenge.

The group still is new, and has held two meetings so far. Before the ADRC took the group over, Anne Uphoff, a counselor from Bridges Elementary in Prairie du Sac ran a similar group.

Uphoff said as a counselor to very young children, she noticed many grandparents were serving in a parental role.

They were expressing how difficult it was to juggle their health, retirement and going back into raising a young child again, she said. These grandparents really needed some support.

Uphoff researched how to help the population of caregivers, and found little to no resources in the area. So she took matters into her own hands. My heart went out to them, Uphoff said. She began meeting with the caregivers once a month. She said the meetings were small.

But those who came did find it valuable, Uphoff said. The meetings continued for several months, until Uphoffs schedule couldnt handle the meetings anymore.

Thats when she contacted Wittman at the ADRC. Marina said she had wanted to start something but didnt know where to begin, Uphoff said. Taking over the meetings was a perfect fit for the organization. And the Community Center provided a central place for those meetings to be held.

Its a growing population in Wisconsin and in general that doesnt get as much attention, Wittman said of caregivers. Especially with such a big school district.

Uphoff said shed bring snacks to the group, people would decide the topics theyd like to discuss and shed bring them whatever resources she could find. A lot of it was just them talking to one another, Uphoff said.

Wittman noticed the same thing in her group.

The biggest thing Ive found is that people just need someone to talk to; someone who has gone or is going through the same thing, she said.

Uphoff said custody and emergency situations can be the most difficult for caregivers.

The adult children would be thankful for their parents help, but they didnt want to hand over guardianship of their children, Uphoff said. So then the grandparents have no decision-making power if something happens while they are caring for the young children.

The angst of responsibility and financial pressure older caregivers experience are other situations Uphoff found in her research for the group.

So far, Wittmans group has been slow to get off the ground. Only two people showed up for the first meeting in November. The December was canceled due to a holiday. Januarys meeting was held recently. Theyve discussed healthy living and wellness and New Years resolutions.

We are getting more and more interest as time goes on, Wittman said. Im thinking its going to be a great resource for people.

Uphoff said even when people know there are resources available to them that can be helpful, they dont always take advantage of them.

Families are so busy, even when you know something is good for you its hard to fit it into our schedules, she said. Sometimes adults need permission to do things to care for themselves.
RACINE  Amber Creek was a deeply troubled girl.

Thats something her family members freely attested to Friday during a sentencing hearing for James Eaton, her accused killer.

But she was also, a sister, a daughter, a cheerleader, and at 14 years of age, just a child when her body was found beaten and sexually assaulted in the Karcher Wildlife Area in the Town of Burlington on Feb. 9, 1997.

On Friday, Racine County Circuit Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz sentenced Eaton to 40 years in prison for the role he played in her death. Thats the maximum for the charge of second-degree reckless homicide.

Under the sentencing guidelines in place when Creek was killed, Eaton must serve at least 25 percent of that time  or 10 years  before he is eligible for parole. After that point his release will be up to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

Eaton was arrested in April 2014 by Racine County sheriffs deputies, reportedly after DNA from cigarette butts he discarded was tested and found to match DNA from bodily fluid found on the teens body. Eaton and Amber are from Palatine, Ill., a northwest suburb of Chicago. Eaton was 19 at the time of Ambers death.

Stolen future

Standing in a Racine County courtroom, Ambers family members talked about Ambers life and her struggles, but also what they hoped she might achieve once she was able to cope with the painful scars of early childhood abuse painful scars that she tried to bury with drugs and running from the help her parents and others tried to offer.

One of the most difficult parts of having Ambers life played out in the snippets and sound bites of a murder trial is that someone else gets to decide whats important for the world to know about her, said Diana Creek, Ambers stepmother. The Amber that I knew and loved was a young lady that loved big, that loved hard, and wanted so very much to be loved back  Amber was a cheerleader and she played violin.

During a statement before the court on Friday, Eatons sister Melissa Johnston described her brother as a changed man, one who feels deeply remorseful for the pain and suffering he put his family through.

I dont know how, or if, my brother, was involved in Ambers untimely death, but I do know that Jim is no longer that lost, angry teen he was at that time, Johnston said.

But for Gasiorkiewicz whether Eaton has rehabilitated himself was not the issue. The issue is the debt he owes for the life he took.

You were capable of turning your life around, Gasiorkiewicz told Eaton. The troubled girl, Amber Creek, never got that chance  her body was disposed of as if it were a soda can on a highway.

Plea change

Originally charged with first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse, Eaton pleaded no contest on Oct. 24 to first-degree reckless homicide, as party to a crime, for his role in the runaways death. As part of the plea agreement with the state, the charge of hiding a corpse was dismissed, but could still be considered during sentencing.

Explaining the reasoning behind the plea deal, Assistant District Attorney Robert Repischak told the court in October that the state considered the lesser charge after the court accepted a defense motion that raised the specter that someone else could have killed Amber.

That person, named in the motion, was questioned by police in 1997 and 2015 and reportedly admitted to having a sexual relationship with the teen. He allegedly told police that the two engaged in choking acts during sexual contact, and was found to be a contributor to the DNA mixture on the victims underwear by the Wisconsin State Crime Lab.

Once the state realized that the history of choking and suffocation acts would come into play during the trial, they believed the jury would focus on first-degree reckless homicide, passing on first-degree intentional homicide, Repischak explained.
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. provides insurance and financial services to individual and business customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. Its Commercial Lines segment offers workers' compensation, property, automobile, liability, umbrella, bond, marine, livestock, and reinsurance; and customized insurance products and risk management services, including professional liability, bond, surety, and specialty casualty coverages through regional offices, branches, sales and policyholder service centers, independent retail agents and brokers, wholesale agents, and reinsurance brokers. The company's Personal Lines segment provides automobile, homeowners, and personal umbrella coverages through direct-to-consumer channel and independent agents. Its Property & Casualty Other Operations segment offers coverage for asbestos and environmental exposures. The company's Group Benefits segment provides group life, disability, and other group coverages to members of employer groups, associations, and affinity groups through direct insurance policies; reinsurance to other insurance companies; employer paid and voluntary product coverages; disability underwriting, administration, and claims processing to self-funded employer plans; and a single-company leave management solution. This segment distributes its group insurance products and services through brokers, consultants, third-party administrators, trade associations, and private exchanges. Its Hartford Funds segment offers investment products for retail and retirement accounts; exchange-traded products through broker-dealer organizations, independent financial advisers, defined contribution plans, financial consultants, bank trust groups, and registered investment advisers; and investment management and administrative services, such as product design, implementation, and oversight. The company was founded in 1810 and is headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut.
RACINE  In December, the father-son business team who own and operate Twins Food Mart, 1812 16th St., officially abandoned plans to bring a gas station, convenience store and maybe even a Steak n Shake restaurant to Washington Avenue.

The death blow for the project was dealt in August, according to the son half of the ownership group, Bashar Qedan. Qedan said the inability to get a Class A liquor license, to sell beer and intoxicating liquors, killed the projects viability.

Our development team decided to cancel the project due to the City of Racine declining certain licenses that would allow us to stay competitive, Qedan said in December.

Qedans application for a liquor license was denied because of a 2009 ordinance, pushed through the City Council by Ninth District Alderman Terry McCarthy, which established quotas for the amount of liquor stores and beer-selling grocery stores in the city. McCarthy, a member of the citys Public Safety and Licensing Committee at the time, did independent research and discovered information about the citys liquor-license density that he found disturbing.

What I saw was a fair amount of activity where we had to call license holders in, McCarthy said. Our density of licensing was really high relative to population. It was higher than some of the most densely populated areas of Chicago.

The city ordinance, Section 6-97, lists the purpose of the quotas as three-fold: to decrease the incidence of alcohol-related problems, to protect the safety and welfare of the community from increasing rates of alcohol-related crime and violence and to reduce the strain on public resources.

In addition to those quotas, the state limits the amount of bars Racine can have based on the citys population, according to City Clerk Janice Johnson-Martin. The quotas work together to cap the citys alcohol-selling establishments, but can affect the potential operations of prospective business owners.

City over capacity

On Tuesday night, Jaspreet Gill was officially granted a Class A license to sell beer at his new grocery store, MKE Fresh Meat, which will fill the old Value Village location at 2917 Durand Ave. Gills license was the citys only available alcohol license remaining.

Gills license brought the city to 215 active licenses. Of those, 128 are Class B licenses, which represents the citys state-assigned bar quota.

The city-imposed quotas limit the amount of Class A liquor stores and Class A beer-selling grocery stores to 24 and 36, respectively. However, since the 2009 ordinance, the city has never actually had less than 28 licensed liquor stores, the number it has now, according to Johnson-Martin.

The remaining 23 licenses are for restaurants that sell beer, or beer and wine, and for public facilities such as Festival Hall and the Racine Zoo.

As for the purpose of having a quota on liquor stores that the city has always exceeded, McCarthy said the ordinance encourages city government to work toward getting it lower. McCarthy added that the quota can be exceeded if the business meets certain conditions, including benefiting the tax base and having a greater economic impact.

Theyd be investing in the community and doing something more, he said. If we are going to grant a new liquor license, wed only do it for the exemption reason.

In Qedans case, the four voting members of the Public Safety and Licensing Committee denied his application, with Sixth District Alderman Sandy Weidner saying that she didnt believe the gas station merited exceeding the citys quota.

By comparison, Kenosha has 264 licensed businesses, and thats with 144 bars, nine under their state quota, which is higher than Racines due to Kenoshas greater population. Kenosha also doesnt have any city quotas, and as a result has nearly twice as many Class A businesses as Racine does.

We did have a quota, but in 2012, the council passed an ordinance to eliminate that on Class A liquor and Class A beer, Kenosha City Clerk Deb Salas said.

Do quotas work?

Theres no consensus on whether capping liquor and beer stores is a good idea for Racine.

Racine Police spokesman Sgt. Adam Malacara said that, unlike a spike in violent crime in a city neighborhood, its hard for the police to attribute and track crime related to liquor store density. He wasnt sure if the ordinance had any effect.

Third District Alderman Michael Shields voted against the ordinance in 2009, saying he believes in a free market.

Its not the number of liquor stores that calls problems, its people drinking, period, Shields said. Everyones entitled to a license. Alcohol is alcohol and people are going to find a way to get it regardless.

Shields added that he doesnt think the quotas have had any impact since they went into effect.

Fourteenth District Alderman Jason Meekma, who also runs Focus on Community, a local substance-abuse prevention group, said he supports the quotas. He said research shows that having fewer liquor stores can positively affect a community, especially that communitys youth.

A lot of the research nationwide shows that oversaturation of alcohol has a negative impact on not just the community, but the neighborhood theyre found in, Meekma said. The less thats available, the less likely there is to be the crime and abuse attached to it.

Racine Tavern League Vice President JJ McAuliffe said he can see both sides, but feels quotas are good for Racine.

You have to control it, he said. You cant just give liquor licenses to everyone. Its probably needed.

McCarthy stands by the quotas he helped create, and believes theyve positively affected Racine.I would say the state has given us the right the regulate liquor in particular for exactly these kind of reasons, he said. We are in agreement with and taking advantage of these rights.
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops and provides a portfolio of healthcare products worldwide. The company offers peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, and additional dialysis therapies and services; intravenous therapies, infusion pumps, administration sets, and drug reconstitution devices; remixed and oncology drug platforms, inhaled anesthesia and critical care products and pharmacy compounding services; parenteral nutrition therapies and related products; biological products and medical devices used in surgical procedures for hemostasis, tissue sealing and adhesion prevention; and continuous renal replacement therapies and other organ support therapies focused in the intensive care unit. It also provides connected care solutions, including devices, software, communications, and integration technologies; integrated patient monitoring and diagnostic technologies to help diagnose, treat, and manage a various illness and diseases, including respiratory therapy, cardiology, vision screening, and physical assessment; surgical video technologies, tables, lights, pendants, precision positioning devices and other accessories. In addition, the company offers contracted services to various pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies. Its products are used in hospitals, kidney dialysis centers, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, doctors' offices, and patients at home under physician supervision. The company sells its products through direct sales force, as well as through independent distributors, drug wholesalers, and specialty pharmacy or other alternate site providers in approximately 100 countries. It has an agreement with Celerity Pharmaceutical, LLC to develop acute care generic injectable premix and oncolytic molecules. Baxter International Inc. was incorporated in 1931 and is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois.
FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. provides digital payment solutions for businesses to control purchases and make payments. It offers corporate payments solutions, such as accounts payable automation; Virtual Card, which provides a single-use card number for a specific amount usable within a defined timeframe; Cross-Border that is used by its customers to pay international vendors, foreign office and personnel expenses, capital expenditures, and profit repatriation and dividends; and purchasing cards and travel and entertainment cards for its customers to analyze and manage their corporate spending. The company also provides employee expense management solutions, including fuel solutions to businesses and government entities that operate vehicle fleets, as well as to oil and leasing companies, and fuel marketers; lodging solutions to businesses that have employees who travel overnight for work purposes, as well as to airlines and cruise lines to accommodate traveling crews and stranded passengers; and electronic toll payments solutions to businesses and consumers in the form of radio frequency identification tags affixed to vehicles' windshields. In addition, it offers gift card program management and processing services in plastic and digital forms that include card design, production and packaging, delivery and fulfillment, card and account management, transaction processing, promotion development and management, website design and hosting, program analytics, and card distribution channel management. Further, it provides other products consisting of payroll cards, vehicle maintenance service solution, long-haul transportation solution, prepaid food vouchers or cards, and prepaid transportation cards and vouchers. The company serves business, merchant, consumer, and payment network customers in North America, Brazil, and Internationally. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.
The following companies are subsidiares of Archer-Daniels-Midland: 3 Grain Elevators, ACT Exportacao Ltda., ADGENE LABORATOIRE, ADM (Dalian) Animal Health & Nutrition Co. Ltd., ADM (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., ADM (Thailand) Ltd., ADM AGRO S.R.L., ADM Ag Holding Limited, ADM Agri Services Greece MEPE, ADM Agri-Industries Company, ADM Agricultural Commodities Trading (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., ADM Agriculture Limited, ADM Agro Iberica S.L.U., ADM Agro Industries India Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries Kota & Akola Private Limited, ADM Agro Industries Latur & Vizag Private Limited, ADM Agroinvestimentos Ltda., ADM Alliance Nutrition of Puerto Rico LLC, ADM Americas S. de R.L., ADM Andina Peru S.R.L., ADM Animal Health & Nutrition (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Cambodia) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Xiangtan) Co. Ltd., ADM Animal Nutrition (Zhangzhou) Co. Ltd., ADM Antwerp NV, ADM Arkady Ireland Limited, ADM Armazens Gerais Ltda., ADM Asia-Pacific Trading Pte. Ltd., ADM Australia Holdings I PTY Limited, ADM Australia Pty. Limited, ADM Bazancourt SASU, ADM Besin ve Tarim Anonim Sirketi, ADM Bio-Productos S.A. de C.V., ADM Bio-Science & Technology (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., ADM Bulgaria Trading EOOD, ADM CARIBBEAN INC., ADM Chile Comercial Limitada, ADM Clinton BioProcessing Inc., ADM Czernin S.A., ADM DO BRASIL LTDA., ADM Direct Polska Sp. z o.o., ADM Dominican Holdings Inc., ADM Dominicana S.A., ADM EMEA Corporate Services GmbH, ADM Edible Bean Specialties Inc., ADM Egypt LLC, ADM El Salvador Ltda. de C.V., ADM Europe Holdco S.L., ADM European Management Holding B.V. & Co. KG, ADM Expatriate Services Inc., ADM Export Co., ADM Food Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd., ADM Food Technology (Pinghu) Co. Ltd., ADM France, ADM Fuels Company, ADM German Holdings B.V., ADM Germany GmbH, ADM Grain Costa Rica S.R.L., ADM Grain River System Inc., ADM Grain de Venezuela C.A., ADM Guatemala Limitada, ADM Hamburg Aktiengesellschaft, ADM Holding (Thailand) Ltd., ADM Holdings LLC, ADM Honduras S.de R.L., ADM INGREDIENTS S.R.L., ADM Inca S.A.C., ADM Industries Centers Ltd, ADM International Holdings Inc., ADM International Sarl, ADM Investments Limited, ADM Investor Services Inc., ADM Investor Services International Limited, ADM Ireland Receivables Company Limited, ADM Israel, ADM Italia S.r.l., ADM Japan Ltd., ADM Latin America Inc., ADM Logistics Inc., ADM MANAGEMENT LTD., ADM MOROCCO S.A., ADM Mainz GMBH, ADM Malbork S.A., ADM Medsofts Sarl, ADM Mexico Inc., ADM Mexico S.A. de C.V., ADM Milling Co., ADM Milling Limited, ADM Myanmar Company Limited, ADM New Zealand Limited, ADM Nicaragua SA, ADM Nutrition Holding d.o.o. Beograd, ADM Olomouc S.R.O., ADM PORTUGAL SA, ADM Panama S. De R.L., ADM Paraguay S.R.L., ADM Participacoes Ltda., ADM Poland Sp. z o.o., ADM Protexin Inc., ADM Protexin Limited, ADM Pura Limited, ADM Razgrad EAD, ADM Receivables LLC, ADM Rice Inc., ADM Ringaskiddy Unlimited Company, ADM SERVICIOS S.A. DE C.V., ADM STF DMCC, ADM STF Pte. Ltd., ADM STF Switzerland Sarl, ADM Services B.V., ADM Slovakia s.r.o., ADM Specialty Ingredients (Europe) B.V., ADM Spyck GMBH, ADM Sweden AB, ADM Szamotuly Sp. z o.o., ADM Trading (UK) Limited, ADM Trading Australia Pty. Ltd., ADM Trading Company, ADM Trading Cote D'Ivoire, ADM Transportation Company, ADM Trucking Inc., ADM Unterstutzungskasse GmbH, ADM Uruguay SCA, ADM Ventures Investment Corp., ADM WILD Europe GmbH & Co. KG, ADM WILD Nauen GmbH, ADM WILD Netherlands B.V., ADM WILD SEE Kft, ADM WILD Valencia SAU, ADM Wild Gida Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, ADM Wild UK Limited, ADM Worldwide Holdings L.P., ADMEcuador CIA. Ltda., ADMIS Holding Company Inc., ADMIS Hong Kong Limited, ADMIS SINGAPORE PTE. LIMITED, AGRANIX, AIC Seguros SRL, AMT West LLC, AOR, AT Holdings II Company, Agri Port Services Brasil Ltda., Agri Port Services Investments Ltd., Agri Port Services LLC, Agricolas Madagascar SARLU, Agrinational Insurance Company, Agriserve, Agrograin Ltd., Agrograin Ltd. Sucursal Uruguay, Alfrebro LLC, Alfred C. Toepfer International Exportacao e Importacao Ltda., Alfred C. Toepfer International Netherlands B.V., Alimenta USA, Alimentos Texo SA de CV, American River Transportation Co. LLC, Ameriseed, Anco Animal Nutrition Competence GmbH, Archer Daniels Midland (UK) Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Asia-Pacific Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Company South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Erith Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Europe B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Europoort B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Korea LLC, Archer Daniels Midland Nederland B.V., Archer Daniels Midland Singapore Pte. Ltd., Archer Daniels Midland Vietnam Company Limited, Archer Daniels Midland Wild Nigeria Ltd., Archer Financial Services Inc., Archer-Daniels-Midland Philippines Inc., Arinos Unlimited, Aston Foods & Food Ingredients, BIOPOLIS S.L., BQ Railroad Company, BTECH Tecnologias Agropecuarias e Comercio Ltda., Balanceados Nova S.A. Balnova, Balto Holdco LLC, Barbados Mills Limited, Bela Vista Bio Etanol Participacoes Ltda., Belize Mills Limited, Belwood Company S.A., Benson-Quinn Commodities Inc., Bern Aqua, Bifodan Inc., Biopolis, CONTROLADORA ADM S.A. DE C.V., Campa Sued GmbH & Co KG, Caribbean Agro-Industries Limited, Casablancas sweetener plant, Cattleman's Choice Loomix LLC, Chamtor, Ci ADM Colombia Ltda., Columbia & Willamette Maritime Services Inc., Comhan, Compania ADM S.A. de C.V., Crosswind Petfoods Inc., DE Holdings LLC, DP Holdings LLC, Daavision B.V., Deerland Europe ApS, Deerland Holdings Inc., Deerland Ireland R&D Limited, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes A/S, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes Inc., Eaststarch, Eatem Corporation, Eatem Foods, Elstar Oils, Empresa de Transporte La Estrella S.R.L., English River Pellets Inc., Epicore BioNetworks Inc., Epicore Ecuador S.A., Epicore Networks (U.S.A.) Inc., Erich Ziegler GmbH, Evialis (Shandong) Co. Ltd., Evialis France, Evialis Galicia S.A., Evialis India Limited, FINANCIERE FRANCO MAGYAR POUR LA NUTRITION ANIMALE - FFMNA, FISA Andina S.A.S., FISA Aromas S.A.S., Fasco Mills Co., Federation Sahanala Vanille, Filozoo SRL, Flavor Infusion, Flavor Infusion International S.A., Florida Chemical, Florida Chemical Company LLC, Flotek Flavor & Fragrance LLC, GLOBAL COCOA HOLDINGS LTD., GP Blanching Inc., GPC Trucking Inc., GROUPE PILARDIERE, GUYOKRMA spol. s.r.o., Golden Farm Production & Commerce Company Limited, Golden Peanut Company, Golden Peanut Company LLC, Golden Peanut and Tree Nut Seed SA (Pty) Ltd., Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts S.A., Green Bison Soy Processing LLC, Group Lysac, Guyomarc'h - VCN Company Limited, Guyomarc'h Vietnam Co. Ltd., Guyovital PT, HFR Shipping Company Ltd., HI-NUTRIENTS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, HRA Shipping Company Ltd., HTI Shipping Company Ltd., Harvest Innovations, Hilltop Grain and Feed, Holding P & A Asia Company Limited, Hubei Meiweiyuan Biotechnology, Ilitchevskiy Maslo Extractionniy Zavod (IMEZ), Industries Centers EOD Trade 2005 Ltd., Invivo NSA Algerie, Invivo NSA Sanpo (Tianjin) Pet Products Co. Ltd, JDS Sarl, Jamaica Flour Mills Limited, Jamaica Rice Milling Company Limited, LANCENTER S.C.A., Liquid Feed Commodities, Logus Bar Ashdod Port Ltd., Malta Industries S.A. de C.V., Malta Texo De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Maniobras Y Servicios Del Interior S.A. de C.V., Master Mix of Trinidad Unlimited, Medsofts Company LLC, Medsofts for Import Co., Medsofts for Investment LLC, Medsofts for Trade LLC (Medsofts Trading), Mepla Comercio e Navegacao Ltda., Mezclas Biomix S.A.S., Monti Foods (Pty) Ltd., Mundo Logistics S.R.L., NEC Facilities LLC, National Enzyme Company LLC, Naviera Chaco S.R.L., Neovia, Neovia Algerie SPA, Neovia Nutricao e Saude Animal Ltda., Neovia Philippines Inc., North Star Shipping S.R.L., NutraDine, NutraDine LLC, NutriMix Feed Company Inc., Nutrilac, Olenex C.V., Olsen's Mill Inc. Four Grain Storage Elevators, P & A Marketing SA, PANCOSMA FRANCE S.A.S, PJSC ADM Illichivsk, PT ADM Indonesia Trading and Logistics, Pancosma & Associates Marketing (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Pancosma (Jiangsu) Feed Additive Co. Ltd., Pancosma (Shanghai) Feed Additives Co. Ltd., Pancosma Canada Inc., Pancosma Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pancosma North America Inc., Pancosma SA, Pedigree Ovens, Pedigree Ovens LLC, PetDine, PetDine LLC, Prairie Pride - Biodiesel Production Plant, Premiere Agri Technologies Asia Inc., Premiere Agri Technologies of Mexico Inc., Proservicios Potencial Humano S.A. de C.V., Provit Sp. z o.o., Pura Foods Limited, Rodelle Inc., SANICOOPA, SDJ Sarl, SORA Laboratories LLC, Sartco Ltda., Schokinag-Schokolade-Industrie Herrmann, Sermix, Servad S.R.L, Setna Nutricion S.A., Silo P. Kruse Betriebs-GmbH & Co. KG, Silo-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, Societe Industrielle des Oleagineux-SIO, SojaProtein d.o.o. Becej, Sojaprotein, Southern Cellulose Products Inc., Soy Investors LLC, Specialty Commodities, Specialty Commodities LLC, Sul Mineira Alimentos Ltda., Syngenta - Dry Bean Business, Szabadegyhazai Szolgaltato es Vagyonkezeklo KFT, Terminal Stevedores Inc., Terminales De Cargas Especializadas S.A. De C.V., The Pound Bakery, The Pound Bakery LLC, Toepfer International, Toepfer International Trading (Shanghai) Co. LTD., UPSCIENCE ITALIA S.R.L., Upscience, VIA CHEM GROUP a.s. Oilseed Processing Plant, Vantage Corn Processors LLC, WILD Flavors, Wild Amazon Flavors Concentrados e Corantes para Bebidas Ltda., Wild Flavors (Canada) Inc., Wild Flavors Austria GmbH, Wild Flavors Inc., Wild Flavors International GmbH, Wild Flavors Kenya Limited, Wild Flavors Middle East FZE, Wild Flavors Polska Sp. z o.o., Wild Flavors S.A. de C.V., Wild Intermare GmbH, Wild Polska Sp. z o.o., Wild Russia LLC, Wild Tunesia Sarl, Wisium SA (Pty) Ltd., World's Finest Chocolate - New Cocoa Powder Line, and Yerbalatina Ltda..

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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.
RACINE COUNTY  The soul-searching for Democrats about why they are out of power at all levels of government is well underway.

Messaging, outreach, party leadership, candidates  all are under the microscope as President Donald Trumps tenure begins. But at least outwardly, Racine-area Democrats and activists exuded a feeling of hope about the road ahead, saying opposition to Trump is mobilizing.

People are ready to resist and oppose in ways that I havent seen in the 11 years Ive been in office, said state Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine.

Why the Trump wave?

Trump became the first Republican to win Wisconsin since 1984, and his coattails helped pave the way for Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnsons re-election and expanded majorities in the state Assembly and Senate.

Democrats are assessing the results of the election and trying to understand why the Trump wave happened, said state Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha.

He said Democrats need better outreach in various areas of the state  the party fared especially poorly in rural areas  and a more coherent message.

We have to be much more focused on those meat-and-potato issues that affect peoples ability to support their family, said Barca, the Assembly minority leader who represents part of Racine County.

Especially on trade, which Trump made a signature issue, party members did not hear the call from residents upset with unfair deals they felt hurt their communities, Mason added.

Democrats are also quick to note that while losses in November were significant, presidential nominee Hillary Clinton still received 2.8 million more votes than Trump. If Clinton did just slightly better in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania  states Trump won by less than 1 percent  the conversations would be entirely different.

Still, Democrats lost heavily not just nationally, but on the state and local levels, which hurts the partys ability to groom candidates for higher office.

Two Racine-area women, Alicia Jarrett and Jen Adamski-Torres, are part of a program called Emerge Wisconsin, which recruits and trains Democratic women to run for political office.

Adamski-Torres already had the bug to get involved  she ran unsuccessfully for Racine City Council last year  and said Trumps election only solidified that desire.

It certainly reiterated that we need to get more women involved, myself included, she said.

Added Jarrett: This is a very good wake-up call for the Democratic Party. I still believe that we are the party of the average working person, but I believe that we need to get back to that grassroots organizing and letting people know that we are there for them.

Key events ahead

Some key events in the coming months could help shape Democrats future.

The first is the February election for Democratic National Committee chairman, which has attracted several candidates. Whoever wins will play a big role in charting the partys course.

In Wisconsin, state Democratic Party Chairwoman Martha Laning faces a challenger in Glendale Mayor Bryan Kennedy. That post will be decided at the partys June convention.

Dems also found hope when a federal judge in November blocked the Wisconsin GOPs redistricting maps. The state has appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court and it remains to be seen how and if new maps will be created, but Democrats argue the maps have given Republicans an unfair advantage.

Its going to be tough, but there are things to be optimistic about and things that have been taking place that are in our favor, Caledonia activist Randy Bryce said.

On the legislative front, one of the first battles will be over the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have promised a quick repeal of the law and a replacement health care system, but details are uncertain.

Liberals are also watching whether Trump follows through on some of his most inflammatory statements during the campaign, specifically on mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and a ban on Muslims.

Right now were not focused on winning votes. Its making sure people are taken care of, and I think thats going to translate in a huge way, Bryce said. People are going to see what Trump and the Republican Party are really about, and that in addition to the outreach were doing now, I see everything completely swinging the other way.

Mason predicted the GOP will overreach with its power and said Republicans will have no one to blame but themselves if things go poorly.

And with the polarizing Trump in command, Mason said opposition is stronger than at any point since the height of the Iraq War.

Thats what patriots do if you love the country, he said. You engage and you resist and you do everything you can to protest and protect the things you care about and fight for the things you believe in. Thats a big part of what being an American is all about. So Im actually quite encouraged with the response from our side to the Trump presidency.
Graham Holdings Company, through its subsidiaries, operates as a diversified education and media company worldwide. It provides test preparation services and materials; data science and training services; professional training and exam preparation for professional certifications and licensures; and non-academic operations support services to the Purdue University Global. The company also offers training, test preparation, and degrees for accounting and financial services professionals; English-language training, academic preparation programs, and test preparation for English proficiency exams; and A-level examination preparation services, as well as operates three colleges, a business school, a higher education institution, and an online learning institution. In addition, it owns and operates seven television stations; and provides social media management tools to connect newsrooms with their users, as well as produces Foreign Policy magazine and ForeignPolicy.com website. Further, the company publishes Slate, an online magazine; and two French-language news magazine websites at slate.fr and slateafrique.com. Additionally, it provides social media marketing solutions; home health and hospice services; burners, igniters, dampers, and controls; screw jacks, linear actuators and related linear motion products, and lifting systems; pressure impregnated kiln-dried lumber and plywood products; cybersecurity training solutions; digital advertising services; and power charging and data systems, industrial and commercial indoor lighting solutions, and electrical components and assemblies. The company also owns and operates 11 restaurants and entertainment venues; and engages in automobile dealerships business. The company was formerly known as The Washington Post Company and changed its name to Graham Holdings Company in November 2013. Graham Holdings Company was founded in 1877 and is based in Arlington, Virginia.
RACINE  Continuum of Care President Ron Thomas started Fridays meeting of the local homelessness advocacy organization with an emotional tribute.

He spoke to departing Womens Resource Center Executive Director Cherie Griffin, one of the groups longest-tenured members, and thanked her for more than two decades of service to Racines most vulnerable residents.

Its very much appreciated, everything that youve done, Thomas said. Its been 25 years. You were a kid.

That drew laughter and applause from those attending the meeting, which was the last for Griffin, 49, before she resigns her post to move to Kentucky and start a hobby farm with her husband, Bob.

Griffin, whose last day at the center is Jan. 27, thanked the group for everything theyve done for the community in her time as a member.

I just want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of you for the hard work that you have done, Griffin said. Blessings on your continued work going forward. This community has done great and wonderful things over the years, but I can tell you that the most passion and power that Ive met has been around this table, around homelessness.

Griffin also discussed the Womens Resource Center transition plan in her absence. According to Nicole Hunt, the centers board president, two staff members, Sherry Hartog and Olivia Osborne, and Bethany Apartments Pam Handrow will lead the centers interim executive team.

We are confident in this plan based on our knowledge of the staff and their ongoing devotion to the mission of the WRC, Hunt wrote in an email. The board has established a search committee and a search will shortly be kicked off for the next executive director.

Hartog, who oversees the centers western Racine County operations at the Dover Healing House, said shell miss working with Griffin.

Together we have taken many, many, many leaps of faith, Hartog said. Its going to be different. Its going to be scary. But I think the commitment and the passion to the cause of ending violence in our communities will rule.

Gai Lorenzen, a former president of the Continuum of Care and attorney with Legal Action of Wisconsin, was emotional discussing Griffins departure.

Shes very much going to be missed, Lorenzen said. Were really going to miss her and her input and I wish her well.

HALO transition

also discussed

Friday also marked Executive Director Kevin Cookmans last day in charge of the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization. Although Cookman, who led HALO, 2000 DeKoven Ave., for more than seven years, didnt attend Fridays Continuum of Care meeting, Thomas thanked him for his service.

Kevin Cookman, in his seven years in this community, has contributed significantly to the betterment of our populations that are at risk, Thomas said.

Marie Andreucci, HALOs board treasurer, said HALO has formed a search committee and an interim leadership team, although she wouldnt discuss the members of that team yet.

The board of HALO is very much concerned with making sure that were perceived as being part of the solution going forward, whatever the holistic solution becomes, Andreucci said.
Republican state lawmakers have introduced a bill to ban local governments from requiring contractors to use organized labor on public works projects.

The legislation would have a mixed impact, depending on if or how much municipalities and counties require so-called project labor agreements. Madison doesnt require such agreements but Dane County sometimes does.

State Rep. Rob Hutton and Sen. Leah Vukmir, both Republicans from Brookfield, and 43 GOP co-sponsors offered the bill on Wednesday to promote government neutrality on the labor agreements.

Current law prevents firms that are otherwise qualified to compete from bidding on many public projects, thereby inflating the overall cost, sponsors say.

By preventing government entities from requiring a project labor agreement, we are opening up the process to allow more contractors to bid on taxpayer-funded projects, Hutton said in a statement. When competition increases, costs go down and quality improves, creating a win for the taxpayers who fund these projects.

Organized labor opposes the bill. Were definitely against it, said Dave Branson, executive director of the Building Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin. We think communities should have the right to decide if they want PLAs on jobs. I think its a strike against labor.

The proposal would have little impact on Madison, which does not have a practice of requiring such labor agreements on public works projects, city attorney Michael May said.

Curt Witynski, assistant director of the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, said the law would have little, if any, effect because very few municipalities have policies requiring project labor agreements.

Dane County occasionally does use such agreements and the legislation could affect future projects, said Stephanie Miller, spokesperson for County Executive Joe Parisi.

Branson said requiring labor agreements is a tool to save money, ensure quality and provide a safe working environment. But he acknowledged the agreements are not widely used.

In an interview, Hutton said research on the proposals impact is continuing but listed the cities of Superior and Pittsville and villages of Nashotah and Fontana as examples of municipalities that use the agreements.

Hutton said Dane County recently required a project labor agreement that may have significantly increased costs for an improvement project at the Vilas Zoo.

Carlos Pabellon, Dane Countys director of administration, said the county judiciously uses the agreements in significant projects when there is heightened interest in securing quality work that will be done on time, such as for the total $18 million investment for new buildings for the medical examiners and Highway Department near the county landfill.

A recent county request for proposals required a labor agreement for an $800,000 restroom project at the zoo, but a single bid came back at about $1.6 million and the project has been put on hold until more funding is secured, Pabellon said. The lack of bids seemed to relate to scheduling, he said.

Twenty-one states have enacted legislation to significantly change or completely eliminate government imposed project labor agreement laws, the sponsors said.




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Ellen Plausky, of Woonsocket, is busy knitting a hat for the Womens March on Washington, which she will be attending with her two daughters, Kim Hanson, 28, of Maryland, and Emily Hanson, 23, of Woonsocket, on Saturday. She was to leave for Washington this morning.
Mike Baird, the Liberal-National Coalition premier of New South Wales, the countrys largest state by population and economic size, abruptly announced on Thursday that he was quitting parliament next week, after less than three years in office.

His likely successor, state Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian, is set to become the seventh premier in just 12 yearsnone of whom lasted more than three years. Bairds sudden departure underscores the brittleness of the political establishment nationally, adding to a long list of state premiers and federal prime ministers who have suddenly left office over the past decade, often via electoral defeats or backroom coups.

Bairds resignation is another indication of the deepening political crisis produced by a deteriorating economic situationboth globally and in Australiaand the intensifying geo-strategic tensions, especially between the US and China. There is already widespread popular hostility to the entire political establishment after decades of austerity measures, cuts to jobs, wages and working conditions, and soaring social inequality.

Baird, a former investment banker, is getting out before the full deluge hits. He claimed to be resigning for family reasons, but sent a barbed message to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, combined with a warning of a looming cliff in funding for health care.

Baird said his biggest regret was the Turnbull governments retreat on tax reform. In 2015, Baird, together with his South Australian Labor Party counterpart Jay Weatherill, advocated lifting the regressive federal goods and services tax (GST) rate from 10 percent to 15 percent.

Above all, this represented the demands of the financial elite for a further shifting of the taxation burden away from business and the wealthy, and onto the working class, via the consumption tax. At the same time, the state premiers feared the public outrage they would incur when their governments had to further slash public health and education because the federal Coalition government, in its 2014 budget, cut $80 billion from federal health and education funding over 10 years.

Baird and Weatherill argued for lifting the GST, the revenue from which is earmarked for the states and territories, as a means of offsetting the $80 billion hole. The looming funding crunch became more stark as a result of last years federal election campaign, during which the federal Labor Party dropped its show of opposition to the $80 billion cut$25.5 billion of which will come from New South Wales hospitals and schools.

However, after Turnbull ousted Tony Abbott as prime minister in September 2015, Turnbull eventually backed away from lifting the GST, fearing public opposition to the resulting hike in the cost of living.

The Australian Financial Review editorial yesterday accused the Turnbull government of leaving Baird hanging out to dry on the GST, and declared: We need more Mike Bairds.

In a thinly-veiled swipe at Turnbull on Thursday, Baird said: I think there was a big opportunity there to do something very significant in terms of the competitiveness of the economy and the sustainability of funding services in the long term, and thats something Im disappointed [about].

Baird was already facing mounting public opposition to his government. It imposed the dictates of finance capital, especially by privatising the states electricity network, major ports and other facilities. This sell-off has delivered a bonanza to banks, finance houses and corporate consultants, and boosted the states coffers to pay for pro-corporate infrastructure, at the expense of thousands of jobs of power and public sector workers.

Bairds government also forcibly amalgamated many municipal councils last year, destroying more jobs, as a means of cost-cutting and removing constraints on property developers. Then it announced the privatisation of five large hospitals in regional areas, threatening further jobs and essential services.

As a means of cleaning up the states image for investors, the Coalition imposed late-night lockout laws in Kings Cross, Sydneys nightclub precinct, and legislated to ban greyhound racing throughout the state. To suppress dissent, the Baird government passed draconian anti-protest laws that reverse a range of fundamental democratic rights.

Only last year, Baird was still being touted in the media as Australias most popular and successful political leader, precisely because of his delivery of the corporate agenda. He was declared charismatic and dubbed Magic Mike. But the seething discontent in working class and rural areas erupted to the surface last November in a by-election for the electorate of Orange, a regional city.

In an unprecedented 34 percent swing against the government, the seat, held for seven decades by the rural-based National Party, fell to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, a right-wing populist formation that calls for economic protectionist measures.

This electoral disaster forced Police Minister Troy Grant to resign as National Party leader and deputy premier. It also raised fears throughout the political establishment of the rise of the anti-immigrant Pauline Hansons One Nation and other populist oufits seeking to emulate US President Donald Trump in exploiting the growing social discontent.

Apart from more than $20 billion raised via privatisations, the Baird governments revenues were enhanced by tax revenues derived from a debt-fuelled property bubble that has driven housing prices sky-high in Sydney, the countrys primary financial centre. Bairds hasty departure came amid signs of an impending implosion of this boom.

Baird was installed as premier in 2014, when his predecessor, Barry OFarrell, was forced to resign, supposedly for misleading a corruption inquiry about receiving a bottle of wine. Despite axing some 25,000 public sector jobs since taking office in 2011, OFarrell was increasingly criticised by the media for not going far enough in cutting social spending and implementing the free market agenda required by the financial elites.

The Murdoch-owned Daily Telegraph had demanded that the state government stop dithering and privatise the remainder of the states electricity system, Baird quickly took up this call, and still managed to retain office at the next election, in 2015, despite losing at least 16 seats in the 93-seat lower house of parliament.

Both Baird and OFarrell were beneficiaries of the landslide defeat of the previous Labor government in 2011. After 16 years in office, Labors vote plunged to just 25.5 percent, as a result of the disgust in the working class generated by Labors own pro-business record, which included numerous moves to sell-off the electricity infrastructure, and a string of corruption scandals. It recovered to just 34.4 percent in 2015.

Underlining the essential unity between the two traditional ruling parties, former state Labor premier Bob Carr on Thursday praised Bairds record, saying he should be congratulated for privatising the electricity assetsa policy that Carr had unsuccessfully sought to implement. Carr, who held office from 1995 to 2005, said: Barry OFarrell hesitated over that decision: Mike Baird to his credit made the decision and got on with it.

Likewise, the current state Labor Party leader Luke Foley, who had claimed to oppose the power sell-off, thanked Baird for his service to the state. Bairds rapid exit is another indication of the political convulsions to come.
On Wednesday, a Chicago police officer was arrested and charged with first degree murder for the fatal shooting of an unarmed man at the beginning of the year.

The officer, Lowell Houser, 57, shot Jose Nieves, 38, following an argument on the morning of January 2 in Hermosa, a working class neighborhood on the citys Northwest Side.

The charges against Houser come just days after the release of a damning report on Chicago police conduct by the US Department of Justice, which carried out a 13-month investigation of the Chicago Police Department (CPD). The report catalogued systematic violence and lawlessness on the part of the CPD, and concluded, in its restrained language, that the department engaged in a pattern or practice of force in violation of the Constitution.

In one measure of the unaccountability of the police, the report found that in the five-year period it examined (2011-2016), the city of Chicago received over 30,000 complaints of police misconduct, with 98 percent of complaints resulting in no disciplinary actions.

For his part, Houser, an African-American and 28-year veteran of the force, seems to have participated throughout his career in the day-to-day intimidation, bullying and abuse expected of Chicago police. Like many of his peers, he often escaped any consequences, at most incurring the occasional slap on the wrist.

According to an examination of police records by the Chicago Tribune, Houser collected at least 20 complaints against him since the early 1990s. Although the paper stated that the records did not include much detail about the nature of the complaints, in one instance in 1994, Houser was placed on a five-day suspension because of a domestic altercation or disturbance occurring while he was off-duty.

In the most recent publicly available complaint against Houser, from October 2014, he was accused of detaining and shoving a person to the ground at an L train station on Chicagos South Side, and failed to properly document the encounter. It was not indicated whether he was disciplined for the complaint.

According to state prosecutors, Houser and Nieves had previously encountered each other and argued at the apartment building where Nieves and Housers female companion lived. In December, Houser had brandished a gun at Nieves and ordered him back into his apartment. Nieves filed a report with the police about the incident, which seemingly was not acted upon.

On the morning of January 2, Nieves was unloading boxes from his car and carrying them to his apartment with a female friend. Houser allegedly accosted the woman from his own car, saying, Who are you? Why are you helping him? Are you his mother? You know he treats women badly? The woman relayed the information to Nieves, who went over to Houser to confront him, saying that he should speak with him directly.

What transpired after the men began talking is unclear. A neighbor cited by a state prosecutor saw the men arguing from an apartment window. Returning to watch TV, the neighbor then heard a loud bang. They went back to the window and saw Nieves, who was across the street from Houser. After placing his hand to his chest, Nieves fell backwards to the ground, face up. In all, the neighbor heard three bangs.

Houser himself called 911 after shooting Nieves, telling the operator, A gentleman tried to attack me. I had to shoot him.

William Fahy, Housers attorney, said in court Thursday that Houser acted in self-defense after Nieves threatened to shoot him, and that the latter had made a move towards his waistband indicating he had a guna well-worn alibi on the part of police who shoot those who are unarmed.

An autopsy report cited in the Chicago Tribune indicated that Houser shot Nieves at least once from behind, with a bullet entering his lower-left back and lodging in his chest.

CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated Wednesday that the department had now taken steps to suspend Houser without pay, after previously putting him on paid administrative leave.

In a mark of the kid-gloves treatment Houser is being afforded, Cook County Judge Donald Panarese, Jr. ruled Thursday that he could be released on his own recognizancei.e., without paying bailprovided he be subject to electronic monitoring. By contrast, those who are working class or poor and find themselves caught up in the criminal justice system can often find themselves held in jail without bond for months pending trials for much lesser charges.

In addition to the criminal charge against Houser, Nieves family has filed a lawsuit alleging civil rights violations against the officer and the City of Chicago. The suit cites many of the practices documented in the Justice Department reportexcessive use of force, disregard for legality, a code of silence among police officers, and a lack of meaningful oversightand draws the conclusion, But for the belief that he would be protected, both by fellow officers and by the department, from serious consequences, Defendant Officer Lowell Houser would not have engaged in the conduct that resulted in the shooting and death of Jose Angel Felipe Nieves.

After Housers bond hearing Thursday, Nieves sister, Anjelica, told reporters, I want it to be known that my family is broken and will never be the same. A piece of our family has been taken away from us. She added, Knowing that he was taken in the most horrible way, unjustified. Its just cruel.

Houser is the second Chicago cop to be charged with murder in little over a year. The previous, Jason Van Dyke, was charged with first-degree murder on November 24, 2015, for the killing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald over a year earlier, in October 2014.

Van Dyke was arrested and indicted only after the attempt to suppress video footage of the brutal murder unraveled. The administration of Democratic mayor Rahm Emanuel, the city council, the CPD leadership, and virtually the entire Chicago political establishment were implicated in the criminal conspiracy to bury the murder, provoking a major crisis and sustained protests throughout much of late 2015 and into 2016, and prompting the just concluded Justice Department investigation.

The current murder charge against Houser has been brought by the new Cook County States Attorney, Kim Foxx. Foxx, although having led a thoroughly conventional career, has been promoted as a progressive Democrat and supported by sections of Black Lives Matter. Foxx defeated Anita Alvarez in the Democratic primary elections for Cook County States Attorney last spring, with Alvarez herself being widely despised for her role in the cover-up Laquan McDonalds murder.

The speed with which the murder charge was brought against Houser is a mark of the nervousness on the part of the Emanuel administration, which remains fearful of the atmosphere of hatred and disgust with the police which continues to simmer. Emanuel is also no doubt concerned about provoking mass protests against police violence in the near term, particularly in the aftermath of Trumps inauguration (with whom Emanuel has communicated repeatedly since the elections). If history is any guide, however, Houser will be afforded every assistance by the state in order to evade the charges against him.

The author also recommends:

Justice Department report on Chicago police an exercise in damage control

[17 January 2017]

A police killing and a criminal conspiracy in Chicago, Illinois

[26 November 2015]
Pew Poll: Urban Officers

favor People's Right to Arms

By Dean Weingarten. January 16th, 2017

Article Source

Pew Research has released a poll taken in the middle of 2016. Note that the Orlando night club massacre and the massive media hype calling for a ban on "assault weapons" occurred one third of the way through the survey period for police. The shooting of five police officers in Dallas, with a rifle occurred half way through the survey period.

The public survey was conducted two months after the Orlando Pulse shooting, at the height of the establishment media demonization of "assault weapons", and one month after the shooting of five officers in Dallas.

The poll is more correctly a poll of urban police officers than of all police officers. Rural and small town police officers were excluded from the poll. Those officers make up 37% of the officers in police and sheriff's departments in the country. Even the urban officers strongly favored the right to arms. From pewsocialtrends.org:

Police officers are considerably more likely than the general public to say it is more important to protect the rights of Americans to own guns than it is to control gun ownership (74% of officers vs. 53% of the public).

Both urban police and the public expressed support of a national database to track gun sales. Precisely what is meant by that is left to the readers imagination. The public portion of this poll was taken at the height of establishment media propaganda for more restrictions on guns after the Orlando Pulse shooting.

A majority of police and a larger share of the public also support the creation of a federal database to track gun sales (61% and 71%, respectively).

There is an enormous split between urban police attitudes about banning "assault style" (whatever that means) weapons, and the public attitude. Again, these surveys were taken, for the most part, shortly after the Orlando Pulse shooting.

However, the consensus on guns vanishes when the focus turns to assault-style weapons. About two-thirds of Americans (64%) but only about a third of police (32%) favor outlawing assault weapons.

This is not surprising. Urban police almost never encounter semi-automatic rifles in the course of their duties. They know that overall, rifles, such as the many AR15 variants and various AK type variants, are extremely rare in crime. Many officers, even urban officers, are familiar with these type of rifles and have qualified with them.

That cannot be said for the general public. The public survey was taken exclusively after the Orlando Pulse massacre and the media driven propaganda aimed at banning "assault weapons".

After the Orlando shooting the term "assault weapon" was conflated with AR and AK variants. This is why Pew asked about "assault-style" weapons rather than "assault weapons" or "assault rifles". "Assault weapons" is a specific legal term that includes many handguns and shotguns, including most magazines used by police in their handguns. "Assault rifles" is a specific technical term that excludes nearly all AR and AK variants in the United States. "Assault style" is vague enough to include the rifle used in the Orlando shooting.

If we have discovered anything about attitudes toward the Second Amendment and public ownership of firearms, it is that there is an enormous gulf between rural and small town America and urban America. Yet, the sample was deliberately and heavily weighted toward large, urban police and sheriff's departments, ignoring officers in small town and rural departments. From pewsocialtrends.org:

The main survey is an online poll of a nationally representative sample of 7,917 officers working in 54 police and sheriff's departments with 100 or more sworn officers. (Some 63% of all sworn officers work in departments of this size.)

The first sentence in the quote above is not true. The survey is *not* a nationally representative sample. The survey ignored rural and small town America, where about 37% of American police officers(pdf) live and work. It heavily weighted the poll toward large urban departments where about 25% of American police officers live. Included in the poll, but given less representation, were urban police officers in cities of 100,000 to 500,000.

The sample was taken from the largest 5% of police and sheriff's departments. Of approximately 15,400 departments, half have less than 10 officers.

The departments sampled averaged over 1,000 officers per department.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (pdf 2013 data), there are only 49 departments in the entire United States that have more than 1,000 sworn officers.

It is easy to understand why small departments were not sampled. It is simply harder to do. Instead of obtaining cooperation with one police chief, cooperation with 20 is required. This selection bias skews the sample significantly.

It is almost certain the percentage of police with positive attitudes toward the Second Amendment would have been higher if rural and small town America officers had been included in the sample.

2017 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included. Link to Gun Watch.

While poll majority figures are in part encouraging, it is obvious that the minority still reflects the thinking that "the public should not be armed". Despite the majority support for the right to bear arms, they and a large share of public opinion support a federal database to track guns - not good. Overall, it is likely that if rural departments had been sampled, the support would have been greater - many small town cops realize the value of the armed citizen as being a logical approach.

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Three hundred thirty people were killed in house fires during the month of December, up nearly 50 percent from the previous year. In total, 2,290 people were killed in house fires throughout the United States last year. These figures do not include the thousands that were physically injured and the incalculable impact on the survivors and their loved ones.

To underline the national nature of the problem, these fires are common in all regions of the US. Tennessee had the highest number of people killed in house fires in December, at 20. Nineteen people were killed in California, 17 in Michigan, 15 in Ohio, and 14 in Texas.

Two of the nations poorest states, Alabama and Mississippi, had 12 and 13 deaths respectively in December. Nationally, 59 children were among those killed in resident fires last month.

For all of 2016, Texas had the highest number of fire deaths at 132, followed by New York with 120, Pennsylvania with 113, Georgia with 111, and California with 106. When the size of the state is considered, West Virginia had the highest rate of fire deaths, followed by Alaska, Vermont, Alabama and Arkansas. Only Hawaii did not report any deaths.

The numbers killed are undoubtedly higher, as the US Fire Administration gathers the figures from news reports and many are never reported. Also, fires like the tragic warehouse fire in Oakland, California, where 36 people were killed on December 2, are not counted since the building wasnt considered a home.

Basic information such as cause of the fire, name and age of victims, type and age of home, homeowner or renter, and whether smoke detectors and other safety equipment were present is not reported in most cases.

A common thread in these fires, however, is that loss of life is largely preventable. In any rational society, a yearly death toll from fires of more than 2,000 people would be considered a national tragedy and measures would be taken to prevent such a disaster. However, under capitalism the steps necessary to ensure safety cut across the profits of the utilities, construction companies, landlords and investors.

Most fire deaths could be prevented with long-established fire suppression and early detection technologies. Most building codes dont require sprinkler systems or hardwired smoke detectors. Many slum landlords dont even ensure that there are proper fire escapes and battery-operated smoke detectors are present and operating.

One of the frequent causes of home fires is the use of supplemental heating sources, i.e., space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces. Families often turn to these measures to offset the high cost of heat, poorly insulated buildings or when utilities are shut off for overdue bills.

Families and friends are often forced to live together in overcrowded conditions to afford rent and utilities. Since the 2008 housing crisis there has been an explosion of investment firms and banks buying up foreclosed homes and turning them into rental properties, doing little if any needed repairs.

The blame for these deaths lies at the doorstep of the for-profit system, which wrings its gains from the working class and their vulnerable children, who often pay a steep price for living in inadequate conditions with the loss of their lives.

An Akron, Ohio house fire at 266 E. Tallmadge Avenue killed four people on Saturday, December 3, including long-time companions Omar Riley, 36, and Shirley Wallis, 33, along with their children, eight-year-old Shanice and nine-year-old Anilya. Also critically injured was Shaniya, Rileys 12-year-old daughter, who jumped from the second floor to escape the flames.

Jennifer Koval was also a tenant, living in the attic converted to living quarters of the two-and-a-half story home. Her only escape was blocked by flames, which engulfed the stairway in what appears to have been the only safe egress from her apartment.

With no fire escape, she crawled out a window and slid down to a second floor porch roof and then made the jump to the ground, sustaining injuries. Jennifers son and her fiancee Glen Parker were not home at the time.

The American Red Cross reported that many renters were picking up free smoke alarms as demand surged after the fire, from 20-50 units a week to 150 units, indicating that many people are in the same life-threatening situation.

Akron is known as the rubber city, headquarters for Goodyear but no longer for Firestone, which moved to Nashville after a merger with Bridgestone. The poverty rate for the 44310 ZIP code, where the December 3 house first took place, is nearly 19 percent and just over 30 percent for those under age 18.

Two fires in Baltimore took the lives of four children and physically injured at least one other. The first blaze was in a row house on North Clinton Street in East Baltimore and broke out at approximately 9:00 p.m. on December 7.

There were five people inside, a mother and her four children. The fire claimed the lives of a nine-month-old boy and three-year-old sibling, Nigel and Exekial Ramirez respectively. The mother suffered injuries requiring hospitalization, while a two- and five-year-old managed to escape.

Neighbor Nicole Carter spoke with Channel 2 WMAR about what she witnessed on the night of the fire. She said that firefighters approached the mother, who was trying to save the children in the house and begging for help. She just was like, The babies! The babies! and then they went in there and they brought the babies out, Carter said.

Also in Baltimore, a house fire on Dorton Court December 10 took the lives of Tylynn McDuffie, 10, and one-year-old Kamarl Ferrell. With no fire escape, a 27-year-old woman, identified only as the childrens mother, dropped her four-year-old to the ground from a window and then leapt out, retreating from the blaze, unable to save the other children while sustaining injuries.

Neighbor Aisha Wright spoke with WBAL Radio and said, They were good kids. Shes a nice lady and everything. No family deserves to go through that.

Once again revealing the frequency of tragic home fires in Baltimore due to the poor housing conditions, a house fire on January 12 claimed the lives of six children. (See Six Children dead in Baltimore house fire)

On December 30, a mobile trailer fire killed three members of a family in Lafayette, Tennessee. Those who perished were Wanda Rush Ray, 69, and her sons, Jimmy Lane Ray, 52, and Ronald Earl Ray, 51. According to the coroner, the cause of death for all was smoke inhalation.

In the Watts section of Los Angeles, twin boys lost their lives to a house fire on December 28. The brothers who perished were Brenton and Braeson Fortson, two-years-old. Benjamin Fortson, their father, risked all in an effort to save them, fighting thick smoke and flames and ultimately suffering burns to his face. Firefighters pulled all three from the blaze, with the father currently in the hospital listed in critical condition. Firefighters could not locate any smoke detectors in the residence.

According to media reports, there were up to 12 people living in the three-bedroom house, which far exceeds the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guideline of two persons per bedroom. According to US Census figures, the 2015 poverty rate in Watts was 37.1 percent, with nearly 50 percent of children living in poverty.

These figures serve to highlight growing social inequality, where the relegation of a growing segment of the population to poverty and unsafe housing conditions is leading to a increasing loss of life in house fires.
The Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit (PSG, Socialist Equality Party) welcomes and supports the strike of Hesse bus drivers, who have been fighting against low wages and miserable working conditions for two weeks.

The Verdi trade union originally called for a two-day protest. In this way, it intended to allow workers to let off steam and then conclude a contract agreement with the Hesse state association of bus operators (LHO). But they did not anticipate the readiness to fight among the bus drivers, who refused to go back to work. Verdi was compelled to lengthen the strike day by day.

Under the collective agreement a Hesse bus driver currently earns a wage of 12 (US$12.85) gross per hour. In reality, it is much less, because sums are deducted for break times, even though breaks are often skipped. For this, a driver must accept irregular working hours, while daily transporting thousands of people, including the elderly and vulnerable young and school children, through hectic and chaotic traffic. If something happens, he is solely responsible.

Verdi demanded an increase in pay to 13.50 per hour, which would still be very low. The LHO is only offering 13and only from January 2019.

The strike of Hesse bus drivers is so significant because millions of workers throughout Germany, Europe and the entire world suffer under similar conditions. After decades of budget cuts, privatisations and wage and social welfare cuts, socially necessary, responsible and stressful jobs are paid so poorly that workers cannot live on the wages. Wages hardly cover the cost of rapidly rising rents and the necessities of life, let alone the costs of feeding a family, raising children, education and holidays.

This not only applies to public transport, but also for the health care and education sectors, as well as numerous other social professions. Even in the large plants of the auto and steel industries, temporary and contract workers labour for miserable wages alongside their permanently employed colleagues.

This is the reason why the fighting spirit of the bus drivers has found broad solidarity and support. While the media agitate and call to get behind the steering wheel! (Frankfurter Rundschau), drivers are being overwhelmed with letters in support of the strike. In Darmstadt, tram drivers are striking in solidarity and there were other solidarity strikes in several cities.

But nobody can afford to have any illusions. Without drawing a balance sheet of the causes that have led to the miserable working conditions and developing a new strategy, the strike will not be successful.

Bus drivers not only confront the employers in the LHO and its arrogant and self-satisfied leader Volker Tuchan, who has declared their demands to be unachievable. A much greater problem is the Verdi trade union and the political parties closely connected with it, the Social Democrats (SPD), Left Party and Greens.

The transformation of the public sector into a low-wage sector would not have been possible without their active support. They now see their task as maintaining control over all opposition, and isolating and ultimately dissipating it.

The Green Party member Frank Bsirske, who has led Verdi for 17 years, was previously human resources chief for the city of Hannover and eliminated 1,000 of 16,000 jobs. As Verdi leader, he provided political cover for the SPD-Green coalition as it adopted the Hartz IV laws and the Agenda 2010 social welfare reforms. In the process, it created a huge low-wage sector in which 40 percent of all wage-dependent workers in Germany now labour.

At the same time, in Berlin Bsirske worked closely with the red-red (SPD-Left Party) Senate, which cut wages in the public sector by 12 percent and reduced public sector workers by a third. He has sat or sits on the supervisory boards of Lufthansa, Deutsche Bank and energy concern RWE, which have all imposed massive wage and job cuts, and earns approximately half a million euros.

Verdi does not represent the interests of its members. It is a service enterprise for the corporations. It assists the corporations to impose attacks on wages and benefits as socially responsibly as possible, i.e., without any social resistance emerging against it.

This is also their role in the bus drivers strike. Verdi lead negotiator Jochen Koppel, who also sits on the supervisory board of the Frankfurt am Main Transport Association (VGF), sees his main task as isolating the strike and shutting it down as quickly as possible.

After the LHO did not present a new offer at a meeting on Thursday and was not prepared to discuss issues of content, he announced the strike would be over on Monday and agreed to arbitration without consulting bus drivers. Arbitration begins on Monday at the start of the shift, a press release from Verdi stated.

There will then be an obligation to observe labour peace, strikes during arbitration are excluded.

The privatisation of public services and operations would have not been possible without the active collaboration of Verdi, the SPD, Left Party and Greens. Twenty-five years ago, public transport and health care remained largely in public hands. Workers did not have a high income, but a reasonable one and good social security. Today they have largely been privatised, serve as a source of profits for investors and are subordinated to ruthless competition fought out over the bones of the workers, passengers and patients.

At the municipal level, SPD, Left Party and Green politicians, who are mostly Verdi members, hand public transport to the company making the lowest offer, which generally also pays the lowest wages. Some of them subsequently express hypocritical solidarity with the workers who try to resist.

A leading role in the privatisation of public services is played by the competitiveness policy of the European Union. Verdi, the SPD, Greens and Left Party all support the European Union. They have abandoned the opposition to this representative of the interests of the major banks and corporations to right-wing parties, which lead in a dangerous, nationalist direction.

The attack on the wages and social achievements of workers is taking place globally. While the living standards of the vast majority are declining, a tiny clique is enriching itself fabulously. According to a report by Oxfam, the eight richest billionaires in the world own as much wealth as the poorest half of the worlds population, 3.6 billion people.

The gap between rich and poor has widened above all in the United States. A government of billionaires, militarists and right-wing extremists is now taking power under Donald Trump that threatens the entire world with war.

The reason for this development is the irresolvable crisis of the capitalist system. The private ownership of the means of production, the profit principle and the nation state upon which capitalism rests cannot be made to conform to the globalised economy, which is based on a global division of labour and distribution.

As was the case 100 years ago, the capitalists are responding to the crisis of their system with attacks on the working class, dictatorship and war. This also applies to Germany. For three years, the return of German militarism has been systematically advanced. The refugee crisis and the terrorist threat serve as pretexts for the construction of a police state. And the attacks on wages and social benefits will continue to finance the costs of trade war and militarism.

The struggle against low wages can therefore only be successful if it is linked to the fight against capitalism and war. The following conclusions must be drawn for the bus drivers strike:

1. The strike is condemned to defeat if it remains under the control of Verdi. Build your own action committees, independent of Verdi that can lead the strike and make connections with other workers!

2. The strike must be expanded and support mobilised from workers in the public and private sector, who confront the same problems. Contact must be made with workers throughout Europe, the United States and other countries.

3. The struggle against low wages and social attacks requires a socialist strategy. Only within the framework of a policy aimed at uniting workers around the world against capitalism, regardless of their origin and nationality, can the strike develop the necessary strength and scope.

4. Workers need a new party to fight for an internationalist and socialist programme. Make contact with the World Socialist Web Site and the Partei fur Soziale Gleichheit to discuss these questions. Participate in the building of the PSG and the International Committee of the Fourth International.
Workers in the Latrobe Valley, about 150 kilometres east of Melbourne, the Victorian state capital, are a confronting major assault on their jobs and working conditions in the power, mining and paper industries. WSWS reporters spoke to local residents last week about these attacks and their impact on the already high levels of unemployment and poverty in the region.

Just over a week ago, the Fair Work Commission (FWC), the federal governments industrial tribunal, accepted an application by the AGL energy corporation to terminate the existing workplace agreement at its Loy Yang A power plant.

The ruling opens the way for the company to impose massive pay cutsbetween 30 and 65 percenton its 570 employees and eliminate hard-won working conditions and entitlements. On Wednesday, the FWC declared that workers at the plant could not take any form of industrial action, including imposing overtime bans or taking what it claimed were unwarranted amounts of leave.

These attacks are being aided and abetted by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), which are appealing to the company to negotiate a new cost-cutting agreement.

Last month, the two unions called off a one-day strike scheduled for December 28, without consultation with their members. The Victorian state Labor government, which is supported by the major unions, also threatened to intervene through the FWC to prevent industrial action.

The Labor Party and unions oppose unified action by AGL power workers to fight these cuts and the impending closure of the nearby Hazelwood power plant. They have also tried to isolate the power workers from the Australian Paper employees at the close-by Maryvale mill. There the CFMEU is collaborating with management to impose a 5 percent wage cut on the mills 900-strong workforce.

Paul, an injured mechanical fitter, told WSWS reporters in Morwell that the AGL cuts would set a national precedent and be used at Essos natural gas plant in nearby Longford, where workers were refusing to sign a company enterprise agreement offer.

The FWC will tear up the current agreement and put everyone on contracts. And workers will be told, If you dont like it you dont have to stay. Its akin to blackmail.

At Loy Yang the hundreds of dollars cut from workers pay will flow on through the industry. Thats why the company had the agreement torn up. They will now get the workers to accept anything. The FWC sucks. It represents big business.

Rachel said her husband was a casual worker. We moved to the valley seven years ago. My husband works for BMC [a mechanical and electrical engineering company], which provides for the power stations. He is now in Western Australia and Northern Territory and spends most of his time awayfour weeks away, one week back. Its difficult, especially for the kids, she said.

Hes a casual worker and can be put off any time and you never know how long its going to be between jobs. It can be up to six or seven months and so things are quite tight and its difficult to plan for things.

The impact of the Hazelwood power plant closure will be huge and everything will be affected. Families will have to move away  Lots of people dont know what theyre going to do now. Many left high school and have been working in Hazelwood since then. They dont know what theyll do. We know people that bought houses, did them up and have had to sell it because they couldnt find any work here.

Tony, a Hazelwood power station worker, spoke about the impending closure of the plant and the role of the unions.

The SEC [State Electricity Commission], like Telstra and the Gas and Fuel, should never have been privatised. It shouldnt be about profit. Now were seeing the results of it.

The unions have been useless and havent done anything for years. I worked at Hazelwood for 32 years, Im a purchasing officer. I began as a trades assistant. The impact of the closure will be huge in the area. Hazelwood was built to last 30 years but theyve known for 20 years that it would close.

In America, you have [work] contracts that go for an hour. We cant go to that here. Its a global market but theyre not bringing workers in poor countries up to our standard. They want everyone in this race to the bottom.

Another Loy Yang A worker who wanted to remain anonymous said he was suspicious of the role being played by the unions. I think there is a pre-determined agenda going on there. They dont look after us.

Jared, a former dairy factory worker, said: I oppose the [AGL] wage cuts. The average cost of living is going through the roof and rents are going up, so you cant get a house. If the unions are spearheading the wage cuts, I dont think thats right.

We are disposable and the unions do nothing about safety  [W]hen I went to the supervisor about dangerous conditions they did nothing  I worked at a milk factory in Drouin driving a forklift and worked 123 hours per fortnight on $23.15 per hour. We had to fight the company to get penalty rates.

Maria commented on the government cutbacks to pensioners, via new assets tests, and how millions of people are seeking political alternatives to the established parties.

Im scared for my grandkids. What options will they have? They want to go to university but whats going to be out here for them? The political parties need to start listening to the people because were sick and tired of the old rhetoric and were getting nothing.

The Liberals are picking on the pensioners at the moment. They pick on the weakest  We need a change. People are voting for smaller parties because theyre looking for an alternative.

Trump is an idiot. He comes out with these statements but hes attacking all the wrong people. Imagine having him with the finger over the button. Were trying to build a relationship with China and hes going to damage it. Hes going to damage a lot of relationships. Hes a very dangerous man.

Jane said: Its just not fair on the workers, the families with whats going on in Hazelwood. My husband is only casual and so, if something happens out there and theres no work, theres no work for him and that means were stuffed.

What the government is doing to the pensioners is disgusting. My in-laws are now losing $100 this week. They live on $400 each a fortnight. Theyve worked all their lives and now theyve got to reassess again. My mother has had her pension cut by $20. She gets less than $400, which doesnt even cover a week in the nursing home. The nursing home is $1,200 a fortnight, so weve got to cover it. Its not easy.
In the final acts of bloodletting before relinquishing the White House to Donald Trump, outgoing US President Barack Obama ordered deadly bombing raids in the two countries where his administration initiated new and devastating wars, Syria and Libya.

In what was likely the last major military action to be carried out under Obama, a US B-52 bomber, along with an undisclosed number of unmanned attack drones, carried out airstrikes in Syria late Thursday against what the Pentagon claimed was an Al Qaeda training camp in Idlib province to the west of Aleppo and near the border with Turkey.

A US military official told the media that at least 100 people were killed in the attack. The official made the point of distinguishing those killed as core Al Qaeda as opposed to the Islamist militia formerly named the Al Nusra Front, which has functioned as Al Qaedas Syrian affiliate. Al Nusra has served as the leading fighting force in the US-orchestrated war for regime change against the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad and operates in close alliance with similar Islamist militias that Washington has described as moderate rebels, supplying them with arms and funding.

This major US air raid was carried out under conditions in which Washingtons regime change strategy has been left in tatters after six years of war have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Syrians and turned millions into refugees. The Russian-backed Syrian armys routing of Al Nusra-led militias in eastern Aleppo deprived these forces of their last urban stronghold. In the wake of this strategic reversal for the US-backed rebels, Russia and Turkey, with the collaboration of Iran, brokered a nationwide ceasefire and the convening of talks set to begin next week in Kazakhstan aimed at achieving a political settlement in Syria. Washington has been excluded from these negotiations, with the Trump administration receiving an invitation only at the last minute from Moscow to send representatives to the political talks.

The day before the airstrikes in Syria, the US military launched an extraordinary long-distance bombing run against Libya, sending two rarely used and nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers, which dropped around 100 500-pound precision-guided bombs on what the Pentagon described as two ISIS (Islamic State) camps southwest of the Libyan port city of Sirte. The B-2 bombings were followed up with Hellfire missile attacks from a Reaper drone.

Obama had to personally sign off on the bombing run because previous authorization for US airstrikes had been limited to the immediate area around Sirte. Last month, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) declared that campaign to have been concluded after a series of nearly 500 airstrikes that had begun last August. The bombing campaign was aimed at propping up a so-called unity government, backed by the US and the United Nations, which today exerts control over little more than parts of the capital of Tripoli and Sirte.

Outgoing US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced the airstrikes to the Pentagon press corps, claiming that they had killed at least 80 people. Without presenting any substantiation, Carter claimed that those killed were external plotters, who were actively planning operations against our allies in Europe and insisted that none of the victims were civilians.

Pentagon reporters pressed as to why the B-2 bombers were sent from an air base in Missouri, half way around the world, when previous strikes had been carried out by more conventional warplanes based in Europe.

Defense Department spokesman Peter Cook hinted at the reason, declaring in his opening remarks that The use of the B-2 demonstrates the capability of the United States to deliver decisive precision force to the Air Forces Global Strike Command over a great distance.

This prompted the obvious question from one reporter as to whether the deployment of the stealth bombers was meant to send a message to countries like Russia, China. The spokesman brushed this suggestion aside, claiming that the B-2s had been requested by commanders and that the raid was designed solely to kill terrorists.

The last time that B-2s were deployed in combat was in 2011, as part of the massive US-NATO bombing campaign initiated in the war for regime change that ended with the toppling and lynch-mob murder of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Then, Washington and its allies relied upon a collection of Islamist militias as proxy ground troops, the same forces that it now claims to be fighting in Libya, which has been plunged into unending civil war and has become the epicenter of the deadly refugee crisis that has claimed thousands of lives in the Mediterranean.

The renewed US military action in Libya came amid indications that Russia is pursuing its own interests in the war-ravaged country, with which, before the ouster of Gaddafi, it had billions of dollars in arms sales, infrastructure deals and other trade agreements.

Last week, the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was brought off Libyas eastern coast, welcoming aboard General Khalifa Haftar, commander of the so-called Libyan National Army. Haftar is the strongman of the factions in the east of Libya, which back a rival regime to that of the crisis-ridden Government of National Accord that has been anointed by the US and the UN in Tripoli. Haftars troops have succeeded in wresting the city of Benghazi from Al Qaeda-linked militias and seizing control of key oil terminals, while controlling most of eastern Libya.

His visit to the Russian aircraft carrier follows two trips to Moscow in search of aid and arms. While aboard, he held a video conference with Sergei Shoigu, the Russian defense minister.

For Washington, Haftars turn to Moscow is particularly galling, given that the former Gaddafi general had previously defected to the US and served for many years as an asset of the CIA, moving into a house near the agencys headquarters in northern Virginia.

While turning to Russia, Haftar has also forged close ties to the Egyptian dictatorship of Gen. Abdul Fattah al-Sisi as well as to the monarchical regime in the United Arab Emirates.

The extraordinary B-2 raid on the desert outside of Sirte was no doubt intended to send a signal to Moscow that US imperialism is prepared to renew the war in Libya in order to assert American hegemony over the devastated oil-rich north African country.

Meanwhile, in another final act relating to the war crimes of the Obama administration, the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper issued a report that absurdly claimed the total number of civilians murdered in US drone strikes during the eight years of the Obama presidency amounted to no more than 117.

Independent investigative groups, including the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, have provided conservative estimates that place the real number of victims at 10 times this official count by the US intelligence agencies.

The official number does not include what are likely thousands of more victims killed in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, which the CIA classifies as active combat zones.

The sham assessments of civilian casualties were instituted as part of an executive order reaffirming that the US president has the unquestionable right to order the state murder of anyone in any part of the world by means of drone missile attack. At the time, the Obama White House described the order as an attempt to develop a sustainable legal and policy architecture to guide our counterterrorism activities going forward. In other words, the infamous practice of terror Tuesdays, in which Obama personally selected kill lists of victims for assassination, was being turned into an institutionalized arm of the capitalist state.

This loathsome political legacy of arrogating to the presidency the right to order the assassination of foreign nationals and US citizens alike is now being passed on to the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
The Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision granting Libyan Abdel Hakim Belhaj and his wife Fatima Bouchar the right to sue British officials and institutions for their alleged roles in the couples kidnapping, rendition and torture.

The government had sought to prevent the former Labour Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and Sir Mark Allen, a former senior officer in Britains spy agency MI6, having to account for their actions.

The Supreme Court ruled that rights enshrined in the Magna Carta had to be put before an English court. Furthermore, the judges argued that ministers cannot claim state immunity or escape trial on the grounds of the legal doctrine of foreign acts of state. They added, The principle that there is no general defence of state necessity to a claim of wrongdoing by state officials has been established since the 18th century.

The judgement relates to one of three linked cases regarding legal issues involved in claiming damages for the British armed forces actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, in which UK officials were said to be complicit, which could pave the way for hundreds of other victims to bring their cases against the Ministry of Defence before a court.

The courts decision is a blow for the British political establishment, which has fought for years to keep secret the torture and other foul operations of Britains spy agencies and Special Forces that operate outside the law and without public scrutiny. The government is now likely to demand that any subsequent judicial proceedings are heard in secret.

The case is doubly politically damaging because it was brought by right-wing Islamist opponents of the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, whose fate between the years 2004 and 2011 exposes the filthy manoeuvres undertaken by successive Labour and Conservative/Liberal Democrat governments.

The government had sought to prevent the Belhajs from pursuing a civil action for damages for the British government and its intelligence services complicity in their abduction by the CIA in 2004 to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, a British dependency and one of the agencys global network of dark sites.

Detainees at these sites were subject to internment for years under the most inhumane conditions, torture, water boarding, sexual assault, sleep deprivation, forcing inmates to stand on broken limbs, and murder, for which no officials have stood trial. The Belhajs were subsequently rendered to Libya where they were imprisoned and tortured at a time when the US and UK were cultivating more friendly relations with Gaddafi.

Belhaj claims that during his six years in a Libyan jail, he was in fact interrogated by US and British intelligence agents. His pregnant wife claims she was chained to a wall for five days, then taped to a stretcher for the 17-hour flight to Libya where she was detained in prison until just before the delivery of her son, who was born weighing just four pounds.

Belhaj had previously fought against Soviet forces in Afghanistan. With close relations with al-Qaeda and later the Taliban, he went on to set up the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) in the mid-1990s, with the aim of overthrowing the Gaddafi regime and establishing an Islamic state based upon Sharia law.

In the 1990s, the British government allowed numerous Islamist groups to operate in London, which became known as Londonistan. The Libyan dissidents and the LIFG were allowed to develop a base of logistical support and fund raising because of Libyas alleged involvement in the Lockerbie bombing in 1988.

MI6 even used an LIFG agent in London to mastermind Gaddafis assassination in an attack that killed or injured several civilians while leaving Gaddafi unhurt, according to a report by former British spy David Shayler that was subsequently confirmed by US intelligence.

All that changed in 2004, when the Labour government of Tony Blair brought Colonel Gaddafi in from the coldostensibly to help prosecute the so-called war on terror, but in reality to secure lucrative contracts for British oil companies.

As part of the deal, the authorities rounded up opponents of the Libyan regime in London and elsewhere, and sent them back to Libya. Belhaj and his wife were part of the deal as papers belonging to Libyas intelligence chief Moussa Koussa, discovered after the ouster of the Gaddafi regime by NATO-led forces in 2011, revealed.

Sir Mark Allen, who was head of MI6s counter-terrorism unit, had taken the credit for the kidnapping of the families in a letter to Koussa in which he wrote, Most importantly, I congratulate you on the safe arrival of Abu Abd Allah Sadiq [Abdul-Hakim Belhaj]. This was the least we could do for you and for Libya to demonstrate the remarkable relationship we have built over the years. I am so glad. I was grateful to you for helping the officer we sent out last week.

After his abrupt resignation in 2004, Sir Mark Allen subsequently went on to work for as a special advisor to oil giant BP on Libyan oil contracts.

Jack Straw, the then Foreign Secretary, has repeatedly denied any knowledge of Britains role in extraordinary rendition, calling it a conspiracy theory. The intelligence services, however, flatly contradicted him, saying that it was a ministerially-authorised government policy.

Sir Richard Dearlove, head of MI6 at the time, said, It was a political decision, having very significantly disarmed Libya, for the government to cooperate with Libya on Islamist terrorism.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has refused to press charges against anyone, has acknowledged that the suspect, meaning Sir Mark Allen, knew about the renditions of the Belhaj and Saadi families, and had sought political authority for some of his actions.

This was nothing short of an admission of Britains illegal and secret involvement at the very highest level in the extraordinary rendition programme organised by Washington. It blew apart the governments mendacious attempts to keep its criminal role in renditions and torture under wraps via multi-million out-of-court settlements to its victims. Belhaj was determined to get an apology and admission of liability for what was done to him and his wife, which led to the government seeking to get the Supreme Court to block his caseciting arguments of state immunity and the involvement of foreign intelligence agencies.

He was in a position to do so because, in a further switch in foreign policy, during the 2011 NATO-led invasion of Libya, the UK and US worked with Belhaj.

Belhaj was released from prison as one of 170 Islamists as part of an attempted deal between Gaddafi and the LIFG in 2009. During the NATO invasion, he worked as part of the LIFG together with al-Qaeda-linked forces as US proxies to topple Gaddafijust seven years after the Blair government had befriended him.

The same Islamist militias, along with large quantities of Libyan arms, were then shipped off to take part in the next US-sponsored regime-change operation in Syria, before more recently being rebranded as terrorists when the growth of Islamic State became a threat to US interests in both Iraq and Syria.

The close ties between Britain and various Islamist groups is one of the reasons behind its determination to prevent any court hearings that might expose the extent of its collaboration, which exposes the lies surrounding official policy at home and abroad.

Furthermore, there is every indication that Britain intends to resume practices such as abduction and torture overseas, as it aligns yet more closely with Washington under President Donald Trump.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has repeatedly refused to rule out helping the incoming Trump administration in future rendition programs despite Trump stating that he favoured a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding. No official has publicly condemned Trumps approval of torture, while the 2016 Investigative Powers Act has abolished the Intelligence Services Commission that oversees its overseas agents compliance with Britains own vague rules on torture.
In its coverage of the Donald Trump inauguration and surrounding events, the American media performed as expected: horribly, with a combination of toadyism, triviality and social obliviousness. Its well-heeled and generally ignorant representatives did little or nothing to alert the American people to the dangers expressed in Trumps fascistic inaugural rant.

As noted, there is nothing unexpected in this. Over the past several decades, any spirit of political opposition or criticism in the mainstream press and television outlets has entirely evaporated. Leading television anchors and journalists belong to the richest one or two percent of the population. Covering Washington politics, they essentially constitute one element of the wealthy elite reporting on another.

The sycophancy and stupidity began early on. In his 3am report, CNNs John Berman intoned, We are just before dawn in Washington [actually, some four hours before], just before the dawn of the Trump presidency. The sun will rise this morning with one commander in chief and will set with another. The peaceful transfer of power [is] really one of the hallmarks of our democracy.

The only controversy picked up on by CNN at his hour concerned the pastor selected to preach at a private service attended by Trump and company at 8:30am at St. Johns Episcopal Church, [ultra-rightist] Robert Jeffress, a southern Baptist who has a long history of inflammatory remarks about Muslims, Mormons, Catholics and gays, according to correspondent Athena Jones.

Quickly passing on, the cable networks Christine Romans, anchor of Early Start, noted how enthralled she was by it all. I think the one thing about a day like today is sort of the awesomeness of it. You know, and the word awesome is overused. This is what awesome is about.  It gives me goose bumps. Really does. 

At every television network during the course of the day, the banal phrases would be repeated, including the slightly nervous one about the peaceful transfer of power as a hallmark of our democracy.

A later dialogue between CNNs Sara Murray and the dreadful Wolf Blitzer provided some of the general flavor of the media coverage. Asked by Blitzer about the private church service attended by Trump, Murray responded: Well, Wolf, Im told it was a very moving ceremony. And I just spoke with a friend of Donald Trump who said the moment is clearly hitting him. This person said that Donald Trump was clearly emotional, particularly as he was leaving the church.  Donald Trump even appeared a little teary-eyed on his way out  [I]ts clear that this day, this moment, the magnitude of it is beginning to sink in, Wolf.

Blitzer responded, And will sink in even further as we get closer and closer to that magic moment.

The fierce tone of Trumps American First speech obviously startled some in the media. On Fox News, Brit Hume declared that the speech, was not poetic, but quite strong, very much Trump. On the same panel, Chris Wallace suggested that there had not been a political transition, but a seizure of power by Trump, while Dana Perino blandly described the speech as muscular. There was a freshness about the way Trump saw the country, according to Tucker Carlson.

The ultra-right Charles Krauthammer, also on Fox, pointed bluntly to how Trumps America First speech has been heard across the globe. He suggested that US allies and trading partners in particular had to be quaking in their boots after Trumps address. It was the most aggressive, most sort of hyper-nationalist, and, in some way, the most hostile of any inaugural address, I think, since the Second World War.

Krauthammer pointed to Trumps staggering sentence, The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world. The nationalist theme of the address was an amazing message for an inaugural address and would have a huge effect around the world.

Newspaper headlines Friday afternoon reflected concerns and anxiety. The New York Times responded: With Echoes of the 30s, Trump Resurrects a Hard-Line Vision of America First. The New Yorker suggested, A Dark Inaugural, and the Washington Post, Trumps inaugural speech was a sharp break with pastand his party. The Atlantic pronounced, American Carnage: The Trump Era Begins.

None of these liberal publications offer any serious explanation for the ultra-nationalist policies of the new president or how it was that such a repugnant figure managed to win the White House. According to the same publications now, Barack Obama is a nearly flawless human being, beloved by millions. Then why did the Democratic Party vote decline so sharply? These people are very distant from popular suffering and discontent.

Whatever concerns there were in the media about Trumps tone and content, the television networks had gotten back to the business of chloroforming the public by the time of the miserable Inaugural Paradea convoy of menacing vehicles surrounded by secret service agents driving down avenues lined with police and other law enforcement. Meager crowds chanted USA! USA!, waved flags and held up signs thanking Trump for saving America.

On CBS News, with additional time to kill because the pace of the parade was off and with nothing much to say anyway, the commentators were reduced to discussing possible renovations of the White Houses Oval Office and the beauty of that offices famous Resolute Desk, a gift from Queen Victoria.

Obama had written a letter for his successor, a wonderful tradition, and stuck it in the Resolute Desk. (Meanwhile, the bleak procession continued.) Speaking of hats, President Dwight Eisenhower had broken tradition in 1953 by wearing a fedora.

On NBC, a few moments of seriousness were devoted to a discussion of the inaugural address. It was agreed the speech was the work of Steve Bannon, Trumps senior counselor, whom no one cared to identify as an extreme right-winger. Steve Bannon and Donald Trump have channeled each other. He [Bannon] believes in this nationalist movement in various parts of the world.

The crowds are waving.  Theres a lot of excitement here. The convoy looked as uninviting as before.

ABCs commentators were whiling away the time by wondering what was in the box [A Tiffany box?] that Melania had given Michelle.

Someone pointed out that holding events at Trumps Washington, D.C. hotel was a howling conflict of interest. In response, the correspondent on the spot explained Trumps point of view: Its not illegal, its his hotel, he can do what he wants. There you go!

The parade dragged interminably on. What were seeing here is peaceable and joyful. The question of the hour was, would Trump and family exit the limousine and walk part of the route? A female commentator, I hope he does.  Its important.  It shows hes one of the people. Everyone agrees. It would also be a demonstration of vigor. He is, someone noted, the oldest president at the time of his first inauguration, and in recent times, the heaviest.

CNNs correspondents were abuzz when the massive limousine did indeed halt, in front of the Trump International Hotel, which the real estate mogul rents from the US General Services Administration. Trump got out and waved to the crowd. Robin [Meade], can you see the president? Were really close. Lets listen to the crowd. USA! USA!

The Trumps climbed back in their monster vehicle after a few moments. It was, the CNN reporters agreed, an incredible moment. This is a family affair, what with Melania in her beautiful robins egg blue suit and the tall handsome son. Speaking of the son, one CNN reporter observed, Even with all the money the Trumps have, this is new for him!

Correspondent Meade told her viewers, There are protests, but, all in all, such a warm reception  a great moment. Will they get out again?

Back to Fox, where one analyst pointed out that the speech had not been as unifying as one might have expected and the crowds were smaller than predicted. Getting out right in front of a property he owns marked Trumps different way of doing things. This was a president who was a master at marketing, at branding. After all, following one or another of his bankruptcies, he had used the Howard Stern show to keep himself relevant. Family and foreign entities had helped him out. Mitt Romney and the New York Post had once called Trump a con man, now they were obliged to call him Mr. President.

Despite any misgivings, the Fox correspondent declared, A great day for American democracy. The orderly, peaceful transition of power  helps soothe the soul.

The venal, cowardly American media enters into the Trump era as a chief facilitator of reaction.
The demise of the UKs Post Office moves one step closer with the planned closure of a further 37 Crown post offices, threatening over 400 jobs, some 12.5 percent of the existing 3,344 workforce in these facilities.

Crown Post Offices are mainly larger branches, usually found on the high street of most towns or populous conurbations that provide an extensive range of services. Notwithstanding the tremendous developments in technology and global integration, the offices continue to provide an important function in many aspects of life.

For the powers-that-be, however, the post offices are just another lucrative source of profiteering, and the jobs, livelihoods and services it supplies are of no consequence. That is why postal services globally have been a target for privatisation and outsourcing and Britain is no exception.

At its highpoint in 1975, nearly one-half million people worked for the Post Office, making it one of the UKs largest employers, with 177,625 in the postal service alone. The Post Office Annual Report for 2016 records a total of just 6,605 employees.

The breakup and privatisation of the Post Office began under the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. Legislation passed in 1984 lifting the previous state monopoly over telecommunications accompanied the sale of 50 percent of the shares in the newly-created British Telecommunications, which had been hived off from the Post Office. In 1990, the Post Offices banking arm, Giro Bank, was sold off to the Alliance and Leicester.

The process of dismantling and selling off what remained of the Post Office continued under the Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

In 2004, the second daily delivery of mail was abolished, and in 2006, Royal Mail lost its 350-year monopoly. The postal market was opened up completely to private sector competitors, who were now permitted to collect and sort mail, which was then passed over to Royal Mail for delivery.

Under Labour, in 2007, 85 Crown post offices were closed, 70 of which were sold to the private retailer WH Smith.

The growth of the Internet and online communications technology, such as email, saw a significant drop in the volume of letters being sent. In 2008, the Labour government sought a partial privatisation of Royal Mail. Although the legislation passed in the House of Lords, it was blocked by a number of backbench Labour MPs in the House of Commons.

Following the 2010 general election, the incoming Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition moved quickly to revive the privatisation plans developed under Labour. New legislation was passed allowing the privatisation of up to 90 percent of Royal Mail. Liabilities for the companys pension scheme were transferred to the Treasury, and in 2012, the Post Office was split away from Royal Mail, to make the latter more attractive to prospective buyers.

This left the Post Office as a rump, responsible just for running the network of Crown post offices and sub post offices. In 2013, the Post Office announced plans to franchise another 70 Crown post offices by moving the operations into shops, further reducing the Crown network to around 300 branches.

Changes in the payment of pensions and benefits removed one of the crucial services provided by the Post Office.

As part of the floatation of Royal Mail on the stock market, it had to sign up to a 10-year inter-business contract to use the services of the Post Office. However, the growth of private collection and delivery companies, such as Hermes and Yodel, makes clear that the most likely outcome will be a further reduction in business for the Post Office once this contract expires.

Workers in the Post Office/Royal Mail have seen one assault on their jobs and conditions after another under both Tory and Labour governments. The sale of Royal Mail in 2012 at far below the market price saw shareholders reaping a bonanza. This was paid for through the destruction of tens of thousands of jobs in the drive to turn a vital public service into a source of private profit.

At the same time, many functions have been transferred into the private sector, where workers are paid the minimum wage, or are super-exploited on the basis of phony self-employment contractsdenying them even the minimum of protections and benefits still afforded an employee.

Those workers remaining in the Post Office face a situation in which the government is systematically removing its functions and starving it of investment as a prelude to its ultimate closure.

In a cost-cutting move and further attack on conditions, the Post Office and Royal Mail have implemented changes to their final salary pension schemes affecting some 100,000 workers.

Royal Mail has already closed its defined benefits pension scheme to new entrantswhich links the pension to a workers earnings history, length of service and age. Now it wants to close the scheme to future accrual, drastically lowering the benefits that would be received on retirement. Under the changes, for example, a manager in their 40s would see their expected pension slashed from 38,000 to just 18,000 a year. A similar level of cuts would affect all grades.

The Post Office has begun a phony consultation process that will inevitably lead to it carrying out the same attacks on pension rights. This, according to the Communication Workers Union (CWU), is despite the pension fund being in a healthy surplus.

Not only does this mean that Post Office workers who have yet to retire will receive smaller pensionsthose who have already retired could also see their benefits reduced. The employers have justified their slash and burn approach by claiming previous pension schemes were simply unaffordable, and so workers must be willing to accept lower benefits when they retire.

This stands in contrast to the generous treatment of former Royal Mail/Post Office chief executive Adam Crozier. When he left in 2007, after having received a 25 percent salary bump taking his remuneration to 1.25 million, he was awarded 158,000 in annual pension and benefits.

At the end of 2016, CWU members in the Post Office took strike action against the attacks on jobs and pensions. This struggle was sabotaged and undermined by the union from the start.

The strike was limited to just a few days involving the Crown Post Offices, with no action organised to include the far larger workforce at Royal Mail, who face the same attacks.

The CWU has done nothing to oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail/Post Office. It has functioned as a junior partner to management in imposing the speed-ups and deterioration of workers pay and conditions demanded to make the business profitable in face of the competition.

The New Year message from CWU Deputy General Secretary Terry Pullinger made clear that union is motivated not by a genuine desire to protect its members and their conditions, but by its own interests, to uphold its own role as co-manager.

Pullinger highlighted the fact that privatisation only went ahead with the cooperation of the union, and included a legally-binding agreement protecting the industrial relations framework. In other words, the deal safeguards the right of the CWU bureaucracy to sit alongside management when it comes to imposing further cuts, while continuing to receive its members dues through the check-off system.

Workers cannot look to the union to defend their jobs and conditions. The CWU shares the same pro-capitalist outlook as the management. It is not a vehicle for fighting back against the bosses and the government, but a mechanism to ensure such a fight does not succeed.
Dozens of cities throughout the US saw major protests against the presidency of Republican Donald J. Trump on Friday, with even larger protests being planned for hundreds of cities today.

The ascendency of the demagogic billionaire real estate developer to the highest political office in the United States has provoked unprecedented disgust and opposition from millions of people throughout the country and around the world.

In the District of Columbia, police arrested 217 people and pepper sprayed dozens more Friday after protesters dressed in black and shouting anti-Trump slogans damaged storefronts and shattered glass windows several miles from the Washington Mall.

Dalton Bennett, a Washington Post photojournalist, was harassed and slammed to the ground by police as he sought to film the protesters. One law enforcement vehicle was torched and at least two officers received minor injuries. The authorities have charged several protesters with rioting, Reuters reported.

The inaugural events in the nations capital and accompanying protests were the impetus for a massive buildup of the military and police apparatus. To accomplish having a tranquil event amid worries of terrorist attacks and threats by some groups to disrupt the celebration requires bringing in 3,000 police officers from across the nation and 5,000 members of the National Guard, the Washington Post noted, adding that these forces will bolster the already large law enforcement footprint imposed on everyday Washington.

The heightened security measures are aimed at intimidating and suppressing public opposition to Trump. The Post quotes Scott J. White, director of the cybersecurity program at George Washington University, who states I think [Trumps] use of social media has a tendency to inflame peoples attitude toward him. And I think this particular method of engaging the public has definitely resulted in a different kind of adversary.

According to the Post, as many as 28,000 police officers have been summoned to the District of Columbia in order to oversee the protests. Checkpoints and security gates have been set up throughout the Washington Mall and downtown area, requiring attendees to undergo intrusive searches in order to proceed to the Mall area, where the inauguration occurs.

On Friday morning, protesters associated with Black Lives Matter momentarily overran a major checkpoint leading to the inaugural gathering while 150 protesters representing an anti-Trump group overwhelmed a security point near the Canadian Embassy. Police pepper sprayed protesters as they confronted attendees at the DeploraBall, a pro-Trump gathering being held at the National Press Club on Thursday night.

The protests Friday were among a number of anti-Trump demonstrations occurring throughout the weekend. The Post reports that as many as 63 demonstrations were planned yesterday in DC, with 36 others happening throughout the week. The largest event is likely to be the Womens March on Washington today, which has garnered several hundred thousand "likes" on social media.

The sheer number of protests and demonstrators, who far outnumber the slight turnout in support of Trumps inauguration, is a nascent reflection of the mass opposition to the policies of the ruling class in the United States among workers and young people which will only deepen as the class character of Trumps administration becomes clear.

In New York City, a unity rally organized by the Democratic Party and attended by a number of celebrities attracted thousands on Thursday night outside of Trump Tower in downtown Manhattan.

Throughout the day Friday, protesters gathered in downtown Chicago to oppose Trumps presidency. The main address at a 3 p.m. rally hosted by Socialist Alternative, the International Socialist Organization, Democratic Socialists of America and various neighborhood organizations was given by Democratic Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia, who challenged Rahm Emanuel for the mayors seat in 2015 at the behest of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis. Garcias statements were directed at burnishing the reputation of the Democratic Party as progressive, and it is politically significant he was the main speaker at a rally held by so-called socialists.

Around 5 p.m., the crowd of several hundred moved closer to Trump Tower, growing to several thousand. Within 45 minutes the marches broke off into different directions, with some protesters walking onto thoroughfares to stop traffic. Five have been arrested at the time of this writing.

WSWS reporters spoke with a number of protestors in Chicago.

Maria, a high school student, came to the protest to express her opposition to Trumps attacks on foreigners. I think what hes said has been really inappropriate, because regardless if youre immigrant, refugee, illegal, whatever, were still all human beings and we should be loved just the same.

I feel like he represents brutality at this point, because of everything hes said and everything hes acted upon. I think hes just thinking about himself and his family, and not even taking in mind anybody else, and people he sees on the streets.

Camilo, a college student studying urban planning, said, Where do you start? I think the biggest things are the lies that Trump tells, the conflicts of interest, and the level of corruption thats possible in his presidency. I think his cabinet picks are tremendously bad. Its going to be a rough four years, but Im excited about this [the protest], about people getting involved.

In San Diego, approximately 400 people turned out in the rain to protest against Trump. There was a notable militarized police presence, with officers in army fatigues and bulletproof vests perched on balconies with heavy weapons and binoculars looking down on the protest. Police officers were deployed to prevent students at San Diego High School from walking out to join the protest. Students at the school had previously walked out to protest Trump last year.

A number of those who turned out in San Diego spoke to WSWS reporters.

Ramsey and Pamella, a Mexican American couple living in San Diego but with many friends and family in Mexico, expressed concerns about Trumps positions on restricting immigration.

I came out here because I think our civil liberties are threatened by a Trump presidency. Ramsey explained. I care about a lot of issues, but especially immigration. I am an immigrant and I work at a restaurant where there are many immigrants, and we are all scared for what might happen under the Trump Presidency.

WSWS reporters explained that the Socialist Equality Party fights to unite the working class across international boundaries against the national chauvinism promoted by Trump. We agree, I think connecting working people on both sides of the border is important. I was at a rally recently and someone explained it like this, your liberation is our liberation. I really believe in this. I think all parts of the community need to unite.

Ramsey was also critical of the Obama administration and the Democrats, noting that, Many people were won over by his slogan of hope and change but now we have to critically look at what happened the past eight years. Obama was not good for immigrants, and he also supported war and the use of drones.

Jacob, a San Diego High School student who walked out despite the police presence, also spoke to WSWS reporters. It was a little scary leaving the school because the cops were all around and a bunch even had their hands on their guns. When asked what compelled him to leave school, he said, We feel like us teenagers have rights too. I just dont feel like Trump represents the people. Hes racist, especially to Mexicans.

Other students told WSWS reporters that they were protesting Trump in their classrooms daily by not standing for the pledge of allegiance and faced punishment for their actions.
Newly disclosed documents from the CIA detail the enhanced interrogation techniquestortureused on detainees at black sites throughout the world. The documents, 50 in all, include information that was not presented to the Senate Intelligence Committees investigation into the CIA torture program in 2014.

This information has been released amid a pitched legal battle concerning the handling of the full 6,700 page document that was presented to the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The documents were released as the result of an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Freedom of Information Act suit against the CIA. The documents describe, in clinical, disinterested prose, a harrowing array of torture techniques used against suspects, from extreme humiliation to potentially deadly force.

The use of mock burials, in which detainees were forced into coffin-shaped boxes with hidden ventilation holes, the slamming of detainees repeatedly into walls, and the exposure of denuded detainees to extreme cold stand out as particularly inhumane practices. The documents include an investigation into the 2002 death of suspected Taliban militant Gul Rahman, who died of hypothermia at a black site north of Kabul, Afghanistan. At the time of his death, Rahman was clad in nothing but an adult diaper, and had been chained to a vent in his cell throughout a cold, November night.

Attorneys for two of the CIAs victims, Abu Zubaydah and Abdul Rahim Al-Nashiri, are currently fighting for the preservation of the full report of the Senate Intelligence Committees findings, which doubtless contain even more gruesome details.

Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, who is adjudicating Zubaydahs habeas corpus request, issued a memo demanding that the United States government immediately deposit a complete and un-redacted copy of the Senate report with the court by February 10. Last week, Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia ordered the Obama administration to hand a copy over to the court, as well, in the case of Al-Nashiri. The Obama administration resisted on both counts.

Excerpts from the reports reveal how prisoners were subjected to torture through walling and waterboarding. During walling, a towel rolled up and placed behind the prisoners neck was the only precaution taken to ensure that the victims did not sustain concussions or spinal injuries when yanked upright by their chains and slammed into walls by their interrogators. Zubaydah was rendered unconscious and suffered seizures as a result of this treatment; to this day, he still experiences blackouts, headaches and seizures.

After three consecutive days of waterboarding, walling, and mock burials, Zubaydah was given a day-long reprieve from the aggressive interrogations. He was given Ensure, a meal replacement drink, and was again released to his cell, where interrogators disrupted his sleep purposely throughout the night. The next morning, interrogators again hooded Zubaydah and inflicted their torments upon him anew. After telling interrogators that he had no new information to offer, he was slapped and forced into a dark, upright box with a container for his waste.

Even after Zubaydah showed distress, he was left in the box for four hours. He was removed from this box, was walled again for two hours, and was then shoved into what interrogators called the small confinement box. Here, he was forced into a modified fetal position, with his back curved downward and his legs drawn up.

Subject remained in the small box for one hour and ten minutes. Subject sounded distressed and did not appear to adapt as well to his time in the small confinement box, interrogators recounted. He was waterboarded and walled for several more hours after being removed from the box. Subject has not provided any new threat or elaborated on any old threat information. Medical assessment is that subject remains stable and that his physiologic condition is close to normal given his present circumstances, the report affirmed.

Zubaydah himself remembers those events in much more excruciating detail. He told his lawyers that he remembered screaming unconsciously, in pain because he was unable to stretch his legs, unbend his back, or stand upright. The documentation of his torture reveals that the small box was used to the maximum amount allowable by interrogators.

The reports substantiate claims by several detainees that interrogators drugged them with powerful pharmaceuticals without consent during interrogationa practice regarded as unethical by medical professionals. For years, the CIA asserted that detainees were only sedated as a last resort, mainly as a safety measure.

However, the released documents reveal another practice entirely. In April of 2002, interrogators documented plans to transport Zubaydah in a state of pharmaceutical unconsciousness  to maximize the intended effect of disorienting.

These documents have been released at a critical juncture. Obama ascended to the presidency eight years ago amid hopes that he would end the opacity and latitude the intelligence apparatus had enjoyed under Bush. Yet during his last week in office, he worked feverishly to ensure that the full, damning report of state-sanctioned torture would remain safely sealed in the presidential archives, where they would be free from public viewing until 2028. In response to Judge Royce Lamberths order to remand a copy to the court, Obama administration lawyers argued that doing so would endanger executive-congressional cooperation and that the document enjoyed enough protection by being included in Obamas archives.

This action is of a piece with the rest of Obamas presidency, which began with him granting immunity to war criminals from the Bush and Cheney era. Obamas lukewarm expressions of distaste for torture are not borne out by his policies, through which domestic spying, extrajudicial assassinations and legalized entrapment have become standard operating procedure.

While Al-Nashiri fights for his freedomand his life, as the Obama administration has sought the death penaltyJames Mitchell, a primary architect of many Bush-era torture regimens, remains free.

Another criminal who walks free, CIA director John Brennan, worked to intimidate members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He ordered CIA thugs to break into Senate staffers computers and delete information concerning the CIAs torture program. He then brazenly claimed that those staffers should be prosecuted for possessing confidential information, and arrogantly stated that the CIA had a right to withhold information from the Senate Intelligence Committee, to which it is supposed to be answerable.

Obama doused the flames between Brennan and outraged members of the Senate committee by stating that no one would be prosecuted. This effectively granted Brennan immunity and provided a precedent for the cover-up of war crimes.

Meanwhile, whistleblowers such as Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden, and CIA analyst John Kiriakou were punished for the crime of revealing the sadistic nature of military and intelligence practices. Kiriakou, particularly, stands out as a symbol for the injustice of the Obama administration; while James Mitchell boasts openly to the press about waterboarding detainees, Kiriakou was prosecuted by the Obama Justice Department and sentenced to 30 months in prison for revealing the use of waterboarding to the American public.

Many Americans are rightly concerned about the dangers posed by recently inaugurated President Donald Trump. Attorneys for victims such as Zubaydah and al-Nashiri, among others, fear that Trump could, at the behest of Senate Republicans, destroy the full Senate torture report. Trump himself has expressed support for waterboarding and other techniques; Torture works, he has told reporters.

Yet as abhorrent as his arrogance and his support for the detention and torture program are, it remains clear that the platform he stands upon has been reinforced by the policies pursued by Obama. History will not reveal Obamas legacy to be one of openness or transparency, much less of equality or justice. To the contrary, it will expose his presidency as having laced up the Trump administrations jackboots.

If Trump succeeds in destroying the damning evidence against the CIA in the Senate Intelligence Committee report, the blame will lie at the feet of Obama, who refused to declassify it and sought in the last days of his presidency to keep it from seeing the light of day.
Only hours after Donald Trump delivered his fascistic inaugural address, Senate Democrats overwhelmingly voted with their Republican counterparts to confirm recently retired Marine generals James Mad Dog Mattis and John Kelly to head the departments of Defense and Homeland Security, respectively.

These votes came as the newly-installed president signed an executive order potentially crippling the Obama administration's health care overhaul, setting the stage for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act that could eliminate health insurance for close to 20 million people over the next year.

While Obamacare is itself a reactionary counter-reform imposing increased costs and decreased coverage on millions of workers for the benefit of the health care industry, Trump and the Republicans are preparing to use its repeal to dismantle Medicaid, the government program for the poor, impose even deeper cuts in health care for working people, and escalate the attack on Medicare, the government program for seniors.

The vote for Mattis, who headed the US Central Command until 2013, was 98 to 1, the only dissenter being New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. She had made clear she approved of Mattis, but voted no because she opposed a waiver overriding a law requiring a military officer to have been in retirement for at least seven years before becoming Pentagon chief.

The vote for Kelly, who led the Southern Command until last January, was 88 to 11. (The Democratic caucus includes 48 of the 100 senators.) The supposed leaders of the liberal Democrats, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, both voted for Mattis. Sanders also voted for Kelly.

The lopsided support of the Democrats for Trump's military nominees highlights the basic agreement of both big business parties on a policy of expanded militarism and war abroad and increased repression at home. The sharp differences that have emerged over foreign policy center on which enemy should be the initial focus of US military, economic and diplomatic aggression, Russia or China. The Democrats and the intelligence agencies have attacked Trump for suggesting a pullback in the confrontation with Moscow in order to concentrate, at least initially, on China.

But as the near-unanimous confirmation of Mattis shows, this is a sharp tactical struggle between representatives of American imperialism who are equally committed to the use of military force to secure the interests of the US financial elite. The bipartisan character of the vote is all the more significant coming in the aftermath of an inaugural speech proclaiming Washington's readiness to go to war against any nation that impedes the America First agenda of the US corporate oligarchy.

A major reason for the near-unanimous Democratic support for Mattis is the testimony he gave at his confirmation hearing last week in which he distanced himself from Trump's conciliatory stance on Russia and singled out Moscow as a primary target for US military aggression.

Mattis is a war criminal, having led the US assault on Fallujah in 2004 that turned the city into rubble and killed uncounted thousands of civilians. Shortly thereafter he ordered the bombing of a wedding party near the Syrian border that killed 42 civilian men, women and children. He subsequently boasted that it had taken him 30 seconds to make the decision to bomb the target.

General Kelly, as chief of the Southern Command, which covers Central and South America and the Caribbean, advocated a more aggressive policy against undocumented immigrants and expanded arms sales to US client regimes in the region. He has defended the use of torture, opposed the closure of the Guantanamo prison camp and supported Trump's call for the building of a wall on the Mexican border.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), created in the aftermath of 9/11 as a domestic counterpart to the war on terror, is a massive bureaucracy of state violence and repression. Kelly now commands 240,000 employees comprising an army of border guards, police detectives, deportation administrators who seize and deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers each year.

He is the first former military officer to head the DHS, and his installation is the first step in the implementation of Trump's plans to further militarize US society and increase state violence against all expressions of social opposition.

This is already being illustrated in the brutal police crackdown against anti-Trump protesters in Washington. More than 200 people were arrested Friday as thousands of police in riot gear attacked demonstrators with tear gas and concussion grenades.

Mattis and Kelly are among four former military officers appointed to top posts in the Trump administration. The others are retired Gen. Michael Flynn as national security adviser and retired Gen. Keith Kellogg as chief of staff of the National Security Council.

Trumps first executive order, signed Friday, orders federal agencies to take measures aimed at minimizing the economic burden of Obamacare pending repeal. It instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and other officials to exercise all authority and discretion available to them to waive, defer, grant exemptions from or delay any requirement of the Affordable Care Act that imposes a fiscal burden.

The new president also signed a document declaring 9/11 a National Day of Patriotism.

Within minutes of Trumps taking the oath of office, all references to climate change, civil rights and LGBT rights were effaced from the White House website (WhiteHouse.gov). The White House website for the Council on Environmental Quality, founded in 1969, also disappeared on Friday afternoon.

In place of the issue page on climate change there appeared a new page titled America First Energy Plan. It states Trumps commitment to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the US rule. It also pledges to revive Americas coal industry and open federal lands to oil and gas drilling.

This reflects the character of the new administration, which is directly staffed by multi-millionaire and billionaire representatives of the energy and banking industries. These include Trumps nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil.

The billionaire real estate mogul now occupying the White House has also chosen as head of the Environmental Protection Agency Scott Pruitt, the former Oklahoma attorney general who sued the EPA 14 times on behalf of the energy industry, and as secretary of energy Rick Perry, the former Texas governor who has long fronted for the oil barons in his state.

Trumps government of the oligarchs is determined to roll back every regulation and rule restricting the unfettered ability of the giant corporations to pollute the air and water, poison and cripple workers on the job, and ultimately destroy the environment in the pursuit of profit. His rejection of climate control comes two days after two separate federal agencies issued reports warning that global temperatures set new highs in 2016, marking the third consecutive year of record global warmth.

The page on civil rights was replaced with a page entitled Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Community. Articulating the agenda of mass repression that Trump brings to the White House, the new page states: Our job is not to make life more comfortable for the rioter, the looter, or the violent disrupter. It omits any reference to police brutality and instead calls for more law enforcement and more effective policing.

Outgoing president Barack Obama summed up the complicity of the Democrats in the savage policies, international and domestic, of the new administration. Addressing staff members at Andrews Air Force Base before departing with his family to vacation in Palm Springs, California, he once again, as he has done systematically since the election, downplayed the dangers to democratic rights and social conditions represented by Trump.

He called the assumption of power by Trump just a little pit stop. Exuding complacency, indifference and, on a more fundamental level, solidarity with Trumps policy of all-out war against the working class, he called Trumps government of oligarchs and generals not a period, but rather a comma in the continuing story of building America.
PHOENIX  The state Department of Education is warning that schools may not get their $5 billion in federal and state aid next school year unless the governor and legislature come up with more cash.

Stefan Swiat, press aide to Diane Douglas, said the agency got a one-time $7.3 million this fiscal year for information technology. He said this year's request made to the governor through his Department of Administration was for $17.6 million.

And what did Gov. Doug Ducey put in his budget request to the legislature?

"Nothing,'' Swiat said. "Zero dollars. Big fat bagel.''

He said this isn't a question of asking for new equipment. Swiat said the IT budget includes not only routine maintenance costs but, potentially more significant, the salaries of the people who operate the computers that figure out how much each school is due.

"If we don't have a system, schools don't get paid,'' he said.

Dawn Wallace, the governor's chief education adviser, said this was not a purposeful slight.

She acknowledged that Ducey's proposal zeroed out the IT line in the agency's budget request. But Wallace said it's not because the governor believes the Department of Education does not need at least some money.

"There's just a lot in their request,'' she said.

"By their very nature, IT projects are very jargony and technical and they always require further discussion and review through the budget development process,'' Wallace continued. "We needed to understand what was priority, what was critical.''

And Wallace said she has been talking with Department of Education officials as recently as Friday and is sure that something will be worked out to ensure there will be no interruption of payments to schools.

Douglas, in a separate letter to school administrators around the state, said answers are needed  and soon.

"Our IT staff will not be reassured about their employment, so we may begin to lose them permanently to other employers, which will cause the performance of the applications they maintain to decline,'' she wrote.

Wallace said that the decision to leave the funding out of the governor's budget request was not political  and not related to the fact that Ducey and Douglas, while both advocating for more education dollars, have not seen eye-to-eye on how much is needed.

She pointed out that Douglas, in her prepared statement about the lack of IT funding, said she appreciates that the governor has made education a top priority in his budget. Douglas also said in that statement that many of Ducey's ideas are similar to the proposals she made last November.

But in the same statement Douglas also said none of that means anything if there is no computer system.

"Unfortunately, without any funding in next year's budget proposal to support the data system that allows us to collect enrollment information from schools and calculate their allocations, we will soon be unable to process the payments that support Arizona schools, teachers and students,'' the superintendent said.

While both are Republicans, Douglas has taken a far more aggressive approach than Ducey to the issue of what she said is a severe lack of funding for public schools.

That has primarily shown up in her request for an additional immediate $140 million for teacher salaries to provide a 5 percent pay hike. Douglas said that's necessary to deal with the fact that 20 percent of teachers quit in the first year and another 20 percent are gone by the end of the second.

By contrast, while Ducey has acknowledged a teacher shortage, his budget has just $13.6 million for what would be a 0.4 percent pay hike this year, though he proposes to have teacher salaries increase by 2 percent by 2020.

Douglas also has been outspoken in her call for the state to once again provide full funding for school construction and maintenance, a figure she puts at $280 million. Ducey's budget has just $17 million.

"The numbers are different,'' Wallace said. "But that doesn't mean that eventually we don't want to get to funding more in education.''

Anyway, she said, if Ducey were seeking to undermine Douglas or his agency he would not have put $1 million into his budget request to fund 10 employees who otherwise would have had to be let go.

"That issue was much more clear-cut because it wasn't bogged down with technical jargon and technical complexities,'' Wallace said. "So we have been a partner to her in this.''

Swiat said he is not saying the zeroed-out funding request was done on purpose.

"We're not going to point the finger,'' he said. If nothing else, this was "a massive oversight.''

Swiat acknowledged that the IT request was in some ways more complex than in the past.

He said it included not just $10.1 million "to keep everything running,'' including the system of sending out state and federal aid to schools but also another $7.5 million to finish a new student data system. But Swiat said all of it is justified.
Fist-fights erupted in the Turkish parliament yesterday as the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) moved to impose a series of constitutional amendments aimed at turning the country into a presidential dictatorship under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Two deputies, one of the AKP and another of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), were hospitalized with injuries after the fighting, which erupted after another deputy, independent Aylin Nazliaka, handcuffed herself to the speakers microphone. Nazliaka said her action was a protest at the handcuffing of the parliament by the broad powers the proposed constitutional reforms would grant to the president.

The parliament nonetheless continued voting on the measures, approving yesterday Article 12 of the 18-point constitutional amendment package. This article, approved with only 12 votes over the necessary 330-vote threshold, grants the president the authority to impose a state of emergency.

More broadly, the amendments in the bill extend the presidents power over the legislative and judiciary branches. They enable the president to issue decrees, appoint ministers and top state officialsincluding the majority of the higher judicial bodiesand to dissolve parliament, while making it considerably harder to try or dismiss the president.

To impose the bill, Erdogan and the AKP are working closely with the fascistic Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). During the debates, AKP lawmakers consistently attacked the members of the two opposition parties, the Kemalist Republican Peoples Party (CHP) and the HDP.

The MHPs legalistic denials of charges that it is working with the AKP to impose the constitutional amendment package only served to underscore the close collaboration between the two parties. The AKP and the MHP, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli told reporters in parliament on Thursday, are two separate legal entities. We will have discourses within which we will say yes in our own way.

Bahceli denied reports that the MHP is supporting Erdogans amendment because it is certain that it will have seats in a future AKP-led government, however. We are not in a state to answer such a question regarding the future, he said. We have not stated an opinion about the future in this process.

In the meantime, however, AKP sources confirmed that they were coordinating their actions with the MHP. We will evaluate what the MHP will do during the campaign, an AKP source told Hurriyet. The MHP will carry out its own rallies, but we will coordinate with them.

The desperate manoeuvres by Turkish opposition politicians reflect a broad awareness in the ruling class that Erdogans amendments would undermine basic democratic rights and mark a major step towards dictatorship. On Monday, 62 former Turkish diplomats issued a statement against the amendments. We are deeply concerned that such a development will further divide Turkey and will put it into a serious internal and external crisis at a time when the Republic of Turkey is facing terrorism, economic difficulties and the threat of war, they said.

The drive of Erdogan and the AKP towards dictatorship is bound up with the intense and explosive crisis facing the Turkish bourgeoisie. Facing escalating social opposition in the working class and sharp conflicts with its imperialist allies in the NATO alliance over the war in Syria, Erdogan is strengthening a dictatorial regime to be used against the working class, as well as against further attempts by Washington and Berlin to topple his regime.

With strike activity increasing in Britain and in Spain, there are growing signs that the working class is going on the offensive in Turkey and across Europe. Some 2,650 metal workers in 14 factories in Turkey decided to go on strike, as collective bargaining between companies (General Elektrik Grid Solution, Schneider Enerji, Schneider Elektrik and ABB) and the trade union failed to reach a conclusion.

With the help of the United Metalworkers Union, which from the beginning worked closely with the government and did its best to block opposition among the workers, strike action was postponed by a cabinet resolution for 60 days. This was on the grounds that the strike was deemed to be of a nature that will impair national security. The decision points to the fact that the government aims to ban strike activity, fearing that the increasing economic and political crisis will drive ever broader sections of the working class into struggle.

The Turkish lira is plunging towards an unprecedented level of four lira to the US dollar, as tourist revenues collapse due to escalating terror attacks in Turkey, and Turkey continues to suffer from economic stagnation of its main export markets in Europe, hit by European Union (EU) austerity measures.

Above all, the Erdogan regime has been staggered by the failed coup attempt of July 15, carried out by sections of the Turkish army backed by Washington and Berlin. Arrests and dismissals of academics, police and army officers have become routine. Since July 15, some 43,000 people have been remanded in custody and 95,000 public employees from all state institutions and universities have been dismissed.

Ankaras relations with its NATO partners are on the verge of collapse, as it develops ties with Moscow. Most significant was the agreement reached between Ankara and Moscow on the war in Syria, which excludes Turkeys NATO partners, first of all the United States, in the process. Russia and Turkey have initiated a new round of Syrian peace talks in Kazakhstan, scheduled for January 23, and are moving to set aside disputes over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad.

The escalating dispute between Ankara and its NATO allies reflects the highly advanced state of the breakdown of the post-World War II order. A section of the Turkish ruling class, represented by Erdogans AKP, is seeking a better position for itself through an open conflict with its traditional allies in the EU and the Obama administration, by deepening its relations with Russia and China.

As it moves further from NATO and the EU, the AKP appears to cherish the hope that it will be able to work out more stable relations with the incoming Trump administrationa hope that may well prove to be illusory. Nonetheless, the AKP and the Turkish army are for now still pressing on with ties to Russia.

On Wednesday, Turkish and Russian air forces carried out a common operation against the Islamic State militia around al Bab, an unprecedented event for a NATO member, since its foundation in 1949.

Following months of bluster and threats against the Obama government and the European Union, mainly over Syria, their support to the failed coup attempt and the PKK, Erdogan continued his anti-Western tirades, this time over Turkeys economic problems.

On Thursday, he blamed Ankaras Western allies for the collapse of the Turkish currency, which recently plunged to record lows against the US dollar. They try everything to slow the economy by troubling suppliers and consumers. They take every chance to scare investors and block investments. A lot of international institutions, notably the European Union, make unfair accusations, he said.

After the pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak accused Germanys Deutsche Bank of economic terror by recalling loans to Turkish companies before their due dates, the banks Turkish unit issued a statement stating that it was unacceptable for the paper to associate the bank, Germanys largest, with terrorism.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Protesters are lining the capitol today as president Donald Trump takes his oath of office. But back in Tallahassee protesters are also taking up arms and showing their displeasure in Florida's capital city.

Students at Florida State University staged a walkout during the President's swearing in on Friday.

The students headed out to Landis Green, leaving in the middle of class.

Organizers say this is part of a national movement, working to stand against Trump every day he is in office.

Afterwards, there was a protest at the Old Capitol Building, which included Tallahassee Community College and Florida A&M students.

Women all over the country are also preparing to march Saturday as a protest against President Trump, including in Tallahassee.

Local women are encouraged to stop by the "Bread and Roses Food Cooperative" to make signs for tomorrow afternoon's march.

Tomorrow's march will begin at 2 p.m. at Railroad Square.

Due to the stormy forecast for tomorrow, the rally will be moved to the FAMU Recreation Center instead of the capitol.
Riverdale is an American teen drama TV series. It has been well received by the people who saw it. IMDb gave it 6.8 out of 10 points. There is crime,
Lisa Roybal, second from right, and classmates from La Salle High School attended Donald Trumps inauguration in Washington, D.C., Friday. (LISA ROYBAL/Courtesy Photo)
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A UN report leaked to British newspaper The Guardian claims that the Eritrean regime has been the biggest beneficiary of the country's arms and human trafficking industry.

According to the newspaper, "An investigation by the Somalia and Eritrea monitoring group has uncovered a trafficking highway running from the Eritrean highlands through Sudan's refugee camps into the Sinai desert, delivering arms to militant groups, and Eritrean asylum-seekers to Bedouin gangs, who use starvation, electrocution, rape and murder to extort up to $40,000 from relatives in the Eritrean diaspora for their release."

Arms Trade UN publishes report on Iran arms trade with Syria Reuters Security Council report says Tehran continues to defy international community through illegal arms shipments; claims sanctions slowing Iran's nuclear program UN publishes report on Iran arms trade with Syria

The UN expert group relied on witness testimonies, by which part of the arsenal smuggled from Eritrea is sold to Palestinian Islamists in the Gaza Strip.

The report further estimated that the trafficking industry, which is run by Eritrean officials in cooperation with Sudanese and Egyptian smuggling gangs, generates over $10 million a year.

According to the leaked report, "multiple independent sources in Israel and the Sinai have identified General Teklai Kifle Manjus (commander of Eritrea's western military zone) as well as a string of intermediaries, as being directly responsible for the cross-border smuggling of humans and weapons from Eritrea.

"The weapons are generally described as Kalashnikov-pattern assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. Many bear the inscriptions of the Eritrean military units to which they previously belonged," it stated.

UN sources told the Guardian that the extent of corruption required for the operation and the large number of asylum-seekers it involves, suggest that it would be impossible to run it without the involvement of government officials. "If it hasn't come to the president's attention, I'd be very surprised," the source said.

In response to the leaked report, Eritrea's ambassador to Israel Tefamariam Tekete Debbas dismissed the allegations, telling the Guardian that "if they can give 100% evidence, then this guy (Manjus) will be in jail in Eritrea. It is the same with the (accusations of) human rights abuses. Where are the facts? One lie is repeated so many times it is like a truth," he said.

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The Ktziot Prison, Sunday, December 18.

Only a few people, including the prison commander and intelligence officer, Deputy Commissioner Dudu Vaknin, were involved in the drama that was about to take place. Knesset Member Basel Ghattas of the Joint List arrived to visit security prisoners and allegedly smuggle cellphones to them . Everything was ready to document the act. Without suspecting a thing, Ghattas fell into the trap that was prepared for him by the security officials.

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Following his arrest, the work of the Shin Bet and the Israel Prison Services security system received wide coverage. Not much was said about the secret work of the intelligence officers who locate and operate agents in the security prisons, those who work behind the scenes in the most sensitive position in some of the most dangerous places in Israel.

From right: Chief Superintendent Yossi Krispel, Chief Superintendent Nissim Finish and Deputy Commissioner Dudu Vaknin (Photo: Ilan Shapira)

In order to understand how it really works, we brought together for the very first time three intelligence officers of security prisoners: The intelligence officer of the Gilboa Prison (600 security inmates), Chief Superintendent Nissim Finish; the intelligence officer of the Ktziot Prison (2,000 inmates), Deputy Commissioner Dudu Vaknin; and the intelligence officer of the Nafha Prison (750 inmates), Chief Superintendent Yossi Krispel.

The three spoke candidly about their work in the shadow of danger and their daily meetings with arch-murderers, the recruitment of agents in the prison and providing them with protection, the language and codes and the heavy responsibility to prevent and thwart attacks. Its an Israeli invention, they told us. This is a position that only exists in Israel, and people come here from all over the world for guidance.

Deputy Commissioner Vaknin, how did you catch MK Ghattas?

The entire activity was carried out following information obtained by the Shin Bet. Prisoner Walid Daka, who was convicted of murdering soldier Moshe Tamam in 1984, is a member of the Balad party central committee. It turned out that MK Ghattas had visited him three times: Once at the Hadarim Prison, a second visit at the Ramon Prison and a third one in Ktziot.

We received information that he was planning to smuggle cellphones to Daka. Following the information, we carried out an operation with the Israeli Prison Systems intelligence division and the Dror Unit, which is the operational wing of the IPS. On the day of the visit, he came in, was asked Do you have anything you are not allowed to bring in? and replied, No. He passed through the metal detector and it didnt make a sound.

MK Ghattas. Caught with cellphones after the intelligence officer noticed that he was visiting the same prisoner for three times (Photo: Yair Sagi)

Why didnt you search him?

Because as far as were concerned, from the moment we asked him and he said he wasnt carrying a thing, we are not allowed to search him, since he is a Knesset member and enjoys immunity. But the fact is that written material and 12 cellphones were found in the cells of the prisoners he visited.

During the discussion to revoke MK Ghattas immunity, it turned out that the entire process of transferring the envelopes was documented on video, and that 16 SIM cards, two chargers and an earpiece were also found in the prisoners cells.

What did the written material contain?

Its sensitive intelligence information.

Cellphone smuggling is not the only thing that is foiled in jail. There are about 6,200 security prisoners in eight of the IPSs detention facilities: Gilboa, Megiddo, Damon, Ofer, Nafha, Ramon, Ktziot and Shikma. Seventy percent of them are defined as having blood on their hands  terrorists who were caught on their way to carry out suicide bombings, those who planned to carry out a major attack and changed their mind at the last minute, those who dispatched terrorists, those who planned and executed attacks, engineers responsible for preparing explosives and explosive devices, senior members of the Palestinian terror organizations, and more.

In the prison, these dangerous terrorists are constantly under the watchful eye of the intelligence officers, who receive a lot of information on the situation inside and outside the prison: Starting from escapes planned by inmates sentenced to long jail terms; through the preparation of improvised explosive devices, plans to attack wardens and staff members, revolts, hunger strikes and cellphone smuggling; to information on attacks executed outside, terrorists being dispatched, preparations of explosive charges, locations of weapon caches, plans to kidnap soldiers, etc.

Vaknin reveals, for example, how the Shin Bet learned of the identity of the person who drove the terrorists that carried out the deadly attack at Tel Avivs Sarona compound last June. An inmate in the prison knew who the driver was. We transferred the information to the Shin Bet, and they caught 23-year-old Salim Mognam of Yatta, who was questioned, confessed and was arrested for driving the terrorists.

The Sarona terror attack, last June. An inmate knew the identity of the person who drove the terrorists. We transferred the information to the Shin Bet and they caught him

1. Soldier abduction plan

It was time for the daily walk at the Gilboa Prison, the most guarded security prison in Israel. When the inmates walked out of the ward and spotted Chief Superintendent Nissim Finish, the jails intelligence officer, standing there, they approached him and shook his hand. One of them slipped a note into his hand. Chief Superintendent Finish did not respond. The man was an informer of his, and he knew that any small movement or wrong response would place his source in danger. He kept smiling and shaking the hands of the rest of the security prisoners, until the last of them left.

What did the note contain?

A detailed soldier abduction plan, including the name of the prisoner who planned the kidnapping, the names of the people involved in it, where it would take place and when. We handed the information over to the defense officials. They instructed us to separate the plans mastermind from the rest of the prisoners. The information was checked and verified. The entire terror infrastructure was caught. We managed to thwart a soldiers abduction.

What motive is the prisoners motive to plan a kidnapping?

Their desire to be released. They want to get out of jail in a swap deal, like the one with (kidnapped soldier) Gilad Shalit. Our job is to try and thwart it.

2. Four phones under prisoners potbelly

The heavily built terrorist clumsily moved towards the visitors room at the Nafha Prison under the watchful eye of the prisons intelligence officer, Chief Superintendent Yossi Krispel. He is a security prisoner who was jailed for carrying out several attacks. That day, he was meeting with his lawyers before going up to the Parole Board, Krispel says, adding that we knew they were planning to smuggle a cellphone to him.

And what happened?

When he came out we conducted a thorough search on him, but couldnt find a thing, although the metal detector beeped. We suspected that the prisoner had shoved the smuggled cellphone into his body. I threatened to make him sit in front of the wardens in the nude until it came out, and then he gave in. We are talking about a massive, fat prisoner. He lifted his huge potbelly, and it turned out that he had tied four cellphones connected with a thin thread under it. Thats how they were seized.

If it were not for the preliminary information, the smuggling would have likely not been uncovered, but that is the essence of the intelligence officers work.

The intelligence officer is the person who receives all the inmates upon their arrival at the prison, says Deputy Commissioner Vaknin. He reads the indictment against the prisoner and his security-related past and holds a meeting with him to get an initial impression. It means sensing him, smelling him, looking him straight in the eye. The basis for a good intelligence officer is his interpersonal interaction. If he doesnt have that, he wont be able to receive information or draw information.

Deputy Commissioner Vaknin has been serving in the IPS for 20 years, 13 of them in the intelligence field. I founded the intelligence system in Ktziot when it was handed over to us from the IDF in March 2006. There were 1,200 prisoners there and I had to start it all from scratch. Get the know the ground, the prisoners, the dominant figures. I started checking them out one by one in interviews and marking those who seemed like potential agents. When the new Ramon Prison was opened in December 2006 for security prisoners, I was appointed as its intelligence officer. I served for two years as the intelligence officer in charge of the two security prisoners wards in the Eshel Prison, and moved to Ktziot from there three years ago.

Vaknin used to be the commander of Chief Superintendent Krispel, the intelligence officer of the Nafha Prison, who has been in the IPS for 14 years, five of them in the intelligence field.

Part of my job is to locate potential for this position among the staff members, Vaknin explains. I check whether the person is of high caliber, thorough, sophisticated, accomplishes missions, how he questions prisoners, what kind of relationship does he have with them, how he deals with a brawl or incitement. I gave him a test without him knowing. I told him about a prisoner who was keeping a cellphone in his cell and asked him to collect open information about him: When he entered and left the cell, monitoring through cameras, conversations about him with prisoners  without exposing the information about him to anyone.

He said to me, You my confidant in this matter, and a week later the prisoner was caught, Krispel recounts. The move from a security prisoners warden to intelligence was hard on me. After completing an officers course, I suddenly found myself in the security system, sitting with the most dangerous and tough prisoners in one-on-one talks, or being alone with them as they take a walk in the yard.

Sounds scary.

When the IDF arrests a terrorist, it backed by half the country, says Finish. I enter a ward of 120 convicted murderers, just like that, with nothing, or sit in a room with eight terrorists. I have a family and daughters and its a risk.

I have been in the IPS for 19 years and three years in intelligence. I started out as a warden, a sergeant, an intelligence non-commissioned officer, and then I went to the officers course. I did a lot of training, including a basic intelligence course, learning Arabic, courses on the history of Islam and learning the Quran in Hebrew.

Does that make it any less scary at least?

I sit in front of the terrorist who carried out the murderous attack at the Park Hotel in Netanya, and Im supposed to be all chummy with him and earn his trust. You learn not to expose your emotions in this story. You have to neutralize it.

He is a murderer of Jews and youre a Jew. Arent you afraid that hell try to hurt you?

He wouldnt dare. There is a profit and loss balance here.

The security prisoners know that the dominant figure in the jail is the intelligence officer, says Vaknin. They understand that if, God forbid, someone hurts him, it will result in severe punishment for everyone and aggravated living conditions. They can attack a regular warden, and that does happen.

Intelligence officers have been attacked in the north in the past.

A few intelligence officers were attacked by terrorists, Krispel admits. Two required medical care. One had a broken leg. Thats the risk in our job, and we are aware of it.

There are few incidents like that, says Vaknin. The security prisoners mentality is that if I come to visit one of them in the ward, I am considered his guest. He wont let anyone hurt me.

According to what criteria are they placed in the ward? And if they are so dangerous, why put them together?

They are placed according to our interest. We read each prisoners file, his background, the area and organization he belongs to. I can put him with his guys or separate them. We of course take advantage of their political or interorganizational conflicts.

How many of them are really ideological prisoners?

"Ninety-eight percent of them are in jail on an ideological background and only 2 percent are criminals, says Vaknin. They are prisoners with a high intelligence level. They live as a collective. They have a strict organizational system, with position holders who are elected every six months, an open and concealed leadership and strict discipline rules.

Thats when we talk about the old generation, Krispel adds. But in the Facebook generation, the lone-wolf terrorists who have been arrested in the past year are people who did not grow up in an organization and are not driven by an ideology, but by incitement on social media. We recently had a soldiers murderer, who was a lone-wolf terrorist who failed to integrate into an organization. Its a generation influenced by the media.

A prisoner affiliated with the Islamic State, who stabbed a policeman at Jerusalems Old City, explained to me that one of the things that made him carry out the attacks were the videos he saw on social media. He traveled to Turkey and from there to Syria, and after fighting with ISIS for eight month, he returned to Israel to start a terrorist cell here. In order to give his soldier a personal example, he went to carry out an attack.

3. Every prisoner has a price

The top security prisoner who visited Finishs office at the Gilboa Prison was in personal distress. He asked to make things easier for a person who was very important to him.

In a security prison, the most important person to the prison warden is the intelligence officer, and the security inmates are aware of that, Finish explains why he was approached. My motto is that every prisoner in the jail has a price. I promised him to look into it.

Meaning?

To check if it would be worthwhile exploiting his sensitive situation to recruit him as an agent and what benefit we could gain from him. I checked with all the relevant elements whether it would be worthwhile for the state to accept his request. We are talking about quite a difficult prisoner, with a high status, with ties inside and outside the prison.

What did you get in return?

He revealed hiding places of cellphones in the ward, told me about smuggling and concealing methods, provided information about position holders within the prison, who were also relevant to our security elements. We helped him with that person and recruited him too.

What motive do other prisoners have to become agents?

"Its difficult, says Krispel, but its possible, because every person has something that will make him talk. Even if its the most dangerous and cruel murderer or a leader who obtained power, status and ability.

There is a strong emotional, personal and social motive, adds Finish. An inmate moves from prison to prison, without knowing what is going on with his parents and loved ones. He is in a sensitive state. He is not allowed to call or receive visits. He is sentenced for long terms and he misses his family.

For a phone call, contact with the family, financial help, buying at the canteen  he may talk, says Krispel.

How do you know who has sensitive information?

"You start by reading his file, the unconcealed details, Vaknin explains. Then you monitor his lifestyle. If he is a religious person  does he pray five times devoutly? He has to be one hundred percent assimilated among the prisoners, to have access to the organization members and to the senior management.

How long does it take to recruit and train an informer?

"It took me a year to work on recruiting such a dominant guy. At first, he didnt realize that I was recruiting him. I picked him because he was dominant in the organization he belonged to and was connected to the entire leadership, inside and outside the jail, through family visits, lawyers and MKs. It was worthwhile making the effort to recruit him. When he feels committed to me, I ask him, Do this and that, and then he starts realizing that he is basically my source.

How do you know that the information is reliable and where do you transfer it?

Every piece of information is transferred for examination by the the security elements. We have full cooperation.

How does the prisoner transfer you the information?

Everything that goes on in the prison passes through the intelligence, says Finish. Starting from the daily routine, the walks in the yard, going out to the court, to the clinic. If he is a good source, he will already find the way to get to me.

And how do you protect him?

We operate sources. We work with people whose life really has to be protected in the prison. If the prisoner is in court, I will talk to him there, and no one will see me. If I have to dress up or arrive in civilian clothes, Ill do it. There are a thousand ways to be careful and watch him, because my source must not be uncovered.

Has is happened that a source was exposed?

Yes, it happens, Vaknin replies. A decade ago, there was an inmate who was suspected of collaboration. They tortured him with a hot plate, burned him. And there have also been cases in which prisoners were murdered.

4. Cellular technicians in the prison

Those permitted to visit security prisoners include their lawyers and Knesset members.

The IPS is aware of the fact that the lawyers serve as a pipe for transferring information in and out. The Palestinian Authority pays a lawyer NIS 500 for each visit. If he sees four or five prisoners a day, it reaches NIS 2,000 and more. They are not searched, but they pass through a metal detector. The finger-sized telephones, which are specially manufactured in the territories, dont beep. All their parts are removed and only the brain is left.

There are inmates in the prison who are expert cellular technicians, who work 24 hours a day, Krispel adds.

A miniature phone smuggled into jail (Photo: Israel Prison Service)

Smuggling cellphones into the prison is the biggest problem. Vaknin says he once received information about a large number of phones smuggled into the prison through the vegetable boxes that arrive at the kitchen. A search revealed 50 cellphones in the parsley packs.

The bottom line is that we are talking about a lot of money, hundreds of thousands of shekels, says Krispel. Every such phone costs a prisoner NIS 30,000 to NIS 50,000. The money is transferred to families from the organization they belong to.

How does it work?

Vaknin explains that a prisoner who knows criminal illegal aliens who are in jail for murder relay a message to them through visiting relatives them that he is willing to pay hundreds of thousands of shekels if they smuggle him a phone. That inmate will try to smuggle it through criminal organizations. He will make NIS 200,000 on four devices within two seconds.

And how did they plan to pass it on to the prisoner?

A prisoner is allowed to have physical contact with a baby. He takes it from the baby, wraps it up in a condom and shoves it into his body. An unemployed person outside is given NIS 10,000 to throw stones at a roadblock. He will arrive at the prison and make sure that the cellphone passes through a certain point. It is hidden in tin cans, in shoes, in prostheses, in packs of dates, in canteen products and even in a credit card.

What was the most surprising smuggling?

In a prayer chain. At the Nafha Prison there was information about an inmate who sat in the same cell with three people considered heavy prisoners. One was a chemical engineer with extensive ties outside. They created notes the size of a pistachio nut, where all the information that had to get out was coded: How to produce explosive devices from certain substances, who holds weapons and where are they hidden. On the day of the release, the chain was found with 33 beads. We broke the first bead and found a note containing all the information.

How did they prepare it?

They melted the plastic bead with a lighter, inserted the note written in very small, encoded writing, and coated the bead again. If it were not for the early information, we wouldnt have caught it.

5. Prevention, flops and codes

The intelligence officers nightmare is prisoners escaping from the prison.

I received information two years ago, Finish says, that there was a tunnel in the cell of two Islamic Jihad prisoners. We found a narrow tunnel that they had dug with a teaspoon. They managed to break the leg of a bed, pulled out the toiler bolt in the bathroom and put the leg back, and no one noticed. There have been similar attempts in recent years. We brought a combat engineering unit and they found a tunnel. They are construction people. the land in the Beit Shean area is agricultural and its not hard to dig in it. They dug through the bathroom and the shower, and the uncovered tunnel was almost 3 meters long. Their plan was to reach the wall and escape from there.

Have wardens ever crossed to the other side?

That has happened, unfortunately, but sometimes their attempts to get someone to change sides work in our favor. A year and a half ago, for example, they turned to a jailor, an 18-year-old soldier in compulsory service. They said to him, Whats your salary? You can make 50,000 shekels in a second. They wanted him to smuggle them a phone from the outside. The soldier immediately reported it to me and we operated him as an agent.

Do they have a language and codes?

They dont talk as much as they pass codes through notes and conduct.

"If everyone wears sneakers on a given day, its a red light that there is a lot of tension. It can happen before a brawl, a plan to attack a warden, disturbances and riots. Thats how we realize there is a bombastic event we should prepare for.

If they order salt, milk, apricots or honey from the canteen, it means that they are about to launch a hunger strike, Krispel adds. They swallow the salt and it protects their stomach during the strike. If a prisoner gains weight, it means that he is about to start a hunger strike.

If they change the daily routine, for example five people taking a walk in the yard instead of 30 or 40, it means that there is something going on in the ward, says Vaknin. Its either something internal, or an organization of something serious.

How do they convey messages?

Most of the things are done in encoded writing.

They call it flavors. Its a message from their management to prepare for a hunger strike and for a protest move, says Krispel. They must get everyone on it, and its done through inmates going to the clinic, at the canteen, etc. They take the first word, for example, and then every tenth word, and make a sentence out of it.

What would be considered your greatest achievement?

The main goal of every intelligence officer is to prevent a security prisoners escape, says Finish. Thats the biggest achievement as far as I am concerned.

And preventing terror attacks is as important, Vaknin adds.

We also prevent the smuggling of sperm from the prison, says Krispel. Prisoners sentenced to life want to continue the dynasty, and they smuggle sperm outside in snacks, waffles, bagels. An ice container waits outside, and the sperm is passed on.

Do you also have flops, missed opportunities?

In the intelligence field, we always put together a puzzle in order to prevent an event or damage to the states security, Vaknin replies. There have been cases we missed out on by not continuing to collect information.

On the other hand, Krispel adds, do you know how many things weve thwarted? Were not looking for a pat on the back.
ANKARA, Turkey  Turkey's parliament on Saturday approved a contentious constitutional reform package, paving the way for a referendum on a presidential system that would greatly expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office.

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The decision marks a victory for Erdogan, a polarizing but overall popular figure, who critics view as increasingly autocratic.

In an all-night session that ended early Saturday, lawmakers voted in favor of a set of amendments presented by the ruling party, founded by Erdogan. The reform bill cleared the minimum threshold necessary to put the measures to a national referendum for final approval.

Legislators in Turkey's parliament debate proposing amendments to the country's constitution (Photo: AP)

The reform would enable the president to issue decrees, declare emergency rule, appoint ministers and top state officials and dissolve parliament - powers that the two main opposition parties say strip away balances to Erdogan's power.

Erdogan assumed the presidency, a largely ceremonial position, in 2014 after over a decade as prime minister. Since then, pushing his powers to the limit, he has continued to dominate politics by dint of his personal popularity.

The vote took place with 488 lawmakers in the 550-seat assembly in attendance. A total of 339 parliamentarians voted yes, 142 no, five cast empty ballots and two were ruled out as invalid.

Erdogan's powers are to be strengthened. (Photo: AP)

Prime Minister Binali Yldrm celebrated the result saying the decision was now in the hands of the Turkish people who would make the right choice.

"Don't you ever doubt that the people will most certainly make the best decision regarding the constitutional reforms," he told lawmakers. "Our people will head to the polls, will vote with their hearts and minds and make the best choice for Turkey."

A public vote on the issue is expected as early as March 26, and no later than mid-April, according to officials of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP.

In addition to changing the system of government, the reform bill would allow the president to keep ties with his party and restructure the nation's highest judicial body.

It increases the number of seats in the assembly to 600, lowers the minimum age of lawmakers to 18 and foresees simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections every five years.

Ruling party officials argue a strong presidency is needed for a strong Turkey capable of surmounting a broad array of internal and external security threats.

Turkey's Prime Minister, Binali Yldrm (c) accompanied by some of his lawmakers cast their votes. (Photo: AP)

Opposition lawmakers see the changes as a bid to cement the powers of Erdogan, who has established a de-facto presidential system since coming into the office in 2014. Some complained that restrictions on the press and intense pressure to toe the line had left no space for them to air their views.

Lawmaker Bulent Tezcan warned parliament was "creating a one-man regime that will take (Turkey) wherever his appetite desires."

Kemal Klcdaroglu, head of the opposition Republican People's Party, regretted the assembly's decision to "hand over its own authority" and "betray" its history. He vowed to lead a "struggle for democracy" to have the reforms rejected in the referendum

Saturday's decision concludes almost two weeks of heated debates in the assembly, where lawmakers traded barbs and came to blows on more than one occasion. In one dramatic scene, a lawmaker handcuffed herself to the rostrum in a bid to stop deliberations.

With the almost full backing of the ruling party and newly allied nationalist party, the bill passed.

The result is a win for Erdogan, a founder of the Islamist-leaning AKP and the country's first directly elected president. He served as prime minister from 2003 to 2014.

Analysts predicted the reforms would pass a national referendum as much of the public buys into the argument that a strong president would equal a stronger Turkey.

Turkey expert Jonathan Friedman of Stroz Friedberg, a global risk consultancy, said the debate "comes down to whether or not you support Erdogan."

He warned that the proposed changes would make permanent powers that the presidency has gained through a state of emergency introduced last year.

Turkey's opposition Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP legislators, who declared that they voted 'No' , laugh during Turkey's parliament debate (Photo: AP)

"These added powers do not appear to have improved Turkey's security and stability," he told AP.

The parliamentary vote comes six months after a violent attempt to unseat the Turkish president. The polarizing leader survived the July 15 coup attempt thanks to thousands of supporters who took to the streets to confront tanks and round up rogue soldiers.

Those dramatic events and more than a decade of success at the ballot box are a testament to the popularity enjoyed by Erdogan and the party he founded.

But the failed coup attempt set the stage for a state of emergency and a sweeping purge of state institutions that has alarmed rights groups and Western governments.

Critics see Erdogan as an Islamist-leaning populist, authoritarian leader who has ruthlessly purged opponents from every institution and threatens Turkey's secular traditions.

Rights groups have sounded the alarm over what they see as a widening, accelerating crackdown on dissent that has crippled the media and decimated the pro-Kurdish party.

In the wake of the coup, more than 100,000 civil servants have been dismissed for their alleged ties to Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric Ankara blames for the revolt.

Turkish authorities say they are tackling an array of terrorists  from Gulen's movement to backers of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and ISIS.

The country is a member of the NATO alliance and a partner in the US led-coalition against ISIS. Its armed forces are active in neighboring Syria and Iraq.

In the past year, Turkey suffered dozens of bloody attacks in violence linked to ISIS and Kurdish militants who have waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.
Sir Rod Stewart, one of the greatest rock stars in history, will return to Israel for one performance only on June 14th in Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv.

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The British musician's visit to the Jewish state will be part of his world tour, From Gasoline Alley to Another Country: Hits. His set list is to include songs from throughout his 50 years of performing up to his latest album.

Rod Stewart's invitation to his Tel Aviv show

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Read Yair Lapid's article, My affair with Rod Stewart, from 2005.



Ticket prices are to cost between 290 and 790 shekels.

Rod Stewart (Photo: Getty Images)

Some of Stewart's hits include 1975's Sailing, 1978's Do Ya Think Im Sexy, 1983's Baby Jane and 1993's Have I Told You Lately, which received wide acclaim when he performed it on MTV Unplugged.

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

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The song All For Love, on which Stewart collaborated with Sting and Bryan Adams for the 1993 film The Three Musketeers, topped the charts in the US, UK, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.

This will be the 72 year old's third performing visit to Israel. His first was in 1983 at the height of his career. He returned 27 years later in 2010.
ANKARA - An unidentified gunman attacked police in Istanbul on Saturday, the private Dogan News Agency reported, a day after unidentified assailants attacked Istanbul's police headquarters and an office of the ruling AK Party with rocket launchers.

There were no reports of casualties in the attack, in which the assailant opened fire on a police vehicle in Istanbul's Esenyurt district and later fled after police officers returned fire, leaving behind his gun and a bag containing grenades, Dogan said. It said police have started an operation to catch the assailant.

The attack marks the third armed attack in Istanbul over the past 24 hours, where unidentified assailants attacked a police station and the office of the ruling AK party on Friday.
KOBLENZ, Germany - Nationalist leaders from major European countries are gathering in Germany to kick off a year in which some hope to achieve Donald Trump-style upsets in national elections.

Saturday's meeting of the Europe of Nations and Freedom group in the European Parliament brings together French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen, the Netherlands' Geert Wilders, Matteo Salvini of Italy's Northern League and Frauke Petry of the four-year-old Alternative for Germany. Austria's Freedom Party is also represented.

Wilders's anti-Islam Party of Freedom could win the largest percentage of votes in the March 15 Dutch parliamentary election. Le Pen is among top contenders in France's April-May presidential vote. And in September, Petry's party hopes to enter the German parliament.
For 63 years, efforts were made to conceal the Lavon Affair (also known as Operation Susannah) from the public. It was an event that shook up the State of Israel in the 1950s and led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Now, a rare book has been made public that describes the events from the Egyptian point of view and includes confessions from the Israeli operatives that were given to Egyptian security services.

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"The book was found without identifying details for the publisher or the place of publication," said Dr. Baruch Falah, a multidisciplinary historian and researcher who purchased the volume from an antiques dealer. "Apparently, the booklet was published by a pro-Egyptian group called the National Renaissance Party, funded by Egyptian intelligence. The booklet reveals confidential information about the spying affair and apparently the copy that I have is the only one that exists today."

The bookperhaps the only copy remaining (Photo courtesy of Winner's Auctions)

The Lavon affair, which at times seems to have been taken from a fictional thriller, is fraught with failed operational planning, intrigue, plotting and betrayal. In the early 50s, the Israeli intelligence service ran a spy ring in collaboration with local Jews as part of Unit 131, which was designed to carry out espionage in Arab countries. The objective was to bring down Egypt's King Farouk, who was hostile towards Israel, and to sabotage Egyptian-British relations via terrorist attacks on British facilities in Egypt and making Egyptians seem responsible. Some members of the ring were caught, arrested and tried. One of them committed suicide in his cell.

One of the alleged spy's confessions (Photo courtesy of Winner's Auctions)

"The book was apparently printed in New York, and in fact, it's an historic revelation of many unknown details about the affair," said Falah. "It contains the names of 'the Zionist' spies, photographs of British facilities where explosives had been placed, pictures and descriptions of "the Zionists' crimes,' photographs of Egyptian wounded accompanied by the description 'Victims of Zionist terrorism' and photographs of sites where bombs had been placed that had been defused before they detonated.

A spy who allegedly commited suicide (Photo courtesy of Winner's Auctions)

"This is the first publication that I know of that describes Zionist sabotage and terrorism, as Egypt defined it. There are photographs that have never been published. One of them shows the Goldschmidt House in Jerusalem, which served as a British officers' club, that was bombedand there they show a picture of the building after the terrorist attack under the title 'Zionist sabotage,' despite the fact that this was a terrorist attack carried out by the Irgun in the 40s before the foundation of the state.

One of the alleged spies (Photo courtesy of Winner's Auctions)

"The book aroused great interest in me, so I decided to send it to the Winner's auction house in Jerusalem for a public auction. I believe that a lot of collectors and museums will compete over it, and I hope that it will add to our research on this subject."

An additional confession (Photo courtesy of Winner's Auctions)

Dr. Eran Lerman, a former deputy head of the National Security Council and a lecturer at Shalem College, has seen sections of the book. He commented, "This is the first time that I've seen these pictures and documents. I draw the conclusion that it's an authentic Egyptian propaganda document, which was prepared at the request of the authorities by the Egyptian investigative bodies. It seems that the confessions by the members of the (spy) ring are authentic.

An alleged undetonated bomb in a cinema (Photo courtesy of Winner's Auctions)

"Given the interrogation tactics in Egypt, of course there is no guarantee that what the people confessed to is exactly what they did. The document is written in Arabic and in English, and the title page is in English only, suggesting it was principally intended for abroad, a sort of propaganda document designed to tarnish Israel as a terrorist state."

An additional confession (Photo courtesy of Winner's Auctions)

The book will be displayed at Winner's Auctions on January 24th before it is publicly auctioned on January 31st. The starting bid will be $200.
A 31-year-old British-born immigrant to Israel who previously modeled for international fashion house Hugo Boss immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the IDF a fortnight ago and is to begin his service in April.

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From a young age living with his Jewish family in London, James Hirshfield was used to receiving compliments on his look. At the age of 20, he traveled to the US for his studies, and he there received offers to model. He took part in international fashion shows, and he started appearing in magazines and billboards. But he is happy with his decision to bid adieu to the world of fashion and enlist in the IDF.

Hirshfield outside the Haifa enlistment office showing his colors

Hirshfield's grandfather is a Holocaust survivor who fled Poland at the age of nine. The grandson started getting interested in the Jewish state during Operation Protective Edge. "I was working as a model in the US, and they were always reporting against Israel. I said to myself that I couldn't walk on red carpets while my people was at war. I felt that I had to immigrate and enlist."

Hirshfield at work (Photo: Carlos Yelez)

He returned to England, sorted out his immigration documentation, and got his one-way ticket to Israel. "Everybody told me that I was too old to enlist, but I insisted," he recounted. Two weeks ago, he reached the IDF enlistment office in Haifa, where he received a draft date of April 19, when he will begin a military Hebrew course. At its completion, he's hoping to end up as a combat soldier in one of the reconnaissance units.

"It's important to me to realize my potential and to have as combat-oriented a service as possible. I'm not afraid of the age difference with the other soldiers. I know how to get along with everybody. God-willing, I also want to be a soldier. I don't have a problem with my commander being younger than I am. On the contrary, I'm happy to learn from everybody," he said.

Hirshfield's family had trouble understanding his decision to leave everything and immigrate to Israel. "They told me that I'm a successful path and it's a shame to waste it," he shared. He said, however, that as soon as he landed in Israel, he felt at home. "Everyone opened their arms and embraced me. They always make me feel like I belong. It's a dream come true. I want to have a family here and be the best soldier that I can be."
The National Library of Israel said Thursday it has acquired what is considered the world's greatest private collection of Hebrew books and manuscripts.

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The Valmadonna Trust Library contains some 10,000 itemsincluding a 15th century copy of the Hebrew Bible and one of the only two surviving copies of a 16th century Passover manuscript from Prague.





Benjamin Zucker, an author and precious stones specialist, and his grandson Abram Goren, 8, visit The Valmadonna Library Trust collection on display at Sotheby's in New York. (Photo: AP)

The collection, assembled over decades by London collector Jack Lunzer, was entrusted to Sotheby's auction house in New York in 2009. Lunzer initially hoped the US Library of Congress would acquire the collection, worth millions of dollars.

Some of the 11,000 works in the Valmadonna Library Trust collection are shown on display at Sotheby's in New York. (Photo: AP)

Instead, some gems of the collection were sold last year to private collectors for about $12 million. In recent weeks, the rest was acquired by Israel's national library and an Israeli private collector for an undisclosed sum.

The collection is currently located at Sotheby's in New York and will be transferred to its new owners in the coming weeks, according to Oren Weinberg of the National Library of Israel.
BEIRUT -- A large explosion rocked a camp for displaced Syrians along the Syrian-Jordanian border Saturday, killing at least four, and wounding many others, opposition activists and a resident said.

Badr Abu Sultan, a resident of the Rukban camp, said the explosion was caused by a suspected car bomb in a local market. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion caused a huge cloud of smoke over the area. A video posted by the Syrian Media Organization also showed some tents burning, as parts of the car bomb were scattered across the camp.
MADRID -- Spanish police say they have arrested 16 people, including Dutch, Spanish, Colombian, Brazilian, Belgian, Chilean and Moroccan citizens, on suspicion of forming a criminal organization, and trafficking in arms and drugs.

Authorities said Saturday they also seized an arsenal in the southern Malaga province that included four grenade-launchers, one machine gun, 32 grenades and one AK-47 assault rifle.

They did not say when the arrests or the weapons seizure happened, but the investigation began in 2015.

Police alleged that the ring traded weapons for drugs, including marijuana, hashish, and cocaine, that were later shipped to the Netherlands.
DOHA -- Two men accused of planning attacks against Saudi Arabia blew themselves up following a confrontation with security forces in the city of Jeddah on Saturday, the interior ministry said.

Saudi security forces surrounded a house in Jeddah's easten Al-Harazat district and exchanged fire with the men, who blew themselves up, an interior ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by state news agency SPA.

A Saudi man and his Pakistani wife alleged to have links to the men were arrested, the spokesman said.
Thousands of people are protesting in the Israeli-Arab town of Arara against the demolitions of illegal structures in Umm al-Hiran and Qalansuwa.

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They are also protesting against the shooting and killing of Yaqoub Abu al-Qiyan, who was killed while carrying out a car ramming attack IDF Border Police in Um al-Hiran.

The protestors, all Israeli citizens, waved Palestinian flags and called for an end to an end to the demolitions. They also called for the media to stop calling the car ramming an attack.

Israeli-Arabs protesting on Highway 65 (Photo: Gil Nahoshten)

Israeli police officer Erez Levi was killed during the ramming.

Israeli-Arabs from all across Israel have joined in the protest, including MKs from the Joint Arab List. The protest is taking place under heavy security with at least 500 police officers in the area.

Protestors blocked Highway 65, leading police to respond with stun grenades in order to re-open the road.

Israel Police guarding the protest

Umm al-Fahm Tawfil Mahmid said that this is the best time to send the Israeli government the message that they have to stop these demolitions. The next steps will be a huge backlash, and the Israeli government will be responsible for whatever happens next.

Regarding the ramming attack, Mahmid said that the Internal Security Ministry and the Israel Police have turned Yaqoub Abu al-Qiyan into a terrorist, but the truth is that they murdered him in cold blood. Abu al-Qiyan died as a martyr and didnt ram into the police officer on purpose. The Police are responsible for everything that happened. We want the body of the officer to be exhumed so an autopsy of the officer can be conducted in order to determine the exact cause of his death.

Israeli-Arabs protesting demolitions of illegal structures (Photo: Gil Nahoshten)

Baqa al-Gharbiye Deputy Mayor Iyad Muasi said I call on the prime minister and his government to let us live in peace and quiet. Our requests are simply and modest  give us hope for the next generations. We all want to live in peace, love, and with good relations with everyone. However, the government is trying to destroy everything.

Meanwhile, MK Ahmed Tibi (Joint Arab List) said I demand that (Internal Security Minister) Erdan and the Prime Minister and the Commissioner of the Israel Police apologize to the Abu al-Qiyan family and the (Israeli-Arab) public.
Prior to the establishment of the State of Israel, the British government was making it "easy for Arabs to arm" and actively encouraging the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Amin al-Husseini, to denounce partition, according to a document recently declassified by the CIA.

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The document, which is dated January 1947ten months prior to the partition of Palestinedetails a meeting between the Grand Mufti and Afif Tibi, owner of a Lebanese newspaper andaccording to the document"a former Nazi collaborator."

Former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin al-Husseini (Photo: Heinrich Hoffmann)

During the meeting, al-Husseini discussed his attitudes toward the mandate regime and the Jews living within the territory.

The Mufti was completely opposed to the prospect of any Jewish governance over any piece of territory in the mandate and further asserted that the Arab population would resort to arms and attack the Jewish populace should the partition plan go ahead.

He was so opposed that he said, "the continuation of the regime of the mandate is infinitely better than any partition scheme." Al-Husseini believed that if Jews were allowed to assume real power, they would arm themselves and embark upon a campaign to acquire more territory.

Tibi further noted that he had never seen the Mufti "so pro-British" and attributed this to the British being in constant contact with the Mufti and encouraging him to denounce the partition, as well as "making it easier for the Arabs to arm."

The document is part of a cache of documents recently declassified and released by the CIA.
Israel Airport Authority officials discovered two Palestinians smuggling dozens of European goldfinches at the Allenby crossing on the Israel-Jordan border.

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The birds are considered to be extremely expensive in the territories and were found under the clothes of two Palestinians from Hebron and Ramallah. The pair aroused the suspicion of security who heard chirping and noticed movement coming from their clothing.

Smuggled goldfinches (Photo: Israel Airport Authority)

Bird smugglers (Video: Israel Airport Authority) ( :   )

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Following a body search of the two suspects, security discovered each carrying 19 birds apiece on their person. Security released the birds and detained the two suspects who were questioned by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Goldfinches that are caught in the wild are sold according to assessments of the Nature and Parks Authority at around NIS 150 per bird, while the price of a hybrid goldfinch/canary can be between NIS 500-1,500.
Army hospital in Chhauni to open its OPD for public

The Nepal Army Shree Birendra Hospital in Chhauni, Kathmandu, will offer out-patient services to the public from February 24. The hospitals out-patient department will cater to the public between 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm.
The Arab world is still trying to acclimate to the fact that Donald Trump has taken the oath of office to become the 45th President of the United States, especially after President Trump promised to wipe out Islamic terror in his inaugural address.

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Although there have been many letters of support and congratulations sent to the new president, not everyone in the Arab world is so pleased.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas sent a short congratulatory letter to trump, saying that he wishes the new president well, and hopes to work with him to create a more peaceful, secure, and stable world in the midst of the turmoil which has reached tragic proportions.

Palestinians burn a Trump poster outside of Bethlehem

Abbas additionally wrote that he hopes that Trump will help to bring about a peaceful future for all.

Meanwhile, Palestinian protestors burnt a picture of President Trump next to the border crossing into Bethlehem. They also posted posters expressing their opposition to the president moving the US Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

A short while after the inauguration, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was quick to congratulate the new 45th president. Sisi was also the first foreign leader to meet with Trump after he won the election.

We hope that Trumps terms will herald a new beginning in US-Egyptian relations, the Egyptian president said, adding we have close, friendly relations, and we hope to strengthen our special strategic relations as well.

Palestinians protest Trump

A short while later, Saudi King Salman and Crown Princes Mohammad bin Nayef and Mohammad Salman also welcomed Trump to his new position. In his letter, the Saudi king said he is looking forward to a strengthening of the historic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

He said that the strategic relationship must also be strengthened so that the joint interests of the US and Saudi Arabia will be preserved.

Not only Arab leadership has been following the Trump inauguration, with social media abuzz over the 45th president, eliciting an Arabic hashtag #trumpsappointment.

The Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper published a political cartoon Saturday morning showing President Trump shooting missiles out of his mouth onto a dove with an olive branch with the word Islam written on it, after promising to stamp out Islamic terrorism.

Trump shooting missiles at an Islamic peace dove

An op-ed written under the headline how will Arabs deal with the new president? Said that Arab countries have two options: either acquiesce to the Trump administration and work with it, or resist and protest the administration and try to get the administration out of office as soon as possible.

ISIS for its part has also responded by publishing a video of its fighters with a mannequin with Trumps likeness and cutting its head off, and promising to carry out suicide bombing attack on the Whitehouse, amongst other threats.

Were coming to slaughter you all, they said.

The world is couting down until Trump leaves office

Finally, an op-ed written in the Jordanian a-Rad newspaper titled Trumps world and the new Zionists said that Trump will continue the USs traditional policies vis-a-vis construction in the West Bank.

If Trump indeed keeps his promises to the Zionists regarding the settlements, the op-ed said, then Trump will be making his countrys more aggressive than it is at the moment.
Two young men in their 20s were shot to death Saturday night in the parking lot of a residential building in Tel Aviv.

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Magen David Adom paramedics announced the death of the two men who were known to police. The shooting is criminal in nature and forces are currently searching the area.

Scene of the shooting in Tel Aviv

Scene of Tel Aviv shooting (Video: TPS/MDA) (: TPS,   ")

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Apparently, the gunman ambushed the two as they entered the stairwell and shot them both at point-blank range.
DAKAR- Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh is expected to leave soon for Guinea, and the new president said Saturday he plans to return home to take power once the situation is "clear."

A visibly tired Adama Barrow told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday that he will enter Gambia once a security sweep has been completed. He has been in neighboring Senegal for his safety during a political standoff that came to the brink of a regional military intervention.

Barrow, who won December's presidential elections, spoke just hours after Jammeh announced he would relinquish power, ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

"It is not yet confirmed information, but reliable sources say he'll be leaving today," Barrow told the AP. "We believe he'll go to Guinea, but we are yet to confirm 100 percent, but that's what we believe."
The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel HFUC has announced it will raise the funds required to rebuild the illegal homes recently demolished by Israeli authorities in Umm al-Hiran and Qalansuwa.

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The committee also decided to hold a major protest rally in Wadi Ara Saturday. The valley and hilltops are one of the most densely populated Arab majority areas in Israel. The biggest city in the area is Umm al-Fahm, one of Israels biggest Arab cities.

Illegal buildings demolished in Umm al-Hiran (Photo: Herzl Yoseph)

Highway 65, one of the countrys major arteries which connect the coastal plain to the Jezreel Valley and which go through the valley, was blocked by protesters. In the past, protests in the area have resulted in violent clashes when police attempted to prevent demonstrators from closing the road, which can cause major traffic jams over a large part of the country.

The committee also said protests would continue to take place in Arab cities, towns and villages throughout the country, and that on Monday a protest convoy would drive slowly from various

Arab towns to the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem, where a protest rally would be held.

The committee should have no problem raising the necessary funds, as it has a large network of support in Qatar, Turkey, and other Arab and Muslim countries, and in the past has raised funds to rebuild homes demolished by Israeli authorities. In addition, it also gets EU funding.
Minister of Education and Chairman of Bayit Yehudi, Naftali Bennett, is expected to postpone a discussion on the Annexation Law of Ma'ale Adumim, which is supposed to be up for a vote Sunday in the Ministerial Committee for Legislative Affairs.

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Bennett will decide whether or not to raise the issue again after a meeting of the security cabinet, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present Israeli policy to the new Trump administration.

In this case, the committee may convene a special session to vote on the issue of annexation.

Ma'ale Adumim (Photo: AP)

Recently, Bennett spoke decisively about the demand to formulate strategic policy with the new government in Washington, especially in regards to construction in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Many have voiced similar opinions, including former minister Gideon Saar, who wrote on his twitter account: "Trump is already here. Time to act. A historic move is needed: start the process of having sovereignty over Jewish settlements. A Trump-Netanyahu meeting in Februarycrucial.".

Tomorrow, following the cabinet meeting, Bennett will decide how to proceed. Bennett intends to bring a broad plan around the concept of "sovereignty instead of Palestine" (sovereignty over settlements) to the government agenda. The plan is expected to be centered around settlement construction and a settlement arrangement.

Sources close to Bennett said that in recent weeks, Trump advisors have asked to know Israeli policy and what the government wants, thus presenting a unique window of opportunity that may not come back.

The description of the bill states that The right of the people of Israel to these regions was also recognized by the nations of the world, the Balfour Declaration and the San Remo Conference, which internationally sanctioned the international connection between the Jewish nation and the land of Israel, and (the Jews) right to re-establish its national homeland.

New construction in Ma'ale Adumim (Photo: AFP)

The proposal states that extending sovereignty over Maale Adumim doesnt significantly change the demographic balance in Israel, and doesnt affect Israels democratic nature.

It is proposed that Israeli law, jurisdiction, and administration should be applied to Maale Adumim, and reinforce its status as an integral part of the state of Israel.

Sources in the Trump administration have advised the Israelis not to surprise the Americans with unilateral moves, and have requested that moves such as this be done bi-laterally. With that being said, sources close to Bennett have clarified that as of now, the sovereignty bill is due to be voted on at 6:00pm Israel time.
The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: Ive always been enthralled about the tradition of the presidential inauguration. It always seems that everything goes well but I was curious whether things have ever gotten weird or not gone as planned.

A: We looked up a number of sources and found some interesting stories.

Theres one where Vice-president Andrew Johnson slurred his address as he had become inebriated from medicinal whiskey that he had imbibed to cure a bout of malaria. President Abraham Lincoln later defended Johnson, stating, I have known Andrew Johnson for many years. He mad a slip the other day, but you need not be scared. Andy aint a drunkard.

This story comes from the Huffington Post.

George Washington delivered what is still the shortest inaugural address in American history. It was just 135 words long. By contrast, William Henry Harrison delivered the longest address. His address was 8,445 words and took more than 2  hours for the new president to read.

Huffington also wrote about the the most chaotic inauguration, in 1829. Andrew Jackson had run for president as a tribute to the common people, not of the landed aristocracy as was the custom. He was the first president elected without a patrician pedigree. Consequently, more than 20,000 common folk from throughout the nation stormed the White House after Jacksons inaugural address to see the new president and to shake his hand. The president almost suffocated from the unruly mob that surrounded him. The president was forced to flee to a nearby hotel while the revelers exuberantly partook in the inaugural festivities.

There was an interesting situation involving the swearing in of Franklin Pierces vice-president, the Huffington Post reported. Due to a serious illness, William Rufus King was sworn in as vice-president while convalescing in Cuba. King was allowed to take the oath of office on foreign soil because it was known that he had come down with tuberculosis and was terminally ill. Congress passed a special act to allow this unusual swearing-in ceremony. Although Vice-President King eventually returned to the United States, he died shortly thereafter, leaving President Pierce without a vice-president for almost his entire four-year term. This was prior to the adoption of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that allows a president to nominate a vice-president.

And weather has sometimes been a hindrance.

Benjamin Harrisons 1889 inaugural address was held during a downpour. Outgoing President Grover Cleveland, who Harrison had just defeated, held an umbrella over Harrison during the downpour. William Howard Taft delivered his address inside the U.S. Senate Chamber, as a blizzard hit the nations capital the night before. The coldest day for a presidential inauguration was in 1985, when the temperature dropped to just nine degrees. This was the second inauguration for Ronald Reagan and the festivities were moved inside to the Capitol Rotunda.

William Henry Harrison chose not to wear a hat and coat during his 1841 wintry inauguration, which led to him catching pneumonia and then dying just after a month in office.

And apparently, the podium at John F. Kennedys inauguration caught on fire, in 1961. It was while Cardinal Richard Cushing was delivering the invocation. Secret Service agents rushed to the front and put out the fire caused by the electric motor that was used to adjust the lecterns height.

Q: Have the First Ladies always had a role in the presidential inaugurations?

A: In recent history, yes.

But that hasnt always been the case.

Martha Washington did not attend the inauguration on April 30, 1789. She didnt even arrive at the capital until May 27.

In 1797, Abigail Adams was in Quincy, Mass., when her husband was inaugurated.

In 1801, Thomas Jefferson was a widower when he took the executive oath of office.

In 1817, Elizabeth Monroe was not present at the swearing-in, nor did she even make an appearance at the inaugural reception held in her own home (the mansion was still being repaired from the War of 1812). She didnt attend the inauguration again in 1821.

In 1829, Andrew Jackson was a widower when he took the oath  and in 1833.

In 1837 Martin Van Buren took the oath and he also was a widower.

In 1841, Anna Harrison was not present for the inauguration.

In 1853, sources say that Jane Pierce was ready to attend the inauguration, but decided not to at the last moment because she learned that her husband had actively sought the presidency after he had been denying the same to her. She blamed the death of their young son (just weeks earlier) on her husbands ambition.

In 1857, James Buchanan took the oath  he was a bachelor.

When Grover Cleveland took the oath in 1885, he was a bachelor.

Q: Has the presidential inauguration always been held on Jan. 20?

A: The first inauguration, that of George Washington, took place on April 30, 1789. All subsequent (regular) inaugurations from 1793 until 1933 were held on March 4. Inauguration Day moved to Jan. 20, in 1937.

Q: How soon after the presidential oath does the outgoing president leave the capitol?

A: Following the inaugural ceremony on the west front of the U.S. Capitol, the outgoing president and first lady leave the capitol to begin their post-presidential lives.

Obama and his family took one final flight on a presidential aircraft, which is customary. The Obamas will be going to Palm Springs, where other former presidents have gone after leaving the presidency.
MONDAY 1/23

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Monday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

TUESDAY 1/24

>> Sexaholics Anonymous, a 12 Step recovery group for those dealing with addiction to pornography, sex, and other forms of lust, meets Tuesday nights at 5:45 p.m. For more information please call our toll free number 1-877-889-8071 or visit sanebraska.org.

WEDNESDAY 1/25

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Wednesday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

THURSDAY 1/26

>> Weight Watchers meets in the basement of the York Towne House, 5th & Grant Ave., each Thursday. Weigh in 5:15 - 5:45 p.m.; Member meeting 5:45 - 6:15 p.m.

>> AL-ANON meets Thursday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

>> Narcotics Anonymous meets Thursday at 8 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Annex building.

FRIDAY 1/27

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Friday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

>> Alcoholics Anonymous - AWOL Group meets Friday at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York.

SATURDAY 1/28

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Businesses along Arniko Highway suffer due to Chinese border closure

Before the earthquakes of April and May, 2015, Sabita Karki, who runs a hotel at Sagachowk, Sukute, on Arniko Highway, never used to find time to sit idle.
Dr Makaju reappointed as VC of KU

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also the chancellor of Kathmandu University, reappointed Dr Ram Kanth Makaju as the vice-chancellor of the varsity on Friday.
Former CoAS Katwal calls for restoring Hindu state

Former Chief of Army Staff, Rookmangud Katwal, has said that all Nepali people should be engaged to establish the Hindu state in the country as Hindu religion is the identity of the country.
Government mulling House prorogation

The constitution amendment bill that the government has tabled in Parliament has become an albatross around its neck, it seems, as it has not only been opposed by the opposition bloc led by the CPN-UML but also by the forces at whose insistence it was introduced.
PHOENIX  A Lake Havasu City Republican lawmaker wants to open his section of the state to electronic billboards.

The proposal by Sen. Sonny Borrelli would create a 60-mile semicircle around the Tropicana Hotel in Laughlin, Nev., where these signs could be erected by billboard companies. That area stretches from near the Hoover Dam on the north, out Interstate 40 past Kingman on the east, and south past Lake Havasu City.

What Borrelli is offering on behalf of Lamar Advertising would amend a 2012 law which limits the billboards with changing messages to a swath of central and southwest Arizona.

Those limits were crafted following negotiations between the sign industry and the "dark sky community, including astronomers who said they did not want a new source of light pollution. And it remains to be seen whether foes, who defeated a more far-reaching plan by Borrelli last year, will find this any more acceptable.

That 2012 deal followed an appellate court ruling that internally illuminated billboards with changing messages were illegal along state highways.

A bid by lawmakers to simply override that ruling was vetoed by Gov. Jan Brewer amid her concerns about damaging the state's "dark skies reputation. That resulted in the deal Brewer did approve: Allow these signs along a wedge from the Phoenix area along I-8 and I-10 west to the state line.

"The issue is one of fair opportunity, said Lamar lobbyist Nick Simonetta. He said there's no reason that billboard firms in other areas of the state should be denied the opportunity to put up new electronic signs.

Borrelli said he understands the concerns of the state's astronomy community on the issue of light pollution.

The 2012 deal specifically made southern and southeastern Arizona, with its telescopes on places like Kitt Peak and Mount Graham, off limits. And that law also prohibits these signs north of the Phoenix area, from one end of the state to the other, in a special bid to protect Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

Borrelli said what he's offering should not affect Lowell. He said the observatory is at 7,500 feet elevation.

"There's a couple of mountain ranges that are between there and Kingman, Borrelli said. "We're not encroaching on their space.

He conceded that same argument did not work last year when he introduced similar legislation. But Borrelli pointed out that measure would have allowed electronic billboards throughout all of Mohave County versus the 60-mile radius from Laughlin in his latest bid.

And there's more.

SB 1114 would limit the maximum illumination to 25 percent less than what is permitted in the other areas of the state. It also says there would be a maximum of 50 such signs in the area.

And, like the law already in place for the balance of Arizona, the signs have to go dark after 11 p.m.

Simonetta said he doesn't believe the new signs will make a big difference from the existing light pollution that comes from Laughlin, "the big lit-up Roman candle on the Colorado River.

A spokesman for Lowell Observatory said officials there were studying the proposal and at this point had not yet taken a position.

Even if Borrelli gets this new plan through the legislature and convinces the governor to sign it, that does not guarantee that Lamar  or any other company  will begin erecting the new signs.

Nothing in the legislation overturns the existing authority of cities, towns and counties to enact their own laws regulating outdoor advertising. More to the point, it specifically allows local governments to enact regulations that are even more restrictive than what is in state law.

The measure has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
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YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. The 8th round of talks between Armenia and the European Union over forming a new legal foundation was held on January 18 in Yerevan.

The negotiating team from the Armenian side was led by Karen Nazaryan, deputy minister of foreign affairs. The European side was led by Luc Devigne, EEAS director for Eastern Partnership, Russia, Central Asia, regional cooperation and OSCE affairs, the ministry of foreign affairs told ARMENPRESS.

The sides reached mutual understanding around several issues and specified the period of holding the next round of talks in Brussels.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. More than 100 countries are going to take part in Astana EXPO-2017 world exhibition in Astana which will be held from June 10 to September 10.

Countries participating in the exhibition entitled Future energy will present the developments in the energy sector.

Armenpress talked with General Commissioner for Astana EXPO-2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev over this important economic event.

-Mr. Zhoshybayev, in what stage are the preparation works of the Astana EXPO-2017. What has been so far?

-As you know, the exhibition will be held from June 10 to September 10, 2017. The preparation works are going according to the proposed schedule. All major construction works are completed. At this moment more than 100 countries and 18 international organizations confirmed their participation in the EXPO. Already more than 10 countries, China, Japan, Turkey, several European countries have already launched their preparation works in the provided pavilions.

-We know that the exhibition is entitled Future energy. What is the reason of the selection of this topic?

-This topic has been selected by our President. This is a contemporary topic for many countries of the world. The entire world is wondering what to expect in the energy sector. All understand that one day all traditional sources of energy are going to be consumed, the talk is about oil, gas. Thus, this is among the priority issues, what new technologies we can apply for using new sources of energy. This topic is interesting for the international community. Future energy will be held in three main directions: reduction of emissions, energy for all, in other words, energy must be available for everyone, and the third is energy efficiency.

-What will, in particular, the participating countries present? Can you provide some details?

-Firstly, the countries are going to present their strong sides in the field of alternative energy use. They will present their opportunities, projects. In particular, devices on receiving solar energy, electric buses, the latest generation of nuclear power plants, hydropower plants projects will be presented. As in Kazakhstan, in Armenia as well there are many mountains, and it is beneficial to construct hydropower plants in order to make the power affordable to remote villages. We plan to increase alternative energy volumes in upcoming years.

-What will be the emphasis of this exhibition, how it will be different from the previous ones? We know that international exhibition was held in China, Japan, Italy and other countries.

-This country, which received a right to hold this exhibition, of course, will try to show its strong sides. For instance, Milan was showing its strong sides in the food industry sector, Shanghai in the communication field and etc. We have selected a topic familiar to us. You know that Kazakhstan is rich in natural energy resources, we have gas, oil, coal, uranium, but we understand that all are interested in the climate protection. By utilizing the scientific potential we seek to diversify the energy resources. Moreover, there will be a symbolic bowl in the center of this exhibition city, which will be comprised of 8 floors. There will be an exhibition in each floor on energy topic. This later is going to be the museum of Future energy. As for the remaining structure, there is already a decision to make it international finance center in future.

-Except the EXPO, what other events are scheduled?

-A number of events will be held except the EXPO. In particular, every participating state must have its own national day. They must select one day to present their countries. Now we are discussing with Armenia the issue of clarifying the day of its national day. High-ranking officials are expected to take part. During that time each country will present its economic programs, there will be cultural events as well. This year is a jubilee year for our capital, our city leadership invite various Mayors to take part in the ceremonies. A womens forum will also be held. Meetings of energy Ministers, tourism sector representatives are scheduled. We think many interesting events will be held, we expect to have more than 5 million visitors.

-What works have been carried out in terms of infrastructure development?

-Currently the city leadership is working on this path every day. New terminal is being built in the airport. The works of railway station are at the completion stage. There are going to be more than 20 hotels, as well as a hostel for volunteers is being built. 4.000 volunteers will arrive.

-In summary, what opportunities does the exhibition provide to the participants? What expectations does Kazakhstan have as an organizer country?

-Firstly, many companies are taking part in the EXPO, therefore, it is a good opportunity for signing new contracts, new initiatives. Each company can present its own opportunities, propose technological solutions. As for countries, it is a good opportunity to intensify the bilateral ties. As for Kazakhstan, this exhibition is firstly important in terms of the development of various branches of the economy, developing the bilateral relations with various countries.

According to Armenian Prime Ministers December 13, 2016 decision, Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan was appointed Armenias General Commissioner for the EXPO.

Suren Karayan and General Commissioner for Astana EXPO-2017 Rapil Zhoshybayev on January 19 signed an agreement on approval of Armenias participation in the EXPO.

Interview by Anna Gziryan
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijani troops violated the ceasefire regime over 70 times firing about 800 shots at the Armenian border guards on Karabakh-Azerbaijan contact line on January 20 and overnight 21.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the NKR Defense Ministry, the Azerbaijani troops also fired from 60 mm mortar (1 projectile) in the north-eastern (Seysulan) direction of the contact line.

NKR Defense Army front line units refrained from retaliatory actions.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. In marking the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) congratulated President Donald Trump and Vice-President Pence, urging the new President to bring new ideas and energy to U.S. policy on Armenian issues, further strengthening the robust U.S.-Armenia relationship, and reinforcing the enduring bonds of friendship that have long connected our two peoples.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of ANCA, the statement on the Inauguration of President Donald Trump reads as follows,

The ANCA extends congratulations to Donald Trump upon his inauguration as President and welcomes the opportunity to work with him and his incoming Administration to advance shared American interests and ideals.

On behalf of Americas citizens of Armenian heritage and friends of Armenia from across the United States, the ANCA looks to President Trump  at a pivotal moment in the history of our nations global leadership  to bring new ideas and energy to U.S. policy on Armenian issues, further strengthening the robust U.S.-Armenia relationship, and reinforcing the enduring bonds of friendship that have long connected our two peoples.

Armenia, the worlds first Christian nation, shares Americas devotion to democratic values, human rights and religious liberty, embraces our aspirations for global peace and prosperity, and actively partners with the United States on a broad array of regional and international challenges.

It is in this spirit that the ANCA encourages President Trump to start his Administration with strong and decisive American leadership by:

 Properly commemorating the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide challenging Turkey's obstruction of justice for this still unpunished crime and more broadly rejecting Turkey's efforts to control U.S. policy on Armenian issues and

Rejecting Turkeys Armenian Genocide Gag-Rule:

Proper U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide as a clear case of genocide would represent a long overdue break with the practice of past Presidents who  since the principled stand taken by President Reagan in 1981  have sadly given in to pressure from the Turkish government, resorting to euphemisms and evasive terminology to describe this crime against humanity. No foreign government has the right to impose a gag-rule on America, to exercise veto against our U.S. President, or to demand that America compromise our international moral leadership.

The historical record  including our own U.S. archives  document that the Ottoman Empire, between 1915 and 1923, intentionally and systematically undertook the genocidal destruction of its Christian minorities. Millions of Armenians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Greeks, Pontians, Syriacs, and other Christians were murdered and millions more were forced into exile from their biblical-era homelands. The American people and government played a major role in caring for the survivors of this crime, many of whom eventually found safe haven in America. Sadly, the world today is, once again, witnessing similar atrocities, in this very same region, committed by ISIS and other extremists, against Christians, Yezidis, and other religious minorities.

Appropriate and accurate remembrance of the Armenian Genocide would reaffirm past U.S. recognition of this crime, including the Eisenhower Administrations 1951 submission to the International Court of Justice, President Ronald Reagans 1981 Proclamation (No. 4838), and legislation adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives, HJR148 adopted (April 8, 1975) and HJR247 (September 10, 1984). More broadly, an honest reckoning with the Armenian Genocide  by the United States and eventually by Turkey itself  will contribute to the reduction of regional tensions and create opportunities for the sustainable development of Armenian-Turkish relations. It is in this spirit of peace and justice, and in the hopes that our nation will stand up to foreign pressure on this human rights issue, that the ANCA calls on the Trump Administration to accurately and explicitly condemn and commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

 Advancing a durable and democratic peace in the Caucasus by recognizing and supporting the independent Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and;

Supporting a Peaceful Resolution in Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh):

The United States can contribute meaningfully to the cause of peace and the global progress of democratic self-determination by extending formal recognition of the independent Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) Republic and taking steps  including the provision of defensive arms and increased developmental assistance  to ensure Artsakhs security in the face of continued Azerbaijani aggression.

The Trump Administration should, as an urgent matter, strengthen the 1994 cease-fire by forcefully challenging Azerbaijans escalation of military aggression, ensuring Artsakhs full participation in all negotiations, and overcoming Azerbaijans efforts to obstruct implementation of the Royce-Engel proposals. These three common sense proposals call for the:

1) Non-deployment of snipers and heavy arms near the line-of-contact;

2) Addition of OSCE observers along the line-of-contact, and;

3) Deployment of gunfire locators along the line-of-contact.

U.S. recognition of Artsakh, along with a stable cease-fire, will help foster a conducive environment for a peaceful, negotiated settlement that  durably and democratically  resolves outstanding security and status issues related to the Artsakh Republic.





 Growing the U.S.-Armenia economic military and political partnership and supporting a secure prosperous and democratic Armenia.

Growing the U.S.-Armenia Economic Relationship:

U.S. interests would be served by policies aimed at expanding U.S.-Armenia ties, particularly in terms of our economic relationship and military partnership. More broadly, the Trump Administration should promote policies that support a secure, prosperous, democratic Armenia, increasingly anchored in the democratic world, integrated into the global economy, and actively contributing to the security and progress of the international community.

Building upon the 2015 signing of a bilateral U.S.-Armenia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, the Trump Administration should:

1) Negotiate a Tax Treaty eliminating the threat of double taxation of firms operating in both jurisdictions;

2) Extend a new Millennium Challenge Account compact with Armenia that funds STEM education, and;

3) support the launch of direct Los Angeles to Yerevan flights, strengthening the travel and commercial connection between our two nations.

In terms of our international assistance programs, the Trump Administration should budget increased direct aid to Artsakh and Armenia, with a special focus on robust funding to help Armenia settle at-risk refugees from the Middle East.

Helping Armenia complete its Aid-to-Trade transition will save U.S. tax dollars, creating jobs in both countries, reinforcing Armenian independence in the face of pressure from regional powers, and strengthening Americas constructive engagement and enduring friendship with the Armenian people.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. Triplets are born in Armenias Gyumri city in the family of the Shukhyans after a long period of anticipation. Mariana, Ariana and Aren were born on January 20 at about 20:00 at Austrian Child and Mother Hospital of Gyumri by caesarean section.

Armenpress reports a 3rd level hospital is advisable for giving birth to a triplet, but the parents decided that the babies will be born in Gyumri after familiarizing themselves with the hospitals conditions. The mother had been under the surveillance of the hospital personnel since 3 months of pregnancy.

Mariana was the first to be born weighting 2 kg and 160 gram, the other girl, Ariana was the second, weighting 1kg and 690 grams, and the boy, Aren was the last weighting 2kg and 45 grams. The doctors assess the health condition of the mother and babies as good. The 30-year old mother, Ani Balyan, told Armenpress that she first felt happiness, but later fear and shock were present.

I cannot introduce my feelings when I first saw the babies: happiness but also fear. I have been waiting for them 6 years, says the psychologist-pedagogue mother, noting that they have already prepared everything for the babies at home, Each of them has its bed, corner and cloths, the mother of the triplet said, noting that his husband works abroad.

Chief physician of the hospital Ashot Kurghinyan assessed this triplet birth as very good news for Gyumri. A triplet is born in the region, this really makes all of us happy. Yesterday Ani Balyan gave a very successful birth. 3 healthy babies were born by caesarean section. Not only the parents, but we also had been long waiting for this, since being under our surveillance, we managed the take the serious responsibility and successfully complete it. This shows that our hospital is sufficiently equipped and in case of necessity we can render full-scale medical aid, Ashot Kurghinyan said.

Armenuhi Mkhoyan
YEREVAN, JANUARY 21, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the UK Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of Great Britain Boris Johnson exchanged telegrams.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of MFA Armenia, Edward Nalbandian stressed in his telegraph that the partnership between Armenia and Great Britain has recorded significant development, which is reflected by high level political dialogue, active inter-parliamentary relations, positive trends in economic and trade cooperation, exchange programs in culture and education, as well as productive cooperation on the international level.

Boris Johnson mentioned in his letter that the United Kingdom values the quarter-century relations between the two states during which it rendered a practical assistance to Armenia as a reinforcement to its democracy, prosperity and stability. He hailed the Armenias reforms in democracy and governance, and noted that Great Britain supports that process. He stated that Great Britain continues supporting the mediation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs aimed at the peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

The Foreign Minister of Armenia and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of Great Britain hoped that the cooperation between the two states will continue expanding and deepening by joint efforts.
Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission slapped Qualcomm with a fine of Tw$23.4 billion ($774 million) for harming market competition and manipulating prices following an investigation launched in 2015

Apple on Friday sued Qualcomm, accusing the California chipmaker of abusing its market power to demand unfair royalties, echoing charges filed days earlier by US antitrust regulators.

Apple said in the court filing that it has been overcharged "billions of dollars" by its chipmaking partner's "illegal scheme."

Apple also claimed Qualcomm owes it a billion dollars but is refusing to pay in retaliation for the iPhone maker's cooperating with South Korean antitrust regulators looking into the chip maker's actions in that country.

"For many years Qualcomm has unfairly insisted on charging royalties for technologies they have nothing to do with," Apple said in an email statement.

"To protect this business scheme Qualcomm has taken increasingly radical steps, most recently withholding nearly $1 billion in payments from Apple as retaliation for responding truthfully to law enforcement agencies investigating them."

The suit charges Qualcomm of building a business model on using its rights to older, legacy technology considered telecommunication industry standards to jack up royalties when Apple innovates with features such as TouchID fingerprint recognition or digital wallets in mobile devices.

"Despite being just one of over a dozen companies who contributed to basic cellular standards, Qualcomm insists on charging Apple at least five times more in payments than all the other cellular patent licensors we have agreements with combined," Apple said.

Apple noted in the suit that Qualcomm's business practices have come under scrutiny by antitrust regulators in an array of countries for selling its smartphone chipsets only to makers agreeing to its "preferred license terms" for essential mobile telecom patents.

Apple asked for a jury trial, and for damages including Qualcomm paying the company what it owes plus giving up excessive royalties it has raked in.

Qualcomm did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

The Apple filing came three days after the US Federal Trade Commission filed suit in federal court in California claiming Qualcomm abused its market power in as part of its "unlawful maintenance of a monopoly in baseband processors," which are devices that enable cellular communications in phones and other products.

Qualcomm rejected the agency's case as "significantly flawed," arguing that reasoning at the heart of the civil complaint is wrong.
TORONTO, ONTGay hookup site Squirt.org is making a statement in support of LGBT rights with a billboard campaign that launched on January 17 to coincide with the inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump. The signs, featuring two guys holding the American flag along with the words Dear Mr. President, Lets Make America Gay Again, will appear in Los Angeles and New York City.

The billboards, a play on the Trumps campaign slogan Lets Make America Great Again, are a part of Squirt.orgs effort to support gay rights as well as to positively encourage Trump and his administration to take LGBT rights seriously. Billboards will be placed along Hollywood Boulevards Walk of Fame in Los Angeles and in New York Citys West Village, Chelsea and surrounding neighborhoods.

LGBT rights are in question with the incoming Trump administration which has vigorously campaigned to roll back many of the rights that protect these communities. So we say, Lets make America gay again. Lets make it happy and inclusive, said Attila Szatmari, digital business director for Pink Triangle Press, Squirt.orgs parent company.

The billboards are the culmination of much discussion and fear by many in the gay community who are apprehensive about the Trump presidency. Trumps opposition in 2016 to gay marriage and support for judges who would seek to overturn the Marriage Equality Act that legalized gay unions is one of many points of contention.

Transgender rights are also in question as Trump has voiced his support for the controversial law in North Carolina that bans transgender individuals from using bathrooms that do not coincide with the gender individuals are born as.

In a recent Life Evaluation survey conducted by the Gallup poll, it was reported that a 10-point overall decline in thriving was seen in the LGBT community in both the Democrat and Republican parties. There has also been evidence of a negative effect associated with Trumps election campaign among lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) American adults. This drop in life evaluations among LGBT American adults after the announcement of Trumps victory is part of a more general pattern revealed among all Democrats, whose outlook on life also dropped significantly. Whats interesting is that the poll reveals in the month prior to the election, 59% of Democrats were slightly more likely to self-identify as thriving, where a decline to 50% was seen post-election. Furthermore, the large decline in life evaluations among LGBT adults does not appear to be a result of the LGBT Democratic leanings. Among LGBT individuals, the 10-point overall decline in "thriving" is seen in both Democrats and Republicans. This may suggest that concerns about the development of the upcoming Trump administration cross party lines among LGBT people.

With more American adults identifying as LGBT, Squirt.org calls on Trump to be a President for everyone, said Attila Szatmari.

In a Bloomberg Political article released Fall of 2016, a Gallup poll showed that a record-high reported 60% of Americans support same-sex marriage.

While the final outcome of Trump's position on LGBT rights is unknown, Squirt.org will be placing the billboard sign on Hollywood Boulevards Walk of Fame at 7038 Hollywood Blvd.

Those wishing to learn more or find out what they can do to voice their support for gay and LGBT rights, click here.
Interpol meet concludes with a vow to unite against terrorism

The global terrorism network is ever expanding and no country is immune to the threats terrorists pose.
Less than an hour after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the new administration outlined on the White House website its energy policy, which aims to focus on gas and oil, and reviving the coal industry.

It also indicates the Climate Action Plan, introduced in 2013, will be scrapped.

"Sound energy policy begins with the recognition that we have vast untapped domestic energy reserves right here in America. The Trump administration will embrace the shale oil and gas revolution to bring jobs and prosperity to millions of Americans."

On top of oil and gas, there will be a new focus on coal.

"The Trump administration is also committed to clean coal technology, and to reviving America's coal industry, which has been hurting for too long," the website says.

Coal provides half of the world's electricity, but also produces roughly 39 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions, which is helping to accelerate climate change, scientists say.

Clean coal technology is a collection of methods whereby the dirtiest properties of coal are eliminated (another form separates the carbon molecules). However, it's not entirely without pollution and also increases the cost of getting that energy.

The administration's plan was released just two days after the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its annual analysis on the global temperature for 2016. It was the third year in a row where temperatures hit a new high.

Policies will be scrapped

The Trump administration plans to get rid of two environmental policies enacted by the Obama administration.

The Climate Action Plan, which focused on cutting carbon pollution, preparing the U.S. for climate change and leading an international effort on the issue and the Waters of the U.S. rule, which was enacted to protect national waterways, including lakes, rivers and streams, through the Environmental Protection Agency.

During the election campaign, Trump said he wanted to eliminate the agency.

Story continues

"Protecting clean air and clean water, conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority," the website says."President Trump will refocus the [Environmental Protection Agency] on its essential mission of protecting our air and water."

Trump has also been vocal about his skepticism over climate change, once saying that it was a hoax invented by the Chinese.

The White House website says the Trump administration's goal is to protect the environment.

- PHOTOS | Highlights from the inauguration

- WATCH | The inauguration in 2 minutes

- ANALYSIS | Trump fires off 'confrontational, angry, populist' inaugural address
FRIDAY, Jan. 20, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- A blood test may help determine a person's chance of surviving an Ebola infection, researchers say.

"It is not just defining how much Ebola virus that is present in a patient that defines whether a patient will survive. How the patient fights the infection is also key," said John Connor, an associate professor of microbiology at Boston University School of Medicine.

Figuring out common aspects of how the immune system responds in people who have survived the often-deadly infection might help researchers learn ways to keep an Ebola virus infection from being fatal, Connor said in a university news release.

American and British scientists looked at blood samples from infected and surviving patients during the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The researchers identified a small number of genes whose "expression" accurately predicts survival of patients infected with the virus.

The blood samples also revealed that an immediate strong immune system response to Ebola doesn't affect whether patients live or die. In addition, the findings showed that the virus causes significant liver damage.

According to study author Julian Hiscox, "Our study provides a benchmark of Ebola virus infection in humans, and suggests that rapid analysis of a patient's response to infection in an outbreak could provide valuable predictive information on disease outcome." Hiscox is a professor and virologist with the Institute of Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool.

Another author, Miles Carroll, added, "This study helps us to further our understanding of the human response to Ebola virus infection."

Carroll, director of research at Public Health England, said, "This understanding should enable more effective patient care resulting in improved clinical outcomes in future outbreaks."

The study was published online Jan. 19 in the journal Genome Biology.

The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa sickened more than 28,000 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and killed more than 11,000.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on Ebola.
kjun

WASHINGTON  In the next four years, North Korea may join China and Russia as the only countries with the ability to reach the US's West Coast with nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

"Over the past year, North Korea has crossed technical thresholds that were previously thought to be beyond their reach for years," Victor Cha, senior adviser and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said during a panel discussion.

"The normally aggressive regime has taken an unusually violent path, even by their own extraordinary standards," Cha added.

In the last 14 years, Pyongyang was responsible for 16 missile tests and one nuclear test. By comparison, in 2016 alone, the Hermit Kingdom conducted 25 ballistic-missile tests and two nuclear tests.

A timeline of North Korea's missile tests so far in 2016 

The acceleration and frequency in testing shows not only the North's nuclear ambitions but also that the rogue nation has developed something of an arsenal.

Which leaves the obvious question, what does North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ultimately want?

kju

"What does Kim Jong-un want?" Cha said repeating the question. "I think he wants to ... he wants a peace treaty with the United States as a nuclear weapons state. I think that's what he wants."

"I would add to that, that the North Koreans clearly would like to loosen, if not fracture, US alliances with Seoul and Tokyo, beginning with Seoul, certainly," said Ambassador Robert Gallucci, the lead negotiator with North Korea in the 1990s in the Agreed Framework process.

Story continues

"And they will do a lot to achieve that, and including, perhaps, enter negotiations," Gallucci noted.

"Similar to what Bob said, [Kim Jong Un] also wants China to continue to treat North Korea as a special relationship, not a normal state-to-state relationship," said Chris Johnson, senior adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"And I would add to it also that he wants to be able to maintain total control, a type of government that he has with him as the pure dictator," said retired US Army General Walter "Skip" Sharp, a former commander of US Forces-Korea.

The panel of scholar-practitioners agreed that the new administration would have to deal with North Korea "almost immediately upon taking office."

"More often than not, we measure the mettle of presidencies by the unexpected crises that they must deal with. For President Bush, this was clearly the terrorist attacks of 9/11, it completely changed almost every element of his presidency. For President-elect Trump, this crisis could very well come from North Korea," Cha said.

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

NOW WATCH: Meet THAAD: Americas answer to North Korean threats





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The estimated 200,000 people planning to crowd the streets of the nations capital a day after Donald Trumps inauguration as the 45th president arent organized by a single group. Sister marches are planned for all 50 states and in 32 countries around the world.

You can watch all the events streamed on the USA Today site.

As The Guardian reports, hundreds of people joined protests in Tokyo, including many American expatriates. Trump presidency gets my blood boiling  Everything we value could be gone. Its time to speak your mind and concerns and to do our best to salvage the values we cherish in America, said Bill Scholer, an art teacher.

In Manila on Friday, about 200 demonstrators from a Philippine nationalist group rallied for about an hour against Trump outside the US embassy. Some held up signs demanding US troops leave the Philippines, and others set fire to a paper US flag bearing a picture of Trumps face.

Protesters in Australia and New Zealand were the first to start marching today. In Sydney, Australias biggest city, about 3,000 people gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the US consulate downtown. A further 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne. In New Zealand there were marches in four cities, involving around 2,000 people.

Feminism is my Trump card and Fight like a girl, were among the placards seen in Sydney. Organiser Mindy Freiband told Reuters: Were not marching as an anti-Trump movement per se, were marching to protest the hate speech, the hateful rhetoric, the misogyny, the bigotry, the xenophobia and we want to present a united voice with women around the globe.

Many of the protesters in Sydney and Melbourne wore pink hats, which activists referred to as their pussyhats. Many said they were worried that Trumps politics and his attitude towards women and minorities could spread. As a mature 56-year-old lesbian, I feel for the first time what is global is local, said Vicki Skehan. Weve come so far with inclusiveness and I dont want to see that go away.

See also: Protesters smash windows, set limousine on fire, pepper sprayed near Trump inauguration.

Pictures are flooding in of preparations and marches. Here are a few from Thailand and Australia.

Womens March LA is already taking over Pershing Square. Here are some of the brilliant designs. #womensmarchlosangeles #womensmarch pic.twitter.com/Rm8M141cFV  Evelyn Bertrand (@EvelynRBertrand) 20  2017 .


Ronald Reagan

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

Albert Einstein

If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time - a tremendous whack.

Winston Churchill





It isnt so much that liberals are ignorant. Its just that they know so many things that arent so.

With integrity nothing else counts; Without integrity nothing else counts.

Winston Churchill





Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.

Harvey S. Firestone





It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office. H. L. Menken



Referenda insure all have a voice in land use decisions.

U.S. Supreme Court

Listen carefully to first criticism of your work. Note just what it is about your work the critics don't like - then cultivate it. That's the only part of your work that's individual and worth keeping.

Jean Cocteau
Several heads of space agencies from all over the globe held a meeting in Marrakech on the sidelines of COP22 to discuss the prospects for cooperation in the field of earth observation in the context of climate change.

The event, held in the Moroccan pavilion on the side lines of COP22, was an opportunity for the heads of space agencies to reiterate resolve to support international efforts to implement the Paris Agreement, said a statement published on COP22 website (cop22.ma).

The statement reported that Salaheddine Mezouar, President of COP22, highlighted the importance of the meeting, saying that data sharing between space agencies is key to understanding and countering climate change.

He urged data sharing and adequate funding to developing states to support their endeavor to adapt to climate change, and said satellite agencies can help small island states develop an efficient early warning system for environmental risks.

For her part, French Minister of the Environment and President of the COP 21, Segolene Royal, said that the meeting is one of the most important side events at COP22 as it aims at facilitating an international independent data collection and sharing system in order to back climate adaptation efforts.

On the same occasion, Minister-Delegate for National Defence, Abdellatif Loudiyi, said that this meeting in Marrakech is an opportunity to enhance cooperation mechanisms between these space research centers.

He said space technology, notably in terms of earth observation satellites, should be geared towards assisting the decision making process, noting that satellite monitoring of the planet puts technology at the service of achieving climate resilience.

In this respect, Loudiyi called for improving the access of African countries to satellite services to help them develop climate resilience plans.

In the same vein, head of the French National Centre for Space Studies (CENS) indicated that satellite monitoring will help ensure that commitments under the Paris Agreement are upheld by sharing maps of greenhouse gas emissions.

Held by Moroccos Royal Centre for Remote Sensing (CRTS), the Royal Center for Spatial Studies and Research (CRERS) and the French CNES, the event brought together heads of space agencies from several countries including Morocco, Germany, Italy, the UAE, Mexico and Norway as well as the President of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and the director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).
Seventeen Algerian nationals are branded as high value targets in a confidential document of French Directorate of Military Intelligence published lately by le Monde Daily.

The list of seventeen Algerians most wanted by the French security services includes Mokhtar Belmokhtar, leaders of of Al Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQMI), the extremist group Ansar Eddine, and the Movement for Unity and Jihad in Africa West (Mujao).

The list also includes the names of some terrorists who were reportedly killed such as Abdelwahab Al-Harrachi, Omar Ould Hamaha (Mokhtar Belmokhtars father-in-law), the Emir of Al-Mourabitoune, Abu Bakr Al-Nasr, Ahmed Al-Tilemsi, Abdelkrim Al-Twargui.

According to Algerian authorities, nearly 55,000 people have been accused of committing terrorist offenses since the countrys bloody civil war of the 1990s which claimed 200,000 lives.

The brutal conflict broke out between armed Islamist groups and security forces after the army canceled a 1992 election that Islamist politicians were poised to win.

It ended when Algerians voted in a referendum in September 2005 to approve a reconciliation deal that led to 15,000 Islamists being pardoned in exchange for surrendering.

Algeria has sentenced hundreds of people to death. Groups affiliated to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) remain active in the northeast where they carry out regular attacks on the security forces.

Authorities have also reported attacks by the Jund al-Khilafa extremist movement which is linked to the ISIS.
Traders now offer .999 fine gold

Local bullion traders are now able to offer .999 fine gold as banks have started importing gold with a purity of 24 carat.
In an exclusive interview, Chris Yelland, investigative editor at EE Publishers, posed ten questions to David Nicholls, Eskoms chief nuclear officer, to explore issues surrounding Eskoms proposed new nuclear procurement programme for South Africa, and to try and understand Eskoms thinking.

These are his responses, published below in slightly edited form for compactness.

Q1: Please comment on suggestions that the nuclear procurement process followed to date by the Department of Energy (DoE) is secretive, illegal and flawed, and that transparency will worsen under Eskom?

Over the last few years, the information discovery and analysis process has been handled by the DoE, in parallel with Eskom in a supporting role. Yes, some people do believe that the nuclear new-build is a done deal, that terms have been agreed to, and that we are now catching up with the paperwork to make it look legal.

But Eskom is now handling the procurement, and we are not aware of any such agreement. Contrary to worsening transparency under Eskom, we will at all times do what we can to avoid being secretive, and publish information publicly.

As for being illegal and flawed, I cant really comment on the claimed illegality, but if no agreement has been made, I cant see how such agreement can be illegal. As there are only four or five potential vendors competent to supply this kind of technology and likely to submit bids, and these vendors are known to Eskom, we could have opted for a closed bid process.

However, Eskom will almost certainly go out to open tender, with the request for proposals (RFP) document published on the Eskom and National Treasury websites, just as we did with the request for information (RFI) issued in December 2016, to ensure that we are seen to be transparent.

Q2: The DoE and Eskom indicated it intended to issue a substantial request for proposals (RFP) for new nuclear by mid-2016 and then by end-2016, but at the last minute this was changed to a brief request for information (RFI) issued in December 2016. Why was this?

I cant comment on earlier DoE announcements as to when the RFP would be issued, or on the reasons for their delays. What I can say is that on 14 December 2016 a Section 34 determination was gazetted, which designated Eskom as the procuring agent for the nuclear new-build, in place of the DoE.

That was when our procurement process really started, although we had been thinking earlier about what we could do. We are well aware of National Treasurys guidelines, and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) requirements, which require certain interactions with National Treasury.

Although we had asked for meetings with National Treasury, these had not taken place before 14 December 2016. Eskom picked up the task as a clean sheet in the middle of December 2016, and took a view that we should issue an RFI to confirm some of the assumptions, insofar as we can.

This was the reason the RFI was issued in December 2016. We are approaching National Treasury now to discuss various exemptions and waivers we require, as is conventional for any large project of this nature.

Q3: Could an RFP have been issued without knowing if, how much and when nuclear power was required in SA in terms of an updated IRP, and without specific authorisation by Treasury?

Whilst there is a pre-existing, gazetted Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity, IRP 2010-2030, and a gazetted Section 34 determination, Eskom still needed certain authorisations from National Treasury in order to commence with the commercial process through issuing an RFP.

These include, for example, the criteria for bid selection. On the matter of cost and affordability, although we have a pretty good idea about what nuclear power stations cost based on our surveys of export deals and their scope in the last ten years or so, there is no nuclear power plant price list out there.

The RFI may provide indicative prices based on previous projects, but will not provide estimates for new projects. So the only time you really know the price is when you have a formal bid in front of you, and the fine details have been negotiated. And if you cant start the process before you know the outcome, you will never start.

Q4: What is the envisaged procurement time-line, and when will the RFP likely be issued, evaluated, project approvals obtained, and orders placed for a nuclear new-build in SA?

The RFI calls for information to be available at the end of April 2017. Our target is then to get the RFP out by mid-2017, with evaluation of the vendor proposals by the end of 2017. That would be an ideal situation, and I am not going to pretend that it couldnt be later.

We will then need to negotiate with the vendors, one at a time, to select a preferred vendor, and then move into the localisation discussions.

But from the moment weve selected the preferred vendor, my belief is we will start contracting the long lead items at risk.

We will then start doing things like submission of the licencing application for the chosen technology to the nuclear safety authority.

And it will probably take about a year, or longer, from initial start to get the contract finalised. As for site work, this would start with putting in some roads to get access to the site, physically clearing the site, terracing, digging holes in the ground, and pouring of concrete.

I estimate this would primarily be constrained by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, and approval and issuing of the necessary permits. But this work could conceivably commence in 2018, or if we are lucky, maybe even in 2017 for early, off-site work, like roads.

Q5: There have been suggestions of a hostile working relationship between Eskom and National Treasury since the public spat in 2016 surrounding coal contracts. Is this delaying the RFP?

From Eskoms vantage point, since being designated the procurement agent, owner and operator of the nuclear new-build in SA on 14 December 2016, there have been no delays due to National Treasury.

We have the RFP virtually ready to go, and there were clearly no delays by National Treasury in Eskoms issuing the RFI.

We are now approaching National Treasury to discuss the proposed RFP, and we dont foresee any problems.

But neither I nor the Eskom nuclear procurement team have any previous working relationship with National Treasury, and therefore we cant comment further at this stage.

We assume there wont be any delays by National Treasury because this is a national project with cabinet blessing.

Q6: Please can you advise Eskoms estimated pre-tax real levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) from an Eskom-driven nuclear new-build in SA, and the assumptions on which this is based?

This is a difficult question, because the assumptions themselves tend to be business driven activities, but Eskom has a very straightforward view.

We have issued ourselves an internal target that for this project to make sense, the LCOE from the nuclear new-build must be between R0,80 and R1,00/kWh for the first two reactor units.

This is based upon the assumptions of Eskoms standard discount rates, with export credit financing at rates Eskom is currently getting, and overnight costs for the plant that are inside the envelope we are seeing in the world market at the moment.

So as key assumptions, we are looking at an overnight capital cost for the early machines in the range of US$4500/kW, a reactor construction time of six years, plant economic life of 60 years, and fixed and variable operating and maintenance costs of about R0,27/kWh including fuel costs, which is what we are currently achieving at Koeberg in todays money.

Regarding the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) assumed, I dont know. I think its the Eskom standard one, but I am not able to give you an answer at this stage.

Q7: Can you expand on the requirements and rationale in the RFI for Eskom to own the global intellectual property (IP) rights for the technology deployed in the nuclear new-build in SA?

The RFI is asking for information on behalf of the South African industry to clarify and understand exactly what we would be getting. Government policy is to use the construction of a nuclear fleet to build and sustain a domestic industrial capacity.

To do that there has to be a market for it. So, were asking in the RFI  at design, overall plant and component level  to maximise localisation, and that also links to the IP rights.

We would like to secure the rights to build the plant ourselves, and ideally, in due course, to export locally manufactured nuclear components, or even the entire plant at some stage.

This was the route taken by the French, the Chinese and the Koreans in technology transfers which they got from different countries to build their own nuclear power industry capability.

Ownership of IP does not necessarily mean license-free ownership, and there might be a license agreement for a portion of the project.

So were not just saying: Give it to us. We are asking potential vendors: What are you prepared to consider?

Q8: Can you share Eskoms preferred business model for the construction, ownership and operation of the proposed nuclear new-build in SA?

First of all, any business model is also dependent on what options are proposed to us by the bidders.

But clearly, the Section 34 determination has designated Eskom, or an Eskom subsidiary, as the owner-operator of the nuclear plant. For ownership, we see a similar model to Koeberg.

Eskom will own it, Eskom will operate it. At Koeberg, operation has been predominantly a South African run activity since it started up, but if we need operational help, we will contract it.

Regarding construction, as with Medupi, Kusile and Ingula, Eskom will contract somebody else to build the power plants for us. Therefore, in a real sense, to begin with we expect a turn-key contract, as it was with Koeberg.

This is the way most of the recent successful export deals in the world have been done. We want to benefit from the expertise and experience of the vendor.

We want to buy a machine that the vendor is already building for somebody else, a generic machine that will not be unique to SA. To begin with, like Koeberg, the vendor would play a major construction role, and then hopefully, it will become more of a South African activity as time goes on.

Q9: Would the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) main contractor for the nuclear new-build be required to be a South African company in which the nuclear vendor, Eskom, South African contractors, BEE partners, etc., are shareholders?

Inevitably there are several key contractors involved, such as the reactor plant vendor, turbine plant vendor, civil works contractor, and others.

These are all integral parts of the turnkey offer. What we expect is for the successful bidder to form a company to be the EPC main contractor, with the key contractors as shareholders or joint venture (JV) partners.

Classically, performance guarantees to the customer (Eskom in this case) are provided by the JV company, and also jointly and severely from the different principle parties.

We would like the principle vendors to create a proper EPC contracting company, which is staffed and does the physical work in South Africa as the local contracting agent. And wed like the ownership of the EPC company to be split between Eskom, and the vendors.

Initially the vendors would hold the majority of the shares in the EPC company, say 74%, with Eskom (or another South African entity under government control) holding 26%.

This is also key to the IP discussed earlier, which would be transferred to this company by the vendors at the beginning of the process. Thus, the EPC company would control the IP, and Eskom, as a minority shareholder, would have access to it.

However, Eskom would want the right to take on more shares in the EPC company as more reactors are ordered, with the goal to move ownership and control of the IP progressively from the vendors to Eskom.

This is a view we have at Eskom as one way of doing things. Its a possible way  we certainly do not think its the only way  and we ask the vendors to indicate if they are happy with this.

Q10: Is a nuclear new-build in SA a flexible, least-cost decision of least regret in an uncertain world, where electricity demand is unpredictable, and where disruptive technologies abound?

Eskom has the view that nuclear power is the only credible option for new baseload generation in SA. Eskom currently has some 34 000 MW (34 GW) of existing coal fleet, ranging from middle-aged to pretty old.

In the next 20 to 30 years we need to expand our baseload capacity, and also replace a large portion of the aging plant. For despatchable baseload capacity, there are four options on the table in the world today: coal, gas, hydro and nuclear.

Within SA we have no gas and no short-term gas prospects  any gas we import is going to be at a cost. While technically gas can certainly work, the economic issues and low job-creation prospects are too significant.

There are no significant new hydro opportunities within SA, and while there are some pump storage schemes we can still build, essentially hydro power would be imported, with issues surrounding foreign exchange, security of supply and low job-creation. So that leaves coal and nuclear.

Our view is that coal is going to be increasingly challenged by environmental requirements, while nuclear power has an exceptionally good track record locally and internationally on both safety and economics.

Source: EE Publishers
The Ford Kuga has made regular appearances in the news recently, due to numerous reports of its engine bursting into flames.

MyBroadband spoke to a number of used car dealerships about the pricing of used Ford Kugas and whether the spate of fires has affected the cars value.

This applies to the Kuga 1.6 model in particular, which has been recalled by Ford South Africa due to a overheating fault which causes engine fires.

There have been around 50 reported incidents of Kugas catching fire in SA since December 2015.

Only 1.6-litre models built between December 2012 and February 2014 are covered by the recall, said Ford. This totals 4,556 vehicles locally.

Pre-owned sales

One dealer told MyBroadband that due to the news surrounding the Kuga fires, the prices of its used Ford Kuga models have seen a notable decrease over the last four weeks.

The dealership did not provide exact figures regarding the decrease in the price of its used models.

Another used car dealership said that all Ford Kuga prices have fallen since the vehicles began bursting into flames, including newer models and engine versions which are not affected by the recall.

Other Kuga models not affected by the recall include the 1.5-litre Trend and 2.0-litre Titanium models.

Despite Gumtree classifieds placing the value of affected Ford Kugas at above R200,000, the Dispatch reported that many owners have been struggling to sell their vehicles for anywhere near their book value.

As a result of the engine fires, Kuga owners are reportedly being offered prices as low as R115,000 from dealerships.

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YEREVAN.  Way Out bloc stands for consolidation of those who are supporting their ideas and who see the future of Armenia as a country living on the European model, representative of the bloc Aam Sargsyan told Armenain News-NEWS.am.

The bloc is striving to have a country with fair elections where wealthy people are paying taxes. Aram Sargsyan said they are ready to unite with other forces that will sign a document, and added that all decisions within their bloc are taken by consensus.

However, we have not been addressed either by Prosperous Armenia, nor any other party. We did not discuss this issue, Sargsyan said.

As for the Heritage party, the discussions have started, but for some reasons of personal and technical nature, they were interrupted. Raffi Hovannisian has left for the United States, and the process will resume upon his return.

Our doors are open for Heritage. Our approaches coincide with the approaches of that party, he assured.

Sargsyan is confident that the current government wants to see us opposed to the bloc of Tsarukyan, to Oskanian-Ohanyan alliance, but competition is not our task.
YEREVAN.  Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and UK Secretary of State n Boris Johnson exchanged messages in connection with the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his message to Edward Nalbandian said that during the years cooperation between Armenia and UK developed significantly, as reflected through political dialogue and active inter-parliamentary relations, the positive dynamics in the field of economy and trade, the expansion of cultural and educational exchanges and effective cooperation in the international arena.

In his letter Boris Johnson said that Britain attaches great importance to 25 years of cooperation during which UK made a significant contribution in terms of democracy, prosperity and stability. He welcomed the reforms and noted that the UK contributes to this process. Boris Johnson said that Britain will continue to assist the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at finding peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The foreign ministers expressed hope that through the joint efforts cooperation will be further expanded and deepened.
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Armenian MOD: Azerbaijani Armed Forces open fire in direction of Armenian positions

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U.S. says G7 countries realize need for coordinated response to China

Round-the-clock curfew is introduced in Kherson

Borrell says they can't put China and Russia on same level

Olaf Scholz calls on China to influence Russia

G7 foreign ministers express 'unwavering commitment' to protecting Ukraine, criticized PRC and IRI

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Erdogan signs up for TikTok

China's army is constantly preparing for war amid provocative U.S. actions

Kalin: Armenia is constructive about normalization of relations

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US embassy in Armenia issues statement ahead of November 5 protests in Yerevan

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Fitch Ratings has affirmed Armenia's Long-Term Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'B+' with Stable Outlook.

The issue ratings on Armenia's senior unsecured Long-Term Foreign Currency bonds have also been affirmed at 'B+'. The Country Ceiling has been affirmed at 'BB-' and the Short-Term Foreign Currency and Local Currency IDRs at 'B'.

Fitch does not expect material changes in the direction of economic policy after Armenias parliamentary elections in 2017.

According to Fitch, the ratings are weighed down by high net external debt, high fiscal deficits leading to a rising debt burden, a highly dollarised banking sector and tensions with some neighbouring countries.

Growth has weakened, as Fitch estimates 0.8% growth in 2016 reflecting weak domestic demand, partly as a result of lower remittances inflows. Growth will increase gradually in 2017 and 2018, reaching 2.1% and 3.1%, respectively, driven by the expected recovery in the Russian economy and moderate recovery in commodity prices. Fiscal consolidation in 2017 creates risks for Armenia's recovery path.

Fitch estimates Armenia's public debt reached 56.8% of GDP in 2016, similar to the 'B' category median.
YEREVAN. - President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Saturday had a meeting with the participants of the youth assembly of the 16th congress of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA). The meeting with nearly 300 members of the partys youth organization took place in Tigran Mets Hall of Armenia Marriott Hotel.

The President delivered a welcome speech to the participants, thanking the event organizers for the interesting discussion. He also underscored the importance of such assemblies and discussions on different issues, which according to the President, are one of the best ways to constantly keep abreast with the society.

Sargsyan noted that he is always pleased to meet with the youth, and has at least five or six such meetings annually.

During these meetings, I have fortunately seen various bright individuals. I see that the youth are able to unite, find common interest and try solving different issues more easily. This is a very important circumstance.

An individual game has always been one of the strong sides of our people. But we have oftentimes limped in a team game, although such examples also exits, starting from Ararat 73 to fighting in different fronts and our chess team. Nevertheless, we have always limped in team games. But this is very important, and I can see a change in this psychology. You must be leaders and we must be able to act by united forces, he noted.

This year we entered the second 25th anniversary of our statehood, the second 25th anniversary of our republic. It must exceed the first 25th anniversary by several times in terms of its efficiency, since all the preconditions for this are in place. From this perspective, we carried out the constitutional reforms aiming to raise the efficiency level of governance in our country. The first two-three years will be very important and groundbreaking.

I am glad that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Government of the Republic of Armenia has launched systematic and structural reforms. Without serious changes we will not be able to ensure the situation our people and all of us strive for, and for which we are ready to do a lot. Lets specify these many things and say that without the active participation of the youth, their vigor and courage, without educated and just people we cannot achieve significant success. Therefore, we must work in this direction. Sargsyan stressed.

He also noted that the most important thing for the youth is to be active and have their position.
DILIJAN. - The position of the international community on Nagorno-Karabakh is apparent.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned at the meeting with demobilized servicemen in Dilijan on Friday.

According to him, nobody has a right to force Artsakh people to live according to their conditions.

Those who live there should decide their status on their own. Nobody has the right to force them to live according to their conditionsneither Azerbaijan, nor Armenia and not even others. I am not saying that the will of the Armenian people should be ignored. Not at all, since without Armenia and our entire people, those living in Karabakh can never resolve that issue. But this doesnt mean that we must decide instead of them. We must support them so that their will is fulfilled. I am sure that one day the Nagonro-Karabakh issue will be resolved exactly this way, Sargsyan said.

Referring to the negotiation process, Sargsyan noted that there have been different approaches and proposals on the settlement process but never have the Armenians been so close to the goal mentioned by him than now. The positions of the international community have never been so precise either, he added.

Currently the stance of the international community is apparent: the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh must be decided by its residents. But the thing is that we are dealing with a side, whose aim is to displace the Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. They were able to do this in Nakhchivan and other Armenian-settled areas, this being their goal. Therefore, there is no confidence here. And if there is no confidence, we must be able to enshrine many details, which will not enable them to stop halfway, the President noted.

Furthermore, the he stressed that Point 1 of Madrid Principles also enshrines that the status of Nagorno-Karabakh shall be decided by its residents.
DILIJAN. - Armenia should conduct a thoroughly considered policy in arms procurement.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned at the meeting with demobilized servicemen in Dilijan on Friday.

According to him, in doing this, the country should follow three principles. The first one is not to follow the example of Azerbaijan. That is, if Baku purchases a jet for $30 million, it is necessary to acquire air defense means for a less amount. I am not saying we shouldnt have jets. We should have everything that is most necessary. Or, if the Azerbaijani side purchases T-90 or T-92 for $2,5-3 million, it is first of all necessary to obtain anti-tank means, which are much cheaper. And since we have no aim to attack, the anti-tank means are more than enough, Sargsyan noted, reiterating that not only the quantity should be taken into account.

According to him, the second principle is transparent and honest procurements, as well as correct talks which will enable to obtain weapons at a cheaper price.

The third principle is to be able to use the existing weapons better than the adversary and have a more professional army staff. There is no other way. By following these principles, we are fully able to keep the situation in balance, he assured.
DILIJAN. - The Constitutional amendments will only positively impact the combat-readiness of the army.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned at the meeting with demobilized servicemen in Dilijan on Friday, adding that he can already see positive trends in the Defense Ministry today.

I want to praise the Defense Minister on that relevant people indeed hold relevant offices. And, overall, boys who have manifested their courage should serve in the Defense Ministry, the President said, stressing that the Constitutional amendments would never had been initiated if they were not to positively impact the army.

Sarsgyan noted that the obligation of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief is to mobilize the countrys resources for solving a military and political task. But how can he mobilize if these decisions are made by the Government? Imagine what would happen if the right to make such decisions in the Government belonged to another political force. It wont take such a decision. Lets say, we need $100 million 50 billion to solve a military and political task, while the given political force thinks that this $50 billion should be spent on reducing the poverty in Armenia. That is, currently, the responsibility is on the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the right being in another place. We have so far been able to resolve this issue, since we are the same political force in the Presidents Office and the Government. But if this balance is disturbed, many problems may arise. We have done the following: the one who has rights is the one who is responsible. We have made an adjustment and thereby raised the role of the Defense Minister, the President noted, adding that the Defense Minister is a member equivalent to the Government.

Under the new Constitution, the Defense Minister will have a wide scope of actions in peaceful period, while the troops will obey the Government. During military period, the Prime Minister will become the Commander-in-Chief, there being no danger here in terms of the army, the President stressed.
DILIJAN. - No talks on setting peacekeeping forces on the Karabakh-Azerbaijani contact line are underway or have ever been held.

President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said the aforementioned at the meeting with demobilized servicemen in Dilijan on Friday.

According to him, after the settlement of the Karabakh conflict, the peacekeeping forces will eventually be set up, that is certain.

To the question of one of the servicemen as to whether it is not time to punish Azerbaijan, which had increased its territory during the April war, Sargsyan said:I have never supported the view that we can force capitulation on Azerbaijan. In the modern world only the states which have a significant role and exceed their adversary by dozens of times can seize the territories of another country.

Suppose we initiate a military operation and seize another two or three areas. What will this result in afterwards? Will the Azeris surrender? If you mean another thingthat we should not only defend ourselves but also initiate actions when they launch military actionsthat is also an option. An option, which is constantly considered by us. But what is acceptable to us is to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and give it a final status.

Referring to the nation-army ideology, Sargsan said: We were a nation-army in Karabakh, since the danger was great. Our people did their best for us not to lose Karabakh and defend our borders. Fortunately we managed to do this. We paid a great price but managed to defend ourselves, this being the most important thing. Participants of the nation-army should not necessarily be in Armenia: All those who live in the United States, Russia or Argentina and support this idea are members of the nation-army.
When Evaristo lived in his native Cuba, hardly a day went by where he wasnt dealing with water-related problems such as contaminated drinking water, leaky pipes or streets flooded with raw sewage.

The 60-year-old emigrated to the United States two years ago, leaving those problems behind. But when he returned to Cuba recently to visit his daughter in Havana, he discovered matters hadnt improved but worsenedhe still had to drink bottled water, shower late at night when the water pressure was sufficient, and avoid swimming in dirty rivers and streams.

Everything in the island needs refurbishing, he told University of Miami student Nancy Mendoza while waiting for a friend at Miami International Airport (MIA). Water is no different.

His story is a recurring one for Mendoza, a Miami Law student who for the past year has been conducting surveys of newly arriving travelers from Cuba to document the water problems on the Communist island.

Her work is part of an interdisciplinary study by College of Engineering Professor Helena Solo-Gabriele, School of Communication Professor Joseph B. Treaster and Catholic University of America sociologist Enrique Pumar to determine the state of the water in Cuba.

The information we have on Cuban water is old and the data that is available is not peer-reviewed, said Solo-Gabriele, who is of Cuban descent but has not visited the island. We wanted to know the state of the water on the island.

Initially funded by the UM Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) and the Center for Communication, Culture and Change at the School of Communication, the study hopes to quantify the availability of water, its quality and the impact it may have on peoples health, said Solo-Gabriele.

Nancy Mendoza, a Miami Law L.L.M. student from Venezuela, interviews a Cuban resident in Miami as he waits for family to arrive from Havana at the Miami International Airport.

So far Mendoza and other UM students participating in the study have logged 500 interviews through a 43-question questionnaire. They hope to finish 100 more for the study to be completed. The interviews are taking place at Miami International Airport so as to avoid the restrictions Cuba would impose on external scrutiny of the countrys infrastructure, said the scholars.

Cuba water issues stem from an obsolete and deteriorating infrastructure. The original water and sewage systems on the island were installed prior to the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Very little maintenance has been done on the system in the five decades since, said Solo-Gabriele.

Daily water shortages, leaky pipes, non-working toilets and contaminated water is common. This may surprise many people, especially tourists who are visiting the island by the thousands since renewed relations between the U.S. and Cuba were established in 2014, said Treaster, who has worked on other water-related projects and visited Cuba many times in the 80s and '90s as a reporter for the New York Times.

First thing I thought was Cuba has a great reputation for public health, what water problems could there be, said Treaster, but then he remembered that as a visiting journalist he only drank bottled water.

Tourists who visit the island encounter a very different reality with water issues. Hot baths and potable water is available around the clock for those who visit Cuba and stay at hotels, said Solo-Gabriele. But for every day citizens the reality of dealing with water issues can be daunting.

A large part of the problem in Havana stems from the aquifer underneath the Almendares River, said Solo-Gabriele. The river is receiving all of the sewage and river water infiltrates into the aquifer, putting the drinking water at risk.

Among the initial findings of the study:

Water scarcity affects Cuban citizens almost daily.

The outdated pipes are so corroded that often the water is contaminated.

Most Cubans have cisterns or water tanks in their yards to store water because official water systems usually provide running water for a few hours a day.

Water pressure is an issue in many buildings, requiring residents to use buckets to bathe themselves.

residents to use buckets to bathe themselves. Disposal of garbage is spotty. Often, the trash end s up in the water , causing health problems.

Pumar, who was born in Cuba, and has visited the island in the 70s and '80s, said that he was surprised by the extent of the water problems, noting that their interviews of newly arrived visitors cover folks who have come from several cities on the island.

We have even heard of people getting sick from bottled water that they bought on the black market, he said. One journalist got sick because he ordered ice in a restaurant.

Often, water bottles sold on street are filled with tap water and sometimes ice cubes are made with purified water, but they become contaminated by bartenders and waiters who failed to wash their hands after using the bathroom, said Treaster.

The scholars have an invitation to present at the Miami Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas at UM in the spring. Their study will be published in the journal Cuba in Transition, and they will write an article on the study for the journal Cuban Affairs.

Pumar said the scholars presented their findings at the July 2016 conference of the Study of the Cuban Economy in Miami.

They plan to launch a website with all the data to help organizations and businesses interested in investing in the island to become acquainted with the challenges.

On the practical side, the researchers want the website to be useful to the Cubans on the island and Cuban-Americans who visit their families and friends. Pumar believes that a push to educate both populations with tips such as how they should boil water and store it and the use of water filters would be very beneficial.
The following editorial is set to appear in The Dallas Morning News on Saturday, Jan. 21:

President Donald Trump ushered in a new era in American politics Friday with a brief and bold speech that laid out a muscular  and also, regrettably, insular  vision for our nation under its new leader.

In the most important speech of his life, he nodded but once to the profound divisions that remain in this country, splintered as it was by a remarkable election that made him the nations 45th president despite winning nearly 3 million fewer votes than his opponent.

In that lone reference, he assured America that there is no reason to fear his policies, or his presidency. Loyalty will unite us all, he proclaimed  and quickly shifted to talk of soldiers, police and God as our guarantors.

At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.

There was little room in his speech for idealism, and no mention of the freedoms, liberties and traditions that have marked America since its inception 241 years ago.

To the rest of the world, Trump offered friendship  but friendship only on Americas terms, and in Americas best interest. Instead of promising, as John Kennedy did, to bear any burden, to pay any price to support liberty and democracy abroad, he offered a philosophy of naked self-interest.

From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, he said. From this day forward, its going to be only America first, America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

In that way his speech was unlike any of the addresses of his recent predecessors, nor those of the giants of our history. Perhaps its closest cousin was Franklin Roosevelts first address, delivered from out of the depths of the Great Depression and brimming with promises of strong executive action.

Listening to Trumps address, one would think America in 2017 was at the depths of some disastrous decay  when in fact, despite its many challenges, we remain a strong and prospering nation. Like his campaign speeches, Trump sketched a profoundly grim view of American carnage  a country whose borders have been ravaged, whose companies have been stolen and whose leaders have forgotten their people.

Using the same familiar mix of casual language and campaign-style hyperbole, Trump decried an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge. He bemoaned that mothers and children are trapped in poverty in our inner cities, rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation.

It was time for Trump to put away the no-holds-barred language of the campaign trail. Instead, he doubled down, keeping faith with that tough-talking populist message. His is a hard-nosed pragmatism that stands every chance of reducing, rather than uplifting, this nation.

It was not an auspicious start.

Trumps speech a call to arms

The following editorial is to appear in The Mercury News on Saturday, Jan. 21:

Invoking an intensely dark view of 2017 America, President Donald Trump elevated his populist stump speech to crisp rhetoric but changed not a thing in principle.

The theme was explicit protectionism  America first  and an indictment of the people of both political parties in government that he will be working with, or at least trying to persuade, to accomplish his goals.

He promises power to the people, but the empowered will be his base. There is no unified view of where America needs to go. The gap is wide, the contrast stark.

People vary widely in what they believe government should do, and a majority of voters in November did not vote for Donald Trump or the vision he set forth Friday and on the stump throughout the campaign.

We had hoped for an olive branch. There was none.

There were pro forma statements of inclusiveness  we all bleed the same red blood of patriotism; there is no place for prejudice. But the underlying assumption was of an existing equal status, that everyone enjoys the same freedoms. That is not the perception of many people in America. It is not the reality.

Nor do all see a crumbling America. Many see a country with challenges, yes, but also with 4.7 percent unemployment, with crime at lower levels than decades ago and an economy vastly improved from eight years ago.

They see a diminishing middle class for sure, but its not because the money is going overseas; its going to the highest income levels in this country, whose representatives appear to dominate the Trump administration.

Trump delivered a clear view of his vision, delivered it well  without inflammatory ad-libbed asides  and behaved in a presidential manner. It is that very vision, however, and the cabinet he is assembling to advance it, that give pause to many.

The speech was not a call for unity. It was a call to arms.
President Trump Plans 'America First' Energy Plan

Protecting clean air and clean water, conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority, and President Trump will refocus the EPA on its essential mission of protecting our air and water, the new administration says..

On his inauguration day, President Donald Trump's team began operating the White House website and posted a document about the new president's "America First Energy Plan." It pledges to reverse his predecessor's clean energy plan and the EPA Waters of the U.S. rule, saying that lifting them "will greatly help American workers, increasing wages by more than $30 billion over the next 7 years."

The energy policy he envisions will lower costs and maximize the use of domestic energy resources. "For too long, we've been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry. President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the U.S. rule," the document states. "Sound energy policy begins with the recognition that we have vast untapped domestic energy reserves right here in America. The Trump Administration will embrace the shale oil and gas revolution to bring jobs and prosperity to millions of Americans. We must take advantage of the estimated $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil, and natural gas reserves, especially those on federal lands that the American people own. We will use the revenues from energy production to rebuild our roads, schools, bridges and public infrastructure. Less expensive energy will be a big boost to American agriculture, as well. The Trump Administration is also committed to clean coal technology, and to reviving Americas coal industry, which has been hurting for too long."

"In addition to being good for our economy, boosting domestic energy production is in America's national security interest. President Trump is committed to achieving energy independence from the OPEC cartel and any nations hostile to our interests. At the same time, we will work with our Gulf allies to develop a positive energy relationship as part of our anti-terrorism strategy," it says. "Lastly, our need for energy must go hand-in-hand with responsible stewardship of the environment. Protecting clean air and clean water, conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority. President Trump will refocus the EPA on its essential mission of protecting our air and water."
The contrast between the inauguration of a president who wants to ban Muslims and a Pulitzer Prize winning play about Islam is almost too obvious to resist.

The play "Disgraced" by Ayad Akhtar opened at The Rep Friday night to a rapt audience enthralled by one of the most powerful plays of this or any other season. Its an evening designed to engender deep, and perhaps troubling, thought, and it succeeds with punch.

Akhtar's play has been produced all over since its debut in 2013, and there is a clear reason as the western world tries to deal with a religion that is vilified for its terrorist ties. Its as if those of us who live in the west  especially in the United States  are being held hostage by a religion that has no interest in holding anyone hostage.

At its most base, this play is about tribalism versus patriotism. For many, that contest is an easy one. Patriotism, for example, has become simplistic and jingoistic, and it has drawn lines around Muslims, Mexicans and people who dont look like the rest of us.

Bu Akhtars play is so much more than a simple snapshot of two sides of the same coin. It is complex, in both the relationships of the four characters, and it captures the complexities of any discussion of religious tolerance, identity profiling and painful capitulation.

The story concerns two couples: Amir and Emily, and Isaac and Jory.

Amir (Maboud Ebrahimzadeh) is a Pakistani born in the United States and now works as a high powered mergers and acquisition lawyer in a large, Jewish law firm. Amir has assimilated, having changed his name from Abdullah to the more common Kapoor and getting a new social security number to go along with his new identity.

Emily (Janie Brookshire) is a white woman of good breeding who works as an artist. The focus of her art is rooted in Islamic tradition, and she holds dear both the faith and convention of Islam. She is disquieted by the rush away from the faith by her husband.

This couple is expanded by the presence of Abe (Imran Sheikh), Amirs nephew and a young man full of the kind of exuberant and single-minded patriotism reserved for the young. His patssionate allegiance to a local Imam and his Pakistani roots is a cause of tension between Amir and Emily.

Isaac (Jason Babinsky) is a Jewish art dealer who is the object of Emily's seduction in order to get him to put her art in his next show. He arrives at dinner to tell her that she has made it. Isaac is a man who is critical of the State of Israel, especially its militarism, and he further sullies his religion by loving pork.

Jory (Austene Van) is black and a lawyer who works with Amir. She is colorful and strong, having pulled herself out of a dire upbringing to become wealthy and the object of recruitment by other big firms. As she says, in a battle between justice and order in the world, she picks order.

The dinner conversation ranges from the banal chit cat of appetizers into a mixed salad that explodes slowly but surely amid a mixture of fennel and baby artichokes on their plates.

It would be overly simplistic to try and categorize the arguments that come from each of the four. Nobody at this table is any one thing. They are all made up of different parts, different ideas, different prejudices and different pains in life all of which lead to unexpected and surprising proclamation.

The clearest conflict is between Amir and Isaac, and through it all, the Quran is pivotal evidence for the beliefs of both men. Isaac quotes it, and Amir tries to explain what the holy book really means.

AMIR: The Quran is about tribal life in a seventh-century desert. The point isnt just academic. Theres a result to believing that a book written about life in a specific society fifteen hundred years ago is the word of God: You start wanting to recreate that society. After all, its the only one in which the Quran makes any literal sense. Thats why you have people like the Taliban. Theyre trying to recreate the world in the image of the one thats in the Quran. Heres the kicker. And this is the real problem: It goes way deeper than the Taliban. To be Muslim  truly  means not only that you believe all this. It means you fight for it, too. Politics follows faith? No distinction between mosque and state? Remember all that. So if the point is that the world in the better place than this world, well, then back. Quran was a lets go. Lets stone adulterers. Lets cut off the hands of thieves. Lets kill the unbelievers. And so, even if youre one of those lapsed Muslims sipping your after-dinner scotch alongside your beautiful white American wife - and watching the news and seeing folks in Middle East dying for values you were taught were purer - and stricter - and truer ... you cant help but feel just a little a bit of pride. Pride? Yes. Pride. ISAAC: Amir. Did you feel pride on September 11th? AMIR: If Im honest ... yes.

Akhtars play almost seems to owe a debt to "Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf," by Edward Albee. The disintegration of this dinner and these two couples moves into the most horrendous and vicious kind of discussion that uncovers old wounds and rips the scabs off of recent ones. Its painful to watch but the kind of evening that only live theater can deliver.

With marvelous performances by the cast under the sublime direction of Marcela Lorca, "Disgraced" should be a must see for everyone who watched or didnt watch the folderol of inauguration day for Donald Trump. Lorca deserves immense credit for letting this play proceed at a natural rapid pace. There is little room for breath in these performances, and they're all the more real because of it.

The impact is that the audience is forced to keep up with the pace, allowing for no long moments of reflection or internal consideration. Akhtar obviously wants his audience to make judgements based on the whole of these characters, not on a single idea or revelation.

If you believe that sunlight is the best disinfectant (Justice Louis Brandeis) for bigotry and hatred and that the fact that denial of heritage is the only pathway to Americanism, then this is an evening to be celebrated.

"Disgraced runs through Feb. 12 and information on tickets and showtimes is available here.
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A new UT Dallas study examines why Christians and Muslims regularly clash in some parts of Nigeria, but live together peacefully in others.

The answer lies in different electoral rules across Nigerian districts designed to create political power-sharing between both religions, according to research by Dr. Jonas Bunte, assistant professor of public policy and political economy in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences and a co-author of the study.

For example, some districts use conventional ballots and ask citizens to decide between individual Muslim or Christian candidates. In contrast, other districts require citizens to choose between teams of candidates in which one partner must be Christian and the other Muslim. Power-sharing agreements are common in some parts of Nigeria but do not exist in others.

Districts without the agreements had four times more clashes per year than districts with agreements, according to the study published in the Journal of Peace Research. The study included incidents in which a mosque or church was destroyed and fatal clashes between Christians and Muslims.

Districts without power-sharing rules experienced an average of more than four violent events per year, while those with power-sharing rules had between zero and one event per year, researchers found.

"The popular opinion is that different religions never ever get along. It's much easier to find newspaper reports of burning churches or destroyed mosques than instances in which there's actually peaceful coexistence," Bunte said.

"We found some districts where Christians and Muslims constantly clashed over decades," Bunte said. "At the same time, there were other districts where that wasn't the case at all."

Bunte and co-author Dr. Laura Thaut Vinson assistant professor of political science at Oklahoma State University, analyzed election data, conducted interviews and collected reports of interreligious violence for the study. They focused on two areas in central Nigeria, Jos North and Chikun, where nearly equal numbers of Christians and Muslims live in the same communities, speak the same language and have similar income levels.

Jos North has no power-sharing agreements. In Chikun, Christian and Muslim candidates for top leadership positions must run on joint tickets.

"Since the tickets are made up of Christians and Muslims, they can't play the religion card," Bunte said. "They can't credibly say the other religion is bad if they have to run on a joint ticket. So this one rule, a joint ticket with someone from the other religion, changes the dynamics completely."

Power-sharing agreements change the language of the leaders, Bunte said. Leaders of different religions living in those areas are 12 times more likely to express more intentions to cooperate, and 10 times more likely to meet and negotiate to settle disputes, he said. That helps shape the perception of the people living in those areas.

"We show that the general population feels much less threatened by competition from other religions in these districts with power-sharing agreements," Bunte said. "They feel much safer because the discourse is different. If the elites don't use derogatory language and the general population doesn't feel threatened, that explains why there are fewer incidents of interreligious violence."

Bunte said he hopes that the findings can be generalized to prevent religious conflicts in other parts of the world.

"Our findings show that local-level initiatives that create stable channels of communication and collaboration among religious groups are effective ways of achieving peaceful coexistence," Bunte said.

More information: J. B. Bunte et al. Local power-sharing institutions and interreligious violence in Nigeria, Journal of Peace Research (2015). DOI: 10.1177/0022343315614999
The jaw-dropping speed at which certain stocks have moved in response to Donald Trump's tweets about corporate America makes it seem as if Wall Street already was waiting for the president-elect's words.

It was.

Some sophisticated traders with automated programs are using computer algorithms that instantly capture Trump's Twitter remarks and then immediately buy or sell the affected stocks, analysts said.

"It's in the algorithms. They've done it," said Joe Gits, chief executive of Social Market Analytics Inc.

Gits' firm isn't among those traders, he said. Instead, the company culls the 500 million tweets issued daily on Twitter to find comments from influential people such as Trump that could affect stocks and then immediately relays that "sentiment" data to traders.

Wall Street is tight-lipped about which firms use the automatic trading programs in their bid to profit from Trump's tweets, and it's unclear how much of the stocks' trading volume reflects the automated trades.

Representatives from venerable investment firms such as Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Morgan Stanley and Bank of America's Merrill Lynch all declined to comment. So did Citadel Securities, a well-known automated trading firm that also operates a hedge fund. Gits likewise said he was not at liberty to disclose the names of traders using such automated programs.

The secrecy isn't surprising because firms employing the programs, which try to profit from even modest point spreads on high-volume trades, don't want to reveal their advantage, said Josh Brown, chief executive of Ritholtz Wealth Management who also runs the Reformed Broker website.

"Nobody would share this publicly," Brown said. "Who would say, 'Yeah, this is how we're doing this, and it's working great?' But it's obvious that's not human traders."

For average investors, the instant post-Trump market moves can largely be ignored, analysts said. That's because the stocks that have quickly dropped in response to Trump soon bounce back, a trend that's likely to continue, they said.

"If you're a day trader, you want to know about it, but if you're the average 401(k) investor, it doesn't make any difference in the long run," Gits said.

Nonetheless, there's surging interest even among investors who don't rapidly trade stocks to be immediately notified when a new Trump tweet appears.

At Bloomberg - a major provider of market data and news, with about 325,000 of its computer terminals used by traders and others worldwide - Trump tweet notifications are "one of the fastest-growing alerts for a news product that we have ever launched," said Ted Merz, Bloomberg's global head of news product.

There also are new phone apps from firms such as Trigger Finance Inc. and IFTTT Inc. that quickly alert users if Trump tweets about any companies in which they own stock.

Trump, who will be sworn into office Friday, is a prolific Twitter user who in recent weeks has taken to the social media platform to criticize corporate giants such as defense firms Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co. and automakers Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.

Trump attacked the defense firms for the high costs of certain aerospace programs, and he railed against the car companies for building vehicles in Mexico that are sold in the U.S.

In each case, the companies' stocks dropped immediately after Trump's comments appeared on his Twitter feed.

"The almost instantaneous movement in stock prices following some Trump tweets, most notably for Toyota, suggest to us that traders are using algorithms that execute trades immediately," Merz said.

Trump jumped on Toyota on Jan. 5, tweeting his displeasure that the company plans to build Corolla cars for U.S. sale at a new plant in Mexico. "NO WAY!" he said. "Build plant in U.S. or pay big border tax."

Toyota's U.S.-traded shares quickly fell nearly 1 percent, wiping $2 billion from Toyota's total market value, then soon recovered some of those losses.

The software and algorithms that enable Wall Street's high-speed traders to respond automatically to Trump's outbursts weren't developed specifically in the aftermath of Trump's defeat of Hillary Clinton on Nov. 8, analysts said.

"It's been around for a time predating Trump," Brown said. He pointed to how past tweets by Clinton, billionaire investor Carl Icahn and Tesla Motors Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk, among others, have sparked immediate moves in stocks of companies they mentioned.

Clinton, for instance, sent biotech stocks tumbling in September 2015 after she tweeted about wanting to lower "outrageous" prices in the specialty drug market.

Trump's market moves are "getting press now because of our next president's propensity to tweet" and Trump's upcoming ability to actually change the business climate, Gits said. "But it really started a couple of years ago."

There are several ways traders could profit from Trump's tweets. They simply could buy or sell the individual stocks involved, or they could simultaneously do both on different exchanges as an arbitrage play, whereby they profit from small discrepancies in the stock's price.

They also could simultaneously buy the stock and short it - that is, sell the stock in hopes it drops and then buy it back later at a lower price - as a hedge maneuver.

There's another contrarian tactic: If a stock suddenly falls in response to Trump's comments, traders can buy the shares with the expectation they'll soon rebound, said Zachary David, a senior analyst and automated-trading expert at the markets consultant KOR Group.

"It's a strategy a lot of traders employ, to trade on overreactions," David said.

So how do Trump's tweets and Wall Street's immediate response affect investors who don't watch the market every hour?

CNBC markets analyst Jim Cramer said on his TheStreet.com website that "if you decide to make a strategy on (Trump's) tweets, you better make it a buy strategy - because (Trump's criticism) clearly hasn't had any lasting effect" on stocks he mentions.

Otherwise, Brown said, "the only way to beat a high-frequency trader is to be a low-frequency trader. The longer your time horizon, and the more you own stocks for fundamental reasons, the less short-term price fluctuations matter to you."

He cited billionaire Warren Buffett, who's famous for holding solid investments for years.

"Can you imagine Warren Buffett trading on someone else's tweet?" Brown said. "It would never occur to him."

2017 Los Angeles Times

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In this image taken from TV, Gambia's longtime leader Yahya Jammeh appears on state TV to give a brief statement agreeing to step down from office, in Banjul, Gambia, the early hours of Saturday morning Jan. 21, 2017. Jammeh's decision to step down appears to pave the way for the winner of December's general elections, Adama Barrow to take power. (Gambia State TV via AP)

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) -- Gambia's new president says defeated leader Yahya Jammeh is expected to leave for Guinea within hours, and he plans to return home to take power once the situation is "clear."

A visibly tired Adama Barrow told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday that he will enter Gambia once a security sweep has been completed. He has been in neighboring Senegal for his safety during a political standoff that came to the brink of a regional military intervention.

Barrow, who won December's presidential elections, spoke just hours after Jammeh announced he would relinquish power, ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

"It is not yet confirmed information, but reliable sources are saying he's leaving today," Barrow told the AP. "We believe he'll go to Guinea, but we are waiting to confirm 100 percent.

He said he has not yet been given the communique which should spell out the terms of Jammeh's departure. "What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," he said.

Barrow was inaugurated Thursday at Gambia's embassy in Senegal, with the backing of the international community.

As Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than 22 years in power, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led the famously mercurial Jammeh to challenge the December election results, just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Barrow.

Jammeh once vowed to rule for a billion years. His agreement to step down has brought an end to the political crisis in this tiny West African nation of 1.9 million, which has promoted itself to European tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa."

"The rule of fear" in Gambia has ended with Jammeh's rule, Barrow told members of Gambia's diaspora late Friday.

Critics of Jammeh insisted he should be held accountable.

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"Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities," said Jeggan Bahoum of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia.

An online petition urged that Jammeh not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," Barrow told the AP. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, has been holed up this week in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into Gambia on Thursday. The force moved in after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

Jammeh's announcement to relinquish power is a good first step, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa. "For the Gambia to truly move on, President Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing. In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994," Smith wrote by email.

Fearing violence as the political crisis dragged on, about 45,000 people have fled Gambia for Senegal, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

After days of uncertainty, Banjul was peaceful Saturday. At the ferry terminal, Yassin Jallow helped hand out bread to families returning to the capital.

"There are so many people who couldn't go out, and nothing is working, the shops are closed, the bakeries are closed ... and we don't want anyone to starve," Jallow said.

Some wary Gambians said they would believe Jammeh's departure when they saw it.

"I heard he will step down, but leaving, that is the question," said student Haruna Jallow.

___

Petesch reported from Banjul, Gambia. Associated Press writer Abdoulie John in Karang, Senegal, contributed.
FILE- In this file photo taken Jan.12, 2017, Poland's Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, right, sits next to Jaroslaw Kaczynski, left, the ruling Law and Justice party leader and Poland's most powerful politician, as they attend a parliament session in Warsaw. Blaszczak said Jan. 19, 2017 that the decision to post photos of some anti-government protesters was to illustrate the country's "zero tolerance for breaches of the law," but opposition lawmakers called it an act of "political revenge" intended to intimidate government critics. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz, File)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Poland's interior minister defended the decision to post photos of some anti-government protesters to illustrate the country's "zero tolerance for breaches of the law," but opposition lawmakers Thursday called it an act of "political revenge" intended to intimidate government critics.

Interior Minister Mariusz Blaszczak was referring to the publication on the Warsaw police department's website of images of 21 people who took part in a Dec. 16 protest outside Poland's parliament. Police want to identify and question some of the protest participants as part of an ongoing investigation.

Some of the protesters lay down in the street and blocked the passage of Prime Minister Beata Szydlo's car, but police made no arrests at the time. Blaszczak said the blockade was illegal and the suspects should be "brought to account." If found guilty of violating the law, they could face fines or brief arrest.

The interior minister said another 80 people in Warsaw and 22 in Krakow have been identified as violating the law during December protests.

Opposition lawmakers said the photos are meant to discourage citizens from attending protests. Grzegorz Schetyna, leader of the main opposition party, Civic Platform, said he was waiting for the prime minister to say who in her government was responsible for "stigmatizing" people.

"We will not allow for political revenge, for the kind of actions that the interior minister is organizing," Schetyna said.

Poland is criticized by some European Union leaders who say that the policies of the conservative government that took office in 2015 are threatening democracy. Hundreds of thousands of Poles have rallied against the government.

Speaking on private Radio Zet, Blaszczak invoked former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani as his role model. Giuliani was known for promoting tough law enforcement policies that critics saw as curtailing civil liberties.

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"There is no consent, (there is) zero tolerance for breaches of law," Blaszczak said. "This principle was proven effective in its time in New York....It will be proven effective also in Poland."

The growing divisions in the nation were visible late Wednesday when angry groups disrupted separate appearances by the leaders of the ruling Law and Justice party and Civic Platform.

In Krakow, protesters chanted as Law and Justice party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski arrived for his monthly visit to the tomb of his twin brother, the late President Lech Kaczynski.

Opposition's Schetyna faced hostile chants from a right-wing group during a meeting with the residents of Tarnow, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Krakow.
AFP News

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was recovering in hospital Friday after a gunman shot him in the leg, with his supporters vowing the assassination attempt will not derail his "long march" bid to return to power. The attack on his convoy, apparently by a lone gunman, killed one man and wounded at least 10, significantly raising the stakes in a political crisis that has gripped the South Asian nation since Khan's ousting in April. Khan "was stable and he was doing fine" at Shaukat Khanum hospital in the eastern city of Lahore, his doctor Faisal Sultan told AFP Friday. Seemi Bokhari, a lawmaker with Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, said after visiting Khan the former premier was in high spirits. "The doctors are allowing him to move ... He is feeling perfectly well and he will soon be discharged," she told AFP. The 70-year-old former international cricket star had been leading a campaign convoy of thousands since last week from Lahore to the capital Islamabad when he was attacked. Khan suffered at least one bullet wound to his right leg when a gunmen sprayed pistol fire at his modified container truck as it drove slowly through a thick crowd in Wazirabad, around 170 kilometres (105 miles) east of Islamabad. "Everyone who was standing in the very front row got hit," former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, who was standing behind Khan, told AFP. Senior aide Raoof Hasan said it was "an attempt to kill him, to assassinate him". Chaudhry said party officials would meet later Friday to discuss the immediate fate of Khan's campaign march. "The real freedom long march will continue and the movement for people's rights will remain until an announcement on the general elections," he tweeted. - Threats - Party officials also called for supporters to stage rallies and marches across the country after Friday afternoon prayers, the most important of the week. Protesters lit fires and blocked roads in several cities late Thursday as news of Khan's shooting spread. His campaign truck has become a crime scene for now, cordoned off and guarded by commandos as forensic experts comb the area. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said Thursday the attacker had been taken into custody. Officials shared an apparent confession video that was circulating online. "I did it because (Khan) was misleading the public," says a dishevelled man in the leaked video, shown with his hands tied behind his back in what appears to be a police station. He says he was angry with the procession for making a racket during the call to prayer that summons Muslims to the mosque five times a day. Pervaiz Elahi, the chief minister of Punjab, said officers who leaked the video would be disciplined. Pakistan has been grappling with Islamist militancy for decades, with right-wing religious groups having huge sway over the population. It has been no stranger to assassination attempts during decades of political instability, and the powerful military has led the country several times. Pakistan's first prime minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was shot dead at a rally in Rawalpindi in 1951. Another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, was killed in 2007 when a huge bomb detonated near her vehicle as she greeted supporters in the city of Rawalpindi. - Kicked from power - Khan was booted from office in April by a no-confidence vote after defections by some of his coalition partners, but he retains huge support. He was voted into power in 2018 on an anti-corruption platform by an electorate tired of dynastic politics, but his mishandling of the economy -- and falling out with a military accused of helping his rise -- sealed his fate. Since then, he has railed against the establishment and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government, which he says was imposed on Pakistan by a "conspiracy" involving the United States. Khan and Shehbaz have for months traded bitter accusations of corruption and incompetence, raising the political temperature in a nation that is frequently at boiling point. Khan has repeatedly told supporters he was prepared to die for the country, and aides have long warned of unspecified threats made on his life. The attack drew international condemnation including from the United States, which had uneasy relations with Khan when he was in power. "Violence has no place in politics, and we call on all parties to refrain from violence, harassment and intimidation," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. sjd/fox/ecl/pbt/dhc
AFP News

Pope Francis warned the world is on the edge of a "delicate precipice" and buffeted by "winds of war" as he held inter-faith talks with one of Sunni Islam's top leaders in Bahrain on Friday. The 85-year-old Argentine decried the "opposing blocs" of East and West, a veiled reference to the standoff over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in a speech to religious leaders in the tiny Gulf state. "We continue to find ourselves on the brink of a delicate precipice and we do not want to fall," he told an audience including Bahrain's king and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the grand imam of Cairo's prestigious Al-Azhar mosque. "A few potentates are caught up in a resolute struggle for partisan interests, reviving obsolete rhetoric, redesigning spheres of influence and opposing blocs," he added. "We appear to be witnessing a dramatic and childlike scenario: in the garden of humanity, instead of cultivating our surroundings, we are playing instead with fire, missiles and bombs." The pope's visit, aimed at strengthening relations with Islam, comes with the Ukraine war in its ninth month, and as tensions grow on the Korean peninsula and in the Taiwan Strait. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who met Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in September, told journalists that there had been "a few small signs" of progress in negotiations with Moscow, warning that peace initiatives should not be "exploited for other goals". Francis, who is on his second visit to the wealthy Gulf, later met privately with al-Tayeb, with whom he signed a Muslim-Christian manifesto for peace in the United Arab Emirates in 2019. "This meeting has great symbolic importance, both locally and internationally, for promoting peace and peaceful co-existence between different religions and civilisations," said Hala Ramzi Fayez, a Christian and member of Bahrain's parliament. - Sunni, Shiite talks? - Leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, Francis has placed inter-faith dialogue at the heart of his papacy, visiting other Muslim-majority countries including Egypt, Turkey and Iraq. Al-Tayeb, who met with the pope on previous Middle East visits, also called on Friday for talks between Islam's two main branches, Sunni and Shiite, to settle sectarian differences. Later, the pope addressed 17 members of the Muslim Council of Elders, an international group of Islamic scholars and dignitaries, at the mosque of the Sakhir Royal Palace. He told them dialogue was "the oxygen of peaceful coexistence". "In a world that is increasingly wounded and divided, that beneath the surface of globalisation senses anxiety and fear, the great religious traditions must be the heart that unites the members of the body," he said. He also struck out at the arms trade, a "commerce of death" that he said was "turning our common home into one great arsenal". The pope, who is using a wheelchair and a walking stick due to long-standing knee problems, began the first papal visit to Bahrain on Thursday by hitting out at the death penalty and urging respect for human rights and better conditions for workers. Sheikh Salman bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Bahrain's minister of finance and national economy, insisted the country has "led the region" with its criminal justice reforms. "We have some of the most robust and wide-ranging human rights and criminal justice protections in the region," the minister told AFP on Friday. "There are very well-established channels through which any of these critics can go, well established institutions of accountability," he said, adding that the pope's comments on the death penalty did not single out Bahrain. "It is important to note that that reference... was a general reference to countries around the world," the minister said. Bahrain has executed six people since 2017, when it carried out its first execution in seven years. Some of the condemned were convicted following a 2011 uprising put down with military support from neighbouring Saudi Arabia. cmk-lar/par/ho/th/dwo
To grow a successful business, you need to be able to market to customers online and then communicate with them effectively. There are plenty of methods you can use to improve your online customer relationships. Here are some top tips from members of our small business community.

Keep These CRM Influencers on Your Radar

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Use Social Media Emoji to Humanize Your Business

When attempting to really connect with customers online, it helps if you can humanize your business. And using emoji on social media can help, as this post by Aleh Barysevich at the Social Media Examiner explains. You can also see commentary on the post over on BizSugar.

Get These Marketing Tools for Local Business Owners

Marketing a local business can require a unique set of skills different from those needed to market other kinds of businesses. But there are plenty of tools out there to help you market your local business to the right customers. In this Mobile Marketing Helper blog post, Kevin Cortez shares some essential tools for local marketers.

Go Online to Benefit Your Brick and Mortar Business

Even if you have a store or business that only sells to customers in person, you can still benefit from getting online. You can find some potential benefits for brick and mortar businesses going online in this Revel post by Caitlin Stanley.

Learn About the Cost of Google AdWords

Google AdWords can be a really helpful tool for businesses looking to expand their online reach. But you need to learn about the pricing structure if youre going to take advantage of it. Gary Shouldis of 3Bug Media discusses more here. And BizSugar members chime in with their own thoughts too.

Amp Up Your SMBs Performance and Productivity

If you want to connect with more customers, increase sales or otherwise improve the chances of your small business succeeding, you need to find ways to improve your businesss performance and productivity. Itai Elizur details some tips for doing just that in this post on Smallbiztechnology.com.

Build Links Without Creating Content

Content marketing can be a powerful tool for businesses. But its not the only way to increase your reach online. This Marketing Land post by Andrew Dennis explains how you can build links without creating your own content.

Define and Create Your Brand Voice

You need to have a consistent brand voice in order to effectively communicate with your customers over time. And you can define and create the right voice for your brand using the tips in this post by Jomer Gregorio on the CJG Digital Marketing blog. You can also see input on the post from the BizSugar community here.

Take These Steps for SEO Strategy Success

To get your business found online, you need an SEO strategy. But some business owners might not know where to start when creating that strategy. For five steps to a successful SEO strategy, check out this Search Engine Journal post by Sergey Grybniak.

Grow a Site to 10,000+ Visitors a Month

If you want to reach more customers for your small business, you need to get them to your site first. In this post from Basic Blog Tips, Anil Agarwal details how you can quickly grow your site in terms of visitors each month.

If youd like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.
"A little fill here and there may seem to be nothing to become excited about. But one fill, though comparatively inconsequential, may lead to another, and another, and before long a great body may be eaten away until it may no longer exist.

Our navigable waters are a precious natural heritage, once gone, they disappear forever," wrote the Wisconsin Supreme Court in its 1960 opinion resolving Hixon v. PSC and buttressing The Public Trust Doctrine, Article IX of the Wisconsin State Constitution.
LIMA, Peru (AP)  Police in Peru have arrested a former transport official as part of a massive graft scandal implicating Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht and several regional governments.

Edwn Luyo headed the committee that awarded Odebrecht a contract in 2009 to build Lima's elevated metro. He was arrested Friday night.

Prosecutors said Luyo and a former deputy communications minister they are seeking were among officials in former President Alan Garcia's government who alleged received some $7 million in bribes for the project.

As part of a plea agreement with the U.S. Justice Department Odebrecht admitted paying almost $800 million in bribes to win business in 12 countries. In Peru it paid $29 million to officials in three administrations since 1998.

Colombia made two arrests earlier this month as part of the region-wide probe
VIENNA (Reuters) - An Austrian man suspected of having jihadi contacts was arrested on Friday in Vienna in a move the interior minister said prevented an imminent attack and police urged citizens to report any abandoned bags. Special forces arrested the 18-year-old with a migrant background in a Vienna apartment at around 1700 GMT, police said. "The decisive leads came from foreign intelligence services," Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka told reporters. Asked whether the suspect had Islamist motives, he said: "There are certain indications, which we have to investigate. There is one contact which is fairly clearly positioned." The arrest comes a month after an attack at a Berlin Christmas market killed 12 people and after attacks in France and Belgium raised fears in Europe. Austrian newspaper Krone said a group of radical Islamists of Albanian descent had planned an attack in Vienna between Jan. 15 and 30. It did not specify its sources for the report. The minister declined to give further details on the suspect but asked people to be vigilant in crowds and to report unattended items of luggage in public places. The arrested man had been monitored by special forces for several days, Sobotka said, adding there were hints the man, who lives in Vienna, had travelled to Germany. He did not confirm the Krone report saying the suspect had built an explosive device in Germany. (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle and Shadia Nasralla; Editing by Dominic Evans and Janet Lawrence)
Civilians gather around the remains of a car bomb in the Rukban camp for displaced Syrians, inside Syrian territory, on the border with Jordan, killing some, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Badr Abu Sultan, a resident of the Rukban camp, says a suspected car bomb in a local market caused the powerful explosion Saturday. (Courtesy of The Tribal Council of Palmyra and Badia via AP) Civilians gather around the remains of a car bomb in the Rukban camp for displaced Syrians, inside Syrian territory, on the border with Jordan, killing some, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. Badr Abu Sultan, a resident of the Rukban camp, says a suspected car bomb in a local market caused the powerful explosion Saturday. (Courtesy of The Tribal Council of Palmyra and Badia via AP)

BEIRUT (AP)  A large explosion rocked a camp for displaced Syrians along the Syrian-Jordanian border Saturday, killing at least six, and wounding many others, opposition activists said.

The explosion near the border came despite the fragile Dec. 30 cease-fire, sponsored by Russia and Turkey who back opposite sides of the conflict. Syria continues to be beset by violence, including clashes between government forces and rebel fighters as well as a number of offensives against Islamic State militants in the country.

Talks between government officials, rebel representatives and attended by Russian, Turkish and U.N. officials are scheduled Monday in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to discuss reinforcing the cease-fire and ensuring humanitarian access.

Some rebel factions have agreed to send representatives, but the al-Qaida-linked Fatah al-Sham Front slammed the talks Saturday as a "conspiracy." In a statement, the front said that any rebel group attending the Astana conference would be essentially agreeing that Syrian President Bashar Assad will stay in office. The government and Russia insist that the Islamic State group and the Fatah al-Sham Front must both be excluded from any cease-fire.

Fatah al-Sham, one of the most powerful on the ground on Syria, said other rebel factions had been pressured by their foreign patrons to attend and that the end result would be to drive a wedge between Syria's insurgents. Rivalries have plagued Syria's insurgents. Infighting as well as splits and failed mergers have been reported in recent weeks further weakening their ranks.

"Negotiations in Astana about the fate of the country and its people are not the right of one side," the group said in a statement. "Those who risk the battlefield and bypass must realize the consequences in the future."

Near the border with Jordan, Mohammed Hassan al-Homsi, an opposition activist with the Palmyra News Network, said a small truck carrying blankets was detonated from afar, killing at least six civilians at the Rukban camp, including a man, his wife and two children.

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Badr Abu Sultan, a resident of the Rukban camp, said the explosion occurred outside the local market. "There was a powerful explosion at the beginning of the market," Abu Sultan, a member of a tribal council in the camp, said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion caused a huge cloud of smoke over the area. A video posted by the Syrian Media Organization also showed some tents burning, as parts of the car bomb were scattered across the camp. The Observatory, which has a network of activists on the ground, put the death toll at 11, including the family of four, and four militiamen. Another opposition activist network, the Palmyra Coordination group, said the explosion hit a checkpoint for a local militia near the market.

The camp houses a local militia targeted in the past by rival factions in Syria's war.

A Jordanian military official ruled out any Jordanian was hurt in the explosion inside Syrian territory. He told the official Jordanian Petra news agency 14 wounded were admitted to the Jordanian health center at the border used to treat Syrians.

Jordan has been on edge since a car bomb attack last year launched from Rukban killed seven Jordanian border guards. Jordan then sealed the border, cutting off vital aid to 75,000 Syrians stranded in the area.

The displaced Syrians live in makeshift camps between two parallel earthen barriers, or berms, that mark the Jordanian-Syrian frontier.

Meanwhile on Saturday, The Russian military said that six of its long-range bombers have struck Islamic State positions in Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria. The raid came as Syrian government troops in Deir el-Zour found themselves in an increasingly difficult situation, cut in half in an ongoing IS offensive against the last remaining pockets of government control.

The extremist group controls most of the province, except for the provincial capital and a nearby air base, and the offensive which began earlier this month is described as the group's most intense in a year.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that six Tu-22M3 bombers flew from their base in Russia to strike IS facilities Deir el-Zour province on Saturday. It said they successfully hit all designated targets, including the militants' camps, weapons locations and ammunition depots.

Activists in Deir el-Zour say amid intense shelling from Russian, Syrian and coalition jets and fighting on the ground, civilians are fleeing.

Russian fighter jets from Hemeimeem air base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia provided cover for the bombers, according to the ministry.

Russia has conducted an air campaign in Syria since September 2015, helping Syrian government forces to reverse the tide of the nearly six-year conflict.

___

Associated Press writers Dominique Soguel in Istanbul, Maamoun Youssef in Cairo and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
By Pap Saine and Tim Cocks BANJUL (Reuters) - Gambia's former leader Yahya Jammeh flew into exile on Saturday after stepping down overnight under pressure from West African nations to accept he lost a December election to President Adama Barrow. Jammeh made no comment at the airport and the destination of the jet he boarded was unclear. He was accompanied by Guinean President Alpha Conde, who mediated the terms of his departure with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and others. The departure of Jammeh, who took power in a 1994 coup, ends weeks of stalemate and paves the way for the transfer of power to Barrow, who was sworn in as leader at the Gambian embassy in Senegal on Thursday and is now expected to return home. The events will likely be viewed as a triumph for African diplomacy, in part because there was no fighting between the 7,000 troops from Senegal and Nigeria who entered Gambia on Thursday and the authoritarian leader's forces. "The rule of fear has been banished from Gambia for good," Barrow told a crowd at a Dakar hotel on Friday, once it became clear a deal had been struck for Jammeh to relinquish power. "To all of you forced by political circumstances to flee our country, you now have the liberty to return home," said Barrow, 51, who worked as a property developer and led an opposition coalition few thought would win the Dec. 1 vote. As a price for leaving, Jammeh demanded amnesty, the right to go to and from Gambia and recognition for his political party, said Marcel de Souza, head of the commission of West African regional bloc ECOWAS. "(An amnesty deal) is not finalised. The heads of state would have to give it and the AU (African Union) and the U.N. (United Nations), and it would surprise me if that is given," he told Reuters in Dakar. The deal over Jammeh's departure focused on where he would go into exile and the issue of amnesty, mediators said. RELIEVES TENSION Jammeh's departure will relieve tension in Gambia after a day in which many people said they feared the veteran leader might change his mind. He initially conceded defeat to Barrow in the Dec. 1 election but backtracked a week later. Some in Banjul said they were angry he was able to negotiate at all and had been allowed to delay his departure. "He's a stubborn man. It should be surrender, handcuffs or death," said Patience Williams, 50, a dental nurse. In a last bid to cling to power, Jammeh declared a state of emergency this week and dissolved the cabinet while the National Assembly extended his term for three months. More than half the government then resigned and 45,000 people fled to Senegal. The crisis was a test for ECOWAS, not least because Jammeh had held office longer than any other current president in the grouping of states. The African Union and U.N. Security Council supported the military intervention. Gambia's Atlantic Ocean beaches make it a holiday destination for Europeans. Tourism, peanut production and overseas remittances are crucial to the economy of the country of 1.8 million. The country's economy is expected to grow 4.5 percent in 2017 after a projected contraction of 4.0 percent last year, World Bank figures showed. (Additional reporting by Lamin Jahateh in Banjul, Emma Farge and Diadie Ba in Dakar; writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg; editing by David Clarke)
Marine Le Pen, leader of the French far-right Front National party, has said the Brexit vote has set off a domino effect that "will bring down all of Europe".

She said the British and Americans had pulled off "coups" in 2016 and predicted that 2017 would be the "year the people of continental Europe woke up".

Ms Le Pen is seen as highly likely to make the run-off for the French presidency in May, while the right-wing nationalist party, Alternative for Germany, is expected to make significant gains at the election there in September.

Speaking at a meeting of nationalist leaders from major European countries in the German city of Koblenz, Ms Le Pen said the EU was a "system of oppression" and added: "We are experiencing the end of one world and the birth of another."

She said: "The first real blow struck against the old order, the thing that will set off the domino effect that will bring down all of Europe, is Brexit - a sovereign people has decided to leave an agreement of the powerful, to decide its own destiny.

"The second blow came shortly afterwards and that was the election of Mr Trump to the presidency of the United States, putting the friends of neo-liberalism in an even more difficult situation."

Also attending the meeting were leader Alternative for Germany leader Frauke Petry, Dutch far-right Freedom Party founder Geert Wilders and Matteo Salvini, of Italy's anti-EU Northern League.

In an interview with The Times newspaper earlier this week, Donald Trump said the EU had become "a vehicle for Germany".

He was sharply critical of Chancellor Angela Merkel's immigration policy, saying she had let too many "illegals" into continental Europe.

Speaking on Saturday following Mr Trump's inauguration, Mrs Merkel said she would work on preserving the relationship between Europe and the US, saying she would "work" on the trans-Atlantic relationship.

Story continues

"Even when there are different opinions, compromises and solutions can be best found when we exchange ideas with respect," she said.

Read more:

:: How Trump has ripped up the foreign policy playbook

:: Germany concerned over Trump's NATO comments
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As world powers prepare to begin crucial climate talks at the COP27 summit in Egypt, we speak to Chiara Martinelli, director of the Climate Action Network Europe, which describes itself as Europe's leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. Martinelli says the EU should, in Sharm-el-Sheikh, agree to upgrade its previous commitment to cut carbon emissions by 55 percent and now target a 65 percent reduction in emissions. "This would send an important signal to the other negotiating parties that Europe is doing its fair share globally, and that it is committed to containing the global temperature rise within 1.5 C," she tells Armen Georgian. Martinelli also addressed the thorny issue of climate finance, saying. "At the heart of climate finance is the concept of climate justice. The biggest emitters need to support poor countries both for mitigation and adaptation as well as for loss and damage. And climate financing, in the form of grants, should go hand in hand with plans to ensure an energy transition in those [poor] countries. We can't afford [for] those countries to make the same mistakes that developed countries made by locking in a fossil fuels economy."Finally, asked about renewable energy strategy, she said: "The war in Ukraine led to an increase in energy prices, and so now Europe has an opportunity to showcase the fact that renewables are not only greener but also cheaper at this moment in time. So this is the best moment we have to speed up the rollout of renewables both in Europe and in the investments we make on other continents. Europe has talked the talk; it should walk the walk."Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:COP27: North-South, a growing divideNile River under threat: A closer look at Egypt's water crisisGreta Thunberg will not attend COP27 in Egypt, says summit is 'greenwashing'
Triluminas high-power lasers are designed for use in light and ranging capabilities. Triluminas laser chips will use Analog Devices high-speed pulse-laser driver to flash lasers out in all directions, enabling sensing and detection for autonomous vehicles

Albuquerque-based Trilumina Corp.s laser-chip technology is driving a little faster into automotive markets through a new partnership with Analog Devices Inc., a global semiconductor company with firm ties to the auto industry.

The two companies will combine Triluminas advanced laser chips  which can enable powerful 3-D sensing capabilities for things like autonomous vehicles  with an ADI-made high-speed pulse-laser driver that will be used to flash Triluminas lasers out in all directions. The technologies will be fused into a single integrated module to allow cars to calculate size, shape and distance of objects.

Such light and ranging technology, or LiDAR, is critical to the future of automated vehicles and advanced driving and safety features like collision avoidance, pedestrian detection and automatic braking.

The combined, single-module technology can offer a much more compact and powerful system at lower cost than other LiDAR technologies on the market today, said Trilumina CEO Brian Wong.

The industry is rushing toward 2020 deployment of broad-based LiDAR systems for autos, and were working to become a key part of that, Wong said. Our collaboration with ADI will help us get ready to go to production by 2019.

Apart from complementary technologies, ADI has the manufacturing muscle needed to build the integrated modules and to scale production to meet market demand. It also has a long history of selling products into automotive markets, offering inroads into the industry.

Massachusetts-based ADI is a 50-year-old, publicly-traded company with $3.4 billion in annual revenue, 10,000 employees, and operations in 23 countries.

Trilumina is a venture-backed startup that launched in 2011 with homegrown technology. It created a new type of engineering architecture that allows it to pack hundreds of tiny lasers on a single chip, providing much more power and speed than traditional optics chips, which generally only include four to eight lasers.

In addition, the chips are small enough to pack 24 or more of them on a platform smaller than a penny, allowing Trilumina to create tiny modules with multiple laser arrays.

It also created a new, patented design that eliminates the need for the wiring typically used to connect chips with electronic circuitry when theyre set down on a packaging platform. Triluminas chips connect directly with circuits once placed in the module, allowing developers to significantly reduce the size and cost of LiDAR systems.

Todays systems are bulky and expensive, costing from about $10,000 to $30,000, Wong said. They also use mechanical spinning devices and other methods to get the laser to scan the entire environment, which is whats making the systems expensive and holding LiDAR back from broad deployment.

In contrast, Trilumina and ADI are building a pulse-laser flash LiDAR system with no moving parts, making the modules smaller and less expensive, possibly less than $1,000 each, Wong said.

Trilumina has received about $10 million in private investment to date from venture firms, including Cottonwood Technology Fund and Sun Mountain Capital in New Mexico, plus corporate partners such as the Japanese company DENSO International America Inc. and Caterpillar Ventures, a subsidiary of the global giant Caterpillar Inc.

The collaboration with ADI is great for Trilumina, said Cottonwood managing director David Blivin. ADI is a big company that can handle all the automotive industry certification for the final product, and it has all the manufacturing systems in place. Its a great endorsement of Triluminas technology.
About 100 people gathered in the steady rain in Downtown Albuquerque on Friday night to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump, mirroring similar protests in cities across the country.

The group organized at the corner of First and Central before marching west on Central and then up and down area streets.

Some of the protesters carried signs that read, Fight Trump and the Whole System, and Fight War, Poverty and Racism, as the group chanted, No KKK, no racists, USA, no Trump!

The rally blocked traffic as it moved through the streets, and some drivers honked their horns, but there were no clashes.

Billie Little drove down from Santa Fe with her 17-year-old son to attend the rally. She said she is heartbroken that the country elected someone like Trump.

It makes me so sad that (the country) is not leading with love and kindness and justice, were leading with hate, she said. I think for the next four years were going to really have to stand up and fight.

Little said she plans to attend a march and rally in Santa Fe in solidarity with the Womens March on Washington today. She said she will also continue to attend rallies and work for change throughout Trumps presidency.

After weaving through Downtown streets, the marchers paused in front of Albuquerque Police Department headquarters at Fourth and Roma NW, and a couple of speakers addressed the crowd through a loudspeaker.

The speakers spoke not only against Trump and racism, but also against the instances in which Albuquerque police have shot citizens, especially the mentally ill.

The group then marched back to First and Central before wrapping up with several more speakers.

An event earlier in the day at the University of New Mexico was quieter.

A student-led rally at noon on the campus northern side drew between 100 to 200 participants. Several people, whose causes ranged from access to birth control to undocumented immigrants, spoke at the rally.

A dozen or so people held up signs that said, Im scared, cabinet of deplorables, or, The system elected Trump, not the people. A handful of people wearing Trump shirts and hats did attend the event.

One passer-by shouted Make America Great Again, Trumps motto during the election, and then yelled, Build that (expletive) wall. That act drew jeers and boos from the crowd.

Hillary Clinton won New Mexico in the presidential election.

Nathan Siegel, a junior at UNM, organized the rally and said it was about empowering others in the face of the Trump presidency. And Selene Vences, an undocumented student who is part of the immigrant advocacy group NM Dream team, said she spoke at the rally because her silence was hurting more than speaking.

We cant stay quiet for the next four years, she said.

Other speakers promised to protest a Trump presidency while others extolled the virtue of coming together.

Grant Albert, a freshman wearing a Trump shirt, said he came to see how the left feels about things.

I think its kind of silly theyre not going to accept the president, Albert said.

He and other students attracted the attention of those at the rally. The conversation between both parties was enlivened, but seldom devolved into shouting. Though someone did call a Trump supporter being interviewed by the Journal an inbred expletive.

People stayed for most of the hour long rally despite overcast skies and chilly winds. They dispersed without incident.

Journal digital editor Robert Browman contributed to this report.
SANTA FE  Investigators from the New Mexico Attorney Generals Office have raided the home of Rio Arriba County Commissioner Barney Trujillo, according to Espanolas weekly newspaper.

The Rio Grande Sun reports that the investigators, accompanied by State Police officers, showed up at Trujillos Chimayo house Friday morning to execute a search warrant. The newspapers website published a photo of an Attorney Generals Office investigator at Trujillos home.

James Hallinan, spokesman for the AGs Office, said Friday that the office has a policy against confirming or denying ongoing investigations.

Efforts to reach Trujillo by phone and email Friday were unsuccessful. A woman called back on a number that Trujillo listed on campaign documents filed at the New Mexico Secretary of States Office, but she quickly hung up after asked if she was associated with Trujillo.

The AG Offices interest in Trujillo, whos in his second term as a county commissioner and was an unsuccessful candidate for a state House seat last year, has been documented in the past.

Early last year, the office filed a request to Rio Arriba County government under the state Inspection of Public Records Act for various documents, including any funds expended by the County Commission or individual commissioners that are not standard operating expenses, lobbying services and County Commissioner Barney Trujillos County related activities, according to a copy of the request obtained by the Journal.

Some of the requested documents related to a county-financed Chimayo playground or beautification project that led to charges against a local contractor, brought by the state Construction Industries Division, for contracting without a license.

Last week, the AGs Office filed suit against Espanola Public Schools for its alleged failure to provide documents, including thousands of emails, also requested under IPRA. Among the records sought were 16 categories of documents relating to Trujillo or his company, formerly known as 2Smooth Marketing, seeking such things as invoices, purchase orders, work logs and bank statements. Since August 2014, Trujillo has held a $50,000-a-year, no-bid marketing contract with the school district.

The Sun also has reported that the AGs Office executed a search warrant at the school district offices on Jan. 13. The warrant listed Trujillo and others as targets, but a 14-page probable cause statement used to obtain the warrant from a judge had been redacted, according to the Sun.
SANTA FE  A lawyer for one of the men charged with depraved mind murder in the death of a Cerrillos woman last year is asking a District Court judge to dismiss his indictment.

His motion alleges that two members of the grand jury that indicted him told a prosecutor that they knew some of the witnesses that were going to testify during the confidential grand jury proceedings. Instead of asking a judge to dismiss those jurors, the prosecutor continued with the proceedings and obtained an indictment.

Philip Zaman and Khristopher Marshall are accused of running over and killing 54-year-old Teena Larson on Jan. 12 last year during a domestic dispute at Larsons Cerrillos home. Zaman allegedly backed his BMW over Larson, dragging her about 40 feet, and ran over her again as he sped off the property. Marshall was in the passenger seat while Natasha Larson  daughter of the woman who wask killed  was in the back seat.

Zaman and Marshall were arrested that day and were indicted in May. Marshalls attorney, Hans Erickson, filed a motion Dec. 27 and requests that Judge T. Glenn Ellington quash Marshalls indictment because one grand juror had known Santa Fe County deputies James Yeager and Eddie Webb for a long time and said hed sold them cars in the past, according to transcripts from the proceedings that Erickson included in his motion.

Another grand juror said she knew witness Robert Kryder, who was at the crime scene and tried to stop Zaman from running over Larson, because hes a resident of Madrid.

Is there anything about the fact that youve known them for a long time that you might tend to give their testimony more weight than it might deserve? Prosecutor Juan Valencia asked the man who said he knew the deputies. No, he responded.

Valencia asked the female grand juror if there was anything about her knowing Kryder that would prevent her from being fair and impartial, and she responded, No, sir.

Erickson argues that the grand jurors saying the could be impartial was subjective and that Valencia should have sought a district judges guidance since only a judge can disqualify a juror. Here, the prosecutor failed to question the grand jurors in a way sufficient to determine whether they were totally free from partiality, and usurped the district courts role in qualifying grand jurors,Erickson wrote. He concluded, The grand jury that indicted Mr. Marshall was illegal in that it contained jurors not qualified due to bias and partiality in favor of the witnesses.  The inclusion of a biased or partial juror is grounds for the indictment to be quashed.

Assistant District Attorney Ben Gubernick filed a response Jan. 11 and said the Defendant fails to identify any prejudice, nor any deficiency in the grand jury proceedings. If Defendant believes that the procedures called for by statute are somehow deficient, he should petition the legislature for relief, not this Court.
It is our strong belief that a successful confirmation of Betsy DeVos would not be in the best interest of public education in the United States, in our state of New Mexico, or for the tens of thousands of New Mexicos public educators.

We urge our elected officials  especially Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich  to carefully consider all of the facts as they determine whether or not to support DeVos for confirmation.

DeVos has a long and well-documented history of opposing a robust system of public education in her home state of Michigan in favor of increased charter, private and religious schools. In fact, DeVos advocacy extends beyond just support for private schools; she actively opposes reasonable transparency for private schools, while championing decreased governmental oversight for private schools.

To be clear, we do not oppose the existence of private schools; their success must not come at the expense of Americas strong tradition of public education.

We are greatly concerned that under DeVos, we will continue to see the effects of a philosophy which believes that privatization of our schools will lead to improvement. We know the opposite to be true, and studies show that increased school choice is not implemented uniformly, or equitably across all segments of our society. We only need to look at the proliferation of private schools in Detroit  which was spearheaded by DeVos  to see the results of this type of philosophy: poorer performance in reading and math, drastic reduction of funds for public school students, and a system of education which is prone to underserving our students.

Charter, private and religious schools are not required to accept all students who apply, which in reality, often means that students of color, those with different learning abilities, or those from lower economic means are not accepted. Furthermore, private schools often are not subject to the same transparency requirements that are applied to our public schools, which further exacerbates the imbalance between public and private schools.

Furthermore, there is not conclusive proof that private schools outperform Americas public schools as a rule, and often the coupling of reduced oversight, poor financial accountability and little transparency damages student learning in favor of higher profits.

Coupled with her support of voucher programs and charter schools is her open hostility toward unionized public educators. As recently as 2015, DeVos cited unions as an impediment to improving our countrys system of public education.

Obviously, we oppose this assessment of our efforts in support of quality public education nationally and in New Mexico. Instead, we would assert that the collective voices of our members have been the only consistent firewall against the dismantling of Americas public schools.

On a more local note, DeVos is not an educator. She has held no position in a public school, nor classroom, and we have seen first-hand the disastrous effects in New Mexico of a non-educator at the helm of our education. No one would accept a nominee for U.S. Surgeon General who is not a licensed medical professional, and we believe the same criteria ought to be applied to this office as well.

We will continue to use our voices whether or not DeVos is confirmed by the Senate to advocate for sound policies that advance Americas and New Mexicos public education system by continuing to fight for fully funded schools, equitable funding for students, and access to high-quality education opportunities for all students, regardless of means or zip code.
With the newly sworn-in president and a change in administrations Im wondering what will become of the Justice Departments practice of investigating troubled law enforcement agencies.

I have a suggestion about how poorly disciplined police departments can be made more responsive but, first, a quick look back.

The Obama administration investigated 25 cop shops around the country, looking into complaints of excessive force, racial bias, poor officer training and jail conditions.

When DOJ investigators find a pattern of bad practices in a department they have authority to threaten to file a federal lawsuit against the agency unless it agrees to a legally binding consent decree to fix the problems. An independent watchdog usually monitors progress.

Under attorneys general Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch the DOJ aggressively pursued a record number of consent decrees, 12 in all, with police departments as far-flung as Albuquerque, Baltimore, Ferguson, Mo., New Orleans and, most recently, Chicago.

Will the next attorney general follow this trend? Assuming Sen. Jeff Sessions is the next AG, the answer is: probably not.

At his recent confirmation hearing Sessions made it clear he thinks threatening lawsuits against whole police departments for the actions of a few bad apples, Undermine(s) the respect for police officers and create(s) an impression that the entire department is not doing their work consistent with fidelity to law and fairness.

Sessions added, We need to be careful before we do that. He also made it clear he will do nothing to reverse the existing agreements; they remain in force.

So, who will police the police if the Trump administration pulls back on investigating departments?

Heres a novel thought. How about us?

How about if we, the citizens who live in the communities where law enforcement departments have run off the rails, seriously yet civilly demand action from our local politicians? You know, hold their feet to the fire until police chiefs are forced to either change the behavior of offending officers or fire them. If the chiefs fail, then they face termination.

If we, the people, learned anything from the last election it was this: Voters have heft. A determined citizenry can oust ineffective elected officials and demand more accountability from all.

And if they  the politicians who think first about themselves and their party before the community  learned anything from the last election it should have been this: Citizens are fed up to here with politicians who say they will do something about a problem but take no action. It was hard to miss the clarion call from voters to politicians to either put up or shove off.

Now I agree, sometimes an outsider is needed to steer participants to agree on a solution to a problem. But Im a states rights person. It has never sit well with me that the federal government can come in and tell locals what they can and cannot do with, say, their education system or their police department.

Certainly, local officials know far better what its citizens want and need than a group of bureaucrats from Washington, D.C.

But now it is time for local politicians to step up and earn that paycheck. No more hemming and hawing about reform. No more waiting for a crisis to develop and then throwing taxpayer money at it. Long gone are the days where assigning a task force to study something is all that gets done.

The citizens who elected you want real leadership. They expect more, especially in the arena of public safety and the way the police force  that they pay for via their taxes  interacts with the public.

An analysis by the PBS program Frontline found that of the 68 DOJ investigations conducted over the last 20 years the No. 1 complaint was that officers used excessive force against civilians. The second most often heard allegation had to do with racially motivated policing, that being when officers single out one group  usually blacks or Hispanics  for unfair stop and searches or false arrests.

These problems between police and civilians have existed for decades. When can we finally expect some solutions? There has to be a more efficient way to train front line officers so they understand the vast majority of citizens are on their side, and they want peace as much as the police do.

Indoctrinating new recruits and retraining veteran cops is a job best done close to home and not under the sickle of an authoritarian power from a faraway place.

Citizens worried about police shootings or officer misconduct need to get involved, to write letters to politicians and get to the next town hall meeting. The mayors who appoint the chiefs of police, the city councilors who hear citizen complaints, the state lawmakers who vote on training budgets need to be put on notice that the responsibility to improve the status quo rests with them

Otherwise, you can bet the farm the feds will be back forcing local politicians to do what they think is best.

www.DianeDimond.com; e-mail to Diane@DianeDimond.com.
Call it the People With Uteruses Who Hate Donald Trump March. Or the Birth Control, Not Self Control March. Or the LGBTQI-Want-To-Buy-A-Vowel-Vanna March. Or, as my good friend Tania Gail suggested, the #MeanGirlMarch2017.

Whatever you call it, though, dont call it the Womens March on Washington. Technically, that is correct. Women are involved, and they are marching, or walking, or striding, or jumping or doing whatever it is they need to do to make themselves seen and heard the day after the inauguration of the Dark Prince of Death. In D.C.

But calling it the Womens March gives it a bit too much credit for inclusivity because not all of us who self-identify as women are welcome at the march.

I know of at least one group that was specifically disinvited from the affair, a group whose name would indicate a strong sisterhood with the galloping gals.

The group is called the New Wave Feminists. Thats pretty darn crunchy, fist in the air, we-love-Gloria cool. But alas, there is a fly in the ointment. The New Wave women happen to be pro-life or, if you prefer, anti-the-choice-to-abort-your-child. When the organizers of the march found out that they had invited poisonous vipers into their collective bosom, they told the New Wavers that there was no place for them in D.C.

Normally, things like this dont bother me. I am quite used to women who call themselves feminists acting in a most unsisterly way when they find out that I oppose abortion. In this, I am not alone. Many pro-life female friends have had the same experience when their dirty little secret is discovered: banishment from the Oprah Book Club, blocking on Facebook, ridicule at the water cooler and sympathetic hazing from the men who support abortion rights because, lets be honest, it saves them 18 years worth of child support.

I didnt really expect that women who vocally oppose abortion would be welcome at a march that embraced groups like #VoteProChoice, Free the Nipple, the Human Right to Family Planning Initiative, Students for Choice, Lady Parts Justice, The Center for Reproductive Rights, Catholics for Choice, NARAL-Pro Choice America Foundation, the Coalition of Nasty Women, the Federation for Abortion Rights, the National Organization for Women and, of course, Planned Parenthood.

The groups that have partnered together to present their grievances in D.C. all claim to support the integrity and dignity of the sisterhood. The reason that so many pro-choice/abortion-friendly groups are included in the list of attendees is because it is now mandatory that evolved women spout the usual my body, my choice rhetoric that hasnt changed in 50 years, even though medical technology has advanced to the stage that we now know its my body, and her tiny body and his tiny body, but still my choice, dammit.

I have a problem with that, but Im used to the indoctrination feminists demand of the truest of true believers. For want of a better term, women who want to be fully accepted into the feminist fold are like Womanchurian candidates, brainwashed into believing that the only way to find dignity and independence is the unassailable right to abort. Well, that and pay parity.

But I could even get over that if I truly believed feminists cared about the welfare of women in the larger context of human rights. As it is, I think they care only about the welfare of Roe v. Wade.

Returning to that list of partners in the march, we have the Council on American Islamic Relations. CAIR, as it is more commonly known, refuses to condemn Hamas, which has been identified by the State Department as a terrorist group since Oct. 8, 1997. It is nice to know that the women storming D.C. this week see the defenseless fetus as a threat, but have no problem welcoming women who belong to a group that, according to the FBI, traffics with terrorists.

But the women in D.C. will see this as quibbling. As long as they can keep those toxic pro-lifers from mucking up the works and ruining the joyous celebration of safe, legal and whenever you want it, they can afford a terrorist or two. Because these days, the enemy of my president is my friend. Even if hes on a watch list.

Christine M. Flowers is a lawyer and columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Two Bernalillo-based businesses are expanding, and that means dozens of new jobs, owners say.

Structural steel fabrication and manufacturing company Amfabsteel Inc. announced on Friday that it is adding 43 new positions as part of its expansion of operations. And, under the same ownership, Phat Steel Inc. announced that it is adding 20 jobs.

Amfabsteel and Phat Steel are excited about the growth we are experiencing, Mark Mosher, the president of the companies, said in a news release issued jointly with Sandoval Economic Alliance. Weve been able to sustain our growth by constantly looking to improve our processes and lead the industry in innovation.

Amfabsteel will receive $608,868 in state job-training funds, which go toward classroom or on-the-job training for up to six months, while Phat Steel will receive $168,374.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program will also help Amfabsteel and Phat Steel with workforce development.

It has been a pleasure to work with Mark and his companies to secure incentives to aid their expansions, Bob Preble, director of business development at Sandoval Economic Alliance, said in a statement. Homegrown businesses like Amfabsteel and Phat Steel bolster our local economy by investing in growing their workforce locally.

Amfabsteel, which was established in 1984, has 59 employees and more than 30,000 square feet of facilities, according to the release. Phat Steel Inc., a miscellaneous fabrication and manufacturing company, began in 2006 and employs 14 people. It has more than 10,000 square feet of facilities.
A man who pioneered Community Policing during the civil rights movement and was the first African-American to achieve several firsts for his race had a message for Rio Rancho on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Dr. Lee P. Brown was invited by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of New Mexico to speak at the Rio Rancho High School cafeteria about his life in law enforcement and his continued support of Kings legacy.

Brown has a distinguished career, becoming the first African-American to receive a bachelors degree in criminology, and serving as commissioner of police in Atlanta and the mayor of Houston.

Along with these accolades, President Bill Clinton appointed Brown as his director of the White House Office of Drug Control Policy, a position Brown held for three years until returning to Houston to teach at Rice University.

Brown said he has come a long way from his humble beginnings as a son of sharecroppers in Wewoka, Okla.

My mother and father slept in the house, and me and my five brothers slept in an old army tent, we had the ground as our floor, Brown said. We would pump our own water and cook our food in an old wood stove.

Brown said as so-called sharecroppers, his family worked on the crops everyday but nothing was shared with them when they were finished.

We chopped and picked cotton, we picked grapes, we picked up potatoes, Brown said. I am thankful for one thing though  I am thankful that mother would save her hard-earned dollars so we could go to school.

Education is the key to success for changing ones station in life, especially when some are born poor and black, he said.

My mothers idea of a good education was a high school diploma because she only went as far as second grade, Brown said. I owe all of my success to Dr. Martin Luther King, because the man stressed that change comes from education.

Brown juggled his collegiate studies with his other passion for law enforcement, he said.

I started my police career in the San Jose Police Department in 1960, Brown said. Up to this point in my life I was not a fan of run-ins with the police, because they were never good.

According to Brown, he was only the second African-American given a job in that department. The chief told Brown there would never be any more than two black police officers in this department at one time.

Indeed that was the case for many years, Brown said. I would respond to someones call and show up in a police car and a police uniform and they would ask for a real cop.

I thought I was a real cop  I knew I looked pretty good, he said, laughing at the memory.

Many years later, Brown said he was sitting in the front office in New York City as a police commissioner when he suddenly reflected on his early law enforcement career.

I leaned back, put my feet on the same desk that was used by J. Edgar Hoover, looked out of the window at the Empire State Building, and I said to myself, I have 30,000 police officers working under me. Maybe now I am a real cop. 

When Brown was appointed to Clintons cabinet, he called his mother to tell her the news, he said.

She said, You mean tell me youre going to be working in the White House?  Brown said. I said, Yes maam, and she said, Boy, youve come a mighty long ways, from the outhouse to the White House. 

Today, racial relations are on high alert  for the second time in his life  between the police and many black men, he said.

Based on my many years of experience, I sincerely feel there is a better way to police our cities than what weve done in the past, Brown said. I am not suggesting that all police officers are bad; that is not the case. What I am saying is that those few officers where the bad happens do not deserve our support.

Brown explained that Community Policing is the best way to handle high-crime areas. Community Policing, he said, is not a program that can be funded and taken away, but a mentality that the police can use to take action in the troubled communities that need their attention.

This initiative is comprised of foot-patrolling a specific police beat or area, caring for those in need, and being aware of the trouble areas and having a high profile there, he said.

Quinton Fletcher, facility chaplain for Bernalillo Countys Metropolitan Detention Center, said he knew of Brown from his reputation as the mayor of Houston.

I think this is a privilege to be able to honor Martin Luther King Jr. with this mans words, Fletcher said.

A Nashville native, Fletcher said King was always an inspiration for him both personally, and spiritually.

Dr. Brown, in essence, is keeping that inspiration alive by living his testimony and leading by example, Fletcher said. He certainly is an inspiration to me, growing up as an African-American male in the South.

Fletcher said King would be proud of the progress America has made in regard to race relations thus far, but there are still issues that would concern him immensely.

I believe he would be happy that many of the immediate obstacles that were in his way are gone; however, there is still work to be done and with all of the challenges that we face, the struggle is still alive.

Sandoval County District 1 Commissioner James Dominguez, in attendance for the talk, said King literally changed the world we live in and the longevity of Dr. Browns career testifies to that fact.

Dr. Brown is a remarkable man with great leadership abilities, Dominguez said. He puts power into what kind of people we are in this world and how we need to move forward.

Communication is the key to continued success but, more importantly, people need to find out how to get things done now, he said.

Our world is  very corrupted and (Dr. Brown) has done a lot of speeches on what we can do to become a better people, Dominguez concluded.
Some New Mexicans will have to wait up to 12 weeks for their state tax refunds this year because of an enhanced review process aimed at combating identity theft and fraud, the state Taxation and Revenue Department announced Friday.

The agency also said it is cooperating with U.S. Internal Revenue Service security measures in place for the 2017 tax season.

Not all state returns will be affected, but if a personal income-tax return shows a potential for refund fraud, that return will likely take longer to process, according to a news release issued Friday.

In this age of information, there are many ways for criminals to steal personal information and use it to try and steal your tax refunds, said John Monforte, acting secretary of taxation and revenue. Our department has shifted resources and is placing an emphasis on protecting your personal information and New Mexico tax dollars.

The department said its extra efforts were due not only to identity theft and refund fraud but also recent breaches involving the federal government and in the public sector.

Last year, the agency drew complaints after it asked thousands of taxpayers to provide more documents and personal information before their refunds could be sent out. In all, it flagged roughly 59,000 personal income-tax returns for closer scrutiny, or about 13 percent of all returns.

The agency said filers can speed up the process if they are as accurate as possible on their tax forms and  provide all requested information in a timely manner.

In general, online refund requests will be processed more quickly than those on paper.

The agency says it will contact taxpayers if it needs any additional information from their drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards.

If the information is not provided, there could be a significant increase in the processing time of the return, the release said.

On the federal level, the IRS is required to delay until at least Feb. 15 refunds on any returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit or the Additional Child Tax Credit, rather than paying those returns immediately. Congress mandated the delay so the IRS would have more time to try to catch fraudulent returns before refunds are paid.

The state tax agency said, Any taxpayer refund request stopped by the IRS, which has a corresponding refund request in New Mexico, will be held by (the state) until the taxpayer has resolved the IRS stoppage.

New Mexicans who suspect someone has fraudulently filed a tax return under their name are asked to call the state Taxation and Revenue Department at 1-866-285-2996.
Teams from two New Mexico schools have been dubbed the best in the state for creating separate smartphone apps  one to fight introversion and bullying, and another to battle teen suicide  and are now qualified for a national best in the country contest as part of the fifth annual Verizon Innovative Learning App Challenge.

Teams from Mountain View Middle School in Rio Rancho and Taos Academy Charter High School in Taos earned $5,000 grants for their schools, new tablets for each team member and a shot at eight $15,000 Best In Nation or one Fan Favorite prizes.

The five-student team at Mountain View Middle School created SchoolBoard, an app inspired by introverted students who have a hard time making new friends and coping with bullying situations.

SchoolBoard allows them to connect comfortably with other students or staff at their school, and serves as a platform for students to discuss issues that might be bothering them, a place to learn coping skills, and get help with bullying, emotional stresses and even homework. The app also allows users to anonymously report bullying to staff.

The Taos Academy team, also five students, won for its See Something, Say Something app that was inspired by New Mexicos high suicide rate  fifth in the country.

The app allows users to get immediate emergency help for themselves or a friend via a calling feature, get real-time crisis counseling, and view resources and strategies for suicide prevention. In addition, it lets teens socialize so they can empower each other to take action in preventing suicide, organizers said.

The Taos community has lost four teens to suicide in the past year, they said.

The apps from both schools were selected from more than 1,800 submissions nationwide.

A panel of education and industry experts will chose the Best In Nation winners and the voting public will determine the Fan Favorite Award. Winners get the opportunity to work with MIT Media Lab experts to bring their app idea to life.

Voting  and anyone can vote  for Fan Favorite began on Monday and runs through Feb. 14. One vote per smartphone is eligible.

To vote for the Mountain View team app, text the code SCHOOLBOARD to 22333.

To vote for the Taos Academy app, text the code SEESAY to 22333.

The Verizon Foundation created this challenge in partnership with the Technology Student Association and in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab to spark greater student interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and provide hands-on learning experiences, organizers said in a statement.

The Fan Favorite and Best in Nation teams will present their completed apps at the annual Technology Student Association Conference in Orlando, Fla., in June. Their apps will be downloadable from the Google Play store.

We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com.
A woman called to comment on my column about the Womens March on Washington, to be held today in the nations capital and in sister marches around the globe  including in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Fort Sumner and other New Mexico communities.

She was scared, she said. She felt threatened. She was worried about what was coming next. She had hoped the election would have settled things, but instead the hatred that had permeated the country was still pungent enough to cause her to stop answering her phone, stop watching national news, stop admitting whom she had wanted for president.

It just feels like my rights are being taken away, she told me. It feels like I have no freedom of speech.

She wasnt planning to watch the inaugural ceremonies, at least not right away. She had work to do.

But she was damn sure she wasnt going to march with a bunch of liberal women in pink hats.

Because, yes, she is a Trump supporter.

Why not write good things about women for Trump? she said in her impassioned voicemail. Its a shame the country isnt listening to the other side.

So I called her. And I listened.

She was leery, at first. What was my angle, she wanted to know.

I read you, but you are biased sometimes, she said.

I told her I knew that. But it didnt mean I didnt want to understand her bias.

I have tried to listen to others before, curious to understand how people come to the conclusions they do.

But this year it was a futile, often grueling endeavor, one that often dissolved into personal attacks and the click of a phone line.

One man who called this week, for example, started off civilly enough. Then he started yelling  loudly  about how after eight years of being called racist and homophobe it was time for him to unleash his rage on folks like me and our recently departed president.

Obama hates white people, he shouted.

Another man called to say how angry he was that the country was so divided. It was all the Democrats fault, he said. Obamas fault. The medias fault. The libs  fault. He feared that now things would become violent and dangerous, that hate would destroy us.

I told him many libs feel the same way.

But thats at the core here, isnt it? Weve all had fears. Weve all been hurt. Its just that we blame different sides for that. And we arent listening enough.

The woman for Trump said she had been a die-hard Democrat all her life. She had raised her children as Democrats. But she had grown tired of the partys inability to make her feel included because she differed on matters of abortion rights and gay marriage. She had grown tired of feeling disrespected by Hollywood and the elitist press.

She had voted for Donald Trump because he wasnt Hillary Clinton.

She lies too much, she said.

We discussed a number of topics of contention between right and left  about Trumps own lack of truthfulness, Russia, tax returns, mocking people from a disabled reporter to a Hispanic judge and so forth.

All of that, she said, was just fake news, though she admitted she watched and read very little national news.

Heres what I know, she said. Hes not perfect. But God put him there for a reason.

If she could wish for one thing, she said, it was for the other side to be more tolerant. I told her the other side wants the same thing.

We ended our conversation civilly and, Id like to think, cordially. I gently suggested that we werent so different in many ways. But I could tell she was having none of that. Were still too far away, too hurt, too angry for that.

UpFront is a daily news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
DAKAR, Senegal  Gambias new president says defeated leader Yahya Jammeh is expected to leave for Guinea within hours, and he plans to return home to take power once the situation is clear.

A visibly tired Adama Barrow told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday that he will enter Gambia once a security sweep has been completed. He has been in neighboring Senegal for his safety during a political standoff that came to the brink of a regional military intervention.

Barrow, who won Decembers presidential elections, spoke just hours after Jammeh announced he would relinquish power, ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

It is not yet confirmed information, but reliable sources are saying hes leaving today, Barrow told the AP. We believe hell go to Guinea, but we are waiting to confirm 100 percent.

He said he has not yet been given the communique which should spell out the terms of Jammehs departure. What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now, he said.

Barrow was inaugurated Thursday at Gambias embassy in Senegal, with the backing of the international community.

As Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than 22 years in power, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led the famously mercurial Jammeh to challenge the December election results, just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Barrow.

Jammeh once vowed to rule for a billion years. His agreement to step down has brought an end to the political crisis in this tiny West African nation of 1.9 million, which has promoted itself to European tourists as the Smiling Coast of Africa.

The rule of fear in Gambia has ended with Jammehs rule, Barrow told members of Gambias diaspora late Friday.

Critics of Jammeh insisted he should be held accountable.

Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities, said Jeggan Bahoum of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia.

An online petition urged that Jammeh not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested.

We arent talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission, Barrow told the AP. Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together.

Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, has been holed up this week in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into Gambia on Thursday. The force moved in after Barrows inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

Jammehs announcement to relinquish power is a good first step, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa. For the Gambia to truly move on, President Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing. In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994, Smith wrote by email.

Fearing violence as the political crisis dragged on, about 45,000 people have fled Gambia for Senegal, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

After days of uncertainty, Banjul was peaceful Saturday. At the ferry terminal, Yassin Jallow helped hand out bread to families returning to the capital.

There are so many people who couldnt go out, and nothing is working, the shops are closed, the bakeries are closed  and we dont want anyone to starve, Jallow said.

Some wary Gambians said they would believe Jammehs departure when they saw it.

I heard he will step down, but leaving, that is the question, said student Haruna Jallow.

___

Petesch reported from Banjul, Gambia. Associated Press writer Abdoulie John in Karang, Senegal, contributed.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. The upcoming Astana talks over Syria can change the regions political face, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Arman Navasardyan told reporters, reports Armenpress.

He added that the escalation of relations between Iran and Turkey will lead to the deterioration of the Russian-Iranian relations.

I think not only a serious aggravation of Turkish-Iranian relations is going to take place in Astana which can permanently eliminate the alliance, but also, Russias policy against Turkey will be questioned, he said.

The Ambassador stated that Russia and Turkey will not come into a final political honeymoon and will not solve issues in the interests of each other.

The Astana talks on Syria will launch on January 23. Military officials from Russia, Iran and Turkey will take part in the talks.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan held a consultation on January 20 in the Government regarding the issues of the groundwater resources usage of the Ararat plain, the Governments Press Service told ARMENPRESS.

During the January 15 Cabinet meeting Karapetyan tasked the minister of nature protection to study the present data on business entities operating without water usage permits in Armenia, as well as make proposals in terms of ruling out illegal water usage.

Artsvik Minasyan, minister of nature protection, briefed the Prime Minister that monitoring activities revealed 574 business entities operating without water usage permits.

The PM was briefed on the situation in terms of actual usage of groundwater in Ararat plain, evaluation of impact, the situation in terms of nature protection, permits and activities of fish farms and industries.

Proposals on sustainable management of water resources have been made, which are namely related to introduction of energy saving and water saving technologies in the water usage system, taking legislative, institutional and field actions, excluding the provision of new permits of wells, shutdown of abandoned wells and introduction of a control system.

Prime Minister Karapetyan said it is necessary to take serious actions aimed at improving the dangerous situation in terms of nature protection and efficient usage of water resources. The PM tasked the formation of a working group which will include representatives of stakeholder agencies.

From now on everyone must strictly fulfill their functions, the PM said in conclusion.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan met with recently demobilized soldiers who had demonstrated dedication and courage during their military service at Mountainous Armenia resort in Dilijan on January 20. Majority of the ex-soldiers have participated in the military operations defending their Fatherland from the adversarys invasion. Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Movses Hakobyan attended the meeting.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, the President greeted the participants of the meeting, thanked for their good service and addressed his speech not only to those present but also to all the demobilized soldiers. Noting that the period of the service of our soldiers coincided with the period when they had to withstand the enemys onslaught last year, the President stressed that they fulfilled their task with honor and stated that they remain the soldiers of the Fatherland even after the demobilization irrespective of the sphere of their future activities.

Of course, we miss and are proud of our friends who fell heroically. We are also proud of our friends who heroically fought and remained alive and will continue their sacred service for the Fatherland. I asked the Defense Minister to organize this meeting because I always enjoy talking to servicemen, but they are a bit restrained during the service because of two factors. I think one of the factors is that they do not want to voice about problems and difficulties not to look like a lachrymose or querulous boy, so as not to create an impression that they need good conditions for serving their Fatherland. But of course, there is also the second factor, which is a soldier always has the fear that if he raises a problem, his supervisor may not like it. I think today we should have a sincere conversation, discussion, to understand the advantages of our army, the positive sides of our military service and what we have achieved. We have to openly speak about the problems needing a solution in the future for making our army more combat-ready, since we are forced to have a combat-ready army. All nations need armies, but there are cases when this need becomes a vital necessity. A combat-ready army is a vital importance for us, the President of the Republic said.

Offering to have a sincere conversation Serzh Sargsyan noted that he also would like to listen to the opinion of the guardians of the Fatherland over the existing problems and the development of the country in general.

The demobilized soldiers asked the President questions about the prospects of Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement process, the greatest achievement of the 25-year old Armenian army, the role of the demobilized soldiers in the implementation of the nation-army concept introduced by the Defense Minister, the response of the Armenian side to the arms-race unleashed by Azerbaijan and some other social issues.

The ex-soldiers also answered the Presidents questions, presenting their opinions on how to improve military service, what should be changed, what problems they can see, what gave military service to them, was the knowledge gained during the service enough to effectively participate in the military operations, and a number of other issues.

Based on the meeting, the President also issued a number of instructions to the Defense Ministry, which referred to raising safety during service, ideological education of the soldiers, organization of free time activities, training of specialists in parallel with obtaining new armaments, continuation of works with the Ministry of Education and sciences aimed at subsidizing the tuition fee of soldiers involved in combat duty.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Premier Karen Karapetyan visited the American University of Armenia on January 20.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Government, the Premier toured in the educational institution accompanied by the leadership of the University, familiarized himself with the current activities of the higher educational institution, its conditions and programs. Karen Karapetyan visited the library of the university, which serves not only the staff and students of the university, but is also open for the broader public. The Head of the Executive noted that by ensuring quality education and creating equal conditions, the country will necessarily record progress. But our aim is not simply recording progress, we are speaking about such a progress that will be tangible for any citizen, Karen Karapetyan said.

Afterwards, the PM met with the students and answered their questions. The PM noted that he is impressed by the American University, adding that he discussed with the universitys leadership how to create the same atmosphere in other universities of Armenia. Once I was asked how I see tomorrows Armenia. I had not prepared any answer to this question since I did not expect such a question. I gave the following answer: independent, safe, just and intellectual Armenia. This answer really reflects my worldviews and is not aimed at making a better impression for the audience. I am more than convinced that the component intellectual is very important for our country. If we fail in having educated citizens, we will not have a good country. Can we do that? Undoubtedly we can. For that reason our Cabinet will render maximal attention to the educational system, the Premier said.

Referring to the question of creating more attractive conditions for investments, the Head of the Executive noted that in order to attract investments it is necessary to have clear-cut, transparent, reliable and predictable conditions in tax, customs, judiciary, and legislative spheres. Do we have ideal conditions for that at the moment? Of course, no. We have a plan of how to reach that goal step by step. Moreover, recently we established the Strategic Initiatives Center majority of the members of the Board of Trustees represent the private sector from Russia, the USA, Diaspora, in the sidelines of which we will elaborate our strategies, vision, reforms. And one of the key responsibilities of the center will be changing the business environment. Here we do not need to invent a bicycle; we just have to ensure the conditions under which business will flourish, Karapetyan said, promising to spare no efforts to attract investments. He informed that next week investment programs for different spheres will be submitted to the Cabinet. He stated that for the first time the Minister of Culture has announced that culture also needs capitalization. In this regard, we know how to move forward, Karapetyan said.

PM Karapetyan also spoke about how to make Armenias educational system attractive for overseas students, touched upon fight against corruption. The students asked the Premier for some advice to those graduating the university. Be independent, vigorous and love your Fatherland. I wish you success, and be convinced that there is nowhere better for us than our country. If our country has shortcomings, we have to improve them, he answered.




First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

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A mother and her son have been pulled out alive after an avalanche hit a hotel in central Italy on Wednesday.

They have been taken to hospital after they were freed from the rubble by firefighters.

Eight other survivors have been found; efforts to free them are on-going.

Spokesman Luca Cari gave the update from the Hotel Rigopiano in central Italy as rescue workers continued trying to extract survivors from the collapsed buildings in the resort north east of Rome.

Helicopters are ferrying the survivors to a hospital in Pescara on the Adriatic coast.

Rescuers said four bodies have been found since the avalanche struck on Wednesday afternoon.

News of the survivors boosted spirits two days after the massive snow slide buried around 30 people in the resort.

Video released by rescuers showed a boy, wearing blue ski trousers and a matching shirt, emerging from the hotel and crews mussing his hair in celebration.

Next was a woman with a long ponytail wearing red ski trousers. "Brava Brava!" the rescuers cheered.

The survivors appeared fully alert and walking on their own, but both were helped down to a stretcher for a helicopter ride out.

"This first news has obviously repaid all the rescuers' efforts," deputy interior minister Filippo Bubbico said.

Titi Postiglione, operations chief of the civil protection agency, said the survivors "can give us a series of indications to help with our intervention plan, information to understand what happened and help direct the search".

Rescue workers told RAI state television the survivors' conditions were remarkably good, and that they had survived thanks to an air pocket in the kitchen. They are being flown by helicopter to local hospitals.

About 30 people were trapped inside the luxury Hotel Rigopiano when the avalanche hit on Wednesday afternoon, with two people initially surviving the devastation and calling for help.

Search and rescue teams had maintained the hope of finding survivors even though the avalanche dumped up to 17ft of snow on the hotel.

The operations have been hampered by difficulty in accessing the remote hotel. Workers have been clearing a 5.5-mile road to bring in heavier equipment but it can only handle one-way traffic.

A convoy of rescue vehicles made slow progress to the hotel, blocked by snow piled 10ft high in some places, fallen trees and rocks.

The first rescue teams arrived on skis early on Thursday, and firefighters were dropped in by helicopter. Snowmobiles were also used.

Days of heavy snowfall had knocked out electricity and phone lines in many central Italian towns and hamlets, and the hotel phones went down early on Wednesday, just as the first of four powerful earthquakes struck the region.

It was not clear if the quakes triggered the avalanche, but emergency responders said the force of the massive snow slide collapsed a wing of the hotel that faced the mountain and rotated another off its foundation, pushing it downhill.

One of the survivors reported that the guests had all checked out and were waiting for the road to be cleared to leave. The snow plough scheduled for mid-afternoon never arrived, and the avalanche hit sometime around 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation into the tragedy, and among the hypotheses being pursued is whether the avalanche threat was not taken seriously enough, according to Italian media.

Farindola mayor Ilario Lacchetta said the hotel had 24 guests, four of them children, and 12 employees were onsite at the time of the avalanche.

- AP
The inauguration of President Donald Trump was a model of efficient protocol, embodying the smooth transmission of executive authority, handed down from the eighteenth century. His brief inaugural speech praised the value of traditional patriotism and quoted the great Hebrew hymn, Hine ma tov, Psalm 133: How good and pleasant it is when brothers sit together in unity.

The scene on Central Park West last night, and throughout Washington today, however, demonstrated the rancor and hostility that have seized a large portion of the electorate, which insists that the new president is an illegitimate usurper. According to this sizeable faction, represented by much of the countrys political and cultural class, President Trumps first 100 days in office must be met with a campaign of massive resistance, including direct action. Such efforts were already evident throughout Washington this morning, as self-styled anarchists smashed windows in protest, and middle-aged women linked arms to block entrance to inauguration events, smirking at uniformed military officers who demurred from shoving through their illegal phalanx. In New York, several councilmembers were arrested in front of Trump Tower for blocking traffic but were able to tweet about it an hour later.

An estimated 25,000 people attended the Inauguration Eve rally, held outside the Trump International Hotel & Tower at Columbus Circle, formerly the Gulf + Western Building. They assembled to cheer Mayor Bill de Blasio, Robert de Niro, Cher, Alec Baldwin, and other like-minded luminaries. Many people waved signs reading no! stop trump/pence fascist regime before it starts, or no no no. in the name of humanity we refuse a fascist america. This Refuse Fascism contingent, a dominant presence at the rally, assumes a kind of 1930s-style Popular Front appealbut it is actually a front for the Revolutionary Communist Party, run by longtime activist (and some say cult leader) Bob Avakian. The Refuse Fascism movement has received favorable coverage from Rachel Maddow, and leftist icons such as Cornel West, Ed Asner, and Bill Ayers have endorsed its program.

The speakers at the anti-Trump rally exercised their fervid imaginations in depicting the doom that awaits America. Filmmaker Michael Moore announced, As bad as we think its going to be, it is going to be worse. He spoke of the Muslim registry that Trump allegedly plans to institute, which will require every Muslim-American to register with the government. I will be the first to sign up on the Muslim registry, Moore promised. Who will join me? Lets all sign our name! We are all Muslim! We are all Mexican! We are all women!

Mayor of Minneapolis Betsy Hodges expanded the categories of people who must fear the ravages of President Trump: He will have to get through all the mayors in all the cities in this country if he wants to get to our beloved communities. When he comes for our artists, who are going to be more important now than ever with their voices of dissent, hes going to have to get through me. The idea that artists are at risk of being rounded up for internmentanother suspicion devoid of any evidenceis consonant with the general pitch of #Resistance rhetoric.

Naturally, such a rally would not be complete without a Hollywood star making it all about himself: actor Robert De Niro read aloud from a list of unsent tweets that he imagined Trump was preparing in response to De Niros own remarks: The sushi at Nobu is made from raw fish, and the portions are so small! sneered the actor/restaurateur, fantasizing that the billionaire president would be baffled by the $180 omakase offerings at De Niros exclusive sushi emporia.

Mayor de Blasio gave a relatively weak and anodyne speech, at one point acknowledging that the progressives had been wrong-footed and out-maneuvered by the new president. Donald Trump always likes to say he built a movement. Well now its time for us to build our movement! He received tepid applause for suggesting (accurately) that the Left had lost at its own game. The mayor also received a storm of negative press for participating in a political rally that fouled up midtown rush hour traffic and for calling continually on Twitter for more people to join the rally.

Critics of Trumps inaugural speech complained that he did not do enough to reach out to the opposition, and that his narrow victory compels him essentially to share power with the other side. But the resistance, including members of Congress, has already made clear that it will do everything it can to gum up America going forward, in an effort to delegitimize Trumps government. If the protests we have seen so far are any indication of what the future holds, then its doubtful that our nations divisions will be bound up any time soon.

Photo by John Moore/Getty Images
Give President Obama credit: he didnt wait until he was in the limousine on his way to Donald Trumps inauguration to commute Oscar Lopez Riveras prison sentence. Had he waited until mid-morning Friday, January 20, to do it, his symbolic sanction of domestic terrorism might have escaped the average Americans notice. Those who did notice might have called him a coward, but their objections would have been drowned out amid the days oaths and protests.

As it is, Obama chose to do it on Tuesday afternoon, January 17, at the same time he commuted the sentence of the American traitor Chelsea Manning. In its way, the out-in-the-open quality of these commutations is a statement of principle. Americans of every political stripe now have a chance to consider what the president has done. It was a bold move. It said: This is the real me. This is my idea of justice.

Lopez Rivera is a sworn enemy of the United States who admitted to his role as a leader of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional (FALN), the clandestine Puerto Rican nationalists who planted more than 130 bombs during the 1970s, mostly in Chicago and New York. The bill of indictments against the FALN and Lopez Rivera need not be rehearsed here. He never denied anything. You can look it up.

In the 35 years that he has been behind bars, Lopez Rivera has never indicated that he is sorry for the death and destruction he sowed during his days of rage. His steadfast commitment to violence has naturally attracted legions of left-wing admirers. They are, in the main, hashtag guerrillas who lionize the FALNs twisted ideology and apologize for its murderous deeds from the comfort of their keyboards. Some, like New York City mayor Bill de Blasio and Hamilton: The Musical creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, call Lopez Rivera a freedom fighter. They say that theres no physical evidence that he killed anyone. The CIA did horrible things in Puerto Rico, they offer in justification for the FALNs bombing campaigns. The U.S. colonized and brutalized a defenseless island.

The appeal to old grievances is the last resort of the radical poseur. Take it from an Irish-American. I know plenty about what they did to us during colonial days. I know how badly those imperialist bastards treated our ancestors. At least in Ireland, the freedom fighters mostly confined themselves to attacking British soldiers (and each other). The world turned against the Irish Republicans when they began targeting British civilians.

The FALN was always less discriminating. On January 24, 1975, these self-styled freedom fighters planted a ten-pound dynamite bomb in a dining room at Fraunces Tavern in lower Manhattan because, they said, reactionary corporate executives would be dining there. Harold Sherbourne, Frank Connor, Alejandre Berger, and James Gezork were killed that day. Civilians all, they lost their lives to the revolutionary vanity of Lopez Rivera and his bandit friends. Then, as now, a tiny fraction of Puerto Ricans support the FALNs nationalist ambitions.

During his years as the FALN mastermind, Lopez Rivera made women into widows and children into orphans. President Obama is a father, and by all accounts a superb one. I know he can imagine how it would feel for Sasha and Malia to be left fatherless. Hes a smart guy, too, full of empathy, so he must know that the trauma of such a thing would never healnot even after 42 years. The children of those whom the FALN killed still dont have fathers. They never will.

Yet, despite his vaunted intelligence and celebrated empathy, Obama went ahead and made this appalling decision. All that mattered, it seems, was that the cool crowd wanted Lopez Rivera to go free. Clearly, Obama wasnt thinking about Frank Connors family or other American families whose lives were blown apart by FALN bombs. Instead, he gave aid and comfort to Americas enemies.

Lopez Rivera will answer to a higher authority than Obama, Franks son Joe Connor told me last night after the news broke. And he better be ready. Well see. As for Obama, if the president did anything more shameful during his eight years in office, I must have missed it.

Photo by New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Donald Trumps stunning victory represents a tectonic shift in American politics. Against every imaginable odd, and the combined opposition of the political and media establishments, Trump tweeted and elbowed his way to the most extraordinary electoral win in American history.

From the beginning of his campaign, Trumps appeal was characterized as lacking substance, and his supporters as reality-television-besotted fools. Hollywood uber-liberals such as Rob Reiner sneered about the Kardashianization of America, and pundits waxed nostalgic for a lost time when serious debate instead of frivolous chatter dominated.

In reality, Trumps campaign and appeal were always issue-based. From the start, he stressed three fundamental policy points that catalyzed a large base of support. Though he refined and shifted the specifics of how he would implement these policies, his essential message was articulated at least 15 months ago.

The first issue was immigration. The presence of uncounted millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States has long been a sore spot for many Americans. While the dogma of open borders has been received wisdom among the political and economic elites for decades, polls have consistently shown illegal immigration to be a serious concern for the population at large. True or not, open borders have been perceived as an attack on the existing population, and a source of downward wage pressure. It was only a matter of time before some astute politician recognized that the national question was an untapped, undervalued source of concern.

The second of Trumps winning issues was security. The threat of terrorism, appropriately, terrifies Americans. Its a matter of common sense and general perception that terrorism as we face it today is bound up with political Islam. Trumps willingness to speak about Islamic terrorismwithout constant hedging about the miniscule number of terrorists versus 1.6 billion good Muslimsappealed to the population as a recognition of the present danger. Though Trump initially spoke crudely about totally banning Muslims from America, he has softened his position to indicate strict limits on travellers from terrorism source-nations.

Trumps third major issue was trade. Regardless of the merits of trade, its beyond dispute that great swaths of the countrys industrial regions have been hollowed out. Our transition to an information-based finance economyWall Street over Main Streethas created bi-coastal billionaires and left tens of millions of formerly aspirational Americans in the lurch. The perception that America, in Trumps words, doesnt win anymore on the global stage, rings true for people trapped in the lower depths of the service economy. Trumps promise to bring his business prowess to bear on trillion-dollar trade imbalances struck the cognoscenti as hilarious, but the American people have always respectedat least in theoryan individual who understands business at first-hand.

Against Trumps agenda of immigration, security, and trade, his opponents in the Republican primaries and then in the general election attacked his vulgarity, his quick tongue, and his irregular record in business. Hillary Clinton ran a negative campaign based almost entirely on Trumps supposed racism and sexism, and presented herself with a halo of inevitability. The assumption that Clintons gender would drive turnout at Obama-like levels was a fundamental error: women have simply never occupied the same historical role as black Americans, and the ascendency of one woman to high office never carried the same symbolic weight as a black man becoming president.

Trump lost control of his narrative many times throughout the campaign. But he identified three crucial concerns of the common voter and hammered on them all the way to Tuesday nights victory. Will he be a successful president? Thats another matter entirely. But his campaign was far more driven by substance than many have been willing to acknowledge.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
In his brief, blunt, and protectionist inaugural speech, President Donald J. Trump declared war on radical Islamic terrorism, using a phrase that former president Barack Obama refused to say during his eight years in office. Trump vowed not only to defeat the Islamic State and all other like-minded extremist Muslim movements, but to eradicate them completely from the face of the earth. Though Trump paid lip service to the need to reinforce old alliances, form new ones, and unite the civilized world against extremists to defeat Islamic militancy, the thrust of his main message to Americas allies and would-be coalition partnersAmerica Firstis at odds with that goal.

If America has learned anything from its 15-year struggle against Islamic militancy, it is that such violence and extremism cant be destroyed by force alone, and surely not by one nations military force. Obama may have been wrong to shy away from calling radical Islamic terror what it is. But he wasnt wrong to assert that America couldnt unilaterally defeat a political movement in religious garb. America needs the coalition of 63 states that Obama and his predecessor assembled to reclaim territory that the Islamic State has seized in Iraq and Syria.

While the U.S. and its coalition allies have retaken more than a third of that territorywhich is the size of Belgiumthe war against the ideology that attracts so many young, rootless Muslims will be a far longer and tougher battle. Al Qaeda had roughly 2,000 hard-core members when Osama bin Laden attacked America on 9/11. The group, which is now smaller and weaker than the Islamic State, still claims more than 75,000 adherents today.

If anything, the incoming Trump administration will need to be more, not less involved in Islamic militancys economic, political, and military battle fields. America First and Make America Great Again may be crowd-pleasing slogans. But they wont help Americas European or Arab allies address young Muslim mens attraction to militant Islam, the major causes of which are poverty, joblessness, and political repression in the Islamic world.

An American retreat from concern about the economic and political plight of young male Muslims will be welcomed in Raqaa and Mosul, where the remnants of ISIS still hold sway. Indeed, Islamic militants of all stripes will cheer the isolationist themes that Trump uttered in his inaugural speech.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
Attending the same college that Google CEO Sundar Pichai went to was Nisha's first step out of the poor neighborhood in India where she grew up. After graduating with a degree in computer science, she landed an internship at a tech company in California and, later, a job.

Read more at BuzzFeed News:

The Obama era is ending with a flurry of lawsuits against big companies

CEOs head to the mountains as globalization crumbles

Trump's proposed Labor secretary is on a blocking binge



For Nisha  that's not her real name, she asked to remain anonymous because the company she works for doesn't allow employees to talk to journalists  that first job wasn't just a gateway to a career in tech, but also to a visa, and the beginning of a permanent life in the United States. "Do I regret coming to the US?," Nisha told BuzzFeed News. "Not at all."

But now, like many high-skilled immigrants working in tech  especially those from India  Nisha finds herself in a situation far more tenuous than she anticipated when she moved to the U.S. six years ago. Immigrants in Nisha's position,  she moved here at a time when President Barack Obama's ambitious immigration agenda promised to resolve the bureaucratic speedbumps around high-skilled immigration  are now facing an incoming Trump administration that has threatened to crack down on legal immigration. Already in the midst of a decade-long wait for a green card, they're wondering whether forthcoming policy decisions will make their lives in the United States more difficult  or impossible.

"I've made peace the with the fact that I probably won't get a green card in my lifetime," Nisha said.

Currently, 65,000 visas for high-skilled workers  known as H-1Bs  are allotted each year. While engineers come from all over the world to work in the US tech industry, a particularly large number come from India. But a much smaller number of Indians are granted green cards, and this has caused a decades-long backlog in the system.

Since the election, Madhuri Nemali, an immigration attorney who specializes in small businesses hiring foreign workers, has been hoping to avoid telling her clients "it's going to get worse than it already is."

"I don't want to have to do that," she said. "But I'm thinking I'll probably have to based on the rhetoric from last year."

An engineer at Cisco who asked to remain anonymous has been waiting for a green card for five years. He's optimistic that the recent gathering of tech CEOs at Trump Tower will mean more immigrant-friendly policies under the new administration. But even so, he plans to return to India within the next five years, where's he's confident that, given his resume, he'll find a job with a US company. Many  including Google, Apple , Facebook , Intel and Cisco  have campuses In India now.

"I don't see a possibility unless something drastic happens with regards to green card regulations," he said. "It's been an excruciating process."

How Trump's administration plans to handle immigration policy for high-skilled workers remains, on the eve of his inauguration, more or less a mystery. After declaring last year that he would "end forever" the use of high-skilled immigrant workers as cheap labor, Trump later hedged, acknowledging that we "need highly skilled people in this country." His administration is actively considering reforms for the program, with Reuters reporting that meetings with tech CEOs have nudged the president elect further in favor of the program. The high-skilled immigration program does have a legitimate gray market fraud problem, which regulators have recently begun to crack down on. Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa has recently reintroduced legislation that would limit skilled immigration to the U.S..

One anonymous engineer who's three years into his green card wait described how, for immigrants in Silicon Valley, everyday financial decisions around taxes, 401Ks, and stock options, are more complicated because of the precariousness of their positions. "Everything else all along was bad  but at least it was predictably bad," he said.

Already, this engineer explained, things like becoming a startup founder are more or less off limits to him because of what investors perceive as unnecessary risk. Now, the possibility of further job insecurity and economic stability is exacerbating those frustrations. For example, immigrants who lose their jobs have thirty days to find a new one or leave the country, a predicament that would be much worse if the economy dips and major tech companies initiated hiring freezes, as they did during the 2008 recession. "If the economy goes south, the housing market will go down as well. In a month, you might have to do a fire-sale of your house because you might never be able to enter the US again to sell it," he said.

Current visa holders are hoping new regulations won't impact immigrants who are already here. But given the current climate, they're not rushing to encourage friends and family back home to join them. Avinash Conda, an engineer and immigration reform advocate, said he recently cautioned a cousin planning to get his masters in the US against the idea, at least for now. "My suggestion for now is stay tight, at least for another year," Conda said. "Let the president walk in, and see what happens  on April 1st, how many applications are filed  what are the new laws being passed, and we'll have to take it from there."

Others reported telling loved ones back home to consider getting an education in Canada, where tech companies have big offices and it's easier to get residency. "The job opportunities aren't as good as in the US, but are still pretty good," said one anonymous tech worker.

Nisha, the engineer who went to the same college as Google's CEO, shares the same concerns. If the worst should happen, she's confident her employer could move her to an office somewhere in Europe, or Canada  or even back to India. But she's also worried that moving away from headquarters in Silicon Valley, where "all the interesting stuff that attracts people" gets done. A move like that could delay her career goals  possibly forever.

"If I move back right now, it's sort of a dead end for me," she said. "But I grew up next to a slum in India. I've seen way more difficult times than anything that could possibly happen now."
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The Danish Refugee Council is looking for a Talented and Qualified Operations Officer a Djibouti

-Title: Operations Officer

-Grade: Based on DRC national salary scale

-Duty station: Djibouti Ville with frequent travel to the field

-Supervisor: Area Manager, Djibouti

-Starting date: February 2017

-Duration of contract: 6 months (with possible extension based on funds availability and performance).



TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE POSITIONS

Applications must be in English Interested candidates should send a CV, a Cover letter and other supporting documents addressed to the DRC mail account at vacances@drcdjibouti.org. Deadline: January 31st, 2017.



Job Description

DRC is looking for a talented and qualified Operations Officer for its programmes in Djibouti.

Purpose

The Operations Officer is to ensure that the programmatic needs in Djibouti office are addressed and met in an efficient, timely, transparent, accountable and cost-effective manner. The Operations Officer will report to the DRC Djibouti Area Manager and work closely with the Finance Coordinator, the Logistics & Procurement Coordinator and the HR Coordinator based in Addis to ensure smooth and effective running of finance, HR, administration and logistic activities in Djibouti.

Key Responsibilities



1.Finance

Ensure that the Finance Assistant/Cashier tracks and enters all financial transactions in the cashbook ensure quality of the entries and balanced cashbooks.

Estimate and request cash from DRC HQ via the Country Office in Addis and Regional Office for DRC Djibouti.

Ensure monthly closing and cash flow status report is produced on time, in both electronic and hard copies.

Control the quality of cashbooks and that payment sheets are properly filled out; namely with a detailed description of payment purpose.

Ensure that the Finance assistant/Cashier maintains proper filing systems of financial documents, timely scans financial documents and shares with the CO and RO.

To ensure accounting records are kept updated, are reliable and are maintained according to DRC accounting practices.

To ensure all relevant documentation is collected, checked and attached to payment vouchers for submission.

To prepare and carry out monthly salary payments of Djibouti staff and remit taxes to the relevant government authorities.

Coordinate with the local partner to make sure that sub-grants are spent in accordance with donor guidelines.

2.Logistics and Procurement

Ensure that assets/inventory in Djibouti operational area (currently including Djibouti ville, Ali Sabieh and Obock) are tagged and updated in the electronic property register on a monthly basis and that all staff/sectors comply with the laid down procedures regarding property management.

Ascertain that correct procedures are followed in the disposal of all obsolete and unrepairable property items and conduct an annual inventory of all assets.

Ensure that all DRC assets/property, including the office space, the guest-house, the containers, are well utilized, maintained, and serviced in order to minimize wastage and losses.

Enforce the procurement plan developed by the project team and make sure that items are purchased at the most convenient price and with the highest standards of quality.

Conduct periodic checks to ensure that the DRC warehouses are managed according to DRC regulations and records are well kept.

Ensure that DRC vehicles are utilized optimally for project activity implementation, maintained regularly, and properly registered and insured.

Review monthly fleet operational costs including fuel and lubricant consumption, spare part usage, and repair costs.

Assist in the procurement of vehicles, either for rental or purchase, in close coordination with the office in Djibouti-Ville and country office in Addis Ababa as needed.



3.Administration

Implement administrative policies to ensure proper and effective administrative systems in the Djibouti.

Provide advice and support on operational issues.

Ensure maintenance of a secure, reliable, and appropriate information technology (IT) system and proper use of IT resources for the Djibouti.

Monitor Djibouti and field offices and accommodation usage, and track cost-allocation for the guesthouse in Djibouti according to DRC policies and guidelines.

Manage and monitor office filing system for efficiency and ease of retrieval.

Ensure contracts and agreements for leases, services, repairs, utilities, and the like are current and reviewed regularly based on performance and value.

Ensure that all visitors and guests to DRC Djibouti are logged in and treated with care and respect.

Ensure that visas, work permits and/or residency cards for international staff are timely obtained.



4.HR

Maintain a thorough knowledge of DRC HR policies and ensure DRC Djibouti national staff adherence.

Act as focal point on all matters related to HR for Djibouti, and train staff on HR policies through appropriate trainings and meetings.

Ensure that personnel files for Djibouti national staff and refugee incentivized staff are complete and accurate, and that confidentiality is maintained.

Maintain updated job description database.

Liaise with the HR in Addis Ababa, as needed, on leave management, including the maintenance of leave tracking and staff movement documentation.

Prepare and submit the monthly staff list.

Assist in recruitment processes to ensure compliance with DRC hiring procedures as outlined in the HR manual.

Conduct timely orientation of new staff assigned to Djibouti and/or the refugee camp.



5.Liaison

Assist relevant DRC managers and the Area Manager in maintaining and maintaining relationships with Djiboutian governmental authorities.

Provide cultural context to decision-making.

Help with obtaining the necessary permissions and authorizations to facilitate DRCs work in Djibouti.



Education:

University degree in Finance, Business administration or related field.

Relevant experience in the domain can be considered in lieu of the university degree in required field.



Experience:

A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is required, preferably with an international NGO and/or UN Agencies



Competencies:

The candidate must be fluent in both written and oral French and English and at least one of the local languages. The knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.

She/he must also have good communication skills, be able to work independently and energetically, and have a flexible approach to manage and prioritize a high workload and multiple tasks with tight deadlines.

She/he must be confident and proficient in the use of MS Office, with advanced Excel proficiency.



The candidate must also have a:

Proven commitment to accountability and quality assurance.

Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with national staff members and other stakeholders.

Excellent communication skills and sense of diplomacy.



Emplois & Services, Emplois

21 janvier, 2017

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Talking Points:

S&P affirmed Greeces credit ratings at B-/B and gave it a  stable  outlook

The country is seen fulfilling its third economic adjustment program but with some lag

S&P sees the economy growing but with some fiscal allocation issues developing

Would you like to know more about trading currencies or commodities? Check out our DailyFX webinars.

Global credit rating agency Standard & Poors affirmed Greeces short and long term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings at B-/B. The S&P also set a stable outlook while mentioning risks to the assessment over the next 12 months as balanced.

The group noted that the Greek government is meeting the formal terms of the third financial support program which amounts to 86 billion Euros. While it anticipates that the country will continue to fulfill most of the current programs conditions, there is anticipation for some considerable lags down the road.

The organization sees Greeces economy growing on average 3 percent from 2017 to 2020, though that would still leave it about 15 percent smaller than its size in 2008. Economic growth over this time period is to be supported by tourism and a gradually improving jobs market. There was a mild statistical recovery in the second half of 2016 according to its measurements.

Despite the positive view of growth, S&P highlighted the economy remains fragile and its banking sector distressed. A big concern was about the pension system being operated at an unsustainably high deficit of close to 11 percent of GDP. This large amount of spending was reported as a major opportunity cost for fiscal resources that could have been diverted to health, education and the unemployed.

Additional comments from S&P:
Saturday, January 21, 2017

Introduction

It's that time of year before the February 1st deadline for nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. Last year I received at least two known nominations and that was enough to trigger a full review of my press releases and active consideration by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. One member, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, did the in depth checking out of my candidacy after I had sent in my most recent video. This year I'm looking for volume of nominations, all social science professors and members of national assemblies are eligible to make that nomination and may submit nominations to be kept confidential for fifty years, or send me a copy to be kept confidential or free to share as you see fit. The purpose of this release is to encourage such nominations, and be given some reasons to nominate me. To nominate by simple email see http://www.nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/. Thank you in advance.

Accomplishments 2016

My foremost accomplishment of the year was of course the nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize January 24 and February 1. On August 24th I was awarded a "Special Recognition Award" by the West Suburban Faith Based Peace Coalition of the Chicago area. My academic career took off with two entries in the "SAGE Encyclopedia of War, Social Science Edition" by Paul Joseph. Since that October release, my usual 10% downloads per visitor on Academia.edu went up to 70% for the "Political Economy of War" entry and 30% for the "Military Keynesianism" entry. My usual 25% foreign and 75% United States viewings on Academia went up to 62% foreign and 38% United States and has stayed at that new high level of international interest and recognition. Just a couple months ago I upgraded my reports on Academia and found out that I've been in their top 1% on a twelve month basis. Thanks to a Certification of my "Military Keynesianism" article by an Economic Professor and former Finance Minister of Nigeria with a million views on his website, I am now ranked as an author on Academia. The upward spiral is beginning to go exponential. On January 14th I presented the paper "Goal of the Terrorists: Raise the Cost to Society" explaining how economically and socially corrupting high military spending is to a society.

Lifetime Accomplishments for Nobel Peace Prize

1) The greatest "reduction of armies" (from Nobel's Will) ever should occur when my work on military spending and the economy becomes the new standard for economics. This is just a matter of time. Every test I can think of shows extremely high statistical correlations proving military spending is lost capital investment or lost manufacturing productivity growth or essentially deadweight on the economy with no growth potential. Put another way, the stimulative value of military spending in the economy is best modeled as zero. In my sixty year model of United States manufacturing productivity that modeling produces an essentially perfect fit of R=.999. This also explains how the regional positive correlation with military spending shows it to borrow growth from productive regions during military buildups and return growth to productive regions when there is reduced military spending. Borrowing and lending economic growth among the regions is not economic growth, it is redistribution of growth. Put another way, manufacturing shrinks during military buildups and expands during military reductions. https://www.academia.edu/7632773/PROOF_of_Peace_Economics_11_pages_1986

2) The first point leads to the second point, that the best long term way for a nation or alliance to defend is to keep military spending low, relying on economic growth to improve defense capability steadily over time. Leading with economic growth rather than military spending is much stronger in the long run. One of the keynote speakers at the Telos conference on "Asymmetric Warfare" in New York, Steve Metz, makes exactly that point that the military needs to use commercial products that have outpaced the pentagon, in the future. Before going to a perpetual high level of military spending after World War II, America used to let the civilian technology go first. America civilians pioneered in airplanes and automobile mass production preceding the tanks and planes of the World War. That is the winning way of the founding figures like George Washington. That peacetime low military first way won wars consistently from 1776 to 1945. Since then, American wars have all been problematic.

https://www.academia.edu/4475604/DEFENSE_STRATEGY_Chapter_Peace_Economics_7_p._1986

3) The first point leads to the domestic consequences third point. My finding that G7 countries had crime and murder rates proportional to their military spending rate is the keystone of declining empire theory. Yoko Ono had pointed out on the anniversary that 1.2 million people have been murdered in America since John Lennon was murdered December 8, 1980. Imagine if the military spending rate had been cut in half that whole time, and 600,000 murders had been avoided. Oh wait, that actually happened after the Cold War ended, and murder rates were and have been cut in half since then. And the criminologists don't have a clue why. That is more than the souls lost in Columbia in that multi-decade long conflict recently arriving at peace, thanks to the Nobel Prize winner from that country last year. That alone is an excellent reason to award the Peace Prize based on this research. https://www.academia.edu/4862977/CRIME_and_the_Military_1989-1999_3p._1999

4) The fourth point on global warming is a direct spin-off from the American sixty year model of the economy based on manufacturing productivity. The 54 year cycle is a direct result of the unequal evaporation rates over ocean compared to land. The three years of research from 1988 to 1991 lead to a combined theory of climate change, economic change, and periodic wars. Later Hurricane Sandy hitting New York in October 2012 lead to my trying the 55 year moving average on the then 160 year global warming record. Low and behold, that resulted in exact fits in the 1910 to 1973 one degree Fahrenheit per century period, and the post 1973 two degrees Fahrenheit per century period we are now in. Projection suggests the next upward increase will be when the 2025 cycle begins the process of land heating up first before ocean regulates the land second in the 54 year cycle. To predict wars is the first step in preventing wars.

https://www.academia.edu/6002772/WEATHER_CYCLE_5_p._from_WWW_course_1997_9p._2014
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Towards Healing Counselling & Support Services is available to survivors of Church, Religious and Institutional abuse. The Towards Healing director is Mr Michael Lyons and the service provides lay independent and fully accredited counsellors to support survivors. Towards Healing may be contacted by:

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We remember 50% poverty and 80% living from paycheck to paycheck including the 50% in poverty after 8 years of Democrat Obamas failed presidency;

We remember 50% poverty and 80% living from paycheck to paycheck including the 50% in poverty after 8 years of Democrat Obamas failed presidency;We remember 43 million student loan debtors because we do not have free education for all and it should be free from pre-school through university; we remember the failure to forgive all student loans; we remember the theft of Social Security payments from the poor who have student debt under the pretext of paying for student loans ( http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/12/21/older-americans-pushed-poverty-feds-garnish-social-security-student-debt and http://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/indebted-for-life-older-americans-and-student-loan-debt );We remember Democrat Obamas refusal to support socialized medicine guaranteeing free medical care to all who live or visit here upon demand from cradle to grave and instead, with both the House and Senate majority Democrat when first elected, promoted a tax give away to the insurance companies with high deductibles and co-pays for American citizens only and restrictions on abortion payments known as Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act also known as Republican Mitt Romneys medical plan for Massachusetts when he was its governor, with an increase in Medicaid tossed in which Medicaid expansion could have passed separately, with the lack of socialized medicine for all causing about 1,000 deaths per year (see http://www.pnhp.org/news/2015/september/more-americans-gain-health-coverage-but-many-can%E2%80%99t-afford-to-use-it-doctors-group and http://kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/coverage-for-abortion-services-in-medicaid-marketplace-plans-and-private-plans/ We remember a decline in life expectancy in 2015 for the first time in 20 years due to increased poverty, despite 8 years of Democrat Obama being in office (See https://www.liberationnews.org/u-s-life-expectancy-falls-for-first-time-in-20-years-as-inequality-rises/ and https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db267.htm );We remember Democrat Obama cut auto workers wages in half during the takeover of the bankrupt General Motors in 2009 (See http://labornotes.org/2010/10/uaw-members-protest-50-wage-cut-gm-plant-demand-vote https://socialistworker.org/2009/06/02/a-giant-falls-and-workers-pay );We remember the spending of $1 trillion to upgrade US nuclear weapons instead of abolishing all nuclear weapons and nuclear power (Democrat Obama);We remember that the Obama administration sold more weapons than any other since World War 2 (See http://www.globalresearch.ca/obamas-administration-sold-more-weapons-than-any-other-since-world-war-ii/5566411 );We remember Democrat Obamas illegal wars against Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Pakistan, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Syria (On Iraq, see https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2016/10/13/troops-from-sixteen-different-countries-currently-involved-in-iraq ; on Libya, see http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/5-Years-Later-US-Is-Carrying-Out-More-Airstrikes-in-Libya-20160801-0018.html ; on Yemen, crimes against humanity perpetrated by the US puppet, Saudi Arabia, at https://www.rt.com/news/373712-yemen-starvation-fishing-houthis/ ); on Pakistan, where Democrat Obama sent illegal drone strikes repeatedly, see https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2016/07/01/obama-drone-casualty-numbers-fraction-recorded-bureau/ ; on Somalia, see http://www.globalresearch.ca/u-s-attacks-in-somalia-expose-failure-of-decade-long-war-strategy/5514312 ; on Afghanistan, see http://inthesetimes.com/article/19285/its-time-to-put-an-end-to-us-occupation-of-afghanistan ; and on Syria, see http://www.globalresearch.ca/i-am-a-syrian-living-in-syria-it-was-never-a-revolution-nor-a-civil-war-the-terrorists-are-sent-by-your-government/5544450 We remember Democrat Obamas illegal installation of Nazi Ukraine in 2014 with $5 billion of our tax dollars, where they worship a proud Nazi, the late Stepan Bandera and have named a street after him (on the May 2, 2014 Odessa massacre at the House of Trade Unions and the history of Nazi Ukraine, see http://ersieesist.livejournal.com/813.html We remember Democrat Obamas illegal drone killings, illegal targeted assassination weekly lists, praise of US war crimes in Vietnam, providing skin-melting white phosphorus to Saudi Arabia to aid in killing 10,000 people in Yemen (same chemical used for same purpose by USA during American War against Vietnam), illegal use of depleted uranium in Syria, illegal use of white phosphorus in Iraq by American troops illegally there, all bombings and massacres in the US and Europe which were all staged INSIDE JOBS by definition as was the 9/11 Inside Job staged by the previous CIA family member, Bush, as is Obama, from 2009 to 2017, accelerated destruction of Civil Liberties (See The Obama Legacy Part V: Waging War on Civil Liberties, 8/2/16, by Danny Haiphong at http://www.blackagendareport.com/obama_legacy_civil_liberties ), the refusal to compensate CIA torture victims or prosecute any officials responsible for their crimes (See : Former CIA Detainees Describe Previously Unknown Torture Tactic: A Makeshift Electric Chair by Alex Emmons, 10/3/16 https://theintercept.com/2016/10/03/former-cia-detainees-describe-previously-unknown-torture-tactic-a-makeshift-electric-chair/ );We remember that in 2016, Democrat Obama dropped 26,171 bombs last year on the poor people of the world, 3,027 more than in 2015 (see http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article124842824.html );We remember the increased US military presence in mineral-rich Africa by Democrat Obama (see https://www.liberationnews.org/us-military-presence-in-africa-continues-to-grow/ )We remember that Democrat Obama continued the scapegoating of Muslims started by Republican Bush with his 9/11 Inside Job, the American Reichstag Fire, and continued with all bombings and massacres since 9/11/01, all inside jobs, to justify war and fascism, the same reason the Nazis perpetrated the Reichstag Fire and scapegoated Jews for everything, including all kinds of watch lists, such as the No-Fly List, which lists a 7-month-old baby as a terrorist (See http://www.alternet.org/grayzone-project/how-democrats-helped-pave-way-trumps-islamophobia );We remember Democrat Obamas re-election campaign on the false statement that he had Osama bin Laden killed when Osama bin Laden, who had nothing to do with the 9/11 Inside Job but was in fact a CIA agent who was on the CIAs payroll in Afghanistan fighting the Soviet Union in the 1980s and in 2001 was the CIAs prearranged fall guy or pasty, died of kidney disease and Marfans Syndrome in December 2001. See http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=15601 (Griffin: Bin Laden died Dec 2001) http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=24622 (Dr. Pieczenik: Bin Laden died Dec 2001 of marfan syndrome, genetic disease that shortens life span.) http://911blogger.com/news/2011-05-06/michael-ruppert-proof-obama-lying-about-killing-bin-laden (DNA sample not possible in time frame given.)(Roberts, 8/4/11: The Mysterious Death of OBL: Creating Evidence Where There Is None)(Roberts: 9/17/13: The Killing of Osama bin Laden was an American Hoax) http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=24625 (In 48 hours, bin Laden death story changed for pending presidential election) http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=30654 (Who Was Osama? Who Is Obama? By Michel Chossudovsky) http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=30671 (One Year On, Still No Evidence For Osama Bin Laden's Killing by Brit Dee)We remember the failure to fulfill the promise to close Guantanamo Concentration Camp where the inmates are held indefinitely and receive no charges, trial or convictions and suffer torture, all illegal, and where 41 inmates remain from the 242 Democrat Obama inherited from his predecessor, Republican Bush who originally illegally imprisoned without charge and tortured 780 men, and we remember the same Democrat Obama who upgraded the illegal Guantanamo Concentration Camp with $40 million of our tax dollars (Democrat Obama) (See https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/gtmo-by-the-numbers.pdf );We remember the Democrat Partys revival of anti-Russian hysteria in 2016, even though the US destroyed the Soviet Union in 1991 and Russia is now a capitalist country, to promote Democrat Hillary Clinton as president with no evidence being presented of wrongdoing by the Russians (but plenty of evidence that the Republicans again won the Electoral College vote with election fraud by tossing the black vote, as they did in 2000 and 2004 as that is the only way they can win the presidency since 1992), and promoting a possible attack on Russia by NATO-USA in the last days of Democrat Obamas presidency (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Gorbachev http://www.globalresearch.ca/outgoing-president-obamas-operation-atlantic-resolve-against-russia-us-sends-3600-tanks-against-russia-massive-nato-deployment-underway/5566679 );We remember Democrat Obama failing to improve the environment in that 1. He did not clean up the water in Flint, Michigan and the rest of the 3,000 communities that have contaminated water; 2. He approved 1500 offshore oil drilling plans including fracking in the Gulf of Mexico from 2010 to 2014; 3. He failed to permanently cancel the Dakota Access Pipeline; 4. He approved new oil pipelines equal to 10 Keystone pipelines from 2010 to 2015; 5. He continued to allow oil and gas rail shipments. (See http://www.mintpressnews.com/donald-trump-is-anti-environment-but-so-was-barack-obama/223540/ );We remember Democrat Obama joining with Democrat California Governor Jerry Brown in destroying the Delta Tunnels and destroy the Deltas ecosystem, and destroy local fisheries, agriculture, and recreation (see https://mavensnotebook.com/2017/01/05/this-just-in-well-sorta-secretary-jewell-lays-out-strategy-to-address-impacts-of-drought-and-climate-change-in-california/ and http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/7/27/1553375/-Delta-Tunnels-Restoring-An-Estuary-by-Diverting-Its-Water );We remember the Democrat & Republican parties are both bought and paid for by the oil companies (See Buying Silence: Why So Many Democrats are Mute About Standing Rock by Michael Sainato, 11/23/16 at http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/11/23/buying-silence-why-so-many-democrats-are-mute-about-standing-rock/ );We remember that on Friday, December 23, 2016 while people were busy preparing for a holiday weekend, Democrat Obama signed a $619 billion military appropriations bill for the 800 US military bases and 7 illegal wars Obama was promoting, which in and of itself is unconscionable, but it also contained a Ministry of Truth clause known as the Countering Disinformation and Propaganda Act, an anti-free speech and anti-free press law that was part of this 3,000 plus page war-mongering bill which Congress did not read, but did approve (See http://www.blackagendareport.com/obama%27s_propaganda_gift_to_trump )We remember that Democrat Obamas 2016 Ministry of Truth clause followed his 2011 Indefinite Military Detention Law for American citizens without trial or charge as part of the December 31, 2011 military appropriations bill (see https://www.aclu.org/news/president-obama-signs-indefinite-detention-bill-law http://www.blackagendareport.com/obama%27s_propaganda_gift_to_trump and for a comprehensive list of Obamas horrors including this one, see http://www.blackagendareport.com/locating_fascism_on_home_map and http://www.blackagendareport.com/obama%27s_last_presidential_lies );We remember that Democrat Obama expanded the powers of the spy agencies to do warrantless searches in January 2017 (See http://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/01/13/obama-expands-spy-agencies-access-private-data-just-time-trump );We remember Democrat Obama telling us, who voted in the majority against the Republican Donald Trump in 2016, to get in line behind Trump, whose attorney was the vicious US attorney Roy Cohn (who later became an attorney for organized crime friends of Trump, organized crime often being a part of the construction industry) who framed and prosecuted the innocent Julius and Ethel Rosenberg and Morton Sobell, and Democrat Obama opposed the recount in the contested states where the Republicans again committed election fraud in 2016, as they did in 2000 and 2004, which vote for his fellow Democrat presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, was a popular vote by a wider count, 2.9 million votes, than the victorious candidates in 1948 (Truman over Dewey), 1960 (Kennedy over Nixon), 1968, (Nixon over Humphrey) and 1976 (Carter over Ford) (see http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/index.html );We remember the failure to exonerate Ethel Rosenberg, despite a petition with over 59,733 signatures to him to do so (see http://www.rfc.org/ethel ); we remember the refusal to abolish the federal death penalty, the refusal to legalize all drugs to remove them from the street to end the prison pipeline as they will have no market value, the refusal to free Leonard Peltier, Sundiata Acoli, Aafia Siddiqui and all other political prisoners; the refusal to pardon Edward Snowden, Julian Assange, Assata Shakur, Mutulu Shakur, Mumia Abu-Jamal; the refusal to completely close all federal maximum security prison-concentration camps and the refusal to demand that all state governors abolish the death penalty, free Mumia Abu-Jamal and all other political prisoners, the refusal to free all prisoners over age 50, the refusal to transform all prisons, federal and state, into high schools providing a high school diploma and job training for decent paying jobs, changing all sentences to a maximum of 5 years (Democrat Barack Obama);We remember Democrat Obamas the failure to grant amnesty to all undocumented immigrants;We remember Democrat Obama was the biggest deporter in history, deporting 2.5 million immigrants;We remember Palestine being destroyed by Israel (Truman through Obama, Democrats and Republicans together, 100%);We remember the twin parties of war and fascism paid for by the same capitalist class to maximize their profits, the Democrat-Republicans, refused to abolish the stock market, refused to nationalize everything and abolish the private profit system replacing it with a planned economy to satisfy the needs of everyone as equitably as possible, refused to establish socialized medical care, including dental care and all related medical treatments and drugs, free to all upon demand from cradle to grave, refused to provide free education, including tuition and books, from pre-school through university to all upon demand, refused to legalize all drugs, thereby ending the prison pipeline; refused to abolish the military, the police, the prison-punishment system; refused to abolish the CIA, FBI and all other police state agencies; refused to abolish nuclear power and nuclear weapons and transform the US into a renewable energy state, using solar, wind and tidal power for our energy needs, along with massive, free public transit, thereby reducing cars to being rarely used; refused to house the homeless and provide free public housing to all upon demand, with housing built with full laundry and child care facilities in transit villages to minimize the need to travel to work, school, pharmacy, grocery and clothing stores and medical appointments;DEMOCRATIC PARTY, WE KNOW WHICH SIDE YOU ARE ON!If you have had enough of these failed presidencies and want all of the above needs addressed immediately, you have to register Peace & Freedom or Green. You can register online at https://covr.sos.ca.gov/?language=en-US For more information, see:
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ruled the IPOA committee must undergo a training course in competition law and should guarantee never again to issue advice to its members over rent levels.

Last year, the commission opened a probe into car insurers and broker business groups about whether they openly indicated likely hikes in premiums.
That is according to new accounts just filed by Loyaltybuild Ltd which show the firm recorded pre-tax losses of 9.1m in 2015.

In October, Loyaltybuild  which had built its business operating customer loyalty programmes for clients  announced the redundancy of 37 jobs at its Ennis head offices in Co Clare.

The new accounts show that the estimated cost of the restructuring is 780,000, and the directors say that the firms relationship with a significant client ended last month.

To maintain the companys leadership in a competitive market, the company must refocus to become an agile, leaner and predominantly digital-led business, according to the accounts.

The decision to downsize the Irish operation comes three years after a cyber- attack put Loyaltybuilds Irish business out of action for seven months, costing the company millions of euro in lost revenues.

No party was ever identified or brought to court for the cyber attack.

The accounts show that Loyaltybuild Ltd managed to halve its pre-tax losses to 9m in 2015, as its revenues rose 25% from 23.8m to 29.9m.

A large proportion of the 18m pre-tax loss posted in 2014 related to the restructuring of the firms French operation.

The companys accounts cover the activities of Loyaltybuilds European business, including its French operation.

The revenues generated in Ireland increased in 2015 from 5.9m to 6.3m, while revenues from elsewhere in Europe increased from 17.9m to 23.4m.

Staff numbers fell from 132 to 119, while staff costs in 2015 fell from 7.7m to 4.72m.

Directors pay in 2015 fell from 803,353 to 394,382.

The company is owned by US group Affinion.

The accounts say Affinion will continue to provide financial support.

It also confirmed that it will not seek repayment of the amounts due if they were to lead to financial difficulty for Loyaltybuild.

On the firms future developments, the directors believe that the company will focus on digital.

In 2008, three Co Clare businessmen that co-owned Loyaltybuild bucked the recession when they sold the firm to Affinion for 25m.

It is understood that founder and former chief executive Dominic Considine, businessman Domhnal Slattery and developer and hotelier Sean Lyne received half of the proceeds up front.
At coffee bars and cocktail parties in the Swiss town, which hosted the World Economic Forums annual meeting this week, conversation has often turned to how money can be made from the rise of a populist firebrand.

Amid all the panel-talk of reducing inequality and reinvigorating the middle class, the Davos set is hard at work looking for ways to safeguard and expand its wealth even as anti-establishment movements roil global politics.

That means enjoying the benefits of a Trump-driven boom in the US, where the business world is celebrating his pledges to slash taxes and loosen regulations.

Stock markets have surged to near record highs, and banks like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup have reported strong earnings.

If you look at whats happened to US bank stocks in the last six weeks, theyre up 30%, said Huw Jenkins, the vice-chairman of Sao Paulo-based lender Grupo BTG Pactual.

The US looks like its a great place to invest right now.

Optimism about money-making opportunities under the Trump administration goes well beyond the markets.

The real estate mogul is stocking his cabinet with finance-friendly figures like billionaire investor Wilbur Ross and former Exxon Mobil chief Rex Tillerson.

And Trumps promise to reinvigorate infrastructure spending, with the co-operation of a Republican-dominated Congress that will be eager to involve private firms, opens potentially huge business opportunities.

China Investment Corp, the countrys 765bn sovereign wealth fund, is actively seeking opportunities in US infrastructure and manufacturing, its vice-president said in Davos this week.

Spanish utility Iberdrola would be delighted to invest in new energy infrastructure in the US if Trump makes it a priority, CEO Ignacio Galan has said.

The sudden embrace of president Trump in Davos is jarring in its contrast with what many of its attendees said about him before.

The overwhelming majority supported either his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, or more mainstream Republican candidates, many on the grounds that they viewed the real estate mogul as dangerously volatile.

Former US treasury secretary Larry Summers said hes very troubled by the turnaround, and the possibility it will enable whatever the instinct of this new administration is.

Bloomberg
The tiny monastery island of Vlakherna is lit for a wedding with hundreds of candles that barely flicker in the still evening air as the sun sets. The picture-postcard Ionian sea, dazzlingly blue and calm, is dotted with white fishing boats.

Little ripples of laughter and snatches of conversation from arriving guests punctuate the warm evening and, in the background, the even tinier island of Pontikonisi, or Mouse Island, is crowned by a whitewashed Byzantine chapel surrounded by cypress trees.

Corfu, the northernmost Ionian island, has been a holiday destination since Roman times, treasured into antiquity for its beauty. Such a gem, combining fertile agricultural land and a safe harbour, its been the centre of many the historic battle, but its tranquillity and laid-back, cheery inhabitants bely its military past.

Everything is to a charmingly diminutive scale in this Lilliputian paradise where olive groves climb up the craggy, mountainous uplands and archaeological ruins, beaches and tavernas compete for sun-drunk tourists attention.

The capital, Corfu town or Kerkyra as its also known, is a good place to start as, unless you arrive by ferry from Igoumenitsa to Lefkimi in the south, you will arrive in either the port or airport, both of which are adjacent to Corfu town.

Corfu Old Towns elegant Italianate architecture and worn flagstone paving is charming, but in peak season its thronged with shopping tourists and the boutiques full of ostentatious riches and big-brand fashion seem somehow sad.

Gerald Durrells autobiographical accounts of his life on the island as a child spring to mind: what would it have been like to see this untouched, in the 1930s?

Corfus central market is a foodies paradise, with covered fish stalls sporting the bounty of the Ionian sea and fruit and vegetables to die for  baby courgettes each with their withered flower still attached, fragrant lemons and Sykomaida, the distinctive Corfiot discs of dried fig wrapped in leaves and twine.

Stroll away from the hubbub south down Leof Dimokratias, between the sea and the eucalyptus-scented park, for a dip at Anemomilos, the windmill at the edge of Garitsa bay, whose pier is a popular swimming spot with locals of all ages.

Theres no body police here, just relaxed Greek families having a good time: jolly grannies help wriggling toddlers into the water next to teens sunning themselves and flirting inexpertly.

Further on, past hilly Kanoni, youll stumble on the view of Pontikonisi, and if you want a closer look, hire a water taxi in Kanoni harbour. Otherwise, venture across the walkway that links to Perama a couple of kilometres outside the town; from here, planes landing at the airport seem about to take a death-defying plunge into the sea, and people congregate for the thrill of them soaring in low overhead.

Stop to join them? The whole rest of the island awaits and your holiday has just begun, but Corfu is all about the pleasures of the here and now.

Getting around

Connecting flights from Athens run hourly year-round.

To reach remoter spots rent a car or try a scooter from Kings Rent-A-Car or Scootermania, both on the main road to Corfu town centre from the port.

Corfu is a wonderful walkers destination. Mount Pantokrator is the highest point of the island at 908m, with views of Albania and the Greek mainland and theres a cafe and small monastery on the top. For a gentler walk, try the 5km ascent from Paleokastritsa in the west to the unspoilt village of Lakones, which is fantastic for coastal views.

See and do

Drop by the Mavroudis familys olive oil press and museum in the village of Vraganiotika, where brothers Spiros and Vangelis will explain the rich culture of olive oil production the island is renowned for; the tour includes tastings of their oils.

Nissaki, 22km from Corfu town, is a pebble beach renowned for the clarity of its waters.

Drop by Karmelas Pharmacy, the oldest pharmacy in Corfu town, at 56 George Theotoki Avenue. It was founded in 1850 and specialises in spetsieriko, the traditional spice blend.

Stay and eat

Aristedes Studios is a pleasant condo-style block of units outside Perama, where 50 per night gets a double room with kitchenette and bathroom, as well as private off-street parking and a communal games room.

Theres a choice of hotels of every standard, but with produce this mouth-wateringly fresh on offer, it may be worth considering self-catering: Airbnb has many options.

Ognistra is a traditional Corfiot Taverna in chef Nikos Chirdaris house in the stunning 13th century village of Palaia Peritheia. 50km from Corfu town along a coastal road and in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator, it could be worked into a very pleasant days itinerary. Classic Corfiot offerings like Veal Sofrito or orange and chilli salad.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Jan. 20, 2017) - Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE:PSE)(CSE:PSE.CN)(CNSX:PSE)(FRANKFURT:PNX) (the "Company" or "Pasinex") today announced that the Company's Pinargozu Zinc mining operation in Adana, Turkey, operated by the JV company Horzum AS, has just completed its first sale of Lead (Pb) mineral product, which is a by-product of the ongoing zinc production. A total of 392.9 dry tonnes has been sold, at a provisional assay of 61.5% Pb and 400 gram (12.86 troy ozs) per tonne Silver. The product has a provisional value (subject to final agreement on assays) of about US$1,250 per tonne.

Steve Williams, President and CEO of Pasinex Resources Limited commented, "It is truly remarkable that such high-grade lead is also being mined from the Pinargozu high-grade zinc mine in Turkey. The product, a silver-rich lead sulphide (galena), was stockpiled from the commencement of production until now. While the ore mined to date at Pinargozu is predominantly zinc, it also contains minor silver and lead rich "pockets" of mineralization. Because the in-situ Pb grade is so high, we are mining this material as DSO (direct shipping) without incurring the cost of pre concentration. We look forward to expanding zinc production over the coming months which we will report quarterly, supplemented from time to time by batches of silver-rich lead production as the stockpiles accumulate.

Qualified Person

EurGeol, P.Geo. John Barry, a qualified person (QP) as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Barry has inspected the original pro forma sales invoice (Fatura 179786 dated 26/12/2016) issued by the JV for the shipment of lead sulphides specified in this news release. Mr. Barry is also a director of the Company.

Pinargozu Zinc Mine

Mining at 160 tonnes per day, predominantly exploiting non-sulphide high grade zinc carbonate mineralization from two adits, with the new third deeper adit mining sulphide-zinc-rich material. The grade of the mined non-sulphide material consistently exceeds the 25% zinc threshold for direct shipping to zinc processing plants and the sulphide zinc material is averaging over the required 45% zinc threshold. Pinargozu is one of several exploration targets along the Horzum Zinc Trend (HZT). The HZT controls a series of Carbonate-Replacement-Deposit (CRD) mineral occurrences. The HZT extends north of the old Horzum mine, currently operated by our joint venture partner, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS), for at least 8 kilometres. The HZT is completely under-explored. Pasinex is the first to apply advanced exploration technology and CRD exploration concepts and models to the HZT.

Horzum Zinc Trend (HZT)

The Pinargozu mine is located in southern Turkey. Pinargozu is one of several exploration targets along the Horzum Zinc Trend (HZT), which hosts a series of Carbonate-Replacement- Deposit (CRD) type mineral occurrences, extending north for at least eight kilometres from the high-grade Horzum mine. The HZT has in the past been prospected and mapped to some extent but has not previously been systematically explored. Pasinex is the first to apply advanced exploration technology and CRD exploration concepts and models to the HZT district.

About Pasinex

Pasinex Resources Limited (CSE:PSE)(CSE:PSE.CN)(CNSX:PSE)(FRANKFURT:PNX) is a metals company which is a 50% owner of the high grade Pinargozu zinc mine which is in production and, under its DSO Program, is shipping directly to zinc smelters / refiners from its mine site in Turkey. The Pinargozu Mine is included in the 50-50 company, Horzum Arama Isletme AS (Horzum AS), which is a corporate joint venture between Pasinex and Turkish mining house, Akmetal Madencilik San ve Tic. AS (Akmetal AS). Akmetal AS is one of Turkey's largest family-owned conglomerates with the nearby past-producing Horzum zinc mine.

Pasinex has a strong technical management team with many years of experience in mineral exploration, metallurgy and mining project development.

The mission of Pasinex is to build a mid-tier zinc mining company based on building a large land package within a productive CRD district in Turkey.

Visit our web site at: www.pasinex.com
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We may also use agencies and/or suppliers to process data on our behalf. We may also merge or partner with other organisations and in so doing transfer and/or acquire personal data.

Please note that some countries outside of the EEA have a lower standard of protection for personal data, including lower security requirements and fewer rights for individuals. We may transfer and/or store personal data collected from you to and/or at a destination outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Such personal data may be processed by agencies and/or suppliers operating outside the EEA. If we transfer and/or store your personal data outside the EEA we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient implements appropriate measures to protect your personal data.

Otherwise than as set out in this Privacy Policy, we will only ever share your data with your informed consent.

Your rights

Where we rely on your consent to use your personal information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This includes the right to ask us to stop using your personal information for direct marketing purposes or to be unsubscribed from our email list at any time. You also have the following rights:

(1) Right to be informed  you have the right to be told how your personal information will be used. This Policy and any other policies and statements used on our website and in our communications are intended to provide you with a clear and transparent description of how your personal information may be used.

(2) Right of access  you can write to us to ask for confirmation of what information we hold on you and to request a copy of that information. Provided we are satisfied that you are entitled to see the information requested and we have successfully confirmed your identity, we have 30 days to comply.

(3) Right of erasure  as from 25 May 2018, you can ask us for your personal information to be deleted from our records.

(4) Right of rectification  if you believe our records of your personal information are inaccurate, you have the right to ask for those records to be updated.

(5) Right to restrict processing  you have the right to ask for processing of your personal data to be restricted if there is disagreement about its accuracy or legitimate usage.

(6) Right to data portability  to the extent required by the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) where we are processing your personal information (i) under your consent, (ii) because such processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are party or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contact or (iii) by automated means, you may ask us to provide it to you  or another service provider  in a machine-readable format.

To exercise these rights, please send a description of the personal information in question using the contact details in section 15 below. You can also unsubscribe from our email list by sending a blank email to news-unsubscribe@marxist.com

Where we consider that the information with which you have provided us does not enable us to identify the personal information in question, we reserve the right to ask for (i) personal identification and/or (ii) further information.

Lawful processing

We are required to have one or more lawful grounds to process your personal information. Only 4 of these are relevant to us:

Personal information is processed on the basis of a persons consent Personal information is processed on the basis of a contractual relationship Personal information is processed on the basis of legal obligations Personal information is processed on the basis of legitimate interests

(1) Consent

We will ask for your consent to use your information to send you electronic communications such as newsletters and and fundraising emails, and if you ever share sensitive personal information with us.

(2) Contractual relationships

Most of our interactions with supporters are voluntary and not contractual. However, sometimes it will be necessary to process personal information so that we can enter contractual relationships with people. For example, if you subscribe to one of our publications, or purchase merchandise online.

(3) Legal obligations

Sometimes we will be obliged to process your personal information due to legal obligations which are binding on us. We will only ever do so when strictly necessary.

(4) Legitimate interests

Applicable law allows personal information to be collected and used if it is reasonably necessary for our legitimate activities (as long as its use is fair, balanced and does not unduly impact individuals rights).

We will rely on this ground to process your personal data when it is not practical or appropriate to ask for consent.

Achieving our purposes

These include (but are not limited to) promoting socialist policies

Governance

Internal and external audit for financial or regulatory compliance purposes

Statutory reporting

Publicity and income generation

Conventional direct marketing and other forms of marketing, publicity or advertisement

Unsolicited messages, including campaigns, newsletters, and fundraising appeals

Analysis, targeting and segmentation to develop and promote or strategy and improve communication efficiency

Personalisation used to tailor and enhance your experience of our communications

Operational Management

Maintenance of suppression files

Processing for historical, scientific or statistical purpose

Purely administrative purposes

Responding to enquiries

Delivery of requested products or information

Communications designed to administer existing services including subscriptions, administration of petitions and financial transactions

Thank you communications and receipts

Maintaining a supporter database and suppression lists

Financial Management and control

Processing financial transactions and maintaining financial controls

Prevention of fraud, misuse of services, or money laundering

Enforcement of legal claims

Reporting criminal acts and compliance with law enforcement agencies

When we use your personal information, we will consider if it is fair and balanced to do so and if it is within your reasonable expectations. We will balance your rights and our legitimate interests to ensure that we use your personal information in ways that are not unduly intrusive or unfair in other ways.

Data retention

The length of time each category of data will be retained will vary depending on how long we need to process it for, the reason it was collected, and in line with any statutory requirements. After this point the data will either be deleted, or we may retain a secure anonymised record for research and analytical purposes.

In the event that you ask us to stop sending you direct marketing/fundraising/other electronic communications, we will keep your name on our internal suppression list to ensure that you are not contacted again.

Policy amendments

We keep this Privacy Policy under regular review and reserve the right to update from time-to-time by posting an updated version on our website, not least because of changes in applicable law. We recommend that you check this Privacy Policy occasionally to ensure you remain happy with it. We may also notify you of changes to our privacy policy by email.

Third party websites

We link our website directly to other sites. This Privacy Policy does not cover external websites and we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit via links on our website.

Updating information

You can check the personal data we hold about you, and ask us to update it where necessary, by emailing us at webmaster@marxist.com

Contact

We are not required by law to have a Data Protection Officer  however we have a Data Protection Manager.

Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com
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.
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.
This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Learn more .

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is one of the largest, and most recognizable, stock exchanges in the world. The NYSE is in New York City, New York at 11 Wall Street. The NYSE has been in existence since the earliest days of the United States becoming a nation, in 1792 and is primarily made up of blue-chip companies with large market capitalizations. In fact, many of the stocks that make up the Dow Jones Composite Index (i.e. The Dow) are listed on the NYSE.

This article gives a brief history of the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, it covers topics such as what kind of stocks trade on the exchange, what are the listing requirements, how trading is performed, and what the daily price movement of the NYSE tells investors about investor sentiment.

What Were the Origins of the NYSE?

Today, the New York Stock Exchange is known as the center of the financial universe. However, the exchanges origin is far more humble. On May 17, 1792, 24 stockbrokers signed the Buttonwood Agreement creating a centralized exchange to help provide order to the securities market in what was still a young nation. The "Buttonwood Agreement comes from the tree of the same name under which the founders signed the agreement.

An initial benefit of the exchange was how it removed the need for auctioneers when trading commodities like wheat and tobacco and to set a commission rate. The exchange initially focused on government bonds.

However, the exchange had no formal home. Business was usually conducted informally in the local coffeehouses. In 1817, the exchange changed its name to the New York Stock & Exchange Board which later became the New York Stock Exchange. At this time, the exchange adopted a constitution that set the rules for trading. A group of stockbrokers met twice a day at 40 Wall Street to trade 30 stocks and bonds.

Over time, the exchange moved became the financial hub of the country and moved to its current location in 1865.

What Kind of Stocks Trade on the NYSE?

As of June 2022, the NYSE includes approximately 2,400 companies with a market capitalization of over $28.2 trillion. Although the NYSE trades stocks of all market capitalizations, its best known for trading the stocks of large cap companies. These have the benefit of being mature companies in mature industries. And many of these companies reward shareholders with dividends.

However, that also means that many of these companies are better suited for value investors as opposed to growth investors. In bear markets this stability can be a benefit for investors as these stocks tend to perform less bad than more volatile stocks. But in a bull market, these stocks are not likely to provide investors with the growth that they look for.

An interesting fact about how the NYSE and NASDAQ operate is that the companies with the five largest market caps on the NYSE are also listed on the NASDAQ exchange.

What Are the Listing Requirements For the NYSE?

The NYSE has strict guidelines that govern the types of companies that can list on the exchange. Here are the major requirements that all companies must meet:

The company must have at least 2,200 shareholders

The company must trade over 100,000 shares per month

The company must have a market valuation of over $100 million

The company must generate more than $75 million in annual revenue

However, there is at least one advantage of having such stringent requirements. That is the companies that meet the requirements generally find it easier to get more investors funds when they hold their initial public offering (IPO).

Once a company begins trading on the NYSE, it must continue to meet these requirements. If it doesnt it can be delisted. In addition to these requirements, the stock must continue to trade above $1. If the price of a stock drops below $1 for more than 29 consecutive trading days, the stock receives an Initial Price Violation Notice.

At that point, the company has 10 days to provide the exchange with a plan for bringing their shares above $1.

How are Trades Executed on the NYSE?

For over a century, the floor of the NYSE was the place for investors to be. This meant trades were conducted by traders who ran buy and sell orders across the trading floor looking to broker a deal for their clients. But with the birth of the NASDAQ exchange in 1971, the New York Stock Exchange began conducting electronic trading.

However, the NYSE continues to conduct trades in an auction style. Brokers purchase stocks on behalf of their clients or firms. Every order features a broker who will enter the order electronically and a specialist who serves as the market maker for that stock. The specialist posts bid and ask prices and manages the actual execution of the trades. And there are still a handful of stockbrokers who still traffic buy and sell orders physically on the floor of the exchange.

How Does the NYSE Signal Investor Sentiment?

Like its counterpart, the NASDAQ, the NYSE measures the risk appetite of investors. When the NYSE is moving higher over a length of time, it signals that a risk on environment. Conversely when the NYSE moves lower over a significant period, it signals that investors are moving to a risk off position.

Some Final Thoughts on the NYSE

Financial news networks plan their programming schedule around the opening and closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange. Its still considered a distinguished honor when individuals or groups are invited to ring the opening bell. In fact, Warren Buffett is attributed with saying that in the short term, the stock market acts like a voting machine. A fact that many U.S. presidents will attest to.

The NYSE is the oldest and most recognizable of all the stock exchanges. It also has the most stringent requirements for inclusion. And those requirements must be maintained even after a stock begins publicly trading on the exchange.

Although the NYSE still has a small in-person Trading Floor, much of the trading is done electronically to provide traders with the speed to execute trades.
Regions Financial Corporation, a financial holding company, provides banking and bank-related services to individual and corporate customers. It operates through three segments: Corporate Bank, Consumer Bank, and Wealth Management. The Corporate Bank segment offers commercial banking services, such as commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and investor real estate lending; equipment lease financing; deposit products; and securities underwriting and placement, loan syndication and placement, foreign exchange, derivatives, merger and acquisition, and other advisory services. It serves corporate, middle market, and commercial real estate developers and investors. The Consumer Bank segment provides consumer banking products and services related to residential first mortgages, home equity lines and loans, consumer credit cards, and other consumer loans, as well as deposits. The Wealth Management segment offers credit related products, and retirement and savings solutions; and trust and investment management, asset management, and estate planning services to individuals, businesses, governmental institutions, and non-profit entities. The company also provides investment and insurance products; low-income housing tax credit corporate fund syndication services; and other specialty financing services. As of March 01, 2022, it operated through a network of 1,300 banking offices and 2,000 automated teller machines across the South, Midwest, and Texas. Regions Financial Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.
OGE Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy and energy services provider that offers physical delivery and related services for electricity, natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy. It provides retail electric service to approximately 879,000 customers, which covers a service area of approximately 30,000 square miles in Oklahoma and western Arkansas; and owns and operates coal-fired, natural gas-fired, wind-powered, and solar-powered generating assets. As of December 31, 2021, the company owned and operated interconnected electric generation, transmission, and distribution systems, including 16 generating stations with an aggregate capability of 7,207 megawatts; and transmission systems comprising 54 substations and 5,122 structure miles of lines in Oklahoma, and 7 substations and 277 structure miles of lines in Arkansas. Its distribution systems included 350 substations; 29,494 structure miles of overhead lines; 3,365 miles of underground conduit; and 11,125 miles of underground conductors in Oklahoma, as well as 29 substations, 2,795 structure miles of overhead lines, 349 miles of underground conduit, and 662 miles of underground conductors in Arkansas. The company was founded in 1902 and is based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the electric utility, banking, and renewable/sustainable infrastructure investment businesses in the state of Hawaii. It operates in three segments: Electric Utility, Bank, and Other. The Electric Utility segment engages in the production, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. Its renewable energy sources and potential sources include wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wave, hydroelectric, municipal waste, and other biofuels. This segment serves suburban communities, resorts, the United States armed forces installations, and agricultural operations. The Bank segment operates a community bank that offers banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses, including savings and checking accounts; and loans comprising residential and commercial real estate, residential mortgage, construction and development, multifamily residential and commercial real estate, consumer, and commercial loans. This segment operates 42 branches, including 29 branches in Oahu, 6 branches in Maui, 4 branches in Hawaii, 2 branches in Kauai, and 1 branch in Molokai. The Other segment invests in non-regulated renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure in the State of Hawaii. Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. was incorporated in 1891 and is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Petersburg Products International" LLC, "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, 1837 LLC, Agile Pursuits Franchising Inc., Agile Pursuits Inc., Ambi Pur, Arbora & Ausonia, Arbora & Ausonia S.L.U., Avon - Giorgio Beverly Hills, Billie, Braun GmbH, Braun Shanghai Co. Ltd., Celtic Insurance Company Inc., Charlie Banana USA LLC, Corporativo Procter & Gamble S. de R.L. de C.V., DDFSkincare, Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery Shanghai Co. Ltd., Fameccanica North America Inc., Farmacy Beauty, Fater Central Europe SRL, Fater Eastern Europe LLC, Fater Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Fater S.p.A., Fater Temizlik Urunleri Ltd STI, First Aid Beauty, First Aid Beauty Limited, Folgers Coffee, Fountain Square Music Publishing Co. Inc., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette China Limited, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Shanghai Ltd., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay S.A., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, Inversiones Plaza LLC, LLC "Procter & Gamble - Novomoskovsk", LLC "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", LLC Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, Laboratoire Mediflor S.A.S., Laboratorios Vicks S.L.U., Lamberts Healthcare Ltd., Liberty Street Music Publishing Company Inc., Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones C.A., Merck Consumer Healthcare, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, Native, Nature's Best Health Products Ltd., New Chapter Canada Inc., New Chapter Inc., Nioxin Research Laboratories, Noxell Corporation, OUAI, Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Consumer Health Germany GmbH, P&G Distribution East Africa Limited, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding Inc., P&G Health Austria GmbH & Co. OG, P&G Health France S.A.S., P&G Health Germany GmbH, P&G Healthcare Zhejiang Limited, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Investment Management Ltd., P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G Japan G.K., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G South African Trading Pty. Ltd., P&G-Clairol, PG13 Launchpad Alpha Inc., PG13 Launchpad Beta Inc., PG13 Launchpad Gamma Inc., PGT Healthcare LLP, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Pressbox, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chengdu Ltd., Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble China Ltd., Procter & Gamble China Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent Beijing Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deutschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distributing Philippines Inc., Procter & Gamble Distribution Company Europe BV, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe LLC, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana S.A.U., Procter & Gamble Far East Inc., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finance U.K. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble Ghana Trading Limited, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Ltd., Procter & Gamble Guangzhou Technology Innovation Co. LTD., Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care LLC, Procter & Gamble Health & Beauty Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Health Belgium BV, Procter & Gamble Health Limited, Procter & Gamble Health Ltd., Procter & Gamble Health Poland Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Hellas Single Member Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holding Thailand Limited, Procter & Gamble Holdings UK Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Honduras S de RL, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership KKT, Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings Inc., Procter & Gamble Indochina Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica Limitada, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de El Salvador Limitada de Capital Variable, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala Limitada, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama S. de R.L., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International Sarl, Procter & Gamble Investment Company UK Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Italia S.p.A., Procter & Gamble Jiangsu Ltd., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea Inc., Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble L&CP Limited, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA Pty Ltd, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Thailand Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Tianjin Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Mataro S.L.U., Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Philippines Business Services Inc., Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc., Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo Higiene e Saude S.A., Procter & Gamble Product Supply U.K. Limited, Procter & Gamble Productions Inc., Procter & Gamble RHD Inc., Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services Sarl, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Switzerland SA, Procter & Gamble Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology Beijing Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Trading Thailand Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Vietnam Company Limited, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil Ltda., Procter & Gamble do Brazil LLC, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble doo Beograd, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Procter and Gamble Lanka Private Limited, Procter and Gamble SA Pty Ltd., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Recovery Engineering, Redmond Products Inc., Richardson-Vicks, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Riverfront Music Publishing Co. Inc., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Series Acquisition B.V., Seven Seas Limited, Shulton Inc., Snowberry, Snowberry New Zealand Limited, Sunflower Distributing LLC, TAOS - FL LLC, TAOS Retail LLC, THIS IS L, TULA, Tambrands, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving, The Art of Shaving - FL LLC, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Iams Company Inc., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company LLC, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., This is L. Inc., Thomas Hedley Co, US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon Shanghai Academy, VitaminHaus Pty Ltd, Walker & Co. Brands Inc., Walker & Company Brands, Wella AG, Zenlen Inc., Zirh, and iMFLUX Inc..

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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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The following companies are subsidiares of PepsiCo: Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compania Limitada, Alimentos del Istmo S.A., Amavale Agricola Ltda., Anderson Hill Insurance Limited, Asia Bottlers Limited, BAESA Capital Corporation Ltd., BFY Brands, BFY Brands LLC, BFY Brands Limited, BUG de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Balmoral Industries LLC, Bare Foods Co., Barrhead LLC, Be & Cheery, Beaman Bottling Company, Bebidas Sudamerica S.A., Beech Limited, Bell Taco Funding Syndicate, Bendler Investments II Ltd, Bendler Investments S.a r.l, Beverage Services Limited, Beverages Foods & Service Industries Inc., Bishkeksut OJSC, Blaue NC S. de R.L. de C.V., Blue Cloud Distribution Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arizona Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arkansas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Colorado Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Florida Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Georgia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Illinois Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Indiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Iowa Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Kentucky Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Louisiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Minnesota Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Mississippi Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Missouri Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nebraska Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nevada Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of North Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Ohio Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Oklahoma Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Pennsylvania Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of South Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Tennessee Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Texas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Virginia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Wisconsin Inc., Blue Ridge Sales LLC, Bluebird Foods Limited, Bluecan Holdings Unlimited Company, Bokomo Zambia Limited, Bolsherechensky Molkombinat JSC, Boquitas Fiestas LLC, Boquitas Fiestas S.R.L., Bottling Group Financing LLC, Bottling Group Holdings LLC, Bottling Group LLC, Bronte Industries Ltd, C & I Leasing Inc., CB Manufacturing Company Inc., CEME Holdings LLC, CMC Investment Company, Caroni Investments LLC, Centro-Mediterranea de Bebidas Carbonicas PepsiCo S.L., Ceres Fruit Juices Pty Ltd, ChampBev Inc., China Concentrate Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Chipsy International for Food Industries S.A.E., Chipsy for Food Industries S.A.E., Chitos Internacional y Cia Ltda, Cipa Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cipa Nordeste Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cocina Autentica Inc., Comercializadora CMC Investment y Compania Limitada, Comercializadora Nacional SAS Ltda., Comercializadora PepsiCo Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Compania de Bebidas PepsiCo S.L., Concentrate Holding Uruguay Pte. Ltd., Concentrate Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., Confiteria Alegro S. de R.L. de C.V., Copella Fruit Juices Limited, Copper Beech International LLC, Corina Snacks Limited, Corporativo Internacional Mexicano S. de R.L. de C.V., CytoSport Holdings Inc., CytoSport Inc., Davlyn Realty Corporation, Defosto Holdings Limited, Desarrollo Inmobiliario Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Dilexis S.A., Donon Holdings Limited, Drinkfinity USA Inc., Drinkstation Inc., Drinkstation Innovation Co. Ltd., Drinkstation Limited, Dutch Snacks Holding S.A. de C.V., Duyvis Production B.V., EPIC Enterprises Inc., Echo Bay Holdings Inc., Elaboradora Argentina de Cereales S.R.L., Enter Logistica LLC, Environ at Inverrary Partnership, Environ of Inverrary Inc., Eridanus Investments S.a r.l, Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile S.A., FL Transportation Inc., FLI Andean LLC, FLI Colombia LLC, FLI Snacks Andean GP LLC, Fabrica PepsiCo Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Fabrica de Productos Alimenticios Rene y Cia S.C.A., Fairlight International SRL, Far East Bottlers Hong Kong Limited, Food Concepts Pioneer Ltd., Forest Akers Nederland B.V., Forty-Six Peaks Holding Inc., Fovarosi Asvanyviz es Uditoipari Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Freshwater International B.V., Frito Lay Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Frito Lay Poland Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay de Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Frito-Lay Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Frito-Lay Dip Company Inc., Frito-Lay Dominicana S.A., Frito-Lay Global Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Inc., Frito-Lay Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Manufacturing LLC, Frito-Lay Netherlands Holding B.V., Frito-Lay North America Inc., Frito-Lay Sales Inc., Frito-Lay Trading Company Europe GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company Poland GmbH, Frito-Lay Trinidad Unlimited, Fruko Mesrubat Sanayi Limited Sirketi, GB Czech LLC, GB International Inc., GB Russia LLC, GB Slovak LLC, GMP Manufacturing Inc., Gambrinus Investments Limited, Gamesa LLC, Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Gas Natural de Merida S. A. de C. V., Gatorade Puerto Rico Company, General Bottlers of Hungary Inc., Golden Grain Company, Goveh S.R.L., Grayhawk Leasing LLC, Green Hemlock International LLC, Grupo Frito Lay y Compania Limitada, Grupo Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Mabel, Grupo Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gulkevichskiy Maslozavod JSC, Hangzhou Baicaowei Corporate Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co, Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Tao Dao Technology Co. Ltd., Health Warrior, Health Warrior Inc., Heathland LP, Helioscope Limited, Hillbrook Inc., Hillgrove Inc., Hillwood Bottling LLC, Hogganfield Limited Partnership, Holding Company "Opolie" JSC, Homefinding Company of Texas, Hudson Valley Insurance Company, IC Equities Inc., IZZE Beverage Co., Inmobiliaria Interamericana S.A. De C.V., Integrated Beverage Services Bangladesh Limited, Integrated Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., International Bottlers Management Co. LLC, International KAS Aktiengesellschaft, Inversiones Borneo S.R.L., Inversiones PFI Chile Limitada, Inviting Foods Holdings Inc., Inviting Foods LLC, KAS Anorthosis S.a r.l, KAS S.L., KFC, Kevita Inc., Kinvara LLC, Kungursky Molkombinat JSC, Larragana S.L., Latin American Holdings Ltd., Latin American Snack Foods ApS, Latin Foods International LLC, Lebedyansky, Lebedyansky Holdings LLC, Lebedyansky LLC, Limited Liability Company "Sandora", Linkbay Limited, Lithuanian Snacks UAB, Mabel, Marbo Product d.o.o. Beograd, Marbo d.o.o. Laktasi, Matudis - Comercio de Produtos Alimentares Limitada, Matutano - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares Lda., Mid-America Improvement Corporation, Mountainview Insurance Company Inc., Muscle Milk, NCJV LLC, New Bern Transport Corporation, New Century Beverage Company LLC, Noble Leasing LLC, Northeast Hot-Fill Co-op Inc., Office at Solyanka LLC, Onbiso Inversiones S.L., One World Enterprises LLC, One World Investors Inc., P-A Barbados Bottling Company LLC, P-A Bottlers Barbados SRL, P-Americas LLC, PAS Luxembourg S.a r.l, PAS Netherlands B.V., PBG Canada Holdings II LLC, PBG Canada Holdings Inc., PBG Cyprus Holdings Limited, PBG Investment Partnership, PBG Midwest Holdings S.a r.l, PBG Soda Can Holdings S.a r.l, PCBL LLC, PCNA Manufacturing Inc., PR Beverages Cyprus Holding Limited, PR Beverages Cyprus Russia Holding Limited, PRB Luxembourg S.a r.l, PRS Inc., PSAS Inversiones LLC, PSE Logistica S.R.L., PT Quaker Indonesia, Papas Chips S.A., Pei N.V., Pep Trade LLC, Pepsi B.V., Pepsi Beverages Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group Global Finance LLC, Pepsi Bottling Group GmbH, Pepsi Bottling Group Hoosiers B.V., Pepsi Bottling Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bugshan Investments S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Colombia Ltda, Pepsi Cola Egypt S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Panamericana S.R.L., Pepsi Cola Servis Ve Dagitim Limited Sirketi, Pepsi Cola Trading Ireland, Pepsi Logistics Company Inc., Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC, Pepsi Overseas Investments Partnership, Pepsi Promotions Inc., Pepsi-Cola Advertising and Marketing Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bermuda Limited, Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Holding C.V., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of St. Louis Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach LLC, Pepsi-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Pepsi-Cola Far East Trade Development Co. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Finance LLC, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Poland Sp. z o.o., Pepsi-Cola Industrial da Amazonia Ltda., Pepsi-Cola International Cork, Pepsi-Cola International LLC, Pepsi-Cola International Limited, Pepsi-Cola International Limited U.S.A., Pepsi-Cola International Private Limited, Pepsi-Cola Korea Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Management and Administrative Services Inc., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Company Of Uruguay S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing International Limited, Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Mediterranean Limited, Pepsi-Cola Marketing Corp. Of P.R. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mediterranean Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mexicana Holdings LLC, Pepsi-Cola Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Pepsi-Cola National Marketing LLC, Pepsi-Cola Operating Company Of Chesapeake And Indianapolis, Pepsi-Cola Sales and Distribution Inc., Pepsi-Cola Technical Operations Inc., Pepsi-Cola Thai Trading Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola de Honduras S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola of Corvallis Inc., PepsiAmericas Nemzetkozi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, PepsiCo ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Alimentos Antioquia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Colombia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Ecuador Cia. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Z.F. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos de Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Amacoco Bebidas Do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCo Asia Research & Development Center Company Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Cyprus Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Limited Partnership, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 1 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 2 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Australia Holdings Pty Limited, PepsiCo Australia International, PepsiCo Austria Services GmbH, PepsiCo Azerbaijan Limited Liability Company, PepsiCo BeLux BV, PepsiCo Beverage Sales LLC, PepsiCo Beverage Singapore Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Beverages Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Beverages International Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Italia Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata, PepsiCo Canada Finance LLC, PepsiCo Canada Holdings ULC, PepsiCo Canada Investment ULC, PepsiCo Canada ULC, PepsiCo Captive Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Caribbean Inc., PepsiCo China Limited, PepsiCo Consulting Polska Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo De Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Del Paraguay S.R.L., PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH, PepsiCo Eesti AS, PepsiCo Euro Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Euro Finance Antilles B.V., PepsiCo Europe Support Center S.L., PepsiCo Finance Americas Company, PepsiCo Finance Antilles A N.V., PepsiCo Finance Antilles B N.V., PepsiCo Finance South Africa Proprietary Limited, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services Inc., PepsiCo Food & Beverage Holdings Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Foods A.I.E., PepsiCo Foods China Company Limited, PepsiCo Foods Group Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Foods Guangdong Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited, PepsiCo Foods Private Limited, PepsiCo Foods Sichuan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Taiwan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company, PepsiCo France SAS, PepsiCo Global Business Services India LLP, PepsiCo Global Business Services Poland Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Global Holdings Limited, PepsiCo Global Investments B.V., PepsiCo Global Investments S.a r.l, PepsiCo Global Mobility LLC, PepsiCo Global Real Estate Inc., PepsiCo Global Trading Solutions Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Golden Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Group Finance International B.V., PepsiCo Group Holdings International B.V., PepsiCo Group Spotswood Holdings S.a r.l, PepsiCo Gulf International FZE, PepsiCo Hellas Single Member Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme, PepsiCo Holding de Espana S.L., PepsiCo Holdings, PepsiCo Holdings LLC, PepsiCo Holdings Toshkent LLC, PepsiCo Hong Kong LLC, PepsiCo Iberia Servicios Centrales S.L., PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, PepsiCo India Sales Private Limited, PepsiCo Internacional Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo International Limited, PepsiCo International Pte Ltd., PepsiCo Investments Europe I B.V., PepsiCo Investments Ltd., PepsiCo Ireland Food & Beverages Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Japan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Light B.V., PepsiCo Logistyka Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PepsiCo Management Services SAS, PepsiCo Manufacturing A.I.E., PepsiCo Max B.V., PepsiCo Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo Nederland B.V., PepsiCo Nordic Denmark ApS, PepsiCo Nordic Finland Oy, PepsiCo Nordic Norway AS, PepsiCo Nutrition Trading DMCC, PepsiCo One B.V., PepsiCo Overseas Corporation, PepsiCo Overseas Financing Partnership, PepsiCo Panimex Inc, PepsiCo Products B.V., PepsiCo Products FLLC, PepsiCo Puerto Rico Inc., PepsiCo Sales Inc., PepsiCo Sales LLC, PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd., PepsiCo Services CZ s.r.o., PepsiCo Services LLC, PepsiCo Twist B.V., PepsiCo UK Pension Plan Trustee Limited, PepsiCo Ventures B.V., PepsiCo Wave Holdings LLC, PepsiCo World Trading Company Inc., PepsiCo Y LLC, PepsiCo de Argentina S.R.L., PepsiCo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo do Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda., PepsiCo do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCola Interamericana de Guatemala S.A., Pet Iberia S.L., Pete & Johnny Limited, Pine International LLC, Pine International Limited, Pinstripe Leasing LLC, Pioneer Food Group Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Groceries Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Group Ltd., Pioneer Foods Holdings Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods Wellingtons Pty Ltd, Pipers Crisps Limited, PlayCo Inc., Pop corners, PopCorners Holdings Inc., Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company, Premier Nutrition Trading L.L.C., Prestwick LLC, Prev PepsiCo Sociedade Previdenciaria, Productos Alimenticios Rene LLC, Productos S.A.S. C.V., Productos SAS Management B.V., Punch N.V., Punica Getranke GmbH, Q O Puerto Rico Inc., QFL OHQ Sdn. Bhd., QTG Development Inc., QTG Services Inc., Quadrant - Amroq Beverages S.R.L., Quaker Development B.V., Quaker European Beverages LLC, Quaker European Investments B.V., Quaker Foods, Quaker Global Investments B.V., Quaker Holdings UK Limited, Quaker Manufacturing LLC, Quaker Oats Asia Inc., Quaker Oats Australia Pty Ltd, Quaker Oats B.V., Quaker Oats Capital Corporation, Quaker Oats Europe Inc., Quaker Oats Europe LLC, Quaker Oats Limited, Quaker Sales & Distribution Inc, Raptas Finance S.a r.l., Rare Fare Foods LLC, Rare Fare Holdings Inc., Reading Industries Ltd, Real Estate Holdings LLC, Rockstar Energy Drink, Rolling Frito-Lay Sales LP, S & T of Mississippi Inc., SIH International LLC, SVC Logistics Inc., SVC Manufacturing Inc., SVE Russia Holdings GmbH, Sabritas LLC, Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Sabritas Snacks America Latina de Nicaragua y Cia Ltda, Sabritas de Costa Rica S. de R.L., Sabritas y Cia. S en C de C.V., Sakata Rice Snacks Australia Pty Ltd, Sandora Holdings B.V., Saudi Snack Foods Company Limited, Sea Eagle International SRL, Seepoint Holdings Ltd., Senselet Food Processing PLC, Senselet Holding B.V., Servicios GBF Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Servicios GFLG y Compania Limitada, Servicios Gamesa Puerto Rico L.L.C., Servicios SYC S. de R.L. de C.V., Seven-Up Asia Inc., Seven-Up Light B.V., Seven-Up Nederland B.V., Shanghai PepsiCo Snack Company Limited, Shanghai YuHo Agricultural Development Co. Ltd, Shoebill LLC, Simba (Proprietary) Limited, Simba Proprietary Limited, Sitka Spruce, Smartfoods Inc., Smiles and Bites Holdings S.de R.L. de C.V., Smiths Crisps Limited, Snack Food Investments GmbH, Snack Food Investments II GmbH, Snack Food Investments Limited, Snack Food-Beverage Asia Products Limited, Snacks America Latina S.R.L., Snacks Guatemala Ltd., So Spark Ltd., Soda-Club CO2 Atlantic GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 Ltd., Soda-Club Switzerland GmbH, Soda-Club Worldwide B.V., SodaStream, SodaStream Australia Pty Ltd, SodaStream CO2 SA, SodaStream Canada Ltd., SodaStream Enterprises N.V., SodaStream France SAS, SodaStream GmbH, SodaStream Iberia S.L., SodaStream Industries Ltd., SodaStream International B.V., SodaStream International Ltd., SodaStream Israel Ltd., SodaStream K.K., SodaStream New Zealand Ltd., SodaStream Nordics AB, SodaStream Poland Sp. z o.o., SodaStream SA Pty Ltd., SodaStream Switzerland GmbH, SodaStream USA Inc., SodaStream Osterreich GmbH, South Beach Beverage Company Inc., South Properties Inc., Spitz International Inc., Sportmex Internacional S.A. de C.V., Springboig Industries Ltd, Spruce Limited, Stacy's Pita Chip Company Incorporated, Star Foods E.M. S.R.L., Stokely-Van Camp Inc., Stratosphere Communications Pty Ltd, Stratosphere Holdings 2018 Limited, Streamfoods Ltd, TFL Holdings LLC, Tasman Finance S.a r.l, The Gatorade Company, The Good Carb Food Company Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group Canada ULC, The Quaker Oats Company, The Smith's Snackfood Company Pty Limited, Thomond Group Holdings Limited, Tobago Snack Holdings LLC, Tropicana Alvalle S.L., Tropicana Beverages Limited, Tropicana Europe N.V., Tropicana United Kingdom Limited, Troya-Ultra LLC, United Foods Companies Restaurantes S.A., V-Water, VentureCo Israel Ltd, Veurne Snack Foods BV, Vitamin Brands Ltd., Walkers Crisps Limited, Walkers Group Limited, Walkers Snack Foods Limited, Walkers Snacks Distribution Limited, Walkers Snacks Limited, Whitman Corporation, Whitman Insurance Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages JSC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Brands Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Central Asia-Almaty LLP, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Georgia Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann JSC, and Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine PJSC.

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Energizer Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes household batteries, specialty batteries, and lighting products worldwide. It offers lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and silver oxide batteries under the Energizer and Eveready brands, as well as primary, rechargeable, specialty, and hearing aid batteries. The company also provides headlights, lanterns, and children's and area lights, as well as flash lights under the Energizer, Eveready, Rayovac, Hard Case, Dolphin, Varta, and WeatherReady brands. In addition, it licenses the Energizer and Eveready brands to companies developing consumer solutions in gaming, automotive batteries, portable power for critical devices, LED light bulbs, generators, power tools, household light bulbs, and other lighting products. Further, the company designs and markets automotive fragrance and appearance products, including protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products, air fresheners, and washes to clean, shine, refresh, and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces under the brand names of Armor All, Nu Finish, Refresh Your Car!, LEXOL, Eagle One, California Scents, Driven, and Bahama & Co; STP branded fuel and oil additives, functional fluids, and other performance chemical products; and do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning recharge products under the A/C PRO brand name, as well as other refrigerant and recharge kits, sealants, and accessories. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, and wholesalers; and through various retail and business-to-business channels, including mass merchandisers, club, electronics, food, home improvement, dollar store, auto, drug, hardware, e-commerce, convenience, sporting goods, hobby/craft, office, industrial, medical, and catalog. Energizer Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.
The following companies are subsidiares of Arrow Electronics: A.E. Petsche Belgium BVBA, A.E. Petsche Canada Inc., A.E. Petsche Company, A.E. Petsche Company Inc., A.E. Petsche Company S De RL, A.E. Petsche SAS, A.E. Petsche UK Limited, ACI Technology, AKS Group Nordic AB, ARROWECS Portugal Sociedade Unipessoal, ARROWECS Sociedade Unipessoal LDA, ARW Electronics Ltd., ARW Enterprise Computing Solutions S.A., ARW Portugal Unipessoal LDA, ASI Dedicated Services LLC, ASI Electrical Services LLC, ASI Managed Services LLC, ATM Electronic, ATM Electronic Corp., ATM Electronic Corporation (HK) Limited, ATM Electronics Hong Kong Limited, ATM Electronics Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd, Addex Distribution AS, Adilam Pty. Ltd, Aiqi Xinxing (Beijing) Information Technology Co. Ltd., Altimate Belgium BVBA, Altimate Group, Altimate ND Belgium BVBA, Altimate Netherlands B.V., Annuity Systems Pty Ltd, Arrow (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Arrow Altech Distribution (Pty) Ltd., Arrow Altech Holdings (Pty) Ltd., Arrow Argentina S.A., Arrow Asia Distribution Limited, Arrow Asia Pac Ltd., Arrow Brasil S.A., Arrow Capital Solution BVBA, Arrow Capital Solutions Inc., Arrow Capital Solutions Nederlands BV, Arrow Capital Solutions SAS, Arrow Capital Solutions UK Ltd, Arrow Central Europe GmbH, Arrow Central Europe Holding Munich GmbH, Arrow Chip One Stop Holdings GK, Arrow Componentes ACCR S.R.L., Arrow Components (M) Sdn Bhd, Arrow Components (NZ), Arrow Components Mexico S.A. de C.V., Arrow Components Sweden AB, Arrow Denmark ApS, Arrow Denmark ApS, Arrow ECS (Ireland) Limited, Arrow ECS (NI) Limited, Arrow ECS AG, Arrow ECS ANZ Limited, Arrow ECS ANZ Pty Ltd, Arrow ECS Asia PTE. Ltd, Arrow ECS Australia, Arrow ECS B.V., Arrow ECS Baltic OU, Arrow ECS Brasil Distribuidora Ltda., Arrow ECS Canada Ltd., Arrow ECS Central GmbH, Arrow ECS Denmark A/S, Arrow ECS FZCO, Arrow ECS Finland OY, Arrow ECS GmbH, Arrow ECS Internet Security AG, Arrow ECS Internet Security S.L., Arrow ECS Kft., Arrow ECS Ltd., Arrow ECS New Zealand Limited, Arrow ECS Nordic A/S, Arrow ECS Norway AS, Arrow ECS Pty Ltd., Arrow ECS SA/NV, Arrow ECS SAS, Arrow ECS SPA, Arrow ECS Sarl, Arrow ECS Services Sp.z.o.o., Arrow ECS Singapore Pte. Limited, Arrow ECS Sp.z.o.o., Arrow ECS Support Center Ltd., Arrow ECS Support Center Morocco S.A.R.L.A.U, Arrow ECS Sweden AB, Arrow ECS a.s., Arrow ECS d.o.o., Arrow Eastern Europe GmbH, Arrow Electronice S.R.L., Arrow Electronics (CI) Ltd., Arrow Electronics (China) Trading Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics (Jersey) Limited, Arrow Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics (Sweden) KB, Arrow Electronics (Thailand) Limited, Arrow Electronics (U.K.) Inc., Arrow Electronics (UK) Ltd., Arrow Electronics ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd., Arrow Electronics Asia (S) Pte Ltd., Arrow Electronics Asia Limited, Arrow Electronics Australia Pty Ltd., Arrow Electronics B.V., Arrow Electronics Canada Ltd., Arrow Electronics China Ltd., Arrow Electronics Components (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Arrow Electronics Czech Republic s.r.o., Arrow Electronics D.O.O., Arrow Electronics Danish Holdings ApS, Arrow Electronics EMEA Group GmbH, Arrow Electronics EMEASA S.r.l., Arrow Electronics Estonia OU, Arrow Electronics FC B.V., Arrow Electronics Funding Corporation, Arrow Electronics GmbH & Co. KG, Arrow Electronics Hellas S.A., Arrow Electronics Holdings Vagyonkezelo Kft, Arrow Electronics Hungary Kereskedelmi Bt, Arrow Electronics India Ltd., Arrow Electronics India Private Limited, Arrow Electronics International Holdings LLC, Arrow Electronics International Inc., Arrow Electronics Italia S.r.l, Arrow Electronics Japan GK, Arrow Electronics Korea Limited, Arrow Electronics Labuan Pte Ltd., Arrow Electronics Ltd., Arrow Electronics Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Arrow Electronics Norwegian Holdings AS, Arrow Electronics Poland Sp.z.o.o., Arrow Electronics Russ OOO, Arrow Electronics Services S.r.l., Arrow Electronics Slovakia s.r.o., Arrow Electronics South Africa LLP, Arrow Electronics Taiwan Ltd., Arrow Electronics UK Holding Ltd., Arrow Electronics Ukraine LLC, Arrow Elektronik Ticaret A.S., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions Inc., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions India Private Limited, Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions Ltd., Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions S.A., Arrow Finland OY, Arrow France S.A., Arrow Global Asset Disposition Inc., Arrow Global Supply Chain Services Inc., Arrow Holdings (Delaware) LLC, Arrow Iberia Electronica Lda., Arrow Iberia Electronica S.L.U., Arrow International Holdings L.P., Arrow International Holdings Limited, Arrow Nordic Components AB, Arrow Norway A/S, Arrow S-Tech Norway AS, Arrow SEED (Hong Kong) Limited, Arrow Systems Integration Inc., Arrow UEC Japan KK, Arrow United Holdings LLC, Arrow United International Holdings LP, Arrow Value Recovery ApS (fka Greentech Denmark ApS), Arrow Value Recovery Belgium BVBA, Arrow Value Recovery Czech Republic sro, Arrow Value Recovery Denmark ApS, Arrow Value Recovery EMEA BV, Arrow Value Recovery Finland Oy (fka Greentech Finland OY), Arrow Value Recovery France SAS, Arrow Value Recovery Germany GmbH, Arrow Value Recovery Netherlands BV, Arrow Value Recovery Norway AS (fka Greentech AS), Arrow Value Recovery Sweden AB (fka Greentech Sweden AB), Arrow Value Recovery UK LTD, Arrow eCommerce B.V., Arrow/Artlink Technology (Hong Kong) Limited, Arrow/Components (Agent) Ltd., Arrow/Rapac Ltd., Artlink Technology Co. Ltd., Aspen Labs LLC, Aspencore China Investment LLC, Aspencore LLC, Aspencore Media GmbH, Aspencore/IDG China Investment LLC, Asplenium SA, Asset Recovery Corporation, B.V. Arrow Electronics DLC, Beijing AIQI Technology, Beijing Arrow SEED Technology Co. Ltd, Beijing Canon Advertising Co. Ltd., Broomco (4184) Limited, COMPUTERLINKS, COMPUTERLINKS (UK) Ltd., COMPUTERLINKS Belgium BVBA, COMPUTERLINKS Denmark A/S, COMPUTERLINKS Nederland B.V., COMPUTERLINKS S.A., CSS Computer Security Solutions Erwerbs GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Holding GmbH, CSS Computer Security Solutions Ltd., CT3 Europe Limited, Centia Group Ltd, Centia Ltd., Channel Support Pty Ltd, ChiWan Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Chip One Stop, Chip One Stop (Hong Kong) Ltd., Chip One Stop (Shenzhen) Ltd., Chip One Stop Inc., Commtech Solutions (UK) Limited, Components Agent (Cayman) Limited, Components Agent Asia Holdings Ltd., Components Distribution Business - Achieva, Conrac Asia Display Products Pte. Ltd., Conrac MENA FZE, Converge, Converge (Shanghai) International Trading Co. Ltd., Converge Asia Pte Ltd., Converge Electronics Trading (India) Private Ltd., Converge France SAS, Converge Netherlands BV, Converge Scandinavia AB, Cross Telecom, Data Modul, Data Modul AG, Data Modul Electronics Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Data Modul FZE, Data Modul France S.a r.l, Data Modul Hong Kong Ltd., Data Modul Iberia S.L., Data Modul Inc., Data Modul Italia S.r.l., Data Modul Ltd., Data Modul Shanghai Ltd., Data Modul Suisse GmbH, Data Modul Weikersheim GmbH, Diasa Informatica, Dicopel Inc., Distribution Business - Seed International, Distribution Central (MY) Sdn. Bhd., Distribution Central HK Pty Limited, Distribution Central Limited (NZ), Distribution Central Pte Limited (SG), Distribution Central Pty Limited, E-InfoChips KK, EC America, EDN Asia Advertising Pte Ltd., ETEQ Components Pte Ltd., Electronics Products Technology Co. Ltd., Embedded Developer LLC, Erf 211 Hughes (Pty) Limited, Eshel Technology Group Inc., Eurocomponentes S.A., Excel Tech, Excel Tech Inc., Firewall Systems Pty Limited, Fusion Distribution FZCO, Gates - Arrow Distributing, Gates - FA Distributing, Global Link Technology, Greentech Holding AS, Gross Telecom, ICC Global Media GmbH, IP Vista A/S, IPVista A/S, ITM USA Enterprises Inc., Intechra Holdings, Intex-semi Ltd., KeyLink Systems Group, LED Franchise LLC, LED Source Holdco LLC, LED Source LLC, LOGIX S.A., License Central Pty Ltd, Lite-On Korea Ltd., Marubun Arrow (HK) Limited, Marubun Arrow (S) Pte Ltd., Marubun Arrow (Thailand) Co Limited, Marubun Arrow Asia Ltd., Marubun Arrow Europe Kft., Marubun Corporation, Marubun USA Corporation, Marubun-Arrow Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Marubun/Arrow (HK) Limited, Marubun/Arrow (M) Sdn. Bhd (Malaysia), Marubun/Arrow (Philippines) Inc., Marubun/Arrow (S) Pte Ltd., Marubun/Arrow (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marubun/Arrow (Shenzhen) Electronic Product Consulting Company Limited, Marubun/Arrow (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Marubun/Arrow Asia Ltd., Marubun/Arrow USA II LLC, Marubun/Arrow USA LLC, NIC Components Asia PTE Ltd., NIC Components Corp., NIC Components Europe Limited, NIC Eurotech Limited, NUH Electronics India Private Limted, Networld Systems Pty Ltd, Nextworth Solutions Inc., Nu Horizons Electronics, Nu Horizons Electronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Asia PTE Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Hong Kong Ltd., Nu Horizons Electronics Malaysia SDN BHD, NuHo Singapore Holdings LLC, Observatory Crest, Openway Group SA, Openway SAS, PCG Parent Corp., PCG Trading LLC, PT Marubun Arrow Indonesia, Pansystem S.r.l., Pax8 Inc., Power and Signal Group GmbH, R.D. Trading Limited, RDC, RF Wireless & Power - Richardson Electronics, Rack Systems Pty Ltd, Red Education Pty Ltd, Redemtech, Renewal Systems Pty Ltd, Richardson RFPD (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Richardson RFPD (Thailand) Limited, Richardson RFPD Australia Pty. Ltd., Richardson RFPD Canada Inc., Richardson RFPD Electronics Trading (China) Co. Ltd., Richardson RFPD France SAS, Richardson RFPD Germany GmbH, Richardson RFPD Hong Kong, Richardson RFPD Inc., Richardson RFPD Israel Ltd., Richardson RFPD Italy Srl, Richardson RFPD Japan KK, Richardson RFPD Korea Ltd., Richardson RFPD Netherlands BV, Richardson RFPD Singapore, Richardson RFPD Spain SL, Richardson RFPD Sweden AB, Richardson RFPD Taiwan, Richardson RFPD UK Ltd., Richey Electronics, San Systems Pty Ltd, Schuylkill Metals of Plant City Inc., Seneca Data, Seneca Data Distributors Inc., Shared Technologies, Silicon Frameworks LLC, SiliconEgypt Technologies LLC, SiliconExpert Holdings LLC, SiliconExpert Technologies, SiliconExpert Technologies Inc., Sphinx CST Limited, Sphinx CST Networks Limited, Sphinx Group, Sphinx Group Limited, Sphinx Professional Services Limited, Spoerle Hungary Kereskedelmi Kft, Sun Chain Technology Corp., TLW Electronics Ltd., TechTurn, Titan Supply Chain Services Limited, Titan Supply Chain Services Pte Ltd., Trafomo AB, Trafomo ApS, Transim Technology, Transim Technology Corporation, U.S. Micro Operating Company LLC, UBM Tech Electronics Network, Ultra Source Electronics (SZ) Co LTD, Ultra Source Technology Corp., Ultra Source Trading Hong Kong Limited, United Technical Publishing Division - Hearst Business Media, Universe Electron Corporation, Verical, Verwaltungsgesellschaft Arrow Electronics GmbH, Wireless and Infrastructure Business Unit - Waching Company, Yongming Xincheng (Beijing) Technology Co., e-InfoChips, e-Infochips Private Limited, eInfochips, eMedia Asia Limited, immixGovernment Inc., immixGroup, immixGroup Inc., immixSolutions Inc., and immixTechnology.

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The Allstate Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty, and other insurance products in the United States and Canada. The company operates through Allstate Protection; Protection Services; Allstate Health and Benefits; and Run-off Property-Liability segments. The Allstate Protection segment offers private passenger auto and homeowners insurance; specialty auto products, including motorcycle, trailer, motor home, and off-road vehicle insurance; other personal lines products, such as renter, condominium, landlord, boat, umbrella, and manufactured home and stand-alone scheduled personal property; and commercial lines products under the Allstate and Encompass brand names. The Protection Services segment provides consumer product protection plans and related technical support for mobile phones, consumer electronics, furniture, and appliances; finance and insurance products, including vehicle service contracts, guaranteed asset protection waivers, road hazard tire and wheel, and paint and fabric protection; roadside assistance; device and mobile data collection services; data and analytic solutions using automotive telematics information; and identity protection services. This segment offers its products under various brands including Allstate Protection Plans, Allstate Dealer Services, Allstate Roadside Services, Arity, and Allstate Identity Protection. The Allstate Health and Benefits provides life, accident, critical illness, short-term disability, and other health insurance products. The Run-off Property-Liability offers property and casualty insurance. It sells its products through call centers, agencies, financial specialists, independent agents, brokers, wholesale partners, and affinity groups, as well as through online and mobile applications. The Allstate Corporation was founded in 1931 and is based in Northbrook, Illinois.
Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells. The company operates through five segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software. The company also offers REVit, an automated real time stick-slip mitigation system; ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, an advanced directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, which provides the tools and infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. As of December 31, 2021, the company marketed approximately 301 rigs for land-based drilling operations in the United States, Canada, and in 20 other countries worldwide; and 29 rigs for offshore platform drilling operations in the United States and internationally. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
Ally Financial Inc., a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services to consumer, commercial, and corporate customers primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through four segments: Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations. The Automotive Finance Operations segment offers automotive financing services, including providing retail installment sales contracts, loans and operating leases, term loans to dealers, financing dealer floorplans and other lines of credit to dealers, warehouse lines to automotive retailers, and fleet financing. It also provides financing services to companies and municipalities for the purchase or lease of vehicles, and vehicle-remarketing services. The Insurance Operations segment offers consumer finance protection and insurance products through the automotive dealer channel, and commercial insurance products directly to dealers. This segment provides vehicle service and maintenance contract, and guaranteed asset protection products; and underwrites commercial insurance coverages, which primarily insure dealers' vehicle inventory. The Mortgage Finance Operations segment manages consumer mortgage loan portfolio that includes bulk purchases of jumbo and low-to-moderate income mortgage loans originated by third parties, as well as direct-to-consumer mortgage offerings. The Corporate Finance Operations segment provides senior secured leveraged cash flow and asset-based loans to middle market companies; leveraged loans; and commercial real estate product to serve companies in the healthcare industry. The company also offers commercial banking products and services. In addition, it provides securities brokerage and investment advisory services. The company was formerly known as GMAC Inc. and changed its name to Ally Financial Inc. in May 2010. Ally Financial Inc. was founded in 1919 and is based in Detroit, Michigan.
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.
Pastor Jane Amzat is a vibrant born again Christian. Born into a Christian family as the 4th child amongst 8 siblings, pastor Jane grew up having an understanding that there is no other name among men by which we can be saved except the name of Jesus.

She gave her life to Christ at the age of 8 and has remained steadfast in Christ in spite of every storm of life she has been through. She currently serves at world Prayer ministries a church located in the Southwest area of Houston as a co-pastor alongside her husband Pastor Joshua Amzat who is the general overseer.

She has been married to Pastor Joshua Amzat the love of her life, a Godly, humble servant of God who she met serving in the music ministry of her local church for over 10 years. Together they have 2 children Praise and Joshua.

Apart from her responsibilities as Co-pastor, Pastor Jane is gifted in the area of teaching and also delights in singing Praise to Jehovah wherever and whenever opportunity calls.

She has served in various ministries as Praise and worship leader and has had the privilege of ministering along side with anointed music ministers such as Kingsley Ike, Hope David, Jonathan David, Chioma Jesus, etc. Her passion for Gospel music led her to establishing Jude-Levi ministry; a music ministry also known as the praising Priest. Jude-Levi is a music ministry where Christians are taught to understand better their sole purpose of existence which is to show forth the PRAISE of him that called them out of darkness into his marvelous light.

She hosts an annual musical concert ADORE every August. Her passion for orphan kids have led her to channeling part of the proceeds of her concert annually to helping children in families who have lost either or both of their parents. Currently she is working on her Debut album.

Pastor Jane takes pleasure in doing whatever it takes to see people fulfill their destiny in Christ especially as we see the coming of our Lord approaching.

Her favorite scripture that has kept her going in her Christian work as a mother, wife, pastor and praise and worship leader even in the times of storm is Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; it will surely come it will not tarry.

Link: https://www.mynotjustok.com/track/173007/pastor-jane-amzat-ft-pastor-kingsley-ike
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The Finance Minister-designate says the over GHC2 million debt owed to Prudential Bank by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been paid.

It has fully been paid certainly it was in December, Kenneth Ofori-Atta said amidst smiles.

The co-founder of Data Bank  Ghanas foremost investment institution  disclosed this when he appeared before Parliaments Appointments Committee Friday.

NPP has been battling its critics after a leaked document from Prudential Bank revealed the party obtained the sum of E 2,290,631.36 million loan facility to fund its 2012 campaign.

The money was not paid three years after the NPP lost the 2012 election to the outgone National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

The Prudential Bank letter addressed to Mr Ofori-Atta in 2015

The Bank wrote to the NPP demanding for the payment of the money, but Mr Ofori-Atta responded saying the loan was a private business transaction he did with the bank. He said the NPP had no part to play in the application of the loan.

I am personally liable for any obligation that arises from this transaction and not in any way the New Patriotic Party, he said in a response to the bank in 2015.

According to him, the facility was secured to complement resources the Finance Committee had raised to support the operations of the partys Polling Agents during the elections.

He said as the Chairman of the NPP 2012 Presidential Campaign Finance Team he had contracted and Guaranteed for purposes of the elections, adding this has nothing to do with the party.

But five years down the line, Mr Ofori-Atta who is one of the respected entrepreneurs in Ghana disclosed to members of the Parliamentary Appointment Committee the money has been paid to the bank.

He said it was paid in December 2016, the month the NPP was declared winners of the presidential poll by the Electoral Commission (EC).

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | [email protected]
Khartoum (AFP) - The United Nations peace mission in Sudan's conflict-wracked Darfur region said Friday it had opened an inquiry after one of its units was found leaving the region with weapons.

"Members of the security section discovered weapons and military equipment in the baggage of a unit of peacekeepers during a routine changeover at El Fasher" airport in northern Darfur, a spokesman from the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said.

The force "immediately informed Sudanese authorities and opened an inquiry," spokesman Ashraf Issa said.

The UN Security Council last year extended the mandate of UNAMID until the end of June 2017 over fierce opposition from the government in Khartoum.

About 20,000 troops and policemen from more than 30 countries are currently in Darfur, a region of the size of France but UNAMID did not reveal the nationality of the unit found with weapons.

The UNAMID mission was first deployed in Darfur in 2007, a compromise between Western calls for a fully-fledged UN peacekeeping mission and Khartoum's insistence on an African solution.

Violence erupted in Darfur when ethnic minority rebels rose up against President Omar al-Bashir, accusing his Arab-dominated government of marginalising the region.

Bashir mounted a brutal counter-insurgency and at least 300,000 people have been killed since the conflict began in 2003, the UN says. Another 2.5 million have fled their homes.

Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war crimes charges related to Darfur, which he denies.
By Joyce Danso, GNA

Accra Jan. 20 GNA - An Accra Circuit Court has remanded into custody three drivers for allegedly snatching at a gun point a taxi from its owner at Tantra Hill.

The three Kweku Asamoah, Richard Asare aka Paa Kofi and Emmanuel Agyapong are being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery.

They denied the charges but have been remanded into custody to reappear on January 31.

Prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Duuti Tuaruka said Yaw Frimpong, the complainant is a taxi driver residing at Taifa, Accra.

Chief Superintendent Mr Tuaruka said Asamoah reside at Adjin Kotoku while Asare and Agyapong live at Asofan.

On January 13, this year, the complainant was driving his taxi cab with registration number GW 9026 Z. and on reaching the Ofankor Overheard, Asare signaled him to stop, which he did

Prosecution said Asare thereafter asked the complainant (the Taxi Driver) to take him and the other accused persons to Tantra Hill so the three boarded the taxi and directed the driver to their destination.

Prosecution said on reaching a spot known as Ola Street at Tantra Hill, Asamoah asked the driver (complainant) to stop for them to alight, the driver then demanded his fare, but in the process of collecting thet fare from the accused persons; Asamoah pointed a gun at the complainant.

Chief Supt. Tuaruka said Asamoah ordered the complainant (taxi driver) to get out of the taxi cab else he would be shot. The complainant obliged and Asare took charge of the taxi cab and they speeded off.

The complainant, prosecution said, rushed to the Mile 7 Police station and reported the incident to the Police who in turn informed their patrol team to look out for the missing vehicle.

Not quite long, prosecution said the Police Patrol team intercepted the vehicle and arrested Asamoah and Agyapong who were on board.

When the vehicle was searched the vehicle they found that one live BB cartridges and the gun used in the robbery had been concealed in the engine compartment.

Asamoah and Agyapong who mentioned their accomplice as Asare led the Police to arrest him (Asare) at Asofan.

The Police, prosecution said also retrieved BB cartridges hiding under the carpet in room of Agyapong.

The accused persons later admitted the offence in their cautioned statements.

GNA
By Albert Futukpor, GNA

Tamale, Jan 20, GNA - Six health facilities in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions have received awards for their consistency and tenacity in promoting maternal health service delivery.

They included Tumu District Hospital, Walewale District Hospital, Zebilla District Hospital, Sombo Health Centre, Nyankpala Health Centre and Paga Health Centre.

As part of the awards package, each health facility received a citation and health equipment valued at 2000 Euros.

SEND-Ghana and Christian Aid gave the awards at a ceremony in Tamale marking the closure of the Improving Maternal Health Service Delivery through Participatory Governance (IMPROVE) project.

The IMPROVE project, which sought to contribute to a reduction on maternal mortality, was implemented from 2014 to 2016 in 30 districts in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions by SEND-Ghana and Christian Aid with funding from the European Union.

The awardees were selected from the health facilities in the three regions where the IMPROVE project was implemented through a rigorous criteria developed and supervised by the Ghana Health Service.

A representative of SEND-Ghana said the awards were meant to encourage the awardees to continue to provide excellent maternal services to their clients.

Dr Patrick Bampoh, Medical Superintendent at Walewale District Hospital, on behalf of the awardees, expressed gratitude to European Union, SEND GHANA and Christian Aid for the support and promised to make good use of the equipment and work hard to further reduce maternal deaths in the regions.

GNA
By Albert Futukpor, GNA

Tamale, Jan. 20, GNA - A mega crusade dubbed: 'Reinhard Bonnke Gospel Crusade,' is to be held in Tamale to win souls in the Northern Region for Christ.

The event, scheduled for January 26 to January 29, also seeks to intercede for the country and her leaders to ensure moral transformation for accelerated national development.

It is being spearheaded by the Christ for all Nations and about 400,000 to 600,000 people are expected to attend.

The crusade will feature Evangelist Daniel Kolenda.

Reverend John Darku, Executive Director for Africa of Christ for all Nations, who spoke at a meeting of pastors and church leaders in Tamale, said a lot had been done to ensure that the crusade was successful.

The meeting was to update pastors and church leaders in the Region about the preparations towards the holding of the crusade.

Reverend Darku said the crusade was divinely planned to bring salvation, healing, spiritual peace and progress to the people of the Region and the country as a whole calling on all to attend.

Rev Dr Paul Frimpong Manso, General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana in a sermon, emphasised the need for pastors and Christians to intensify evangelism to ensure that every person heard of the word of God.

GNA
21.01.2017 LISTEN

Accra Jan. 20, GNA - Kwesi Mensah, unemployed accused of defiling a minor in the Achimota Forest Reserve on Friday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Mensah has denied the charge of defilement.

He has been remanded into lawful custody to reappear on February 1, before the court presided over by Mrs Abena Oppong Adjin-Doku.

Inspector Judith B. Asante who held brief of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sophia Ennim said the complainant Edith Ansah is the Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission at Achimota.

The victim is a 10 year old class three pupil, while the accused lives at Adjirigano.

Prosecution said on January 17, this year, at about 1000am, the accused person spotted the victim at her school at Kotobabi and informed her that he had been providing text books and pens to a class four teacher.

According to prosecutor, the accused convinced the victim to follow him so she could go and collect those items for the teacher.

The victim obliged and on their way, accused lured the victim to board a commercial vehicle and they alighted at the Achimota Motorway.

Mensah took the victim to the Achimota Forest Reserve and asked her to lay on the floor.

Prosecution said the victim however resisted and began crying but the accused sex slapped the victim twice and threatened her with a knife if she would not give in to his demand.

The prosecutor said the victim out of fear, laid down and accused removed her underwear and had sex with her.

However while the accused was dressing up, the Achimota Forest Reserve Rapid Response Team arrived at the scene and the accused on seeing them took to his heels.

The task Force chased him and apprehended him and together with the victim took them to the complainant's office.

Prosecution said the complainant sent the two to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit at Tesano where a formal complaint was lodged and a medical form issued for the victim to be medically examined.

In Mensah's cautioned statement, he denied the offence and said that the task force did not arrest him at the Forest as alleged.

Mensah further said that he was rather picked up at Kotobabi in front of the victim's school after he had been subjected to severe beatings.

However when Police investigations at Kotobabi revealed that he was not arrested there (Kotobabi).

GNA
21.01.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Jan. 20, GNA - Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, the Director of Academic Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Friday said the President did not err by contributing troops to the Gambian cause without recourse to Parliament.

'The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces and he has every power to authorise deployment of troops in emergency situations,' he explained.

Besides, he said, Ghana had not broken any international law or protocol for contributing troops to ECOWAS mission in The Gambia.

Dr Antwi-Danso, who is also the Acting Executive Director of the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy, who was speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, in Accra, said the International Community would applaud Ghana and other West African countries for contributing troops towards stabilising the political crisis in The Gambia.

That commendation, he said, would be just like it did for the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

He said Ghana was part of the regional body, therefore, it was just playing by the rules, explaining that the county's pillars of Foreign Policy was multilateralism and using multilateral approach in resolving political conflicts instead of unilateralism.

He explained that ECOWAS had been using its protocol and calling on all countries within the Sub-region to observe democracy and the rule of law by ensuring that constitutional changes were conducted smoothly and safely.

Therefore, he said, based on this protocol signed by all ECOWAS member countries, the regional body had the right to intervene in the political crisis.

He said the presence of the ECOWAS military force in that country was deterrent enough for Yahya Jammeh to step down.

Dr. Antwi-Danso said information available to him indicated that the Gambian soldiers were not ready to fight the ECOWAS troops and they even opened the country's borders for them to enter.

In view of this, he said, the embattled Gambian President Yahya Jammeh had decided to step down.

Touching on the legality of Adama Barrow's swearing-in as president on January 19, in The Gambian Embassy in Senegal, Dr. Antwi-Danso explained that the action was unconstitutional because the one who swore him [Mr. Barrow] into office did not have the constitutional power to do so.

Moreover, he said, Mr. Barrow did not take the Oath of Office before his own people but rather in a foreign country and that made his swearing-in wrong.

'So if someone else also comes to Ghana or London and gets a Gambian lawyer to swear him in as president what happens, there will be chaos,' he opined.

However, he said, it was a deterrent measure to force Mr. Jammeh to step down, and that made Mr. Barrow's swearing-in appropriate.

The embattled Jammeh initially accepted defeat in the December Presidential polls, but a week later he changed his mind, claiming there were errors in the election results and filed a motion at the country's Supreme Court seeking to annul the results.

He wanted to bring in judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone, but they said they would be ready in the next six months and this would create constitutional lacuna or crisis and therefore resort to a state of emergency.

Adama Barrow, the leader of the Opposition Coalition, won the December 1 election.

Mr Jammeh has since refused to relinquish power despite mounting regional and international pressure to do so.

The country's Parliament, however, approved a resolution put before the House by Mr. Jammeh to prolong his stay in power for the next 90 days.

Mr Jammeh has since declared a state of emergency.

GNA

By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA
21.01.2017 LISTEN

By Caroline Pomeyie, GNA

Accra, Jan. 20, GNA - Ernest Dumor, Founder of the Komla Dumor Memorial Foundation, said the foundation will have a team to consider the proceedings involved with digital migration.

'My hope is that we will have a team who will look at the proceedings, organise all the issues involved and make it available for further discussion. With that we can go forward to government or any other agency involved in the digital transition of Ghana, to make recommendations.'

Mr Dumor said this at the 3rd anniversary panel discussion organised by the Komla Dumor Memorial Foundation in partnership with the World Bank Office-Accra.

Panellists and participants who took part in a discussion on the topic: 'Digital Transition in Ghana,' made recommendations to ensure the smooth transition from analogue to digital.

Edmund Fianko, the Manager, Engineering at National Communications Authority (NCA) noted that Ghana needed to adopt standards, a digital network, make specifications for the receivers to set top boxes, decoders have to be in the market place for people to acquire which will receive the digital services.'

He added that both the analogue and digital would run side by side. But when the transition ends Ghana will switch off the analogue. The digital switch on, and analogue switch off date are very critical.

Kabral Blay-Amihere, Former Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) said: 'Because there is no policy framework we are back to 1993 when the NCA was created and given the mandate to regulate frequency without reference to the NMC. For years there has been no collaboration.

'There need to be a framework for both the National Communications Authority (NCA) and NMC to collaborate.'

Mr Akwasi Agyemang, President of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association, called for the finalisation of the digital migration policy.

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, one of the panellist suggested that the consumer must be supported in acquiring the digital TV box.

'We can provide the financial institutions with an incentive, either through taxation or creating a fund for financial services to support the consumers. We also need to do something about the analogue boxes so we don't allow importation of junk whilst encouraging people to go digital.

'A low cost swap mechanism can be adopted such that the old analogue boxes will be collected and facilitate the acquisition of a digital TV box.

'We have work together with the Ministry of Communication to craft a digital migration policy. As we speak, we don't know.'

GNA
21.01.2017 LISTEN

As the popular American maxim goes: Whatever goes around, comes around. Simply put, the current onslaught of violence raging across the country did not explode out of a vacuum. It has its ancient origins in the wanton acts of violence provoked by the Rawlings-led Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), during the late 1970s; and then again, throughout the 1980s, in the wake of the violent overthrow of the democratically elected Limann-led government of the Peoples National Party (PNP). And then, again, between 1992 and 2001, when Chairman Jerry John Rawlings and his fellow Anglo-Ewe clansmen, notably The Tsikatas, dominated the national political landscape and ruled the country with iron-fists like their personal property.

And so it cannot be wholly accurate that the sort of wanton acts of violence being reported all over the country began only in the wake of President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos landslide victory in last Decembers general election. But even more significantly ought to be recalled the fact that less than a month to the 2016 general election, some thugs and goons publicly claiming allegiance to the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC), then the ruling party and government, attacked the private residential compound of the then-Candidate Akufo-Addo. These thugs, several of whom had been armed with assault rifles and other weapons capable of doing considerable human destruction, shot several rounds of munitions into the compound.

Nana Akufo-Addo was then campaigning for president in the central part of the country, to wit, the Brong-Ahafo Region, if memory serves yours truly accurately. His wife, the now-First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo (nee Griffiths-Randolph), was, however, in the house. The attack, which attracted widespread international attention, was roundly condemned by the resident Ambassador of the United States at the time, Mr. Robert Jackson, as well as the relatively longtime resident British High Commissioner, Mr. Jon Benjamin. It was quite obvious that the attack had been strategically orchestrated by some Mahama operatives in a bid to intimidating the now-President Akufo-Addo and his supporters and sympathizers.

To-date, the now-former President John Dramani Mahama has yet to issue any personal public statement on the attack. The goons and thugs involved in the attack claimed to have been embarked on a Health Walk that had been deliberately routed to pass in front of the private Nima residence of Nana Akufo-Addo. And so it is rather absurd to hear Mr. Kofi Adams, the National Organizer of the main opposition National Democratic Congress rudely, virulently and publicly accuse President Akufo-Addo of deliberately stoking the flames of violence against members and supporters of his party by not going public to personally condemn these wanton acts of violence, which have largely revolved around attempts by New Patriotic Party members and supporters to take over public institutions and properties hitherto controlled and almost exclusively operated by partisans of the former ruling party.

We must also backtrack to recall the fact that in the wake of Nana Akufo-Addos narrow presidential-election loss to President John Evans Atta-Mills, late, in December 2008, at least one private vehicle belonging to the defeated candidate of that election was seized on the streets of Accra by an NDC operative who claimed that background investigations indicated that full-taxes on the vehicle had not been paid to the state. The vehicle would be impounded by the Castle presidential staff of Prof. Mills and kept there for several weeks. Nana Akufo-Addo would refuse to take receipt of the vehicle upon its alleged return to its owner.

As of this writing, a hit-the-ground running Nana Akufo-Addo had issued an order to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. John Kudalor, through his Chief-of-Staff, Mrs. Frema Opare, to promptly stem the rising tide of partisan violence raging across the country. Lets wait and see what happens next, that is, whether the highly politicized Ghana Police Service (GPS) is up to snuff, as it were, on this matter.

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
Ghanaians living in Canada are saddened with the very bad news of two Ghanaians who suffered frost bites as a result of fleeing Donald Trumps deportation from America.

These two Ghanaians were among thousands of Ghanaians who are living in fear in U.S. because the President Donald Trump has already served notice that he would deport illegal immigrants from America when he assumes office.

In order not to be caught in the deportation net of Donald Trump, they set on a journey from Minnesota in America to cross the border into safety in Winnipeg in Canada but they were not lucky.

They were not lucky because the wicked weather had set in at that moment and were severely bitten by frost.

As if knowing what was going to happen, this reporter filed an article on the freezing weather which was widely published by Ghanaian media on December 15, 2016.

This article was to educate first time travelers to Canada and America to watch out for the freezing weather and seek protection as people living here were getting frozen.

It is very sad such incident has happened to these Ghanaians and it would be nice to rally support for them.

Seidu Mohammed describes being lost in the frigid cold2:32

Mohammed said he fled Ghana for the United States in 2015 because he feared for his life due to his sexual orientation, but when he arrived in San Diego, he was detained for a year.

He applied for asylum after his visa ran out but a judge denied his request.

"I run for my life," Mohammed said.

'Nobody stopped'

He and another Ghanaian man, who he met in Minneapolis, decided to flee to Canada. The two of them took a bus to Grand Forks, N.D., then flagged a cab and spent $400 for a ride to a spot near the U.S.-Canada border on Dec. 24.

"There is a big farm around the border and we passed through," said Mohammed. "It was very difficult because when we stepped in that farm, the snow was [at] our waists."

'If not for [a truck driver], we would have died in that snow.'- Seidu Mohammed, refugee

For at least seven hours, the two trudged through snowy fields with the temperature hovering around the 18 C mark, without the wind chill factored in.

They finally came upon Highway 75, near the Emerson, Man., border crossing.

The two men tried for hours to flag down trucks passing them by on the highway. A truck driver finally stopped and called 911 to get medical help for the men who were disoriented and cold. It is unclear how they managed to cross the border without being stopped.

They've both been in hospital since the trucker got them help, recovering in a specialized burn ward of Winnipeg's Health Sciences Centre.

"If not for him, we would have died in that snow," said Mohammed. "Nobody stopped till this Good Samaritan, God sent [this] man. We were about to give up."

WELCOME TO CANADA, YOURS TO DISCOVER COUNTRY.

Maybe the economic downturn currently being experienced in Ghana is informing your decision to migrate to a foreign country to seek a greener pasture.

Canada is one of the beautiful countries in the world that you may be considering migrating to start a new life therefore following procedure to get your visa to enter the country.

But have you find out about the weather situation in the country, weather seasons before going? You need to be informed that despite the beautiful sceneries, democracy, education, port and multiculturalism the winter and the summer weather can be crazy at times.

During winter seasons, predicted snow storms hit the area and can continue for hours before taping off after dumping white powder or flurries on the ground that makes the roads slippery and difficult for driving.

Usually when the white powder falls vehicles get slithering and sliding which throws cars into ditches that makes all to look for possible eventualities or casualties and provide the needed assistance victims will need to survive the scare.

Really one will need assistance to survive this scare of snow storm that hammers Toronto and other parts of the country especially having return from humid tropical weather in Africa and come to meet continuous snow fall.

It is a honorable thing to do, it is more rewarding thing to do by remitting family members and friends back home in Africa but it is more God blessing thing to do by praying for your love ones in countries like Canada looking at what they go through to make earns meet.
21.01.2017 LISTEN

A tear is made of one percent water and ninety-nine percent feelings that is why I am shedding tears

right now. Who am I shedding tears for you may ask. I am shedding tears for a former colleague reporter at The Chronicle who gave up the ghost last week.

Oh my gosh, how can that happened to a young enterprising Ghanaian at a point where we needed him, a political journalist to report events to educate, inform and entertain people I ask myself.

But just like Jean De La Fortaine said in his pictures quotes .com, every journalist owes tribute to the

evil one, so I kept mum after reading the sad news on the internet.

I have known Bismarck Bebli at the Chronicle as a young colleague news reporter when I got hired by

Mr. A.C.Ohene then former Eastern Regional editor of the Chronicle and former Acting editor of the

paper respectfully.

Bismark Bebli, so humble, respectful, honest, incorruptible, news hungry all the time will be seen

scouting for news to make the headlines of the chronicle newspaper.

Whenever he is in short of news, he will not hesitate to pick up the phone and give me a call to find out

what was happening at the political front in Eastern Region and if investigating a story will partner with

me to successfully conduct investigations as he chases party executives in Accra for their comments.

Whiles I will be in the woods for the sources, he will be running from party head office to another in

Accra for more information or comments after which we will put our reports together, file for our

editors consideration and publication which saw many of our stories making the headlines.

So when the NDC national delegates congress in 2006 was held in Koforidua Eredec Hotel, I had no

difficulty covering the event with my former colleague Catherine Avorseh as Bismarck Bebli came all the

way from Accra to partner with us to do a good job and the chronicle was full of our stories.

Easy to understand anybody, Bismark Bebli agreed to cover the events from the main hall with

Catherine Avorseh and another colleague who happened to be the cameraman whiles I covered events

from the outside where NDC hooligans and thugs were attacking other NDC members described as

saboteurs.

As tension was high at that time that the founder and leader of the NDC J.J.Rawlings was set to leave the

party because of Dr. Obed Asamoah, I captured interesting scenes when he was making his way into the

hall same as the former and the subsequent beating of Madam Frances Essiam which we reported very

well in the chronicle.

The memory of Bismarck Bebli, wont go away especially recounting how he sympathized with me after

news got to him that some NDC hooligans had beaten me outside the hotel for taking notes of fleet of

government vehicles that transported party members from far and wide to the congress in Koforidua.

Here Bismark Bebli reminded me of Jean De La Fortaines quote that Every journalist owes tribute to

the evil one that made me put it behind me.

By Bismark Bebli, Stephen Quaye & Catherine Avorseh

Madam Frances Essiam, the outspoken former women's organizer of the

National Democratic Congress (NDC) was yesterday set upon by charged

thugs loyal to ex-President Rawlings and beaten black and blue, for daring to

talk back at the President who had cursed her by saying publicly that he

would pray for her soul and that of Dr. Obed Asamoah.

It was the high point of the NDC's sixth delegate congress, which was marked by

violence right from the beginning, when supporters of the two factions loyal to

Obed and Rawlings preferred candidate Dr. Kwabena Adjei bared their muscles

and instruments of violence in full view of the Police and law enforcement

agencies.

It is sad that I lost my buddy but it is sadder that the inky fraternity has lost a media gem who might

have been a role model for the upcoming potential journalists.

To the bereaved family I say sorry for the lost. To the Ghana Journalist Association GJA I say sorry for the

lost. May the good lord keep your soul in Abrahams bosom till we meet again in heaven and share jokes

of how sometimes we were chased by hooligans for doing our work.
21.01.2017 LISTEN

The Africa Internship Academy (AIA) is excited to launch its Young Energy and Power Professionals (YEPP) at this years African Utility Week in Cape Town in May. The launch is in partnership with Africa Utility week, an event which brings together of 7000 plus professionals across the continent. YEPP is set to be a network of ambitious graduates who wish to contribute to solving Africans power and energy issues.

30 top power and energy students/graduates across Africa will have the opportunity to participate in the event by virtue of free sponsorship. These students will have complimentary access to the strategic conference and will be invited to a networking function co-hosted with Africa Internship Academy. A selection of recruiters, VIP guests and sponsoring companies will also be invited to this function.

Call for sponsors

Opportunities exist for organisations which have the development of African youth in the energy/power at heart to sponsor any number of the 30 students who will be attending the event for free. Interested parties should contact our AIA secretariat.

Africa Internship Academy

Speaking on the origin of AIA Mr. Daniel Antwi, co-founder of the Africa Internship Academy said that youth unemployment on the continent was a major epidemic and internship opportunities were an amazing solution to help maximize human capital development. According to Daniel: quite a number of employers have argued that skills constraint has been a major contributing factor to youth unemployment. Again, many young graduates find it very difficult to move out and become job makers in the market. Therefore, Africa Internship Academy stands to facilitate successful transition from academia to industry by ensuring that the skills of youth are honed early enough to match the labour market demands.

Africa Internship Academy has already begun its Work Integrated Learning module in Ghana and is looking to roll out more centres in many African cities by end of the first half of 2017. Fellows of the first which ended in December were taken up by a reputable international organisation. The second cohort is currently in session and admissions are ongoing for the third which starts in February.

Africa Utility Week

At African Utility week, 30 top power and energy students/graduates across Africa will have the opportunity to be invited to the event, have complimentary access to the strategic conference and will be invited to a networking function co-hosted with Africa Internship Academy. A selection of recruiters, VIP guests and sponsoring companies will also be invited to this function.

Leading energy platform on the continent

The 17th annual African Utility Week is the leading conference and trade exhibition for African power, energy and water professionals and takes place from 16-18 May 2017 at the CTICC in Cape Town. The event will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 40 countries to source the latest solutions and meet over 300 suppliers. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers.

The conference programme will once again address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water.

African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other flagship events in Spintelligents power portfolio are East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC), West African Power Industry Convention (WAPIC), iPAD Rwanda Power & Mining Investment Forum and iPAD Cameroon Energy & Infrastructure Forum.

Dates for African Utility Week and Energy Revolution Africa:

Conference and expo: 16-18 May 2017

Awards gala dinner: 17 May 2016

Site visits: 19 May 2016

Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Websites: http://www.african-utility-week.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities

Linkedin: African Power Forum
21.01.2017 LISTEN

One of the national media highlights of year 2016 happened on October 14, 2016, when Dr. Reuben Abati, the former Special Assistant on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, inundated the print and electronic media with a write-up tagged, The Spiritual Side of Aso Rock,Nigerias presidential office/residence.

The macabre narrative showed the administration of President Jonathan operating on auto-pilot while evil forces charted our national direction, that his government was a drone sent aloft by satanic forces whose road map his regime only implemented. The inept and spineless government of Dr. Jonathan according to the gospel of Dr. Abati, was a victim of powerful spiritual powers who lord it over the occupants of the highest office in our nation!

Mighty evil forces and fetish occurrences rule the world of politics and government, in the fearful submissions of Dr. Abati. He surmised that when people seek power in Nigeria, whether in the political or spiritual realms, not a few of them go for diabolical means. Femi Fani-Kayode, Dr. Abatis predecessor and ex-aviation minister collaborated this opinion. Naturally, the spiritual overthrow of the will of Dr. Jonathan and his administration also crept into the families of Villa staff who became zombies-in-residence. Subjected to Hammer House of Horror like tortures, the psychologically and emotionally dismembered male occupants of the most expensive real estate in Nigeria became castrated, and their females became buyers of dildo for comfort. Dr. Abati wailed that people lost daughters and sons, brothers and uncles, mothers and fathers  Dr. Jonathan had two near air mishaps abroad and his wife and First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan went under the surgeons knives many times in Germany.

At the time, many practicing agnostics erred by deeming the reality Dr. Abatis theistic experiences as irrational and superstitious. And many of their camp followers may still be of that opinion. I wasnt and I am not! A beneficiary of the salvation of God in Jesus Christ {MT. 1:21; JN. 3:1-8, 16} and born of water and the Spirit of God {JN. 6:63}, armed with Gods Word of power, and given the ability to speak in tongues, I have enough revelation to clearly understand what mystified Dr. Abati. By grace, I am privileged to be a pastor in Starplace Bible Church where the Word of God is taught by my senior pastor. AAso Rock may be a castle of death, but where I belong is a City of Refuge! Halleluyah! Throughout the administration of Dr. Jonathan till date, I have not suffered death of a wife, sons, mother or siblings by the good deeds of God. Health wise, I ended year 2016 on a more excellent note than the commencement of that year. Can somebody give the Lord Jesus Christ Tehila praise?

In 2016, no family in Starplace Bible Churchreceived a condolence or sympathy delegation because of death in this house. I am in the ministry of Pastor Dan Ogbemudia, a teaching priest and Gods primary tool of deliverance from evil forces is His Word  PSA. 107:20. I can never be a victim of evil forces no matter how pervasive they may be. By the Spirit and grace of Christ Jesus, it has become my area of competence to tread the paths that science and empiricism has been dwarfed because the carnal mind will find spiritual matters very strange  JN. 14:17. Praise God. Pastor Dan is in ministering and Starplace Bible Churchis a deliverance ground by Gods Word of power for the kind of challenges that Dr. Abati encountered in Aso Rock. Present and past operatives in that seat of power who are traumatized have a free, ready deliverance ground to be liberated from the hold of evil powers. Male Villa occupants who suffered or are suffering erectile dysfunction can be assured that their fire power will return in no time. I like to assure that their sicknesses are not unto death  JN. 11:4.

Among the testimonies recorded in Starplace Bible Churchis that of Brother Abu, a civil servant and father of two who was told by medical doctors to go and put his house in order because death was imminent. Abati was certain that that around the Villa while I was there, someone always died or their relations died. I can confirm that every principal officer suffered on tragedy or the other. At Starplace Bible Churchwhere I belong, nobody dies like Abati described! From our inauguration in 2013 till date, no soul died in Starplace Bible Churchhere in Nigeria or abroad! The healing hands of the living God touched Brother Abu as Pastor Dan was ministering in the power of the Holy Ghost and he got a new heart and liver. The loving hands of Jesus is still healing souls where I belong. Dr. Abati was warned that some Villa residents bath with the blood of animals. Well, I not only BATH with the BLOOD OF JESUS which is established upon a better covenant, but I EAT HIS FLESH WEEKLY  1 COR. 11:23-30; HEB. 8:1-13. Every born again child of God in my church has this privilege. Shout Halleluyah! My friend, I invite you to be part of this glorious mystery this week.

My senior pastor and a few trusted men of God that I know have experiences of pastors who have dabbled into diabolism using the name of Jesus Christ. Brother Abu spent good money in sacrifices prescribed by pastors and Muslim clerics to no avail before a blessed sister in Starplace Bible Church informed him that Jesus heals in this blessed commission. Every manner of affliction surrenders to the power of the Holy Ghost in this glorious church. Till date, Brother Abu has not been asked to pay a dime for what the Lord did for him, for freely has Pastor Dan received and freely God gives through his anointed ministering. If ex-President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his predecessors were held hostage by mercurial evil spirits, they will receive freedom in Starplace Bible Church simply by faith  JN. MT. 9:1-6. And I guarantee that they will have life and more abundantly  JN. 10:10. Friends, build your faith to receive from God

Men and brethren, Pastor Dan, his ministers and members will be awaiting you in any of our following services:

BANQUET OF STARS  SUNDAYS  8AM

INTERCESSORY HOUR  TUESDYS  6PM

MAKING OF STARS - MONDAYS  6PM

IGNITING OF STARS WEDNESDAYS  6PM

HOUR OF PRAYER  THURSDAYS  6PM

HARVESTERS DELIGHT  SATURDAYS  12 NOON

You can also receive expanded counseling and other beneficial information by calling any of these pastoral phone numbers: 09093663336, 08035380252, 08112274517, 08131362336, 08032067415, 08136689698.

Pastor, historian and writer, Joseph Emeka Anumboris the author of The Intercourse of Troubled Thoughts,a critically acclaimed discourse on homosexuality, published by AuthorHouse Inc, Indiana, USA.
21.01.2017 LISTEN

The battle for the Ashanti Regional representative of the member of Council of State has begun in earnest with several individuals gearing up to contest for the slot.

The potential aspirants, including both young and old have been picking forms at the EC's office in Kumasi as part of processes towards participating in the elections.

The latest to join the fray is Mr Dennis Kwakwa, a Youth activist and former Mampong constituency youth organizer, who picked forms yesterday to contest the position of the Counsel of State member representing the people of the Ashanti Region.

A victory for him in next month's elections would mean, Ghana is going to have for the first time in its history someone below the age of forty as a Counsel of State member, and also representing the region.

His intention is bourne out of his long-held zeal to support the personal development of the youth of the country, and, therefore, believes one avenue to achieving that was to have the opportunity to advice President Akufo-Addo, as a Counsel of State member at this particular time where the youth were expecting much from the President and his government.

Speaking in an interview after picking nomination forms at the regional office of the Electoral Commission, Dennis Kwakwa, 37, explained that since the country's population has over 60 percent being youth, it is only proper that they were represented well in strategic national positions for the advancement of the youth.

In his view, one major step in satisfying and living up to the high expectations of the youth was to have someone in their bracket to represent them in such respectable advisory position, and, therefore, believes he can best represent the youth, hence his decision to avail himself.

Again, according to Kwakwa, the time has come to demystify perceptions that the position is a preserve for elders, noting that it is important that qualified youth are seen as capable to be in the stead of the elders, to help push the country forward.

The former youth leader sees himself "capable" for the task he has set for himself, stressing that he has all what it takes to represent his colleagues in that capacity, further adding that as a constant advocate for the youth, he has been groomed to lead in any capacity that would give relevance and recognition to the overall development of the youth.

To Dennis Kwakwa, with his over 20 years experience in active politics, he is confident and "ready for this challenge and what I intend to do in that role as Member of the Counsel of State. Learning from senior politicians and other highly respected Statesmen had emboldened me, to give my all for the total development of Ghana and the success of the President."

As to whether he can cope in that capacity and not be shadowed by the elders due to his age factor, Kwakwa emphatically stated that he has acquired so many experiences through his travels around the world, and therefore would not be intimidated by anyone or stature of his prospective colleague Counsel of State members.

"In any case, we have a president who listens to all views irrespective of where it's coming from; he knows the the trust that the youth have in him and his government, and I believe he would be happy to have a young, dynamic and vibrant young man like me as one of his advisors," the Counsel of State aspirant explained.

He again defused perception that the counsel of state is a rubber stamp and must therefore be scraped. He however, said, what could best be done was fir them to live above partisan consideration and look at the greater good of the country when advising the president on key national issues.

"I understand where this question is coming from. A typical case in sight is the 'Montie 3' issue, where we were told that the then president pardoned them based on the advice of the Counsel of State. This wasn't right but they went ahead to advice the president in that regard and we all saw the national uproar that such decision generated and the consequences it had on their electoral fortunes, so to me, council members must do away with politics at that stage," he stressed.

To Dennis Kwakwa, having people to give constant advice to the president is relevant, however they should do their best to regain public confidence in them.

"The word 'rubber-stamp used to describe members of the Counsel of State is rather an unfortunate and harsh word; they are very relevant in the delivery of better governance, however, in order to win back public trust and confidence, they must live above reproach, active politics and pettiness," he advised.

The former youth organizer urged the youth to buy into his vision and support his course, as to him, his move will inspire confidence as well as bring out the full potentials of the youth in the country.
21.01.2017 LISTEN

The last one month has been an eventful moment in the life of the Republic of Gambia and the ECOWAS especially after their presidential election where Yahya Jammeh's 22 years reign as the head of state of Gambia was put to an end by the citizens who voted against him.

Ghanaian Students seem to have divided views on the current development in the in the last few days following the swearing in of Adama Barrow as the president of Gambia in Senegal when Yahya Jammeh has fille an application at the supreme court of Gambia to constitutionally challenge the outcome of the results.

In as much as a section of students express their utmost disgust and disappointment at Yahya Jammeh for refusing to step down to make way for the inauguration of the newly elected president and the subsequent developments where the newly elected president had to be sworn into office outside his home country in Senegal, and in as much as another section of students are disappointed in the ECOWAS and the west for facilitating the inauguration of Adama Barrow as the president of Gambia when Yahya Jammeh has filled an application at the supreme court of Gambia to constitutionally challenge the outcome of the election results, let us remember we have a similar situation on our hand at the frontline of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) where two gentlemen are parading themselves as NUGS presidents with different executives.

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) is a non-political, non-partisan and a non-religious progressive mass movement that seeks to fight for the rights of students and the youth of Ghana who are in Ghana and abroad. It is the umbrella body of all students movements from basic school to the highest educational level (PhD). The union is made up of various blocs namely the TTAG which comprises of teacher trainees, USAG which comprises of university students, RSRC which comprises of students in senior high schools, vocational and technical institutions in each region of Ghana, GRASSAG which comprises of graduate students either offering their masters or Phd, GNUPS which comprises of polytechnic students, GUPS which comprises of students in professional institutions such as the Ghana Institute of Journalism among others and NAHSAG which comprises of students in all health training institutions in Ghana.

Though the constitution of the union has a strong stand on non partisanship of the union, political parties have penetrated and found their way to control the leadership of the union in recent years. The union which was a very formidable union and was envied by TUC, GNAT etc. in the not too distant past and could shake the foundations of government to heed to the demands of the Ghanaian students is now a pale shadow of it former glory. Leaders of union who take oaths to protect and defend the interest of students are now rather protecting and defending the interest of their political parties.

Luqman Abubakar (the gentleman in smock) is a student of the University for Development Studies, his counterpart Julian Mawuse Cobbinah (the gentleman in suit) is a student of the GIMPA law school. Both of them are laying claims to the presidency of NUGS, each of them are from the camps of the two major political parties in Ghana. The two of them bought forms to contest the presidency of NUGS, and appeared before the vetting committee together with two other gentlemen. One of them sensing that the ground was not favourable for him and knowing he was going to lose, didn't attend the legitimate congress but organised another congress for himself in another institution where he declared himself president of NUGS and appointed people who per the NUGS constitution should be elected as General secretary, Coordinating secretary, Press and information secretary, Women's Commissioner etc.

There are millions of Ghanaian students whose destiny depends on the actions and inactions of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS). As we congratulate former President John Mahama, President Mahamudu Buhari of Nigeria and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia for trying to negotiate with Yahya Jammeh for the sake of peace in the Gambia, I humbly implore the alumni of NUGS, government, traditional leaders and the clergy to also try and help us resolve the current impasse in NUGS. Let us remember the Ghanaian adage 'charity begins at home'.

Let us not forget the numerous contributions NUGS has made to the improvement of education in Ghana. If for nothing at all, the GETfund and the National Service Scheme came into existence because of NUGS, let us also not forget the role NUGS played just last year to get government rescind its decision to make students pay utility bills which could have raised the school fees of students.

NUGS has been a training and nurturing ground for most politicians. We can make mention of Hon. Dan Botwe who is an accomplished politician and was the NUGS General Secretary in 1982, Hon. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa and the numerous politicians who got their leadership training from leading the union in one capacity or the other.

There are hints that the Minister of Education designate who is a former NUGS President could recognise the 'fake' NUGS President because he is from his political caucus. He must be advised not to make that hasty decision, other wise the blocs of NUGS who voted for the legitimate executives of the union could rally the students within their jurisdiction against the government of the day for condoning an illegality.

ALUTA CONTINUA..

VICTORIA ASCERTA.

(THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES BUT VICTORY IS CERTAIN.)

Saviour Gokah

National General Secretary Candidate -TTAG,
21.01.2017 LISTEN

On this, the 59th Week, 4th Day, 21st hour, 21st minute, and 21st second , following the adoption and kickoff of the Ghana Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Count-Down Calendar and Clock , and with the predictable and well-deserved defeat at the polls this past December, 2016, of Mr. John Dramani Mahama who surrounded himself with a coterie of self-seeking and amateur advisors, ministers and deputies, thus rendering him incapable of doing the right thing by Ghana - to wit, stop the $1.25 billion per year oil cash bleed by Ghana since 2010:

1. We, non-partisan and Ghana-centered Ghana Institute for Governance and Security ( GIGS ) and the principals, signatories, and supporters of the Fair-Trade Oil Share Ghana (FTOS-Gh/PSA) Campaign, hereby declare victory in the battle for adoption of World Standard PSA as the preferred and mandatory fiscal regime for Ghana's oil, a non-renewable resource.

2. In the declaration of victory, we, GIGS and the FTOS-Gh/PSA) Campaign wish to serve notice to the President Nana Akufo Addo Dankwa and the NPP government that the struggle for adoption of the PSA is a noble one. That he, being a serious man, now the President of Ghana, must publicly support the immediate adoption by Ghana of the PSA for all of Ghana's Oil and Gas, consistent with (a) fair international trade principles, (b) the acute and compelling needs of Ghanaian citizens, as sovereign owners of the Oil and Gas, and (c) great loses in oil revenues suffered by Ghana during the last 5 years that is in excess of $6 billion.

3. We, GIGS and the FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign, with due regard for the mission we have assigned to ourselves, hereby state that the struggle for the PSA for Ghana's non-renewable Oil and Gas resources will continue, that our demand for Fair-Trade Oil share will permanently continue until (a) the adoption of the world standard PSA for Ghana, and (b) showing by the current government that Ghana is indeed getting a fair share of its own oil revenues that is better than 50%, consistent with global standards of the Oil and Gas industry.

4. We would like to Othank all the signatories and Dr Kobla A. Dotsesupporters of the Fair-Trade Oil Share Ghana (FTOS-Gh/PSA) Campaign for adding their strong, uncompromising voices to the petitions we delivered to the now defeated, now former president John Dramani Mahama the last 2 years, that is still on-going.

5. Many supporters of the campaign provided financial support that went directly to the "foot soldiers" in Ghana, and to them, we owe a deep debt of gratitude. In this regard, we are most grateful for the efforts of Mr. Solomon Kwawukume, National Coordinator, FTOS-Gh/PSA, and many others, who, directly on the grounds in Ghana, assisted in providing data, information, and other resources that those NDC officials could have used to make better decisions for Ghana by adopting the PSA for Ghana's oil, and against the so-called Ghana Hybrid System.

6. By this communique, the FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign say a special thank you to Dr. Raymond Atuguba being a consummate Ghana-centered professional, for assisting in opening doors shut by those in authority in Mr. Mahama's Presidential suite who appeared to either know nothing about what was going on in Speaker Edward Doe Adjaho's Parliament with respect to Ghana's oil contracts and/or, operated as if the efforts by Tema Chief Imam Adam Abubakar, Togbe Nakakpo Dugbaza, VIII, Mr. Solomon Kwawukume, Mr. David Agbee, ,GIGS CEO, and supporters of the World Standard PSA for Ghana's Oil (and Gas) were nothing but prying eyes in a government business none of us had any interest or expertise in. (All of those officials now know what just swept through the now-vacated Mahama Presidential suite).

7. In closing, to President Nana Akufo Addo Dankwa, we say do the right thing by Ghana. Stop the billion-dollar annual oil cash bleed by Ghana immediately. We say, without further delay, quickly and effectively work with Parliament to annul that predatory Act 919 approved by Mahama's government with the aid and comfort of MP Kobina Tahir "Hybrid" Hammond of the NPP practically the mid-night before the well-deserved defeat of Mr. Mahama, and his exit from the halls of political power at the Flagstaff House. Nullify that predatory Ghana Hybrid System at bottom of the multi-billion dollar loss to Ghana. Adopt for Ghana the World Standard PSA. Secure for Ghana better than 50% of revenues consistent with industry baseline and fairness in trade and development.

8. To all Ghanaians and Ghana Supporters, we say the struggle for the PSA for Ghana's Oil and Gas, for fair compensation for Ghana's non-renewable oil and gas resources championed by the FTOS-GH/PSA Campaign and GIGS continues, until final victory in the struggle, until Ghana begins to receive 51% or better of revenues from the sale of Ghana's sovereign oil.

We thank all of you for your invaluable support of Ghana, and all its Peoples, both at home and abroad in the Diaspora.

//Signed///AK/\3\

Andy Kwawukume

Diaspora, EU & Asia Coordinator

FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign

for Ghana

//Signed ///PL/\1\

Prof Lungu

Executive Coordinator

FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign for Ghana

//Signed///SK/\2\

Solomon Kwawukume

National Coordinator

FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign for Ghana

Togbe Nakakpo

//Signed///AA/\4\

Imam Adam Abubakar

Tema Chief Imam

National Leader

FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign

for Ghana

//Signed///TNDVIII/\5\

Paramount Chief Togbe Nakakpo Dugbaza, VIII,

Traditional Authority Advisor

FTOS-Gh/PSA Campaign

for Ghana
Rome, 20 January 2017  Member States of the UNs International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) had their first opportunity to meet with candidates vying to be the Funds next President.

The meetings took place at IFADs headquarters in Rome on 19 and 20 January. Over the two days, candidates introduced themselves and engaged in a lively discussion of IFADs challenges and opportunities with some 200 representatives of the membership.

The following candidates have been nominated:

Bambang P.S. Brodjonegoro, nominated by the Republic of Indonesia

Maria Eugenia Casar Perez, nominated by the United Mexican States

Professor Paolo De Castro, nominated by the Italian Republic

Ismahane Elouafi, nominated by the Kingdom of Morocco

Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, nominated by the Togolese Republic

Rasit Pertev, nominated by the Republic of Turkey

Josefina Stubbs, nominated by the Dominican Republic

Pio Wennubst, nominated by the Swiss Confederation

The President is IFADs most senior position with responsibility for leading the organization and chairing its Executive Board.

The next IFAD President will take up the helm at a time when boosting investments in smallholder agriculture will be essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of ending poverty and hunger. Indeed, in a rapidly changing world with growing demand for food, increased migration to cities and the impact of climate change and environmental degradation, IFAD investments in rural areas of developing countries have never been as relevant and important.

The appointment of the next President will take place on 14 February during IFADs annual Governing Council meeting in Rome. The Governing Council is IFAD's principle governing body with full decision-making powers.

The President of IFAD serves a four-year term, renewable once.

The newly elected President will take office on 1 April 2017.

For more information on appointment procedures and candidates visit: www.ifad.org/who/president/tags/2109081

IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided about US$18 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached some 462 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency based in Rome  the UNs food and agriculture hub.
Kwakwaduam Association of New York has celebrated its 2016 Annual End of Year Dinner Dance over the MLK weekend in the Bronx. The theme for the fund-raising was Enhancing Maternal Care in Ghana  the Obstetric Delivery Kit Project and was to raise money to buy 2,000 Obstetric Delivery Kits for effective deliveries and to enhance the quality of work done by midwives in Ghana.

Dr. Kwame Aniapam Boafo, a Gynecologist in Albert Einstein Medical College and Consultant to Kwakwaduam launched the Fund raising campaign and amplified the disease burden of our mothers delivering in abject conditions in the villages of Ghana and how the Delivery Kits would enhance the quality of care delivered to our mothers.

The Chairperson for the occasion was Ms. Florence Thorson-Hart a Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch with Dr. Nonyelu Anyichie an OB/GYN at Bronx Lebanon in the Bronx as the Co-Chairperson. They both sympathized with the predicament of our women during prenatal care and delivery and supported the fundraising initiative. Dr. Nonyelu Anyichie made comparisons between Nigerian and Ghana and said our women suffer the same fate.

The President of the Organization Mr. Mark Saforo said Kwakwaduam continues to do well and thanked all those who have supported the Organization over the years. He said Kwakwaduam membership was open to all those who share the vision of the Organization that the best part of every persons life is what he or she gave back to society.

He enumerated the impressive list of projects undertaken by Kwakwaduam over the years. He thanked his Executive for a work well done and recognized some dignitaries present (Nana Nyaadu, Mr and Mrs Lokko of Ablade, Dr Kofi Boateng, Dr. Asiedu and the Executive Director of Family Link

Awards were presented to deserving members of the Community and Members of Kwakwaduam. Community Service awards went to Mr Ofori Anor (Former Executive Secretary of NCOGA) and Dr. Adam (An Internist). Ms Genevieve Aku, Mr Eric Frimpong and Michael Ofori received awards for their outstanding contribution to the success of the Organization.

Dr. Kofi Boateng CEO of the Harlem Development Corporation , New York, praised Kwakwaduam for the classy function and reiterated the need for Ghanaians Living Abroad to organize so as to able to make a difference in the development of Ghana.

The function was well organized and fun filled. The food was excellent and DJ Rockson kept everybody dancing all night. Media activity was provided by Francis Boanoh and his FAWEB Solutions, not to mention the MC Patrick Akosah who was electrifying and also received an award for his immense contribution to Kwakwaduam

Please send your Contribution for the Obstetric Delivery Project to

Kwakwaduam Association Inc, Parkchester Station, P. O. Box 292, Bronx, NY. 10462

2016 Dinner Dance 2

2016 Dinner Dance 3

2016 Dinner Dance 4

2016 Dinner Dance 5
21.01.2017 LISTEN

It is very shameful to see a political precedent set for unlawful seizures of public toilets on change of governments in Ghana. The supporters of the late President Atta Mills NDC-led government upon winning Election 2008, embarked on a spontaneous nasty crusade throughout the country, especially in Accra, to seize public toilets then manned by perceived members of NPP and supporters of the outgoing President Kufuors NPP government. There were allegedly reported cases of fatal injuries inflicted on some of the people from whom public toilets were being forcibly, but illegally taken.

Now that the NPP has come back to power under the august leadership of His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, the supporters and members of the NPP feel it is their God-send turn to take over or repossess the public toilets by any means possible. They are determined to pay those NDC guys who eight years ago resorted to sheer wicked violence to take over the toilets, back in their own coin hence what we hear and see certain people do as regards the possession, ownership and operation of the public toilets.

What is the real reason behind this trigger-happiness in some people to taking over the operations of the public toilets? The main reason behind such exhibited behaviours borders on selfishness and the perpetrators insatiable quest to make immense money for themselves as individuals, but not for the government, or for the community or for the Ghanaian taxpayers.

It is not for the collective interest of Ghanaians that certain people fervently embark on seizing public toilets but for their selfish ends. The public toilets, although are badly maintained, yield a lot of money for their operators. The toilets fetch their illegal operators or owners more money than a cocoa farm would bring to a farmer hence the ongoing craziness by some crafty people masked in political cloaks to enrich themselves through violent takeovers.

How do they make their money after forcibly taking control of the operations or the running of the toilet(s)?

I am going to use my personal experience to vividly explain to you how these operators make their illegal wealth. Many years back in London, I came up with an idea to help build public toilets for the people of Kumawu during one of our monthly Kumawuman Association meetings, through raising special funds for the project. Many were those that pooh-poohed the idea even though Kumawu lacked, and still does lack, sufficient and decent public toilets where people could conveniently attend to natures call.

I was never perturbed but did arrange a special meeting in my house where those having a meeting of minds were invited. Even though many attended, agreed with my plans, in the end, only six people including my already deceased sister out of the lot did contribute a 100 each towards the project.

Four of my family members of whom I included my already deceased sister, paid her contribution myself, and the late Opanin Kwaanto alias Oh Yes' son Kwasi Frimpong and his nephew Kwasi Gyesaw were those that contributed financially towards the project.

We arranged with the late Zongohene Larbue through one Teacher Nketia and Kwaku to see if he could supervise the toilet project we had decided to start, first at the Kumawu Zongo. He agreed and arranged his elders and community members to assist where other non financial help was needed.

The toilet was started and at some point, I had to single-handedly pump my own money into it. The project got stuck at about  (three quarters) through and nearing completion due to lack of funding. I was investing heavily in my Wraponso citrus, cocoa and teak farming, and at the same time spending heavily on the attendant High Court litigations over the ownership of the land brought against me by some Asante-Akyem Yawso and Okaikrom family members even though, the 200-acre farmland was sold to me by the late Kumawuhene Barima Asumadu Sakyi II and the Kumawu Traditional Council.

As I was stuck on funding, overstretched due to the farming and its related court issues as mentioned, an American White lady through some NGO did step in to complete the toilet for the people of the Kumawu Zongo. Before she could come in to complete the toilet, she first arranged to seek my permission which I never hesitated to grant.

Below is the interesting part that explains the madness about the seizure of public toilets by some selfish and insatiably greedy individuals. When the toilet was completed, the Kumawu District Assembly began to run it as a public property. I had no qualms about that. However, the information that constantly kept reaching me was, the person the Council elected to man the toilet, to collect a little payment from those patronising it, was duping the Council and the people.

The Council would give him their toilet paper in the form of some old newspaper sufficient for say hundred people a day. Nonetheless, the person manning the toilet would buy his own toilet paper, say Graphic newspaper, sell just about twenty of the Councils to the toilet users and then for the rest of the day, would be selling his to pocket the money. This was the ongoing daily occurrence to enrich himself.

I always wondered how those little pieces of newspaper given out as toilet paper to those using the toilets were enough to give them clean bottom wipes when they used the toilets. The question of personal hygiene creeps into mind here.

The Council only determined how many people had used the toilet by the number or the quantity of their own newspaper-type toilet roll sold a day of which they expected him to account for.

Information kept reaching me, advising me to proceed to Ghana to kick him out, take over the ownership from the Council since it was privately built. I told all those requesting me to step in as said, that it was not started by me alone so I could not do as they were suggesting and after all, the objective was to help the people, but not to run a private business to enrich myself regardless of how lucrative running the toilet had become. Providing the people with the toilet was simply an act of philanthropy to help a people in need.

The fact that those manning the toilets without properly maintaining them, but could resort to attitudes as just described to make money for themselves, there will always be this frenzy of taking over the ownership of public toilets on every change of government. Those doing that think their government has come to power so they have every right on earth to make money for themselves at all costs. To me, that is not right!

I will prescribe two solutions to putting a stop to those deplorable and harmful attitudes. The public toilets are to be made free for public use without anyone collecting money from the users.

Money for running and maintaining the toilets could be raised through increasing say, the daily car park taxes, market taxes, home taxes, etc. but by a very small percentage of say, 0.2 to 0.5%. This will not be felt by those being taxed by the insignificance of the increment. The money raised through the taxes just cited can be used to employ people on full time basis to run the toilets, by just cleaning and maintaining them in good order and shape but not collecting money from their users.

On the other hand, the toilets can be divested (sold) to private individuals but at ongoing market rate and then make them pay taxes commensurate with their profitability as demonstrated by the savagery of their takeovers. If we had public pay toilets with coin-operated turnstiles to minimise or stop the desire of people to enrich themselves illegally through keeping the greater part of the daily proceeds as aforementioned to themselves, I could have suggested differently.

Any of the above two solutions has the potential to stop the periodic seizure of public toilets on change of government but which sad attitude only goes to profit some crooks as it was in the case of the mentioned Kumawu Zongo public toilet.

Let the government come out with a durable solution to end this disgraceful and violent seizure of toilets which is becoming the norm in Ghana on change of ruling political parties or governments. Everywhere you go in Ghana today, the operators of the public toilets built by either the government, municipal, district or local councils, are keeping the chunk of the daily proceeds to themselves hence their violent propensity to illegally take over the running of the toilet facilities.

Why should we continually allow these selfish and greedy individuals to lawlessly enrich themselves at the expense of the Ghanaian taxpayer?

Rockson Adofo
Embattled defeated Gambian leader, Yahaya Jammeh, yesterday pleaded for more time as the deadline for him to go into exile neared, and with the entry into the country of West African soldiers.

The man is showing signs of confusion because of his changing positions, having vowed to fight back, and now pleading for time.

Jammeh was reported to have sacked his cabinet yesterday, with military chiefs joining residents to see the end of the brute leader.

The Gambia's new president, Adama Barrow, had said that Yahaya Jammeh, who ruled the country for 22 years and refused to step down after losing the recent election, has finally agreed to leave.

Writing on Twitter on Friday, Adama Barrow said Jammeh would also leave the country.

I would like to inform you that Yahya Jammeh has agreed to step down. He is scheduled to depart Gambia today. #NewGambia, he tweeted.

Barrow was sworn in as President at The Gambia's Embassy in Dakar in neighbouring Senegal, on Thursday.

Red carpets were on Friday reportedly laid out at the airport in The Gambia's capital in what appeared to be preparations for a speech by Jammeh and then a departure.

Also on Friday, The Gambia's chief of defence forces, Ousmane Badjie, pledged his allegiance to the country's new president, a major shift as mediation continued to persuade defeated Jammeh to cede power.

Jammeh had rejected Barrow's December 1 election win, despite significant pressure from regional powers and the United Nations (UN), sparking a major constitutional crisis.

The situation in The Gambia at the time of compiling this report was in a state of flux as negotiations between the former leader and some African leaders continued.

The most critical development, however, was the entry of Senegalese and other West African soldiers.

Their thrust into the country and towards Banjul was halted only when they were ordered to tarry a while as the embattled former leader threw in more excuses.

Nigerian Air Force fighter jets had undertaken a few sorties in a show of force over The Gambia  something which definitely demoralized the embattled politician, who now sees the end near.

Ghanaians have been following the developments as are other West Africans whose troops are part of the regional bloc's soldiers.

This is the fifth time West African troops have been ordered to undertake such an operation on the request of the regional bloc.

An elated Adama Barrow has expressed gratitude to the regional body  Economic Community of West African States  (ECOWAS), for intervening in the stalemate in his country after he was sworn in at his country's embassy in Senegal.

This is a victory of The Gambian nation. Our flag will now fly high among those of the most democratic nations of the world, President Barrow said soon after he was sworn in.

He also demanded loyalty from his armed forces.

The UN Security Council, it would be recalled, had unanimously backed ECOWAS' decision to force Jammeh out of power.

It is only a matter of time for the embattled dictator to relinquish power.

Soldiers did not stop the jubilation by the Gambians when it became apparent that the end had come for Yahaya Jammeh, the Defence Chief partaking in the celebration of the moment.

There were only a few soldiers in Banjul and none of them appeared ready to engage in a firefight in which they would not survive.

A Senegalese Army Officer had told an AFP reporter that Nigerian, Ghanaian, Togolese and Malian troops were involved in the operation to get Jammeh out and to ensure that Adama Barrow took office, having been sworn in earlier.

There has been a steady flow of congratulatory messages from the international community, including the UN Secretary General, a development which should send a clear message to Yahaya Jammeh that the end has come.

By A.R. Gomda With Agency Reports


By the time we finish composing this commentary, it is likely that Yahya Jammeh would have either been captured or made good his promise of vacating the presidency and going into exile.

He has so far exhibited stupid stubbornness; life-threatening one of course. Even before they accomplish their objective of advancing to contact their target, we cannot withhold a commendation of the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

They have taken a rare decision and move which has earned for them a reputation which can only be rivaled by their role in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The difference here is that they have acted relatively faster to save lives and properties therefore obviating the challenges of the influx of refugees to already stressed countries in the sub-region.

The Yahya Jammeh story is a classic case of a typical African dictator who thinks his people can always be taken for a ride, unfortunately times are changing and regional bodies such as ECOWAS becoming emboldened to take decisions which in the past could have only be dreamed.

ECOWAS must be empowered not only financially but by actions such as was unfolded in the Gambia.

We do not expect bloodshed given the reluctance of the local soldiers to confront the ECOWAS soldiers whose firepower they definitely cannot contain.

It is a shame that this man sought to join the other dictators who want to die in their positions. Even nauseating is his clutching of a Holy Quran and pretending that his action is divinity inclined.

That is not the case anyway and so we would rather he stopped fooling himself and a few gullible persons.

That man, like other African dictators who do not want to vacate the seats they occupy, must be suffering from an undisclosed mental ailment.

Otherwise how can we describe a situation where leaders would decide to ignore the will of the people they claim to be serving?

We are pleased so far about the manner in which the Command has conducted itself, giving him all the time he needs to bow out. The theatricals from the time he rescinded his decision about conceding defeat in the election to when he slapped a state of emergency on the small West African country have been roller-skating.

Never again should bad West African leaders be allowed to disregard the outcome of elections.

Our countries are cash-strapped. It would be unwise for the good leaders therefore to fold their arms as dictators like Yahya Jammeh threaten the peace of their countries only for our countries to take in the refugees fleeing from the self-created flashpoints.

We call on West African countries to learn the important lessons from the Gambian experience and of course the Ivorian ones.

Periodic military exercises towards the management of future occurrences as confronting us now would be ideal.

Such exercises would lead to the harmonizing of commands and inure to the interest of regional peace.

Never again should the Gambian scenario be allowed to play out in the West African sub-region.
President Akufo-Addos immense popularity in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, once again came to bear during a visit to the city on Thursday.

Scores of mourners mobbed the Ghanaian leader when he led a high-powered government delegation to the Manhyia Palace to mourn the death of Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the late Asantehemaa.

A burial service was held for the late queen mother on the day, which was the fourth day of the burial rites.

President Akufo-Addo was accompanied by his wife, Rebecca and Vice President Bawumia, who also came with his wife, Samira.

President Akufo-Addos presence at the solemn ceremony temporarily reduced the anguish of the mourners as they waved cheerfully at him.

The crowd shouted in ecstasy when the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II  whose biological mother was the late Asantehemaa  greeted Nana Akufo-Addo while he (Otumfuo) was riding in a palanquin.

Chants of Nana Akufo-Addo then increased instantly and quickly spread across the forecourt of the palace.

The charged mourners certainly seemed not ready to allow the president and his delegation to leave the funeral ground.

Interestingly, some of the mourners were seen racing side-by-side and after the presidents convoy as it was slowly leaving the palace.

FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr & Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi
I was always determined to aim high and reach high and to be one of the best, and I know I am not the best but I want to be one of the best, Professor Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, an American-trained orthopaedic surgeon, says.

Born in Kumasi in 1950, Prof Oheneba Boachie-Adjei was raised by his mother and grandmother in a not too wealthy family.

Growing up, Prof Boachie-Adjei, however, suffered from a serious gastric ailment at age eight that almost killed him. It was during those moments that his grandmother approached a Ghanaian paediatrician trained in the UK who helped take care of him and after he got well, the paediatrician became his idol.

I always wanted to be like him so I grew up with the mindset of becoming a healer, he notes.

After his high school education in Kumasi, Prof Boachie-Adjei went to the US to have his college and university education.

With a degree in medicine in 1980 from the Colombia University, Prof Boachie-Adjei stayed in the US to build his career.

I knew I wanted to be a surgeon but I did not know what type of surgeon I wanted to be, so I doubled in neuron surgery, orthopaedic, urology and then narrowed it down to orthopaedics and general surgery, and finally orthopaedics, he states.

While on a fellowships programme, Prof Boachie-Adjei had the opportunity to study the spine which during the time was one of the areas that was understudied in orthopaedic.

That research led to the publishing of the book titled 'Atlas of Spinal Disease' in 1989.

After over two decades of successful medical practice in the US and around the world, Prof Boachie-Adjei decided to come back home and support the health sector with his expertise in orthopaedic surgery.

I went to the US to learn medicine, become a well-trained doctor with the ultimate goal of coming back although it took forty years before I finally returned to Ghana I started the process after 20 years, he adds.

In 1998, he started an organisation, 'Foundation of Orthopaedics and Complex Spine (F.O.C.O.S)' in New York aimed at giving orthopaedic care to those who needed it in Ghana.

I got some friends, colleagues and patients to come to my help and establish the organisation in New York and we started raising funds, he states.

With the support of more than 250 international volunteers, Prof Boachie-Adjei and FOCOS would go on to sponsor four medical mission trips each year with his colleague doctors to conduct free orthopaedic surgeries and care using the local government hospitals in Ghana till 2008.

The team of FOCOS volunteers completed hundreds of free complex spine surgeries on adult and paediatric patients from Ghana and all over the world within the period of the visits.

The spectrum of conditions and diseases that I saw in New York is nothing compared to what I am seeing here. There, it was mild to moderate, here, it was most severe to extremely severe and very, very dangerous to treat, Prof Boachie-Adjei describes.

During this time, his foundation had raised enough money to buy a parcel of land to put up a permanent hospital for orthopaedic care and complex spine treatment in Ghana named after the foundation. He retired and then moved back to Ghana in 2012 to serve his country.

To me, the dream has become real, what I started 40 years ago and made preparation for 20 years ago is now real, he says.

Located in Ghana, West Africa, the FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital is one of the only full-service specialty facilities specialising in orthopaedic care and treatment in Africa.

FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital

The FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital, opened in April 2012 at Pantang in Accra, is an ultra-modern 50-bed specialty facility providing services to adult and pediatric patients in need of orthopaedic care.

Specialising in complex spine and joint replacement surgeries, the FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital is fully accredited to operate both inpatient and outpatient departments.

A local staff of more than 175 medical and administrative professionals are supported by an international team of more than 250 volunteers.

Volunteers, mostly surgeons, nurses and physical therapists, provide in-service training and educational services to staff and other local professionals.

In July 2014, the FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital became an official international affiliate of the renowned Hospital For Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City.

Prof Boachie-Adjei says the ultimate goal is to offer incentives to Ghanaian and foreign medical specialists to train and remain in Ghana.

The goal is to train and develop local professionals to sustain the FOCOS mission for years to come, Prof Boachie-Adjei mentions.

He adds that the vision of FOCOS is to develop a sustainable infrastructure to enable state-of-the-art orthopaedic care, education, research and training.

The long-term goal of the hospital is to construct the FOCOS Institute  a world-class facility to provide orthopaedic education and practical experience for physicians, surgeons, medical students and allied health professionals, he says.

Care for Patient

To date, the FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital has treated more than 40,000 adults and paediatric patients. This includes more than 1,500 successful complex spine and joint procedures.

In 2015, volunteers and staff at the FOCOS Hospital treated more than 4,000 patients and completed just over 300 life-changing surgeries.

Patients at the FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital hail from more than 25 countries throughout the world. While the majority of the patients treated hail from Ghana and Ethiopia, other patients come from Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and other parts of Africa.

In 2015, FOCOS completed 445 spine and joint replacement surgeries and treated over 6,300 patients.

Prof Boachie-Adjei, highlighting the importance of such a facility in the country, says orthopaedic conditions are the fourth cause of deaths worldwide when compared with cardiovascular, cancer and mental illnesses.

Spinal Deformities

He says one of the complex spinal deformities is scoliosis, which is the sideways (lateral) curving of the spine.

This deformity affects one in every 10 persons will have scoliosis while, two to three persons in every 1000 persons will need active treatment for a progressive condition.

In one out of every 1,000 cases, surgery must be needed, Prof Boachie-Adjei points out. He says eight percent of scoliosis cases are idiopathic (cause unknown), however, scoliosis runs in families and affects more girls than boys.

Kyphosis (round back) may also occur in developing adolescents and may need to be treated with surgery.

Prof Boachie-Adjei says although surgical treatments for complex spinal deformities are expensive, the hospital has devised a payment system that helps patients finance their cost of treatment per their financial background.

He said the ultimate goal of FOCOS is to provide quality care to patients, thus, it works to ensure patients get the best of care at a subsidised cost.

What we want people to know is that you can have the same quality orthopaedic surgery in the US, here in Ghana, he adds.

Call for Action

Prof Boachie-Adjei adds that the hospital which runs on mainly charity support for patients is open for assistant in their activities, especially funds for patient care.

We have been getting support from government and some companies in Ghana but we need more of such support as a huge part of our support is coming from outside, he appeals.

Prof Boachie-Adjei suggests screening children, especially of symptoms of scoliosis or kyphosis, calling for immediate professional diagnosis to be sought if symptoms are found.

He says spinal curvature is best dealt with when a young person's body is still growing and can respond to treatment such as body brace.

You, your physician and or your school screening programme can perform a 30 second annual screening for scoliosis and kyphosis during the bone growing years can make a difference between a preventable condition and a disability in adult years, he emphasizes.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri






The former National Democratic Congress (NDC) legislator for North Dayi says the President failed to ensure the security of Ghanaians in The Gambia during the recent stalemate in the West African country.

George Loh criticised President Nana Akufo-Addo for authorising troops to support the ECOWAS forces instead of issuing an order, for instance, for the Ghanaian forces to secure Ghana Town  a resettlement that is predominantly made up of Ghanaians.

The President approved the deployment of a combat team of 205 Ghanaian troops and logistical equipment to The Gambia.

The move was in support of an ECOWAS mission to quell a possible attempt by incumbent President Yahya Jammeh to use force to deny President-elect Adama Barrow from taking over the government.

However, Mr Loh criticised the move by President Akufo-Addo saying at the second asking should have been concerned with the interests and safety of Ghana. He says considering the handling of alleged murder of about 40 Ghanaians in The Gambia under bizarre circumstances in 2005, the President should have taken the opportunity to right the wrongs.

Although the reported murder is seen as one of the many instances of Yahya Jammehs atrocious human rights record, many have blamed Nana Akufo-Addo for not doing enough to bring closure to the matter.

Commenting on the recent political deadlock in The Gambia on JOYNEWS/MultiTV's news analysis programme Newsfile on Saturday, Mr Loh resuscitated the matter of the death of the Ghanaians, reiterating the concerns raised in 2005.

I was really worried because for the second time I thought that the President had the opportunity to prove that when The Gambia is concerned [he] will get right this time, he said.

However, when it was pointed to him that the President could not have sent Ghanaian troops to secure citizens in another country, Mr Loh maintained that the Presidents order should have taken cognizance of Ghanaian lives in the country.

But the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Central University, Professor Ken Attafuah, defended the Presidents order.

"There is no legal basis for the contention that President Akufo-Addo erred in committing troops," he said.

He explained that the President was acting within the framework of the ECOWAS protocol.

According to him, the decision by the President to send troops to bolster the ECOWAS mission was inherently a move to secure the safety of Ghanaians.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | George Nyavor | [email protected]
Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - Gambians on Saturday anxiously awaited the departure of strongman Yahya Jammeh after he agreed to stand down following 11th-hour talks with west African leaders to head off a regional military intervention.

Announced in the early hours of Saturday morning, Jammeh's decision to leave appears to end a protracted political crisis in this former British colony, allowing newly-elected president Adama Barrow to take over.

The announcement came after flurry of last-minute diplomacy by the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania who jetted into the capital Banjul on Friday to persuade the recalcitrant leader to stand down.

Several sources said he was likely to leave on Saturday, but so far there has been no clear agreement on where he would go.

And his actions will be carefully monitored as he has previously agreed to step down after recognising Barrow as winner of the December 1 elections -- then completely reversed his position.

The Gambia political crisis

"I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians," Jammeh said on state television in the early hours of Saturday.

"My decision today was not dictated by anything else than the supreme interest of you, the Gambian people and our dear country," he said following hours of talks with Guinea's Alpha Conde and Mauritania's Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

At Friday's talks, backed by the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), an agreement was reached in principle for Jammeh to leave, but by Saturday morning, it had still not been signed.

The agreement "foresees the departure of Yahya Jammeh from The Gambia for an African country with guarantees for himself, his family and his relatives," Abdel Aziz said on return to Nouakchott in remarks quoted by the official AMI news agency.

'God heard our prayers'

People celebrate the inauguration of Gambia's new President Adama Barrow in Banjul on January 19, 2017

After a calm night in Banjul, many only heard the news on waking, and greeted his declaration with a cautious optimism, aware of the strongman's mercurial nature.

"God has heard our prayers!" said Sheikh Sham, a 34-year-old metalworker from the suburb of Kanifing.

"This is long overdue. Our suffering has ended and our children will go back to school."

Speaking to AFP on Saturday morning, a Mauritanian diplomatic source close to the talks said Jammeh would likely leave during the day.

"He will most likely go to Equatorial Guinea," she said, saying Barrow was expected to return to the country during the evening.

Other sources, however, suggested Jammeh would head to the Guinean capital Conakry on Saturday.

Jammeh's refusal to leave had triggered a major political crisis, with the international community putting huge pressure on him to step down and troops from five African nations gathering on The Gambia's borders.

A Senegalese agent of the Red Cross distributes supplies and food to Gambian refugees in a camp in Karang, Senegal, near the border with Gambia, on January 20, 2017 Following the political crisis in Gambia, more than 45 000 people have fled the country since early January, the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on January 20, 2017.

The crisis also sparked panic on the ground, sending thousands of foreign visitors fleeing in what threatened to deal a potentially devastating economic blow to a country which earns up to 20 percent of its income from tourism.

It had also triggered an exodus among locals, with UN figures showing around 45,000 Gambians had so far left, more than three quarters of them children, mostly accompanied by women.

Three-day grace period

Although the crisis appeared to be abating, regional troops remained in place to see whether Jammeh would keep his word, and it was thought Conde would stay into Saturday to iron out remaining disagreements.

"Jammeh has accepted he will leave power. The discussions revolve around where he will live in exile and the conditions around that," a Mauritanian source close to the delegation in Banjul told AFP.

A highly-placed Guinean source said the country of exile had to be far enough away to stop Jammeh interfering in his country's affairs.

Barrow, who has been sheltering in neighbouring Senegal, was sworn in as president at The Gambia's embassy in Dakar on Thursday. He will take over from Jammeh as soon as his safety can be guaranteed.

A Banjul-based diplomatic source warned that 51-year-old Jammeh could "quite easily" change his mind.

Jammeh now has a three-day grace period with foreign troops on standby until he definitively quits the country, the source said.

In a further positive development, army chief Ousman Badjie, a former Jammeh loyalist, had on Friday pledged allegiance to Barrow along with other top defence and security chiefs, a government source said.

With white flags reportedly flying from Gambian army posts in the countryside, sources suggested there was a gradual acceptance of Barrow, even among units known for loyalty to Jammeh.

A diplomatic source said a faction within the elite Republican Guards, who assure the president's protection, had "switched sides" following internal talks at barracks near Banjul.
The Minister-nominee for Interior, Ambrose Dery, is hesitant about calling for the disbandment of vigilante groups with ties to political parties.

According to Mr. Dery, he is instead in favour of de-linking individual offences from partisan considerations, because in his view, there should be no group liability for criminal offences committed by individuals.

He was speaking to the issue of vigilante groups, and the recent incidents of post-election violence during his vetting by Parliament to head the Interior Ministry.

For me to take such a decision [ordering the disbandment of vigilante groups], I must be convinced that those groups are responsible for these activities are [partisan related violence], and I have also said there is no vicarious liability for criminal offences. I am not aware that it is political party vigilantes that are doing so, he argued in defence of his stance.

Ahead of the 2016 elections, the then Minister for Interior, Prosper Douglas Bani, ordered the Ghana Police Service to disband all security and vigilante groups within political parties, arguing that the activities of such groups, threatens the stability of the country.

The Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Centre in a 2016 report, revealed the existence of 16 political vigilante groups in the country, with a majority located in the Northern Region.

Mr. Dery, however insisted that, the reported incidents of vigilante action, must be handled on an individual basis as against an outright disbandment.

All must be condemned and not be countenanced, however, handling of each complaint must be professionally pursued in that, you are a suspect, investigations conducted, rights are respected and people who deserve to be prosecuted will be prosecuted.

Article 41 of the constitution gives citizens the obligation to cooperate with security agencies, and it also gives citizens the duties to protect public property and what have you. Indeed, when it comes to the misuse of funds it even uses combat.

Police treating cases on individual bases

Speaking to Citi News Sixtus Dong Ullo after the sitting, Mr. Dery further indicated that, Police were also treating reported cases of violence on an individual basis.

What I know and what the police have reported to me is that individuals have been arrested and investigated for their personal actions. If they belong to one party or not, it is neither here nor there because that is not going to influence us to condone any wrongdoing.

If they are causing unrests, the members who cause unrest must be dealt with but when you say groups, there is no group liability for criminal offences, he stated.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Striking state attorneys will be returning to work on Monday, January 23, the Attorney General-nominee, Gloria Akuffo, has indicated.

During her vetting for the office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice position, Ms. Akuffo revealed that, President Nana Akufo-Addo had intervened in the impasse between the Association of State Attorneys and government.

The President himself has intervened in the matter and has succeeded in persuading them to go back to work. I spoke with their national president and she assured me they will be reporting, God willing, on Monday, she stated.

Ms. Akuffo also noted that, there will be a further meeting with the state attorneys on Tuesday, January 24, despite the consensus seemingly being arrived at.

She explained that, It [the Tuesday meeting] will come on because we have to look for not only immediate and medium term solutions, but also long-term solutions. This will require the intervention of all the stakeholders; the attorneys, and it has to do with money, so maybe the fair wages commission and Ministry of Finance.

I will work very hard on bringing an amicable solution to the matter, Ms. Akuffo further assured.

Background

The Association of State Attorneys declared a strike in October 2016, in protest of government's failure to meet its demand for improved conditions of service.

Several efforts to get them to return to work have proved futile.

The Attorney-Generals office described the strike as illegal, and further directed the State Attorneys to return to work by Tuesday, January 3, 2017, or be considered as having vacated post.

The Association of State Attorneys, however insisted their strike is legal, noting that it was pursuant to statutory notice under Section 159 (b) of Act 651.

The attorneys also blamed the National Labour Commission for the impasse, explaining that the Commission should have gone to the High Court to compel government to improve their conditions of service.

Reliefs being sought by attorneys

The reliefs that were being sought by State Attorneys are:

Payments of correct harmonized salaries to state attorneys.

Sustainable pension scheme

Free official vehicles

Research allowance

Housing facilities or allowance

Free healthcare

Payment of outstanding leap, clothing and fuel

Payment of outstanding promotion salary arrears

Logistic support, machinery, equipment and tools

And illegal revision of conditions of service for state attorneys



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
By Deborah Apetorgbor, GNA

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - Afriwave Telecom has stepped up efforts aimed at reducing Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) box fraud and its related impact on telecommunications and the country in general.

The move is being facilitated by the Interconnected Clearing House (ICH), which has been tasked by government to, among others, independently monitor the flow of traffic so that the Government would be able to adequately derive its revenues from the telecommunication industry.

This was made known at a session on the organisation's Knowledge Series held in Accra to equip editors of various media houses with the requisite knowledge to facilitate their understanding on the processes and progress of the ICH since it was contracted by the National Communications Authority (NCA) in 2015.

Mr Donald Gwire, the Corporate Affairs Director of Afriwave, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the ICH was mandated to fight SIM-box fraud and would also do sim identification registration to sanitise the SIM service and ensure SIM cards were properly authenticated.

He said currently, authenticating sim card registration was quite challenging in the country so they had put in place measures to reverse the problem.

'We'll link up with other agencies, including the National Identification Authority, Passport Office, Electoral Commission, National Health Insurance Authority, and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority to make sure that when you register a SIM, you are who you are, so that you can't use any false ID,' he said.

The ICH, among others, is to independently validate NCA's surcharge for international incoming traffic and NCA license revenue, as well as to ensure co-ordinated efforts in tackling SIM-Box fraud with the Mobile Networks.

The ICH also provides geo-location solutions which basically expose the equipment and operators behind SIM-box frauds in the country.

International telecommunication companies would get directly connected to all mobile telecoms in the country through the ICH without having to connect to the TELCOs individually.

The ICH has been connected to all the various networks in the country, hence, when commenced, all calls would go through the ICH platform before going through to the telecommunication networks so that all SIM-boxes would be detected and blocked.

Majority of the projects to be executed by the ICH are to run concurrently; hence an integrated Multi-Project Management/Solution Architect Environment is being setup with particular projects at various stages of completion.

Afriwave Telecom, established in 1998, was engaged by the National Communications Authority (NCA) and mandated to provide data to the NCA for policy making.

On the recent controversy over operations of Afriwave Telecom in relation to tax revenue assurance for the NCA, Mr Gwire explained that while the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) was in charge of tax revenues, Afriwave only ensured revenue assurance for the NCA.

He said this was a by-product of its activities so that the NCA would receive its due from the telecom networks.

'Last year, Parliament decided to separate the two: GRA will do tax revenue, while ICH does revenue assurance for the NCA,' he said.

'It would not be a monopoly, other companies could also come on board. We monitor the traffic that comes, in independently, then we advise the NCA,' he said.

GNA
By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - Professor Michael Ayitey Tagoe, Dean, School of Continuing and Distance Education, University of Ghana, said this year's New Year School was one of the most successful in terms of participation.

This year's School and Conference recorded a total of 112 participants.

In terms of age distribution the breakdown is: 21-30 forming 9.8 per cent; 31-40 constituting 39.3 per cent; 41-50 forming 20.5 per cent; 51-60 forming 25.3 per cent; and 61 and above forming 4.3 per cent.

Participants were a mix of farmers from a variety of backgrounds, representatives from district assemblies, entrepreneurs, officials from government agencies, and students.

Prof Tagoe, who is also the Acting Provost of the College of Humanities, University of Ghana, said this in his closing remarks at the end of the 68th Annual New Year School and Conference, on the theme: 'Promoting National Development through Agricultural Modernization: The Role of ICT.'

He said the major objective of the school and conference was to create the platform for the dispassionate discussion of issues of national interest.

He said the core of resource persons and their depth of knowledge of their topics added another dimension to this year's school.

"Although we have struggled to attract the youth to the School, this year we witnessed a little improvement over that of last year's," Prof Tagoe said.

"One of the innovations of the 68th Annual New Year School and Conference was the youth dialogue.

"We wish to thank the young farmers and the senior high schools that participated in the programme," he said.

He expressed gratitude to sponsoring organisations and agencies for their contribution towards making this year's Annual New Year School and Conference a success.

"We wish to thank Graphic Communications Group Limited, Exim Bank, MTN, COCOBOD, KOSMOS Energy, Institute of Statistical, Social and Economics Research, Citi FM and INFORCUS PR for their support," he said.

"We shall work throughout the year for a column to be created on the 68th Annual New Year School in the Daily Graphic, for short articles to be published to educate Ghanaians on the issues discussed during the School, and the way forward," he said.

On the way forward, Prof Tagoe said this year, the School of Continuing and Distance Education (SCDE) would ensure that the communique was widely circulated and discussed throughout the country so that the ordinary Ghanaian would understand it.

He noted that the SCDE would facilitate mini-workshops in the regions with the support of some of the institutions that had participated in the school and conference.

Prof. Tagoe said they would produce policy briefs on various sub-themes discussed at the school.

He noted that adequate opportunities would be created to ensure that information was widely disseminated both locally and internationally.

"We shall also create the environment for national dialogue with experts and policy-makers to determine the need for an e-agriculture policy.

"We shall call for the creation of inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral collaboration and co-ordination to facilitate the environment for the development of such a document.

"We shall ensure the creation of a community of Practice among stakeholders to offer the sharing of knowledge, new ideas and innovation within the agriculture sector and other institutions outside the agriculture sector since ICT is cross-cutting," Prof. Tagoe said.

Professor Samuel Kwame Offei, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs, University of Ghana, who chaired the function, said recommendations from the New Year School and Conference would be forwarded to government for implementation.

"The University of Ghana will provide the requisite support to the School of Continuing and Distance Education to pursue the issues raised in the communique with government, and we are certain that these will play a key part in modernising the agricultural sector in Ghana," he said.

GNA
21.01.2017 LISTEN

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - Crime Check Foundation, a Prisons Crime Prevention Advocacy Organisation, has urged government to consider building special facilities in the country's prisons to accommodate physically and mentally challenged inmates.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, the Executive Director of the Foundation and Ambassador Extraordinaire of Prisons, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, said the situation where blind persons, for instance, had to share the same facilities with other inmates had resulted in untold difficulties.

It said such persons had to undergo undue stress with some of them sustaining various degrees of injuries.

The statement cited the situation where a blind inmate, Daniel Adarkwa, who was recently released on Presidential pardon, complained about persistently smearing himself with his own faeces unfortunately, because he could not properly locate the right squatting position anytime he visited the toilet.

Mr Adarkwa, according to the statement, also claims he had to be helped to the bathroom, anytime he had to bath.

It said such a situation did not only undermine the vision of the Ghana Prisons Service in its reformation and rehabilitation agenda, but also constituted a gross violation of the human rights of the physically challenged in prison.

The statement expressed concern about the lack of proper classification of prisoners in the country's prisons that have led to mentally challenged inmates, at times sharing the same space with other inmates, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable.

It said the development put undue pressure on prison authorities to constantly 'police' such inmates to prevent them from harming their colleagues and officers.

The statement expressed disappointment about the neglect of mentally challenged persons in prison by the Mental Health Authority, usually under the excuse of budgetary constraints.

It expressed shock at the way such inmates also slipped through the hands of judges who usually failed to notice their true mental state, and called on the judiciary to ensure the placement of psychiatrists on the bench during the determination of cases involving accused persons who exhibited traits of mental instability.

The statement expressed the hope that government would proactively seek to address the numerous challenges facing the Prisons Service to enable it to discharge its obligations as a purely correctional institution. GNA
By Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Academic and Students Affairs, University of Ghana, has lauded Prof Michael Ayitey Tagoe, Dean, School of Continuing and Distance Education, for the successful organisation of the 68th Annual New Year School and Conference.

Professor Samuel Kwame Offei also hailed the participants and resource persons for their excellent contributions, which went a long way to make this year's New Year School a success.

He noted that recommendations from the New Year School would be forwarded by the University to government for implementation.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 68th Annual New Year School and Conference, Prof Offei said: "The University of Ghana will provide the requisite support to the School of Continuing and Distance Education to pursue the issues raised in the communiquA with government, and we are certain that these will play a key part in modernizing the agricultural sector in Ghana.

"There is no doubt that this year`s theme 'Promoting National Development through Agricultural Modernisation: The Role of ICT', has generated a lot of discussions in the media and among Ghanaians," he added.

Prof Offei said agriculture remains the bedrock of Ghana's economy and plays a crucial role in the structural transformation of the economy.

"However, for agriculture to create the leverage for Ghana's development, it must be modernised. As a country we continue to have challenges in Agriculture," he stated.

Prof Offei said the United States had less than three per cent of its population in agriculture and yet produce more than they need and export; he wondered why Ghana had over 70 per cent of its population engaged in agriculture and yet continued to import food.

He said he wondered why Ghana endowed with fertile agricultural lands and good climatic conditions would continue to import tomatoes from Burkina Faso and plantain from the Ivory Coast.

"As a university that is in the forefront of knowledge creation and the development of human capital, the University of Ghana will foster stronger collaboration with both the public and low adoption of technology private sectors to ensure that training of extension officers is conducted at all levels.

"We will as well collaborate with relevant departments and schools in the University to develop appropriate short-term programmes to be delivered through our e-learning platform for capacity building of various categories of workers and farmers in the country," he added.

He noted that as a country, we still have a huge Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure deficit in the country.

"Many villages do not have network coverage, and internet connectivity is still low, causing a digital divide between the urban and rural areas.

"We need to accelerate the deployment of ICT infrastructure to ensure that no one is left behind in the quest to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians."

He urged the participants to endeavour to share the knowledge they have acquired through their participation in the 68th Annual New Year School and Conference with their colleagues who could not attend.

"I trust that you will form a community of practice and that you will continue to network to sustain the theme to ensure the modernisation and development of the agricultural sector in our dear nation," Prof Offei said.

Prof Tagoe, on his part, said this year's School and Conference have been one of the most successful in terms of participation and discussions among both participants and in the media.

He said the core of resource persons and their depth of knowledge of various aspects of the topics discussed added another dimension to this year's School.

He expressed gratitude to the sponsoring organisations and agencies for their contribution towards making this year's Annual New Year School and Conference a success.

"We wish to thank Graphic Communications Group Limited, Exim Bank, MTN, COCOBOD, KOSMOS Energy, ISSER, Citi FM and INFORCUS PR for their support," he said.

GNA
By Deborah Apetorgbor, GNA

Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - The tempestuous aftermaths of the elections in The Gambia has brought about uncertainty among some Ghanaians with calls on the African Union and ECOWAS to intervene.

The ex-leader, Yahya Jammeh's adamant insistence on holding onto power even after the President-elect, Adama Barrow, had been sworn-in has caused many to doubt the ability of the country to sustain the peace.

A survey by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) indicated that some Ghanaians are calling for the immediate intervention from sub-regional and international bodies to prevent any untoward events.

Mr Joseph Ampadu, a Commercial Driver, said the African Continent had gone beyond the age of political conceitedness and that such strong addictiveness to power was primitive.

'It is time for our leaders to be responding to national concerns. Yahya Jammeh should realise that the seat of government is not an eternal estate.

'After 22 years of power, he should have known that he would relinquish power one day and that day has finally come,' he said.

He said Mr Jammeh's insistence to remain as the president just re-enforced deep-rooted conceptions about African elections being characterised by conflicts and violence.

Mr Ampadu noted that the action of Ghana's President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to deploy 205 military men to the Gambia was in the right direction and bespoke of good neighbourliness and urged other concerned West African leaders to do same.

Ms Fauziyatu Ibrahim, a student of the Zenith University College, however, disagrees with the deployment of troops by Ghana, describing it as 'needless and premature'.

She said the situation in The Gambia had not gotten to the extent that demanded such interventions.

She was, however, disappointed in Yahya Jammeh for refusing to see reason with the delegation that was sent to dialogue with him, especially on the likelihood of grave consequences of his actions and the implications on The Gambia's development.

Ms Ibrahim said though she did not appreciate external interferences in the affairs of any country, if it became absolutely necessary to employ drastic measures to stop impending conflicts, then the AU and the ECOWAS should act fast.

Mr Ebenezer Mantei, a Sales Executive at Achimota, wished for peace to reign in The Gambia saying: 'we don't want a replica of the Ivorian situation in The Gambia.'

He prayed that Yahya Jammeh would give in peacefully without any coercion.

Adama Barrow, the erstwhile leading opposition leader in The Gambia who won the elections, was sworn-in on Thursday in Gambia's Embassy in Dakar, Senegal as the constitutionally elected president.

Reasons being given for his stay in Senegal have been security related.

Meanwhile, Yahya Jammeh has since refused to relinquish power despite mounting regional and international pressure to do so.

The country's Parliament, however, approved a resolution put before the House by Mr Jammeh to prolong his stay in power for the next 90 days.

Mr Jammeh has since declared a state of emergency. GNA
Cairo (AFP) - Egypt is working to organise direct talks between the leaders of rival Libyan authorities contesting the war-torn country, its foreign minister said Saturday after hosting a regional meeting.

The UN-backed government in Tripoli has struggled to impose its authority contested by a rival administration in the east of the country.

"A political solution is the only way to resolve the crisis in Libya," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Saturday before going into a meeting with foreign ministers from Libya's neighbouring countries.

Following the meeting, attended by ministers from Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Niger, as well as UN envoy Martin Kobler, Shoukry announced plans to hold the direct negotiations.

"We are focusing our efforts on bringing Libyan leaders together for a direct dialogue, to build confidence and understanding," he told a news conference.

Libya has been torn apart by fighting between militias, tribes and the two rival governments since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The parliament-backed government in eastern Tobruk has refused to recognise the Government of National Accord, based in the capital Tripoli.

"The will to organise this meeting is present, its date will be decided according to the commitments of the Libyan leaders," Shoukry said.

Jihadist groups have exploited the chaos to gain a foothold in the North African country.

"Despite recent victories in the fight against terrorism, in Benghazi and in Sirte, terrorism will never be fully eradicated in Libya until there is a political solution," Shoukry said.

Militarily, the eastern administration is backed by the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army commanded by Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar enjoys the support of several Arab countries including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as well an emerging alliance with Russia.

GNA-aligned militias from the port city of Misrata, who led the fight to oust the Islamic State group from Sirte last year, control much of the west.

In the east, Haftar's forces have been fighting other jihadist groups for more than two years, particularly in Benghazi.

Egypt recently hosted Haftar, parliament speaker Aguila Saleh and unity government chief Fayez al-Sarraj in search of "common ground" that could help solve the crisis, Shoukry said.
Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - As many as 236 people may have been killed in the botched Nigerian air strike against Boko Haram that hit a camp for civilians displaced by the unrest, a local official told AFP on Saturday.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday had said the death toll from Tuesday's strike on the town of Rann in the far northeast had risen to 90, although it claimed that could climb as high as 170.

But Babagana Malarima, president of the local Kala-Balge government in Borno State where the strike took place, claimed the death toll is much higher.

"From what the people who buried the dead victims with their hands told me, not those who treated the wounded, they buried 234 dead," said Malarima on Saturday.

"And I later got a report that two of the injured taken to Maiduguri died."

The bombed camp had been set up to help people fleeing Boko Haram Islamists in Borno State.

Nigeria's air force said it was investigating the incident but military commanders had already claimed it was a mistake.

"Our people are really traumatised that a fighter jet belonging to their country can make this mistake and kill them the way it did in their own country," fumed Malarima.

Bodies covered with blankets are pictured in Rann, northeast Nigeria on January 17, 2017 after an an air force jet accidentally bombarded a camp for displaced people

"Lives and property have been lost. It is not enough to just bury the dead and pray for their souls. Their families should be supported as is done in other countries. They should not be forgotten.

"The death toll is colossal. We are in grief."

Tuesday's strike happened while humanitarian workers were distributing food in Rann, a small town close to the Cameroon border where some 20,000 to 40,000 people had sought refuge.

MSF said most of the victims were women and children.

At least six Red Cross volunteers were amongst the dead with another 13 injured.

Rann only recently became accessible to aid agencies because of improved security.

But on Thursday night, security forces said Boko Haram launched an attack on Rann that was repulsed, leaving at least 14 militants dead.

Nigeria's chief of army staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Buraitai said on Friday while visiting Rann that Thursday's attack showed the military were acting on credible intel.

Survivors look at the aftermath of the bombing by the Nigerian air force of a camp for displaced people in Rann, northeast Nigeria, on January 17, 2017

"This incident happened in the midst of a civilian population and it was based on intelligence received that Boko Haram had moved into the area," said Buraitai.

"The air force was briefed and they came and the incident happened.

"And yesterday we received a report that Boko Haram were back. Soldiers repelled them."

Buraitai added: "This shows that there is credibility in the intelligence report we received that these people (Boko Haram) are moving into Kala-Balge area.

"A mistake was made. We pray it doesn't happen again."

At least 20,000 have been killed and more than 2.6 million made homeless since Boko Haram Islamists' insurgency began in 2009.
By Godwill Arthur-Mensah, GNA

Accra, Jan. 20, GNA - A governance expert says America's new President, Mr Donald John Trump's occasional outbursts are dangerous since it could create chaos in some parts of the world.

Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, the Acting Executive Director of the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy, was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Accra to express his views on the United State's Foreign Policy direction, especially towards Africa with Donald Trump as president.

He, therefore, urged him (Mr Trump) to exercise a lot of circumspection now that he had been sworn in as president.

Dr Antwi-Danso, who is also the Director of Academic Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, noted that Mr Trump had not been consistent with his foreign policies during the electioneering period.

'Today, he says something, the next day, he says something different, and even giving in easily to the Russians,'' he said, adding, 'the whole world did not know his direction.'

Dr Antwi-Danso cited Mr Trump's flirtation with Russia, China and Taiwan, adding that these were clear instances of his inconsistency and unpredictability.

For instance, he said, Mr Trump abandoning the ''One China Policy,'' which he has been calling for all this while, showed his unpredictability.

'Maybe he is naAve and most of the US senators have called him a 'naAve person'' or he is not well informed because he is a kind of bully who bullied his way to office and doesn't know what to do,'' he noted.

Dr Antwi-Danso expressed optimism that the Washington governance institutions would school and shape him in order to conform to the values of America.

'Trump cannot do it alone and people should not panic because he can be eccentric and unpredictable, therefore the state institutions will school him on the dos and don'ts of America in order to guide his administration.

'Even Barack Obama was stopped by the House of Senate from doing certain things and shut him down and the federal system stopped working for some weeks because the House of Senate and Representatives did not want him to trek certain direction,'' he said.

Mr Delove Kuvor, an Internal Auditor with one of the ministries, said since Trump won the US elections his comments on migration had not been favourable towards African migrants.

He noted that America could not have reached her current development height without the contributions of others and cited the Trans-Saharan Slave Trade that exploited Africa's human resource, saying people worked in American plantations and became hewers of wood and drawers of water.

Mr James Sika, a Businessman from Dansoman, appealed to the new US President to be flexible with his foreign policies since any draconian policies would affect most developing countries, especially those in Africa.

Mr Donald John Trump was sworn in on Friday as the 45th president of the United States of America with high expectations regarding how he would handle immigration, taxes, health care and other pressing issues.

He defeated former US Senator, Mrs Hillary Clinton, in the November polls last year in one of America's shocking election outcomes considering the fact that most opinion polls before the election had predicted a landslide win for Mrs Clinton, the Democrat Presidential Candidate. GNA
Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - Reports indicate that thousands of Children in The Gambia have vacated their homes to neighbouring Senegal due to the hiccups engulfing the political transition of that country.

The development seems not good as the refugees are facing mammoth challenges ranging from education to food.

The United Nations Children's Education Fund (UNICEF) and its Partners have teamed up with Senegalese authorities to lay out robust emergency measures to provide the needs of these children.

A statement issued by Mrs Ruth Pappoe, Communications Consultant at the External Relations and Public Advocacy Unit of UNICEF, said the emergency plans sought, among other things, to support up to 40,000 people for three months with health care, water, sanitation and education along the border areas.

The intervention also includes deploying experts and resources into host communities in Senegal to help them cope with the influx of the refugees, the statement said.

In order to help families re-establish some degree of normalcy, the plans would also supply water and sanitation services in the most affected areas on the border with the aim of installing 300 water points so that the displaced population could get fresh water less than 500 meters from their temporary homes.

'Host communities would also be equipped with latrines and showers while more than 10,000 bowls and hand washing kits are being deployed to households so families have the basics to practice good hygiene and keep their children healthy,' the statement said.

Meanwhile, it said, thousands of children were currently getting no access to education in The Gambia due to the political crisis, the refugees were also not in classrooms.

Education planners, therefore, expect that as many as 32,000 children from The Gambia might need school support in the coming months.

However, as families settle into host communities, it is estimated that more than 50,000 Senegalese children could be joined by the wave of additional students into their existing schools.

The UNICEF's plans, therefore, would ensure that if the instability persists, learning materials including English Language curriculum could be transferred from The Gambia and distributed to the displaced children in the various schools in Senegal.

'Emergency co-ordinators will also look to identify as many as 360 teachers and get them working within the Senegalese schools, operating in double shifts at shared school facilities,' the statement said.

Mrs Marie-Pierre Poirier, the West and Central Africa Regional Director of the UNICEF, has given the assurance that the organisation's teams in The Gambia and Senegal would work tirelessly to ensure that the needs of children remain priority in its efforts to support The Gambia as the situation evolves.

GNA
Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA

Takoradi, Jan. 21, GNA - The Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (STCCI) has elected new executive members who have been inducted into office to steer the affairs of the chamber during its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The new executives are Mr Ato Van-Ess, Chairman, Mr Eugene Fredua Ofori-Atta, Vice Chairman in charge of Projects and Mr Richard Bentil, Vice Chairman in charge of Finance.

The rest are Mr Emmanuel Kofi Diaba, Vice Chair responsible for Administration, Mr Matthew Ade in charge of Membership and Partnership and Mr Michael Cudjoe, Event Executive.

Mr Van-Ess, in an address after the election, said the STCCI would focus more on advocacy and participate in the formulation of policies which would result in the socio-economic development of the Western Region.

He said the STCCI had keen interest in realising the 'one district one factory programme' of the current government and would collaborate with it and the business community to ensure its fruition.

Mr Van-Ess said: 'As a chamber, we have a key role in ensuring that Sekondi-Takoradi takes ownership of its factory and as a twin-city, we will even work towards the goal of getting two factories'.

He said it was also imperative that the Takoradi Port became independent of the Tema Port adding; 'we believe that a self-governing harbour will facilitate the speedy realisation of private sector growth and boost economic activities.'

The STCCI Chairman said government's plan of relocating the headquarters of oil companies to the region was key in stimulating economic development there.

He alluded to the partnership between the Chamber and the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce and its immense contribution to the success story of the chamber and said; 'we have learnt the benefits of good partnershipeven in our crisis period they stood with the vision and ignited the engine to the success we are witnessing today.'

Two Members of Parliament - Mr Joe Mensah and Mr Kojo Kumi - mentioned government's commitment at growing the private sector to propel growth adding that the Western Caucus of the MPs would work to project the region.

Mr Kwamena Amoasi-Andoh of the International Labour Organisation's Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) project said the services sector would be given a boost with the introduction of a new model of training and urged businesses to take advantage.

He said the ILO had procured the services of experts to modify the five modules currently in use for the SCORE training to incorporate the new modules for the services sector.

He said the ILO would continue to partner the STCCI to work in achieving the objectives of the projects whiles enhancing the lives of businesses for the common good of the country.

GNA
Gambias former President Yahya Jammeh has left the country in the wake of elections that ousted him after 22 years in power.

Mr Jammeh was defeated in Decembers election by Adama Barrow but he went on to challenge the results.

But two days after Mr Barrow was sworn in, Mr Jammeh left on a plane reportedly bound for Guinea.

Mr Barrow told the BBC that he would be returning to his homeland sooner than later.

In an interview with the BBC on Saturday, he said he wanted to create a truth and reconciliation committee to investigate allegations of human rights abuses during Mr Jammehs time in office.

President Adama Barrow: We have got to know the truth

Mr Barrow has been in neighboring Senegal for days and was inaugurated as president in the Gambian embassy there on Thursday.

Troops from several West African nations, including neighboring Senegal, had been deployed in The Gambia, threatening to drive Mr Jammeh out of office if he did not agree to go.

Mr Jammehs decision to quit came after talks with the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania.

Guineas President Alpha Conde is with Mr Jammeh and his wife on the plane that left Banjul late on Saturday.

In an address on state television, Mr Jammeh  who had once said he would rule The Gambia for a billion years  said he would stand down and that it was not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed.

The scene at Banjul airport, by BBC Africa correspondent Alastair Leithead

Yahya Jammeh arrived at the airport amid a large convoy of vehicles and throngs of cheering supporters.

He stood on a small platform to hear ceremonial music performed by a military band and then walked down a long red carpet surrounded by dignitaries.

He climbed the steps to the plane, turned and kissed and waved a Koran at those assembled.

After 22 years in power, he left bound for Guinea where its believed he will stay before going on to another country.

Soldiers and other dignitaries were emotional as he left  many of them crying.

The details of the arrangements made  or promises offered to persuade him to give up power peacefully are not yet known, but there was the real threat of military action from regional states.

Hes the first president to peacefully hand over power in The Gambia since independence from Britain in 1965.

Celebrations have begun in Banjul

I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians, he said.

The BBCs Umaru Fofana earlier tweeted this picture of an aircraft waiting at Banjul airport.

Many people had fled to neighbouring Senegal fearing violence  but large groups began to return to The Gambia on Saturday.

Mr Jammeh was given an ultimatum to leave office or be forced out by UN-backed troops, which expired at 16:00 GMT on Friday.

The deadline was set by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), a regional grouping backed by the United Nations.

The first signs of a breakthrough came on Friday when a senior aide to the new president told the BBCs Umaru Fofana that Mr Jammeh had agreed to step down.

Mr Jammeh had at first accepted defeat in the election but then reversed his position.

He declared a 90-day state of emergency, blaming irregularities in the electoral process.

Yahya Jammeh: At a glance

 Born in May 1965

 Seized power in a coup in 1994

 In 2013, he vowed to stay in power for a billion years if God wills

 He also ordered the execution of criminals and political opponents on death row

 Claimed in 2007 he could cure Aids and infertility with herbal concoctions

 Warned in 2008 that gay people would be beheaded



By: BBC
- On Friday, January 20, former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo welcomed immediate past leader Goodluck Jonathan at his hometown Ibogun

- They had a discussion on how to continue helping the country even while they are no longer in office

- Obasanjo also allegedly promised to nominate Jonathan for global assignments

On Friday, January 20, the immediate past president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan visited former president, Olusegun Obasanjo at his hometown in Otta, Ogun state.

There were reports that Jonathans visit to Obasanjo was a way to squash a lingering disagreement between the two former presidents.

What Obasanjo and Jonathan's discussed when they met

The two ex-presidents had a discussion about Nigeria and Jonathans plans now that he no longer rules the country. Former president Obasanjo also allegedly promised to nominate Jonathan for global appointments.

READ ALSO: GEJ's aide slams Buhari, says he is Nigeria's most travelled President

According to a report by Daily Post, during the visit, Obasanjo told Jonathan that: When leaders come, they have little or no experience. When they have to go is when they have really amassed a lot of experience, where they have wisdom, their experience is in high demand.

Those like you and me who have the grace of God to bow out gracefully, if there is now what I call constitutional office, we have residual responsibilities for Nigeria.

The first point I want to make is to thank you very sincerely and most sincerely for taking it upon yourself to pay us a visit at this point in time and at this location.

Secondly, since you left office, you hardly have time to sit down and relax like you have been able to do today and I hope, I sincerely hope and pray for more such relaxed situation where we can reminisce on situations of the past that we have been through in this country and we can also look at what the future portends.

I believe that not only Nigeria, West Africa and Africa and indeed the world will continue to tap our experiences, our wisdom and I hope and pray that when the call is made to you, you will be more than ready to put your experience, the lessons you have learnt into the service of this country, for Africa and indeed for humanity in general.

I have said to you before and I will say again that there are plenty of opportunities out there, within the country, within West Africa, within Africa and indeed in the larger world where people will want you to make contributions.

I believe that you are resting now and when you have fully rested and you will be hearing from me because I have this opportunity to be around the world and if I mention your name in dispatch I thank you sincerely that you have received us as we are in this village to prove to you that we are in a typical village, I was telling you that your village is better than mine.

I want to say that Nigeria is a good country and we must never be tired of lifting the country up to the height that God has created it to be and God did not make a mistake when he put all of us together and if He doesnt want us to be together no power in the world will have made us come together.

My regards to everybody at home, especially your wife. Please, tell her that my wife sends her regards and I hope sooner or later we will be on your part of the world to enjoy the atmosphere together. I want to thank you on behalf of everyone here in this village.

Jonathan was accompanied on the trip by former minister of special duties Tanimu Kabir Turaki; a former minister of national planning Prof. Suleiman Abubakar; King A.J. Turner and a former chairman of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Engr. Jide Adeniji.

READ ALSO: Senator Nelson Effiong defects to the APC

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that all projects embarked upon by his predecessors, including Goodluck Jonathan are not abandoned by his administration.

The Senate said Buharis government must look at projects started by former presidents including Olusegun Obasanjo; the late Umaru YarAdua and Jonathan since government is a continuum.

Source: Legit.ng
- Head of the catholic diocese in Kafancha, Kaduna state has said the ongoing killings in southern Kaduna is a result of Jihad cleansing by Fulani herdsmen

- The vicar said villages attacked by herdsmen are 100 or 90 per cent inhabited by Christians

Catholic diocese of Kafancha, Kaduna state has reiterated the Catholic church's statement that the ongoing killings in Southern Kaduna is a form of religious cleansing by the Fulani herdsmen

Vicar-general of the Catholic diocese of Kafanchan Rev. Ibrahim Yakubu stated that the churchs position is that the crisis in Southern Kaduna is being carried out by Fulani herdsmen who are on a Jihadi mission.

Southern Kaduna killings: Fulani herdsmen are intentionally targeting Christians - Catholic church

Yakubu said events of the past years were enough confirmation that the herdsmen had an agenda.

READ ALSO: Fayoses Aide calls for Magus prosecution

Yakubu told New Telegraph in an interview: First of all, all the villages that have suffered these attacks are villages that are either 100 or 90 per cent Christians.

Even where you have the Muslim settlement, you will discover that their houses are never touched. In most cases, they will appear to have a fore knowledge of the attacks. I am saying this because before any attack occurs, they are seen moving out.

Secondly, the attackers while carrying out their attacks, would be shouting mu kashe arna. This leaves no one in doubt that the attackers are on a mission."

On the statement by some Muslim groups that more Muslims had been killed in the crisis, Yakubu replied: I challenge them to come out with their own statistics showing the towns and villages where they were attacked to a number more than the one of the Christians.

I do not dispute the fact of their living in Southern Kaduna for more than a century. Things were never that bad, why now?

READ ALSO: Police officer arrested for child trafficking

Meanwhile, former governor of Kaduna state Balarabe Musa has accused politicians and the elite of exploiting the southern Kaduna killings to make money and advance their political interests, while the victims wallow in trauma.

Musa, who stated this while speaking with journalists at his residence on Thursday, January 19, warned against inciting the people of Southern Kaduna against each other.

Source: Legit.ng
- Police in Rivers says it is making arrests over the pro-Trump march held by pro-Biafra agitators in the south-south state

- Reports say about 1000 people protested and the police confirmed arresting 53 of them over the event

- The agitators feel that Trump would help their plight better than Obama even though the 45th American has not spoken extensively about Africa

Police has announced the arrest of at least 53 pro-Biafra agitators that took part in the march for Trump in Rivers

The Rivers state police command says it has arrested 53 Biafra secessionists that were part of the around 1000 that staged a protest march for new American president Donald Trump as he was inaugurated on Friday, January 20.

READ ALSO: Southern Kaduna killings: Fulani herdsmen intentionally targeting Christians - Catholic church

Reuters reports that the protesters who were unarmed took to the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers states capital city, shouting Biafra for Trump in the belief that the emergence of the new US president would curtail perceived growing influence of Muslim north in Nigeria.

One of the protest leaders and the deputy national coordinator for the Indigenous People of Biafra George gave an insight to the reason for march, saying: Unlike Obama, Trump is sensitive to people like us ... he being also leader of the greatest free Christian country.

"We believe in his policies and agenda against terrorism, unbridled killings of defenceless people, subjugation and suppression of people across the world by despots.

"Trump is sane and sensitive to people like us ... will listen to our cries and put in a word for us where it matters."

READ ALSO: Policemen open fire on UNIOSUN students while playing football

But the police says it is arresting the protesters for staging the protest. Already 53, it says, have been arrested.

"Arrests have been made - about 53 persons and counting," said Nnamdi Omoni, police spokesman for Rivers state, where the rally took place.

"They have been in processions, singing and dancing along the roads and we are doing our best to contain them because we do not want the situation to degenerate or snowball into something else," said Nnamdi Omoni, police spokesman for Rivers state.

Meanwhile, Omoni also denied reports that the police killed about 11 of the pro-Biafra agitators as claimed by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful in a statement.

According to Omoni, the police did not open fire on protesters as alleged and nobody died.

Source: Legit.ng
- Troops of the Nigerian army have killed 15 members of the Boko Haram terrorists and arrested one foreign terrorist

- The insurgents were responsible for an attack on Rann, the location of the Internally Displaced Persons Camp, that was accidentally hit by Nigerian Air Force jet

- The troops recovered the one truck with weapons, including one General Purpose Machine Gun, three AK47 and ammunitions

Troops kill 15 insurgens, arrest one foreign B'Haram terrorist responsible for bombing of IDP camp

Troops of the Nigerian army have killed 15 members of the Boko Haram terrorists, who were part of insurgents responsible for an attack on Rann, the location of the Internally Displaced Persons Camp, that was accidentally hit by Nigerian Air Force jet.

A Boko Haram terrorist suspected to be a foreigner has also been captured by troops in Rann, Borno State. The suspect not yet identified by Nigerian military authorities.

READ ALSO: APC condemns cowardly acts by Boko Haram

Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff, confirmed the killing and capture of the terrorists in Rann on Friday, January 20, when he paid an operational visit to troops of 3 Batallion.

Buratai said the insurgents came again to the town in two gun trucks on Thursday, January 19, at about 6p.m. to attack, but were repelled by the soldiers, who killed 15, while others escaped with one gun truck.

He added that the troops recovered the other truck with weapons, including one General Purpose Machine Gun, three AK47 and ammunitions.

Buratai recalled that the Tuesdays incident, the Air Force component of the Operation Lafiya Dole based on intelligence that the terrorists had infiltrated Rann with intent to attack, deployed the rockets.

He, however, regretted that the weapons mistakenly hit IDPs camps in the town, killing over 50 civilians and wounding many others.

While addressing the troops, Buratai urged them not to allow the unfortunate incident to demoralise them.

READ ALSO: Saraki calls for more security at educational institutions

He charged them to remain committed, dedicated and patriotic, assuring them that their efforts would be rewarded.

According to the Commanding Officer of 3 Battalion, Lt.-Col. I. P. Omoke, Rann was one of the last towns retaken from the insurgents on March 22, 2016.

Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno, is 175km from Maiduguri and 8km to the Republic of Cameroon.

Source: Legit.ng
The presidency has denied a report by some media that President Muhammadu Buhari, who is holidaying abroad is dead.

The post by Garba Shehu appeared in the evening of Saturday, January 21

The disturbing report has first been broken by an alleged fake Metro (UK) site that "quoted" the Nigerian mission in the country as confirming the presidents death.

The report claimed that Buhari visited the UK for medical check over an unknown disease adding that details of his death were still sketchy.

READ ALSO: Deji Adeyanju, self-acclaimed PDP operative, exposed as peddler of deliberate lies and fake reports

But in his reaction, Garba Shehu, the Buharis spokesperson, said: He is alive and well! President Buhari is not magical. He cannot be holidaying in the UK and be in Germany, dead or alive at the same time.

He is unlike a past President who was at Ota, with Chief Obasanjo and attending the Trump inauguration in D.C, being in two places at the same time!

In his reaction, Femi Adeshina, one of President Buhari's aides on media, also reportedly said he would only "say best wishes to all who wish Buhari well while for those who carry evil rumours, may they receive grace to repent."

Garba Shehu's reaction is also believed to be a mockery of the fake report on Friday, January 20 that the former president Goodluck Jonathan was invited by the US for the inauguration of Donald Trump when, indeed, he was in Ogun state with his predecessor, Olusegun Obasanjo.

Nigerians have since yesterday condemned Deji Adeyanju, a spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for breaking the fake report on social media and making fun of the whole nation.

READ ALSO: Presidency replies Fayose over allegation that Trump snubbed Buhari

A check on the Metro-UK website that broke the report about the "death of President Buhari" shows several other stories in such a manner.

A simple check of Alexa ranking of this 'source' shows that the site is number 702,853 in the world, therefore, it cannot be considered as credible.

Source: Legit.ng
The combination of globalization and the trend toward clean living has revolutionized the natural products industry, creating opportunities and presenting challenges. Opportunities include the availability of products and human capital from around the world. Bringing those resources into the United States, however, presents challenges. Companies that meet those challenges will have a competitive advantage.

NatureCare, a Japanese company, sells an anti-aging moisturizer made from traditional Japanese herbs. NatureCare has consistently sold products to U.S. retailers, but wishes to release a new product made in Japan to the U.S. market and has entered into several contracts with U.S. retailers. NatureCare needs someone with knowledge of its product to train a U.S. sales force and oversee the sale of the new product line to U.S. retailers. NatureCares principals have heard of the H-1B programa non-immigrant visa in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Actbut are unwilling to take the risk that their application will not be selected in the lottery. They also know of the EB-5 program, which allows entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residence if they invest in a U.S. business, but do not wish to invest the $500,000 and are unsure that they will create jobs for 10 U.S. workers.

Two investors from Denmark find themselves in a similar predicament. They wish to invest equal amounts to purchase a new U.S. company, ABC Corp., that will sell supplements made from fish oil to U.S. consumers. One of the investors is willing to come to the United States to direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of the new U.S. company. Like the NatureCare principals, the investors are uncomfortable with the risks associated with the H-1B and EB-5 programs. In addition, the investors do not have an existing business in Denmark from which to transfer an employee to the new U.S. company through an L-visa.

An E-visa could be the solution to both problems.

Congress created the E-visa classification to allow a companys principal or its employees to enter the United States and work in specified roles for an indefinite period. The United States issues E-visas for two-year increments, but they can be renewed indefinitely, as long as the foreign national affirms his or her intention to leave the United States when the period of stay, including authorized extensions, ends. E-visa holders are not required to maintain a foreign residence, and dependents are permitted to enter to the United States along with the E-visa holder.

Every E-visa falls into one of two categories: E-1 visas promote international trade and E-2 visas oversee an investment in the United States. To qualify for either category, the applicant and the individuals who own the applicants employer must be citizens of a country that has a treaty with the United States (see charts for eligible countries). In addition to these requirements, each category has its own set of eligibility requirements.

To be eligible for an E-1 treaty-trader visa, the applicant must establish he or she intends to enter the United States solely to perform continuous, substantial trade principally between U.S. companies and a foreign company that is at least 50 percent owned by foreign nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States. The applicant must perform supervisory or executive duties, or have skills essential to the successful operation of the enterprise. Based on the nature of these requirements, the E-1 visa is ideally suited for foreign companies who already sell goods to U.S. companies, but wish to increase their share of the U.S. market by sending the companys principal or a specialized employee to open a branch of the foreign company in the United States or conduct sales operations.

An E-1 visa would be ideal for NatureCare. NatureCare could secure an E-1 visa for its principal or a high-level sales executive to train a sales force and oversee the sale of the new product line to U.S. retailers if the profits were repatriated to NatureCare. The company could repatriate profits, for example, by establishing a new U.S. company wholly owned by NatureCare.

An E-2 visa for treaty investors, on the other hand, might be appropriate for the investors in Denmark. To be eligible for an E-2 visa, the applicant must establish he or she has made a substantial, active investment in a real and operating commercial enterprise. The law does not establish a minimum dollar amount for an investment to qualify as substantial." To determine whether an investment in an existing business is substantial, the consular post will consider the proportion of the investment compared to the total value of the enterprise.

The investment must be at risk and irrevocably committed to the U.S. enterprise, which must generate more than enough income to provide a minimal living for the treaty investor and his or her family. Foreign nationals from a treaty country must also have a controlling interest in the enterprise. The applicant must intend come to the United State to fill a key role.

After the investors from Denmark purchase ABC Corp., one of the investors could obtain an E-2 visa to enter the United States to manage the start up and run the day-to-day operations of the new business.

Although the E-visa classification is not as well-known as some other visa classifications, it offers the flexibility to accommodate the ever-changing natural products industry. Natural product companies seeking to enter or expand their share of the U.S. market are ideally suited for an E-visa.

Henry M. Mascia is a civil litigator and immigration attorney at Rivkin Radler LLP. As a litigator, Mascia drafts and argues appeals, and litigates a variety of civil matters in federal and state courts. As an immigration attorney, he helps corporations and individuals navigate the labyrinth of U.S. immigration law. Mascia represents clients seeking H-1B visas for workers in specialty occupations, L-visas for intra-company transfers engaged in specialized employment, O-visas for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability, E-visas for treaty traders and investors, P-visas for entertainers and athletes, and TN-visas for highly skilled Mexican and Canadian professionals. He also represents individuals seeking to sponsor family members to become lawful permanent residents and advises corporate clients on compliance with E-Verify and Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9.
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DAKAR, Senegal  An outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the West African nation of Guinea has reached the crowded capital, Conakry, prompting new fears about its spread, health officials said Tuesday.

Over the past month, the disease has traveled from Guineas remote forest regions near the Liberia and Sierra Leone borders and has already killed 83 people, including four in Conakry.

Now, with 13 cases in a densely populated capital of two million people, health officials say the challenge of containing the outbreak has become more acute. Ebola has killed hundreds in rural Central Africa over the past four decades, but it is unusual for it to reach urban centers.

Residents of Conakry said Tuesday that disquiet had set in, though markets were crowded and the capitals monstrous traffic jams continued unabated. Some were carrying around small bottles of bleach, people were avoiding shaking hands, and pharmacies were selling out of hand sanitizer.
Al Jazeeras The lobby exposes the establishments anti-Semitism claims for what they are, writes Tony Greenstein





This article also appears in this week's issue of Weekly Worker









The Jewish Labour Movement at the 80th anniversary of the anti-fascist Battle of Cable Street - in 1936 the Zionist movement opposed confronting the fascists

Corbyn betraying everything he once stood for

This past week Al Jazeera broadcast a series of four half an hour programmes about the Israel Lobby in Britain. They involved an undercover mole Robin Harrow who became a trusted confidante of the leadership of the Israel lobby in Britain, in particular Shai Masot, the Senior Political Counsellor at the Israeli Embassy, Michael Rubin,

former Chair of Labour Students and now Parliamentary officer for Labour Friends of Israel,

Jeremy Newmark

of the Jewish Labour Movement and Joan Ryan MP of Labour Friends of Israel as well as

the ghoul of the Labour Right, Luke Akehurst.

Shai Masot in expansive mood

The background to this Britain is the world center of the anti-Israel BDS campaign is the BDS campaign which began on 9 July 2005 when over 170 Palestinian NGOs called for Boycott and Disinvestment from and Sanctions against Israel. According to Gilad Erdan, the Public Security Minister who oversees the MSA Great

In June 2013 Benjamin Netanyahu gave Israels Ministry for Strategic Affairs[MSA] responsibility for fighting BDS. Israels active management of British Zionist groups began with Israels co-ordination of anti-BDS activities internationally.

The Jewish Labour Movement's Director Ella Rose demonstrating the peaceful ways of Zionism

Paranoia

Israels political classes have been consumed by paranoia over BDS for the past few years. This has resulted in thinly veiled threats to the lives of BDS activists. Erdan is on record as saying that  Soon any activist who uses their influence to delegitimize the only Jewish state in the world will know they will pay a price for it, Soon any activist who uses their influence to delegitimize the only Jewish state in the world will know they will pay a price for it,

th 2016, Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz sikul ezrachi memukad  against the BDS leadership. This is the phrase that Israels military use for extra-judicial executions. Amnesty International spoke of an escalation of acts of intimidation by the government and attacks and threats by settlers and other non-state actors (which) have created an increasingly dangerous environment for human rights defenders in Israel and the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. At the Stop the Boycott Conference held in Jerusalem on March 282016, Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz called for  against the BDS leadership. This is the phrase that Israels military use for extra-judicial executions.

political not economic and yet the Israeli government has been paralysed by fear. Is this justified? BDS kicked off in Britain in 2005 with the Academic Boycott which was endorsed by the Association of University Teachers. Despite condemnation by Tony Blair and New Labour it was ratified by the new University Colleges Union. In 2007 both Unite and UNISON, Britains two largest trade unions adopted policy in support of BDS. Yet the simple facts are that economically, the effect of BDS has been on the margins. Veolia has pulled out of Israel, G4S is on the brink of doing so, Sodastream has been hard hit and a few Scandinavian investment banks have stopped investing in Israel. There have been other successes, often at a local level, but overall they have been relatively marginal. However what BDS has done is to focus the anger of groups such as students at the continuation of the worlds only active settler colonial and apartheid state. The effect of BDS has been primarilynot economic and yet the Israeli government has been paralysed by fear. Is this justified?

Yes and no. On the economic level the Boycott has made no impact on Israels military sales or the vast majority of its trading activities. But Israel doesnt exist because of its economic contribution to the Western world, important though it has become. Israels role has been primarily strategic, a combination of the political and military. Israel is particularly vulnerable to political pressure because its establishment was dependant on western political support in a way that South Africa never was as a result of a UN resolution. Even despite recent gas finds it is dependent on raw materials in a way that South Africa never was.

The JLM's Jeremy Newmark with war criminal Mark Regev

Israeli leaders have felt more keenly than most the effect of the end to Apartheid. This was a serious blow to the Zionistsconfidence. In the words of Hendrik Verwoerd, South Africa Prime Minister and the Architect of Apartheid, "Israel, like South Africa, is an apartheid state." With the loss of South Africa Israel was on its own. One of the characteristics of settler colonialism is its siege mentality and paranoia. This is because they are states which are never at ease with themselves. They are artificial nations whose existence is predicated upon the dispossession or oppression of the indigenous population. This is one reason why they can never be normal nation states, at least until they achieve a final solution to the native problem. Verwoerd, South Africa Prime Minister and the Architect of Apartheid, "Israel, like South Africa, is an apartheid state." With the loss of South Africa Israel was on its own. One of the characteristics of settler colonialism is its siege mentality and paranoia. This is because they are states which are never at ease with themselves. They are artificial nations whose existence is predicated upon the dispossession or oppression of the indigenous population. This is one reason why they can never be normal nation states, at least until they achieve a final solution to the native problem.

The demands of the BDS campaign do not explicitly call for the end to a Jewish state but, taken together, they can have no other interpretation. The call for an end to the occupation of all Arab lands is ambiguous and can be understood as meaning an end to the post-1967 occupation. However the demand for the full equality of Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel cannot be squared with the existence of Israel as a Jewish state. Although Zionist parties pay lip-service to a Jewish and Democratic state, in practice they know that full equality is unattainable. Support for the Right of Return of the refugees ethnically cleansed in 1947-8 and subsequently is wholly incompatible with the maintenance of a Jewish majority state without it being an openly apartheid state.

It is the political almost psychological susceptibility of Israel as a Jewish state, that lies behind the hostility of the whole Zionist spectrum to BDS. Labour Zionism is equally as hostile to BDS as the far-Right Jewish Home. Only at the fringes of the Zionist movement, where liberal Zionism meets non-Zionism, is there support for Boycotting Settler Goods only.

Zionist paranoia in respect of BDS is not wholly irrational. BDS does indeed go to the heart of Zionism and what it means to be a Jewish state. Although Israels reaction appears to be a massive and irrational over-reaction it is explained by the particular political insecurity of settler colonial states. The overthrow of South Africa Apartheid began with the Sporting Boycott in 1970. I cut my political teeth in the demonstrations against the visiting Springbok Rugby teams which were led by Peter Hain. The attack on South Africas love of Sport was a prelude to the Economic and Political Boycott. That is what Israels fear is. Hence the use of the term delegitimisation. Israel rightly fears that the whole concept of a Jewish state, which is fundamentally racist to the core, will be lost to those who still have some attachment to the ideals of the French Revolution and Emancipation.

It is this paranoia, at the base of which lies a deep racial and existential fear, which explains some of the comical mistakes and overreach of the Zionist campaign in Britain as demonstrated by the escapades of agent Shai Masot.

Role of Embassy

At the beginning of November, I spoke to the biannual gathering of the Boycott Israel Network at Coalbrookdale Youth Hostel on the Zionists concocted anti-Semitism campaign which the Zionists have been waging ever since Jeremy Corbyn stood for leader of the Labour Party. Someone asked me: What was the role of the Israeli Embassy and Ambassador Regev in all this? - I replied thus:

I dont think Mark Regev began it but certainly hes involved in it. If you look at it from this perspective, when Corbyn was elected or seemed likely to be elected to the Labour leadership, I imagine panic set in, not just in the Israeli embassy but the US embassy. Britain is the closest ally of the United States in Europe, the special relationship; the idea that someone who is anti-Nato, anti-Trident and so on, with his record, I would be amazed if the CIA and the Intelligence Agencies werent doing something. I mean thats what theyre paid to do all over the world; why not in Britain? It would be bonkers if they didnt; they would be failing in their duties, so, yes, of course they have been behind this campaign.

Anyone who knows anything of the CIAs destabilisation of governments in Central and South America or in Europe with Operation Gladio should know that US intelligence organisations have no respect for democratically elected governments.

Excellent though the work of Robin has been as an undercover reporter in the Jewish Labour Movement and with Zionist groups such as Labour Friends of Israel no one should be under any illusion that what has been revealed is but a snapshot of what has happened. We have no evidence of communications between the Israeli and American embassies on the matter but it is highly unlikely that the Americans havent been involved at some level. We know little of the depth of cooperation between the Israeli Embassy and the Jewish Labour Movement other than that they worked with Shai Masot. But with these caveats the programmes were an excellent eye opener for those who are born innocent.

Credit should be given to Robin for ingratiating himself with key Zionist activists and personnel. It took a lot of skill but it also depended on their own arrogance. Passing oneself off as a racist is not easy! But it is also testimony to the Zionists main weakness  a lack of personnel. Attracting youthful activists to a cause as desperate as that of Israel, to actively supporting a murderous regime steeped in ethnic cleansing is not an easy task.

What the programmes demonstrate is that Zionist politics in this country are now effectively the British side of the operations of the Israeli state, behind which stands the American state. Although there have always been such connections, it is of recent origin that Israel was in the driving seat.

The fourth programme is most amusing in this respect. A story appears in Haaretz in which Ministries Feud Over Anti-BDS War - basically an accusation by the Foreign Ministry that MOSA was in potential breach of British law. Instead of co-operating and working with existing British Zionist groups it was going further and setting such groups up and effectively interfering in Britains own political process. Shai Masot asks for a quiet meeting with Robin in which he clarifies his own role. He explains away his previous introduction of Robin as Chair of Young LFI, which doesnt even exist, by saying he was drunk! Now he emphasises he cannot be seen to be in control of anything: I am irrelevant. If I give you an idea its off the record, its not something you can use. Clearly Masot has been given a strict warning that he is operating at the edge of legality and endangering the whole mission in London. He is worried. Whilst he is always available for advice or resources he cannot be quoted or be seen to be in charge! Masot becomes incoherent and almost pleads for Robins understanding. Thats politics he ends up saying. Its not an easy role change when you find difficult defining your role. It was a portent of things to come.

Sir Alan Duncan - Shai Masot's Target

The first programme began with a front page headlines in the Mail on Sunday. It revealed that Shai Masot in a conversation with Robin and Maria Strizzolo, a civil servant and adviser to Robert Halfon MP, Minister of State for Education, had expressed a desire to take down Sir Alan Duncan, Britains Deputy Foreign Secretary and a known Arabist. When the news broke, Israels Ambassador Mark Regev quickly distanced himself from what he described as a junior employee who wasnt even a diplomat. Masot was thrown under the political bus.

What was even more interesting was the reaction of Boris Johnson. Despite being called an idiot who had become minister of foreign affairs without any responsibilities such that If something real happened it won't be his fault... it will be Alan Duncan he accepted the apology and made it clear that there was going to be no investigation. The only person who resigned was Ms Strizzolo, a Conservative Party activist and ardent Zionist who responded helpfully to Masots desire to bring down Duncan, "A little scandal maybe?" Given Duncan was the first out gay Tory MP, it is not difficult to imagine what she had in mind. such thathe accepted the apology and made it clear that there was going to be no investigation. The only person who resigned was Ms Strizzolo, a Conservative Party activist and ardent Zionist who responded helpfully to Masots desire to bring down Duncan, "A little scandal maybe?" Given Duncan was the first out gay Tory MP, it is not difficult to imagine what she had in mind.

Craig Murry, the ex-British Ambassador to Uzbekistan, who was sacked by Jack Straw for raising that countrys abysmal human rights record and its use of torture raised some interesting questions re Shai Masot.

1) On what basis was Masot in the UK?

2) Since he was not on the Diplomatic List but was plainly a senior officer what precise visa and residence status did he hold?

3) How many more officers does the Israeli Embassy have with that same visa and residence status?

4) Has the FCO connived with the Israeli Embassy to allow other Israeli intelligence operatives residence in the country other than those officially credited?

5) Did MI5, MI6 or any other of the security services have any input into Mr Masots acceptance and visa/residency status?

Unsurprisingly Murray hasnt received any response to his inquiries from the Foreign Office or Theresa May. There is little doubt that what was a programme by a foreign state aimed at destabilising a British political party had the blessing and was carried out with the active connivance of the government. The fact that a government which is normally so keen to prevent immigration had granted someone who was not a diplomat British residence suggests collusion with the Israeli governments anti-BDS strategy at the highest level.

The British Media

It was not difficult to work out that the hand of the Israeli state and MI5/CIA were behind the anti-Semitism affair. Why should there be a sudden upsurge of anti-Semitism when Corbyn was elected. The fact that such allegations were being levelled at Corbyn himself, when he first stood, should have been a strong indication as to their provenance. The fact that people like Jon Lansman gave credence to this campaign should raise questions about his own bona fides.

Although the British press did not entirely ignore the story, most of them downplayed it and soon forgot what was, in essence, an espionage programme run on British soil. Imagine if the Russians had been running secret agents who were infiltrating political parties. It is a sad commentary on the state of the British press  from the quality end to the yellow press  that it was a TV station based in Qatar which broke a story that was begging to be told. The verbosity and carelessness of Shai Masot suggested from the start that he was unlikely to be a member of Mossad, Israels equivalent of MI6. He was the political equivalent of the keystone cops. It would surely not have been difficult for the Guardian or Independent to have run a few students in the Jewish Labour Movement but the will was not there. Jonathan Freedland had already laid down the Guardians editorial take on the anti-Semitism affair.

Subversion in the Student Movement

Students are one of the key area of activities for the BDS and Palestine solidarity movement. In the last year the student movement has been rocked by two things in particular. The first was the false allegation of anti-Semitism at Oxford University Labour Club in January 2016.

Linked-in profile, before it was deleted, was information that he had worked for Israels main propaganda group in this country, BICOM. The Labour Clubs anti-Semitism had consisted of support for Israel Apartheid Week. As the the Zionist Baroness Royall later commented on a blog on her own investigation on the JLM site:  I As Asa Winstanley has shown, the allegations of anti-Semitism were wholly false and contrived. The person who made them at Oxford, Alex Chalmers, left the Labour Party a few weeks later and supported the Lib-Dems. On hisprofile, before it was deleted, was information that he had worked for Israels main propaganda group in this country, BICOM. The Labour Clubs anti-Semitism had consisted of support for Israel Apartheid Week. As the the Zionist Baroness Royall later commented on a blog on her own investigation on the JLM site:  know that you will share my disappointment and frustration that the main headline coming out of my inquiry is that there is no institutional Antisemitism in Oxford University Labour Club. What kind of political charlatan expresses disappointment that she could find no trace of institutional anti-Semitism (whatever that is) at the organisation she was investigating?

The other major event was the election of the first Black woman President of the National Union of Students, Malia Bouattia, an open supporter of BDS and anti-imperialism. She was subject to vicious attacks by the bourgeois media, led by the Union of Jewish Students. In June 2015 the National Union of Students (NUS) voted for BDS.

UJS received money from the Israeli embassy and attempted to influence the outcome of the NUS presidency election and oust Bouattia following her victory. UJS instigated a disaffiliation campaign from NUS which sank like a damp squib. Oxford University students, despite Alex Chalmers supporting the disaffiliation bid, voted by a margin of 1,000 students to affiliate to the national union. Lincoln University which disaffiliated has since reversed that decision. Only Hull and Newcastle Universities disaffiliated.

with the ambassador and embassy quite a lot. He told Robin that Bouattia was really bad and awful. We were campaigning for the person running against her because we didnt want her to win, said Rubin, who was at the time Chairman of Labour Students. One key activist in all of this was Michael Rubin, who claimed to work . He told Robin that Bouattia wasand .said Rubin, who was at the time Chairman of Labour Students.

You can speak to me because Im helping organise them. The investigation also revealed that the UJS sent Brooks on a paid trip to Israel, which he failed to declare. As a result the Left and Black students in NUS are seeking his removal as a scab agent in the student movement. During the election campaign, Richard Brooks, NUS vice president, held secret meetings with Russell Langer, UJS campaign director, and Rubin. Wed have our secret little purpose meeting where wed plan how to get moderate people with good politics and any number of things elected to certain places, Robin explored with Brooks, the possibility of ousting Bouattia. He told Robin The investigation also revealed that the UJS sent Brooks on a paid trip to Israel, which he failed to declare. As a result the Left and Black students in NUS are seeking his removal as a scab agent in the student movement.

The Israeli embassy in the UK gives money to UJS. Schapira confirmed that the American pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC, is also channelling money to British campuses through the Pinsker Centre. Adam Schapira, who ran an unsuccessful bid for the UJS presidency revealed, as we always suspected, thatSchapira confirmed that the American pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC, is also channelling money to British campuses through the Pinsker Centre. What the programme confirms is that Britain is at the epicentre of Zionist and US destabilisation efforts.

There were some highly amusing moments. Ella Rose is the Director of the Jewish Labour Movement, the main organisation in the Labour Party spearheading the anti-Semitism campaign. Previously she had worked at the Israeli Embassy and before that as Chair of UJS. She had sought to keep her work at the Israeli Embassy a secret as the JLM didnt want its close relationship with the Israeli Embassy revealed. Asa Winstanley at Electronic Intifada broke the story of who her former employer was.

Ella was not happy when the story broke and she happened to bump into Robin at that time. She is filmed crying fuck you, fuck you, fucking anti-Semites the lot of them. She was in tears over the fact that the truth of her employment had been revealed and she accused Winstanley of being a fucking anti-Semite. It would seem that anybody who displeases this spoilt brat is to be defined as an anti-Semite. All the traditional measures of anti-Semitism  a belief in Jewish inferiority, stereotypes, the International Jewish Conspiracy, the Medieval Blood Libel are irrelevant. The only thing that is relevant is whether or not you support the Apartheid State of Israel. If you do, then you it is immaterial if you hate Jews as Jews. She was in tears over the fact that the truth of her employment had been revealed and she accused Winstanley of being a . It would seem that anybody who displeases this spoilt brat is to be defined as an anti-Semite. All the traditional measures of anti-Semitism  a belief in Jewish inferiority, stereotypes, the International Jewish Conspiracy, the Medieval Blood Libel are irrelevant. The only thing that is relevant is whether or not you support the Apartheid State of Israel. If you do, then you it is immaterial if you hate Jews as Jews.

You know what? I could take her, shes like 5 2 and tiny. Readers can, however, rest assured that Ella recovered soon enough to tell Robin that she had seen Jackie Walker the previous Saturday and Apparently she has trained in the Israeli martial arts Krav Maga. The Jewish Chronicles Marcus Dysche interpretation is that this was nothing more than Al Jazeera embarked on an exercise that is nothing more than straightforward Jew-baiting dressed up as an investigation. In other words classic anti-Semitism even though the woman that Ella Rose has threatened to take out is herself Jewish! having  In other words classic anti-Semitism even though the woman that Ella Rose has threatened tois herself Jewish!

The most interesting part of the programme was when we saw, at Labour Party Conference, exactly how a fake anti-Semitism incident is manufactured. Jean Fitzpatrick, a delegate to the Conference comes up to the Labour Friends of Israel stall. She is impressed by their commitment to Two States and wants to know more. What do you actually do to achieve that she asks the Chair of LFI, Joan Ryan MP.

Ryan is ideally placed to be the LFIs Chair. As MP for Enfield North she has demonstrated not only a love for Israel but a love for parliamentary expenses too. Her much doctored Wikipedia entry states that  In October 2007, the Evening Standard reported that Joan Ryan claimed 173,691 in expenses for the 2006/2007 tax year, the highest for any MP. She was the second highest claimant in the 2005/2006 tax year.  In February 2010 Ryan was asked to repay 5,121 mortgage interest.

nothing whatsoever to bring such a scenario about. There has never been a single occasion when they have opposed Israels Occupation, its land theft or crop destruction, its theft of water or any of the other acts that make Israels occupation a vicious and bloody one. Two states is a cover for one, Apartheid Greater Israel with the Palestinian kept under permanent military rule. Jean Fitzpatrick was a persistent questioner and wanted to know exactly what LFI were doing to oppose the settlements which are an obstacle to a two-state solution. The answer of course is nothing. LFI and the Zionist movement in Britain, whilst ostensibly supporting a 2 States solution in the abstract doesto bring such a scenario about. There has never been a single occasion when they have opposed Israels Occupation, its land theft or crop destruction, its theft of water or any of the other acts that make Israels occupation a vicious and bloody one. Two states is a cover for one, Apartheid Greater Israel with the Palestinian kept under permanent military rule.

Jean at some stage mentioned that LFI seemed to be made up of the privileged and powerful, which it is and immediately they pounced. This was an anti-Semitic trope about rich Jews, bankers and the City of London. In fact she had mentioned none of this but a complaint was made by Ryan and Jean was suspended. After having been investigated Jean was reinstated but it was and is a telling lesson in how false and fake anti-Semitic incidents are manufactured out of nothing.

Jeremy Corbyn who up till his election was a strong, the strongest supporter of the Palestinians has been worn down by the Zionists anti-Semitism campaign. Instead of calling out the Zionist JLM for weaponising anti-Semitism in the fight to defend Israel, he repeatedly stressed he was opposed to anti-Semitism without understanding or realising that the anti-Semitism his opponents were accusing people of had nothing to do with hatred of Jews and everything to do with hatred of the actions of Israel. Hence why his denials did nothing to appease his critics.

At Labours 2016 conference Corbyn abased himself, giving a grovelling speech to LFI, to whom he had never spoken before. Newmarkss smug and arrogant comments after Corbyn had spoken said everything about the contempt in which the Zionists hold him: I can kind of live with that for the time being. It will get us through another year. Hardly a ringing endorsement but confirmation that they have subdued Corbyn.

Luke Akehurst, former National Executive member who works for We Believe in Israel, another Israeli Embassy front group, was full of praise for Corbyns speech condemning anti-Semitism to a group of racists:

Its a shame he didnt make this speech this time last year. His underlying beliefs wont have shifted... but given where he came from it was a carefully drafted speech that had appropriate wording in terms of the way it addressed core issues in the Middle East and the way it addressed antisemitism. My initial sense was there was not much one could find to criticise in what was said. [22]

What an utterly damning indictment of Corbyn that this creature of Labours far-Right could find nothing to criticise in it? One thing the Al Jazeera programme did prove was that the LFI itself is nothing more than a creature of the Israeli Embassy. There was Shai Masot going around appointing the Chair of Young LFI until a Haaretz article stopped him in his track and then there was the affair of the slush fund. Ryan asks what happened to the names she put in for an all-expenses paid trip to Israel and Masot told her that he had just got the money, more than 1m. It doesnt take a genius to work out that it costs nothing like that sum to take MPs on a freebie. In other words the $50m that Israel has allocated to anti-BDS work is a slush fund which is being used to pay for the running of LFI, including no doubt generous expenses for people like Ryan. In short LFI is nothing more than an arms length organisation run by the Embassy. It is to be hoped that Corbyn now cuts his links with this reactionary state run organisation and never again speaks at its functions.

The investigation by Al Jazeera has been extremely damaging to the Zionist movement in Britain. We now have conclusive evidence of how Israeli state agents, with the connivance of the British state, have been interfering in both the Labour Party and the student movement, how MPs like Joan Ryan and others, are in their pay.

Above all the programmes demonstrate that the fake anti-Semitism campaign of the past year is just that. An artificial concoction dreamt up in Jerusalem, the Israeli and probably the American Embassy. It is long overdue that socialists in the Labour Party dispensed with any feelings of guilt over this use of identity politics to shield and protect the privileged and powerful, the racist and reactionary. The fact that Zionism uses anti-Semitism in order to defend its demolition of Palestinian homes, torture and internment is a sign of its contempt for those Jews who did suffer from anti-Semitism. During the pogrom in Romania by the Iron Guard in January 1941 the bodies of Jews were hung from butchers hooks and their victims were skinned alive. To equate support for the Palestinians or the discomfiture of a spoilt brat from North London with the horrors that Jews have historically experienced demonstrates the utter contempt for actual Jewish suffering the Zionists have. This should not be a surprise. When Holocaust survivors first went to Israel after 1945 they were termed derisively sapon; (soap) after the myth that the Nazis used fat from those killed in Auschwitz to manufacture soap. It was not until the 1960s when the Holocaust was used as the main instrument of Israels propaganda war, that openly expressed contempt for Holocaust survivors vanished, at least from the surface of Israeli society.

Tony Greenstein
MOSCOW  Three pro-European political parties appeared to have won enough votes in a weekend election to control Moldovas Parliament, despite a surprising first-place finish by the pro-Russian Socialist Party, according to preliminary results on Monday.

Shadowed by the continuing violence in neighboring Ukraine, the election in Moldova, one of Europes smallest and poorest nations, became another fierce contest between the West and Russia for influence in a former Soviet republic.

Moldova, like Ukraine, has moved steadily toward greater political and economic integration with the European Union. But it has come under severe pressure from Russia to change course. Russia banned the import of Moldovan wine last year, and in recent months, it followed up with bans on apples, meat and other food products  brutal blows to the nations economy, which depends heavily on agriculture.

Russia already plays a significant role in Moldova because of the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria, which declared independence in 1990 and was the subject of a military conflict in 1992. Russian troops have long been stationed in Transnistria as peacekeeping forces.
BUENOS AIRES  President Obama expressed regret on Thursday for the failure of the United States to acknowledge the brutal repression and atrocities that took place during Argentinas dirty war in the 1970s and 80s.

Theres been controversy about the policies of the United States early in those dark days, Mr. Obama said at the Parque de la Memoria, a monument to the wars victims, where he attended a ceremony for the 40th anniversary of the 1976 military coup that began the Argentine dictatorship.

The United States has to examine its own policies as well, and its own past, Mr. Obama said, adding, Weve been slow to speak out for human rights, and that was the case here.

The presidents remarks came after he toured the memorial with President Mauricio Macri of Argentina, walking beside a hulking gray stone wall engraved with the names and ages of 20,000 victims  and 10,000 blank spaces for those who have yet to be identified. Mr. Obama announced this week that he would begin a declassification effort to unseal secret military and intelligence files that could shed light on the fates of some of those victims, as well as what the United States knew about human rights violations that took place during what Mr. Macri called the darkest period in our history.
According to witnesses and government officials, the attack started around 4 p.m. with a car bomb at the gates of the Naso Hablod Hotel, before fighters ran in and shot at guests.

The Shabab militant group, which has been terrorizing Somalia for nearly a decade and claimed responsibility for the attack, has struck at least four other hotels in Mogadishu in the past year. A deafening car bomb at the hotel gates is typically how such attacks begin.
Can music do anything when theres nothing to be done?

Over the past year, the economic crisis in Venezuela has spiraled into one of those grinding international struggles that to most Americans feel vague and intractable. With many blaming the governments blunders and ideological blinders for impoverishing the country, widespread scarcities have forced the mentally ill to go without anti-psychotic medication; water shortages have prompted rationing and blackouts.

This is the disquieting context into which the conductor Gustavo Dudamel, that troubled nations most famous high-culture export, and his grinning, charming Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela arrived in New York this week to open Carnegie Halls season with three concerts, starting with a gala performance on Thursday.

The Bolivars are the latest iteration of what was once the marquee youth orchestra of El Sistema, the publicly financed Venezuelan arts education monolith that has been praised for helping raise thousands of children out of poverty. For all the good El Sistema does, its closeness to the government has made many wonder whether it and the Bolivars are inextricable from  or even function as a kind of propaganda mission for  a regime that has dragged its people to disaster. And concertgoers might even ask how they should approach listening to this orchestra at this particular fraught moment.

These questions have taken on a different cast as the Bolivars have changed from an educational endeavor to a more standard international ensemble, no longer sloughing off its members as they age. Under the artistic leadership of Mr. Dudamel, 35, who is also the music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the group makes serious recordings, goes on serious tours and gets prestigious gigs like the Carnegie opening  a slot that has lately gone to the New York and Berlin philharmonics and the Chicago Symphony.
1. Were writing this phrase for the first time: President Donald Trump.

It was a day of pomp and circumstance as dignitaries amassed at the Capitol to witness the transfer of power.

In his inaugural address, the 45th president presented a dark vision of a nation exploited by Washington elites, of children trapped in poverty and rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the country.

This American carnage stops right here and stops right now, he said. Our reporters dissected his speech, line by line. It appeared that far fewer people attended the ceremony than in 2009.
Mr. Cuomos office has a keen, if unsubtle, eye for the moment: The announcement coincides with the womens marches in Washington, New York and other cities across the country, where Mr. Trumps inauguration is expected to pull hundreds of thousands of women into the streets.

And it caps a two-week period in which the governor unveiled an agenda that seemed to aim at every liberal mark, such as criminal justice reform, college tuition assistance, renewable energy plans and child care tax credits. The rollout was an undisguised retort to the nascent Trump presidency, sounding to some like the opening moments of a potential Cuomo presidential run. But his leftward tilt has not muted some liberal activists complaints that Mr. Cuomo has not worked hard enough to establish a Democratic majority in the State Senate, which, in Republican hands, has blocked significant liberal legislation in the past.

With this part of Mr. Cuomos agenda, at least, there will be no need for a legislative blessing. The administration is issuing the regulations under a law that authorizes the Financial Services Department to set standards for insurers, said Alphonso David, the governors counsel. Once they are filed, the regulations will take effect in about two months.

We want women to know that even if there are changes in federal law, there arent going to be any disruptions to their coverage here in New York, Mr. David said.

The governors office estimates that 4.5 million New Yorkers, about half of them women, are covered by commercial insurance policies governed by the new regulations. His aides could not say how many of those women would feel a direct impact.
But the department prosecutors, Beth Douglas and Nancy Slater, argued that the pursuit ended once Mr. Graham entered the building where he lived at 749 East 229th Street in the Wakefield neighborhood and the door locked behind him. Three minutes passed before Officer Haste gained entry, when a tenant let him in through a back door. Sergeant Morris followed.

The next moments were riddled with bad decisions, the police prosecutors and expert witnesses said. Neither officer interviewed the tenant or searched the building. Officer Haste said he asked the tenant if a teenager lived upstairs, and the man pointed up with his index finger and nodded.

The officers, who were in plain clothes but were wearing police jackets and shields, went out of the tenants front door to the vestibule, where Officer Haste let in Officer Chris Crocitto, the sergeants driver, and Officer Mcloughlin, according to testimony.

The officers left the outside of the building unattended, prosecutors said, putting themselves at risk of a potential ambush or allowing the suspect to escape.

They went to the second floor, where Officer Haste and Officer Mcloughlin stood on opposite sides of the apartment door with their guns drawn. Sergeant Morris stood near the top of the stairwell, with Officer Crocitto behind him.

Officer Mcloughlin knocked and demanded that someone open the door.

It was at the apartment door that police officials called as expert witnesses said the officers should have stopped treating the incident as a hot pursuit, given that Mr. Graham was behind a locked apartment door. Absent any indicators of an emergency, such as gunshots or cries for help, their responsibility was to retreat, seek cover and call for backup, the prosecutors said.

Instead, Officer Mcloughlin kicked in the door, then followed Officer Haste inside. On Wednesday, Officer Mcloughlin testified that he had breached the door because he feared a bullet could penetrate the door.
It was not a coincidence. In the waning hours of the Obama presidency, officials in Mexico bundled the drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman Loera, known as El Chapo, into an airplane and handed him to the American government so he could stand trial in New York.

His extradition came after years of painstaking diplomacy. It required convincing the government of Enrique Pena Nieto that the American justice system was better equipped to take Mr. Guzman, the leader of the violent Sinaloa cartel, out of the drug trade. This was no easy task: Washingtons relationship with Mexico has been strained by an imbalance of power and by American slights. By completing the transfer on President Barack Obamas watch, Mexico appeared to be rewarding an administration that was respectful. It also ensured that the extradition was not seen as a concession to President Trump, who made maligning Mexicans a centerpiece of his campaign.

Obama officials succeeded because they tried to persuade, not hector, their Mexican counterparts. This fit with the administrations broader strategy for Latin America, one that was rooted in pragmatism and cooperation. It offers a lesson Mr. Trump would be foolish to disregard.

Leaders in Latin America watched Mr. Trumps presidential campaign with morbid fascination, followed the transition period with dread and are certain to have been stunned by his Inaugural Address.
Washington  Adam Anderson bet big on the Donald Trump movement.

Mr. Anderson, 27, is a solar power salesman in New Hampshire. Before the election, he made an online wager that Mr. Trump would win the election. He told me he planned to spend part of the $3,000 that he won on a new gaming computer.

Im going to spend it slowly on stupid stuff, he said, and laughed.

Now Mr. Anderson was in Washington, along with his friend and stepbrother, to finish collecting his (metaphorical) winnings. The three of them had driven down from New Hampshire and stayed at an Airbnb in Silver Spring, Md., on Thursday night for just $90. They had staked out some prime real estate on the inaugural parade route, at Third and Constitution, though the market was not exactly flooded. There was plenty of elbow room. Across the line of metal barricades, a police officer spat sunflower seed shells onto Constitution Avenue. The sun never came out.

Despite the ominous weather, the Trump crowd was in good spirits. Mr. Anderson is a proud millennial for Trump. While many of his peers had come to Washington to protest the inauguration, he was here to visit the Swamp for the first time and cheer on the man who has pledged to drain it.

Emotions were running high outside the security gates on Friday, with protesters in downtown Washington clashing with Trump supporters and the police. But inside the security perimeter, everyone waited patiently in the rain to enjoy the day  and the new presidents victory, despite what everyone (especially the media) had predicted would happen.
So definitely not Woodstockian. In the event we are needed, we certainly will form a wall of meat, promised Chris Cox, the founder of Bikers for Trump, offering what may have been the most memorable image of the inauguration. Even in desperate times, we give credit for originality.

The man of the hour was particularly thrilled by the Bikers for Trump. Boy, they had a scene today, said the president-elect, describing what he thought was their arrival. They had helicopters flying over a highway someplace in this country. And they had thousands of those guys coming into town.

Actually, the picture he was describing appeared to be from a 2013 blog post on safe biking in large groups. However, in the spirit of new beginnings, we are going to attempt to get through this week without devoting any more time than absolutely necessary to things the 45th president of the United States made up.

Trump also tweeted a picture of himself, allegedly hard at work composing his Inaugural Address. Do you think he really wrote it, people? Cynical minds noted that he seemed to be staring at a blank piece of paper while wielding a Sharpie. All we know for sure is that his impromptu remarks during the inaugural run-ups had  a different tone. I made a speech tonight at the Lincoln Memorial.  I thought it was a very good speech.  They never give you credit, he complained at a dinner for his donors. The Lincoln Memorial event was the one where he overestimated the crowd and suggested inaugural concerts at the memorial were his idea. He also complained that nobody ever gives him credit.

There was also the moment when Trump announced that he had nominated by far the highest I.Q. of any cabinet ever assembled. In honor of the inauguration we will not dwell on the fact that the guy he wants to be secretary of energy had no idea until very recently what the Department of Energy does.

But about the Inaugural Address. It was definitely what our new president thinks of as inclusive. Instead of yelling about Democrats, he yelled about other countries. (America first!) He still seems to think that all poor neighborhoods are terror zones and public schools are something out of Oliver Twist (An education system flush with cash but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge.)

And then it was over. Donald Trump is president. Wow.
The platform calls for a broad range of reforms to address not only gender inequity but also racial and economic inequality. It supports paid family leave; anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans; access to affordable reproductive health care, including contraception and abortion; an end to the use of military-style weapons and tactics by the police in minority communities; a living minimum wage; immigration reform, with a path to citizenship; and protection of the environment and public lands.

None of these goals are particularly radical. Most appeared in some form in the platform adopted by the Democratic National Committee at the party convention in July. That such mainstream proposals  to improve safety-net programs, protect constitutional rights and promote broad-based prosperity  are the subject of a protest manifesto is a measure of how much the political debate has changed in the last few months.

President Trump is unlikely to read the march platform, let alone heed it. But the document is a valuable reminder of what once seemed possible and still could be realized. Among the groups sponsoring the march is Emilys List, which supports female Democratic candidates at the local, state and federal levels. The day after the march, the group will hold a training session in Washington for women interested in running for office. Maybe the march will not only demonstrate support for ideals that are out of favor with the new administration but also inspire more people to enter political life.
His call to Make America Great Again appealed openly to nostalgia. More vehemently than other Republicans, the billionaire developer vowed to lift prospects for long-suffering working-class voters in an era of rising inequality.

For too long, a small group in our nations capital has reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost, Mr. Trump declared in his Inaugural Address. Politicians prospered, but the jobs left and the factories closed.

In his administration, the new president promised, Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

The possibility of a durable Trumpism lies in deepening the allegiance of those working-class voters while attracting more nonwhites in a steadily diversifying electorate. If he embraces the working class and actually delivers for them, he has potential, said April Ponnuru, who advocates new Republican approaches at the Conservative Reform Network.

Yet the new presidents agenda, like his campaign rhetoric, often looks backward.

He aims to revive a coal industry sagging under the weight of competition from cheap natural gas and environmental concerns. That emphasis risks ceding jobs and market share in the growing renewable energy sector to China.

President Trumps America first trade policy bucks the tide of globalization that has reshaped the worlds economy. His immigration stance jeopardizes Republican hopes of adding Latino support and his quest for increased economic growth, since businesses need immigrants to offset dwindling labor supply as baby boomers retire.

Mr. Trump has conspicuously pressured companies to shun less expensive labor overseas and invest in America. If successful, he could help temper some harsher features of 21st-century capitalism by altering corporate cost-benefit analyses. But his strategy could also raise consumer prices and inflame conservatives opposed to government coercion and crony capitalism.
SAN FRANCISCO  By mastering some tough computer chip technology and then pulling off an audacious business strategy based on selling its smartphone knowledge, Qualcomm has made billions of dollars and seized influence in the tech industry.

Some days that is a real drag.

On Friday, Apple, its longtime partner, sued Qualcomm over what it said was $1 billion in withheld rebates. In the lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court for the Southern District of California, in San Diego, Apple said the money had been promised in conjunction with an agreement not to buy chips from other suppliers or to divulge Qualcomms intellectual property licensing practices. The suit seeks the rebates, among other things.

Apple sued three days after the Federal Trade Commission accused Qualcomm of using anticompetitive practices to guarantee its high royalty payments for advanced wireless technology. The commission cited Qualcomms deals with Taiwanese companies that manufacture Apple iPhones over semiconductors it sells for the iPhone.

In its complaint, the commission described Qualcomm as the worlds dominant supplier of semiconductors that manage smartphone communications. The commission said Qualcomm had obtained elevated royalties for its patented intellectual property on wireless communications. Other smartphone chip makers have to pay Qualcomm for that intellectual property, too.
CHICAGO  In this city, Joaquin Guzman Loera, the drug lord called El Chapo, is also known simply as Public Enemy No. 1. The last time the Chicago Crime Commission bestowed that title, it was on Al Capone.

So when word came last week that Mr. Guzman, who has been indicted in seven federal court districts, had been extradited and would face a judge inside a United States courtroom, there was widespread relief in Chicago. But there was also a tinge of regret in some corners that he would be answering charges first in New York and not here.

That would be a great thing for Chicago to have this individual brought before a Chicago court, given his history and the atrocities committed here, said Andrew Henning, general counsel for the Chicago Crime Commission, a nongovernmental policy group that gave Mr. Guzman the public enemy label.

But Mr. Henning said that it was most important that Mr. Guzman could no longer direct his network of drug traffickers, and that he would be held accountable in an American courtroom.
For Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, celebrating the presidential inauguration by attending the gatherings on Friday night posed an obstacle to their Orthodox Jewish observance of the Sabbath.

Ms. Trump, President Trumps older daughter, and Mr. Kushner got special permission to break from strict religious laws that prohibit them from using technology or mechanized devices, such as cars, during the Sabbath, which begins on Friday evening.

A Jewish person who was briefed on the matter but not authorized to speak publicly about it said on Friday night that they were given an exemption under the principle in Jewish law of pikuach nefesh, which suggests preserving the safety of a specific person over any religious consideration.

In the case of Mr. Kushner and Ms. Trump, that would have meant being outside security escorts once the Sabbath had started.
WASHINGTON  The glorious Lincoln Memorial was closed on Inauguration Day, leaving its white marble inhabitant to inspire from a distance. The monument had served as a backdrop for an inaugural concert the night before, and now, in the late morning, construction workers were methodically removing the silvery bars of scaffolding that imprisoned it.

Even so, its sole resident could still be seen behind the Doric columns, his gaze trained on the far-off domed Capitol, where a peaceful transfer of power was about to take place. And people still came to be in his presence, some to remind themselves that a country riven by dissent can come together. It has before.

No matter that the sky was as gray as the Potomac, or that the cold air felt like a wet sweater. Here they were, from the North and South, East and West, in red Trump hats and blue Hillary T-shirts, jubilant, distressed, feeling a part and apart. They stood in admiration of Lincoln, as workers tore down and cleaned up, including a man collecting debris with a hand-held picker, his dog tag laced securely into one of his military-issue boots.

Ed Rich, he said his name was, while taking a Camel break. Forty-four years old. A mortgage broker from Annapolis, trying to ride out a slow period. So its $12 an hour working for the inauguration, putting up fencing, laying down flooring, snapping up cigarette butts with a metal picker.
A lot more healing needs to be done, said Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia. We need to come together more, and hopefully we can do that. And we all have a part  Democrats and Republicans have a part in that. But the president is our leader, and hes the one who has to lead that healing process.

Mr. Manchins observation is doubly important because he is a centrist and one of the Democrats seen as most open to working with Mr. Trump. But Mr. Trump needs to find common ground with many of those who joined him on the platform and heard the new president tell the nation that its leadership in Washington had protected itself but not the citizenry, and had achieved success that was denied the general public.

As he had lunch with the congressional leadership and his presidential predecessors, Mr. Trump was surrounded by that Washington establishment, his new partners in carrying out his agenda. And he begins that job with few deep relationships in Congress. Even many top Republican lawmakers were reluctant to openly embrace his campaign and remain leery of him and his legislative goals.

In his toast at the luncheon and in remarks in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky Republican and majority leader, was careful to pointedly note the many challenges facing the new team in Washington, perhaps a way of lowering expectations that unified Republican government will be able to achieve whatever it wants and what impatient constituents demand.

Republicans said they were not worried by Mr. Trumps tone or his harsh words about the government he took over, attributing it to the tried-and-true tactic of running against Washington.

It doesnt bother me, said Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee. Im looking forward to a president moving decision-making out of Washington, back to the states, back to the people.
Aside from the occasional appearance at a Broadway show or walk in the woods around her home in Chappaqua, N.Y., Mrs. Clinton has kept a low profile since her election loss in November. As her husband and daughter, Chelsea Clinton, dive into their efforts at the Clinton Foundation, Mrs. Clinton has given no signal about what she will do next. Shes just not there yet, said a friend who talked to her recently.

Asked how shes doing, Mrs. Clinton has told friends that she is surviving, said several people who have spoken with her but would describe the content of the private conversations only on the condition of anonymity.

Mrs. Clinton has pointed to the decision by the F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, to release a letter related to her private email server days before the election and to the Russian governments cyberattacks on Democratic targets as the reasons for her defeat.

In December, at an event in Manhattan to thank her top donors, Mrs. Clinton said the hacking attacks carried out by Russia were intended to undermine our democracy and were ordered by President Vladimir V. Putin because he has a personal beef against me.

Just as her candidacy divided many women, Mrs. Clintons attendance at the inauguration prompted mixed reactions.

To some, her presence was a reminder of the missteps of Mrs. Clintons campaign in a race that many Democrats considered hers to lose. Half a dozen elected officials who campaigned aggressively for Mrs. Clinton declined to comment when asked about her attendance on Friday.
WASHINGTON  Before ceding power, the Obama administration quietly removed a former extremist stronghold in Libya from a list of combat zones where United States counterterrorism drone strikes are authorized without obeying special rules intended to prevent civilian deaths, officials said on Friday.

The change means that as Donald J. Trumps presidency begins, the United States is targeting Islamist militants in three known areas of active hostilities, where strict guidelines to protect civilians do not apply: Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. For much of 2016, there was a fourth: The region around Surt, Libya.

It is not clear whether Mr. Trump will keep those civilian-protection rules  called the Presidential Policy Guidance, or P.P.G.  for airstrikes outside of active war zones. Issued by Mr. Obama in 2013, they require near certainty that a bombing will kill no civilians, and that the target must pose a threat to Americans  not just to American interests.

The Obama administration developed the guidelines in response to criticism that airstrikes were killing too many civilians, and in turn fueling anti-Americanism and helping terrorists recruit new members. But some military and C.I.A. officials have chafed under the limits.
The new president is a creature of habit who loves to control his working environment, and the day of pageantry obscured the change from private citizen to leader of the free world, which will begin in earnest on Saturday. One of the biggest shifts: Staff members have swapped out a new encrypted phone for his Android cellphone  his electronic Linus blanket  which had hundreds of numbers of associates from whom he seeks advice.

One friend of Mr. Trump said that his aides and security officials did not want him to text, and that some are urging him to forgo his personal Twitter account  a staple of his campaign  to use only the official @POTUS handle created by Mr. Obamas team and controlled by staff members.

Mr. Trump is resisting it, the friend said. The president polled the crowd from the stage at the second inaugural ball about what he should do and delighted in reminding people that he had defied his critics. At the first ball, he danced with the first lady, Melania Trump, to the Frank Sinatra song My Way after saying he found a moment at his swearing-in ceremony like from a movie set, so beautiful.

The day began for the new president with the ceremonial signing of the guest book at Blair House, the White House guest residence, before he crossed Pennsylvania Avenue for tea at the Executive Mansion with Mr. Obama, whose legitimacy as president he had questioned for years.
On the streets outside the security perimeter, protesters raged. But within the border, where school groups and bleary-eyed travelers watched the proceedings on Jumbotrons, one would scarcely have known of the opposition.

Washington became a microcosm of the unusual mixture of Americans who helped Donald J. Trump win the presidency. They came from the nearby suburbs, from the countrys moneyed enclaves and from rural communities in every direction. If the crowd was smaller than those in years past, it did not seem to bother anyone.

When Mr. Trump finally appeared on the West Front of the Capitol, a crowd that had been impatiently awaiting his arrival let forth with approval. When he spoke of transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you the people, they knew it had been worth the wait.

Politicians take us for granted, Coleman Sellers, 29, of Vienna, Va., had said an hour or so earlier. They say give us your vote, and then its, Im smarter than you, He added, Well, no, youre not. I can read. I can see whats going on in the world.
Scientists fear the online deletions will extend far beyond changes to introductory websites and into the realm of government data. Climate change data gathered and stored by the United States government is considered among the most authoritative in the world. But scientists worry the data will be deleted during the Trump administration.

Since Mr. Trumps election, about 50 scientists at universities around the country have volunteered their time  and computer servers  to save and store government data stored on the websites of the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, NOAA, and the United States Geological Survey. Those websites keep records of key climate data such as atmospheric temperature trends, greenhouse gas emissions levels, and sea level rise.

The scientist gatherings have been organized by 314 Action  a nonprofit group named for the first three numbers of the mathematical concept Pi  which aims to make science more accessible to the public.

The government has done a great job of collecting and maintaining climate change data on these websites located all across the federal government, said Shaughnessy Naughton, the founder of 314 Action. The concern is that the data may no longer be publicly available, and then that they may no longer gather the data. Its a lot easier to deny climate change when you dont have data.
SEOUL, South Korea  Two of President Park Geun-hyes closest aides, including her culture minister, were arrested Saturday on charges that they were involved in drawing up a blacklist of thousands of artists and writers deemed unfriendly to Ms. Park and excluding them from government-controlled support programs.

Ms. Parks powers have been suspended as she faces an impeachment trial on charges of corruption and abuse of power. The blacklisting of artists is another element of the case against Ms. Park in her impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. The court will decide in the coming months whether to end her presidency on the charges filed by the National Assembly on Dec. 9.

On Saturday, a special prosecutor investigating Ms. Parks case arrested Culture Minister Cho Yoon-sun and Kim Ki-choon, Ms. Parks former presidential chief of staff, on charges of abusing official power in connection with the blackballing of the artists.

Ms. Cho is the first sitting member of Ms. Parks cabinet to be arrested in the investigation.

Revelations about the blacklist have infuriated the public, prompting national introspection about South Koreas young democracy and its authoritarian past. Huge crowds of people who have marched in central Seoul on recent weekends demanding Ms. Parks impeachment have also called for the arrests of Ms. Cho and Mr. Kim.
DAVOS, Switzerland  When the chief executive of Saudi Arabias national oil and gas company mapped out a glowing future for fossil fuels at a discussion in Davos this past week, dissent came from an unexpected corner of the room.

We have to make a big push in renewables investment, urged Qiao Baoping, chairman of the energy giant China Guodian. We have commitments under the Paris accord which we cannot fail to fulfill, he said, referring to the climate deal passed in 2015.

Under the Obama administration, the United States took on a climate leadership role. But President Trump has threatened to quit the Paris climate deal, and within minutes of his taking office on Friday, the White House website removed a discussion of the threat of climate change and replaced it with a commitment to eliminate cornerstone environmental policies.

If the United States is willing to cede its role, however, there are plenty of countries happy to step up.
Dong has plenty of company. Statoil, the Norwegian fossil-fuel giant, has been aiming to get into the offshore business in the United States for years, and proposed in 2011 to build a farm off the Maine coast using floating platforms it had designed. The company withdrew the project two years later amid uncertainty over changing state policies, eventually deciding to build off the Scottish coast.

Now it is back, having won a 33-round auction to secure a 79,000-acre site south of Jones Beach on Long Island. Statoil beat out several other bidders, including the states energy agency, Dong and a subsidiary of Iberdrola, a leading energy company based in Spain. Statoil pledged $42.5 million for the lease, which still awaits final approval from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, far more than the $16 million generated by all earlier offshore wind auctions combined.

Theres a lot of companies starting to invest that had been wary of the U.S. offshore wind market and some of the initial lease sales, said Walter Cruickshank, acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. They have been coming to the table in a big way more recently.

The appeal of offshore winds as an energy source goes beyond their potential role in efforts to slow global warming. As people flock to coastal cities, where land is scarce and expensive, and conventional power plants are moving toward retirement, states have looked to add new forms of power production. Moving it out to sea has become more attractive, proponents say.

The countrys coasts, home to over half the population, offer some of the strongest wind resources in the world, creating, in theory, enough energy to provide roughly four times the power the nation now produces.

Though it is easier and cheaper to construct turbines on land, the East Coast in particular offers opportunity because of its strong winds and shallow waters, which means turbines can operate farther out to sea, and out of sight. The potential of offshore wind power converged with rising demand on Long Islands South Fork, where in areas like the Hamptons, commercial activity was rising and property owners were building larger houses, calling for more air-conditioning and more pool pumps.
Image Credit... Coley Brown for The New York Times

A smartphone, a laptop and other devices allow Deborah Schwarz of the LAC Group to get her work done while shes on the move. See how.

In charge and on the go

Were the parent company of five companies, all of which are involved in researching, storing and retrieving information for various industries. We have a suite in an office building in the Century City neighborhood for our recruiting and administrative staff, but I dont have an office there. I dont need one. I dont have a secretary or executive assistant, either, but I do delegate.

On location
Chelsey Paige Gates, the daughter of Jodi L. Stievelman of Delray Beach, Fla., and Donny Deutsch of New York, was married Jan. 21 to Matthew Gabriel Geula, the son of Joan A. Geula and Dr. Robert H. Geula of New York. Rabbi Rachel Aranoff officiated at the Pierre hotel in New York.

The bride, who is 29 and taking her husbands name, works in the garment industry in New York as a sales executive. She graduated from Syracuse. Her father, the former host of the CNBC talk show The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, is chairman emeritus of an advertising agency in New York and Los Angeles that bears his name. Her mother retired as the owner of Shes Anything but Plain, a womens accessories store in Westport, Conn.

The groom, 28, is an optician in a private practice in New York that he shares with his father, who is an optometrist. The groom also graduated from Syracuse and received an associate degree in optical dispensing from the New York City College of Technology. His mother is an independent real estate agent, also in New York.

The couple met in summer 2008 at a restaurant in Southampton, N.Y. Ms. Gates, who was sitting at a table with two friends, was approached by Mr. Geula, who was the waiter assigned to her table.
It was a legal battle worthy of a Federation starship taking on a Klingon destroyer.

On one side was Axanar Productions, which raised $1 million to make an amateur fan film called Axanar that was influenced by an episode from Star Trek, the popular science-fiction television series that originally was broadcast from 1966-69.

On the other side: Paramount Pictures Corporation and CBS Studios, which own the copyrights for the six Star Trek television series and 13 movies.

Axanar was the brainchild of Alec Peters of Los Angeles, an avid Star Trek fan. He was 8 years old when its show time moved to 10 p.m. So he could watch an episode, his mother put him to bed at 8 p.m. and woke him two hours later.

Axanar Productions made a 20-minute movie called Prelude to Axanar that was posted on YouTube in 2014 and was meant to be a springboard to a 90-minute movie called Axanar.
3. We all need to get our act together  Democrats, make it clear youre protesting values, not the position of the presidency. We owe it to our democracy to respect that Donald Trump is president without question. That said, Republicans, you cant be hypocrites here. If there is conclusive evidence from our intelligence agencies that Russia interfered with our elections, we need to investigate that. Next time it may not work out in your favor. If being conservative means sticking to your values, prove it here. Keep our democracy great.

And to you, President Trump, I sincerely hope you will extend a hand out to the majority of the country that did not vote for you. Acknowledge their concerns and speak of peace. Its over ... we all need to move on and get to work.

 T. in Boston.
Donald J. Trumps Inaugural Address had moments of what we could call rhetoric. The bit about the kid in Detroit and the kid on the windswept plains of Nebraska  black and white, get it?  looking up at the same night sky. Overall, though, there was the air of a diligent adolescent trying to put something down on paper but not quite hitting the mark. America is totally unstoppable sounds like a schoolyard brag. We will bring back our borders  where did they go? The very sad depletion of our military  its impossible to imagine Barack Obama, or even George W. Bush, phrasing it that way in a written speech.

His audience liked the applause lines, as they always do. But its hard to resist laughing at Trumpian syntax. I am given to indulging in it with a finger of bourbon after long days. My favorite so far is this insight from a South Carolina rally in 2015:

Look, having nuclear  my uncle was a great professor and scientist and engineer, Dr. John Trump at M.I.T.; good genes, very good genes, O.K., very smart, the Wharton School of Finance, very good, very smart  you know, if youre a conservative Republican, if I were a liberal, if, like, O.K. 

The truth is that President Trumps choppy, rambling self-expression is not so exotic. A great many thoroughly intelligent people talk more like Donald Trump than they might know. Whats new is that someone who talks like this in public has become the president of the United States. Yet it isnt surprising, and if we are not to spend the next four to eight years alternating between exasperation and confusion as he sounds off, we need to learn a new way of listening.



The false starts, jumpy inserts and repetition  speech as montage  are all typical of casual speech as opposed to written language. The endless emphasis (Believe me, big league) is as well. All humans festoon their talk tic-style with assurances of sincerity such as really and totally.
Yet when I say that I have lost the America I knew, Im not talking about policy, or even fundamental rights, disorienting as their loss would be. I mean a greater, almost spiritual faith that I had in my fellow citizens and their better instincts, something that served as my north star in all I wrote and all I did.

When I watched the debates and the conventions this year, my thoughts kept going back to my parents, neither of whom lived to see this election. They would have been staggered by the sheer, pounding vulgarity of it all. They were both political moderates, who voted Republican as well as Democratic, and who like most of us never paid all that much attention to politics outside the few weeks before an election. But the phenomenon of Donald J. Trump  a man who says he has never asked God for forgiveness, who refers to the Eucharist with characteristic humility (I drink my little wine, which is about the only wine I drink, and have my little cracker"), who mocks our military heroes, who lumbers about a stage proclaiming, I alone can fix it!, who dismissed a working man after the election with a tweet that read in part, Spend more time working  less talking  would have been incomprehensible to them. They would have thought themselves transported to some other time and country, maybe another dimension. As do I.

I have listened to all the blame foisted on the Clinton campaign for doing this or that wrong, or the media for not exposing Mr. Trump, or for giving him too much airtime. I dont buy it. Hillary Clintons campaign wasnt that bad, and Mr. Trump was exposed enough for any thinking adult to see exactly what he is.

From assorted commentators I have heard that it is unfair or condescending to say that all Trump voters were racists, or sexists, or that they hated foreigners. All right. But if they were not, they were willing to accept an awful lot of racism and sexism and xenophobia in the deal they made with their champion, and demanded precious few particulars in return. Lately Mr. Trump has endorsed the comparison of his personal populist movement with Andrew Jacksons, and it is true that there was much that was racist and ignorant at the heart of Jacksonian democracy. For their love, the followers of Old Hickory demanded the destruction of Native American civilization in the South, and the furthering of slavery westward. This cruel bargain won Jackson voters land, and thus the vote. What have those who embraced Mr. I Alone Can Fix It obtained, save for the vague, grandiose promise, renewed in his inaugural, that they will soon start winning again, winning like never before? Or  worse  Mr. Trumps vow to end political correctness and make this, at least rhetorically, the same white mans America it was in Jacksons time?

I know that Mr. Trump was elected, in part, because too many people were still hurting in this economy, from the terrible disruptions of their lives and their communities over the last 25 years. I have been poor and desperate myself, and I know what that feels like. In their giddy rush to globalization and the paper economy, too many liberal  and conservative  leaders have made the same mistake that they made in Vietnam, when they tried to palm that misbegotten conflict off on the poor and the working class. They have forgotten  again  that this great nation will endure and will prosper only if we all prosper together.

Yet that is no excuse for what we did last November.

Throughout our history, Americans have encountered economic shocks much worse than anything we know today, and with many fewer resources at their disposal. American working people have agency, they are plenty educated, and in past crises they rejected the extremism that other nations turned to. Even in the Great Depression they did not succumb to the ideologies of Fascism and Communism sweeping the world. When the system seemed broken in the past, when the elites and the major parties seemed irretrievably corrupt and deaf to their appeals, their response was to build true democratic movements from the ground up, and to push them on to victory even if that took decades.
The Chinese Constitution is clear about the rule of law. No organization or individual is privileged to be beyond the Constitution or other laws, declares Article 5. And Article 126 says, The peoples courts exercise judicial power independently, in accordance with the provisions of law, and not subject to interference by any administrative organ, public organization or individual.

But dont fall into the trap of believing that this means the law is above the Communist Party, warns Chinas top judge. Speaking to a national conference of court officials on Jan. 14, Zhou Qiang, the head of the Supreme Peoples Court of China, left no doubt that Chinas legal system is not independent of party rule. He called on judges to show the sword against erroneous Western notions like judicial independence, separation of powers and constitutional democracy.

That the Communist Party has been above the law since the founding of Communist China is nothing new. But the stern admonition, from a leader who had been perceived as sympathetic to Chinas slow and bumpy progress toward an independent judiciary, dismayed reformers in China and abroad. In an online post that quickly vanished from the internet, He Weifang, a legal scholar at Peking University, lamented that the statement truly goes against history.

Chief Justice Zhous comments were all the more noteworthy coming just as President Xi Jinping and a large delegation of Chinese leaders prepared to descend on the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to general plaudits as the new champions of globalization and global trade. At home, Mr. Xi has increasingly cracked down on critics, human rights lawyers and nonprofit organizations.
There are two common views among journalists about the fate of our profession under the presidency of Donald Trump. The first is that ours is an age of maximal danger for the freedom of the press, that Trumps war on newspapers and networks will escalate from tweets to Erdoganian crackdowns, that truly independent journalism will be marginalized while the White House breeds a lap dog press.

The second is that this will be a golden age for the media, offering reporters a chance to shake free from access journalism and source-greasing and actually do their job in full, while finding in a Trump-fearing country the audience for serious investigative journalism that many believed had vanished with the internet.

As the press eases into covering President Trump, however, I have a different worry. Mainstream journalism in this strange era may be freer than the fearful anticipate, but not actually better as the optimists expect. Instead, the press may be tempted toward  and richly rewarded for  a kind of hysterical oppositionalism, a mirroring of Trumps own tabloid style and disregard for truth.

This mirroring is a broad danger, applying to more institutions than the press. Trump comes to power as a destroyer of norms, a flouter of conventions, and everyone will be tempted to join the carnival  to escalate when he escalates, to radicalize whenever he turns authoritarian. The cycle of norm-breaking that began with Robert Borks defeated nomination or Newt Gingrichs ascent (depending on your politics) may escalate on both sides of the aisle. Left-wing protest movements will be tempted more easily toward both absurdity and violence. Deep state institutions will be tempted to become more restive and politicized. Politicians will be tempted, like Marco Rubio talking about Trumps manhood on the campaign trail, into surrendering their dignity in an effort to be at home in Trumpland.
I was attracted to the people who kind of broke the traditional stereotype of what we think of Scandinavians, said Jake Michaels, a photographer from Los Angeles, who spent part of last month in Copenhagen. Here are some street looks that made an impression.
Such objects could be either beneficial or dangerous, depending on whether they decided to serve their creators or turn against them, either of their own volition or through the black arts of others.

We now live in a world where objects once again have life. We can talk to them and they can answer back, as is the case with Alexa and Siri and their digital kin. With their help we can control and organize the world around us: We can make sure our homes are safe, turn lights and appliances on or off, summon a taxi or order food from a restaurant. Little by little we are transferring to these technologies the tasks that we used to do ourselves, and at the same time, we are giving them control over our surroundings.

The internet of things is made up of billions of everyday devices connected for convenience to the web. Last fall, hackers attacked this network, commandeering as many as 100,000 of these devices by using malicious software that guessed at their simple, factory-set passwords, and then ordering them to send volleys of nuisance messages to the computers of a company called Dyn, which functions as a sort of switchboard for the internet. That was enough to cripple many major websites, including Twitter and Netflix. We have given life to these things, but now we know that they do not obey only us.

There are alternative interpretations of the Moche ceramic paintings, and some researchers do not see a sinister component. But the paintings have an echo in a myth collected in central Peru in the early 17th century. In the myth, the sun dies, the world is plunged into darkness and household objects and domesticated animals revolt: Mortars and grinding stones eat people, and llamas drive humans.

Andean people before the conquest created a philosophical and spiritual system built around the concepts of duality and transformation  light versus darkness, order versus chaos.

The modern world is full of such opportunities for chaos, often created by humans and the increasing sophistication and technology-centeredness of modern life. A solar flare has the potential to disrupt electrical networks. A tsunami can flood a nuclear reactor. The digitalization of stock markets leads to flash crashes. Russian hackers stealing Democratic Party emails seek to influence an American presidential election.

Order gives way to chaos. The internet of things turns on its makers.

The Moche culture collapsed around A.D. 850. The reasons are not clear, but the collapse was most likely a result of the Moches inability to cope with a hostile and perhaps changing environment, including the failure of their technology, knowledge and institutions to help them overcome those challenges. We can be certain that the technology they created did not rebel against them. But neither did it save them when they needed it the most.
The National Park Service said on Saturday it regretted having retweeted two Twitter posts, including one comparing the size of crowds at President Trumps inauguration on Friday with President Obamas in 2009.

After retweeting the posts at issue, both of which originated from nongovernment accounts, the agency stopped its Twitter activity for several hours on Friday and Saturday.

Out of an abundance of caution, while we investigated the situation involving these tweets, the Department of Interiors communications team determined that it was important to stand down Twitter activity, Tom Crosson, a National Park Service spokesman, said in a statement. The Park Service is part of the Interior Department.

According to CNN, the Interior Department circulated an email to employees on Friday saying that representatives of the Trump administration had ordered the shutdown.
WASHINGTON  Hours after President Trump took his oath on Friday, the Justice Department issued an opinion saying that his appointment of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a senior White House adviser would be lawful despite a federal antinepotism law.

In a 14-page opinion signed on Friday, a longtime career lawyer in the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel said that the presidents special hiring authority exempted White House positions from a 1967 law barring the president from employing relatives at a federal agency.

Some legal experts had raised concerns that Mr. Kushners appointment violated that law, which Congress enacted several years after President John F. Kennedy had appointed his brother Robert as attorney general.

But the new Justice Department opinion, signed by Daniel L. Koffsky, a deputy assistant attorney general in the legal counsel office, said Mr. Trump had the power to appoint Mr. Kushner anyway because of a subsequent 1978 law that gives the president the authority to appoint White House staff members without regard to other laws restricting employment and compensation of federal employees.
WASHINGTON  One topic has dominated conversations among elected Republicans since President Trumps stunning victory: Will he actually pursue his campaign agenda of big-government nationalism, all but obliterating the liberal-conservative distinctions that have defined Americas political parties for a century?

While some of his advisers suggested that he would slip back into a more conventional Republican approach, Mr. Trump dropped hints in interviews, Twitter posts and other public comments that he intended to push his party away from its free-market, internationalist dogma on trade, foreign alliances, immigration, infrastructure spending and prescription drug access.

The hints are over.

An inaugural speech delivered with the same blunt force that propelled Mr. Trumps insurgent campaign has dashed Republican hopes for a more traditional agenda. With his new decree, he declared himself modern Americas first populist president  and all but dared his own party to resist his Republican reformation.

Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families, he said.
Aides said they hoped to group Mr. Trumps executive actions thematically for maximum impact. They gave few other details, though some advisers suggested that executive actions on illegal immigration could be among the first issued after the inaugural weekend.

Advocates for undocumented workers are anxiously waiting to see what Mr. Trump will do.

If he moves aggressively, he could immediately overturn Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA  the program Mr. Obama created to protect young immigrants who were brought illegally to the United States as children, giving them legal status and access to work permits. Ending that program would put as many as 800,000 of them at risk of being removed from their families and sent to the countries they had left as children.

The White House could instead unwind the program slowly, giving the young people, often called Dreamers, more time before their immigration protections and work permits expire. Senator Richard J. Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, said on Friday that in a brief conversation with the new president, Mr. Trump had given him assurances about the program.

The president, Mr. Durbin said, told him that we dont want to hurt those kids; were going to do something.

Thank goodness he said that, the senator added.

The president could also order federal agents to conduct workplace raids to crack down on immigration violations. He could take action against so-called sanctuary cities, those that shield undocumented immigrants from deportation. Or he could issue an order reinstating a program known as Secure Communities, in which the local authorities cooperated with federal agencies to detect and deport illegal immigrants.
Sometimes Ill be walking through the city and Ill see a child and think, Hey, wait a second. What are you doing here? said Courtney Nam, who works downtown at a tech start-up. You dont really see that many kids.

There is one statistic that the citys natives have heard too many times. San Francisco, population 865,000, has roughly the same number of dogs as children: 120,000. In many areas of the city, pet grooming shops seem more common than schools.

In an interview last year, Peter Thiel, the billionaire Silicon Valley investor and a co-founder of PayPal, described San Francisco as structurally hostile to families.

Prohibitive housing costs are not the only reason there are relatively few children. A public school system of uneven quality, the attractiveness of the less-foggy suburbs to families, and the large number of gay men and women, many of them childless, have all played roles in the decline in the number of children, which began with white flight from the city in the 1970s. The tech boom now reinforces the notion that San Francisco is a place for the young, single and rich.

If you get to the age that youre going to have kids in San Francisco and you havent made your million  or more  you probably begin to think you have to leave, said Richard Florida, an expert in urban demographics and author of The Rise of the Creative Class.

Mr. Florida sees a larger national trend. Jobs in America have become more specialized and the countrys demography has become more segmented, he says. Technology workers who move to San Francisco and Silicon Valley anticipate long hours and know they may have to put off having families.

Its a statement on our age that in order to make it in our more advanced, best and most-skilled industries you really have to sacrifice, Mr. Florida said. And the sacrifice may be your family.
SWAKOPMUND, Namibia  The statue, depicting a German marine holding a rifle in his hands and standing guard over a dying comrade, has stood undisturbed for decades in the most prominent spot in Swakopmund, a city on Namibias coast.

It has survived the end of colonial rule in this corner of southern Africa, the subsequent occupation by apartheid South Africa, independence in 1990 and the present government by the black majority.

But a few months ago protesters spilled red paint over the monument, which stands in front of a colonial building that is now known as the State House and serves as the summer residence of Namibias president.

The statue, known as the Marine Denkmal, was erected in 1908 to commemorate soldiers who helped crush a rebellion against German colonial rule by the Herero and Nama ethnic groups, a war that led to what Germanys current government is close to recognizing as a genocide.
BANJUL, Gambia  As a military band played, the defeated president of Gambia, who had set off a tense standoff by refusing to step down after his election loss, left the country on Saturday night, boarding a flight that would send him into exile.

Teary supporters gathered at the airport to usher off the former leader, Yahya Jammeh, as he finally let go of the presidency, two days after a new president, Adama Barrow, was inaugurated in nearby Senegal, where he had fled out of fears for his safety.

Mr. Jammeh, who seized power in a coup in 1994, arrived at the airport in Banjul, the capital, in his Rolls-Royce and dressed in all white. A military band played the national anthem and a song it had composed just for him that it often played to accompany his journeys. Mr. Jammeh walked slowly toward a waiting airplane, shaking hands with a line of people and escorted by Alpha Conde, the president of Guinea. A Quran in one hand, he waved with the other to the crowd.
KABUL, Afghanistan  The United Nations on Saturday issued an appeal for more than half a billion dollars in humanitarian aid to Afghans feeling the brunt of an intensifying conflict, with officials saying that a staggering one-third of the countrys population would require assistance in the year ahead.

As violence spread across Afghanistan in 2016, about 1,700 people per day were displaced from their homes, reaching a record annual figure of over 600,000, the United Nations said. Hundreds of thousands also returned from neighboring Pakistan, many of them becoming displaced in their own country because their home districts were not safe to return to.

The number of people in need of assistance stands at 9.3 million, a 13 percent increase from the previous year, the United Nations said.

Mark Bowden, the United Nations humanitarian aid coordinator in Afghanistan, said that the country faced an exceptional challenge and that the scale of its population movement is second only to Syrias.
BEIJING  It seemed that Chinas censors had finally muzzled Yang Jisheng, the famed chronicler of the Mao era. Last year, he had finished writing a widely anticipated history of the Cultural Revolution. But officials warned him against publishing it and barred him from traveling to the United States, he has said, and he stayed muted through the 50th anniversary of the start of that bloody upheaval.

Now Mr. Yang has broken that silence with the publication of his history of the Cultural Revolution, The World Turned Upside Down, a sequel to Tombstone, his landmark study of the famine spawned by Maos policies in the late 1950s. The 1,151-page book is the latest shot fired in Chinas war over remembering, or forgetting, the dark side of its Communist past, a struggle that has widened under the hard-line president, Xi Jinping.

I wrote this book to expose lies and restore the truth, Mr. Yang writes in the book, which has been quietly published in Hong Kong, beyond the direct reach of Chinese censors. This is an area that is extremely complicated and risky, but as soon as I entered it, I was filled with passion.

Since Mr. Xi took power in 2012, the Communist Party authorities have denounced historians who question the partys lionization of its past and exhume grim events like the Cultural Revolution, which Mao started in 1966, opening a decade of purges and bloodshed.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan  A bombing killed at least 20 people on Saturday during an auction at a vegetable market in a mostly Shiite town in northwestern Pakistan, ending a long lull in militant violence there, officials said.

At least 43 people were wounded in the morning bombing in Parachinar, capital of the Kurram tribal region, which borders Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

I was in my shop when a deafening blast shook the market, a Parachinar resident, Hussain Ali Tori, said by telephone. I have seen dozens of shattered bodies lying on the ground. Some were dead, and many were crying for help.

A Taliban spokesman, Muhammad Khurasani, said a suicide bomber had carried out the attack, but a Kurram official, Nasrullah Khan, said the bomb appeared to have been planted in a crate. The place is always crowded, said Mr. Khan, a deputy administrator.
MEXICO CITY  There was dismay in Britain, applause in Russia and silence in Japan. French populists found hope, Mexican leaders expressed concern and Germanys vice chancellor offered an allusion to his countrys dark past.

In his first speech as president of the United States, Donald J. Trump showed the world he could be as divisive abroad as he is at home. His vow to place America first  and his threat to upend longstanding alliances, trade deals and many other tenets of the liberal democratic order the nation has chosen for nearly 70 years  was received across the globe with fear, silence and glee, sometimes within the same country.

In searching for a historical analogy, some in Britain reached back to the 1930s, when a bleaker vision of the world prevailed with America on the sidelines. China imposed unusually tight state control over coverage of the inaugural, though state media highlighted violent protests in the United States. In the Philippines, nationalists set fire to an effigy of Mr. Trump, while the countrys president welcomed his American counterparts apparent willingness to stop telling other leaders how to govern.

In Britain, Prime Minister Theresa May said she would tell a skeptical Mr. Trump how important NATO and the European Union are for European and world stability. With the threats we face, its not the time for less cooperation, Mrs. May, who is supposed to travel to Washington soon, told The Financial Times.
SOFIA, Bulgaria  The inaugural meeting of the European Trump Society packed the central aisle of a bookstore in Bulgarias capital, Sofia, on Friday evening  women in furs, men in ski jackets, the floor glistening with melted snow. A live feed from the crowded steps of the United States Capitol filled a projection screen on the back wall.

The election of Mr. Trump means Youre fired! to the political elites in America and the world, declared Boris Angelov, a tabloid editor and a founder of the society, which is strictly Bulgarian at the moment but has wider aspirations.

Ilia Lingorski, a former deputy finance minister, shouted from the crowd, Bulgaria desperately needs its own Trump movement.

The inauguration of Donald J. Trump as Americas 45th president, with declarations of America first, was met with alarm in many corners of the world.
888poker 2017 Super XL Series Day 1: Canadian "Mindcrushers" Wins Opening Event for $28,224

January 20, 2017 Eric Mertens Jason Glatzer Editor

It must have been a good feeling for tournament players when they woke up on Thursday. It was time for the start of the latest edition of the 2017 Super XL Series on the second largest online poker room 888poker. On the first day of the series, three tournaments started resulting in three winners from three different countries. Let's see the results!

$109 Event #1: $80,000 Super XL - Opening Event

Buy-in Date Players Prizepool $100+9 Jan. 19 392 $117,600

After over 10 hours of play, Canada's "Mindcrushers" won the $109 Event #1: $80,000 Super XL - Opening Event For $28,224. The opening event attracted 1,033 players and 535 rebuys to generate a $156,800 prize pool or almost double the $80,000 guarantee.

Place Player Prize 1 Mindcrushers $28,224 2 climbndream $20,117 3 trojanmouse $15,053 4 LrdofDonkTwn $11,290 5 Luis "pegAAmigo" Dono $7,840 6 silskyer $6,272 7 TheMulletman $4,704 8 liincownz $3,136 9 Chris "888Moorman" Moorman $1,882

Among those in the field were a pair of 888poker Ambassadors including Germany's Natalie "888NatalieH" Hof and United Kingdom's Chris "888Moorman" Moorman.

While Hof was eliminated just shy of the money, Moorman managed a deep run all the way to the final table where he exited the tournament in ninth place to collect $1,882 after his ace-jack proved to be no match for the pocket queens held by MindCrushers.

After Moorman was eliminated, Brazil's "liincownz" (eighth - $3,136), "TheMulletman" (seventh - $4,704) and Poland's "silskyer" (sixth - $6,272) were all eliminated in quick succession.

Luis "pegAAmigo" Dono was then eliminated by "climbndream" in fifth place for $7,840 when his ace-nine was unable to catch up to his opponent's ace-jack. About half an hour later, Mexico's "LrdofDonkTwn" was eliminated in fourth place for $11,289.60 when his ace-five was crushed by Mindcrushers' ace-jack.

Without too much delay, play was heads up after trojanmouse got it all in with ace-nine and was subsequently eliminated in third place for $15,053 against climbndream who held ace-king.

Mindcrushers entered heads-up play with an almost five-to-one chip advantage. However, climbndream battled back to eventually take a four-to-one chip advantage himself. Mindcrushers was able to retake the lead, this time for good when he or she hit a straight after going all in with queen-jack against his opponent's ace-five. Mindcrushers eliminated climbndream in second place for $20,117 after his queen-ten was able to edge out his opponent's ace-jack.

$12 Event #2: $15,000 Super XL - Mini Opening Event

Buy-in Date Players Prizepool $10+2 Jan. 19 2,099 $36,133.50

For the players who couldn't afford the bigger opening event ($109), there was a smaller tournament starting just a minute later. The buy-in for this event was just $12 and a total of 2,099 players registered to create a prize pool of $36,133.50. The winner awaited a prize of $5,709.09 while 252 players would cash at least $32.52 to make the money.

This time the only 888poker ambassador playing the tournament was Natalie "888NatalieH" Hof. She busted in 1,343rd place, far from reaching the money. Hours after Hof busted, the final table with nine players cashed a minimum prize of $422.76 was reached.

This was the most "certhh" could get because he finished in ninth. He was followed to the rail by "MikiDave" (eighth - $683), "nueces.es" (seventh - $1,019) and "buxi1234" (sixth - $1,366). After that, Slovenian player "Roda_PFC23" left in fifth place for $1,713 while "Jupp.shippts" from Austria took fourth for $2,331.

In the end "WestHamUn" would miss the deciding heads-up, as he lost all his chips in third place. He got $3,104 for his deep run, while "smaryk" and "jobsster" played the final heads-up to become an 888poker Super XL winner. Germany's jobsster defeated his Latvian opponent to secure himself the victory and the first place prize of $5,709.

Place Player Prize 1 jobsster $5,709 2 samryk $4,285 3 WestHamUn $3,104 4 Jupp_shippts $2,331 5 Roda_PFC23 $1,713 6 buxi1234 $1,366 7 nueces.es $1,019 8 MikiDave $683 9 certhh $423

$55 Event #3: $20,000 Super XL - Turbo Opening Event

Buy-in Date Players Prizepool $50+5 Jan. 19 685 $47,800

For the fans of fast-paced action, there was also a Turbo Opening Event with a buy-in of $55. A total of 685 players registered to create a total prize pool of $47,800.

Again only one 888poker ambassador played in this tournament and it was the finalist of the opening event: Chris "888Moorman" Moorman. This time he didn't come near the money; the Brit finished in 201st place for a total of zero dollars.

Another finalist of the opening event did reach his second final table of the day. Czech Republic's trojanmouse, who also finished third in the first event of the day, made it to the final nine and ended his second deep run in fifth for a total of $2,510. Before that, the tournament said goodbye to "Crymearive", "therudimeer", "Rodisking" and "backdown8", who all made a nice profit.

After the elimination of trojanmouse, "inexperiente" left in fourth for $3,585. Frederico "VitorBrasil" Conca Silva went down in third for $4,780 and Egor "Omfg72oAgain" Boriskin was left to play the deciding heads-up against "Ozzy_M". The latter defeated his Russian opponent to secure himself of victory, the top prize of $8,963 and the honors of being an 888poker Super XL Series winner!

Leaderboard

After the first day, the leaderboard is as followed with Event #1 winner, Mindcrushers, currently leading the way:

Place Player Country Points 1 Mindcrushers Canada 351.15 2 trojanmouse Czech Republic 288.72 3 jobsster Germany 268.69 4 Ozzy_M Poland 235.57 5 clmbndream Colombia 230.52 6 samryk Latvia 201.89 7 Omfg72oAgain Russia 176.78 8 Luis "pegAAmigo" Dono Czech Republic 174.28 9 LrdofDonkTwn Mexico 163.00 10 Jupp_shippts Austria 156.07

Upcoming Tournaments

Date Time (GMT) Event Buy-in Jan. 20 19:00 Event #4 $20,000 Super XL - Twins Royal $55 19:00 Event #5 $20,000 Super XL - Twins Flush $55 Jan. 21 16:00 Event #6 $40,000 Super XL - Octopus $215 17:40 Event #7 $20,000 Super XL - Saturday R&A $55 19:00 Event #8 $80,000 Super XL - Crazy 8 $88 19:00 Event #9 $15,000 Super XL - Mini Crazy 8 $8.80 19:35 Event #10 $25,000 Super XL - Saturday Challenge $55 21:00 Event #11 $15,000 Super XL - Turbo Crazy 8 $55 Jan. 22 15:45 Event #12 $35,000 Super XL - Sunday Breeze $55 17:30 Event #13 $150,000 Super XL - Mega Deep $215 18:00 Event #14 $250,000 Super XL - Tune Up $160 18:00 Event #15 $50,000 Super XL - Mini Tune Up $12 18:30 Event #16 $35,000 Super XL - Sunday Monsoon $55 19:00 Event #17 $200,000 Super XL - Whale $600 19:35 Event #18 $100,000 Super XL - Sunday Challenge $90 20:30 Event #19 $50,000 Super XL - Turbo Mega Deep $215 19:35 Mega Satellite to Main Event - 15 seats GTD $160 21:00 Event #20 $30,000 Super XL - Turbo Tune Up $55 22:00 Event #21 $10,000 Super XL - Super Turbo Tune Up $75
888poker 2017 Super XL Series Day 2: Renato "curioso24" Lezama Makes Two Final Tables

January 21, 2017 Eric Mertens

The first weekend of the 888poker 2017 Super XL Series is coming up, preceded by a quiet second day of the series on Friday. There were only two tournaments on the schedule. Who started his weekend with a nice payday on 888poker? Let's have look!

Event #4 $20,000 Super XL - Twins Royal

Buy-in Date Players Prizepool $50+5 Jan. 20 764 $38,200

The first tournament of the second day was the $20,000 Super XL - Twins Royal, which had a buy-in of $50+5. In total 764 players registered for event number four of the 888poker 2017 Super XL Series to create a total prize pool of $38,200.

Place Player Prize 1 AMG_people $7,009.70 2 PuntSonPunt $5,004.20 3 YourNotSure $3,781.80 4 tonbezerra $2,845.90 5 spaarky777 $1,986,40 6 drkorn718 $1,604.60 7 frisni $1,222.40 8 Renato "curioso24" Lezama $840,40 9 Whispering_w $496,60

None of the 888poker Ambassadors played in this tournament, all probably taking a day off before a huge weekend on 888poker. Gary "grunner777" Runner almost made it to the final table of this event, but he finished in 10th position to become the final table bubble for $420.20.

Renato "curioso24" Lezama managed to make the final table, but he busted right after "Whispering_w" finished in ninth place. Lezama finished in eight place and got $840.40 for his result. After those bustouts, the tournament lost "frisni" (seventh - $1,222.40), "drkorn718" (sixth - $1,604.60), "spaarky777" (fifth - $1,986,40) and "tonbezerra" (fourth - $2,845.90) to reach the final three.

"YourNotSure" missed out on the deciding heads-up to finish in third for $3,781.80. The battle for victory was won by "AMG_people" to secure himself $7,009.70 while runner-up "PuntSonPunt" got $5,004.20 for his or her efforts.

Event #5: $20,000 Super XL - Twins Flush

Buy-in Date Players Prizepool $50+5 Jan. 20 694 $34,700

The second and last tournament on Day 2 of the 888poker 2017 Super XL Series was the $20,000 Super XL - Twins Flush. Six-hundred-and-ninety-four players registered for this tournament to create a prize pool of $34,700, almost double the guarantee of $20,000.

Place Player Prize 1 P0vorachivay $6,506.25 2 tttexa $4,684.50 3 R0bis5s $3,470 4 Renato "curioso24" Lezama $2,602.50 5 youremagical $1,821.75 6 lukaslagey $1,474.75 7 Yurec1707 $1,127.75 8 Achileys34 $780.75 9 bjovui96 $489.27

888poker had a special promotion on Day 2 of the series with extra prizes for players who could cash, make the final table or win both tournaments. If a player could manage to win both they would win themselves $100,000! This almost impossible achievement wasn't managed by one player, but there was a story on Day 2.

After having finished in eight place in Event #4, Renato "curioso24" Lezama got himself a seat on the final table of Event #5 as well. He got a $2,100 seat for the High Roller-event and a $1,050 Main Event-ticket for that feat! After making his second final table of the day he got to take fourth place in this tournament for $2,602.50.

Following him to the rail was Latvian player "R0bis5s" who finished third for $3,470. The heads-up between "P0vorachivay" and "tttexa" was won by the Russian and for that he got $6,506.26 in prize money. tttxea from Ukraine couldn't complain because he got $4,684.50 for his second-place finish.

Leaderboard

After the second day, the leaderboard is as follows with Event #4 winner, AMG_people, currently leading the way. Renato "curioso24" Lezama is now in sixth place after reaching those two final tables:

Place Player Country Points 1 AMG_people Ukraine 352.16 2 Mindcrushers Canada 351.15 3 trojanmouse Czech Republic 329.29 4 Ozzy_M Poland 268.73 5 Jobsster Germany 268.69 6 Curioso24 Peru 247.61 7 P0vorachivay Russian Federation 235.31 8 clmbndream Colombia 230.52 9 PuntSonPunt Czech Republic 223.35 10 VitorBrasil Brazil 202.56

Upcoming Tournaments

Date Time (GMT) Event Buy-in Jan. 21 16:00 Event #6 $40,000 Super XL - Octopus $215 17:40 Event #7 $20,000 Super XL - Saturday R&A $55 19:00 Event #8 $80,000 Super XL - Crazy 8 $88 19:00 Event #9 $15,000 Super XL - Mini Crazy 8 $8.80 19:35 Event #10 $25,000 Super XL - Saturday Challenge $55 21:00 Event #11 $15,000 Super XL - Turbo Crazy 8 $55 Jan. 22 15:45 Event #12 $35,000 Super XL - Sunday Breeze $55 17:30 Event #13 $150,000 Super XL - Mega Deep $215 18:00 Event #14 $250,000 Super XL - Tune Up $160 18:00 Event #15 $50,000 Super XL - Mini Tune Up $12 18:30 Event #16 $35,000 Super XL - Sunday Monsoon $55 19:00 Event #17 $200,000 Super XL - Whale $600 19:35 Event #18 $100,000 Super XL - Sunday Challenge $90 20:30 Event #19 $50,000 Super XL - Turbo Mega Deep $215 19:35 Mega Satellite to Main Event - 15 seats GTD $160 21:00 Event #20 $30,000 Super XL - Turbo Tune Up $55 22:00 Event #21 $10,000 Super XL - Super Turbo Tune Up $75 Jan. 23 19:00 Event #22 $15,000 Super XL - Omaha Event $109 19:00 Event #23 $5,000 Super XL - Mini Omaha Event $12 19:35 Event #24 $10,000 Super XL - Monday Royal $22 19:35 Event #25 $10,000 Super XL - Monday Flush $22 20:00 Event #26 $15,000 Super XL - Snap Event $55 20:00 Event #27 $5,000 Super XL - Mini Snap Event $5
James Chen Wins Biggest Aussie Millions $25K Ever for AUD$861,840

January 21, 2017 Frank Op de Woerd

The year couldn't have started any better for James Chen from Taiwan. Coming from a high roller win in the Macau Poker Cup in September of last year, he was heading for Australia with a good feeling and some cash in his pocket. He played the $2,500 H.O.R.S.E. event last week and won it for AUD$39,700 ($29,322). He parlayed that win into a ticket for the $25,000 Challenge and turned it into a straight out win worth a massive AUD$861,840. His name will go into the record books as the winner of the biggest $25,000 poker tournament on Australian soil ever.

Position Player Country Prize in AUD$ Prize in $ 1 James Chen Taiwan AUD$861,840 $648,098 2 Brandon Adams United States AUD$590,520 $444,067 3 Antoine Saout France AUD$383,040 $288,032 4 John Juanda Indonesia AUD$287,280 $216,024 5 Ryan D'Angelo United States AUD$207,480 $156,017 6 Nick Petrangelo United States AUD$143,640 $108,012

Bubbling

The second day of the $25,000 Challenge of the 2017 Aussie Millions saw 25 players out of 133 entries return to the poker room at Crown Casino. With just 14 players finishing in the money, it promised to be an exciting day. The day lived up to the highest of expectations with plenty of action right from the get-go when the tournament director announced the shuffle up and deal at 2:30 p.m.

Dan Shak, Jason Pritchard and Sam Higgs were just some of the early exits. Another player to head to the rail well before the money stage of the tournament commenced was defending champion Chance Kornuth. He got it in with ace-three against ace-king and did not get any help from the board.

Help sometimes comes from unexpected sources, and for Hall, it was Claas Segebrecht who brought solace.

As familiar high rollers like Stephen Chidwick and Martin Kozlov hit the rail, the bubble got closer and closer. Cate Hall found herself getting short and made several short trips to other tables to see if there were others with just as few chips. Every time, she returned to her seat disappointed as no one was in such dire straits as she was.

But help sometimes comes from unexpected sources, and for Hall it was Claas Segebrecht who brought solace. The German player jammed for 26 big blinds over Antoine Saout's small blind open. Big stack Saout had been active and him raising didn't necessarily mean much of anything, but the Frenchman had kings this time and wasn't laying them down.

Segebrecht had ace-seven and was drawing dead on the turn as Saout hit a king on the flop. The ace on the river only added insult to injury for Segebrecht who was officially the last one to go before the checks were handed out. "Stonecold bubbling 25Ks isn't fun." tweeted Segebrecht whose Twitter handle fittingly is @livetourneysfml.

In the Money

Local favorite Jeff Rossiter was the first to go in the money, busting with ace-king to [B]Nick Petrangelo[/B]'s pocket kings. Rossiter, who announced his retirement from poker a couple of months ago and might be playing his last tournament series here in Melbourne this week, took home the min-cash worth AUD$63,840.

Cate Hall had been patient but ended up on the rail for the same min cash Rossiter had just collected. She got it in with jack-ten against queen-jack and did not make a miraculous escape.

Manig Loeser (12th, AUD$79,800), [B][Removed:17][/B] (11th, AUD$79,800), Rajkumar Ramakrishnan (10th, AUD$95,760), Tomas Jozonis (ninth, AUD$95,760) and Pratyush Buddiga (8th, AUD$119,700) followed in quick succession to get the event down to a final table of seven.

John Juanda

Final Table

Ryan D'Angelo pulled a Houdini after getting it in with top pair and top kicker against the set of start of day chip leader James Chen, making runner runner flush. Chen won those chips back when he busted Mustapha Kanit with queens to jack-ten. Kanit, just about the biggest regular on the high roller circuit these days, had to settle for seventh place, worth AUD$119,700.

Co-high roller Petrangelo followed him to the rail just eight minutes later as he rivered a flush and moved in with it. Unfortunately for him, Brandon Adams had rivered a full house with queen-five and Petrangelo went to the payout for his sixth-place money (AUD$143,640).

Five-handed play lasted for quite some time. D'Angelo was chip leader for some time but went out in fifth anyway after some pots didn't go his way. In the end, it was ace-queen against ace-king that did him in. The player known as 'g0lfa' online collected AUD$207,480 for his fifth-place finish.

Poker veteran John Juanda was short and had to go with it when he got ace-eight suited.



John Juanda followed not much later. The poker veteran was short for quite some time and had to go with it when he got ace-eight suited. He got most of his opponents to fold but big blind James Chen had nines and called. A nine on the flop resulted in Juanda drawing dead on the turn and he had to settle for AUD$287,280.

Three-handed play lasted for well over 3.5 hours. The only remarkable hand played in that time period was a double up by Adams who turned a straight and caught Chen bluffing. Other than that double, it was mostly small pots and a lot of hands that saw no turns or rivers.

Antoine Saout would eventually be the next to go as he got short and made a move with ace-nine. Chen was once again the executioner, this time holding ace-king and turning a king. Saout, third in the WSOP Main Event back in 2009, secured third in the $25,000 Challenge for AUD$383,040, the second biggest score of his poker career.

Brandon Adams

Heads-Up Play

The heads-up between Adams and Chen lasted another two hours. Adams, whose last two cashes have been in the WSOP Main Event in 2016 and 2015, and Chen, were in the lead multiple times but could never hold it for long. After some 90 minutes of heads-up play, Adams' momentum seemed gone. He started bleeding chips and Chen nibbled on his stack, grinding him down bit by bit.

In the last hand of the tournament, Adams made a move with jack-four suited being down 5-to-1 in chips. Chen called with ace-three and, despite Adams picking up a ton of outs on the flop and turn, the river blanked and Adams had to settle for second place. Adams's deep run was worth AUD$590,520, by far the biggest score of his career.

The Aussie Millions Ring, designed by ANTON Jewellery, and AUD$861,840 went to James Chen. His last three cashes are wins now; let's see if he parlays this win again and signs up for the $100,000 Challenge tomorrow.

Besides the $100,000 Challenge tomorrow, it's also time for the $10,000 Main Event. PokerNews.com is on the floor at Crown Casino for live coverage of both events, so be sure to check the live reporting to stay up-to-date on all the poker action from Down Under.

Year Entries Prize Pool Winner Country Prize in AUD$ Prize in $ 2012 20 AUD$500,000 Dominykas Karmazinas Lithuania AUD$200,000 $205,895 2013 30 AUD$723,000 Igor Kurganov Russia AUD$275,000 $290,317 2014 65 AUD$1,560,000 Max Altergott Germany AUD$241,785* $211,522* 2015 104 AUD$2,496,000 Alexander Trevallion Australia AUD$645,150** $521,835** 2016 122 AUD$2,928,000 Chance Kornuth United States AUD$790,560 $547,874 2017 133 AUD$3,192,000 James Chen Taiwan AUD$861,840 $650,481
By: EALgreen

Contact

Christie Hester

Norton Norris, Inc.

***@nortonnorris.com Christie HesterNorton Norris, Inc.

End

-- EALgreen, formerly Educational Assistance Ltd., announces the hiring of David Salmonson as director of educational partnerships. In this role, Salmonson will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans to expand the participation of college partners in the organization's scholarship program."I look forward to helping EAL meet its key sustainability initiatives, including obtaining a zero-waste-facility status for their inventory warehouse, utilizing carbon neutral shipping and diverting waste from landfills," Salmonson said.Previously Salmonson was the operations manager at Brownfield Management Associates in Northfield, Illinois. He has an in-depth understanding of sustainable development, effective waste management systems, environmental due diligence, resource conservation and corporate social responsibility."David's strong background in environmental science will help position EALgreen in its efforts to demonstrate the positive environmental benefits of donating excess inventory to our existing and new corporate partners," said Claudia Freed, president and CEO of EALgreen.EALgreen ( www.ealgreen.org ) is a tax-exempt [501(c)(3)] nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, qualified by the Internal Revenue Service to receive charitable tax-deductible donations. EAL also accepts contributions in the form of cash, securities and services. Join the conversation at #EALgreen.
A Trifecta of Generosity and Gratitude Celebrated for Michigan Trails To ensure the trails movement in Michigan continues to grow, it takes focus and commitment along with public/private partnerships to see it through to fruition. Detroit's DNR Outdoor Adventure Center was filled with grateful trail users at the donor recognition breakfast for Michael R. Levine, who pledged $5 million dollars to expand and improve three trails: the Lakelands Trail State Park, Great Lake to Lake Trails Route 1 and the Iron Belle Trail. By: Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance 1 2 3 Mike Levine Recognition Breakfast Michigan Trails Professionals at the Mike Levine Recognition Breakfast Commemorative Plaques for Mike Levine DETROIT - Jan. 20, 2017 - PRLog -- The DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in downtown Detroit was filled with grateful trail users at the donor recognition breakfast for Michael R. Levine on Saturday, January 14, 2017. An inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Levine's generous $5 million pledge will help expand and improve three trails: the Lakelands Trail State Park, Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1, and Michigan's Iron Belle Trail.



Mr. Levine's accomplishments in private industry make him one of the great innovators of our generation. Mr. Levine received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from New York University in 1958, and is a frequent speaker at institutions like the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and Florida Atlantic University. Mr. Levine shares, "I love spending time in Michigan and am fortunate enough to spend time in Ann Arbor in the summer. I raised my family here. I started working with the Friends of the Lakelands Trail group in 2004; I simply wanted a safe place to ride my bike and to make new memories with my grandchildren and extended family. Through my wonderful friend, the late Herb Amster, I was connected to Governor Snyder, and his mission to connect the disparate, local trails into a continuous route."



Governor Snyder's mission to ensure Michigan remains the #1 trails state in the nation is more than a dream; it continues to build. In 2012, he proposed the idea for the Iron Belle Trail, two trails that extend from the border of Wisconsin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit. By 2014, he signed legislation establishing the Pure Michigan Trail Network enhancing Michigan's reputation as the Trail State, and in 2015, designated the third week in September as Michigan Trails Week. Like the Governor, Levine has a passion for trails and understands the importance of this vision for future generations, "Now, as I get older, I'm working with the DNR and the Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor to ensure this dream comes true in my lifetime."



Today, Michigan leads the nation in trails, and to ensure the trails movement in the state continues to grow, it takes focus and commitment along with public/private partnerships like this to see it through to fruition. JJ Tighe, CEO for the Michigan Fitness Foundation, introduced the crowd to Mr. Levine by sharing a few highlights, "He is a technical leader and visionary, has more than 60 US patents and is the architect of the microprocessor. His projects have touched the lives of millions around the globe. You may have heard of some of his work  VCR programming, a programmable thermostat, water filtration systems and the desktop computer. His career spans decades and has improved the lives of countless people." This contribution will provide an abundance of opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the state's spectacular natural resources, explore nature, appreciate wildlife, experience solitude or enjoy time with family and friends.



Next, Ron Olson, Chief Parks and Recreation for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, took to the podium to commemorate Mr. Levine and revealed the Lakelands Trail State Park will be renamed the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park and stated, "Locally, his contributions to the citizens of the State of Michigan are exemplary and his passion for trails is second-to-none. To commemorate one of his dearest friends, the future trailhead on Hawkins Road will be named in honor of his colleague Herb Amster, a well-respected, innovative leader in the business and nonprofit communities in southeast Michigan."



Fresh off the Detroit RiverWalk from running the Auto Show 5K was Lt. Governor Brian Calley who shared, "We are here today to recognize a tireless advocate of improving Michigan's trails. Avid trail user Michael Levine, who is 78 years old, wants to see our trail system improved so he can ride the Great Lake to Lake Route, which is 280 miles, when he's 80 years old." This comment was welcomed by the crowd with enthusiastic applause. Calley continued, "I am proud to participate in this ceremony, honoring Michael with a certificate of recognition for his commitment from Governor Snyder and myself; your contribution will impact Michigan trails for generations."



The 280-mile route Levine intends to ride is known as the Great Lake-To-Lake Trails Route 1, extending from Port Huron to South Haven. A portion of his pledge will help to fill the gaps and fund other improvements along this southern route that connects Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. Just over a decade ago, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, in collaboration with many trails groups, government agencies and stakeholders, launched Connecting Michigan: A Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan. This plan was drafted to increase communications, cooperation, and resource sharing to encourage improved regional and state collaboration to develop a quality statewide networked system of trailways and greenways. Through this project, the concept for a long distance trailway from Port Huron to South Haven was introduced. From this, what was known then as the Michigan Airline Trail developed into the Great Lake to Lake Trails Network. Diane Bancroft, chair of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, stated, "Through his vision, tenacity, leadership, and generous financial support, Mr. Levine has moved our dream of an interconnected trail system in Michigan much closer to a reality. On behalf of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, we are extremely grateful to Mr. Levine for partnering with us to accomplish this goal of Connecting Michigan."



Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance executive director Nancy Krupiarz noted Mr. Levine also awarded $25,000 to develop a signage program for the entire Great Lake to Lake Trail. "The signage program will utilize Battle Creek Linear Park as a template for all communities along the trail to mark their route and make information about key waypoints easily accessible to the trail user," said Krupiarz, and continued, "It's been a pleasure working with and getting know Mike Levine. The funding he has provided will make this trail a reality over the next two years. The communities and government agencies are inspired and motivated to finish their pieces, knowing that some of the largest gaps of the trail are being filled because of his philanthropy." The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Transportation have both recognized the tremendous recreational, health, and transportation value of trails by financially supporting the development of this southern trail artery in Michigan.



The event was hosted by the Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Over 100 people attended the event, including Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley; U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell; James J. Tighe, Michigan Fitness Foundation CEO; Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Chief; Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance; and Ann Conklin, Executive Director, Michigan Recreation and Park Association along with Michigan trails professionals, aficionados, and runners who participated in the Detroit International Auto Show 5K earlier that morning hosted by the Michigan Fitness Foundation.



--- ### ---



About Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance is the statewide voice for non-motorized trail users, helping people build, connect and promote trails for a healthier and more prosperous Michigan. It is an affiliate of the Michigan Fitness Foundation.



More:



Michigan Fitness Foundation

The vision of the Michigan Fitness Foundation is to cultivate a culture of health to transform the status quo, improve the health of all Michiganders and to inspire active lifestyles and healthy food choices through education, environmental change, community events and policy leadership.



About Lakelands Trail

Lakelands Trail State Park is a state park in Michigan that runs east-west from Hamburg Township to Jackson, Michigan. It is a multi-use trail converted from an abandoned railroad corridor.



About Great Lake to Lake Trails

The Great Lake to Lake Trails are five trails stretching from one Great Lake to another. Three trails in the lower peninsula and two in the upper peninsula weave across many communities and tourism attractions along the way.



About Iron Belle Trail

The Iron Belle Trail is a set of two trails that will span the state of Michigan. The two trails, one for hiking and one for biking, will go between Detroit's Belle Isle State Park and Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula.



Contact

Mary McGuire Slevin

Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance

***@michigantrails.org



Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/ 12614782/1

https://www.prlog.org/ 12614782/2

https://www.prlog.org/ 12614782/3 Mary McGuire SlevinMichigan Trails & Greenways Alliance End -- The DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in downtown Detroit was filled with grateful trail users at the donor recognition breakfast for Michael R. Levine on Saturday, January 14, 2017. An inventor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Mr. Levine's generous $5 million pledge will help expand and improve three trails: the Lakelands Trail State Park, Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1, and Michigan's Iron Belle Trail.Mr. Levine's accomplishments in private industry make him one of the great innovators of our generation. Mr. Levine received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from New York University in 1958, and is a frequent speaker at institutions like the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and Florida Atlantic University. Mr. Levine shares, "I love spending time in Michigan and am fortunate enough to spend time in Ann Arbor in the summer. I raised my family here. I started working with the Friends of the Lakelands Trail group in 2004; I simply wanted a safe place to ride my bike and to make new memories with my grandchildren and extended family. Through my wonderful friend, the late Herb Amster, I was connected to Governor Snyder, and his mission to connect the disparate, local trails into a continuous route."Governor Snyder's mission to ensure Michigan remains the #1 trails state in the nation is more than a dream; it continues to build. In 2012, he proposed the idea for the Iron Belle Trail, two trails that extend from the border of Wisconsin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Belle Isle in Detroit. By 2014, he signed legislation establishing the Pure Michigan Trail Network enhancing Michigan's reputation as the Trail State, and in 2015, designated the third week in September as Michigan Trails Week. Like the Governor, Levine has a passion for trails and understands the importance of this vision for future generations, "Now, as I get older, I'm working with the DNR and the Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor to ensure this dream comes true in my lifetime."Today, Michigan leads the nation in trails, and to ensure the trails movement in the state continues to grow, it takes focus and commitment along with public/private partnerships like this to see it through to fruition. JJ Tighe, CEO for the Michigan Fitness Foundation, introduced the crowd to Mr. Levine by sharing a few highlights, "He is a technical leader and visionary, has more than 60 US patents and is the architect of the microprocessor. His projects have touched the lives of millions around the globe. You may have heard of some of his work  VCR programming, a programmable thermostat, water filtration systems and the desktop computer. His career spans decades and has improved the lives of countless people." This contribution will provide an abundance of opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the state's spectacular natural resources, explore nature, appreciate wildlife, experience solitude or enjoy time with family and friends.Next, Ron Olson, Chief Parks and Recreation for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, took to the podium to commemorate Mr. Levine and revealed the Lakelands Trail State Park will be renamed theand stated, "Locally, his contributions to the citizens of the State of Michigan are exemplary and his passion for trails is second-to-none. To commemorate one of his dearest friends, the future trailhead on Hawkins Road will be named in honor of his colleague Herb Amster, a well-respected, innovative leader in the business and nonprofit communities in southeast Michigan."Fresh off the Detroit RiverWalk from running the Auto Show 5K was Lt. Governor Brian Calley who shared, "We are here today to recognize a tireless advocate of improving Michigan's trails. Avid trail user Michael Levine, who is 78 years old, wants to see our trail system improved so he can ride the Great Lake to Lake Route, which is 280 miles, when he's 80 years old." This comment was welcomed by the crowd with enthusiastic applause. Calley continued, "I am proud to participate in this ceremony, honoring Michael with a certificate of recognition for his commitment from Governor Snyder and myself; your contribution will impact Michigan trails for generations."The 280-mile route Levine intends to ride is known as the Great Lake-To-Lake Trails Route 1, extending from Port Huron to South Haven. A portion of his pledge will help to fill the gaps and fund other improvements along this southern route that connects Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. Just over a decade ago, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, in collaboration with many trails groups, government agencies and stakeholders, launched. This plan was drafted to increase communications, cooperation, and resource sharing to encourage improved regional and state collaboration to develop a quality statewide networked system of trailways and greenways. Through this project, the concept for a long distance trailway from Port Huron to South Haven was introduced. From this, what was known then as the Michigan Airline Trail developed into the Great Lake to Lake Trails Network. Diane Bancroft, chair of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, stated, "Through his vision, tenacity, leadership, and generous financial support, Mr. Levine has moved our dream of an interconnected trail system in Michigan much closer to a reality. On behalf of Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, we are extremely grateful to Mr. Levine for partnering with us to accomplish this goal of."Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance executive director Nancy Krupiarz noted Mr. Levine also awarded $25,000 to develop a signage program for the entire Great Lake to Lake Trail. "The signage program will utilize Battle Creek Linear Park as a template for all communities along the trail to mark their route and make information about key waypoints easily accessible to the trail user," said Krupiarz, and continued, "It's been a pleasure working with and getting know Mike Levine. The funding he has provided will make this trail a reality over the next two years. The communities and government agencies are inspired and motivated to finish their pieces, knowing that some of the largest gaps of the trail are being filled because of his philanthropy."The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Transportation have both recognized the tremendous recreational, health, and transportation value of trails by financially supporting the development of this southern trail artery in Michigan.The event was hosted by the Michigan Fitness Foundation, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Over 100 people attended the event, including Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley; U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell; James J. Tighe, Michigan Fitness Foundation CEO; Ron Olson, DNR Parks and Recreation Chief; Nancy Krupiarz, Executive Director, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance; and Ann Conklin, Executive Director, Michigan Recreation and Park Association along with Michigan trails professionals, aficionados, and runners who participated in the Detroit International Auto Show 5K earlier that morning hosted by the Michigan Fitness Foundation.--- ### ---Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance is the statewide voice for non-motorized trail users, helping people build, connect and promote trails for a healthier and more prosperous Michigan. It is an affiliate of the Michigan Fitness Foundation.More: http://www.michigantrails.org The vision of the Michigan Fitness Foundation is to cultivate a culture of health to transform the status quo, improve the health of all Michiganders and to inspire active lifestyles and healthy food choices through education, environmental change, community events and policy leadership.Lakelands Trail State Park is a state park in Michigan that runs east-west from Hamburg Township to Jackson, Michigan. It is a multi-use trail converted from an abandoned railroad corridor.The Great Lake to Lake Trails are five trails stretching from one Great Lake to another. Three trails in the lower peninsula and two in the upper peninsula weave across many communities and tourism attractions along the way.The Iron Belle Trail is a set of two trails that will span the state of Michigan. The two trails, one for hiking and one for biking, will go between Detroit's Belle Isle State Park and Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula. Email : ***@michigantrails.org Tags : Great Lake To Lake Trails , Michigan Trails , Iron Belle Trail Lakelands Trail Industry : Environment , Event , Government , Health , Tourism , Transportation Location : Detroit - Michigan - United States Subject : Partnerships Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse Account Email AddressAccount Phone Number Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance News Michigan State Parks to Receive $250,000,000 in Federal Funding MTGA Recognizes COVID-19 Response Champions At Annual Awards MTGA Offers Sessions for Managing Increased Trail Use During COVID-19 You Don't Have to Go Up North To Celebrate National Trails Day Tour the Two Peninsulas on the 29th Annual Michigander Bicycle Tour


Troubled Transition from Jammeh to Barrow Contrasts with Trump Inaugural

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-- Scribe Strategies & Advisors today announced that it has been engaged by the new Government of the Republic of the Gambia to represent its interests in the United States.In a filing with the Foreign Agents Registration Act unit of the U.S. Department of Justice, Scribe stated that it "has been retained by the Government of the Republic of the Gambia for a period of twelve months to communicate with the Trump Administration about the legitimacy of the election of President Adama Barrow and to assure that the will of the Gambian people will be respected."To this end, the document continues, Scribe "will work closely with His Excellency Sheikh Omar Faye, the Ambassador of the Gambia to the United States, in assessing the political situation in the Republic of the Gambia, in order to effectively promote and restore the rule of law and democratic governance in the Gambia, as well as to work diligently to solidify and expand the Gambia's productive relationships with the government, businesses, and individuals in the United States."Yesterday, then President-elect Adama Barrow, who won a clear victory in the Gambia's presidential election on December 1, 2016, took the oath of office in the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Senegal, because former President Yahya Jammeh refused to cede his office. West African countries sent troops across the border to enforce the Gambia's constitution and the will of the voters."The Gambia faces many challenges after 22 years of virtual dictatorship by a mercurial and impulsive head of state," said Scribe president Joseph J. Szlavik. "The transfer of power to a freely elected president is a harbinger of a peaceful, prosperous, and stable future for the country known as 'the smile of Africa.'"Szlavik added that the troubled political situation in the Gambia "stands in stark contrast to the peaceful and smooth transition from the government of Barack Obama to Donald J. Trump, which has happened every four years since 1797, as acknowledged by President Trump in his inaugural address. Gambia has not been blessed in this manner  yet."In months to come, according to the FARA filing, Scribe will provide strategic advice with the aim of "strengthening the Gambia's general bilateral relations with the United States, its government, and institutions. Scribe will also assist in communicating priority issues in the United States-Gambia bilateral relationship to relevant U.S. audiences, including the U.S. Congress, Executive Branch, news media, businesses, and policy community, including think tanks, advocacy groups, and academic institutions)."For more than 25 years, Scribe Strategies & Advisors has provided strategic consulting services to overseas clients, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Its clients have included businesses, political parties, and governments in Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, and other countries. In the aftermath of the 1994 coup d'etat led by Yahya Jammeh, Scribe represented former Gambian President Sir Dawda Jawara as he sought to restore democracy and legitimate governance to his country.Note:
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-- Thereleased an Appointment Memorandum designating, Foreign Affairs Minister of The Royal House of Baloi and The Royal Kingdom of Sulu, as a Special Advisor to the Director General for USA and Middle-East.Maria Amor whose strongest quality is being an influencer with vast connections of powerful personalities and who's who of the world made a statement: "It is a great honor to get an appointment from the government being designated as Special Advisor to the Director General of PEZA. I believe I would be a great addition to the team in bringing impact to our economy. I have been an active carrier of the Philippine flag to every nation I have traveled to, being the founder and president of, an international NGO based in USA advocating Education, Health and Eradication of Poverty among others, and as the chairman of the, a humanitarian awards held annually at the United Nations, New York, I have the opportunity to meet world leaders, dignitaries and top businessmen around the world. In my travels on regular basis for humanitarian and business purposes, my exposure to foreign investors is paramount. While building relationships and fostering diplomatic ties, I will always keep in mind the needs of our country to attract business investors, promote our industries and advertise tourism as well."In addition, she said "I also want to thank, my brother in good deeds,, an upcoming Philippine Ambassador to KSA and recipient of 4th G.O.D. Awards Media Icon of the Year, for being the number one instrument for making this appointment possible. His strong recommendation and guidance earned me the trust of PEZA". She continues, "My deepest gratitude to Hon. Director General Ching Plaza for giving me the opportunity to contribute my influence and power to serve our country and people".Ambassador Tago also commented: "I always see the great potential in people especially those living abroad, to be able to bring help and assistance to our economy. We need people like Princess Maria who has unique ability in building relationships and diplomatic ties among world leaders, dignitaries and corporate executives. I have no doubt she can make an impact to the Philippine economy".In the words of the PEZA Director General,: "I am please to officially designate you as Special Advisor to the Director General of PEZA for USA and Middle-East. Your special designation is in line with PEZA's new thrusts of developing untapped investment markets such as the countries and companies in the United States of America and the Middle East, to help PEZA in its avowed mission to generate more foreign investments for the country in order to create more employment opportunities for our people, and increase revenues for the country."Amor calls upon her vast connection of business people, "This is the time to invest in the Philippines, being the fastest growing economy in the world right now, under the leadership of our Honorable President Duterte who is tirelessly improving the country's economy, security and social status, wiping crimes and drugs to make our country great and become a business haven!".*PEZA - attached to the Department of Trade and Industry - is the Philippine government agency tasked to promote investments, extend assistance, register, grant incentives to and facilitate the business operations of investors in export-oriented manufacturing and service facilities inside selected areas throughout the country proclaimed by the President of the Philippines as PEZA Special Economic Zones.Details here: http://www.wecareforhumanity.org/ news/maria-amor- appointed-as- special-advisor- to-director- general-of-peza- for-usa-and- middle-east
Set to arrive in the European showrooms by April this year, the updated Renault Lodgy will also make way to India later this year of early next year. Seen with revised exteriors, the Lodgy facelift continues with same engine options as before.

Based on the same platform as the new Duster, the 2017 Renault Lodgy looks sportier than before. This is due to the revisions in the front like new grille, garnish around the registration plate, and new 16 inch 5 spoke alloys. The more sporty Stepway variants get Flexwheel 16-inch Bayadere Dark Metal alloys.

On the inside, changes include a new four spoke steering wheel, redesigned air vents, new horn pad on the steering, dashboard with new satin-chrome touches, and a Stepway 3D weave upholstery. Most of the features remain same as offered with the current Lodgy like reverse park-assist camera, arm rest, folding table for rear seat passengers, one touch window function for driver, etc.

To recap, the Renault Lodgy is based on the Dusters platform and is powered by the popular 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine. The 85 PS version employs a 5-speed manual transmission while the 110 PS version adopts a 6-speed manual gearbox. Same options will be on offer with the facelift in India as and when it is launched.

Speaking about Lodgys performance in India, it has not been as per expectations. Sumit Sawhney, CEO and MD of Renault India feels that the Lodgy should have a monthly sales average in the region of 1,500  2,000 units. But it does sales of about 300 to 400 units monthly as of today. The not-so-encouraging numbers are mainly due to the dwindling popularity of the MPV segment as a whole. The emergence of compact crossover SUVs has been pressurizing every other segment in the vicinity.

In an attempt to improve sales of the Renault Lodgy MPV, the automaker also decided to market the vehicle aggressively in the taxi operator segment, which was not done when the car was first launched in 2015.

The 7-seater has been struggling in a market where popularity of MPVs is fading.

Mr Sawhney adds that giving Lodgy access to the fleet operator and corporate segment will bring in significant increment in sales. While the wholesale numbers are expected to go up this month, retail numbers for the Lodgy is pegged at around 1,000 units. The company launched a new variant which is suitable for taxi fleet operators. This segment is expected to account for around 50% of the MPVs sales in the future. But in spite of this, sales of Lodgy did not improve. The launch of facelift could help the company improve sales.
The largest debt-for-nature swap agreement in Madagascars history was just signed between the Government of Madagascar and the Government of France, allocating roughly $20 million (13 million Euros) to preserve Madagascars rich biodiversity, WWF has announced.

This initiative is an excellent example of innovative financing for sustainable development, said Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana, acting regional representative for WWF in Madagascar. Increasing funding to the endowment of the Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity means support for the protected areas' recurrent costs will be available long term. Stable and predictable revenues are critical to win the battle against deforestation and biodiversity loss in Madagascar.

The new agreement is part of Madagascars ambitious national effort, pledged by President Ravalomanana, to triple the size of the countrys protected areas. The funds will be managed through the Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversitya conservation trust fund established by WWF, Conservation International and the Government of Madagascar to support the countrys distinct ecosystems and extraordinary wildlife. With this agreement, the fund has reached its endowment target of $50 million.

Nearly 98 percent of Madagascars land mammals, 92 percent of its reptiles, and 80 percent of its plants are found nowhere else on earth. WWF has been active in Madagascar for more than three decades, providing local communities with the support necessary to manage natural resources effectively. Madagascars ecosystems provide essential services that support local communities and an array of economic activities. WWFs vision is to protect, restore and maintain Madagascars unique biodiversity in harmony with the culture and livelihoods of the people who live there.

With 70 percent of Madagascars population living below the poverty line, the country is one of the poorest in the world. Burdened with high levels of debt, Madagascar has limited domestic resources to address environmental degradation and preserve its unique and globally significant biodiversity. Debt-for-nature swaps, such as this one, are designed to free up resources in debtor countries for much needed conservation activities.

This historic agreement demonstrates the commitment of both the French and Malagasy governments to protect biodiversity in Madagascar and serves as a prime example of a debt-for-nature swap success that other nations can follow.

About the Madagascar Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity

The Madagascar Foundation for Protected Areas and Biodiversity was created in 2005 to support sustainable financing for protecting, maintaining and expanding Madagascars protected areas network, including certain buffer zones and ecological corridors, and ultimately to reduce the dependence on external project assistance. The Foundation is already widely recognized as a model foundation for Africa and an anchor for sustainable financing of Madagascars protected areas system.

As a founding partner, WWF has contributed to the Foundations capital and has played a leading role in establishing its legal and operational framework according to the best practices and the highest international standards for environmental funds.
AlSat Nano, which was designed and built at the University of Surrey in just 18 months, has captured and downloaded its first full colour image -- a step forward in demonstrated UK nanosatellite capability.

The image was taken by the Open University C3D2 instrument's wide field camera on 3rd December 2016 over the Arkhangelsk Oblast region, on the North West coast of Russia. The image was captured under twilight conditions at dawn, showing the coastline to the top of the image, and a brief winter sunrise over the arctic region with a deep red-brown hue. Through the cloud cover there is evidence of hills and snow on mountains, and mist in the river valleys. The object in the foreground is the Oxford Space Systems Ltd AstroTubeTM Boom payload, also carried on board the spacecraft.

AlSat Nano is a joint nanosatellite mission between the UK Space Agency and Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) as part of an on-going initiative to enhance collaboration. The UK Space Agency has funded the design, build and verification of the spacecraft at Surrey Space Centre (SSC), University of Surrey, as a hands-on learning exercise for Algerian postgrad students to demonstrate the practical elements of low cost space technology. ASAL has provided the launch, and operations are being undertaken in Algeria by ASAL operators trained at SSC.

Prof Guglielmo Aglietti, Director of Surrey Space Centre, said: "AlSat Nano has been an exciting project for the Surrey Space Centre to be leading. Educational and research elements, and the technology knowledge transfer with the Algerian Space Agency were key parts of this project. Additionally, the development of this nanosatellite platform has been a great opportunity to work with UK payload providers, who are demonstrating some exciting new technologies."

AlSat Nano is Algeria's first CubeSat mission and is globally showcasing the capability of UK technology in partnership with industry and academia. With a spacecraft the size of a shoebox yet featuring all the core subsystems of much larger satellites, the programme demonstrates how CubeSats can be assembled quickly and launched at a fraction of the cost. This will help Algeria strengthen its domestic space technology capability by giving their scientists and engineers first-hand experience of spacecraft operations.

Dr Abdewahab Chikouche, Director of Space Programmes at Algerian Space Agency, said: "The Alsat-1N project is a concrete example of the success of our cooperation with UKSA. This project, very enriching from the scientific and technological point of view, allowed ASAL engineers to progress in the integration and testing of nanosatellites and acquire autonomy in its operation. This project will enable Algerian researchers and academics to strengthen national capabilities in advanced space technology."

The AlSat Nano mission hosts and has demonstrated three payloads, showcasing innovative technologies from UK suppliers: C3D2 imager from Open University, AstroTubeTM Boom from Oxford Space Systems and Thin Film Solar Cell from Swansea University.

Dr Ben Taylor, the SSC AlSat-Nano Project Lead, said: "The Alsat-Nano mission has been a great opportunity to work with a diverse and committed team across the UK and Algeria. The spacecraft carries some exciting new technologies which are already returning some great results and we are looking forward to further results as the mission continues."

The mission builds on the success of the flight services division at Surrey Space Centre, who are involved with a range of on-going spacecraft missions including CubeSats and larger scale missions. A major on-going project is RemoveDebris, a 15.2M mission led by Surrey, aiming to be one of the world's first demonstrations of space junk removal when it launches later this year.
The age of big data has seen a host of new techniques for analyzing large data sets. But before any of those techniques can be applied, the target data has to be aggregated, organized, and cleaned up.

That turns out to be a shockingly time-consuming task. In a 2016 survey, 80 data scientists told the company CrowdFlower that, on average, they spent 80 percent of their time collecting and organizing data and only 20 percent analyzing it.

An international team of computer scientists hopes to change that, with a new system called Data Civilizer, which automatically finds connections among many different data tables and allows users to perform database-style queries across all of them. The results of the queries can then be saved as new, orderly data sets that may draw information from dozens or even thousands of different tables.

"Modern organizations have many thousands of data sets spread across files, spreadsheets, databases, data lakes, and other software systems," says Sam Madden, an MIT professor of electrical engineering and computer science and faculty director of MIT's bigdata@CSAIL initiative. "Civilizer helps analysts in these organizations quickly find data sets that contain information that is relevant to them and, more importantly, combine related data sets together to create new, unified data sets that consolidate data of interest for some analysis."

The researchers presented their system last week at the Conference on Innovative Data Systems Research. The lead authors on the paper are Dong Deng and Raul Castro Fernandez, both postdocs at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory; Madden is one of the senior authors. They're joined by six other researchers from Technical University of Berlin, Nanyang Technological University, the University of Waterloo, and the Qatar Computing Research Institute. Although he's not a co-author, MIT adjunct professor of electrical engineering and computer science Michael Stonebraker, who in 2014 won the Turing Award -- the highest honor in computer science -- contributed to the work as well.

Pairs and permutations

Data Civilizer assumes that the data it's consolidating is arranged in tables. As Madden explains, in the database community, there's a sizable literature on automatically converting data to tabular form, so that wasn't the focus of the new research. Similarly, while the prototype of the system can extract tabular data from several different types of files, getting it to work with every conceivable spreadsheet or database program was not the researchers' immediate priority. "That part is engineering," Madden says.

The system begins by analyzing every column of every table at its disposal. First, it produces a statistical summary of the data in each column. For numerical data, that might include a distribution of the frequency with which different values occur; the range of values; and the "cardinality" of the values, or the number of different values the column contains. For textual data, a summary would include a list of the most frequently occurring words in the column and the number of different words. Data Civilizer also keeps a master index of every word occurring in every table and the tables that contain it.

Then the system compares all of the column summaries against each other, identifying pairs of columns that appear to have commonalities -- similar data ranges, similar sets of words, and the like. It assigns every pair of columns a similarity score and, on that basis, produces a map, rather like a network diagram, that traces out the connections between individual columns and between the tables that contain them.

Tracing a path

A user can then compose a query and, on the fly, Data Civilizer will traverse the map to find related data. Suppose, for instance, a pharmaceutical company has hundreds of tables that refer to a drug by its brand name, hundreds that refer to its chemical compound, and a handful that use an in-house ID number. Now suppose that the ID number and the brand name never show up in the same table, but there's at least one table linking the ID number and the chemical compound, and one linking the chemical compound and the brand name. With Data Civilizer, a query on the brand name will also pull up data from tables that use just the ID number.

Some of the linkages identified by Data Civilizer may turn out to be spurious. But the user can discard data that don't fit a query while keeping the rest. Once the data have been pruned, the user can save the results as their own data file.
A new high-tech medical device to make brain surgery safer has been developed by researchers at the University of Adelaide.

The tiny imaging probe, encased within a brain biopsy needle, lets surgeons 'see' at-risk blood vessels as they insert the needle, allowing them to avoid causing bleeds that can potentially be fatal. The project is a collaboration with the University of Western Australia and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. "We call it a smart needle. It contains a tiny fibre-optic camera, the size of a human hair, shining infrared light to see the vessels before the needle can damage them," says Professor Robert McLaughlin, Chair of Biophotonics, Centre for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, at the University of Adelaide.

"And what's really exciting is the computer smarts behind this so that the computer itself recognises the blood vessel and alerts the surgeon." Over the past six months, the "smart needle" has been used in a pilot trial with 12 patients undergoing neurosurgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Western Australia.

Today, Education and Training Minister Senator Simon Birmingham, was shown the high tech needle and the laboratory where it was developed, partially funded by the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council and the South Australian Government.

Minister Birmingham said the Turnbull Government had committed $23 million until 2021 to encourage vital research discoveries through the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics. "This smart biopsy device is an outstanding example of how our investment in research can translate into real benefits for industries and ultimately for Australians," Minister Birmingham said. "Professors McLaughlin and Lind are improving lives and are exemplars of Australian ingenuity who are leading the world as innovators in medical technology.

"This truly transformational technology will make brain surgery safer and I expect in the months and years to come we will see this as one of the first in the next generation of research breakthroughs supported by the Turnbull Government's National Innovation and Science Agenda."

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Warren Bebbington says: "The University of Adelaide is a leader in research commercialisation. This device is a tremendous example of how research is being turned into outcomes with real impact on health and wellbeing."

The smart needle will be ready for formal clinical trials in 2018. The team are in discussions with a number of international medical device manufacturers and are seeking to manufacture the smart needles in Australia. "It's an ideal technology to commercialise in Australia," says Professor McLaughlin. "We have the engineering expertise and world-class hospitals here, and enthusiasm from the surgeons."

"To have a tool that can see blood vessels as we proceed through the brain would revolutionise neurosurgery," says Professor Christopher Lind, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and the University of Western Australia, who led the clinical trial. "It will open the way for safer surgery, allowing us to do things we've not been able to do before."

A video about the research can be seen on YouTube at https://youtu.be/3NztRONTKgw
Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working with the Illinois Department of Health and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to investigate cases of Seoul virus infections among eight people who worked at several rat-breeding facilities in the two states. Seoul virus is not commonly found in the United States, though there have been several reported outbreaks in wild rats. This is the first known outbreak associated with pet rats in the United States.

A home-based rodent breeder in Wisconsin was hospitalized in December 2016 with fever, headache, and other symptoms. CDC tested a blood specimen and confirmed that the infection was caused by Seoul virus, a member of the Hantavirus family of rodent-borne viruses. A close family member who also worked with rodents also tested positive for Seoul virus. Both people have recovered. A follow-up investigation at several rat breeders that supplied the initial patient's rats revealed an additional six cases of Seoul virus at two Illinois rat breeding facilities.

Seoul virus is carried by wild Norway rats worldwide. People usually become infected when they come in contact with infectious body fluids (blood, saliva, urine) from infected rats or are bitten by them. Most cases in people are reported in Asia. The virus is not spread between people and cannot be transmitted to or from other types of pets. Rats infected with Seoul virus typically do not appear sick.

CDC has deployed two epidemiologists to work with local and state health authorities to determine if any customers who bought rats have become ill. Human and animal health officials are working together to make sure infected rats are not distributed further. CDC and its state and local health partners are reaching out to rodent suppliers to learn more about suppliers for the Wisconsin rat breeder. These efforts will help determine how the two individuals in Wisconsin were initially exposed to Seoul virus and allow public health officials to take actions to prevent future spread of the virus. CDC staff will also provide laboratory testing for blood samples from people who may have come in contact with rats from the affected rat breeders.

Though Seoul virus is in the Hantavirus family, it produces a milder illness than some other Hantaviruses. Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, back and abdominal pain, chills, blurred vision, redness of the eyes, or rash. In rare cases, infection can also lead to acute renal disease. However, not all people infected with the virus experience symptoms. Most people infected with Seoul virus recover.

People in Illinois and Wisconsin who are concerned that they have purchased or come in contact with rats from the affected breeders should contact their local or state health departments. Anyone who recently purchased a rat in the affected areas and experiences Seoul virus symptoms should contact their healthcare provider immediately.

To prevent infections from Seoul virus and other diseases carried by rats, people should:

Wash your hands with soap and running water after touching, feeding, or caring for rodents, or cleaning their habitats. Be sure to assist children with handwashing.

Be aware that pet rodents can shed germs that can contaminate surfaces in areas where they live and roam. Make sure rodent enclosures are properly secured and safe, so your pet doesn't get hurt or contaminate surfaces.

Clean and disinfect rodent habitats and supplies outside your home when possible. Never clean rodent habitats or their supplies in the kitchen sink, other food preparation areas, or the bathroom sink.

Avoid bites and scratches from rodents. Be cautious with unfamiliar animals, even if they seem friendly. Take precautions when cleaning out rodent cages or areas with rodent urine or droppings.

Visit your veterinarian for routine evaluation and care to keep your rodents healthy and to prevent infectious diseases.

If bitten by a rodent:

Wash the wound with warm soapy water immediately. Even healthy pets can carry germs.

Seek medical attention if:

Pet appears sick.

Your wound is serious.

Your wound becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen.

Your last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago.

You develop sudden fever or flu-like illness in 1-2 weeks after being bitten

Tell your healthcare provider that you have been around pet rodents, whether at home or away from the home, especially if you are sick or have been bitten or scratched.

For more information on Seoul virus, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/outbreaks/seoul-virus/index.htm.
Discover Netherlands

Cheap Flights to the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a country filled with historic cities, farmland, and beaches, which travelers can see from the sky during a flight to the region. Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, and it offers travelers many different experiences, such as unique shopping, museums, and concert halls. With its vast amount of culture, the Netherlands hosts millions of travelers each year.

Flights to the Netherlands

The main airport in the Netherlands is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). There are many airlines that fly to the Netherlands, including British Airways, China Airlines, and Jet Airways. Schiphol has one terminal that is separated into three different sections. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from section one to section three. Travelers can find eating establishments and fast-food chains that are located in each section of the terminal. There are also authentic shops that include Dutch cheese shops and Dutch souvenir shops. Taxis can be conveniently found right outside of the airport. The taxis charge a fixed rate of $39. Travelers can also take a bus into Amsterdam, which is 15 minutes away from the airport.

Travelers who fly to the Netherlands can also use Eindhoven Airport (EIN), which is the second largest airport in the country. The airport is used by both civilian and military traffic and serves about 4.3 million travelers each year. The facilities include a currency exchange office, a health center, various shops, and free Wi-Fi throughout the airport. A ride to downtown by car, taxi, or bus is about 30 minutes.

Attractions in the Netherlands

Amsterdam is the main attraction in the Netherlands and is a great place to visit no matter the time of year. Some of the most popular exhibits include The Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. The Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of Van Gogh's artwork in the world. The Rijksmuseum is 120 years old and is the country's largest art gallery. There are also unique neighborhoods to visit in Amsterdam, such as Jordaan, Centrum, and De Pijp. The Jordaan neighborhood boasts architectural delights like the Bloemgracht canal. Travelers can explore the neighborhood of De Wallen in Amsterdam where they can experience some of the city's most beautiful canals, historic landmarks, and Europe's largest Buddhist temple. If you're traveling with children, be sure to stop by the ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo in the center of the city.

Travel Tips for the Netherlands

The climate stays relatively cool and mild in the region. When the summer months are hot, visitors can enjoy the Aalsmeer Flower Festival and Taste of Amsterdam, which features food, drink, and music. During the fall and winter months, travelers can enjoy Amsterdam Art Weekend and Jumping Amsterdam, an equestrian event. The cuisine in the Netherlands can range from raw herring to mashed potatoes to thick pea soup. Pub food runs the gamut from burgers and beer to crispy Bitterballen meatballs. The average cost of dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant in the Netherlands is around $50.
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The Chinese Navy has apparently resumed building more of its version of the Russian Kilo class diesel-electric subs. Construction appeared have halted in in 2013. Then at the end of 2016 three more of these Yuan class (Type 39B/41) subs were seen under construction. The last new Type 41 appeared in late 2013 but even before that there were indications that this was another pause to absorb user experience with the current model and plan modifications for the next batch. This is apparently the three new ones detected. When these enter service China will have twelve Type 41s, plus three of the earlier Type 39A versions. The three latest 41s have many modifications and upgrades, some of them visible because of minor changes in the conning tower or hull features. China is apparently upgrading its sensor and fire control electronics but the capabilities of these wont be detected until foreign subs encounter the new 41s at sea. At that point U.S. subs will be able to construct an acoustic and electronic signature of the new 41s so they can be more easily and quickly identified in the future.

One thing is certain about the latest Type 41s; the Chinese are continuing their relentless effort to create world class subs, one tweak and improvement at a time. Since the late 1980s China has been designing and building a rapidly evolving collection of "Song" (Type 39) class diesel-electric submarines that emphasize quietness and incremental improvements. The changes have been so great that the four Songs completed in 2013 were recognized as a new type and designated the Yuan class (Type 39A or Type 41). The original design (Type 39) was a 1,800 ton Kilo type sub that first appeared in the late 1990s and 13 have been built. The larger (2,800 ton) Type 39A first appeared in 2006. The Type 39A quickly involved into the larger and more lavishly equipped Type 39B showed up. The evolution continues, and there are now thirteen "Type 41 Yuan Class" subs (of at least three, now four distinct models). These latest models appear to have AIP (air independent propulsion system) along with new electronics and other internal improvements.

This rapid evolution of the Type 39 appears to be another example of China adapting Russian submarine technology to Chinese design ideas and new technology. China has been doing this for as long as it has been building subs (since the 1960s). But the recent versions of the Type 41 design shows Chinese naval engineers getting more creative. The Yuans were meant to have an AIP that would allow them to cruise underwater longer. Western AIP systems allow subs to stay under water for two weeks or more. The first Chinese AIP had less power and reliability and does not appear to be nearly as capable as Russian or Western models. In part this was because that AIP used lead-acid batteries. The Chinese kept improving on their AIP, and the last half dozen AIP systems were designed to use a more efficient lithium battery system. This AIP 2.0 has numerous other tweaks and appears, on paper at least, to match what most Western AIPs can do. .

The Songs look a lot like the Russian Kilo class and that was apparently no accident. The 39s and 41s are both similar in appearance but the type 41s appear larger than the 1,800 ton Type 39s. Both have with crews of 60-70 sailors and six torpedo tubes. This is very similar to the Kilos (which are a bit larger). China began ordering Russian Kilo class subs, then one of the latest diesel-electric designs available, in the late 1990s. The first two Type 41s appeared to be a copy of the early model Kilo (the model 877), while the second pair of Type 41s appeared to copy the late Kilos (model 636). The latest Yuans still appear like Kilos but may be part of an evolution into a sub that is similar to the Russian successor to the Kilo, the Lada. The Type 39s were the first Chinese subs to have the teardrop shaped hull. The Type 41 was thought to be just an improved Song but on closer examination, especially by the Russians, it looked like a clone of the Kilos. The Russians now believe that the entire Song/Yuan project is part of a long-range plan to successfully copy the Kilo. If that is the case, it appears to be succeeding.

China currently has 13 Song class, 12 Kilo class, 15 Type 39A/B (Yuan) class, and 18 Ming (improved Russian Romeo) class boats. But at least a dozen more Yuans are apparently planned. There are only 3 Han class SSNs, as the Chinese are still having a lot of problems with nuclear power in subs. Despite that, the Hans are going to sea, even though they are noisy and easily detected by Western sensors. Five Hans were built (between 1974 and 1991) but 2 have already been retired. There are 4 newer Shang class SSNs in service, but these are still pretty noisy. The Song/Yuan class subs are meant to replace the elderly Mings.

China is also offering their improved Kilo designs to export customers. In late 2016 China confirmed that final details have been agreed to on the sale of eight Chinese S20 diesel-electric submarines to Pakistan. These are export versions of the Type 41 that lack many of the advanced features. Four of these will be built in China while at the same time Chinese personnel will assist Pakistan in building another four in Pakistan. Final cost is expected to average somewhere between $500 million and $600 million each and the first one will enter service by 2023. Since early 2014 China and Pakistan have been negotiating prices and terms for the sale of the S20. At first it was believed that Pakistan wanted six subs, but the final deal specified eight. Currently the Pakistani Navy has five submarines and plans to use all of them against India (which is also considered a Chinese foe).
Morgan Stanley is the 6th largest financial institution in the US. The company is ranked 61st on the Forbes Fortune 500 list and is the 39th largest bank in the world. A financial holding company, Morgan Stanley provides a full range of financial services to clients around the world.

Morgan Stanley was formed in 1935 as a result of the Glass-Steagall Act. Glass-Steagall separated commercial and investment banking in a way that forced the then-largest bank J.P. Morgan & Co to split into two groups. J.P. Morgan & Co. chose to retain the commercial side of the business while partners Henry S. Morga, grandson of J.P., and Harold Stanley took the investment end. In its first year, Morgan Stanley did 24% of the IPO business and maintains a lions share of the market to this day.

The original company existed and grew through acquisitions until 1987 when it merged with Dean Witter Discover & Co. The new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Discover & Co existed for 14 years until 2001 when the name was shortened back to Morgan Stanley.

The bank is credited in part with both beginning and ending the financial crisis of 2007/2008. The Process Driven Trading unit lost $300 million in one day due to a short-squeeze that popped the bubble in the housing market. After teetering on the brink of failure Morgan Stanley agreed to become a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve, a key factor in the original decision to split from parent J.P. Morgan & Co. Ironically when given the chance, present-day J.P. Morgan refused to buy Morgan Stanley but that was for the better.

Today, Morgan Stanley operates through three segments via offices in 41 countries and employs more than 75,000 people. Revenue in 2021 topped $49 billion and total assets topped $1.15 trillion.

The operating segments are Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment is by far the largest and most profitable. It offers a range of services and products for businesses, institutions, and entities that include capital raising, strategic advisory, underwriting, advice on M&A, restructuring, and real estate. The Wealth Management segment provides brokerage and investment advisory services for individuals and employers. The services include brokerage, financial planning, company stock-plan administration, insurance, mortgage loans, lines of credit, and retirement planning. The Investment Management segment provides investment products to a range of institutions, organizations, corporations, and governments.
AmerisourceBergen Corporation sources and distributes pharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally. Its Pharmaceutical Distribution segment distributes brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to various healthcare providers, including acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers. It also provides pharmacy management, staffing, and other consulting services; supply management software to retail and institutional healthcare providers; and packaging solutions to various institutional and retail healthcare providers. In addition, this segment distributes plasma and other blood products, injectable pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and other specialty products; provides other services primarily to physicians who specialize in various disease states, primarily oncology, as well as to other healthcare providers, including hospitals and dialysis clinics; and offers data analytics, outcomes research, and additional services for biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The company's Other segment provides integrated manufacturer services, such as clinical trial support, product post-approval, and commercialization support; specialty transportation and logistics services for the biopharmaceutical industry; and sells pharmaceuticals, vaccines, parasiticides, diagnostics, micro feed ingredients, and various other products to customers in the companion animal and production animal markets, as well as demand-creating sales force services to manufacturers. AmerisourceBergen Corporation was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 60F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low around 60F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions worldwide. The company offers firewall appliances and software; Panorama, a security management solution for the control of firewall appliances and software deployed on a customer's network, as well as their instances in public or private cloud environments, as a virtual or a physical appliance; and virtual system upgrades, which are available as extensions to the virtual system capacity that ships with physical appliances. It also provides subscription services covering the areas of threat prevention, malware and persistent threat, URL filtering, laptop and mobile device protection, and firewall; and DNS security, Internet of Things security, SaaS security API, and SaaS security inline, as well as threat intelligence, and data loss prevention. In addition, the company offers cloud security, secure access, security operations, and threat intelligence and cyber security consulting; professional services, including architecture design and planning, implementation, configuration, and firewall migration; education services, such as certifications, as well as online and in-classroom training; and support services. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. sells its products and services through its channel partners, as well as directly to medium to large enterprises, service providers, and government entities operating in various industries, including education, energy, financial services, government entities, healthcare, Internet and media, manufacturing, public sector, and telecommunications. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.
Its a big time for fakes. Fake news. Fake art. Fake handbags. Fake sushi in L.A.

And increasingly the focus is turning to the reality of fake wines. A few years back, a report in a French newspaper, Sud Ouest, estimated that 20 per cent of wines might be fake. Thats a huge number; experts doubt its that high, but it still indicates a growing concern. The problem is biggest in China, because of its exploding wine market, which is projected to be a $69.3-billion (U.S.) business by 2019, an 81-per-cent increase over four years.

In 2016, Italian authorities seized 9,000 bottles of fake Moet Chandon. Discovered in a shed in Padua in northern Italy, the faux Champagne  actually sparkling table wine  had a retail value of $375,000. There was also a cache of 40,000 fake Moet labels, worth close to $2 million. The Italian police are becoming expert at spotting fake wines. Two years earlier, they seized 30,000 bottles of counterfeit Brunello and Chianti Classico in a raid in central Italy.

But the most notable cases of counterfeit wine involve extremely high-end bottles, and the man behind the priciest swindles is getting increased media attention these days. In 2014, Rudy Kurniawan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling victims, among them the businessman Bill Koch, more than $20 million in fake wine. Insiders describe a kitchen that he turned into a fake wine factory, filling up bottles that hed drunk at restaurants; he had the empties sent back to him, he said for trophies. Among the tipoffs: Collectors reported that bottles they had previously seen only once or twice in their lives  a 59 Romanee-Conti, for example  flooding the market.

Wine writer Mark Oldman, whose most recent book is How to Drink Like a Billionaire, has been studying the phenomenon. Oldman is obsessed with the intersection between wine and crime (he purchased prestige bottles from Bernie Madoffs asset auction and opened them on the anniversary of his arrest). Oldman has turned his criminal-seeking attention to Kurniawan: I went to his sentencing hearing, just for fun, said Oldman. In the insider glossary in my book, I include the term Rudy wine, because its part of the conversation. Even before his fraud was uncovered, he was known as Dr. Conti. 

Last fall, a detailed documentary was released about Kurniawan exploits called Sour Grapes; its now available on Netflix, and Koch has appeared in Q&As following screenings. Later this year, the USA Network is scheduled to air a series called Connoisseur that details the exploits of a man who sells fake wine to wealthy collectors.

Although it might make for good drama, wineries are taking increased steps to fight the problem directly.

Following tastings for the press of vintages of Romanee-Conti, an employee will put an X through the label of any open bottles so no one can try to reuse them. In Australia, some top producers, such as Penfolds, smash bottles after tastings.

The prestigious Chateau Palmer does two things to combat fraud. Since 2009, it has embossed the bottom of each bottle with the name Chateau Palmer. And along with other top wineries, such as Lafite-Rothschild and Ornellaia from Italy, it has begun using something called a Bubble Tag. This sticker-like strip is affixed over both the foil covering the cork and the glass of the bottle with a unique, random pattern of bubbles, as well as an alphanumeric code and a QR code, which act as a unique fingerprint for each bottle. When you scan the code, youll get verification.

And for collectors, websites such as WineFraud.com are educating consumers on how to spot and avoid fakes.

Oldman, for his part, has a devoted space in his apartment called the Felony Room that includes a bottle-drying rack festooned with empties from such prestige producers as Jayer and La Tache (he has 30 empties of 96 La Tache alone). He estimates that he has about 90 empty bottles that are worthwhile to the criminally minded  at a conservative estimate, theyre worth $300 each, for a black market value of $27,000. Counterfeiters beware: Dropcam cameras and motion sensors keep them safe, for anyone who might be tempted.

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BEIRUTA large explosion rocked a camp for displaced Syrians along the Syrian-Jordanian border Saturday, killing at least six, and wounding many others, opposition activists said.

The explosion near the border came despite the fragile Dec. 30 cease-fire, sponsored by Russia and Turkey who back opposite sides of the conflict. Syria continues to be beset by violence, including clashes between government forces and rebel fighters as well as a number of offensives against Daesh militants in the country.

Talks between government officials, rebel representatives and attended by Russian, Turkish and U.N. officials are scheduled Monday in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to discuss reinforcing the cease-fire and ensuring humanitarian access.

Some rebel factions have agreed to send representatives, but the al-Qaida-linked Fatah al-Sham Front slammed the talks Saturday as a conspiracy. In a statement, the front said that any rebel group attending the Astana conference would be essentially agreeing that Syrian President Bashar Assad will stay in office. The government and Russia insist that the Islamic State group and the Fatah al-Sham Front must both be excluded from any cease-fire.

Fatah al-Sham, one of the most powerful on the ground on Syria, said other rebel factions had been pressured by their foreign patrons to attend and that the end result would be to drive a wedge between Syrias insurgents. Rivalries have plagued Syrias insurgents. Infighting as well as splits and failed mergers have been reported in recent weeks further weakening their ranks.

Negotiations in Astana about the fate of the country and its people are not the right of one side, the group said in a statement. Those who risk the battlefield and bypass must realize the consequences in the future.

Near the border with Jordan, Mohammed Hassan al-Homsi, an opposition activist with the Palmyra News Network, said a small truck carrying blankets was detonated from afar, killing at least six civilians at the Rukban camp, including a man, his wife and two children.

Badr Abu Sultan, a resident of the Rukban camp, said the explosion occurred outside the local market. There was a powerful explosion at the beginning of the market, Abu Sultan, a member of a tribal council in the camp, said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion caused a huge cloud of smoke over the area. A video posted by the Syrian Media Organization also showed some tents burning, as parts of the car bomb were scattered across the camp. The Observatory, which has a network of activists on the ground, put the death toll at 11, including the family of four, and four militiamen. Another opposition activist network, the Palmyra Coordination group, said the explosion hit a checkpoint for a local militia near the market.

The camp houses a local militia targeted in the past by rival factions in Syrias war.

A Jordanian military official ruled out any Jordanian was hurt in the explosion inside Syrian territory. He told the official Jordanian Petra news agency 14 wounded were admitted to the Jordanian health centre at the border used to treat Syrians.

Jordan has been on edge since a car bomb attack last year launched from Rukban killed seven Jordanian border guards. Jordan then sealed the border, cutting off vital aid to 75,000 Syrians stranded in the area.

The displaced Syrians live in makeshift camps between two parallel earthen barriers, or berms, that mark the Jordanian-Syrian frontier.

Meanwhile on Saturday, The Russian military said that six of its long-range bombers have struck Daesh positions in Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria. The raid came as Syrian government troops in Deir el-Zour found themselves in an increasingly difficult situation, cut in half in an ongoing Daesh offensive against the last remaining pockets of government control.

The extremist group controls most of the province, except for the provincial capital and a nearby air base, and the offensive which began earlier this month is described as the groups most intense in a year.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that six Tu-22M3 bombers flew from their base in Russia to strike Daesh facilities Deir el-Zour province on Saturday. It said they successfully hit all designated targets, including the militants camps, weapons locations and ammunition depots.

Activists in Deir el-Zour say amid intense shelling from Russian, Syrian and coalition jets and fighting on the ground, civilians are fleeing.

Russian fighter jets from Hemeimeem air base in Syrias coastal province of Latakia provided cover for the bombers, according to the ministry.

Russia has conducted an air campaign in Syria since September 2015, helping Syrian government forces to reverse the tide of the nearly six-year conflict.

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The Anglican Church of Canada announced Friday that it will make a formal, national apology to all the victims of notorious pedophile Ralph Rowe.

It is estimated the former Anglican minister Ralph Rowe abused hundreds of victims. The Anglican Church has never issued a formal apology. One of the communities Rowe targeted was Wapekeka First Nation.

Wapekeka is struggling after two 12-year-old girls died by suicide earlier this month. The community has tried to manage youth mental health issues and suicide epidemics for decades.

Yesterday, Jan. 19, the Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Alvin Fiddler, noted that the Anglican Church of Canada shares responsibility for the crisis in the communities he serves and especially for the tragic number of young people who have died by suicide, said Michael Thompson, the churchs general secretary, in a statement.

Rowe, a clergyman who used to pilot a small plane into remote northern First Nations communities in the 1970s and 80s, targeted young boys aged 8 to 14. Many indigenous parents trusted Rowe because of his position in the church and let their children travel on camping excursions with him. Rowe was also a Boy Scout leader.

It is nearly impossible to quantify the scope and scale of the damage Rowe caused during the time he travelled through NAN communities, Fiddler said.

What people need to know is the church enabled him to do this. They gave him a role as a priest and they gave him a plane for him to be able to fly around to our communities. We now know through our counselling agencies in the north and through the court systems  the estimates are during the 22-year period he was up here that he sexually assaulted and abused over 500 young boys during that time, said Fiddler.

Similar to the residential school experience, now we are seeing the intergenerational impact of these victims, he said.

In the statement, the church acknowledged their past actions helped create a legacy of brokenness in some First Nations communities, but they are willing and want to renew a dialogue with indigenous people that will help them understand more deeply and act more effectively on our responsibilities, the statement read.

Thompson was travelling on Friday and could not be reached for comment.

We know that Grand Chief Fiddlers call to our church and to our government to live more fully into our obligations comes from a heart that is broken by the tragic deaths of children. Whatever our words, we will only have honoured that grief when we act and we look to him and to others to help us direct our actions in ways that will help end the crisis in the communities he serves, the statement said.

Ralph Rowes abuse was massive in its scope and horrendous in its impact, and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who with great courage have borne witness to that abuse, and continue to help us understand our moral obligation as the Anglican Church of Canada to support initiatives that address its continuing consequences, the statement said.

Most of the communities Rowe frequented are in NAN, a political organization of 49 First Nations in northern Ontario that occupy a territory roughly the size of France. Many men have struggled to get on with their lives in the wake of the abuse and Fiddler notes many others have not been able to cope and have taken their own lives.

Wapekeka First Nation, 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, was one of Rowes communities. It has also struggled with sexual abuse issues for decades, said Fiddler.

Earlier this month, two 12-year-old girls, Jolynn Winter and Chantell Fox, took their lives while four other girls had to be flown out of the remote community for fear they would also take their lives. Another 26 students are being monitored and are considered at high risk for suicide.

The girls deaths have revived the urgency of the need for a national suicide strategy to be put in place to help indigenous youth. On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a closed-door meeting with Fiddler, Wapekeka member Joshua Frogg and Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon. The Mushkegowuk territory of the James Bay coast has acutely felt the suicide epidemic in its communities.

The church did engage in mediation with one of Rowes communities, Wunnumin Lake First Nation, in 1996. And the Anglican Church of Canadas Healing Fund has supported healing initiatives in other First Nations in the Sioux Lookout area, such as Kingfisher Lake and Sachigo Lake.

Fiddler has sought an apology from the church for years.

After reaching them a number of times, I appreciate their effort reaching out to us to work with our communities and to do a formal apology for all the victims; and for them to acknowledge their role in all of this is encouraging, he said.

In 1994, Rowe was convicted of 39 counts of indecent assault on 15 boys aged 8 to 14. He was sentenced to six years in prison, but only served only four and a half years. Part of his plea deal meant he was protected from facing more charges of a similar nature.

Many other men have come forward, but have not been able to press charges.

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WINNIPEGManitobas premier is being criticized for saying indigenous people shouldnt be night hunting and that the practice is creating a race war.

Brian Pallister made the comments to fellow Progressive Conservatives earlier this week in Virden, Man.

Young indigenous guys going out and shootin a bunch of moose cause they can, cause they say its their right, doesnt make any sense to me, he said in a speech, which was recorded by the local radio station CJVM.

This is a poor practice. A dumb practice . . . It should stop.

So what are we doing? Were organizing to bring indigenous people together and say the same thing I just said to ya, cause its becoming a race war and I dont want that.

The provinces hunting guide says indigenous people have the right to hunt at night where it is safe, but it is illegal for others.

The premier said in an emailed statement Friday that night hunting is a dangerous practice for everyone and that rights do not trump responsibilities. He said the government is reaching out to indigenous communities on the issue.

NDP legislature member Wab Kinew called the premiers words awful and offensive.

Youre a dinosaur if youre talking like that, Kinew said.

Kinew said that as an aboriginal man, he hunts, but not at night because it isnt safe.

There are reasonable people on all sides of the issue, he said. But the problem is reasonable voices get crowded out by inflammatory comments like race war. The premiers got to own up to that. Hes got to recognize this was reckless and he should apologize.

Grand Chief Derek Nepinak with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said Pallisters remarks are damaging to reconciliation in rural Manitoba.

Whether you see the issue politically or from the lens of responsible leadership, the comments are unnecessarily inflammatory and only add to the difficulty in addressing long-standing challenges that indigenous hunters have faced in accessing our traditional hunting territories.

Manitoba Liberal Leader Judy Klassen, an aboriginal woman, also demanded an apology.

Use of terms like race war are thoughtless, Premier, we all are one race  the human race, she said in a release. Indigenous hunters fought for over a century to have this treaty right honoured.

Night hunting has become controversial because it is commonly associated with hunters in trucks using high-powered lights to target animals, said Rob Olson, managing director of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.

In some remote areas, indigenous hunters have long used only moonlight to track moose, Olson said.

The danger, he said, is when night hunting takes place near farms and ranches. Hunters cant see in the dark whats beyond their target.

Bullets have hit homes and cattle by mistake, Olson said. Last fall, an aboriginal hunter died in a night-hunting accident.

Olsons group has been talking with First Nations about the practice and pushing the province to quickly do the same. He hopes the government will follow Saskatchewan and ban night hunting for everyone in certain areas. Indigenous groups agreed after the province got the support of elders, he said.

Olson said he doesnt think Pallister was offensive and that tensions are indeed brewing on the issue.

What I took it to mean is (Pallister) doesnt want a race war and, in that regard, who does? Olson said.

Here is the thing: the longer it takes the government to move on consulting and solving the issue, the more tensions that can be created between races, and weve got to avoid that at all costs.

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Both sides found positives in a Canadian court ruling issued Friday in a David and Goliath legal battle between oil giant Chevron and a group of Ecuadorian villagers.

The villagers are using the Canadian courts to try to collect on a US$9.5-billion Ecuadorian court judgment for environmental damage.

Chevron issued a news release Friday saying Ontarios superior court has ruled the oil companys Canadian arm isnt a party to the Ecuadorian court decision.

Chevron said the Ontario judgment concluded that Chevron Canada is a separate entity and says its confident any jurisdiction that examines the facts of the case will find the Ecuadorian judgment unenforceable.

A spokeswoman for the villagers issued a counter statement saying the ruling gave the green light for the villagers to continue legal action against Chevron Corp. in a bid to seize billions in assets to enforce the court judgment. The villagers are now seeking roughly $12 billion, factoring in interest.

Karen Hintons statement minimized the setback with regards to Chevrons Canadian subsidiary, predicting it would be swiftly reversed by an appeal court.

Ultimately, we are confident that Canadas courts will hold Chevron fully accountable for its outrageous and criminal conduct in Ecuador, said Hinton, who is based in the U.S.

Some 30,000 villagers first turned to Ecuadors justice system in 1993 alleging that Texaco, which is now owned by Chevron, dumped billions of litres of toxic oil-drilling waters into hundreds of open-air pits.

Activists have contended the affected area sees, among other problems, the highest rates of childhood leukemia in the country  130 per cent more frequent cancer deaths than elsewhere, and 150 per cent higher rates of miscarriages.

Chevron has no assets in the South American country, so the villagers have turned to courts in several other countries in an effort to have the judgment enforced.

Alan Lenczner argued in court previously that the notion that Chevron Corp. is separate from its Canadian arm was nonsense, saying Chevron Canada is a cash cow that sends billions to its controlling parent.

Chevron has also derided the Ecuador court judgment contending it was the product of fraud, witness tampering and obstruction of justice. It said a U.S. court has already prohibited the Ecuadorian judgment from being enforced in the United States.

Hintons statement countered Chevrons fraud claims were debunked by Ecuadors courts.

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The plan was simple. Montrealer Sasha Dyck and some friends would drive to Washington to join the Womens March. But when the six Canadians and two French nationals reached the border at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle in Quebec, they ran into trouble.

U.S. border agents asked what they planned to do in the United States. We said we were going to the Womens March on Saturday and they said, Well, youre going to have to pull over, Dyck told the Guardian. Agents then searched their car and examined their cellphones, Dyck said. Each member of the group was fingerprinted and had their pictures taken.

Finally, after two hours, the agents told Dyck and his friends to turn around. They said, Youre headed home today, Dyck said. Officials warned them that that theyd be arrested if they tried to cross at a different spot this weekend. And that was it. They didnt give a lot of justification.

The two French citizens were told that theyd now need a visa if they wanted to enter the United States. French and British citizens can enter the United States without a visa if they apply for clearance through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). But if your ESTA application is denied, or if youre turned away at the border, youre required to have a visa to enter the country in the future.

Dyck says he has travelled to the United States before without incident. In 2009, he drove to D.C. for Barack Obamas inauguration. When he crossed into New York, Dyck said, the agent gave him a high-five.

Other travellers reported similar struggles this weekend.

British national Joe Kroese and a Canadian were turned away from the same border crossing on Thursday as they travelled with two American friends.

Kroese, 23, was asked by an American border agent why he was travelling to the United States. He told guards that his friends planned to attend the Womens March, though they hadnt worked out all their plans yet. At that point, Kroese and the Canadian were fingerprinted, photographed and denied entry. Agents allegedly told them it was because they wanted to attend a potentially violent rally, according to Kroese.

Although the two Americans were granted entry, agents told Kroese, who is studying at McGill University, that hell now need a visa to travel across the border. The Canadian was told not to try to cross into the United States again for a couple of months.

Montreal resident Joseph Decunha said he was also turned away on Thursday. A border agent asked for his political views, Decunha told CBC. The first thing he asked us point blank is, Are you anti- or pro-Trump? he said.

He was then fingerprinted and photographed. They told me I was being denied entry for administrative reasons. According to the agent, my travelling to the United States for the purpose of protesting didnt constitute a valid reason to cross, Decunha said. The guards also asked why he disapproved of Trump, whether hed ever visited the Middle East, and whether he believed in violence.

Ive never been denied entry at any border crossing before. I have no criminal record. Ive never done anything illegal in Canada or in any other country, Decunha said. It felt like, if we had been pro-Trump, we would have absolutely been allowed entry.

In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that they do not discuss individual cases. But they said border officers have the discretion to deny entry for a variety of reasons, including improper travel documents, interest in participating in prohibited activities, smuggling of contraband or prohibited goods and a history of criminal activity or immigration.

We recognize that there is an important balance to strike between securing our borders while facilitating the high volume of legitimate trade and travel that crosses our borders every day, and we strive to achieve that balance and show the world that the United States is a welcoming nation, spokesperson Carlos A. Diaz wrote.

About a million people cross into the United States from 330 land, air and sea ports around the country each day. On average, just 600 people  less than 1 per cent  are denied access daily, according to Customs and Border Protection, for a varied list of reasons that include prohibited activities or intent as well as national security concerns.

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A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a Toronto man, facing criminal charges, who was able to leave the Toronto East courthouse Friday morning after an alleged miscommunication between police and the courts.

Toronto Police Const. David Hopkinson said Lingathasan Suntharamoorthy, 36, was to remain in custody following a court appearance. Hopkinson wasnt able to specify the charges he faced on Friday, but described them as violent, serious charges.

Instead, Suntharamoorthy left the courthouse in a departure Hopkinson described as an error of the courts.

Suntharamoorthy is currently wanted for being unlawfully at large. Toronto Police describe him as 510 with a medium build, and short black hair.

A release issued Friday also says Suntharamoorthy is known to be violent and dangerous, but Hopkinson wasnt able to confirm if he had a criminal record.

The circumstances leading to the miscommunication arent clear.

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In the median on the south side of Queen St. and University Ave. is Torontos Sir Adam Beck Memorial, complete with a little waterfall. The large 1934 monument is by Emanuel Hahn, the German-Canadian sculptor who also created the familiar caribou on the Canadian quarter. It harkens back to a time when electricity was something that was celebrated in Ontario rather than a source of grief.

As kids we learned of Beck, the provinces great advocate for a publicly controlled power network, one who set up a hydroelectric system that harnessed the energy of Niagara Falls, among other waterways. Hydro is a great euphemism that this province clings to even though only 26 per cent of Ontarios electricity comes from hydroelectric sources today. Hydro, so goes our mythology, is plentiful but perhaps youve heard its suddenly quite expensive.

Across the province a sustained hue and cry has been heard for many months now directed at the rise in hydro prices. Its fuel, as it were, to both opposition politicians and the Kathleen Wynne hate thats become a self-sustaining industry now. To be sure, the increased cost in energy hurts a lot of low- and even medium-income people, but whats curious is the amount of political traction and frenzy of hate this issue gets while the high cost of other things doesnt seem to resonate, like rental housing prices.

The rent is too damn high was a motto used by New York Citys Jimmy McMillan, a flamboyant candidate who ran for various offices including mayor and governor. His fringe candidate status aside, it was a phrase that still resonates among renters in expensive cities everywhere, but doesnt have the same kind of political currency that electricity does. If it did, wed have strict rent controls back tomorrow.

Its enough to think theres a bias favouring those who buy their homes rather than those who rent. Even the Home Hardware corporate jingle sings, Home owners helping home owners, but renters need hammers too, and affordable housing is as much an issue as high electricity prices. In Toronto there are 177,000 people on the waiting list for subsidized housing yet repair funding is so low Toronto Community Housing may close 425 deteriorated units this year.

There are other curious things about the amount of attention paid to electricity rates versus other expensive necessities. Many of those complaining about electricity must not have travelled outside the province, to places where high prices for energy are the norm. Indeed, in adjacent markets like Manitoba or Quebec, places that are truly run on abundant hydro, electricity is cheaper, but further afield Ontario rates seem quite normal. What isnt normal is the deeply comfortable lifestyle weve grown accustomed to here. Ontario gets very cold and very hot, but its always very comfortable. It isnt like this elsewhere.

In many European countries winter is a time when you bundle up indoors and out. Its counter-intuitive but Malta, a Mediterranean country I visit often, is much less comfortable than Ontario in winter. People huddle near space heaters when the temperature dips to single digits or the low teens, heating just one room at a time. In the sweltering summer people will turn the air conditioning on only in the rooms they are in, and switch it off when they leave.

Here we keep entire rooms warm or cold constantly, even if we rarely go into them. In Europe youll find timed light switches in public hallways and stairwells where you press a button and have to scoot along before the lights go out. Low energy fluorescents have been the norm for years, and people dry their clothes on racks indoors, even if it takes two days in the dampness. Energy is never taken for granted as it has been here and kids are taught its precious from the beginning.

Lifestyle is the hardest thing for us to change; its part of our identity. Electricity rates may be too damn high, but our lifestyle is too and no politician wants to touch that when its easier to blame, say, green energy programs. Im as complicit as anyone: if they came to take away my air conditioner in the summer, there would be blood.

Nobody likes the true cost of the things we want. In Toronto, its subways we dont want to pay for with increased taxes. Road tolls are robbery, but somehow paying ever-increasing fares for a subway ride isnt. And as long as Niagara Falls keeps pouring, Adam Becks beautiful hydro myth will live on in Ontario.

Shawn Micallef writes every Saturday about where and how we live in the GTA. Wander the streets with him on Twitter @shawnmicallef

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OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASOBurials have begun for the 10 Burkina Faso nationals killed in last weeks attack on a cafe and hotel in the capital, Ouagadougou, highlighting the local toll suffered in the latest West African country targeted by Islamic extremists.

Three burial services were held Friday and more were expected over the weekend, as Burkina Faso remains fearful of further violence.

For many in Ouagadougou, the attack  the first of its kind in Burkina Faso  points to the need for more stringent security measures to help the country rebound from a period of unrest, including the toppling of the longtime President Blaise Compaore in 2014 and a brief, failed coup last September.

We are asking our authorities to ensure security and we wish these measures to be visible, said Celestin Pierre Zoungrana, chairman of the hotel and restaurant owners association in Burkina Faso. We thought the economy was back on track and we could revamp but we made a mistake and set down our arms, and the terrorists proved us wrong.

Security worries were further heightened on Friday, when suspected members of Burkina Fasos former presidential guard attacked an armoury west of the countrys capital. The elite force, loyal to Compaore, was behind last years coup attempt.

President Roch Marc Christian Kabore was inaugurated as president at the end of last year and named his cabinet just days before the Jan. 15 violence. The new team must respond to the changing security situation, said Cynthia Ohayon, West Africa analyst for the International Crisis Group. They will have to reorganize the guards, their equipment and their know-how, she said.

According to the latest government figures, the extremist attack killed 30 people: 10 from Burkina Faso, six Canadians, three Ukrainians, one Italian, one Libyan, two Swiss, one Dutch, one Portuguese, two French nationals, one American, one French-Moroccan and one who has yet to be identified.

The government offered a mass memorial service for the local victims, but the families decided to have private burials.

Kabore attended a ceremony Friday at Ouagadougous Catholic cathedral for Jean-Pascal Kinda, a former Olympic official who was killed.

What is important for us is to get the bodies and bury them, said Mathias Tankoano, a close friend of Kinda. We have to put his soul to rest in peace as soon as possible.

Elsewhere, relatives of the dead were struggling to adapt to life without their loved ones. Seydou Ilboudo, the 64-year-old father of Sylvain Ilboudo, a server killed at the Italian-run Cappuccino Cafe, said the mans family would have to split up.

He had been working for a year now at Cappuccino Cafe and he was looking after his family, his wife and two kids, Seydou Ilboudo said. His wife has to go back to her family. She will go with the 1-year-old boy, and I will take care of the 4-year-old daughter.

Boureima Ouedraogo, younger brother of Mahamadi Ouedraogo, a driver for Amnesty International who was killed, said his brothers death creates a vacuum not only for his family but for the local Muslim community. In addition to working for Amnesty, Ouedraogo, 42, had raised funds to construct the mosque of the Muslim Students Association of Burkina in the east of Ouagadougou, where he led prayers each Friday, often arriving on a motorbike with his wife and children.

Ahmed Sawadogo, who attended the burial ceremony for Ouedraogo, said: He was the ideal senior brother, remembering others always.

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BRUSSELSThis is an organization town, and Donald Trump has dedicated himself to smashing the system. So his inauguration Friday was greeted with sadness, concern and even despair in the home of the European Union and NATO.

In the Beaux-Arts center of the city, more than 1,000 people turned out the Place de la Monnaie to protest his presidency, try to protect the transatlantic alliance he has vowed to upend and join in solidarity with the Womens March scheduled for Saturday in Washington.

In a city where many people work for vast organizations that devote themselves tearing away borders and bolstering international alliances, Trumps arrival in Washington threatens the ideals many have devoted their careers to upholding. And it gives sustenance to the anti-immigrant, anti-establishment forces who are challenging mainstream leaders in elections this year in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

The atmosphere is one of great uncertainty, said Antonio Fernandez, a Spanish citizen who manages research grants at an office of the European Commission and took part in the protest. He seems to be determined to undermine the European Union and everything it represents.

In part because of Trump, in part because of the British vote to leave the European Union  which helped fuel Trumps insurgent campaign  I dont know if the European Union is going to be here in 10 years, Fernandez said.

Other Brussels protesters were simply concerned about his policies toward women, Muslims and world affairs. More than a thousand people chanted, banged on drums and vowed to oppose Trump for the next four years. When Trump was sworn in  at 6 p.m. Brussels time  a howl lifted up from the crowd.

Its a topic in every work lunch, said Monique Gerwers, who works in internal communications at a polyurethane manufacturer about 24 kilometres north of Brussels. Its so sad to have someone like Trump in control.

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When it came to assessing who wore what on Inauguration Day, there was a whole lot of sartorial symbolism going. Not to mention a freaky fashion confluence that resulted in the incoming first lady and her husbands bitter rival for the presidency wearing the same label, as well as two high-profile pantsuits, both in white, and the sight of Mrs. Obama, Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Trump clad in the colours of the American flag  red, white and blue, respectively.

The biggest reveal of the day came early, with incoming first lady Melania Trump stepping out for the days events clad in a sky-blue double-faced cashmere Ralph Lauren Collection ensemble that included a cropped cutaway jacket and a mock turtleneck dress. Taken together with the suede gloves and stiletto heels  in the same shade of blue  and upswept hairstyle, the first impression of the new first lady was one of elegance and poise.

The monochrome outfits slightly 60s vibe  thanks to the mock turtleneck collar and sleeves cropped to mid-forearm  instantly drew comparisons to the most memorable looks of Jackie Kennedys time as first lady. At the same time, the cut of the cropped cutaway jacket lent a little futuristic-airline-stewardess feel to the whole thing.

The choice of Ralph Lauren was hardly a surprise  the label had been one of the odds-on favourites since the fashion handicapping began earlier this week and it had been Melania Trumps go-to for several high-profile appearances during the campaign season. It was also, as many have pointed out, the source of many a Hillary Clinton pantsuit during the 2016 campaign, a fact of which we were reminded when Clinton arrived for the ceremony also clad in Ralph Lauren  an off-white pantsuit with a white jacket draped over her shoulders.

While the first ladies past and future found themselves united by a brand thats positioned itself as Americas symbolic clothier (Ralph Lauren, need we remind you, is the longtime official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic team), Clinton and Ivanka Trump found themselves sharing the white pantsuit look  the latter in a version by Oscar de la Renta, which included a long, asymmetrical-cut jacket accessorized with an American flag pin. (Her half-sister Tiffany also chose an all-white outfit for the occasion.)

As if that wasnt enough fodder for the fashion machine, outgoing first lady Michelle Obama attended the festivities in a red dress (provenance unknown) with a fit-and-flare silhouette and accessorized with a thin black belt.

Theres another red, white and blue combination that bears mentioning: the Inauguration Day outfit of Trumps special adviser Kellyanne Conway, who turned out for her boss big day in a military-inspired coat from Alessandro Micheles 2017 resort collection for Italian luxury label Gucci. The red, off-white and blue wool A-line look (which she accessorized with a red cloche hat, red gloves and red handbag) was studded with 10 metal buttons with feline-shaped heads.

While the buttons certainly could have been lions, tigers, pumas, it didnt take much heavy lifting to draw a connection between the cat motif and the litter of cat references that have been ping-ponging through the political landscape for the last several months.

Of course, there was the comment by Trump on an Access Hollywood bus about grabbing women, caught on video and released before the election. Then Melania Trump turned up not once but twice wearing outfits with the distinct neck detail known as a pussy bow.

This was catnip to fashion sleuths (this one included), who mused that perhaps it was a calculated nose-thumb to critics and reference to the incident.

That in turn spawned the knit pink pussyhats, which have become the de facto sartorial symbol of Saturdays upcoming womens marches nationwide.

From where were sitting, its almost impossible not to see Conways choice as a kind of catty callback and final commentary on the whole situation.

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MEXICO CITYThe TV reporter stood in a power stance, his back to the U.S. Embassy and the 10 riot police resting on their escutcheons, and pronounced this a major day for Mexico.

Donald Trump is wildly unpopular in Mexico, where today is being seen as a real turn for the worse in the countrys fortunes, he said loud enough in English that people were stopping on the sidewalk to watch.

And maybe it will be. The Mexican protest machine, though, was slow to rise on this nearly cloudless Friday morning in Mexico City.

Across the street, where Julia Klug, 46, wearing what appeared to be a homemade American-flag jumpsuit and matching scout cap, was holding a United States extermination camp against Latinos sign with President Trumps name below a swastika, cameramen outnumbered protesters at least 3 to 1.

On the steps of the Angel of Independence statue in the middle of the traffic circle, the people who had put a Trump head on a stake had to share space with the hunger strikers who were opposed to the rise in gasoline prices.

Some passersby stopped to listen to the man with the megaphone in front of the In the name of humanity we refuse to accept an American fascist banner, but others seemed just as interested in the black and white photographs of the Beatles and Cantinflas being sold on the pavement.

For Mexico, its been a long and wearying year of Donald Trump. And Arturo Gracia Mayen, getting his shoes shined next to the riot officers, saw no reason to be optimistic about the one to come.

Hes seen as a Hitler type, because he wants to close the borders to jobs and progress. He doesnt want to co-operate with Mexicans, said Gracia, a 49-year-old lawyer. If American companies leave, we have to open ourselves to the Asian economies. To look for new horizons.

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Far above the Arctic Circle, one of the longest-running controversies in U.S. oil drilling is about to reignite.

Buoyed by Donald Trumps election, Republicans are pushing to allow oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the frigid wilderness in northern Alaska thats been a political battleground for drillers and conservationists for decades. The prospects for industry look better than they have in years, with Republicans in control of Congress and Trump vowing to boost U.S. energy production.

Theres just one catch. No one really knows how much oil actually lies beneath the refuge, or how much producers like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips care about it in a world awash in cheap oil, from Texas shale to offshore Africa. While the government estimates the area could hold 12 billion barrels of crude, making it one of the biggest untapped reserves in the U.S., no ones sunk a well there since the 1980s.

Its value is hard to gauge because its always been a bit theoretical, said Andrew Slaughter, executive director of the Deloitte Center for Energy Solutions in Houston. No administration has really wanted to take on the challenge of going for ANWR.

That may be about to change. The aging Trans Alaska Pipeline, once the symbol of energy independence for an oil-strapped nation, is now on the verge of obsolescence. The 800-mile system links northern Alaska to the rest of the world, but its output has been falling as fields outside the refuge fade out and supplies from shale oil in the lower states grow.

While it may take a decade for ANWR to start producing oil, the new supply would go a long way toward ensuring the survival of the pipeline and the jobs that go with it, according to U.S. senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. The two Alaska Republicans introduced legislation this month to allow development of as many as 2,000 acres in the refuge.

For nearly 40 years, Alaskans have proven that we can responsibly develop our natural resources while protecting the environment, Murkowski said in a Jan. 5 statement. State residents, moreover, overwhelmingly support responsible development of the refuge.

Created by Congress in 1980, the refuge provides a critical habitat and breeding ground for polar bears, wolves, migratory birds and caribou, among other species. It covers 19 million acres in northeastern Alaska, stretching from the mountains of the Brooks Range and boreal forests to a vast, snowy coastal plain that slides into the Arctic Ocean.

Yet from the moment it was created, ANWR has been coveted for its untapped oil. The refuge was set aside even as the U.S. ramped up production in the North Slope, in response to the shock of oil embargoes in the 1970s.

Just how rich the prize is remains to be seen. A 2005 review by the U.S. Geological Survey, based on decades-old data, said ANWR may hold as many as 11.8 billion barrels of crude. If that were proven true, it would rival the mammoth Prudhoe Bay field that sparked the Alaskan oil rush 40 years ago, the kind of elephant-sized find that would generate income for decades. That could appeal to companies looking to balance the short lifespans of shale fields and the risks of operating in more politically fraught parts of the globe.

But only one well has been sunk in the refuge, an exploratory project by BP and Chevron in 1985. The results, deemed proprietary, were never made public. BP, when reached for comment, referred questions to Chevron, which did not respond.

Given the extreme conditions in Alaska, oil would have to sell at about $70 a barrel to make most of it economical to recover. Today, prices hover around $55. The sub-zero weather and remote distances mean drilling in Alaska typically costs three times as much as in the Lower 48, according to industry researcher IHS Markit Inc.

ExxonMobil referred questions to the American Petroleum Institute, the industrys Washington lobbying group. The institute said in a statement that it believes the refuge can be developed in a safe and responsible way. ConocoPhillips, Alaskas biggest oil producer, agrees, spokeswoman Natalie Low said in an email.

If ANWR were to be opened, wed consider it within our opportunities, she said. The area would have to compete with other regions for our exploration dollars.

Even if oil prices rise significantly, myriad questions remain. Are the ANWR reserves concentrated or spread out? Mixed with natural gas? At todays prices, though, such questions are moot, said Imran Khan, a senior research manager in Houston at Wood MacKenzie Ltd., an industry consultant.

There are a lot of other, cheaper areas that are currently open to exploration that big companies can attack, he said. If not for the change of power in Washington, I dont think anybody would be talking about it right now, because I dont think it can work.

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KOBLENZ, GERMANYDeclaring that 2017 will be the year of the awakening of the people of continental Europe, French far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen joined fellow nationalists Saturday at a conference in Germany, in a show of populist confidence as Europe faces a series of high-stakes national elections.

Right-wing leaders from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and elsewhere strode confidently into the Koblenz congress hall on the banks of the Rhine River ahead of a flag-waving escort, setting the tone for a gathering whose mood was buoyed by Donald Trumps swearing-in as U.S. president. The European parties hope for similar success in tapping anti-establishment and protectionist sentiment in elections this year.

I believe we are witnessing historic times, Dutch anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders told reporters. The world is changing. America is changing. Europe is changing. And the people start getting in charge again.

Wilders, speaking in English, declared that the genie will not go back into the bottle again, whether you like it or not.

The Netherlands will provide the next major test for populist parties support. Wilders Party of Freedom could win the largest percentage of votes in the March 15 Dutch parliamentary election even though it is shunned by other parties and unlikely to get a share of power.

Marine Le Pen, leader of Frances far-right National Front, is among the top contenders in Frances April-May presidential vote. In September, Frauke Petrys four-year-old Alternative for Germany party hopes to enter the German parliament in a national election, riding sentiment against German Chancellor Angela Merkels welcoming policy toward refugees. Other German parties say they wont work with the anti-immigrant group.

Those at the Koblenz conference Saturday are part of the Europe of Nations and Freedom group in the European Parliament, which was launched in 2015. The gathering also featured Matteo Salvini of Italys anti-migrant Northern League and Harald Vilimsky, the general secretary of Austrias right-wing Freedom Party, which last year narrowly failed to win the countrys presidency.

Trump is a winner, we are winners: Frauke Petry, Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders, all of us here are winners, Vilimsky told an audience of around 1,000.

Speakers also denounced political Islam and Europes common currency, the euro, which Salvini labelled a failed, criminal experiment.

Le Pen revelled in Trump taking power in the U.S., months after Britain voted to leave the 28-nation European Union in a referendum that she hopes to emulate.

2016 was the year when the Anglo-Saxon world woke up. And 2017, I am sure, will be the year of the awakening of the people of continental Europe, she said.

She denounced the EU as a force of sterilization and assailed Merkel  whose name was booed loudly  for allowing in large numbers of asylum-seekers last year.

Le Pen praised Trump for what she said was a clear position on Europe: He will not support a system of oppression of the people.

We are experiencing the end of one world and the birth of another, she said. We are experiencing the return of nation states.

Petry said just as Donald Trump in America shows the way out of a dead end, with new prospects  including for (resolving) international conflicts  we want to do that in the coming months and years for Europe.

The leaders sought to portray their focus on nationalist priorities that dont necessarily converge as a virtue rather than a weakness. Le Pen lauded the coherence that we have, above and beyond our differences, which we like.

By definition, each of us wants to be the master at home. We want our people to be masters at home, so we dont want to align ourselves on a single policy for everyone, she said. That is exactly what unites us  that is why we are fighting against a European Union that wants to squash us, that wants to eat us all in the same sauce.

Le Pen added that Trump was elected on the back of many of the ideas the European nationalists hold dear, pointing to common accents with what they have long said in his inauguration speech on Friday.

We have fought, at first separately in each of our countries and now united, together, a whole series of great values: the nation, control of our borders, the defence of our people, patriotism, sovereignty, the defence of our national identities, she said.

Despite the talk of unity, there is unease among some in the Alternative for Germany party about aligning with Le Pens National Front due to her protectionist economic policies, Joerg Meuthen, the AfDs co-leader, told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland newspaper group.

Some 5,000 demonstrators gathered outside the congress centre in Koblenz, singing the European anthem Ode to Joy.

Elsewhere in Koblenz, demonstrators from the global AVAAZ activist group placed statues of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Josef Stalin, among others, in front of a landmark statue of German Kaiser Wilhelm.

AVAAZ organizer Pascal Vollenweider said the statues of the dictators were meant to send a strong message to the nationalist politicians meeting that global citizens are rejecting their old dangerous ideas.

They are not fascists in jackboots, its a different type of fascism, of course. But if you look at the ideas . . . its very dangerous, and we have to face it, he said.

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NATAL, BRAZILMilitary police entered a prison in northeastern Brazil on Saturday, establishing tenuous control after a week of chaos and fighting between rival gangs that left 26 inmates dead.

The unrest was the latest in a spate of violence in the countrys penitentiaries, where at least 126 people have been killed since the beginning of the year. The fighting is typically between members of rival gangs who compete for control of drug trafficking routes outside prison walls.

A week after inmates first rioted at Alcacuz prison, riot police and other forces moved into the complex outside the city of Natal on Saturday. As a helicopter flew overhead, an armoured vehicle also entered the complex and later construction equipment was brought in. Authorities would not say how many officers entered the complex, but an Associated Press reporter saw about 40 go in.

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Gang violence continues at Brazil prison, where dozens have been killed

Death toll rises to 27 in latest Brazil prison riot

Another Brazilian prison rebellion kills at least 4 more inmates

A few hours after the operation began, Maj. Eduardo Franco, a military police spokesperson, said the complex was again under police control.

But Col. Andre Azevedo, general commander of the Military Police in Rio Grande do Norte state, painted a bleak picture of the situation inside, saying that the entire system had broken down and maintaining control would be an ongoing battle. Many of the inmates are armed.

Every time the police enter ... they take away weapons that they find, but this is not enough to guarantee that tomorrow there wont be weapons, he told reporters late Saturday. In the vast complex, prisoners can easily find or make weapons, he said.

In the confrontation at Alcacuz, authorities said members of the Sao Paulo-based First Command, Brazils largest criminal gang, known by the Portuguese acronym PCC, fought with local gang Crime Syndicate of Rio Grande do Norte.

Police forces have begun building a wall of shipping containers to separate rival prisoners from one another. Eventually, the temporary measure will be replaced with a concrete wall.

In the violence, many of the dead were dismembered, and investigators from the medical examiners office on Saturday found several body parts, including a full skull, parts of two other skulls and other bones. Given the state of decomposition of the skulls, the office said they belonged to people killed in the violence a week ago.

Of the 26 bodies previously sent to the medical examiner, 22 have been identified, the office said in a statement.

Much of the prison appears to have been damaged in the previous week. From a vantage point outside, holes could be seen in the walls and rooftops of buildings within the complex. Debris littered the ground. Even before the recent destruction, the prison was commonly called Swiss cheese because it was built on sand dunes, and prisoners over the years have managed to tunnel out.

G1, a Brazilian news portal, reported another riot Saturday in a prison in Pernambuco state, also in the northeast. It quoted officials as saying one prisoner was killed and 13 injured in the violence before authorities regained control.

The series of riots and grisly killings in Latin Americas largest country has put a spotlight on overcrowding, underfunding and understaffing in the prison system. For instance, Alcacuz is home to more than 1,000 inmates, though it was built for 620. Images on TV and in newspapers of prisoners wielding weapons and cellphones have embarrassed President Michel Temer and put pressure on his administration to reform the system.

Authorities in Brazil are under pressure to crack down on crime, in general, and many states have struggled to do that in the context of shrinking budgets amid an economic recession.

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President Donald Trump assured employees at the CIA of his strong support and said he would unleash them to defeat Islamic terrorists after previous presidents had acted with restraint in the nations 16-year-old war with extremists.

Weve been fighting these wars for longer than any wars weve ever fought, Trump said. We have not used the real abilities that we have. Weve been restrained.

He rejected the notion that he had been in a feud with the intelligence community over its investigation of the Russian governments involvement in the presidential campaign.

He was not specific about what abilities the CIA should use against terrorism, but during his presidential campaign Trump openly suggested his predecessor, Barack Obama, was wrong to ban waterboarding and other severe interrogation techniques criticized as torture.

Radical Islamic terrorism, and I said it yesterday, has to be eradicated, just off the face of the Earth, Trump said. This is evil.

Trump visited the agency on his first full day on the job to begin patching up relations strained by his public criticism of the intelligence communitys investigation of Russias hacks of Democratic Party officials email accounts during the campaign.

There is nobody who feels stronger about the intelligence community and the CIA than Donald Trump, Trump told about 300 people standing in front of the agencys memorial to officers killed in action. He was accompanied by his National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, and his nominee to lead the CIA, Mike Pompeo, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Maybe sometimes you havent got the backing that youve wanted, Trump said. Youre to get so much backing, maybe youre going to say, please dont give us so much backing. Mr. President, please dont give us so much backing.

He was greeted warmly and, when he suggested that most of the audience had voted for him, many people were heard applauding. The military gave us tremendous percentages of votes, he said. Probably almost everybody in this room voted for me. I would guarantee a big portion.

Very, very few people could do the job you people do, he said.

They were hosted by the acting director of the agency, Meroe Park, who was the CIAs third-ranking official at the end Barack Obamas presidency.

The visit was planned with the expectation that Pompeo would be confirmed by the Senate on Friday and could be sworn in Saturday. Instead, objections from Democrats postponed the vote until next week.

No CIA director in history has ever been confirmed on Inauguration Day, Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said in a statement. The importance of the position of CIA director, especially in these dangerous times, demands that the nomination be thoroughly vetted, questioned and debated.

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Re: Dark clouds are threatening Justin Trudeaus sunny ways, Jan. 15

Re: Obama led change, but not nearly enough, Jan. 15

Dark clouds are threatening Justin Trudeaus sunny ways, Jan. 15

As expected, some dark clouds are creeping on the horizon and the sun is beginning to set on Justin Trudeaus sunny ways. Trudeaus pretty long honeymoon with the Canadian public was not a surprise, given the fact his Conservative predecessor Stephen Harper had severed any meaningful contact with the public, and paid a heavy price for his strange decision.

However, you can now notice the beginning of a winter of discontent for Trudeaus government. Kissing babies, taking selfies with star-crazy aficionados and projecting a slick poster-boy image can only work for awhile, as actress Jane Fonda alluded to on her recent Canadian visit. Citizens could be expected to cut Trudeau some slack, despite some of his early missteps, but first he must earn their trust by delivering on his promises.

It is clear to see that the rocky road ahead is much different from just a few months ago. Recent global events indicate voters have tilted quite jerkily to the right, becoming very results-oriented and hungry for change.

Trudeau is a fast learner and must realize that he needs to deliver on his promises. Only then would the Liberals enhance their chances of winning the next federal election. And theres good reason to believe that the PC Party may regroup before long and pose a real threat to Trudeau.

M. Fernandes, Mississauga

It is hard not to be cynical about Prime Minister Trudeaus Tim Hortons tour given recent revelations.

Instead of choosing to bring in the New Year with Canadians, a year with great symbolic significance, he chose to spend it with one of the worlds wealthiest men. Its a pattern that is becoming all too familiar.

I cant help but wonder, whose opinion will he take more seriously: mine, a non-influential Canadian with few dollars to spare or that of a wealthy Chinese businessman who can donate vast sums to the Trudeau foundation and to his re-election campaign? I anxiously await the answer.

Terry James, Vegreville, Alta.

Jimmy Kimmel recently did a comedy bit where he asked people in the street whether they preferred Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act. Both are the same thing. Trump supporters felt the Affordable Care Act was much superior to the wasteful Obamacare program.

Conservatives may jump on Trudeau for not using Heather Mallicks suggestion of a rowboat when there were no public flights available to a family friends island. Instead, our leader had the audacity to accept a free helicopter ride courtesy of the Aga Khan. Some very intelligent Conservatives may be outraged, but essentially, they are channelling the same selection bias exhibited by the voter who didnt know that one program is referred to by two different names.

I have interacted with people who love Trump and are outraged by Trudeaus gaffe. My answer to them is, why are you not concerned about the rare occurrence of an ethics commissioner speaking publicly about Trumps very serious conflicts of interest. Why are you not concerned about Republicans in Congress passing a new rule allowing house members to hide records from ethics probes. Basically, you are pointing to a firecracker when there is a bomb going off that will take out an entire neighbourhood.

Russell Pangborn, Keswick

Were about a year and half in with Trudeau and what has he done beyond posturing, posing, smiling and granting endless selfies? Well he approved a couple of oil pipelines and started dismantling nationwide health care and, oh yeah, he established ethical standards for federal politicians. And hes still got another 2-1/2 years to give us democratic representation and save the planet.

Lets not forget that Harper put Big Oil ahead of our grandchildrens future and withheld health funds from the provinces while serving the wealthy and privileged. But now we have Justin the Good and things are so much better.

Randy Gostlin, Oshawa

It will take a lot more effort on the PMs part than making just a handful of selfies taken at the local Timmys for him to connect with average Canadian people  a lot more.

Edward P. Swynar, Newcastle, Ont.

Why should we trust Trudeau on his plight to fight climate change while he keeps allowing more pipelines to be built? He knows that the approval of new pipelines will only prolong production in the Alberta oilsands. When you have to deal with a problem, and climate change is a very serious problem, you have to find the cause of it. We know that climate change is the direct result of humans burning fossil fuels. The only way to deal with that problem is to reduce drastically the use of fossil fuels.

Rene Ebacher, Toronto

Obama led change, but not nearly enough, Jan. 15

An open letter to Justin Trudeau, and anyone affiliated with the Liberal team: Please read this well-written, incisive and accurate column by Royson James  and please dont grant him the opportunity to write a similar column about you at the end of your term.

David Klarer, Oakville

Justin Trudeaus Ontario road show takes on partisan edge, Jan. 11

It is unlikely that I will be able to attend the prime ministers town hall meetings, so I hope someone can ask him the following question on my behalf:

In light of the unlawful spying activities revealed last year at the Communications Security Establishment and the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, would the prime minister consider ordering a commission of inquiry into privacy and security to clarify the boundaries of surveillance and counter-espionage in Canada?

Trudeau, like his late father, governs during a period of deepening public skepticism about the legality of the federal governments surveillance and counter-espionage programs.

Pierre Trudeaus response to unlawfulness in the Royal Canadian Mounted Polices now-defunct Security Service was the McDonald Commission and, most importantly, the implementation of its recommendations.

Given the frailty Canadians have discovered in their privacy protections over the past 12 months, a broad, unfettered inquiry would be welcomed.

Brian Alexander, Mississauga

Ive decided that you can continue to be my prime minister. Your stance on the insidious oilsands is intelligent, rational and courageous.

Ravaging our Boreal forest for profit is too imbecilic. If youre asked why you want to phase out this insane method of fossil-fuel extraction, I would suggest responding with, because we cant afford it.

By the way, is there any possibility that your government will end our vast subsidies to the oil industry in the immediate future?

Barry Healey, Toronto

Justin Trudeau ventures cross-country, selling his governments benefits of Canada is back with efforts on climate, aboriginal rights, and the middle class. Surely an embarrassment will be the elephant in our closet, Canadas abysmal record on foreign aid. Once a leader and indeed a world champion for aid, Canada is now a spendthrift cousin, envious of our European brothers with whom we would trade freely. Canada can only truly be back when we contribute our fair share to the poorest of the world. Until then, we mumble empty promises in the shadow of others.

Randy Rudolph, Calgary

Rosie DiManno provides a good summary of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal governments missteps since they came to power. Slowly but surely, Trudeau is convincing me that those sunny days are getting cloudier by the day and, at this rate, by the next election, the Liberals may not get my vote.

Charles Campisi, Oakville

Justin Trudeau may be getting too big for his britches. He has pirouetted around the Liberal election promises, such as fiscal restraint, election reform, ethical conduct and candid openness, with an uncanny agility.

His outgoing personality and undeniable charisma continue to be an effective smokescreen for his Do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do behaviour, which includes issues associated with his island-hopping Christmas holiday in the helicopter of a family friend, who just happens to receive taxpayers dollars for his charity.

Feigning ignorance of his own rules after being caught out makes one wonder if our prime ministers opinion of ordinary Canadians has been downgraded by lavish pay-to-play banquets and wide-eyed selfie-seekers.

Theodore Roosevelt said no man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any mans permission when we ask him to obey it. How long will it be before prudent middle-class Canadians decide Trudeau is not a champion of the people but just another snake oil salesman?

Unfortunately, Trudeau will be laughing all the way to the PMO for as long as he likes if the ultra-right elements in the Conservative party take control.

Lloyd Atkins, Vernon, B.C.

Get real, Canada! A blond meteorite struck the Earth at about noon Friday and some of us are apoplectic because our prime minister may have taken an unauthorized trip in a private helicopter. Seriously?

David Shanoff, Toronto

Talk about trivial! All the screaming headlines about the Trudeau familys island visit and travel in the Aga Khans plane are ridiculous. Why try to make a big political story out of a vacation visiting an old family friend?

What happened to common sense. Is anyone really fool enough to believe that Canada has been endangered in any way? Why doesnt the ethics committee stand back and realize how ridiculous all the criticism is? Why waste time and money on a fruitless investigation that will end by proving no harm was done, even if a rule was broken. Perhaps the rules need changing. It was an unusual exceptional circumstance.

I voted for Trudeau and would again tomorrow. I believe that he and his ministers will restore Canadas international reputation, which was sadly diminished by the previous prime minister. There is not another politician of Trudeaus calibre in other parties that I would even think of supporting and I am sure that 2017 will prove to be a banner year for Canada.

Shirley Bush, Toronto

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Qualcomm (QCOM) is getting tag teamed by Apple (AAPL) and a South Korean regulator in a smackdown that has already resulted in Qualcomm receiving an $853 million fine. Apple has now filed a federal court lawsuit seeking $1 billion in damages based on allegations that Qualcomm meddled in the Korean regulatory investigation.

The Federal Trade Commission jumped into the melee earlier this week when it sued Qualcomm over allegedly unfair patent licensing activity.

"To protect this business scheme Qualcomm has taken increasingly radical steps, most recently withholding nearly $1 billion in payments from Apple as retaliation for responding truthfully to law enforcement agencies investigating them," Apple said in a news release on the suit.

Qualcomm "reinforces its dominance through exclusionary tactics and excessive royalties" according to the release, which says Qualcomm charges Apple five times the amount charged by all of Apple's other patent licensors.

In its lawsuit Apple said: "Qualcomm was one among many companies that contributed to the development of standards related to how cellular phones connect to voice and data networks."

"As a contributor, Qualcomm is entitled to a fair royalty based on the value of its particular contribution. Qualcomm is not entitled to collect royalties based on the contribution of others to the standard, or unrelated innovation by companies that utilize the standard -- but this is precisely the business model that Qualcomm has established and that it protects through monopoly power and unlawful licenses.

"In order to purchase Qualcomm chips or obtain access to patents pledged to a cellular standard, Qualcomm demands that third parties pay Qualcomm a royalty much greater than the value of Qualcomm's contribution to the standard -- a value based on the entire price of the innovative products that only incidentally incorporate the standard," Apple's lawsuit stated.

"While we are still in the process of reviewing the complaint in detail, it is quite clear that Apple's claims are baseless. Apple has intentionally mischaracterized our agreements and negotiations, as well as the enormity and value of the technology we have invented, contributed and shared with all mobile device makers through our licensing program. Apple has been actively encouraging regulatory attacks on Qualcomm's business in various jurisdictions around the world, as reflected in the recent KFTC decision and FTC complaint, by misrepresenting facts and withholding information. We welcome the opportunity to have these meritless claims heard in court where we will be entitled to full discovery of Apple's practices and a robust examination of the merits," said Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel at Qualcomm.

The FTC suit had harsh words for Qualcomm's alleged "no license-no chips" policy that can distort customers' cost structure.

"As a result, Qualcomm's customers have accepted elevated royalties and other license terms that do not reflect an assessment of terms that a court or other neutral arbiter would determine to be fair and reasonable," according to the FTC suit.

Qualcomm took issue with the FTC suit in a press release, and its chairman said this week that the FTC "rushed" to get the lawsuit filed ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration. The company did not immediately respond to inquiries about the dispute with Apple.

Qualcomm shares were trading roughly flat for most of the day, but fell 2.4% to $62.88 at the end of the trading day on Friday when Apple's lawsuit was announced.

Apple is a holding in Jim Cramer'sAction Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL? Learn more now.

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, which Cramer co-manages as a charitable trust, is long AAPL.
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.
LIGONIER  Im here tonight to help you take a deep breath and not panic, Laura Pontius told the group that had gathered Thursday evening at a church in Ligonier.

Pontius, an immigration attorney from Wolf Lake whose office is in Goshen, knows that the new administration under President Donald Trump has a lot of people in the Hispanic community worried, but at the meeting, she tried to assuage their fears of deportation and discrimination with facts.

Presenting at Iglesia Antorcha Encendida de Jesus to a crowd of about 20, Pontius and Luz Piedad Ostrognai, a Catholic Charities immigration supervisor, outlined ways that residents can protect themselves, know their rights and prepare for the future. Mayor Patty Fisel also was in attendance.

Because fear can lead to anxiety and rash decisions, Pontius stressed the importance of each individual knowing his or her rights regardless of citizenship status. Also, for those with questions, she directed residents to see a licensed attorney or a Board of Immigration Appeals-accredited representative, because the present political environment might be used by those who will try to take advantage of people in distress.

Pontius and Ostrognai provided those in attendance with a sheet outlining their rights that they can keep with them and show to law enforcement or other officials if trouble were to arise.

The most important thing tonight that we could talk about is that you know your rights for the coming four years or so, Pontius said, which was then translated into Spanish by Ostrognai. Everybody has this list of rights.

The list includes the right to remain silent if stopped by law enforcement; to keep a door closed unless a warrant is presented; to speak to a lawyer before speaking with law enforcement; to present ones case and appeal to a judge if an order for deportation is issued, and that the government isnt required to provide free counsel; and to know and understand a document before signing it.

Children, the list also states, have rights to a free public education and to be free from raids at sensitive places, such as schools, churches, hospitals and civil ceremonies.

In addition to keeping the list readily available, Pontius advised carrying a copy of valid immigration documents at all times, which may help to avoid any confrontation.

Also at the meeting, which was organized by the newly formed Hispanic business association The Bridge, Pontius and Ostrognai explained how some of the promises Trump made during his campaign are not logistically feasible.

I know once the election happened, there has been a lot of fear, but from my perspective, seeing all the law and all the policies, I just dont think we can know a lot right now, so dont panic, Pontius said. My first piece of advice is to not make quick decisions.

On Trumps promise to revoke the Obama administrations Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy during his first 120 days as president, Pontius said it would be an easy policy to terminate, as its not a law passed by Congress. But removing 750,000 young people would be a nightmare and would not be possible right now.

She added that would be because of lawsuits and news media coverage that would reflect poorly on Trumps administration, and also those in his own party disagreeing with him on the issue or its timeliness, including House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Trump also wont be able to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants as he has said hell do, Pontius explained.

Deporting this many people will totally cause the immigration system to collapse, Pontius said. To deport that many people, it would require a change in immigration law.

The court system couldnt handle that many deportation hearings, which each person would be allowed, she said. But Pontius does expect that there will be more deportations, especially for those with criminal histories, so that Trump can make good on his promises.

And as for the construction of a border wall between the United States and Mexico, Pontius and Ostrognai simply laughed and rolled their eyes.

This is very silly. It will be very, very expensive to build, $13 billion, Pontius said. Mexico will not pay for the wall, so Americans will have to pay for it, and Americans dont want to pay for it.

The border wall also would bring a string of lawsuits because it would need to be built on Native American land and could negatively affect animal species along its path, Pontius said.

Ending the meeting with a question-and-answer session conducted in Spanish for Hispanic residents, Ostrognai and Pontius discussed specific DACA issues, divorce proceedings involving a green card and visiting sick family members out of the country.

Pontius sees these kinds of discussions as essential, because a lot of worried people are getting their information from unreliable sources. Thursdays meeting was a way she and Ostrognai could get the right information directly to them.

I learned that there is a pretty serious lack of true information in the community, and there arent many voices saying whats true. My goal in being here is to dispel the myths and to try and help people not panic as much, Pontius said after the meeting.

I think the day after the election was probably one of our busiest days of the last year, and I think mostly the rhetoric of the election season instilled a lot of fear in the community. If you dig deeper, the immigration system as a whole is really slow moving, so a lot of these really scary things that were promised may not even happen, but the rhetoric has made it so people totally believe its going to happen.
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., an offshore energy services company, provides specialty services to the offshore energy industry primarily in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, North Sea, the Asia Pacific, and West Africa regions. The company operates through three segments: Well Intervention, Robotics, and Production Facilities. It engages in the installation of flowlines, control umbilicals, and manifold assemblies and risers; trenching and burial of pipelines; installation and tie-in of riser and manifold assembly; commissioning, testing, and inspection activities; and provision of cable and umbilical lay, and connection services. The company also provides well intervention, intervention engineering, and production enhancement services; inspection, repair, and maintenance of production structures, trees, jumpers, risers, pipelines, and subsea equipment; and related support services. In addition, it offers reclamation and remediation services; well plug and abandonment services; pipeline abandonment services; and site inspections. Additionally, the company offers oil and natural gas processing facilities and services; and fast response system, as well as site clearance and subsea support services. It serves independent oil and gas producers and suppliers, pipeline transmission companies, renewable energy companies, and offshore engineering and construction firms. The company was formerly known as Cal Dive International, Inc. and changed its name to Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. in March 2006. Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1979 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.
Kennametal Inc. engages in development and application of tungsten carbides, ceramics, and super-hard materials and solutions for use in metal cutting and extreme wear applications to enable customers work against corrosion and high temperatures conditions worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Metal Cutting and Infrastructure. It offers standard and custom products, including turning, milling, hole making, tooling systems, and services, as well as specialized wear components and metallurgical powders for manufacturers engaged in various industries, such as the manufacturers of transportation vehicles and components, machine tools, and light and heavy machinery; airframe and aerospace components; and energy-related components for the oil and gas industry, as well as power generation. The company also provides specified product design, selection, application, and support services; and standard and custom metal cutting solutions to aerospace, general engineering, energy, and transportation customers. In addition, it produces compacts, nozzles, frac seats, and custom components used in oil and gas, and petrochemical industries; rod blanks and abrasive water jet nozzles for general industries; earth cutting tools and systems used in underground mining, trenching and foundation drilling, and road milling; tungsten carbide powders for the oil and gas, aerospace, and process industries; and ceramics used by the packaging industry for metallization of films and papers. It provides its products under the Kennametal, WIDIA, WIDIA Hanita, and WIDIA GTD brands through its direct sales force; a network of independent and national distributors; integrated supplier channels; and through the Internet. The company was founded in 1938 and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Delek US Holdings, Inc. engages in the integrated downstream energy business in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Refining, Logistics, and Retail. The Refining segment processes crude oil and other feedstock for the manufacture of various grades of gasoline, diesel fuel, aviation fuel, asphalt, and other petroleum-based products that are distributed through owned and third-party product terminal. It owns and operates four independent refineries located in Tyler, Texas; El Dorado, Arkansas; Big Spring, Texas; and Krotz Springs, Louisiana, as well as three biodiesel facilities in Crossett, Arkansas, Cleburne, Texas, and New Albany. The Logistics segment gathers, transports, and stores crude oil, intermediate, and refined products; and markets, distributes, transports, and stores refined products for third parties. It owns or leases capacity on approximately 400 miles of crude oil transportation pipelines, approximately 450 miles of refined product pipelines, an approximately 900-mile crude oil gathering system, and associated crude oil storage tanks with an aggregate of approximately 10.2 million barrels of active shell capacity; and owns and operates ten light product distribution terminals, as well as markets light products using third-party terminals. The Retail segment owns and leases 248 convenience store sites located primarily in West Texas and New Mexico. Its convenience stores offer various grades of gasoline and diesel under the DK or Alon brand; and food products and service, tobacco products, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and general merchandise, as well as money orders to the public primarily under the 7-Eleven and DK or Alon brand names. It serves oil companies, independent refiners and marketers, jobbers, distributors, utility and transportation companies, the U.S. government, and independent retail fuel operators. Delek US Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  Sister Frances Elizabeth Schmitz, O.S.F., 94, of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis died 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, Ill.

Sister Frances Elizabeth was born March 1, 1922, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Agnes Beck Schmitz. She entered the Congregation Feb. 2, 1945, and professed her religious vows Oct. 4, 1947. Sister graduated from LeClerc College in Belleville, Ill. in 1949, with a B.A. in history. In 1953, Sister earned a B.A. in church music from St. Johns University, Collegeville, Minn. In 1961, she obtained a certificate as medical records librarian from the college of St. Marys in Omaha, Neb. She received a post-graduate degree in theology from Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Mo., in 1979. Sister taught at St. Francis High School, located in the Motherhouse in Springfield, Ill., served as a missionary to the Navajos in Lukachukai, Ariz., a medical records librarian in HSHS hospitals, hospital administrator at HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls, and various leadership positions within the community, becoming provincial superior of the American Province in 1979.

In 1982, she returned to HSHS St. Josephs Hospital in Chippewa Falls until 2005, when health concerns brought her back to the Motherhouse.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Loren Schmitz; and two sisters, Mary Elaine Schmitz and Margaret M. Greiner.

She is survived by a sister, Clare Staebell, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; several great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as her Franciscan Sisters, with whom she shared her life. This year she would have celebrated her 70th Jubilee year in religious life.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. with a wake service at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at the St. Francis Convent. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Dennis Koopman, OFM at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery. Staab Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Trip Summary

2 nights in Madrid



In the last few years, Madrid has gained the reputation of being one of Europe's most active and attractive cities for its nightlife and cultural activities. Capital of Spain since 1562, Madrid's museums host, among others, Dalis, Miros and Picasso's Guernica. Madrid is a city of great contrasts: the Old City, the Madrid of the Hapsburgs, the Royal Palace, the Puerta de Alcala, the Retiro Park. At night, the city changes gears with its famous Madrid nightlife. The city's endless energy is hard to resist, and its sociable style invites you to jump right in.



Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights

Must See`s:

Palacio Real, Plaza Mayor, Prado Museum, Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Alcala, Plaza de Cibeles, Gran Via, Madrid Cathedral, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums and so much more!



2 nights in Valencia



Thanks to its location, Valencia is the Spanish getaway to the Mediterranean, where history meets modernism. A bustling commercial and trading center, Valencia is all about culture, commerce, cinema, theatre, and museums. Fine beaches are to be found within the city limits or in its immediate vicinity. A visit to the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies (City of the Arts and Sciences) - an astonishing urban complex designed to make learning fun - is essential.





Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights

Must See`s:

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies, Llotja de la Seda, Valencia Cathedral, Jardi del Turia, Torres dels Serrans, Placa de Bous, Placa de l'Ajuntament, Placa de la Mare de Deu, Platja de la Malva-rosa, and so much more!


Trip Summary

3 nights in Amsterdam



Easygoing, liberal Amsterdam is "different." Its citizens, bubbling along happily in their multiracial melting pot, are not so easily poured into the restrictive molds of trade and industry. More important, you can enjoy Amsterdam, its culture, history, and beauty, without stretching the limits of your credit cards. Few skyscrapers mar the clarity of the sky and the populace mostly walks or bikes from place to place. The historic center recalls Amsterdam's Golden Age as the command post of a vast trading network and colonial empire, when wealthy merchants constructed gabled residences along neatly laid-out canals.



Recommended Stay: At least 3 nights

Must See`s:

Dam Square, Anne Frank House, Bloemenmarkt, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Canal Belt, Jordaan, Red Light District and so much more!



3 nights in

Barcelona

Barcelona, the old Roman Barcino, is Spain`s second city, always on the biting edge of fashion, architecture, food, style, music and good times. Walk its narrow streets and wonderful plazas, or along the Ramblas, stretching from Plaza de Cataluna to the Harbor, encompassing the magic of the city: stalls full of books, birds and flowers. The city`s most powerful monuments open a window onto its history: the intricately carved edifices that comprise the medieval Gothic Quarter; the curvilinear modernism (Catalan Art Nouveau) that inspired Gaudi's Sagrada Familia; and the seminal surrealist works of Picasso and Miro, found in museums that peg Barcelona as a crucial incubator for 20th-century art. The recent restoration of the port area began with the development of a harbor for the Olympic Games of 1992. New modern squares, designed by leading artists such as Miro and Barcelo have created a new style alongside Gaudi's modernist buildings. Now the city is ready to show every visitor how it has been transformed into one of the most moderns and active cities in Europe.

Recommended Stay:

Must See`s:

At least 3 nightsSagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, La Rambla, Barri Gotic, Park Guell, modernist buildings, Montjuic Hill, Barceloneta and so much more!
One Ukrainian soldier was killed, no servicepersons were wounded in the ATO area in eastern Ukraine in last day.

Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a press briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"One Ukrainian soldier was killed, no servicepersons were wounded as a result of military hostilities in Donbas in last day," Motuzianyk said.

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Currently, 277 Ukrainian enterprises have the right to supply their products to the European Union countries.

Agrarian Policy and Food Minister of Ukraine Taras Kutovyi said this during the meeting with EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis within the framework of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin, the Government portal reports.

"Currently, 277 Ukrainian enterprises have the right to supply their products to the European Union. We continue to work actively to expand the export potential of Ukraine, and the multilateral meetings within the Global Forum framework are an effective tool for achieving this goal," the Minister said.

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Germany is interested in expanding the mutually beneficial cooperation with Ukraine in the field of agriculture.

This was stated by State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany Peter Bleser, an Ukrinform correspondent reports from Germany.

"Germany is very interested in such a large market, a country which produced 60 million tons of grain last year, having a prospect to reach 100 million tons. We consider it reasonable to continue to work closely for many reasons," Bleser said.

As reported by the Agrarian Policy Ministry of Ukraine, agricultural trade turnover between Ukraine and Germany amounted to about $558 million for 11 months of 2016.

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President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has congratulated 45th President of the United States of America Donald Trump on his inauguration.

This was posted on Twitter page of the Ukrainian President. "Ukraine congratulates Donald Trump on inauguration as 45th US president, wishing success to fulfill noble goals of leading the free world," the message reads. ol
Ukrainians have held the third protest rally of the worldwide action Stop Putin's War In Ukraine in Sydney, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The action participants have traditionally gathered on Pitt Street, one of the central streets of Sydney, holding anti-Putin slogans and informing passersby about the situation in Ukraine and the key requirements for the termination of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The main purpose of the action is to draw public attention to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, to show the importance of unity and solidarity with Ukraine, as well as to call on the world community to step up pressure on Russia to restore territorial integrity and peace in the Ukrainian state.

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The Baltimore Orioles decided to retain the services of their best home run hitter for several years. The team re-signed slugger Mark Trumbo to a three year contract and will make $37.5 over the life of the deal. Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun reports that Trumbo will make $11 million per season and will receive $1.5 million per year in 2020-22. Trumbos new pact also includes a no-trade clause, allowing him to block swaps with seven teams.

The Orioles offered Trumbo a four year offer worth more than $50 million, but later took the deal off the table. It looked like both sides moved on until they agreed to terms yesterday. Baltimore also loses out on an additional draft pick, as Trumbo declined the Orioles qualifying offer earlier this offseason.

Lots of power, but little else

Trumbo should hit plenty of home runs at Camden Yards. Photo: Baltimore Sun

Trumbo provided home run power for an Orioles team that hits them often. The Anaheim, California native led the major leagues with 47 homers. Overall Trumbo posted a .256/.316/.533 slash line, a 123 wRC+ and a 120 OPS+. Trumbos power numbers are a hallmark of his career. He has had two 30-plus homer seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

Trumbo, however, struggles with strikeouts and drawing walks. The slugger had a 7.6 percent walk rate and 25.5 percent strikeout rate. Both rates line up with his career averages (6.7 BB% and 25 K% respectively). In seven major league seasons, Trumbo has a .303 OBP, just 52 points higher than his batting average (.251).

Trumbo is a big liability in the field. As an outfielder, Trumbo has a -21.1 ultimate zone rating (UZR) and -24 defensive runs saved For his career. Trumbo actually has 12 DRS as a first baseman, but only played 37 innings there last year. With Chris Davis signed for the foreseeable future, Trumbo will likely get time elsewhere. Trumbo projects to spend most of his time at DH, while splitting time in right field with recent acquisition Seth Smith.
Background:

Colima volcano is one of the most active in North America and one of the potentially most dangerous ones. It has had more than 30 periods of eruptions since 1585, including several significant eruptions in the late 1990s. Scientific monitoring of the volcano began 20 years ago.The Colima volcanic complex is the most prominent volcanic center of the western Mexican Volcanic Belt. It consists of two southward-younging volcanoes, Nevado de Colima (the 4320 m high point of the complex) on the north and the 3850-m-high historically active Volcan de Colima at the south.A group of cinder cones of probable late-Pleistocene age is located on the floor of the Colima graben west and east of the Colima complex. Volcan de Colima (also known as Volcan Fuego) is a youthful stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera, breached to the south, that has been the source of large debris avalanches. Major slope failures have occurred repeatedly from both the Nevado and Colima cones, and have produced a thick apron of debris-avalanche deposits on three sides of the complex. Frequent historical eruptions date back to the 16th century. Occasional major explosive eruptions (most recently in 1913) have destroyed the summit and left a deep, steep-sided crater that was slowly refilled and then overtopped by lava dome growth.---
Peaceful transfer, yes, but as something to watch on TV, the inauguration of President Trump left a lot to be desired, both as a traditional piece of pomp and as a historical novelty. The revolution of the common man was reduced to a murmur, a day so politically astonishing it almost immediately became something to hurry up and get over with.

The aerial shots of a half-filled Mall told the story of a sorely attended triumph, while the coverage Friday afternoon from downtown streets showed flare-ups of protests that seemed more immature than meaningful. There were some who spent all of Friday tuned out, in denial, avoiding the fact of it  not unlike the several dozen lawmakers who didnt attend. But there was something dutiful, American, even Hillaryesque, in sticking with the proceedings from early morning to early evening, even if it displeases half the nation. Every last move of this new administration needs to be watched, by all of us.

At the center of it was a man who made his name on TV  although its helpful to keep in mind that his stardom was always confined to a leather chair at a boardroom table. Hes got a long way to go before he becomes a truly commanding presence. Under a brief sprinkling of rain, the presidents 16-minute inaugural address was another refrain from his campaign songbook, a vociferous ode to his tribe of Forgotten and Fed-Up Americans.

It was a speech full of promises and vows to upend Washington in ways that are next to impossible to keep, with a line that Twitter users were only too happy to note was borrowed straight from Bane, the villain in the last Batman movie: And give it back to you, the people.

The morning coverage was mainly preoccupied with the vast armies of cable-news punditry admiring the fact that peaceful transfer of power is still possible in these United States, while SUVs and limousines moved slowly from house to church to White House.

No matter what sort of contempt the president claims to hold for Washington and its protocols, Inauguration Day remains a choice opportunity to admire the good manners that keep the nation churning.

It was also a chance for TV news people to show off their knowledge of inaugural trivia. A tradition dating back to 1933 . . . Beginning in 1837 . . . Since 1981, when it was moved to the other side of the Capitol . . .

Jenna Bush Hager, still finding her way as a meaningful addition to NBCs morning lineup, delivered a sentimental piece on what its like to be a child in the White House, leaning on her twin sister, Barbara, as a second source. Today show host Matt Lauer called Hager a giant mushball as the correspondent dabbed a tear, but the fact is, she may yet make it in the cutthroat world of TV infotainment, which chewed up and spat out her (increasingly) distant cousin, Billy. In any case, Id take Hager over the sight of New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd joshing it up with Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough on MSNBCs Morning Joe, broadcast live from the Dubliner pub near Union Station, where the conversation quickly veered to the first ladys moisturized skin.

Waiting for the St. Johns morning prayer service to conclude, the Internet became thoroughly (and so very understandably) transfixed by Trump counselor Kellyanne Conways Gucci coat, evoking everything from a toy soldier to an American Girl doll to the uniform worn by the girls at a Hot Dog on a Stick stand. First lady Melania Trump, meanwhile, seemed to elicit bipartisan oohs and ahhs in her soft blue Ralph Lauren cashmere dress. The president himself came under some sartorial scrutiny from MSNBCs Chris Matthews, who, watching Trump arrive at the White House for tea, observed his coat open, tie flapping . . . Very informal.

Hundreds of people are gathering on the Mall, Fox News Channels Brett Baier said, less than an hour before the ceremony was about to begin  as if he were afraid to say thousands. Who couldnt notice all that white space still available, all those Trump supporters who failed to show?

They didnt miss much. In moments of prayer, the inauguration failed to convey either warm fuzzies or holy goose bumps. The songs and hymns and anthems were technically executed and instantly forgettable. The camera became transfixed by the inscrutable facial expressions of 10-year-old Barron Trump  the lopsided smirk, the Tiger Beat coif, the rolled eyes, the calm endurance that occasionally gave way to the jittery jits. (That is a tall, good-looking young man, there, CNNs Chris Cuomo remarked after the Trump family got out of the limousine for a Pennsylvania Avenue stroll  near the Trump International Hotel, of course.)

The day provided two memorable clips for the vault. The first was when former president Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, departed by Marine helicopter. The scene so many had dreaded was here at last, the final Thanks, Obama, played out to perfection. Watching them go put all of the TV commentators into a state of silence. The Obamas were flown in a loop over the Mall and the White House and then to Joint Base Andrews, where, in a drab hangar, he gave one last speech.

It went on a tad too long  and, fittingly, the networks turned away to instead watch President Trump, surrounded by family and lawmakers, sign the first of his necessary paperwork. This was the second-most memorable moment of the day, with Trump finally in his element  a nice chair at a nice desk, with people hanging on his every word and gesture.

As House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and others fretted over who got which official pens to keep as souvenirs, it was proof positive that every president, any president, is easily and immediately sucked in to Washingtons usual ways  making something even out of pens. If Trump truly believed in his own scorn for the place and all its little rituals, he would have used one pen, and, when finished, put it away in his own pocket.

Instead, there were jokes and banter, and then (wed have to go back and review it to make sure it actually happened) the president who never laughs might have even laughed once or twice. The open mic and proximity proved that the best presidential television is the rare, informal moment. Trump will need a lot more of those to get anywhere with the Americans hes already lost, the people who tune him out as a matter of survival and perseverance. A calmer and more genuine man might reach them, and perhaps TV can once again help Trump get there.


Protesters fill the Mall on Saturday for the Women's March on Washington. The attendance was larger than the 200,000 organizers originally expected. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post)

Several hundred thousands people came to the nations capital Saturday for the Womens March on Washington, an event to protest the Trump administrations policies on womens rights, gay rights, immigration, climate change and other issues.

Organizers planned for 200,000 attendees to gather near the Capitol, where speakers and musicians  including Janelle Monae, Alicia Keys and Maxwell  warmed up the crowd for three hours before the march along the Mall to the White House. Estimates had increased to 500,000 by Saturday morning.

The crowd included girls and women old enough to remember decades of the feminist movement.

Gloria Steinem, one of the most outspoken supporters of womens rights since the 1960s, was one of the big-name speakers. She urged todays activists to get involved beyond social media.

Sometime pressing send is not enough, Steinem said.

The activist noted how the event had attracted enthusiastic supporters from diverse backgrounds.

This is a day that will change us forever because we are together, Steinem said.



Women young and old  many wearing pink hats  attended the event, which was organized after the presidential election to protest the policies of the incoming Trump administration. (Amanda Voisard/For The Washington Post)

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, who spoke wearing a pink hat favored by many of the marchers, spoke up for states rights, namely voting rights for Washington.

We dont have a single vote in that Capitol building, and that injustice must end, Bowser said.

The mayor also said Washington and other cities didnt want federal government involvement in issues of health care, immigration and education.

The best thing the federal government can do is leave us alone, she said, urging the crowd to chant those last three words.

Protesters, including 11-year-old Veronica Sauber from Arlington, Virginia, carried signs championing a variety of issues. Her homemade sign said Immigrants Make America Great.

I feel like we need to have more diversity, said Veronica, who attended the event with her grandmother, friend Natalie Walker, whos also 11, and Natalies mom.

Heading home late Saturday afternoon, Natalie said she was feeling one of the effects of marching  how aching your feet are.

Caroline Jaffe, 12, of Charlottesville, Virginia, also was tired after the long day of walking. She said she attended with her mom and grandmother because protecting the environment was important to her. Caroline said she thought the march would have an effect beyond Saturday.

It proves to people theyre not alone, she said.



A march near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, drew thousands to support women gathering in the United States. (Ian Langsdon/EPA)

Marchers in Washington had support from outside the city. Several hundred sister protests took place in cities around the world.

Thousands of people, including many American workers and students living in France, gathered in Paris for the Womens March.

Protesters marched in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading: We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump, With our sisters in Washington and Womens rights are human rights.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nicolas Gomez, a carpenter who became a trash-picker, makes a violin from recycled materials at his home in the Cateura, a vast landfill outside Paraguay's capital of Asuncion. (Jorge Saenz/Associated Press)

The sounds of a classical guitar come from two big jelly cans. Used X-ray print-outs serve as the skins of a thumping drum set. A battered aluminum salad bowl and strings tuned with forks from what must have been an elegant table make a violin. Bottle caps work perfectly as keys for a saxophone.

A chamber orchestra of 20 children in the South American country of Paraguay uses these and other instruments made out of recycled materials from a landfill where their parents earn their living by picking through trash looking for valuables. The kids regularly perform the music of Beethoven and Mozart, Henry Mancini and the Beatles.

Rocio Riveros, 15, says it took her a year to learn how to play her flute, which was made from tin cans. Now I cant live without this orchestra, she said.

The youngsters of the Orchestra of Instruments Recycled From Cateura performed in Brazil, Panama and Colombia last year and hope to play at an exhibit opening this year in their honor at the Musical Instrument Museum in Arizona.

We want to provide a way out of the landfill for these kids and their families. So were doing the impossible so that they can travel outside Paraguay, to become renowned and admired, says Favio Chavez, the social worker and music teacher who started the orchestra.

Noelia Rios, 12, a trash-pickers daughter, is a guitar picker in the Orchestra of Instruments Recycled From Cateura. Noelia's 14-year-old sister and 16-year-old aunt also play in the orchestra. (Jorge Saenz/Associated Press)

Alejandra Amarilla Nash, who makes documentary, or nonfiction, movies, is even making a movie about the kids, called Landfill Harmonic.

The documentary is far from complete. The kids still have much to prove. But the filmmakers created a Facebook page and posted a short trailer on YouTube and Vimeo that has gone viral, quickly getting more than a million views altogether.

Its a beautiful story and also fits in very well with this theme of ingenuity of humans around the world using what they have at their disposal to create music, says Daniel Piper, who works at the 5,000-instrument Arizona museum.

The community of Cateura could not be more poor. But the music coming from garbage has some families believing in a different future for their children.

Thanks to the orchestra, we were in Rio de Janeiro! We bathed in the sea. . . . I never thought my dreams would become reality, says Tania Vera, a 15-year-old violinist who lives in a wooden shack. Now Tania wants to be a veterinarian, as well as a musician.

The orchestra was started by Chavez, 37. He had learned clarinet and guitar as a child, and had started a small music school in another town in Paraguay before he got a job with an environmental organization teaching trash-pickers how to protect themselves.

Chavez opened a tiny music school at the landfill five years ago, hoping to keep youngsters out of trouble. But he had just five instruments to share, and the kids often grew restless.

So Chavez asked one of the trash-pickers, Nicolas Gomez, to make some instruments from recycled materials to keep the younger kids occupied.

He found a drum and repaired it, and one thing led to another. Since he had been a carpenter, I asked him to make me a guitar. And so we just kept at it, Chavez says.

Come April, the classical stringed instruments that Gomez has made in his workshop alongside his pigs and chickens will be on display in Arizona alongside one of John Lennons pianos and Eric Claptons guitars.

The orchestra is giving new meaning to the life of kids in the town. Im famous in my school thanks to being in the orchestra, says 12-year-old Noelia Rios.


The Trump and Pence families enjoy a dance on stage at the Freedom Inaugural Ball. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

American carnage? Honey, you dont know the half of it. As the daytime ballyhoo dispersed, the scent of scorched limousine on the breeze, there were still the nighttime inaugural balls to deal with Friday: a whole battery of official and unofficial parties, with blistered people limping in tight dress shoes and staggering through dark streets in ball gowns while yelling, The other security guard told me this was the entrance; no Im not going back there again.

Guests, like mice in tuxedos, scurried their way through a maze of concrete barriers and chain-link fences to reach their prize inside the Liberty Ball: cupcakes. With red, white and blue frosting. The plates were paper. The utensils were plastic. But the room was huge, big league, 150,000 square feet of boredom and anticipation. The Rockettes showed  some of them, anyway  just after 8 p.m., and a piano-playing quartet from Utah performed a mash-up of Amazing Grace and Fight Song, an anthem scavenged from the deceased Hillary Clinton campaign.

The only real celebrity at the Liberty Ball, before the new president arrived, was Caitlyn Jenner, the most famous transgender Republican on the planet. A statuesque presence in a single-strap gown that rippled in the back, Jenner was mobbed for selfies inside a dark and crowded VIP area with indigo lighting, an open bar and Rick Perry, Trumps pick for energy secretary.

Las Vegas kingpin and Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson scooted in his motorized wheelchair, like a cruise missile, to a tray of brownies. When Melania Trump was introduced about a quarter to 10, someone bellowed Youre a hottie! Guests Facetimed their family members as the Trumps danced to My Way, a song that begins And now, the end is near . . . 



The Rockettes perform at the Freedom Inaugural Ball. (Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images)

We did it Our Way. We went to so many of those balls.

Over in the National Building Museum, at the Salute to Our Armed Services ball, President Trump danced with Petty Officer 2nd Class Catherine Cartmell, a religious program specialist in the Navy. Melania Trump danced with Army Staff Sgt. Jose A. Medina, who was born in Puerto Rico and served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Babot, of the U.S. Coast Guard, cut the cake with a saber.

The celebrations were way less official out in Maryland  down a dark road in misty Potomac, where a giant white pickup truck emblazoned with TRUMP 45 idled, driverless, in a parking lot next to a building named Benjamin Franklin Hall. Inside, the DeploraBall, a $500 dinner and dance hosted by a Facebook group and wannabe PAC called Gays for Trump.

A man in a tuxedo exited one ugly-carpeted room to another with a plan: Im gonna get some food and then hopefully find a husband.

The gays, who found themselves marooned Friday night in the suburbs of Maryland, seemed uninterested in the silent auction of framed photos of Coco Chanel, Dean Martin and the full text of Martin Luther King Jr.s I Have a Dream Speech.

In the bathroom, a man struggled with his frog mask, which perhaps was a nod to Pepe, the cartoon character commandeered this campaign season by white supremacists.

Kermit!!! a woman exclaimed when he emerged back in the reception area.



A couple bound for an inaugural ball reacts to the venue being blocked by protesters and riot police. (James Lawler Duggan/Reuters)

But back to the city. Four blocks away from the official ball fortress, the Hollywood celebrities who had been AWOL for most of the inauguration were now corralled into the Inaugural Ball for the Arts, hosted by the Creative Coalition. B-list actors (John Leguizamo, Tim Daly, Christina Hendricks) talked passionately about the value of their day jobs under a president who reportedly wants to abolish the National Endowment for the Arts.

The day feels like a shiva, said Paul Strauss, D.C.s shadow senator, who is involved with the coalition. Or like a funeral. Strauss confided that he had two tickets to the inauguration but woke up Friday morning and just couldnt make himself do it.

What did he do instead on Inauguration Day?

Do you know Mae Whitman and Alia Shawkat? Strauss asked, and yes, he did mean the actresses from Arrested Development, and he proceeded to beckon them both over. They were planning to go to the Womens March.

But Mae and I didnt pack properly for the weather, Shawkat explained. We needed stockings and gloves.

So Paul took us to Bloomingdales, Whitman said.



An inaugural ball attendee walks past police officers. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News)

Power attorney Gloria Allreds date was her client Summer Zervos, the former Apprentice contestant who just filed a defamation lawsuit against the president of the United States because Trump said Zervoss accusations of sexual assault were false. If he would retract, wed dismiss the lawsuit, Allred said. If not, well litigate this in court. And not by tweet at 3 a.m.

Over on the red carpet, a woman with a plunging neckline swanned toward the photographers, who did not recognize her. Pictures, anyone? she called out. Im Jill? Jill Zarin?

Hmm. Nope, name doesnt ring a  oh wait, Jill Zarin, from Real Housewives of New York, way back when. How have you been, Jill? Were you at the inauguration?

With the family, she said, meaning the Trumps. And now Im going to the Liberty Ball.

We told her that those tickets are apparently hard to get. Oh really? she said breezily. Ive got four.

After fretting about getting a cab, she reached into her purse, pulled out a pair of Skechers, and walked.

Farther west, in ye olde Georgetown, Republicans from the Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 administrations reclaimed their God-given right to be relevant again at the Inaugural Afterglow Party, the exclusive soiree hosted by former ambassador Mary Ourisman at Cafe Milano. More than 500 people  including Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and conservative pundit Laura Ingraham  packed into the establishment restaurant, which was facelifted into a nightclub for the evening.

You did a terrific job today! shouted one man to Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who got up at 5:30 a.m. to emcee the swearing-in at the Capitol and was taking a victory lap at the party.

I dont really get tired, Blunt said, grinning.

A diverse crowd  rich white people and very rich white people  clustered around Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who spent most of the party posing for photos with a succession of breathless admirers.

Im optimistic, Rubio said. We have a real opportunity to make a difference, which is why we come to Washington.

(Rubio last February: Theres no way that were going to allow a con artist to take over the conservative movement. And Donald Trump is a con artist.)

Time for one more ball? How about a party that evokes the insecure extravagance of a business tycoon trying to gobble the world with escalating demonstrations of power: The Great Gatsby Presidential Inaugural Ball at the National Portrait Gallery.

Guests at that ball wore flapper dresses, listened to music on a gramophone, learned the Charleston and celebrated an era of American prosperity that was followed by an apocalyptic monetary crash and then the largest war in the history of the world. Cheers!

Maura Judkis, Jonathan OConnell and Roxanne Roberts contributed to this report.
KHETATIMBI, India (TNS)  Dudhabhai Kalabhai knew the rules: He could stand outside the village temple and join his hands in a quick, whispered prayer. He was not to linger or attempt to climb the steps.

As a Dalit, part of the lowest rung of Hinduisms ancient caste system, his mere touch, to some, would render the shrine unclean.

But one morning in March 2015, two upper-caste villagers thought Dudhabhai ventured too close to the temple entrance. They thrashed the 70-year-old farmer with sticks, leaving him hospitalized with arm and leg injuries.

Family members said police in the western Indian state of Gujarat at first refused to take the case seriously. It wasnt until the human rights group Navsarjan deployed representatives and a lawyer that the assailants were arrested, tried and sentenced to two-year prison terms.

It was one of thousands of cases that Navsarjan has fought since 1988 on behalf of Dalits, formerly known as untouchables, who continue to endure social stigma and economic marginalization 70 years after Indias Constitution outlawed caste-based discrimination.

Now the nonprofit group finds itself under attack, accused by Indias government of harming the national interest.

In December, Indias Ministry of Home Affairs blocked Navsarjan from receiving funding from overseas, which accounts for almost all of its $400,000 annual budget. The group said it would have to lay off its 80 staff members and suspend its charitable work  including three schools educating 102 Dalit children  if the decision isnt reversed.

The action is part of a widening Indian government crackdown against civil society organizations that critics say is politically motivated.

Officials last month canceled the foreign funding licenses of at least two dozen nonprofit groups for alleged anti-national activities.

There are few domestic funding sources for human rights organizations in India, where philanthropy outside the corporate sector is limited, meaning most rely on foreign donors. A law called the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, or FCRA, in effect gives the government control of nonprofit groups purse strings  and can be used to stifle dissent.

Navsarjan staff members believe their group was stripped of its FCRA license for organizing protests last summer after seven Dalits were publicly flogged in Una, a town in southern Gujarat, for skinning a cow that had been mauled to death by a lion. Handling cow carcasses is one of many lowly occupations assigned to Dalits by upper-caste Hindus, who regard the animal as sacred. The attackers were self-styled cow vigilantes who wrongly accused the Dalits of killing the animal.

The group also helped lead a campaign that forced investigators in August to reopen an inquiry into a 2012 police shooting that killed three young Dalit men. Four officers suspected in the case have not been charged.

Navsarjan put a lot of pressure, and the government didnt like it very much, Martin Macwan, a Gujarati-born Dalit who founded the organization, said in an interview. They decided to hit us where it hurts.

A Home Ministry spokesman, Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia, said that no cancellations of licenses (were) politically motivated and that the decisions were made according to the law.

Nearly half of Navsarjans financing comes from U.S. sources, including the Unitarian Church and Asha for Education, a volunteer group, Macwan said. Its funding certificate was renewed as recently as August, just as the Una controversy was heating up.

On Dec. 15, the Home Ministry abruptly canceled the renewal, saying it had been granted inadvertently. In a letter, it accused Navsarjan of carrying out activities detrimental to national interest and aiming to upset religious and caste harmony. It offered no further explanation.

The government is particularly sensitive to social unrest in Gujarat, a prosperous coastal state that Prime Minister Narendra Modi led until 2014, and is still run by his party. The powerful prime minister has held up Gujarat as a model of economic development, but recent protests by Dalits and other marginalized groups have chipped away at that carefully constructed image.

In parliamentary debates following the Una beatings, opposition lawmakers referred to a landmark 2010 survey that researchers from Navsarjan and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights carried out in 1,589 Gujarat villages. The findings laid bare how many Dalits, who make up more than 16 percent of Indias 1.25 billion people, are still treated as subhuman.

Outwardly, nothing sets Dalits apart from other Indians. But caste is hereditary, and in places where the premodern hierarchy is still observed, people born as Dalits are seen as intrinsically impure, able to defile something merely by touching it.

In 90 percent of villages, Dalits were not allowed to enter temples, the survey found. In 53 percent of villages, Dalit children were seated separately from others during school lunches. In roughly half the villages, Dalits were forced to use separate cups at tea stalls and barred from entering shops.

This report took all the air out of the so-called Gujarat model of development, Macwan said. It showed that development and inequality can coexist.

In Khetatimbi, a hamlet reached by dirt roads three hours from the state capital, Dalits are now allowed inside the temple. But after Dudhabhais family complained to police about the beating, upper-caste families retaliated by refusing to serve Dalits at village shops for several months.

The harsh rural practice  known in India as a social boycott  persisted for months, until Navsarjan staff got the police to intervene.

Before Navsarjan came, we had no awareness of our rights, said Punnabhai, the son of the farmer who was beaten outside the temple in March 2015.

Still, there have been setbacks. The assailants appealed their convictions and were freed on bail. Last year, Dudhabhai died of an unrelated illness.

India bills itself as the worlds largest democracy, but it has long nursed a deep-seated distrust of civil society groups, particularly those backed by Western countries.

The contributions law is a sword dangling over the head of every (nongovernmental organization) who receives foreign funding, said Indira Jaising, a former government solicitor whose legal aid group, Lawyers Collective, lost its license last year.

Jaisings clients have included Teesta Setalvad, who has led the legal battle to have Modi convicted of complicity in deadly 2002 religious riots in Gujarat; a former police official who has offered testimony in the case; and a Greenpeace employee who was barred from traveling to Britain to speak out against Indias use of coal-based energy.

Greenpeaces license was revoked, too, until a court intervened last month and stopped the move.
Sasha Dyck, second from left, who said he was was turned away at U.S. border on Thursday, instead, he participated in Womens March in Montreal with family and friends. (Sasha Dyck) (Sasha Dyck/Sasha Dyck)

When Sasha Dyck crossed the Canadian border in 2009 to attend Barack Obamas first inauguration, he said border agents high-fived him on the way in.

But when the Montrealer tried this week to enter the United States for the Womens March on Washington, he said he was denied entry.

Dyck and his seven traveling companions arrived at the border connecting Quebec with Champlain, New York Thursday afternoon. The group, divided between two cars, had six Canadians and two French nationals, Dyck said.

Members of the group were mostly strangers who had found each other online to travel together to Washington, he said.

When the U.S. border agents checked their passports and asked them about their plans, Dyck said they told them they intended to march. They asked if they planned to disrupt the inauguration, to which they said, no. Agents then made them pull over and searched their cars. They held the group for two hours, Dyck said, checking their mobile phones and taking their finger prints.

In an interview Saturday, Dyck, a 34-year-old father of two young daughters, said the message from the agents was clear: Youre not welcome this weekend.

They were also told, If you try and cross again this weekend, youll be arrested.

Dyck, a nurse who went to Goshen College in Indiana for his undergradate degree, said he was saddened by Americas election of Donald Trump and wanted to join the march to show his solidarity. He said he had tentative plans to stand along the parade route Friday and turn his back when Trump passed.

All I know is I got high-fived in 2009, everyone was so happy, it was one giant party, and now it seems very different, he said. Perhaps the whole country is more on edge.

Dycks group apparently was not the only one sent away at the Canadian border. Joseph Decunha told the CBC that when he tried to cross Thursday night a border agent asked him: Are you anti-or pro-Trump? He said he was told protesting was not a valid reason to be allowed entry into the United States.

In an emailed statement, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it could not discuss individual cases, but that it strives to treat all travelers with respect and in a professional manner, while maintaining the focus of our mission to protect all citizens and visitors in the United States.

The agency also noted that it can deny entry for many reasons, but that of the 1 million individuals that come to the U.S. internationally each day, on average only 600 are denied.

Dyck was disappointed that he wasnt able to be in Washington, but instead he took his two daughters to the sister march in Montreal, where he said they are having a great time. A sister march was also held in Toronto headed for the U.S. consulate there.

And, he reasoned, speaking out about being turned away might be a more powerful action than actually being in Washington.
The Maryland General Assembly has hired outside counsel to aid its ethics investigation of a state lawmaker who championed medical marijuana while having a business relationship with a prospective dispensary, a spokesman for the Senate president confirmed Friday.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) said on the floor of the legislative body that the ethics committee had recently tapped an outside lawyer to help on a matter.

He told reporters afterward that he was referring to Del. Dan K. Morhaim (D-Baltimore County), who came under scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics after The Washington Post reported he had been shaping medical marijuana regulations without disclosing to regulators or fellow lawmakers that he was consulting for a marijuana business.

Bringing in an outside lawyer is very, very unusual, said Miller. according to the Baltimore Sun. It means we take the case very seriously.

Millers disclosure comes a day after Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced a package of ethics reform bills, saying that he did not want a culture of corruption to take root in Maryland. One proposed bill would strengthen restrictions on lawmakers working on legislation that could benefit them financially, and a spokesman for Hogan said the Morhaim case accentuated the need for such legislation.

Tim Maloney, a lawyer representing Morhaim, said Millers revelation of the investigation into his client was an overreaction to Hogans ethics push.

Maloney said he was informed about the use of an outside lawyer in the case two months ago, and was told it was because legislative ethics officials had a conflict because they had previously advised Morhaim on how to juggle his dual roles.

We were repeatedly told, Do not interpret us bringing outside counsel that this has anything to do with the gravity of the situation,  Maloney said, adding that the investigation and the hiring of outside counsel were supposed to be confidential.

A spokeswoman for House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) declined to comment because of the confidentiality rules.

Maloney said Morhaim followed all disclosure rules after consulting with ethics staff, who told him he did not need to list which specific companies paid him for consulting. Morhaim disclosed that he received income from a consulting firm and that he may do work in the medical cannabis field.

Doctors Orders, the company with which Morhaim is affiliated, was one of several aspiring medical marijuana businesses to win preliminary licenses to open a growing operation, processing facility and dispensary.

Maloney said regulations that Morhaim had pushed for could actually hurt Doctors Orders, because they would have allowed more businesses to participate in the industry, increase competition and bar companies from selling their licenses.
Julius Garvey, son of Marcus Garvey, the activist who spearheaded a "Back to Africa" movement in the United States, poses for a portrait at the New York City park named in his fathers honor. (Yana Paskova/For The Washington Post)

In one of his final acts in office, President Obama issued hundreds of commutations and pardons. But he declined to act on a petition for a posthumous pardon of Marcus Garvey, the legendary black nationalist movement leader who was convicted in 1923 on what his family called politically motivated and bogus charges of mail fraud.

We are disappointed the president decided it was not something he wanted to do, said one of Garveys sons, Julius Garvey, 83, a vascular surgeon who lives in New York.

Julius Garvey, who argued that his father was targeted by then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoovers obsession to neutralize the rise of a black liberator, said the White House did not give a reason for its refusal to grant the pardon. The Obama administration also rejected a posthumous pardon in 2011.

[Marcus Garveys son wants President Obama to pardon his famous father]

Julius Garvey, who led the Justice4Garvey campaign to exonerate his father, said Friday there was also disappointment in Jamaica, where government leaders, including recent prime ministers, had urged Obama to grant the pardon. Garvey was deported to Jamaica in 1927 after his prison sentence was commuted by President Calvin Coolidge. He is considered a national hero there.

Black nationalist Marcus Garvey is shown in a military uniform as the 'Provisional President of Africa during a parade in Harlem in 1922. (N/A/AP)

They had made phone calls, said Garvey, who was a child when his father died in 1940. People were making phone calls. Everybody was hopeful right down to the last minute.

Last year, Garvey filed another petition with the Justice Department and the White House Council to clear his fathers name.

We worked very hard, he said. We had all the evidence. We had great support from the Congressional Black Caucus, from senators and many significant people.

Thousands of people signed a petition requesting a Garvey pardon and sent letters of support.

Supporters included: Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.); Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).

The congressional effort to pardon Garvey was championed for years by former congressman Charles B.Rangel (D-N.Y.), but the proposed legislation never passed. In 2001, Rangel submitted a resolution calling Garvey innocent of the charges brought against him by the United States government and wrote the case against Marcus Garvey was politically motivated, the charges unsubstantiated, and his conviction unjust.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey was an immigrant from Jamaica who had founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association before arriving in the United States in 1916. Eventually, the UNIA claimed millions of members around the world, though those figures remain in dispute.

In 1918, Garvey established the Negro World newspaper and a year later bought an auditorium in Harlem. He called it Liberty Hall, where thousands flocked to hear him speak.

Black people are subjects of ostracism, Garvey said in 1921 to thunderous applause. It is sad that our humanity has shown us no more love  no greater sympathy than we are experiencing. Wheresoever you go throughout the world, the black man is discarded as ostracized, as relegated to the lowest of things  social, political and economical.

Garvey preached that the problem could be solved only through black pride and self-reliance.

In 1920, the UNIA elected Garvey Provisional President of Africa. In an iconic photo, Garvey and members of the association later marched through the streets of Harlem in military uniforms, carrying banners that read, We Want a Black Civilization.

To ferry black people and cargo to Africa, Garvey launched a steamship line, which he called the Black Star Line. The company sold stock for $5 a share, allowing black people to own a piece of the business.

This sale, along with Garveys rhetoric and following, attracted government attention. Soon after World War I, Garvey was targeted by Hoover, the future FBI director.

In documents released later, the FBI acknowledged that it began investigating Garvey to find reasons to deport him as an undesirable alien.

In 1921, Garveys steamship company announced to stockholders it would buy two more ships. But a newspaper that competed with the Negro World published an investigative article claiming the U.S. Department of Commerce had no record of those ships.

Garvey, his treasurer and secretary were arrested and charged with using the Postal Service to defraud stockholders.

Garveys lawyer, William C. Matthews, urged him to plead guilty. Instead, Garvey fired Matthews and defended himself. On June 21, 1923, after a month-long trial in the Southern District of New York, Garvey was convicted of mail fraud and sentenced to five years in prison. He served three years before his sentence was commuted.

Julius Garvey said he wont give up his quest to clear his fathers name. He hopes President Trumps administration will do what Obamas didnt. We will explore that avenue as time goes on, he said.
People are seen on a train at Metro Center in Washignton ahead of Donald Trumps inauguration on January 20, 2017. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

For four stops they sat knee to knee on Metros Green Line studiously ignoring each other. A young white woman wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt and another young white woman wearing a pink I Love Trump shirt. On the same train, headed in the same direction but united only by their opposing passions. There were no sighs or sneers or snarls between the two. Just a vague unease that ended when the woman in the Black Lives Matter shirt got off at the Gallery Place station and the Trump-shirted woman relaxed her shoulders.

The two never exchanged a word.

Metro, unwittingly, served as a chemists beaker Friday with pro- and anti-Donald Trump molecules mixed together, and no one quite sure whether the reaction would be explosive, bubbly or merely end in a weary pffff.

For the most part, it seemed, the two factions coalesced without much fuss, saving the shouts and occasional shoves for the street. Not always, though.

[Inauguration protesters vandalize city, try to disrupt Trumps oath, police arrest nearly 100]

Donald Trump will be the greatest president ever! a young man wearing a Make America Great Again hat yelled at a woman wearing a Resist T-shirt on the Red Line near Union Station.

Yeah, in your f---ing dreams, the woman yelled back. When there were shouted exchanges on the Metro, they all seemed to contain a variety of words that cant be printed in a family newspaper.

Those sorts of showdowns were the exception, however. Metro mostly hummed along, less crowded than during typical rush hours and buoyed by an air of quiet excitement.

[Metro ridership for Inauguration Day 2017 lowest in years]

The rush got off to a slow start, however. Ridership was the lowest for an inauguration since at least 2005, according to Metro.

Its definitely pretty quiet for an Inauguration Day, said a Metro worker who was sweeping an empty platform at the Landover station on the Orange Line a little before 7 a.m. I know a lot of people voted for him. Im just wondering where theyre all at.

By 8 a.m., the numbers started building. Inauguration-goers and protesters mixed with everyday commuters, all a bit wary about rumors of disruptions, about the possibility of heated comments, about the simple prospect of braving crush-load crowds.

Roselaine Jerome, 35, of Hyattsville, Md., sat quietly in a window seat on the Red Line just after 8, the collar of her coat pulled up to cover the bottom of the face. She watched as a man boarded the other side of her train and started to sing along with a Temptations song that blasted from his headphones, peppering his song with occasional shout-outs to Barack and Michelle Obama.

Jerome smiled.

This morning, I got up and I prayed that things would be okay today, she said while headed to her job at a bank in Bethesda. But things seem to be normal.

Ramona Gopie, 25, said she was aware of the polarized political landscape as she boarded a train in Silver Spring to head to work.

To be honest, I was nervous. I didnt know what to expect, Gopie said. She sat across from a family headed to the inauguration, puzzling over a Metro map. Thank God its not bad.

That was a consistent theme throughout the day: As Trump supporters gathered to cheer on the Mall and protesters yelled and chanted in downtown D.C. streets, the scene on Metro trains headed into the city was much more peaceful, a hum of people quietly catching up with their companions, zoning out to their headphones, or politely seeking out navigation advice from fellow riders or Metro employees.

The ride was wonderful. It was very smooth, said 52-year-old Alex Condos of Seaside Park, N.J., as he emerged from a train at Judiciary Square amid a sea of red Make America Great Again caps just before 10 a.m. Condos is a police officer who brought his teenage son to witness the inauguration.

For the most part, people have been very enthusiastic and very energized, he added.

Out-of-towners occasionally swapped thoughts on their Metro experience.

At least its cleaner than New York, one woman noted.

Union Station. Union Station. Just remember that  its all you need, one woman told her children as the train doors closed at Gallery Place.

Wow, its sort of like Disneyland, said a middle-aged man as he rode down the escalator at the Potomac Avenue station on the Orange Line.

We got horses where were from. And buggies! chuckled a man wearing a Trump cap, after he peered at the LED subway notifications on one of Metros new 7000-series trains.

Metro workers in downtown stations had their hands full with the throngs of temporary visitors who lacked subway expertise, but they displayed patience and humor while showing them where they could buy day-pass fare cards and pointing them to the side of the platform on which they needed to wait.

For some, the experience of riding the train Friday was a rare up-close-and-personal encounter with people of opposing political opinions whom they do not encounter at home.

Californians Donna Loren and Debra Figueroa arrived in Washington late Thursday night. On Friday morning, both wearing Make America Great Again hats, they boarded the Orange Line at McPherson Square, headed to the inauguration.

Were so excited, were beside ourselves, Loren said. Rolling her eyes she added: But we dont know if people are going to try and kill us because were racist, homophobic bigots. We have no idea how people will treat us.

But, on Metro anyway, encounters with opposing political species seemed mostly civilized.

[If youre here for the inauguration or the Womens March, read these tips]

Its kind of shocking for us  we havent really seen Trump supporters before, said 24-year-old Hillary Holley, who had traveled from Atlanta to attend Saturdays Womens March on Washington. But everyones been kosher. I havent seen any altercations.
Protesters chant Not my president! at the entrance to a security checkpoint before the inauguration ceremony began.

Protesters chant Not my president! at the entrance to a security checkpoint before the inauguration ceremony began. Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post

The strategy sessions went on for weeks, even months.

Protesters vowed to shut down the city on Inauguration Day. District officials talked of showcasing Washington as the place where power is peacefully transferred.

The two sides clashed Friday, sometimes violently. Demonstrators succeeded in blockading but not permanently shutting down checkpoints along the Mall and the parade route. Some threw rocks at officers, broke store and car windows and caused what the citys police chief termed significant damage along several blocks downtown.

[Pomp and chaos collide as Trump becomes president]

But D.C. police said they were able to keep large groups of demonstrators away from the ceremonies for President Trump, including his swearing-in and the traditional parade. In one case, police isolated and corralled black-clad, self-proclaimed anarchists after a brief late-morning rampage along K and L streets that involved throwing fireworks, lighting fires and breaking glass at bus stops and storefronts and on a limousine.

(The Washington Post)

Police funneled scores of protesters into the area near Samuel Gompers Memorial Park between Massachusetts Avenue and L streets and then began the slow task of putting each one in plastic handcuffs and charging them with rioting. Other protesters shouted Let them go as those arrested were taken away.

[Inauguration protesters vandalize, set fires, try to disrupt Trumps oath, as police arrest more than 200]

Hours later, another large group of demonstrators formed on K Street between 11th and 12 streets. Some threw rocks at officers, who were seen rolling or throwing flash-bang grenades  which produce a loud noise and a flash of light  to move the crowd. Protesters rallied again in front of The Washington Posts offices at Franklin Square, where some burned newspaper boxes and threw bricks and rocks at a line of police in riot gear. Police said some protesters were armed with crowbars and hammers.

In all, 217 protesters were arrested and six police officers suffered injuries in clashes throughout the day, which included a protester smashing out the back window of an occupied police SUV and others setting the vandalized limo ablaze, sending thick black smoke billowing over Franklin Square. Police yelled, Back up and began spraying pepper spray as people ran, some shouting, Whose streets? Our streets.

Standing on K Street in front of a mass of protesters, D.C. Police Lt. Anthony Washington said he and fellow officers were giving plenty of room to the assembled crowds.

We are here to protect their rights to protest, he told a Post reporter, over chants urging him and his fellow officers to leave protesters alone. Were allowing everyone to be peaceful.

[Trump is sworn in, vows to end American carnage]

Media and protesters move through the smoke of percussion grenades as protesters and police clash on the streets of D.C. (Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post)

Standing face-to-face with him was Rafaela Peralta, 19, from New York, who was cradling a pineapple and staring silently at the formation of cops opposite her.

I have the right to exist. I have the right not to live in fear, she said. She said she was protesting everything Donald Trump stands for.

The day had begun with Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) taking to Twitter to ensure anyone wishing to peaceably exercise their First Amendment rights . . . has a safe environment to do so. And it ended with the mayor warning that the damage that has occurred today is unacceptable and not welcome in D.C.

She added, We cannot allow you to destroy our neighborhoods.

The crowd on K Street remained as night set in, and police began to slowly move the group west. It was part of a patient strategy to slowly disperse protesters while allowing those who were nonviolent to have their say.

Work and intelligence-gathering had begun long before the inauguration as groups such as DistruptJ20 vowed to wreak havoc across the city.

DisruptJ20 described its plans online as a series of massive direct actions that will shut down the Inauguration ceremonies and any related celebrations  the Inaugural parade, the Inaugural balls, you name it. Were also planning to paralyze the city itself, using blockades and marches to stop traffic and even public transit.

Lacy MacAuley, spokesperson for DisruptJ20, said she believed her group was successful. We made it very difficult for anyone celebrating Donald Trump and his agenda to enter the festivities, she said.

She called the turnout for the inauguration light compared to past ceremonies, and she estimated that 10,000 people turned up to demonstrate with groups affiliated with DisruptJ20.

MacAuley said the group is taking legal action against police for their treatment of protesters, alleging they were penned in and tear gassed. . . . We think it was incredibly brutal. Police said they used pepper-spray.

She said that protests would continue into the night targeting the inaugural balls.

At several protest locations, police were seen throwing or rolling flash-bang or percussion grenade devices. Police said they are investigating the reported use, but noted some officers said protesters were using them as well.

Police had been investigating DisruptJ20 for weeks, if not longer. In December, police were in touch with someone who had a video of a clandestine meeting of demonstrators a week before Christmas at Comet Ping Pong  the same pizza shop in Chevy Chase a gunman had entered weeks earlier to investigate fake news claims of an underground child porn ring involving Democratic officials.

According to a police affidavit, three people associated with the Anti-Fascist Coalition and DisruptJ20 plotted to infiltrate Thursdays pro-Trump DeploraBall at the National Press Club, activate the sprinkler system and deploy acid that can burn skin and lead to loss of vision into the ventilation system. One member had purchased tickets to the ball.

Police on Thursday arrested Scott Ryan Charney, 34, of Northwest Washington, and charged him with conspiracy to commit assault. Authorities said more arrests are likely. Attempts to reach Charney were not successful Friday.

The affidavit said that the coalition group said earlier this week it had been infiltrated and that members had fed the source false information.

Police said they had extensively planned for demonstrations.

As marchers became violent Friday morning, police swept in from several directions, at times chasing the protesters on foot and on bicycles, and refraining from confrontations even as some smashed windows. In some cases, police cleaned up debris left behind as the crowd swarmed through downtown. It meant all but ignoring a marijuana giveaway and open pot smoking at Dupont Circle.

We had other things going on in the city, interim D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said, explaining that officers going after single protesters or breaking away from others risked a potentially dangerous distraction that could allow a critical mass of demonstrators to escape.

It takes discipline, Newsham said. Its extremely difficult to stop groups of people when theyre running through the streets. Tactically, we have to get in front of them. We were eventually able to do that. They made their way through a couple of blocks before we could get a line in front of them and contain them.

Newsham said that police were watching protesters on surveillance video and that if suspects were not arrested immediately, we are going to get them.

There were scattered reports of injuries of both Trump supporters and his opponents, and at least six officers were injured, including two who officials said were struck by objects thrown by demonstrators. Of the six injured, three had head injuries.

Many other reports of injuries and clashes could not be independently verified, including a member of Bikers for Trump who was captured in a photo punching an anti-Trump demonstrator. At least one bystander was injured when a flash-bang went off, and there were reports of bystanders struck by pepper spray.

Robert Hrifko, 62, who rode his Harley Davidson motorcycle from St. Augustine, Fla., to join the Bikers for Trump group, said he tackled a protester who tried to throw an aluminum chair at a police officer. Another man then allegedly hit the biker in the face with a rock.

Several groups of lawyers were on hand to offer legal assistance to those arrested. Anticipating confrontation between police and protesters, the D.C. Office of Police Complaints had representatives on the streets watching as well.

By Friday afternoon, with protests still going on, an attorney was in federal court filing a lawsuit against officers with the D.C. and U.S. Park Police forces, alleging that a legal observer for DisruptJ20 and other unnamed citizens not engaged in violence were unfairly arrested and subjected to flash-bangs and other crowd control techniques. The lawsuit said officers failed to issue orders for them to disperse.
Tanisha Vinson, right, lost her job after taking days off to care for her mother, Angelina, who was recovering from surgery. Vinson thinks the paid-family-leave legislation will be helpful. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

Tanisha Vinson, a home-health-care aide in the District, was let go from her job last month after she took off too many days to care for her mother, who had recently undergone spine surgery.

My mother was in a bed and couldnt get out, and she called me to come, said Vinson, a single mother of three whose son has disabilities. She missed five days of work in two weeks, and since losing her position she hasnt found work again.

Under the paid family leave legislation passed by the D.C. Council last month, Vinson, now studying to become a commercial bus driver, would be able to take off days for caregiving and not lose her pay. That would make it much easier, she said. It would definitely help out a lot.

Discussions of family leave commonly center on parents taking care of infants, but a large part of caregiving occurs at the other end of life  when parents, spouses or grandparents need help.

The Districts plan, which provides private-sector workers with some of the countrys most generous family and medical leave benefits, includes six weeks to care for a family member.

It has raised concerns from government and business leaders who say the law will put undue burden on businesses and disproportionately benefit Maryland and Virginia residents who work in the District.

But to Ethel Taylor it means she can take care of her 79-year-old husband and not lose her pay.

He was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer last year, and whenever she took him for chemotherapy or other treatment, she would close the doors of her dog-washing service in Shepherd Park and forgo her income.

I dont make money unless Im here, she said. Without family coming down, I wouldnt have been able to make it.

Barring an override from Congress, the District will soon join California, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New York in providing benefits for caregivers. The D.C. law is the only one to be fully funded by employers. It covers workers who care for spouses and domestic partners, children of all ages including adoptive and foster children, parents, stepparents, in-laws, siblings and grandparents.

To apply, a person will need to submit proof of a medical condition to the city, which will distribute the reimbursement from a $250 million annual fund.

The six weeks can be divided into smaller increments as needed, reflecting the often erratic nature of caregiving. Unlike a new baby, for which early bonding time is relatively predictable, the needs of a sick older person can wane and wax.

One of the issues with family caregiving is the need for flexibility; I dont necessarily need to take two months off in one block, but I might want one day a week to take my dad to dialysis, said Gail Hunt, president and chief executive of the National Alliance for Caregiving.

That security would be a comfort for Grace Pringle, a security officer in a downtown building who is the main support for her 80-year-old mother. So far she has been able to schedule her mothers medical appointments and other care around her work schedule.

But if the day ever comes when the woman needs more care or has an emergency, having that bill would be an ace, it would be dynamite, because we never know, with our parents, when theyre going to get sick, Pringle said. It gives me a peace of mind . . . because I know that Id be able to be there and take her to the doctor if I had to.

Forty-four million people in the United States care for adult family members, and 60 percent of them work, according to the alliance; many take unpaid leave or early retirement to do caretaking.

Advocates lauded the new benefit, saying it will be crucial to helping more low-income and part-time workers keep their jobs.

This is incredibly important to hundreds of thousands of workers in the District of Columbia, said Maya Raghu, director of workplace equality at the National Womens Law Center, adding that many face a choice of do I want to take care of my family member or do I want to keep my job? 

The benefit will give people earning up to 1.5 times the minimum wage 90 percent of their average weekly wages; those who earn more will get an additional 50 percent of their remaining average weekly wages, with a $1,000 a week cap. It will apply to anyone working in the Districts private or nonprofit sectors, including part-time, self-employed and tipped workers.

One challenge of implementing the new law will be educating potential beneficiaries and persuading them to take the leave, said Leah Eskenazi, operations director of the Family Caregiver Alliance. Often, she said, people dont self-identify as caregivers, so they dont really think that theyre eligible. Theyre just a daughter or a spouse or a son; they dont think of it as applying to them.

Even if they do see themselves as caregivers, they may be reluctant to say so in a professional environment, she added. Its much easier to ask your boss for leave when youre going to have a baby. Its much more challenging to ask for leave when theyre caring for an older adult. . . . It can be seen as a negative.

The benefit does not cover non-married partners such as boyfriends or girlfriends, or close friends or roommates, an omission critics say leaves out many who are next-of-kin equivalents for single and LGBT people. Many people, especially of the older generation, didnt get married when they couldnt and theyre not going to get married now, and theyre disadvantaged by this, said Ron Swanda, a member of the DC Commission on Aging.

Monica Kamen, co-director of a District nonprofit organization, cared for her boyfriend earlier this year when he was hospitalized for Crohns disease. She would not have qualified for the benefit, but the two are talking about getting married, and she said the prospect of paid leave would be a big help when he needs treatment in the future.

I could have had the security in being able to take a week or two off and not have the stress of taking the laptop to the hospital while trying to help him communicate with doctors and figure out his course of treatment, said Kamen, 28, who lives in LeDroit Park.

The law would also help her care for her sister, who lives in California and suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective-tissue disorder. Last month, Kamen took off a week to help her sister through surgery.

For Taylor, the six weeks of leave could be quickly exhausted if her husband were to go through more chemotherapy. But it would still be a great help, she said, adding, Anything is better than nothing when youre in dire situations like that.
Joanne Barr, 54, poses for a portrait at her home in Cogan Station, Pa. Barr, a former Republican turned Democrat, will travel from Williamsport, Pa., to Washington to attend the Women's March. (Heather Ainsworth/For The Washington Post)

Seventy-one miles into a 162-mile trip, the women riding the bus began to stir as the blackness of the morning lifted. They had gathered at 3:30 a.m. in a parking lot in Williamsport, Pa., and now, as signs for Washington started appearing, one woman applied makeup with a mirror, another bounced a baby on her lap, and two more talked about what could happen when they got where they were going.

As the bus entered the city on Baltimore Washington Parkway, Joanne Barr looked out the window. So many buses, she said quietly to herself. Its a lot of people.

[Liveblog: Womens March on Washington]

Forty-two people were riding with her, adding to the tens of thousands of people pouring into the city on 1,800 buses to join the Womens March on Washington and protest the inauguration of President Trump. They have come, for the most part, from Hillary Clintons America: large metropolitan communities like Chicago and Atlanta, or smaller college towns like Ann Arbor, Mich., and Madison, Wis. But there were some women, though far fewer in number, who departed the America that fueled the rise of Trump, and this is the America of Williamsport.

A mountainous town of 30,000 residents in central Pennsylvania, its economy and culture have long been tethered to the vagaries of hard industry  first lumber, then manufacturing, then natural gas  and it anchors a county that is 92 percent white and went 71 percent for Trump.

Joanne Barr, 54, marches down Constitution Avenue toward the Mall to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump on Saturday. (Terrance McCoy/The Washington Post)

This is the only town, the only America, that Barr, 54, riding the bus with her daughter, Ashley, 30, has ever known. A petite woman who feels most comfortable when no one is looking at her, she has never done anything like this before. She has only been to Washington one time, and big cities intimidate her. Back home in Williamsport, she manages a hardware store, which exclusively employs white men and almost exclusively services them. Most days, she adores the job. But more and more, especially after the campaign and election, she has begun to feel claustrophobic, not only there but in Williamsport.

Is she happy? Is she living the life she was supposed to? Is it too late at this point in her life  a middle-aged, divorced mother of three  to be someone different?

Why has she come?

She sat quietly toward the front of the bus, unsure, but hopeful, that this march, this trip to Washington, might provide an answer.

A woman transformed

Two days before that moment, Barr was in a house with a bare refrigerator.

No food in this house, she said of her home, miles outside Williamsport, up serpentine roads leading into the hills, where she moved a decade ago to escape the bustle and people of town. She went to the fridge and checked a grocery list hanging beside a schedule of local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings that her son had recently begun attending.

Grocery list in hand, she headed for the car, past a bookcase with 20 books she has read on addiction and recovery: Addict in the Family, Why Dont They Just Quit, Heroin is Killing our Children.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

There was a time when Barr thought addiction was something that happened to other families, to people not as successful, religious and conservative. But that was before her husband went from painkillers to cocaine to crack, before her son nearly died of a heroin overdose, before she realized how quickly success can yield to debt, religion to doubt, conservatism to whatever she had now become.

Getting behind the wheel, she flipped the ignition, and the radio came on. It was CNN Radio, and a voice was saying, This is truly the beginning, as of right now, youre witnessing it right now, the beginning of President-elect Trumps time in Washington, D.C. At one time, she would have quickly turned the dial, worried she wasnt smart enough to learn about politics. But now, I listen to it constantly. I used to listen to music and stupid things. Now I listen to this.

[A sea of pink-hatted protesters vows to resist Donald Trump]

She often thinks about all the things she once did  and did not do  wondering how she could have been so insecure for so long. In Williamsport, she grew up wanting only to marry a man who would take care of everything, and thats exactly what she got. Bill was everything she was not: confident, effervescent, assertive. He owned two hardware stores and properties across the city, and they raised three children in a big, showy house in a nice part of town. He said he always knew best, and she always believed him, even when he told her not to worry about all of his empty prescription pill bottles and frequent nose bleeds and increasingly erratic behavior. For years she found a way to excuse everything he did, until one night in September 2006, when he punched her in her face with a closed fist, according to the criminal complaint, and told her he would kill her if she called the police.

She pulled the car out to the end of the driveway, stopped at the mailbox and reached inside to grab a package.

I got it! Been waiting for this, she said, unfurling a sweatshirt emblazoned with the symbol of the Womens March on Washington. It will keep me warm.

[Womens March events underway across the country]

She steered onto a road heading toward Williamsport, passing homes with tractors and cows and Confederate flags, counting the Trump yard signs as she went. This guy still has his Trump sign up, she said. There are more Trump signs down here. Everywhere you go, there are Trump signs.

If this had been a few years ago, Barr knew she would have owned one of those signs. Everyone in her family had always voted Republican, as had Bill, before he died of a heart attack in 2009 at age 52. Barr did, too. But the campaign stirred so many questions, not only about her community but also about herself. How, when her son had struggled with mental illness, could people support someone who mocked a disabled man? How, when she had often felt small in her life, could people cheer someone who demeaned women? Was it Williamsport that had changed? Or was it her?

So a few months ago, she took an Im With Her mug into the hardware store and put up a sign saying No Sexism after hearing customers say degrading things about Hillary Clinton. She argued with her boyfriend, who called Barr a radical feminist. She switched her registration from Republican to Democrat and got a tattoo, her first, saying, Rewrite an ending or two for the girl that I knew.

The night of the election, she stayed up late, texting with Ashley, who had also turned against Republican ideals.

Looks like well be having to say President Trump, Barr said.

Im not going to trust anyone anymore, Ashley said.

Too many mean, vile people, Barr said. One thing this election did for me is to empower me. The people at work will see a different person tomorrow.

You yell or cry at work yet? Ashley asked the following day.

I dont know how Im going to get thru the day, Barr replied. I want a new relationship, new house, new job, everything.

She soon noticed postings about a Womens March on Facebook, and then about a bus that would take her from a city where almost no one agreed with her to a city where almost everyone did. And now, weeks later, she was at the grocery story, collecting enough food to also feed her daughter, who would soon be arriving to ride the bus with her. She paid for the groceries, went back to her car and turned on the radio.

Would you agree your new boss is famous for firing people? a senator was asking during a confirmation hearing broadcast on CNN.

Well, he has a show about it. Other than the show . . .  came the response.

Its a blurred line at this point. Were not sure where the show stops and where the reality begins.

Reality: Barr silently listening, gripping the steering tightly and shaking her head as she pulled the car back into the garage. Sometimes, she said, this gets to me, and I have to turn it off.

So she reached for the dial, removed the groceries, grabbed her march sweatshirt and, carrying all of it, walked inside.

A journey begins

At 2:55 a.m. the morning of the march, Barr was wearing that sweatshirt and putting a few last things in her bag. She had been up past midnight, watching the news about the protests in Washington, some of which had turned violent and led to scores of arrests, and was scared about what could happen that day. Would the police think they were violent, too? Ashley, always so brave and assured, had told her the night before not be nervous, and now it was time to try to follow that advice.

She picked up her bag and keys.

Ready? Is everyone ready? she said, stopping to breath for a moment. I cant believe we did it, but we did it. Were there.

She got into the car, driving out into a thick fog that made it impossible to see further than a few feet ahead. She soon arrived at the Lycoming Mall, where stores have been increasingly going out of business, and parked near dozens of cars, their headlights punching holes into the mist. Soon, the first bus drove up, then the second, and the third.

More people than you would think, she told Ashley.

Definitely surprised, Ashley said. I knew there were more people who were fed up around here, but never knew there was going to be enough to fill three buses.

Barr watched the women among a smattering of men. There were older women, younger women, children. People who had rarely, if ever, been to Washington or gone to a protest. People shaking hands and introducing themselves to one another. Some had heard that the crowds could be much bigger than what showed up for the inauguration; others talked about the marches that had happened the night before around the world.

To Barr, who mostly listened, they didnt look any different from the people she had always known, but somehow this felt different, as if something new and fragile was just beginning.

She took a seat near the front of the bus and watched Ashley, who was in charge of their bus, begin counting heads and making announcements. And then a woman with curly red hair and glasses appeared at the top of the stairs.

I have some information about the League of Women Voters. We are starting a chapter in Lycoming County. I brought a few paper applications, she said. Does anyone want information about League of Women Voters?

Barr, who had never signed up for anything like that before and had never heard of the League of Women Voters, watched as the woman stopped in front of her.

In that moment, Barr had yet to carry a protest sign miles from the bus to the Mall. She had yet to stand before the Trump International Hotel and, quietly at first, then louder, chant words of protest. She had yet to witness crowds bigger than any in her life, crowds that didnt scare her nearly as much as she thought they would. And she had yet to realize that what she was most afraid of was returning to Williamsport and falling into a rut that this time she would not be able to pull herself out of.

At that moment on the bus, there was just the woman standing in front of her, holding information packets about the womens voting group, asking, Do you want one?

There was a long pause.

Sure, Barr said. Ill take one.

The bus driver then punched Washington into his GPS, pulled out into the mist, and started for the nations capital.
Got lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows?

Doesnt quite have the same marketing zing as the traditional four-letter word for moo juice, but according to the Food and Drug Administration rule 21 CFR 131.110, that is the legal definition of milk.

But the definition should be upheld, according to 32 members of Congress  including six from Wisconsin  who recently sent a letter to U.S. Food and Drugs Administration Commissioner Robert Califf to crack down on almond-, coconut- and other plant-based fluids.

We strongly believe that the use of the term milk by manufacturers of plant-based products is misleading to consumers, harmful to the dairy industry and a violation of milks standard of identity, the letter states. We request that the Food and Drug Administration exercise its legal authority to investigate and take appropriate action against the manufacturers of these misbranded products.

Meanwhile in the Senate, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, has introduced the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk and Cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act  DAIRY PRIDE Act  that would require pretty much the same thing.

I think she could have shortened the name of her legislation to the MILC Act  Make Imitation Lactate Contraband  for a little more punch.

So why the harassment of hemp and hazelnut and the assail of soy? Theres a lot at stake in the $36 billion national dairy industry and the $5 billion in Wisconsin dairy sales. And plant-based fluid is growing on consumers, with the letter stating sales grew by 250 percent in the past five years to more than $894.6 million  while milk sales fell 7 percent in 2015.

The legislators are asking the FDA to require plant-based products to adopt a name that does not include the word milk.

I am in full favor of this request. My bias comes from growing up on a dairy farm and consuming gallons and gallons of raw milk. We removed the cream from the top and drank our own version of skim. And theres no proof the lack of pasteurization had any effect on my brain cells, despite rumors to the contrary.

It doesnt seem fair that any product that didnt involve someone being forced to dodge manure-laden tails in order to obtain the lacteal secretion should be called milk. Simply pulverizing a pistachio with some water and putting it into a bottle seems unfair.

This is not the first time that udder secretions have battled imposters. In 1869, a French chemist concocted a spread made from beef tallow. He called it oleomargarine  coined from the Latin word oleum meaning beef fat and the Greek word margarite, meaning pearl, which probably was due to its white luster.

The original marketing slogan was got fat with that?

When the product landed in America, the war began. In order to make the wallpaper-paste product seem more palatable, margarine producers wanted to dye it a butter-like yellow. The color of butter  at least that from milk produced by grass-fed cows  comes from the plant carotene.

The dairy industry pushed for the passage of the federal Margarine Act in 1896, which resulted in taxes on margarine and stiff licensing fees for the oleo producers. Six states  including Wisconsin  banned the sales or use of colored margarine.

Wisconsin Sen. Joseph Quarles defended his dairy states honor, according to a National Geographic article.

I want butter that has the natural aroma of life and health, he said. I decline to accept as a substitute caul fat, matured under the chill of death, blended with vegetable oils and flavored by chemical tricks.

Wow. I could have partied with that guy.

Wisconsin held strong until 1967, when it became the last state to permit colored margarine. Even today its the law in Wisconsin that restaurants must serve butter unless a customer requests margarine.

So far the FDA has not responded to the legislator letter. Similar milk-definition efforts have been launched in recent years as well. None apparently has risen to the top.

Aside from nut farmers objections, theres another problem with the current milk definition that smacks of discrimination.

What about lacteal secretions from ovines and caprines?

Ewe better believe some would call for a doe investigation into that oversight.
People look on and listen peacefully as President Trump delivers his inauguration address on Friday at the Capitol Building. In other areas, clashes between protesters and police turned violent. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

The thousands who flocked to the District for President Trumps inauguration Friday reflected a divided and polarized nation.

There were multitudes of adoring followers, and there were thousands of protesters. Most condemned Trump peacefully, but others turned violent and clashed with police, leading to at least 217 arrests.

And under sodden skies that delivered a drizzle from time to time, there was the traditional parade up Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House  a route that took the 70-year-old real estate businessman past a new $212 million hotel that bears the Trump name.

The mood was light and friendly along the parade route when bystanders told Harold McGrath, 61, of Solomons, Md., that protests had turned violent just several blocks away. He was startled to hear it.

I was pleased with how well-behaved everyones been, McGrath said.

The throngs of inauguration-goers who began gathering hours before dawn  celebrants and protesters alike  were well-behaved. They filed through security checkpoints that opened at daybreak, streaming toward the Mall, where Trump would give his first address as the 45th president from the west front of the Capitol Building, staking out the choicest spots along the parade route.

Like McGrath, many had no inkling of the tumultuous protests taking place outside the secure oasis.

Less than two miles from where Trump was scheduled to be sworn in, black-clad anarchists armed with crowbars and hammers marched through the citys streets, breaking windows, tossing newspaper boxes into the streets and smashing the windows of a long, black limousine parked on K Street NW outside The Washington Post. The limousine was set ablaze later in the day, spreading dark smoke throughout the area before firefighters extinguished the flames. D.C. police said three officers were injured and 217 people were arrested.

Police were restrained during most of the protest marches, but against the self-described anarchists they deployed concussion grenades, flash-bangs and pepper spray, at one point encircling a group and moving in to make arrests. Squads of police on motorcycles and bicycles outflanked protesters, cutting off the path of their intended march.

The group had a second violent confrontation with police on the same street in the afternoon, their ranks swollen by other groups who drifted over to join them once their own protests ended.

Do you think I need stitches? Robert Hrifko asked firemen standing in front of Engine Company 16 on 13th Street NW.

The 62-year-old had ridden his Harley-Davidson ultra classic from Saint Augustine, Fla., to join Bikers for Trump for the inauguration  the largest of the pro-Trump demonstrations.

I was on the sidewalk. A protester was throwing an aluminum chair at a cop while he was moving on his bike, Hrifko said. I tackled him, and one of his compadres came up with a rock in his hand, and bam!

A puffy welt on his cheekbone dribbled blood down into his beard.

You guys are EMT, you tell me. Do I need stitches?

They shook their heads, telling him he would be all right.

Other protesters sought to block security checkpoints into the cordoned-off expanse that included the Capitol Building, parade route and White House.

You want a wall! You got it! they chanted, linking arms to block a gate at Third Street NW.

Patrick Maher, 51, took a 5 a.m. train from New York City on Friday morning to show his support for Trump.

But minutes before Trump was to be sworn in, Maher was walking back to Union Station to head home.

I couldnt get in anywhere, said Maher, who said he was blocked from entering the red gate.

Theyre babies, theyre children, he said of the protesters. Im disappointed Im not going to see the speech.

Some protesters passed through the checkpoints. Six of them, wearing dark-blue shirts that, together, spelled out RESIST, staged a disruption just as Trump took the oath of office.

We the people! the group shouted, standing on chairs and raising their fists. They were quickly removed by police.

Trump supporters and detractors came face-to-face all over the city. In one case, a protester grabbed 10-year-old Josh Wheelers antiabortion sign and threw it to the ground, leaving him to tears.

Joshs father, Todd Wheeler, said the protester had pushed the boy and called him names, though another anti-Trump activist helped comfort Josh afterward.

Were disappointed in the police for letting them do that, said Wheeler, whose family came to Washington from Indianapolis.

Trumps inauguration capped a campaign that galvanized millions of Americans who were eager to embrace a Washington outsider willing to say, or tweet, whatever is on his mind. Many of them traveled to the District on Friday to see their champion sworn in.

Kathy Aulson, 55, a emergency-room nurse and attorney from Waxahachie, Tex., said she made plans in October to come to Trumps inauguration.

I knew who was going to win, she said.

There was no way we werent coming, her husband, Patrick, 65, said.

They stood on the west lawn of the Capitol Building looking for a good spot to see Trump, who had never held elective office before.

Its history, she said. Its a non-politician, a businessman. I like that hes not bought. I like he funded his own campaign. I like hes not politically correct. I like everything about him.

Tammy Hodges leaned against the barrier on Pennsylvania Avenue, cold even in her three shirts, two pants and plastic poncho.

We love our kids, she said to her similarly shivering friend Cindy Young. We love our kids.

She sounded slightly less sure each time she said it.

I never dress in layers in the south, said Hodges, who had come from Louisiana.

Hodges and Young waited for hours in front of the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue to see their teenage daughters participate in the inaugural parade. Hodges said their town of 50,000 people raised $185,000 to pay for the trip after the West Monroe High School Raiders band and color guard were invited to perform.

Otherwise, many of the 200 band members could not have afforded the trip, Hodges said.

Those children would never have the opportunity to leave our small town to see these things, she said.

John Westlake, 57, a retired Army first sergeant and member of Bikers for Trump, also stood in the spitting rain along the parade route with his daughter, Jessica Westlake, 26. She has joined the Marine Corps and is waiting to leave for basic training. Her father said his concern for his daughters safety attracted him to the billionaire businessman, who has pledged to strengthen Americas armed forces.

John Westlake recalled how, in the post-Vietnam era, another new Republican president beefed up the military.

Coming in back in 77, the Army was in bad shape, said Westlake, of Coventry, Conn. When Ronald Reagan was elected, all of a sudden the Army got all kinds of nice new equipment.

But Trumps inflammatory rhetoric has angered and offended millions of other Americans, making him the most unpopular incoming president in at least four decades. Thousands of his detractors trekked to Washington to make their voices heard.

Amanda Custer, 33, started the day by marching with the antifascist, anti-capitalist group down 13th Street NW. She had come in from Fort Wayne, Ind., to enjoy the festivities. She was startled when the march took a violent turn a few blocks in.

I dont appreciate the violence, but I believe in equality, unity. There should be justice, she said.

Liz Levine drove to the District from Florida to witness her first inauguration, and said she felt despair.

Im a victim of sexual violence, Levine, 58, of Margate, Fla., said as she waited in a drizzle at a security checkpoint on Seventh Street NW. I feel traumatized that we are putting a sexual predator in the White House. I feel completely and utterly betrayed.

Despite her outrage, Levine said she has prayed for Trump.

God loves everyone, she said. I pray for the Holy Spirit to crack open his head and bring in some enlightenment.

Harry von Feilitzche, who grew up in Bavaria and whose grandfather spent time in Nazi prison camps, said fascism is not a theoretical concern.

He definitely has fascist tendencies, von Feilitzche said as he waited outside a checkpoint at Seventh and D streets NW. If Trump does everything he says, hes definitely a fascist.

Von Feilitzche, 51, who lives in rural Virginia, clutched a sign that urged decency, ethics, free trade and social justice. He said his grandfather would not have stayed quiet.

America has never had a dictatorship, he said. Most people are unaware of what a slippery slope it is to go from political radicalism, to repression, to dictatorship.

But some Trump supporters tried to reach out to those fearful of the new president.

David Sadler wore a blindfold and stood with his arms outstretched.

The foam board on a lanyard around his neck said: We the people . . . will make America Greater! I count, u count, I trust u, do u trust me? Lets hug. God is Love.

Many giggled and walked away. But others stopped and wrapped their arms around Sadler, who came to the District from Montgomery, Ala.

Thank you, God bless you, he said to each one as he tightened his arms around them.

He said that, on Inauguration Day, it was important for him to send a message of unity.

The message has been, Trump supporters are so hateful, and thats not true, Sadler said.

After about an hour, Sadler took his blindfold off, ready to walk away from the Capitol Building, when a man leaned in for one more hug, whispering, Thank you for doing this.
Correction: An earlier version of this article mischaracterized the amount of carbon emissions in the regions atmosphere. The annual amount of greenhouse gases in Fairfax and surrounding jurisdictions is measured in millions of metric tons, and not millions of metric tons per capita. The article has been corrected.

Nearly a decade after the launch of a national campaign to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas carbon emissions, the progress of the efforts chief advocate in the Washington region is murky, environmental groups say.

In 2007, Fairfax County spearheaded a Cool Counties initiative with the Sierra Club to push local communities to reduce their carbon emissions by 80 percent before 2050.

Since then, municipalities in the region have been duly reporting their successes under that initiative and a similar one called Cool Cities, with the District and Arlington and Montgomery counties all showing reductions in greenhouse gases.

Virginias largest jurisdiction, however, has kept its residents guessing about its progress  and Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D) says the county needs to do better.

Environmental groups say the countys enthusiasm for climate initiatives appeared to wane during the recession that began in 2008, weakening tax revenue and depleting funds needed for a variety of services.

Since 2011, Fairfax has followed through on just two of 24 climate-oriented recommendations made by an Environmental Advisory Council appointed by the board of supervisors, including establishing a greenhouse gas reporting system for individual buildings so that environmental groups can pressure property owners to keep emissions down. A similar system already exists for Fairfax County public school buildings.

The county has also released conflicting, out-of-date information about its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Critics say the government hasnt done enough to pressure area businesses to help reduce pollution in a community with 1.1 million residents and some of the nations most heavily traveled roads.

Bulova said she plans to convene an environmental task force of community and business leaders in hopes of re-energizing private-sector efforts to combat climate change. A similar task force disbanded in 2010 after about a year of work.

I would say that weve made some significant progress, Bulova said. But when you look at our website, we probably should include fresher information and describe better where we are.

[Suburbs increasingly see their auto-centric sprawl as a health hazard]

As part of the regional initiative, jurisdictions are aiming to reduce emissions at least 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020.

Last year, Arlington County reported that its greenhouse gas emissions were down 15 percent, to 2.3 million metric tons, since 2005. Montgomery County showed an 11 percent drop during the same period, to about 6.5 million metric tons. In the District, greenhouse gas emissions were down by 23 percent in 2013, the most recent year reported.

Fairfax officials havent monitored their emissions as closely. A Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory posted on the county website is dated 2013 and shows emissions increasing 3 percent  to 12.2 million metric tons  between 2006 and 2010.

After environmental groups complained about the available information, the county this month began circulating data that shows a 10 percent reduction in greenhouse gases  to 13.1 million metric tons  between 2005 and 2012. That report includes environmental improvements made at Washington Dulles International Airport. The 2013 report did not include Dulles, which is why the emissions output was lower, Fairfax officials said.

They said the public should focus on regionwide data recorded by the Metropolitan Council of Governments, which they called a more accurate reflection of the regional challenges on climate change. That entity shows a half-percent drop in greenhouse gases throughout the region through 2012  to nearly 69 million metric tons  a measurement that factors in air travel and other aspects of life in the area that arent specific to one community.

But environmental advocates said the regions largest jurisdiction should be putting out its own up-to-date figures.

If you cant measure it, you cant manage it, said Eric Goplerud, chair of the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. The group has criticized Fairfax for not following through on some climate-oriented initiatives  such as studying the local effects of rising sea levels  and points out that surrounding jurisdictions have entire departments dedicated to environmental conservation while Fairfax, with 1.1 million residents and 406 square miles, has a lone environmental coordinator charged with overseeing green initiatives.

[How climate-change doubters lost a papal fight]

This county can be a leader by showing its commitment to reducing its greenhouse gases in its buildings and of its energy uses, Goplerud said. It is certainly not showing it. We have a lack of information, a lack of accountability and a lack of leadership to make it happen.

Kambiz Agazi, the environmental coordinator, says the county has been vigilant about offsetting the impact of its large carbon footprint. Those efforts include promoting walkable, mixed-use developments in some neighborhoods and encouraging developers to use green-friendly technology in their buildings.

A federally mandated $660 million upgrade of underground water pipes in the county is geared toward reducing the flow of pollutants into tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, and a waste-to-energy plant in Lorton produces enough renewable energy to fuel 80,000 homes, county officials say.

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield), the most conservative member of the board of supervisors, lauded those efforts and dismissed the Cool Counties initiative as hot air.

Still, Bulova and others say that working against climate change is something the county takes seriously.

Larry Zaragoza, vice chairman of the countys Environmental Advisory Council, said launching initiatives in a community as large and complex as Fairfax County can be a lengthy and often laborious process.

Its taken time to try to make sure that we have everyone on the same page and that we have a constructive path we can take in order to make progress, Zaragoza said. But, were not where we want to be. We want to do more.
Four people were killed, roofs were ripped from homes and churches, and trees were torn from the earth early Saturday when a tornado hitting in the dark of night ripped through a region in southern Mississippi, officials said.

Four people died after the twister blew through the city and surrounding area, Forrest County Coroner Butch Benedict said. The twister was part of a wall of stormy weather traveling across the region, bringing with it rain and unstable conditions.

Authorities have not yet released the names of the four people who died. But at least one family had already gotten the horrific news. Monica McCarty said her father died in the same trailer park where she and her boyfriend live and her son was apparently crushed to death while in bed at her mothers house where he lived.

Standing amid the carnage the tornado had wrought, McCarty wept as her boyfriend, Tackeem Molley, comforted her.

They couldnt get him out of the house. They said he was laying in the bed, McCarty said of her son.

Molley said he and McCarty were in a trailer when the storm hit. He said he climbed out through a hole in what had either been the trailers roof or wall.

The search for the dead and injured continued as the sun rose. More than 40 firefighters from across Mississippi had gathered outside Hattiesburg police headquarters to do a grid search to nearby William Carey University in one of the most heavily damaged areas.

The three counties affected are Forrest, Lamar and Perry.

The National Weather Service said three to five inches of rain have already fallen, raising the risk of flooding. More rain  one to two inches  is possible.
6:25 a.m.

Yellow Line Metro train

Desiree Joy Frias, an American University law student, wore a black knit cap. A few feet away on her Yellow Line train, Army 1st Lt. Robert McKenna cradled the visor cap from his dress blues.

Her goal for the day was to basically drown out the voices of support with the voices of dissent. She was riding to McPherson Square to meet up with LGBT protesters and allies as part of a group called DisruptJ20, as in Jan. 20.

His goal was to witness his first presidential inauguration. McKenna, who lives in Colorado and voted for Donald Trump, received special permission to wear his uniform. I want to show my support, not just as a soldier but a citizen of the greatest democracy in the world, McKenna said. People in the District had been gracious so far, he said, and demonstrators are embracing their freedoms.

One of the reasons I joined up was so they could do that, McKenna said.

While the two quietly rode the train, not knowing what the other had in store, a Baltimore man in a Donald Trump hat was talking up the need for energy independence and rehashing the OPEC oil embargo with a buddy in a Make America Great Again cap. Two seats away, a laborer with a greasy McDonalds bag was catching some shut-eye.

 Michael Laris

7 a.m.

Dupont Circle

I dont care about Trump, said J.T. Robinson, among the first people lined up to get one of thousands of free marijuana joints being given away near Dupont Circle.

The 33-year-old electrician had driven down from Hanover, Pa., with two friends to take part in the pot giveaway by cannabis support group DCMJ. At 7 a.m. someone speculated that 40 people already were lined up on Massachusetts Avenue for the 8 a.m. distribution.

No, its 50, said Kris Stuckey, 40, a fast-food cook from the District. Theyre packed in. Just like a crowded bud, theyre packed in.

Im an avid marijuana supporter, Robinson said. Ive been growing it since I was 12.

He said he hoped Trump would legalize the drug.

Some marijuana supporters were planning to light their joints four minutes and 20 seconds into Trumps inaugural speech, after noon.

Stuckey hadnt planned to wait. Hed smoke his before work. Its going to help mellow me to get through all this craziness, he said with a nod in the direction of the Mall.

 John Kelly

9 a.m.

16th and I Streets NW

The figures in black hooded robes marched to the beat of their own drum  literally. A man with long hair and black makeup rhythmically thumped a bongo, leading a group of about a dozen self-declared Satanists toward the Mall.

One man wore a leather, metal-studded muzzle; one woman carried a black flag adorned with a pentagram; and many walked holding up the their black robes to keep the hems from dragging along the street  outfits that drew stares in a downtown typically awash in Brooks Brothers and Ann Taylor.

At 13th and H streets NW, the bongo thumps stopped and so did the group.

Hail, Satan! they shouted.

Amused and bewildered onlookers smiled.

Thats so scary, one girl said as the group passed.

Mental illness, said a man in a Make America Great Again hat, shaking his head.

Now we know what hell looks like, another man said.

The Satanists were heading to the inauguration to protest the values of the new president, said their leader, who identified himself as Faust Habnicht of Maryland.

They marched until they encountered a man straddling a bike holding two bullhorns at the corner of 16th and I.

Do you love Jesus? the man screamed into the bullhorns pressed against both sides of his mouth. Hes alive! Hes alive! Hes alive!

Hail, Satan! the black-robed marchers chanted from across the street. Hail, Satan!

The Satanists kept walking and chanting as the thump, thump, thump of their drums grew faint.

Only in America! shouted the evangelist with the bullhorn.

 Lynh Bui

10 a.m.

Pennsylvania Avenue

Tammy Hodges leaned against the barrier on Pennsylvania Avenue, cold even in her three shirts, two pants and plastic poncho.

We love our kids, she said to her similarly shivering friend Cindy Young.

Hodges and Young had exhausted themselves on their first-ever trip to Washington, walking 40 miles in three days, according to their cellphones. And they waited hours to see their teenage daughters carry red, white and blue flags down the countrys most famous street as part of President Trumps inaugural parade.

I never dress in layers in the South, said Hodges of West Monroe, La.

The small town of 50,000, where the Duck Dynasty reality television show is set, found out just three weeks ago that their high school marching band and color guard had been invited to perform, she said.

The community scrambled to raise $175,000, and just about everyone chipped in, said Hodges, a counselor at one of the middle schools that feeds into West Monroe High. Many of the 200 band members otherwise never could have afforded the trip, she said. Those children would never have the opportunity to leave our small town to see these things, she said.

 Julie Zauzmer

11:00 a.m.

13th Street NW

Do you think I need stitches? Robert Hrifko asked the firemen standing in front of D.C. Fire Engine Company 16 on 13th Street NW.

The 62-year-old rode his Harley Davidson Ultra Classic 2011 from St. Augustine, Fla., to join Bikers for Trump on Inauguration Day. As he was walking there, he ran into the antifascist, anti-capitalist protesters coming down 13th Street.

I was on the sidewalk. A protester was throwing an aluminum chair at a cop while he was moving on his bike, Hrifko said. As a biker, you dont do that. I tackled him, and one of his comrades came up with a rock in his hand, and bam! Just waylaid me.

A puffy welt on his cheekbone dribbled blood down into his beard. The firemen offered a Band-Aid.

You guys are EMT, you tell me, he said. Do I need stitches?

They shook their heads and told him he would be all right.

Good, I aint got insurance anymore, because I cant afford Obamacare, he said. Im pissed off.

Peering into the side window of a firetruck, he put the Band-Aid over his cheek.

Theyre not going away. Theyre not stopping  theyre like ISIS, he said. . . . Theyre out to destroy our way of life.

His Band-Aid applied, Hrifko took his helmet and continued on his way in search of his fellow bikers.

 Tara Bahrampour

11:18 a.m.

14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Some of her friends had trouble believing that Candace Nelson, a 41-year-old Democrat, District resident and convention delegate for Hillary Clinton, was going to D.C. city hall to watch the presidential inauguration parade.

Tickets to the inaugural viewing stand at the John A. Wilson Building  which sits along the parade route  are typically hard to come by. But many speculated that this year could be different, since only 4 percent of Washington residents voted for President Trump.

I had people that laughed. Theyre like, Youll probably be the only one there,  said Nelson, sitting on a sofa late Friday morning in the office of her council member, Brandon T. Todd (D-Ward 4).

As it turned out, Nelson was one of perhaps a dozen. It depended on whether you counted Todds staff.

One. Two. Three, Todd said, pacing through his first-floor city hall office suite Friday on a hunt for guests for his poorly attended breakfast reception. People are still coming, I think.

He stared through his window at a sparsely populated Freedom Plaza. Four years ago, the plaza had been packed.

It wasnt supposed to be this way; the office had given out about 120 tickets and expected a large turnout.

Yet the noon hour was approaching.

Todd was one of only three D.C. Council members at city hall for Trumps inauguration. The marble halls echoed like a mausoleum, with strategically placed pastries and urns of hot coffee. A plate of uneaten muffins sat on the buffet table; a tray of fruit salad was all but untouched.

 Peter Jamison

Noon

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Cheryl Newson, 63, clenched the tissue in her hand as she viewed the slave trade exhibit inside the museum just blocks from the White House.

Her friend Yvonne Bruins shook her head as she studied a picture of a woman pleading for her baby being sold in slavery.

Newson was frozen as the narrator talked about slave owners pulling back your lips to look at your teeth.

Then the tears fell.

Newson said later that she realized her tears were cathartic  especially on this day when Donald Trump was being sworn in as president. What she was witnessing, coupled with the events of the day, was overwhelming.

Im angry, said Newson, who took a 14-hour bus trip with a church group from Memphis to visit the new museum. This was something that needed to be released from my heart.

Bruins said she drew strength from soaking in the stories of her ancestors.

I look at this and I dont just see the struggle, but I see strength, she said. I feel empowered to go on.

 Ovetta Wiggins

Noon

13th and E Streets NW

Trump supporters and opponents who found themselves shoulder to shoulder in the slow-moving lines at a security checkpoint had the rare chance to test their views.

A few protesters holding Black Lives Matter posters were surprised when a Trump supporter more than twice their age wearing a Vietnam veteran cap and Harley Davidson leather jacket thanked them for being there. I dont agree with you, he told them, but he said he respected their right to express themselves.

Until then, Adam Brunell, 25, who works at a D.C. homeless shelter, said his conversations with Trump supporters had been limited mostly to Uber drivers. And Mariah Minigan, 25, from Framingham, Mass., said her interactions had been limited to being yelled at by Trump supporters while campaigning for Hillary Clinton.

But in the security line, they talked about the meaning of the slogan Black Lives Matter. They talked about whether police were being unfairly vilified for shootings committed by a small number of officers. More than once, they pulled out smartphones to fact-check each others statistics.

Just before the checkpoint, they shook hands.

The Trump supporter, a volunteer prison chaplain from Michigan, said, You never learn something new if you keep talking to people you agree with.

 Michael Chandler

12:10 p.m.

14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW

Saudi Iqbal and Sarmad Bhatti of Chantilly, Va., stood on the street corner near the Washington Monument offering hugs and answers.

Meet a Muslim  ask me anything! Iqbal, 31, shouted.

More than 60 percent of Americans have never met a Muslim, and only believe the distorted myths that they have heard during this campaign or from the media, he said. We are doing our part to create harmony and unity.

Iqbal said many people asked them about why Muslim women wear veils. Others asked their views on Trump. Someone passed them and screamed Terrorist!

They two even started a Twitter handle, #meetamuslim.

One man, carrying a large black sign that read Jesus or Sin, confronted the two Muslims.

Muhammad is dead. My Jesus lives, the man shouted into a bullhorn pointed at them. Bhatti smiled. Here we go, he whispered.

Lori Gresham, 46, a psychology professor at the University of Connecticut and her friend Holly Ragusa, 45, of Cincinnati stopped to hug the men.

Some of the most beautiful people I have ever met happened to be Muslim, Gresham said.

 Keith Alexander

4 p.m.

7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Kristy Lowenkron had a problem: at 5-foot-1, she had a tough time seeing over the crowds to catch a glimpse of the new president as his limousine rolled by. She had cast her first presidential ballot for Donald Trump, and she wanted to savor the big moment.

So the 21-year-old from Baltimore hopped onto the shoulders of Austin Phillips, 22, also of Baltimore, whom she is dating. He is 6-foot-3.

There he is! she cried to Phillips. Oh my gosh, I can see him through the window!

Trump was soon past, and she climbed back down. That was so cool, she told Phillips. Feel my heart beating.

I feel like a girl who just saw Justin Bieber, she said. All right, lets get out of here.

Then the two scooted off.

 Nick Anderson
As President Trump took the oath of office, and prepared to face a deeply divided and anxious nation, we asked those who came to Washington to celebrate his inauguration, and those who didnt, about their desires. Not for Trump, or even the country. But for themselves. Washington Post reporters fanned out across the city, asking: Tell us how you hope your life will improve during Trumps first term as president. Heres what they had to say:

Angel Schultz, 32

Schultz, a single mom who works from home as a massage therapist in Cumberland, Md., said she wanted to see relief for her part of the world, where a sense of depression, economic and spiritual, had set in during Obamas tenure.

She said her life would change for the better if Trump followed through on pledges to address her biggest need: affordable child care.

I hope he really focuses on the family. I think a lot would be the child care, said Schultz, who has an 11-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. Its important to me to go to work and have life-work balance. Thats my problem right now. You go to get a 9-to-5 job, and you work just to pay for day care.

 Freddy Kunkle

Joe Wyson, 60

Wyson and his wife, Jana Wyson, 58, came this week to see their first ever inauguration.

Wyson, who owns a paving company and a gun shop, said the recovery has been slow and sluggish. Its been a businessmans nightmare.

He had to cut wages of his employees three times, he said, when times got lean. Now were above where we were. We hunkered down and got completely out of debt. I want government off my back. Regulations lifted. Feeling a sense of pride in my country again.

Im 60 years old. Not a young chicken. I hope things will improve so my family has opportunity. Watching my children and grandchildren grow up, they are my biggest hope.

 Nick Anderson

Buck Marshall, 44

Marshall, an evangelical pastor from Ennis, Tex., said his life would improve because he expected Trumps Supreme Court appointments would protect religious liberty.

My hope is he will make good picks on [Supreme Court] justices, he said. I think Trump had the largest evangelical vote ever, mainly because of Supreme Court appointments.

Asked what issues concerned him regarding the court, he said, I would think, probably whats going to happen with the church, religious freedom.

 Robert McCartney

John Moore, 53

Moore, of Westland, Mich., drove nine hours with his wife, Robin, and stepson, Sean Bowling.

Moore is a veteran and worked for the post office for 28 years.

I hope he follows through on what he has said about the VA, he said. Thats a huge issue.

He said he is also concerned about the Postal Service. I just hope they dont break it up, that they keep it intact the way it used to be. Theyve already done a lot to try and trim down the Postal Service, and its hurt us a lot. Theres all this talk about a privatization of the Postal Service, and I hope that doesnt happen.

 Michael Ruane

Lynette Prince, 70

Prince, of Reston, said, I just want to feel safe. The hacking bothers me, and the terrorists. Something could happen at any given moment. . . . I dont feel unsafe, I just feel unsettled a little bit, because it is so topsy-turvy.

Her husband, Carroll Prince, 62, added, Id like to see jobs and the economy [improve]. I hope my 401(k) goes up. Thats the economy.

He sells Subarus and she is semi-retired, working part time in a retirement home.

 Julie Zauzmer

Liz Levine, 57

Levine, a Hillary Clinton voter, drove here from Florida to see her first inaugural and to attend the Womens March on Saturday.

Still, Levine said she has also tried to send prayers for Trump.

God loves everyone, she said. I actually pray for Trump. Its very hard for me, but I do. We are all one in the end. I pray for the Holy Spirit to crack open his head and bring in some enlightenment.

Asked how she hopes her life might improve in the next four years, Levine said she has little hope for herself. For her 27-year-old daughter in Brooklyn, who has insurance through the Affordable Care Act, she wants her to continue to have health care. For her 92-year-old mother, who lives with her in Florida, she wants Social Security and Medicare to remain intact.

 Nick Anderson

Robert Reed, 57

Reed, a veteran from Lancaster, Pa., said he hopes President Trump will overhaul the Veterans Health Administration during his first term.

Im on the VA. I cant complain about the care, but its the wait time, Reed said. I just had a double knee replacement, and it took me two years before I could get my operation.

His wife, Wanda Reed, 65, added, I just hope my Social Security doesnt get hurt.

The Reeds have another, more idiosyncratic wish: Under President Trump, theyre hoping economic conditions improve enough for them to start their own company. Robert sells vinyl railing and siding, and Wanda does secretarial work in a medical office. But the couple are motorcycle enthusiasts, and they want to launch a business that would hire out bikes and drivers to tug hearses (for funerals) and Cinderella-style carriages (for weddings).

Im hoping that through him, with the changes, itll be easier to get a business loan, Robert Reed said.

Wanda is confident Trump wont disappoint them. I have a lot of faith in this man, she said.

 Peter Jamison

Elizabeth Merchant, 45

Merchant recently moved to the Washington area from St. George, Utah, so that she could find a job with the Trump administration. She is an office manager with computer tech experience.

I hope he has more opportunities, she said of her 6-year-old son. The past decade, it seems like opportunities for white males have decreased greatly. I hope that his opportunities in life can go back to when I was in high school.

 Antonio Olivo

Ronald Greear, 60

Greear, a painting contractor from Clarksville, Tenn., said, Im hoping my Social Security will be there in another year because Ive worked all my life and paid in. I hope hes going to protect Social Security and get us some good health-insurance plan that working people can afford.

 Martine Powers

Alex Condos, 52

Condos, a police officer in Seaside Park, N.J., was with his son, Aristotle. He said, I think were going to see manufacturing improving and more jobs staying here in the United States. That affects my life because Im a police officer, and it has a trickle-down effect. The job market affects whats going on around me and how people behave, and were better off when people can make an honest living.

 Martine Powers

Sara Clements, 56

Clements, a contracts administrator from Fairfax City, said, I hope our country is safe, so when Im flying on a plane Im safe. And I hope he serves us better on the economy so my daughter can get a job after college. Over the last eight years, I lost a job, so I want the economy to stabilize for the American dream of having a house and a good job  a job that lasts.

 Katherine Shaver

Sarmad Bhatti, 21

Bhatti, a George Mason University student studying information technology, was demonstrating with a dozen or so other Muslim men from Northern Virginia.

I just hope its not that extreme the next few years  no hate, all the banning Muslims stuff, he said. We just hope he [President Trump] supports us, and we can connect with him. After him, well still be here.

We love and support our country, Bhatti added. Were working hard to stop the stigma against Muslims.

 Spencer Hsu

Emma Flynn, 19

Flynn, a sophomore studying finance at Catholic University of America, said, I hope Ill be graduating college and hopefully getting a job. Hes a businessman, so hopefully jobs wont be as hard coming out. I want to work in finance in Manhattan. There are some jobs, but I think its kind of harder because Im a girl.

 Julie Zauzmer

Tony Jones, 28

Jones, a DJ from Greenville, S.C., said, I hope that he can create jobs, as he waited in line for free marijuana near Dupont Circle, a Make America Great Again hat on his head. Unemployment had torn apart communities like his, he said, and he hoped the new president would fix that.

There are a lot of youth on the streets because they dont have jobs. You take the youth off the street and put them to work, he said.

When it was pointed out that an African American waiting in line for free weed didnt seem like a typical Republican voter, Jones voiced another hope: I hope that once he gets in, the people see its not like the media put him. Then maybe we can work together.

As the line inched closer to the volunteers doling out the pot, Jones remarked, This is the start, right here. You have people who dont like Trump and people who couldnt care less, and were all here together for a good cause. This, to me, is what America is all about.

 John Kelly

Liz Crawley, 48

Crawley described herself as pro-abortion rights and pro-gay marriage. The state social worker from Inman, S.C., said she supported Trump because families she helps in hospice care told her they cant afford to pay for changes under the Affordable Care Act.

Obamacare is not working. I hope they can work together and cross party lines when everything calms down, Crawley said. I also dont want to see relations with police inflamed.

Her husband, Ron Crawley, 55, who works in information technology management, said he is not a Republican but supported Trump in part because he wants greater fiscal responsibility.

His hopes for the next four years? Lower taxes would be nice, but Im not necessarily looking for that. . . . Im not sure I can put it in concrete terms of something for my family, he said. Im hoping for a sort of a feeling of a satisfaction of knowing when your money is being spent, being able to see some tangible result of that.

 Spencer Hsu

Marlyne OMalley, 62

OMalley has survived cancer twice in the past two decades, and she loves a good parade. So she staked out a spot on Pennsylvania Avenue, determined to see President Trumps procession from the Capitol to the White House.

He can live up to his promises, she said. Im optimistic. Hes real. Hes a businessman, not a politician.

The Bel Air, Md., resident said she hopes Trump might bring prayer back into schools and allow the Ten Commandments to be posted more widely in public places.

Also, she said, I would like more peace in Baltimore. If that means we do more for the poor sections of Baltimore City, that would be my biggest hope for the state of Maryland.

Shes also hoping for more rebuilding of roads and bridges. And for Trump to watch his mouth a bit. I hope he thinks before he speaks, she said, acknowledging that the man she voted for sometimes makes her wince.

 Nick Anderson
MEXICO

91 Cubans deported after U.S. ends policy

Mexicos government has deported 91 Cubans about a week after the United States ended its wet foot, dry foot policy that granted residency to almost every Cuban who reached U.S. soil, Mexican officials said Friday.

The repeal of the long-standing policy on Thursday by President Barack Obama left hundreds of Cubans who were seeking a new life stranded in Mexico and Central American countries.

The 71 men and 20 women were in Mexico irregularly, Mexicos National Migration Institute said in a statement, though they had applied for a permit to remain temporarily in the country.

Cuban officials had long sought an end to the policy, arguing that the promise of U.S. residency was fueling people-trafficking and encouraging dangerous journeys.

The policy let Cubans who fled to the United States pursue residency if they reached the mainland, but not if they were picked up at sea before reaching the shore.

 Reuters

NIGERIA

Boko Haram attacks camp that was bombed

Boko Haram extremists attacked a refugee camp in northeastern Nigeria just days after Nigerias air force bombed it, witnesses said Friday, as reports emerged that the death toll from the bombing could be as high as 170.

More than 100 Boko Haram fighters launched the attack Thursday evening, and soldiers battled for hours trying to repel them, witnesses said. One witness said eight fighters from the radical Islamist group were killed and one soldier was injured, though others said the toll was still being determined.

On Tuesday, Nigerias air force bombed the camp housing people who had fled Boko Haram. The remote camp is located in Rann in Borno state, near the border with Cameroon. Nigerian officials have said the bombing was an accident  a rare admission.

On Friday, the medical charity Doctors Without Borders said around 90 people were killed in the bombing but noted that residents and community leaders said the death toll could be as high as 170.

 Associated Press

U.N. rights envoy criticizes Burmas response to minorities: A U.N. human rights envoy has ended a 12-day visit to Burma with a bleak evaluation of the governments ability to deal with the problems facing the countrys ethnic minorities. U.N. rapporteur Yanghee Lee said the governments response to problems including fighting with the Kachin minority and a crackdown on Rohingya Muslims was to defend, dismiss and deny, which she described as counterproductive.

 Associated Press
ON A day when power peacefully changed hands in Washington, democracy also registered a small but significant triumph in Africa. Backed by the United Nations and the African Union, a 7,000-member force from five African countries entered Gambia to enforce the result of the election that defeated its longtime strongman. Yahya Jammeh, who had dominated the country since 1994, supposed that he could ignore the clear results of a Dec. 1 vote and that other African leaders would be willing to tolerate his coup. Thankfully, they were not.

After trying and failing to persuade Mr. Jammeh to give up his office, the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) gave him a Friday deadline for stepping down. The winner of the presidential election, Adama Barrow, swore the oath of office at the Gambian Embassy in Senegal, which surrounds Gambias riverine territory and which led the intervention. When Mr. Jammeh remained intransigent, the ECOWAS force moved across the border; by late Friday the strongman appeared to be negotiating his departure with the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania.

Gambia is a tiny country, but the significance of the intervention was huge. It showed that African countries are ready to act forcefully in support of democracy at a time when leaders around the continent are seeking to entrench themselves and support for liberal values is waning in the West. President Trump vowed in his inaugural address that the United States would foreswear foreign interventions in support of its values. Fortunately for Africa, ECOWAS and the African Union, which backed the military operation, understood that sometimes such action is vital to preserving stability as well as human rights.

The bold multilateral decision was helped by Mr. Jammehs deep unpopularity. His rule was a model of corruption and repression: When he was not imprisoning opponents or persecuting gay people, who he said should be beheaded, he was promoting bizarre initiatives, such as an herbal cure for AIDS. Still, the willingness of African nations to act against him should send a message to rulers such as Congos Joseph Kabila, who resisted leaving office or holding an election after his term ended in December.

Both rulers appear to have been motivated in part by fear of prosecution for their crimes. Mr. Jammeh, who first accepted the election results, reversed himself following proposals that he be tried for human rights violations. Mr. Kabila worries about investigations into the massive wealth he has accumulated. The negotiations with Mr. Jammeh reportedly focused on providing him with a place of exile, perhaps in Mauritania, where he could avoid Gambian or international courts. Such a deal would not please some human rights advocates or his Gambian victims. But if it allows a peaceful transition by Gambia to a democratically elected government, it is a bargain worth making.
President Trump is filling the governments national security leadership with former military officials and businessmen, rejecting the policy and academic types both parties have traditionally relied on. But the militarization of the Trump foreign policy team is even more concentrated in the White House staff led by national security adviser Michael Flynn  and it has observers both inside and outside the administration concerned.

Flynn, a retired lieutenant general, is steadily assembling the most military-heavy National Security Council staff of the modern era. His effort stems from two motivations, according to several transition officials I spoke with. First, he wants people he knows and trusts. More broadly, Flynn believes that the Obama administrations NSC staff had a dearth of real war-fighting experience, resulting in bad policy decisions and poor follow-through, especially when combating terrorist groups abroad.

Were going to have people who have looked down a rifle scope, Flynn often said at meetings during the transition, according to one senior transition official.

Next week , Vice President Pence will announce personal national security adviser Andrea Thompson, a career Army intelligence officer who retired in October after 28 years of service, transition officials said. Thompson served multiple tours overseas, worked as a fellow for two congressional committees and most recently worked at the consulting firm led by retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

Transition officials told me that Dave Horan, another career Army officer, will be a senior National Security Council official dealing with strategy. Former Marine intelligence officer Robin Townley will be senior director for Africa. Former Marine intelligence officer Matt Pottinger will be senior director for Asia. In December, it was announced that retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg will be NSC chief of staff.

All of these staffers not only share careers in uniform, in and out of war zones, but they also all have personal connections with Flynn. One transition official told me that Flynn is surrounding himself with people he is comfortable with, his battle buddies.

Flynn also believes that he must course-correct from an Obama NSC staff he thinks was filled with wonky D.C. types who knew about war only from reading reports, according to transition officials involved in the discussions. Flynn believes if you fill the NSC staff with people who have borne the battle, as he likes to say, you will get better outcomes. The risk of that approach? When the only tools you have are hammers, every problem looks like a nail.

It is a group of people who are operators. There are very few strategic people, said the official, who was not authorized to talk about internal deliberations. You had one extreme with Obama, and now Flynn is going to the other extreme. Theres a middle ground.

All of the NSC staffers Flynn has appointed have distinguished resumes, have served honorably and are praised by former colleagues as able and patriotic public servants. The concern over Flynns appointments rests not in the people he is choosing but in the overall balance within the team.

Military officers bring knowledge, discipline and a keen organizational and planning mentality to problems, said Kori Schake, who edited a book on civil-military relations with Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, also a retired general. But their strategic weakness is that they often shun the political dynamics of national security problems, which are crucial at the highest levels of policy.

The president needs a White House staff that is ambidextrous, able to work both realms, Schake said. Obama was poorly served by having staff that didnt understand the military demands. Trumps, if it is predominantly military, will struggle to swim effectively in political currents.

That could be an issue not only when dealing with outside interlocutors such as Congress and foreign governments. Inside Trump world, the competition for control and influence on foreign policy is already bruising, and highly political.

Not all of the NSC appointments have been fresh-off-the-battlefield military officers. Fox News analyst K.T. McFarland is deputy national security adviser. Fox News analyst Monica Crowley was set to be the NSCs strategic communications chief until she withdrew amid allegations of serial plagiarism. Fox News analyst Sebastian Gorka, a civilian military expert, is helping Flynn with counterterrorism.

Flynn is under pressure to show Trump he can make relatively quick progress in the struggle against terrorism, especially in Iraq and Syria. Thats the straightest line for Flynn to establish himself as indispensable with a new president who has set up a team of rivals. To succeed in the long run, however, Flynn and Trump will need to assemble an NSC staff with diverse backgrounds that can approach problems not only from a military lens.

Read more from Josh Rogins archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
FLIP AN American coin, and theres a zero percent chance youll find a black woman on either side. In April, that will change: To celebrate its 225th anniversary, the U.S. Mint plans to release a commemorative $100 gold coin featuring an African American Lady Liberty.

The 24-karat coin, whose release the Mint announced last Thursday, will cost far more than its face value  around $1,500, depending on the price of gold  and will be a collectors item, not everyday currency. The Mint will also make less-expensive silver reproductions. The coin is the first in a series to reflect what the Mint calls the cultural and ethnic diversity of the United States. The exact shape future Ladies Liberty will take, according to the Mint, will be up to the artists who design them.

This commemorative coin will arrive just less than a year after the announcement that Harriet Tubman is bumping Andrew Jackson to the back of the $20 bill. In some ways, the news about Lady Liberty seems small in comparison. Most Americans wont use or even see the coin; only numismatic enthusiasts will find a place for it in their collections (though former president Barack Obama expressed interest in purchasing one). Besides, Tubman deserves to be recognized for the remarkable role she played in history, while Lady Liberty is just an allegory.

Yet allegory is also what makes Lady Liberty the perfect candidate for a recasting of American ideals: Because she has no face, the country gets to decide what face to give her. The multicultural Ladies at their best will chronicle an evolution in what the nation thinks liberty means and always should have meant: freedom not just for the huddled European masses whom the Statue of Liberty began welcoming after her own arrival to New York in 1885, but the men and women who arrived in chains decades before, and those who come to America from around the world today believing in her promise.

A black Lady Liberty doesnt make up for a woeful past, and her coin should not turn into a chance for the country  or the U.S. Mint  to pat itself on the back. Instead, it should invite a conversation on how our nation still falls short. Giving liberty the faces of more Americans has symbolic value, but only if accompanied by policies that enlarge freedom for all Americans.
Charles Ikins lives in Clinton, Ohio.

Ive read with concern news articles about divisions among the organizers of Saturdays Womens March on Washington, including questions about why men havent been more involved. One Post online headline speculated that participation might be  considered unmasculine  by some. Regardless, the march is important to me for a very personal reason.

Its this: My beloved wife, Debbie, who worked hard as a volunteer for the candidate of her choice in this election, suffered an accident late on Election Day and died early the next morning. Nov. 8 was the worst day of my life.

All day, worried because of how high tempers were running out there, I escorted her on her canvassing rounds. Were you to see me in my Ford pickup with military decals, my Marines cap  I am a retired Marine  and my beard, you might have assumed that we were canvassing for Donald Trump. But youd have been wrong. As I crept conspicuously along behind in the pickup, Debbie strode up and down driveways for Hillary Clinton. This was the eighth day of her canvassing mission (as she viewed it). She was angry about the steady stream of attitudes denigrating women so prominently on display during the campaign. She intended to do something about it.

She related to me the comments she received. Some were unpleasant, but she was unfailingly civil in response. Sometimes there were small victories. One woman she talked to the previous weekend had prayed for guidance, and then Debbie appeared. Result: an early vote for Clinton. As I drove, we talked, laughed and made plans for the future.

Ive read that some activists have instructed those attending the march to check your privilege. I understand (I think), but this misses the point. This march is in part an answer to the indignities women experience  especially as they have been reflected in the private and public comments of our new president.

During our drive through African American neighborhoods that last day, the sight of this tall, red-haired, green-eyed white woman marching confidently along the sidewalk, clipboard in hand, was clearly welcomed. A woman visiting from California thanked and encouraged her; a group chatting on the sidewalk engaged her in conversation; a fellow Marine, a Vietnam veteran, came out of his house to greet me. Everyone understood the historic importance of this election. No one mentioned privilege.

Heading home, we responded to an invitation to an election party. Debbie was excited at the prospect of the first woman being elected president, and she dressed accordingly. She wanted to represent all the women in her life, past and present. She wore her grandmothers earrings. She carried a small purse belonging to a departed friend. She wore boots from a joint shopping expedition with our 13-year-old niece. Her top was a gift from her sister. And, with a gesture, she indicated that she was carrying her mother in her heart.

Arriving, we joined small groups in different rooms watching election reports. I was in the living room, Debbie in the kitchen. She left the kitchen, and then a loud crash was heard. We found her at the bottom of the basement steps, unconscious. No one knows how it happened. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and then to a trauma center, but there was nothing to be done; her head injury was too severe. She would never regain consciousness. As she lay in intensive care, I avoided any mention of the election results. I held her hand and watched the love of my life, my soul mate, slip away.

Debbie was extraordinary. Underlying her giving and considerate nature was a core of steel that became unyielding when she saw wrong being done. She was unafraid of attempts to intimidate her into silence. Our Ohio county went for Hillary Clinton  one of only eight in the state; I know that Debbie had a direct impact upon that. I also know that Debbie would have wanted to attend the march. She cant, so I will attend for her. Unmasculine? Hardly.
This is an update of a column published Friday and includes material from a blog post published Saturday on the Women's March.

Within 48 hours, we learned that Donald John Trump intends to govern as the same fiercely angry man who shook the country in 2016. He confirmed that his administration intends to show no regard for norms  or facts.

His opposition has drawn the obvious conclusion. Its only options are to contain the damage Trump can do, to restrain him in his use of power, and, eventually, to defeat him.

In his inaugural address, Trump offered no outreach to his adversaries with a take-no-prisoners message. They heard it, and were ready to return the favor. Saturdays Womens March on Washington and its counterparts in cities and towns across the country drew millions who signaled plainly that they would not be cowed into silence or demobilized into a sullen indifference.

There was a jubilance in the Washington gathering because so many were grateful to each other for showing up in such large numbers. Those who had spent Jan. 20 in gloom spent Jan. 21 experiencing a sense of relief: In the face of the political troubles to come, they would have allies and friends ready to act.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

If power shifted decisively Friday to Donald Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress, passion switched sides as well. As the marches showed, the political energy in the country is now arrayed against Trump and his agenda.

Republicans no longer have Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to kick around. For years, they were able to direct the countrys discontents toward a president they loathed and then a Democratic nominee they disliked even more.

With control of both elected branches, the GOP, including Trump, is the establishment. Over time, this will make the faux populist anti-establishment appeal of Trumps inaugural address ring empty.

It was a speech that offered a dark and gloomy view that cast the worlds richest nation as a victim of the rest of the world. He spoke of carnage in the country and declared: We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.

Trump invoked a radical nationalism not heard from any president of either party in the post-World War II era. His doctrine owes far more to the ideology of European far-right movements favored by his senior advisor Steve Bannon than to the views of American presidents from Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan, both George Bushes and Barack Obama.

We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world, Trump said, but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first. If some might see this as refreshing honesty about how countries actually behave, it was hard to escape the idea that Trumps America First doctrine foreshadowed a willingness to destroy international systems, built in large part by the United States, that have, on the whole, protected us and advanced our values.

And for those who worry about Trumps devotion to democratic values, there was this disconcerting sentence: We must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity.

Solidarity is wonderful. But the word can look like a threat when used in a way that seems to subordinate free speech and open debate. More disquieting, the nature of this solidarity will be defined by a man who now possesses awesome powers and has shown only disrespect for his foes and for an independent media.

By Saturday, Trump and his press secretary, Sean Spicer, had ratified these concerns. Expressing rage at the media for pointing out how relatively small Trumps crowds were  a hint of how shallow his movements roots might be  both Spicer and Trump lied outright in exaggerating the numbers of those who attended Trumps inauguration in comparison with the throngs that celebrated Obamas.

Challenged Sunday by Chuck Todd of NBCs Meet the Press as to why Spicer was asked to go to the podium and offer falsehoods, Kellyanne Conway, Trumps senior counselor, came up with a sound bite that George Orwell might have been embarrassed to include in 1984. It will go down as a defining phrase of the Trump presidency.

Sean Spicer, our press secretary, she replied, gave alternative facts.

Alternative facts? an astonished Todd exclaimed, and then he spoke the truth: Alternative facts are not facts. Theyre falsehoods.

Fear of a presidency willing to declare that up is down and down is up is why so many rallied to say a very loud no.

Read more from E.J. Dionnes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
President Trump pumps his fist at the conclusion of his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Friday. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

After every major Trump speech or event, the person I was before it seems desperately naive. I have been a consistent Trump critic, but my expectations are never quite low enough.

Some of us approach Inauguration Day with a kind of democratic reverence. Its customs encourage the love of country. The best inaugural addresses offer historical context, emphasize shared values, encourage engaged citizenship, express goals worthy of a great nation, and at least attempt to wrap it all up in a neat package of rhetorical ambition.

For Donald Trump, who lives in an eternal now, Inauguration Day was Friday, offering another opportunity to deliver a less raucous version of his stump speech  a chance to slam the establishment and make Peronist promises to reverse globalization. Apart from a few nice phrases undoubtedly borrowed from other, superior drafts, the American Carnage speech was blunt, flat and devoid of craft. Also devoid of generosity, humility and grace. Making it perfectly credible as the work of Trumps own hand.

[Get ready for a four-year-long pageant]

Trumps inaugural was instructive in this way: America has chosen a man for whom traditions and norms mean nothing (less than nothing when he finds them constraining). He used the center stage of American public life to belittle nearly everyone seated around him. They have reaped the rewards of government, prospered at the expense of the people, celebrated while families struggled, and are all talk and no action.

These, of course, are the only people who can take action  legislative action  after the Obama-era executive orders get rescinded. Trump certainly did not appeal to members of Congress for help. So he must be counting on the people to intimidate their representatives into supporting the Trump agenda. I wonder, for example, how Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell might respond to this pressure tactic, particularly after being treated to Trumps rhetorical version of the Red Wedding on the West Front of the Capitol. (Non-Game of Thrones fans will need to look this up.)

Though I doubt the inspiration is conscious, Trumps inaugural address owes a great deal to philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (or at least one interpretation of him). Rousseau wrote of leaders who incarnate the general will. Trump argues that the American people have been betrayed by the venal people they elect and reelect. Because the normal processes of democracy have been corrupted, bringing America to the brink of ruin, a strong hand is required.

In Trumps speech, there are just two uncorrupted actors: the people and the president. The only thing that Trump asks of citizens is to support him. So this really leaves only one actor who actually acts  a leader who claims to embody the general will. When Trump asserts, We will bring back our jobs. We will bring back our borders. We will bring back our wealth, who is the we? It is the forgotten men and women and the single leader who has not forgotten them.

In this light, Trumps announcement of the hour of action has an ominous ring. He demonstrates no respect for norms of presidential magnanimity and self-restraint. He has declared that his oath of allegiance was taken to all Americans rather than to the Constitution. He is impatient with a corrupt and paralyzed legislature. And he has claimed a general mandate to interpret and pursue his vision of the peoples interests. In the past, we have, I have, been mistaken to discount and downplay the plain meaning of Trumps words. The oath of office has turned a laughable Putin imitation into to a very real concern.

[Trumps inaugural address sounded just like Obamas  with one crucial difference]

This view of presidential leadership involves an almost unlimited faith in government. Never shying from contradiction, the American Carnage speech starts out, We are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people. But by Trumps argument, only the president truly represents the people and acts on their behalf. And so it is the state that will bring back jobs, borders and wealth. It is the state that will build roads and railways. It is the state that will get people off of welfare to rebuild the country. It is the state that will bring back our dreams. Trumps inaugural speech is a funeral oration at the death of Reaganism, and of conservatism more broadly. In his first inaugural, Ronald Reagan declared government to be the problem. When Trump says that government is the problem, he means all government but himself.

The rest of the American government  both Congress and the courts  has been given fair warning.

Read more from Michael Gersons archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook .
Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, was director of speechwriting for President Bill Clinton. He is the author of The Fight to Vote. His Twitter handle is @mawaldman.

Memorable inaugural addresses come during a time of crisis. President Trump brought his own crisis with him. Rather than calm the waters, he decided to stir them further.

Trump delivered the speech forcefully. He displayed less preening narcissism than we have come to expect (though there was no nod to humility, either). It was populist rather than conservative. We heard no rote denunciations of big government. He spoke with passion about building infrastructure, a genuine national goal. The writing was blunt and clean. Mostly it sounded like an amped-up stump speech.

(The Washington Post)

Listeners felt no sense of the sweep of history, the humbling majesty of the moment. He offered no meaningful thank-you to Barack Obama for his years of service. (Contrast that with, say, Bill Clintons in 1993  On behalf of our Nation, I salute my predecessor, President Bush, for his half-century of service to America  or Ronald Reagans lengthy homage to Jimmy Carter, whom he had just defeated.)

Worryingly, Trump did not evoke the documents, deeds or ideals of the founders  which serve as inspiration and guide for new presidents. Liberty and democracy did not appear. Nor did the Constitution. No All men are created equal.

New presidents get to decry the mess they inherit. Reagan did; so did Clinton and Obama. But none did it the way Trump did. The picture he painted was bleak, dystopian, a grimy sci-fi version of the country. The only truly vivid language came in a death-obsessed description of a hellish landscape, beset by gangs, with factories scattered like tombstones. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now. Yikes.

Many new presidents chide the insiders and the status quo. Obama quoted Scripture: let us put aside childish things. Trump, again, struck a far more denunciatory note. The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. He went on at length along these lines. Of course, his own adopted party already controls Congress. Their applause seemed muffled.

Beyond the snarling tone, there were jarring and often radical policy notes.

Most striking: his stance toward the world. Every president since World War II has talked about the nations role as the central international force, calling on our fellow citizens to accept the burdens of leadership. John F. Kennedys famous address talked only about foreign policy. Reagans first speech linked his attacks on big government at home with the fight for freedom abroad.

Trump said, basically, weve been played for chumps, everyone is out to get us, and we are only going to watch out for our own from now on. American interests are not bolstered by a stable world order or rising global prosperity. Americans have never gained from our leadership, only lost. He explicitly disavowed the idea of extending American values around the world  a staple of every president of the past century. This is a vertiginous shift. Kennedy said we would pay any price, but that led to Vietnam. George W. Bush mentioned freedom 27 times in his 2005 speech, but that was in service of the Iraq War. Trump has lurched just as unwisely in the other direction.

He didnt talk about making American workers winners amid global economic change. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs, he declared. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength. This was the first inaugural address to call for protectionism since long before the United States became a global economic leader.

His rhetoric embraced dark themes. From this day forward, its going to be only America first, America first. This is not just chest-thumping. This is, as he well knows, the name of the isolationist group  based, often, in the very Midwest where he squeaked out his electoral-college win  that fought against U.S. involvement in World War II. America First was discredited by its anti-Semitism and its appeasement of Adolf Hitler.

Trumps address had the rhetoric of Charles Lindbergh and the economics of Smoot-Hawley. We must assume he did this deliberately. Neither ended well for the country.

Will any of this actually reflect the national agenda? Who knows. He urged infrastructure spending, for example. Democrats like that, but many Republicans recoil. But there was barely a reference to immigration, and none at all to the Republican Congresss priorities of repealing the Affordable Care Act or enacting tax cuts. He decried radical Islamic terrorism and vowed to eliminate it entirely from the face of the earth (whew!), but devoted only half a sentence to the topic. He decried the establishment. Did his Cabinet of billionaires and Wall Street executives (with a few generals sprinkled in) keep a straight face while applauding?

Trump won because he tapped into many voters anger. But the job of a president always has been to alchemize public sentiment into something better. You reassure about fear itself, you dont stoke it. The notion that any previous inaugural speaker would howl about American carnage is simply unthinkable.

An inaugural address that is hopeful, unifying, thoughtful  that appeals to Americans better angels and offers our ideals to the world? Perhaps that might just be another tradition Trump has upended.
The Jan. 19 news article Russia cant be trusted, Haley says reported South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R), President Trumps nominee to be U.N. ambassador, ordered the Confederate flag removed from the state Capitol grounds. Ms. Haley did not order the flag removed from the capitol grounds. The Confederate battle flag was placed on the grounds by an act of the state legislature.

In the aftermath of the murder of nine parishioners at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston, S.C., Ms. Haley appealed to the legislature to have the flag removed. Ms. Haley displayed considerable political courage and resolve in tackling this issue and getting the flag removed. Despite the horrible incident and Ms. Haleys appeal, it still required considerable effort to get the Confederate battle flag removed. Previous governors had opposed the flying of the flag on the statehouse grounds, so if the governor could simply have ordered its removal, I suspect it would have been removed years ago.

It is quite regretful that it took a horrible incident and the death of nine wonderful people to get a hateful and divisive symbol removed.

Keith June, Arlington
PRESIDENT FERDINAND MARCOS of the Philippines, who imposed martial law in the 1970s and built a personalized dictatorship, vowed in 1980 not to lift military rule after a terrorist attack. Martial law was for the good of the country, he declared, saying he would not abandon the people to the unruly anarchy of the attackers. A week ago, President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines threatened to impose martial law if necessary in his drive against drug users and dealers. No one can stop me, Mr. Duterte said. My country transcends everything else, even the limitations.

The similar tone of these statements  both claiming a higher calling for trampling democracy  is reason to ask: What the heck is going on in the Philippines? Mr. Duterte appears to be steering this democracy into the dark corners of authoritarianism and driving an important U.S. ally into the waiting arms of China and Russia. On Jan. 6, he visited a Russian warship docked at Manila and told the head of the Russian Pacific fleet: We welcome our Russian friends. Anytime you want to dock here for anything, for play, for replenish supplies or maybe our ally to protect us.

Mr. Duterte, who has unleashed the police and vigilantes in a brutal extrajudicial campaign against alleged drug users and dealers in which an estimated 6,000 people have been killed, made his threat to impose martial law in a speech in Davao City in the south, where he was mayor for more than two decades. If the drug campaign deteriorates into something really very virulent, I will declare martial law, he said. When referring to the limitations, he meant the post-Marcos 1987 Constitution, under which the president may declare martial law in case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, for no longer than 60 days, with approval by Congress. There is no provision for declaring martial law to fight drug trafficking and use.

As has happened before, aides and allies attempted to backtrack after Mr. Dutertes outburst. But there was no taking back the words; he was quoted accurately. Those who suffered through eight years of martial law under Mr. Marcos  when political opponents were imprisoned and tortured  heard Mr. Dutertes threat quite clearly. Franklin Drilon, the president pro tempore of the Philippine Senate, told the New York Times, The truth is, mere talk of martial law is enough to send chills to the spine of any Filipino.

As well it should. The U.S.-Filipino alliance is important, but if the United States abandons support for democratic values, it will have no more claim on Filipino friendship for the long term than any other power that chooses to bid. In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson said he needed more facts from the ground before he could express an opinion on Mr. Dutertes bloody campaign. The facts are increasingly, distressingly evident.
President Trumps decision to appoint his son-in-law as a senior adviser did not violate a federal anti-nepotism law, the Justice Department found in a formal legal opinion issued Saturday.

The 14-page opinion, written by a more-than-20-year veteran of the department who had been honored by former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., concluded that the president has special hiring authority that overrides a federal law that forbids executive branch officials from employing family members.

[Read the Justice Department opinion on Jared Kushners appointment]

Although issued by his own Justice Department, the opinion provides Trump official support for his appointment of Jared Kushner, who is married to his daughter Ivanka, to a top White House role.

The opinions conclusion matched a legal analysis that had been put forward by Kushners lawyer, Jamie Gorelick. Gorelick had served as a senior Justice Department official under President Bill Clinton.

Kushner was one of Trumps closest advisers during the campaign and will probably be one of his most powerful influences in the White House. Like his father-in-law, he worked as a real estate magnate in New York City, amassing hundreds of millions in holdings that he has said are now in a blind trust.

Trump critics have charged that Kushners White House role runs afoul of a 1967 law that forbids executive branch agency heads from appointing family members to positions in the department they oversee. Sons-in-law are included among the relations envisioned in the law, which was passed after President John F. Kennedy named his brother as attorney general.

But Deputy Assistant Attorney General Daniel L. Koffsky wrote that the law that appropriates funding for White House staff also gives the president special authorities to name his own employees, including family members.

He wrote that past opinions that had said otherwise, including a 1977 finding that the White House could not employ the presidents son as an unpaid assistant, had invoked a flawed reading of the anti-nepotism laws legislative history and failed to take into account special authorities afforded to the president elsewhere in the law.

In choosing his personal staff, the President enjoys an unusual degree of freedom, which Congress found suitable to the demands of his office, he wrote.

Koffsky noted that it makes sense that the law would allow the hiring of family members given that no law could prohibit the president from taking informal advice from his relatives. Allowing the president to formalize the relationship by naming relatives to White House staff positions means they are subject to other rules and restrictions placed on federal employees.

Opinions from the Office of Legal Counsel represent the governments formal, legal analysis of an issue, and its analyses have in the past provided cover for policymakers controversial decisions.

The Justice Department in 2003, for example, asserted that laws prohibiting assault and other crimes did not apply to military operators questioning al-Qaeda captives, because the presidents authority overrode other statutes. That opinion provided legal foundation for the use of aggressive tactics, though the department later backed down from its advice.

Although someone theoretically could challenge Kushners appointment, Trumps defense would now be bolstered because he was following the guidance of government lawyers, and it might be difficult to find a plaintiff who would have standing to sue over the issue.

The opinion, published Saturday on the departments website, was dated Jan. 20, an indication that it was researched and written before Trumps inauguration. Koffsky is a career Justice Department lawyer who was honored in 2015 with the departments Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award, reserved for employees with at least 20 years of service.

Matt Zapotosky and Sari Horwitz contributed to this report.
It will be up to history to render final judgment on Barack Obamas presidency, but the 44th president got at least one positive assessment Friday as he prepared to leave the White House. Chief Usher Angella Reid jokingly advised Obama that he could have his security deposit back.

Reid then joined curator William Allman in presenting the president and Michelle Obama with two American flags: one that had flown over the White House on the first day of his presidency and another from his last. Reid also handed over a tall stack of paper towels from the washroom, complete with the gold presidential seal. Obama always joked with guests that they could have as many paper towels as they wanted.

For a couple who embodied change when they entered the White House, the Obamas last day there was one full of age-old conventions.

[For Obamas remaining aides on Thursday, a White House scavenger hunt]

In a ceremony filled with private references, the Obamas thanked the residence staff for their service over the past eight years. Then they sat down for coffee and tea with the incoming president and first lady on the State Floor before escorting the Trumps to the U.S. Capitol.

President Trump shares a laugh with former president Barack Obama as they walk with their wives to Marine One for the Obamas departure from Washington. (Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post)

These rituals, as former White House social secretary Ann Stock put it, are as old as the nation.

A presidency that began with a whistle-stop train trip and massive crowds ended much more quietly.

Before the Trumps pulled up at the White House on Friday, President Obama turned to his wife and kissed her on the cheek. She dusted his shoulders off.

Melania Trump presented a blue Tiffany & Co. gift box tied with a white satin ribbon to Michelle Obama  who had given Laura Bush a present eight years ago  but there was no aide on hand to take it. In a digital age where social media has become a primary avenue for channeling political outrage, even relatively innocuous moments like this quickly become fodder for public debate. Some Democrats took a photo of Michelle Obama, looking confused or uncomfortable with the Tiffany box, and quickly converted it into Internet memes aimed at conveying their own displeasure with the Trump inauguration.

The Obamas quietly navigated the rituals that marked their exit from official Washington. Barack Obama bounded over to shake hands with Supreme Court justices who were also seated on the Capitol steps as they waited for President Trumps inauguration to begin. And he exchanged pats on the shoulder, and a few words, with the incoming president.

Judging from the social media reaction, some Americans were more unwilling to see the Obamas relinquish the White House than they were themselves.

By the time the former president and first lady arrived at a massive hangar at Joint Base Andrews, where about 1,800 administration officials and supporters had gathered, he seemed more than ready to stop giving speeches.

(The Washington Post)

You know, Michelle and I have really been milking this goodbye thing, so it behooves me to be very brief, he began.

No! the crowd roared back.

Some other presidents have been visibly reluctant to leave town. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), who accompanied Bill Clinton out of Washington 16 years ago, joked in an interview that there must have been claw marks on the Oval Office as he was pulled away from there.

On Friday, the men and women who had come to the base seemed to be looking for marching orders for the future. They sat in groups arranged largely by agencies  the Environmental Protection Agency in one section, Treasury in another. They broke into an impromptu rendition of the national anthem at one point, and former Health and Human Services Department employee Dominique Chamely held aloft a sign declaring: Today may be my last day working at the Obama administration, but you know what? HOPE doesnt quit.

Even as the crowd sat waiting for the Obamas to arrive, the new administration was erasing the digital fingerprints of the former presidents positions on climate change, civil rights and a host of other policy areas.

But shortly after 1 p.m., as the Obamas entered, they were able to dispense with events happening just a few miles away. Michelle Obama  wearing a red tweed dress with black trim and a coordinating coat, her hair swept up in a neat bun  accompanied her husband onstage. Looking more animated than she had been all day, she mouthed the campaign catchphrase Yes we can along with everyone else.

You proved the power of hope, the former president told them. And that doesnt end. This is just a little pit stop. This is not a period. This is a comma in the continuing story of building America.

Barack Obamas political ascent, so rapid and personality-driven, meant that he has not yet been able to institutionalize the movement he helped inspire. On Friday, he argued that he and his wife had only been the frontmen and frontwomen for a much broader effort.

We have been the face, sometimes the voice, out front on the TV screen, or in front of the microphone, he said, but this has never been about us, it has always been about you.

The former president had delivered a similar message Thursday night to the couple of dozen staffers who remained on the job on his last full day in office. During a final champagne toast in the State Dining Room, according to one participant who asked for anonymity to discuss a private event, he addressed the long-running philosophical debate over whether individuals can change the course of history or if structural forces are required to drive that change. He suggested that teams of people  like the ones he assembled  can shape history. He led them out onto the Truman Balcony to take in the view of the Mall. They wandered the recesses of the private residence, including the Yellow Oval Room and the Lincoln Bedroom.

Obamas speech on Friday lasted seven minutes, and he spent four times as long saying individual goodbyes. Shortly before leaving, he tousled the hair of the young son of his former White House press secretary Josh Earnest, who began working for him a decade ago in Iowa.

As the Obamas walked along holding hands toward the plane that would take them to Palm Springs, Calif., on vacation, former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. snapped a few photos and shook his head, almost in disbelief.

The Boeing 747, designated Special Air Mission 28000 instead of Air Force One for the day, took the couple and nine of their closest friends and former top aides across the country. Diverted to March Air Reserve Base because of weather, the Obamas plane landed out of the public eye, as the travelers craned their necks against the windows of the Palm Springs International Airport terminal in vain.

Greg Jaffe in Palm Springs contributed to this report.
Donald Trump revealed multiple personas on the campaign trail. There was the underdog candidate who gleefully campaigned and said whatever he wanted because he had nothing to lose. There was the vengeful brawler who lashed out at his critics in angry rants and early-morning tweet storms. And there was the politician who reluctantly agreed to read scripted speeches and stay off Twitter when he seemed to be losing.

As Trump became the 45th president of the United States on Friday, the world saw glimpses of all three.

Trump started Friday somber and unsmiling. He seemed awkward and uncomfortable as he proceeded through the highly choreographed presidential rites of passage. His inaugural speech brimmed with anger, vowing revenge on elites.

But by early afternoon, as he signed presidential paperwork while surrounded by his adoring family and people who wanted one of the pens he had touched, Trump was again smiling and entertaining the cameras.

He also showed that he could command a room, joking with lawmakers at a luncheon and honoring his former political rival, Hillary Clinton. He seemed happiest as he walked along the parade route late in the day  applauding, pointing, flashing thumbs-up and smiling as the modest-size crowd chanted his name. Gone were the nasty tweets, the name-calling and the habit of adding believe me to the end of his sentences.

(The Washington Post)

All day long, Trump was in and out of heavily armored vehicles, in and out of Washington landmarks, visiting the turf of others and trying to figure out where exactly to stand. He was stoic as he emerged in Washington early Friday morning. He moved slowly as he climbed out of a black armored vehicle outside St. Johns Episcopal Church, readjusting his overcoat again and again.

[God is not against building walls! The sermon Trump heard from Robert Jeffress before his inauguration. ]

Then he was off to the White House, where he and his wife were greeted by President Barack Obama, whose place of birth Trump once challenged. Melania Trump presented Michelle Obama with a gift in a turquoise box with a white ribbon, the signature look of Tiffany & Co. It was a kind gesture but one that kicked off a game of hot potato as the Obamas didnt know what to do with the unexpected gift as they prepared to pose for photos. Michelle Obama looked for a place to put it, then tried holding it, then handed it to her husband, who took it inside.

As the cameras clicked, Melania Trump and Michelle Obama embraced. Barack Obama smiled, waved and clapped his replacement on the back. Donald Trump stood there, slightly in front of the others, his coat unbuttoned and his tie off-

center.

Inside, outside, back into an armored vehicle and off to the highlight of the day, the swearing-in ceremony.

Ladies and gentlemen, the announcer said, the president-elect of the United States, Donald John Trump.

The doors opened, and Trump came walking forward, flashing a thumbs-up, mouthing thank you and pumping a fist. He kept his head down as he descended the steps. He never showed more than a tight grin.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

As Trump waited for his moment, he fidgeted in his seat, nearly as much as his youngest son in the row behind him. Trump whispered to those around him, tapped his fingers, rocked a bit and readjusted his coat. He then took the oath making him the most powerful man in the world and delivered an address that would set the tone for his presidency.

[A farewell, an introduction and two vastly different Americas]

Trumps vision of America is, as it has been for years, a dark one.

Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities, Trump said, looking out at a crowd dotted with his iconic red campaign hats. Rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation. An education system flush with cash but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of all knowledge. And the crime and the gangs and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. The American carnage stops right here and stops right now.

Trump stuck closely to his script, ignoring the impulse to add commentary for the enjoyment of his fans  to hurl profanity, gloat about his victories and give his rivals condescending nicknames. He learned to use a teleprompter last summer, delivering a convention speech that was mostly scripted. In the final weeks of the campaign, as Trumps path to the White House seemed narrower than ever, he hewed to his prepared remarks. His message Friday seemed similarly concise.

Although Trump has stacked his Cabinet with wealthy GOP donors, former bankers and longtime politicos, he dedicated his speech to his movement  to the Americans who see the same problems he sees. He insisted that his win was their win and that they will now become the rulers of this nation.

This is your day, he said, reading from teleprompters. This is your celebration. And this, the United States of America, is your country.

Soon after he finished speaking, a series of tweets popped into his feed that echoed his populist message.

[Trumps inaugural speech was a sharp break with past  and his party ]

At a signing ceremony, his young grandchildren quickly became restless. In addition to formally signing off on his Cabinet nominees, Trump proclaimed a national day of patriotism and signed a waiver to allow retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to become secretary of defense, despite a law that prohibits the position going to recently retired military personnel. Trump cracked jokes as he worked through the pile, handing out pens as he used them.

Then it was off to the inaugural luncheon in Statuary Hall at the Capitol, where he was toasted and presented with gifts.

I dont think anybody wants to hear me speak any more today, right? Trump said, standing at a gold lectern in the shape of an eagle and throwing his hands up in the air with a smile. So well cut it short.

He gripped the golden eagles wings and recognized his Cabinet members, especially the generals who Trump said look like they came out of central casting for a movie. He thanked former president Bill Clinton  whom he had previously accused of sexually abusing women  and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton  whom he had previously promised to lock up  for attending the luncheon. He asked them to stand and enthusiastically applauded them.

[Donald Trump calls her Crooked Hillary, but his fans just say b----]

Honestly, theres nothing more I can say, because I have a lot of respect for those two people, Trump said. So thank you all for being here. And were going to have four great years, hopefully of peace and prosperity.

Then it was off to the parade. As the presidents heavily armored Cadillac, nicknamed the Beast for its heavy size, slowly proceeded down the parade route, it stopped three times to let Trump and his family get out and walk.

Trump held his wifes suede-gloved hand. He waved, did thumbs-up, fist-pumped and applauded along with the crowd. Those along the parade route chanted Trump! Trump! Trump! and USA! USA! USA! At the hotel he recently opened on Pennsylvania Avenue, a group of people held up a thank you banner.

It was there that Trump finally broke into a broad, toothy smile.
On his first full day in office, President Trump visited the Central Intelligence Agencys headquarters to express his gratitude for the intelligence community, which he had repeatedly railed against and recently likened to Nazis.

What Trump delivered Saturday was a campaign-style, stream-of-consciousness airing of grievances  at the Senate for delaying confirmation of his nominees; at critics for questioning whether he is smart and vigorous; and at journalists, whom he called the most dishonest human beings on earth and accused of lying about the size of his inauguration crowd.

Trump claimed falsely that the crowd for his swearing-in stretched down the National Mall to the Washington Monument and totaled more than 1 million people. It did not. Trump accused television networks of showing an empty field and reporting that he drew just 250,000 people to witness Fridays ceremony.

It looked like a million, a million and a half people, Trump said, falsely claiming that his crowd went all the way back to the Washington Monument.

During his 2009 inaugural address, President Obamas crowd extended that far, and photos from that day show a crowd clearly much larger than the one that showed up for Trump.

(The Washington Post)

Its a lie, Trump said of the crowd estimates for Fridays event. We caught [the media]. We caught them in a beauty.

[Donald Trumps inaugural crowds dont quite measure up to Barack Obamas]

Trump also misrepresented what happened to the weather during his swearing in. He said he felt a few drops of rain as he started delivering his address, but then, God looked down and, and he said were not going to let it rain on your speech.. . .The truth is it stopped immediately.

Light rain continued to fall through the first few minutes of the speech  and VIPs at the dais took out ponchos, including former president George W. Bush  and then quit. Trump said there was a downpour right after he finished, which did not occur.

Speaking from the lobby of CIA headquarters in Langley, before a wall of stars honoring intelligence officers who died in service, Trump declared, I have a running war with the media. They are among the most dishonest human beings on earth, right?

Trump spoke before 300 to 400 agency employees who signed up to come into to the agency on Saturday afternoon to see the new commander in chief, an audience that likely was dominated by Trump supporters.

But aspects of his appearance are likely to be unsettling to the broader workforce, including his suggestion that the agency has been losing in the battle against the Islamic State and other terror groups, and his decision to score political points unrelated to the CIAs mission in front of its most sacred setting  a wall emblazoned with more than 100 carved stars to mark the deaths of agency operatives killed in the line of duty.

1 of 109 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  The scene in Washington on Inauguration Day View Photos Trump supporters and protesters gather in the capital as a new presidency begins. Caption Trump supporters and protesters gather in the capital as a new presidency begins. Jan. 20, 2017 Keilaun Wilson of Columbia, S.C., sells T-shirts to Trump supporters leaving parties. Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

That was one of the more disconcerting speeches Ive seen, said a senior U.S. intelligence official who was not present for the Trump speech but watched it by video. He could have kept it very simple and said, Im here to build some bridges. But he spent 10 seconds on that and the rest was on the crowd size, the official said, referring to Trumps repeated complaints that the media had undercounted the turnout for his inauguration.

Referring to Trumps use of the CIA memorial wall as a backdrop, the official said, People are going to think that was offensive.

Trump on Saturday insisted that he valued the agency.

They sort of made it sound like I had a feud with the intelligence community, Trump said. I just want to let you know, the reason youre the number one stop is it is exactly the opposite.

In fact, Trump repeatedly vilified the intelligence community throughout much of his transition in an attempt to push back against what he saw as politically charged conclusions by the CIA and other agencies about Russias hacking of Democratic Party emails to interfere with the 2016 election.

Trump has taken particular issue with the CIAs determination that Moscow intervened not only to disrupt this countrys election, but to help Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

At a Jan. 11 news conference, Trump accused U.S. intelligence officials of being behind a Nazi-like smear campaign against him. He has put quotation marks around the word intelligence in referring to such officials. And last weekend, for instance, Trump attacked CIA Director John Brennan  who resigned Friday at the conclusion of President Obamas term  in a pair of tweets, suggesting he was the leaker of Fake News.

[The director of the CIA just went off on Donald Trump. It was a long time coming.]

Trump journeyed to Langley on Saturday  his first in what aides said would be a series of visits to federal departments and agencies  to show his solidarity with career intelligence officials.

There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and the CIA than Donald Trump, Trump said. There is nobody.

He added, I am so behind you. I know maybe sometimes you havent gotten the backing that youve wanted and youre going to get so much backing. Maybe youre going to say, Please, dont give us so much backing. Mr. President, please, we dont need so much backing.

Trump vowed to lead the fight against the Islamic State, a rallying cry for intelligence officers: Weve been fighting these wars for longer than any wars weve ever fought. We have not used the real abilities that we have. Weve been restrained. We have to get rid of ISIS.

He added, Radical Islamic terrorism  and I said it yesterday  has to be eradicated, just off the face of the earth. This is evil.

Trump delved into the Iraq war, saying: I wasnt a fan of Iraq. I didnt want to go into Iraq. His statement was at odds with comments he made during a 2002 interview with radio shock jock Howard Stern.

Trump also asserted his oft-stated belief that the United States bungled its exit from the country by not taking Iraqs oil. If we kept the oil, we wouldnt have had ISIS in the first place, Trump reasoned, saying that was how the Islamic State terrorist group made its money.

The old expression, to the victor belong the spoils, Trump said. He added, We shouldve kept the oil. But, okay, maybe well have another chance.

Trump praised his nominee for CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.), who has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, a process that was delayed Friday by objections from Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

You will be getting a total star, Trump said of Pompeo. This is a gem.

He also asked CIA officers to applaud his national security adviser, former lieutenant general Michael Flynn, who is a controversial figure within the intelligence community.

From there, Trump delved into a series of personal grievances. He claimed to know a lot about West Point and said his uncle was a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Im a person that very strongly believes in academics, Trump said. They say, Is Donald Trump an intellectual? Trust me. Im, like, a smart person.

Trump, who at 70 is the oldest man sworn-in for his first term as president, went on to say that he feels like a young man: I feel like Im 30, -35, 39. Somebody said, Are you young? I said, I think Im young.
Donald John Trump was sworn in Friday as the nations 45th president and delivered a fiery nationalist manifesto that promised a populist restoration by stripping power from Washingtons elites and ending an era of American carnage.

Framing his ascension as transformational and global in its impact, Trump delivered a dark inaugural address in which he pledged fealty to all Americans. But he made little overt attempt to soothe a nation still wounded from arguably the ugliest election season of modern times and signaled that he intends to govern as if waging a permanent political campaign.

As Trump addressed hundreds of thousands of supporters from the West Front of the Capitol  a crowd plainly more sparse and subdued than the record one for Barack Obamas historic inauguration eight years ago  scores of violent protesters clashed with police in the streets of downtown Washington.

Trump reprised the central arguments of his candidacy and harshly condemned the condition of the country he now commands. He said communities had fallen into disrepair with rampant crime, chronic poverty, broken schools, stolen wealth and rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones.

This American carnage stops right here and stops right now, Trump declared in his 16-minute address.

A limousine burns from protesters on the streets of Washington on the day of President Trumps inauguration. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital and in every hall of power, he added. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, its going to be only America first. America first.

Trump immediately settled into the job, beginning a series of executive actions designed to systematically tear down Obamas legacy. He signed one executive order pertaining to the Affordable Care Act that White House press secretary Sean Spicer said would ease the burden of Obamacare as we transition to repeal and replace. Separately, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus planned to issue a memorandum to all federal departments and agencies ordering an immediate freeze on regulations.

Trump signed the health-care order while seated at the Resolute Desk of the Oval Office, which had been redecorated with gold curtains (a change from Obamas crimson drapes). Busts of President Theodore Roosevelt and former British prime minister Winston Churchill were added to be displayed along with one of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.

The day of pageantry and ritual  orchestrated both to celebrate the installation of a new commander in chief and to symbolize a peaceful transfer of power  began with a church service and included a military review, a triumphant parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and evening balls.

A tuxedo-clad Trump and wife Melania, who wore an off-the-shoulder white gown, performed their first dance to a cover of Frank Sinatras My Way, with the president mouthing the lyrics.

[I do solemnly swear: The 35 most momentous words Donald Trump will say at his inauguration]

The proceedings showcased the paradoxes of Trump. His inaugural speech, delivered in a light rain, presented a scathing indictment of the very lawmakers and former presidents who sat behind him on the dais. The president charged the entrenched powers in both political parties with exploiting the forgotten men and women of our country.

(Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post)

The time for empty talk is over, Trump said. Now arrives the hour of action.

Yet moments later, retreating inside the Capitol for a signing ceremony of his first executive actions, the president was chummy with the congressional leaders from both parties who embody the established order he had vowed to destroy.

Trump made no mention in his address of his Democratic opponent, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who received nearly 3 million more votes than Trump yet lost to him in the electoral college.

But later at a luncheon in the Capitols Statuary Hall, Trump said he was very, very honored that Clinton  whom he derided during the campaign as Crooked Hillary  had attended the inauguration with former president Bill Clinton and asked the other dignitaries in the room to applaud the couple.

In yet another paradox, Trump said his presidency would be governed by two simple rules: Buy American and hire American. In building his sprawling business empire, however, Trump relied heavily on imports and immigrant labor.

And as Trump promised to return power to struggling families, two of his wealthiest benefactors  casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and wife Miriam  were among the days guests of honor, scoring prime aisle seats behind Trump on the dais. [A fierce will to win pushed Donald Trump to the top]

Trump, who sees his election as part of a global movement that includes Britains decision to leave the European Union, wanted his speech to resonate beyond the countrys borders. He said at the outset that he was addressing fellow Americans and people of the world.

Trump echoed the nationalist mantra of President Andrew Jackson, saying he would focus entirely on rebuilding America and promoting its interests.

Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families, Trump said. We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs.

At 70, Trump became the oldest president ever sworn into office for the first time and one of the wealthiest in history. His far-reaching business holdings, which he said he has placed in a trust to be administered by his two adult sons, have prompted questions about how he will separate his personal financial interests from those of the country.

Trump, who wore a dark suit and his signature red tie, used a family Bible as well as President Abraham Lincolns Bible to take the oath of office, which was administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.

Trumps wife, Melania, who wore a powder-blue cashmere dress, their son Barron, 10, and the presidents four adult children from his two previous marriages looked on, as did Vice President Pence and his family.

The ceremony was much in keeping with tradition. It featured prayers from an array of religious leaders and music by the U.S. Marine Band and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

But the crowd that spilled onto the Mall gave the proceedings a distinctly Trumpian flavor. There were jeers when Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) was called upon to speak, and when Trump stepped forward to take the oath, people chanted, Trump! Trump! Trump!

The crowd, however enthusiastic, was visibly smaller than the turnout for Obamas inauguration in 2009, when Washington was infused with a sense of hope.

Elsewhere in the city Friday, there were loud congregations of protesters holding anti-Trump signs. Some groups of black-clad anarchists roamed streets downtown smashing windows of businesses and cars, lighting a bonfire and hurling bricks and rocks at police, who responded with loud flash-bang grenades and streams of pepper spray.

Attendance was expected to be robust Saturday at the Womens March on Washington, a display of opposition to Trump. City officials said that four times as many requests were made for parking permits for buses that day than on the day of Trumps inauguration.

All but one living former president attended Trumps swearing-in: George H.W. Bush watched the proceedings from a hospital in Houston, where he is recovering from a respiratory problem stemming from pneumonia.

Though the Democratic Partys congressional leaders stood on the dais, more than 60 Democratic House members boycotted the inauguration.

Trump engaged warmly with his predecessor. Before the inauguration ceremony, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the Trumps for tea at the South Portico of the White House. Melania Trump presented Michelle Obama a gift  a box wrapped in the distinctive light blue of high-end jeweler Tiffany & Co. She seemed briefly perplexed about what to do with it, with the outgoing president looking in vain for someone to hold the box while the two couples posed for photographs.

Later, the 44th and 45th presidents exchanged pleasantries at the Capitol. Following the ceremony, the Trumps bade farewell to the Obamas, who lifted from the grounds in a Marine helicopter headed toward Joint Base Andrews.

There, Obama delivered brief remarks to a few hundred staff members and supporters before departing on his last flight aboard the aircraft otherwise known as Air Force One to Palm Springs, Calif., where he will vacation before settling into his new home in the Kalorama neighborhood of Washington.

Obama said he hoped his progressive movement would not be extinguished with Fridays transfer of power. This is not a period, he said. This is a comma in the continuing story of building America.

Trump began dismantling Obamas record, starting with reversing a recent mortgage insurance premium cut that had been projected to save some homeowners hundreds of dollars a year. Democrats denounced the action.

President Trump, with the flick of a pen, ended that new policy, making it harder for Americans of modest means to obtain their piece of the rock, the American Dream  home ownership, Schumer said on the Senate floor. It only took an hour for those populist words delivered on the steps of the Capitol to ring hollow.

[Moments after taking the oath, President Trump transforms White House website]

In his address, Trump was plain-spoken and direct, a deliberate contrast to the poetic oratory of his predecessor. Four years ago, Obama delivered a soaring ode to modern liberalism, from climate change to social transformation. In advocating for same-sex marriage, he became the first president to utter the word gay in an inaugural address.

Trump spoke of none of those issues, even though they have animated the Republican Partys evangelical Christian base. He focused almost entirely on the economic anxieties of working people who feel dislocated and adrift.

Weve made other countries rich, while the wealth, strength and confidence of our country has dissipated over the horizon, Trump said. One by one, the factories shuttered and left our shores, with not even a thought about the millions and millions of American workers that were left behind. The wealth of our middle class has been ripped from their homes and then redistributed all across the world.

But that is the past. And now, we are looking only to the future.

Stephen K. Bannon, Trumps White House chief strategist, who helped him craft the speech, said it was designed with Jackson in mind.

It was an unvarnished declaration of the basic principles of his populist, and kind of nationalist, movement, Bannon said. I dont think weve had a speech like that since Andrew Jackson came to the White House. But you could see it was very Jacksonian. Its got a deep, deep root of patriotism there.

Indeed, Trump sought to appeal to peoples patriotism to bridge the divide that lingers after the bruising campaign.

When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, Trump said, adding: Its time to remember that old wisdom our soldiers will never forget, that whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood of patriots.

Robert Costa, Paul Kane and Ashley Parker contributed to this report.
The fact that we welcome U.S. forces in our country show our support for international peace, and peace in our region, said Ismail Omar Guelleh, president of Djibouti, at the White House. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

The United States has reached agreement with the government of Djibouti to preserve a key military base in the Horn of Africa that has been central to U.S. counterterrorism efforts in East Africa  and previously served as a key launching point for drone strikes throughout the region.

President Obama announced the agreement Monday at the White House during a meeting with Djiboutis president, Ismail Omar Guelleh. An administration official said the U.S. government would pay $630 million over the next decade to Djibouti to lease the base, called Camp Lemonnier. At $63 million per year, the fee is almost double the $38 million that the United States has been paying.

Camp Lemonnier is extraordinarily important not only to our work throughout the Horn of Africa but throughout the region, Obama said.

The military base, which houses 4,000 personnel, had been the launching site for key elements of the Obama administrations counterterrorism strategy in East Africa and Yemen. U.S. military forces have spent years trying to counter the presence of al-Qaeda in Yemen and al-Shabab in Somalia.

Since its establishment in 2001, the base  which shares an airstrip with Djiboutis commercial airport  was secretly transformed into one of the most active sites for launching drone strikes outside the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.

Last year, the military was forced to relocate drones after a series of crashes led to intense fears that civilians could be killed at the airport. The military now uses airstrips in more remote parts of the country for drone operations.

Obama and Guelleh also discussed economic development, health care and education.

Obama credited Djibouti with aiding the fight against terrorism in Somalia, where an alliance of African nations is working to counter the presence of al-Shabab.

Theres a significant presence of soldiers from Djibouti who are participating in the multinational force that has been able to push back al-Shababs control over large portions of Somalia, Obama said.

According to the terms of the base agreement, the United States and Djibouti can renew the lease for another 10 years at the same rate of $63 million a year. They can then renew the lease for another 10 years at a renegotiated rate.

The fact that we welcome the U.S. forces in our country show our support for international peace and for peace in our region as well, Guelleh said. We do that all for peace in the world and for peace in Africa.

At the meeting, Obama also pledged to increase financial aid to Djibouti outside of the base agreement, including helping to expand skills training and foreign aid.
Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) during the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee confirmation hearing on the nomination of Scott Pruitt to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency on Jan. 18. (Michael Reynolds/European Pressphoto Agency)

Theres a pretty good chance that the future of the Democratic Party wasnt far behind President Trump during Fridays inauguration.

Within 50 to 100 feet of Trump, members of the U.S. Senate watched him take the oath of office. Inside that elite club are as many as a half-dozen Democrats who are considered ambitious rising stars, the type who might end up winning their partys nomination four years from now.

One by one, each of these potential candidates put their heads down Friday and vowed to get to work challenging Trumps administration. As she headed to the confirmation votes on some of Trumps Cabinet nominees, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) carried a laptop in hand and ducked into an elevator with a reporter.

How had she spent the first hours of Trumps reign? Working, she said. I went back to my office and sat and worked.

Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) began his day by pouring out his political soul in a 500-word Facebook post, which by 6 p.m. had been shared nearly 4,000 times. This is not a time to curl up, give up or shut up, Booker began. It is time to get up; to stand up, to speak words that heal, help, and recommit to the cause of our country.

Later in the day, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) forced a roll call on Trumps new defense secretary, James N. Mattis, so that she could cast the lone dissenting vote against his nomination because the retired general had left the Marine Corps a few years ago, breaking the tradition of keeping that post in the hands of someone who had been out of the military for at least seven years.

Those are just a few of the Democrats who might run for the nomination. None were preparing for a 2020 presidential bid. Instead, until the results came in Nov. 8, these up-and-coming senators expected Hillary Clinton to defeat Trump and run for reelection in 2020, making 2024 the earliest possible national campaign for them.

Trumps victory has sped up the timeline  theyll have to decide on running a presidential campaign in a little more than two years, needing to put together an operation that can run in the Iowa caucuses, probably in January 2020, and then all across the nation.

There is no guarantee that the Democrats will choose a senator as their next presidential nominee, particularly now that Trump, with no prior political experience, broke all the way through to win the presidency as a businessman outsider.

But in the past 16 elections, the party not holding the White House has nominated six sitting senators to be their nominee, two former vice presidents who had served in the Senate, seven governors  and Trump.

Add to that the fact that Democrats now have few prominent governors. Californias Jerry Brown is the highest-profile Democratic governor, but he is 78.

One wild card in the Democratic sweepstakes is former vice president Joe Biden, himself a 36-year veteran of the Senate. Now 74, Biden would be 77 on Election Day 2020.

But the former vice president and Michelle Obama are the only two Democratic political figures with high approval ratings who are constitutionally capable of being president. Biden, if he continues to float a candidacy, would soak up a lot of attention in the next couple of years. (The former first lady has repeatedly said she has no interest in elective politics.)

Despite Bidens recent toying with the idea, many party strategists doubt he would ultimately run.

That probably makes the Senate, with its direct role in overseeing the Trump White House, the big proving ground for Democrats wanting to build a national profile to make the run.

Along with Booker, Gillibrand and Warren, Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.), who was Clintons vice-presidential nominee, and Sens. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) and Sherrod Brown (Ohio) are among those mentioned as potential candidates. Also not to be overlooked is Sen. Kamala Harris (Calif.), who is not even three weeks into her first term but is only the second African American woman to be elected in her own right to the Senate.

A former state attorney general, Harris recently hired two highly touted communications staffers from Clintons Brooklyn-based campaign to help build her media image. She was one of the first Democrats to announce that she would oppose the confirmation of John F. Kelly to be homeland security secretary, basing her opposition not on the popular retired Marine generals credentials but instead on Trumps immigration policies.

While Kelly sailed to confirmation by a vote of 88 to 11, Harris was joined by Warren, Booker and Gillibrand in voting against him.

Brown and Klobuchar, both elected in 2006, are the most senior members of this crop of potential candidates; the rest have served fewer than eight years in the Senate. Those two, along with Kaine, Gillibrand and Warren, must first win reelection in 2018 before they can truly think about mounting a presidential bid.

Once a moderate member of the House from the Hudson Valley, Gillibrand has transformed herself into a liberal firebrand. She, Harris, Klobuchar and Booker participated in Saturdays Womens March on Washington. Warren took part in the march in Boston.

Booker, a master of social medias many platforms, and Warren, known for her fiery anti-Wall Street speeches, have to broaden their profiles if they want to be considered as commander in chief. So this month, Booker joined the Foreign Relations Committee, and Warren secured a spot on the Armed Services Committee.

It is a new day, Booker wrote on Facebook. We love our country; we will serve it, defend it, and never stop struggling to make its great promise real for all. And no one gets a vote on that.
NEW YORK  The drama unfolds in a Gothic sanctuary in a limbo zone between heaven and hell.

In this new off-Broadway play  Martin Luther on Trial  Lucifer requests new proceedings against the Catholic monk-turned-Protestant reformer, with St. Peter acting as judge and Luthers wife, former nun Katharina von Bora, as defense counsel.

The first witness is Adolf Hitler, who hails Luther as a great German patriot who saved Germany by uniting all Germans against a common enemy  the pope. ... Luthers 95 Theses freed the German conscience from the clutches of Rome, creating space for a new moral system, one that would be distinctly German.

Luthers wife shouts, Objection. Luther wasnt a nationalist. He wanted people to follow Christ first, nation second.

St. Peter sadly replies, Overruled.

So the debate begins. Luthers defenders stress his struggles against worldly medieval church structures, his work translating the Bible into German and his messages stressing that salvation was found through repentance and faith. It was a world-changing event when, on Oct. 31, 1517, the theology professor posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany.

The devil says Luthers goal was to Reform the Christian church. His result: fracturing it into a thousand pieces. Luthers work also unleashed a violent storm of change in Europe. Facing public failure, as well as success, the aging Luther lashed out at Rome and the Jews in language and logic later recycled by Nazi leaders.

There is the mad genius thing here. Not in the sense that Luther ever went mad, but there were times when he gave in to his anger, said Chris Cragin-Day. He co-wrote the play with Max McLean, founder of the Fellowship for Performing Arts, which is producing Martin Luther on Trial.

Certainly, a big idea of this play  one of many cultural events worldwide marking the Reformations 500th anniversary  is that not all heroes are infallible. Not only that, they are not heroic all the time, said Cragin-Day (who is one of my faculty colleagues at The Kings College in New York).

Luther was a tormented man, in the end. The Thirty Years War was coming and he knew it. ... He knew that many people would die because of what happened with some of his work. Thats a heavy burden to bear, even for a genius.

Thats the painful reality at the heart of Martin Luther On Trial, which will run in New York through Jan. 29 before a summer U.S. tour. The trial arguments rush by, driven by passages from Luthers many books  yanked from a stack that dramatically towers to the stages ceiling. The reformers brilliant Commentary on Romans is featured, but so is Of the Jews and Their Lies.

At one point, the audience hears Hitler sing a verse from Luthers great hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, before he condemns the theologian as a weakling riddled with self-loathing who ultimately rejected the scientific logic of progress.

Faith is an unenlightened cop-out, concludes Hitler. Luther condemned the Jews because they rejected Christ. Thats a stupid, ignorant reason. I killed the Jews in an effort to progress humanity. ... Which is the higher calling?

Other witnesses summoned to the trial include the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., C.S. Lewis, Sigmund Freud, Friedrich Nietzsche and, in one dizzying blitz, public figures ranging from Henry VIII to Steve Jobs, from Ayn Rand to Jane Austen, from Walt Disney to Kim Jong Il.

The final witness  somewhat in a daze, since he arrives from the real world  is Pope Francis, who defends Luther, in part, by stressing that leaders must learn to face their failures.

The Devil shouts back: How the hell can you, of all people, sit there and defend him? ... Martin Luther is the Roman Catholic Churchs ultimate enemy!

Pope Francis replies: That would be you, actually.

St. Peter and Pope Francis finally affirm the spiritual humility in Luthers last words, scribbled on a napkin from his deathbed: We are all beggars, this is true.

No one condemned Luthers failures more than Luther himself, said Cragin-Day.

Luther cried out for mercy, she said. That word  beggars  is so specific. It captures the fact that Gods grace is completely beyond our control. For Luther, that was the final judgment.
Zhou Qiang, chief justice of the countrys Supreme Court, at the third plenary meeting of the National People's Congress in Beijing last year. Zhou recently told provincial judges to resist erroneous Western ideals of judicial independence, constitutional democracy and the separation of powers. (China Daily via Reuters)

For 500 days, Li Chunfu, once a lively and tough human rights lawyer, was kept in secret detention by Chinas Communist Party. When he was finally released on Jan. 12, his wife was so shocked she could hardly believe her eyes.

Her 44-year-old husband was a thin, pale and sick man, Bi Liping said, a fearful and paranoid person who seemed to have been broken by the system.

A Beijing hospital soon gave him a tentative diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Li was one of 300 lawyers and advocates who were rounded up in a crackdown in July 2015. Most were soon released, but two have been sentenced and four remain in detention.

In statements to the China Change website, relatives and fellow lawyers said Li had been severely tortured and drugged during detention.

But his story is not the only one to have cast a shadow over the rule of law in China this month.

In a remarkable speech two days after Lis release, the chief justice of the countrys Supreme Court told provincial judges to resist erroneous Western ideals of judicial independence, constitutional democracy and the separation of powers.

One needs to have a clear-cut stand and dare to show the sword against them, to struggle against any erroneous words and actions that deny the leadership of the Communist Party, or slander the rule of law and the judicial system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Zhou Qiang said.

While the idea that the Communist Party is in firm control of the legal system is hardly new, to see the idea of judicial independence so explicitly condemned by the countrys top judge, a man once seen as a reformer keen on limiting officials power over local courts, came as a shock to many people.

Two open letters expressing outrage at Zhous remarks are circulating, one signed by 23 lawyers and another signed by 155 leading liberal intellectuals.

In the past few years, the legal community has been working hard toward establishing an independent judicial system, said Lin Liguo, a former lawyer based in Shanghai who wrote the lawyers letter.

Lin said Zhous remarks had burst reformers optimism. What Zhou said is basically that we dont need judicial independence at all, he said. Thats why people are so upset.

[Chinas Communist leaders promise legal reforms  under party authority]

At a key meeting in October 2014, the partys top leaders promised to give judges more independence from interference by local officials, and President Xi Jinping has often pledged to strengthen the rule of law  while at the same time underlining that the Communist Party remains firmly in control and effectively above the law.

Yet such was the controversy stirred by Zhous remarks that the Supreme Court issued five separate social media posts last week, each hundreds of words long, explaining and amplifying his remarks. At first, they attracted hundreds of comments from ordinary people, until censors shut down the comment function.

In a blog post, Jerome Cohen, an expert in Chinese law at New York University School of Law, called it the most enormous ideological setback for decades of halting, uneven progress toward the creation of a professional, impartial judiciary.

He said there was enormous dissatisfaction among many judges at the restrictive, anti-Western legal values being imposed by President Xi Jinping, with many younger officials leaving the courts and procuracy for work in law firms, business and teaching.

Eva Pils, an expert in transnational law at Kings College London, said Zhous speech came as a real shock to people in the legal system who had been educated to believe that China was striving for better rule of law and who found it unacceptable that their country was departing so completely and so rapidly from the reform path.

It is, in other words, one more nail in the coffin of the idea that Chinas legal and political system would ultimately move in a more liberal direction, experts said.

I think that lots of people are still in denial about this departure from the reform path, and the turn to rule by fear, and that they are unwilling to consider the full implications of the new rhetoric, Pils said.

Experts said Zhou may have come under pressure to publicly declare his loyalty to the party, especially as a team from the Communist Partys anti-corruption arm had been reportedly carrying out an inspection of the Supreme Court since mid-November. Ensuring his appointment was renewed at a major party Congress in October may have played a part, they said.

But Zhous words still came across as particularly strident, as he insisted on the importance of ideological work and recommended judges severely strike at people who use the Internet to endanger national security  code for undermining the Communist Party.

He also recommended judges protect the images of leaders, heroes and historical figures, to resolutely safeguard the glorious history of the Party and the Peoples Army.

Zhous warning echoes Xis campaign against historical nihilism  questioning the Communist Partys heroic account of its own history. In the past few weeks alone, a Chinese professor and a government official were both sacked, and a TV producer was suspended, for criticizing Mao Zedong, who is officially revered as the founder of modern China even though he presided over the deaths of tens of millions of people in a famine during the Great Leap Forward and unimaginable cruelty during the Cultural Revolution.

The case of the lawyer Li has underlined what happens to people who dare to challenge the party.

Li grew up poor in Chinas central Henan province. He dropped out of school at 14 to work in factories but spent six grueling years studying in his spare time to follow in his brothers footsteps and become a lawyer.

Maya Wang at Human Rights Watch said it was unclear what he was supposed to have done wrong  perhaps demonstrating outside a police bureau in Heilongjiang in 2014 to demand access to his client, perhaps being the brother of Li Heping, a well-known civil rights lawyer who was also detained in July 2015, or perhaps simply being tarred as an agent of a hostile foreign government.

But what broke him is no mystery, she said in a statement, citing how suspects are frequently beaten, hung by their wrists and deprived of sleep, as well as subjected to indefinite isolation and threats to their families.

Chen Jiangang, also a lawyer, said Li had lost about 30 pounds in detention. He described his close friends mental health as worrying.

He is constantly in doubt and fear after his release, Chen said. He is always fearful of police showing up to take him away. He is always fearful of leaving the house. Even when he is surrounded by family and friends, he still keeps asking, Are they coming to get me? 

Human Rights Watchs Wang said China will have zero credibility on rule of law as long as individuals are tortured with impunity. Li will likely never be the same after this horrific experience  and neither should Beijing, she said.

Luna Lin and Congcong Zhang contributed to this report.

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In this image taken from a video, Gambias new president, Adama Barrow, is interviewed by the Associated Press in Dakar, Senegal, on Jan. 21, 2017. (AP)

More than 22 years after taking power and a month after a shocking election defeat, Gambias president agreed to step down Saturday morning.

Yahya Jammeh announced on state television in the tiny West African country he had ruled since taking power in a 1994 coup that he would relinquish the mantle of this great nation.

The announcement did not come readily from one of the worlds most tempestuous leaders, who was defeated last month by Adama Barrow, a little-known former real estate agent.

For weeks, Jammeh appeared unwilling to step down, even as several African leaders pleaded with him during visits to Gambias capital, Banjul. Barrow fled to neighboring Senegal for his safety. He was inaugurated in a small ceremony there Thursday.

But as a bloc of West African nations massed 7,000 troops to the north and south of Gambia, threatening to enter and oust Jammeh by force if he did not leave willingly, the longtime leader finally announced his departure. As of Saturday evening, he remained in Banjul, but Barrow said Jammeh would be leaving shortly for Guinea.

It was a crucial moment for Gambia and the regional coalition that had succeeded in getting Jammeh to step down. While many African leaders have recently sought ways to extend their terms, often by amending their countries constitutions, the Economic Community of West African States, known as ECOWAS, offered an example of how to enforce the electoral processes of its members.

But the decision to remove Jammeh was also a testament to his unpopularity in the region. He had long made bizarre declarations, touting his ability to cure AIDS with local herbs, and threatening to personally slit the throats of all gay men living in his country. He also did little to engage neighboring leaders diplomatically.

The consensus on his removal stems from the fact that Jammehs been a bad neighbor for a long time, and his fellow heads of state are more than happy to see him go, said Gregory Mann, a professor at Columbia University specializing in West African history.

Senegalese President Macky Sall has for years accused Jammeh of offering a haven to members of a small separatist movement fighting for the independence of northern Senegals Casamance region.

As Barrow prepared to assume power, many Gambians wondered whether he would try to prosecute his predecessor, who has been accused of human rights abuses by international and local civil society organizations.

In a 2016 report, Human Rights Watch said Jammehs government frequently committed serious human rights violations including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture against those who voiced opposition to the government.

Jammeh has previously denied such accusations. But during the negotiations that led to his stepping down, he asked for amnesty from any crimes he might have committed during his rule, according to Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of ECOWAS. That request was rejected.

On Saturday, Barrow told the Associated Press that he could not rule out the possibility that Jammeh could face trial in the International Criminal Court.

We arent talking about prosecution here. We are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission, Barrow told the news agency. Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together.

Jammeh announced last year that Gambia would leave the international court, which his administration mocked as the international Caucasian court. But that decision wouldnt take effect until later this year, and Barrow has said that he opposes the withdrawal.

Barrow will find himself under significant pressure to reorient Gambias fledgling judicial system and a poorly performing economy that led many citizens to seek employment abroad. Last year, Gambia was the fifth-largest source of refugees in all of Africa, according to the International Organization for Migration, despite having one of the continents smallest populations.

Barrow will also have an opportunity to repair relations with the West African nations that Jammeh had alienated in recent years.

Most crucially, it ought to mean much better relations with Senegal, Mann said.

Gambia is entirely surrounded by Senegal, except for its Atlantic coastline.

As they waited for Jammeh to depart the state house, Gambians were left to wonder about the details of the deal that led to his concession. Where would he go? Would he try to insulate himself from prosecution?

One of the negotiators offered a few details.

The accord sees the departure of Jammeh from Gambia for an African country with guarantees for his family, those close to him and himself. He can come back to the country as he pleases, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz told his countrys state news agency.

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Pakistani mourners attend funeral prayers for the blast victims at the Shiite Muslim mosque in Parachinar city, the capital of Kurram tribal district on the Afghan border on Saturday. At least 20 people were killed and 40 wounded when a bomb exploded in a market. (Ali Jan/AFP/Getty Images)

At least 24 people were killed and more than 50 injured Saturday morning when a bomb exploded in a busy outdoor vegetable market in a remote tribal town near the Afghan border, security and tribal officials said.

The terrorist attack appeared to be the result of ongoing sectarian violence in the border region between militant Sunni and Shiite factions of Islam. The Pakistani Taliban insurgent group, which is Sunni, claimed responsibility for the blast in a statement.

Dozens of traders and buyers were gathered in the market in Parachinar when the blast occurred. Security officials said an improvised explosive device had been planted in a vegetable crate, and bomb disposal squad officials said it had been detonated remotely.

The population of Parachinar, the central town in the border tribal district of Kurram, is predominantly Shiite. The statement issued by a Pakistani Taliban spokesman, Muhammad Khorasani, said the bombing was carried out to avenge the recent killing of several leaders of the hard-line Sunni group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which is banned.

Ikramullah Khan, the top civilian administrator in Kurram, said the explosives had been brought into the district from elsewhere in Pakistan.

The Lashkar-e-Jhangvi killings took place hundreds of miles south in Punjab Province. Officials said counterterrorism police killed the groups chief, Rizwan, a.k.a. Asif Chotu, and three accomplices. Chotu was wanted by police in more than 100 killings, and the government had offered a large reward for his capture or death.

Pakistans senior military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, tweeted Saturday that the army chief had ordered an emergency evacuation and medical care for the injured survivors in Parachinar. Many were flown by helicopter to military hospitals in Peshawar, the regional capital.

Ghafoor also tweeted that terrorists will fail in their attempt to regain lost relevance.





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Whatever the expectations for President Trumps new relationship with Russia, anyone looking for a dramatic shift from the Kremlin is going to have to wait past Day One.

While some Russian companies and political activists have taken advantage of Trumpomania here, holding inauguration parties and putting the new presidents face on sugar cubes and commemorative coins, the Moscow establishment is repeating a simple mantra designed to limit expectations: Donald Trump is not our man.

Russian President Vladimir Putins personal spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, repeated those words during a television interview Saturday where he emphasized that the Kremlin would play a wait-and-see approach with the new president on key issues such as the crisis in Ukraine, Syria and bilateral relations.

According to an advance transcript of his remarks, he also trashed a proposal by Trump in an interview last week with European newspapers to reduce nuclear arms substantially and said that the question should not be tied to U.S. sanctions against Russia that were imposed because of the Ukraine crisis.

Nuclear disarmament is a conceptual umbrella term, but it is made up of an enormous number of nuances, Peskov said on the current affairs program on state television. It cant be disproportionate. The composition of the nuclear [arsenal] in the United States and in our country are different. And thats why any symmetric reductions are absolutely unacceptable and inappropriate.

Trump told the Sunday Times this week that the European Union has sanctions on Russia  lets see if we can make some good deals with Russia. For one thing, I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially, thats part of it.

The Kremlin has taken pains in public not to look desperate to have the sanctions repealed. Peskov said Saturday that tying together the question of sanctions and of nuclear reductions will not likely be possible from the expert point of view. Our president has repeatedly said that the question of sanctions is not part of our agenda. Russia was not the initiator of this question. And it wont be, in the words of Putin, the initiator of their repeal.

Putin will call Trump in the next few days to congratulate him on his inauguration, Peskov said. So far, no meeting between the two leaders has been arranged.

Despite being lukewarm on Trumps proposal on nuclear weapons, the Kremlin has made clear that it preferred him to a Hillary Clinton administration and was happy to see the Obama administration come to an end. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev published a scathing Facebook post this week, saying the Obama administration has destroyed relations between the United States and Russia, which are at their lowest point in decades.

On Ukraine, where Moscow has helped to prop up two breakaway territories in the countrys southeast, Peskov called the Obama administrations support of Kiev unconstructive, but compared Trumps election victory and U.S. support for Ukraine to the fairy tale Cinderella.

The carriage is about to turn into a pumpkin, he said. The clock is about to strike midnight.

Regarding the new administrations position on Ukraine, he said he did not know. You and we will see quite soon, he said.

Putins spokesman did allow some optimism about U.S. involvement in the Syria peace talks opening Monday in Astana, Kazakhstan, but the State Department said Saturday that the Trump administration will not send a delegation because of immediate demands of the transition.

Peskov said that Iran had opposed U.S. involvement at the talks, which he said were unlikely to yield any serious deals. But in a slight concession from the Kremlins usual line, he said, Its clear that it will be impossible to constructively regulate the Syrian issue without the participation of the United States.

Read more:

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Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Hassan Jamil, a Kurdish peshmerga fighter, with his infant son in his living room in Chrra, a town in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The babys name is Trump. (Peter Holley/The Washington Post)

Hassan Jamils love affair with Donald Trump began in the thick of the American presidential campaign, when he found himself glued to his television screen on the other side of the world each night, transfixed by the billionaires beautiful hair, commanding presence and magnetic speaking style.

Jamil, who doesnt speak English, couldnt understand the Republican nominees words but said it didnt matter. The candidates forceful cadence told him everything he needed to know.

The night Trump clinched the presidency, Jamil made a decision that took his pregnant wife by surprise.

I decided that if my wife gave birth to a boy, I would 100 percent name him Trump, he said.

Two weeks later, on Nov. 23, Jamils wife gave birth not only to a baby boy but also to what appears to be a burgeoning Kurdish legend.

A Trump poster in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. (Peter Holley/The Washington Post)

His name: Trump Hassan Jamil  a.k.a. Little Trump.

Jamil, a 25-year-old father of three and Kurdish peshmerga fighter, said he was proud of his decision. What I like most and admire about Donald Trump is that hes a confident man and a successful businessman. He became a leader because he has self-confidence; otherwise he wouldnt be president.

[After a slow and bloody fight against ISIS, Iraqi forces pick up the pace]

Six thousand miles away, dossier-citing Democrats would beg to differ, perhaps, but Trump appears to have no shortage of proud fans in Kurdish areas of northern Iraq. Among a population that respects brash displays of masculine authority, expressions of undying loyalty and the kind of transactional dealmaking that the billionaire businessman touts as his trademark, Trump is enjoying a honeymoon full of cross-cultural appeal.

That appeal is not without expectation, though. Kurdish peshmerga fighters such as Jamil hope the new American president will return the loyalty they have displayed in the fight against the Islamic State by supporting their long-standing quest for an independent state. Their autonomous region has flourished since Saddam Hussein was toppled by American forces nearly 14 years ago, ushering in a new era of security, economic growth and autonomy.

Im a big fan of the Kurdish forces, Trump said in July, leading many to believe that he sympathizes with the populations political goals.

Trumps stance on Kurdish independence is unclear, but Walid Phares, a Fox News contributor and one of Trumps foreign policy advisers, has made statements that seem to imply that U.S. policy toward the Kurds may be malleable.

Mr. Trump has valued the role of the peshmerga and the Kurdish forces of Iraq against the advances of ISIS, Phares told a Kurdish television station in June, using another name for the Islamic State.

Now, after Daesh is receding, how will the United States policy be with regard to the Kurds? he said, using the Arabic acronym for the militant group. Definitely that is determined right now by the Kurds becoming allies to the United States. Then we would have our diplomats meeting Kurdish representatives and then together looking at the future and what could be done to strengthen that friendship.

Some Kurdish officials said they associate Republican presidents with starting the kind of high-risk international conflicts that promise to remake political borders.

Where others see recklessness, they see possible reward.

Our hope is that Trump and his administration will be bold enough to help the Kurds get independence, which is a basic right of the Kurdish people, said Shahab Goran, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Partys local committee in Dahuk province. Kurdistan can become another Israel for the U.S. in the region.

Besides, he added, Kurdistan has a lot of oil and gas resources, and all this is about interests, so the U.S. can get something in return for their support for the Kurds.

[The Islamic State has been a catastrophe for Sunnis in Iraq and Syria]

In the Kurdish city of Sulaymaniyah, a large Trump poster now graces the side of a chickpea stand on the side of the road.

And in the city of Dahuk, about a 90-minute drive from Mosul  the front lines of the Iraqi governments fight against the Islamic State  a restaurant owner named Nedyar Zawity opened a new restaurant called Trump Fish.

I personally love Trump for this, Trump Fishs owner told Reuters, referring to the new presidents words of support for Kurds. The name Trump is beloved in Kurdistan.

Not to be forgotten, of course, is Little Trump.

This man is the first one in the whole Middle East who has named his newborn after Trump, Goran said. Trump should build a hospital or a school or a kindergarten for us because he is a rich businessman. We are proud that this child was named after him.

Goran and others said they were aware that Trump is a divisive figure in America. The controversy, they said, is a result of his success and the enemies it inevitably produced.

Not even Trumps inflammatory statements about banning Muslim immigration to the United States seem to deter his support in Kurdistan, where the population is overwhelmingly Muslim.

Trump himself mentioned that he doesnt like extremist Muslims, not all Muslims, Jamil said. We Kurds are Muslims, but we fight against ISIS because they are extremists.

While many Americans were shocked by Trumps election, Jamil was not. He says he saw a Trump victory months before it occurred.

When a person has that much self-confidence, that person can win, he said.

He hopes that same belief in self manifests in his son someday. For now, he said, the only quality his infant shares with the president is their unique skin tone.

What color is that, exactly?

Reddish-orange, Jamil said.

Read more:

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10 new wars that could be unleashed as a result of the one against ISIS

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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After weeks of raucous parliamentary debate that included fisticuffs and chair-throwing, lawmakers in Turkey overwhelmingly passed several constitutional amendments early Saturday that, if approved by the public, would grant President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greatly enhanced powers.

The changes include amendments that would abolish the post of prime minister, curb governmental oversight by the parliament and give Erdogan the authority to unilaterally issue decrees  rules that the presidents opponents insist would formalize Turkeys drift toward authoritarian rule.

The presidents allies have argued that the state had become unruly and that the long-overdue changes would free Erdogan from bureaucratic obstacles at a time when Turkey is facing unprecedented challenges.

A public referendum will be held on the package as early as the end of March. With some polls showing tepid support for the measures, the president and his supporters in the Islamist Justice and Development Party have tried to bolster their campaign by striking an alliance with a nationalist party that provided the votes needed in parliament to force a referendum.

The rancor in parliament included hair-pulling, the throwing of a potted plant and a lawmaker handcuffing herself to a microphone on a lectern before she was surrounded by angry opponents. As spectacle, it amounted to an embarrassing milestone that magnified deepening divisions over Turkeys direction even beyond the contentious debate over what has come to be known as the executive presidency.

Ravza Kavakci Kan, a lawmaker from the Justice and Development Party, was photographed during one of the brawls, standing aside with her arms folded and wearing a look of disgust. When you work for days and days, people tend to do things they may get embarrassed about, she said Saturday.after parliament voted.

Theres no excuse for it, she added. The Turkish people deserved better.

Turkeys divisions have sharpened with several recent crises and threats, including a failed coup in July that left more than 240 people dead and prompted a withering government crackdown on political opponents and critics alike. The country has also been shaken by an alarming string of deadly militant attacks by Kurdish as well as Sunni Islamist militants.

Turkeys military intervention in Syrias war has also exposed fissures, as the government has forged a closer alliance with Russia and pushed Syrias anti-government rebels to accept a political solution that would end the fighting.

The presidents supporters have argued that the accumulated challenges  and the need to impose order  are precisely the reason that Erdogan needs a freer hand to govern.There will only be strong leaderships now, the prime minister, Binali Yildirim, told reporters when the reforms were submitted to parliament last month, according to Reuters. The changes to the presidency would dispense with the wrangling over governing coalitions and end conflicts between branches of government, he said.

Kavakci Kan, the lawmaker, said the amendments would make the president more accountable. If the Turkish people are not happy with this change, they will not vote for it. If they are not happy with President Erdogan, they can vote him out.

The weeks leading up to the referendum, though, seemed to promise much more acrimony, given the nature of the parliamentary debate. After the vote Saturday, Erdogan rallied his supporters, calling on them to focus on the campaign to approve the changes, by working day and night, in comments reported by the semiofficial Anadolu news agency.

His opponents argue that Erdogan, who served as prime minister for 11 years before assuming the presidency in 2014, has seized on Turkeys recent turmoil to accumulate more power, including by eviscerating one of the countrys most prominent opposition parties, the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party. If the constitutional changes are approved by the public, they would go into effect in 2019, and Erdogan could serve two five-year terms.

This parliament prepared a constitution that could lead Turkey to a Middle East dictatorship, not a contemporary democracy, Deniz Baykal, a leader of the opposition Republican Peoples Party, said in an interview with Yenicag, a Turkish daily newspaper, a few days before the vote.

It will not bring stability, he said. It will not bring peace.

Read more:

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Turkey expects improved relations with the Trump administration

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Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn arrives at the U.S. Capitol before the inauguration of President Trump. Flynn was invited to participate in Syria peace talks, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran. (Pool photo by Saul Loeb/via European Pressphoto Agency)

The Trump administration will not send a delegation to next weeks Syrian peace talks, sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran, because of the immediate demands of the transition, the State Department said Saturday.

Russias ambassador to the United States had personally invited President Trumps national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, to the meeting, scheduled to begin Monday in Kazakhstans capital, Astana. The Obama administration was not invited.

The United States is committed to a political resolution to the Syrian crisis through a Syrian-owned process, which can bring about a more representative, peaceful, and united Syria, acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. It said that the U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan would attend as an observer.

The invitation comes as the new administration is still formulating its policies toward a variety of issues, including the Syrian war, Russia and Iran, although Trump has promised changes from his predecessor. Secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson has not been confirmed by the Senate, and no other senior diplomatic appointments have been finalized.

Given our presidential inauguration and the immediate demands of the transition, a delegation from Washington will not be attending, Toners statement said.

Representatives from the Syrian government and armed opposition groups seeking to overthrow it are scheduled to be there and, according to the sponsors, to hold face-to-face talks for the first time.

At the top of the agenda is an effort to solidify and continue a sputtering cease-fire the three sponsor nations negotiated last month. They hope to then begin preliminary talks on a negotiated political settlement to Syrias civil war, now in its fifth year. A larger political meeting, to be held under United Nations auspices, is scheduled for Feb. 8 in Geneva.

The new effort follows a failed, year-long attempt by the United States and Russia  backing opposite sides of the conflict  to sustain a cease-fire and jump-start talks in Geneva. Since then, forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, with aid from Russia and Iran, have retaken the city of Aleppo from the rebels and extended their control of the country.

Turkey and the United States have both backed the rebels, although Trump has questioned the CIA program to arm and train them. But in recent months, Washington and Ankara have feuded over U.S. military support for Syrian Kurdish forces participating in the separate war against the Islamic State. When the Obama administration declined to provide air support for a Turkish military operation against the Islamic State inside Syria, Turkey turned to Russia.

The U.S.-Turkey breach has led to growing rapprochement between Turkey and Russia, whose warplanes this week flew joint bombing operations with Turkish counterparts in Syria.

In an interview Thursday in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu rejected U.S. and European concerns that his government, a member of NATO and the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State, was tilting toward Russia.

I think many NATO countries have better relations with Russia than Turkey has. . . . Despite the sanctions, many European countries are doing business with Russia, Cavusoglu said. The United States and the European Union  of which Turkey is not a member  imposed sanctions against Russia for its military incursions in Ukraine on behalf of separatist fighters there, and for its annexation of Crimea.

Turkey has always balanced its relations with Russia, he said. Have we changed our principled positions [opposing Russian activities] in Ukraine? No. On Crimea? No. How about the territorial integrity of Georgia? which Russia invaded in 2008. No. Many of our European friends are forgetting all of those issues, but Turkey never forgets.

But in the absence of U.S. aid for its Syria operations, he said, Turkey had every right to appeal to Russia.

While Turkey also has brotherly relations with Iran, Cavusoglu said, he accused both Russia and Iran of failing to restrain their Syrian ally, Assad, from violating human rights as well as the cease-fire they helped negotiate.

It was Russia, and not the United States, that responded to Turkeys call for assistance against the Islamic State, he said.

Attendance at the Astana talks would put the Trump administration at the same table as Iran, as well as Russia. During his campaign and post-election transition, Trump sharply criticized former president Barack Obama for alleged weakness toward Iran over its support for terrorism and weapons violations, as well as what he called the bad Iran nuclear deal.

Staffan de Mistura, the U.N. envoy to Syria, has said he will attend the talks in Kazakhstan. The Assad government is sending a delegation headed by its U.N. ambassador, Bashar Jaafari, an experienced negotiator.

Mohammad Alloush of the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group  whose commander, Zahran Alloush, a cousin to Mohammad Alloush, was killed in a 2015 airstrike claimed by the Assad regime  will lead a military delegation of about eight people, backed by a group of political and legal advisers, Agence France-Presse reported.

A key rebel group, Ahrar al-Sham, said it would not attend because of government cease-fire violations but would support decisions taken by the other groups.
As Donald Trump was being sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, people around the world reacted with varying degrees of emotion. There was elation and hopefulness. Defiance and despair. Here is a sample of those reactions from four cities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Mexico City

Trump unpopular, but protests low-key

The TV reporter stood in a power stance, his back to the U.S. Embassy and the 10 riot police officers resting on their shields, and pronounced this a major day for Mexico.

Donald Trump is wildly unpopular in Mexico, where today is being seen as a real turn for the worse in the countrys fortunes, he said loud enough in English that people were stopping on the sidewalk to watch.

And maybe it will be. The Mexican protest machine, though, was slow to rise on this nearly cloudless Friday morning in Mexico City.

Across the street, where Julia Klug, 46, wearing what appeared to be a homemade American-flag jumpsuit and matching scout cap, was holding a United States extermination camp against Latinos sign with President Trumps name below a swastika, cameramen outnumbered protesters at least 3 to 1.

[Mexicans are already tired of Trump]

On the steps of the Angel of Independence statue in the middle of the traffic circle, the people who had put a Trump head on a stake had to share space with the hunger strikers who were opposed to an increase in gasoline prices.

Some passersby stopped to listen to the man with the megaphone in front of the In the name of humanity we refuse to accept an American fascist banner, but others seemed just as interested in the black-and-white photographs of the Beatles and Cantinflas being sold on the pavement.

For Mexico, its been a long and wearying year of Donald Trump. And Arturo Gracia Mayen, getting his shoes shined next to the riot officers, saw no reason to be optimistic about the year to come.

Hes seen as a Hitler type, because he wants to close the borders to jobs and progress. He doesnt want to cooperate with Mexicans, said Gracia, a 49-year-old lawyer. If American companies leave, we have to open ourselves to the Asian economies. To look for new horizons.

 Joshua Partlow

Brussels

Sense of mourning in an international city

This is an organization town, and Donald Trump has dedicated himself to smashing the system. So his inauguration Friday was greeted with sadness, concern and even despair in the home of the European Union and NATO.

In the Beaux-Arts center of the city, more than 1,000 people turned out on the Place de la Monnaie to protest his presidency, to defend the transatlantic alliance he has vowed to upend and to join in solidarity with the Womens March scheduled for Saturday in Washington.

[ In the home of the NATO and the European Union, dismay as Trump takes power]

In a city where many people work for vast organizations that devote themselves to tearing down borders and bolstering international alliances, Trumps arrival in Washington threatens the ideals many have devoted their careers to upholding. And it gives sustenance to the anti-immigrant, anti-establishment forces that are challenging mainstream leaders in elections this year in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

The atmosphere is one of great uncertainty, said Antonio Fernandez, a Spanish citizen who manages research grants at an office of the European Commission and took part in the protest. He seems to be determined to undermine the European Union and everything it represents.

In part because of Trump, in part because of the British vote to leave the E.U.  a step that helped fuel Trumps insurgent campaign  I dont know if the European Union is going to be here in 10 years, Fernandez said.

Other protesters in Brussels were simply concerned about Trumps policies toward women, Muslims and world affairs. More than a thousand people chanted, banged on drums and vowed to oppose Trump for the next four years. When Trump was sworn in  at 6 p.m. Brussels time  a howl rose from the crowd.

Its a topic in every work lunch, said Monique Gerwers, who works in internal communications at a polyurethane manufacturer about 15 miles north of Brussels. Its so sad to have someone like Trump in control.

 Michael Birnbaum

Moscow

A joyful response  and words of caution

In an upscale loft space in downtown Moscows Central Telegraph building, Russian politicians, political analysts, hangers-on and activists were toasting Donald Trumps inauguration Friday evening, applauding as he took the oath of office to become the 45th president of the United States.

Its going to be a lot of action, drive, excitement, said Dmitry Nosov, a sturdily built former member of parliament, who wore a gray-checked blazer with a bear pin. Not dull like it has been.

There was champagne. A translator narrated Trumps speech live. It felt as if half of Moscows foreign press corps was there.

[Champagne and Guy Fawkes masks: An inauguration party for Donald Trump in Russia]

All of this was brought together by Maria Katasonova, a right-wing political activist who has become one of Russias most vocal Trump supporters. During an election-night party, she unveiled her new triptych  an oil painting of Trump, Putin and the French right-wing politician Marine Le Pen, all of whom she admires for going against the system.

Some Russian businesses have been using Trumps image to drum up sales, and Katasonova is no exception. Images of her paintings went viral, and now shes selling reproductions, she said in an interview Friday evening. When asked by a journalist how much the painting on display costs, she said: Lets discuss that after the event.

It is hard to say whether the Russian establishment is happier that Trump won or that Clinton lost. But some are still sounding notes of restraint.

The idea that Trump is our guy is not the reality, said Alexey Kondratyev, a member of Russias upper house of parliament. And the sunny prognoses by some that hes going to go in the direction of Russia in cases where it goes against American interests is just an illusion.

 Andrew Roth

London

An appeal to build bridges, not walls

To send Donald Trump a message from across the Atlantic on the day of his inauguration, a group of about 30 volunteers picked one of the most dramatic settings in all of London: Tower Bridge.

The crew assembled before dawn on a bitterly cold London morning.

During a misty sunrise that saw Tower Bridges gothic-style towers bathed in orange light, the volunteers unfurled a banner that read: Build Bridges Not Walls.

[After Trump pledges America first, the world responds with protests and dismay]

Some of the motorists crossing the span in heavy morning traffic responded to the demonstration with supportive toots.

The group behind the demonstration said that about 200 bridges around the world were draped in banners, in cities as diverse as Auckland, New Zealand, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In London, many of the banners bore different messages.

Anyone looking skyward from a boat traveling on the Thames on Friday morning would have spotted a banner reading Queer Solidarity Smashes Borders on Vauxhall Bridge, one reading Migrants Welcome Here on Westminster Bridge and a call to Unite against Islamophobia on Southwark Bridge.

Were trying to spread feelings of hope and positive messages here on this day that is going to be very hard for a lot of people, said Claire Ryder, 33, a history student with the campaign group Bridges Not Walls. She woke at 5 a.m. Friday to help kick off the demonstration on Tower Bridge. She is also one of the organizers of Londons Womens March, which on Saturday is expected to draw tens of thousands onto the streets of London.

A native of Cleveland, Ryder moved to Britain last fall. She said she was keen to do something to help change the conversation and move forward.

 Karla Adam

Read more

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Protesters gather the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as new president of the United States.

Protesters gather the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as new President of the United States.

Protesters gather the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as new President of the United States.

See activists around the world as they unite for Women's March

See activists around the world as they unite for Women's March

Inspired by the Womens March on Washington, people in cities worldwide hit the streets Saturday to show solidarity with Americans and to promote human rights and gender equality in their own countries.

While the march in Washington was by far the biggest and drew unexpectedly large numbers, it was just one of 673 staged in cities worldwide, from Moscow to Manchester, England. Organizers said that demonstrators wanted to send a bold message to President Trump on his first full day in office that womens rights are worth defending.

[The Womens March on Washington: Live updates]

Trumps campaign was colored by sexist remarks, allegations of sexual assault and lewd comments about women that Trump dismissed as locker room talk. Many women voted for Trump, including the majority of white women.





Some organizers have tried to play down the marches as anti-Trump and instead emphasize messages of unity.

Its an opportunity to come together, to grieve and then to turn that around to celebrate unity, said Kimberly Espinal, one of the organizers of the London rally that began at noon Greenwich Mean time.

On a cold and sunny winters day, the crowd in London was large and lively  organizers estimated that as many as 100,000 participants were there. Demonstrators held colorful placards reading, A womans place is in the revolution, and, in an apparent reference to Trump and Harry Potter books, Even Voldemort was better.

[See what others wrote on posters around the world]

Protesters gathered first outside the U.S. Embassy, and then wove through central London en route to Trafalgar Square. Among those demonstrating was London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

As a feminist in City Hall I fully support the fight for gender equality, Khan said in a statement. Its wrong that in 2017 someones life chances and fundamental rights are still dependent on their gender.

Marina Knight, a 43-year-old executive assistant, was marching Saturday with her 9-year-old daughter, Phoebe, and two other mothers and their daughters.

This is her first march  its the first time we felt it was vital to march, Knight said, referring to her daughter. I feel the rights we take for granted could go backward, and we owe it to our daughters and the next generation to fix this somehow.

Sister marches were taking place in more than 70 countries spread across the continents  including the Antarctic, where 30 people were planning to march past gentoo penguins.

In Canada, events were planned in about 34 cities or towns, including Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, where locals marched in minus-6-degree temperatures.

It was really cold, resident Anthony Doyle said. But he bundled up and went anyway, because as a father, I want my son to have positive male role models in the world, and I worry about the impact of a man like Trump, whos said the things he has about women, on young men growing up.

[U.S. border agents turned away Canadians hoping to come to the Womens March]

In Israel, several hundred people gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. The event was sponsored by the Israel chapter of Pantsuit Nation, a group supportive of Hillary Clinton, Trumps Democratic challenger.

The rally was led by American Israelis, and the speakers who denounced the xenophobia and sexism attributed to Trump spoke in English.

Love, not hate, makes America great! they chanted as attendees waved signs that read, Nasty Women United and Black Lives Matter.

In Paris, thousands of women and men marched through the citys grand boulevards in a rejection of the new U.S. president that was organized by a network of French and U.S. feminist groups.

We are mobilizing as the new president of the United States prepares to apply the violently sexist, lesbophobic, homophobic, xenophobic and racist ideology that he defended during his campaign, read the events Facebook page, which listed more than 4,000 attendees.

But for Marie Allibert, one of the organizers, the marchs mission was not entirely to condemn Trumps words and actions.

Its more about womens rights, human rights, she said. During the campaign there were lots of misogynist, racist and hateful messages, and thats what were standing up against.

[Je suis nasty: Women in Paris march against Trump]

Besides, she added, France will hold its own presidential elections in April and May, a contest that many have interpreted as a potential next chapter in populist upheaval. Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Front party, is climbing in the polls, and close behind her is the more centrist conservative Francois Fillon, whose opposition to abortion has outraged many female voters.

Theres a parallel between the situation in the U.S. and the situation in France, Allibert said. We have two major candidates that we feminist organizations think are a direct threat to womens rights.

It is perhaps remarkable that so many foreigners are marching in demonstrations related to the inauguration of a U.S. president.

But organizers said that interest was almost immediate.

The day after the U.S. election, a plan was hatched to march on Washington. Within hours, the organizers started fielding requests from people in other countries who couldnt make it to Washington but wanted to take part.

In the first 24 hours, people from London, Norway, Australia, Canada, Switzerland got in touch saying, Hey, wed also love to have a march in our country; can you create our own Facebook page for that?  said Breanne Butler, a chef from New York and one of the events global organizers.

She noted that each march has its own dynamic, and that demonstrators will be pushing different messages.

In many South American countries, gender violence is at the top of the list, she said. In Tokyo, one of the issues they are campaigning for is the right to education.

New Zealand and Australia were among the first countries where women took to the streets.

Although it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, some people were spotted in Wellington wearing knitted pink pussyhats  a cat-themed reference to lewd remarks Trump made about women in a 2005 video.

In Sydney, demonstrators were met with a surprise when they looked up to see Trump emblazoned in the sky. Trump supporters reportedly paid to have the presidents name written in the air, prompting jeers from the crowd.

People ask: Why here? Why Sydney? This isnt your issue,  Kate Taylor, co-founder of the march on Sydney, said in a brief interview during the rally. But it is. Misogyny and bigotry are global issues.

Griff Witte in London, James McAuley in Paris and William Booth in Jerusalem contributed to this report.

Read more:

Worlds reactions to Trump inauguration run gamut of emotions

After Trump pledges America first, the world responds with protests and dismay

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Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

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Today Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will conclude his tour of three Indian Ocean island statesa trip that has been unabashedly aimed at asserting New Delhis military-strategic influence and countering China.

Having visited Seychelles and Mauritius from March 10 to 12, Modi reached Sri Lanka on Friday. His is the first bilateral visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Premier in 28 years. It comes in the wake of an Indian supported, US-sponsored regime change operation in Colombo that saw Mahinda Rajapakse ousted as the countrys president by a surprise common opposition candidate, Rajapakses lieutenant Maithripala Sirisena.

The US orchestrated Sirisenas candidacy for the January 8 presidential poll because it considered Rajapakse too close to Beijing and the new president has dutifully indicated that he will harness Sri Lanka much more closely to Washington and New Delhi.

Washington has been encouraging India to play a greater role in the Asia-Pacific region, including policing the Indian Ocean, as part of its pivot to Asiaits campaign to militarily-strategically isolate and encircle China.

Since coming to office last May, Modithe head of the Hindu chauvinist and traditionally pro-US and strongly anti-China Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)has tilted India still closer to the US and its principal allies in the Asia-Pacific, Japan and Australia. His tour of Indian Ocean island states is part of this strategic realignment.

In Seychelles, Modi met with James Alix Michel, president of the island chain, and the two formalized various agreements aimed at boosting security and maritime ties.

The first Indian prime minister to visit Seychelles in over three decades, Modi, wrote in the visitors book at the State House in the capital Victoria: India considers Seychelles not only as a maritime neighbour but as a trusted friend and a strong strategic partner. This visit has deepened our mutual trust and taken our cooperation to a new level. Talking to the press after his meeting with Michel, Modi announced that New Delhi will give a second Indian-made Dronier sea-surveillance aircraft to Seychelles.

There were also agreements on cooperation in hydrography, renewable energy, infrastructure development, and the sale of navigation charts and electronic navigational charts. Modi specially hailed the pact on hydrographic survey as a new dimension to our maritime cooperation. In a clear boost to military cooperation, he launched an Indian-designed coastal surveillance radar system in Seychelles Wednesday.

Seychelles has also agreed to lease one of its 115 constituent islands, Assumption Island, to India for island development. Ostensibly, India plans to develop tourism on Assumption Island, but several media reports have suggested that New Delhis true purpose is to use the island to develop a listening and surveillance post. Indicating the significance of the Assumption Island project for India, Modi said that it gives a strong boost to this [strategic] partnership.

India has decades-long defence relations with Seychelles. At Seychelles request, India in 1986 dispatched the frigate INS Vindhyagiri to prevent a coup, and in 2009 it sent naval ships to patrol the island nations extensive exclusive economic zone. In 2014 India gifted the naval ship INS Tarasa to Seychelles to boost its surveillance and patrolling capacity. Since then several Indian ships have made port calls in Victoria.

As part of its moves to secure its pivotal oil and raw material imports and export trade, much of which goes through the Indian Ocean, China has also developed close ties with Seychelles. Beijing has managed to get Seychelles approval for using its harbor for refueling and docking of Chinese warships stationed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations.

Modis visit to, and courting of, Seychelles are clearly part of an aggressive campaign, undertaken with US backing and encouragement, to counter Chinas burgeoning influence.

In Mauritius, Modi had talks with President Rajkeswur Purryag and Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth. He was the Chief Guest at the Mauritian National Day ceremonies on March 12 and also addressed the national parliament same day.

In a bid to counter Chinas moves for developing close ties with Indian Ocean nations through significant infrastructure investments, Modi offered a US $500 million line of credit to Mauritius for infrastructure projects.

The five agreements signed between the two countries during the visit include one pledging Indian support for improving sea and air connectivity to the Outer Island of Mauritius. Official reports noted the new facilities would enhance the capabilities of the Mauritian Defence Forces in safeguarding their interests in the Outer Island.

Under an Ocean Economy MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) India will gain privileged access to Mauritius and the surrounding waters in exchange for cooperation in exploring, developing, and creating the technology to exploit marine resources, fisheries, green tourism and related industries.

In a major step in boosting Indias military ties with Mauritius, Modi on March 12 commissioned the Indian-built 1,300-tonnne Barracuda, for the Mauritian National Coast Guard. The Barracuda is the first-ever warship exported by India. At the commissioning, Modi underlined the deals significance as part of Indias broader strategic objectives in the region: She [ Barracuda ] will protect your islands and your waters.. . .She will be there to help in times of disasters and emergencies. But she will do more than that. She will also help make our Indian Ocean safer and more secure.

India has now promised to deliver a second such vessel to Mauritius.

Modi urged Mauritius to join with India, declaring the Indian Ocean to be at the top of New Delhis priorities and insisting that it is our responsibility to shape its future.

Pushing for closer military ties with Mauritius, ties that are directed in fact, if not at this point in name, against China, Indias prime Minister said: I consider our security cooperation to be a cornerstone of our strategic partnership.
Donald Trump Is Sworn In as the 45th President of the United States

Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 45th President of the United States on Friday, in an official swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol steps.

Trumps family, as well as Vice President Mike Pence and his family, looked on as Trump swore the oath of office, continuing a tradition that dates back to former President George Washingtons inauguration in 1789.

After taking the oath, Trump hugged and kissed his family members and shook hands with former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden. He and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, turned and waved to the crowd and Trump pumped his fist in the air.

At the moment Trump was sworn in, protestors at one of the checkpoints on the Mall let loose with boos, others screamed, the clouds opened and rain sent ceremony attendees grabbing for their plastic ponchos.

Other attendees roared, TRUMP, TRUMP, TRUMP.

Also in attendance were former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former secretary of state and former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

Trump chose two Bibles for his swearing-in ceremony: one his mother gave him in 1955 when he graduated from Presbyterian Sunday school, and the one used by President Abraham Lincoln at his inauguration, according to The Washington Post.

Tom Barrack, Trumps longtime friend and the chair of his presidential inaugural committee, explained the selections in a statement, saying, In his first inaugural address, President Lincoln appealed to the better angels of our nature. As he takes the same oath of office 156 years later, President-elect Trump is humbled to place his hand on Bibles that hold special meaning both to his family and to our country.

The last and only other president since Lincoln to use the Lincoln Bible was President Barack Obama in both his 2009 and 2013 inaugurations, according to the Post.

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Just before Trump took the oath of office, Pence was sworn in as vice president by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.

After Trumps swearing-in, he will give his inaugural address before attending an inaugural luncheon at the Capitol and later traveling on to the White House.

Trump begins his time in office as the least popular president in at least 40 years, according to a recently released Washington Post-ABC News poll that found that just 40 percent of Americans have a favorable impression of the Republican. That disapproval has seeped into the Capitol, with more than 50 members of Congress  most notably civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis  boycotting Trumps inauguration and the accompanying events.

Asked about the boycott during a recent interview on Fox & Friends, Trump claimed he didnt care. Thats okay, because we need seats so badly, he said. I hope they give me their tickets.

In addition to the boycott, multiple protests are planned for Trumps inaugural weekend, with the largest expected to be the Womens March on Washington on Saturday.
Donald Trump Sworn in as 45th President of the United States at Inauguration Ceremony: Watch the Moment Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States during his inauguration ceremony at the Capitol building on January 20  watch him take the oath of office!

Its official. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States in front of the crowd at the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Friday, January 20. Watch the moment in the video above.

PHOTOS: Donald Trump's Family: His Kids, Grandkids, Wives and More

At noon, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administered the oath of office to the business mogul turned politician. I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, so help me God, he recited.



PHOTOS: How the World Reacted to Donald Trumps Win, Hillary Clintons Loss

Trump, 70, who was wearing a dark suit with his signature red tie, was joined on stage by his wife, Melania Trump. The former model, 46, stunned in a light blue Ralph Lauren dress and held the Bible while her husband took the oath. Trumps children, Donald Jr., Eric, Ivanka, Tiffany and Barron, were all present to watch their father officially take office. The crowd also included Barack and Michelle Obama, Joe and Jill Biden, George W. and Laura Bush and Bill and Hillary Clinton.



Immediately after the oath, Trump hugged his entire family before shaking hands with the outgoing president and vice president. The former reality star then began his inaugural address, which he claimed to have written himself at his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, three weeks ago. "We are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you the people, he said. This moment is your moment. It belongs to you. ... The United States of America is your country.

Just minutes before Trump took his oath, Mike Pence was sworn in as the 48th vice president of the United States. Justice Clarence Thomas presided over his oath.

PHOTOS: Celebrities' Political Affiliations

Following the inauguration ceremony, the new commander in chief and the former Indiana governor will make their way inside the Capitol building for a private luncheon hosted by Congress. Afterwards, they will travel down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House as part of the inaugural parade. In the evening, Donald, Melania, Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, will attend three official inaugural balls: Liberty and Freedom: The Official Presidential Inaugural Balls and Salute to Our Armed Services Ball.



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Kristen Stewart is speaking up about Donald Trump, recalling when he took an interest in her with a series of tweets in which he voiced his opinion about the actress personal life.

He was mad at me a couple years ago, really obsessed with me a couple years ago, which is fing crazy, Stewart said at the Variety studio (see video below) in Park City, Utah, referencing these tweets that attacked her personal relationships. I cant even understand it. I literally cannot even understand it. Its such far-out concept that I dont want to believe that actually is happening. Its insane.

Hours after the presidential inauguration, Stewart stopped by Varietys studio at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival to promote her short film, Come Swim, which marks her directorial debut. She also wrote the film, which stars newcomer Josh Kaye.

Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it againjust watch. He can do much better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2012

When asked how Trumps tweets in 2012 made her feel at the time, Stewart replied, At that point, he was just, like, a reality star. I had no reference. It wasnt like really a thing. But in retrospect, somebody reminded me of that and I was like, Oh my gosh, youre right!'

Stewart (whos not on Twitter) quipped, Hes probably, like, going to tweet about this.

Interviewing Stewart, Varietys Elizabeth Wagmeister said, There are a lot of other young women that look up to you and theyre scared now with our new president, to which the actress/director interjected, As they should be.

When asked if she has a message for other young women, with a laugh, Stewart preached, Ladies, stand up for yourself!

Turning to a more serious note, she continued, Ive never been the most politically charged person, but I think at this point, its not political. Its fking so humanitarian.

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She added, I would just say be a part of what you believe in, whichever way that is. Im not going to tell anyone how to feel, but Im pretty sure that we all feel the same way.

One of the most highly anticipated events at the Sundance Film Festival is a Womens March, which will be led by vocal anti-Trump comedian Chelsea Handler. Stewart and the Come Swim team will be marching.

I was really disappointed that I couldnt be in D.C. for the march, and I was like, Im sure somebody is going to be doing something here and they are and Im really thankful for that, Stewart said.

Watch the full-length raw footage of Kristen Stewart talking about Donald Trump at Varietys Sundance studio:

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actress ashley judd women's march on washington

Actress and political activist Ashley Judd brought the house down at the Women's March on Washington, a rally that drew an estimated 500,000 demonstrators in protest of President Donald Trump.

Crowds went berserk for the big-screen actress as she waxed poetic in R-rated language on women's rights and the perceived threat the new administration poses to those liberties.

Judd read a poem from 19-year-old spoken word poet, Nina Donovan. The actress shared a video of Donovan to her Facebook page late last year.

"I am a nasty woman. Not as nasty as a man who looks like he bathes in Cheetoh dust," she began, eliciting cheers from the main stage area on Independence Avenue.

You can watch the speech below.

Judd took the main stage while filmmaker Michael Moore still stood at the podium.

"My name is Ashley Judd, and I am a feminist," she said, as Moore watched on smiling.

Women's March on Washington organizers insisted leading up to event  which is expected to draw nearly a quarter of a million people  that the demonstration was more pro-women than anti-Trump. But as Judd recited Donovan's words, it became clear she would not pass on the opportunity to take angled digs at the new administration.

Much of the poem played on the theme of what it means to be a nasty woman, in reference to a remark Trump made against Hillary Clinton during the last presidential debate.

"I'm not nasty, like the combo of Trump and Pence being served up to me in my voting booth. I'm nasty like the battles my grandmothers fought to get me into that voting booth," she said.

Another line called out Trump's unsettling record of comments about the attractiveness of his daughter Ivanka: "I'm not as nasty as your daughter being your favorite sex symbol."

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The poem hit on why tampons are taxed but Rogaine and Viagra aren't, the pay gap in Hollywood, and sexual harassment.

"We are not here to be debunked, we are here to be respected," she said. "We are here to be nasty. I'm nasty, like the blood stains on my bed sheets."

People took to social media to express their admiration for Judd.

If @AshleyJudd ever runs for anything, she's got my vote. #WomensMarch  Laurie Crosswell  (@lauriecrosswell) January 21, 2017

#WomensMarch @AshleyJudd "is a nasty woman" poem so powerful! Brought me to tears. I felt each word. THANK YOU!  kari baker (@kphizzl) January 21, 2017

"I am nasty like Susan, Elizabeth, Eleanore, Amelia, Rose, Gloria, Condoleezza, Sonya, Malala, Michelle, Hillary," Judd said as her speech came to an end. "And our p-----s ain't for grabbing."

NOW WATCH: Watch protesters and Trump supporters get into a fiery argument on the National Mall right after the new president was sworn in





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By Josh Smith KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan chief executive Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday expressed hope that the United States would continue its support for the Afghan government after American President Donald Trump publicly spoke with U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan after his inauguration on Friday. "I want to congratulate the U.S president on behalf of myself, the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan," Abdullah said at an event to launch a bid for $550 million in international humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, which remains locked in a bloody war between the Western-backed government and insurgent groups like the Taliban. Trump, attending a post-inauguration ball in Washington, spoke by video link with American troops stationed at a base north of Kabul. "I'm with you all the way... we're going to do it together," he told the troops. "The courage that you show is incredible." As president-elect, Trump spoke by phone with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in early December, but has provided few details on whether he will continue the billions of dollars per year in military and development aid to Afghanistan, nor has he confirmed the future of the nearly 9,000 American troops still deployed there. Abdullah, who shares power with Ghani after a 2014 U.S.-brokered political deal, said he interpreted Trump's comments to the troops as a positive sign. "I watched the U.S. president's message to their soldiers... and he announced his support for them, which is a good and graceful step and I am sure that cooperation will continue in all aspects." (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Reuters

(Reuters) -U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett on Friday again declined to block President Joe Biden's plan to cancel billions of dollars in student debt, this time in a challenge brought by two Indiana borrowers, even as a lower court considers whether to lift a freeze it imposed on the program in a different case. Barrett denied an emergency request by the Indiana borrowers, represented by a conservative legal group, to bar the U.S. Department of Education from implementing the Democratic president's plan to forgive debt held by qualified people who had taken loans to pay for college. Barrett on Oct. 20 denied a similar request by a Wisconsin taxpayers organization represented by another conservative legal group.
By James Oliphant WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump took over as U.S. president on Friday in the same way he conducted his upstart campaign, with a mixture of blustery salesmanship and naked contempt for the established political order. In doing so, he sent a clear signal to the country and the world: He plans to govern as he campaigned, refusing to align himself even with his own Republican Party and taking his message directly to the American people. He did nothing to dispel concerns that he would bring the cult of personality he built over the election campaign into the White House, and he offered little in the way of olive branches to the tens of millions of Americans who did not vote for him in the most divisive election in modern U.S. history. A former reality TV star, Trump offered an apocalyptic vision of reality: an America besieged by crime, immigration, terrorism and unfair trade deals. "The American carnage stops right here and stops right now," he pledged, as he presented himself as a champion of the ordinary American. The gloomy picture Trump sketched of the nation flies in the face of evidence that the economy is in healthy shape, crime is down and the nation is relatively safe and secure. After warning the public on the extent of the problems, Trump suggested, as he did during his campaign, that he and his "movement" are the only solution. He did not mention the Republicans in Congress with whom he will partner to govern and certainly not the Democrats who have fiercely opposed him. Trump campaigned as an outsider, railing against the sins of both his Republican Party and the Democratic Party. And, it became clear as he delivered his speech on the steps of the Capitol, that he intends to remain that outsider, the rebel leader who takes power with one foot still on the battlefield. Continuing the populist themes from his campaign, he condemned the politicians who he said have for years prospered at the expense of the public. He eschewed the high-flying rhetoric typical of such occasions in favour of more blunt, populist declarations. "Politicians prospered - but the jobs left, and the factories closed," he said. "The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country." "We are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you, the American people." Aundrea Friedley, 52, of Nampa, Idaho, who was in the crowd watching his speech, likened it to a powerful punch and praised Trump for returning power to the people. Trump won the majority of the U.S. Electoral College vote, but lost the popular vote to his opponent, Hillary Clinton, by nearly 3 million votes, making any attempt to unify the country that much more difficult. 'AMERICA FIRST' "We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital and in every hall of power," Trump said. "From this day forward a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America First." His proposals though for ramped-up infrastructure spending, strong border controls and the strong isolationist tone of his speech may not jibe with traditional Republican priorities. At the same time, however, Trump has assuaged nervous Republicans by selecting a Cabinet that has largely affirmed bedrock conservative principals, and he plans to quickly begin signing executive orders designed to roll back some of former President Barack Obamas progressive policies. In Trump's speech, historians said, there were echoes of Franklin D. Roosevelt with Trump mentioning "the forgotten" Americans left behind by the forces of trade and globalisation, of Richard Nixon's "silent majority", and of Ronald Reagans pledge to restore the nation's greatness. But, said Julian Zelizer, a historian at Princeton University, there was also "more anger physically and verbally than in the past" with Trump punctuating his speech with pointed hand gestures. Trump spent little time trying to expand his appeal to the majority of Americans who view him unfavourably, according to opinion polls. Instead, he appeared to speak directly to his most fervent supporters. His speech perhaps was most reflective of Reagans 1981 address, in which the then-president spoke of economic affliction and idle industries.But Reagan inherited an economy struggling with stagflation and an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent. By contrast, under the departing Obama, the economy has added private sector jobs in 80 consecutive months and the unemployment rate stands at 4.7 percent. The picture painted by Trump "is probably not one that every American shares," said Thomas Alan Schwartz, a presidential historian at Vanderbilt University. Still, he said, Trump has tapped into a sense of national crisis and decline. Belinda Bee, 56, came to see Trump from Mooresville, North Carolina, saying she believed he would successfully combat Islamic terrorism and that he would remain a political outsider. The country now belongs to the people and not the politicians, she said. (Reporting by Ginger Gibson, James Oliphant, Ayesha Rascoe, Roberta Rampton, and Emily Stephenson; Writing by James Oliphant, editing by Kieran Murray and Ross Colvin)
Washington (AFP) - Led by women in pink "pussyhats," hundreds of thousands of people flooded the streets of Washington and cities across the United States in a massive outpouring of defiant opposition to President Donald Trump.

Roused by fiery speeches, the protesters sent out a resounding message of resistance the day after the Republican hardliner took office with a vow to roll back the legacy of his predecessor Barack Obama.

"I know that we can do better, we have to fight for the change we want to see," said Michelle Phillips, a 45-year-old recent American citizen, who said she came to take a stand against Trump's "platform of hate and bigotry."

A sea of women and men -- teens, pensioners, parents with toddlers on their shoulders -- swarmed up the streets around the White House in a good-natured but determined show of unity.

"Women won't back down," "Women's rights are human rights" and "Thank you Trump -- you turned me into an activist," read some of the hundreds of handmade signs held aloft in the capital.

Organizers estimated the turnout for the "Women's March on Washington" at half a million, double initial expectations, with huge crowds reported at sister marches nationwide, from Chicago to New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

Saturday's rallying cry was heard far beyond America's shores, with organizers saying over 2.5 million people signed up to take part in one of more than 600 marches being held worldwide.

One of the largest was in London, where tens of thousands of women, men and children marched chanting "Dump Trump."

The human tide flooding the US capital appeared to dwarf the throngs of Trump supporters in red "Make America Great Again!" caps who the day before had cheered his swearing-in.

Washington's Metro stations were overwhelmed as trains packed to bursting ferried cheering, clapping marchers into the city -- many wearing knitted "pink pussyhats" in an allusion to Trump's videotaped boasts of grabbing women's "pussies" with impunity.

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By 11 am, the city's Metrorail system said it had moved 275,000 people, eight times a typical Saturday.

Trump's defeated rival Hillary Clinton tweeted her support to the protesters, while former secretary of state John Kerry was spotted in the crowd -- a day after leaving office -- with his dog on a pink leash.

And Pop diva Madonna, wearing a black pussyhat of her own, made an impromptu appearance on the protest's main stage near Washington's National Mall to deliver an expletive-laden indictment of the president.

"Welcome to the revolution of love," the 58-year-old intoned. "To the rebellion. To our refusal as women to accept this new age of tyranny."

- Trump's first full day -

For his first full day in the world's most powerful office, Trump attended a multi-faith service at Washington National Cathedral before visiting the headquarters of the CIA, an agency he feuded with bitterly before taking office.

"I am with you 1,000 percent," Trump said in a short address to CIA staff -- during which he also complained about media coverage of his inauguration which he said played down the turnout.

Trump's inaugural speech on Friday set the tone for his presidency: proudly populist, fiercely nationalist and determined to break with Obama's legacy.

His first act in office -- signing an executive order aimed at freezing Obama's signature health care law -- was a potent gesture in that direction, with more such actions expected to follow.

But if Friday was Trump's day -- marred by sporadic outbreaks of vandalism and more than 200 arrests -- Saturday belonged to demonstrators with fresh memories of his fat-shaming a former beauty queen, sex assault allegations and a controversial stance on abortion.

Filmmaker Michael Moore, a march organizer, noted that his copy of the Washington Post was bannered with the headline "Trump Takes Power."

"I don't think so. Here is the power," he said, gesturing to the crowd.

- 'Railroad' -

Jennifer Behr, a 42-year-old accessory designer, rode a packed train from Baltimore to make her voice heard.

"It's important we assert our majority and we have a large physical presence to show Trump and the Republicans that they cannot railroad our country," she said.

While Trump won 42 percent of the women's vote, millions who did not vote for him worry that gender rights and other progress on women's health, contraception and abortion could be chipped away.

The Women's March began with a simple Facebook post from Hawaii grandmother and retired lawyer Teresa Shook to about 40 of her friends -- but word travelled quickly and the event took on a life of its own.

Dozens of progressive groups backed the march, as well as Amnesty International and Planned Parenthood, the women's health care provider that is a Republican target because of the abortion services it provides.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) -- Gambia's new president Adama Barrow said Saturday that he will launch a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the alleged human rights abuses of Yahya Jammeh's 22-year regime.

In an interview with The Associated Press just hours after Jammeh finally acquiesced to political exile, Barrow, 51, said it is too soon to tell whether the former president could face trial at the International Criminal Court or elsewhere.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here. We are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," he said. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

The exact terms of Jammeh's departure remained under wraps Saturday apart from his destination: Guinea.

"What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," said Barrow, visibly tired and wearing a powder blue traditional West African boubou robe and white leather slip-on shoes.

It's been a chaotic and tragic week for the new Gambian leader, who is being protected by heavily armed guards at a private residence in an upscale Dakar neighborhood equipped with its own metal detector.

A funeral was held Monday for Barrow's 7-year-old son, Habib, who was fatally mauled by a dog. Barrow did not attend because he was advised not to return to Banjul for fear that the Jammeh regime would threaten him. On Thursday, Barrow, a former businessman and real estate developer, was sworn into office at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar as hundreds of exiled Gambians cheered and waved flags outside.

In his inaugural address, Barrow vowed "a new start" for Gambia promised to expand the country's democratic gains. Although officially elected to a five-year term, Barrow has said would serve only three years with a goal of repairing Gambia's democracy before making the way for new leadership. That is in pointed contrast to Jammeh's long rule, and the many other African leaders who stay in office for lengthy periods.

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Barrow also has said he would prioritize reviving the stagnant economy of the tiny West African country, which has a population of 1.9 million. He also said he would improve Gambia's relationships with the international community, rejoin the Commonwealth of former British-ruled states and the International Criminal Court.

Barrow has stayed in Senegal throughout the prolonged negotiations needed to arrange Jammeh's departure. He attended Friday prayers at a mosque with Senegalese President Macky Sall.

The fears for Barrow's security were because Jammeh has long been accused by human rights groups of heading a government that tortured opponents and silenced dissent. Many Gambians have been arbitrarily detained for years, often without access to family members or lawyers. Some people have effectively disappeared, but families cling to hope that they may still be alive, say human rights activists.

Senegal has welcomed tens of thousands of fleeing Gambians over the years. Barrow has vowed to free all political prisoners and is urging those here in Dakar and elsewhere to return to Gambia and help him reform the country long beset by dictatorship and corruption.

He already has issued a message that "the rule of fear has been vanished from the Gambia for good."

"Today is a very, very important day for Gambia," he said Saturday. "Twenty-two years is a long period, and Gambians this time they are united to make this change."
Apple Inc. filed a $1 billion lawsuit against telecommunications equipment company Qualcomm on Friday, days after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) questioned the companys patent royalty practices and also accused it of engaging in anticompetitive tactics to ensure its monopoly on a key semiconductor used in mobile phones.

The FTC lawsuit filed Tuesday had also accused the San Diego-based chipmaker Qualcomm of forcing Apple to exclusively use its chips for iPhones. Fending off the allegations, Qualcomm had responded that it never withheld or threatened to withhold chip supply in order to obtain agreement to unfair or unreasonable licensing terms.

However, in its lawsuit, also filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Apple accused Qualcomm of withholding some $1 billion in promised rebates as ransom because Apple complied with investigations carried out by South Koreas anti-trust regulator, the Fair Trade Commission. The South Korean regulator had fined Qualcomm 1.03 trillion won (almost $853 million) in December.

Apple also accused Qualcomm of overcharging the company for its chips. It said that Qualcomm offered to pay the money it had withheld if Apple retracted and corrected its statements to government agencies, according to the complaint, Bloomberg reported.

"Qualcomm built its business on older, legacy, standards but reinforces its dominance through exclusionary tactics and excessive royalties. ... Despite being just one of over a dozen companies who contributed to basic cellular standards, Qualcomm insists on charging Apple at least five times more in payments than all the other cellular patent licensors we have agreements with combined," Apple said in its lawsuit, according to Reuters.

"If that were not enough, Qualcomm then attempted to extort Apple into changing its responses and providing false information to the KFTC in exchange for Qualcomm's release of those payments to Apple. Apple refused," Apple added.

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Qualcomm's stock fell 2.42 percent to close at $62.88 in New York, following the news. Apple's stock rose 0.18 percent to close at $120.

Commenting on Apple's allegations, Don Rosenberg, executive vice president and general counsel at Qualcomm, said in a statement Saturday: It is quite clear that Apples claims are baseless. ... Apple has intentionally mischaracterized our agreements and negotiations, as well as the enormity and value of the technology we have invented, contributed and shared with all mobile device makers through our licensing program.

Qualcomm also accused Apple of inciting regulators against the chipmaker in various jurisdictions around the world, by misrepresenting facts and withholding information.

"We welcome the opportunity to have these meritless claims heard in court where we will be entitled to full discovery of Apples practices and a robust examination of the merits, it added in the statement.

Qualcomm owns numerous essential patents in the CDMA (code division multiple access) and LTE (long-term evolution) mobile standards and charges mobile companies and other chipmakers royalties for using them.

The company is also being investigated in Europe, Japan and Taiwan for anticompetitive and monopolistic trade practices. Apple used Qualcomm's chips until its latest iPhone 7 model in September 2016, when its exclusivity agreement signed from 2011 until 2016 lapsed.

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Wadi Ara (Israel) (AFP) - Thousands of Arab Israelis protested in northern Israel on Saturday, days after a Bedouin man was killed during clashes with police in the south.

Yacoub Abu al-Qiyan, 50, died in disputed circumstances Wednesday when police raided the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran in order to demolish several homes.

Police said he had deliberately driven at forces entering the town, killing a policeman.

Residents and activists said he was shot before losing control of the car.

Protestors marched through the northern town of Wadi Ara on Saturday, many carrying Palestinian flags and placards denouncing house demolitions.

Some had signs condemning the government's "campaign of lies" about Abu al-Qiyan's death.

Police used sound bombs to prevent them from blocking a nearby road.

Lawyers for Abu al-Qiyan's family said Friday they had filed a petition calling for his body to be returned without preconditions.

They said family members had been asked to agree to receive the body only at night, and to limit attendees at the funeral to 40-50 people.

Police said they would not give the body back until a full autopsy had been completed and would not confirm they had placed conditions on returning the body.

The Adalah NGO, along with an Arab Israeli parliamentarian, filed a petition with Israel's Supreme Court calling for his body to be released immediately.

Attorney Nadeem Shehadeh from the Adalah NGO said the authorities had demanded that the body be buried in a neighbouring village.

Israel routinely places preconditions on returning the bodies of Palestinians it says have carried out attacks, arguing the funerals can turn into glorifying violence.

Arab Israelis -- including some 300,000 Bedouins -- are descendants of Palestinians who remained after the creation of Israel in 1948.

They now make up around 17.5 percent of the population and say the state systematically discriminates against them.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  A military court will weigh the real-world consequences of President Donald Trump's fiery rhetoric as Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl argues he can't get a fair trial under his new commander in chief.

Minutes into the Republican president's term, lawyers for Bergdahl cited Trump's scathing criticism in a request to dismiss charges that Bergdahl endangered comrades by walking off his post in Afghanistan. The motion filed Friday argues Trump violated his due process rights by repeatedly calling him a traitor and suggesting ways he could be punished.

The motion noted more than 40 instances of Trump's criticism at public appearances and in interviews through August 2016.

"Remember the old days? A deserter, what happened?" Trump said while campaigning in July before pantomiming pulling a trigger and adding: "Bang."

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

Trump's negative comments take on new importance now that he is commander in chief. Legal scholar Rachel VanLandingham said she thinks it will be hard for potential jurors and others involved in the case to ignore what Trump has said because of the sheer repetition.

"Ingrained in military culture is the desire to serve and follow commanders' orders, and that what commanders say is right," said VanLandingham, a former Air Force lawyer who teaches at Southwestern Law School in California. "And so that applies to the ultimate commander in chief. ... They were made time after time after time, and I do think they are seared into the military psyche."

Bergdahl's trial is scheduled for April at Fort Bragg on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. The latter carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Bergdahl, who is from Idaho, has said he walked off his post in 2009 to cause an alarm and draw attention to what he saw as problems with his unit.

He was held captive by the Taliban and its allies for five years. The Obama administration's decision in May 2014 to exchange Bergdahl for five Taliban prisoners prompted some Republicans to accuse Obama of jeopardizing the nation's safety.

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During his campaign, Trump made criticism of Bergdahl a staple of his campaign speeches, suggesting such outlandish punishments as returning him to the Middle East by throwing the soldier out of a plane without a parachute.

At a December 2015 rally in Iowa, Trump said: "Let's fly him over. We'll dump him right in the middle; throw him out of the plane. Should we give him a parachute or not? I say no."

There is precedent for a military judge to decide a president's comments have tainted a prosecution. In 2013, a Navy judge cited comments by then-President Barack Obama when he said two defendants in sexual assault cases couldn't be punitively discharged if they were found guilty because of Obama's public comments about cracking down on sexual assault.

Now, Bergdahl's lawyers say the question of whether Trump went too far is one of monumental importance to the military justice system.

"The circumstances require the military justice system to defend itself," the defense lawyers write. "Administrations come and go, but the credibility of the system must remain the lodestar."

Eric Carpenter, a former Army lawyer who teaches law at Florida International University, said dismissing the charges "wouldn't be an unreasonable decision," but that military judges typically seek ways to keep cases moving. The judge could also give the defense wide leeway to challenge potential jurors or limit Bergdahl's punishment if convicted.

VanLandingham said she believes dismissing the case would be the right thing to do.

"I think justice demands a dismissal. But do I think it's going to happen? No," she said.

As to whether Trump's brashness could affect future cases, Carpenter said he expects the secretary of defense or military lawyer to give Trump advice on how to avoid comments that create problems for the military justice system.

"Time will tell whether Trump would respond to that advice," he said.

___

Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/jonldrew
One of the highest profile court cases on state laws requiring voters to have photo IDs  a case now awaiting the Supreme Courts reaction  may be affected in a major way by the opening of the Trump Administration on Friday.

Within hours after President Trump was sworn in, the Justice Department asked for  and got  a month-long delay of a crucial hearing that had been set for next Tuesday before a federal trial judge in Corpus Christi on a broad constitutional issue surrounding the Texas law.

Although that development might not directly affect what the Supreme Court does with the phase of the case now pending before the Justices, the Court almost certainly will be notified quickly of the changed situation in the lower court, and that could have an immediate impact. The development also could lead to a change in the federal governments view of the case as a whole, and of the underlying issue of photo ID laws.

The Texas law, regarded as the strictest in the nation in its limits on the kinds of photo IDs it allows, was put into effect by Texas swiftly in 2013 after the Supreme Court had made unenforceable a major requirement of the federal Voting Rights Act. Under that requirement, Texas had been denied permission by the federal government to implement the photo ID requirements. That denial was undercut by the Justices decision three years ago in Shelby County v. Holder, ending the so-called pre-clearance requirement for election law changes attempted by state and local governments with histories of racial bias in voting restrictions. Texas was one of those states.

When the Texas law went into effect, the Obama Administrations Justice Department, along with minority voters in the state and civil rights organizations, sued in federal court with fresh claims that the law violated another section of the Voting Rights Act (Section 2) that bans voting practices that have the practical effect of limiting the political strength of minority voters. In addition, these challengers argued that the photo ID provision was unconstitutional because it was enacted by the state with the specific purpose of discriminating against minority voters on the basis of their race.

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A federal trial judge in Corpus Christi  District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos  upheld both of those claims, declaring that the law illegally diminished the votes of black and Latino voters  numbering perhaps more than 600,000 such voters  in violation of Section 2, and striking down the law as intentionally discriminatory.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit agreed with the judge that the photo ID rules did violate Section 2, but it ordered the judge to reconsider her intentional bias conclusion. It found that some of the judges findings of a discriminatory aim were out of date or otherwise were flawed, although it said the challengers had offered some evidence of intent to discriminate.

Two things then happened. The case returned to Judge Ramos court in Corpus Christi to explore anew the constitutional claim, and, in the meantime, the state of Texas asked the Supreme Court to review the case as it stood at the point of the appeals court ruling.

The state asked the Supreme Court to rule that Judge Ramos was wrong in finding a Section 2 violation, because there was a lack of evidence that the photo ID requirement actually had caused any reduction in minorities registering to vote or in turning out to vote.

The state also argued that the appeals court should have flatly rejected the claim of unconstitutional bias, instead of returning that issue to Judge Ramos for further review.

Late in November, Obama Administration lawyers urged the Supreme Court to deny review of either point raised by Texas. The Section 2 violation was clear, it argued. And, it said, it was premature to consider the constitutional point because of the continuing process on that point in the Corpus Christi court.

Among other points, the federal brief noted that Judge Ramos had scheduled a hearing for January 24  next Tuesday  on the constitutionality question.

The Supreme Court has so far had the Texas case set for action at three consecutive private conferences, but so far has taken no action on it.

That was where matters stood as of Friday morning. Not long after President Trump formally took office at noon, lawyers in the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division  who have been handling the case before Judge Ramos  filed a motion to delay next Tuesdays hearing on the constitutional issue for at least a month.

The motion said in part: Because of the change in Administration, the Department of Justice also experienced a transition in leadership. The United States requires additional time to brief the new leadership of the Department in this case and the issues to be addressed at that hearing before making any representations to the court.

The filing noted that the other challengers to the law opposed the delay request, but that the state of Texas had given its consent.

After an afternoon hearing, Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby quickly granted the request. and re-set the hearing for February 28.

This development enables the new leaders of the Justice Department in the Trump Administration an option to switch positions at least on the constitutional question, if not on the case as a whole.

The Justice Departments lawyers handling the case as it now stands before the Supreme Court have an obligation to notify the Justices of the changed circumstance in the lower court, because that could directly affect points that those lawyers have already made in their filing about the procedural aspects of the case. The Justices probably were not aware that the filing was going to be made in the court in Texas. It is not known whether they took any kind of vote on Texass appeal when they met in private on Thursday. The next day for release of orders by the Court is next Monday.

The filing in Corpus Christi on Friday afternoon was one of the first signs that some of the major policy positions of the outgoing Justice Department may be altered when President Trumps team assumes leadership there.

Legendary journalist Lyle Denniston is Constitution Dailys Supreme Court correspondent. Denniston has written for us as a contributor since June 2011 and he has covered the Supreme Court since 1958. His work also appears on lyldenlawnews.com, where this story first appeared.

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By Jibran Ahmad and Saud Mehsud PESHAWAR/DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - An explosion in a busy vegetable market killed at least 21 people on Saturday in Pakistan's remote northwestern tribal region, an official said, in an attack jointly claimed by the Pakistani Taliban and a branch of the sectarian militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. About 40 others were wounded in the blast in Kurram region, near the border with Afghanistan, said Sajid Hussain Turi, member of the National Assembly from the region. "We received 21 bodies of the local tribal people killed in the blast," Turi said, adding that there would be a mass funeral followed by a demonstration over the attack. Spokesmen for the Pakistani Taliban and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Alami said the two groups coordinated the attack together. Mohammad Khurassani, a spokesman for the Mehsud faction of the Pakistani Taliban, said the attack was to avenge Tuesday's killing of the leader of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Asif Chotoo, by police in the eastern province of Punjab. Ali bin Sufyan, spokesman for LeJ's Al Alami faction, told Reuters his group had coordinated the attack with the Pakistani Taliban. The Al Alami militants in the past have claimed to have coordinated attacks with Middle East-based Islamic State's branch in Pakistan, including the November bombing of a Muslim shrine that killed 52 people, but the group also allies with the Taliban. Reports differed on the cause of the explosion. Turi said a homemade bomb had been planted in a pile of tomatoes and exploded as people gathered in the market in Parachinar, Kurram's main town, early on Saturday morning. Taliban militants have been active around Parachinar in the past, ad the town has also suffered sectarian tension between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims. Another Kurram official, Sabzali Khan, said early reports had suggested that a suicide bomber was responsible for the blast. An eyewitness, Ashiq Hussain, said he saw bodies strewn around the market and wounded people crying out for help. "There was no ambulance, and people had to carry the injured in cars and private pickup trucks to the hospital," Hussain told Reuters. A statement from Pakistan's military said army helicopters had been dispatched to evacuate the wounded. (Additional reporting and writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore & Shri Navaratnam)
Beirut (AFP) - A car bomb blast killed at least 11 people at a camp for displaced Syrians by the border with Jordan on Saturday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

The Britain-based group said the dead included a family of four, with the father, mother and two children killed in the blast on the outskirts of the Rukban camp.

Another four of those killed were fighters from local tribes in eastern Syria that have battled the jihadist Islamic State group.

The monitor said the toll could rise further because a number of the injured were in serious condition.

Jordan's official Petra news agency, citing a military source, also reported the blast at the isolated makeshift camp, which houses around 85,000 Syrians according to the United Nations.

The source said 14 wounded people had been taken to a clinic in the border area for treatment, adding that no decision had been taken yet on whether they would be transported to Jordanian hospitals.

The source said there were no Jordanian casualties.

Jordan closed its border in June 2016, halting aid deliveries to the camp, after a bombing claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group killed seven Jordanian soldiers.

Officials said at the time that the bomber had come from the camp and declared the border a closed military zone.

The decision prompted shortages at the camp, with rights group Amnesty International in October decrying "hellish" conditions for those seeking refuge there.

Aid has been delivered to the camp only twice since the border was closed, most recently in November, when the UN supplied food, hygiene kits and winter clothing.

The United Nations says there are more than 600,000 refugees from Syria in Jordan, a figure Amman puts at 1.4 million.

In August, King Abdullah II said his country was "doing its utmost to help refugees" from Syria.

"However, we have reached our limits... This is an international crisis and an international responsibility, and the world has to do its part," he said.

More than four million Syrians have fled their country since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011, which has killed more than 310,000 people.
YANGON, Myanmar (AP)  British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says he's "positive and optimistic" that the policies of newly inaugurated President Donald Trump would work in Britain's favor.

Johnson, who is visiting Myanmar, said Saturday he was "very optimistic" a trade deal could be done quickly with the new president, once Britain had left the European Union.

In his inaugural speech, Trump declared he would put "America first" in all his decisions. But Johnson said that whatever deal was done with the U.S. "it's got to work for the UK as well."

He says: "I think that the new president has made it very clear that he wants to put Britain at the front of the line for a new trade deal and obviously that's extremely exciting and important."
The tradition of presidential farewells goes back to George Washington. Washingtons farewell address was published in numerous newspapers. President Barack Obama decided to turn his farewell into a made-for-TV prime time special in hopes a Hollywood script can save his legacy.

Unlike most past presidents who delivered their farewell addresses from the Oval Office, Obama boarded Air Force One and flew to Chicago, where he delivered his final address at the McCormick Place. It was the perfect finale for a man who seems to believe Americans have money trees growing in their backyards.

Judicial Watch has reported that it costs the Air Force $206,337 for every hour the presidents plane is in the air. A round-trip flight from Washington, D.C. to Chicago runs nearly three hours. The $600,000 bill to the taxpayer was just a portion of the final bill.

Its not very likely the kind folks at Chicagos premier convention center simply donated the space to the president; free gifts like that are a violation of ethics laws. Was the convention center also out of projectors? How much did it cost build that oversized replica of the presidential seal that was hung in front of that blue curtain? How much did it cost in police overtime to move the president from the tarmac to the podium at center stage?

At the end of the evening, if that final speech cost taxpayers less than a $1 million it would be amazing. There is no need to worry, though. Obama seems to believe because he still has has checks left in the checkbook he can keep writing them  even if the account is overdrawn.

Why should we expect anything less from a man whose entire presidential existence has been littered with over-the-top arrogance? Who could forget those Athenian pillars adorning the stage at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado, when he first accepted the Democratic nomination in 2008? How about that massive stage and light show at Chicagos Grant Park on Election Night that November?

This was just a precursor to the lavish spending habits of a president who routinely vacationed in Hawaii. Unfortunately, his spending tendencies extended to the countrys purse strings as well. Under his watch, the national debt grew $8 trillion. His spending habits made George W. Bush look like a penny pincher, despite the fact Bush grew the debt by $5 trillion in 8 years.

Obamas spending behaviors extend well beyond his term in office. In July 2016, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office forecasted that if the current laws remain unchanged, the United States would face steadily increasing federal budget deficits and debt over the next 30 years  reaching the highest level of debt relative to GDP ever experienced in this country.

However, Obamas legacy is being rewritten with the help of his friends in the media. The man who brought us Hope and Change mostly hopes you wont realize the change wasnt good.

This is the president who sided with the Muslim Brotherhood despite their ISIS allies grabbing key territories and killing non-Muslims. These same people used disenfranchised surrogates to attack Americans on our own soil. We are not as safe as we used to be and the world no longer respects us while Russia is now leading the way.

On the domestic side, the police are no longer respected as those who protect and serve. Obama always sided with the thugs despite most of the officers he opposed ultimately being acquitted of any wrongdoing. If your son or daughter is entering the workforce six figures in debt, his economy assures they might never pay back their debt while working entry-level jobs at a local fast food restaurant.

Obamas place in history is assured with the Affordable Care Act  or Obamacare. The program has been a train wreck. Insurance premiums began skyrocketing at rates faster than rates were rising prior to his cost-saving mandates introduction. Even if you werent on Obamacare, odds were very high you didnt keep your doctor.

Obamas legacy ultimately will be marked by his political victories. Since Nov. 4, 2008, the presidents party has lost more than 1,000 seats nationwide.

Democrats no longer control Washington, 44 state legislatures, and 33 governorships. If his actions were that popular, wouldnt the results be flip-flopped?

Obama has used prime time TV in an attempt to rewrite his legacy. Its only appropriate that Donald Trump, the king of reality TV, is replacing him. Hopefully, Trumps legacy doesnt require another Hollywood script.
By Ethan Lou (Reuters) - A Toronto court has rejected a bid by Ecuadorian villagers to enforce a judgment in their home country against Chevron Canada Ltd, ruling the subsidiary is not liable for parent Chevron Corp, the U.S. oil major said on Friday. A Canadian lawyer for the villagers in the environment-damage lawsuit said the ruling is "not a modern-day view," and that an appeal will be filed. Residents of Ecuador's Lago Agrio region have been trying to force Chevron to pay for water and soil contamination caused from 1964 to 1992 by Texaco, which Chevron acquired in 2001. The villagers obtained a $9 billion judgment against Chevron in Ecuador in 2011. But the company has no assets in Ecuador, and the villagers have been suing it in the United States, Canada, Brazil and Argentina to enforce the decision. While not disputing that pollution occurred, Chevron has alleged the villagers' lawyer, Steven Donziger, and his associates went too far, including arranging for the ghost-writing of a key environmental report and bribing the presiding judge in Ecuador. A U.S. federal appeals court, which blocked enforcement of the judgment last year, agreed with the company. On Friday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled Chevron Canada Ltd is a separate entity from Chevron Corp, and is thus not a debtor to the Ecuadorian judgment, according to a copy of the decision provided by the California-based Chevron. But Justice Glenn Hainey also ruled partly in favor of the villagers. Chevron had argued the Ecuadorian judgment is unenforceable in Canada because of what it says is the corrupt manner in which it was obtained. The villagers had asked for that argument to be struck out entirely. Hainey ruled some parts of Chevron's argument should be struck, while some should be tested through trial. Karen Hinton, U.S. spokeswoman for the Amazon Defense Coalition that represents the villagers, called the decision a "resounding victory," even if the Chevron Canada subsidiary, which is worth billions, is not up for grabs. "The part of the decision that knocks out Chevrons subsidiary from the enforcement action still allows the villagers to proceed against Chevron itself," she said. "The part of the decision to limit Chevrons liability is a temporary setback that will be corrected quickly on appeal." (Editing by Alan Crosby and Lisa Shumaker)
Protests raged in downtown Washington, D.C. The newly inaugurated President Donald Trump stood on a dais in the rain and attacked the members of Congress who surrounded him as all talk and no action, while many Democratic lawmakers stayed home.

But behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, all was well.

After his barn-burning speech, the president joined the vice president and members of Congress for a bipartisan congressional luncheon in the Capitol building. Accompanying them was former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Addressing the crowd at the luncheon, President Trump asked Clinton to stand up.

I was very honored when I heard President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton was coming today, Trump said. Theres nothing more I can say, because I have a lot of respect for those two people.

Thank you, mouthed Clinton as she received a standing ovation.

Even as Trump sparred with actress Meryl Streep and Rep. John Lewis before his inauguration, cooler heads prevailed away from the bright klieg lights on inauguration day.

Senators and representatives chatted and joked. President Trump laughed with ranking House and Senate leadership. The cavorting was Washington on display: public condemnation followed by backroom negotiating and friendships. It is a style to which Trump himself is well-accustomed.

John Cornyn, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, sat near Clinton during the luncheon, and the two spoke about the election and expressed their wishes for a less combative coming year. I congratulated her and said thank you for being here and showing some real class, Cornyn said afterward.

Clinton told the table, which also included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, that she hoped politics would be less divisive after the election. It was an enjoyable lunch, Cornyn said.

After lunch, Trump, surrounded by top ranking members of the Senate and House, signed a first bill into law which allows retired Marine Corps general James Mattis to serve as the Secretary of Defense, as well as papers to make his Cabinet nominations official.

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President Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the top-ranking Democrat, joked about who would receive the pens after Trump signed the official cabinet papers. Betsy [DeVos], education [secretary], said Trump, offering up his pen. I thought Chuck wanted it.

No, thank you Mr. President, Schumer said.

This is a rough group, isnt it? said Trump.

Senators on both sides of the aisle have longstanding relationships. Schumer and Trump have often crossed paths in New York City, and Trump had been a significant donor to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee when Schumer was in charge in 2008.

On the Senate floor members slapped one another on the back. Schumer, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Cornyn spoke quietly. Democrats voted with Republicans to confirm two Cabinet members, Mattis as defense secretary and Gen. John Kelly as Homeland Security secretary.

Theres no bristling and theres no tantrums, said Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi shortly after the luncheon with Trump. Were going to be just fine. Cousin Chuck is going to be all right by 7:30 tonight.

Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for a bloody fight over the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have vowed to kill the law but have not agreed on how to do it without causing chaos in the insurance markets, while Democrats are warning Republicans not to repeal former President Obamas signature legislation.

Schumer has slow-walked Trumps Cabinet hearings, saying that many of the nominees have not submitted the proper paperwork proving they do not have conflicts of interest. Democrats have been aiming to hurt Trump early in his presidency by targeting Cabinet nominees like Rep. Tom Price, nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, who held stocks in companies he regulated, and Rep. Mick Mulvaney, nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, who did not pay taxes on a household employee, among others.

Outside, Trump supporters said they didnt want an ideological president or to see a traditional rehash of fights between left and right.

I believe Trump is a practical person. He sits and looks at the situation around him, said Mark Bailey, an assistant principle from Harlan County, Kentucky who had come to watch the inauguration. Look and see what works and make it work.
Tripoli (AFP) - A car exploded Saturday in the Libyan capital near the Italian embassy killing two people who were inside the vehicle, security and medical sources said.

It was not immediately clear if the blast was accidental or an attack or whether the Italian embassy, which had reopened less than two weeks ago, was the target.

A Red Crescent official in Tripoli said rescue workers pulled two charred and unidentified bodies from the vehicle.

The car exploded on a street located behind both the Italian and the Egyptian embassies, outside the Libyan ministry of planning and near a hotel, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.

Police cordoned off the area.

A security source said it was not clear if the blast was the result of an attack.

Libya has fallen into chaos since the 2011 revolution that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Tripoli has been hit by many car bombs and violence since then.

On September 8 last year, two car bombs went off in Tripoli, damaging vehicles but causing no casualties.

They exploded behind the ministry of foreign affairs and near the entrance to a naval base that was the headquarters of Libya's unity government when it set up operations in the city in March 2016.

The UN-backed Government of National Accord has failed to assert its authority over the country and is challenged by a rival administration based in Libya's remote east.

The embassy of Italy, a former colonial power in Libya, was one of the last western missions to close in February 2015 after a coalition of militias seized the capital Tripoli.

Italy announced the reopening of its embassy in Tripoli on January 9.
A manufacturer of Chinese liqueurs, Chen Chao wanders through the bamboo-covered mountains of southwestern China's Sichuan province to his 'cellar', where he will check on this year's prize blend.

In the absence of an oak barrel, the 30-year-old uses live bamboo trunks to age his spirit, a method reputed to confer a unique aroma and even medicinal benefits.

The cereal liqueur is introduced into bamboo trunks "via high-pressure injection techniques", he told AFP.

Young bamboos are preferred, he said, because they "heal" within days, allowing the spirit to mature before the trunk is finally cut in early April, in time for the annual Qingming, or tomb-sweeping, festival when many Chinese honour their ancestors.

During the ageing process, "the liqueur mingles with the flavone (the liquid released by the trunk) and the sap of bamboo", Chen said, referring to two ingredients renowned for their "detoxifying" effect and contribution towards healthy lungs, according to traditional Chinese medicine.

This method also reduces the alcohol content of the beverage, since the bamboo absorbs it.

"Our production is fairly limited, roughly 50,000 to 60,000 bottles per year, each containing between 500 and 550 millilitres," Chen said, with a total annual output of at least 25,000 litres.

But he now hopes to increase that amount by using a "less invasive" and more efficient injection technique, in a bid to fend off competition.

"Previously, few people knew about bamboo alcohol, because the production was kept confidential. This is changing," he said.

Chen learned the traditional technique in the eastern province of Fujian -- where it originated.

He then launched his own brewing business in 2015 in Sichuan, in the heart of the famous Shunan Bamboo Sea, a vast forest known for the production of Wuliangye, a white spirit made with sorghum, sticky rice, maize, and wheat.

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But his business has suffered since China launched a much-publicised anti-corruption campaign after President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012.

The anti-graft drive has included a ban on giving extravagant gifts like expensive wines and spirits to public officials and "sent our business plunging", Chen said.

During the last Tuen Ng, or Dragon Boat, Festival in 2016, his sales collapsed by two thirds compared to the previous year.

But recovery may be in sight. Wuliangye -- the brand behind the eponymous spirit -- has reported an 18 percent increase in its turnover and net income during the first half of 2016.
Officials in China ordered state-run media to be careful in covering President Donald Trump's inauguration, the Washington Post reported Friday. Propaganda officials warned all of the country's media outlets that any unauthorized criticism of Trump's "words or actions" would not be tolerated.

Editors of media outlets were instructed to keep coverage of the presidential inauguration in line with the "unified message from centrally controlled media" and through the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

Unauthorized criticism of Trumps words or actions is not allowed," media outlets were told, according to leaked documents released by the China Digital Times Wednesday.

Xinhua's website was relatively guarded in covering Trump's inauguration Friday. The only seemingly negative headline was "Trump To Eliminate the Climate Action Plan," which laid out actions to tackle climate change introduced by Barack Obama in June 2013. Trump has pledged to revive the coal industry in the U.S.

China, the largest producer of greenhouse gasses in the world, recently championed its role in improving the environment by reducing carbon emissions. The government ordered the suspension of construction of 104 new coal-powered power plants to curb air pollution in the country, Reuters reported Tuesday. China said it would instead invest $365 billion in renewable energy alternatives such as hydro, solar and nuclear plants, which would provide 12 millions jobs to the citizens where the coal plants were halted.

The subject of Trump is a highly sensitive one for all Chinese media organizations because of the uncertainty around the relationship with the U.S.," Zha Jianguo, a political analyst in Beijing, told Radio Free Asia. The Chinese government wants to wait and see what happens next, make its observations, and it doesn't want any trouble starting in the rank-and-file.

During the campaign, Trump called climate change a "hoax" created by the Chinese government so that manufacturers in the U.S. would become less competitive with their Chinese counterparts.

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The attitude Beijing has shown toward Trump's presidential victory has been contentious at times. After Trump continually threatened to raise import taxes on Chinese goods in the U.S. throughout his campaign, the Chinese government reacted furiously when Trump took a congratulatory phone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Dec. 2. A U.S. president hasn't been in contact with a leader in Taiwan since 1979 after re-establishing formal relations with the mainland Chinese government. China does not acknowledge the existence of Taiwan's democratic government and still considers the island a rebellious province.

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BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese state media on Saturday said that it hoped the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump understood the importance of relations with China, but that Beijing should also prepare for the worst. On the campaign trail, Trump railed against China, accusing it of stealing American jobs, and also angered Beijing by taking a call from the president of self-ruled Taiwan, which China views as a wayward province with no right to formal foreign ties. While Trump made no direct mention of China in his inaugural address, he struck a defiant tone, saying American workers have been devastated by the outsourcing of jobs abroad. In a front page commentary, the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily said the two countries should not try to force each other into submission, but look for win-win cooperation and manage their disputes. "The new U.S. government should realize that it's normal for these two great countries to have problems and disagreements. What is crucial is to control and manage disputes and find a way to resolve them," it said. "China hopes the inauguration of the new U.S. president can be a new starting point for the development of China-U.S. ties," the paper said. "The stable and healthy development of relations accords with the interests of both peoples, and is the common expectation of the international community." Sister paper the Global Times, an influential publication which often strikes a stridently nationalistic tone, noted that while Trump has said a lot about China, his actual policy has yet to take shape. "Definitely, the Trump administration wants to boost exports to China and relocate factories from China back to the US. Taiwan will be merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China," it said in an editorial. The paper said Trump's China policy will hinge on how well he understands the overlapping interests of the world's two largest economies and whether he will be motivated enough to change the existing structure with force. "Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn." (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkey's parliament has signed off on a contentious constitutional reform package that would concentrate even more powers in the office of the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and potentially extend his mandate till 2029. The reforms will come into effect if approved in a national referendum

HOW IT CAME ABOUT

Constitutional reforms were first floated by the ruling party after it won the 2011 general elections, but that failed to gain traction immediately.

In 2014, Recep Tayyip Erdogan became the country's first directly elected president and the idea of bolstering his office resurfaced.

The ruling Justice and Development Party, AKP, made the executive presidency central to its campaign promises in June 2015 general elections.

In November 2016, the nationalist party declared it would back moves to switch to a presidential system, saying Erdogan's rule was a de-facto presidential system anyway.

THE CHANGES

The presidency would be catapulted from a largely ceremonial role to a nearly all-powerful position as head of government, head of state and head of the ruling party.

The office of the prime minister disappears, making way for a strong, executive president supported by vice -presidents. The president would have the power to appoint cabinet ministers without requiring a confidence vote from parliament, propose budgets and appoint more than half the members of the nation's highest judicial body. The president would also have the power to dissolve the national assembly and impose states of emergencies.

Parliament would be elected every five years, instead of every four, in general elections held in tandem with presidential elections.

The reform package also raises the number of lawmakers in parliament to 600 and lowers the age of political candidacy to 18.

Controversially, it allows for a partisan president. To date, the symbolic head of state has been obliged to remain neutral and cut ties with his party.

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It also introduces technical requirements that would make it harder for the assembly to remove the president from office or bring down his government with a vote of no confidence.

WHAT MAKES TURKEY'S PROPOSED SYSTEM DIFFERENT

Turkey's presidential system would allow Erdogan to be the head of state, the head of government and the head of the ruling party.

The model proposed by Turkey lacks the safety mechanisms of checks and balances present in other countries like the United States, observers say. The proposed changes transfer powers traditionally held by national assembly to the presidency rendering it a largely advisory body.

THE CONTEXT

The proposal comes six months after a violent coup attempt on July 15, 2016 failed to unseat Erdogan. The government reacted by declaring a state of emergency and sweeping purges that left no government institution untouched.

More than 100,000 civil servants have been dismissed for their alleged ties to the movement of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S. based cleric Ankara blames for the revolt. He denies involvement.

At the same time, Turkey is waging a multifaceted war against "terrorists," a term encompassing Gulen supporters as well as the Islamic State group and Kurdish rebels at home, Syria and Iraq.

Turkey suffered dozens of stinging bombing attacks in 2016 in violence linked to the resumption of conflict with Kurdish rebels in the southeast and increased activity of foreign and local IS cells in Turkey.

THE CONTROVERSY

Supporters of a powerful presidency argue that a strong president would strengthen Turkey as it confronts a broad array of internal and external security threats.

Critics say that the reforms concentrate too many powers in the hands a leader who has increasingly displayed authoritarian tendencies. They point to anti-terrorism campaigns that have decimated an opposition pro-Kurdish party, the closure and government takeover of dozens of media outlets, the detention of more than 100 journalists, and hundreds of defamation lawsuits brought against individuals who "insulted" the president.

They also say that holding a referendum when the country is under a state of emergency prevents the opposition from campaigning freely against the proposed changes.

WHAT NEXT?

Turkish authorities say a referendum on the reforms will be held between late March and mid-April. If more than 50 percent of voters approve it, the reforms would come into effect.

Parliamentary and presidential elections would be held at the same time in 2019.

The constitutional changes would also reset the clock on term limits, giving Erdogan the possibility of continuing as president until 2029.
Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump and his chief spokesman launched an unprecedented assault on the media Saturday for a US president's first full day in office, accusing reporters of downplaying the turnout at his inauguration.

Trump, visiting the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in nearby Langley, Virginia, insisted against all evidence that he drew 1.5 million people to his Friday swearing-in ceremony.

"I made a speech. I looked out, the field was, it looked like a million, million and a half people," he told CIA staff.

"They showed a field where there were practically nobody standing there. And they said, Donald Trump did not draw well," he added.

Trump said one network estimated turnout at 250,000.

"Now, that's not bad. But it's a lie," Trump said. He falsely claimed there were people stretching from the steps of the Capitol, where he spoke, along 20 blocks back to the Washington Monument.

"So we caught them and we caught them in a beauty and I think they're going to pay a big price," said Trump.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer doubled down on the accusation, using his first press conference in the White House briefing room to blast the journalists seated before him for "deliberately false reporting" on crowd size.

"This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period!" Spicer said, his loud and abrasive tone catching nearly everyone in the room off guard.

"These attempts to lessen the enthusiasm of the inauguration are shameful and wrong."

Spicer left the briefing without taking questions.

An estimated 1.8 million people flooded the National Mall area in 2009 when Barack Obama was first sworn in as president, according to federal and local agencies at the time.

Washington authorities reportedly predicted 800,000 to 900,000 would attend Trump's inauguration Friday, about half of the 2009 crowd.

- 'Packed' -

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Spicer appeared eager to lay down the new law with the press, whom his boss repeatedly criticized on the campaign trail and even branded mainstream media outlets "fake news."

The intensity of Spicer's delivery suggested he and Trump were furious at the coverage of the inauguration, which many outlets said fell well short of Obama's 2009 inaugural in terms of crowd size.

A comparison of aerial photos taken on January 20, 2009 and Friday appear to bear that out.

Washington city authorities do not provide official crowd counts but TV footage clearly showed the gathering did not stretch all the way to the Washington Monument as Trump asserted.

Trump's latest attack on news organizations came during a rambling aside as he visited CIA headquarters on a fence-mending mission after his public rejection of the assessment by US intelligence agencies that Russia meddled to try to help him win the November election.

Trump, standing in front of a spot sacred to the CIA -- a wall with stars honoring employees killed while serving the country -- proclaimed he is fully behind the spy agency.

He eventually returned to the issue of media coverage of his inauguration and said the National Mall, divided up into sections for Friday's ceremony, was uniformly crammed with people.

"You saw that. Packed. I get up this morning, I turn on one of the networks, and they show an empty field. I'm like, wait a minute," he said.

The outrage over crowd size came on a day that as many as two million people flooded into streets of cities across the United States in peaceful but passionate women-led protests against the new commander-in-chief.

At the main "Women's March on Washington," organizers put the projected turnout at half a million.
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump was silent Friday night inside JR's Bar and Grill. The scenes of his Inauguration Day on MSNBC were muted as the other TVs in the Washington, D.C., gay bar blasted music videos from Beyonce, Lady Gaga and other pop stars who likely endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Dozens of people lined up inside the swanky bar  one of the citys prominent gay establishments sipping at beers, mixed drinks and ciders and mingling about. A few people danced, with a Brazilian tourist named Alessandro leading the pack from the center of the floor with each new song.

There were reminders of Trump everywhere: a chalk likeness on a board upstairs, a homemade golden streamer "shower" behind the bar, a mural of Clinton signs outside. But in a liberal city that has become increasingly LGBT-friendly, folks were out enjoying a Friday night amid the entrance of a Republican administration many expect to be less accepting toward the LGBT community.

D.C. is home, Joshua Poole, a 26-year-old museum curator told International Business Times. A lot of people left because the didnt want to see the inauguration Im here to fight.

trump drawing

Photo: Tim Marcin / IBT

In the halcyon years of the Obama administration, the LGBT community in D.C. saw rapid gains, including the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, complete with the White House lit up in rainbow colors to honor the moment. Washington had the highest LGBT population, 10 percent, of any state or district polled, Gallup found in 2012. A year later, the New York Times wrote that the once-closeted town was now the gayest place in America.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, includes Vice President Mike Pence, who is considered to be one of the most anti-LGBT politicians in the country by gay rights activists. In perhaps a sign of the times, a page on the White House website that addressed LGBT rights disappeared soon after Trump was sworn in.

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But gay men could still openly gather Friday night with a sense of security, finding comfort in the kind of space that once saw police pull patrons from behind the bar to beat them for potentially violating sodomy laws. Years after the Stonewall riots, in a era of newly won civil rights, tea lights and flat screen TVs lined the brick walls at JR's as men in fitted, colorful sweaters flirted and caught up with old friends.

Richard Baules, a 26-year-old who runs a construction business, said that under Obama the D.C. gay community saw unparalleled opportunity, some of his friends even landing roles in the administration. Under Trump, meanwhile, the activist community was energized again.

"[We] kind of slacked off, almost," Baules said of the gay community, noting that the 2015 Supreme Court marriage ruling had felt like a culmination of sorts.

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Photo: Tim Marcin/IBT

These days, the compliancy has been replaced by fear: for young LGBT kids, for the trans community, for making it through the next four years. "I hope we survive," said Van Goodwin, 38, in reference to the country and world at large. "I think this is more dangerous than people give it credit for."

The bars longtime manager, David Perruzza, was worried, mostly about Pence, but Friday night he bounced around, cracking jokes, doling out hugs, seemingly everyones friend. D.C.s LGBT community wouldnt change, he told IBT. The incoming GOP administration would all just "move to Virginia," he said.

"What am I gonna do, sulk for four years?" he said.

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Paris (AFP) - Dior struck a blow for the boys and for traditional tailoring Saturday with an all-male show after a week when women turned up on the majority of Paris menswear catwalks.

With so-called co-ed shows with both male and female models almost becoming the rule for men's fashion weeks -- the reverse rarely applies -- Dior's Kris Van Assche cried halt.

In a show that married rave culture and mosh pit punks with haute couture, the Belgian designer insisted that young men had the right to wear something better than mass-produced one-size-fits-all street and sportswear.

"Rather than accepting that all people want to wear is sweatshirts and jeans, I want to claim back the idea of tailoring, a new tailoring, one that talks to young people," he told AFP.

Called "Hardior", a play on the hardcore ravers that inspired him and the storied brand's handmade traditions, Van Assche's autumn-winter collection married classic super-tailored black Dior jackets with short, ankle length trousers.

His highly-worked makeover of casual and street wear forms even extended to bomber jacket suits, with the collection's mostly black trousers, coats and shoes often matched with acid red, orange and greeny-blues.

Men's fashion "is all over the place" right now, Van Assche admitted. "Some big labels are not putting on shows and others are mixing men and women."

- 'No to androgyny' -

And he questioned the androgynous look that has gone hand in hand with the trend for more unisex and oversized clothes.

"There is nothing more lovely than a girl in a man's suit, it's an interesting contrast," he said.

"But if men's clothes become feminine we lose the contrast, and that doesn't interest me," he added.

"At a time when we are questioning ourselves I do not doubt. I know what a Dior man should be," Van Assche declared.

With Yves Saint Laurent deciding not to hold a men's show this season, most of the other big Paris names -- and a legion of smaller ones -- have been slipping mini "capsule" female collections into their menswear line-ups.

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But some hugely influential designers like Dries Van Noten have held the line with a notably masculine Mod-tinged show, while Cerruti stayed all-male for its retro 1930s gangster collection.

- Classic template -

Hermes stuck to its classic template with some highly desirable waisted leather jackets and a Debrett's dozen of expensively casual looks that smoozed sauve elegance.

Like Dior, Korean label Wooyoungmi also tried to give more old-school menswear something of the street without losing its class.

And nothing says establishment more than the Prince of Wales overcheck that ran right through the collection.

But designer Katie Chung said its romanticism was actually inspired by Irish poet and wit Oscar Wilde who spent his life sending up his betters.

"We really believe that men today are still poetic. We're trying to bring together this classic men's wardrobe that's romantic and sophisticated with street wear, like hooded jumpers and jogging pants," Chung told AFP.
Though he had previously said that he would consider Monday his day one as President, Donald Trump didnt just relax on Friday afternoon following his Inauguration. As his press secretary tweeted, one of the three items he signed almost immediately following the Inauguration was a proclamation for a National Day of Patriotism. The proclamationwhich, unlike an Executive Order, is basically an awareness-raising mechanismfollowed on the heels of a day focused on patriotism.

When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice, Trump said in his Inaugural address.

This is not the first time a national period of patriotism has been called for by presidential proclamation. For example, the third week of February in 1981 was, by proclamation of outgoing President Jimmy Carter, declared National Patriotism Week. And in 1982, President Ronald Reagan continued that idea, proclaiming that same week of February a special opportunity to consider the meaning of an honorable term which has sometimes been misunderstood and misused and called upon schools to address the topic in class. In both of those cases, the proclamations signaled approval of Congress prior designation of the week in question. (When exactly Trumps Day of Patriotism will fall, among other details about the proclamation, is unknown; the text was not immediately released.)

But encouraging patriotism can quickly get into controversial territory.

Case in point: Patriotism Day, 1924.

In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge had proclaimed a week in November to be American Education Week. Each day during the week was going to have a theme, and on that day students would hear speeches on the topic. One of the days the theme of Patriotism Day, on which students would be specifically taught that The United States Flag is the Living Symbol of the Ideals and Institutions of Our Republic with special attention to the need to stamp out revolutionary radicalism and remember the words America firstappropriately in this instance, a historically complicated phrase to which Trump has turned again and again.

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The idea quickly backfired.

On Nov. 4, the Washington Post reported that organizations like the YWCA, the ACLU and others would not cooperate with the Bureau of Educations program because certain elements were inconsistent their their positions in regard to world peace and international cooperation. By Nov. 9, the Post followed up that the President of the Bureau (which was then part of the Department of the Interior) had had to issue a statement defending the idea, saying that the board wished to give every encouragement to patriotismbut the organizations that were unhappy with the Education Week slogans would come up with their own counter-curriculum anyway.

The next year, the American Federation of Teachers tried to make sure that 1925s equivalent week was not quite so political.

Patriotism Day in 1924 is hardly the only time in American history when expressions of love of country have caused citizens to clash with one another, but it handily illuminates why such tension can so easily come about: different Americans interpret the idea of patriotism differently. Perhaps thats why a proclamation like Carters is studiously vague, emphasizing that it is important to care about ones country, and that schools should come up with an appropriate curriculum of their own in order to teach students about that idea, without specifying the exact details of what that lesson plan would include.

By 1927, Coolidge specifically refused to issue a fresh proclamation on American Education Week, with or without Patriotism Day, explaining that he had already said what he wanted to say about it and that to rephrase such sentiments, as an aide put it, tends rather to weaken them than otherwise.
NBCs new TV series Emerald City aired episode 4 this week in which Dorothy (Adria Arjona) met a mysterious girl who could transform men and women into stone giants. This little girl converted her faux parents into stone giants. Meanwhile, Tip (Jordan Loughran) decided that she wants the witch of the Wests (Ana Ularu) magic.

Although Tips best friend Jack (Gerran Howell) fell and was left to die, a woman saved him. She made him the Tin Man. He got a heart made of Tin. Unfortunately, after Lady Ev (Stefanie Martini) met him, she was interested in him. She bought him.

What will happen next week in Emerald City?

Dorothy and West will face-off in episode 5. Ojo (Olafur Darri Olafsso), the leader of a tribe, will kidnap her and take her to the witch. According to the official synopsis, West is seeking revenge for the death of her sister East (Florence Kasumba). She uses a series of enchanted interrogation techniques to get information from Dorothy.

Emerald City

Photo: David Lukacs/NBC

However, the promo of the episode, titled Everybody Lies, shows that Dorothy escapes the clutches of West. The Kansas Nurse will somehow use her magic to escape the witch.

Dorothy will then head to Emerald City and finally meet the Wizard of Oz (Vincent DOnofrio). He ordered his guards to kill the Beast Forever, who he believes is Dorothy since she fell from the sky.

Before Dorothy meets the Wizard, he will be busy dining with King of Ev. He wants the Kingdom of Ev to build an arsenal of weapons that will help him defeat the Beast Forever.

Elsewhere, one of the Wizards guards knows who Lucas (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is. He holds the key in recovering his memories. Lucas will seek his help in episode 5.

Emerald City Season 1, episode 5 premieres Friday, Jan. 27 at 9 p.m. EST on NBC.

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London (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of London, Paris and other cities worldwide on Saturday in solidarity with women-led marches in the United States opposed to President Donald Trump.

Just one day after his inauguration, a largely female crowd that also included many men and children packed London's Trafalgar Square, chanting "dump Trump", and waving banners demanding equal rights.

"Our Rights Are Not For Grabs -- Neither Are We" were among the banners held aloft, along with "We shall overcomb" and "Make bigotry wrong again".

Hannah Bryant, a 34-year-old museum worker, brought her four-year-old daughter -- both of them wearing the bright pink "pussy hats" donned by US demonstrators.

"I've been teaching her about equality and prejudice," she said.

UK organisers said 100,000 attended the London march, although there was no independent verification as police do not give an estimate.

In the US, organisers said more than 2.5 million people had signed up online to take part in one of the 600 marches planned around the globe.

In Paris, at least 7,000 people gathered near the Eiffel Tower, according to police, holding up banners that read "liberty, equality, sorority", in a reference to France's national motto.

"I am here for women and for all minorities because Trump is a threat to all humanity," said US national Kendra Wergin, who is in her mid-30s.

Andreia Rossi, a 39-year-old Brazilian, told AFP: "He has lied to all those who voted for him, and that can happen in France too."

Francoise Seme Wallon, 70, a member of the European Union of Women, said for her Trump is "a nasty guy and he's dangerous for the whole world".

Right-wing populists and nationalist groups in France and elsewhere in Europe have been emboldened by Trump's victory as well as by Britain's vote last year to leave the European Union.

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While Trump won 42 percent of the women's vote in the US, many worry that gender rights and other progress on women's health, contraception and abortion could be chipped away.

- 'Bridges not walls' -

In Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Prague and Geneva too, protesters were enraged by Trump's derogatory remarks on women.

"We are here for women and for human rights," one of a large contingent of American expatriate women told SkyTG24 news channel in Rome.

"We must defend democratic values," said Karen Olson, who organised the Swiss march, as motorists driving by honked their horns in support.

"When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," read a banner held up by a Barcelona protester.

"Make America sane again," said a banner in Amsterdam.

In Prague, protest organiser Johanna Nejedlova branded Trump's rhetoric "hateful".

In Budapest, up to 400 people gathered in solidarity with the Washington marchers.

"Bridges not walls," read one of their banners, a reference to Trump's threat to build a wall separating the United States from Mexico to stop migrants from entering the country -- and to have Mexico pay for it.

Hundreds rallied in front of the US embassy in Berlin, chanting pro-migrant slogans in a nation that welcomed nearly a million people fleeing war and poverty in 2015.

"No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here," they cried.

A rally was also held in front of the US embassy in Lisbon.

"Trump's rise reminds me of what my mother used to tell me about Hitler's rise to power," said Bert Wiesel, 69, a Swiss-American protester.

Solidarity marches also took place beyond Europe, with protests in Johannesburg, South Africa, where marchers held up banners reading "Black lives matter" and "Love trumps hate".

Women led marches in some 20 cities across Canada, with thousands turning out from Halifax to Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto.

"The world has radically shifted over the last two months," said Rachel Zellars, a lawyer among the 2,000 people marching in Montreal.

"The American election has sent a strong reminder of the work still to be done" for women's rights.

Anti-Trump protests were held in Australia with several thousand marching in Sydney and Melbourne. And in New Zealand, hundreds joined demonstrations in the capital Wellington as well as in Auckland.
The EU's corridors of power and the mean streets of Brussels form an ominous backdrop to a new pay-TV series debuting Friday on a Dutch channel, portraying the Belgian capital as never seen before.

"Brussel" is a 10-part series by global content provider EndemolShine, taking viewers into the dark underbelly of European politics, power, deceit and lust.

The interwoven tale involves multiple characters, but focuses mainly on Dutch top oil executive Moniek van Dalen, who returns to the Belgian city to try to clinch a massive oil deal.

There she runs into her former lover Viktor Petrenko, who in the chaotic years after the fall of the Soviet Union became a Russian oligarch, now worth billions of dollars.

"Both are in Brussels to lobby for their own energy interests, but there's room for only one deal," the publishers said in a synopsis.

Elsewhere in the city, a father and decorated soldier scours the streets for his radicalised son, fearing he might join jihadists fighting in Syria.

The series also introduces viewers to Moniek's daughter Nadja, who has a Russian boyfriend Pjotr, whom she wants to marry.

Meanwhile in Afghanistan, a young man named Mahmud plans a journey to Brussels with a secret mission -- and so too does the Congolese Ekweme, who wants to travel there to find his lost lover.

"On one fatal evening, everybody finds themselves in Brussels, driven by revenge or love, or both," according to the synopsis.

Series writer and celebrated Dutch author, Leon de Winter, said "Brussel" was inspired after watching an episode of the popular Netflix US drama series "House of Cards", featuring actor Kevin Spacey as scheming Washington politician Frank Underwood.

"I thought, hang on, here in Europe we have a city similar to Washington: Brussels," De Winter said.

"It's the EU's capital, a metropolis with more departments, think tanks and lobbyists than even in DC. At once my head filled with intertwining ideas about politics, the economy, crime and terror," he said.

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During shooting, the producers sometimes came closer to reality than their fictional tale.

"We were busy with the second day of filming when Brussels was attacked" in March last year by suicide bombers, series director Arno Dierickx said.

"At Zaventem airport, a bomb even exploded where we were going film later," he said.

"Brussel" will be screened on the subscription channel of Dutch telecoms company KPN at 2100 GMT on Friday.
Paris (AFP) - Here is a snapshot of members of the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF), a circle of far-right parties who met in the west German city of Koblenz on Saturday.

The small group, which comprises 40 EU lawmakers from nine nations in the 751-member European Parliament, was created by French far-right leader Marine Le Pen in June 2015.

Most of the member parties have made electoral gains, riding a wave of populism across the European Union amid its worst migration crisis since World War II.

- France: The National Front -

Established in 1972, the National Front (FN) has been led since 2011 by Marine Le Pen, who took over from her firebrand father, Jean-Marie Le Pen.

The party triggered shockwaves when it leapfrogged the two main parties into first place in 2014 European elections, garnering 24.85 percent of the vote and 24 of the country's 74 seats.

Hoping to capitalise on economic gloom, as well as fears over migration and jihadist attacks, Le Pen is gearing up to contest the French presidential election.

Current polls predict she will qualify for a second-round run-off in May but ultimately lose to conservative rival Francois Fillon.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, who has been ostracised by his daughter, made it into the 2002 presidential run-off election against Jacques Chirac.

Chirac won the vote after other parties including the Socialists urged their supporters to rally behind him, to keep Le Pen out of the Elysee Palace.

- Netherlands: Freedom Party -

The anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV) of Geert Wilders, the FN's main ally in the ENF, holds 12 seats in the lower house of parliament, and four of the country's 26 seats in the European Parliament.

Surveys show the PVV might emerge as the largest party in the Dutch parliament after March 15 elections, although not with an outright majority.

Wilders has among other things vowed to confiscate Korans, close mosques and Islamic schools, shut the borders and ban migrants from Islamic countries.

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- Austria: FPOe -

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) was founded by former Nazis in 1956, but had a mixed membership and only veered emphatically to the far right in the 1980s.

Its entry into government in 2000 shocked the rest of Europe and led to EU sanctions against Austria.

The eurosceptic and anti-immigrant party, led by Heinz-Christian Strache, currently has 38 deputies in the 183-seat national parliament and four out of 18 seats in the European assembly.

The FPOe's Norbert Hofer failed to become the EU's first far-right head of state after losing a runoff on December 4, 2016, but nonetheless reaped 46.2 percent of the vote -- the FPOe's best result to date.

- Italy: Northern League -

The Northern League is a "regionalist" party seeking independence of regions north of the Po river, an area it calls "Padania".

The party, which has transformed into an anti-euro and anti-immigrant party since young Matteo Salvini took the reins in early 2014, secured 18 parliamentary seats in 2013 general elections and has five seats out of 73 in the European Parliament.

- Belgium: Vlaams Belang -

The Flemish party Vlaams Belang (VB) advocates the secession of Dutch-speaking Flanders from the rest of Belgium.

However it has been in decline and has had just three of the 150 seats in parliament since legislative and federal elections in June 2014. It has been sidelined by the nationalist New Flemish Alliance.

VB has just one out of 21 seats in the European Parliament.

- Poland: KNP -

The small europhobe Polish Congress of the New Right (KNP) won four of the country's 51 seats in the 2014 European elections, of which two have joined the ENF.

- Germany: AfD -

Alternative for Germany (AfD) is not a member of the ENF, but one of its two Euro MPs, Marcus Pretzell, has joined the group in a personal capacity.

The party opposes Chancellor Angela Merkel's liberal refugee policy and it has enjoyed a surge in support in state elections over the past year.

Ahead of general elections which are likely to be held in September the party is polling at around 15 percent, providing a major headache to Merkel.

Other European Parliament deputies have also joined the ENF: Janice Atkinson, formerly of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Romania's Laurentiu Rebega, an independent and Italy's Marco Zanni of the populist Five Star movement.
He faces jail in the Maldives, but former president Mohamed Nasheed says he wants to contest elections and guide his island nation away from environmental catastrophe.

Nasheed became the first democratically elected president of the Maldives in 2008 but lives in exile in London after he was jailed on terrorism charges he says were politically motivated.

"I don't think I can return home without risks. I don't think there will ever be a time for that," the 49-year-old told AFP during a visit to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

"I guess I'll have to take the risks and do it, if I were to do it."

In the past he has accused Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years and is still regarded as the power behind the throne, of being behind his downfall.

But in September he indicated he wanted to bury the hatchet with Gayoom, amid reports of a rift between the former strongman leader and his half-brother, current President Abdulla Yameen.

"We are still working on it. What we would really like to see is a free and fair election -- not necessarily changing the government now," he told AFP.

"I don't think we will have a free and fair election as things stand now. So we will have to have the whole opposition together and come out with a single candidate."

Once a honeymoon paradise before its tourism industry was shaken by political unrest, the Indian Ocean island chain could be underwater by 2100, according to the United Nations.

- Corruption -

"It's already happening in the Maldives, it isn't something that is going to happen. We are already going through it," said Nasheed. He said that 16 of the 196 inhabitable islands already needed to be evacuated.

Nasheed is pushing for the Maldives to use its own resources rather than international aid to bolster its defenses against rising seas, damage to its precious coral and coastal erosion.

"To do that, we must have investor confidence, for us to bring the money into the country. It is my view that we have enough resources," he told AFP.

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Investment has stopped because of corruption, he says, citing what he describes as the unlawful termination of construction contracts by Yameen's government.

In October last year the country was ordered by an arbitration panel in Singapore to pay Indian construction firm GMR $270 million after cancelling a contract to build the airport near Male.

Nasheed says the government reneged on the deal to allow another company paying big backhanders to step in.

The politician is at Sundance to take part in a climate change discussion panel on Sunday with former US president Al Gore, now a celebrated environmental champion.

The Maldivian rails against the argument forwarded by developing economies such as India that they are entitled to as many years of polluting the environment as the West was allowed.

"This is like saying the West has brought us to the brink and therefore now the developing countries must have the opportunity to push us off the cliff," he told AFP.

- Crackdown -

A crackdown on political dissent in the nation of 340,000 has dented its popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise in recent years.

Almost all key opposition leaders and a number of ruling party dissidents have either been jailed or gone into exile since Yameen took office after winning a controversial run-off election against Nasheed in 2013.

Nasheed was jailed for 13 years in 2015 but granted prison leave last year for medical treatment in London, where he secured political asylum.

A UN panel has ruled that his imprisonment was illegal and ordered the regime to pay him compensation.

Nasheed spoke to AFP as Donald Trump, who has denied climate change for years, was being sworn in as the 45th US president.

Trump's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency is Scott Pruitt, a fossil fuels advocate who was still voicing skepticism over the concept of man-made climate change as recently as his Senate nomination hearing on Wednesday.

"I completely respect the decision of the American people. They voted their own president in and there's nothing wrong with that at all," Nasheed said.

"I do not think climate change issues, or the progress made, can be reversed by any single person."

Nasheed was asked about Trump's comments about possibly reneging on carbon-reduction commitments made at the global climate talks in Paris, claiming that climate change is low on the list of US priorities.

"Many politicians when they come to positions think that," Nasheed said.

"But when you start running a government you find out the truth, and you can't run away from it."
Bogota (AFP) - Colombia's FARC rebel group, which is poised to demobilize under a peace deal, said Saturday a "deserter" from its ranks murdered his activist sister and her husband a week ago.

In a statement, the guerrillas identified the killer as Marco Antonio Manyoma, who it said had left the FARC last month, "stealing guns" and other items.

It said Manyoma murdered his social activist sibling Emilsen Manyoma and her husband on January 14 in the village of Zaragoza in western Colombia.

The sister had reportedly warned Manyoma to stop drinking and behave himself, apparently sparking his anger, the FARC said.

The rebel group and the government are wary of violent incidents that might derail their revisited peace accord adopted in November, a month after voters rejected a first attempt at peace.

The FARC on Wednesday said its forces in central and southern Colombia battled renegade members opposed to the historic accord.

The deal aims to definitively end their half-century-old conflict.

The government has warned that those involved in fighting at this stage in the peace process will not be covered by an amnesty included in the peace deal.

Civil groups in some rural areas have reported that various of their leaders have been assassinated in recent months as the peace process takes shape.

The FARC says it has some 5,700 fighters waiting in demobilization zones to disarm over the coming months.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush is recovering well from pneumonia but will remain in the intensive care unit at the Texas hospital where he has spent the last week, a spokesman said in a statement.

Barbara Bush, his wife, was also taken to the Houston Methodist Hospital this week with bronchitis but may be well enough to be discharged on Sunday, the statement said.

"Following another good night's rest, President and Mrs. Bush have both continued to improve over the past 24 hours," Jim McGrath, the spokesman, said in his statement.

"President Bush is breathing well without any mechanical assistance, his spirits are high, and he is looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule."

Bush, who at 92 is the nation's oldest living ex-president, was invited to attend Friday's inauguration of his fellow Republican Donald Trump as president. He ended up watching the proceedings from his hospital room and sent Trump, whom he did not endorse as a candidate, a letter of support, McGrath said.

He was the only living former president who did not attend the inauguration in Washington. His son George W. Bush, another former president, attended the ceremony.

Another one of his sons, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, ran unsuccessfully against Trump last year for the Republican Party's presidential nomination.

The elder Bushes marked their 72nd wedding anniversary on Jan. 6.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
By Antonio Denti PENNE, Italy (Reuters) - A total of nine people have been pulled alive from the rubble of a hotel demolished on Wednesday by an avalanche in central Italy, although officials said five have died and an estimated 23 more are still missing. Fireman dug the survivors, including four children, from beneath tons of snow and debris at the Hotel Rigopiano on Friday and Saturday, moving cautiously for fear that air pockets left when it was razed by a tsunami of snow might collapse. Police said they found one of the survivors and three of the victims in the dark by tracing their mobile phone signals. One man's body was recovered on Saturday morning in the ruins of the four-storey hotel in a remote valley in the Abruzzo region, after those of two women were found overnight. All nine survivors are in good condition in hospital in nearby Pescara, and only one required surgery, hospital director Rossano Di Luzio said. Alberto Maiolo, a fireman working at the scene, said rescuers could hear noises from under the rubble and were trying to work out what was causing them. He said the number of people believed to be missing could change. "We can hear noises and we hope they are due to people trying to alert us to where they are, but they are also caused by the snow melting, movement in the collapsed structure," Maiolo told SkyTG24 television. WEATHER BAD Snow kept falling in sub-zero temperatures during the rescue operation in the Gran Sasso park, where the avalanche spread debris for hundreds of metres. "The weather is really bad, it's been snowing since about 4 a.m," said Alpine emergency service worker Walter Milan. Two people who were outside the hotel when the wall of snow struck were rescued on Thursday. The avalanche came hours after a series of strong tremors struck the area, which was devastated by deadly quakes last year, and had been grappling with heavy snowfall. Smaller tremors continued in the region on Saturday. Five registered at or above magnitude 3.0 but none reached 4.0, according to Italy's National Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology (INGV). Central Italy has trembled with more than 48,200 seismic events since a quake razed the town of Amatrice last August, killing 300 people, INGV said. A further five people have been found dead elsewhere in the Abruzzo since the double blow of snow and quakes, the national civil protection agency said. Rescue teams would continue to work night and day until everyone was accounted for, national fire service spokesman Luca Cari said. (Additional reporting by Crispian Balmer; Writing by Isla Binnie; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alexander Smith)
By Paul Carrel KOBLENZ, Germany (Reuters) - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen urged European voters to follow the example of Americans and the British and "wake up" in 2017, at a meeting of right-wing leaders aiming to oust established parties in elections this year. Le Pen told several hundred supporters in the German city of Koblenz that Britons' vote last year to leave the European Union would set in train a "domino effect". A day after U.S. President Donald Trump took office, Le Pen said his inauguration speech included "accents in common" with the message on reclaiming national sovereignty proclaimed by the far-right leaders meeting in Koblenz. "2016 was the year the Anglo-Saxon world woke up. I am sure 2017 will be the year the people of continental Europe wake up," she said to loud applause on Saturday. Populist parties are on the rise across Europe. Unemployment and austerity, the arrival of record numbers of refugees and militant attacks in France, Belgium and Germany have left voters disillusioned with conventional parties. Le Pen, head of the anti-European Union, anti-immigrant National Front (FN) and seen by pollsters as highly likely to make a two-person runoff vote for the French presidency in May, has marked out Europe as a major plank in her programme. "The key factor that is going to set in course all the dominos of Europe is Brexit," Le Pen said. "A sovereign people chose ... to decide its destiny itself." Of Trump, she added: "His position on Europe is clear: he does not support a system of oppression of peoples." In a joint interview with the Times of London and the German newspaper Bild published on Monday, Trump said the EU had become "a vehicle for Germany" and predicted that more EU member states would vote to leave the bloc, as Britain did last June. Le Pen said if elected she would ask the EU to return sovereign powers to France and hold a referendum on the outcome of negotiations she expected to follow. If the EU rejected her demands, she said: "I will suggest to the French people: exit!" "FREE FATHERLANDS" The far-right leaders met under the slogan "Freedom for Europe" with the aim of strengthening ties between their parties, whose nationalist tendencies have hampered close collaboration in the past. "Together with the parties represented here, we want a subsidiary Europe of free Fatherlands," said Frauke Petry, leader of Germany's anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD). Several leading German media were barred from the Koblenz meeting, which was organised by the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF), the smallest group in the European Parliament. Also at the meeting were Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch far-right Freedom Party (PVV), who was last month convicted of discrimination against Moroccans, and Matteo Salvini of the Northern League, who wants to take Italy out of the euro. In the Netherlands, Wilders is leading in all major polls before national parliamentary elections on March 15. Hailing Trump's election, Wilders told the meeting: "Yesterday, a free America, today Koblenz, and tomorrow a new Europe." "The genie will not go back into the bottle," he added. Sigmar Gabriel, the leader of Germany's Social Democrats, junior partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition, joined a protest outside the venue. Police said the demonstration was peaceful and about 5,000 people took part. (Additional reporting by Hans-Edzard Busemann; Editing by Larry King)
Santiago (AFP) - French President Francois Hollande warned Saturday that protectionism is "the worst response," in a seeming allusion to the "America First" policies of new US President Donald Trump.

Hollande made the comment on the first day of a Latin American tour that is taking him to Chile and Colombia -- one of his last foreign trips before stepping down after April-May elections choose his successor.

"We are utterly opposed to protectionism. We favor regulated globalization so that there are health standards, social standards... in the exchanges between countries, between regions," the French leader said in a joint news conference with Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet.

Protectionism, he said, "prevents trade, damages growth and affects employment, including in countries that forge protectionism and especially erect it."

Although he did not mention any countries specifically, the message appeared to be directed at the United States, where Trump has vowed to establish a "buy American, hire American" national policy.

That stance has unnerved Latin American economies which fear trade with the US will be hurt and other countries will follow suit with similar responses.

Hollande's trip aimed to highlight French and European Union ties to Latin America.

He and Bachelet -- who is also to step down late this year -- were launching a Franco-Chilean Year of Innovation, signing a series of cooperation accords and talking up investment opportunities.

Bachelet told AFP ahead of Hollande's arrival that she was looking to France "to back us" in renegotiating an association agreement in place with the European Union.

Hollande, who was to leave late Sunday for Colombia, is deeply unpopular with voters in France.

He has said he won't try to run for re-election, leaving the field open to leftwing allies and conservative rivals.
PARIS (Reuters) - The battle to decide the Socialist candidate for the French presidential election will be whittled down to two in a primary vote on Sunday in which ex-prime minister Manuel Valls faces an outside risk of failing to make it to the party runoff. Candidates who are to the left of Valls, such as former education minister Benoit Hamon and ex-economy minister Arnaud Montebourg, are nipping at his heels in the polls as the pro-business Socialist has struggled to defend his government's record. Seven candidates from the Socialists and their allies are taking part in the first round of the primary, with polls closing at 1300 EST. A runoff will then be held on Jan. 29 to pick a candidate for the two-round presidential election on April 23 and May 7. Regardless of who wins this primary, polls indicate that the Socialist candidate has next to no chance of making it into the runoff in the presidential election. One of the dominant forces of French politics for decades, the Socialist party has seen support evaporate during Francois Hollande's presidency as he has struggled to turn the economy around and alienated left-wing voters with his economic policies. The Socialists' choice of presidential candidate will be key for the chances of popular independent Emmanuel Macron, who is attracting middle ground voters who Valls also appeals to. Polls indicate conservative former prime minister Francois Fillon is most likely to emerge as the winner of the presidential election in a runoff against far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen. Fillon's program includes cutting business taxes, relaxing labor laws and scrapping the 35-hour working week in an attempt to boost growth, while also cutting half a million public sector jobs as part of a drive to shrink the state sector. But Macron, a youthful and charismatic one-time investment banker, has been gaining ground and could make it into a presidential runoff against Fillon if a leftwinger like Montebourg or Hamon wins the Socialist nomination. A poll last week saw Valls, who stepped down from government last month, coming out on top in both rounds of the primary vote with 37 percent in the first round. However, his lead narrowed after Hamon made a stronger impression in a series of televised debates, with a proposal for monthly income support payments for all. Hamon and Montebourg were kicked out of the Socialist government led by Valls in 2014 for criticizing its economic policies, which they criticized as too favorable to business. (Reporting by Leigh Thomas; Editing by Andrew Bolton)
Porto Alegre (Brazil) (AFP) - Brazilian President Michel Temer attended a funeral service Saturday for a Supreme Court judge who died in a plane crash while probing a corruption scandal that potentially could implicate him.

The judge, Teori Zavascki, 68, died Thursday when the light aircraft in which he was flying went down off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, killing all five people on board.

A federal police investigation is underway. The judge's son has questioned whether the plane crash was "too much of a coincidence."

Zavascki had been studying confessions of 77 construction executives involved in the huge corruption scandal at state oil firm Petrobras.

Brazilian media have speculated that the testimony could implicate Temer. Already, much of the country's business and political elite have been snared in the corruption probe.

The judge's compilation of the confessions was to have been completed next month but will now likely be delayed.

The president attended the official funeral service in the southern city of Porto Alegre after a private wake in the morning reserved for Zavascki's close friends, family and colleagues.

Another judge involved in the Petrobras probe, Sergio Moro, attended the wake, and called his deceased colleague "a true hero."

Zavascki was buried after the service.

Temer said he would name a new judge to take Zavascki's place only after the Supreme Court decided who among the current justices would take on the unfinished probe.
Washington (AFP) - Women poured into Washington on Saturday to express concern, anger and outrage over Donald Trump's assumption office as the 45th US president in the "Women's March on Washington." Here are the views of some who spoke to AFP.

- 'Furious' -

Jennifer Behr, a fashion accessory designer from Brooklyn, arrived from Baltimore on a train packed with passengers wearing pink "pussy" hats, one of the symbols of the protest.

"It's important we assert our majority and we have a large physically presence" to show President Donald Trump and the Republican majority in Congress "that they cannot railroad our country," said Behr, 42.

"I am furious at Trump's treatment of women and how he talks about women," she said.

She was especially incensed about the "decades of Republican attacks" on Democrat Hillary Clinton "and trying to undermine her as a strong women throughout her career."

- Preparing for 'a long fight' -

Candice Feigles, a 69-year-old retired nurse from Virginia, is expecting "a very long fight" against the Trump administration.

"We have to do something. The man who is now president is a horrible person. He didn't win the people's vote."

Congress is run by Republicans who "don't believe in global warming, they don't believe in women's rights, in gays and lesbians' rights, they are power and greed," she said.

- 'Great concern' -

Lisa Gottschalk, a 55 year-old scientist, came from Pennsylvania to express her "great concern" about the new president.

The protesters will "make sure to keep him honest and we'll stand up so that he doesn't do things that are unfair," Gottschalk said.

The march "is a demonstration of our solidarity and our belief that America should be great and should look out for all people of all stripes."

- 'Protect our rights' -

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Trisha Norman, 72, traveled from North Carolina for the protest and clutched a sign that read "Beware of the Gaslighter in Chief" -- a reference to a form of manipulation featuring denial, misdirection and outright falsehoods to sow doubt and confusion.

"I want protect our rights," she said, and to "bring attention that when people are standing together, they will be strong."

- Muslims not 'terrorists' -

Norman was accompanied by her sister Barbara Hilton, 62, who wore a pink "pussyhat," the knitted caps marchers have adopted in a sly allusion to Trump's crude sexual references to women.

"The family of my husband are immigrants," said Hilton. "They are Muslim. Not one is a terrorist."

- 'Overwhelming' turnout -

Katya Bravo, who works in marketing for a beer company, made the trip from Florida to "support women's rights, reproductive rights and for me specifically, immigration reform."

The 38-year-old was delighted by the "overwhelming" turnout.

"It's beautiful. It's why we all live in this country. The fact that we can go to the streets and voice our concerns and what we feel strongly about."

- 'So against' Trump -

Kim Lee-Wilkins came from Maryland specifically to protest against Trump's efforts to repeal Obama's signature accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare.

But a lot more than that was at stake, she said.

The 60-year-old African American said she fears a return to the ugly days of racial segregation.

"Now we are going back to where we were in the 50s, and I am not going to stand for it," she said.

Trump "doesn't stand for me, he doesn't stand for the majority of the people around here, so I am here to make a stand and my voice will be heard," she said.

"Most of America is very open to human rights, religious rights, everything, and that's what these people are standing for right now."

- Protesters on a plane -

Kathy Small flew in from Flagstaff, Arizona for the march.

"The plane was filled with people who were coming from little towns to come here," said the 67 year-old professor.

She found it "remarkable" that the crowds were thin for Trump's inauguration on Friday.

"It doesn't look anything like Obama's inauguration where I think the country was genuinely happy as a whole," she said.

- 'Sad' -

"It's upsetting to see what's happening," said Karine Bailly, a 35-year-old who works in communications and lives in the US capital.

Trump's inauguration, she said, is "not the version of America that we want to see. It's not just about America first, it's about the world first.

"To me it was a bit sad."

- 'Galvanized' -

"I cannot condone a platform of hate and bigotry," said Michele Phillips, 45, from Troy, New York.

"I know that we can do better, we have to fight for the change we want to see," said the Canadian-born Phillips, who became a US citizen in 2013.
BANJUL, Gambia (AP) -- Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh and his family headed into political exile Saturday night, ending a 22-year reign of fear and a post-election political standoff that threatened to provoke a regional military intervention when he clung to power.

As he mounted the stairs to the plane, he turned to the crowd, kissed his Quran and waved one last time to supporters, including soldiers who cried at his departure.

The flight came almost 24 hours after Jammeh announced on state television he was ceding power to the newly inaugurated Adama Barrow, in response to mounting international pressure for his ouster.

Though tens of thousands of Gambians had fled the country during his rule, Jammeh supporters flocked to the airport to see him walk the red carpet to his plane. Women shouted: "Don't go! Don't go!"

Jammeh landed in Guinea an hour later. He and his family then took off for Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, according to an airport official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak to the press. Equatorial Guinea, unlike Guinea, is not a state party to the International Criminal Court.

"What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," Barrow told The Associated Press earlier Saturday.

Barrow won the December elections, but Jammeh contested the results as calls grew for him to be prosecuted for alleged abuses during his time in power. A regional force had been poised to force out Jammeh if last-ditch diplomatic efforts failed to persuade him to leave.

The situation became so tense that Barrow had to be inaugurated in neighboring Senegal at the Gambian Embassy on Thursday, after Jammeh's mandate expired at midnight.

Barrow told The Associated Press he would return to Gambia once it is "clear" and a security sweep is completed.

Shortly after Jammeh's departure, the United Nations, African Union and the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, issued a declaration saying that any country offering him and his family "African hospitality" should not be punished and that he should be free to return to Gambia in the future. It said Jammeh was leaving "temporarily."

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The joint statement did not include promises of amnesty but said the world and regional bodies "commit to work with the government of the Gambia to prevent the seizure of assets and properties lawfully belonging to former President Jammeh or his family and those of his Cabinet members, government officials and party supporters."

Jammeh, who seized power in a coup in 1994, once vowed to rule for a billion years. He represented one of a dwindling number of West African leaders staying in office without apparent limit. The success in getting him to leave peacefully may help the vast region move toward more stable transfers of power.

His departure has brought an end to the political crisis in this impoverished nation of 1.9 million, which promotes itself to overseas tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa" while being a major source of migrants heading north toward Europe.

As Jammeh prepared to leave the country after hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

"Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities," said Jeggan Bahoum of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia.

An online petition urged that Jammeh not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested. Barrow, though, cautioned that was premature.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," Barrow told the AP. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

In recent days, Jammeh had been holed up in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc had pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force that rolled into Gambia on Thursday, after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

The joint statement late Saturday announced a halt to the military operation in Gambia. But the force already in Banjul would stay to secure the capital before Barrow's arrival, Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the regional bloc, told reporters in Senegal.

Gambia's unrest had more than 45,000 people fleeing the country, the United Nations said. But when Jammeh left, the deserted streets came back to life. Restaurants opened, music played and people danced in the streets.

"It's New Year's Eve in Gambia. We are just about to start a new democratic Gambia," said Momodou Janneh.

"For the Gambia to truly move on, President Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing," Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa, wrote in an email. "In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994."

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Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press writers Abdoulie John in Karang, Senegal; Babacar Dione in Dakar, Senegal; and Aboubacar Diallo and Youssouf Bah in Conakry, Guinea, also contributed.
By Tim Cocks and Pap Saine BANJUL (Reuters) - Gambia's authoritarian leader Yahya Jammeh said on Saturday he was stepping down under pressure from regional armies which entered the West African country this week following his refusal to concede an election defeat to President Adama Barrow. Jammeh was due to go into exile under a deal worked out with African leaders and the announcement on state television ended a reign that began in 1994 when he seized power in a coup. In practice, Jammeh had little choice after some 7,000 soldiers from Nigeria and Senegal entered Gambia on Thursday backed by tanks and warplanes. They were poised to move into the capital, Banjul, as Jammeh's army provided no resistance. Jammeh's government established a reputation for torturing and killing perceived opponents to stifle dissent and his departure will likely be welcomed by democracy advocates and viewed as a triumph for African diplomacy. "I have decided today in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation," Jammeh said on state TV, dressed in a white robe and looking fatigued. "All those who have supported me or were against me in this period, I implore them to put the supreme interest of our nation the Gambia above all partisan interest and endeavour to work together as one nation," he added. Jammeh said his leaving power was in the national interest, adding he was grateful there was no bloodshed during the stalemate. The leader was due to leave Gambia on Saturday, but there were conflicting reports as to where he would fly under a deal negotiated by the presidents of Guinea and Mauritania who travelled to Banjul on Friday to mediate, according to sources close to the talks. Those talks involved whether he could be offered amnesty for alleged crimes committed during his rule, the sources said. Some in Banjul said they were angry he was being allowed to bargain and sceptical he would in fact step down, not least because he first accepted he lost the Dec. 1 election to Barrow and then changed his mind. "It's hard because we want our freedom now. But this man he can say this today and tomorrow it can be different. That's the kind of person he is," said Ismaila Ndiaye, 61, a plumber and stone mason as he gathered with others close to State House. In a last bid to cling to power this week, he declared a state of emergency and dissolved the cabinet while the National Assembly extended his term for three months. More than half the government resigned and 45,000 people fled across the border to Senegal. Patience Williams, 50, a dental nurse, derided the region's leaders for not taking a tougher line and said: "He's a stubborn man. It should be surrender, handcuffs or death." 'RULE OF FEAR' BANISHED Barrow, 51, is a soft-spoken man who worked as a property developer and led an opposition coalition few thought would win. He was sworn in at the Gambian Embassy in Senegal on Thursday and called for international support. "The rule of fear has been banished from Gambia for good," Barrow told a crowd at a Dakar hotel on Friday, once it became clear a deal had been struck for Jammeh to relinquish power. "To all of you forced by political circumstances to flee our country, you now have the liberty to return home," he said. Barrow was also expected to return to the country. The crisis was a test for regional bloc ECOWAS, not least because Jammeh held office longer than any other current president in the grouping of states. The African Union and U.N. Security Council supported the military intervention. "The accord sees the departure of Jammeh from Gambia for an African country with guarantees for his family, those close to him and himself. He can come back to the country as he pleases," Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz was quoted as saying by the Mauritanian state news agency. Gambia's Atlantic Ocean beaches make it a holiday destination for Europeans. Tourism, peanut production and overseas remittances are crucial to the economy of the country of 1.8 million. GDP is expected to grow 4.5 percent in 2017 after a projected contraction of 4.0 percent last year, World Bank figures showed. (Additional reporting by Emma Farge in Dakar, writing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg, editing by G Crosse)
By Tim Cocks and Emma Farge BANJUL/DAKAR (Reuters) - Gambia's longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh, who refused to accept his election defeat last month, has agreed to go into exile, a senior adviser to new President Adama Barrow said on Friday, but talks to finalise the deal were holding up his exit. Regional armies, who entered Gambia late on Thursday, were meanwhile poised to remove him by force if required, as even his army chief, who had stood beside the former coup leader, recognised his rival Barrow as commander-in-chief. West African leaders Alpha Conde of Guinea and Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz travelled to the capital Banjul on Friday to allow Jammeh one last chance to cede power peacefully. "I can assure you that he has agreed to leave," Mai Ahmad Fatty, Barrow's special advisor, told Reuters in Senegal's capital Dakar. He could not say where Jammeh would go into exile. Barrow, who won the Dec. 1 poll by a slim margin, was sworn into office at Gambia's embassy in Dakar on Thursday and immediately called for regional and international support. West African militaries announced soon after that they had crossed into Gambia, which is almost completely surrounded by Senegal. "The rule of fear has been banished from Gambia for good," Barrow told a crowd gathered at a Dakar hotel on Friday. "To all of you forced by political circumstances to flee our country, you now have the liberty to return home." Gambia's army chief General Ousman Badjie, who had been perhaps the last remaining pillar of support for Jammeh, said he would welcome, not fight, the regional force. "We are going to welcome them with flowers and make them a cup of tea," he told Reuters. "This is a political problem. It's a misunderstanding. We are not going to fight Nigerian, Togolese or any military that comes." The military operation was halted late on Thursday to give mediation a chance. A midday deadline was extended on Friday as negotiations, which diplomats said were focusing on a deal that would grant Jammeh immunity from prosecution, continued. FINAL ACT One regional diplomat said the delegation was planning to spend the night in Banjul and Jammeh was looking for "extremely solid guarantees" before leaving. "There is a real possibility this could work. I don't think he is going the (Saddam) Hussein route," he said, referring to the Iraqi leader who was arrested in 2003 following an invasion, then tried and hanged. Jammeh, in power since a 1994 coup, initially conceded defeat to Barrow before back-tracking, saying the vote was flawed and demanding a new ballot. During his 22-years in power, Jammeh, who once vowed to rule Gambia "for a billion years", has been accused by rights groups of torturing and killing perceived opponents. And some Gambians were angered by the prospect of granting him immunity. "I don't want that man to escape punishment from us," said Lamin Darboe, 35, a Gambian shopkeeper who was present at Barrow's speech in Dakar on Friday. "Wherever he moves to we'll follow him there and grab him." Late on Thursday, Jammeh dissolved the government - half of whose members had already resigned - and pledged to name a new one. His estate, located almost on the border with Gambia's sole neighbour Senegal, was heavily fortified on Friday, witnesses said. ECOWAS says its intervention, dubbed Operation Restore Democracy, involves 7,000 troops backed by tanks and warplanes. Its forces entered Gambia from the southeast, southwest and north. Reuters witnesses saw a fresh convoy of more than a dozen trucks loaded with heavily armed Senegalese soldiers arrive at the border near the Senegalese town of Karang on Friday afternoon. The size of Gambia's army is unclear, but estimates range from 800 up to 2,500 soldiers. The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said about 45,000 people, mainly children, have fled to Senegal since Jan. 1 amid growing fears of unrest. Thousands of tourists, who'd flocked to the popular beach holiday destination for a break from the harsh European winter, also left this week. (This story has been refiled to add Dakar to dateline) (Additional reporting by Diadie Ba and Nellie Peyton in Dakar and Kissima Diagana in Nouakchott; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Tom Heneghan and Andrew Hay)
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) -- Gambia's new president says defeated leader Yahya Jammeh is expected to leave for Guinea within hours, and he plans to return home to take power once the situation is "clear."

A visibly tired Adama Barrow told The Associated Press in an interview Saturday that he will enter Gambia once a security sweep has been completed. He has been in neighboring Senegal for his safety during a political standoff that came to the brink of a regional military intervention.

Barrow, who won December's presidential elections, spoke just hours after Jammeh announced he would relinquish power, ending hours of last-minute negotiations with the leaders of Guinea and Mauritania.

"It is not yet confirmed information, but reliable sources are saying he's leaving today," Barrow told the AP. "We believe he'll go to Guinea, but we are waiting to confirm 100 percent.

He said he has not yet been given the communique which should spell out the terms of Jammeh's departure. "What is fundamental here is he will live in a foreign country as of now," he said.

Barrow was inaugurated Thursday at Gambia's embassy in Senegal, with the backing of the international community.

As Jammeh prepared to leave the country after more than 22 years in power, human rights activists demanded that he be held accountable for alleged abuses, including torture and detention of opponents.

It was those concerns about prosecution that led the famously mercurial Jammeh to challenge the December election results, just days after shocking Gambians by conceding his loss to Barrow.

Jammeh once vowed to rule for a billion years. His agreement to step down has brought an end to the political crisis in this tiny West African nation of 1.9 million, which has promoted itself to European tourists as "the Smiling Coast of Africa."

"The rule of fear" in Gambia has ended with Jammeh's rule, Barrow told members of Gambia's diaspora late Friday.

Critics of Jammeh insisted he should be held accountable.

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"Jammeh came as a pauper bearing guns. He should leave as a disrobed despot. The properties he seeks to protect belong to Gambians and Gambia, and he must not be allowed to take them with him. He must leave our country without conditionalities," said Jeggan Bahoum of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Gambia.

An online petition urged that Jammeh not be granted asylum and should instead be arrested.

"We aren't talking about prosecution here, we are talking about getting a truth and reconciliation commission," Barrow told the AP. "Before you can act, you have to get the truth, to get the facts together."

Jammeh, who first seized power in a 1994 coup, has been holed up this week in his official residence in Banjul, increasingly isolated as he was abandoned by his security forces and several Cabinet members.

The West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, pledged to remove Jammeh by force if he did not step down. The group assembled a multinational military force including tanks that rolled into Gambia on Thursday. The force moved in after Barrow's inauguration and a unanimous vote by the U.N. Security Council supporting the regional efforts.

Jammeh's announcement to relinquish power is a good first step, said Jeffrey Smith, executive director of Vanguard Africa. "For the Gambia to truly move on, President Barrow must reside in State House and begin the task of governing. In an ideal scenario, Jammeh will also face justice for the many crimes he has committed since 1994," Smith wrote by email.

Fearing violence as the political crisis dragged on, about 45,000 people have fled Gambia for Senegal, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

After days of uncertainty, Banjul was peaceful Saturday. At the ferry terminal, Yassin Jallow helped hand out bread to families returning to the capital.

"There are so many people who couldn't go out, and nothing is working, the shops are closed, the bakeries are closed ... and we don't want anyone to starve," Jallow said.

Some wary Gambians said they would believe Jammeh's departure when they saw it.

"I heard he will step down, but leaving, that is the question," said student Haruna Jallow.

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Petesch reported from Banjul, Gambia. Associated Press writer Abdoulie John in Karang, Senegal, contributed.
The Whitehouse.gov site was handed over to Trumps team as he was sworn into office.

Just as Donald Trump was sworn into the highest office in the land at noon on the steps of the Capitol building, the Whitehouse.gov webpage rolled over from the one the Obama White House maintained for the past eight years to one the Trump team will take over.

The change was swift and painless. Obamas speeches, briefings and executive actions have been removed, leaving a clean slate for Trump and his Cabinet to make their mark on.

Interestingly a Google search for Obama Whitehouse.gov turned up a link for a website titled President Barack Obama | whitehouse.gov, though thats likely a caching issue and should change over soon.

Obamas White House website hasnt disappeared into the ether, though. Instead, youll be able to access all of the content from the Obama White House website at Obamawhitehouse.gov.

One of the most notable changes Trumps team has made to the official Whitehouse.gov page was the removal of nearly all references to climate change. Obama made the topic a key issue for his administration and his site highlights the matter just below civil rights. The first issues on Trumps Whitehouse.gov page focus on energy and foreign policy.

In addition to Whitehouse.gov, the presidents @POTUS Twitter account also rolled over from Obama to Trump as the clock struck 12 in Washington, D.C. Trump, a prolific and often controversial Twitter user, hasnt tweeted from the account as of yet, and it isnt clear if hell keep his @RealDonaldTrump account up and running while using @POTUS for more official communications.

Obama will continue to tweet from @BarackObama, while his official presidential account will be archived by the National Archives and Records Administration at @POTUS44.

The former first lady, Michelle Obama, will also see her tweets from the @FLOTUS account archived under @FLOTUS44. First Lady Melania Trump has taken over the official FLOTUS handle. If youre interested in following Michelle Obama, she will continue tweeting from @MichelleObama.

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The Twitter handles for the @WhiteHouse, @PressSec and @VP and other social media accounts will also be rolled over to the Trump administration and start fresh. The accounts for Vice President Joe Biden and the Obama White House press secretary will also be archived at @VP44 and @PressSec44.

More from Dan:

Email Daniel at dhowley@yahoo-inc.com; follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley.
Fridays inauguration ceremony was the calm after the storm.

The crowd on Washington, D.C.s National Mall could have easily turned into one last Trump campaign rally, with thousands of red-topped supporters screaming for their leader and boo-hissing any Democrat spotted on the Jumbotrons.

But the mood inside the security barricades was affable, a byproduct, perhaps, of collective exhaustion from the hassle of navigating through security lines. Or perhaps Trumps supporters simply realized they didnt need to shout anymore. After all, theyd already won.

I feel amazing. I feel like this is Christmas, Josh Hammaker, a Trump voter from Calvert County, Maryland, told me in the minutes before the ceremony began. Hammaker considers himself a Democrat, but broke for Trump in November. This is the best day of my life. Or, at least, one of em. Were finally getting our country back.

Recommended: American Carnage: The Trump Era Begins

Hours before the speeches, songs, and prayers of Friday mornings ceremony, Trumps supporters descended on Capitol Hill to hear first-hand from their next president, grabbing coffee and the odd bit of Trump paraphernalia at Union Station before heading to security checkpoints for the Mall. Vendors, like the one bravely wedged between two lines of porta potties, hawked buttons, flags, and Deplorable Lives Matter t-shirtsnot that their potential customers werent already decked out in Trump garb.

If you look at the overall big picture, his heart is Americathats what I see.

In a general-admission line to the festivitiesthat would lead attendees to the inauguration equivalent of a theaters nosebleed sectionthe blocks-long mass of people was dominated by protesters, making Trump supporters, with their poppy-colored Make America Great Again hats, easily spottable. But while protesters and police would later clash, the demonstrators in line seemed content with chants and sign-waving to get their pluralistic messages acrossand Trump backers seemed content watching them with amusement. Four and a half hours and the nightmares over, a Trump backer shouted a little before 8 a.m. Four and a half hours and the nightmare starts, a protester responded, eliciting chuckles.

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Emily Jan / The Atlantic

Preston Parrish, a college student from Tennessee, suggested the go-along-to-get-along tenor of queue meant something. Its hopeful for us, Parrish said. We may not agree on everything, but hopefully, in the end, once the dust settles, well be able to get together and work towards a better America.

Recommended: Live Coverage of the Presidential Inauguration

Trumps opponents dont seem close to saying the same; their memories of Trumps deeply divisive campaign are far too fresh, and their view of the countrys future is far more bleak. The same streets that Trumps backers strode down today will be flooded by the Womens March on Washington on Saturday. But some of the new presidents fans nevertheless predicted national unity was coming. Once the Trump administration gets in full swing, one supporter predicted, the country would come together. Its easy to focus on the negative things about Trump, said Jason Youse, a third-grade public-school teacher from Tampa, Florida. He cited specifically some of the crazy things that Trump says. But if you look at the overall big picture, his heart is Americathats what I see.

The crowd on the National Mall for the main event was fairly subdued as it began. Protesters from the security line didnt seem to follow supporters onto the Mall; indeed, as the first remarks of the morning began, I couldnt spot a single one. Trump-loving couples, families, and community groups stood in clumps, craning their necks to watch the Jumbotrons and cheering when he came on the screen.

Several of the Trump supporters I talked to spoke reverently of the inauguration as a once-in-a-lifetime eventas if every American gets just one chance to go, and they cashed theirs in on Trump. The view is majestic, remarked Kristi Henshaw, a mother of two from the Washington area whose husband serves in the Armed Forces. It makes me proud to be an American.

Emily Jan / The Atlantic

Charles Watson, a pilot from rural Lexington, South Carolina, told me he considers himself one of the forgotten men and women that, in his speech, Trump vowed to represent over the next four years. Watson described himself as middle-class, and suggested political leaders prior to Trump looked out for immigrants, but not people like him. I want to go back to how the country was born, he told me after the ceremony, as supporters began to head for the exits. I believe in American values. And I want to keep the American values going for my children and my grandsons.

Recommended: An Inaugural Celebration That Rings Hollow

I found Laura Lenti watching a Jumbotron after the pomp and circumstance was over. It was close to the time when President Obama and the First Lady walked onto Marine One, inspiring claps and see yas from Trump fans not yet ready to leave the Mall. Lenti, a Trump supporter from Wisconsin, said its now the peoples time in America. She works in corrections, has worked my butt off for my entire life, and I feel like every pennys gone everywhere but me.

For her, and for the country, she suggested, Trump could be a game-changer. Hes one of us. Yeah. Hes one of us.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Its a rare president who doesnt suffer from hubris at some point. President Donald Trump begins his tenure with greater exposure to this disabling flaw than many of his predecessors.

Trump is promisingor threateningto remake much of the federal government, as if voters sent him to Washington to dismantle institutions that have upheld the nation for decades. Some of those institutions are clearly malfunctioning, and Americans want change. But voters conveyed a straightforward message on Election Day: They want more prosperity. They want to feel safer. And they want government to work better. Thats about it. If Trump misunderstands that message and reaches too far, it will imperil his presidency.

Like every president, Trumps job is to fix whats broken. But he must also be sure not to break what is working. This is where it gets tricky, because in his campaign rhetoric, Trump often blamed dubious causes for the problems Americans care most about. Heres how Trump can succeed now that he has to translate that rhetoric into action, or overreach and stray into dangerous territory:

Jobs. Americans want better jobs that provide more opportunity, more financial security and a middle-class lifestyle. This is crystal clear from numerous polls that show economic issues are by far the top concern for most Americans. Voters dont particularly care how President Trump improves the economy. They just want it to be better.

Trade. Trump got surprising traction on this issue in the campaign, especially as he bashed China and Mexico for taking American jobs. But it would be a mistake to conclude Americans feel strongly about trade one way or another. Trade is nothing more than a proxy for jobs and prosperity. If prosperity improves through free trade, great; if it improves through protectionism, thats fine too. Nobody cares. But if Trump were to begin imposing tariffs that push up prices, hell quickly discover that Americans like cheap imported goods and will punish anybody who takes them away.

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Taxes. Everybody wants a tax cut. But Trumps plan favors wealthy Americans and corporations far more than the middle class, and if he doesnt deliver on jobs, a tax plan thats supposed to stimulate the economy will end up looking like a giveaway to elites.

Healthcare. Like many other Republicans, Trump vilified the Affordable Care Act, which is on its way to being repealed. But Americans arent as opposed to the ACA as Trump may think. What voters really want is a break from healthcare costs that are rising much faster than incomes, and have been for years. That gets conflated with Obamacare, but its not the ACA thats pushing up costs. Thats happening for a bunch of other reasons no president has been able to control for the last 40 years. Voters didnt tell Trump they want him to take healthcare away from people. They told him they want their own costs to go down. If Trump repeals the ACA without lowering costs, it will make Obamacare look good compared with whatever comes next.

Regulations. Business owners feel overregulation acutely, especially at the state and local level where permits are often necessary at every step and bureaucratic rules seem to impede commerce. But for many Americans, this is just another proxy for swollen government thats not making their lives better. Trump can do some good by slashing obsolete or intrusive regulations that accomplish little. But again, if voters dont associate this with improved prosperity, it will seem like another sop to corporate interests.

Security. Trump will undoubtedly have to deal with terrorist incidents and mass shootings, as every other modern president has had to. He promised to do more than President Obama to keep Americans safe, such as getting tougher on Islamic State in the Middle East and banning immigrants from certain countries. But if Trump takes those steps and troubling incidents continue anyway, hell look feckless and perhaps even reckless.

Meanwhile, here are a bunch of things Americans dont really want Trump to do: They dont want him to gut environmental protection laws. Theyre not all that worried about immigration and dont favor a bigger wall on the Mexican border. They dont want culture wars, wholesale changes to the education system or sharp cutbacks in aid to the needy. Trump can succeed if he presides over modest improvements to the economy. But a radical remaking of everything the government oversees is way more than voters asked for. It might be simpler than Trump thinks to make America great again.

Rick Newman is the author of four books, including Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman.
Tel Aviv (AFP) - Hundreds of Israelis, most of them women, protested outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv Saturday against President Donald Trump, mirroring worldwide demonstrations to mark his first full day in office.

The protesters waved placards reading "Hate is not great" and "Women's rights are human rights", according to an AFP journalist.

The "woman's march" demonstration was one of more than 600 being held worldwide, a day after Trump's inauguration Friday, to condemn his allegedly sexist stances following a series of disparaging comments he made during his presidential campaign.

Hundreds of thousands packed the streets of Washington while other demonstrations took place in cities such London, Paris and Sydney against Trump's presidency.

In a break with previous administrations, Trump has pledged to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital and relocate the US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has warned that such a move would deal a huge blow to hopes for Middle East peace and the UN and EU have voiced deep concern over the proposal.
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From London to Antartica, hundreds of thousands of women around the world marched in solidarity with Americans.

SEE ALSO: How to get involved with the Women's March on Washington if you're not in D.C.

People of all ages in 160 cities in 60 countries mobilised on Saturday to show their support for those attending the Women's March on Washington.



Across seven continents, protestors brandished homemade signs and posters emblazoned with calls for equality and anti-Trump slogans.

The largest marches took place in London, Paris, Berlin and Sydney.

LONDON

More than 100,000 people took to the the streets of London and marched from the U.S. Embassy in Grosvenor Square to Trafalgar Square.

UK protests have also been held in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol.

Londoners' signs touched on a wide range of issues, including women's rights, LGBTQ rights, domestic violence, sexual violence and reproductive rights.

Image: Dan Kitwood/ Getty Images

Hundreds of women wielded posters displaying the words: "Pussy grabs back." And many groups chanted those words as they marched.

Image: rachel thompson / mashable

Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Princess Leia also made an appearance at London's march.

Image: gianluca mezzofiore

Protestors' signs ranged from poignant messages about equality to artistic and witty displays of creativity.

Image: Jack Taylor/Getty Images

"I can't believe I still have to protest this fucking shit!" read one sign.

Image: rachel thompson / mashable

SYDNEY

About 10,000 people took to the streets of Sydney for a sister march on Saturday.

Image: Getty Images

Incredible creativity & positivity among the thousands of people on the #womensmarch in #Sydney today: let's make a better world together pic.twitter.com/Z4L0HVYPKQ  Jess Scully (@jessaroo) January 21, 2017

Infants and children were among the protestors at Sydney's march.

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Image: Getty Images

Image: Getty Images

PARIS

Several thousand Parisians gathered at the Place du Trocadero, near the Eiffel Tower, for a sister march.

BERLIN

A large crowd of women and men attended a protest in front of Brandenburger Tor in Berlin, Germany.

Image: Getty Images

Image: Getty Images

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD

Hundreds of smaller sister marches also took place across the globe, from Africa to Antartica.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Image: Getty Images





Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Antarctica

Auckland, New Zealand

Image: Getty Images

Bangkok, Thailand

Image: Getty Images

Barcelona, Spain

Image: Getty Images

Macau, Macau

Image: Getty Images

Nairobi, Kenya




Protesters in Nashville, Tenn., observed 15 minutes of silence during the time Trump took the presidential oath of office. (Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP)

Just a few hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, dozens of concerned D.C.-area residents took their own oath in a local church to become active bystanders in the Trump era, intervening to protect victims of harassment.

So there was an oath taken on the Hill today and we dont really want to think about it, said Tameka Bell, a grassroots organizer leading the nonviolent active bystander training in an Episcopal church in Silver Spring, Md., Friday afternoon.

Bell then led the group in their own oath, pledging to uphold honor and respect for others with my words and actions.

The group of about 100 locals split up into groups of four to act out various scenarios where someone is being harassed to practice how to intervene without escalating the confrontation. They learned how to use combat breath  breathe in for four seconds, breathe out for four seconds  to lower their heart rate and stay calm during tense exchanges, and how to videotape conflicts on their cellphones. Hundreds of others participated in similar training in more than 20 area churches Friday.

Participants found playing the aggressor by far the most uncomfortable. I apologize to you in advance for anything I say, one announced before demanding that her partner, playing a Muslim woman, take off her imaginary hijab. I felt like a total jerk, she said afterward. But the people who do that dont feel that way. They feel empowered.

Go back to Mexico! Speak English! another woman yelled at the target in her group. The groups designated bystander swooped in, serving as a physical barrier between them and asking the victim if she needed help.

Being the harasser was awful, said Judi Rockhill, who came to the training with her two high school-age daughters. Rockhill said she had seen more harassment going on in her community and wanted to come to the training to learn how to respond.

Several people who showed up for the training mentioned they were worried about graffiti at a local elementary school that said Kill blacks, which appeared in November. In December, police investigated graffiti at the same school that said Kill all whites.

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I thought that our community was better, said Frances, a participant who did not want to give her last name.

Robert Harvey, the reverend of the Episcopal Church of Our Savior nearby, said he decided to come to the training because of two acts of hate he had witnessed in recent weeks. The Thursday after the presidential election, he saw two young men in a thrift store parking lot shouting at a Latina woman to leave the country. He helped her walk back into the store and told the men he would call the cops. Harvey said they responded they could do what they wanted because Trump won. Two days later, Harveys church was defaced with a marker. Trump Nation Whites Only, was scrawled on the building and on a banner that announced a Spanish-language Mass. (About 80 percent in Harveys congregation are immigrants.)

The Southern Poverty Law Center published a report saying acts of bias-motivated harassment were up dramatically across the country after Trumps election. These claims are hard to verify until authorities have investigated them.

Bell, the leader of the training, told the group to harness their moral outrage so they can step in and protect people who are being harassed when necessary. That prompted a back and forth with participants who worried that moral outrage and anger were not appropriate because they could lead to more hate and tension in their community.

Theres a difference between hate and moral outrage, Bell said. The folks in this room are the freedom fighters.

The training was organized by the D.C.-based group Swamp Revolt, which encourages people to do one thing a day to denounce the politics of division.
ROME (AP)  Italy's foreign ministry says the staff at its embassy in Tripoli, Libya, are all safe after a car bombing "in the vicinity of the Italian and Egyptian embassies" in that city.

The ministry said late Saturday that a vehicle "full of explosives" blew up earlier in the evening and that "it seems" there were two victims, who presumably were the two people in the car.

Italy said that Libyan authorities have stepped up security near the Italian embassy, which was recently re-opened.

Rome has played a leading role in trying to encourage a unity government in Libya. The North African country has been wracked by fighting and other violence involving rival militias after the demise of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.




For inauguration events, Ivanka Trump wore three Oscar de la Renta ensembles. But for the grand finale, the first daughter switched things up and opted for a piece from Carolina Herrera.

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner attend the Freedom Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (Photo: AP/Alex Brandon)

At the inaugural ball, she shone in a princess-like gown featuring a tulle skirt and sheer long sleeves embellished with crystals.

Designer Carolina Herrera poses with Ivanka Trump and her Breakthrough Award at the 19th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards on Nov. 2, 2015, in New York. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Accessories Council)

The businesswoman and Herrera have been friendly for years. In November 2015, Herrera presented Trump with an award at 19th Annual Accessories Council ACE Awards. A year later, the entrepreneur posed on the cover of Town & Country magazine in a pink, gauzy Herrera dress while pregnant with her third child.

Ivanka Trump wearing a pink Carolina Herrera dress. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trump has also made a point of attending Herreras fashion shows during New York Fashion Week.

Ivanka Trump wearing a gold-patterned dress in February 10, 2014. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ivanka Trump in a blue and black striped dress in September 2012. (Photo: Getty Images)

Ivanka Trump in a lilac skirt and white long-sleeved shirt on Feb. 10, 2014, in the front row at Carolina Herreras fashion show. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)

While designers are divided on whether or not to dress first lady Melania Trump, Herrera supported her. I think that in two or three months, theyll reach out, because its fashion. Youll see everyone dressing Melania. Shes representing the United States, she told Business of Fashion.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.




The Kensington Palace has revealed Kate Middleton and Prince William's plans for 2017, which will focus on more royal duties and spending more time with their children. On Friday, the palace released a statement announcing that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will move to London this fall.

The royal couple will be relocating from their Norfolk country home, Anmer Hall, to settle in the Kensington Palace. The house in Norfolk was gifted to the royal couple by Queen Elizabeth II when her grandson and Middleton got married in 2011. They made it their official home in 2014 before which the house underwent a more than $6.5 million renovation.

Their Royal Highnesses love their time in Norfolk and it will continue to be their home, the statement from the palace read. From this autumn, however, the Duke and Duchess will increasingly base their family at Kensington Palace. As they have in recent years, their royal Highnesses are keen to continue to increase their official work on behalf of the Queen and for the charities and causes they support, which will require greater time spent in London.

The decision for the move was also made as the couple's children, Prince George, 3, and 20-month-old Princess Charlotte, will attend school in London. Prince George is currently enrolled at Westacre Montessori School in Norfolk.

Prince George will begin school in London in September, and Princess Charlotte will also go to nursery and eventually school in London as well, the statement said.

The statement did not reveal where the two royal children will attend school, but previously reports claimed that the Wetherby Pre-Preparatory School, where Prince William and Prince Harry were both enrolled, may be an option.

Meanwhile, Prince William also announced that he will end his role as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance this summer, following a two-year commitment.

It has been a huge privilege to fly with the East Anglia Air Ambulance, he said in the statement. Following on from my time in the military, I have had experiences in this job I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and that will add a valuable perspective to my royal work for decades to come.

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The statement also revealed that the public will see more of Middleton and Prince William as they carry out their charity work and other royal duties.

However, Middleton's primary role is as a mother and, as any family with children starting school will know, this year will be a significant one, a royal source told People magazine.

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By Melanie Burton MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Britain's Johanna Konta powered into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the second year in a row on Saturday, comfortably seeing off former world number one Caroline Wozniacki 6-3 6-1 on Margaret Court Arena. Konta, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, broke the Dane midway through the first set with a smoking drop shot and never looked back, keeping the pressure up throughout the 75-minute contest. The ninth seeded 25-year-old, the female contingent in a British charge into the second week at Melbourne Park, joined male compatriots Andy Murray and Dan Evans in the fourth round when Wozniacki put a backhand wide. The Sydney-born Konta, a semi-finalist here last year, will next face 30th seed Ekaterina Makarova as she seeks to give Britain its first women's grand slam singles champion in four decades. (Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Thousands of people protested Saturday in the Kosovo capital of Pristina to urge France to release their former prime minister who was detained there on a Serbian arrest warrant.

The protesters  mostly opposition party members and former guerrilla fighters of the 1998-1999 war for independence from Serbia  consider Ramush Haradinaj's detention illegal.

Haradinaj, also a former guerrilla commander, was released by a French court, but he must stay in France under judicial supervision, pending a decision on whether to extradite him to Serbia.

Kosovo considers Haradinaj's detention a political move from Belgrade, given that he has been twice cleared of war crimes charges by a U.N. tribunal.

Fatmir Limaj of the opposition Initiative for Kosovo party also said at the protest that Pristina should cancel talks with Belgrade brokered by the European Union to normalize their relations. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade has not recognized the move.

Haradinaj hailed the protest Saturday in his Facebook page.

"I understand your great unsparing support, all around the world, as a support for Kosovo's freedom and existence," he wrote.

Haradinaj's detention in early January and Serbia's effort days later to send a nationalist train to Kosovo's northern Mitrovica region, where most of its Serb ethnic minority lives, have sparked a bilateral crisis and concern from the EU and the United States.

The train, with the slogan "Kosovo is Serbia" and decorated in the colors of the Serbian flag and with Christian Orthodox symbols, was turned back from the border with Kosovo.

Next week, the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia are expected to meet in Brussels, invited by the EU's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini.

Serbia, backed by Russia, has sought to maintain influence in Kosovo. NATO-led troops have controlled Kosovo's territory since a three-month air war in 1999 to stop a bloody Serbian crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists.

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Associated Press writer Llazar Semini contributed from Tirana, Albania.
Kristen Stewart, the Hollywood actress perhaps best known for her role in the "Twilight" movies, has co-authored a new research paper that discusses the use of artificial intelligence technology, to create art in her screenwriting debut film, "Come Swim."

The 17-minute film, starring Josh Kaye and Sydney Lopez, has been written and directed by Stewart. The movie is set to feature in the Sundance Film Festival 2017 that kicked off Thursday. It was inspired by one of Stewart's own paintings that itself originated from one of her poems.

Its basically about that moment when you wake up and you get dressed and you realize ... Im not sad anymore. Im not saturated anymore. Ive been dropped back into everyone elses reality and now I can live again, Stewart told the New York Times Magazine while describing the concept of the film.

Her paper, released Wednesday on arXiv, an online research repository, was co-authored with David Shapiro, a producer at Starlight Studios (which produced the film) and Bhautik J. Joshi, a research engineer employed by Adobe (whose involvement in the film is not known).

The paper explores a well-known use of machine learning known as style transfer, which converts an image into the color profile and artistic technique of another. The filmmakers experimented to the extent that they attempted to alter the algorithm used in the film to transfer the sense of emotion in the painting, Quartz reported.

The painting itself evokes the thoughts an individual has in the first moments of waking (fading in-between dreams and reality). ... This directly drove the look of the shot, leading us to map the emotions we wanted to evoke to parameters in the algorithm, the authors wrote in the paper.

However, the task appeared to be too difficult and the team ultimately decided not to alter the algorithm and instead chose to modify the images in the film by cropping and adding blocks of texture to the input images to ensure that the modified influences created by artificial intelligence remain included when rendering the final image.

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Several Twitter users shared videos of the trailer of "Come Swim."

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Who would have thought that incoming U.S. President Donald Trump had been quite affected by Twilight couple Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinsons breakup a couple of years ago? In a recent interview, the actress finally shed some light on Trump posting several messages on Twitter about his own opinions regarding the Stewart-Pattinson split.

In an interview with Variety, the 26-year-old Twilight actress finally opened up about Trumps 2012 tweets, saying Americas current head of state was furious at her. Stewart also revealed that Trump seemed obsessed with her.

He was mad at me a couple years ago, really obsessed with me a couple years ago, which is crazy, Stewart told the publication. I cant even understand it. I literally cannot even understand it. Its such far-out concept that I dont want to believe that actually is happening. Its insane.

Trumps tweets about Stewart and Pattinson emerged online between Oct. 17 and Nov. 13, 2012, New York Daily News revealed. It came after Stewart was caught cheating on Pattinson with her Snow White and the Huntsman director Rupert Sanders.

Despite Stewarts public apology, the couple eventually parted ways in May 2013, 10 months after they tried to stay in a relationship and fight for their love. At the time, Pattinson got an ally through Trump, who said that the 30-year-old British actor should not take Stewart back because she will just cheat on him again.

For an unedited collection of Trumps tweets about the Stewart-Pattinson love affair, check out Gawkers July 2016 feature.

Meanwhile, on a much lighter note, Stewart has reportedly co-authored a scientific research paper on artificial intelligence (AI). According to The Telegraph, Stewarts paper was published by the Cornell University Library, and it was titled Bringing Impressionism to Life with Neutral Style Transfer in Come Swim. Although the research is yet to be peer reviewed, it explored the so-called Neutral Style Transfer technique, a machine learning type that can artistically redraw an image in the style of a source style image.

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Speaking of Come Swim, the 17-minute short film is Stewarts directorial debut, E! News noted. It featured just one actor, Josh Kaye, and Sydney Lopezs voiceover work. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was produced in collaboration with Refinery29 for its ShatterBox Anthology, which is a collection of female-directed short films.

Kristen Stewart

Photo: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

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Beirut (AFP) - Lebanese soldiers arrested a would-be suicide bomber inside a crowded cafe in one of the busiest neighbourhoods in the capital Beirut on Saturday night, security sources told AFP.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a man wearing an explosive bomb belt had been detained by authorities after entering a coffee shop in the upscale Hamra neighbourhood in west Beirut.

The cafe is on the main street of the bustling area, and was filled with people socialising on a weekend evening when the arrest occurred around 2100 GMT.

The sources said the man was being followed by security forces, who have stepped up foot patrols in the neighborhood in recent weeks.

The man was injured during the arrest, with several soldiers holding him down to ensure he was not able to detonate the belt, one security source said.

He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment before interrogation, the sources added.

Lebanon has been hit by a string of bomb attacks in recent years, with some linked to the ongoing war in neighbouring Syria.

Some of the deadliest blasts have targeted neighbourhoods sympathetic to the powerful Shiite Hezbollah movement, which is fighting alongside Syria's government against an uprising.

The casualties in the blasts have been almost exclusively civilians.

The Hamra neighbourhood, a district known for shopping and nightlife, has not previously been hit by an attack.

But in June 2016, the army said it had arrested jihadists from the Islamic State group planning attacks against busy areas, including Hamra.

An AFP correspondent in Hamra said a heavy security presence remained in place with the cafe and several nearby restaurants closing after the incident.

But residents could still be seen on the street, which was reopened to traffic around an hour after the arrest.
CAIRO (AP)  Representatives of Libya's neighbors meeting in Cairo on Saturday warned the North African nation's main rival factions against seeking to settle their differences through military force, as Egypt announced that efforts were underway to bring their leaders together to chart a "joint vision" for the country.

The representatives came from Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Chad, Niger and Tunisia. Also attending was U.N. envoy to Libya Martin Kobler.

"A comprehensive political dialogue between all Libya parties is the only way out of this crisis," said a final communique after the meeting, saying the delegates "decisively reject" a military solution to the Libyan crisis, a thinly veiled reference to past clashes between forces backing the factions.

Libya has plunged into chaos and lawlessness since the ouster and later killing of Muammar Gadhafi in a 2011 uprising and subsequent civil war, with two rival administrations operating in the east and west of the vast, oil-rich nation. Also operating in Libya is an array of militant Islamic groups, including a local affiliate of the extremist Islamic State.

The communique said participants in the Cairo meeting commended recent defeats of the militants in the coastal cities of Sirte and Benghazi, but that they remained concerned over their continuing presence elsewhere in the vast country.

Saturday's meeting followed airstrikes earlier this week by U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers that targeted a pair of IS military camps southwest of Sirte, killing more than 80 fighters in an unusual mission that may have marked the final demonstration of military force of now-former President Barack Obama's global counterterrorism campaign.

The airstrikes were coordinated with the U.N-backed government headquartered in Tripoli, the Libyan capital.

Addressing a news conference after the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said work was underway to bring the leaders of Libya's main factions  The Tripoli government, parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk and the leader of the "national army"  to meet.

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He, however, gave no specifics, only saying that the proposed gathering would aim to "bolster trust, understanding and search for a joint vision."

Shukri also repeated calls on the international community to lift a ban on arms sales to Libya, saying the "national army" was a legitimate entity. "It's inappropriate for this ban to stand and we continue to demand that it be rescinded."

The Libyan army is led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, who is strongly backed by Egypt and is seen by some in Libya's eastern region as the country's best hope for defeating Islamic extremists.

The Cairo meeting also called on the international community to meet Libya's humanitarian needs in 2017, citing shortages of medical supplies. It urged the international community to release frozen Libyan assets abroad as a way to ease the country's financial crisis.

Shortages of basic goods and a cash crunch have brought daily hardships for Libyans, who now stand in line for hours for fuel, cash, bread and cooking gas. Banks are open to the public once a week, with a ceiling of less than $200 on withdrawals.
Belgrade (AFP) - They cough, suffer from frostbite and are infested with body lice: hundreds of young migrants remain in appalling conditions in derelict Belgrade warehouses in the middle of Serbia's freezing winter.

Since Europe shut down its borders in March last year, thousands have found themselves stuck in limbo in the Balkan country -- and its authorities are under pressure to do something about it.

But despite the young men sheltering near the snowy railway tracks in the heart of the capital, "we do not think a 'new Calais' can be born near the station in Belgrade," said Ivan Miskovic, from Serbia's Commissariat for Refugees.

"We would not allow anything like that," he said, referring to the notorious refugee camp outside the northern French port city of Calais. Dubbed the "Jungle," it was dismantled last October.

This week, for the first time, aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) erected five tents in an area by the station, near the warehouses which have no running water or electricity.

The goal is to protect the most vulnerable, especially children, said Stephane Moissang, head of MSF in Serbia.

They include eight-year-old Afghan Aziz Rahman, waiting with his 17-year-old uncle for his father, who is serving 10 days in detention for illegally crossing the border.

MSF's initiative "does not help us to convince these people to join (official) reception centres," said Miskovic.

- 'Poor clothing, shelter' -

By opening new centres for migrants, "the Serbian government has shown that it takes into account the urgency of winter," says Moissaing, but that "is not enough to absorb everyone".

Most of the 7,300 migrants currently estimated to be in Serbia by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) are sleeping in one of 17 official centres.

But there are always more than 1,000 outside, above all in Belgrade, who are male and mostly young, often minors.

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Temperatures can drop below minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) at night.

Cases of frostbite "can only increase in the coming days as most of the refugees have really poor clothing and shelter," said Momcilo Djurdjevic of MSF.

He lists the other health problems his team has dealt with since temperatures plummeted: body lice, respiratory infections, scabies.

In the largest warehouse, thick with smoke from the fires lit to keep warm, the sound of deep coughs can be heard from migrants huddled under grey blankets.

Some concede that they refused to move to an official camp for fear of being deported, moved away from EU borders and cut off from the people-smugglers who lurk around the station.

They also worry about restrictions in the centres, like the one in Presevo in southern Serbia, where freedom of movement is limited.

But many have given in -- and when Serbian authorities opened up a new camp this week in an old barracks about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from Belgrade, its 225 beds were immediately occupied, half of them by minors.

- 'We need shoes' -

In the largest of the warehouses, faces are reddened by the cold and eyelids are swollen, making the youngsters look much older than their years.

The outside walls bear political slogans such as "One World, One Struggle!" -- most likely written by activists. Others bear the mark of exhausted travellers: "We need shoes" reads one, while another calls for doctors.

Liaqat Khan, a 17-year-old from Bajaur in the northwestern tribal areas of Pakistan, said he had tried and failed to get access to an official centre.

In his current squat, "sleeping is big problem, shower is big problem, water is big problem, eating is big problem," he told AFP in broken English.

He said he tried 20 times to cross the borders into the EU but claims to have been brutally returned to Serbia by Croatian and Hungarian police, who took his phone and money.

Human Rights Watch on Friday slammed reports of police violence against migrants, particularly in Croatia, saying the "shocking and abusive treatment of asylum seekers at its border is unworthy of an EU state".

Unable to find official shelter, Khan returned to the unsafe warehouse in Belgrade.

"All the people have chest problems," he said, as others kept warm by the fires fuelled by bits of railway sleepers, emitting toxic fumes into the makeshift dormitory.
Melbourne (AFP) - Mirjana Lucic-Baroni's fairytale Australian Open continued on Saturday, with the Croat showing the fighting qualities that have seen her overcome personal trauma, financial constraints and injury on a long, long road back to the top.

The 34-year-old, who stunned third seed Agnieszka Radwanska in round two, battled from a set down to end the dreams of Greek Maria Sakkari 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to make the fourth round.

She will now play American qualifier Jennifer Brady, who shocked 14th seed Elena Vesnina.

It has been a memorable tournament so far for Lucic-Baroni, who in 1997 made her US Open debut at just 15 and teamed with Martina Hingis to win the 1998 Australian Open women's doubles.

In 1999, at 17, she went to the Wimbledon semi-finals where it took Steffi Graf to beat her.

But it all fell apart soon after as she was engulfed by heartbreaking personal issues.

In the background back then was tough, demanding father Marinko who, Lucic-Baroni later revealed, dished out regular beatings -- although he described them as "slaps" that were "best for the child".

Eventually, in desperation, Mirjana, her mother Andelka and four siblings fled their Croatia home in the dead of night for the sanctuary of the United States.

The drama, however, put the brakes on a journey which should have led to fame and fortune as financial problems forced her to put a career on a backburner.

Lucic-Baroni disappeared from professional tennis for most of the 2003-2010 period, before slowly feeling her way back.

- $55 a match -

She said it had been a rocky road back, playing small events, but she never gave up on her dream.

"I never thought about stopping, but it was difficult. It was a lot of tears, a lot of disappointments. It was really hard," she said of playing lower-level circuits.

"I think many would give up, and I really take a lot of pride in that, because it was really hard. I didn't get any wildcards, I didn't get any special treatment. I really had to do it on my own, and I had to fight so hard for it.

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"I take a lot of pride in that, and it takes a lot of character. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of mental strength.

"The fact that I was able to do that and be here today just kind of proves to myself who I am and what a fighter I am."

She added that contrary to popular opinion, a tennis player's life was not all fame and fortune, and could be a torturous slog to make a living.

"Whoever thinks that this is glamorous and all this prize money and all that should come have a chat with me," she said.

"It is not all it's cracked up to be, and it is -- I mean, it's not so easy to get to this point, for sure. Challenger circuit is very difficult mentally.

"You don't have ball boys, ball girls. You don't have umpires. Things are not as easy or as smooth as they are here, as well organized. You play for $55 a match, so it's difficult."

Until this year she had never gone beyond the second round in Melbourne since her debut in 1998, setting the new record of a 19-year gap between wins at a single Grand Slam tournament.

It surpassed the previous record held by Japan's Kimiko Date, who went 17 years between victories at Wimbledon between 1996 and 2013.
Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren  who was a consistent and vocal critic of Donald Trump during his presidential campaign  denounced the new Presidents policy proposals again on the day after his inauguration, which she described as a sight now burned into my eyes forever.

Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in as president. That sight is now burned into my eyes forever, Warren told people gathered at the Boston Womens March for America, the citys version of the Womens March on Washington, which took place simultaneously in the nations capital. And I hope the same is true for you  because we will not forget. We do not want to forget. We will use that vision to make sure that we fight harder, we fight tougher, and we fight more passionately than ever  not just for the people whom Donald Trump supports, but for all of America.

We can whimper, we can whine, or we can fight back. Me? Im here to fight back, Warren added. We come here to stand shoulder to shoulder to make clear: We are here, we will not be silent, we will not play dead, we will fight for what we believe in.

Hundreds of thousands of women and men descended on Washington, D.C., and cities across the country for marches a day after Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States.
January 20-24, 2017, amateurs and professionals from the world of interior design and decoration will be heading to the Maison & Objet trade fair at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center. Visitors can take time out from the show to enjoy several design-related exhibitions currently running in the French capital.

"Imparfait - Nobody's Perfect" through February 4, 2017, Merci

Concept store Merci is celebrating the broken, the irregular, the flawed and the wonky, embracing a trend that rejects the smooth, the perfect and the artificial. "Imparfait - Nobody's Perfect" presents a series of objects damaged in accidents or featuring manufacturing faults, with objects that are broken, worn, holey, burned and torn. The exhibition also highlights how they can be patched up for a second life, notably with the Japanese ceramics technique "Kintsugi" or "Be Ga" for textiles. Design fans will recognize the iconic "Le Parfait" jar, distorted by artist Nadia Gallardo, and classic Duralex drinking glasses revisited by designers Loris&Livia.

Innovation Beyond Time and Space (Innovation par dela le temps et l'espace): four exhibitions celebrating Japanese design and craftsmanship,through February 4, 2017, L'Atelier Blancs Manteaux

The L'Atelier Blancs Manteaux concept store is celebrating Japanese arts and crafts with four exhibitions presenting the skills of various artisans. "More Than" focuses on a group of Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises and producers who have joined forces to present typically Japanese products and services to foreign markets. "Densan" looks at "Japan Artisan Material," a collective of creators working with high-quality materials or using unique techniques from various regions of Japan. "Neo Densan" focuses on design duos, pairing Japanese designers with French designers. Finally "Kyoto Contemporary" seeks to bring "Kyo-mono" -- quality traditional crafts used for centuries in Japan -- to contemporary life.

"L'esprit du Bauhaus" (The Bauhaus spirit), through February 26, 2017, Musee des Arts Decoratifs

From 1919 to 1933, the Bauhaus art schools in Weimar, Dessau and Berlin (Germany) trained a host of students who went on to become major names in the world of design, such as Marcel Breuer, who designed tubular furniture, as well as photographer Florence Henri, who studied under Paul Klee and Vassily Kandinsky. Bringing together painters, architects, craftspeople, engineers, actors, musicians, photographers and designers, the institution helped reinvent living spaces by combining these disciplines. The Musee des Arts Decoratifs is paying homage to this fundamental artistic movement, exploring the periods and forms of art that helped shape the spirit of the Bauhaus -- from the Middle Ages to Asian arts -- while also presenting historical Bauhaus pieces.

"Jean Nouvel, Mes Meubles d'Architecte" (Jean Nouvel, the furniture of an architect), through February 12, 2017, Musee des Arts Decoratifs

While the architecture of Jean Nouvel is world renowned, his furniture designs are less well-known. However, from 1987 to the present day, the architect has designed more than 100 pieces. These creations will be on show in the Middle Ages, and 17th- and 18th-century collection galleries of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, as well as in the museum's section dedicated to advertising, designed by Jean Nouvel in 1998.
GaneshaSpeaks

Earlier known as the UTI Bank, Axis Bank is Indias third largest private-sector bank, after HDFC and ICICI. It offers services in large and mid-level corporate banking, retail banking, SME banking, agriculture business banking, international banking, treasury etc. Head-quartered in Mumbai, Axis Bank also has the third largest ATM network and the fourth largest base of debit cards in India. In spite of its impressive credentials, the bank has been finding it difficult to get out of the controversies that have been surrounding it, especially in the aftermath of the demonetisation move. In this article, Ganesha analyses the Foundation Chart of the Bank and predicts what lies ahead in the upcoming year for it.



What are the planetary highlights in the Foundation Chart of Axis Bank?

The most striking aspect of the Chart is the conjunction of 5 planets  the Sun, Mars, Mercury, Venus and Rahu in the Sign of Scorpio. Ganesha says that Scorpio happens to be the Sign of extremes and thus we generally get to see a lot of ups and downs as well as uncertainty in its stock position. Saturn is formidably placed in its own Sign Aquarius. This placement of Saturn provides great stability for the bank and also renders the ability to face the odds.



What could be causing problems for the banking heavyweight?

As already mentioned earlier, the conjunction of 4 key planets with the malefic Rahu makes the Bank prone to controversies. The transit of Saturn over this Natal Stellium has triggered fresh controversies. Saturn represents the law and law enforcement agencies. Thus, it is advisable that the bank makes the required course correction and take the steps that would prevent further damage. Additionally, the malefic Ketu has been transiting over the Natal Saturn in Aquarius, which also been adding to the problems. Thus, even in the year 2017, Axis Bank may face problems and controversies.



January 2017  a critical month?

Ganesha says that Mars and Ketu will be transiting together in the Sign of Aquarius, which will be adding to the woes of the bank. Some sudden changes in the administration or unexpected problems are foreseen. The period till 20th January, 2017 will be a very crucial one, thus anyone planning to invest in the companys shares till then, will have to be very careful. The slot between 1st January, 2016 and 4th January, 2016, will be especially uncertain and problematic.



The saving grace:

Despite all the other adverse planetary influences, the blessings of Jupiter will help the bank to sail through the challenges. But, considering the overall picture, Ganesha feels that it will not be enough, as the other negative planetary configurations will create serious issues for Axis Bank.



With Ganeshas Grace,

Dharmesh Joshi

The GaneshaSpeaks.com Team
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The man authorities say shot and killed a woman he'd been romantically involved with and a police officer who had tried to help her has died, hours after shooting himself in the chest during a standoff with authorities on a New Orleans bridge.

Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, said Sylvester Holt, 32, was pronounced dead at 11:14 p.m. Friday at University Hospital.

Authorities said Holt shot himself in the chest Friday evening after threatening for hours to jump off a bridge spanning the Mississippi River.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said during talks with authorities on the bridge Holt admitted shooting Westwego Police Officer Michael Louviere, 26, and Simone Veal, 32, the woman Holt had been romantically involved with. Normand said Holt had recently found out she was pregnant with her new boyfriend.

The incident began Friday morning when Holt went to Veal's house; an altercation ensued during which he shot her several times.

Holt then looked for Veal's boyfriend as the woman fled in a car with Holt eventually catching up to her.

"Witnesses said Sylvester Holt was ramming his truck into Simone's car and firing shots into the car" before the vehicles stopped at the intersection where Louviere found them, Normand said.

The officer had just gotten off duty and was on his way home when he pulled over to help. Veal's car was significantly damaged and she was on the ground, Normand said.

Holt then shot Louviere in the head as well, Normand said, praising the officer.

"He was doing the right thing for the right reasons at the right time," Normand said.

Holt later fled the scene, and an intense manhunt ensued. Authorities later spotted Holt on a bridge spanning New Orleans' east and west banks. Louisiana State Police spokeswoman Melissa Matey says authorities spent hours negotiating with Holt.

"All those attempts failed. At approximately 5:30, Holt shot himself in the chest," she said.

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This was not Holt's first run-in with the law. He was the subject of restraining orders obtained by several women since 2012, Normand said.

And he'd also been arrested in September after being accused of rape. But Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. said the rape charge was later dropped after the woman repeatedly told authorities she wanted to withdraw the charge, though she still alleged that he had raped her. Holt was released from jail on Jan. 7.

Connick said Holt contended the sex was consensual.

Louviere, a first-year officer who had led his recruit class, may have spoken to Holt before Holt pulled a gun, Normand said.

Louviere is survived by his wife, and their daughter, 4, and son, 1.

___

Associated Press writers Janet McConnaughey and Rebecca Santana contributed to this report.
President Donald Trumps first two Cabinet members, Defense Secretary James Mad Dog Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, were sworn in Friday just hours after their boss took office.

Mattis, the former head of U.S. Central Command, and Kelly, former head of U.S. Southern Command, are the only two Cabinet nominees to have won Senate approval. The Senate acted on the two retired generals, approving Mattis 98-1 and Kelly 88-11, shortly after Trump officially submitted his list of nominees.

Vice President Mike Pence performed the honors.

pence mattis

Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

It was the fewest number of Cabinet picks approved on the first day of an administration in three decades. By comparison, President Barack Obama saw seven of his picks confirmed on Day One in 2009.

pence kelly

Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Democrats held up the nomination of Mike Pompeo to head the CIA, saying he needs to be fully vetted. The vote is now scheduled for Monday.

Also facing a vote Monday is Trumps pick for secretary of state, ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, who has close ties to Russia. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has said he still hasnt decided whether to support the nomination, which is controversial in light of allegations Russia tried to influence the election in Trumps favor.

Another of Trumps picks, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as U.N. ambassador, who has no international experience, has run into trouble at her confirmation hearings.

We still have questions, said Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee. [Until] the end of close of business today we can still ask questions. ... We need to get the answers before we vote.

Trumps pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who spent much of his career fighting EPA regulations, acknowledgedduring his confirmation hearing that global warming is real, reversing earlier remarks in which he called it a hoax.

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Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., Trumps choice to head the Department of Health and Human Services, denied during his confirmation hearing he got insider information about an Australian biotech firm in which he invested. He also advocated on behalf of companies that contributed to his campaigns, documents indicated.

The Senate began its confirmation hearings shortly after members of the 115th Congress were sworn in Jan. 3.

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Port Louis (Mauritius) (AFP) - Mauritius Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth announced on Saturday he would be stepping down to make way for his son Pravind, a move that could spark turmoil in the Indian Ocean island.

"I will tender my resignation on Monday as president of the republic. I will relinquish my place to a younger and more dynamic leader, Pravind Jugnauth, who has a parliamentary majority," said the 86-year-old political veteran.

In 2014 he was elected to his sixth term as prime minister, 22 years after first being voted in. He also served as president from 2003 to 2012.

His resignation is no surprise as back in September he had already indicated he would not see out his term, due to end in 2019.

Pravind Jugnauth, the current minister of finance, is also leader of the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), the largest party in the governing coalition.

According to the Mauritian constitution, President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim would ask Pravind Jugnauth, 55, to see if he can form a government once his father leaves office.

With 41 of 69 seats in parliament, the governing coalition should hold, although four ministers defected to the opposition in December over a constitutional row.

Some people believe that Pravind Jugnauth should not be able to succeed his father without elections.

Opposition politicians have called it immoral, while admitting it is legal.

But on Saturday several of them called on all opposition parties to unite against this move by the premier.

"A common opposition front is necessary to counter the arrogance" of the Jugnauth family, said the head of the Labour Party, former prime minister Navin Ramgoolam.

"I am inviting all opposition parties to join their efforts to protest against the baton being passed from father to son," added opposition leader Xavier-Luc Duval.

Mauritius is a multi-ethnic archipelago nation of 1.2 million people off the east coast of Africa.

It is the only Hindu-majority country in Africa.

It was colonised by the Dutch in the 17th century, then the French and finally Britain before gaining independence in 1968.




For the inaugural ball, Melania Trump opted for a stunning off-the-shoulder gown.

The piece was designed by Herve Pierre in collaboration with Mrs. Trump herself, according to the first ladys representatives, Womens Wear Daily reports.

President Donald Trump, left, arrives with first lady Melania Trump at the Liberty Ball, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in Washington. (Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP)

Its an honor to dress the first lady, Pierre said in a statement. I was actually lucky because over my 20 years in the U.S., I dressed all the first ladies: Mrs. Clinton at Oscar [de la Renta], Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Obama at Carolina Herrera. So I feel lucky and honored to dress Melania Trump, but this time under my name.

Pierre, a Frenchman, previously worked for Herrera, who designed Ivanka Trumps inaugural ball gown. He is currently a freelance designer and not associated with a major fashion house.

While Ivankas dress gave off princess vibes, Melanias gown was understated. The organza number, with a high leg slit and flowing fabric detailing, was accessorized with a thin red belt with a bow.

Melania follows other first ladies  Michelle Obama, Nancy Reagan, and Jacqueline Kennedy  in wearing white. As Hazel Clark, a professor of design and fashion studies and the research chair of fashion at Parsons School of Design in New York, told Yahoo Style, its a color that in a Western context bears a relationship to birth, virginity, the wedding dress  significant rites of passage.

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Washington (AFP) - First Lady Melania Trump stunned fashion watchers by donning a sleek, off-the-shoulder cream dress with a daring thigh-high slit to dance with President Donald Trump at the inaugural balls.

Her column dress, finished with a sculpted ruffle that cascaded down the front of the gown and cinched at the waist with a red ribbon, won praise for being fresh, modern, elegant and yet understated.

She won rave reviews for her look and originality in choosing Herve Pierre a New York-based designer who last year struck out on his own after working as creative director for famed label Carolina Herrera.

Her pick is likely to boost sales and publicity for the relatively unknown Pierre, much like her predecessor Michelle Obama's selection of the then relatively unknown Jason Wu in 2009 turned him into a star.

The 46-year-old former model glowed as she stepped onto the dance floor, her auburn hair hanging around her shoulders, with her husband, dressed in a black tie, to "My Way" the song made popular by Frank Sinatra and considered something of a personal anthem for Trump.

The couple swayed rather gingerly, the Republican president clutching his wife tightly by one hand and placing his other on her back as they nuzzled, and exchanged smiles and laughs.

The former reality TV star, who reportedly refused to practice the dance ahead of time, at times broke away from his wife to wave or flash a thumbs up to unidentified members of the crowd.

They were joined by Trump's adult children from his two previous marriages, each dancing with their other halfs, and first daughter Ivanka stunning in a pink bead-encrusted princess Herrera gown.

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

- Channeling Jackie O in Ralph Lauren -

Women's Wear Daily, quoting Pierre, said Trump collaborated on the gown. He said it had been an honor to dress her "under my name" after dressing first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama while working for Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera, it said.

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The new first lady's sartorial picks for the inauguration went some way to silencing critics who have complained in the past that she favored high-end European clothes rather than American creations.

Earlier in the day she donned a custom-made power blue suit from US fashion royalty Ralph Lauren for her husband's swearing-in ceremony.

Her cashmere turtleneck dress fell to her knee, paired with a cropped bolero jacket and matching suede gloves. The Slovenian-born first lady wore her hair swept up, showcasing diamond stud earrings.

It was a look that channeled her 1960s predecessor Jackie Kennedy, of whom she has spoken admiringly, the wife of slain Democratic president John F. Kennedy and considered one of the most stylish first ladies.

Lauren, a 77-year-old master who personifies a rags-to-riches American dream is perhaps the country's most iconic living designer, whose clothes define a uniquely American sense of elegance.

His decision to work with the new first lady comes after a string of other designers refused to dress her, citing opposition to her husband's controversial policies on immigration and campaign insults.

An American first lady's clothes have become hugely influential, believed to send implicit messages about the tone of their husbands' administrations.

- Old fashioned feel -

Both Melania Trump's outfits on Friday are likely to go on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History along with first lady inaugural wear dating back to Mamie Eisenhower.

Obama was particularly praised for her savvy blend of accessible high street clothes with striking high-end pieces that championed a host of little known designers.

As the wife of a billionaire, it remains unclear whether Trump will follow Obama's example and include cheaper outfits in her wardrobe.

She will also have to work hard to keep up with 35-year-old Ivanka, who unlike Melania is moving straight to Washington with her husband, Jared Kushner, an incoming White House advisor.

Tickets to the official balls went for $50 a head, which the Trump team said was designed to make them accessible to the ordinary voters who helped propel Trump into the White House, electrified by his populist, message that has nonetheless alarmed vast swaths of America.

The three official balls, the grand finale to inauguration day, served up a slice of old fashioned glamour with performances from the likes of the Rockettes, Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance and Sam Moore.

Aged 70 and the oldest man ever sworn in as US president, and the first to have never previously held elected or military office, Trump and his family took to the dance floor at all three.

The choice of "My Way," a song made globally famous by Sinatra in 1969 is synonymous with Trump's hometown New York and is own tear-up-the rule book approach to politics that ended in his widely unexpected election.
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump will receive his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto on January 31, the White House said Saturday.

The two spoke by phone earlier in the day and agreed to meet for talks on trade, immigration and security, press secretary Sean Spicer said. He mistakenly gave Pena Nieto's title as prime minister instead of president.

Trump has vowed to build a wall along the US border with Mexico to keep out migrants and make Mexico pay for it.

He has also said he wants to deport millions of immigrants in the US illegally, many of whom are Mexican, and renegotiate -- or, failing that, scrap -- the North American Free Trade Agreement bringing together the US, Mexico and Canada.

The Mexican president's office said that in Saturday's conversation Pena Nieto congratulated Trump on becoming head of state in a phone call in which both agreed to open "new dialogue."

Mexico sends 85 percent of its exports to the United States under NAFTA and thus been rattled by Trump's repeated vows to review or repeal the trade pact, and to build a wall on the border.
(Reuters) - A strong tornado killed at least four people in southern Mississippi and left many others trapped in their homes after touching down in the hours before sunrise on Saturday, local and state officials said. The tornado, which touched down at about 3:45 a.m. Central time (0445 EST), reduced some buildings to splinters, downed power lines and was strong enough to flip over cars, according to photographs shared by the city of Hattiesburg on social media. At least four people were confirmed dead, according to the city, and many people were trapped in their houses, Glen Moore, the director of Forrest County Emergency Management, told a local ABC news affiliate. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency put the confirmed death toll at three, and said at least 20 people suffered injuries. About 45,000 people live in Hattiesburg, a city about 110 miles (177 km) northeast of New Orleans. Mayor Johnny DuPree declared a state of emergency, and residents were warned to stay off roads. Police and firefighters were going to door to door to rescue people, the city said. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant also declared a state of emergency and said he would travel to the affected areas later on Saturday to survey the damage. More than 16,000 people were without electricity in the state, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said. Officials closed Interstate 59 north of Hattiesburg, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said. Forecasters are predicting thunderstorms for the Hattiesburg area through Sunday morning, according to AccuWeather. Tornados were also spotted in Pike, Lee and Chambers counties in neighboring Alabama, but there were no initial reports of damage. A tornado watch was in effect through east central and southeastern parts of both states. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen and Frank McGurty; editing by Andrew Bolton, Franklin Paul and G Crosse)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A central Missouri technical college plans to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate the school's mandatory drug testing policy that federal appeals courts have deemed unconstitutional.

An attorney for State Technical College of Missouri says the school's governing board on Friday signed off on asking the nation's high court to intervene.

The St. Louis-based 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last month sided with the American Civil Liberties Union in ruling that the college's drug testing policy is unconstitutional when applied to all of its roughly 1,200 students.

A federal judge earlier had issued a permanent injunction that barred the college from universally drug screening all students. The 8th Circuit's ruling upheld the judge's permitting the college to drug test students in five programs involving safety-sensitive training.
NASA's New Horizons spacecraft keeps showing us things we've never seen before.

The probe's latest jaw-dropping photo is simultaneously familiar and exotic: Pluto's largest moon, Charon, in crescent phase. Sunlight shines on a sliver of Charon, while the bulk of the moon's night side is lit faintly by reflected "Plutoshine," NASA officials said.

Though NASA released the photo Thursday (Jan. 19), New Horizons snapped it on July 15, 2015, just after the spacecraft's epic close flyby of Pluto. The probe was about 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers) from the dwarf planet when it took the picture with its Ralph/Multispectral Visible Imaging Camera, NASA officials said. (New Horizons got as close as 7,800 miles, or 12,550 km, to Pluto's surface on July 14, 2015.) [Check out more amazing Pluto photos]

Pluto has five moons. Charon is by far the largest; with a diameter of 750 miles (1,200 km), the satellite is more than half as wide as Pluto itself. (Technically, Pluto and Charon constitute a binary system, because the two bodies' center of mass lies outside Pluto.)

Also on Thursday, NASA released a global color map of Pluto made using three images captured by the Ralph camera during New Horizons' flyby.

"The mosaic shows how Pluto's large-scale color patterns extend beyond the hemisphere facing New Horizons at closest approach, which were imaged at the highest resolution," NASA officials wrote in an image description Thursday.

This new, detailed global color map of Pluto is based on a series of three color filter images obtained by the Ralph/Multispectral Visual Imaging Camera aboard New Horizons during the NASA spacecrafts close flyby of Pluto in July 2015. NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI

Though the Pluto flyby occurred 18 months ago, New Horizons' work is far from done. The spacecraft is currently zooming toward a Jan. 1, 2019, close encounter with another frigid, distant body: a small object known as 2014 MU69, which lies about 1 billion miles (1.6 billion km) beyond Pluto's orbit.

At the moment, New Horizons is about 3.6 billion miles (5.8 billion km) from Earth, and about 410 million miles (660 million km) beyond Pluto, according to the mission's position tracker.

Story continues

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.

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WASHINGTON, D.C  More than 200 people have been arrested as of Friday evening in connection with protests that erupted during the inauguration of President Donald Trump, according to a spokesman for the District of Columbias Metropolitan Police Department. The demonstrations included acts of vandalism and clashes with police officers, who used flash-bang grenades and pepper spray against the protesters.

Yahoo News was present for a particularly intense clash between police and hundreds of demonstrators that took place in the vicinity of K Street and 14th Street Northwest at about 5 p.m. Demonstrators lit multiple fires in the area and set ablaze a limousine. Police officers in riot gear moved in on the scene and pushed the protesters back using pepper spray and flash-bang grenades. Some of the demonstrators, many of whom wore masks and helmets, retaliated by throwing bottles and bricks.

A man who said his name was Hassan remained in the street facing the line of officers after being sprayed in the face.

Theyll have to bodily kick me out against every fiber of my being, Hassan said as he grimaced in pain and a mixture of pepper spray and tears flowed down his cheeks.

Hassan later told Yahoo News the experience felt like being tattooed on the face. He also shared his reasons for wanting to be part of the protests against Trump. Hassan said he wanted to be in the street standing and being representative of the fact that there is absolute disagreement with what is going on in this country right now. He further explained that he believes Trump is a threat to minorities and LGBT people.

The vast majority of minorities in this country have a whole lot to worry about, Hassan said.

The area calmed down by evening, though police and protesters remained in the street.

Not all of the anti-Trump demonstrators in the nations capitol on Friday clashed with police. Most took part in peaceful rallies and expressed their dissent through signs and costumes. At one event in McPherson Square, Mary Musson and Stephanie Reece wore T-shirts for a hypothetical Michelle Obama 2020 presidential campaign. Reece didnt hesitate when Yahoo News asked if she wished the former first lady had run in last years election.

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Hell yeah! Are you kidding? Shed be awesome! Reece said of Obama.

Reece was far less enthusiastic about Trumps speech following the swearing-in ceremony.

He didnt try to unite anybody, thats for sure, she said of Trump.

Musson described the presidents inaugural address as horrifying.

I just found nothing uplifting or positive, said Musson.

The pair told Yahoo News they came from Maine to participate in the Womens March protest against Trump that is scheduled for Saturday. Musson predicted the anti-Trump demonstrations would extend far beyond the weekend of the inauguration.

I think this is going to be a movement thats not going to stop, she said.

Andrew and Jacob Shiman at a protest against the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20. (Photo: Hunter Walker/Yahoo News)

Many of the signs, T-shirts and costumes at the protests referenced the fact that Democrat Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in the presidential race against Trump last year. Others referenced a report released by the U.S. intelligence agencies that concluded the Russian government released emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee and a top aide to Clintons campaign in order to benefit Trump. One man sold buttons that featured a painting of Russian President Vladimir Putin holding a baby version of Trump.

In McPherson Square, Jacob Shiman and his brother, Andrew, had a costume that featured masks of Putin and Trump with bondage gear. Jacob, dressed as Putin, was dragging Andrew, who played the part of Trump, by a chain attached to his neck. The brothers said they were trying to show their concern over Trumps past praise for Putin and unverified allegations that the Russian government has compromising information about the new president.

I dont think Vladimir Putin is someone who should be emulated, Andrew said, adding, I mean, he kills journalists in his country. He kills political opposition. So, I just really hope that his governing style does not come to the U.S.

At some locations, Trump supporters made their way through protests, and many of them exchanged words with demonstrators. Christine Escalona, a California woman who wore a knit hat with a Trump logo, shouted that it was ridiculous for people to light cars on fire as she passed the scene on K Street.

Its really sad. Theyre destroying their community. Its very sad, Escalona told Yahoo News.

Escalona said she understood why some people were upset about Trumps election, but suggested they needed to have a more open mind.

I think they need to look at the bigger picture  that he wants to create jobs for everybody and not just the wealthy ones, Escalona said of Trump.

Another group of Trump supporters in Make America Great Again hats didnt stop to talk to the demonstrators as they passed by K Street. However, some protesters threw litter at them and shouted as they walked by.

Get out of here! one of the men yelled. Get your ass out of the city!

_____

Read more from Yahoo News:

Related slideshows:

Slideshow: How newspapers covered Presidents Trump inauguration >>>

Slideshow: Anti-Trump inauguration protests break out in U.S. >>>

Slideshow: Protests worldwide against the inauguration of Donald Trump >>>

Slideshow: Obamas Washington >>>

Slideshow: Donald Trumps Inauguration Day >>>

Slideshow: 66 hands on 66 Bibles >>>






Melbourne (AFP) - Grigor Dimitrov played to 2:00am on Sunday as he beat Richard Gasquet to reach the Australian Open's last 16, recalling the tournament's infamous late -- or early -- finishes.

Play got underway at two minutes to midnight and Dimitrov took two hours, two minutes to oust Gasquet 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, following Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams into the fourth round.

The timing had echoes of the 2008 clash between Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis, which started at 11:47pm and wrapped up at a bleary-eyed 4:34am the following day.

In 2012, the men's singles final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal started before 8:00pm and went on for a record five hours and 53 minutes, finishing at 1:40am.

Scattered groups of fans at Rod Laver Arena sipped coffee and huddled in towels against the early-hours chill as Dimitrov broke his French opponent's serve five times.

"Lately I've been struggling with my sleeping so I've been going to bed so late, so today it's 2:00am and I'm feeling great," smiled the 15th-seeded Bulgarian.

"It's going to take a while to fall asleep so I might go and practice again," he joked.

Earlier Nadal needed all his trademark grit to grind out a thrilling 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2 win over 19-year-old Alexander Zverev, widely tipped as a future number one.

It means Nadal, 30, joins fellow veteran Roger Federer in the last 16 of a contest missing defending champion Novak Djokovic after his stunning defeat to Denis Istomin.

"Everybody knows how good Alexander is," said Nadal, who will play France's Gael Monfils in the fourth round. "He's the future of our sport, and the present."

- 'I'm here for one reason' -

Williams, by contrast, had no such trouble as she brushed off fellow American Nicole Gibbs 6-1, 6-3 to maintain her charge towards a 23rd Grand Slam title.

Williams, back after an injury break at the end of 2016, has been in brilliant form and she will take some stopping as she zeroes in on Steffi Graf's Open-era record.

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The next player to take on Williams will be Barbora Strycova, who ousted France's Caroline Garcia to earn a shot at the world number two.

"Obviously I'm here for one reason," said Williams, who again lifted her index finger in celebration at her victory, symbolising the number one.

Elsewhere 117th-ranked Istomin built on his win over Djokovic by beating Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the last 16 for the first time, where he will play Dimitrov.

David Goffin halted towering Croatian Ivo Karlovic, who won a tournament-record 84-game match in the first round, to set up a clash against Austrian eighth seed Dominic Thiem.

Roberto Bautista Agut ousted fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-5, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 and will next play third seed Milos Raonic, who beat Gilles Simon 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3.

In the women's draw, Britain's Johanna Konta maintained her sizzling form with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki.

Konta's prize is a round-of-16 rematch with Russia's Ekaterina Makarova, whom she edged at the same stage last year, going 8-6 in the final set.

Makarova, seeded 30, beat sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova in a three-set marathon.

Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, who hadn't won an Australian Open match since 1998 before this year, extended her fairytale run by beating Greece's Maria Sakkari 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Next up for the 34-year-old Croatian, who put her career on hold to flee her abusive father, is American qualifier Jennifer Brady, who upset 14th seed Elena Vesnina.

Fifth seed Karolina Pliskova survived a scare before beating Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-0, 10-8 and she will face Australia's Daria Gavrilova in the next round.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday he planned to discuss soon with US President Donald Trump how to "counter the threat" from Iran.

"I plan to speak soon with President Trump about how to counter the threat of Iranian regime which calls for Israel's destruction," Netanyahu said in a video message posted on his Facebook page.

Before his inauguration on Friday, Trump had repeatedly denounced the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, including the United States, which Israel has also staunchly criticised.

On January 16, Trump said in an interview with the Times of London and Bild newspaper of Germany: "I'm not happy with the Iran deal, I think it's one of the worst deals ever made. I think it's one of the dumbest deals I've ever seen, one of the dumbest."

But he declined to say whether he intended to "renegotiate" the deal, as he asserted regularly during the presidential campaign.

Netanyahu has been an ardent opponent of the 2015 pact signed by Iran, the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.

The deal placed curbs on Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

In December, Netanyahu said there were many ways of "undoing" the Iran nuclear deal and that he would discuss that with Trump. "I have about five things in mind," he said.

But before he left office, former president Barack Obama warned against rowing back the pact, emphasising its "significant and concrete results".

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has also said that the bloc would stand by the accord -- which she helped negotiate -- because it showed that diplomacy worked and served Europe's security needs.

And on Monday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani that the nuclear deal was approved by the UN Security Council and therefore "is not a bilateral deal" with the US that Trump can renegotiate.

In the video message posted online, Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian people saying "we are your friend, not your enemy".

Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, whose role is largely ceremonial, said in a statement that he had invited Trump to visit Israel.
How newspapers covered President Trumps inauguration Here's a selection of newspaper front pages addressing the new occupant of the Oval Office. (newseum.org)

Friday's inauguration officially marked the day that Trump became the United States' 45th commander in chief. And the U.S. has never had a president quite like Trump, the brash property magnate and "Celebrity Apprentice" star who appears set to send shock waves around the world with freewheeling, early-morning Twitter missives. Naturally, the historic day was front-page news around the world. Here's a selection of newspaper covers addressing the new occupant of the Oval Office. (Colin Campbell/Yahoo News)

See more of our inauguration coverage here.

See more news-related photo galleries and follow us on Yahoo News Photo Tumblr.
Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - As many as 236 people may have been killed in the botched Nigerian air strike against Boko Haram that hit a camp for civilians displaced by the unrest, a local official told AFP on Saturday.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Friday had said the death toll from Tuesday's strike on the town of Rann in the far northeast had risen to 90, although it claimed that could climb as high as 170.

But Babagana Malarima, president of the local Kala-Balge government in Borno State where the strike took place, claimed the death toll is much higher.

"From what the people who buried the dead victims with their hands told me, not those who treated the wounded, they buried 234 dead," said Malarima on Saturday.

"And I later got a report that two of the injured taken to Maiduguri died."

The bombed camp had been set up to help people fleeing Boko Haram Islamists in Borno State.

Nigeria's air force said it was investigating the incident but military commanders had already claimed it was a mistake.

"Our people are really traumatised that a fighter jet belonging to their country can make this mistake and kill them the way it did in their own country," fumed Malarima.

"Lives and property have been lost. It is not enough to just bury the dead and pray for their souls. Their families should be supported as is done in other countries. They should not be forgotten.

"The death toll is colossal. We are in grief."

Tuesday's strike happened while humanitarian workers were distributing food in Rann, a small town close to the Cameroon border where some 20,000 to 40,000 people had sought refuge.

MSF said most of the victims were women and children.

At least six Red Cross volunteers were amongst the dead with another 13 injured.

Rann only recently became accessible to aid agencies because of improved security.

But on Thursday night, security forces said Boko Haram launched an attack on Rann that was repulsed, leaving at least 14 militants dead.

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Nigeria's chief of army staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Buraitai said on Friday while visiting Rann that Thursday's attack showed the military were acting on credible intel.

"This incident happened in the midst of a civilian population and it was based on intelligence received that Boko Haram had moved into the area," said Buraitai.

"The air force was briefed and they came and the incident happened.

"And yesterday we received a report that Boko Haram were back. Soldiers repelled them."

Buraitai added: "This shows that there is credibility in the intelligence report we received that these people (Boko Haram) are moving into Kala-Balge area.

"A mistake was made. We pray it doesn't happen again."

At least 20,000 have been killed and more than 2.6 million made homeless since Boko Haram Islamists' insurgency began in 2009.
N'Djamena (AFP) - Nine Chadian troops and one Niger soldier were killed after being ambushed by Boko Haram fighters in northeastern Nigeria, army spokesmen said Thursday.

A Chadian military spokesman said fighting took place on Wednesday about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the town of Malam Fatori, which Niger said was retaken by regional forces fighting the Islamist radicals earlier this week.

"Elements of the Chad-Niger (military alliance) were killed in a pocket of resistance," Colonel Azem Bermandoa Agouna told AFP, giving a toll of nine Chadian deaths.

"After heavy fighting, the armed forces of Chad and Niger totally cleaned up the zone," the spokesman added.

A spokesman for Niger's armed forces, Moustapha Ledru, later said on public television that "one Nigerien soldier" had also been killed in the clashes.

The allied troops killed "more than 100" members of Boko Haram in the fighting, according to a Chadian military statement. Some 16 soldiers were injured in the clashes, it added. Large quantities of equipment were also seized by the soldiers.

Boko Haram's insurgency, aimed at creating a hardline Islamic state, has led to the deaths of more than 13,000 people in northeast Nigeria since 2009.

When the joint force took Malam Fatori on Tuesday, they were unopposed because Boko Haram fighters had gone, but some of the Islamists remained in the vicinity, Agouna said.

A violent skirmish took place on Wednesday between Malam Fatori and the border town of Bosso in Niger, a high-ranking officer in Niger's army reported at the time, giving no further details.

That battle left "many wounded on the Chadian and Nigerien sides", according to a humanitarian relief official, who added that "deaths and arrests" were likely among Boko Haram's ranks.

The capture of Malam Fatori was crucial for the regional coalition, which also includes Cameroon and Benin, and has finally moved into Nigeria as outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan came under mounting criticism for the failure of a powerful army to defeat the Islamists.

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Malam Fatori, close to Nigeria's northeast border, had become known as Boko Haram's main refuge in the region whenever its fighters fell back after defeats.

Chadian and Nigerien troops made the town a primary target once they entered Nigeria on March 8, marking the start of foreign military operations on the home territory of the Islamist sect.

Boko Haram has undertaken several cross-border raids.

After the swift capture of the Nigerian town of Damasak, coalition troops have pressed on eastwards close to the border with Niger, successively taking Gachagar, Talagam, Abadam, then Malam Fatori.

Chadian troops, active around the Lake Chad region where the Nigerian border converges with those of Chad, Cameroon and Niger, are also operating on a second front, based on Cameroonian territory.
During his final hours in the White House, President Barack Obama commuted the sentences of more than 300 prisoners Thursday. Obama has commuted the sentences of more prisoners than any president in U.S. history, with his final number totaling 1,715 commutations, including 568 people who were serving life sentences, according to a report released by the White House. In fact, Obama has granted more commutations than the last 13 presidents combined.

Just Tuesday, the White House released a list of more than 200 people who were granted pardons, including Chelsea Manning, who was sentenced to prison after revealing classified U.S. military and government information helped make WikiLeaks a household name. More than 60 people also had their sentences commuted Tuesday.

Thursdays commutations included 330 men and women, many of whom were serving lengthy prison sentences for non-violent drug-related crimes. Notably missing from the list was former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who leaking classified information about U.S. surveillance tactics, and former Army Sgt. Robert Bergdahl, who was charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy following his release by the Taliban in in Afghanistan in 2009.

Through a commutation, a prisoner is forgiven for their crime and has their sentenced reduced released while they are currently serving time. Pardons are given to people after their sentence was already served and can result in full forgiveness, resulting in restoration of certain rights, while a conditional pardon can be granted by shortened sentences for people anticipating conviction. In neither cases are a prisoners crimes expunged from their records.

The full list of people whose sentences were commuted by Obama on Thursday follow below as provided by the White House:

Abdulmuntaqim Ad-Deen  Baltimore, MD - Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; District of Maryland; Sentence: 235 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (October 8, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Lesly Alexis  Boca Raton, FL - Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine powder and more than 50 grams of cocaine base; Northern District of FloridaSentence: 384 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (July 29, 2003); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 262 months' imprisonment.

Gary J. Anderson  Barre, VT- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute MDMA; distribution of MDMA; District of MassachusettsSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 16, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 18, 2017.

Terry Anderson  Mabank, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; conspiracy to launder money; Eastern District of TexasSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 1, 1997); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Kevin Lavon Andrews  Clearwater, FL- Offense: Carrying or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; Middle District of FloridaSentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 120 months' supervised release (February 11, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 156 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Daniel Ary, Jr.  Shreveport, LA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking; Western District of LouisianaSentence: 180 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (March 6, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Demetrius S. Autery  Winter Haven, FL- Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Middle District of FloridaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 4, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Connie Avalos  Menifee, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Eastern District of Kentucky; Sentence: Life imprisonment (November 30, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 235 months, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug abuse treatment.

Derrick L. Baines  Kansas City, MO- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 27, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Tonya Barney  Ivins, UT- Offense: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; District of Utah; Sentence: 204 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 10, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug abuse treatment.

David Barren  Pittsburgh, PA-Offense: Conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms of cocaine; conspiracy to structure financial transactions; concealment money laundering (31 counts); structuring (two counts); money laundering  avoid reporting requirements (six counts); promotion money laundering (2 counts); money laundering over $10,000 (seven counts); District of Maryland; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 5 years supervised release (August 11, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug abuse treatment.

Herman Barron, III  Brooklyn, NY- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (March 25, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Tony Barrow  New York, NY- Offense: Importation of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; District of Puerto Rico; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; 4 years supervised release (November 16, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Senaca Bartlett  Chicago, IL- Offense: Possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine); Western District of Wisconsin; Sentence: 210 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (November 29, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Christopher Bass  Orlando, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 50 grams of cocaine base; Northern District of FloridaSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 10, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment.

Damion Rurshe Bates  Kalamazoo, MI- Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine); Western District of MichiganSentence: 210 months' imprisonment; 5 years' supervised release (February 22, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Todd Begley  Nashville, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; Middle District of Tennessee; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (April 27, 1995); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Carolyn Ann Bell  Lawton, OK- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (crack); Western District of OklahomaSentence: 262 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 21, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Curtis Bell  Miami, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine and aiding and abetting; Middle District of AlabamaSentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 22, 1995); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Henry P. Bennett, Jr.  Huger, SC- Offense: 1. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine (three counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine (three counts); District of South Carolina; 2. Supervised release violation; District of South Carolina; Sentence: 1. Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 18, 2008); 2. 33 months imprisonment (concurrent) (December 18, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 273 months' imprisonment.

Dorian Lee Benoit  Lake Charles, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine base and marijuana; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Western District of LouisianaSentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 30, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Christopher Bernard  Shreveport, LA- Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (March 30, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Elaine Beston  Great Falls, MT- Offense: Conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute; District of MontanaSentence: 192 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (July 16, 2008); amended to 180 months' imprisonment (July 20, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

James Zell Bishop  Bay Minette, ALMinette, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Southern District of Alabama; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (May 21, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Benjamin Blount  Oakdale, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (July 8, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Walter Bradberry  Mobile, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine; Northern District of Florida; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 28, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Alonzo F. Brooks  Asheville, NC- Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: 262 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (February 26, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Adrian R. Brown  Athens, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 15 kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride; conspiracy to knowingly conduct and attempt to conduct unlawful financial transactions affecting interstate commerce; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 12, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Jerome Brown  Pittsburgh, PA- Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Western District of Pennsylvania; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (December 11, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Rodney Rodriguez Brown  Atmore, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Southern District of Alabama; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 months supervised release (June 5, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Pamela Brownlee  Decatur, GA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine base (three counts); Southern District of FloridaSentence: 188 months' imprisonment; four years' supervised release (December 19, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Thomas Burton  Plain Dealing, LA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime; Western District of LouisianaSentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 17, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months' imprisonment.

Tiara Buskey  Pensacola, FL- Offense: Possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Northern District of FloridaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $500 fine (November 8, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Jeffrey Calhoun  Long Beach, CA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (two counts); Central District of CaliforniaSentence: 264 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 8, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Willie Albert Cannon  Tampa, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); possession of a firearm; Middle District of Florida; Sentence: 420 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (January 17, 1995); amended to 352 months imprisonment (June 12, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Jose Carmona  Philadelphia, PA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 10, 1993); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Ramiro Cervantes  Blountsville, ALOffense: Attempting to possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; Northern District of AlabamaSentence: 324 months' imprisonment; 120 months' supervised release; $2,000 fine (January 23, 2003); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 235 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

John Dennis Chapman  Piedmont, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine; conspiring to launder monetary instruments; Northern District of GeorgiaSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 4, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 168 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Raul Chavez  San Jose, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; Eastern District of CaliforniaSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; 60 months' supervised release (December 18, 2000); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 262 months' imprisonment.

Artrone Cheatham  Montgomery, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Middle District of AlabamaSentence: 235 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (September 23, 2003); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Calvin Burkett Clark  Jefferson, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; District of South Carolina; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (May 13, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 168 months imprisonment.

Kenneth Clark  Calumet City, IL- Offense: Possession of cocaine base (crack) with the intent to distribute; Central District of Illinois; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (May 19, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 120 months imprisonment.

Jeffrey Glynn Coleman  Milwaukee, WI- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of five kilograms of cocaine; Eastern District of WisconsinSentence: 360 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (October 2, 2006); amend to 240 months' imprisonment (December 17, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Cassandra Collins  Jefferson, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (April 4, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Ladarius Venice Cook  Florissant, MO- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (crack); felon in possession of a firearm; Eastern District of Missouri; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (June 28, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 200 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Cortez Cooper  Harvey, IL- Offense: 1. Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Illinois; 2. Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; use of a telephone in the commission of a felony drug trafficking offense (two counts); possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Illinois; Sentence: 1. 120 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (January 29, 2004); 2. 240 months imprisonment (concurrent); eight years supervised release; $1,000 fine (August 2, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Trenton A. Copeland  Pensacola, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine; Northern District of Florida; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (March 23, 2012); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 168 months imprisonment.

John Timothy Cotton  Houston, TX- Offense: Continuing Criminal Enterprise; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years supervised release (January 26, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment.

Johnnie L. Cotton  Venice, IL- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; felon in possession of a firearm; Southern District of Illinois; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $900 fine (August 15, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Timothy G. Craig  Greenville, SC-Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; District of South Carolina; Sentence: 292 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (March 8, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Japlin Cureton  Charlotte, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Western District of North Carolina; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; 8 years supervised release (September 29, 2004) Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Steven Jermonte Cureton  Huntersville, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, cocaine, marijuana, and 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine a/k/a ecstasy; Western District of North Carolina; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (December 11, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Keith Adell Dancer  Waco, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine; Western District of Texas; Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years supervised release; $3,000 fine (February 16, 1995); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment.

Timothy Lashaun Dandridge  Midfield, AL- Offense: Unlawful distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base (three counts); unlawful possession with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base; unlawful possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Northern District of Alabama; Sentence: 180 months imprisonment; 60 months supervised release (January 9, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Terrance H. Darby  Newark, NJ- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime; possession of a weapon by a convicted felon; District of New JerseySentence: 360 months' imprisonment; four years' supervised release (April 3, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Emanuel Jurel Davidson  Columbus, OH- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base; Southern District of OhioSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $2,000 fine (June 2, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Shondu Maurice Dawson  Raleigh, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack) and more than 500 grams of cocaine; carried a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possess said firearm in furtherance of such drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of North CarolinaSentence: 241 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (April 12, 2005); amended to 214 months' imprisonment (September 19, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Gary Allen Day  West Monroe, LA- Offense: Possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Western District of LouisianaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 11, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Maria Aide Delgado  Weslaco, TX- Offense: 1. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, 218.5 kilograms of marijuana (two counts); Southern District of Texas; 2. Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 1. 100 months imprisonment; four years supervised release; $15,000 fine (October 10, 2007); 2. 240 months imprisonment (consecutive); 10 years supervised release (April 19, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence for conviction imposed in the Western District of Louisiana commuted to 110 months and unpaid balance of $15,000 fine imposed in the Southern District of Texas remitted when her sentence expires.

Damon Andre Dill  Chester, PA- Offense: Felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Sentence: 322 months imprisonment; six years supervised release (September 5, 2003); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Qustion Dingle  Okeechobee, FL- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; possession of a quantity of crack cocaine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Southern District of FloridaSentence: 216 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (May 1, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019 and unpaid balance of the $1,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Michael A. Douglas, Jr.  Lynchburg, VA - Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a substance containing cocaine base; felon in possession of a firearm; Southern District of Indiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $1500 fine (April 25, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Dezmend Rashawn Doweary  Norfolk, VA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin; Eastern District of Virginia; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (November 22, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Lourdes Castro Duenas  Mangilao, Guam- Offense: Criminal conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride (ICE); possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride with intent to distribute; District of Guam; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (December 2, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug abuse treatment.

Alton J. Easley  Kansas City, KS- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine; conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine; Northern District of IowaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 2, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Keith Edgerson  Ann Arbor, MI- Offense: Felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a stolen firearm; possession with intent to distribute marijuana possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of Michigan; Sentence: 294 months imprisonment; four years supervised release (June 6, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Christopher Demetrius Elliott  Brandon, FL- Offense: Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon; possession of marijuana; Northern District of Florida; Sentence: 180 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (May 14, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Carla Grace Engler  Dubuque, IA- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) within 1,000 feet of a protected location; attempting to manufacture five grams or more of methamphetamine (actual) within 1,000 feet of a protected location (two counts); possession of red phosphorus knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine; failure to appear on pretrial release; Northern District of Iowa; Sentence: 361 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (December 12, 2006); amended to 325 months imprisonment (March 21, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 200 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Michael Delevan Engles  Tulsa, OK- Offense: Felon in possession of a firearm (two counts); possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, and sentencing enhancement; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Northern District of Oklahoma; Sentence: 420 months imprisonment; six years supervised release (February 24, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 270 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Travis J. Every  Harvey, LA- Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base (2 counts); distribution of less than 500 grams of cocaine hydrochloride; distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base; conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Louisiana; Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (September 3, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 175 months imprisonment.

Paul S. Fields  Emmalena, KY- Offense: Manufacture of over 100 marijuana plants; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 188 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (July 26, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 10 years imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Linda Finch Anniston, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); Northern District of Alabama; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (April 1, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Carroll James Flowers  Galena, KS-Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture or distribute more than one kilogram of methamphetamine; District of KansasSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (June 19, 2002); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Chauncey Floyd  Spartanburg, SC- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and cocaine; District of South Carolina; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (August 26, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Lance Foster  Gary, IN- Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as crack cocaine/aiding and abetting; Northern District of Indiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 15, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, and conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Stacy Dean Foster- Bethel, OK- Offense: Attempt to manufacture methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; establishment of manufacturing operations; Eastern District of Oklahoma; Sentence: 352 months imprisonment; 4 years supervised release (June 13, 2006); amended to 295 months imprisonment (August 17, 2016); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Robert L. Franklin  Montgomery, AL- Offense: Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise; possession with intent to distribute cocaine and aiding and abetting; distribution of cocaine base (2 counts); distribution of cocaine; carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking charge; Middle District of AlabamaSentence: Life plus 60 months imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 22, 1995); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment

James Anthony Frink  Chadbourn, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack); distribution of five grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and aiding and abetting (three counts); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense; Eastern District of North CarolinaSentence: 187 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $9,050 fine (January 7, 2008); amended to 180 months imprisonment (December 16, 2014); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017 and unpaid balance of the $9,050 fine remitted.

Mike Fulton  Winterville, GA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of firearm by convicted felon; Middle District of Georgia; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; 5 years supervised release (January 10, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Melvin Fudge  Grand Rapids, MI- Offense: Committing a drug trafficking offense within 1,000 feet of a school; Western District of Michigan; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $10,000 fine (October 28, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019 and unpaid balance of the $10,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Jose Luis Garcia  Gretna, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine (five counts); Eastern District of LouisianaSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $25,000 fine (March 20, 1996); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 300 months' imprisonment and unpaid balance of $25,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Juan Garcia  Tyler, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana; aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute marijuana; witness tampering; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: 300 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (September 28, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Raymond Garcia  Las Vegas, NV- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; District of Nevada; Sentence: 293 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (November 13, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Rene Garcia, Jr.  Independence, MO- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Western District of Missouri; Sentence: 327 months' imprisonment, five years' supervised release, $261,600 fine (September 3, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017 and unpaid balance of $261,600 fine remitted.

Antonio Maurice Gardner  Temple, TX- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute at least five grams of crack cocaine, a Schedule II narcotic drug controlled substance, within 1,000 feet of a public school; aiding and abetting; Western District of Texas; Sentence: 235 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (August 4, 2006); $1,000 fine; Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Reginald Stern Gardner  Mason City, IA- Offense: 1. Possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of cocaine base, cocaine, and marijuana after having previously been convicted of two felony drug offenses; Northern District of Iowa; 2. Escape from custody; Northern District of Iowa; Sentence:1. 360 months' imprisonment (consecutive); eight years' supervised release (May 12, 2004); 2. 24 months' imprisonment (May 12, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 234 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Gregory A. Garton  Casper, WY- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and aiding and abetting; distribution of methamphetamine; felon in possession of a firearm; felon in possession of ammunition; carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime (three counts); District of Wyoming; Sentence: 900 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $2,200 fine (April 9, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment and unpaid balance of $2,200 fine remitted when his sentence expires, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Dustin Gary  Philadelphia, PA- Offense: 1. Criminal conspiracy; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; (crack); felon in possession of a firearm; Eastern District of Pennsylvania; 2. Possession of a prohibited object (marijuana) while in prison; District of New Jersey; Sentence: 1. 292 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release, $1,500 fine; (September 12, 2002); amended to 240 months imprisonment (July 8) 2. Six months imprisonment (consecutive) (October 17, 2011); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Robert Raymond Garza  Harlingen, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: 262 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (January 30, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months' imprisonment.

Tavaris Gay  Miami, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Florida; Sentence: 200 months imprisonment; five years supervised release; $5,000 fine (June 18, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 130 months imprisonment, and unpaid balance of $5,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Eric German  Haughton, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; conspiracy to commit money laundering; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: Life imprisonment; eight years supervised release (December 15, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 324 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Daniel Gilliam  Columbia, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; District of South CarolinaSentence: 222 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 28, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Troy Gilmore  Eutawville, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine and cocaine base; conspiracy to launder money; District of South Carolina; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (September 10, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Terry Glasscock  Lebanon, KY- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine; using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime or possessing a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of such crime; Northern District of FloridaSentence: 425 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (September 17, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 295 months' imprisonment.

Earl Glenn, Jr.  Chester, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a quantity of cocaine and 280 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine; District of South Carolina; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (November 20, 2012); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 235 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Waymon Audra Goodley  Hillsboro, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine; use of a communication facility to facilitate the commission of a drug felony (two counts); Eastern District of TexasSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 19, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017

William Goodwill  Decatur, IL- Offense: Distribution of fifty or more grams of cocaine base; Central District of Illinois; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (January 20, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Robby Joe Goram Eight Mile, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture methamphetamine; Southern District of Alabama; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (November 12, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 140 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

William Leonardo Graham  Essex, MD- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; District of MarylandSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 6, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 300 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment;

Wilbert Decosta Greaves  Jacksonville, NC; Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base; Eastern District of North Carolina; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; 60 months supervised release; $17,100 fine (January 4, 1996); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Charles Lee Green  Ville Platte, LA- Offense: Distribution of cocaine base (crack); Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (March 23, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Samuel Green  Wilmington, DE- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; felon in possession of firearms; District of Delaware; Sentence: 420 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (July 18, 1994); amended to 360 months imprisonment (June 12, 1997); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to; expire on May 19, 2017.

Vaughn Greene  Brooklyn, NY- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and at least 1,000 kilograms of marijuana; Northern District of Georgia; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (July 1, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire May 19, 2017.

Stuart John Greger  Glennville, GA- Offense: Distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); Southern District of Georgia; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (December 7, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Tyrone Grimes  Inwood, NY; Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana within 1,000 feet of a public elementary school; engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, convicted felon in possession of a gun; Eastern District of New York; Sentence: 420 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (October 29, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment.

Ricky Lee Groves  Smithfield, NC- Offense: Continuing criminal enterprise; use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and aiding and abetting; trading food stamps for cocaine base and aiding and abetting (five counts); Eastern District of North Carolina; Sentence: Life imprisonment plus 60 months' imprisonment, five years' supervised release (February 16, 1995); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment.

Thaddeas Kulani Thomas Hall  Waipahu, HI- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; District of Hawaii; Sentence: 180 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (June 16, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Forrest Hamm  Miami, FL- Offense: 1. Possession of contraband (marijuana) in a federal correctional; institution; District of New Jersey; 2. Possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine; Middle District of Georgia; 3. Supervised release violation; Southern District of Florida; Sentence: 1. Two months' imprisonment (consecutive) (September 3, 2013); 2. 262 months' imprisonment; five years supervised release (February 5, 2004); 3. 30 months imprisonment (consecutive) (June 3, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Eddie Harley  Baltimore, MD- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute a mixture containing cocaine, heroin, and cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a mixture containing heroin; District of Maryland; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (January 21, 2003); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Monica Haro  Mission, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to commit money laundering; Western District of TexasSentence: 188 months' imprisonment; three years' supervised release; $1,000 fine (November 12, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Anthony T. Harris  Murfreesboro, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and some quantity of marijuana; distribution of 50 grams of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a protected area; Middle District of TennesseeSentence: 262 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 8, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Antone C. Harris  Indianapolis, IN- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base; Southern District of Indiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment 10 years supervised release (September 8, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Brandon W. Harris  Mt. Vernon, IL- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; Southern District of Illinois; Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $200 fine (May 3, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Clenneth J. Harris  Chattanooga, TN- Offense: Possession of 50 grams or more of cocaine base for distribution; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (November 6, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Efrem Zemblish Harris  Tulsa, OK- Offense: Conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine in excess of five kilograms, cocaine base in excess of 50 grams, and a quantity of marijuana, and sentencing enhancement; conspiracy to use telecommunication facilities to commit or facilitate acts constituting a felony and sentencing enhancement; conspiracy to establish or maintain a location for the purpose of storing or distributing controlled substances and sentencing enhancement; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; interstate travel in aid of racketeering; Northern District of OklahomaSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $5,000 fine (June 5, 2003); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment and unpaid balance of $5,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires.

Eric Harris  Philadelphia, PA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and marijuana; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (four counts); distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; possession of cocaine and cocaine base with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school; Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 12 years' supervised release; $2,500 fine (January 19, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019 and unpaid balance of $2,500 fine remitted when his sentence expires, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Linwood Claude Harris, Jr.  Monroe, GA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Northern District of Georgia; Sentence: 250 months' imprisonment; 20 years' supervised release; $2,000 fine (February 10, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months imprisonment.

Shaun Kevin Harris  Sutton, WV- Offense: Cocaine conspiracy; aiding and abetting distribution of crack cocaine (two counts); distribution of crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine; Northern District of West Virginia; Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $5,000 fine (January 30, 2002); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Tyrone A. Harris  Spotsylvania, VA; Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of Virginia; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; 60 months supervised release (August 15, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Charles Harrison  Charlotte, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; District of Columbia; Sentence: Life imprisonment; five years supervised release; $25,000 fine (July 21, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017 and unpaid balance of $25,000 fine remitted.

Marlon R. Harrison  Savannah, GA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Southern District of Georgia; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (November 26, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Todd Lowell G. Haworth  Kina, ID- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; District of IdahoSentence: 276 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $2,000 fine (December 21, 2005); amended to 235 months' imprisonment (October 13, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Andre Haynes  Miami, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute at least 50 grams of cocaine base; Southern District of Florida; Sentence: 202 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (January 25, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on October 16, 2017.

Gregory Hearn  Kilgore, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; Western District of LouisianaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (April 2, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Antonio Jeron Hemphill  Rock Hill, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base; District of South CarolinaSentence: 262 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 14, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Michael Henderson  Newark, NJ- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin; Western District of North Carolina; Sentence: 262 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (December 24, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Walter Henry, III  Capitol Heights, MD- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; aiding and abetting; unlawful possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin (two counts); District of Columbia; Sentence: Life imprisonment; four years supervised release (March 12, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Lejandra Deshawn Herman  Knoxville, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 2, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Domingo Hernandez  Ledgewood, NJ- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute controlled substance; unlawful transport of firearms; District of New Jersey; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (October 2, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months imprisonment.

Jackie Hernandez  Park Forest, IL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin; knowingly and intentionally used telephone in furtherance of a drug offense; Northern District of Indiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (October 23, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Keith Angelo Hernandez  Atlanta, GA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm during commission of a crime; Northern District of GeorgiaSentence: 322 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (January 25, 1996); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Ramiro Hernandez  Edinburg, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; Eastern District of Wisconsin; Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $8,400 restitution (March 13, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Hassan Hills  Pensacola, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of cocaine base, and marijuana; Northern District of FloridaSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $1,500 fine (December 19, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Eric Hinton  Ypsilanti, MI- Offense: Distribution of a controlled substance (2 counts); Eastern District of Michigan; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; 5 years supervised release (February 9, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Brian Douglas Hoggard  Coatesville, PA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and aiding and abetting (2 counts); Eastern District of PennsylvaniaSentence: 204 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $3,000 fine (March 27, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 19, 2018 and unpaid balance of the $5,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires.

Lawrence Honore  New Orleans, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); Eastern District of Louisiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (August 28, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Charles Allen House  Garden Grove, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; Northern District of TexasSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 17, 1996); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Daniel Alfonso Jacobo  Cedar Rapids, IA- Offense: Possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture after a conviction for felony drug offense; Northern District of IowaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 10, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Walter Jenkins  Colorado Springs, CO- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of cocaine base and aiding and abetting; possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; possession of firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime (second and subsequent conviction); District of ColoradoSentence: 720 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (August 8, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 322 months' imprisonment

Antwaine Tacoma Johnson  Littleton, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack); Eastern District of North CarolinaSentence: 183 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (December 11, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Dempsey Johnson  Kansas City, MO- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute MDMA and cocaine base; Western District of Missouri; Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (September 10, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 162 months imprisonment.

Karmell Demetrius Johnson  Mobile, ALOffense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine; use, carry, or possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Southern District of AlabamaSentence: Life plus 60 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 14, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Thomas Johnson  Miami, FL- Offense: Felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute a detectable amount of cocaine powder; Southern District of Florida; Sentence: 360 months' imprisonment, eight years' supervised release (September 29, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Antonio D. Jones  Nashville, TN- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession of firearms in relation to a drug trafficking offense; felon in possession of firearms; Middle District of TennesseeSentence: Life plus five years' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 15, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Kiwanis Miyo Jones  Clayton, AL- Offense: Controlled substance - sell, distribute, or dispense (4 counts); violent crime/drugs/guns; unlawful transport of firearms; Middle District of AlabamaSentence: Life plus 60 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 16, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 170 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Ryan K. Jones  Ste. Genevieve, MO- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; possess a listed chemical used to manufacture methamphetamine; Western District of Wisconsin; Sentence: 328 months imprisonment; three years supervised release (December 23, 2003); amended to 240 months imprisonment (May 18, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Wayne Jordan  Morrisville, PA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; distribution of methamphetamine; Eastern District of PennsylvaniaSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (April 1, 1998); amended to 324 months' imprisonment (January 29, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Bobby Dale Kelley  Coweta, OK- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; Northern District of Oklahoma; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $5,000 fine (March 17, 2005) Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Kenneth Earl Kelley  Mossy Head, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine; Northern District of Florida; Sentence: 240; Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Corey Kelly  Camden, NJ- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five grams of crack cocaine; distribution of crack cocaine (two counts); District of New Jersey; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; 4 years supervised release; $2,000 fine (September 5, 2000); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

John Kelly  Monroe, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base with prior narcotics convictions; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 12, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Alfred William Kemfort  Maui, HI- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; District of HawaiiSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 17, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Douglas Kennedy  Hillside, NJ- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute narcotics; narcotics possession (three counts); possession of firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime (two counts) possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (two counts); District of New JerseySentence: 180 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (August 21, 2008); amended to 480 months imprisonment (July 2, 2013); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Robert Ketchledge  Delano, PA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Southern District of FloridaSentence: 195 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (August 10, 2007); amended to 180 months' imprisonment (April 4, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Alonzo King  Kansas City, MO- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine following a prior felony drug conviction; Northern District of Iowa; Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 26, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Moses King  North Charleston, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; District of South Carolina; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (January 26, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Wendell Dean Kopp  Billings, MT- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offense (two counts); District of Montana; Sentence: Life plus five years imprisonment (October 21, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Allan Aquino Lafuente  Kapolei, HI- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; distribution of five or more grams of methamphetamine (two counts); distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; District of Hawaii; Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $1,000 fine (September 14, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months imprisonment, and unpaid balance of $1,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires.

Dennis Chan Lai  San Francisco, CA- Offense: Continuing criminal enterprise; possession with intent to distribute, aiding and abetting (31 counts); possession of illegal weapon (two counts); possession of weapon without serial numbers; Northern District of California; Sentence: Life plus 10 years imprisonment; five years parole (July 8, 1988); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Linnard O. Lawson  New Brighton, PA- Offense: 1. Felon in possession of a firearm; possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 5 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine base, commonly known as crack; Western District of Pennsylvania; 2. Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; felon in possession of a firearm; Northern District of Ohio; Sentence: 1. 120 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (August 26, 2009); 2. Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $5,000 fine (October 6, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment and unpaid balance of $5,000 fine remitted when his sentence expires.

Wendell Layne  Soddy Daisy, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; attempt to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; aiding and abetting; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; felon in possession of a firearm; obstruction of justice; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (January 3, 1997); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

James Marcus LeBlanc  Lake Charles, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base (three counts); Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 120 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (January 14, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Tarry Cordell London  Mansfield, LA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking; Western District of LouisianaSentence: 180 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (November 7, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Gilbert Lopez  Fayetteville, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine; distribution of cocaine and aiding and abetting; conspiracy to launder drug proceeds; laundering of monetary instruments and aiding and abetting (14 counts); Eastern District of PennsylvaniaSentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (September 13, 1993); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment

James Keith Loveless  Pixley, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; District of NebraskaSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (June 30, 1997); amended to 292 months' imprisonment (December 17, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017

James Lynch  Greenville, IN- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of methamphetamine (two counts); possession with intent to distribute in excess of five grams of methamphetamine; Southern District of Indiana; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (October 20, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 262 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Michael Anthony Mahan  Flint, MI- Offense: Distribution of an unspecified quantity of cocaine base (2 counts); possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine; Western District of MichiganSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release; $5,000 fine (May 9, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017, and unpaid balance of the $5,000 fine remitted

Larry Steven Malone  Bend, OR- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine; manufacture methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; felon in possession of a firearm; District of OregonSentence: Life imprisonment; five years' supervised release (July 3, 1995); amended to 360 months' imprisonment (October 5, 2016); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Kenio Marshall  Snellville, GA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (January 11, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Crystal Dawn Mattern  Dilworth, MN- Offense: Conspiracy to possess within; Sentence: 228 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (May 5, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Valencia K. Matthews  Centralia, IL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine; distribution of less than five grams of crack cocaine; Southern District of Illinois; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $400 fine (June 28, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Johnny Ray McAtee  Dubuque, IA- Offense: Attempt to manufacture and aid and abet the manufacturing of 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine (pure) after being convicted of one or more felony drug offenses; possession of pseudoephedrine, knowing the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine; possession of red phosphorous, knowing the red phosphorous would be used to manufacture methamphetamine; Northern District of IowaSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 7, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Joseph McBride  Trenton, NJ- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine; carrying or possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; Middle District of Florida; Sentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (July 12, 2002); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

John McCallum  Spring Valley, NY- Offense: Narcotics conspiracy; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); Southern District of New YorkSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (January 9, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

John McCauley  Chicago, IL- Offense: Distribution of 4.41 grams of cocaine after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense; distribution and aid and abet the distribution of 3.61 grams of cocaine base and .76 grams of cocaine after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense; distribution and aid and abet the distribution of .51 grams of cocaine base after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense; distribution and aid and abet the distribution of 19.17 grams of cocaine base after having been previously convicted of a felony drug offense; failure to appear; Northern District of Iowa; Sentence: 366 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release; $2,150 restitution (April 2, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

James McCloud  Rochester, NY- Offense: Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of cocaine base; felon in possession of a firearm; Western District of New York; Sentence: 180 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release; $1,500 fine (June 20, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019 and unpaid balance of $1,500 fine remitted when his sentence expires, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Jeffrey Preston McClung  Harrisonburg, VA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute marijuana; distribution of marijuana; carry a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense; money laundering; Western District of VirginiaSentence: 410 months' imprisonment; 48 months' supervised release (July 10, 1998); amended to 387 months' imprisonment (March 23, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

John McCray, Sr.  East Saint Louis, IL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base; distribution of heroin and cocaine base; Southern District of Illinois; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release; $750 fine (March 6, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

James McDade  Shreveport, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; conspiracy to commit laundering of monetary instruments; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (May 10, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months imprisonment.

Frederick McGary  Hammond, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of Louisiana; Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (February 20, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Martin McGee  Beersheba Springs, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 202 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (November 9, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Ezekial McLain  Albany, NY- Offense: Conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Northern District of New York; Sentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (November 6, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Cartell Alexander McLemore  Milwaukee, WI- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; being a felon in possession of a firearm; being a felon in possession of ammunition; Eastern District of WisconsinSentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (October 26, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017

Randy McMahan  Wellford, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; District of South Carolina; Sentence: Life plus 120 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (April 18, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment.

Recco Salaves Meeks  Shelby, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Western District of North Carolina; Sentence: 230 months and six days imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (September 26, 2006); Commutation Grant: Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Deone Antonio Melvin  Upper Marlboro, MD- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine; money laundering conspiracy; distribution of cocaine; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking (2 counts); felon in possession of a firearm; District of MarylandSentence: 540 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (September 26, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months' imprisonment.

Luis Marin Mendoza-Esquivel  Riverside, CA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute, distribution, and aiding and abetting the distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture following a prior felony drug conviction; Northern District of Iowa; Sentence: 290 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (December 13, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Wayne Merrell  Dunlap, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (November 15, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Richard Glen Milburn  Limestone, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana; conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; attempt to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense (two counts); attempt to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana; attempt to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of an unregistered short-barreled firearm; possessing contraband in prison; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: 480 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (April 19, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 180 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Kristi Miller  Santa Maria, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual or 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (May 6, 2011); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Timothy Wayne Miller  London, KY; Offense: 1. Conspiracy to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (4 counts); possession with intent to distribute oxycodone; carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of Kentucky; 2. Knowingly failed to appear; Eastern District of Kentucky; Sentence: 1. 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (July 8, 2004); 2. 120 months imprisonment (concurrent); three years supervised release (July 8, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Robert W. Mims  Pensacola, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Northern District of FloridaSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $500 fine (May 21, 2002); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Ervin Mincey  Swainsboro, GA- Offense: Distribution of 27.72 grams of cocaine base; Southern District of GeorgiaSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; eight years' supervised release (January 17, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 210 months' imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

James Edward Mitchell  Oxnard, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; District of MontanaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (March 31, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Lewis Lynn Mitchell  Medical Lake, WA- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; District of Montana; Sentence: 288 months imprisonment, eight years supervised release (August 2, 2007); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Terry Mitchell  Miami, FLOffense: Continuing criminal enterprise; distribution of cocaine and aiding and abetting (two counts); carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; Middle District of AlabamaSentence: Life plus 60 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (May 22, 1995); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Emmett Alvin Monson  Rosedale, NY- Offense: Conspiracy: possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and heroin; possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride (two counts); possess with intent to distribute heroin (four counts); Middle District of North Carolina; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; 8 years supervised release (September 20, 1993); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Richard Ruiz Montes  Escalon, CA- Offense: Conducting a continuing criminal enterprise; manufacture of marijuana and aiding and abetting; possession with intent to distribute marijuana and aiding and abetting; possession with intent to distribute marijuana (two counts); Eastern District of California; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 60 months supervised release (November 21, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence to expire on May 19, 2017.

Anthony Lawayne Moon  Knoxville, TN- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride; Eastern District of TennesseeSentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (September 28, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Larry D. Moon  Louisville, KY- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base, aiding and abetting; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (2 counts); Western District of Kentucky; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (August 21, 1996); amended; to 360 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (September 24, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Sentra Moore  Montgomery, AL- Offense: Aiding and abetting possession to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; aiding and abetting possession to distribute 50 or more grams of cocaine base; aiding and abetting firearm/drug trafficking; Middle District of Alabama; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (October 1, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Steven Rayford Moore  Sherman, TX- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base; Eastern District of TexasSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release; $5,000 fine (June 26, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 262 months' imprisonment and unpaid balance of the $5,000 fine remitted.

Jeremy Jason Morefield  Shreveport, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (July 13, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Chico Untras Morgan  Opelika, AL- Offense: Distribution of a controlled substance (cocaine base); Middle District of Alabama; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (January 21, 2010); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, and conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Fred Lenard Morrison  Valdese, NC- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine; simple possession of cocaine base; District of South CarolinaSentence: 320 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (December 13, 1996); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

David Andrew Mortensen  Salt Lake City, UT- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine; District of UtahSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 60 months' supervised release (September 18, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Cory D. Mosby  Rock Island, IL- Offense: Possession of cocaine base (crack) with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking; felon in possession of firearms; Central District of Illinois; Sentence: 322 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release; $2,500 fine (August 17, 2007); amended to 300 months imprisonment (March 10, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 195 months imprisonment and unpaid balance of $2,500 fine remitted when his sentence expires.

Leo Muhammad  Compton, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine; Eastern District of Missouri; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (November 21, 2005); amended to 292 months imprisonment (January 29, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 240 months imprisonment.

Saeed Abdul Muhammad  Spotsylvania, VA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; Eastern District of VirginiaSentence: Life imprisonment; three years supervised release (August 22, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 210 months' imprisonment

Dottie Nixon  Lincolnton, NC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a quantity of cocaine and cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a school; Western District of North CarolinaSentence: 360 months' imprisonment; six years' supervised release (August 13, 2001); amended to 324 months' imprisonment (November 19, 2015); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Alonzo Norman, Jr.  Springfield, LA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and aiding and abetting; distribution of cocaine base; Eastern District of Louisiana; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (February 18, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Deon Christopher Nowell  Charleston, SC- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; District of South Carolina; Sentence: 300 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (March 10, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Charles Lee Parker  Marietta, GA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; Southern District of MississippiSentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (January 25, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 262 months' imprisonment.

William Howard Penn, Jr.  Morgan City, LA- Offense: Narcotics, sell distribute or dispense, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute; narcotics  sell, distribute or dispense, possession with intent to distribute; racketeering, narcotics  interstate travel in aid of illegal activity; Western District of Louisiana; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (November 10, 1997); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Christopher Clayton Pfaff  Ottumwa, IA- Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; Southern District of Iowa; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (June 26, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Hope Aree Pinkerton  Alta, IA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and manufacture five grams or more of methamphetamine actual after having been convicted of a prior felony drug offense; Northern District of IowaSentence: 240 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (August 5, 2004); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Larry Blane Pittman  San Diego, CA- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a mixture of methamphetamine; Western District of KentuckySentence: 262 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (December 20, 2001); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Max Orvel Plumlee  Newport News, VA- Offense: Engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise; distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine (eight counts); use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime (two counts); distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts); renting, leasing, and making premises available for storing and distributing cocaine; conspiracy; money laundering (five counts); engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity (four counts); Eastern District of Virginia; Sentence: Life imprisonment plus 300 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (July 18, 1994); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Charles Edward Price  Vicksburg, MS- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; Southern District of Mississippi; Sentence: 292 months imprisonment; five years supervised release; $1,500 fine (June 3, 2008); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017 and unpaid balance of the $1,500 fine remitted.

Calvin Pritchett  Cleveland, OH- Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; felon in possession of a firearm; Northern District of Ohio; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (November 30, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on May 19, 2017.

Tony Roger Pullings  Ocala, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine (three counts); Middle District of Florida; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; five years supervised release (May 14, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Dennis Ragland  Lincoln, AL- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances; distribution and possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances; felon in possession of a firearm; use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; Northern District of Alabama; Sentence: 330 months imprisonment; three years supervised release (November 29, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 210 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Sergio Ramirez  Des Moines, IA- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; distribute methamphetamine; Southern District of Iowa; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (January 22, 2003); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on July 18, 2017.

Alex Randell  Tallahassee, FL- Offense: Possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, conspiracy to distribute cocaine base; Northern District of Florida; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (July 23, 1999); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment

Ernest Reagan  Knoxville, TN- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride; felon in possession of firearms; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (July 16, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 168 months imprisonment, conditioned on upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Johnnie C. Reed  Spartanburg, SC- Offense: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; Northern District of Florida; Sentence: Life imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (February 7, 1997); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 360 months imprisonment

Kristen Reed  Winchester, TN- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base; Eastern District of Tennessee; Sentence: 240 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release (July 27, 2009); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Anthony Jaron Richardson  Charlotte, NC- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Western District of North CarolinaSentence: 300 months' imprisonment; 10 years' supervised release (October 16, 2002); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Cory D. Rigmaiden  Fresno, TX- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Western District of LouisianaSentence: 300 months' imprisonment; five years' supervised release (August 18, 2005); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Robert James Riley  Clackamas, OR- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute LSD; Southern District of Iowa, Sentence: Life imprisonment (November 4, 1993); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2018.

Jerry K. Roberson  St. Petersburg, FL- Offense: Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine; Middle District of Florida; Sentence: 262 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (December 15, 2006); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to a term of 188 months imprisonment, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Samuel Roberts  Kinston, NC- Offense: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (two counts), simple possession of cocaine base; Eastern District of North Carolina; Sentence: 360 months imprisonment; eight years supervised release (August 31, 1998); Commutation Grant: Prison sentence commuted to expire on January 19, 2019, conditioned upon enrollment in residential drug treatment.

Charles Bernard Robinson  Raleigh, NC-Offense: Possession with the intent to distribute more than 50 grams of cocaine base (crack); possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; Eastern District of North CarolinaSentence: 322 months' imprisonment; five years' supervise
Michelle and I, we really have been milking this goodbye thing, former President Barack Obama said, accurately, today as he began to give yet another speech, not long after President Donald Trump delivered his Inaugural Address.

So it behooves me to be brief, he told staff and supporters at Joint Base Andrews, as cable news networks attempted to cover Obama while simultaneously covering Trump as he began signing orders immediately after leaving the site of his swearing in. Obamas speech seemed to catch TV news operations flat-footed, which is understandable, already having covered what he promised would be his swan-song address in Chicago last week.

When we started on this journey, we did so with an abiding faith in the American people and our ability to join together and change the country in ways that would make life better for our kids and grandkids, Obama began, as news divisions tried to split the baby.

You proved the power of hope, and throughout this process, Michelle and I have just been your front man and woman. We have been the face, and sometimes the voice, out front on the TV screens and in front of the microphones, Obama continued as Trump signed his first bill into law, making it possible for Ret. Gen. James Mattis to serve as Defense secretary. Congress passed the bill that waives the legal requirement that the position be filled by someone who has been out of the military for at least seven years; Mattis has been out about two years. Trump signed a slew of other documents, including formal nominations for his Cabinet picks, as congressional leaders from both parties surrounding him bartered among themselves for the pens with which he signed the various documents.

The Trump drama won out, and news networks eventually broke away from Obama midspeech.

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DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP)  Authorities say a man has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after a shooting that involved a Florida deputy.

A Pinellas County Sheriff's Office news release says deputies originally responded to a residential area in Dunedin for a complaint of shots being fired Friday evening.

The sheriff's office didn't immediately release any details about what led to the shooting, the deputies involved or the man who was wounded. No deputies were hurt.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan has handed over to Indian authorities an Indian soldier who crossed into Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region in September.

A foreign ministry statement Saturday said Chandu Babulal Chohan deserted his post and crossed the Line of Control to the Pakistani side because of severe grievances with superiors.

The statement said Pakistan convinced him to return to India and Chohan was handed over at the Wahga border point.

Pakistan and India fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, with each claiming the region in its entirety.
piers-morgan

THIS MORNING

Tens of thousands women and men alike are expected to participate in the Womens March on Washington and more than 600 sister marches planned across the country on Saturday. The march, scheduled to coincide with Donald Trumps first full day as president (although hes taking the weekend off) aims to send a bold message to our new government and to the world that womens rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

Piers Morgan  who should probably stay off Twitter altogether  will not be walking with the Womens March, but he will plan a Mens March.

I'm planning a 'Men's March' to protest at the creeping global emasculation of my gender by rabid feminists. Who's with me?  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2017

On the marchs FAQ page, it reads, The Womens March on Washington is for any person, regardless of gender or gender identity, who believes womens rights are human rights. The next four years are going to be an especially hard time for women  and anyone who doesnt look like Mike Pence  and the march is an opportunity for men to show that they believe in and support gender equality. Naturally, Morgan made it about himself.

I'm also opening a new clinic, Trump Tantrums Anonymous, for demented Donald-haters.

No fee for celebrities because they love freebies.  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2017

Let's be honest, ladies.. today's Women's March is just an anti-democratic protest at Trump winning the presidency.  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2017

One of the main reasons Hillary lost was that she & her supporters exuded air of entitlement to her becoming being 1st female president.  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2017

Amused by all the fulminating outrage at my suggestion of a Men's March, especially from women. Kinda proves my point  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2017

Just need @KimKardashian & @emrata to post bird-flipping topless selfies to support #WomensMarch for the farce to be complete.  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 21, 2017

The internets response:

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broad-city-smile

COMEDY CENTRAL

Morgan especially faced the ire of the public on Twitter:

@piersmorgan oh, possum. Sorry your masculinity is so fragile. Are you ok? Do your balls jus fall off when a woman doesn't smile at you?  Astro Upulie (@upulie) January 21, 2017

If you're emasculated by women walking, you were never much of a man in the first place @piersmorgan https://t.co/G2tAVOo4BW  will brooker (@willbrooker) January 21, 2017

If Piers Morgan thinks the concept of women marching is "absurd" wait until we tell him we can also vote and have orgasms. https://t.co/9XNmJsPjja  OhNoSheTwitnt (@OhNoSheTwitnt) January 21, 2017

@piersmorgan piers, strong men stand up for women, and the more women have a seat at the table, the more power/success we all have.  Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) January 21, 2017

@piersmorgan Just for once, be a gentleman and not a dick head.  Alexis Rodney (@AlexisRodney) January 21, 2017

.@piersmorgan Though it's already been established that you're the stupidest person on the planet, I have to say "protest at" doesn't work  Richard Lawson (@rilaws) January 21, 2017

@piersmorgan so if you can't feel superior to women that makes you feel emasculated? Poor you  Kelly-Jo Medze (@KellyJoMedze) January 21, 2017

.@piersmorgan awakes, alone in a dingy London flat. "time to abuse women online for attention" he sobs into his pillow  Fred Delicious (@Fred_Delicious) January 21, 2017

.@piersmorgan Wow, you scare easily. I went to #WomensMarch last night in Brussels, and I felt empowered, not emasculated. Don't be afraid.  Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) January 21, 2017

@piersmorgan you do know feminism simply means equality of genders not 'emasculation of men' right?  Ione Wells (@ionewells) January 21, 2017

I bet @piersmorgan has got a tiny dick. https://t.co/Kp41OS1js0  Daniel Hardcastle (@DanNerdCubed) January 21, 2017

For more information on the Womens March on Washington, head here.
Nearly two months since the November 2016 kidnapping of Northern California mother Sherri Papini, police are yet to solve the case but are currently looking at a few clues. According to a new report, the delay in the investigation was caused as police were unable to pay attention to the case amid other high-profile crimes.

The New York Post, which cited the local paper redding.com, stated that the Shasta County Sheriffs Department is working on bigger-than-usual level of cases  including murders and a fatal shooting by a police officer  which have drawn their attention away from the Papini case.

Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko told the paper Thursday that the abduction case of the 34-year-old still remains a top priority.

Its still an active investigation, Bosenko said. We are waiting on some of the results on the evidence being processed by the California Department of Justice.

Papini disappeared on Nov. 2 while out jogging near her home in Redding, California. She was later found heavily battered on Thanksgiving morning after being spotted by a motorist on Interstate 5 in Woodland, more than 150 miles from her home. Police are still searching for the suspects in the case, believed to be two Hispanic women  one with curly hair, and the other with straight hair  who had covered their faces and spoke mostly Spanish.

Over the last few months, several cases have emerged where women in the Northern California region have been abducted.

Most recently, a woman in her 20s was kidnapped from her Sherman Oaks home and was found hours later. Despite some similarities in the case, police said Thursday that the case is likely not related to Papini.

Earlier this month, Papini, a mother of two, was photographed for the first time with her family since her abduction. Over the last few weeks, Papini and her husband Keith have stayed away from the public eye and avoided any media interaction.

"I cant speak to more recently, but even initially we had asked Mr Papini to refrain from media interaction and especially after she was found, with some of the information he was releasing," Bosenko reportedly said.

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Natal (Brazil) (AFP) - Brazilian police used shipping containers on Saturday to try to separate rival gangs in a prison where clashes a week ago left at least 26 people dead.

Elite officers entered the Alcacuz prison near Natal in northern Brazil to build a makeshift wall with the containers to impede access between wings of the facility.

At the same time, 1,800 soldiers patrolled the streets of Natal, where attacks against buses and state buildings have surged in recent days, in riots linked to the battle between the gangs. Public transport was partially halted over the weekend.

Police said 18 containers will create a temporary barrier in the Alcacuz prison.

In two weeks' time they will be replaced with a concrete wall, a spokesman for the state government told AFP.

It remains to be seen whether the obstacles will prevent further bloodshed. A week ago, clashes in the prison left 26 inmates massacred, most of them beheaded.

On Thursday, a day after some 200 prisoners were bussed out of the overcrowded facility, fresh violence broke out between prisoners brandishing knives.

Media reports said two people were killed, but there was no toll given by authorities.

Elsewhere, in Brazil's northeastern Pernambuco state, police on Saturday put down another prison riot in which three people were killed and three wounded, officials said.

More than 140 people have been killed in prison riots in Brazil since the beginning of this year.

Experts say the violence is part of a war between drug gangs battling for control of one of the world's most important cocaine markets and trafficking routes.

Brazil shares borders with Colombia, Bolivia and Peru, the world's three biggest cocaine producers. It is a key route for trafficking the drug to Europe.
President Trump will travel to the Langley, Va., headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency on Saturday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

In a tweet, Spicer said that Trump would meet with more than 300 staffers and that the new President is excited to thank the men and women of the intelligence community.

Trumps visit comes after weeks of acrimony between Trump and the intelligence community over the investigation into Russian hacking during the 2016 election. Trump repeatedly refused to accept intelligence assessments that Russia was behind the hacking, before doing an about-face at a news conference just days before taking the oath of office. Trumps frustration with the intelligence community boiled over after he and then-President Barack Obama were briefed on an unsubstantiated dossier prepared by a former British intelligence officer, which alleged Trump had been compromised by the Russian government.

In his news conference on Jan. 11, Trump accused the intelligence community of leaking the information. Thats something that Nazi Germany would have done and did, he said. CIA Director John Brennan fired back at Trump, telling Fox News, If he doesnt have confidence in the intelligence community, what signal does that send to our partners and allies, as well as our adversaries?

Trumps visit is an apparent attempt to try to rebuild his relationship with the intelligence agency, as his hand-picked leader prepares to take over. Trumps nominee to be the Director of Central Intelligence, Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo, is set to be confirmed on Monday, after Democrats refused to vote on his nomination Friday.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump would also receive an intelligence briefing while at CIA headquarters. Trump will be joined there by Pompeo and Mike Flynn, his National Security Adviser.
While the world warily eyed Donald Trumps inauguration on Friday, Russia and Syria signed a long-term basing agreement giving Russian ships and planes access there for 50 years, a major commitment that underscores Russian President Vladimir Putins years-long effort to restore Russias once-powerful role in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The pact calls for expanding and making permanent Russias temporary air base in Latakia, and expanding the Russian naval facility in Tartus that would allow it to permanently harbor 11 ships. The expansion would enable Tartus to host larger ships than it currently can accommodate  for instance, the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov couldnt dock there last fall  as well as nuclear submarines, according to Russian state-controlled press reports. Moscow will also send engineers and specialists to Damascus to help refurbish Syrian warships and defend the port area.

Russia has used the port to pour troops and weapons into Syria to bolster the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and dozens of Russian warplanes have used the airbase to attack any rebel group battling the regime, though Moscow has insisted that it is targeting the Islamic State. American defense officials have long complained that the Russian strikes rarely targeted ISIS, however, even as they at times bombed U.S.-backed rebels. The expanded base will mean less reliance for Moscow on supply and maintenance ships from its Black Sea fleet.

State Duma member Sergei Zheleznyak said on Friday that the deal will help protect the Syrian people from the terrorist threat and, on top of that, will make it possible to consolidate stability across the Middle Eastern region.

Even before the basing agreements, a Defense Department official told FP that Moscow could sustain their current pace of operations for years in Syria due to its relatively light footprint, and advances the Russian military has recently made in supporting troops operating overseas.

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The new pact, which gives Russian ships and aircraft the ability to operate far away from their home bases for months at a time, also allows Moscow to continue to flex its muscles in the war in Syria.

The U.S. defense official said that Russia uses Syria as a testing ground for its latest weapons systems, showing off the fruits of Russian President Vladimir Putins military modernization. Their mobile operations, their use of special operations Spetsnaz forces, and electronic warfare in particular have been noted by the Pentagon.

Theyre a real great power to contend with, and they have significant military capabilities, the official said.

The timing is also notable as Washington prepares for a possible transformation in its role in the Syrian civil war. In his inauguration speech on Friday, President Donald Trump returned to familiar themes of ending foreign wars and cutting spending on overseas military deployments. He said Washington has for too long spent trillions of dollars overseas while Americas infrastructure has fallen into disrepair and decay.

That echoed Trumps campaign trail calls to partner with Moscow and let Russia take the lead in fighting Islamic State, though to date Russian forces have attacked mostly civilians and anti-Assad opposition forces. However, some of Trumps aides, such as National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, have in the past advocated a much bigger role for U.S. troops on the ground to fight Islamic State in Syria.

The U.S. diplomatic role in Syria is also in flux. On Saturday, the State Department said Washington would not send a delegation to the Syrian peace talks in Kazakhstan Monday despite an invitation from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who had urged the Trump administration to send a Middle East expert.

The Trump administration, which is still racing to fill vacancies in the White House, State Department, and Pentagon, will have an observer there in the form of the current U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan, George Krol. In explaining the lack of a delegation, State Department acting spokesperson Mark Toner cited the presidential inauguration and the immediate demands of the transition.

The talks aim to shore up the shaky nationwide ceasefire in Syria that remains in place despite fighting in several areas across the country and pave the way for some sort of negotiated end to the six-year conflict.

John Hudson contributed to this report.
By Piya Sinha-Roy PARK CITY, Utah (Reuters) - Actor and filmmaker Robert Redford opened the Sundance Independent Film Festival on Thursday by steering clear of politics and instead criticizing the news industry. "The news media world has shrunk into more of a sound bite world. Everything's so clipped and short, it gives you no time to digest, no time to contemplate. It's already moving onto the next event," Redford said at Sundance's opening news conference. Documentaries, on the other hand, are filling the gap Redford said, highlighting their growing role at the industry's biggest indie film festival. "I felt like documentaries are having a more important role than ever because it becomes long-form journalism. It has a chance to really tell the story so the public can really digest it and see how they feel." The 80-year-old Oscar-winning filmmaker faced numerous questions about Republican U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on Friday. Much of Hollywood opposed Trump in the 2016 elections and instead raised millions of dollars for his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Redford did reflect on one of his most notable roles, as Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward in the 1976 Watergate thriller "All the President's Men," saying he learned the value of investigative journalism. "Dig in and dig deep - those two things affected my filmmaking attitude," he said. A leading Hollywood man in the 1970s and 1980s, Redford created the annual Sundance gathering in Park City, Utah to showcase independent film and talent outside of the big studios. This year, the festival has a slew of documentaries exploring topics mined from recent headlines, as well as a showcase of climate change films. Redford said the festival would not take a stance on current U.S. politics, but rather would support independent filmmakers who want to explore the issue. "Presidents come and go, the pendulum swings back and forth. It always has and probably always will, so we don't occupy ourselves with politics. We try to stay away from politics, and we try to stay focused on what stories are being told by artists," Redford said. However, Trump's inauguration will not go unmarked at Sundance. Talk show host Chelsea Handler will lead a Women's March on Saturday down Park City's Main Street, timed to Washington's women's rally aimed at bringing attention to civil and human rights issues. (Reporting by Piya Sinha-Roy; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
There will be answers: Samsung is set to reveal Monday the findings of an investigation into why the recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphone has the tendency to catch fire or explode, with the cause centered on the device's battery.

The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reports that there were two reasons for the phones' issues: the irregular size of the battery and manufacturing problems.

The sources tell the WSJ that Samsung's reportconducted by third-party firms and Samsungconcludes that batteries manufactured by affiliate Samsung SDI Co. were irregularly sized and didn't fit into the phone properly. This, the investigation found, caused the batteries to overheat, leading to smoke, fire, or explosion.

When Samsung first became aware of the Galaxy 7 issues, it replaced its affiliate batteries with ones made by Amperex Technology Ltd.

Because of the quick turnaround needed, the sources say, these batteries included a manufacturing issue, but didn't elaborate on what the problem was.

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The WSJ reports that Samsung shared its findings with regulators this week, discussing ways in which the company plans to avoid any future battery problems.

To do so, the sources say Samsung has created an eight-step process that includes more testing, inspections, and quality assurances from manufacturers.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 issues began in late August when the company delayed deliveries of the device after reports it could catch fire and explode. Days later the company admitted there was a problem and announced an exchange program, but not a recall.

That changed in mid-September when the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced an official recall. In October, customers reported that their replacement Galaxy Note 7s were also catching fire or exploding. The company then halted production of the phone temporarily, and later permanently.

Story continues

More recently, wireless carriers have "bricked" the remaining Galaxy Note 7 phones through a Samsung-produced update.





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Top pick tires for 2016

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Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2017 Consumers Union of U.S.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Rescuers found the bodies of two firefighters in the rubble of a commercial building that collapsed in Tehran after a blaze, leaving up to 30 people dead, Iran's state TV reported Saturday.

Footage showed rescuers carrying the body of one of the victims. The two were the first to be found in the large pile of debris.

Also on Saturday, President Hassan Rouhani visited the site and urged a quick restoration of the area, part of Tehran's commercial and business neighborhood.

Iran also lowered the flags at its embassies across the world to half-mast.

Iranian officials have yet to offer definitive casualty figures for the Thursday disaster.

State-run Press TV reported Thursday that 30 firefighters had been killed, without elaborating. Later, authorities said more than 20 firefighters had been killed.

On Friday, authorities said an injured firefighter died at a local hospital.

A report by the official IRNA news agency on Saturday put the number of injured firefighters and other victims at 114, but said only five of them were hospitalized.

Authorities described the building, built more than five decades ago, as having a weak structure. Thursday's fire was the worst in Tehran since a 2005 blaze at a historic mosque killed 59 worshippers and injured nearly 200 others.
HONOLULU (AP)  A postdoctoral fellow who lost her right arm in a University of Hawaii laboratory explosion has sued the school and the researchers she worked for.

Thea Ekins-Coward and her wife, who are both from the United Kingdom, filed the lawsuit in state court in Honolulu this month. The complaint alleges the university and researchers Jian Yu and Richard Rocheleau failed to provide her with adequate safety training and adhere to safety codes.

The explosion occurred last March in a Hawaii Natural Energy Institute lab on the university's flagship Manoa campus. The lab focuses on renewable energy and degradable bioplastics. Ekins-Coward was working on research to produce liquid fuel from synthetic gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, the complaint said.

The lawsuit alleged the university and Yu told Ekins-Coward to use dangerous tanks unsuitable for use. The tanks weren't designed for flammable gases and weren't grounded to prevent static electrical discharge, it said.

Ekins-Coward asked for safety training on October 7, 2015 but Yu refused, the complaint said. Later thaT month Ekins-Coward asked Yu, who was her principal investigator and mentor, whether she should be concerned about specific hazards but Yu failed to provide her with training on the method for mixing gases using pressurized reactors.

University spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said the school hasn't been served with the lawsuit. He had no further comment as the litigation was pending. Yu declined comment. Rocheleau referred questions to the university spokesman.

The university hired the University of California Center for Laboratory Safety to investigate the cause of the blast. The investigation found static electricity released into a tank most likely caused the explosion.

Investigators said a digital pressure gauge was the origin of the electrical current that caused the detonation.

Ekins-Coward lost her right arm above her elbow. She suffered facial burns, abrasions to her cornea and nerve damage to her ears that led to high frequency hearing loss.
A Samsung probe into the exploding batteries that forced the electronics giant to scrap its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones has found irregularly sized batteries caused overheating, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The South Korean conglomerate was forced to discontinue its flagship Note 7 after a chaotic recall that saw replacement phones also catching fire, with the debacle costing the company billions in lost profit and reputational damage.

Samsung is set to unveil the results of its investigation Monday, but sources told the WSJ that the findings indicated some of the problematic batteries were irregularly sized, causing overheating, while others had manufacturing problems.

Samsung announced a recall of 2.5 million units of the oversized Galaxy Note 7 smartphone in early September after several devices exploded or caught fire.

When replacement phones also started to combust, the company eventually decided to kill off the Note 7 for good.

The company blamed faulty batteries made by an unnamed supplier -- widely believed to be its sister company Samsung SDI.

Initially, the WSJ said, Samsung officials believed the problem was limited to batteries made by the Samsung affiliate, and recalled those devices while boosting production of smartphones carrying batteries made by Hong Kong-based Amperex Technology Ltd. to replace recalled devices.

The probe found that the issue with the batteries from Samsung SDI was an irregularly sized battery which did not fit the phone properly which then caused overheating, the WSJ said.

In the batteries made by Amperex Technology Ltd. the flaw centred on a manufacturing issue resulting from the quick ramp-up in production of replacement phones, the WSJ said, without specifying what the problems were.

The recall fiasco has taken a major toll on the reputation of the world's largest smartphone maker, which has promised a "complete reform" of the firm's overall production and quality control process to prevent another crisis.
By Kieran Guilbert MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Aid worker Alfred Davies and his colleagues were providing vaccinations and giving out food in a refugee camp in northeast Nigeria when he noticed the buzzing of a plane passing overhead. Moments later, a bomb exploded a few hundred metres away. "Glass shattered, roofs collapsed and people were screaming and crying," Davies, a project co-ordinator for Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. "I saw people with their bellies open, and intestines on the ground," the Liberian aid worker said. "People were yelling: 'Doctor, doctor, help me' and 'Save my child, save my mother'." Davies would later discover that the devastation was caused by a mistaken military air strike on the camp in Rann, in Borno state, aimed at Boko Haram militants who have made the region the heart of a seven-year bid to create an Islamic caliphate. At least 90 people were killed by the bombing, including nine aid workers, but the death toll could reach 170, MSF said. Dozens of people have been airlifted to Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, and treated for serious injuries by surgical teams. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said civilians were accidentally killed and wounded in the attack, but neither it nor the government has provided an official casualty figure. For Davies and his small team working in the camp, which MSF had gained access to just days before the attack, the immediate influx of injured people into their aid tent was overwhelming. "In the first hour, we saw 52 wounded people arrive," he said. "There were so many people, but only one doctor, one nurse, and limited supplies to treat them. It was unbearable." "HELPLESS, GONE, DEAD" Doctors and medical supplies are being sent to the Rann camp, which is estimated to house up to 40,000 people, said the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Hunger and malnutrition are rife across Rann, which only recently became accessible to humanitarian actors after being under Boko Haram control for several years, aid agencies said. "We (MSF) had only been there for a few days, but you get to know people, to care about them," Davies said, adding that he would always remember one mother and her twins whom he had met. "We had treated the twins for malnutrition. Now, she was dead and her children were crying and screaming: 'Mama, mama'. They kept crying but the mother was helpless ... gone ... dead." Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the strike hit 100 metres from what appeared to be a Nigerian army compound, and that the NAF should have known the area targeted was full of civilians. The NAF, which declined to comment on HRW's statement, said on Thursday it would investigate the air strike, which followed a military offensive against Boko Haram in the last few weeks. The jihadists' insurgency has killed more than 15,000 people and forced some two million to flee their homes. The Nigerian military, with help from neighbouring countries, has pushed the group out from most of the territory it held in 2015. However, Davies said the air strike could spread fear among the millions of uprooted people who are struggling to survive. "The inhabitants of the camp came for refuge, for some sort of security. What happened is terrible ... it is unacceptable." (Reporting By Kieran Guilbert, Editing by Emma Batha; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
(Reuters) - Six scientists have entered a dome perched atop a remote volcano in Hawaii where they will spend the next eight months in isolation to simulate life for astronauts traveling to Mars, the University of Hawaii said. The study is designed to help NASA better understand human behavior and performance during long space missions as the U.S. space agency explores plans for a manned mission to the Red Planet. "Im proud of the part we play in helping reduce the barriers to a human journey to Mars, said Kim Binsted, the mission's principal investigator. The crew will perform geological field work and basic daily tasks in the 1,200-square-foot (365 m) dome, located in an abandoned quarry 8,000 feet (2.5 km) above sea level on the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii's Big Island. There is little vegetation and the scientists will have no contact with the outside world, said the university, which operates the dome. Communications with a mission control team will be time-delayed to match the 20-minute travel time of radio waves passing between Earth and Mars. "Daily routines include food preparation from only shelf-stable ingredients, exercise, research and fieldwork aligned with NASAs planetary exploration expectations," the university said. The project is intended to create guidelines for future missions to Mars, some 35 million miles (56 million km) away, a long-term goal of the U.S. human space program. The NASA-funded study, known as the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (Hi-SEAS), is the fifth of its kind. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; editing by Richard Lough)
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A diver who was mauled by a 4-meter (13-foot) bull shark near the Great Barrier Reef was flown in stable condition to an Australian hospital for microsurgery to an arm, a paramedic said Sunday.

The 55-year-old man had been free diving with friends in the Torres Strait from a boat chartered from the Queensland state city of Cairns when the shark attacked on Saturday afternoon, paramedic David Cameron said. Free diving uses no breath apparatus.

The man was 15 meters (50 feet) under water with other divers when the shark attacked, Cameron said.

"The bull shark has come up from behind and has unfortunately bitten the patient on the arm several times and bitten him on the stomach," Cameron said, adding the most severe injuries were to his left arm.

"When you start to talk about 4-meter (13-foot) sharks up here in the Torres Strait, he's very lucky to walk away," Cameron said.

The man swam back to the boat, which then took three hours to reach the nearest medical center on Murray Island, about midway between Australia and Papua New Guinea, Cameron said.

An attempt to winch him from the boat by rescue helicopter was abandoned due to torrential rain, Cameron said.

The man was flown during a break in the weather from Murray Island 210 kilometers (130 miles) west to the Thursday Island Hospital north of Queensland, where he spent the night. On Sunday, he was again flown 800 kilometers (500 miles) to Cairns for microsurgery, Cameron said.

Cameron said the man was an experienced diver who been attacked by a shark before.
Melbourne (AFP) - Serena Williams will attempt to join sister Venus in the Australian Open last 16 on Saturday, as Rafael Nadal looks to show who's boss against exciting young gun Alexander Zverev.

The American 22-time Grand Slam winner faces compatriot Nicole Gibbs as she tries to keep up her momentum towards the tournament second week, after two comfortable wins so far.

Williams, who lost last year's final to Angelique Kerber, said she had been trying to channel positive thoughts as she targets a seventh Australian title, which would give her an Open-era record 23rd major.

"I know that being Serena on the court is in a way being calm, which is in my name, but always having that fire as well," she said, explaining her approach.

"I think, most of all, being confident."

If Williams gets past Gibbs, the second seed will next play either 16th seed Barbora Strycova or 21st seed Caroline Garcia.

Another veteran gunning for more Grand Slam glory is Spain's Nadal, who is attempting to improve on an injury-riddled 2016.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner's comeback will be given a testing examination by top-rated Zverev, who is hoping to join older brother Mischa in the last 16.

"He is of the best players of the world, without a doubt, today," Nadal said of the German teen.

"His potential is so, so high. I know I have a very tough match, and I know I need to play my best if I want to have chances."

If the German beats the 2009 champion, the Zverevs would become just the third pair of brothers to reach the round of 16 at a Grand Slam in the Open era.

Gene and Sandy Mayer at 1979 Wimbledon, and Emilio and Javier Sanchez at the US Open in 1991 were the others.

Giant-killer Denis Istomin is back in action, keen to build on his stunning upset of six-time Australian champion Novak Djokovic in the last round.

He faces Pablo Carreno Busta, seeded 30, on an outside court, with the winner due to meet either Richard Gasquet or Grigor Dimitrov, who play in the evening on Rod Laver Arena.

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The Zverevs are two of three Germans to reach the third round, along with Philipp Kohlschreiber who takes on sixth seed Gael Monfils on Margaret Court Arena.

In an intriguing women's match, Britain's ninth-seeded Johanna Konta meets former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, with both players in fine touch.

"It will be an incredibly tough one. Every round so far has been," said Konta, who made the semi-finals last year.

US Open finalist and fifth seed Karolina Pliskova has a late match on Margaret Court Arena against Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, while sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova is up against Ekaterina Makarova.
Liverpool (AFP) - Gylfi Sigurdsson's decisive goal boosted Swansea's hopes of Premier League survival as they inflicted Liverpool's first home defeat for almost a year with a 3-2 triumph at Anfield on Saturday.

Iceland international Sigurdsson, who has repeatedly been linked with a move away from the Welsh club, struck with 16 minutes left after Paul Clement's side had let a two-goal lead slip against title-chasing Liverpool.

Fernando Llorente had scored twice in the first seven minutes of the second half for Swansea, but Liverpool's Roberto Firmino responded with a double of his own.

Swansea showed great spirit to come back and earn both the Welsh club's first-ever league win at Anfield and their first under Premier League victory under new manager Clement.

In doing so, they lifted themselves off the foot of the Premier League table and out of the bottom three, at least for a few hours.

Liverpool, playing their eighth match in 25 days, paid for sloppy defending, and missed the chance to put pressure on leaders Chelsea, losing at home for the first time since Stoke won the second leg of a League Cup semi-final at Anfield on January 26 last year.

Philippe Coutinho, now fully recovered from injury, made his first league start since November after playing for 65 minutes in Wednesday's FA Cup win at Plymouth, but showed only occasional sparks of creativity during a tepid first half.

It was Swansea, for all the pressure they had to absorb, who came closest to scoring before the interval. Midfielder Tom Carroll, signed from Tottenham during the week, ran in from the left on to Sigurdssons pass infield and struck the outside of the near post from a tight angle, via a deflection off Dejan Lovren.

Both Carroll and fellow debutant Martin Olsson, brought in from Norwich, performed solidly, with the Swedish full-back making one positive attacking run that ended when he was bodychecked by Ragnar Klavan.

One excellent turn from Coutinho just after the half-hour mark allowed him to create a chance for Firmino, who would have scored but for Alfie Mawson's block.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopps frustration grew as Swansea went ahead with little more than two minutes of the second half played.

- Llorente at the double -

Not for the first time this season, Liverpool conceded from a set-piece; Sigurdssons corner was headed down by Federico Fernandez, Wayne Routledge blocked off the defender and the ball bounced loose for Llorente to prod in from eight yards.

Astonishingly, Llorente scored again from Swanseas next attack, barely four minutes later.

Olsson and Carroll combined down the left, and the former Tottenham man crossed for the Spain striker to climb between Lovren and Klavan, planting a downward header past Simon Mignolet.

Liverpool, however, pulled a goal back within three minutes.

James Milner crossed from the left, the ball drifted over Olsson, and Firmino guided a header into the bottom corner of the net.

Swansea continued to threaten but Klopp's side equalised with little more than 20 minutes to go courtesy of a superbly constructed goal.

Georginio Wijnaldum controlled a pass down the left touchline, and looped in a cross that Firmino gathered on the chest under pressure from two Swansea defenders, before hooking a first-time shot past Lukasz Fabianski.

Yet having worked their way back into the match, Liverpool fell behind again amid chaotic defending.

Carroll charged into the penalty area after taking on Llorente's pass and, as Klavan slid in to challenge, the ball ran loose for Sigurdsson to steer beyond the exposed Mignolet.

Swansea had more nervous moments to come, with Fabianski blocking substitute Divock Origis shot on the turn following a Milner corner, and then watching helplessly as Adam Lallana looped a header against the bar.

But the visitors, denied victory by an Everton stoppage-time equaliser on their last visit to Merseyside in November, hung on to all three points.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  SpaceX plans to break in its new launchpad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) just after midnight on Jan. 30 with a Falcon 9 rocket ride for EchoStar Corp.

The launch will be SpaceX's first from NASA's historic Launch Complex 39, previously used by Saturn V moon rockets and the space shuttles.

In 2014, SpaceX signed a 20-year lease with NASA to use the pad for Falcon 9 and planned Falcon Heavy rockets. The company has not said how much it has spent on refurbishments.

Getting launchpad 39A ready for use took on fresh urgency after a Falcon 9 rocket went up in flames on what had been the company's primary launchpad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, located just south of KSC here on Florida's Space Coast.

The Sept. 1 accident destroyed the rocket and a $200 million Israeli communications satellite and heavily damaged the launchpad. SpaceX has not disclosed repair costs.

The accident also grounded the Falcon 9 fleet while investigators pieced together why the rocket exploded as it was being fueled for a routine, prelaunch engine test.

The company successfully returned to flight on Jan. 14, when a Falcon 9 blasted off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California with 10 satellites for Iridium Communications Inc. During that mission, the rocket's first stage also came back down for a successful landing on a robotic "drone ship" stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees U.S. commercial launches, has not yet issued a license for the EchoStar flight and a possible landing of the Falcon 9s first stage.

Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.

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Video game designer Kim Swift of boundary-pushing puzzler "Portal" plus action thriller "Left 4 Dead" and its sequel has joined EA Motive, which has not one but two "Star Wars" games on the go, involving three of the industry's best-known women.

Swift's involvement in student project "Narbacular Drop" saw her join game developer Valve, along with her classmates on the project, to turn the prototype into what became sci-fi puzzler "Portal."

Hugely well received for its innovation and polish, Swift both oversaw development of "Portal" and was involved in its design.

She had a hand in the creation of "Half-Life 2: Episode One" and its sequel, as well as the first two "Left 4 Dead" games before leaving Valve to work elsewhere.

Most recently she was at Amazon Game Studios, where she'd been one of its first headline hires -- its debut, the team-oriented "Breakaway," was unveiled late 2016 -- and arrives at EA Motive, another freshly minted studio with great potential.

Already in place at the Montreal development house is Jade Raymond, best known as a producer on the first "Assassin's Creed" games, and later involved with "Watch Dogs" and "Splinter Cell: Blacklist," two other significant Ubisoft properties.

Raymond had left Ubisoft Toronto, which she had been leading, to found Electronic Arts' Motive Studios in 2015.

"I've admired [Kim Swift]'s work forever!" she said on Twitter following the announcement, "I'm so excited to work with her."

There, two "Star Wars" projects are ongoing.

The first is a sequel to 2015's "Star Wars Battlefront."

Leveraging the experience of Sweden's EA DICE, the studio behind a blockbusting "Battlefield" franchise, "Star Wars Battlefront" was released in the run-up to billion-grossing film "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

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Similarly, its sequel is expected late 2017 as "Star Wars Episode VIII" approaches.

A second partnership involves Californian team Visceral Games, which is best known for chilling sci-fi "Dead Space"; it tried its own hand at a "Battlefield" game with 2015 spin-off "Battlefield Hardline."

There resides one of the industry's leading creatives, Amy Hennig, first acclaimed for her direction of three "Legacy of Kain" games in the late 90s and early 2000s, then for the first three "Uncharted" action adventures.

Visceral's "Star Wars" game is expected, though not yet confirmed, for 2018.

Given the schedule in place for "Battlefront"'s sequel it's unlikely that Swift has been brought in to steer it; Visceral's untitled "Star Wars" game already has a creative director though that wouldn't prevent Swift from contributing as with "Left 4 Dead" and the "Half-Life" episodes, so it seems reasonable to assume Swift is piloting her own team for an unannounced project at her new Montreal home.
Fans are going to meet another White Martian in Season 2, episode 11 of Supergirl.

The synopsis for the episode, titled The Martian Chronicles, reveals that a White Martian named Armek appears in National City to take Mgann (Sharon Leal) back to their home planet to face her punishment as a traitor. To keep Mgann safe, Kara (Melissa Benoist) and Jonn (David Harewood) bring her to the DEO. Things, however, get tricky when they find out that Armek shape-shifted into Mgann. With the DEOs security compromised, the team realizes that Armek could be disguised as any of them.

Armek will be played by Terrell Tilford, who most recently appeared as Eric Bishop in Season 4 of Freeforms family drama Switched at Birth. Tilford is best known for his roles as David Grant on CBS Guiding Light, Greg Evans on ABCs One Life to Live and Ramon Rush on Lifetimes The Protector, among many others.

In the comics, Armek is a member of the alien superteam known as the Hyperclan. Armek and seven other aliens come to Earth, claiming that they are the last survivors of a world that had been destroyed by environmental irresponsibility. Vowing to never allow such a disaster to happen again, the Hyperclan claims they journeyed through space looking out for planets that are in need of saving. This, however, is just a front to turn public opinion against Earths more prominent superheroes, particularly the Justice League of America.

When Mgann met Jonn on Supergirl for the first time, she told him that she escaped Mars after she was freed by a good-willed female White Martian. Later, however, Mgann admitted to Jonn that she was actually the White Martian who allowed some Green Martians to escape during the conflict between the two Martian races.

Supergirl Season 2, episode 11 airs on Monday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m. EST on The CW. The episode is directed by David McWhirter from a script written by Gabriel Llanas and Anna Musky-Goldwyn.

Terrell Tilford

Photo: Getty Images/Angela Weiss

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(Reuters) - The man suspected of killing an off-duty Louisiana police officer was taken to a an area hospital after he shot himself on Friday evening, bringing to a close an hours-long standoff, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Sylvester Holt, had been in a standoff with police and crisis negotiators for hours on New Orleans' Crescent City Connection bridge when he shot himself, Louisiana State Police Trooper Melissa Matey said.

Matey said Holt's condition was not known.

Westwego Police Officer Michael Louviere, 26, was heading home shortly after 6 a.m. local time on Friday when he stopped to respond to an apparent accident outside New Orleans. He exited his marked vehicle to offer aid, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Colonel John Fortunato said.

"The suspect comes up from behind and shoots him in the back of the head," Fortunato said, calling the shooting "a cold-blooded killing."

Fortunato said Louviere was wearing a police uniform, but did not appear to be targeted as a law enforcement officer. A woman was also killed in connection to the crime, authorities said.

(Reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Fla. and Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Tom Brown and Diane Craft)
Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) - Syria's government and rebel fighters will on Monday sit down at the negotiating table for the first time in nearly six years of war, the latest diplomatic push to end the hostilities.

Hosted in the Kazakh capital Astana, the talks will see an opposition delegation composed exclusively of rebel groups negotiating with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad in an initiative sponsored by rebel backer Turkey and regime allies Russia and Iran.

Though the talks have been welcomed by all parties in the conflict, delegates from both sides are heading to Kazakhstan with apparently opposing ideas about the goals, with Assad insisting Thursday that rebels lay down their arms in exchange for an amnesty deal.

Although Assad said the talks would prioritise reaching a ceasefire, Damascus has insisted it will seek a "comprehensive" political solution to the conflict that has killed more than 300,000 and displaced over half of the country's population.

The rebels meanwhile say they will focus solely on reinforcing a frail nationwide truce brokered by Moscow and Ankara last month.

- Who is attending? -

Moscow said this week that the objective was to "consolidate" the ceasefire and involve rebel field commanders in the "political process" to end the bloodshed, creating a basis for a new round of UN-hosted negotiations in Geneva next month.

Syria's UN ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari, an experienced negotiator involved in past failed talks in Geneva, will head the regime delegation in Astana.

The United Nations' peace envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, will also attend, alongside representatives of Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Mohammad Alloush of the Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam) rebel group -- whose commander cousin Zahran Alloush was killed in an air strike claimed by the regime in December 2015 -- will lead a "military delegation" of around eight people.

They will be backed by nine legal and political advisors from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) umbrella group.

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But key rebel group Ahrar al-Sham said it would snub the Astana talks over ceasefire violations and ongoing Russian air strikes on the country.

Ahrar al-Sham nonetheless said it would support decisions taken by other rebel groups represented at the talks if they were "in the interest of the nation".

The talks, which could last days, come a month after the Syrian regime, bolstered by its allies, took full control of second city Aleppo from rebels in its biggest victory in more than four years of fighting.

With stakes high and outcomes unclear, the Syrian opposition is wary that the regime could use the rebel groups' inexperience in political talks to its advantage in Astana, a European diplomatic source told AFP.

"There is genuine worry in the opposition that the representatives of rebel groups, which are not at all used to these types of international negotiations, will be dragged into a political solution that will play into the hand of the regime," the source said.

- US represented -

The United States under new President Donald Trump will also be represented -- with the US ambassador to Astana taking part.

A key negotiator in previous ceasefire agreements, Washington was last month sidelined from sponsoring the nationwide truce brokered by Russia and Turkey after months of disengagement from the conflict.

After overcoming a rift in relations following Turkey's downing of a Russian warplane in Syria in November 2015, the two countries this week conducted their first joint strikes against Islamic State group targets in an operation Moscow hailed as "highly effective".

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview aired Saturday on Russian state television that deals that could help end the conflict in Syria were "unlikely" to be struck in Astana because "too many parties are involved in the process."

Iran, the talks' third sponsor, will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaber Ansari, the country's Isna news agency reported.

Analysts say Iran, a longtime ally of Assad, views the Astana talks as an opportunity to increase its influence in the region after playing a crucial role in the symbolic recapture of Aleppo.

France, Britain and the European Union will also send their ambassadors as representatives at the talks.

- A stepping stone? -

Divergent agendas and the absence of some key players and high-level officials cast uncertainty on how the Astana talks could serve as a building block for next month's Geneva negotiations.

"The success or failure of Astana is not predetermined," Russian Middle East expert Boris Dolgov told AFP.

"If something can be achieved in Astana, I think that a portion of the armed opposition will participate in the Geneva talks."
The leader of a Taiwanese delegation that defied Chinese anger to attend US President Donald Trump's inauguration said Friday that US-Taiwan ties were at a "historic high."

Former premier Yu Shyi-kun, who headed the Taiwanese government between 2002 and 2005, led an 11-strong team to the ceremony on Washington's National Mall.

His invitation to the event had enraged Beijing -- which sees the self-ruling island as part of its own territory awaiting reunification -- and sparked a diplomatic spat.

China formally asked Washington not to welcome a Taiwanese party to the inauguration, leading Yu to denounce its leader Xi Jinping as "narrow-minded."

But, even if anger preceded the visit, Yu was all smiles on Friday after attending the event, along with parliamentarians from four Taiwanese parties.

Yu himself is a member and former chairman of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which is skeptical of cross-strait ties and defends Taipei's autonomy.

- Best relations -

He was enthused by the welcome he had received in Washington: "Taiwan-US relations are probably at their best right now," he told AFP.

Almost immediately after he won the November election, Trump provoked Beijing's ire by accepting a congratulatory call from Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen.

Washington cut formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979, recognizing the Communist mainland rulers in Beijing as the sole government of "One China."

But, under the terms of the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, Washington maintains an ambiguous approach to the island, maintains trade ties and sells Taipei weapons.

It does not recognize Tsai as a head of state, however, and China was infuriated at what it saw as a breach of protocol in Trump's acceptance of her call.

The then president-elect was unconcerned, and some US conservatives praised him for standing up for a democratic ally.

Earlier this month, Tsai transited through the United States on her way to meetings in Latin America, and at the airport she met Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz.

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Yu, in an interview with AFP, said that Trump's decision to take Tsai's call and to allow the transit visit were good signs that relations are warming.

"She received a very high-level and good treatment in the US, and also there was the call between President Trump and President Tsai, which raised Taiwan's visibility," he said.

- One China -

Asked whether he had met with officials from former president Barack Obama's outgoing administration or Trump's new one, Yu was cautious.

"According to the norms and understanding that we have between Taiwan and the US, if we have any meetings with members of the administration we cannot disclose that," he said.

Yu noted that Trump had, in one of his notoriously intemperate Tweets, called the United States' "One China" policy into question.

But, while he welcomed this, he said that some in Taiwan had been concerned that in follow-up interviews Trump had appeared to suggest he would use Taiwan ties as a bargaining chip.

Last month, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that "everything is on the table, including One China" but suggested China could save the policy by negotiating a trade deal with him.

Yu said he had raised the idea that Trump may "sell out Taiwan" at conservative think tanks in Washington, but had been reassured that the Taiwan Relations Act would forbid this.

Taiwan's other concern is the apparent collapse of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a planned free trade deal championed by Obama but denounced by Trump.

"Under the Obama administration they were very keen on getting TPP signed," Yu said "Taiwan and the US had an understanding for Taiwan to be part of the TPP."

- Constant unfair threat -

If TPP cannot be salvaged, however, he hopes a separate Taiwan-US trade pact might be signed and that Taiwanese investors might help Trump fulfil his pledge to create US jobs.

In the meantime, he can only lament that Taiwan's population of 23 million remains "under constant unfair threat" from its neighbors because it is not a recognized United Nations member.

"Taiwan and the US are both members of a democratic alliance," he said.

"We share the same values of freedom and democracy and human rights and peace. Our values are the same," he insisted.

And, asked whether he believed that one day Taiwan will be a fully sovereign "normal country," he smiled and said: "We really hope so."
A crowd of women joining the National Woman Suffrage Association, which was led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony in 1869. (Photo: MPI/Getty Images)

On Saturday, when as many as 2 million women  and men  take to the streets in Washington, D.C., and around the world for the Womens March, they will be following in the footsteps of women who have marched for progressive causes and civil rights at least since the late 19th century. Those who will be marching in New York have some especially distinguished predecessors.

In 1862, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton began working on Park Place in Manhattan across from City Hall, a street then known as Newspaper Row, to publish a periodical promoting suffrage for women. For decades, they organized meetings, rallies and speeches, and it would take many more large-scale marches after their deaths  including the famous Womens Suffrage Parade at the U.S. Capitol on the day before the inauguration of President-elect Woodrow Wilsonbefore voting rights were finally extended to female citizens in 1920.

At the end of the 19th century, Rose Schneiderman, one of four children of Polish immigrants, was forced to go to work in a cap-making factory after her father died; she was only 13 years old. Having experienced firsthand the risks of working with dangerous machines, pay inequality and sweatshop conditions like windowless rooms and locked doors, she became a labor activist, and in 1909, organized a landmark strike of garment workers, which led many factory owners to implement what we now consider basic workplace safety measures. Owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory refused; two years later, when 146 people  mostly young women  died in a fire there, Schneiderman and thousands of other New Yorkers again took to the streets, leading to the establishment of a pioneering safety commission and eventually the first comprehensive set of workplace health and safety laws in the nation.

Frances Perkins, who headed that commission, later became the first woman to ever serve in a presidential cabinet, under Franklin Delano Roosevelt. During 12 years in Washington as the countrys first labor secretary, Perkins spearheaded the New Deal and the expansion of workplace health and safety standards across the country.

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Beginning in 1910, Margaret Sanger, a nurse, began a lifetime of advocacy for womens health, starting with the ability to openly share information about sexually transmitted disease, methods of contraception and relevant products  all of which the 1873 Comstock Act had outlawed.

In the 1940s, Ella Baker, a granddaughter of slaves who had moved to Harlem in 1927, began spending six months a year traveling the South to help blacks achieve the right to vote. When she returned to Manhattan, where she became president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), she organized rallies to end police brutality and school segregation.

In 1952, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) saw fit to codify homosexuality as a form of mental illness; in the 1960s, Barbara Gitting, a Philadelphia native who founded the New York chapter of one of the first gay-rights organizations in the country, marched on picket lines calling for gays and lesbians to be accepted and for the APA to remove homosexuality from its list of disorders; in 1973 it finally agreed. A few years later, Audre Lorde, who would later become the poet laureate of New York, marched in Washington, D.C. for LBGT rights, where, in a speech, she recalled visiting there 30 years earlier and being unable to eat ice cream in a drugstore with her family because they were black.

As history makes clear, women from New York City have been instrumental in building nearly all the social justice movements that continue to dominate the headlines today, from feminism to civil rights, from refugee resettlements to public education.

And while each cause was distinct, another New York woman, Eleanor Roosevelt, who was appointed as a delegate to the United Nations by President Harry Truman in 1946, worked tirelessly to define these causes not as political issues but as a set of fundamental human rights. After heading up yet another commission (which undertook hundreds of hours of research and difficult, complex international negotiations in the shadow of the cold war), Roosevelts team created the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and still widely considered the preeminent statement on the subject. Every word, comma and period was haggled over by representatives of dozens of countries, and even American politicians hesitated to take a stance. A set of timeless ideals that has since been translated into more than 500 languages, the documents sets forth that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family [are] the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

This history presents an inevitable questions: would all the rights now largely taken for granted in American society have happened if women hadnt joined together and taken to the streets?

The answer seems clear: unlikely.

On Saturday, when marchers assemble throughout the U.S., and across the world in at least 616 sister marches that registered as of Friday morning (in places as far away as Tanzania and the Antarctic Peninsula), the spirits of New Yorks outspoken women will lead the way.

Photo by Sarah Saffian

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Julie Scelfo, a former staff writer for The New York Times, is the author of The Women Who Made New York.

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Sydney (AFP) - Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders on Saturday took to the streets in reaction to Donald Trump's inauguration, kicking off the Women's March day of global protest against the new US president.

Several thousand women and men joined the movement in central Sydney and a similar number turned out in Melbourne, AFP reporters said.

Hundreds also demonstrated in New Zealand's capital Wellington as well as in Auckland at the start of a day that will culminate with marches in Washington, where more than 200,000 are expected, and across dozens of US cities.

Organisers say more than 600 coordinated protests will take place around the world in defence of women's rights and against hatred and bigotry following Trump's inauguration.

Anti-Trump demonstrations in downtown Washington erupted in violence on Friday when more than 200 people were arrested for vandalism.

But there were no reports of trouble Down Under where Women's March organisers had called for a peaceful protest.

"Hatred, hate speech, bigotry, discrimination, prejudicial policies -- these are not American problems, these are global problems," Women's March Sydney co-founder Mindy Freiband told the crowd.

Under Sydney's summer sun there were not too many sporting the pink "pussyhats" -- woolly hats with cat ears -- that have become a symbol of the Women's March movement.

They are a play on the words "pussycat" and "pussy" in a bid to claim back the derogatory term for female genitalia that Trump used about groping women in a leaked tape.

Marchers say they want to vent against an incoming administration they fear will roll back women's rights. Australians said they felt equally worried, but not just about women.

"We are not just concerned about women, we think there are a lot of people threatened by these types of policies," Freiband told AFP.

"We also have people concerned about the treatment of refugees, detainees, aboriginal rights, science denial, global warming. These are universal issues".

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Protester Emily Richardson hit out at Trump's sexual attitude towards women.

"I think that he is such a public figure, and everything he stands for, the comments that he has made and the attitude he has shown, it makes people think it is OK, it condones sexual assault.

"We can't have a figure in one of the biggest nations in the world say that these things are OK, because it allows everyone else to go further with those attitudes. It exacerbates everything," she told AFP.

Rachel Shaw said she feared for her child's future.

"I came here today because I want my daughter to know that she should be empowered as a woman," Shaw said.

"She has equal rights to men and... the right to protest about her rights... and do what she wants to do in life."
By Stephen Addison and Shadia Nasralla LONDON/VIENNA (Reuters) - Thousands of women took to the streets of European capitals to join "sister marches" in Asia against newly installed U.S. President Trump ahead of a major rally in Washington expected to draw nearly a quarter of a million people. Waving banners with slogans like "Special relationship, just say no" and "Nasty women unite," the demonstrators gathered outside the American embassy in Grosvenor Square before heading to a rally in central Trafalgar Square. Worldwide some 670 marches were planned, according to the organizers' website which says more than two million marchers are expected to protest against Trump, who was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president on Friday. Celebrities including rights activist Bianca Jagger, singer Charlotte Church and actor Ian McKellen expressed their support for the protest on social media. Several marchers wore pink "pussy" hats, and carried banners with slogans like: "this pussy bites back" after the emergence of a 2005 tape in which Trump spoke of women in a demeaning way sparked widespread outrage. In Europe, marches also took place in Berlin, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Geneva and Amsterdam. Around 2,000 people marched in Vienna, according to estimates by the police and organizers, but sub-zero temperatures quickly thinned the crowd to a couple of hundred. One protester placed a pink knitted hat with cat ears on the golden statue of 19th century composer Johann Strauss, while in Geneva police estimated around 1,000 people, mainly women and children, marched through the Swiss city. In Africa, hundreds of protesters in Nairobi's Karura Forest waved placards and sang American protest songs. Emily MacCartney, a 28-year-old documentary maker with a Texas tattoo on her arm, said she felt the new president did not respect women's rights or gay rights. "Within 30 minutes of the inauguration, they had removed LGTBQ rights from the White House website," she said, using the abbreviation for lesbian, gay, transsexual, bisexual or queer. Kenyan Muthoni Ngige, 28, said "I'm here because I'm against world leaders being pussy grabbers. I'm here in solidarity with the women of America." Many marchers were also irate about the New York real estate developer's demeaning comments about immigrants and Muslims, and his apparent lack of interest in environmental affairs. ASIAN RALLIES In Sydney, Australia's biggest city, about 3,000 people - men and women - gathered for a rally in Hyde Park before marching on the U.S. consulate downtown, while organizers said 5,000 people rallied in Melbourne. "Were not marching as an anti-Trump movement per se, were marching to protest the hate speech, the hateful rhetoric, the misogyny, the bigotry, the xenophobia and we want to present a united voice with women around the globe," organizer Mindy Freiband told Reuters. In New Zealand, there were marches in four cities, involving around 2,000 people, Wellington's march organizer Bette Flagler told Reuters. Elsewhere in Asia, hundreds of people joined protests in Tokyo, including many American expatriates. (Reporting by Stephen Addison in London, Harry Pearl and Tom Westbrook in Sydney, Katharine Houreld in Nairobi)
(WASHINGTON)  In a global exclamation of defiance and solidarity, more than 1 million people rallied at womens marches in the nations capital and cities around the world Saturday to send President Donald Trump an emphatic message on his first full day in office that they wont let his agenda go unchallenged.

Welcome to your first day, we will not go away! marchers in Washington chanted.

Many of the women came wearing pink, pointy-eared pussyhats to mock the new president. Plenty of men joined in, too, contributing to surprising numbers everywhere from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles to Mexico City, Paris, Berlin, London, Prague and Sydney.

The Washington rally alone attracted over 500,000 people according to city officials  apparently more than Trumps inauguration drew on Friday. It was easily one of the biggest demonstrations in the citys history, and as night fell, not a single arrest was reported.

The international outpouring served to underscore the degree to which Trump has unsettled people in both hemispheres.

We march today for the moral core of this nation, against which our new president is waging a war, actress America Ferrera told the Washington crowd. Our dignity, our character, our rights have all been under attack, and a platform of hate and division assumed power yesterday. But the president is not America.  We are America, and we are here to stay.

Turnout in the capital was so heavy that the designated march route alongside the National Mall was impassable. Protesters were told to make their way to the Ellipse near the White House by way of other streets, triggering a chaotic scene that snarled downtown Washington. Long after the program had ended, groups of demonstrators were still marching and chanting in different parts of the city.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer had no comment on the march except to note that there were no firm numbers for turnout because the National Park Service no longer provides crowd estimates.

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Around the world, women brandished signs with slogans such as Women wont back down and Less fear more love. They decried Trumps stand on such issues as abortion, health care, diversity and climate change. And they branded him a sexist, a bully, a bigot and more.

We want a leader, not a creepy tweeter, some marchers chanted in Washington.

In Chicago, organizers canceled the march portion of their event for safety reasons because of an overflow crowd that reached an estimated 250,000. People made their way through the streets on their own anyway. In New York, well over 100,000 marched past Trumps home at glittering Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. More than 100,000 also gathered on Boston Common, and a similar number demonstrated in Los Angeles.

In Miami, real estate agent Regina Vasquez, 51, brought a sign saying Repeal and Replace Trump.

I believe that strength is in the numbers, and that we should all come out and not make Trump the new normal, she said.

All told, more than 600 sister marches were planned worldwide. Crowd estimates from police and organizers around the globe added up to well over a million.

I feel very optimistic even though its a miserable moment, said Madeline Schwartzman of New York City, who brought her twin 13-year-old daughters to the Washington rally. I feel power.

Retired teacher Linda Lastella, 69, who came to Washington from Metuchen, New Jersey, said she had never marched before but felt the need to speak out when many nations are experiencing this same kind of pullback and hateful, hateful attitudes.

It just seemed like we needed to make a very firm stand of where we were, she said.

As the demonstrators rallied alongside the National Mall, Trump opened his first full day as president by attending a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral, a tradition for the day after inauguration, and later visited the CIA. As he traveled around town, his motorcade passed large groups of protesters that would have been hard to miss.

The Womens March on Washington appeared to accomplish the historic feat of drawing more people to protest the inauguration than the ceremony itself attracted.

It far surpassed the 60,000 people who protested the Vietnam War at Richard Nixons inauguration in 1973. Before Saturday, that was thought to be the largest such demonstration in inaugural history.

Christopher Geldart, Washingtons homeland security director, said the crowd exceeded the 500,000 that organizers told city officials to expect. The largest-ever demonstration in Washington, according to National Park Service crowd estimates, was an anti-Vietnam protest in 1969 that drew 600,000.

The Million Man March in 1995 drew 400,000, according to the park service, which no longer estimates crowd sizes, in part because the organizers of that event accused the agency of lowballing the number and threatened to sue.

The Washington rally was a peaceful counterpoint to the window-smashing unrest that unfolded on Friday when self-described anarchists tried to disrupt the inauguration. Police used pepper spray and stun grenades against the demonstrators. More than 200 people were arrested.

Marlita Gogan, who came to Washington from Houston for the inauguration, said police advised her family not to wear their Make America Great Again Hats as they walked through crowds of protesters while playing tourist on Saturday.

I think its very oppressive, she said of the march atmosphere. They can have their day, but I dont get it.

Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump, took to Twitter to thank the participants for standing, speaking and marching for our values.

The marches displayed a level of enthusiasm that Clinton herself was largely unable to generate during her campaign against Trump, when she won the popular vote but was outdistanced in the Electoral College that decides the White House.

The hand-knit pussyhats worn by many women served as a message of female empowerment, inspired by Trumps crude boast about grabbing womens genitals. They aint for grabbing, actress Ashley Judd told the Washington crowd.

The marches were a magnet for A-list celebrities, unlike Trumps inauguration, which had a deficit of top performers.

Alicia Keys sang Girl on Fire for the Washington crowd. Madonna gave a fiery, profanity-laced address to the gathering. Cher, also in the nations capital, said Trumps ascendance has people more frightened maybe than theyve ever been.

In Park City, Utah, it was Charlize Theron leading demonstrators in a chant of Love, not hate, makes America great. Actresses Helen Mirren and Cynthia Nixon and Whoopi Goldberg joined the crowd of protesters in New York.

Tens of thousands of protesters squeezed into Londons Trafalgar Square. In Paris, thousands rallied in the Eiffel Tower neighborhood in a joyful atmosphere, singing and carrying posters reading We have our eyes on you Mr. Trump and With our sisters in Washington. Hundreds gathered in Pragues Wenceslas Square in freezing weather, mockingly waving portraits of Trump and Russias Vladimir Putin.

In Sydney, thousands of Australians gathered in solidarity in Hyde Park. One organizer said hatred, bigotry and racism are not only Americas problems.

___

Associated Press Writers Alanna Durkin Richer, Tami Abdollah, Juliet Linderman, Brian Witte, Matthew Barakat, and David Dishneau in Washington contributed to this report.
Bastia (France) (AFP) - French title hopefuls Nice edged provisionally a point clear of Monaco but were Friday lamenting the loss of two points in a 1-1 draw at lowly Bastia.

The match was marred by an ugly incident beforehand when police reported some Bastia fans stoned the Nice team bus, breaking two windows, as it arrived at the Armand Cesari stadium.

Nice's official Twitter feed reported that the side had arrived safely "but their bus, a little less so." The club also showed two pictures of the damaged vehicle.

Nice, welcoming back former Italy, Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli from suspension, had to come from behind as Congolese midfielder Prince Oniangue put the hosts ahead on 17 minutes.

Nice, bidding to win a fifth title but first since 1959, levelled through Arnaud Souquet just after the half hour.

But that was as good as it got for Lucien Favre's shock pacesetters, who were held last week by another struggling side in Metz.

Bastia held out despite having skipper Yannick Cahuzac sent off midway through the second period.

Favre was quick to pinpint his side's faults afterwards.

"We dominated and had the lion's share of possession, even more after the sending off. But there was not enough movement. We lost too many balls and they pressed us well with a 4-3-2-1 to shut us out.

"We didn't do enough tonight. Balotelli is not 100 percent and (asking him to) overcome a five-man defence is a tough ask."

The draw -- their fourth in five matches -- leaves Nice with 46 points from 21 games one clear of Monaco, who host Lorient on Sunday and four ahead of reigning champions Paris Saint Germain, who are in action at Nantes on Saturday.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  A magnitude 8 earthquake has hit the Solomon Islands and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says it could generate tsunami waves on nearby islands. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake hit near Arawa in Papua New Guinea at a depth of 167 kilometers (103 miles). There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The Solomon Islands are located in the Pacific's geologically active "Ring of Fire."

NEW DELHI (AP)  At least 23 people were killed and 50 others injured after a passenger train derailed in southern India, railway officials said Sunday. Seven coaches of the Hirakand Express were thrown off the tracks around midnight Saturday, some landing on a goods train that was on a parallel track, said Divisional Railway manager Chandralekha Mukherji. Rescue workers were trying to cut open the mangled coaches Sunday morning near the Kuneru railway station in the Vizianagram district of Andhra Pradesh state. The train was traveling between Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh state to Bhuvaneshawar in Orissa. An investigation is underway. In November, 146 people were killed when a packed passenger train derailed near the town of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh in the deadliest rail accident in the country in at least five years.

How can you get under the skin of an Asian country? Diplomatic body searches, bomber flights, shrine statues and even doormats have set governments on edge. Here's a nation-by-nation look at Asia's figurative, and in one case literal, sacred cows: ___ SOUTH KOREA South Korea takes offense first, and most regularly, with Japan, largely over disputes stemming from Tokyo's 35-year colonization of the Korean Peninsula in the early 20th century. But President Donald Trump has proven surprisingly good at pushing buttons in Seoul in recent months. During his campaign, Trump suggested that the United States would let South Korea defend itself from North Korean aggression if Seoul didn't pay more for the stationing of 28,500 American troops in the country.

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CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Relatives of passengers and crew aboard the missing Malaysian airliner plan to present the Malaysian transport minister in Australia with letters urging that the search resume. Sheryl Keen, a supporter of the international victims' advocacy group Voice370, said Sunday she plans to personally hand to Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai dozens of letters from relatives when Liow meets this week in the west coast city of Perth with his Australian counterpart Darren Chester. Last week, Malaysia, Australia and China announced that the deep sea search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 had been suspended, perhaps forever, after a sonar scan of 120,000 square kilometers (46,000 square miles) of the Indian Ocean west of Australia failed to find any trace of the Boeing 777 that vanished on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board after flying far off course during a trip from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A diver who was mauled by a 4-meter (13-foot) bull shark near the Great Barrier Reef was flown in stable condition to an Australian hospital for microsurgery to an arm, a paramedic said Sunday. The 55-year-old man had been free diving with friends in the Torres Strait from a boat chartered from the Queensland state city of Cairns when the shark attacked on Saturday afternoon, paramedic David Cameron said. Free diving uses no breath apparatus. The man was 15 meters (50 feet) under water with other divers when the shark attacked, Cameron said. "The bull shark has come up from behind and has unfortunately bitten the patient on the arm several times and bitten him on the stomach," Cameron said, adding the most severe injuries were to his left arm.

BEIJING (AP)  Chinese authorities say they are investigating the former Communist Party chief and mayor of the port city of Tianjin for bribery. State media reported Sunday that Huang Xingguo is suspected of accepting bribes during his time leading Tianjin, a sprawling city of 15 million near Beijing. Huang was mayor when a massive explosion at a chemical storage warehouse in the city exploded, killing 173 people. The state-run Xinhua News Agency on Sunday did not immediately link his arrest to the explosion, though other high-ranking officials in Tianjin have also faced investigations in the wake of the accident. Huang was expelled from the Communist Party earlier this month.

BEIJING (AP)  Authorities in China say 12 people are likely dead inside a hotel overrun by a landslide. State media reported that rescuers have not detected signs of life from 10 people who were trapped underneath rocks and debris after the Friday night landslide in Hunan province. The official Xinhua News Agency said 3,000 cubic meters (105,000 cubic feet) of debris tumbled down a slope behind the three-story hotel in Nanzhang county. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. A statement from the Nanzhang government said the rescue work had been hampered by a 150-ton rock that had fallen on the site.

CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A fifth person died in hospital a day after a man with a history of mental health and drug issues drove a car through a lunch-time crowd in a pedestrian-only street in Australia's second largest city, police said on Sunday. A 3-month-old boy died in hospital late Saturday and four people remained hospitalized in a critical condition after a stolen sedan caused havoc in downtown Melbourne on Friday, a police statement said. The driver, Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 26, remained in hospital after being shot in the arm by police who captured him at the scene. His wound was not life-threatening.

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Pakistan has handed over to Indian authorities an Indian soldier who crossed into Pakistan in the disputed Kashmir region in September. A foreign ministry statement Saturday said Chandu Babulal Chohan deserted his post and crossed the Line of Control to the Pakistani side because of severe grievances with superiors. The statement said Pakistan convinced him to return to India and Chohan was handed over at the Wahga border point. Pakistan and India fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, with each claiming the region in its entirety.

President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy led by a forceful executive, in contrast to the coalition building and international conferences which have featured strongly in past administrations. The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs. "This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first." A look at some reactions from around the world: ___ AFGHANS DISAPPOINTED BUT HOPEFUL Like many in the Afghan capital of Kabul, restaurant owner Mohammad Nahim watched the presidential inauguration ceremonies but was disappointed to not hear any mention of Afghanistan.
Paris (AFP) - A high-profile French jihadist was charged with terrorist offences and remanded in custody on Saturday, a day after being transferred to France from Turkey, where he had turned himself in to authorities.

Kevin Guiavarch, a 24-year-old who converted to Islam 10 years ago, was one of the UN's most wanted jihadists and had been placed on a blacklist in 2014.

Suspected as being one of the major Islamic State group recruiters attracting young French people to join the jihadist cause in Syria and Iraq, Guiavarch rubbed shoulders with some of the perpetrators of the November 2015 Paris attacks while living in Raqa, IS's de facto capital.

The former church choirboy, who was raised by a single mother in Brittany, now claims to be "reformed" -- though he has also told French author David Thomson, who wrote a book about returning jihadists, that he left IS because he was afraid of dying.

He spent four years in Syria amongst jihadists, first with former Al-Qaeda affiliate the Fateh al-Sham Front, and then IS.

He quit Syria in June 2016 with his four French wives and six children, and went to Turkey where they were all arrested.

All four wives had already been deported to France.

Guiavarch, who had been the subject of an international arrest warrant, arrived in the French capital on Friday night before on Saturday being charged with association of a criminal terrorist organisation and financing terrorism, the Paris prosecutor said.

French authorities will now try to determine whether Guiavarch is truly reformed or part of a sleeper cell aiming to carry out attacks in France at a later date.

What to do with returning jihadists -- whether claiming to be reformed or not -- is a major concern for many European countries.

Authorities say around 700 French people are living amongst IS militants in either Syria or Iraq. Another 200 have been killed.

By January 1, some 350 people in France had been charged with jihadist offences while another 710 are being investigated.

Since 2012, 83 people have been sentenced over jihadist activities.
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump will "rebuild" America's vast military, boost its anti-missile capabilities and prioritize defeating the Islamic State group, according to the first policy statements published on the White House website Friday.

Published moments after Trump was inaugurated president, the statements say he will end limits on Pentagon spending agreed by Congress and the Obama administration, and will soon release a new budget proposal outlining his vision for the military.

"We will provide our military leaders with the means to plan for our future defense needs," the White House said.

"We cannot allow other nations to surpass our military capability."

The statement said the US will develop a "state-of-the-art missile defense system" to defend against attacks from Iran, North Korea and others.

It listed developing cyberwarfare capabilities as a key goal -- an issue that gained importance after US intelligence agencies said Russia interfered with the US presidential election, hacking political party computers.

Some of that work is already underway.

Even if there is not a full defensive ring around the country, the United States has already deployed missiles on its West Coast designed to intercept ballistic missile fire from North Korea.

Under policy set during the Obama administration, the number of those interceptors is to be increased to 44 by the end of this year.

US arms expert Loren Thompson said Trump is probably talking about further modernizing that technology.

In addition, the government has taken steps -- not yet finalized -- to place cyberwarfare capabilities under a separate military command.

The website also said Trump would reverse declines in the US navy and air force. A program is already underway to do that in the navy.

Trump "knows that our military dominance must be unquestioned," the statement said.

"The world will be more peaceful and more prosperous with a stronger and more respected America."

Trump enters office with North Korea threatening to test-launch a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.

CNN and other US news reports, quoting a US defense official, said last week that the Pentagon had deployed a high-tech system -- a sea-based X-band radar -- to watch for possible North Korean long-range missile launches in coming months.
By Jeff Mason and Warren Strobel



LANGLEY, Va./WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump sought to mend fences with the CIA on Saturday, telling officers he had their back after he criticized spy agencies for their investigation into Russian hacking.



In his first official visit to a government agency as president, Trump - who had said U.S. intelligence tactics were reminiscent of Nazi Germany - sought to leave no doubt with officers that he supported their work.



"Very, very few people could do the job you people do and I want you to know I am so behind you," Trump said, to cheers and loud applause.



Ahead of the speech, some analysts said it would take more than a quick visit for Trump, who engaged in an unprecedented feud with the Central Intelligence agency and other U.S. intelligence agencies before his inauguration, to patch up relations with a community he denigrated.



Trump harshly criticized intelligence officials after they concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed hackers to breach Democratic emails to try to boost Trump's presidential election campaign.



Then, after leaks about an unsubstantiated dossier compiled by a private security firm suggesting Moscow had compromising information about him, Trump blamed intelligence agencies for using Nazi-like tactics.



Trump made no mention of Russia during his off-the-cuff remarks, which lasted about 15 minutes.





Related:

He said the feud with intelligence agencies was made up by the media, and he called reporters "among the most dishonest human beings on earth."



Trump also took issue with television shots and still photos of crowds that had gathered for his inauguration on Friday on the National Mall, suggesting that they were misleading and showed fewer people present than actually in attendance.



Former CIA deputy director Michael Morell said Trump's visit to the CIA would be "an important and positive gesture."



"The real test of the relationship between the president and his most important intelligence agency, though, will depend on how open he is to what CIA has to say about what is happening in the world," Morell said before Trump's speech.



Trump said fighting Islamic State militants would be a priority for the agency, saying "radical Islamic terrorism" had to be eradicated.

(Additional reporting by John Walcott; Writing by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Alistair Bell and Leslie Adler)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet next week with British Prime Minister Theresa May and has talked about meeting Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Jan. 31, White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters on Saturday. The date of May's visit was not immediately clear in the brief statement from Spicer. "The president will welcome his first foreign leader this Thursday when the United Kingdom's Theresa May will come to Washington on Friday," Spicer said. Spicer was not immediately available to clarify whether the meeting would be on Thursday or Friday. (Reporting by Jeff Mason, Roberta Rampton and Lisa Lambert; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Washington (AFP) - Her neck wrapped in an American flag-colored scarf, Beverly Minardi fidgeted excitedly as she stood steps from Washington's Capitol building, the sounds of US Navy drums and fifes reverberating through the ground.

She was one of many Americans who, after voting to "drain the swamp" and clean up Washington, had trekked to the nation's capital to watch Donald Trump's ascent to the White House made official.

"It's awesome!" the 55-year-old exclaimed, unable to contain her joy at witnessing the billionaire with no prior political experience take the oath of office.

"I expect him bringing our country back into unity, prosperity and security," she said.

The Floridian journeyed to the nation's capital from Tampa with her 75-year-old mother, Norma Cohen-Minardi -- who donned makeup, earrings and a scarf matching her daughter's for the occasion.

The pair work together in a real estate agency in the southeastern state and received tickets to the inauguration at the east end of the National Mall from their congressional representative.

But in the metro at dawn a "very nice" person offered them better tickets, close to the platform where the 70-year-old New Yorker would cement his improbable rise to power.

"They are so beautiful, I'm so excited," Minardi cried out, applauding as Ivanka and Tiffany Trump, the 45th president's daughters, took the stage clad in tailored white garb.

As Michelle Obama appeared in a power-red fit-and-flare dress, Minardi bade the popular outgoing first lady adieu with a gentle wave: "Bye-bye."

"Goodbye," she repeated when Chuck Schumer -- the new Senate Democratic minority leader -- took the mic, before her tone turned angry: "Be quiet, go home."

- 'We have our country back' -

The audience rose as the Republican arrived for his swearing-in; Minardi leapt up from her seat.

"Trump, Trump!" she shouted, whipping out and putting on a white cap emblazoned with the Republican's name.

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Rain began to fall as Trump uttered his first words as president, and Minardi wiped away tears: "I was crying, it was happiness; joy," she said. "I am so relieved that we have our country back."

Her mother crossed herself as evangelical pastor Franklin Graham -- one of a handful of religious leaders to offer prayers at the ceremony -- hailed the rain as "a sign of God's blessing."

"I am so glad that he mentioned God so many times," Cohen-Minardi said following the president's inaugural speech.

"We'll never be forgotten," her daughter said, paraphrasing the tycoon's promise.

Concerning Trump's history of making derogatory remarks toward women -- and the flurry of sexual harassment and assault accusations he faced during the vitriolic 2016 campaign -- the Floridians were forgiving.

"It's not an issue to stop him from being president," Minardi said. "He is a human being that makes mistakes."

"We are not electing the pope."

When it comes to immigration, Minardi -- whose mother holds dual US-Spanish nationality -- said she wants it "made easier, but not for free." Trump made expelling undocumented immigrants and erecting a massive wall along the US-Mexican border a cornerstone of his campaign.

For her part, Cohen-Minardi preferred to flaunt photos from Florida Governor Rick Scott's recent pre-inaugural ball in Washington. After all, she said, "There were the Beach Boys!"
As Donald Trumps transition team prepares for the real-estate magnate to take control of the White House, senior advisers are looking at all of the various departments for ways they can reduce spending. One of the suggestions being considered, according to a recent report, is the privatization of the Corporation For Public Broadcasting.

The incoming administration is looking to table major reductions in funding for almost all government departments, which it says would reduce federal spending by as much as $10.5 trillion, political news site The Hill said in a report on Thursday.

In addition to larger cuts that would affect the Commerce and Energy Departments, the Trump team is said to be thinking about selling off the public broadcasting agency, and ending both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

According to The Hill, much of what the Trump team is proposing comes from budget recommendations made by two conservative groups last year: 1) The Heritage Foundation, which published a mock 2017 federal budget called A Blueprint for Balance, and 2) The Republican Study Committee, which published a document it called Blueprint for a Balanced Budget.

The Heritage Foundation noted that when the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was created in 1967, households faced very limited broadcasting options. As technology has grown since the corporation's inception, media sources for accessing the news and broadcasting have greatly increased.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune's technology newsletter.

In its budget proposals, the Republican Study Committeemade up of 172 Republican members of the House of Representativesargued that a free society should not have government-supported media outlets, especially ones that so often convey political news and opinion. There is no shortage of media outlets and news services available to consumers.

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In an email to the site Common Dreams, which focuses on news for what it calls the progressive community, the CPB said that federal investment in public broadcasting is vital, especially for stations that are located in rural America, and those serving under-served populations. The agency added that the loss of this funding would have a devastating effect.

The Corporation For Public Broadcasting was created in 1967 by President Lyndon Johnson, who signed the Public Broadcasting Act and set up government funding for the agency. The CPB eventually created what became the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and the National Public Radio (NPR) network.

Compared with some other government departments and spending, the Corporation for Public Broadcastings budget is relatively minuscule. It got just $445 million from the government in 2014, and the vast majority of that was spent helping the more than 1,400 public radio and television stations that are part of the PBS and NPR networks.

According to the Washington Post, the endowment for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting made up approximately 0.01% of the overall federal budget last year.

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By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump said on Friday its trade strategy to protect American jobs would start with withdrawal from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact. A White House statement issued soon after Trump's inauguration said the United States would also "crack down on those nations that violate trade agreements and harm American workers in the process." The statement said Trump was committed to renegotiating another trade deal, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was signed in 1994 by the United States, Canada and Mexico. "For too long, Americans have been forced to accept trade deals that put the interests of insiders and the Washington elite over the hard-working men and women of this country," it said. "As a result, blue-collar towns and cities have watched their factories close and good-paying jobs move overseas, while Americans face a mounting trade deficit and a devastated manufacturing base." The statement said "tough and fair agreements" on trade could be used to grow the U.S. economy and return millions of jobs to America. "This strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers." If NAFTA partners refused to give American workers a fair deal in a renegotiated agreement, "the President will give notice of the United States intent to withdraw from NAFTA," the statement added. The TPP, which the United States signed but has not ratified, had been the main economic pillar of the Obama administration's "pivot" to the Asia-Pacific region in the face of a fast-rising China. Proponents of the pact have expressed concerns that abandoning the project, which took years to negotiate, could further strengthen China's economic hand in the region at the expense of the United States. Australia's position that a change of heart remains possible in the U.S. and that the trade deal can proceed, is unchanged despite the White House statement, Damon Hunt spokesman for the Australian prime minister, told Reuters on Saturday. Trump has criticized China's trade practices and threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese imports. The Chinese government said on Thursday that China and the United States could resolve any trade disputes through talks, while a Chinese newspaper warned that U.S. business could be targets for retaliation in any trade war ushered in by Trump. Trump has sparked worries in Japan and the rest of the Asia-Pacific with his opposition to the TPP and his campaign demands for allies to pay more for their security. (This version of the story was refiled to correct day of China government comment in 13th paragraph) (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama & Shri Navaratnam)
Washington (AFP) - US President Donald Trump plans to make a visit to the CIA Saturday, his spokesman said, in what was certain to be a politically charged event after his bitter feud with the US intelligence agency.

"@POTUS to visit @CIA this afternoon. Event is over capacity at 300+ Excited to thank the men and women of the intelligence community," spokesman Sean Spicer said in a tweet.

The new president was moving quickly on his first full day in office to confront the simmering tensions left by US intelligence findings that Russia interfered in the US elections to try to tip the outcome in Trump's favor.

Mike Pompeo, Trump's pick to lead the CIA, has not yet been confirmed by the US Senate.

A 52-year-old Republican lawmaker, Pompeo is considered a foreign policy hawk and was an ardent opponent of former president Barack Obama's administration.

Outgoing CIA director John Brennan, who took umbrage at Trump's attacks on the intelligence agency, warned last Sunday he needed to be more "disciplined" in his public comments.

"I don't think he has a full appreciation of Russian capabilities, Russia's intentions and actions," Brennan said of Trump on Fox News Sunday.

Trump, likening US intelligence to Nazis, suggested Brennan himself may have leaked an unsubstantiated report that the Russians had gathered damaging salacious personal information about him.

The intelligence agencies had given both Trump and Obama a summary of the dossier, which later was published in full by BuzzFeed.

Brennan said the US intelligence chiefs considered it their responsibility to make Trump aware that it was in circulation.
President Trump visited CIA headquarters in Langley, Va., on Saturday to offer words of assurance after sharply criticizing the outgoing head of the agency, as well as the broader intelligence community, for weeks.

There is nobody that feels stronger about the intelligence community and the CIA than Donald Trump, he declared a day after he was sworn in as president.

Indeed, Trump suggested that he might give the CIA more support than it wants.

I just want to just let you know: I am so behind you. And I know maybe sometimes you havent gotten the backing that you wanted. And youre going to get so much backing, he said. Youre going to say, Please dont give me so much backing. Mr. President, we dont need so much backing,' Trump continued, drawing laughs from the crowd. But youre going to have that. And I think everybody in this room knows it.

In the freewheeling speech Trump further boasted that most of the people in the room voted for him, said he would end it when it comes to Islamic extremism, criticized the press and wrongly asserted that the crowd at his inauguration stretched as far as the Washington Monument.

Trump heaped praise on his nominee to become the next CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo, R-Kan., and told the Langley crowd that Pompeo is very special, a total star and total gem.

The president has a much different opinion about former CIA Director John Brennan, the Obama administration official who blasted Trump for a tweet earlier this month in which he asked, Are we living in Nazi Germany? Trump posted the provocative rhetorical question while criticizing intelligence agencies for media leaks, including an unverified dossier from a former British spy claiming that the Kremlin has compromising intelligence on him.

Its when there are allegations made about leaking or about dishonesty or a lack of integrity, thats where I think the line is crossed, Brennan told the Wall Street Journal of Trumps tweet.

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Brennan continued: Tell the CIA officers who are serving in harms way right now and their families who are worried about them that they are akin to Nazi Germany. I found that to be very repugnant, and I will forever stand up for the integrity and patriotism of my officers who have done much over the years to sacrifice for their fellow citizens.

Trump responded to the interview by asking if Brennan was the person who gave the unverified dossier about him to reporters. According to reports, the dossier had also been in the possession of some elected officials and multiple media outlets for months, although they chose not to publish its unconfirmed contents. BuzzFeed published the document on Jan. 10 after CNN reported that the intelligence brass briefed Trump on its existence.

.@FoxNews "Outgoing CIA Chief, John Brennan, blasts Pres-Elect Trump on Russia threat. Does not fully understand." Oh really, couldn't do  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2017

much worse  just look at Syria (red line), Crimea, Ukraine and the build-up of Russian nukes. Not good! Was this the leaker of Fake News?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2017

But on Saturday, Trump insisted that despite his public questioning of the intelligence community  he has referenced faulty reports about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq on several occasions, while dismissing intelligence conclusions about Russian hacking of Democratic emails  it was the media that was responsible for the idea that he disapproved of the CIAs work.

I have a running war with the media. They are among the most dishonest human beings on earth, right? And they sort of made it sound like I had a feud with the intelligence community. And I just want you to know that theres a reason youre the No. 1 stop: It is exactly the opposite, he said.

I love you, Trump later concluded. Theres nobody I respect more.

Read more from Yahoo News:
The moment Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States at noon on Friday, the LGBT, climate change, health care, and civil liberties pages disappeared from the website of the brand new Trump White House.

Motherboard, VICEs website focusing on science and technology, reported that the changes occurred at noon, when the Obama administration turned over the official White House website, whitehouse.gov, to the Trump team.

The White Houses official LGBT page, WhiteHouse.gov/LGBT, now either redirects to a splash page encouraging visitors to sign up for updates from President Trump, or displays as a broken link stating: The requested page /lgbt could not be found.

GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization, also noted that a search for LGBT now turns up no results on the new White House website.

The page on civil rights was replaced with a page titled Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Communitywhich, the Daily Beast noted, falsely claims that: In our nations capital, killings have risen by 50 percent. Homicides in Washington, D.C., dropped by 17 percent from 2016 to 2015, the Chicago Tribune reported.

RELATED VIDEO: Watch: Natasha Stoynoff Breaks Silence, Accuses Donald Trump of Sexual Attack

In addition to removing the page formerly dedicated to the issue of climate change, http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy/climate-change, Trumps White House has also deleted all specific mentions of climate change and global warming, reported Motherboard. Trumps America First Energy Plan was posted on the website instead and it calls for eliminating regulations, including President Barack Obamas Climate Action Plan combatting the causes of global warming.

One Twitter user also noted that the page on disabilities is no longer accessible:

'Disabilities' isn't accessible anymore at https://t.co/CJfdiahQHC, and is no longer listed under 'Issues.' pic.twitter.com/QaS8OaCo71  Hugh Merwin (@hughmerwin) January 20, 2017

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Many took to Twitter to call out and criticize the changes:

We will not "disappear" our defense of our fellow citizens #Resist https://t.co/u0jnPb83bI  Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) January 20, 2017

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My ability to support this government is also Page Not Found, weird. https://t.co/tl6JJOPnYt  Margaret H. Willison (@MrsFridayNext) January 20, 2017

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And so it begins. Time to get active, everyone. Day 1, right out of the gate. #AmericaForAll https://t.co/AOLGUAjHqq via @thedailybeast  Paul Feig (@paulfeig) January 20, 2017

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Damn

That was fast#CivilRights #LGBTQ #climatechange

All DISAPPEARED from White House website minutes after oath

https://t.co/GLPKjXC92i  Jason Winston George (@JasonWGeorge) January 20, 2017

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How long until https://t.co/I0Jn67hfHL is just an ad for the next season of the apprentice?  Andrea Bartz (@andibartz) January 20, 2017

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And one user cracked of Trumps reality competition series: How long until http://whitehouse.gov is just an ad for the next season of The Apprentice?




Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump awoke as your everyday American billionaire. By noon he was sworn in as the nation's 45th president, on a whirlwind day that saw him thrust into the spotlight like never before.

The New York real estate mogul-turned-political megastar made a point of respecting the traditions of the world's most powerful office, and the process by which the peaceful transition of such power occurs.

But he also rocked tradition by delivering an inaugural address at times jarring for its staunchly nationalist tone and dark vision of the nation he was elected to lead for the next four years.

Trump, 70, began his Inauguration Day as many American leaders-to-be have done before him: with a visit to St John's Episcopal Church near the White House.

Clad in a dark overcoat, white shirt and bright red tie, Trump was joined there by his wife Melania and his adult children.

From there it was a quick ride to the White House -- also standard practice -- where the Trumps were greeted by outgoing President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The two wives shared a hesitant embrace, and after the couples posed for photographs on the steps of the presidential mansion, they went inside for traditional tea before Trump's big moment at the US Capitol.

Even as Trump was on the verge of ascending to the nation's top office, he was maintaining a populist link with his millions of supporters, by continuing to post messages on Twitter.

"It all begins today! I will see you at 11:00 A.M. for the swearing-in," he tweeted before the church service. "THE MOVEMENT CONTINUES - THE WORK BEGINS!"

- 'America first' -

The present and future leaders arrived at the US Capitol to the strains of "Man of the Hour," performed by The President's Own US Marine Band.

But the man of the hour was hardly smiling, maintaining a stern bearing as he placed his left hand on two bibles and took the oath of office at exactly noon.

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Only when the oath was complete, and he hugged his family and lay his hand upon Obama's shoulder in thanks did he appear more relaxed.

And he turned somber once more in his inaugural address. While the pomp and circumstance hewed closely to inaugural tradition, Trump broke a protocol of sorts by portraying a country in crisis.

"Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities. Rusted out factories, scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation," he said.

"The crime, the gangs, and the drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential. This American carnage stops right here and stops right now," he said.

"From this moment on, it's going to be only America First," he said, concluding his 16-minute speech with a campaign rally staple: two thumbs up and a double fist pump to the crowd.

Trump got to work right off the bat, heading to a small gilded room in the Capitol to sign a stack of executive orders.

He showed a serious demeanor as he signed formal cabinet nominations, with his children and grandchildren crowded around him.

But he cracked a smile when he signed former ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson's secretary of state nomination and looked up to quip "I assume he was approved today?"

"Not yet," replied Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, who has sought to slow-walk some presidential nominees.

- Standing ovation -

On the other side of the Capitol, Trump gathered with dignitaries including former US presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who arrived hand in hand with Hillary Clinton.

The two bitter campaign rivals shook hands, with Trump leading a prolonged standing ovation for the former secretary of state.

As protests simmered just blocks away from the Pennsylvania Avenue inaugural parade route, would Trump get out of his armored presidential limousine, or remain comfortably inside?

Trump soon answered that question: emerging with the first lady and their young son Barron on three separate occasions.

The first couple took one another by the hand, and turned to wave at the crowd who cheered -- drowning out the boos of protesters who also lined the route. A beaming Trump waved and gave a thumbs up.

And at the White House, another tradition awaited the new president: a letter by outgoing president Obama, left in the Oval Office for its new occupant.
By Emily Stephenson and Scott Malone WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Women took to the streets in unexpectedly large numbers in major U.S. cities on Saturday to stage mass protests against U.S. President Donald Trump, in an early indication of the strong public opposition the Republican may face in office. Hundreds of thousands of women -- many wearing pink knit hats -- fanned out through downtown Washington around the White House and other landmarks, and also thronged parts of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston to rebuke Trump on his first full day in office. Trump has angered many liberal Americans with comments seen as demeaning to women, Mexicans and Muslims, and worried some abroad with his inaugural vow on Friday to put "America First" in his decision making. The Women's March on Washington appeared to be larger than the crowds that turned out the previous day to witness Trump's inauguration on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Organizers of the protest had told police they expected 200,000 people to attend but the crowd looked substantially bigger than that, stretching for about a mile (1.6 km). A planned march in Chicago grew so large that organizers did not attempt to parade through the streets but instead staged a rally. Police said more than 125,000 people attended. The protests illustrated the depth of the division in the country which is still recovering from the bitterly-fought 2016 election campaign. Trump stunned the world by defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton, the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. party. Pam Foyster, a 58-year-old resident of Ridgway, Colorado, said Saturday's atmosphere reminded her of 1960s U.S. protests against the Vietnam War. "I'm 58 years old and I can't believe we are having to do this again," Foyster said in Washington. After the Vietnam War the push for women's rights and civil rights made her "believe anything was possible. But here we are again." Although his party now controls both the White House and Congress, Trump faces entrenched opposition from segments of the public at the start of his term, a period that is typically more of a honeymoon for a new president. A recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found Trump had the lowest favourability rating of any incoming U.S. president since the 1970s. Tens of thousands of protesters filled midtown Manhattan and thousands of women also took to the streets of Sydney, London, Tokyo and other cities in Europe and Asia in "sister marches" against Trump. Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday that "I am honoured to serve you, the great American People, as your 45th President of the United States!" but made no mention of the protests. He attended an interfaith service at Washington National Cathedral and then visited the CIA headquarters. SUBWAY OVERWHELMED The Washington march stressed the city's Metro subway system, with riders reporting enormous crowds and some end-of-line stations temporarily turning away riders when parking lots filled and platforms became too crowded. The Metro reported 275,000 rides as of 11 a.m. (1600 GMT) Saturday, 82,000 more than the 193,000 reported at the same time on Friday, the day of Trump's inauguration and eight times normal Saturday volume. By afternoon, the protest rally had been peaceful, a sharp contrast to the day before when black-clad anti-establishment activists smashed windows, set vehicles on fire and fought with riot police who responded with stun grenades. [L1N1FA0LA] Washington prosecutors on Saturday said about $100,000 in damage had been done during Friday's rioting and that 230 adults and five minors had been arrested, up from the 217 they had reported a day earlier. Many protesters on Saturday wore knitted pink cat-eared "pussyhats," a reference to Trump's claim in the 2005 video that was made public weeks before the election that he grabbed women by the genitals. The Washington march featured speakers, celebrity appearances and a protest walk along the National Mall. Crowds filled more than ten city blocks of Independence Avenue downtown, with more people spilling into side streets and onto the adjoining National Mall. Well-known figures attended, including Madonna, who swore while discussing Trump before singing her 1989 hit "Express Yourself" to the crowd, singer Cher and former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who waved to supporters as his walked his yellow Labrador dog, Ben. WOMEN'S VOTES Clinton won the popular vote in the Nov. 8 presidential election by around 2.9 million votes and had an advantage among women of more than 10 percentage points. Trump, however, easily won the state-by-state Electoral College vote which determines the winner. Trump offered few if any olive branches to his opponents in his Friday inauguration speech in which he promised to put "America First." "He has never seemed particularly concerned about people who oppose him, he almost fights against them instinctively," said Neil Levesque, executive director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. But the lawmakers who Trump will rely on to achieve his policy goals including building a wall on the Mexican border and replacing the 2010 healthcare reform law known as "Obamacare" may be more susceptible to the negative public opinion the march illustrates, Levesque said. "Members of Congress are very sensitive to the public mood and many of them are down here this week to see him," Levesque said. At the New York march, 42-year-old Megan Schulz, who works in communications said she worried that Trump was changing the standards of public discourse. "The scary thing about Donald Trump is that now all the Republicans are acquiescing to him and things are starting to become normalized," Schulz said. "We can't have our president talking about women the way he does." (Additional reporting by Lisa Lambert, Mike Stone, Jonathan Landay, Ian Simpson and Ginger Gibson in Washington, Alexander Besant and Jonathan Allen in New York and Timothy McLaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Alistair Bell)
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for more than 400 people, including soldiers and security officers, in 48 provinces across the country following July's failed coup, broadcaster Haberturk said on Saturday. They were being sought on suspicion of using Bylock, an encrypted smartphone messaging app that the government says was used by the network of Fethullah Gulen who is alleged by Ankara to have orchestrated the attempted coup, Haberturk reported. Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied the charge and condemned the coup. In a post-coup crackdown, Turkey has jailed some 40,000 people pending trial and has suspended or dismissed more than 100,000 from the military, judiciary and public services. Among the suspects were 123 soldiers from the navy and 187 security officers, Haberturk said. It said 12 people had been detained so far in operations centered in Ankara and Istanbul. Separately, authorities detained five people in relation to attacks with rocket launchers on Friday by unidentified assailants on Istanbul's police headquarters and an office of the ruling AK Party, broadcaster CNN Turk said. NATO member Turkey has been hit by bombings and shootings in the past year, on top of July's failed coup, in which soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Alexander Smith)
US government prosecutors have asked South Korea to arrest a brother of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon indicted in New York on charges of bribery, an official confirmed Friday.

An indictment unsealed on January 10 accuses Ban Ki Sang, a senior executive in a South Korean construction company, and his son Joo Hyun Bahn, a Manhattan real estate broker, over the attempted $800 million sale of a building in Hanoi.

During a court hearing in a federal court in New York on Friday, an assistant US attorney said a request had been made for the arrest of Ban.

The suspect, who was an executive at Keangnam Enterprises, a South Korean construction company, has not yet been arrested, the prosecutor told the court.

Ban's brother stepped down from the helm of the United Nations on January 1, replaced by former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Guterres. Bahn is the former UN chief's nephew.

Both relatives are charged with corruption, money laundering and conspiracy.

US prosecutors allege that the international bribery conspiracy took place between March 2013 and May 2015 in relation to the attempted sale of a commercial and residential complex in Hanoi, built and owned by Keangnam.

The plot focused on an attempt to get an official from an undisclosed Middle Eastern kingdom to purchase the property.

The father and son agreed to pay an initial bribe of $500,000, wired to an account in New York from South Korea in April 2014, followed by a payment of $2 million upon completion of the sale, prosecutors said.

US citizen Malcolm Harris, accused of masquerading as a go-between and also indicted, pocketed the bribe which he frittered away on personal luxuries, US prosecutors say.

The sale never went through, ultimately forcing Keangnam to enter court receivership in South Korea due to a growing liquidity crisis.
Less than 24 hours after Donald Trump took the oath of office to become the 45th president of the United States of America, half a million people descended on the nations capital to express their outrage  and demonstrate unity  at the Womens March on Washington.

Pouring in by plane, train, bus and car  many wearing the pink pussyhats knitted for the occasion  regular Americans joined celebrities to send a powerful message supporting womens rights, and to issue a stark warning to the newly sworn-in president.

PEOPLE was on the ground in D.C. Saturday, and spoke to numerous women  and men  who explained why they attended:

Angelica Trinidad, 42, Daytona, Florida

Why shes here: Weve definitely gotta be heard. We have the power. We definitely do have the power and weve gotta get it known. Weve gotta let people know that we do have the power. So this is what were doing.

Message to Trump: He needs to understand that we are women and we have rights. Its equal power for everybody. Thats what I believe. Im Puerto Rican. Ive been here a very long time. And we do have the power, we have equal rights. So I feel like he should give us a chance.

What shes looking to achieve at the march: To be heard. For everybody to hear whats going on today. He was named our president yesterday. And were doing this today. So I hope that we can get heard.

Plans to resist at home: Its really hard because Daytona is a Trump town, definitely. Its gonna be kind of hard for me but Im not gonna stop. Ill continue doing the work, one step at a time.

Oscar Flores, 24, Woodbridge, Virginia (marching alongside his wife)

Why Im here: To stand up for what it is that were doing here, the womens march. I believe women deserve rights as well. Im also not for Trump. So Im standing up against Trump so that he knows that everyone has rights. Everyone has freedoms. And no one should be put down just because hes president.

Plans to resist at home: By standing and walking side-by-side with my wife and other women that are marching. Thats how I plan to fight at home. Also by continuing to voice my opinion out there and let people know to stand for what they believe in.

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Related Video: Watch: Natasha Stoynoff Breaks Silence, Accuses Donald Trump of Sexual Attack

Alice Doherty, 21, McLean, Virginia

Why Im here: To support women because Trump is going take away all the good things about being a woman. For me, the most important thing is that his comments make people feel invalidated.

What shes looking to achieve at the march: Sharing my voice and showing that we will stick up for whats right. Im showing the empowerment of women. Theres a whole group of people that dont support how he acts, just because hes a rich white man doesnt mean he can get away with doing what he wants. Most of my friends feel the same way and are here today.

How she feels the march will bring people together: I will share how I feel personally invalidated by Trumps words and actions, and shed light on how people in worse situations feel. There are people who wont be able to have birth control or have STD testing if Planned Parenthood isnt funded for us. Thats the big picture for me.




The terrain surrounding the HI-SEAS habitat on Mauna Loa looks like Mars. (Univ. of Hawaii Photo)

Six volunteers  including two with connections to Washington state  have begun eight months of being cooped up in a Hawaii habitat thats meant to simulate life on Mars.

The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation project, known as HI-SEAS, is one of several long-running experiments that use earthly environments as a training ground for future Red Planet expeditions. This is the fifth simulated mission to be staged on the slopes of Mauna Loa on Hawaiis Big Island, 8,200 feet above sea level.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa has conducted the simulations since 2012, thanks to $1.2 million in NASA funding. The best-known simulation lasted for a year and ended last August, paralleling the Year in Space mission conducted by NASA astronaut Scott Kelly on the International Space Station.

NASA re-upped with a $1 million grant for Mission 5, plus Mission 6 in 2018.

During the simulation mission, the volunteer crew will be confined to a 36-foot-wide geodesic dome, except when they don bulky mock spacesuits for treks across Mauna Loas Mars-like terrain.

Researchers will study the crew members interpersonal dynamics as well as their responses to logistical challenges. Communications from the habitat to the outside world will be delayed by 20 minutes to simulate the light-speed latency that Mars explorers would face.

This is the best and most obvious place to do this research, Kim Binsted, HI-SEAS principal investigator, said in a University of Hawaii video. Both because of the physicality  as you can see, it looks like were on Mars  but also because of the range of expertise available at the University of Hawaii. Weve got some of the worlds top planetary scientists. Weve got some of the worlds top astronomers.

The commander of Mission 5 is James Bevington, a freelance researcher with degrees from the University of Tennessee, the University of Georgia and the International Space University.

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Im looking forward to building relationships with my crew. I fully anticipate coming out with five new best friends, he said.

The crew for HI-SEAS Mission 5 includes Joshua Ehrlich, Laura Lark, Sam Payler, Brian Ramos, Jay Bevington and Ansley Barnard. (Univ. of Hawaii Photo)

Crew engineer Ansley Barnard is a Nevada native and University of Washington alumna who has worked for NASA and Boeing on advanced composite structures. Shes also designed aerodynamic body work for Indy race cars, and worked for Ford before joining HI-SEAS.

Ill be looking at optimizing our power and water resources uses, she said. Im excited to understand the engineering problem, because the habitat is an impressive facility and it really is quite a complicated unit.

Another crew member, Laura Lark. is a computer scientist who grew up on a small farm in Washington states Whatcom County and spent five years as a software engineer at Google.

Other members of the crew include Portuguese-American engineer Brian Ramos, Lockheed Martin systems engineer Joshua Ehrlich and British astrobiologist Samuel Payler.

HI-SEAS principal investigator Kim Binsted shrugs after closing the door on the Mars simulations crew. (Univ. of Hawaii Photo)

With little fanfare, the crew members hopped out of a van on Thursday afternoon and exchanged high-fives. Yay, were here, Lark said. Make a line, make a line.

The six marched into their habitat to begin the simulated mission, and Binsted closed the door behind them.

All right, Binsted said with a shrug. Lets go.

In addition to HI-SEAS, analog missions to Mars have been conducted at the Mars Societys Mars Desert Research Station, on Canadas Devon Island as part of NASAs Haughton Mars Project, and in Russia as part of the Mars-500 Project.

NASAs current plans call for sending astronauts to Mars and its moons in the 2030s. Last year, SpaceX founder Elon Musk laid out a more ambitious timetable that envisions sending settlers to the Red Planet by as early as the mid-2020s.

GeekWire will be checking in periodically with the HI-SEAS experiment over the next eight months. For updates, check the HI-SEAS website and Flickr album.

More from GeekWire:
The political spotlight has been widely focused on President Donald Trump and his family the past few weeks as he transitioned to power Friday afternoon, but some are wondering what the Obamas will do post-White House. The youngest of the family, Sasha, has avoided scrutiny compared to reports of what her sister and parents will do, begging the question: Whats next for Sasha?

The younger of the Obama daughters, Sasha, 14, is a freshman at Sidwells Friends and is expected to continue her education at the exclusive school until graduation. As a result, the Obamas plan to stay in the Washington area until their daughter is finished.

"We're going to have to stay a couple of years so Sasha can finish school, Obama said at a restaurant while visiting Milwaukee voters in March. Transferring someone in the middle of high school. Tough."

While Sasha works on finishing high school, her sister Malia has taken a year off from school before attending Harvard University in the fall. Reports recently revealed Malia landed a competitive internship with film producer Harvey Weinstein, which she plans to start in February.

As the two girls work on schooling and building up their resumes, their parents have slightly different plans in mind. Barack and Michelle Obama are expected to enjoy some relaxation and vacation time in Palm Springs after eight years in office.

I want to do some writing, the former president told reporters. I want to be quiet a little bit and not hear myself talk so darn much. I want to spend precious time with my girls.

The power couple also posted a YouTube video to Obama.org talking about their future plans. Following some needed time spent with family, they invited citizens to share ideas for an upcoming presidential center on the South Side of Chicago.

It will be a living, working center for citizenship, Obama said in the video. Thats why we want to hear from you  tell us what you want this project to be.

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Mike Pence became the vice president of the United States Friday, but he and his family wont be moving into the White House. Instead, Pence will move not too far from President Donald Trumps new digs to the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory, located at Number One Observatory Circle.

The house, which was initially built in 1893, was originally intended for the superintendent of the USNO to live in. However, in 1923, the chief of naval operations booted the superintendent out of the home and claimed it for himself, according to the White House.

It wasnt until 1974 when Congress decided to restore the home located at the Naval Observatory and use it as a designated residence for the vice president and his family. Walter Mondale, vice president under President Jimmy Carter, was the first person to move into the home three years after it was refurbished in 1977.

Since Mondales residency, Vice Presidents George H.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Dick Cheney have lived in the house. Vice President Joe Biden was the most recent person to occupy the space, but he has now handed over the keys to Pence.

Although Pence wont live in the White House, he will still have a space to call his own inside the famous mansion. Pence will work out of the Vice Presidents Ceremonial Office, located in the West Wing of the White House. His staff will also have an area inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), which sits next the White House. Initially, the vice presidents office in the EEOB was where the Navy Secretary worked back with the EEOB was the designated facility for the State, Navy and War Departments.

Pences wife, Karen Pence had been inside of One Observatory Circle a few times before moving in. She told Indianas Journal Gazette that the 33-room white brick house was amazing.

Before moving into One Observatory Circle, Mike Pence and his family lived in Indiana's Governor's Residence located in Indianapolis.

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If President Donald Trumps tweets are any indication, the man loves food.

The new president has yet to chose a new White House chef, but its unlikely that Trump will pick Colonel Sanders  mainly because the Kentucky Fried Chicken founder died 37 years ago.

So it looks as if, for the time being, Trumps meals will be cooked by Cristeta Comerford, the Filipino-American woman hired to be the White House executive chef in 2005.

This means Comerford will have worked as head chef under three presidents: President George W. Bush, President Barack Obama, and now, President Trump. But shes been at the White House a lot longer than that; she began working there as an assistant chef in 1995, under President Bill Clinton.

Comerford is trained in French classical techniques and specializes in ethnic and American cuisine, according to a press release from 2005, after First Lady Laura Bush hired her for the top job.

When the Obamas moved into the White House, they liked Comerford's cooking so much, they decided to keep her.

"Also the mom of a young daughter, I appreciate our shared perspective on the importance of healthy eating and healthy families, first lady Michelle Obama said at the time.

But just because the Trump administration has yet to announce a new executive chef, that doesnt mean it wont be hiring someone else.

Media outlets have been speculating about potential hires since the election in November. A local magazine, The Washingtonian, threw out a few guesses: David Burke, who heads the cooking at BLT Prime in the Trump International Hotel; Jose Isidori, Trumps past personal chef who also oversaw Trump hotel restaurants from 2003 to 2008; and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who catered Trump and Melanias wedding in 2005.

Vongerichten donated money to the Democratic National Committee and President Obama in 2012, though, so he's probably not Trumps first pick.

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As soon as President Donald Trump was sworn in Friday, the White House website had major changes -- One of them was getting rid of the health care page.

The site was taken down with a notice saying the page could not be found. However, when the site loads it features an image of Trump with Vice President Mike Pence, along with the option to sign up for email updates.

White House health care page deleted

Photo: Screenshot by Denisse Moreno

White House health care page deleted

Photo: Screenshot by Denisse Moreno

The health care page that was wiped out had details on the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, a blog on the issue and other information.

Google still has a cache of the health care page that was taken down:

Google cache health care page White House

Photo: Screenshot by Denisse Moreno

Trump Administration Deletes More Pages

The page with information on climate change was also taken down Friday and was replaced with a page dedicated to America First Energy Plan. The new White House site also took down the page on immigration, which is surprising since Trump strongly targeted immigrants and promised to build a wall throughout his campaign. Pages for LGBT rights and civil rights were also deleted.

Health care was not included among issues the Trump administration will focus on. The issues listed on the White House site under Trumps administration are: America First Energy Plan, America First Foreign Policy, Bringing Back Jobs And Growth, Making Our Military Strong Again, Standing Up For Our Law Enforcement Community and Trade Deals Working For All Americans.

This is how Whitehouse.gov looks like now.

Whitehouse.gov changes as Trump takes office

Photo: Screenshot by Denisse Moreno

Throughout his campaign, Trump strongly criticized the Affordable Care Act and promised to repeal and replace Obamacare.

On Jan. 12 the senate passed a budget resolution that would start the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act. A week later, a number of Republican governors Thursday urged congress not to abandon funding health benefits for lower-income Americans. The governors also warned the Republican-majority congress against repealing the ACA without a replacement, fearing it would leave millions without health insurance.

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The White House petition page. (Screenshot: WhiteHouse.gov)

That was fast.

When President Trump was delivering his inaugural address on Friday, WhiteHouse.gov was completely revamped, replacing Barack Obamas policy pages with Trumps own. But one thing his team apparently decided to leave in place was the We the People online petitioning system, which was launched by the Obama administration.

A new petition calling on the Trump administration to immediately release the presidents tax returns was created almost immediately. And it quickly hit the 100,000-signature threshold that the website says will result in a response from the White House if obtained within 30 days of the petitions launch. As of late Saturday morning, it had more than 120,000 signatures and was continuing to grow.

The We the People website says petitions that reach that threshold get an official update from the White House within 60 days.

During the campaign, Trump initially said he wanted to release his tax returns. But after he became the Republican nominee, he backtracked and refused to do so, breaking with modern political precedent. Trump claimed that his lawyer said he shouldnt release the returns because the IRS was auditing him.

As president, Trump does not appear set to change his mind. At a press conference earlier this month, Trump dismissed the tax returns as a nonissue.

The only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters, he said.

According to an ABC/Washington Post poll released Monday, three-quarters of Americans say the president should release his tax returns.

If he were to release them, the returns could reveal potential financial conflicts of interest and provide additional context about his true net worth  Trump has boasted that he is worth far more than $10 billion, but independent analyses have the figure pegged as far less. Last October, the New York Times published Trumps leaked 1995 tax return, in which he claimed a $916 million loss.

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Read more from Yahoo News:
Beirut (AFP) - Talks aimed at ending Syria's nearly six-year war are set to open on Monday in the Kazakh capital, brokered by regime allies Russia and Iran and rebel backer Turkey.

Here is a breakdown of the forces involved in the complex civil war:

- Regime and allies -

The Syrian army's 300,000-strong pre-war force has been halved by deaths, defections and draft-dodging.

It is bolstered by 150,000-200,000 irregular fighters and supported by 5,000-8,000 men from Lebanon's Shiite militia Hezbollah, as well as Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan fighters.

Key regime backer Russia began an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad in September 2015 and has helped Damascus recapture several key areas, including Aleppo city.

Iran has also provided major financial and military support to Assad.

The government controls 34 percent of Syria's territory, including key cities such as Damascus and second city Aleppo. Of the 16 million Syrians who remain in the country, 65.5 percent live in regime territory.

- Rebels -

Syria's opposition comprises a wide range of factions, including moderate rebels and Islamist groups.

Estimates of its total number of forces range from tens of thousands up to around 100,000.

Early on, rebels coalesced under the banner of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) but since then the opposition has splintered.

The most powerful non-jihadist group is Ahrar al-Sham, with a commanding presence in Idlib and Aleppo provinces.

It espouses a hardline Islamist ideology and is allied with the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front in Idlib where they lead the Army of Conquest alliance.

Another key opposition group is the Saudi-backed Jaish al-Islam (Army of Islam). One of its leading figures, Mohammad Alloush, will head the opposition delegation in Astana.

Rebels now hold only around 13 percent of the country, including areas where they are allied with Fateh al-Sham, according to Syria expert Fabrice Balanche.

Around 12.5 percent of Syria's remaining population lives in rebel-held territory.

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- Jihadists -

There are two rival jihadist forces: the Islamic State group and former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front.

IS emerged from the chaos of the war to seize control of large parts of Syria and Iraq in mid-2014, declaring an Islamic "caliphate", committing widespread atrocities and carrying out or inspiring deadly attacks abroad.

Under pressure from an air war launched two years ago by a US-led coalition and fighting on multiple fronts, IS has suffered major losses but still controls significant territory in northern Syria, including its de facto capital Raqa.

Fateh al-Sham Front split in July 2016 from Al-Qaeda in a move analysts said was aimed at easing pressure from both Moscow and the US-led coalition which have regularly targeted its forces with air strikes.

Many Syrian rebels have joined Fateh al-Sham, drawn by its financial means and organisational skills.

- The Kurds -

Syria's Kurds have largely stayed out of the conflict between the government and armed opposition, carving out a semi-autonomous region in north and northeastern Syria.

Their People's Protection Units (YPG) have become a key partner of the US-led coalition fighting IS as part of the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The YPG controls about 20 percent of Syrian territory but as much as three-quarters of the northern border with Turkey. Two million people, around 12.5 percent of Syria's remaining population, live in Kurdish-held territory.

The SDF has launched a drawn-out offensive against IS's stronghold in Raqa.

Turkey launched an offensive into Syria in August 2016 against IS and the YPG, which Ankara regards as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged a 32-year insurrection inside Turkey.

- Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar -

Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey have provided military and financial support to rebels fighting Assad, who belongs to the minority Alawite community linked to Shiite Islam.

In the run-up to the Astana talks, co-hosts Turkey and Russia have taken steps to coordinate their involvement in Syria.

They brokered a fragile ceasefire between rebels and regime forces that took effect across Syria on December 30 but which excludes jihadists.

Earlier this month, Ankara and Moscow struck a deal to prevent clashes between their warplanes over Syria and on January 18 launched their first joint air strike against IS there.

- International coalition -

A US-led coalition has carried out air strikes against IS and other jihadists in Syria since 2014.

The coalition's members include Australia, Bahrain, Britain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Update, 11:13 a.m., with new video & livestream Actress Scarlett Johansson made a direct plea to the new president today at the Womens March in Washington D.C. Speaking before hundreds of thousands gathered in the Capital, Johansson was pointed in her support of Planned Parenthood.

President Trump, I did not vote for you, Johansson said, adding that she wants to support the president but first I ask that you support me, support my sister, support my mother, support my best friend and all of our girlfriends, support the men and women here today who are anxiously awaiting to see how your next moves may drastically affect their lives. Support my daughter who may actually, as a result of the appointments you have made, grow up in a country that is moving backwards not forwards, and who may potentially not have the right to make choices for her body and her future that your daughter Ivanka has been privileged to have.

Also in D.C., Ashley Judd appeared on stage to recite a poem by 19 year old Tennessean Nina Donovan. Judd brought the poem to national attention in December when she shared with her social media followers a youtube clip of Donovan performing it live. With Donovans permission, Judd read the poem in full:

I am a nasty woman. Im not as nasty as a man who looks like he bathes in cheetoh dust. A man whose words are a dis track to America. Electoral College sanctioning, hate speech contaminating, this national anthem. Im not as nasty as Confederate flags being tattooed across my city. Maybe the south actually is gonna rise again, maybe to some it never really fell. Blacks are still in shackles and graves just for being black. Slavery has been reinterpreted as the prison system in front of people who see melanin as animal skin.

I am not as nasty as a swastika painted on a pride flag. And I didnt know devils could be resurrected but I feel Hitler in these streets. A mustache traded for a toupee, nazis renamed the cabinet, electoral conversion therapy, the new gas chamber shaming the gay out of America, turning into suicide notes. I am not as nasty as racism, fraud, conflict of interest, homophobia, sexual assault, transphobia, white supremacy, misogyny, ignorance, white privilege. I am not as nasty as your daughter being your favorite sex symbol. Like your wet dreams being infused with your own genes. But yeah, Im a nasty woman. A loud, vulgar, proud woman.

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Im not nasty like the combo of Trump Pence being served up to me in voting booths. Im nasty like my grandmothers who fought to get me into that voting booth. Im nasty like the fight for wage equality. Scarlett Johansson, why were the female actors paid less than half of what the male actors earned? Last year, even when we do go into higher paying jobs, our wages are still cut with blades sharpened by testosterone. Why is the work of a black woman and a hispanic woman worth only 63 and 54 cents of a white mans privileged daughter? This is not a feminist myth, this is inequality.

So we are not here to be debunked, we are here to be respected, we are here to be nasty. Im nasty like my bloodstains on my bed sheets. We dont actually choose if and when to have our periods believe me if we could some of us would. We dont like throwing away our favorite pairs of underpants. Tell me why are pads and tampons still taxed when viagra and rogain are not. Is your erection really more than protecting the sacred messy part of my womanhood. Is the bloodstain on my jeans more embarassing than the thinning of your hair?

I know it is hard to look hard at your own entitlement and privilege. You may be afraid of the truth. I am unafraid to be honest. It may sound petty bringing up a few extra cents, it adds up to the pile of change I have yet to see in my country. I cant see, my eyes are too busy praying to my feet, hoping you dont mistake eye contact for wanting physical contact. Half my life Ive been zipping up my smile, hoping you dont think I wanna unzip your jeans. I am unafraid to be nasty because I am nasty. Like Susan, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Amelia, Rosa, Gloria, Condoleezza, Sonja, Malala, Michelle, Hillary.

And our pies aint for grabbing. Theyre for reminding you that our walls are stronger than Americas ever will be. Our pies are for our pleasure, they are for birthing new generations of filthy, vulgar, nasty, proud, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, you name it, for new generations of nasty women. So if you a nasty woman or you love one who is, lemmie hear you say hell yeah

Meanwhile in Chicago, the march portion of todays event has been canceled due to unexpectedly large crowds of more than 150,000. The rally will proceed as planned.

Our march route is flooded. There is no safe way to march. We are just going to sing and dance and make our voices heard here, rally and march co-chairwoman Ann Scholhmer told the crowd.

In New York City, CNNs Jessica Schneider reported that the march was moving at a crawl due to a larger-than-expected turnout. For two hours we stood in absolute gridlock, Schneider said as she moved along with the sauntering crowd around 2 p.m. New York time. She estimated that attendees filled at least 10 blocks beyond what was expected.

Update, 8:55 a.m. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren rallied a massive crowd in Boston, saying from the speakers podium, I cant believe I have to say this in 2017, but we believe in equal pay and a womans right to decisions over her own body. Marchers packed Boston Common to hear the kick-off speech. We believe that equal means equal, and that is true in the workplace, in marriage, its true every place, Warren said. You know I could do this all day, but we gotta march.

Previous, 8:17 a.m. Christening the Womens Marches in Washington, New York City, Los Angeles and around the world as Day 1 in our united movement, speaker, actress and activist America Ferrera launched todays events in D.C. with a passionate call-to-protest against President Donald Trump and the political movement he spearheads.

The president is not America, Ferrera told the large and growing crowd in the nations Capital around 10:30 a.m. ET, a half-hour after the official start of the march. His cabinet is not America. Congress is not America. We are America. And we are here to stay. (See the video above).

The speech, carried live on CNN, was the first of what should be extensive coverage of the Womens March events in Washington D.C. and sister marches in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago and at the Sundance Film Festival. Similar marches are taking or have taken place around the world in such locales as London, Rome, Paris, Serbia, Australia and Sweden.

Shortly before Ferreras speech, CNN correspondent Kyung Lah surveyed the growing D.C. and noted pink hats as far as the eye can see, a reference to the so-called Pussyhats  pink knit caps with cat-ear corners  that have become the symbol of todays events. Thousands of the hats, meant to make reference to Trumps vulgar, sexist Access Hollywood comments to Billy Bush, have been knitted and distributed by volunteers.

In addition to Lah, CNN this morning has correspondent Brynn Gingras heading from NYC to D.C. on a bus of marchers; Jessica Schneider stationed in New York; Miguel Marquez in Boston and Nina Dos Santos in London. MSNBC has Stephanie Gosk, Jacob Rascon and Cal Perry in D.C., Morgan Radford in New York and Beth Fouhy in Chicago.

This mornings TV news channel coverage of the march was temporarily halted with a switch to live coverage of the National Prayer Service attended by President Trump.

More than 250,000 marchers are expected in D.C. (and an equal number at the Los Angeles march beginning at 10 a.m. PT), with estimates of more than 100,000 in both Boston and New York, and 50,000-plus in Chicago. In all, an estimated 370 marches are planned today covering every state, with 600 marches expected around the world.

Among the speakers and performers scheduled at Washingtons March are Melissa Harris-Perry, Michael Moore, Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, Ashley Judd, Scarlett Johansson, Cher, Julianne Moore, France McDormand, Katy Perry, Amy Schumer, Debra Messing, Patricia Arquette, Olivia Wilde, Janelle Monae, Indigo Girls, Maxwell, MC Lyte, Alia Sharief, DJ Rimarkable, Amber Coffman and Mary Chapin Carpenter, among others. In Los Angeles, Jane Fonda, Ariana Grande, Idina Menzel and Alfre Woodard are expected to show up, and Chelsea Handler is leading the Sundance march in Park City, Utah.

Deadline will have updates as the days marches proceed.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKq0lAfAIwk&w=605&h=340]

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Women marched in Washington, D.C. And New York. And Boston. And Austin. And Boise. And Minneapolis. And London. And Berlin. And Melbourne. And Nairobi. And Antarctica.

The Womens March on Saturday began as a small protest organized on Facebook, scheduled, not coincidentally, for the day after the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. It grew into a day long international event both in support of women and in opposition to the presidents past rhetoric and potential future policies. There were more than 600 events in 60 countries around the world, with millions taking to the streets.

In Washington, where organizers and local officials estimated there were 500,000 in attendance, women and men had their own reasons for marching (or, rather, rallying for hours and then taking to the streets  there were too many in attendance to use the pre-planned route).

Honored to stand with women who are unafraid and alone. We are here and will be heard! #WomensMarch #womensmarchhouston pic.twitter.com/COuQbFvJYe  Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) January 21, 2017

Trumps inauguration on Friday drew crowds of about 250,000  a smaller number than at inaugurations past. Trump, however, told CIA employees at the intelligence agency headquarters on Saturday that the media was lying about the numbers and he thought there were like a million, million and a half people.

And so it was important, to some participants, to show that the Womens March could bring people out. Margaret of Winston Salem, N.C. flew up to be counted, although she did not believe that the march was against anything. Its about healing, she told Foreign Policy. But chants of No Trump, No KKK, No fascist USA suggested many felt otherwise.

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Blanca, who is from California but has lived in Washington, D.C. for the past six years, began to cry as she explained that she came out because I have a daughter with whom she wanted to show Trump that even though he is indeed the president (air quotes by Blanca), we dont support what hes doing. Her daughter was holding a Trump puppet sporting a Russian flag pin. She made it herself.

Mary and Donna took a bus down from Syracuse, N.Y., out of patriotism. White women held up signs to show they marched because Black Lives Matter. A man held up a poster explaining that he came out because family planning saves lives worldwide. In a sea of pink, cat-eared knit caps (a reference to the presidents leaked comment that women let famous men grab em by the pussy) and Nasty Women posters (a reference to the term the president used to insult Hillary Clinton in a debate), people came out, it seemed, first and foremost to support one another. Even John Kerry, a day after his job as secretary of state ended, was spotted marching in the streets of Washington with his dog, Ben.

Sergio, a veteran of two tours in Iraq, told FP he saw the march in Washington as the next step of civic duty after his military service. Im really worried about where the country is headed, he said. I served in the military, now I serve as a citizen. Sergio, who was born in Peru but spent most of his life in the United States, said many of his friend and family who are Hispanic immigrants felt scared, which drove him to march.

But they were not the only ones out.

In London, 100,000 reportedly came to protest. Ana, an American in her 20s who lives in London, told FP, I went to it because I didnt know how else I could process the new administration. And it felt incredibly empowering and reassuring to see so many individuals unite under a message of inclusivity, progress, and love.

Helene, originally from Denmark, said that she went to the London Womens March to stand in solidarity with the people marching on Washington and everywhere else to protest the hatred, racism, divisiveness, homophobia, misogyny, xenophobia, and ignorance that President Trump has made clear he stands for. She added that the London march was peaceful and supportive throughout and brought London to a standstill.

For Erin, a Canadian living in Britain, the best point in the parade came about two-thirds of the way to Trafalgar Square.

A guy on a cycle cart had set up a DJ booth with loudspeakers, and the whole crowd started dancing  it is difficult to get sober white British people to dance in the streets. And here we all were.

And they were elsewhere, too. In Berlin, they stood before the Brandenburg Gate.

In Paris, before the Eiffel Tower.

View from The Eiffel Tower of the 'Women's March' in Paris, France. Credit: @nature_seen pic.twitter.com/BrStMiaiq2  World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) January 21, 2017

They came out in Nairobi.

And in Accra.

Members of HAG joining the Women's March in protesting Trump at the US Embassy in Accra. pic.twitter.com/LCtgEBBkvy  Humanists Ghana (@HumanistsGH) January 21, 2017

In Antarctica, they even gave a whole new meaning to march of the penguins.

The Womens March movement is taking place on every continent, even Antarctica https://t.co/PQwNH1m5ag pic.twitter.com/pxjTaTMsYr  Verge Science (@VergeScience) January 21, 2017

Of course, its not clear what will follow from the Womens March. Though politicians  notably Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) delivered impassioned speeches, the reality remains that Republicans control the White House, both houses of Congress, and will, in the coming weeks, name Antonin Scalias Supreme Court replacement.

Theres also the difficulty of turning a moment into a movement. How, for example, to square the Womens March with the 53 percent of white women voters who turned out for Trump? Or with the anti-abortion organization that was dropped from the Womens March program? Or with the persistent failure of many mainstream, western feminist movements to represent all women, and not just white women?

Micah, a young woman clad in a pink, cat-eared cap and a shirt that read, I met God. Shes black, came out in part to answer that last question. She and her friends went to the Womens March in Washington, she said, because she thought it important that different types of women be represented. The feminist movement hasnt always been inclusive, she told FP, and she wanted to show that all women matter  black women matter, Muslim women matter, disabled women matter. And I think we showed that today. She paused and smiled. Im very proud.

For at least one day, millions around the world felt the same.

Photo credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Womens March LAs social media managers tell us why they march  and why you should, too

Tomorrow, we make history. In the aftermath of the new political administration, women across the nation (and globally) will be marching to demand social justice in every form. The Womens March on Washington is expected to be one of the largest political demonstrations in history, with 200,000 people already expected to attend in D.C. alone. But that doest include the hundreds of Sister Marches happening across the nation and the world.

If you visit the official site for the Womens March on Washington right now, there are an estimated 673 sister marches happening tomorrow, and 2,226,540 sister marchers hitting the streets.

Womens March Los Angeles is one of these sister marches  and there is an expected turnout of 70,000 people.

A photo posted by WomensMarchLA (@womensmarchla) on Jan 11, 2017 at 10:31am PST

We were able to speak with Aly Nagel and Candace Reels, the social media managers of Womens March LA, about their important roles in tomorrows historic march from Pershing Square to City Hall in Downtown Los Angeles.

Aly quit her day job in order to take on a larger role organizing the march, and Candace brings her expertise as the founder of Female Collective. They told HelloGiggles their reasons for marching, and shared knowledge that will motivate any woman who is nervous about the march, feels hopeless about the future, or needs help getting the men in her life involved with feminist justice.

A photo posted by WomensMarchLA (@womensmarchla) on Jan 10, 2017 at 8:07pm PST

HelloGiggles: What are your roles in the march?

Aly Nagel: I am working alongside Candace managing the @womensmarchla and @womensmarch_ca accounts on Instagram. We are Social Media Managers for those two branches of the march. We have also been working with the PR and outreach team to get additional partners on board.

Candace Reels: Were two of the women getting millennials involved and active on social media for the march.

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HG: Aly, what pushed you to quit your day job in order to take on this role with the Womens March?

AN: Around the end of November, I was becoming extremely vocal about my Womens Rights advocacy on [social media]. Although I loved my job and the people I worked with, my true passion is empowering women. As I was posting and talking about it more and more on social media, I was contacted by a colleague and asked if I was interested in becoming an organizer for the march.

She then put me in touch with Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee, who is one of the Representatives of the March from California (which encompasses around 14 different Sister Marches taking place across the state). I was working mainly with Bay Area organizers, and after a week or two, Gabriella put me in contact with Tracy Samson of Womens March LA. We hit it off, and Tracy connected me with the LA team. I went to a meeting (bringing Candace, who Id done other work with), and then they gave me the role of working with social media because of my background.

Aly Nagel

Aly Nagel

HG: Candace, how did you get involved?

CR: Aly was so kind enough to bring me on board the team. A huge thank you to that wonderful woman! I have a female empowerment clothing brand and online community called Female Collective, whose audience includes millennials that want to be involved, speak out, and have their voices be heard. Aly knew that I would be a great asset to the team for social media purposes.

Candace Reels

Candace Reels

HG: Why do you march?

AN: I march because I want to give a voice to women who do not have the strength, confidence, or ability to speak up for themselves  whether they are victims of sexual assault, cat calling or street harassment, ashamed about having an abortion, oppressed in the work place or home, etc. My job is to help them feel heard. Women should have COMPLETE and TOTAL agency over their bodies, and never feel like they dont have control over what happens to them as human beings. My privilege and purpose is to help women feel confident and safe in their own skin  and most importantly, empowered.

CR: I march because I believe the rise of the woman = the rise of the nation. We are powerful beings that can achieve anything we set our minds to. Together we can conquer the world and do amazing things. Its been proven already, but on January 21st, the world will see what us women can do. This is only the beginning.

A photo posted by WomensMarchLA (@womensmarchla) on Jan 12, 2017 at 11:35am PST

HG: What advice do you have for women who may be intimidated by the size of the march or have never marched in a protest before, but want to participate?

AN: The march is, first of all, not a protest. In some ways (I believe) it will be a therapeutic, cathartic release of emotion. A safe space where we can collectively come together and our voices will be heard after the tumultuous array of emotions weve all been experiencing for the past several months. Dont be scared, its going to be fun!

CR: We are all there for a powerful, good cause  so the energy will be like no otherEveryone will want to feel [it]. The people there are like-minded individuals who all share the same goal of making this world a better place. Youll hopefully come out of it feeling inspired, uplifted, and with a whole new group of friends/your personal girl gang or Feminist Fight Club. This is moment to be a part of history, or as I say, HER-story.

This weekend we took to the streets of Santa Monica to ask people #WhyIMarch ? See more on the @womensmarch_ca and @womensmarch pages! Who's planning on marching with us on January 21st? #wmw #womensmarch A video posted by WomensMarchLA (@womensmarchla) on Dec 19, 2016 at 8:54am PST

HG: What words do you have for women who feel hopeless and unsure of what a march can achieve?

AN: The march is just the beginning! As one of my favorite fictional characters, Penny Lane, said, Its all happening! I believe the march is just the tip of the iceberg for whats about to happen. Women, men, and nonbinary people are organizing publicly and privately to make a change and keep the momentum going.

CR: A march, to me, can achieve so much. Youre bringing together a bunch of strangers who all want the same thing, which is a better world for all. Whether youre there marching for womens rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrants, refugees, Black Lives Matters, climate change, and the list goes on  we all want a world thats equal for all. Together, we can achieve that. A march lets the world hear your voices, and also lets people know that we are here and not going anywhere.

A photo posted by WomensMarchLA (@womensmarchla) on Jan 13, 2017 at 10:56am PST

HG: What can women tell the men in their lives to get them to join the Womens March?

AN: Men can act as allies and are totally welcome to attend the march. If anything, men are encouraged to come! Plus, they can echo the chant My body my choice with Her body her choice  [and it] is awesome to see cis straight men standing in solidarity.

CR: I found that men listen more if you make it personal to them, so tell them that they should be at the Womens March to march for their mother, wife, girlfriend, sister, and/or daughter. I believe that a better world for women is a better world for all  and they should, too.

A photo posted by WomensMarchLA (@womensmarchla) on Dec 19, 2016 at 1:24pm PST

HG: How are the Womens Marches across the country communicating with each other?

AN: In tons of different ways! First of all, social media has been an amazing tool in all of this. Its how Candace and I were able to connect with Breanne Butler of the national march and get together to ask people #WhyIMarch last month in Santa Monica. We also communicate with other marchers on weekly calls with different branches. It varies depending on your role and location, especially since we are all volunteers!

CR: Breanne Butler, who is part of the Womens March on Washington team, is the liaison between all the marches across the country. We also communicate a lot through social media (mainly Facebook and Instagram ) and also through email. We were all a bunch of strangers who have now formed a sisterhood of amazing women who are organizing these marches.

A photo posted by Women's March (@womensmarch) on Dec 17, 2016 at 6:11pm PST

Get more information about Womens March LA here, or find a sister march near you. Here are some important things you should do to prepare for the march, and here are some ways to make sure your voice is heard even if you are unable to attend.
CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago. Oklahoma City. London. Los Angeles.

Across the globe, cities big and small saw throngs of women, men and children take to the streets Saturday in a show of unity and support for women's rights. The swarms of marchers came together in the sunshine and rain to rally against sexism, racism and hatred and to protest President Donald Trump.

The crowds were so large that some U.S. cities ground to a halt as demonstrators overwhelmed streets, train stations and parks. The more than 600 "sister marches" were held in conjunction with the Women's March on Washington a day after Trump's inauguration.

Here's a closer look at some of those marches around the world:

LOS ANGELES

Nazik Hasan was among the tens of thousands of demonstrators who filled downtown streets, waving posters and gay-pride flags and chanting in English and Spanish.

The 29-year-old attorney carried a sign that read, "Immigrants and refugees are America."

Hasan's family is originally from Palestine and came, she said, in pursuit of the American dream. One generation later, Hasan and her siblings are all college graduates.

Since the election, though, she said she has felt shocked and fearful and particularly worries about her mother, who wears a headscarf.

"If immigrants' rights are violated and women's rights are violated, I'll be directly affected," she said. "Our fulfillment of the American dream doesn't take away from anyone else's."

Los Angeles police said well over 100,000 people packed several closed blocks. Several trains were added to the city's jammed metro line in order to accommodate the large crowds.

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CHICAGO

Scores of protesters spilled into the streets after organizers canceled the city's march for safety reasons because of a larger-than-expected turnout. The overflow crowd reached an estimated 250,000 people.

People flooded nearby streets, chanting and waving signs protesting Trump, after a rally concluded at Grant Park.

Story continues

Demonstrator Dorothy DeCarlo, 69, burned her bra for women's rights in college 50 years ago and said it was shameful Saturday's marches and rallies were even necessary.

"I thought we took the bruises. I thought it was over," she said.

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OKLAHOMA CITY

After a presidential campaign that focused on women's bodies, Katie Kastner made a sign that drew attention to hers: A circle cut through it focused eyes on her pregnant belly.

The 34-year-old said she drove two hours to Oklahoma City to set an example for her unborn son. She hopes one day the boy will see photos of her at the march and know she stood up to bullies she believes Trump has brought out of the shadows.

"It's easy for people to sit and complain at their homes, behind a computer, but I just thought I didn't want to do that," said Kastner, of Cordell, Oklahoma.

She joined hundreds of others gathered at the state Capitol, in the shadow of working oil wells and statues honoring Oklahoma's cowboy and Native American cultures.

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LONDON

Samantha Moyo looked out at the tens of thousands of marchers sardined into Trafalgar Square with a look of contentment.

The 30-year-old Londoner, originally from Zimbabwe, was overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, and its determination to challenge Trump's world view.

"I'm a black, immigrant bisexual woman, and the fact that women all over the world are standing up for what they believe in, and that I was invited to be on the front line, feels like a huge privilege," she said after helping to lead a march that snaked through central London, stopping traffic at times.

Moyo said she was initially worried about Trump's policies but has come to believe he will inspire resistance.

Police described the event as peaceful with no arrests.

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ATLANTA

A crowd in Atlanta huddled under a blanket of umbrellas amid intermittent downpours. Among them was Diane Lent, 66, an educator from rural Habersham County who drove 90 miles to attend the rally.

"I'm a woman, I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother  and I believe in justice, and I think we need to stand up for what we believe in," she said.

Lent said she's concerned about how education will fare under a Trump administration, and she's worried about his cabinet appointees.

During the campaign, she was stunned at the ways he referred to women.

"I was horrified, just horrified that we've come to that point in time again," Lent said.

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NEW YORK

Demonstrators crammed the streets outside Trump's Manhattan home, saying the new leader might be from there, but he's no New Yorker.

"New York is a community in itself, and people care about each other, and it's diverse," said Ashia Badi, 44, who brought her two daughters to the march. "He doesn't feel like he has those New York values I see."

Trump was born and raised in New York City, but the majority of the city and state voted for Hillary Clinton.

Tens of thousands of protesters carrying signs that read: "Women's rights are human rights" and "A woman's place is in the resistance" funneled past Trump Tower to thunderous cheers on tony Fifth Avenue, where he conducted nearly all of his postelection business. It's also where first lady Melania Trump and the couple's young son, Barron, will live.

Brooklyn resident Zakiyyah Woods, 32, said Trump doesn't understand how the city's working men and women struggle.

"He definitely represents that one percent of New Yorkers who built this city for themselves," she said.

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TRENTON, NEW JERSEY

Sarah Gospodar likened the chilly, damp rally at Trenton's War Memorial to the civil rights marches of the 1960s, when people came together peacefully to effect change.

"As a middle-aged black woman, I've seen a lot in my life  things that divided this country and things that united it," she said.

"These issues we address today are things that should unite us. How can anyone be against equal pay and fair and equal rights for all Americans?"

Gospodar, 53, acknowledged she's no Trump fan but said she will give him the chance to "show he really does want to make America great."

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MIAMI

Roxana Viera and her family joined thousands at a rally hoping to demonstrate that the majority of Americans did not choose Trump.

"The values he presents are not the values of the nation," said the 45-year-old doctor from Jupiter, Florida.

Thousands filed into an amphitheater under blazing sunshine and gave rousing cheers to speeches by community activists, interspersed with the thumping rhythms of a drum group and other musical acts.

Gay couple Gary Fuller, 29, a medical device salesman, and Kyle Merville, 28, a developer, said they feared a rollback of gay rights under Trump.

"He's marginalized so many groups," Fuller said.

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SEATTLE

Amanda Guzman said Saturday's march in Seattle gave her hope as her two young sons and husband joined thousands in

"What I'm seeing here is overwhelming, the solidarity and love," she said, pushing her 18-month-old in a stroller.

She said it's so easy to listen to Trump and see the only bad, but the throngs of protesters gave her hope. "It's all reassuring that there's still good, and we will fight this."

Fathia Absie, a Muslim-American writer and filmmaker who lives in Seattle, said she marched to support women's rights and all rights. As a woman who wears a hijab, she said she is more afraid now than after Sept. 11.

"We have to come together," she said. "What makes this country beautiful and unique, unlike anywhere else in the world, is that we're so diverse. Our differences make us beautiful."

City officials declined to provide estimates but said the march grew into one contiguous mass of people filling an entire 3.6-mile route.

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PARK CITY, UTAH

Actress Charlize Theron and other celebrities led demonstrators in a chant of "Love, not hate, makes America great" through the snowy streets during the annual Sundance Film Festival.

The march was about unity and bringing people together, Theron told The Associated Press.

"None of us are here today to divide anyone. We're already divided enough," she said. "I think we are really here today to celebrate coming together and working together and hearing each other and being able to move forward instead of moving backward. That's all we want."

Comedian Chelsea Handler agreed.

"After that terrible day yesterday, we are going to unite," she said.

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MEXICO CITY

Several hundred demonstrators shut down four lanes of traffic on a central boulevard outside the U.S. embassy in Mexico City. They held up signs such as "Nasty women keep fighting" and "Girls just wanna have fundamental rights."

The Mexican capital is home to a sizable population of U.S. citizens, and many in the crowd were Americans.

Laura Moodey, a 40-year-old nonprofit worker originally from Phoenix, said she was disappointed by Trump's inaugural speech.

"I was hoping for something different. I was hoping to hear the change in tone that we normally hear after a long, bitter campaign," she said.

Moodey brought her 3-year-old son, Joaquin Torres, to the march. He held a sign that read, in Spanish, "This is my world. I believe in science and respect."

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Katz reported from London. Also contributing to this report were: Ian Mader in Miami: Phuong Le in Seattle; Dan Sewell in Cincinnati; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, S.C.; Sylvie Corbet in Paris; Peter Orsi in Mexico City; Esther Htusan in Yangon, Myanmar; Adam Kealoha Causey in Oklahoma City; Don Schanche in Atlanta; Bruce Shipkowski in Trenton, N.J.; Lisa Rathke in Montpelier, Vermont; Ryan Pearson in Park City, Utah; Rachelle Blidner and Colleen Long in New York; and Christine Armario in Los Angeles; Don Schanche in Atlanta; Jim Suhr in Kansas City; Jeff Baenen in St. Paul, Minn.; John Hanna in Topeka, Kan.; Frank Bajak in Houston.
President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy, but offered no specifics about America's place in the world.

The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs.

"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

A look at some reactions from around the world:

___

CONCERN IN TOKYO

Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.

Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.

"Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing."

Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.

"Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said.

Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Story continues

"These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions.

"In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said.

___

CHINA BRACES FOR TROUBLE AHEAD

A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.

The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order.

"Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said.

The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead."

The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."

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TAIWAN TWEETS

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership."

Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election.

He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.

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SOUTH KOREANS PUT SECURITY FIRST, WORRY ABOUT ALLIANCE, TRADE

Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.

"I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S."

In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons.

There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries.

"There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out."

In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.

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INDIANS FRET ABOUT IMMIGRATION PROSPECTS

Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.

"It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.

Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?"

Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper.

"Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.

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Associated Press journalists Mari Yamaguchi and Emily Wang in Tokyo, Gillian Wong in Beijing, Youkyung Lee and Yong Jun Chang in Seoul, South Korea, Muneeza Naqvi in New Delhi contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump's inaugural speech promised "America first" policy led by a forceful executive, in contrast to the coalition building and international conferences which have featured strongly in past administrations.

The billionaire businessman and reality television star  the first president who had never held political office or high military rank  promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs.

"This American carnage stops right here," Trump declared. In a warning to the world, he said, "From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this moment on, it's going to be America first."

A look at some reactions from around the world:

___

AFGHANS DISAPPOINTED BUT HOPEFUL

Like many in the Afghan capital of Kabul, restaurant owner Mohammad Nahim watched the presidential inauguration ceremonies but was disappointed to not hear any mention of Afghanistan.

"Trump did not mention a word about Afghanistan in his speech and the salaries of the Afghan army and police are paid by the U.S.," he said. He added that if the U.S. stops helping Afghanistan, "our country will again become a sanctuary to terrorists. I hope Trump will not forget Afghanistan."

Mohammed Kasim Zazi, a shopkeeper whose home is in eastern Afghanistan's Khost province, where the feared Haqqani network is prominent, said he expected Trump to stay focused on Afghanistan.

"Trump said he will finish the terrorists in the world and that has to mean that Afghanistan will remain in the sights of the U.S." said Zazi.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said he was encouraged by Trump's speech to soldiers in Bagram. "There he announced his support to the troops and the continuation of support for their troops here and strengthening their troops, which is a good and elegant step and I am sure that our cooperation in other areas will continue as well."

Story continues

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SPEECH RESONATES IN MEXICO

Perhaps no country was watching the speech more closely than Mexico. Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States.

So Trump's talk of "protect(ing) our borders," ''America first" and "buy American and hire American" had particular resonance in America's southern neighbor.

Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for "the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and populist speech we just heard. Unity against that useless wall, against deportations, against the blockade of investment."

"The challenge is enormous. ... We demand the federal government leave aside tepidity, that it tackle with absolute firmness and dignity the new relationship with the United States," Anaya said.

The United States is by far Mexico's largest commercial partner, buying some 80 percent of its $532 billion in exports in 2015. Mexico is the second-largest market for U.S. exports.

"At least the word 'Mexico' was not heard in the speech. Nevertheless one can expect the United States to launch a hyper-protectionist project," said Ilan Semo Groman, a researcher at Iberoamericana University.

If Trump truly moves to block or drive away U.S. investment in Mexico, Semo said Mexico should focus its commercial efforts on other countries.

"There are very clear possibilities," Semo said.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto sent three tweets after Trump's inaugural speech Friday:

 "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on his inauguration. We will work to strengthen our relationship with shared responsibility."

 "We will establish a respectful dialogue with the government of President @realDonaldTrump, to Mexico's benefit."

 "Sovereignty, national interest and the protection of Mexicans will guide the relationship with the new government of the United States."

___

PAKISTAN WORRIES ABOUT MUSLIM COMMENTS

A group of retired government officials gathered after morning prayers for a walk in a sprawling park in the heart of the federal capital of Islamabad and the topic of their conversation was President Trump's inaugural speech.

They expressed concern that Trump would target the Islamic world, particularly Pakistan, because of his campaign rhetoric about Muslims as well as his inaugural speech in which he promised to eradicate Islamic terrorism worldwide. Pakistan has often been accused of harboring militant insurgents and declared terrorist groups that have targeted neighboring India, against whom Pakistan has fought three wars, as well as Afghanistan. Pakistan denies the charges.

"Likely there is more trouble in store for the Islamic world and our country will take the most brunt of the harsh treatment from President Trump administration," said Mohammad Afzal.

His sentiments were echoed by Shafiq Khan, who said "the one main thing that the new president mentioned about the world outside America is to tackle Islamic radicalism and that should be the matter of concern for all of us."

Amanaullah, a school teacher in Islamabad, feared Trump's reference to eliminating radical Islamic terrorism. "I think under this name he wants to malign and eliminate Islam," he said.

Umair Khan, an engineer, said of Trump: "Let him taste the burden of government and get settled, I am sure he will calm."

___

CONCERN IN TOKYO

Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.

Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.

"Trump is trying to make big changes to the way things are. Changes are good sometimes, but when America, the most powerful, loses stability ... it's a grave concern," he said. "If you take his words literally, it may destabilize the world going forward and I'm really worried. I hope things will lead to a soft landing."

Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.

"Japan-U.S. relations are not just about security. Our good relations rely so much on trade," he said.

Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"These policies only enhance protectionist and populist movement spreading around the world, and could largely shake the free trade system that has supported global growth," he said.

In his congratulatory message to Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region as a source for growth but also tensions.

"In the 21st century, while the Asia-Pacific region is the source of the global economic growth, the security environment of the region is becoming more severe," he said.

___

CHINA BRACES FOR TROUBLE AHEAD

A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.

The newspaper said in a Saturday commentary following Trump's inauguration that "dramatic changes" lay ahead for the U.S. and the global economic order.

"Undoubtedly, the Trump administration will be igniting many 'fires' on its front door and around the world. Let's wait and see when it will be China's turn," it said.

The paper noted that Trump blamed foreign trade policies for failing to put "America first," and said trade tensions between the U.S. and China seemed "inevitable within the four years ahead."

The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."

In Beijing, Independent scholar and commentator Zhang Lifan drew a contrast between Trump's focus on domestic issues and Chinese President Xi Jinping's emphasis on international cooperation.

"The new U.S. administration's policy toward China is not clear now. In my view, Trump will deal with China like a businessman, especially on trade negotiations," Zhang said.

___

TAIWAN TWEETS

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen tweeted her congratulations to Trump, saying: "Congratulations @realDonaldTrump. Democracy is what ties Taiwan and the US together. Look forward to advancing our friendship & partnership."

Trump didn't mention the self-ruled island in his speech, but he angered China and broke diplomatic protocol by talking by phone with Tsai shortly after winning November's election.

He has said earlier that Washington's "one China policy" under which it recognized Beijing in 1979 was open to negotiation, and questioned why the U.S. should be bound by such an approach without China offering incentives.

___

SOUTH KOREANS PUT SECURITY FIRST, WORRY ABOUT ALLIANCE, TRADE

Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.

"I think the biggest challenge is the national defense," said Park Geon-rok, a 30-year-old designer, adding that South Korea was "heavily influenced by the U.S."

In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement. But the paper also notes it is "fortunate" that Trump has a strong position on North Korea's nuclear weapons.

There were concerns about potential conflicts between the U.S. and China, South Korea's key business partner. Kim Kyung-jin, a spokesman for the opposition People's Party, said that the international economic order might collapse as the U.S. seeks its own economic interest. Kim urged Trump to ease such worries.

"There is a possibility of us becoming an innocent bystander who gets hurt in a fight," said Nam Hae-sook, a 62-year-old homemaker. "Also, I think President Trump will be different from President-elect Trump. I think things will work out."

In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.

___

INDIANS FRET ABOUT IMMIGRATION PROSPECTS

Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.

"It is going to be a little bit challenging for those," said Gorasia, who studied and worked in Chicago before moving back to India last year.

Divya Narayanan, a 21-year-old student of journalism, said that Trump as president worried her. "Someone at the level of the U.S. president coming out and saying things which are bigoted, which are sexist, it sets a precedent for other people in the country, right?"

Indian newspapers highlighted Trump's protectionist policies in his speech. "America First President," read the banner headline of The Indian Express newspaper.

"Protectionist Trumpet: Buy American, Hire American," was the headline of The Times of India newspaper.

___

VIETNAMESE SAY SPEECH TOO AMERICA-FOCUSED

A Vietnamese analyst said Trump's speech was disappointing because it mainly served the domestic audience.

"I think this speech would be right for an election campaign, but not an inauguration speech," said Nguyen Ngoc Truong, president of Hanoi-based private policy think-tank Center for Strategic Studies and International Development.

"It should not be that simple because in an inauguration speech, you must introduce an objective and multi-faceted vision, not just one-sided vision to the American public," he said. "I don't think Trump could have a magic stick to be able to manage America to realize the goals that he outlined."

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AUSTRALIANS FIND SPEECH DIVISIVE

An Australian father of two, Marek Rucinski, found Trump's speech "very divisive" and lacking substance.

"Normally these speeches are used to rally and unite people," he said. "It was, again, more bluster."

Rucinski was among some 8,000-10,000 people who attended a Women's March anti-Trump rally in Sydney's Hyde Park.

Self-described feminist, Niall Anderson, watched the president's inauguration in disbelief.

"Just disbelief that this can happen in 2017," the 35-year-old said.

The Australian newspaper's Foreign Editor Greg Sheridan wrote that "Trump answered one big question with his inauguration address: There is to be no transition from campaign Trump to presidential Trump."

"Donald Trump is always Donald Trump. This consistency is perhaps his chief virtue," Sheridan wrote.

"And his inauguration address made it clear that he intends to govern just as he campaigned, taking swings at his opponents, extolling his populist mantras, speaking in the slightly weird argot of contemporary down market celebrity," he added.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that Mexican politician Ricardo Anaya Cortes called Trump's speech "populist."

___

Associated Press journalists Amir Shah and Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan, Peter Orsi in Mexico City, Mari Yamaguchi and Emily Wang in Tokyo, Gillian Wong and Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Youkyung Lee and Yong Jun Chang in Seoul, South Korea, Muneeza Naqvi in New Delhi, Tran Van Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report.
Beirut (AFP) - Since the start of Syria's war in 2011, several diplomatic initiatives have stumbled over the future of President Bashar al-Assad. Here is a recap:

- End of Arab solutions -

In January 2012, two months after an initial bid to end the violence, leading Arab diplomats adopt a fresh plan that would transfer power from Assad to a coalition cabinet. The Damascus government rejects the proposal and vows to crush rebel movements.

- Geneva I, ambiguous formula -

On June 30, 2012 in Geneva, global powers draw up a plan that would install a transition government, but which does not spell out what would happen to Assad.

Among those drafting the proposal are the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, along with representatives from the Arab League, Turkey and the European Union.

Members of the so-called Action Group for Syria differ over what the plan really means however, with the US saying that it paves the way to a "post-Assad" period. China and Russia, which are allies of Assad, insist it is up to Syrians to decide their future.

- Geneva II, no agreement -

In January 2014, the first talks between Syrian opposition groups and the government are held in Geneva under the auspices of Russia and the US.

On February 15, UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi calls an end to the talks after a second fruitless session, and resigns.

- Russian offensive/Vienna process -

On October 30, 2015, a month after Russian forces launch an intervention to support Assad, several countries meet in Vienna to explore the chance of a political solution.

They include France, Russia and the US, and also, for the first time, Iran.

In November, a transition outline is drawn up but the question of Assad's future is still not resolved.

On February 27, 2016, a ceasefire is imposed by Russia and the United States.

But on April 22 the truce is shattered by the fierce bombardment of Aleppo by regime forces.

Story continues

In March and April, three rounds of indirect talks take place in Geneva between Syrian rebels and the government under UN auspices. They are stymied by questions regarding a political transition, and ceasefire violations.

- Moscow, Ankara, Tehran take over -

On August 9, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with Russia's Vladimir Putin to cement closer ties between the two countries. Turkey backs some Syrian rebel groups and had shot down a Russian jet in late 2015.

Two weeks later, Turkey launches an operation in the northern Aleppo province to battle Islamic State jihadists and Kurdish militia.

On December 22, Syrian forces regain control of Aleppo with backing from Russia.

On December 29, Moscow announces a ceasefire between the government and rebels and a plan to hold peace talks sponsored also by Iran and Turkey, in Kazakhstan.

- Astana talks -

On January 17, 2017, Russia says that talks between the government and rebels should lead to a consolidation of the ceasefire.

Most rebel groups agree to attend the Astana talks, with the exception of Ahrar al-Sham, which counts thousands of fighters in central and northern Syria.

On January 19, Assad calls on rebels to lay down their arms in exchange for an amnesty, but rules out any chance of a transition government or discussion of his departure.

On January 20, a Turkish official says it is no longer "realistic" to insist that Assad step down.






THE KIDS STAY IN THE PICTURE: Ivanka Trump tapped little-known Petit Peony designer Kate Bowen to create clothing for some of her childrens inaugural weekend attire. But Oscar de la Rentas Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia suited them up for Fridays main event.

All three of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushners children wore Oscar de la Renta outfits at the swearing-in ceremony. At the Arlington National Cemetery ceremony Thursday, Arabella Kushner wore a navy wool coat with a velvet collar, and for Saturdays events she will wear an ivory wool coat with a coordinating dress designed by Petit Peonys Bowen. Trumps two sons are expected to wear charcoal wool coats with velvet collars by the designer Saturday.

Petit Peonys founder taught herself how to sew three years ago, after giving up a job in Bostons medical device industry to take an 18-month breather in Vermont. We, literally, lived on a dirt road; I was home with my kids, I was going crazy so I just started sewing and creating my daughters coordinating wardrobe, she said Friday.

Now based in Duxbury, Mass., Petit Peony opened an office/boutique/showroom in September and has distribution in 85 stores. The label has tripled in volume due to the designs translating well with people in coastal New England, she said. Last year a former colleague connected Bowen with Trump who became a customer and featured Petit Peony on her Women Who Work site. The designer also created patriotic clothing for Arabella Kushner to wear last fall.

Bowen was also featured in Trumps campaign to raise awareness around the multidimensionality of women in the workforce whether youre a women entrepreneur, a stay-at-home-mom or a woman in the corporate world. Asked to choose a word that described her work days, Bowen chose multitask and was photographed with her three children and an Ivanka Trump handbag  an image that Trump later retweeted, Bowen said. (Trump has since taken a formal leave of absence from her company.)

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Bowen said, After her father won the presidency I didnt reach out to see if I could design. I just figured she had a bunch of designers already lined up and Im such a small brand. I was focusing on soft, practical cotton dresses that told a story. I wasnt in high-end luxury.

Despite that, Trump reached out to Bowen to ask her to design some clothing for the inaugural weekend events. Enthusiastic as she was about the project, she said, On the inside, I started to panic because Ive never designed or produced a wool coat or a lined gorgeous velvet dress. It was challenging but really rewarding. I was able to go to her house three times for fittings and spend time with her children.

Noting that red, white and blue ensembles were planned for Trumps daughter for the three-day celebration, Bowen said, I was working with their nannies and the head of the household a lot. They said Ivanka wanted a different [childrens] designer for each event. But then she ended up choosing us for two of the three so I thought that was pretty exciting.

Last year, Petit Peony produced 17,000 units, which includes the Magic Balloon label for TJ Maxx, and this year the projection is 100,000 units, Bowen said. In addition to the large volume generated by the discount chain, relocating near Boston, selling in Japan and enhancing the e-commerce business and specialty store distribution has bolstered sales, she said.

This is not a political play for me. I really believe in her and what she stands for. I think shes a woman of her word, Bowen said. She said she is moving to Washington to work on leveling the playing field for women entrepreneurs. She gave someone from a very small company a chance to design for her children for two of the three events. I think that really says something about her. Shes not into the label. It doesnt matter to her if its a really high-end designer. Its just about helping women, elevating women, supporting women  I think shes a woman of her word.

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For those who didn't think this trend had any serious staying power, it's now officially made its way to the ranks of supermodels. Which means it's surely only a matter of time until we see a pair of pasties splashed across the cover of Vogue.

Kendall Jenner dazzled the crowd in a black and white plaid gown as she walked the runway for Givenchys fall/winter 2017-2018 collection at Paris Fashion Week on Friday. But it was on the streets of the City of Light on Saturday where the 21-year-old supermodel really left photographers seeing stars.

The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star was snapped on her way to dinner at LAvenue restaurant with friends, wearing a completely see-through top with no bra.

Of course, this isnt Jenners first time wearing a sheer outfit. She kept her nipples covered this time with star pasties  similar to the ones she rocked in her Vogue Japan spread in September 2015.

Also helping hide Jenners chest and keep her warm in the chilly weather was a stylish Sonia Rykiel cropped denim patchwork jacket with brown sued collar and fur sleeves. She paired the look with black and gold sunglasses and black cigarette pants.

At the Givenchy show on Friday, Jenner was joined by pal Bella Hadid. Cheering them on from the audience was 18-year-old Paris Jackson  who is also rapidly climbing the ranks in the model kids with famous parents club first, posing in a series of photographs during a fashion magazine shoot in France.

Before heading to Paris Fashion Week, Jenner joined sister Kim Kardashian West in New York City on Monday to shoot cameos for Oceans Eight  the all-female reboot of Oceans Eleven led by Sandra Bullock.

RELATED VIDEO: Kim Kardashian Wests Shocking Oceans Eight Cameo  Yes, Theres a Jewelry Heist

A source close to the film confirmed to PEOPLE that the sisters would be making cameos in the upcoming she-quel, in what fan believe to be scenes for a fake Met Gala scene.

The duo were dolled up in lace dresses for the shoot, with Jenner donning a short-sleeved white gown while her big sister rocked a white fur jacket over her sheer gown.

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Theyre not the only celebrities adding their star power to the already all-star cast. Adriana Lima and Met Gala organizer Anna Wintour have also appeared on the set, and Katie Holmes even confirmed shed be playing herself in the movie.

Related:

For more celebrity videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.
Are your lunch choices dictated by your age and gender? KFC thinks they might be, so its going to use facial recognition technology to categorize customers and pitch meal choices that its algorithm thinks will make you happy. The Chinese arm of the popular fried chicken chain is partnering with Chinas search giant Baidu to implement the technology in its restaurants.

Don't Miss: AT&T just raised activation and upgrade fees for the second time in 9 months

Unlike a typical fast food experience  where you walk in, stare at the menu, pick something, then walk out  KFC Chinas new technology relies on a computer to scan the customers face and make its best guess at their age, gender, and any other facial cues that might help it guess what youd enjoy. Then, each customer gets their own personalized meal recommendation, and they can choose to either go with what the computer thinks or simply pick something off of the menu like they normally do.

Its a weird concept, and sounds eerily similar to the oft-cited future world of Minority Report, where advertisements scan each passerby and provide personalized pitches. Of course, KFC Chinas recognition system has very little to do with you as a person and relies heavily on demographic trends instead.

The idea of any company scanning your face and running that data through an algorithm in an effort to gauge which one of its products it thinks you might enjoy is definitely creepy, but when that company is pitching greasy chicken bits? Well, maybe we can look the other way on it.

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
A scientific advisory board for the United States Department of Defense issued a report that assures it is unlikely for artificial intelligence to lead to any existential threats for humanity.

The apocalyptic future shown in sci-fi filmsthe ones where robots have gain consciousness and destroy humanityis not one you need to worry about according to a report from the United States Department of Defense.

The document, produced by JASONan independent advisory group comprised of scientists and experts that brief the government on matters of science and technologyoutlines trends in the field of artificial intelligence as it pertains to the U.S. military.

According to the report, most computer scientists believe the possible threats posed by AI to be at best uninformed and those fears do not align with the most rapidly advancing current research directions of AI as a field.

It instead says these existential fears stem from a very particularand smallpart of the field of research called Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which is defined as an AI that can successfully perform any intellectual task that a human can.

The report argues we are unlikely to see the reality of an AGI come from the current artificial intelligence research and the concept has high visibility, disproportionate to its size or present level of success.

Despite the reports dismissal of the possibility of world-destroying machines, it does note the breakthroughs in AI have come at a staggering rate over the last several years and has produced several autonomous military machines.

The report makes note of unmanned aircraft used by the Navy and the South Koreas Samsung SGR-A1 military robot, which sits at the border of the country and asks humans for a passwordand fires on them if they provide the wrong information.

Despite the assurances of the advisory boards report, there are still plenty of fears surrounding the possibility of overpowering AIincluding among some of the most notable names in technology.

Elon Musk, the founder of electric car company Tesla Motors and aerospace manufacturer SpaceX, has warned that he believes it is  only a matter of time  until AI is advanced enough to become a threat to humanity.

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Musk launched a nonprofit AI research company called OpenAI in 2015 and pledged $1 billion to it, with the intention of developing best practices and helping prevent potentially damaging applications of the technology.

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Photo: HBO

On May 31, 2014, two Wisconsin tweens lured a third into the suburban Waukesha woods, stabbed her 19 times, and left her to die while they washed up at a nearby Walmart. The true crime tale, which has become known as the Slenderman stabbing, only got weirder from there as details of why  or more accurately for who  the then 12-year-olds attacked Payton Bella Leutner.

In separate interrogation rooms, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser told detectives that they were attempting to become proxies of the Slenderman, a fictional and frightening supernatural character born on the Internet, which required a blood sacrifice. They believed the creature to be real and thought he would hurt their families if they did not kill their pal to appease him.

Almost three years later, the girls are being held in a juvenile-detention facility 30 miles from Waukesha awaiting a trial thats expected to get underway this summer, while their intended victim navigates life as a high school freshman who will likely have to testify.

The bizarre case is now the subject of a documentary, Beware the Slenderman, directed by Irene Taylor Brodsky (Oscar-nominated for The Final Inch), which premieres Monday, Jan. 23, on HBO. Here is some background to catch you up on the crime before you watch Brodskys attempt to decipher the making of these would-be murderers.

The Setting

Photo: Mark Heitman via Flickr

Waukesha, featured on a few best places to live lists over the years, is a politically conservative, mostly middle class, mostly white suburb of Milwaukee. Slightly more than 70,000 people reside in the city, which falls on both sides of the Fox River. It is home to Carroll University, a University of Wisconsin campus, a former Cold War-era Nike missile battery, and 67 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also the hometown of current Bachelor Nick Viall.

The Suspects and the Victim

Anissa Weier, Morgan Geyser, and Payton Bella Leutner (Photos: Getty Images/Facebook)

All three girls attended Horning Middle School. Leutner and Geyser had been besties since fourth grade. Weier was a newer friend who lived in the same subsidized apartments as Geysers family. None of them were what you would call popular; in a note found in Geysers room she described herself as a mental case, but they had each other and a mutual love of cats and Harry Potter.

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The Sleepover Turned Nightmare

The Saturday of the crime started much like any other. The trio spent Friday night at Geysers house to celebrate her 12th birthday after hanging out at the Skateland roller rink for a couple of hours. After playing dress-up and eating a breakfast of doughnuts and strawberries, Geyser asked her mom if they could play outside. Based on police interviews with the girls, they headed to nearby Davids Park, and on the way Geyser showed Weier the small knife shed snuck out of the kitchen and concealed under her plaid jacket. I thought, Dear God. This is really happening, Weier later told police. They allegedly tussled in the parks restrooms, but Geyser fell apart, and Weier comforted her after sending Leutner to play outside.

Weier then suggested they play hide-and-seek in the wooded area that borders the far side of the park. At some point, while Leutner was crouched down playing with flowers, Geyser gave Weier the knife, but she returned it saying she was too squeamish. Geyser recounted that she said, Im not going to until you tell me to. Weier says she started to walk way, but then commanded, Kitty now. Go ballistic, go crazy. She says she heard Geyser say, Dont be afraid. Im only a little kitty cat, before pushing her friend over and stabbing her 19 times in the arms, legs, stomach, liver, and pancreas. One thrust missed a major artery near her heart by a millimeter, according to doctors. Geyser later told investigators, It didnt feel like anything. It was like air. Stabby stab stab stab.

Leutner screamed that she hated them as she tried to get up and walk away, but Weier steered her deeper into the brush and instructed her to lie down. Geyser tried to dress her wounds with a leaf before they fled to the aforementioned big box store less than a mile away. They cleaned off the crime in the sinks, filled their water bottles, and then wandered around town for a couple of hours before being picked up by a sheriffs deputy as they sat near an entrance to the interstate, knife still in their possession. Weier asked detectives where Leutners body was, assuming she was dead.

Emergency personnel transport 12-year-old Payton Leutner, who was stabbed by two other girls of her age in Waukesha, Wis. (Photo: Abe Van Dyke/AP Photo)

Fortunately, Leutner managed to crawl to the road after they left her to perish and got the attention of a passing cyclist, who called 911. She gave the name of one of her attackers to the police before being rushed to surgery. Now 14, she has recovered, although doctors suspect she will need plastic surgery when she is older. She currently attends high school and takes AP classes and French.

The Supernatural Scapegoat

Photo: Victor Surge via SomethingAwful

The investigation took a strange turn when the suspects were being questioned by local law enforcement. One girl said they had begun planning in December. Both girls brought up the Slenderman when asked why theyd committed the heinous act of violence. One said they did it to become his proxies and live with him in his mansion in the Nicolet National Forest. The other claimed she sees the monster in her dreams and that he can read her mind and teleport.

They, like many others, had discovered Slenderman on Creepypasta.wikia.com, a site filled with creepy urban legends and horror/ghost stories. Creepypasta is slang for frightening fiction passed around the Internet and is derived from another slang term, copypasta, which refers to blocks of text that are copied and pasted over and over again from site to site and forum to forum. Slenderman, a boogeyman to some and a guardian angel to others, is a popular topic in the Creepypasta-sphere. Usually depicted as a very tall and rail-thin man in a black suit with a pale white featureless face and tentacles coming out of his back or head, the mythological demon-like character first appeared as part of a 2009 Photoshop contest, lurking behind children in black-and-white photos created by SomethingAwful user Victor Surge. Slenderman has since spawned more artwork, fan fiction, videos, and games all over the world. Depending on which lore you read, he is said to cause nausea and the coughing up of blood, insanity, an incessant need to draw, and paranoid behavior. He has been accused of disemboweling victims and abducting youngsters.

There were, of course, immediate public outcries about the harm Internet horror stories inflict on naive children, so the administrator of Creepypasta.com felt compelled to release a statement when he started receiving messages of blame and concern and his site saw a surge in traffic due to media attention within days of the incident. Its hard to justify pinning blame on an entire genre of writing. Unless youre OK with blaming the worlds ills on Stephen King or H.P. Lovecraft. I dont believe that it makes sense to say paranormal writing or an interest in the macabre should be used as an indicator of a sick person (as a few emails have already felt the need to call both myself and all the authors here). The human race has long held and encouraged a fascination with things that go bump in the night.  Slenderman is not real. Its important that people see that Creepypasta isnt a group of murder-promoting serial killer fetishists or a Slenderman cult in hopes that people will pay attention to the actual issues surrounding this tragedy [such as] mental illness. Such misdirection will almost certainly happen so that they can bury their heads about the larger societal issues that these ever-increasing occurrences imply.

Photo: HBO

Slenderman isnt the only fictional character the young Waukesha girls mentioned or followed. Weier was also drawn to Zalgo and Jeff the Killer. Geyser, who had loads of drawings referring to Slenderman in her room, loved Snape and Voldemort and considered Spock a mentor.

The Charge and the Plea

Morgan Geyser is brought into court by a sheriffs deputy on Aug. 21, 2015, during arraignment for the Slenderman stabbing trial in Waukesha, Wis. (Photo: Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/TNS/Getty Images)

The girls were charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide  as adults, in accordance with Wisconsin law  in Waukesha County Circuit Court. If convicted, they each face up to 60 years in prison.

Their lawyers attempted unsuccessfully to convince the court that they should be tried as juveniles. The judge felt there were far too many signs of premeditation. In their retellings, each girl assigns the idea to kill their friend to the other and says they started discussing it in late December or early January. It also sounds like a common third-wheel scenario dealt with in a very uncommon way. Geyser said Weier always calls [Bella] a bitch, and Geyser tormented her with Slenderman links and threatened that he would get her while she was asleep. They had packed a few items like granola bars and family photos. Weier didnt want to forget her family while spending the rest of our lives [with Slenderman]. Weier had also left two messages on her phone days before the stabbing  one that read like a will and a second that was more of a goodbye, which asked those who care not to grieve my absence, but remember me for who I was.

They have both pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. Experts have testified that Weier displays traits associated with a delusional disorder (an inability to distinguish what is real and what isnt). Geyser was diagnosed with schizophrenia (from which her father also suffers) and oppositional defiant disorder during a stay at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

Anissa Weier, accused of involvement in the Slenderman stabbing, is led into a courtroom on Dec. 22, 2016. (Photo: Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/TNS/Getty Images)

They have been incarcerated for more than two years, and a trial date is still pending. Guards and observers have testified that Geyser has unraveled even further in jail  eating meals on the floor, having conversations with people who arent there, making claw fingers at strangers who enter her cell, and flicking ants at other children. Weier has been more of a model inmate, making clear from the moment of booking that she wanted nothing to do with Geyser. She strictly follows the prisons 39 rules and regularly attends classes, but she has also been on suicide watch, and she refused to leave her room when other girls called her a monster.

Beware the Slenderman premieres Monday, Jan. 23, at 10 p.m. on HBO.
Two different unscripted TV hosts had two very different interactions today with the federal government. Ex-Celebrity Apprentice host Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States while Abby Lee Miller began to find out if shes going to prison or not  and just how much the U.S. Attorneys office really wants her behind bars

Over a year after she was indicted on 20 counts of fraud and more than six months after a new charge was made of violating currency reporting laws, the Dance Moms host Friday faced a district judge in Pittsburgh in the first part of her sentencing.

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Making the final case for the government on Friday in the Pennsylvania city, Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Melucci told Chief Judge Joy Flowers Conti that Miller should be sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. With the Dance Moms host sitting nearby, the federal prosecutor dismissed attempts by Miller to blame the matter, for which she pled guilty on June 27 last year, as the fault of her sudden fame on the Lifetime series. A deliberate Melucci said that the Dance Moms host intended to cause harm to her creditors by deliberately misrepresenting her income on bankruptcy filings in 2012.

One piece of definitive movement today saw Miller dropped her attempts to not pay up her attempts to keep the $120,000 she was accused of illegally sneaking into America from Australia in the summer of 2014. In previous court filings, the feds have claimed that Miller used minors to get the money Stateside. They have now agreed to drop their request to enhance Millers sentence for the use of minors in her activity of not reporting bringing more that $10,000 into the country.

A second hearing is scheduled for February 24 in which Millers lawyers will make their case for probation. The judge is expected to make her decision either at or soon after that second hearing. It is not clear yet if Miller will appear as witness in her own defense next month.

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It is a bit clearer that the sentencing that could see first time offender Miller behind bars for just six months or getting probation and paying a lot less than government prosecutors desire if the Chief Judges tentative rulings of yesterday on the guideline range holds (read it here). It is the purpose of the two sentencing hearings for both sides to have an opportunity to change the judges mind if they so desire  which both seemingly do.

Miller is represented in this matter by Robert Ridge and Brandon Verdream of Pittsburghs Clark Hill PC.

Kim Lyons contributed to this report

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Saturday, January 21, 2017

There's still a week left for the early bird registration for the 12th Global Legal Skills Conference being held at in Monterrey, Mexico at the Facultad Libre de Derecho de Monterrey (FLDM), a previous host of the third and fifth Global Legal Skills Conferences. The conference is being held March 15-17, 2017. There is an optional full-day city tour of Monterrey on Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

Proposals for presentations at the conference are also being accepted for another week.

The first Global Legal Skills started as a conference to connect legal writing and ESL professionals who had an interest in teaching international students and lawyers who speak English as a second language. The GLS Conference series has since grown to include not only legal writing faculty, but also international and comparative law professors, clinical faculty, linguists, librarians, judges, attorneys, court translators, law students, and scholars interested in global legal skills education. Now in its 12th iteration, the conference draws hundreds of professionals from around the world.

The conference being hosted at the FLDM is being cosponsored by The John Marshall Law School-Chicago (Illinois, USA), the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico Department of Law (Mexico City, Mexico), and the University of Texas at Austin School of Law (Texas, USA). The conference is also supported by various professional organizations, including the American Bar Association Section of International Law, the American Society of International Law, the International Law Students Association, Lawbility (Switzerland), Scribes  The American Society of Legal Writers, and the Teaching International Law Committee of the American Branch of the International Law Association.

Click here for more information about the conference (including descriptions of presentations already accepted), the early bird registration, conference hotel discounts, city tour information, and nominations for the GLS Awards.

(mew)

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/international_law/2017/01/wee.html


The head of Chinas largest online seller Alibaba does not think China and the United States will have a trade war despite comments from the Trump administration.

Jack Ma is the chairman of the Alibaba Group. At the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, he said, China and (the) U.S. will never have a trade war. Give Trump some time. Hes open-minded, hes listening.

The Chinese billionaire said he would do all he could to prevent trade relations between the countries from getting worse.

Last week, Ma met with Trump at the Trump Tower in New York City. The Chinese billionaire is said to have discussed a plan to permit one million small U.S. businesses to sell goods on Alibabas online shopping platform.

During the campaign and after winning the presidential election, Trump strongly criticized the Chinese governments support for its businesses. He blamed unfair trade policies for taking away U.S. jobs. And he said that China unfairly controls the exchange value of its currency, the yuan.

Trump also has threatened to place import taxes on goods from China and other countries in response to their trade policies.

According to the South China Morning Post, Ma said, American international companies made millions and millions of dollars from globalization. He added that the U.S. should not blame the loss of jobs and companies on globalization.

Group says American businesses in China concerned

However, a new study by an American business group says many U.S. businesses feel unwelcome in China. The companies say the cost of doing business in China is increasing. They add that rules and regulations are unclear or not enforced in a consistent way.

The American Chamber of Commerce in China led the study, which looked at responses from 462 companies.

William Zarit is chairman of the chamber. He says trade policies in China make it difficult for American companies. He says, we feel that over the last few years that weve been taken advantage of to some extent, with our open market and the lack of open areas in the Chinese market.

Another major concern for U.S. companies in China is fake products. Fake products are copies of the originals that cost businesses with the legal right to sell them millions of dollars each year.

Ma defended Alibabas efforts to fight fake products on its shopping platform. He said his company is doing all it can to fight the problem.

Fighting against fake products is a war against human greediness, Ma said.

Im Mario Ritter.

Bill Ide reported the story on American businesses in China. Mario Ritter adapted it with additional materials from Reuters and other news sources. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. What do you think of globalization and U.S.-China trade. Tell us in the comment section.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

despite prep. without being prevented by

platform n. a computer program that is used for a specific purpose, such as choosing and selling products

consistent adj. not changing, happening in the same way

globalization n. the process of making the trade of goods and services equivalent in all nations

originals n. not a copy, the real or true product
"...I, Donald John Trump, do solemnly swear...

Donald Trump took the oath of office Friday to become the 45th president of the United States. He vowed to transfer power from Washington, D.C. to the American people.

Outgoing President Barack Obama stood nearby as the Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr., administered the oath of office to Trump.

At his side for the ceremony was his wife Melania and his five children. Mike Pence had been sworn in as Vice-President moments before.

It is the scene that has been repeated every four years since 1789.

Patriotic music was played. And canons were fired.

The Capitol building was decorated with flags. Hundreds of thousands of people came to the Capitol grounds to see the new president sworn in. They wore red white and blue clothing with Trumps name on it. Some wrapped themselves in flags. Many cheered the man they had elected to the office.

In his inaugural address, President Trump continued with the populist theme that brought him to victory after a bitter campaign.

To all Americans in every city near and far, small and large from mountain to mountain, from ocean to ocean, hear these words: You will never be ignored again."

A light rain fell as Trump spoke. He said this will be the day the people will become the rulers. His words targeted many of the very people who surrounded him at the CapitolWashingtons top political leaders.

The establishment protected itself, but not the citizens of our country. Their victories have not been your victories; their triumphs have not been your triumphs; and while they celebrated in our nations Capital, there was little to celebrate for struggling families all across our land. That all changes  starting right here, and right now, because this moment is your moment. It belongs to you.

The new president spoke of putting America ahead of all other nations.

From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, its going to be only America first. America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

He said there will be two simple rules to follow: Buy American and hire American.

We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies, and destroying our jobs. Protection will lead to great prosperity and strength.

The new U.S. president also said his administration will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world. He also said his administration will attack radical Islamic terrorism saying he will eradicate (it) completely from the face of the Earth.

Former presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush were there, as was Bill Clinton. His wife, Hillary Clinton sat with him. She was Trumps opponent in the election where many angry words were said. Ninety-two-year-old former President George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, was unable to attend because he is sick.

Many House Democrats refused to attend the ceremony.

Trump takes leadership of a nation divided over his election. He is a billionaire businessman with no experience in government. At 70, he is the oldest person to be sworn in as president.

He comes into office with 40 percent approval rating in national polls, the lowest for any new president in decades. Trump won the Electoral College vote. But he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly three million votes.

The day was filled with rich American tradition. It began with Trump and his family attending a service at St. Johns Church across the street from the White House.

Then Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden greeted their successors at the White House, where they had tea with their spouses.

It was reported that Obama left a private letter for his successor, just like George W. Bush had done for him.

Then, together, the out-going and in-coming presidents rode in the same vehicle up to Capitol Hill for the ceremony.

After the swearing-in, Trump said goodbye to the Obamas as they boarded a helicopter to begin a trip to California.

President Donald Trump headed back into the Capitol to sign his first official papers as president, including nominating members of his cabinet.

Then it was time to sit down for a traditional lunch with Congressional leaders at Statuary Hall in the Capitol.

During the ride to the White House, the president and his family stepped out to briefly greet the crowd, gathered for the inaugural parade.

The long day was expected to close with the president and his wife attending two inaugural parties.

I'm Bryan Lynn.

And Im Anne Ball.

Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English with material from Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

vow - v. to promise to do something or to behave in a certain way

transfer - v. to move (someone or something) from one place to another

oath - n. a formal and serious promise to tell the truth or to do something

populist - adj. of or relating to a political party that claims to represent ordinary people

bitter - adj. causing painful emotions

ravage - v. to damage or harm very badly

eradicate - v. to remove completely or destroy

decade - n. a period of 10 years

Electoral College - n. a group of people chosen from each U.S. state who meet to elect the President and Vice President of the U.S. based on the votes of all the people in each state

cabinet - n. a group of people who give advice to a leader
Protest groups in Washington showed their disapproval of Americas new president, Donald Trump, on Friday - Inauguration Day.

Police used pepper spray and sound bombs in a clash with protesters not far from the inaugural parade path of President Trump.

Police said they arrested more than 90 people for rioting.

Several demonstrations took place peacefully at security checkpoints near the U.S. Capitol building. Police helped ticketed visitors enter the ceremony, which was held along the National Mall. Protesters there held signs with various messages, including, Resist Trump - Climate Justice Now, Let Freedom Ring, and Free Palestine.

But about two kilometers from the National Mall, protesters began breaking the windows of businesses, including a Starbucks, a Bank of America and a McDonalds. Police used pepper spray to try to stop the violence.

Some of the more than 1,000 protesters wore gas masks and linked arms. When protesters crossed police lines, officers resisted with batons, pepper spray, and sound bombs.

Some protesters threw heavy objects, including bricks, toward police. Others rolled large metal waste containers toward them.

Police said that the protesters damaged vehicles, destroyed property and set small fires.

Before Inauguration Day, a group called DisruptJ20 coalition had promised that it would interfere with the celebrations, risking arrest if necessary.

Eleanor Goldfield helped organize the DisruptJ20 protest. She said protesters wanted to show Trump and his, in her words, "misguided, misinformed or just plain dangerous" supporters that they will not be silent.

Trump supporter Brett Ecker told the Associated Press that the protesters were frustrating, but they were not ruining the day for him.

"They're just here to stir up trouble," Ecker said. "It upsets me a little bit that people choose to do this, but yet again, it's one of the things I love about this country."

I'm Ashley Thompson.

The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

riot - v. to behave in a violent and uncontrolled way

brick - n. a small, hard block of baked clay that is used to build structures (such as houses) and sometimes to make streets, paths, etc.

frustrating - adj. causing feelings of anger and annoyance
On the first day of his presidency, Donald Trump began making changes to the policies of earlier presidents.

A document released by the new Trump White House said the president would soon withdraw from the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. The free trade deal was negotiated by the Obama administration.

The White House website said Trump would also work to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement known as NAFTA.

If our partners refuse a renegotiation that gives American workers a fair deal, then the President will give notice of the United States intent to withdraw from NAFTA, a White House statement said.

Neither action was a surprise. During the presidential campaign, Trump said bad trade deals had hurt employment in America.

The NAFTA agreement removed most tariffs on products traded between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. It was signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

The Trump administration also said it is ready to cancel what it called, harmful and unnecessary policies." Among them is the Obama administrations plan to reduce pollutants from coal-powered electricity plants. The climate plan was designed to cut gases that cause global warming.

Another is a clean water rule to protect small waterways and wetlands from development by the Environmental Protection Agency.

More changes will be announced in coming days, the website said.

Trump has said he wants to cancel and replace a national health care law, known as Obamacare.

His cabinet nominees have promised other major changes during Senate confirmation hearings.

In education, for example, there are plans to give parents more choice in selecting schools for their children, including private, religious schools.

And there has been discussion of permitting more drilling, mining and logging on federal lands.

There is a great deal of reform coming to Washington, said Sean Spicer, the chief spokesman for President Trump on Thursday.

After the inauguration, Trump signed papers formally nominating the people he wants to form his Cabinet. He did so surrounded by congressional leaders from both parties at the Capitol.

The nominations are now before the U.S. Senate, which must approve nominees before they can take their new jobs.

Trump also signed a proclamation declaring a National Day of Patriotism and a bill that would permit retired Marine General James Mattis to run the U.S. Defense Department.

Late Friday, the Senate voted to approve Mattis as Defense Secretary.

In his inaugural speech, Trump said he would carry out his promise to make government focus on Americas needs ahead of any others.

From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land, Trump said. From this moment on, its going to be America first. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and American families.

Trump, a Republican, won the presidential election after a very difficult campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton. He promised to change many of the policies put forward over the last eight years by Democratic President Obama.

However, in his inauguration speech, Trump, the 45th U.S. president, thanked Obama and his wife, Michelle. Trump said, They have been magnificent in helping him prepare to take over as president.

It couldnt have been easy for either man to be civil to the other after the election, said Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. But they were and continued to be, for the most part, to their substantial credit.

Sabato said the United States is still deeply divided, much more so than usual.

Yet imagine how much worse it could have been had No. 44 and No. 45 feuded day after day, Sabato said.

Im Mario Ritter.

Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

tarrif - n. a tax on goods coming into or leaving a country

intent n. meaning to do something

proclamation - n. the act of saying something in a public

focus - n. the subject on which people's attention is centered

reverse - v. to change to an opposite condition

substantial - adj. large in amount, size, or number

feud - v. an angry fight between two people
LEXINGTONNebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts made a brief stop in Lexington on Wednesday, the last day of a State of the State fly-around tour.

Speaking to a small group gathered at Jim Kelly Field, Ricketts shared details of his plan to balance the state budget without raising taxes.

Nebraska grit is what allowed our ancestors to come to what was known then as the great American desert and turn it into a productive agricultural land, said Ricketts as a preface. He said that same grit would be required to tackle todays issues.

Regarding the revenue shortfall, Ricketts said farm income was $7.5 billion in 2012 and 2013, but declined to $4.5 billion in 2015, a 39 percent decrease, and is probably closer to $4 billion for 2016.

When we see that kind of decline it ripples through the entire state, said Ricketts, noting agriculture is the states largest industry, accounting for about 25-percent of the overall economy.

Ricketts said $275 million in his proposed budget modifications prioritized funding for K-12 education and corrections, while maintaining essential services without raising taxes.

Ricketts said the revenue gap must be closed without increasing taxes. He proposed a budget that limits spending increases to 1.7 percent a year for the next two years, but that would increase funding to schools by 2.7 percent during the same period.

Quoting Ronald Reagan, Ricketts said, Simple fairness dictates that government must not raise taxes when families are struggling to pay their bills.

Ricketts said he is supportive of a proposed merger to combine the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs and the Division of Veterans Homes.

He said it made sense for one agency, rather than two, to serve the states 143,000 veterans in a one stop shop that would be more efficient and effective.

He also recommended merging the Department of Aeronautics with the Department of Roads to create a Department of Transportation that would be responsible for both modes of transportation.

Ricketts talked about occupational licensing reforms to reduce burdens on job seekers, especially those from out-of-state who find they need more training hours to obtain a license in Nebraska.

Were looking for ways to get those barriers to creating jobs out of here, he said.

To provide tax relief to land owners, Ricketts said a structural change was needed for determining the value of agricultural land. We have to structurally change the way we value ag land property so it is more in line with income, said Ricketts.

Instead of valuation based on market sales assessment, in use now, Ricketts said it should be based on income potential assessment to be fairer and more standard.

It is the valuation method used by South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio. It is something he would like to see implemented in 2019.

Ricketts also said Nebraska needs to be more competitive in terms of tax rates. The only bordering state with higher income tax rates is Iowa. South Dakota and Wyoming have no income taxes.

Ricketts said he would like to bring top tax rates down from 6.84 percent to under 6 percent, about a tenth of a percent at a time over a period of eight years, starting in 2020, but only in years that the revenue is growing by at least 3.5 percent.

Cozad resident Emily Tvrdy told the governor her dream is to be a certified nurse midwife, but occupational licensing requirements in Nebraska have discouraged her from accepting an offer to go to graduate school and she has considered moving her family out of state. Tvrdy is a labor and delivery nurse and lactation consultant, currently working at Lexington Regional Health Center.

Lexington resident Ron Stahla said he bought a piece of land in 2000 and since that time the taxes on it have doubled.

Its going to take a long time to get down to 100 percent or even 50 percent, said Stahla of the governors land valuation proposal that would reportedly immediately bring land valuations down by 2 percent.

Its not going to be an overnight fix, said Ricketts, noting the current situation was years in the making.

Ricketts suggested taxes could be controlled through people going to local meetings and asking questions of how money is being spent.

We need help with local folks being involved and going to those board meetings, said Ricketts.

Mayor John Fagot asked how land valuation would be applied to recreational land.

It will not apply to recreational land, said Ricketts.
It is often asserted that the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 proved that HWA was right and he really did see the future.

This of course is nonsense. Herbert W. Armstrong said that Christ would return within twenty years in his book Mystery of the Ages. (PCG has since deleted those words so someone in there knows HWA spoke nonsense.) How convenient for them to forget this.

Also Herbert W. Armstrong never said the Soviet Union would collapse. He thought it would survive intact until a few years after Christ's return. It shows how biased some many in the COGs are that they never seem to notice this. This inconvenient truth is just tossed into the memory hole.

It is true that HWA said that some Eastern European states would break away from Moscow's orbit and join the European Empire he said would arise at any moment. But he never talked of the Soviet Union collapsing. He did not teach that. Also he portrayed the rise of the European Empire to be far quicker then what has actually happened. In Mystery of the Ages Christ was supposed to return by 2005 at the most.

So assertions that the fall of the Berlin Wall somehow prove that HWA was right is just complete nonsense spread by people who, for whatever reason, are still in denial that HWA was a false prophet who merely talked out of his own "human reasoning".
GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
A year ago, at the height of winter, officials in Helsinki were baffled to find scores of Asian and Middle Eastern asylum seekers suddenly crossing the sleepy Russian-Finnish border in Lapland, an Arctic region where reindeer outnumber people.

The incident prompted Finland to break from EU practices and sign an immigration-curbing deal with Vladimir Putin. Finnish officials eventually concluded that the crossings were probably part of a hybrid attack masterminded in Moscow.

As it prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its independence from the Russian Empire, Finland is now setting up an international center designed to help governments deal with a rapidly-evolving form of modern warfare readily associated with the Wests Cold War foe.

Warfare today is manifold, Finnish Defense Minister Jussi Niinisto said in an interview in Helsinki, and there are different ways of influencing operations in other countries. Finlands hybrid warfare center would analyze these kinds of operations, so that we can understand them and improve our crisis resilience.

Alleged attempts to influence the recent U.S. presidential elections from overseas have received much publicity. This year could be the turn of Europe, where voting in the Netherlands, France and Germany will be closely monitored for evidence that Russia is again trying to destabilize democracy by secretly assisting anti-establishment candidates.

The increasing use of covert operations hasnt prevented a massive build up of traditional military forces on either side of the old Iron Curtain. This month, the U.S. sent thousands of troops to Poland to bolster NATOs eastern front and reassure European allies rattled by Donald Trumps perceived rapprochement with Russias president.

But hybrid warfare is nevertheless expected to grow in importance. And its already much more than just hacking or disseminating fake news.

Niinisto cited the mysterious Arctic immigration surge, which he says involved about 2,000 people, as an example of suspicious events that would be investigated by the center. Teija Tiilikainen, who heads the Helsinki-based Institute for Research for International Relations, said in a May interview that what had happened in Lapland was very probably a politically machinated action.

The idea of a hybrid center was discussed in Brussels, the home of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, in the wake of Russias annexation of Crimea and the spread of the terrorist group Islamic State.

Unlike NATOs cyber defense center in Estonia, Finlands would be wider in scope and also open to non-NATO Western nations.

With a relatively small budget of 2 million euros ($2.13 million), the Helsinki center would act as an international consultant, advising and providing specialized training to member states in cooperation with NATO and the EU.

Often, states cannot be sure if they are under a hybrid attack, said Matti Saarelainen, the project manager. The center would help member countries better understand hybrid threats and better prepare for them.

Saarelainen, who works for the office of the prime minister, said he expects a memorandum of understanding involving at least five countries to be signed by the middle of March. Membership would eventually be expanded, with the U.S. likely to join at some stage.

Despite the ongoing transition, there has been a very positive reception toward the center in the U.S., Saarelainen said.
TWIN FALLS  The Rev. Kathleen McKevitt cried when she heard her diagnosis  Stage 4 breast cancer.

Then McKevitt started searching for all the medical information she could find. She also looked to her faith and her spirituality.

I went back to my faith in God and all the tools I possessed as an experienced natural healer, McKevitt said. With a background in acupuncture, massage, and the life-saving practice of meditation, all of which I have professionally practiced and studied over a 30 year period. Eating right, exercising, humor and determination are also key.

She is now in remission and looking to help others through their own health problems.

The Perfect Pathway to Healing: Body, Mind, Soul, and Spirit starts Jan. 27 and ends March 2 at the College of Southern Idaho. Thursday classes are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. or from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The cost to attend is $49 and materials are provided. McKevitt leads Unity Spiritual Life Center of Southern Idaho.

Attendees will hear from doctors, chiropractors, acupuncture specialists and physical advisers. Participants will learn how to they can take control of their healing by combining modern medicine, ancient techniques, natural medicine, spirituality, nutrition and exercise. McKevitt said the classes are designed for people with long-standing health challenges, for those who are newly diagnosed, caretakers or those who have depression.

Your diagnosis doesnt have to be cancer, McKevitt said. But any life-threatening disease requires all the same techniques to stay as clear and strong in body, mind, soul and spirit are essential.

For more information, call 208-732-6442 or go to communityed.csi.edu.


































Vice President Mike Pence, left, watches as President Donald Trump prepares to sign his first executive order, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. CREDIT: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Before being inaugurated president on Friday, Donald Trump promised many things ( 663 , to be exact). Many of those promises are things he said would be done on his first day in office. According to a ThinkProgress analysis of Trumps public statements, 36 of them, he said, would be done or start on his first day.

Now, 24 hours after Trump took the Oath of Office, he can safely say he kept two of those promises, and broke or ignored 34.

First Hour Promises

Then-candidate Trump made several pledges about the first paper he would sign, as well as what would he would do his first minute and first hour as president. He kept none of them.

These international gangs of thugs and drug cartels will be, I promise you from the first day in office, the first thing Im going to do, the first piece of paper Im going to sign is we are going to get rid of these people day one, Trump said on the campaign trail in August 2016. In October 2015, Trump said about Obamas immigration deferred action executive action initiatives, the first minute in office I will countersign and revoke those executive orders. He vowed to move 2 million criminal aliens out of the country my first hour in office, in August 2016. The following month, Trump said he would give a mandate to everybody, including the local police, to get the bad ones out of the country, also in the first hour.

The people who elected Trump expect him to come through.

Trump made a lot of promises about what he will do as president. Weve documented 663 of them.

Trumps first bills and executive orders , signed in the Capitol minutes after being inaugurated, focused on none of these things. He officially nominated members of his cabinet, proclaimed a National Day of Patriotism, and waived a legal requirement that retired Gen. James Mattis be out of the military for seven years before taking over civilian leadership at the Pentagon. Trumps administration also quickly revoked a cut in fee rates for federally-backed mortgages, something that was both unexpected and not anything he promised or spoke about before taking office.

Taking Promises Seriously

Vice President-elect Mike Pence said that the Trump administration would not be shirking from promises made in the heat of the campaign. During remarks made after a meeting with the House Republican Conference on January 4, Pence said, were going to be in the promise-keeping business. The president-elect campaigned all across this country. He gave voice to the frustrations and the aspirations of the American people. He laid out an agenda to make America great again, and my message on his behalf today before this conference and before members of the Senate is that we intend to keep those promises.

Trump had attempted to push his day one for planned executive action back to day four (from Friday, January 20 when he was inaugurated to Monday, January 23).

 [D]ay one??which I will consider to be Monday as opposed to Friday or Saturday. Right? I mean my day one is going to be Monday because I dont want to be signing and get it mixed up with lots of celebration, Trump said in an interview with the Times of London.

Yet Pence said that executive action will literally begin on day one; before the end of the day we do anticipate that the president-elect will be in the Oval Office taking action to both repeal executive orders and also set into motion through executive action policies to implement, promises that were made on the campaign trail.

Below is the full scorecard for Trumps day 0ne promises.

34 Day One Promises Broken

Trump promised to instruct the Treasury Secretary to label China a currency manipulator on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  On the same day I will begin taking, and really taking strongly seven actions to protect American workers.  Third, I will direct my Secretary of the Treasury to label China a currency manipulator. China is a currency manipulator. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Trumps nominee to run the Treasury Department, Steven Mnuchin, said in his confirmation hearing on Thursday that he was willing to label China a currency manipulator. Trump had not publicly asked Mnuchin to do so, as Mnuchin had not been confirmed by the Senate. Trump cannot keep the promise because he does not yet have a Treasury Secretary.

Trump promised to announce plans to renegotiate NAFTA on day one.

If I win, day one, we are going to announce our plans to renegotiate NAFTA. [Greensboro, NC, 10/14/16]

Trump has yet to announce any plans to do so. The new Trump White House website states his position on NAFTA: President Trump is committed to renegotiating NAFTA. If our partners refuse a renegotiation that gives American workers a fair deal, then the President will give notice of the United States intent to withdraw from NAFTA. It is now official White House policy, and while automakers have noticed it as such , there is no promised plan.

Trump promised to create a requirement that for every new regulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  Third, a requirement that for every new federal regulation, two existing regulations must be eliminated. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Trumps administration had not announced any such requirement in the first 24 hours of his presidency.

Trump promised to announce withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  On the same day I will begin taking, and really taking strongly seven actions to protect American workers.  Second, I will announce our withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster for our country. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Trump has yet to announce any such withdrawal. The new Trump White House website states his position : This strategy starts by withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and making certain that any new trade deals are in the interests of American workers. Yet the new president had not announced a withdrawal from the TPP in his first day.

Trump promised to direct the Commerce Secretary and United States Trade Representative to identify foreign trading abuses that affect the American worker and begin ending those abuses immediately, on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  On the same day I will begin taking, and really taking strongly seven actions to protect American workers.  Fourth, I will direct the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative to identify all foreign trading abuses that unfairly impact American workers, and direct them to use every tool under American and international law to end those abuses immediately. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Trump had no confirmed commerce secretary or trade representative and therefore cannot direct them to do anything in an official capacity. No such direction to their respective agencies had been announced by the White House in the first day.

Trump promised to begin canceling billions in climate change spending for the United Nations on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office Were going to cancel billions in payments to the United Nations climate change programs, and use the money to fix Americas water and environmental infrastructure. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Trumps new administration had not announced any such cancellation on the first day. In the last days of the Obama administration, the State Department transferred $500 million in commitments to the United Nations Green Climate Fund.

Trump promised to lift restrictions on the production of fossil fuels on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures  On the same day I will begin taking, and really taking strongly seven actions to protect American workers.  Fifth, very importantly, I will lift the restrictions on the production of $50 trillion worth of job-producing American energy reserves, including shale, oil, natural gas and clean coal. And we will put our miners back to work. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Trump had not announced any lifting of restrictions on the first day.

Trump promised to lift environmental roadblocks to energy infrastructure projects on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  On the same day I will begin taking, and really taking strongly seven actions to protect American workers.  Sixth, I will lift the Obama-Clinton road blocks that allow for this vital energy infrastructure projects to go forward. We have road blocks like youve never, ever seen. Environmental blocks, structural blocks. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Whatever roadblocks Trump had in mind when he made this promise are still in place as of the first day of his presidency.

Trump promised to prevent the EPA from killing your companies and causing job losses on day one.

The EPA is killing and killing your companies and you are losing your jobs. Let me tell you thats going to be turned around on day one if I win. On day one. Your jobs are coming back to Pennsylvania and they are coming back to this area and that means and we are going to take care of our steelworkers and our miners. [Ambridge, PA, 10/10/16]

Whatever job loss and company killing Trump warned Pennsylvania about last October had not received any official White House attention 24 hours after being sworn in.

Trump promised to stop jobs from leaving Florida and nationwide on day one.

Look, no country has ever lost jobs like us. Theyre sucked out of our country, the companies leave, they fire everybody, they go to Mexico and many other countries. Never happened before like this and we are going to stop it day one. Its so easy. So easy to stop. A Trump administration will stop the jobs from leaving America and we will stop the jobs from leaving Florida. Promise. [Sarasota, FL, 11/7/16]

There has been no reported nationwide stoppage of jobs leaving the United States as of Saturday, January 21.

Trump promised to propose a constitutional amendment for term limits on day one.

Under my contract with the American voter we are proposing a series of ethics reforms on day one to end government corruption. They include a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on all members of congress. [Sanford, FL, 10/25/16]

The White House had not announced such a proposed amendment as of day one.

Propose ethics reforms on day one to end government corruption.

Under my contract with the American voter were proposing a series of ethics reforms on day one to end government??right? To end government corruption. [Tallahassee, FL, 10/25/16]

No ethics reforms were proposed by the Trump White House on day one.

Trump promised to pursue a complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising campaign dollars on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  Sixth, a complete ban on foreign lobbyists raising money for American elections. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

If the Trump White House is pursuing such a ban, it was not disclosed to the public on day one.

Trump promised to pursue a five-year ban on White House and congressional officials becoming lobbyists on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  Fourth, a five-year ban on white house and congressional officials becoming lobbyists after they leave government service. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

If the Trump White House is pursuing such a ban, it was not disclosed to the public on day one.

Trump promised to pursue a lifetime ban on White House officials lobbying on behalf of a foreign government on day one.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  Fifth, a lifetime ban on white house officials lobbying on behalf of a foreign government. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

If the Trump White House is pursuing such a ban, it was not disclosed to the public on day one.

Trump promised to ask Congress for a bill repealing Obamacare and replacing it with reforms that expand choice, freedom, affordability.

My first day in office, I am going to ask Congress to put a bill on my desk getting rid of this disastrous law and replacing it with reforms that expand choice, freedom, affordability. [Sanford, FL, 10/25/16]

Trumps first executive order did address Obamacare , but it had nothing to do with repealing or replacing the legislation. It allows federal agencies to ignore or put off parts of the law that impose a fiscal burden on any State or a cost, fee, tax, penalty, or regulatory burden on individuals, families, healthcare providers, health insurers, patients, recipients of healthcare services, purchasers of health insurance, or makers of medical devices, products, or medications. If Trump asked Congress to put a bill on his desk on day one, he did not do so publicly.

Trump promised to get all of the criminal immigrants out on day one.

Day one of my administration were getting all of the criminals out. We have many, many criminals. Gang members, heads of cartels, drug members and they lead all sorts of drug gangs, all of those??and the police know who they are. Theyre all getting out. [Manchester, NH, 8/25/16]

Trump had not publicly directed any such expulsion or deportation on day one.

Trump promised to get rid of international gangs of thugs and drug cartels before anything else, with the first piece of paper he signs.

These international gangs of thugs and drug cartels will be I promise you from the first day in office, the first thing Im going to do, the first piece of paper Im going to sign is we are going to get rid of these people day one, before the wall, before anything and our great law enforcement they know who they are. They have been living with them for years and they dont want to put up with it anymore. So we are going to get rid of them day one. We start day one. [Joni Ernst Roast and Ride, IA, 8/27/16]

This was not the first piece of paper Trump signed that day, and there have been no reports of law enforcement getting rid of more gangs or drug cartels.

Trump promised to begin moving two million criminal aliens out of the country on day one.

According to federal data, there are at least 2 million??2 million, think of it??criminal aliens now inside of our country. 2 million people, criminal aliens. We will begin moving them out day one as soon as I take office, day one. In joint operation with local, state and federal law enforcement. Now just so you understand, the police who we all respect, say hello to the police. Boy, they dont get the credit they deserve, I can tell you. Theyre great people. But police and law enforcement, they know who these people are. They live with these people. They get mocked by these people. They cant do anything about these people and they want to. They know who these people are. Day one, my first hour in office, those people are gone! [Phoenix, AZ, 8/31/16]

There have been no reports of any such joint operation moving undocumented immigrants with criminal records on day one.

Trump promised to issue a mandate to get the bad undocumented immigrants out of the country in the first hour.

Once we have a secure border and we stop the drugs and stop the bad ones and get the bad ones out, those are going to be gone immediately. Day one, first hour, Im going to give a mandate to everybody, including the local police because they know. You know the local police know every one of the bad ones, its not like, Oh gee, lets figure out who it is. They know every bad gang member, drug kingpin, they know all of them. As soon as I will be in office for one hour and that order will go out. Were getting them the hell out of the country. [Interview with David Muir, 9/5/16]

Trump had not issued any such mandate in the first day, let alone the first hour.

Trump promised to submit very strong language on first day in office mandating that, when undocumented immigrants get caught returning to the United States, they get jail time.

And were putting very, very strong language in, it will be submitted, first day Im in office. When they come in once, we deport them. When they come in twice, they go to jail for five years. When they come in another one, it will be 10 years. And you know what is going to happen? Sort of pretty simple. They are here, get caught again, they go to jail for five years. Guess whats going to happen? Theyre never coming back, folks. [Jacksonville, FL, 11/3/16]

Trump may have submitted strong language to the world in the form of his inaugural address, but he did not address sentencing for undocumented immigrants.

Trump promised that all undocumented immigrants will be out day one.

And by the way, do you know that the gangs that you see, all of these terrible gangs that you see, many of those gangs are made up of illegal immigrants, and theyre tough dudes. And by the way, theyre going??day one theyre going to be out of here. Were going to get rid of them day one. [CNN, 9/24/15]

Trump had not demonstrated that he has deported any undocumented immigrants, let alone all of them, on day one.

Trump promised to repeal Obamas immigration executive orders on day one.

You know Obama signed an executive order than said everybody come in. the first minute in office I will counter sign and revoke those executive orders. [Sioux City, IA, 10/27/15]

None of the Obama executive orders on immigration were revoked on day one.

Trump promised to ask Congress to pass Kates Law on day one.

On my first day in office, I am also going to ask Congress to pass Kates Law??named for Kate Steinle??to ensure that criminal aliens convicted of illegal reentry face receive strong mandatory minimum sentences. [Phoenix, AZ, 8/31/16]

Though Trump may have asked House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to pass the law at the lunch after his inauguration, there is not report of such a conversation, and the more traditional route is for the White House to publicly urge that such a bill be passed. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced a version in the Senate, and Rep. Steve King (R-IA) introduced one in the House two weeks ago.

Trump promised to cancel all federal funding of sanctuary cities on day one.

Additionally, on the first day, I will take the following five actions to restore security and constitutional rule of law.  Third, we will cancel all federal funding of sanctuary cities. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

No such action had been reported or announced during Trumps first day.

Trump promised to ask DoS, DHS, and DoJ to comprehensively review terror immigration cases for extreme vetting as soon as he entered office.

According to data provided by the Senate Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interests, between 9/11 and the end of 2014, at least 380 foreign-born individuals were convicted in terror cases inside inside the United States. And even right now the largest number of people are under investigation for exactly this than weve ever had in the history of our country. Our country is a mess. We dont even know what to look for anymore, folks. Our country has to straighten out and we have to straighten out fast. The number is likely higher but the administration refuses to provide this information, even to Congress. As soon as I enter office, I am going to ask the Department of State, which has been brutalized by Hillary Clinton, brutalized??Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to begin a comprehensive review of these cases in order to develop a list of regions and countries from which immigration must be suspended until proven and effective vetting mechanisms can be put in place. I call it extreme vetting, right? Extreme vetting. I want extreme. It going to be so tough. And if somebody comes in, thats fine but theyre going to be good. Its extreme. [Phoenix, AZ, 8/31/16]

Trump did not publicly ask any of these departments for such a review in the first 24 hours of his presidency.

Trump promised to suspend immigration from terror-prone regions on day one.

Additionally, on the first day, I will take the following five actions to restore security and constitutional rule of law.  Were going to suspend immigration from terror-prone regions, where vetting cannot safely occur. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Trump had not, as of noon Saturday, suspended immigration from any country.

Trump promised to immediately suspend admission of Syrian refugees.

Thats why my first day in office, I will immediately suspend the admission of Syrian refugees. [Toledo, OH, 9/21/16]

Trump did not announce the suspension of the Syrian refugee program on his first day.

Trump promised to begin working on an impenetrable physical wall with latest technology on day one.

We will build a great wall along the southern border. And Mexico will pay for the wall. Believe me. Hundred percent. They dont know it yet, but theyre going to pay for the wall. And theyre great people and great leaders, but theyre going to pay for the wall. On day one we will begin working on an impenetrable, physical, tall, powerful, beautiful southern border wall. We will use the best technology, including above and below ground sensors, thats the tunnels. Remember that above and below. [ makes hand gesture ] Above and below ground sensors. Towers, aerial surveillance and manpower to supplement the wall, find and dislocate tunnels and keep out criminal cartels and Mexico, you know that, will work with us. I really believe it. Mexico will work with us. [Phoenix, AZ, 8/31/16]

While Trump did talk about protecting U.S. borders in his inaugural address, he did not announce any the start of any work on his wall within the first day of his presidency.

Trump promised to get rid of gun-free zones in schools on day one.

I will get rid of gun-free zones in schools and you have to, and on military bases. My first day it gets signed. My first day it gets signed. My first day. Theres no more gun-free zones. Think of it. [Burlington, VT, 1/7/16]

Trump did not publicly sign any order or legislation eliminating gun-free zones anywhere.

Trump promised to end gun free zones on military bases on day one.

I will end gun-free zones on military bases so fast your head will spin. Itll be the first day. The first day. [Waterloo, IA, 2/1/16]

Trump did not publicly sign any order or legislation eliminating gun-free zones anywhere.

Trump promised to order a review of every regulation issued over the last 10 years, cancelling needless ones on day one.

My first day in office, Im also going to order a review of every single regulation issued over the last 10 years. All needless job regulations will be canceled. [Clive, IA, 9/13/16]

There was no public announcement of any such review on Trumps first day in office.

Trump promised to cancel every unconstitutional Obama administration executive action, memo, and order on day one.

Additionally, on the first day, I will take the following five actions to restore security and constitutional rule of law. We have to do that. Cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum, and order issued by President Obama. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

Unless Trump concluded that no Obama executive action, memeorandum, or order was unconstitutional, this promise was broken 24 hours after he was sworn into office.

Trump promised to unsign executive orders in his first hour.

And we will unsign lots of different things including some of those terrible executive orders, believe me, theyre gonna be unsigned so fast, theyll be unsigned the first hour Im in office, the first hour Im in office. In the first hour that Im in office. [Louisville, KY, 5/20/16]

Nothing was unsigned in the first hour of Trumps term.

Two Day One Promises Kept

Pursue a hiring freeze on all federal employees to reduce workforce size.

Therefore, on the first day of my term of office, my administration will immediately pursue the following six measures to clean up the corruption and special interests collusion in Washington.  Second, a hiring freeze on all federal employees to reduce federal workforce through attrition. Exempting military public safety and public health. [Gettysburg, PA, 10/22/16]

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus sent a memo to federal agencies ordering such a hiring freeze for federal workers.

Issue a temporary moratorium on new agency regulations.

Upon taking office, I will issue a temporary moratorium on new agency regulations. [Detroit, MI, 8/8/16]
Cassia County

Felony sentencings

Gabriel Reyes-Villa; felony injury to child, guilty, $495.50 costs, two years determinate time, eight years indeterminate time, 842 days credited; felony rape, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony rape, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Felony dismissals

Rickey Lee Huber; felony assault or battery against certain personnel, disposition withheld; felony malicious injury or destruction of, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Jasmine Kylynn Vega; felony possession of controlled substance, dismissed by court; misdemeanor drug paraphernaliause or possess with intent to use, guilty, $200 fine, $197.50 costs, 12 months probation, 90 days jail, 81 days suspended, nine days credited.

Trevor Von Paoli; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $535.50 costs, $100 restitution, four years determinate time, 82 days credited.

Ricky McClain; felony possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Leonel Galvan Velgara; felony possession of controlled substance, guilty, $285.50 costs, $121.23 restitution, 30 months probation, two years determinate time, two years indeterminate time, 44 days credited, penitentiary suspended; misdemeanor drug paraphernaliause or possess with intent to use, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $121.23 restitution, misdemeanor driving without privileges, dismissed on motion of prosecutor, $121.23 restitution.

Leonel Galvan Vergara; felony check, draft or order drawn on account without funds or credit, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Gregory Allen Hunter; felony grand theft, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; felony unlawful possession of weapon by convicted felony, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Rickey McClain; felony possession of controlled substance, dismissed on motion of prosecutor; misdemeanor false information provided on own identity or anothers to an investigating law enforcement officer, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.

Driving under the influence sentencings

Leonel Galvan Velgara; felony misdemeanor driving under the influence, guilty, $300 fine, $202.50 costs, 90 days drivers license suspended, 12 months probation, 180 days jail, 137 days suspended, 43 days credited, supervised by the Department of Correctionsmeet with probation every 90 days until fines and costs paid on all cases; misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers, dismissed by court.

Aaron R. Gunderson; misdemeanor driving under the influence (second offense), disposition withheld.

Samuel Tad Zemke; misdemeanor driving under the influence (second offense) amended misdemeanor driving under the influence, guilty, $300 fine, $202.50 costs, 90 days drivers license suspended, 12 months probation, 180 days jail, 175 days suspended, one day credited, four days community service in lieu of jail.

Ryan Lonnie Brown; misdemeanor driving under the influence, disposition withheld; misdemeanor alcoholic beverageconsume or possess open container by driver, dismissed on motion of prosecutor.
TWIN FALLS  A Twin Falls man has been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Thursday-afternoon shooting of a woman at the State Apartments on Second Avenue North.

Brandon S. Smithson, 26, is charged in the death of roommate Katrina D. Budden, 20, of Twin Falls. Police officers were dispatched to 232 Second Ave. N. for a reported shooting and found Budden inside the apartment building with a gunshot wound to her head.

Budden was taken to St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, where she died from her injuries. The Twin Falls County coroner scheduled an autopsy for Monday.

Police say two neighbors were in Budden and Smithsons apartment when the shooting happened. The group was sitting and talking when Smithson offered to show them his other roommates guns. The first was an AR-15 rifle; the second was a Remington shotgun.

when Smithson came back into the living room, he racked the shotgun and suddenly shot Budden as she was sitting in the chair, an officer wrote in court records. One of the neighbors told police Smithson dropped the shotgun on the floor and began screaming that it was an accident.

Smithson told police he was holding the gun at his waist when he racked open the shotgun and checked to make sure the gun was empty, then closed the action and pulled the trigger. The gun went off, and a round struck Budden in the head.

Smithson said he dropped the shotgun on the floor, called 911 and tried administering first aid to Budden, court records say. Smithson said he had done the same sequence in the past, and after racking the gun, he would pull the trigger and hear the metal click.

He told police he was sure the gun was empty.

The roommate who owns the shotgun told police he had recently been out shooting and left the gun loaded with shells in the tube, but no shell in the chamber.

Police said evidence in the house was consistent with Smithsons and the neighbors versions of events.

Smithson is being held at the Twin Falls County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 27.
TWIN FALLS  There are mixed feelings in Twin Falls about President Donald J. Trumps four-year term.

Following Fridays inauguration ceremony, several residents expressed reservations about the new president  his proposed policies, his demeanor and his ability to fulfill his promises. But they also expressed hope and expressed feelings that he could do good things for the country.

Here are a few of their responses about what they hope for, what they fear and what they expect from Trump over the next four years:

Cesilia Marmolejo,

18, Twin Falls

Her hopes: That he doesnt mess up everything that Obama did, Marmolejo said. In particular, shed like to see former President Barack Obamas legacy in health care, college funding and same-sex marriage continue through the next presidency.

Her concerns: Just (Trump) altogether. Everything about him.

What shed like Trump to accomplish: Marmolejo wants to see the U.S. spend less on its military while keeping its alliances and not becoming isolated.

Dakota McMillen,

18, Jerome

His hopes: Even if you dont like Donald Trump, you have to hope for him to do well, McMillen said. Personally, hed like to see Trump recognize the good things about the U.S. and refine them while working well with Congress.

His concerns: McMillen sees the U.S. as being able to do a lot for other countries, and he hopes the new president wont ruin alliances the country has. Hes shown so much isolationism, World War II isolationism, he said. What Trump hasnt shown much to people like McMillen is that he cares about human beings more than about America, he said.

What he wants Trump to accomplish: Global terrorism is still a threat, and McMillen thinks Trump could help stop it. Furthermore, hed like the new president to address domestic terrorism  things like mass shootings. Its an issue thats something neither side likes to talk about, he said.

Marsha Hatch, 64, Twin Falls

Her hopes: Im cautiously optimistic, Hatch said. She said she likes citizens having a say in solving the countrys problems.

Her concerns: Trump has shown a lack of diplomacy, she said, and some of his solutions to protect the country are extreme. Im not sure about the wall, Hatch said.

What she wants Trump to accomplish: Shed like to see Trump improve the economy.

Angeles Lino, 20, Twin Falls

Her hopes: Lino would like to see the new president help people across all demographics.

Her concerns: She wasnt thrilled about Trumps proposed immigration reforms. He was kind of racist, in a way, but whatever, Lino said.

Mike Youngman, 70, Twin Falls

What he hopes will happen: Id like to see him be successful, Youngman said. I hope he has enough good advice from his vice president and the Speaker of the House, he said.

What hes concerned about: Youngman said he believes the new president has shortcomings in personality, experience and attitude. But because he won the election, I say let him have his say, Youngman said.

What he wants Trump to accomplish: Although Youngman has some doubts about Trumps promises, he hopes he will have success in combating terrorism and creating jobs.

Kevin Wages, 25, Twin Falls

His concerns: I would like to see some good things, but I dont feel thats going to happen, Wages said. The new president hasnt shown maturity, he said. One of Wages biggest concerns is that Trump might try to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.

What he wants Trump to accomplish: Republicans in the past have been able to turn the economy around and make it better, Wages said. He hopes Trump will be able to do the same.
Barbara Christiansen

PAUL  Barbara Christiansen of Paul, funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21, at the Paul LDS Stake Center, 424 W. Ellis St., in Paul. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 20, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. preceding the service at the church.

Edward Koester

TWIN FALLS  Edward Koester of Twin Falls, funeral at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 21, at the First United Methodist Church, 360 Shoshone St. E., Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park.

Mabel Taylor

TWIN FALLS  Mabel Taylor of Twin Falls, memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21 at the Twin Falls Reformed Church, 1631 Grandview Drive. Arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home.

Charles Reas

BURLEY  Charles Reas of Burley, memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 21 at the Morrison Payne Funeral Home, 321 East Main Street in Burley.

Darrell Leatham

BOISE  Darrell Leatham of Boise, memorial service at 1 p.m. Saturday January 21 at Engage Boise, 270 E Pennsylvania in Boise.

Oralee Peterson

JEROME  Oralee Peterson of Jerome, memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21, at First Baptist Church, 302 1st Avenue East, Jerome.

Emma Koffer

TWIN FALLS  Emma Koffer, memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2055 Filer Avenue, Twin Falls.

Fred McCloud

WENDELL  Fred McCloud of Wendell, funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21 at the Living Waters Presbyterian Church, 821 East Main Street, Wendell.

Neil Darrington

ELBA  Neil Darrington, graveside service at noon, Saturday, January 21 at the Grandview Cemetery in Elba.

Barbara Knapp

TWIN FALLS  Barbara Knapp of Twin Falls, services at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 21 at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.

Charles Lee, Jr.

FILER  Charles Lee, Jr. of Filer, memorial service at 2 p.m. Monday, January 23, at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home & Crematory, 2531 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.

Ruth Bruning

TWIN FALLS  Ruth Bruning of Twin Falls, funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home in Twin Falls. Visitation is on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 from 57 p.m. at the funeral home.

Allen R. Winslow

MALTA  Allen R. Winslow of Twin Falls, and formerly of Malta, funeral at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, at the Malta LDS Church, 280 N. 1st St., in Malta. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, January 24, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, preceding the service at the church.

Joanna Kasper

RUPERT  Joanna J. Noggle Kasper of Rupert, funeral at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 26, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where a viewing will be held one hour prior to the service.
This appeared in Fridays Washington Post.

President-elect Donald Trump: You are about to take the most serious oath of office anyone has the privilege to take. You were not my choice, but I support and respect the office. Those are the heartfelt words of Kit Keane, 66, of Chicago, one of many who responded when we asked readers to share their hopes and advice for incoming president Donald Trump.

The inauguration of a president is always, on one level, a political event: One party has triumphed, the other has been vanquished. It also is something more than a political event: the celebration of a constitutional democracy in which power changes hands peacefully, at the command of the people.

Trumps record positions him poorly to rebut that challenge. He led a movement that questioned the legitimacy of his predecessor. He questioned the legitimacy of his opponent (crooked) and of American democracy (rigged). His victory was aided by Russian interference that he openly invited. He was trounced in the popular vote, and during the transition he spent more energy taunting opponents than living up to his election-night pledge to unify the country. Nor, as Politicos Michael Crowley reminds us, was Trump preaching unity after Obamas reelection in 2012: We cant let this happen, Trump tweeted then. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided!

Nonetheless, after noon Friday he will be the legitimate president of the United States. Like Keane, we opposed Trumps election, but also like her, we support and respect the office. We hope that henceforth  not just in his inaugural address, but in the conduct of his administration  Trump reaches out to opponents as well as supporters. But even if he does not, he will have been lawfully chosen by the electoral college.

Respect for that result does not imply deference to misguided policies or appointments. Those who choose to protest on Saturday embody cherished constitutional values no less than those who celebrate the peaceful transfer of power on Friday. Recognizing Trumps election does not mean turning a blind eye to Russian interference, voter suppression or other electoral shortcomings.

Indeed, American democracy has always rested on our willingness to acknowledge its failings and commit to its improvement. The best rebuke to Russian interference would be to investigate fearlessly and prevent a recurrence  to demonstrate that democracy, far more than Russian-style kleptocracy, is capable of self-repair. The right response to Mr. Trump is to respect the office while hoping that its occupant works to earn respect in his own right.
Last year gave us one of the most unusual elections in our political history. In the Electoral College, a political outsider upset an establishment insider who won the popular vote but did not achieve the necessary distributed majority across states. Whats more, Russian pot-stirring helped agitate the whole yeasty brew to a well-het-up boil.

This means that as we celebrate an inauguration  and celebrate we should  we do so with an unusually indigestible medley of emotions  euphoria for some, and for others, despair.

Why should we celebrate the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States? Because in doing so, we celebrate the worlds oldest representative democracy and 44 peaceful transfers of power from one executive to another. The 15th transfer, from James Buchanan to Abraham Lincoln, was, of course, gossamer tissue stretched across already existing ruptures and percolating hostilities.

The present transfer also finds the fabric of our national union stretched thin against stresses and strains in our underlying political culture. Since Bill Clintons impeachment in 1998, none of our presidents has held office without a significant number of our fellow citizens harboring serious doubts, rightly or wrongly, about the legitimacy of his presidency.

Lincolns problem is therefore ours once again. Our political institutions suffer from the fundamental injury of diminished legitimacy in the eyes of too many.

Whats to be done?

We might find our solution, too, in Lincolns example.

With one hand, we must hold tightly, as tightly as possible, to our Constitution and political institutions. With the other, we should work as strenuously as possible to restore a broadly shared understanding of where we are headed and where we want to go.

What is the current diagnosis of the course of human events in this country? Our aim cannot be unanimity, but we should aspire to a distributed majority that roughly shares some broad understanding of who we are and what it would mean to secure our safety and happiness.

Who are we? Heres a beginning. We are America, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

In this inauguration, we celebrate the peoples institutions and especially the office of the president.

What does this amount to for all of us?

Saturday and the day after and the day after, we should celebrate the peoples institutions by engaging in political conversation and contestation at the local level, linking those conversations upward through our federal institutions, so that from our many and unending debates, we may begin again to forge a broadly shared, common path.

With devotion to this cause once more increased, we might have yet another birth of freedom and equality, our twinned ideals.
This appeared in the Lewiston Tribune:

When it comes to the neglect of Idahos highways and bridges, good luck figuring out who appears more irresponsible:

The politicians who are doing nothing.

Or the citizens of this state who apparently are just fine with that.

For 20 years, Idaho governors and lawmakers failed to raise more money for transportation. So by the time they got serious two years ago, they faced a yearly $262 million shortfall on maintenance alone.

They raised gas taxes by 7 cents a gallon and most registration fees by $21. Despite his threat to veto any plan that raided general fund dollars meant for education and other programs, Gov. C.L. Butch Otter also agreed to siphon off a portion of surplus funds to pay for two years of highway projects.

It was supposedly a down payment.

Thats taking the charitable view.

As Otter noted this month, the state is still about $200 million short of meeting its annual needs.

Lawmakers did nothing to ease the unfair burden on ordinary motoristswho paid nearly three-quarters of the new taxes and fees.

Meanwhile, long-haul truckers continue to profit from a registration system that undercharges them. Until lawmakers impose a tax system based on the amount of weight transported and the distanced traveled, the industry will continue to grind up Idahos roads without paying its full share.

As the government contractor Battelle documented, passenger car and pickup truck drivers are overcharged 26 percent; semi-truck operators are undercharged 27 percent.

The politicians have promised to address that inequity, but dont hold your breath. Remember, these are the same legislators who have agreed to allow even heavier loads to be carried down Idahos interstates and highways.

Not much has happened since. Nor is it likely to. Otter offered no solution to the problem he outlined. Lawmakers arent even talking about transportation. Why should they?

When the latest Idaho Public Policy Survey from Boise State University asked people what they cared about, they replied schools, health care, the economy, natural resources and even tax cuts.

Highways and bridges?

That came in nearly last.

Its not as if people dont see a problem. According to BSU, 51 percent rate Idahos infrastructure as poor to fair. But theyre in no mood to pay for it:

When asked about shelling out more in fuel taxes and registration fees, 56.4 percent said no  including 32.6 percent who basically said: Hell no.

How about raiding the general fund? The rejection rate on that was 62.1 percent, including 42.2 percent who said they strongly opposed the idea.

OK, why not take some of the state lottery profits now going to school construction? Nope, said 61.1 percent.

What would they support?

BSUs survey says 71.1 percent would support reauthorizing the surplus eliminator. Of course that takes money from the general fund  which nearly two-thirds already opposed. Perhaps they were confused by a less-than-precise question.

Theres also a plurality  48.6 percent  who wouldnt mind bonding on tomorrows highway receipts to pay for todays repairs.

Not that anything here is shockingly new. When the University of Idahos McClure Center and AAA conducted their own surveys in a run-up to the 2015 legislative session, they found the same ambivalence: Idahoans wanted better roads without paying for them.

About the only silver lining was an electorate that might be persuaded.

But whos been busy persuading them?

Otter? Lawmakers? The transportation department? Road construction contractors?

Whatever momentum the idea had two years ago has been squandered. If the stalemate isnt broken this year, you can bet on nothing happening in 2018, which is another election year.

Face it: Idaho is driving down the path of least resistance  and dodging a lot of potholes along the way.
Ageless Senior Center receives grant

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Site Manager Bonnie Peter, kitchen staff, and the many community members who visit the center daily, the Ageless Senior Center in Kimberly expresses its gratitude to the Twin Falls Health Trust Initiative for the recent grant award. In the face of funding cuts, it becomes even more difficult to make the books balance each month. This gift will support the continued "nourishing body and soul" in the Kimberly/Hansen service area. Thank you seems like a small gesture to express our gratefulness, but it's all we have.

Thank You.

Nancy Duncan, board chairwoman

Ageless Senior Center

Thank you for helping with wreaths

As the location leader for Wreaths Across America, at the Wendell Cemetery and the South Central Idaho Veterans Park, I would like to thank everyone who assisted and sponsored wreaths for this year's event. We were once again able to place a wreath on every veteran's grave at the Wendell Cemetery, over 390 wreaths. Without the help of all the volunteers and those individuals and businesses that sponsored wreaths, this event would not be possible. Once again, thank you for your assistance and support.

Jim Benson

Wendell

The Letters of Thanks column will publish letters of up to 200 words from:

Organizations thanking contributors or supporters.

Individuals thanking public agencies and businesses for extraordinaryservice.

Send letters to letters@magicvalley.com. If you would like to purchase a classified ad to express gratitude of a personal rather than public nature, call The Times-News Customer Service department.
OMAHA  An Omaha real estate agent was so enraged that a convenience store clerk wouldn't help him after the store had closed for the night that he circled in the parking lot in his pickup truck and ran over the clerk, killing him, a prosecutor said Friday.

Dirk Blume, 45, is charged with second-degree murder and using a deadly weapon in the Jan. 7 death of Seth Hansen. At a hearing Friday, the judge denied Blume bond and scheduled his next hearing for Feb. 10.

Assistant Douglas County Attorney Ryan Lindberg told the judge that witnesses came forward to report that Blume "made admissions" to hitting Hansen with his pickup around 1 a.m. on the day Hansen died. It was Omaha's first homicide of 2017.

Lindberg also suggested that Blume changed his license plates on the pickup after killing Hansen. But Blume's attorney, Joseph Risko, said the plates were changed in the days after Hansen's death as part of a routine registration renewal of the truck.

Risko didn't immediately respond to a phone message left after the hearing seeking comment.

Prosecutors say surveillance video showed Hansen was run over and killed while he was taking a trash bag to a bin in the store's parking lot after the store had closed. It also showed Blume and Hansen arguing before Hansen was run down by a white pickup believed to be Blume's, Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said.

"I don't know what (Blume) wanted, exactly," Kleine said after the hearing. "But it's clear he either wanted to buy something or wanted access to the store, and was angry that he didn't get it."

The Omaha World-Herald, citing anonymous police sources, reported that investigators believe Blume wanted Hansen to sell him a package of chewing tobacco and became enraged when Hansen refused to reopen the store to do so.

Kleine said he couldn't confirm that detail and that there is no arrest affidavit with such details because no arrest warrant was issued for Blume. Instead, Blume was arrested Tuesday at his west Omaha real estate office after agreeing to answer police questions there, Kleine said.

Hansen's sister, Eve Shanklin of Bellevue, attended the hearing and said it was a shock to see Blume in the courtroom.

"I'm just really thankful that the judge didn't give him bond," Shanklin said, adding that she felt for members of Blume's family who also attended the hearing.

"It just humanizes this whole thing, you know?" she said. "I mean, they're hurting, too."
Robert Anderson, the renowned leadership authority and founder of global leadership assessment and development company The Leadership Circle, has recently discussed with Filipino leaders crucial aspects of effective leadership.

He tackled what constitutes effective leadership, what hinders its practice and how best to develop leaders in todays organizations.

Hosted by the Management Association of the Philippines, Andersons talk entitled The Leadership Imperative in Complex Times was held on Jan. 18 at The Peninsula Manila, Makati City.

There is no substitute for effective leadership. If we want to develop more effective leaders, and do that more rapidly and sustainably, we need a more comprehensive approach. Leadership is a process of transformation where a leader makes a profound shiftto gain a deeper understanding of themselves, the world, and their relationship to others, Anderson, The Leadership Circle director, chairman and chief development officer says.

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Leadership Circle is a competency-based, 360 degree leadership profile that claims to be the sole profile that measures two primary leadership domainscreative leadership competencies and reactive tendencieswhich it then integrates so key development opportunities are identified.

One of the few Philippine companies that has benefited from The Leadership Circle assessments is the Aboitiz Group. With Andersons help, the Aboitiz leader was further redefined through six leadership dimensions: mentoring and developing, fostering teamwork, courageous authenticity, achieving results, sustainable growth, and integrity.

In 2015, these leadership dimensions were rolled out through various programs and interventions to help leaders embrace these key elements to be an integral part of the Aboitiz leader DNA.

On Jan. 19, Anderson also addressed the Aboitiz Groups leaders for the first time at the companys Aboitiz Annual Leaders Conference in Bonifacio Global City.

At the heart of every Aboitiz leader is the commitment to live out the organizations core

values of integrity, teamwork, innovation and responsibility. The Aboitiz leader is also equipped

with the right competencies to adapt to challenges using innovative responses, says Txabi Aboitiz, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. chief human resource officer.

The Aboitiz Group says it recognizes the pivotal role of the leadership team in growing the business

and becoming a formidable partner in creating shared value. This highlights the importance of placing succession management and leadership development as the topmost priorities in the HR agenda for the group.

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Two young Frenchmen, working for Rocket Internet SE of Germany, are shaking the Philippine accommodation industry, offering budget hotel rooms in premium locations such as Manila, Cebu and Boracay for as low as P850 a night.

Our mission is to be the best budget hotel brand in the Philippines and in general Southeast Asia. What is happening in Southeast Asia is that traditionally, budget hotels are either unprofessional or expensive, and so we are coming with a disruptive brand that is essentially rationalizing the market, says Nathan Boublil, the 31-year-old co-founder and global managing director of Zen Rooms.

Zen Rooms, which has venture capital company Rocket Internet as a major investor, is a network of branded budget hotels that offers cheap prices and guarantees high-quality standards such as free Wi-Fi, clean comfortable bed, cool air-conditioning, hot shower and 24/7 customer care.

Boublil says Zen Rooms aims to disrupt the Philippine hotel industry. I dont know why it has not been disrupted before. It is full of inefficiencies and that is why the prices are so high. The value for money ratio is one of the worst in Southeast Asia, he says.

DISRUPTORS. Zen Rooms global managing director Nathan Boublil (left) and country manager for the Philippines Benjamin Nicolas

First and foremost, it is our company culture. Our investor, Rocket Internet, has the culture of speed, culture of disruption. We move fast and break things. The founder of Rocket Internet operates this way and we definitely operate this way. All our team is young and energetic and working very hard. Thats the difference from the traditional budget hotel market, he says.

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He says the word Zen refers to the state of being stress-free. It is all about budget stay, but with the quality that is guaranteed. You have that reliability of standards in all of our locations. Zen means peace. It is quiet and stress-free. You know that when you book a room through Zen, you will get best value-for -money, so it is stress-free, says Boublil.

Today, Zen Rooms operates in 1,000 locations in Southeast Asia. We started the company in Jakarta 18 months ago. Now, we are one of the main budget hotel brands in Indonesia, Boublil says in an interview in Makati City.

Zen Rooms appointed Benjamin Nicolas, a Filipino-French executive as country manager for the Philippines last year. Within six-months of launching, Zen Rooms grew the brand to cover 600 rooms in Manila, Angeles City, Cebu City, Boracay, Palawan and other key areas, making it one of the five largest budget hotel operators in the country, and challenging the leadership of other brands such as Go Hotels and Red Planet.

Boublil says the plan is to double the number of rooms within the next six months, making it the third largest budget hotel operator, and emerge as the largest brand by 2018.

Now, we have more than 600 rooms in 100 locations. You can find Zen wherever you travel in the Philippines. A big push is going to happen, he says. We went live six months ago in the Philippines, first in Manila, then expanded to key cities and more are to come. We are opening in Palawan in two weeks.

Aside from the Philippines and Indonesia, Zen Rooms is also present in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Brazil.

Boublil describes the budget hospitality market in the Philippines as quite inefficient. The prices are high for standard of quality. We come in with competitive prices. Here in the Philippines, you have quality issues and on top of it, real price issues. Relative to the cost of living and the wages, hotels are expensive. It makes no sense to pay P2,000 for a budget hotel, he says.

Zen Rooms does not own properties, but teams up with independent hotels, guesthouses and even apartments. We dont build new hotels. We partner with the existing ones and we force upgrades, if we think they are needed. In the end, every Zen Rooms has the same quality standards. We operate on the budget segment. Our prices start in the Philippines at P850 to P1,500. We also have some premium properties in Palawan and Boracay because of the demographic profile, says Boublil.

Property owners will get a clear brand in return, he says. We essentially bring the power of the franchise to them, which means a franchise with clear qualitythe Zen Rooms. And then we bring them the power of marketing, we bring them the loyalty program and then the power of leverage, he says. All of that contributes to getting more sales.

Boublil says as a budget hotel franchise, Zen Rooms is powered by an efficient online platform. We operate rooms within a property or apartment. We agree with the hotel owner on the price that is our price. The room becomes exclusive to us, then we resell the rooms at the price that we want. It is up to us to manage our operations based on demand and supply, he says.

We have people in every city who are in charge of audit quality control of the rooms that happens every two to three weeks. We constantly do quality control. For some occasions, we have mobile receptionists. In the end, the customer experience always has to be the same and it is the best value-for-money proposition in the market, he says.

Zen Rooms employs 20 people in the Philippines right now, but plans to add 25 this year to support its expansion. Our occupancy level is very high. We are filling our rooms. We constantly need more supply. It will double in the next six months, says Boublil. We are planning to grow the team very fast over the next three months, including sales people, operations people whom we can train.

Boublil, whose first job was a night receptionist at a London hotel while he was studying in the UK, says the idea of Zen Rooms came up, after he started seeing inefficiencies in the market. The position itself was an inefficiency because if you have a night receptionist in the hotel, it means it is not optimized. There are a lot of things such as human resources in hotels that can be automated. And so basically, this sector has never been disrupted ever. A hotel looks exactly the same today as it was 50 years ago. You have people on the reception, you have cleaners, you have a lot of human resources to attend to and those human resources means the prices of accommodation are quite high, he says.

The realization of the general inefficiency of the hotel market is magnified here in Southeast Asia. Here, any traveler that has been around would have seen the lack of professionalism of independent hotels at times. You will find dirty sheets, no working Wi-Fi, or air-conditioning is broken. So clearly they have quality issues, he says.

He says Zen Rooms was also designed to meet the needs of the new generation of travelers. On the demand side, the travel dynamics are very clear and millennials travel younger in life. They want to travel more often. They tend to favor budget options because they dont want to pay more for hotels than their flights. You combine the lack of disruption in the supply problems and the growth in demand over the next 20 years and you know you have a great business opportunity. That is how it started, he says.

Nicolas is also optimistic about the Philippine tourism market, as young generation of people want to travel more. Thanks to Zen Rooms, they can go to Cebu, Davao, Palawan. They can go to these places at cheap prices. They have cheap flights with AirAsia and Cebu Pacific and now they have cheap hotels to stay and enjoy these cities, he says.

About 60 percent of Zen Rooms guests are domestic and 40 percent are international, with a big focus on the millennials. Younger travelers travel more often than their parents. They want to travel young in life, and they dont want to travel until they are 40. They dont care about the color of the curtains, but they care about Wi-Fi connection. Wi-Fi is like water for millennials, says Boublil.

Zen Rooms has an existing partnership with low-cost carrier AirAsia. We share the same values, so we partnered with them last year. We have 102 locations. From a travel perspective, it makes more sense, says Boublil, who wants to disrupt the accommodation industry the same way budget airlines shook the airline industry.

It is of course our long-term vision. We started the company to first become the biggest budget hotel brand in Southeast Asia and second, one of the biggest if not the biggest budget hotel brand worldwide. Thats the ten-year plan, he says.

Boublil predicts that in the first half of 2017, Zen Rooms will enter the top three budget hotel operators in the Philippines, as it doubles its room inventory. To enter the top three, we need to have 1,200 to 1,300 rooms which will happen in the next six months. I see no reason why in 2018 we are not going to take the top spot in the Philippines. We will become the No. 1 budget hotel chain in this country which in itself is a billion-dollar opportunity, he says.

I know that Red Planet and Go Hotels are looking at us. They dont like what we are doing. I am just happy that it is working so well in the Philippines. I am happy that we are going to be the top player in 2018, or even sooner, says Boublil.

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PIGKAWAYAN, Cotabato ProvinceFarming and fishing families in Mindanao are no stranger to both natural and human-induced disasters.

For more than four decades now, their lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by incessant transfers resulting in displacement due to periodic armed clashes, strong typhoons and widespread drought that have by and large, worsened their life struggles in recent years past.

Philippine representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Jose Luis Fernandez told Manila Standard that equipping farming and fishing communities with skills, knowledge and resources to recover from crises, to minimize losses from future disasters, and eventually rise from poverty are among the most important programs of the organization.

Through a US$3.0-million grant from the New Zealand Government, FAO is currently supporting the recovery of more than 10,000 farming and fishing households in Cotabato province.

The support programwhich will operate until October 2017aims to restart agricultural livelihoods and improve the coping abilities and resilience of smallholders in five municipalities: Aleosan, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigkawayan and Pikit.

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Distribution of farm and fisheries inputs is currently under way. This includes rice, corn and vegetable seeds, fruit tree seedlings, fertilizer, drying nets, small farm machinery, post-harvest equipment, hand tools, livestock and poultry, tilapia fingerlings and gillnets.

To complement these resources, FAO is also conducting climate-smart farmer field schools and other livelihood skills trainings, training on basic planning for disaster risk reduction and management in agriculture including in agriculture hazard and vulnerability mapping and analysis, good practice options and technologies, and early warning and disaster preparedness.

We have seen how peace, food security and economic growth are often mutually reinforcing. It is from this perspective that we emphasize the need for communities to be provided the kind of support that the Government of New Zealand is enabling us to deliver, Fernandez added.

Food security situation

National accounts reveal that 11 of the 20 poorest provinces are in this primarily agriculture-dependent region. Some three-fourths of the population of Mindanao or about 12.6 million people fall under levels 2 (mild chronic food insecurity), 3 (moderate chronic food insecurity) and 4 (severe chronic food insecurity), on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. Of them, 1.96 million were found to be suffering from severe chronic food insecurity in 2015.

FAO program in Mindanao

Since 2015, FAO has been working with the government to address priority agricultural development issues in the region through its Mindanao Strategic Program for Agriculture and Agribusiness.

While yet to be fully funded, the MSPAA has served as a framework for the implementation of at least five projects in areas most severely affected by natural and man-made calamities.

FAOs work in Mindanao is implemented in close partnership with the government through its various agencies on the national, regional and local levels. FAO also coordinates with the Mindanao Development Authority and works closely with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao the Bangsamoro Development Agency, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and other pertinent agencies and local government units.

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Internationally recognized for his uncanny ability to transform into celebrities with cosmetics, Paolo Ballesteros did it again in a social media post which serves as a run-up to the Miss Universe pageant.

In his most recent makeup transformation posted on Instagram, transformation king turns into Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

Paolo Ballesteros transforms into Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach.

In a photo uploaded on Instagram, Ballesteros shows himself transforming into current Miss Universe title holder. In his caption, the comedian and TV host promised that he will be uploading he video transformation, too, soon. To date, the post has received 60 thousand like and continues to garner likes, shares and positive comments from netizens.

Ballesteros is known for honoring Filipina beauty queens after their stint on the international stage. Some of them were Shamcey Supsup, Ariella Arida, and Megan Young.

In his previous posts, he also transformed into other beauty queens including Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez, Miss USA Olivia Jordan, Miss Philippines Universe 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa, Miss Jamaica 2014 Kaci Fennell, Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez and Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega.

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SHANGHAIJia Jia can hold a simple conversation and make specific facial expressions when asked, and her creator believes the eerily life-like robot heralds a future of cyborg labour in China.

Billed as Chinas first human-like robot, Jia Jia was first trotted out last year by a team of engineers at the University of Science and Technology of China.

Team leader Chen Xiaoping sounded like a proud father as he and his prototype appeared Monday at an economic conference organised by banking giant UBS in Shanghais futuristic financial centre.

Chen predicted that perhaps within a decade artificially intelligent (AI) robots like Jia Jia will begin performing a range of menial tasks in Chinese restaurants, nursing homes, hospitals and households.In 5-10 years there will be a lot of applications for robots in China, Chen said.

Humanoid robot Jia Jia, created by a team of engineers from the University of Science and Technology of China, is seen following a presentation at a conference in Shanghai. "Jia Jia" can hold a simple conversation and make specific facial expressions when asked, and her creator believes the eerily life-like robot heralds a future of cyborg labour in China. AFP

With flowing black hair and dressed in a traditional Chinese dress, Jia Jia looks strikingly real. Yet her charm has its limits and simple questions frequently stump her.

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Still, Chen said his team has made great progress over the past two years in developing her AI.

She was able accurately to answer a query about the days weather, hold basic conversations and recognise the gender of her questioners.

You are a handsome man, she complimented one, but when asked later if she has a boyfriend, replied, I prefer to stay single.

Rapid advancements are being made in artificial intelligence and such products stole the limelight at last weeks Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

A range of products were unveiled that can respond to voice commands to play music at home and follow other remote-control ordersor even think on their feet by accessing and learning from the Internet cloud.

One company, Hanson Robotics, unveiled its life-like Professor Einstein, which has realistic facial expressions and can engage in informative conversations such as lessons in math and science.

Jia Jia is not quite there yet, but Chen sees a bright future for her kind in China.

He said growing prosperity was causing many young Chinese to eschew jobs like waitressing, while an ageing population would require more hands on deck in hospitals and nursing homeseven if they arent human hands.

Chen showed a video of a less life-like, but more functional, robot making and serving tea to team members at his university lab in the eastern province of Anhui.

Chen, however, dismissed sci-fi fears of future robots getting too smart for our own good.

As long as this is done in a step-by-step and controlled manner, I dont think there will be a big impact on society. It wont harm human beings, he said.

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President Caid Essebsi has extended for another month the state of emergency in place since the November 2015 Tunis attack, after he conducted consultations with the speaker of the parliament and the Prime Minister, the presidents office announced Thursday.

The Tunisian President decreed the state of emergency in the wake of the November 24, 2015 attack against his guard. A suicide bomb attack claimed by the Islamic State group (IS) killed 12 members of the guard in the capital Tunis, not far from the Interior Ministry.

President Essebsi extended the state of emergency several times, the latest was in October when he extended it for further three months.

The state of emergency gives authorities sweeping powers to ban gatherings, to close public places; cinemas, bars, and to control media.

Tunisia has been under terrorist threats following the 2015 serial carnage claimed by IS.

The North African country is bracing for the eminent return of Tunisian citizens who left the country to join terror groups in hotbed conflict zones. Around 5,000 Tunisian have been reported fighting in the ranks of IS and other terrorist groups.
Burundi and the African Union reached an agreement on Thursday on payment of Burundian soldiers troops deployed in Somalia as part of the AU mission in the country.

Earlier this week, Burundian government has instructed its Foreign and Defense Ministries to start the withdrawal of its troops from the African Union (AU) force fighting militants in Somalia.

Burundi had threatened to withdraw its troops because of salaries non-payment months ago.

AMISOM salaries are paid by the EU but have not been received in Bujumbura for months as European diplomats seek to avoid sending money directly to a government against which the bloc imposed sanctions in response to a nearly two-year-long political crisis.

The Thursday agreement which was signed between the AU envoys and a Burundian delegation will allow the African Union to transfer these salaries for the benefit of the national defense, Smail Chergui, African Union Peace and Security Commissioner said

The African Union has earlier condemned the EU decision to suspend payment of Burundian soldiers wages, warning of a potentially negative impact on the security situation in Somalia.

Burundi is the second largest contributor to AMISOM, the AU intervention force fighting al-Shabab insurgents in Somalia. With over 5400 troops in the Mission, Burundi comes behind Uganda who has over 6000 troops.
Africas biggest gold producer AngloGold Ashanti, which employs about 25,000 people in South Africa, is in talks with unions to lay off more than 800 workers, Reuters reported on Friday.

The move comes after years of decline in output in the country due to regulatory issues.

According to a letter dated January 17 signed by AngloGold Chief Operating Officer Chris Sheppard, AngloGold Ashantis South Africa region is contemplating the dismissal of certain employees on the basis of its operational requirements.

He said the company had started talks with unions and regulators that could lead to job cuts.

In a statement to Mining Weekly Online, the global gold producers spokesperson Chris Nthite noted that the business was marred by maturing operations, a declining production profile, cost escalations and frequent regulatory disruptions, which hampered its ability to build and sustain volumes.

Part of this process of engagement entails the necessary creation of a more sustainable and cost effective South African business that better reflects the realities of the operating environment, spokesman Chris Nthite said.

The spokesman for the National Union of Mineworkers, which represents the majority of workers in the sector, said his union looked at the matter with serious concern.
I received a note from Scott, a farmer from Nebraska. It is a straightforward letter, Nebraska like. Ill just show you basically what he wrote:

Congressman Fortenberry,

My health care is $23,000 a year with a $20,000 deductable.

I have $46,000 in property taxes (on a relatively small farm.) Im paying $24,000 in state and federal taxes.

Corn is $3.09 a bushel.

This. Doesnt. Work.

Do Something!

Soon!

Scott is right. This is unsustainable. Such skyrocketing costs do not work for small business owners, for farmers, for many Americans facing the assault of unsustainable premium increases.

Catherine also wrote to me. She is a retired nurse. Due to preexisting conditions, she could not previously afford health care insurance. Now through subsidies she can. Catherine is also right.

Health care is complicated. To better assess the challenges, we have to segment the problem into digestible pieces. One group of people is being helped due to significant subsidies based upon their income. They are fearful of any change that would disrupt their care. At the same time, another group of people is left twisting in the wind. Although they are working, they do not qualify for Medicaid or subsidies, and their premiums are bigger than their house and car notes combined. They cant make it. No wonder there is so much anger.

Multiple ideas have emerged about restoring a vibrant insurance market that is affordable, competitive, and protective. A first order priority is to ensure no one is left behind. At the same time, those who have the greatest financial pain deserve another system. We will see progress on these fronts in the coming weeks and months.

As all of this policy dynamic unfolds, there is a topic which remains unaddressed. For a certain segment of the population, life expectancy is going down. We spend more on health care than ever before, and yet what are we achieving? In effect, the entire health care debate revolves around financing, drugs, and procedures; thus the entire debate is incomplete. Whether health care policy is run by big government, whether it is run by big business, or whether a new innovative system emerges that rightfully combines the best aspects of certain public subsidy and a truly vibrant market system, the issue is the same: we are still only talking about how to pay for drugs and procedures. Health is much more.

Better health demands a comprehensive concept of wellbeing, one that is more complex than standard medical practice. Wellbeing is nurtured in community. Access to good care, stable relationships, and a high quality of life are all central to this concept. Interestingly, some of the poorest people in America, with limited access to resources and health care, have some of the best health outcomes. This reality rises organically from intact community ecosystems that enable persons the freedom of commitment and interdependency.

This moment of government transition provides a chance to rethink the equation, giving people where they live the security of affordable health care insurance while also nurturing a greater sense of place, purpose, and participation, so that they can actualize community solutions. Im working on a new public policy concept called the Community Savings Account to facilitate and reward social health innovation.

Restoring a properly functioning and affordable health care systemwith a renewed focus on understanding the fullness of wellbeingcould create an exceptional outcome at a tough moment. Then both Scott and Catherine win.
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.
Thomas Jefferson had lots to say about lots of things. As the North Carolina General Assembly begins its 2017 session and new Gov. Roy Cooper begins his term, it's worth considering what Jefferson had to say about striking the proper balance between local and central authority.Jefferson was clearly wary about the latter.he wrote in 1821. He added that if the country were not already divided into individual states, that would be necessary so thatSimilarly, Jefferson observed that states were divided into counties, and counties into townships or wards.he concluded.You'll not find a better description of the case for devolving power within a federal system. And yet, Jefferson did not think states could do whatever they wanted to their citizens, or localities to theirs, without oversight from above.he wrote,Since the Republicans won control of the North Carolina legislature in 2010, we have witnessed numerous disputes between localities and the state. The highest-profile dispute began last year with Charlotte passing an anti-discrimination ordinance and the General Assembly responding with House Bill 2. But earlier debates produced legislation with major impacts on North Carolina policy - perhaps none more so than the 2012 bill that essentially ended involuntary annexation in our state.For decades, North Carolina was extremely deferential to municipalities. They could yank properties into their jurisdiction without giving affected landowners a vote, while avoiding any real responsibility to deliver services to those new residents for years.Advocates of forced annexation made two key arguments. First, they said it was only fair to tax people who lived outside city limits but worked, shopped, or played in the city. Second, they said that annexation was good for city finances, which in turn was good for the state's overall economy.Opponents countered that nonresidents who worked, shopped, or played in cities already paid city taxes while doing so, either directly on retail sales or indirectly by bearing a proportional share (through higher prices or lower wages) of taxes on commercial or industrial property. They also observed that most states already protected property owners from annexation abuse. Many had economies at least as healthy as ours.Did forced annexation really do wonders for city finances in North Carolina? A new study published in the academic journalraises doubts. Co-authors Russel Smith from Winston-Salem State University and Whitney Afonso from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found during the pre-reform period, greater annexation activityMunicipalities lost on that issue. So far, however, they've won on another one: keeping North Carolina from adopting a constitutional amendment blocking localities from condemning private land to promote "economic development" - to transfer that land to some other private party, in other words. As before, the argument is partly economic, that constraining the use of eminent domain would damage North Carolina's economic competitiveness.Once again, the evidence says otherwise. Another new academic study, this one in Economic Development Quarterly, found that states that have protected their citizens from eminent-domain abuseProtecting the property rights of North Carolinians won't hurt our economy. It's also an example of the proper use of state powers to limit abuses by localities. I think Jefferson would approve.


via @harrisalexc

A thousand miles from where Donald Trump became the 45th president of the United States Friday afternoon, Miamians kept the party going.

From Cuban restaurants on Coral Way to penthouse apartments in Miami Beach to backyards in Kendall, South Floridians broke out the champagne and Make America Great Again cakes to honor the New York real estate magnates election.

A bout of pneumonia prevented Louise Sunshine, CEO of the real estate development company Sunshine Select Worldwide, from making it to Washington, D.C., so she watched with close friends at home.

As news cameras panned across the crowd shivering and sniffling in the below-50 degree weather, warm sunlight poured into Sunshines penthouse apartment. A crowd of bankers, real estate developers and art dealers  Sunshine called them doers  clustered around the couch, eyes glued to CNNs coverage of the inauguration.

Sunshine pointed out various Trump family members onscreen: Melania looks like Jackie Kennedy; Ivanka Trump walks on water; Donald is relentless.

When Trump spoke the last word of the oath, everyone in the room raised a glass.

Its unbelievable, Sunshine said. Its like my whole life playing out in front of me.

More here.

Photo credit: C.M. Guerrero, Miami Herald staff
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP)  Suzanne Watson couldn't help but laugh when she received her AARP card and her acceptance letter from Wake Forest School of Medicine in the same week at the age of 50.

"I sold my SUV and bought a convertible, and I got the license plate REV DOC," said Watson, who spent 15 years in the ministry before applying to the medical school.

Now, at 54, she is a fourth-year medical student, pursuing a second career that in many ways takes her full circle to her early life.

Watson grew up in San Diego, living next door to her grandfather, who was a psychiatrist. She graduated from the University of California at San Diego in 1985 with a bachelor's in biology and economics, then worked for a time before going to medical school in California. She married David Paul Watson in the late 1980s and for a while helped him start his private practice in the 1990s in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

While she was enrolled in medical school, Watson became pregnant with her second child, so she and her husband decided she would withdraw from the program while he continued his career path in neurology.

"It was a big decision and it was very hard because you do give up a part of your identity when you leave something like medicine," Watson said.

Still, she said her decision was best for her family.

She missed her first child's first step while she was in school and didn't want that to happen with her second child.

Watson later chose to pursue a career in the ministry.

"I was starting to feel a call to ministry for a lot of the reasons I was called to medicine," she said. "It was that ability to impact people's lives."

Three months before she graduated with a master's of divinity from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, her husband committed suicide in 2002.

Watson said he had suffered depression in silence for years and was afraid to ask for help because of the stigma of depression and the financial implication for his practice and family.

"I had four kids under the age of 9," Watson said. "Life insurance doesn't pay in these circumstances, and I had physician-lifestyle costs with a mortgage and everything and really no way to pay it."

She said she ended up putting her house on the market, getting her children out of private school and finding a job to put food on the table. Her first job in the ministry was as an associate pastor at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Carmel, Calif.

Watson and her children moved to New Zealand for a year, then back to the United States where she got a job with the Episcopal Church headquarters in New York. While serving as head pastor of St. David's Episcopal Church in San Diego, Calif., Watson said she decided to return to the field of medicine, partly because some family members struggled with bipolar disorder.

She said that good medical management and psychiatric care can transform people's lives, helping them live healthy, abundant and productive lives.

Watson also said she figured she might as well try having a career in medicine.

"I just didn't want to regret it," she said. "At least, when I was on my porch in my cardigan, I can say I tried or even failed," she said laughing.

Never too late

Watson said she decided to enroll at Wake Forest School of Medicine based on the institution's Christian heritage and counsel from her academic adviser, William Wingard, at the University of California at San Diego. Wingard completed his graduate degree at Wake Forest University.

She said she was nervous she would not be accepted by fellow students at the medical school and thought they would mistake her for a professor or administrator.

Watson, who is scheduled to graduate in May, said she did get some awkward moments during her interviews for medical school and now on her interviews for a residency in psychiatry.

But she said she has been welcomed by students and faculty members at Wake Forest School of Medicine.

"Students like Suzanne add new dimensions to our medical school curriculum that extend beyond the academics, especially from a cultural perspective," said Dr. Brenda Latham-Sadler, associate dean of student inclusion and diversity. "Her background and experience are immensely valued here, and we welcome the unique contributions that Suzanne and other second-career students bring to the table."

Dr. Marcia Wofford, associate dean of student affairs, said, "Suzanne embodies the notion that we all have opportunities to redesign our career path and life work if we are willing to be true to our dreams, even if that means taking the less-traveled path."

She believes Watson will bring hope and encouragement to her future patients as a physician.

Watson's advice to anyone interested in pursuing a dream late in their lives is to go for it.

"The first thing is to take a small step whether their deepest desire is to sing or play a guitar, to go to law school or to be a librarian," Watson said. "Whatever it is, start to make that first, small step, and ask those around you that you trust for guidance and support along the way. But also trust in yourself. If you feel truly drawn to do something, do it."
In sometimes sharp and powerful words spoken before they left for the nations Capital, a few of the women from western Montana who joined with thousands of others in Saturdays Womens March on Washington rally in Washington, D.C., tell why they felt compelled to go.

"Im marching to process my own trauma, confront my own trauma, my fears. When America elected a sexual predator to the highest office, it gave tacit permission to do what they pleased with womens bodies. Its important to me to march against this idea, in the company of thousands, to tell the world that my body is my own. I march for our safety and our health." -Jenny Lynn Fawcett, who organized a "pop-up" shop to raise money to send four low-income women to the march.

"It is no coincidence that on the 61st anniversary of Rosa Parks refusal to sit at the back of the bus, I decided to march on Washington. It is with her spirit that I decided I must stand up and make my voice heard to a president who I do not believe represents me or my values. I will not sit idly by while he and his white supremacist friends destroy this wonderful country I love. I am showing up, not shutting up, rolling up my sleeves and continuing to fight for my rights, the rights of my three-year-old daughter and the rights of all my fellow humans." - Charity O'Connor

"Im so upset. We have to do something. We need to hold on the each other in this terrifying time. My heart is racing because Im so scared." - Rebecca Bauder, is attending the march with three daughters and two granddaughters.

"Why am I going? In hope of finding the answer to the questions I can't even put into words yet. In utter dismay and fear for the well-being of this planet, I'm going to march in solidarity with a diverse cross-section of people, knowing that the whole world is watching. This is not an us vs. them. This is a U.S. vs. him!" - Lee Bridges, who is driving and camping in her van to get to Washington, D.C.

"Its important we stand up for equal rights  racial, gender identity and religious  that we not allow any backsliding. This man has brought out all sorts of stuff we thought we had overcome. He has brought it back into the mainstream. We need to show the people that voted for him, or didnt vote at all, what the real mainstream is." - Bridget Johnson

"Gun violence disproportionately affects women in America, so I will continue to create a safer future for my family. I will not sit on the sidelines, but will fight for their safety. I want to raise engaged children, children who have the desire and ability to stand up for others. Its important they understand no matter how small their voice is, it has a right to be heard. We will join hundreds of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America volunteers, gun violence survivors, and family members to march in D.C. for the rights of women and all Americans who have the right to live free of gun violence." - Pamela Owen, who is marching with her children, Mattias, 9, and Zuzana Remes, 12.

"Personally, I am marching as a way to reposition and reframe my grief related to the election results. Politically, Im going to stand on the shoulders of Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Judy Smith, Sally Mullen and countless others who worked for my rights as a woman. The march is a healthy place for me to energize the social justice values my parents gave me." - Nancy McCourt, who is marching with her adult daughter, Yetta Stein

"Im marching because it feels important and a priority. Social justice, human rights, economic equality  I practically took a lot of those things for granted. Its a priority because we didnt win and now Im in the minority in my beliefs. Marching has historically proved effective and I feel this administration is ignoring and disregarding history in a dangerous way. I want to use my voice as a historian to continue to create the best world possible." - Yetta Stein

"My responsibility as a citizen is to speak truth to power and marching, for me, is a visual representation, in the streets, to the President  showing we will speak truth to power and hold him accountable. Its the first step." - Maria McGill Zupan
In sometimes sharp and powerful words spoken before they left for the nations Capital, a few of the women from western Montana who joined with thousands of others in Saturdays Womens March on Washington rally in Washington, D.C., tell why they felt compelled to go.
WASHINGTON  Enraged bands of black-clad protesters smashed windows and clashed with riot police Friday in a rolling series of demonstrations that disrupted Donald Trumps inaugural festivities.

White nationalist Richard Spencer, a part-time resident of Whitefish, Montana, who made headlines when he gave a Nazi salute to Trump at a gathering after the Nov. 8 election, was struck in the face by a protester as he was giving a video interview at roughly 2:30 p.m.

The number of arrests mounted during the day, and hit 217 by early evening. Six police officers were reported injured.

Some of the protesters came prepared for violence, carrying hammers and crowbars and wearing gas masks. Some carried flags with the circle-A symbol for the anarchist movement, which has carried out sporadic violent protests in Western countries in recent decades.

They smashed huge glass windows at branches of Starbucks, McDonalds, Au Bon Pain and at a Crowne Plaza Hotel in an area along Northwest 12th and 13th streets in downtown Washington.

Interim D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said police believed the violence was planned in advance and not spontaneous.

We have significant damage in a number of blocks in our city, Newsham said, adding that 400 to 500 protesters took part in the violence.

Police responded with tear gas and flash grenades, whose thunder reverberated just five blocks north of the inaugural parade route. Police temporarily restored calm before the parade, only to see it flare again afterward, forcing police to guide contingents of Trump supporters to inaugural balls amid lingering tear gas in the air.

As Spencer was attacked, another protester yelled, "You hate black people!"

I dont hate black people, Spencer said, in pain, holding his hand to his face.

A few minutes later, another protester ran up and spat in Spencers face. Spencer was then whisked into a car, which drove off.

Newsham said three of the six injured police suffered head injuries from flying objects, which he said included stones and bricks. None of the injuries were life-threatening, he added.

We will not allow the destruction and vandalism of our neighborhoods, Mayor Muriel Bowser said in an early evening news conference.

At one point in the afternoon, as the inaugural parade was well underway, clouds of inky smoke and bright flames poured from the vandalized stretch limo near the intersection of 13th and K Streets, close to the offices of The Washington Post.

Among those present at the protests was Jill Stein, the losing Green Party presidential candidate, who said some Americans were angry over Trumps policies and his nominations of super wealthy people to his Cabinet.

This swamp that he was supposed to drain is overflowing now. Its like the corporations no longer need lobbyists because theyve been directly empowered to raid the cookie jar, Stein said.

Another protester, Patrick McGuire, a 37-year-old from Baltimore, appeared overwhelmed by tear gas.

You just want to crawl up into a ball and wait for it to be over, McGuire said. You just need someone to come behind you and put their hand on your back and tell you its all going to be OK.

Earlier in the day, the scenes were all peaceful. After some initial shoving, riot police separated protesters from visitors making their way through the blue-ticket gates close to the Capitol, at First and D streets Northwest. The clump of protesters, though, squeezed the flow of visitors to a trickle, and police worked to divert some ticket holders to a nearby entrance.

About 200 protesters banged drums and chanted, Si, se puede, Shut it down and We reject the president-elect! One sign, in Arabic, read, Freedom.

Occasionally, chants of U-S-A! were returned by inauguration celebrants.

Ive heard multiple things like, people in Iraq arent human beings, said Erica Ewing, who said she was protesting on behalf of Witness Against Torture, an advocacy group. Were here to witness that they are human beings, too.

Ewing, 20, who said she worked for a nonprofit group in Cleveland, said shed come to the capital with a message: We are telling Trump now that he must shut down Guantanamo and say that the U.S. will not partake in torture.

The Obama administration on Thursday transferred four prisoners to the custody of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, leaving 41 war-on-terror captives still in the naval facility in Cuba. Trump has promised to keep the Guantanamo prison open and load it up with more suspected terrorists. Nearly 800 men have passed through its cells.

Ewing said her group also had protested the Obama administration in past years, telling him to keep his promise to close Guantanamo.

Barbara Lyons, 79, and her son, Jeff Lyons, 55, came from Illinois to join the protests. Neither was an Obama voter  they dont believe change can come through voting without more street activism first  but their opposition to Trump runs deep and covers all the big issues: race relations, immigration, jobs, the environment.

He brought me into it, Barbara Lyons said of her son. I am one of the privileged, and I have to fight for everyone else.

Jeff Lyons hesitated to call the protests a start; he said protesters should be ready to play the long game in reversing the forces that had brought Trump to power:

Its going to take years and a growing movement to turn around.

Greg Byrne, 69, a pig farmer from West Virginia, said hed come to protest because he was concerned about the future of his children and grandchildren.

Byrne liked Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, but he said he wasnt sure any president could do all that needed to be done.

Trump, though, he said, is particularly ill equipped.

I think Trumps constituency is going to be sorely disappointed. I think that there are so many issues with regard to foreign policy, with regard to health care, where Trump specifically has completely turned around so many times in terms of what in fact he intends to do, Byrne said. We have foreign diplomats and foreign governments that are at their wits end trying to figure out just who and what theyre dealing with.

Trump is an expert at spin, Byrne said.

I think it almost doesnt matter if the Russians helped Trump get elected, he said. I think the magnitude of the problems facing not only this country but the world are so much larger than an issue of did the Russians pay, did he really do that in Russia.

Stuart Leavenworth, Joshua Magness and Kevin G. Hall contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Chris Skorupa had worried about immersing a group of 4-H members from Montana in Friday's sometimes-tense inaugural crowds.

But the teenagers, who'd spent the week preceding the inauguration touring the nation's capital, said it was worth it to be among the thousands of Americans who swarmed the Capitol grounds Friday morning to watch Donald Trump become the 45th president of the United States.

Ive been raising money from my pigs to go on this trip, said 14-year-old Luke Ostberg of Fairfield. Ostberg, who said he's been in 4-H since first grade, said seeing Friday's events first-hand was an unbeatable experience.

I really liked the inauguration ceremony, just that we were so close and could see everything with our own eyes," he said.

The group also saw some of the protests. All day Friday, Trump supporters and opponents confronted one another in pockets of the crowded and emotional streets, where tensions seemed to rise from nowhere between strangers into heated disagreements, only to die out when they were forced by waves of nonstop foot traffic to keep moving.

But on Skorupas section of Capitol Hill, things were calmer than hed planned for.

Of course there were people protesting Trump outside Union Station with signs that read, TO FIGHT TRUMP AND THE DEMOCRATS BUILD A REVOLUTIONARY WORKERS UNION and NOT MY PRESIDENT. There were also religious protesters shouting fear God over loud speakers, with signs that read, EVERY REAL MUSLIM IS A JIHADIST, and TRUMP, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN: BAN HOMO MARRIAGE.

But the groups were rather small and, for the most part, they were relatively peaceful, said the business owner from Bridger.

Skorupa said the 4-H members were able to meet U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., when they found him on the same flight to Washington. Then they watched Montana Rep. Ryan Zinkes three-hour Senate confirmation hearing. Trump nominated Zinke to be his secretary of the Interior Department.

Joshua Phillips, a 17-year-old 4-H member from White Sulphur Springs, said Zinkes hearing was his favorite part of the trip.

Zinke is a Montanan, Philllips said, and you could feel the Montana spirit there.

As for the big city life in Washington, Phillips said he wasnt completely sold, and he definitely wasnt looking forward to the long plane ride home to Montana.

Aside from the influx of thousands of Trump supporters and protesters, the streets of Washington were crowded with law enforcement agents, ranging from city and state police, to FBI agents, Secret Service and the National Guard.

Charlie Stortz, the vice president of Logistic Systems, Inc. in Missoula, said there were roughly 29,000 law enforcement agents working inaugural security, including 7,500 National Guardsmen.

Stortz, whose company provides computerized dispatch systems for law enforcement agencies, including those who secure the Washington area on Inauguration Day, said after a series of protests erupted near 14th and K streets, 95 protesters were arrested and three metropolitan police were injured by rocks that were thrown during the rally.

Stortz said some small groups of protesters were still lighting newspapers on fire in the late evening.

It was a very busy day, Stortz said, adding that the Womens March on Washington, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday near the Capitol, will just be another highly monitored event in Washington. Well have a good watch on everything and well do the best we can to keep things safe.

University of Montana journalism student Kasey Bubnash used a scholarship to travel to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration and women's march.
HELENA  A bill that could give state officials control of Montanas gavel-to-gavel legislative television coverage passed the Senate on Friday with almost no opposition.

Senate Bill 40, carried by Jon Sesso, D-Butte, is in response to a contract dispute in August with the current provider, Helena Civic Television. HCTV provided coverage during the interim, but Legislative Services wasnt contracted to pay them. The company, which has provided coverage since 2001, temporarily vacated the Capitol but agreed to come back for the 2017 session.

Stephen Maly, the special projects director for HCTV, said the bill looks innocent, but will jeopardize the integrity of the Legislatures gavel-to-gavel coverage.

The law currently requires the provider to be a private, 501(c) nonprofit organization, which strictly limits who is eligible to bid. The bill opens the bid to an educational institution and amends 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, Maly said theres reason to believe the coverage could be compromised. While in a contract dispute during the interim, HCTV vacated their office in the Capitol. When the Legislative Council Subcommittee on TVMT held their first meeting, there were no minutes, audio or video from the meeting.

Its like it never happened, Maly said. Its clear they want to take over.

During the hearing in the Senate State Administration Committee and on the Senate Floor, Sesso lauded the coverage provided by HCTV and said Legislative Services would only cover the Legislature if a qualified operator couldnt be found.

If we dont, we would have clear authority under the law to take on this task ourselves, he said. We own all the cameras and we own the hardware that is used. If necessary we could probably provide this service on our own.

Sesso said he hopes HCTV will be the winning contractor long into the future, and Legislative Services would operate as a last resort.

On second reading of SB 40, Sen. Terry Gauthier, R-Helena, asked if the integrity of the coverage could be compromised.

I dont think so, Sesso said.

After Legislative Services asks for bids, they also will be the agency to decide whether an operator is qualified. Susan Fox, executive director of Legislative Services, said the law is written to keep coverage transparent.

The bill passed third reading 45 to 2. Gauthier voted no and was joined by Sen. Jill Cohenour, D-East Helena, during second and third reading on the Senate floor.

Cohenour said shes concerned about coverage, and while Legislative Services is a nonpartisan agency, that doesnt mean they dont have a bias.

They are our staff, she said. I get concerned because Legislative Council has oversight of the legislative branch.

SB 40 will move to the House to be heard in committee.
Charter School Reform: Authorizers and Capital Funding

According to the Center for Education Reform's " Charter School Laws Across the States ," North Carolina's charter school law rose to 23rd best in the nation, a seven place jump since 2011. Slight improvements in operational autonomy account for some of the improvement. Nevertheless, any further improvement will require significant revisions to the existing charter school law that would fundamentally change the charter approval or authorization process and reconfigure the charter school funding model.Originally, North Carolina law allowed two entities, the State Board of Education and UNC System institutions, to authorize the creation of charter schools. Of the two authorizers, only the state board acted on that authority and lawmakers subsequently removed UNC System authorizing authority from state statute. If the General Assembly allowed other entities to authorize charter schools, such as institutions of higher education, school districts, and nonprofit organizations, North Carolina's charter law ranking would improve substantially. report published by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers indicated that there were 1,050 authorizers in 42 states and the District of Columbia during the 2014-15 school year, the majority of which were school districts. In addition, 45 institutions of higher education, 17 non-profits, 17 independent charter boards, three non-educational government entities, and 18 state education agencies, including the N.C. State Board of Education, had authorizing authority. Unsurprisingly, California had the highest number of authorizers of any state.Interestingly, it is common for states in the Southeast to have multiple authorizers. In 2015, Florida (48 authorizers), Georgia (26 authorizers), Louisiana (11 authorizers), Maryland (5 authorizers), South Carolina (18 authorizers), and Tennessee (5 authorizers) allowed multiple entities to approve charter schools. If North Carolina lawmakers chose to diversify the charter school authorizing process, there are states in our region that could provide a model that is compatible with the state's political and educational environment.In addition, charter schools receive less funding than their district counterparts. Much of that difference is due to the statutory prohibitions on funding charter school facilities and capital expenses. If the General Assembly established a revenue stream (or allowed localities to create one), North Carolina would fare much better on the ranking.A National Alliance for Public Charter Schools survey found that 29 states and Washington, D.C. provide financial support for charter school facilities. The two most popular options are per-pupil facilities allowances and grants. Georgia is one of four states to provide over $1,000 per student in capital funding. Other states provide trivial per-student allotments. Tennessee, for example, allots between $150 and $350 per student. Other charter facility funding options include loan programs, grants specifically for charters operated by school districts, and property tax revenue. Louisiana and South Carolina provide very limited funding for charter school loans, while Florida allows charters to receive a portion of a special property tax levy of 1.5 mills for educational facilities.Expanding the number of authorizers and directing capital funds to charter schools would encounter strong opposition from public school advocacy organizations, liberal activists, and Governor Roy Cooper. Admittedly, capital funding for charter schools would be a tough sell. A first step may be to simply give county commissions an option to fund charter capital projects. On the other hand, the idea of becoming a charter school authorizer may appeal to school districts and institutions of higher education, particularly universities outside of the UNC System.
The great debate over the fate of the historic Missoula Mercantile building may finally be over.

Preservation activists agreed Friday not to appeal a district judge's decision that upheld issuance of a demolition permit for the building in downtown Missoula.

The decision effectively clears the way for developers to replace the Merc with a five-story, $35 million hotel and retail center.

Last summer, the Missoula City Council voted to issue a partial demolition permit to the Bozeman developers of the project, reversing a previous vote by the citys Historic Preservation Commission.

Members of the local preservation group Preserve Historic Missoula appealed the City Councils vote to Missoula County District Court, asking it to examine whether the council went against city policies in its decision.

Judge Robert Dusty Deschamps issued a ruling Tuesday siding with the city, developer Andy Holloran and the current owners of the building, Octagon Partners, which allowed the demolition permit to be granted.

On Friday, the preservation group, the city, the developer and the building's owner filed a joint stipulation agreeing not to appeal Deschamps decision and asking him to dismiss the case.

James Bowditch, the attorney for Octagon Partners, said his clients as well as Holloran and the city negotiated with the preservation group and agreed not to hold them responsible for court costs if Preserve Historic Missoula agreed to drop its right to appeal.

In a case like this, the prevailing party is allowed to recover certain costs, Bowditch said, adding that examples include their court filing fees and the costs associated with conducting depositions. Recoverable costs would not have included attorneys fees, which were always up to each party to pay.

Bowditch said his understanding is that the partial demolition permit, which mandates that the pharmacy portion of the building be saved, already has been issued since Deschamps ruling. The only remaining step is for Hollorans company to officially buy the Mercantile from Octagon Partners, a deal Bowditch said should be closed within the next week or two.

Michael Doggett, the attorney for Preserve Historic Missoula, did not return a request for comment Friday afternoon. Deschamps has not yet signed a proposed order dismissing the case that was filed with the stipulation on Friday.
Despite their reputation for never giving up secrets to success, a roomful of anglers spent Saturday giving away literally hundreds of them.

We wanted to tie at least 1,000 flies today, and were going to easily exceed that, said Trout Unlimited West Slope Chapter President Mark Kuipers. Weve really leveraged this whole experience.

The beneficiaries will be Americas military combat veterans, whove been introduced to fly-fishing through the Bozeman-based Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation. The tiny artificial lures will outfit a series of fishing expeditions for veterans recovering from battlefield injuries and trauma.

As a club, we wanted to do something to honor and respect our combat veterans, especially the post-9/11 ones, Kuipers said. So we asked what we can do, and they said, We need flies.

An angler, especially a novice, can go through 20 or 30 flies a day if the brush is thick and the fishings good. Warriors and Quiet Waters plans to take at least 70 vets on fishing trips this summer. At an average $2 apiece retail, those little bits of barbed lint add up in a hurry.

Thats where the members of the West Slope Chapter came in. Just a few hundred feet from the frozen-solid Clark Fork Rivers Hollywood Hole, about two-dozen anglers turned a conference room at the DoubleTree Hotel into a fly-tying factory. They brought elaborate portable workstations and jumbled cardboard boxes full of feathers and thread. Within minutes of clamping their vises to the tables, they were stitching together fake bugs like a Frankensteins entomology lab.

A beginning tier can spend a lot of time doing this, said chapter member Alec Underwood. As you get more proficient, it takes just a couple of minutes per fly.

Admitting he was two years out of practice, Underwood nevertheless completed a classic woolly bugger in about seven minutes. After clamping the hook in his vise, he wrapped it with almost invisible thread. Then he fluffed a bit of black downy marabou feather and tied it just above the hooks curve. Next to that, he attached a black saddle hackle feather, which was left dangling. The body of the fly materialized in wraps of chenille yarn around the shank of the hook. Underwood then folded back the saddle hackle, and with the thread tied the feather to the yarn body so the fluff stuck out like hairy spikes. Underwater, the hackle would undulate like the body of a leech, while the marabou would wriggle like a swimming tail.

Elsewhere along the tables, anglers attached magnifying lenses to their eyeglasses to build imitation midges smaller than mosquitoes, or stripped iridescent feathers into piscatorial versions of disco drag queens.

All work stopped when member Rod Gilchrist arrived with a paper grocery sack. Inside were three compartmentalized boxes filled with nearly 300 different kinds of handmade flies.

Im too damn old to fish, so I just tie, Gilchrist said. Im down to a cane and bobber now.
Like ants hauling 5,000 times their own body weight, the University of Montanas ecologists produce much more world-class science then their faculty numbers might indicate.

Faculty are the research engines on a campus, said Ric Hauer, who leads UMs Center for Integrated Research on the Environment. Harvard University has four or five times the faculty that UM has. But the UM ecology faculty is not only running with the big dogs like Harvard, Stanford and Berkeley. We actually are one of the big dogs.

Specifically, a new analysis of publications in the science communitys top professional journals ranked UM No. 5 among all doctorate degree-granting schools in North America. The University of California-Santa Barbara ranked No. 1, followed by the University of New Hampshire, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota and UM. Harvard scored 8th, Stanford University was 13th and the University of California-Berkeley was 18th. Montana State University did not score in the top 50 ecology-publishing schools.

A similar University of Washington study from 2007 ranked UM No. 8 out of 316 schools that grant doctorate degrees in the United States and Canada. Hauer decided to run the numbers again last year. The new study was published in the peer-reviewed journal Ecosphere by Megan Keville, Cara Nelson and Hauer.

The study looks at the number of ecology research papers published in 40 of the top science journals in the world. It also checks how many times those papers get cited, or quoted, in other peoples research. Academic department heads use the same measuring sticks to gauge a professors qualification for promotion or tenure. In this case, the analysis compared UMs status to other schools granting Ph.Ds  the typical degree required to become a professor.

The field of ecology sprawls across the Missoula campus. It includes aspects of biology, geology, mathematics, forestry, climate, physics, ecosystem science and a variety of other disciplines that explain how the natural world works. It also involves the work of graduate students seeking their terminal degrees and undergraduates who get hands-on research experience in their classes.

As a faculty member here for 30 years, Ive seen how the professors here feed off one another and push one another, Hauer said. They set lofty goals for one another and that helps us in recruiting some of the very best ecologists anywhere in the world.
HELENA  More than 5,000 people from across Montana are planning to meet in Helena on Saturday to march to the Capitol in solidarity with the Womens March on Washington.

Participants will begin lining up on Eighth Avenue between Sanders and Roberts streets at 11:30 a.m., with the event beginning at noon. A handicap accessible area will be provided in the circle around the Capitol building.

For those that get a little chilly, a warming tent will be set up on Sixth Avenue between Washington and Roberts streets.

The march is expected to end around 12:50 p.m. with a rally beginning shortly after.

Montana's first lady Lisa Bullock, as well as representatives from the ACLU, YWCA and Montana Human Rights Network are set to address the Helena rally attendees. The Montana Womens Chorus and Native American drummers will also participate and perform at the event.

For more information on Saturday's march, visit the Womens March on Montana website at https://www.womensmarchmontana.com/march-safety/.
BILLINGS  Three men charged with walking on the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park in May pleaded guilty Thursday to the charges against them.

Canadians Charles Ryker Gamble, Alexey Andriyovych Lyakh and Justis Cooper Price Brown will all have to pay restitution and are banned from public lands in the United States for the five years they are on probation.

Gamble and Lyakh will have to serve seven days in jail as part of their sentence.

The men appeared Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Carman at the Yellowstone Justice Center in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyo.

Gamble and Lyakh both pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct by creating a hazardous condition and foot travel in a thermal area, as well as two charges of commercial photography without a permit, two charges of using a drone in a closed area and riding a bike in wilderness.

Their crimes occurred in the Yellowstone, Zion, Death Valley and Mesa Verde national parks.

In addition to their probation and jail time, the two men will both have to pay $2,000 in fines, restitution and community service payments to Yellowstone Forever.

Both must remove the photos and videos of public lands from their social media profiles.

Brown pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct by creating a hazardous condition and foot traffic in a thermal area. He must pay $3,500 in fines restitution and community service payments to Yellowstone Forever.

Gamble's attorney, Alex Rate, said his client and friends had been threatened and shamed on social media for what amounted to making bad decisions on a road trip. Their aim was to inspire people to explore the parks, and any money they made from the videos they posted was minuscule, Rate said.

"These young men have been through the wringer when it comes to public shaming," Rate said. "They understand the impact of their decisions and take responsibility for it."

Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk said in a statement that the penalties handed down Thursday "send a strong and poignant message about thermal feature protection and safety."

In November, a fourth member of the group, Hamish Cross, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct by creating a hazardous condition and foot travel in a thermal area.

Cross was ordered to pay more than $8,000 in fines, restitution, community service payments and fees, according to a news release from Yellowstone National Park. He will be on probation for five years and will also be banned from public lands managed by the U.S. Government for the duration of his probation.

Cross has a New Zealand passport, the complaint against him stated.

On May 16 someone reported to Yellowstone National Park rangers that they had seen the men walking on the thermal feature, according to the news release. Through videos posted on the group High on Life's social media accounts, rangers identified the individuals involved.

In June, a man died at the Norris Geyser Basin after he walked off the designated boardwalk, slipped and fell into a hot spring, according to the news release.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
HELENA  The spirit was jubilant, as thousands of marchers gathered in the streets near the Capitol Saturday as part of the Womens March on Montana: Human Rights for All in Helena.

Initial estimates put the size of the crowd at 10,000 people. A line of marchers wrapped around the Capitol, and more and more marchers just kept pouring up Washington Street.

The crowd far exceeded organizers expectations, who had hoped that 4,000 would show -- based on Facebook responses.

They danced, they chanted, they sang and they cheered.

Some came wearing their brilliant pink, hand-knitted pussyhats to call out President Donald Trump on one of his more infamous comments about women.

But this march was never billed as an anti-Trump rally, said one of the organizers, Deb ONeill.

We said this is nonpartisan from the get-go. Anyone is welcome despite who you voted for, so long as you support human rights for all.

And speak out, they did -- for women, for the planet, for Native Americans, for refugees, for the transgender and for the LBGTQ community.

It was a call for action in the coming years, not just one day.

The march is just day one of this group, said ONeill. This is not the end, it is just the beginning.

Montanas march was just one of similar marches held in more than 600 other cities and towns around the world, including 30 other countries.

In Chicago, New York and Washington, the marches drew hundreds of thousands of people -- once again, far exceeding planners expectations.

Among the speakers at the Helena rally was First Lady Lisa Bullock, who told the crowd "we stand together in solidarity with our partners and our children."

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., spoke to the crowd via phone from Washington, D.C. "Keep marching," he said. "Our country's counting on you."

This story will be updated.
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A Missoula lawyer had been named U.S. bankruptcy judge for Montana and will keep his chambers in Butte, according to a federal court news release issued Friday.

Benjamin Phillip Hursh will serve a 14-year term, which starts Feb. 1. A formal investiture ceremony will be held on Feb. 3 at the Mike Mansfield Federal Building, 400 N. Main St.

Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit announced Hurshs appointment this week. Judge Thomas will preside at the investiture.

Hursh, 42, has been a partner in the Missoula office of Crowley Fleck PLLP since 2011 and was previously an associate at Cederberg Law Offices P.C. from 2003 to 2008.

He will fill a vacancy resulting from the retirement of Chief Bankruptcy Judge Ralph B. Kirscher, who had served on the court since 1999. He also assumes the role of chief judge of the bankruptcy court, which has a single judgeship.

Hursh has been the chair of the Bankruptcy Local Rules Committee in the District of Montana since 2014. He has been a member of the Annual Bankruptcy Section CLE Organization Committee since 2013 and has served as the former chair of the Bankruptcy Section of the Montana Bar Association from 2011 to 2012.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Hursh received his undergraduate degree in history from Montana State University, Bozeman, in 1999 and his juris doctor from the University of Montana School of Law in 2003. He was awarded the Dean Robert E. Sullivan Scholarship in law school.

Bankruptcy judges serve a 14-year renewable term and handle all bankruptcy-related matters under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit have statutory responsibility for selecting and appointing bankruptcy judges in the nine western states that comprise the Ninth Circuit. The court uses a comprehensive merit selection process for the initial appointment.
While much attention is being paid to our states physical infrastructure, so, too, are basic community-based mental health services crumbling beneath our feet.

Western Montana Mental Health Center cares for 15,000 Montanans and employs 900 folks, ranging from Libby to Livingston. Please remind policy makers that further disruption of mental health and substance disorders programs will only further exacerbate an exploding foster care system, further overburden jails, and leave desperate citizens to choose to give up the struggle and end their own lives.

WMMHC wants to be a good partner with the state of Montana but our organization is struggling to meet its mission: to provide comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals and families in our communities. Recognizing the current state of Montanas budgetary challenges, we beg policy makers to make informed decisions and work with us around the following:

-- Bolstering the very bedrock of mental health services, prescribers and ancillary services.

-- Finding solutions to safe, stable housing, thereby decreasing lengths of stay in acute settings.

-- Supporting CIT (crisis intervention training) for law enforcement officers.

-- Ensuring that officers have access to crisis stabilization after they have intervened.

-- Supporting peer certification. Hiring people with lived experience greatly assist others to move towards path of recovery.

-- Supporting substance disorder treatment for individuals and families who are struggling.

-- Jodi Daly, CEO, Western Montana Mental Health Center, Missoula
At their best, community colleges provide educational opportunities to individuals who otherwise might not have them. They offer specialized workforce training that can lead to rewarding careers, as well as streamlined transfer options for those seeking more advanced degrees. But it seems that, while singing the praises of such schools, policymakers have overlooked serious problems within them.While they may in the main be the " unsung heroes of American education ," community colleges are not immune to problems such as low academic standards, mismanagement, and even fraud. Unfortunately, when those issues arise, they often seem to receive little attention from school leaders whose job should be to provide accountability. Recent cases from North Carolina suggest that community college governance may be in need of an overhaul.Consider Martin Community College (MCC). In 2014 an anonymous letter allegedly written by a group of concerned students, faculty, and staff was sent to the head of the state's community college system, the school's board of trustees, and lawmakers. It made numerous allegations against MCC's president, Dr. Ann Britt, and trustees.the letter stated.The document claimed that threats against employees, discrimination, cronyism, dubious financial dealings, and disastrous management decisions had for years been rampant, and had for years been ignored by school officials.Jackie Gillam, the college's board chair, responded defiantly, saying She added:Last November, however, more than two years after Gillam made those comments, the State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC) released a report that substantiated several of the allegations in the 2014 complaint.Financial blunders, inept campus administration, unengaged trustees, and lack of transparency had created a situation so dire that the state board threatened to withhold MCC's funding, and it effectively pushed the president out by refusing to pay her salary; Dr. Britt is resigning in March.The report showed that over several years, more than $5 million in state funding had not been spent by MCC. But this was not a case of fiscal prudence; state allocations are based largely on colleges' baseline operating needs-apparently, key staffing positions went unfilled and important equipment went un-purchased, leaving the school in disarray. And by the 2015-16 fiscal year, the finances had reversed: the school was at risk of operating in the red.Furthermore, state-mandated employee bonuses had not been paid out, and the board of trustees had become impotent because of bylaws that vested authority in a small campus executive committee.SBCC's report said.On December 7, three weeks after that report was released, Martin Community College responded with a "Corrective Action Plan," pledging to shore up its finances, reassert the full board's power, and provide greater transparency. Somewhat shockingly, according to WITN news, the trustees sought to pay Dr. Britt $200,000 -a plan later vetoed by system leaders. Board chair Jackie Gillam says the school is now trying to find extra funds to pay for Britt's salary until March, when she retires.In fact, Gillam has continued not only to defend Dr. Britt, but to cast doubt on any criticism of MCC, no matter how much it is supported by the facts. She released a prepared statement in response to the SBCC's November report, saying,But if there is a legitimate criticism of North Carolina's community college system, it is that it took more than two years for it to fully investigate Martin Community College. It is not that it interviewed dozens of campus leaders and administrators who might be less staunch than Gillam or some other trustees in defending their troubled school, and who therefore might provide a more reliable account of its problems.There are supposed to be several levels of oversight over North Carolina's 58 community colleges. At the campus level, there are boards of trustees appointed by the governor, local county commissioners, and county boards of education.All 58 boards report to the State Board of Community Colleges, which in turn reports to the state legislature. Further oversight comes from the accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. (One reason Dr. Britt was pushed out of her presidency is that MCC has an upcoming accreditation review; system leaders and some trustees apparently wanted to be able to show that the college is "turning the page" on a bad chapter.)Most decision-making power is granted to trustees, due to the belief that their local knowledge will provide the best guidance. They have authority to dictate personnel practices, hire and fire the president, and adopt educational policies. But trustees often seem to lack the training and knowledge to effectively and independently carry out their duties. Too frequently they rely on campus leadership to steer them-Martin Community College providing a case in point.Richard Cowan, a long-serving MCC board member, told system officials at their recent meeting that trustees have been hindered by a lack of transparency. As an example, he said that board members are often not given meeting materials until the day before meetings and that those materials are often missing key information. (He also said that he believes there are issues beyond what came to light during the MCC investigation, although no specifics were discussed.)If Cowan, a trustee at a school with less than 800 students, is experiencing such frustration, it's possible that trustees at the state's 57 other community colleges, which in a given year enroll, combined, more than 700,000 students, have faced similar issues.Fayetteville Technical Community College, for example, is being sued by six former employees who claim they were pressured to raise student retention rates by inflating grades. They further allege that the school's president, Larry Keen, used the high grades in an attempt to secure performance funding from the state.And a recent tip to the state auditor's office uncovered a scandal at Wayne Community College (WCC). A professor provided improper benefits to a school employee, allowing him to receive course credits without attending or participating in any classes. Roughly $10,000 of state and federal funds were used fraudulently. According to the state auditor's website , other community colleges in recent years have been found in violation of either accounting practices or state codes, although no cases were as egregious as the one at WCC.All of these examples beg the question: what might be happening at other community colleges that we don't know about? Even if we assume that boards of trustees are engaged and willing to tackle problems on their campuses, the fact remains that college officials control their flow of information, and may not always provide the transparency necessary for good governance.Moving up the hierarchy, the State Board of Community Colleges itself is beset with bureaucratic problems, and in recent years has served as a "rubber-stamping" body . At its recent meeting, there was a lively discussion about the situation at Martin Community College, but board members were often unaware of their own authority, and repeatedly turned to staff members for clarification.North Carolinians should not have to rely only on the occasional bombshell from a concerned campus group or whistleblower to call their community colleges to account. There clearly is room for improvement in terms of ensuring that such colleges are being properly stewarded and that trustees and the state board are fulfilling their duties. And here, the responsibility lies ultimately with the state legislature. Perhaps it should consider these governance issues before it finalizes the community college system's biennial budget this summer.
Project No. : PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING

Sealed bids will be accepted by the County Engineer of MUSCATINE County at their office in Muscatine, Iowa, until 9:00 AM, on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 for the various items of construction work listed below.

A Certified check, made payable to the County, or a Cashier's check, made payable to either the County or to the contractor, drawn upon a solvent bank or a bid bond, shall be filed with each proposal in an amount as set forth in the proposal form. Cashier's check, made payable to the contractor, shall contain an unqualified endorsement to the County signed by the contractor or his authorized agent. Failure to execute a contract and file an acceptable bond and Certificate of Insurance within 30 days of the date of the approval for awarding of the contract, as herein provided, will be just and sufficient cause for the denial of the award and the forfeiture of the proposal guaranty.

Plans, specifications, and proposal forms for the work may be seen and may be secured at the office of the County Engineer's Office at 3610 Park Avenue West Muscatine.

All proposals must be filed on the forms furnished by the County, sealed and plainly marked. Proposals containing any reservations not provided for in the forms furnished may be rejected, and the County Board reserves the right to waive technicalities and to reject any or all bids.

Attention of bidders is directed to the Special Provisions covering the qualifications of bidders and subletting or assigning of the contract.

As a condition precedent to being furnished a proposal form, a prospective bidder must be on the current Iowa Department of Transportation or local county list of qualified bidders; except that this requirement will not apply when bids are received solely for materials, supplies, or equipment.

MUSCATINE County shall issue sales tax exemption certificates through the Iowa Department of Revenue and Finance to the successful bidder and all subcontractors to enable them to purchase qualifying materials for the project free of sales tax.

Failure to submit a fully completed Bidder Status Form with the bid may result in the bid being deemed nonresponsive and rejected.

The County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Description of the Proposed Work: PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING

Furnish and install 60'x200' Pre-engineered Building per the scope of work and specifications provided.

ITEM UNIT QUANTITY

FURNISH AND INSTALL PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING, PER SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFICATIONS PROVIDED LS 1

Total Proposal Guaranty is $9,000.00; Completion Date: Jun-02-2017; $800.00/Day Liquidated Damages.

SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFICATIONS SHALL APPLY.

Approved by:

Keith L. White,

P.E. Muscatine County Engineer
MUSCATINE, Iowa  Ashley Wiebe started her semester-long agriculture class at West Middle School by answering a question she gets asked a lot: Why?

"Most of these kids will come into class and a lot of them say, well, why am I here? I'm not going to be a farmer, she said.

So she asked them to raise their hands if they grew up on a farm.

Very, very few hands went up in the air, she said.

And then she told students that most Americans are two or three generations removed from the family farm.

It just goes to show that with less and less people growing up in rural agriculture, growing up on a farm, less and less people know about what happens with how their food is produced, how their clothing is produced and what it really takes to feed the world, she said.

Where food comes from

In Weibes class and in other agriculture classes at the high school, students learn to answer those questions in great detail. They care for animals, learning how to shear sheep or tag and band them. They learn about crops. They discover where food comes from and think about the economics of it all.

Weibe knows most of them wont become farmers or work in agriculture, but she says her class helps them understand the world.

Its important for everybody to learn about agriculture because  without the ag industry each person would have to raise their food individually, so for them to be able to know where their food comes from I think is huge, she said.

And on Friday afternoon, a group of seventh and eighth graders traveled to the Agriculture Learning Center to learn the finer points of caring for lambs. Weibe brought them to the barn and they all watched as she carried a 2-week old lamb from a nearby stall.

She placed the lamb on the ground, preparing to put a rubber band around its tail. The rubber band will block circulation to the tail gradually, until it falls off. And removing the tail, she told them, is important for keeping sheep clean.

"To band its tail, I'm going to flip him backwards like this," she said, placing the lamb on the ground, "and I'm going to kind of hold him with my legs so he can't go anywhere."

As she talked, the ewe in the stall behind her began kicking the door. But neither students nor teacher were alarmed. Wiebe had told them that the ewe would get upset when she is separated from her baby. She also advised them that lambs are extremely dramatic, so the lamb might thrush around after the band is in place.

But classes arent just about handling and caring for animals, she said.

"We try to tell kids what kinds of things are involved in agriculture besides just animals and traditional farming per se, so teaching them where their food comes from, where their clothes come from, how it impacts the economy, how it impacts jobs."

Understanding agriculture, she said, can help students down the road.

"Our goals are to prepare kids for life and to prepare them for a career, she said. I see a lot of kids in Muscatine that won't end up going to college and we want to make sure that they are prepared to be successful in the world and to contribute ... by getting a good job.

A way into college

At the high school level, agriculture classes move from group demonstrations to hands-on work. Dave Tometichs Friday afternoon class tackles shearing. Tometich shows them how to hold pregnant ewes and how to shear them correctly. Then, the students take turns with the shearing machine.

While family farms are in decline, Tometich said, the same isn't true for the ag industry as a whole.

The industry of agriculture is growing, he said, adding that there's demand for argibusiness workers, crop geneticists and animal scientists.

Tometich hopes to expose students to these career possibilities, all of which require some sort of post-secondary training. And to excel in these fields, he said, they need to know the basics.

"They're not [going to be] comfortable doing those things unless they at least know what a ewe is, what a weather is, what a ram is," he said.

The goal, he said, is to encourage the students who want to go to college to consider a career in agriculture.

"Without a doubt, there's demand for good people, and we're trying to create that next generation."
Lisa G. Powell

MCC Instructor of English

For my Fall 2016 Composition I course, I had students write a two-page double-spaced paper telling a story about how they joined a group or realized they were a part of a group. The idea was for students to attempt to organize a short narrative as well as begin to consider writing an "auto-ethnography" -- a self-study and reflection of how one belongs or fits in with a larger cultural or social group and the implications this has on society as a whole.

I typically try to have students develop long papers, but for this paper, I wanted them to have the task of keeping the writing short and tight. The essays turned out wonderful. Many of the students were quite moved by the stories of their peers. The stories ranged from joining a tribal cultural group in Liberia, to joining church groups in the states, to students expressing how they straddle two or more cultures, to deciding to attend college and choose a career.

I found that these essays really showed something special about the diverse student population that we have at MCC, and I wanted to share my students hard work with the community.

The first essay is written by Stephen Brugman on Fusing Education and Effort. The second is from Sam Flomo on Tradition and me.

Fusing Education and Effort

By Stephen Brugman

I was told if you worked hard enough in life you will have a successful career. But honestly, solid labor is not necessarily the key to a successful career. It all started when I was seven years old. My father wanted me to come help him with trimming bushes in the backyard. He told me I was doing a great job and that I would be quite satisfied someday in the future with those hardworking skills I was acquiring. He also told me I am going to be successful like him if I continued to follow his path. I believed him and continued to acquire more labor skills by helping him out around home.

One day, I overheard him talking to my siblings who were deciding to apply for college. He said, It takes time and money to go to school and you need to work as much as you can if you want your life to progress. When I heard that I was thinking to myself: Why doubt a persons dream when education can get yourself another step further in accomplishing a successful career? Yes, I do believe it takes time and money to get an education, but I dont believe work is the top priority over an education, especially when some jobs provide very little income to people who are struggling against the tide of debt. Fast-forwarding to the present, I see how my siblings have progressed through that conflict and discovered a way to enter college and balance work and school.

My fathers uncertainty towards the advantages of college has changed, and he is very proud to see how my siblings have progressed through college. Once I entered my final years of high school, my father asked me if welding would be an interests for me, since thats what he currently does and I told him it sounds like an interesting career path. One day a college representative came to my school and told me all about Muscatine Community College. What got my attention was they have a welding program that paired well with my work schedule. Later that night, I told my dad all about it and surprisingly he told me, I went there when I was your age and got a welding certificate. I strongly suggest you go there if you want to work with me someday. I took that into consideration, so later that summer I completed high school and got a part time job in West Branch working for a dealership.

That job was very flexible with my school schedule and they look forward to me getting a higher education. Later that fall I began my academic career, and unknowingly, the instructor I had was teaching his final year. Additionally, my father had this very instructor when he was my age. I learned a lot from my teacher and completed the course with a certificate. My father then asked me if I want to work with him. I told him that I wanted to expand my education so I could be better skilled to enter the work force. He liked my thinking and now I am currently working to achieve higher education. So in the end, I believe both work and education are equally important. When they are balanced, you will have more opportunities towards a successful career.

Tradition and me

By Sam Flomo

I sat there that night under the moon light thinking about a tough decision I had to make, after a tough day at the farm. My parents had all gone to bed but since the moon was up, they allowed me to stay outside for a while. I was thinking about going to the Zoe Bush, a traditional cultural group which involves rituals boys go through when they reached the age of fifteen in our village. I was fifteen and in just a few weeks we were to go in that bush. I had friends who told me they were going and friends who had been there, and they couldnt tell me anything about that place, because they said they would die in their sleep if they told anyone about it. People who came from there had markings all over their body, which looked like they were either whipped with a wire or some sort of animal teeth marks. Some people never came back. Once you came from there, you were given a new name and only people who had been there could call you by that name. They could stay outside when everyone was ordered by the town chief to go inside immediately during the day or night time. I asked everyone how they got these terrible markings on their bodies, but no one could tell me anything, including my parents.

In making this decision, I couldnt help thinking about what a Christian missionary said to me when he came to our village. He was a tall man with long hair and blue eyes. He always wore a long white garment, so clean and pure as if no one had ever worn it. He talked to us about God and I sat there listening to him even when everyone had left. People rejected him, because they didnt believe what he was saying. I could listen to him all day because what he said always seemed to get to my understanding. He said to me one day, Being part of these traditional ritual groups is against the will of God and engaging in anything like that would bring you a terrible life and you would end up in the grave. This had been jingling in my mind since the day I heard it. It was never in my mind to engage in anything like that. But my dad would always look at me and tell me, get ready to be a man, because thats all joining the group was about. Tradition said it teaches you to be a man.

I told my parents I didnt want to go. I talked to them about what the missionary had told me but they said nothing to me in return. One night I overheard my parents talking in their room. They were talking about me going into the zoe bush. Their room was next door to mine and I wasnt really sleeping that night. I heard mom ask dad, Do you think Papay (me) is going to feel good about this, and is he going to make it back? Dad said, All boys at his age are to go, so hes got no choice and we cant go against the traditional rules. At this point I felt more and more concern about this place and the fear kept raging in my mind as if I was in the middle of a ghost town. I was really scared.

A few weeks passed and we were to leave the next day. I felt so empty that night. My mind was floating with emotions and fear that my life was coming to an end. In the morning hours when the sun had just shown his face, a multitude of people, young men and women gathered in front of our house singing traditional songs. Some were crying. I was tied in a lappa, traditional clothing made from wooden cloth with the end tips tied around my neck. I stood at the door and didnt want to get out.

There was nothing I could do about this and in my heart I knew I would never forgive myself. So I had to go.

My dad came, held me by my hand, took me outside and handed me over to a guy whose face was all painted in white mud with palm leaf in his mouth. As I stepped outside, my mom burst into tears and other people in the crow started crying too. Then suddenly it began to rain as we left for the forest.

The decision I made wasnt really my choice, tradition demanded it. Joining the group didnt really make me a man. I lost my parents when I came back which seemed like what the missionary told me earlier, wasnt just a saying. And yes, you dont tell people who havent been there anything about it. Traditional groups are just based on ancient beliefs and theres no significance of being part of them.
WEST LIBERTY, Iowa  West Liberty Police Chief Kary Kinmonth has been serving as chief for about a week, but he brings 26 years of experience as both chief and officer to the job.

Kinmonth grew up in Bellevue, and served in the U.S. Air Force for four years before he felt any call to law enforcement. He returned to his home town from the Air Force in 1990.

His career in law enforcement began when he was pulled over by the Bellevue Police Chief.

"He's like, 'Hey Kary I heard you just got out of the military and we're going to be testing for a police officer and thought you would be a good candidate,'" Kinmonth said.

Training was not as extensive as it is now, Kinmonth said, and he had a couple hours' training before he was sent out on his own.

"So that was really interesting times, especially the first few months trying to figure out what I was doing and how to do things," he said.

After serving as an officer and chief in several Iowa cities, he moved to Mitchellville to serve as chief. When he heard about an opening in West Liberty, he began to research and talk to friends about the city.

"And they were all telling me really good stuff about West Liberty," he said.

One memory of a police officer interaction before he joined law enforcement has stayed with Kinmonth, and has influenced the way he thinks about policing.

He was 16 years old and working at a convenience store when he was running late to work one day. Kinmonth said he was speeding, and was pulled over and given a ticket, which he felt at the time was unfair.

"I remember what it was like when I was in those shoes and I was 16 getting pulled over for the first time," he said.

So now Kinmonth tries to remember that feeling, especially when interacting with youth.

"You have to be able to be sympathetic and empathetic and sometimes we do have to do a certain thing, but we have to use our heads too," he said.

Kinmonth also recalls his time as a school resource officer and the connections he formed with the students.

"That's the good stuff I think about the job is the relationships you can build where you break down the barriers of, you know, we're just people," he said.

Kinmonth said he has felt welcome in West Liberty, and is looking forward to getting to know everyone in the town.

Much can be solved Kinmonth said, but talking to people and being available, even if they just need to talk.

"We have to be there for our fellow mankind," he said.
Tom Campbell

The year has just begun, yet it feels as if someone pushed a big "pause" button within state government.Governor Cooper has been put on hold in having his cabinet secretaries take office, due to the legislature's December law requiring that the State Senate confirm all such appointments. The idea has some merit, but the legislature hasn't established guidelines for the process or timelines for approval. If legislators merely want to ensure appointees are qualified, have no professional, financial or ethical conflicts of interest and can pass routine background checks this confirmation makes sense. If, on the other hand, their intent is largely political and intended to ensure appointees espouse certain political or philosophical positions, confirmation could easily turn into witch-hunt. Governor Cooper's administration is in somewhat of a holding pattern awaiting permanent leadership.The question as to whether or not there will be legislative elections this year also creates a pause on several levels. Legislators appealed a federal court ruling that ordered new legislative districts drawn by March 15th, with new legislative elections held in November. New elections require a certain prescribed amount of time - time for newly drawn districts to be reviewed and approved, time to establish an appropriate candidate filing period, time for primary elections and sufficient time before a general election. Perhaps legislative leadership was hopeful of a lengthy procedural fight that would make legislative elections this year improbable. Maybe so, but the process will have an impact on this year's legislative session.Traditionally, in years when legislators face re-election they do not attempt ambitious or controversial agendas. When lawmakers return to Raleigh next week their course is somewhat uncertain.There's little question that education policymaking and administration are on pause. December's special session of the legislature gave the newly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction more authority, while removing authority from the State Board of Education, changes that are on hold pending a court ruling on their constitutionality. The same can be said for the law that would merge the State Board of Elections with the Ethics Commission, actions also challenged in court and also on pause. It goes without saying other court cases over such issues as Medicaid expansion and transgender and voting rights also leave doubt as to future direction.It appears that North Carolina has become a state governed almost as much by court decisions as by legislative action, court cases that require time and prevent timely implementation.If these weren't enough roadblocks, the fundamental relationship between the federal government and our state is hazy. During the 2016 campaign candidate Trump made many promises about programs and policies he would change. Donald Trump and Congress pledged to repeal The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), however it remains unclear when and what might happen, as well as the impact it might have on healthcare in our state. Further pledges to reform Medicaid, Medicare and mental health create more uncertainty, as do possible changes in the policies, funding and administration of immigration, education, federal regulations, foreign trade and the environment. Nobody knows what to expect in coming months.The old adage of "when in doubt, don't" was never more true than when applied to government. With so much uncertainty right now don't expect much action. State government is effectively on "pause."
A key 16.6-acre piece of land on Billings South Side has a new owner, which local experts say could finally unlock its potential for development along King Avenue East.

Parker, Colo.-based Tekton Investments has bought nine vacant parcels in the Miller Crossing subdivision north and west of Cabelas and Sams Club.

The parcels range from three-quarters of an acre to almost four acres, making them the ideal size for small retail developments that typically surround big-box stores, economic-development officials said.

Its been a long time coming, said Steve Zeier, administrator of the South Billings Urban Renewal District, which was created nearly a decade ago to develop the land.

The price was not disclosed. The land was appraised for about $3 million this year.

Billings-based NAI Properties is marketing the development land at $8 a square foot and $11 a square foot for retail pads.

The Miller Crossing land has been targeted for development since 2007, when the city of Billings struck a deal with FourSquare Properties of California. The city helped fund development of Cabelas and Sams Club with a taxpayer-funded special improvement district, but development stalled during the Great Recession.

The vacant land was later sold to Retail Properties of America, a Chicago-area real estate trust that was seeking one big tenant to occupy the space, according to Zeier.

The new owners are selling the land piece-by-piece for smaller developments, which are easier to develop quickly, said Brian McDonald, a broker with NAI Properties.

Already, hotel groups have inquired about the property, which could also house restaurants and small shops in a strip mall, he said.

When something like that happens, those retail pad sites out front will start to click.  You need someone to start the ball rolling, McDonald said.

The entire site is within the South Billings Urban Renewal District, which leverages tax-increment financing to pay portions of development costs. The district has been funded through the increase in property tax value since its inception in 2008.

Zeier said the district would consider help for developers on a case-by-case basis, and only for qualifying parts of development. Those include public projects such as sidewalks and road improvements.

The tricks of the trade are now in full force down there, Zeier said, adding, This is something that we as an organization, and the city, have been waiting for a long time now.